Kingdom Hearts: New Era of Darkness

By

Daniel Wood

Chapter 7: Lost to the Enemy

Sora and the others looked around them everywhere they walked. They couldn't believe what they were seeing. They had arrived to seek out Aladdin and his friends but when they got to Agrabah, they discovered something that they weren't expecting.

A massacred city.

All six of them were horrified to see that houses had been burned out, people were dying and being consumed by Heartless and everywhere seemed to be teeming with darkness. Sora, Donald, Goofy and Hercules had been wandering around the city for hours in an attempt to look for survivors. Tarzan and Jaron had separated from the four to look in the highest buildings of the city.

"This is horrible." That was all Donald could say.

"This world", began Hercules, "It looks like it's still alive but in tremendous agony. Like it's forced to live on even though it really wants to die."

"Understandable", said Sora.

"The Heartless have never done this to worlds before", said Goofy, "Usually they just feed on the world's core causing it to vanish."

"But why have they have done this?"

"I don't know, Donald", said the Keybearer, "But I do know that we're gonna find out and put things back the way they were."

"Maybe Jaron found out", remarked Hercules as he saw the Saviour leaping from building to building and jumping down towards the four of them.

"Anything?"

"Sorry, everyone, but I couldn't find any survivors."

"What about the palace?" asked Sora.

"The main gates were locked", explained the Saviour, "After failing to open them, I tried to climb over the walls but a barrier stopped me from going any further. How did you do?"

"The only thing we saw was more of the same", said the demi-god. Tarzan leapt from building to building, making his way down to regroup with his teammates. They all turned to the jungle hero. His face said it all.

"So what now?" asked Donald, "We've looked everywhere."

"Not everywhere", said Sora, "We haven't checked out the desert or the palace. We should split up."

"So who's going where?"

"Me, Donald and Goofy check out the desert, you three go in the palace."

"Fine with me", said Jaron. Hercules and Tarzan nodded in agreement.

"Uh, but ya said the gates were locked", said Goofy, "And a barrier stopped ya climbin' in. How're ya gonna get inside?"

Jaron gave Hercules a sly smile. The demi-god smiled back, cracked his knuckles, charged towards the palace gates at top speed and punched the doors with the force of a hurricane. The doors and the barricade behind it shattered. An entrance was now available into the palace. Hercules stood to one side and gestured for Jaron and Tarzan to go in first.

"You're too kind", smiled the Saviour. Tarzan smiled also as he and Hercules followed behind. Sora, Donald and Goofy on the other hand, began their own search as they walked out of the city into the vastness of the desert. Unlike the last time they were in Agrabah, they had to travel across the desert by foot. Carpet had helped the trio survey the entire wilderness previously when they met Aladdin and the Genie. They had walked across the desert for hours and they had still yet to discover anything.

"We're wasting time!" yelled Donald, "There's nothing here!"

"We haven't searched everywhere yet."

"How can you be sure?"

"Simple", pointed Sora, "We haven't looked over there yet…I think."

"Face it", said Goofy, "We're lost!"

"Yeah, thanks to Sora!" said Donald as he folded his arms and tapped his foot impatiently.

"Me?!"

"It was your bright idea to check out the desert!"

"Yeah, well I don't remember you suggesting ANYTHING at all!" countered the Keybearer.

"Oh yeah?!" retaliated the Royal Wizard as he got right in Sora's face.

"Guys, guys!" said Goofy, as he got in between the two of them, getting them apart from one another, "Chill out, okay? All for one, remember?"

"Hmmm…"

"Where there's a will, there's a way! Hyuk!"

"Okay, whatever", said Donald and Sora simultaneously, "At least things can't get any…"

Sora noticed something and then looked around before he could finish his sentence. Donald and Goofy also noticed what had just happened and looked around as well. Dozens and dozens of Bandits surrounded all three of them, all eyeing them with a murderous rage, slashing away at thin air.

"Ah."

Meanwhile, back at the palace, Jaron, Hercules and Tarzan had encountered no Heartless whatsoever. The Saviour had expected Heartless to come from all corners to attack, yet when they entered, it was silent as the rest of the city, yet still intact. They, like Sora and the others, had been scouring the massive confines of the palace for hours and hadn't seen anything else unusual.

"It must be abandoned." remarked Hercules.

"It doesn't make sense", said Jaron, "The Heartless usually just take worlds without leaving a trace behind, not massacre them and leave them in ruins."

"Darkness…here," spoke Tarzan, as he looked down the hallway.

"Where?"

"This way. This way."

The three ran down the hallway into the throne room. It too was abandoned but there were many distinguishing features. Statues of grotesque, reptile-like creatures were aligned alongside the walls of the throne room and the throne itself resembled a cobra's head, yet there was still no one to be seen.

"There's definitely darkness here", said Jaron, "I can sense it."

"Tarzan sure of it."

"There must be", agreed Hercules, "Everything that we've seen here indicates a presence of…well, evil."

The open doors then slammed themselves shut. The three heroes swung round immediately. They ran over to them and tried to open them but to no avail. Hercules took a strike at the doors but the power of his blow was repelled back at him, sending him flying across the throne room. The Saviour and the lord of the jungle ran over to see if he was all right. The demi-god got up in seconds, his hand held over his head.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Jaron. That force that repelled my blow was definitely some kind of sorcery."

"No, Hercules", explained a voice, "Not sorcery. Not anymore."

Then all of a sudden, the statues' colour changed from stone grey to a scaly green. The creatures were eight-foot high, with sinister yellow eyes that glowed ominously. They possessed razor-sharp claws and teeth with insidious green venom, drooling from their jaws. The most distinguishing feature about them was the Heartless emblem they bore on their chests. Jaron and Tarzan readied their weapons and Hercules prepared himself for the forthcoming battle.

"Behold, Savages, a new breed of Heartless. Welcome to my home. Unfortunately, your first visit here will also be your last, as will be this day of your lives. Death is the penalty for trespassing into Agrabah, as is the penalty for interfering in the affairs of Sharak."

Jaron, Hercules and Tarzan looked towards the throne, to see Jafar sitting in it.

"Greetings", said the genie, "I am the supreme ruler of Agrabah. I am the bearer of phenomenal cosmic power. I…AM…JAFAR!"

Back in the desert, Sora, Donald and Goofy were wading through the Bandits, tearing through the Heartless that had ambushed them. The Keyblade master dazed three of them with a Sonic Blade before finishing them off with a Thundaga spell. Goofy charged Bandits with his shield, sending them flying into the air. Donald cast many a Graviga spell, flattening many a Heartless.

Sora continued to hack and slash at anything that dared to attack him, Donald still cast powerful magic on his enemies and Goofy persisted in sending his adversaries flying into the air. Time after time, Heartless were being decimated. Despite having the element of surprise and the numbers on their side, the Bandits were being destroyed by the Keybearer and the king's followers. They hurled their swords at the trio, tried blocking their attacks, cannon-balled towards them with their swords outstretched and slashed away in a berserker frenzy, doing whatever they could to counter-attack but it was all for naught. In a matter of minutes, all of the Bandits were vanquished.

"Well, so much for that", said Donald.

Smiles of victory soon turned into looks of astonishment. A few seconds after the last Heartless had been eliminated, another army of Bandits reappeared. This time, the number of enemies was twice as big as before. They all rushed towards the trio who was once again taken by surprise.

Back at the palace, the Savages continued their attack. They spat highly poisonous venom and tried to rip and tear their enemies to pieces with their teeth and claws. Their speed and agility almost bedazzled their opponents. Jafar just sat in his throne, watching the battle with interest.

One of the Savages sprinted towards Tarzan and took a swipe at him. The jungle hero barely managed to avoid harm. He retaliated by delivering his Asp's Bite attack to the Heartless. The creature was stunned long enough for Tarzan to hurl his spear at the creature. It plunged deep into the side of the Heartless, forcing it to scream in pain. Another Savage, noticing its brother's agony, spat a shower of venom at Tarzan, hoping to avenge the suffering of its fellow Heartless. The lord of the jungle noticed the poison just as he pulled the spear out of the Savage. He managed to avoid the attack just in time, and the already wounded Heartless screamed even more as the venom scattered onto its open wound. The severely injured creature's body shook violently at it collapsed in a heap and ultimately disintegrated.

Two more Savages ran towards Hercules. One bit deep into his cape and tore a huge chunk off, whilst attempting to rip his head off. The demi-god responded by hitting the creature hard in the jaw, knocking all of its teeth out, sending it flying across the room and crashing against the door that led out of the throne room. The other Savage tried clawing the Olympian only for it to be grabbed by the leg, swung round and round Hercules' head in a tornado-like fashion and sent crashing through the roof of the palace when Hercules let go, resulting in the Heartless being sent flying through space.

Jaron struck the Savages with his sword again and again. Exploding orbs from the Saviour aggravated the Heartless even more and sword uppercuts from Jaron finished them off with ease. Five more Savages charged the Saviour all at once. Jaron leg-swept two of them, knocking them off their feet, and uppercut another two, also knocking them off their feet but the Saviour's last attack had left him wide open. The fifth Savage bit hard into Jaron's left arm. He howled in pain as the creature's teeth dug deep into his skin and the poisonous venom worked its way into Jaron's bloodstream.

The Heartless refused to let go. Desperate, Jaron clubbed the creature in the back of its head with the handle of his sword, forcing it to let go and at the same time, open its mouth. With only one arm still able, Jaron dropped his sword and quickly deployed another orb. This time, into the Heartless' mouth. The Savage swallowed it whole and disappeared into nothingness seconds later as the light consumed it.

Jaron clasped his arm. He was in tremendous pain and he started to feel weaker and weaker as the venom slowly began taking effect, yet he still fought on valiantly. Kicks and punches on the Savages staggered them and ninja stars soon saw them off.

Tarzan continued his assault on the new breed of Heartless. Raging Boar attacks weakened the Savages long enough for more spear stabs to take place. However, the lord of the jungle soon became injured when he was slashed across the chest. The Savages pressed their advantage, leaping onto the jungle hero all at once trying to consume him. Tarzan kicked away as many as he could but the Heartless still continued isolating the jungle hero, clawing him whilst doing so.

Jaron and Hercules noticed the trouble their friend was in and rushed to help him. However, the venom had finally taken its toll on Jaron, and the Saviour passed out from the pain, collapsing to the ground. Hercules turned around to see Jaron out of the fight. The demi-god's distraction was the opening the Heartless needed. Ten Savages pounced on Hercules all at once, clawing and biting into him. Although he possessed god-like strength, Hercules was still mortal and not immune to mortal attacks. The venom weakened him and weakened him until he too passed out. Tarzan couldn't cope with his injuries either and soon joined his comrades in unconsciousness. The Savages mused over their fallen enemies and were ready to finish them off.

"Enough", ordered Jafar.

The Savages backed away from Jaron, Hercules and Tarzan and looked at their master.

"Better for them to die to slow", the vizier said as he rose from his throne, "The venom will take full effect in a few hours. Plenty of time for their friends to come to the rescue. Which is just the opportunity I need."

Back in the desert, Sora, Donald and Goofy were tiring. As soon as they destroyed one Bandit, two more took its place. The threesome continued to fight on but in the end, the sheer weight of numbers became overwhelming. Blows from the Heartless continued to knock them senseless and minutes later, they ended up piled together in a heap. The Heartless stood still for a few moments before charging towards their helpless prey. Before they could deliver the killing blow, a thunderstorm struck them, destroying dozens of them. Sora and the others looked up to see what had happened and smiled when they found out.

"And tonight's forecast" said Genie as he floated above the Heartless below, dressed as a weatherman with a weather-map alongside him, "Lots and lots of thunderstorms!"

Genie pointed his finger at the Heartless and thunderstorms struck them. The majority of Bandits vanished instantly and the ones that were left were easy meat for Aladdin and Carpet as they entered the fray. The former outlaw ploughed through the Heartless whilst swinging his sword and the magic carpet charged through the Bandits, sending them flying. The Keybearer and the king's followers recovered and rejoined the battle. Soon the Heartless became quickly decimated and Sora and friends were the only ones left standing.

"Never expected to see you guys again", smiled Aladdin as he shook hands with Sora.

"We did", smiled Sora, "Thanks!"

"No problemo, little key-buddy!" said Genie as he put his arm around Sora, nearly squeezing the life out of him, "Anything for a friend!"

"So what brings you guys back to Agrabah?"

"We need your help, Aladdin."

"It's funny, Sora. We were thinking the same about you."

"We kinda noticed", said Goofy, "What happened HERE?"

"It all happened in a flash", said Genie, "It was an ordinary day when everything just went dark and the Heartless took over."

"When did this happen?"

"A little over a week ago", explained Aladdin, "The Heartless just came out of nowhere and started consuming everything. We tried our best to fight them off but there were too many of them. Darkness started emerging everywhere and we had to abandon the city."

"Were there any other survivors?" asked Sora, "We checked the city when we arrived and we didn't see anybody…anybody…"

"A few thousand managed to survive. We set up a small camp in the desert but we still have to watch our backs. The Heartless are everywhere these days…because this world now belongs to them and Jafar."

"Jafar?" said Donald, "He's back?"

"Yeah, little feathered-friend", said Genie, "He led the massacre. This world belongs to him."

"All the more reason why he has to be stopped", said Aladdin, "That's why we need your help."

"You got it, Aladdin", agreed the Keyblade master, "And I was wondering if you could help us with something afterwards."

"Whatever it is, you got our help", said Aladdin, "Tell us on the way."

Soon after Sora, Donald, Goofy and Aladdin had boarded Carpet, they took off into the night sky, with Genie flying alongside them. However, all six of them had been unaware of the figure that had been watching them. He chuckled at how well his plan was proceeding as he slowly advanced towards the camp.

"Perfect."

As the six headed straight for the city, Sora told his side of the story. Genie couldn't believe it when he heard Sora mention a name he hadn't heard in a long, long time.

"SHARAK?!"

"You know him, Genie?"

"Know him?!" exclaimed Genie, "I've known him since he became boss of this universe billions of years ago and since he bit the dust! I thought he was dead!"

"I think loads of people did", said Sora, "I take it you didn't like him at all, huh?"

"He was the worst master I ever had, Sora", the former prisoner of the lamp explained, "Even worse than Jafar. He got my lamp and forced me to fight on his side. I hated every second of it. He made me do the worst things. He made me punish people for disobeying him in all sorts of horrible ways. I was eventually rescued and fought against him. He's a really powerful…thing, and make no mistake about it."

"We know", said Sora.

"So this Sharak wants to get back the universe, huh?"

"Uh-huh", said Donald, "But we're not sure just exactly how he intends to do it. He's recruiting the bad guys to help him and that's all we know."

"And knowing him, he's got Jafar's back", said Goofy.

"I take it Jafar's in the palace."

"That's right, Sora."

"And the others have probably met his acquaintance already", furthered the Keybearer. We gotta get back there to help them!"

Back at the camp, chaos ensued. People were dying because of this creature. No matter how hard the guards there tried to defend the people there, they were all just obliterated by this entity that caused a frenzied panic among the people who had suffered more than enough.

"Give me Princess Jasmine", Sharak calmly replied, "And I will let you all live."

"She's not here!" cried one of the frightened citizens, "I swear she's not here!"

"You're lying", the creature replied as he throttled the citizen, "Perjury is a crime. And any crime committed against me results in death."

The emperor continued throttling her and then electrocuted her. He tossed the citizen to one-side and then carried on walking towards the main tent where Aladdin and Jasmine resided. People were now hiding from Sharak or running for their lives. He didn't care about them. All he wanted was the final princess that he needed.

"Allow me to introduce myself, princess", began Sharak, as he entered the tent, "I'm…"

The source of all darkness looked around him. There was no one there. Sharak shook his head.

"Futile."

Jasmine had been told to run from the guards when Sharak attacked. She refused to at first but later relented after much argument and persuasion. The guards, at best, had only been able to distract the creature for a few seconds. Jasmine knew she wouldn't get far.

"Really, Jasmine", sighed Sharak, as he teleported in front of her, "You cannot escape fate. Not ever. I would've fought you'd realised that by now."

"Who…who are you?"

"I am extremely hurt, my dear princess", Sharak's voice changed into one that Jasmine instantly recognised, "I would've thought that we'd known each other long enough for you to recognise me whatever form I choose."

"Sharak" shape-shifted into his real form. Jasmine could only say one thing.

"Jafar."

Back in the city, Sora and friends had made their way to the palace. They ran through the many halls and corridors of the palace. Until finally, they entered the throne room. The six of them noticed Jaron, Hercules and Tarzan lying in the middle of the room. Sora and the others immediately ran over to them to help.

"Guys! Guys, wake up!"

"They cannot wake up, foolish boy."

Everyone looked to see "Jafar" sitting in the throne.

"Jafar!" shouted Aladdin.

"Not exactly", replied the impostor as "his" voice changed. Sora, Donald and Goofy instantly knew whom they were facing.

"Maleficent?"

"You're far too late", the sorceress calmly replied as she assumed her more familiar form, "You're too late to stop us, and you're too late to save them."

"What have you done to them?!"

"Not I, dear boy. Them."

The Keybearer, the King's followers, the former genie of the lamp, the magic carpet and the prince of Agrabah looked around them. About thirty Savages surrounded the heroes.

"Behold the new breed of Heartless", she proudly announced, "These Savages have a fascinating venom that can cause death within hours. And it took a long time for you fools to get here, didn't it?"

"Where's Jafar?!"

"He's paying your wife a visit", smiled Maleficent, "Of course, you imbeciles won't be alive to save her."

"Jasmine!" screamed Aladdin as he headed for the throne room's exit. A Savage leapt in front of him, blocking his path.

"Goodbye", smiled Maleficent. She gradually disappeared into nothingness, cackling with manic glee as she returned to Sharak's home world. The Savages advanced slowly towards the heroes.

"We've got to rescue Jasmine!" shouted Aladdin.

"And we've got to get Jaron and the others some help! Fast!" agreed Sora.

"WOO! WOO! WOO! WOO! WOO!" cried Genie, making ambulance noises and gathering everyone onto a stretcher. Genie crashed out of the roof of the palace, with everyone behind him. The Savages were left hissing and growling at the prey that had escaped. In a mere matter of seconds, they arrived at the camp. Aladdin frantically searched the camp looking for Jasmine, Sora and Donald used their Curaga magic to try and eliminate the venom that was plaguing Jaron, Tarzan and Hercules. In the desperation, more Heartless appeared. Genie unleashed his magic on the outclassed opponents, but as soon as they were destroyed, more and more appeared instantly to take their place.

"We've gotta get out of here!" shouted Goofy.

"That's the most sensible thing you've said all day!" agreed Donald.

"Jasmine!" shouted Aladdin, as everyone had to drag him away from the ruins of the camp. A massive swarm of Heartless chased after the heroes as they retreated to the cruiser. Genie did his best to hold them at bay but no matter how many he destroyed, more and more kept appearing. Finally, everyone managed to get aboard the cruiser and Sora was able to pilot the vessel away from Agrabah. The Heartless Bandits, Fat Bandits and Savages hissed and roared by way of celebration. They had forced their enemies to retreat, leaving them victorious.

Later that evening, aboard the cruiser, Jaron, Hercules and Tarzan had fully recovered and the assembled army of heroes was discussing the day's events. Only Aladdin and Genie weren't present.

"How are you guys feeling?" asked Goofy.

"Better now", replied Jaron, "All thanks to you."

"Tarzan never see Heartless like that before."

"Tell me about it", agreed Hercules, "No wonder they were called Savages."

"What a day", said Sora, "Agrabah was massacred, taken over, and swarming with darkness. Almost everywhere we went, Heartless were there."

"I had no idea Sharak was willing to do that to worlds", admitted Jaron, "I can't imagine what Aladdin must be going through."

"Genie's still talking to him, huh?" asked Donald.

"Yeah."

Aladdin was in the cargo bay with Genie. The prince of Agrabah couldn't believe it. He'd lost his home and his wife in a day.

"How can anybody do such a thing, Genie?"

"I don't know, Al. I've seen it happen a lot of times and I've never found the answer."

"I've lost my home and my family", said Aladdin, "I've lost everything."

"Whoa, whoa, time out, kid", comforted the cosmic-being, "You've still got us. And you can bet your top-dollar that we'll help you all the way through this. We gonna help each other right through to the end."

Aladdin looked up at Genie as he put his arm around his shoulder.

"That's what friends are for, little buddy."

"Genie, I…"

Genie smiled at Aladdin, who smiled back and the two friends hugged each other.

"Thanks, Genie."

Back at Sharak's world, Maleficent and Jafar were receiving high praise and congratulations from the emperor.

"Your plan was sheer genius, Jafar. Having those idiots separate and chase after you and the rebels was brilliance itself. They played right into our hands, leading us right to the princess and at the same time, leaving her alone and vulnerable."

"You are most kind, Sharak", smiled the genie.

"Credit goes to you too, Maleficent", congratulated the darkness, "Your contribution and distractions were also of great value."

"But of course", smiled the mistress of all evil, "Now then, we have all the princesses and the people we need to carry out our plan. Surely it must be time to begin your regeneration."

"Not just yet", replied the emperor, "Our forces need further growth if the invasion is to be a success. It is only a matter of time."

"Unfortunately, the boy still lives."

"No matter", replied Sharak, "I am pleased with the events of today. Very pleased. And you two should be as well. Come with me. You have both earned your respective rewards."

The three exited the conference room.

"As for the boy", the emperor chuckled, "The best is yet to come."

Hollow Bastion.

A peaceful world where its residents once lived in harmony under the rule of a wise man named Ansem, many years ago.

But that was before.

Before Ansem was taken over by the darkness, before the Heartless were resurfaced and before total disaster followed because of the seeker of darkness' selfish quest for the truth. Many people died and many people lost their home and were sent into exile. Five of its residents, Leon (Squall Leonheart), Cloud Strife, Yuffie Kisaragi, Aerith Gainsborough and a pilot named Cid, were among those who had lost their home when the Heartless returned. They had been in exile for nine years before finally returning to their home following Ansem's defeat. Since then, they had restored Hollow Bastion to its former glory.

Over the last two years, peace and harmony had been enjoyed here like never before, and everyone was happy that things had returned to the way they were. However, things were about to change.

Cloud and Aerith were walking together in the Rising Falls and they were just on their way back to the castle, when they noticed something at the bottom of the falls. They made their way down to get a closer look and immediately ran over to what they saw when they discovered that it was a human.

The boy looked about seventeen years old. Aerith felt his pulse. It was steady. The boy grunted as he slowly started to open his eyes.

"…wh…w…?"

The boy's failed to get his words out. He was in so much pain. He tried to get up but failed to do so, seething in pain even more with tears flowing from his eyes

"Get some help", Aerith told Cloud, "He can't move on his own and it's too dangerous if we try to move him."

Cloud headed back up the falls and back to the castle. The boy tilted his head slightly as he looked at Aerith. He whimpered in even more pain as he tried to speak.

"…"

"It's okay", smiled Aerith, "You're safe now."