Here's the next chapter everyone! Ugh the trip to Radiant Garden... so many feels and things going on at once! I was so happy to finally introduce members of Organization 13 when they were somebodies and have several scenes tie in to the major plot of the game! Enjoy the chapter!
"The World is vast—and the worlds within the greater World, uncountable. Like little islands, they dot a great Ocean Between which keeps them ignorant of each other, uncorrupted. Each world had its own order. Unlike us, they could not know of the World in its entirety, and we were never to enlighten them." – Xehanort Report II
Chapter 9: Intertwining Fates Part 2
Ansem the Wise sat in his study. He had been there for days. There were moments where his several apprentices would worry about their king. The wise sage was too preoccupied studying the human heart. The heart's anatomy and emotions were what drove him to do endless amounts of research. What drives the darkness to consume something precious as the heart? Several of the residence of Radiant Garden believed that their king was clearly insane. To be locked up in a room days upon days doing endless amounts of research over something that no one could be able to comprehend. With each day he felt as though he was getting closer to the answers he was seeking, however finding one straight answer led to so many other questions.
His brown eyes fell on his journal. He kept several notes of his progress of his research. Jotting down everything and every discovery he was able to find with the help of his apprentices. A quill in one hand and a strange flavor of ice cream called sea-salt in the other. There were times the taste of the ice cream differed. Today it seemed bitter than normal.
Ansem looked up as he heard a small knock on his door. An exhausted sigh escaped the wise man's lips. 'I thought I clearly told my apprentices that I did not want to be disturbed.' He thought. As the door opened, Ansem's annoyed demeanor turned into a sincere one.
"Sorry to interrupt," Mickey awkwardly rubbed the back of his head as he entered the room. "Your guards gave me a tough time trying to get in."
"I apologize for that, I can feel it within my veins, a dark force is looming over the kingdom," Ansem said to him. "But I always have time for you old friend." He replied with a smile.
Mickey had visited this world many times while being an apprentice for Yen Sid. The day he arrived to Radiant Garden on his first visit, he and Ansem shared a special connection with each other. They would each bounce of theories of light and darkness to one another and help each other out if they were stuck on a theory. After having long discussions, the two would share sea-salt ice cream together. It became a mediocre tradition in which the two friends enjoyed. In fact it was Mickey who had introduced the wise king to sea-salt ice cream.
The two walked down the halls of Radiant Garden's esteemed castle side by side. As they walked along the halls, the two passed several of Ansem's apprentices.
"The king's order was not to allow anyone into the castle, Aeleus!" An agitated voice groaned. The tall, broad-shouldered man that wore a dark slate grey guard uniform which is adorned with a curled heart symbol, and white glove. The front of his jacket was sporting two rows of gold buttons, silver highlights, and a red and white heart like the one on his gloves. He also wore a belt and knee-high boots, both of which are black.
"He said he knew our king, Dilan what's the harm in letting him in!" The man named Aeleus, wore a similar outfit to his guard partner retorted.
Dilan sighed in aggravation and was interrupted by a nasally voice saying, "Look at you two quarreling like an old married couple."
Hearing this Dilan rolled his eyes. "Don't you have something to research Even?"
"Indeed I do," The man named Even replied as he adjusted his lab coat. "Murmurings among the walls indicate that there are visitors from other worlds here."
"Visitors from other worlds?" Aeleus asked curiously.
"We must be on our guard," Dilan replied. "These visitors must not be allowed into the castle. It would disrupt this world's order if anyone from the outside world knew of what the king was doing."
"They will prove of great use to me in my research," Even stated then ushered a small boy forward who was also wearing a lab coat barely said anything. "Ienzo here will vouch for me, isn't that right?"
The small boy meekly nodded his head agreeing to his superior's plan.
Ansem looked at his apprentices deep in thought. "Visitors from other worlds?" He pondered and then looked at Mickey. "There are other people here like you who are not from around here my young friend."
Mickey smiled brightly replying, "Gosh I'm sure they won't cause any trouble here." He then looked up at Ansem. "The darkness getting stronger. I don't know who or what is causing this imbalance, but I'll make sure they don't harm this world."
Ansem looked down at the brave king. "How could you possibly stop such a great force on your own?" He asked in bewilderment.
Mickey smiled brightly. "That's because I'm not alone!" He replied with his usual cheerful smile. "I've got friends helping me in this fight! They're fighting just as hard as I am to stop the darkness from spreading!"
'Is this what they call will of the heart?' Ansem thought as he heard the brave words usher out from the tiny mouse. 'Will the darkness one day consume him because of how strong his light is?' The more Ansem thought about the questions in his head, the more obsessed he became with finding out what the darkness was capable of doing. As Ansem watched his four appreintices bicker and argue he realized that Braig wasn't with them. 'That's odd,' He thought. 'Braig's guard post at the waterway ended hours ago. Where in the world could he have gone?''
It was as if Braig mentally heard his king. He was walking down the same hallway, with Xehanort by his side.
"There you are Braig," Ansem stared suspiciously at the guest which Braig allowed to wander the castle. "And you have a guest with you."
"I mean this world no harm," Xehanort said. "I simply wish to help you in your quest for more knowledge about the darkness."
Braig patted Xehanort's back causing the old man to scowl and replied eagerly, "Gramps over here knows all about the forces of darkness since he gave up his heart for it."
At this Ansem became more intrigued and curious. "You gave up your heart to pursue the darkness?"
"The darkness is not a threat," Xehanort began. "Like the light, darkness too has a place in this world. There are those who are strong enough to withhold its grand power," His eyes fell upon Mickey. "And there are those who cower in fear of it believing that light is the only reasonable answer."
In an instant the tiny adjacent hallway became tense as the two pairs crossed paths with each other. It was almost as if pure light and pure darkness would clash right here in this hallway. Mickey's gloved fingers twitched like he wanted to summon his keyblade, but instead the tiny mouse balled his gloved hand into a fist. He could feel a chill running down his spine. With every word Xehanort spoke, the small king grew more suspicious.
'He's gotta be the one spreading darkness to the worlds!' Mickey thought to himself as he glared at Xehanort. "It's people like you who think darkness is the only answer! Toiling away in the darkness and losing your heart to it is like abandoning the only thing that makes you human!"
Ansem saw how angry his friend was getting. 'The darkness feeds on anger, rage, and other negative feelings inside one's heart. I cannot allow King Mickey to befall such a horrible fate.' He thought coming to a decision. "Braig escort your guest out of my castle at once," He ordered. "I do not want him back here again, do you understand?"
"What?!" Braig angrily spat out. "You've gotta be kidding me, right?! You've got someone who can help you in your research and your kicking him out!?"
"Don't make me repeat myself!" Ansem threatened.
"I can see I've outstayed my welcome," Xehanort said. "I will not bother you again." The old man turned around walking towards the exit of the castle. Mickey watched anxiously as he stared at Xehanort's retreating back.
"Come my friend," Ansem said gently. "Let us rejoice our union with sea-salt ice cream."
Mickey looked up at Ansem as he heard this. A smile touched his lips. "You got it!"
"Told you he wasn't going to buy it." Braig said to Xehanort as he walked beside him.
A smirk touched Xehanort's lips. "Your king is just as senile as everyone else I've met," He replied. "This world will fall into darkness. I will make sure of that."
"Does that mean you're gonna follow through on your plan?" Braig asked curiously. "This better be worth it, I didn't go out of my way to join you for nothing and I better not get hurt in the process."
Xehanort just nodded in agreement to Braig's wasteful request. His plan was already in motion. He easily lured Terra to this world. Terra would be eager enough to help his friend and put a stop to Vanitas.
Lira followed Donald and Goofy through giant hall of Disney Castle. She looked around ambitiously as she saw brooms with buckets walking on their own cleaning and keeping the castle tidy.
"Wow…," Lira smiled at the manifestation before her. "I wish I had those brooms back home. I wouldn't have to lift a finger."
"It took the king years to master the spell," Goofy said to her. "Gawrsh at first he almost drowned on Master Yen Sid's Tower."
"You've gotta practice if you want to be as good as the king." Donald added.
The knight and mage led their chosen one into the library. The library was filled with walls upon walls of books. From novice spell books to advance guarding techniques to perfecting the correct form in battle.
"Do I have to read all those?" Lira groaned staring at all the books.
"Of course not," Donald said to her. "Before we train you, you need to choose a weapon."
Goofy led Lira towards a ginormous wooden desk where she saw a staff, a sword, and a shield.
"I can only choose one?" Lira asked.
"It's not you who'll have to choose," Goofy explained. "Your heart's gotta choose for you. It's a ceremony that every warrior fightin' to keep the light safe goes through."
Lira placed a hand over her chest. "My heart has to choose…" She repeated and swore she could feel her heart beat as if it was alive. The room around her suddenly became bitterly cold and everything was shrouded in darkness.
"W-What's going on?" Lira trembled gently. "Donald!? Goofy!?" She called out to her friends, but her voice couldn't reach them. 'Is this the ceremony?' She thought to herself.
"The power sleeps within you." A voice spoke.
"Whose there?!" Lira demanded.
The voice ignored her question and continued to speak, "If you give it form, it will give you strength."
Lira touched her heart again. 'I-Is this my heart speaking…' She wondered looking at the three floating weapons in front of her.
"Choose well…" The voice said to her.
Lira stared intently at the three weapons. Her heart had to choose the answer; she couldn't hesitate or take a second guess. The timid girl balled her fists determined to make the right choice. She looked at the choices again as the voice spoke once more out of nowhere.
"The power of the mystic," The voice spoke to her. "Inner strength. A staff of wonder and ruin. Is this the power you seek?"
She then looked at the staff and a thought struck her, 'From what I've seen those creatures come from the darkness. It's a source of magic that has been banned for centuries in my world. I'll fight the darkness with my own strength in magic.' It was as if her hand was moving on its own reaching for the staff.
'But strength's not going to be enough," Lira thought. 'I'm doing this to protect people and keep them safe from the darkness.' She then looked at the shield.
"The power of the guardian," The voice spoke as Lira looked at the shield. "Kindness to aid friends. A shield to repel all. Is this the power you seek?"
"The power of the warrior," The voice spoke. "Invincible courage. A sword of terrible destruction. Is this the power you seek?"
'If I have to help the others fight, I need all the strength I can have.' She thought eyeing the sword. Lira reached for the sword. She didn't even realize her hand was making a motion towards the sword. It was as if her heart was choosing for her. "This is the power I seek." She said.
Lira almost cringed as she held the sword in her hand. Her heart was beating faster.
"Now what will you give up in exchange?" The voice boomed.
Lira's blue eyes gazed at the staff and shield. 'I can protect the people I care about without a shield,' she thought. 'The good fairies back home protect people without one, why can't I?'' With that thought in mind, Lira gave up the power of the shield.
"Do you give up this power?" The voice asked.
"Yes." Lira answered taking the staff in her hand.
"Your path is now set," The voice spoke one final time. "You've chosen the power of the warrior. You've given up the power of the guardian. Is this the path you choose?"
Lira nodded as she tightly held onto the sword and staff, one great weapon in each hand. She suddenly felt the ground tremble underneath her feet. "T-The ground's collapsing!" Lira shrieked as the darkness underneath her shattered into pieces and the young girl fell into the darkness.
"Lira!" Goofy's voice echoed to her.
"Wake up!" Donald's voice called to her.
Lira groggily opened her eyes. She found herself back at the library with Donald and Goofy hovering over her with worried and anxious looks on their faces.
'Did I dream that place up?' Lira thought and sat up quickly. "Did I pass the ceremony?" She asked them curiously.
"Why don't you look at your hands and tell us." Donald replied cheekily pointing to the sword and staff in her hands.
'Guess that wasn't a dream after all.' Lira thought smiling to herself.
"A'hyuck! Congratulations Lira!" Goofy said happily shaking her hand. "You passed with flying colors! Now we can train ya!"
Lira smiled embracing what would eventually be her destiny and this was just the beginning.
Ven raced up the steps of Radiant Garden's castle.
"Ven wait for me!" Levina called to him as she panted for air trying to keep up with him. She caught her breath and looked around. She smiled seeing the castle walls planted with various flowers. It was almost like being home again.
"I thought I saw Mickey come here." Ven pondered scratching his head.
He and Levina saw two guards at the front of the castle. It was Dilan and Aeleus guarding the castle doors.
"Maybe those two have seen Mickey," Levina said. "How about we ask them?"
"It's worth a shot." Ven ran over to the two men guarding the castle doors. Immediately Dilan and Aeleus held their weapons up high blocking the entrance of the door to the two strangers before them.
"The castle is presently closed." Aeleus told the two of them.
"But we thought we someone here." Levina said to them.
"Yeah," Ven added. "He's a friend of ours."
Dilan and Aeleus exchanged glances at each other before returning their hard gaze at the children in front of them.
"We aren't aware of any visitors." Dilan replied flatly. "Now run along children before the monsters get you."
"Monsters?" Levina repeated. "Guess the Unversed are here too."
Ven frowned in disappointment. He was sure that Mickey had walked up these steps. "I could've sworn it was him."
"Come on Ven lets go and –" Levina stopped speaking as she saw the head of an Unversed floating in front of them. "What is that?!"
"They're here!" Aeleus replied gripping his axe sword tightly.
"Radiant Garden shall not fall to the likes of you." Dilan said twirling his lance.
"Radiant Garden?" Ven repeated and then looked at Levina with a smile on his face. "Didn't you say that this was your mom was from?"
"Yeah!" Levina brightly answered and then looked at the guards. "Excuse me, but do you two happen to know someone by the name of Liora?"
Dilan and Aeleus stopped persuing the Unversed that was threatening their city. They looked back at the girl.
"She was one of our king's finest mages." Aeleus said.
Levina was about to tell them who she was but frowned when she heard Dilan speak.
"Liora ran off with some stranger from another world years ago claiming to be in love with him," Dilan added with a disdain scowl. "We never saw her again."
"Oh…" Levina frowned gently. 'Is that what it's like to be in love?' To ignore everything and everyone around you, just to be with one person?' She thought.
"Levina! Come on!" Ven said to her as he ran down the steps. "We've got to make sure that Unversed doesn't hurt anyone in town!"
"Right!" Levina nodded following Ven. She wouldn't let her mother's world be destroyed by the Unversed.
"Stop!" Aeleus called to them.
"Your just children!" Dilan shouted trying to stop them. They were about to follow the two keyblade wielders leaving their post at the castle gates when they heard a familiar voice from behind them.
"Now who do you think will defend the castle if you two go skipping off?" It was Even. The two guardsmen could recognize his nasally voice anywhere.
"But those children can't possibly fight a monster that big…" Aeleus began.
Even watched Levina and Ven run off down the steps of the castle. "Never you worry about them," He told them eyeing Ven very closely as if he knew something the others didn't. "Especially that boy, he's a special case."
"A what?" Aeleus asked.
"Even is right," Dilan said. "Our lord and castle come first. Those children will have to fend for themselves."
"Which reminds me," Even told them. "Our lordship was asking for you two." He ordered the two guardsmen to retreat into the castle. Even continued to watch the two children chase the giant Unversed. "A heart devoid of darkness," He thought out loud referring to Ventus. "Stripped from his heart, it is very questionable." As the three men went into the castle, Kairi was running off in terror being chased by a fledgling of the Unversed.
The two keyblade wielders chased the Unversed they were following to the Central Square entrance. They both saw Scrooge McDuck trying to fend off the giant creature.
"Get back you awful fiend!" Scrooge yelled. "You won't be getting' my money!"
"Hey!" Ven yelled to Scrooge. "Look out!" He threw his keyblade like a boomerang hitting the Unversed in the back of its giant head.
The Unversed retreated running off into town.
"We have to go after it!" Levina yelled and the two continued to chase after the giant Unversed.
"Hold on a minute lads!" Scrooge called out to them. "Don't I even get a chance to repay ya?"
"Oh you don't have to do that." Ven told the rich duck.
"We're not interested in money." Levina said to him.
"Now hold your horses," Scrooge told them. "I didn't mean my fortune!" The tiny duck took off his hat reaching into it and taking out tickets to something called a Million Dream Festival at Disney Town.
"These are lifetime passes to Disney Town," Scrooge told them. "There's a festival of dreams going on there right now." He then looked at the two teens closely. "If I were you two, I'd be advised to take some grown-ups with ya."
"Grown-ups?" Ven and Levina repeated looking at each other.
While this was going on Terra wandered the roads and pathways of Radiant Garden. He wanted to see Xehanort and ask for his guidance once more. 'I was positive I saw Master Xehanort here,' He thought to himself. 'I wonder if Aqua, Ven and Levina are alright? I've been away from them for so long, it's like I've lost a piece of myself. Is that why the darkness keeps clinging to me?' As Terra pondered these words he saw the body of a gigantic Unversed hovering over the city.
"Guess Master Xehanort will have to wait!" Terra said making his keyblade appear in his hand. 'Just because my heart is losing itself to the darkness, doesn't mean I won't stop from keeping innocent people safe.'
He continued following the strange Unversed. Without realizing it, Terra was passing Ven and Levina who were running into town that very moment.
Mickey was finishing his sea-salt ice cream in Ansem's study. He carelessly looked out the window at the vast city surrounded by light. It would be terrible if this world fell into darkness. He saw Kairi being chased by the Unversed.
"Oh no!" Mickey exclaimed jumping to his feet.
"What is it my friend?" Ansem asked curiously.
"That girl!" Mickey anxiously answered pointing out the window to where Kairi was. "She needs help!" The tiny mouse held out his hand summoning his keyblade.
As Ansem saw the magical keyblade in his friend's hand, he became fixated by it. He didn't even realize that the ice cream in his hand was melting. He wanted to know more about this strange weapon his friend was wielding.
"Sorry to cut this visit short, but I've gotta help that little girl!" Mickey quickly put aside his ice cream stick on Ansem's desk. Etched on the ice cream stick was the word: WINNER.
Ansem stared at the ice cream stick on his desk as Mickey ran off. 'Perhaps one day we can day we can share another treat together.'
As Mickey raced out of the castle, Aqua had just reached the steps of the castle. She must've just missed Ven and Levina. She frowned when she realized Terra wasn't here, but became self-aware of what was going on when she saw Kairi being chased by Unversed.
"No!" Aqua yelled making her keyblade appear in her hand. "Come over here quick!"
Kairi's legs trembled as she was surrounded by Unversed. She tightly clung to the flowers she was holding in her hand. When she saw her chance, the tiny girl ran towards Aqua. She fearfully gripped onto the handle of Aqua's keyblade, either of them not realizing that Kairi had performed a keyblade ceremony. One day this girl would be able to wield a keyblade.
Aqua looked down at the small girl gently smiling at her. "It's alright," She said to her soothingly. "I'll keep you safe."
Hearing this Kairi smiled at Aqua.
'I can feel a strong light in this girl's heart.' Aqua thought. 'Is that why the Unversed are after her?'' She looked at the swarm of Unversed advancing on the two. 'There's no way I can fight like this.' Aqua thought realizing she was out numbered. One of the Flood Unversed climbed the castle walls leaping at the two.
Aqua readied her keyblade to attack the tiny creature of darkness, but Mickey intervened slicing the creature in half.
"Hurry!" Mickey said to Aqua. "You have to get that girl to safety."
Aqua looked at Mickey in surprise. "Who are you?" She asked the tiny mouse. "Why do you have a keyblade?"
"I'll tell ya later," Mickey told her. "Right now we gotta stop these things."
Aqua nodded lifting Kairi with arm and set her aside away from the Unversed. "Stay here ok?" She told the small girl.
Kairi nodded and watched as Aqua ran back to aid Mickey and fought the Unversed with him.
"Let's get 'em!" Mickey said bravely.
"Right!" Aqua nodded.
The two skilled keyblade wielders fought off the Unversed. Together the power of their light surpassed the creatures of darkness. Once it was safe enough, Kairi ran back to her two saviors. After the battle was over, Aqua thanked the small mouse.
"My name is Aqua," Aqua introduced herself. "I train under Master Eraqus."
"I'm Mickey!" The tiny king replied in his usual happy demeanor. "I used to be Master Yen Sid's apprentice. I came back to him for more training."
Aqua looked up at Kairi. "I sense light within this girl," She said to Mickey. "Do you think that's why they attacked her?"
"Yup!" Mickey nodded. "I think you might be absolutely right. If you ask me, she must be absolutely extraordinary."
Aqua agreed with Mickey's confirmation. "Yes, I think she's someone we're supposed to protect."
Mickey smiled at this. "We should join forces," He said to her happily. "And protect the people with strong light in their hearts!" The small mouse held out his hand to her, but suddenly his star shard began to glow. "Oh no! Not now!" He exclaimed. Mickey's star shard sent the mouse away from his new friend. "See ya real soon!" He screamed to them leaving the world of Radiant Garden.
Kairi graciously held out her flowers to Aqua. "Here," She said to the woman in front of her. "A present for saving me." She smiled sweetly.
Aqua smiled at the tiny girl as she took the flowers in her hand. "Thank you so much," She said. "You're so sweet."
"My name's Kairi!" Kairi said beaming with pride. "Nice to meet you!"
"Nice to meet you too," Aqua replied. "I'm Aqua," The keyblade master introduced herself to the little girl. "Kairi about that light inside your heart…"
Aqua was about to explain to Kairi the importance of the light inside her heart when they both heart Kairi's grandmother calling to her.
"Oh!" Kairi waved to her grandmother. "Grandma!" The tiny girl walked towards her grandmother.
"Kairi wait a second." Aqua said to Kairi causing her to stop. Aqua gingerly placed her fingers on Kairi's charm necklace casting a protective spell on her. "I just cast a magic spell on you," She explained. "One day when your in trouble, the light inside your heart will lead you to a light of another. Someone to keep you safe."
Hearing this, the small girl's eyes shined brightly. It was like a fairy tale to her. "Thanks!" Kairi said happily and ran to her grandmother.
"There you are." Kairi's grandmother smiled. "It's time to go home."
Kairi nodded to her grandmother taking her hand. She turned around waving good-bye to Aqua and then walked off with her grandmother cheerfully as if nothing ever happened. The small girl looked up at her grandmother with a smile on her face. "Hey Grandma, could you tell me that story again?"
Kairi's grandmother laughed. "I've told you that story many times before dear child." She said.
"Please!" Kairi pleaded.
"Oh alright," Kairi's grandmother smiled telling Kairi her favorite story. "Long ago, people lived in peace bathed in the warmth of light. Everyone loved the light. Then people began to fight over it. They wanted to keep it for themselves and darkness was born in their hearts. The darkness spread, swallowing the lights in people's hearts. It covered everything and the worlds disappeared. But, small fragments of light survived in the hearts of children. With these fragments of light, children rebuilt the lost worlds which is the worlds we live in now, but the true light sleeps, deep within the darkness. That's why the worlds are still scattered, divided from each other, but someday a door to the inner most darkness will open and the true light will return."
Kairi's Grandmother smiled at her grand-daughter. "So listen well child, even in the deepest darkness, there will always be a light to guide you. Believe in the light and the darkness will never defeat you. Your heart will shine with its power and push the darkness away."
Aqua smiled watching the two walk off. She held her wayfinder tightly. "Something tells me I didn't run into her by accident." She said to herself. 'I just wish I could run into Terra, Ven, and Levina again. I hope they're all safe.' Aqua thought as she continued to explore Radiant Garden in search for her friends.
So what did you guys think? Effing plot everywhere x.x It's so freaking tough to tie in everything together. Which is why I'm going to add another part so I can finish the trip to Radiant Garden in the next one :D Until then review!
