Chapter 10- Deja vu
As soon as Sairu and Mickey emerged into the Underworld, Sairu could immediately understand why the Olympus Stone was used. Even with its magic protecting them, Sairu felt the air here was thicker than back at the Coliseum, and he suddenly felt dizzy, despite still walking straight. Turning back to his companion, Sairu couldn't tell whether the King was feeling the same way. Then, Lunar Bahamut emerged from his jacket and propped on his shoulder. "Lunar Bahamut, can you track Vincent?" "Hmm… I've been trying to locate him since we emerged in the Underworld, but regretfully, I cannot sense him right now. We are literally walking in the dark this time" Lunar Bahamut responded negatively, which disappointed Sairu. Without Lunar Bahamut to guide him, tracking Vincent would prove difficult, if not near impossible. Sairu then had an idea, despite being convinced that it may not work.
Standing dead in his tracks, Sairu took a deep breath, closed his eyes and reached inside the depths of his heart. As he opens his eyes again, the apparition of Master Eraqus stood next to him. "You called?" Eraqus responded in jest. "Master Eraqus. We're searching for someone. Is it possible you can guide us to him?" "You mean the figure who attacked your friend earlier? It will be difficult, but I am certain I can do so, if you will allow me a few minutes" Master Eraqus replied, at which a delighted Sairu nodded, with King Mickey and Lunar Bahamut gazing at Sairu in disbelief. Then, the pendant around Sairu's neck began shining a white and Sairu felt his body go limp, and began to feel his mind going hazy. Confused and frightened, Sairu closed his eyes, and felt a sensation he had not felt for a long time, the lurching sensation when he travelled back in time with his father's scroll. Before long, Sairu noticed the sensation strengthening until almost instantaneously, it vanished.
Once he opened his eyes again, Sairu was shocked to discover he was looking at himself, finally able to take note of his form. For a brief second, Sairu was surprised to see his body in full view. Noting his long hair over his eye first, Sairu couldn't help but note the similarities between him and his father, and saw as he looked closer, his right eye was a calculating silver colour, which took him by surprise. But as he thought, it finally occurred to him what Eraqus meant by a few minutes. Somehow, he took control of his body, but Sairu couldn't think of why he had to, not to mention the unusual fear he felt seeing his own body. As Eraqus in Sairu's body closed his eyes and concentrated, Sairu turned to King Mickey and waved in his general direction, yet his gaze was fixed upon the other Sairu across from him the whole time. After a few minutes as he said, Eraqus in his body pointed toward the door inscribed in blue vein designs. Then Sairu felt the lurching sensation again and when he opened his eyes, he was standing in his body once again.
'That was weird' Sairu thought, but now knowing where he could go, Sairu knew where to go now, so however strange it was, he was willing to put it to one side. 'Sairu, this is a testament to the bond between our hearts. As the connection has grown stronger, I can now control you if you should ever need me to intervene' Eraqus elucidated briefly. 'Even so, it'll take some getting used to if you're gonna do that in future' Sairu thought in good humour. "Let's go" Sairu said, turning to King Mickey behind him, who, still confused from what happened before, nodded in confirmation and they proceeded towards the door ahead. Breaching the passageway, Sairu noted the cavernous atrium they were encased in, and noting another passage ahead, he proceeded to walk forwards, until, tens of Heartless appeared from the darkness, neither one of them surprised by their appearance as often as they had crossed paths by this point.
Drawing blades alike, they proceeded to dismantle the forces surrounding them, but after slaying his tenth Heartless, Sairu noticed how much more of them there were. Whilst inwardly thankful for the Olympus Stone protecting them, Sairu all the same, was starting to get worn down, his breath coming in ragged pants. 'What gives? No matter how many I destroy, they swarm like the cockroaches they are. Now I'm feeling tired, and I've barely broken a sweat since my time with Lunar Bahamut. So why am I struggling?' His question was still unanswered five minutes later, as the horde continued to swarm them. By this point, both Sairu and the King were faltering in their stances, and swatting several more away, Sairu could only fall to one knee, panting heavily whilst propping his sword next to him. With one last almighty effort, the surrounding Heartless unleashed a final attack, and Sairu closed his eyes to shield himself, ready to feel the weight of them descend upon them at once.
After several seconds, however, they felt no great weight upon them, and opening his eyes again, the Heartless were all gone, and standing in their stead, was a man dressed in red, brandishing a large sword in his right hand, whilst his left arm hung in a sling in his robes. Sairu wasn't sure who he was, but he was certain he was the one who saved them. Sairu cautiously rose to stand again, and his step faltered from his fatigue, propping himself on his blade, dug into the ground until he regained his bearings. Setting his eyes upon the newcomer, Sairu stated weakly "Thanks". The man in red gave single 'hmph' as he dismissed his sword and approached them. "No problem" he stated in a gruff yet polite voice. "To think folks like you could struggle against those things is surprising. The fact that your friend there has that key-sword thing, I thought you could hold your own against such odds" he explained with a cocky smirk on his lips. Sairu didn't like his tone at that last remark, but something about how he spoke caught his curiosity. "So you've seen the Keyblade before, then" "Yes. Sora was his name. A nice guy, but rather short-sighted" he replied in a humoured tone of voice. "Sora? So they were here. Heh, I shouldn't be surprised; that's just like Sora to be one step ahead of us" Sairu spoke amicably as he stood straight.
"I'm Sairu, I used to travel with Sora, Donald and Goofy a while ago. And this is King Mickey, Donald and Goofy's superior" Sairu introduced himself, gesturing to the King as he approached, nodding to their ally. "Pleasure. I am Auron, a denizen of the Underworld" Auron stated stoically, taking Sairu by surprise as he registered that last statement. "You mean you're…. dead?" "Hmph. I can see you and Sora are birds of a feather; you're rather slow to catch up" Auron quipped teasingly, causing Sairu to growl at that last statement. "No way. That idiot and I are nothing alike" he protested, but Auron snickered triumphantly and replied in a serious tone of voice "Maybe not. Sora never did catch on that I exist here as a denizen. Still, you should have not come here. This place is dangerous, even with the protection of Olympus" "Yeah, I figured as much; the Heartless here are something else. Besides, as much as I appreciate your warning, we have some unfinished business. We're looking for a guy dressed in a red cloak, has a gun strapped to his leg. Seen anybody like that?" Sairu enquired dismissively.
Auron took but a few seconds to consider their description before he replied. "Yeah. He was headed for Hades's chambers. What is he to you? Your enemy?" Auron enquired in curiosity. Sairu simply shook his head and answered truthfully "Not quite. He did attack a friend of ours, but we want to find out why. Plus, I can't help but think he needs us" "Needs you? That's a strange way to put it for a guy who attacked your friend. Well, if you're set on finding him, I'll go with you. Considering your struggles previously, it's best I add to your numbers" Considering his words for a moment, Sairu knew with more help, tracking Vincent down would be simpler since Auron was of the Underworld, not to mention destroying the Heartless would be easier to bear. "I see… Welp, let's go. If I've learned anything since being the King, you never reject a kind offer of help" the King spoke cheerily. Sairu smiled in agreement "Yeah. Alright, Auron, we'll take you up on that offer. You must know the way to Hades's chambers, right?" Auron nodded in return, much to Sairu's relief. "Then let us be on our way"
With a new partnership cemented, the trio advanced into the corridor ahead of them, emerging in a narrower passage, with the looming threat of collapsing rocks overhead, as well as the Heartless that yet remained. Despite still struggling with these stronger Heartless, Auron's presence made the task of defeating them less laborious. The winding path ahead of them twisted and turned in either direction, and even with Auron guiding them, they did retreat in the opposite direction more than once, the passage devoid of any notable landmarks. Eventually, they sussed that the only way on was downhill, and sure enough, they soon emerged in a smaller cave with a very narrow passage through the ravine ahead, bathed in eerie green light. Taking the time to rest with no Heartless in their presence, the rested group pressed onward and emerged in the most open area they had encountered in the suffocating Underworld.
Looming overhead was a tower-like structure which Sairu guessed was where Hades's chambers were waiting for them. Sairu thought it ironic that the god of the Underworld had such a large structure with potentially great vantage points to survey his domain. Placing the eerie feeling that their location presented aside, Sairu, Auron and King Mickey pressed onward until they came to a doorway, sealed ahead of them. "Oh come on, the door's closed" Sairu noted, unamused. "And because there's no keyhole on it, I can't unlock it with the Keyblade" King Mickey stated despairingly. "I can't believe it. We came all this way just to get locked out by a stupid door?!" Sairu stated in frustration, and instinctively kicked the door with his foot. He immediately regretted it as he began hopping, clutching his sore foot, tears stinging his eyes as he did so. Auron could only sigh at the uncanny resemblance between him and Sora, noting the latter would probably do the same thing, whilst the King fought desperately to stifle his laughter at his injured friend.
Once he recovered, Sairu turned to his friends and stated "Well, looks like we're not going any further. In our present state, facing Hades or Vincent is out of the question. We'll just have to go back" As Auron and Mickey nodded in disappointed agreement, the trio proceeded to leave, until, just before the entrance, a certain figure in red stood, leaning against the wall, before casting his vermillion gaze upon the group. "So you followed me? Bad move, kid" Vincent remarked derisively. "Well, well, well, if it isn't the fourth of the three stooges, and his little pet mouse" a new voice spoke as a cocky god of the Underworld appeared in a puff of smoke. "Hades" Sairu declared scathingly as they drew their weapons. "Whoa whoa, easy, Fido. Now why don't we take a breather and let our hair down? Well, if I let my hair down, it'd go out and you beat me to it, little moon-spot, so shame on you for ruining my one-liner" "Let's cut the comedy routine short, shall we? Or better yet, why don't we just cut you out of the act?" Sairu replied in a witty voice as he pointed his sword towards Hades. "Nice try, kid. Bet your blue-haired friend taught you that one, huh?"
Hearing this completely shook Sairu. "Wh-What are you saying?" Sairu interrogated in an equally shaken voice, whilst Hades snickered evilly. "Y-you mean that… he's here…?" Sairu asked, with a sorrowful tone. "Bingo, Fido. Now since I'm such a nice guy, let's make a little wager, shall we? If you clobber my lead fighter, old Vinnie over there, then he and your friend goes free like a little bluebird. But should he clobber you, then I get to *ahem* claim you both as well. But look at it this way: either way, win or lose, you'll get to see little Inny, and stick with little Vinnie" Hades stated in the utmost of confidence, which alarmed Sairu. Defeat Vincent and he and Ienzo would go free. But still, Sairu was fairly sure that the Lord of the Dead was playing him. Ienzo was gone, there was no changing that, surely? Then it hit him: the Underworld was where the dead souls gathered under Hades's scrawny thumb. It was possible that the souls of other people from other worlds gathered here as well; something about Auron indicated that he did not live in this world. Ienzo must be here as well, he had to be.
And yet if it were true, Sairu knew he could never live with the thought of abandoning his best friend again. Though his head screamed at him it was a trap, his heart likewise screamed to follow through and see him again. The protests of his allies to ignore what Hades proposed failed to register as his mind bounced back and forth between accepting and denying. After much inner conflict, Sairu then spoke finally: "Fine" much to the horror of the King and Auron "All right then. First, there are a few provisos for this fight. Rule 1: no sword, Rule 2: no magic, and Rule 3: no little buddies at your side, including your little gecko" Hearing that last comment riled Lunar Bahamut, but a stern look from Sairu silenced him as he flew toward King Mickey. "Alright" Sairu silently agreed as he threw his sword to one side, and brought his knuckles up, ready to fight barehanded just as Vincent drew his gun, locked and loaded, their duel about to begin.
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Following their horrifying discovery in Disney Castle, Sora, Donald and Goofy zoomed back to Hollow Bastion and found Merlin, and Donald hurriedly explained how Maleficent was back and how she was planning to take over the castle. In the midst of this explanation, Merlin spirited them back to Disney Castle and proceeded to examine the Cornerstone himself. His diagnosis was less than favourable, and whipped up a magic door that led to a special world and reveals that their enemy most likely gained access to the same world through a similar door, Merlin imploring Sora to seal the other door with the Keyblade, and warning them of a temptation to commit some sort of dark deed. With all this in mind, Sora and co. opened the door, passing into this other world.
This new world was very peculiar, with everything shaded a blend of black and white, like black markings on white that were not completely erased. The doorway spat out the party on what appeared to be a hill, where the Cornerstone of Light stood on its pedestal at the centre. Crashing headfirst, Goofy, having been styled in simply a white vest, no trousers and white shoes, though his signature hat remained. Sora meanwhile was dressed in an outfit modelled after his old clothes, but with all yellow shoes, and eyes the size of saucers. Recovering from their catapult through the doorway, Goofy, shaking his head to refocus, noticed the Cornerstone ahead of them. "Hey, look! There's the Cornerstone of Light!" he called, pointing ahead of them. Sora by this time had risen to his feet, and approached the Cornerstone, and noticed the monochrome scenery around them, even himself. "What's going on? Everything's all black and white" he stated confusedly as he examined himself.
Donald, having regrouped with them, was now dressed in a sailor shirt and hat, then remarked a strange feeling he was experiencing "Hey, this is kinda like… um… uh…" he trailed off, trying to think of the right word, until Goofy added "Déjà vu?" "Yeah, that's it!" Donald agreed, confusing Sora, who clearly didn't feel the same as they did. "Really? Have you been here before?" he queried, but before they could answer, they noticed a large cat-man thing run past them before he turned back to them and queried in a gruff voice "Hey, you! Seen any bad guys around here?" Recognising the voice, the trio all pointed at him in a rather nonchalant manner. The cat-man was insulted by this and looked ready to rumble. "Why I oughta…" he stated, but the next second, he relaxed himself and replied "Bah! I don't have time to waste on punks like you! So, I guess I'll go easy on ya!" before turning tail and running away from them. Once he was gone, Sora confidently stated "Well, there's our villain" and nodding in agreement, the trio follow suit, emerging at a small shack-like pier with a single jetty reaching out into the water, where Pete stood, looking for something on the water's surface.
Approaching them, he turned to face them and angrily stated "What's with you squirts? You got some kinda bone to pick with me?" "More than one!" Sora stated matter-of-factly, as Pete prepared for fisticuffs. "Them's fighting words!" Yet before their fight, he seemed to have seen something and began to walk off. But before he could leave, Sora, Donald and Goofy stood in his way, determined to keep him where he was. "Not so fast!" Sora called, Keyblade in hand, whilst Donald haughtily agreed with his staff in hand "Yeah!" Despite this, Pete did not seem to be fighting seriously, and after being tossed like a pancake, began running around like a headless chicken until Sora cunningly turned him away and he tripped and fell. Moving to a sitting position, an enraged Pete called "What's you punks' beef with me, anyway?" and began examining them, clearly not recognising them. "Who are ya? Ya new around here?" Despite this, Sora still seemed confident that this was their villain. "Cut the act" Sora called stoically, until a whistle was heard, which earned Pete's attention, but as he stood, his back gave out, forcing him to fall down again. "Oh, ow"
"You know, somethin' doesn't seem quite right here. Are you sure you're Pete?" Goofy spoke as he approached Sora, expressing his doubts about him being their villain. "Well, of COURSE I'm Pete. I'm the captain of the steamboat. So stop botherin' me, see?" Captain Pete called scathingly, before clutching his head in pain again. "So hit the road! I gotta go find the little runt what stole my boat!" Huddling up, the trio begin to realise that maybe that they made a mistake. "Gawrsh, maybe we made a mistake" Goofy said, starting to feel bad. "I'm starting to think the same thing. He hasn't even called any Heartless" Sora agreed disheartened. Goofy approaches the Captain and says genuinely "Sorry we attacked ya like that, Capt'n Pete" Pete then turns to the trio, mercifully on his feet again, and retorted "Oh yeah? Well, if you're really sorry, then go find my steamboat!" "Y-yes, sir!" Sora agreed before Pete's back gave out again. "Ooh, my achin' back" he called as he fell back on his rump, whilst the trio ran to help him up.
When all was said and done, the trio returned to the hilltop where the Cornerstone of Light was stood, discussing their mistake. "I thought for sure Pete was the bad guy" Sora said, while Donald quipped "Aw, that would be too easy" "C'mon, fellas. Let's try to find that steamboat" Goofy suggested, while Sora reluctantly agreed "I guess we DID say we would…" but Donald retorted in annoyance "Hey! We've got a door to find!" "Oh yeah!" Sora said, remembering that was what they promised Merlin. Looking around, Donald couldn't find any trace of a door, reported as such "I don't see any doors" Then, out of the corner of his eye, Sora noticed something and wondered aloud what it was "Huh? What's that?" Ahead of them appeared to be some sort of miniature stage-window, with the curtain pulled down. "I can't see a thing…" Sora remarked, until Donald discovered a rope on the side, and pulled it. In response, the curtain flew up, revealing a scene being depicted.
The scene showed all manners of cartoonish Heartless each invading a different window, and once all the Heartless were inside the window, and each vanished accordingly while the door they had entered replayed the moment they entered, up until they encountered Captain Pete. "What was that?" Sora said, as he absorbed what he had seen. "Heartless goin' out…" Goofy started whilst Donald finished "… and us, coming in" "What does it mean?" Sora continued to wonder aloud. Donald attempted to pull the rope again, but the curtain that had fallen after did not rise again, to the group's displeasure. But the windows shown in the clip were now present, giving the group their new objective: "Let's get rid of those Heartless!" Sora declared, with Goofy following "Then what'll we do?" yet Sora declared "We'll worry about that later!" and the trio began their rounds at the first window: the construction site.