Oh no, not another one!
By James the Fox
"Rant time!"
Shadow: "Here we go..."
"Has anyone noticed how idiodic the main protaganists of certain games tend to be? I have, and most recently in Pokemon Ranger. Partway through the story, the main character met an old man who he has to help out of a forest. Turns out that this old sod is the bad guy of the game and, even though it's painfully obvious from the get go, the main character doesn't suspect a thing until the coot just plain out tells them it! Again, during the 'challenges' mission in the ruins, the main character and his/her partner are easily tricked into finishing the fourth challenge, which creates a calamity! And once again, they don't realize this until it's far too late! The fool..." (Eye twitches. Takes a deep breath) "Okay, rant done. I've decided that, from now on, before chapters, I will sometimes place a quote that suits the chapter. This trend started with my second newest story, Pokemon Wizard, and I liked it. Enjoy the chapter!"
Quote for this chapter:
"I wanna be a hero
Give me just one chance
And the future will decide
If there's a hero buried deep inside
I wanna be a hero"-Pokemon Advanced opening: I wanna be a Hero!
(3rd person POV. Party: Holly/Chewbacca, Mark, Caleb, Wilson. Aboard the Oathkeeper)
"..."
"..."
"..."
"... DARNIT! It didn't take this long in the game!"
(1st Person POV. Party: James, Donald, Goofy. World: Olympus Colosseum)
'DARNIT! It didn't take this long in the game!' I seethed to myself, wondering when the heck we would be called out for our next match.
"What'd ya expect? This isn't the game, you know! Tournements take a while... Why don't you go over your plans for anything you need to change?" Volt asked.
'I know... There's not really anything I need to change in this world... Not yet, anyway... The only reason I'm here is because I need to meet these people for after Castle Oblivion.'
"Speaking of Castle Oblivion... what do you plan to do about the whole 'Oh, I'm Namine, I'll be nuking your memories and replacing them with fake ones now' deal?"
'I'm... not sure. I have to help her... After all, she's a part of Kairi.'
"Which leads us to another detail: What are we gonna do about Kairi? We'll have to get her out of your heat sometime, and for all we know, she could be able to see your other memories... How are you going to get her out, and how are you going to explain the memories if she mentions them?"
'... I'm probably going to have to resort to using the Dark Keyblade, like Sora. And I intend on telling her the truth, just as soon as I know it myself. I don't know why I'm here. If the whole reincarnation deal was true, I wouldn't have my memories of before dying, and I'd start out being a baby... It has to be something else...'
"Hey, James! Our first match is up!" I looked up, glancing at Donald, who was waving to me.
"Right."
The match went smoothly, thanks to the Thunder spell Phil had given me right before the battle. I found that sending bolts of lightning down on Mr. Tubby made it much easier to kill the sucker than trying to get behind him. Electricty is a wonderful concept. No wonder Volt likes it so much. I grinned as I smacked down the Air Soldier (Hey, I thought those didn't appear till later!) and caused it to dissapate.
"Great job, kids. Now, I suggest you rest up for your next match. The way to becoming a Hero is made easier by two simple words..." I ignored him, looking instead at the warrior who was fighting his match now. The unmistakable blond spikes of Cloud Strife topped the man who crushed a Fat Bandit in one swift strike of his sword. He left the arena as soon as the match was over, but stopped and locked eyes with me. He looked tense, as though he was about to strike, and I prepared to defend, the Keyblade mere milliseconds away from being summoned to block an attack. However, the moment passed, and Cloud walked away. I knew he wasn't a bad guy, but right now, he and I were rivals.
Heh, who knew that one day I could call myself a rival of Cloud?
(3rd person POV. Party: Cloud.)
"Sephiroth."
"Wonderful to see you again, Cloud. Have you gotten any stronger?"
"I've gotten strong enough to beat you!" The blond rushed forward, only to knocked back. Sephiroth didn't even blink as he watched Cloud get back up.
"... That boy."
"Huh?"
"The one thats fighting right now..." Cloud looked at the boy. He had dark, dark brown hair, and was weilding a key-shaped weapon. It was the boy who had been observing him before. "He's weilding the Keyblade."
"Wait... Isn't the Keyblade..."
"Yes..."
"... You're going to make him yours, aren't you? Just another puppet?"
"... Not right now. I want to see his strength. You and he will likely fight very soon. Fight him well."
"You won't be able to take him. I saw his will. You can't break it."
"I will, Cloud. I'll become a part of him, and when his power proves suitable... I will take it from him, and the Keyblade along with it. I will then use the Keyblade's power to become a god." The warrior had a sick, twisted smile filled with the confidence that what he said was true. "It is inevitable... unless, of course, he were to die before then..."
"..."
"Do you have what it takes to stop me? The anger and hate needed to kill a still-inocent life in order to slow me down?" Cloud didn't reply, instead walking off to see his client...
(1st Person POV. Party: James, Donald, Goofy.)
I looked at the bracket. Sure enough, Cloud had won his match, and would be facing us in the final match of the prelims.
"Are ya worried?" James turned to face Goofy. "That Cloud guy sure seems like a tough customer. Maybe we should forfiet..."
"Nah. We can take him, as a team. Look, he's good with that sword, but I figure that if we play to our strengths, we will be much more powerful. I'm pretty fast now, and I could probably get at him from his blind spots. Goofy, that shield of yours can take some big blows. If things get bad, I think we can count on you to guard with it. Otherwise, you're pretty strong, and you can do well attacking him head on, serving as a distraction for me and Donald while still doing a good deal of damage. Donald, with his magic, is good at longer ranges. As a team, we will win." I grinned, throwing my fist into the air in a falsely enthusiastic gesture. As I did, I realized that the speech was for my confidence, too. Ever since seeing Cloud, I had started to hold a forboding feeling in the pit of my stomach, like something about him was different than I remembered...
Nevertheless, I shook hands with him before the match started, feeling fully confident in my skills. I could see Hades in the background, planning to release Cerberus the first chance he got. The whistle blew, and Cloud rushed forward, swinging his sword in a horizontal arc. Goofy, as planned, had blocked the attack with his shield, which held up against the Buster Sword while I lunged forward for a strike at his chest...
(3rd Person POV. Party: Cloud.)
... And missed as Cloud dissapeared in a blur of speed, leaping backwards. He looked past his oppponent, knowing that Sephiroth was watching from the shadows.
"It is inevitable... unless, of course, he were to die before then..."
Cloud narrowed his eyes, dodging another attack. This kid was good, but in a battle against Sephiroth, there would be no hope of victory. He had to do whatever it took to stop Sephiroth, before it was too late... He had to use THAT move. He dissapeared, moving at high speeds, knocking James into the air.
"I'm sorry, but this must be..." He spun his sword, resting it against his shoulder. James' eyes widened, as if he knew what would happen next. Cloud jumped into the air after him, slashing the child multiple times with his sword. James blocked and deflected the worst of it, but fell to the ground, blleding heavily as he tried vainly to get up. "Your end!" Cloud dived down, ready to thrust the sword into the Keybearer's heart...
(3rd Person POV. Party: James, Donald, Goofy.)
...Only to be bitten and thrown like a rag doll into the stands by Cerberus.
"Oh, one little rule Phil doesn't mention: Accidents happen," Hades said, brushing his hand through his 'hair,' looking vaugely smug. Phil shot him a shocked look, but said nothing as he quickly helped James up. Suddenly, Hercules appeared, slashing at the three headed dog to ward it off.
"I'll hold it off! Go!" Phil wasted no time, and James retreated along with the rest of them.
"... Dang... That... that was some attack. To think... I almost died..." James looked at the floor after downing several Potions (while wishing that he had a Hi-Potion). He considered his options. Herc could probably take care of himself, but he didn't want to take any risks. He looked up, turning to his comrades. He was at almost full power again... "Guys... we need to help Hercules."
"WHAT?" Donald squawked. Goofy shook his head.
"No way. A short while ago, you were looking death in the face. You may be Keyblade Master, but you're still just a boy. You can't be expected to go back out there. Such things aren't good for a kid's mind." James smiled. If only they knew how close he had been to death before... Donald would lay eggs... He laughed at the impossibility of that.
"... I know it sounds wierd, but, I know what most of my foes are capable of, probably better then they themselves. It's hard for me to explain, but just consider it a gift. Cloud was an exception. He used an attack I wasn't expecting him to use. I knew he had it, but I never thought he'd attack me with it... This time, I don't plan on underestimating my foe." His eyes narrowed, giving him a feral look. "I don't care if you guys are against it, but I'm going back out there. That's what a Keyblade Master does. Thats... what a hero does." He turned his back on them, running out to the arena. Donald and Goofy exchanged looks, and followed.
James was already fighting alongside Hercules, jumping on Cerberus' hind legs and then to it's back. James jumped at the right head from behind, stabing at it. The dog yowled in pain, throwing James off. It glared in James' direction, but upon seeing the Keybearer, winced, and backed off. James raised an eyebrow at this, but pushed his advantage, striking the canine several times. James even used his spells to do more damge to it, aided by Donalds spells. Goofy was working with Herc, smashing at the middle head with his shield. finally, the guardian of the underworld fell to the ground, only faint twitching proving that it still lived. James spun the Keyblade and rested it on his shoulder in a victory pose. Hercules watched from a distance as the travelers celebrated.
"Those three... They're something else."
"I hereby dub thee Junior Heroes..."
"What'dya mean Junior Heroes?" Donald squawked in Phil's face, obviously annoyed. Phil poked the duck's beak, knocking him back.
"You still don't know what it is to be a true hero."
"I do." Everyone turned to James. "A hero is someone who holds other people's lives over thier own interests. They're willing to put thier lives on the line, if it means that others can live happily and free. It doesn't matter how strong..." He looked to Hercules. "Or smart..." He glanced to Donald. "Or skilled you are." He looked to Goofy. "All that matters... Is that desire to protect others, no matter what." James closed his eyes. Suddenly, the pedestal he was sitting on glowed. Shocked, James jumped off, watching what was happening. The pedestal disappeared, revealing the Keyhole. James smiled, summoning the Keyblade as, once more, the heart-shaped symbol appeared below him and the world became naught but a dusk sky. The keyblade glowed as a tendril of light connected it to the Keyhole that had appeared. Then, everything was as it was. The pedestal had reappeared, covering the place where the Keyhole had been.
"Well... that was bizarre," James muttered. 'Why did the Keyhole reveal itself this early?'
(3rd Person POV. Party: None.)
"Why? Why did you release Cerberus? Cloud almost had him!"
"Like I said: Accidents happen." Hades was nonchalant, even knowing what it was that was standing before his throne in the Underworld.
"That was no accident." The voice accused.
"I have my reasons. Now, shoo. get out of here, before I change my mind about you." Hades waved his hand dismissively.
"... Fine. I'll consider this an accident, but don't let it happen again..." The creature was enveloped in a portal of darkness. Hades shook his head, a smile reaching his face.
"Heh... Quite the enemies you've picked up, replacement."
(1st Person POV. Party: James, Donald, Goofy. In the Gummi Garage of Olympus)
I walked up to Cloud, ignoring the protests of my friends.
"Hey, you ok?" The vistim of a thousand yaoi fans looked at me, eyes widening.
"... You... Watch your step, kid. There are people out there who would, given the chance, take the power you hold now."
"I know, but I won't let them. There are people I'm searching for... People I won't stop fighting until I find."
"Are they... these people... are they your light?"
"... Yeah." Cloud got up, and threw something to me. I looked at the small gem that was in my palm. When I held it, I could feel a pulse of energy. This gem was... Sonic Blade...
"Don't lose sight of them." Cloud walked to his Gummi Ship, which promptly left, moving much faster than our ship could. I waved to him.
"Good luck, Cloud!" I smiled as I walked back to the Gummi Ship... Two Keyholes down...
(3rd Person POV. Party: Holly/Chewbacca, Mark, Wilson, Caleb. Inside the gummi ship, Oathkeeper.)
"Finally... we're almost there," Mark grinned.
"Yeah, and it looks like we've got a welcoming party!" Caleb growled, glaring at the swarms of Heartless ships. "Everyone, battle positions!" The Oathkeeper fired off several rounds at the ships, destroying a few. However, Caleb was tired from so much flying, and he only dodged sluggishly.
"There's too many!" Holly said, Chewbacca strangely silent. Holly looked at the dog, which was looking out another window. "Chewie?" She looked out the same window and gasped. "Hey, there's someone else fighting, too!" Everyone took note of a peculiar Gummi Ship flying circles around the Heartless ships, blasting them to bits.
"Hey, that's a Kingdom Model! That could only be Sora's ship!" Renewed with confidence, the two ships plowed through the swarm, and then headed thier seperate ways. The Kingdom flew towards Deep Jungle, while the Oathkeeper flew to Olympus. Chewbacca gave a howl, as though he yearned desprately to go after the other ship.
"Good luck, Sora..."
(3rd Person POV. Party: James, Donald, Goofy. Aboard the Gummi Ship, Fenrir)
James looked at the ship flying in the distance.
"Well... It looks like we're not the only ones fighting... I hope I get to meet those people someday, and thank them. I don't think we'd have got through alone..." James closed his eyes, taking a small snooze...
"Heh, there's a close encounter..."
Riku: "Are you ever going to reveal who that stupid bad guy is?"
"No, but I challenge anyone who reads to PM me if they think they know who it is. I'll hand out a private cookie to you if you figure it out. Next chapter is Tarzan! Sweet..."