Stepping into the dark and colorless room Kuja could not help but smirk at the man standing on the balcony. Maleficent had done well to recruit him, and now Kuja had assured the man's loyalty to his own plot. He was quite handy, as he held a vast knowledge which they had kindly put to good use. Kuja watched the man for a moment as he was struck by something. It was the way his black hair looked almost blue in the light. There was something familiar about that trait. Shrugging it off to reflect on later Kuja approached the dark haired man who gazed steadily out the window at the dark abyss beyond.
"What have you found Ryo? Any luck with that key brat?" Kuja asked. He knew Ryo was aware of his presence and so he felt no need to make small talk.
The man known as Ryo turned around, his back to the infinite darkness as he looked into Kuja's uncomfortable red eyes with his own soft blue ones. "No, this one is proving difficult. He seems quite attached." He spoke lowly.
Narrowing his lips Kuja cursed inwardly. "Hmm...This boy could become a problem." If they did not make progress soon everything could be ruined.
Ryo smiled slightly, though there was no feeling behind it. Lifting one hand from his black robes he attempted to placate the temperamental man before him. "Ah, but I do have some good news for you." He murmured in the shadows. He watched with interest as Kuja took the bait eagerly.
"Well, what is it?" He demanded.
The cold and empty smile on Ryo's face widened as revealed his knowledge. "I have managed to locate the King." He answered simply. One did not toy with Kuja.
Kuja's frightening gaze danced upon this news. "Oh yes? Splendid! What better way to show my hand then to check the King?" He chuckled delightedly with an evil laugh.
Shackles were a rather uncomfortable accessory. Already Kagome could feel the cold iron cutting into her skin leaving her wrists raw and blistered. The red coated guard handled them roughly as they were pushed down the ornate hallway. She glowered in her head at the man who was being unnecessarily rough; it was not as if she could not walk! Kagome decided it was better to keep any outbursts to herself for now. Closing her eyes she could tune out everything but the sound of their chains.
The day had started out well enough. Kagome and Riku had landed on another world and were ready to begin their search anew. Some signs posted in the town told them they were in a world called Port Royal. She and Riku had taken to wandering about to gather information, as they were unsure who to approach in this town. Unfortunately it so happens that two teenagers with odd clothes and accents tend to draw unwanted attention and their behavior appeared suspicious to the authorities. Kagome and Riku had been accused of piracy and arrested. Their protests went unheard and after a while they had stopped protesting to the idiotic guards who were all brawn and no brain.
Riku and Kagome were now being led to someone of importance, a Lord Beckett, if Kagome remembered correctly. They were both hoping this Lord would prove more intelligent then his soldiers and at least hear them out. The very idea of them being pirates after all was ludicrous. Idly Kagome could imagine how jealous Souta would be of her at this moment, but she quickly dismissed the thought.
The red coat solider showed them into a large and well furnished room with an enormous map on one side. A man was hunched near the bottom painting details in as they entered. The guard stopped them and announced their arrival. "Lord Beckett, we apprehended two pirates in the square sir." He said.
Riku scowled at the man's words, "We are not pirates! We are looking for our friend Sora!" He protested once more as his temper began to get the better of him.
The solider frowned at the silver haired youth and hit Riku's side with the butt of his gun. "Silence!" He commanded.
"Can you not see I am in the middle of something?" A short man who Kagome guessed to Lord Beckett replied to the guard distastefully. He gestured to his side where a taller man stood. The two both stood on a balcony overlooking the harbor and seemed to have been discussing something before being interrupted.
The red coated man behind Kagome and Riku shifted uneasily. "My apologies sir, but you said if we found any pirates to bring them to you. I thought you would like to see them before I locked them away in the prison." He defended himself.
"Fool." Beckett muttered as he reentered the large room from the balcony. "Fine, these are the two you have taken into custody?"
The man who Lord Beckett had been talking to followed behind and watched the proceedings with an eye of interest.
The guard nodded, "That's right your Lordship. We found them walking around town, rather shifty I would say. They have the most outrageous clothes too, why look at the lady!" He mentioned in horror. Kagome bit her lip in frustration; her clothes were not that bad!
"Ah, I see." Lord Beckett said as he surveyed both Kagome and Riku, his eyes lingering on Kagome's exposed legs. She narrowed her eyes at the man, feeling dirty. Lord Beckett ignored her look and cleared his throat. "What do you have to say for yourselves? You well know that the punishment for piracy is death."
"We are travelers, not pirates. We are only searching for our friend Sora, he was taken by a ma named Kuja and we hoped to find him here. We have done nothing wrong!" Riku defended with fire in his eyes, he did not take kindly to such accusations or the shackles, not to mention he did not like the way this Lord stared at Kagome.
"Oh?" Lord Beckett questioned. He stepped forward and pulled the satchel full of Aeon crystals from Kagome's waist and opened it up to reveal the large gems. "Then what are you doing with this, treasure?" He continued.
Kagome pulled at her restraints to get the crystals back. "Those belong to me!" She yelled. "Give them back!"
Lord Beckett smirked in amusement. "Spirited wench." He commented. "The evidence seems heavy against you." He pulled Riku over to the fire place after dropping Kagome's bag at her feet. "I believe you could be of use still, perhaps you would like to have the opportunity to redeem yourselves?" He questioned as he motioned for the solider to release the shackle from Riku's right arm. "Would you like that?"
"Just let us go. We do not want any trouble." Riku replied firmly.
"Splendid, however I cannot let you go for free." Lord Beckett said as he pulled a pair of iron clamps from the flames which held a red hot letter 'p.' Kagome screamed out as she watched Lord Beckett smash the hot iron into the top of Riku's forearm, branding him. Riku screamed out himself as his skin was burned away where the flame touched him and he fell to his knees when Beckett stepped back and laced the prongs back in the fire.
Returning to Kagome He picked up her satchel and tied it back on her waist for her. Kagome stiffened at the man's proximity. "William Turner here is about to embark on a search for a man, a pirate. Help him and clear your names." He glanced back down at Riku on the floor before the fire. "Surely it takes a pirate to find a pirate." He mused.
When they were released out in the streets once more Kagome immediately came to Riku's side where he still clutched his injured arm. "Cure." She said as she performed the spell; however his arm was still red and blistered. With a frown an idea popped into her head and Kagome summoned her sword. She exchanged the Ifrit crystal for the new Carbuncle ruby. Instantly the sword lit up in a flash and took on a soothing green glow along the blade. She quickly swiped the sword in the air just above his wound and waited. After a moment Riku let his arm go to find his arm healed, although the mark remained.
"You shall carry that scar all your life." A voice said from behind them. Turning around Kagome saw the man who Beckett had called William Turner, the one they were supposed to work with.
"Seems you have been branded a pirate, Riku." Kagome said quietly.
Riku studied the mark as well and replied, "It seems so." Looking back to the other man he said, "We have no business with you." Before turning away.
"Wait!" William called out. "You said you are looking for Sora, right?"
This grabbed both of their attention as they turned around to face him. "You know him?" Kagome asked shyly.
The man nodded. "Yes I do. I have not seen him for some time though. Although Jack may have heard something."
"Jack?" Riku questioned suspiciously.
"The man I am to find. He is a pirate and also knows Sora. He may know something of where he is." William Turner advised.
Riku thought for a moment as he considered the situation. Finally he gave in and said, "My name is Riku, and this is Kagome. I suppose we will be following you after all."
"I am William Turner; you can call me Will if you like." He said with a smile.
"Could we ask you another question, Will?" Kagome asked.
He nodded, "Certainly."
"While Sora is our first priority we are searching for something else as well. We are trying to locate an old shrine as well. It should house a crystal like one of these. Do you know of anything like that?" She gestured to her waist as she opened the pouch enough for him to see inside.
Will looked thoughtful for a moment as he considered her question. "I can not say that I do, and I have spent almost all of my life in Port Royal. However if treasure is what you seek I think the man you need to be asking is Jack Sparrow."
Kagome nodded, it seems this man may hold many answers, she was anxious to find him. "Thank you anyway. So where do we begin?" She inquired.
Will refused to anywhere until he had spoken with his fiancée, Elizabeth. While he bid his fond farewell Kagome and Riku waited outside in the shadows, not eager to be arrested again or face jail time. Once they met back up Will confessed he had no idea where to begin and had not seen Jack in some time, so the three began searching for a lead, talking to as many people along the wharf and waterline as possible. One man said Sparrow was dead which Will would not believe. Another was certain that Jack was in Singapore, drunk. It was some time before they found a credible lead.
The man said he had not heard anything of Jack Sparrow, but he had seen a ship with black sails on the beach of an island to the south. He agreed to take the three extra passengers when they set sail and take Will, Kagome, and Riku to the island where the ship could be found.
When they arrived a few miles off shore of the island Will borrowed a telescope and confirmed that the ship on the beach was the Black Pearl, Jack Sparrow's ship. The captain who had given them the lead and passage told them that his brother would take them ashore, and so the three as well as the captain's brother all piled into the row boat. They were still about a mile off shore from the ship when the man refused to take them any further. With no other choice Will, Kagome and Riku all swam ashore.
"Jack! Jack Sparrow!" Will called out as loudly as he could when they made it onto the white sandy beach. They approached the ship while Will continued to call out. "Marty! Cotton!" A little softer he asked, "Anybody?"
"It would seem they all ventured further inland." Riku suggested as no one returned Will's calls.
"Riku is right." Kagome agreed. "Why don't you go look for them William? Riku and I will stay here and search the ship, there may be a clue as to what is going on." Kagome recommended.
After a moment Will nodded. "Alright. We will met back up later." He consented before trudging through the jungle as he continued to yell for anyone he knew from the Black Pearl.
Kagome tilted her neck back as she looked at the intimidating ship. "So how do we climb on board?" She wondered aloud.
"Like this." Riku answered.
Kagome looked over to where Riku had been last only to find him shimming up the securing ropes cast down. She blinked for a moment as she watched him move easily to the ship. A little nervous Kagome looked to the line closest to her with trepidation. "You have got to be kidding." She mumbled to herself. "Great."
Grabbing hold of the firm rope she attempted to swing her body up and lock her ankles around the rope. She managed to get that far but now felt stuck; she was uncomfortable with the idea of moving much while she was suspended in mid air. Rope climbing had never been one of Kagome's strong points; she had always dreaded that portion of gym class. With a sigh and making sure her eyes were shut tight Kagome began to maneuver her body nearer the ship.
She eventually got the hang of it and found it was not nearly as bad as she thought; vertical ropes were harder to climb. When she got close enough Riku gave her a hand up to help her limb over the railing. Breathing a little hard from the exertion she said softly, "Thank you."
A squeaking noise caught her attention and she looked up to see a small monkey looking at them both curiously. "A monkey!" She said in surprise, bringing Riku's attention to the small animal. "How cute!"
The monkey cocked its head as it gazed at the two travelers. Kagome walked up to it and lifted a hand. It seemed to Riku that the two were communicating in some way he could not understand. He watched in amusement as the monkey suddenly launched itself at Kagome who caught the creature with a giggle. Something about Kagome seemed to draw animals.
"Hey, little fellow, do you know were everyone went?" She asked sweetly.
The monkey made a chortling noise before scampering further up her body and settling on her shoulder. Riku shook his head, "I don't think you'll get much out from him." He said.
"Well let's take a look around then." Kagome suggested. They spit up as Riku decided to look below deck. Kagome searched through the deck before eventually finding herself in the captain's quarters. She sifted through layers of papers on a desk but found nothing of interest, mostly maps. There were more empty rum bottles here than she could count each adding a less than pleasant small which had Kagome covering her nose. Deciding there was nothing to be found Kagome and her new friend went back out on deck to wait for Riku. However she was startled when just after closing the door she heard gleeful laughter.
Feeling weary she crouched down behind a barrel as two men climbed on board. Both were grinning broadly as they looked about and Kagome felt a little uncomfortable with these strangers on deck. The monkey who was still on her shoulder gave a small squeak before rushing over to the two newcomers. The taller one seemed to have a wooden eye which popped out at the same time the monkey reached them. The furry creature picked up the eye with what could be nothing else but a smile.
"Hey!" The taller one called out to the monkey. "Give that back!"
His shorter companion rolled his eyes at the scene. "Leave him be. We need to get to work."
The taller man ignored his friend and followed the monkey who led him along the ship deck in a chase. Kagome could not help herself and let out a giggle as she watched their antics. Unfortunately for her that shorter one heard her. Leaning over the barrel with a grin he said, "'Ello poppet."
Kagome inched back in fear as he neared her. Noticing she was blocked in she called for help. "Riku!" She yelled.
The man leaned down to pick her up and as soon as Kagome was standing she kicked the shorter man where she knew it would do the most damage. He cried in pain and clutched the bruised appendage allowing Kagome to dash away. The taller one soon caught her though and wrapped his arms around her securely so she could not move.
She struggled but it was in vain. Already the smell of the man was beginning to get to her and she felt her self begin to feel nauseous. 'Someone get this man a bath and some deodorant!' She lamented in her mind. He pulled her back to the base of the mast when Riku appeared from below.
The silver haired youth took everything in quickly before he hastily stepped up to the tall man who was restraining Kagome. With a swift right hook Kagome was free. Both took the opportunity to call on their weapons and took a fighting stance as they waited for the two goons to make a move.
Before any rumble could commence a large group of heartless and zombie pirates came at them from the shadows. Riku and Kagome went straight to work as they battled it out with the enemy. The two goons also took up arms against the creatures and soon the four of them were working together. Kagome noticed a neo shadow creeping up on Riku from behind and quickly called out, "Hellfire!" As she unleashed Ifrit's greatest attack.
The shadow was dispelled with one attack leaving Riku free to carry on. "Thanks Kagome." He said when he had a moment to turn to face her. The battle waged on though and left little time for gratitude.
By the time the swarm of heartless had been taken care of the assembled four could hear shouting from not too far off. Looking over the edge Kagome saw Will and some other people she assumed to be crew members running to the ship. The shorter of the two goons jumped back down into the sand below and set about readying the ship for sail. Then as Will and his party reached the ship Kagome heard a loud call. Looking back over the railing she saw a man being chased by a large group of what appeared to be native people of the island.
As the crew began to climb aboard Kagome and Riku stepped back out of the way as each ran about with a task to make ready to sail. They watched the shuffle with their backs to the captain's quarters in silence. The tide was coming in quickly now which would aid them in their hasty escape. Will noticed them standing by idly and approached them.
He came to stop before them and asked, "Any problems?"
Riku shook his head. "Not really, other than those two." He said pointing to the two who had climbed aboard before the heartless attacked. The tall lanky one was chasing the monkey around for his eye once more. "We were not able to find anything, but I doubt it matters now as you seem to have found the crew." He continued.
William nodded. "True enough." He was then distracted by a man climbing aboard whom was sopping wet. Kagome thought he looked to be the one running from the natives, but could not be sure as she had only seen him from a great distance.
Will left Riku and Kagome momentarily as he met with the man and another crew member.
They began discussing something about Elizabeth, but Kagome ignored as much of the conversation as she could, she hated eavesdroppers after all. After a moment Kagome noticed though that the man, who she suspected now to be the captain, had caught sight of her and Riku. Noticing where his gaze had landed Will motion for then to come over.
"Jack, this is Riku and Kagome. They are looking for Sora and have a few questions for you. Kagome, Riku this is Jack Sparrow." Will introduced both parties.
"Captain." Jack corrected as he studied both new comers. "You are looking for Sora? Trouble follows that boy." He murmured the last part.
"Yes, that we are Captain. Will said you may be able to give us some reliable leads." Kagome answered.
Jack smiled at her and asked, "And what be my payment for such valuable information?"
Riku glared at the man but Kagome only gave a gentle smile and laid a hand on his arm, calming him. "I was under the impression you were friends of some sort with Sora." She wondered.
The pirate gave a grin before turning to climb up the stairs to the helm. "The man who falls behind is left behind, love."
Kagome pushed herself in front of Will in order to follow the Captain up the stairs. "Riku and I are the ones who will be looking for him; you would not need lift a finger! All we want is to ask a few questions which you will kindly answer as you wish to aid us in the recovery of Sora." She reasoned with a stubborn gaze set on Jack.
"Ah, but information does not come cheap, I'm afraid lass. I see no profit in it for me. And if you want those answers you be wanting me to give, you want me to have my answers before I give you your answers. Savvy?" He replied.
Stepping closer Kagome said with as much patience as she had left, "We can haggle over price later for now how about that little chat, hmm?" She suggested.
Jack grinned down at Kagome. "Whatever you say, love. Just know I collect my debts." He said lowly.
With a nod Kagome stepped back and allowed Riku to interrogate the pirate. "Have you heard anything about Sora, or a man named Kuja?"
Jack leaned back as he answered. "Can't say that I have." He said plainly.
"Also would you happen to know the location of a shrine?" Riku continued cautiously, he did not exactly trust this man, but what could you ask for when you were on a world inhabited by pirates?
"A shrine you say?" Jack asked. It was obvious tot hose around him that his curiosity had been peaked. He glanced down at Riku's bandaged wrist and quickly snatched it up in a tight grip. Pulling down the bandages he could see a furious red letter 'p.' "Ah, I see. You be pirates yourselves. Don't you know it's not smart to ask another pirate about your booty, lad? Why do you seek this shrine?"
"You know it then." Riku stated, ignoring the man's questions. "Tell me where it is."
Jack grinned. "It just so happens I was heading there myself." Turning tot he man behind him at the helm he said, "Mr. Gibbs. We have a need to travel upriver."
The man, Gibbs, looked uneasy at this news. "By need, do you mean a trifling need? Fleeting? As in, say, a passing fancy?" He hoped to get out of his Captain's orders.
"No, a resolute and unyielding need." Jack responded, crushing Gibbs hopes.
After weighing anchor Jack led a band of the crew as well as Will, Kagome, and Riku through up the river he had mentioned before. These lowlands were flooded by the river and Kagome could not help but admire its beauty. She did wonder however at the strange people who waded along the edge by the tall thick trees. Each held a candle as though to light the way in this dark place, but Kagome was unsure just who or what these folks were. Soon enough she could see a small house little more than a shack really, which was raised up above the water level. Pulling the row boats up tot he stairway, each was swiftly tied securely as Jack led the group up the stairs and bidding those behind him to mind the boat. No one seemed to wish to be left out and so each person delegated the task to whoever was behind them.
All kinds of strange objects decorated the small home yet the many candles gave it a far more pleasing glow. A woman who sat at a table in the center of the room noticed their approach and smiled. "Jack Sparrow." She greeted.
Jack greeted her in the same manner while dodging something which hung from the ceiling. "Tia Dalma."
Standing now the woman known as Tia Dalma continued, "I always knew the wind was going to blow you back to me one day." Her smile faded as she looked at those who entered behind Jack. Spotting Will first she quickly approached him. "You...you have a touch of...destiny about you, William Turner."
Will seemed confused, which Kagome could not blame him with. "You know me?" He asked her.
"You want to know me." She replied with a grin as she eyed him.
"There'll be no knowing here." Jack stepped in. "We've come for help and we're not leaving without it." He said evenly before muttering under his breath, "I though I knew you."
"Not as well as I had hoped." Tia Dalma replied catching what he had mumbled. Stepping back to her table she said, "Come."
They all gathered around the table as Tia Dalma sat down. Looking at Jack she asked, "What service may I do you? You know I demand payment."
"I brought payment." Jack countered before whistling. A cage harboring the monkey, also named Jack, was brought forward. "Look." Jack said proudly as he raised his pistol and shot the creature. With a large grin he looked back at Tia Dalma. "An undead monkey. Top that."
"Stop that! Must you shoot him?" Kagome cried out.
Jack looked back at the girl with a dry look. "He's undead, it's not like it hurts him."
The squabble which surely would have ensued was stopped as Tia Dalma noticed Kagome and Riku standing to the side. "Ah! What interesting company you be keeping Jack Sparrow." She said as she studied the pair with a strange light in her dark eyes. Without taking her eyes off of them she took the cage and let the monkey free. "The payment is fair." She replied. She sat down once more before addressing Kagome and Riku. "I know what it is you seek." Turning back to Jack and his party she continued, "But I do not know what it is you be wanting."
Kagome and Riku waited as they discussed something about a key and a legend about some man named Davy Jones. This part of the excursion had nothing to do with them and so Kagome patiently waited for their turn to speak with the odd woman. Riku stood beside her clearly interested in the discussion, though she knew he much preferred to look for Sora.
It was some time before Tia Dalma was ready for them. Before either Riku or Kagome could mention what they were looking for she stood and asked them to follow. "Come." She said as she led the duo to a back door where a small dock lay. Tied tot he dock was a small and shabby looking row boat. Tia Dalma stepped in and took Kagome's hand as she led the miko in as well. "Get the rope." Tia Dalma bid Riku before he was allowed to step inside the raft.
One all three were inside the boat the current swept them away from the dock and further out river. Riku looked about the floor of the row boat before giving Tia Dalma a questioning look. "There are not any oars. How are we supposed to get to wherever it is we are going?"
Tia Dalma gave him a smile as she replied with a simple, "The River knows the way."
Riku seemed less than comfortable with the idea but accepted it nonetheless; he did give Kagome a look which relayed to her his feelings on the subject. She only gave a small giggle and laid a calming hand on his arm. Tia Dalma smiled at them both before looking out on the river.
The journey was slow as they had to rely on the current for travel. It was also quiet as each found themselves lost in thought and admiring the wetlands. Kagome was curious however when she saw what looked almost like a small stone island peaking out of the water. There were no longer any of the candle bearing people to light the way here, and Kagome surmised the dark water to be far deeper than before. The island was made entirely out of cut stone and looked to be about twenty feet in width. She could not see how long the island was because of the angle they approached from but it seemed far longer than it was wide.
Tia Dalma noticed her gaze and peaked over he shoulder with a smile. "We are here." She announced as the boat steadied itself next to the stone island. Without hesitation she stepped onto the stones and walked closer to the middle to allow Kagome and Riku to do the same. Riku went first before giving Kagome a hand out of the row boat.
"Is this the shrine?" Kagome wondered. It certainly did not seem so, after all it was just a flat island made of stone. There was nothing here. She noticed there was smaller island about seven feet off the far end of the island but still she could not see any alter or pillar or anything to hide an Aeon crystal.
"Yes, this is the sunken shrine." Tia Dalma said with a smile.
Riku quirked a brow, "Sunken shrine?" He echoed.
Kagome looked at the strange woman with wide eyes, "You mean it's underwater?" She asked.
She nodded. "You be standing on the roof, as it were." Tia Dalma replied. "You'll need to dive down to enter this shrine."
"Both of us?" Riku asked. He was a strong swimmer, coming from an island after all.
Tia Dalma gave him a strange smile; then again most of her smiles felt strange Riku decided. "Of course." She answered. "You do not think that there is not a reason why the Keyblade be need to obtain each Aeon? The shrines were planned and created by Lady Rydia, the summoner who loved a master of the Keyblade. The destinies of the summoner and the wielder of the Keyblade have always been intertwined, you need each other." She said as that same light in her eyes returned.
Both Kagome and Riku stood in silence for a moment as they were not sure how to reply to her statement. Tia Dalma gave a small laugh before saying, "Well what are you waiting for?"
Kagome nodded dumbly before stepping slowly to the edge of the stone island. She dove off the top of the shrine and into the dark murky water of the river below. Riku glanced from where she had just been to the woman who had led them here. Without a word he followed in after her.
Tia Dalma chuckled as she looked into the water with a fond smile on her face. She reached up and touched a heart shaped pendent around her neck as she repeated softly, "You need each other."
The water was so dark and cloudy it was hard to see where she was going. To aid her in her descent Kagome followed the edge of the shrine wall; she did not want to end up swimming in the opposite direction after all. She followed the stones down into the river's depths before she felt the wall come to a stop. Swimming a little further down past the end she turned inward as she hoped she was swimming into the shrine now. She kicked as hard as she could while using her arms to search for something to guide her. She could see a subtle light up near the surface now, which had not been there before and so she pushed on. Suddenly her foot kicked something hard. 'Ouch!' She screamed in her head as the pain flooded her body. She was running out of breath now, but when she inspected what she had run into she found stairs. Placing her feet onto the stones she pulled herself upright as she surfaced, still standing on the stone steps. Gasping for breath she looked about the sunken shrine as Tia Dalma had called it.
It was made entirely out of cut stone, which was not surprising. The steps went on out of the water before becoming a flat floor. The chamber was large, though a rectangular shape, maybe fifty feet in length. At the far end was a pool of water which had been cut out of the floor with a shaft like a slide made out of water running down to it from above. Above where the shaft came from was a hole, on top of which there was a glyph. The only light was provided by glowing lichen and some other plant like life which grew along the stone walls.
Kagome did not look around more as she turned to look back where she had come from. A minute later Riku surfaced also panting for breath. Kagome helped him up and the two sat down on the top of the stairs to catch their breath.
Looking around Riku asked, "So this is it?"
Kagome nodded. "Yeah. I think we need to look over there some more." She said pointing to the small pool. Riku nodded in agreement and the two stood together and walked over tot he far side of the chamber.
"Do you see the glyph?" Kagome asked. When Riku nodded she continued. "I think you need to use your Keyblade on that." She advised him.
Nodding once again Riku summoned his Keyblade and pointed it to the glyph on the wall above the slide. A beam of blue light connected them and the glyph glowed with a teal color. Riku held his blade in place as they heard a rumbling noise. Suddenly water began to shoot down the shaft like a water fall and fell into the pool below. It seemed to circulate as the water never flooded the floor, though it did splash out. As the water continued to flow a small box was washed down with it from beyond. It fell into the pool and floated there perfectly buoyant. Kagome reached down and picked the box up. When she had Riku lowered his arm and his blade, ceasing the water flow.
Kagome stepped back from the pool a little ways before kneeling down with the box. Before she opened it she summoned her blade and unequipped Ifrit's topaz crystal. The setting her sword at her side she reached forward and opened the small box. Inside laid an aquamarine crystal. Picking it up Kagome marveled at it for a moment as he eyes glazed over.
Riku waited for her to come out of her trance and watched as she gently placed the crystal in the slot at the end of her sword. She stood and watched in a flash of light as her sword took on its new characteristics. A small cyclone of water swirled around her blade in a tight embrace. Other than that the blade appeared the same. Kagome looked at Riku with a smile and said, "This is Leviathan. The Great water spirit." She said.
Riku nodded. "Great. Shall we get out of here and find some dry clothes?" He suggested.
Upon surfacing Tia Dalma helped pull them back into the boat. "You found him?" She asked, though it was more of a statement.
Kagome nodded. "Yes we did. Thank you for taking us here." She replied with a smile as her body shivered.
"I hope you aren't cold my canary." A voice said from on top of the shrine. All three looked to see a man with silver hair smiling at them, particularly at Kagome. "I would hate for you to catch cold." He continued once he had their attention.
"Kuja!" Riku spat in hate.
"Missed me?" He asked lightly.
Riku ignored him in favoring of summoning his Keyblade. He went in for a direct attack while Kagome called her blade as well. Kuja knocked Riku back into the water before laughing. Kagome stood and called out, "Tsunami!" As she unleashed Leviathan's greatest attack on her enemy. It scathed him only a little, a small cut marring his arm as he threw her back into the river as well.
Kuja laughed at them both as they surfaced with scowls on their faces. "Tsk, tsk." He taunted with a wag of his finger. "I did not come here to play. Though if you insist I am sure I could be persuaded."
"What do you want?" Riku growled out as he climbed back aboard the row boat.
Kuja gave a large grin as he twirled his hand bringing their attention to it. "Oh, nothing. I just wanted a little chat. I though you would like to know about you dear friend, but with such hostility..." He trailed off.
Riku's eyes widened as he saw what lay in Kuja's grasp. "Where did you get that?!" He yelled. He feared for the King's life now that saw the King's Keyblade in the hands of Kuja.
"Hmm?" Kuja hummed as though he had no idea what Riku was talking about. "Oh this. Well, I took it from a rodent who could not harness its true power." He said lightly.
"You bastard." Riku said lowly with a glare.
"Such a marvelous creation, no? The Keyblade: said to bring both prosperity and chaos to the world." Kuja said as he studied the dark blade in his hand. Looking back down at Riku he said, "Do not tell me you had forgotten that little part. There is more than one way to use the Keyblade."
"What have you done with Sora and the King?" Kagome yelled with fire in her eyes.
Kuja smiled as he looked down at her. "Ah, such spirit. Do not trouble yourself my canary, they are fine. I am nothing if not a gracious host." He said as he raised his right hand to his heart. Kuja paused in his playful gesture as he looked into Kagome's azure orbs. "Hmm. Your eyes are so familiar to me canary. Why is that?" He pondered aloud.
Kagome said nothing as he studied her, though she felt uncomfortable under his gaze. A breeze swept past them bringing in the moist salty air of the sea and playing with the long tendrils of her hair. "Oh ho ho!" Kuja chuckled as a light flashed in his red eyes. "I know you! Oh, dear canary, how cruel fate must be to you!"
Kagome narrowed her eyes at the man before her. "What are you talking about?" She demanded. She was not sure what he was referring to, but felt a sting from his words.
"I wonder what Ryo will say when I tell him that his dearest daughter is within my grasp. Did the Lion find you as well, little bird?" Kuja continued as his eyes danced.
"Ryo?" Kagome whispered as she felt a pain pierce her heart.
"Yes, canary, Ryo. Well, then I must be on my way. I shall give your father and Sora your love, no?" Kuja said with a laugh as he disappeared into a portal of grayish light.
Kagome found she could not move. She simply stood there numb as she stared at where that awful man had stood only moments ago. Tears flooded her eyes but she had not the strength to lift her arm or brush them away. Riku took hold of her shoulders and steered her into the boat, sitting her down gently with the help of Tia Dalma. She heard him ask something of the woman and her answer back but she did not hear the words, lost as she was.
She felt Riku place an arm around her shoulders and whisper in her ear. "It's alright Kagome. We are going to go back to Radiant Garden. Everything is alright." Kagome collapsed against him and cried into his shoulder.
"That's it!" Kairi exclaimed in pure joy at her revelation. She jumped to her feet as she swept up in her emotions which caused her chair to tumble back to the ground. She ignored it as she celebrated her achievement.
Ever since she had been left in Radiant Garden she had slaved away at this same damnable computer. Day in and day out she sat here trying to break Ansem's code. What Riku had said was true, she was always the studious one of the group, loved learning new words as a child and had even created a secret language for only Sora, Riku and herself to use. Of course it had been too complicated for Sora to grasp or remember and so it had quickly been abandoned.
Now was her chance to put her skills to use. She hated feeling useless, especially when Sora was in danger. This often led her to make reckless decisions, so perhaps it was a good thing she had stayed behind during the search for Sora. Even so she hated sitting by idly without word of how any of her friends were doing. In the end she had tried to make the most of her situation, and buried her self in work up to her eyeballs...literally.
Tron had tried to help and had been a great assistant to her endeavor, always willing to give her an encouraging word when she felt discouraged. Yet there had not been one lead in breaking the stupid code since she had begun. Kairi was convinced she was losing hair over the whole mess. She knew she need to rest, the bags under her eyes were not the only clue and certainly not her first. She was a mess sure, but she was not about to sit back while everyone else risked their lives.
Finally, today she had been having a pleasant conversation with Tron, while she took a break in hopes of preventing her mind from exploding when he gave her an idea. Finishing her sea-salt ice cream as quickly as she could Kairi began to type away like a mad woman at the computer, perhaps because she was slightly mad by now. When low and behold the idea panned out. It had been more then a lead it was the answer to the very problem which had plagued them.
Putting her celebration on hold for a moment Kairi printed off a few valuable pages of transcriptions before bustling out the door of Ansem's lab. In her eager rush she collided with Leon. "Oh, sorry, but Leon guess what? I broke it! Or rather I figured out what we are actually dealing with! I did it!" She chanted happily.
He looked surprised at first before giving a small smirk of a smile that showed satisfaction. "Good work, and just in time too." He replied coolly.
She blinked, not following what he said. "What do you mean?" She asked him perplexed.
He folded his arms in a familiar gesture. "Kagome and Riku just arrived. I think we all have some information to share with each other. Come on, we are meeting at Merlin's." He said as he turned around.
Kairi nodded with a smile. "Alright. I will be there in just a second. Go ahead!" She told him before she realized he already had.
Despite the elation of seeing their friends again there was a strange sense of gloom which hung in the air at Merlin's house. Pleasantries were exchanged and smiles and hugs graced many there but still Kairi felt something had happened, and there would be no turning back now.
Leon and Cloud were examining more of Kagome's Aeon crystals when Kairi arrived. Riku noticed her immediately and before he realized it she had jumped into his arms. He only chuckled at her exuberance. "I'm glad to see you too Kairi." He said with quiet mirth.
"Are you okay? Have you found Sora? Do you know where he is?" She asked quickly as she pulled away from her old friend.
His eyes softened when she asked about Sora. "Sorry, Kairi. We have not had much luck." He said as gently as possible. He had not seen her since their departure shortly after Sora's kidnapping and so he had no idea how she was handling the subject. All Riku knew was he did not want to cause her to break down.
"Oh." Kairi replied softly. She looked down for a moment before beaming back up at Riku. "Well I'm glad you are alright! I'm sure we'll find him soon." She replied.
Riku did not say anything as he knew she was trying to be brave, he could tell this experience was tearing her up inside, though there was little he could do to change the situation. He promised himself to find Sora and resolve this new conflict as soon as possible, for all their sakes.
"So you have five now? You are already half way there. Good work Kagome, I'd like to see these in action later." Leon said as he inspected Ramuh's citrine crystal.
Kagome smiled. "You're on!" She agreed. Then feeling playful she asked, "So have you been keeping good care of Squall for me?"
Leon handed the crystal to Merlin who had just joined them in their study. Leveling a look at her he asked, "You mean that fish?"
She resisted the urge to grin and pouted. "He is not just some fish. You are so mean, Leon."
"You can see him later, trust me he is fine. He continues to thrive no matter how many times I forget to feed him." He muttered to himself.
With wide eyes Kagome heard his quiet statement. "What?" She asked in disbelief.
Aerith arrived with something to drink for everyone. Cid had accumulated a large number of chairs at the last minute which were now set up around the room wherever there was space enough in preparation for the meeting. "Oi! Everyone have a seat! Let's get started!" Yuffie yelled out to the chattering group.
Kagome sat down beside Riku, Kairi on his other side. She sipped on her iced tea as she tried to ignore the dark twisting feeling in her gut. She hoped Riku would do most of the talking.
Leon, ever the leader, began by asking, "You said you had some information for us Riku? What is it?"
Nodding Riku leaned forward in his seat slightly as he answered. "While we have been collecting the Aeon crystals we have not found one sign of Sora or Kuja, that is until the last world we we're on. In Port Royal, just after acquiring the Leviathan Aeon, Kuja found us. He had with him the King's Keyblade." He confessed without pretense.
"What?" Asked Yuffie in shock.
"How can that be?" Aerith asked in a far calmer manner.
"If that is true then we are in trouble." Leon commented darkly. "The Keyblade chooses its master, though it usually remains loyal to only one person throughout their life. If it is in Kuja's hands that does not bode well."
"Fighting fire with fire." Cloud remarked pensively.
"He made mention that the Keyblade could be used to bring both prosperity and chaos." Riku added.
Cid scoffed while adjusting his toothpick. "Well we sure know he does not plan to use it for prosperity!"
Aerith looked over at Leon. "Do you think this could have something to do with Sora's disappearance?" She questioned.
"Hmm." He hummed. "Could be. If he is after Sora's Keyblade as well things will only get worse and you can be sure that he will want the whole set, Riku will be next."
Everyone looked at Riku who did not seemed too phased by the idea. A silence hung in the air for a time before Yuffie broke it. "So, what could he want with the Keyblades though?" She wondered aloud.
"Who knows?" Cloud answered. "The Keyblades hold great power, and as mentioned before can be used for good or ill. This Kuja seems to be a very intelligent person; I doubt he has anything trivial in mind."
"There is still much we don't know about the Keyblades, or what they are capable of." Aerith agreed.
"What has become of the King though? Is he alright?" Tifa wondered.
A few looked back at Riku once again and he shrugged. "We did not see him. Kuja did seem almost offended when I accused him of such. He insisted that the King was fine. I don't know where he is though."
"Don't forget Donald and Goofy are still looking for him as well." Remarked Merlin.
"We can only hope he is found safe and well. Let us not mention anything to the Queen right away. We don't want to worry her any more than we have too. She is under enough stress as it is." Aerith said in a prayerful manner.
"Any other news to report?" Leon asked.
Riku paused and glanced at Kagome out of the corner of his eyes for a moment, subtly enough for no one to notice. He considered mentioning what Kuja had revealed to them, but then thought better of it. It was Kagome's business; he wanted her to come to him first. Besides her father, Ryo had done nothing against them to his knowledge, at least directly. Looking back at the brown haired man he said. "No. We just wanted to tell you that as soon as possible." He said at last.
Leon sighed but nodded in acceptance before running a hand through his hair. "Well on a brighter note, Kairi says she broke the code to Ansem's files." He announced.
Everyone then faced Kairi a few congratulating her. She smiled but corrected Leon. "Actually I did not break anything." She told him.
"You what?" He asked in confusion.
Kairi shook her head, she was only confusing people. "What I mean is we were looking at it all wrong. All this time we were looking at a code, trying to break it and figure out what it meant. That was the problem though, because it is not a code, in fact it is written plain as day." She announced.
With a brow raised Leon gave her a dry look. "Oh really?" He asked. Funny, if it was written as plain as day then why couldn't anyone read it? He sure did not remember any of the symbols or characters in those transcriptions.
"Yup! The problem is that it is an entirely different language!" She announced with pride.
"A different language?" Merlin repeated. "Why didn't any of us catch that? How can you tell?"
Kairi smiled. "Well the main difference between a code and a language is the grammar. A code can be like gibberish since it does not need to follow any set rules; all that matters is that those who use it understand the substitutions, and the variants. A language however must follow certain rules, particularly grammar which sets it apart from most codes."
"Interesting," Tifa mused. "So then what does it say?"
A nervous laugh met their ears. Kairi rubbed the back of her head while looking a little sheepish. "Uh, actually, I really don't know."
"You don't know?" Cloud repeated slightly incredulous.
"Well, I know it's a language but what it says is still a mystery Tron and I ran it passed every language which is currently recorded in his achieves and it did not match any of them." She confessed.
"This looks an awful lot like square one." Yuffie muttered under her breath with a pout.
Merlin scratched his chin in thought. "Well if that is so, then this language is probably dead, lost to time. Without something else to work with figuring out this language could take some time."
Leon sighed and leaned back in his seat. "Time which we don't have."
"What have you got?" Cid asked Kairi.
"Well, not knowing the pronunciations or the accent, I would say it's something like-" She was cut off by a smooth voice from behind her.
"Three brothers born of fire,
And consumed with light,
When converged in the sands of time,
The path will be revealed.
Only to be closed by the chosen,
Who seek absolution.
When united with their charge
They will restore the balance."
Everyone looked behind Kairi at the man who now stood there. He was tall and wore long flowing robes with lose armor. He had long blue hair, a few locks of which stood haphazardly. His complexion was pale but surprising as blue veins jutted down his forehead. His blue eyes seemed serene while a small smile pulled at his lips. He was handsome, there was no denying that, even with the strange black tattoos across his chest. Yet Kagome found that while his very presence and voice exuded charisma there was something about him that was unsettling.
Leon stood swiftly and pulled out his gunblade, leveling it at he intruder. "Who are you?" He asked stiffly.
"Peace, I mean you no harm." The man said while raising one arm palm held out. He lifted his other arm and set an unconscious King Mickey to the ground with great gentleness.
Yuffie armed herself as well. "What have you done to him?" She called out.
"Calm yourselves. I have done nothing. I only found him when he sought me out. He has been in battle with one stronger than himself and needs rest. I thought to return him to you. My most sincere apologies, I believe in the commotion I have not been able to introduce myself. My name is Seymour, and I am the Chaser of Prudence." He said with a bow of flair.
"Chaser?" Aerith asked in amazement.
Looking up Seymour nodded with a small twisted smile. "Yes. That is correct." His eyes lightly scanned the room quickly, but did not seem to linger on any one individual. "Your King sought us out, and in the process he was attacked by Kuja."
"What do you know of him?" Leon asked suspiciously.
"That traitor is a disgrace!" A woman's voice replied. The group watched as a brunette materialized with a soft shimmer behind Seymour. Her long hair fell in large curls at the ends and was parted over her left eye, covering the right with the aid of a white bandana. Her hazel eyes looked out at the group with a hard look, not meant for them but for Kuja. She was dressed like a warrior from head to toe, yet she seemed well in touch with her feminine qualities and exuded a seductive quality. Kagome found the aura around her to be more pleasant than Seymour.
Before anyone could question who she was another being materialized into Merlin's house in the same manner. "Calm down Beatrix, you'll only scare them." The man said. He was also tall though shorter than Seymour with silver hair that seemed to have red undertones which was pulled into a dragon tail. He was also dressed in a rich manner with light armor. Kagome found him to be rather pleasant, and he seemed to be the most relaxed of the three.
The brunette woman now known as Beatrix scoffed and turned her head tot he side. She then dropped an unconscious Donald none to gently to the floor, who no one had noticed before.
The new man smiled as he said, "Forgive her she's been under a lot of stress lately." He pulled Goofy down from over his shoulders and leaned him up against the wall beside him. By now the room was getting rather full, but no one seemed to care. "I am the Chaser of Courage, but I'd prefer it if you called me Firion." He introduced himself casually.
"My name is Beatrix, the Chaser of Temperance." The other chaser introduced herself now that she had calmed down.
"What are you doing here?" Cloud asked.
Seymour took a step forward. "As I said we are bringing back, those of yours. It was also to our understanding that you had questions which only we, as Chasers, could answer."
Leon finally lowered his gunblade as he stated, "You called Kuja a traitor."
Beatrix nodded. "Yes, that is correct. Kuja is the fourth Chaser, the Chaser of Justice. Or at least he was until he abandoned his duties."
"He is a Chaser?!" Yuffie echoed, completely stunned by the revelation.
"Yes, and will continue to be so until he is replaced. Each Chaser serves for one millennia, we are the fourth generation." Seymour answered.
"For so long?" Tifa asked him.
It was Firion who answered her with a nod. "That's right. Chasers are chosen, appointed to the position. When they accept, they are given certain abilities you could say. One of which is immortality, although it really is more along the lines of immunity to time and disease. We can still die in combat, but that is the only way."
"So what happened? I mean why would he turn like that?" Kairi spoke up once she had calmed down and found her voice. Men popping out of no where directly over your shoulder was a rather unsettling experience.
Beatrix and Firion looked to Seymour who bowed his head slightly. "There is a high price to pay for both position and power. There are many negative aspects to being a Chaser. Kuja has never been satisfied with what he has and has always lusted for power." The blue haired Chaser said with a hypnotic quality to his voice, almost as though speaking to a lover. "A Chaser was not enough for Kuja. He longs for respect, power and freedom."
"Freedom?" Riku echoed.
Seymour's peculiar stare found the young man's. "Yes. He wishes to be released from his position, however his time has not come yet to be replaced, and even then when it does happen he will die. He seems to have found another method, with the prophecy." He mused.
Firion saw the inquiring spark in their eyes and continued where Seymour left off before they could ask. "The Ancients left many prophecies, one of which is that document there. The language you were trying to decipher was the archaic Ancient tongue. We can give you a description and translation to work with if you like."
"That would be wonderful." Kairi agreed with a smile to the youngest Chaser.
"So what is it he is planning? What could he need the Keyblades for?" Leon asked as he folded his arms after sheathing his gunblade.
"Hmm, of that I am not sure. The Keyblades are capable of many things. Kuja helped in their creation so he knows as well as we do what their potential is." Seymour said.
"Each new generation of Chasers is charged with the forging of a new set of blades." Beatrix spoke up. "Usually a portion of the creators goes into the blades, and so some of their abilities are unknown even to us, as they are unintentional and lay dormant. Each generation of Keyblades is different from the next, just as each generation of Chasers."
"What about the Summoner's Aeon sword?" Kagome asked quietly. Drawing attention to herself for the first time. Each of the Chasers looked upon her with their undivided attention; it was an intensity no one else had been granted so far. "I mean, would it be of any use against Kuja? What are the names and locations to all of the Aeons? Does it have any latent qualities as well?" She asked shyly.
"You are the one then who awoke the blade?" Beatrix asked.
"Um, yes...I guess so." Kagome replied suddenly feeling guilty.
"You have five Aeons already, yes little summoner?" Seymour asked with a strange look in his eyes. "I cannot tell you their names or locations as only the Lady Rydia knows their locations. I can tell you one of the ten was lost, and said to have fallen away. I am not sure which one though. You may find that the Aeon's will lend you great power in your fight against Kuja."
"So do you know where Kuja may be hiding? He has taken Sora, another wielder of the Keyblade." Riku asked.
Firion shook his head. "Sorry, but we don't know that. Your guess is as good as ours."