Again guys, I am sorry for being late. Wrestlemania was last night, and I got home late. But don't worry, I'll be back on schedule this Sunday with the enxt cahp.
Chap. 12
Goodbyes and Beginnings
"But that's impossible." Sora exclaimed. "There can't be four Keyholes in one world. It doesn't make sense!"
"Yeah, there'd have to be a really big world for that to happen." Goofy said. "But King Mickey did say this world was important…."
"I'm not saying that Sora." Hierro explained. "You're right there, there can't be four hearts in one world. But there has to be one. And if the Avatar, the spirit of this world, is a being comprised of the power from four different lands, then why wouldn't the heart be divided the same way?"
"The Avatar?" Sora asked, scratching his head in confusion.
"The guardian of our world." Zuko explained. "A spirit that is reborn into a different Nation every generation. It's the only being that can control all four elements."
"So where is he?" Donald asked. "We could use his help."
"The last Avatar died twelve years ago." Ozena said. "But we've been watching the Water Tribes for the new one, as the cycle dictates."
"But Peter Parker's gotta point." Tierra said. "If the Avatar is like dat, why shouldn't the Keyhole be dat way? What else could Ozai be talkin' about?"
"We still need to be sure before we do anything." Kairi said. "If Ozai does have something planned, we can't just go running around and hope we find a Keyhole somewhere."
"Is there any way we can bring the Keyhole back? Check it somehow?" Arnook asked.
But Sora shook his head. "Once the Keyhole's sealed, it's sealed. I've never tried to bring it back before."
"Maybe we don't need to." Luz said. "If all hearts are made of light and dark, then maybe Leatherwing and I can read this place somehow, see if there's a full Keyhole here. Of course, if anyone else has a genius idea……."
"That sounds like a good idea." Oscuridad said. "I remember, the last time we were here, I could sense a lot of power in this place. I thought it was the koi fish, but maybe…."
"Enough with the maybes, we've gotta figure this out." Luz said, as she turned to face the Oasis. Oscuridad turned with her, as they slowly closed their eyes. A second later, their eyelids popped back, revealing eyes of glowing black and gold. If the others could've seen through those eyes, they would've seen a palate of every shade of black and gold covering the Oasis, the shadow and light left behind by those who had come to this place. They would've seen the degree of black and gold in themselves, the degrees of shadow and light each of them carried within their hearts. But most of all, they would've seen the fountain of black and gold that sprouted from the waters of the Oasis. Though each Knight could only see half of that fountain's color, they saw enough to know what it was. And they saw enough to see what it meant.
"Well?" Azula asked, as her friends' eyes returned to normal.
"It looks like Hier was right." Osc replied. "I haven't seen something that incomplete since….."
"That sentence?" Luz asked
"But what do we do about it?" Baku asked.
"I'd say we do the same things that Ozai is doing right now." Riku replied. "If he went to the South Pole first, then he doesn't know where the other pieces of the Keyhole are either."
"So now it's a race." Zuko said. "But it would take days to send word to the other Nations. And my father has the Heartless to guide him."
"Yeah, but we've got the Gummi Ship." Sora said. "We can get anywhere on this world almost as fast as Ozai."
"And we know enough about the Keyholes to guess where they are." Hierro added. "Plus, we've got the other Nations on our side. That should at least slow the Heartless enough to give us time."
"We'll have to hammer out the details." Osc said. "But for now, we need to get back to the South Pole."
"Why? There's no Keyhole down there." Sora said.
"Yes, but we need to bring Baku back, so he can be safe.Azula said, snapping at Baku who just rolled his eyes.
"Weren't you supposed to tell her?" Aire whispered to Zuko.
"I'll do it on the way back." Zuko whispered back.
"And besides." The Fire Lord said aloud. "We have to recover the Phoenix and get what supplies we'll need. And most importantly.. we have good byes to say."
But though the trip back to the South Pole took but an hour, and retrieval of supplies only two more, the group had to wait until the next day to say their goodbyes. Still, in the early morning hours, they stood at the shores of the South Pole along with the surviving Water Tribe, looking at the long row of canoes that sat at the shore's end. Each canoe held a body, wrapped in blue cloth. The tradition of the Water Tribe was to load the canoes enough that they would sink, and return the departed to the hands of Ruta, Architect of Water. Usually, they would use the treasured belongings of the dead, but so much had been lost, they had mostly loaded the canoes with ice and snow, and poked small holes in each one to ensure submersion. Still, a few trace items could be seen in the canoes- a bracelet, a treasured cloak, a trinket or two. In two special canoes, there were several items. One held a worn club, a betrothal necklace, a silken blue robe and wolf's head helmet, and a small, handmade doll. The other held a second betrothal necklace, caved with the image of the Airbenders, a pair of Waterbending scrolls, and a small, handwritten note, tucked into the folds of the wrappings.
It was by these two canoes that Agua stood before the Tribe and spoke to Ruta, asking her for the safe passage of the dead to her arms. The cat's voice was thick and haggard, but he was able to hold his tears back and speak clearly to his mother as the Tribe watched, along with the Firebenders, Knights, and Keyblade Masters.
"It is from the waters we were given life." The Water Knight said, looking upwards as he spoke. "Now, we take those who have left this world and return them to the ocean that gave them life. As they return to the depths, their souls shall be freed, to be given eternal rest in the loving arms of Ruta, Mother of the Waters."
"We ask you blessed Mother, to watch over those departed souls, and forever give them peace, as they will watch over us, and be with us when we fall upon hard times." The cat added, glancing out at his friends. Zuko and Jin stood in concert, looking as together as they could. Azula stood with Hakoda and the children, their eyes moist, but their faces firm. Baku stood tall and proud, his father's boomerang clutched in his hands. Ursa looked out sadly at her father's canoe. But Kyla just stood there, her face devoid of any real emotion. It was as blank as the inside of a do-it-yourself-Hallmark card. Agua was startled, but he quickly let it go, deciding that it was best for him to let the girl grieve in her own way.
"As the waters forever leave and return each day, let us always remember that life is the same, and none ever truly leave the world, but eventually return to it. And they will forever live on in the hearts of all those who loved and cared for them. Let Ruta's blessing and the blessing of all the Architects fall upon them, as they return to the arms of their makers,."
With that, Agua placed his hands on the prows of the two canoes. As blue light began to stream from his hands, the cat whispered an oath.
"May the waters calm and quench your souls, my friends."
The light faded then, and when Agua removed his hands, the symbol of the Water Tribe had been emblazoned onto the canoe. As he nodded and slowly stepped away, the other Knights stepped forward, putting away the cross and star shaped totems they carried, and moving to the prows. As Agau had done, each one set their hand ablaze with light, and placed their symbol upon the canoe, while whispering an oath.
"May the shadows be your sword against evil."
"May the light brighten your way home."
"May the earth be firm under your feet."
"May the fires warm your soul."
"May the wind be at your back."
"May the forests give you sustenance."
"May the lighting protect you."
"May the metal shield you."
"May the desert be as peaceful as your resting place."
Finally, each oath had been spoken, and the Knights backed away from the canoes, even as Agua moved to the front. As everyone watched, the cat raised up his arms, forcing the snows to give the canoes that final push into the ocean. As they sailed out into the waters, already beginning to sink, the members of the Tribe began to sing, their voices combining into one as they spoke the words of the ancient mourning song. Though they did not know the words, the Firebenders and the Keyblade Masters sang along as best they could. Agua turned to look upon the scene, and saw his friends sing even as tears began to roll down their faces. Even Baku was weeping. Kyla's face had also changed; emotion sought to break free. But though she was in pain, she was struggling to hold back the tears. As Agua watched, she touched Katara's necklace, and her face became peaceful, even as two tears ran down it. The cat nodded; he knew that would have to enough for now.
An hour later, the Knights, the Keyblade Masters, Zuko, and Azula stood inside the Phoenix's war room, looking over the map of the world. Though their faces were still worn with grief, they knew that they had to determine their next move.
"I still don't understand why we can't uses the Keyblade again." Jin said. "It would make this a lot easier."
"Because the Keyblade only found one piece before." Hierro replied. "And my theory is that it responded to the Water piece because the Water Tribe will house the next Avatar."
"Besides, Sora and I tried that before." Luz said. "Nothing happened. Whatever is going to happen, we've got to figure it out on our own. Any ideas?"
"I think the most obvious thing is to split up." Oscuridad said. "We'll cover more ground and be a step ahead of Ozai."
"One problem." Bosque said. "We need the Keyblade to seal the pieces. How are we supposed to do that if we're split up?"
"Then we each take a Keyblade with us." Sora said. "Riku's and Kairi's are based off mine. They should be able to seal the Keyholes."
"He's right. All the Keyblades have the power to unlock and lock doors." Hierro said. "What makes Sora's special is that it can unlock the door to Kingdom Hearts."
"Then here's what we'll do." Zuko said, spreading out the map. Pointing to each Nation, he began to give out assignments.
"Osc, you take Aire, Luz, Sora, Donald, and Goofy to the Air Temples. I'd suggest the Southern Temple first, since that's the first Temple and most likely for the Keyhole. Fuego, you, Trueno, Bosque and Riku will accompany the family and me to the Fire Nation. Everyone else will head to the Earth Kingdom and Ba Sing Se. If the Keyhole is anywhere, it's there."
"Toph should be able to help us. She is the Earth King's head General." Hierro said.
"Good. Sora, how to prep the Gummi Ship?" Zuko asked.
"It's ready whenever we need to go." Sora replied.
"Good. We'll collect the children and leave in an hour." Zuko said, as he rolled up the map. Looking at the assembly, he said, "The world is at stake here. Without the Avatar, we will have to do its work. Let's make sure we don't let it down."