Chapter 13: Rescuing a Heart
Astra and Ven leave the Mushroom Kingdom and return to the Lanes Between and keep on trying to find their friends but they later find a world that has a castle at the top with three fireworks being red, green, and blue, a forest in the middle, and a dark and evil castle at the bottom and so the two decide to go to that world next.
Astra and Ven arrive at a castle and are exploring a hallway.
"Still no sign of Terra..." Ven said.
"And still no Draco or Jin. They have to be here somewhere." Astra said.
The two then find a door and open it taking them into a chamber and they later find a woman with gold hair and wearing a blue dress sleeping on a bed.
"Who is this?" Astra asked.
"Stop! You two get away from her!" A voice ordered and the two turn to see three fairies with one being red, the second being green, and the third being blue.
"Oh, we're sorry. We weren't going to do anything wrong." Astra said.
"Yeah. It's just that we've never seen anyone so beautiful." Ven said and the red fairy flies to them.
"Who are you two?" The red fairy named Flora asked.
"I'm Astra. It's nice to meet you." Astra introduced.
"And I'm Ventus, but you can call me Ven." Ven introduced.
"Oh, you both don't seem so bad, dears. I'm sure you two have pure hearts, just like our precious Aurora." The green fairy named Fauna said.
"So that's her name." Astra said.
"Can you tell why she's sleeping?" Ven asked.
"Long ago, Maleficent cursed her when she was a baby." Flora said.
"That's terrible." Astra said.
"Originally, Maleficent cursed Aurora to die after pricking her finger to the spindle of the spinning wheel at the age of sixteen, but that was changed into going into a deep sleep. Since then, we had to raise and protect her, giving her a different name, Briar Rose." The blue fairy named Merryweather explained.
"That's some story." Ven said.
"What's worse, is that Maleficent has stolen Aurora's heart." Flora said.
"Unbelievable." Astra said.
"Well, why don't we go get it back for her?" Ven asked.
"That's impossible. Maleficent's home is at the Forbidden Mountain. It's not safe." Fauna said.
"We're not afraid." Ven said.
"We have to at least do something. There's no way we're leaving Aurora like this. Please, let us help." Astra said.
"Yeah, ya gotta believe us." Ven said.
"You know, you're both absolutely right. The Forbidden Mountain is just through the forest. Come along, follow us. After all, we wouldn't want you both to get lost." Flora said.
"Thank you. Ready?" Astra said.
"Ready as I'll ever be." Ven said.
(World of Enchanted Dominion)
(Field Theme: Silent Forest)
(Aurora's Chamber)
Astra and Ven follow the three good fairies out of the chamber.
(Hallway)
Astra and Ven make their way through the hallway and they later go for the next area.
(Audience Chamber)
Astra and Ven are now in the audience chamber of the castle and they continue to make their way out of the castle and they go for the doors taking them outside.
(Bridge)
Astra and Ven are outside of the castle and are on the bridge and they start going through the bridge until they reach further outside the castle.
(Forest Clearing)
The three fairies are now guiding Astra and Ven through the forest clearing until they go deeper into the forest.
(Forest Lakeside)
Astra and Ven are at the lakeside of the forest and they continue to follow the three fairies through the lakeside to go for the Forbidden Mountain but while still going they find what looks like a wall of green and black flames blocking their path making them stop.
"This is bad." Astra said and Stella neighs in agreement.
"Looks like we're stuck." Ven said.
"This must be Maleficent's doing." Flora said.
"Oh, I know!" Fauna said as she waves her wand and casts a spell to make the flame wall disappear.
"You did it, Fauna!" Astra said.
"Now, shall we?" Fauna asked.
"Yep. Let's go." Ven said as they keep going.
(Forbidden Mountain)
Astra and Ven arrive at the Forbidden Mountain which is a valley of darkness with fog, dark clouds in the sky, and spiked mountains around the valley and Stella looks up to see an evil looking castle from afar at the top of the trail and they assume it's Maleficent's castle and so the two go up the trail for the castle and later on they reach the castle gates and enter the castle.
(Gates)
Astra and Ven are now inside Maleficent's castle and make their way through the gates to explore around for Aurora's heart and while looking around the gates they go to a different area of the castle.
(Maleficent's Throne Room)
Astra and Ven arrive in a throne room and while looking around they find two creatures guarding the room and one looks like a pig carrying an axe while the other looks like a bird and is carrying a bow and quiver of arrows.
"What are they?" Astra asked.
"Careful. They're Maleficent's." Flora said.
"Well, they ain't guarding nothin'." Ven said.
"We'll have to find a way to..." Astra was cut off as she sees Ven running. "Dammit, Ven...!" Astra grunted.
As the creatures continue to guard one of them yawns.
"Ten-shun!" Ven yelled as he confronts the creatures. "No nappin' on the job!" Ven said taking out Wayward Wind.
"You idiot!" Astra yelled as she joins Ven. "Would it kill you to formulate a plan?!" Astra demanded.
"C'mon, they won't let us go." Ven said.
"Ugh! Fine. Let's do this!" Astra said taking out Shining Star.
(Battle Theme: Rowdy Rumble)
(Information: Defeat Maleficent's Goons!)
The pig creature charges at the two and swings his axe but they dodge and Astra triple slashes with Shining Star followed by casting Fire but the bird creature shoots an arrow at Astra but Ven comes and blocks the arrow and then double horizontal slashes with Wayward Wind followed by a roundhouse slash but more creatures appear and the pig creatures attack with their axes while the bird creatures fire their arrows but Ven casts Aero to make the minions go upward allowing Astra to have Stella fire magical blasts but more minions come and attack with their axes and shoot more arrows but Astra vertical slashes with Shining Star followed by a graceful slash while Ven diagonal slashes with Wayward Wind followed by Strike Raid and the two defeat the minions.
"That was close. Don't EVER pull off a stupid stunt like that again!" Astra said.
"Sorry." Ven said rubbing his head.
"Aurora's heart has to be somewhere in this castle." Fauna said.
"We'll have to keep looking. Hopefully, we'll find it." Astra said.
Astra and Ven make their way through the throne room and later go to a different area.
(Maze Hall)
Astra and Ven are in a hall of the castle and they see many walls rising from the ground to prevent access making the two go around the walls but more walls keep rising from the ground much to their annoyance and so they keep finding a way to go through the hall without any more walls rising but as they keep going more walls keep rising and blocking the way but the two find a pathway to go around and arrive at a different part of the maze hall and keep going but more walls keep rising from the ground again but they manage to find colored pads warping them to different parts of the maze ad after using the pads they manage to get past the walls and are now in the center of the hall and they arrive at a pedestal where they find what looks like an orb of light being covered in green and black flames and the orb looks like a heart.
"This must be Aurora's heart." Astra said.
"Let's free it!" Ven said and they point their Keyblades at the heart and fire their beams of light at the green and black flames making them disappear allowing the heart to go free.
"That did it." Astra said but then both Astra and Ven are being blinded by a bright light.
Flashback:
In a forest a young woman with gold hair which is Aurora is meeting with a young man with brown hair and wearing a black and grey tunic.
"Who are you?" Aurora asked.
"Don't you remember? We've met before." The young man said.
"We...we have?" Aurora asked.
"Why of course. You said it yourself, once upon a dream." The young man said.
"I never thought I would meet you, outside of my dreams, that is." Aurora said.
"Who are you? What's your name?" The young man asked.
"Oh, my name? It's... No. No. I can't. Goodbye!" Aurora said running off.
"I must see you!" The young man said.
"I don't know. Maybe someday." Aurora said.
"When? Tomorrow?" The young man asked.
"No. This evening. At the cottage in the glen." Aurora said as she leaves.
Flashback End.
After the flashback Astra and Ven are back in the maze of the castle.
"What just happened?" Astra asked.
"That was Aurora's memory. She must have gotten her back." Flora said.
"So, her wish came true!" Ven said.
"Yes. Not long ago. Dreams are very strong beliefs. Aurora's led her to her true love." Flora said.
"I see you two have strong beliefs too, don't you, dears?" Fauna asked.
"Yes, we do." Astra said.
"You both also possess strong lights within you." Flora said.
"Hurry! We can't stay here!" Merryweather said.
"She's right. Let's get out of here before Maleficent finds us." Flora said.
Astra and Ven make their way out of the maze so they can leave the castle and they return to the throne room and hurry their way but then they see someone blocking the way and it's a woman with green skin, yellow eyes, and wearing black, red, and purple robes, has black horns, and is carrying a staff with a green orb at the top.
"Someone has released Aurora's heart. Tell me, children, was it you?" The woman asked turning to the two.
"Maleficent!" Flora said with hostility.
"Yes. It was us! We freed Aurora's heart!" Astra said.
"Only 'cause YOU stole it in the first place!" Ven yelled as he charges at Maleficent and tries to attack but Maleficent disappears in green and black flames.
"A Keyblade... You two must be Astra and Ventus." Maleficent said and the two look up to see Maleficent standing above them.
"You know us too?" Astra asked.
"How do you know about us and the Keyblades?" Ven asked.
"My powers ensure I'd know of the keys to bringing me hearts. Terra and Draco gave me a demonstration." Maleficent said.
"Draco?!" Astra asked shocked.
"Terra?! They were here?" Ven asked.
"Why, yes. In fact, it was they, who stole Princess Aurora's heart." Maleficent said.
"No...! NO! I WON'T believe this!" Astra yelled.
"That's a lie!" Ven yelled.
"I was asked to leave you both unharmed, but it seems I have no choice!" Maleficent said as she prepares to attack.
"Everyone!" Flora said as she, Fauna, and Merryweather transform into magic sparks and go to the two.
(Boss Theme: The Encounter)
(Information: Defeat Maleficent with the help of the good fairies!)
Maleficent casts a lightning spell attack at the two who dodge out of the way and Astra has Stella fire magical blasts to strike at Maleficent getting her but Maleficent disappears and reappears and unleashes more lightning at the two but Ven goes to confront the witch and slashes with Wayward Wind followed by a somersault slash but Maleficent disappears again and reappears and unleashes a wave of green and black flames at the two but Astra casts Water to get rid of the flames and then casts Thunder at Maleficent who unleashes her purple lightning to strike down at the two and then fires a beam of green and black fires but Astra casts Blizzard while Ven coats Wayward Wind with Blizzard magic and uses Blizzard Raid to strike but Maleficent warps herself to the center of the room and starts casting a spell to make her staff glow with dark energy and a pool of green and black flames start appearing but then the three fairies fly around the two and cast a spell for the two with their Keyblades glowing with light and they aim their Keyblades at Maleficent and they unleash two balls of light at the witch striking her and making her stunned allowing Astra to horizontal slash with Shining Star followed by casting Earth while Ven triple fast slashes with Wayward Wind and then uses Air Flair to send Maleficent in the air and Astra has Stella deliver a powerful pony kick striking the evil fairy but after enough attacks Maleficent recovers and teleports away from the two and unleashes two lightning spells.
Astra and Ven dodge the lightning spells and Astra coats Shining Star with Water magic and uses Water Raid while Ven locks on at Maleficent and uses Flame Salvo and strikes with a volley of fireballs but Maleficent disappears and reappears and casts green and black flame spells to attack but Astra has Stella charge at Maleficent to attack with her horn but Maleficent thrusts her staff on the ground and unleashes a pillar of green and black flames but Ven delivers two fast slashes with Wayward Wind followed by an upper slash and then delivers a wide slash while Astra diagonal slashes with Shining Star followed by a spinning slash and then delivers a twirling slash but Maleficent disappears from the two and unleashes more purple lightning at the two but they dodge the lightning spell and Astra has Stella fire magical blasts while Ven uses Strike Raid but Maleficent unleashes waves of green and black flames but Astra locks on at Maleficent and uses Star Struck and unleashes three sets of shooting stars damaging the evil fairy but Maleficent warps herself to the center of the room again and casts her spell to make her staff glow with dark magic and green and black flames appear but the three fairies come and cast their spell making Astra's and Ven's Keyblades glow with light and aim at Maleficent and fire their bolts of light to strike at the witch stunning her and Astra vertical slashes with Shining Star while Ven horizontal slashes with Wayward Wind while Stella charges with her horn but after enough attacks Maleficent disappears and reappears.
Maleficent unleashes more lightning spells at the two but they move and Ven coats himself with Aero magic and uses Aero Surge striking while Astra coats herself with Water magic and uses Water Surge but Maleficent swipes her staff at the two knocking them back but Astra has Stella deliver a pony kick but Maleficent unleashes beams of green and black flames and tries to burn the two but they manage to dodge the beam of fires and Ven diagonal slashes with Wayward Wind followed by Wind Edge but Maleficent disappears and unleashes pillars of green and black flames but Astra casts Blizzard followed by casting Thunder but Maleficent disappears again and then transforms into a pinwheel shaped cloud of dark magic and charges at the two but they move out of the way but the pinwheel dark magic keeps charging at them until Maleficent reverts back to her normal form and then thrusts her staff to unleash meteors to rain down at the two but they dodge the meteors and Astra uses Blizzard Raid while Ven delivers three fast slashes with Wayward Wind followed by Edge Slash but Maleficent unleashes lightning spells to strike at the two but Stella unleashes magical blasts to strike but Maleficent unleashes waves of green and black flames to try and burn at the two but they dodge the waves of flames and Ven covers himself with Fire magic and uses Fire Dash while Astra triple slashes with Shining Star followed by a graceful spinning slash to strike at the witch who disappears again and unleashes more pillars of flames.
Astra and Ven dodge the pillars of flames and Stella delivers a pony kick to strike while Ven uses Wind Strike but Maleficent unleashes more meteors to rain down at the two but they dodge the meteors and Astra vertical slashes with Shining Star followed by casting Water while Ven uses Quick Blitz but Maleficent unleashes more lightning spells to strike and then transforms into her pinwheel shaped dark magic form and charges at the two again but they avoid her again until Maleficent reverts back to her original self and unleashes pillars of flames but Ven delivers fast horizontal slashes with Wayward Wind followed by a roundhouse slash while Astra diagonal slashes with Shining Star and then casts Thunder but Maleficent thrusts her staff to the ground and unleashes green and black shock waves but Stella unleashes magical blasts from her horn while Astra uses Thunder Raid but Maleficent swipes her staff to knock them back but Ven uses Slide Dash to strike but Maleficent unleashes more lightning magic to strike but Astra coats herself with Fire magic and uses Fire Surge while Ven coats Wayward Wind with Aero magic and uses Aero Edge but Maleficent retaliates with unleashing pillars of green and black flames to burn the two but Ven delivers two fast slashes with Wayward Wind followed by Edge Slash while Astra horizontal slashes with Shining Star followed by casting Blizzard but Maleficent disappears and then unleashes waves of green and black flames to strike at the two but Ven horizontal slashes with Wayward Wind followed by Strike Raid while Astra vertical slashes with Shining Star followed by Thunder Edge and the two finish off Maleficent.
After the fight Maleficent goes up to her throne and is breathing heavily while holding her chest in pain.
"How dare you say something about Draco doing something horrible! He'd NEVER hurt anyone!" Astra yelled.
"And there's NO way Terra would hurt somebody like that!" Ven yelled.
"You both don't believe me? That's unfortunate, for they both agreed so easily." Maleficent said.
"No... Draco really...?" Astra stops talking.
"Terra did...?" Ven stops talking.
"Ven! Don't be fooled!" A voice called.
"Astra! Don't listen to her lies!" Another voice called.
Astra and Ven turn to see two people arriving at the throne room and it's Jin and Aqua.
"Aqua!" Ven said.
"Jin! You're okay!" Astra cheered.
"Terra would never do that, Ven. You know that as well as I do." Aqua said.
"And while Draco is an idiot, even he knows better than to do anything like that." Jin said.
"Yeah!" Ven said.
"You're right." Astra said.
"Oh, the truth can be most cruel, even to amongst the closest of friends. After all, one can never know the secrets of another's heart. I'm sure you'll agree, Astra...Ventus...Jin...Aqua." Maleficent said.
"Hmph! Shut the hell up before I destroy you, you scum!" Jin yelled and then he turns to Astra. "Astra, what the hell were you thinking going off on your own?!" Jin demanded.
"Jin, I..." Astra was cut off.
"Don't you realize how worried sick you've made Master Fortitudo?! Lady Amora, Fulgur, and Zervik?!" Jin demanded.
"I-I'm sorry..." Astra said with regret.
"Aqua, what're you...?" Ven was cut off.
"The Master sent me. Ven, let's go home." Aqua said offering her hand.
"Astra, you need to go home NOW!" Jin said.
"But what about you and Draco?" Astra asked.
"And Terra..." Ven stops talking.
"Draco and I still have our mission. We have our own paths to take, and yours should be going home, along with Ven!" Jin said.
"And Terra's not ready to leave yet." Aqua said.
Astra and Ven think about why they left.
Flashback:
Astra is talking to the same veiled girl in the castle of Divine Kingdom.
"Right now, Draco and Jin will be going away, and when you follow them, they will cease to exist." The veiled girl said.
Flashback End.
Flashback:
Ven is talking to the same masked boy in his room in Land of Departure.
"Like right now? He's leaving you behind, and by the time you catch up, he'll be a different person." The masked boy said.
Flashback End.
"Jin, I'm sorry, but I can't go home yet." Astra said.
"And I'm sorry, Aqua, but I can't go with you." Ven said.
"What?" Aqua asked.
"Why are you two...?" Jin was cut off.
"I have to find Draco and see if he's okay." Astra said.
"And I have to find Terra before it's too late." Ven said as they run off.
"Ven! Wait!" Aqua called.
"Astra! Get back here!" Jin called but they're gone.
Fauna tries to go after them but Flora holds her back and shakes her head making Fauna obey with a sad look.
Astra and Ven run their way out of Maleficent's castle and make their way out of the Forbidden Mountain.
"Draco, I hope you're safe..." Astra said.
"Terra, where are you?" Ven asked as they leave the Forbidden Mountain.
And there's the next chapter. Hope you enjoyed this one. Well, I'm done with Astra's and Ven's side of the story for the six worlds for now. I hope you enjoyed seeing them. Next time, we move onto Jin's and Aqua's side of the story and see them going through the six worlds, starting with a world with a giant demonic tower, where they meet a half-demon hunter, who is trying to stop his brother. I'll see you in the next chapter! Don't forget to favorite, follow, and review! Take and bye for now!