Chapter 20: The One With The Key
(Field Theme: Hollow Bastion)
-Hollow Bastion: Rising Falls-
After arriving in the world, Kioku, Spongebob and Patrick floated down on top of a single, concrete platform that was big enough for the three of them. Around them was a wall of reversing waterfalls. And In front of them were a bunch of light blue stationary platforms that lead up to the gates that lead to somewhere else. Spongebob looked up and pointed, "Guys! Look at that!"
Kioku and Patrick looked at further before them. When the boy looked, he felt the same warm feeling his heart that he felt from before. Kioku held his heart. "I know this place." he uttered.
"I dunno why, but I feel this warmth right here in my heart.." Kioku muttered.
Patrick chuckled, "You're probably just hungry." he said.
Kioku snapped. "Pat! I'm serious!" The key bearer yelled. Suddenly, they heard two loud, painful shouts from up ahead. Kioku summoned his Keyblade. "Let's go."
"Be careful not to fall in the water below!" Spongebob warned. "Now, let's hurry!" The three hopped from platform to platform, making their way up to the gate. It was a pretty long way up, but when they got there they saw Yoru standing by a broken gate, with another boy on a nearby platform. The boy had shaggy, snow white hair. He wore a black jumpsuit and white shoes with black soles. He also a white vest with a hoodie, which had a D symbol on the left side. On his hands were black, fingerless gloves. Laying next to the boy was to Kioku's surprise, was Shrek, who was also roughed up.
The boy was kneeling down in pain, he looked pretty roughed up. Yoru had an evil smirk on his face as he had started to taunt the two. "No vessel, no help from the Heartless.." Yoru said. "Tell me, how did you two get here?"
The boy grunted, "I..I believed..there's nothing..m-more to it..."
"When our world fell into darkness, Sam was taken from me and my friend Tucker was killed by the Heartless and my family fell into darkness along with my world!" The boy yelled. "Then, I vowed that would find her again, and avenge my best friend!" The boy went on. "I believed that I would find her, and here I am. She must be here.."
Shrek growled, "You took Fiona from me! Give her back!"
Yoru laughed. "Take her back! If you can.."
The boy growled and thrust his hand out and fired a blast of raw energy at Yoru, who quickly extinguished it by swiping at it with his blade. The boy hopped from platform to platform and jumped into the air, he dipped down and threw a sharp kick, which was blocked effortlessly. Yoru and the boy traded blows, back and forth. The boy created a green ethereal blade out of pure energy and started to swipe wildly at him. Shrek soon assisted the boy in battle, but was quickly done in by Yoru, who had then countered and threw his fist into the boy's ribs, making him grunt out in pain, bits of blood coming out of his mouth. The boy dropped to his knees briefly before Yoru picked him back up and slammed his knee into his gut.
"Gaaahhh!" The boy cried in pain. Yoru smirk and threw him back to the ground. The boy groaned and his form reverted. His hair was black, and he wore a white t-shirt with red trimming, a black vest hoodie and light blue jeans with red canvas sneakers. He also had thick red cloth bands on his wrists.
Yoru laughed and walked towards the downed boy, he pointed his blade at him. "Pitiful, and here I thought you'd put up a decent fight."
"Stop!" Kioku yelled, hopping up to them with Spongebob and Patrick following. He stood next to the two, glaring at Yoru. "So, you finally made it." Yoru sighed. "It's about time! I've been waiting for you.."
"We've always been rivals, haven't we?" Yoru went on. "You've always pushed me, and I've always pushed you."
"But, it ends here." Yoru slightly raised his voice. "There can't be two Keyblade masters!"
Kioku scoffed. "What are you talking about?" Yoru's lips curled into a demented smile. "Let the Keyblade choose it's true master!"
Yoru held out his hand. Kioku's Keyblade then appeared in his hand and pulled his arm forward, as if it was trying to leave him. Kioku held on desperately, trying to pull it back. But then after a few seconds, it disappeared. Kioku, Spongebob and Patrick gasped in shock. And in Yoru's hand, in a flash of light, appeared Kioku's Keyblade.
The boy chuckled. "Vlad was right, you don't have what it takes to save Taiyo! It's all up to me." Yoru said, holding the Keyblade up into the air. "Only the Keyblade master can open the secret door, and change the world all together!"
"But..how..that's," Kioku stuttered, as he was at a lost for words. "That's impossible! How did this happen?!" Kioku shouted. "I'm the one who fought my way here with the Keyblade!" Yoru cut him off. "Hah, you were just the delivery boy.."
"Sorry Kioku, but your part's over now." Yoru scoffed as he took out a wooden sword. "Now, be a good boy and go play Hero and Monsters with this." He tossed the wooden sword over to Kioku far enough so that it landed near his feet. Kioku fell to his knees, his head hanging down. Yoru gave the boy one last look before he turned and walked away.
Spongebob and Patrick walked forward. "Patrick..let's go." The sponge said. "We have to remember our mission."
Patrick hesitated. "I know the king told us to follow the key and all..but.." He looked back at Kioku, who was on the ground wallowing in his sorrow. Spongebob and Patrick continued to walk forward until Spongebob turned around. "Kioku..I'm sorry.."
The two then left. The boy and Shrek got up and slowly limped forward. Kioku looked up, watching the two slowly make their way. The two limped as far as he could, and they both collasped on the ground, still wounded from the fight with Yoru. Kioku quickly got up and ran to assist them. "Don't move. You're hurt.."
Shrek looked up at Kioku, "Nice to see you again, eh Kioku?"
The boy panted, he looked up at Kioku with his clear, blue eyes. The teen spoke softly, "Why did you come here?"
"I came to fight for Sam," Danny answered. "And my best friend Tucker and my family." The boy said, standing up to his feet. "Even though I'm alone, I'll fight.. I'm not gonna leave this place without her. That's why I'm here.."
Shrek stood up, "Same reason as him. I couldn't just sit around and twiddle my thumbs. I knew I had to save Fiona."
Kioku looked back at the wooden sword and picked it up. He stood side by side with the two. In that moment, Kioku, Shrek and that boy had shared something in common. They all lost someone important to them, and they will fight until they can see them again. Kioku may have lost the Keyblade, but he didn't lose his will to find Taiyo. "Me too..I ain't giving up now." Kioku said, determination in his voice. "I came to this place to find someone very important to me."
"My name is Danny Phantom." The boy said. "Who are you?"
"I'm Kioku." The teen said.
"The name's Shrek. And it's a pleasure to fight alongside you again, Kioku." The ogre smiled. The teen smiled and gave the ogre a polite nod.
Danny transformed in his Ghost Form, gaining his white haired and black jumpsuit appearance. "Let's go."
(Danny has joined you!)
(Shrek has joined you!)
-Party Member info: Danny Phantom
Attacks:
Ecto Blasts: Danny fires volleys of energy blasts at the enemy.
Ethereal Combo: Danny constructs an Ethereal blade out of energy and attacks the enemy with fast combos.
Repulsion Field: Similar to Reflega, Danny can expel a large amount of ecto-energy from all his body in order to repel his enemies.
Cryokenesis: Danny shoots beams of ice, similar to Blizzaga.
Pyrokenisis: Danny shoots fireballs, similar to Firaga.
Electrokeneis: Danny rains down lighting bolts, similar to Thundaga.
Ghost Time: Danny freezes one or more enemies in time, similar to Stopga.
-Hollow Bastion: Castle Gates-
The three observed the castle doors. Noticing that the were closed and locked tight. "We're gonna need to down into the Waterways and find the switch to open the door." Danny said. "How do you know?" Kioku asked.
"We did a little exploring beforehand." Danny replied "as he gestured to Shrek. Those bubbles down there, will take us down to the Waterways. But the Heartless are down there, so we gotta be careful." Kioku gripped his wooden sword, sighing deeply. "All right, let's go." The three dropped down to the water surface and got ready to go inside of the bubble. The bubble quickly took them to the Waterways.
-Hollow Bastion: Waterways-
After taking the bubble, they reached the Waterways. A dark, cold, dungeon like place. Danny fired an ectoblast at a rusty door of bars, and earned them a way to the gates that hid the switch that opened the castle door. "Let's find that switch." Danny ordered. Kioku, Shrek and Danny got ready for a small quest to find the switch
-Hollow Bastion: Grand Hall-
Vlad, Vicky and Bowser lingered around the room, where all of the Princesses of Heart were being held captive.
Princess Peach, from her world, Mushroom Kingdom.
Princess Zelda, from the world she was being held captive, Hollow Bastion.
Astral, from the world, Athenia.
Sam Manson, from the world, Amity Park.
Tootie, from the world, Dimmsdale.
Princess Fiona, from the world, Far Far Away.
And finally, Taiyo.
The three villains strolled into the hall and looked over at the captive princesses, who were all in a separate pod. Except for Taiyo, who was floating near the ground, her body cloaked in a pink aura.
"Finally, everything's coming into place.." Vicky smirked. "Gwahaha! You said it!" Bowser roared. "Soon, we'll have all of the worlds in the palm of our hands!"
"Too bad those other jerks couldn't live to see it." Vicky scoffed, referring to Ganondorf and Calamitous, who were defeated by Kioku.
"Enough talk!" Plankton shouted as he hopped onto Vicky's shoulder. "This moment is so close, I can almost taste it.." Plankton drooled. Vicky cringed in disgust and flicked him off of her. Everything went quiet.
Vlad held out his arms. "O purest of hearts! Reveal to us, the Keyhole!"
On each of the princesses' chests, a beam of light was emitted into the air. The beams merged together and directed itself towards a large Heartless Emblem-shaped portal. Vlad, Vicky and Bowser looked on as the beam of light struck the portal.
-Meanwhile in the Waterways-
After Kioku, Shrek and Danny destroyed the last gate and took an elevator up to a higher floor and destroyed another gate, which revealed a room with the switch. Lit candles sat on the dressers, illuminating the sewer-like room. The switch sat in the middle of a wall of gears.
"This is it, Kioku." Danny said. Kioku nodded. He walked forward and shoved the switch in. As he did that, the gears and machinery got began to turn and operate. The two looked around as the gears whirred and turned. "The door must be open now.." Kioku said. "C'mon guys, let's head back up to the castle gates."
A light blue wisp escaped Danny's lips. Shrek looked over at him. "What's wrong?"
Suddenly, Heartless emerged all around them. A new type of Heartless, Defender, resembled a knight clad in purple and blue armor with white trim and yellow buttons; they also have the tell-tale Heartless zig-zag jawline, with a purple head and a silver jaw. The arms and torso are also proportioned much larger than the head and legs, the arm not holding the Defender's main weapon actually rests ape-like on the ground.
It wielded a shield, the barrier portion of the shield is a simple blue and light blue pattern with gold trim, but far more prominent is the very large and very dangerous blue-black dog head, complete with sharp fangs and spiked collar. The dog also has three glowing yellow eyes arranged in a triangle formation.
"Damn, the Heartless found us!" Danny exclaimed.
Kioku almost whipped his his hand out as if he wanted to summon the Keyblade, but he remembered that he couldn't. Kioku sighed and thrust his hand out and shot a Blizzard spells at the Heartless, who were knocked back. "I may not have the Keyblade, but I didn't lose my magic!" Kioku smirked.
Danny slashed at a Defender and roundhouse kicked another into oblivion.
"We don't have time to fight, these things'll be chasing us." Shrek yelled. "Let's go!"
Kioku, Shrek and Danny escaped the Waterways in a bubbled and returned to the Rising Falls.
-Hollow Bastion: Rising Falls-
Kioku, Shrek and Danny fell on the concrete platform at the far bottom of the castle gates. Heartless emerged on every single platform. Danny glared with his neon green eyes.
"You guys take the right, and I'll take the left." Kioku ordered.
"Let's do it." Danny nodded.
"Aye.." Shrek smirked. Kioku, Shrek and Danny jumped to the opposite sides and started to work their way up, defeating the Heartless on the way up.
(Battle Theme: Scherzo Di Notte)
Kioku whipped his hands around as he casts nothing offensive spells, occasionally throwing in a roundhouse. Danny fired count ectoblasts and slashed away at the Heartless with his Ethereal sword. Shrek used his brawn to quickly make work of the powerful Heartless. They were halfway up, clearing out all of the Heartless. Yoru thinks that just because he stole Kioku's Keyblade, it would break his will. But little did he know, it only made Kioku stronger. As another Firaga spell scorched a Defender Heartless, Kioku flipped up to the next platform and froze another Heartless with Blizzaga and smashed it to pieces with his wooden sword.
The three made their way up to the castle gates and hurried to the front.
-Hollow Bastion: Castle Gates-
Kioku, Shrek and Danny reached the Castle Gates, and immediately they were met by a horde of Heartless. They all looked at each other and nodded. "Let's go!" Kioku yelled as he and the other two hovered into the air. They quickly teleported around and rapidly fired ectoblasts and magic. Danny hovered around three Defenders and ferally clawed them into the air.
"Kioku!" Shrek shouted as he pulled the hovering Kioku towards him and the Heartless. They then slashed at the Heartless in perfect synchronization using only their 'claws'. The teen knocked them down to the ground.
"Let's finish this!" Kioku, Shrek and Danny plunged the ground continuously until all of the Heartless were ground to dust. The two landed on the ground and looked around for any Heartless. Seeing that they defeated all of the Heartless guarding the gates.
"Let's get in there," the teen shouted, pointing his wooden sword towards the gates. The three quickly raced towards the large Castle Doors. They pushed them open, and behind the doors was a dark abyss of mystery. Until they walked in.
-Hollow Bastion: Entrance Hall-
Kioku, Shrek and Danny entered the entrance hall and cautiously looked around. Everything seemed to be fine, as there wasn't a single Heartless in sight. "Be on your guard." Danny warned. "They're close, I can feel it."
"Are you ready for them?" Shrek asked, looking at the both of them.
"You bet." Kioku nodded. The three walked forward, but Shrek was startled as he had felt someone's presence behind them. He spun around and saw a female ogre, the one he had fought his way to this world to find and rescue. Shrek's eyes grew big. "F-Fiona?!"
Danny looked back, "What is it, big guy?"
The image of Fiona then slowly turned into a Shadow, eerily dancing in place. The illusion caused Shrek to nearly lash out. "Damn! Damn you!"Shrek yelled as he ran at the Heartless. Danny reached out to him and tried to stop him, but the ogre had shoved him out of the way.
"Hey, wait!" Danny shouted as he quickly chased after the ogre just as the doors came shut. "Danny!" Kioku called out, but the boy had already went chasing after the enraged ogre. Kioku cursed under his breath. "Damn it..."
"Quit while you can..." Yoru's voice said suddenly, nearly startling the teen. Kioku spun around and saw Yoru, Spongebob and Patrick all standing before him. Kioku shook his head, "Never, not without Taiyo!"
Yoru laughed and he transformed into another costume. His torso, arms, and legs are covered in black and red material that resembles muscle tissue. On his chest is a symbol of the Heartless, except that the cross is not there, and he has a white cloth around his waist.
"That darkness will destroy you, Kioku.." The boy said in a sinister tone.
"You're wrong, Yoru." Kioku denied. "The darkness may rip my body to shreds, but it can't touch my heart. My heart will stay with my friends. It'll never die!" Kioku declared, touching his heart. "Really now? Let's just see how strong your heart is!" Yoru shouted. He fired a dark ball of flames from his palms. Kioku gasped and shieled himself with his hands. The teen saw his life flash before his eyes, and bright light shined in his eyes.
When the light cleared, Patrick had blocked Yoru's attack with his two shields. "Kioku's not going anywhere!" Patrick yelled.
Yoru scoffed, "You'd betray your king?" he asked.
"No way!" Patrick shook his head. "I'm not gonna betray Kioku either! He's one of my bestest buddies after all the things we've been through!" He explained, looking back at the shocked Kioku. He turned to Yoru and Spongebob. "Bye Spongebob! Can you tell King Krabs that I'm sorry?!"
"One mintute, Patrick!" Spongebob yelled back. "We'll tell him together!" Spongebob then ran to Kioku and Patrick's side with his staff in his hand.
"All for one and one for all, Kioku!" Spongebob smiled. Patrick cheesed "I guess you're stuck with us, huh?"
"Thanks. Spongebob, Patrick.." Kioku said, his head still hanging. Yoru's voice boomed. "How will you fight without a weapon?"
"I don't need the Keyblade anymore, I've got a better weapon." The teen said. "My heart."
Yoru laughed. "Hahaha! That's rich! What good is your puny, weak heart gonna do while your getting your butt kicked?"
"Although my heart is weak, it's not alone." Kioku said. "It's grown with each new experience, and it's found a home with all the friends I've made." Kioku put a hand to his heart as he remembered that friends he's made on his journey. "I've become a part of all of their hearts, just as they've become a part of mine. And if they think of me now and then, they won't forget about me. Our hearts will be one."
Kioku got into a stance with his wooden sword. "My friends are my power!"
The Keyblade that Yoru held in his hand disappeared. Kioku's wooden sword glew bright, and it shook way more violently than it did before. A lot of power coursed through Kioku's body. A voice rang in his ears.
The power of friendship has strenghtened your heart.
You have been granted back the power you once wielded, but it's stronger than it was before.
The Guardian Locker Keyblade appeared back into Kioku's hands. The teen gave a grateful smile and got into a stance with it. Yoru growled and stomped his foot. "This isn't fair! I'm supposed to be the Keyblade master! I'm the chosen one!" Yoru cried angrily.
"Your heart is too clouded by darkness." Kioku said. "How can you expect to save Taiyo, when all you want is surround yourself with darkness?"
Yoru snarled. "Shut up! I don't need that stupid Keyblade!" He summoned his previous Soul Eater blade. "I'll still kill you without it!"
(INFORMATION: Defeat Yoru!)
(Battle Theme: Violent Intermission)
Yoru dashed towards Kioku and swung his Soul Eater. Kioku dodged it and quickly countered by smacking him with the Keyblade. Yoru flew back into the air. "Gahh!" Kioku hopped into the air and constantly whacked him with combos. He spun his Keyblade and knocked him straight intto the ground.
Yoru slammed into the floor, making it crack. The teen flew towards the downed Yoru, who recovered quickly and dashed out of the way of Kioku's next swing. Spongebob ran and hit Yoru over the head with his staff and lifted him into the air with an Aeroga spell. Patrick flipped over Spongebob and hit the ground with his shields, bringing up a few large slabs of earth. He hovered them around himself and smack them all towards Yoru one by one.
Yoru reacted quickly and knocked them all away, making them disperse all about the hall. The darkness powered boy flew towards Spongebob and Patrick in an attempt to slash them. Kioku aimed his Keyblade and used Graviga to force Yoru down on the ground. "Not so fast!" Kioku shouted. He then dashed towards Yoru again and smacked him in the side of the head with his Keyblade, dazing him. He slammed his fist into the other side of Yoru's face, mirroring the punch Yoru gave him when they fought inside of Eureeka's castle.
The teen then wound up his Keyblade and slammed it into his chin, knocking Yoru backwards.
The boy slowly recovered, the side of his face leaking blood along with blood dripped from the corner of his mouth. Yoru wiped his face and laughed. "So, now that you got your Keyblade back, you think you can beat me?!" Yoru laughed. "The darkness..."
Yoru clenched his fists and charged up. He fired a volley of Dark Firaga balls with a single hand. "...Will crush you!"
Kioku swiped the Firaga blasts away and leaped into the air. "That's what you think!" He slashed Yoru diagonally as he landed on the ground in front of him.
Yoru stumbled forward and knelt down in pain. His darkness suit disappeared, and his regular clothing returned. Yoru panted heavily. He stood up and ran up the stairs leading to another hallway. The doors behind Kioku, Spongebob and Patrick opened and coming through was Danny and Shrek. Danny's hands shoved into the pockets of his vest. "So, your heart won this battle, huh?"
Kioku turned to Danny and nodded. Spongebob and Patrick's eyes widen as they saw Shrek, mostly surprised at the fact that he wasn't in his respective world. "Shrek?! What are you doing here?"
Shrek chuckled, "Long story short. I've come here to rescue Fiona."
The two sea creatures remembered the events shortly before they left Far, Far Away, when Fiona was suddenly kidnapped from the church. "Oh yeah, that's right."
Spongebob then turned to Danny ."Who are you?"
"I'm Danny Phantom. I came here to find my friend Sam.." Danny said. "She was kidnapped when my world fell into darkness."
"We'll help you find her! We're helping Kioku find his friend Taiyo!" Patrick said.
"Yeah, come along with us." Kioku said. "We can help you, as long as you agree to help us."
Danny nodded. "Of course. I'd do anything to help a friend." Kioku and Danny then chuckled and fist bumped.
"Never thought I'd have to team up with you guys again." Shrek laughed, "But after you guys helped me get back my swamp. It's only natural that I return the favor."
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Spongebob asked. "Let's go guys, who knows what Vlad and his lackeys are planning."
"You're right." Kioku said. "Let's get in there and save Taiyo." He looked at his Keyblade, "And end all of this.."
Kioku, Spongebob, Patrick, Shrek and Danny ran up the stairs and into the hallway, ready to take on Hollow Bastion head on.
Just hold on Taiyo, we'll be there in no time.