The Heroes (Plus Aqua who by now has regained her sanity…well to a point) approached the entrance to the Ronso village of Mt. Gagazet and were instantly cornered by a group of Ronso guards.
"Hold strangers. Speak name!" One of them ordered.
"Uh…I am Ven of the Destiny Islands…my friends and I come seeking the mighty Kimahri." Ven said as the Ronso looked them over.
"Why you seek mighty Kimahri?" the Guard asked.
"We're old friends of his." Aqua replied.
"Kimahri not know outsiders except mighty Keyblade Knights!" the Guard growled as Ven, Aqua, and Terra looked at each other and shrugged before reaching out their hands and summoning their Keyblades. Instantly the Ronso guards fell to their knees.
"We not mean to offend Keyblade wielders! Pass!" The guard said as he and the other guards parted and led them through the village towards a large and important looking building. As they walked through the village they received hushed whispers and interested looks from the other Ronso.
"Why did those guards act that way when they saw the Keyblades?" Sora asked.
"Because the Ronso are highly spiritual when it comes to the Keyblades…they practically worship those who wield Keyblades." Ven explained as they approached wooden statues that resembled Ven, Terra, Aqua, and Mickey.
"Case and point." Aqua said slightly unnerved.
"Now I wish I had a camera." Mune said with an amused look at the statue of his wife.
Then a pair of Ronso started beating tribal drums in a slow rhythm as the doors to the building opened.
"All kneel before the Great chieftain of all Ronso!" one of the guards declared as all the Ronso around them knelt down onto one knee and our heroes instinctively complied as well.
Then out from the building walked a very familiar face to the heroes of old.
"Kimahri?!" they asked in unison as Kimahri emerged in ceremonial garb. He then noticed the Keyblade knights of old and his eyes widened as he saw them.
"BROTHERS AND SISTERS!! GREAT IS TODAY FOR THE KINGDOM KNIGHTS HAVE RETURNED!!" Kimahri proclaimed as roars of celebration was heard from the surrounding Ronso.
Kimahri hurriedly approached the Knights with a smile on his face.
"Kimahri glad to see you again. Missed you Kimahri has." Kimahri said as he hugged the three Knights at once.
"Ok big fella good to see you again too!" Ven said as he gasped for air.
"Can't…breathe." Aqua said, as Kimahri released the Knights.
"Kimahri sorry. Kimahri not mean to harm Knights." Kimahri apologized.
"Hey it's ok…we just forgot how strong you are." Terra replied as Kimahri looked over the familiar and unfamiliar faces.
"Kimahri not recognize new friends." The Ronso said as Sora, Riku, and Kairi stood in awe of the towering blue furred being.
"Oh Kimahri, these are our friends and family." Ven said as he pulled Sora up close.
"This is Lulu's and my son Sora…you remember him don't you?" Ven asked as Kimahri knelt to Sora's level.
"You are Sora?" the Ronso asked as Sora nodded.
"Yes sir." Sora replied nervously.
"He's got a Keyblade too Kimahri." Lulu added as Sora shrugged and summoned his Keyblade.
"Kimahri is proud…Kimahri is glad to see Keyblades in village." Kimahri replied.
"Kim-ah-ri!" Wall-e chirped as he approached the Ronso.
"Wall-e! Kimahri glad to see old friend Wall-e." the Ronso said as he picked up the small robot.
"Eva!" Wall-e said as EVE approached.
"Wall-e have new friend?" Kimahri asked.
"Yep, this is EVE…she's more like Wall-e's girlfriend." Aqua replied.
"Eve." EVE greeted.
"Kimahri!" Wall-e said to her as he pointed to the Ronso holding him.
"Kim-ah-ri?" she asked as Wall-e nodded.
"Kimahri invite all new friends and all old friends into tribe house!" Kimahri said as he led the group inside the building that he emerged from.
"So…chieftain huh?" Ven asked.
"Kimahri made chief because of helping to kill Sin and fight along with Kingdom Knights. Kimahri brought great honor to Ronso." Kimahri replied.
"Wow way to go big guy!" Aqua said as Kimahri sat down on a decorative throne.
"Kimahri glad you return…Kimahri afraid for Spira…Kimahri afraid for worlds." Kimahri said as the heroes gathered around.
"I assume it's because of Vegnagun?" Lulu asked as Kimahri nodded.
"Kimahri had dream of giant beast destroying Bevelle, Besaid, and Ronso village…Kimahri wants to stop it." Kimahri said as the knights nodded.
"I don't suppose that there's some way to prevent Vegnagun's activation is there?" Terra asked.
"Kimahri know of way…handed down from chieftain to chieftain…the only way to stop Vegnagun is to stop the music." Kimahri said as everyone looked at him confused.
"What's he talking about?" Riku asked.
"Vegnagun's controls are like a musical organ, so sheet music is required to operate it." Lulu replied.
"Oh so does Kimahri know where the music is?" Mune asked as Kimahri growled at him.
"Kimahri not like Sanzun! Kimahri wants to know why Sanzun is with Knights?!" Kimahri growled.
"Easy big fella! Remember Sanzun was my husband's dark and evil personality, and that he couldn't control his actions. This is Mune, the good man behind the darkness." Aqua explained quickly as Kimahri looked his former foe over.
"Kimahri still not trust Sanzun but not Sanzun, Kimahri watch very carefully." The Ronso Chieftain replied as Mune nodded understandingly.
"Kimahri, where can we find the sheet music to Vegnagun?" Kairi asked as the Ronso looked at her confused.
"Kimahri confused…who is girl with red mane?" he asked.
"Oh this is Kairi, mine and Mune's daughter…you remember me talking about Kairi right?" Aqua asked as Kimahri gave the girl a look of surprise.
"Kairi very beautiful…Aqua not lying when she say Kairi was beautiful." Kimahri said with a smile as Kairi smiled back at the Ronso.
"Well she's done us all proud…she's also a princess of heart." Mune added as Kimahri looked at Kairi with surprise again.
"Kairi princess? Princess very sacred to Ronso." Kimahri replied.
"So where can we find Vegnagun's music again?" Lulu asked.
"Vegnagun music found in mansion south of mountain and north of Bevelle. Mansion very dangerous. Home of dead. Cursed place. Many Ronso afraid of Mansion, but not Kimahri." Kimahri said as the heroes looked at each other.
"Looks like we should split up. One group goes to the Mansion while the others either stay here or go into town to locate Vegnagun." Terra suggested as the others nodded.
"Kimahri come too…Kimahri prove to tribe that Kimahri still fearless!" Kimahri said as he grabbed his spear and stood up proudly.
"Well who's to argue with a Ronso?" Aqua asked.
"Well as much as we'd like to go along…but Rikku and I have wedding arrangements to attend to." Zack said Rikku shrugged in agreement.
"Zack and Rikku to be wed?" Kimahri asked with a smile.
"That's right big guy. A traditional Spiran wedding…you're invited too of course." Rikku replied as Kimahri bowed.
"Kimahri honored…Kimahri offer services of Tribe for wedding." Kimahri said as Rikku and Zack turned away to discuss for a moment. They whispered back and forward in Al Bhed shortly before turning back to face the Ronso.
"Can we really?" Zack asked.
"Ronso know Rikku as guardian of Yuna and guardian of Knights…Ronso not argue…Ronso all be honored." Kimahri replied as Rikku and Zack shrugged.
"Well who are we to turn down an offer like that?" Zack asked with a nod.
"Kimahri let you speak with second chieftain…my son Wally Ronso." Kimahri said as the heroes gave Kimahri a disbelieving look.
"Your son's name is Wally?" Aqua asked as Wall-e looked surprised himself.
"Yes…Wally named after Machina friend Wall-e." Kimahri replied as he looked at the robot and from a nearby door, emerged a noticeably younger Ronso.
"Father called for me?" the Ronso asked as he approached.
"Wally meet friends of Kimahri…meet Keyblade Knights!" Kimahri said to the younger Ronso who knelt before them.
"Wally unworthy of Knight's presence." The Ronso said.
"You're Kimahri's son? Wow I never knew you had a wife big guy." Aqua said to Kimahri.
"Kimahri have two mates…first mate died young…second mate brings Kimahri honor of fatherhood." Kimahri said with a smile.
"How can Wally help Knights?" the young Ronso asked.
"I mean no disrespect to your customs Kimahri but how is it that your son is your second in command?" Ven asked confused.
"Kimahri Chieftain…if Kimahri dies or leaves village for too long, oldest descendent becomes new chieftain until true chieftain returns." Kimahri replied.
"Ok just checking." Ven replied as Kimahri turned and grunted something to Wally who grunted something back. Apparently the Ronso language is a series of grunts that only the Ronso can understand.
"Wally help with wedding for Zack and Rikku." Kimahri said as Wally smiled and nodded.
"Psst…take me with you!" Paine whispered to Sora.
"Don't want to get stuck with wedding stuff huh?" he asked back as she nodded pleadingly.
"Can I come too? I mean I love Rikku but I really don't want to be involved." Yuna pleaded as Riku laughed.
"Sure come along you two." Terra said as he walked past.
Leaving Wall-e, EVE, Angeal, and Aeris behind with Zack and Rikku, the heroes took the elevator back down to the gummy ships where they split off into groups.
"We'll go after the sheet music in the mansion...you guys can go do what you want…we'll be fine with Kimahri to guide us around." Sora said as Ven nodded.
"Ok then, take good care of them big guy." Lulu said as Kimahri nodded.
"Yeah the rest of us are going in search of this Seymour Guado guy." Terra said as they boarded the Shera.
"Kimahri pleased to see Fahrenheit still flying." Kimahri said as he boarded the old gummy ship.
"Yeah I hear that it was the same one used during my Dad's adventure in the old days." Sora said to the towering Ronso.
"Fahrenheit was same ship." Kimahri replied as Jack appeared.
"Oy Sora! Where be your friends going out there?" Jack asked.
"They're going in search of some guy named Seymour Guado." Sora replied as the pirate ran across onto the Shera.
"I gather he's going with them." Roxas said as he appeared with Cissnei.
"Whoa!" Cissnei said as she spotted Kimahri.
"Oh, Roxas, Cissnei, this is the Ronso Chieftain, Kimahri…he was one of Dad's companions during the old days." Sora introduced as Kimahri nodded.
"Kimahri, this is Roxas, my uh…what are we now anyway?" Sora asked his ex-nobody.
"I'd say brothers." Roxas replied as Sora nodded.
"Right, this is my brother Roxas…and this is his sister by verbal adoption…Cissnei." Sora introduced.
"Kimahri not understand…sister but not sister?" The Ronso asked.
"Perhaps I could explain it better…I'm not technically blood but I am considered part of the tribe…do you get it?" Cissnei explained as Kimahri nodded.
"Ok…we're all set." Mune said as he emerged from the wall but froze as he saw Kimahri glaring at him.
"Easy big guy." Sora said as he stood between Kimahri and Mune.
"Kimahri not trust former Sanzun." The Ronso replied.
"Can you blame him?" Luxa asked from the doorway.
"No I can't really." Mune replied as Kimahri looked at Luxa strangely.
"Silver hair look familiar." Kimahri said.
"I'd hope so…I was the woman who bought this from you." Luxa replied as she held up the blade-lock.
"Kimahri remember…silver hair cured son of Kimahri…silver hair kind." Kimahri replied as Roxas looked at Luxa confused.
"You two know each other?" Roxas asked confused.
"Roxas, I've been around for at least ten years…I was born thanks to Mune's darkness…when he pulled Aqua's heart from her, that's when I came into being." Luxa explained.
"So you've really been around a while." Roxas said as Luxa nodded.
"Yeah…it's how I know so much about combat, medicine, off world cultures, etcetera." Luxa explained.
"Kimahri never forgot silver hair's deeds…silver hair rescue Ronso children from Ronso Hunters…Ronso owe silver hair." Kimahri said as Luxa smirked.
"Please call me Luxa." Luxa replied as Kimahri nodded. Then Namine's voice was heard over the radio.
"Hey guy's I think I've found the mansion we're looking for." Namine said as they ran for the bridge.
Once on the bridge, Kimahri looked out the window at a towering mansion sitting outside of a small pond.
"That is mansion where music lay." Kimahri said as Namine brought the Fahrenheit down to land in a small clearing down the dust covered road.
Sora, Kairi, Roxas, Luxa, Cissnei, and Kimahri disembarked, leaving Namine, Mune, Riku, and Fuu behind.
"So what's the story to this old place?" Sora asked.
"During Machina war, rich off worlder come. Off worlder build mansion. Off worlder fall in love with Zanarkand Summoner. Summoners hated by Bevelle. Summoner kill herself. Off worlder kill himself in grief. Mansion cursed for this." Kimahri said as all eyes turned to him as they stopped dead in their tracks.
"Cursed?!" Roxas asked the Ronso who nodded.
"Cursed as in like…ghosts?" Roxas asked as Kimahri nodded again.
"Oh the old curse of Gracy Manor." Mune said from out of nowhere as they turned to see him right behind them causing them to jump.
"DAD! What did I tell you about sneaking up on us like that?!" Kairi said as she caught her breath.
"Sorry, that was unintentional." Mune said as he continued to walk the distance with them.
"How do you know of this curse?" Roxas asked.
"My former master had a flair for all things Spiran…he told me the story of this old manor…Perhaps I can share some more detail on Kimahri's story." Mune said as they approached the closed gates of the mansion.
The Mansion itself had the appearance of an antebellum style southern plantation manor. It had four majestic columns in front, with a turret like tower on the top where the attic would be.
"Like Kimahri said, during the Machina War…a wealthy business man named Edward Gracy moved to Spira, where he had this mansion built…he was one of the masterminds behind Vegnagun, and was the one who composed the music to control the weapon. One night he held a masquerade ball, where he professed his love towards an undercover Spiran summoner named Celia. Celia had convinced him to act as a double agent for Zanarkand…as a result he would then give Vegnagun over to Zanarkand before Bevelle could use it…but on the night of the ball something happened…Celia was rumored to have rejected him and killed herself out of misery. In his grief he hung himself from the attic, where from this very spot his body could be seen hanging from within that tower there…as a result he never finished the music to control Vegnagun which is why it never worked properly." Mune explained.
"How horrible for him…to be rejected by the woman he loved." Kairi said.
"Personally…I believe that there's more to the story than what was recorded…but I cannot go in myself." Mune said as they arched their eyebrows at him.
"Why?" Kairi asked.
"There's far too much darkness within that place…enough that I can almost faintly hear my dark side telling me to go in…for the sake of your safety and my sanity…and probably because Kimahri here would like nothing more than an opportunity to gut me if I show even the slightest hint of betrayal…I shall not be going with you." Mune replied.
"Is there any sort of advice you can give us on what to look for?" Cissnei asked.
"I wish…but there is rumor that a fayth lives within by the name of Madam Leota." Mune replied.
"What's a Fayth?" Roxas asked as Mune rubbed his temples and mumbled something about why wasn't Yuna with them.
"The Fayth are the spirits of the Aeons…and please don't ask what an Aeon is." Mune replied as Roxas shrugged.
"I know what an Aeon is…Yuna told us five months ago after we came back to the islands." Roxas said as Mune nodded.
"Good…anything else?" Mune asked as Kimahri raised his hand.
"Yes Kimahri?" Mune asked.
"Can Kimahri gut former Sanzun now?"
End Chapter 35.
Yes the next chapter is about the famous Disney Ride: The Haunted Mansion…kinda/sorta in an early honor for Halloween next month…I'm impatient for things like this.
I'm going to try and combine aspects of the movie and the ride for the Haunted Mansion chapters so bare with me if you haven't seen/been on either.