Chapter 35: Monstroplis:
The Lanes Between – King Mickey's Gummi Ship
Sora always looks extra cute when he blushes, Kairi thought to herself as she sat in the galley aboard the Gummi Ship. After they'd left Atlantica, they'd rendezvoused with Riku and Mickey, who, having successfully secured an alliance with the Land of Dragons, planned on taking Kairi back to the Mysterious Tower for the time being. With one final kiss, she and Sora parted ways once more, although not without applause and shouts of "It's about time" from Mickey and Riku respectively. Unfortunately, the two Masters' original plan had gone south when Ienzo called with news that one of Maleficent's spies had been tracked to a previously undiscovered world, and asked Riku and Mickey if they would make first contact. So now they were heading for the coordinates Ienzo had provided, hoping to track down the spy and bring another world into the alliance.
Her cousin had congratulated her when she told him that she and Sora had finally upgraded from just being friends to being in a relationship together, and she was sure that by the time she set foot on Radiant Garden again the news that she and Sora were dating will have spread around town like wildfire. Right now, though, she was sitting in the galley, eating a bar of Sea-Salt Ice Cream as she nervously wondered if he was okay. Just because they could each protect themselves didn't mean that they didn't worry about each other's safety.
"He'll be fine," Riku said as he walked into the kitchen, snapping Kairi out of her thoughs. "He can take care of himself. You guys will back together in no time." This made Kairi perk up a bit.
"How could you tell?" she asked with a chuckle.
"After having you two be so obvious about your feelings for each other for so many years, it's easy to tell when you two are thinking about each other," he answered. "I happy for you guys. I'm glad you two were finally able to just get up and admit how you felt about each other."
"Thanks," Kairi replied. She then went on to regale Riku with Sora's plan to take her flying in Neverland for their second date. Soon, Mickey's voice came over the intercom.
"We've reached orbit," the king called out from the cockpit. With that, Riku and Kairi got up and returned to the cockpit so that they could all beam down to the surface of this new world.
Monstropolis – Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor F
James P. Sullivan, called Sulley by his friends, sighed as he sat in Mike's work station on the Laugh Floor of Monsters Inc. It had been a good day. All laugh floors had exceeded quota, and the company's energy production had reached an all-time high. Life was good in Monstropolis. It had been fourteen years since he'd gone from the company's top scarer to the CEO of the entire company, and the world had changed for the better. His best friend, roommate, and former scare coach turned top comedian, Mike Wazowski, had gotten married to his longtime girlfriend Celia Mae. The company had transitioned from scream energy to laughter, although they still kept a stockpile of scream energy stored up for slow days. Monsters University had reconfigured its academic program to reflect the new mode of energy collection, and he and Mike would occasionally swing by their alma mater to offer advice to aspiring young scarers and comedians. Attitudes towards humans had been changing, too. With the change to laugh energy, monster kind began to stop viewing humans as deadly, and despite the fear of exposure, the city council was currently in talks to decide whether or not to eventually reveal themselves to the human world. There was still a bit of prejudice here and there, but on the whole, monsters' attitudes towards humans was steadily improving with each passing year.
But recently, mysterious things were happening. Empty laugh and scream cans were going missing in large numbers, doors were disappearing from the vault day by day, and the copy machines were being used late at night, creating copies of company records. Something was going on, and Sulley was determined to get to the bottom of this. Which was why he, along with a select few that he and Mike trusted (which so far included Ceilia, their old frat-mates Don, Squishy, Terri, Terry, and Art; Dean Hardscrabble of Monsters University, and Roz from the Monstropolis Security Agency), were determined to get to the bottom of this mystery. They were currently holding a stakeout across the entire factory. Former CEO Henry Waternoose's escape from prison a few weeks ago only added to the suspicions.
One of the more popular theory among those involved with the investigation was that Waternoose was attempting to start up a rival energy company and was stealing MI equipment to set things up. Security had tightened, but the main body of MI employees was being kept out of the loop because even if it was Waternoose, the sabotage of security cameras and equipment suggested inside help. Sulley was proud to be on a first name basis with almost all of his emplyees, having networked with half of the factory as he and Mike worked their way up the ladder, but someone on the inside was involved with this whole mystery, and until they were caught, the entire staff was under suspicion.
His musings were interrupted when three beams of green light poured down through the windows. Looking out at the windows, he saw the beams stretching all the way into the space. Are we being invaded by aliens? He thought to himself. As quickly as the light had come, it had vanished. When he looked down, his eyes nearly popped out in shock when he saw, standing where the light had touched the floor, a small, mouse-like creature, and two teenage humans. Okay, the blue-furred CEO thought as he took a few calming breaths. Humans have been working on advanced technology for a long time. These three were probably just part of a portal experiment gone wrong, like that thing with that team of superheroes three years ago. It's probably not a scouting mission to prepare for an invasion… I hope.
"How did you three get here?" Sulley asked nervously. If he could figure out who they were and what they wanted, he could keep the arrival of humans in their world for the first time in over a decade under wraps until the monster government could figure out what to do with them.
"We just beamed down from our ship," the mouse-like thing replied warmly. In spite of his nervousness, Sulley felt like he could trust that these three were telling the truth just as the rest of the investigation team came into the room to get ready for the stakeout. The security cameras had been going down around nine at night, so the stakeout was scheduled to start at 8:30. After explaining to the others what had happened with the green light, and the group of monsters started arguing before the three arrivals interrupted to explain themselves.
The boy, Riku, explained the history of the Keyblade War, to the shock of the assembled monsters, who knew that the monster world had broken off from the human one centuries ago, but no historian had ever figured out how. Most of the crowd was skeptical of the young man's claims, but the majority of the skeptics were silenced when all three summoned their Keyblades as a demonstration. Once the Keyblade War had been explained, the girl, Kairi, told the assembled monsters of the current threats of Xehanort and Maleficent that lead to the formation of the Daybreak Coalition, after which the mouse thing, Mickey, explained that they'd come to Monstropolis in pursuit of one of Maleficent's spies. When Sulley had explained the recent theft of equipment and the stakeout, the three off-worlders readily offered to help.
"I don't trust them," Dean Hardscrabble remarked as the stakeout team huddled up to decide whether or not to accept the help of these outsides. Of all the monsters assembled, she was the one who was the most anti-human in her attitudes. Granted, this mainly extended towards believing that humans would only seek to eradicate monster kind if their world was exposed, but the others were much more positively inclined towards humans compared to her.
"I'm not sure we can, either," Mike commented. "What if they've already found our world and this is just a trick to learn our defenses in preparation for an invasion?"
"I don't think so," Sulley replied, cutting off the hushed arguments. "If they were here to spy on us, I don't think they would have just revealed themselves like that. Besides, they need our help, and we might need theirs." With that, everyone managed to begrudgingly agree to give the humans a chance, albiet with the caveats that they wouldn't be allowed to go anywhere in the factory alone, and no one was to tell them anything about the workings or history of the monster world. "We'd love the extra help," Sulley told the newcomers as the group huddle ended. "Now let's get this stakeout started."
Cable Town – Floating Islands
"Excellent," Maleficent grinned as she examined the three copies of the Book of Prophecies that were laid out on the table in front of her. Diablo had managed to uncover it in the library on the three islands down below, advancing her goals by that much more. "Once we have all five copies of the book," she continued, "we'll finally be able to unlock the full extent of their power. With each tome we collect, the greater power at our disposal."
"The problem though," Hades commented as he placed his hands on the table, "is how to get our hands on the copy in the Land of Departure, since the little blue-haired witch decided to shield her world against incursions by the likes of us."
"I saw we send the so-called "Guardians of Light" a message," Diablo added as Maleficent looked around the table at the faces of her inner circle. Hades, Diablo, Hook, and Cruella had proven to be loyal allies and - dare she say it? – friends over the years. And despite her reluctance to open up to others, she found that the four people in this room were the only people she genuinely trusted. "We know they're seeking to protect the Princesses of Heart from Xehanort," the bird continued. "So I say that we offer them the one we have in exchange for that copy of the Book."
"Let us not be too hasty," the green-skinned sorceress responded with a raised finger. "After all, Xehanort could just as easily offer something in exchange for Snow White. No. We won't just send a message to the "Guardians." Instead, we'll have an auction."
"Are you're joking?" Cruella asked incredulously as everyone stood thunderstruck at this pronouncement.
"It's quite simple really," the dark fairy clarified with a malicious grin. "We give Xehanort and the heroes each a list of demands. Cruella has informed me that there are traitors within the Organization's ranks, so we hold a parley aboard the Jolly Roger. We know the heroes will bring the book with them, not wanting to risk the princess's safety, so we will let the heroes and the traitors destroy Xehanort, and seize the extra copy of the book in the chaos." Maleficent stood there and smiled as she let the nuances of her plan sink in.
"That's genius," Hades replied as he leaned over from his seat to her right and kissed her on the cheek.
"Why, thank you," Maleficent said with a satisfied smirk, ignoring the knowing smiles the rest of her inner circle shot at her. "I thought you might say that. We'll prepare the messages tomorrow. Until then, it's time to see how our new recruits in Monstropolis are doing."
Monstropolis – Monsters. Inc: Copy Room
"All clear in the copy room," Roz said drolly into her walkie-talkie as she and Kairi kept watch in the copy room, waiting to see if the intruders would show up. It had been two hours since the stakeout began, and there had been absolutely no sign of the thieves. Terri, Terry, and Don were stationed in the door vault; Mike and Celia stood sentry on the Laugh Floor; Sulley, Riku, and Hardscrabble were in the scream can storage room; Art, Mickey, and Squishy were waiting in the lobby. "So," the large slug monster continued as she turned to her partner. "How can you be so sure that this alliance of worlds will work?"
"I thought you didn't trust us," Kairi replied cautiously.
"I don't," Roz answered in her usual monotone voice, "but I also know that you're telling the truth about this "Keyblade War". It's the only possible explanation for your ignorance of the more recent goings on of the human world that ours is connected to. It's nothing personal, I just don't trust humans. I'm a lot more positively inclined than a few of my coworkers though, so my attitude could always be worse." Kairi nodded at this statement.
"Most worlds have been happy to join the alliance," Kairi began as they sat in the copy room, waiting for the intruders to show up. "But honestly, the fact that some people are suspicious and don't want anything to do with things like Heartless and Organization XIII isn't really much of a surprise. People tend to be defensive and suspicious of things that they don't understand by nature, no matter what species they are. I guess after a few days of unanimous support for worlds joining forces, we just got a little too used to success." For the next two hours, the two sat and waited, occasionally discussing little things ranging from relationships to juggling responsibilities (something Roz had experience in back when she was working undercover as MI's clerk while also managing her duties as head of the CDA). After a few hours of waiting, Don Carlton's voice came over the walkie-talkies
"Hey guys," he reported. "We found a sleeping bag and a supply of food hidden here in the Door Vault. Someone's been sleeping in the vault."
"But shouldn't security cameras have spotted someone sleeping in there?" Mickey asked as everyone voiced their agreement with the mouse's comments.
"That's what we thought too," Terri answered. "But then we stood on the bed and we realized that it's located inside a small blind spot between security cameras."
"Wait a minute," Mike called out, interrupting the chorus of voices. "If the cameras are only down for a few hours each night, then that means that whoever is sleeping there would have to be able to turn invisible in order to sweep past the cameras, and the only monster who can do that with a motive to steal from the company…"
"Is Randall," Sulley finished just before Squishy's voice drowned him out.
"Waternoose just entered the lobby," he whispered harshly. "I repeat, Waternoose is in the lobby."
"Boggs is in the storage room," Hardscrabble shouted as sounds of a struggle echoed over the communication system.
"We're on our way," Roz called out before she led her human partner out of the copy room and locked the door.
"We need to get to the lobby, and fast," she said as she began slithering at a relatively average pace down the hall in the direction of the factory's main lobby.
"We can get there faster if we use this," Kairi suggested as she pointed out an empty cart lying around in the hallway.
"I like the way you think," the middle aged slug replied with a mischievous grin as the girl helped her onto the cart. Within minutes the two were speeding down the hallway to join the skirmish in the lobby while Don, Mike, Celia, and the Terri/ys raced to stop Randall in the storage rooms.
"Nice to see you too, Waternoose," Roz said sarcastically as she and Kairi arrived in the company lobby to find Mickey, Art, and Squishy in the middle of a fight with former M.I. CEO, Henry J. Waternoose. The large crustacean monster was able to block the members of Roar Omega Roar by kicking out with his six pointed legs, while Mickey leapt around the room firing blasts of magic with his Keyblade. Upon her arrival, Waternoose turned to face her.
"Ah, Roz," he replied. "It's been a long time." He diverted his focus for a moment to grab Art's leg and throw him across the room at Squishy, knocking the two into a pile against the wall. "I see humans have been allowed into the monster world after all these years. Such a disgrace."
"Give it up, Waternoose," she retorted drolly, ignoring the crab monster's jab. "We know about you and Boggs stealing company property. Trying to start up your own I take it?"
"Actually," he replied as he flinched against another blast of ice magic from Mickey and Kairi's blades, "I'm here in service of another power. One far greater than the city council of our world. Maleficent's empire needs fuel to stay running, and with M.I.'s equipment, Boggs and I can provide it for her." Everyone froze at that comment.
"You're working for Maleficent?" Mickey and Kairi weren't as shocked as the other monsters were. They'd been expecting on of Maleficent's spies to be behind the missing equipment at the factory. Waternoose's confession simply confirmed their theories. Squishy and Roz were a little less suspicious of Riku, Mickey, and Kairi now that Waternoose had confessed to be in cahoots with the sorceress the three outsiders were here to stop.
"Of course," the crab-legged monster replied jovially as he attempted to stomp on Mickey, only for the strike to be parried long enough for the mouse king to land a few hits on the large monster's underbelly. "She freed me from prison and made me an offer I couldn't refuse," he continued as he skittered out of the way of Squishy's charge. "Freedom and my company in return for providing her armies with scream energies." With that, the crab monster let out a deranged cackle. Fourteen years in prison had clearly left the monster more than a little unhinged. The battle expanded when a long, purple monster, apparently Randall Boggs, streaked into the room followed by Mike, Sulley, Celia, Hardscrabble, Don, and Terri/Terry. The four against one battle quickly evolved into eight against two.
The battle ended within minutes, with Randall and Waternoose slumped unconscious against the factory's front doors. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief as Roz dialed the MSA to come take the duo back to prison. With the mystery solved, everyone breathed a sigh of relief as they talked with the off-worlders, sharing stories about each other's worlds. Though the public mistrust of humans meant that Monstropolis wasn't ready to join the Daybreak Coalition, the humans, mouse, and monsters assembled in the lobby had managed to bond a bit through helping to get to the bottom of this problem. Until their world was ready to join the Coalition, they would be the ones working to improve monster attitudes towards humans so that one day, Monstropolis would stand with the other worlds in this alliance against Maleficent, Xehanort, and others like them. Unfortunately, their celebration was cut short by an unexpected arrival.
"A pity," a woman's voice called out from behind the group. "It would have been nice to have an entire factory all to myself." Everyone turned around to see a green-skinned woman with black horns and long black and purple robes. The assembled monsters had never seen her before, but apparently their visitors had.
"I never expected you to show up personally, Maleficent," Riku said as the trio of off-worlders glared at the woman. So this is the woman who the Coalition formed to stop, Hardscarbble thought as the Monstropolis residents examined the green-skinned fairy. She's certainly intimidating enough in person. She's clearly powerful if whole worlds are afraid of her.
"Even when tasks are delegated, it's best to inspect things myself," the dark fairy replied. "Besides, their knowledge is too valuable to go to waste." With that, she vanished in yet another burst of green fire while Randall and Waternoose fell through a corridor of darkness just as they were regaining consciousness.
"So that's the woman the Coalition formed to stop huh?" Mike remarked when the three villains were gone. "She's… creepy and intimidating." Riku chuckled before admitting that Mike's comment was the most accurate description of the sorceress anyone had ever given. When the flashing lights of the M.S.A. vehicles pulled up to the factory a few minutes later, Roz explained that the two thieves had managed to escape after feigning unconsciousness in order to deceive the stakeout team into lowering their guard. While the monsters were busy explaining what had happened to the authorities, the three Keyblade Wielders snuck back to the laugh floor and beamed back to their Gummi Ship to head off for the next world.
San Fransokyo – Akuma Island
"WE HAD A DEAL!" Waternoose roared as the villains arrived on the scare floor set up on the top floor of the San Fransokyo lab. "I GAVE YOU SCREAM ENERGY AND YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO GIVE ME MY COMPANY BACK!"
"And you shall have it, in due time," Maleficent cooly replied. "But barring brief incursions, while Xehanort lives we cannot launch a full scale invasion of Monstropolis without bringing that madman and his Organization down on our heads. If there's one thing my experiences have taught me, it's to acknowledge when I am off my game in terms of power and influence. When the Keyblade Wielders have eradicated the Organization, we will invade Monstropolis and take back your factory. Which, given everyone's schemes and counter-schemes, will not take more than a month. You will get what you desire, I assure you."
"Alright," the unhinged ex-CEO acquiesced as he calmed down from his rage at being denied the chance to take back his company. Satisfied that the monster had been placated for now, Maleficent returned to Cable Town so she could get some rest. She was just about to join Hades in her quarters when her raven familiar interrupted her.
"M' lady," Diablo called out as he ran up behind her. "There's something on the holo-projector you need to see. There's been a development with the Organization's ranks."
When I decided to include a Monsters Inc. world, I realized that rather than give Riku, Mickey, and Kairi monster forms to blend in, the option with the most storytelling potential would be to set the story for this world after the movie and examine the changes in Monsters' attitudes towards humans.
I'm keeping Monsters University canon for this story in broad strokes. Essentially, Monsters University itself is on the outskirts of Monstropolis, Fear Tech doesn't exist, etc. Everything else about that movie is more or less canon.
For the timeline, I found on TVTropes through MU's Headscratchers page that someone worked out based on the calendars seen in the film that Monsters University took place in the late 80's, and that Monsters Inc. most likely took place in 2001, the year it was released. That's what I'm going with. The reason that I've decided to place the events of KH3 in 2015 is based on lengthy calculations to determine the year KH2 takes place in relation to Lilo & Stitch, speculating that Stitch was in Hollow Bastion because he was off exploring the universe while Lilo was at college. (This was essentially what happened in the Stitch anime, which I do not view as canon with the KH universe)