In this chapter, Sora will team up with a Sailor Moon character as they travel to a new world.
Chapter 38: Battle at Hollow Bastion Part 1
30 minutes have passed since the ship have left West City. It was a really bumpy ride. The group was worrying that the ship would crash in the middle of nowhere.
Sweetie: Guys, we're heading into another world.
The group sighed with relief as they went outside the window. They saw an old castle with a giant heartless symbol.
Sweetie: This is Hollow Bastion. There's alot of heartless down there.
Sora: I bet that Kairi's there. And if Kairi is there, then Riku must be there too.
Plucky: Sora, you've gotta confront that kid. It's the only way to save him from the darkness.
Sora: I know. I've had it with what he's done.
Dizzy: Dizzy and Plucky help Sora too.
Sora: Right. Let's go, guys!
Sneezer: Be careful, you three.
The gummi ship departed and dropped the trio off.
World: Hollow Bastion
The trio arrived on the same island that Riku was on. The same rising water that Riku saw was around them.
Plucky: Is that waterfall going up?
Sora: My science teacher would never make sense of this.
Dizzy: Look up there!
Dizzy points to the castle. Plucky shook in fear of the castle. He could feel his heart beat rapidly and losing his breath.
Sora: For some reason, I know this place. But, I've never left my island.
He then turned to Plucky who was shaking.
Sora: Plucky, what are you doing?
Plucky: I'm afraid of going into dark and scary places.
Sora: Plucky, you're afraid of everything. You've gotta overcome your fears.
Plucky: you're right kid. As long as the three of us stick together, nothing can stop us.
The trio began to walk forward when Sora stopped. He put his hand on his chest.
Sora: Guys. I feel a little warmth inside here.
Plucky: You must have a heartburn. Want me to get the Pepto?
Sora: Plucky, I don't have a heartburn.
All of a sudden, the trio heard a battle cry coming from the other side.
Dizzy: Ooh, what that sound?
Plucky: Sounds like a fight up there.
Sora could feel a strange force near by. He recognized the feeling and knew what to expect.
Sora: Riku. Come on, guys! Let's go!
The trio made their way up through the rising falls. Along the way, Sora found a chest containing five more Pikmin. As they reached the next floating island, they could see two figures standing on top of a bigger island. The first person they saw on the right was Riku himself.
The one on the left was a young man in his late teens. He wears a black tuxedo and top hat and a white mask shaped like glasses. He was also carrying a cane on his hand. He and Riku stared at each other.
Riku: No vessel and no help from the heartless. So tell me, how did you get here?
Man: I didn't need anything. I just needed to believe.
Riku: Believe? What children's book have you been reading?
Man: It's true. When my world fell into darkness, everything was taken from me. Especially Serena. I vowed to find her again, no matter the cost. So, here I am. She must be here. I'll have her back. So, hand her over!
Riku: Then I dare you to take her back.
The young man attacked with his cane, but Riku dodged it. Riku then attacks with his sword and slashed the young man. He fell down in pain.
Riku: Now, die!
As Riku was about to bring the Soul Eater down on the young man, the keyblade blocks the sword. It was Sora who guarded the young man.
Sora: RIKU! STOP! What are you doing?
Riku: Well, hello, Sora. Glad you made it. Late again I see. Lazing off again?
Sora: Cut it out! This is serious! Why are you doing this?
Riku: Heh, that's my question. Why are you doing this? Holding onto that keyblade. Don't you know it has changed you?
Sora: Me? As far as I'me concerned, you're the one that's changed. You'd never hurt anyone, but now you just hurt that guy.
Riku: I guess it's true then. Not only have we've been best friends, but we've been the best of rivals. We've pushed each other past our limits and in the end became stronger. Always competing, always fighting.
Sora: But, Riku...
Riku: But it ends here. There is no in between. The path cannot be taken by two keyblade masters.
Plucky: What do you mean by two?
Riku: That will be answered right now. Now it's time for the keyblade to choose...me or you.
He then reached out his hand. Suddenly, the keyblade begins to pull away from Sora and disappears. Everyone was shocked as the keyblade reappeared in Riku's hand.
Sora: Huh?
Plucky: What?
Dizzy: It can't be!
Riku gazed with aw at his new weapon.
Riku: Ganondorf, he was right. I truly am the one.
He then looked at Sora.
Riku: You don't have what it takes to save Kairi. You never did. Only the true keyblade master can open the secret door and change the world.
Sora: This...this isn't right! It chose me!
Riku: Wrong, Sora. I was the true master, but however, when I was absorbed by the darkness back home, it couldn't except me just yet. So it needed a substitute until it was reunited with its true master.
Sora: So I fought my way here with that keyblade for nothing?
Riku: You were just the delivery boy. A task that took you more than 30 minutes to deliver. Sorry, your part's over now. If you still wanna play hero, use this.
Riku then threw his toy wooden sword which landed right at Sora's feet. Sora just couldn't believe it. He lost the keyblade to Riku after all of the battles he has fought with it. All the times he risked his life with it. He then got on his hands and knees and slammed his fist into the ground. Dizzy ran over to Sora and put his arms around the ex-keyblade master.
Dizzy: It OK, Sora. We find other way to stop heartless.
Plucky walked over and looked down at Sora, understanding the reason why he became upset. Plucky sighed sadly and approached Dizzy and put his hand on the Tasmanian devil's shoulder.
Plucky: Dizzy, we still need to remember our mission.
Dizzy: To find Buster?
Plucky: Yeah, but there's more. He said that we need to follow the one who wields the keyblade.
Dizzy understood. He was about to leave Sora forever and he didn't want to. Tears streamed down his face as he understood what was going to happen.
Dizzy: No. It can't be. Dizzy understand that Plucky and Dizzy need to follow key, but Dizzy don't want to leave Sora.
Plucky: You choose him over Buster?
Dizzy: I'm sorry, but Dizzy and Sora become best friends. Dizzy miss Buster, but Sora kept Dizzy happy. Dizzy no leave Sora.
Plucky: Enough! We're going whether you like it or not.
Dizzy: But-
Plucky: Listen, I can't do anything about it. If we don't go, we might be in grave danger.
Dizzy puts his head down and sighed. He followed Riku without saying a word. He didn't even turn around to say good bye to Sora. Plucky began to walk away, but he turned back to Sora. The boy looked up at Plucky with tears streaming down his eyes.
Sora: Please! Just let me be.
Plucky: Are you sure you don't need any-
Sora: I SAID GO!
Plucky put his head down and walked away. He looked over to Sora one last time.
Plucky: Sora, I'm sorry.
Plucky left in silence, leaving Sora and the injured young man behind. The young man weakly walks over, trying to get to the castle, but then he collapses. Sora walks over to him.
Sora: Take it easy. You're really hurt.
Man: No, I'm fine. Why are you here?
Sora: I just helped you and this is the thanks I get?
Man: Sorry. I came here because those creeps have Serena and I will get her back.
Sora: Serena? Is she special to you?
Man: Yes. I'm Tuxedo Mask. I came here to find Serena. Even though I am alone, I will fight for her. I won't leave this place without her.
Tuxedo Mask's speech gave Sora more confidence, knowing that he can't quit. He picked up the wooden sword and walked over to Tuxedo Mask.
Sora: I won't give up, either. I'm looking for someone very important to me. I may not have Plucky, Dizzy, or the keyblade, but I still have my heart.
Tuxedo Mask: I overheard your dilemma...Sora, right? You must be the kind of guy that never gives up. Looks like you and me have alot in common. Let's go then. My fighting skills will help greatly.
Sora: Thanks, Tuxedo Mask.
The two left together, knowing they had each others backs. Sora and Tuxedo Mask climbed up the rising falls until they reached the highest part. There, Sora noticed a switch and pressed it, causing a round, circular platform to appear. They boarded the platform and it moved at the entrance to Hollow Bastion at a very fast speed. They arrived at the giant door that is the entrance of the castle.
Tuxedo Mask: Serena has to be in there.
He began to push on the door, but it won't budge.
Tuxedo Mask: It won't open.
Sora:(Sarcasm)What did you expect? Yeah, they'll open the door and welcome us with open arms and invite us in for coffee and cake.
Tuxedo Mask: You don't need to get sarcastic on me.
Sora: Sorry.
Tuxedo Mask: We need some kind of key to unlock this door. I believe it's in the basement area of the castle.
Sora: Well, let's go!
The two made their way down to the basement area of the castle. Along the way, they encountered a new type of heartless called Darkballs. Sora tried hitting them with his sword, but it did no damage.
Sora: Man, I wish I still had the keyblade.
Tuxedo Mask used his cane to attack the heartless. He easily knocked some of them out. Three more tried to attack, but he threw his roses at them and obliterated them. Five more surrounded him, but he spins his cane around, taking them all out.
Sora: That was incredible, Tuxedo Mask.
Tuxedo Mask: We have to hurry and find the key.
Sora and Tuxedo Mask walked through the lower level of the castle until they found a bubble. They jumped in the bubble, which lead them to another part of the castle. They found another bubble which leads them to the waterway. Inside the waterway, they found a cage. Tuxedo Mask uses his cane to break the cage and they proceeded through the waterway. They found another bubble and used it to reach another part of the waterway. As they walk through the waterway, they found some switches which opens some gates. They went through the maze opening gates, closing platforms, until they reached the end where they found another switch. They pressed that switch which activated the machinery.
Sora: It looks like that opens the front door.
Tuxedo Mask: Let's go back to the castle gate.
Sora and Tuxedo Mask made their way back to the entrance as fast as they could. They fought heartless along the way, including a new type called the Defenders. They are knight-like heartless with shields that have faces. They defeated the heartless and reached the outside area. There, they got on the circular platform that took them back up top. They went back to the castle gate and returned to the door. They finally pushed the door and entered the castle.
Meanwhile, at the top of the castle, Ganondorf walked up to a giant door with a heartless symbol. The room looked like a church type of room without the chairs and had a long red carpet going down the middle. The room was lit up by lanterns all around the hall as the King of Evil slowly walked down it. To his left, he could see three girls inside the glass containers which looked like pods. The three girls on the left were Saori, A princess with blonde hair, a pink dress, and a golden crown, and a teenage girl with blonde hair, two long pigtails, and a white sleeveless sailor fuku.
He then looked to the other side to see three more girls in the pods. The three girls are Kari, another princess with blonde hair and a pink dress, but with elf ears, and a female blue fox in a golden bra and white loincloth. In the middle of the room was Kairi in a levitated state. Her body remains lifeless and pale as a ghost. She was surrounded by a purple shield shaped like a pill. Ganondorf bent over to her and breathed on her face softly.
Ganondorf: Soon, darling. You'll be my gateway to total annihilation.
He walked up to the top of the stairs, looked back at the girls, raised up his Triforce of Power, and chanted.
Ganondorf: Oh, those of the purest heart. Reveal to me the keyhole of darkness!
The six princesses began glowing and six small lasers came out of their chests and all struck at a giant heart with a gold pipe outline and waves of multi color on the inside with dark waves sticking out. Ganondorf laughed evilly as the process is complete. Back downstairs, Sora and Tuxedo Mask have just entered the entrance hall of Hollow Bastion. Sora has never seen such a big room before as he noticed a small waterfall in the middle of the room, a chandelier on the ceiling, and pillars that held up the first and second floors of the building. He could also see two stairs that went up each side and meet at the end. He saw another brown door on the left.
Sora: I don't see anything.
Tuxedo Mask: If I were you, I wouldn't let my guard down for a minute. Can you feel them? They're close. It's like, I can feel them breathing down my neck.
Sora: I can feel it, too. But that's not stopping me.
Tuxedo: I've got your back too. Let's get going.
Sora and Tuxedo Mask walked forward, until a female voice stopped the latter.
?: Darien.
Tuxedo Mask turned around.
Tuxedo Mask: Serena?
He saw the blonde haired girl in a sailor fuku standing by the door. As he walked towards her, she got transformed into a shadow heartless which got the young man angry.
Tuxedo Mask: How dare you trick me! You'll pay for that!
Tuxedo Mask took out his cane and charged at the heartless. Sora turned around upon hearing Tuxedo Mask yelling and jumping at the heartless.
Sora: TUXEDO MASK!
Sora tried to stop him, but it was too late. He ran passed the door and it closed on him.
Sora: So much for keeping your guard up.
He turned around and saw Riku, Plucky, and Dizzy.
Riku: You never seem to give up, do you?
Sora: Riku! What are you doing here?
Riku: There's no point in continuing this. Just surrender!
Sora: Forget it! I'm not leaving without Kairi!
Riku: What? You just keep going and going. You've lost everything. The keyblade, a home, and your friends.
As if expected, Plucky and Dizzy sadly walked next to the current keyblade master.
Riku: As you can see, you've lost, it's all over, you're nothing but a loser now. Without the keyblade...
All of a sudden, Sora began laughing maniacally at Riku.
Riku: W-what are you laughing about?
Plucky: The kid's finally cracked.
Sora then stopped laughing and smirked to his rival.
Sora: I'm laughing, because I realize now that you're the loser.
Riku: Me?
Sora: I may not have my friends, I may not have the keyblade, but I still have my heart. It's true that the keyblade master can change the world, but what kind of keyblade master would use that power for evil?
He then turned to Plucky and Dizzy.
Sora: I know you guys are suppose to follow the key, but would you follow a good keyblade master, or a bad one? Doesn't Buster want to bring happiness and peace to all worlds?
Plucky: Of course he does.
Sora: Then why are you with this guy? As far as I'm concerned, the keyblade made a pretty bad choice when choosing it's master.
Riku: ENOUGH! I've had it with you, Sora! It's time to do what I should have done a long time ago!
Riku's body then got engulfed in a wave of darkness and he transformed. His normal clothing transformed into dark clothing with red and blue all over it. On his chest was the heartless symbol and he wore a white type of dress looking thing that was supported by a belt. And he had on dark boots.
Plucky: Riku, listen. We may not be with him now, but he's still our friend.
Riku: I'll give you one last chance to surrender. The darkness will destroy you if that is your desire.
Sora: You're wrong, Riku! The darkness may touch my body, but it will never touch my heart. As long as my heart stays with my friends, it will never die.
Riku: Then let's find out shall we?
Riku fired a dark energy ball from his hand. Sora felt like he could not move as the ball moved to his direction. He thought his life would end, but it didn't came. Then he felt someone punched it away to a pillar.
Riku: WHAT? Impossible! No one could stop that attack!
Sora looked up to see a familiar Tasmanian devil standing in front of him.
Sora: Dizzy?
Dizzy: Stay away from Sora, big bully! Sora go nowhere as long as Dizzy stay with him and protect him.
Riku: So, you're betraying Buster and your friends for him? He's not even a waste of your time.
Dizzy: Riku wrong! Dizzy never betray Buster in a million years.
With a smile, he turned to Sora and took his hands.
Dizzy: But Dizzy never betray Sora either, because Sora and Dizzy best friends forever, remember?
Sora: Yeah, I remember.
Dizzy then turned to Plucky.
Dizzy: Sorry, Plucky. But Dizzy made up mind. Will Plucky tell Buster that Dizzy sorry?
Plucky: I don't need to do it for you. We'll do it together.
Plucky ran over to Sora's side and looked up at him.
Plucky: It's not the weapon, it's the person inside that counts. Remember the vow that we made when we first met? All for one and one for all? We gotta stick together.
Dizzy: That right. Sora stuck with Plucky and Dizzy for the rest of time.
Sora: Thanks a lot...Plucky, Dizzy.
Riku: Sorry to break your reunion, but you're forgetting something. How can you beat me without a weapon?
Sora: Riku, I don't need the keyblade anymore. I have a better weapon. My heart!
Their was silence in the room for a few seconds, then Riku broke into laughter.
Riku: Hahahahaha! You're kidding me, right? your heart? What are you gonna do, take it out and throw it at me?
Sora: I'm not joking.
Riku: I know. It just sounded so funny. What could a weak little thing like that do for you?
Sora: It may be weak, but it's never alone. It has gain new experience after all the battles I've been through. It also found a home with all the friends I've made. I've become a part of their hearts, just as they've become a part of mine. As long as we stick together and they never forget me...then our hearts will be one. It's my friends that gave me strength.
He took out his wooden sword and got ready to fight.
Sora: this might be tipped in your favor, but we're willing to try as we stick together. I don't need a weapon. My friends are my power.
Riku took out his keyblade ready to fight with a smirk when something went wrong. He could feel a force of gravity pull the keyblade away from him. He tried to pull it back, but the force was too strong. The keyblade then disappeared from him.
Riku: WHAT?
Plucky turned around and then a flash of light appeared. Plucky saw the keyblade returned to Sora's hands.
Plucky: Kid, the keyblade's back in your hands, again.
Sora: You're right.
Riku: But how? What did you do Sora? That's impossible!
Plucky: He didn't do anything. Maybe he pressed a secret button.
Sora: No, I know why. It's because the keyblade rejected you. You dove into the darkness and you were fighting for all the wrong reasons. You didn't show any sign of goodness in your heart and when I showed my inner light and goodness, it returned to me.
Dizzy: In other word, you lose.
Riku couldn't take it. He had it in his hands and now he lost it. He became so filled with rage and anger that he pulled out his Soul Eater.
Riku: That's it! If I can't have the keyblade, then nobody will. I can still beat you. I've defeated three people at once before, and this is no different.
Sora: Wrong, Riku! This isn't a game, it's a battle of fate and the three of use together can defeat you.
Sora, Plucky, and Dizzy charged at Riku. Sora and Riku are clashing blades with each other, while Plucky use Thundara on Riku, and Dizzy uses his Spin Attack. Both of these attacks hit Riku. Riku then charged at Plucky and Dizzy and swipes at them with his sword. Sora proceeds to charge at Riku with the keyblade, but Riku dodged the attack from Sora and proceeds to slash him multiple times. Riku then fires a dark energy ball at him, doing some damage. Sora, Plucky, and Dizzy got together again.
Plucky: Man, this guy is powerful.
Dizzy: We need more help to defeat him.
Sora: I've got the right people for the job.
Sora pulls out two summon gems and release Gohan and Twilight Sparkle. Gohan uses the Masenko, which he fires a yellow energy beam from over his head and hits Riku. Twilight fires her own energy beam at Riku, who took the hit as well. Riku charged after the two summons, hitting them with his sword. Plucky and Dizzy both charged at Riku, but he charged at them, too with his sword.
Riku: Give it up! Five against one hardly changes anything.
Sora: We'll see about that.
Sora and Riku continued clashing blades at one another. Gohan uses his healing technique to heal Plucky and Dizzy. The two toons and two summon rejoined the battle. Plucky uses Gravira to bring Riku down, Dizzy delivers punches and kicks, Gohan fires a Gekiretsu Madan, which he fires a bunch of energy beams, and Twilight uses her own Fira and Blizzara attacks. All of the attacks hit Riku and he took alot of damage. Sora came in charging at the tired Riku.
Sora: THIS ONE'S FOR KAIRI!
Sora uses the Ars Arcanum to finish Riku off. He delivered a rapid slashing combo at him, doing alot of damage. Riku was barely standing after this and panting very heavily.
Riku: No...I...can't...lose...to him.
Riku got back up and brought his sword horizontally, ready to strike Sora, but the spiky haired hero knocked the sword out of Riku's hand.
Sora: Riku, you lose.
Riku: Sora, you wouldn't hurt me would you?
Sora: It's like you said. Never let your guard down until your opponent is beaten.
Sora swings his keyblade hard, knocking Riku into the fountain. He was so exhausted that he lost his dark clothing and was truly defeated. He got up weakly and retreated. Sora sighed with relief and smiled.
Plucky: We did it!
Dizzy: Sora, Dizzy, and Plucky rock!
Plucky: We rule!
Dizzy: Riku drool!
Plucky: You forgot the "S." It's drools.
Dizzy: Same difference.
Sora: I'm glad you two stuck by my side no matter what. Gohan and Twilight were great too.
Gohan: It was no problem. I had fun working with you.
Twilight: Well, my time is up. Call me again, sometimes.
Gohan and Twilight returned to their gems. Sora then hears a familiar whimpering and turned to see Dizzy looking at him with teary eyes. He picked up the Tasmanian devil and hugged him.
Dizzy: Dizzy miss Sora so much. Me sorry for leaving.
Sora: Hey, I owe you alot. You saved my life today. I'm proud of you little buddy. Don't feel bad about leaving me from before. You had to do what you had to do.
Dizzy then licks Sora's face, causing him to laugh.
Plucky: I'm sorry I called you unfaithful before. Can you ever forgive me?
Dizzy then jumped off Sora's arms and licked Plucky's face.
Plucky: Stop that! I can't stand getting slobbered!
Sora laughed as he watched Plucky get slobbered by Dizzy. He then turned to see Tuxedo Mask walk back in.
Sora: Tuxedo Mask! You're OK!
Tuxedo Mask: Yeah. I was about to enter the room and I saw an epic battle. You truly are the keyblade master.
Plucky: The kid couldn't have done it without help, of course.
Sora: The next time we fight Riku, you can fight him yourself.
Dizzy: Riku! Plucky want to-
Plucky quickly covers Dizzy's mouth, trying to stop him from finishing that sentence.
Tuxedo Mask: Sora. The real winner of this battle was your heart, wasn't it?
Sora nodded and smiled. After Sora explains everything to Plucky and Dizzy, the trio along with Tuxedo Mask proceeds to go up the stairs.
That's it for chapter 38. Again, I know that you can't have more than one summon at a time. As I said before, I'm doing things a little different. Anyway, our Hollow Bastion adventure continues next time.