In a colorful town, Xion enjoyed a rather relaxing day of exploring and looked at a theme park from the view of a bench, Pluto smiled and wagged his tail as the Replica came with a purse full of munny. "Xion, it's time to get going, we been here all day."
Xion puffed her cheeks and stood up. "It's not even night yet Big Bro." The Replica understood that. "But if we don't get home before then, Dad will notice and he was pretty light on us than he could have been. We don't need it to happen again."
Xion agreed with that and lowered her self to Pluto's height. "We don't. Pluto, we need to get going, thank you for being my friend." Pluto woofed and licked her face, the Replica laughed about that, lowered himself to pet him like there was no hard feelings and was licked on the cheek, the teenagers petted the dog goodbye and the Replica waved. "We'll try to be back tomorrow."
The dog hoped so and dashed away to the castle, the teenagers found an ally way to sneak into and put on their black coats, the Replica opened a corridor and lead his sister in with him, Xion was disappointed about something. "Big Bro, we didn't get to find your buddies again. We were only gone for a few hours."
The Replica argued with his hand pinching air. "If what worked with Pluto would have even worked with them, then I would have no problems, but we were gone for over a day last time and we need to keep it low until they have bigger things to worry about than trying to keep us under control. This might also be that thing Ahriman wants from both of us, for us to be independent. Ironic, since doing that puts us deeper in his web. This trip is still something I reckoned I should report about since we did find something going on."
Xion growled. "But would he care about an amusement park?" They reached to the other side of a corridor as the Replica answered. "Absolutely not, but we need to follow orders." Xion had the smell of shellfish in her nose, she and the Replica saw Ztardon placing two bowels and a letter to a table. The Tzaangor turned around astonished and chirped. "Mmmhhhm. It was the feeding hour and Master sent me to deliver a message." The teenagers took their coats off and saw crayfish stew over rice, the shaman gave a nod and took his leave. "You should be please by this, Zizrok made much from five of the largest crayfish in the bayou."
The Tzaangor held back a cackle, went out the door and danced away clapping, cackling away as the Replica closed the door and found it suspicious, he smelled the meat, poked his serving with a fork and took a bite, finding nothing wrong taste wise and finding it quite flavorful. Xion realized what the Tzaangor meant and opened the letter to read it out loud as Shadey took the form of a dog and sniffed around. "That was his trick, he was talking about the food when the real thing we need to see is this." She read and took a bite, feeling most pleased after all the sweets. "*Gulp!* If you are reading this, then something has come to attention within my order that you need to be aware about. There was a scouting siege we launched half an hour ago and one of the highest authorities with in has found something that would be vital to his plan." The Replica read it with her and calculated as his adopted sister kept speaking. "Because of this, he is one of the most dangerous for the two of you, I am not meaning a danger to my plans, which you should be aware they exist by now."
The Replica cringed and looked at his ward, thinking he needed to have it refreshed. "He wants us to have a close eye on what might be vital to these wackos and make sure they are ours?" He considered that a tall order as Xion asked. "Ours as is... like how you found Shadey and how he is with us?"
The Replica nodded. "Precisely and this is Ahriman's test, to make sure this is something... or someone, that is with us. Not him."
Xion read more. "It would be advised to cease further use of the castle beyond this room, unless you wish to make contact with me. By now, one of you has full access to the Corridors of Darkness to use at your leisure and until further notice, it is advise you use those to reach the outside world. Find friends to call your own, any tools and skills you can acquire, you may need them in the future. PS: Xion, if you are reading, give this to the Replica and have him read the PSS. If it is you, Replica, read the PSS."
She gave it to the Replica and read the PSS. "PSS. Burn this letter, immediately."
The Replica crumbled the paper into a ball and burned it with a fire spell. He tossed it into a bin and went to dinner, mostly undisturbed. A polite knock was heard and the Replica sensed who was behind it. "My warding spell isn't going to block you, Ahriman. Come in."
The door opened and Ahriman entered, he made sure the door was closed and he smelled burnt paper. "In order to make any of that convincing, you need to find a report of anything current, anything I could remotely find useful, even if it is just giving you an excuse to go out there for longer periods of time. That way, I can dilute it to what they" He pointed his thumb out the door. "would need and want to hear. For example-" He spun his hand and qued Xion and the Replica to say something, the girl answered. "We found an amusement park opening up in a town by a castle in a couple days. Someone important might go check it out and we can use that as a chance to know something?"
Ahriman hummed in approval. "And that will be your" He used his free hand and used his fingers to quote. "mission," he stopped quoting. "While you get about doing what your really trying to do." Xion and the Replica smiled at the Sorcerer's humor, the boy promised. "Oh, if we find something important you need to know, that will actually happen. Siege didn't go so well?"
Ahriman answered to that. "It was dangerous enough that it would have crushed who we were invading if they were as incompetent as most of the Imperium, a Chaos Warband or Orks, but the intention was for... him, to scout a candidate for the cause. Despite how that candidate told him that he wasn't interested, he is still determined to find a way, if to spite one of my enemies. If you find him, you would know precisely what to do."
Xion wasn't saying it as her brother answered with a concerned frown. "There isn't any good reason why someone should force another into making a choice their heart wouldn't even think about. That's the whole reason you are... having us constantly think for ourselves. You're having us actually chose things, even if we don't know the bigger picture."
The Sorcerer patted him on the shoulder proudly. "If that candidates fate is to be with the Darkness, then it would be by his own strength. But you understand what you have to do to assure the possibility benefits you."
Xion does. "We have to make sure he is safe, even from you." She felt the words hurtful as Ahriman agreed with her. "The sooner you speak truth, the less painful it becomes when you hear it again." He readied to leave. "I believe I disturbed you enough. Did you have an enjoyable time out there?"
Xion nodded. "I made friends with a dog." The Replica nodded. "Besides the amusement park, drawing you know who, there doesn't seem to be tactical reason for me to be danger for going to that world. The amusement park could be my excuse to get current on the other connected worlds if... he gets drawn there. It could be a good day for Xion and some freedom for me. Thank you for warning us."
Ahriman appreciated that and opened the door. "You're welcome, the Tzaangor may seem odd as servants, but their creative minds and attention to detail even compared to most civilized people, are accurate and to the point. You consider them and they will consider you. Enjoy your evening."
He walked out, closed the door and left the two to their rather satisfying dinner, the Replica swallowed and had a lesson marked down. "This was how they were able to do more for us besides seasoned fish and clams. You reap what you sow, Xion, the work out there is pretty minimal, but we might get something nice soon. You said that bistro in Twilight Town has pretty good food?"
Xion nodded. "The crab bisque is to die for." She liked the crayfish. "But this is pretty good. I should go see what's the secret of that Bistro besides that we need munny." The Replica proposed to the plan. "We can make that happen."
In the Mysterious Tower.
Yen Sid had his hands put together and listened to a summary of what transpired, starting with Sora's explanation about where Ven's heart has been, how he came to know that and a possible guess of a particular mystery. "Ven being in the corner of my heart must have been why my nobody looked like him."
The many listening felt their brains short circuiting as Riku guessed. "It... might be why, but none of us know anything about psychotherapy." He patted his half confused friend on the shoulder. "Don't worry, we'll take your word for it."
Yen Sid took a deep breath. "It is the only explanation for that phenomenon that connects to the mystery in any way." Ven scratched his head around it. "It... kind of makes sense, but is now a good time to be talking about?" Yen Sid hand waved the request. "Because of how urgent events have been, we will debate on this for another time. Aqua, what has transpired in that castle?"
The keyblade master readied to answer as Ken approached with his burning blade in hand. "The castle had four visitors before I came. The first two were Garland, one that was from the present that used the power of the crystals to become a demon. The other was himself after traveling back in time with that power, rescuing himself and guiding his past self along. Had things... not happen as they did, he would have used the castle to slow me down at every turn, thankfully he didn't need it."
Ken laughed nervously. "I don't know if that was a good thing. That Castle makes illusions from what a heart seen and felt, me and the Firekeeper were the other two that went into the castle and I brought in a Keyblade that holds the heart of that world we talked about, that hearts memories took over when I was halfway through the first floor."
Yen Sid nearly placed his right hand on his own face upon hearing something that reckless as Aqua explained the rest. "I caught up with him at the third floor and since Garland was messing with the reflective power, we only had one way to get to him. Up through the memories of that world and of a Knight that became apart of that world's heart."
She placed a card of a knight sitting by the bonfire, Ken's nervous smile lessened. "He... Jambert, helped us reach to the top of the castle, even through some of the scariest things about the world some of us might know about."
Riku asked. "Like the Abyss, Master Aqua... what about it made you say you never want to go back in there again?"
The Keyblade Master inhaled and exhaled through her nostrils. "At first, it is when the three of us had to jump into the Abyss to fight Four Kings responsible for a town falling to Darkness and being sealed by a flood. There was absolutely nothing down in the deepest dark but those four, not even the sky or ground and when we tried to charge after the four, it felt like we were running into place until they decide to come to us."
Mickey understood how that could be terrifying. "There wasn't even any perception to depth and those four were one with the Dark?"
Aqua nodded. "And they were more than capable of sucking out your soul if they get their hands on you. That was when we met a memory of a toothy serpent that taught them that power in the first place and he was the only thing in there that told us about what was going on in that world."
Ven folded his arms and guessed. "But he sounds like someone who lied through his teeth?" Aqua agreed with that. "Or is leading us along by telling things we need to hear and what he wants us to hear. Jambert never met that serpent and instead met another that lead him on a journey to something that didn't save the world like he was told. All it did was gave him a purpose to try and do something about it. The second time we dealt with the Abyss is when I saw how... similar it is." She placed a card of a heroic knight with a wolf. "A hero, that tried to fight the Abyss, was swallowed up and we had to put him down as well as fight the source in his stead. That same serpent who taught the Four Kings about the dark, taught the people of a town about the Abyss and the magic that comes from that. Very dark magic that comes from with in."
Ken explained the feeling with a chill. "They are made from emotions and from exactly what you expect, you want to hurt people with this. They dug up someone that should have been kept sleeping and drove it crazy, who in turn turned the people in the town into crazy monsters."
Riku felt a head ache and finished that explanation. "They reaped what they sowed and if you had anything to say about the Dark, they are no longer pleasant." The teacher and student shook their heads and Aqua answered, looking to Mickey with a confession intended. "The Dark, is a part of nearly everyone and when someone toys with it, disaster happens and that is when we need to stop it from going wild. It's better off left alone."
Yen Sid agreed with that. "Less something like the Heartless that nearly consumed all worlds, happen again."
Ken finished the summary with a sniffle. "Or... someone tries doing questionable and outrageous things to keep the Dark away... and just make it worse. Jambert, Solaire and even this knight we never met," Aqua put the two cards down as Ken continued. "They gave up everything for nothing. Once we saw Jambert link the Fire with that Warrior of Sunlight, we thought was going back to normal, it was the last floor and Garland was waiting for us. All you heard about him happened and he kicked our butts badly, he is immune to most magic, has a lot of magic and if he is going on his word, we got three days and three nights after today to be ready for him." Aqua rubbed her student on the back. "It would have been much worse had the Castle not throw one last surprise at him, one more figment to shake him off. A knight from Ken's memories, Benedict." She felt a hint of anger. "I... wished Benedict left as soon as he came instead of staying around. That's when things got out of control and we saw the memory of that worlds end."
Ken took out one more card and gently placed it, it showed the ashes, the flowers, the eclipsed sky and the Soul of Cinder. Ven and Sora looked at the Knight and to the knight by the bonfire and of the one one the throne, seeing similarities as Kairi asked. "You two had to fight that thing and it's too obvious who this was."
Ken kept himself under control. "Me and Benedict had to fight it. Miss got blocked out and she had to watch it all." He exhaled and stepped away. "Jambert was pretty fun and because of him, I got a bit more heat to pack." He checked his phone to remember some things as Aqua put the cards away. "It wasn't all grim, we learned some magic that has been a help and could be one for the rest of us. Then we got out of the castle and the rest was history."
Mickey nodded. "That was when Xehanort launched an attack and tried to get most of us separated, Riku and I had to fight Maleficent and Ahriman to keep them from sending more heartless and...space marines. Aqua, Sora, Donald and Goofy had another encounter with Vanitas."
Aqua spun his finger to the details. "He kept Sora and the others out of the fight and busy with a greater daemon, while he tried everything to get me to slip up." Ven felt his blood heating with anger. "And that was when I had to wake up. I couldn't let that happen." Goofy tensed and asked. "That was when the barrier broke, gwarsh."
Kairi agreed with the vision of an odd power. "And with what ever Ven did, got us out of the snare Xehanort had me, Ken and Ana in. Namine and the Firekeeper helped buy us time." Ken listened in with his eyes dried. "They summoned Benedict from beyond this life as a phantom and he went after that creep. Now what are we going to do?"
Aqua wanted to get to that point. "Garland can't be ignored anymore, Yen Sid. We, Donald and Merlin know much about magic, but Garland's whole being is made of the magic we know. We need that power taken from him if we are to stand a chance, we need to dispel all of that. We also need to know where Garland is going to hit us from."
Yen Sid wondered about that. "The elements themselves could be trivial, Merlin would know about Time Magic and even Donald would unbind that with sheer will, all of them together would be so condensed that we need a force that can destabilize it. Is there a force in the worlds that could contend with such power?"
The group didn't think so, Aqua had a memory of a black stone a Kharadon Navigator had and regretted. "If we had a way to ask for help from the realms... there would have been one person that holds something that powerful. Darn it."
Sora gasped and asked. "Aqua, you don't mean finding a way back into the Realms Ana was from?"
Aqua wished she meant that. "We have no way of getting there, no way of asking someone from that side and the only other person might have the power is out of the question, for obvious reasons." Ven moaned about that. "So what are we going to do?" The keyblade master guessed. "I... don't know, there might be someone who would know what we need to look for and... make it, but none of us know how to reverse engineer magic."
Ken asked. "You mean Wanda? Do... you want me to ask her and Merlin for help?" Aqua appreciated that. "Ask her what she knows and tell a few people close to you about what has happened so they don't worry about you being gone. Then give Merlin a visit."
Riku asked astonished. "Are you saying we should invite people over to that world already?" Mickey felt it would make some sense. "After how she had the world she worked on blow up, she needs something to work towards again. But that might be taking advantage over that."
Aqua agreed with him. "Exactly and we need to know if she is okay with just making a post and what we need to know what she would want." Ken understood and asked. "She was going to make herself mayor of Traverse because she and her Freeguild were the only ones using it."
Riku folded his arms to the harsh reality. "And what we are suggesting is nowhere near as grand as that. But it's better than nothing." He asked. "What are we suppose to do? Three days isn't that much time and that Organization coming together isn't going to wait while we deal with that."
Yen Sid agreed and advised. "After today, they would transpire even more to undo us. If you are to travel, it should not be alone." The group agreed that it wasn't a negative to travel in a group, Aqua had one more thing to talk about, something Yen Sid, Mickey, Ana and even Ken know of. "And since me and Ven are here, we might have a chance to save Terra." She confessed to the unknowing group. "A decade ago, before all this happened. Xehanort tricked Terra down a path that would lead to his heart becoming vulnerable to Darkness... vulnerable to him. That man took over his heart and body, the man you see today is a vessel and the worst part is Terra is still in there trying to fight him. Maybe with both Ven and I, we can reach out to Terra and get him to push Xehanort out, so the next time you see him, know of that."
Ven gasped. "He has Terra trapped in there?!" He gave a determined stare. "Oh, we will save him, no matter what. I made a promise to Terra that I'll be there for him, when he needs me."
Sora, Kairi, Riku, Donald and Goofy nearly jumped back from the revelation, looked at the wizard and mouse who knew of that, then at Aqua and to Ken waving. "I was told that when we were going up the castle and I asked why stopping you know who isn't going to be as easy as." He snapped his finger and caused fire to flicker as to let Kairi know. "Not that we were holding back, guy's pretty tough and I don't think he took kindly to what we had to say to him."
The Princess agreed with that. "He really didn't. That's why we need to be more ready, Master... what did you learn in those memories?"
Aqua scratched her head and smiled nervously. "Most of what Ken said, but I used the crystal magic to match in battle... and I went to extremes on Vanitas when I wanted to use that... one spell." She calmed down. "Not that he didn't deserve it. Kairi, Ken, tonight you get ready and pack your bags if you haven't traveled light."
Kairi gasped and asked. "You mean-" Aqua does. "That world will be where you two and Ana will learn more now we won't have anyone getting hurt by accident."
Kairi and Ken gave an in sync bow and the boy with fire asked. "May I get started now? This...this might take a while."
Yen Sid allowed it. "Do not dawdle we have another crisis nearing if Garland is as powerful as you and Aqua claim." Ken saluted and dismissed his keyblade. "I'll be at Radiant Garden and I'll spam if something goes wrong, I'll be with Ana in the morning."
He went out the door with the group wishing him luck. Yen Sid asked the rest of them. "We will make use of that knowledge on the morrow. Good luck and may your hearts guide the way."
Mickey asked Goofy, Donald and Jiminy. "Come on fellahs, we need to put together a log." Goofy and Donald realized they were going back home as Jiminy jumped off to Goofy's shoulder. "I'll call Chip and Dale over to get the gear for the others. This is one big project."
The four gave a farewell and left as Sora and Riku look like they had nothing to do, Kairi asked the boys. "We should talk to Olette, Pence and Hayner. These are going to be a long three days, none of us planned for any of this and we need to keep calm."
Riku agreed with that as Sora asked Aqua and Ven. "What about you two?" The two looked to each other and Aqua answered. "We just went into that after going through so much, we need to talk about this alone. You're welcome to visit us at the castle when you are ready, we'll find a way there."
The trio agreed with that as Sora and Ven looked to each other like there was a lot they wanted to talk about. The recently awakened boy promised. "We can hang out and talk tomorrow, we have a lot to catch up on." Sora took that offer. "We'll be at the islands until we get some clues." He and Ven smiled, fist bump each other and went their separate ways.
In a few moments, Ven and Aqua gave their goodbye to the optimistic wizard and left the tower. At a set of stairs leading out of the tower, they took the time to look into the sky, Ven relaxed from all the chaos that ensued. "The stars here are so beautiful, I noticed that when we arrived."
Aqua agreed with him. "They are." Ven found it a little overwhelming. "We gone on without this for so long, it's like... forever." Aqua asked him. "It's almost like you been dreaming this? I know that feeling, ha...ha, sorry that I brought up the realms."
Ven sat down and guessed. "They are weird compared to all this, even when it felt like you were out of a nightmare, it felt like a dream that never ended. I remembered dreaming a lot. About you and Terra. Of Sora and his friends too, I think. And there were more people I didn't recognize... even those from places beyond the worlds we seen." He wiped his eyes and remembered more. "It's like... I've been part of some big adventure and I've been just watching it all at the same time."
Aqua sat next to him and looked at the stars with him. "So many places that seem unreal. Pretty soon... things will be back to normal, we just need to keep going."
Ven agreed, chuckled and took out a pendent looking like a green, star like flower, he brought it up to the sky. "And once we get Terra back, we'll share some stories with him." Aqua giggled, took out her own matching charm and raised it up in the air, despite the kind of handling its been through, it glistened with the night sky. "Yeah." The two looked up to the sky with hope of a brighter day.
With in the Castle that Never Was.
With in a hall, Xehanort finished explaining to Archaon what happened. "Thus begins another." The Everchosen advised to him. "A heart that stubborn isn't worth the trouble unless we can blast his sanity with in the flames of Chaos. Consider that for when we are near our completion, Vanitas and Qrikzith has done well to give an assessment of Aqua and Sora's power." Xehanort agreed with that. "What ever she found in that worlds memories has escalated our problems. I'll send Vanitas to task in regards to the weaker links once we see the end result of the Horned King's endeavors." He opened the door and Archaon sensed something coming. "I'll have my own venture soon, for we need more bodies."
The two entered and found Maleficent and Ahriman watch the Horned King pull from a dark void, a figure that smelled burnt and used. Splat! Klank! A darkened, burnt knight fell before the sorcerers, Maleficent looked down at it and saw red cloth. "...It has been in this state for far too long. Send it back." The Horned King raised a finger and pointed. "Watch, for it holds what we seek."
They were willing to keep patient, the knights body twitched, moved and animated on its own, looking slightly limp and almost vegetable like, Xehanort sensed what was in the knight. "This ones heart is hollow, what makes him of any use to us?"
The knight turned its head to him on hearing the word hollow and reached his side to get something, a black steel katana, it dashed after him and was rushed against a wall by a suddenly appearing Vanitas, the knight fell on the floor and pushed itself up to fight, the Horned King answered with a cruel laugh. "For he was great warrior and still remembers how to fight. He was like cinder in the dark and will be drawn towards life, like a fly to rot."
Ahriman looked interested as he sensed the knights mind and looked at a rather grand sword on his back and various trinkets for research. "There is something in there clinging on to his humanity, if none of you see a use for him, then he would be a good compare and contrast to my Rubrics." He snapped his fingers and through a door, a lightning damaged rubric marine and a just as damaged terminator walked through, awaiting orders, he readied to order and felt dark tendrils holding his arms back.
Xehanort glared at the Sorcerer. "I think not, you held enough power as it is and we do not need one of us tipping the balance. You can have his trinkets, he doesn't seem to know how to use them anymore." Ahriman exhaled, relaxed and let a Tzaangor skitter in, he ordered. "Zorgaoz, bring anything looking of value off this knight to my quarters, but keep him armed."
The Tzaangor giggled with greed and scampered, Vanitas took a step back and let the beastmen pillage. "What are going to do with the rest of this rotting carcass?"
Zorgaoz plucked a chime that has a figure of a cloaked maiden, a small staff of bones and the most grand, a great sword with a green glowing blade, flickering like the moon. The beastman laughed and dashed out as Archaon smiled maliciously at Vanitas. "Even a rotting corpse could be put to use, since you have turned the tide over Aqua before Ven became an issue, you can redeem yourself and put this to work along with the others."
The black helmet fiend looked down at the body with contempt. "Seriously? What good is he?"
Archaon pointed and ordered in a harsh tone. "He is absolutely worthless baring fodder, but you will take this waste of skin and make something of him." Vanitas felt the gaze and begrudgingly accepted. "Gee, I wonder what this cursed soul has done to be stuck with me."
The knight tried to push the fiend off, he was stomped into the ground as the fiend asked. "Aw, you didn't like being called Cursed? Well this existence is a curse your going to have to bare until I'm done with you." He had a nickname that Ahriman predicted and closed his eyes in pain. "Bearer of the Curse."
Maleficent rolled her eyes to that. "How original." Ahriman agreed with that. "That won't get old." He chose to ignore the cruelty and asked Archaon. "We are going to need more beyond the heartless, unversed and the rubrics if we are to strike a blow more fatal than that scouting siege. Are you certain of going back into the realms?"
The Everchosen nodded. "I have ways to traverse back and forth and my Varanguard are siege enders. Thanqoul would also be of better service if he replenished his numbers, the powers of Chaos see the veil between the realms as thin as cloth. What of your plans?"
Ahriman answered to that. "I need to conduct my research and I already had scouts eager to report to me of anything current in the major worlds. That world being reawaken would be my source of knowledge, providing I can reach it. That kind of obstacle has not stopped me before."
Xehanort watched the Horned King go back to his ritual and turned to leave. "Hmph, you have managed to achieve the impossible before, you will inform us what you find when you obtain it."
The Sorcerer vowed and let the two leave back to the upper chambers and finding Vanitas teleporting to ask. "That pathetic Curse Bearer doesn't even know where to go, you don't trust that Sorcerer for anything after all he pulls."
Xehanort relaxed and answered stoically. "I seen his kind before, if we allowed him to have that hollowed knight, it would be one more tool for him to use against us. Like the other two under his care, there is no way he is keeping them isolated in that small room."
Archaon chuckled amused. "Only a complete fool would trust a piece of Tzeentch's game, but even he has his uses for the end game."
That was agreeable as Vanitas had his own little plan. "He is going to regret everything, I'll see if the Curse Bearer could even fight before going to the back up plan for the blunders of light." He disappeared and left the two, the Everchosen took his leave. "I will discuss with the Varanguard of this, you devise a way to keep to keep the Guardians of Light from interfering anymore."
Xehanort was left by himself and felt his right hand twitching a clench, he asked himself. "What has transpired in the darkness, now that the Four Chaos has taken root?"
In Radiant Garden.
Ken asked Wanda in astonished confusion as the two were in a library with a studying Ienzo. "A voidstone orb?! What do you mean we can't remake that?" Wanda answered with her arms folded. "Kendry, that's a Kharadon secret and it makes any spell null and void. It could remove some of the power Garland has, but with that much magic, it won't be enough."
Ienzo guessed by the description. "But we need to find what is holding it all together, Merlin could help us with finding that, but that would take longer than three days." The boy pouted. "Ah man, so Wanda... any idea of how we can get to the Realms from here?"
The general shook her head. "That Heartstone sounds like it is made from pure Realm Stone that is used for Realm gates." She had one idea. "But we can start with someone who has a way to open in between places and is from the Realms themselves. Ken, we need to find Lady Ana, she is our best chance in getting over and finding the Duradin who holds that orb."
Ienzo saw a smile of convenience on Ken's face and asked. "Well, what else has happened that could help Miss Wanda?" Ken answered. "Oh... nothing much, besides that world Miss Aqua unlocked that might make this more than getting her around." He asked the general. "Miss Wanda, do you have anything for tomorrow morning? Because you need to pack lightly and come alone, this won't be like what you tried to make of yourself with Traverse, but it will do."
Wanda's eyes sparked and she asked. "You are looking for a Thane for an outpost town?"
Ken blinked as Ienzo advised to her. "You could go with him and find out." The general pointed to him with a spark of life. "I earned my rank as a General and I want to see people prosper from my own hands. This town doesn't need me or my men, but that world might." Ken listened and answered with an optimistic tone. "It just something you all can do, you tried to help all of us before and this is meant to help you back. Do you mind coming with me? I got one more person I want to talk to and I don't want to be out alone." Wanda took the offer. "Of course I will, lad."
She had a fierce smile to Ienzo and promised. "I'll be back regardless of how things go, but expect more politics." The man counted on that and chuckled. "Just don't let any of that Thane or Mayor plans go to your head. You only tried to take that position because there was no one else in Traverse and we know what happens to inexperienced tyrants." Wanda nodded. "They end up stepping down by the people or someone better suited for the job. By Sigmar as my witness, I won't let that power corrupt my heart, I know my duty to my men and they are the back bone of Order."
She and Ienzo gave each other a bow of respect, the general followed the boy out to the streets of a repairing town, Ken explained more. "There isn't much of a town in this world, you might have to have things built and Miss calls the shots, what's a Thane?" Wanda answered. "It's someone given a piece of land by nobility. It's a good position to be in and that book reading boy has a point, I take to entitlement way too much. I'm wasn't asked by you out of pure pity, it is because I have a chance at a duty and it is because of what I boast that I'm considered being invited."
Ken felt it was more than enough reasons. "That's not why we picked you, it's why you were able to last this long." They reached Merlin's house and went in at the setting of the sun, finding the wizard conveniently casting a life spell on a potted that had a dead plant and caused it to sprout.
Merlin noticed and greeted the two. "Good evening young Kendry, good evening Miss Wanda."
Ken greeted him back. "Hey, a bit happened when I left the other day and I came to ask you about something important." Merlin answered with hindsight. "The worlds are endangered by a powerful foe and you seek a power beyond your understanding to vanquish him? This is a serious matter that would put you in jeopardy again."
Ken agreed with that. "Especially if it is the same places Wanda came from." The General gave a respectful bow to the wizard. "You have aided me and my men before and we need your help yet again. Because of what the knight Garland became, we seek to reach beyond the possible. He has attuned himself with so much magic that we need the power to remove some of it just to stand a chance."
Merlin adjusted his glasses. "Oh dear, did he drew the power of so many schools?" Ken listed them. "Earth, fire, wind, water, ice, life, magnetism, gravity, time and reflection. Just... about all of them, trying to hit him wouldn't work so well either, if we can weaken that, we might be able to beat him when he shows up again."
Merlin almost dropped his glasses. "Th...there is so much magic used, but..." He tried to remember something. "But..." He asked. "How was he able to bind that magic?" Ken answered and thought of it. "Crystals... that's... the thread?" Merlin remembered on hearing the description. "Ah and if we can dispel the magic of the crystal, it would lessen the magic into a less refined form. But how are we to get close enough to do it?"
Wanda answered that. "You don't, but that can be the magic we can dispel.." She thought as Ken asked the wizard. "I think with so many crystals used, we still need a strong anti magic to get rid of it, do you know of that? It could save us a trip."
The wizard shook his head. "Goodness no, but you know of someone who does?" Ken scratched his head. "I know someone who knows someone, but that's what we were afraid of. Tomorrow I got a trip to make, do you want to come?"
Merlin sat to his chair and felt a little ashamed that his guests weren't getting much of a welcome. "My boy, this is important. But I'll gladly discuss these matters over some tea. I presume this was a request from Miss Aqua?"
The boy nodded. "You are correct, sorry to bug you in this hour." Merlin didn't mind. "You haven't, have a good rest."
Ken turned and wished Merlin good night as Wanda gave her parting. "You too." With them out, they went to a familiar house and Ken smiled wide to the General. "Thank you for helping me get home. Sorry that you had to hear all that."
Wanda didn't mind as the boy knocked. "If Garland wants to throw the worlds out of harmony, we're not going to let him. I'll be waiting at the gate of the town come morrow." Kendry's mother opened the door to watched as the boy said his good night. "I'll see you there."
He turned to his mother and went in, Wanda left with purpose in the heart and the boy closed the door. Ken's mother hugged him and greeted him. "Welcome back home Ken, I only heard the last part, how were your travels?"
Ken answered and sat on a chair to calm down. "Not much but there was an adventure in a castle I didn't know of. We need to talk, it's about what happened with Miss Aqua." The woman saw the smile and guessed. "She found one of her friends and you made a breakthrough?" Ken answered with more cheer. "That and more, we found-"
At Twilight Town by the train tower.
Kairi finished explaining to Olette about something as Hayner looked like his mind was blown by knowledge as Pence was drawn into the story, Sora and Riku kept quiet as Olette asked. "So now you got a whole training ground to yourself and everything. Wow."
Pence asked Sora. "I know what you meant when you were talking about a subconscious, was Ven hiding in your super ego?"
The spiky haired boy asked. "Super...what?" Pence sat up and answered. "The superego, it's three parts in your head. The ego is what you do in the open and the choices you make, the superego is what you might think about before doing them and then there is the id, what you would do if the superego doesn't slow it down."
Hayner didn't want to talk about psychology and complained. "Come on, we got a couple more weeks before school, my head already hurts." Pence thanked his friend. "Like that."
Hayner puffed his cheeks and pouted as Olette giggled, Riku felt the darker part of the talk come into play. "The Id is the most dangerous part of your head... of your heart. Never listen to it." Hayner got it as Sora felt his brain grow an inch. "Oh, I see what the Id is."
Kairi hoped so. "I need to get you and Riku come school books," Sora and Riku cringed, the silver haired boy almost whined. "Oh come on, me and Sora were busy... we didn't have time." Kairi smirked. "We got time now." She showed Olette a map. "Now that Ven is awake and we been through a lot. I thought, before we go off to fight another bad guy; that we should try something special to celebrate. I found this map while adventuring, do you know someone who made these markings?"
Olette gasped and shook her head. "I don't, but Mr. Duck does."
"Ah, ha! So this is what you lads are doing?"
Olette, Hayner and Pence tensed and turned to find Scrooge Mcduck coming from his bistro, looking ready for treasure hunting. Hayner insisted. "Mr. Duck, you got the wrong idea, we just got to talking about that."
Scrooge believed that. "Oh, I know. You three don't travel nearly enough to have gotten it on your own. But it is one of seven mysteries me and Little Chef have been looking at for a while."
He took out three maps, one of a particular city that has the mark of a cheery, one of a frozen mountain with the mark of grapes and one of grassy hills with the mark of an orange, Kairi pointed to them and showed her own. "That's it, Mr. Duck, what do you know of them?"
Scrooge answered. "They are all treasure maps lassie, but they are no ordinary maps. Little Chef thinks they can lead to fresh fruits, not too common in these er parts. Since I'm busy managing the bistro and the movie studio, I just didn't have the time." He looked to the teenagers that are not really able to defend themselves with worry. "And it is too dangerous for you three to wander off, even if one of you has a bat full of nails."
Olette smiled aggressively. "One of us needs to use a real weapon in these times. But we know it's not enough."
Kairi had an idea as Sora and Riku realized something. "I can go explore those for you if you want Mr. Duck, if these are fruits, then this could be part of a... surprise I want to do."
Scrooge saw the fire in Kairi's eyes and encouraged, aiming his cane at the setting sun. "Ya got a sense of adventure in your heart lass! Go follow it and ya might have a job you can do for me!"
Kairi promised that she would and rolled her map up. "I'll do it before morning, it's just a trip back to a world I been to." She asked Sora and Riku. "Do you have any objections?"
Sora certainly doesn't and gave a dorky smile as Riku had a hint of mischief. "We're not stopping you."
Kairi put her map away and asked Olette. "I'll be back soon once I find this treasure, do you and the boys mind waiting a little longer?"
Olette didn't. "It depends on how late it's going to be, but it doesn't sound long at all." Kairi giggled as Sora promised. "We'll be waiting for you at the island, good luck." The princess appreciated that as Riku asked the business duck. "Hey Scrooge, I heard you were a world traveler, but how did you get a knack for treasure hunting?"
Scrooge answered like it was a fond memory. "Because I been a treasure hunter for most of me life. Now the spark of curiosity, that's a treasure few would appreciate." Sora and Riku agreed with that as Kairi gave her goodbyes and took off. "I'll stay safe, thank you for telling me." The duo were left to finish their small talk before they head to the islands for the night.
At the Land of Departure.
Aqua looked awkwardly at a silver, grand looking gummie ship as Ven waved goodbye. "Thanks for the ride." The ship flew up to the sky without a word and Ven asked. "That ship was nice enough to show up on its own when we needed it and tell us where it was from."
Aqua had a question on her mind as the castle doors opened and let Ana and Moonfang out. The Stormcast looked to the two as Moonfang took its chance, barked and charged, Ven fell on his rear in shock of seeing the horse sized dragon run that fast, the dragon reached to the two and lowered its head to have a smell at him as Ana let it happened and approached. "Welcome back Lady Aqua," She watched the dracoth finish smelling and let it help Ven up as she addressed him. "Welcome Ven, Aqua told me all about ya." She placed her free hand on her chest in a salute. "I'm honored to see that you are finally awake. I'm Anatesis, a Stormcast Eternal of the Hollowed Knights, the Hammer of Sigmar and probably one of the weirdest things you have seen all day."
Ven half agreed with the last statement. "Are you really from another world?"
Ana relaxed and corrected him. "I'm from somewhere much bigger than that, but ya know what we meant by another realm. Azyr, Ghyran, Ghur, Chamon, Aqshy, Shyish, Ulgu and Hysh." Aqua explained what they were. "Those realms are made from the magic those places use frequently. The celestial storms, life, beasts, metal, fire, death, shadows and light. They are the strange places I brought up."
Ven imagined it and felt his mind was blown. "Wow, I've heard that because of you and the...the...Seraphon, Aqua was able to finally get out of the Realm of Darkness." He shook the Stormcast's hand. "Thank you."
Ana blushed under her helmet and shook back. "Thank you lad, but your friend was still the one who did most of the work. I wonder if the Seraphon know about what's going on."
Aqua sighed. "They might, but that Slann is too cosmic that he has his own problems on the other side, the Realm of Darkness is the only way he could come over on his own and none of us know what Garland is even going to do."
Ven sighed and asked with a gloomy frown. "So we might as well think we're on our own?"
Ana sighed back. "The Slann and the Seraphon they command have to bind themselves to the order of the universe, if they were able to help us again, they would have by now." Ven guessed why it wasn't going to be easy. "The only other way they have to come is through the Heartstone and I heard that thing is sealed away by your friends so no one can misuse it."
Ana nodded and felt a head ache coming. "That's what we last heard, if that Slann is hearing us, he won't be able to convince Arreia to just hand it over without a good reason and that reason doesn't exist yet. This is why they are our allies, everything the Slann does is well calculated and is meant to lead to moments like you and Aqua being here despite how the Forces of Chaos try to muck it up."
Aqua agreed with that and finished. "But it is meant to maintain the order of the universe, rather than anything personal. The Slann told me that much, so if you expect the Seraphon to be much more cold blooded than you would be comfortable around, you wouldn't be wrong."
Ven felt enlightened to that. "But that doesn't mean they aren't trying." He had a more mischievous smile and asked Aqua. "So you finally got some students?"
The keyblade master was near tired. "Ten years late, but its better then than never. The three are mostly self taught and I had to work with making sure they learned something before rushing in to try and wake you up, I didn't know how or where to look until our friends gathered up the clues."
Ven didn't mind and patted Aqua on the shoulder. "Don't worry about it, I wasn't going anywhere."
Ana laughed at the quick forgiveness. "Oh, ha, ha. That was the biggest puzzle we had to solve and it was more bizarre than Fyreslayers." She and Moonfang turned to the gate of the castle as Aqua felt a little guilt fell off and finished explaining. "Ana has fought before in battle before her hammer was turned into a keyblade, she needs to learn how to mix both of those weapons together and I heard she was doing that."
Ven had a faint memory of the Stormcast fighting vigorously and without restraint. "How did that happen?" Aqua took a deep breath as Ana answered. "Nagash happened and Lady Aqua had to put together my heart for Sigmar to reforge my armored hide. Don't ever talk about Nagash."
Aqua was quick to explain who Nagash is. "He's a heartless monster that would only bring misery upon us all. He was the reason it took me even longer getting out of the Realms." Ven felt the anger and asked. "Okay, okay, we won't talk about him. Now, what about the two stdents?"
Aqua blushed like a proud teacher. "Kairi and Kendry. Kairi gotten a keyblade some time ago and has done tremendously in using the power of her heart in battle, has good judgement and needs the skills to support that power, she still has a ways to go. It's Kendry... or Ken, who had to work back from the start, on his own he took so many short cuts that only worked in a pinch and gotten himself beaten up when he confronts another keyblade wielder or when he fought the leader of Chaos worshiping space marines... had his arm shot off. He is the only one that is susceptible to Darkness and is the biggest handful because his first instinct when something evil comes, is to shoot first." She had credit to give. "But he is pretty nimble and quick in thinking."
Ven felt a shiver. "He's the reason this place gotten weird and I know he gets called out a lot because of one of his keyblades."
Aqua turned to him and listed a few episodes. "He has two, one use to be a laser gun and it is what he would normally use when he has the chance. A weapon like that became something more attuned to his heart and he doesn't normally miss. The other one, the keyblade from that world, uses darkness for fuel and burns it bright, that's why nearly every evil person you and I know about tend to always target him with words or laugh at him."
Ven knew one of the people Aqua was talking about. "They see him as a punching bag. Kairi is in a lot of danger too for another reason."
Aqua nodded as they went up the stairs and through a door to living quarters. "That's one of the reasons why I'm having them come here as soon as they can. What do you think?"
Ven approved of that. "Ha, it's going to be fun being under this roof again. I got to see how far everyone came."
Moonfang laughed back as Ana turned with mutual humor. "You gotta catch up, coma or not, you hadn't been in a hearty fight in a long time."
Aqua wasn't defending him from that and Ven whined. "Oh, come on. What was I suppose to do?"
Ana answered back. "If Merlin comes knocking tomorrow, we'll ask him for help when we can in helping us fight familiar foes. If you ask me, you'll last a day before you get back into shape." Aqua counted the kind of foes she dealt with. "Unlike the unversed, most of what Ana talks about would kill the two of us in an instant if some of their attacks connect once and if they don't, it will hurt. Squigs, Ogors, the Deepkin that Ana's Stormcasts are allies with, it's a big list."
Ven asked asked astound. "Deepkin?"
Ana counted six rooms and answered. "The Idoneth Deepkin, kind of like how I called the Seraphon our allies rather than friends. While the Seraphon wish to maintain the natural order and would help us for that common reason, the Deepkin are sea elves with fading souls that need to raid and steal souls from others to survive. It's grim, but they have no other choice."
Ventus was spooked and found pity in the story. "What happened to make them like that?"
Ana shrugged. "We don't know. When we do have to work with them, we let them go after Chaos Warbands, the Forces of Destruction or any necromancer working for Nagash and go for our own objectives. I'm not proud of that myself and we fight against those who were not willing to back away from our own."
Aqua and Ven understood that, the Keyblade Master wanted to end the subject. "That's why the Deepkin are good for training, if we make illusions like them, we will keep ourselves in shape against something that fast. Ven, I'm going to show Sora, Riku and the others some tricks I found while exploring that worlds memories, be ready when they come back, because one of them is helpful to pick up."
Ven raised an eyebrow. "What does it do?"
Aqua turned away, focused and pressed her hands close, causing an orb of energy to form and expand in front of her, she pushed and shot it away, she watched it pulse from afar. "It emits force, that could be helpful."
Ven agreed with that and asked. "Cool. Do you want me to help make room?"
Aqua remembered the details. "The three rooms to the right will need to be cleared out and that won't take less than an hour, Ana, you'll have first pick since your here first." The Stormcast felt that was fair as she and the keyblade veterans continued a rather quiet evening.
In Monsteropolis, at an office.
Kairi was in her monster form as Sulley greeted her and filled in paperwork. "Sure, I don't mind you looking around for anything you mighta missed. Watch out for Roz, Mike and I had to tell her what happened when Randall caused problems."
Kairi buzzed her wings in disappointment as Mike opened the door and entered. "I assure you, Miss Number 1. That problem is going to be taken cared of lickety split." He closed the door and told Sulley everything in quick speeds. "She knows we're clear, but there is a case of an unidentified crown wearing bananas at the door vault. It isn't going away and none of us can move it. What are we going to do?"
Kairi drew out her keyblade and answered. "I'll get to the bottom of this, I found something that is a clue of where it is and came when I can."
She showed the map and Mike pointed and clicked. "Got ya. Come on its over the rails. Roz will be out of our hair shortly, Sulley, good luck with the paperwork." Sulley squinted his eyes at a fine print and wished them luck. "Good luck to you too."
Mike and Kairi went to an elevator down to a laugh station at closing hours, Mike explained what happened as he swiped a card. "Those guys that helped us with the fire are the CDA, the Child Detection Agency. Even when we switched to laughs, we're still working out there where children can sneak in if we are not careful and that caused a whole buncha problems. Roz was undercover as a paperwork lady here and she is the CDA's 001 agent. Ha, ha, oh I knew this would happen." Kairi watched a purple and orange door slide from the rail and receive a clamp as she asked. "After how they saw the heartless, unversed and even chaos daemons, they were going to find out? Especially when the work sounds a bit dangerous for the kids your trying to make laugh."
The doors were lowered, she took the purple door as Mike took the orange, the green monster sighed. "Ha* After that destruction, we knew Roz was going to come for inspection and Sulley's finishing up. Now, how does that thing have anything to do with a map?"
The doors were raised and they went across the rail to a rather uneventful trip as Kairi answered confused. "That... thing wanted to be found? This is weird."
They went to the platform, door hopped and found a yellow and green door to use for the trip, going to the next platform and door hopped to a vault, Kairi read her map and saw a brown line on a marker and marking a left. She did just that and found a crown with a whipped cream like tuft on the bottom, on top of the crown was a bunch of three bananas.
She and Mike approached the odd crown, the Princess tapped it with her blade and saw it wiggle and spin.
BLOOP!
A large mound of custard, with dark caramel hair, spun out of the ground. Having a heartless emblem that made Kairi ready for battle, yellow glowing eyes beneath the caramel and odd sparkles. The sparkles scattered and five smaller blobs appeared, all with an identical crown and looking at the heartless that Mike recognized. "You mean to tell me we have to deal with killer flan now?"
Kairi almost laughed at the odd danger as the Flantastic Heartless looked at her like it challenged her to a game, it involved beating the flans minions. The minions waddled in random directions as the larger flan waddled to her, the Princess rushed after one, took it out in one blow and went to another, more appeared in double the number as Mike tried to hit one. Kairi realized she needed to do damage to the area and dodged the waddling Flan monster that tried to jump on her with its maw, she rolled out of the way as the monster engulfed Mike by accident. Mike panicked with in and Kairi was ready to attack, the monster spit Mike out and left him covered in drippings of flan. It focused on her, the princess raised her blade in the air and called lightning to clear most of them out, realizing what she had to do and nimbly avoided the Flantastic Heartless as she spent a minute and a half juggling between melee and lightning. Mike looked on confused, was it really a life or death situation, or a game? Kairi raised her blade in the air and caused beams of lightning to fall, obliterating the flan minions and caused a spark of light to circle in, causing the Flantastic Heartless to nearly break in a dance, the girl felt her hair standing and her mind expanding. The Flan tossed three bananas at Kairi and tossed a single one at Mike, the banana bopped Mike on the top of his head and left a green monster unimpressed. The Flan spun down and disappeared in sparkling light and Kairi asked. "What... just happened?"
Mike answered and picked up his banana "Hmm, I'd say a Code 025. Random, nonsensical and bizarre." Kairi put her bunch in a bag and asked. "A friend of mine... may need to hear this. At least the... thing is gone for now." Mike agreed and had a head ache. "Good grief, I can already think that we're making this up."
Ten minutes later.
Kairi and Mike were in the work station, meeting a yellow, elderly, slug like monster with standing up white hair, glasses and a yellow vest that was labeled CDA 001. The slug asked with a semi grouchy, if never changing tone. "Are you making this up?"
Mike nervously answered. "W...well, we're not... but, heh... it's an intsy tinsy bit crazy." Roz found that assuring and looked to Kairi with the same tone she spoke to Mike. "You're telling the truth. Every time the Heartless show up, someone like you comes along to deal with it. If that Flan ever returns, you will be back to send it to where it came from, it's always the same."
Kairi was a bit astonished and asked. "You, know about them?" Roz folded her arms back to her back. "I've been seeing that ever since the Great Door Malfunction of 09. You, Wazowski, Sullivan and your friends did a good thing today when you drove the darkness out. We don't need that ere."
Kairi felt honored despite the tone not changing. "Well... thank you." Roz focused on Mike. "You're free to go Kairi. Wazowski, I need to talk to Sullivan about what is really going on and we are not talking about the paperwork on the damages."
Mike was confused as Kairi realized the CDA agent might know the fuller scope of the other worlds, the monster waved his goodbyes. "O...kay. Thanks for the help Kairi, we wouldn't have gotten the Flan out of here without ya."
Kairi waved back. "Good luck getting out of this one. It's nice to see you doing well."
At Destiny Islands.
Sora and Riku found odd claw marks by a curved tree they normally sit on. Sora folded his arms curious. "Huh, is... there a cat here?"
Riku squinted his eyes at the depth. "No cat I'd ever seen makes something that deep and how would a cat get here in the first place?"
Sora blinked and remembered. "Uh... that cat likes water?"
Riku closed his left eye at the humor. "Sora, I think we saw a raft in the back of the island. Cats are smart, but not that smart." The spiky haired boy remembered one particular. "You made your point, but I made friends with the smartest panther around."
They heard a tropical beat and felt relaxed, Riku changed the subject and asked. "You solved one of the biggest mysteries yet. You're proud of yourself?" Sora was and sat by the base of the tree. "For over ten years, I kept Ven safe with me... ha...now I got him back home. Now this leaves one more that needs to come back."
Riku knew who and looked up to a sparkling night sky. "We'll save Terra as well, I know we can." A wide, optimistic smile formed and Sora cheered. "We will, if Terra really is still in there, we'll help him fight off Xehanort."
Riku cheered back and smelled something odd, he heard something splash in the water and tried to relax, he and Sora had a text from Kairi.
At the evening of Twilight Town.
Kairi had a picture of three maps sent and typed an mischievous emoji to compliment it. "I found three maps for us to read in the morning. I'll tell you about the treasures soon."
She sent it as Scrooge encouraged. "You earned them, but watch out for any more maps like these on your travels. There has to be more Flans like the banana one, so be careful when ya look."
Kairi promised the duck. "Me and my friends will be on the look out Mr. Duck."
She wanted to go into the bistro and deliver the bananas as Hayner and Pence tried to stop her, grunting silently as Scrooge knew what the teenagers knew, Kairi felt a slight holding in place, stopped and turned to the boys. "Is... there something wrong?"
Olette nodded and mimicked a chef cooking something, shaking her head and shaking her right hand flat, Kairi silently asked and mimicked a delivery and a desire to look around. Scrooge warned the girl. "It's getting to closing and it's an odd day, so Little Chef might whip up a thank you. But I wouldn't go in the kitchen if you're not ready."
Hayner looked at the time and cringed, signaling a three and a zero. Kairi wasn't scared of curiosity. "Who else knows of this mystery?"
Olette answered and was prepared for her friend's bewilderment. "Ken made that mistake and he took the vow of silence. He got himself into trouble again from wandering off and I don't want you to make the same mistake."
Kairi felt she figured it out. "The Chef does things a little special than I thought and if I go to look, I'll figure it out first hand. Since this isn't a secret Ken was regretting figuring out, it should be safe."
Scrooge hummed and wished her luck. "Best to ya lass."
Kairi went into a relaxing, lit restaurant that had a shade from the night outside. She went to the kitchen with bananas and found to her surprise, a dark grey rat with a pink nose, pink paws and a pink tail, almost ready to set his supplies away for the night, the rodent heard a door close and looked to find Kairi. He almost dropped a large whisk and the girl guessed as she placed the bananas down and smiled impressed. "So you are the Little Chef? I found these from treasure hunting and I thought you might put them to good use, do you want help putting these away."
The Little Chef had a better idea and Kairi was nearly feeling peckish, she asked as she saw the spark of inspiration. "Or, we could use one of them and make the last dish for the night? I can help if you want."
The Little Chef appreciated that and requested that Kairi kept her arms still, he scurried to the top of her head and she felt her hair being tugged, her body moved to flour, eggs, butter, honey and a few other ingredients for the bananas, understanding what they were for and felt she was coming in sync. She looked up to the Little Chef and giggled. "Show me what to do and I'll make it. Tee, hee, hee!"
In a grey bed room filled with books.
Xion, the Replica and even the shady beast gave each other their good nights and rested. The girl having exciting thoughts of another day out in the colorful world, her mind went into a void of silence and she lost perception of time. She felt an odd chill and opened her eyes, finding the room darker than she remembered. She felt a raspy whisper calling to her from beyond the door, got up and opened it, finding an indifferent world much different from what she was use to, despite being familiar. She saw a white, queen like dress, leave the lobby and followed, going to a hallway and finding Ztardon having a talk with Pete, the cat cringed. "Uhg. Her nastiness can sure give a cold shoulder, but that's none of our problems." Ztardon agreed and looked to yonder. "It is with blessings that we had the choice of masters. To not be the Undead."
Pete folded his arms and shivered. "I... don't know, she was about to be done with that mess and instead we're getting a little freaked out."
Xion approached and asked. "What are you talking about? Is... there someone new?" Ztardon and Pete didn't hear her or see her, Ztardon cawed. "The Master has plans for even the odd scepter of bone, the Undead was something... and that knowledge will be among the many."
Pete chuckled to that. "It's a shame he isn't letting any of us go near it, but what can ya do."
Xion realized something was wrong and found an odd path of mist down a left most path, the trial lead to a well kept library that was guarded by rubric marines that seem like still statues, unaware that she exists. By their right was a large door, she saw a blonde queen walk through the door and followed. "Hey! Get out, this isn't you're place."
She opened the door and found a room mixing a few things, on the shelf were a collection of sinister looking tombs, a simple bed, a journal with a pen and a board with odd items and categorized; a grand, green, moon lit sword, a staff of bones with an upward animal skull and finally, one that the queen was fond of, a chime with the image of a robed woman. Xion's vision became misty as the queen turned around and shifted to a figure that made the girl realize she delved too far, a black skeleton in a black, bone like dress, the gown had a collection of skeletons reaching out and in the figures right hand was a black scythe.
She spoke in a deep whisper. "Brave soul of in between, born from a memory and molded for the darkness. Thou wishes to exist whole?" Xion wanted to turn back and scream, she felt her breath slowing and was drawn to the chime, her mind screamed not to go near, yet her heart tugged her, the figure asked. "Yes. The power to endure this dark world, oh lowly shard, to become adored... the splendor of tranquility." Xion felt her left hand reaching for the chime as the voice did not change in tone. "With thy power, thou will be free from thy curse."
Xion muttered in want. "I...want to be...normal." She grabbed the chime and felt herself waking up from her bed, wanting to yell and finding herself paralyzed, hallucinating imagery of elegant specters. Shadey stirred in its canine like form and nuzzled to her shoulder, shaking her out of the nightmare and finding herself gripping to something, she panicked and rolled off her mattress, landing on the floor and hearing something land with her, in her hand. She checked and found that same chime from the dream. She panicked and looked around, finding a drawer that would do, open it and put it under her black coat, whispering to the shadow frantically. "I...just need to give this back and explain everything, ha, ha." She shivered and laid on her mattress, feeling scared of what was going on.
At Destiny Islands.
Sora and Riku looked at a rather appetizing picture of a souffle that was complimented by vanilla ice cream and heard someone coming. Kairi approached with her hands behind her hips and watched the moon lit shore with them. "I helped Little Chef add something new to the menu and I got a job when supplies are getting low." She showed the boys a map leading to an orange. "Scrooge gave me the rest of these maps, I think I can figure out the worlds these are marking."
She pointed to a marker, squigglys down a particular path and to the right. "That marker is somewhere important, while the squiggly's look like they are covering something. I know which world this one is from." She warned them. "What the map doesn't show you is what the fruits really are, some big odd heartless that looks like flan guards them and will only give them away if you play with them."
Sora felt that was familiar. "And the game is going to be different. Did it... try to attack you in a... weird way?"
Kairi shook her head. "Mike got spit out after he was caught and was given a banana for all the trouble. You met something like that?"
Sora smiled nervously and expected ridicule. "Well... I had met heartless like that a while ago, white mushrooms that want something from me before going away and giving me things. Then while me, Goofy and Donald were looking for Riku, we found thirteen weird black mushrooms that act... familiar."
Riku quickly put the long answer short. "Yes, we know you found something wacky, I think I know the white mushrooms you talk about. Those are pretty passive for heartless. The darker ones however... they're like all the others." He asked Kairi. "If you meet another Flan and it doesn't attack you, then they are a case like the white mushrooms, harmless and if you play their games, you'll normally get something worthwhile. If that's going to be a side project, we... could help if there is a world we been to... any map seems odd?"
Kairi had one to give, one of a city and a cherry in a corner, Sora and Riku knew of world that has a city like that, the spiky haired boy said it. "Is that Thebes?"
Kairi asked with her head tilted. "That's somewhere you been?"
Riku nodded. "It's a city near Olympus Colosseum, a world Sora's been to already. This could be worth exploring again if we don't get any leads as to how to stop Garland."
Kairi let the boys take the map and sat by the tree. "This would be something we'll do when Master Aqua and the others are busy, but tomorrow we need to be bright and early. So don't be a bunch of sleepy heads."
She felt comfortable at home and looked at the night sky with her friends, Sora blushed embarrassed. "Alright, I'll try."
