Kingdom Hearts

Ch. 48

Traverse Town

A New Companion

When everyone finished their meals, they placed their dirty dishes in the sink. Merlin used his magic to clean them one by one. As Merlin handled the cleaning, the others conversed with each other. Cid talked with Goofy and Tarzan a bit. "Say you Tarzan. Can I see that spear of yours?"

Tarzan placed it in the corner of the room before eating. He walked over to it, picking it up. He tossed the weapon to Cid who caught it with ease in one hand. "You made this yourself," he said putting out his cigarette. Tarzan nodded.

"Yes, Tarzan was raised by apes on the world we just visited. No humans lived there. But we did run into some other people," explained Goofy.

"What do you mean?" Cid said confused.

"While on that world. We ran into colonists who claimed to have come from a place called Britannia," said Goofy.

"WHAT!" shouted Merlin. He lowered the dishes with his wand storming into the room. "Are you sure they were from Britannia," he asked abrasively.

Everyone else became silent turning towards Merlin. "Britannia the Level 1 world. Oh my," said Aerith quietly.

"Oh yeah, we forgot to mention that. They were colonists from another world. They came to colonize other worlds hoping to expand their growing empire," said Sora in a half serious half comedic tone.

Merlin stroked his beard slowly speaking, "How can that be they were locked away for over 100 years."

"100 years. Master Merlin do you know something about this Britannia?" said Yuffie tilting her head.

Merlin nodded his head, "Yes, you see back when I was a young lad. Just starting out as an apprentice. War was being held in the lanes between. As you know only a handful of worlds are classified under the Level 1 category. Back then two of them were at war. The armies of Britannia and Corsucant waged war over their dominions. Neither side was able to conquer other worlds because they were so focused on each other. The battles war on for years until two heroes of the light quelled the fighting. Siblings, a brother and sister each wielding a keyblade managed to push back the entire force of the armies making them flee back to their home world. With the power of their keyblades they locked the worlds away forbidding anyone from leaving again. That was 100 years ago."

"Wait you were alive when this happened. I knew you were world old. But not ancient," smugged Sora.

"We'll I have you know wizards live twice as long as normal people. Why I'm still in my prime compared to the rest of you," Merlin proclaimed.

Archimedes spoke out, "That's what you were saying at the age of 70." Merlin gave an annoyed glare at the talking owl.

"But master how could they escape. The keyblade crafts unbreakable locks. How could they get passed the barrier?" asked Yuffie a bit concerned.

"Ah!" said Jiminy slapping his fist in his palm. "I remember one of the colonists mentioning their King wields a keyblade as well."

"Oh my" said Merlin. Leon continued to lean against the wall not staring at anyone.

"Master. What do you think?" said Aerith.

Merlin brought out his wand hidden in his sleeve. "It seems I'd better investigate this further. If what your saying is true then there is no time to waist. Come Archimedes. Let's grab are things at the hut before we leave."

"But we just got here. Why do you always have to drag me along on your little expeditions?" he said landing on Merlin's shoulders.

"Why because even the ancients need company," Merlin said smiling.

"Have a safe trip Master," said Aerith hugging him.

"Oh, ho ho, you to child. Keep on practicing your magic while I'm away," he said smiling.

"Thank you, master," she said bowing to him.

"Bye Merlin," said Yuffie waving goodbye.

"See yah you old coot," remarked Cid. Leon waved but did not say a word.

"Goodbye Master," said Donald shaking his hand.

Merlin stared towards the duck, "Yes, my young pupil. Remember the next time we meet I expect to see significant improvement."

Donald nodded. "Tell us anything you learn about Britannia," said Jiminy who just finished writing the account Merlin made in his journal.

"Yeah, if you see the King tell him were looking for him," said Goofy.

Merlin nodded before turning to Sora. "My dear, boy you have a long and perilous journey ahead. But remember if you ever find yourself lost. May your heart be your guiding key."

"Don't worry as long as I got my friends with me. I'm never lost," said Sora. Merlin smiled back. He took up his wand waving it before a poof of smoke burst around him. He disappeared right after that.

"Sora turned to his friends, "Well guys I think it's time to head out again." His friends nodded. "Well you guys I guess this is goodbye for now," he said before halting his sentence. "Tarzan, I guess you can stay here with these guys." Tarzan cocked an eyebrow at Sora.

"Oh yes, don't worry this may not be a jungle like you've known all your life. But you'll feel comfortable in no time," said Yuffie ecstatic staring at the nearly naked man.

"Why yes we'd find you a good place to sleep and you can join for dinner if you like?" said Aerith blushing. Leon moved from his default position glaring at his wife and the one she's filtering with.

Tarzan did not speak at first. He turned back to Sora and the other before speaking, "Sora, Donald, Goofy, Jiminy. Let me come with you?" he asked humbly.

Donald, Goofy, and Jiminy could not think of anything to say before Sora spoke with no pause. "Okay, that's even better. Hey guys look like we have new member to the family," he said smiling cheerfully staring back at his friends.

"What you can't just decide that by yourself," they all shouted.

"Sora no, he can't come," assured Donald.

"What, why not?" he said angrily.

"I don't know Donald. It would be fun having someone else tag along. Besides since his worlds gone it wouldn't count as middingly anyways," motioned Goofy.

"Meddling!" they all shouted correcting Goofy.

Tarzan walked up to Donald in his gorilla like stance. "Donald please. I have nowhere to go?" He stared at the duck with puppy dog eyes.

Donald didn't expect Tarzan could pull off a face like this. He cringed trying to stand his ground. "Oh, I don't-Fine. You can come but you're going to have to behave."

"Really!" said Sora. Donald nodded. Sora and Goofy jumped for joy hugging Donald thanking him. Tarzan smiled standing up right getting in on the group hug. Jiminy couldn't even be left out standing on Goofy's should spreading his short arms around Donald's face. Tarzan felt Yuffie getting in on the hug. Wrapping her arms around his body blushing. Leon felt a bit relived cracking a tiny grin.

"Well before you leave you should probably wear something more suited for other worlds," said Cid. Tarzan looked down seeing he was only wearing a loincloth.

"Oh, let me help him with a new outfit," said Yuffie raising her hand quickly.

"Yuffie I don't think he needs your help," said Aerith.

Yuffie interrupted, "Don't worry I know the perfect outfit for you. Let's head to my room." She grabbed Tarzan by the hand leading him out the door before anyone could even blink.

"Well we should head back to the First District," said Sora.

"Wait!" said Aerith.

She walked up to him holding her hands by her waist. "Yuffie told me about the spikey haired man you ran into at Olympus. He is very important to us. If you see him again, please tell him. We're waiting for him." She gave a little grin moving her hands to her chest. Sora smiled back before exiting the building.

Everyone made their way back to The First District waiting patiently in the coffee shop for Yuffie and Tarzan. After about 10 minutes, Yuffie and Tarzan were making their way down the steps. But something wasn't right. Yuffie usually likes to make an entrance waving "hi" from a long distance away. But she walked slowly side by side with Tarzan holding her head down. They made their way to the others with Yuffie presenting Tarzan in his new outfit. Aerith blushed a bit catching the attention of Leon gaping his mouth open. The ape man's new duds have not changed much. Instead of a loincloth he wore a black speedo and a brown coat over his back. Yuffie shuttered a bit not saying much at all.

"Nice duds, buddy," said Sora giving his friend the thumbs up. Tarzan gave a thumbs up back but with less charisma. "Okay boys let's get going," Sora said.

Donald and Goofy did seem to care about Tarzan's new look. While Jiminy hopped into Sora's hood. The friends began to head off to their ship before Cid called out, "Wait Tarzan, on this adventure you're going to encounter many enemies you will have to face. So, take this." Cid threw a short metal baton like object at Tarzan.

He caught it with ease examining it. He sniffed it touching different parts of it. When he gripped the object, it expanded out into a metal spear. "Cid, are you really giving that to him. But it's your weapon," said Leon.

"Yeah, I'm too old for this stuff. I'll leave saving the world to all of you. But such a fine weapon like that should be used to its full potential. It will be of more use to you then staying here collecting dust."

Tarzan gripped it again shrinking it back to its original size. Tarzan placed the weapon in his coat pocket. He thanked Cid nodding his head at the old veteran. "Well, see you guys again. If we find any information about Ansem we'll tell you okay," waved Sora and the others at the world's exit.

"Good luck out there. We believe in you," shouted Aerith back. Yuffie and Cid waved a little. While Leon remained stagnant. They departed shutting the door behind them.