Of Keys and Hammers

by zcritic88

In a realm beyond, the Four Chaos has taken notice of a realm tied close to the heart. They squirmed into the darkness and sought to corrupt if to reach a prize beyond the light. Will the Light of Order, be able to repel this ancient evil?

71. Under the Gaze of the Triple Sun

At the Land of Departure, Ana and Wanda stepped out of the realm gate to report to the growing party. The General spoke it. "Began is at Barak Zilfin as we speak and is dealing with the worst of the politics. How long this will take, I don't know." The group felt the task was beyond their control and Goofy noticed a particular trio arriving, he waved. "Hi ya fellas!" Sora, Riku and Kairi arrived, seeing a pretty perky group, Mickey asked. "So, now that we've settled a couple loose ends, we got until the evening before we gotta get going."

Ken waved with the golden crystal in hand. "I did the thing you asked of me and found an Endless Spell I want to transpose with the Fire Core. The Quick Silver Swords." Kairi was a little skeptical about one detail. "Is it true that the world is the one that took over a day to get to and back? Is that Light Speed going to work?" Ken put the crystal away and smiled. "It will work Sis, all you got to do is build the Hyper Space Engine and use the map Bryn is passing along to the ships to get there at the speed of light." He was trying to contain himself. "I can't believe we going to pull that of! We should think of code names if we get into a space fight."

Kairi knew what he was talking about. "Red 3, Blue Leader, Pink 2, Valkyrie 1 and if he shows up again, Silver 4." Ken nodded. "Roger Sis." Riku had to break the geek out. "This isn't like the movie, we're going to zip past most of it anyways." He asked Ana. "We'll take off to the Bastion for the rest of our day off as soon as we finish business here. How did things go with the Elemental Lords?"

The Stormcast answered firmly. "There was a slight delay with Began, but they are back in the Realms getting our army." She hummed, looked to Wanda and then to Aqua. "With your permission, I would like to keep guard of this World, in case someone tries to sabotage this place or worse." The Keyblade Master felt that made sense. "While I doubt Archaon is going to barge in here so soon, people with any common sense will leave once they see you. The Iron Snake will be nearby in case you need him." She turned to the Destiny Trio. "Before we get going, there is one thing I want to show you, it's the last gift Halvek has left for us and I think you all will like it."

She asked Mickey and the others. "This was made with them in mind, once they see it, they'll tell you." The Disney trio understood and waited outside as Ven opened the door for the teenagers, they followed in and heard a story from the older boy. "Something in Halvek still didn't want to let go and we were kind of getting crushed by all the things we need to do at once." Riku understood that and listed them. "Getting extra help, having to keep an eye on so many worlds so nothing is left unchecked, getting ready to face worse things than we already have, dig around things we wouldn't be doing otherwise, dealing with Xehanort showing up when we don't want it and having to do all of that on a tight schedule. All that army from the Realms is going to do is keep the few people we know that can fight, from getting themselves killed."

Aqua found all of those good points and Sora confessed. "We can't really lighten up. But" he perked in confidence. "If we take care of each step, I'm sure it will get a little easier to manage soon." The Keyblade Master nodded and lead the group to the hall they haven't paid heed to. "Once we take care of the Skeksis, Ven and I will start working on a couple projects, one is as easy as asking Merlin and setting up a training system. The other one is going to take much longer." She found the door and opened it. "But it will be worth it." She let the four teenagers in the Forge Room, it took a moment for them to realize what the place is made for. Sora asked. "You can make all kinds of cool stuff here." He looked at the Wayfinder's shoulder pads as Riku gasped speechless, Kairi and Ken almost jumped to the realization, Sora asked. "This has to be a prank, you guys are going to be making us Keyblade Armor soon?" Aqua winked as Ven cheered. "Surprise!"

Ken had a million questions to say at once as Kairi was swooning to the thought, the two looked to each other like siblings and squeed to say at once. "This is going to be amazing!" Riku paused and remembered something. "Give me one minute." He walked out for some reason and Sora had a look around the forge. "How did this happen?" Aqua answered like she didn't have an exact answer. "Halvek might have heard us and his heart decided to lead us somewhere, from there, with his heart's ideas and my Master's Keyblade, this old hobby room is remade. Now his Heart has departed to the beyond, with his business, truly concluded. Who knew that a Kharadron would take their business that seriously." Ven imagined. "They'll give Scrooge a run for his money, unless he'll go that far as well."

Kairi closed her eyes and had a moment of silence for Halvek's departure, Riku returned with the displayed set of Genji Armor, he was struggling with the stand, Sora and Ken went to help him move it to one of the crystal stands. With some adjustments, it was ready to be transferred, Aqua approached the device, pressed a button and watched the crystal stand glistened. "Alright, move it on there and this thing should keep it preserved." The boys did that and watched the crystal power absorb the stand and shuffled the armor across the empty displays, the computer had an empty description page, leaving options for what to say about it. The Keyblade Master had a few ideas and considered it the first step. "An Ancient Armor that predated the Keyblade Armor for it's top quality, even among standard armor. It is rumored to have been the mold line for this ancient craft and it is used today for the current sets."

Blip! She asked. "What do you think? Is that fair for now?" Kairi nodded to that. "It does make sense, if this is going to be the top quality it is made out to be, it has to have came from somewhere and if this was the best of the best, they connect." Aqua asked the others. "I got an idea for the armor, since Ven and I are going to make the touches. We'll have to ask some of the people in the towns some questions about what they do to get by and of the techniques they do. Once upon a time, people use to assign themselves to Job's. Or a role in a band of adventurers."

Ken guessed. "So, you'll make the stuff that would fit each of us?" He tried to control his childish urge to hug his teacher like she was his mother as the Keyblade Master had one complication to speak of. "That is the idea, but the armor requires a particular metal to make. Oricalcium and Oricalcium +, which of you know what that stuff is?"

Sora raised his hand. "I do!" Aqua invited Sora to explain why obtaining the Oricalcium is easier said than done. "What did you use it for?" The boy answered. "I had someone synthesized it to make a keychain called Ultima weapon. It disappeared two times though, so it doesn't stick around, but it is powerful. Jiminy said the stuff is hard to come by."

He asked the one armed boy. "Ken, since you've done a lot of treasure hunts, I want to ask. Have you found any of those?" Ken shook his head. "Nope and I got a good eye." Aqua closed her eyes. "That is the problem we have right now, thank you for telling us."

The boys went back to the crowd and the Keyblade Master spoke of a solution. "There might be one place that still has a reliable source, an artificial world called the Mirage Arena." Ven remembered that place and gasped. "Is that world even around anymore?" Aqua wanted to know as well. "It could be and it could still have what we need if we fight to the center of the world. But there is no guarantee and we might have to scrounge for those. You might have to search high and low just to get a piece of ore, once you get the chance to go on an adventure without us, Ven and I will go look."

Ken shrugged like the possible disappointment wasn't much of an ordeal as Kairi sighed. "We'll understand if that doesn't go well." She approached Aqua and gave her a hug. "Thank you, Master, this is one of the best things that happened to us today." Ken took it as his que to join in the hug. "This whole place is beautiful Mo...Miss." The teacher hugged her students back, Sora and Riku gave a smirk to each other, they knew the moment was wholesome, Riku promised Ven. "Even if it might not be that easy, we'll all give it our effort to make this happen."

Sora agreed. "We're all in this together!" The teacher and her students let go, with that finished, she asked. "Now, are we ready to head back to the Bastion?" The group gave a collective yes and Ken turned. "I'll get the Kiln for my own thing."

At a training corner in Radiant Garden.

Lightning listened to the tale Baldred spoke of. "All that for a crown, eh? Must be pretty important to you?" She thought about a particular decision as the Undead remembered. "The crown stayed with me, even beyond the end of my first journey. It was the hope I longed for." He sighed. "Although it's power could be redundant by now."

Lightning didn't mind. "It doesn't matter by now, that crown was yours. If that is the reason they sent you over here for this, I'll buy it." The Undead had a smile behind his helmet as Lightning notice a big group arriving, Ken in particular, had a Kiln in hand. The one armed boy saw the two and approached. "Hey guys, we're just about ready and we decided on coming here for the rest of the day off."

Lightning checked out the keybearers, Goofy and Donald, she felt the chances of success at the highest it was going to get. "Not bad. So what's that thing for?" Ken answered. "Just finishing one more thing before I go lay down in the park. We've made a few upgrades on the rides and we'll be at that world almost as soon as we can get going."

Ken smiled in anticipation and was allowed to head off to the castle, Sora noticed Baldred's divine crown and asked. "Why does he want us to try that out so bad?" Kairi answered. "It's that movie, apparently the thing we're going to use is exactly like it." Riku guessed. "Magi never told us what he put into that Silver Gummi ship, but it was based on something he uses all the time." Mickey remembered one detail. "Chip and Dale told me about that, Magi didn't think we need to use warp travel so he had to make due with the next best thing."

The Destiny Trio flinched to the name Warp Travel, Kairi asked. "So those guys jump across a galaxy by using the Warp? I can see why he didn't want to copy that," Mickey agreed to that with relief. "And apparently, we didn't have nearly as many resources to try that. Travel between worlds is pretty quick around here, so he used some synthetic material to sync with the heart of the pilot and thus, made Light Speed. But do you think there is a reason behind that?"

Kairi shrugged. "Who knows," The topic ended and Aqua asked the Undead. "So where was that crown hiding? Apparently it was a big deal then and a big deal now?" Baldred thought to start where his task began. "That began in the castle when-"

In the Castle.

Even balked at the plan Ken had. "You seek to transpose a sentient piece of magic with that thing? Have you even tried this before?" The boy nodded. "Yeah, in a gummi ship with the magic of Beasts and the Core of Wind. It was wild, but that got Ven a new power to work with, the swords are a lot less savage in comparison, but she is stubborn." Ken couldn't believe he addressed the thing by a gender as Ienzo entered the library with the flame core in a glass tube. "That ship probably wasn't the place to experiment, but this one seems to be tameable in comparison." The silver haired scientist asked. "The only thing I would personally ask is if I get to see what kind of keyblades the sword took the form of. I happen to know a thing or two about Alchemy myself."

Ken groaned and asked for a piece of paper. "Nothing too special, just with teeth that apparently look like symbols." He was given paper and drew the symbols. "If this works, then that could mean that metal magic is a thing we can use." Ienzo thought that would be helpful. "It depends on the property of the metal, what gold could be used for isn't something you should use for iron and some metals are more available than others. The concept of Alchemy became the more reliable, Periodic Table." Even nodded. "Also know as, the longer list of chemicals that make up the world around you."

Ken felt that made sense. "Which is one of the reasons you're not a hundred percent sure if I should mix quick silver with fire?" Ienzo nodded. "Mercury is flexible and is one of the most hazardous metals in existence. If it is set on fire, it is going to kill someone." Ken took out his golden glowing crystal. "Which is fine by her since the Forces of Chaos are only ever going to use lethal force and if it isn't, we would wish it was. There is also the Heartless that are pretty mindless anyways. There's a reason Miss is really wanting to get this project of hers done, we're not dealing with toys anymore."

The golden crystal beckoned to the void of the kiln and Ienzo opened the lid of the jar. "That is the responsibility that you and the Guardian's of Light, chose to partake. We've done all our research on this core anyways and we would like to see where this could go."

Ken placed his cybernetic hand in the jar and pulled the core out, he put the two components in the jar and was certain about a particular move, he envisioned blades that could fell even a mighty beast if allowed to and twisted his cybernetic hand. The fire and crystal, melded into a light red liquid, compared to the Gnashing Winds, the process was much more peaceful.

In a few moments, Ken felt enough was mixed and stopped, he kept his hand close as the red metal cooled and took shape into a band, one of grey metal that absorbed the heat and expanded to fit a wrist, turning into what seems to be a firm solid. Ken reached in and saw the band bend away from it, it wasn't metal the band seeks, Ken switched for his fleshy hand and had little problems extracting the solid band for a closer look. On it's own, it looked unremarkable, save for the symbol of an upper triangle, the boy saw the opening of the band and, thinking none of it, slipped his hand into the band and watched the opening close. He felt himself before what seemed to be a throneless throne room, the seven keyblades fanned to match a triangle, that burned in flame and revealed colors. Lead was black, tin was a heavily dark grey, iron was slightly lighter, quick silver was a light grey, silver glistened, copper was of a shining blue and gold was a dark yellow. The hilts were of a matching color of light grey. Ken vowed with his fleshy hand extending. "Let's show those of evil, who we are."

The keyblades melted into the symbol and the triangle vanished, leaving behind what seems to be the inner workings of a high tech stronghold. He blinked, found himself back to reality and looked at the band, "So two became one." He picked up the Kiln and promised. "All I got to do now is figure out when I should use the spell. Because that's the last of the Elemental Cores, any other Endless Spell that is found, might need something else. Anything in particular you want passed along?"

Ienzo thought about it and twiddle his thumbs. "Not really, these Spells are made from the raw power of the Realms and their hearts are tied to either the Realm or the nature of their creation. Who ever made the Quick Silver Swords in the first place, wished vengeance upon the Forces of Chaos." Even theorized with more caution. "If we do not heed their nature, they would be likely to turn on us if we are deemed unworthy or an annoyance."

Ken felt it made sense and turned to leave. "Once you make a connection with the Endless Spells new form, it will reside in your heart, if what happened to Ven is correct. It becomes a part of you and cease to be as it's own, waiting for the call to be unleashed. I guess I'll see you later." Ienzo was more eager to wave the boy off. "Let us know if any of you find more interesting spells." BZZ! The young scientist heard a phone ring and pressed a button, he was surprised and answered it. "Isa, did something happen?"

Outside in the training corner.

Sora was looking really proud of Baldred as Goofy asked. "And most of that, ya did on your own?" Ven admitted. "That's why he's kind of, sort of part of this team. Anyone who can outsmart those guys has to be strong in the head." The Knight leaned against a wall and was flattered. "I find my ways to keep up. But I must warn you, that greatsword is still in the Darkseekers hands and they've awaken something evil."

Donald honestly didn't mind the Knight's failure to get that. "If it wasn't your friend to begin with, then we'll deal with that evil sword when we can." Aqua remembered the little details about the Moonlit Greatsword. "The... first time I saw that sword, it came from the severed tail of Seath and if that sword was made from a soul, then you might have used him as a component. That dragon is nothing but pure spite, even if the sorceries that came from him, were amazing." She relaxed her hand on her hip. "He met his end when someone used a chaotic fire storm to engulf him in flames, he shouldn't be too hard to deal with if we ever meet him again." She put together more of the story. "You've also spied some of those guys heading towards a dark world, to do their foul work. Lighting, is the world of the Skeksis like that?"

Lightning nodded. "Yep, all of it is because of the Darkening. An infection that made the world... not nice, and me and my sister got dragged into that mess, because we needed to make a pit stop. Then the Orks showed up, beaten up everything they could get their hands on and once they heard of me, they wanted a go. It wasn't until we ran into the Skeksis that things turned for the worst and their Emperor used his tricks to get me sent to the Underworld, on the other end of the lanes. I'm worried about how Serah's holding up, I know the Skeksis are responsible for the Darkening and if we don't get in there, we might have to deal with them too."

That information made things urgent, Kairi asked. "Was there anything in that world that at least tried to help you? At all?" Lightning remembered and kept a cold attitude on the matter. "Kind of, there is a group of four armed, reptile men called the Mystics, they're friendly and they helped us hide from the Orks, but they barely do anything about the world crumbling around them. One of them apparently saved someones life and the rest are focused on a simpler life style." Aqua gasped. "So if we have a shot at finding your sister and saving that world, we should find the Mystics and figure out what we should do."

Lightning nodded. "I know where they last were. We find their caves, we'll know what to do next." She noticed Ken approaching, with a kiln in his bag and a metal wrist band with an upper triangle. "We just talked about what we're going to deal with, if you want to hear it for yourself, you'll have to wait."

Ken yawned. "It's still enough time to take a nap. Anyone else thinking about that?" Riku guessed so. "It isn't like we got anything else better to do, we've gotten a lot done in the morning and we've been awake a whole night." He stretched and took off for the park, most of the others, baring Sora, Kairi and Lightning, thought to use that as the place to rest. Sora promised the one woman army. "We won't leave until we set things right for that world. What does your sister look like?"

Kairi was guessing there was a great family resemblance and the woman answered with a temptation to laugh. "Do I need to spell that out?"

At the park.

Xion was puffed up in the cheeks and was frustrated at a whole day chasing nothing. "I don't believe this! As soon as I got the train station, they were already gone and I found nothing of them." She folded her arms in a pout and drew the attention of someone. "You're little meeting this morning didn't go so well?"

Xion turned right and up an upper ledge to find Dupmic readying to sit down, she corrected him with a rather heartfelt memory. "Oh no, that went amazing. We've talked for so long before I decided to leave those two love birds alone. Then Roxas and Namine gave me a good idea to go search Twilight Town to find Riku and Ken, get one more to my circle of friends." She raised her hands. "And they were not there! They gone off to get ready for another adventure, so I tried searching here and found nothing but a busy committee and people getting by."

Dupmic snickered to her. "Ha! Sounds like it was a bad timing all around, despite the intention. I caught word that he and the others will meet up somewhere and they won't be gone till the evening. That's still around five hours."

Xion is appreciating her odds. "I've been waiting to give that boy a tackle!" Dupmic looked forward to it and saw a group of people enter the park, he kept to the shadows, recognized most of them and whispered. "Heads up, you got your chance."

Xion turned and saw a blue haired woman stretching herself and making way to a park bench to lay on, Donald and Goofy found a meadow to sit nearby and surrounding a tree were three boys, one was a blonde spiky haired teenager that greatly resembles Roxas and one was a silver haired teenager that listened to what a purple hat wearing Ken was talking about. "If that place is the wilderness, then looking stylish is going to do nothing to help us."

Ken understood that and collapsed underneath a tree to get the best view of the sky. "Likely, but this sounds like a typical world we've been to a lot already." Ven rested his back on the tree and advised. "It kind of does, but it also doesn't. Expect someone like Pete showing up, making things worse and this time he actually has stuff that can hurt us."

Riku wondered about that. "Just where did he get the idea to step up his game?" He snapped his fingers. "He got surrounded by other minions who had to actually earn the respect from their underlings. Ven, what kind of monster does he have with him?" Ven wanted to nap the worry off. "Something called Corporate Disaster, a giant mechanical dinosaur that is a lot smarter than a normal heartless."

Riku hummed, leaned against the tree and looked to the sky. "We'll take it down once we get the chance. I'd almost say he would be a nice change to what we dealt with." He ordered. "We got five hours, make the most of it." Ven thought to take a nap on a comfortable spot as Ken had one more look at his wrist band and zoned off, he started his nap not too shortly. Xion found it as her chance, approached the hat wearing boy and laid next to him, Ken felt something was to his left and was booped on the nose, he turned and found Xion smirking next to him and chirping. "Finally found you."

Ken blushed without shame. "Sorry I couldn't stay put, there was a lot we had to do. You and Dupmic saved our lives this morning," he sat up and help her sit up, Xion was wondering what the boy was going to do. "I couldn't have let you all get into trouble, especially not after that dream that might have been related to what you saw. I wouldn't have allowed that to happen after everything these worlds have done for me and my brother." Ken decided on how to repay the favor and confessed. "If it was, then you and your brother know why we are fighting to stop that. Even if there are horrible people out there wanting to ruin things, these worlds are beautiful places to live in, keeping the happiness alive is all we need for things to get better. Would you close your eyes?"

Xion did so and tried not to giggle, she felt a peck on the cheek, she opened her eyes and saw Ken pulling back. The two looked to each other in silence for around a minute and let the action sink in. "Thank you, keep doing good." Riku was stirred from his silence and turned to find Ken talking to no one, Ven woke up and saw the same thing, they began to put a couple things together and closed their eyes to try something, they listened. Xion asked. "I've heard that you and the others are going on another adventure, is there anything me and my brother can do while you all are away."

Ken thought of it and answered. "There is one thing we need to have done before long, could you or Dupmic talk to Merlin? Miss is always talking about this thing for training but never has the time to do more. That getting started while the rest of us are busy ought to save us a lot of time and give us something to pick off from when we get back." Xion winked without a second thought. "Consider it done by the time you get back." She yawned, scoot close to Ken and rested her head on his shoulder. "This was a long day, but I'm glad to know a lot of us has gotten things done. Let me know when you got to get up," The one armed boy leaned to the tree and zoned out, Riku criticized. "Come on guys, that's cheesy."

Xion woke up from that and gasped as Ken asked with some zen. "How long did you notice?" Ven snickered. "As soon as we heard you talking to someone, we put two and two together and tried making a connection through that." Xion turned to find Ven on one side of the tree and Riku on another, her mouth gaped. "Ahhhhhhhh." Riku asked. "Sup? I assume you know of us?"

Xion squeaked. "Yes, one of the reasons I wanted to find Ken was so I can finally meet you, but then I started chasing a goose if you know what I mean." Riku hummed. "Stuff happens and it's one of the reasons Ken got that wrist band in the first place. An Endless Spell has melded with a core of an Elemental Fiend to make that."

Ven guessed. "Once you bond with the Spell, it finds a way to stick to you, with in or with out." Ken hummed with worry. "You got breathing problems?" The older boy realized what he said came out wrong and insist. "No, no. I'm find there, it's just hard to believe that kind of scream is in me."

He explained to Xion. "I might have had some heavy issues in the past, that scream felt... good. If a certain bully tries to show up again, that will get him to back off." Ken knew who he was talking about as Riku admitted. "That will do more than get him to back off, sometimes screams like that are needed." Xion imagined it so. "It sometimes is. Is there anything I need before I have my brother pass the word to Merlin? In case he doesn't see or hear me?"

Ven nodded. "Have Merlin know that he has our permission to travel to our world as much as he wants. That will be more than enough for him to start, even though Aqua should be the one to make the final touches. Besides that, these worlds don't need to be guarded as much anymore. We could be gone a while again." Xion gave him a thumbs up. "That'll be done, anything else?"

Ven looked at Aqua napping deeply and a certain trio enjoying the breeze, he hesitated to answer. "Since some of us could still not be able to find out you exist and now isn't that good of a time, not right now." Ken confessed. "Miss has been stressing about a lot of things all day and she ought to be out by now, no one likes to be woken up unless it's an emergency." Xion didn't mind that. "I met Aqua a while ago, Goofy and Donald also helped me and my brother during a bad episode at the amusement park. That would mean that there is only one more person who I'm not certain can notice me right now. His Majesty."

Riku looked over to Mickey and asked the girl. "Nothing is stopping you from trying since the kings guards probably started this when it got bad as it did. I still would not wake Aqua up right now." Xion didn't mind and thought to try something. "I got all the time in the world to wait for that, but I got to get past the rest of this on my own."

She got up and Ken waved. "But you won't be alone with us here having your back." He blepped his tongue out and was given one back, the girl approached Mickey with a full set of confidence and Ken returned to taking his nap. Riku laughed to something and asked. "Do you think that little thing you're doing is going to be a problem?"

Ken didn't think much to it. "I'm finally making a lot of friends myself and close bonds have helped us out too many times to count." Riku felt that made sense. "Okay... you know friends argue a lot too, are you ready to realize you might end up causing some?" Ken closed his eyes without much of a care. "That happens between all of us, all the time. That will sort itself out if it can get broken before it really gets bad."

The older boys realize the younger boy was on to something, Riku yawned and watched Xion give her hellos to Goofy and Donald. "Yeah, you're right about that." Ven returned to his own nap. "This is a nice park; Riku, Ken, have you been into a world with a good feeling forest before?" Riku remembered one rather fondly. "One that is healing from a Nurgle attack, once me and a friend stopped that, the whole place came alive. I'd say it would be the perfect place to goof off for a picnic if we ever have a reason to go to that place, what say you?"

Ven remembered a particular forest with seven dwarves. "Let's just say the Realms wasn't my first time meeting someone like Halvek and the others, there was a place with a lot of apples and seven-"

By the shops in town.

Kairi finished telling Baldred about a particular thing Lightning told them, Kairi explained the m. "Serah's hair style is a little different, but she looks a lot like her bigger sister and her sword turns into a bow." Sora asked out loud. "Just how many weapon like that exist out there?" The Undead shrugged. "Does Leon's count?" Sora nodded. "Yeah, it's two in one."

He thought of something. "Maybe we should ask those guys about the... Job stuff if we get the chance. That's what we need to find out soon." Baldred guessed some. "I've recalled fighting knights with huge swords, bandits that need to stab into you, archers, sorcerers and clerics of all sorts and pyromancers. Would that help?" Kairi thought of it and took our her gummi phone to record. "We probably need to know classes that are from around here, rather than from where you came from. But that tells us the basics can become wider and more specific."

Sora agreed with that. "Just the last three could mean anything, you use the magics of all three and not every knight has a sword as big as Cloud's." Baldred was pleased to be of some help. "Then there could be one place for you to venture to if you wish to learn that, now I don't know how to read beyond the soap stones vague messages, but the lore is easy for you to find."

Sora felt his brain working hard to process the knowledge. "Yeah... what is the name of that place with the free books?" Kairi snickered. "A library? I think there might be one here." She asked Sora. "We got time to see if it has the info we need. Consider this another date?" The boy did. "I've never stayed in a Library before, I don't read that much."

Kairi wanted to bop Sora on the nose. "Then you get to learn something new today." Sora followed that with the bold move of rubbing his nose to hers, Kairi blushed with a smile and rubbed back. Baldred laughed and wished to leave them alone. "I guess I'll go tell Lightning that I'm prepared to venture out at any time."

With him leaving them alone, the two broke the nose kiss and went to the park hand in hand, finding the rest of their friends resting up and more importantly, Xion having a talk with Donald, Goofy and Mickey. They realize that was new and hurried to listen in, Mickey was eager to shake the girls hand. "It might seem like a bad time now, but we're always ready to welcome another among us." Xion shook the hand. "I'd be honored to, even if my condition makes it awkward." That was finished and Xion felt a large load was off her shoulders from the hand shake. Mickey promised. "We'll find a way to make sure that is no longer your problem."

Donald folded his arms and tapped his foot. "But how are we going to make that go faster?" Goofy shrugged as Xion felt it was mutual. "What's going on is working for now, thanks to you and Goofy for showing Ken and Olette the way, where did you get that idea from?"

The shield bearer saw Sora and Kairi approach and laughed. "Hi'yuck, we saw that happn' when Kairi stopped Riku from walking of in a disguise. So we thought that might work." Xion gasped. "So Kairi did have something to do with that."

Kairi stopped the approach and realize what was to happen, Xion noticed the Disney Trio looking at someone, let go and turned around to find Kairi. The black haired girl looked like she was going to pounce and rushed to her to leap and hug her, Kairi caught her and heard the whisper. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Kairi hugged her back. "Don't thank me, those two just took the idea from me." She closed her eyes for the embrace and let go. "You've decided on what you're going to do now?" Xion nodded. "I think all of you but... Ana, are the ones of the team who know I exist now. I'm going to ask Aqua if it's okay if I help Merlin with that thing you want. Someone has to do something over here while you all are out there."

Sora gave Xion a thumbs up. "Kairi and I were going to go to a library to learn about the kinds of classes people go around as." Donald smirked. "I'd buy that." Sora wasn't embarrassed. "We were." Kairi wanted to stop the argument. "Since Sora and I napped already, I thought we use the energy to get some small things done in the hours we got. Do you guys want to come along?"

Mickey had to refuse. "We'd like to, but someone has to keep watch, just in case." Kairi found that fair and asked Xion. "Do you want to come along?" The girl took the offer. "I do!" She joined the duo in a misadventure and Sora passed info along. "Lightning also told us who we're looking for. Serah kind of looks like her." The three had that noted and Mickey advised. "Thank you for the tip, we'll be over here when you're done." The trio of teenagers understood and took off.

In a particular dream about a forge.

Aqua felt herself before a set of Genji Armor and had a vague imagination of what this could become. The memory of her two students acting like little kids warmed her heart to a personal milestone, a voice whispered. "Is this all thou seeketh? All that comes with the mantle of Master?"

Aqua turned and found the Firekeeper keeping warm at the heated flame of the forge, she smiled warmly to the forge. "Even in death, Halvek was able to pull through for us. It took me, Terra and Ven a while before we earned the right to have that armor and this feels like an improvement from just getting it. Sora and the other three are just a little more away towards earning it themselves, we need to take it one step at a time."

She laughed as the Firekeeper giggled. "It is inevitable. Tee, hee." Aqua hoped it would be. "A lot of things happened during the decade I was lost in the Realm of Darkness, but I'm hoping that arena of a world stayed the same. The news that something crazy happened with the Grots and Dragon Hackah being out there is something the worlds don't need. The grots are dangerous in large numbers and an Ironjaw will look for a city to brawl and wreck. But what I don't get is why did they all leave instead of rampaging?"

The Firekeeper knows not. "It's for some duty, they cannot be that organized." Aqua agreed. "And woe when a Greenskin comes up with a plan, speaking of woe..." she put something in concern. "did the Black Flame truly receded as it did? That much Darkness came from Ken in one burst."

The Firekeeper answered rather calmly. "The Light was fading before the Despoiler and the Darkness came, at that moment, the Wielder of the Flame turned his pain into a strength." Aqua asked. "Strength of what? To destroy?"

The Firekeeper shook her head. "The strength from a dark feeling, what is love?" The Keyblade Master answered. "The desire to see your friends make it back in one piece? To keep others happy and safe, from those with evil intentions? That is not the only strength that Ken drew from." The Firekeeper nodded. "That Strength came from a desire for peace, to look upon thine adversaries and overcome them." Aqua put it together. "To overcome the source of a common nightmare? To send it back to where it came from and move on? The Black Flame came to aid him in that?"

The Firekeeper answered firmly. "The Flame came upon the Despoiler, like a wolf and the Wielder of The Flame gave guide, as an angel of the Dark. He sees this Dark as the angel."

Aqua put the last bit together. "And when the Dark was finished, it left him alone. It's still there, though and someone is going to notice that and that someone will treat that like an invitation. Even though I think the lurking Darkness would want some words with him."

The Firekeeper asked. "Define some words?" Aqua imagined the scream of Artorias. "Okay, a scream, you're not making this easier to process. Then again, you're use to Benedict going through some hard trials. What am I doing, that is encouraging Ken going into danger like that?"

The Firekeeper answered firmly. "Thou provided love and thy pupils provide it back. Is that wrong?" Aqua shook her head. "No, it isn't. It's just... weird that the one student who is vulnerable to the Darkness is... going down a confusing path."

Tink! She heard something from behind her and turned, finding a strange dagger. One of a silver blade and a hilt of black wings, it was definitely out of the ordinary, yet it's shadow was like any other object. She hesitated and gently picked it up, the bright room, became dim, yet the flame of the forge and the crystals glow kept ever stronger.

Click! Tick! Click!

In the sound of steam works, Aqua woke up and saw the sun starting to set. She sat up to stretch and saw the group napping away. Riku was stirred by the change of light and woke to seeing the end of the afternoon, he yawned awake and turned to Aqua. "Still can't believe the whole afternoon went like this. We should start waking the others," The Keyblade Master nodded and heard two kids talking away. "How are we going to find out more about the Rune Knights and Paladins?"

The voice of Sora asking a rather smart question, stirred Ven and Ken, Aqua turned to see Sora with his hands on the back of his head and Kairi checking a phone. "We got the stories to go by, Rune Knights sound like magical knights who can handle magic coming at them and Paladins sound an awful lot like what we do, using the Light to help others in need and to fight the Forces of Darkness. I think that's all we are going to get beyond the pictures."

Ken rubbed his eyes, saw the coming sun set and got up in a hurry. "How late is it?" Kairi heard and answered as Ven was the last of the humans to wake up. "Not that late, it's almost the Evening, we got ten minutes." Donald mumbled. "Ten more minutes." Sora grumbled and approached with something planned, he got close to the sleeping trio and loudly clap his hands. One clap snapped the three out of the sleep. "Come on guys, ten minutes isn't long."

Mickey was surprisingly calm from that as Goofy mumbled. "Wished it could have lasted a bit longer." Donald jumped at the knowledge of time. "Ten minutes?!" Sora wished he was joking. "You guys needed a break, but now that's over. Kairi and I did some digging at the thing we're working on, she's got the list of Job systems that exists."

Kairi nodded. "It isn't too much, but it's enough for a feel. Master Aqua, someone's agreed to talk to Merlin about what you want done while we head out. She's at the committee square right now if you want to talk to her before we go." Aqua wondered who Kairi was talking about and stood up to take off. "I'll be at Lightning's soon. Good job Kairi." She looked to Sora. "Good job Sora."

She made her way to the square and found a particular, black haired girl, she looked a little nervous about something, Aqua recognized the girl. "Xion?!" The girl knew the voice and turned, she shifted her eyes away at the woman looking at her suspiciously and answered. "I can explain this." Aqua asked. "Okay, Merlin kind of needs a keybearer with strong memories to start up the thing called, the Hammer Heart Arena." She smirked. "It's an idea of using the collective memories we have as training material and get us use to fighting dangerous foes, it will give us a good excuse to use our more dangerous moves since dummies aren't going to cut it anymore."

Xion looked Aqua in the eyes and gave an awkward smile, like the woman was looking at one of the components she needs. "I... can do this though." She raised her hand and summoned her keyblade, for some reason it had hints of rust. Aqua wasn't surprised, yet very pleased. "And you're one of the ones who saved our butts this morning? Things got dicey back up at Pandemonium, you know. Not bad, in case your condition becomes a problem, do you know someone who can pass the word about it, get it taken cared of so you can help?" "I can, just in case."

Xion looked behind Aqua and saw familia, the Keyblade Master turned to find the mysterious hooded boy. "Hmm, you must be Dupmic. This might take you to a place a little beyond your comfort zone, but can I trust you two to help get this done? So I don't forget again," Dupmic smirked. "I didn't hear too much about the project, just something about dummies not cutting it anymore."

Xion groaned. "Just repeat what I say. Miss, if you don't mind, I kind of want to test that out as soon as I can, anything that we should know about" Aqua thought of it and snapped her fingers to show off the Card of Settra. "You could attract the attention of our friends from the Realms, they've experienced a lot of battles. Once you get to our world, Ana might want to help and if your condition gets wonky with her too, then she is one more friend for you to make."

Dupmic hummed to that, saw Xion getting excited about meeting the Stormcast and asked. "If we meet some requirements that are picked up. One person seems to need to trust the other and try to see things that other is seeing, would Ana trust someone like me?" Aqua smirked and asked back with a faux lecturing tone. "I don't know, you both have done some amazing things, last I heard and she knows a lot about these worlds by now. Is that trust earned?"

Dupmic wanted to add a few things he was guilty of and was gently elbowed by Xion. "Yes, it is." Aqua gave Dupmic a thumbs up. "You'll be fine, we'll talk later once we are finished." Dupmic took the responsibility and shrugged. "See you then." The two looked to each other and took off for their duty, Aqua went to the gate of the town and found the crew looking prepared, Lightning hummed at the odds. "You're early." Aqua nodded. "There is a lot at stake if we don't get this done. Let's get going."

At Merlin's House.

Merlin felt Dupmic's behavior most bizarre, as if there was someone else in the room. He closed his eyes and quickly shook the confusion away, with in the void, was a particular girl. He opened them and found Xion, trying to wave hello and see if he could notice her. The Wizard hummed. "I say this is rather peculiar, now what is it that you two need?"

Xion explained the Hammer Heart Arena, the machinations required to get it started and one particular point. "All the things they Guardian's of Light are able to do can't be practiced out here, on each other or on a dummy anymore. They have more dangerous skills, to deal with more dangerous things." That Merlin agreed with. "Hmm, I think I know just the spell. I believe Lady Ana has the raw power to assist in this manner."

Dupmic felt it made sense and showed him the cards. "And I think Aqua's wanting to throw in some of the strongest bosses she and the others have faced, so they get a little taste of the experience that would other wise be lost." Xion agreed with that. "And maybe we can return that favor if we run into anything"

In a puff of smoke, the two found themselves in front of a Castle on the top of a mountain, Xion finished slowly. "Interestin.," Dupmic looked around and saw a Stormcast that was keeping watch of the world bellow, almost in sync, she was wondering what happened.

The Stormcast noticed him, Xion and Merlin. "What's the occasion, Merlin?" The wizard answered rather courtly. "Business as usual, Lady Ana. Master Aqua and the others have taken off to another world and she's requested to these two young ones that they provide aid with a certain project."

Ana was surprised and wanted to take her helmet off. "Well, it's about time! I don't know how long she was going to keep talking about it before we started to doubt that it was going to happen." The helmet came off and the duo say the fierce warrior with in. "What's the name she came up with?"

Xion answered with growing excitement. " Hammer Heart Arena. Apparently, we insert some memories into this and we get to recreate some foes we've fought." Ana looked to be thinking into the idea. "That eh? This would be the first time we did this without Namine around, but I think we can manage. Now, who's that there in your shadow?"

Dupmic tilted his head and let the red eyes reveal itself and assist. "Shadey, he's a friend of ours that watches over us. But..." He wondered. "I'll bet... with what he is made out of, could be the boon we need." He explained. "He's something that came out of Sora's heart during a certain incident we all would rather not talk about. If he's seen what Sora has seen."

Ana was a little suspicious. "Then we would have a lions share of potential. Now, is there anything else you would want to share?" Dupmic realized he was found out and ask. "...If you would let us help with this, we'll tell you everything. Just don't speak of this to the others, please."

The Stormcast wasn't making promises. "I might, okay Merlin, where should we start?"

The Wizard found it a simple matter and picked the upper west corner of the front yard, he waved his wand and conjured a white door, he opened it and guided the group in to what looks to be a white void. "The building blocks are within your imagination, that is the only limit." The Stormcast understood and asked. "If I make the basics, you three ought to work the touches." She summoned her hammer blade and pressed it to the ground, causing the white to become a primary of silver, forming into what is a basic arena, with hints of gold and tapestry of blue. At the far end was a statue of a blue heart, with the insignia of a silver hammer, the basic foundation was made.

Xion was a little speechless as Dupmic looked around. "Not bad, but it's a little basic." He drew out his keyblade and raised it to the air, radiating light that formed the details of columns, an audience bench and the inner workings of a castle, than just a Colosseum. Ana gasped to the idea and with her own touches, made the castle like structure more reminiscent to the inner workings of the actual castle, complete with stained glass window of a ceiling. Dupmic nodded to the visual. "That... will do."

He, Xion and Shadey approached the heart statue and found three things, two sockets, one for cards and one for a hand, the last one looked like a computer screen. Merlin looked upon it and asked. "One is for mementos to make form into these memories, the other is for anyone to bring forth their ideas?"

Ana nodded. "Aye, we need to... as you would say, program the system to handle that first. Then test it out on some basic enemies, I don't want these foes being able to kill us. Just that they will make points across, should we falter in battle, Dupmic... you look like a smart lad. Would you help get this thing up n running while Xion tests out the foes?"

The hooded boy approached the computer with his idea. "I haven't touched a magical computer before, but I think it works all the same." He pressed a button and saw a line up of blocks, looking for something to put in, he pressed his hand on the socket and thought of certain foes found in the Bayou, the block became dim and had twitching shadows. "Once upon a time, there was a group of... Friends from the Other Side, that use to call the shots in the corners of this Bayou. Once the witch Doctor, that made deals with them, dealt with the price, I guess they died down?"

Ana remembered Kairi and Sora speaking of their tales. "I think Sora only found Heartless, both bizarre ones and those that make a little sense to be there. What makes these... Friends tick?"

Dupmic answered as he pressed a couple buttons in the program. "Unlike most of the Heartless, these things are actually smart and they need to grab your shadow to start doing things to you. But, one touch of light is all it takes to get rid of them. Something Xion has in spades." He confessed. "It's because of these guys that I learned a special trick, to use my shadow for some of my attacks. It's a little better than the other thing I saw and used, which is what you were worried about. Xion and I were-"

In a dark alien world with three suns.

Pete stood before a wasteland, with a particular palace, the dark clouds loomed over the world in thunder and lightning. He noticed a corridor opening behind him and turned to find Maleficent leading a cabal of sorcerers, the Ahriman, The Horned King, Ztardon and Zonir. Pete saluted the cabal. "It's about time ya got here. Now we get to the good part."

The Horned King gazed upon the lifeless wasteland as Maleficent took her sights to the palace. "You've done well to venture this far, we are close to the source of the Darkness with in this world."

Pete laughed to that. "I'd figured that place ought to hold somethin' important. It's the biggest thing out here that is crawling with Darkness," he confessed. "Now, I haven't gotten a peak yet, so that's as far as I gotten."

Ztardon hummed impressed. "Hmmmmmmmm! But now we can." Ahriman was about to agree as he felt something upon the world. "And in the nick of time. The Guardian's of Light have arrived upon this planet, if they are allowed to have their way, then this knowledge and the latent power, would be lost to us."

Maleficent agreed and channeled her spell, unleashing a storm of yellow eyes. "Looming Darkness, your prey is near, go forth at once and bring ruin upon the bearers of light!" She laughed wickedly as Pete took it as his chance and snapped his finger, he watched as ripples of Darkness scattered across the land. "I'd say this went without a hitch, those pipsqueaks have no idea we're here!"

Maleficent's wicked mood turned into a near outburst of green rage. "Don't assume anything, you fool!" Pete flinched as the Horned King chuckled. "Someone spied on us during our call." The minion yelped. "What, now how in blazes did that happened?"

Zonir sighed. "The one mortal, we underestimated, seized something that belonged to him. He managed to escape our lord and he could have told them about us by now." Maleficent calmed down to that. "Which is why Pete has done more than he could have imagined." Ahriman dismissed the usual reason for such an outburst and readied something. "Before we seize this planets assets, we are to learn about those who adorn themselves to this darkness, all the while the Guardians of Light will have obstacle, upon obstacle in their way."

Pete got over his flinch and added in. "And all of them are not only lethal, but some aren't even prepared by us. Heh! I'd say I like to see them try to get here, but that ain't the plan." Maleficent agreed with him and request the Horned King. "Which is why we are to strip them of a lasting sanctuary, when we can. What have you sensed?"

The Necromancer began to glow in purple magic. "Death, only death and the weak, clinging to life." He raised his hands and commanded. "Rise, my beloved, strip the last glimmer of life from this world!"

Ztardon, Zonir and Pete looked upon the waste land and found spirits and bones rising from the earth, the Sorcerer readied a spell. "Maleficent, let us open the window of this worlds truth!" The witch joined him in the ritual and caused a green orb to form, revealing a cabal of nine twisted, dark blue, bird like creatures in extravagant wears, they circled around a large purple crystal, that hovered over a pit of fire. The crystal, shined a dark beam with in the eyes of the bird people.

Pete whistled. "Well, what do we have here." Maleficent agreed with the wonder. "It appears, they covet this Dark Crystal, but what are they and why is this the source?" Ahriman might have been salivating under his helmet as he answered. "We will see with a little patience. This is something unimaginable."

In a lush valley.

Sora looked down upon a pond, being fed by a water fall as Kairi and Aqua were rather captivated by the simple beauty, the Keyblade Master confessed. "This place is pretty beautiful." Lightning admitted that it was. "All because the Mystics let nature run it's course. Since they haven't moved, it should be easy to find them and talk with their eldest, they call him The Master."

Riku was disappointed by the simple title. "They? These guys really are passive, what do we need to look for?" Lightning hesitated to answer as she lead the way. "They all look a like, but the Master hasn't really been looking good. They all look ancient, but the Master was pretty sick when me and Serah were trying to hide from the Orks." Mickey guessed. "Old age?" Lightning guessed it was. "Maybe."

Sora head a faint ringing, faced his ear towards a direction and put his hand over it. He heard a collective hum. "Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuu" he asked the others. "Do you hear that?" Ven tried to hear the noise and heard the humming grow louder as Ken heard thunder, he looked up to find a storm and answered. "I think we do, storms coming."

The others heard it as well as the spiky haired boys heard the humming mix in with the thunder, Sora had to correct the youngest boy. "That isn't the only sound." He took the lead. "Come on, this storm has just started."

The others followed him, past the lush greens and into what looked like a village, of stone and simple wood, inhabiting it were nine, elderly, lizard like creatures, with simple robes, four arms and various walking canes. They looked up as one and at the arriving party of ten, Lightning nodded to them to let them know she returned safely and lead the party to one particular cave. "They didn't call like that for no reason, expect nature taking it's course."

Goofy and Donald nodded and agreed to stay out on guard duty as the rest go in, Lighting entered first and called. "Master urSu! I'm back." The group had a look upon an elderly Mystic leaning by a table and a small cauldron, he wheezed and looked to be slipping away from one life. "At the time, when three suns meet-" Lightning approached him. "Master!"

The Master had a look upon Lightning and a group of strangers with an aura of light, he warned him as he drew thin breaths. "You are in danger, Light Bearers... and I must leave you all this soon."

Riku cringed and approached with a typical teenagers outburst. "Leave?! We just got here!" Lightning sharply turned to him. "Remember what I said!" Riku quickly remembered that the Master is dying and lowered his tone in respects. "Right." The Master looked upon them. "Lighting, I have told you about the Skeksis?" The woman lowered herself with a dutiful tone. "Yes and I told the others too, that's why we came back."

The Master tilted his head left and right as he kept holding on to life. "The story runs deeper than you know and the Light Bearers are apart of it." The group were confused and Sora asked. "I... don't get it, we were suppose to come here?" The Master put his hand over the cauldron of green liquid and answered. "The Skeksis, will vow to destroy you, for the Prophecy says you must find the shard." An image of a crystal shard emerged from the water. "The crystal shard."

The Guardian's of Light were more confused as the Master and reached for a hand to hold onto. "To save our world, Light Bearers, you must find the shard," the crystals image faded and Kairi held to the hand and listened. "Before the three suns meet," The Master slowly let go. "if not, Skeksis rule forever."

Riku asked in a more polite tone. "Do you know where it might be?" The Master focused his hand over the cauldron. "Aughra holds the shard," the image of a mountain with a dome like structure. "Follow the Greater Sun for a day, to the home of Aughra." Ken hummed to the elder. "So the biggest of the suns? That ought to be easier once the storm clears." The Master was too weak to show agreement. "There, she knows all the secrets."

Lightning asked with confusion. "Master, if that was so important, why didn't you tell me or Serah before we went to chase down the Orks?" The Master regretted much. "I should have told you these things, but now it is up to you all. Though we may meet again in another life, we will not in this one." he slowed his breathing and rested his head on the stone table. The crew felt a life passing, barely understanding what kind of task they walked into, the Master's body shined in light and slowly faded away from one life and into another.

Baldred asked. "So, how must we do this?" Lightning thought of it. "It isn't going to be easy, but I think there might be one way we can manage this. Let's let the guys outside know what happened."

At the stormy Wasteland.

Maleficent and her cabal watched two particular Skeksis hissing at each other, from the view of the ever scrying. One was a grey haired, angry looking individual, in dark clothes with black plating, protecting his belly, the other was an individual in vibrant red. He had a constantly smug smile and hummed. "Hmmmmmm!"

The grouchier Skeksis hissed "I hate your whimper," as the smug Skeksis lead him towards a gathering, a cabal of seven, circled around a bed with a rotten Skeksis, like vultures. The grouchy Skeksis growled to the others for the right of passage as the smug Skeksis approached a vibrant blue Skeksis in dark green and tan robes. The vibrant blue Skeksis had a prosthetic right eye and a transparent tube in his neck noticed his and addressed. "He's not dead yet, my Lord Chamberlain."

The Chamberlain leaned to the bed, with his eyes gazing upon the dying Skeksis's scepter. "Hmmmmmmm!" Ztardon knew what the Chamberlain was thinking and hummed. "Hmmmmmmmm! His Emperor has fallen, a seat of power is soon to be vacant."

Pete and Zonir gave the Tzaangor Shaman a rather disgusted look, the fat minion asked. "He picked now to be thinking about that? At least give a moment of silence." Zonir agreed with him. "Or at the least pretend to show some respect before taking the chance." Ztardon nodded to them. "For others will see that you will make the first move."

The grouchy Skeksis demanded from the others. "Kneel! Bow!" He knelt before the dying Emperor in respect, the others followed, all except for the Chamberlain, who reached for the Emperor's scepter. The dying Emperor noticed that and grabbed into the scepter, he lifted himself up, glared at the Chamberlain and hissed, looking like he was about to bite. "Mine!"

The Chamberlain backed away in shock and observed with glee. "Hmmm!"

The Emperor kept hissing and hissed towards the flock, intimidating them out of opportunistic thoughts, he rasped in his refusal to die. "I... I..." He stopped his stutter. "I am still... Emperor." His working eye looked around. "I am..." he gasped in sharp pain. "Wrrrawk!"

He tried to breath his last breath as his eyes rolled back, the cabal listened to a grim death rattle as the Emperor fell back on his bed, dead. The Skeksis gasped and looked to each other in disbelief as the Chamberlain looked forward to an opportunity. The Emperor's rotten body, broke down, snout first, then the rest of his face and then his corpse.

Maleficent was rather speechless as the Horned King laughed. "Ha, ha. Fool, no one lives forever." The Witch turned to the Necromancer with a scowl. "That is not the point, these things are more concern about the vacant seat then they are of the world around them. If we had doubts about the source of this worlds Darkness, it has decayed like this Emperor."

Ahriman laughed heartily at the notion. "He isn't the only royal corpse I know of. Ha!" He tried to stop. "But in all seriousness, these specimens; the Skeksis, do you suppose they could be of any real use for us?"

Maleficent shook her head. "They appear to be far too twisted to listen to us, it's better if we just storm the palace and finish what they've started." Pete felt that was a valid tactic. "That was the idea, their dark hearts would be more useful that way."

Ahriman raised his hand in a disagreement. "They could, but then the knowledge they hold would be lost to us. I suggest we hold off on our invasion until we learn all we could and then prioritize the Crystal itself. I doubt that we are the sole reason the Guardian's of Light are in this world."

Ztardon agreed with that. "They are obligated to halt us, but was this planet meant to go unnoticed?" Zonir put his hand under his chin. "It would be... insane to go all this way for us."

Pete hmph to that. "Theys as interested in these bird brains as we are? They're worried about what they'll do on their own, especially if they done all this by now."

Maleficent agreed with that concern. "Precisely, Pete. Can they afford another hindrance? Especially since the last one was yesterday." Ahriman shook his head. "No, they cannot. But perhaps, if this is a pressing matter for them, we should take advantage of this should the Heartless and the dead, fail." He watched the Skeksis sort of their Emperor's belongings in a manner fit for scavengers. "I will elaborate on that, when we have the chance."

At the Valley of the Mystics.

The crew watched the nine Mystics gather around a circle, joining in sync around the Masters belongings, Baldred assisted with ritualistic chimes as the group discuss far away, out of respect. Riku asked Lightning. "So, how are we going to do this? We have a lot to cover in a short amount of time." The one woman army agreed as she leaned her back to a rocky wall. "The way I see it, someone needs to go distract the Skeksis, while the other goes to get that crystal shard. We'll meet up on the way."

Aqua looked at the Mystics with concern. "But what about these guys?" Mickey doubted the pacifist nature of the elders. "If Baldred is correct, we'll have even more problems than the Skeksis, out there, what ever they do, they can't be alone for long." Ven understood that and waved to Baldred for the group up. "Which leaves the rest of us to make sure that what ever the Mystics do in the manner, they'll do it without any complications. Aqua, Mickey, should we be the ones to stay here. At least for now?"

Mickey didn't see many issues as Aqua gave a protective look to Kairi and Ken. "We kind of, have to. But who is going after the Skeksis first?" Kairi had her right hand wrapped around Ken's torso and smirked in confidence. "Me and Lil' Bro can do that and try to get in that palace, if that's where Serah is then maybe I can help with what ever mess she is in." Ken exhaled and gave a meek smile. "The two of us can handle it, Miss. We got a sync."

That much Aqua believed and Riku thought more into it. "You do, Kairi's better at their face while your better at shooting." He looked at Donald, Goofy and Sora. "Which leaves the rest of us to find Aughra. So guys, do you often just... explore the world until you find something?"

Sora nodded. "Pretty much, but at least we know where we're suppose to go." He pointed his thumb to the day lit sky, smirked and started climbing his way out of the canyon, Donald shrugged at the silliness. "That's our Sora." He joined in the climb as Goofy asked. "Wait up fellas."

Kairi shook her head and tried not to laugh as she and Ken, went to a corner of the canyon slope and wall dashed up, Lightning hmph and followed them as Riku followed Sora, Donald and Goofy out. Leaving the four to watch the end of the funeral, Masters belongings glowed blue as one of the Mystics voiced the farewell. "Dear friend, be well. Receive your belongings, receive them serenely." The belongings disappeared in the blue glow as the shaman continued. "Now, send forth the Light Bringers, watch over their dangerous quest."

They and the four left behind looked on to the departing party, that reached to the mouth of the canyon with relative ease. The two parties looked to each other and went about their separate ways, Sora stayed belong long enough to look back and waved to them to let them know that they would stay safe, he turned to the adventure ahead and dashed. This left Baldred to wonder about the Mystics. "These shamans are certainly tied to the spiritual aspects of the Light. Maybe staying behind won't be too boring, compared to the youths own venture."

Mickey nodded to that. "It probably won't, it's strange how you said it like that." Baldred pressed his hands together. "A strong faith, makes for powerful miracles and many of them are like this." Ven could concur with the notion. "Especially the ones that heal or keep you calm when death is around."

Aqua blinked and realize one particular light spell Ven used during the morning might have been one of those. "Baldred, how many of those did you teach him?" The Undead felt he could kill some time and sat down. "Beyond the offensive ones, there were a few that I thought he could use when doom loomed or if you are uncertain. Some of them were redundant as is."

Aqua imagined that. "For us, but not for you. I think Ven might have used a particular one when this Lich knock off used a spell that would have been my doom, it hurts... a lot, but I was able to pull through after a quick heal." Baldred knew what that miracle is. "He Denied that fiend your death. Ha."

At the Wasteland, during what could either be a rising sun or a sunset.

The Cabal observed the image of a throne room, with a vacant throne, the Skeksis whispered among themselves as to who is going to claim the title of Emperor. The nine were split into groups of three, among one, with the Chamberlain, a flamboyant looking Skeksis spoke. "My lord Chamberlain, time to choose a new Emperor." The Chamberlain proclaimed. "It should be me!"

Another group, with the Commanding Skeksis and the Scientist looking individual, debated upon hearing that whisper, the General whispered. "Not him, I must rule." In the third flock, the two noticeable being a Skeksis with a bloated, deformed gut and a Skeksis in gold, the third member whispered to the gold wearing Skeksis. "You should be Emperor."

Ahriman mentally counted down as Pete was disappointed in the Skeksis. "It sure didn't take them long to be arguing about this." The Horned King was feeling amused. "I suspect a fight is going to occur." Maleficent agreed with that. "It is inevitable with this flock."

The scheming Chamberlain looked around the flock and whispered to his group. "It's time I make my move." He hummed, looked upon the throne with the scepter and approach it. The General saw it and growled as the golden clad Skeksis was seeing that the Chamberlain was doing something out of line and approached him to stop him. "Chamberlain, wait, no, stop, you can't!" The Chamberlain hissed at him. "Get back, spithead!"

and grabbed the scepter, infuriating the General to where he yelled. "CHAMBERLAAAIN!" He demanded and grabbed him by the arm. "LAY DOWN THAT SCEPTER!" The two confronted each other, hissed and looked like they were going to go at each others throats, but held off, the two circled around each other and the General declared. "I challenge!"

The Chamberlain hummed in ambitious agreement. "Hmmm. Trial by stone?" The General listened and rallied with his hand raised in the air. "Trial by stone!" The Skeksis flock cheered to that and a particular Skeksis, with a hook for a right hand cheered. "Trial by stone!" He turned to find a lined up group of short, pea like people with a zombified expression of grey eyes, walking towards a device, the hook hand Skeksis addressed them as. "Slaves! Raised the stone!"

Ahriman looked upon his Cabal of Sorcerers and silently gestured towards the Slave Master and the quarrel in general. Maleficent was both amused by the Skeksis's petty dispute and annoyed by how much of drama was being instilled. The slaves grabbed onto a lever with rope and together, pulled, causing a platform to raise from a hole, a large, chipped stone and two curved swords. The Chamberlain and the General approached the stone, picked their swords and positioned themselves for the trial, for a moment it looked like they were going to attack each other if they weren't side by side to the stone. The General aimed his sword at the Chamberlain. "Now, you whimpering worm!"

He roared and smashed his sword upon the chipped marking of the stone. TINK! The flock cheered for the General, the Scientist most of all. "He can't beat that! Ha!" The General agreed, had his free hand at his hip as he took the praise and dared the Chamberlain to try, the schemer looked around at the flock turning on him, realize he might have made a grave mistake and readied for his swing, giving off a high pitch screech. Tink! The tink felt more precise and some of the flock cheered for him, the General growled, wiped drool from his face and looked more determined to assert his dominance, looking much more serious and giving the Chamberlain time to realize, he might lose. The General roared and smashed his sword upon the stone. TINK!

The stone was chopped off from it's chipping and fell to the ground in red heat, the Chamberlain dropped his sword upon defeat as the General proclaimed himself. "Me! The Emperor!" The flock were quick to praise the General and leave the Chamberlain to take in his defeat, in a moment, the golden clad Skeksis announced for the loser. "Now, by the law! He must pay!"

The Chamberlain backed away from the flock being more than ready to punish him for his blatant disrespect, the Scientist most of all, they backed him into a wall as the General laughed and pointed that the flock would proceed. The flock grabbed the Chamberlain by the clothes and tore them off, leaving the schemer to scream in humiliation. Maleficent was rather speechless by the cruelty, Ahriman and the Horned King watched stoically and the minions had a combined expression of horror, Pete and Zonir cringed and looked away as Ztardon tried to comprehend whether an execution would have been preferable, the Chamberlain was stripped bare and the General ordered. "Now let him go! The Chamberlain is banished!"

The flock stopped, backed away and like it was some ritual, hissed and waved their hands back, chanting "Away!" at the Chamberlain, the new Emperor demanded the flock. "Now, bow down, to me!" The flock turned to him and left the Chamberlain to gather the scraps of cloth he had left and scurried away, they bowed to their new Emperor in celebration.

Then came an alarm, the flock wondered what that was for, the new Emperor spoke. "The Crystal!" He raised his scepter. "The Crystal calls!" The flock left the throne room and went to the chamber of the Dark Crystal, they gathered around to see what was, to their shock and to the anticipation of the Cabal spying on them, the Dark Crystal, showed the image of Sora, Riku, Donald and Goofy doing battle against a trio of giant insect like heartless that spit out a mixture of web and caustic venom. Sora and Donald unleashed fire works upon them as Goofy used his shield like a spring for Riku to jump on and use the elevation to dive upon one of the Spitters backs, effectively slaying it and waiting for the fireworks to bombard the remaining two.

The Skeksis saw the particular weapons the teenage boys have and reeled in horror as the boys finished off the spitters, the Second in Command asked. "Huh?! A Keyling alive?!" The Skeksis were in a complete panic as Maleficent smirked. "Right on schedule."

One of the Skeksis whimpered. "The prophecy! The Prophecy says the Keylings will destroy us." The New Emperor growled in refusal. "No!" He ordered minions from the dark. "Garthim! Attack!" The strange, insect like statues glowed purple eyes and clattered insect like limbs as the Garthim Master ordered. "Garthim soldiers! Find the Keylings!"

The Garthim crawled their crab like legs in movement and revealed a right arm of a giant crab claw and a left arm with curved talons, it's arms looked rather muscular and the Cabal saw that it wasn't alone, there were many of them, with one particular being the largest among the rest, the Garthim Master ordered. "Bring them to the Castle!" The Garthim circled around through the elevated platforms of doors on the order and the Garthim Master demanded. "Death to the Keylings!" The Garthim scurried to their duty enmasse.

Ahriman ordered his minions. "Ztardon, Zonir, keep watch for any of these constructs, we should ensure that they focus solely on the Guardians and not on us the instant they find a couple outsiders, spying on them." The two minions were on watch as Pete hummed. "And just in case."

He snapped his fingers and summoned his prized creation from the Darkness, Corporate Disaster. Maleficent took the order. "Search the wilderness, find the Guardians of Light and ensure their end!"

The mechanized monster growled, went on all fours and sprinted into the unknown, Pete wanted to complain. "Oh come on, I wanted to tell him that." Maleficent had an order for him. "Remember that you serve me. Those heartless you've created showed some promise, find more of these darkened creatures, Sora and his friends will find doom approaching from all sides."

Pete liked the sound of that and chuckled. "They will, you're nastiness!" He took off on his venture and Ahriman kept the spying spell alive. "Yes, I believe it is time we ensure that the Guardians will lose something again. Once we've seen enough, I will voice my own plan." Maleficent laughed to that. "And that is something they cannot afford anymore, but what more do we have to learn from these things? The Skeksis are connected to the Dark Crystal and they've twisted themselves into the embodiment of Darkness, they've rendered themselves so pampered that most of them forgotten what it means to stay in power."

Ahriman nodded. "And the art of subtly when trying to obtain it. If there was one thing this whole warband has done, it's keeping us on the edge when more competitors make themselves known." The Horned King groaned. "And some of us have exchanged one Master for another."

Maleficent rolled her eyes. "In due time, we will dispose of that problem when it is of no further use to us and then we shall return to what we were doing before the Dark Seeker and the Everchosen made their claim."

The Sorcerer confessed. "It was entertaining when it was just a couple rivalries, but I would rather not plunge the Worlds into another war unless it is necessary. It is the Everchosen, who could escalate that unless we find a way to keep him in check." Zonir shivered. "Which is easier said than done."

Ahriman agreed and asked Maleficent. "Have I ever told you about the Despoiler? The Warmaster who gave these worlds their first scar?" The witch shook her head. "No, but I've heard of him and seen his work. The Imperium finest trembled at his name and everything that befell the virtuous heroes had left a lasting impression, because of him." Ahriman spun a tale. "As expected, for he has waged war upon the Imperium for Ten Thousand years, each time bringing about a Black Crusade."

At the Hammer Heart Arena

Xion was dizzy from the spell of the Shadow Baron, while in the arena of a graveyard, sparked in lighting and flung herself at it's mask, smashing it with her blade and shattering it. In a shine of light, the arena returned to it's castle like structure. Dupmic had the results written down as Ana congratulated the girl. "That was a foul one. It seems the Arena works as intended."

Dupmic agreed. "Yeah, except Xion is a little too good and most of her fights focused on flinging her through her shadow." The girl growled and argued. "Hey! Some of them did hurt until the fight stopped. I think we'll be fine using something more serious. Alright Ana, hit me with something you know."

The Stormcast admired the bravery and worked on the computer. "I know just the foe that could be an issue. Fight like you normally will, but this is to test of they can really hurt ya, call it out when the fight gets rough."

With the press of a button, the arena changed into a decrypted forest and found something slathering and crawling from behind a tree, a near naked pale blue humanoid with red tipped claws, bat like ears, spiked growths of bone at his wrists, purple stripe tattoos and a mouth full of sharp teeth. The Ghoul sniffed like an animal, caught the girls scent, looked upon her like she was a bear and stood tall. "Wrrr?"

Xion posed for battle and the Ghoul took it as a challenge, he sprinted after her with claws and all, the girl rolled to the right and smacked him across the tree, she followed with a quick combo and noticed the Ghoul glowing in the arcane, absorbing some of the blows and sprinting to a tree, he took out a hollowed, blood covered ram horn and blew into it. Causing a deep sound of a horn to echo, then came a collection shriek. "Wraarrzah!"

A horde of ten, ghoulish blue humanoids sprinted from the brushes, wearing various bones and one having a skeleton containing grizzly giblets for a back pack, they looked upon Xion in the same manner as their King, the back pack wearing Ghoul asked the King something in what is interpreted as insane slobbering. The Ghoul King raised his claws to the air and mimicked what he thought attacked him and ordered the ghouls to help him slay the girl. The ghouls nodded and sprinted after her, Xion jumped on a high tree branch, called down thunder bolts and watched the Ghoul King cast something that drove his minions into a murder frenzy, they tried to leap on the branch and Xion gave off a glow of light, she dived in after them and attacked them with high speeds and intense strength, slashing six the ghouls in the chest and causing them to sizzle in the light.

The remaining four looked terrified for their lives as the Ghoul King howled in anger and pounced on Xion, knocking her down and was ready to claw her face off, the girl parried and felt some of the claws cutting her at her cheek. She countered with a swing of light to knock the Ghoul King off of her, jumped on her feet, dived into the Ghoul King and unleashed waves of light that vaporized two more ghouls. The light wore off and Xion jumped back, she sparked her keyblade in lightning and flung it at the Ghoul King's chest. It punctured into it's heart and electrocuted the Ghoul King, it looked like it was barely standing, Xion called her blade back and smacked the two remaining ghouls in the skull, leaving nothing to protect the Ghoul King, she leaped at him with a battle cry and smashed him in the neck.

PEW!

The light shined and the arena disappeared, Xion smirked at a well fought battle and felt where the cut was, not an drop of blood nor a sting. She gave a small flex and looked at the onlookers. "How did you like that?" Dupmic leaned against the wall and smirked. "Not bad, not bad at all. Looks like the Arena's fully functional."

Ana agreed with that. "It seems so, Xion, you know what what Ghoul King even is?" The girl shook her head. "Looks like he used to be a person and those ghouls are as wild as he is. Are these guys we're going to fighting for real?"

Ana hoped not. "Oh, no, no, no! With Nagash cut off from this Realm, he or anyone associated with the Alliance of Death are not going to be showing their mugs here soon. That Ghoul King was the idea that some of our foes are going to be that lethal if given the chance, he was someone that was driven insane long ago, with a delusion that is not tied to reality. So he might have attacked you for something else than what it seemed and it makes him and his ghouls that much more dangerous." Xion cringed in pity. "So the only way to stop that is by defending yourself and making sure they stop? It's kind of a good thing the fight turns back to this place once it's over."

Ana nodded. "The rest of the youths could do without the scars of having to take another life to persevere their own. The Heartless and Daemon are one thing, but I would say you wouldn't feel well in the morning if you had to slay a Warrior of Chaos out of the blue. Even if he or she, likely had it coming."

Xion relaxed to a valid point. "Even if we don't got much of a choice. That's why Sora and Roxas get uncomfortable, talking about all the things they've seen and had to do."

Ana added in. "It's also why Ken goes into a war mode. The Great Enemy has brought that upon the worlds and those boys are the among the ones who can finish it." She noticed a door opening and letting in Wanda, a scribe inspector and Stitch. The alien sniffed the air and crawled to Xion in curiosity as the Stormcast smirked to the General. "Lady Wanda, Merlin told you about this place?"

The General looked around with her arms folded. "A plenty, I'd just thought I stop by an share my own experiences. It won't be too much, but some diversity ought to prepare the others for what is to come." She snickered and approached the heart statue, Xion and Stitch kept out of the way as the scribe kept righting down something, the Stormcast allowed the General to put in her own data. "Just put your hand in the fitting screen and you'll be done." Wanda did so and caused the computer to light up, Dupmic read it quickly and read the vast numbers. "Bonesplittaz, Beasts of Chaos, Mawtribes, Nighthaunt, Bloodbound and why did you just put in data on your own Freeguild?"

The General felt enough was added and she put her hand away. "Because I've been hearing some of y'all have fought literal tanks and I know our enemies have war beasts among them." She winked. "I'd thought I make some of this a bit fun if you want to push yourselves."

Ana put her hand under her chin. "I didn't think of it that way." She recommend. "I would wait until Aqua and the others return before we conduct anymore... particular challenges. This is all meant for training, after all."

Wanda understood that. "And if we push ourselves, it could be quite rewarding in itself." She noticed Dupmic having an interest. "How much of this is ready by now, young man?" The boy answered. "We just finished the last part of the mandatory tests and our fighter, who you probably can't see or hear, has just dealt with this Ghoul King." Wanda listened, blinked and gasped, she looked around and asked. "How is that even possible?"

Ana answered that. "A curse was instilled upon her by our enemies and someone didn't like that, so he rigged a loophole to slowly break the curse. It's infighting at it's finest and I'm just glad they broke from that group and made good on their potential." Wanda wasn't amused by the notion. "Ana, these are children. Why would someone do something that horrible to them and indoctrinate them towards ruin?"

The Stormcast didn't wish to know. "If it wasn't for a promise I made to Aqua, I would have stormed in that Castle by now and bring Xehanort to justice, with the fury of the storm. It's on the list of complications as to why we haven't done it sooner, along with Archaon valuing him so much as an asset."

Dupmic wanted to ask and held off of his curiosity. "Me and Xion are just glad to help get you all ready for that. Anything else we're needed for?" Ana scratched her head and put her helmet back on. "I don't believe so, but are you sure you don't want to test out the challenge mode and see how y'all do?"

The hooded boy was tempted to do so and asked. "We could try that out before heading back, but how are we going to get back home when the day is over? We can't be here for too long and leave the hub worlds unprotected." Ana growled and ordered. "Follow me, I want to ask Merlin about this myself. Wanda, wait here."

The General saluted as the Stormcast lead the children and alien out of the arena and to the sight of a night sky. They found Merlin looking upon the vast world, with a lantern by his side and a clearly conjured folding chair, Ana realized she and the children were rather busy in the arena and asked. "Merlin, do you have a moment?"

The wizard turned to the group and invited them to star gaze. "Indeed, it's been a while since I've gazed upon starlight like this. It reminds me of my home world." The children were interested in that tale and Xion asked. "Speaking of home, we've finished with the final touches and we want to know how we are going to get back?"

Merlin hummed and remembered. "Ah ha!" He stood up and waved his wand, with a vibrant memory of a certain bastion. POOF!

A steam punk door appeared. "That should resolve this one. When you are ready to return home for the night, will you let me know?" The children nodded as Ana approached the door. "I think I have an idea on how this works." She opened it and found an ally way to a particular town, she stepped across it, closed the door and took some time to observe, Dupmic found the spell incredible. "So what's the catch for using this?"

Merlin wanted to know what a catch is, realized it meant a price and answered. "Ah, I would ensure whether or not it works as intended. To keep this world secluded from another attack, this must happen." Dupmic nodded. "In other words, you hold the key and just need to ask if it's okay to use this. Not bad of a plan."

The door opened and Ana crossed back over with a thumbs up, Dupmic explained how the door was going to work and the Stormcast approved. "That would mean the two of you could have free access to this during the day if you give the question. So I'll ask again, would you like to do the Freeguild Challenge and end the night with some pride?" Dupmic gave a look to a confident Xion and gave one back. "Fine, we'll give it a go since the works done."

He had a look at the night sky and asked. "Then we'll give a little star gazing before we return, who knew you guys were keeping this place to yourselves." Xion considered that rude. "Hey! This place is exclusive for a good reason, we're outsiders in comparison." Ana agreed to that. "Unless Lady Aqua is looking for another apprentice to take under her wings and you make yourself more reputable. Your stay here is mostly for visits or for a duty." She thought of it. "That... might get arranged as soon as Kairi becomes a little more adept to where she doesn't need as much protection anymore and as soon as Kendry keeps himself out of danger. They are both a prime target for our enemies, if because of their hearts."

The siblings felt that made sense and Xion asked. "Because Kairi is a Princess of Heart and Ken keeps seeing himself as the weakest link?" Ana wasn't amused by the later depiction. "Or because his heart is a lot more vulnerable to Darkness than we thought, it's definitely from our enemies harassing him when he makes himself their public enemy. This isn't that different from all the trauma Sora's dealing with."

Xion agreed with that. "And I know of what you saw in the Crucible. What did Ken do to stress you all out?" Ana whistled. "Ya know of the Black Flame Kendry was exposed to? He used that to destroy an old nightmare of his and as soon as our enemies know of that, they'll never leave him alone."

Dupmic imagined what happened. "It's a tremendous power that requires a lot of responsibility to use correctly. If it gets abused, it won't get looked at too kindly." Ana agreed with that. "I hope that the two students would get some time to sort that out, away from our eyes, once they prove that they are capable without the pressure, they'll be more prepared."

Dupmic felt it made sense. "Out of mommy's gaze and realizing where the teachings will go on their own?" Ana answered back. "And to get past the road blocks they're in right now, thanks to all the things happening."

Merlin agreed with her. "Sometimes, the best teachings are through experience. You will learn what to do when out side of the box." Xion scratched the side of her head. "Which is how Sora was able to save the worlds that often?"

Ana nodded. "Where Aqua and her friends had failed through doing it strictly by the teachings. That is why she became a lot more powerful through the obscured, once she learned what they are. Both paths, can go hand in hand. Speaking of which," she invited Merlin to be an audience. "Wanda has made a challenging foe through the Steam tank and it could require everything one knows about a machine to best. I'd like to see these two try the challenge and see if they'll learn anything from it, would you like to learn about the steam works? It could bring ideas to the town."

The wizard thought it would be a break and let the Stormcast lead back to the arena, the Stormcast guided the wizard and alien to an audience seat with Wanda and her assistant and watched the siblings approach the statue. Wanda groaned, she knew someone was next to Dupmic and yet, couldn't figure out how to break the curses hold. "Lady Ana, Mr. Merlin... how did you figure out Xion was there?"

Ana tried to think about her part. "She was there when she and Dupmic came, but I got told bits and pieces." Merlin answered his. "I simply found it strange of how an empty space was filled, think about; why?"

Wanda did so, closed her eyes to imagine the empty spot next to Dupmic and found a black haired girl right next to him, she was about to initiate an intense battle. The general smirked and gave her assistant the order. "Do as Merlin says and then write down how this goes." She explained to Stitch and Merlin. "The Steam Tank was a lot more than a status symbol, it is reliable in all kinds of terrain."

The arena flickered to an unkempt landscape near a city with in a mountain, a black metal steam punk tank, with various valves, golden insignias of a Twin Tailed Comet and of brass gryphons moved over the thorny terrain. Xion and Dupmic looked at the metal construct and felt like the foe wasn't going to be as simple as hitting it really hard, the girl asked. "I wonder why this one looks different from her uniform?"

The boy wondered. "Probably because this might have been the first time she seen one. I think we need to hit it in the places it needs to work." The tanks turret aimed for the boy, the duo split to avoid a rapid shot of steam, the turret turned to the boy as the main body drove to the girl and fired a canon ball that made impact with the ground next to her and shook her off her feet. The tank burst in steam and tried to run her over, the girl rolled out of the way, hit the wooden engine and made something of a dent, something told her that this was going to be quite the battle.