Chapter XI: Llama Drama
Ushio continued to walk through the jungle. The girl had found another world and had begun to explore it. However, as it currently stood, she found herself alone in the trees. She wiped her brow as she trekked forward. Night seemed to be approaching as the area grew darker.
"All that time and I can't find anyone in this world. How could this get more exhausting?" Ushio sighed.
Trees began to rustle all around her. Growing cautious, Ushio readied herself. Jumping out of the trees, seven monkey-like Heartless surrounded her.
"So I just had to complain." Ushio rolled her eyes.
Summoning her Keyblade, she charged at the Powerwilds. Hitting them, she found the others began to attack her several ways. Those further away attempted to pelt her with what appeared to be nuts while those closer clawed at her. Ushio dodged the incoming attacks as she pressed on with her attacks. One by one, the Heartless fell, leaving the girl alone again.
•[Ancient Empire]•
Ushio continued to head through the jungle. The night had fallen and she was growing exhausted by all the walking. Eventually, she spied a river and ran over to it. Finding a good spot, she cupped her hands and drink.
Plopping down near the river, the brunette looked into the sky. She took in all her surroundings. With all the vegetation and running water, it was quite different from the two worlds she'd previously visited. She supposed this one was of the aspects her father enjoyed when it came to his journeys. Just from moving from one place to the next, you'd come across whole new sights.
Voices began to filter in as she snapped out of her thoughts. From the volume, they had to be close by. Pushing aside from brush, Ushio spotted a man and what appeared to be an animal of some kind arguing. Drawing closer, she could begin to make out the specific conversation.
"Everyone else in the kingdom gets it. You're the only one that doesn't seem to be with the program, eh, Pacha?" the llama said.
"You know what? Someday you're gonna wind up all alone, and you'll have no one to blame but yourself." replied Pacha.
"Thanks for that. I'll log that away. Now, for the final time, I order you to take me back to the palace."
"Looks to me like you're stuck out here, because unless you change your mind, I'm not taking you back."
"Because unless you change your mind, I'm not taking you back." the llama mocked. He picked up a rock, chucking it at the man, before feigning innocence. "Huh? What? I didn't do anything. I didn't…somebody's throwing stuff. Are you going to build a fire or what? What's going on?"
The llama walked a short distance away as Pacha sighed.
"He's never going to change his mind."
Sensing the hostilities dying down, Ushio stepped out of the brush.
"Hey, it's nice to finally see someone else out here." she approached the man. "I'm Ushio."
"Wow, I didn't expect to see anyone else either. Name's Pacha." he greeted.
Seeing him working on a log with sticks, Ushio thought up an idea.
"Here, let me help." Bringing out her Keyblade, she pointed it at the log. "I hope this works like the last one. Fire."
From the top of the blade, a small fire shot forth. The little flame lit the log as a nice fire started.
"Thanks. This is really helpful." Pacha said. "I've never seen anyone able to do that or have something like that key you have."
"Yeah, I'm from…a ways away." Ushio covered for herself. She recalled how for people like her, they should try to limit who knows about outside worlds. "Just journeying through."
"In that case, have a seat around the fire. You've earned that much at least."
As the pair sat by the fire, warming themselves, Pacha looked over at the llama. He seemed to be shivering from the colder temperatures that had set in. In a moment of compassion, he waltz over and placed his poncho over him to keep him warm. The llama stopped shivering and noticed Pacha walking back.
"That was kind of you." Ushio remarked.
"It's nothing." Pacha replied. "Though if you're going to be with us, even if it's just for the night, I suppose I should tell you the truth."
"You mean about how he can talk?" Ushio asked.
"How?"
"Sorry, I kinda overheard you two." Ushio rubbed her head. "But yeah, what is that story."
"Ya see, truth of the matter is that's the emperor. Somehow he got transformed into a llama. I'm taking him back to the palace so he can be transformed back. It's just…" he trailed off.
"You're having trouble with him?" Ushio added. "Is that what that argument was?"
"Yeah. The thing is, he wants to demolish my family's home and use part of my village to build his vacation home. Part of the reason I'm helping him get home is so I can get him to change his mind. Though…"
"I get it." Ushio stated. "I can see the rest. Y'know what, I'll help you. I don't really have an specific place to be, so it won't take time out of my plans. What do you say." She held out her hand.
"Welcome aboard then." Pacha said as he shook her hand.
—
In a palace, the staff was busy at work as they remodeled the place. Artwork, banners, carvings, all of the same individual. The individual of who they bore the likeness reclined in her seat. She was an old woman, dressed in a purple dress with an large plumed headdress. Just the air around her eluded her evil, scheming aura.
"Kronk, darlin', I must admit you had me worried when you mixed up those poisons, but now that Kuzco is dead, all is forgiven." the woman, Yzma, stated.
"Ah. Oh, yeah, yeah. He's…Heh. He's dead, all right. Heh heh." nervously laughed the muscular man next to her. "I mean, you can't get much deader than he…than he is right now. Unless, of course, we killed him again."
"I suppose." Yzma replied, skeptical.
"Oh look, your strange friend is here." Kronk changed the subject.
However, what he said was true. Stepping into view, the white haired man in the black cloak came to met her.
"You seem to be having a successful time." he said.
"Kronk." Yzma said, starting to see what he was hiding. She leaned over to the white haired man. "One moment, dear."
Walking over to Kronk, Yzma stared at him with skepticism.
"Kuzco is dead, right? Tell me Kuzco's dead. I need to hear these words."
"D-do you need to hear all those words exactly?" Kronk asked.
"He's still alive!?" Yzma caught on.
"So it appears I've come at a bad moment." the cloaked man stated.
"Well, he's not as dead as we would have hoped. I just thought I'd give you the heads-up in case Kuzco ever came back." Kronk added.
"He can't come back!" Yzma grew in anger.
"Yeah. That would be kind of awkward."
"You and I are going out to find him." Yzma grabbed Kronk's shirt. "If he talks, we are through!"
"I believe now would be a good time to utilize the power we've given you. It will be great in your search for him." said the man in black. "Though, be warned. You may come across a girl wielding a giant key. Despite her looks, she'll be quite the thorn in your side."
"In that case, why don't you come along and deal with her." Yzma said, still angry about the situation.
"Yes, I suppose it's about time we meet one more."