Chapter LXVII: A Mad World and The Before Times
The door creaked open as Ushio stepped inside. The large entryway was lit dimly, the candles flickering slightly. Ominous looking decor sported the brick walls with cobwebs dotting the corners.
"Looks like this could use some cleaning up." Ushio joked to herself.
The castle gave off bad vibes, yet she pushed on. She knew Magica couldn't be far in front of her. Heading down a winding hallway, two figures sprung up from the ground. Tall, skinny, mummy-looking things faced her. She summoned forth her keyblade, facing the Heartless.
—
"Hold off the girl should she come. I have something I need to do." Magica said to someone. She closed the door behind her. "I can feel myself getting closer, but something is stopping me. That Keyblade wielder is preventing me from fully concentrating. But no more! Even if she gets past him, he should be enough of a time sink for my magic to locate my targeted point and open the portal to then."
Magica heard a sinister chuckle from the other side of the door. How fortunate that she'd found the man.
—
The Wight Knights leapt at the girl. She dodged, sliding to the side. Her key struck the nearest one, sending it a bit away. The other Heartless tried clawing at her, but she brought her weapon up. The Keyblade swung again, colliding with her two targets several times. Just like that, the two were gone.
She continued down the halls, the long stretching corridors giving an eerie feel. Ushio came upon a series of doors, each one placed only slightly after the one before. The brunette opened them, heading inside.
Before her laid a lab. Strange instruments laid around as unknown concoctions bubbled in beakers and flasks.
"Welcome, strange girl." came a voice from the shadows. A figure stepped out, revealing a bald, lanky man in a white doctor gear and sporting a pointed beard and mustache.
"Who are you?" Ushio asked, standing at the ready.
"A simple doctor, really." he spoke. "A previous visitor to my abode told me someone matching your description would come. I heard that little key of yours possesses strange and interesting properties. As a man of science, I'd love to conduct some research into the thing. Why don't I take the thing?"
As if on cue, straps shot out from a nearby operating table. Ushio spun around, hitting them and causing them to go slack.
The Mad Doctor pulled levers around him. From above, a large saw came out of the ceiling towards Ushio. She leapt forward, crashing her Keyblade as hard as she could against the blade. It broke off, again leaving The Mad Doctor defenseless.
"Is that all you've got?" Ushio asked.
"I'll show you, my dear." the man responded.
Once more, he pulled a level as a giant, mechanical hand swiped at the girl. She rolled out of its way, locking onto the scientist. She rushed him, him responding once more with the mechanical arm. Right before she reached him, she leapt back, hopping over the robot appendage. With her full force, she broke the machine, sending it into the man.
"Get this thing off me!" The Mad Doctor cried out.
"Sorry, but I have places I need to be." Ushio retorted, walking past the trapped man.
She reached the door on the other side of the room. Opening the old, wooden door, she spied the familiar portal through time. Once more, she entered it, hoping she'd be able to stop Magica this time.
—
Stepping out of the portal, Ushio looked around. The environment was strange. It seemed simpler…less built up. To top things off, everywhere around her was black and white.
"Just what is this place?" Ushio wondered aloud.
Looking ahead, she spotted a small station and a trolley line. Outside it, a small trolley car was parked. However, what alerted her was someone surrounded by Heartless. Hot Rods and Aeroplanes swarmed the person as Ushio raced towards them.
"Hey!" she called out, getting some of the Heartless to face her. She summoned her Keyblade.
The Hot Rods rushed toward her as she got ready to fight. She struck the car-like creatures as they attempted biting at her. Seeing their opportunity, the Aeroplanes shot at her, Ushio dodge rolling away. Once more, she attacked the Hot Rods, the beings disappearing into shadows. With those gone, she turned her attention towards the flying Heartless. She leapt, finding her key colliding with the enemy. One final swing and the attackers were gone.
Now that the foes were gone, she turned to face the person that was in need. He was a small, black and white anthropomorphic rabbit dressed in simple, one strap overalls and wearing a long hat. A tap on her arm alerted Ushio to his thanks, taking her hand and giving it a big shake.
His thanks out of the way, he hopped onto the trolley. He motioned at Ushio, seemingly offering her a ride. She decided to take him up on his offer, climbing onboard.
—
Finally, she'd arrived. Even if it took her a few attempts, even if that Keyblade wielding girl was following her, her goal was almost at hand.
"All those years ago, Maleficent's and Pete's goal was too small. In truth, problems are best solved at their roots. That accursed Scrooge and that do-gooder King owe their starting point all to a certain someone. Without him, the foundation of all Disney Town is ruined. At last, I will destroy that Oswald."