Hearts......
Donald read the note that had been left from the king, with Daisy,
Minnie, and Goofy listening.
"Donald, sorry to rush off without saying good-bye, but there's big
trouble brewing. Not sure why, but the stars have been blinking out,
one by one. And that means disaster can't be far behind. I hate to
leave you all, but I've gotta check into this. There's someone with a
'key,' key to our survival. So I need you and Goofy to find him and
stick with him, got it? We need that key or we're doomed! So go to
Traverse Town and find Leon. He'll point you in the right direction.
PS, would you apologize to Minnie for me? Thanks pal."
"Oh, dear!" exclaimed Lady Daisy. "What could this mean?"
"It means we'll just have to trust the king," said Minnie, somewhat
confidently.
"Gawrsh!" exclaimed Goofy. "I hope he's all right!"
"Your highness," said Donald as he turned to Minnie. "Don't worry.
We'll find the king and this 'key'."
"Thank you," said Minnie. "Both of you."
"Daisy, can you take care of...." started Donald.
"Of course," said Daisy, interrupting him. "You be careful now, both
of you."
"Oh," said Minnie. "And to chronicle your travels, he will accompany
you."
Goofy and Donald looked a round for a moment, until they spotted a
tiny figure hopping on the floor. He was a tiny insect, with his own
personality complex.
"Over here!" yelled Jiminy Cricket. He stopped jumping, having caught
their attention. "Cricket's the name, Jiminy Cricket, at your
service!"
"We hope for your safe return," said Daisy, trying not to let the
concern show in her eyes. "Please help the king."
"Of course," agreed Donald and he began to walk away, determined not
to fail.
Daisy and Minnie begin to wave him off. As he passed Goofy, the
knight saluted him.
"You're coming too!" exclaimed Donald as he grabbed Goofy's arm and
dragged him away.
A little bit later.....
Goofy, Donald, and Jiminy were walking down the stairs to the ship
that would start their mission. They were talking about what was
happening to the worlds around them.
"Gawrsh, Jiminy!" exclaimed Goofy. "Your world disappeared, too?"
"It was terrible," lamented Jiminy. "We were scattered. And as far
as I can see, I'm the only one who made it to the castle."
"Goofy?" called Donald, trying to caution him on the coming trip.
"Oh, right...." said Goofy, somewhat bashfully. "I gotcha. While
we're in other worlds, we can't let on where we're from. We've got to
protect the world border."
"Order," corrected Donald.
"Right," agreed Goofy, like he hadn't said anything wrong. "World
order."
They entered the next room and prepared to enter the inter-dimensional
space traveling ship.
"I guess we'll need new duds when we get there," said Goofy, casually.
Donald barely nodded in agreement before he turned to a pipe to awake
the crew.
"Hello up there?" he called. "Donald Duck to launch crew. Anytime
you're ready."
Chip and Dale scrambled around the control room. Chip understands and
had Dale pull a lever. A crane in the crowded dock sprang to life.
It picked up Goofy and Donald and unceremoniously dropped them into
the cockpit.
The ship matched the room it was in. It was colorful, which seemed to
hide the fact that it was composed of pieces that didn't quite look
like they belonged together. But it worked fine enough. After a few
moments it warmed up.
"Blast off!" ordered Donald.
The group braced itself as it expected the ship to lurch forward. But
as it was released from the dock it dropped straight down, out of an
opening in the floor. The crew gasped as they thought it was a
malfunction, as the Gummi Ship kept falling. But the engines sprang
to life, and they were on their way!
***********************************************************************
*********
Diamonds.......
"My champions," said Miss Piggy. "I bid you the greatest of luck on
your travels. Remember, the fate of our world and many others in on
your shoulders."
"Cool!" exclaimed Gonzo.
"Great...." moaned Kermit. "So, what, exactly, are we looking for?"
"You are looking for truth," said Fozzie.
"How do we do that?" asked Gonzo.
"There will also be someone seeking truth," explained Fozzie. "Find
that person, and stay with him at all costs. Once the truth is found
we can begin restoring the worlds."
"How will we know him?" asked Kermit.
"That person will carry a sign," answered Fozzie as he flipped through
the pages of a large book in his hands. He read a segment out of it.
" 'The seeker of truth shall carry a torch to light the way to the
ultimate goal.'"
"So were looking for someone with a large flashlight?" asked Gonzo.
"Not quite," explained Fozzie. "You are looking for someone with a
large light."
"Isn't that the same thing?" asked Gonzo.
"Not necessarily," commented Fozzie.
"With the task laid before, it is time to rise to the challenge,"
stated Miss Piggy. "The Pipsy Ship has been prepared for you use."
"Great!" exclaimed Gonzo. "Let's get going!"
"Yeah....great...." muttered Kermit.
The walked down a large hall that led to the Pipsy Ship's dock. Gonzo
looked excited, while Kermit primarily looked concerned.
"Be brave and true," jabbered Piggy, who was having fun with the
formalities. "Fight with honor and your course shall be set."
"You leaving?" asked Rizzo, who had a bandage around his head from
Gonzo's last endeavor.
"Yes, our noblest knights shall represent us in this most grievous
time," answered Miss Piggy.
"Well, best of luck to you," said Rizzo with a chuckle as he began to
walk away.
"Not quite," said Fozzie. "Your leaving with them."
"What?!" cried Rizzo, who looked like he just had a heart-attack.
"You are to record everything that is seen and done for the library's
archives," said Fozzie.
"I....what?!" exclaimed Rizzo, again.
"This will be great!" exclaimed Gonzo. With that he picked up Rizzo
and they entered the docks.
The dock was clean, save a ship waiting repairs in the corner. The
Pipsy Ship took up the entire center of the room. It was sleek steel
with red markings. It was a long cylinder with a few 'fins' sticking
out the sides and haphazardous places. A control panel sat behind a
three feet thick pane of glass. Behind it was the green muppet and
Beaker.
"Stand by truth, that is your quest," continued Miss Piggy.
"We will!" agreed Gonzo, eagerly. "Let's go!" With that he jumped
into the cockpit of the Pipsy Ship.
"And, my champion," said Miss Piggy, turning to Kermit. "Do not fear.
I have faith in you."
"Thanks..... I promise will find the truth," said Kermit. It seemed
like the only thing to say. And with it said, there was nothing left
for him to do but enter the ship. He did and sat down next to Gonzo.
"This is unfair!" pouted Rizzo. He had taken to mumbling.
"......cruelty to animals....."
"Ready?" asked the green muppet over a speaker in the ship.
"Of course!" exclaimed Gonzo.
"No!" protested Rizzo.
"Um...." moaned Kermit.
"Ready, Beaker?" he asked his assistant.
"Meemee-bbeepppeeeee-mee," answered Beaker.
"Blasting off in three, two," he started counting. "One!" With that
he hit a large, green button.
BOOM! There was an explosion that shook the very foundations of the
castle, filling the docks up with smoke. The remaining muppets
gagged.
"YAHOOOO!" exclaimed Gonzo as the Pipsy Ship took off like it had been
shot out of a cannon. The doors hadn't opened in time, leaving A
Pipsy Ship shaped hole in them.
"Well, that was still too much gunpowder...."
***********************************************************************
*********
Spades.......
Link raced out of the palace at top speed. With Zelda gone the
Heartless had vanished into the night. But Link knew he was far from
safe. The worst was just about to come.
"Zelda," he called as he ran, in between gasping for air. "I
promise..... I will save you."
He exited through the main doors of the castle, noticing once again
the lack of security. Soon he was at the outer walls. The main doors
were still locked. Without breaking pace, Link had his Hook-Shot out
and had scaled the walls.
He landed silently on the other side. He continued to run, noticing
how the shadows were growing. He avoided the forest, knowing that that
would be a trap.
The shadows around him grew, and they seemed to have claws that
reached out and tried to grab him. Eerie eyes watched him run, sizing
him up like he was their prey.
Link paid no attention to these. He was focused on something much
greater. He knew what he had to do. He had to leave the world before
the Heartless claimed it. Then he had to find Zelda.
Soon, the coast of the ocean loomed into view. The waves were
unnaturally rough, a dark sinister clouds were covering the sky. As
Link hit the sand a tearing wind picked up. He growled and pushed his
way forward.
Two shadows materialized in front of him, cutting him off from his
target.
"Out of my way!" yelled Link as he raised his sword.
He charged, slicing one Heartless cleanly in half. He kept charging
along, running from the second instead of fighting it. He hit a pier
and raced down it, to a medium sized boat that was docked.
With his sword still raised he cut the anchor and leapt on board. He
sheathed his sword and grabbed the helm, taking the Foxstar into the
ocean.
"Zelda, I'm coming," he yelled as he scanned the area in front of him
for the path which revealed itself in crisises like this.
He saw a flicker of it and turn the ship hard to port to get on it.
The waves beneath him had turned into nothing more than turning
shadows.
Link tightened his grip on the wheel and silently willed the Foxstar
to go faster. He kept his eyes focused on the thin string of the
path, which marked his hope.
Then, with a flicker, the path was gone.
"The path has been lost....." muttered Link, horrified. "If it's been
lost....there is only one person who can find it." His face set with
determination as darkness closed in around him.
"I will not give up!" he yelled.
Darkness covered his world.
The skies of other worlds watched as another star blinked out.
***********************************************************************
*********
Clubs.......
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" asked Mario to Princess Peach.
"It is the only way," she stated, vehemently.
She, Mario, and Luigi were in an enchanted carriage, traveling to a
place only Peach knew. She had been incredibly silent, with her
worries showing on her face. Mario and Luigi tried to interest her in
conversation, to take her mind off of everything, but it wasn't
working.
"What are we going to do once we get there?" asked Luigi.
"We will look for the guide, one who knows the direction to the path,"
answered Peach.
"I don't understand," said Mario.
"What path?" asked Luigi.
"It is a long story," sighed Peach. "Involving a legend that has been
all but forgotten. To keep it short..... Once all the worlds were
connected. Then shadows came and the worlds were separated."
"Shadows? Those things that are destroying the worlds?"
"Yes, sad to say," sighed Peach. "Very little remains of that ancient
connection. There is a door to every world, which has been sealed.
That door has been opened to set the shadows free. There is a path,
which guides wayward travelers from world to world, if they know what
to look for. That path has been lost to ensure total destruction.
The shadows have blurred the truth, and that too is lost."
"And the guide?" asked Mario.
"There is a light for the path," explained Peach. "And there is a
guide who leads to the path. At all costs, we must find this guide.
That is our goal. If everything else fails, but we find the guide, we
have succeeded."
"We can do it. We will do it," said Luigi.
"Yeah!" agreed Mario. "Is it just me, or is it a little cold in
here?"
"It is a little chilly," agreed Luigi as he looked out a window of the
carriage, which he had dubbed the Box Mobile. "And it is awfully dark
outside."
"Oh, no!" gasped Peach.
"What is it?" asked Mario.
"The shadows are coming!" she shrieked.
"What?!" the brothers cried.
"We have to hurry!" she exclaimed as the Box Mobile came to a dead
halt. She looked at Mario and Luigi with genuine fear in her eyes.
"Whatever happens, find the guide!"
With that there was a loud tearing noise. An entire side of the Box
Mobile was peeled away, exposing the three inside.
"Protect Peach!" exclaimed Mario as he held out his large shield.
Luigi nodded and brandished his wand, which looked a lot like a
plunger.
On the outside of the Box Mobile was nothing but sheer darkness.
"How do we fight this?" asked Luigi. Mario didn't answer. He didn't
know the answer either.
"Stand brave," he said at length as they waited for the darkness to
move.
There was another tearing noise behind them.
"AHHHHH!" screamed Peach. The other side of the carriage was ripped
open. A claw wrapped around her and pulled her into darkness.
"Peach!" exclaimed the brothers. They jumped forward to fight for
her.
As they did the entire carriage buckled under them. The darkness
tossed and turned it. The Italian brothers were battered around
inside like they had been in a tornado. The raging darkness took them
far away, leaving them with only their mission for guidance.
AN/ Many thanks to Katrover Swatroad for the cool pic of Crysta ^_^ I
am glad this story is picking up so many loyal fans. And, as always,
please read, review, and enjoy! :)
Donald read the note that had been left from the king, with Daisy,
Minnie, and Goofy listening.
"Donald, sorry to rush off without saying good-bye, but there's big
trouble brewing. Not sure why, but the stars have been blinking out,
one by one. And that means disaster can't be far behind. I hate to
leave you all, but I've gotta check into this. There's someone with a
'key,' key to our survival. So I need you and Goofy to find him and
stick with him, got it? We need that key or we're doomed! So go to
Traverse Town and find Leon. He'll point you in the right direction.
PS, would you apologize to Minnie for me? Thanks pal."
"Oh, dear!" exclaimed Lady Daisy. "What could this mean?"
"It means we'll just have to trust the king," said Minnie, somewhat
confidently.
"Gawrsh!" exclaimed Goofy. "I hope he's all right!"
"Your highness," said Donald as he turned to Minnie. "Don't worry.
We'll find the king and this 'key'."
"Thank you," said Minnie. "Both of you."
"Daisy, can you take care of...." started Donald.
"Of course," said Daisy, interrupting him. "You be careful now, both
of you."
"Oh," said Minnie. "And to chronicle your travels, he will accompany
you."
Goofy and Donald looked a round for a moment, until they spotted a
tiny figure hopping on the floor. He was a tiny insect, with his own
personality complex.
"Over here!" yelled Jiminy Cricket. He stopped jumping, having caught
their attention. "Cricket's the name, Jiminy Cricket, at your
service!"
"We hope for your safe return," said Daisy, trying not to let the
concern show in her eyes. "Please help the king."
"Of course," agreed Donald and he began to walk away, determined not
to fail.
Daisy and Minnie begin to wave him off. As he passed Goofy, the
knight saluted him.
"You're coming too!" exclaimed Donald as he grabbed Goofy's arm and
dragged him away.
A little bit later.....
Goofy, Donald, and Jiminy were walking down the stairs to the ship
that would start their mission. They were talking about what was
happening to the worlds around them.
"Gawrsh, Jiminy!" exclaimed Goofy. "Your world disappeared, too?"
"It was terrible," lamented Jiminy. "We were scattered. And as far
as I can see, I'm the only one who made it to the castle."
"Goofy?" called Donald, trying to caution him on the coming trip.
"Oh, right...." said Goofy, somewhat bashfully. "I gotcha. While
we're in other worlds, we can't let on where we're from. We've got to
protect the world border."
"Order," corrected Donald.
"Right," agreed Goofy, like he hadn't said anything wrong. "World
order."
They entered the next room and prepared to enter the inter-dimensional
space traveling ship.
"I guess we'll need new duds when we get there," said Goofy, casually.
Donald barely nodded in agreement before he turned to a pipe to awake
the crew.
"Hello up there?" he called. "Donald Duck to launch crew. Anytime
you're ready."
Chip and Dale scrambled around the control room. Chip understands and
had Dale pull a lever. A crane in the crowded dock sprang to life.
It picked up Goofy and Donald and unceremoniously dropped them into
the cockpit.
The ship matched the room it was in. It was colorful, which seemed to
hide the fact that it was composed of pieces that didn't quite look
like they belonged together. But it worked fine enough. After a few
moments it warmed up.
"Blast off!" ordered Donald.
The group braced itself as it expected the ship to lurch forward. But
as it was released from the dock it dropped straight down, out of an
opening in the floor. The crew gasped as they thought it was a
malfunction, as the Gummi Ship kept falling. But the engines sprang
to life, and they were on their way!
***********************************************************************
*********
Diamonds.......
"My champions," said Miss Piggy. "I bid you the greatest of luck on
your travels. Remember, the fate of our world and many others in on
your shoulders."
"Cool!" exclaimed Gonzo.
"Great...." moaned Kermit. "So, what, exactly, are we looking for?"
"You are looking for truth," said Fozzie.
"How do we do that?" asked Gonzo.
"There will also be someone seeking truth," explained Fozzie. "Find
that person, and stay with him at all costs. Once the truth is found
we can begin restoring the worlds."
"How will we know him?" asked Kermit.
"That person will carry a sign," answered Fozzie as he flipped through
the pages of a large book in his hands. He read a segment out of it.
" 'The seeker of truth shall carry a torch to light the way to the
ultimate goal.'"
"So were looking for someone with a large flashlight?" asked Gonzo.
"Not quite," explained Fozzie. "You are looking for someone with a
large light."
"Isn't that the same thing?" asked Gonzo.
"Not necessarily," commented Fozzie.
"With the task laid before, it is time to rise to the challenge,"
stated Miss Piggy. "The Pipsy Ship has been prepared for you use."
"Great!" exclaimed Gonzo. "Let's get going!"
"Yeah....great...." muttered Kermit.
The walked down a large hall that led to the Pipsy Ship's dock. Gonzo
looked excited, while Kermit primarily looked concerned.
"Be brave and true," jabbered Piggy, who was having fun with the
formalities. "Fight with honor and your course shall be set."
"You leaving?" asked Rizzo, who had a bandage around his head from
Gonzo's last endeavor.
"Yes, our noblest knights shall represent us in this most grievous
time," answered Miss Piggy.
"Well, best of luck to you," said Rizzo with a chuckle as he began to
walk away.
"Not quite," said Fozzie. "Your leaving with them."
"What?!" cried Rizzo, who looked like he just had a heart-attack.
"You are to record everything that is seen and done for the library's
archives," said Fozzie.
"I....what?!" exclaimed Rizzo, again.
"This will be great!" exclaimed Gonzo. With that he picked up Rizzo
and they entered the docks.
The dock was clean, save a ship waiting repairs in the corner. The
Pipsy Ship took up the entire center of the room. It was sleek steel
with red markings. It was a long cylinder with a few 'fins' sticking
out the sides and haphazardous places. A control panel sat behind a
three feet thick pane of glass. Behind it was the green muppet and
Beaker.
"Stand by truth, that is your quest," continued Miss Piggy.
"We will!" agreed Gonzo, eagerly. "Let's go!" With that he jumped
into the cockpit of the Pipsy Ship.
"And, my champion," said Miss Piggy, turning to Kermit. "Do not fear.
I have faith in you."
"Thanks..... I promise will find the truth," said Kermit. It seemed
like the only thing to say. And with it said, there was nothing left
for him to do but enter the ship. He did and sat down next to Gonzo.
"This is unfair!" pouted Rizzo. He had taken to mumbling.
"......cruelty to animals....."
"Ready?" asked the green muppet over a speaker in the ship.
"Of course!" exclaimed Gonzo.
"No!" protested Rizzo.
"Um...." moaned Kermit.
"Ready, Beaker?" he asked his assistant.
"Meemee-bbeepppeeeee-mee," answered Beaker.
"Blasting off in three, two," he started counting. "One!" With that
he hit a large, green button.
BOOM! There was an explosion that shook the very foundations of the
castle, filling the docks up with smoke. The remaining muppets
gagged.
"YAHOOOO!" exclaimed Gonzo as the Pipsy Ship took off like it had been
shot out of a cannon. The doors hadn't opened in time, leaving A
Pipsy Ship shaped hole in them.
"Well, that was still too much gunpowder...."
***********************************************************************
*********
Spades.......
Link raced out of the palace at top speed. With Zelda gone the
Heartless had vanished into the night. But Link knew he was far from
safe. The worst was just about to come.
"Zelda," he called as he ran, in between gasping for air. "I
promise..... I will save you."
He exited through the main doors of the castle, noticing once again
the lack of security. Soon he was at the outer walls. The main doors
were still locked. Without breaking pace, Link had his Hook-Shot out
and had scaled the walls.
He landed silently on the other side. He continued to run, noticing
how the shadows were growing. He avoided the forest, knowing that that
would be a trap.
The shadows around him grew, and they seemed to have claws that
reached out and tried to grab him. Eerie eyes watched him run, sizing
him up like he was their prey.
Link paid no attention to these. He was focused on something much
greater. He knew what he had to do. He had to leave the world before
the Heartless claimed it. Then he had to find Zelda.
Soon, the coast of the ocean loomed into view. The waves were
unnaturally rough, a dark sinister clouds were covering the sky. As
Link hit the sand a tearing wind picked up. He growled and pushed his
way forward.
Two shadows materialized in front of him, cutting him off from his
target.
"Out of my way!" yelled Link as he raised his sword.
He charged, slicing one Heartless cleanly in half. He kept charging
along, running from the second instead of fighting it. He hit a pier
and raced down it, to a medium sized boat that was docked.
With his sword still raised he cut the anchor and leapt on board. He
sheathed his sword and grabbed the helm, taking the Foxstar into the
ocean.
"Zelda, I'm coming," he yelled as he scanned the area in front of him
for the path which revealed itself in crisises like this.
He saw a flicker of it and turn the ship hard to port to get on it.
The waves beneath him had turned into nothing more than turning
shadows.
Link tightened his grip on the wheel and silently willed the Foxstar
to go faster. He kept his eyes focused on the thin string of the
path, which marked his hope.
Then, with a flicker, the path was gone.
"The path has been lost....." muttered Link, horrified. "If it's been
lost....there is only one person who can find it." His face set with
determination as darkness closed in around him.
"I will not give up!" he yelled.
Darkness covered his world.
The skies of other worlds watched as another star blinked out.
***********************************************************************
*********
Clubs.......
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" asked Mario to Princess Peach.
"It is the only way," she stated, vehemently.
She, Mario, and Luigi were in an enchanted carriage, traveling to a
place only Peach knew. She had been incredibly silent, with her
worries showing on her face. Mario and Luigi tried to interest her in
conversation, to take her mind off of everything, but it wasn't
working.
"What are we going to do once we get there?" asked Luigi.
"We will look for the guide, one who knows the direction to the path,"
answered Peach.
"I don't understand," said Mario.
"What path?" asked Luigi.
"It is a long story," sighed Peach. "Involving a legend that has been
all but forgotten. To keep it short..... Once all the worlds were
connected. Then shadows came and the worlds were separated."
"Shadows? Those things that are destroying the worlds?"
"Yes, sad to say," sighed Peach. "Very little remains of that ancient
connection. There is a door to every world, which has been sealed.
That door has been opened to set the shadows free. There is a path,
which guides wayward travelers from world to world, if they know what
to look for. That path has been lost to ensure total destruction.
The shadows have blurred the truth, and that too is lost."
"And the guide?" asked Mario.
"There is a light for the path," explained Peach. "And there is a
guide who leads to the path. At all costs, we must find this guide.
That is our goal. If everything else fails, but we find the guide, we
have succeeded."
"We can do it. We will do it," said Luigi.
"Yeah!" agreed Mario. "Is it just me, or is it a little cold in
here?"
"It is a little chilly," agreed Luigi as he looked out a window of the
carriage, which he had dubbed the Box Mobile. "And it is awfully dark
outside."
"Oh, no!" gasped Peach.
"What is it?" asked Mario.
"The shadows are coming!" she shrieked.
"What?!" the brothers cried.
"We have to hurry!" she exclaimed as the Box Mobile came to a dead
halt. She looked at Mario and Luigi with genuine fear in her eyes.
"Whatever happens, find the guide!"
With that there was a loud tearing noise. An entire side of the Box
Mobile was peeled away, exposing the three inside.
"Protect Peach!" exclaimed Mario as he held out his large shield.
Luigi nodded and brandished his wand, which looked a lot like a
plunger.
On the outside of the Box Mobile was nothing but sheer darkness.
"How do we fight this?" asked Luigi. Mario didn't answer. He didn't
know the answer either.
"Stand brave," he said at length as they waited for the darkness to
move.
There was another tearing noise behind them.
"AHHHHH!" screamed Peach. The other side of the carriage was ripped
open. A claw wrapped around her and pulled her into darkness.
"Peach!" exclaimed the brothers. They jumped forward to fight for
her.
As they did the entire carriage buckled under them. The darkness
tossed and turned it. The Italian brothers were battered around
inside like they had been in a tornado. The raging darkness took them
far away, leaving them with only their mission for guidance.
AN/ Many thanks to Katrover Swatroad for the cool pic of Crysta ^_^ I
am glad this story is picking up so many loyal fans. And, as always,
please read, review, and enjoy! :)