"Hold up Sora." Came a mysterious voice
"I have someone for you." It came again
Two shadowed figures appeared from behind a tree. It settled nicely with in the deeper part of the forest. The sunlight revealed a famine beautiful blonde haired girl, with glistening blue eyes. The one walking with her was a stubby man who had athick mustache, who wore unmistakable plumber fashion clothing. The girl unraveled a letter from her pocket, revealing King Mickey's trademark seal.
"Hi Sora!" The words seemed to escape her curved mouth without a thought.
"Ah, Hi and who are you?" Sora pointed to the stubby man.
"I'm Rikku!" The blonde girl chanted.
"And I'm." Rikku cut off the man.
"This is…MARIO!" Rikku chanted louder than before.
Mario and Rikku exchanged looks. Mario viewed her with bitterness in his eyes. Rikku gave a sarcastic smile. Donald and Goofy were amazed by the Stubby man they call Mario. They've never seen anybody so short and old-fashioned as he. They tried to grasp Sora's attention, but all attempts seem to fail. They poked him, they pulled on his vest, and they even tugged at his pants.
"Okay tell me why you are here" Sora asked stiffly
Rikku took the letter out of the sealed envelope, and came a piece of parchment. She skimmed through the note, and since the king's letters are redundant at times. She picked important parts to read from the letter. After a quick scan she placed the letter back in the envelope and stuffed it in the pocket of her hard worn jeans. She looked at him with a sparse smile, blue eyes glaring as though ready to attack. She was quite eccentric.
"Well you really what to know?"
"Yes!"
"Okay here it goes. I was to meet Mario at Traverse town and take him to Weston valley to the key bearer (you) and his companions (Donald and Goofy). And Mario's side of the story."
"I was…." Rikku cut him off.
"Goes like this." Rikku continued. "He was to transport himself to traverse town as Mickey requested him to, and he is to affiliate himself with you on your quest."
"Its king Mickey to you missy!" Donald snapped.
"Okay sorry!" Rikku hissed.
"You better be."
Donald was particular of how people addressed King Mickey. Goofy abstained from laughing, yet a sparse smile gave a hint. Rikku gave Mario a little shove so he could walk on over to the key bearer. A tear glinted and fell from her eye. She became quite fond of the plumber. She dried her eyes of her tears with her delicate fingers. Sorrow overwhelmed Mario, just the thought of leaving her so suddenly made his blue eyes damp and heavy. Rikku straightened herself up to her presentable state. Sora felt bad for the both of them, they must've become the best of friends. He would've of let him go back with Rikku, but Mickey had a plan for him.
"If that is all I should be going."
Rikku walked with relaxed fashion, glad she did her job and most importantly the reward for her services. A small sum of money the Mickey promised her. But before she could even step her way out a giant iron clad gate fell and separating them from the exit. Luckily for her she moved her foot in time, if she didn't it would have lacerated her foot.
"What's going on?" Rikku screamed gripping her foot tightly as though she was in pain.
High winds ripped through the valley forest causing a beautiful and ominous painting. A mixture of black and gray clouded the sky creating whatever light in the forest to diminish. The air became ice cold to the touch; the slightest breath of it would stun you.
Sora and the others tried to keep their ground without being swept off their feet into the menacing storm like weather. Rikku was traumatic, her heart pounding hard and loud in her ears. She tried to run over to Mario and Sora, but the wind was so strong that even the slightest move would take her, so she held on to the railing of the gate just to stay grounded. She tried to call out for them, but the sound of whooshing air was too dense to be even heard a couple of inches away. So she remained clenched to the gate, it was her only door to safety.
A dark swirling pool of what seemed creeping black smog like mist formed from beneath them, engulfing the entire forest floor. This looked very familiar to Sora allowing figments of his past to flow through his mind. The night when destiny islands was flooded in a state of turmoil, and the swirling mist taking Riku to land yet not known to him. Sora shuddered at the traumatic and depressing image. He opened his eyes after the image blacked out of his mind. The whole scene the same way he left it, ominous, dangerous and menacing.
But this time small shadowy figures emerged from the ground, their eyes wide and yellow, Horns crimpled and crinkled and sharp edged fingers. Sora, Donald and Goofy recognized them as the heartless. Mario seemed terrified of them; he has never seen them in his whole existence.
Sora drew his blade so that blade was in front of him facing the heartless.
"Mario!" Sora called out.
"It's time."
"Right," Mario nodded.
"KING MICKEY GIVES THEE YOUR STRENGTH!"
Mario threw his hand in the air and cuffed it. A key like shape appeared around his cuffed hand, and the weapon materialized slowly before them, until a golden key blade was visible. It was the same model that Sora had except it was shorter. Mario drew down his hand and gazed upon the weapons wonder.
"Amazing." Everyone said except Mario
Mario took his eyes away from the blade, and smiled at Sora and the others.
"I guess this is what Mickey meant?"
Sora took the blade from Mario and gave it a few swings.
"You mean to tell me you didn't know about this!" Sora sounded shocked.
"HEY! Get over here and help us!" Goofy called out.
Sora and Mario smirked at one another and clashed key blades. This time the heartless became restless and started to attack them more fiercely. The heartless formed large groups making the fight harder for their opponents. Goofy used the edge of his shield
To inflict more damage upon them. Donald's magic had superior power, which was nice for him since one spell was used for each shadow; only in emergencies did he fight physically. Sora wielded his blade with beautiful precision; from afar it looked like a cultural dance. Mario wailed his blade at the shadows with no strategy, and he was only getting use to fight with an actual weapon. They all inflicted a great deal of damage upon the shadows. They all thought they completed their unexpected task. But then more heartless appeared from the dark abyss beneath their feet. Mario was already defeated physically; the heartless dealt strong physical damage to the beginner. His key blade was used with extreme harshness. He felt useless at the time. Blood ran down the side of his temples; the heartless clawed him badly around his forehead. He ran his fingers down the deep jagged cuts as pain engulfed his body, having never experience such pain he screamed. He looked at his fingers, blood glistened on them and he began to weep.
Sora tore a piece from his cotton shirt, and gently wrapped the head wounds. Mario wept with pain, he already lost more than a pint of blood and he felt faint. Rikku still not willing to let go of the Iron Gate, tried to call out to them, but the wind was still ominous and dense. And still wasn't heard. Rikku was frightened she'd do anything to leave, return to Mickey and receive a small sum of money. How greedy can you possibly get?
Sora and his companions made a cage with their bodies around the injured rookie so only they could fight the shadows. Sora once again fought with full force as he lunged at them. But this time he unleashed the key blades full potential. He was irate and elated at the same time. He had only met Mario and he is already at a state of death. The fire burned deep within him, he only wanted the heartless dead for sure. He continued to fight fiercely and those stupid shadows would not back down; they just kept coming for more.
Goofy and Donald fought along his side. Donald releasing the power of his ultimate weapon (save the queen) the beams gleamed brightly as they struck the foes dead. Goofy had switched to a much tougher version of the shield; it was specially used for combat not defense. It was small and round, and capable of doing unruly damage. With this he dealt critical damage upon the foes. While inside the human cage Mario became unconscious and blood dripped from underneath the cloth used for a bandage.
Finally the weather settled, the wind dyed down and was reduced to slight gusts.The sun rose again warming the surrounding air, the heartless disappeared into thin air, and everyone was tired as hell. Sora went to collect Mario. He picked him up and carried him bridal style, but before they could leave the forbidden forest.
"Sora," The Disney characters called.
Sora turned to find an illuminated key shaped hole in the bark of a talloak tree. He knew there was a key hole. He only wished Mario would be able to see this. He asked Goofy to hold Mario. He walked to the illuminated tree, and summoned magic in the key blade. A bright red laser type beam flew out at the end of the key blade closing the key hole. He once again carried Mario to the exit to find Rikku gripping the railing tightly with her eyes closed. Donald gently tapped Rikku on the back, but nothing. He tried again but this time much harder.
"WHAT!" Murder was apparent in her voice
Donald as stubborn as he is, he just took her clenched hands and removed them from cold gate and carefully shoved her away. Rikku pale white shivered as she stood. Sora commanded that Donald used his fire spell to make a gaping hole through the gate.
Donald nodded. He raised his staff about an inch above his head, and brought down immediately unleashing the vibrant array of colored heat. It splashed the iron causing it to become malleable enough to bend. Hey Donald gave it his best shot. Donald shrugged at his failed attempt. Goofy sighed and went to help Donald as they broke off pieces of the dark heated iron. Donald sculled his feathers as he broke off piece-by-piece causing him wince in pain. Goofy's gloves became charred after he had handled the iron. They both have broken off enough for them to get through.
One-by-one they exited. Rikku as terrified as she was, she had to be dragged by Donald and Goofy. Once in awhile she'd utter an incoherent word. Donald sighed and scowled at the pain in his feathers as they pulled her along. Sora carried Mario soundly in his arms, watching his faint breathing. Blood seeped from his bandaged head on to Sora's hands. Mario had already lost a lot of blood, it be a miracle if made it to the hotel alive. And if he did it would take him more than a couple days to recover. They finally made it to the entrance. It was night now in the Weston valley. It seemed only the forest suffered the terrible windstorm. The township was at peace, all soundly asleep in their beds. Lanterns that flickered dimly lightened the street beds; everyone seemed to have one outside their homes. The air smelled of burning wood. Smoking erupting from people's chimneys interrupted the heavens.
They walked the cobbled streets. Donald and Goofy still dragged Rikku along with them. Sora yawned, the intenseness of the battle finally got to him. His muscles relaxed, almost dropping Mario onto the hard ground.
They walked into the double doors of the hotel to find the keeper fast asleep. Goofy crept as he pulled Rikku's body through the doors. Sora quietly made his way up the stairwells, Donald and Goofy behind him dragging a slump body. The corridor of the third floor was well light; they slipped the card key through the door to find the lamp in the corner on a nicely furnished oak table beaming brightly. Sora laid the unconscious plumber on the soft sheets of the comfortable bed. Donald saw a letter and a tray with warm tea and ramen nestled on it. When all of the sudden the door blew open to a sight tired eyes didn't want to see. It was Claude he was hard of breathing and his pupils large, he was in shock.
"AHHHHHHHH!" Donald nearly fainted
" Claude?" Sora yelled. " I thought you were sleeping?"
Claude stepped in with a limp of fear.
" SOR…the beats…they're here in the…building…You…Must come now!"
" What?" fear apparent in his voice
He had thought the beasts had already vanished from the forest. But as you see that wasn't the case. Sora told his partners to watch over Mario as he and Claude left to meet the hungry.
Claude and Sora ran down to the main lobby.
" I don't have an rationale for this Sora, please forgive if I infringed on anything."
His breathing was frail and hard.
" I see that your friend is injured."
Sora summoned his key blade out of thin air.
" Yes, and he needs me."
Claude nodded.
They made it to the first floor. The Tawnys stood a barged in the double doors, roaring and growling strongly. When those beasts saw them leave, they followed them. There was no way a meal that appealing was to pass their watching eyes. And they haven't eaten in ages.
Sora sighed, " I guess it didn't help any?"
Claude shrugged. He couldn't have known what he meant.
The beasts watched Sora as though he was the main course. The innkeeper looked like a peppermint to them. And that wouldn't satisfy their hunger, would it?
Claude took out the whip at his side and Sora sliced the air with his powerful blade. The beasts once again held their menacing gaze. A sudden move and they'd be all other it. Sora held a small smirk and took off. He flew around them with demoralizing speed, he may have been worn out, but was that evident? Nah. The speed he held confused the beasts allowing Claude to throw amazing blows. Claude used his whip with the swiftness of ease. Snap, swish, slash, scratch, slice, whip. The beats were out cold (dead if you don't like that terminology) Claude stood tall in the crimson mess; he had the red sticky fluid all over his white shirt that shown his pectorals. And without a single laceration he smiled pleasantly.
" Now that wasn't bad was it?"
Sora sat on the crimson splattered floor, breathing harshly. His eyes have grown very heavy. And yet he managed to keep them open. His feet twitched every so often. Perhaps the speed was beyond his limits.
He struggled as came to his unstable feet. He managed to look around the unclean mess to realize he had been sitting in blood; he looked down at his pants that wereblood soaked and torn. He had a few minor cuts on his shoulders. It looked like the felines managed to claw him without realization.
He went to fetch his key blade that was also in a bloody pool on the floor.
While Sora was busy analyzing the mess, Claude went to the janitors closet to grab a bucket and a mop.
He grabbed his keys hanging at his side, and specifically selected the closet key, undid the lock and walked in. Everything was so organized. The janitors must clean this closet in the night hours. Claude thought. He grabbed what he needed, looked the door and returned to messy lobby.
Sora stunned by the mess, didn't know of the racket Claude was making while in the closet.
" HEY," Claude yelled. " Could you get me some water from the restroom?" He raised the bucket up to Sora's viewpoint.
Sora nodded. Claude tossed the bucket over to him. Being to weak and tired to catch it, he simply let it hit the ground, and blood dotted his shoes. He wrinkled his nose at. He didn't mind blood, but on his shoes...no.
Sora picked it up, allowing some of the fluid to drip off. He made his way tripping over giant corpses to the restroom.
He entered and poured water into the shale bucket. The water made a peaceful rushing noise as it hit the bottom. After it was filled, he turned off the water, and found a newly purchased towel that he used to clean his shoes. Once he was finished, he exited with a bucket full of water.
It sloshed around as he made his way to Claude. Claude thanked him, and they began cleaning the foul mess. They doused the marble with water, making the blood diluted and easier to work with. They rubbed the floor gently with the ragged mop, sweeping the blood along with it. After carefully eliminating the blood, he squeezed the gory liquid in the bucket. Cleaning the gore off the floor made it look more presentable. But they're still were corpses piled up in a corner, plants knocked down showing the moist dirt, and some of the windows needed to be replaced.
Sora barely had any strength left he was so tired. Claude went to clean the shale pale in the restroom. Sora waited patiently, sprawled out on the wet floor he stared at the cathedral ceiling. He watched as the golden chandeliers shown their greatness. He eyes closed and opened every once in a while. He was slowly hitting the state of dreaming, when Claude open the door to the bath. He seemed to have changed his shirt. It was a black shirt with faint holes in it. He stretched. He too was feeling dreary and weak. He yawned silently.
" You can head back to your room." Spoke Claude's shallow voice.
Sora looked up at him and grimaced. He didn't want to get up. He already called the marble his bed all he needed was a pillow and sheets.
Claude walked to him, and gave him a hand.
" I can't have you fall asleep here. A lot of work has to be done" Said Claude truthfully. He pulled him up to his feet.
" You'd just get in the way," Claude yawned.
Sora had lost all bearings on his feet. The first step he took landed him face first in a wall.
Claude shook his head. If you were that tried you should have told me.
Claude took Sora up the stairs practically dragging him. Sora feet bumped the steps as he walked.
They reached his room. Donald and Goofy changed Mario's bandages, and Mario was fast asleep. Mario looked so peaceful wrapped in the bed sheets. They've already cleansed the wounds; Claude examined the bowl of steaming water. Mario's breathing was strong again, Donald place a hand on his wrist; the heartbeat was present.
Claude laid Sora on the bed beside Mario's bed. He covered him with the quilted comforter. I hope he doesn't have a problem sleeping with his day clothes on? Rikku lay beside Sora fast asleep. A little awkward don't you think?
Claude wished everyone a 'goodnight' and existed the room, and went on with his business in the lobby. There was a lot to be done.
He viewed the lobby from the top of the first staircase. He had seen where Sora's pants bled the liquid while he'd sprawled on the wet floor. Claude sighed. He had just mopped the floors. The carcasses lay in the corner near the entrance. Potted plants spilled their soil. He sighed again. He was so tired; he just wanted to lay back on his chair and dream sweet melodies behind his desk. But he couldn't just leave the mess behind. Claude was determined to clean 'tonight'. He continued onwards to the lobby.