Authors note: Alright! Here we go people! Thanks again for all the reviews! I'm amazed we haven't gotten a single flame so far, and we'll do everything to make sure we don't! Live on, and read on!
Chapter Three- Meeting
John stood in silence as his maroon eyes stared deeply into the keyhole located staight before him, his arms folded across his chest while he stood in the shadows of the Grand Hall. Thoughts of what was to come flowed through his mind, thoughts of how this war between light and darkness would end. If what he sought would or could ever be found, if what he aimed for would ever be achieved. His very reason for allying himself with the dark forces was for the purpose of using the darkness as power, power enough to grant him what he desired most. To have the woman he loved have her heart restored, returned so she may breath again, smile again, and laugh again. Perhaps that was the one thing he missed almost as greatly as her touch. It was her laugh. The sweet laughter he had so long gone with out. In the morning, when the sun rose and the horizon glowed like fire, he would awaken his slumbering lover by planting kisses all over her face, tickling her in the process. And she would always laugh. Always.
John tilted his head back, the hood of his golden robe providing comfort, serving as a pillow somewhat.
Did he even have enough power to accomplish his mission? This one thing he had been determined to do for almost a years time? He had to possess the strength needed. He would not tolerated his own weakness, not allow negative thoughts to deprive him of his supreme power! A smirk crossed his face, though it quickly fell away as one last thought crossed his mind. Was Ratcliffe and Shan-Yu bringing Pocahontas here? Immediately he could not help but become slightly excited, filled with a wamrth his heart had no longer become acustom to. And John stopped. For now the wamrth was gone, and a sensation of dread took over as two dark auras suddenly flarred in the room. He knew they had arrived.
Turning, John removed any emotion left upon the features of his face, making certain his masters would not suspect their subject was experiencing things such as joy. And to his own surprise, came face to face with Shan-Yu, their noses just inches apart.
"Well, hello," Came Shan-Yu's sinister voice as a smirk formed at the edge of his lips. His yellow eyes peered straight into John's, unblinking, unafraid of those terrible eyes that peered back.
John, however, was not frightened either. Shan-Yu, like Gaston, was one to intimidate others by using certain methods. Normally, when Shan-Yu's eyes held steady with one's own, an uncontrollable fear naturlly ensued, by in this case things were slightly different. Intimidation was wasted on one such as Smith. This he was certain Shan-Yu knew. It was nothing more than a test.
"We hear the things have been going...quite smoothly." Shan chuckled in mid-sentence, his bulky form slowly backing away. "We are pleased to hear this. It seems our doubts were misplaced."
John was not the least bit affected by the compliment, knowing that whatever came from this barbarians mouth could not be trusted. Even a compliment could be a lie, hiding the truth perfectly. Which is why that Smith never trusted a smile. Only hers. The woman whose smile could make him melt away. And by the time he realized what he had done, Shan-Yu was already amused.
"My, it seems I spoke too soon," the Hun responded with a grin. "Still obsessing over that pathetic woman are we? You disappoint me. I believed you had gotten over that whore."
Anger flarred in John's eyes. With a sudden increase in power, he hurlted his body forward with all his might, gripping Shan's throat with what he though to be an unbreakable grip. A green aura erupted from the pores in his skin, swirling like a fire as the rage he felt continued to empower him. How dare this fool speak of his lover that way! How dare he insult her! He would pay, he would suffer. Shan-Yu would be ripped apart! Smith promised himself this inwardly, gritting his teeth tightly as he continued to tighten his grip.
Shan-Yu was not phased the least. Though Smith's strength was impressive, it still was dwarfed by Yu's own. No one, other then Ratcliffe, was his better. This love sick fool was nothing more than a pawn, like that fool Gaston. Both given the power to accomplish what needed to be done, and nothing more. While his grin remained, Shan slowly brought forth a massive gloved hand that once hung at his side, pointing the palm mere inches from the abdomen of the man before him. Dark energies slowly began to gather at this point, continuing to amass until a ball of darkness was held in mid-air before the center of his palm.
"Uh oh," he laughed, and while pulling a trigger in his mind, the energy was unleashed. Instantly, an explosion followed. The blast tore into John's gut, incinerating a large part of his robe and merely singing the skin. Shan only watched with humour in his eyes as the man smacked against the floor, rolling and rolling until he hit one of the massive pipes so forcefully it rattled.
John gasped painfully, cluthing his gut and trailing fingertips gently over the skin. Even though the burn was very slight, it hurt dreadfully. Such was Shan-Yu's ability. Being struck by just one of his attacks sends a powerful singal to your brain, making it believe the wound had been severe and thus causing the pain to be just as bad. How bad was up to the barbarian. And seldom was it a slight pain.
Heavy footsteps echoed off the great walls as the Hun slowly made his way to agonized Smith, his dark laughter bouncing around the Grand Hall.
"The pain your experiencing is nothing to what I could and should have done to you," He whispered while stopping his movements. "Your loyalty lies with us now, not to some girl. Remember that the next time you feel like going against me."
"That is enough Shan-Yu." A british voice came from behind the two. Both stared into the darkness, watching as a figure slowly made it's way into the light, John Ratcliffe emerging with his arms folded neatly behind his back.
"Master." Shan-Yu bowed, lowering his head respectfully and closing his eyes.
"You have done well, John," Ratcliffe complimented while truly meaning it. "The portal that ties this world to the dark world of the Heartless has become very strong indeed. Every minute I can feel the hearts of hundreds slowly making their way here. And already multiple worlds have been plunged into darkness."
John said nothing. Recovering his strength from Shan-Yu's assault, he stood erect and turned his back to the man. He could hear Shan-Yu growl menacingly below him.
"I want to see her."
"Her?" At first Ratcliffe was confused by his request, more so a demand. Then it hit him, and he smiled slightly. "Ah, her. I'm sure you do Smith, which is why I am here."
"Oh?" John inquired without glancing upon him.
"Yes. In honor of your deeds," Ratcliffe began while taking a step forward. "we have decided to give you the womans body. Although the heart is gone, we are certain that with your current progress it should not be difficult to find a suitable replacement."
And his worse fears had come true. Pocahontas's heart...was lost. Consumed entirely by the very darkness itself. Sadness weighed his heart, but he managed to shake it off after a few moments of grief. If he was to create a new heart for his lover, would she ever be herself again? Or would the personalities of the hearts he used be passed on with the merging?
"But on to more important matters," Ratcliffe spoke with the wave of his right hand. "As you well know, the Keyblade Master is a threat that must be dealt with as soon as possible. The heartless alone lack the ability to do so, but there is always a chance." The man turned his back on John, his face cold and serious. "The heartless have made their way to Traverse Town, and are battling the Keyblade Master as we speak. We leave disposing him to you. A heart as strong and pure as his own will guarantee the rivival of your beloved." With that being spoken, he motioned with his hand for Shan-Yu to follow. The Hun and John locked eyes, only for a moment, before Shan moved on.
John stood alone once again.
A silence flooded the Grand Hall as the presence of Ratcliffe and Yu could no longer be felt within the castle walls. Smith was relieved to discover this. Turning back to face the keyhole, the man was taken greatly by surprise as a bolt of dark lightning struck the floor just feet ahead. Electricity crackled where it had collided with stone, watching with great interest as a black figure began to materialize before him. Then the electricity dissipated, and with his dark heart feeling a slight feeling of joy, he gazed upon the body of his lover, laid with her back against the floor. Pocahontas.
He rushed to her side without a thought, scopping the woman up his strong arms and burrying his face in her cold neck. He longed for her to embrace him, but knew that day would never come until a heart pure and strong enough took the place of the one she lost. This was the least John could do for all he had put this woman through. He felt responsible for not being there the day their world was mysteriously destroyed. Maybe if she had been with him, she would be alive too. But no, maybe not. For without Pocahontas's death, Ratcliffe would have never came. But it no longer mattered. He had her once again, and he would never let her go.
Outside of Hallow Bastion...
"Something concerns me master." Shan-Yu spoke up as he and Ratcliffe proceeded forward to the dark hole located on the opposite side of the portal in which the army of heartless swarmed. Higher levels of heartless now replaced those of the lesser ones.
"And what might that be, Shan?" Ratcliffe inquired while glancing back though not stopping.
"That fool in there, Smith, is more commited to the rivival of that whore than to our cause." Shan spat this with venom in his voice. "The heart of the Keyblade Master should not be wasted on her!"
"And it won't be." Ratcliffe chuckled loudly, tilting his head back and stopping before the dark hole that would be what took them away from this world. "Should he succeed in defeating the Keyblade Master, the heart will be enough to strengthen the portal so greatly that even the most powerful of heartless will be able to pass through without resistance. But first we must collect the Princesses of Hearts, using their hearts to open a new path! Allowing us to venture forth into a world where darkness is eternal!" He began to laugh insanely. "Into a world of ultimate power!" And while still crackling like a mad man, Ratcliffe stepped forward, disappearing entirely as the dark hole consumed him.
Wordlessly, Shan-Yu followed.
Authors Note: Another chapter up people, another chapter up. Thanks once more for all the fantastic reviews! I'll update soon! Ciao.