Chapter # 11 The Battle for Halloween part 1
A reunion with an old friend can be nostalgic
But someone is watching them via dark magic
Nexus was not thrilled with this sight
He must stop them with all his might…
Nexus gritted his teeth as he watched the scene in the waters before him. He sensed something was wrong with one of his minions so he went to the Well of Foresight, as he called it, to see what's going on. He saw the girl he needed for his spells to become permanent push a ghost out of the pirate dog he sent to captor and bring to the Asian Wonders room. He didn't expect this. Then he saw three teenagers holding strange key shaped like weapons.
"That's weird." Nexus thought out loud.
"How is that girl able to send the ghost back to the Otherworld? And why do those swords look…"
His eyes widen as he remembered something from his training days. He smiled and said.
"Keyblades. It's been a long time since I've last seen or heard of these special weapons of light."
He watched as the spiky hair keyblade wielder hugged the dog, who was now dressed like a court jester, like they were best friends. Nexus waved his hand over the water and the image disappeared. He went over to a case that rested next to his cauldron and opened it. Inside was a black ring with a clear quartz set in the centre.
"This should make things interesting. Shiriki Utundu!"
The possessed statue appeared in a field of stars.
"You summoned me?"
"There are uninvited guests in the mansion. Show them what we do with intruders. Also give this to a very special girl."
He closed the case and handed it to Shiriki Utundu.
Riku and the others arrived outside the Davey Jones room when they found out it was locked. Sora used his keyblade to open it while Kairi reassured Goofy it was ok to go in because he's not alone this time. He was a little uncertain after while it was that room where he got possessed in the first place. He relaxed after Sora reminded him about his days as King Mickey's captain at Disney Castle. He summoned his shield and followed Sora and Kairi into the room. StarGazer went in with Riku close behind. Keeping his word he'll stay by her side. Riku couldn't help but wonder if there was more to this reddish brunette girl who was dressed like a vampiric sorceress then meets the eye. Is she hiding something? Or is she unaware of what she's doing? Could she be…a budding magician?
He needed to talk to Master Yen Sid.
Riku told StarGazer to not wonder off so he see if his phone was working. After sending text messages to other keyblade wielders in hopes they'll come and help. Riku dial Master Yen Sid's number and told him what happened.
"…and you're saying she pushed a ghost out of Goofy?"
"Yes."
"And she won't tell you her real name?"
"No and we assured her that she's safe with us."
Yen Sid pondered this before saying.
"It sounds like she's uncertain of what she's capable of doing."
"Why won't she tell us her real name?"
"She's protecting herself, Riku. Who ever is doing this sounds powerful but familiar. I'll try and get to Earth as fast as I can. In the meantime; don't let StarGazer out of your sight."
Riku nodded and hung up. After pocketing his gummiphone, he looked up to see StarGazer talking to Goofy who was still feeling guilty about dragging her away from the ballroom against her will. She assured him it was ok but he still feels bad about it.
"Goofy please. You apologized already." she said.
"But still I shouldn't have…"
"Hey Goofy would you mind helping Sora and Kairi find the door while I talk to StarGazer?" Riku said.
Goofy nodded and left.
Riku walked with StarGazer to the centre of the room close to the marble casket. Careful not to get to close enough to activate or summon something after Goofy warned them that's where all the trouble started. StarGazer understood why when she felt a cold draft blow in and shook it off. Hoping no one noticed.
"Are you ok?" Riku asked.
No such luck.
"Yeah, I'm fine." She said. "Must be from an air vent."
"Or you sensed something." Riku said. "It's ok, StarGazer. You're safe with us."
"It's not that. I just can't talk about what happened back there."
"We don't know what's going on either." Riku quickly changed the subject. "What are you suppose to be dressed as?"
"I'm a dhampir sorceress."
"Dhampir?"
"It's means half-human half-vampire."
"Huh." That explains the fangs and eyes. Riku thought. Before he could ask her more about her choice in costumes, StarGazer noticed a field of stars appear in front of the them.
"We got company!" She shouted.
Everyone stopped what they were doing to see Shiriki Utundu standing on the other side of the room with an evil grin on his face.
"Hello." Shiriki Utundu said. "I don't remember you three kids being invited to the party. The guest list was limited."
"Who are you?" Riku asked as he summoned his keyblade. Sora and Kairi followed suit while Goofy rise his shield.
"I'm Shiriki Utundu." The possessed statue said. "I've been ordered to deal with you and…"
He paused as a small black box appeared in his hand.
"…to give the brunette haired girl this."
Before anyone could do anything, Shiriki Utundu opened the box and a black and blue light flew out and landed on StarGazer's right ring finger. A black ring with clear quartz embedded in the centre appeared. StarGazer tried to removed it but suddenly felt lightheaded. Riku grabbed the girls' hand and looked at the cursed jewelry before turning his attention back to Shiriki Utundu.
"What is this?" he demanded.
"A gift from my master." Shiriki Utundu answered. "To make things interesting while you fight your own friends."
"We're never doing that!" Sora said.
Shiriki Utundu chuckled. "I beg to differ."
Dark thick mist appeared and covered the doors, blocking all means of escape. Stepping out of the mist behind Shiriki Utundu was a familiar face. Sora's eyes widen.
"Donald!"
The possessed duck grinned evilly before rising his staff and more possessed victims appeared from the dark mist.
"Have fun." Shiriki Utundu said before disappearing in a field of stars.
"I know I will."
"Sick jerk." StarGazer said once the lightheadedness subsided.
"Come with me." Riku said as he grabbed her hand and pulled her away.
"Let's fight!" Sora said as his rise his Keyblade. "We have to get Donald back."
"We can't fight these people." Goofy said as his grabbed Sora's shoulder.
"They're possessed like I was. We have to drive the ghosts out of them."
"But our Keyblades can't do that." Sora said. "Only StarGazer can do that."
"We have to so something now." Kairi said as Donald ordered his 'minions' to attack.
"Like what?" Sora asked. "They're not Heartless."
"We have to hold them off."
While the others tried to keep the possessed party goers at bay with defense magic, Riku took StarGazer to the top of the casket nearby. Once there, he took StarGazer's hand and examined the ring. Something was not right about it. It didn't feel like a normal accessory. He tried to pull it off her finger but it wouldn't budge.
"Maybe I should try it." StarGazer said.
She pulled on it but it wouldn't move.
"He must've cursed it."
"Looks like it." Riku said. "And I think it did something to you."
StarGazer nodded in agreement. She shook her head as she felt a warm sensation from her right hand. Looking at an angle, StarGazer noticed something engraved on the band.
"Potes numerare in eo?"
Riku step back as they StarGazers' hand glow a dark blue.
"What kind of ring is this?" StarGazer asked.
"I don't know." Riku said.
"Try casting a spell."
StarGazer looked at her savior like he was crazy.
"I have a theory."
StarGazer nodded as she understood what Riku said and rise her staff.
"Undoing a tight clasp. Free the party guests from the ghosts' grasp." She said.
Suddenly the guests and Donald stopped what they were doing and screamed as dark shadow like creatures rose out of their bodies and disappeared with ghostly screeches echoing in the air. Once silence fell, Riku and StarGazer climbed down from the casket to join Sora who was trying to wake his second friend who passed out along with the other possessed victims.
"Donald, wake up." He said.
Donald groaned as he rubbed his temple. His costume changed from tribal leader to something from the 19th century Europe and his head was pounding hard like someone hit him with a hammer.
"Oww…what hit me?" The poor duck said as Sora helped him up. He smiled when he saw his old friend.
"Sora? You were invited?"
"No, we weren't." Kairi said. "Mickey asked us to come here."
"It's good thing he did." Donald said as he regained his balance. "Some loonie sorcerer is trying to summon ghosts and demons so he can rule the world and…"
He stopped when he saw Riku and StarGazer.
"You." Donald pointed at the reddish brunette haired girl. "You best get out of here. If he finds you…"
"If she leaves, they'll try and find her no matter where she goes." Riku interrupted. "What do you know about this ring?"
Riku took StarGazers' hand and showed Donald the cursed ring. His eyes widen when he realized what it was.
"That's a magician's trainers ring." Donald said. "Where did you get it?"
"A monster called Shiriki Utundu gave it to her." Kairi said. "He said it was from his master."
"Nexus." Donald and Goofy said in unison. "That name sounds familiar."
"You two know him?" Sora asked.
"I believe Master Yen Sid mentioned a student by that name." Donald answered. "He needed help channeling his magic for a while so he was given that ring to wear while casting spells."
"But why give it to me?" StarGazer asked. "I'm just a baker."
"Nexus must believe you have special gifts." Riku said. "But we'll worry about that later we have to save Mickey."
"What about the party guests?"
"Cast a protection spell so no one can hurt them." Donald said.
"Don't you want to do it?" Sora asked.
"StarGazer needs to master her powers." Donald explained. "And for her to free the others trapped here. Say the trigger phrase found the ring and cast your spell."
StarGazer cupped the orb on her staff with her right hand. The ring glowed for a second. Her natural abilities have been given a boost and she could help the others fight. So why was she uncertain about what she can do? She's among friends after all. She closed her eyes, rise her staff and said.
"Potes numerare in eo. A shield to guard, a suit of armour from the past. Provide protection for everyone in this room until the danger has passed."
A dark blue mist surrounded the unconscious party guests and the heroes.
"So cool." Sora said as he watch the mist fade from his hands.
"Yeah cool." StarGazer agreed as she smiled a little.
"Let's go."
Riku opened the exit with his Keyblade and led the group to the next room.
Meanwhile, in the Land of Departure. Three Keyblade wielders were getting ready for their own Halloween fun. First they get dressed up, go trick or treating (Ventus's idea) and party at Halloween town with Axel and his friends Xion and Roxas. Trick or treating Terra thought as he tighten the belt on his pants. He'd rather pull Halloween pranks then get candy that gives tooth decay or a stomach ache if you eat too much of it. Maybe he could sneak some tricks in without the others knowing.
"Why did I agree to wear this?" Terra wondered out loud as he picked up the pieces of armour which laid on the bed.
He was going as a samurai warrior. He was hoping it was joke while picking out costumes but it stuck. Once he finished putting the armour on, Terra went back to the mirror. The costume was fake but his movements felt a little restricted like when he first summon his Keyblade armour during his training days. What's missing was the fake katana which stood near the door. Terra reached over to grab it when he heard a knock.
"Terra, are you ready?"
It was Aqua.
Terra picked up the katana and put it in the holster on his belt.
"Just about."
"Can I come in?"
"Yes."
The door open and Aqua walked in. Terra swallowed as he saw what she was wearing. She was wearing a pure white kimono with tan sandals. Her face was pale from white makeup and she held a white fan in her hand. Terra could've sworn she was dressed like a ghost.
"Uhh, what are you suppose to be again?" Terra asked.
"A snow maiden." Aqua answered as she entered the room.
"Isn't your costume missing something?"
"What do you mean?"
"A helmet." Aqua said as she picked up the samurai helmet on Terra's bed.
"I…I don't do hats much."
"It's part of the outfit."
Aqua put the helmet on Terra's head. He winced as it touched him.
"It's not that bad." Aqua said as she guide Terra to the mirror.
He studied the image before he saw what she was saying.
"Hey Terra! Aqua! Where are you…oh am I interrupting something?"
Terra and Aqua turned to see the youngest Keyblade wielder, Ventus. Who was dressed like a Jedi knight from the movie series Star Wars complete with light saber.
"No, you're not." Terra said hoping no one saw him blushing.
Then there was a loud beep. Terra reached for his gummiphone and saw it was a text message from Riku.
"What is it?" Aqua asked.
Once Terra finished reading the message his eyes widen.
"It's from Riku. He said King Mickey is in danger."
Ventus and Aqua gasped.
"Where is he?" Aqua asked.
"He's on a world called Earth." Terra answered.
"Earth? Never heard of it." Ventus said.
"It's not well known for Heartless attacks." Aqua explained. "And I've never seen it in person."
"Me either." Terra said as he stowed his gummiphone.
"We'll have to put our plans on hold for now."
"What? No! What about the candy?" Ventus complained.
"It won't take long." Terra said. "Let's armour up."
"You're wearing armour." Aqua giggled.
"You know what I mean."
The Keyblade wielders summoned their armour and opened a portal to Earth.