Chapter 9: Return to Traverse Town
Ben: Guys, I don't know about you? But I missed this place, it seems to me that we haven't been back in a lifetime.
Sora: Yeah!
Donald: I remind you that we are here because we have to find Leon so that we can explain what these gummiblocks do.
Goofy: Exactly Donald, that's what we're here for.
Ben: Hey! Isn't that Yuffie over there?
Sora: Yes it's her.
Ben: Well, so we can ask where Leon is without going all over town.
Goofy: Good idea.
The quartet started walking towards Yuffie to find out where Leon was, but in doing so asked Ben a question, who for a second could not answer.
Goofy: Ben, can I ask you something?
Ben: Sure! Tell me as well.
Goofy: How do you know that girl is called Yuffie and that she might know where Leon is if you've never met her?
Ben froze in place as he heard the question
Sora: Come to think of it, you've never met Yuffie, how do you know about her?
Donald: They are right, how do you know?
Ben: Let's say… I've heard about her and Leon. (Resuming walking)
Sora: And by who?
Ben: From… from… from… from Ditto!
Donald and Goofy: Ditto?
Sora: From him? And when?
Ben: Well …
Yuffie: If you're talking about him, know we haven't found him anywhere.
Ben: Hey Yuffie!
Yuffie: Hey guys, tell me why are you here?
Goofy: We're looking for Leon, do you know where he is?
Donald: We are looking for it because we found some gummiblocks, but we don't know how to use them.
Yuffie: Leon is possibly in the underground cave. He often trains there! Do you know that canal in the back street? It is connected to the cave.
Following Yuffie's directions, the quartet arrived at the place where Leon was training with Aerith to keep them company, telling the reason for their return and how things were going.
Leon: So, you found a lock.
Sora: Yes. The Keyblade closed it automatically.
Ben: You have to admit, though, it's amazing from a kid. Whereas he has beaten enemies that were twice his size.
Leon ignores him
Aerith: Good.
Leon: Every world, in this sea of stars, has a lock. Each of them leads to the heart of the world. There is one in this city too.
Sora: What do you mean?
Aerith: It's written in Ansem's diary.
Leon: Hearless go through the lock and influence the heart of the world.
Sora: Do they affect? What happen?
Ben: I understand what you mean. (Inside himself)
Aerith: Eventually the world disappears.
Sora, Donald, Goofy: What !?
Leon: That's why your key is important.
Aerith: Please, Sora! Close the locks. You are the only one who can do it.
Sora: But … will I be able to do it?
Leon: Seeing other worlds will be a useful experience for you.
Donald: That's right!
Goofy: We have to find your friends and the King!
Sora: Maybe… you're right. All right, you convinced me.
Ben: And don't forget, that someone weird always comes along to help us close the locks.
Sora: Yes that's right, I have to say I'm curious to see what strange creature will help us in the next world.
Donald: I'm curious too.
Goofy: Gaush, I think he will be someone really strong.
Leon: What strange creatures are you talking about?
Sora: It will take a long time to explain.
After the long explanation, the quartet heads to the accessories store run by Cid to find out more about these gummiblocks
Cid: Eh, what have you got there? Hey! But look, a gummiblock.
Donald: Yes.
Goofy: What is it for?
Cid: Are you kidding? Are you flying on a gummiship and don't know what a navigummi is? Pack of fools. Infinite space is not for amateurs.
Ben: Sorry mister brain if we don't know much about navigating me compared to you.
Cid: Hey! Know that this is not fun.
Ben: I think differently.
Pointing with his eyes to Sora, Donald and Goofy who were refraining from laughing.
Sora: We don't know anything! So? True, we don't know anything, but we still have to travel to others. We have no choice. (Back serious)
Cid: Hey, slow down. I knew it. No hard feelings, okay? I better give you a hand then?
Sora: Thanks.
Cid: With the navigummi it is possible to cover new navigation routes. You want one on your gummiship, right? Well, I'll install it for you. But first I have to get something done. I have something to deliver …
Sora: What?
Cid: A book. It's a very old book and when they brought it to me, it was falling apart. Some pages were torn and it was impossible to get it back as before. But I did my best to put it back together. Could you deliver it? On the outskirts of the Third District. There is the symbol of fire above a door.
Suddenly there was a seismic shock that made the shop shake
Sora: W-what was that?
Ben: It felt like an earthquake.
Cid: It will be the bells of the mechanical room. Go check it out if you want, but hand over this book first. Once the delivery is over, come to the Third District house. I will wait for you there.
Ben: Keyblade industries group delivery service, fast and efficient deliveries for every need.
Cid: Not bad, the sound.
Reaching the indicated destination, the quartet reached a swamp where there was also a very old looking house that was falling apart, they found nothing upon entering. Not understanding why the destination was this house, the group began to look around, in doing so Sora heard a voice coming from behind him and turning around he was shocked, in front of him there was Kairi who was speaking.
Kairi: This moldy place has something special… It reminds me of the secret place… where we scribbled on the walls. Memories?
Sora: Kairi?
Donald: Sora?
Sora turning to Donald who had called him, turning back to where he was supposed to be Kairi disappeared.
?: Very well. You arrived earlier than I thought.
At the entrance there was an old man with a long blue-dot hair, with glasses, a very long white beard that went almost to his feet, a blue robe that went down to his feet, with blue shoes, with a brown bag in his hand right and a wand in the left hand.
Sora approaches the elderly person.
Sora: Di-Did you know we were coming?
?: Of course.
Sora: Are you… a Heartless !?
Ben: Serious?
Donald: It doesn't seem like it to me.
?: Oh, dear. No. My name is Merlin. As you can see, I am a magician. I always travel a lot, but it's nice to finally be home. Your King asked me for help.
Goofy: The King?
Merlin: Yes, sure. Donald, Goofy. And who would you be, young men?
Sora: I'm Sora.
Ben: And I'm Ben.
Merlin: Ah. So you have found the key. And you?
Ben: I'm here to help out.
Donald: What did the King ask you to do?
Merlin: One moment …
Merlin placing the bag on the floor and placing himself in the center of the room with his hands up he said.
Merlin: Quick!
The bag opened by itself and then various junk came out and settled throughout the house, giving life to the house.
Ben: A spell that Gwen would envy (Inside).
Merlin: That's it. Ahem. Your King has asked me to train you in the use of magic. We can start when you want. If you want to practice magic, tell me. Oh, and one more thing.
From a small carriage appeared an old lady dressed more or less like Merlin.
?: Hi, I'm the fairy Godmother. Your King has asked me to help you too. I will assist you in the journey.
Merlin: I don't know how much I can help you, but come when you want.
Sora approaches Merlin to give him the book.
Merlin: Oh my, my book. So, Cid asked you to bring it to me. Thank you. Do you want to know what book is it? I don't know either. In fact, it's not even mine. One day I found it on the stock exchange. It was a curious book and I asked Cid to fix it for me. Well, I'll put it here somewhere. The book holds a secret. The missing pages will reveal it. I leave the book here. Watch it when you want. And thank Cid for fixing it. Oh, and about that stone … Ask the Smemorina Fairy.
The group talks to the fairy
Sora: Do you know what this is?
F. Godmother: Oh, poor thing! He has turned into a summoning stone.
Sora: A summoning stone?
F. Godmother: This poor fellow lived in a world now devoured by Darkness. As you know, living beings disappear along with their worlds. But this one had such a strong heart… that instead of disappearing it became a crystal.
Sora: Can't we help him?
F. Godmother: We can awaken his heart. Now look! Bidibi bodibi bu! When you call him, he will help you. If you find other stones of this type, bring them to me. When their worlds are reconstituted, these beings will return to their shape. Sora, please save them!
Sora: Don't worry, I'll do it.
On hearing it suddenly Ben had an idea
Ben: Sora can you give me the crystal please?
Sora gives the crystal to Ben
Ben: Well now sorry a second, I want to try to do something.
Goofy: What do you want to do?
Ben: One thing that will blow everyone away.
Donald: What do you mean?
Ben: I'll go outside for a moment, please don't follow me.
Sora: Ben! What do you want to do?
Ben: Just have a little patience and trust (smiling)
Ben goes out taking the stone with him and making sure no one was following him, he hid behind the house and placed the stone on the ground then put his arm with the omnitrix next to it and subsequently started talking in a male robotic voice and also a blink.
Ben: Perfect, so the omnitrix can do it, good to know. (Inside himself)
Omnitrix: Damaged DNA detected, do you want to proceed with the repair?
Ben: Yes.
There was a sudden giant green glow engulfing Ben and the crystal for a few seconds and when it dissolved with Ben there was no longer the crystal but a small sleeping lion cub. Just before Ben could catch it he looked at the omnitrix and then the robotic voice spoke again.
Omnitrix: 100% damaged DNA repair, 98% omnitrix energy left, have a nice day.
Ben: Well, he used very little to get him back to normal, he seems to be sleeping better to take him inside.
Ben took the little puppy into his arms, and carried him back inside Merlin's house with a smile on his face.
Sora: Ben! Where have you been and… why do you have a lion cub in your arms? Where is the crystal?
Well before he could answer, he noticed that Donald, Merlin and the fairy Smemorina were with their eyes open on him as if they had never before seen a person with a puppy in their arms.
Merlin: In the name of all magic, but … but … what does all this mean?
F. Godmother: Oh, dear. It is impossible and yet it is right in front of my eyes.
Ben placed the puppy on the table in the center of the room to stand in front of Sora and the others.
Ben: I told you I was going to do something that would blow everyone away, but I didn't know it would actually happen.
Donald: It's not possible! How did you do? What magic have you studied? (Looking at it from top to bottom)
Merlin: Young man, are you a magician?
Ben: Let's say.
F. Godmother: Young man, you realize that what you have done is impossible right?
Ben: Impossible?
Sora: Wait, don't tell me that puppy is….
Ben: Exactly what you think.
Donald: How did you do it? The heart was a crystal and the world is still in darkness.
Ben: It's a secret!
Donald gets angry.
F. Godmother: In all my life as a fairy and as Merlin, I must admit that you have skills that go far beyond normal magic, we have always been told that the only way was that, but now I am faced with the proof that there it may be another solution to be able to save the worlds. Tell me young man who you really are and where do you come from?
Ben: I'm just an ordinary person who has decided to help others.
Merlin: I'll check the puppy to see if he's okay, don't worry he's in good hands.
Ben: Thanks. Do you guys want to go?
Sora: Okay.
Just before the quartet walked out the door, Merlin said:
Merlin: Go back to Cid, before going elsewhere.
During the journey Sora, Donald, Goofy who were behind Ben, was talking softly to each other to find out more about their travel companion.
Donald: Sora, how long have you known Ben?
Sora: I've only recently known him even though he doesn't seem like it.
Goofy: Really? How did you meet?
Sora: he fell from the sky.
Goofy: Fallen …
Donald: From the sky?
Sora: Yes, it happened the day Riku, Kairi and I were finishing fixing the raft and suddenly what looked like a black and green spot fell from the sky and it turned out to be Ben.
Donald: Did he tell you how he got into your world or why he was falling from the sky?
Sora: Come to think of it, he didn't say where he came from or why he came to the island.
Goofy: Gaush, didn't you ask?
Sora: I hadn't thought of that.
Donald: Sora, when he first arrived, did he ever do a spell?
Sora: No!
Goofy: Maybe it was a secret.
Sora: Maybe you're right.
Donald: Or maybe, he's a Heartless?
Sora: Don't even think that.
Goofy: Sorry Sora, but Donald is perhaps right.
Sora: Why?
Donald: he did not say how he got into your world …
Goofy: he didn't say where he comes from …
Donald: And he didn't say why he came to your island.
Sora was shocked and stared at the ground.
Just when they were at the entrance of the door with the symbol of fire, some Heartless appeared ready to fight but they were immediately eliminated from behind with swipes of the sword that Riku was holding.
Riku: There you are. What happens?
Sora and Ben: Riku !? (Sora approaches Riku putting his hands in his mouth)
Riku: Hey, hey, stop it.
Sora: I'm not dreaming this time, am I?
Riku: I hope not. It took me a century to find. And I see that Ben is with you too, how are you?
Ben gave no answer, just looked at him in disbelief and suspicion
Sora: Riku! (Smiling)
After a few steps …
Sora: Wait, where is Kairi?
Riku: Isn't he with you? Well, don't worry. She must have left the island too … We are finally free! Hey, maybe he's looking for us! Soon we will all be together again. You'll see. Do not worry. Leave it all to me. I know this …
Riku turned to see Sora take out a Heartless with the Keyblade.
Sora: Leave to who?
Riku: Sora, but what …
Sora: I was looking for you and Kairi with their help.
Riku: Who are they?
Donald: Ahem. My name is…
Sora: We've traveled to so many places and worlds looking for you.
Riku: Really? But look a bit. I would never have guessed it.
Goofy: Yuk, and guess what !? Sora is the hero of the Keyblade!
Donald: Who would have thought that?
Sora: What does that mean !?
Riku: So, this is called Keyblade? (Taken by Sora's hand and observing him)
Sora: Huh? Hey, give it back.
Riku: Here. I guess you got one too, Ben?
Ben: No, I don't have it!
Sora: So… come with us, right? We have an amazing ship. Wait to see her!
Donald: Hey, he can't come!
Sora: What?
Donald: Not even for a dream!
Sora: Oh, come on! He is a friend of mine!
Donald: I don't care!
Goofy: Ah, he's gone!
Then they looked at where Riku was.
Sora: Riku? Well… It doesn't matter. At least he's fine. And who knows? Maybe we'll meet Kairi too.
Sora: Ok, let's go back to Cid… Ben? (As he turns to Donald and Goofy)
Goofy: He's gone too.
Sora: Where could he have gone? He goes well, surely he has moved on and is waiting for us.
The trio continued on their way to the accessories store, completely oblivious to the fact that a being who looked like a huge blue moth was flying all over the city passing through buildings and walls without being seen.
Ben (???): Let's see how you got here and who helped you!
Alien bio …
Name: Big Chill
Breed: Necrofriggia
Description: Big Chill has a blue and black humanoid body with insect-like characteristics, such as the antennae on his head. He has a pair of large blue wings that fold over his body when unused, giving the impression that Big Chill is wearing a cloak. Big Chill, similarly to Goose Skin, is able to become invisible and intangible. Furthermore, he has considerable powers of cryogenesis (creation of ice, which Big Chill creates in particular through the breath) and cryokinesis (powers of manipulation of frozen substances, for the creation of constructs such as pins, slides, ramps, etc.). After becoming intangible, his body takes on unique cryogenic properties: anything that passes through or touches it is instantly frozen permanently or semi-permanently. Big Chill is able to fly at limited speeds, walk in the air (when he enters intangible form) and has a vague super strength. Although his power is mostly about ice, he doesn't seem to be embarrassed in the face of high temperatures. His only weakness is electricity.
After wandering around the first district Ben began to inspect the second too but with the same result, when he reached the third district flying over the area he managed to find Riku but with him there was a figure with a black headdress in the shape of horns which completely covers his hair and a very long tattered black dress with purple edges and inside, the headdress is also decorated with thorns. Both were looking inside a house from the outside of the window, intrigued Ben using his intangibility hides inside the wall leaving only his head out to understand why they were there and listen to them, but as soon as he looked towards the window he was shocked , inside there were Sora and the others who were arguing, but what he did not understand is the reason and why Riku not with them and above all who is the person who is with him, but he was not long without answers because the person who was with him began to talk.
?: You see? It's like I told you. While you were desperate to find your dear friend, he had already replaced you with new companions. Evidently, they're much more precious to him now than you are. You're better off without that mean kid. Now, forget about it and follow me. I will help you find what you are looking for …
Ben (Big Chill): Don't do it!
They both turned to see in the shadows a tall, hooded figure covering up under the eyes, staring at them.
?: Who are you?
Ben (Big Chill): Who am I… it doesn't matter, the important thing is that you leave the boy alone.
?: How dare you! A wretch like you give me orders?
Ben (Big Chill): I can, now let the boy go.
Then look at Riku
Ben (Big Chill): Not listening to her just wants to use you for his purposes, to make you believe that she will help you when you have found what you are looking for, if instead you will come with me I will gladly help you to look for it.
Riku didn't seem to move as if he were in a state of confusion
?: Silence! Heartless!
Then Heartless appeared from the ground
?: Attack the fool and take his heart. (Pointing to Big Chill)
The Heartless surrounded Big Chill without letting them escape and charging him
Ben (Big Chill): Here the only fool I see is you!
At that point Gelone exhaled a cold breath that froze the Heartless locking them in pieces of ice without leaving them any part of the body free.
Ben (Big Chill): You can send me as many Heartless as you want but know that I'm not one to be taken lightly.
?: Who or what the hell are you?
Ben (Big Chill): Your worst nightmare. (Coming out of the shadows)
Seeing him both he began to feel a sense of fear and curiosity for the strange individual
Ben (Big Chill): So … What are you going to do kid? I offer you my help and in return I just want you to stop listening to his lies. (Walking towards Riku)
?: Don't come near, if you hold your heart dear.
Ben (Big Chill): Do you really think you scare me?
Big Chill levitating at great speed approached the figure who was next to Riku and using his intangibility put his hand where his heart was.
?: What are you doing? What is this pain that I'm feeling?
Ben (Big Chill): I grabbed your heart and now I'm making it shiver from the cold, which will freeze it in minutes.
?: Impossible, damn!
Ben (Big Chill): So boy what are you going to do?
Riku: Leave her alone! (Drawing his weapon and attacking Chilean)
Ben (Big Chill): What a disappointment… and to think that I was willing to give you my help.
At that point he released his grip and made a leap that allowed him to reach the top of the wall behind him, standing up and staring straight down at Riku and the strange figure saying:
Ben (Big Chill): I see that you don't know how to recognize good from evil, don't you understand that his are just lies?
Riku: Shut up! I am not fooled by a strange Heartless!
Ben (Big Chill): Heartless? I am not a Heartless.
Riku: What? Do not joke!
Ben (Big Chill): I'm not lying I'm not one of those monsters.
Riku: So what are you?
Ben (Big Chill): Maybe another time, know that I will come back to make you realize the mistake you are making.
Riku: And I'll be ready to face you.
Ben (Big Chill): So goodbye for the moment. (Disappearing right in front of their eyes)
In front of Cid's house …
Sora slipped on the ice and the remaining Heartless as he exited the main entrance
Sora: Why is there ice here? And why are there any frozen Heartless?
In the sky…
Ben (Big Chill): That woman is brainwashing Riku, I can't believe she trusts her that much. But what can I do? I couldn't get him to come with me, and now for sure the next time we meet he will be in battle… if I stay in this form! But I don't think he would listen to me even if I presented myself in front of him with my normal appearance, even if trying doesn't hurt so let's find out. But first I want to find the lock so that no more Heartless can arrive.
Then there was a beep that sent Ben out of his thoughts
Ben (Big Chill): It seemed strange to me that he wasn't discharging. Better look for a place where he can't stand out.
With his gaze in a few seconds he found the right place
Ben (Big Chill): It seems perfect to me!
Entering the tower thanks to his intangibility, Big Chill hid and let the time run out by transforming himself back into Ben.
Ben: But what is this place? Why are there so many gears? AND..? But those … are those hands? Where the hell did I go?
Looking at the place with doubt and attention in case the Heartless tracked his location. Wandering around the place with calm and tranquility, analyzing the whole place in case there was the need to fight or for any other reason. Finding a strange rope at the exit of the place, which overlooked the whole district. Wondering what he could do he pulled it by making the bell ring and also moved the mosaic that was behind the fountain.
Ben: What is supposed to be some kind of tourist attraction? But I must say that at least the design is beautiful, but now how do I get it back to the one it used to be?
Ben thought for a few seconds
Ben: If I pulled the rope again maybe …
He pulled the rope a second time and the pattern on the wall changed again.
Ben: Maybe just one more time…?
He pulled the rope a third time and the design changed back to another, but not the original one.
Ben: The fourth time is the good one!
But before he pulled, there was a flash of light that caught Ben's attention, then suddenly formed the shape of a huge, familiar-looking lock.
Ben: Wow if that's true! But something tells me it won't be that easy. I think it's hero time!
Entering the tower again he activated the Omnitrix and transformed into a random alien.
Ben (Lodestar): Lodestar? Ok …
Leaving the tower he reached the lock that where the fountain was, but he realized that he couldn't do much since he didn't have the Keyblade, but when he turned suddenly he felt a huge stench, as if something had fallen and when he turned again, he found the same Heartless he had defeated with Sora and the others before leaving Traverse Town.
Ben (Lodestar): Dude, seriously? Isn't the lesson you received enough for you?
Then the limbs of the Heartless exchanged places, in fact the upper limbs took the place of the lower limbs and his feet turned into hands.
Ben (Lodestar): I get it, you must be the brother or something. However, know that I am not impressed, and also be prepared! Because you'll be knocked out in seconds.
The Heartless hoped for a punch, but Lodestar was able to avoid it and then using his magnetic powers pinned the enemy to the ground, removing their ability to move.
Ben (Lodestar): I told you you were going down. Now the only thing I have to do is wait for Sora and the others like this …
He didn't have time to finish the sentence when he heard footsteps behind him.
Sora: Mister magician is that you?
Lodestar beam turned to answer.
Ben (Lodestar): I told you I'm not a wizard and it's not even my name, my name is Lodestar.
Sora: Sorry, it's hard to remember.
Ben (Lodestar): Never mind.
Donald: What are you doing here?
Ben (Lodestar): I have been informed that lately in this world the Heartless have increased strangely since I left and therefore I have returned to seek the source of the problem.
Goofy: Look at the lock.
Ben (Lodestar): You mean that?
Donald: Yes, the Heartless come to the various worlds through that.
Ben (Lodestar): Okay, but in order not to hurry, could you run out of this heap of junk? I think one shot should be enough since I blocked it.
Sora: With pleasure!
Sora with a stroke of the Keyblade finished the Heartless and then the heart that came out of it was released in the sky like all the others.
Ben (Lodestar): Thanks! Now you can continue smoothly.
Sora raised the Keyblade and pointed it at the lock, so after the beam hit her he disappeared.
Sora: Thanks again for helping us
Donald and Goofy: Thank you
Ben (Lodestar): No need to thank me, that's what heroes do. See you (leaving)
Sora: See you next time.
Lodestar went off through the back street and hiding behind some boxes in an alley, pressed the Omnitrix crest and became human again. He then he went back to the central square where he rejoined the trio with a made up story.
Ben: Guys!
The trio: Ben!
Donald: Where have you been?
Sora: Cid is done with the spaceship now we can go to a new world.
Ben: Sorry, I went to find Riku.
Sora: Riku !? Where?
Ben: I don't know, a moment ago he was here, now he seems to be gone. I wanted to ask him why he disappeared while you two were fighting.
Sora: Too bad.
Ben: Hey !, you told me Cid is done with the ship, I'm sure maybe we'll find him again at our next destination.
Sora: You're right! Let's go to the ship.
Ben, Donald and Goofy: Yes!
The quartet went to the ship to prepare to leave.
