Title: Fire, Light, and Floodwater's Height
By: Dr. Kim-chan
Me: I know it's a little boring, but it'll speed up during this chapter. Since I'm feeling generous, I'll let loose some of the plot to hook the readers. (calls everyone like the Brady kids) Xemnas, Xigbar, Xaldin, Vexen, Lexaeus, Zexion, Saïx, Axel, Demyx, Luxord, Marluxia, Larxene, Roxas! Round up!
(Eventually everyone gets here…in interesting ways. Xigbar walks in on the ceiling, Xemnas uses a dark portal, Axel arrives in a blast of flames (thereby burning a hole in the carpet), Xaldin busts through the ceiling, Zexion sniffs me out while timidly crawling out of a dark closet, Demyx uses the same technique Axel does but splashes water all over the place instead, and Saïx mows through the wall with his claymore. Everyone else uses the front door, but Lexaeus, not really knowing his own strength, accidentally rips it off the hinges.)
Me: (angry anime-vein) From now on, everybody else use your dark portals like Xemnas! You're Organization XIII, dammit! Use the powers your cursed existence gave you!
Zexion: But…some of us were.
Me: (smacks him in the nose with a dead, wet mackerel) Don't contradict me! (he nearly gags from the fishy smell) Anyway, the story begins as an action/adventure fic with Sora and Maleficent, but it'll end as a romance with Axel and Roxas…and maybe some other people. I dunno. Demyx may find somebody.
Demyx: Yay!
Marluxia: What makes THEM so special?
Me: Axel, would you like to demonstrate to Marxie how bad fire is for flowers? (Axel smiles evilly)
Marluxia: I'll be good!
Me: Good. ANYWAY…long story short, Maleficent has a plan to bring you all back and do some crazy stuff, and it's a race between her and Sora to see if she does. Let's see, shall we?
Disclaimer: If I did own, would Axel have died? (crickets) I rest my case.
(Begin Chap. 3)
…It seemed like only a few seconds, at the least, but it was the craziest few seconds he had ever experienced. It was a weird, dizzying sensation. Eating too many paopu fruits, riding that Dragon Nobody's back in the Land of Dragons, using the currents to sail through the air with Peter Pan in Neverland, walking around in a whale's intestines, hitting Heartless hard using every possible combination in every possible position, dodging flying buildings, being sucked up in all kinds of portals…close or nowhere near to those sensations…bottom line, it was bizarre.
The next thing he knew, he and his friends were in a dark room and people were calling out his name cheerfully.
"Sora!"
When he was finally able to stop his feet from going in several different directions at once, he first made sure that Kairi, Riku, and Merlin were still beside him. They were at the wizard's home in Radiant Garden now, the base of operations for the Hollow Bastion Restoration Committee. There they all were; Yuffie, Leon (or so he preferred to be called), Aerith, Cid…
A four-foot mouse in an ominous-looking black cloak…a duck holding a wand, and a tall, happy-looking dog…
"Donald! Goofy!" Sora cried out, running over and sweeping them up into a crushing hug. All the sadness he felt over leaving Destiny Islands vaporized in a matter of seconds. Riku ran over and greeted King Mickey in the same way. As Kairi didn't know any of these people, she just stood by shyly, but that problem was quickly solved. Sora then went over to her and practically pushed her into the center of the room next to Riku.
"Leon, Yuffie, Cid, Merlin, I'd like you to meet my two best friends, Riku and Kairi."
Yuffie giggled. "We already know, silly. You spent the last, what, year or so looking for 'em?"
"Glad to see you found them," Leon said quietly. Whether Leon was aware of it or not, he was the one who set Sora on his mission.
("Sora…go with them. Especially if you want to find your friends.")
King Mickey was about to say his piece when Merlin walked up to him and gave him a hard glare. "I'm sorry, your Majesty, but I put my foot down on the matter. Besides, I'm sure they've already opened up corridors of their own like they did the last time. We have no choice but to use the Gummi ships again."
Mickey's eyes scrunched up in thought. "Gee, I s'pose you're right. I just hoped there was some other way…"
"Oh yeah!" Sora exclaimed, turning around to face him. "What's this about the Heartless and Nobodies not attacking anybody? So why'd I have to bring Riku and Kairi?"
"Welp, you see, Sora, at the same time I'm relieved, but it's also suspicious. They never acted this way before. It wasn't until just after I came back here that two days ago that we figured it out. It's more like they're lookin' for somethin'."
"Then we found this in the computer lab."
Leon held up a black CD in one of his gloved hands. When Sora squinted hard enough, he could see a kind of greenish-colored, sinister energy emanating from it.
"It reeks with Maleficent's magic," Yuffie complained, stepping away from it.
"Normally Tron would have detected someone uploading data from the database and sent an alert to either his computer or ours," Leon started, pointing to Cid's computer console in one corner of the room, "but the fact he was only able to report the theft after it happened makes me think the magic in this CD was used to freeze the system so Tron wouldn't notice."
"We was just 'bout to see what was on it when you guys showed up," Cid said, walking up and taking the CD from Leon, then going to his computer console.
Only Pete would be stupid enough to leave evidence behind, Sora thought. Everyone crowded around the monitor as the CD's program booted up. A dark screen suddenly popped up, displaying a rectangular field to type in and prompting the user for a password.
"Of course it'd be password-protected," Yuffie groaned.
"Most likely Pete was the one who chose the password," Mickey said. "What would it be, I wonder? If I were Pete…"
If he was Pete…that was it!
"It's just a hunch, but try 'steamboat'!"
Cid typed it in, and they were allowed in.
"Gawrsh, how'd you know, your Majesty?" Goofy wondered.
"Believe me, there was nothin' Pete loved more than his steamboat. 'Course I said it was just a hunch—"
"It's a poem."
Aerith was staring at the monitor with her chin in her hand thoughtfully. She pointed to the column of words displayed that had been opened when Cid clicked on an unknown link.
"That's it? A poem?" Donald quacked in disappointment.
"You know what I said when we got the King's letter, Sora. Maybe it has a deeper meaning."
With that, Kairi proceeded to read it out loud:
"From darkness untold, into the light they shall unfold,
Old hearts grown cold, let it be.
Thirteen treasures to find, that are hidden behind
No place defined to others, except for me.
vvv
The first of these treasures, will hereby be lost forever,
For I do so endeavor to take his place.
Number One, you were a fool—so useless, and a tool.
Instead I shall rule. Now let us make haste.
vvv
The second is an arrow, with a dragon so small and narrow
He quickly sought to borrow, just for a while.
Number Two, a man of sharp eye, stealth; and by and by
His dangerous arrows will fly, and make no man smile.
vvv
The third is a weapon's edge, hidden within a castle's hedge,
Amongst a most dangerous ledge. Take the greatest care!
Number Three, an ultimate source, of mind-bending force
He can change the wind's course and command the air.
vvv
The fourth was in a book, and from those pages were took
Written thoughts of a crook, although he was smart
Number Four, a presence cold, he once made plans and stole
The second Keybearer's identity and soul, but not his heart.
vvv
The fifth in a once-locked world, and in that dark castle unfurled
Is a rock never hurled at anyone, out of spite.
Number Five, he never spoke, but great strength he evoked
He'll be formidable once awoke, to my delight.
vvv
The sixth left seldom to spare, except a scent in the air
An essence one cannot bear in their own hands
Number Six hid behind many a face; he barely left a trace.
So there is no time to waste. Quick sense this treasure demands.
vvv
The seventh cannot be measured, though within a solitary ledger
The magic to capturing this treasure will be revealed.
Number Seven, captive of lunar light, will show them his pitiless might
Feel fright when you see the one who cannot feel.
vvv
The eighth lies with a hero, the effort to find it will be zero.
A keychain left behind—oh! What a tragedy.
Number Eight, whose only wish was to see a dear friend gone amiss
To fatal flames you will again bear witness. He is the key.
vvv
The ninth is a broken string, from an instrumental thing
To seek it courage one must bring, to descend into death's lair
Number Nine, an aquatic master, though his last moments were a disaster
The Keyblade against mere water? How unfair.
vvv
The tenth are dice held by a man who searches the seas and land
For other treasures most grand. The luck within them he saw.
Number Ten, a man of time, and tactical skills most divine
But I offer a cautious line: a poor game could be one's last draw.
vvv
The eleventh comes from a flower that once caused a good Witch to cower.
Such pretty things empowered an assassin most sinister.
Number Eleven, your fate is carefully kept, within the deepest depths
Of a dark jungle where animals have crept and over it minister.
vvv
The twelfth is a knife that was used in thunderous strife
It belonged to a female life whose existence was swept away.
Number Twelve, your treasure's in a place where screams and fears erase
The smile from a traveler's face; where night never falls to day.
vvv
The last is the hardest to obtain, for that person hasn't been slain
He had an existence to gain from his other half.
But if Number Thirteen gets a mind to leave his newfound light behind
Then the seeker of these treasures, you'll find, will have the last laugh.
vvv
Each treasure is a piece missed, from warriors once dismissed
The eternal darkness they kissed, and so they lost their proud ways.
Now they will rise up anew, to reclaim what is long past due.
For the Keybearers, this rings true: it shall be your last days."
Silence overtook the room for a good long while afterwards. Then…
"Thirteen treasures...warriors…numbers…," Riku whispered hesitantly.
"Organization XIII."
Everyone froze up at Sora's words. They looked up at the poem on the screen again.
"Oh, I see it now," Riku muttered. "Numbers One through Thirteen; they were all called by those numbers. Each part describes a member. Like, that part right there, where it says, 'The eleventh comes from a flower that once caused a good Witch to cower/Such pretty things empowered an assassin most sinister…'. That's Marluxia all right."
"But what are these 'treasures' she's talking about?" asked Kairi.
"I think she's sayin' that Organization XIII isn't completely gone," Mickey said, earning him a distraught and almost comical facial expression from Sora and nearly everyone else. "When they were defeated, each member of Organization XIII left a piece of themselves behind—'cept for two people. Apparently she wants to take Xemnas's place."
"And Roxas isn't dead. He's just inside Sora," Kairi added.
Mickey nodded. "This ain't so much a poem as it's a list, tellin' what these pieces are and where we can find 'em. Now I get why they needed the data for that machine in the laboratory basement! Maleficent's plannin' to collect the pieces and bring Organization XIII back to life! Jiminy, you got the poem copied down?"
Sora hadn't noticed it until Mickey said something just then, but standing on the console with his journal was their long-time recorder of travels, copying the poem down onto paper. The smartly-dressed grasshopper jotted down two more lines before shutting the journal and hopping on Sora's shoulder.
"Got it, your Majesty."
Mickey looked up at Sora again. "All we gotta do is go around and collect all the pieces before Maleficent gets 'em. But there's one more thing I gotta tell ya. The reason I didn't wanna use Gummi Ships was because there's a chance two more doorways will open up."
"To where?"
"The first is to the World that Never Was. Maleficent took over the castle there. The second may be to Castle Oblivion. That used to be the Organization's base, so there might be somethin' there, too."
Letting this all sink in, Sora groaned, nearly kneeling down to the floor.
"First the Ansem we fight the first time isn't even real, then I fight half of the Organization, lose my memories, I had to sleep for a long time to get them back, fight the other half of the Organization, including the actual Ansem who wasn't…really…Ansem, but was…"
Sora gave up and sat right down on the stone floor, confused by his own ranting. Kairi gave him a sympathetic glance.
"Don't worry. We'll be back before we know it, but it is serious. Maleficent knows where the pieces are, but she doesn't have 'em yet, otherwise she woulda gone through with her plan already," Mickey informed. "So they're out lookin', too, getting the Heartless and Nobodies to help 'em. This time we're splittin' into two groups, and this time I get Donald and Goofy."
Sora was beyond surprised. Donald and Goofy have been his companions on every mission he ever had, practically forever. Why the change in routine?
Suddenly the implications of Mickey's instructions set in, and he broke into a wide smile. "Does that mean…Riku and Kairi come with me?" he stuttered, barely able to contain his excitement. Donald and Goofy looked the exact same way.
"You mean it, your Majesty?" exclaimed Donald, jumping up and down.
"Aw, shucks, Sora. I can't split you all up again. Besides, me, Donald, and Goofy got a lotta catchin' up to do, and Riku and Kairi'll be a lotta help, and I don't just mean that they're Keybearers either. Friendship and happiness is what keeps you going on long journeys like this. With them on your side, you'll have plenty of it."
For the first time in days, Riku showed a genuine smile along with Kairi.
"So…which group goes to find which treasures?" Sora asked.
"First thing's first. Sora, can I see your Keychains?"
"Huh? Oh…okay."
Sora opened his pocket, took out all of the Keychains he collected over the course of his last journey, and poured them into Mickey's hand. Mickey took care not to drop them as he used two pinched and gloved fingers to sort through them. After about a minute he found the one he wanted to see. One Keychain in particular was dangling from his other hand—on the other end was a tiny replica of a red and silver spiked chakram. Sora almost felt his stomach drop as those heartbreaking memories came back. It was Bond of Flame, the Keychain he received in the realm of Betwixt and Between when Axel gave his life to save him, allowing him to go to the World that Never Was and save Kairi.
"If the poem's right, this is the piece of Axel that was left behind. He lent the last of his strength to you in the form of this Keychain." He put it in the pocket of his black cloak. "I'll keep this with me. We're off to a good start; that leaves us with only ten more pieces. Sora, Riku, Kairi; I want you guys to collect the pieces of Larxene, Zexion, Luxord, Saix, and Demyx. We'll get Lexeaus, Xaldin, Vexen, Marluxia, and Xigbar. Once we collect 'em all, we meet up back here."
"Got it."
"First thing's first, though. We need Gummi Ships."
"I got it covered," Cid said, swaggering to the door. "When we first fixed this place up, we put the Gummi Garage where no one would find it—right under our feet. The doorway's under Merlin's table."
As if that was his cue, Merlin waved his wand around. The table on the circular platform leapt up and floated towards the ceiling, which at first glance only revealed the floor underneath. But upon closer inspection there was a carefully hidden hatch with an outline of a door between the brickwork.
"Just like old times, huh, Sora?" asked Riku, putting his arm around his friend's shoulders.
"Nope…better."
(End Chap. 3)
Me: And so the epic journey begins!
Marluxia: And we start to get some screen time! Finally!
Me: Axel…flowers…fire…
Marluxia: I'll be good!
Me: The rhyme scheme of the poem was inspired by a manga I've been reading called Bizenghast. Good horror stuff. After this, once in a while Roxas is going to break in with some flashbacking action, explaining bit by bit how the whole AkuRoku thing started and developed. Oh, and Demyx has a thing for Axel so he's gonna repeatedly try to kill Roxas.
Demyx: But I don't like killing, especially kids!
Me: Well, at least I'm gonna make you more manly and evil…and less doofus-like, so don't complain. And now I leave you with Dr. Kim-chan's Organization Fun Fact of the Day. Vexen sounds an awful lot like "vixen", and he is a sexy scientist. Hey Vixen! (giggles)
Vexen: (bristles with anger)