Author's Note:
It's been a long time and I've been lax in writing stories, but I'm back in the game! Just because it's taken a long time doesn't mean Kingdom Fairy Tail is not dead. Why do I keep repeating myself?! Please slap me silly so that I can stop complaining! For the record, Wendy and company make their return to Traverse Town in this chapter, and it is there that they will learn about the Keyhole and Wendy's role in sealing them from the Heartless. Thank you, and I hope it's worth the long wait.
Once again, Wendy was drifting into the chasm of slumber. Her consciousness made its return to the dreamscape, where the image of Grandeeney was seen through the whiteness. The earliest memories of her life turned into images, and mixed together to assemble a slide show in a fashion similar to Jane's projector. With each display, she could relieve the days when her adoptive mother nurtured her into a strong and capable youth, one of a few Dragon Slayers selected to fulfill an important task. Wendy remembered it like it was yesterday. If she but closed her eyes, she was there again on that same forest, beneath the same sun.
During her trip to memory lane, Wendy encountered the silhouette of the mysterious girl, the same shadow that greeted her in her previous dream.
A memory, undiscovered in the deepest recesses of her mind, flashed back.
At the time, Wendy was five years old, and was still training under Grandeeney. Today's lesson involved her facing the shadowy girl in combat. She was actually having her first fight against a real wizard.
The most disturbing fact of all was the mystery girl capable of utilizing Sky Dragon Slayer Magic.
How was this possible? Wendy was the Sky Dragon's only disciple, by far the only Sky Dragon Slayer in existence! And yet, she wasn't alone...
It would seem that there was more to her past than meets the eye. By a twist of fate, she wasn't the only Dragon Slayer groomed by Grandeeney.
There was the mysterious girl, three years older than her.
The lost memory was beginning to seep into Wendy's mind. The sunlight was warm, the petals fluttering along the gentle winds. Two of Grandeeney's students were having a friendly spar, the latter observing from the comfort of the meadow to determine their individual statuses.
"Now, Wendy and..." Grandeeney's mention of the mystery girl's name was drowned out by the fogginess, as if the memory suffered an error. "...the two of you will test your Dragon Slayer Magic against each other. It matters not who wins; I desire to see how much you've grown with what I've taught you." She paused to brighten the atmosphere of the inevitable clash, "Begin!"
"Sky Dragon's Roar!"
Two tornadoes shot from the mouths of two girls after breathing so much air. Their collision developed a rope of wind bound by a vortex, and within ten seconds, it was split in half.
Wendy was blown away, her back making contact with the grass. The mystery girl had won. "Giving up already?" she taunted. "Come on, Wendy. I thought you were stronger than that."
Grandeeney commented, "Goodness! You almost had her, Wendy! Try it again!"
The mystery girl raised an eyebrow, "Hey, wait a minute. You're teaming up now? Seriously, Grandeeney?"
Grandeeney clarified, "I'm merely giving her an encouragement, not an advantage."
Wendy got back to her feet and let out a disappointed sigh. She said timidly, "I'm sorry, Grandeeney. I tried my hardest, but it wasn't good enough. I could've gotten stronger..." Her voice quivered, and before long a single tear trickled down her cheek. The Sky Dragon gently wiped it away with her talon-like claws.
Grandeeney smiled warmly, "Don't be so modest, my dear. There are many chances at success; even a single failure can lead to a new opportunity. If you wish to master the magic I've bestowed, you must exert confidence. In this world, one can overcome life's greatest trials by becoming one with the elements, all the while avoiding the risk of being defiled by temptations of the dark. Of course, the journey is long and arduous, but the answer is always found at the end. And it takes a strong heart to light the way."
Wendy gasped hopefully, "Really? I can do that?"
Grandeeney stated, "Both of you are extraordinary. You and..." Once again, the name of the mystery girl was blurred. "...bound for greatness. Destined to become the next generation of Dragon Slayers. A dark force is growing, intent on stepping over the good people of this world with no regard. When the time comes, they will look upon you with hope."
The mystery girl asked, "Does the evil black dragon still live?"
Grandeeney stiffened. Her other student was referring to Acnologia, the ruthless Dragon Slayer who discarded his humanity when he bathed in the blood of countless dragons he slew and transformed into the most destructive dragon in existence. That was the main reason she trained the younger generation; it was all part of an elaborate plan set up by herself and the pacifistic dragons to end the black dragon's reign of terror once and for all. Seeing the curious expression on the mystery girl's face, Grandeeney wanted to answer her question, but was delayed by the girl's speech of resolution. "Someday, I'm gonna be the toughest Dragon Slayer..." The shadowy girl pointed to herself, before excitedly throwing punches in the air, "...and I'll hunt the monsters down and slay them all!" She smiled breathlessly at the dragon, "Just you wait and see!"
Grandeeney advised, "Patience is a virtue. The wise never seek out war. But..." She paused, looking at each of her students for a brief moment, before continuing, "They must always be ready for it."
Wendy and her classmate looked at each other with wide smiles, before they rushed to Grandeeney's side. Both of them were holding the dragon's claws with strong resolve.
The mystery girl cried out in determination, "I'm ready, Grandeeney!"
Wendy followed, "So am I! We'll do our very best. Right..." She asked the name of her fellow student, but it was drowned out a third time.
The mystery girl agreed, "Most definitely, Wendy."
Grandeeney grinned, "Your dedication is admirable, my children. I believe when you're ready to step into the sun, you are going to be responsible for amazing things. However, your training is also an evaluation of your talents. Before the seventh day of the seventh month of the seventh year, I will make a decision based on your performances. Only one of you will be chosen to fulfill the great legend. But both of you are born to be Dragon Slayers."
Both girls nodded in unison. "Yeah!"
Those were the days when two girls trained under the Sky Dragon Grandeeney. Unknown to the prophecy of the chosen seven, an eighth Dragon Slayer surfaced, though she was not among the collective.
Those were the days Wendy and the mystery girl were best friends, sharing a bond as close as sisters through playing and training together, until that fateful day... The day their tragedy was set into motion.
At the end of the dream, the outline of the silhouette began to glow.
A hint of dark pink hair.
Gummi Ship Cockpit
Wendy was slightly shaking in her seat, her mind replaying the lost memory. She gained little comfort from tracing the outline of Carla's fur with her fingers. In the dream, the mysterious girl was paired with Grandeeney, and both girls blessed with the same magic proved her suspicions. "She's a Sky Dragon Slayer, too?" Wendy murmured, not talking to anyone present in the cockpit. "What was that all about? It's like I'm remembering something really important. Am I not the only Sky Dragon Slayer? Grandeeney had two instead of one? I know I'm one of the Dragon Slayers chosen to defeat Acnologia. Is she one of them, too?" She rubbed her left hand against her chin in deep thought. "Who is she? Is she someone from my past? How could I have forgotten her?" She paused to come up with a plausible answer, "I think her name was—"
"Wendy!" The Sky Maiden jumped at the loud voice. She faced Donald, who turned from the co-pilot's seat. "What's the matter? You look pale."
"Um, it's nothing," Wendy shook her head. "I'm just a bit faint, that's all."
"You must've taken a long nap," Goofy assumed. "You got tired after your first pilotin' lesson with Donald, so you went back to the engine lounge for some beauty sleep."
"Y-Yeah," Wendy nodded feebly. "I guess so."
"Your first experience in operating a vessel was strenuous for someone your age, but you were getting the hang of it," Carla pointed out. "Aside from your adaptability, your resistance to motion sickness has served you well."
"Motion sickness?" Donald raised an eyebrow. "Where'd Wendy get something like that?"
"All Dragon Slayers of an advanced level suffer from severe motion sickness due to the synchronization between the large gap of a human's semicircular canals and a dragon's visual activity," Carla explained. "But for those on a lower level, this isn't much of a problem."
"Gawrsh, we didn't know Dragon Slayers can get really sick when they're ridin' a vehicle," Goofy commented. "That, and coz dragons are their teachers." He turned to Wendy, "It's the main reason you got the title, huh?"
"Remember what you told us before? That you've been trained by a real dragon when you were just a kid?" Donald reminded. "We were starting to wonder where you got those incredible powers, like breathing tornadoes and smelling people from a distance. And all of a sudden, we learned that a dragon taught you to do that. Now that's something you don't see every day!"
"Your dragon's name is Grandeeney, right?" Goofy asked, to which Wendy answered with a nod. "She's not just your teacher, but also a sweet-lovin' mama." The Sky Maiden's cheeks brightened out of that. "I was in tears when you told us your backstory, right after we left Wonderland. You were an orphan lost in the woods, with nobody to take care of ya... SO cute and all alone, with no place in the world! It's a good thing Grandeeney took you in, coz if she don't, you wouldn't know anythin' about magic and lotsa stuff."
"I think about Grandeeney almost every day," Wendy stated. "Ever since she came into my life, she's been like a mother to me. I never would've found the courage to see the world if it wasn't for her." Her eyes were beginning to moisten, but she did her best to keep herself together. "I miss her. Even today."
"I know what this means to you, Wendy," Carla sympathized. "Grandeeney believed you were meant for greater things, and that you would be ready to carry the weight when that day came. She would risk everything to ensure you would see the light for the rest of your days, as mothers do." She wrapped a comforting paw around Wendy's cheek, "She would be very proud of the brave young woman you have become."
"Yeah," Wendy sighed happily. "She's probably watching me from up there, seeing me grow and go on adventures with my friends every day... I think... No, I know she's happy about it."
Donald and Goofy sighed in admiration for the Sky Dragon Slayer, who reminisced one of her most cherished memories. Since she shared her background to the Disney Castle crew over the course of the journey, the two were already aware of Grandeeney's noble sacrifice a year back. Goofy was the most touched, as he shed a few tears of joy. "They grow up so fast."
Donald interjected, "Wait a second! What about the motion sickness thing?"
Wendy explained, "Like Carla said, it affects Dragon Slayers at an advanced level. When I was five years old, I didn't feel the effects because my magic hadn't grown much at that time. But now it does. For a while, at least... until I first got the Keyblade. A strange but warm feeling came into my stomach when it popped into my hand. Ever since then, I don't feel anything when I take a boat or a ship anymore."
Carla pointed out, "The Keyblade's magic must have left a powerful effect on your sense of balance. That gives you the freedom to board anything that moves. You can even move any vehicle, wherever you wish to go."
Wendy smiled, "That's half the reason why I wanted to try flying the ship. If I can move around it, why not ride it, too?"
Donald stated, "You're just gonna have to follow the steps, Wendy. Keep it up, and you'll have no problem flying this baby. Learn from the best to be the best! And who knows? We'll even let you pilot the ship all by yourself."
Wendy nodded with a slight giggle, "I'll do my best." The Court Magician's words were encouraging, but uneasiness still gripped her heart. Operating a vessel for the first time wasn't the issue. Thoughts of her dream swirled in her mind over and over.
Carla took notice of her human companion's dilemma. "What's wrong, Wendy? You don't seem confident."
Wendy couldn't figure out what to say. "Well, I..."
Donald wondered, "Are you still sleepy? Were you having a dream?"
Wendy answered meekly, "Yeah, kinda."
Goofy asked, "Wanna talk about it?"
Wendy sucked in her breath. She didn't feel like discussing it with her friends right now, but she decided to anyway. "I saw a girl in my dream. She's a Sky Dragon Slayer, and she trained under Grandeeney, just like me."
Donald and Goofy gasped in unison, "Another Dragon Slayer? Like you?!"
Carla protested, "That's absurd! I thought you were Grandeeney's only disciple!"
Wendy replied, "I thought so at first. But when that girl appeared in my dream, she looked..." She paused for effect, "...awfully familiar for some reason. Just seeing her makes me feel like a lost piece of my memory was coming back to me." She held her forehead in slight confusion, "Something's not right... Why is she a Sky Dragon Slayer? Why is she with Grandeeney? And more importantly, what's her name? Was there something Grandeeney hadn't told me?"
Carla noted, "It seems to me that's the first time you've mentioned someone whose as much of a Sky Dragon Slayer as you. Is there anything else you know about her?"
Wendy answered, "Well, all I know about that girl is that she and I were very close. We were best friends. We played together all the time. And then..." She trailed off, trying to come up with more details. "Then..."
Donald and Goofy urged simultaneously, "Go on! Go on! Tell us!"
Wendy finished, "...She suddenly went away."
Donald and Goofy moaned in disappointment, "Awww..."
Wendy continued, "The girl vanished into the light. Her face is hard to make out, but I can see the pink color in her hair before I woke up."
Goofy wondered, "Pink hair? Are you sayin' that Sherria's the gal in your dreams?"
Wendy shook her head, "No, she doesn't look anything like Sherria. She's different."
Donald questioned, "What got you into thinking about her now?"
Wendy admitted, "I'm not sure. But it feels like my memory is showing me something. It's coming to me in pieces as I slept. Little by little, I'm starting to remember about that girl every time I dream of her." She then let out a regretful sigh, "I feel kinda bad for not knowing who she is. I can't even remember her name."
Carla suggested, "You seem to be suffering from a minor form of amnesia. Your memory must've been reconfigured physically or magically."
Wendy wondered, "Amnesia?"
Carla implied, "Within the passage of time, some of your missing memories may return, especially the girl in your dreams. If it's coming back to you in pieces, there is a possibility you'll recall her name."
Wendy asked hopefully, "So I'll have to wait for a while until my lost memory comes back?"
Carla nodded, "I believe so."
Wendy took a moment to contemplate the white Exceed's suggestion. If she was right, the name and image of the mysterious girl may return to her as time went on. She got a wide smile out of that, "You're right, Carla! If I keep on remembering who that girl is, I could learn something about my past, maybe even myself." She rose from her seat in determination, "Until then, I'll have to keep on questing! The rest of our friends are still out there, and I won't rest until they're safe!" And just like that, her conscience was clear. Donald and Goofy cheered at the young girl's restored bravado, while Carla gave a proud smile.
Donald beamed, "Yeah! That's the spirit, kid!"
Goofy grinned, "No beatin' around the bush, now!"
Carla advised, "So far, we've found three of our Fairy Tail guildmates. It is only a matter of time before we reunite with the rest. We must exercise focus and patience if we are to find them."
Wendy giggled, "Well, you told me I have to be happy all the time. Donald said it himself: this boat runs on happy faces."
Donald grinned, "And it still does. If we keep on smiling, it'll be an exciting adventure. I'm glad we don't have to go through that roughhousing again."
Goofy nodded, "Yup, like the time Donald and Carla wrestled in the cockpit before Sherria crashed the ship. That's when the boat almost—"
Carla insisted, "The past is the past, Goofy. The sooner we put it behind us, the better."
Wendy thought out loud, "I wonder how Sherria, Asuka, and her parents are doing?" She turned to Donald and Goofy with an eager expression, "I'm going back to the engine lounge."
Donald replied, "Well, we have less than twenty minutes before we make it to Traverse Town, so make 'em count."
Wendy nodded, "Right. Be right back!" With that, she climbed down the ladder.
Gummi Ship Engine Lounge
Upon entering the lounge, Wendy saw Alzack and Bisca on the couch narrating the contents of a storybook to Asuka, while Sherria sat on a small chair beside the table, eating a plate of waffles. The Sky God Slayer took notice of Wendy's arrival and announced with her mouth gorging a slice, "Hey, Wendy! Wanna eat some waffles?" She swallowed the food in one gulp, and her voice came normal, "We're gonna need to save our energy before we get to the next world."
Wendy smiled, "I'd love some, but first, I wanna ask you something. How're you doing?"
Alzack explained, "We're doing fine. Bisca and I borrowed a few books from the closet. It's a collection of Silly Symphony fairy tales, books published from Donald and Goofy's world."
Bisca grinned, "Fairy tales are Asuka's favorite genre. On the menu, we've got The Tortoise and the Hare, The Golden Touch, The Wise Little Hen..."
Sherria was about to take another bite when her fork landed on the edge of the plate instead of another waffle. "Huh?" She looked down to see that a waffle was missing from her plate. "Hey!" She then turned to Asuka, who had quickly swiped a piece while the Sky God Slayer was distracted. The little Connell took a bite out of the waffle, letting out a playful giggle. Sherria's reaction was a slight shrug of her shoulders, "Oh, well. Can't eat 'em all."
Bisca chuckled, "Our girl's got a real appetite."
Alzack smirked, "You could say that again."
Wendy couldn't contain her laughter as she ran over to the couch and sat with the Connells, joining the activities. For the remainder of the trip, a familiar atmosphere of merry overcame the Gummi Ship's interior. It was reminiscent of the Fairy Tail guildhall, bursting with boisterous wizards going about their everyday lives. If the rest of the guild was present, it would be loud and prosperous.
When Alzack and Bisca finished reading The Wise Little Hen to their daughter, she had already finished her snack, as did Wendy and Sherria.
Traverse Town, The First District...
Everything had settled into a state of peace since the aftermath of the Lantern Viscera invasion. The only things that could be heard were the soft hums of electricity powering the streetlights and the sounds of indistinct chatter amongst the townsfolk. There was no change in the atmosphere, with the exception of the population, which had slightly increased as more people found themselves taking refuge in this vibrant town without a world to call home.
Yuffie Kisaragi shoved open the front doors of the Accessory Shop and stepped outside. She turned and waved back at Cid Highwind, giving a few remarks to the shopkeeper before returning to matters at hand. "Thanks for the new color-coding on my shuriken stars, Cid. Green is the new black!" Her right hand fashioned a metal star, her fingers flexing to reveal a small collection of five, the steel adapting a new color apart from the original. "I'll see you around!" As soon as the doors swung back shut, Yuffie turned away and skipped down the steps, humming a cheery tune befitting her energetic personality. She slipped around and between the people on the street, until she arrived at the mailbox. She continued to hum, only to stop when she saw the large doorway creaking open.
The barricading doors parted to reveal Wendy, Donald, Goofy, Carla, Sherria, Alzack, Bisca, and Asuka walking haphazardly into the First District, recovering from a "little accident" just before the Gummi Ship landed. Most of the group laughed in delight, while the others looked somewhat flustered. Donald and Sherria seemed to be taking the worst damage; their clothes were smothered in chocolate pudding, and both of them smelled of the edible flavor. Donald didn't take it lightly, as he began ranting over what happened earlier. "What's the big idea, you pink-haired weirdo?! You turned the oven into a bomb of chocolate mix!"
Sherria reasoned, "Look, all I did is set the oven at the right temperature! I'm always careful with the kitchenware! I had no idea the pudding could explode. I just wanted to make it nice and hot for dessert."
Donald exclaimed, "Nice and hot? EXPLODE? Don't tell me you've put the Super Pop Chocolate Calamity in the oven!"
Sherria nodded, "Yeah, that's what it said on the can. Super Pop Chocolate Calamity, Disney Town's Bubbly Chocolate Pudding Surprise. What of it?"
Donald complained, "You're kidding me. You've been a part of this interstellar trip for quite some time, and you don't know the first thing about food?" When he received an odd look from the Sky God Slayer, he sighed and decided to sweat the details. "Okay, here's how it works... Super Pop Chocolate Calamity is a special type of dessert from the Disney Kingdom. Sure, it's tasty, but it's extremely sensitive to heat. With a little temperature, the pudding inflates to a huge bubble, and then... BOOM!" He gestured an explosion with his hands as a demonstration. "Chocolate flies everywhere. It's a pop so big that even sunlight can make it grow like a plant."
Sherria confirmed, "Oh, so it's a pudding bomb made in your world. The manufacturer sure has an odd taste in making foods."
Goofy stated, "In our world, some foods are seasoned with a little bit of magic. It's time like these when we gotta follow the steps, or it's food all over the place. But it's yummy all the same."
Sherria remarked, "Disney Kingdom foods seasoned with magic? Now that's something." In a matter of seconds, she shook herself clean from the pudding. She then noticed a small smidge in her cheek and licked it up. "Remind me to check the ingredients before making the food."
Donald followed suit with the Sky God Slayer, "If you wanted normal pudding, you should've asked us to buy some from the market."
Sherria assured, "It's okay. I don't mind what happens to food, just as long as it's delicious. In fact, I like being surprised."
Donald raised an eyebrow, "You like being surprised? You're one surprising customer, y'know that?"
Sherria smiled, "I don't judge food by its looks, what it smells of, and what it does. All that matters is the taste."
Donald breathed, "You can eat ANYTHING?"
Sherria nodded, "As long as it's not tofu, bugs, and rotten cheese. I can't eat everything, you know."
Donald confirmed, "Oh, okay. Not every food in any world isn't your favorite."
Goofy remarked, "But you sure got a real appetite, Sherria."
Wendy smiled, "Not only that, you're also a really good cook. Your family's secret recipe pasta is the best. It's like you're good at everything."
Sherria giggled, "Gee, thanks!" As Wendy, Donald, and Goofy joined in, the hums of electricity were drowned out by a series of laughs.
That moment of bliss died down when they noticed the Connells admiring the Victorian-age design and layout that composed the structure of the town. They beheld the new environment separate from the world they were stranded in; the lights, the color, and the serenity. Asuka squealed, "This place is HUGE!"
Of course, Fairy Tail's resident gunslinger family weren't the only ones unfamiliar with Traverse Town. Sherria glanced around as she spoke, "Check out the bright lights and the well-crafted houses!"
Bisca commented, "I reckon most cities in Fiore don't have makeovers like these."
Alzack asked, "So this is Traverse Town, the place where Donald and Goofy found Wendy?"
Wendy nodded, "Uh-huh. It's where we started our adventure. Carla and I first came here, right after the storm took us from Tenrou Island."
Sherria wondered, "Tenrou Island? Did something happen there?"
Carla explained, "The last time we were in Earth-land, Master Makarov instructed us to investigate the island for a mysterious door in the caves. By the time we discovered it, we were surprised to have found Natsu standing in front of it."
Bisca interrupted, "Wait, hold on. Natsu's involved in this whole scenario, too?"
Carla sighed, "Yes, unfortunately. Wendy and I were pushed away by a powerful force before we could proceed. Natsu vanished without a trace."
Wendy looked down sadly at the mention of her fellow Dragon Slayer, who disappeared before her battle with the Darkside. "I'm beginning to worry about him. Where did he go...?"
Carla continued, "We confronted and defeated a giant Heartless. The storm then whisked us away to this town. Sherria was affected by the same process; she ended up in a world separate from this one." The Sky God Slayer nodded in agreement.
Alzack smiled, "Either way, we're back in one piece. The others can't be far behind."
Bisca remarked, "You took a big risk getting outta this mess, kid. Pretty much like we did."
Wendy blushed, "Oh, it was nothing. Thanks, Mr. and Mrs. Connell."
Sherria asked, "But what about that mysterious door in Tenrou Island? Master Makarov sent you to go look for it, right?"
Goofy theorized, "Gawrsh, ya think it had somethin' to do with those two glowin' keyholes Wendy locked?"
Donald added, "Not to mention, those two strange gummi blocks that popped out."
Carla implied, "For now, our priority is to find Leon. He might be able to give us an insight."
Sherria smiled, "Leon, huh? Someone you met during your first stay in this town, I take it?"
Wendy replied, "He's the one who brought Carla and I together with Donald and Goofy. With his help, we learned about the Heartless and what's been happening in other worlds. The first time we met him, he was a bit scary and rough, but deep down, he's very kind."
Sherria asked, "Anyone else?"
Wendy answered, "Well, there's Cid, Aerith, and..." She stopped when she saw Yuffie next to the mailbox. "Yuffie!" Elated at reuniting with someone who fought alongside her during the Lantern Viscera affair, she rushed over and wrapped her arms around the ninja's stomach, giving it a tight squeeze. "It's so good to see you again!"
"Uh-oh, I've got a hug attack!" Yuffie laughed, returning the hug. "I usually get a lot from kids younger than you." As soon as they released, the young ninja gently ruffled the Sky Dragon Slayer's hair, making her giggle. "And you're still the same cutie I met back at the hotel."
"Oh, you think?" Wendy couldn't contain her excitement.
The rest of the group walked over to greet the ninja's presence. "Hey, look! It's Yuffie!" Goofy recognized.
"Good to see you again!" Donald smiled.
"I see you're as vibrant as ever," Carla complimented.
"You guys came back sooner than I expected," Yuffie smiled. "How's your quest coming along?"
"It's going great," Wendy smiled back. "A lot of things happened since we left — we battled the Heartless, took down dark guilds, stopped a giant three-headed dog, and locked two glowing keyholes."
"We've been kicking bad guy butt, left and right," Donald said proudly. "We gave 'em a little bit of this, and a little bit of that..." He dramatized the group's previous actions by throwing fists in the air, even deigning to swing his staff.
"The best part is, we found four of Wendy's missin' friends," Goofy thrust his arm to the party's newest additions. "This is Sherria, Wendy's friend from Lamia Scale. She's a pretty tough Sky God Slayer. And that lovely family right there is the Connells; Alzack, Bisca, and their kid Asuka."
"Hi!" Asuka chirped.
"Hello!" Sherria grinned.
"Howdy," Alzack and Bisca greeted altogether.
"Whoa, that's a lot of progress you've made so far," Yuffie remarked. "Four friends in one basket. And you're telling me that one of them's a dynamic god killer or something? Where'd she learn to do something like that?"
"Well, it all started with..." Sherria began.
"No need to sweat the details," Yuffie assured. "What matters is that you're safe and sound." She gestured to Wendy, "You're lucky to have a friend in need!"
"I'm just doing what I do best," Wendy giggled.
"That's for sure!" Sherria beamed. "You should see us in action, Yuffie! When Wendy discovered us in other worlds, we teamed up to beat scores of enemies and obstacles. Each passing moment, our party grows in numbers." Her face turned serious, "But we still have a long way to go. Everyone else is out there, waiting for us. They could be anywhere."
"Keep up the good work, guys," Yuffie encouraged. "I'm looking forward to meeting the rest of your friends when you get back. By the way, about those two Keyholes you locked away..." She crossed her hips, intrigue spread across her face. "That's even better." She then winked her eye at the Sky Maiden, "I give you full marks for that, Wendy. If you hadn't sealed them, those heart-eating freaks would've crawled their way in."
"Huh?" Wendy grew puzzled. "You were expecting me to lock those Keyholes? Is that a good thing?"
"We were going to ask Leon about that," Carla pointed out. "Do you know where he is?"
"He's probably at the underground cavern," Yuffie answered. "He trains there often. The channel in the alleyway is connected to the cavern. You can go take a look if you want."
"An underground cavern in the alleyway?" Goofy wondered.
"That's the place Goofy and I have been to when we're looking for Leon," Donald recalled.
"If I recall correctly, it's behind the hotel in the Second District," Carla added.
"Then that's where we're going. Thanks, Yuffie," Wendy appreciated.
"One more thing!" Yuffie interrupted. "The Heartless have been more active recently. They multiply in numbers faster than rabbits running in the field."
"Why is that not a surprise?" Donald groaned.
"Things aren't always what they seem. Danger always comes around," Carla stated.
"But nothing you and your friends can handle, right?" Yuffie grinned, giving Wendy a friendly pat on the shoulder. "I'm sure you'll find a way around."
"We always do," Wendy assured with a smile. "Just leave it to us." With those bold words of encouragement, she and her friends said their farewells to Yuffie and headed off.
Second District
No sooner had Wendy and company emerged from the doors than hordes of Heartless popped all over the Second District, intent on impeding their progress. This time around, the ensemble was comprised of Large Bodies, Red Nocturnes, Blue Rhapsodies, and two new types of identical, different-colored spellcasting Heartless. One was the Yellow Opera, a Lightning-type that not only summoned bolts at a distance, but hurled itself into a lightning cannonball to attack at close range. The other was the Green Requiem, a Healer-type that restored its own health and others by producing a glittering mist.
"The Heartless are back in town!" Goofy exclaimed.
"Like I said, danger always comes around," Carla affirmed.
"Something tells me this isn't the welcome wagon," Alzack tensed.
"Looks like we got ourselves a shootin' gallery!" Bisca smirked.
"We'll just have to take 'em all out!" Donald determined.
"Are you ready for the worst?" Sherria asked.
"Here they come!" Wendy shouted.
As the Heartless commenced their assault, the Sky Maiden summoned the Keyblade in its Jungle King form. Focusing her Sky Dragon Slayer Magic on her arms and legs to enhance her speed, she slashed away the swarm of Red Nocturnes and Blue Rhapsodies blocking her path, easily hitting them in the air with the Jungle King's extendable reach, while simultaneously deflecting the fireballs and ice crystals. Suddenly, she was delayed when an incoming Thunder spell from a Yellow Opera stunned her, and was pushed away by another Yellow Opera performing a lightning cannonball attack. Despite the setback, she kept on fighting, eradicating any Heartless in her path with Keyblade strikes and Sky Dragon Slayer spells. Alzack and Bisca, armed with their magical weaponry, took aim and shot rounds at a pack of Blue Rhapsodies and Yellow Operas like it was target practice. Donald defeated a few numbers with random spells, having analyzed the weaknesses of every spellcasting Heartless, with the exception of the Green Requiem, which had the power to absorb all basic elemental attacks to replenish itself. Goofy provided assistance with his shield, Sherria with her Sky God Slayer Magic, and Carla with her kicks.
A minute later, with all of the Red Nocturnes, Blue Rhapsodies, and Yellow Operas eliminated, the only ones left to contend with were five Large Bodies and seven Green Requiems. The quintet of gargantuan Heartless surrounded Wendy and company, and were about to make a pounce with their bellies. Immediately, the Sky God Slayer knew that it was time to put her new ability to use. "Let's go! Stun Impact!" Gathering amounts of energy into the Keyblade, Wendy performed a mighty thrust. From the swing, a massive sphere of electrical energy surfaced, engulfing the five Large Bodies. When the sphere dissolved, the giant Heartless were slumping over in a daze, unable to move for brief periods of time. Wendy took comfort in knowing that the enemies were vulnerable for the time being. "Alright! We got 'em! Sonic Blade!" She executed a barrage of supersonic strikes, destroying two Large Bodies in mere seconds.
"Whoo-hoo! Now that's what I call a stunning impact!" Sherria cheered.
"Don't relax just yet!" Carla advised.
The Green Requiems pranced throughout the air, their trail of healing glitter showering over the remaining Large Bodies. Soon, the Stun Impact's dizzying effects wore off, and the Large Bodies turned their attention to the one responsible for their predicament. Noticing that the Green Requiems were a nuisance with their ability to restore an enemy's health, Wendy and company decided to deal with them first. Alzack and Bisca destroyed six Green Requiems with their Guns Magic, and Goofy eliminated the last one with Goofy Bash. The first Large Body was destroyed by Sherria's Sky God's Boreas, the second by Donald's Fire and Blizzard, and the third by a 9-hit Keyblade combo and a Sky Dragon's Roar from Wendy. When the dust settled, the Second District was, at the moment, liberated from the Heartless.
Wendy breathed, "That was close. They just keep on coming. This place sure brings back memories..."
Carla nodded, "Indeed. This is where we witnessed first-hand a Heartless harvesting a heart."
Donald pointed out, "They look just like the ones we fought at Wonderland and Olympus Coliseum."
Sherria commented, "Geez, it's like they've come all this way to give us a reception. And they get more annoying every time."
Goofy affirmed, "Well, it's a good thing nobody's hurt."
Alzack nodded, "And nothing's damaged, too."
Bisca grinned, "Yeah, I mean, look at all the shops and buildings." She looked over the gizmo shop and gestured a hand to it, "And that building with a bell tower on the roof. Somebody must've done a pretty good job."
Asuka cried, "Wow! Lots of shops! Can we buy some new toys?"
Alzack responded, "Well, as much as we'd like to get some souvenirs..."
Bisca added, "We're kinda busy at the moment. Maybe later."
Donald agreed, "That's right. The mission always comes first."
Carla rolled her eyes, "Keep telling yourself that."
Asuka pouted, "Awww..."
Just before the group was about to proceed onward, Wendy kept silent. A heart turned into a vessel for a Heartless wasn't the only thing she remembered of the Second District. "Oh!" she gasped. "Guys, I just remembered! We promised Leon and the others that we'd return Pongo and Perdita's missing puppies. They have ninety-nine, right? How many do we have?"
Goofy answered, "Well, we've found twenty-seven. Minus ninety-nine, and you get... Um..." He counted his fingers as a method of solving the equation, until he came up with the answer. "Seventy-two! Yup, that's seventy-two to go!"
Wendy complained, "Seventy-two? But it's not enough! Without all ninety-nine, how will they ever be happy? Those poor dogs..."
Carla suggested, "For now, we must return the puppies with the current number we have."
Goofy reminded, "Yuffie said the more puppies we bring, the more rewards we'll get."
Donald nodded, "We'll just have to keep looking for more in other worlds."
Wendy agreed, "Yeah, you're right. Let's show Pongo and Perdita what we've got."
Sherria asked, "Hey, if you don't mind asking... Who's Pongo and Perdita?"
Wendy cleared her throat, "It's a long story..."
Dalmatians' House
One side of the adventure involved Wendy and her companions searching the universe for Pongo and Perdita's ninety-nine lost Dalmatian puppies. Nine puppies were uncovered in three worlds each, hence totaling the number to twenty-seven. The collected would be stored in a special place reserved in the Gummi Ship's engine lounge, where they would be treated food and water on the return journey to Traverse Town. Once there, Goofy would use the ship's teleportation system to warp the puppies back to their house, where they would be reunited with their parents. When Wendy, Donald, Goofy, and Carla explained their objective to Sherria and the Connells, and how the townsfolk couldn't stop worrying for Pongo and Perdita's loss, they couldn't refuse to give their support in the endeavor.
By the time Goofy pressed the button on his wrist watch, the twenty-seven puppies were already inside the house. The void was filled, blessed by a litter of puppies barking and running along as they pleased. To Pongo and Perdita, the mere sight of their children was so vibrant that it turned the sorrow in their hearts to joy. The reunion was heartwarming, and the pieces were coming together. If the rest of the puppies were present, it would be a homecoming celebration. Life would never be the same if the family was not whole.
Pongo and Perdita had Wendy to thank for bringing their twenty-seven puppies back to them. Though it was less than the number required, seeing their children again was more than enough. The Dalmatians were depending on the young human to find the rest. As payment for her kindness, they gave her a box of gummi blocks used for customizing and upgrading the Gummi Ship. Wendy kindly accepted. Vowing to honor her promise to Leon, she would not stop until the Dalmatian family was reunited. Their hopes were in her hands.
Wendy gave a gentle smile and silently waved to the Dalmatians, before she reached for the door.
Alleyway
Having entered through the doorway next to the fountain in the Second District, the group looked around to see that the alleyway had returned to a calm and eerie security. The area looked exactly as it had been during their last visit, except for the fact that the mess left behind was cleaned up. Everything seemed quiet, save for the lights giving off soft buzzing noises. Perhaps too quiet... until the emergence of Red Nocturnes, Blue Rhapsodies, Yellow Operas, and Green Requiems.
As the family of spellcasting Heartless charged like a swarm of bees, Wendy and company stood ready for battle. The Sky Dragon Slayer defeated scores with aerial Keyblade combinations, Donald took advantage of the enemies' elemental weaknesses with his magic, and Goofy deflected projectiles and bashed heads with his shield. During the brawl, Wendy executed a Stun Impact that paralyzed a surrounding horde of Red Nocturnes and Blue Rhapsodies, allowing herself and Sherria to finish them off with physical and magical attacks. Bisca vaporized four Green Requiems and five Yellow Operas at once with Guns Magic: Wide Shot, while Alzack blew away four Blue Rhapsodies and four Red Nocturnes with Guns Magic: Tornado Shot. The Heartless multiplied in numbers and kept on flooding the alleyway, but Wendy and her friends were ever resilient as they cut their way through the storm. Within two minutes, the alleyway was silent again, and the Heartless were nowhere to be found. Wendy and her companions took a moment to recuperate before pressing on. On their search for the underground cavern, they followed a pool of water slipping through a set of iron bars made to prevent anyone from entering.
Wendy asked, "Is this the place?"
Donald shrugged, "Well, I'd say it's the sewer line."
Bisca wondered, "If this leads to the underground cavern, how'd that Leon guy get inside?"
Carla assumed, "He might've gone through here by different means."
Donald's eyes widened in surprise. He turned to Wendy and waved his hands defensively, "Nuh-uh! No way! We're not going through the sewers!"
Carla pointed out, "Do you notice the water flowing from the grate? It flows all the way to a small hole leading to the sewer. At this point, the waters cannot be contaminated by sewage."
Donald raised an eyebrow, "Huh? Really? So it's not the sewer line?"
Carla countered, "Yuffie suggested that Leon is training in an underground cavern. Do you see any place else that can be described as underground?"
Wendy suggested, "Can't we at least try? The problem is, the grate's blocking the only way in. How are we gonna get past it?"
Donald interjected, "Leave it to me! I'll bust it wide open!" With a thunderous quack, he ran down the small pool and slammed his muscles against the iron bars with a loud thud. But they refused to budge.
"My turn!" When Goofy discovered that Donald hadn't broken through the steel, he charged and crashed into him, shoving the duck against the grate.
"Me next!" Not long after the two hit the grate came Sherria in full force. Donald was crushed beneath the increased weight. The iron bars bent under the impact, until they finally snapped, revealing the entrance and taking all three to the cement flooring underneath the water. The wind was practically knocked out of Donald's lungs as the combined weight was pressed on his back. Goofy did his best to cushion the blow by outstretching his arms towards the floor as he fell. He wasn't exactly successful, as his momentum did push down slightly on Sherria's back. The Sky God Slayer groaned as she pulled herself off the ground, Goofy tumbling away. "That should do it."
Almost immediately, Donald jumped to his feet and rubbed his aching back. "Yeah, that should do it. Thanks for the assist, Sherria."
Sherria grinned, "Just doing my role in the winning team."
Wendy smiled, "Now we can get inside."
Secret Waterway
The passageway led Wendy and her friends deeper into a mysterious cavern. The entire floor was covered in water, with the occasional rocks emerging from above the surface. The ceiling was mostly flat, the stalagmites trickling drops of liquid that plopped nosily. As the group trudged through the cavern, it didn't take long for them to notice that the water was getting steep. Soon enough, they found themselves up to their necks in the water, and were practically swimming across the channel. Carla elected to fly above the water with her wings, while Asuka was secured in Bisca's shoulders, risking not to dive in as she had little experience in swimming.
Sherria remarked, "Wow... Didn't think there'd be a cave like this in a big city..."
Wendy agreed, "No kidding..."
Eventually, a yellow light was seen at the end of the path, illuminating a small portion of the cavern. It was accompanied by a low voice that bounced slightly off the walls, and a high-pitched sound that sliced the air. Wendy and company propelled themselves faster through the water, getting closer to the source. They arrived at an area raised above the water, where two large torches lit the place up with its flickering firelight, placed on either side of a brightly colored stone entrance leading to an unspecified location. The shallow waters surrounding the rocky surface were divided by a pathway to a beautifully painted mural of a moon in the night sky.
By the time Wendy and her friends emerged from the water and dried themselves, they saw Leon practicing a battle swing of his Gunblade, with Aerith Gainsborough watching him. "Hey, Leon!" Wendy called out.
Leon's training session came to an end at the last swing of his weapon. He turned over his head to register the presence of the Sky Maiden and her friends, accompanied by four new party members. Wiping away the sweat with a towel in his hand, the other securing the Gunblade over his shoulder, Leon walked over to greet the group. "Well, what a coincidence running into you again. I can tell you've learned a lot from your adventure."
"That's right," Wendy nodded happily. "We've been out there in other worlds, fighting bad guys and saving lives. Best of all, we found four missing friends!" She gestured to Sherria and the Connells, who nodded in agreement.
"Well, what do you know?" Leon smiled in amusement, putting away his Gunblade. "You actually found someone."
"We're so happy for you, Wendy," Aerith complimented.
"We've been stranded in other worlds and we had to fight some strays along the way, but we're fine," Sherria implied. "Wendy found us, and the team's been expanding ever since." Her eyes widened in realization, "Oh! I think we haven't been introduced. I'm Sherria Blendy. Your name is Leon, right?"
"You guessed it," Leon nodded.
"I'm Aerith. Glad to meet you, Sherria," Aerith introduced herself. "And what are these other three?"
"Oh, these are Alzack, Bisca, and Asuka," Sherria answered. "They're the Connells, Fairy Tail's resident gunslingers."
"Gunslingers, huh? Color me impressed," Leon confirmed, before turning to Wendy. Looking into her eyes, he could see the gentle spark fanned into a growing flame. "You've definitely gotten stronger since we last met. Not bad, kid."
"This whole adventure wouldn't have started if it wasn't for you," Wendy smiled warmly. "You inspired me to travel to other worlds."
"Actually, I did," Carla clarified. "When you were depressed, I had to give you the proper motivation. You can't have an adventure if you don't stay positive."
"Hey, don't forget us," Goofy interjected. "Donald and I cheered her up, too."
"You could say that," Carla grinned. "We all give inspiration to our allies in our own way."
"Thanks to all of you," Wendy giggled. "You gave me what I needed."
"It's no big deal," Leon shrugged. "I'm just glad you're brave enough to take on the universe."
"You're talking to a group of professionals!" Donald boasted. "Whether it's an oversized chameleon or a dog with three heads..."
"Yeah, we've done an amazing job," Sherria chuckled. "While you've been hanging out with Tarzan's ape buddies!" She, Goofy, and Wendy started laughing to themselves.
"Hey!" Donald shouted at the Sky God Slayer.
"Just kidding!" Sherria snickered.
"So tell us, what's been going on?" Leon asked.
"Well..." Wendy began.
Fifteen minutes later...
Wendy and company gave a detailed explanation regarding the worlds they visited, the friends they rescued, and the enemies they faced. When they reached the subject of Cloud Strife fighting in the Coliseum, the gentleness in Aerith's face turned to shock. "Cloud is alive?!"
Sherria wondered, "Huh? You know Cloud?"
Leon admitted, "It's a long story. We should save it for another time, but what we can tell you is that he's from our world."
Aerith pleaded, "If you see him again, could you tell him to be careful? I want you to let him know how worried I am for him."
Wendy nodded, "We will. We promise." She resumed explaining the group's progress, until she mentioned the two Keyholes she sealed away. "...and the Keyblade locked them automatically. What does it mean? Yuffie said it's a good thing..."
"That's a very good thing," Aerith clarified. "Actually, we were hoping that would happen."
"Every world among the stars has a Keyhole," Leon explained. "And each one leads to the heart of that world. There must be one in this town as well."
"Heart of the world?" Wendy blinked. "What do you mean?"
"It was written in Ansem's report," Aerith replied.
"We told you before that the Heartless are drawn to every heart. The heart of a world is no exception," Leon crossed his arms. "If a Keyhole is left unlocked, the Heartless enter through it and do something to the world's core."
"What happens next?" Carla asked curiously.
"In the end..." Aerith sighed sadly, her eyes lowered to the floor. "...it disappears."
"WHAAAATTTTT?!" The group exclaimed in shock, their eyes going wide and their jaws dropping open.
"That's horrible!" Sherria winced. "A whole world will disappear if something crawls through a Keyhole?!"
"If it's not locked, yes," Aerith nodded. "Once the Heartless eat away at that world's heart, the world itself will be destroyed. Completely."
"You don't mean..." Wendy gasped. In an instant, the chain of previous events dawned a grim realization. "What the old lady said in the circus... She was talking about the Keyhole! The door to the world is the Keyhole! That means the door Master Makarov asked us to find..."
"...is the Keyhole to our world!" Carla finished, sharing the Sky Maiden's worries. "The Heartless already made their way in! That's what the Master was trying to tell us... To stop them before they reached the Keyhole. But we were too late..." She clenched her paw, shaking with frustration, "Curses! Why didn't we realize it sooner?!"
"Our world is gone...?" Wendy whimpered. "Fiore, Earth-land, everything... Gone?"
"I can't believe it..." Sherria shook her head in disbelief.
"Our whole world was destroyed? Already?!" Alzack gritted his teeth.
"You gotta be kidding me!" Bisca complained.
Wendy felt herself tearing up, her body slightly trembling with despair. Her emotional sensitivity was moments away from kicking in. The bitter truth came flooding into her brain: the storm, the darkness, Makarov and Romeo's fate, Natsu's sudden emergence, the door bursting open, Tenrou Island ripped from the surface, and Wendy herself being whisked away as Earth-land reached its final hours. "How could this happen? This is all my fault. I should've locked away that Keyhole... Then our world would've been... It would've been..."
Before Wendy could break down, Carla flew up with her wings and coiled her arms around the Sky Dragon Slayer's shoulders, putting her head next to hers. "There, there, child..." Carla whispered. "You've done nothing wrong. We didn't mean for these things to happen. Had we known the truth, we could've prevented it in some way. You have nothing to be ashamed of."
A few tears trickled down Wendy's cheeks. "Carla, our world... It's gone... I... I... feel like... we're never going home... again...!" She squeezed Carla in a tight embrace and cried audibly, the latter continuing to console her.
Sherria couldn't gather the strength to hold back her own tears, to find anything to say that would pull her best friend out of her despair. "Wendy..."
Goofy smiled warmly, "Aww, you shouldn't be worryin', none! Even if your world's blown up to pieces, I bet your Fairy Tail buddies are 'round here someplace among the stars. We found a few, but this ain't all of 'em. We just gotta keep lookin' for 'em. Like when Sherria got herself lost in Wonderland, and Alzack's family escaped from the dark guilds and landed in the Deep Jungle. Betcha the others are doin' stuff like that, too. Just because your world's gone doesn't mean your friends are gone, neither. It'll work out okay in the end. You'll see."
Carla grinned, "Ironic, isn't it? Those were the words I said when you cried at the hotel."
Goofy raised an eyebrow, "You said that before?"
Carla explained, "It wasn't the first time Wendy cried for something. She endured many hardships in the past, but nothing compares to the pain of losing a loved one. She couldn't bear it."
Donald questioned, "So... She's emotionally sensitive?"
Carla sighed, "Yes, regrettably. Although she's a Dragon Slayer and is capable of holding her own, she is still a child. Her emotions easily overwhelm her. That is one of the main reasons why I must fulfill my duty as Wendy's guardian— to guide her and shield her from insecurities."
Donald frowned suspiciously, "Are you some kinda cat maid or something?"
Carla said dryly, "Don't push it, duck."
Donald groaned, "Okay, okay, fine! I get the hint!"
Carla turned to Wendy and wiped the tears from her face. "Whatever happened at Tenrou Island wasn't your fault, nor was it anyone's. This was nothing more than a cruel trick time had played. We didn't realize it at first, nor do we expect something out of it. What matters is that we are alive. We all are."
Wendy's sobs gradually quieted, and she began to take calm breaths. "R-Really? We're still here?"
Carla nodded, "Absolutely. Even if we are worlds apart from our own, we always have friends to guide us. Myself, Donald, Goofy, and everyone else."
Wendy breathed, "Thank you..." Reinvigorated by Carla's words of comfort, she turned to face the rest of the group. "I'm sorry, everybody. I didn't mean to cause a scene."
Donald said warmly, "It's natural, kid. You miss your home and your friends, just like we miss King Mickey. He's a true friend and a great hero. Sometimes Goofy and I can't stop worrying about him. But we pressed on. You should, too." He then got a little upset, "Hey, have you forgotten what I told you? No frowning and no sad faces!"
Carla agreed, "He has a point. We talked about this before. Whatever happened to the brave young girl who would risk everything for the safety of her friends? It seems to me that you've forgotten. This isn't the Wendy I know."
Leon encouraged, "Responsibility rests on your shoulders. The Heartless and the Keyholes are the reason why your Keyblade is so important. The hearts of each world must be locked to avoid the risk of being contaminated."
Aerith beckoned, "Please lock the Keyholes, Wendy. You're the only one who can."
Wendy swallowed hard. "I don't know..."
Leon reasoned, "You may be a kid, but there's no doubt you're the right one for the job. I'm sure you'll find a way to turn things around." He then smiled, "Seeing other worlds would probably serve you well. Trust me."
Donald cheered, "Yeah!"
Goofy beamed, "We gotta find your Fairy Tail friends!"
Carla added, "And King Mickey."
Sherria agreed, "That's right! Just because our world is gone doesn't mean we're giving up!"
Alzack stated, "Our friends are still out there, and we won't rest until we find them."
Bisca grinned, "We're in this together, Wendy. We'll find a way. We always do."
Asuka cried happily, "Go, Wendy! Go, Wendy!"
Wendy summoned the Keyblade and stared at the decorated steel for a short moment, still absorbing the details of the duty that was assigned to her. She remembered that night, when the Keyblade materialized into her hand, gifting her the strength to cut through the repugnant darkness. True to Carla's words, it had selected her for a reason. It was her purity or heart, her innate desire to make a difference, that led to this. Wherever destiny may lead, she would follow it and see it through, and she wouldn't do it alone. She had friends, her bravest companions, to guide her.
Once again, Wendy's confidence was fully restored. She held the Keyblade aloft. "Alright, I'll do it! I'll lock the Keyholes! I don't care how long it's gonna take. I'll do everything I can to see our friends again!" She then paused, giving Leon an odd look. "I wish you would've told me that before."
Leon's response was a slight chuckle. "You didn't ask."
Just like that, the group swarmed around Wendy, giving hugs and friendly pats for her enthusiasm. For a while, it distracted her from her grief over Earth-land's destruction. Leon and Aerith watched the scene unfold with warm hearts. They had faith in Wendy, the girl who would rise to defeat the Heartless and the forces commanding them.
"Oh!" Wendy interrupted, almost forgetting one last important detail. "By the way, Leon, we found these two gummi blocks right after we locked the Keyholes." Right on cue, Donald pulled the blocks from his pockets and held them out for Leon and Aerith to see. "They're different from the others. Do you know what they're used for?"
Leon said nothing. He closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead, as if he had no knowledge on gummi blocks and how they worked. Or perhaps it was the stress of training a lot?
"Hey, what gives?" Sherria wondered. "You're not an expert in gummi blocks?"
"We know someone who is," Aerith beamed. "Ask Cid. He should know."
"Alright, let's ask him," Alzack confirmed.
"Wendy can show us the way," Bisca added.
"Sure thing," Wendy nodded.
"Wait, Wendy," Leon called out, reaching into his pocket and pulling something out. "Take this with you." He revealed a small diamond-shaped stone of radiant amber glittering in the dim light. It appeared to be slightly transparent, and if one didn't know any better, they'd say that it looked like something was frozen within its core. Leon polished the stone's surface with his thumb, and then threw it to Wendy, who caught it with both hands.
"What's this?" Wendy asked.
"I call it Earthshine," Leon explained. "It's a stone holding some mysterious power. I've been carrying it for luck. I want you to hold onto it."
"A stone holding mysterious power?" Wendy examined the stone. "How do you use it?"
Leon crossed his arms, slightly thinking to himself. He couldn't find an answer.
"Uh, Leon?" Wendy asked again.
Still no answer.
"Some help he is," Donald rolled his eyes.
"Donald! Be nice!" Carla hissed.
"Don't mind him," Aerith assured. "I'm sure we'll learn something about that stone. For now, just go and talk to Cid. He'll help you with the gummi blocks."
"Okay!" Wendy complied. "Come on, let's go back to the First District." And with that, the group took their leave from the secret waterway, leaving Leon alone to ponder his thoughts.
Accessory Shop
Returning to the First District was a breeze for Wendy and her friends, with the exception of more Heartless that had swarmed the alleyway and the Second District during the journey. The Red Nocturnes, Blue Rhapsodies, Yellow Operas, and Green Requiems were as pesky as flies, and the Large Bodies were no pushovers, but in the end, they all fell before the heroes' impressive teamwork. Arriving at the Accessory Shop, they entered through the front door. Cid Highwind grinned at the sight of Wendy and company making their way in, and folded his arms over his chest. "Well, look what the cat dragged in!" He paused to take a glance at the new party members, "And these are the friends you were lookin' for, I take it? I reckon this ain't all of 'em."
Sherria smiled, "You're Cid, right? It's very nice to meet you. I'm Sherria."
Alzack added, "The name's Alzack Connell. This is my wife and daughter, Bisca and Asuka."
Bisca saluted, "Howdy!"
Asuka chirped, "Hello!"
Wendy greeted, "It's good to see you again, Cid. How are things going?"
Cid rolled his eyes, "Oh, business is slow as usual. And I envy those three little ducks 'cause they're makin' so much dough in their Item Shop."
Sherria wondered, "Three little ducks?"
Carla clarified, "Huey, Dewey, and Louie, Donald's nephews."
Sherria shrieked, "WHAT?!" She turned to Donald with a shocked expression, "You're an uncle?!"
Donald nodded, "Yep! My nephews are the sharpest bunch. They've opened a shop next to Cid's so they could make lots of munny and go on their own adventure."
Bisca chuckled, "Heh, they grow up so fast."
Donald continued, "Before we set off to other worlds, we went to the Item Shop and asked a few provisions from the boys. We bought the items..." He added with a sigh, "...but they didn't give us a discount."
Alzack questioned, "Why not? They didn't give a discount because you're their uncle?"
Donald whined, "It's not fair! If they like me so much, why don't they just give me something special when they're out on their own? When did they get to be so stingy?"
Sherria asked, "So it didn't end well between you and your nephews?"
Donald admitted, "Oh, you have no idea. My nephews often played tricks on me, like putting whipped cream on my hand or making a very spicy pie... They really are three of a kind. The kind of kids who'd be a pain in the neck for me. Sometimes."
Sherria giggled, "Being an uncle sure is fun, huh?"
Donald clarified, "It is fun. And painful at the same time."
Alzack comforted, "We know how you feel..."
Bisca smiled, "Aside from that, you handled it pretty well."
Donald sighed, "Thanks a lot."
Cid asked, "So, what brings you folks here? Somethin' you wanna buy?"
Wendy replied, "Leon and Aerith said you're an expert in gummi blocks. We were wondering if you know what these are."
Donald pulled out the gummi blocks and placed them on the counter. Cid's face pulled into a stern look, his brow furrowing as his focused his attention on the small artificial objects. "Hmm... What've you got there?" He reached over and picked one of the blocks up, examining it for a while. Suddenly, his grin returned. "Hey! Well, if it ain't a rare navigation gummi block!"
Goofy wondered, "Navigation gummi block? What's this one for?"
Cid's grin was quickly replaced with an annoyed frown. "You're kiddin' me! You're flyin' around in a ship made out of fine gummis, and you don't know nothin' about the navigation kind?!" He shook his head with a scoff, "Bunch of pinheads. Interspace ain't no playground."
Donald argued, "Hey, we're still kinda new at this! There's a lot we don't know about gummis!"
Wendy said resolutely, "Without the Gummi Ship, how are we gonna travel to other worlds? We don't have any other choice!"
Carla determined, "Finding our missing friends is of the utmost importance. We must continue the search at all costs!"
Cid rubbed the back of his head vigorously, clearly underestimating the group's impatience. "Whoa, easy. I didn't know. No hard feelings, alright?" He then checked the gummi blocks one more time. "Well, I guess I could lend y'all a hand, then."
Wendy beamed, "Really? That's great!"
Cid grinned and raised one piece of the navigation gummi blocks for everyone to see. "Basically, with navigation gummis, you can go to worlds you haven't seen yet. It upgrades yer coordinate database locations in known interspace, lets you go where no man's gone before and all that. You want one on your ship, right?" They all nodded, before he put the gummi block back on the counter. "It can't hurt to install it... Not like it'll crash yer system or nothin'."
Donald hoped, "It better not. 'Cause if it does..."
Goofy added, "We ain't got nothin' to explore with."
Cid offered, "Leave your ship to me. I'll get that navigation gummi installed for ya. No charge." He then bent down, searching behind the counter for something. "But I got this thing I gotta go deliver first."
Donald complained, "Why is there always a catch for everything?"
Cid joked, "Hey, here's an idea, duck. How's about you make a hundred shipments a day? Trust me, it's gonna be a long and tiring job! You won't regret it!"
Donald yelped, "Wak! T-That's not what I meant!"
Cid laughed, "Just kiddin'! But I'm serious about the delivery thing. Gotta make sure it's back in good hands."
Donald confirmed, "Oh, that's what I thought you said."
Wendy asked, "What do you need to deliver exactly?"
Cid answered, "Just this book." He popped back up to the counter, having found what he was looking for. In his hand was a book in a beautifully thick amber-colored binding, the cover representing a blank white space. The book had a small golden lock on it, but they could easily tell it wasn't locked tight. It looked something like a diary, but judging by its antiquated appearance, this was no ordinary book. "It's real old. When the guy brought it in, it was practically fallin' apart. Too beat up to restore it to the way it was. But overall, I did a decent job puttin' it back together." He handed it to Wendy, "Anyway, you mind deliverin' it for me?"
Wendy replied, "Okay, where do we take it?"
Cid instructed, "It's the old house past the Third District. Look for a big fire sign. In the meantime, I'm gonna go prop up your ship."
Wendy smiled, "Thanks! Let's get—"
No sooner had the Sky Maiden taken the book did the entire place shake, catching everyone off guard. The vibration was accompanied by the loud sound of a bell, the orchestra of rings making the most melodious tone that echoed over all of Traverse Town. "Wh-What was that?" Wendy asked nervously.
"Hmm?" Cid perked up, turning to where the ringing was coming from. "The bell at the gizmo shop is ringing. Go check it out if you want, but deliver that book for me first. When you're done, stop by the house in the Third District. I'll be there."
"Alright," Wendy nodded. "Let's go!"
Third District
The Third District looked like it had returned to serenity after the final battle with Halloween and his Guard Armor. But by the time Wendy and company made their way in through the Second District doorway, the bliss was shattered. Another battalion of Heartless was on the prowl, comprised of Soldiers, Red Nocturnes, Blue Rhapsodies, and a new type known as the Air Soldier. The Air Soldier was a cousin of the Soldier bearing the same shadowed face and jagged visage, kitted out for aerial battle in an aviator cap with a propeller on top, a pair of shiny-rimmed goggles, and bat-like wings. Their high endurance and tenacity made them tough to beat, but fighting in numbers was the most dangerous part. With their incredible speed, they could challenge an Exceed or two in a flying contest.
The Soldiers, Red Nocturnes, and Blue Rhapsodies were the least of the group's worries, so they made quick work of the less bothersome foes first. Left to contend with the Air Soldiers and their capacity for aerial combat, strategy and patience were the best options at beating them. When fighting a single Air Soldier, Wendy would use her Keyblade Magic to stun it, then close the distance with her Keyblade to finish it off. When fighting groups, she and Donald would cast Thunder first off to stun the surrounding enemies, then deliver the final blow. Defeating the rest of the Air Soldiers was no walk in the park, but Wendy and her allies succeeded in outsmarting their aerial hijinks, before finally destroying them. Wendy and Donald were quick to heal the party's injuries with Cure before proceeding onward.
At the end of an alley in one dark corner of the Third District, they discovered a door bearing the sign of a large flame, just as Cid told them.
"Hello!" Donald pounded on the door's surface with his fist. "Anybody in there?"
"Seems kinda empty, don't it?" Goofy scratched his head.
"HELLO! CAN YOU HEAR ME?" Donald increased the volume of his voice, again pounding his fist. "Why don't they answer?"
"That's funny," Wendy spoke up. "Somebody's supposed to be living here, right? Why would it be empty?"
"Whatever happened to it, it's shut tight by a mysterious force," Carla rubbed her chin. "Not even the Keyblade can access it. Seeing how this door is designed, it's nothing ordinary."
"Well, there's only one thing left to do," Donald determined. "We're gonna have to throw fire at it."
"Fire?" Wendy gasped. "You mean, burn it down?!"
"That's foolish!" Carla argued. "You can't possibly—"
"Fire!" Deaf to Wendy and Carla's protests, Donald aimed his staff and shot a blazing fireball from the tip. As the fire touched the symbol on the door, it erupted into flame, burning hotly for a few seconds before it died down. The group expected the wood to catch fire and burn into ash, but instead, the symbol gleamed a brilliant yellow. In the end, the door creaked open slightly.
"Way to go, Donald!" Sherria cheered. "I never thought you'd open the door with a little fire."
"It's no big deal," Donald chuckled. "It just popped into my head, like a light bulb."
"Impressive, Donald," Carla remarked. "Once again, your impulsiveness has served you well."
"Hey!" Donald frowned. "What do you mean by that?"
"Oh, nothing," Carla smiled coyly. "I'm simply appreciating your talents, however hasty they are."
"Sure, whatever..." Donald grumbled.
"The door is open now," Wendy confirmed. "Let's check it out."
Mystical House
The door led Wendy and her friends into a large cavern surrounded by a dome of water. It wasn't really a cave, as the starry night sky was seen over their heads. There was a strangely decorated house two stories tall, perched atop a small island in the center of the water. It had been patched with a variety of wooden planks and cardboard boxes; the house looked like it had taken too much damage and was worn down despite its festive hue. The bricks used to make the house were light lavender in color, and the carved wooden design was tinted with green. The roof somewhat resembled a witch's hat, at the very tip top of which was a tinier blue version spinning around in place like some kind of icon.
The group exchanged curious glances. Goofy was the first to speak, "Wow, that's somethin' you don't see everyday."
Wendy indicated, "This must be the old house. I wonder who lives here?"
Donald suggested, "Let's go find out."
The only way to get across was by a series of flat stone slabs floating along the stream. Together, they lined the path leading to the island. Whenever Wendy and company stepped on one of the slabs, they moved rhythmically. Timing themselves, they traversed the slabs until they passed beneath the wooden archway and walked up a small set of stairs. Before the group could access the main entrance, they found it covered in wooden crates and cloth. Because of this blockade, Wendy and the others were forced to find another way in. And then they found a broken hole in the side of the brick wall with a green curtain draped over it. They pulled open the curtain and went inside.
Magician's Study
"Anybody home?"
As Wendy asked for someone who would respond to her voice, the house's interior was completely lifeless. The only remotely interesting thing that could be found was a circular stone platform with a small staircase at the center of the room.
"Nobody's home," Alzack indicated. "The whole place is empty."
"Somebody's gotta do some redecoratin'," Bisca commented. "There isn't even any furniture."
"Mommy? Daddy?" Asuka asked nervously. "What is this place? It's dark and dusty..."
"No idea, sweetheart," Alzack shrugged. "But if this is the place Cid asked us to go to..."
The group split up and wandered off to explore separate sides of the room. Not that there was anything in the room to explore- except for the piles of dust. The blockaded doorway didn't count, either. Wendy let out a breath, running her hand through her hair.
"Man, would it kill whoever owns the place to do a little dustin'?"
Wendy whirled around at the sound of the familiar voice, her heart skipping a beat. Out from the shadows stepped the most pleasant sight she had seen in a long while. A young man had appeared before her, his face impossible to forget. A face she knew very well...
"It just needs a fresh coat of paint and lots of furniture, and it'll be good as new! Then again, it kinda reminds me of something."
It's Natsu Dragneel! With his hands around his waist, he moved across the musty stone room in a slow pace. "The inside of that funny-looking house takes me way back to that S-Class job taken by myself, Lucy, Happy, and Gray. It looks just like the cave in Galuna Island, where we discovered Deliora frozen in a giant crystal." He came to a halt near the wall, then turned to Wendy with a wide smile. "I probably haven't told you that, huh?"
"Natsu...?" Wendy's eyes widened in shock at seeing the namesake of Fairy Tail's strongest team, a headstrong Dragon Slayer who was something of a big brother to her. Her mouth agape, her heart beating rapidly, Wendy raised one hand and slightly reached for Natsu, meaning to touch him to see if he was real or not. There were so many questions she wanted to ask him, so many things she wanted to talk about...
"Wendy?" The sound of Goofy's voice pulled Wendy away. She looked back at him, her eyes still wide. "Who are you talkin' to?"
"Are you alright, kid?" Donald asked concerned. "What's the matter?"
"Y-Yeah, I'm fine. But..." Wendy turned back to where Natsu was, only to find nothing. To her surprise, the Fire Dragon Slayer vanished into thin air. "What's going on? I could've sworn it was Natsu, or maybe I've missed him so much that I can't get him out of my head." Her heart heaved with uncertainty, dismayed that there was nobody standing by the stone wall, especially not one of her best friends in the whole world.
"Wendy?" Donald asked again.
"N-Nothing," Wendy assured him, regaining her composure. "I'm fine. Don't worry."
"Well, well! You've arrived sooner than I expected."
A voice chortled in the air, and everyone looked over to the entrance curtain. They spotted an elderly man dressed in a sky blue long-sleeved cloak, an equally sky blue floppy conical hat, spectacles with circular lenses, and pointed slippers. He had short hair on the sides and back of his head, bushy eyebrows, a walrus mustache, and a long floor-length beard, all of which were white. In one hand was a carpet bag, and the other was a long brown rod with a small bump on one end.
"Oh!" Wendy exclaimed. "You knew we were coming?"
"Why, of course," the elderly man nodded. "In fact, I've been looking forward to meeting in person the main heroine of this grand adventure and her band of faithful companions."
"Gawrsh, how'd you know that?" Goofy asked curiously. "Are you a Heartless?"
"He doesn't look like one," Donald implied. "He just looks old."
"Good heavens, I'm no Heartless," the elderly man chuckled. "My name is Merlin. As you can see, I am a sorcerer. I spend much of my time traveling." The sorcerer looked around the room and took a deep breath of content. "It's good to be home."
"You live here!" Wendy gasped in realization. The group was equally surprised.
"Let me be the first to welcome you to my humble abode," Merlin grinned. "Even though you arrived earlier, I am very pleased to have you in my company." He walked up the steps to reach the top of the circular platform, adjusting his hold on the carpet bag. "King Mickey requested my help."
"King Mickey?" Donald and Goofy's eyes went wide.
"Yes, indeed," Merlin confirmed, coming to a halt at the center. "Donald Duck and Goofy, two of the King's royal allies tasked to follow the one who holds the mystical weapon, the Keyblade..." He looked over at the Sky Maiden, "...and that person turned out to be her. Who might you be, my dear?"
"I'm Wendy Marvell," Wendy introduced herself.
"Ah, so you have found the key," Merlin stroked his beard thoughtfully. "You certainly are a brave and confident young lady in spite of your age. The beauty and innocence within... I suppose that's why it selected someone like you."
"Aww, really?" Wendy blushed with a smile. "It was nothing."
"What did King Mickey ask you to do?" Carla prompted.
"Just a moment..." Merlin held up one finger in the air, stopping her.
The sorcerer set his bag on the edge of the round platform, and then moved to the other side. Clearing his throat, he lifted his wand high and tapped the air in an almost rhythmic fashion. "Presto!" Suddenly, the carpet bag popped open, and out came a variety of items. It was difficult to tell what they were at first because they were so small, but they slowly began to grow in size. They moved in synchronization, marching like a parade. As soon as the first few objects emerged from the bag, Merlin began to pounce and hop in place as though he was leading an orchestra. Out of his mouth came a flurry of magical words sung in a melody, leading the furniture around the room.
Merlin: Higitus figitus migitus mum!
Prestidigitonium!
Hockety pockety wockety wack!
Odds and ends and bric a brac!
Alicafez, balacazez
Malacamez, meripedes!
Higitus figitus migitus mum!
Prestidigitonium!
Higitus figitus migitus mum!
Prestidigitonium!
Wendy and company watched in amazement as the contents of Merlin's bag emptied itself. Out popped teapots, tables, drawers, chairs, and countless other items, which appeared smaller before growing to their original size. The wacky wizard continued to sing and dance around, directing the items to their respective places in the house.
Soon afterwards, the room was entirely furnished, complete with a comfy bed, a round table with a tea set, a wooden desk filled up with various assortments, a blackboard, a giant copper telescope, a brass stove, and multiple piles of books. The spot next to the telescope became home to a small model of a beautiful white carriage that, oddly enough, vaguely resembled a pumpkin. Wendy and her friends glanced around at the fully decorated room with open mouths. What a way to unpack!
"WOW!" Asuka squealed excitedly. "Do it again! Do it again! Do it again!"
"Asuka! Take it easy!" Alzack laughed, lifting his energetic daughter up in his arms. He looked at Merlin apologetically, "Sorry about her. She gets so excited over everything."
"That's quite alright, lad," Merlin assured. "How else would someone get all this stuff into one suitcase?"
"Someone like you?" Bisca smirked. "You sure know how to turn this musty dump into a colorful hangout."
"Well, anything is possible if you have magic," Merlin smiled. "Would you like some tea?" He gestured to the table spread as part of the invitation. In response, chairs moved automatically from different parts of the room and scooped up Wendy and the others, before pulling them up to the table. Donald let out a surprised quack as his seat was pushed in too quickly, causing him to slide forward and collide with the table's edge. He grumbled angrily to himself as he leaned back, rubbing the sore spot of his stomach. The tea kettle then poured a fresh cup of tea for each of them. Merlin seated himself at the head of the table in a large red chair, overseeing the group picking up their tea cups and gingerly taking a sip. "Would anyone care for sugar?"
Carla put her teacup down and smiled. "Why, yes. It would be delightful."
Wendy raised her own teacup, "I'd like to have some."
Sherria followed suit, "Me, too."
Merlin relaxed in the comfort of his chair. "Alright. Sugar?" He clapped his hands twice. In a flash, the sugar container hopped along the table with a teaspoon. It headed for the sorcerer, who narrowed his eyes at it. "No! Manners, manners, manners! Guests first! You know that!" The container hopped in alarm before spinning around to Wendy, Sherria, and Carla. It came to a stop next to Wendy's cup and, removing its lid, used the spoon to scoop into itself and pour sugar into the cup one spoonful at a time. Merlin chuckled to himself. "Just say when, dear."
After receiving two sugars, Wendy smiled. "Okay, when." The container seemed to take the Sky Dragon Slayer's response with kindness. It then hopped over to give Carla and Sherria the same treatment.
Merlin cleared his throat, "There, now, let's get down to business. King Mickey asked me to advance your skills in the art of magic."
Wendy was moments away from eating a biscuit in her hand. "Huh? You mean you want to train me?"
Merlin nodded, "Precisely. So far, you've performed marvelously in balancing the Keyblade's physical strength with magic. A most impressive feat for a child." He rose from his seat and walked down the platform, moving over to his pile of books and rummaging through them for the right one. "You should know that reliance on physical strength denies you the full capacity of the weapon you use."
Meanwhile, the sugar container had moved on from Sherria's cup to Merlin's. Sherria watched as it continually poured spoons of sugar into its intended target. She stifled a laugh, putting one hand over her mouth. "Um... Merlin?"
Merlin went on, returning to his seat, "Conscious control of both physical and magical is essential to your cause. But don't you get any foolish ideas that magic will solve all of your problems, because it won't. Proper balance is the key to success!"
Wendy grinned, "Thank you, Mr. Merlin. You know, I'm getting the hang of using the Keyblade every day. Like activating Command Styles, using different kinds of Abilities, casting Keyblade Magic spells..."
Merlin chortled, "I understand, my dear. Very good. But please, call me Merlin. I can tell you're able to handle yourself quite well with the abilities and techniques you've unlocked. Still, if you ever have the need to sharpen your skills, feel free to ask me. We can... Ah!" His eyes went wide when he saw the mountain of sugar where his teacup used to be. "When! When! BLAST IT ALL, WHEN!"
The sugar container jumped up, frightened. Its lid flipped a few times and its spoon clattered on the table top. It pulled on its lid and dashed away, hiding itself behind the tea kettle, peeking out to look at Merlin nervously. The sorcerer grumbled under his breath, dropping the books he picked up. He grabbed the teacup, threw the excess sugar over his shoulder, then used the end of his beard to sweep the remaining bits off the table. Wendy and her companions struggled to hold back their laughter, amused by the display. "Impudent piece of crockery..." Merlin muttered, taking a seat and smoothing his beard. He grabbed one of the books he retrieved and flipped through the pages, while picking up his cup for a sip. "As I was saying, we can start anytime you like. Let me know when you're ready to begin the training."
Wendy shrugged, "Well, I guess a little exercise wouldn't hurt. I promised I would be strong for my friends, so I have to improve myself."
Merlin asked, "What is your answer, then?"
Wendy replied, "Yes, I'll ask you. I'm gonna need some help if I'm to control my magic properly."
Merlin beamed, "Splendid, my dear! Please, don't hesitate to ask a sorcerer for guidance. You have my generous support."
Wendy nodded, "Sure!"
Carla reminded, "Remember what Merlin said, proper balance is the key to success."
Wendy giggled, "Merlin's not the only one who told me that, you know."
Carla chuckled, "I suppose."
"Oh, and one more thing..." Merlin gestured for the group to turn around in their seats. Suddenly, the room was filled with small twinkling blue lights. They flickered brilliantly as they slowly moved across the room, until they coalesced around the carriage model. When the lights disappeared, taking the carriage's place was an elderly woman with grey hair and pale skin, dressed in a lavender cloak with a hood and a pink bow around her neck. In her hand, she held a long magic wand.
"Hello," the woman greeted with a sweet smile. "I'm the Fairy Godmother. Your king asked me to help, too. I will assist throughout your journey." She curtsied slightly in the group's direction.
All at once, the entourage of Fairy Tail wizards, paired with the only Lamia Scale wizard on the team, was extremely awed at the prospect of seeing a bona fide fairy for the first time. They couldn't believe it! The answer to the eternal question they could never find an answer to, the very question the Fairy Tail guild was based on, was standing right in front of them before their very eyes! Donald and Goofy were less fazed by the discovery, wondering why their other teammates were stunned at seeing a fairy. It was almost as if they had never seen one before. They just stood there, frozen with shock, until Wendy broke the ice. "Whoa! You're a fairy? For real?"
The Fairy Godmother chuckled, "Of course I'm a fairy, dear! Who else is?"
Carla exclaimed, "Fascinating! In a separate corner of the universe, we have just encountered a fairy, the creature our guild is named after!"
Sherria remarked, "Whoa, I guess fairies do exist after all. And to think I thought they only exist in fairy tales..."
Wendy beamed, "No kidding what Carla said about every world full of surprises and stuff... And now, we get to see a real fairy! This is amazing!"
Bisca grinned, "Well, ain't that the best thing you've ever seen?"
Alzack stated, "If the rest of Fairy Tail was here, they'd be so surprised."
Asuka cheered, "Fairy! Fairy! Fairy!"
The Fairy Godmother remarked, "You and your friends certainly have a wide imagination. Have you believed long enough that fairies do exist?"
Carla clarified, "In our world, there are lingering concerns regarding the existence of fairies. Many attempted to uncover the mystery, even to this day. So far, none have succeeded. But seeing you here..."
The Fairy Godmother nodded, "Yes, there are so many mysteries which we find harder to solve. But sometimes the answer lies in front of us when all is said and done. Whether the world is full of hope or hardship is an answer that may be determined by the way we lead our lives."
Wendy admired, "Wow... Those are nice words coming from you."
Sherria agreed, "Yeah, like moral lessons at the end of each story."
Carla commented, "Most impressive. For a fairy, you have such wisdom."
The Fairy Godmother asked, "Your name is Wendy, isn't it?" The Sky Dragon Slayer responded with a nod. "Let me ask you a question. In your heart, do you believe that dreams can come true?"
Wendy answered, "You said that whether the world's good or bad depends on how we live our lives, right? Well, if there's something I've learned worthwhile..." She mustered enough courage to come up with an honest answer, "...it's to always have faith. To never give up, no matter what comes my way. So yeah, I do believe." She held a hand over her heart, "I believe because I have friends alongside me. I believe because there's a future lying in store for me. There's no reason for me to be afraid. If I believe, I can do anything." She then gave an affectionate sigh, "I always have."
The Fairy Godmother smiled, "That's good, my dear. And I hope you stay that way. Just trust in your dreams." She paused to give Wendy an acknowledging gleam in her eyes, as if she was reading the untouched radiance within. "You've raised her well, Grandeeney. One heart of pure light holding a key..."
A soft gasp escaped Wendy's mouth. Her eyes darted upward to look into the sweetly figure's face. How did the Fairy Godmother know about that?
Merlin smiled, "I do not know how much we can be of help, but do stop by anytime."
Wendy nodded, "Okay, we'll come back soon enough. Thanks!"
Donald interrupted, "Wait a minute! Aren't we forgetting something?"
Goofy reminded, "Cid asked us to deliver this book." He pulled it out and raised it in the air for everyone to see.
Wendy realized, "Oh, right. It's what we came here to do."
Goofy handled the book to Merlin, "We thought you'd like to have it."
Merlin recognized, "Oh, that book... I was wondering when Cid would be finished patching it up for me. He asked you to bring this, did he not? Thank you so much." He took the book and examined it, "The binding's almost as good as new. Mr. Highwind's gotten rather proficient at fixing a book, hasn't he?"
Carla assumed, "Yes, so it seems."
Merlin thumbed through the pages, searching for whatever nicks or scratches remained in the book. After much deliberation, he turned to Wendy and company, who were eager to catch a glimpse of the book's contents. "I assume you are wondering what kind of book this is?"
Donald said eagerly, "Uh-huh!"
Merlin shrugged, "To be quite frank, I don't even know myself. In fact, it's not mine. It somehow found its way into my bag one day. It was such a curious book, I asked Cid to repair it for me." He closed the book, "Well, I guess I'll put it here somewhere, for now. This book holds a great secret. The missing pages will unlock it."
Donald blinked, "Great secret?"
Goofy echoed, "The missing pages?"
Wendy asked, "How many?"
Merlin explained, "Well, I rummaged the contents of this book, and I was quick to discover there are five pages missing in total. The pages are scattered over many worlds. If by chance you run across them in your travels, I'm sure you'll restore the book to its former glory. I do hope that you'll get something special out of it." He turned to a small bedside table, walked over to it, and placed the book there. "I'll just leave it right here. Do look at it whenever you like. My best regards to Cid for repairing it for me."
Wendy nodded, "Okay, we'll do our best to find the missing pages."
Merlin continued, "Oh, and about that stone of yours..."
Wendy jumped in alarm. "Huh?! How did you—"
A knowing twinkle could be seen behind Merlin's spectacles. "You should ask the Fairy Godmother about that."
Wendy pulled out the Earthshine, the name of the mysterious stone she received from Leon as a gift. She stared at the alluring radiance within the stone, curious of whatever power was hidden inside. She walked over to the Fairy Godmother and presented the stone to her. "Fairy Godmother, do you know what this stone is? Leon said it holds some kind of power."
The Fairy Godmother gingerly picked up the stone to inspect it. A small, somewhat sad frown appeared on the elderly figure's face, as she clicked her tongue in disappointment. "Oh, the poor thing! He has turned into a Summon Gem."
The group looked at each other in surprise. "A Summon Gem?"
The Fairy Godmother explained, "This little creature lived in a world that was consumed by darkness. When a world vanishes, so do its inhabitants." She gestured to the Earthshine, "But this one had such a strong heart, he became a gem instead of vanishing with his world. Summon Gems contain the heart of a young soul that had escaped the destruction of their world, and they maintain their existence by living on as gems, like the one you gave to me."
Wendy gasped softly, "He survived because of his strong heart? He turned into a gem after that?"
The Fairy Godmother nodded, "Yes."
Sherria guessed, "It must've taken a lot of willpower for him to make it outta there alive. He's tough."
Goofy agreed, "Yup! That's feller's as tough as you, Alzack, Bisca, and Asuka back then."
Alzack chuckled, "Oh, you think?"
Bisca said proudly, "They can't mess with us."
Donald wondered, "But if Wendy's world is gone, won't her friends be, too?"
Wendy shook her head, "No, they have to be alive somewhere. I know they are." She then resumed the topic, "If this guy's a Summon Gem, can he regain himself?"
The Fairy Godmother answered, "Yes, but only his spirit. Now, watch!" She held out the Earthshine with her free hand and pointed the tip of her wand at it. "Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo!"
With another rain of twinkling lights, a lion's roar could be heard from somewhere. It sounded far and distant, but that didn't change the power and might laced in the loud noise. Everyone's eyes went wide, wondering where the noise came from. Suddenly, the crystal exterior of the Earthshine popped, and allowed something to hatch out of it. A floating orb of orange bearing the symbol of a lion floated above the Fairy Godmother's palm, right before it popped in the same way the stone had. Wisps of light danced about, and Wendy's hand summoned the Keyblade in automatic response. By the time the light assimilated with the blade's steel, the Sky Maiden began to examine the new changes. She cried out, "Whoa! Did it just become a part of my Keyblade?"
Donald stated, "It's just like the Magic and Ability Orbs we've found at other worlds!"
The Fairy Godmother explained, "I used my magic to awaken the heart within the gem, and it responded to your Keyblade. It has now become one with its power. Simply concentrate with all your heart, and you need only to say the word to summon an ally who will help you in your time of need. Whenever you call, he will help you."
Wendy asked, "So I'll have to focus my Keyblade Magic to summon that guy, and he'll come to help us?" The Fairy Godmother confirmed her answer with a nod. She got a big grin out of that, "Incredible! I can summon anyone out of nowhere, just like Lucy summons her Celestial Spirits!"
Alzack grinned, "Your new summon partner could be a buff bodyguard like Taurus."
Bisca joked, "Or maybe someone charmingly handsome as Loke?"
Carla implied, "We won't know how it'll work, unless you give it a try."
Donald requested, "When we see Heartless again, can you call out that guy?"
Goofy nodded, "Yeah, we wanna see that fella in action."
Sherria agreed, "Yeah, Wendy! Do the magic!"
Wendy giggled, "I'll keep that in mind."
The Fairy Godmother advised, "If you find any more Summon Gems, bring them to me. And don't worry, when their worlds are restored, they will return there." She placed one hand under the Sky Dragon Slayer's chin, giving an encouraging smile. "Wendy, please help save them."
Wendy smiled back, "Don't worry, I will." She turned to the rest of her friends, "Well, I guess that's about it."
Just as the group was about to leave, Merlin raised his wand into the air and cleared his throat loudly, diverting their attention back to him. "Oh, and Wendy! You'd best go see Cid before going anywhere else."
Goofy chuckled, "Why'd we forget? We're just on our way to see him."
Merlin nodded, "Yes, yes, that's good to hear. We wish you good fortune, my lads!"
Donald grinned, "Alright, time to hit the road!"
Wendy agreed, "Right!" She and the others exited the house, knowing that their business was concluded. Little did they know that an unexpected encounter would occur upon their return back to the Third District...
Author's Note:
Man, it's been a long trip! I'm sorry it took so long, but it's here now. The first chapter of the second Traverse Town arc is complete. Yay! Still to come, Wendy is about to reunite with someone, and the tides of war may turn in her favor. I'm not gonna tease, but here is a clue... That someone's flying through the skies with wings on a rainbow fire... Can you guess who it was? 'Cause I'm not gonna spoil.
I think that's all for now. I'm off to write the next chapter, given the time I have. I wish you all a happy reading and give me more support and credit. This is TheSavageMan100, and I'll see you next time!
