The New Seven Hearts
Riku and Mickey had made their way up the northwest path, passed the Gardens to the flight of stairs to the castle gate, Front Doors. Aeleus and Dilan were standing guard at the gates as usual.
"Hiya, fellas." Mickey waved, greeted them as Riku and him approached. "We're back."
"Welcome." Dilan greeted them as Aeleus nodded in greeting. "How goes your investigation?"
"Informative, but we still need more leads." Riku replied.
"We could use your help. Any chance you guys made any progress with that data Ansem the Wise left in Sora?" Micky inquired to them.
"Ienzo is working on the data right now." Dilan replied.
"Great! Can we go see him? We'd like to see what he has found so far."
"I'll show you in." Aeleus offered, leaving Dilan to guard the gate door. Aeleus walked in, saying no more as he silently hinted for them to follow him.
"Great! Thanks, Aeleus!"
Aeleus had guided them all the way to Ansem the Wise's study, passed his desk to the room where the master computer was. Ienzo was there, watching the data on the screen. No longer was he wearing the black coat, but instead dawned the white lab coat of a scientist.
"Hm?" When he heard their arrival his eyes slightly widen at Riku's presence. "!"
"Hey Zexion…" Riku said in greeting, breaking the sudden silence in the room.
"So you remember me from the castle? I don't know if I should feel good about that or not."
"I heard you're called Ienzo now."
"Yes. That is my real name, now that I have been recompleted." Ienzo answered, his eyes sadden as he looked down. "We haven't spoken since the castle, and it was not on good terms. I would like to apologize for my previous actions towards you, Nobody or not."
"No hard feelings for the past." Riku said, holding out a hand to Ienzo to let bygones be bygones. "Let's work together to get our friends back, Ienzo."
"Yes." Ienzo nodded, taking Riku's hand to shake. "I look forward to working with you, Riku."
"Right. Any luck with the data so far?"
"The data has been encrypted, so we've only deciphered some of it." Ienzo explained, walking over to the computer screen to look at the data. The others followed to see what he has gotten so far. "On that note... we found some intriguing data in the bit of code we deciphered."
"!" The screen had a diagram of Sora, with three different data trails coming from him. One of the data trails clash with itself, hinting that it might be two or more deposing trails. Riku's eyes widen for a moment at this information. "Is this about Sora?"
"Yes. In order to piece his memories together, our teacher, Ansem the Wise, took a close look at his heart. And what he found... is that Sora's heart doesn't belong just to him."
"..."
"Golly, you don't seem surprise by this." Mickey commented as Riku remained unmoved by this information.
"Yeah. I figured as much. There's been another heart inside him since we were kids." Riku commented. "However, I don't think it's Roxas's."
"Interesting..." Ienzo said in fascination as he placed his hand over his chin in thought. "What make's you suggest that. Sora believes that the data hints to Roxas, and no one would know Sora's heart better than him. To be honest, we still have a plethora of questions on our side."
"Roxas was created when Sora had become a Heartless back in Hollow Bastion when he faced Ansem in by body. But the heart I've been referring to has been with Sora before then. Long enough that he might not even remembered he opened his heart to let this heart in." Riku explained. "You should look into it further. Maybe we'll find more hearts inside Sora's than we had expected."
"Hmm... your words do have merit." Ienzo commented as he thought about Riku's idea compared to the data. "It's incredible enough that Sora and his Nobody are able to coexist. If he can share a heart with more than just one... this is becoming more and more remarkable. We'll keep investigating based on your hypothesis and tell you how it goes."
"Speaking of hypothesis and data, we were wondering if you fellas could help us out with something." Mickey added in, changing the subject.
"Hmm?"
"We've been looking for a way to bring Roxas and Naminé back. But in order to do that, they will need a body for their hearts to return to." Mickey explained. "We were thinking about putting them in replicas and were wondering if you guys still had the data on replicas and vessels? Maybe even a spar replica around?"
"..." Ienzo and Aeleus went silent, before lowering their heads for a moment and shaking them in sad negative.
"I'm afraid that you're too late on that matter." Ienzo sighed out.
"What?! We're too late?"
"!" Riku couldn't believe this.
"Yes. Even would know all about the replicas from his time as Vexen in the Organization." Ienzo answered.
"..." Aeleus silently listen, a quiet confirmation as one of the members from the Castle Oblivion Basement team.
"He was recompleted like the rest of us, but he didn't regain consciousness." Ienzo continued to explain. "After Lea left, he must have woken and taken his leave. Aeleus here and Dilan went out and turned the whole town upside down to try and find him."
"..." Aeleus shook his head, silently telling them that he and Dilan had found nothing.
"(Sigh). But no Even." Ienzo said with discouragement.
"That's not good." Mickey groaned, deflated by the news.
"What about his research?" Riku asked. Surely there was something left behind.
"Unfortunately, his work on the replicas was incomplete. There may still be documents around, but all of them from well before he made any significant progress."
"Do you have any idea where he might go?" Asked Mickey. Maybe he could have gone somewhere to complete his research?
"There's no place that he could go now that he's human. He has no means of leaving this world."
"The dark corridors-"
"Are beyond his faculties and mine now." Ienzo answered, sadly writing off Mickey's theory since it left them with no leads.
"..." Mickey was disappointed by this. Now they were stuck in a dead end.
"(Gasp)!" But suddenly a thought hit Riku. "But not everyone's. What if Even was taken?"
"Of course!" Mickey raised his finger in eureka, before looking over at Riku. "The Organization could also use the replicas!"
"To fill out their ranks." Riku finished, glad Mickey was on the same thought as him.
"..." Ienzo and Aeleus looked over at each other in thought. Seeing if it was plausible for Even to be captured or if he had gone on his own willingly? The Organization still had a hold of his research, perhaps he had rejoined them to finish it.
"We better go and tell Master Yen Sid. And Sora, and the others, too!" Mickey insisted over to Riku.
"Hm." Riku nodded in agreement.
"You can leave telling Sora and the others about this to us." Ienzo offered to them. "We were planning to call Sora back anyway once we deciphered more of the data about the other heart inside of him. We'll catch them up with what we know."
"Really?" Mickey said in slight relief at the gesture.
"Thanks. We'll count on you guys for that then." Riku nodded to Ienzo and Aeleus in gratitude. "We'll head out now."
"Good luck on your end, gentlemen." Ienzo said, waving them off as Aeleus escorted them out.
"Same to you." Riku replied back. Aeleus had taken back out to the castle gate, returning to his post beside Dilan. Riku waved them off in gratitude as Mickey and them headed back down the stairs. "Thanks for the help."
They nodded back in return as Riku and Mickey went on their way. But before they planned to head out for Master Yen Sid's Tower they decided to check up with the others at the HBRC Headquarters and stop by the Moogle Shop on the way out.
They had dropped by in Merlin's House. Only to see the old wizard packing up his tote bag while the others went about their business.
"Ah! Splendid to see you, my boys." Merlin greeted them in good cheer as he placed his tote's strap across his shoulder. "What brings you two here today? I'm afraid I've made no tea at the moment."
"That's fine, we're not hear for the tea." Riku said, waving off Merlin's concern as he brought up another topic. "Are you heading out?"
"Ah ha! Why yes!" Merlin replied, there was a spark of joy in his eyes. "I'm off to meet up with Sora and the others at Twilight Town to discuss about a book. The 100 Acre Wood, to be exact."
"!" Riku slight gasped as he felt a ping in his heart. "Did something happen?"
"Well, that's what I need Sora to find out." Replied Merlin as he pulled out The 100 Acre Wood's book to show Riku and Mickey. "You see, Sora's picture use to be on the cover of the book. I left a message with Chip and Dale to tell Sora to meet with me so we can deal with the book."
"..." When Riku had visited The 100 Acre Wood, Sora's picture was not on the cover either. But that might have been due to the loving characters from the book forgetting about Sora due to Naminé's past influence under the Organization. So if his picture was gone again, that might have meant... "Did Sora vanish from Pooh's heart? Did Sora lose his friends...?"
"Well, now. There's no need to fret, if that's the case, lad." Merlin assured, brushing off Riku's growing worries.
"Huh?"
"Whatever's lost can be found again." Merlin pointed out, his reasoning reaching to Riku's heart. "There are always new paths between hearts for us to discover and traverse. But you already knew that, my boy."
"..." Yeah...he did. "You're right. I'm sure that Pooh and the others are fine."
"Yes. Quite. Well, I'm heading off now." Merlin replied, straightening his wizard hat back on his head. "I've heard that Le Grand Bistrot on Twilight Town is the best restaurant around with the finest cup of tea. I shall see this for myself while I wait for them."
"Huh?" He was leaving so soon? "What about Kairi and Lea's Keyblade training?"
"Oh, those two are almost done and can handle the rest on their own." Merlin replied, brushing it off as he got excited about his little trip. "Besides, I hear that the Little Chef running the bistro is a fast rising star. His bistro already becoming a 3-star restaurant."
"Huh? But-"
"I'm off to have some tea!" Merlin said, his mind already set. The question was if he still remember what the main purpose of his visit to Twilight Town was? But in a spark of light he was off. "I'll be back soon! Goodbye, you two, and good luck!"
"..." And so they watched Merlin blast off like a rocket of light into the sky and off of the world. They didn't even get the chance to tell him about the data they found back at the castle.
"And he was never seen again." Came the teasing on the other side of the room.
"Yuffie, stop that." Aeris groaned in reprimand, but inside knowing that she was not far off from the truth. Growing up, she often was cut short on lessons as Merlin would go off world on travels. He was an old soul that couldn't stay put or be held down for long. But he would always come back... eventually.
"Mother, where are Loz, Yazoo, and Kadaj?" Riku asked, looking around to see the lack of his brothers presence or Jenova for that matter.
"Oh, they're helping your grandmother move in at the City of the Ancients."
"!" The City of the Ancients had fully returned? Along with the Sleeping Forest? But the bigger question was... "Why is she staying all the way out there?"
"It's what she wanted to do..." Aeris answered before going into detail about how Jenova's choice came to be...
Aeris was sitting around in her Livingroom with Jenova. Enjoying a cup of tea as they enjoyed each others company. Aeris had brought out her photo album, telling Jenova the adventures and stories she had with Sephiroth and her boys. Even the stories she shared with Riku on his journey. And Jenova in turned told stories of her own, filling Aeris in on the gap she had missed with her three lost boys and Sephiroth.
They had talked and talked, and even laughed a little, as the time flew by.
"To be honest, Jenova, for the longest time...I was afraid of you."
"You were afraid of a severed head?"
"It was more than that. You were able to bring out a darkness inside Sephiroth like I have never seen before. I was afraid of what darkness you could have pulled outside of my sons- afraid what you could pull outside of me..."
"..."
"But you were just a mother, protecting her son the only way she knew how. I realize that now. I'm a little ashamed that I only figured this out over a year ago."
"This isn't something to beat yourself over for." Jenova answered in turn, struggling to get out what she had to say. "If we are being honest, I was scared of you as well- but for other reasons."
"Like what?"
"Your light... I feared that it was so fragile and the most despicable of darkness could easily snuff you out. I feared that another Light of the Ancients would be taken from the worlds and all that would be left would be the crumbled heart of my son."
"Oh..."
"We're both mothers, you and I. We wanted what was best for our children, regardless if we were going down different roads."
"You know, it's funny... the more I talk to you, the more I have come to understand what you were trying to do." Aeris admitted as she put down her cup of tea. "In all honesty, I was going down the same path but in the opposite direction with my boys. I had no plans of giving them the choice of darkness and intended to teach them only the ways of the Light. But that wasn't fair to them, nor to Sephiroth."
"I guess for one whom has grown in the worst forms of darkness I can understand your displeasure of having your family anywhere close to it." Jenova said in understanding. "We both have gone to the extremes on opposite sides, but now we have grown to accepted both the Light and the Darkness. If not for our own sake, then for the sake of our boys."
"Yes. You're right." Aeris smiled in genuine gratitude and understanding for her mother-in-law. She was honestly glad that she finally got to meet her. What a missed opportunity it would have been if she didn't give her a chance. Luckily for Aeris, she had always been the forgiving type. Aeris looked up at the clock, realizing how much time has passed. "Well, it's getting pretty late. Allow me to set up a place for you to sleep. I know we don't have much room in this house. But-"
"There is no need. I will be dwelling elsewhere."
"Oh?"
"I have been away from my people for far too long." Jenova said with a longing as she looked out at the night viewed window. "I wish to abide in the City of Ancients, where I can be in touch with my roots again."
"(Gasp)! But... you just got here. I was hoping you could stay and reacquaint with the boys again." Aeris pleaded, hoping that this would have been the time for reconciliation with Jenova and her grandchildren. "Do you have to go so soon...?"
"I will not be far. These worlds at times can feel so small. And besides," Jenova stated as she opens a Dark Corridor behind her. "I will be dropping in for visits from time to time. More than you will care for."
"Dark Corridors? But- you don't have any black coat!" Aeris gasped in concern.
"I don't need any black coat. The darkness has no power over me and cannot consume my heart."
"..." There was truth to her words. She had survived in the realm of darkness for a very long time.
"Farewell, little Cetra. I will come again." Jenova said in farewell, walking into the dark corridor. "Take care, grandsons. I'm leaving now, so you can stop hiding behind the door."
"!" Jenova called them out as she took her leave. The room was silent as the three brothers revealed their presence.
"She's not staying?" Kadaj asked, slightly dejected.
"It was her choice, Kadaj. She wants to stay in the City of the Ancients." Aeris said in sympathy for her second to youngest son. Kadaj may have been the one more closed off to Jenova compared to the others, but he still didn't want her to go. His heart was going through conflicting emotions.
"But, that place is desolate and unkempt." Kadaj argued at that.
"She'll be lonely over there and cold." Loz began to sniffled, trying to hold back the tears.
"Don't cry Loz." Yazoo looked over at him, tilting his head.
"I'm not crying."
"She wanted to return to a place close to home. Don't worry, boys, she will be visiting, from time to time." Aeris assured in comfort to her sons. "If you feel worried about her. Why don't you help her settle in there? I'm sure she'll need some things to settle in and some help tidying up."
"Help... All right, mother. We'll help her settle in, in the morning." Kadaj replied, more eager to add in a helping hand than he cared to admit. His other two brothers nodding in agreement.
"And that's how it is." Aeris says, finishing up her story.
"..." Riku listened to her story, processing it all in. Glad to see that his brothers were making an effort to reform the bond they had with Jenova, one that was now formed in honesty and rebuilt trust between grandmother and grandsons.
"They've been gone all day. I'm sure they'll be back soon."
"Already here." Answered Kadaj, coming in the room through a Dark Corridor. Loz, Yazoo, and Jenova following in after him before the corridor closed.
"Welcome back!" Aeris greeted with a smile. "How are you settling in?"
"Smoother than I expected. But surprisingly under-prepared by others standards." Jenova answered to Aeris's question, before crossing her arms and looking over at her three grandsons at the last part.
"She picked a home, but has no linen or covers or ingredients to live off of. Not to mention the lack of bathroom, kitchen, cleaning, and heating necessities." Kadaj said in lecture.
"We're going to the hardware store to grab a few things for her." Loz said in excitement, at the thought that they were going to buy and literally grabs things out for her. And he was talking heavy appliances.
"All right. But do you boys have enough?" Aeris asked, wondering if they needed more munny.
"We've been taking care of enough Heartless to get by. Don't worry about it." Loz said, brushing it off.
"All right. But use the Materia in the basement for a Boiler and Electricity, instead of buying more. No need to waste your munny." Aeris instructed in advice.
"Will do." Yazoo replied in confirmation.
"Do you mind if I join you?" Aeris asked, getting up from her seat. "I love helping out with interior decorating."
"You're welcome to join." Jenova replied. "I see no reason why not. I could use some advice in the matter, I'm still a bit lost."
"No worries. Leave it to me." Aeris assured, happy to tag along.
"Wait, mother, grandmother, I need a bit of your advice." Riku interjected, halting them from heading out to Fountain Court.
"Hm?" Aeris tilted her head in curiosity.
"What ever for?" Jenova asked, wondering what knowledge that her youngest grandson seeks from the both of them. It must be something that needs the opinion of both Light and Darkness.
"I need your advice on dealings with the heart." Riku said, building up to his question. "What if there was a heart that was sharing its body with more than just one heart?"
"Oh!" Aeris gasped in fascination. Loving a good hypothetical puzzle.
"Such a thing would be rare. And only if the owner of the original body allowed the other heart in." Jenova explained in theory.
"But what if the hearts have stayed together for too long and started to blend with one another? Sharing each others memories?"
"Hmm, that's a bit of a tough one." Aeris pondered aloud, tapping her finger on her chin in thought. "That would in turn, influence and help form the original heart owning the body into the person that they have come to be. Entangling that person's heart in web of chains of memories that are apart or differentiate from the original's memories and the other heart's memories. Making the original lose a sense of who they are, but at the same time not."
"Isn't there a way to separate them? Can't you just rip the hearts away from each other?" Riku asked in a suggestion, but did not expected the reaction he would get from his question.
"!" His grandmother looked on in disgust. And his mother almost fainted at the idea.
"No, Riku! That's terrible!" Aeris said, reprimanding the thought as she placed hand over her heart protectively.
"Do you go around putting your hands under random strangers' shirts?" Jenova countered.
"!" Riku's eyes widened at the notion. "What? No!"
"That's the same feeling of one placing a hand on another's heart, but less extreme as the latter."
"?"
"Riku… The heart is not one to be toyed with." Aeris tried to explain, calming herself down as she pinched her forehead between her fingers and shook out the anger. "True, you can Sense a heart; you can feel its emotions. You can even touch a heart by reaching out and calling to it. But you can NEVER physically touch it. That is a nature's taboo."
"!" Riku didn't quite understand. "But- we let people in to our hearts all the time. Creating bonds and forming connections. I don't understand why this is taboo? Sora even had his memories unchained once, and had Naminé put it back together."
"That in itself was a great sin." Aeris sneered unable to hold back her rage at the thought.
"?!"
"Make no mistake, boy." Jenova added in. "When I was raising your brothers and your father in the influence of the power of darkness. I merely spoke and guided their hearts down the path I wished for them to follow. Going down that path was always their hearts' choice. I never FORCED their hearts to do anything that I desired, nor did I manipulate their chains of memories to fit my design."
"Sora's memories should have never been touched in the first place. And in doing so, it effected the hearts of all those around Sora that had cared and cherished him as well. Regardless of if Naminé was forced by the Organization to do so, it was still taboo. And there was still a price to be paid."
"!" Riku's eyes widen. "A price to be paid?"
"Breaking a nature's taboo always comes with a high price. That sooner or later the offender will have to pay. And believe me, you're better off destroying the body and sending the heart back to the Lifestream than altering another's heart."
"..." Something told Riku that his mother and grandmother wouldn't be too fond of Naminé due to her past actions. But even so, there must be something they can do for Roxas and Naminé. "Is there no way to bring the heart that is shared in the another's body back?"
"Hmm, there is, but there'll still be a small price attached to it." Aeris warned in advice, still following Riku hypothetical notion. "But in order to do so, not only will that heart need a body to return to, but it will need a Spark to wake it up from the original's heart."
"What do you mean by Spark?"
"A connection." Jenova asked in turned. "One that that heart remembers and is close to. It takes the call of one they are bonded to by the heart to Spark the Sleeping heart within the original heart to wake again. And only then can it return to its body."
"..." Riku processed everything he had been told. "I get it. Thank you mother, grandmother. This has been very enlightening."
"You're very welcome, Riku." Aeris smiled to her son, before she turned cold. "But if I catch you messing with hearts like that, so help me Light-"
"I won't, I won't, I promise. I just needed some clues to help a friend." Riku instantly replied, trying to appease his mother's growing rage- surprisingly his grandmother's too.
"A friend with more than one heart sharing their heart?" Jenova retorted with a quirked eyebrow. "They must be an overly friendly and open hearted person."
"He is. He's got the biggest heart that I've ever known and he tends to open it up to those in need."
"Tch. He sounds like a handful. Good luck at keeping him out of trouble." Jenova replied back, walking out again on her business.
"Thanks, I'll need it." Riku groan at the honest truth behind his grandmother's words.
"Well, bye for now, Riku." Aeris waved goodbye at Riku and then Mickey. "Stay out of trouble. Take care, Mickey."
"Thanks! See you later." Mickey waved back along with Riku. "Well, we're done here now. Want to head to the Moogle Shop and then sleep on the way to Master Yen Sid's tower in the Gummi Ship?"
"That sounds like the great idea." Riku was already drained for the day and couldn't wait for it to end. Getting some sleep sounded like a dream...
… The next morning …
The Mysterious Tower
It was a long trip coming to Master Yen Sid's tower, they had been coasting on the Gummi Ship's auto-pilot and getting well deserved rest after the long day they had yesterday. The day ended on a decent note as they went to the Moogle's Workshop and found only Mickey could upgrade his Keyblades. Sure, they had Wellspring Stones to spare- that's what got Mickey's Star Cluster to Rank 7. But they were ran out of Damascus and Mickey needed Adamantite while Riku needed some Damascus and Betwixt Stones.
At least they arrived at Master Yen Sid's Tower well rested.
"Master Yen Sid, we have news to report from Radiant Garden." Mickey informed his Keyblade master as they entered his study.
"Yes?"
"Roxas and Naminé are in need of body once they are freed from Sora and Kairi. We were thinking about placing them in replicas. But the mastermind behind them, Even, has gone missing and no doubt has likely returned to Organization XIII to complete his unfinished research."
"I see... This is indeed a minor set back." Master Yen Sid sighed, before returning to normal as he addressed other matters. "What of the data left by Ansem the Wise in Sora?"
"That's the thing, turns out that there might be more than just Roxas residing in Sora's heart. Ienzo is looking further into it back at the castle, along with Chip and Dale. But besides the data, we've got an even bigger problem."
"Hmm?"
"Turns out that Master Xehanort is using Terra's body as one of his vessels for the thirteen of darkness."
"Impossible."
"I'm afraid so. Aqua had saved more than just Terra when she had fallen into the dark realm." Mickey sadly confirmed.
"This is dreadful news. How could we have been so blind?" Master Yen Sid growled in silent frustration at himself more than the others. "And what of Ventus? Any luck finding where Master Aqua has safely hidden his Sleeping body?"
"..." Mickey shook his head 'no.' "We haven't found Ven anywhere. We retrace his past trail, but the clues have lead us nowhere."
"I see. Perhaps we must continue our search elsewhere." Master Yen Sid stated as their next course of action. "There are still three worlds that Ventus has visited before his disappearance. Worlds that Sora has not visited yet."
"!"
"You don't mean?"
"Yes, Mickey, I mean those three." Master Yen Sid answered. "The worlds that house three of our Princesses of Heart. I was planning on calling on you two to investigate those worlds regardless."
"Huh?" Riku was pondered by this. "Why? Is there something wrong with them?"
"There has been a shift in the Light. One that must not be taken lightly." Master Yen Sid explained. "There has been a fading in the Light as new ones are born in the hearts of others. I have my theories on this, but I would like you two to confirm the situation with your own eyes. Head to the worlds of Snow White, Aurora, and Cinderella and see what is happening. You might even find Ventus while you're there."
"Right! We'll look in to it." Mickey accepted the request, standing in attention with Riku before they bowed in respect to Master Yen Sid.
"May your heart be your guiding key." Master Yen Sid offered them in blessing on their journey.
Leaving the tower, they returned back to their Gummi Ship. Settling their coordinates before taking off.
"Where to first, Mickey?" Riku asked. Mickey would know the way better than him since he's been there before.
"Hmm, it's hard to say." Mickey thought it over, placing a hand under his chin. "All three of them are in the same vicinity as Disney Castle in the Misty Stream Galaxy. But I guess the closest to us now is Snow White's world, Dwarf Woodlands."
"Dwarf Woodlands it is then." Riku nodded to Mickey's suggestion, setting course to the Misty Stream Galaxy. The journey wasn't too treacherous, and the asteroids in this galaxy had a bounty to them as they blasted through. "Hey, Damascus, we could really use that."
"And Adamantite, too! This is a great find!" Mickey said in cheer, now that they were one step closer to making their Keyblades more powerful. Riku slowed down as they arrived at Dwarf Woodlands. "Looks like we made it to Snow White's world."
"..." Riku looked on, Sensing not too far off on a world close to this Sora and the others had arrived on. Through his power of Sense he could hear the world close to them say its name was Kingdom of Corona. Sora and the others were no doubt trying to complete their mission, so they won't fall behind on theirs either. "We should head down and check it out."
"Right."
Riku landed the Gummi Ship on the clearing of Mountain Trail. The barren dirtside mountain trail, open to them with the blue sky above them. The pine trees rising up from afar towards the mountains in the distance.
Dwarf Woodlands
"It seems we landed a bit further off from the residence of this world." Riku commented as he looked around to see nobody in sight but them.
"Let's take the mountain trail down and find Snow White." Mickey suggested.
"Yeah." Sounded like a good plan to Riku. They continued on their way- but not before grabbing the treasure chest with a Potion in it before jumping down onto the path below. There was a chest with a Ether near close to the entranceway to a Mine. But circling around the uplift of mountain was a dead end pathway that gave a few of the clearing, along with having a chest that contained another Potion in it.
Riku and Mickey returned, investigating the Mine. The Mine Entrance glittered with diamonds all around the mine, waiting to be dug out. They twinkled throughout the mine, showing their sparkle deeper and deeper in. There was so many of them a person could be set for life, let alone a small town. But they were not here for riches.
"Whoa! It's really shiny in here." Mickey said in wonder as he looked all around the mine. Slowly the two on them walked into the Mine Entrance in wonder as they looked around. As they went further in they put up their guard, Sensing an unwanted presence that had come to join them. "!"
Coming out from Nothingness Energy was a young women dawning the black coat ahead of them up the carved out stairs' floor above. She had greased back blonde hair with two bangs that shot back like antennas. Her yellow eyes and grinning smile held a pixie-like mischief to them.
"Ooo, all that sparkles and glimmers. A girl could get use to this." She was looking around the Mine with glee, but that glee went away once she noticed Riku and Mickey on the floor level below her. An irk had appeared on her face as her eyes squinted in annoyance. "Oh, great. What are you bozos doing here?"
"We could ask you same. Are you with the Organization? Who are you?" Riku interrogated, summoning his Keyblade for a fight.
"(Gasp). Excuse me?" She huffed, leaning in towards them with her hands on her hips as if she were insulted. Before a realization came to her and she relaxed her posture, with one hand on her hip and the other resting along her side. "Oh right, you were the losers team down-in-the-basement's problem. I forgot, we never actually met."
"The basement? You mean back in Castle Oblivion?"
"Bingo." She chimed with a finger pointed up in condescending cheer. Chuckling under her breath as she did a half-bow in greeting with a hand over her would-be heart. "The name's Larxene. Be sure not to forget it."
"Why are you here?"
"I couldn't help it. Diamonds are a girls best friend, you know?" She snarked back, turning her head away in a huff.
"I meant why are you here, on this world?" Riku questioned again, tightening his grip on Braveheart, not caring for her sass.
"And how is that any of your business?" Larxene retorted back, brushing her hand in the air as if shooing them. "Run along, kiddo. I'm busy here."
"Not if it has to deal with the Organization." Riku countered back.
"Hmph. Well fine then. You want answers? Come and get them." Larxene taunted disappearing further into the Mine through Nothingness energy. Her taunting laughter could be heard echoing through Mine's right tunnel. In her place she left behind Dusk and Ninja Nobodies.
"Oh, great." Riku groaned, not in the mood for obstacles.
"Riku, be careful." Mickey warned, covering Riku's blind side.
"Right." Riku and Mickey slashed through the Nobodies with their Keyblades. Double Duel attacking through the swarm before Riku finished off the last one with the final slash. "Sorry."
They ran up the set of stairs into the Mine's right tunnel following after Larxene's laugh. Before going right, Riku climbed up the uplift to get a better view of the area. The Mine only lit by scarce lanterns spread out through the tunnels. Riku found a chest with a Mini spell in it...he didn't need it. He also spotted Larxene mockingly waving at them. But when they jumped down and ran up close to her, she retreated further into the Mine through Nothingness energy. Laughing at them.
"Too slow." In her place she left behind more Ninjas and Dusks, along with Sniper Nobodies. Further into the Mine they could hear her voice echo. "Over here."
"Sorry." Riku said as he Thundaga through the Dusks, leaving behind the bigger Nobodies but slightly damaged. As he fought through them with Mickey, Riku noticed a chest that was hanging by the bottom of the uplift that had been hidden from the angle they were at before. Grabbing the Panacea inside it during battle, Riku Dark Rolled out of the way of a Sniper's shot, striking it down with a Dark Firaga. "Fire!"
With the area cleared they continued running. Feeling bad about destroying a few of the wooden crates that littered the floor and were in the way of the fight. On the bright side, at least they got some MP orbs out of them. Running on in after Larxene, the tunnel slightly curved and open up into a chamber where Larxene was waiting. She retreated further into the Mine again, laughing at them as they passed through her Nothingness energy and missed her.
"Aw, so close." She taunted at them. Leaving behind more Ninjas and Snipers. She laughed at them as her voice echo further into the Mine. "Excuse me! I'm getting bored here!"
"You're done!" Riku shouted as he stormed a Ninja, tired of playing this game of chase. Striking down the field with Thundaga, before he finished it all of with a Thundaza. "Bye!"
He destroyed everything, including the wooden crates. Grabbing the chest on the side of the right wall- which contained a Counter Blast attack skill, something he could use- he continued on after Larxene. Taking the exit way where he heard Larxene's laughter, he a found her laughing her head off. Gripping her sides as she pointed at them through her laughter, standing by the Mine... Entrance.
"..." Riku fumed inside as he realized what just happened. His hands tightened into a fist at his side in frustration.
"Oh my gosh! You actually followed me in a complete circle!" Larxene mocked as she laughed at them. "Hahaha! You losers are more gullible than I thought!"
"Enough." Riku demanded, having enough of her tricks and fooling around. "I'm done playing around with you."
"Well we're not about to put up with your meddling." Larxene retorted back with a huff, raising out a hand towards her as she summoned Thunder energy into it. "So play nice and stay out of this."
"!" Riku and Mickey dodge the Thunder blast. But Larxene use the distraction to get away, smiling at them as she retreated into Nothingness Energy. "Wait!"
But she was gone. Leaving behind some more Ninjas and Dusks to block the exit. And with no heart to Sense, Riku couldn't track her. They cleared out the area with a little frustration, still upset about what had just happened.
"Tch, we lost her." Riku growled under his breath in frustration.
"Do you think she's here for the Princesses of Heart?" Mickey asked, guessing through their ideas of what her purpose was here.
"Maybe." Riku could see the reason behind it. "Let's go find Snow White. We've gotta make sure she's all right."
"That sounds good."
Before leaving the Mine Entrance, Riku grabbed the chest that they missed during the commotion and visited the hologram Moogle Shop hanging by the side of the stairs. The chest was a nice prize, since there was a Electrum inside. At the Moogle Workshop, Mickey had all the resources he needed and gotten his Star Cluster all the way to Rank 10. Riku had gotten his Braveheart up to Rank 7, but had to stop when they ran out of Adamantite.
Leaving the Mine Entrance and taking the path to the right, Riku and Mickey headed down the mountain to the Cottage Clearing. It was a lovely cottage, surrounded by the forest as butterflies flew around in and a stream passed by it. The cottage was small and cozy, you'd never expect to house many people inside it. Around the area, Riku found four treasure chests. The large chest carrying a Map of the dwarf woodlands, while the smaller ones housed a Fire spell, a Poison spell, Adamantite, and a Wellspring Crystal. Sadly only three of those items were useful.
Stalling long enough, Riku knocked on the cottage door.
"Oh! Who could that be?" They heard the sound of a sweet voice coming from the other side of the door. Opening the door was Snow White, pure curiosity in her eyes and happiness at the opportunity to make new friends. "Oh, hello, and who are you two?"
"I'm Riku."
"And I'm Mickey."
"Hello, Riku, Mickey, it's a pleasure to meet you two." Snow White greeted them with a gentle giggle and a warm smile. "I'm Snow White. What brings you here, Riku, Mickey?"
"We're here looking for a friend. Do you mind if we ask you some questions?" Riku asked.
"Of course! Please, come in." She opened the door further for them, letting help themselves in as she walk along further inside. "I'm sorry. I'd offer you some gooseberry pie, but I'm afraid we finished it before you arrived."
"Couldn't send 'em away again, coudja?" Huffed a grumpy voice at Snow White in lecture before pointing an accusing finger at Riku and Mickey. "An' who invited you in, ya rotten strangers?"
"Huh?" Riku was slightly caught off guard. Why was this person so mad at him, he had done nothing wrong to the stranger. Looking forward at the dinner area where seven dwarves sitting at a small table with pie crumbed plates by them.
"Oh no, please don't be mad at them. They're looking for their friend." Snow White gently pleaded to the grumpy dwarf before introducing everyone. "Riku, Mickey. These are my friends: that's Dopey, the snoring one is Sleepy, that's Happy, and Doc, Bashful, and this is Grumpy."
"Nice to meet all of you." Riku said in greeting.
"Yeah? Well it ain't nice to meet you." Huffed Grumpy in sass.
"We're looking for our friend, Ventus." Riku said, ignoring Grumpy's attitude. "Have any of you seen him?"
"Oh! You mean that nice boy that rescued me from the woods?" Snow White answered, placing her hands in prayer form. "He was looking for his friend, too."
"Can tell us what happened, please?"
"It happened a long time ago." Snow White began to explain, her sadness and worry growing in her heart. "He helped me when I was lost, and oh, so very frightened. While I was picking flowers by the woods, there was a stranger there. He had a sword, but it was like a key- Oh! It must have been a Keyblade. And then these monsters came and-"
"Monsters?"
"Yes. But they weren't Heartless." Snow White answered before continuing her story. "It turns out that the stranger was his friend, Terra. The others assume that it was Terra that summoned the monsters and tried to harm me. Ventus said that Terra would never do such a thing, and ran off into the woods to prove it."
"Ohh…"
"I didn't believe his friend was trying to hurt me, there must have been another reason for his actions. But sadly we never saw Ventus after that."
"I see, then...he's no longer here." Riku sadly concluded, realizing that this was another world with a no show. "Thank you, Snow White. You were a big help."
"Was I? I feel like I didn't do much. I'm sorry I couldn't help find your friend."
"It's all right. We'll just keep looking."
"Yay! Don't you worry about Ven, Snow White. We'll keep looking until we do find him!" Mickey declared in good cheer.
"(Gentle Laughter) Then I wish you luck!" Snow White said in blessing before startling at the sound of the co-co clock hanging on the wall. "Oh, dear me! Look at the time. I should be heading back to the castle."
"Do you want us to extort- I-I- I mean escort you back, princess?" Doc said with a slight stutter that he corrected with a cough.
"Oh no, it's too late. I can't trouble you all with that." Snow White replied with a hand over her mouth in worry.
"We'll take her back." Riku offered in volunteer.
"You will?" Snow White held her hands in prayer form over her heart at the kind gesture.
"Yeah! It's the least we can do in return for all your help." Mickey agreed with Riku's offer.
"Oh, thank you two!" Snow White smiled in gratitude. "It's so easy to lose track of time when your visiting friends."
"We know the feeling." Riku replied in agreement.
"You'd better make sure she get's home okay." Demanded all the dwarves at random timings. Their voices rumbling together like a crowd. They gathered at the door to wave Snow White off as she headed into the Deep Woods with Riku and Mickey. "Take care, princess! Come back for a visit again!"
"Goodbye everyone! I'll see you soon!" She waved goodbye like a fluttering bird.
"They're a group of characters." Riku commented in light conversation during their trip back to Snow White's Castle.
"They're all so sweet once you get to know them." Snow White smiled in agreement.
"Boy, these woods are very dense." Mickey commented as they entered the Deep Woods. "It got dark really quick."
"Oh, I always get so frightened going through these woods." Snow White replied with a quiver in her voice. She was lightly shaking in fear as she looked around at the looming trees.
"If you're so scared why do you even go through these woods?" Riku asked in slight concern for her shaking.
"Because my friends live on the other side of them. And I'm willing to face my fears just to see them."
"..." Riku had grown more understand and respect for the delicate princess. "I understand the feeling."
"Oh!" Snow White gasped in fright as Fluttering Heartlesses appeared before them.
"We've got this." Riku assured to her, standing in front of Snow White to block her from the Heartless as he summoned his Keyblade. Suddenly an enemy appeared, called the Flood, a creature Riku has never seen before. "What are those?"
"The monster from before!" Snow White gasped in fright.
"They're Unverse." Mickey declared, running beside Riku and summoning his Keyblade. "Monsters created and feed off of negative emotions."
"That doesn't sound good."
"Oh, dear."
"Don't worry, princess. We've got your back." Riku assure to her.
"I- I'll try my best to help you."
"Thanks." Riku said in gratitude that she would try her best to help them regardless of how frightened she was. "Just do what you can, don't endanger yourself."
"A-All right..."
"Come on!" Riku and Mickey stormed through the Flutterings and the Floods, grabbing a Ether and a Potion from two chest close by, along the way. Slowing their run to a light jog for Snow White to keep up with.
As they moved on to a new clearing further in, a group of Flutterings jumped at Snow White from the trees.
"Oh!" Snow White gasped with fright, holding an arm up to protect her head. The light from her heart shined out to protect her. But sadly it had only defeated a few of the flying Heartless. The light from her heart much weaker than what Riku remembers it being.
"Sorry." Riku taunted at the Heartless as he Dash in front of Snow White, casting Barrier over the two of them. After blocking the attacks, he shot out the Barrier fragments as a counter, finishing off the Flutterings. "You're done."
They continued on, facing more Floods and Flutterings along the way. Riku found another chest, with a Hungry Crystal in it, right by the exit of the woods. Passing through it was like night-and-day. As they were greeted by the bright clearing of the Flower Glade.
"Phew. We made it out of that awful woods." Snow White sighed in relief, before Puffs and a Chief Puff revealed themselves among the flowers. "Ohh, none of that."
Snow White declared with a huff as the light from her heart cleared out the Heartless, leaving nothing but their resources behind.
"Whoa. Way to go, Snow White." Riku complimented, honestly impressed.
"Thank you. I'm sorry I wasn't so helpful in the deep woods. That place awfully frightens me." Snow White said, feeling rather bad about not being so helpful before.
"You did well for someone scared. Don't you worry about it."
"The castle is up ahead passed the Glade."
"Then let's get you home before it actually gets dark." Riku said, noting that the sun was almost setting. They crossed the tiny bridge over the stream, grabbing the chest with a Soothing Crystal along the way, and headed towards the castle. The path had taken them to the castle grounds' Courtyard. "I guess we made it on time. Head on in before they get worried inside, princess."
"Yes. Thank you so much for your help, you two." Snow White said with a curtsy. "I'm very grateful."
"It's no trouble at all." Riku said, telling her not to worry about.
"..." Snow White nodded with a smile. Turning around, she held her dress as she ran up the stairs, before turning back to wave goodbye to them by the castle door. "Goodbye Riku! Goodbye Mickey! I hope we meet again soon!"
"Bye Princess!" "Bye Princess." Mickey and Riku waved back at her, watching as she went through the door to make sure she got in okay.
"Please don't tell me that you're following her home." Larxene mocked at them in a accusing tone, appearing from behind.
"Get real. You're the one actually following her." Riku shot back, as Mickey and him quickly turned around to face her and got on guard.
"Ooh. Look at you get all sassy." Larxene said in false hurt. Before getting serious as she crossed her arms. "Okay, I'll admit. We had an interest in Snow White. But she turned out to be a bust."
"Huh?"
"What do you mean by that?" Riku asked, getting tense at the implication behind her words.
"I mean she's washed up. She's a has been." Larxene stated with no remorse towards the princess.
"Hey!"
"Stop trying to protect her! She already knows the truth." Larxene said, sick and tired of seeing people playing White Knight for damsels that didn't ask for it nor needs it.
"!"
"We've been trying to keep a close eye on the Princesses of Light, the seven pure lights, as a backup plan. Just in case you losers don't find all of your Guardians of Light. Gotta make sure though." Larxene continued not caring that she was angering the two of them, let alone hurting the feelings of a princess that was no longer present. "But Snow White's light doesn't shine like it use to. She's old news, making way for new news. So she's no longer an interest to us."
"What?" Riku gasped at her declaration, still angered by Larxene's heartless remark towards Snow White. One of the seven Princesses of Heart that risked their hearts to keep the darkness from Kingdom Hearts at bay until its doors were sealed shut again, all those years ago. But Larxene had no time for their emotions, she got in a Dark Corridor and walked off. "Hey, wait!"
"Bye, bye, you two." Larxene taunted back at them as she waved, leaving this world for good. Lifestream knows where she was heading to now.
"This isn't good." Mickey stated, summing up the situation. "The Organization is keeping track of the Princesses of Heart. And a few Princesses of Heart are losing their power of Light. We better head over to the other two princesses and make sure they're okay."
"Right."
… The next day …
They had traveled upwards from Dwarf Woodlands to head over to the next world, blasting through a few asteroids along the way. Luckily, they found more Adamantite among the asteroids, so Riku could catch up with Mickey at powering up his Keyblade. After some time they had made it to the world of Enchanted Dominion.
"There it is!" Mickey said in hurrah as they had finally arrived. "Head to castle, Riku. We'll start from there."
"Right." Riku landed down the Gummi Ship on top of the castle tower. Riku and Mickey had made their way inside of the Tower Room through the window, where one lone treasure chest was present.
"That's a long way down." Riku commented as he look down at how high up they were through the window.
"Let's make our way down the spiral stairs and find Aurora or someone with information."
"Yeah." Riku nodded in agreement, following Mickey down the spiral stairs into the unknown castle.
Enchanted Dominion
Unknown to them, they had found their way into Aurora's Chamber. Looking around for a bit, they noticed the open door balcony with the lovely view and a royal princess bed close by. As Riku looked over to the other side of the room he could see a dresser with a vanity mirror on it and a woven cloth with a handsome knight on it hanging on the wall. Looking like this world's equivalent of a pretty boy poster, among other things making this room scream 'Young Maiden's Room.'
"Oh, no." Not again, Riku groaned in his head. Looking over to Mickey frantically for a second, he tried to get his message across. "Come on, we gotta go."
"Wha? Why?"
"We gotta go before the owner of this room comes back." Riku quickly spat out his words, hurrying to the door. Only for it to open from the other side, by the room's owner. "!"
"!" Riku stared at Princess Aurora, and Aurora stared back. "..."
"Wait. We can explain." Riku tried to get out before Aurora leaned a little bit back out the room to grab the sword from one of the standing knights along the hallway walls. "!"
"Can't a princess get a little bit of privacy without someone breaking into her room?!" Aurora huffed as she started to swing the heavy sword at the intruders in her room.
"Whoa!" "AH!" Riku and Mickey dodged the blade coming at them as Aurora charged her way in with a huff.
"Hold on, princess! It's not what it looks like!" Riku, said trying to calm her down- along with the situation.
"How did you even get up here?" Aurora huffed, going in for another swing. "This tower is ridiculously high up."
"We didn't mean to!" Mickey got out, stopping Aurora in mid-swing.
"We came here looking for a friend." Riku explained, Sensing Aurora's heart was calming down and giving them a chance. "We had no idea your room was here. We're sorry for intruding."
"..." Aurora paused for a moment, looking them in the eyes. She saw something in them that she could trust. "All right. Let's say I believe, although it's rather rare for most to accidently make their way up here. But theirs something inside you two that makes me feel like I can trust you. Let's start over again."
"We'd like that very much. Thank you, princess. I am Mickey." Mickey did a light bow in gratitude before introducing himself.
"I'm Riku. Again, I'm really sorry about all this."
"It was an accident and you meant no harm." Aurora said with a gesture that all was forgiven, before resting her hands down in front of her in a royal pose. "Greetings, I am Princess Aurora, daughter of King Stefan and Queen Leah."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty." Riku and Mickey greeted her with a polite bow.
"What brings you two to this kingdom?"
"We're looking for our friend, Ventus. He had passed through here once." Mickey explained.
"Ventus…? Hmm, I'm afraid that name is not familiar to me. But perhaps there is someone in the castle that does know." Aurora replied, sword still in hand as she gracefully walked out of the room. "Come with me."
"..." Riku and Mickey followed behind her, slightly nervous. Even as she returned the sword to the knight statue standing guard, their were still others all along the Hallway that she could easily grab a weapon from. As they made their way to the stairs, they had passed a chest which Riku had grabbed a Hi-Potion from.
"Are you admiring the decorum? Father had changed a few things around the castle ever since my heart had been stolen twice." Aurora commented about the knights that now dawn the Hallway that didn't before. A small means to ward off any intruders. But also worked as quick means for Aurora to arm herself.
"Are we going to seek an audience with the King and Queen?" Riku asked as they walked through the Hallway.
"I'm afraid mother and father are on a royal visit at King Hubert and Princess Phillip's kingdom. I am ruling in their absence." Aurora answered. "However, there are still others in this castle that we can ask."
"?" Aurora had taken them down the stairs to the Audience Chamber where three fairies- one of red, another of green, the last of blue- were flying around, cleaning the chamber and the King and Queen's thrones with their magic. Aligning the walls were shields and arms that weren't there before. Riku and Mickey recognized The Three Good Fairies. "!- Flora, Fauna, Merryweather."
"Hm? Oh!" They turned at the call of their names, recognizing the callers. They flew over to them in greeting. "Riku! Your Majesty Mickey!"
"It's great to see you, ladies." Mickey greeted them with a big smile.
"Flora, Fauna, Merryweather, you know these two?" Aurora asked, surprised that everyone was already well acquainted with each other.
"Oh, yes." Flora answered, the oldest of the three fairy sisters and the one dawning red. "Why these two are Master Keyblade wielders that are two of the seven Guardians of Light."
"Oh, it's so lovely to see you again, boys." Fauna sighed in happiness at their little visit. She wore all green and had more of a softness to her than the other three "How are you liking your new vestments?"
"A-and what about Sora and the others?" Asked Merryweather with a slight stutter. She wore all blue and was the youngest of the three. "We worked really hard on them."
"They're great. Thanks. Sora was happy as a kid on Christmas when he got his." Riku answered in honesty and gratitude. Glad to see their faces light up at his reply.
"Oh! I'm so happy." Gushed Fauna. While Merryweather happily clapped.
"Now, now, girls. We mustn't forget that they came here for a reason." Flora called them, reeling the two younger fairies back in to 'now'. She turned her attention back to Riku and Mickey. "Now then, what brings you two here?"
"They're looking for a friend called Ventus. Any chance you three have seen him?" Aurora answered.
"Oh goodness, me. We haven't seen the kind boy since he helped recover your heart back to you from Maleficent."
"Oh!" Aurora gasped, shocked by the news. She had never heard about this before.
"He had helped us brave through Maleficent's castle and her nasty minions to use his Keyblade and return your heart back to you." Merryweather continued to explain. Then she started stomping in the air in frustration. "O' but that mean old fairy, Maleficent, came back and stole your heart away again to open the door to Kingdom Hearts with the other seven Princesses of Heart."
"Then I owe this Ventus a debt of gratitude..." Aurora announced, more to herself than the others in the room.
"Where was the last time you've seen him?" Riku asked.
"Back at Maleficent's castle, in the throne room." Answered Fauna with worry. "He had ran off after Master Aqua tried to bring him home. The poor dear said he couldn't go back, not without his friend, Terra."
"..." So all this time they were looking for Ventus, he in turn, had only been looking for his friend. Riku found this ironic, and sadly tragic "Right. Thank you, ladies. We'll go check it out."
"Wait. I'll go with you." Aurora declared.
"!" Riku and Mickey's eyes widen in surprise. Realizing that there wasn't anything they could say to stop her as she grabbed one of the shields hanging on the walls.
"No, Aurora, you mustn't!" Pleaded The Three Good Fairies as they gathered around her.
"It's too dangerous." Merryweather pleaded to Aurora some more.
"The kind boy with a pure heart risked his safety to help save me. Now, I can return the favor. And beside," Aurora pointed out with a grin before looking over to Riku and Mickey. "We wouldn't want Riku and Mickey to get lost. I know the way better."
"Oh-"
"She does have a point." Riku replied in reason. Besides, this could be their chance to see what was going on with Aurora's power of light. "And we could use all the help we could get."
"Ooh, very well." Flora replied in remissive agreement. "But we're going, too."
"No, you three are needed here to protect the castle until I get back." Aurora countered.
"But Aurora..." The three fairy sisters whined with worry.
"It's all right. I won't be long." Aurora assured to the three fairies before looking back at the other two in the room. "Shall we get going?"
"We're ready when you are." Mickey replied while Riku nodded in confirmation.
"Before you go, at least take some things from the Audience Chamber for your journey." Merryweather insisted.
"Got it. Thanks, Merry." Riku nodded in gratitude.
"Maleficent's castle lies on the Forbidden Mountain. Not too far out from the Forest Clearing." Aurora stated.
"Right. Let's head out then." Before leaving the Audience Chamber, Riku grabbed the three chests littered around the room, containing a Hi-Potion, Thunder, and Damascus. The Thunder spell was not needed, but the Hi-Potion will be of great use. They headed out the castle doors, all the way out to the long bridge over the moat heading into the Forest Clearing. Along the bridge they were halted by Helmed Bodies and Soldier Heartless. "!"
"Heartless!" Mickey warned summoning his Star Cluster.
"I'll cover you." Aurora announced her plan of attack as a support teammate, casting Barrier on the two of them for protection as they charged through. "Light!"
"Thanks." Riku said back to her as he summoned out Braveheart, charging at the Heartless through the narrow space of the bridge. The Soldiers were not so much trouble, but the Helmed Bodies kept deflecting his attacks. He learned he had to jump around them to attack the weak spot on their back. "You're done!"
Those group of Heartless turned out to be no trouble, and were the only confrontation they faced along the bridge. As they made it over to the Forest Clearing, there was only one large chest standing atop the uplifted ground, containing a map of Enchanted Dominion. The forest was teeming with wild herbs and ferns that shot out from the grass, but the strangest thing about the forest was...
"The bushes and treetops have square pruning and trimmings. As if they were all cut by Magic..." Riku commented as he looked around the forest.
"That's likely possible, since Flora, Fuana, and Merryweather's cottage is in these woods." Aurora replied, added two more cents to Riku's theory. "Follow me. The way to Forbidden Mountain is up ahead on our northwest."
"!" Mickey and the others got on guard as more Heartless showed up along the Forest Clearing.
"Right, let's finish them up."
"I'm by your side." Aurora called in rally, casting Aeroga around them, clearing out most of the Soldier Heartless.
"Thunder!" Riku casted Thundaga to finish off the rest, before they ran off ahead into the Waterside. There was a small lake that bleed out into a stream hidden by the uplift of ground and trees that closed in the path at one side as the path wind and slithered. But before getting to the closed in path, they had to fight their way through a few Soldier Heartless along lake's opening. As they took the path and it began to straighten they were encountered by more Heartless again, although a Helmed Body was among them this time. "More Heartless."
"We can handle them. C'mon!" Mickey charged in, clearing out the area with his Holy spell. "Light"
"Nice." Riku complimented Mickey's quick work before they pressed on. He had found another treasure chest among the uplifted land, containing a Potion. But just up a head, they notice that the path has been blocked to them. The way further had been sealed off by green vines of thorns, containing a few red roses shy of fully blooming. Riku gasped as he could Sense something coming from them. "!"
"What is this?" Mickey said aloud at what was blocking their path, not fully believing what he was seeing. "Rose bushes?"
"Thorns of the heart..." Riku spoke aloud to himself, Sensing the emotion coming from this magic seal.
"Wha?"
"This must be Maleficent's doing." Aurora stated, recognizing the feeling of the user behind the magic.
"..." Riku held out his Keyblade, casting a Firaga that burned away the vines. "Fire!"
The wall of thorns burned away, clearing the path for them. And from the vines roses Riku was rewarded with Rose Heartbinder: links to the connection in his heart to call forth Beast as an ally.
"Well, that worked." Mickey silently complimented.
"Shall we?" Riku gestured over to the other two in a 'after you' pose.
"Yes." "Yup." Aurora and Mickey nodded as they headed up the path along with Riku. All the way to Forbidden Mountain.
The Forbidden Mountain was grey with clouds, but not as dark as it use to be. And the dark fog that use to cloud the deep, barren moat before was filled to the brim with thorny rose vines. All consuming the moat below and rising their way up the uplift Bridgeway that lead to the castle along a curve.
"This place...isn't as dark as it use to be..." Aurora commented as she took a few steps forward, looking out at the moat in awe.
"We should head in and see what's inside." Riku suggested for them to continue to the castle. Who knows what Maleficent has left behind.
"Oh course." Aurora replied, returning to the group.
Riku grabbed the Ether from the chest hidden along the side of the path, before taking the Bridgeway to Maleifcent's castle.
"Tell me, what has Maleficent been up to these past few years?" Aurora asked, as they continued to walk along the bridge, filling up the time with small talk.
"She's been up to no good, mostly. And has recently taken up a hobby of looking for a black box." Riku replied. "Ever heard of it before?"
"No. I can't say I have..."
"We've heard that it's connected to the Keyblade War. No body knows what's in it or if it even exists."
"Well...if it's linked to the Keyblade War, then maybe it just doesn't exist yet."
"Huh?"
"Think about it? A black box that supposedly holds secrets and connects back to the first Keyblade War, and yet no one has ever found it yet. Perhaps it's a special box that will only reveal itself under special conditions." Aurora reasoned.
"Conditions like what?"
"That I don't know. But if it's suppose to house something big, then the conditions must be big as well." Aurora replied back as they reached the castle gates. They passed through the Gates, where Maleficent's goons were all around the premises, sleeping on the job. They were pig-like goblins in armor, ranging from round and skinning. Not wanting to wake them Aurora whispered to the others. "They're Maleficent's."
"Since they aren't Heartless or Unverse, I'd prefer not to fight them." Riku stated, not wanting to harm actually denizens of a world. And even if these goons posed a slight hindrance to them, somebody in this world cared about them- maybe even Maleficent. Mickey and Aurora silently agreed with him, tip-toeing around the sleeping goons as they made their way around to the castle's Hall entrance. Finding three chest containing a Cure and Absolute Zero spell and a Soothing Crystal in them. Since Riku had already knew Cure, and had learned Absolute Zero from his time during the Mastery exam, they carried on- although Aurora gladly took the spells, saving them for later. In a stone, circular chamber two of Maleficent's goons guarded the way to the steps to the Hall forward. "Shh."
With a hush, all three of them made their way passed the sleeping guards. Not waking them a bit, and even circled around on the higher leveling to grab the chest along the opposite way's wall, containing a Hi-Potion. Before continuing all through the Hall. The other hall chamber had a spell over it as Walls made of thorny rose vines raised up from the stone floor and blocked their path. Creating an invisible labyrinth that would rise up as they continued along.
"Be careful." Aurora warned as only some of the thorn walls would burn away with Firaga. Making it hard for them as Riku Firaga and Dark Firaga their way through to the Dungeon. The goons were sleeping on the job there as well. Giving them enough time to grab the two treasure chests places up along the uplift posts by the northern wall. There was a Sinister Crystal in one and a Leaf Bracer skill in another, a skill that Riku could happily use.
There were three paths to take. Taking the right path, closest to them, they headed up the stones stairs. The path taking them back to the Hall from another entryway which had chest containing a Hi-Potion sitting along side its wall opening. The invisible labyrinth of thorn walls guiding them along the path that lead them to a chest with a Wellspring Crystal and a Hungry Crystal, until they realized that they had just went into a loop to head to a set of stairs going down that was closed off to them before by the thorns. A Stairway that lead them back to the Dungeon from another pathway. They had taken the way across from, that spiraled down to the doorway were the jail was kept. Seeing as nothing- or no one- was down there, the turned back. There was nothing for them there. Leaving them only one untaken path to go through now. Silently passing the sleeping guards again, they took the path that lead to another entranceway into the Hall. The path almost made a perfect U-ie to the doorway along the same way of the path they had came from. Riku had found a chest with a Magnet skill contained in it. This was a much appreciated find since he still needed a few resources for his Keyblade. They had also stumbled across a Soothing Crystal along the way to Maleficent's Throne.
"..." But as they finally made it this far into the castle, they found so much. And yet not what they were looking for.
"He isn't here..." Riku concluded. Mickey deflated as he came to the same results.
"I'm sorry we couldn't find your friend." Aurora condoles to them in sympathy. "I had hoped that something would turn up."
"Where could he be...?" Mickey asked aloud to no one in particular. "We searched nearly everywhere he's been to and we're running out of places to look."
"..." There was nothing Riku could say, comforting Mickey would be pointless because what he said was true. There was only one more place they could look now. Riku walked out of the Halls, back to the Gates to look out from the tower wall walkway. He had found a Wellspring Crystal and a Blazing Shard in chests along the way- close by to each other. But that didn't lighten his mood much as continued walking along the Gates tower. Riku looked out admiring the sea of thorny rose vines that consumed the moat below, all them filled with emotions that Riku wouldn't have expected from their creator. "..."
"So this is where you went off to." Aurora gently called over to him, accompanied by Mickey.
"Princess Aurora... Thanks for all your help back there. Mickey, are you feeling better?" Riku replied back, looking over his friend with a slight concern.
"Yeah. I just needed to get it out of my system." Mickey said, the gloom gone from his face. Regardless if they were running out of places to search for Ventus, that also meant that Ventus was running out of places to be hidden. They were getting close, Mickey could believe it. He had to believe it...if he was to carry on... "You looking out at the view?"
"Yeah... This place is under a spell. A spell full of emotions from the caster's heart."
"So you've noticed that." Aurora was impressed with Riku, as she walked over to look out at moat below beside him. "Maleficent's goons are just sleeping on the job, they are under Sleep. Safely tucked away in this castle, their hearts sleeping keeping them safe and out of trouble, sealed off from the rest of this world until their master returns. Far from the reach of the Heartless."
"..." Riku did notice this, but still had doubts in himself that Maleficent had the heart to do such thing, let alone care about her minions. "Why do you think...she would do this?"
"Because although she tries to act like it, Maleficent is not heartless."
"!" Riku turned to look at Aurora, startled at her declaration. Her words were true, he knew this already, but the meaning of those words never really sunk in to him in all these years.
"This is her home, and these are the people under her that she cares about." Aurora continued on with what she had to say. "Think about it, Riku. Why would she want to gather all the seven Princesses of Heart's pure Light to rule the worlds? Why go through all that trouble?"
"Because she wants to rule the worlds under the power of darkness."
"No." Aurora shook her head, his answer wasn't correct. "It's because she wants a world of her own where she can be safe."
"!"
"Look at this place, Riku. This is her home and its all run down- even before she left." Aurora gestured to the stone castle all around them that was falling apart. "Maleficent and her minions have lived here for a very long time, and I don't think it was by choice."
"..." Riku looked around Maleficent's castle, seeing what she meant.
"Even the Magic that surrounds this place tells of someone who has been hurt. Also, she's considered an evil fairy, but what happened to her wings? I think Maleficent is just looking for a way to create a world for herself and those with her, where no one can hurt her or them again."
"..." He turned back, to look down at the vines below, the thorns with protectively surrounding their roses told all.
"I know that this might sound strange. Especially since she has stolen my heart from me twice, but... I don't think Maleficent is really a bad person."
"How-!" Riku nearly jumped out of his skin at her declaration as he looked over at Aurora.
"I know, I know, that it sounds crazy. But from my time that I was Sleeping and my heart in her possession, I got a good feeling and understanding of her heart from close by." Aurora tried to explain as she place a hand over her heart. "It's true that she had done some bad things and at times was Wicked, but I don't think she was truly evil. From what I could feel from her heart... she was hurt, but too strong to show it."
"..." Riku knew the feeling...from past experience or from those close around him...
"I know it may be asking much, but please," Aurora pleaded with him with her hands clasped together. "Don't think too badly of her."
"... I'll try." Honestly, Riku didn't have any hard feelings about Maleficent. Holding a grudge was too tiring and not worth the effort in this case. Besides, he had followed the path of darkness by his own choice. He couldn't blame Maleficent for that. Not to mention Maleficent was more than likely lead down the path of darkness by someone else, too...
*** Author's Note ***
Notes: I forgot to mention it in the previous chapter because the Notes were getting a bit too long. But in this story, the pocket world Merlin had made for Kairi and Lea to train is based off of the forest from his (1963) Disney movie, The Sword in the Stone.
The next circle of worlds Riku and Mickey visit will be in the Misty Stream Galaxy but is between the circle of worlds Sora and the others visit from the Misty Stream Galaxy on the left and the Starlight Way Galaxy on the right. Dwarf Woodlands will be close to Kingdom of Corona and Olympus, but will be connected to Kingdom of Corona by the Seven Lights. On the opposite of Dwarf Woodlands' world circle will be the Castle of Dreams, with Enchanted Dominion above it. Both will be close to Arendelle, and connected to it by the Seven Lights. Disney Castle is also located in this world circle, on the bottom end, opposite of Enchanted Dominion. Riku and Mickey will not be visiting this world, but it's reference due to its map location throughout the Kingdom Heart series- in Kingdom Hearts II and Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep.
Dwarf Woodlands and Enchanted Dominion will follow the same mapping and treasure chest layout as the one in Ventus's storyline in Birth by Sleep. However, a few liberties will be taken again with treasure chest items, enemies occupying each respective world, and certain add-ins in to Aurora's castle design for Kingdom Heart's III's setting.
Also, just for a reminder, when Magic spells are found in chest, I'm referring that the spell's Gem is found (just like they are given or found in Kingdom Hearts I). And that in turn is the equivalent of Materia in the Final Fantasy world setting, and both Gems/Materias can be leveled and mastered with use and experience. This is a reminder that Riku- in this story- doesn't need Gems to cast spells, but he can learn the spells on his own due to his Ancient heritage.
Storyline: Sora and his team take a rest after the call to Mickey and Riku and before going to Kingdom of Corona the next morning, and stay on that world for one and a half days. Then spend a night on Monstropolis. While Riku and Mickey spend a bit more time at Radiant Garden before taking a rest as they headed over to Master Yen Sid's tower, The Mysterious Tower, the next morning. Immediately after getting their mission they head over to Snow White at Dwarf Woodlands. Resting before leaving the next morning to head over to Aurora at Enchanted Dominion. Making both parties spend a total of 2 days during this chapter. (I like to think that Sora and the others rest every now and then and not just run off to different worlds and fight for days on end.)
(Keyblade Forge)
Mickey's Star Cluster (Follows Shooting Star and Kingdom Key tier upgrades)
1= Default
2= x1 Flourite, x2 Wellspring Shards
3= x1 Flourite, x3 Wellspring Shards
4= x1 Flourite, x4 Wellspring Shards
5= x1 Damascus, x1 Wellspring Stone
6= x1 Damascus, x2 Wellspring Stones, x1 Soothing Shard
7= x1 Damascus, x3 Wellspring Stones, x2 Soothing Shards
8= x1 Adamantite, x1 Wellspring Gem
9= x1 Adamantite, x2 Wellspring Gems, x1 Writhing Gem
10= x1 Electrum, x1 Wellspring Crystal, x1Writhing Crystal
Riku's Braveheart (Follows Oathkeeper and Oblivion tier upgrades)
1= x1 Flourite, x1 Wellspring Shard
2= x1 Flourite, x4 Wellspring Shards
3= x1 Flourite, x1 Wellspring Stone
4= x1 Damascus, x2 Wellspring Stones, x1 Twilight Stone, x1 Betwixt Stone
5= x1 Damascus, x3 Wellspring Stones, x2 Twilight Stones, x2 Betwixt Stones
6= x1 Damascus, x1 Wellspring Gem
7= x1 Adamantite, x2 Wellspring Gems, x1 Twilight Gem, x1 Betwixt Gem
8= x1 Adamantite, x3 Wellspring Gems, x2 Twilight Gems, x2 Betwixt Gems
9= x1 Adamantite, x1 Wellspring Crystal
10= x1 Electrum, x2 Wellspring Crystals, x1 Twilight Crystal, x1 Betwixt Crystal
Heartbinder #4: A pale blue Heartbinder with the slash claw marks of Beast as the sigil.
(Fourth Heartbinder: Rose Heartbinder, Beast (Element Blizzard)= A ice blue stain glass window showing a ice blue snowflakes blowing from Beast's Mane with a red rose stain glass logo on the far left corner. It changes to a Beast roaring out as a Blizzard wind comes in blowing the rose petals around the stain glass icon) Received after destroying the Thorny Rose walls blocking the Forest Clearing from Forbidden Mountain in Aurora's world: Enchanted Dominion.
The music changes to Beast's Castle theme from the Kingdom Hearts II as a cold wind freezes the area and a frost covers the ground and Beast stomps in appearing crystals of ice shards. Calling Riku's name, Beast roars out besides Riku that sends a blast of chill through the area as they go back to back. (Note: When idle Beast's mane will let out frozen flares of snowflakes.)
(/_\) A Prince's Frozen Heart (Finish): Beast jumps into the air, curling into himself as a bright light comes from his heart and he fades away with massive Blizzaza comes out from him and consumes the area. Leaving a large impact Ice covered impacted area that freezes and damages any enemy that touches it.
(X) Blizzaga Roar: An area attack that spreads Blizzard/Area around Riku and Beast, pushing enemies back a bit and also stuns them. (Usually has a one second cooldown)
(O) Blizzaga Claws: Riku and Beast go side to side as they charged at frontal enemies, Riku with his Keyblade and Beast with his Blizzaga covered Claws that leave an impact of Blizzard ground around them and a frontal Stalagmite of Ice spikes in front of them that damage the enemies.