Chapter 3
"Well, that must have sucked for you-owww!"
Riku was punched in the shoulder by Sora. They were sitting in Sora's house, which was close to the beach. Ishida explained the situation to Sora, Riku, and Kairi, including the lore of the shinigami. Ny the time Ichigo was awake, Ishida explained the entire situation to the trio. Orihime and Chad were sitting in anticipation.
"Anyways, we know that you could help us. I guess you knew about the video games-"
"To be honest with you," interrupted Riku, "I could not have guessed about how the media presented us. It was actually truthful. We only found out after it appeared one day in my house."
"We need help. Look, why are you guys here?"
"Well," said Kairi, "We were just visiting home before we go back to more training. We have to save the universes too from destruction."
"Could we work together?" asked Chad. "We have a common goal. We also need to find out what is going on."
"I think I can explain what is happening," said Sora. "This is only factual, but it may explain what is happening. Back in my previous adventures, I defeated heartless and nobodies. According to Master Merlin, once a person's heartless and nobody is defeated, then that person is reborn. Maybe this is causing the worlds to be destroyed...but that won't explain the mysterious figure. He can't be from Organization 13, because not even they would want the worlds to become empty. I think that they formed a group together-"
"But what purpose would they have?" interjected Ichigo. "I mean-"
"YEAH!" shouted Kon, suddenly appearing from his uniform. "Why would-"
"Get off!" commanded Ichigo, pushing the stuffed bear to the floor. "Anyways, if you're reborn like that, who could you hate?"
"Think about it," said Riku. "If you were disfigured by a evil force...how would you respond? With hatred, right? Look, many of these people have reason to go after what they hate. They would want to eradicate it from harming others. Actually, we do not need to talk about why they are doing it. We need to report it to the masters."
"I got a universal phone," said Ichigo.
Orihime pulled it out of her pocket, showing the sleek, black object. "We could call Master Merlin as long as it is someone who knows him. Its complicated, but it works."
Sora called the phone. It displayed a large three-dimensional viewing of Merlin, frightening Kairi and Sora. "So, the young hero has called," he said. "Don't worry, I have heard the discussion, but my listening powers are one way."
"Do you know of what we have to do?" asked Ichigo.
"Yes. We need to split into groups. Kairi, Chad, Ishida, and Orihime, I need you to stay at my castle. I can transport you safely to my castle. I need your help on a certain defense that I will tell these heroes about later. Sora, I will transport Donald and Goofy with you. I need you to search the worlds and save them from this threat. Riku and Ichigo can help you too. Look for the keyblade bearers that existed before, and be careful of the tyranny that exists here. Any questions?"
"What will happen here?" ask Ichigo. He was still, which unnerved everyone in the room.
"It seems that the threat from before is coming fast. I need you heroes to leave this island. Don't worry, everyone else evacuated. I'm going to start transporting now."
Everyone except Ichigo, Kon, Sora, and Riku, disappeared. The skies began to darken.
"I see the ship!" cried Riku. A majestic Gummy Ship appeared. It was bright red and blue, full of guns and cannons, yet speedy and agile.
"HEY!" barked a chipmunk. "You chumps have to get up this ramp!"
"Dale!" cried Sora. He wore a sad look in his face, looking at his home being engulfed in darkness.
"Listen," said Ichigo. "We will rescue this place, but we need to get out of here before it is too late."
Sora tearfully agreed, and the group ran outside to the ship. They climbed into the floating aircraft, and escaped.
The planet's look was bizzare. It was swallowed up by a gray wisp, and the planet started to emulate a gray mist.
"What is going on?" asked Donald.
"Gwarsh, that's scary!" remarked Goofy.
"I think that we need to ignore that," said Ichigo.
Introductions were made, and Ichigo explained his situation as the Gummy Ship started to drift away from the planet. "Where do we go first?"
"Well," said Chuck, the other chipmunk, "The nearest planet near us is Radiant Gardens."
"Yes!" said Sora. "We can find Leon and his gang to help us! Oh, and Ichigo, how did you recover so fast?"
"Orihime heals people fast," replied Ichigo. "Her powers are unique."
"We've arrived!" yelled the two chipmunks. The planet did not look different from before, and Sora sighed in relief.
"Time to land!"
The gang find themselves on a square. This was the last spot that they landed on when they first came to the planet. Radiant Gardens was still the same. The moogles were busy preparing for the shopping season, adults were talking, and many were watching Sora. Eventually, Leon showed up to them.
"Hello, Sora!" said Leon. "I never thought that you would appear here again. So, how's life?"
"I'm fine. How about you?"
"Ummm...not as well," answered Leon. "See, we had problems here a few months ago. I know that this is selfish, but can you help us with a problem?"
"Certainly," replied Ichigo. "Oh, I'm Ichigo. Nice to meet you!"
"Same here. Nice to see Riku, Donald, and Goofy here too. I will need all the help that I can get. First, you need to check on Cloud. He still has problems with his dark side...but I feel that he became slack over something else. He's at the edge of the Radiant Square."
They traveled to the square. Ichigo looked around him. "Looks like the place went through hell."
"Tell me about it," said Leon. "My pals Cid and Yuffie are fixing this place up. Our automated defense is working, but life is still a strife here. We need more peace."
"I can understand how you feel. I lived in a town that had monsters showing up every day. I had to perform many things to preserve peace at home, although there is a point where I asked for peace."
"Unfortunately, we now have a elected monarch."
"You mean, a dictatorship?!" asked Riku.
"Sadly, yes. Some man, whom every citizen reveres, became king. He is doing things here that should not be done. He makes warriors sound evil, made his own religion, and has made our services mandatory. We cannot bring the internet to work here because of his restrictions on the outside world. But at the same time, you guys are heroes. He cannot force people to attack their saviors. He can only control the mandated launch sites that are near him."
The group ran with silent shock. "So we have to worry about him at all?" asked Riku.
"No, not now."
They reached the Radiant Square. Here, they saw Cloud, who looked tired, arguing with a young girl.
"Tiffa, I won't! They can do whatever they want! Why should you care?"
"Because I care about you! He-"
"OH YEAH!" shouted Kon. "Its a girl with watermelons! Time to-"
Ichigo held him tightly, and suddenly Tiffa was there, putting her fist in the bear's face. The force knocked both Ichigo and Kon to the nearest building, leaving a crater and a comical look on Tiffa's face.
"Whoops, I meant that for the perverted teddy bear. So, what brings you here, Sora?"
"We heard that Cloud was acting with angst again."
"Basically, he has become emo. He wants to just stand around, crying about how he lost the will to fight and the like."
"I think," said Ichigo, "That we need to tell him to grow balls." He rubbed his wound from the punch, and walked to Cloud. "So, are you letting the spiky hair compensate for your pussy?"
"I don't care," remarked Cloud. "I want to become more powerful, and show off my talents at anime in another world-"
"Grow up!" interjected Sora. "You know that something bad is happening here. The king wants to rule the world, and I know that he will start to try to take over people! We all know the scenario. Just face up before people die! Have you lost your sense of honor?!"
Cloud looked shameful. Ichigo realized that this is what he wanted. "Look, Cloud, I am sorry for our words, but you need to think clearly. We have to find out what is going on, and save these people. Are you in?"
"Fine." he said. "If you want me to join you, then fine. Sorry about my depression, but I thought that I found my peace when I defeated Sephorith. It just left me feeling more awful than before."
"That's fine and all," said Leon, "But we have to go to my house. I think that there is something that could help you guys save these other planets from disappearing-and yes, we noticed too. We saw the way they disappeared, and I think that if we put this idea into motion, then we could save the other planets. I need you guys to help me find some stuff, but I'll explain at home, ok?"
They agreed, and moved towards his house. A man was blocking their path.
"Leon! You were not suppose to let these people here!" exclaimed the man. He wore armor, like a knight, and had pale, snow-like skin. His red eyes were contradicting to his body, making him like some sort of vampire knight.
"So, is this Buffy or something?" asked Ichigo.
"No, "this" is Bernard, knight to our glorious king Vestus! You people were suppose to be checked by us before you came here."
"Look," said Donald, "We didn't know-"
"Oh, a duck! Sadly, our boss does not like animals. We may have to eat this one."
"WHAAA!?" cried Donald, hiding behind Goofy. Both hid behind Cloud, who looked angry at Bernard.
"Well, since you don't want to cooperate, time to do this!"
He waved his hand, summoning a unverse and a hollow.
"WHAT!?" gasped Ichigo. "But how!? That's from my universe!"
Sora, Leon, and Riku stared at shock at this. Luckily, Ichigo knew a way to rectify this situation. He pointed at the creatures. "Byakurai!"
The kido vaporized the unverse and hollow in less than a second. Bernard, puffing smoke from his head, angrily said, "I'll come back later, you invaders!"
He left, and everyone stood in silence. "No way that this could be happening," said Leon.
"This was what I was talking about to Cloud," said Tiffa. "We knew about the knight's ability to summon lots of beings. Hollows, heartless, nobodies, and more have been summoned. I was going to tell people about this, but Cloud said to stay quiet about it."
A footstep was heard. Suddenly, Ichigo yelled "Move!" A circe appeared out of nowhere, and a pillar of ice formed from the circle.
A young, black-haired girl appeared with a blank look on her face. Ichigo stared in shock, sickened at what he is seeing.
It was Rukia.