A key chosen by darkness

by The Swordslinger

"Your dream has been shattered. Those who stand in the light cast you in their shadows. You who hide your true self behind that mask you call a face have seen and understood what darkness is all about. Anger. Sorrow. Despair. Is it any wonder the darkness accepts those like you?" Naruto finds himself in his own darkness and the biggest adventure he could have.

3. Pleasure and Business

I OWN NOTHING

For the past days, I have been extremely busy and dealing with a lot of things along a new more demanding job. I'm afraid I may get rusty, but it doesn't mean I'll quit writing.

X-X-X-X-X

"Oh, you boys want to experience the wonders of Pleasure Island?"

For anyone with half a brain cell it was painful how the ferryman could be so physically phony. Perhaps that's why misguided children were idiotic enough to follow him. Promise a child the world without any type of consequence and they can fall for it if someone uses the right amount of charm. Laguna and especially Naruto started to really hate the guy as the former snuck under the carriage.

Naruto himself would've fallen for it given his circumstances. A chance to go to an island where he could have great fun without adults treating him like dirt and other kids to play around? He'd have signed up the instant the first part of that sentence was said. Thus, he had to restrain himself from punching the old conman and pretend to be interested in going to whatever scam the island was.

Luckily for Vivi, Naruto was tall enough to hide behind, "Yeah, heard it's free."

The man eyed the boy's clothes, especially the gauntlets Hekapoo 'gifted' to him, "Ah yes, and unmeasurably wealthy fun, too." He chuckled.

Clenching his jaw, the blond kept a smile and jumped on, "Sounds like it'll be fun to crash in." he wasn't subtle, but the ferryman didn't care.

Once inside, Vivi gulped, "Oh boy...It's a bit crowded..." it was an understatement as the kids jumped around, impatient to leave.

After a fast whip cracked the air, the donkeys pulled the carriage forward, the kids cheering and making a ruckus. For their part, the two aware of how evil the ferryman was sat alone at the back. Cross-armed, the blond glared daggers at the ferryman even if he couldn't see him thanks to the wall between the inside of the cart and the conductor seat. Vivi gulped a bit and sat stiffly beside him.

Laguna for his part was groaning, "Alright, think of the kids, think of your little girl...think of finding a better grip!" he yelped as the wheels went into a rocky road, nearly making him fall. Grinding his teeth, the man held on tighter to the underside of the vehicle and closed his eyes, "Ugh, the things good old Uncle Laguna does for love."

Meanwhile, there were some boys staring at the two oddballs, "Hey, what's with those gloves?" one taller than them asked, pointing at Naruto's gauntlets.

"A girl gave them to me." he replied, not wanting to start a conversation.

"Cool, give them to me." the kid smirked, showing buckteeth as he rolled up his sleeves. "Oh, and the tiny one's hat, too."

"Eh!?" Vivi yelped, "B-But why? Aren't we all going to have fun?" he tried to argue, grabbing his hat in despair.

"Yup, but I want them and in Pleasure Island you can get what you want." He somewhat reasoned, "Now let me have them."

Standing up, Naruto smiled, "Sure." A lightning fast punch later, and the boy was flat on his back, the other kids stunned silent, "Anyone else wants to mess with my little brother and me?" every single boy quickly shook their heads, "Good, keep having fun and leave us out of it."

As he sat down, Vivi looked at him curiously, "Little brother?" he repeated.

Rubbing the back of his head, the blond whispered, "It was the best idea I had so they didn't pick on you."

"Oh, I see..." the tiny boy kicked his legs in the air awkwardly, "It's just...I think I'm looking for my brothers."

"Did you...lose your home?" Naruto asked, and the silence and head hanging down said enough, "I see..." he felt pity and anger, the idea that the Heartless and the cloaked man had a hand on that just made every cell in his bloodstream boil, "Hey, don't worry. Once we're done with this ferryman, we can go look for them."

"Really?" Vivi was surprised, "But...you barely even know me."

"True, but I know how good it is to have someone help you." He remembered the trio of Destiny Islands, "If they were here, they'd do the same. So, in a sense, me not doing what they would by giving you a hand is not gonna make them happy." He chuckled, ruffling his hair a bit, "Or something like that."

"They sound like wonderful people." Vivi said, his eyes turning into happy U-shaped yellow glows.

"You better believe it." The blond chortled.

Finally, they arrived at some docks where a ferry would take them to the island. All the while, the ferryman watched the children run around. When noticing the bruised eye that the bully had, he just ignored it and put it on the back of his head as him playing too hard. Naruto heard a thud under the vehicle, meaning Laguna had plopped off. Deciding to help the man, he decided to start a diversion.

"Um, Naruto...?" Vivi started.

"Follow me closely." And so, he pushed the nearest boy forward, smashing him into the other, "Get moving."

Vivi was surprised, "Did you change your voice?" and the one Naruto used was of the guy who tried to steal from them.

"Hey, what's the big idea!?" the kid he pushed growled, and the blond aimed at the bully.

A fight started and as the ferryman tried to stop it and other kids watched, Laguna smiled, "For once violence was the answer. Huh, the more you know."

Stepping onto the ferry, the two otherworldly boys took a calm spot at the back, soon finding Laguna trying to climb, "Can I help?" Vivi asked politely.

"Yes, please." The man said and extended his arm, to which Vivi extended a wooden staff with a curled-up head he had.

"Um, where'd you get that stick?" Laguna kindly asked.

"It's my magic staff." Vivi answered shyly.

"Magic?" both taller males echoed.

"Uh-huh, I'm a mage..." Vivi said.

"Wait, really? If so, why'd you have so much trouble with the Heartless?" Laguna asked, intrigued, "A good magic user should've sent them packing to Big Mean Mama Heartless."

"I...uh, was scared..." the boy sulked.

"No problem." Naruto chirped, a hotblooded grin on his face, "You saw us fight, right? Next time they appear, the old man and I'll take them down."

"Yeah, what he said!" Laguna beamed, and then opened his eyes wide, "Wait, without the old man part! And why do you still call me old!?" he felt more hurt than offended.

"Well, you are older than us." Vivi pointed out.

Laguna hung his head low, shoulders slumped, "Oh come on, can someone side with me?" he moaned.

"Hey, someone there?" a kid asked.

Quickly, Laguna jumped over the edge, hanging on to the railing, "Don't let me fall, please." He begged in a whisper.

"Just us, so get going." The blond told the kid. A look at how ready the whiskered child was to throw a mean punch served to stir away any further confrontations.

"Okay, so...how long is this trip?" Laguna finally asked as he hung over the edge.

"Not much, I think." Vivi answered with a shrug.

Upon arriving, the boys got to see the place. It looked like every kid's dream. A giant theme park with a rough-house for kids to fight, free food, large wooden statues of stereotypical Indians throwing cigars. Naruto felt tempted to go to the model house to tear it apart. And it was all free, or too good to be true as any sane, reasonable man would tell the low-level intellectuals who couldn't see past pretty promises.

"Alright, Vivi you come with me to find our friends." The blond told him, "What about you, old man?"

"Again...? Well, no matter, I'll be sticking to the shadows and see what the adults running this place are up to." The gunman then handed Naruto a picture, "Ask if anyone's seen this little girl."

"Who's she?" the blond had to ask.

Laguna smiled, "A princess in need of her knight in shining armor, Uncle Laguna." He winked and left, trying to look cool as he jumped over a crate...and immediately crashed it under his weight, "I'm okay!" he gave a thumb up from on top the broken wood as if it'd reassure the two boys. It didn't work, understandably.

As the trio split, the ferryman watched all the boys in the massive theme park, before whipping at the entrance, "Close the doors real tight, make sure they're locked in!" he yelled at the shadows, and from them a group of Heartless did as told, keeping the boys trapped in the ferryman's attraction for fools.

Both the young visitors from another world went around the place, "Hey, have you seen our friends? We're looking for some girls and-"

"Girls, here?" a boy asked while grabbing another in a chokehold at the rough-house, "Nah, they'd ruin the fun."

"So that's a no, then." Vivi mumbled dejectedly.

After a few more questions with no good answers, they went to the model house, "Alright, has any of you seen our friends?" Naruto asked again, "They're two boys, one with white hair and another with very spiky hair as well as two girls, they-"

"You know no girls come here, right? And we haven't seen anyone like that." A boy using an axe on a piano replied.

"Okay, let's keep looking." The blond went to a bar with pool, "Hey, have you seen a spiky-haired boy, another with big eyes, a redhead girl and-"

"Girls aren't allowed, and we haven't seen any guy like that here." A boy trying to get the 8 ball told him, "Now shut up, I'm concentrating."

Back to the park where the merry-go-round and a Ferris wheel were being torn apart, Naruto kicked a nearby can, "Dammit, can anyone here think of anything other than themselves?"

Vivi tried to calm him down, "I guess this means our friends aren't here."

"Yeah..." the blond sighed deeply, "Well, let's find the ferryman and burn this place."

"Uh, are you sure...?" Vivi fidgeted where he stood, "It could be a bad idea, he has a lot of Heartless."

"Another reason to go." The blond told him, "Though, now that you say that... Where do Heartless come from?"

"They're born from the darkness of people's hearts." The tiny mage said, "I wish I could say more, but there's not much written about them."

"Fair enough, though it's obvious how much of a pain they are." The Keyblade user replied with his arms crossed, "Let's go, the sooner I beat up the ferryman, the better."

"Y-Yeah." Vivi followed him, hesitant at first but confidently soon after.

Of course, Laguna wasn't idle either.

"Now, if I were a dirty con-artist, where'd I hide dirty secrets?" he asked with a smile as he looked around the docks, "Either under everyone's noses or getting rid of them. And since we only have one way to get in this island..." he shut his mouth tight when a loud sound echoed in the room and in came the ferryman followed by an intimidating figure, "M-Maleficent!?"

His whispering managed to leave him unnoticed despite how much he felt like yelling. Following the ferryman was a tall, very slim woman with green skin in a large black robe. It concealed her entire body and had purple streaks and ragged ends that made it look like the flames of a nightmarish pit. On one hand she had a gold staff with a green orb atop, and on her head was a cowl with large black horns.

Sharp features and even sharper nails, which caressed the head of a crow on her shoulder, "My dear sir, how is your quota?" she asked with a professional smile.

The ferryman's eyes glinted, "Oh my fair lady, I just got a new batch. And if I am right, here they come." He snapped his fingers, and from a wall came out a wooden ramp. From the hole it appeared slid in dozens of Shadows, "However, you'll have to forgive the quality. Hearts that give easily into temptation aren't strong."

The horned woman smiled, pleased by the numbers, "No need to worry. Any child can make a difference as a fine soldier." She waved a hand over them, "Especially if given the right nourishment." Her hand glowed with a green flame which flew into the Heartless, soon transforming them into Soldiers, "Weak as their hearts are, they feed the darkness fantastically."

"Child...?" Laguna asked.

"Now, about our agreement." The ferryman smiled softly as Maleficent waved her hand again, materializing a crate filled with gold bars.

"I believe that should be enough." The witch said.

The man bowed politely, lifting his hat as he did so, "A pleasure doing business with you, ma'am." He chuckled and stared in awe and joy at the gold. There was a certain merciless avarice in his eyes, as he calmly picked one up, then squeezed his fist as tightly as could be, reforming the gold with raw strength into a large heart. Which he tossed onto the pile.

"Money truly does make the worlds go round. My employer, well, the one you have leased me from, will enjoy this cash flow. While all my fellows will be envious of me…" he chuckled with a nasty sneer to his lips, turning around and snapping his fingers, "Now where were we in settling this other deal? I-"

Soon, as if to further answer Laguna's previous questions, a kid slid down the ramp having been pushed down by a Soldier. The child came to a stop at the bottom, gasping in horror, "Wh-Where am I!?"

The ferryman growled and snapped his whip at the kid, "Bah, imbeciles! I told them to get me those overcome with darkness! This just makes my job much harder!" he lashed at the ground, the kid yelping as a black aura enveloped him, "Go on, child! If you wanted to enjoy this place, you better pay the price! You wanted this, so pay the consequences!"

"N-No, I want...I want my mama!" the kid cried, tears in his eyes as the darkness enveloped him, but it was too late.

A new Heartless was born, sickening Laguna to the deepest parts of his stomach as a Shadow replaced the boy, "That sick, twisted witch!" he hissed through gritted teeth, and then his eyes widened like saucers as a terrifying thought came to him, "Oh no, Naruto, Vivi! I can't let them get turned into that witch's slaves!" he wanted to run but bumped into a crate.

Crashing loudly into broken planks called the attention of the other two adults in the room, "What was that?" Maleficent asked with a scowl.

The ferryman narrowed his eyes, "Nothing to bother yourself!" he cracked his whip and hollered to the Shadows and Soldiers, "Heartless, get me that troublemaker!"

While Laguna ran off, Maleficent scoffed, "Shouldn't be a problem unless we need to work some details on our deal." Her staff inched close to the man's face, getting him to stare at her with a sly grin.

"Oh? You forget Maleficent, that I'm merely the messenger of a greater force. I serve a great darkness myself. A loyal follower to the end." His expression didn't change, but his face reddened and his hair seemed to stand up into pointy ends like horns, "Let us not mince words any longer, I have a great gift in store for you. One that will sooth away any bad blood between us. Call it a token of good…hehehe,faith."

Arching a brow at his nasty chuckle and the certain level of blasphemous delight in the word faith, Maleficent asked, "And that is?"

"Over here." He grinned, "A real troublemaker this one, I'll tell you. I had to use that special Heartless you gave me to keep such a specimen locked."

He walked to what looked like a large crate, inside was a tiny figure, a living puppet, "Who are you!? Where's Father!?" exclaimed the puppet, shackled to the large cage.

"Ah, my dear child, you won't worry for your father much longer..." the witch whispered with a sinisterly motherly grin.

The puppet shivered, "B-But I want to see Father! I wanna be a real boy! I...I know he must be worried."

"Who would be your father?" Maleficent asked amusedly, "Last I recall, many children have come and gone in my presence. Perhaps he came to save you and fell."

"N-No..." the puppet fell to his knees, horror in his eyes.

Smirking confidently, Maleficent caressed his wooden cheek, "Don't worry, my dear. You'll make one beauty of a Heartless. Resist if you want to, it'll make it stronger."

The ferryman crossed his arms, giving her a wide toothy smile at her inspection of the puppet-boy, "Well witch? Does this offering please you and restore your good humor?"

Maleficent turned back, giving the smiling man a slight nod, "You have done well Coachman. You are an evil soul to your very core. Color me most impressed with your gift indeed."

"Thank you most kindly Witch of the Darkness. I am happy to have earned your faint praise! Now our business for the day is concluded, yes?" he asked.

She smiled as curtly as needed at him, "Until the next time we meet Coachman. Your payment is justly rewarded for the fine gift you have given me."

"Aye! To a long and fruitful business partnership then, Lady Maleficent! May you have good tidings and profit aplenty! As hopefully will I, although if you keep paying me like this, that hope will be a certainly! GA HA HA HA HA HA HAAAHAA!"

He threw his head back and laughed at his little joke. A deep guttural laughter straight from the belly. As she departed, he pulled out his pipe and lit it. The smoke that curled around his face and wreathed it in a shroud of black tar-like smoke gave him a particular sinister feel. Combined with the wicked laugh that he emitted between puffs, he seemed to be even less of a human than he at first seemed.

A

FOOL

LED

BY

A

FOOL

Naruto grunted, a sharp pain in his head. He tried to relieve it with a hand on his forehead with the predictable result of nothing.

"Gah, what's this?" he asked as he and Vivi stopped their search.

"Are you okay?" the tiny mage asked concerned.

"Y-Yeah, it's going..." the blond replied and looked around, "Maybe I'm tired." He took a deep breath, "I hope the old man has good news."

As if waiting for that as an opening to a theatrical play, Laguna appeared, "Bad news!" he shouted and grabbed the kids, carrying one on each shoulder.

"H-Hey, what're you doing!?" Naruto exclaimed, only to see Heartless chasing the man.

"Ah, you were found!" Vivi yelped, "Was it the ferryman?"

"Yeah, and the guy's a bigger creep than I gave credit to!" Laguna screamed and jumped over a broken Indian statue, then a fence, and finally set the kids on a merry-go-round. "Listen, he's turning these kids into a big army of Heartless for the worst, most wicked, evilest, and downright most dangerous witch in the world!"

"Wait..." Naruto started, turning to the Shadows and Soldiers running after them, "Y-You mean the monsters we've fought are kids?"

"Don't be fooled!" Laguna shouted, readying his machinegun, "I know it sounds bad, but they're not those kids anymore! They're the darkness in their hearts which has devoured their everything! Soul, mind, body, and heart! You name it, and these things ate it and replaced it!" he gulped as the trio was surrounded, the other children already running off, "So, please, fight for yourself because they have no mercy."

Before he could talk, a Heartless lunged at him, a Shadow with its claws ready. And all he could think about as it tried to end him, to take his heart with no life in its eyes, were those three faces that made him smile, 'Sora, Riku, Kairi... They're waiting for me!' Balling his hand into a fist, the boy let out a battle cry and cut the creature in two, "I promised my friends I wouldn't lose to anyone. Don't think I'm backing down!"

His heart burnt with a passion he hadn't felt in a long time. Thinking on the three first true friends he made, wanting to share more smiles and laughter with them, filled him with determination. Vivi didn't want to stand by as he saw the two taller males ready to fend for themselves. Gulping first, he gripped his staff with both hands, all three staring at their enemies right in the eye.

"I-I also have to fight...I've got answers to find!" Vivi exclaimed, and while his nervousness remained a fire was also lit in him.

"Good, we're all on the same page here!" Laguna cheered, "Let's rock this joint!"

Running to the Heartless with his Keyblade at his side, Naruto jumped and slashed one. Due to his weapon's saber characteristic, he had to swing it from side to side rather than stabbing. Which fit him just fine for he spun once his feet touched the ground and cut another two Shadows. Once a Soldier tried to kick him, the blond readied what he'd called his counter-kick: a side-kick to an enemy.

Is counter sent the Soldier rolling back into a group surrounding Vivi. The tiny mage threw his staff into the air, summoning a fireball. It immediately went after the nearest Shadow like a bee after a flower. It burst into a fiery blanket that engulfed the Heartless and some of its brethren. Vivi wasn't done and raised his staff again, summoning another, but forgetting to look behind him.

Luckily for the small boy, Laguna had him and Naruto covered. Four shots had the Soldier looming behind the tiniest of the trio return to its base component of pure darkness. With that out of the way, he found a much-needed higher point to which he zipped to with his grappling hook. Standing atop a stack of box, he took aim and kept shooting the dark creatures from a safe distance.

None could give the Heartless any quarter. Thus, Naruto kept charging at any that he saw, his sword acting like a cleaver with the monsters being little more than hot butter. Vivi spiced things up a bit and brought a dark cloud briefly over some of their enemies, the blackened piece of steam shooting lightning to fry them. Laguna decided to act cool and swung around, firing with a grin.

Upon landing near the boys, he couldn't help but grin, "Alright, we're doing this very well!" and his cheering ended with a heavy thud, "What was that?"

In came a much larger Heartless with an absurdly fat body. Its shape was that of a ball with long arm, feet, and a tiny head with a tin hat. Its gut threatened to burst open its outfit, its arms had shackles, and it had a hand up. It then slammed that hand on its gut, revealing an energy shield around it before it ran at them. Naruto tried to slash it, to no avail!

"What!?" he yelped as his sword bounced off the energy field.

"Got you!" Laguna yelped and grabbed Naruto as he swung around, "Vivi, run!"

"Y-Yes!" the tiny child exclaimed and jumped out of the way as the Large Body crashed into a tent and completely crumbled it.

"How do we even hit this guy?" Naruto asked, and looked at its exposed back, "Throw me!"

"Are you crazy!?" Laguna exclaimed.

"Do it!" the blond didn't need to repeat himself, his stare told the man to trust him.

"Alright, here you go!" he used an arm to swing Naruto, sending him to the Heartless.

The Large Body turned, ready to strike again, but, "Blizzard!" Vivi was quick to freeze its feet on the ground.

"Thanks, Vivi!" Naruto grinned as he flipped over the Large Body, cutting its head and then slashing its back. It still stood tall, so the blond wailed on his back, relieved to see the shield didn't cover all of its body. As he swung a final time, he made the monster fall flat on its face, to which the gunman smirked.

"Present for you!" he cheered and threw a grenade down as he swung over it, not even looking at the explosion.

Soon, the Heartless' collective darkness flew into Naruto's sword.

And it happened.

"What the-" he exclaimed, but suddenly saw an image of himself in a black and white setting like photo negatives. In it, he used his free hand and launched his palm forward, creating a shield like the one that just a moment ago had stopped his attacks, "Whoa..." he exclaimed at the end, a hand on his head.

"Kid!" Laguna exclaimed as a Soldier lunged at him.

Reacting by instinct, Naruto lifted his hand, casting forward a new spell, "Shield!" and with his exclamation, the Heartless' kick stopped dead in its tracks. The force of the sudden stop made it flip in the air and land on its head, stunned. With his Keyblade still ready, the blond cut it in half and finally took a moment to look at himself, wondering silently what he had just done.

"You used magic...?" Vivi stated in awe more than asked.

"Magic?" Laguna asked, "I mean, I know of some people who use artifacts to summon elements, and I know some others have studied Heartless, but..." he scratched the back of his long-haired head, not sure what he could say, "Call me a simple guy, I guess." He shrugged, "Please keep details to a minimum or my noggin will start hurting."

"Um, okay." Vivi then held a hand to Naruto, "Give me your hand, please."

Confused but trusting, the taller boy did as told, "What are y-" his voice stopped as a flame burst between their gloved hands. Stepping back, he observed the fire sinking into his palm, a sudden opening in his mind to the arcane arts revealed to him the secrets of fire, "Did you...just pass a spell to me?"

Vivi nodded, "It's...It's still basic, but it should help." He told him, "Magic's more of a representation of one's soul. Sure, everyone can use elements. Some have preferences. Depending on how you use it as well as adapt to it, you could do anything. And since fire's the easiest one to make, well..." He then held his staff with both hands sheepishly, "Although, I am still a novice, so...I hope I was of help."

Naruto grinned, then nodded, "I'd say you're a great help, Vivi."

Laguna beamed, giving him a thumb up, "For sure, with you at our side we got a powerhouse." The tiny mage pulled down the brim of his hat, embarrassed but happy by the praise.

WATCH

OUT

! ! !

Acting by instinct, the blond turned around and saw a large wooden box fly his way. Without missing a beat, he cut it in two while his two allies got ready for another battle.

"A-Again!?" Vivi asked fearfully.

"No, it's..." Laguna started, seeing a figure approaching, "You dirty..." he growled.

Coachman laughed, "Ah, the rats eavesdropping, I presume!" he held his pipe near his mouth, amused, "Ah yes, I smell a strong set of Heartless to brew with you lot!"

Naruto was furious, "You're the one turning kids into Heartless!? Why!?" he roared.

The cruel ferryman chortled, hands on his belly as he howled with cruel laughter, "Gahahahaha! Do I need a good reason other than profit!?" he then aimed his pipe at the boy, "Love, money, it's all about profit! A kid wouldn't understand! Even friendship is born from seeking profit!"

"Sounds to me like you're washing dirty laundry with oil." Laguna told him, not once moving his sights from the portly man.

Coachman smirked, "Oh, is that it?" he walked to them, whip ready, "Love? A desire to possess someone's affection, to feel happy by having them close and own them. Friendship? Bonds made of how useful those around you are to give you piece of mind or help you. Heh, why not throw another one? Life? It's nothing but all beings' way of looking for joy in the limited time given to them."

"Enough." Naruto growled.

Again, Coachman was entertained, "Oh, did I hit a nerve? Or do you want to deny what I said?" he snickered, "Do tell, has anyone given you the time of day when you weren't useful to them?" Naruto ground his teeth, what Coachman expected, "Sure, there may have been a couple, but can you say they didn't do it to feel good?"

Closing his eyes, Vivi shuddered slightly, "What's this feeling...?"

Coachman's smirk widened, "And so, I make a profit. Stupid brats who want simple pleasures with no consequences pay the price the best! And you are n-"

Before he ended his next words, Laguna fired, ripping the man's pipe from his hand, "Sorry, finger slipped." He said with a laidback grin. "You've talked a lot, but haven't let my little buddy try a polite rebuttal. I say it's his turn." He turned to Naruto, smiling softly, "So, are you gonna listen to him or try to expand his horizontals with your own words?"

"Don't you mean horizons?" Vivi corrected and asked.

Naruto looked at them, and found a smile growing, "Guess you're right." he turned to Coachman, "Yeah, what you said is true. However, why does it matter?" he looked at his Keyblade, at the two before him, and an image of the three he wanted to save appeared before him, "It doesn't change the fact it's all still our choice, you slimy geezer!"

"Your choice?" the angry ferryman replied, baring his teeth angrily.

"Yeah, just like those fools choose to follow you, we choose what to do with our lives." Naruto aimed his Keyblade, "Pity or not, I had friends who chose to be with me. Even if love's selfish, people can choose how to express it. Friends choose who to be with whether they want something or not. But...life is what we choose to make of it." He took his stance, "And I'll walk it how I choose to!"

"Brat, your life was chosen for you the moment you were born." Coachman snarled, readying his whip.

"Even so, I can choose what I do with it." He retorted, "And right now I choose to burn this place down!"

"What he said!" Laguna cheered, then turned to Vivi, "You in?"

"Y-Yes!" the small wizard answered with a nod, still nervously clutching his staff but nonetheless ready for battle.

"Looks like you need a little lesson!" Coachman exclaimed and lashed at the ground furiously.

The trio lunged at him, ready to end the fight right when it started. To their surprised, the plump man jumped over them with the ability of a freaking grasshopper. They turned to see him land behind them and lash out twice. Laguna was the one hit first, following by Naruto. The two hissed as the whip stung on the former's back and the latter's side.

"Stop!" Vivi exclaimed, summoning lightning, which the ferryman dodged by jumping off to the side, laughing. Unfortunately for him, the blond tanked the pain. Ignoring the burning pain, he slid on his feet to the man, spun around, and cut across his chest. Vivi also helped by casting a fireball that engulfed the cruel con-artist before he checked on Laguna.

"I'm fine..." he hissed, but gave the small boy a reassuring grin, "I may not be on my prime, but I'm still strong."

Coachman yelped loudly, darkness oozing from his chest which the Keyblade absorbed, "Argh, blasted sword!" he let out another yelp as he was slashed once again, and a third time with an overhead slash that sent him flying back, "Ugh...what did that do to me? Was it a...?" his eyes widened in horrified realization, "No way, you're the same as him!?"

"What're you talking about?" Naruto asked.

"A Keyblade of darkness, you're another chosen..." the ferryman gulped, "I can't play around, then! Come, you foul beast!"

Lashing at the ground again caused it to tremble, "Did he call for an earthquake!?" Laguna exclaimed, grabbing a post for support while Vivi held on to his leg. Cracks appeared on the floor, creating a web until a growing mount could be seen rising. Soon after, the ground erupted in an upward rain of debris and dirt.

From it rose a two-story tall Heartless. Its torso was a gigantic cage, a colorful set with white bars, red ribbons, and a blue floor and ceiling. Its arms were jointed puppet limbs with red gloves and blue sleeves and ballooning pants legs with curled up steel shoes. Its head was a black ball with beady yellow eyes and a white and blue jester's hat resembling devil horns. And it had a large cleaver on each hand.

Coachman jumped atop it, aiming a gloved finger at Naruto, "Grab that boy! Bring him to Master! He's too good to be on Maleficent's list!"

Laguna gulped when a single step made the ground shake, "Okay, we're doomed."

"Don't jinx us!" Naruto snapped like a gator.

"Do you have any plan?" Vivi pleaded.

Laguna hummed, then had a stroke of intelligence as he aimed a finger up, "Look, what's that over there!?" a stroke of intelligence didn't necessarily mean a big kind.

Looking where he aimed, Naruto blinked in confusion, then turned to Laguna's finger, and back to where he aimed. Realization hit him soon after, "Oh come on, like it's gonna fall for that!" he asked mostly furious at himself for being easily fooled by the dimwitted and carefree gunman.

Vivi then yanked his pants, aiming a finger at the Heartless, "He did fall for it!" the Heartless had a hand over its head to block the sun as it tried to find something in the sky.

Beaming, Laguna turned, "See, what'd I tell you about trusting Uncle Laguna? Now, let's skedaddle!" he yelped and ran off, the two kids following him soon after.

Coachman was as furious, "Dumb monster, it's them you have to focus on!" he lashed at its head, then aimed at the running trio, "Did those kids' idiocy become contagious!? If not, do your job!" he whipped it one more time and the giant cage jumped. It immediately cut the three otherworldly fighters' path, sliding the sharp edges of its knives together in a menacing manner.

"Alright, no higher ground will be given, methinks…" Laguna commented sheepishly.

"Better that way." Naruto said, readying his Keyblade, "Sooner we beat that creep, the better for all kids in this world!"

"I wish I had half that enthusiasm and guts." Laguna mumbled.

"Me too…" Vivi gulped as they got ready for battle.

As expected, the Heartless brought up a cleaver and swung it down. The trio leapt out of the way as it cut into the stone road and even sliced a ruined Ferris wheel in two. Both pieces fell to the sides while it went for another attack. Bringing up its other large slab of steel it called a weapon, it swung it down and onto the ground. The three unlikely heroes jumped to the side, Vivi panicking as the shockwave made him jump!

The enormous Heartless was so strong its strikes on the floor bounced them off the ground. While the tiny mage gripped his staff as if it'd stay locked in the air, the other two fighters crashed on their faces. To the tiniest one's luck, he landed on top of Naruto, who landed on Laguna's back. Having such an easy way to kill all three at once, the Heartless raised both of its cleavers over its head, intent on a destructive slash!

"Shield!" Naruto yelped, hand up. Due to the weird energy wall's bouncing abilities, the Heartless stumbled back, letting the trio breathe easier, "Dammit, that thing's too big and strong, how do we fight it?" for a moment, he considered another run, but saw that its legs were far apart since they were on opposite sides of the cage that made its torso. "That's it, we bring it down!"

"How?" Laguna asked in curious hope.

"I need your help!" he told them, "Old man, you better not run away and follow me! Vivi, that ice spell, use it on my sign!" the two looked at him, then nodded and stared at the massive Heartless as Coachman let out a cruel chuckle at their bravery.

"Heh, soon Master will be most pleased." He rubbed his gloved hands, "Go, Dark Cell, lock him for Lord Ch-"

"Now!" Naruto yelled as Laguna raced after him, grappling hook ready, "Doppelganger!" He and his clone stood at both sides of the man as Dark Cell swung its cleavers down. Immediately, the real boy and his shadow copy put their hands forward, "Shield!" he commanded, blocking the strikes and allowing Laguna to shoot at a leg.

"So, this is the plan?" the man had a large, confident and hopeful smirk of victory, "Smart kid, I see!"

"Vivi!" the blond called.

"Blizzard!" the mage chanted, freezing the ground around Dark Cell and the gunman's feet.

Laguna slid on it, skating as his grappling hook's line helped him spin five times around the Heartless like an annoying hyperactive dog. Soon, the large monster's legs were trapped by the wire, forcing it to pull its feet together on top of the slippery ice. And, like in a certain famous movie, the giant walker tripped face-first on the floor, leaving its master to helplessly yelp before the loud crash!

Coachman landed on his face, his back bent in a way that his backside was over his face. He'd have growled but didn't have time for it. Naruto still wanted to ruin his day the most. By gripping his sword like he was a batman, he stomped forward and swung with all his might. The ferryman screamed at the top of his lungs as he sailed through the air and into a lamppost, then landed back on the floor.

"Insufferable brat!" he roared and stomped on the floor, making Shadows appear, "After him!"

"Oh no, you don't!" the long-haired gunman exclaimed, throwing three grenades midair. However, the tiny imps jumped over them, trying to get over the explosives and towards the target their master gave them. As if struck by inspiration, the small mage summoned forth a fireball, which flew straight to the grenades. Every shadowy critter couldn't believe the sudden brilliance of the tiny wizard.

"Fire!" Vivi's exclamation made the grenades explode, and with his magic it created a larger explosion that charred them.

"Grr, Dark Cell, to me!" the ferryman roared, summoning the giant.

It leapt back to its feet, picking up its master, or trying to, "Not so fast!" the blond shouted, his right gauntleted hand glowing, "Fire!" from his palm instead of a warm orange flame erupted a light blue fire. It didn't stop there with the surprises. It spread into five smaller fireballs, all of which targeted the red-clad man and shooting him forward and away from the giant's grip.

"That was Dark Fire!" his smallest companion exclaimed, "Ah, I got it! Let's do it together."

Grinning at the usually shy child's enthusiasm, the taller one nodded enthusiastically, "Ready!"

Coachman got up once again, growling, "Blasted children, I'll make them regret this!" lashing at the floor, he aimed a finger forward, "Dark Cell, capture them! Gobble them up!" the giant obeyed and bent down to be near the floor. As it charged, it swung its cleavers wildly, making sure to hit everything in its way. Tents and some attractions were turned into ribbons and sliced junk.

However, one man had a good escape route, "Hang on, kids!" Laguna yelled, readying his grappling hook and aiming up at a rollercoaster. Grabbing the two in one arm, he swung them upwards and way from what would've been a messy way to die. But the giant didn't stop, it kept slicing and soon the rollercoaster started to fall. Laguna let out a yelp as he landed and watched it collapse, but the kids were ready.

"Fire!/Dark Fire!" their simultaneous fire spells merged, creating a spiraling flame that flew at the Heartless' face like a deadly fiery drill! And drill it did! The moment Dark Cell's face was hit by it, the Heartless was violently thrown back, landing with a thunderous thud on the floor and creating a crater under its body! But before our heroes celebrated, the earth's quaking shook the rollercoaster!

"Ah, we're gonna get buried of we don't book it!" Laguna exclaimed, trying to find somewhere to latch on with his grappling hook.

"I got you!" the blond exclaimed, "Doppelganger!" his copy was summoned and hefted the adult on his shoulders while Naruto had Vivi sit on his.

"W-What's the plan!?" the mage asked, clinging to his head.

"We jump!"

"What!?" both the gunman and wizard exclaimed, the former adding, "Kid, that plan has broken legs written all over iiiiIIIIIAAAAHHHH!"

As the three fell, the blond and his shadow aimed their feet at a pillar that supported the rollercoaster which hadn't started to fall yet. Once their shoes made contact, the two jumped with their partners on their backs and safely landed to a skidding halt before a baffled Coachman. Said ferryman ground his teeth, gripping his whip and almost tearing it in two with his pull.

Behind them, as if to be a symbol of their victory, the giant monster's Heart floated into Naruto's Keyblade as it absorbed its darkness, "You…" he started, sweating nervously despite glaring with a deep scorching hatred. "You're not even fully aware of the power you hold." He tried to sound imposing, but the trio readied themselves to end the battle, "Hmph, no matter, my master is already a better king."

"What are you talking about? I'm no king." The blond hooked a thumb to himself with a confused if still angry expression.

Coachman scowled, "So, you understand nothing. Heh…" he smirked slyly at that, "I have nothing to worry about, then. Mostly if I give my master a hint of what to expect."

"Y-You mean…" Vivi trembled, "N-Naruto, Laguna, this guy's dangerous! He's a…" before he continued his sentence, he went slowly silent when seeing the ferryman grab thin air and rip it in two. From it they saw a deep darkness, blacker than a starless night. And in the shadows they could make a mountain, or what seemed to be one for two glaring yellow eyes opened on it.

Coachman chortled, "Master, these fools have proven to be a challenge! And the blond one is yet another one chosen to be king!" he rubbed his gloved hands in glees, his face reddening in a maniacal smirk as his hair stood on ends like horns, "Tell me, oh tell me what to do, Master! Do we bring them in!? Do we let the boy foolishly flourish to make a decent challenge!? Just-"

From the portal a gigantic pitch-black hand appeared, shooting out and grabbing a hold of a shocked Coachman, "Is he…" Laguna swallowed some spit at the sight.

"M-Master!?" Coachman yelped, and was squeezed tight by the clawed fingers, "W-Wait, Master! I m-meant no disrespect! He could be what you need! He can…He…" however, try as he may, his pleas fell on deaf ears as the hand tightened more and more until, with a final addition of pressure the ferryman burst into shadows.

And to the trio's horror, they were absorbed into the hand's flesh, "A demon…" Vivi gasped.

Once the hand receded, the two piercing golden eyes focused on Naruto, and a fanged smirk appeared below them. Before he could even think, his body reacted. Grabbing his allies, the blond tackled them to the floor as jets of flames erupted from the interdimensional gates! Looking up at the portal as it closed, the blond glared at the eyes even if the smirk remained, only far more amused.

"Thanks, kid… I was almost toast." Laguna panted in relief as he sat up.

"Who was that, Vivi?" the blond asked.

"I don't know, but…he's truly a manifestation of all that is evil, even worse than that ferryman." The mage felt tense saying that.

Growling, the blond looked at where the portal had been, "Whoever he is, I'm beating that smirk off his face next time I see him." The blond promised.

Laguna gaped, "Kid, where do you get such guts?"

"Don't know, maybe from my mom and dad…" Naruto said with a slight grin, to which Laguna chuckle softly, slapping his knee at the thought.

Vivi gave his two new friends a hopeful look, nodding at them in excitement, "We won! I mean, we really won! I was able to help you and everything too!"

Naruto reached out and patted his shoulder, Laguna doing the same, "You helped out big time little buddy! Thanks for everything!" Laguna said with a huge grin.

All three were unaware of it, but their images appeared in a glowing green orb. Set on Maleficent's staff.

The witch gave the ones she was spying upon a smug and decidedly evil grin, "Yes, you've bested one foe…but many more await you on the path to becoming king my dearest. Be prepared, you are not going to have an easy time of it in the end!"

Her evil laughter filled a darkened room, lightning cracking and showing a huge horde of yellow eyed Heartless, all staring up at a massive castle.

X-X-X-X-X

And that's my rap!

So, the first big boss fight is out, I am finally adding a big villain from the start and setting them up properly and got a focused idea on what to do. Now, depending on how this goes, I may change some or if not a lot of things. For starters, Naruto's party. I want to keep it short like the original idea was. Sadly, I got caught up in making a harem and, well, it got too big.

For now, I'll focus more on adventuring than adding more girls to a harem that could get too big to deal with. While I'd like to give Naruto a large harem, the previous version suffered because of that, so I will have to balance things out to not make pairings take over the story. Now some notes from my beta and best friend:

Beta's Notes: Heyo gang! This is your usual friend, The Lord Of Pages here to help out! I was the one to decide to make Coachman a demon and convince The Swordslinger to have him be one rather than just a greedy human. I was also responsible for writing his dialogue and the ending. We're happy everyone is really enjoying this fic and enjoying the rewritten edition! We're working really hard on providing you all with a solid story, so we hope you look forward to the next installment as soon as possible! Until that day, this has been The Lord Of Pages! So long, farewell, may we meet again!

Swordslinger out!