I OWN NOTHING
After such a long time waiting and many issues I'm dealing with in real life, let's start things up with a more refreshing, lighthearted take.
X-X-X-X-X
"Everything that happened here was a joke to that guy." Naruto scowled as he looked at the forest of Wonderland and the surviving card soldiers lost without a leader or purpose. It made his blood boil, "He didn't even try to make it seem like he had a reason, and when he did it was to make it more of a joke for his twisted mind."
"I know you're mad, but being angry won't get Alice home, or stop that jester." Sora reminded him. He also disliked what Kefka did, however, he knew they had to move forward, "I'm not telling you to not be angry either. Everything that guy did was sickening, yes. But next time we see him, we better be prepared to make him sorry."
"Yeah, you just gotta do your best to find a second chance and make it work." Goofy added with his cheery smile.
"But...those soldiers, the people of this world..." Vivi started nervously, eyeing the depressed card men.
And it was then that Laguna had finally climbed up a tree, "ALRIGHT, LISTEN UP EVERYBODY!"
"What's that guy doing!?" Donald asked in shock and disbelief.
Laguna aimed his right thumb to his face with his chin up, his free hand on his hip, and his back straightened, "Hello there, Card People!" he shouted, gathering the then confused soldiers' attention, "My name isn't important, but I'm here to tell you something! You still live!" he opened his arms as if welcoming them to listen, "Do you see and realize that!?"
"Old man Laguna?" Naruto asked in confusion as the good-natured gunman spoke in his own carefree way.
"I can't say what it's like to lose a queen, but I lost a woman who was queen of all worlds for me!" Laguna continued, looking somewhat serious despite keeping his smile. His words hit Naruto in realization as his stories of ladies clicked, "And yet, I know she wants me to live a happy life, one worth fighting for! And I plain suck!"
Everyone but Alice faceplanted, the girl stating in wide-eyed awe, "I am unable to comprehend how he can claim he's awful at something with such confidence."
"But listen, it's trying what counts, right!?" Laguna didn't stop, "Um, I'm not good with words or speeches, or being smart, or making right choices at all... Hell, I may as well be a bad parent. HOWEVER! Don't ever let anything stop you from reaching to the top! Do you know how many times I failed to just get the greatest lady of all to fall for me!?"
The soldiers stared, confused, but intrigued, "What's he going on about...?"
"Forty-seven failed attempts to woo any other lady, and seventeen until I finally got her to smile at one of my jokes!" Laguna cheered, "For all you know, there are many possibilities for you! And you can't give up, or let others slow you down! And if you got to win, you hafta do it by breaking your back! No saying anything about how it's unfair others do it easier! Work hard and earn it!"
"Why is he telling us this?" one card soldier asked.
"Once you think you're a loser and nothing is worth it, that's when you lose!" Laguna cheered wider, "So, simply, don't do that, do you understand!? I mean, I could have given up on looking for my daughter after the first fifty or so worlds I looked into, and yet I'm not resting until I see my little girl again! She's waiting for her knight in shining armor!"
"That's what he's been doing this whole time?" Naruto asked in surprise, looking at the man in an entire new light.
"Look on the light side of life, you can still do something." Laguna said.
"Um, I think he means the bright side." Vivi commented.
"So, just do it!" Laguna added, bumping up a fist, "Fill yourselves with the determination to change this world for the best, queen or no queen. If not for her, do it for yourselves!"
One card soldier looked at another, and then nodded to his fellow warriors before turning to Laguna, "We...don't have a single clue of what you said!"
The man felt like he had been punched in the gut, he even doubled over as if he had, head hung low, "Oh come on, at least tell me I was able to sound cool."
"You didn't!" Naruto told him loudly, getting his attention, "But I get you, old man." He smiled at him, a genuine bright grin, "Looking at the light side of life, meaning... Even if we have nothing, we can make every second of our life the best, and never stop fighting for that."
Laguna chortled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head in awkward embarrassment, "Um, yeah, but I was trying to make it sound more cheerful."
Blushing slightly, the blond offered the tall man a genuine smile, "Well, I guess I owe you one, old man Laguna."
Beaming brightly, the man replied, "That's Uncle Laguna for you, kid."
"Don't push it." The kid grumbled, still embarrassed.
Seeing the exchange, Alice giggled, confusing Sora, "What's so funny?"
"Oh, don't tell me they don't look like father and son." The petite girl answered, "My guess is that Naruto really needed someone like Mr. Loire to be...as positive a figure as someone as outlandish like him can be." complimenting the carefree man was difficult, but she knew he meant well, "Both are more alike than you think, but one has the experience to keep a genuine smile despite their harsh life."
"A genuine smile, huh?" Sora echoed, smiling softly, "Heh, I guess being someone who can get that effect on others is pretty cool."
X-X-X-X-X
"Alright, time to see my boy." Laguna cheered as he walked into his ship.
Alice gave it an apprehensive look, "I am sure it is a fine ship, but...how well does it fly?" she was as kind as a pure-hearted princess could be.
"Don't loosen your seatbelt." Vivi said in a dreadful whisper, to which Alice swallowed some spit.
"Um, Donald, maybe we should give Alice a ride." Sora suggested.
Even the ever-impatient duck hummed, "We could, but our ship only has room for three..."
"No need to be so mean, I'm sure they trust it for a reason." Goofy was more cheerful than usual, earning himself worried looks from his partners.
Naruto turned to the trio, smiling as he waved, "Take care and make sure to see us in the next world. I'll be sure to find Riku, Kairi and this king of yours."
Sora grinned back, "That's my line!"
Once aboard their respective ships, the groups parted ways. Alice felt uncomfortable in the old ship but felt somewhat reassured when the three odd warriors took their seats next to her. Finally, they had a calm if boring trip back home with idle chatter between them. Nothing of interest was said other than discussing how to break the news for Leon.
"Are you sure your son can keep her safe from creeps like that clown?" Naruto had to ask, looking back at the princess.
Laguna grinned widely and proudly, a fist pumped up, "Hey, his pops may not be at the top of his game, but that kid showed you he packs a wallop, didn't he?"
"Hah, I could've kicked his ass had I not held back for you." The blond retorted confidently, almost smugly.
"Even so, he gave you trouble..." Vivi timidly countered, "It's obvious he has more experience fighting."
Naruto groaned, "Come on, Vivi, take my side here. Old man Laguna's son is a jerk, and he deserved a good honest punch to the face."
"I'd rather not take sides, I do support you, but...you've still got learning to do." Vivi answered in a quiet, nervous tone.
"Ugh, good point." Naruto admitted, huffing as he summoned his Keyblade to look at it, "Even Sora's got some swordplay down."
"But those spells you used..." Alice started, then shut up when seeing the boy turn to her, "Oh, sorry for interrupting." She looked down shyly.
"No, it's okay, sorry if I'm in a bad mood." The blond knew making a girl who was nice to you feel bad was awful, "I've got a lot on my head with this thing... And I don't like that Leon guy."
"Squall's opinion for you has changed for the better, though." Laguna pointed out, "I'm not saying you gotta shake hands, but just try not to fight."
"Squall, Leon...are you talking about the same man?" Alice asked.
"It's complicated." Laguna replied with a sheepish grin, then brightened it up, "Anyway, I'm sure you'll like Traverse Town. No better world to welcome newcomers and help them."
"Sounds lovely, but would that mean you'd...leave me behind?" she didn't mean to sound clingy, but she was nervous.
"Until we fix whatever's happening to the worlds." Naruto offered her a small smile, "Unless we do something about Maleficent and the Heartless, all worlds could be devoured by darkness."
"Of course, I understand." She answered sadly.
Naruto picked up on that, "Something wrong?"
"I'm...honestly not looking forward to being alone or staying still." She answered truthfully.
"Y-You won't be!" Vivi exclaimed, "Leon, Aerith, Cid, and now Sora and his friends as well as us will look after you, right?"
"Wow Vivi, you said it like a true knight in shining armor should." Laguna beamed in pride, getting the small wizard to pull down his hat in embarrassment.
"He's right, and we'll be sure to visit." Naruto added with a large grin, bumping a fist into his heart.
Blushing slightly at their kindness, the girl smiled softly back, "Thank you, and I mean it with all the gratitude in my heart."
Once they arrived, and Laguna made sure they wouldn't find Cid, the group was with Leon in his hotel room. Said swordsman took in the news as well as he could. Naruto didn't like leaving Alice with him, but knew that Laguna and Vivi had a point saying he was strong enough to keep her safe. If not, he at least trusted he'd prioritize keeping her away from Kefka or Maleficent's clutches.
"What a load you dropped on my shoulders." Leon sighed, a hand on his scarred face. Naruto was about to shout, but he directed a firm look at the boy and his father, "I'll look after her, but if Maleficent and this Kefka you mentioned are going to chase her, she can't be in the town."
"First, don't be an ass." Naruto bared his teeth angrily at the older swordsman, "Second, what do you mean she can't stay?"
"I didn't mean she can't be in this world, just not in plain sight." Leon answered. "There's a house hidden in the third district by powerful magic. The old man can guide you there." He looked at his father square in the eye and crossed his arms, "I'd come with you, but now I have to tell the others and double the defenses."
"Are you telling us to just get her there?" Vivi asked in mild-confusion, "What makes you so sure it's safe?"
"As powerful as Maleficent or a good a sorcerer as Kefka are, I can bet my life safely saying she couldn't be in safer hands." Was Leon's final reply.
"He's not kidding, kid." Laguna reassured him.
"Alright," Naruto started, arms crossed and eyes squinted as he turned to Leon once again, "you're still an ass."
"Trust me, I don't care what you think when I have to be realistic." Leon retorted firmly.
"I know, so at least I'm trusting your word." Naruto's words surprised Leon with how serious he sounded, until he continued, "Just know this, if you ever say anything bad to Alice, I'll be back to punch that damn dead fish look off your face." Alice giggled despite herself, trying to contain such involuntary answer as she pictured a fish's face replacing Leon's. But she did appreciate Naruto's concern, even if it was rash.
"Ah, that's the answer I expected." Leon said bluntly.
Laguna sighed deeply, head hung low, "Is this what having to parent two boys is like?"
Vivi took pity on him and patted his side.
X-X-X-X-X
"This is...certainly colorful." Vivi voiced his thoughts as one could see how he arched an eyebrow in the way an eye was opened wider than the other.
Entering a seemingly crumbling house, the party found mountains of books, fancy furniture and well-lit walls. At the center of the room, daintily sipping tea from a cup which a flying teapot had filled, was a wizard. Blue robes, matching pointy hat which extended upwards to the point it should've fallen backwards, and a massive beard which covered most of his front. With the round glasses and large nose, he pictured a kind, warm image of a grandfatherly figure. His smile was nothing short of genuine.
"Ah, good evening there, gentlemen and young lady, I see you're a few minutes earlier than expected." He pulled off his glasses, blowing on them before cleaning them with his robe, "Ah yes... Laguna, it is so good to see you. Let's see, you're accompanied by the fair Alice, young but talented Vivi, and a curious case for a chosen king in Naruto."
"How...?" Naruto and Alice started, the girl gasping and the blond wary of the elder.
Laguna chortled, "Don't be afraid. Good ol' Merlin's an odd one for sure, but, well, don't expect his magic stuff to make sense." He patted his head sheepishly, "I still have trouble getting it."
Vivi scanned the man, "You're...capable of seeing glimpses of the future. Not like fortune telling, but few of the countless possibilities." He bounced where he stood slightly, nervous but excited. "I wish I could do it too, all I have for exceptional spells is a...tracking one..." he admitted timidly.
"Remarkably correct and modest, my boy." The wizard chortled and stood up after putting down his cup of tea, grabbing a straight cane to help himself up, "Now, where are my manners? I am Merlin, a wizard and acquaintance of many. I believe you've met my pupil Donald as well as the carrier of the Keyblade, Sora."
"That duck's your pupil?" Naruto tried to picture that, then had an idea, "You mean-"
"Hold on, boy, I know what you have in mind and that you're the type who'd like to grab life by the horns the first chance you get, but first things first." Merlin told him calmly.
"Oh, sorry." Naruto turned to Alice, ashamed that he put her second.
"No, it's understandable given your situation that you'd want his help." She told him with a curt smile.
"Truly spectacular that purity in your heart. No wonder Leon wants me to keep you safe here." Merlin commented, "Anyway, I shall make preparations post-haste. However, Naruto, Vivi...I do know what you want to ask of me." the small mage blushed as he hadn't stopped bouncing in place until being named.
"Sorry to be an inconvenience." Alice bowed politely as she said that.
"My dear, an inconvenience to everyone would be leaving you free for Maleficent to pick you up." Merlin said, then smiled, "Worry not, I know just the thing to do."
Waving his wand, Merlin materialized two large doors out of thin air, "Whoa..." Vivi was awed to say the least.
Merlin chortled as he stroked his beard with a hand, "Alice, please take the door to your right, it will guide you to a safe room. Naruto, Vivi, please step into the one to your left for proper training in magic." He let them open the doors. Alice's led to a well-furnished bedroom with countless books on the shelves lining the walls. Naruto and Vivi found a simple barren room with wooden planks.
"Alright, let's go, Vivi!" Naruto cheered as he walked to the room.
"Yes!" the tiny wizard cheered and chased after him.
"Hey kids, at least wait up!" Laguna ran behind them with worry.
Alice giggled softly, "They sure are energetic." She turned to the elder wizard, "Say, Mr. Merlin, how long do you think I'll wait to see them return?" looking down, she clasped her hands, feeling ashamed at the act of selfishness she felt she was committing, "I'd like to see them again if I have to be cooped in here."
"Don't worry, dear girl, you won't have to worry about Naruto, I can guarantee that." The wizard told her with a wink.
Blushing at that, the girl fidgeted where she stood, "Whatever do you mean?" she attempted awfully to brush off the comment.
"Nothing to worry about, I've got a lot of experience thanks to my many years of life." The wizard chortled while stroking his beard.
"Let's go!" Naruto exclaimed, only to be attacked by a broom, "What the-" he yelped as he cut it in half.
"Help!" Vivi exclaimed when a wooden bucket and a mop started trying to clean him, running after the small wizard waddling at high speeds away from the cleaning utensil.
"Whoa!" Laguna exclaimed as he tried to push back a large wooden wardrobe, "Hey Merlin, you're supposed to train them, not me!"
"I am, but let's see how well you fight together." The elder said and waved his wand again, summoning chairs, plates, teapots and tables which floated around the group.
"Are you seriously going to make us fight your furniture!?" Naruto asked in disbelief, swiftly swept off his feet by a broom.
Chortling, Merlin stroked his beard again, "I am. And now, a rule, do not underestimate your opponents and find ways to move around using your magic." With another wave of his wand, the broom aimed itself at the blond, who rolled out of the way before blasting it with his dark fire spell, "Magic users usually fall into two categories. Those who have to be quick on the draw to avoid getting swarmed like Vivi and myself, and those who need a lot more mobility, like you, Naruto."
"Really?" the blond asked and ducked under five spoons that ended up nailed to a wall.
"There are certain variations, naturally. Certain masters can utilize spell-craft alongside their sword play. My most dutiful pupil was such master. I only met one other young woman who possessed as high a capability in the art of Spell-blade as my student however." He said, rubbing his beard in contemplation, Naruto dodged a chair that nearly mule-kicked him, blasting it aside while Merlin continued, "What was her name? Oh, yes, Master Aqua. An exceptional mistress of the arcane. It is such a pity what happened to her…"
Naruto cleaved a full sofa that tried to body slam him in two, panting softly, "What happened to her?" Wiping a bead of sweat from his brow, he looked at the mage who stared thoughtfully into his cup of tea.
"That is the devil of a question, isn't it my boy? She was lost to darkness and has not been seen since that day nearly ten years ago."
Naruto narrowed his eyes, ten years ago was quite a specific point in time. He had vague memories of meeting a woman during his childhood. Someone with unusual hair who he had been most fond of. Whatever happened to that person? Where had she gone? She had promised to teach him something once when he asked her.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO REMEMBER THE USELESS PAST!
"Grr, I can't recall it." He said, rubbing his head which had begun to pulse with a throb that ate away at his concentration, like a great leech or a throbbing wasp had pounded its way through his brain. Laguna and Vivi stopped their furniture fighting to go aid him.
"Hmm, this malevolence..." Merlin approached the boy full of concern, Alice having left her temporary room to check on him. "Now, this is odd to ask, but did you ever realize you had a curse?" Merlin had the most serious expression on his face as he helped Naruto lie on his back, "Or maybe it is a seal." Gently, he tapped the boy's head with his cane, a cloud of smoke erupting from his forehead.
"This is not funny!" Naruto snapped, sitting up only for Merlin to push him back down as kindly as possible, "I've already had people mess with my heads using illusions, now you're telling me someone cursed me or my memories! What's next, fighting a dragon!?"
"Stay still, this is going to take effort." The mage rolled up his sleeves while Naruto's friends grew concerned. "Now, I can't tell who did this or why, but they went through great lengths for this. Did you ever come across anyone worth remembering?"
"Agh!" Naruto exclaimed as he tried to recall more only for the pain to sharpen up and an image to appear on the cloud over his forehead.
"Quite powerful magic for sure..." Merlin hummed, "To reverse it we'd need to do...that..." he waved his cane, dissipating the cloud.
"What will it take?" Naruto asked and sat up, holding his throbbing forehead.
"Well, there are few worlds with the required magic or artifacts for this, and a friend of mine may have an answer." Merlin started, motioning for everyone to follow him. "I'll give you the coordinates to this world, see to it that Alice is taken care of, and keep Sora informed. However, be careful, there is a dangerous dark mage there."
"After our last one, I wouldn't be surprised by anything." Laguna commented with his arms crossed and a frown, "Seriously, Merlin, you may as well tell us the sky's blue."
"Do not be overconfident." The mage warned him, "Magic like his is not going to be easy to overcome, and, if I time it right, you'll arrive to your guide quickly."
"Are you foreseeing the future again?" Vivi asked in enthusiastic curiosity.
The old man rummaged through his suitcase until pulling out a letter to hand it to Vivi, "I see many paths, but they'll take you through several ordeals. Once you find your guide - her name's Hen Wen, by the way -, you'll need to get out of that world as quickly as possible before she can be found. Many wish to use her powers for truly nefarious purposes."
"Like Alice, then." Naruto said and narrowed his eyes, "Alright, if Kefka or any other crazy wizard wants her, I'll show them why I'm king."
"Taking the title like that is a bit...rushed, don't you think?" Vivi asked nervously.
"Hey, I've always wanted to be the equivalent of one as a kid." The blond shot back.
For her part, Alice stared in confusion, "Maybe..."
X-X-X-X-X
"Alright, this is so not like home." Naruto commented after landing the Raine in a dark dead forest.
"It's...familiar." Vivi whispered. Gray soil, withering dry trees and dark clouds which didn't let the sun come out gave a macabre image to what was in front of them. Castles were something he pictured to be majestic and awe-inspiring, not the epitome of danger. A drawbridge, stone bricks, monumental towers, and the medieval setting clashed with his Japanese views of what place a king or shogun should live in.
"Can someone as cute as you really come from a place like this?" Laguna asked in disbelief.
"No, I mean, I think I've seen a similar place, but I'm sure it's not like this." The dark mage replied with a little shame.
"Guess we can't have you knock and ask for a tour." Laguna thought out loud, "Anyway, good old Merlin said we needed to be here now, so let's check it out to find this Hen Wen."
Naruto stared at the place, "I feel something odd from there. It doesn't feel like Heartless, but could it be?" he was genuinely curious.
"Of course, they live in and breathe creepy." The gunner groaned. As they approached the castle, they were surprised. The gate slowly opened, and an army of armored and dangerous thugs walked out. Every last one of them looked like barbarians as they stood to the side. Men dressed in medieval rags and leather as a mass of flesh, metal, wood, and bodies that were parted for a single figure to prance forward.
It was small green goblin in a purple cape "Heheh! The master awaits! You should go there! As soon as you can!" the creature said as it waddled forward, giggling and laughing insanely.
"What?" Naruto looked at his party, who shrugged.
Laguna rubbed the back of his head, "Well, guess this is a show, kid. Let's knock 'em dead!" he gave the crownless king a thumb up.
"We'll be right behind you!" Vivi cheered.
"No, no!" the goblin roared, barely standing at half of Vivi's height, "Master asked for the future dark king, not his lackeys."
"Yeah, no, we're not leaving him alone." Laguna said, arms crossed, "What kind of responsible adult would I be otherwise?"
"One alive?" one of the barbarians replied, holding an axe up.
Laguna was about to reply, but the blond halted him, "It's okay, old man. I'm not picking any darkness or Heartless that should worry us. If anything, we can take them." He winked at them, hinting with his unsubtle use of the word 'we' that he expected them to come get him.
"Are you sure...?" Laguna asked, getting the idea, "Going there, how would we know where you're at?"
"Naruto..." Vivi started, fidgeting at first, but then gained some courage, "I...I think you should go. If anything happens, I can tell you'll come back." He patted Naruto, a faint glow in the mage's hand.
Laguna rubbed his neck as all three were on the same page, "Ok, but take care."
"Naruto Uzumaki doesn't die easily, even less with you two waiting for me." the boy told them with his usual cheeky grin.
Thus, the Crownless King stepped forth. Walking through the throngs of soldiers and walking into the dark castle. Torches indicated the path he was meant to go to a private dining hall, a massive place with wooden tables and plenty of seats. Inside, he saw a king. Kefka was no king, just a Failed King who stopped caring about the crown, not even attempting to become a monarch in action or thought.
The man opposite Naruto exemplified what it meant to rule, "So, you're the new candidate to the Crown of Darkness." Said a robed figure whose most notable attributes were his large horns. He sat at the end of a massive table at the top of some steps. His throne was simple, but his presence was overwhelming. Naruto could make out skeletal dry hands with a greenish skin tone and long, sharp nails.
"What if I am?" the boy said calmly but warily.
Dark laughter, "Kehehe... You're still ignorant. A saying which is passed amongst those who've seen true darkness is as follows: one who knows nothing can understand nothing."
Past events hit Naruto, "You're with that creep who took Destiny Islands!" he summoned for his Keyblade, ready for battle.
"RRAAOOOOAARRRR!" But was halted by a wyvern! It was the size of a large dog, and as it crawled with its wings like they were the front legs of a beast, another stepped forward. They growled lowly and the boy stood his ground. Looking at the robed figure, he realized the man's simple gesture of rising a hand stopped the wyverns.
"Hehehe, do not anger the master, boy." The goblin cackled, "He's twice the mage you could hope to be, and infinitely the king you'd dream of-" his rambling ended as soon as he got near the horned man's seat by a tight grip around his neck from his master's deceivingly strong hand. As the man moved closer, Naruto could see he wore a dark red robe, a black fur cape, and the horns were his.
"Silence, Creeper." The king said venomously and stood up, throwing aside the goblin, "It's come to my attention our Crownless King is not here for sightseeing. Tell me, boy, what do you look for? A challenge for a novice like you to achieve your coronation sooner? Or, perhaps, the power to achieve it? Whatever the case, you've entered my castle unannounced."
"Listen, you leathery sack of bones." Naruto said, aiming his Keyblade at him, "I know this is the part where you try to scare and confuse me. Skip it and go to the part where you tell me what's going on so I can kick your ass." The kid smirked as he didn't dare back down whether he was alone or not.
"Arrogance does not equal bravery, boy." The Horned King chortled mockingly and pulled back his hood, "After all, this is what becomes of a Failed King." Revealing his face was like showing a leathery skull. Pitch-black pools of darkness instead of eyes with tiny glowing red dots, no nose, and large fangs instead of a normal set of teeth. "I am what you can become."
"Like that'd happen!" Naruto snapped, glaring at him, "I'm nothing like you, the clown, or that guy stuck in the mountain!"
"Let me guess, you believe that since you're looking forward to aiding your friends, darkness won't claim you?" the Horned King laughed deeply, "Again, pride is a downfall. Come with me, child. I have far too much to teach you." He walked down the steps and towards a hall, Naruto narrowing his eyes before doing as told with his Keyblade tightly held in his hand.
As that happened, someone else was watching, "Ugh, how stupid can he be!? It's not like he's even attractive!" growled the cloaked female who had aided him in Wonderland. She was hidden on a wooden beam on the ceiling, observing the exchange with disdain and no soul realizing her presence, "But...that failure of a bone bag isn't lying. I can tell a liar easily, and yet..." she hummed deep in thought.
"Something the matter?" asked one of the other members of the cloaked group, flipping cards between his fingers.
"Argh, what're you doing here!?" she snapped, getting right in front of him with a finger aimed at his face.
"Our Superior is worried about the possible outcomes and ordered me to aid you this time." He said and with a flick of the wrist made his cards disappear, "Also, you reported he learned to use magic thanks to you showing some good inside your empty self." Three daggers held between her knuckles were inches from his face, "Oh please, intimidating me is as bad as bluffing against yours truly, you can't trick me."
"Grr, you're soooo annoying." She groaned and dispersed her daggers with a flick of her wrist, "What now, then?"
"Let the one who lost it all hold on to his deck." The other man said softly, "Our Crownless King will either call on his bluff or fall for it. Once that happens, we'll see if he is worth your time or... Hmm, would calling this a waste of your time be valid?" he asked casually, then swung his hand. His cards clashed against her knives, "It was an honest question, I swear."
Groaning, she stood back and rubbed her face with a hand, pinching the bridge of her nose, "I think I feel actual hatred once again thanks to you being such a pain in the-"
Her partner ignored her and moved forward, "Oh, fantastic, I shall remember this if needed for any future games."
It made her madder, but she had to do her mission, "Grr!"
X-X-X-X-X
"Alright, Vivi, how to bust in?" Laguna asked as he and the tiny mage approached the Raine, Vivi pondering on it, too.
"Um, flying inside on your ship would have all the guards on us and make Naruto a big target." He saw the man flinch, "Y-You were really thinking on doing that!?"
"Hey, it was a work in progress!" the man retorted, "We're obviously not leaving him there by his lonesome, this is a false sense of security for those guys to aid our buddy."
"Well, we need to be sneaky, for once." The blue-clad wizard retorted tiredly, "But I don't have any invisibility spells."
"You have fire, right?" Laguna started to ponder.
Vivi panicked, righteously so, "I-I'm not burning the place with Naruto inside!"
"Oh no, I was thinking of making a fire around here and... No, wait, that could burn the Raine." Laguna hummed some more, then tensed up at the sound of a branch snapping.
"I heard that." Vivi said, gripping his staff.
"Vivi, get yourself ready." He said, a hand reaching for his gun while the small magician nodded.
Both ran around the last set of trees blocking their view of the ship, and found its door opened, "Let go!" shouted none other than Alice, armed with a frying pan, and hitting one of the barbarians they saw at the creepy castle right on the face! Despite her small frame, she had enough force to rattle a few teeth loose and make the larger man fall flat on his back.
However, one was pulling her by an ankle, "You're coming with us, missy! The Horned King demands a meeting!" and he was promptly frying-panned on the groin.
Laguna sucked in air sharply, "Oh, he'll feel that tomorrow... What am I saying!? Let go of the girls, you creeps!" he ran forward...and immediately ran back when a rain of spears and axes fell around him, "Oh shoot! Vivi, help!" he pleaded while running off.
"Protect!" the small mage cast his magic shield around Laguna, keeping him safe, "Thunder!" he called forth a rain of lightning which hit most barbarians.
However, Alice remained out of reach, and so did the men trying to abduct her, "Guys, take the girl and run!" one shouted before feeling something hit the back of his head, "Ow, what was..." he looked at the tiny object which landed at his feet, one of Laguna's grenades. The explosion sent the barbarian and a good chunk of his allies flying high into the air.
"They're too strong!" one of the men shouted as he and others tried to keep Laguna and Vivi at bay.
"Idiot, the Horned King told us to get whatever could be of value here, so take everything, even the girl!" another exclaimed with both anger at his partner and fear of what their could would do to them for failing. Having heard that, the remaining men ran into the ship, grabbed everything that wasn't nailed, and ran back to the castle.
"Hey, get back, that stuff is not cheap!" Laguna yelled as he ran after them.
Vivi waddled at high speeds behind him, "W-wait for me!"
"I said let go!" Alice shouted and kept hitting as hard as she could with the frying pan until it broke, "Oh my." she gasped at her own strength as one of the barbarians lied unconscious behind the escaping party, a fate which led to Laguna stomping his head to chase after the other men before Vivi jumped.
The mage muttered a quick, "Sorry!" as he used the sleeping barbarian's head as a springboard to not fall behind.
"Less talking more legging!" Laguna exclaimed, waving his arms back and forth like a professional athlete.
"I-I'm not made for running!" Vivi cried weakly as he did his best to keep up with his short size.
As the two entered the castle, the welcoming they got was anything but warm, "Get them!" shouted one of the barbarians, carrying a spear.
Laguna and Vivi stood side to side, getting ready for battle, "I hope Naruto's doing better." The mage hoped.
"Fools, that's what you are!" cheered a familiar goblin atop a watchtower. "Our King demands no interruptions, so you die here in a worthless end!"
As the two battled the Horned King's soldiers, Naruto followed said Failed King down into the darkest dungeon in his castle, "And...here they are..." said the robed figure.
Naruto felt disgusted, "A pile of bones...?" it was not as simple as he put it. He was inside a large chamber larger than a mansion with stone pillars and stairs leading to countless dead warriors who time stripped of flesh and blood, all resting on the floor surrounding an altar. It was eerie to see their faces. The eternity in which they would forever sleep kept pained, agonizing expressions shown even through their bare bones.
"Old comrades in arms." The Horned King explained and passed a hand over a skull, "Should you become a King of Darkness, witness now the result." He lifted the helmet of one of his fallen warriors for the boy to see. "Despair shall be the tipping point as you sink into the void, and what will emerge of you and those close to your heart and battles shall be what stands before you."
"Problem is I'm not going to accept the crown if it means my friends will die." Naruto retorted hotly, angered at the mere suggestion.
"Oh, did you think it was a choice?" the Horned King chuckled deeply and turned to the boy, easily towering over Naruto's 4'5" teenager body. "No. Foolishness like that is what'll cost you them. Why do you think the shadows would care to spare anything? The darkness has embraced you already. You're not free of your destiny."
"Again with that..." Naruto shook a fist, then swung his hand to the side in a swiping motion, "I am not going to end like you! And I'll prove it just to spite you!"
"Bold words with no meaning." The Horned King retorted, hands clasped, "For you to use darkness, you welcome it just like it nursed you. Locking it deep inside your heart will nurture it. Denying it shall create the shadows you fear to face. Or, if that wasn't simple enough for you, child... If you fight it, it will consume you. Should you allow it to be free, you will be part of it as it is part of you."
Observing the exchange, the robed figures contemplated his words, "Damned if he does, damned if he doesn't." the man said, flipping a card in his hand in case things went south.
"Hehehe, it'll be fun to quote the brat on this once everything blows on his face." The female cheered.
"Oh, would you like to bet on that?" the gambler offered, "Because in life any result is possible."
As they turned to the boy, he scowled at the Horned King, "Comrades in arms? Don't make me laugh... I can tell you're lying through your rotten teeth."
"What are you...?" the robed man started, surprised that the kid wouldn't sink into sorrow.
Naruto took a step forward and looked at the Horned King in the eye, "Like I said... I'll do what I do to spite you." Then he smirked cheekily at him and pointed a finger at the robed man's face, "You're just a loser. You lost and can't stand it, so you're trying to bring me down, because you can't stand others not being a miserable as you!"
Finally, the Horned King reacted to his insults, clenching his teeth so hard they creaked, "Insolent...little..."
Naruto hooked a thumb to his face, keeping his stubborn but hot-headed attitude, "The name's Naruto Uzumaki! If I am to be a King of Darkness, I'll do so my own way!" the Horned King watched shadows swirl around Naruto, forcing him to step back, "I've got people I want to protect! People who've backed me up in this journey! Unlike you, I don't see any of them as servants!"
Bringing up his hands, the Horned King summoned blood red lightning to his fingers, "Then you shall perish with a death fitting of a fool."
Dark bolts flew from his hands at Naruto, who used his hand to magic to block it, "Shield!" Naruto's dark barrier took in the full blast...and cracked! "Oh crud!" he cursed and jumped to the side as the powerful red spears of lightning blew up a hole on the ground.
"Your magic is that of a novice, while I've had years of practice with mine." The Horned King told him sinisterly and readied himself to cast another spell.
Being his usual self, Naruto taunted another powerful man trying to kill him, "At least use it to look less hideous!" he smirked cheekily.
"I think he's earned less insults from me in the future." The robed woman whispered to herself.
King or not, the horned wizard had a limit, "Arrogant, insolent, ignorant little brat!" with a wave of his hand, he unleashed a literal tidal wave of fire. A wall of flames appeared between himself and the blond and it went directly at the kid. With a startled yelp, the kid leapt in the air, kicked off one of the pillars and zipped over the wall to the robed sorcerer with his Keyblade ready.
"Take this!" Naruto shouted...and saw his weapon stopped by his opponent's undead hand.
"Gladly." The Horned King replied and flung the boy, slamming him to a wall with supernatural strength hard enough to not only knock the wind out of him and crack bones, but also send him crashing through! The red-clad wizard walked to the boy once he fell with stone bricks landing over him, "Again, your arrogance blinded you. This power of mine is nothing like a True King of Darkness, and to obtain it, you need-"
"Who are...you talking...to?" the blond asked as he groggily got up with some blood dripping down his forehead, forcing him to shut one eye, "Again, you're just a loser... But I'm a sore loser!" he exclaimed with as little breath as he could muster, but kept himself straight-backed and proud, "Unlike you, I don't give up at the first try!"
Finally, the Horned King snapped, "Insignificant...foolish...BRAT!" with both palms held up, he summoned dual fire spirals from his hands to incinerate the blond. "I'll turn you to ash so not even your shadow remains! Die and be forgotten as yet another failure if that's your desire!" and with his piece said, he unleashed two scorching tornadoes.
And Naruto did what only he would have done, "Bring it!" he shouted and held up his palm, ready to use his magic against the jet of flames the Horned King summoned.
However...the fire never reached him, "I see you're not the bluffing type, boy." Said the robed gambler, twirling his card in his hand as he held up a palm.
"What are you doing!?" his female companion hissed in her hiding spot.
"Who are..." Naruto started until he recognized the familiar robe of his odd savior. "You're with the lady who saved me?"
"I'm merely a gambler, and I'd like to bet on you." The mysterious hooded man said, holding up several cards between one hand's fingers. "Let me even the odds of this game."
"Thanks." Naruto said, not looking a gift horse in the mouth as he and the stranger got ready to face the Horned King.
Said robed monarch was livid, "I see, a pathetic parasite leeching off another Crownless King. Well then, I shall forget you to make your death as meaningless as your aid."
"Doesn't seem meaningless to me if I'm still breathing!" the boy shot back with a smirk and his Keyblade ready.
"I see I will enjoy this cooperative game." The gambler said as the two got ready to face the Horned King.
The Horned King whirled about suddenly, before he held out a hand. "Hmph…! You peons nothing of the true nature of the Dark! Behold, what the Darkness' embodiment will never show you until you are an utter slave!" A gulf of darkness ripped open, and thousands of red eyes glowing in the abyss within.
"What the hell…!" Naruto swallowed as something steppedout of the darkness. An armored knight whose very body dripped and gushed with pitch black tar, red eyes bubbling in the goop.
"The Abyss awaits all those who travel the Dark Paths. Fear the Dark, do not use it so willingly, or else…" the Horned King silently walked away as darkness continued spilling out, more of the sinister warriors stepping out, skeletal abominations sticky and dripping with the tar of the Abyss, "These Pus of Men will be your opponents, my failures at attempting to craft my own artificial Cauldron-born. I tire of this back and forth. You will see, in due time, what it means to be a King of Darkness."
He continued walking away, Naruto scowling but having to dodge a long gooey blast of pure darkness that swung around like a flail, the robed figure dodging just as he did. "GET BACK HERE!" Naruto called after him, the Horned King pausing only for a moment.
"I may be cruel, but I have some form of softness towards my own kind. Observe what happened to those who became little more than a tool of the Darkness' own will. There are two Failed Kings left for you to meet, to understand how the Darkness treats failures."
"Damn you…" Naruto cursed unhappily. The Horned King extended a hand as a Dark Corridor opened to step through without a word more.
The Pus of Men, Failures Reborn, stepped forward and made him swallow. "Got any hands left to play, hm?" The robed figure asked.
Naruto snarled as he ran forward, flames enveloping his Keyblade as he swung it down and sliced through one of the Pus of Men in a single clean strike, "Yeah! JUST CLEAVE OUR WAY THROUGH!"
"I like the sound of this game!" The figure held out a deck of cards, one of them showing a flame sigil on it, "Very well! I'll go all in too!"
YOU WILL SEE IN TIME…
ALL I HAVE DONE…
WAS FOR…YOU!
X-X-X-X-X
And that's my rap!
If you haven't seen my notice, I will be uploading fics slower than usual due to a leg injury which needs therapy. Worry not, it's nothing serious, but it is painful and annoying. For the time being, I'll work on some of my fics and think a few things more as I write them, but you'll have to wait until next month for me to try to get back to a more active pace. Other than that, everything's the same.
Now, yes, the Horned King of Disney's very odd and quite odd Black Cauldron is here to be a villain for Naruto to fight. However, I will limit the characters of that movie appearing in this fic to him, the magic pig and his minions. If you've seen the movie, you may understand my point if you know Gurgi. Do you want joyless bashing or do you prefer I act like he doesn't exist?
Few words from The Lord Of Pages:
Beta's Notes Here: Heyo everyone! As usual I'm behind some of the story decisions, and yes there was a little reference made here with the Abyss. That was my little Dark Souls inspired bit at the end. Don't worry, there will be no connection with Dark Souls beyond using the Abyss as inspiration for the next step in Darkness. We hope you all enjoyed this, thank you for any reviews and kind/harsh words you give us! Now to cut this short, we'll see you all next time, this is The Lord Of Pages, so long, farewell, until we meet again!
Swordslinger out!