Chapter 26: Rue's Backstory
Noel, Ken, Banjo and Kazooie, Grace, Espio, Cream and Cheese, Knuckles, Carmelita, Alibaba, Morgiana, Aang, Katara, Zuko, and Rue go through Carona to go to the underground ruins but then Elena runs to them.
"Where are you going?" Elena asked.
"We're going to the underground ruins to try to find more clues on the [relic]." Rue answered.
"Really? Darn..." Elena said disappointed.
"What's wrong?" Noel asked.
"There's this big lake right next to this town. It's really pretty, so if you weren't busy, I wanted to take you there. Oh, well. Maybe next time. Have fun." Elena said as she leaves.
"That girl is nice, but she's weird." Ken said.
"That's not nice, Mister Ken!" Cream berated.
"Let's just find the underground ruins." Alibaba said and they nod.
The group leave Carona and head for the big door leading out of town and later on the group arrive at a different forest area with a stoned pad in the center.
"Is this the entrance?" Knuckles asked.
"It has to be." Rue said.
"Well, then, let's go in." Carmelita said.
"Aha! I knew you'd come here." A voice said and the group turn to see Mint.
"Oh, no. Not that floozy..." Ken said.
"Pop quiz! Who am I?" Mint asked.
"Well..." Rue was cut off by Ken.
"Sorry, floozy. We don't remember ya." Ken said.
"I told you before, you big dopes! It's Mint!" Mint said stomping on the ground.
"I know. I just wanted to see how ya reacted like stupid baby you really are." Ken said smirking.
"Ugh! You are SO rude!" Mint said.
"Like you're the one to talk." Zuko said.
"Hmph. I even know your stupid names, Rue, Noel." Mint said.
"Huh? How do you know our names?" Noel asked.
"It's obvious. I'm a genius. I know everything." Mint said.
"I doubt that..." Ken said.
"I also know why you're here. This entrance leads to another atelier. That's where you're going." Mint said.
"Yeah. That's right." Rue said.
"See? You can't hide anything from me. What do you think you're doing going in by yourselves? It's packed with monsters. I doubt you could even last a minute in there." Mint said.
"Oh, and you think you're stronger than us?" Katara asked.
"Gee, are you guys really that stupid? I'm suggesting we should work together. If we split up and both look for the atelier, it would make things easier." Mint said.
"Okay. Let's look for it together." Noel said.
"What?! With that chick? You serious?" Ken asked.
"There you go! Your girlfriend isn't much of a dope after all like you." Mint said.
"Noel is NOT my girlfriend!" Ken yelled.
"Whatever. Let's go. Oh, and by the way, don't try anything funny or I'll jump kick all of you in the face." Mint said as she goes into the underground ruins.
"She's so bossy." Rue said.
"I'd go for a complete bit..." Ken was cut off by Zuko.
"She's be a better sister for Azula." Zuko said and Katara giggles. "What?" Zuko asked.
"What you just said and it's both agreeable and funny." Katara said.
"Glad you think that." Zuko said.
"We'd best go there now and find that atelier." Espio said.
"Espio's right. Let's go." Noel said and the group go into the underground ruins.
The group arrive at the underground ruins and start moving through while fighting off Black Xetis and Heartless in their way and they keep going but the underground ruins is a maze for the group and they feel like they're getting lost but they keep moving to find the atelier and later on the group find a hole on the ground and they decide to jump down and find themselves in a different area and they explore the different part of the ruins and find different pathway and Noel finds what looks like a piece and takes it and they keep going through the ruins and they find another piece and take it and keep going and later on the group find more of the pieces and take them and they return to the same area they fell into and they see the pieces and so the group use the pieces as steps to take them somewhere else and they find another hole and jump in it and they fall to a different part of the ruins and they see a wall blocking their way and so they keep going to a different way and they find Mint and behind her is a boulder.
"About time, you slowpokes. I figured the monsters would have had you for dinner or something." Mint said.
"Shut up already." Kazooie said.
"What do we do about this boulder in our way?" Rue asked and just then the boulder starts to shake.
"Uh-oh..." Banjo said.
"Run!" Noel said.
The group run from the boulder but Mint trips and falls and gets left behind while the group keep running from the boulder but then Rue finds an opened wall and gets the group to hide there while the boulder keeps rolling forward and it crashes into something.
"That was close..." Noel said.
"Damn straight that was!" Ken said.
"I hope Miss Mint is okay." Cream said.
"She'll be fine." Zuko said.
The group see the wall is destroyed because of the boulder.
"Now we can get through." Knuckles said.
"C'mon. Let's keep finding that atelier." Aang said.
The group are now in a different area of the ruins and it's submerged with water.
"I wonder how long this lake's been here." Rue said.
"How are we supposed to find the atelier now?" Noel asked.
Just then Mint comes behind the group.
"Everything's gonna mine! All MINE! Hee-hee-hee-hee-heee! Have a nice swim!" Mint said. "Now's my chance!" Mint said as she starts to jump kick at the group.
"Huh? EARTH!" Ken shouted as he casts Earth on Mint and sends her to the water. "Nice try, ya bit..." Ken was cut off by Rue.
"That was Mint?" Rue asked.
"Don't worry 'bout who the hell it was. The important thing is how the hell are we supposed to get across here?" Ken asked.
"I think I have an idea." Katara said as she uses her Waterbending to split the water into two and it reveals a hole. "I think that should lead us to the atelier." Katara said.
"You're a genius, Katara!" Aang said.
"Let's go." Morgiana said.
The group enter the hole and they are now in what looks like a staircase and they climb down the staircase and reach the lower part and they find a lift and it takes them down to the more lower part of the ruins.
"The atelier should be around here somewhere." Alibaba said.
"Let's try to find it." Noel said.
The group move through the lower part of the ruins but just then something appears and it's a creature.
"Could this be the atelier's guardian like before?" Rue asked.
"Probably. It won't let us through." Espio said.
"Then we'll make it move!" Ken said taking out his guitar.
The atelier guardian breathes fire at the group but they dodge the breathing fire and Noel triple slashes with Radiant Salvation and then casts Blizzard while Rue transforms into a Zombie Black Xetis and throws its limb at the atelier guardian but the atelier guardian shoots fireballs but Zuko unleashes his barrage of fireballs to strike while Alibaba uses Amon's fire to strike but the atelier guardian leaps away and tries to leap at the group but Morgiana delivers a strong flip kick while Katara throws ice daggers but the atelier guardian breathes more fire at the group but Espio throws four shurikens while Carmelita shoots four electric shots from her shock pistol but the atelier guardian attacks with its claws but Grace uses Bite while Knuckles uses Drill Punch while Banjo has Kazooie shoot eggs but the atelier guardian shoots fireballs but Aang summons four rocks and throws them while Cream unleashes Omochao Bomb while Ken unleashes magic music waves and then casts Thunder but the atelier guardian leaps at the group but Noel aerial slashes with Radiant Salvation and finishes off the atelier guardian and sends it into the pit.
"Damn guardian." Ken said.
"Let's hurry before it comes back." Noel said.
The group find another lift and it takes them more downward and they find a different area of the ruins.
"So this is Elroy's atelier." Rue said.
"That building looks weird. How the hell did he built it?" Ken asked.
"Stop gawking, Ken. We have to find out anymore clues about the [relic] Rue and Klaus are looking for." Knuckles said.
"Rue, you have the key, right?" Noel asked.
"Yeah." Rue said as he places the key on the ground and just then something comes down and it's another lift.
"That look like it could take us in." Carmelita said.
"Let's go see." Noel said as the group get on the lift and it takes them up to Elroy's atelier.
"We've made it this far. Now let's see if there's anything that can help us find the [relic]." Banjo said.
The group explore around the atelier and they enter a room and they find something.
"What is that?" Rue asked.
"It looks like a tiara." Noel said taking it.
"Wonder what it's for?" Ken asked.
"Let's find something else." Espio said.
The group go to a different room and they find what looks like a cube.
"What's with this box?" Aang asked.
"I'm not sure, but we should take this to the doctor." Rue said.
"Good idea." Morgiana said as Rue takes the cube.
"I don't think there's anything else. We should head back to Carona and talk to Klaus." Katara said.
"Yeah." Rue said.
"Let's go then." Noel said as the group get back on the lift and it takes them back down.
The group start to return to their lift.
"Hey!" A voice called.
The group turn to see two people approaching them.
One is a woman with long white hair and wearing a dress.
The other is a man with blue hair and wearing a white long coat.
"Who are you? What are you doing here?" Rue asked.
"We don't have time for twenty questions. Just shut up and listen!" The woman said.
"Yeah and maybe we'll let you live." The man said.
"I'm not gonna repeat myself, so you'd better listen carefully. Hand over the artifacts you've found. We need them to find the [relic]. " The woman said.
"What? Y-You're looking for the [relic] too?" Noel asked.
"Who isn't? The Aeon [relic] is the greatest treasure in the world. I'm Belle, the world's greatest treasure hunter." Belle introduced.
"That sounds like Rouge." Knuckles said.
"Okay. Enough chitchat. Hand over the artifacts now." Belle said.
"No. We're looking for the [relic] too." Rue said.
"No way in hell are we givin' the artifacts to hags like you!" Ken said.
"You don't know who you're dealing with! Duke!" Belle said.
"Yes, Milady!" The man named Duke said.
"Take all of them out at once! Make it quick." Belle said.
"Yes, Milady!" Duke said as he approaches the group. "You two, who are you?" Duke asked.
"Rue." Rue answered.
"N-Noel..." Noel answered. "Wh-Why do you want to know...?" Noel asked.
"I want to remember those names for you. I doubt you both will remember them after I beat you with my act." Duke said.
"Act...?" Espio asked.
"What act?" Aang asked.
"Tell me, do you like stories? I love stories. I can't get enough of 'em. That includes one with hotshot heroes. They really get me fired up. They always get me praying to be like them. Last night, I read this one story called 'Shadow Legends'. The main character was a rad ninja who used this awesome move! Check this out!" Duke said as he clones himself into three other Dukes.
"H-How did you do that...?" Noel asked.
"So you too know Ninjutsu..." Espio said.
"Duke, hurry up and finish them! Don't bother defeating Duke. You won't stand a chance against his act. With it, he can master any move." Belle said.
"Behold the power of Ninjustu!" Duke said.
"Dammit. It's just one weirdo after another..." Ken said.
"You're doomed!" Duke said as his clones attack the group.
The group dodge Duke's clone attack and Rue slashes at Duke with his sword but Duke retaliates with shurikens but Espio throws his own shurikens at Duke while Aang unleashes four whirlwinds but Duke dashes away and then sends in another clone to attack but Grace uses Tackle to strike at the clone and then tail whips the real Duke while Carmelita delivers a spin kick but Duke throws more shurikens but Banjo and Kazooie roll while Cream sends Cheese to attack but Duke dashes off again and delivers a ninja swipe but Knuckles double punches and delivers an uppercut while Ken bashes with his guitar and then casts Fire but Duke throws more shurikens but Alibaba slashes with his knife while Morgiana delivers a strong kick but Duke dashes off and sends two clones to attack but Katara water whips at the clones while Zuko unleashes a jet of fire at Duke but Duke throws more shurikens and dashes off and sends more clones to attack but Noel triple slashes at Duke with Radiant Salvation and then uses Strike Raid but Duke sends in a clone to attack Noel who casts Thunder on the clone and uses Edge Slash at the real Duke striking him.
Duke throws more shurikens at the group who dodge and Espio slashes with his shuriken followed by delivering ninja palm strikes and then delivers multi ninja kicks striking at Duke who retaliates with a ninja swipe but Morgiana uses Battle Cry while Katara throws water balls but Duke sends more clones to attack the group but Banjo has Kazooie triple peck at the clones while Carmelita pistol whips at the real Duke but Duke dashes off and throws more shurikens but Alibaba roundhouse slashes with his knife while Ken shoots magic music notes but Duke dashes to the group for a ninja strike but Knuckles delivers a headbutt while Zuko lashes wit his flame whips but Duke sends more clones to attack the group but Grace uses Bite on the real Duke while Cream and Cheese spin together to strike at Duke who throws more shurikens but Aang air slashes at Duke who dashes off again and tries to dash attack at the group but Noel uses Spin Slash while Rue slashes with his sword but Duke attacks with his clones but Rue transforms into a Pollwag and whips its tail at Duke while Noel vertical slashes and then horizontal slashes with Radiant Salvation and then uses Edge Slash and the two finish off Duke and send him to the ground.
"Ugh...Ninjustu stinks..." Duke said.
"You've disgraced the powers of a ninja." Espio said.
"Nice work, Duke." Belle said as she behind Noel.
"Huh?!" Noel asked as Belle leaps from behind Noel.
"Well, well. What do we have here?" Belle said looking at the tiara.
"Oh, no...!" Noel said.
"Hah. I gotta hand it to you for beating Duke, but you, little girl, are just way too careless. Kiss this tiara goodbye, kid." Belle said.
"Get back here!" Zuko yelled as the group go for Belle but Duke appears in their way.
"You won't be so lucky next time. I'll show you both my next new act yet!" Duke said.
"Duke! We're outta here!" Belle said.
"Yes, Milady!" Duke said as they go for their lift and they go up.
"STOP!" Rue shouted but they're gone.
"After them! Hurry!" Alibaba said as the group go for their lift and they go up.
The group are back up and they chase after Belle and Duke but then the atelier guardian appears.
"Crap! Not that thing again!" Ken said.
"Have fun! See ya!" Belle said as she and Duke get away.
"We don't have time for this!" Rue said.
The group try to get away but the atelier guardian chases after them but the group manage to get to their lift.
The group are back at the staircase but then the atelier guardian is on the staircase as well.
"Can't that thing just quit?!" Kazooie asked.
"Up!" Noel said.
The group climb upstairs while avoiding the atelier guardian who is still chasing after them and later on the group are on the top of the staircase but the atelier guardian reaches to them and tries to attack but Noel and Rue deliver their strikes on the atelier guardian and sends it back down.
"That was close..." Noel said.
"Let's go before it comes back AGAIN!" Ken said.
The group are out of the hole and Katara uses her Waterbending to close the water.
"Belle and Duke are gone." Katara said.
"We should get to town and talk to Klaus about this." Banjo said and they nod and leave the ruins.
Unknowing to the group Mint manages to get back on the surface.
"Whew...I made it..." Mint said.
The group arrive back at Carona and they make their way back to Klaus' house but Noel stops.
"Noel, what's wrong?" Rue asked.
"I-I'm sorry...for losing that tiara..." Noel said.
"Don't sweat it, Noel! Those bastards were tricky. If we run into 'em again, we'll beat the crap outta them again and take back that tiara." Ken said.
"If only I wasn't so careless..." Noel said.
"We all make mistakes, Noel." Aang said.
"At least we still have the cube. Let's show this to Klaus." Knuckles said.
The group go to Klaus' house and meet him.
"Everyone! Welcome back!" Klaus said.
"K-Klaus...I-I'm sorry..." Noel said sadly.
"Oh, no..." Ken mumbled.
"Noel, what happened? Did something happen in the ruins?" Klaus asked.
"Well..." Noel starts explaining to Klaus about what happened at the underground ruins.
"So this Belle and Duke took the tiara from you." Klaus said.
"It wasn't Noel's fault, Doctor." Rue said.
"Yes it was. I was too careless and..." Noel stops talking.
"Don't worry about it, Noel. I'm sure we'll get it back somehow. Right now, let's research this cube you've found. Looks like it might keep us busy for a actually came back in time. I found something really important." Klaus said.
"What's that?" Alibaba asked.
"You know the materials we brought back from the atelier? I looked through them while you were gone and you won't believe what I've found. It's the location of the [relic]! I know where it is!" Klaus said.
"Really?!" Rue asked.
"No way!" Zuko said.
"Yes! There is no doubt. It's located very close to Carona. The [relic] is at the lake ruins." Klaus said.
"Wait. Elena told us about a lake..." Banjo said.
"There's a lake not too far from here with old ruins floating in the middle. Until now, nobody had a clue who built them. Who would have thought they were built by Aeons." Klaus said.
"So, that's where the [relic] is sealed?" Noel asked.
"Yes. Elroy was trying to break the seal at the lake ruins. I think this cube was made for this purpose." Klaus said.
"Then what're we waiting for?! Let's use that cube to break the seal at the lake ruins and get that [relic]!" Ken said.
"Well, here's the problem; we're supposed to use the cube, but HOW are we supposed to use it?" Klaus asked.
"That's a good question. It's just a cubic block..." Katara said.
"We don't know how to open it or do anything." Espio said.
"That's right. Without some instructions, I have absolutely have no idea how to use it." Klaus said.
"Dammit...!" Ken said.
"We're so close getting to the [relic]." Rue said.
"Is there a way to find out how to use the cube?" Noel asked.
"Well...we could try asking her, but... No. I'd rather not deal with her." Klaus said.
"Who's 'her'?" Kazooie asked.
"There's a magician named Fancy Mel. She lives in an atelier beyond the forest. I don't know how to describe her. She's just strange. I'd stay away from her." Klaus said.
"I don't think we have a choice." Rue said.
"Yes, but you don't know her. If you go see her, you'll regret it. Trust me." Klaus said.
"But if we don't try asking her, we won't be able to use the cube and we won't be able to get the [relic]." Noel said.
"Doctor, give me the cube. We'll go ask Fancy Mel. I'm sure we'll be able to find out more about it." Rue said.
"Alright then. I'm making you people do so much for us. Thank you. I'll give you directions to Fancy Mel. I'm counting on you." Klaus said.
The group leave Klaus' house and go through town and they go to the doors to get to Fancy Mel's atelier but they arrive at a forest area and they see a lake with a ruins in the center at the end.
"This isn't the right way, but look at that..." Noel said.
"This has to be it." Rue said.
"Huh?" Ken asked.
"I think it's where the [relic] is being sealed." Katara said.
"Yeah..." Rue said. "Claire...I'll get you back soon." Rue said in his mind.
"Rue, are you okay?" Noel asked.
"Yeah. Come on. Let's go." Rue said.
The group return to Carona and make their way to Fancy Mel's atelier.
"Hold it!" A voice called.
"Oh, no...that voice..." Ken said and the group turn to see Mint.
"Not her again." Zuko said.
"What do you want now?" Knuckles asked.
"Where do you think you're going?" Mint asked.
"Why do you care?" Ken asked back.
"So rude!" Mint said.
"You should talk." Zuko replied.
"I wanted to ask you something. You, Noel! That thing you're carrying! That giant key thing! What's with it?" Mint asked.
"Wh-Who told you?" Noel asked.
"That girl did." Mint answered and Elena comes.
"Hello, Mint." Elena said.
"You two know each other?" Rue asked.
"When?" Carmelita asked.
"It's a secret." Mint and Elena answered.
"Hey, Elena, is it true Noel has a giant key thing?" Mint asked.
"Yes. I saw her use it on those bad guys that were holding me hostage." Elena answered.
"This is getting ridiculous." Espio said.
"I agree." Morgiana said.
"So, Noel, you got a key thing or what?" Mint asked.
"Um..." Noel was cut off by Ken.
"This isn't your damn business!" Ken snapped.
"Hey! It's totally my business!" Mint said.
"No it's not. If you do anything against Noel, you'll be good as beaten. So leave her alone!" Knuckles said.
"Come on, guys. Let's just go." Rue said.
"Whatever. Keep in mind, I'll keep track every move you make." Mint said as she leaves.
The group leave Carona and are in a forest area and they go through it but then they arrive at what looks like a pink place with lots of stars and colored mushrooms.
"What...the...HELL?!" Ken asked having a disgusted look on his face.
"What is this place...?" Noel asked.
"The doctor is right. This place is strange..." Rue said.
"Let's go find this Fancy Mel." Aang said.
The group find a starry platform and use it to lift them upward and it takes them to a different area with a house in the center.
"What in the name of...?" Alibaba stops talking.
"This is Miss Mel's atelier?" Cream asked.
"Let's see if she's home." Carmelita said.
Noel goes to the green door and starts knocking on it but then a sound is heard making her gasp.
"What a strange sound." Banjo said.
"Hello there!" A voice said.
The group turn to see who said it and they're all shocked to see who they're looking at and it's a woman with orange hair, wearing a short pink dress, a pink hat with a rabbit on it, a green bow on the pink hat, and has two flying creatures flying around her
"What...the...holy...HELL?!" Ken asked shocked.
"Tell me this is a dream..." Noel said.
"What's wrong with you? Why are you all looking at me like that? Do I have a booger on my face?" The woman asked.
"N-No..." Noel answered.
"We were just looking at the fancy stuff you have." Rue said.
"You wouldn't happen to be Fancy Mel?" Espio asked.
"Yes." The woman named Fancy Mel answered.
"Hello, Mel. My name is Rue." Rue introduced.
"I'm N-Noel. We came here because we need your help." Noel said.
"Okay then. Come on inside." Fancy Mel said.
The group go into Mel's atelier and they give her the cube and explain everything.
"So, you want to break the seal at the lake ruins." Fancy Mel said.
"Yes. We need that cube to help us do that." Rue answered.
"Can you please help us?" Noel asked.
"No." Fancy Mel answered.
"What the hell, witch?!" Ken demanded.
"Do you people have any idea what you're dealing with? The [relic] is not your ordinary magical item. If you play with it...POOF!" Fancy Mel launches a shot at the group. "Gotcha! You okay?" Fancy Mel asked.
"That's not funny!" Kazooie yelled.
"Sorry. I thought I'd lighten the mood a little. But really, the [relic] is a dangerous item. Many pursued it and paid the price...some with their lives. [Relics] abound this world, but what you're seeking is Valen's [relic]." Fancy Mel explained.
"V-Valen...?" Noel asked.
"I've never heard of him, but that name sounds familiar." Rue said.
"Does it ring a bell? I suppose not. Valen was the most powerful Aeon. He could raise mountains and move stars at will." Fancy Mel explained.
"No way..." Aang said.
"Who knows if it's true. Valen perished along with the other Aeons a long time ago. His demise was a mystery and some say he had too much power and destroyed himself." Fancy Mel said.
"Is that so?" Rue asked.
"I hope you realize now how dangerous your pursuit is. Valen's [relic] embodies powers beyond knowledge. Who knows what happens if the seal is broken. Worst case...the world could be destroyed." Fancy Mel said.
"...I don't care. I have no choice. I've come this far. I spent everyday for the last three years looking for the [relic]. I'm not stopping." Rue said.
"My, my, aren't we stubborn. I can't talk you out of it and I can't do the same for your friends. Okay. I'll help you." Fancy Mel said.
"Y-You will?" Noel asked.
"Yes. Give me the cube. You're gonna go after the [relic] with or without my help anyway. I'll help, but not for free." Fancy Mel said.
"Fine. What do ya want us to do?" Katara asked.
"I'll help you if you help me. It's about my little helpers, the Poppul Purrels. The four of them help me around the atelier, but now there's three because I sent one of them to go shopping for me and he hasn't come back since. He shouldn't be very far, but I'm worried about him" Fancy Mel said.
"You want us to find him?" Noel asked.
"Yes. I'll examine the cube if you find him. Compared to the [relic], finding him should be easy. Come back when you find him." Fancy Mel said.
"Thank you." Noel said.
The group leave Fancy Mel's atelier and return to Carona.
"Where could that Poppul thing be?" Knuckles asked.
"This is gonna be a pain in the as..." Ken was cut off by by Noel.
"Maybe he might be in a forest somewhere..." Noel suggested.
"Maybe. Let's check at Carona Forest." Rue said.
The group return to Carona Forest and go through it and they later on arrive back at the ruined area.
"Eh-heh! Eh-heh!" A voice laughed and the group see Blood and Smokey.
"Aw, dammit. It's those two bastards again." Ken said.
"The ones who gave Elena too much trouble." Katara said.
"What are they up to this time?" Espio asked and Noel sees a tiny person.
"Look! They're holding a kid hostage..." Noel said.
"Wait. Is that one of Mel's Poppul Purrels?" Rue asked.
"Yucky! Keep dirty hand away!" The Poppul Purrel said.
"The hell?! Ya callin' me dirty?! Ya better get down and apologize before I hurt ya real bad!" Blood threatened.
"I not sorry! You dirty! You stinky!" The Poppul Purrel said.
"Eh-heh! He's a total squirt! Hey! Ya stupid or somethin'?" Smokey asked.
"Shut up!" The Poppul Purrel demanded.
"YOU shut up, ya little maggot! I'm gonna shut you up by choppin' that fungus head of yours." Blood said.
"Eh-heh! Let's do it, bro!" Smokey said.
"Leave him alone!" A voice yelled.
"The hell?! Who the...hey!" Blood notices Noel.
"Bro! It's that girl with that mutt!" Smokey said.
"Oh, I've been dying to get even!" Blood said.
"Let's get her!" Smokey said.
"No you don't!" Rue said as he jumps in and attacks the two with his sword.
Blood and Smokey attack Noel and Rue who and Noel attacks Blood and Smokey with Radiant Salvation while Rue attacks with his sword but Blood multi slashes with his sword while Smokey delivers a slash but Noel uses Spin Slash while Rue delivers a wide slash with his sword but Blood keeps slashing back while Smokey slashes again but Rue slashes back with his sword while Noel vertical slashes with Radiant Salvation and then uses Edge Slash and knocks the two back.
"Dammit! That's twice against that girl! Shee..." Blood runs away.
"Wait for me, Bro!" Smokey said as he follows Blood.
"You my lifesavers." The Poppul Purrel said.
"Are you okay?" Noel asked.
"Yeah-yeah." The Poppul Purrel answered.
"Mel asked us to find you. She's really worried about you. We'll take you back to her house." Rue said.
"I okay. I go home by myself. What your names?" The Poppul Purrel asked.
"Noel." Noel answered.
"Rue." Rue answered.
"Thank you, Noel and Rue. Bwye-bwye!" The Poppul Purrel said as he leaves.
"We should get back to Fancy Mel and see if she's done examining that cube." Alibaba said and they nod.
The group go back to Fancy Mel's atelier and they enter her house.
"Noel! Rue!" The Poppul Purrel cheered. "I thank again. I happy to be home." The Poppul Purrel said.
"Hello, everyone. Sweetie, can you go outside? I need to talk to Noel and Rue." Fancy Mel said.
"Okay. Bwye-Bwye, Noel and Rue." The Poppul Purrel said as he leaves.
"Thank you for finding him." Fancy Mel said.
"Did you examine that cube yet?" Ken asked.
"So eager. Yes. I've finished examining the cube. I've written everything in here. You can read it when you get back to town." Fancy Mel said giving the group the cube.
"Thank you." Noel said.
"Don't mention it. That concludes our deal. Oh, I've been wanting to ask you, Rue." Fancy Mel said.
"Sure. What do you want to ask about?" Rue asked.
"Well, I'll come out and say this. Rue, you're not human, are you?" Fancy Mel asked.
"Why do you think that?" Rue asked.
"How should I explain this? It's something about your spirit. Every human has but one spirit, but there's something odd about you. I see your and a shadow of another spirit. I;ve never seen it like in another human." Fancy Mel said.
"R-Rue...?" Noel asked.
"It's true." Rue said as he takes off his hat and shows a jewel on his forehead.
"What the...?!" Ken asked.
"Whoa!" Knuckles said.
"Mel, you're right. I'm not human." Rue said.
"Do you know who you are?" Fancy Mel asked.
"Well, five years ago, I awoke in some ruins..." Rue explained.
Flashback:
In some ruins a case starts to open up and it's revealed to be Rue in the case.
"Where am I...? I can't remember. Is this a dream? Who am I? What's my name? I need to go, but where? Somewhere..." Rue said.
"I left the ruins and began wandering. I tried to remember where to go...I tried to remember what I had to do...I couldn't remember anything. I wandered aimlessly." Rue said.
Rue is now on the snowy ground and a woman with long brown hair tied to a long ponytail and wearing a purple dress comes out of a cabin and runs to Rue.
"Oh my gosh! Are you alright? Please get up!" The woman said.
"That's when I met Claire. I was a complete stranger, but she was kind to me. When she found out I had no place to go, she told me I could stay at her home. I wandered alone for so long and I finally had a home...Claire was like my sister, but then HE came..." Rue explained.
"Run, Claire! Hurry!" Rue yelled as a man with white hair with a big claw attacks Claire. "NOOOOOO!" Rue shouted but Claire is thrown to the ground. "CLAIRE!" Rue cried.
"I'll kill him!" Rue said.
Rue charges at the mysterious man and attacks but the man backs off and Rue delivers another strike.
After the fight Rue rushes to Claire.
"Claire, open your eyes. He's gone. You can open your eyes!" Rue said but Claire is not opening her eyes. "Claire!" Rue cried.
Just then something glows around Claire and something goes into Rue's jeweled forehead.
Flashback End.
"I see. So Claire's spirit lurks within you." Fancy Mel said.
"R-Rue...you're suffered so much..." Noel said.
"You can't let her go then?" Espio asked.
"It's been three years, but it feels like yesterday. I couldn't do anything for her. That's why I need the [relic]." Rue said.
"No wonder you seem determined. The power of the Aeon [relic] can probably bring back Claire." Fancy Mel said.
"I don't care long it takes or how many battles I have to fight. I will get the [relic], no matter what." Rue said.
"Just keep in mind that what you're trying to do is really dangerous. As I have said, Valen's [relic] could bring all of us to oblivion." Fancy Mel said.
"Even so, if I can save Claire..." Rue stops talking.
"What if it leads to world destruction? Millions of lives may die? You don't care?" Fancy Mel asked and then turns to Noel. "How about you, Noel? Do you even consider the lives of this world. That's something a Keybearer such as yourself should." Fancy Mel said.
"Y-You know that I'm a Keyblade wielder?" Noel asked.
"But Miss Noel does care about many people, but she also cares for her new friends and helping them." Cream said.
"Are you searching the [relic] for yourself? Perhaps to try to restore your own world?" Fancy Mel asked.
"N-No. I want to help Rue, but now I want to do everything in my power to help him since he's suffering..." Noel said.
"There's still time, you two. Think it over." Fancy Mel said.
Just then a sound is heard.
"Fancy Mel?! You in there?" A voice asked.
"Who can that be? Let's continue this another time." Fancy Mel said.
The group leave Fancy Mel's house but then they see Mint.
"I thought I'd see you here. I bet Fancy Mel told you about the [relic], huh?" Mint asked.
"Well..." Noel stops talking.
"Aha! I knew it! It's written all over your face! I'm so good!" Mint said. "I told you I'm a genius. You can't hide anything from me. Start talking. What did Fancy Mel say about the [relic]?" Mint asked.
"Hey, Mint, ya ever take 'piss off' for an answer? You should consider doin' that." Ken said.
"Whatever. I'll ask her myself." Mint said as she enters the house.
"Have fun seeing her, you spoiled floozy." Zuko said.
"R-Rue..." Noel stops talking.
"I'm okay, Noel. We should get back to the doctor now that Mel examined the cube." Rue said.
"Okay." Noel said.
The group make their way out of Mel's atelier and return to Carona.
Meanwhile in a hallway a man with silver hair with two bangs on his shoulders, wearing a black and red robe with a cape at the back, and wearing a black and red mask over the man's face is walking through the hallway and behind him is another man.
"Psycho Master. What is it?" The masked man asked.
"My lord, we have a new menace in the game vying for Valen's [relic]." The man named Psycho Master informed.
"Who is it? A mercenary, bandit, another mage?" The masked man asked.
"My lord..." Psycho Master explained who.
"Oh. Interesting...so he too hungers for the [relic]? I never expected he would. And the Key child is helping him. Psycho Master, I assume you've taken necessary steps." The masked man said.
"I sent them to Carona moments ago, my lord and Tora and his tiger companion are on their way there as well." Psycho Master said.
"Good. Keep an eye on them. Oh, and be sure to keep Princess Maya in the dark of the matter." The masked man said.
"Yes, my lord. We will suppress this matter until time comes." Psycho Master said.
"At last. The time has come to fulfill my destiny. In time, I shall walk the path of darkness and you three will accompany me." The masked man said and Psycho Master bows.
"It would be an honor. We have fought from the day we were born. Fighting is our way of life and we desire nothing more. In the name of Doll Master, we shall eradicate your enemies." Psycho Master said.
"I expect nothing less." The masked man named Doll Master said.
This is gonna be a chapter end right here. Let me know what you think. I hope you're enjoying this so far. Next time, Noel, Ken, Banjo and Kazooie, Grace, Espio, Cream and Cheese, Knuckles, Carmelita, Alibaba, Morgiana, Aang, Katara, Zuko, and Rue find out about the cube and go on more quests for it. I'll see you in the next chapter. See ya!