LOST WORLDS

Chapter 12: Secret Negotiations

Written by: Lynx and Rebmakash and hosted through the generosity of Organization VI

Rating: G (K)

Summary: After the battle against the thousand Heartless at Hollow Bastion, a whole new ring of worlds appears for Sora, Donald and Goofy to explore.

Disclaimer: We do not own Kingdom Hearts II or any of the Disney movies shown here; they are copyright to Disney and Square Enix. Please see the first chapter for the full disclaimer.

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"Sora, aren't you gonna ask 'em about gettin' home, yet?"

Goofy's sudden inquiry caught Sora off-guard. He had gotten so wrapped up in helping the Pevensies train that he'd almost forgotten his intention to ask them about a way home. Peter and even Edmund both improved in a short amount of time, but Sora could tell they still had aways to go. Some part of him didn't want to leave just yet...something felt unfinished.

"I would, but we haven't even discovered a new gateway yet," Sora explained. "Besides, Aslan keeps mentioning how the Pevensies still need help training. I kinda took that to mean we should stay."

Donald landed beside his two friends, giving his griffin wings a rest. "I don't see how the White Witch could possibly bother to take on them, anyway, with so many people protecting them..."

Sora was about to reply, when all three were distracted by a commotion from the camp. The other few fauns and centaurs out training in the field galloped back towards the red-and-gold tents.

The trio turned to look at each other. "We better go see what's up," Sora said, breaking into a gallop himself. Donald and Goofy followed close behind.

Aslan's camp was buzzing with activity by the time Sora, Donald and Goofy returned. The various warriors were all talking loudly, milling close to where Aslan and the four children stood at the edge of the hill. Sora trotted up behind Peter, and noticed the crowd of warriors parted.

"What's going on—"

"Make way for her majesty, Jadis, the Queen of Narnia!"

The first thing Sora noticed was the cold. It swept over him, like a blast of wind from a dark winter's night in the mountains. It was made all the worse by the familiar coldness in his blood; the stench of Heartless pounding in his veins.

The source of the cold became clear: a woman sat on a high wooden chair, carried by four burly cyclopses. Her wiry, blonde hair was pulled back into twisted braids, revealing a deathly pale face and dark, unblinking eyes. She wore a long dress made of white and crystal that looked entirely too hot for the spring weather. Her marble-black eyes bored into Sora until he felt she was looking at him and him alone. The gaze reminded him strongly of Maleficent...and yet it seemed more wild and unpredictable. Maleficent had actually helped them escape from the Great Maw...Sora doubted this woman would have done the same.

Jadis's small caravan, which included several cyclopses, wolves and the red-hatted dwarf, came to a halt just a short distance from where they stood. She stood on the adorned platform, and spoke to Aslan as if commanding a lowly peasant.

"I've come for what's mine."

Sora didn't like her tone. But Aslan's great voice boomed back before he could reply, "Edmund is no longer yours. His debt has been forgiven."

Jadis sneered. "To you, perhaps. But he is still a traitor, and all traitors belong to me."

Peter suddenly stepped forward, drawing his own sword. "Try and take him, then!"

Sora could have cheered for Peter then, but Jadis's wicked smile only broadened. "Stupid boy." She waved her long, crystal-tipped staff in the air, and a dozen Armored Knight Heartless suddenly sprang from midair. Aslan's warriors jumped back in shock at their entrance.

"As you can see, Aslan, I have the power to create an army from nothing," Jadis declared, her arms spread wide. "My hordes are limitless...there is no chance for you to win with this pitiful 'army' of yours."

Sora had had enough of talk. He leapt forward, Keyblade drawn, and landed between Aslan and Jadis. Donald and Goofy were by his side in an instant, their own weapons ready. "We'll see about that!" he shot back, his hooves pawing the dirt. "We can take care of any Heartless you can dish out!"

The White Witch's icy stare turned from Aslan to Sora, then focused on the Key clenched in his hands. "A Key for a weapon...I believe I have heard tales of such an object before," she said. "Another prophecy to end, perhaps?"

"Hey, are you even listening to me? Your Heartless don't scare us, so get lost!" Sora shouted, pointing the Keyblade at her.

"Yeah!" Donald added, already mentally preparing a fire spell should the need arise.

Jadis didn't seem phased...if anything, Sora's outbursts stoked her fires stronger. "Foolish outsider! You think any power you hold can change the laws of this world?"

Sora raised the Keyblade over his head and reared onto his hind legs. "I'll show you power, you—"

"Sora!"

The Keyblade Master clomped back down to earth at Aslan's voice. The lion's eyes told him all he needed to know, and yet left much unsaid. The eyes then locked back with Jadis's cerulean ones. "I will speak with you privately, witch."

Sora turned around, his mouth agape. "But you can't just—"

"We may yet reach an agreement," Aslan said through his teeth, both to Sora and Jadis. Still furious but obedient, Sora stepped aside as Jadis descended from her mobile throne. The Armored Knights disappeared back into darkness. Jadis threw another hateful glare in Sora's direction before following Aslan up to his tent. Both parties remained silent even after the tent flap fluttered closed.

"Gawrsh, Aslan likes to talk to people in private a lot," Goofy finally whispered, although his voice was too loud to really constitute a whisper.

Sora barely noticed. He remained focused on Aslan's tent, his eyes narrowed. Something here isn't right...this shouldn't need to happen.

Lucy Pevensie approached him, seeming to speak for all her siblings. "So what do we do now?"

Sora's shoulders slumped as a chilly wind rustled his hair and tail. "I guess we wait."

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It was no more than twenty minutes before Jadis reemerged from the tent, but to Sora it felt like hours. The unnatural silence coming from Aslan's tent seemed to settle like a blanket over the rest of the camp, leaving its inhabitants to mill around and pick at the grass. The White Witch stepped out first, followed shortly by Aslan. Sora studied her face for any sign of defeat, but couldn't see any...it was difficult enough finding any sort of emotion in that pale mask.

The company stood as Jadis made her way back to her seat, looking even more frozen than usual. While some kind of "agreement" may have been reached, Sora still held the Keyblade ready.

"She has renounced her claim," Aslan said in a tone that allowed no questions.

Jadis made a move as if to sit back on her throne, but then halted, turning back to Aslan with distrust in her eyes. "And how do I know you'll keep your promise?"

Aslan answered her with a thunderous roar. His voice shook the tents and made Sora and his friends cover their ears. Jadis fell back into her chair like a gracefully-toppled tree, causing Sora to smirk and several other warriors to laugh. Without bothering to recover her fallen dignity, the White Witch motioned for her minions to escort her out of the camp.

As they left, Donald flapped after them, waving his staff with less-than-necessary bravado. "And stay out!"

The rest of the camp broke out into cheers, although Sora just folded his arms at Donald's "victory march."

"That'll show her!" Donald boasted.

While everyone else seemed intent on celebrating, Sora couldn't help but glance back to Aslan. For all he had done, the great lion seemed anything but happy.

Goofy seemed to share Sora's concerns. "What sorta promise do you think Aslan gave to the Witch?"

Sora's heart suddenly turned at the word. He knew all about the power of a promise...how it bound people together, and how serious the consequences could be if one was broken. Aslan must know that, too.

"I don't know...but I'm going to find out."

He galloped back up the hillside, waving his hand as Aslan started to turn away. "Aslan, wait!" The lion turned to face him slowly, his deep eyes seeming heavier than usual. "What did you say to Jadis abo—"

"That's none of your concern," he said sharply, causing the Key-bearer to take a few steps back. Aslan's face softened. "Sora...the Witch may be filled with cruelty, but she speaks some truths. Even the power you hold cannot alter the laws of the worlds."

Sora cocked his head to the side and scratched at his hair. "I don't understand."

"You don't need to. All I ask if that you protect Peter and his family." A sad smile crossed Aslan's face. "And I'm certain you are capable of that."

"But—"

The lion padded back into his tent without another word. Sora's shoulders slumped, and he kicked at the dirt with his hooves. "Something's not right here," he told Donald and Goofy as they approached.

"I'm sure Aslan must know what he's doing," Goofy said, sounding like he wanted to be cheerful, but couldn't quite justify it.

"But you guys all saw the Witch! I don't think she's the type to give up that easily," Sora insisted. "What would Aslan offer her that would make her forget about Edmund?"

The knight and magician pondered this, but had no good response. "Well, what should we do about it?" Donald asked.

Sora put his hand on his chin in thought. "Aslan said we need to protect the Pevensies, so we need to keep doing that. But I think we'd better keep an eye on Aslan, too."