Ch. 5: One Small Step

Ookami tossed and turn through out the trip. He kept having visions of his friends and he couldn't get completely comfortable, so he got very little sleep. He woke up for about thirty seconds and then found himself back to sleep, but this time Ookami was able to get the deepest sleep since being on the small ship. But that soon changed.

There was a small light above a computer monitor that began blinking and started making a small, but annoying, beeping sound. Ookami got out of his chair and walked towards the monitor. There was a message on it saying Autopilot update: arrived at destination TRAVERSE TOWN. Ookami studied the screen for a few seconds, but then quickly changed his attention to finding away to shut off this annoying beep. He looked down and saw an ENTER button and pushed it. Thankfully it stopped.

Then another message appeared. Activate portal/Select new destination. Activate portal was highlighted. Okay, this ship probably brought me here for a reason. I should probably activate portal. Hopefully it takes me down to the world. With that said, Ookami hit the ENTER button again and hoped for the best. A small light appeared at the back of the ship.

That must be the portal. Let me make sure I have everything before I leave. With that Ookami started going through a mental checklist like he did everyday before school. But this time, he had to add a few things.

Necklaces: Check

Phone: destroyed by those shadow things. Those bastards

Wallet: Check.

Heiwa's necklace: check.

Key: Ookami summoned his Keyblade to his hand, check. Okay looks like I have everything. With that said, Ookami headed to the light and stepped in. Next thing he knew there was a flash of light and then he was standing in what seemed to be a plaza. Behind him was a giant gate and scattered around were what seemed to be shops.

Ookami looked around and saw a void of darkness the cloaked figure from earlier escaped back on his world. In front of it was a person dressed in blue robes. Ookami's first instinct was to confront this man head on, but something deep down told him "no." As soon as the void disappeared he walked up to the man

"So you're the one the king told me about. Hmmmmmm, I guess I might be able to work with you," said the mysterious old man.

"The king? Work with me? What's going on?" Ookami replied

"Oh, there I go again, babbling to myself. Any who, my name is Merlin and I have just been given the task of training you to fight."

"Okay….. But what's going on? What's with……?"

"Now now, let's not stand here and talk. Let's go to my house and chat." With that Merlin waved his wand and with a puff of smoke, they were standing in a small room.

"Wow, that was cool," Ookami said. "So, are you some kind of…?"

"Wizard? Yes I am. And one of the best wizards if I do say so myself." Merlin interrupted. "Now have a seat and I'll answer some of your questions." Ookami looked around and saw no place to sit.

"Uhhhh, mister Merlin?"

"Oh my, my, I'm so terribly sorry. Here let me get you a seat." Merlin flicked his wand towards a corner of the room. Within moments a stool popped out from under some books and wobbled over to Ookami.

"Wow, cool," Ookami said. The stool moved behind Ookami and stopped. Then Ookami sat down and looked up and studied Merlin. He was an old man with a long gray beard and he was wearing blue robe with a matching blue wizard hat.

"Now, before I start answering all your questions, I didn't get your name."

"Oh, right. I'm Ookami."

"Ookami, a very strong name indeed," Merlin said. "Now, would you do me the favor of telling me of your experiences so far? I am very curious and it will help me answer some of your questions."

"Of course." With that, Ookami recalled his tale starting with the strange dream. Merlin listened carefully and nodded here and there. As Ookami got to the part about Heiwa, he had to fight back a few tears. After what seemed to be an hour, Ookami concluded his tale.

"Very interesting, very interesting indeed. Now can I see that key you mentioned?" Merlin asked.

"Yeah, sure." Ookami then summoned his key to hand.

"Oh my," Merlin said with a surprised look on his face. Merlin then paused for moment and then reached for a book and began flipping through its pages. After a few minutes he stopped and began studying a page. "May I see the charm on the end please?"

"Yeah, of course. You want me to put the whole key on your desk?"

"Keyblade," Merlin corrected.

"Keyblade?" Ookami said. "I think that's what the man in the cloak called it, but I didn't know if that was the actual name."

"Well, he had it right on the money," Merlin said, "now if you would place it on my desk?"

"Okay." Ookami sat the Keyblade on the desk and sat back down. He watched Merlin as he continued to study the Keyblade like a child would look at an amazing toy. Merlin lifted up the chain and studied it, then looked back in his book.

"They're different, Hmmmmmm," Merlin said to himself. After a few moments Merlin shut his book and sat back down. "You may take it back now."

"Thank you," Ookami said as he stood up to grab the Keyblade. As soon as it was in his hands, he made it disappear. "Now, what can you tell me?"

Merlin chuckled, "Well, what can you ask me?"

"What's with the Keyblade? Why did it choose me?" Ookami asked.

"Most Keyblades choose their owners by how strong their heart is, but with your Keyblade, I'm still wondering how it was created. As you have told me, you've seen another Keyblade like yours, correct?"

"Yes," Ookami answered, "it had a gold blade, silver hilt, and it had a red piece connecting the blade and the hilt. Oh, and the charm was in the shape of the wielders head."

"Oh, so you HAVE met the king."

"The king?"

"Yes," Merlin replied, "the king. King Mickey to be exact. He is the king of Disney Castle on a different world. And the he is the wielder of the Kingdom Key D."

"Does the 'D' mean anything?" Ookami asked.

"Dark or Darkness I believe. I'm not sure. All I know is that it came from the Realm of Darkness."

"Realm of Darkness? Is there a Realm of Light?"

"Where do you think we live?" Merlin chuckled. "And there's also a Realm of In-between and a Realm of Nothingness too!"

"Is travel between these realms possible?" Ookami asked.

"Yes, in fact, the Heartless constantly travel between the realms of Light and Dark."

"Heartless? Are they those yellow-eyed, shadow things?"

"Yes, yes they are. Heartless are created from the darkness from people's hearts. The kind of Heartless depends on how much darkness lies in that person's heart. The kinds of Heartless you've seen have been Shadows, the frog things, and Soldiers, those pesky knights."

"What about that giant Heartless?"

"I would have to say that's the Heartless of a truly evil person."

"That makes since," Ookami said as he nodded. "I saw a heart fly from a Soldier when I defeated it. Where did that heart go?"

"It went to Kingdom Hearts, or the heart of all worlds," Merlin answered.

"What happens then?"

"When Kingdom Hearts is complete, it can grant someone unimaginable wisdom and power. Knowing this, many people try to claim Kingdom Hearts for evil purposes."

"What happens when Heartless attack a world?"

"I knew this question would come up," Merlin said, "if Heartless over take a world, it usually get dragged into the Realm of Darkness and is eventually destroyed." A tear went down Ookami's face. "Now, now, it's possible to bring back a world. But only the chosen one knows how to do that."

"The chosen one?" Ookami said,

"Yes, he is the wielder of the Kingdom Key. But he's currently sleeping"

"Then let's wake him up!"

"It's not that simple," Merlin said, "he's regaining his memory."

"Great!" Ookami shouted. "Is there any way I can save my world?"

"Hmmmmmm," Merlin said, "but you would need some training, of course. Which according to the King, I'm charged with this responsibility of doing."

"When can we start?" Ookami said excitedly.

"Well don't you want to ask any more questions? The more you know the stronger you are."

"Very true mister Merlin," Ookami agreed. He knew that wisdom is as strong as strength itself.

"Seeing how you'll be working with me as my apprentice," Merlin said, "would you call me 'Master Merlin?'"

"Of course master," Ookami answered. "I have one last question: Seeing how there's to Keyblades similar to my Keyblade called 'Kingdom Keys.' What would we call this Keyblade?"

"Hmmmmmm," Merlin pondered for a few minutes, "Seeing how the two original keys are called 'Kingdom Keys' and the key from the Realm of Darkness, perhaps 'Kingdom Key X' would be a suitable name, seeing how we don't know where or how this Keyblade originated."

"The name makes sense, we'll stick with that. Thank you Master Merlin."

"Oh, it's no problem my boy. Now what are we going to do about sleeping quarters for you? Hmmmmmm…." Merlin trailed into thought.

"Couldn't you just make a room for me? With your magical prowess, you should be able to create one in seconds." Ookami said.

"Thank you for the compliment," Merlin said, "and that's a good idea. I need more room anyways. Hmmmmmm, do you have any preferences for your room?"

"Well….. You think you can model it after my room?" Ookami said hopefully. He wanted at least something to remind him of home.

"Hmmmmmm, that might be possible. Follow me my friend." Merlin led Ookami outside of Merlin's ramshackle house. It seemed that the house was in the middle of a small pond inside a cave. "Okay first we'll start on the outside of your quarters." With that Merlin flicked his wand and an extension of his house sprouted from the side.

"Wow, that's cool," Ookami said in amazement.

"Yes indeed, it is 'cool,'" Merlin chuckled. "Any who, would you please be so kind as to picture your room in your room?"

"Ok," Ookami replied and started picturing his room. His bunk beds, the dressers, even the location of the very small things he imagined. He didn't want anything out of place. Soon Merlin flicked his wand towards Ookami's head, then towards the extension.

"Okay, all finished. I know you're tired from your long journey, I'll let you rest up and we'll start your training in the morning, okay?"

"Okay Master Merlin," Ookami replied. Merlin began walking back towards his house. "Master Merlin..." Ookami spoke up.

"Yes young one?" Merlin said as he turned around.

"Thank you," Ookami said with a smile on his face.

"You are welcome," Merlin said with a smile across his face. "Now run along, your training begins in the morning; you'll need all the energy you can get."

"Yes Master, see you in the morning." With that, Ookami retreated to his room. When he stepped inside he was surprised to find that Merlin went deeper than just his room, Merlin actually even added his bathroom. This made Ookami feel really at home. Ookami yawned and retired to his bedroom. Ookami wanted to see if Merlin added his clothes, and he did. But not all of it. Merlin added the outfit he was wearing to his closet and drawers.

Okay, no problem. I like wearing this anyways, Ookami thought with a smile. Anyways, I should hit the hay; I don't know what's heading my way. With that Ookami took of his socks, shoes and his two shirts and lay down in his bed. It was just as comfortable as his bed back home. Ookami almost forgot to take off his necklaces and empty his pockets, so he took his necklaces off first. When they were off, he held them in his hand, staring at them. Then he took his wallet out of his back pocket and sat it on his desk. Then he pulled out Heiwa's necklace and held it like a valuable piece of class. He then sat her necklace next to his and drifted off to sleep.