Ch. 6: Training
Ookami slept well that night. Thanks to Merlin, Ookami felt like he was back at home and that everything was a dream, sadly it wasn't, but that didn't matter. Right now Ookami was having sweet dreams of his friends, telling then of everything that has happened so far and his promise to them that he'll find a way to bring back their world while trying to protect others. Sadly, these sweet dreams ended from an alarm clock that was sitting where he used to sit his phone.
"Not now," Ookami complained as he whacked the old school, hammer-and-bell alarm clock. He then laid there for a moment, and then he sat up and rubbed his eyes. "Of all times for it to go off, it had to be during a good dream," Ookami said and with that he got up and gathered his pants and boxers so he could go take his shower.
With his things in hand, Ookami walked over to the bathroom and found that Merlin had got every small detail correct, just like his room. "Wow," he said in amazement, "he's good. I didn't even imagine this!" He then turned on the shower, stripped down, and hopped in. The warm water woke Ookami up and made him ready for anything. After about 5 minutes, Ookami got out and put on his clean boxers and pants, as well as some deodorant.
Ookami then picked up his dirty clothes and carried them back to his room where he then put them in his dirty clothes basket. Then, out of pure habit, he reached for his phone. "Oh…. Right… That stupid Shadow broke it," Ookami said angrily. Then he went back to his normal routine: he put on his signature necklaces, through on a white shirt, put on a black, long sleeved shirt and his shoes. He then walked back across the hall to brush his hair.
Once his hair was the way he wanted it, he went back to his room and grabbed his wallet. He then summoned the Kingdom Key X to his right hand to double check he would have it. "Okay, I got everything," he said to himself and then he walked out of the living quarters and walked to the front of Merlin's raggedy, old shack. Once he was in front he walked up to the door, knocked, and then entered. He found Merlin sitting at his desk, studying from a book.
"Oh hello Ookami, I trust you slept pretty well last night," Merlin said as he looked up.
"Yes Master, I slept great last night thanks to you," Ookami said. "I was shocked to find you got every little detail right, you even added my bathroom!"
"Yes, I figured you would like it," Merlin chuckled. "Now, are you ready to start your training?"
"Yes Master, I'm ready, but I have a quick question before we start."
"What's that my boy?"
"Why do you live in a shack? With your magical skills, I would have to think that you would live in a bigger and better place."
"Well my boy, I like it because it's cozy to me, and to tell you the truth, I recently made more room."
"Wow, I didn't know." Ookami said.
"It's ok my boy," Merlin chuckled. "Now hop on this platform and it will take you the room where I will train you," Merlin said then he waved his wand and a platform came down from the ceiling. "I'll meet you up there in a moment."
"Ok Master." With that Ookami jumped up onto the platform and it began rising up into a large empty room. Within moments of the platform stopping, there was a poof of smoke and Merlin appeared to Ookami's right.
"Ok Ookami, from here on, I will be training you in the ways of magic and teaching you about the other worlds, but first, we will begin with magic. Now summon your Keyblade." Ookami did as Master Merlin said and summoned the Keyblade to his right hand. "Okay, now what do you know about magic?"
"Uhhhh… does unlocking any lock count?" Ookami said not knowing if that was considered magic to Merlin.
"Oh," Merlin said like he was surprised, "you've already learned about your ability? Very well, very well. Now, do you know WHY you can do this?"
"I'm going to go out on a limb and say that it's either a special ability I have that the Keyblade unlocked inside of me or that its one of the special ability of the Keyblade itself," Ookami answered.
"Wow, you're a very wise young man," Merlin said. "This is one of the abilities of the Keyblade," Merlin continued, "in fact, every Keyblade has this ability."
"So then it's not considered magic seeing how it's an ability every chosen wielder has?" Ookami asked.
"I'm afraid so my boy," Merlin said calmly. "But don't worry," he chuckled, "when I finish with you, you will know some basic spell that will help you on your journey."
"Okay Master," Ookami replied.
"Now let's begin with a basic Fire spell. Focus all your energy like a small ball of fire," Merlin instructed. Ookami did as he said and began felling a small burn deep inside of him. "You feel a burn?"
"Yes Master," Ookami replied.
"Good, now aim your Keyblade straight ahead and release that energy through it." Ookami once again did what his master said and a fire ball shot from the end of the Keyblade. "Very good Ookami, very good," Merlin said happily.
"I did it?" Ookami said in shock. "I did it!"
"Now, I have some things to take care of, I'm going to let you practice that spell and when you think you can control it, you can practice on these targets," Merlin waved his wand and some furniture appeared on the other side of the room. "You can either just shoot at them or if you get the hang of it fast enough, you can walk up to them and tap them. They will begin to move around and they will only stop if you hit them."
"Okay Master Merlin, should I come down when I'm tired?" Ookami asked.
"Yes, you should. By that time I should have some food prepared for us, then after lunch, I can teach you about the worlds and another purpose of the Keyblade."
"Okay Master, I will see you in a little bit," Ookami said just as Merlin disappeared in a puff of smoke leaving Ookami to practice. Ookami then began to focus his energy just as Merlin taught him, but this time was easier to do it. He then launched another fiery ball across the room.
Ookami did this for about a half hour and he was almost to the point where he didn't need to focus his energy for too long before releasing the orb. Then he turned to the furniture, he pointed the Keyblade and shot towards them, he hit an armchair. Content with how well that shot he began quickly aiming at the other furniture and hitting everything he aimed at.
After hitting one last target, Ookami began walking towards the furniture so he can make them moving targets, but halfway there his stomach growled. I better eat. Ookami said to himself as he chuckled. He then walked over to the section on floor where he could go down and meet back up with Master Merlin.
"So how far did you get?" Merlin asked just as Ookami's knees were visible to him.
"I don't have to focus my energy to shoot the fire ball anymore, I can do it instantly now," Ookami said happily.
"Oh REALLY?" Merlin said surprised to hear how fast he mastered it. "So use Fire straight up to the ceiling in the training room."
"Okay," Ookami said confidently and then proceeded to shoot an orb a fire straight up.
"Wow," Merlin said in amazement, "you're learning faster than I expected. Now don't take that the wrong way my boy, but to pretty much master a spell in a single day! I've never seen that happen! You should be proud of yourself. Now come down from there, I have some stew ready for us."
"I was wondering what smelt so good," Ookami said as he got off the platform and put the Kingdom Key X away.
"Here you go, now be careful, it's hot," Merlin said as he handed Ookami a bowl. Ookami looked around and saw no place to sit. "Here, sit at the other end of my desk," Merlin said as he waved his wand, making room for Ookami to sit down and enjoy his meal. After finishing their meal, Merlin magically made their dishes disappear and then they began with the second part of the day.
"Ok, Ookami are you ready to begin your studies?" Merlin asked.
"Yes Master," Ookami replied, "What are you going to teach me today?"
"Today you will learn about how travel is possible between the many worlds. You see, originally, travel between these worlds was impossible. All the worlds were surrounded by a barrier that crumbled when the Heartless were created. The falling of these barriers allow the Heartless to travel anywhere through Corridors of Darkness, are you following me?"
"Yes master," Ookami replied as he got into a comfortable position in his chair so he could listen to Merlin and thing about what he was saying.
"Okay good, now when these barriers were destroyed, there were meteor showers on all the worlds. These meteors were the fragments of the barriers. Then one day, someone began experimenting with these meteors and found out that they could be used to make ships so that people could travel between worlds."
"Master," Ookami spoke up, "I hate to interrupt you, but are these ships the only way people can travel? Back in Coral City, my home, I saw a figure in a black coat disappear through a dark vortex that I'm pretty sure was a Corridor of Darkness."
"Well, it is possible, but travel in this manner would corrupt one's heart. That's why Heartless, Nobodies, and those who use the power of darkness can use them, there's no risk at them becoming corrupt."
"Nobodies?" Ookami asked.
"Yes, Nobodies are the body and soul that's left when a Heartless is created, but we'll go into more detail another day."
"Okay Master," Ookami said, "please, go on."
"Very well, back to the ships, this young adventurer found out that these meteor pieces were made of an elastic material that bonded easily with other pieces. This young man called each piece 'Gummi blocks' while respectively calling the ships 'Gummi ships.'"
"Sorry to interrupt you again Master," Ookami spoke up again, "but that ship I arrived in was a Gummi ship then, right?"
"Yes my boy, and don't be afraid to speak up. Asking questions is a part of the learning process," Merlin responded.
"Thank you Master, but who was this person who discovered the Gummi ships?"
"His name is King Mickey Mouse from the world of Disney Castle," Merlin answered with a smile on his face.
"So I was rescued by the person who created the Gummi ship," Ookami said in astonishment.
Merlin began chuckling, "That's right my boy." Merlin then cleared his throat, "Any who, do you understand now how travel is plausible?"
"Yes Master, thank you for the wisdom," Ookami said as he stood up and bowed to Merlin.
"Why did you bow to me?" Merlin asked with a puzzled look on his face. "I am not royalty."
"My last master on my home world, who taught me how to fight, also taught me to bow out of respect, "Ookami answered. "I take it that where you're from, you only bow to royalty," Ookami chuckled.
"Yes, that's why you confused me. Now you have the rest of the day to do whatever you please, but I suggest you stay in the cave, the town is infested with Heartless and I don't want you getting hurt."
"Okay Master, may I go back and practice that fire spell you taught me?"
"Why yes you may, I will send for you later so we may eat dinner."
"Thank you Master," Ookami said as he got onto the platform and it began rising into the empty room he was in not too long ago, but this time it was different. Now there was a wooden sword on the other end of the room with a note on it. Ookami wondered what Merlin was up to, so he walked over to it and read the note.
After hearing that you were trained in the way of the sword, I figured that you wouldn't want to get rusty, so I created this sword to act as a practice buddy. Just say 'duel' to the sword and you may begin fighting. When you say 'stop' the sword will stop. Enjoy.
Your Master,
Merlin
That was nice of him, Ookami thought to himself, now let's test this out. Ookami summoned his Keyblade and got in his battle ready stance with the blade in both hands out in front of him. "DUAL," Ookami shouted and a shadowy figure appeared and grabbed the sword. Some of the figure's features were visible. It was shorter then Ookami and was wearing big shoes, baggy pants, and what seemed to be a vest. The figure also had spiky hair. The figure held the sword with both hands, but it held the blade to the right and the way it was standing, it could easily charge Ookami, and it did.
Ookami turned his Keyblade he could block the slash his opponent used against him, and then followed up by slashing across. With the Keyblade now in his right hand, Ookami ran towards the figure, jumped, and came down on the figure with both hands on the hilt toward the figures head, but it dodge rolled to Ookami's right. Ookami then turned on his heels performing a 360 degree slash and stopping the circle right so he was facing his opponent.
He then charged forward, running with the Keyblade in both hands with the actual blade facing behind him. When he was in range, he slashed diagonally left-to-right and hit the target sending it back a little. Ookami quickly brought the Kingdom Key X down so that he was in the same battle stance as the figure was once in and he charged at his opponent he slashed like is opponent had, but he hit the figure two more times as part as one smooth combo attack.
Ookami then jump backwards and pointed his Keyblade at the figure. "Fire," Ookami said and shot the fiery orb he recently learned how to use.
"Reflect," said the figure in a voice he had never heard before, but that wasn't as bad as what happened. A dome of light surrounded the figure blocking the attack. When the dome faded, the figures sword was replaced by a Keyblade, the Kingdom Key. "Blizzard," said the figure and chunks of ice shot towards Ookami, so he tried diving to the side, but the chunks of ice followed him and hit. It didn't hurt Ookami, but he could still feel it. The figure began charging at Ookami again.
"Stop," said a voice from behind Ookami. The figure stopped, the Kingdom Key turned back into the wooden sword, and then the figure vanished.
Ookami turned around and saw Merlin was the one who stopped the fight. "I'm sorry to stop your fight," Merlin explained, "but I cannot let this fight go on. I had a feeling that I should not have used 'him' as a figure. I hope I didn't interfere with the process," Merlin trailed of as he picked up the sword.
"What process Master?" Ookami asked.
"Don't worry about," Merlin said in a stern voice, "now carry on with practicing your spell, or you may rest in your sleeping quarters." Merlin then disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"I wonder what that was all about," Ookami said to himself as he walked over to the furniture Merlin set up earlier. He tapped one of them and they all began moving around, some on the ground, others in the air. Ookami watched for a moment to see if they followed a pattern, they didn't, so Ookami began shooting fiery orbs everywhere, successfully hitting each piece of furniture. When they were all hit, they moved back where they were sitting. Ookami did this three more times before getting bored. He then got to the platform and went back to the room below.
"Dinner will be ready in a while," Merlin said as Ookami became visible, so Ookami went to his room to rest. After a few hours, Merlin popped into Ookami's room. "Dinner is ready."
"Okay Master, let's go," Ookami said and then Merlin teleported them back to the main house, where they ate. When they were done, Ookami went to his room and went to bed, ready to continue his training for the next day.
* * *
The next few weeks were pretty much the same: get up, eat, train, eat, learn, eat, bed, but it was all worth it. Ookami now knew about the existence of the Nobodies and that they are the body and soul left after a Heartless is created. He also learned about the heart of all worlds, Kingdom Hearts and how many people have tried to use its power for evil. Ookami also learned about the purpose of the Keyblade, to seal the keyholes of the worlds to prevent the destruction of that world.
Ookami now knew more spells such as Blizzard, Thunder, Reflect, Magnet, and Cure. He was also faster and stronger thanks to the training sword Merlin fixed so that the figure resembled Ookami.
* * *
Ookami's day began as it usually did; he got up, took a shower and got dressed, but today felt different. He couldn't put his finger on it. Be it was different. After Ookami had all of his things with him, he walked out of his sleeping quarters and walked over to Merlin's part of the house. "Master, I'm here," Ookami called out as he entered the house.
"Up here my boy, come quick, come quick," Merlin shouted from the training room. Ookami ran and hopped onto the platform, then about halfway up, Ookami jumped up to the room before the platform could stop. He landed in a crouching position right behind Merlin.
"Yes Master?"
"I want you to demonstrate each of the spells I have taught you," Merlin said.
"Okay. Do you want me to start with any special spell?" Ookami asked.
"No, no, any one will do," Merlin said with a smile on his face.
"Okay, FIRE!" Ookami said and an orb of fire shot from the tip of the Kingdom Key X. "BLIZZARD," chunks of ice shot from the end. "THUNDER," Ookami raised his Keyblade to the sky and bolts of lightning came out of nowhere. "REFLECT," a dome of light surrounded Ookami for a second. "CURE," Ookami raised his Keyblade to the sky again and some flower petals fell around him and disappeared. Merlin summoned some moving chairs to the middle of the room; they were all a good distance apart. "MAGNET," Ookami shouted and a dark orb appeared in front of him, drawing the chairs to it.
"Very good, very good," Merlin said while clamping in amazement. "I think you are ready for the next step." Merlin then pulled out a strange looking charm. It looked like a card.
"What's this for?" Ookami asked as Merlin handed him the charm. Ookami took a quick glance over it, it looked like it was a glyph of a beasts face and it had horns.
"I want you to put some energy into it and then release what's inside," Merlin said.
"Okay…." Ookami did just as his master said and then the charm began glowing. Then there was a flash of light, the charm was gone, and there was a strange looking creature standing in front of Ookami. It was a tall figure with wings, but then the creature turned around showing all of its features: its face resembled a goats head and it had horns shooting back from its head. Its body looked like it was armored; it had claws for fingers and hooves for feet.
"Hello," said the creature in a deep, almost angry voice, "I am Adrammelech the Wroth, the Esper of Thunder, and the embodiment of the Capricorn. I am here to help you through your journey."
"Hello Adrammelech, I am Ookami Hitomatome, chosen wielder of the Kingdom Key X, born under the sign of the Capricorn, and thank you for joining me."
"Anything to help," said Adrammelech and he disappeared in a flash of light and the charm was back in his hand.
"You like it?" Merlin asked. "It's called a 'summon,' in this case, it is a powerful creature who will aid you in battle."
"I like it, thank you Master Merlin," Ookami said with a smile on his face.
"I figured you would," Merlin replied. "You'll need all the help you can get when you leave.
"Leave?" Ookami said excitingly. "You mean I'm finished with my training?"
"Well," Merlin began, "yes and no. you see my job was to teach you the basics, that's where the 'yes' comes in. There is still a lot you can learn, so that's the 'no,' but you may leave now on your quest to protect the other worlds."
"Wow," Ookami said in astonishment, "I can't believe I can already leave……."
"Well you can't leave looking like that," Merlin began, "you'll need some armor with the way you fight." With that Merlin waved his wand and there was a flash of bright light around Ookami. When the light dissipated, Ookami's attire was completely changed. His shoes were slightly armored now and there were chains on the sides of his pants. His top was what changed the most: his long sleeved shirt was now short sleeved and there were black, leather straps that crossed his chest in and 'X' that held two pauldrons that were on each shoulder. The one on his right shoulder was metal and had a part that slightly came off the shoulder just enough not to interfere with his movement. The one on left was also metal but formed to his shoulder.
"Wow, this will help," Ookami said, "thanks."
"What you see isn't the only thing I did my boy," Merlin said, "I also made it so your spectacles, or as you say, 'glasses,' don't come off unless you take them off and now they are indestructible."
"Now that will really help," Ookami said then began chuckling. "So when can I leave?"
"How about after we eat? I'm sure you want a good meal before you leave."
"You got that right!" Ookami said then the both of them began laughing. Merlin then teleported them down to the main room to eat. When they finished Merlin put the dishes away magically as he always did the turned to Ookami.
"Do you have everything before you leave?" he asked Ookami. Ookami quickly checked his pockets.
"Yes Master, I'm ready to go," Ookami replied.
"Very well then, let's go," Merlin said. Then he teleported them to the plaza were they first met. Ookami looked around and noticed that it was dark.
"Master, didn't I get up not that long ago?" Ookami asked.
"Yes," Merlin replied, "you see, on this world, it's always night."
"Ok, I understand," Ookami said. "Before I go, I just want to thank you for everything."
"No problem my boy," Merlin said happily. "Oh, before I forget, take these," Merlin handed Ookami a pouch and half a charm that looked like a dragon's face. "The pouch is a Munny Bag; it will magically collect Munny, the currency of most of the worlds. The charm is something I found before I met you. I know it's broken, but I believe you can find the other half."
"Thank you again Master," Ookami said as he bowed to Merlin.
"Oh, and here's some coordinates to a world I believe you can start with. Now off with you, go, go, go and change the fate of some of these worlds."
"Thanks again Master," Ookami said as he ran into the ships teleported. Once he was up there he went to the ship's computer.
Select option:
Manual flight/Input coordinates.
I don't trust myself piloting this thing, so input coordinates. Ookami typed in the coordinates Merlin gave him then something else popped up on the screen.
Activate warp drive?
Y/N
"Of course use the warp drive," Ookami exclaimed as he highlighted the 'Y' option. The ship then began moving and he was off to begin his quest to save the other worlds from the same fate as his world.