AN: Okay, this took forever because my computer crashed and I had to rewrite the whole chapter...on a blackberry...so, it's not as long as I'd like it to be, but I was kind of pissed that I had to write the same scene twice so, I just wanted to get it over with, hopefully the next chapter will be longer...hopefully.
But yeah, written on a blackberry, so I apologize for any formatting or grammatical errors, and uploaded via my brother's computer 'cause mines still dead, so round of applause for my awesome little brother! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Do you guys really think I own this?
"Would you get that thing away from me!" Ed barely managed to avoid a head on collision with the wrench as he ducked backwards and found himself up against the computer monitor. "Aw crap" he observed his current predicament, the computer behind him, Winry closing in in front, wrench in hand and nowhere for him to run. It was starting to seem like he wasn't going to survive to see tomorrow. Desperate for assistance, but painfully aware that the others were enjoying his torment too much to help, he tried a different tactic. "Uh guys? Don't you need this computer or something?" Winry stepped closer and rose her wrench into the air, Ed instinctively closed his eyes.
"You know, Winry, beating someone to death with a blunt metal object is considered murder in Radiant Garden." Leon wasn't even trying to hide his smile.
Winry's face changed instantly, "Ah! I'm sorry!" She suddenly seemed so innocent and Ed took the opportunity to find a better place to stand, something close to the door so he could make a beeline for it if things turned sour again. Winry turned to face him and he flinched, freezing midstep. "Please don't worry me like that Ed."
"Ah,wh-what? Oh come on, it wasn't my idea! They dragged me into this! Shouldn't you be beating them with the wrench?" Ed gestured wildly at Sora and Riku, ignoring the snickering sound coming from their general direction.
Leon cleared his throat, "I hate to interrupt," and he looked like he really did, still smirking and everything "But we have some important manners to attend to you know, something small you just happened to risk your life for."
Sora managed to compose himself but the grin didn't fade, "Right, let's take a look at that data." He stepped up to the monitor and the rest of the room crowded around. "Hey Tron! You there?"
There was a moment of static before a response came. "Of course I am here, where else would I-"
"That's not what I meant...never mind, did you find anything?"
"Yes, though most of the data was actually comprised of visual files."
"Visual?"
"Pictures." Riku offered.
"I know what it means!" Sora whacked his friend in the arm, only to be whacked back even harder.
"Wait! You can put pictures in that thing?" Ed exclaimed, looking about as excited as a child on Christmas. "How does that work?"
"Does it even matter?" It was Roy who shouted this time. Sora took a cautionary step away from the angry, human fire starter. "Can we please just learn why there's a whole bunch of shadow demons running around with transmutation circles!"
"I will put them on a disk for you to look at later. In addition to the photographs, there were a few text files, most were short notes, but there was a much larger one, would you like to see it?"
Leon leaned closer to the screen, "Yeah, put it up."
There was a beep, and a moment later, the screen was filled with a written document, not unlike the Ansem reports in appearance.
Sora started to read...
Something very strange happened to me today, I visited a world so bizarre and unlike my own. This may sound strange coming from me, perhaps I shouldn't be surprised, considering I have traveled to several worlds besides my own, but this one was different...very different.
To begin, my arrival in this world was almost entirely an accident. I was toying with one of my inventions when the device exploded and I was engulfed in a flash of light. The next thing I knew, I was in a strange city I had never seen before. Let the record show that I have never transferred worlds by accident before.
Second, this world was different from the others in the sense that it was governed by a different law, if that makes sense. Where my own world and many others are home to magic and those who practice it, this world seems to have none. No magic, nor those who can use it. And when you try to speak to the locals about it they dismiss it as myth and fantasy.
But that was hardly the strangest aspect of this world, which brings me to my final observation. In the void left by the lack of magic, there was this other ability that was rather common in that world. They called it alchemy, and though it was as normal for them as magic is for me, I couldn't help but find it completely foreign. It gave them the ability to change the world around them, to alter objects into other things all together. It was remarkable, yet as much as I tried to understand it, I just couldn't wrap my head around it. It wasn't limitless, there were some odd rules that the alchemists had to follow, but I never really got the chance to study it thoroughly...
I was in this world for barely a day when I was swept up by a strange light and returned to my lab. I vaguely recall seeing a grand set of doors and a silhouetted figure before them, but the image is like a fading dream, and the more I try to remember the less I can recall. It was not until I returned that I realized something else about that world and its alchemy. I have put much thought into it, and I believe that the alchemy of that world is powered by a strange energy, perhaps an energy that originates in the heart of that world, and flows into the hearts of all who live in it. I felt that energy while I was there but didn't make this realization until now. I wish I could look into this more, but all my attempts to return to that world have failed. So this will be my only entry on this strange land and its strange power.
I must admit that I fear what would happen if that power fell into the wrong hands...or if the heartless got a hold of it...I will hide this data and the photos I took in a secure location.
Sora read the text twice before stepping away to let the others get a better view. Well he definately visited their world, he thought, but that was about all he could deduce from the document.
"What the hell!" Ed exclaimed, "That didn't tell us anything!"
"On the contrary", offered Leon, "We know that your alchemy is definitely connected to the heartless, possibly what's making them stronger, and it may have been connected to the heart of your world."
"That's great and all," Al started, "But how does that help us now?" Leon didn't say anything. The question was instead answered by a cheerful voice from the door.
"You could use it while you help your friends!" The whole room turned to greet Tifa who stood in the doorway. She waved, "Hey guys, power's back on!"
"Who needs help?" Sora asked.
"Your friends! Or rather, their friends, I guess." She waved towards Ed. "They, uh, sent a distress call of sorts. Seems the Heartless are starting to become interested in Twilight Town."
"You don't say..." Leon frowned.
"Twilight Town's in trouble!" Sora was practically on top of Tifa when he asked. He didn't really know why, but the thought that that world might be in danger made him anxious. Maybe it was Roxas's heart yearning to help its friends.
"The heartless weren't there before?" Kairi asked, sounding genuinely concerned.
Tifa shook her head, "They were, but in smaller numbers. But apparently there are more now, and the locals are in danger..."
"We should help!" Kairi declared, not waiting for anyone else to react.
Sora frowned, "I dunno, Kairi, it could be dangerous..."
"I'm coming! They're my friends too!" And she left no room for disagreement.
"Like hell I'm letting you take her!" Cid's words were barely understandable through his drunken slurs and the loud music blaring from the radio. After determing that they would go help their friends in Twilight Town, Sora, Riku, Kairi, Ed, Al, Donald, and Goofy had gone down to Cid's garage, where they found the mechanic nursing a beer that clearly wasn't his first, and probably wouldn't be his last. Winry had tagged along, but Ed seemed to be completely adamant that she stay behind. Nina was clinging to Al's coat, with Stitch in tow.
When they had asked Cid if they could take one of his gummi ships, his reaction had been less than child appropriate. It seemed that he hadn't quite gotten over their previous landing attempt.
"Ya can't haver...you'll crash an burn an I'll be down anoder ship!" Cid's speech slurred more with every protest. Sora was starting to wonder if maybe they should just wait for him to pass out and then swipe the ship.
"Please Cid, what if I drive it?" Winry offered.
"NO!"
"What if we went really slow?" Sora ventured.
"NO!"
"What if-" Al didn't even get to finish.
"NO!"
"Come on old man!" Ed whined.
"NO! And I'm not old!" The words were surprisingly clear.
Kairi looked like she was about to say something, but Nina pushed in front and started to speak.
"Please Mister Cid?" She batted her eyelashes and melted into a puppy dog pout that would probably make a trained assasin's heart melt.
"Ah, well..." Cid sputtered. He didn't notice the small blue alien-dog sneaking up behind him until it swiped the keys from his belt. He swung around fast enough to send Stitch flying and catapult the beer right out of the half empty bottle. The alien landed in Nina's waiting arms, keys in hand, and she tossed them to Winry who caught them with little effort.
"Looks like I'm coming too!" She called out with a grin and turned to climb into the pilot's seat.
Ed didn't argue, but instead followed the others as they made a beeline for the ship, avoiding Cid's waiving arms and drunken attempts to stop them. Nina and Stitch had already fled the scene of the crime, probably seeking refuge at Merlin's.
"Damn kiz, ge back ere! I'm gonna ge you!" Cid muttered like a drunken old man trying to chase the local teenagers off his lawn. But the combination of alcohol and dizziness left all his threats empty.
Winry fired up the Gummi ship and took off towards the sky and Twilight Town. They all knew that Cid would be furious, but right now, that was the least of their worries.
AN: Cid seemed like the kind who would get kind of drunk and pissed over something like that...but I have to admit that I'm not as familiar with his character as I'd like to be, so sorry it that's really ooc...
Twilight Town next.
Hope you liked it!