Last time found Kirito, Asuna and Leafa stopping Kairi from going back to Hell House alone. Reinforcements in the form of old friends and new friends arrived and, after some slightly illegal power boosting, our heroes took on Hell House once again. Back in the real world, the team from Foundation X decided to pull out all the stops and let lose DiDe, the Digital Demon, whose mission was to make Kairi suffer until her heart breaks. 'Nuff said, on with the show!
Chapter 6: DiDe's Games
"She was kidding about all of that, right?" Klien asked, "about us being trapped in the dungeon, right? About her killing us and forcing Kairi to kill one of her friends, right?"
"Gee, you tell me," said Albion irately as he held a strip of cloth at his bleeding face.
"Hold still," said Trillian as she held up a healing item to the cut and used it, yet the wound only scabbed over.
"That should have healed it completely," said Trillian.
"OUCH!" exclaimed Asuna after she pinched herself, "well, looks like we're all affected."
"If we can bleed in here," said Kirito in a distant tone, "we can be killed, just like in SAO."
"But how?" Mercedes, "how can that demon bitch kill us while we're in ALO? Sure, she could kill us if we were all using Nerve Gears, then she could microwave our brains."
"But we're using AmuSpheres," said Xenophon, "they're designed to be incapable of inflicting any and all harm on our bodies back in the real world."
"That's true," said Beatrice, "but nevertheless, we can experience pain now, even bleed. It's clear that DiDe has control over just how real this virtual world can be, especially how we experience it."
"Like how Sugu was able to hurt Kirito," said Asuna, shuddering as she remembered what the lunatic did to her and Kirito.
"He was able to alter the level of pain absorption," said Kirito, "something only a GM or an Admin could do."
"DiDe clearly has privileges above and beyond the level of GM's and Admins," said Beatrice, "but as to how she can kill us, I believe I have a theory. I assume I'm not the only one here who's seen 'Nightmare on Elm Street,' right?"
"With Robert Englund as Freddy Kruger?" Mercedes asked, "you tell me someone who hasn't seen it."
"The 2010 reboot was just awful," said Felix, at which Trillian, Albion, Agil, Klien and Lisbeth all nodded.
"I keep telling everyone I know that Hollywood just isn't what it used to be," said Xenophon, "they keep recycling the same stories and plotlines, rebooting classic films for modern audiences, only to churn out crap that barely qualifies as a movie. And when it's not crap, it's either mediocre or barely good. And a lot of the original stuff they're producing these days is little more than crap as well."
"You were saying how DiDe can kill us," said Kirito.
"Yes, of course," said Beatrice. She cleared her throat before continuing, "not many people know but 'Nightmare on Elm Street' was inspired by real life events. It's rare but documented that some people can be scared to death in their sleep."
"Like by a nightmare?" Asuna asked.
"One that's so realistic, so terrifying," said Beatrice, "so stressful on your heart and nervous system that it triggers a heart attack."
"The bitch, she's gonna try and scare us to death," said Mercedes in a serious tone.
"That doesn't make sense," said Kairi, "I thought the Full Dive system blocks the signals from the brain to the spinal cord and to the rest of the body."
"It does block our motor functions," said Kirito, "intercepting and changing those signals into data to be processed inside the game. But it also leaves the brainstem free to act."
"The part of the brain that regulates the heart and lungs," said Xenophon, "the part that reacts to physical and emotional stress."
"Ever notice how fast your pulse gets when you become excited or terrified by something?" Beatrice asked, "how nervous you get before an important test at school? Or when your special someone is about to kiss you? Do any of you realize just how much stress the body goes through when experiencing fear? There's a limit to how much stress the heart can take before it gives out. It's different for everyone, but fear can kill you."
"Just like in Nightmare on Elm Street," said Trillian.
"Oh! Or like in The Matrix!" said Albion eagerly, "if the mind dies, the brain and body dies with it."
"In a nutshell," said Beatrice.
"So, we just won't die," said Kairi in a slightly unsteady tone, "which is going to be kinda hard considering what DiDe said about her last rule. I have to kill one of my friends or everyone dies."
"We don't know that," said Asuna in a reassuring manner, "for all we know she was just messing with us."
"She wasn't lying about no way out," said Agil as he, Klien, Lisbeth and Silica tried the front door, finding it as unmovable as a brick wall.
"That door was gonna get locked no matter what," said Mercedes, "just show me a window and I'll punch my way out. In fact, I think I'll punch that door out."
"Wait! Don't!" shouted Kirito as Mercedes rushed at the door and punched it. Several cracks had appeared in the door and frame, only for the cracks to vanish in a flash of data.
"Seriously!?" exclaimed Mercedes as she punched the door again, then again and again, each time the door was restored before she could hit it again.
"No way a stupid door is gonna stop a Slayer!" exclaimed Mercedes irately. She then kicked the door, then winced and cried out in pain as she stumbled back, hopping on one foot as she clutched at the other.
"I warned her," said Kirito as Asuna and Leafa made Mercedes sit down and take off her boot, "you all heard me warn her, right?"
"You could have warned me louder!" snapped Mercedes as Asuna and Leafa examined her foot.
"It's not broken," said Leafa, "just twisted." She then looked at Mercedes, "and let this be a lesson to you."
"Yeah, don't kick down demonic doors," said Mercedes as she put her boot on and was helped back up by Asuna and Leafa.
"I mean not taking deadly games lightly," said Leafa, "I don't even want to guess how many times Onisan, Asuna and the others in SAO nearly died."
"Enough to live," said Klien.
"Tell that to the 4,000 who didn't make it," said Lisbeth irately, "what about teleporting? And how about just plain logging out?" At that she pulled out a teleport crystal, "Teleport: Yggdrasil City!" yet nothing happened.
"Teleport: Yggdrasil City!" exclaimed Lisbeth as she shook her crystal, "Yggdrasil City! What's the matter with this thing?!"
At that Kirito tried the logout option, only to be met by a red window that appeared in front of his menu.
WARNING
LOGOUT OPTION UNAVALABLE
PLEASE CONTACT NEAREST GM FOR ASSISTANCE
"The same thing that's keeping us from logging out," said Kirito as he closed his menu, "DiDe."
"So, we're really trapped here?" Silica asked nervously, "and that horrible woman, she can really kill us?"
"Only if we let her," said Kirito in a reassuring manner.
"We didn't let SAO kill us," said Asuna, "and we certainly won't let a hacked dungeon kill us now."
"But what if death is inevitable?" Kairi asked, "what if I really do have to kill one of my friends in order to save the others? To save you guys?"
"I refuse to believe that the only way out for all of us is through murder," said Asuna. "And I especially refuse to believe that you have to damn yourself in the process, Kairi."
"But what if it is?" Kairi asked, "what if I truly have to lose myself to the darkness in order for everyone else to get back to the light?"
"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it," said Kirito, "right now we should focus on finding your friends, then worry about getting everyone out alive, and I mean everyone."
"If anyone's gonna die, it's that DiDe bitch," said Mercedes as she tenderly stood on her twisted ankle, "wouldn't be the first hellspawn I've vanquished."
"That was back in your game," said Felix, "where demons are programmed to be vanquished."
"A demon is a demon," said Mercedes, "doesn't matter where you meet one; online or in the real world, there's always a way to send it back to hell, if not outright destroy it."
"DiDe was created by men," said Lisbeth.
"Then we'll delete her and send her creators to hell," said Mercedes, "now stop talking and let's go find Kairi's friends!" she then walked forward with a slight limp, "unless you want me to go ahead all by myself."
"And miss out on a chance to test my mettle against a demon? No way!" said Klien eagerly.
"Hack or no hack," said Agil, "demon or no demon, this is still a dungeon and all dungeons can be beaten."
"Then let's go," said Kairi as she gave a slight but confident smile, "and if we run into DiDe again, we'll send her back to hell!"
"That's the spirit!" said Mercedes eagerly.
With that our heroes crossed the foyer and through the door at the other end. They found themselves in a dilapidated hallway made of concrete with rusting and dripping pipes overhead that gurgled with air bubbles. Above the pipes were flickering florescent lights that randomly cast the hallway into brief periods of darkness. The walls and floor were stained with rust and mold, while the whole area had an unpleasant musky odor about it.
"This definitely wasn't in the original Haunted Mansion," said Xenophon as our heroes cautiously made their way through the passage, "in both Disney World and Disneyland."
"This is DiDe's work, I gather," said Beatrice as she found a dirt and rust-stained window on one side of the hallway wall.
"Is it that obvious?" Lisbeth asked as Klien, Agil and Felix tried to break the window with their weapons, yet all they accomplished was to crack the glass, which repaired itself before further damage could occur.
"Now we know for sure we can't get out," said Kirito as Klien, Agil and Felix backed away from the window.
"If only there was some way," said Xenophon, "some way for one of us to logout and contact the authorities in the real world." He brought up his menu and tried to logout, only to be met by the same red warning window.
"The option is still there," said Kirito, "not like back in SAO where there was no Logout option at all."
"It's merely disabled," said Beatrice as she examined her menu, "somehow DiDe is able to block the programming for the logout sequence, the question is how?"
"Let me try something about that," said Yui as she smiled confidently.
"Hon, you may be an incredibly talented and special A.I.," said Beatrice, "but I doubt you're up to taking on a demonic program like DiDe."
At that Yui irately shifted to her human form and looked at Beatrice in the eye, "just because I look and behave like a child, just because I can take the form of a navigation pixy, doesn't make me any less capable of an A.I. If I say I can try to help, I certainly can try, and I will! So there!" at that she stuck her tongue out at Beatrice, shifted back to her pixy form and flew onto Kirito's shoulder.
"Okay, what just happened?" Beatrice asked, "did I say anything wrong?"
"Let me guess, you're an only child and didn't have many friends in school," said Xenophon.
"I did have friends!" said an irate Beatrice, "and I still do! I just don't see them that much, that's all."
"They're only social media friends, right?" asked Felix, "Facebook, Twitter and other gamers, right?"
"So what?!" snapped Beatrice, "I was too busy at school and now at work to socialize in the real world! That doesn't make me any less of a person!"
"Hey, take it easy," said Asuna.
"It's all my mother's fault!" snapped Beatrice, "she was always pressing me to achieve higher marks, to get extra credit and do whatever it took to get into her alma mater, Miskatonic University. I had to uphold the family tradition and carry on when she was gone as…"
"Shush!" said Kairi.
"Don't you shush me!" spat Beatrice, "if I want to rant and rave, it's my god-given right to do so!"
"SHUSH!" snapped Kairi, "just shut up and listen!"
Beatrice was about to shout at Kairi again, when Kirito held up his hand for her to be quiet, "everyone, be quiet!"
Our heroes remained silent for several seconds until they heard what sound like someone shouting.
"It's coming from over there!" said Asuna as she pointed down the hallway. With that she and the others hurried on. As they ran, they heard the shouting growing louder and clearer.
"HELP ME! SOMEONE HELP ME!"
"I think I know that voice!" said Kairi as they approached a single door in the hallway. She tried the door but was outraged to find it locked.
"I knew we should have brought along a Thief," said Xenophon as Mercedes, Lisbeth and Silica examined the door and lock, "one of my party members on Forgotten Realms Online, he could pick a lock in a heartbeat."
"Let me try," said Kirito as he knelt in front of the door and examined the lock, "Spriggans are the best treasure hunters in ALO, and one aspect of treasure hunting is lock picking." He then pulled out a set of picks and began working on the lock, only to have the picks break off in the lock within seconds. "Oops."
"You'd be better off trying to pick that lock with a live eel," said Mercedes.
"Hey, I haven't had much chance to work on my Lock Picking skill," said Kirito as he stood up.
Just then everyone heard the voice shout again.
"SOMEONE! HELP ME! PLEASE!"
"Now I know that voice!" said Kairi, "Joshua, one of the survivors of Rapture!" she then summoned her Keyblade, "out of my way!" she shouted as she aimed her Keyblade at the door.
Kirito, Lisbeth, Silica and Mercedes barely got out of the way as Kairi shot a beam of magic at the lock. Yet instead of simply unlocking the door, she blasted it off its hinges.
"Damn, girl," said an impressed and slightly intimidated Albion, "you've got skills."
Kairi didn't answer as she ran into the pitch black room that lay beyond the unhinged door. Kirito and the others ran after her, only to all find themselves in a room so dark they couldn't even see the hall outside the doorway.
Just then a spotlight came on overhead, revealing DiDe in front of our heroes and allies.
"Ah, you've made it to the first round of the game," said DiDe as she smiled eagerly, "outstanding."
"Cut the crap, DiDe!" said Kairi, "where's Joshua!"
"Closer than you might think," said DiDe.
It was then that more lights came on, revealing the room to be in the same dilapidated state as the hallway rust and water stains everywhere, while rusting objects lay strewn about here and there.
Yet what drew everyone's attention was the large table in the middle of the room where, clamped to the table and with his head between a hydraulic vise that was held apart by over two feet, lay Joshua.
"Joshua!" exclaimed Kairi.
"Kairi?!" exclaimed a terrified Joshua, "what the fuck's going on!? What is this!?"
"This is your life on the line, boyo!" said DiDe eagerly. She then glared at Kairi, "oh, and before you try to free him with that Keyblade of yours, I've rigged the table to electrocute him. Don't believe me?"
As if a switch had been thrown, the sound of electricity flowing could be heard, at which Joshua began convulsing against the clamps restraining him. The episode lasted only three seconds, but it was enough to leave him limp and gasping for breath on the table.
"That was just a low-level shock," said DiDe, "about the same voltage in a police stun gun. However, if I were to crank up the amperage and leave the current on for fifteen seconds or so, it'd be more than enough to stop his heart."
"While in the real world his mind would be so traumatized, he'd have a heart attack," said Xenophon.
"Check out the brain on you," said an impressed DiDe, "you're one smart wizard. But it won't help the kid on the table. Only Kairi can."
It was then that a device appeared on the other side of the room, a device that was basically a hydraulic press, one used to shape metals. The device was connected via cables to the vise on the table.
"If you want to save your friend, Kairi, you have to play a penalty game," said DiDe, "and answer a question, 'how much will you sacrifice to save someone you care about?'"
"I'd give my right eye to save a friend!" said Kairi.
"I don't want your eye," said DiDe, "not yet anyway. No, this round, all I ask for is your right hand, or his head."
At that the vise began closing, earning a cry of terror from Joshua as the hydraulic clamps touched his head, then stopped, trapping his head between them.
"You crazy bitch!" snapped Albion as he drew his knives, "let him go!"
"Touch me and he dies instantly," said DiDe as she raised an admonishing finger at Albion, "try to rescue him and he dies, that goes for all of you. Only Kairi can save him."
DiDe then looked at Kairi as a digital clock with 5:00 on it appeared above our heroes, "you have that long to decide which you value the most; your hand or your friend's head. Be advised that for every thirty seconds you delay, the pressure applied to the vise will increase. It takes approximately 15 PSI to crush a human skull, but I'd wager he'd be dead long before his head was rendered into a bloody, brainy mush."
"But what do you want Kairi to do?" Asuna asked.
"Haven't I made it clear yet?" DiDe asked, "she's to place her hand in the press over there and crush it. You see that big red button on the machine, Kairi? You can easily use it with your left hand while you sacrifice your right."
"No way in hell is Kairi doing that!" snapped Leafa.
"Damn right she's not!" said Joshua, "Kairi helped saved me, Chrissie and the others from Rapture! She saved over a dozen Little Sisters and Dr. Tenenbaum! No way am I letting her crush her hand for my sake!"
"Wow, that's really brave of you, kido," said DiDe, "you'd rather die than let someone else suffer in your place, how noble," she then frowned irately, "how pathetic!"
At that the clock began counting town.
"You've got five minutes to make your choice, Kairi!" said DiDe, "your hand or his head! What's it gonna be, Kairi!? Well?! What's it gonna be!?" she then vanished, laughing like the demonic mastermind she was.
"Kairi, don't do it!" said Kirito, "we'll figure something out!"
"There's got to be a way to get him free," said Asuna as she, Beatrice, Xenophon, Albion, Lisbeth and Klien walked closer to the table, "some way to get Joshua out. Nice to meet you, by the way."
"Nice to meet you too," said Joshua, "and please hurry. Not that I'm not afraid of being crushed, it's just…
It was then that the first thirty seconds ran out and the pressure on the vise increased just enough to earn a yelp of pain from Joshua.
"NO!" shouted Kairi as she ran for the press, only to be grabbed by Agil and Felix. "Let me go!" she shouted as she struggled to get free, "I have to save him!"
"And lose your hand in the process? I don't think so!" said Agil.
"There's got to be another way," said Asuna.
"I'll bet that demon bitch hid a key somewhere," said Trillian as she searched the room, "or a switch or button to press."
"I don't mean to sound like a jerk and all," said Joshua, "but could you please hurry up before my head's cracked like a fucking turtle egg?" he then screamed in pain and terror as the vise pressed even more on his head.
"Let me go!" shouted Kairi at Agil and Felix, "what's a hand compared to losing a friend? I've got one to spare, so let me go!"
"Not until we exhaust all available options!" said Felix.
"What if we try blocking the vise?" Silica asked, "we could jam it! Or better yet, cut the hydraulics line!"
"Or just cut him loose!" said Albion as he equipped a serrated dagger from his inventory, and then began sawing through the restraint on Joshua's left arm.
But then the current connected again and Joshua was subjected to another five seconds of intense electricity, before gasping with relief and exhaustion.
"Don't do that!" snapped Lisbeth as she roughly pushed Albion away, earning a red window warning against rough contact outside of battle. She ignored it as she searched the bottom of the table, "just help me find the wires for the shock treatment!"
It was then that the vise pressed even more, earning another cry of agony from Joshua.
"Just hang on, man!" said Klien as he joined in on the table search, "we'll get you out!"
"Please hurry," moaned Joshua, "any more and my eyes are gonna pop!"
"I can't stand it anymore!" exclaimed Kairi. Summoning an incredible amount of strength, she broke free of Agil and Felix. Before either of them could stop her, Kairi ran to the hydraulic press, placed her right hand in it and pressed the button with her left.
She looked away and closed her eyes as the upper part of the press came down, yet as hard as she tried to endure the pain, Kairi was forced to scream in agony as her hand was crushed.
Yet as Kairi vented her pain, Joshua sighed with relief as the vise released his head, while the straps on his arms and legs broke open on their own.
"You did it, Kairi," said Asuna in a soothing tone as she rushed over to her, "Joshua's free."
"Good," sobbed Kairi as tears of pain fell from her eyes. She slumped against the press, her arm still trapped by the machine.
"Someone help me get her out of this thing!" shouted Asuna.
"Here!" said Beatrice as she found a second button on the machine and pressed it, causing the upper part of the machine to rise up. Kairi gasped in pain and relief as she was released and fell to the floor, her hand a bloody, mangled mass that she barely had the stomach to look at.
"Lisbeth, Silica, take her," said Asuna, "Leafa!"
"Right," said Leafa as Silica and Lisbeth knelt down beside Kairi. Asuna stood up and together with Leafa, chanted a double healing spell. Kairi's hand glowed as the spell took effect.
"Is it working?" Trillian asked.
"I think so," said Lisbeth as the spell ended. She and Silica helped Kairi stand up and everyone looked at Kairi's hand. At first the hand looked healed, but closer inspection revealed heavy bruising, while the hand also had a significant tremble.
"It's only partly healed," said Leafa in a downcast tone.
"At least it's whole," said Asuna, "I'd say the bones and everything else that makes up a hand looks like they're all where they should be."
"But it's shaking," said Silica, "and Kairi, you look like it still hurts."
"It does," said Kairi as she tried to move her fingers, wincing as she could only make them bend a fraction of an inch.
At that everyone heard DiDe laughing as the demonic A.I. appeared before them, "well done, Kairi, well done indeed. You've won the first round and saved one of your friends, well done."
"You're gonna die, cyber demon!" shouted Felix as he hefted his javelin and threw it at DiDe. Yet the creature merely raised her hand and caused the javelin to vanish before it hit her.
"Your weapons are practically useless against me," said DiDe, "so don't even bother. Oh, I forgot to mention in the rules; any attempt to heal Kairi's wounds will only be partly successful, just enough to keep her alive and functioning. It'd be a shame to let her die and end the game too soon."
"You vicious cunt!" snapped Joshua, "eat Plasmids, you fucking, bottom feeding whore!" he then aimed his left hand at DiDe and sent out a Sonic Boom blast that nearly knocked the creature over.
Joshua then used Telekinesis to levitate the table and vise to into the air and threw it at her. DiDe barely dodged the table, vanishing as the table and vise continued onto in the air and shattered into crystal polygons when it hit the wall.
"My creators did warn me that you and yours had special abilities," said DiDe after rematerializing in front of our heroes, "though they neglected just how powerful you are. Nevertheless, this is still my house and I have the advantage."
"Wanna test that advantage?" Joshua asked as flames licked his hand yet didn't burn him, "I may not be able to change Plasmids and Gene Tonics anymore, but I'm sure what I've got is enough."
"Another time perhaps," said DiDe, "I've got to set up the next round of the game," she then looked at Kairi, "you think crushing your hand was unbearable? Just you wait! I'll have you begging for death before the game is over!"
"I'll never beg!" snapped Kairi as Asuna and Leafa used some clean cloth and small pieces of wood to splint and bandage her right hand, "you hear me!? NEVER!"
"We shall see," said DiDe as she smiled maliciously, "we shall see." With that she vanished again.
"I really don't like her," said Mercedes irately.
"You're not alone," said Joshua.
"You okay?" Kairi asked as Leafa and Asuna finished bandaging her hand.
"Aside from a headache the size of a humpback whale," said Joshua, "and being trapped in this nightmare of a place, tortured by a woman straight from hell and surrounded by…by…" he then counted Kirito, Asuna and the others, "by thirteen really, really strange people, most of whom look as if they belong in a Tolken novel, I'm doing pretty well, how about you?"
"I've been better," said Kairi as she raised her bandaged hand, "but I'll be alright. Let's go find Chrissie and the others."
"That may be more difficult than you think," said Asuna, "you can't use your right hand to fight."
"What about your left?" Kirito asked, "can you summon your Keyblade with your left hand?"
At that Kairi held out her left hand and, after a few seconds of concentration, grasped her Keyblade as it flashed into existence. She gave a few experimental swings, finding her grip awkward and her movements clumsy.
"Barely," said Kairi as she vanished her Keyblade.
"That's alright, we'll fight for you," said Trillian as she smiled confidently.
"Uh…could someone please tell me what the hell is going on?" Joshua asked, "seriously, I'd be eternally grateful if I could get even a partial explanation."
"I'd say you've earned more than that," said Kirito, "Kairi said that you and your friends are from another reality. Well, first of all, what year is it where you're from?"
"1960 A.D.," said Joshua, "why? What year is it in this world?"
"2025 A.D.," said Xenophon, "and this world," he then indicated the virtual environment, "isn't exactly our world. It's real and yet not real."
"What…is this a dream?" Joshua asked. He then laughed, "of course, it's a dream! It all makes sense now! It's a dream! Just a dream! Now all I've got to do is wake up!" he then slapped himself across the face, then again, "just got to wake up!" he slapped himself again.
"Joshua, stop that!" said Kairi as he kept slapping himself.
"Why should I? It's not like I'm hurting myself!" exclaimed Joshua, "it's not real! It's just a dream!" he slapped himself again, "it's just a dream! Just a dream!"
"This is no dream, man!" exclaimed Klien as he and Albion grabbed Joshua, "this is as close to reality as you can get without it really being real!"
"I…I…" said Joshua, "I…" he then went limp against Klien and Albion's grip, shivering as if experiencing extreme cold.
"What's wrong?!" Leafa asked.
"I…I'll be alright," said Joshua as Klien and Albion helped him sit down, "I just need," he felt his pockets, "where…where is it!? WHERE IS IT!?"
"Where's what?" asked Silica.
"My EVE!" shouted Joshua as he abruptly stood up, shoving Klien and Albion away with enough force to knock them down, "what happened to my EVE!?"
"You used your last dose back in Rapture," said Kairi.
At that Joshua looked as if he had been slapped in the face by a brick inside a sack. "Oh," he said in a deflated tone. He then franticly looked around, "Chrissie and the others, they still have some! We've got to find them!"
"We will find them!" said Kirito sternly, "but not if you're constantly freaking out!"
"I'm not freaking out," said Joshua in a calm yet strained tone, "you haven't seen me freak out yet. I've only just begun to feel the effects of ADAM withdraw. Just wait until I'm blabbering like a lunatic and start trying to kill you all. Then I'll be freaking out."
"Even if we find Chrissie and the others, they may not be able to help you," said Asuna.
"You may be right," said Kairi, "Joshua, I don't know how to explain this so you'll understand, but…in a way, this is…sort of a dream. Your mind has been connected to an…an artificial dream of sorts, one where other people can freely interact with. Your body, as well as the bodies of Chrissie and the others, they're still in the real world."
"No doubt held captive by the same assholes who trapped Kairi in the flesh in the game…I mean, in the artificial dream," said Trillian.
"An artificial dream that can be played like a game…I think I get it," said Joshua, "so what?"
"So, if your mind is here, as well as the minds of Chrissie and the others," said Kairi, "then none of you will have any of the EVE syringes on you."
"I'll bet DiDe's creators have them wherever they've got the bodies," said Mercedes.
"Well, if it's a dream yet not a dream," said Joshua, "still, how do I wake up?"
"By defeating DiDe and those who created her," said Kirito, "which would be easier if it weren't for the logout block. If only I could logout long enough to make a phone call. I know someone who may be able to help find the ones responsible."
"I think you can, papa," said Yui, "I think I've found out how DiDe's overridden the logout option."
"Can you undo it, Yui-chan?" Asuna asked.
"I think so," said Yui, "but if I do it, then DiDe's creators will know I've done it and they'll change the blocking software. If they do, I doubt I'll be able to unblock the logout again."
"What about logging back in?" Kirito asked, "will I still be able to do that?"
"Again, I think so," said Yui, "at least until they change the blocking software. I may be able to keep them from doing so for a while, so if you do go, papa, you'll have to hurry and get back in."
"What about a teleport crystal?" Silica asked, "one of us could teleport out and call for reinforcements."
"I'll do it," said Leafa, "there are at least three of the nine faerie races who would be willing to come and help."
"Alright, that's what we'll do," said Kirito, "Leafa, you teleport back to Yggdrasil City and gather as many Sylphs, Cait Siths and Slamanders as you can contact, while I make a call for help in the real world."
"You got it, Onisan," said Leafa eagerly.
"I just need a moment," said Yui as she closed her eyes in concentration, "just need to isolate the blocking code and…there!" she opened her eyes, "Logout and Teleport Block Removed!"
Kirito then brought up his menu and selected the logout option, "I'll be back soon!" he said, "hold the line for me!"
"Will do!" said Asuna, "and good luck!"
"Thanks," said Kirito as he gave his in-game wife a reassuring smile, before pressing the logout button. He then slumped and his eyes closed.
"Did he logout?" Kairi asked.
"Papa's mind is back with his body," said Yui, "but his avatar is in sleep mode. If anything were to happen to it…"
"It could be killed," said Asuna, "or, since this is Hell House, corrupted by the virus, or worse, deleted."
"You mean Kirito would have to start all over again with a new avatar and character?" Silica asked.
"Not if we can help it," said Asuna sternly, "we'll keep watch over it until he gets back!"
Just then DiDe appeared in the room, looking like she was ready to tear our heroes apart on general principal. "What in the nine circles of damnation is going on here!? I said no logging out!"
"Your rules don't apply anymore, DiDe," said Kairi smugly, "not only can we logout whenever we please, we can also teleport."
"You can't do that!" snapped DiDe.
"Yes we can," said Leafa as she held up a teleport crystal, "Teleport: Yggdrasil City!" she then vanished in a flash of light.
"WHAT! NO!" raged DiDe, "you can't do that! It's against the rules! Against my rules! My house! My rules!"
"Looks like your rules don't have much to back them up," said Mercedes, "and your house should be condemned."
"You human filth!" snapped DiDe, "you gamer scum! I'll tear into you so bad, your real world bodies will bleed!" she then glared at Kirito's idle avatar, "but first I've got to send that waste of data to the recycling bin!"
"You want to hurt Kirito-kun?" asked Asuna daringly as she drew her rapier and stood in front of Kirito's body, "you'll have to go through the rest of us!"
"Damn right!" said Kairi as she summoned her Keyblade, while the others readied their weapons.
"Your weapons are useless against me," said DiDe as her nails sharpened and elongated into claws.
"We'll still fight," said Kairi as she summoned her Keyblade with her left hand, "as best as we can."
"So come and get us, bitch," said Trillian.
"Alright," said DiDe as she smiled wickedly, "I will." She then stood there for several seconds before frowning with concern.
"What's the matter?" Klien taunted, "aren't you gonna fight us?"
"Just hold your sphincter, human!" snapped DiDe, "I'm…oh no! NO!"
"What?" Kairi asked.
"I'm not programmed for this," said an outraged DiDe as she began to hyperventilate with wrath, "I can defend myself, but I was never programmed for actual combat! Those real world idiots never programmed me for combat! Stupid turbo nerds! I'll get those dateless wonders!" with that she vanished.
"That was weird," said Albion.
"To say the least," said Kairi. She then looked at Joshua, "looks like we've got some time before the action picks up again."
"Yeah," said Joshua, "now, could someone please explain my situation? About this dream that's not a dream? And don't try to dumb it down for me. I may be going through ADAM withdraw, but I'm no idiot."
"We never took you for one," said Xenophon, "now, where to start? Let's see…what do you know about computers?"
"Not much," said Joshua, "they're big and use these big spools of magnetic tape, that's about all I know. Oh, and they use vacuum tubes. Do they still use vacuum tubes in the 21st Century?"
"This is gonna take a while," sighed Xenophon.
…The Real World…
"How could we not program DiDe for actual combat?!" exclaimed Dr. Remington.
"We would have if someone hadn't decided to activate her early!" snapped Dr. Winchester as he glared at Dr. Weatherby.
"Don't you dare blame me for this mishap!" snapped Dr. Weatherby, "we're all equally at fault for not taking into account those gamers figuring out how to logout!"
"Then we had best figure out how to keep them from doing it again!" said Dr. Remington, "and to finish DiDe's combat software, before she gets overly emotional."
"Her emotion protocols are…unstable at best," said Dr. Winchester, "again, another aspect of her rushed activation."
"We'll send her to a digital psychiatrist when this is over," said Dr. Weatherby, "now help me finish DiDe's combat software!"
But then one of the technicians walked up to and whispered into Dr. Remington's ear. "He's one his way back? Now?" he asked, at which the technician nodded.
"So, that idiot is finally coming back," said Dr. Winchester irately, "about time if you ask me."
"I can only imagine how he'll react when he sees who's with Kairi in Hell House," said Dr. Weatherby, "he'll either go berserk or have a heart attack."
"Then let's finish this before he does," said Dr. Remington, "Columbina did order us to torment Kairi, but she never specified for how long."
"We may have time yet," said Dr. Winchester, "at this rate, it'll take at least an hour to fully program DiDe for combat."
"I don't think we can wait that long," said Dr. Weatherby, "and DiDe's getting impatient as it is." He then smiled with insidious glee, "Oh…wait…wait just a moment, fellow practitioners of dark science! I have an idea."
"What kind of idea?" Dr. Remington asked cautiously.
"We may have neglected to program DiDe for combat," said Dr. Weatherby, "but we did program to make others fight for her."
"Why…yes we did, Dr. Weatherby," said a viciously grinning Dr. Winchester, "yes we did."
…Kiriyaga Residence…
"Come on, answer," said Kazuto as he stood next to his bed with his cell phone at his ear. It took him but a moment to find the card given to him by Samantha and bare few seconds to dial her hotel number. The receptionist at the front desk said that Samantha was out and didn't know when she'd be back. Kazuto gave the receptionist the message that he called and asked that Samantha call back as soon as possible.
Kazuto then tried Samantha's cell number.
"Answer!" said Kazuto as the phone rang, "damn it, answer!"
"Hello?" a voice asked in English on the other end.
"Dr. Armitage?" Kazuto asked in a startled tone, "is that…"
"You've reached the office of Dr. Samantha Armitage at the Miskatonic University Library. I'm unable to take your call at this time, so please leave your name, telephone number and email address, and I'll get back with you as soon as I can. Thank you."
Kazuto then heard the customary beep, then disconnected the call.
"She gave me her work number," said Kazuto as he looked at the card with dejected eyes, then slumped onto his bed. He looked at his Nerve Gear and was about to put it back on, when his phone rang, the caller ID stating an unknown caller.
"Hello?" He asked as he put the phone to his hear.
"Ah, young Kazuto!" said Samantha on the other end of the call, "I'm so sorry about earlier, I gave you and Asuna my work number by mistake. Here's my cell number…"
"That's okay, Dr. Armitage!" said Kazuto urgently, "this may not be appropriate, but Asuna and I, we need your help."
"Help with what?" Samantha asked in a concerned tone, "Are you alright? Are either of you in trouble?"
"Sort of," said Kazuto, "you told Asuna and me that The Night Scholars kept the world safe from the weird and bizarre, right?"
"Not exactly in those words," said Samantha, "but yes, that is generally the mission of The Night Scholars. Why? Have you and Asuna stumbled onto something weird and bizarre that could threaten the world?"
"Not the world, not yet," said Kazuto, "unless you count a mysterious group of scientists who not only have the means to digitize living people and upload them into cyberspace, hack into one of the most unhackable game systems in the world, copy human minds for experimentation and hold others against their will via Nerve Gear. Oh, there's also a demon-themed A.I. that wants to destroy a friend of mine."
There was about ten seconds of silence on the other end of the call before Samantha spoke in an intrigued yet serious tone, "start from the beginning, Kazuto, and leave no detail untouched."
…Hell House…
"And that's how the Full Dive system works," said Beatrice as she, Xenophon and Asuna finished explaining things to Joshua.
"So, while my body is back in the real world," said Joshua, "and I can't move there at all, I'm practically helpless. But in this world I can do anything I want? In this…this virtual environment?"
"Within reason," said Xenophon.
"And if someone were to take the helmet off," said Joshua, "the Nerve Gear, it'll cook my brain?"
"The only way to get you back to your body is to defeat whatever circumstances those scientists have set," said Agil.
"We got out of SAO when Kirito beat Kayaba," said Agil, "maybe beating DiDe will let you and the others out."
"We can only hope," said Kairi.
"Hope's something you're running you of, Kairi," said DiDe as she reappeared.
"You again!" snapped Mercedes, "back to make an even bigger ass of yourself?"
"I admit that our last encounter ended in a mishap," said DiDe, "one that my creators will soon correct. In the meantime," she then smiled viciously, "I have a few new friends I'd like you to play with!"
At that several Neo Shadows, Nova Shadows and Invisibles appeared in the room, all of which had what appeared to be patches of red lines in grid-like patters across their forms.
"These enhanced Pureblood Heartless will tie you over until my creators finish upgrading my software," said DiDe. She then pointed at our heroes and shouted at the creatures, "Destroy them!"
At that the enhanced Pureblood Heartless rushed at out heroes.
"Kirito-kun, hurry back, please!" said Asuna as she and the others hastily drew their weapons and fought back against the creatures.
…Radiant Garden…
"There has to be a way of getting on top of the enemy," said Leon as he, Quistis, King Mickey and Ansem stood in one of the castle rooms that had been hastly converted into a war room. For now all that was in the room was a table with a built-in hologram projector, which now displayed the many worlds of The Realms of Light and their respective orbital paths, while the images for Agrabah, Twilight Town and The Land of Dragons were replaced by spheres of black.
"Columbina and Darklight must have a strategy on which worlds they're attacking," said Leon as he looked at the holographic map.
"As far as I can tell it's completely random," said Quistis.
"What, are they just picking worlds out of a hat or something?" Leon asked.
"I'd say it's more like throwing darts at a board," said Ansem.
"It doesn't matter how they're choosing which worlds to attack," said King Mickey, "we've got to stop them before they smash open another Keyhole."
"We have to find them before they do so," said Quistis, "and we can't until they attack a world. Already we've got SeeD teams in place across The Realms of Light. They'll signal us the second anything out of the ordinary happens. It's just a question of getting reinforcements to that world before it's too late."
Just then Yvette ran into the room, "We just heard from Team Tau-39! Wonderland's under attack!"
"You wanted a chance to get there before it's too late," said Leon to Quistis, "now's your chance."
…Wonderland…Bizarre Room…
"Pathetic," said a disgusted Columbina as she walked over the corpse of a SeeD operative. Two other dead operatives lay strewn about the floor as she crossed to the other side, where Lady Darklight was examining the snoring Doorknob.
"One would think that the legendary SeeD would send agents who would put up a proper fight," said Columbina. She then looked at Lady Darklight, "then again, you are far superior to any of those mercenary scum, my dear."
"They were in my way," said Darklight in a distant tone as she bent down to look at the Doorknob closer.
"Could we hurry this up a bit?" Dio Brando asked as he lounged about on the couch, while Regina and Lady Tremaine sat at the table, waiting for a pot of tea to finish brewing. "I'm getting bored here!"
"And it's a bit crowded in this room," said Gaston as he leaned against the bookcase.
"The Keyhole is right there," said Lady Tremaine as she glared at Darklight and the Doorknob, "so smash it so we can leave this wretched little world."
"She will smash it when she is good and ready!" said Columbina irately, she then looked at Darklight, "aren't you ready yet?"
"It's not here," said Darklight as she stood up.
"What nonsense is this?!" snapped Columbina, "of course the Keyhole is here! Right where Sora locked it many moons ago!"
"Well, it's not here now," said Darklight.
"Okay, that's weird," said Dio Brando as he stood up, "Keyholes don't just up and disappear."
"Indeed they don't," said Regina as she stood up, "so what happened to it?"
"That's what I'm going to find out," said Darklight as she walked over to the table, picked up the bottle with the shrinking potion and swallowed it, shrinking down to an inch in height, then ran across the room back to the Doorknob.
"Impatient girl," said a Columbina in a disapproving yet proud tone, "how eager she is to drown this world in darkness."
"She could have at least included us in her plan," said Lady Tremaine as she examined the potion bottle, holding it upside down and nothing came out, "she took it all."
"There are other ways to reduce a person in size," said Regina. She then cast a spell.
"Now wait just a damn minute!" snapped Gaston as he, Dio Brando, Regina, Lady Tremaine and Columbina were shrunk.
"Well, that's that then," said Columbina, "low let's find out about that Keyhole."
"I never volunteered for this!" snapped Gaston.
"Well, you're in it now," said Dio Brando, "or rather, down." He then laughed at his own pun.
"Whatever," said Regina, "let's just go."
They then walked over to the Doorknob, where Lady Darklight was irately questioning the living, drowsy object.
"Wake up, you hunk of scrap!" snapped Darklight, "I've got questions and you'll answer them, whether you like it or not!"
The Doorknob yawned and opened his eyes slightly, "I told you…already," mumbled the Doorknob, "I'm not the Keyhole anymore."
"I know that, you recycled reject!" spat Darklight, "but where is it!? How'd it move and who moved it?!"
"Not who…more like…zzzzz…more like a what," muttered The Doorknob, he then closed his eyes and started snoring again.
"Okay then, what moved it?" Columbina asked.
"Answer me before I take this and beat it out of you!" snapped Darklight as she summoned her black Keyblade.
"You'd better talk, little guy," said Dio Brando, "she means business."
"The…the Cheshire Cat," said the Doorknob as he fell asleep again.
"The Cheshire Cat," said Columbina, "well, then, let's go see this cat about a Keyhole."
"And if he won't talk, we'll find out just how many ways we can skin a cat," said Gaston.
"I beg your pardon!" snapped Lady Tremaine, "you shall not harm one whisker on this cat!"
"Oh really?" asked Gaston, "why not?"
"Because I am in need of a new cat," said Lady Tremaine, "there's been a hollow feeling within my heart ever since my dear Lucifer passed away."
"And you want to keep the Cheshire Cat for yourself?" Regina asked, "that…may not work out."
"Why not?" Lady Tremaine asked, "a cat is a cat."
"Not this cat," said Regina.
"We shall see," said Lady Tremaine.
The assembled villains passed through the opening near the Doorknob and found themselves at the Queen's Castle, where The Queen of Hearts and over a hundred Card Soldiers waited, while next to The Queen of Hearts stood timidly the White Rabbit.
"Well, well, well," said The Queen of Hearts as she glared at Columbina and the other villains, "what have we here? Intruders after my heart."
"Uh…your majesty?" said The White Rabbit, "that's not why they're here. Those SeeD operatives…"
"They're here after my heart because I say they're here after my heart!" snapped The Queen of Hearts, "and after my super secret tart recipe."
"What?" asked Darklight, "what are you talking about? I don't want your heart, and I certainly don't want your tart recipe!"
"Of course you're after my recipe and heart," said The Queen of Hearts smugly, "why else would you come to Wonderland?"
"Lady, we don't have time for this," said Dio Brando, "THE WORLD!"
Reality changed color like a photo negative for an instant and everything save for Dio Brando froze.
"Time has been stopped," said the vile Stand User as he drew out dozens of knives and threw them at the Card Soldiers, the knives freezing in place just before they hit the helpless minions.
"All too easy," said Dio Brando. He then released time, causing the Card Soldiers to cry out in agony as the knives hit them, felling them like the decks of playing cards they were.
"So much for your army," said Columbina as she looked at The Queen of Hearts, "now, where is The Cheshire Cat?"
At that The Queen of Hearts fainted.
"Oh my goodness!" exclaimed the White Rabbit as he ran up to the unconscious Queen of Hearts and began fanning her with a handkerchief.
"This is asinine," said an impatient Gaston.
"I agree," said Lady Tremaine. She then grabbed The White Rabbit by the ears and lifted him up, earning a yelp from him. Tremaine then tossed the White Rabbit by the ears to Darklight, whom caught him by the ears
"We can do this the easy way or the hard way," said Darklight as she glared at The White Rabbit, who struggled to break free yet her grip was too tight.
"What do you want from me?!" wailed the White Rabbit.
"I want you to tell me where the damn Cheshire Cat is! That's what!" yelled Darklight.
"Well, if I'm in such demand, then I had better make an appearance, now would I?"
Right there, hovering in front of Darklight, as if leaning against a wall, was the Cheshire Cat, grinning his usual grin.
"You sure you want that for a pet?" asked Gaston to Lady Tremaine as he pointed at the Cheshire Cat.
"On second thought, not," said Lady Tremaine as she looked at the creature with disturbed eyes.
"We'll take you to a pet shop if you so desire later," said Regina.
"So, we meet at last," said Darklight as she dropped the White Rabbit, whom landed in a heap on the ground.
"Run away!" shouted the White Rabbit, "run away!" with that he dashed out of the area.
"Poor White Rabbit," said the Cheshire Cat, "always rushing somewhere." He then looked at Darklight as he slid to the ground on a pole that wasn't there, "now, you were saying?"
"I said we meet at last," said Darklight, "now, you're going to tell me what I want to know?"
"Want to know what?" asked the Cheshire Cat as he sat on his front paws with his hind paws in the air.
"Where the Keyhole is!" said Darklight.
"Alright, where is the Keyhole?" asked the Cheshire Cat.
"That's what I want to know, damnit!" snapped Darklight.
"We're not in the mood for your nonsense games, you feline fop!" snapped Columbina, "tell us where you relocated the Keyhole and we'll let you keep a few of your nine lives!"
"What makes you think I moved the Keyhole?" asked the Cheshire Cat, "if it's anywhere, try that narcoleptic Doorknob."
"We did and he pointed us towards you," said Darklight in an impatient tone.
"And here I thought he didn't have hands," said the Cheshire Cat. He then vanished, then appeared atop Gaston's head, "oh, by the way, I did move it."
"Get off my head, you dust rag!" snapped Gaston as he grabbed at the Cheshire Cat, only for his hands to grasp empty air.
"Since you're so interested in the Keyhole, I'll tell you where it is," said The Cheshire Cat as he appeared with his head upside down in front of Darklight.
"I…you will?" a surprised Darklight asked.
"Of course," said the Cheshire Cat, "though, you may not like what you'll find."
"We'll deal with that when the time comes," said Columbina, "now where is the blasted Keyhole?!"
"It's right through there," said the Cheshire cat as he pointed with his tail towards the Lotus Forest, "once you're in, you walk ten paces this way," he pointed left with his right paw while looking left, "then fifteen paces that way," he pointed right with his left paw while looking down, "and then five paces this a way," he then pointed with eight hands in different directions.
"Uh…thanks, I guess," said a confused Dio Brando.
"My pleasure," said the Cheshire Cat as he waved his tail over himself, vanishing in the process.
"Just a moment!" called Regina.
"Yes?" the Cheshire Cat asked as he waved his tail the other way, bringing his vanished parts back.
"I assume you know what we want with the Keyhole," said Regina, "but why…?"
"Why would I help you?" the Cheshire Cat asked, "why wouldn't I? Life is one big surprise after another, and I'm just full of them!" he then vanished, leaving only his laughing grin behind for a few seconds before that too vanished.
"What a strange creature," said Lady Tremaine.
"This whole world is strange," said Columbina, "the cosmos will be better off without it. Now let's smash that Keyhole."
With that the villains entered the Lotus Forest, where, surrounded by large trees, flowers, mushrooms and other plants, found themselves lost within minutes.
"What is with this world!?" exclaimed Gaston, "We're lost!"
"You're not lost," said Yuffie as she leaned against a branch overhead, "you're in Wonderland!"
"What the hell are you doing up there!?" snapped Darklight.
"Looking down at a bunch of losers," said Yuffie. She then gracefully flipped off of the branch and landed lightly on the ground.
"Impressive," said Columbina dryly, "but foolish. If you wish to impede our purpose here, then…"
"Impede? What does that mean?" asked Yuffie.
"It means you intend to stand in our way," said Regina.
"Oh, well why didn't you say so?" Yuffie asked as she walked in front of Darklight, "yeah, I'm aiming to stand in your way."
"Then get the hell out of it before I slice you in half," said Darklight as she summoned her black Keyblade.
"Whoa, now that's what I call a badass Keyblade," said an impressed Yuffie.
"Do all ninjas have a death wish?" Columbina asked, "stand aside, child, if you wish to remain among the living any longer!"
"Sorry, no can do," said Yuffie, "you guys want to smash open this world's Keyhole, so I'm here to stop you."
"You do have a death wish!" laughed Dio Brando, "I don't know which is sadder, your bravery or stupidity."
"What do you hope to accomplish alone, child?" Columbina, "do you truly believe you can deter our purpose all by yourself?"
"Lady, I could slap you all silly with one hand tied behind my back," said Yuffie, "as for stopping you by myself, that's a whole other kettle of fish. Which is why I didn't come here alone."
Just then King Mickey jumped out from hiding, his gold Keyblade flashing into existence, as he leapt at Darklight. The dark Princess got her black Keyblade up in time to block The King's attack and the two of them began a furious duel.
"Ha! What a pathetic display of defiance!" said Columbina as she and the others watched the battle between Darklight and The King, "not even Sora and the other Keyblade Wielders could stand against the might of a Princess of Dark!"
"They were just Keyblade Wielders," said Regina, "remember, that mouse is a Keyblade Master."
"I don't get the difference," said Gaston, "so let's just vaporize the little rodent once and for all." He then aimed his hands at The King and powered up his destruction beams.
"Don't move, dirt bagt!" shouted Yuna as she flew in front of Gaston's face with her pistols aimed at his eyes.
"You again!" snapped Gaston. He then grabbed Yuna with one hand in a grip that threatened to kill her in seconds, "I'm gonna crush you like the bug you are!"
"That's my girlfriend from another life, you prick!" shouted Tidus as he ran into the area and cut off Gaston's arm at the elbow with his longsword, while Wakka ran in and threw his Blitzball at Dio Brando.
Yuna fell to the ground but was caught by Rikku and Paine, while Selphie rushed in and bashed Lady Tremaine on the head with her nunchaku.
"Well…isn't this unexpected," said Regina as the area erupted into an out of control melee between the forces of light and dark, "and quite entertaining if I may say so."
"Well, if you're so entertained, why don't you get more involved?" asked Columbina, "do something to help!" she indicated the duel between King Mickey and Darklight, in which The King had the twisted Princess on the defensive.
"She's your creation, you help her," said Regina, "then again, I am in the mood to act, so I will!" with that she cast a spell that sent out a wave of dark purple magic that sapped the energy of Tidus, Selphie, Wakka, Yuffie and the Gullwings, while leaving the villains unharmed.
Yet King Mickey was still fighting Darklight, only now he was wearing Darklight down to the point that a few more moves and he'd win.
"I said help her, not the others!" snapped Columbina.
"I did," said Regina as she confidently crossed her arms, "just not how you wanted me to."
At that Gaston and Lady Tremaine fired their respective dark attacks at King Mickey, whom was forced to block with his Keyblade. This allowed Darklight time to recover and attack, landing several solid hit son The King that knocked him back several paces, then delivered a more powerful swing that knocked The King into a nearby pool of water and dismissing his Keyblade in the process.
"Now leave me alone so I can work!" snapped Darklight as she resumed her search for the Keyhole.
"You!" shouted Tidus at Regina as he and the others tried to get back up, "I thought we had a truce!"
"Not anymore we don't, man," groaned Wakka.
"Why, Regina?" asked King Mickey as he struggled out of the water but found that his right arm was broken, "why are you working with Columbia? I thought you were different, different from Maleficent."
"I am different," said Regina, "and it suits my own means to side with Columbina."
"Oh, here it is," said Darklight as she stood in front of a tree stump. With one swing of her dark Keyblade, she cut the stump in half, revealing the Keyhole.
"Now why would that wretched Cheshire Cat put the Keyhole there?" asked Lady Tremaine.
"Who knows," said Dio Brando as he brushed some dirt off of his shoulder, "let's just smash it so we can get out of this crazy world already."
"I'll smash it when I'm good and ready," said Darklight, "and that time is now."
"NO! DON'T!" shouted King Mickey, yet his cry went unheard as Darklight aimed and fired a beam of dark magic from her black Keyblade. The beam hit the Keyhole, causing it to pulse with dark purple energy.
"Someone stop her!" shouted Paine as the Keyhole began to crack.
"I would but I can barely move!" said Rikku.
"Just a little more," said Darklight as more and more cracks appeared in the Keyhole.
"Stop it!" shouted Yuna as she aimed and fired one of her pistols at Darklight, just as the stopped her beam and lowered her Keyblade. The bullet hit Darklight in the shoulder and caused her to nearly fall over as blood began to drip from the wound.
"You! You shot me!" shouted Darklight as the ground began to shake, "I'm going to…"
That's as far as Darklight got as the Keyhole exploded and a towering fountain of darkness rose up, from which poured a seemingly endless hoard of Pureblood Heartless.
"Oh come on," moaned Selphie as Yuffie helped her up.
"Marines, we are leaving!" shouted Tidus as he helped Wakka get up, then picked up all three Gullwings.
"Take a good look, Mickey Mouse!" shouted Columbina as she and the other villains shielded themselves form the rising tide of darkness that began to sweep across Wonderland, "Four worlds have been drowned and eight to go, and just you wait, for we are saving your precious Disney Castle for last!"
"No, I'm saving Radiant Garden for last," said Darklight.
"I thought we were going to destroy the rodent's world last," said Dio Brando.
"I changed my mind," said Darklight, "we're saving Radiant Garden for last."
"It doesn't matter," said Columbina, "for in the end, all of The Realms of Light shall succumb to darkness!"
"Never!" shouted King Mickey as he summoned a portal, which Tidus, Yuffie and the others retreated through, "We'll find a way to stop you once and for all!"
"Perhaps," said Columba, "but you failed today, and that's all that matters!" she then laughed like the vile villainess she was as The King, a mixed look of defiance and sorrowful defeat on his face, ran through the portal and closed it before it was engulfed by the surge of darkness.
The End of Chapter 6.
Next chapter Kairi facing an even more torturous game as she fights to save her friends from Rapture. Reviews will be rewarded with cake and pie. See you then!