Disclaimer: The following series and characters belong to their respective corporations: Nintendo, Disney, and Square-Enix, including their respectful developers. The following characters of this fic: Kyle Nasher, Dirk Lionheart, Alana (Lana) Blade, Drew Devin, and Nived Werd belong to author Mace the Manakete in agreement to his written consent.

Nintendo. Disney. Square-Enix
Kingdom Hearts Chronicles: Vol.1
KINGDOM BLESSINGS

—CHAPTER 9—
Another Day in Hyrule

-Hyrule Land-
A world touched by myths, wonders, and legends, ruled by the King of Hyrule and his beloved daughter, the serene Princess Zelda. The princess, not only holds the secret of the Triforce, but is also one of the keys to unlock the secret the Gathered Worlds share. Unfortunately, evil is after her.

A young elvin girl, dressed up in an ancient royal garment, was seen walking down the road of South Hyrule towards a lonely house sitting at the midst. She walked up the steps and gently knocked at the door. The door opened and standing there was an elderly yet gruff man with gray beard and hair. He smiled at the girl's presence.

"Ah Princess Zelda." The man greeted, "Link has been expecting you. You came to pick him up, yes?"

"Yes Mister Smith." The girl replied, "But please call me Zelda. I'm not much into formality."

"Of course." Smith said, "Should I go get Link for you?"

"I'm already here, grandpa!" A young voice sounded from behind Smith. Smith watched his grandson, a young elvin blond boy, descending down the stairs, all ready to go in his green bonnet, tunic ensemble and brown boots.

"Wow Link! That was fast!" Smith said, "All of that time you took to get ready for the Hyrule Festival? I'm intrigued!"

"Grandpa!" Link exclaimed, "This festival is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

"Actually, that festival happens once a year." Smith said.

"Oh! Mister Smith!" Zelda giggled nervously, "Didn't Link tell you?"

Smith faced Zelda, "Tell me what?"

"Come on grandpa!" Link jumped to conclusion, "Stop worrying about me! I'm a big boy now."

"You're only thirteen." Smith exclaimed, "And what did you do now, young man?"

"Nothing…except that I registered for the Hyrule Tournament."

"What?" Smith boomed, "After what I've taught you about violence?"

Link muttered to Zelda, "I told you this would have been a bad idea telling him."

"I'm not deaf, Link. I can hear you." Grandpa Smith said sarcastically.

"Mister Smith, please! It'll be fun!" Zelda persuaded, "And we are both aware of Link's strength with the sword."

Smith turned to see Link carrying his iron sword. Link brought up a pity smile. Smith frowned, "The sword's strictly for harvesting purposes, not swordplay."

"Come on grandpa, please!" Link begged, "Please! Please! Pleeeaaase with a little sugar on top?"

"We promise we'll be good."

Both Link and Zelda looked upon Smith with blinking innocent eyes. Smith sighed, "All right. But I expect the sword to come back to me in a good shape."

Link jumped on Smith and hugged him tight. Zelda did the same.

"Thank you grandpa! You're the best!" Link said.

"Thank you for your understanding, Mister Smith!" Zelda squealed.

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! You're squishing me!" Smith exclaimed, "And you're going to be late!"

Link and Zelda jumped off Smith and together they took off for the town, like excited tykes going to recess, as they waved goodbye. Smith waved goodbye as well and yelled, "Be careful!"

"We will!" The kids yelled back.

Smith closed the door behind him and looked up the ceiling, I have a feeling these two will be up to something.

-Hyrule Field-

The magic ship landed heavily on the ground, scaring away the birds and the Octoroks who were minding their own businesses. The ship opened up and coming out of the ship are the heroes: the Blessed League. Each member was filled up in smokes and charcoal.

"Nice move, nitwit!" Donald lashed out at Bowser, "I told you NOT to touch the black button. And what do you do? You TOUCH the button!!"

"Hey! No one put a gun to your head" Bowser argued, "Besides, can't a mechanic like me be curious about technology these days?"

"Curious?" Donald hissed, "You weren't curious! And curiosity kills the cat, for quacking out loud! And you ain't a cat as I see it!"

"Of course I'm no cat! I'm King Bowser Koopa and nobody shall tell me off!" Bowser yelled.

"You know guys," Mario pointed out, "I think you two will make beautiful music together with all of that anger you harboring."

Everyone began laughing, "Yeah, tension." Kyle chuckled.

"Anger management." Dirk laughed.

Bowser and Donald looked offended, "Tension?" Bowser exclaimed.

"Anger management?" Donald exclaimed.

"ARE YOU COMPLETELY OUT OF YOUR SKULL?" Both Bowser and Donald roared.

Chip, Dale, Baby Mario and Baby Luigi popped their heads out of the ship. The quartets were all dressed as mechanical engineers, "I guess we won't be joining you all in the meantime." Chip said.

"We'll be taking care of the ship." Dale said.

"Same here." The Baby Bros. exclaimed.

"That's too bad, guys." Kyle said, "But at least we'll have someone to watch over the magic ship."

"Right, and we might need Bowser here to help out." Dale said.

Bowser looked shock, "Me? Help out?"

"Of course, Mr. Mechanic!" Dale grinned as he threw a wrench to Bowser, "And you can protect us because you're a big guy."

"You're kidding me!" Bowser argued,

"Well, Bowser." Donald patted Bowser's hard-shelled back, "You've always said you were curious about technology, so knock yourself out."

"Come on Shelly! Don't dawdle! We haven't got all day!" Chip said as he snapped his fingers in repeat, signaling Bowser to start working. Bowser, loss of words, bite his lips and went back inside the ship grumbling to himself.

Hee hee hee...

He faced the heroes who were stifling, but stopped when they saw him.

"Nobody laughs." he growled, pointing the wrench in a threatening manner before heading back inside the ship. The ship closes behind him.

Luigi looked at the surroundings of Hyrule Land, "So where are we anyway?" he said, "This place looks peaceful."

"Careful, Luigi." Dirk warned, "Whenever there's peace, there's bad stuffs."

"Are you just saying that to scare us or are you planning something?" Mario strictly stared at Dirk.

Dirk sighed, "Look guys, can we just drop this whole mess from before?"

"We can't." Donald also stared strictly at Dirk, "Even if you're the alleged Warrior of Light, it's impossible to trust you."

"I don't know about you two," Kyle said, "but if we've accepted Bowser in our team, why not do the same thing for Dirk?"

"Yeah." Goofy agreed, "and besides, he helped us back at the Empire."

Donald and Mario looked at each other, still unsure of their decision. Just before they got a chance to speak, a voice called from behind, "Do you need some help?"

The league turned around and saw Zelda and Link walking toward them.

"Err…yeah." Luigi spoke, "We're looking for three important people. Have you seen—?"

Kyle interrupted before Luigi could finish, "We're actually trying to find out how to get to the…err…"

"The city?" Link finished and the heroes took agreement. "Yes, the city."

"If you're a tourist, then welcome to Hyrule Land." Zelda greeted with a smile.

"We're pleased to see foreigners in this mythical realm." Link said.

"Gee, thanks." Kyle said.

"My name is Zelda and this is Link, my best friend." Zelda introduced.

"We were on our way to go to the Hyrule festival before noon today." Link said.

"The Hyrule festival?" Luigi asked.

"It's an annual celebration of Hyrule's independence and creation." Zelda explained, "They have foods, music, prizes..."

"They even hold a tournament where you can win the ultimate prize." Link added.

Bowser popped his head out of the ship looking interested, "A tournament? I'm there!"

"Bowser?" the yell of Chip, Dale, and the Baby Bros. were heard. Bowser formed a sad face, "Just as long as I finish the work around here."

"So, just out of curiosity, what is that ultimate prize?" Dirk asked.

"The prize is the best part." The excited Link said, "The winner gets blessed with the power of the Holy Triforce that rests inside Zelda's soul."

"Link!" Zelda exclaimed.

Link shrugged, "What? They look like trusted people."

The heroes look at each other then at Zelda and Link erratically like they saw a ghost, "Blessed?" Kyle asked.

"Oh absolutely." Link said, feeling joyful all of the sudden, "This day can't wait. My time can't wait to get that prize without backing down. That will happen only if you please get out of our way."

"Oh right!" The heroes stepped back, allowing the road for Link and Zelda. Dirk signaled the heroes to form a huddle and spoke, "Why do I get this feeling I have heard that phrase 'blessings' before?"

"Empress Minnie," Donald pointed out, "before departing, she wished us our blessings' protections."

"That voice too," Kyle said, "It warned me about the dangers our blessings are facing. 'Every soul cannot survive…'"

"'…without blessings.'" Mario finished, "Yeah, you told us about it inside the magic ship."

"Gwarsh…" Goofy began to bite his fingernails, "What do you think we should do?"

"I say let them go." Luigi proposed, "We have much to do than to worry about strangers from another world. We have to find the princess, the Emperor, and the crystals."

"But what about the King of Wales, Lana, and Drew?" Kyle argued, "We can't forget about finding out the purpose of that Keyblade I summon out. It might relate to the power of the scattered crystals we're searching for."

"But still, we have to help those who are in danger of losing their blessings." Dirk pointed out, "And I think these two kids are among these people."

"I guess you're making a point here." Donald said.

"I say let's join them in their festival." Dirk suggested and the heroes turned to face the departing Zelda and Link. Dirk yelled out to them, "Yo, guys!"

Link and Zelda turned around to face the heroes. "What do you say we check out the festival? Since we're going to the city anyway?" Dirk said.

Both Zelda and Link smiled, "That's sounds fantastic." Zelda said, "We're happy to have you all with us."

"And I would need as much challengers among you to test my skills on the tournament." Link said.

Suddenly, Bowser popped out of the magic ship again, "Test your skills? I'm there!"

Chip, Dale, and the Baby Bros. popped out of the magic ship again and shook their tiny fists at Bowser, "Come back here Bowser!" Chip and Dale exclaimed.

"You got work to do y'know!" the Baby Bros. exclaimed.

Bowser threw his wrench to the four. The babies caught the wrench midair. "I'm taking five. I'm going smashing." Bowser declared.

"You're really into this, aren't you Bowser?" Mario asked.

"Of course I am." Bowser said, "I live for brawling. That's my passion."

Luigi chortled in disbelief, "Sure."

Chip and Dale sighed, as they rest their head on the Baby Bros. small hats, "I guess it's going to be just the four of us." Chip muttered.

"Me hungry." Baby Luigi said, "Do we have goodies?"

"Hope we do." Dale said, "Because acorn three times a day is making me sick."

"Baby Mario wants candies." Baby Mario said.

-Elemental Sanctuary-

A tall figure, wearing snow white royal garments and an icicle shaped crown, waited patiently inside the Elemental Sanctuary. At the midst of the sanctuary stood the Master Sword, resting untouched and sheathed on the altar. Suddenly, a waterfall of light shot out from the sky to the ground, summoning Nergal behind the figure. The figure turned to face Nergal, revealing her identity.

Nergal gracefully bowed to her, "Ah! Empress of Charn, of the Lone Islands, and faithful Queen of the celestial land of Narnia." He greeted, "It's seems that you have missed our meeting."

"I suppose so." The figure, revealed to be Jadis the White Witch CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE, and the last member of the Dark League, did not smile. However she looked content to see Nergal's presence. "You're bringing me news, no?"

"Ah, yes." Nergal replied, "Where's your minion, Vaati?"

"I am no minion to any of you." A voice spoke behind Nergal. Nergal turned around and saw Vaati standing there. With his sorcery garments and his violet hair covering half of his face, Vaati looked mysterious and eerie. He approached Nergal and Jadis.

"Apparently, he has been in this mood ever since I spoke to him about his assignment." Jadis explained.

"Yeah, thanks for the assignment, White Witch," Vaati said, "but this is my own desire, not yours or your Dark League. The same applies to you, Nergal."

"What an arrogant wind sorcerer you are." Nergal chuckled, "At least you're sticking with your assignment."

"My assignment has been my own mission for a long time." Vaati explained, "If you want the princess's blessing, that Holy Triforce, I suggest that you go through me first. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a job to do."

Winds surrounded Vaati, and the sorcerer disappeared without a trace.

"He'll be back." Nergal said.

A smile formed on Jadis's lips, "He won't."

Coming up: Vaati is loose in Hyrule, searching for Zelda's blessing. Will Link and our heroes, the Blessed League, be able to protect her from harm throughout the Hyrule Festival? The epic continues.
NeXt ChApTeR