To everyone who has been following this story, I am terribly sorry that I haven't updated since last November. It was a combination of school, forgetfulness, and writer's block. But no more! On with the story.
I will try to update every week or so.
Chapter 8: Wizards and Summons
The trio had set out that afternoon to ask Dumbledore to send message to Master Yen Sid. After explaining the situation, the Headmaster could only agree, and, as amazed as the three boys were, he sent his fiery red phoenix, Fawkes, out of the castle.
It wasn't until a few nights later that Sora had received his answer.
It was dinner time in the Great Hall, and most of the students from each house were milling about, concentrating on studies while trying to fill their mouths with whatever morsel they could find. Sora, Donald, and Goofy found themselves seated with Harry, Ron, and Hermione, discussing things such as Quidditch, complaining about the cold as the year drew deeper into November, and watching Ron try and fit another dinner roll between the other two already being chewed.
"I really don't understand how someone can eat like that," Sora said, just gazing at the red head.
"What? I'm hungry," was Ron's only response. Hermione could only roll her eyes at the Weasley brother.
A pop and a cloud of smoke, blue in color, interrupted their content discourse. With the events of Halloween still fresh in everyone's mind, wands and Keyblade were quickly drawn. Teachers from the staff table quickly made their way down to the walkway in the center of the Hall.
"Not again…" Harry stared on as the smoke began to dissipate.
"Hang on, is that…?" Sora had recognized this entrance from somewhere before.
"Ah-hyuck, it is!" Goofy exclaimed.
The smoke cleared, revealing a funny looking man in what looked like a blue gown complete with matching blue slippers and pointed hat. His resemblance to Dumbledore was uncanny, as his long, white beard stretched to the floor and his eyes stared through full-mooned spectacles. In his left hand, he carried what looked like an oversized wand.
"It's Merlin!" Cried Donald.
"Ah, hello lads! Good to see you again," Merlin greeted joyfully.
The school had ceased in shock. They could only stare on as Sora, Donald, and Goofy gathered around what appeared to be an old friend.
"Did they say 'Merlin'?" Harry asked.
Ron could only nod.
"That's impossible." Hermione whispered. "Merlin is in many history books, and he's been dead for ages."
"Well, he looks good for his age then," Ron could only joke.
Many similar conversations were now radiating throughout the Hall. Even the staff seemed too stunned to move. Save for Dumbledore.
And it was at the Headmaster's first step towards the four that Merlin noticed.
"And a salutations to you, Professor Dumbledore. I've heard many a great things about you."
"And the wizarding world has only read great things about you," was Dumbledore's only response.
"Well, I've been alive and well. I needed a vacation, and I can assure you I'm as healthy as ever. Hoo-hoo."
"Uh, Merlin?" Goofy interrupted. "Was it you who got our message?"
"Oh heavens no," Merlin laughed, "Your phoenix, as I presume," he gestured toward the Headmaster, "found its way to Master Yen Sid's. In his haste to help, he sent the King to find me. But before I go on, I believe proper introductions must be made." He finished, noticing how most of the students were paralyzed with gaping mouths.
Looking around to address the entire Hall, Merlin proudly introduced himself. "My name is Merlin. Much like the staff here, as well as some of you, I am a wizard. But I think you know this from some of the books and stories you read. Yes I am from here, but as I told Dumbledore I needed a vacation and my travels took me elsewhere. I do say it has been quite sometime since I've been to my true home."
Now it was Sora's turn to be amazed. "So this is your home world, Merlin?"
"Yes my dear boy, but now is not the time to revel in the past. We have a crisis do we not?"
Donald had chimed in before anyone else. "Yea! It's Maleficent again. She showed up here in the castle and she's been sending heartless to try and take over. It's really bad, and we've been trying to keep the students…"
"Are getting any of this?" Ron asked the other two.
Harry and Hermione shook their heads as they looked on in confusion, unable to understand anything the mage was saying.
"Hmm, it's definitely not good; in fact it's quite serious." Merlin responded once Donald had finished his rant. "So you three believe that Maleficent will try and join forces with dark wizards to fulfill her purposes?"
They nodded in agreement.
It was the first time Harry, Ron, and Hermione had heard this proclamation, and there was only one dark wizard that came to mind that seemed just as evil and powerful as Maleficent.
"Well, it does make sense that you would ask for help, Sora," Merlin started. "But you don't need any of us."
"Huh, what do you mean?"
"It is true that Master Yen Sid and the King must keep an eye on the worlds, and I am far too busy trying to help rebuild Radiant Garden, but you've had all the help in the world all along."
Sora, Donald, and Goofy could only look at each other then shrug their shoulders.
"You still have a few of your summon gems, do you not."
Sora looked at Merlin with sudden realization.
"Oh yea." He pulled out the Lamp charm which could bring the Genie. "But they can only last so long."
"Which is why I am here." Merlin responded. "Bring out the rest of your charms. Oh, I almost forgot. Here." Merlin reached into his pocket and brought out four familiar stones.
"Hey, look. Merlin still has the gems from our first journey," Sora said happily.
Indeed, Merlin had drawn out the Earthshine, Watergleam, Naturespark, and Fireglow gems.
"Yes I have kept them. A rainy day, you see. Now let's see…" Merlin started looking around. "This should do." He said, walking towards the Gryffindor table. "Might we use a little bit of space on your counter?"
The question was directed towards Harry. "Um, sure," was his only response as he looked on at the gems with great curiosity.
"Splendid. Sora, would you please lay down your charms next to the gems."
"What are you going to do?"
"Use some powerful magic of course," Merlin suggested, waving his wand. "This magic will give these charms the power to summon your friends for as long as you need. But you must be careful, while you can travel the worlds, these allies can not linger long outside of their own world. That is why they were never around for very long when you summoned them." Merlin had stated all of this as if it were ordinary to Sora, Donald, and Goofy.
"Oh, I get it," Goofy said, causing Sora and Donald to look at him. "You do?"
"Sure. With Merlin's magic, we can summon our friends for as long as we need them, and not worry about them disappearing in the middle of a battle."
"Correct Goofy. But remember, only for as long as you need them. Do not let them linger and longer than they have to."
Sora could feel excitement rising within him. He had held onto the Lamp, Baseball, Feather, and Ukulele charms for emergencies. But to see the gems from his first journey, he would be able to see friends he hadn't seen in quite a while.
"Now, just a simple spell should do it," Merlin started.
A crowd had gathered around Merlin and the other three. It was as if they had never seen magic before. Even Professor Dumbledore seemed to be intrigued.
With a wave of his wand, Merlin shouted, "Higitus Figitus!" With that, a beam of light radiated from the tip of Merlin's wand and seemed to engulf the charms on the table. Blinded briefly, Sora opened his eyes to see that all was still as it was.
"There, that should do it. But, just to make sure, we better try it out first. Sora why don't you grab one of the charms and use it."
Sora nodded and began to look at them all. It became a beauty contest to him, as he found it a little difficult to choose. He let the moment pass, and chose one of the gems that he hadn't used in over a year.
"Good, now go ahead and summon him."
Sora looked down at the gem, and clenched his hand tight. With a will from the power of light, and a shout of "Courage!" the stone burst into light that, once again, briefly blinded the students and staff. To Sora, however, he could see that he was surrounded by light with a green meadow in the center. Out of the light, a prancing buck, still with no antlers and spots on his sides, came up to Sora. The Keyblade wielder smiled wide and gave a pet to the young deer.
In what felt like a second, the light disappeared and he was back in the Great Hall. Now standing next to Sora, the students saw a baby deer, snapping his head around as he took in his surroundings.
"Hey Bambi," Sora said as he looked down, with the young buck's eyes staring back up at him.
"Well done, Sora." Merlin exclaimed. "Now, when you used any of the charms before, you could feel your magic waning, as its time was running low, correct?"
Sora had to think about that. Not once had he thought about his magic when he summoned one of his friends. But the more he thought about it, the more Merlin was right.
"Actually, yes, although it never crossed my mind."
"And how do you feel now?"
Sora again looked down at the deer, with a new sensation in his mind. His friend was not going to leave him, not until whatever needed to be done was complete.
Merlin could see the epiphany upon Sora's face. "You see, he will not disappear, until you send him back."
By now, Sora could the whispers of the students. "Aw how cute." "A deer? How is a deer going to help him." "Why didn't he bring back that blue man? He was really cool."
"Well, lads, it's time I departed. It was very nice seeing you again."
"It was good to see you too Merlin," said Goofy.
"Say hi to the Restoration Committee for us," came the mage.
"I will, and good luck!" With a pop and more smoke, the old wizard was gone.