Lines Between
Hope and her friends had returned to the Excalibur and began to explain what had happened at Dangerous Bayou to her father.
"So, what happen to that fake prince," Hope asked.
"The fake prince turned out to be Prince Naveen's valet, Lawrence," said her father. "Don't worry about him, he's in jail now, arrested for impersonating."
"What about this shadow we saw?" Rex asked.
Sora's face turned grim. "Yes, that I more troubling," he said. "This shadow… if Toodles' description of it is correct then I might now who or what it is."
"Hang on, are you saying you've seen this thing before," said Frank.
"A long time ago," said Sora. "He called himself the Dark One and by all records it or he is a very dark entity."
"If what Doctor Facilier said is true then he is trapped in the Realm of Darkness without a body of his own," said Frank
"Yes, but from what Hope witness he's still very powerful," said Rex.
"Yes, I got that impression when I fought him years ago," said Sora. "Clearly it is him how is in charge not Rattus. This makes finding Rattus' back a priority."
"But we don't know where to look," said Hope.
"Neither do I," said Sora sadly. "Riku, Roxas and even Master Yen Sid are having difficulty trying to find it."
"Hang on, Yen Sid, one of seven most powerful sorcerers is having problems with finding Rattus," said Frank.
"Which means this Dark One is no laughing matter," said Sora. "Never the less you did great work at Dangerous Bayou. Hopefully without the Shadow Man things should calm down now."
"Do have any advice on what to do?" Hope asked hopefully.
"I'm afraid not," said Sora. "All I can suggest is keep following the Keybalde and let it be your guide. Good luck."
Then the screen went blank.
"You know, for once I wish he just had a straight answer," said Frank.
"You and me both," Hope muttered.
"Anyway, Toodles had managed to repair the ship and I've made a few upgrades," said Frank joyously. "Those blighters shouldn't give us anymore trouble."
"Famous last words," said Rex.
"Hey, if I wasn't here the two of you would be blown to pieces before you reached Hogwarts," Frank pointed out.
"Indeed, you never fail to remind us of that," said Rex.
"Anyway, I've also come up plans for a new Keyblade Mod," said Frank tossing Hope the new mod. "It's called the Heart Cannon. Basically you'll change your Keybalde into a cannon with enough impact to blow away your army of Heartless or anything else large."
"Something tells me we might need it," said Hope as she attached the mod.
"Alert, enemy hostiles incoming," said Toodles.
"Battle stations!" Frank yelled.
At once they all took their places and began battling the oncoming Heartless ships. It was as large as the previous one, but thanks to the upgrades Frank had installed based on much better chance.
They now had missiles that dealt a devastating blow to their cruisers, their shields were three times as strong as they were before and their lasers were strong enough to blast through their shields.
In no time at all they were able to repel the enemy forces until they had no choice but to retreat.
"That was fun," said Frank.
"They're not gonna give up that easily," said Rex.
"At least will give them pause," said Frank. He then looked up onto the monitor. "Ah, looks like a new world is coming into view."
Hope looked up and saw on the monitor world coming into view. On one side there was a dark dank fortress and on the other was a sparkling castle.
"This world is known as Far Far Away," said Toodles.
"I've been there before last year," said Rex. "Had some troubles with the Lord who wanted to marry a princess. The only thing was the princess fell in love with an ogre surprisingly enough."
"Wait, a princess fell in love with an ogre?" said Frank.
"Love works in mysterious ways," said Rex.
"What is this world like?" Hope asked.
"It's basically a fairy-tale world," said Rex. "You've probably had their names before, Cinderella, Snow White and so forth."
"Sounds like a strange world," said Hope.
"Well, considering that a princess and a got married ogre I would say that's a fair assumption," said Rex. "Shrek the fearsome ogre of the land and Princess Fiona I doubt anyone saw that coming."
"I don't doubt it," said Frank. "I mean I've heard of strange marriages, but a human princess and an ogre is a new one."
"Funnily enough, Princess Fiona had a curse put on her that made her human by day and an ogre at night," said Rex. "Only true loves kiss can break it and then she'll take true loves form."
"Wait, are you saying the princess is now an ogre," said Hope.
"Pretty much," said Rex.
"I'd like to meet this Shrek," said Frank.
"Shrek?" said Toodles. "I just got two separate transmissions by that name and neither of them were ogres. One transmission is from the kingdom capital informing of a ball in honour of Prince Shrek and Princess Fiona. However, another transmission showed a human man riding a white steed, with a cat wearing boots, being arrested by order of Fairy Godmother claiming to have the same name. The transmissions were broadcasted at the exact same time."
"Do you make of this?" Frank asked looking at Rex.
"I don't know," said Rex. He then looked up at Toodles. "What's the personality of the Shrek present in the grand ball?"
"The best description would be that he is acting as a playboy and acting as if he is the centre of attention," said Toodles.
"That's not the Shrek I know," said Rex.
"So do you think the same thing with Naveen?" Hope asked.
"Quite possibly," said Rex. "Before we do anything else with best head straight to that prison."
"You got it," said Frank.
Far Far Away: Far Away Prison
Soon the three of them landed on the fortress and it looked dreadfully grim. In the distance they could see the castle and saw fireworks shooting up into the sky.
"Toodles got as close to their cell," said Frank.
"Then we better hurry and find them," said Rex.
"Hey! Who are you?" said a voice.
They turned and saw several guards running towards them.
"So much for secrecy," said Hope.
"We'll have to make this quick," said Rex.
The guards drew their swords and the three of them drew their weapons. The battle didn't last that long both Hope and Rex disarmed the guards and knocked them out, while Frank blasted them with his blasters.
"You know, maybe we should've let one conscious so he could tell us where they are," said Frank.
"Shh," said Hope. "I think I hear someone."
Rex and Frank listened up and indeed they could hear talking not too far away.
"Let me go!" yelled a desperate voice. "What about my right to remain silent! You're supposed to say I have the right to remain silent! Nobody said I had the right to remain silent!"
"I know that voice," said Rex. "It's Donkey."
Then they had another voice, this one sounding grouchy and gentle at the same time. "Donkey, you have the right to remain silent! What you racket capacity."
"Yep, that's Shrek," said Rex.
"The sounds are coming from over there," said Frank gesturing to a grate in the four.
They wandered over to the grate and peered down it. There they saw free figures chained to the wall. One was a white steed, one a ginger cat wearing boots and the last one a handsome young man.
"I most hold on before I too go completely totally mad," said the cat.
"Shrek? Donkey?" said Rex.
The three then looked up and saw them, but the cat looked even more miserable now.
"Too late," he groaned.
"Rex! Is that you?" said Shrek.
"Yeah, it's me and I've brought a few friends with me," said Rex.
"Well, get us out of here," said Shrek.
Rex looked at Frank. "Can you get through the grating?" he asked.
"Do you have to ask," said Frank smiling. He then pulled out one of his grenades and tired it to the grating. He then removed the pin. "Fire in the hole!"
The three of them quickly backed away from the grating and a few second later there was an explosion.
"Your turn Hope," said Rex.
Hope nodded and ran over to the hole and somersaulted into it. She then landed perfectly on her feet and pulled out her Keyblade.
"Hold still," she said.
She then fired a beam at one of the locks on Shrek's hands and did to the same to the others. However, poor Donkey was handing upside down and landed with a great thud the floor.
"Ow," he said.
Soon Rex and Frank jumped through the hole to join them.
"Who are you friends?" Shrek asked as rubbed his wrists.
"I'm Hope and this is Frank," said Hope. "And any friend of Rex is a friend of mine."
"And we are very grateful for your rescue," said the cat as he bowed and eyed Hope at the same time. "Puss in Boots at your service, m'lady."
"Charmed," said Hope.
"Shrek, you mind explain what happened," said Rex.
"Well, you see Fiona's mum and dad had sent for her and Shrek to come to the kingdom so that Shrek here could get their blessing," Donkey explained.
"I think I understand what has happened," said Rex. "I take it they didn't like the match."
"Well, Fiona's mum was all right about, but her dad not so much," said Shrek. He then looked at Puss. "He even sent so far to hire someone to kill me."
"Okay, but how come you're human, because Rex said you were an ogre," said Frank.
"I am, use I went to the Fairy Godmother to get my hands on a potion, but when she wouldn't help we stole one from her vaults," Shrek explained. "Both me and Donkey drank it and you can see the end result also it has turned Fiona into human."
"Okay, but why you in jail and how come there's another bloke pretending to be you?" Frank asked.
"That's Prince Charming, Fairy Godmother's son, and she blackmailed Fiona's father into giving a potion now make her fall in love to the first person she kisses," Shrek explained.
"Okay, and let me guess you saw another person, a rat?" said Rex.
"Yes, he would be any chance the same one you're after," said Shrek.
"Yes, that's him," said Rex darkly.
"When there was someone else with them, but I can tell that was they wearing a cloak," said Shrek.
"If Fiona kisses him then he practically has control of the kingdom," said Hope.
"And I'm willing to bet that Rattus is planning onto bump of mummy and daddy," said Frank.
"We have to stop that kiss," said Shrek.
"I thought you were going to let her go," said Donkey.
"I was, but I can't do this to Fiona," said Shrek.
"Boom! That's what I like to hear, look at who's finally coming around," said Donkey.
"But impossible… we'll never get in. The castle was guarded by a moat and everything," said Puss.
"Don't worry, we can get you in," said Frank.
"What are you thinking Frank?" Rex asked.
"The direct approach," said Frank smiling.
Far Far Away: Far Away City
A few hours later they had reached the city and were now making their way to the castle. Hope was riding with Shrek and Puss on Donkey while Rex and Frank followed on foot.
"So what's the plan?" Shrek asked.
"We're gonna blow a hole right through that drawbridge," said Frank.
"And how are we going to do that?" Shrek asked.
"We're going to use that new Keyblade Mod I gave Hope," said Frank. "It should have enough to blow a hole in the drawbridge."
"But we haven't even tested it," said Hope.
"Then consider this a test run," said Frank.
"You've always jumped headfirst into trouble," said Rex rolling his eyes.
"Well, if you have a better idea I'm all open, but every second we waste brings Fiona to that blighter," said Frank.
"Can't we just teleport in?" Hope asked.
"Fairy Godmother would have put a force field around the castle by now and that'll prevent us from entering directly," said Rex.
"Just watch my back," said Hope.
"You have every faith in the, m'lady," said Puss.
They soon reached the castle and almost instantly guards from all around were surrounding them.
"Bit fast on the uptake aren't they," said Frank.
"Guys, I'm gonna need some time," said Hope.
"And we'll buy all the time you need," said Rex.
Hope nodded and summoned out her Keyblade. She then concentrated and it morphed into a large cannon, almost similar to Terra's. She could hear the fighting around her, but she was more concentrated on the drawbridge.
She began to charge the Heart Cannon and aimed carefully at the drawbridge, she may have only have one shot and she was determined to make it count. She fired and a large ball of energy headed straight towards the drawbridge and next second there was a huge explosion.
When the dust settled, Hope saw a massive hole in the drawbridge large enough for them all to enter. She also noted that she also took a bit of the battlements.
"A bit overkill, don't you think?" said Frank.
"Hey, it was your idea to use this mod without training," Hope pointed out.
"Who cares, it's given as a big enough hole to jump through," said Donkey.
"Let's go!" Shrek yelled as he mounted Donkey.
Hope and Puss climbed on to Donkey and with Rex and Frank following close behind they jumped over the moat and straight through the hole.
Far Far Away: Far Away Castle
As they ran through the corridors they heard music in the distance and realised two things. One, they will gain closer to the ball and two Prince Charming was no doubt in a perfect position to kiss Fiona.
However, before they could enter the courtyard, Armored Knights appeared out of nowhere blocking their path. Donkey was able to jump over them and Rex and Frank managed to somersault over them as well, but they began to follow them.
Then without warning Puss jumped off Donkey and play support around his sword.
"Puss?" said Shrek yelled are making to a stop.
"Go, go, your lady need you," said Puss.
"You can't beat them by yourself," said Hope.
"He won't have too," said Frank pulling out his blasters. "I'm gonna back him up. Now go you don't have much time."
Reluctantly, they carried on down the corridor. They could hear Frank and Puss fighting the Heartless, but they focused on their efforts on reaching Fiona.
They burst into the courtyard just a handsome blond, who was no doubt Prince Charming, was about to kiss a beautiful redhead woman, who had to be Princess Fiona. At the far end of the courtyard was the king and queen, Fiona's parents.
"Stop!" Shrek yelled.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and is turned to stare at them.
"Hey, you," said Shrek he said glaring at Charming. "Back away from my wife."
"Shrek?" said Fiona totally confused. She then noticed Rex next to him. "Rex?"
"It's a long story," said Rex.
"And it's about to be cut short," said Hope.
Suddenly a stout woman with wings glared at them brandishing her wand. "You couldn't go back to your swamp and leave well enough alone," she said angrily.
"And have your son during the kingdom, I think not," said Rex.
"You certainly have impeccable timing, Rexy," said a shrewd familiar voice.
They turned and saw Rattus lying on top of the piano with a glass of champagne in his hand.
"Rattus," Rex growled.
"You have certainly been a thorn in our side," said Rattus straightening himself up. "And we can no longer tolerate you or your friends."
"We will fight you and your friends any time any day," said Hope.
"Tell me, will you fight her," said Rattus smirking.
Then emerging out of the shadows was a hooded figure, but they could tell it was female. She then removed her heard and Hope saw the look of horror on Rex's face. Right in front of them was a beautiful vixen and it was at that moment that Hope realised that it was Faye Fox.
However, when Hope got a closer look at Faye's face she noticed that her blue eyes had a sort of dazed look on them.
"Faye," Rex gasped.
Then Faye did something totally surprising, she reached for sword, which happened to be a rapier, and brandish it at Rex.
"Why she doing that?" said Hope puzzled.
Rex then glared at Rattus. "What did you do to her?" he snarled.
"I simply showed her the light or is it the darkness, one can never tell," said Rattus evilly.
"Tell me what you did to her right now!" he demanded.
"I simply gave a potion that made her to obedient to me," said Rattus as he made his way towards Fay. He then placed a hand on her chin affectionately. "You see I made her to love me and she would do anything for her love. Won't you?"
"Yes, my love," said Faye.
"That's not true love," said Rex.
"What's the matter? Love is love, isn't it my dear," said Rattus looking up at Fairy Godmother.
"Indeed, I make people fall in love all the time and they never know the difference," said Fairy Godmother.
"Well, you're not making anyone for love today," said Hope.
Next second she used her Strike Raid technique and aimed it straight towards Fairy Godmother. She dodged it and Rex made a jump for her, but out of nowhere Faye blocked his attempt.
"Don't do this, Faye," said Rex.
"I must protect my love," she said.
As much as Hope wanted to help Rex, she knew that Fairy Godmother was the bigger threat. She looked up and noticed that she was brandishing her wand ready to cast a spell at them, but the blast hit in the chest sending her backwards and making her drop her wand.
Hope turned and saw both Frank, who were just used his Charge Shot, and Puss running into the courtyard.
"What do we miss?" said Frank. He then noticed Rex and Faye fighting one another. "Is that Faye? Why is she fighting Rex?"
"It's a long story and right now we need to stop up and getting that warned," said Hope gesturing to Fairy Godmother, who are just recovered.
Fairy Godmother then made a dash for her wand and Shrek did the same.
"It's my!" she yelled.
However the last second Shrek knocked it out of the hand of the rent flying straight towards Donkey. Then Puss jumped onto his back and grab the wand.
Donkey and looked at her. "Pray for mercy from Puss—"
"And Donkey," Puss finished.
Fairy Godmother then turned to a son and yelled, "She taken the potion, kiss her now!"
Before anyone could stop him Charming grabbed Fiona and kissed on the lips.
"No!" Shrek yelled heartbroken as he fell to his knees.
"Looks like we win," said Rattus and looked at Faye.
Faye nodded and pulled away from Rex and joined Rattus at his side.
Everyone looked at Fiona and Charming as they broke apart. They stared at each other's eyes and Charming place to hand on her cheek and she did the same to him. Then she did something completely unexpected, she head-butted him.
Everyone gasped in shock as Charming collapsed.
"Got to admit, I didn't see that one coming," said Frank.
"Fiona?" said Shrek approaching her.
"Shrek," said Fiona smiling.
"Harold, you were supposed to give her the potion," said Fairy Godmother flying over to the king.
"Well, I suppose I gave her the wrong tea," the king shrugged.
"It appears that you have failed," said Rattus looking at Fairy Godmother.
"No, wait give me another chance," said Fairy Godmother.
"I'm sorry my dear, but the boss doesn't like failure," said Rattus and opened a Corridor of Darkness. "So long."
"Oh, no you don't," said Rex rushing over to Rattus.
However, before he could stop him Faye blasted him with a magical blast that sent him backwards. He got up in time to see the Corridor of Darkness fading away.
They were so busy that they didn't notice Charming had recovered and had made his way to Puss and Donkey.
"Mummy!" he yelled grabbing the wand from Puss and tossing it to his mother.
"Mummy?" said Fiona.
"It's a long story," said Frank.
Fairy Godmother caught the wand and flew up into the air towering over Shrek and Fiona with rage in her eyes.
"I to you ogres… don't… live… happily ever after!" she roared.
She then sent a spell straight at them and Shrek pushed Fiona out of the way. Then out of nowhere the king jumped in-between Shrek and the spell.
"No!" he cried.
The spell hit him and bounced off his arm. The spell rebounded and hit Fairy Godmother right in the chest. At first it looked as if it had no effect, but a second later she turned into bubbles and there was nothing left of her expect her wand and glasses.
Everyone quickly turned to the king, but there was nothing left of him except his armour.
"Dad," Fiona cried lying on top of the armour.
Both Shrek and the queen confect her, but then they heard a croaked. Then they saw a frog clawing out of the armour. It was the king.
"Harold?" said the queen.
"Dad?" said Fiona.
"Is anyone else expensing Déjà vu or is it just me?" said Frank.
"No, I'm feeling it to," said Hope
"I hope you did never see me like this," said the king looking at them ashamed.
"Hey, and he gave you a hard time," said Donkey.
"Donkey," Shrek warned.
"No, he's right… I'm sorry," said the king shamefully as he looked up at Shrek and Fiona. "To both of you. I only wanted what was best for Fiona, but I can see now that she already has it. Shrek, Fiona, will you accept an old frogs apologies and my blessing."
"Harold," said the queen looking down at him.
"I'm sorry Lillian I just wish I could be the man you deserve," he said as he hopped away.
However, the queen grabbed him and pulled him closer towards her. "You're more than that man today than you ever were, warts and all," she said smiling.
The king just croaked at her happily.
Then suddenly the clock struck midnight.
"Boss! The Happily Ever After potion!" Puss yelled.
"Midnight," Shrek gasped and he quickly turned to Fiona. "Fiona, is this what you want? To be this way for ever?"
"What?" said Fiona confused.
"Because if you kiss me now we can stay like this," Shrek explained.
Fiona stared at him. "You'd do that for… me?" she said breathlessly.
"Yes," said Shrek.
Fiona just remain silent and then said to Shrek, "I want whatever princess once… to live happily ever after," she said. Shrek then leaned in for a kiss, but Fiona stopped him and smiled. "With the ogre I married."
"Now there's love like there," said Hope wiping the tears of her cheek.
Then on the final gong on the clock, Shrek, Fiona and Donkey flew up into the air glowing bright blue. Hope watched as Donkey turned into a… well, a donkey, and looked as Shrek and Fiona began to turn into ogre form.
They were both huge and green with elongated ears. Shrek himself was actually bald now. However despite their appearance, Hope could tell that they loved each other very much.
Once they landed back onto the ground, Shrek looked over at Donkey, who wasn't happy that he had reverted back to his normal self.
"Hey, you still look like a noble steed to me," said Shrek.
Donkey looked up and smiled.
Shrek then looked at Hope and her friends. "I can't thank you enough," he said and he looked at Rex. "That's two I owe you now."
"You don't owe me anything," said Rex.
"Then some free advice," said Shrek. "Don't lose heart, you and that girl of yours will find you're happily ever after."
"I suppose you should know about impossible happy endings," Rex chuckled.
Suddenly Hope's Keyblade began to glow as did Fairy Godmother's wand. The one then find a beam up into the air creating a Gate and Hope pointed her Keyblade at it. At once a beam fired from it end hitting the Gate and the all heard the sound of a lock opening. Hope felt a new surge of strength flowing into her.
"You've just learned the Reflect spell," said Rex. "It will create a force field around you and will bounce back any attack that hits it."
Hope looked at Shrek and Fiona. "We've got to go," she said.
"Sure you won't stay for the Fiesta?" Puss asked.
"We really should be going," said Hope.
"Come on, what's one little party, I think we deserve that much," said Frank.
Hope looked at Rex, who had been silent for most of the night. "Why not, I can't think of anything else they'll cheer me up," he said.
And so they joined the party joyously and had the times of their lives.