Author's Note: This Chapter brought to you by the Gummi Postal Service. Whether you need your package delivered around the block, or on a different world, choose GPS for all your Shipping needs. Visit us at a location nearest you.
Author's Note 2: I have been a little lax in the uploading because I keep forgetting. After Christmas is over, I'll get back into a regular schedule.
Chapter XVI: The First Chaos Emerald
After defeating Hades for a third time (second for Blaster), everyone wanted to celebrate, but, just like the last two times (last time for Blaster), everything was pretty much too damaged to celebrate, and the clean-up would take at least a few months, even with Herc's help. Just as everyone was getting ready to go, a cloud appeared underneath everyone, pulling everyone back up to the top of Mount Olympus. Once again, the golden gates opened, and, much to the off-worlder's surprise, all of the god burst into applause.
"Oh, I haven't seen this much excitement since Narcisus fell in love with himself," Hermes said. He was floating next to the two thrones where Hera and Zeus sat. Immediately, he turned to his right, and, everyone except Phil, Pegasus, Meg, and Herc looked to the right to see a blue man trying to kiss his own reflection.
"That is troubling," Kairi said.
"Troubling?" Blaster replied. "To me, it's more disturbing than troubling."
All the off-world members gave a collective shudder before approaching Zeus and Hera.
"You have saved the world from Hades yet again," Zeus said. "As such, even though most of you were not trained by a hero trainer, I would like to give you all the rank of Hero."
"You mean…?" Sora asked.
"Wait, I'm…?" Blaster also stuttered, unable to finish his sentence. "We're Heroes?"
"I really can't be a Hero," Xarch said. "Same goes for Kairi. We're both women, so we would be Heroines."
"It's still better than nothing," Sora replied.
"And as such," Zeus continued, "I have one hell of a reward for all of you. A jewel of tremendous power."
In a puff of white smoke, a pedestal appeared between the Gods and the Off-worlders. Sitting atop the pedestal was a green jewel shaped like a fourteen-sided die, resting on a purple pillow. Blaster's Keyblade appeared in his hand, and it pointed at the jewel on its own. A thin beam of light emerged from the tip, engulfing the jewel in a bright light. When the light diminished, the jewel was now imbedded in Blaster's Blade, near the hilt.
"Thank you, Lord Zeus," Blaster said, bowing. The others followed suit. Zeus nodded in response then turned to his son.
"Hercules, my boy," Zeus said. "Are you sure you still want to remain on earth?"
"I am," Herc replied. "My life resides down on earth, and I will do everything possible to help the people of the Earth out."
"Then, take care, my son," Zeus replied. Another cloud was summoned under the feet of everyone who wasn't a god. "Thank you all for saving us, and the planet."
"The pleasure is all ours," Sora replied. As the Gods continued to cheer, the group descended back down to the surface. Once there, the gate to the Underworld glowed, and a Keyhole appeared on the doors. Sora brought his Keyblade up, fired a thin beam at the keyhole, and locked the Underworld forever. Well, at least the revolving door so that Hades couldn't come out every second to terrorize Hercules.
"Well, Herc," Sora said, "we have to go."
"Leaving so soon?" Phil asked. "We still have all that training to catch up on."
"Some other time," Sora replied. "Other people are calling out for our help."
"Don't you worry," Blaster said. "We'll come back some day."
"See ya soon," Donald said.
"Try not to work too hard," Goofy added.
"You too," Herc replied. "Be careful out there."
And with that, the Off-Worlders left to the Pegasus, waving as they went.
ITFITFITFITFITF
Once everyone returned to the Pegasus, Blaster summoned his Keyblade.
"Pegasus," Blaster said. "Take us out, maximum thrust, no hyperdrive."
"Acknowledged," Pegasus replied. The group then made their way to the bridge, having teleported to the transporter room. The two minute trip took them out of Olympus Coliseum space. Once on the Bridge, everyone got to their stations. Blaster, with some difficulty, withdrew the green colored gem from the shaft of his Keyblade.
"Could you do me a favor, Pegasus, and scan this gem?" Blaster asked.
"Sure can," the computer replied. "Please place the gem on the table to the right of your chair." A small platform rose from floor, stopping once it was at the same height as the arm rest. Blaster put the gem on the table, and it immediately was covered by a number of criss-crossing lasers.
"What does that do?" Sora asked.
"It is a small scanner," Blaster replied. "I can scan anything to see how powerful it is, strengths, weaknesses, and whether anything like it has been found in the database."
"I think I got something," Pegasus said.
"What is it?" Blaster asked.
"From what the readings are saying, I am guessing that this is one of those stones in that report," Pegasus replied. "The energy readings in these are similar to that of the Crux Stones."
"Crux Stones?" Riku asked.
"Long story," Blaster said. "I'll explain later."
"Energy signature is suggesting that, if this gem is used, it will cause chaos," Pegasus said.
"A Chaos Emerald," Sora said. "That would be a nice name."
"Bet it is the name," Kairi said.
"Uh, guys," Donald said, in a worried voice. Everyone turned to see Nox and Xarch sitting in a couple of chairs, both of them holding their heads. Blaster immediately walked over to his Nobody just before he gasped and let his head go.
"Crap," Xarch said, doing the same thing as Nox.
"What?" Sora asked.
"The Chasers," Xarch replied.
"What about them?" Riku asked
"They apparently have the power of revival," Nox said.
"Why?" Kairi asked.
"Because, we can sense them," Nox said.
"Who's 'them'?" Blaster asked.
"Give you one guess," Nox said.
"Organization XIII?" Goofy asked.
"Bingo," Xarch said. "I would start watching backs if I were you."
"I will," Blaster promised, gripping his Anti-Nobody revolver on his right hip. "Pegasus, take us to the next world, but don't tell us what it is until we get within 30 minutes of there."
"Course laid in," the ship replied. "Engaging Hyperdrive." The ship shot forward, causing Goofy and Donald to fall flat on their faces.
"Sora, Riku, Kairi," Blaster said, turning towards the door, "please come with me. Until I get back, Xarch has the Bridge." Blaster walked out the door to the hallway, with Sora, Riku, and Kairi following, confused at the whole thing.
ITFITFITFITFITF
In the World that Never Was, Maleficent's crew had increased to include villans including a woman in a white dress and a blue crown named Jadis, an overweight man with black boots, a red shirt under a pair of black overalls, and a mad-scientist mustache named Doctor Robotnick, and a chameleon like lizard by the name of Randall.
"So, Squid-Face, why are you standing in that bucket of water?" Randall asked, turning to Jones.
"Because, you insolent little urchin," Jones said, offended, "I cannot set foot on land but once every decade."
"If you two are going to argue," Royal Pain said, getting annoyed, "could you please do it elsewhere?"
"Who put you in charge?" Jadis asked, angrily.
"Enough!" Maleficent said, appearing to the group in a flurry of green flames. "We must leave this world."
"What for?" Robotnick asked.
"Our Nobody 'friends' have returned," Maleficent said. "My castle is still standing in Hollow Bast-…I mean, Radiant Gardens. We must retreat and regroup there."
"I will join you at a later time," Volemort said. "They seem to be headed in the direction of my world."
"Good luck, my friend," Maleficent said, nodding at the wizard. Voldemort nodded back, then turned on his heel before he disappeared with a sharp crack.
Maleficent turned to the others and watched as they all disappeared using the darkness, or climbed into Gummi Ships. Soon, the only one left at the Alter of Naught was Maleficent, and that wasn't for long. In a swirl of darkness, twelve hooded figures appeared from individual portals of darkness.
"Will the intrusions never end," one of the hooded figures said. The voice belonged to Saix, and his voice dripped with the same venom as when he said that to Maleficent before Xigbar was destroyed.
"I have no quarrel with you," Maleficent said. "I only wish to leave in peace."
"You may leave," the one at the front, Xemnas, said. "But know this. If you get in our way, we will destroy you."
"You have my word," Maleficent said. She disappeared in another flurry of Green Flames.
"Xigbar, Luxord," Xemnas said. "Make sure that no one but us can get in here." Two of the hooded figures nodded and disappeared into the corridors of darkness again. "It is time to start our quest again." He pulled his hood down and looked at the remnant edge of his Kingdom Hearts. "The universe will know that Organization XIII has returned."
(Scenes from the next chapter.)
ON THE NEXT "INTO THE FIRE": While on their way to a new planet ("The next world is approximately 30 minutes away if we drop out of hyperspace within the next 5 minutes," Pegasus said.), the crew of the Pegasus look at their past ("Nox, Xarch. Tell me, how did you end up angering one of the most powerful organizations in the universe?" Blaster asked.). But how long will it last ("We're about to get ambushed, aren't we?" Sora asked, almost monotonously.)? Tune in next week for an all new chapter of "Into the Fire." Most Fridays at 9/8c.