30 Worlds: Megaforce, Episode XIX: "The Ashes of Destiny"

BOOK ONE*CHAPTER ONE

Ten Years Ago

Yen Sid's Sanctuary Tower

World of Kingdom Hearts

Princess Scarlett of the lost kingdom of Cinnabar appeared in front of Yen Sid, who was examining the latest calculations regarding the battle against the Army of Inter-universal Chaos. "Ah, Scarlett. I was expecting you," Yen Sid said. "How goes your Chosen One?"

Scarlett smiled. "Sofia's education proceeds apace," she said. "She'll make a fine kunoichi some day." Yen Sid nodded. "I have been keeping a close eye on my Chosen One," he said. "Do you really think he will be the one who will defeat Cedric?" Scarlett said.

"Scarlett, I know you are still mourning Marcus' death, but you should know that Cedric is not the one you should really direct your anger to," Yen Sid said. "Yes, I know," Scarlett said. "That brings me to why I am here."

Yen Sid gestured for Scarlett to sit in a chair he produced in front of his desk. "There is a protocol I must arrange for you to add to those you will give William when he is of the right age to begin his quest," Scarlett said as she sat down.

"And that is?" Yen Sid asked. "I fear that due to the present circumstances, I will be unable to bear children to pass the Scarlett Warrior powers down to when my time comes," Scarlett said. "So, I will need you to enter the Phoenix Protocol into the list you are compiling."

Yen Sid knew of the Phoenix Protocol: that in the event the present holder of the Scarlett Warrior powers does not have a blood heir to pass the powers down to, the highest-ranked living member of the Cinnabar royal family must kill the current Scarlett Warrior and absorb the power.

"Do you think William will be able to carry out the Phoenix Protocol?" Yen Sid said. "I accept that William is a gentle soul who would hesitate to carry out the Phoenix Protocol," Scarlett said. "However, I also believe that by the time he will need to carry it out, William will be able to do what will need to be done."

Yen Sid gravely nodded at Scarlett, then produced a quill pen from thin air and wrote the words "Phoenix Protocol" on a list that was pegged to a nearby wall.

The Present Day

Aboard Dimensional Defense Vessel Enterprise SAV-1701-A, Conference Lounge

Arriving in the Unaligned World of NCIS

William took his normal seat at the head of the Conference Lounge table, with Sofia, Mal, Chad, Sito and Lennier taking spots around the table. A second pair of doors slid open, revealing a slender young Asian woman, holding a data pad.

"E.R.I.N. said you wanted me to attend the briefing?" the woman asked. "Yes, Io, I did," William said. "Take a seat next to Sito." Io Shinoda, the Key from the Unaligned World of Godzilla, nodded then sat down next to Sito.

"As most of you know, our last visit to the Unaligned World of NCIS had us acquiring the Grand Key components from that world: NCIS agents Dwayne Pride, Christopher LaSalle, Marilyn Brody and Sonja Percy, along with support staff members Dr. Loretta Wade, Sebastian Lund and Patton Plame," William said.

"I read the records of that mission, William," Io said. "I'm sure you did, Io," William said. "My question, though, is this: if we already have the Grand Key components from this world, why are we here now?" Io asked.

Sofia smiled at Io. "As we prepared to leave the Unaligned World of Supergirl, Io-chan, Master Yen Sid informed William and I that some of the Grand Key components have not yet reached their full potential," Sofia said. "That is why we are here: because there is an additional group of Grand Key components in this world."

Sofia tapped a control on the keypad set in front of her. "The Phoenix Foundation is a secret U.S. governmental think tank based in Los Angeles," Sofia said as the Conference Lounge lights dimmed and a holographic projection formed.

"The Phoenix Foundation is actually charged with settling high-profile incidents, such as assisting in the recent apprehension of several Chinese mercenaries who attempted to steal prototype 'smart bullets' from a secret DARPA laboratory while the lab's power was out due to a massive earthquake which knocked out power to the general area where the lab was located," Sofia continued.

"Phoenix Foundation operatives Jack Dawson Jr. and Angus 'Mac' MacGuyver assisted members of the Governor's Criminal Task Force—also known as 'Five-O'—in the apprehension while also assisting in relief and rescue efforts," Sofia finished.

With each mention of the Phoenix Foundation, William tensed. Sofia noticed it, but went on with the briefing. "We must find the Foundation's team and get them on the Enterprise before the A.I.C. notices we're here," Sofia said.

As soon as the briefing ended and the Rangers and Io were dismissed, William stood from his chair and made his way to the viewports. "William, are you all right?" Sofia asked. "Every time during the briefing when I mentioned the Phoenix Foundation, you tensed. Why?"

William did not take his eyes off the sight of Earth spinning silently in the blackness of space beyond the viewports as he talked. "Sofia, Scarlett told me something recently that I must tell you now," William said.

"I might have to kill Scarlett," William said as he turned to face Sofia . "What?!" Sofia gasped. William then described the Phoenix Protocol to Sofia. He finished the explanation by saying, "It is my duty as the last blood heir of the Cinnabar royal line to preserve the Scarlett Warrior title and powers. To do that, I have to kill Scarlett if she is compromised."

William put a hand on Sofia's trembling shoulder as he continued. "I realize that Scarlett has been your friend and mentor for far longer than I have known her or you, and I also realize the trauma of learning this information," William said. "If I don't have to do it, I won't."

Sofia nodded as tears began to fall from her eyes. "I understand, William," she said. She then took William's hand off of her shoulder and looked into William's eyes. "But I have to make sure you realize something."

"As High Commander of the Scarlett Army, I am honor-bound to ensure that Scarlett's wishes are carried out," Sofia continued. "And if those wishes include her death and your becoming the Scarlett Warrior, I must make sure that they are followed."

"So don't worry, William. I'll be there in the event you must carry out the Phoenix Protocol," Sofia finished. William smiled then kissed Sofia on the lips. "Bridge to Prince William and Princess Sofia. We have entered standard orbit and all mission preparations are complete," Sergeant Calhoun said from the Bridge.

William broke the kiss with Sofia and turned to the doors leading out to a corridor. "Rangers, report to Main Shuttlebay. Prince William to Main Shuttlebay Control. Prepare Gavan's Glory for take-off in ten minutes," William said.

"Acknowledged, Your Highness," the controller on duty said as William and Sofia exited the Conference Lounge.

::TBC::