An adventurous spin on Kingdom Hearts, a different story but with familiar characters, as a new character takes Sora's place. In this story, we join the intuitive little cartoon known as Shiro, as she finds herself sailing the Seas of Starts in search of her friends, Riku & Kairi. Joining her are the Looniest Toons of the Steampunk City - Acme Acres. All of which are on their own quest to find their King, Bugs Bunny.
An adventurous AU where Disney properties are instead replaced by Warner Brother properties, and more & more video game characters'll be taking a small cameo alongside the Square Enix cast. Another story where you'll never know just what characters to expect.
A new adventure is beyond the horizon.
Our story continues from the zany clockwork realm of Acme Acres, to the mysterious sands of the Kismet Winds. A new day dawns as the harbor is busier than ever before. Many ships were anchored…but one ship stands taller than all of them.
A majestic galleon with wings. Property of the Captain who wishes to make it fly someday…a blonde-haired boy by the name of…Vaan. The astute, young Captain of the Revenant Wings.
As the Captain watches his crew load up the cargo, he kept his eyes peeled on the very gates of the Kismet Winds. And then…he sees them. Riku and Shiro rushing to the harbor.
With a smirk on his face, the Captain leaped off the mast and approached the silver-haired boy and his loose cannon of a rabbit.
"Ah, Riku! Shiro! Glad you two could make it." Vaan says as he looked to the two who were CLEARLY out of breath.
"You…*pant* *pant* don't understand how I would…*pant* *pant* NEVER miss this for the world." Riku asserts, earning a smirk from the Captain.
"You've got moxie, Riku. I'm sure someday, you'll make a great Adventurer. Now then…our payment?" Vaan requests as he holds out his hand.
"Shiro." Riku says. The rabbit nods in understanding as she took out her Gag Bag.
"ALRIGHT! Hmmmmm, let's see here…" Shiro says as she rummages through her Gag Bag…clearly KNOWINGLY wasting everyone's precious time. She takes out all sorts of junk like bear traps, salmon, a rubber chicken, even an anvil. Until finally…
"AhhhhHA!" Shiro exclaims….as she took out a swordfish, making Vaan look at the rabbit in awe." Oopsie! Went fishing the other day, hehe!" She giggles as she throws the fish into the sea.
"Does she…"
"Yes. Every day." Riku says bluntly before Vaan could even finish. FINALLY…
"THERE WE GO!" Shiro exclaims as she FINALLY takes from her Gag Bag…the Ultima Blade. "A shiny blade for a shiny Pirate!" She says with a cheeky grin.
"Ahhh, perfect! We've been apart for FAR too long, old friend. NOW, I can dominate the Kismet Seas once more! And you two? You're all set to board." Vaan confirms.
"YEAH/HELL YEAH!" Riku and Shiro cheered as they gave each other a high five.
"CAPTAIN!" A voice calls out from the ship. Resting on the ship railing is a man with sandy-blonde hair wielding a shotgun behind his back. It was the Chief Gunner and one of Vaan's trusted Commanders, Balthier.
"We're just about set loading the ship up. Your call to get this show on the road!" Balthier reports.
"Tell the crew to get ready to set sail. The sooner we reach Babylon, the better." Vaan says as Balthier salutes. The Captain's glance soon turns to Riku and Shiro.
"And right on time, too. Better hurry up and climb aboard before we forget ya!" Vaan says as he soon walks up the gangplank to his own ship. Soon, the boy and the rabbit looked at each other with a smirk.
"Tower of Babel?" Shiro asks.
"Tower of Babel." Riku asserts. Their journey of a lifetime is about to begin. Soon enough, the two walked up the gankplank. Until…
"RIKU!" A voice calls out from afar. A voice…familiar to Riku.
"I…uh…don't wanna alarm you, chum, but uh…there's a leather bag barrelin' our way." Shiro whispers as Riku and the rabbit indeed sees a small figure running towards them, shrouded under a leather robe.
Soon, as the figure makes her way to the duo…Riku got a closer look at the figure.
"Princess?" Riku asks. This made Shiro look back at the boy…and then the girl…frantically.
"WaitwaitwaitwaitWAAAAAIT….Princess? As in…red hair? Blue eyes? Y'know…THAT Princess?" Shiro asks in bewilderment earning a chuckle from Riku.
"We had a bit of a run-in while I was trying to find the vault." Riku answers as Kairi looks to the hooded toon.
"And I suppose that makes you Shiro? It truly is nice to meet you. Although, I never expected Riku's friend to be so…small." Kairi confessed,
"I would show ya that I'd be a liiiiitle taller, but I don't think you're ready to see that just yet." Shiro says…as she blinks to the audience.
"Truthfully, what I didn't expect was you actually going through with this. It'll be a long journey, and who knows how much chaos the Kingdom'll be in when they find out you're gone." Riku explains.
"I'll give the whole chaos thing maybe…5 days. Father doesn't quite…pay attention to me to really care whether or not I'm gone. You can say…the only reason he wants me around is for social gatherings." Kairi says, sadly.
"Aww, c'mon, Princess! You're sayin' all this like bein' royalty ain't a dream come true!" Shiro asks. Kairi, meanwhile, lowers her head.
"A dream come true. At the price of staying under my father's shadow? No. I've grown tired of feeling like I'm nothing more than a trophy on a shelf. Rotting, and rusting…when there's a whole world out there just waiting to be explored. This time…I'm going to follow my heart, and explore just what life has to offer." Kairi asserts as Riku and Shiro looks at their new friend in awe.
"Kairi…" Riku couldn't help but say.
"That tiger's got claws…" Shiro says in awe.
"Hey, hey, hey, hold on there." Vaan interrupts as he stops the trio as they climb up the gangplank. "I thought you told me it was just you and your little friend, there." He says to Riku.
"Well…plans DO change." Riku retorts. The Captain pinches the bridge of his nose in frustration.
"Riku, c'mon. Work with me, here. I run a voyage, not a daycare. If this girl wants to join this voyage, she's gonna have to pay…extra…" Vaan says as he soon looked in awe as he looked closer at the figure shrouded under the hood. "Princess?"
"Truly an honor to meet a true terror of the seas, Captain Vaan." Kairi says, bashfully.
"I'm…not sure WHY you want to join us, but…since you're the Princess, you're practically loaded with any treasure I'd want. I'll give you a pass." Vaan sighs earning a soft cheer from Shiro.
"Thank you, Captain." Kairi bows as she passed the boys and the toon and made her way to the ship. Meanwhile, the Captain could only look at Riku in surprise.
"How did you-" Vaan starts but was interrupted by both Shiro and Riku.
"I/He ran into her in the palace." They say in unison. With a simple blink, the Captain of the Galbana simply shrugged it off.
"Well…she's your responsibility. ALRIGHT, MEN! LET'S CAST OFF!" Vaan yells out as the crew cheered. With Shiro, and Riku being last to board the gangplank, they entered the ship of Pirates busy at work…and Captain Vaan giving the orders.
"WEIGH ANCHOR AND UNFIRL THE SAILS! LET THE WIND GUIDE US TO THE TOWER OF BABEL!" Vaan yells out for all the crew to hear. They all respond with a rousing…
"AYE-AYE, CAPTAIN!"
Soon, the anchor was raised, the sails were unfurled…and the wind began to blow through the sails making the ship cast away from the Kismet Wind port.
Shiro, Riku, and Kairi looks in awe as they took to the railing.
"Well, Princess. You won't have to feel like a trophy anymore; for this is a new beginning for all of us." Riku says as they gazed upon their home…drifting farther and farther away from their sight.
"A new chapter…" Kairi says in awe.
"A NEW ADVENTURE!" Shiro cheers.
"A new beginning…" Riku echoes once more…thinking. Thinking about what could possibly call him to…the Tower of Babel.
Could it be destiny? Fate? Soon…he'll see just what lies beyond the horizon.
The Captain's Quarters
Soon enough, the voyage to the Tower of Babel is underway. The prized vessel, The Galbana sails through the treacherous waves of the Persian Gulf with dangers mysterious to all.
As the festivities dwindled down, Captain Vaan has called to his office Shiro, Riku, and Kairi. By his side are his top commanders – The Sky Pirates' most skilled sniper, Fran. The ship gunner & master of firearms, Balthier. Vaan's childhood friend and skilled dancer & acrobat, Penelo. And finally, Galbana's Helmsman & Strategist, Basch Fon Rosenburg.
They all gather around in Vaan's quarter…with one discussion and one discussion only.
"The Tower of Babel. Once the very beacon of knowledge extending high into the heavens…now just a ruined land with treasures WAITING for the taking. What secrets await in there? No one knows. One thing's for sure, we will be the first in a millennium to find it. Our greatest heist, yet." Vaan explains.
"None of you know what's inside it?" Kairi couldn't help but ask.
"No one has seen it, Princess. Many would debate whether it's real or not. We shall be the first to prove otherwise." Fran says. Riku could only look down…as if he was thinking of something else.
"What's wrong, bud?" Shiro asks catching wind of it. Gaining her attention, the silver-haired boy merely shrugged it off.
"I-it's nothing. So, Vaan. How long are we expected to reach Babylon?" Riku asks.
"Two days times. When you first showed me the map, I thought you were a madman. But…I think I have an idea on our path. The map if you may?" Vaan requests.
"Oh uh, yeah. It's right here." Riku says as he took the map from his pockets and placed it on the Captain's desk.
"Bless the stars, the boy wasn't joking…" Basch says in awe.
"Such ancient parchment…a-and ancient language. This DEFINITELY came from Babylon." Penelo says in intrigue.
"I thought that old city was but a myth. To see the path to it with my own eyes is quite…extraordinary." Blathier says in awe.
Right then, I was right. There seems to be a safe pathway to the tower from the Kismet Peninsula. If we continue to the path we're going to, we should be able to reach the Ishtar's Gate, which will take us to the Ruined City of…" Vaan explains.
"Babylon…" Kairi finishes in awe as Vaan nods in agreement.
"If the stories are true, then the Tower of Babel is in the heart of the city. Without any delay, we should be able to make it by tomorrow night." Basch reports.
"Seems kinda weird to say all that to ONLY us. Doncha think the crew should know?" Shiro asks. The commanders only looked at each other.
"Well…" Vaan starts.
"The crew wasn't always this big. We had plans to find Babylon ourselves, before we even knew that Riku had the map. Go where the wind takes us, you could say. However, the voyage would be impossible with only the 5 of us." Penelo explains.
"So, I commissioned a crew the moment we made port in Solaria. I, of course, had to pull some strings…but evidently, I found ourselves the finest crew thus far." Balthier explains. Vaan, however couldn't help but sigh.
"…I'll be real with you, Balthier. As efficient as they are, I…don't trust them." Vaan confessed.
"Oh, come now, Captain, you'll warm up to them, eventually. Bikke was a fine gent to negotiate with." Balthier assures. Vaan only huffs…as he turns to Riku.
"I know you mean well, Balthier…but I just don't trust them." Vaan says as he soon takes the map.
"Uh, Captain?" Riku asks as Vaan places the map in his pockets.
"The Captain has no interest in having the voyage he has planned for 2 years to be squandered away by Pirates. Consider this a…contingency plan, should things go awry." Fran explains.
"Thank you, Fran. This thing is too dangerous to wave around…especially in the eyes of deceit. Which is why I've decided to keep the map in my cabin until we reach Ishtar's Gates." Vaan concludes.
"Uh-Understood, Captain…" Riku sighs.
"AH, C'MON, BUDDY BOY! You'll see that hunk of paper in no time!" Shiro assures.
"Are you sure it'll be safe in your person though, Captain?" Kairi couldn't help but ask.
"The map will be in perfect hands, Princess. If they want it…they'll have to go through me, first." Vaan says as he gripped his Ultima Blade tightly.
"Let's not forget the Commanders~?" Balthier sings.
"Anyone who tries to cross will think twice upon doing so." Basch threatens as Fran and Penelo nods in agreement.
"Well then, now that everything's settled, Basch, Penelo, Balthier, back to your stations. Report to me if the crew does anything…'suspicious.'
"Aye, Captain." Basch replies.
"You've got it!" Penelo says happily.
"I still say you're taking things quite out of proportion. But…better safe than sorry, I suppose." Balthier says as he, and the other Commanders took their leave out of the cabin, leaving Shiro, Riku, Kairi, Fran, and Vaan.
"SO! What can we do, Cap'n? Prepare the weapons? Man the cannons? HUNT DOWN SOME MONSTERS?!" Shiro asks as she increasingly got into Vaan's face.
"Shiro, can you NOT!" Riku exclaims as he pulled the rabbit back earning a giggle from Kairi. Vaan could only ponder a job for the two.
"Fran, give the Princess a tour of the ship. You can start by showing her to the Kitchen. Riku, Shiro, follow suit and see if our ship's cook could use a hand." Vaan requests making the two's face drop.
"COOK!?" Both Shiro and Riku exclaim in unison.
The Galbana
The sun shines down upon the Galbana, as Shiro, Riku, and Kairi followed Fran through the busy topside deck. Kairi couldn't help but look in concern as Shiro and Riku were both silent…and rather grumpy.
"Are you two okay? You've been like this since we left the cabin." Kairi couldn't help but ask…as Riku soon gave a sigh.
"When Riku and I signed up for this big ol' adventure between the three of us…I uh…didn't really take into account the whole…being bossed around thing." Shiro replies.
"RIGHT!? That's MY map, and now Vaan takes it and sent us on kitchen duty?" Riku says in annoyance. Fran only glares at the two.
"Who does blondie think he is? Why, if I had my way, I would've-" Shiro starts, before IMMEDIATELY dodging as an arrow was suddenly shot at her.
"ACK! HEY, WATCH IT!" It almost took someone's head off, but luckily it only landed on the wood of the ship. This immediately made Shiro and Riku turned to the CLEARLY furious Fran.
"You would have WHAT, rabbit?" Fran threatens.
"Ehehehhh…well…" Shiro stammers.
"YOU will do well as to watch your tone. That goes for you, too, boy. I'll not have any ill words spoken about our Captain. Have I made myself clear?" Fran says, dangerously.
"Y-yes, ma'am." Riku and Shiro says, meekly as the four continued walking.
"Look, guys. I KNOW things aren't really looking up for you, but the journey's just begun, and there's so much to see. You'll have your chance to get back that map, soon enough." Kairi assures, but Riku only heavily sighs once more.
"I guess this is what I signed up for when trying to sail on another Captain's ship." Riku sighs. Kairi could only let out a giggle.
"Free-spirited, just like Sinbad in the stories." Kairi couldn't help but say.
"There will come a day when I become JUST like him, Princess. I'll command my own crew and sail my own ship. This world…and MANY others will learn to fear the name. Uh…hmm…Silver Hair Riku!" Riku says dramatically.
"I CALL FIRSTMATE!" Shiro cheers.
"You'll be…I dunno, Witch, since that's what you always wanted to be." Riku simply says.
"Witch?" Kairi asks.
"Shiro has an unhealthy obsession with Wizards, Witches, and just…Magic in general." Riku says bluntly.
"HEY, you have an unhealthy obsession with Pirates, so it checks out." Shiro retorts as Fran lets out a giggle.
"WHAT'S SO FUNNY?!" Riku yells out.
"If I'll be frank…you remind me of the Captain. I'm sure there will come a day where you'll make a fine Captain. But for now…you're on OUR ship, Silver Hair." Fran explains.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it." Riku mutters. Soon enough, the group finally climbed the stairs leading down to the Kitchen. The chef is already hard at work preparing for today's meal. So far, all Shiro, Riku, and Kairi could make out is a man with blonde hair wearing a red bandana.
"BIKKE." Fran called out gaining the chef's attention. The man soon reveals his face only to have an eyepatch covering an eye. The man soon gives a wide grin as he approached our new guests.
"Why, dearest, Fran, ya spoil me~ HOW KIND OF YE! I WAS THINKIN' OF MAKIN' RABBIT STEW!" Bikke says playfully as he suddenly grabs Shiro by the ears. This only made the rabbit humanoid pinch the bridge of her nose.
"Sorry, pally, but this rabbit ain't on the menu!" Shiro says as she detached herself from the ears, making the chef look at the rabbit in surprise.
"Well, now, I've think I've seen just about everything on my journey, but never a creature like you, lass. HAHAHAHA! Ahh, these deserts sure are something ain't they?" Bikke says heartily.
"Anyway, Bikke, these two are humble friends of Captain Vaan. Riku, and his friend Shiro." Fran introduces.
"GLAD TO HAVE YA ABOARD, LAD! The name's Bikke. The finest chef the dunes of this land has EVER seen." Bikke introduces as he extends a hand for Riku to shake.
"Uh…yeah, thanks." Riku says awkwardly.
Meanwhile, as the four were conversing, Kairi noticed something in the back of the room. A weapon that no doubt belongs to Bikke, A massive two-handed axe. Yet for some reason…that axe looks…familiar.
"And finally, Bikke, this is…" Fran starts before the chef looks at hooded Kairi in awe.
"Bless me heart…Princess Kairi, that be you?" Bikke says as he bows to her. "TRULY an honor to have you aboard out humble Galbana, my liege."
This was what snapped Kairi back to reality.
"Oh! Um…yes, thank you. It's truly an honor to meet you, Chef Bikke." Kairi says as she curtsies for the chef. Soon, the blonde-haired chef snaps his finger in realization.
"Ah! Speakin' of Chef, I bet me right foot, that ye all must be hungry HAHA!" Bikke says as took a few bowls from the cabinet, and filled them with the soup cooking in the stove.
"Go on, and take a swig, mates, on the house!" Bikke says as Riku and Kairi drank their soup. The silver-haired boy nods with such impression on his face.
"This…this ain't half bad!" Riku says in surprise as Kairi nods in agreement.
"Agreed, it tastes delicious. Compliments to the chef!" Kairi says as she bows to the chef.
"D'ohhhh, you humble me, Princess. I've struck gold with today's cargo, and made the finest Golden Tail Soup! NO recipe could ever hope to top such an artisan's work!" Bikke boasts.
"Well, if ya put it like that…" Shiro says as she tries to take a spoonful of soup…until…
"CHIPAI!" A creature exclaims as it leaps in the air to snatch up Shiro's Golden Tail Soup.
"W-HEY!" Shiro exclaims. Darting off and drinking up Shiro's soup is a rather…strange creature.
A small squirrel creature with dotted eyes. She has pristine-white fur, yellow cheeks, and blue pointy ears. The same blue streak extends down from her back to her tail, and on that streak are 3 blue spikes.
"Scoundrel! I was wonderin'just where ye'd be." Bikke scolds, playfully.
"I go where my nose takes me, good sir! And MMMMMMM~ my nose took me to heaven~" The squirrel sings as she slurps up Shiro's soup.
"WELL, my day took me to hell." Shiro says, bluntly.
"I thought I told you to keep that creature on a leash, Bikke." Fran says, sternly as it scurries to Bikke's shoulder.
"D'awww, Fran, ye can't expect to shackle down a free soul like this one. Eh, Princess, Cabin Boys, allow me to introduce me lil' partner in crime, Pachirisu." Bikke introduces.
"HOWDY THERE!" Pachirisu cheers.
"What…is it?" Kairi asks.
"And why does it vaguely remind me of Shiro?" Riku sighs.
"Aye, a strange lil' one, ain't she? Pachirisu apparently stems from a race known as…Pokémon. Creatures from a far-off land, with extraordinary powers. Found the lil' lass while I was venturin' through the deserts. Poor thing looked as if she was starvin' for days, ye should've seen her." Bikke explains.
"I almost died!" Pachirisu says happily.
"Glad to hear that she's been nursed to health, Bikke!" Kairi says happily.
"Well, if she ain't full before she's full now." Shiro says in disappointment.
"Sure am!" Pachirisu says happily as she gives out a small burp.
"Right then, We'd best be off then. Come, Princess. Bikke, I leave Shiro and Riku under your care." Fran requests.
"YE CAN COUNT ON ME, FRANNY! HAHAHA!" Bikke cackles heartily as Riku could only give a sigh of frustration.
"This was not what I signed up for…" Riku mumbles under his breath, earning him a pat on the back from his little rabbit friend.
"Don't worry, Riku. We'll get through the crappy stuff, THEN when the exciting stuff comes in, I'm SURE we'll have our time to shine!" Shiro assures.
"You REALLY think so?" Riku couldn't help but ask.
"Do these eyes lie~?" Shiro asks sweetly as she gazes upon Riku with such a sweet demeanor….
"Yes. A lot." Riku says bluntly. This immediately made Shiro's eyes dilate.
"Touché." Shiro replies.
"IF'N THE BOTH OF YE ARE FINISHED WITH YET CONVERSATION OVER HERE," Bikke interrupts as he suddenly puts his hands around the two while Pachirisu scurries atop his head. "I've got some work around the Kitchen AND the deck for ye, hehehe!"
"Oh joy…" Riku says, sarcastically.
"D'awww, lighten up, lad. Under my care, I'll make ye the finest Cabin Boys yet!" Bikke assures.
"Yeah, Cabin Boys, hehehee!" Pachirisu says mischievously. When suddenly…
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
Taking this rather…'sweet' moment by surprise the trio and the Pokémon tumbled down as they suddenly felt an abrupt rock from the ship.
"WHOAAA!" Pachirisu calls out as she bounces into a stray barrel….and poked back up with an apple now in her teeth. Soon enough, a lot of yelling was heard above deck.
"What's…going on?" Riku couldn't help but ask.
ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAR!
"Does that answer your question?" Shiro asks as a sudden monstrous roar was heard throughout the Galbana.
"Must be a Sea Monster gettin' in the way. Pachirisu, let's get a move on!" Bikke announces as he walked through the kitchen to grab his axe.
"FINALLY, I've been waitin' for some action!" Pachirisu cheers as she scurries onto Bikke's shoulder.
"I doubt I can make ye abstain, but for your sake, AT LEAST, get yerselves a weapon if you're gonna fight what's to come." Bikke requests as he raced up the deck.
"NOW WE'RE TALKIN!" Shiro exclaims as she took from her gag bag a few explosives. "GO TIME, RIKU! YEEEEEEHAW!" The rabbit exclaims as she zips up the deck leaving only Riku.
Though he finally gets his wish upon getting some action, the question is…how will he do it…without a weapon?
"SHOULD'VE AT LEAST GIVEN ME A DAMN WEAPON, SHIRO!" Riku exclaims.
On Deck
ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAR!
The ship was in utter disarray as a sea monster blocks the ship's destined course to the Tower of Babel. Swimming through the currents off the port bow, the sun shines down upon a reptilian monster with blue scales and a long tail.
"Fran, what're we dealing with here?" Vaan says amidst the chaos of his crew. The Captain and the Commanders looked upon the creature from the helm station.
"A Lagiacrus. They've sailed countless waters, but never did I think they'd be swimming here, of all places." Fran explains.
"Think you can outrun it?" Basch asks.
"Nigh impossible. No sailor has ever tried to outrun it. Why, you may ask? Because of that." Fran says. The Sky Pirates tensed up as they looked to see electricity crackling throughout the Lagiacrus' mouth. It raises its long neck up…preparing to attack the Galbana.
"SHIELDS, NOW!" Vaan screams out as the Sky Pirate Mages casts their wands out to create a barrier around the ship. Around the same time, a powerful stream of electricity blasts through the barrier…powerful enough to STILL rock the ship.
"We have no choice but to fight. Fran, Balthier, take to the crow's nest." Vaan orders.
"Aye-aye, Captain!" They both says as they leaped atop the mast into higher grounds of the ship. Soon Vaan takes to the railing of the ship to call out to his crew.
"TO YOUR POSITIONS, MEN! UNFURL THE SAILS AND GET THE CANNONS AT THE READY! THIS GUY WANTS A FIGHT, WE'LL GIVE IT A FIGHT!" Vaan yells out as his crew continued to not only panic but did as their Captain commands.
Soon enough, Riku arrived on deck with Bikke and Shiro looking upon the Lagiacrus in awe. Soon, Riku could only look in shock.
"What the hell is that?!" Riku exclaims.
"Aye…the Lagiacrus. Truly a TERROR that the Seven Seas could ever hope to see. With the power of electricity by its side, this creature is said to be unbeatable." Bikke explains as Vaan hears him.
"I'll be damned if he KEEPS that title." Vaan sneers.
"VAAN! SAILS UNFURLED!" Penelo exclaims as she leaps down to her Captain's side.
"Perfect. Basch, hard to Starboard. Get us far away from that creature, so we can attack it at once." Vaan commands.
"AYE, CAPTAIN!" Basch asserts as he spun the helm, completely turning the ship away from the Lagiacrus. Meanwhile, Fran concentrated with all her might, as a cold chills flies through her.
"Looks like the Commanders are powerin' up for their Quickenings." Bikke says as Shiro and Kairi looks to the Cook in confusion.
"What's a…Quickening?" Kairi ask.
"The Commander's ULTIMATE abilities! All of them have 3 different Quickenings. Each more powerful than the last." Pachirisu explains as her deduction was correct. Power began to course through Penelo, Fran, Balthier, Vaan, and even Basch who was manning the helm.
"BALTHIER! FRAN! YOU STRIKE FIRST!" Vaan commands. Fran opens both her palms as two chilling balls of ice formed within them…as she calls out her Quickening.
"SHATTERHEART!" Fran yells as she hurls both balls of ice at the Lagiacrus who only reacts with a roar. But before it could strike it down, it made impact with them…IMMEDIATELY encasing it in ice, on contact.
"Suppose it's my show then?" Balthier deduced as he concentrated. 6 glowing wisps of light soon fluttered to the Gunner's side and danced around him…as it was HIS turn to cast his spell.
"Fires of War!" Balthier calls out as the wisps of light casts forward. On contact with the ice sculpture comes a MASSIVE pillar of light, destroying the ice encasing the sea monster…but not the monster itself.
ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAR!
It was angry.
Before the crew could have a chance at reacting, the Lagiacrus' jaws crackled in electricity, as it shot out a powerful blast of electricity at the Galbana.
"Crap, it's comin' at us too fast! BRACE FOR IMPACT!" Vaan warns….but soon Bikke steps forward.
"No need, Captain. PACHIRISU, YOU'RE UP!" Bikke commanded.
"ON IT!" Pachirisu yells out as she immediately sprinted into action. She leaps into the air as her cheeks crackled with electricity. Atop her tail a ball of electricity began to form.
At that moment, the Lagiacrus' electrical blast absorbs into the ball of electricity, in turn making it grow bigger and bigger until the little squirrel could only grin, malevolently.
"So, kind of you to make that donation~" The screwy squirrel says. Bikke only gives out a smug grin as Shiro and Kairi could only look in awe.
"An…electrical squirrel?" Kairi asks.
"I WANT OOOOOOONE!" Shiro whines.
"Ya ain't seen anythin' yet, lass. NOW BLAST IT ALL BACK AT THE SEA BEAST WITH….!" Bikke yells out.
"ELECTRO BALLLLL!" Pachirisu cries out as she threw ALL that electricity she absorbed back to the sea beast, in the form of one large ball of electricity.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
The seas beast gave out another loud roar as it came into contact with the electric blast. This gives Vaan the chance to finish it off.
"Still kicking, huh? BASCH! PENELO! ALL THREE OF US'LL FINISH IT OFF!" Vaan ordered as the Helmsman & the Dancer got into position.
"I'll start you off, Cap!" Penelo says as energy gathered around her. Soon enough, the blonde-haired dancer coats herself in a purple aura. To which she lets that energy out through a spin.
As she pirouettes, tiny beams of electricity flew from the aura to the wounded Lagiacrus…until finally, she lets out all that power through her own Quickening:
"EVANESCENECE!" She cries out beams of light blasted down on the monster at just about every angle. Next, it was Basch's turn.
"Take the helm, boy!" Basch orders Riku.
"Uh…right!" Riku says as Basch climbs the atop to the mizzen mast…as he summons a flaming spiral of blades. All, meanwhile Vaan takes to the top mast and summons two crimson balls of flame.
ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAR!
The sea beast was angry. Instead of letting loose another electrical blast…it was swimming straight for the Galbana.
"BASCH, USE YOUR QUICKENING, NOW!" Vaan commands.
"AYE, CAPTAIN! FLAME PURGE!" Basch yells out as he orders his spiral of blades to fly forth to the charging sea creature. No dice. The blades were only nicking at the beast's skin.
"It barely did a scratch!" A sailor exclaims.
"Orders, Captain?" Fran urged.
"Don't…do anything, yet." Vaan instructs.
"We've waited long enough, lad! How much time do ye need!?" Bikke yells out. All meanwhile the Lagiacrus was coming ever so closer to the ship.
"Steady…" Vaan says patiently.
"VAAN!" Kairi and Pachirisu yells out in far as the sea beast was now LITERALLY in front of the Galbana. This…was what made the blonde-haired Pirate smirked.
"EVERYONE! GIVE THAT BASTARD EVERYTHING YOU'VE GOT! FIIIIIIIIRE!" Vaan screams out.
"FIRE!" Balthier and Fran screams out. Soon enough, an onslaught of cannons, arrows, guns, and Magic blasted right out from the Galbana in an all-out attack against the sea beast.
The Lagiacrus was so overwhelmed to the point where it was being pushed back further and further.
But the assault wasn't over…as the Captain now plans to finish the beast off, himself.
"Unbeatable my ass." Vaan says as two smoldering balls of fire formed in his hands…as he calls out his most powerful Quickening yet:
"PYROCLASM!" Vaan screams out as he threw one smoldering ball of fire into the air, and threw the other one directly at the airborn fireball.
The results creating a powerful and explosive cataclysm…powerful enough to not only rock the very ship they were standing on…but powerful enough to reduce the Lagiacrus into…nothing but ash flying into the wind.
The Lagiacrus…has been defeated.
"AND THAT'S THAT!" Vaan says smugly as the entire ship roared into cheers as the unbeatable Lagiacrus has been beaten.
"HAHAHAHAAAAA, ANOTHER BEASTIE BEATEN BY THE GREAT CAP'N VAAN!" Bikke cheers heartily.
"As always, good show, Captain!" Balthier says impressed.
"DAMN…I haven't felt such a thrill in YEARS." Vaan says cockily as Fran soon approached her Captain. "Status report, Fran?"
"Everyone is accounted for, and no injuries reported. Well…all for one, but it seems to be merely exhaustion." Fran says pointing to the unconscious Pachirisu. To which Bikke picks her.
"D'ohhhh, doncha worry about this lil' one. Must've grown tired after all that absorbin' but I'll take care of her." Bikke says as he returns to the kitchen. Soon enough, Vaan looks to the trio.
"I trust the three of you enjoyed a taste of what the Sky Pirates have to offer?" Vaan asks, cockily.
"Magical~" Shiro sings as Riku rolled his eyes.
"You were amazing out there, Captain!" Kairi says happily. Soon enough, Shiro zips in front of Vaan.
"So uh…when do ya want US to be on the front lines, in case the Lagiacrus got a few brothers & sisters that may wanna get a bite outta us. I've got a few funny lil' gags & props that'll give them a run for their mon-" Shiro prattles on & on before Vaan stops her.
"No need, rabbit. I'm sure you've got some nifty things in that bag of yours, but we've got things covered. Consider it a lesson to ANY monster that tries to face us. They'll be sorry." Vaan says, determinedly.
"Nothing can get past us, huh?" Kairi asks, bashfully.
"WELL, if you fellas got things covered, then it seems like smooth sailin' for us." Shiro says as she relaxes on deck on a lawn chair. Meanwhile, Riku could only look down…with such a myriad of emotions swimming right through him.
"So much power…and then there's me. Who doesn't even have a damn sword, letalone Magic & Quickenings like that. While everyone was just cleaning things up, there's…me. Who didn't even help at all…" Riku says to himself…lost in his own thoughts.
"Hey? Riku?" Kairi asks, soon gaining the silver-haired boy's attention. The boy looked to see everyone looking at him.
"Huh? Wha?" Riku asks.
"You okay?" Shiro asks.
"You seem to have blanked out a bit." Fran says.
"O-oh. Sorry…I was just thinking about something." Riku says. Everyone thought nothing of it. Well…everyone except Kairi.
"Well, back to your posts, everyone. By tomorrow night, we should be able to make it to Babylon without any delay. Rest up, everyone." Vaan says as everyone evidently went their separate ways.
Including Riku…who only paced around below deck.
"At this point…I can't help but ask, what the hell's the point of going on this venture…if I'm just nothing more than dead weight?" Riku says to himself…as he soon takes a deep breath…and looked out the window.
"But you know what? That's going to chance, soon. Ever since I found that bottle…it almost feels like destiny calls to me to go to the Tower. As if there's something important that I MUST get from there. I have to find out what it is I need from there. Maybe it holds the key." Riku could only say to himself.
As the sun begins to set.
"The key to showing everyone…that I'm so much more than…a street rat? The key to my freedom from this accursed world? No…the freedom to my survival."
Acme Acres
"HE'S GONE?!" Lola yelled out as we returned to the steampunk world of Acme Acres in the Castle Study, where Queen Lola and her subjects have gathered to speak of a…harrowing predicament.
The King of Acme Acres: King Bugs Bunny…is gone.
"How could this be?" Asks the royal caretaker, Granny as she sits alongside her pets, Tweety Bird, and Sylvester the Cat. Bookworm bows and explain.
"Well, your Majesty. I was doing my daily meeting when SOMEBODY decided to play dress up." Bookworm sneered IMMEDIATELY glaring at Daffy.
"DON'T ACT LIKE YOU WOULDN'T, IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE, WORM!" Daffy exclaims. The Chronicler rolled his eyes.
"ANYWAY, when I looked, King Bugs was gone." Bookworm reports.
"Well, y'know ol' Bugsy. Usually, he goes in and out of Acme Acres, traveling to other worlds, and not knowing how to stand still for a single second. I heeded no mind." Daffy explains.
"Sooooooooo…you decided on trying to usurp his place as King, Daff?" Tina asks playfully. Daffy's beak flattened at that question.
"Well, when you put it like that…" Daffy starts.
"You'd think with a throne room THAT big, you'd at least take an easy peek yourself." Penelope Pussycat says, sarcastically.
"Still, it's not like King Bugs to leave the castle without at least telling us." Petunia replies.
"Is there anything, I say, ANYTHING that he left in his absence, son?" Asks the Captain of the Royal Guards, Foghorn Leghorn.
"Fortunately, the King gave Taz this letter, your Majesty. I was sure to clear off the drool and slobber off that m-" Daffy reports but Tina bonked the duck on the shoulder with her arm as a clear indication to shut him up.
"Don't tell her that, you idiot." Tina whispered. With such worry, the tan bunny opened the letter and proceeded in reading it aloud for everyone in the library to hear.
"Ahem, Daffy, old buddy ol' pal, Sorry to rush off without saying goodbye. Trouble popped up for not only this castle but for all the worlds outside of it and I needed to check it out, pronto.
Our mutual friends from the Round Table sent Doc Fate to come crashin' down on our doorsteps last night droppin' some serious news. One by one, stars're goin' out, they said, and it just ain't something I can ignore. Hate to leave you all, but I gotta check it out.
There are two keys scattered across the worlds, The Key of Light, and the Key of Darkness. Somewhere in the Dark Kingdom, the Key of Light's trapped there while the other one…well, let's just say it'll be a matter-a-time 'till someone gets their grubby hands on it.
That bein' said, the Keyblade and its wielders are too special to be found by the wrong people. So, Daff, you and Porky are gonna lead an expedition to find the Key and stick with 'em.
You'll need a ship and a crew. I'm sure the fellas back at the castle'll lend a hand, so long as Porky's the one askin.' However, I've got three special toons and the Goofy Gophers waitin' for ya aboard my prized vessel, The Merry Melody.
We'll need that key, or we're doomed, so ya better get your 10-gallon hat ready, Daff 'cause you'll be goin' to Traverse Town. I'm sendin' ya there to find Sheriff Leon & the Resistance. I already filled 'em in on what's goin' on, so they'll point ya to the right direction.
Daffy, the rest is on you. For the time bein', I'm makin' you the temporary Captain of the vessel. Despite our eh….estrangements, I know that there ain't anyone more fittin.' just…have Porky keep an eye on ya, okay?
P.S. Can ya apologize to Lola for me? We were supposed to go on a date and well...this whole situation here popped up and messed up our plans. It really means the world to me to make it up to her. Thanks, pal.
-Sincerely, King Bugs Bunny."
"Sacré bleu, zis is terrible..." Mutters the Castle Maître'd, Pepe LePew.
"I know...I MEAN, LOOK, I SAY, LOOK AT THIS NOTE! The penmanship is abhorred at best! You'd think, I say, you'd THINK, that as a King you'd see such proper etiquette in this letter. Why, it's almost enough to put a grown man to sh-" Foghorn Leghorn rants, endlessly and endless, earning a bonk on the head from Lola….HARD on the head, with a mallet.
"THANK YOU, Foghorn." Lola says in annoyance.
"WAIT A MINUTE!" Daffy exclaims. "Now WHAT does Bugsy mean by 'for the time being?' AND WHY TEMPORARILY THE CAPTAIN? What, he's sayin' I can't man a vessel on my own?"
"I-I-I assume he means that once we find the Key Bearer, THEY'RE gonna be the ship's Captain." Porky assumes.
"Makes sense that the one we're relying on is gonna man the ship. I have confidence that whoever this hero will be will lead us to victory." Lola inquires. Daffy, meanwhile, rolled his eyes.
"Hmph. I should've been PERMANENTLY Captain if you ask me." Daffy huffs as did Sylvester.
"That's it?" Sylvester clearly wasn't impressed. "I missed thirty minutes of snoozy time just so we can worry about some stargazing?" Everyone could only glare at the cat
"You don't understand what's goin' on, do you?" Tina couldn't help but ask.
"I'm just sayin' it's just nothin' more than big ol' balls of light blinkin' out. I don't see what the cause for alarm's for." Sylvester simply replied.
"Poor puddycat…" Tweety says sadly.
"Sylvester, it may not sound bad, but I can speak for all of us saying… it's a big deal." Queen Lola says to the black cat.
"And why's that?" Sylvester snaps.
SLAM!
"Perhaps, WE shall elucidate further to you earthlings." A loud voice announces as the door of the castle study suddenly slams open…right on Daffy & Porky, who are now a pancake against the wall.
Skittering across the room is a certain Martian adorned in a red jumpsuit, sneakers, and gloves. Atop his shimmering green knight's helmet are small bug-like creatures colored in orange, purple, magenta, and blue.
They are the Looney Tunes' more…mutual friends from both Mars and Moron Mountain, Marvin Martian and the Nerdlucks.
"You guys?" Tina asks, drearily.
"I get that we've gone off on the wrong foot & all, but we're just tryin' to get this stupid situation over with." Complains the dreary orange Nerdluck named Pound.
"Ahem, now that you have been informed of the situation at hand, allow us to further explain." Marvin says, as the four tiny creatures tend to the tablet…activating a hologram of space. Ooohs and ahhs went around the library.
"Hmph. You Earthlings have such foolish reactions." Marvin mumbles. He soon takes from his pocket a stick, as he points to the stars of space. "As you all know, there are worlds outside of our own solar system." The Martian stars.
"T-t-that's right!" Says the high-pitched Nawt, the intelligence of the Nerdlucks aliens. "And EACH star you see in the sky, t-they actually house a single world!" This alone made the Sylvester gasp in surprise.
"Sufferin' succotash!" Spits out Sylvester. "EVERY sthar in the sky is in fact another world!?" He exclaims as each word he utters equals a rain of spit throughout the room.
"Yeah, Sir-Spits-a lot…" The bossy Nerdluck, Pound says, wiping the spit off his face. "Every star in the sky is a different world. And when a star goes out…"
"Poof!" Taz exclaims comically, as he wakes from his slumber. Following that was a cackle coming from the rabid Tasmanian Devil.
"So does ze vorld…" Pepe finishes in worry.
"And if we don't do anything…goodness…who's to say that Acme Acres won't disappear as well? Even WITH the Cornerstone of Light protecting us?" Petunia asks in concern.
"My Queen sent me to report this situation. Not only does this situation impact Mars and Moron Mountain, but all worlds." Marvin concluded. Foghorn Leghorn only rubbed his beak, pondering, starting to understand the gravity of this situation.
"This, I say, this, is an even more serious predicament than we thought." Foghorn says in worry.
"We're all going to die…" Drearily saying Droopy Dog.
"What should we do, Queen Lola?" Tweety asks the tall rabbit Queen.
"I mean…what more CAN we do? We just have to trust Bugs on this." Lola asserts as the leader of the Nerdlucks only rolled his eyes.
"Gee, didn't think it'd be THAT obvious," Pound says, sarcastically.
"Daffy, Porky, it's all up to the two of you." Lola says as everyone, soon turned to the ones on the job. The Pig Knight…and the sleeping duck Archer.
Porky soon noticed. In annoyance, he slammed the duck on the head with a mallet. With a snort, the duck awakened from his slumber.
"HUH!? WHA?! I'M AWAKE!" Daffy exclaims. The female duck pinched the bridge of her nose in agitation.
"Oi…Daffy." Tina sighs.
"Well, Daffy, Porky, the two of you have a dangerous task ahead of you, but it's clear that no one can get the job done better than the both of you." Lola explains.
"I j-j-just hope that the King's okay in a-a-a-a-all this…" Porky studders. Daffy, however smirks, as he grabs his pig friend.
"BUT FEAR NOT, YOUR HIGHNESS! THIS DARING DUO SHALL SEE THIS DANGEROUS TASK TO ITS END!" Daffy asserts.
"But Daffy, you were asleep. Do you even know ze task at hand?" Pepe asks.
"NOPE! BUT WE'LL SEE IT TO ITS END!" Daffy retorts, as she and Porky sighs in frustration.
"Eh, don't worry…I-I-I'll deeded-eded-ed-ed-fill him in on what's going on." Porky assures. "B-b-b-b-b-but he's right, your Highness. We'll find the King and this K-k-Key." Queen Lola smiles.
"Thank you, Porky. I have faith in both of you." She says.
"These are the Earthlings who shall hope to stop the impending doom?" Marvin asks the Nerdlucks as all of them raised a brow at Daffy and Porky, specifically.
"Humanity's screwed." Says Pound a-matter-of-factly.
"You're telling me…" Droopy says in agreement.
"Now, your Majesty, if it's all the same to you," Foghorn starts as he motions to Daffy & Porky. "These two are nice boys, but they can't navigate themselves through the rear end of a barn, even with a map"
"OUCH?!" Daffy says in a hurtful tone.
"Now t-t-t-that's just plain rude!" Porky intervenes.
"What I, I say, what I'm suggestin' your Highness, is that somebodeh's gotta keep these boys in line. And thus, I volunteer to be on this, I say, this here crew" Foghorn concludes as his Queen gives a soft giggle.
"Hehe, well, with something as big as this, Daffy and Porky will certainly need ALL they help they can get. So, if you want to go, then I'll allow it. That goes for anyone else who'd like to join them." Lola announces.
"In that case," Granny soon stood from her chair. "I'd like to join them, as well."
"YOU/WHAT!?" Sylvester and Tweety snaps.
"I've always been interested in seeing the outside world. Plus, I'll be sure to patch everyone up if they're hurt." Granny says. With a beam of light, she summons into her hands a wooden staff.
"Well…if you'we going, Gwanny, then the Puttycat and I wiw come, too!" Tweety volunteers.
"HEY, LEAVE ME OUTTA THIS!" Sylvester exclaims as Tweety simply flutters in front of the tuxedo cat with a smug look on his face.
"Awww, putty cat~ You don't wanna weave Gwanny aw by her wonesome, do ya?" Tweety asks, smugly. Sylvester soon looked to Granny…and gives a heavy sigh.
"You and your gaslighting, I SWEAR…" Sylvester curses.
"It's what I do best!" Tweety boasts.
"Oh, thank you, dearies." Granny says happily.
"Well, if everyone else is joining them…then I'd like to go, too." The worm volunteers. "It's been a DREAM to travel to the outside worlds. And who better to chronicle this harrowing journey than I…Bookworm?"
"A chronicler…very good idea, Bookworm. I'll also allow it." Lola says happily.
"You're too kind, your Highness." Bookworm bows.
"Welp, seems to me that you fellas already got your crew." Tina says to Daffy and Porky.
"Well, y-y-you know what they say, t-t-the more the m-m-m-merrier!" Porky says happily. Meanwhile Daffy could only sigh in frustration.
"Yeah…and more headaches in bound." Daffy mumbles. Petunia soon approached the Queen and presented to her, her tea.
"Though this does beg the question…What about the three 'special toons' that Bugs sent to join them?" Petunia asks as she drinks her tea.
"YOU CALLED?!" Announced three voices that took everyone, by surprise. The voices came from the three young toons that suddenly popped out from Petunia's teacup.
3 young toons with black & white fur, and shining red noses.
The eldest black & white toon. He was adorned in purple poofy trousers with a flowing leather cape behind him. Strapped around him are scrolls & lyrics, while in his gloved hands…is a lute.
The middle child. He was a mage adorned in a blue robe with a matching blue tunic. Atop his head is a bright red mage's cap. On his back is his shimmering crystal staff, and in his gloved hands a spellbook.
Finally, the youngest child. She was adorned in a pink dress under her magenta cloak. A flower crown rests atop her head and in her gloved hands a shimmering silver dagger. Resting behind her is her mahogany bow.
"The Cavalry HAS arrived, ladies and gentlemen! Coming live to you, on behalf of ol' King Bugsy, We're the Warner Brothers!" The eldest of the three announced.
"AND the Warner Sister." The youngest of the three replies.
"I'm Yakko." The eldest child says with a strum from his lute.
"I'm Wakko!" The middle child says twirling his staff with his tongue sticking out.
"And I'm…." The youngest child starts…immediately flinging her dagger in the air. She closes her eyes, held out the tip of her gloved hand, and says…
"Princess Angelina Contessa Louisa Francesca Banana Fanna Bo Besca the Third." The child says as the dagger fell into the tip of her gloved finger, the MOMENT she finished. As if she knew the dagger would land at that moment. "But you can call me Dot.' She finishes.
"Eh, c-c-can we call you Dottie?" Porky asks, earning him a sharp dagger pointed towards his neck.
"Try it, you'll die." The youngest Warner threatens.
"Eh, d-d-duly noted…" The Pig Knight says meekly.
"We three are special Toons, requested to be on this ship by King Bugs, himself. Talk about importance, huh?" Yakko explains.
"YOU? Talk about desperate for Bugsy to send a few kids on this voyage." Daffy huffs.
"Hey, at least we've got something YOU don't~" Yakko sings.
"Oh really? And what's that?" Daffy challenged.
"Taste," Wakko pipes up.
"Cuteness~" Dot continues.
"And we aren't accident-prone, that's for sure," Yakko quips, earning a glare from the archer.
"HEY, I FIND OFFENSE TO THAT!" Daffy objected.
"Let me know if ya found it," Yakko quips.
"Will this help?" Wakko asks, and with a glow from his staff, he used his Magic to summon a white picket fence…to fall on Daffy.
"Very much so…" Daffy says meekly.
"Those three, I say, those three're from the same cloth as King Bugs," Foghorn says casually. Daffy only sighed, knowing that a headache comes his way.
"Now THESE Earthlings I feel wouldn't doom us all." Marvin says, impressed. Pound, however, wasn't.
"Pfft, put them in the face of danger and they'll crack." The Nerdluck leader snaps.
"WELL THEN. I think you two kept your crew waiting long enough." Tina says to Daffy and Porky.
"Eyup…eh, l-loo-looks like it's time to go." Porky says happily as Foghorn and Granny stood by their side.
"I shall send the coordinates of Traverse Town to the Navigators of the ship." Marvin finishes as he exits the room. The Queen of Acme Acres stepped forward with a smile on her face.
"Daffy, Porky, Wakko, Yakko, Dot, Foghorn, Granny, and Bookwork. We're all hoping for your safe return. Please, do EVERYTHING in your power to help the King. You all are the Multiverse's last hope." Lola inquires. Everyone salutes to the Queen.
"You can count on us!" They all exclaim in unison.
An adventure begins.
The Galbana
"GET BACK HERE, YA THIEVIN' BASTARD!" Riku screams out as we soon return to the Kismet Winds. As the sun sets on another beautiful and eventful day. Well…even more eventful as a certain silver-haired boy is racing through the deck in hot pursuit of Pachirisu…with a Striped Apple gripped to her paws.
"NOT A CHANCE, BUDDY BOY! IT'S MINE!" Pachirisu taunts as the squirrel races across the deck, dodging Pirate pedestrians, and rope. Evidently, their chase was taken below deck in the corridor of many doors.
Soon enough, Pachirisu hopped into a stray barrel. She giggles and prepared to eat her apple, thinking that she has lost Riku during the chase.
"GOTCHA, you thieving rat!" She was wrong as she was grabbed by the tail by Riku. Soon, the silver-haired boy takes back his Striped Apple.
"Aw, man…" Pachirisu sighs.
Suddenly, cheering was heard loud enough for both the boy and the Pokemon could hear. The hearty roars of a Pirate crew. It was the door just in front of them, they heard the cheering from. As the snoopy little thief, he is, Riku decided to peek into what's going on through a peep hole.
Pachirisu didn't have that luxury, so she need only her ears to listen to what was going on.
"Now THAT be an eventful day, am I right, lads?" Inside the cabin was none other than Bikke and just about half the crew. Everyone except for Vaan and the Commanders gathered around the table drinking to their heart's content.
"I'll say! I never thought to even SEE a Lagiacrus 'round these parts." A Pirate says, heartily.
"It was as if me life depended on FIRIN' LIKE CRAZY! HAHAHA!" Cackled another Pirate.
"Ahhh…in the end lads, it be another successful battle. I'll admit, Vaan's got the talent." Bikke compliments.
"The perfect team, he and those Commanders HAHAHAHA!" Another Pirate said. This in turn irked Riku, a bit.
"If only I had a weapon to show them what I could do…" Riku couldn't help but sigh.
"Still…" A Pirate said, making Riku and Pachirisu listen in. "Just imagine the carnage we would've done if it ain't the Commanders doin' all the work, while we gotta scrape up the guts."
"We woulda showed that Sea Serpent what's what!" Another Pirate boasts.
"AYE! I'm getting' sick and tired of those Commanders havin' ALL the action, while we all get to watch on the sidelines!"
"So, when's this Mutiny gonna happen, Cap'n!?" THIS…was enough to gain Riku & Pachirisu's attention.
"Mutiny?" Pachirisu asks.
"Did you know about this?" Riku asks the Pokemon.
"Nuh-uh. But I HAVE been noticing Bikke hiding stuff from me…and it ain't food." Pachirisu confessed. Soon, with all the commotion dying down, Bikke's commanding voice was heard.
"Boys, BOYS! Settle down, will ya?" Bikke asks before shifting his eyes. "These walls have eyes. We don't wanna speak too loud while the Commanders are just around the corner."
"Ohhhhh…" The Pirates say in understanding as Bikke continues, silently.
"The Mutiny'll go on, by my signal, and my signal alone. You'll be hearin' it the moment we reach Ishtar's Gate. Soon, we'll lay a fast one on Vaan and take the ship AND the treasure waitin' in the Tower of Babel for ourselves!" Bikke explains.
"But what about the Commanders? They practically stick to Vaan like glue. If they find out we're conspirin' against 'em, we'll be as good as dead!" A Pirate asks.
"HA! Those fools would be wise to do as they say like the good little puppies they are…less of course, they wanna see their precious Captain chopped into bits!" Bikke threatens as he slams his imposing axe onto the table.
"That axe…last I remember, the Princess froze stiff just looking at it." Riku whispers to himself.
"What of the rest of the crew?" A Pirate asks.
"YEAH!" Another cheered.
"We gonna cut THEM up to bits, too?" Another begs.
"Settle down, men, settle down. I've already an idea on what to do with the rest of the bilge rats and gullies that follow Vaan's lead. Well…we'll keep rabbit kid and the silver-haired lad alive. Somethin' about them makes me think that they might prove useful." Bikke explains.
"And the Princess?" A Pirate asks. To answer the pirate's question, Bikke took from his pouch a small vial.
"Snag this from the Souk durin' my travels through the Kismet Winds. A single drop of this into the Princess' food and she'll be out like a light." Bikke says as he soon explains the plan.
"The plan be simple, lads. Tomorrow night I prepare a special feast to celebrate our venture to the Tower of Babel. The Princess eats, and the MOMENT she goes unconscious, we mutiny, which'll be around the time we reach Ishtar's Gate. Keep Vaan hostage 'till we got ALL the gold within the Tower. Once we do that 'n sail the long journey back home, we deliver the Princess, frame Vaan, and get even MORE rich by taking HIS bounty and become HEROES of the Kismet Winds!" Bikke explains.
"And what about the rest of the crew?" The pirates asks, maliciously, earning a vile smile from their Captain.
"Before we get the gold? AFTER we get the gold? Who cares! One thing's for sure, the rest of those gullies won't be survivin' the whole trip through!" Bikke roars as the Pirates cheered with him. Their swords were raised high as they cheered for their Captain's brilliant plan.
All while Riku watches the entire thing.
"Y'know, I kinda liked the Bikke that let me snag food from the mess hall more than this one…" Pachirisu says sadly.
"So, Vaan was right. Those bastards really are planning against us." Riku sighs.
"To think…" A new voice says, catching both Riku and Pachirisu off guard. Listening to the entire scene alongside them…was a heartbroken Balthier.
"Had I look into my Captain's concern, the voyage would've been much smoother than this. It is…clear that I've brought great shame to the Sky Pirate by being too trusting." Balthier says, sadly.
"Hey, it's ok." Riku assures. "We'll…find a way to stop this whole thing from happening."
"Yeah! We all make mistakes, after all!" Pachirisu assures.
"But…how? We Commanders have power, yes, but Bikke compensates with number. On top of this, he also has power." Balthier explains.
"Hmm…true. Maybe Vaan'll have an idea." Riku says. "Think you can round him and the Commanders up?" Balthier nods.
"I'll do it at once." Balthier says as he quickly rushes away from Riku…to which the silver-haired boy only sighs.
"I'm not going to let these bastards get the best of me. Whatever lies within the Tower of Babel…I'm NOT leaving there until I'm satisfied." Riku says aloud.
"The question is…WILL you be satisfied?" Riku and Pachirisu jolted at the sound of a new voice. A deep and chilling voice that could be heard just below them.
"W-who's there?" Riku couldn't help but ask.
"Come closer…" The new voice says lulling Pachirisu and Riku forward into the corridors. Evidently, their journey took them to stairways leading deeper down the ship.
"Uh, Riku…?" Pachirisu squeaks, nervously.
"On my shoulder." Riku says to the Pokémon as Pachirisu did as his new silver-haired friend says. Gently, Riku walked down the stairway, to which it takes the two into the Brig.
All the cells were empty…save for one cell at the very center of the hall. A man…who's face is completely shrouded under his rugged brown robe.
"What're you doing all the way down here? You did something or what?" Riku asks the prisoner.
"Uh…R-Riku, I don't think I've ever seen this guy on the ship before…" Pachirisu says, nervously.
"I've come here for one reason and one reason only. To see the door to this world." The robed man simply says.
"The door…?" Pachirisu asks.
"What do you mean?" Riku asks.
"This world has been connected." The man simply says making Riku and Pachirisu tilt their heads in confusion. "Tied to the darkness. Soon to be completely eclipsed."
"Ok, never seen him before…but I can see why Vaan kept you locked up here." Pachirisu says.
"Yeah…let's go." Riku simply says as he began to take his leave. Until…
"But am I truly a prisoner…or are you?" The man asks.
"Trust me, buddy. I already know I'm a prisoner. One thing's for sure, I'm gonna change that." Riku says determinedly.
"You speak as if it is something simple." The robed man says. "You may find what you seek within the Tower of Babel…but you still shackle yourself in the one thing you cannot escape…your heart."
"My…heart?" Riku asks.
"Don't let your heart be a prison. You've the potential to learn so much…do not fail me." The man simply says, making Riku look down…pondering.
"HE'S GONE!" Pachirisu squeaks out gaining Riku's attention. To both their surprise…the man was gone. The two could only look at each other…with one question in mind.
"Who…the hell was that guy?" They both asks.
On Deck
Meanwhile, things began to quiet down on deck…as we go back to Shiro and Kairi sitting atop the railing…gazing upon the wide-open seas, and the shimmering gold sunset.
"So, it's true, huh? You weren't actually brought up here in the Kismet Winds?" Shiro asks the Princess.
"Nope. The Royal Army found me adrift, when I was just a child. Where I…actually came from is still a blur to me. All I remember was how much of a lovely place it was. Pink skies, beautiful flowers…" Kairi explains.
"Guess we're on the same page, huh?" Shiro asks the Princess.
"You don't know where you came from either?" Kairi asks.
"Nope. All I remember is that I jumped outta a piece of paper. But…that piece of paper's GOTTA come from somewhere…right?" Shiro asks.
"You really are an…interesting creature huh, Shiro?" Kairi couldn't help but ask, earning a chuckle from the tan and white rabbit.
"Well, ain't the first time bein' called that." Shiro simply says as she began to rest her head atop the railing as a question soon came to mind. "So, Princess…if you ain't even from here then…why'd the Sultan take you in? I mean…I dunno about you, but I doubt a ruler of a Kingdom would just take in ANY redhead."
"I think…it might be because of this." Kairi says as she soon presents to Shiro…a sort of birthmark engraved on her arm. It seems to be in the shape of a heart.
"Father…or…rather my foster father told me that this Royal Crest was the symbol of a Kingdom ruled by a dear friend of his. The same symbol from…my home." Kairi explains as Shiro looks to the saddened Princess.
"I'm…sensin' you wanna go back home?" Shiro asks.
"Well…I'm…actually not quite sure, yet. And I have you and Riku to thank for that." Kairi says happily.
"Really?" Shiro asks.
"For years I've been trapped in these palace walls, hoping to see the outside world, again. At first, I admit that the thought of going outside of the palace did frighten me. But now…I think I'm ready to find out what lies ahead. It's like he said…don't let your heart be a prison." Kairi explains.
"Are ya suuuuuuure you're ready for what lies ahead? Cause last I checked a sword made ya freeze frame." Shiro says, smugly. Kairi looked at the tan and white rabbit in confusion…until she soon figured out what she means.
"You mean Chef Bikke's axe…" Kairi says as she looked down once more.
"Yeah, what was all that about?" Shiro asks.
"It's just that…the blade looked…familiar. Perhaps another clue to my past. I don't know what it is, but I felt…disturbed seeing it." Kairi confessed.
"Seems like you're trying to repress a memory of your past. Maybe that means that somethin' bad happened and it involved that axe." Shiro suggested.
"All the more reason why I shouldn't back down, now. There are stories about my past that…I want to find out and uncover." Kairi says as she leaped off the railing only to view the golden sun.
"Welp…I dunno about all that prison mumbo-jumbo, but so long as Riku & I are around, we won't be givin' up on ya, Princess." Shiro says as she pounds her chest, determinedly.
"Shiro…don't ever change." Kairi says.
"I'm a toon, toots. There's no changing me." Shiro says, cockily as the two gazed upon the beautiful sun.
Another day has past…and a new day…a Dawn of Fate…is to come.