Chapter 8: Monstro
Hey everyone! It's me, sakuraphoenix, and I'm back with a new chapter! I know that it's been a while, but hey, cut me some slack! I've been busy! Anyway, disclaimer time.
Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts. I also don't know Luz. She belongs to Keybladeauraofpie. Rita, Reina, and Yukie aren't mine either. They belong to D.J. Scales.
Enjoy!
After the uneventful ride back to Traverse Town, we stocked up on supplies to prepare for the journey ahead. We were about to leave the shop when Sora noticed something, and Jiminy noticed it too.
"Well, well, as I live and breathe! If it isn't Pinocchio!" exclaimed Jiminy
He then jumped off Sora's shoulder and in front of Pinocchio, and correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't he look like he's made of wood?
"Oh. Hi, Jiminy." Said Pinocchio
"What in the world are you doing down here?" asked Jiminy
"Um… playing hide-and-seek." Said Pinocchio
Jiminy then started walking around in a circle.
"I just don't believe it. And here I was, up all night, just worried sick about you. Why of all the – Pinocchio!" exclaimed Jiminy
He had a right to be shocked. His nose just grew a few inches!
"Pinocchio! Are you telling me the truth?" asked Jiminy
"Yes!" exclaimed Pinocchio
"Then tell me, what is this?" asked Jiminy
"It was a present." Said Pinocchio
"No fibbing, now! You know you're not supposed to tell lies. A lie only grows and grows, 'til you get caught! Plain as the nose on your face." Said Jiminy
"But if you want something, why wait? Why not just take it?" asked Pinocchio
"Oh, my! Who told you that? You need some advice from your conscience!" exclaimed Jiminy
"That's right! You're my conscience, Jiminy! I'll never tell lies as long as you're around." Said Pinocchio
His nose then shrunk back to its original size.
"You need to be good so you can become a real boy. You promised Geppetto you would be, right?" asked Jiminy
"Oh! Do you know where Father is?" asked Pinocchio
"He's not with you?" asked Jiminy
"Jiminy, let's go find Father!" exclaimed Pinocchio
"Now, hold on! There are all sorts of dangers and temptations out there! I'll go find Geppetto, so you just wait here. These fellows here will be helping me." Said Jiminy
"We will?" Sora and Rita asked in unison
Jiminy nodded his head.
"Well, shall we go, Sora?" asked Jiminy
"You could've asked us first…" Rita trailed off
Reina elbowed her in the ribs as I kneeled down to Pinocchio's level.
"Don't worry, we'll find your father. I promise." I said
We boarded the Gummi ship and set off into space. I don't know what we were supposed to look for, but I was suddenly thrown off guard by something, and it wasn't a meteor!
"What is that?" asked Donald
"Wow, it's huge!" exclaimed Lumen
The thing then flew past us, and it was a giant whale!
"It's a giant whale!" exclaimed Goofy
"It's Monstro! He's a whale of a whale, and vicious besides!" exclaimed Jiminy
"Whoa! Sora, Lumen, get us out of here!" exclaimed a panicking Luz
"Too late! He's going to swallow us!" exclaimed Sora
Some of us closed our eyes as we braced ourselves for a very rough landing.
Luz's P.O.V.
*Flashback – 10 years ago*
I was looking at Sora and Riku, who were racing against each other when a girl with long blond hair walked up to me. I would later learn that her name's Hikari.
"Hello." Said Hikari
"Hi. Did you come from the outside world?" I asked
"Why would you say that?" asked Hikari
"Because nobody lives out here, and I know you're not from the main island." I said
"You're a smart girl. So, how about you? What are you doing here?" asked Hikari
"My mom took me out here on the boat. I want to be friends with those two over there. Their names are Riku and Sora." I said
"It must be hard, huh, to be stuck in one place." Said Hikari
"Yes. I heard once that there was a kid who left for good. So, how did you get here anyway?" I asked
"Is there some reason why you're interested in the outside world?" asked Hikari
"Yeah. I want to protect those who matter to me. You know, like my friends and family." I said
She smiled, and then looked at the sunset.
"Outside this tiny world is a much larger one. I believe that one day, you might be able to see it for your own eyes." Said Hikari
*End Flashback*
I woke up to the sound of rumbling, and I was on something soft, and wet.
"…Well, let's see… If that whale swallowed us, then that way over there is the stomach, which means the mouth… is closed for business." Said Hikaru
The rumbling continued, and a frustrated Donald yelled:
"Knock it off!"
"Hey, Sora, Lumen, Luz, you okay?" asked Goofy
Why was he holding his shield up like an umbrella?
"What are you guys doing?" asked Lumen
"Where are we, anyway?" asked Sora
I then noticed a treasure chest flying through the sky, and I jumped back to avoid getting hit on the head with it.
"Uh, ya know, I think that big ol' whale Monstro just swallowed us. And for today's weather: expect showers." Said Goofy
Another chest hit his shield.
"Make that heavy showers." Joked Hikaru
"Hey!" exclaimed Reina
"Who's there?" asked Rita
"It's me." Said Pinocchio
"Oh, it's just Pinocchio. Pinocchio?!" Donald exclaimed as he did a double take
"Pinocchio? Pinocch, where are you going? Pinocch!" exclaimed Jiminy
"Come on, everyone! We gotta go after him, fast!" exclaimed Yukie
"But how are we going to catch up?" I asked
"As much as I'm going to regret saying this, I guess we're swimming." Hikaru said while pointing to the saliva in Monstro's mouth
"You're right, you are going to regret saying that!" exclaimed Rita
"Argue later. Chase now." Said Reina
Hikari's P.O.V.
I was glad when we reached the boat in the middle of Monstro's mouth.
"What have you got there, Pinocchio?" asked an elderly voice
"With this, we can get out of here, Father." Said Pinocchio
"Really? With this big block? You think so?" asked Geppetto
"It's true." Sora said as we lifted ourselves up into the boat
"So, how did you end up here Pinocchio?" asked Luz
"Oh, my. So the whale swallowed all of you, too? My goodness." Said Geppetto
"Yeah, looks like it." Said Yukie
"My name is Geppetto. I'm Pinocchio's father. When we got separated, I traveled all over, looking for him. Thank goodness we're together again. So, you seem to know Pinocchio quite well. I hope he was a good boy in my absence. Well, we've all had quite a journey. Right, Pinocchio? Pinocchio?" asked Geppetto
"Oh dear. He must've gone deeper into the whale." I said worried
"Come on, let's get Pinocchio before anything bad happens." Said Reina
We entered into the first chamber of the stupid whale's belly, and this was wrong on so many levels! Thankfully, we found him at the entrance to the next chamber.
"What are you doing? Come on, let's go back." Said Lumen
"You know, Geppetto's awfully worried about you." Said Goofy
"Pinocchio, stop fooling around! This is no time for games!" exclaimed Sora
We all began walking back to the mouth when we heard a voice saying:
"But Sora, I thought you liked games."
We turned around to face Riku.
"Or are you too cool to play them now that you have the Keyblade?" asked Riku
"Riku!" Luz and Sora exclaimed in unison
"Wh-what are you doing here?" asked Sora
"Just playing with Pinocchio." Said Riku
"You know what I mean! What about Kairi? Did you find her?" asked Sora
"Maybe. Catch us and maybe I'll tell you what I know." Said Riku
"Oh, come on!" exclaimed Lumen
Riku took Pinocchio's hand and ran further inside Monstro. We all had the same look on our faces.
"Split up!" We all exclaimed in unison
I went solo and focused my senses on finding Riku. Good thing I have a good nose when it comes to finding people. I soon found him near Monstro's belly; at least, I think I was close to the whale's stomach.
"There you are!" I exclaimed
"So, you're all alone." Said Riku
"Something wrong with that?" I asked
"Just makes my job a little easier." Said Riku
"Your job or Maleficent's? Yeah, I know about the old hag. Met her once." I said
"Really?" asked Riku
"Really, and I also know you need to be watched. The darkness in your heart could overtake you if you're not careful." I said
"I'm stronger than the darkness. There's no reason for me to be afraid." Said Riku
"Is that what you promised Terra when you became his successor ten years ago?" I asked
A shocked Riku looked at me.
"How did you know that? I never told anyone!" exclaimed Riku
"I saw you on those islands when you were a little boy, and Terra is my friend. Riku, if you're not careful, you'll walk down the same path he did. Do you want that?" I asked
Before he could reply, Luz ran into the room.
"Riku!" exclaimed Luz
Sheesh, bad timing, and she tackled him again.
"Hey Luz." Said Riku
"You alright?" asked Luz
"Yeah." Said Riku
I'm not gonna ruin this moment.
"I'm glad." Said Luz
We were suddenly surrounded by Heartless, and Riku took this as his chance to slip away.
"Great, just leave us alone for five minutes, will ya?!" I exclaimed
Thankfully with Luz, I just used the Keyblade while she fired off spells at the Heartless. When we were done, they dropped something. A book from Merlin's book to be precise. I cringed at how gooey it was. I'll worry about it later.
"Well, now that that's out of the way, I want answers Hikaru." Said Luz
"Do you think you're going to get them if you point your Keyblade at my back?" I asked
It was true; her Keyblade was pointed at my back.
"You're not who you say you are Hikaru. Why are you being so secretive? What do you have to do with Lumen's past? I need answers." Said Luz
I then turned to face her, and for a moment, I could've sworn that she recognized me.
"Are you…" started Luz
More Heartless appeared, and one of them managed to knock Luz out.
"Luz! Now I'm mad. Word of advice, when I'm mad, run for your life. FAITH!" I exclaimed
That got rid of the rest of the Heartless, and I took this opportunity to heal Luz. She woke up after I was done.
"Hey." I said
"Hey. Listen, I'm sorry about having doubts." Said Luz
"Actually, you were on the ball. I have something to do with Lumen's past." I said
"You do?! But then, what makes you think I can trust you?!" exclaimed Luz
"Outside this tiny world is a much larger one. I believe that one day; you might be able to see it for your own eyes." I said
"It can't be… it's… it's really you. Hikari." Said Luz
"It's been ten years Luz." I said
"You haven't aged a day since I met you! But how?" asked Luz
"I'll start from the beginning. I come from a world named Radiant Garden, nicknamed the City of Light. It was a beautiful place. There were flowers everywhere. Everyone smiled, and the ruler of Radiant Garden, Ansem the Wise would watch over the citizens from his castle. I loved being there, until the day everything changed. When I was eight years old, I was whisked away from my home to train with a man named Xehanort. I tried to leave, hundreds of times, but I couldn't." I said
"Why?" asked Luz
I lifted the back of my shirt to reveal my scar.
"He gave me this scar. It was his way of saying 'you're cursed to stay with me until the day you become a Keyblade Master.' It took me years to finally become one, and that was the year you met me." I said
"So, what's up with the Hikaru routine?" asked Luz
"Don't want certain people knowing I'm back, though the cat's already out of the bag." I said
"I see. You said you know Lumen, who he was." Said Luz
"Not very well, truth be told. He took me in after I got amnesia, and was forced to serve Xehanort. I traveled the worlds just to try and save him, and when I did, I had to seal his memories of me. I didn't want him to remember the things he did." I said
"But… Lumen has amnesia, in a sense. He knows his name, and he knows the world he came from, just not a lot of his memories are intact." Said Luz
"But that couldn't have been me. I only locked away certain memories." I said
"I see. Hey, I'm sorry about how I was acting earlier. I'll keep your secret." Said Luz
"No prob. Luz, I know this is a bit sudden, but I think it's high time you earned yourself a Mark of Mastery exam." I said
"A Mark of Mastery exam? What's that?" asked Luz
I was about to say more when Pinocchio ran by.
"Talk later?" I asked
"Talk later." Agreed Luz
We ran after him with Sora and the others following suit. Pinocchio then ran past Riku.
"Riku!" exclaimed Sora
"What's the matter with you? What are you thinking?" asked Lumen
"Don't you realize what you're doing?!" exclaimed Sora
"I was about to ask you the same thing, Sora. You only seem interested in running around and showing off that Keyblade these days. Do you even want to save Kairi?" asked Riku
"I do." Said Sora
We all heard a scream from the other room. Oh no, that's where Pinocchio went! Well, it's safe to say we've reached the bowels of the whale, but there was this huge Heartless smack-dab in the middle! If that wasn't reason to worry, Pinocchio was inside it, like he was in a cage!
"You up for this?" asked Riku
"No problem. Let's do it!" Sora exclaimed as he got into a fighting stance
"Riku, after this is over, there's something I have to tell you." Said Luz
"I can wait." Said Riku
Sora, Riku, Donald, Goofy, Rita, and Yukie charged in while I stayed at the sidelines casting magic at the Heartless. When I did get up close and personal, I had to watch out for its tentacle-like things, as it liked swinging them around and using them like a hammer. When it was weak enough, I struck the bars at the cage, freeing Pinocchio, unfortunately, a hole opened up, which Pinocchio fell through, and Riku chased after him. We fell through, and ended back in the mouth.
"Pinocchio! Pinocchio! Please! Give me back my son!" exclaimed Geppetto
I looked up, and was horrified that Riku was holding him like a rag doll!
"Sorry, old man. I have some unfinished business with this puppet." Said Riku
"He's no puppet! Pinocchio is my little boy!" exclaimed Geppetto
"He is unusual. Not many puppets have hearts. I'm not sure, but maybe he can help someone who's lost theirs." Said Riku
"Wait a minute. Are you talking about Kairi?!" exclaimed Sora
"What do you care about her?" asked Riku
He then walked off with Pinocchio in tow. Guess we're following him, into the stomach too.
"Hey, let Pinocchio go, Riku!" exclaimed Rita
"A puppet that's lost its heart to the Heartless. Maybe it holds the key to helping Kairi. How about it, Sora? Let's join forces to save her. We can do it, together." Said Riku
Sora then got into a fighting stance.
"What? You'd rather fight me? Over a puppet that has no heart?" asked Riku
"Heart or no heart, at least he still has a conscience." Lumen said as he got into a fighting stance
"Conscience?" asked Riku
"You might not hear it, but right now it's loud and clear. And it's telling me you're on the wrong side!" exclaimed Sora
"Then you leave me no choice." Said Riku
Looks like Pinocchio is going to be fine, and that stupid Heartless is back!
"Jiminy, Pinocchio, get out of here." Said Reina
They quickly ran out of the room, and this Heartless learned a few new tricks last time we were here, for example, spitting out acid. Luz quickly summoned Simba as Lumen summoned Genie. His Keyblade glowed red as he tossed it into the air and three sparks flew off the end before Genie appeared. Lumen and Genie high-fived before going into battle. Simba and Genie then made the finishing move on the Heartless as a gigantic heart appeared, but unfortunately, our battle gave Monstro a bit of indigestion.
"Run!" Rita, Reina, Yukie, and Donald exclaimed in unison
"Riku! Riku, where are you?!" exclaimed Luz
Time seemed to slow down for a minute before going back to normal. They must've learned Stop.
"No time to waste, we gotta run!" I exclaimed
Done and done! Whew, this one took me a while, but I'm finally done! Please review, and until next time, I'm sakuraphoenix, saying I heart you, signing off for now. Merry Christmas!