Okage Hearts
Chapter 15
I don't own Okage or Kingdom Hearts. Sorry if this chapter isn't as good as the others, but I've recently had to fend off a severe case of writer's block for this story. I also apologize for the lateness of this chapter.
As they arrived at the building where the Map O' Evil Kings said that the Chairman Evil King had set himself up, they noticed that people were being checked for business cards at the front door.
"Okay," Kisling said, "What we need to do is spread out and formulate a plan in which we gather several cards and attempt to use each of them to gain access, at which point, we shall have to formulate further strategies in order to gain an audience with the Chairman Evil King and begin to battle him."
Ari turned to look at Stan, Rosalyn, and Princess Marlene, a plan already formulated in his mind. Upon looking at him, the three had different reactions, evidently having figured out his plan. Stan nodded his two-dimensional head vigorously, clearly eager to see Ari's plan in action. Rosalyn shook her head vehemently, ever the pure and noble hero. Marlene stared at him for a moment, as if to determine something before she made her choice. A slight nod of her head indicated her consent.
"Looks like you've been outvoted," Stan mocked as he returned to Ari's shadow, "Besides, you don't have any shares in his time."
Without a word, Ari summoned his Keyblade and began his one-man siege, which was surprisingly effective and violent, with quite a few actual battles along the way, which were all fascinating stories in and of themselves.
When the others managed to make their way past the mountain of unconscious bodies and maneuvered around the giant hole in the floor, they found a surprisingly cheerful Ari waiting at the elevator.
"I feel somewhat better now," Ari said, though only Marlene seemed to hear him Beiloune and Kisling were eying him warily, while Rosalyn was staring at the sheer destruction surrounding them in shock.
Deciding that everyone staying still wouldn't help help his regaining of his power, Stan asked, "Well, aren't we going to go fight that fake Evil King?"
With that, Ari's band of misfits entered the elevator, the natural order restored. As the elevator rose, Marlene took her customary-as-of-late position next to the Keyblade wielder.
When they made it to the top floor, they found that there was no one barring the way to the Chairman Evil King's office. As a result, they entered the office with ease.
"Hello, everyone," the Evil King in the Executive's chair said, "I see that we have the esteemed Doctor, the Hero with the pink shadow, a Keyblade Wielder, a Butler, a somewhat powerful Evil King, and the Princess. How would you like to work for me, Your Highness? The company offers free dental."
"Is... is it human?" Ari asked, causing Marlene to smile, "Something looks wrong with it."
"I'm afraid that I will have to decline your offer," the Princess said, "At any rate, I do not even know what your business sells."
"You're not going to use the Princess' name to make ill-gotten money," Rosalyn shouted, already slipping into what Ari privately called 'Hero Mode' as she interrupted the Chairman Evil King's attempt to explain his strange rumor-based plan.
"How can a Hero who herself works with an Evil King willingly be considered a Hero," the Chairman Evil King inquired idly, leading to Kisling, Beiloune, and surprisingly Stan holding her so she couldn't rush at the man.
"Your Highness," the Chairman Evil King said smugly, "If you don't join me, then I'll be forced to spread a rumor that you and your Keyblade Wielder were seen kissing."
"Do as you will," Marlene said, grabbing Ari's hand, "We are in love."
Ari was rendered speechless by that statement, not that anyone would notice. The highly visible reddening of his cheeks, on the other hand was definitely noticed.
"Is this fellow really an Evil King?" Kisling of all people asked, "He doesn't seem to understand people very well, not that the others were any better. Him releasing information like that would be met with adoration from the masses."
"Well, that is to say..." the Chairman Evil King began before pointing behind them and saying, "Look, an Evil King!"
Confused, the entire group turned, while the Chairman Evil King muttered something about an Escapeless Abyss in Ramille Plains. When the group turned around, Stan commented, "Somehow I expected this. Well, there's nothing for it now. Let's go."
Once they got to the Escapeless Abyss, the group began wandering until they found their target.
"How did you find me?" the Chairman Evil King asked, seeming genuinely confused.
"Word of advice, from one Evil King to a future Dead Evil King," Stan said, "Don't ever mention where you're escaping to if you plan on fleeing."
"Very well," the Chairman Evil King said, "If I have to fight you, then i'll win. I'm more powerful and I'm smarter than any of you."
"You are aware that amongst us are an Evil King who has conquered two other Evil Kings before you, the Keyblade Wielder, a Hero who lives up the the name, the Princess, her manservant who spent quite some time in search of her, and myself, a man who knows more about your supernatural nature than even you, yourself could ever dream of understanding?" Kisling asked in an overly cheerful tone, "I believe that you will find us more than capable of dealing with you and any minions that you could present to battle us."
The Chairman Evil King, clearly feeling more intimidated by the scientist's words summoned large, fat Heartless that had helmets and the symbol that had been on Stan's bottle etched on their chests.
With that, the fight began. As Ari slashed through the Heartless as if they weren't even there, his companions were attacking the groups that he didn't bother dealing with.
"Slave, you need to use Freeze," Stan said.
Nodding in agreement, the boy began using Freeze whenever he wasn't directly striking the Chairman Evil King with his Keyblade. Eventually, he managed to wear him down, at which point, the Chairman Evil King's power flew to Stan as quick as a flash.
"Where am I?" the man asked as he looked at the group around him, "What am I doing here?"
"You were the Chairman Evil King," Kisling said simply, "We defeated you in combat. Can you recall anything from your time as an Evil King?"
"I remember something about a tunnel, a tunnel underneath Madril, near the back of the sewer," the man said, "Other than that, I can't remember anything other than wanting to take over the world, which, by the way, is a terrible strategy. I'd rather own it. Real estate is one of the best things to work with. Oh, also, whatever this is."
He pulled out some strange-looking device and tossed it to Ari, who vanished the Keyblade to catch it. Upon gaining it, Ari put it into his jacket, where it promptly vanished until he would need it again.
"Now what?" Stan asked as the former Chairman Evil King left.
"I believe that we have had enough adventure for today," Beiloune said simply, "I would recommend finding an Inn and resting for the time being."
"I agree," Marlene responded, once more taking Ari's hand, "We will need to rest for whatever we must fight next."
With that, the strange band of oddities headed to Madril to rest at an Inn, unaware of what was to come.