TN: This is a quick REAL note. Sorry about the delay on this one guys. It is my fault because I do everything but I'ltorien, and I had a lot of affairs to get done prior to this. I feel really bad about how long I have made all of you wait, so for that, I put in quite a bit of plot reveals. I hope that makes up for the time. Please enjoy!
TUH: Just to be clear, it's all his fault.
TUH: Here I thought that we would never get this out.
TN: But we did, that's all the matters.
TUH: If it were me, I'd be demoted.
TN: You already were today, so what does it matter?
TUH: This is discrimination.
TN: But I get to take a break the next two chapters. Did you hear that? You have him for two chapters. By yourself. Good luck.
TUH: Oh look, Unending is looking pretty juicy right now. . .
TN: No.
TUH: Maybe
TN: For all those people wondering, give it two more two more chapters and we'll get to see what Riku has been up to, okay?
TUH: Time for disclaimers!
TN: Roxas! Naminé!
Roxas: *sigh* They do not own Disney, Square Enix, Fire Emblem, blah blah blah.
Naminé: Oh come on Roxas, be more cheerful than that. *leans and kisses him on the cheek*
Roxas: I'm always happy with you around.
Merideth: Ugh. . . get a room. Enjoy and review everyone!
Chapter VI
The Wizard, the Witch, and the Way Back Home
Olympus Coliseum (Nighttime)
July 25, 2010
Why was he stuck with such idiots? Well, the brothers were idiots, but Sephiroth wasn't. They picked at him, he snapped back, and that urged them to continue. That was an idiotic mistake, but he wasn't an idiot, no, just impatient. And here he was, Lord of the Dead, Ruler of the Underworld, Hades himself, working with these three lesser minions. Yes, Hades was Maleficent's ally. The thing was, was that he could care less whether she got Kingdom Hearts or not. He could care less if she got the remaining Princesses. He could care less about her goal for immortality. All he cared about was his plans. Those were the plans that mattered. So what if he was using her? Why get caught up in the details? Phil's rule number whatever: focus on the game, worry about the details later. Was that one of Phil's rules? Probably not, but oh well, it didn't matter, such details.
"Come on, Silver," one of the brothers said to Sephiroth. Four of Maleficent's most trusted allies. Why did they have to do something so mundane and easy? Wasn't this a job for a Nobody? Oh yeah, she doesn't control those. He laughed inside his head at that thought. She hated that fact.
"I'm warning you, Kefka," Sephiroth retorted, anger singeing his voice, adding to the burning fire that brooded between them both. Kefka's brother was smart enough not to go to far as to push Sephiroth. Sephiroth was a pretty boy, all high and mighty, but the dude could fight. Not the best person to piss off, Hades thought.
"Ohohoho, I'm soooo scared!" Kefka said in that dumb ass, frilly voice of his. Even on missions he still acted like an imbecile. What did Maleficent possibly see in him? Or his brother for that matter?
"Kefka, let's focus for once," his brother told him complacently. Kefka looked at him and that wide smile turned into a grimace. That changed a lot about the clown.
"Fine, whatever." What in the underworld was that? Where was that stupid voice? Kefka had just used a serious tone and it sent chills down Hades' spine. The air cooled and the potted flames bordering the Coliseum stands flickered, lowering into their pots. Insects became quiescent, birds flew away, and silence reigned supreme. That voice meant that shit was gonna go down, and Hades did not want to be nearby when that happened. That was just scary.
"Besides," he continued in that voice, "Mama's Boy is leading us after all." The rest of his sentence was back to that shrill and happy tone. Sadistic was more like it. A flash of light accompanied by the sound of an unsheathed sword interrupted them. Half a centimeter from Kefka's throat was Sephiroth's masamune. Dear Zeus! That was lightning quick! Hades had been looking at them and still hadn't seen that coming before it had already been done.
"One more fuc—"
"GUYS!" Hades shouted, flaring red and fire spurting from his extremities. They all flinched from the surprise except for Kefka. His eyes gleamed with hunger at the sudden inferno before them. Hades cooled down before continuing, slicking his "hair" back and reinvigorating his swagger.
"We are here on a mission. You two can kill each other later. But for now, we need to do what's needed. Why you are here, I'll never know," Hades said calmly, pointing at Kefka's brother.
"It's to keep an eye on Kefka," he responded immediately. Hades thought that was near impossible but shrugged it away. He needed to keep Maleficent happy for his own reasons. Wait, what was he afraid of? He was a GOD! He couldn't die!
Ah, a voice said in his head. Remember, she will be one as well.
Hades shuddered at the thought of her immortality, her unlimited power, her Kingdom Hearts. He sighed and looked at the men before him.
"Kefka, give what you have to Sephiroth. He will go to the places you can't reach. Sephiroth, you know what to do. Kefka, get going," Hades ordered to them. They all nodded, which surprised him. It was rare when his orders were followed. Then he remembered.
"Oh, and Kefka," he said, stopping the sadist clown.
"What?" he replied simply.
"Don't blow anything up, okay?" Hades said seriously.
"AWWW, you just have to go and ruin everything!" Kefka replied in that silly tone. It worried Hades because he actually sounded genuinely disappointed. Half an hour passed as Hades oversaw the preparations. He thought it was way too early for them to be made, but why anger Maleficent? He was using her and needed her power. She had her master plan, which was pretty obvious: acquire Kingdom Hearts and become immortal. Then she could kill the Keybrat like she's wanted to for over a year now. She had her master plan, he had his. His was one he had waited thousands of years for. The group assembled and they were finally leaving the coliseum. They stopped at the gates and looked back.
"For you, mother," Sephiroth said. Geez Louise, kid, Hades thought. Is he really serious? Is he still on about that? Why doesn't he grow up some?
"You know, Sephy," Kefka said. Sephiroth just gave him a glare, sharp as his sword. "Maybe we can visit the Pelegostos next." Sephiroth's look became puzzled as well as everyone else.
"Why?" he asked.
"So they can shrink her head. That way you can carry it everywhere you go," Kefka replied happily. Hades thought he could feel the hatred and anger radiate through Sephiroth.
"That was a very poor choice of words, Kefka," his brother said. With a snap of his fingers, Hades brought the four of them to the Underdrome. Sephiroth initiated an all out attack at Kefka, blood lust coursing through him like adrenaline. Kefka lit his palms up with fire and started dancing wildly. Hades and Kefka's brother were sitting in the stands, popcorn and sodas in hand.
"Let's get ready toooo. . . RUMBLE!" Hades shouted. Undead filled the stands. Sephiroth and Kefka fought it out.
Hopefully they won't kill each other.
HoL:TS
Oz
July 25, 2010
Morning dawned warm and sunny, as always in Oz. Sora smiled as he awoke to the smell of frying bacon and sausage. His eyes fluttered open a bit, cracks of sunlight striking them even through the tent, causing his head to sharpen in pain. He turned away from it with a grunt. He stretched his sore and weary legs, tired from all the walking and hiking since they had arrived in Oz. After his body and mind slowly awakened, he crawled out of his tent and the heat lessened, the breeze blowing its cool air on him and also bringing the scent of freshly cooked meat. Everyone was already up as usual. He was always the last to wake up. As soon as he sat down cross-legged, a paper plate was handed to him with food on it, fresh and hot. He dug right in, relishing the favor. Once his food was down his gullet, he looked around.
"Who cooked this? It's almost as good as my cooking!" Merideth raised her hand. He looked at her questioningly. "Really?"
"On my home world, I was the only girl with three older brothers. It was only me and mom, so I learned a lot of household skills. I also learned my magic from my eldest brother, Michael," she explained. Sora thanked her and continued his food. He preferred his own cooking. He was quite the chef but during his previous travels, he didn't have the choice to cook. Goofy was better than him, so he would cook all their meals, and in a gourmet fashion as well.
"So how much farther do you all think Emerald City could be from here?" Dorothy asked. Sora, Kairi and Merideth shrugged their shoulders, being alien to this world. She looked expectantly at Lion, Scarecrow and Tin Man. Scarecrow and Lion shrugged their shoulders as well. The Tin Man sat and thought about it, stroking his metal chin.
"Well, when I used to travel, I had been to it a couple of times. It should be really close by now," he told them all.
"That's great! Now I'll get home!" Dorothy exclaimed while Toto yapped.
"And I'll get a heart," Tin Man said.
"And a brain," from Scarecrow.
"Some nerve," Lion said.
"And he can show us where the Keyhole is at!" Sora said, energy filling him up. He was ready to find it and go to the next world. They had to stop Maleficent. Sora threw his paper plate into the fire and disassembled his tent. After packing it up and shouldering his backpack, he waited for the others impatiently. On this new journey he decided to take a pack with him, and so far it was helpful. It also took the burden of carrying everything instead of him jamming things in his pockets. Kairi and Merideth had similar ones, but they carried less stuff. Soon afterward, everyone had finished packing and were ready to head out. They stepped onto the Yellow Brick Road and continued up a steep hill. They finally reach the sunny top and gazed in awe, mouths dropped, at the sight before them. On the other side of a massive field of poppies was the legendary Emerald City. It twinkled in the sunlight and beckoned them to advance.
"See, you were right, Tin Man," Sora said happily, his goofy grin flashing, it was dazzling in the sunlight. Everyone was happy and excited, even Merideth, and soon they were descending the hill and running into the field of poppies.
"Well, what're we waiting for? Let's run!" Scarecrow shouted. The poppies were high and Sora was leaping through them, laughing and shouting out in joy. He was skipping almost at times and was enjoying life. Scarecrow kept falling down and Tin Man was swinging his axe in a fun way, a firm grip keeping it from flying. Lion was prancing like a lion would and growling in delight. He turned and saw the radiant faces of Kairi and Merideth. Then suddenly, he felt different, funny in a way. All of his energy he just had was slowly ebbing away. His run and leaps turned into a sluggish trot, and the wiry and wispy stems of the poppies enveloped him, begging to pull him down. They whispered to him, telling him the secrets that sleep would give him. They told him how soft they were to lay down on. Just then, a nap sounded really good. But they were almost at the Yellow Brick Road and the poppies were shortening. What would it hurt, just to take a nap? He wasn't the only one as everyone but Tin Man and Scarecrow were falling and starting to sleep.
Sora! Fight it! Roxas screamed at him. It was a far off noise, like a jet landing on the other side of town.
"What. . .?" Sora fell down in to the soft flowers and his head felt light, free of thought. Or maybe it was the fact that Roxas had left and manifested, trying to shake him awake. It wasn't doing any good.
lemme lone
"Sora! Snap out of it!" Roxas said again.
ima sleep now
"Sora! Naminé! Go help Kai! Sora stay with me! Tin Man, come here!"
whys itso bright
"Sora!"
nooo sooo tired i need sle—
Sleep overtook Sora and the others.
HoL:TS
Unknown
Unknown
Darkness. Silence. Enveloping, swirling, hungry, silent darkness. It was all around and nowhere at the same time. Kairi fluttered her eyes open to look around. Her head felt groggy and her vision seemed blurry. She felt weak and defeated, like after having the flu for a week. Her body tumbled and flipped through the darkness. Was it air? She couldn't tell. It felt like nothing, not even fluid friction met her skin. She righted herself and gazed around, more awake and aware now. Where was she? Where was Sora? Where were the others? She cascaded down into the darkness before her feet touched something solid. It felt unnerving at first, but she became accustomed to the feeling of ground again. She looked down and saw nothing whatsoever, just more darkness. She took a tentative step forward and felt more solidity. The darkness was crushing her, scaring her. She wanted to scream and run wild. She wanted to get out of here. But most of all, she wanted to know where she was.
Do not be afraid.
A voice rang out from the nothingness, the darkness. Kairi spun around in all directions looking for the person that said it. Now that she thought about the voice, it was genderless. She could not discern a sex from the voice. It was ancient, mystical and mesmerizing.
"Where are you?" Kairi asked humbly into the darkness, her voice carrying on forever.
You are one who possesses a heart null of darkness.
"What do you mean? Who are you?" Kairi asked, now more meaningfully. Whatever or whoever was talking to her was apparently not hostile.
Sora will be the one to open the door to the light.
"Sora? What about him? What does that mean?" she walked around on the solid darkness.
He has faced many hardships already and has sacrificed more than anyone else. Will you help him stand through the ones to come? They will be harder yet, and he will surely die if you do not help him.
"Of course I'll help him, but that still doesn't answer all my questions," Kairi said. She knew Sora had been through a lot all ready, but death? Will he die without her help?
My question is. . . will you stand by him when he opens the door?
"Yes, I will. Where am I, though?" Kairi said.
Where do you think you are, Kairi?
Suddenly, the darkness was gone. In all directions came a dazzling white light, stretching beyond what her vision could take. Then she looked down. She was standing on a stained glass platform. It was circular and white with pink and red streaks and wisps shooting through it in intricate patterns. A large painting of herself was in the middle. She looked older in this picture, in her twenties easily. She was wielding Destiny's Embrace and her face was one of experience, yet emotion. Around the outer edges were circles containing the six other princesses of heart. These circles where white. Closer to her however, were many circles.
Right above her head and looking down at her was Sora. His face was within a blue heart and he looked older, too. But he looked like he had gone through hell. His face was edged with lines and his eyes bore something she thought to be mysterious. To his left was Riku. He was in a dark circle with cracks of white within. He was wearing very strange attire and a hood was pulled up to hide his face. The only thing she saw was a smile. After him was a shadowed silhouette of a girl. A keyhole was glowing, ready to be unlocked and reveal the occupant. Next was Roxas in a large golden circle. Roxas wore knight's armor with a strange insignia dominating the chest. The symbol on his shield however was Mickey's. His face was distraught. He looked anguished, yet determined for the new perils ahead. A single tear ran down his face.
Continuing on was a circle with King Mickey, Donald and Goofy. Nothing much had changed about them except that the King looked beyond stressed, which was expected. In the next circle was Merideth. She looked sad as well, but she had changed definitely. It was very ominous. Going on around was another circle. It had two occupants, but this one was shadowed, masking the people in it with a glowing Keyhole waiting to be unlocked, to reveal them. The same thing happened again with another two people, the Keyhole waiting. But one thing ticked her curiosity and fear. Where was Naminé? Why was Roxas so sad?
No. She wouldn't believe it. She couldn't believe it. She shrugged it away before looking at the platform in its whole. She had never realized the background. She was standing on a bluff, hanging over a vast field. In the distance stood a tower, reaching high into the darkened sky. All around it were people and creatures alike, fighting in an epic battle. The ground was red, stained by the gratuitous amount of bloodshed. Was this. . .
. . .supposed to be the future?
Welcome Kairi, to your heart. You are in Hātodaibu. You have immense power locked within, but it is up to you to unleash it and control it.
"How do I do that?" she asked fearfully.
You must search for it.
Kairi nodded in understanding before diving within her mind. She searched for some hidden power, some lost vessel of hope and cognition. She rooted around, almost ready to give up when she found something. The power it radiated was immense and she dove after it. But a barrier stood between herself and it. She attacked at the wall with everything she had, hungering after the secrets behind it. She looked for weaknesses and points of entry but found none. This was her body, her mind, and it would hold nothing from its master. With an almighty effort, she broke through. A torrent of power flooded her mind and body. She felt it course and surge through her, filling her sense and mind. She felt powerful, but would it be enough for what she had seen. She opened her eyes. The ground rumbled and three pedestals shot into the air. Three objects shimmered to life above each. A sword. A staff. A shield.
She looked at the shield. It was black and red, and King Mickey's seal adorned it. It radiated its own power.
Power sleeps within you.
Her head shot around to the staff. It was green with a blue head. The head was also the King's symbol. She felt energy burst from it in waves.
If you give it form. . .
Finally her head looked forward at the sword, the hilt emblazoned with the seal again. She could sense pure strength and rage burning from it, lusting for blood.
It will give you strength.
Choose well.
She took that as to mean she had to pick one of them. She looked at the each and walked toward them. She circled each one, evaluating them the best she could. She wanted to help Sora and the others in anyway she could. In the short time she fought at The World That Never Was, she had not been the greatest with melee. She wanted to learn magic. Naminé was great at memory magic, so maybe being her Somebody meant she could do magic as well. She approached the staff and held it in her hands. Mystical power resonated from it and flowed through her. She felt like it completed her.
The power of the mystic.
Inner strength.
A staff of wonder and ruin.
Is this the power you seek?
"Yes," Kairi answered. The staff flashed away into thousands of strands of light. They melded into her body and she felt energy spate and become one with her being. The energy flowed and invigorated her.
Your path is set.
Now what will you give up in exchange?
She looked at the remaining sword and shield. Above all else, she wanted to protect the ones she loved. It was no debate in her head that she wanted the shield. So she walked to the sword, ready to dismiss it. She took a hold of it.
The power of the warrior.
Invincible courage.
A sword of terrible destruction.
You give up this power?
"Yes," she answered defiantly. It dispelled and vanished The shield did the same as the staff and flowed into her, becoming one with her soul.
The power of the guardian.
Kindness to aid friends.
A shield to repel all.
You have chosen this over the warrior. Your path is now more clear than before.
Kairi felt satisfied and ready. She could take on the worlds. And her friends would be there until the end.
But what about Naminé?
Suddenly, the floor vanished and she was sent hurtling upward. A light began to grow. It was intense and bright. She squinted at it as her body flew at unheard of speeds. It grew in intensity and and she threw her arms over her eyes and face. She started screaming as the light assaulted her. Unknown and ancient voices racked her psyche, threatening to deafen her mind. Chants long lost sung and the light grew. She felt her hair singe and her skin burn. She screamed as it tore away at her flesh. She screamed.
And screamed.
Until it all stopped.
The silence had never seemed so loud.
Do not be afraid. . .
HoL:TS
Oz
July 25, 2010
"Kairi! Wake up! C'mon Kai!" Sora felt worried. She was the only one who hadn't woken up yet. He didn't even fully comprehend how he or the others woke up for that matter. All he remembered in the daze was a far off voice and then a blizzard of snow. The thing was, he wasn't cold in the snow. Tin Man had rusted up, so Dorothy oiled him again while he and Merideth were busy trying to wake Kairi. She had been fidgeting and turning in her sleep. She had let out grunts and her face was contorted. Then she screamed very loudly and went silent and limp. Maybe Sora was beyond worried. But just when all hope seemed lost, she stirred.
"An- and I thought you were the lazy bum. . ." she said groggily, trying to sit up. Sora and Merideth helped her and she looked around at the snow with a confused expression. Lion chuckled.
"Unusual weather we're having, ain't it?" he said. The others nodded while Sora helped Kairi to her feet. The snow had ended and they were renewed with vigor. They turned towards Emerald City and continued on their way, down the Yellow Brick Road. The looming mass of Emerald City drew closer and the sparkling grew brighter. Finally! They would meet the Wizard of Oz and find where the Keyhole was. And lucky for them; there were no Heartless here! This had been an easy world, and that was good. They finally found the palace and approached the doors. There was a long rope meant for the bell. Dorothy pulled on it. They heard feet shuffle and something scuffle before a hatch opened above their heads and a balding man pushed his head through, exposing his ridiculous mustache.
"Who rang that bell?" he said in a very annoying and pitched voice. He looked down at the group. He seemed annoyed and red in the face, ready to burst at anyone.
"We did," Dorothy and the others said.
"Can't you read?" he spat at them. They all looked confused and Sora was getting impatient.
"Read what?" he asked the man.
"The notice!" he retorted.
"What notice?" Scarecrow asked. Now the man looked flabbergasted.
"It's on the door! As plain as the nose on my face, see— oh? Oh!" He disappeared and then came back with a sign. He hung it on the door and closed the hatch. It read: Bell out of order. Please Knock.
"You have got to be kidding me," Merideth said in an impatient and annoyed tone. Sora agreed with her, but knocked anyway. The man reappeared.
"Ah, now that's better! Now, state your business!" he said to them. He sounded and looked friendlier, but that voice was still annoying.
"We want to see the wizard," everyone replied. The man doorman looked shocked.
"The wizard? But nobody can see the Great Oz. No one ever has, not even I have seen him!" he told them. Sora's spirits went down, but Dorothy kept going.
"Well, then how do you know there is one?" she asked smartly. Sora looked up at him to see the answer.
"Because he- I- ooh, you're wasting my time!" he shouted at them angrily. Sora pried further.
"The Good Witch of the North sent us, Dorothy even has the Ruby Slippers," Sora said, pointing to them. The man looked down and he smiled in surprise.
"Oh she did! Well why didn't you just say that in the first place? Come! Come on in!" He disappeared from sight, the hatch shut, and the doors opened. Everything inside was an emerald green as well. Residents and noblemen walked here and there, talking and doing whatever. The man led them down many cavernous halls until they came to a door after what seemed like hours.
"Okay," the doorman said, "he's just through this hall. Be respectful and show him loyalty. I hope all goes well." The doorman bowed and left Sora and the group at the door. Sora opened it and they all stepped through into a massive and high-vaulted room. It was dark and fire spewed at the far end, throwing heat and noises of steam toward them. Lion tried to run back, but Scarecrow and Tin Man carried him back. Echoes of a large and powerful voice met them, thundering through the hall.
"Come forth!" it roared.
They stepped into the massive room and Sora thought it reminded him of the room where he sacrificed his heart for Kairi. Steam and fire roared, shadows flickered and the air vibrated with Oz's power. He seemed to be a large face in the air, looking down at them.
"It is I, Oz, the great and powerful!" he shouted at them. Lion was trembling. "Who are you?" he roared at them, fire spurting anew and stimulated. Of all people, Dorothy stepped forward.
"Well, I- I'm Dorothy Gale, the small and weak. If you please, we came to—"
"SILENCE!" he boomed, interrupting her and sending Lion into more shakes, or maybe that was the room reverberating from his voice.
"The great and powerful Oz knows why you are here. Step forward, Tin Man!" he thundered. Even Tin Man was off edge as he scooted closer, his axe trembling in his hand, his knees quaking and buckled.
"You dare to come to me for a heart, you clinking, clanking, clattering collection of caliginous junk?!" he demanded, insults flying like they were commonly expectorated from that mouth of anger.
"W- why, y- yes. You see, a w- while b- back, we—"
"SILENCE!" he shouted again. Tin Man didn't argue as he retreated to his friends. Oz's eyes fell on Scarecrow next, the next victim of the wizard.
"And you, Scarecrow! You have the effrontery to come and ask me for a brain, you billowing, bumbling, blabbering bale of bovine fodder?!" he boomed. Those insults were starting to become annoying in their chintzy way.
"Yes, Your Honor. I mean Your Majesty. I mean Your Wizardry. I mean—"
"ENOUGH!" The hall shook with his voice, thundering and riveting. "Lion!" he shouted. Lion fainted right where he was. Sora rushed to his side, but heard him being called next.
"And you, Other-Worlders, who are you!?" he demanded. Sora stepped forward along with Kairi and Merideth.
"I am Sora, Keyblade Master. This is Kairi, Keyblade Wielder and Merideth, Mage and Adept Healer. We have come to ask you where the Keyhole is, so we may seal it and protect this world from darkness," Sora explained braver than what he thought he could do.
"I have every intention of granting your wishes!" Oz proclaimed suddenly. Lion recovered from his "faint" and said: "What did he say?" The lot of them looked up to his ethereal face, his voice monstrous.
"Yes, you must prove yourselves worthy to me by completing one simple task," he said.
It can't be simple. There has to be a catch, Sora thought to Roxas.
Even if there is, it won't be something you can't handle, Roxas replied.
"Yes, you are to bring me the broomstick of the Witch of the West!" he commanded them. Yep, a catch. . .
"B-b-b- but if we do that, then we have to kill the Witch," Tin Man said fearfully. Oz only looked down upon them, like ants in his home.
"Bring me her broomstick and I shall grant your requests. Now go," he told them, his face starting to fade as fire and smoke ptyalized.
"But what if she kills us first?" Lion asked dumbly. Sora just shook his head at that question. He wasn't expecting the power of Oz's voice that was to come.
"I said GO!" Sora and the group hastily got up and retreated through the thundering and dark room, Lion at the head and diving through a glass window. They heard a yelp of pain before they followed suit, but more cautiously. They were off to see the Wicked Witch of the West. To go and retrieve her broomstick.
And kill her.
HoL:TS
"Of all times, now is when the Heartless show up?" Kairi exclaimed as a group of Heartless encircled the group. Lion had tucked his tail between his legs and curled into the fetal position, crying and muttering something about spooks. Him and Tin Man had been arguing over spooks while Sora led them all through the Haunted Forest. He had to admit, of all places, this seemed most likely for the Heartless to show up. Sora and Kairi had flashed out their Keyblades while Merideth had retrieved her staff. Sora had hoped she was good at offensive magic. He had only heard of her Healing abilities. Roxas and Naminé had appeared as well, Keyblades at the ready. Surrounding them were numerous Heartless, all Shadows and Soldiers. To Sora, these were a breeze; he expected nothing of them.
"Girls, be careful. They are weak, but they are strong in numbers. Do not get caught off-guard," Sora told them. They nodded as Roxas initiated the fight. Dorothy was shielded by Tin Man and Scarecrow behind a tree, a safe distance from the fighting. Lion lay forgotten.
"Fira!" he screamed, blasting a hole through the face of the closest Shadow. That caused them all to react and jump forward, a fray of battle commencing. Within seconds, Naminé had had her arm clawed at by a Shadow, small cuts left there. She weakly and dumbly stabbed through ts head before Roxas rushed to her side to protect her while he waited for Merideth, the better healer. Merideth had just finished casting a small and anemic Blizzard spell, causing small damage to the Soldier it was intended for. She crushed its skull with the blunt end of her staff and ran to Naminé and healed her. Sora let them be and rushed forward towards a group of Soldiers. He deflected their claws with a side jerk of his wrist. They stumbled back and he cleaved two in half at their waists, wisps of smoke trailing in the air, pink crystalline hearts following. He stabbed another through what would have been its ribs and, while his sword was still within it, kicked at the helmeted head of another one, killing it with the forceful trauma. As he danced in a waltz of death and flaying, Kairi was holding her own. Or at least from what he could see.
It what time he could glimpse, he saw that she was okay with the blade. She deflected poorly and blocked clumsily. Her stance was odd, allowing many openings and chances. Her footwork was scared and she took too many unnecessary movements. Her offense was okay, but needed much improvement. She took down multiple Shadows, usually blows to the head. Then two Soldiers converged on her, their yellow eyes darting with their twitching heads. They leaped forward and she raised her Keyblade at them.
"Fire!" she shouted. The spell collided with the helm of the first one and exploded violently, causing enough damage to kill the other, the splintered and erratic metal flying every-which-way. She did the same and took out quite the number of Shadows at once. Sora could see the glee on her face when she used magic, opposed to when she used melee. Sora took a mental note to realize she was probably better at magic than melee; he would have to ask her later. Sora focused his attention on the remaining Heartless and eliminated them. He then turned to a new group before hearing a bloodcurdling scream. His head whipped around to see that behind him a large group of flying monkeys had descended and had started flying away with Dorothy and Toto. Scarecrow lay on the ground, his stuffing thrown about as Tin Man and Lion tried to restore him. The teens killed the remaining Heartless and rushed to Scarecrow.
"What just happened?" Sora asked.
"It was horrible. They tore my leg off and they threw it over there. Then they tore my chest out and threw it over there," Scarecrow cried as the reassembled him. They heard a far off yapping about fifteen minutes later after everyone had finished recuperating.
"What is that?" Lion asked, grabbing his tail. Sora looked off into the distance to see Toto appearing from the undergrowth. He had burs in his fur and it was matted with mud.
"It's Toto!" Sora shouted. The little terrier made its way over to the group, barking at them and swinging its head, beckoning them to follow him. The group readied their stuff and set off to follow Toto.
"We're coming, Dorothy," Sora said to the depressing darkness, the night howling away at them in the twisted forest and rocky outcroppings.
HoL:TS
I'ltorien
July 14, 2010
When we last left off, our "King" had just cast a spell on Cuore, a girl that he had found being assaulted by runaway fellow experiments. Now walking through the crowds of bystanders, who cleared the way for a General in both respect and/or fear, he paid close attention to the vibrations in his cloak, making sure the girl didn't do the wrong move and run away from him. He wouldn't blame her for it, he hadn't been the nicest person to those around her, deserving or not, but if she was found by almost anyone else. . . she'd be dead. Plain and simple.
It didn't take long for him to reach the castle at the center of the town. He looked up at the imposing center of the Empire's power and frowned. Something so beautiful could be so ugly on the inside. . . and he wasn't thinking about the decoration.
Still, what he was worried about now was to avoid bumping Cuore into anything and anyone, while also avoiding any and all conversations. Anyone who could use magic had at least some chance to notice her. Some would even notice her breathing.
He made his way through the entry hall, only returning salutes from some soldiers and making his way through the stairs, through the hallways that lead to the residential area of the castle. He had to get to his room and he had to do it fast. The girl remained silent and obedient much to King's surprise. Maybe she was smarter than he gave her credit for.
He reached the northwestern tower, the one that only housed the higher ups on his own division; his worries diminishing greatly as he climbed the stairway of the familiar spire. A good thing about being the highest rank in the army was that he had a room just to himself and completely out of the way from everything. The perfect place to hide the girl.
Reaching the door to his room, his hand relaxed completely and he took a deep breath as he opened with his key, rotating the handle and pushing the door inwards.
"We're here," he announced, expecting the girl to relax. Quite the opposite.
"Yes. . . we are," a voice echoed behind him. This was impossible as the tower didn't echo. There was just one person that could have such a characteristic and it shook him to the core.
Turning around, he saw his direst expectations turn into reality. On the stairs there was a man. A tall man, taller than him even. He was wearing a heavy suit of ornate armor, as black as the night that covered all of his body, and King truly meant all of it. No one had ever seen his face behind that helmet. The suit was lined in silver, possessed two large, flawless spaulders. The entire armor was flawless, which was even more insane as that man was never seen without it. He wore a matching black cape, a red interior taking it. Behind the darkened visor, King knew his eyes were burrowing into his, and he felt not fear, but uneasiness by being even near this enigmatic battle tank of a man.
"What are you doing here?" King tried to put as much defiance as he could muster in that one phrase but the man seemed to simply not care for it. Instead, he only took a deep breath, taking one more step in the direction of the teen, his presence making Cuore let go of his cape and hide behind his legs, gripping one of them.
"You brought no report," he simply stated.
"It'll be on His Majesty's hand first thing tomorrow at dawn," King replied, staring at the knight for a few moments. He exhaled again and turned his back on him, saying:"Be sure not to leave any straggler out of it."
King automatically reached for his blade, even knowing he couldn't possibly win. Not now. "Oooh, is the drake getting restless in its nest?" he questioned, reaching for his waist and drawing his blade from it. The blade's hilt was pure gold in a cross-like shape, an emerald imbedded near the start of the blade. Said blade was a gleaming white and silver metal and was easily classified as a two-hand, but he wielded it easily in one hand. The Blade of the Moon, Alondite. The two shared tense moments as King slowly started to unsheathe his blade, thinking he had crossed the point of no return. However, the knight suddenly sheathed his own blade, turning back once again.
"Off to tell on your master?" King questioned, still preparing to strike if needed. To have him tell the Emperor was FAR worse than fighting him here. At least he'd die swiftly and Cuore could take the time to run away. He was already screwed if they found her by now; might as well save someone.
"Hardly. I have no orders to do so, nor does the child pose a threat to me. I am no dog that licks his master's feet," the man answered, stopping in his tracks and looking back. "But you should truly reflect on your recent actions. You cannot change the past, you'd do well to remember that. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a meeting to partake in." With that, he vanished from sight, the clank of his metal boots soon following as he descended from the tower.
"Meeting? I heard of no meeting. . ." King breathed, but then decided to not dwindle on it too much.
He entered his room and closed the door behind him. He quickly headed towards his bed and told the girl to sit on it. Seeing the place she sat at, he used that as reference to find her head.
"Dispel," he muttered, the girl slowly fading back into view. King couldn't help but feel almost intimidated by how cold her look seemed. It wasn't passive aggressiveness, it was just a void of emotions. Still, he left her there to go check on the door for any listeners. When he found none, he came back to see that the girl had not moved an inch. He hadn't even seen her blink also. It was seriously starting to creep him out. "Is something wrong?" he asked rhetorically.
"Illogical," she replied, again, as cold as ice. King just stared at her, as if asking why, and she continued. "It'd be best for you to dispose of me. What benefit does your possession of me incur?" Well, the man was somewhat taken aback at how she spoke more fluently than most people he had encountered in his life, but also hurt.
"Possession? You're not a 'thing', I don't have you," he stated, sitting next to the girl. To tell the truth, he couldn't blame her for it. This way of thinking was only natural if you were born in that facility. "Look, how old are you?" He questioned, the girl simply stating:
"I have seen a day pass 2657 times in the facility. I do not remember all of it however, my early days are a blur. . ." It took a minute till King realized that meant she was at least over seven. So similar.
"Your parents, do you know them?" he asked, to which Cuore shook her head.
"I was stripped of them before I could create memories, so it is possible I may be somewhat older than what I may think," she replied. It was just too similar. "You still have not answered my question. Why is it that you would go out of your way to help me other than take advantage of my abilities?" King sighed and rose from the bed, turning his back on the girl and walking towards the window.
"You know, I once knew someone like you," King confessed, staring at the now setting sun. "Not quite. . . she was more shy while you are more rational, but you were both closed off from the real world by the very same reasons. You can trust me Cuore. I've been through most of what you went through. I don't know my parents, I've been bred to be little more than a tool. We're the same in that way," he told the girl, turning to see a curious glint in her formerly emotionless eyes.
"Illogical. None of that leads to a logical connection to saving me. You are in danger for no logical reason. I still ask why," she told him. Now this worried King more. She was far worse off than anyone in the facility. Had she been deprived from ANY contact with others?
"It's not about logic. It's about what is right to do," King told her again, confusion taking over the girl's face.
"I. . . still do not understand," she replied. Someone answered.
"Someday, you will." That was not King. At all. That was a female. "To tell the truth, I thought this one over here was becoming just like you are, but I guess either you thawed the ice or it was just a cover-up," the blonde woman said from the entrance of the room, strutting with a snarky look as King leaned back on the window so hard he almost fell from it.
Caught in a matter of five minutes. That had to sting.
"S- sis," he stuttered, afraid of what Eighteen would do. She had always been as cold, if not colder than him most of the times. . . and he had to admit, the most likely and better choice would be to put Cuore down. Yet, he couldn't bring himself to even think of harming her.
"Relax, do you think I'd really get rid of the only thing that stopped you from being a zombie?" Eighteen asked, crossing her arms and shaking her head. "Not the best way for you to wake up, but I'll take it." She then moved up to the girl, knelt and started caressing her hairline. "Don't worry, you're safe now." King and Eighteen almost gaped at seeing how the girl's expression seemed to slowly and slightly shift to one of relief.
"I think I should say. . . thank you," she said, the mood in the room lighting up tremendously until. . .
"So, did you clean the mess as I told you to-" King really, really regretted the idea of bringing Cuore to his room right about now. "Oh you have to be friggin' kidding me! Nope! Not being a part of this! I'm out. I'm done. Didn't see anything, know anything. . . not at all!" His Lieutenant then tried to turn back and escape the room he had just walked into, but alas, he found the entrance frozen solid by real ice, not King's crystals. Turning back he saw the blonde's woman's shining, ice-cold eyes. He could only sigh as his head bowed down in defeat, replying to the unsaid threat with: "Alright sis. . . but I'll have you know, I suck at babysitting."
HoL:TS
Oz
July 25, 2010
"Wow, now those guys were weak," Sora said, adjusting the uniform he was now wearing. A group had tried to jump him and the group. After traversing the rocky and deadly pass to get to where they were now, they took a few minutes to sigh in relief. They had protected themselves and knocked the monkey-things unconscious, stealing their uniforms and wearing them. It was the best idea that they could currently come up with to gain access to the Witch's castle. It was dark, brooding, and monstrous, reaching over the shadowed valley before like a storm cloud. Turrets fingered into the pitch-black sky, prying for the unseen mass above the opaque clouds. Thunder crashed and lightning flared, illuminating dense and dead trees, their branches like arms, grabbing for the innocent. Sora shuddered.
"Yes, they may have been weak, but she isn't. She may have powerful magical abilities and she may even be able to summon more powerful Heartless this time," Merideth reminded him. He nodded his head as they watched the monkeys march below, chanting their song.
"We can worry about that when the time comes," Kairi said in a hushed voice, crouching behind the rock with the others. "We just need to worry about getting into that horrible place first." Sora agreed with her as they watched the marching.
"Well, shouldn't we just fall in behind them? They don't seem too smart," Tin man said, adjusting his fur hat with much irritation.
"We can try, that's for sure. Come on guys!" Sora told them, climbing over the rock and descending the hill. Loose gravel shifted under his feet and he was falling quickly. He nearly tumbled as the ground leveled out. He wasted no time jumping in line with the monkeys, following their stature, posture and chant. The rest followed him as well. Soon, and sure enough, they were being led right into the castle, the drawbridge retreating behind them and the gates locking. Right before he and his group turned a sharp corner, they pulled out of the formation and hid for a few moments in a darkened corner. This gave Sora the time to look at the inside of the castle.
Much to his expectation, it was dark and gloomy. It had a Gothic era feel to it, like a story right out of the mind of Edgar Allen Poe, whom of which they had to read at school. Torches cast oily light and dancing shadows on the slimy and stone walls, barely giving any warmth to the halls and rooms. Ratty and musty carpets lay on the floors and similar curtains hung in front of mullioned windows, glass opaque like the clouds high above. They waited for the chanting to drift and dwindle into nothing before going. They found Toto ahead of them, scratching a door furiously.
"That must be where Dorothy is," Scarecrow said.
"Well, let us make sure first," Tin Man answered. He ran to the door and yelled through it.
"Dorothy, are you in there?!" Tin Man shouted. They heard sobbing through the door. Then it stopped.
"It's us," Lion said.
"Yes! It's me! She locked me in! Do hurry!" Dorothy shouted through a choked voice. "The hourglass is almost empty!"
"Stand back," Tin Man shouted, readying his axe.
"No need," Sora said, unlocking the door with his Keyblade. The others marveled at it before rushing into the room to help Dorothy. He and the others removed their uniforms once they made sure Dorothy was okay. Toto rushed to her owner and yapped happily.
"Oh Toto, I missed you. I knew you all would come and help me," Dorothy said with tears of mirth in her eyes, eyes that were darting to each of them in turn.
"Come on, let's hurry out of here!" Scarecrow said. The others agreed. They went down to the door and started banging on it, but to no avail. Then that icy voice shot through the room.
"Leaving so soon, eh?" The Witch spat at them. They turned around and looked up at the second floor landing she stood upon. In her hand was the broomstick and the other an old hourglass. On either side of her were many monkey guards.
"I wouldn't hear of it! My party's just beginning!" she cackled. More guards rushed in from the side doors and surrounded Sora and the group. His Oblivion flashed to his hands.
"Here we go boys!" Tin Man shouted, his axe striking the rope holding the candelabra up in the air. It crashed down into the monkeys. Sora took the opportunity to take his friends through one of the doors. He heard the Witch scream in a tirade.
"No! Stay here you fools! We shall send the Heartless after them. Heartless! Come forth! Kill them and bring me those ruby slippers!" she screeched. As they ran, Sora looked back over his shoulders. He could see Neoshadows and Soldiers hot on their tail. They came to a large room and were blocked by more Heartless. The Heartless were about to attack when they suddenly stopped, silenced by the Witch's scream.
"No! I have a better idea!" she said cruelly as she made her way to the group. "I'll kill you myself," she told them. She looked up and lifted her broomstick, catching it on fire from a hanging torch.
"How about it Scarecrow, wanna play with fire!?" she cackled, catching his arm on fire. Dorothy screamed in shock, grabbed a nearby bucket of mop water, and threw it on him to put him out. In the process she splashed the Witch.
"AH!" she screeched. Her skin was smoking and her face was bubbling, as if she were melting. Sora never knew how right he would be in that thought.
"Ohhh you cursed brat! Look what you've done! I'm melting! Melting! Oh what a world, what a world! Who would have thought a good little girl like you could destroy my beautiful wickedness!? Ohhh! Look out! Look out! I'm going. Ohhhh! Ohhhhhh" She was slowly dissipating and shrinking, melting into the cold stone floor that she had called her own for so long. Her wails riveted the hall, echoing into the dark unknown. The Wicked Witch of the West was finally dead. The apparent monkey leader examined the smoldering remains of the Witch, no longer afraid as the Heartless had vanished due to the disappearance of their leader.
"She- she's dead. You. . . you've killed her," he said, looking up at Dorothy. She looked frightened at his words and stare.
"I- I didn't mean to kill her! Honestly, I didn't! It's. . . it's just that he was on fire," she stammered, indicating the now wet Scarecrow. Sora had his Keyblade readied at the General. There was a tense silent, and then, all at once, the monkeys knelt before the group.
"Hail to Dorothy! The Wicked Witch is dead!" the leader announced with authority. He beat his fist into his chest. The others followed suit in a rousing chorus.
"Hail! Hail to Dorothy, the Wicked Witch is dead!" they all shouted happily. Sora dismissed his Keyblade confusedly.
"You mean you're all happy about it?" Dorothy asked timidly. The leader rose and nodded.
"Yes, very happy. She won't be able to beat us with that broom anymore," he replied.
"Oh, the broom, Dorothy!" Sora reminded her with enthusiasm.
"Yes, the broom!" she agreed hastily, her head aflutter. "May we have it?" she asked the leader.
"Please! And take it with you!" he replied happily, handing her the stick while bowing.
"Great, now we can go back to see the Wizard and tell him the Wicked Witch is dead!" Kairi exclaimed giddily.
"Hail! At last the Wicked Witch of the West is dead!" The monkeys exclaimed. "We will escort you out of this dreadful realm," the leader said as the monkeys began to sing and lead the heroes out, broomstick in hand and wishes at heart.
HoL:TS
The World That Never Was
July 25, 2010
"We have completed the task at the Coliseum," Sephiroth told Maleficent. She sat in her throne, feeling anxious and aggravated. That bumbling Witch had failed her. She hadn't expected much out of her anyway. It would take more to hinder that Keyblade fool.
"Very good, Sephiroth," she praised. He at least finished tasks to an appreciable level.
"And what about us?" Kefka cackled, indicating himself and his brother. She just smirked at them.
"You two did well as well. Thank you for keeping Kefka in check," she said to his brother.
"You're welcome, my queen," he replied smoothly. She smiled.
"And Sephiroth, please report to the laboratory. Our head scientist requested your assistance in an experiment in researching the new breeds of common Heartless he is creating. They will be much more difficult than any other Heartless Sora has ever encountered. He will fear these. Tell him that I plan to unleash the finished prototype on Sora and his friends at the next world they go to. That should deal quite the blow," she explained to Sephiroth. He bowed his head and took leave.
"As for you two, go get some rest and wait for further orders," she said. And without another word, they left. How odd?
Ah, this new prototype will surely put Sora's skills to the test. But then again, it is only the prototype of a massive Heartless. The smaller, more common breeds will just be irritable. But this one? No. . . this one will cause him much trouble.
She cackled, her gluttonous eyes coveting the heart-shaped moon high above her.
HoL:TS
Oz
July 26, 2010
"Can I believe my own eyes? Why have you come back?" The voice of Oz boomed in the cavernous room. He looked rather irritated as always.
"Please, sir. We have done as you asked. We have gotten the broomstick from the Wicked Witch of the West! We melted her," she explained to Oz. His face then took one of genuine shock.
"Oh! You liquidated her, eh?" he asked, slightly amused. "How resourceful."
"Yes sir, but we would like you to keep your promise to us, if you please, sir," Dorothy asked meekly.
"Not so fast!" he boomed, his face taking on the irritated and angry look again. "Not so fast! I'll have to give the matter some thought. Come back tomorrow!" he commanded.
"Tomorrow? Oh, but I want to go home now!" Dorothy complained, stomping her heeled foot.
"You've had plenty of time already," Tin Man shouted to the projected face.
"Yeah! And we need to find the Keyhole to protect this world!" Sora shouted at him, feeling more confident than he should.
"Do not arouse the wrath of the great and powerful Oz! I said come back tomorrow!" he declared, shaking the room with his anger.
"If you were really great and powerful, you'd keep your promises!" Sora shouted back at him.
"Do not presume to criticize me!" he shouted. Then he went off in a tangent of yelling and chastising them, but Sora's attention was caught by Toto. He had approached a curtain off to the side of the room and was pulling it back, revealing a portly and balding man shouting into a microphone and activating a control panel, no doubt to work the projection apparatus. Sora nudged Dorothy and pointed over. They all gasped when they saw him.
"Oh- oh. . ." the man stuttered, then Oz's voice changed.
"The great and powerful Oz has spoken. Do not mind the man behind the curtain. Leave, now!" he commanded, but the group forgot the giant face and approached the man.
"Who are you?" Dorothy asked him. He was sweating and looked flabbergasted.
"Well, I- I'm the great and powerful. . . wizard of Oz," he replied meekly.
What!?
What? It wasn't obvious to you? Pathetic, Roxas said in his head, laughing.
"Are you really?" Sora asked, stunned.
"Why, yes, I am," he replied.
"I don't believe you! You're a bad man," Dorothy exclaimed.
"No. I'm a very good man. I'm just a bad wizard," he admitted.
"But what about the things you promised us?" Scarecrow asked.
"Like what, your brain? Why, anybody can have a brain. That's a very mediocre commodity. Every pusillanimous creature that crawls on the earth or slinks through the slimy seas has a brain! From the rock-bound coast of Maine to the Sun oh. . . oh, no. Ah, here we go," he said, reaching through a bag. "Well, be that as it may. Back where I come from we have universities, seats of great learning where men go to become great thinkers. And when they come out, they think deep thoughts and with no more brains than you have. . . But! They have one thing you haven't got! A diploma!" he declared.
"Therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Universitatus Committeeatum e plurbis unum, I hereby confer upon you the honorary degree of Th.D." he told Scarecrow, handing him a diploma.
"Th.D.?" Scarecrow asked uncertainly.
"Yes, a doctorate in Thinkology!" Oz told him. Scarecrow's face immediately changed and he put his fingers to his temple.
"The sum of the square roots of any two sides of an isosceles triangle is equal to the square root of the remaining side. Oh joy, rapture! I've got a brain!" Sora wondered in awe as Scarecrow just recited Pythagorean's Theorem.
"You've got to be kidding me," Merideth said in an undertone. Sora glanced at her and chuckled.
Oz directed his attention to Lion.
"As for you, my fine friend, you're a victim of disorganized thinking. You are under the unfortunate delusion that simply because you run away from danger, you have no courage. You're confusing courage with wisdom. Back where I come from, we have men who are called heroes. Once a year, they take their fortitude out of mothballs and parade it down the main street of the city. And they have no more courage than you have. But! They have one thing that you haven't got! A medal!" Oz explained to him, reaching into the same bag for something, undoubtedly a medal.
"Therefore, for meritorious conduct, extraordinary valor, conspicuous bravery against wicked witches, I award you the Triple Cross," he said, pinning a medal to Lion. Sora wondered how it didn't hurt Lion.
"You are now a member of the Legion of Courage!" he exclaimed. If Lion could blush, he would have.
"Aw shucks, folks, I'm speechless," he purred. He then turned to Tin Man.
"As for you, my galvanized friend, you want a heart! You don't know how lucky you are not to have one. Hearts will never be practical until they can be made unbreakable. I could have been a world figure, a power among men, a - a successful wizard, had I not been obstructed by a heart," he explained to Tin Man. Tin Man frowned.
"Yes, but I still want one," he replied sadly.
"Yes, and back where I come from there are men who do nothing all day but good deeds. They are called phil. . . er—er. . . phil— er, yes. . .good-deed-doers. And their hearts are no bigger than yours. But! They have one thing you haven't got! A testimonial!" he said happily. Sora thought that Merideth was going to die from disbelief in the way this was going and Sora was about to bust out laughing at how ridiculous it all was.
"Therefore, in consideration of your kindness, I take pleasure at this time in presenting you with a small token of our esteem and affection. And remember, my sentimental friend that a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others," he said, handing him a ticking, heart-clock from the bag.
"Listen! It ticks!" Tin Man said happily.
"And as for you three, the Keyhole is behind the throne up there!" he said, and with a snap of his fingers, it appeared. Sora took no wasted time and sealed it with a flash of his Keyblade. An audible click was heard and then nothing else.
"Okay guys, we have to go, I'm afraid," Sora told them. "I'm sure Mr. Oz here will help you get home, Dorothy, but we have other worlds to save."
"Oh, okay. It was marvelous meeting you all!" Dorothy said. After a round of goodbyes, Sora took out the teleporter device that would take them back to the ship. He pressed it and he, Kairi, and Merideth disappeared in a flash.
Once in the ship, Sora sat in the pilot's seat and took them out of Oz and set the auto-pilot for the nearest unknown world while the three of them ate food, took relieving showers, and slept in peaceful bliss.
HoL:TS
In Orbit of Mysterious World
July 29, 2010
"We're gonna beam down this time," Sora said, pocketing the teleporter device. "Follow me to the warp room," he said. Sora, Kairi and Merideth walked through the halls of the ship, moving to the room. They each walked into a cylindrical tube and it sealed behind them. Sora was watching the red light in the room. When it went green, he pressed the button in his central tube. In a circle and blast of white light, they were teleported to the below world.
They appeared next to each other like they were in the warp room. Sora looked around at the room they were in, realizing that they were either very small, or it was very big. Then he looked at himself, Kairi and Merideth. They were also shocked at their appearance. It was Merideth that asked the question on all their minds.
"Why are we toys!?"
TUH: I wish I'ltorien was larger.
TN: Well, it was fitting for now.
TN: Are your ready for two chapters by yourself?
TUH: My readers are going to kill me.
TN: You can always just ask me for help.
TN: I'm just excited about the third world they go to.
TUH: I'm excited for I'ltorien.
TN: I bet you are.
TN: Well, that's it for now, and we promise we won't make you wait so long for a chapter again.
TUH: Goodbye all!
May the Love of Anuwëy guide you when all Hope is lost
TorNathan
The Unknowing Herald