Chapter 73: Another side
"Kairi! Kairi! Open the door!"
Zidane hopped down the corridor to see that Hikari was aggressively banging on the door that leaded to the battle simulator. The thief sighed before making his way towards the tom-boy, "Hikari, what are you doing?" Zidane asked.
"Kairi has locked herself in the battle simulator and she won't come out. Not even for a piece of cake." Hikari showed Zidane a piece of nicely cut chocolate ice-cream cake on a red plate, much to Zidane's surprise. "I mean, cake is the ultimate answer."
"For you, maybe." Zidane said to her, "I think that her heart need some time to herself."
"By working herself to death?" Hikari questioned in a disbelieving tone.
"Well, Sora said that she was nothing but a worthless damsel in distress so she might have locked herself in the battle simulator so that she can prove him wrong." Zidane explained his theory before taking the place off of Hikari's hands and began to eat the cake.
Surprising, Hikari didn't press about the stolen cake as she looked at the metal door once more, "She'd locked the control room as well so that we wouldn't intervene with the battle that she had set up. As well as this being an Endless gummi, she could get herself killed."
"Sora will be back soon and he will unlock the door and stop Kairi's intense training." Zidane muttered as he spoke with the cake still in his mouth. Both of them paused as they heard clashes of metal and grunts from inside. "Or maybe she will be too tired before he gets back."
"Well, I'm going to search the ship." Hikari randomly said as she turned the other direction.
"To find what?!" Zidane questioned her sudden departure before sighing, "Damn you, Sakuzy! Why did you have to have a sister?"
BOWBOWBOW
Basil had finished his experiments on the checklist and the Unbirth to find that both of the samples had a trace of saltwater which can only lead them to the only pub that was on the pier. While Basil was excited for their mission ahead, both of the warriors were in their own depressed moods. Brian's mind and heart was still angered towards his brothers for not telling him that most of his life has been snapped off from his chain of memories while Sora began to hate himself from what he had saw on the recording. On the way to the location, Basil mentioned that their garments will get them spotted and said that they would have to get in disguises. Brian had managed to use his magic to change their garments so that it would fit with the scenery that they were heading too.
The three of them managed to reach the waterfront where Basil was dressed in a deep blue coat and hat, a purple jumper and dark trousers. He had also place a fake moustache on his face and a cigarette in his mouth to hide his identity as he approached the pub called 'The Rat Trap' with Sora scrolling behind.
Sora had a red bandana placed on his head to hide his spikes and a blue sailor hat that was similar to Basil's. He wore a long brown coat with a plain white shirt underneath and deep blue cargo trousers with brown worker boots. Sora looked more like a pirate then a sailor but he wasn't complaining. He looked behind him to see that Brian remained behind the pier column, "Come on, Brian." Sora said.
"If I go, I'll just end up getting drunk." Brian said negatively. Sora rolled his eyes and approached his hidden friend and pulled him out of the shadows. Brian was wearing a blue bandana, to hide his own spikes, a black eye patch, red and white sailor shirt and dark blue trousers. He had placed another black glove on his left hand so that it would just look as if his hands had gotten cold. As soon as he was in the light, Brian pushed Sora away, not being in the mood to do things. "What part of 'no' didn't you understand, Bigfoot?" Brian moaned.
"But you didn't say no." Sora pointed out as he tried to regain his balance as he was pushed to the edge of the pier.
"Devon! Sora!" Basil called them, "This isn't the time for pity arguments." Sora and Brian looked at each other to see that both of them had something troubling them and that they would have to put it aside until they find the world's item and the keyhole.
Sora and Brian quickly went over to Basil as he opened the wooden door to the pub. The two teenagers could see that it was a seedy pub, where clearly every lowlife in London gathered. The mice were all smoking, playing poker, or drinking at the bar. Some were even passed out from the amount of alcohol they had drunk. A mouse was playing the piano as an Unbrith onstage was juggling three balls as he tap danced. Basil stroked his match against the wall as he walked into the pub, "Now. Stay close to me." Basil instructed the two as he placed his hands in his pocket and began to find a table.
Sora and Brian begin to follow Basil, trying to ignore the glares that they were getting from the other mice. "You think they know something?" Sora asked.
"Just nosy mice that want to get in somebody else's bloody business." Brian grunted as the dark aura that came with his anger followed him.
Sora seemed to be getting annoyed of Brian's anger, "Will you cool your head?!" Brian seemed to ignore Sora as both of them approached their table. Who knew that he would pretend that the conversation never happened? Sora thought in his head as he sat down. The Unbirth that was on the stage had finished its act but was soon thrown off the stage by the number of objects and weapons that the crowd was throwing.
A barmaid quickly came over to the group's table as she was still cleaning one of the mugs, "What's your pleasure, mates?" She asked, confusing Sora a bit. Isn't a barmaid supposed to ask for drinks?
"Do you sell rum, missy?" Brian asked in an Irish accent. "You can't have a pub without rum." He added as he winked at the barmaid, making Sora roll his eyes.
"Of course." She replied, blushing at Brian's actions. "What do your mates want?"
"Umm..." Sora tried to think about it.
"Two Pints for me and my shipmate." Basil answered in a ruffian accent, making Brian sigh in relief. The barmaid began to walk away from the table went Basil halted her, "Oh, by the way. We just got into port. We're looking for an old friend of mine. Maybe you know him. Goes by the name of Ratigan!"
At the mention of Ratigan's name, the barmaid gasped, as well as several poker players and the pianist. They all stare at Basil in shock as the barmaid recovers from her shock. "Uh...I...never held of him." She said before returning to the bar. Basil looked pleased with the reaction that he had gotten from the crowd as he continued to look at his surroundings.
"Well, that was strange." Brian commented.
"Yeah." Sora agreed before remembering about the drink order, "What am I going to do though? I don't drink."
"You don't have to drink it!" Brian pointed out.
"But I'm thirsty." Sora said childishly.
"And I'm Friday. Nice to meet you." Brian joked before going back to watching the show. The pianist had started another song, and the curtains open to reveal a Blink Unbirth on a unicycle, exhausted from the effort of holding a Fat Unbirth on his shoulders. The audience immediately resume booing and throwing food and weapons towards the acts. Brian laughed at this, "At least the crowd has good taste in entertainment." As a knife strikes the piano, the pianist nervously began to play the third act. The audience were already armed with chairs, darts, and one with an axe, ready to throw them at whoever was next but when the curtains opened, a pretty lady mouse stands onstage, wearing a blue tank top, purple skirt, and pink shawl. Brian looked up at the girl with awe, "Woah..." Most of the guys in the pub watch with wonder as she began to sing.
Dearest friends, dear gentlemen
Listen to my song
The crowd began to lower their weapons as they listened to the song.
Life down here's been hard for you
Life has made you strong.
The entire crowd, including Brian, was glued on the singer's words. Only Sora and Basil wasn't paying attention to the singer as Basil continued to look for any clues to Ratigan's hideout while Sora's mind was on trying to think of something that could make it up to Kairi.
Let me lift the mood
With my attitude
The beat begins to pick up on the song, making Brian smirk as he clicked his fingers along with the beat.
Hey fellas
The time is right
Get ready
Tonight's the night
The singer began to strut onstage as every eye is focused on her, bouncing along with her song.
Boys, what you're hopin' for will come true
Let me be good to you
Sora raised his head from the table to see what the ignoring clicking was. He saw that while Basil's attention was at the bar, Brian was the one that ignored him with his clicking.
You tough guys
You're feelin' all alone
You rough guys
The best o' you sailors and bums
All o' my chums
So dream on
And drink your beer
Get cosy
Your baby's here
You won't be misunderstood
Let me be good to you
The singer moves behind the curtain as the band joins in, picking up the beat even more. The curtains pull back, and the singer is joined by two other twin lady mice, in pink hats, dresses and black elbow length gloves. The singer had put on black gloves, gotten rid of her shawl, and ripped off her skirt while onstage, revealing her garter and feather boa around her waist. Brian's eyes beam at this, "Hell yeah! Bring it on!" Brian cheered.
Sora looks at Brian with disgust, "Don't you think that you should control yourself?!" He scowled at him.
"Oh please! You would do the same if it was Kairi on stage." Brian said casually before laughing at the mouse that had just got kicked by her for trying to get onstage
Hey fellas
I'll take off all my blues
Hey fellas
There's nothin' I won't do
Just for you!
"WHAT?!" Sora raised his voice as he went to stand up.
Basil sat him back down as soon as he had shouted his reaction, "Remember Sora, we're low-life ruffians." Basil whispered to him. Sora glared at Brian but saw that he was too busy watching the girls onstage. Sora turned to the stage to see that the singer was no longer there but the two other mice in pink continued to dance for the audience.
Basil grabbed both of their attention as the barmaid came back with their drinks, "There you go, boys." She set the drinks on the table, "It's...uh...on the house." She said before rushing away.
"Alright! Cheers." Brian grinned with his Irish accent as he picked up his drink. When he went to drink, he felt his mug tilt upwards, spilling all of the rum onto his face and shirt. Brian grunted as he slammed his mug down on the table and glared at Sora, who was whishing innocently with his drink in his hand. "Alright. I get it! You think that this is funny, So-"
Basil quickly covered his mouth before he blew their cover, "Just go and get yourself cleaned up." Basil instructed before examining his drink. Brian slammed his fist down on the table again as he headed outside, he never liked it when people disrupt him from his pint of rum.
When he reached outside, he ended up stepping on someone's foot as he stormed out the pub. "OW! My foot! My only foot!" He cried. Brian ignored him, after giving him a quick glare to see that it was a bat, before going into the shadows. Brian quickly calmed himself down before waiting for the bat to stop crying in pain and go in the pub. As soon as he went in the pub and after making sure no one else was around, Brian quickly changed his sailor shirt into his regular black and white shirt. He pulled out his brown bag and pulled out an old, dark brown, jacket that had a number of holes and cuts on it like it was an old army jacket. He quickly placed the jacket on him and began to walk back into the pub, finding that he had calmed down.
So dream on
And drink your beer
Get cosy
Your baby's here
Hey boys, I'm talkin' to you
He smirked as he heard the singer again; he would bet that even Riku and Max would do the same if they were in his position...well, Riku might keep it to himself. Sora could just relax a bit and enjoy the show. Let himself loose. Brian looked up at the stage to watch the singer and dancer only for his eye's to widen with surprise and humour. "That cheeky bugger!" Brian commented.
Sora was currently dancing happily, onstage, with the singer. Brian could only chuckle to himself as he could imagine Kairi and the others' faces if he were to tell them this. Brian quickly when back to their table, noticing Basil slapping his forehead and dragging his hand down his face. "Hey Basil, what's wrong with you?" Brian asked.
"Just that Sora drunk his drink when I had told him that it was drugged." Basil commented.
"Really?" Brian said with surprise. Maybe it was a good thing that Sora spilled my drink.
Your baby's gonna come through
Let me be good to you
Sora was back over to the two dancers as both of them kissed him on the cheek. Sora smiled happily as he stumbled away from the two and blew an air kiss to the two girls before collapsing on the piano, ending the song. Brian laughed his head off at Sora's actions before Basil rose from his chair and grabbed Brian's attention. "Devon! We don't have any time. You'll get Sora while I'll keep my eye on Fidget." Brian agreed with the plan anyway as he knew he couldn't take Sora back while he was drugged, Hikari will kill him and if she doesn't then Riku will when they reach Little Devon.
Sora slowly sat up on the keyboards, dazed as he saw visions of the dancers in his head. The pianist was ready to hit him with a plank, but just as he swings, Sora slumped down again. The pianist instead hits the head of a big mean looking Unbirth that was sitting comfortably at its table. The Unbirth turns around to see that the pianist tries to hide the plank, but the large Unbirth grabs him by the neck and was about to punch him. The pianist managed to get loose, resulting in the punch hitting the piano so hard that it crashes into the band members, sending them and Sora flying in separate directions. Brian couldn't see where Sora had landed but he could see that Sora had cause an all-out brawl. Mice were strangling each other, hitting them with whatever they can, be it a shoe, a chair, or kicking them as they swing from a ceiling lamp. They even used guns with ended up taking out some of the lights.
Brian tried to avoid the brawl as he managed to find Sora. He quickly went over to him and tapped his face to try and wake him up. "Sora! Sora! Wake up!" Brian kept his ground just in case one of the Unbirth brawlers overheard.
Soon enough, Sora started to wake up, "Huh? What happened? Where am I?" He sounded a bit tipsy.
"Doesn't matter." Brian halted the questions, "We've got to get out of here." Brian quickly helped Sora up and aided him to where he could see Basil.
Basil was behind the bar, since the bartender and barmaid when to stop the fight, holding up a trapdoor. "Quickly, this way!" Basil told them as he held the door up. Brian quickly brought Sora over to the trapdoor and threw him in before jumping in himself. Basil soon followed and closed the trapdoor behind just as a chair came over the trapdoor.
BOWBOWBOW
"Hikari, are you sure you should be doing this?" Zidane questioned, "I mean, this is an invasion of privacy, which should only be acceptable when girls are in-"
"Finish that sentence and I wrap all of this to you instead of the door." Hikari threatened him before showing coming to him with a wire in her hand.
"But why strap two boxes of TNT onto the door?" Zidane pointed to the explosives near the battle simulator door. "Wouldn't it make more sense if you placed the explosives on the control room door?" he asked.
"And risk the blast going into the kitchen and melting my chocolate ice-cream cake? NEVER!" Hikari said proudly, making Zidane trying to hold back a laugh. "Besides, an explosion to the control room won't terminate the program straight away. We would have to wait for the smoke to clear, go in the control room, look at all the random buttons, press all of the random buttons and hope that it terminates the program." Hikari explained, "That's why it would be much easier and cake-damaging free if we blow up this door."
Zidane sighed as he had gotten tired of reasoning with his best friend's sister, "Fine! As long as you ladies don't get hurt." He gave up.
"Great!" Hikari smiled sneakily, "Here." Hikari handed over the switch to Zidane with force.
Zidane stumbled backwards from the force of receiving the item but was also confused in why he had the switch in the first place. "Why are you giving it to me?" Zidane asked.
"Because it's rusty, meaning that I won't be able to push it down." Hikari answered, "Also, I'd done all the work of finding and strapping the TNT to the wall. I deserve cake." Hikari smiled as she skipped towards the kitchen.
Zidane eyed the direction where Hikari had left for a while, feeling suspicious about the whole ordeal as well as wondering if this was another of her pranks. Zidane shook his head at the thought, Hikari wasn't like her brother, not that he knew of anyway. She's properly just worried about Kairi and just wants to see if she's alright. Let's just get this over with. Zidane began to push the lever down.
"Zidane, what are you doing?"
Zidane stopped his actions to see that Kairi had come out of the battle simulator and was now in front of him. He could see that she had just finished fighting whatever she was fighting by the rhythm of her heavy breathing and the sweat that remained on her forehead. He could also see that her eyes were duller than usual. That didn't stop Zidane from admiring Kairi's figure though, "Err…"
"ZIDANE!" Hikari came rushing back in the room with another piece of cake in her hand and stood next to Kairi as she glared at Zidane. "How could you!? Trying to invade Kairi's privacy and eying her up as well." Hikari said in an accusing tone.
"Zidane!" Kairi began to glare at Zidane.
"But I-" He tried to defend himself.
"Don't try and get yourself out of this one, Zidane." Hikari told him, "You will only land yourself deeper in the hole."
"I can't believe you Zidane! Out of the three guys on the ship, I thought you would be the mature one." Kairi glared at him angrily.
"But she-" Zidane pointed at Hikari.
"Don't try and accuse others of your actions." Hikari warned him before looking at Kairi, "As punishment, I suggest that you slap him."
"What?!" Zidane looked at Kairi, begging her to believe him.
Kairi was about to reply, planning to say to give Zidane a chance, when her vision changed Zidane pulling a puppy dog look to Sora pulling a puppy dog look. Seeing Sora's face, it made her feel anger towards the Keyblade Master once more as the hurt from her heart returned. She quickly span around to avoid looking at the face once more, "Do what ever you want." Kairi said hastily as she sped out of the hallway.
"Kairi?" Hikari looked at Kairi with worry. "Wait a minute." Hikari turned back to Zidane and slapped him around the face before going after Kairi.
Zidane winced at the pain that the slap had given him. He held his hand to his cheek and he blamed himself for falling for a simple prank. I guess that she is more like her brother than I thought.
Mad: Will Basil, Brian and Sora find the hideout? Will Kairi be able to confront Sora when he returns? Will I be able to be a secret ninja and sneak hot food in the blue room? Tune in next time for KINGDOM HEARTS: BALANCE OF WOLRDS!!! Right, someone in my college has decided to be impatient and download the full game of Birth by Sleep, with subbs. It's good that he's smart enough not to play it when I'm around but that's not good enough.
Brian: Is it me or does Axel's original look like me?
Mad: He looks nothing like you! Now to messages...
Island-style-girl: If I get Roxas to Riku straight away then it would be boring. hehehe =3
Grey vs Ale: Yeah, tell me about it.
Kisdota-The Freak Gamer: Hehehe, I guess you're right. I would properly get more reviews if I wasn't lazy enough to review others.
DBZGT2004: First time I've seen a DZB fan review, I feel happy that you like my story. =3
Artism: I don't really play the FFCB that much to be honest, I just stick to the main games. FFIX and FFVII rule!!!
Future Keybearer: I purposely asked for a PSP just so I can get the game when it comes out. heheheh
Taeniaea: Thanks.
Mad: Okay, I have to catch some sleep and maybe do some coursework....depends....see ya next time.
Kingdommad