Chapter 11: La Cite des Cloches (The City of Bells)

As they travelled through the Lanes Between the Keybladers talked about their matches against each other. While Sora complimented the others Riku gave suggestions on how to improve themselves. While Ven spoke to Mark and Roxas about their fighting skills and other guy stuff like Struggle Fighting, Aqua was lecturing Xion and Phillipa on the uses of magic. Over time Aqua and Ven switched roles so that Ven spoke about fighting skills to Phillipa and Xion, Aqua told Roxas and Mark about magic.

Overall, by the time they nearly crashed into the next worlds the gang had shared about a quarter of their knowledge on their respective subjects to each other.

Having not paid any attention to their flight it was clear that Sora and Riku were surprised to see one their previously adventures Sleeping World's, not just any Sleeping World: La Cite des Cloches, the world where Sora and Riku learnt something about themselves.

However when they tried to land the world knocked them away. "I think I remember Master Eraqus telling us that worlds recently awoken from darkness cannot be entered except by those who knew how. I think he called it 'diving'." Aqua explained to the rest of the group.

"Well good for you Riku and I know how, so if you'll follow us we'll show you." Sora told the group grinning.

"He's right. Right, first you need to be on the edge of waking and sleeping and remain like that until you get to the world. Now, this process is delicate so it may take some time." Riku told the group who nodded.

100 tries later.

After 100 attempts by the group Sora and Riku were ready to give up until they saw the other go down a pink portal. Grinning at each other, or smiling in Riku's case, the two Keybladers quickly dove into the world.

When Sora opened his eyes he did an experimental roll to gain control of his faculties before he started heading towards the ground. In his head a message appeared. "Collect 1000 points before the time is up." In his peripheral vision a time limit counting down from 3:00.00 appeared.

Floating in mid-air in front of him Sora saw a message count down: 3, 2, 1 DIVE.

As Sora dove he collected as many points as possible by hitting objects, killing enemies and collecting point when possible, when the timer reached: 1:02.21 he had collected the required, so when he passed through the portal at the end he had collected and due to his time being under 1:15 his score was x1000 and with his time his final score was 34500000 earning him a Gold Diver reward in the form of a Megalixir.

When Sora landed in the middle of the Town Square he saw that everyone save Riku was lying face first on the floor moaning. "Sorry." Riku said wincing at the sight. "I forgot to warn you about the drop at the bottom."

"Nah, it's alright." Aqua groaned as she stood up.

'Might as well.' Sora thought to himself before throwing the Megalixir he had just acquired into the air and allowed it to spread its effects over everyone restoring their health and their special commands. "There ya go." Sora told the others.

"Cheers Sora." Roxas said to Sora while grinning.

Suddenly overhead Quasimodo appeared sliding down a rope with a blonde woman in his hands. "Hey Sora." Quasi yelled as he passed them.

"Wonder what's got him in such a rush?" Ven asked to no-one in particular.

Sora then started walking in the direction Quasi had disappeared off to. "Come on guys!" Sora yelled behind him as he ran off. Closely followed by the others who still hadn't figured out how the boy could be so cheerful in this bloody rain!

When they caught up with Sora he was talking to Quasimodo. "So Quasi, who was that girl? Last I saw you just starting to integrate into society." Sora asked the hunch backed man. His explanation after the question brought a slight confused look onto Aqua's face, after all nobody should have to integrate into society, unless they had committed a crime. Did this seemingly gentle person commit a crime? And if so, why was Sora talking to him?

"Oh, that was Madellaine, she came to my bell tower today, she seemed a bit repulsed, that's to be expected, but after a while she started to get used to me, especially after she saw my kindness. And anyway, I last saw you six years ago, you certainly aren't as small as you was." Quasi told Sora, grinning all the time. "It's a good thing you've come back; several reports of thieves have reached me. I promised to help."

"That's great Quasimodo. Although, if there arethieves, then we'll be happy to help." Riku told the man.

~Meanwhile~

Somewhere not in Paris Captain Phoebus was making his usual rounds when an out of breath man ran up to him and gave him a letter.

Opening it Captain Phoebus read:

To Captain Phoebus,

We request your presence in Paris as soon as possible; there have been numerous reports of shadowy fiends stealing jewellery, money and other valuables from the people of Paris. After talking to the victims we have determined that the place where all of the valuables have gotten stolen was at Sharouch's magic show. We would like you to deal with the situation.

Yours Sincerely,

General of the Royal Guard, Richard Blunt.

"Let's go boy." Phoebus said to his trusty horse, patting him on the side of the neck before yelling. "Giddy up!" As soon as the words left Phoebus's mouth he and his trusty friend sped off to Paris to gather soldiers for the mission, like him the soldiers were no longer like the thugs that Frollo had hired, but honourable men who would be willing to sacrifice their very lives for their country.

~Meanwhile again~

Esmeralda, who was now Phoebus's wife hurried into Notre Dame Cathedral in search of Quasimodo. She had received words from her old friends Sora and Riku telling her that Quasi was acting strangely. When she reached Quasimodo's room she saw Quasi bouncing around one moment but soon he looks as if he may throw up. Esmeralda looked at her friend with sympathy before placing a hand on his shoulder during one of the 'sick' moments. "Quasi, look at me." He complied allowing Esmeralda to continue. "I recognise that behaviour anywhere: you're in love Quasi, however be warned for if you have just met her remember love at first sight doesn't exist, get to know her better, take her on dates and things like that." Esmeralda told Quasimodo who nodded.

"Thank you Esmeralda."

"You're welcome."

By the door the gang watched the scene smiling at the actions.

~Meanwhile~

Sharouch watched his young charge bounce around the caravan excitedly. "Stop this instant!" He shouted.

Madellaine stopped and looked at the person who took care of her. "What is it that you want?" she replied with venom laced strongly in her tone.

The old man didn't take any notice of the venom as he replied calmly. "Tomorrow, I want you to distract that idiotic creature while I steal La Fidèle."

Madellaine clutched the figurine that Quasi made for her closely to her chest. She knew she was beginning to harbour feeling towards the bell ringer, so naturally she said with tears in her eyes. "No, I won't help you anymore!"

"Very well." Sharouch replied softly. "I'll just have him killed then." Sharouch smirked at the down trodden look on Madellaine's face, knowing that he had read her features of the ugly creature correctly.

"Very well sir." Madellaine conceded still clutching onto the little figurine.

"Good girl."

~Back with the gang~

Later on Phoebus entered the Cathedral. Upon entering Quasi's room he received a great shock when he noticed Sora and Riku standing there. "Find anything Captain, or are you here for a friendly visit?" Phillipa asked the blonde man.

"I'm here to tell Quasimodo and, if she's here, Esmeralda about the thieves in this town, after all according to the intelligence I received it is actually the work of a Gypsie, now I've never hated gypsies but this seems to perfect to be a coincidence." Phoebus explained to the group before heading into Quasi's workplace.

From what the gang had heard Phoebus's news hadn't gone down well with the other two, Quasi for his feelings towards Madellaine, and Esmeralda, because, despite Phoebus's explanation, she still thought he harboured resentment towards the Gypsies.

Storming out, Phoebus, who now had the gang on his tail, walked quite quickly Sharouch's caravan.

~Meanwhile~

Back at the bell tower Esmeralda returned to the Court of Miracles to calm herself down, Madellaine soon entered. "Quasi?" Her small voice sounded.

"Yes Madellaine?" Quasimodo asked.

"Do you want to do something today?"

Quasi thought back to Esmeralda's advice about treating Madellaine. 'get to know her better, take her on dates and things like that'. "Of course." Quasi answered with a grin before heading off into Paris to find a nice restaurant.

As soon as Quasi left Sharouch and two of his henchmen came into the bell tower and started their heist. Zephyr and Djali the goat follow them and watch as Sarousch causes La Fidèle to vanish. The gargoyles, who had tried to drop a bell on the thieves, end up trapped under it; Laverne rams one of its sides, causing the bell to clang loudly. Hearing the sound, Quasimodo and Madellaine rush back to check what the disturbance is.

When Quasi and Madillaine reached the bell tower Quasimodo immediately lifted the bell off of his friends. "What happened?"

"Somebody stole La Fidèle." The tall gargoyle answered in his usual deep voice. This caused a sense of dread to trickle down Quasimodo's spine.

~Meanwhile~

When the gang reached Sharouch's caravan Sora knocked on the door. "Hello sir, me and my apprentices here are trying to find out about anything to do with the thieving's going on around here." Phoebus explained to Sharouch as he opened the door. "May we come in?"

"Well of course, I've nothing to hide." Sharouch replied in a would-be-calm voice which everyone took notice of.

"Thank you."

As soon as they entered Ventus spotted something odd: a gem, not just ant gem, it was a pure diamond, which would be worth £100,000 in England. Taking a note of it Ven passed the information to the others who nodded and waited for the opportune moment.

While Phoebus spoke with Sharouch the gang searched the caravan and found many secreted valuables from rings made of gold to valuable books. When the interview finished Mark put a weak Stop spell over Sharouch before handcuffing him and gave him his Miranda, with his own persoal flair. "You are under arrest, you have the right to remain silent, you have the right to a lawyer, and if you can't afford one the court shall provide one for you. Anything you do say can and will be given in evidence to a court of law anything you don't say will be made up, twisted and used against you." Mark and Phillipa smiled at each other, having wanted to do that for quite some time. The little speech caused laughter to erupt amongst the group, even from Riku.

When the Stop wore off Sharouch started pleading. "It wasn't me, it was Madillaine, she stole all of that."

The gang didn't care as they placed him on the horse saying. "Thank you for your comment, it has been noted."

In another universe, without the gang to help him, Phoebus would have listened to Sharouch and a story of epic proportions would have taken place which would have led to the death of Sharouch.

Later on found Quasi, Maddellain, The Gang minus Sora, Esmeralda and Phoebus watching Sharouch's trial. "Welcome one, welcome all the Trial of Sharouch the Gypsy, note the time: 1:52pm on the 8th October in the year of our Lord 1488. Sharouch, you are charged with: Grand Larceny, Kidnapping, Disturbing the Peace and Attempted Murder. How do you plead?" The Judge asked the decrepit man.

Sharouch knew he wouldn't get out of it, it all pointed to him. For example, after claiming witness the Gargoyles (who remained anonymous) told the court of what he did. So he replied "Guilty."

The judge, who was really Sora smirked and said. "Very well, you are sentenced to a total of 143 years in the Palace of Justice, but first, with Royal Guard you are to retrieve La Fidèle from its hiding place." Sora ruled banging the gavel and ending the session.

~Later on~

After Sharouch returned La Fidèle he went to the Palace of Justice to begin his long prison sentence. However, The Royal Guard didn't see him disappear down a corridor of Darkness of his own making. Unfortunately for him and fortunately for us, the Dark Portal arrived in The World that Never Was where he was killed on sight by, say Xehanort when he met Eraqus, aka Pre-Eraqus Xehanort (PEX).

Anyway, in the town square the gang helped set up La Fidèle, which they discovered was like Quasi: plain and ugly on the outside, but beautiful within. Esmeralda forgave Phoebus as they declared their love. Two goats, one of them Esmeralda's seemed to be getting it on (Not like that), Mark and Phillipa also shared a kiss, same as Ven & Aqua and Roxas & Xion.

Sora, meanwhile imagined himself in that position with Kairi. Whereas Riku imagined himself with another girl from the Islands known as Lightning, who had appeared at the same time as Kairi did.

At La Fidèle Quasi and Madellaine also shared a kiss as the goat who was not Esmeralda's rang the bell.

~Afterwards~

Later on found Sora and the others resting in a nearby field. Xion looked up at the sky as she said. "No boss this time, just a really bad thief."

"Yeah." The others replied yet only Aqua continued. "It's good we didn't have to fight a boss, it's just good to save a world every now and then from the small problems." A general agreement sounded.

Above the group a Keyhole appeared which was instantly locked, keeping the world safe.

However, what shocked them was (except Sora and Riku) that they appeared back on their Gliders in full armour. "Sorry about that." Riku apologised again having yet again forgotten to explain the actions attempted in the Sleeping Worlds.

Anyway off the Keybladers went off the next world.

Party: Same as last time

2,442 words.

I couldn't help but make it like THBOND 2, it just came out like that.

I hope you enjoyed the diving at the beginning,

Come on guys, I need reviews.

Anyway join me next time in… Dwarf Woodlands.