AN: RIKU!
Riku: [clearly excited as he rushes in] Yeah, what's up? Do you need me for a major scene in the story?! [gets whapped on the forehead by two of AN's fingers] Ow!
AN: [speaking in Chinese accent] No! You did not get milk like you were asked to the other day! Milk is what keeps author's mind working, body running, and heart beating! You want dead author, no? Then you get milk!
Riku: Yes lyokoMARVEL.
AN: One more thing, a letter came in for you from a certain girl. Said she did not want you to know it was from her and that it was very important you read it.
Riku: It's not from a fan girl, is it?
AN: No. lyokoMARVELanime learned lesson about involving fangirls in these things after last time he did that in Gundam SEED Prime: Destiny Sentinels.
Riku: [accepts letter] Okay, thank you.
AN: One more thing, Sora wanted me to tell you he wants another spar later. Says he wants to try out the Command Style he uses in this story on you.
Riku: He does know that's only something he has in this story, right?
AN: You want to explain that to him? Then don't tell that to lyokoMARVELanime!
Riku: Yes sir.
AN: One more thing, [Riku groans in annoyance] pull that lever over there.
Riku: [looks at lever suspiciously before glancing back] Why? This isn't something your doing because you think I tried to give away a spoiler is it?
AN: No, but it is meant for spoiler prevention purposes. Axel made it and told me to test it before putting it in the official usage.
Riku: Urgh. Fine. [pulls lever and is engulfed by massive smoke]
AN: Aw, nasty! Whoo-wee that stinks like hell! Geez, what did Axel put in...[sees Riku and cringes]
Riku: What? What is it?
AN: Nothing. D-don't look in the mirror.
Riku: Why? [looks in the mirror anyway and see he has lizard skin] AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!
AN: I told you not to look in the mirror!
Riku: I'm a lizard! I am mutating into a hideous lizard monster! [gets whapped in the head again] Ow!
AN: Calm down! Lizards shed their skin. Just peal off.
[Riku peals off the lizard skin to reveal his normal skin underneath]
AN: Well, while he finishes up with that, onto the story!
I do not own anything from the Kingdom Hearts franchise or any other franchise mentioned in this story.
Chapter XI
Mickey was panting heavily as he sat on a chair in Yen Sid's tower recovering, having been made to take a break by Leon when the Gunblade wielder had noticed that the mouse king and Roxas were beginning to tire out from constantly fighting. If it had not been for the fact that there was currently a lull in the fighting, and that Cloud and so many others had insisted as well, Mickey and Roxas would have insisted on staying outside and helping their comrades in the fight against Xehanort's forces, but since both of those facts were true, Mickey and Roxas were not able to argue at all. To be honest, the two were actually welcoming the brief rest they were now able to have after they finally sat down and realized just how tired they both were, and they were both hoping that they would be able to peacefully rest for a good long time before having to rejoin the fight again.
Sadly, the chances of a peaceful rest immediately flew out the window like one of the more explosive defective potions that Mickey had brewed in his time with Yen Sid when Naminé's eyes suddenly snapped open and gasped, "Oh no! How could this have happened?"
All attention was immediately turned towards the blonde Nobody as Yen Sid asked, "What is the matter Naminé? Has something happened to Sora, Kairi, and the others in the past?"
"It's much worse than that, Master Yen Sid," Naminé replied. "The five of them were all gathered at Olympus Coliseum to train and show each other all of their skills so that they would be more prepared in future battles, when Hades suddenly interfered. They were able to fight him off, but it seems that his true intentions were successful, as he was able to cause the rift between Masters Aqua, Terra, and Ventus to become even greater than before. The three of them had a terrible fight and have all now gone separate ways to parts unknown."
"Oh no," Mickey shouted. "This is terrible! How can we do anything without those three together?"
"Calm down," Roxas then calmly said in an attempt to keep everyone from going hysterical with panic. "Maybe there's still a way that Sora and Kairi can help those three see reason and get back together. Like you said, we just need them to work together as a real team again."
"Roxas is correct," Yen Sid agreed as he began to stroke his beard in thought. "Even if it would be ideal for them to become the friends they once were again, it may be asking too much for that at this point, especially since we may not have that kind of time for much longer. We must at least mend as much of their bond as we can in a way that will at least lay the foundation for a small glimmer of their friendship to be lit once again."
"Now that's a wonderful idea, but one small question, lads and lass: how are you going to get that to happen," a new voice suddenly asked, drawing everyone's attention to the door that it came from.
They were greeted by the sight of an Arabian boy in a purple vest, white baggy pants, and a small red hat with the Three Wishes Keyblade in hand, a woman with shoulder length, black hair, in a grey outfit with green lining and the Hidden Dragon Keyblade held in a reverse grip, and a pirate in a black vest, boots, and pants, a white shirt, and a red bandana with his own version of the Follow the Wind Keyblade held at his side, and the group immediately recognized them all as Aladdin, Mulan, and Captain Jack Sparrow, respectively. Mickey was the first to answer Jack's question by saying, "Whaddya mean by that, Jack?"
"Well ye see, I know that you already know this, but you're all here in this time, while our mates Sora and Kairi are back there, waiting for whatever brilliant plan you lot can come up with," Jack explained as he dismissed his Keyblade. "And from my understanding, your basically trying to get three mates, who're no longer mates, to basically just gather round, have a nice bottle o' rum, and say 'no worries'. Am I wrong?" When he received no reply to indicate that he was wrong, Jack went on to add, "Now, back home in Port Royal, or rather among my fellow pirates and I, if we were to feel as wronged by another as those three chaps in the past seem to feel towards each other, there'd be only two ways it could go. One way would be to basically draw our swords and just hash it out until one of us is dead or until we end up in the state of a draw and stare each other down until we start laughing like no tomorrow."
"And the other way," Roxas prodded, as he was absolutely certain that Jack's first suggestion would not be something that would go over well if they actually tried that.
"Well, we basically just settle down, have a few drinks, exchange a few laughs, and make a deal that would allow us to evenly split the profits that we each made after said betrayal. Basically, we engage in an unofficial parlay, savvy?"
While Jack's second suggestion was a bit more suiting for pirates, the idea behind it was much more appealing than the one involving the first suggestion. Having a small moment where Aqua, Terra, and Ventus could just stop everything for a minute, and take part in a more relaxing and enjoyable activity that was not training or fighting forces of darkness was definitely a plausible option, but the only question was just what they could have Sora and Kairi do and where. "Too bad we don't know whether or not something like the Chinese New Year Festival is happening around the time that Sora and Kairi are currently in," Mulan commented.
The minute he heard that, Mickey's face instantly lit up into a wide smile that everyone had long since come to associate with the mouse king ever since they had first met him. "That's it," Mickey cried out. "There may not be a Chinese New Year Festival, but there is one festival that I know for a fact was going on around the time of Aqua, Terra, and Ven's journey."
"Really," Aladdin asked excitedly. "Well do you know if there was something going on at that festival that could help those three get back together again?"
"Of course I do, after all, it is a festival that was taking place on my homeworld," Mickey revealed.
Everyone was about to further question Mickey on the subject, when the sound of an explosion reached everyone's ears, prompting Roxas to race over to the window to see what was wrong. "Shit," Roxas cursed as he saw what was happening and turned back to report the news to all who were gathered in the room. "Xehanort's just sent out his next wave of forces, and there's a massive wave of Heartless and Nobodies as far as the eye can see!"
"We'll handle them, you guys just focus on getting the message through to Sora and Kairi," Aladdin said as he led Mulan and Jack back out to the battlefield. Mickey and Roxas both exchanged a nod between them before they both turned to Naminé so that Mickey could explain his plan to the blonde. When she heard what Mickey had in mind, Naminé found that she could not stop beaming with excitement as she relayed the message through to their friends in the past, feeling that even if the plan did not work, it would end up providing many people a very good show.
Terra was currently racing through the Lanes Between on his way to Mirage Arena, feeling that he needed to get a few things off his chest by fighting in the arena's many simulations and battle programs. Admittedly, he did regret what he said to Aqua, but he still meant what he had said, for it was merely some of his old and apparently some of his still present feelings being given voice. At the same time though, he knew that what Ventus had said was correct, because he could not deny that he was spending more time blaming Aqua or someone else for things that were just as much his fault as they were anyone else's. Did that really mean that he was wrong to lash out in the way he did, and if so, was it even possible for him to set things right?
One thing seemed to make him think that it was possible, and that was a small encounter he had on what he believed to be Sora's homeworld, an assumption he made from the fact that the island world he had landed on not only had the tree with star shaped fruit that Aqua had once told him about and that Sora had said was actually on his world, but also from the fact that he saw two young boys playing on that island's beach, one of which looked exactly like Sora would have most likely looked at that age. The second boy he met was someone that he assumed was the other friend of Sora and Kairi's that the two had often told him and the others about, and the moment he saw him, Terra could instantly feel a powerful light coming from the boy. After talking with the young boy, Terra found that the two of them were very much alike, and the reasons that the boy had given Terra for desiring power was all the prompting that Terra needed to perform the Keyblade Inheritance Ceremony, passing on the power to wield the mystical weapon to the young man that he had found.
The reason that the boy had told Terra he wanted power for was so that he could protect the things that matter, like his friends, and hearing that made Terra realize that he was willing to do whatever it takes to protect his friends as well, even if it did not seem like he was from their point of view. This realization made Terra realize that there was a likely chance that he was not showing that enough and he knew that he had to make things right between him, Ventus, and Aqua as soon as he could, but given how their last conversation had gone, Ventus and Aqua were about as likely to listen to Terra as Xehanort was to give up his evil ways and end his own existence for killing his old friend. These thoughts were the reason for Terra's frustration, and for why he was heading for Mirage Arena as fast as he could.
At least, Terra was heading for Mirage Arena, until he heard Sora's voice calling out to him. "Sora, what's wrong," Terra asked aloud, knowing that Sora was trying to reach him through the D-Link.
"There's trouble in Disney Town," Sora's voice shouted out. "Kairi and I are already here, but we can't deal with it on our own! You've got to get over here fast!"
Terra did not need to be told twice, and he immediately spun his Keyblade Glider around and blasted towards Disney Town as fast as he could.
Despite the beautiful sunset that lay before the peaceful shores of the world she was currently on, Aqua could not find any enjoyment in it as she continued to softly cry her eyes out. Her last encounter with Terra and Ventus at Olympus Coliseum had truly hurt her to the point of heartbreak, but it had also served as a wake-up call for her. She was supposed to be the most levelheaded of their little trio of friends, and yet ever since that first argument when their friendship had fallen apart, she had become nothing more than a shadow of her former self. The most prime examples of this was how she had acted towards Sora and Kairi when they had first arrived in this time, how she was so quick to give up when others could have likely needed her help, and especially how she had been acting towards Terra, and even Ventus in a small way.
All these things had resulted from the fact that she had lost confidence in herself and that she was still so upset with Terra for something that he had no control over, and in not attempting to fix things between them, she had unknowingly caused Ventus to be just as hurt by her actions. Sure, Aqua may have done some good things since meeting Sora and Kairi, but the fact that her anger and resentment were such guiding factors in her actions made her feel as though it was all just an attempt to make her feel better about her own problems. Still, she was able to cheer up a little bit due to an unexpected encounter she had a short while ago.
After she had first arrived on the island world she was currently on, she instantly realized that it was Sora's home as she immediately spotted the tree that grew star-shaped fruit, and not even a second later, she saw the younger version of the Keyblade Master himself racing with another boy named Riku. When she approached the two boys, she could tell that someone had passed the power of the Keyblade to Riku, leaving her to wonder how Sora obtained the power himself. She had to assume for the moment that it was because of the bond that the two boys shared, and that was why she told the younger version of her newest friend that he should always lookout for Riku no matter what, even if the silver haired boy seemed like he was losing his way before letting the two boys go on back home for the day.
"One Keyblade is enough for any friendship," Aqua muttered to herself as she looked towards the sunset. "Just look what happened to our friendship Ven, Terra. Could history have repeated itself in that regard with Sora and his friends though?"
Aqua did not have any more time to dwell on the matter, as she soon heard a familiar voice calling out, "Aqua! Can you hear me, Aqua? Please, answer!"
"Kairi," Aqua shouted in reply as she pulled out her Wayfinder so she could better focus on the D-Link that Kairi had established. "What's wrong?"
"There's a problem in Disney Town," Kairi informed the blunette. "You've got to help us before it's too late! Please, hurry!"
"I'll be right there," Aqua stated as she summoned her armor and Keyblade Glider before taking off into the sky and back into the Lanes Between so she could reach the town that she and her friends had all visited at one point.
Kairi unfolded her hands to see Sora lowering the small, blue gem that he had once acquired in Twilight Town, which he was using to strengthen the power of his D-Link, indicating that he had just finished getting in touch with Ventus. The smile that the spiky haired boy was giving Kairi instantly told her that he was able to convince Ven to head to their current location as fast as possible, and now all they had to do was wait for the three to arrive. Kairi took the opportunity to turn to the queen of Disney Castle and say, "Thanks again so much for doing this, Minnie."
"Oh it's my pleasure, dear," Minnie assured the redhead. "After all, Aqua, Ventus, and Terra are all good friends to each other and to everyone here in Disney Town. It would be a shame to see that friendship end so terribly, so if there's anything I can do to help, then I will."
"Glad to hear that. Now all we need to do is find what we need to make sure that this works," Sora said as he began looking through some things close to where the two girls were talking. He then suddenly paused in his searching though as he looked to Kairi and asked, "Are we sure this is the best way to get them back together?"
Kairi rolled her eyes a bit before replying, "Yes Sora, we are. Naminé said herself that this was the best idea that Mickey had, and that there was a strong chance it would succeed if we do it right."
"I know, but still…" Sora muttered, mumbling the last part so softly that Kairi could not hear it.
"What was that," the auburn haired Princess of Heart asked.
"I said I…"
"What?"
"I don't like having to sing in front of an audience like this," Sora sighed in defeat.
"Why not," Kairi asked, doing her best to keep herself from giggling at the expense of the boy she was in love with. "You didn't have a problem that time in Atlantica."
"I know, but that was mostly because we were doing it to help Ariel feel better," Sora immediately reminded her.
"So? How's this any different," Kairi asked. "Besides, you have an amazing singing voice, one that would make all the girls go crazy for you. It certainly puts a load of butterflies in my stomach whenever I heard you sing."
Sora and Kairi were both blushing after the redhead had said this, both for similar reasons, but before Sora could ask if Kairi really meant what she said, they heard the tell-tale signs of a portal in the world barrier opening up, and they looked up just in time to see Aqua, Terra, and Ventus's Keyblade Gliders landing in different locations that the three could not see one and other from. "They're here," Kairi exclaimed, getting serious once again while giving herself a mental shake in order to lose her blush. "Did you find it yet?"
"No, not yet," Sora stated as he scrambled to look through the records he was searching before.
Kairi was about to join Sora in his search when Minnie suddenly held one out and asked, "Is this the one you're looking for?"
Kairi and Sora both looked to see that it was indeed the one they were looking for, and they immediately thanked Minnie for her help. Kairi then summoned her Keyblade and raised it into the air as she said, "Now, let's get our friends over here as quickly as possible…Thunder!"
While Ventus was glad to be back in Disney Town, and that he was able to stop and say hi to Hewy, Dewy, and Louie for a minute, he was honestly hoping that he could have some time to himself before getting drawn back into the action again. If he were to be honest, he really felt bad about how he blew up at Terra and Aqua the way he did, but they were both being incredibly stubborn about the whole matter, and it was trying even his last nerves. He knew that he could have dealt with it in a better way than by adding to the shouting, but he was in the heat of the moment, and in that situation, he felt that raising his voice in the way he did was the only way to get his point across, especially since neither of the two were listening to a word that Sora and Kairi were trying to say about calming down before the situation got out of hand.
Ven was immediately brought back to the present though, as he paused to see a lightning bolt that could only have come from a Thunder spell light up the sky in the area of a small hilltop that seemed to have a large statue with a microphone in its hand, which looked a lot like Mickey in a rock star outfit. Ven looked around for a minute before he spotted a dog boy in blue jeans and a red sweater skateboarding past him, and he immediately raced over to the skateboarder and asked, "Hey, can you tell me what's over in that direction?"
The skateboarder paused a minute to look at Ven like he was nuts for a minute before he shrugged and said, "Yeah that's Sound Hill, the place where the singing competition is taking place."
"Singing competition?"
"Yeah it's this big event that's second only to the Million Dreams Award where a bunch of groups enter and sing a little karaoke to win a big prize," the skateboarder told Ven. "Say you new in town or something?"
"Uh, not exactly," Ven replied. "I've only been here once before to be honest, so this is the first I've heard about that. My name's Ventus, but everyone calls me Ven."
"Oh so you're Ven," the skateboarder exclaimed. "Nice to meet one of the other Million Dreams Award winners at last. I'm Max, Max Goof."
"Huh? What do you mean 'one of the other winners'," Ven asked Max.
"Well didn't you know? You and a couple of other guys actually tied for the award," Max explained. "A woman named Aqua and someone named Terra, but only Aqua was around to accept. It's a real shame too, if you ask me."
Ven had to give a small smile at hearing that, as he felt that it was probably a good sign that he and his two best friends were actually much closer to rebuilding their friendship than he thought if they all won the Million Dreams Award. When he glanced back at Max, Ven thought of something else and asked, "Say, you wouldn't be related to a guy named Goofy, would you?"
"Yeah, he's my dad," Max replied. "I know that it's probably cool to some people how he's the king's captain of the guard or whatever, but to be honest, it's not as impressive as you may think, considering he's so…well, goofy."
Ven had to nod in agreement with Max on that comment, and was about to say something when he noticed the bolt of lightning had appeared in the area of Sound Hill again. "Well, nice to meet you, Max, and your dad actually seemed like a really cool guy when I met him, but I've gotta get over there, so I'll see you around," Ven stated as he raced off again.
Max could only wave goodbye as Ven took off, and was about to get on his board so he could see the singing competition himself when he noticed a tall man with brown hair and in strange clothes racing off in the same direction that Ventus had just headed, followed a few minutes later by a woman with blue hair that he instantly recognized from the Million Dreams Award Ceremony as Aqua. Max just stared after the three for a minute before he finally shrugged and skated away, thinking that it probably was not all that important of a matter for him to concern himself with.
When Aqua had finally reached the stadium that the singing competition was taking place, the only thing she found was a massive crowd before the stage, and not so much as one sign of a single Unversed, Heartless, or any other variety of dark creatures. After taking one more glance around and then sighing to herself upon receiving the same result, Aqua decided that she should probably take a break and at least watch one performance in order to clear her mind, but she did not realize that Terra and Ventus were in the area and had just decided to do the same thing. Another thing that none of the three realized was that two particular people did, and took their arrival as their cue to start.
When the music started up, everyone instantly began to cheer a little at the sound of the music, but when the spotlight revealed who the performer was, Aqua, Terra, and Ven's eyes all bugged out when they saw a familiar head of spiky brown hair on stage, leading them all to exclaim, "Sora?!"
If Sora heard the three's exclamation, he made no indication of it, as he was quickly swept up into the music of the song as he started to sing.
"Got myself a notion, one I know you'll understand. Set the world in motion, by reaching out for each other's hands.
Maybe we'll discover what we should've known all along (yeah). One way or another, together's where we both belong.
If we listen to each other's hearts,
We'll find we're never too far apart,
And maybe love is the reason why
For the first time ever we're seeing it eye to eye."
When Sora paused in his singing for a minute, his eyes glanced out over the audience as he quickly spotted the three Keybearers of the past before giving a small nod to Kairi, who was waiting off stage, and singing a few lyrics when Sora could not go solo from where she was.
"If a wall should come between us, too high to climb, too hard to break through. I know that love will lead us and find a way to bring me to you.
So don't be in a hurry, think before you count us out (oohh). You don't have to worry; I won't ever let you down."
"Nothing's gonna stop us now."
"If we listen to each other's hearts,
We'll find we're never too far apart,
And maybe love is the reason why
For the first time ever we're seeing it eye to eye."
As Sora sung the last line of the chorus, Kairi cast a small wind spell beneath Ventus's feet that propelled him up onto the stage, right next to Sora, and into a waiting spotlight. Terra and Aqua were both naturally shocked to see that their blonde friend was up on the stage, but they soon saw that Ven had frozen with a sudden bout of stage fright, which obviously resulted from his being flown up onstage. Seeing this, Terra immediately raced forward and shouted out, "Ven, Ven! Remember, let your body move you!"
When Ven turned towards Terra's voice, a massive smile lit up his face before he nodded in recognition of Terra's advice and started to do a few dances moves of his own as Sora smirked and continued the song.
"If you're ever lonely stop! You don't have to be. After all it's only, a beat away from you to me."
"Take a look inside and see."
When Ven suddenly started to trip up on his own feet, Terra immediately reacted and jumped up on stage himself before catching the blonde by his hand and then pulling Ven back up before saying, "Come on, Ven. I thought you were better than that."
"Like you could do better," Ven scoffed with a challenging smirk.
"Watch and learn," Terra replied, and he then started to break out in a little dance number of his own that got Ven, Sora, and Kairi laughing at how ridiculous it was, and even a few giggles from Aqua when she saw from where she still was in the audience.
"If we listen to each other's hearts,
We'll find we're never too far apart,
And maybe love is the reason why
For the first time ever we're seeing it eye to eye."
Seeing her friends have so much fun on stage, Aqua could not help but jump up onstage herself and then ask, "Room for one more?"
The only response she received was a pair of welcoming smirks as Kairi raced out onstage to join in as well, while Sora finished up the song with a grin.
"If we listen to each other's hearts,
We'll find we're never too far apart,
And maybe love is the reason why
For the first time ever we're seeing it eye to eye."
When all five struck a pose on the final note, the crowd immediately erupted in massive cheers and applause, bringing bright smiles to the faces of all five Keyblade Wielders as they found themselves enjoying the moment for all it was worth.
A little while after the excitement from the Keybearers' performance had finally died down and some other acts had begun to perform, Sora and Kairi found themselves standing off to the side as the three friends faced each other with neutral, yet somber faces, an awkward and tense atmosphere hanging in the air due to each not knowing where to start or what to say.
"Listen, guys/I'm sorry Terra, Aqua, I just/You guys, I," the three then suddenly said all at once, stopping immediately after they realized that they had all tried to speak at once.
The three then exchanged a small smile before they all giggled a little until Terra cleared his throat so that he could start off by saying his piece. "I know I haven't been the best friend, or Keyblade Wielder," Terra began. "When I started out on my journey, I was so determined to prove that I had what it took to be a master, that I forgot that I didn't have to do everything alone, and it allowed the darkness in my heart to begin to lead me astray. We all know what happened after that, but now, I want to make things right. I don't care what happens from here on out, but I just want you guys to know, I don't blame either of you for anything that happened. If anything, I was really just trying to hide how much I blamed myself for it all."
"Hey, come on Terra," Ven then said. "If anything, I should be the one apologizing for how I snapped at you guys. I guess I spent so much time trying to stay away from you guys that I forgot what it really meant to have your friends by your side, and after hearing you two go at it so much, I just lost it and took it out on you. To be honest, a lot of what I said was me lashing out because I was afraid of what will happen if we keep going the way we've been going. I just…I don't want to lose you guys again. Not like last time, and not in any way that could be brought about by Xehanort or Vanitas, or even me if they're able to forge the χ-blade. I couldn't be able to live with myself if that were to happen."
"Ven, neither of us blame you for that. If anything, I should be the one apologizing," Aqua then told the blonde while she was really addressing both of them. "I spent so many years hating myself and really anyone I could rightfully hate for what had happened, not just to our home and Master Eraqus, but to us as well, that I couldn't stop myself from unknowingly letting it guide my actions, even if it wasn't because of darkness. If I could go back and do things over again so that nothing that ever happened to cause us to end up where we are now had happened, I would, but I guess that all I can do now is just say I'm sorry and try to make things right, even if I don't feel like it's enough."
The three just looked at one and other with sad looks on their faces that soon turned to small smiles as Terra held his hand forward and said, "How about for now, we all agree that no matter what happens from this point on, we at least try to be friends to each other, even if we can't become as close as we used to be. You with me?"
"Yeah," Ven replied as he placed his hand atop Terra's.
"Agreed," Aqua replied. "After all, we make a great team. One that the worlds are counting on to protect them."
"The worlds and the future you mean," Sora reminded them as he subconsciously slipped his hand into Kairi's, interlacing their fingers as he did, much to the redhead's welcoming surprise as she returned the gesture by leaning her head onto Sora's shoulder.
The three looked between themselves and nodded as Terra looked back to Sora and Kairi as he asked, "So, do we get back on track with helping you guys with your mission, or do you two lovebirds want a minute to enjoy the Dream Festival that the three of us all apparently got to take some time to enjoy."
As Aqua and Ventus laughed at their friend's comment, Sora and Kairi both blushed up a storm, but found that they were either unable or unwilling to part from their current position despite their protests saying they were not lovebirds. Aqua was about to add on to what Terra said when they heard Minnie preparing to announce the winners of the competition, and they immediately settled down so that they could listen in, because even though Sora and Kairi had admitted to the fact that they only entered in an attempt to get Terra, Ventus, and Aqua to talk to each other about what happened, they were all still interested in whether or not they had won.
"And the winners of this year's Million Dreams Music Festival are…Ventus, Aqua, Terra, Sora, and Kairi! Congratulations!"
"Unbelievable," Aqua exclaimed as the crowd erupted in applause while a recording of their performance began to play for the audience. "First the three of us all win the Million Dreams Award, and now all five of us win this? What're the odds?"
"I'd think it's pretty much a guarantee if this was some crazy story that someone was writing about us," Ventus said as he and Sora both assumed their usual relaxed poses while the group walked out onstage to accept their award.
"Don't be silly, Ven," Terra chuckled. "A story about a bunch of people who go around to other worlds, saving them from darkness, and facing dangerous, powerful enemies? Sounds more like something that would make a good video game if you ask me."
All five of the Keyblade Wielders had to exchange a small laugh at that comment as they accepted the award, along with a special flavor of ice cream made just for each of them, Aqua's being the one that she received upon discovering that she, Terra, and Ven had won the Million Dreams Award, and each of them found the flavors they received to be immensely enjoyable. As the crowd's cheers continued to ring out, they found that even though they did not know where their journey was going to go from there, they were not worried about what they may or may not face, because they knew that they had all of their friends watching their backs once again.
"Well so much for Flame-Brain's little stunt," Vanitas said as he looked on at the image of what had happened in Disney Town with Xehanort and his Heartless and Nobody from the future. "You sure it was a good idea to bring that guy in on this plan of yours?"
"Of course," Xehanort insisted. "As our two friends here have pointed out, Hades will one day prove to be an invaluable ally in the coming struggles between light and darkness. Still, you are right about one thing; the fact that those two interlopers were able to get Eraqus's students to settle things from their latest spat so easily was completely unexpected. If we truly wish for these plans to succeed, we will have to take much more drastic measures."
"I believe that I have something in mind," Xemnas stated.
Ansem had to smirk when he noticed the look on the Nobody's face and said, "If you're thinking what I believe you are, then I must say that while such a thought is dangerous to our plans should it fail, it would also be just what we need to accelerate it by years, if not centuries."
"What are you two geezers going on about," Vanitas asked.
Neither of the two sides of Xehanort from the future were hesitant to reveal what they wanted to make their next move, and Xehanort and Vanitas both had to smirk before chuckling darkly after hearing it, showing that they approved of the idea, completely. "A brilliant plan indeed, as expected of two who are each half of my being," Xehanort stated. "All it needs now is the right bait."
"If its bait you need, then I know just the thing," Vanitas said as he waved a hand over the image to reveal a world that looked like an island paradise, and when they saw the occupants of this island world, the three dark masters had to nod in approval of what the master of the Unversed had in mind for the bait that they would need. A sign that their terrible plan was likely to prove to be one of the most terrible challenges that the heroes of the Keyblade had faced yet.
AN: And that's a wrap. Sorry about there being a lack of a Yen Sid Report today, but like I said before, I am running out of ideas on what to write in those things, so don't be surprised if you don't see another one for a while. Also, check out the cameos in this chapter. Aladdin, Mulan, Jack Sparrow, and Max! Talk about crazy! Now there's just the question of what the gruesome foursome is up to now.
Riku: Whew, finally finished and back to my old beautiful self.
Axel: [bursts into the room with excited grin] Well, how'd it go? Did it work?
AN: That depends. Was it meant to be a giant stink bomb that gave someone lizard skin?
Axel: Yes to the first thing, no to the second. It was supposed to change them into something, but not a lizard man.
AN: What then?
Axel: Sorry, no spoilers until its finished.
Riku: Hate you. Hate you both. [gets whapped in the head again] Ow! STOP DOING THAT! [gets another whap] OW!
AN: First one was for being party pooper, second was for disrespect to the boss!
Riku: Please, your no more than boss of me than the real big bad of this story is the...
AN: AIYA! SPOILER! Axel!
Axel: Way ahead of ya! [pushes Riku into the lever he previously pulled, triggering the device again]
AN: Aw, dude! We really should've opened a window first!
Axel: No kidding.
[Riku starts screaming in horror at seeing he has lizard skin again]
AN: Sheesh, some people are just so shallow. One more thing, time to move onto the preview!...
Another problem has arisen in the future, as one of Sora and Kairi's most trusted allies and friends suddenly begins to change from the peaceful, kind, and brave soul he is, into a terrible monster that is quick to lash out and destroy anything he sets his sights on. Suspecting that Xehanort and his forces in the past are behind the terrible act, Mickey and Yen Sid find they have no choice but to have Naminéinform the Keybearers of the situation, even though they suspect a very likely trap to be waiting for them. Just what sort of terrible danger will the five heroes face on this island world, and how much help can they be to the small friend that they all know so well? Find out the answers to the questions and more, as the adventure continues to a new stage, next time.
Axel: Quick question before we end, why're you talking like that?
AN: Been watching a bit of Jackie Chan Adventures lately, and talking like Uncle is a lot of fun. One more thing, to you readers...
Please read and review, and see ya real soon!