Episode 97: The Realm of Darkness Part 1
I know I introduced Terra, Aqua, and Ventus in this and my original story, but what if I gave them ancestors who happen to he chosen wielders of the Keyblade as well. Coming in first is an ancestor of Aqua. Also, Sora, Kairi, Ethan, Lyra, Kris Ash, Leaf, Team Rocket, and the Pokémon coming in the realm of darkness, and having their first conflict with Ansem (Xehanort's Heartless) for the first time (further down). So, this is the first of a three chapter arc. And we begin the Ansem the Seeker of Darkness arc.
On the morning after rescuing Arielle's Ledyba from the clutches of Team Rocket, Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Angel, and Togepi were getting closer than ever to reach Violet City.
"If we keep this up, we could get to Violet City by tomorrow," Sora said.
"That's great. You should do some training before we get interrupted by either the Heartless, Nobodies, or Team Rocket," Kairi suggested.
"Pika, Pika, Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Toge, Toge," Togepi chirped.
"Yeah, you're right. I could use some training before we get started," Sora said, taking out his 11 Pokéballs. "Okay, Hoothoot, Heracross, Teddiursa, Phanpy, Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile, Stantler, Gligar, Bonsly, Wooper! Come out!" His Pokémon all came out at once, ready to train. "Okay, guys, you ready to get some training done?" All of his Pokémon nodded and get started. Totodile and Wooper both fired Water Gun. "Okay, Bonlsy! Use Rock Throw!" Bonsly hurls Rock Throw. Bonlsy was improving with all the training he's currently doing.
Unknown to any of them, Team Rocket is watching them through their binoculars.
"The twerp has quite a selection of Pokémon," Jessie said.
"An outstanding Stantler, a wooping Wooper, a gliding Gligar, a cuddly Teddiursa," James said.
"A Chikorita, a Cyndaquil, and a Totodile," Jessie said.
"Not to mention, a Shiny Hoothoot and a fantastic Phanpy!" Meowth said.
"But Pikachu is the biggest prize of them all," Jessie said.
"It'll be a shame if someone would just go and steal all those Pokémon right from him," Meowth said.
"A shame indeed," Jessie said, chuckling evilly. "Meowth, get the net bazooka ready." I don't have it. James is in charge of it." James winced.
"I don't have it either. I thought either one of you had it," James said.
"James, I told you to hold on to it, didn't I?" Jessie asked.
"You did, but-" James paused. "Shoot! I must have dropped it because the twerps distracted us the last time."
"We had a great plan and we can't even execute it," Jessie said.
"Also, we can't order another one because we blew the last of our dough ordering that thing. We ain't got any money left to buy a soda from a vending machine," Meowth said. They sighed.
"It's a good thing that we don't have anything that Delibird would just take," James said.
"And if we were in the army, we would be dishonorably discharged, but Team Rocket's army would either just hang us or fill us with more holes than Swiss cheese," Jessie said.
"At least it can't get any worst," Meowth said.
Just then a Neoshadow appeared before them.
"You had to say it, Meowth!" Jessie growled.
"What do we do?" James asked.
"Any bright ideas?" Meowth asked.
"I have just one idea," Jessie said.
"What?" James and Meowth asked. Jessie thought for a sec before Team Rocket ran away.
"RUN AWAY!" Team Rocket ran very fast.
"Jessie, couldn't have we sent Weezing, Arbok, Lickitung, or Victreebel to deal with that Heartless?" James asked.
"You kidding? That thing looks like it'll rip them apart!" Jessie said.
"And I'm very attached to every part of my body!" Meowth said. They all stopped and panted. "That was close."
"Those Heartless are worst than mosquitoes. If only we could use a Keyblade like those twerps, then we would be standing tall!" James said. Jessie went wide-eyed at what James just said.
"James, you have given me a brilliant idea," Jessie said.
"Uh-oh. Here we go again," Meowth said.
"If we get our hands on those Keyblades, then we could deal with the Heartless with no problem!" Jessie said.
"Ooh! That's right! Even the bigger and scarier ones won't seem so big and scary when we cut them down to size," James said.
"Also, those Nobodies will be thinking twice before they attack us," Jessie said. Meowth laughed. "Also, with the Keyblade, we can unlock any lock! We will be the ultimate criminals!"
"We will be untouchable!" James said, laughing.
"That's actually a brilliant plan!" Meowth said.
"That is a foolish plan," a new voice said.
"Huh?" Team Rocket asked. They turned to see a boy wearing a dark gray exo suit-like armor. He has black hair. He wore white mask. Under his mask, he has brown eyes.
"Even if you do receive the Keyblades from those two, they will only return to their masters," the masked boy said.
"What? You mean our plan failed before we could dish it out?" Meowth asked.
"And to think those Keyblades would have been the keys to our success," James said.
"Just what does a twerp in a mask know?" Jessie asked.
"More than you would think," the masked boy said. He snapped his fingers and wolves appeared before him. The wolves all growled at them. He snapped his fingers and they went at Team Rocket. They then started to run away.
"Twice in one chapter, we run for our lives!" James said.
"It's bad enough that our hearts would have been taken, but we're about to become dog food!" Meowth said.
"Shut up and keep running!" Jessie yelled. The masked boy laughed.
"Stupid humans. Enjoy the world while you can, because you and the Pokémon won't be having it for long," the masked boy said.
Back with the couple, Sora and his Pokémon were training hard for the upcoming Gym battle.
"Great work, guys! You're really doing awesomely!" Sora said.
"Pika, Pika!" Pikachu said.
"Your training is really paying off, Sora," Kairi said.
"Eevee, vee!" Angel said.
"Toge, Toge!" Togepi chirped.
"Thanks, Kairi. I really appreciate it," Sora said.
"I'm glad you do, Sora," Kairi said, moving her head forward. Sora was doing the same thing, moving in for a kiss. Their loving tender moment was interrupted by familiar screams. "Not now!" They saw Team Rocket being chased by the wolves. "What did Team Rocket get themselves into this time?"
"I don't have the foggiest idea," Sora said.
"We should help them out," Kairi said, summoning her Keyblade.
"I hate to say this, but even they don't deserve this," Sora said. He summoned his Keyblade and held it tight. The wolves stopped in their tracks and growled. Sora could tell something was off. He could tell that they weren't Heartless or Nobodies, but something was off with them. "They don't have the Heartless or Nobody symbol. Any ideas, Kairi?"
"They look like ordinary wolves, but I don't think they're even close to ordinary," Kairi said.
"What are you doing talking? Just put them out!" Jessie yelled.
"Before they start ripping off our flesh!" James said.
"I don't want to end up being cat food!" Meowth exclaimed.
"Okay! Here we go!" Sora said. He and Kairi engaged the wolves and the wolves engaged them. Sora and Kairi swung their Keyblades, making the wolves growl and snarl. One wolf leapt at Sora, but he swung his Keyblade at the wolf. The wolf is struck, but erupts in green flames instead. "Definitely not Heartless or Nobodies."
"How about we worry about that after we took them out!" Kairi said.
"Right!" Sora said. Kairi swung her Keyblade, killing the attacking wolf and erupts in green flames. Kairi raised her Keyblade upwards.
"Thunder!" Kairi shouted as lightning struck the wolves. Sora thrusts his Keyade forward and struck the wolves hard. The wolves have been defeated and erupts into green flames.
"Done," Sora said. He dismissed his Keyblade as did Kairi. Sora turned to Team Rocket. "Just what happened to you? How did you end up almost being their chew toys?"
"We were making our usual evil plans when a twerp in a mask just showed up behind us," Meowth said.
"He had the nerve to say that we will only fail," Jessie said.
"Really? I thought you'd be used to failure by now," Sora joked.
"Sora!" Kairi chided her boyfriend.
"Anyway, that masked twerp called those wolves and sicced them on us. And that's when we ran into you," James said.
"That was after a Heartless attacked us and ran," Meowth said.
"Shut up!" Jessie yelled.
"That's a smart move, because they don't mess around," Sora said.
Meanwhile, Ash was sensing some kind of disturbance, and he went to investigate it.
"I know this has the Heartless's smell on this," Ash said, summoning his Fire Red Charizard. "They could just show up whenever they want." A corridor of darkness appeared before him. "And right on cue." He turned to see Ansem behind him. "Who are you?!" Ansem did not answer, but instead he pushes Ash inside the dark void. He yelped as he stumbled backwards. "Why did you push me?" He looked around and he didn't see anything familiar. "What in the world? Where am I?" He frantically looked around and he saw Darksides raising up. "Heartless! I knew it!" He readied his Keyblade. Something unexpected happened. The Darksides explodes in clouds of darkness. The one responsible was a young woman by the looks of her. She is not fully seen because she is shrouded in the shadows. The only thing that is visible is the Keyblade in her hand. The Keyblade has a smooth, cylindrical, grey shaft that tapers outward at both ends. It has a boxy guard, made up of two small, light grey boxes and copper rod. The base of the guard connects to the grip, and both sport several small indentations lining them. The grip itself is somewhat unique in that, while most Keyblade grips are cylindrical, its grip is squared. This, in conjunction with the fact that the Keyblade's teeth are in the shape of an "E", its initial wielder, being an anagram of "Square". Its Keychain is made of several simple chain links and its token is the a symbol that Ash does not recognize. This Keyblade is known as the Master's Defense. "Thanks for the save."
"You shouldn't have come here," the young woman said. Ash was shocked to hear she has Aqua's voice.
"Aqua? Is that you?" Ash asked.
"That is not my name," the young woman said. She ran off.
"Wait! Who are you?!" Ash called out. "Okay, I must be losing my mind because I could have sworn she sounded like Aqua. Or maybe this place is playing tricks on me, so I'm thinking that I'm hearing Aqua's voice. But I have no idea where is here." A voice then spoke to Ash.
"You are in the realm of darkness."
"Who's there?! Show yourself!" Ash demanded.
"Can you see that there is no light in this place? There is nothing here but shadows."
"Yeah, I can see that," Ash said.
"Watch your step, because the realm of darkness is more harmful than you may imagine. Even the most weakest of Heartless are deadly in this domain."
"The weakest of Heartless are tougher here? Well, they have to be since this is their home turf," Ash said.
"The Heartless are not your only concern. There are other obstacles that shall be in your way."
"You mean like Organization XIII? Wait! Are you with the Organization?!" Ash asked.
"No. Organization XIII is not the obstacle that I speak of."
"Look, can you point me in the right direction on how to get out of here?" Ash asked.
"Do you wish to return to the realm of light?"
"Of course I do!" Ash said. "My friends will be worried if I don't get back!"
"Beware of your desires. They shall lead you deeper in the darkness."
"Beware my desires? What do you mean that they'll lead me deeper in the darkness? Answer me that!" Ash called out.
"Darkness already surrounds you. And if you are not careful, you shall forever be lost in darkness. You shall have hope to ever return home. The darkness in your heart will consume you until have become a Heartless. Your desires shall lead you to doubt, becoming fear. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering. And suffering leads to death."
Ash was letting the words what the voice has said. Could he be already be doubting himself. He shook it off.
"I'm going to try to find my way. It's better than doing nothing, right?" Ash asked.
"You will regret your decision, I promise you. But do what you want. I would say you have all the time in the world, but time does not exist in the realm of darkness. You may have years to escape. You will not have aged at all during your stay here."
"I'll find a way even if it takes me forever," Ash said. "I'm off." Ash took off in the realm of darkness. He summoned his Star Seeker, knowing that two Keyblades would come in handy. "I hope I know what I'm doing."
Back in Kanto, Leaf is surrounded by Shadows, so she summoned her Leaf Green Keyblade and held it. She remembered seeing Sora and Kairi using it, so she swung at the attacking Heartless.
"You don't scare me, Heartless," Leaf said. The Shadows leapt at her, so she slashed at the Heartless. They kept coming at her, but she slashed through them. She dismissed her Keyblade and panted from the fighting. A corridor of darkness appeared before her. "What is that?" She felt something pulling her. She screamed as she went flying through. She lands right on the ground. "Ow. Now what?" More Shadows have some. Along with them are Neoshadows and two new Heartless.
One of these are reminiscent of Darksides, possessing black skin, a similar muscular frame, and a heart-shaped hole in their torsos, but are smaller and more embellished. They have sharp purple and blue horns that form the outline of a curled heart. They also have small blue bat-like wings on their back, gold-tipped feathered wings on their forearms, and bluish-purple fireballs under their feet, presumably assisting them in their fast movements and tying into their dark fire attack. Their long tails appear scaly, and end in a sharp, crescent-shaped blade. These are Heartless are known as Invisibles.
The other kind is a Heartless that appear to be fragile and weak Heartless. They golden wings which are formed from two larger lower wings that have two slightly smaller wings attached to the top of them; the whole assembly is kept on with two bright yellow orbs that form the joints. These Heartless are known as Angel Stars.
She summoned took her Keyblade and held it tight. She wondered if she was going to survive this fight.
Over to Ash, he stepped forward and he sighed.
"If what that voice said is true, then I don't know how many days have gone and went since I came to this crazy place," Ash said. "And even if I do get out, I wonder if Sora and Kairi would be married and have kids of their own by then. Okay, that voice said I let the darkness in if I let my doubts take hold. I should think positively. And I won't let my emotions take effect and I won't turn into a Heartless. It's worth a shot." She heard a yell close to him. "Is someone there?!" He followed the scream to its source and he saw Leaf sighting the Heartless. The Invisibles vanishes as they impaled the ground with their weapons. A ring of dark fire surrounds Leaf. The ring starts to close, so Leaf jumps out of the way before it did. The Heartless overwhelmed her, so Ash jumped in to save Leaf. She closes her eyes, waiting for the end to come. He destroyed the attacking Heartless with his two Keyblades. Leaf opened her eyes and saw Ash before her.
"Ash!" Leaf cried.
"What are you doing here? And how did you get here?" Ash asked.
"I could ask you the same thing. Just where are we?" Leaf asked.
"I think this is the realm of darkness. And it's the Heartless's homeworld," Ash said.
"That explains a lot since I saw those Heartless when I first got here," Leaf said.
"Yeah, about that. Just how did you get that Keyblade?" Ash asked.
"I got it when Venusaur was fighting some white monsters. I have no idea what they were," Leaf said. Ash knew she was talking about the Nobodies. Leaf then remembered her talk with Xigbar.
"I'm surprised that you have a Keyblade, Leaf," Ash said.
"So am I," Leaf said. She wondered if she should keep with her.
"You should that Keyblade close because the Heartless will definitely attack us here if we're not careful. Any Heartless," Ash said.
"Right," Leaf agreed.
"Come on. We shouldn't stay in one place too long. They could jump us at any moment," Ash said.
"Okay," Leaf said, following Ash.
Back in Johto, Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Angel, Togepi, and Team Rocket are surprised that a corridor of darkness appeared before them.
"What is that?" Meowth asked. It began to pull them in.
"I don't know, but it's sucking us in like a vacuum cleaner!" Sora said. They all screamed and they are pulled in. Ethan, Kris, Lyra, and Marill showed up and they get sucked in as well.
"What is going on?!" Ethan exclaimed.
"Marill, Marill!" Marill exclaimed as they get pulled in. They land on the ground beneath them.
"What happened?" Kris asked. Sora was shocked to hear Kris's voice.
"Kris, is that you?" Sora asked. He saw Ethan and Lyra, too. "Ethan? Lyra?"
"Hello, Sora. Hi, Kairi," Kris greeted.
"Hi," Kairi greeted.
"As much it is good seeing you again, but where are we?" Ethan asked.
"I have no idea. But I can tell you that I don't like how it looks," Sora said.
"Me neither. This place looks scary," Lyra said.
"This place is darker than Hollow Bastion, and that place was dark," Meowth said. Ethan, Kris, and Lyra were shocked to hear Meowth talking.
"A TALKING MEOWTH!" Lyra gasped.
"Yeah, he talks. Getting him to shut up would be the trick," Sora said.
"Who are they?" Ethan asked.
"Prepare for trouble, it's pretty dark!" Jessie said.
"Make it double, it's not a walk in the park!" James said.
"Cut the motto, because we got a huge problem!" Meowth said.
"Meowth's right. We have to find a way out of here," Kairi said.
"We should get a move on, because we want stay out of trouble before we find any," Sora said.
"What kind of trouble are you talking about, Sora?" Ethan asked.
"I have a feeling we're going to find out whether we want to or not," Lyra said, remembering the Heartless.
"Everyone stay together. We don't want to get lost out here," Sora said.
"Right," everyone said.
"Chu," Pikachu said.
"Vee," Angel said.
"Rill," Marill said.
The group makes their way through the realm of darkness. Sora could feel the darkness trying to take his heart again, but he manages to keep the darkness in check.
"The darkness will consume your hearts."
"Who's there?!" Sora exclaimed.
"Quit scaring me, whoever's doing that!" Jessie yelled.
"Abandon all hope."
"Who said that?" Kris asked.
"Is somebody there?" Ethan asked.
"Hope only leads to despair."
"What are you talking about?" James asked.
"Whoever you are, you sure know how to lighten everyone's moods," Meowth said.
"Light does not exist here. There are nothing but shadows."
"Why are you saying all those things?" Kairi asked.
"You have no future. Your only option is to disappear into the darkness."
"Disappear?" Jessie asked.
"I'm no good with a disappearing act. Would you like a musical number instead?" Meowth asked. Shadows and Neoshadows emerged from the ground. "I didn't call for extras!"
"What are they?" Kris asked, feeling scared.
"Are they Pokémon?" Ethan asked.
"No they're not," Kairi said.
"HEARTLESS!" Team Rocket exclaimed in terror.
"Of all the things to put up with, it had to be Heartless!" Jessie cried.
"We'll have to deal with them after all," Sora said, summoning his Kingdom Key. Kairi summoned her Destiny's Embrace. Ethan and Kris were amazed to see the Keyblades for the first time.
The couple struck down the attacking Heartless with their Keyblades. Sora and Kairi threw their Keyblades at the Neoshadows, destroying them. Pikachu and Angel fought back against them with Thunderbolt and Swift. But more of them kept on coming.
"Pi!" Pikachu yelled, destroying a Shadow with Iron Tail.
"Eevee!" Angel yelled, destroying a Neoshadow with her Iron Tail.
The couples were taking out the Shadows and Neoshadows from left to right. More and more kept coming. They were getting tired fast.
"There's too many of them!" Kairi said.
"Let's get out of here!" Meowth exclaimed.
"Right!" Sora said.
Everyone screamed as they ran from the Heartless. They made a stop and panted.
"That was close," Ethan said.
"I never felt more scared than I did in my entire life," Kris said. Kris looked at Team Rocket. "Didn't they say they're called Heartless?"
"Yeah. They're monsters that comes from the darkness in the hearts of people," Sora said.
"The darkness in people's hearts? Even ours?" Ethan asked.
"Unfortunately it's true. That darkness is what draws them. And they'll come after us as long as we have Keyblades," Kairi said.
"Lyra, aren't you surprised by this?" Ethan asked.
"I was when I saw the Heartless for the first time. I didn't see any of those other ones," Lyra said, recalling the Emblem Heartless.
"I hate those things. I really do," Jessie said.
"Well, you're gonna hate them even more when they show up again," James said.
"Don't jinx it! I have enough bad luck on my paws!" Meowth yelled.
"Just how are we going to get out of here? This place is depressing," Kris said.
"We'll have to find a way out," Ethan said.
"Ethan's right. We're never gonna get anywhere if we're standing around, waiting for more Heartless," Sora said.
"Chu," Pikachu said.
Not too far, an armored figure appeared from the shadows. He wore a large purple cape and a horned helmet. His eyes glowed from inside the helmet.
"You have the blood of Zest in your veins, boy. Your existence will be put to an end!" The knight said. He drew his sword and charges forward. Sora saw him coming as did everyone else. Sora summoned his Keyblade and used it to block.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Sora yelled.
"Exacting my vengeance!" The knight replied pushing him back. Sora pushed him harder.
"Who are you?" Sora asked.
"A preposterous question to ask me, descendant of Zest," the knight said.
"Wait a minute. You're Garland! But you've only been dead for centuries!" Sora said.
"Yes. I have the powers of darkness to fuel the hatred I had for your family. And that hatred has erupted in a way that not even I thought possible. And I shall exact my revenge on your cursed bloodline!" Garland charged at Sora again. They clashed their weapons.
"Sora!" Kairi called out.
"Stay back, Kairi! I got this guy!" Sora said. He pushes Garland back.
"You think you can take me on yourself, boy? What hope can you survive in a direct fight against me? You plan to use that weapon of yours?" Garland asked.
"Yeah, and that's not all I have, Garland. There is another weapon I have," Sora said.
"And what weapon is that?" Garland asked.
"My heart," Sora said. Garland just scoffed.
"Your heart? What good will that weak little thing do against me?" Garland asked.
"You call my heart weak if you want, Garland, but I'm not alone. My heart has found a place in the people and Pokémon I have met ever since I got started. I have become a part of their hearts and they became a part of mine. And that is something even greater than any sword! And I'm going to prove it to you here and now! My friends are my power!" Sora said as a new Keyblade appeared in his hand. This Keybalde has a shaft that displays two hearts, and its handle bears two angel wings. The teeth are fashioned in the shape of the Kanji for "light". Its Keychain token is a star sewn together from seashells. This Keyblade is known as the Oathkeeper.
"Two?!" Garland exclaimed.
"Two Keyblades? Since when did he have a second one?" Meowth asked.
"Since now," Kairi said.
"It matters not! I shall shatter the Keyblades in your hands and then take your life!" Garland said. "Power of darkness, give me strength!"
Garland charges at Sora with his single sword, so Sora swung his two Keyblades. Garland swung his sword, turning it into a sword fight between the two. Garland gave Sora a kick in the stomach. Garland moves in, but Sora dodges and casts his fire spell at him. Garland slashes through the fireball with his sword.
"The twerp is actually holding his own against him," James said.
"Yeah. Just like that one guy who we met in Hallow Bastion," Meowth said.
"Except he's taking him on alone," Jessie said. "Just why the malice against the family of the twerp?"
"Garland is the evil knight who tried to take over the kingdom of Cornelia," Kairi said. "His plot was foiled by Zest, Sora's ancestor. He returned and kidnapped the princess and tried to ransom her for the kingdom. Zest foiled his plans to conquer."
"So the do-gooder gene went all the way down to the current twerp," James said.
Sora and Garland clashed their weapons. Both were gaining an edge over the other. Garland gave Sora a push onto the ground. Garland raised his sword up in the air.
"Die!" Garland roared as he started to swing his sword down, but Sora gave Garland a strike with his Keyblades. Garland fell on the ground, beaten. He stabs the ground with his sword to get back up. "You have won the battle, descendant of Zest. But mark my words, there is a little bit of me in the realm of light." Garland vanishes in the darkness where he came.
Sora couldn't help but wonder if he was right or that Garland was trying to get the best of him. But either way, he had to keep his guard up against the Heartless in the realm of darkness. But who was the young woman whom Ash come in contact with? And does she have some sort of connection with Aqua in some way? A mystery to come as we go on further.