Episode 98: The Realm of Darkness Part 2
Where we last left off, Sora had just defeated the evil knight Garland by using two Keyblades, his Kingdom Key and the Oathkeeper. Sora, Kairi, Ethan, Kris, Lyra, Team Rocket, Pikachu, Angel, and Togepi have found themselves in the realm of darkness and came across the Heartless whom are much stronger than normally. The same can be said for Ash and Leaf whom have entered the realm of darkness before them, but don't know that Sora and Kairi are in it.
And right where we last left off, Sora was tired from the fight with Garland.
"Whew, that took a lot out of me," Sora said.
"That was really something. Not only a Pokémon Trainer, but a swordsman, too," Ethan said.
"I'm not advertising it or anything," Sora said.
"We should keep a look out for any Heartless. They'll take up the opportunity kick us while we're down," James said.
"Like you wouldn't do that, but you're right, James," Sora said. "We better keep going." The group continued onward.
Over to Ash and Leaf, they fought the Darkballs and Neoshadows that attacked. Leaf has been improving with her skills as she slashed through the Heartless. They plowed through the Heartless with their Keyblades.
"Keep running!" Ash yelled.
Ash and Leaf kept running as Flutterings came flying at them, but they slashed through the flying Heartless. They slashed through the Heartless. The Flutterings followed them.
"They're gaining on us!" Leaf exclaimed.
"Okay, here goes!" Ash said, pointing his Keyblade at the Flutterings. "Firaga!" Ash fired a much more powerful fireball, destroying them completely.
"Nice shot, Ash," Leaf praised.
"Thanks," Ash said.
They slid down a slope. They didn't see any of the Heartless coming their way.
"I think we gave them the slip," Leaf said.
"For now anyway. We shouldn't relax just yet because we'll never know when they'll show up again," Ash said.
"Yeah. We could keep fighting them until they get lucky and take our hearts," Leaf said.
"Leaf," Ash said.
"We can't keep fighting the Heartless. No matter what we do, they're just going to come after us," Leaf said. Ash said nothing. "I mean, things will only get even worse for us the further it gets."
"Why thinking so negatively, Leaf?" Ash asked.
"I'm just saying what I'm thinking. I'm even thinking back on when Sora turned into a Heartless," Leaf said. "What if our friendship dies because of the Keyblades we hold?"
"Leaf, that's not going to happen," Ash said. Leaf looked at her. "We knew each other ever since we were little kids. We promised each other to not let anyone or anything try to drive us apart. You didn't forget that, did you? I didn't forget. Neither did Sora. I mean, what do you think he'd say to you if he hears you say it?"
Leaf thought hard about what he just said and she knew he was right. They went through a lot together. She couldn't believe Xigbar tried to get to her.
"Ash, I don't know what to say," Leaf said.
"Just don't forget what we got, Leaf," Ash said. "Come on. We have a way out to find."
"Right behind you, Ash," Leaf said.
In the World That Never Was, Xemnas and Saïx sat in their thrones to discuss the latest activity of Sora.
"Sora and Kairi have entered through the realm of darkness as we planned," Xemnas said.
"The purpose of this is to see if Sora and Kairi will survive their trial in the realm of darkness. Their Keyblades are the only things that can protect them. But I was not expecting those fools from Team Rocket and three others to be included," Saïx said.
"Regardless, their inclusion in the realm of darkness will not derail our plan. But I suspect that three that went with Sora and Kairi unintentionally may have powers that sleeps within them," Xemnas said. "And those powers shall waken very soon."
"Then I shall make the proper preparations for them before that happens," Saïx said.
"Do so," Xemnas said as Saïx took his leave through his corridor of darkness.
Meanwhile, Xigbar sat on a pillar above and laughed.
"Well, it looks like things are gonna get interesting down there," Xigbar said.
"And what is so interesting?" Axel asked.
"Ah, flamesilocks. You saved me the trouble of looking for you. Just got word that Sora and Kairi are in the realm of darkness just as Xemnas planned," Xigbar said.
"Sora and Kairi? You serious?" Axel asked.
"You heard me right, Axel. Them, those Team Rocket rejects, and three that Xemnas had his eye on," Xigbar said.
"You mean you were eavesdropping on them?" Axel asked.
"Word was bound to get out eventually. It's not like Xemnas was planning to keep it a secret. He thinks that they have the special power within them," Xigbar said.
"I'll get that memorized. Saïx is probably already working on getting things ready by then," Axel said.
"I can understand that. And he knows they'll wake right up when the time comes. And I can bet my arrowguns that it's not going to be long now," Xigbar said.
"I thought it was Luxord who did the gambling around here," Axel said.
"You caught me there, Axel. Just so you know, I'm gonna enjoy the show," Xigbar said. He leaves through his corridor of darkness.
"I know you are, Xigbar. Roxas shouldn't know this," Axel said.
Back in the realm of darkness, Sora, Kairi, Ethan, Kris, Lyra, Team Rocket, Pikachu, Angel, and Togepi ventured into what looks like a town.
"Look at this place. It's deserted," Lyra said.
"Marill," Marill said.
"Who would have thought we would find a ghost town in a world like this?" Ethan asked.
"Yeah, but where are all the people? We ain't seen a single person since that Garland guy," Meowth said.
"I don't think there are any people at all, Meowth. The Heartless have done something to the people, and I don't want to think about what they did," Kairi said.
"Vee," Angel said.
"Toge," Togepi chirped.
"The twerpy girl is right," Jessie said, looking inside one of the houses. "I'm not seeing any food cooking or hearing babies crying. This is giving me the creeps."
"You can say that again, Jessie, because we'll end up running into some anyway," Sora agreed.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"I'd rather not run into any, thank you very much," James said.
"Given the situation we're in, we don't have much of a choice," Sora said.
"He's got a point, James. Those Heartless will be picking us off if we don't keep moving," Meowth said.
"How much further do we have to go? We don't even know where the hell we're going! We could end up being lost in this stupid place for the rest of our lives!" Jessie exclaimed.
Further ahead, the young woman hears Jessie's whinning.
"People, here? Impossible," the young woman said. She walked to an alleyway and stepped out of the shadows. She looked like Aqua, but her hair is a little longer and it reached down to her shoulders. She wears a black and navy blue, high-collared halter top, a black corset with two pairs of white laces and black shorts. She has two pink straps intersecting over her chest, with a silver badge over the intersection. On her arms are white bell-sleeves and tan, fingerless gloves. She also wears a small, segmented piece of armor on each of her upper arms. She wears black stockings reaching about halfway up her thighs, leaving a small area of bare skin. There are two strips of blue cloth draped over each of her hips, along with a smaller, white strip of cloth tied around her waist and draped in the same manner. Her silver boots are pointed and armored, with a sharp "hook" on the outer side of each.
"For once she's right. This world could be a giant maze. Also, the Heartless will just," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Well, we gotta find a way out. A way out isn't just going to show up right in front of us," Sora said.
"Who are those people? And what creatures are they? Are they real or are they just phantoms created by my mind?" The young woman asked.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said. His ears suddenly perked up. "Pi?"
"What's wrong, Pikachu?" Sora asked.
"Pi, Pika, Pika, Pika," Pikachu said.
"What? Someone's lurking nearby?" Meowth asked.
"Pika," Pikachu confirmed.
"What if it's Garland back for a rematch?" James asked.
"Or it could be some more of those awful Heartless?" Kris asked.
"I'll take care of this one," Kairi said, summoning her Keyblade. The young woman gasped in surprise.
"A Keyblade? How did that girl get that?" The young woman asked. Kairi ran over to the young woman, but she ran before Kairi reached her. She didn't see her.
"There's no one here," Kairi said.
"Pika?" Pikachu asked. He jumped off of Sora's shoulders.
"Pikachu, what's gotten into you?" Sora asked. Pikachu sniffed around and he picked up the scent. It wasn't a Heartless, it was definitely human.
Over to the young woman, she sat on a roof.
"Why did I just run away like that? Maybe I was just being anxious. It's been so long since I have seen another person. Those children and those creatures are real. But why are they here of all places?" The young woman asked. "I shouldn't stay. I'll only burden them by being near them." She took off.
Back with Ash and Leaf, they looked around for any signs of the Heartless. So far they didn't find any. They didn't know either if was a good thing or a bad thing. Either way, they couldn't afford to let their guard down.
"Things are really quiet here," Leaf said.
"Too quiet, Leaf. They won't stay quiet forever," Ash said.
"Nothing isn't too quiet as you say," a dark voice spoke. Ash and Leaf looked around and summoned their Keyblades.
"Who's there?!" Ash asked.
"You two have taken a step into darkness, and now you're going to end up being its victims," the voice said.
"Why don't you just show yourself, whoever you are," Ash said. Ash wasn't disappointed when Ansem appeared before him.
"You should be careful for what you asked for," Ansem said. Ash gasped.
"You! You the one who pushed me in this place! Who are you?" Ash asked.
"Is that anyway to greet an old friend?" Ansem asked. Ash looked at him confused.
"What are you talking about? Until you pushed me in, I never saw you before in my life!" Ash said.
"Me neither!" Leaf added.
"Perhaps this will be more appropriate for our reunion," Ansem said, transforming into the masked figure they saw in Hollow Bastion. "As I recall, you said you will never forgive me for killing your friend."
"That was you?!" Ash exclaimed in shock.
"Indeed, Pokémon Trainer. It was I who took Sora and Kairi to Hollow Bastion with me and plunged one my dark Keyblades into the heart of Sora," Ansem said.
"You're a monster!" Leaf said. "What you did was unforgivable!"
"What you deem to be forgivable and unforgivable holds no consequence to me. I did what was necessary," Ansem said. He changes back to his true form.
"If that was you, just how did you survive that? Kairi defeated you," Ash said.
"Did she now? Well, I admit I have underestimated the both of them. I wasn't expecting that he would ever return to being human after being turned into a Heartless. You and Riku were gifted Keyblade wielders, but I doubt even you would be a match for me," Ansem said.
"You'd be surprised," Leaf said, holding her Keyblade.
"You seem rather confident," Ansem said.
"Just who are you?" Ash asked.
"I am Ansem, the Seeker of Darkness," Ansem said, disappearing into the darkness. Two Darksides appear from the ground.
"Ansem..." Ash could only say.
Back with the group, they continued onward, but Pikachu and Angel's perked up.
"Pi!" Pikachu exclaimed, feeling uneasy.
"Eevee!" Angel said.
"Marill!" Marill cried, jumping into Lyra's arms.
"Marill, what's wrong?" Lyra asked.
"Guys, prepare for trouble," Kairi said.
"So, make it double," Sora said.
"That's our bit!" Jessie said. Sora and Kairi summoned their Keyblades. Just then, a bunch of Shadows appeared and they formed into a Demon Tower. "Oh no..."
"All those Heartless just made a tower," Ethan said.
"That can't be good," Sora said, summoning his Kingdom Key. Kairi summoned her Destiny's Embrace. "Let's take them, Kairi!"
"You sure you want to fight them? You're still tender from fighting Garland," Kairi said.
"I know, but there's no time to argue! Besides, I can't just let you do the heavy lifting, Kairi. And there's no way you can take them on by yourself," Sora said. Kairi knew he was right. She couldn't take on the Demon Tower by herself, so she nodded in agreement.
"Okay. Let's take them," Kairi said.
The Demon Tower moves towards them as the eyes of all the Shadows changed from yellow to red. Sora and Kairi started to slashed at the Heartless, making some of them fall off. The Demon Tower twists and springs up, lunging at the couple. Kairi uses her reflect magic to protect the both of them. The Demon Tower slammed on the ground. The Shadows heads right toward them, but Sora and Kairi struck the attacking Shadows down. The Shadows reformed the Demon Tower and then came at them. The couple dodged, so Pikachu fired Thunderbolt, hitting the Demon Tower.
"Pikachu, don't! You can't destroy them all!" Sora said.
"Pika!" Pikachu said.
The Demon Tower make their way and gets past the couple. Lyra, Kris, Team Rocket, and the Pokémon ran to avoid them. Kris sees Ethan just standing there.
"Ethan, run!" Kris called out. The Demon Tower then ensares Ethan, much to Kris's dismay. "ETHAN!" Tears forms from her eyes.
"Ethan, no!" Sora exclaimed. A light suddenly erupts from inside the Demon Tower.
"What's going on in there?" James asked.
"Don't ask me," Lyra said.
The Demon Tower explodes, making the Shadows fall on the ground below them. They vanish in the puff of darkness. Ethan lands right on his feet. Kris was happy to see Ethan was okay, but she saw something in his hand. Ethan looked and saw that he has a Keyblade.
"What the?! A Keyblade?" Ethan asked.
This Keyblade is shaped like the neck of Ho-Oh. Ho-Oh's beak serves as the Keyblade's teeth. The guard has the design of Ho-Oh's wings. The Keychain token has a miniature Ho-Oh on it. This Keyblade is known as Heart Gold Ho-Oh.
"Ethan has a Keyblade!" Sora said.
"Amazing," Kairi said.
"I have a Keyblade," Ethan said. He looked at the Demon Tower as it reforms. "Now to help out." He ran towards the Demon Tower and he swung it. His Keyblade struck the Demon Tower, making some of the Shadows fall and vaporate. "Sora, Kairi, let's finish them off!"
"Right!" Sora and Kairi said. They worked together and used their Keyblades to strike down the Demon Tower. Sora slashed the bottom part as Kairi jumped and swung her Keyblade, making the tower of Heartless split in half. The remaining Heartless were forced into a retreat.
"We should go after them!" Ethan said.
"No, Ethan. We shouldn't overdo it. We used up some of our strength fighting those Heartless," Sora said, panting.
"He's right. We won for right now," Kairi said.
"It was a good thing you got that Keyblade when you did," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Thanks, Sora. I think this Keyblade saved me," Ethan said.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Kairi asked.
"I'm not sure if there's a right or wrong way to explain, but I knew it was going to be over for me, so I was ready to take it, but not before I called out to someone for help. And that's when this appeared in my hand. I was surprised to see it for myself," Ethan said.
"Not sure if I get it, but it makes sense to me," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Me too," Kairi said.
"Toge, Toge, Togepi!" Togepi chirped.
"Eevee, vee," Angel said.
"Um, I hate to interrupt the meeting of the Keyblade, but we have an exit to find if you don't mind!" Jessie said.
"She's right. Let's go," Sora said.
"I thought you were tired of the walking, Jessie," Lyra said.
"That was before those Heartless showed up," Jessie said.
What seems to be a few minutes later, Ethan noticed Kris was quiet.
"Kris, is something on your mind?" Ethan asked.
"No, not really," Kris lied as she blushed.
"Kris, I know something's wrong, so what's wrong?" Ethan asked.
"Okay, it's just, I thought I lost you for a moment, because you were almost taken by those Heartless. I was so very scared at that moment," Kris said.
"To tell the truth, I was too. But it's all over now," Ethan said.
"I don't know," Kris said.
"I don't either, but now that I have a Keyblade of my own, that means Sora and Kairi won't be doing all the work," Ethan said. Kris smiled.
"I'm just glad you're alive, Ethan," Kris said. Ethan blushed.
Back with Ash and Leaf, they continued the fight with the Darksides. They dismissed their Keyblades when they have vanished.
"Ugh, that was more of a workout than I'm used to," Ash said.
"Me too, Ash. If only we had some help," Leaf said.
"I think there might be, but I'm not sure if I'm right about this or not," Ash said.
"What do you mean, Ash?" Leaf asked.
"Well, for starters, when I first got here, I kinda met someone when I got here. A girl," Ash said.
"A girl?" Leaf asked.
"Yeah. I was only here for like a second and she shows up and strikes like lightning. She had a Keyblade, too. But that's not what was bugging me so much," Ash said.
"What's been bugging you so much?" Leaf asked.
"She sounded so much like Aqua," Ash said.
"You mean, one of Sora's cousin's friends?" Leaf asked.
"Yeah. I thought I was going nuts," Ash said.
"You might be, but did you get a good look at her? Did you even see her face and see if she looked like Aqua?" Leaf asked.
"No. I couldn't see that well, but I got a good look at her Keyblade. And that's about it," Ash said.
"Okay, but why didn't you mention that before?" Leaf asked.
"I wasn't sure if she was real or not. It might been the realm of darkness trying to mess with my head," Ash said.
"But if there is someone else in here besides us, then we should help her out, too," Leaf said.
"That's gonna be a problem because we don't even know where to look, and we don't even know where anything is in the realm of darkness," Ash pointed out. Leaf sighed.
"I guess you're right, but we should find her and see for ourselves. She might know a way out of here," Leaf said.
"I hope you're right, Leaf. But I don't want to get my hopes up for nothing," Ash said.
With that said, Ash and Leaf began their search for the young woman, hoping to have a clue. Ash thought as they wondered through. He thought maybe if she knows the way out, then how come she hasn't gotten out herself? He was going to have to ask her that when and if they see her. Ash was still wasn't sure if she was really real at all.
Back with the group, they all made it to what looks like the remains of an old castle.
"The castle in Hollow Bastion looked a whole lot nicer than this," Sora commented.
"That's if you've past all the Heartless crawling around," Meowth said.
"The Heartless have done a serious number here," Lyra said.
"Maybe the way out is somewhere in the castle," Kris said.
"I don't think splitting up is going to do any good because of the Heartless," Ethan said.
"It's worth a look, so we'll have to see if there's any clues, but we stay together," Sora said.
Everyone agreed and searched the area around them. So far they didn't find a thing.
"Well, that was a huge waste of time," James sighed.
"It was worth a shot," Sora said. He turned and saw a fragment of light that suddenly showed up out of the blue. "Where did that come from?"
"That wasn't here a second ago," Ethan said.
"And that voice said light didn't exist here," Jessie said.
"It might be a way out," Sora said.
"Wait are we waiting for?!" Jessie said, jumping inside. The rest of the group jumped in the light and vanishes when they all went through.
Over to Ash and Leaf, they continued to fight the Darksides, so they summoned some Shadows and they attacked. Ash and Leaf slashed through the Heartless, but the Darksides have gave them a punch, sending them on the ground.
"Could this be the end?" Ash asked. He shuts his eyes.
"ASH!" Leaf exclaimed.
Light appeared and formed into chains, wrapping around the Darksides. The young woman appeared and slashed through the Darksides with the Master's Defense. Leaf gasped. Ash opened his eyes and saw her for the first time, but he recognized her through the shadows.
"It's you," Ash said. "You were the one who the one who I bumped into earlier."
"I heard your voice and felt your light. I had to come. I couldn't allow the dark dwellers to have their way with you," the young woman said.
"We appreciate it," Leaf said. She walked right up to her. "We could have been goners if you haven't shown up."
"She's right. Thanks for the save. My name's Ash," Ash introduced himself.
"And I'm Leaf. What's yours?" Leaf asked.
"My name's Cascade. I'm a Keyblade Master," Cascade said. "How did you end up in the realm of darkness?"
"I was pushed in here. By someone calling himself Ansem. When I saw you, I wasn't sure if you were a real person or not, so I was looking for a way out. And that's when I bumped into Leaf here," Ash explained.
"I see. I'm afraid I don't have the answer you're looking for, Ash. I'm sorry," Cascade said.
"Figured it would have been easy," Ash said.
"How long have you been here?" Leaf asked.
"I don't know that either. Time does not exist in the realm of darkness. As you see, I haven't aged at all. How long has it been in the realm of light?" Cascade asked.
"Sorry, Cascade. We don't know that one either. But how did you get in here?" Ash asked.
"It all started with the Mark of Mastery exam. There were two other Keyblade wielders with me at the time. There was myself, a young man named Gaia, and a boy named Viento. Gaia and I were taking our exam. We had a guest barring witness to the exam. His name was Xehanort. Master Xehanort. He was a Keyblade Master as well as Master Eraqus. Only I was granted the rank of Master, so Gaia failed because of the darkness inside of him. Not too long after that, Master Xehanort disappeared and Gaia went out to search for him. Along the way, creatures born from feelings of negativity were born. They were known as the Unversed. But I was tasked in bringing him home if the darkness has proven to be too much for him, and find Viento when he ran away. I eventually found the both of them, but things ended up complicated when Gaia found out that I was spying on him. My master loved Gaia like a son, so I had to continue on with my mission and send Viento home. But things have gotten worse when I learned that Gaia has struck down Master Eraqus. I met him in the Keyblade Graveyard and he told me that Xehanort was behind it all. Also, Viento was going to fight someone named Vanitas. A fierce battle has taken place, but Viento's heart ended up being shattered and I had no clue where Gaia has disappeared to. The first thing I did was take Viento somewhere safe. And then I found Gaia again, but I found that Gaia's body was taken over. I tried to save him from the darkness controlling him. He used Xehanort's Keyblade on himself and he sank into the realm of darkness, but I dove in to save him. I ended up taking his place in the realm of darkness. And I have been here ever since," Cascade concluded. Ash was at shock by what happened as Leaf was left in tears for what happened.
"That so sad," Leaf said, crying.
"What exactly did this Xehanort guy want?" Ash asked.
"He was looking to forge something called the X-Blade. Even now, I don't know what it is," Cascade said.
"But there is one more thing on my mind, Cascade. When I first saw you, why did you run off like that?" Ash asked.
"I didn't want to burden you, Ash. I didn't want to put through such hardships," Cascade said.
"Come on, Cascade. I would have helped you out," Ash said. Cascade turned to Ash. "I don't know how long ago it was when you ended up in the realm of darkness, but I can promise you that your friends are safe and sound. You just gotta believe," Ash said.
"Ash," Cascade said. "It might be too late."
"Is it really? You'll never find out for yourself if you just give up. You managed to survive in here for so long, and you didn't give up hope. And that hope is what saved your life," Ash said.
"He's right, Cascade. You have a light that will never go out," Leaf said. "So, we'll find a way out together."
"Ash, Leaf," Cascade said in surprise. "You're willing to help me out?"
"Of course. That's what friends are for," Ash said. Cascade smiled that she made some new friends after so long.
"Ash, Leaf. Thank you," Cascade said.
"Come on. Let's find a way out together," Ash said.
With that said, Ash, Leaf, and Cascade began to search for the way out of the realm of darkness together.