Chapter 8: the new journey
I do not own kingdom hearts or the properties shown in this fanfic. They belong to the respective owners and the original story is based on the works of Darius Almighty. Kingdom hearts and trials of the keyblade is owned by square Enix, Disney, and Tetsuya Nomura. Please support the official release.
Right. This is where the journey of searching for the new keyblade wielders! Either they're big and small young and old they all get keyblades even good and evil!
With that out of the way, here's the next chapter. Enjoy!.
The Shera flew through the infinite reaches of space, danger now far behind them, but the scars of battle clear on the hull. Cid flew the ship, his face expressionless. The mood inside the cockpit was grim. Most of them had lost everything: their homes, their friends. Everything. All because of one man in a mask. Aerith was staring out the domed cockpit window, her emerald eyes filled with sadness. Yuffie sat in her chair with her legs tucked in, her usually cheerful countenance replaced by one of grief.
Barret was leaning back in his chair, his eyes closed and arms crossed, seemingly asleep, but he was wide awake in deep thought. Beside him, sharing a chair, were Denzel and Marlene, fast asleep and leaning against each other's shoulders.
Navigating the ship was Shalua, her mechanical arm working the controls. She worked with sad diligence until she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked behind to see Quistis' smiling reassuring face. She smiled back.
Adelbert sat with his face in his hands, Lula quiet for once in her holster.
Merlin was asleep in his chair. Clutched tightly in his hands was The Book of Pooh. The only part of Radiant Garden he had left.
Kim, Ron, Wade, Tifa, could only look at their friends with silent empathy.
Leon however, was taking it the worst of all. He had retreated to the other recesses of the ship, saying he wanted to be alone right now. No one stopped him.
Sora sat hunched in his seat, staring at the floor, Kairi holding his hand in the seat next to him. She whispered to him softly, "Sora..."
"First Donald and Goofy," Sora began. "Now I've lost Riku again too." He bowed his head lower and Kairi gave his hand a reassuring squeeze, though there were tears in her own eyes as well.
"Not everyone got out the first time without scars," Barret grumbled. Sora and Kairi turned to look at him. Barret removed the sunglasses and opened his eyes before turning to them, "Be they emotional or physical."
Kairi stared at him with sympathy, "It must hurt to lose your home again."
Barret grunted, "You have no idea. It's how I got this." He then showed off his steel hand, "When the Heartless took Radiant Garden. Afterwards I ended up in Traverse Town, armless and confused. That's where I found Marlene," he said turning to the sleeping child. "She was just a baby when I found her. She must have lost her parents in the Heartless swarm. I took pity on her and took her in. I'm glad I did. After five years living in Traverse Town, Marlene grew into a cute little girl, and I grew to love her. Then one day, while shopping, we ran into Denzel, or rather he tried to steal from us. When we caught up with him we found out he was an orphan living on the streets and was stealing to survive. Marlene suggested that he come live with us. I didn't like the idea, but I was reminded of when I found Marlene so long ago and eventually gave in. She and Denzel have been best friends ever since."
Sora and Kairi smiled at the sleeping children.
"Shalua," Barret continued looking at the red haired scientist, "...was the one who built my arm. I met her in Traverse Town and she offered to do the surgery. I found out a little bit about her. She was a scientist back in Radiant Garden and lived alone with her ten-year old sister, being orphans. She and her sister had great love and devotion to one another. But when the Heartless came, Shalua and her sister were separated. She's given up everything to try and find her again. Her eye, her arm, most of her insides. Her sister is her very reason to live. Though I fear it's useless."
Sora looked at Shalua sadly. To give up so much for someone you care about. He turned to look at Kairi. He knew what that was like.
"Cid lost his wife in the Heartless attack," Barret continued. Sora and Kairi's faces fell at this. "He named this ship after her."
"Poor Cid," Sora frowned looking at the Shera's pilot.
"And Leon," Barret paused before continuing, "Leon lost Rinoa."
"Rinoa?" The Islander's echoed.
"Yeah. Leon's girl. From back when he was called Squall. When Leon was still under Quistis' tutelage, he met a young sorceress named Rinoa. She was a beautiful young woman, always smiling. How she fell for a guy like Leon I'll never know. But it was back then, that he actually smiled." Barret sighed., "Then the Heartless came and Leon never saw her again."
"Did she die?" Kairi asked.
"Don't know. But Leon's never been the same since."
At that moment Leon returned through the slide away door. He looked terrible. He looked tired, worn, defeated. A shadow of his former self. Not that his former self was any better. Everyone was silent as he walked up the stairs to the pilots platform. He glanced to Cid, "Were we followed?"
"Nope," The Captain of the Shera shook his head, "Not an Imperial for light-years." Leon nodded, at least there was that, "We're coming up on Disney Castle now."
The Shera headed straight for the bright white castle, passing over the red roofed houses. The doors in the wall shifted open to reveal the Gummi Garage. The arch was big enough to allow the large body of the ship to get through. Upon landing, they all filed out, with the exception of Denzel and Marlene, and were met by Chip and Dale. They explained the situation to them and were afterwards led to the throne room. No one said anything on the way there.
They soon came to the massive doors which lead to the throne room. They entered through the smaller door at its base and stepped into the huge empty chamber. At the end of the large walkway was the throne, occupied by Queen Minnie. Beside the throne was Daisy. They both rose to attention when they arrived. The Queen spoke with surprise in her voice, "Sora! You're back!" Queen Minnie then regarded everyone else, "What are you all doing here?"
"We have nowhere else to go," Aerith answered sadly.
"What do you mean?" Daisy asked.
Sora took a deep breath and explained everything. Everything from Vader's arrival, the Empire's betrayal, and Riku's capture. By the time he finished, he had tears in his eyes.
"That's terrible," the Queen whispered. "Sora, I'm so sorry."
"Where's the King?" Leon asked. The Queen bowed her head.
"He's still asleep," she answered. Leon frowned. So it was true. "I wish he were here. He would know how to help you. But for now, you can stay as long as you like."
"Thank you your majesty," Quistis said. She then turned to Leon. "So Leon, what's our next move?"
Everyone turned to Leon expectantly. He had a blank look on his face, "I don't know."
Everyone's expression dropped.
"Leon," Aerith whispered.
"Why are you all asking me for help? I'm the one who got us into this mess in the first place!" He nearly shouted. Sora flinched. He'd never seen Leon so angry. "I fell for the Empire's plan! It's because of me that we lost Radiant Garden! So why don't you all figure out what to do yourself! It's obvious that I'm no leader!"
Everyone stared at the fuming brown haired man. He was actually giving up. The same man who fought for so long to take Radiant Garden back was actually admitting defeat.
"Leon you can't just give up!" Sora pleaded. "We have to save Riku! Kairi and I can't do it alone! And what about them?" he shouted, gesturing to the once again homeless people. "It's their home too!"
"You think I don't know that ok?!" Leon snapped. Sora stood his groaned. The scared brunette sighed, "There's nothing we can do. We're extremely outnumbered and underpowered. With the King out of Commission and your friends are gone... there isn't anything we can do to save your friend or our home. It's over."
"Far from it," the doctor appeared startling everyone, "I'd say it's just begun."
sora gasped, "doctor!"
"Wait, aren't you supposed to be some kind of time traveller," Yuffie asked the Professor. He nodded causing her to shout, "THEN WHY DIDN'T YOU WARN US NOT TO TRUST THE EMPIRE BEFORE WE LET THEM ON OUR WORLD?!"
Not even flinching at her reaction, the doctor gave her a sad smile, "Ah, that is the question, isn't it, Miss Kissarugi? There are rules when it comes to time travel, and there are somethings I'm not to suppose to interfere with. However, if I was allowed to warn you, the Empire would have merely taken Radiant Garden by force...You would have fought valiantly, perhaps even defeated General Darius, however, you would eventually been overwhelmed by the Stormtroopers and Sora, Riku, and Kairi would be unaware of the danger the universe is."
"The universe?" Sora and Kairi repeated.
"The occupation of Radiant Garden is the least of your worries," The Time lord revealed.
"He's right," Merlin spoke up. He cleaned his glasses on the fabric of his blue robes. Turning back to the others he placed them back on his nose, "the doctor told me this would happen. Although, he didn't mention the Empire."
"Least of our worries? What are you talking about?" Cid questioned, chewing his toothpick
"Yes, well, the doctor does have more experience regarding that over me, he has saved the universe countless times before we even met," Merlin adjusted his glasses. "and furthermore I'm talking about that!" He pointed straight at the Keyblade still in Kairi's hand.
"This?" She held up the Keyblade for all to see, with its bright colors and floral designs sparkling.
"Yeah. I was wondering about that," Yuffie pondered. "You didn't really get a chance to explain, what with the imminent death thing and all."
Kairi smiled nervously, "Not too much I can explain. It just sort of appeared in my hand. I don't know where it came from."
The doctor smiled and scanned the keyblade with his sonic screwdriver, "I suggest you tell everyone right happened right before he received your Keyblade?" Kairi looked a little bashful, "Come now, don't be shy."
"Well," she began. "One of those Stormtroopers was going to shoot Sora from behind. He didn't notice in time, so I ran in front to block the shot. That's when the Keyblade appeared. The laser must have bounced off of it."
"And what went through your head as this happened?" Merlin questioned.
Kairi frowned, trying to remember. "All I could think about at that time was that Sora was in danger." she turned to look into Sora's blue eyes. "And that I had to protect him somehow."
Sora smiled at her. Merlin nodded understandingly, "Of course, it just as you said, old friend."
Quistis raised an eyebrow. "What are you two getting at?"
Merlin regarded her, "When Sora was chosen by the Keyblade he went through a series of tests. We can only assume that Riku and King Mickey went through this as well." Sora remembered that. It was kind of annoying. "But Kairi's Keyblade is different. It appeared from her strong desire to protect Sora. A desire from the heart."
Kairi turned beat red. Sora was also a little red. Kim asked, "Professor, Merlin... What does that mean?"
"It means that we may be in great danger," Merlin replied coarsely. "For the Keyblades to appear in this way."
"I don't get it," Adelbert muttered. "There's one more Keyblade in the universe. Isn't that a good thing?"
"It depends how you look at it," the doctor answered, "Keyblade Wielders were once flourished throughout the universe. Sadly, they were wiped out to near extinction long ago before any of you were born. However, it's been said that when the Keyblades would appear in such a matter, the coming of a great evil would follow."
Leon's brows furrowed, "Could that be the Empire?"
"Yes and no," the doctor answered, "The Empire is merely fraction of the threat to the worlds. Threats new and old are coming. Threats of a new generation of Keyblade Wielders must face."
Sora was thinking back to what that woman in the street had accidentally shown him. The large knight, wielding the deadly looking Keyblade. Was that one of the new Keybladers, or something else? He chose not to voice his thoughts. He didn't really want to tell them he was shown a vision of the past by some random lady.
"So there are new Keybladers?" Barret said, rubbing his jaw. "Where are they?"
"They could be anywhere." Merlin answered. "People with the strongest heart and the strongest desires, are chosen by the Keyblade. They can be from many different worlds."
"More Keybladers..." Sora whispered. "Hey I know!" Everyone turned to him. "I can go out and find them. Then, together, we can save Radiant Garden!"
"Yeah!" Yuffie agreed. "Darth Va-dork won't stand a chance against an army of Keyblades!"
"Now hold on!" Merlin exclaimed. "We don't even know if the Keyblades are appearing anywhere else. We have to be certain."
"Well," Quistis began. "One thing's for sure. If there are new Keybladers, you can be sure that Darth Vader will be gunning for them, too. And with their resources, it won't take long."
lightning stated, "That's not even mentioning what new dangers that are also out there! They could be after them too!"
"Then I'll go find them!" Sora volunteered, "We gotta warn them about the Empire and these other threats And who knows? With their help, we can take down Vader, as well as anyone else who threatening the other worlds and save Radiant Garden!"
"That's the stupidest, craziest, most demented thing I've ever heard," Cid said dryly before smirking, "Let's do it!"
"It's the only thing we've got," Barret grumbled.
"Huh, swords shaped like keys. Is nothing sacred?", Lula drawled. Adelbert sighed.
Everyone then turned to look at Leon. His face was impassive, as if ruminating on everything that was said. He then looked everyone in the eye, and his features turned to a smirk, "Looks like we have a plan."
Everyone smiled at this. Queen Minnie then asked, "But how will you find the Keybladers?"
Everyone's expressions turned a little blank. That's when Ron exclaimed, "We rush in blindly of course! It's always worked for me!" Rufus slapped his hairless forehead.
"That's really all we can do," Aerith stated, "We'll just have to start searching, exploring wherever we go. Hopefully we'll find them if there are any more."
"If I may be so bold," the doctor spoke up as he turned to Sora, "I would suggest you check out some familiar words and visit some old friends."
"You mean like the Land of Dragons or Beast's castle?" Sora wondered.
"Precisely," The doctor nodded.
Leon turned to the doctor, "Any particular reason why?"
"Wait, you know the future, right," Yuffie recalled, "Why not just tell us who gets a key and we'll find them no problem?"
Tifa nodded, "Yeah, then they can save Radiant Garden and the rest of universe in a heartbeat."
"If I told you who to find, they might never discover their potential," the doctor warned them before turning back to Leon, "As for why to look to the ones Sora went to I'm afraid you're going to have to discover that when you get there. After that, explore worlds old and new as you wish."
Leon sighed before nodding, "Fair enough. At least we actually have a plan now."
The doctor then turned to Sora and Kairi, "Very good. I'm afraid I can't stay. There are other matters I need to attend to. Until next time, I will give this small piece of advice." Both Keyblade Wielders leaned in as the doctor revealed, "Trust the guidance the heart gives and you'll find your Keyblade Wielders in no time."
He then smiled, "Farewell, and may your hearts be your guiding key."
With a flash of light, he was gone. Leon turned to Merlin, "Is he always like this."
"Yes," Merlin smiled, "But that's just part of his charm!"
Sora then asked hopefully, "Then we can save Riku! Right?!"
"If we can pull this off, then yeah," Leon reassured. "Alright people, we have our mission. Everyone back on the Shera! We have Keyblades to find!"
"Yeah!" Everyone cheered. Everyone then headed to the Gummi Garage, except for Sora who stayed with the Queen and Daisy.
Kairi, who noticed he wasn't following, stopped and gave him a questioning look. He looked at her and grinned. "I'll catch up," he assured. Kairi smiled back and nodded, before following the others. Sora then turned to the Queen, "I'm sorry your majesty, but would it be okay if I saw the King?"
The Queen smiled sadly and nodded. After proceeding through the decorated halls and rooms, Sora finally arrived at the King's bedroom, the bandaged mouse still sleeping soundly. The Queen gave him privacy and left the room. Sora sat in the cushioned chair at the King's bedside, staring at the ground as he did so.
"When is it going to end?" He asked himself more than the fallen King. "Heartless, Nobodies, now the Empire. All because of this." He held up his hand and the Keyblade materialized, its shimmering light illuminating his sad features. "The key that connects us all. That's me," He sighed. "Why did the Keyblade have to come to me? It could have gone to some other chump so that his life could be ruined. Then nothing would have changed for us. Donald, Goofy, now Riku again." He put his head in his hands. "I wish you were here, your Majesty. I could really use your help."
"Chasers..."
Sora's head snapped back up as he heard the weak, squeaky voice of the King. He turned to the bed to see King Mickey, his eyes barely open. He whispered, "Chasers..."
"Your majesty!" Sora shouted, "Are you okay?!"
"Chasers... Beware the Chasers," the King said once more. He was slipping into unconsciousness again.
"Chasers? What are those? Where are Donald and Goofy?"
"Keyblades." The King's eyes then slowly began to close. "Xehanort..."
In a few seconds, he was once again asleep. Sora sat there haunted by the King's words. Things were about to get a lot more confusing. He then remembered the doctor's words, "May my heart be my guiding key... I sure hope it's enough this time..."
It had never stirred Sora wrong before, he hope whatever attacked the king, then he hope his heart wouldn't stir him wrong now...!
And that conclude this chapter. Be sure to write nice reviews adapt the original story (Darius Almighty's work) on DeviantArt or post the story on TV tropes or follow and favorite it. And remember may your heart be your guiding key!