Chapter 8: The Keyhole Tower

I couldn't help but be amazed at how Sora and his friends were able to keep up with me and Carmelita on the rooftops. We have been doing this for years (back then on opposite sides of the law) and yet they were right on our tails.

I finally spotted the light from my Keyblade. It really seemed to be guiding us to somewhere. Wherever it went, my Keyblade jerked slightly in my hand in its direction.

After many rooftop leaps and rail walks, we were just kilometers away from the Eiffel Tower.

"What's that Tower called anyway, Sly?" Sora asked.

"The Eiffel Tower, pretty much the center and trademark symbolism of Paris, France," I explained. I turned to them in case they were confused. "Lots of countries identify France with this."

"I like Paris so far, it's almost like Radiant Garden," Kairi commented, looking around.

"Yes, it's a beautiful city."

"Hey, the light!" Goofy pointed towards the light. Our eyes followed it, watching the glow loop and zig. I was literally feeling my brain hurt until it flew up to the tip of the tower.

"It went to the top!" Murray exclaimed from the streets.

"Could it be where the Keyhole is?" Penelope wondered.

"If that's the case, that was easy," Carmelita commented.

If it really is at the top, then we should start making our way up once we get to the base."

"Precisely," Bentley said simply.

"We should also be on guard on the way there," Riku added. "You never know when the Heartless might come out to strike the moment they get the opportunity to do so."

"Agreed." Bentley began typing away at his digital laptop. "After Sly vanished, I made slight modifations to the system that picks up time distortions to be able to trace space ruptures as well."

"You certainly are prepared, Bentley," the king complimented. "I bet Chip and Dale would be amazed by you and Penelope."

"Who?"

"Engineers at the castle."

"Let's hurry and seal the Keyhole," Riku reminded. "The sooner, the better." We all silently agreed and headed to the tower. But then, I sensed something nearby and had to stop.

"Sly?" Carmelita called out.

"I feel like... we're being watched," I told them. It felt like hundreds of eyes were following our every move.

"You're right, Sly! I'm picking several space ruptures... gathered around you!" Bentley shouted in panic. As soon as those words came out, the Heartless suddenly appeared.

"Do you think you could help me here, Sora? I don't have the experience with a Keyblade that you do."

"Sure thing, Sly! I'll teach you everything I know until you get the hang of it!" Sora said as he then proceed to summon his Keyblade.

"Don't forget about us, Sora!" Kairi added, followed by her summoning her own Keyblade with Riku doing the same thing. I was glad that they were willing to teach me how to properly use my Keyblade, at least until I got a better understanding on how to use it.

"First, basics are using it as a sword," Riku stated the obvious. In one swoop, he sliced through several Heartless. "Close range."

"There's also magic you can do, but I think we need to save that for another time," Sora pointed out. Suddenly, more Heartless were vaporized by lightning bolts. I nearly jumped, though I should be used to magic after many experiences (mostly unpleasant) with it.

I caught a witch looking Heartless coming my way and quickly swung my Keyblade. It instantly dissipated.

"Wow, you've got some power in that already," Kairi said before taking out more of the monsters.

"Why are they after Sly?" Murray called.

"It's not just him, it's all of us," the king stated with a Keyblade of his own. I forgot he wielded one time. "The Heartless are attracted to the Keyblade."

That is going to take some getting used to.

"Is there a reason why they're attracted to that weapon in particular?" Penelope asked.

"To keep things simple, they basically fear the Keyblade more than anything else that you can possibly imagine," Sora said as he swung his Keyblade through a few Heartless that resembled bulldogs.

"It's a bit of a long story, but we'll explain it in more detail once we take care of these guys!" Kairi said, taking down a flower-like Heartless in the process.

A few more witch ones came my way and through experience, it was actually a breeze to cut them down to size.

"This works wonders," I said out loud, looking down at the hook end. Suddenly, the back of my right hand itched again. The worst time an itch had to come up. I quickly pulled up the hem of my glove, but to my surprise, the mark was... glowing?

I suddenly had a bulldog Heartless in my face and I sliced through it like butter.

"You okay, Sly?" Sora asked. Looked like that was the last one. For now.

I think I'm fine. Thanks for asking, Sora."

"Well, it looks like we managed to chase away the Heartless for the time being," the king said.

"We can't get too relaxed, however," Riku added. "You can never feel too safe and think for a second that the Heartless won't come out again after taking care of them the first time."

"It's a good thing I made that modification to my laptop," Bentley commented. "It's sure to get easier to know when the Heartless are going to attack us as we make our way to the Eiffel Tower."

"Keep on the lookout, Bentley."

We were getting even closer to the base of the tower now. But then my nose twitched. There was some faint odor in the air. It made my nose wrinkle.

"Does anyone else smell that odor in the air?"

"Actually, now that you say that, I kind of smell something weird too," Sora said before covering his nose. I'm glad I wasn't the only one who didn't like that smell.

"What even is that?" Kairi said while also covering her nose. "I honestly don't think I've ever smelled something that bad before in my life!"

"What is that?" Riku's nose wrinkled too.

"Only one person can release an odor this pungent," Penelope said, pinching the tip of her own.

If the person is who I think it is, then we have trouble.

"I'm guessing by that, you all know who exactly is releasing this stench that we're smelling as we speak?" the king asked as he covered his nose.

"All too well," Carmelita said with a wrinkled nose. "And I think it's safe to say that he may be close by to where we currently are."

"But how? He was in solitary confinement last I checked."

"Let me see..." Bentley looked again. His eyes widened behind his glasses. "What?! No signs of a break in, but the cell was one day found empty! How is that possible?!"

"You mean...?!" The smell got stronger. He was closer now.

I can't believe it! How did Le Paradox get out?

"Guys, I really don't understand how this is even possible!" Bentley exclaimed with a hint of shock in his voice. "There's no way he could've gotten out of solitary confinement without some sort of assistance!"

I really couldn't blame Bentley for freaking out like this. The thought of Le Paradox somehow getting out of prison without help just sounded extremely hard to believe for all of us. Although, it was pretty obvious that Sora and the others had a bit of difficulty trying to understand what the big deal was. I can understand, though. They're from another world, so they clearly didn't have any idea as to who we were talking about.

"Who are you guys talking about?" Donald demanded.

"You're about to find out."

The stench was almost unbearable now. He was here.

"Ah, Cooper Gang. Too bad I had to see your ratchet faces once more." A large portal of darkness suddenly opened in the air.

"No... that's impossible...!" Riku said, getting tense. "How in this world can...?"

A mechanical beast resembling a dragon came out. And on the top of it... was the one thief I never thought I would have to lay eyes on again.

"Le Paradox."

End Chapter