Chapter 39: A Surprise Reunion
Hey everyone I'm back with a new chapter I've got quite a few surprises in this one and some of the students discover weapons and moves better suited for them. Hope you like it. Please Review and Enjoy.
At Ever After High Roxas and Namine were sitting down in the rec room talking to Lea about what's been going on.
"Man, Roxas you've been busy." Lea said impressed.
"Yeah lucky for me I have quite a team backing me up." Roxas smiles.
"How's training with Kairi and Merlin?" Namine asks.
"Well the old man is annoying with all his mumbo jumbo spells, but I'm getting the hang of it. How about you guys?" Lea asks.
"Well everyone's been finding some way they can improve themselves against the Heartless and Ashlynn and Alistair have improved their skills with the keyblade too." Namine said.
"You know I bet Merlin's got a lot of junk around his place maybe the old coot might have some tips for all your friends on how to get stronger. You guys should drop by Radiant Garden sometime." Lea suggests.
"Well tomorrow is the weekend, so they usually give that time for us, I'll call the team see if they want to come." Roxas said.
"Lea hurry up, it's time to get back to practice." An elderly voice said in the background.
"Whoops that's my cue, see ya round Roxas. Hope I can meet your friends." Lea said hanging up.
"It's good to see Lea's learning how to wield his Keyblade, having him with us will really help." Namine said.
"And I thought he was strong in the past, what changed?" Roxas asks.
"He met you, that's what happened." Namine said pointing at Roxas.
"Huh?" Roxas said not sure what she meant.
"You and Xion you two were such good friends he was left the Organization and switched to our side when he saw what was happening to you both." Namine said.
Hearing this Roxas smiles. "Thanks, Namine well I've got to go give Apple and Briar their magic lesson. That book Hexiciah gave me has lots of types in it." Roxas said standing up.
"I better go too. I have to get some practice myself." Namine said standing up.
Outside at the field Roxas, Apple, and Briar were reading the spells from the book.
"Ok we have lots of spells you we can try let's see Magnet spells, Balloon Spells, Poison Spells, and Sleep Spells." Roxas said and immediately Briar and Apple cringe at the mention at them.
"Uh maybe we can skip some of them." Briar said nervously.
"Especially those last two." Apple gulps
"You know it might be best if we just not even go near those sections. You know Briar a party girl like you, why don't you give the Balloon spell a try." Roxas said turning the page for her to see it.
"Uh alright, but how are Balloons going to help against Heartless?" Briar asks looking at the page.
"Just give it a shot Briar worst case scenario it'll be easier to set up for parties." Apple giggles.
Briar smiles as she summons her staff stepping onto the taking a deep breath Briar holds it up. "Balloon!" From her staff multiple colored balloons appeared and floated around her like at one of her parties.
"Wow so pretty." Apple said in awe looking around.
Briar looks to see a Balloon floating towards a dummy and the second it touched it the Balloon exploded stunning it.
Seeing this both Roxas and Apple to a huge step back away from the destructive balloons.
"I think I like this spell." Briar said impressed as the rest of the balloons went away.
"I knew that spell would be perfect for you." Roxas smiles.
"Let me try one." Apple looks at the book and flips through the pages. "Oh, how about this one." Summoning her Staff Apple walks out to the field and points it at the target. "Bind!" Apple blasts the target freezing it in place.
"You girls are doing great. No way anyone can call you two Damsels in Distress." Roxas smiles.
"Aw you." Briar blushes.
"We have a pretty great teacher." Apple smiles.
"Well tomorrow at Merlin's maybe we can see if you're both ready for the really tough spells." Roxas said.
"We can handle it no problem." Briar said.
By the track outside Namine was showing Cerise and Ramona a memory from Sora who was jumping off walls, lampposts and sliding on rails. "It's called Flowmotion and it allows you to use your surroundings to deliver powerful attacks to your enemies while doing so." Namine explained.
"Dang Namine he's moving almost as fast as us." Ramona said impressed.
"To do this you need to be quick and agile, think you both have what it takes?" Namine asks.
Cerise and Ramona look at each other and nod in agreement. "We'll be bouncing off the walls in no time." Cerise grins.
The next day everyone was in the Tempest flying towards Radiant Garden to meet up with Lea and Merlin.
"So Roxas, what is Radiant Garden? Is it another world in trouble?" Lizzie asks.
"No, this one is a Neutral World like Twilight Town. It used to be filled with Darkness and Heartless everywhere, but Sora and some close friends stopped the Darkness and fixed the whole place up before that it was called Hollow Bastion and well Sora had to face lots of enemies there." Roxas said.
"He had to face an army of 1,000 Heartless." Namine said surprising them.
"1,000?!" Raven said in shock.
Roxas nods. "We've got a way to go before we're at that level."
"At least after they went away fixing the place up must have been easier." Alistair said.
"With a place called Radiant Garden it must be beautiful." Apple sighed.
"Well since it's neutral we can look around and do some exploring if we want to." Rosabella said.
"It'll be nice to see Lea again and hopefully Merlin can help us." Namine said.
"Wow we get to meet Merlin my viewers are going to love this." Blondie said excited.
"He trained King Arthur into one of the greatest kings to ever live." Darling said.
"Imagine how good he could make us." Daring said.
"We'll be the greatest heroes ever after!" Sparrow said using his guitar to emphasize his point.
Roxas chuckles seeing everyone talk excited.
"Easy Sparrow right now we're just here to learn." Cupid said.
"And then after have some fun sightseeing." Holly giggles.
"Alright we're approaching Radiant Garden." Dexter said looking ahead.
Leaving the Tempest, they all arrive to find a beautiful large castle in the distance, many homes and shops surrounding them and flowers everywhere.
"Wow, it's beautiful." Ashlynn said looking around.
"How did this world ever become nothing but darkness and Heartless?" Daring said
"Take a wild guess." A voice said.
Looking around they spot Lea leaning against a nearby shop. "Hello!" He waves.
"Lea." Roxas and Namine smile as he walks over.
"So, you all must be the army of Ever After that Merlin and Yen Sid keep talking about." Lea said looking at all of them. "Hey, I remember you ladies from the first time we came to Ever After." He said pointing to Apple, Raven, Maddie, Cupid, Blondie, Briar and Cedar.
"Good to see you again." Cedar said.
"Yeah Roxas and Namine sort of talked us into traveling the around and being heroes." Raven smirks.
"Well I'd say it's good to you got plenty of people helping out, but knowing you guys you took my advice on coming here so you all could get some advice to avoid getting your butts kicked up and down whatever world you go to." Lea said crossing his arms causing everyone to look away trying to avoid the answer. Seeing this Lea burst into laughter surprising them. "Hey, no biggie when Roxas started off he barely knew how to do anything. You just need a hand and lucky for you Merlin's got a bunch of junk laying around that can help."
Walking through Radiant Garden they passed by a giant set of fountains. "So, Lea any news about Sora and Riku?" Namine asks.
"Sora's right now going on his own little journey to get his strength back while his majesty King Mickey is preparing Riku for some big mission they plan to take on." Lea said as they approached an old house. "And here we are Merlin's house."
Opening the front door Lea walks in. "Hey, Merlin I'm back." He calls out.
From behind the bookshelves an old man with a long white beard, blue robes, and a pointy hat walks out.
"Oh, my are these the ones you told me about?" Merlin asks looking at the students of Ever After High.
"Yep this them." Lea nods.
"Well come in children come in." Merlin said.
As they all made their way inside Roxas notices a figure running down the streets nearby. "Huh? That looked like…." Roxas looks to his friends and back to the street before he decided to follow the figure.
As he walked down the street both Lea and Namine saw him and ran to catch up with him.
"Hey Roxas, wait up." Lea said running after.
Inside Merlin's house all the students of Ever After were admiring his workshop.
"I must say I've read stories about that made your parents famous, it's quite a surprise to see their children in my workshop." Merlin said stroking his beard.
"You know about our parents?" Sparrow asks surprised.
"Indeed, ever Fairy tale ever written I have its book." Merlin said gesturing to his book cases.
"It's a pleasure to meet you as well Merlin, stories of you are told all throughout Ever After." Darling said.
"We were wondering if you had any tips that could help us against Xehanort." Raven said hopefully.
"Well let me have a look at you all." Merlin takes out his wand. "Higitus Figustus zumbabazing. Show me the powers in all you kids!" With a flick of his wands magic hits them all causing different colored orbs of light to float into the air.
"Ooh, look at all the floaty lights." Maddie giggles.
"Hmm impressive very impressive. You all have the lots of potential to get stronger, but you young Lady need something else." Merlin said looking at Lizzie.
"Me? What's wrong?" She asks curious.
"A croquet mallet and croquet balls might work in Wonderland, but not in battles against Xehanort. You'll need something more." Merlin waves his wand and some boxes float towards him. "Let's see no, not you, what are these doing here? Aha!" Merlin waves his wand and a red box flies towards Lizzie. "The perfect weapon for someone from Wonderland."
Lizzie opens it to see it was a deck of cards. "Uh thanks for the gift, but uh how am I supposed to fight with cards?"
"My dear cards can be very powerful, you of all people should know that." Merlin chuckles. "These cards are different from regular, fight with them and you'll see just what I mean."
Lizzie looks at them and puts them in her pocket. "Thank you and I will."
"Hey, Roxas are you ready to—" Dexter turns around to see Roxas wasn't with them neither was Namine or Lea. "Roxas? Namine? Where are you guys?" Dexter said getting everyone's attention.
"Where'd they go?" Raven asks looking around.
"Lea isn't here either." Merlin said.
"Do you think something happened to them?" Poppy asks.
"Let's look around see if we can find them." Melody said as they all went outside to search for their friends.
In another part of Radiant Garden Roxas was chasing the mysterious figure down the streets until he arrived at Fountain court where multiple large fountains were stacked on top of the other.
"Where did he go?" Roxas asks looking around.
"You came, so predictable." Roxas looks up to see a figure in an Organization XIII coat stepping out of a dark portal. He had long blue hair and an X shaped scar between his eyes.
"Why am I not surprised to see you're one of his vessels too. You always were Xemnas' favorite." Roxas glared.
"Been a long-time traitor." He glared.
"I beat you once Saix I can do it again." Roxas said summoning Monster and Proud.
"Well this time I brought something that will see to it you are the one who is beaten." He snaps his fingers and two Berserker Nobodies appear by his side and on the fountain below him the mysterious figure the Roxas was chasing was a someone around his height also in an Organization XIII coat walks out and looks down at Roxas.
"Ganging up on my friend? Now that's just not fair Isa." They look to see Lea and Namine with their keyblades at the ready.
"Hello Lea." Isa glared.
"Namine I'll deal with Isa you handle the Nobodies." Lea said as flames surrounded his keyblade. Namine nods as Lea throws his Keyblade at Isa who summons his Claymore to deflect it.
Lea jumps into the air and catches his Keyblade as he lands across from Isa.
"You really have changed Lea." Isa said.
"You once asked me something Isa which I would rather the suffer the loss of a make-believe friendship or a real one. Well this time you're the make-believe friendship." Lea said raising his Keyblade.
Isa glares as he raises his Claymore. "Well then if we're not friends anymore there's no reason for me to show you any mercy."
Isa and Lea charge at each other clashing weapons. At the bottom level Roxas was facing the masked figure.
"I know you…don't I." Roxas said when the mysterious figure summoned the Kingdom Key Keyblade shocking him. "A Keyblade?!"
The figure charges forward swinging its keyblade, but Roxas blocks it in time. "Alright you want to play that way huh?" Roxas summons Heroic Arrow in his other hand. "Take this!" Roxas fires multiple arrow shaped blasts with every swing of Heroic Arrow.
Jumping backwards the figure runs along the fountains dodging the arrows. Climbing up to the next level the figure jumps down delivering an attack from above.
Blocking the attack with his keyblades Roxas and the figure lock weapons trying to push the other back.
Across from them Namine was battling the two Berserker Nobodies. As one slams its Claymore down hoping to smash Namine into the ground she rolls out of the way to see the other one jumping down from above knocking her backwards in pain.
Namine picks herself up and readies Chain of Memories. Using its powers to go into Sora's memories Namine finds an attack to use. "Prism Windmill!" Namine charges forward spinning her Keyblade like a windmill Namine sends them both falling backwards. Raising her Keyblade Namine points it at one of them. "Blizzaga!" A giant block of ice smashes into a Berserker destroying it.
As Namine charges towards the last one Lea and Isa lock weapons.
"How did you get the power to unlock the Keyblade?" Isa growls.
"Guess I'm just better than you Isa." Lea taunts.
Isa growls as he jumps back and swings his Claymore with expert precision forcing Lea to move backwards in retreat. Isa slams his Claymore into the ground creating a blade of light which knocks Lea backwards.
"Oh, you want to play rough huh?" Lea stands up and swings his Keyblade from each swing blades of fire fly towards Isa who slashes through them. While he is distracted Lea charges forward and gives Isa a kick to the face causing him to skid backwards.
Meanwhile down below Roxas and the Mysterious figure were in a lock trying to push the other one back.
"Who are you? And why do you have the Keyblade?" Roxas asks, but the figure remains silent as it delivers another strike sending Roxas backwards.
"Aeroga!" Creating a gust of wind Roxas blows the mysterious figure backwards before performing a dual slash knocking the figure to the ground.
The figure is slow to get up before it spins its Keyblade and light forms around it like a buzz saw made of light. The figure throws it with all their might knocking Roxas into the wall. As Roxas slowly gets up the figure charges to strike, thinking quickly Roxas counters with a powerful swing knocking the figure to the ground.
As the figure falls Roxas' eye widen in shock as he sees the figure's hood and fallen down revealing a girl with short black hair. "X-Xion?" Roxas said in shock getting Namine and Lea's attention.
Roxas looks into her eyes, but instead of seeing the face of an old friend he sees cold nothingness in them.
Lea looks down to see her drawing her Keyblade against Roxas. "It can't be." Lea said in shock.
"But it is." Isa said getting their attention. "When us original members of the Organization became human the puppet formed into her own being with memories of her time in the Organization, but before she could act upon them Xehanort used the power of Darkness to cloud her mind and make her into our servant. When she sees you and Roxas she only sees you as enemies to Master Xehanort not friends." Isa said.
"Why you." Lea growled.
"Alright I think we've heard enough." Isa looks to see the students of Ever After High had arrived.
"Everyone." Namine smiles.
"Seriously you guys find the bad guys and leave us out of the fun." Sparrow said.
"Well better late than never." Kitty shrugs.
Isa looks to see the increase in enemy numbers. "I have no use for fighting you anymore, so I will take my leave. Xion lets go." Isa said as a dark portal appeared.
"Xion don't!" Roxas yells chasing after her, but it was too late Xion followed Isa through the portal and disappeared.
"Wait a minute did Roxas say Xion?" Apple asks.
"Like the one from his story?" Raven asks surprised.
Lean nods his head shocking all of them.
"His friend is now an enemy?" Cupid said in shock.
"This is so not just right right." Blondie said.
Namine looks to see the look of sadness and shock on Roxas' face. "Roxas." Namine frowns seeing him like this.
On the ride back, the team stopped in Twilight Town to stay at their vacation home for a little bit before going back to Ever After, unfortunately there was uncomfortable silence from Roxas.
Sitting down on the bench near the town square Roxas was thinking to himself when Namine walks over and sits next to him.
"You know before Xion disappeared she came to me I thought she would disappear from everyone's memory, but for some reason you still were able to remember her and that kept her alive in all of us." Namine said causing Roxas to look over.
"Did she say anything else?" Roxas asks.
Namine nods. "At first all she wanted was to be with you, but when she realized she was running out of time she asked me to watch over you for her. She cared about you so much Roxas." She said putting her hand on top of his.
Roxas sniffles as a tear drops down his eye. "Thank you, thanks for telling me this."
Namine hugs Roxas pulling him in close, after a few minutes she lets go.
"I just need a moment." Roxas said walking into town. As he passed by the Sea Salt Ice Cream stand he looks over to see Hayner, Pence and Olette looking at another nearby.
Turning around Olette waves her hand. "Hey Roxas." She said getting his attention.
"Hey guys." Roxas said walking over.
"Been a while since we've seen you how is everything?" Olette asks.
"Been better." Roxas said trying not to think about.
"Well Hayner is trying to find something here to make our hideout look better." Pence said.
"Come on you got to have something." Hayner said to the store owner.
"Well I do have something, I found it about a year ago." The owner goes to the back and grabs something.
The four of them look to see him opens his hand reveal a small pink and yellow seashell.
"Wow what a pretty shell." Olette said.
"Where'd you find it?" Pence asks.
"I found it by the train station awhile back." He said causing Roxas' eyes to widen. In front of him was the same shell Xion left behind when she went back to Sora.
"Hey Hayner, if you don't want it can I have it?" Roxas asks.
"Why would you want a seashell?" Hayner asks confused.
"It belonged to a friend of mine…and I think she would want it." Roxas said.
"Fine by me. I don't want it." Hayner shrugs.
Roxas gives the guy 5 Munny and he takes the shell. "Hey if you guys want to hang out sometime we could grab an ice cream if you want?" Roxas suggests.
"We'd like that." Olette smiles.
"Sounds like a plan." Pence said.
"Don't be a stranger." Hayner said.
Roxas nods before walking back to the mansion. Opening his hand, he looks at the Seashell and remembers what Isa said.
"Xehanort used the power of Darkness to cloud her mind and make her into our servant."
"Not if I have anything to say about it." Roxas said putting the seashell in his pocket and walking in the gate towards the mansion.
Next chapter the team will go back to traveling to other worlds for awhile.
Here's a hint for the next one: Flower Gleam and Glow let your power shine
