CHAPTER 4

Clare, Jonathan, and Tatiana, with Red XIII accompanied by their side, set out on their adventure to find the Five Stars of the Golden and the actual Star Crystal itself. Red XIII, while walking ahead of Clare and her friends, asked CLare exactly what got them dragged into the World of Gaming in the first place. Jonathan did the honors of explaining everything from beginning to end.

"So, your school principal banished all three of you for…behind the locker traveling?" asked Red XIII.

"Unfortunately, yes, that's exactly what happened back at Riverton Public School, Red." said Clare. "Now I'm worried."

"...About what?" asked Red XIII.

"Well, we think that our school principal has something to do with the worlds hidden behind the lockers." answered Clare. "When I went to the World of Literature, Aslan, the Great Lion of Narnia, mentioned that there were five worlds that were family. Asian Culture, Literature, Television, Movies, and Gaming. Those are the five worlds.

"I see." said Red XIII. "And I am assuming that Aslan said something about…everyone knowing about their worlds, inner and outer?"

"Yes." answered Clare. "He said everybody knows a little bit of something about their worlds."

"Tell me exactly what had happened in the other four worlds you have been to." said Red XIII.

"Well, in the World of Asian Culture, Dio and Diego Brando used a world conquering staff to take over the world. I managed to stop him with the Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku." Clare explained as she recaped her first adventure Behind the Lockers. "Next, I went to the World of Literature, facing off against a cold, cruel winterous spell set upon by Jadis the White Witch. I even faced off the NightWing-IceWIng hybrid Darkstalker and the dragon Smaug."

"I see." said Red XIII. "Jonathan, did you travel with Clare on any of these occasions?" asked Red XIII to Jonathan.

"Well, not exactly the first two times." answered Jonathan. "I did, however, go to the World of Television to search for Clare because I was worried about her and her unexpected whereabouts."

"He helped me face off against Dark Shadows set upon by Magica De Spell." said Clare.

"And what about the World of Movies?" asked Red XIII as he stopped and turned around to the three children. "What happened over there?"

"I had joined Jonathan and Clare at that point, Red." said Tatiana.

"The conflict had something to do with Claude Frollo and Scar warping the rules and laws of the world and exiling everyone." said Clare.

"Frollo was sort of vicious from what I had heard." said Red XIII. "So was Scar. But now you're in the World of Gaming, helping us solve a conflict that could relatively take a very long time to solve."

"And it could take longer." said a male voice.

The male voice appeared before Clare, Jonathan, and Tatiana, revealing it to be Pure Vanilla Cookie, the Ancient Hero of Truth. He was accompanied by Tifa Lockhart and Cloud Strife's mother Claudia Strife.

"Pure Vanilla Cookie! Tifa! Claudia!" yelled Red XIII. "What exactly has happened?"

"I have come to clear the truth, Red XIII." said Pure Vanilla Cookie.

"About what?" asked Clare.

"Young one, please. This is only for us at this moment." said Tifa.

"Tifa, these three wonderful children from the World of Realism have come to help us retrieve the Star Crystal and the Five Stars of the Golden." said Red XIII. "They are also seeking secrets and truths about their own school principal as well." he mentioned.

"Apologies for my rude and disrespectful manner, Red XIII." said Tifa. She looked at Clare, Jonathan, and Tatiana and introduced herself. Pure Vanilla Cookie and Claudia Strife did the same exact thing.

"It is a pleasure to meet all of you." said Clare. "My name is Clare Hutchinson, and these are my friends, Jonathan Arlidge, and Tatiana Daymond."

"It sure will be an honor having you assist us." said Claudia Strife. "But we'll need to discuss the Star of Truth."

"What about it?" asked Tatiana.

"Unfortunately, it remains locked away…in a dark area of a castle, that is." said Pure Vanilla Cookie. "I'm just disappointed."

"I don't blame you, Pure Vanilla Cookie." said Claudia Strife. "I'm just worried for my own son right now."

"But these children are here to help us take the first steps in healing our world." said Red XIII.

"...Very well, then." said Tifa.

Pure Vanilla Cookie then led Clare, Jonathan, and Tatiana into the World of Gaming's Land of Truth, where the first star was presumably held captive. Red XIII followed forth, but Tifa called out to him to wait. Red never listened. He just gaited off.

"I would have to get to know more about these children." said Claudia Strife.

"I would too." said Tifa Lockhart.

Cloud later ran to see his mother.

"Cloud, sweetheart!" yelled Claudia. She went to hug her son.

"What happened?" asked Cloud. "Where is–"

"Shh. I must go now, Cloud, dear." said Claudia.

"Mama, wait!" yelled Cloud. "I have to find out where Red XIII is going."

Ike of the Greil Mercenaries, who was accompanied by Mario, Luigi, and Link, then caught up with Cloud. Cloud then wanted to know what was going on.

"My father's fighting off some creatures!" yelled Ike.

"Oh, damn it, Greil!" yelled Cloud Strife. "Is he in the Land of Truth?" he asked Ike.

"I would assume so because he said he was fighting off a giant cerberus made of cakes!" yelled Ike.

"Damn it! The Cakeberus is threatening people once again!" yelled Cloud Strife. "This is really making me think Red Velvet Cookie has something up that crimson sleeve."

"I'll leave you in charge, dear." said Claudia.

"...Very well, Mother." said Cloud Strife.

Cloud and his friends later left, leaving Claudia to her own personal business. This also left Cloud thinking that Clare and her friends were in danger thanks to the Cakeberus and possibly Red Velvet Cookie, who commanded the Cake Army. Was this another one of Bowser's plans set in his mind? One could only tell.