Episode 349: Chase and Elaine's Keyblades
After wiping off the pie off of their faces, Rei was giving them their next lesson. And she knew they will have to use it someday.
"The next lesson will be lesson of senses," Rei said.
"We already can feel for what's coming at us, Master," Sora pointed out.
"True, but I'm not talking about your sensing ability when it comes to the Keyblade. I am referring to the five major senses. The sense of smell, the sense of taste, the sense of hearing, the sense of speech, and one you're all familiar with: the sense of sight," Rei said. "But we will not be worrying about losing the sense of smell or taste, so we will be focusing on sight, hearing, and speech."
"What does that have to do with using the Keyblade, Master?" Michael asked.
"I am glad you asked, Michael. As you know, we all have these senses, but there will be times when you cannot rely on your major senses. For example, you won't be able to hear anything, nor will you speak, nor will you see. But I am going to teach you the trick of it is by sharpening on your other senses. For example, when you lose your sense of sight, you should stride in sharpening your hearing and your smell. I think I'll demonstrate for you right now," Rei said, taking out a blindfold and puts it over her eyes. She then took off her shoes. She then summoned her Star Cluster. "Now, all of you, summon your Keyblades with everything you have." Sora, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Roxas, Xion, Ash, Leaf, and Michael weren't sure if they should.
"I don't know about that, Master. You're asking us to actually fight you," Sora said.
"Yes. Now, summon your Keyblades," Rei instructed her apprentices.
"But if we hurt you?" Roxas asked.
"Don't worry worry about my safety. I'll be fine," Rei said with assurance. "Now, no more hesitation. Come at me, now!" Sora, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Roxas, Xion, Ash, Leaf, and Michael all summoned their Keyblades like she instructed.
"Yes, Master," Sora, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Roxas, Xion, Ash, Leaf, and Michael said in unison.
Without any further argument, Rei's apprentices came at Rei with their Keyblades, so using her sense of hearing, she managed to move fast as lightning. Michael attempts to strike her, but Rei blocked with her Keyblade. She managed to overpower him. They all came at her again, but she managed to evade their assault. Kairi casts a crystal thunder spell, but Rei casts a reflect spell to make it bounce off. Riku managed to use a dark spell to hit her, but Rei dodged it as she then casts a duplication spell on herself and managed to overwhelm the others with ease. The duplicates all vanished as she unleashed a gold light, hitting them all. "And that is enough for now." She took off her blindfold.
"That was awesome, Master. You took us like it was nothing," Xion said.
"I did, Xion, but would any of you like to tell me how I did it?" Rei asked. Riku raised his hand. "Yes, Riku?"
"It was because you used your sense of hearing," Riku answered.
"That is correct. I was able to tell where all of you were just by how you were able to set your footing. Not only that, I was also able to hear your breathing. But there is more to it. I was able to listen to nature. That is something you should all be doing. Learn to to feel the wind on your face and feel the earth beneath your feet. And then form the image of the world through your mind's eye," Rei instructed.
"But wouldn't that make us handicapped?" Michael asked.
"Not handicapped. Handicapable," Rei instructed. "That will be your assignment. I suggest you practice morning, noon, and night."
"Yes, Master," Sora, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Roxas, Xion, Ash, Leaf, and Michael said in unison.
"For now, rest. You have earned it," Rei said.
With that said, Chase and Elaine were watching on the sidelines, but they approached their friends.
"Hey, Chase and I have been curious about something," Elaine said.
"What's on your minds?" Roxas asked.
"We were wondering if anybody could be a Keyblade wielder. I mean, Elaine and I thought of having a Keyblade of our own, just so we can fight some monsters right beside you," Chase said.
"I don't know about that. Not just anybody could be Keyblade wielders. You gotta be chosen by the Keyblade itself. And like Leaf said, having one and knowing how to use one aren't the same thing," Roxas said.
"But you guys have Keyblades," Elaine pointed out.
"That's because we, along with Wes, Ethan, Lyra, May, Brendan, Kris, Rui, and all of us here were chosen, and I don't think you were," Riku said.
"You never know, Riku," Sora said. This made Riku look at him. "You remember what Bahamut told us back at the Dragon's Den in Blackthorn City? There are others out there who were chosen and they don't even know it yet. I mean, Brendan and May were chosen along with Michael here."
"He's right. I didn't think too much about my destiny. It was Karen, Ven, Aqua, and Terra that brought me to Hoenn just so I could train with you guys," Michael pointed out.
"You both make validated points," Riku admitted.
"Eevee," Eevee said.
"I'll believe it when I see it. Just like all of the other stuff I've seen apart from mermaids, dragons, Sora being a Heartless and coming back, Kairi being in the same bloodline as a powerful sorceress, and May being a descendant and reincarnation of a queen from the old days, and a world made from digital data. I'm opened minded as anyone. But, I'll wait and see what happens," Riku said.
A little later, Sora, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Roxas, Xion, Ash, Leaf, Chase, Elaine, Rei, Pikachu, Angel, Eevee, Azurill, Xipak, Celeste, Volt, and Maple continued on their journey when they bumped into Ethan, Kris, Lyra, Brendan, and May by a river.
"Hey, you guys," Ethan greeted.
"How's Kanto treating you?" Sora asked.
"Well, better than you would think. I did win this," May said, showing her friends her Contest Ribbon.
"Wow, sounds like you're on your way, May," Kairi said.
"I know you are, too, Kairi. I saw you on the Saffron City Contest and beat Harley like he deserves," May said.
"May especially when you beat that green butthead," Brendan said.
Meanwhile, in an undisclosed location, Harley sneezes and he huffed. We switch back to the group.
"So, what about you? Did you win some of the Pokémon Stadium Cup battles?" Sora asked.
"We did. We visited some cities and towns. We even saw Trace at some point," Ethan said.
"Not only him, but we also saw Vincent, Wally, Morrison, Tyson, Harrison, and even Silver," Lyra said.
"Marill," Marill said.
"I had a feeling they would be a part of it," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"We also saw Drew, too," Xion said.
"So did we," May said.
"I wasn't surprised to see he was still himself despite May beating him in the Hoenn Grand Festival," Brendan said.
"So, he's here, too," Wes said as he drove up.
"Wes, Rui," Kris said.
"I'm glad you're all here. I am glad that all of you will be partaking in the senses lesson," Rei said.
"Senses lesson?" May asked.
"Yes. And you saved me the trouble of looking for you, so I can pass it on to you. Sora, Riku, Ash, Michael, Leaf, Kairi, Xion, Roxas, Naminé, I will use this lesson as a reminder to you," Rei said.
"Yes, Master," Sora, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Roxas, Xion, Ash, Leaf, and Michael said in unison.
"Now, as I have already explained to Sora, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Roxas, Xion, Leaf, Ash, and Michael, there are the senses of sight, hearing, speech, smell, and taste. What we will be covering is the loss of hearing, seeing, and speaking. There will be times when you have to rely on your senses if the likely event that you lose them," Rei said.
"And how will that help us out, Master?" Ethan asked.
Answering his question, she puts on a blindfold and took off her shoes before she summoned her Keyblade.
"Summon your Keyblades and come at me with everything you have," Rei said. Ethan, Kris, Lyra, Brendan, May, Wes, and Rui summoned their Keyblades and went at her. Like before, she managed to dodge their assault, using her sense of hearing to her advantage.
As Chase and Elaine were watching on the sidelines, they have their own private conversation.
"Hey, Elaine, I've been thinking. You think we be chosen by the Keyblade like they said?" Chase asked.
"I honestly don't know, Chase. I mean, Riku might be right about us not being chosen by the Keyblade, so I just don't know if we should think about something that could be very unlikely," Elaine said.
"Yeah, I know, but ever since they got back from Hoenn and we started on our journey, it's been on my mind a lot. And I know it's been on yours, too. What you think if you had one of your own?" Chase asked.
"I would think it'll be cool that I'll be able to fight with some sword skills like Sora's ancestors and perform some magic like I was a real wizard," Elaine said.
"The idea of fighting some evil monsters is a cool thought, along with seeing some different worlds like that Digital World they mentioned," Chase said.
"Yeah, I know what you mean," Elaine said.
"But a kid can dream, can he?" Chase asked.
"Yeah, but you dream big," Elaine said. "And when we do have Keyblades, we would be Rei's apprentices, and we'll be training along with Sora, Leaf, and Ash. We would be together like when we were little kids."
"Yeah. I still go back to our kindergarten days," Chase said.
(Flashback)
We go back to the kindergarten in Pallet Town. We see young Chase wearing a kindergarten outfit for boys. He seems rather timid.
"I remember how I was very shy in those days," Chase narrated.
"Yeah, I remember, too. You were very quiet in those days, and you didn't socialize with us very often. That was until Sora came and invited you to play," Elaine said. Sora obliges Chase to come play. Chase obliges Sora and joins the small group which consisted of Karen, Ash, Leaf, Tom, Elaine, and Trace. "After that, you began warming up to everyone."
(Flashback ends)
"Yeah, Sora's the reason I came out of my shell," Chase said. "And ever since he came home with Kairi and training for the Indigo Plateau, we barely hung out anymore. That is until I got Volt and you got Maple."
"And that is something I'll always remember," Elaine said.
"Me too," Chase said.
A little later, the Keyblade wielders were exhausted from their sparring match with Rei, they were panting heavily.
"Man, who would thought, you'd take us on blindfolded?" Ethan panted. Rei took off her blindfold.
"As I clearly demonstrated, I didn't rely on my eyes, I relyed on my sense of hearing. I was able to tell where you were by the movements of your feet and the sound of your breathing," Rei said.
"For a pretend fight, it seemed very realistic," Lyra said.
"That's the general idea, Lyra," Rei said.
"It seems complicated to be able to know where your opponent is going without your eyes," Brendan said.
"True, Brendan. As I demonstrated with Sora, Riku, and the others, you should learn to get in touch with nature like any Pokémon. You must learn to feel the wind in your face, feel the earth beneath your feet, and look through the eyes of each of your minds. And there is no handicapped, only handicapable," Rei said.
"And we have to practice this, don't we?" May asked.
"Yes, May. Now, are there any other questions regarding our lesson?" Rei asked.
"No, Master," Sora, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Roxas, Xion, Ash, Leaf, Ethan, Kris, Lyra, Brendan, May, Wes, Rui, and Michael said in unison.
"Good. And now, you shall rest, while we have ourselves some dinner soon. I can tell that you're pretty hungry right about now, and so am I. Kairi, what are we having?" Rei asked.
"That'll be some soft shell tacos with some some Tamato Berry hot sauce," Kairi said.
"Sweet!" Ethan said.
"I love those, too," Lyra said.
"Marill," Marill said.
"I'll have mine with extra sauce, because the hotter, the better," Brendan said.
"Sure thing," Kairi said.
"That sounds very delicious, Kairi. I'm looking forward in tasting it," Rei said.
Not too long, Kairi got to work on making those tacos for everyone. When she was done, she presented them to the group as the Pokémon were enjoying the Pokémon food she provided for them.
Unknown to the group, they were being circled by a Heartless. It is a black water buffalo-like Heartless with dark purple scales on its back. It has gray horns on its heavy head and yellow eyes. It has the Heartless emblem on its sides. This Heartless shall be known as the Catoblepas. Several other Catoblepas surrounded them all.
(AN: Okay, let me explain a little some on the catoblepas to those who never heard of it. The catoblepas is a sluggish buffalo-like monster that originated from Greek mythology that is said to have a heavy head. But there are several other descriptions on the creature. However, it is said that the catoblepas can turn people to stone either with a stare or by breathing on them. But either one can also cause death. Anyway, back to the fic)
Just when they were starting to enjoy themselves, Pikachu, Angel, Eevee, Azurill, Xipak, Celeste, Marill, Volt, Maple, and the other Pokémon hears them coming.
"Eevee," Eevee said.
They looked at the Pokémon.
"What's wrong?" Riku asked.
"Something's nearby," Rei said as they summoned their Keyblades. They looked around for any signs of trouble, but just then, the Catoblepas all emerged from the bushes.
"Heartless!" The group exclaimed. The Catoblepas spewed out poison breath attacks as Kairi casts an aero spell to blow the poison away.
"Everyone! Be careful not to breathe in the poison!" Kairi said. The Catoblepas charged right at the Keyblade wielders. Sora smacked one of the Catoblepas on the hide and he winced when he felt how hard it felt. Its hide is hard a diamonds.
"Those things are tough! Their bodies are like rocks!" Sora said.
"If physical attacks are gonna work, then let's try magic," Kris said.
"I agree. Let's go!" Rei said.
They all cast a fire spell, hitting the Catoblepas. They struck the buffalo-like Heartless.
"That actually hit them," Roxas said.
"Don't pat yourselves on the backs, apprentices. It looks like it's going to take more than that to take them down," Rei said.
"Watch out!" Wes shouted as they Keyblade wielders narrowly avoided their horns. They shot out poison clouds, so May casts an aero spell as Kris casts a music spell. The music notes struck on the them. Kairi casts a flower spell as Naminé casts a thunder spell as Pikachu and Xipak fired Thunderbolt at them. The Catoblepas resisted the electric attacks.
"Okay, lightning magic's not gonna work, and Electric-type attacks aren't gonna cut it, either," Roxas said.
"Doesn't these Heartless have any weakness?!" Ethan exclaimed. A Catoblepas gazes at Ethan, turning him to stone. Everyone were shocked to see it. Kris especially was stunned.
"ETHAN!" Kris cried.
"Those Heartless will pay for this!" Ash yelled as he came at the Catoblepas that petrified Ethan, but it spewed a poison breath. Ash mistakenly breathes in the poison and he started coughing. It then turned Ash to stone.
"Ash, Ethan!" Sora gasped.
Another Catoblepas rammed into Lyra and Marill, turning into stone with its glare.
"Lyra, no!" Leaf gasped.
"I won't forgive this!" May said as she threw her Alpha Sapphire Kyogre at the Catoblepas that petrified Lyra and Marill. It struck the hide, making it moo in pain. "Guys! Their backs are the weak spots!"
"Everyone! Hit them on their backs!" Rei instructed. The remaining Keyblade wielders threw their Keyblades at the backs of the Catoblepas. But they managed to charge at the Keyblade wielders as they used their glare to turn Kris, Wes, and Michael to stone.
"Wes!" Rui gasped as another one came up behind her.
"Rui, watch out!" Brendan exclaimed. She turned to see it, but the Catoblepas turns Rui to stone.
"Our numbers are going down!" Riku said.
"They keep turning us to stone. If this keeps up, we're going to become garden decorations," Leaf said.
"We gotta take out these Heartless before that happens!" Rei said.
"What do we do about Ash and the others?" Riku asked.
"I don't know, but I'll figure it out... Somehow," Rei said. They managed to strike the Catoblepas's backs. "Remember! Whatever you do, don't look into their eyes! No matter what!"
"This'll be a very good time to put the lesson to the ultimate test," Sora said.
"Yes, it should be," Rei said.said.
With that said, everyone covered their eyes to avoid the gaze of the Catoblepas and to avoid breathing in the poison. But their efforts were thwarted as the Catoblepas were making it very difficult as the remaining Keyblade wielders and their Pokémon were all turned to stone.
"No!" Chase exclaimed.
"They're all statues!" Elaine gasped.
"Yeah, and I think those Heartless will be setting their sights on us next!" Chase said.
"Pikachu," Volt said.
"Eevee," Maple said.
"Volt, get out of here and hurry!" Chase said.
"Don't look back, no matter what!" Elaine said. Volt and Maple shook their heads, refusing to leave them at the mercy of the Catoblepas. "Please, we don't want you to be turned to stone!"
"So, you gotta run for it, before it's too late!" Chase said.
Still, they refused to oblige them. The Catoblepas slowly approached them as they readied themselves in position.
"Chase!" Elaine gasped.
"It looks like the end!" Chase said.
They screamed as the Catoblepas began to launch their attack on Chase and Elaine when a light flashed around them, blocking the assault.
Chase and Elaine each were holding a Keyblade in their hand, much to their surprise.
Chase's Keyblade is shaped like a bolt of lightning. The teeth are shaped like Pikachu's tail. The guard has the design of a Pokéball. On top of the hilt is a Pikachu's face. The Keychain token is a miniature Pikachu. This Keyblade shall be known as the Thunder Yellow Pikachu.
The blade of Elaine's Keyblade is shaped like the tail of an Eevee. The teeth of the Keyblade is a gold star. On top of the hilt is an Eevee's face. The guard has the design of a Pokéball. The Keychain token is a miniature Eevee. This Keyblade shall be known as the Copper Star Eevee.
"Chase, you have a Keyblade," Elaine said with awe.
"So do you," Chase said.
"Chu," Volt said.
"Vee," Maple said.
"That means we can fight those monsters," Elaine said.
"You're right, Elaine," Chase agreed. "After watching Sora and the others, I think I have an idea on what to do." Chase held his new Keyblade tightly. "Are you ready?"
"Ready when you are," Elaine said.
"Okay, let's go!" Chase said as he and Elaine engaged the Catoblepas. They were being careful, not breathing in the poison as they struck them on their backs. Elaine casts a fire spell and struck one on the back as Maple came at one. Maple felt the love of Elaine as a pink heart appeared between them. Maple then came at one of the Catoblepas with great force and destroyed it. A heart floats up in the air.
"Wow, that was amazing, Maple," Elaine said.
"Vee!" Maple said, smiling
"Let's handle the rest of them," Elaine said.
"Eevee!" Maple agreed with her partner.
Chase, Elaine, Volt, and Maple kept on fighting the Catoblepas, striking them down on their backs. Elaine then casts a magnet spell as Maple does what she did earlier and she managed to take out the buffalo-like Heartless. Hearts floats up in the air before they disappear. With the Heartless eliminated, Sora, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Roxas, Xion, Ash, Leaf, Ethan, Kris, Lyra, Brendan, May, Wes, Rui, Michael, Rei, and the other Pokémon go back to normal.
"What just happened?" Ethan asked.
"One minute, I was coughing out my lungs, and the next, I'm back to normal," Ash said.
"We all are," Rui said.
"But how did that happen?" Kairi asked.
Rei noticed the Keyblades in Chase and Elaine's hands and approached them both.
"I think I have an idea," Rei stated. Sora, Kairi, and the rest of the other Keyblade wielders looked at Chase and Elaine, surprised that they now have a Keyblade each.
"Did you do this?" Wes asked.
"Yeah. We thought we were goners until these appeared from out of nowhere after a bright light shined down on us," Chase said.
"That confirms it. Chase and Elaine are chosen by the Keyblade after all," Riku said.
"And maybe, they're Guardians of Kingdom Hearts, like us," May said.
"Guardians of Kingdom Hearts? Us?" Chase asked.
"May might be right. You two were chosen by your Keyblades like all of us here, and you used them to help us out when we were encased in stone. For that, we all owe you our lives," Rei said.
"We did what we had to," Chase said.
"I mean, you'd do the same for us," Elaine said.
"That we would. That means, you two will have to become my new apprentices," Rei said.
"That's what we were hoping for," Elaine said.
"We wanted to be with Sora again, so we're classmates again," Chase said.
"I'm glad you feel that way. Before I begin your lessons, you must realize that this will not be an easy task. Mastering the Keyblade is something that takes years of learning. So if you want out, now is the only time," Rei said.
"We already made up our minds," Chase said.
"We'll be your apprentices and learn what we can from you, Master," Elaine said.
"We'll do our best, Master," Chase said. Rei just smiled.
"It's clear as daylight you have decided. Welcome to the both of you," Rei said.
With that said, Chase and Elaine have both become Keyblade wielders, so it's funny how some things work out for some people. All it took was seeing their friends in trouble that granted them their newfound powers, and used them to save their friends before they met their ends. And now, they have become Rei's newest students and promised to do their best to learn what they can. And it looks like it'll be no walk in the park, but to them, it'll be worth it.
Meanwhile, Vanitas sensed a sudden change and he knew what it meant.
"So, the new Guardians of Kingdom Hearts have came after all, just as my master predicted. He said that their powers would be born through sleep. And they will be the ones who will be the ones who will awaken them. It looks like I got some work to do," Vanitas said.
Oh, this isn't good. Vanitas is now aware of the situation, so how will the newest Keyblade wielders be able to handle this masked menace? Will they survive a direct fight against him? The answers will come in our next chapter.