And now, our first return to Traverse Town, and our friends make an encounter of the magical kind!
(After boarding the Gummi Ship, Chihiro began flying them back to Traverse Town, dealing with Heartless ships along the way)
Sakura: So this is how you've been traveling from world to world?
Chihiro: It hasn't been easy, that's for sure.
Sayaka: But hey, we've got a great flyer after all.
Chihiro: Aw shucks…
Celeste: So how long until we reach this Traverse Town?
Sayaka: Not long now, look!
(They look to the distance and see the town closing in)
Mondo: So that's the place?
Chihiro: Yep! Let me take us in smoothly this time.
(He begins landing the ship out of sight from the rest of the world, and they soon find themselves in the first district)
Celeste: I must say, this town looks to be rather peaceful.
Sakura: Should we be worried about Heartless?
Hifumi: Probably, we never got around to sealing the Keyhole for this world yet.
Chihiro: We didn't even know much about them before our Wonderland trip, well except for Makoto.
Makoto: But we don't know where to start looking for it.
Hifumi: Before we go see Mr. Cid, best we get reacquainted with Mr. Leon and the others.
Sayaka: Any idea where they'd be?
Yuffie: Hey! You guys came back!
(They looked to notice Yuffie)
Makoto: Yuffie!
Yuffie: So, how goes the adventuring?
Chihiro: Pretty good actually, we managed to find a few of our friends.
Makoto: This is Celeste, Mondo and Sakura.
Celeste: Pleased to meet you.
Sakura: Hello.
Mondo: Hey.
Yuffie: Pleased to meet you! Name's Yuffie, ninja extraordinaire!
Mondo: A ninja? Really?
Yuffie: Wanna try me on for size?
Makoto: Guys, let's not start anything. Do you know where Leon is?
Yuffie: Oh he's training in the underground cavern. You can get there through the water channel, it should be opened up by now.
Celeste: We better not have to swim.
Hifumi: Worried you'll get your shoes wet Miss Ludenberg?
Celeste: That is exactly what I am worried about.
Makoto: Well hopefully we won't have to, let's go guys!
(They head into the Second District, and after heading down to the ground from the steps, they were met with more Heartless)
(Cue Traverse Town battle theme)
Sayaka: Guess they're still here after all.
Chihiro: Let's clean up, ready guys?
Mondo: You have to ask?
(Among the Heartless group were mostly the elementals they've seen before with a few Large Bodies. But this time there were yellow ones and green ones)
Celeste: So they come in green and yellow too. What do they do?
Mondo: Let's not waste time finding out!
(Mondo tosses the ball at them, taking a few out, but one of the yellow Heartless shoots lightning at Mondo)
Mondo: Whoa!
(And he barely dodges in time)
Sayaka: Okay, so the yellow ones are electric. Good to know.
Chihiro: Let's see how the big guys can handle this!
(From his orb, he fires shots at the Large Bodies, knocking them back and dealing damage. A few of the small green elementals hover over to the knocked back big Heartless and heal them)
Hifumi: Crap! They have support classes now!
Celeste: Can you speak normal?
Sakura: They can heal!
Makoto: Take out the green ones first!
Sakura: I'll handle this.
(Sakura finishes the Green Requiems off in the blink of an eye)
Mondo: Excellent, now where were-
(Suddenly a Large Body swipes at Mondo and knocks him back, Celeste retaliates by grabbing it by its large stomach and twirling in place like a ballerina)
Chihiro: I think she's setting up!
(She spins faster and faster until she starts moving towards the Heartless, and after a few good swings manages to take them all down. She eventually stops spinning and simply stands in place, her eyes closed)
Sayaka: Wow, that couldn't have been easy.
Celeste: It wasn't…
(Celeste then falls to her knees, dizzy)
Makoto: Celeste!
Celeste: I am fine, just dizzy is all. Carry me?
Makoto: Sure, let me just…
(Makoto kneels down and she hops on her back)
Makoto: Just let me know when to set you down.
Celeste: Very well, my loyal knight.
Sayaka: …..
(Makoto led the group to the alley, where they noticed the gate that was once in the waterway was now gone)
Chihiro: Wasn't there a gate here?
Mondo: Maybe that Leon guy got rid of it?
Makoto: Probably, let's see if he's here.
(They head into the waterway and eventually had to start swimming, much to Celeste's protests. Eventually they found Leon and Aerith in a cavern deep in)
Sayaka: There you guys are!
Aerith: Oh hey, sorry you had to swim here.
Celeste: Sorry won't replace this dress! It's the only one I have left.
Mondo: Oh you'll be fine, quit whining.
Celeste: Hmph!
Leon: So, I see you found a few of your friends.
Sayaka: Yep! Guess they ended up in other worlds.
Aerith: Did you guys have any trouble?
Makoto: I don't know where to start to be honest. Plenty of Heartless, and… well we met up with an old friend that wasn't exactly happy to see us.
Hifumi: But at least the Heartless won't be troubling those worlds again, not after Mr. Naegi sealed up the Keyhole.
Leon: So, you managed to find it.
Makoto: Yeah, the Keyblade locked it automatically.
Aerith: That's good, I'm sure you know about the Keyholes already.
Sakura: Not all of us unfortunately.
Chihiro: I'm still a bit confused about these Keyholes.
Leon: Well, I'll try to explain. Every world among the stars has one, and each one leads to the heart of that world.
Mondo: You think this town has one too?
Leon: Probably.
Celeste: What do you mean?
Aerith: It was in Ansem's Report.
Sayaka: The one that got scattered?
Leon: That's right. The Heartless enter the world's core through the Keyhole and do something to it.
Sakura: And the worlds that get affected?
Aerith: They disappear.
"WHAT!?"
Chihiro: Then our world is gone? Gone forever?
Mondo: Shit, that's bad. Does that mean-
Sayaka: We'll never get home…
(Everyone was getting worried, would they never see their world again?)
Makoto: It's alright guys, I know we can get it back!
Makoto: All we need to do is defeat the Heartless and whoever's controlling them! We know someone has to after all.
Makoto: Keep your chins up, this won't be forever!
Chihiro: Makoto's right! We can't just give up now.
Sakura: I agree, we've already fought so hard. The fight may get harder, but that's no reason to stand down.
Celeste: Yes, after all we have people back home that could use our help, am I wrong?
Sayaka: Yeah!
Leon: It's for that reason why your key is so important.
Aerith: So please, lock the Keyholes. Don't let them take another world.
Makoto: Oh don't worry, I wouldn't wish this on anyone else. We'll do it!
Leon: Good to hear, I'm sure you'll find the rest of your friends when you travel to other worlds.
Makoto: Oh, speaking of which. Did you happen to see anyone else? Anyone like us?
Aerith: Well, now that you mention it…
Aerith: Cid did mention he saw someone strange, I just saw him going back to his shop not long ago.
Makoto: We must've missed him! Come on guys, let's head over to the shop!
(The group exit the sewer but as they return to the alleyway, more Heartless spawned. Alongside the Shadows and Soldiers, and small flying Heartless with claws, wings, and an aviator cap on its head)
Celeste: Great, more fliers.
Chihiro: I'll handle them!
(Chihiro's orb activates, but this time, constructs that look like cannons emerge from it)
Mondo: Damn! Now that's some serious shit!
Sakura: Let's not let him do all the fighting by himself.
(Chihiro takes to the sky and begins firing. While the Heartless dodge at first, he's able to lock on to them and finish them off. The other Heartless don't put up much of a fight as the others deal with them swiftly)
Chihiro: We better not get lazy here, these guys are getting tougher.
Monokuma: I'd say so, Mr. Fujisaki!
(Several Monokumas appear, some wearing riot gear and carrying shields)
Sakura: They're here too?
Monokuma: Why of course my dear…
Monokumas: We are everywhere!
Makoto: Then I guess we're gonna have to take you down too!
Monokuma: Go ahead and try it key-boy! You don't have the-
(Monokuma gets interrupted by a thunderbolt, which shorts him out. The others attack and while the normal ones go down easily, the Guards are able to block their attacks)
Sayaka: Darn it! We need to get past their shields!
Celeste: Allow me!
(Celeste's wires get ahold of the shields, which she's able to yank off. Sayaka and Sakura then rush in to finish the fight)
Sakura: Looks like Junko has been making more Monokumas. We should be wary.
Hifumi: That goes without saying! We better get a move on before anything else shows up!
(The group heads back to Cid's shop, this time he's there)
Cid: Hey, glad to see you kids!
Sayaka: We're glad to see you too Cid!
Sakura: So this is the Cid we've heard about?
Cid: Whoa, you look like you've been working hard.
Sakura: More than you know.
Makoto: Oh right, this is Sakura. And that's Celeste and Mondo.
Celeste: Charmed.
Mondo: Hey.
Cid: Hey. So what's up?
Chihiro: Two things, we found these gummis while we were traveling. These didn't look like the ones you showed us.
(Chihiro brings out the two green gummis they found)
Cid: Ah, you found some navigation gummis.
Mondo: Navigation? Does that mean we can get to new worlds or some shit?
Cid: Exactly, if you want I'd be happy to install them for you.
Hifumi: You would?
Cid: Sure, but I gotta take care of somethin' first.
Celeste: What would that be?
Cid: I gotta deliver this old book, the thing's nearly falling apart. Way too beat up to restore it, but I did what I could.
Makoto: In that case, how about we deliver it so you can work on the ship?
Cid: You'd really do that?
Mondo: Whatever it takes to get everyone back together again.
Cid: Well alright, here ya go
(Cid hands them the book)
Cid: It's at the old house past the third district, look for the fire door.
Cid: There should be a shortcut to there from that big door by the plaza.
Makoto: Alright, let's-
(Suddenly the ground begins shaking, and a bell is heard ringing)
Sayaka: Huh? Was that… a bell?
Cid: Hmm? The bell at the old gizmo shop is ringing.
Mondo: We may wanna check that out.
Chihiro: Yeah, but let's deliver this book first.
Cid: Once you're all set, meet me at the house in the third district, it'll be by the entrance to the second. I'll be there.
(The group exits the accessory shop and head into the third district)
Chihiro: He said to look for the fire door, but where is it?
Hifumi: I think that might be it!
(Hifumi points to a stone door with a fire symbol on it, they head over to it)
Celeste: Well, how do we open it?
Sayaka: Maybe with fire?
Makoto: Worth a shot. Fire!
(Makoto shoots fire magic and unlocks the door)
Makoto: Nice call there Sayaka!
Sayaka: Thanks! Now let's deliver this book!
(They go through the door and through it, a large lake with large stepping stones between them and an old house in the distance)
Celeste: That must be the place.
Sayaka: Well we better get going, try not to fall in guys!
(Hopping across the stones, they eventually reach the house)
Hifumi: Alright we made it! But… how do we get in?
Mondo: The door's boarded up. Who the hell would deliver a book to-
Makoto: Hey guys! Over here!
(The group follows Makoto behind the house, where they find an opening)
Mondo: Well, nevermind.
Chihiro: Better head in then!
(They walk in, but find the room to be empty)
Hifumi: Huh? It's empty!
Sayaka: Did we go to the wrong place?
Chihiro: Cid did say behind the fire door in the third district so…
Celeste: Perhaps this was simply a prank…
?: Well, well.
(The group looks to the entrance, and there they find someone else came in after them. An old man with a long white beard wearing a blue robe with a matching tall, pointed hat, holding a briefcase in one hand, and a wand in the other)
?: You've arrived sooner than I expected.
Makoto: Wha… You knew we were coming?
?: But of course.
Hifumi: And I thought Miss Maizono's psychic powers were crazy!
Sayaka: I just have good intuition!
Celeste: That aside, just who are you?
Merlin: My name is Merlin, and as you can see I am a sorcerer.
Merlin: I spend a lot of my time traveling, but it's good to be home!
Mondo: Wait, a sorcerer? Like magic and shit?
Merlin: Quite. So, who might you all be?
Makoto: I'm Makoto, and these are my friends. Sayaka, Chihiro, Hifumi, Celeste, Mondo and Sakura.
Merlin: Ah, so you're the one with the key.
Merlin: Now before we get to discussing, allow me to unpack.
(He places his suitcase down and steps to the center of the room)
Merlin: *ahem* Higitus Figitus zumbabazing! I want your attention ev'rything!
(Soon the briefcase began shaking and things started coming out)
Chihiro: Whoa…
Hifumi: He really is a wizard.
Merlin: Alright everyone, get into positions. Usual places please.
(The items from his briefcase start growing and getting into place as he waved his wand and chanted the spell)
Merlin: Hockety pockety wockety wack
Abracabra dabra nack
Grow in size, no longer small, be sure to save enough room for all
Higitus figitus migitus mum
Pres-ti-dig-i-ton-i-um!
(The others watched in shock as the room began to fill before their eyes, objects moving into place)
Sakura: I… wasn't expecting to see this.
Mondo: No kidding.
Merlin: Ali-i-ca-fez bal-a-ca-zez
Malacamez meripides
Hockety pockety wockety wa-
(Merlin suddenly stops)
Merlin: Sorry, but could you move over here for a second? The rug needs it's spot.
Chihiro: Oh, s-sorry.
Merlin: Don't apologize young lady, you didn't know.
Mondo: You also didn't notice that's a guy.
Merlin: Yes I didn't notice that's a- WHAT!?
Chihiro: Heh heh, long story.
Merlin: I see… Well it's not my place to judge.
(That aside, they move as the rug made its way to the spot they once stood)
Merlin: Now alright let's start again, let's start aaa- oh.
Merlin: Where was I boy?
Makoto: Uh, h-hockety pockety?
Merlin: Oh yes yes that's right. *ahem*
Merlin: Hockety pockety wockety wack
Odds and ends and bric a brac
Be with you in just a minute son
Unpacking is almost done
(Suddenly the room began to get more crowded as more and more objects left the briefcase)
Sayaka: Guys, I can't help but feel crowded in here!
Hifumi: Don't worry everyone, we're- Oof!
(Hifumi gets knocked over by a table)
Hifumi: We're gonna be alright.
Mondo: Doesn't fucking look like it!
Celeste: How much more are there!?
Merlin: Hey hey easy there, no no go ahead.
Merlin: Dum dood'ly, dood'ly, dood'ly dum.
Merlin: This is the best part now.
Merlin: Higitus figitus migitus mum
Pres-ti-dig-i-ton-i-um!
Higitus figitus migitus mum
Pres-ti-dig-i-ton-i!
Um!
(Merlin falls over as the table in the center is set, but luckily Makoto and Sayaka catch him before he fell down)
Merlin: Haha!
Makoto: What a way to unpack.
Merlin: Well how else could I unpack all this stuff in such a short amount of time I'd like to know.
Chihiro: It's still pretty amazing! We've never had magic like that in our world.
Merlin: I see, then I guess it is rather amazing for you.
Merlin: Now then, I'm sure you know your own fair share of magic Makoto, but if you want training I'd be more than happy to assist you.
Makoto: Really?
Merlin: Yes, and I didn't come alone you know.
Mondo: Huh?
(Merlin directs their attention to what looks like a small round carriage, suddenly blue sparkles suddenly appear around it as the carriage disappears and in its place stood an old woman in a light purple robe holding a magic wand)
Sayaka: Another sorcerer?
Fairy Godmother: Quite right my dear, I'm the Fairy Godmother, and I'll be more than happy to assist you as well.
Celeste: Fairy...Godmother?
Fairy Godmother: I'm sure you're pretty amazed at the sight my child, but don't fret, we're here to help.
Celeste: ….
Celeste: (No way, I always thought the Fairy Godmother was just some fairy tale. I always loved that story when I was young)
Celeste: (She's here now? I… I…)
Celeste: It's… a real honor to meet you.
(Celeste curtseyed, much to all her friends' shock)
Mondo: Huh?
Celeste: Show some respect you idiot!
Chihiro: W-Well…
Fairy Godmother: No need for that sort of formality my dear.
Celeste: I-I know.
Makoto: (Wow, I would never think Celeste would act like that to anyone)
Chihiro: Oh right, Mr. Merlin…
Merlin: Oh please, just call me Merlin. None of this honorific gobbledygook.
Chihiro: S-Sorry. Merlin, we have this for you.
(Chihiro presents the old book)
Merlin: Ah, I was expecting this.
Hifumi: Do you know what this could be?
Merlin: To be honest, I'm not sure myself, this isn't even my book.
Merlin: It just happened to appear in my bag one day. So I had Cid repair it for me, I'll set it aside for now.
(Merlin places the book on a table)
Merlin: The secrets this holds could be discovered, should the missing pages be recovered.
Sakura: We'll be sure to keep an eye out for them.
Merlin: Excellent! Do send Cid my regards for the repairs!
Fairy Godmother: You and your friends better let him know about the news.
Makoto: Our friends!
Makoto: We forgot to ask Cid about who he saw!
Chihiro: Oh shoot! The bell made us forget about that.
Celeste: Well we can always ask him when we get to the house.
Mondo: Oh yeah he said he was gonna meet us there.
Merlin: Then you best be off then, come back later if you want to begin magic training. That goes for your friends too should they possess the potential.
Makoto: Right, thanks Merlin!
(The group exits the house and returns to the third district, as they enter…)
Hifumi: So where's the house?
Sakura: Up there!
(Sakura points to the blue house by the door to the second district)
Makoto: Come on, let's hur-
(Suddenly, several Soldiers and Air Soldiers spawn)
Sayaka: Heartless!
Chihiro: So much for this being simple.
(As they get ready to fight, the Heartless get taken out, and right before their eyes lies a familiar figure)
Byakuya: Well, didn't expect to see you here.
Sayaka: Byakuya…
Makoto: You made it!
(Makoto walks up to him to make sure he isn't imagining it, and upon touching him he pushed him back)
Byakuya: Stop that!
Makoto: Sorry, just wanted to make sure you were real.
Byakuya: Suffering hallucinations? Well I can't say I blame you given the circumstances.
Sakura: How did you get here?
Sayaka: Yeah, we didn't see you the first time around.
Byakuya: Well there's no need to be so hostile, I'd been trying to find you you know.
Hifumi: You were looking for *us* Mr. Togami?
Byakuya: I figured you could use some assistance.
Mondo: Wait, how the hell did you take those Heartless out?
Byakuya: Just a little something I found.
(Byakuya holds up a red and blue sword)
Byakuya: Don't know how this got here, but it's certainly been useful.
Sakura: Did you notice anyone else here?
Byakuya: Well aside from you…
Byakuya: ...I did notice Toko and Hiro by that shop in the second district.
Sayaka: Toko and Hiro? They must've just got here!
Byakuya: Well if you want, I'd be more than happy to take the lead from here on.
Sayaka: Huh?
Byakuya: They must've come around the same time I did, when I arrived you guys weren't here. How did you-
(As Byakuya was speaking, a Shadow appeared behind him and he remained unaware. Makoto took notice and quickly took it out in the blink of an eye)
Chihiro: Whoa! Quick thinking Makoto!
Byakuya: I see you've been putting that Keyblade to good use.
Makoto: Well, it's not like I've been doing all the fighting myself.
Sakura: He's right, much like you we've all gained the power to harm the Heartless.
Hifumi: We've been to many places and worlds, trying to find everyone… even you.
Byakuya: It's not like your help was really required since I can defend myself.
Byakuya: Still, didn't imagine you'd get so skilled with this thing in such a short amount of time.
(Much to Makoto's surprise, Byakuya was holding the Keyblade)
Makoto: Huh? Hey, give that back!
(Makoto tried to get it back, but fell over as Byakuya jumped backwards. Celeste and Hifumi helped him up)
Byakuya: Fine, if you want it that badly.
(Byakuya then tosses the Keyblade back to him)
Makoto: Thanks! Now come on, let's go find them!
Hifumi: Hold on, are you sure you want to bring Mr. Togami?
Makoto: Huh? Why not? We're supposed to find everyone right?
Sayaka: Well yeah, but he hasn't exactly been the best companion. You saw what he was about to do back at the academy right?
Mondo: If you ask me, we oughta leave the rich boy behind. You're all we need frankly.
Celeste: For once, I agree.
Makoto: Guys, we shouldn't just choose who to bring back home. He's been through as much as all of us, so we can't just leave him behind.
Chihiro: Uh guys, where'd he go?
(They had turned their backs to him for a minute, and found that he vanished)
Celeste: Well, that cannot be good.
Makoto: At least he's okay, come on, let's go see Cid.
(They head up and enter the house, where they find Cid alongside Leon, Yuffie and Aerith)
Cid: Hey guys, what took you so long?
Sayaka: Uh, let's just say… we got caught up with something.
Cid: I see, anyways, got a question for you.
Cid: You guys ever hear of Maleficent? I hear she's in town.
Makoto: Maleficent? Who's that?
Cid: A witch, man, she's a witch!
Hifumi: A witch!?
Celeste: It is surprising enough sorcerers are real, but witches too?
Yuffie: It's worse than you think if you could believe that.
Leon: She's the reason this town is full of Heartless.
Sayaka: What?
Aerith: She's been using the Heartless for years.
Leon: And it's thanks to her we lost our world.
Cid: One day, a swarm of Heartless took over our world.
Yuffie: That happened about 9 years ago.
Cid: It was thanks to these guys I was able to get out of there
Chihiro: Oh no, I'm sorry for your loss.
Leon: Our ruler was a wise man named Ansem, who dedicated his life to studying the Heartless.
Cid: His report should be able to tell us how to get rid of them.
Mondo: But let me guess, this report is nowhere to be seen?
Leon: You got it. It got scattered when our world was destroyed.
Cid: And chances are, Maleficent's got most of the pages.
Sakura: This Maleficent, she must be the one Junko is working with.
Yuffie: Junko?
Makoto: Oh yeah, I think we should probably explain what we found.
(Meanwhile, Byakuya is outside the house, watching everyone from inside)
Byakuya: That brat, who does he think he is?
Byakuya: I went into the field of battle and emerged victorious, yet he's the chosen one to save our world?
Byakuya: I deserve that title, not someone who got everything just by pure luck!
(His anger taking form in a dark aura, but then a voice spoke up behind him)
?: It is truly a shame, isn't it?
?: You worked so hard and yet he got everything, and everyone gives him respect while they give you absolutely nothing.
Byakuya: How long have you been there?
?: Long enough…
(Maleficent then made her appearance and walked towards Byakuya, both staring into the house)
(Cue Villains of a Sort)
Maleficent: Long enough to see your hatred and jealousy flowing through you.
Byakuya: Ridiculous, why would I have to be jealous of someone like him?
Maleficent: Because of how hard you worked, to get the prestige you have, to earn your family's respect.
Maleficent: And then came him, an uninteresting boy who managed to get by on pure luck, never having to put in any real work.
Maleficent: Yet despite the difference, he was the one the Keyblade chose, while you were forced to watch him save everyone.
Byakuya: …
Byakuya: How do you know about me?
Maleficent: I know all that there is to know, including a little something on how to give the Keyblade a worthy master.
Byakuya: !
Maleficent: Why should you care about those fools? They are clearly inferior to a man of your talents.
Maleficent: Forget them, and come with me. And I will give you all that you desire and more.
Byakuya: What do you mean?
Maleficent: If you want to know, then just accept my offer. Unless you truly have no desire to put them in their place.
Byakuya: (Hmm, she's good. I wouldn't normally cooperate with anyone but… things have changed)
(He thought long and hard, and eventually came to a decision…)
Byakuya: You had my attention…. And now you have my interest. Very well, I'll cooperate for now.
Byakuya: But don't think this will be forever.
Maleficent: I don't expect it to, but of course this means you will have to get your hands dirty.
Byakuya: Nothing good ever comes for free, I'll do what I need to.
Maleficent: Very well, I think this will be a wonderful partnership.
Byakuya: Yes…
(Byakuya and Maleficent walked away, ready to begin their work together)
I hope you didn't mind the little musical number I put in, I'm thinking of maybe scattering a few around the story, though hard to say where I'd put them. But that aside, looks like Maleficent has made a new ally, one that will definitely complicate Makoto and his friends' journey. Next time, another reuniting, and an old foe from not long ago comes back for round two... but this time, they won't hold back.