Chapter 25: Soul Prince Basic Training
Sigmund says, "It's been a while since anyone has used the Sector 20 Mahou-Tech Training Hall. I'm not sure if Dr. Nefarious even knew it existed when he tried to break into this facility a couple years ago..."
Clank says as the group is walking, "I used to be the Senior Caretaker of the Great Clock, the protector of time in my and Ratchet's universe..." "You mean galaxy. If the information here is to be believed, we share a universe but just didn't know it...Until now." "Sorry, force of habit. Still getting used to that." Sonic comments, "Aren't we all?" Riku responds with, "The hedgehog has a point." "And...presto!"
The Mahou-Tech training hall opens up to a space similar to the place where Sly and the Cooper Gang trains.
"...This is just like our place back home, Sly!" "It really is like an alien Hazard Room! ..You thinking what I'm thinking, bud?" Bentley asks Sigmund, "Which way to the controls?" "I'll help you in, turtle, and then Ratchet can just pull that lever." "That will start the trainer, right?" Sigmund comments, "Yep."
A few minutes later, Bentley gives the OK to pull the lever, and training dummies materialize. Ratchet starts shooting out electric bolts. Which Sly redirects into the dummies using the portals created by his element, Dimension. "Want to see if we can make some trick shots, just for fun?" "Thought you'd never ask. Try going through multiple portals on the way to the target." Bouncing off the wall, the bolts' aim is true. "Ready for the grand finale?" Ratchet jumps into the air and slams down with electric energy. Sonic comments, "Impressive... nice teamwork, Sly, Ratchet. I think Sigmund wants to tell us something." On the other side of the room, Sigmund announces, "It is with great honor that I give the new Soul Princes, the protectors of the Universe of Life, their Mage Costumes. Custom fitted for each of you, as they should be." Oohs and ahhs echo across the room. The Soul Princes change using Donald's magic. Carmelita comments that she didn't expect Sly to wear something like that, and the group gets going, as "there's more you need to know over in the Sector Three Orientation Room. Orvus left a video explaining your new duties that, to be honest, I thought I would never play. I guess that's life, huh! Follow me, if you will."
Over in the Orientation Room, the Soul Princes sit down on a nice couch, as Sigmund walks over to the video player. "Don't worry if you miss anything, I can rewind." "And, play.
On the screen, the new Soul Princes see a title card that says, "The Universe and You".
Orvus is shown on screen. "Is this thing on? Ahh, not again! I thought the blinking lights were fixed last time I made a video..."The lighting issue is quickly resolved. Sigmund says, "Try now." Orvus starts speaking. "Hello, new Soul Princes! If anyone else is watching, turn off this video now. If you are the new Soul Princes, keep watching, we have a lot to discuss. First off, what is a Soul Prince? Well to put it simply, they protect every Galaxy in the Universe of Life. Some of you may have experience with protecting what you thought was the universe. Keyblade War veterans, you know what I am talking about." Sora gets a smirk on his face. "Soul Princes, however, protect a much bigger Universe from Evil. Seven main Evils, to be exact. Seven Evils that are currently searching for the keys to the Core of the Universe, a place known as Soul Kingdom. Opening Soul Kingdom requires the Chrono Song, and the World Rings. I assume the World Rings mean something to one of you..." Sonic says, "I'll fill you in later." "Whatever waits at Soul Kingdom was before my time, so who knows what the Evils are looking for. Thankfully, you can use the power of the Elements of True Light and your Mage Costumes to stop the Evils before it is too late. There are multiple planets that you would call Earth in this Universe of Life. The people working on starmaps needed a way to tell them apart, and they decided on the word "Terra" followed by what Earthlings call Roman numerals. For example, the Cooper thief clan calls Terra II in the Anthro Galaxy home. Soul Prince of Storm, you can use Mahou-Tech to make your ship travel between the home Galaxies of the Soul Princes. It's a long trip if you don't. Is that everything?! I think we're done. Soul Princes, go out and do your thing. To use a line from the early days of one of the Galaxies, may your heart be your guiding key."
Sigmund gets up. "Well. I had known about that video before today, I just didn't know what was on it..."
Kairi notices Sora is deep in thought after the video. "Sora, what are you thinking about?" "If I could get some info on the other Soul Princes, I may be able to make a creative project happen." Sora whispers something to Kairi. "Soul Princes, if you have anything personal with you, I want you to show it to Sora. I like his idea." Sly gets out a Cooper Calling Card, used to mark territory controlled by a Cooper, and Mario mentions "My-a-favorite food-is-a red-mushroom-a-with-white-a-spots." After Link mentions the Triforce and its golden triangles, Sora gets excited. Ratchet says, "If you need any ideas, here's my wrench to study. You making a painting or something?" "You'll see..." Rayman says, "I think since you've already been to a dream world, my part in whatever is going on here should be easy, but here's a dreamcatcher I received recently. See if that gives you any ideas." "Something personal to me... Here's one of the gold rings I love collecting on my adventures. They have an uncanny ability to keep me safe." Ly comments, "Just what do you and Kairi have in mind, Sora?" "In a few days, I'm going to be making a trip around the Universe to make some deliveries. And Paris is going to be my first stop, Sly. Go home, get some rest, and get ready for a new adventure, Soul Princes..."
End of Chapter