A/N: So, there was an interview published recently that said something along the lines of Kingdom Hearts IV being the final game in the series (or at least the final game that Nomura-san works on). As sad as I am to hear this, for various reasons of course, though at the same time Nomura has been in the gaming industry since Final Fantasy IV in 1991, so I understand why his retirement is coming up. Though, he is only 53 (at the time of writing this), so it's possible he just means retiring within the next few years or so. I do hope that if he does retire, he ends Kingdom Hearts IV on a very good note, though I know he also spoke about IV as if it was going to start a new saga, so on the other hand I am very nervous about the future of the series. Of course, translating Japanese is always a bit tricky, so we might need to wait and see what the official translation says.
This story itself is likely only going to go up to KH3, mostly because IV takes place on the other side of KH Reality so I am not sure what to do with Ren in that instance, though of course I do need to play the game myself before making this conclusion. Either way, this fanfiction will continue for the time being, and I'll revisit the subject of including Kingdom Hearts IV when we get to that point, most likely when I am writing the events of Kingdom Hearts III.
"Well, it just about figures that if Kraken were to be on any world, it would be this one."
The whale ship was hovering just over a world that looked like a vast ocean, and while Ren could see a few land masses here and there, 75% of the entire world was liquid, which compared to the desert they were in previously would make this world a breeze. Though, another thought had crossed Ren's mind in that moment, one that he turned to his companions with a raised eyebrow as the question escaped him. "So, uh, how in the name of Light are we going to do this? I might be a strong swimmer but I am not that strong of one... plus the whole breathing underwater thing might be difficult."
"Let me worry about the breathing and swimming underwater part", Alina told him with a reassuring smile. "I've been practicing a spell while we were on our way here that should due the trick!"
"The place we are headed is called Atlantica", the robot explained as he walked over them. "While there are humans on the surface, most of the world's population are mermaids and ocean dwelling creatures. Additionally, the darkness our scanners are picking up is nearby the Kingdom of Atlantica, deep within the ocean's depths."
"Fantastic", Ren sarcastically grumbled. "Need I remind you all that we are primarily land dwellers? I have never fought underwater before, can see that being an issue too."
"I can sense that you are grumpy, Ren", Gamma replied which only caused a vein to appear on the teenage boy's forehead. "But again, you have nothing to worry about. Alina will handle the spellcasting that will make sure you two will be fine within the ocean, while I will commence streaming myself into the portable submarine that will allow me to accompany you down there. So, whenever you are ready."
Ren still wasn't sure about this, but could only sigh as he and Alina headed over to the teleportation device, while Gamma headed over to a tube in the corner that he climbed into and turned to them. A thick cord attached itself to a slot on his head that opened up and his yellow LED eyes vanished, indicating that he was now within the submarine. At that moment, the teleporter began to work, and all Ren could do was brace himself for the possibility that Alina's spell would not work. However, as he felt liquid surround him, he noticed that he was no longer breathing normally, but somehow was still drawing breath. He opened his eyes to see he was submerged in water, and had transformed into a merman. HIs clothes were gone, yet he was still completely covered by his lower region being transformed into a dark gray shark flipper with a shark fin just on his lower back. He couldn't help but laugh a little in both relief and at how awesome this was, doing a few laps around before coming to a stop just above the ocean floor.
"Phew, glad the spell worked... though I was practicing it so I wasn't too nervous." At that, Ren turned to see Alina floating there as well, and a blush immediately formed on the face of the teenage boy as he looked at his friend. She had a purple dolphin like flipper and fin, and had on a off white and red seashell bra to cover up her chest. The girl was blushing, looking directly at Ren embarrassed at her and by extension his appearance. "I really wish I could've covered us both up more, but we'd stick out too much if I did that. I-I guess it's a good thing we've somewhat already have seen one another in more revealing attire, huh?"
"Y-yeah", Ren sheepishly mumbled, looking away from her as his face went more red. Suddenly, he recalled the third member of their group, and began to look around for him. "Where is Gamma?"
"Here I am", came the reply from what looked like a metallic fish with LED eyes, swimming up to them and coming to a stop just before them. Ren couldn't help but notice that nothing on the fish seemed to move other then the propeller on it's tail fin, which whirled around slowly as he remained in place, shifting slightly to keep him at level with the two humans. "I am still getting used to the controls of this body. I only had a few test runs back when my creator made it, and I didn't count on his place being so deep. Still, I seem to have most of it under control."
Ren nodded at that, turning and looking towards the golden palace that was in the distance. "Alright, then let's see what we can find out from the locals. One of them might know where we can find that ugly beast." Ren swam off, followed closely by Alina and the whirling robotic fish that Gamma was controlling. Occasionally, he found himself glancing back at Alina, who was also occasionally glancing at him in return. Whenever the two would catch the other, the blush on their faces would return and cause them to awkwardly stare at anything else. He wasn't sure why this was bothering him so much, but the sight of her like this was something that keep finding himself drawn to, making him flustered and unconformable.
The faster we get this world over with, the better.
Soon, they ended up reaching the golden palace, where upon entering they found themselves swimming around quite a few other merpeople. Ren was baffled at how comfortable they all were around one another, barely being covered by anything and practically being nude around one another, save for the women who all wore seashell bras just like Alina was. This also begged the question of how they reproduced, but Ren immediately dismissed that thought before it went off the rails, as the last thing he wanted to do was let that dwell on his conscious for any period of time.
"We are here seeking information", Alina informed one of the royal looking guards. "We are investigating a creature that might be lurking just beyond the city. Can you help us?"
"Visitors are not welcome in Atlantica", the guard strictly said, glaring at them. "We have pressing issues that require our immediate attention, and the king does not wish to be interrupted at the moment."
"Hold on", came a voice from the throne room that he was in front of. "If they are here about the dark creature, then let them talk to me." The guard turned to them for confirmation, and a simple nod later he moved to let the three strangers pass. They swam into a large, open room where a large bearded merman sat, flicking his navy blue tail in annoyance, his flowing white beard and hair flowing as he sat up in his throne a bit more to address the intruders. "Are you here to take care of the outsider?"
"Outsider?" Gamma asked, the robotic fish catching a look of disgust from the king.
"Yes", replied the ruler. "We have a strict policy here on Atlantica, and that is that outsiders from other worlds are forbidden here!"
"You know about other worlds?" Ren gasped in shock, knowing that not many individuals knew about worlds outside of their own.
"I do", the king growled. "After all, I am King Triton, ruler of Atlantica! Those that can travel to other worlds, those 'Keybladers', bring with them nothing but havoc and ruin! They are not to be allowed within our walls, and since you strangers are here, I am guessing you are just like the other boy i dismissed just moments ago!"
"You mean Sora?" Ren questioned him, sighing a bit. "Look, I apologize for my idiot friend. Sora is hard headed and doesn't listen well, he most likely isn't going to just leave that easily."
"It's not just this 'Sora' that you speak of!" Triton roared in anger. "All Keyblade Wielders being with them nothing but ruin! However... so to does that outsider, the so called Fiend of Water."
"Please just hear us out, cause that is why we are here!" Alina pleaded with him, catching the attention of the merman, who actually looked at her with a softer expression then he had with Ren. "We are here to vanquish the Fiend of Water, and after that we will not remain longer then we have to. We are not here to being any ruin to your world, but rather to save it from the forces of darkness. You said that the outsiders are not welcome here, so if you let us do our jobs and just destroy the Fiend of Water, then there will be no more outsiders to worry about!"
Triton looked at her for a few moments before sighing, his body relaxing a bit as he seemed to calm a bit. "You remind me of my seven daughters, they too have kindness in their hearts. The young man before said the same thing, but my youngest daughter Ariel just doesn't listen to me when I tell her not to interact with outsiders. She is too fascinated with the idea of worlds outside of our own, and even dares to think for a moment that she can leave the safely of this world... still, the outside creature is a problem, and you would be doing us a favor in riding it from these waters. If you are genuine in your world, then I will permit you to remain here with your companions to get rid of this intruder. However, after this is done, I will ask you to leave. The order of worlds must be maintained, and your very presence seeks to disrupt this balance that we hold so dear. If you truly stand by your mission to rid the worlds of darkness and evil, then you too must leave once you are done here." He turned to Ren at that in particular with a glare, "Your keybalde only will attract more of that same darkness if you remain here long enough."
"Then we shall get rid of Kraken for you", Ren replied to him, realizing that attempting to argue farther that they mean no harm was not going to get them anywhere. "Do you know where the creature is, exactly? Our scanners can sense him in the water but cannot pinpoint his exact location."
"He is that way", Triton replied and pointed with his trident. "To the Black Sea, where a great ship once sunk. I warn you, however, that place is forbidden even among the strongest of my men. Even my stubborn daughter Ariel dare not enter it, for it's waters are black with the taint of evil."
"Maybe that is why he went there", Gamma stated. "They seek darkness for the revival of their master after all, so he might be there to gather the darkness that he can."
"Then stop him!", ordered the grumpy king. "Do not allow him to summon this master of his here. Once you are done, then report back to me and I will personally see that you leave this world. Now, begone, and do not return unless it is to inform me of your success!"
"Grumpy old man", Ren snarled as they swam out of the palace and into the open waters. "We are just trying to help him by getting rid of Kraken, so why does he hate us so much?"
"Those that know of the outside worlds tend to know what happened in the past that caused the worlds to be separated in the first place", replied Gamma soberly.
"How did all the worlds end up being different and broken apart in the first place?" Alina curiously wondered.
"Legend has it that long ago, the world was whole and full of light" Gamma explained to her. "But darkness suddenly emerged in the hearts of men, and over time, people succumbed to these negative emotions and came to desire the power of Kingdom Hearts, giving rise to the first Heartless. Darkness would eventually take over the worlds and almost snuff the light entirely from the universe. However, the world was restored by the light within the hearts of children, and when this happened the many worlds that were split apart in the conflict were reformed, each with its own time flow and people to occupy them. In order to ensure order and balance, the worlds were surrounded by barriers that prevented outside interference and travel between them."
"So, how come we can travel between the worlds if there are barriers between them?" Ren pondered.
"While there still exist methods to travel between worlds, most individuals do not posses the knowledge or capability to do so", explained the metallic fish body that housed Gamma. "Those few who do travel between worlds are advised to avoid meddling in the affairs of other worlds and informing their inhabitants of the existence of other worlds. This is a rule for the Keyblade Wielders especially, who were the very first to travel between the barriers of the world through various means. Corridors of Darkness or the Lanes Between served as the primary method for inter-world travel, until the shattering of many world barriers rained the pieces down on various worlds, becoming Gummi Blocks which allow more then just keybladers or users of Darkness to travel between worlds. Once the worlds are restored, the barriers will return, closing off the worlds once again."
"So, what will happen to us then?" Alina asked, looking over at Ren with worry. "We will just return to our worlds for the rest of our lives? What will happen if we want to travel to other worlds again, or see the friends we've made from other worlds?" Ren looked over at her at that, thinking the same thing. He did not want to just return to Destiny Islands once this was all over and just live this life out there, knowing that a vast number of worlds were out there.
"That remains to be seen", Gamma replied. "However, since travel between the worlds was possible before the shattering of the world barriers, I think there will still be a way." Ren and Alina smiled at one another before they looked forward and continuing following the metal fish, who had activated his flashlight that came out of the top of his head. The water around them had darkened by a good amount, making it a bit difficult to see where they were going. Finally, they ended up with a vast open sea of water, damaged metal and shattered glass surrounding them, and a giant broken ship within their view, even if their current vision was clouded by dark waters.
"The Black Sea", Alina muttered, looking around. "How awful..."
A sudden rumble caught them off guard, as a mass of tentacles suddenly appeared around them. Summoning their weapons, they turned to see Kraken emerge from the ground, eyeing them with his red eyes and grinning a little. "Lich told me to expect you guys, but I didn't think you would be foolish enough to just swim into my lair the way you did. I am Kraken, and you shall experience the wrath of the sea!"
"We defeated Marilith and we can defeat you too!" Ren declared, getting ready to fight.
"I see, so The Fiend of Fire is gone", Kraken chuckled. "Then perhaps I should thank you instead for doing me a favor. I always hated that bitch, thinking she was better then me cause she was fire and I was water. Do not expect me to show you mercy, however, for she was still a fiend. Your war against us is about to come to an end, Warriors of Light!"
"We shall see about that", Alina shouted, holding her staff forward and aiming at Kraken. "Thundara!" A blast of lighting shot out from her staff, but to their shock Kraken didn't even look phased. The bolt connected with his body, but what looked like an yellow barrier surrounded his massive frame, as the creature cackled in amusement.
"Null Thunder, a barrier spell that neutralizes Thunder magic", Kraken snickered as he watched their expressions of shock. "I had Lich cast it on me before you arrived, neutralizing your lightning magic for at least as long as it takes me to kill you."
"That's not fair!" Ren snarled and glared. "Having Lich cover your weakness like that! At least Marilith had the guts to face us using her own wits and strategies! Compared to her, you're a coward who is forced to rely on others for your own ineptitudes!"
"Do not compare me to that bitch like that!" Krarken snarled, lashing out with his tentacles which made the keyblader dodge to the side to avoid getting crushed by the massive weight. Alina switched tactics, using Light based magic to stun him long enough for Gamma to pelt him with energy bullets. Kraken roared, shooting out tons of ink which clouded the arena farther, blinding them and rendering them unable to see where he was, though they could hear him scurrying around in the darkness.
"This is bad, I can't tell where-" Gamma was about to say, but suddenly he was interrupted by a massive tentacle sweeping in from above and slamming into the fish body, sending it to the ground and being crushed under the weight. The tentacle retracted to reveal the crushed body of the fish, unmoving and with broken fins and propellors.
"GAMMA!" Ren screamed in shock.
"I am fine", replied the broken fish with static in his voice, getting his final words out before the water caused him to short out. "Do not forget this is not my real body. Just focus on the-!" A loud pop and the disappearance of his LED eyes indicated he was no longer active, the water causing his circuits to expire. Ren snarled at the fact that, despite the fact Gamma was in an alternative body and was still back at the ship, Kraken still had attempted to kill his friend. Robot or not, Ren had grown to care about his artificial companion, and just seeing him be assaulted like that had struck a nerve. The dark aura surrounded Ren as he glared at the Fiend of Water, tightening his hand on his keyblade before charging at the creature, managing to hit him a few times before retreating to avoid a tentacle from slamming into him.
"NOXAGA!" Ren shouted, pelting the fiend with darkness. Despite not affecting him as much as light would, the pure power of Ren's darkness was enough to hurt him, causing the fiend to snarl and lash out at the Twilight Warrior, his tentacles all aiming for the dark aura who dodged and weaved around his assaults. Ren twirled as he ascended upwards and pointed his keyblade again, aiming directly at his head. "THUNDAGA!" The blast of lightning flew out and slammed into the squid, who at first chuckled as he was unaffected at his attack before suddenly his eyes went wide. The Null Thunder barrier had begun to fade, and suddenly pain shot through his entire body as he let out a cry, his tentacles flailing around and slamming into everything and anything he could lash out at.
"LUXAGA!" Alina screamed out, the light bursting forward from the staff and slamming into the fiend, causing the pain to double from the assault of both lightning and light. Kraken fell forward, groaning in agony as the two attacks stop. Ren held out the crystal and shouted "Drainaga!", a sea of darkness coming out and beginning to absorb the fiend, who only snarled and grumbled from the pain as he was absorbed into the prison, it shining with a blue light before taking on the blue coloration. Ren sighed, his aura vanishing as he swam down and grabbed Gamma's submarine, unmoving and now inactive.
"He will be ok", Alina reassured him, putting a hand on his shoulder. "After all, his real body is back at the ship. Come on, let's just report to King Triton and get back to the ship."
"Right", Ren replied darkly, still not pleased with what had happened, but knowing that he was ok still helped.
XxXxXxX
"I do apologize for the loss of your companions fish body." King Triton said to them, looking down at the mechanical fish that was held within the arms of Alina. He gave a smirk, however, which made Ren tighten his fist because he just knew what was coming next. "Works out in our favor though, doesn't it? You defeated the Fiend of Water, and without the fish body your companion cannot come back here, which means you are unlikely to return yourselves."
"We just defeated an outside invader for you", Ren growled at him, glaring. "You could at least be a little more grateful for that!"
"Please", King Triton laughed, glaring back at him. "As I told you before, outsiders are banned from Atlantica. The other boy is already gone after doing what he needed to do, and while I do appreciate him defeating the evil sea witch, his very presence still caused us more harm then it did good. Your presence will do the same if you remain, and thus I ask you to leave as soon as possible."
"Let's just go, Ren", Alina whispered to him, but the Twilight Warrior was not having it, his fists shaking as they were clenched, anger filling him slowly.
"We did your damn city a favor by getting rid of the Fiend of Water! Would you have rather left him to continue tormenting your people!? It's not like you and your useless people could do anything about him, so the very least you can do is say thank you to us!"
"You're out of line!" King Triton roared, holding up his golden trident. "With this weapon, I told more power then you could even imagine, boy! Had I not been busy with the sea witch, I would've disposed of that beast myself! You do best to remember your place, outsider, and return there for the rest of time! Go, or I shall make sure you understand your place in this world!"
Ren wasn't having it. Before Alina could react, Ren summoned his Keyblade and dashed forward, ignoring Alina's cries for him to stop and the yells of the guards, however Triton didn't even look worried. Before Ren could even process what was going on, Triton sent out a blast of light, sending him flying backwards and causing him to drop his weapon, which dismissed itself in a puff of purple smoke and light. Ren snarled, catching himself and summoning his keyblade back, but by then the guards had all surrounded them, pointing their spears at the group and glaring at him.
"Henceforth, you are banished from Atlantica", King Triton snarled. "Had you a good reason to return, I might have allowed it, but no longer. You, your pink haired companion, and that robot freak of yours, shall never swim in these waters again. Return to you ship and depart from this world for all eternity, land dweller. Do not make me force you out, cause if I unleash my true power, you will be leaving without your life."
Ren and Triton glared at one another for a moment, but the keyblade wielder knew better then to engage farther. Dismissing his weapon once again, he returned and shoved one of the guards out of the way with a shoulder check, swimming off into the open waters with Alina chasing after him. When they were a distance away, Alina sped up to get in front of Ren, glaring at him. "What the heck was that about? You just got us banished from this world, Ren! What if we had to come back here for some reason?"
"That's their problem now", Ren growled, glaring back at the golden palace. "If this world is swallowed by darkness, then so be it... though since Sora isn't banished from this place, I guess he can just handle it. It's no longer my issue."
"The keyblade wielder is meant to being order to the worlds!" Alina shot back, her hands on her hips. "If you are banished, you can't do that if this world is infected by an outside source that Sora cannot handle."
"Then so be it!" Ren yelled back, rounding on her in return. "If that dumbass king cannot see or appreciate what we did for him, then we have no place here! It's not going to be my fault if this world ceases to exist, though knowing Sora he already shut the keyhole. That should be enough, the heartless can torment them for all I care. It's not like I was actually going to hurt him, just threaten him… and maybe get a shot or two in."
Alina frowned at that, looking at him with a mixture of panic and concern. "Ren, when is the last time you used your light aura?"
Ren didn't reply to that, choosing instead of glare back at the palace one final time before turning and swimming off. "Come on... we need to find Lich and put an end to this once and for all. Gamma should already be tracking down his location, so the faster we get off this damn rock, the faster we can go find him. Besides, I don't need those damn fish to come after us."
Alina only sighed before following Ren back to where they entered the world, just below their ship so that Gamma could beam them back onto the vessel hovering just above the world. Ren knew that Lich would have the answers he wanted being Garlands strongest fiend, and with Kraken gone the only thing standing in his way between his goal was the Fiend of Earth. It was time to face the undead creature and get what he wanted, and no one was going to stop that from happening.
A/N: I know someone is going to say it, so might as well address it here.
"But Cykumma, Ren already learned he needed to keep his light close on Olympus! Why is he repeating his same mistake?", I hear you ask. Because Ren is 15, and darkness is a very corrupting force, even if Ren's heart can never truly fall or be consumed by darkness. Mentally, it has an effect on him, and mix in the fact that he's a teenager and has trouble listening to adults (what teenager doesn't?), then you got yourself a cocktail for him making a mistake about something he already learned. After all, he knows he needs to keep his light close, he can just use his darkness for the time being and just go back to the light once he defeats the fiends, right?
Speaking of the fiends, three down and one to go!