Chapter 13: Crystalli
Sakuzy raced to fight a small group of Beasts, whacking them with his Kingdom Key while Joyex jumped into the air to whip some Hawks.
"Whip it! Whip it good!" he cheered.
Becca hit a few of the beasts with her Keyblade. Some dodged as she lunged for the others. One of the Hawks dove towards Lucy with it's talons out! Lucy reacted by taking a swing at them with her sword! The blade managed to clip one of the Hawk's wings, causing it to spiral out of control and slam into a wall where it shattered into pieces!
"Wait, where are those weirdos?" Sakuzy asked.
"Huh…good point." Joyex said. In the confusion of fighting Yzma, they had completely lost track of the two in robes.
"You don't think they ran off, do you?" Becca asked.
"Doubting it!" Yozora responded as he leapt into the air. He managed to land on the back of a Hawk, causing it to shriek loudly. It took a few moments of Yozora screaming and flailing but, suddenly, he found himself... able to control and pilot its flight path. Like a glider. "WHOA- AHA- WHOOOAAAAAAA-!"
"I REALLY don't think so, either!" Joyex said, "GATHER!"
A small group of Crystalli flew into the air, vulnerable to Sakuzy's attack.
"Fire!" Becca called, casting fire on the gathered Crystalli.
"HOW! AM! I! EVEN! DOING! THIS!" Yozora shouted in disbelief, directing the Eagle, "NOT LIKE I AM COMPLAINING OF COURSE! I'M FLYIIIIIING!"
"I DON'T KNOW, BUT IT'S SUPER USEFUL!" Sakuzy shouted, throwing his Keyblade at another Beast.
"Agreed!" Becca said before hitting a Hawk.
"HEY!" Sakuzy shouted, jumping over to Becca, "BECCA!"
"Let's do this!" Becca called.
"Take this!" Sakuzy shouted, throwing his Keyblade in a Strike Raid. Instead of him, it flew into Becca's hand.
Becca smirked as she ignited her Keyblade with fire and Sakuzy's with ice. Sakuzy, meanwhile, jumped to the other side of the arena. Becca then began throwing each element at a target. And whenever she tossed a Keyblade, Sakuzy would catch it and throw it right back, catching the Crystalli in the middle of a continuous onslaught.
"LET'S GO!" Sakuzy shouted, tossing Becca's Keyblade back as he jumped over to her.
"Gotcha!" Becca called, jumping and tossing Sakuzy's Keyblade back.
The two floated above it all as their Keyblades began to glow. Meteors appeared around them, floating just above the Crystalli.
"SMASH 'EM!" Sakuzy shouted.
"Oh yeah!" Becca called as the two swung their Keyblades downward.
The meteors bombarded the Crystalli, quickly turning them into an in-house jewel mine. The two Keyblade wielders landed, Sakuzy panting as he held up his hand to Becca. With a hearty grin, she took it.*
Yozora did a double take, eyes widening. "...COOL." was all he could muster in response. And it was. It absolutely was.
Sakuzy stock—the Crystalli were all in shards on the ground, but no sign of the two in cloaks, "Right, those're all taken care of…but what about those other two?"
Becca looked around, also quite concerned about the two. She nodded as she gripped her Keyblade tighter.
"I think we have to cut our losses, they're probably long gone by now." Lucy panted.
"Something tells me…" Yozora slowly said, glancing around, "That's not QUITE the case."
As if on cue, Amber emerged from somewhere. She had her spear in hand, but didn't seem to be that ready to fight. All the same, they were quite wary.
"Well, well, look at the party we have here…" Amber said.
"Thought you ran off with Mean in Green." Joyex commented.
"You really wanna try this AGAIN?! I don't see your blue friend here to back you up this time!" Yozora said, entering a stance.
"Emmy was the one who wanted to run off. I wanted to check base first." Amber said before going right up to Sakuzy's face, orange eyes looking him over quite thoroughly.
"Uh…wh-what're you doing?" Sakuzy asked, taking a few steps back. She tried fighting them and, apparently, had some run-in with Yozora. That was enough to put him on edge.
"Saku?" Amber asked in genuine curiosity, even…relief in some way.
"Excuse me?" Sakuzy asked.
"I can't believe it! You really did make it!" Amber said, cheerily. She reached as if to hug him, but Sakuzy stepped back before she could finish, making her stumble a bit.
"Wh-what're you talking about?" Sakuzy asked, now feeling a bit scared. This girl was acting so eager to see him, but he couldn't recall any time he had seen her.
"Get away from him!" Joyex shouted, snapping his whip around her midsection and throwing her away. She tumbled through the air before hitting the opposite wall, knocking loose dust and small debris. Amber had a moment to catch a look at Joyex and her eyes bulged in anger.
"Look, I'm not gonna pretend I know half of what's going on here. Can we get back to stopping the crazy lady from killing our llama friend?" Yozora asked, "Or are we REALLY doing this right now?"
"Yeah, let's get back to that. PLEASE." Joyex said, ushering for them to leave.
Just then a vine grabbed on to Joyex and pulled him away. Amber walked out of the hole Joyex put her into. Her spear in hand was glowing and, clearly was how she was manipulating that vine. She regarded Joyex with a furious expression.
"You…"Amber snarled. She then swung him around before slamming him on his back. Joyex yelled as he hit the ground, "You filthy traitor! You did something to him, didn't you?!"
"Wait, hold on!" Sakuzy shouted, running over, "This all has to be a misunderstanding, right? I mean…I've never even met you before!"
"Oh yeah, I got that! I've heard that on loop!" Amber said before throwing Joyex at Yozora and Lucy. He hit the two and sent them skidding across the floor.
Joyex growled as he staggered up, "Sorry, Yoze. Guess we'll be doing this now…"
"Okay, so we're doing this." Yozora grunted with irritation as he pushed himself up, "I'm going to rip that rock off and beat you senseless with it."
He shot forward as soon as he was back on his feet, katana forming in a flash.
"I kind of figured we were going to." Becca said, summoning her Keyblade.
"Oh I'm sure you will, escapee! But I love this part! Seems like you're all in this with Saku and…" Amber said, going to a level beyond furious. She seemed almost…jovial in her fury as she began to laugh, "And our friend, the Nobody!"
Amber swung down, using her vine to propel her towards Sakuzy, smiling wildly…while singing.
Amber: That's right, I heard the story over and over again!
Gee, it's swell to finally meet your
Other friends!
She dodged Becca's attempted attack and then flicked Yozora's nose after dodging his katana.
That's right I heard the story,
Don't really like how it ends
Gee, it's swell to finally meet your other friends!
Sakuzy was quick to lunge at Amber, swinging his Keyblade at her. Amber dodged and used her vines to tie Sakuzy up and swung him upside down.
Amber: What did he say about me?
What did he say?
She then wrapped Yorzora in the vines and tossed him at Lucy.
What did you do without me?
What did you do?
She then caught Becca, who sent a couple blasts of fire at her only for Amber to use her spear to deflect them. She then slammed her spear into Becca, sending her hurtling into Sakuzy.
Did you play games without me?
What did you play?
She then flew at Joyex, a look of angry betrayal on her face. Joyex brought his whip chain back, but looked quite unnerved.
Did you think all this time
That I wouldn't find out about you?!
She then used her vines to grab the five and make them slam into each other before landing a few feet away. Amber jumped back and kept her spear at the ready as she prepared to resume the fight.
That's right I heard the story over and over again!
Gee, it's swell to finally meet your other friends…
Lucy grunted as Yozora slammed into her, sending the two of them to the floor. Lucy groaned as she staggered up and moved Yozora to the side.
"She's running circles around us." Becca said.
"Really?" Lucy asked, "I didn't notice."
"You fought her before, right Yoze?" Sakuzy asked as he regained his bearings, "Any tips?"
"Don't YOLO rush her, as I know NOW." Yozora said as he stood up, readying his katana again, "I was busy fighting her friend and the blue guy. What about you guys? She seems to know YOU."
"My mind's blank, dude." Joyex grunted as he staggered up and snapping his whip again.
"Like I said, I don't even know who she is." Sakuzy said.
Clearly, Amber heard that. She shook in anger before marching toward the group, the gem on her shoulder beginning to glow.
Who am I? WHO AM I?!
What are you even saying?!
I'm the loser of the game you didn't know you were playing!
She swung spear around with a wild smirk and plunged it into the ground.
Let's play another game,
This time I get to win!
Lives on the line!
Winner takes all!
Ready or not,
Let's begin!
Yozora saw a macuahuitl, a wooden club with obsidian blades along the side, lying next to them. He quickly picked it up and held it at the ready.
"Rush her!" Sakuzy said to Lucy as he ran forward.
Joyex, meanwhile, jumped up. His magnetic powers made him fly up, hitting the ceiling upside-down. Becca took out her Keyblade and rushed ahead as Amber prepared to fight again.
Oh, that's right,
I heard the story over and over again!
Gee, it's swell to finally beat your other friends!
Oh, that's right,
I heard the story, don't really like how it ends!
Gee, it's swell to finally beat your
Other…
Other…
Other friends…!
The group all went at Amber, making to hit her as a group…
"I told you not to YOLO rush her!" Yozora shouted.
"I know! That's what I'M for!" Joyex said, springing down from the ceiling and kicking Amber in the back.
Amber grunted in pain before turning to attack Joyex. She made to jump, but remained still. She looked down, seeing that her feet had been encased in ice and stuck to the floor. Amber turned to look at Becca, who smirked playfully.
"Set her up!" Sakuzy shouted.
"And knock her down!" Yozora said as he charged, walloping Amber with his newfound weapon.
Amber grunted as she flew back, but caught herself with her spear. She growled before sending vines at them again. Becca and Lucy charged forward, hacking and cutting through them.
"You can do better than that!" Becca shouted.
"Yeah, this isn't even a challenge!" Lucy laughed.
Amber growled as she chucked her spear at Lucy in response.
"HOLD IT!" Joyex shouted, snapping his whip around the spear and pulling it away.
"FASTER!" Sakuzy shouted, zipping over at Amber and knocking her right into the case of Yzma's vials.
"THUNDER!" Yozora shouted, sending a blast of lightning at their foe.
It missed Amber…but hit the case of potions instead. It began to quickly rock back and forth, back and forth, faster and faster…which suddenly changed the air of triumph that was running high a second ago.
"Oh no." Sakuzy said.
"Oops." Yozora squeaked, meekly.
"DUCK AND COVER!" Joyex shouted.
Becca grabbed Lucy pulling her out of the way Amber looked at the case and tried to dodge, but just a second too late…
BOOM!
The chemical reaction was so powerful that it took out a chunk of the palace. The five were propelled out of it and sent hurtling off to the side.
From a safe distance, Kuzco and Pacha were watching.
"That, uh…might be a problem." The llama emperor said.
POHPOHPOHPOHPOHPOH
Sakuzy groaned as he staggered up, covered in purple dust. He cleaned himself as he took stock.
"Ugh…so that's what it like being shot out of a cannon." he groaned.
"Ow, ow…everything hurts…" Becca groaned as she still held onto Lucy.
Lucy's eyes were wide open and her orange hair was frizzed up in an afro. After running her hands through her hair, she smoothed it down.
"Wow…what a bang…" she said as she slowly stood up, dust particles falling off her clothes.
"Okay, everyone seems fine." Joyex mumbled as he shook his head, "But Yoze? PLEASE don't make that a habit."
"Yeah, I don't need that kind of adrenaline rush again…" Lucy said.
"Why'd I just get a sense of doom from that sentence?" Becca muttered.
Not far away, Yozora sat up, still clearly dazed as he asked, "Mommy, can you tell me the story about the bunny?"
Becca helped Yozora up and began lightly slapping him awake.
Sakuzy looked around, trying to take stock.
Not far away was Yzma…apparently, this was where she had been knocked out. The aged advisor seemed quite dazed, herself. Apparently, the flight they put her into had He saw the vial next to her—the human potion. He walked over toward it.
"This is it. Should make Kuzco human again." He said.
"Well, let's take it back to him!" Becca said.
Sakuzy picked it up and felt quite pleased with himself…but then felt confused because of a strange, whirring sound that was getting louder and louder.
PING!
A large, crystal boomerang hit the vial right out of his hand.
"HEY!" Sakuzy shouted.
"YIKES!" Lucy gasped as she ducked out of the way of the projectile.
The boomerang carried the vial hurtling across the roof…and Emerald caught it, inspecting the pink fluid, "Huh. You'd think Grandma would LABEL thee a little clearer, wouldn't you?"
"And here I thought one of you came to your senses!" Yozora groaned in exasperation, "Alright, Limabean, hand it over!"
"Yeah, we'll just take that off your hands and be on our way!" Lucy chimed in.
"We already dealt with your partner, so choose your battles WISELY." Becca said.
"Who even ARE you?! Why are you doing this?!" Sakuzy shouted, readying his Keyblade.
"Emerald! Give me that vial! Now!" Yzma shouted as she came to.
"It's…it's alright, Kazoo. It's kinda complicated…" Emerald began slowly, taking an oddly soft, conversational tone with Sakuzy, "And I don't know how much time I have to explain it before Grandma over there keels over…maybe five minutes tops?"
"Then say it in thirty words or less." Yozora proposed, taking up a batting position with the macuahuitl.
Emerald paused at that, rubbing his chin in careful thought, "Look, real talk, I don't wanna fight…or sing, both are just WORK. So much needless extra work. So hey, could you all maybe just…come with me for fifteen minutes, chat with my boss, clear things up and nobody needs to get shattered?"
…
"Wanna see a magic trick?!" He proceeded to spin the vial around between his palms in a ball of air, a wide goofy grin on his face as he wiggled his fingers. "Eh? Eh?"
Sakuzy hesitated. Was he seriously considering this person's offer? He tried to hurt Yozora and his…travelling companions? Friends, maybe? But he didn't seem like a bad guy. Okay, yes a bad guy, but not a bad GUY. Maybe a chat was all that was needed…and could possibly answer more than a few—
"Emerald!" Yzma shouted, "Just give me back the vial! Without that, that brat Kuzco can't be emperor!"
"Y'know, it seems like the only person who really loses if he drinks this is YOU." Emerald observed, "Man, you really are on a time limit. Shame you're not functionally immortal like us Crystalli."
"WHAT?!" Yzma shouted.
Joyex was murmuring something that sounded like, "Pleasestoptalking. Pleasestoptalking. IamBEGGINGYOU,stoptalking…"
"Oh no, oh no, ohnonononono…" Yozora shook his head, adding two and two together.
"Oh, y'see, these rocks we've got stuck in us?" explained Emerald, lifting his hand up, "Yeah, they kinda stopped our aging process. Rejuvenated the old guy a bit, even. Gives us superpowers and regenerative abilities. But on the flip side, it's kind of a drag, y'know? Numbness of the fingers is often a thing."
Sakuzy only asked one question…
"What are you?"
"I dunno sometimes. Am I a man, or am I a mineral?" Emerald mused, rubbing his chin, "But, generally speaking? I'm a Crystalli, Kazoo!"
"I…I…" Sakuzy said, freaking out. He then yelled, grabbing at his head.
POHPOHPOHPOHPOHPOH
"And this is where we'll be crashing." Said Joyex as he led Sakuzy to a dorm room. He opened it to show two familiar figures…who looked like Amber and Emerald, only some details wrong. Emerald's eyes were dark blue while Amber's were black, "And these are your dormmates!"
"Uh...hey." Sakuzy said, awkwardly. 'Amber' immediately ran over and looked over, a little TOO close for Sakuzy's comfort.
"Ooh! You look interesting!" 'Amber' beamed, "Doesn't he look interesting?"
"Yeah, I guess." 'Emerald' greeted lazily, hanging, upside down, from his bunk bed. "S'up? You're the new guy, right?"
"I…yeah, I guess so?" Sakuzy said, sheepishly, "I'm Sakuzy and—"
"He's the best newbie we coulda gotten—the descendant of the Wakened Warrior!" Joyex said, slapping Sakuzy on the back.
"I BARELY got in this place…" Sakuzy said, face burning.
"Really? That's AMAZING!" 'Amber' said, "Like to see the jerks in A-Class' face on THAT one! Nay-nay! The Wakened Warrior's kid…grandkid? Great grandkid? Don't care! He's with us and they suck!"
"Wakened who now?" 'Emerald' asked obliviously, tilting his head, inspecting Sakuzy, "You look like a 'Kazoo' to me. Y'cool with Kazoo?"
"I think Saku sounds better." 'Amber' said.
"Uh, which one are we going with?" Sakuzy asked.
"Doesn't matter, Koozie." Joyex said. Sakuzy sighed in annoyance. This was his life now, wasn't it?
"And…who're you guys?" Sakuzy asked, looking over the two. The two looked ready to give their answers.
POHPOHPOHPOHPOHPOH
Sakuzy yelled as he chucked his Keyblade at Emerald, "WHAT'S GOING ON?!"
The Key hit the stones with a resounding clang. He panted, teeth clenched. These memories...these people...they were so vivid, but all of it was unfamiliar to him.
"Man…talk about 'blank' with a capital 'b'," Emerald winced, still clutching onto the vial. He kicked Sakuzy's Keyblade back to him, "Careful where you throw that, Kazoo! You never could quite get Strike Raid down!"
"Ugh…anyone get the license number of that…?" asked a voice. The rubble slowly shifted away as Amber struggled out, looking dazed.
Lucy placed her hand on Sakuzy's shoulder and whispered quickly, "You ever heard the saying 'choose your battles wisely'? We're in that right now, even I know when to back out…"
"Lucy's right, Kooz. I say we live to fight another day." Joyex said, readying his whip, "Look, Green Jeans, we don't want any trouble. Just give us the vial and—"
Suddenly, there was a loud, screeching noise. Then, as if it had always been there, a figure in a hooded blue robe appeared. Sakuzy wasn't sure why. He just felt his blood run cold at the mere sight of him. He slowly looked over and saw the group. Focusing in on at first Yozora, whom he pointed to with a fan.
"Well, if it isn't the runaway? You haven't gotten much stronger…" he said with a low, Yorkshire accent.
Yozora's eyes narrowed before he flashed him a cocky grin and gestured to Emerald, "Take a second look; I'm clearly strong enough, Gramps! Your Go-Rock Squad failed to hold me!"
The figure then looked over the group, glancing at Becca and Lucy before focusing in on Sakuzy and Joyex, "And you. You thought you could evade us, could you?"
"Sorry, but I don't know you, Mr. Blue Skies." Joyex said, "As far as I'm concerned, you're just a stalker."
"Always the clown, aren't you? But this isn't the circus anymore." The man in blue said, "Emerald. Amber. We have matters to attend to."
"B-BUH-BOSS-WHIZ-!" Emerald yelled in shock, accidentally throwing the vial in the air.
"NO!" Yozora hastily drew his katana and threw it into the air. In a flash of pale blue, he zipped forward to catch his blade, diving to try and grab the vial. "Nonononononono…"
Becca immediately ran after Yozora, reaching out to try and snag the vial. Their arms flailed, reaching out to try and snag it…
With a screeching noise, the man in blue suddenly shifted positions and caught the vial.
"Is this important?" he asked.
"Who…are you one of them, too? One of the Crystalli?" Sakuzy asked.
The man in blue looked at Sakuzy, tilting his head as if asking 'are you serious?'. He then nodded, "I am Sapphire. Lead Commander of the Crystalli Generals."
"We need that!" Becca shouted.
Yozora landed back on his feet with a short roll, gritting his teeth, "Careful when approaching him! He's their leader!"
"Give me the vial! I am empress!" Yzma commanded as she marched over.
Sapphire only looked at Yzma before asking, "Who is this crone?"
Long silence. Yzma just looked dumbstruck by this newcomer's bluntness.
"Wow. Just got straight to that." Joyex commented.
"End-of-life crisis of identity." Emerald stage-whispered.
"Hmm…" Sapphire said.
"Just give it to me!" Yzma shouted, "Give it to—"
Sapphire didn't look at her. He just hurled a clear crystal at Yzma, which bowled her over and embedded itself in the area where the neck met chest.
"If you think you're so strong, you won't mind a little test." Sapphire said. He turned to his two apparent subordinates, "We're leaving."
"Coming!" Amber said, running over while shooting Joyex a glare.
"Uh, y-y…yes sir!" Emerald squeaked, saluting.
Yozora's eyes widened... before he furiously rushed Sapphire, swinging his katana and macuahuitl in an X-shape, "WHAT DID YOU JUST DO?!"
Sapphire struck out with his rod, blocking Yozora's strike. Almost playfully, he tossed the vial away and said, "Get stronger. Please."
The vial landed near the ledge, miraculously not breaking immediately. With another screeching noise, Sapphire vanished with Emerald and Amber.
"Guys, we've gotta get outta here. NOW." Joyex said, looking…scared.
"We can't! We still need that vial!" Becca said.
"That rock…is that…?" Yozora asked cautiously, his gaze flickering to Yzma. His frustration was clear, however, with how he shook ANGRILY, "What happens to her now…?"
"I…I don't…" Sakuzy said, grabbing at his head, still freaking out. The flashback and the bit with Sapphire left him disoriented and very, very scared.
At that point, Yzma began to slowly rise up. Yozora took a step back as Lucy gripped her sword, looking wary.
"Well, that was quite the experience." Yzma said. The crystal that hit her now had four spikes that dug into her flesh as her eyes turned a deep purple. Her wrinkles receded a bit as her hair grew longer, "But gives me a new…outlook on things, to be certain! Like how this palace could use some serious renovations! Maybe a pool, slide, and THIS!"
She stomped her foot as deep purple crystal burst from the palace as the ground began to rumble. Including one outcropping that pushed the human vial farther out of reach.
Sakuzy shook his head as the Keyblade reappeared in his hand. Whatever confusion he had could wait. They had an enemy to fight…
"Yzma, stop this right now!" Sakuzy shouted.
"Yzma? I'm not Yzma." Said the mad empress as she began cackling, maniacally, "I am the new, improved, Empress Sugilite!"
Yozora turned and dove for the vial. A massive lump of deep purple crystal erupted in front of him to block his path. With a desperate, resolved yell, he swung his macuahuitl at it, trying to shatter the stone.
Suddenly, more deep purple crystals burst up and pushed away the vial as Sugilite pushed herself higher and higher.
"I am now the empress of this world and not that spoiled brat!"
"Guys! I'll get the vial!" Yozora called as he threw his katana over the crystals. In a flash of bright blue, he disappeared, an arc of light zipping forward before reappearing just behind the blade. He grabbed onto it and hit the ground running, chasing after the small vial.
Becca slashed at the crystal and began to lock on to multiple targets before sending a fire spell at them. And then the entire ground began to rumble, throwing Becca's aim off…as a tune began to ring through the air.
"Anyone else hear the sound of an oncoming mambo?" Joyex asked.
"How is that a THING you can do?" Sakuzy asked.
Sugilite: When a woman acquires a certain age…
And the men that adore you no longer swoon…
It pays to avoid the sunlit days
And live by the light of the kindly moon.
But the moon grows old, just like us all.
And her beautiful years are done.
Now, she prays through endless days…
To take. Her revenge. On the sun!
With a CRACK, the palace pulled itself free, the golden head attached to a body of solid, violet crystals. At the very head was Sugilite, still singing. Accompanying it was a series of drums as the five were shaken off its shoulders. Joyex yelled as he caught onto the side with his whip while Sakuzy barely caught a ledge.
"GAAHHHHHH!" Yozora free-fell through the air, arms flailing out desperately to grab onto something. In a flash, his katana reappeared, which he threw to stab into the crystals that formed.
Becca moved out of the way of oncoming crystal, but got shaken around by the sudden shaking.
"AHH!" Lucy shrieked as she hugged the top of a crystal that lifted her into the air. Becca rolled over and grabbed onto Lucy, the two rolling away.
As Sakuzy and Joyex hoisted themselves up, not far from each other, gemstone constructs burst out of the massive crystal palace monster. As Sugilite continued her song, they began to dance in sync with it.
When I was a girl at my daddy's side,
Papa, the royal mortician
Revealed to me in secret signs
The mark of a magician!
The Crystalli Dancers moved towards each of the heroes as they regained their bearings.
And Daddy was no dummy
Did outrageous things with a mummy!
And often the stiffs that he would thrive
Would look better dead than they did alive!
"Okay, Koozie, first—" Joyex's attempted strategy was cut off as the Dancers suddenly charged. The Nobody was knocked off-balance. He regained his bearings, but a few Dancers had him cornered.
Sakuzy just looked around, seeing that he was very much out-numbered. He held up his Keyblade, nervously, "Oh jeez…"
I studied well, I learnt the trade
I thought that my looks would never fade.
If I could find that recipe
To give eternal youth to me
It was always my ambition
To use Papa's tuition
And gain some small remission
From the vagaries of time!
Becca took a deep breath as she slashed and struck, knocking a few Dancers back. Lucy did her best to cling to the crystal she was hanging off of. She clenched her teeth as she began to slip inch by inch. Yozora was still dangling off of the side of the palace, trying to climb up as best he could with a grunt. Sakuzy yelled as he bolted for Yozora, only to get tackled by some of the Dancers. Joyex was constantly jumping, dodging and evading as the Dancers kept charging, only barely giving him enough time to land and breathe for a second.
Every little ray of sunshine
Robs me of my youth
Who to blame?
Who the one?
Who the curse?
You know the only one to blame
Would be my enemy the Sun!
Distantly, Kuzco and Pacha watched as the palace began marching away. They looked at each other and nodded.
Snuff out the light!
Claim your right
To a world of darkness!
Snuff out the light!
Neophytes
Of a world of darkness!
Becca kept trying to get at Lucy before running up a crystal and jumping between two, gaining momentum as she did. Lucy gasped as her grip gave out and she went falling towards the ground. Becca sped forward and caught Lucy in her arms as the two fell, Becca cushioning her.
Supai, baby turn on me
Every wrinkle soon be gone!
I could squeeze myself with glee
The promises you made to me!
Waiting right for Becca and Lucy was another group of Dancers, moving in sync with the mambo tune.
I've really stopped at nothing
Murder, treachery, and lying!
Whatever it takes to keep my looks,
You really can't blame a girl for trying!
Yozora then heard the Dancers approaching while he was almost literally hanging by a thread and no one else was around to come to his rescue.
Snuff out the light!
Claim your right
To a world of darkness!
Snuff out the light!
Neophytes
Of a world of darkness!
"Alright, let's try this again…THUNDER!"
Yozora let go of the edge and let himself free fall only to be vaulted into the air by a circle of lightning bolts that flared around him, a few stray bolts knocking back a couple of the Dancers, giving him room to land on the ledge. He grinned, brandishing his macuahuitl with both hands now, before going in to club anything that came close.
The Dancers kept dodging and evading, lunging forward to make any hit on Yozora they could…while perfectly in-sync with Sugilite's song.
Snuff out the light!
Claim your right!
To a world of darkness!
Sakuzy yelled as he suddenly got bowled over by a Dancer, his Keyblade sent skidding away. Not far away, Joyex got grabbed by his ankle before getting slammed into the ground, Dancers dog-piling the Nobody.
Snuff out the light!
Here tonight!
The Dancers evaded Becca's swings before one caught her from behind while the others began herding Lucy away, pushing her against the corner.
Apparitions of eternal darkness
Spiraling in circles through the night!
Creatures of beguiling blackness!
No more squinting in the light!
Sugilite cackled, madly, as the Crystalli Palace reached up for the sun. Violet light reflected off the stones, engulfing the world in an eerie, purple glow.
Bats and owls and coiled sea dragons!
Crocodiles and carrion beasts!
Swirling in the growing darkness,
Join us in the coming feast!
Spectre, wraith, and apparition
Spirit, demon, phantom, shade!
Salamander serpents, dog-faced devils!
Dance and watch the dying sunlight fade!
Becca glared as she was being herded back. She could knock them aside, but they still seemed quite powerful. Was it the song or…?
Yozora staggered back with a grunt as he was hit several times over, blinking the stars out of his eyes. just as one was about to swoop in for the kill, however, he managed to bat it away with the club; leg still buckling a bit as he tripped backwards.
"Getting real tired of this!" he growled.
Lucy stood up and wiped some dirt from her cheek, "You're not the only one. "
Then there was the sound of clacking hooves.
"Hey! Call THAT a theme song?" of all people, it was Kuzco. The llama was knocking his hooves together, "If I've got ANY power left here…c'mon…THEME SONG GUY!"
That's when another tune began playing.
"Wow, two mambos in a row." Joyex commented.
"Where is that…?" Sakuzy asked, but…oddly enough, found a newfound strength enter his limbs.
"Wow, did…" Becca said, suddenly feeling invigorated.
"And why do I suddenly feel the urge to dance?!" Lucy asked, feeling a rush of energy flow through her.
There are despots and dictators,
Political manipulators.
There are blue bloods with the intellect of fleas!
There are kings and petty tyrants
Who are so lacking in refinement
They'd be better suited swingin' from the trees!
Sakuzy nimbly evaded and struck at a Dancer, knocking it silly. He blinked in surprise, having moved entirely in-sync with the song.
"Uh...guys?" he asked.
"Whenever that starts playing, just follow the rhythm!" Joyex said, smacking at another Dancer.
He was born and raised to rule
No one has ever been this cool
In a thousand years of aristocracy!
An enigma and a mystery
In Mesoamerican history,
The quintessence of perfection that is he!
He's the sovereign lord of the nation!
He's the hippest dude in creation!
He's the hep cat in the emperor's new clothes!
Years of such selective breeding,
Generations have been leading
To this miracle of life that we all know!
WHAT'S HIS NAME?
Yozora swiftly swayed and dove around a volley of attacks, a rush of second wind coursing through him. "Thunder!"
KUZCOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
A vibrant flash lit his weapons, as bolts of lightning shot down, blowing away Dancers. Yozora laughed as he threw his katana forward, warping in a flash of blue light. He reappeared overhead and smashed straight down with the macuahuitl.
Lucy did a perfect spin as she swung her sword around, sending the Dancer's flying back. She picked up a flower that was on the ground and bit the stem, quickly raising an eyebrow at one of the Dancers who approached her. The Dancer swung at Lucy, who dodged every swing like a graceful bird.
Becca danced, doing a spin while swinging her Keyblade. She tossed her weapon and it bounced between a series of Dancers with a series of pings.
That's his name!
Kuzcooooooooo!
"STUN IMPACT!" Sakuzy shouted, creating a barrier to punctuate that.
He's the king of the world!
Kuzcooooooooo!
Is he hip or what?!
Kuzcooooooooo!
Yeah!
"HA! Knew I'd have ONE thing here!" Kuzco laughed as the others fought the dancers. He then clicked his hooves again, "Theme Song Guy!"
Out of…somewhere, a short man with a big red afro, a white jumpsuit, and dark glasses appeared, singing into a microphone. At least the song now had a clear SOURCE.
OH YEAH!
He's the sovereign lord of the nation!
He's the hippest cat in creation!
He's the Alpha, the Omega
A-to-Z!
"Freeze!" Becca called on the call of 'Z', freezing one of the Dancers solid.
"GATHER!" Joyex said as he flipped closer to Yozora, bringing Dancers into the air before thrashing them with his whip.
And his perfect world will spin
Around his every little whim!
'Cuz his perfect world begins and ends with-
"ME!" Kuzco proclaimed.
"YOU UNGRATEFUL WORM!" Sugilite shouted.
"WHAT'S HIS NAME?!"
The macuahuitl was suddenly over Sugilite's head until it settled over a nearby group of Dancers…and Yozora reappeared, diving straight down onto them, before pulling his club back and smashing it straight into the floor, creating a sizeable shock wave.
KUZCOOOOOO!
The Dancers all fell back. The vial was still on a nearby ledge, still far out of reach. Joyex jumped over and took stock. He then smirked at Yozora as he held up his whip, "You thinkin' what I'M thinkin'?"
"Something big, flashy and cinematic?" Yozora asked with a tilt of his head.
"Whatever it is, it better be good…" Lucy said as she wiped her forehead.
"Remember what we did in that canyon?" Joyex asked, "My whip with that pole of yours to nab that vial!"
With a flash, the fishing pole appeared once more, "I like the way you think!"
"We'll take Sugilite, then." Sakuzy said, "Becca? Lucy?"
Sakuzy then began tapping his feet as he then sang. The three took off, climbing up to fight Sugilite.
Sakuzy: You could be the sovereign lord of the nation!
Or the hippest cat in creation!
Becca dodged smiling, hitting Sugilite after Sakuzy.
Becca: But if your ain't got friends then nothing's worth the fuss!
Lucy quickly ducked and gave Sugilite a smirk.
Lucy: A perfect world will come to be,
When everybody here can see...
Yozora swiftly tied the line of his hook around Joyex's chain. "You remember the Perfect Cast?"
Sakuzy jumped up to hit Sugilite, making her recoil.
Sakuzy: That a perfect world begins and ends…
Sakuzy landed, giving an opening to Becca and Lucy.
"Think I got the gist of it." Joyex said, Dancers starting to converge on them. He then began mimicking Yozora's motions from earlier, quickly murmuring, "Ten o'clock, two o'clock, quarter to three, tour jeté, twist, pas de deux, I'm a little teapot, then the windup... and let 'er fly!"
The line flew out at that point, zooming in on the vial.
Becca hit Sugilite with a Strike Raid.
Becca: That a perfect world begins and ends…
Lucy: A perfect world begins and ends with US!
Lucy got her sword ready and smacked Sugilite hard with the blade. On the final note, the sword broke the large, purple crystal in Sugilite. The mad empress yelled as the massive palace slowed down before sinking to its knees.
The line snagged the vial and brought it back. Joyex snatched it out of the air...moments before all the Crystalli Dancers stopped in place and hunched over, looking as if they suddenly lost all energy.
"Huh…whadda ya know?" Sakuzy asked.
"Guess 'cuz their boss is out, they just die down." Joyex grinned, pushing one Dancer. It fell over, lifeless.
"What about…?" Becca said looking at Sugilite.
Where Sugilite once was…there was nothing.
"Where'd she-?" Sakuzy asked.
YOINK!
Someone swiped the vial from Joyex while he was distracted.
"HEY!" the Nobody shouted as…clearly Yzma once more ran off.
"AH-HAHAHAHA!" she cackled before casually saying, "I win."
At that moment, a round panel swung open, showing Kronk. The panel slammed into Yzma, sending the potion back to the heroes. With a triumphant yell, Becca caught it.
"What are the odds that trapdoor would lead me out here?" Kronk said, smiling.
"HAHA!" Yozora cheered, punching the air, "TAKE THAT, Scary Godmother!"
"Ooh…that's gotta hurt." Lucy winced, shaking her head.
"I dunno, she seems made of strong stuff. Despite Greenie's taunts, she might out-live us all." Sakuzy commented.
Kuzco laughed in joy as he clapped, "That was awesome!"
"Anyway…I think that's yours." Pacha said as he ran up, pointing at the vial in Becca's hand.
Becca smiled as she uncorked it and gave it to Kuzco. The llama gave a warm smile before drinking it. With a burst of purple light, the llama turned into a young man with long, black hair and a red robe. He looked himself over in amazement.
"Huh, so this is how you really look." Becca said.
"You look different without all the fur." Lucy said.
"So, how do you feel?" Sakuzy asked.
Kuzco's response was to suddenly spin around and start moon walking. He then kicked out a foot, stomped it down, and then struck a dramatic pose, "HA! Boom, baby! I'm back!"
Becca giggled a little.
"Well, glad to see that." Pacha said, "So, about…you know…your summer home?"
"Yeah, you lied to me." Kuzco said.
"What?" Pacha asked, confused.
"You told me when the sun hits the hills JUST right, the hills sing. Well, you dragged me all over those hills and I did NOT hear any singing." Kuzco said. Pacha then smiled and chuckled. He knew what this was, "So, I think I'll build my pool on a more MAGICAL hill. THANK YOU."
Sakuzy chuckled…but the moment he did so, his Keyblade appeared in his hand. The sun slowly rose, bringing the bright yellow light to make the skies blue again. Sakuzy covered his eyes and pointed his Key at the sun. A beam of light flew from it and hit the ball of light. The beams then fell to the earth as a large Keyhole formed. With a faint, clicking sound, it locked.
"Okay, what was with the light show?" Kuzco asked.
"That…uh, was the Keyhole." Sakuzy said, "Problem solved there, so…"
"By the way, you guys helped me out back there. So…" Kuzco said.
POHPOHPOHPOHPOHPOH
"Take your pick." Kuzco said, having shown them to the treasury. A broad grin formed on Joyex's face as he suddenly dove into the room full of glittering gold and other such treasures.
"He does know swimming through gold is PROBABLY NOT a good idea, right?!" Yozora asked, eyes wide, looking away with a wince.
Becca just took some of the gold. It might come in handy to have SOME money on the road…especially since their previous funds were nothing. Sakuzy looked around the treasury as Joyex…inexplicably just swam through the treasure like water. He picked up a golden llama with a small hook on the top of its head. Out of curiosity, he applied it to his own Keyblade.
In a flash of light, his Kingdom Key transformed! It was now a golden blade with teeth the shape of a llama's head, the base now shaped like Kuzco's crown, and the hand-guard was now gold and studded with jewels.
"WHOA!" he yelped in surprise. After tilting his head, he said, "New Groove...I think that's what this is."
Yozora just watched before simply saying, "Okay."
Lucy picked up a few small boxes that contained potions and a bracelet with an Incan crown on it. She slipped it on and felt a surge of energy go through her.
"We should be moving on soon." Becca said.
"Hey, Luce!" Kuzco called as Joyex breached the mass of gold.
"HOW?" was the only thing Sakuzy could ask.
"No clue. Just roll with it." Yozora simply said.
"Yes, your majesty?' Lucy asked.
"You stuck around with me when the others walked out." Kuzco said, holding out his hand, "Thanks."
Lucy smiled warmly and firmly shook the Emperor's hand, "My pleasure, you-r highness."
The moment she did this, her pan pipe charm glowed with a faint bit of scarlet.
"Time to get going…and this one's coming with us." Becca said, pointing to Yozora.
"'This one' has a name, y'know," Yozora remarked with bemusement, folding his arms.
"Yeah, we said we'd take you back. So...yeah." Sakuzy said, nodding at Yozora.
"Sure you guys don't wanna stick around? Still need a place to put my pool." Kuzco said.
"Yeah. We're just passing through." Joyex said.
Yozora then said to Kuzco, casually,"Well…I did notice an empty hill next to Pacha's house….just for your consideration."
Yozora turned to make his leave, flashing a V-sign…without a single piece of treasure.
"Well, looks like our job's done here. What do you say we hit the road?" Lucy asked, putting her hands on her hips.
"Yeah, let's get going, guys." Joyex said, dragging Sakuzy away.
"Guess we are, yeah." Sakuzy said.
"Think he was onto somethin' there." Kuzco said.
The moment they were out of sight, they were taken back into the Gummi Ship.
POHPOHPOHPOHPOHPOH
Hitchhiker Entries:
Amber
One of the Crystalli Generals. Clearly one of the…quirkier members of their ranks. Enjoys making odd observations, treating her Beasts like her pets, and seems to know Sakuzy and Joyex. The latter, she has great resentment towards for some reason. She has wood-based magic and uses a spear.
Emerald
One of the Crystalli Generals. Generally lazy and more interested in self-preservation, but well-mannered and considerate of others (some limitations apply). He prefers talking things out rather than fighting, though. He has wind-based magic and uses a bladed boomerang.
Sugilite
Yzma's Crystalli form. In this form, she regained some of her youth and could summon and control Crystalli Dancers with her music-based magic.
Crystalli Dancer
Sugilite's drones. Tend to run in rhythm and in coordinated teams. Only way to beat them? The power of song and dance, of course!
Theme Song Guy
The man who Kuzco can summon with a snap of the fingers…or click of the hooves as the case may be. Comes to aid with the power of Tom Jones. He sang his way into the hearts of millions in The Emperor's New Groove (2000).
*Sakuzy and Becca perform "Star Bombardment"