Destiny Islands – Play Island

"Did you see that meteor shower last night?" a young boy asked his best friend. "There was so much falling from the sky!"

"It was pretty, you have to admit" the boy's best friend answered. "I'm just glad none of those stars fell all the way here"

The boy looked at his friend with curiosity. "Why is that?"

His best friend sighed. "Because if one of those stars fell down here, people could get seriously hurt, or worse..."

The boy began to panic.

"What's with you, Sora?" his best friend asked. "You've been awfully jumpy today. Did something happen?"

"No!" Young Sora immediately answered. "Nothing happened! A girl didn't just woke up at the shore or something, no sir!"

His best friend could only raise an eyebrow at his suspiciously-specific answer. "Whatever"

"Anyway!" Sora said, desperate to change topics. "You hear about the mayor's new daughter?"

"I think so" the best friend answered. "He adopted her this morning, right?"

"Yeah!" Sora's eyes shone bright. "You think she'll play with us here on this island?"

"Who can say?" the best friend shrugged. "We gotta go ask her first."

"Good idea!" Sora said, putting his hands behind his head. "Man, you're so reliable, Riku"

Riku laughed. "I know. I know"

Monstro – Mouth

"-ep-Nep" a voice called out. "Nep-Nep. Wakey-wakey, Nep-Nep!"

Neptune groaned in her sleep. "Just three more minutes..."

"If you don't wake up, I'll throw away your morning pudding!"

The girl snored. "...Pudding..."

"Or worse yet, I'll put eggplant in it!"

Neptune immediately snapped awake at the threat. "NOT MY PUDDING!"

The girl in the parka looked to her right to see Compa, bright and cheery as ever. "Good morning, Nep-Nep!"

"Mornin', Compa" Neptune yawned as she got up. "What kind of world did we end in this time?"

"Uhhhhh" the nurse stammered. "About that..."

Neptune looked around, noticing the numerous amounts of crates and barrels littered across the area. "Wow! Look at all these boxes! We must be in some sort of storage world, right!?"

"Actually, that's..."

"Wait, wait! Don't tell me!" Neptune interrupted. "We're in a secret level with all the goodies out there! We couldn't find one in the last world, so our luck reigned supreme this time, right!?"

"No, that's..."

They were interrupted from their conversation when a small box fell on Neptune's head.

"Ow" Neptune winced slightly. "Who's throwing boxes at the Nep!?"

"Not us!" Donald answered as he took cover with Goofy, who raised his shield as an improvised umbrella.

"What's up with you guys?" Neptune asked the rest of the party. "Why are you taking cover there?"

"Cuz we're expectin' showers!" Goofy answered as another gummi box fell on top of his covered head. "Heavy showers!"

"Hey!" IF called out to a figure well above them. "Stop throwing stuff away! Not all stuff is junk, you know!?"

But the figure didn't even hear them, judging by the continuous dropping of gummi boxes near the party's peripheral...

"I...don't get it" Sora wondered as he got up with a single hop from his very short coma. "Why would a whale be swimming all the way out here?"

"A what now?" Neptune replied, looking at the boy with the key with comical circles. "Compa, is he cereal?"

"Yessy!" Compa nodded. "While you were napping, we ended up getting eaten by Mr. Space Whale! We're in his mouth right now!"

She pointed to the area behind them, showing large teeth and gums that clearly stood out admist the wooden objects littered across the general area.

"See?"

"Ahhhhhhh, a whale!" Neptune nodded in understanding. "Gotcha! Hahahaha!"

Only for her to snap. "Wait! This is no laughing matter! Why did we get eaten up by a space whale!? Is there a secret space whale domination plot ongoing right now!? We gotta warn Arty and the others!"

IF sighed. "And here I thought she'd snap back into reality..."

But Neptune continued to rant. "Nobody said this game would contain vore! I want out!"

"What's a 'vore'?" Sora wondered as he sweatdropped.

The nurse simply giggled, patting the oblivious, innocent boy at the head. "We'll tell you when you get older, Sora..."

Another gummi box then fell on Neptune. "Hey, watch it, you! Can't you see we're facing a whale crisis here!?"

"Whale crisis!?"

Everyone looked up to the source of the voice, a small boy who had a large orange block in his hands...

"Owwwww..."

...that he dropped in a panic due to Neptune's yelling, hitting his feet in the process...

Compa gasped at the sound of danger. "Are you okay up there!?"

"My toes..." the boy cried. "They hurt..."

The rest of the party then glared at Neptune, who started to sweat nervously.

"Uh..." the girl with the key panicked. "My bad..."

"Hang in there!" the nurse looked around for a way to get to the boy. "Nurse Compa'll come to treat your ouchies...As soon as I know how to get to you..."

"Still, that boy up there looked kinda familiar..." Goofy said, putting a finger on his lowered head.

"Hey, isn't that Pinocchio?" Sora answered.

Looking closely, the figure was a boy wearing a simple outfit and a yellow hat. Strangely, his skin appears wooden rather than fleshy.

"That's right! It's Pinocchio!" Donald nodded.

"You mean that puppet boy we saw back in Traverse Town?" IF wondered as her eyes began to furrow. "Wait a minute! How did he get all the way here!?"

"He must've stowed away with us the last time we were in town!"

A cricket emerged from Sora's hood, one wearing a suit and top hat to be precise.

"Oh, hey Jiminy!" Sora greeted.

"Took you seven chapters to finally show up in this fic, huh?" Neptune said with a smile, turning to the camera to speak. "Oh, for those not in the know, this is our walking journal writer, Jiminy Cricket! If you wanna look back on what happened or look into what we just fought, he's the conscience for you!"

"Well, to be fair, we kinda glossed over a lot of scenes that mostly remained unchanged in this story..." Jiminy then looked up to see his charge reeling in pain. "Pinocch, you doing okay?"

"Jiminy..." the puppet boy moaned in pain. "My feet hurt..."

"Hang in there!" the cricket shouted. "We're gonna get you down there and get you treated!"

Meanwhile...

Near the passage to the whale's innards, an old man is busy inspecting his belongings.

"Well, everything here's still in one piece..." he mused. "Still, I can't thank you enough for your help!"

"Of course! It's a ninja's job to assist those under their charge, after all!"

With the old man is a bright and cheery girl with orange hair, and a school uniform whose top doesn't seem to fit her torso (though she's still modestly covered).

"Don't be so humble, Marvy" the old man said. "You've helped this old man far more than you can imagine, living alone in this giant whale..."

The girl called Marvy shook her head, never losing her smile. "It's no trouble. At times like this, it's best we stick together to survive!"

"That is true..." the old man sighed. "I sure wish Pinocchio is doing okay..."

"Mr. Geppetto..." Marvy bounced with a big smile. "Well, cheer up! I'm sure he'll turn up here somehow! Why, he could even bring some friends with him!"

"Papa!"

The two turned to the sound of the voice, who is being carried by a girl wearing a black undershirt swimming their way to dry land along with five others.

"Pinocchio, my boy!" Geppetto cried happily at the sight of his son. "Where have you been!?"

"I came back with help!" Pinocchio answered. "Mind helping us up?"

Seeing the company, Marvy approached the edge of the boat. "Don't worry! I'll help you all up!"

After helping them up, the two parties took time for some introductions.

"I see" Geppetto nodded. "Thank you for finding my boy and bringing him back to me. It means the world to me that he's back here."

"We just kinda bumped into him by chance, really" Sora rubbed his head.

"Naw, at times like this, you should say 'you're welcome!'" Neptune, now in her jersey to avoid getting her parka wet, said happily.

"I'm just glad we are out of the water now..." Compa, wrapped around in IF's jacket, shivered, still feeling her sweater wet with water. "Brrrrrr, being covered in whale saliva is NOT a delightful experience..."

"We're definitely going to need PLENTY of showers later..." IF complained as she wiped off the water from her hair with a provided towel. "Good thing I left my cells behind in the Gummi Ship..."

"Just take it easy for now" Donald, maintaining a fire-lit staff for the group to dry off, instructed.

"So, uh, what's your story here?" Goofy asked the other party.

"Well, you see, I went out of town to look for my boy who hasn't come back the other night." Geppetto narrated. "When I reached out to the shore where people said they last saw him, I rented out a boat to go find him and lo and behold! I saw the mighty Monstro surfacing out of the water and barreled himself towards me!"

"I joined up with him since he needed help to run this ship. When I saw the whale coming in, we tried to sail away" Marvy continued, still smiling. "And well, the whale swallowed us whole and that's why we're here!"

"That must've been rough for you two..." IF stated. "Being alone here with dwindling supplies inside a whale's mouth..."

"Thankfully, the ship is filled with rations" Marvy stated. "We've been well-fed here thanks to those!"

"Yes, but the food's going to run out soon" Geppetto shook his head. "Unless we can leave this blasted whale, we won't be able to get supplies."

"Where would you even get supplies from?" Compa dared to ask.

"From the town, obviously!" the old man answered. "I know this one place that..."

As the old man continued, the main party gathered among themselves in a circle.

"Okay, so that old man's likely showing his age right now..." Neptune whispered. "But I don't think his world's around here."

"You tell me" Sora responded. "He doesn't look like he's from Agrabah or any other world we've been to."

"I don't think he lives in any of the worlds ahead..." Donald thought aloud.

"Do ya guys think he might be a Drifter?" Goofy wondered.

Compa nodded. "That could be it..."

IF hummed. "That means his world's likely swallowed up, and this whale's all that's left of it, swimming through the Ocean Between..."

The nurse's eyes widened into comical circles in surprise. "Is that even possible!?"

The guild agent sighed. "At this point, anything could happen now. But he and that ninja girl are lucky."

"Sure beats becomin' a Heartless, that's for sure!" Goofy said.

"Should we break it to him?" Neptune wondered.

Before the party could ponder further...

"Pinocchio!" Geppetto shouted. "Where are you, my son?"

The party broke the circle and looked around. Sure enough, the puppet boy was nowhere to be seen!

"Oh, come the nep on!" the girl in the jersey complained. "He ran off again!?"

"Considering he just stowed away in our ship after he was told to stay put..." the guild agent shook her head. "I'd be more surprised if he DIDN'T walk off while we were talking"

"Boys do have a sense of wonder and curiosity, after all!" Goofy chuckled.

"But he could get hurt while he's out there!" Compa panicked.

"I'd rather not see some of his body parts stuck in whale stomach acid, that's for sure!" Neptune internally threw up at the thought.

"Then let's go look for him!" Jiminy urged the group from Sora's hood.

Sora nodded, rolling his right arm. "Right! Good thing we stocked up with the merchants before we left, huh?"

"Mind if I come with you all?" Marvy asked. "I've been walking around Monstro for a while now, so I may know the way around this place."

"I'm pretty sure he didn't wander THAT far off" IF shrugged, loudly contemplating. "But we'll never know what happens in here. Not to mention Geppetto might be attacked the moment we all leave here..."

"Oh, don't worry about that!" Marvy reassured. "For some reason, the monsters don't attack this part of the whale. Mr. Geppetto will be very safe while we travel inward!"

The guild agent hummed. "Still..."

"Iffy, just take the help. You heard her. The old man's gonna be fine!" Neptune urged the guild agent. "Besides, my Nep Senses are telling me this Marvy lady's gonna be all sorts of cool!"

IF sighed. "All right. Lead the way, Marvy"

The orange-haired girl smiled. "I won't let you down!"

Monstro – Chamber 4

Pinocchio wandered off into the whale's bowel, swearing he saw someone there.

"What are you doing here?"

Hearing someone, he hid to see a young man with silver hair talking to a woman with white hair and seems to be...floating?

"What? I can't check up on a fellow like yourself?" the woman asked as she shook her head. "It's a Goddess' duty to watch over those weaker than her"

"That only applies to people in your world, and last I recall, we lived in different worlds" the boy scoffed. "Besides, if I can take a princess while a genie is guarding her, then a puppet guarded by a Drifter won't be that difficult."

"Only because I threw a pebble at the back of his head!" the woman complained. "You got lucky that Genie was easy to distract!"

The young man huffed. "I don't need your help. Just go away."

The woman huffed in frustration. "Then humor me for a moment. What would you need a living puppet for? I don't recall Maleficent or Arfoire asking anything regarding that."

"They didn't" the young man answered offhandly. "It's a personal task"

The woman frowned. "Is this about that girl they found earlier? The one you and that Sora are looking for?"

The young man gritted his teeth, though the puppet boy couldn't see this from where he stood.

"Why would he care about her!?" the boy shouted. "He's got new friends now. He's replaced us!"

"That doesn't sound like it to me" the woman said, crossing her arms. "I don't think that's how friends work"

"What would you know about friends?" the young man scoffed again. "You never even had any"

The woman became flustered at that. "I-I so do! I met them a couple of worlds ago, in fact"

"Beating them up doesn't equate to friendship, you know?"

"That encounter doesn't count!"

And so, the two of them continued to bicker amongst themselves, all the while the puppet boy continued to watch.

"Maybe I should go tell Papa and Jiminy and Marvy about this..."

A loud roar suddenly shook the ground around them.

"What in the-" the young boy looked around.

"Is it acting up!?" the woman wondered, bringing out a large sword.

Pinocchio nearly yelped, but covered his mouth in the hopes no one heard him...

Not like he could see either, with his eyes closed by someone else...

"Come along, now..."

And soon, he vanished, brought away before either figure knew he was there...

Monstro – Chamber 5 – A Few Minutes Earlier...

"So..." Neptune looked around. "Where are we now?"

"Can someone tell?" Compa bemoaned. "Every place here is starting to look the same to me..."

"I'm pretty sure we didn't come to this room before" Goofy looked around, noting the numerous ledges leading up to his right and the ledges leading down to his left.

"Goofy's right!" Marvy exclaimed. "We're close to Monstro's bowel."

She then points to the only known passageway in the room. "Just walk straight here and we'll arrive there!"

Donald was busy catching his breath. "Did Pinocchio have to run this far in the whale?"

"C'mon, Donald!" Goofy cheered his friend up. "Didn't you use to play with the triplets like that before?"

"At least they didn't run too far off!" the royal wizard shouted.

"Triplets?" Neptune thought for a moment, then a lightbulb lit up her head. "Oooooooh! The little duckies managing their item shop!"

Goofy nodded. "The same ones!"

"We couldn't thank them enough for all the items we bought from them!" Compa cheered.

"At least they're easier to deal with than the moogles in most cases..." IF sighed as she approached the passageway. "Pinocchio's just ahead, right?"

Marvy nodded. "My nose has caught onto his scent, and the trail leads through here!"

"Well then, let's go go..."

The ninja's eyebrows suddenly furrowed, raising her hand to halt Neptune "Wait! I sense two more people in the room ahead!"

"Enemies?" Sora wondered.

"I wonder..." IF said, silently loosening her qatars.

"I'll sneak in and confirm the presences" Marvy put a finger on her mouth, telling the others to remain quiet. "Please stay here and keep it down until I come back."

"Alright, you do that" the guild agent nodded. "We'll wait here and rest a bit"

As soon as she got confirmation, she seemingly vanished in a puff of smoke.

"Huh" Goofy started. "I didn't know she could do that..."

"Woah!" Neptune cooed with starry eyes. "She's a bona-fide ninja! So cool!"

"We already know a ninja, Neptune..." Donald pointed out.

"Never underestimate a ninja's speed, huh?" Compa commented.

"At least that explains how she managed to get the lay of the...body around these parts" IF mused.

"Guess we'll just rest up while we wait, huh?" Sora said, putting his hands on his back.

Neptune stretched her arms. "A good time for a nap! Oh, speaking of naps, Sora!"

The boy raised an eyebrow as he turned to his fellow Keyblade wielder. "What's up?"

"Say, have you had any...weird dreams lately?"

Sora grunted in surprise. "Weird dreams? How weird are we talking?"

"Well..." Neptune strained her eyes while they were closed. "I had one while I was snoozing earlier. The weird part about it, I was dreaming about you and Riku when you were smaller."

"Me and Riku?" Sora crossed his arms as he continued to speak. "What were we doing there?"

"Nothing much" Neptune shrugged. "Just talking about a meteor shower and the mayor's adopted daughter."

"Meteor shower?" Sora's eyes then widened in remembrance. "Oh yeah! That's the night I first saw Kairi!"

"Kairi?" Neptune's eyes started to widen too. "Oh! She's the mayor's daughter you two were talking about!"

The boy nodded. "It was the weirdest thing. I saw them flying out of the sky one night, so I ran out to the shore to get as close a look as I can. While I was, I heard something nearby, so I took a look, and wouldn't you know it? Behind one of the boats, there was a girl with red hair who just woke up."

"I see." She then approached Sora with a grin. "Heh-he! So, you were already considering her before you even knew her, huh?"

"Huh!?" Sora's face flushed at the implications.

"Y'know the thing about first meetings during a special event like meteor showers, right?" Neptune's eyes sparkled. "A classic 'boy meets girl' scenario on a starry night! I can dig the classic romance vibes from this!"

Sora's face of redness continued to deepen. "H-Hey, come on. You didn't have to put it like that!"

"But what else could you call that situation, if not that!?" Neptune's cheered. "Anyway, this little Nep'll be rooting for you two! So go and get her, buck-o!"

Sora chuckled at the support, scratching his cheek. "Thanks, Neptune. Really"

"So, then" Neptune put her hands behind her back. "What about you? Had any weird dreams lately?"

"Well..." Sora scratched his head. "I did, actually. It could beat yours in weirdness."

"Try me!" Neptune dared the boy.

"Well, I can't remember much..." the boy started. "I remember being in a town. Actually, I feel like that place is fancier than a town..."

"Uh-huh" Neptune nodded.

"It was lively. The buildings were tall. People around were so happy, too!"

"Okay. Any...discerning features about this 'town'?"

"Well, it had a large tower in the middle of it." Sora raised his hand up to measure the tower he saw, raising it above his head. "Around this high from where I saw it. I think that's what stood out to me."

"Huh. Why does that sound familiar?" the girl murmured to herself. "Anyway, continue"

"And then, all of a sudden, the scenery changed."

"Plot twist ahoy!"

Sora nodded. "The buildings were being destroyed. The sky was red. The people were running about, panicking too. And Heartless were everywhere"

"Did you try to fight them off?"

"I tried" Sora looked into his right hand with sadness. "But for some reason, I couldn't use my Keyblade there. Next thing I knew, I was swarmed by them, but then, I saw some lights flying out."

"Lights?"

Sora nodded again, raising three of his fingers up from his waist to above his own head. "One of those lights actually came out from above that large tower. Then that one light split up into three as it flew off with the other lights that were far away from it."

"Huh..." Neptune began to pace back and forth, trying to make sense of Sora's dream. "So that was it?"

"Yeah, pretty much" Sora agreed. "What was all that about? I didn't even see you in that dream"

"Beats me" the girl shrugged. "Maybe we oughta ask someone who can interpret it, huh?"

"How about Merlin or the Fairy Godmother?" Sora suggested. "They might have an idea."

Neptune nodded. "Sounds good to me!"

Suddenly, the ground around them shook as a loud roar was heard!

"An earthquake?" Goofy panicked.

"But we're in a whale, so..." Compa wondered. "A whale-quake?"

"I'm more worried about that roar just now!" IF noted.

"Is the whale feeling hungry?" Donald wondered.

After a good three seconds, the shaking stopped.

"Oh boy..." Neptune sighed in relief. "That was a close one, huh?"

"Hey guys!"

The party turned to see Marvy carrying Pinocchio with her on the passageway.

"Pinocchio!" Jiminy called out. "Thanks heavens you're alright!"

"Hi Jiminy! Hi guys!" Pinocchio waved to everyone in greeting. "I just saw something incredible in there!"

"Why did you run off like that?" Donald interrupted.

"You could've gotten really hurt out there!" Compa scolded the boy.

"I-I'm sorry" the puppet boy apologized, bowing his head in shame. "But it got boring after a while, so I left for a walk..."

But then, his nose suddenly grew!

"Pinocch..." Jiminy called out. "What did we say about lying?"

"Oh, okay..." Pinocchio apologized. "I was getting nervous around you guys. I...had a bad time with some strange adults back then, so I didn't know what to do."

"Is that why you ran?" the guild agent asked.

"Hm-hm" the puppet boy nodded. "I got Papa really worried, and I still felt nervous, so I snuck off to see if there's a way out of this whale. I'm really sorry, guys..."

"Pinocchio..."

Marvy knelt down to the puppet boy. "If you want to play, you can just ask. Don't be afraid to approach people."

The puppet boy remained silent.

"Listen, I understand you are still weary of people after what happened at the circus..."

"What's she talking about?" Compa whispered to her guild friend. "Does it relate with what Pinocchio just said to us?"

"Maybe" IF guessed. "Must be quite the long story..."

"...But you and your grandfather were willing to trust me despite me not belonging in your world" Marvy continued as she patted the boy's head. "Don't look at me all weird. I know I look out of place back there. A ninja in a circus, right?"

"So, she's aware that she's a Drifter..." Donald murmured. Goofy could only nod.

"Anyway, back to my point. I don't treat things like trust lightly." Marvy declared, putting a hand on her heart. "A ninja's duty is to their charge. Their safety. Their desires. All are top priority for one like me. So, if you want to go around and play tag or whatever game you could think of, and if you still feel shy towards other people, be sure to ask me. I'll play with you whenever I can."

"Marvy..." If Pinocchio had human eyes, he would be crying tears of joy, but simply feeling the tender care Marvy exuded from her words is enough. "Yeah. Thanks a lot!"

"Man, right there in the feels..." Neptune said, wiping a few tears leaking from her eyes, only to jolt herself when she remembered something. "Oh yeah! Didn't the boy say he saw something back there?"

"Oh!" Pinocchio jolted, remembering something. "There's some people up ahead!"

"People?" Sora asked.

"Two of them, in fact" Marvy reported. "Pinocchio?"

The puppet boy nodded, pointing to the passageway behind them. "There's a guy with silver hair there and a lady with white hair talking to each other in there. Last we saw them, they were heading in deeper into Monstro"

"A guy with silver hair..." Sora started.

"And a lady with white hair..." Neptune continued.

After another good three seconds, the two came to a realization.

"It's Riku/the Newtype!" the two shouted.

"What are they doing here?" Donald wondered with a bit of apprehension.

"And together, at that" the nurse wondered.

"I wonder about that..." IF thought aloud. "The fact that both Riku and the Newtype are here means that they both have a method of world travel, likely different from ours"

"But what are they doing here, exactly?" Goofy expressed his thoughts.

"Well, you know what they say?" Neptune suggested. "We won't know 'till we find out!"

"Yeah!" Sora nodded. "Let's go to them!"

IF sighed. "This smells like an unusual trap to me, but nothing ventured, nothing gained, so let's get going. Besides..."

"You think there's something unusual about them?" Artisan reiterated.

IF nodded. "I was a bit suspicious regarding the two. Now that they have vanished, I'm more than certain something's up with them..."

Leon hummed. "The fact that Riku and Noire vanished shortly after that last stunt is suspicious enough. But what's even more suspicious is the fact that they're also opposing the Heartless like we are"

"Yet they seem to be working independently from us..." the horned woman noted. "Either they're both working alone or they're actually..."

IF grunted, not liking the train of thought.

"We can't afford to get distracted" Leon stated. "Keep this on the down-low for now. We don't want the rest of your party to get distracted with these possibilities."

"But what if it's true?" the guild agent asked. "They might just end up stabbing us in the back when we least expect it."

"Then you already know what to do" Artisan answered. "You have the most experience out of everyone else in the group when it comes to sniffing out details. They will trust your senses when the moment counts"

"Those guys rely on their hearts more than their heads" Leon said. "That's why we're counting on you to use yours to keep them safe."

IF furrowed her eyes as she looked to her weapons. "I need to confirm if my suspicions are true. About Riku and that Newtype..."

Monstro – Bowel

"Remind me again..." Riku started. "Why is a supposed Goddess like you having a hard time?"

The Newtype groaned in frustration. "Shut up! I'm...just off my game today, that's all!"

"It can't be because the environment's too small for you..." Riku shook his head.

"S-Shut up and just help me fight this thing!" the Newtype urged as she raised her sword against their foe, a large squid-like Heartless with two tentacles for arms attached to it's neck, it's belly shaped like a cage fit for a person as small as a growing child. This is the Parasite Cage, a Heartless that thrives in harsh marshes and in this case, a whale's stomach.

The Newtype clicked her tongue as she felt the same raging red aura surrounding this Heartless. "Curse that Arfoire! Is she really going to turn Heartless across the worlds into this state everywhere she goes!?"

Riku dashed forward, slashing the Cage's left arm while the Newtype focused on the right. It raged by flailing furiously, pushing the two back.

"Shoot!" the Newtype cursed. "I can't risk using my Infinite Slash here!"

"Figures you need space..." Riku mumbled. "Not like I can make any progress here either..."

"AGH!" the Newtype slammed her fist onto the ground. "What do we do now!?"

"Riku!"

"Lovely Newtype!"

The two couldn't believe their ears! Unexpected help has arrived...

"Sora!?"

"Neptune!?"

...in the form of the two Keyblade Wielders and their companions (along with a ninja girl and a puppet boy)

"What are you all doing here!?" the Newtype asked incredulously. "Have you fools gotten swallowed up too?"

"I guess you could say that, hahahahaha" Neptune laughed, despite the grim situation. "Sorry I couldn't prepare the pudding I promised though..."

The Newtype sighed. "Not like I was expecting it."

"Need some help?" Sora asked his best friend with a toothy grin.

Riku scoffed, getting up by himself. "Like I need it..."

"Hey!" Donald complained.

"That was not very nice..." Goofy said, shaking his head.

"Can't you at least tolerate them for now?" the Newtype scolded Riku. "We're in a bit of a bind here!" She then moved closer to him in a whisper. "Besides, that puppet boy you're looking for is right there. You could snatch him in the confusion"

As he spots Pinocchio being carried by their new Drifter ally, Riku huffed. "Fine. Just don't get in my way"

"Another day, another enraged Heartless to fight..." IF sighed as she prepared her weapons.

"Marvy, you should set Pinocchio down somewhere so you can help us" Compa suggested, readying her syringe.

"Okay!"

Setting down the puppet boy, Marvy instructed him.

"Go hide nearby, and don't wander off until we're done here!"

Pinocchio nodded. "Good luck, Marvy!"

As soon as he left, the party readied themselves for a tough battle.

"Alright-y!" Neptune cheered. "With this huge party, we can't lose this fight!"

"Neptune" Sora chastised the girl with the key. "You shouldn't jinx us!"

"D'awwwww! Look at you!" Neptune cooed the boy. "Applying what you've learned from me! Mama Neptune couldn't be any prouder!"

"Since when were you his mom!?" Donald complained.

The enraged Heartless took the chance and hopped to them, causing the party to split up to the sides. The Parasite Cage immediately planted itself back in the middle after making its move.

"Looks like it's quick on the uptake..." IF noticed. "Any other quirks you noticed?"

"It's mainly using its arms to deflect us" the Newtype answered. "Don't bother hitting their belly from behind. It's impervious to our attacks"

"Then we go for the front..." IF then gave out her instructions. "We're going to need some bait!"

"Bait?" her nurse friend asked as she and everyone else turned to her.

"This thing's quick on the uptake, so we need to draw it's attention while we get a few good hits on their head." IF advised as the Cage's arms began to attack again.

"Watch it!" Marvy shouted as she and everyone else leapt or rolled around to safety.

"So, who's going for the head?" Sora wondered.

"Definitely someone swift with their movements, meaning..."

Her eyes turned to the ninja Drifter, who pounded her chest with her fist.

"Okay then! Donald, Compa, you're both on support duty. Fling spells and keep everyone topped off!"

"Got it!/Roger that!"

The two then proceeded to start casting spells at the Parasite Cage, keeping it distracted while IF continues her debriefing.

"Nep, Sora, Goof! The three of you will be running decoy. Distract the arms and watch for danger!"

"Roger doger!/Got'cha!/Okidoki!"

The three charged forth, taking the fight to the Parasite Cage.

"Riku, Newtype! You're both with me! We'll keep hitting the head from the front as much as possible!"

Riku scoffed as he moved. "I was planning on doing that."

"If we're hitting from the front, then..."

The guild agent nodded to the Newtype, turning her head to the last remaining party member. "Marvy, get behind the creature and assassinate it. If it doesn't die in one blow, pull back and ready another attack. Keep at it until we win this, got it?"

Marvy nodded, bringing out her killer knife. "Understood."

"Okay, let's do this!"

The fight was on! Leading the charge, Sora and Neptune charge at each of the Heartless' arms, assaulting the sides of it's head with aerial combos.

"These arms just won't hold still!" Neptune complained, landing another aerial attack at the right side.

"Just keep hitting at it!" Sora encouraged, maintaining his offensive with the left side.

Sensing the attackers, the Parasite Cage began to madly flail it's arms, pushing the two Keyblade wielders back.

"Gah!/Owie!"

"Let's heal them up, Donald!" Compa urged the duck, who nodded with a charged staff.

"CURA!"

Feeling the healing light from Donald's spell, Neptune hops back up to the fight.

"Al-right! Time for a big one!" Neptune charged forth and unleashed her combat technique! "CROSS COMBINATION!"

Hitting the Cage square on it's belly with her six-hit combo, Neptune pulls back once the Cage has set it's sights on her.

"Got it's attention!" She then waved to her fellow wielder. "All yours, buck-o!"

Sora nodded as Compa finished her treatments. "Time to switch things up!"

The boy with the key charged again, this time with Goofy.

"Ready, Goofy?"

"You bet'cha!"

Stopping partway, Sora grabbed the royal captain and spun him around three times...

"FLY AWAY!"

...and threw him straight at the Parasite Cage's head! This is their Combination Skill, the Goofy Launcher!

"INCOMING!"

The hit stunned the giant Heartless, lowering it's head down, leaving it defenseless!

"There's our opening!" IF begins dashing forth! "Let's go!"

"No need to tell me./Time to move!"

The three closed in and unleashed their skills against the maddened Heartless!

"HEAVEN DEMON!"

A direct hit of ten slashes!

"MAELSTROM!"

Another direct hit from a spinning attack!

"FALL SLASH!"

Yet another direct hit from numerous slashes dropped by the Newtype's blade!

The three unleashed their techniques against the Cage with all their might, causing it to spiral further into anger!

"That did a lot!" the Newtype commented.

"It's flailing again!" Riku observed the Heartless' arms doing precisely that.

"Dodge the arms!" IF instructed as she charged magic into her qatars. "Switch to ranged attacks! Keep it busy!"

"Then we'll keep the arms busy!" the Newtype declared as she charged forth, weaving through the arms with grace. "Let's go, Riku!"

"No need to tell me!" Riku shouted, charging forth, doing the same.

"Let's switch things up, Donald!" Compa urged the royal wizard, who nodded.

"Al-right!"

And it's not just those two, Sora and Neptune began to fling spells (Wind Slicers in the latter's case) at the Heartless as well. Goofy even aided them by throwing his shield like a frisbee!

"It's distracted!"

As the Newtype drew close, the Cage's head remains fully focused to what's in front of it, leaving it's back exposed...

"...Target acquired..."

Marvy jumped in from behind, having drawn two katanas and drew them to the Heartless' neck...

"...Farewell..."

...and did a clean slice straight through the head. While it didn't clean the head off, the feeling of being cut clean caused the Cage to keel back, revealing a glowing red orb inside it's belly.

"What's that?" Sora wondered.

"That must be it's weak point!" Compa pointed out.

"Hey, you two!" Neptune shouted to the Newtype and Riku. "Hit it for maximum damage!"

"No need to tell us, idiot!" the Newtype turned to Riku during her charge. "Ready?"

Riku responded with a grunt, his Soul Eater primed as well.

The two leapt and jumped at the orb with all their might!

"YOU'RE MINE!"

"VOLCANO DIVE!"

Their attack severely damaged the orb, causing the Heartless to begin exploding in a flash of light!

"EVERYBODY DUCK!"

The whole party braced for impact as the Parasite Cage exploded, leaving only a crater where it stood.

"Is everyone alright?" IF asked around.

"If anybody's dead, raise your hands!" Neptune followed.

"That was a really close one..." Marvy sighed in relief.

"Poor whale's gonna feel this in the mornin'" Goofy said glumly, looking at the open crater.

"Good thing we're still here!" Compa shouted, bringing out her First Aid Kit. "Tell me who needs treatment!"

"You guys get yourselves patched up" the guild agent inferred. "I'll check back to see if Pinocchio is still with us."

"Please do" Jiminy answered, having come out of Sora's hood.

Once IF went back to check on the puppet boy, she circled back to the party in a panic. "Guys, he's gone!"

"Oh, no way..." Neptune snarked. "Even though we told him to stay put..."

"That can't be!" Marvy cried. "I kept a close watch on his presence. He's been in the same spot since we started the fight!"

"And when did you lose him?" the guild agent asked.

"Since the Heartless exploded..." the ninja answered glumly.

"Hol' up, where's Riku and the Newtype?" Goofy looked around.

"They're gone again!" Donald complained.

"Just like before..." IF mumbled to herself. "Then that means...I hate it when I'm right..."

Sora groaned as he got up. "C'mon! We gotta go after them!"

Monstro – Stomach

"So, in the end, we were able to get that puppet while everyone was distracted" the Newtype recalled, looking at said poor puppet being carried like baggage on Riku's hand. "I still don't get what's the point of all this"

"They said that Kairi's lost her heart" Riku answered. "I figured an empty vessel like this will be able to store it until we can give it back to her"

"Lost her heart?" the Newtype wondered. "Shouldn't she become a Heartless by then?"

Riku shook his head. "Her body's completely intact, but is unconscious. Until I find her heart, she will never wake up"

The Newtype sighed. "That's going to be a tall order, then. How would you go finding someone's heart? They can't just be lying around somewhere."

"Kingdom Hearts"

"Huh?"

Riku looked at the Newtype. "From what Maleficent told me, there's a place where all hearts gather. In that place, I could find Kairi's lost heart and give it back to her."

"Okay..." the Newtype replied, not knowing what he's talking about. "But how will you even get there? Will you even find her heart if you get there? This all seems too good to be true..."

"You think I don't know that!?" Riku snapped back. "She's...she's the only one I can trust now...the only one I have left. Everyone on the island is gone! And Sora...he moved on from me, from us...Who else do I have left!?"

"Riku..."

"That's why...I have to get her back...No matter what it takes..."

She could relate with that. Being alone out in the unknown. With no one or nowhere to rely on. The one big difference between the two, is simply that Riku has an origin point and has people he knew and knew him before today.

The Newtype...no, Noire? She had no one. She was all alone with nothing but the clothes on her back and the Keyblade that hides her powers as a CPU of Gamindustri, whatever that was.

Sure, Arfoire provided her with some clarity behind her existence, but she also siccs enhanced Heartless at her for her own sick amusement, all the while keeping her goals close to her heart. There was little benefit in maintaining that relationship, but she held on to it since it's the only one she had.

...Or was it?

Her thoughts raced back to that bright, cheery little girl. Initially, she set out against her because she heard from Arfoire that she may house great potential like hers, different from the boy she's travelling with.

She tried testing this out for herself in Wonderland, but she didn't exude anything like her Goddess form did. Even when close to the brink, nothing. She only got through that because of the aid of mortals like that nurse girl (Compa, right?), the one in blue (IF, she believes) and the King's bodyguards (Donald and Goofy, yes?), to say nothing of the boy also wielding the Keyblade (Sora, right?). Yet even then, her heart felt...strange from that short encounter. Her attitude towards her back then didn't help this feeling dissipate any faster either.

And then she recalled their encounter in Traverse Town. She originally went there to accompany Riku, but lost sight of him when she arrived. As she tried to regain her bearings, Neptune and her party unexpectedly bumped into her while she was in her normal form. They, thankfully, have yet to piece together that she and that 'Newtype' are one and the same (though that IF has been eyeing her quite suspiciously), so she accepted their invitation into their party to further probe into them, and more specifically, into Neptune. Thankfully, again, it took one set of encounters over at the town's Gizmo Shop to show she can at least be trusted to fight alongside them. Neptune, in particular, seem dazed at the sight of her fighting, noting it was 'too cool that her eyes couldn't help but gawk at her general direction'. Was she flirting with her or can she not express her feelings in a better way? Who can say? Anyway, once she probed into her state of mind, more specifically, how she and a few others can't recall their home worlds, she butted in, saying that she was freed by a heavenly voice who was kidnapped by a witch and needed help. It didn't really answer much about her state of mind, but it did nail down what she and the others are doing on their journey.

Overall, it just convinced her that Neptune was just another ordinary girl. One who happened to be chosen by the same type of weapon only spoken of in legend. Why would Arfoire be so...wary of an ordinary, if wacky, girl? That Sora boy is also quite ordinary himself, yet Maleficent is confident that she can handle him due to her history with Keyblade wielders or so she heard. She doesn't get it.

And yet...

Yet...

She felt her heart beating in her chest, recalling the feeling she felt whenever she was near Neptune. It was not an unwelcome feeling, to say the least...but she cannot really tell what this feeling is, and that's what irks her, more than anything.

She sighed. "Why? Why do you make me feel this way, Neptune?"

Could that be why she's keeping her distance from them? From Neptune? Yet the desire for their company runs counter to her own belief. The belief that as a Goddess, she must not interact with lesser beings. A belief that she now questions after meeting Neptune as a...friend...and seeing Riku in his current state of mind, like seeing through a mirror's reflection...

"You called for me?"

The Newtype yelped, turning around to see Neptune, Sora and their whole party, including the ninja Drifter (Marvy, right?) facing them now.

"W-When did you all get here!?" the Newtype demanded.

"We got here just a while ago" Compa answered.

"Did we catch you at a bad time?" Goofy asked.

The Newtype became flustered. "N-No. I wasn't caught up in my thoughts or anything! It's not like I was thinking about you guys or something!"

IF sighed. "Care to translate that, Nep?"

Neptune nodded with a smile. "It means she missed us so much. D'awwwww, she must be really lonely!"

"S-Shut up!" the Newtype turned to Riku. "C'mon, Riku, say something!"

"Something" Riku snarked.

"I didn't mean it like that!" the Newtype groaned. "Anyway, what's your business here!?"

"Riku!" Sora called out to his best friend. "Give Pinocchio back!"

"Pretty please!" Marvy pleaded. "Mr. Geppetto is really worried for his son."

"I can't do that" Riku shook his head.

"Why not?" Compa asked.

The Newtype sighed. "Riku here thinks this boy may hold the key to house Kairi's lost heart."

"Her...lost heart?" Neptune gasped.

"What happened to her!?" Sora demanded. "Did you really find her?"

"We already found her..." Riku replied as he looked to Pinocchio. "Or...what's left of her. From what was told to me, her body's intact, but her heart isn't. I thought if I could acquire this puppet, one who is special enough to gain their own heart, maybe I might be able to find and store Kairi's heart here until I can return it to her."

"And where would you find that?" Donald demanded to know.

"A special place where all lost hearts gather" Riku replied vaguely.

"..." IF observed the two closely, her eyes furrowed for any suspicious movements.

"So, how about it, Sora?" Riku extended a hand out to his best friend. "Why don't we join forces? Together, we can go and save Kairi and explore the worlds whenever we want. How about it?"

"What!?" the court wizard screamed in surprise.

And apparently, so did Neptune! "Now hold on a sec-"

But Sora put a hand in front of her, beckoning her to stop.

The boy stepped forward...

"Well, what say you, Sora?"

...and summoned his Keyblade, raising his stance.

"What are you-?"

The Newtype sighed. "I figured as much"

"Y-You'd fight me? Over a puppet that wasn't supposed to have a heart in the first place? Over KAIRI!?"

The boy gave his answer. "Heart or no heart, at least he has a conscience"

The other boy raised an eyebrow. "Conscience?"

"A little voice in your head, telling you what's right from wrong" Riku's best friend explained. "We all have that little voice in our head, reminding us of our mistakes and how we can do better. You may not hear it, but right now it's loud and clear!"

He raised his Keyblade against him. "And it's telling me you are on the wrong side!"

"Wrong?" Riku's eyes widened in surprise. "You're telling me...that I'm wrong?"

"This isn't the right way to save your pal, y'know!" Neptune butted in.

"If you want help finding Kairi, you can come with us!" Compa urged.

"We can make space for you on the Gummi Ship" Goofy suggested.

"You're pretty good. That much I can say" Donald admitted.

"It's not too late, Riku" Sora pleaded, lowering his Keyblade and extending his free hand to his best friend. "Come with us. We can save Kairi together. And we'll do it right!"

Riku gritted his teeth. "You dare say that...after what you did?"

"Huh?" Sora reigned his hand back.

"After you left us!?"

Riku immediately summoned his Soul Eater and attempted to attack him, only for IF to move in and block the attack!

"Iffy!" Neptune called out.

"So, it's come to this..." the guild agent said with a hint of sadness.

Seeing this only made the silver-haired boy angrier. "OUT OF MY WAY!"

He tried to push past her, but IF deflected the attack and remained in front of Sora, determined to defend her friend.

"Not until you give it up" IF barked back. "You've sunken into the darkness already. It's making you think differently about your friend, when you and Kairi have never left his thoughts, not even once. I don't know what the people around you have been telling you, but Sora's right. You're clearly on the wrong side here. Kairi would be disappointed in you..."

Riku growled in anger. He will not let this stand! Not while he still has the puppet!

"Aren't you going to notice by now?"

He turned angrily to the Newtype, who was looking at his left arm.

"Look at what you're holding"

He looked, and sure enough, there was only a log with a red scarf in his hand.

"Where the-?"

"Retrieval mission complete!"

He looked behind them, and saw that the ninja Drifter has set down Pinocchio near her.

"Pinocchio!" Another voice called out, belonging that to a cricket that is running to the puppet boy. "Oh, Pinocchio!"

"Please wake up!" Marvy pleaded. "Big Sis Marvy and Jiminy are here!"

"Marvy...Jiminy..." Pinocchio said weakly. "I..don't think I'm going to make it..."

"Don't give up on us, please!" Jiminy pleaded louder.

"We're here with you and we won't give up on you!" Marvy held onto Pinocchio's hand. "So, please! Don't give up on yourself!"

"You guys..."

A bright light shone around him, and once it faded, the puppet boy felt more energetic than ever, like he had woken up from a bad dream.

"Pinocchio?"

Or rather, because his nose grew again...

"I...guess I'm okay now!"

Marvy and Jiminy cried tears of joy as they hugged him.

"Oh Pinocchio!"

"Aw-right!" Neptune cheered.

"I'm glad he's okay!" Compa wiped away a tear.

Donald and Goofy looked at each other and nodded.

Sora and IF glanced at the scene with a smile.

"So, that was your aim all along, was it?" the Newtype demanded.

"One of them, at least" IF admitted, pointing her right qatar at the two. "Now give it up, both of you. Whatever you're planning here, it's over."

Riku clicked his tongue. He can't give up like this! He's stronger than Sora! Stronger than any of them! He's not afraid!

The Newtype sighed again. "Must you be so stubborn?"

She floated forward, readying her stance.

"What are you doing?" Riku demanded.

"Covering your escape" the Newtype answered bluntly. "Frankly, you're too weak to take them on right now."

"And you?" Riku scoffed.

The Newtype smirked. "Did you forget? I'm a Goddess. It'll take more than seven mortals in an enclosed arena to defeat one such as me!"

She then swung her blade in defiance. "Now go!"

Riku clicked his tongue again. "Just so you know, don't expect any favors."

He then vanished into a Dark Corridor, fleeing the whale innards.

"I don't expect to" the Newtype replied.

"That dark portal...So, that's how he gets around worlds...So, it's just you now..." IF readied her stance. "Tell me something."

"Speak, then"

"You are clearly a far more capable individual at a glance. Why didn't you stop Marvy from retrieving Pinocchio?"

The white-haired woman flipped her hair. "This whole charade was Riku's idea, but quite frankly, I don't see any chance of it working out the way he wanted it to be. Whether the puppet boy is in his hands or yours matters little to me."

"So, you say" the guild agent replied. "Then why are you standing in our way now?"

"Yeah!" Neptune agreed. "You fight the Heartless, too! Why do we need to fight?"

"I have my reasons" the Newtype answered cryptically. "Personal ones at that. What Riku or anyone else has to do with it does not concern me in the slightest."

"Even though you've seen how well we fought against that Heartless from before?" IF raised an eyebrow at that.

The Newtype swung her blade. "Only because you had our help. How well do you mortals fare without power like mine?"

"Then one last question" IF insisted. "Why keep watch over Riku?"

The Newtype gave it some thought. "Honestly, I'm not even sure. Given my own philosophy, I shouldn't even spare a glance at him, but I did anyway. Besides, I am a Goddess. It is her duty to watch over those under her charge."

She then raised her blade against the party. "Now that the questions are over, it's time to see how much you've all improved. I've gotten a glimpse from the last fight, but I want to see more. Don't hold back, because I won't!"

Neptune groaned. "Do we have to? I'd rather talk this over with pudding than fight!"

IF sighed as she readied her stance. "I don't think she's gonna budge on this. She's quite stubborn for a so-called Goddess"

Sora followed her lead and readied his Keyblade. "Then let's give this everything we've got!"

"Marvy, get Pinocchio outta here!" Goofy urged as he and the rest of his companions readied their weapons.

The ninja nodded. "I'll return the favor shortly. Stay strong, everyone!"

"You can do it!" Pinocchio cheered as he and Marvy left the stomach.

"So, you all decided to stand your ground, even against a Goddess?" the Newtype taunted, and then smirked. "Don't disappoint me!"

Neptune groaned again, readying her stance. "Fine! Just so you know, you asked for it!"

The Newtype, wasting no time, launched her assault against the party. As she approached the front of the party, she took a step on the ground, and leapt over the front line, landing right where their rear line is.

"Wak!" Donald screamed.

"She's right in front of us!" Compa raised her syringe in defense.

"Aim for the weak point, and the body falls apart!"

She attempts to launch her attack, but fell back when she noticed a pillar of Blizzard magic was about to hit her from below.

"Haaaaaaahhhh!"

"Yaaaaaaahhhh!"

She turned around and raised her blade, defending herself from a combined attack against Sora and Neptune!

"Good reaction timing" the Newtype complimented. "You anticipated my attack and prepared an appropriate countermeasure on the fly."

"Testing us, are we?" Neptune mocked.

Sora growled. "Then you'll regret not taking us seriously!"

The Newtype turned her head around to see Compa aiming her syringe, charged with Donald's magic, right at her.

"This Skill...!"

"TREATMENT BLASTER!"

Seeing the incoming attack, the Newtype deflected the Keyblade wielder's attacks and flew away before the beam could hit her.

"Aw!" Donald moaned. "She dodged it..."

"Don't let up!" IF urged the group. "Ready another round!"

"Like I'll let you!"

The Newtype charged at the duo again, but this time, she is blocked by the royal captain's shield.

"Out of my way, dog!"

"Not on your life!"

"Then have a taste of this!"

She slashed upward, sending Goofy up into the air...

"DROP CRUSH!"

...and kicked him right back down, dealing a lot of pain his way.

"Goofy!" Compa cried.

"Are you okay!?" Donald said, readying a Cura spell.

"You two should worry about yourselves first!"

The Newtype, not giving the duo a chance to recover, charges up her blade with energy...

"TORNERAID SWORD!"

...and slashes straight at Compa and Donald!

"Ahhhhh!"

"Oh no!"

"Defense!"

The two were pushed back, but thanks to a timely Aero from Sora, the damage to the two was mitigated.

"And now there are three..." the Newtype floated up to see IF, still standing her ground while Sora and Neptune stood on the platforms around the whale's stomach. "Your guardian and backline support are out. Next up is..."

She then set her sights upon IF!

"You! Without you, those two idiots won't be able to coordinate their attacks! It's over!"

The guild agent raised her arms in defense, but instead of a sword attack...

"Shoot!" the guild agent cursed as she braced for impact!

...the Newtype kicked her right at her stomach, sending her flying back to a wall!

"Oh no!"

Before Sora could go check up on IF, he felt a presence behind him and tried to block an incoming attack...

"TORNERAID CHAIN!"

"GAH!"

...and ended up slammed hard to the edge of a platform. Mercifully, he landed out of range of the whale's stomach acid.

"Iffy! Sora!"

As Neptune jumped down, her face was met with the edge of the Newtype's sword.

"Is this the extent of your power?" the Newtype mocked. "Look around you, Neptune. How helpless you've become. How weak your friends are."

For each step the Newtype took forward, Neptune took one back. She tried to take a swing, but the white-haired woman deflected it, sending the girl's Keyblade away from her hand. Along the way, she tumbled on the unconscious Goofy and fell down, the Newtype's sword still on her sights.

"As I thought. Not a single spark in you." the Newtype muttered, glancing away with a forlorn expression "I guess what I felt then was just a fluke..."

This only confused the girl with the key, however. "Uh, hello? Explanation, please?"

The Newtype shook her head as she raised her blade. "It's no use. You've failed, Neptune. Goodbye..."

"So, this is it, huh?" Neptune thought to herself as the blade slowly descended on her. "You know, for what it's worth, this adventure's been really fun. Histy, sorry I can't keep my promise now. Sora, Compa, Iffy, Donald, Goofster, guess I'll be waitin' for you up there..."

She closed her eyes and waited for the inevitable...

"...Wha-"

But the blade never came close. When Neptune opened her eyes, she sees someone blocking the Newtype's attack with two katanas in her hands!

"Not another step!"

The Newtype growled. "Blasted ninja!"

The defender deflected the attack, causing the Newtype to take another swing that the ninja dodged effortlessly, jumping up to grab Neptune's Keyblade and returning to said Keyblade's owner in a cool seven seconds.

"I've returned as promised, Neppy!"

Neppy couldn't believe her eyes. She can't mistake that never-leaving smile, bright orange hair, music notes on her eyes, and misfitted school uniform.

"Marvy!" Neptune sighed in relief. "Thanks for the save!"

Marvy giggled. "It's no biggie! Ninjas always return the favor. You helped me, so now, I'll help you."

She then handed Neptune's Keyblade back to her, along with something else with it.

The ninja leaned close to the girl's right ear and whispered. "That little one's a thank-you gift from Mr. Geppetto..."

Once Neptune saw the gift, she gasped loudly.

"Go rest for now" Marvy sheathed her katanas and brought out a singular knife. "Allow me to deal with her"

The white-haired woman scoffed. "Do you think you can beat me?"

"That is irrelevant" Marvy readied her stance. "By my honor as a ninja, I, MarvelousAQL, will bring you down!"

"Then you've made your grave..."

The two stood still in silence, waiting for the other to dare to make a move...

...and after five seconds...

...the two closed the distance and clashed again!

"TRI-COLOR ORDER!"

The Newtype aimed for a three-stab attack...

"RENSEN!"

...but the ninja swept past her with a slash from her knife!

Neptune couldn't keep up with the back and forth the two are exhibiting right now. Between the high speeds and powerful techniques, this battle seemed to be slowed down to a snail's pace for it to be truly followed!

However, she stopped her gawking when she heard a groan near her...

"POISON FENCER!"

Dodging the poisonous attack, Marvy prepares another technique...

"RANBU!" A three-hit strike!

...Not letting up, she prepares yet another!

"BATTOU RANBU!" A five-hit attack!

Groaning, the Newtype prepares to respond in kind.

"You're tougher than you look, but..."

She charged forth and unleashed her attack...

"LACY DANCE!"

...sending the ninja back with a fierce slash!

"GAH!" Marvy screamed as she was forced back onto the ground.

"You're not half bad for a mere Drifter" the Newtype complimented as she approached her downed enemy. "But you're still not good enough to beat me..."

She then pointed her blade at her foe. "Any last words?"

"Go ahead..." Marvy dared with an unflinching gaze. "...Do your worst"

The Newtype furrowed her eyes at her target, raising her blade.

"You've asked for it..."

"FORCE!"

"WHAT!?"

Suddenly, the Newtype felt herself being lowered to the ground!

"Time to follow up! GRAVITY SLAM!"

And then, she felt the hilt of a Keyblade empowered with magic hit her on the back, keeping her grounded.

"What is the meaning of this!? I feel so...sluggish!"

The Newtype was brought down to the ground by the Keyblade Wielder's newly obtained Gravity spell!

"You had a spell like that!?" the Newtype realized.

"A little thank-you gift for rescuing a fellow 4th-wall breaker!" Neptune boasted. "Now then, a little pick-me-up courtesy of our friendly neighborhood ninja and her old charge!"

She then grabbed the item that Marvy gave her, a Megalixir, and used it up, not only healing her and her standing allies, but also reviving her fallen friends as well!

"We're back in action!" Goofy cheered.

"Oh boy!" Donald shouted.

"The nurse is in the building!" Compa readied herself.

"Time for Round 2!" IF stood up with pride.

"Oh yeah!" Sora cheered. "Feeling better than ever!"

Marvy's smile widened as the item she gifted restored their energy. "Thank goodness it worked..."

The Newtype growled at the revelation. "Pesky little..."

"So, uh, Ms. Newtype" Neptune remarked. "Here's a little lesson for ya..."

As the Newtype is getting up from the Gravity spell, she finds herself surrounded on all sides by the Keyblade wielders' party!

"...don't mess with us!"

Goofy started the attack with a good-old fashioned Goofy Charge...

"Up you go!"

...pushing the Newtype back!

"Sora!"

Hearing Donald's call, Sora jumps up and begins unleashing their Combination Skill, the Elemental Slam!

"Up there!" A fire slash upwards.

"And another!" A blizzard slash further up!

"Here's the big one!" And a lightning slam to finish it off!

"GAH!"

"Not feeling so hot now, huh?" With her taunt finished, IF moved in and delivered her technique straight against the Newtype. "HEAVEN DEMON!"

"AH!"

"And now..."

"The pudding I promised you!"

"What!?"

The white-haired woman looked up to see a giant plate of pudding falling directly at her. The plate dissipated before it hit the Newtype, causing the pudding to cover her whole body instead.

The Newtype was hit with A Plate of Pudding!

"Well, it's not exactly that, but it's the spirit that counts!"

"Neptune..." the Newtype growled as she tried to wipe off the pudding from her body. "Why you...!"

"Don't let your guard down..."

The Newtype turned to see Marvy, the ninja Drifter with her katanas armed again.

"...Midarisaki..."

The ninja charged at the defenseless Newtype, delivering a fifteen-hit combo of katana strikes at her with relentless gusto!

"...And now, the finisher!"

She then wreathed herself in flames that took shape of a large bird, and flew towards the Newtype, engulfing her in flames as Marvy slowly sheathed her katana.

"Had enough?" IF said to the downed Newtype.

"Son of a gun..." the Newtype mumbled, failing to get up. "They actually beat me..."

"I mean, you were tough as molasses back there" Neptune commented. "I don't think we could've beaten you if we haven't ganged up on you like we did. Not to mention, Marvy over here"

Marvy chuckled. "I mean, I was knocked over after a while. Having to run back and forth tends to be pretty draining..."

The Newtype quickly got up, stumbling as she did so, and snorted. "Don't get such big heads just because you've won today! I...wasn't in the best condition and this arena's too small! When we fight again, it will be on much better terms"

"Are you serious now!?" the nurse complained.

"Must we keep fightin' each other?" Goofy shook his head in disbelief.

"..."

The white-haired woman began to float away. "Be sure to return stronger than ever, Neptune. Next time, I WILL win!"

"I don't know if we're supposed to keep this rival shin-dig, but okay!" Neptune waved at the Newtype happily. "See ya in the next world or two, you lovely gal!"

"Shut up, Neptune!"

Her voice trailed off as she flew away.

"She's certainly gotten stronger than before. Her companions, too. But even still, I do not feel a spark that signifies her identity as a CPU. Maybe I need to be a bit more drastic to draw it out."

She felt her heartbeat once more.

"And yet, that strange feeling is still there whenever I'm near her. What is it?"

Traverse Town – Third District – Vacant House

"Got another round of training done..."

Leon returned to the Lone House to retrieve some supplies for the next patrol, but finds that he's not alone...

"I am so...so bored...bored right out of my brain~"

He finds Yuffie, the so-called Great Ninja, lying boredly on the bed while singing her own self-made song, the Dogoo lying on her belly as she wrapped an arm around it.

"Shouldn't you be out there right now?" he asked the ninja.

"But I don't...wanna...go outdoors right now~" she replied, never missing a beat or tone.

"Listen, you're the only one who can scout out areas we can't even look at." Leon sighed. "Okay, we'll get something from the Moogles later today. How about that?"

Yuffie, upon hearing this, gets up, causing the Dogoo to jump off her belly. "You sure?"

Leon pinched his nose, knowing he's going to regret this. "I am"

"Sweet!" the ninja hopped on to the door. "C'mon, let's go scouting already!"

"Like a kid in a circus..." As soon as she left, Leon left a heavy sigh. "The things I do for that girl, honestly..."

He then felt something vibrating on his pocket. Producing a silver cellphone, he looked to see the word 'Artisan' on the phone.

The man answered the call. "Artisan, what is it?"

Traverse Town – First District

"I cannot thank you all enough for this!" Geppetto thanked the boys (and Yuffie and Marvy). "Imagine my surprise when we were blown out of that blasted whale and into these young one's fancy ship! This never happened in my hay-day!"

"Don't mention it!" Sora brushed off.

"We're just glad you all got a place to live!" Goofy said with a smile.

"But you didn't have to go all the way for us!" Marvy insisted.

"But nothing!" Donald opposed. "We want to help out here too!"

"Right now, your world is lost, making all of you Drifters" Leon said. "There's no shame in settling in a Refuge World until you can get back on your feet and your world somehow returns"

"Did you lose yours too, Mister?" Pinocchio asked innocently.

"Unfortunately..." Leon sighed.

"No thanks to that stupid witch, Maleficent!" Yuffie complained as she started to do air punches. "When I get to that lady, I will-"

"Um, please keep it down" Marvy pleaded as she covered Pinocchio's ears. "We don't want Pinocchio to start swearing down the road."

"Ugh. Sorry about that" Yuffie scratched her head. "Still, it's strange to meet a fellow ninja around here, even if we're both from different worlds!"

"I...don't remember much of my home world" Marvy scratched her cheek. "But it's still nice to meet a fellow ninja too."

"Not just a ninja" Yuffie boasted. "I'm THE Great Ninja Yuffie. Here to take all the treasures for our home world!"

As the two ninjas get acquainted, Leon turned his attention to the other boys. "Where are the girls?"

"Off showering" Donald answered.

"Gotta have to remove all the whale stink, they said..." Goofy relayed.

"I see" Leon nodded. "Well, you all do the same once we're done helping Geppetto out. Can't afford to get distracted by body odor when fighting the Heartless or Maleficent's cohorts..."

Sora nodded. "Sure thing"

Before the trio returned to work, Leon called them again.

"By the way, is what Artisan said true? That Riku and the lady in white and black are working for Maleficent now?"

"That's what Iffy believes..." Goofy mentioned.

"Riku seemed to be in the wrong crowd" Donald relayed. "The Newtype, not so much, we think"

Sora hung his head down, still thinking about what happened to Riku back there. What could've happened to him? Could he have said what he felt back then better? But more importantly...

Are he and Kairi going to be okay, when Maleficent and her other cohorts are quite close to them?

While the Newtype lady is a tough cookie, even she can't be everywhere at once. Still, she said that she's watching over Riku. He wanted to believe that, at least, he can be safe, but...

Leon hummed. "Getting through to those two will be tough, especially if that Newtype has been giving you trouble by herself..."

"Even so, we're not stopping" Sora suddenly declared. "I came along on this journey to get BOTH my friends back. I won't give up on them. Not now. Not ever."

Both Donald and Goofy nodded in agreement.

Leon smirked. "I see. Glad to hear it."

"Oh, and check this trick out!"

"That's amazing, Yuffie!"

"Do it again! Do it again!"

Seeing the ninjas entertaining the young puppet boy, the boys felt reenergized.

"Okay! What say we get back to work?" Donald asked his friends.

"Okay!"

The three continued their work, carrying the needed supplies for Geppetto's new home.

As Leon watched on, he still felt a bit concerned about leaving such heavy responsibilities to two children who were thrust with power they never even asked for. Still, their drive to help others, on top of their determination to find those they desire, are likely why they are achieving such successes in the first place.

Maybe Maleficent and her cohorts are underestimating how strong the party can grow? Maybe Riku and the Newtype couldn't keep up with their growth, in spite of their pride? Who knows? But at least the Lionhearted Man knows one thing.

"Those two...may be just what our worlds needed...Bright hearts who can make others smile just for being who they are..."

NEPSTATION

Neptstation 7: Monstro

Neptune: It's time for Nepstation! *shivers* Brrrr, coming here after a nice bath was not the right choice. I feel quite chilly now...

Marvy: Maybe you should rest up for a while before doing this news cast...

Neptune: And disappoint my fans by not making an appearance here? Never!

Marvy: Wow...Such dedication, hahaha...

Neptune: *clears throat* Anyway, let's proceed with to the news

*an image of a whale swimming in space has appeared onscreen*

Marvy: Recently, a giant whale has been sighted swimming in outer space! Space travelers have been baffled at the sight of the sea mammal! One of the witnesses has this to say...

Witness N: It's the coming of the Space Whale Domination Plan! Warn everyone! Evacuate all cities! WE ARE DOOMED~!

Marvy: Truly a most distressing sight...

Neptune: Hey! That witness's warnings are very warranted! Have you SEEN the insides of a space whale!?

Marvy: *sweatdrops* Uhhhh...

Neptune: *sighs* Okay, rhetorical question, but my point still stands! Those things are not a natural occurrence!

Marvy: So is basically everything that's happening lately...

Neptune: You'll never know! Maybe they'll send an army of monsters and brainwashed thralls and obliterate the sector in a really convoluted space drama story!

Marvy: I...don't know how what to say to that...

Neptune: L-Let's just move on to the next segment...

*an image of a fox and a hound with their eyes crossed out appeared onscreen*

Neptune: There have been recent sightings of missing children occurring out there in the worlds. Witnesses state that a fox with a top hat and their hound assistant may be behind this case. There has been little sighting of the suspects ever since, but the ever-present danger to the children is still...er...present! So, watch your kids closely, parents! You'll never know when they'll turn into a donkey next...

Marvy: *furrows eyes*

Neptune: Um...you have a dangerous look in your eyes? You okay?

Marvy: *smiles* Oh, I'm fine. I was just thinking how tasty fox meat would be. I've never had some before.

Neptune: *shudders* The way you just casually said that terrifies me!

Marvy: *giggles* We ninja are trained in the art of intimidation. This is just the intermediate lessons.

Neptune: I...see...Ahahaha...

Marvy: Now with that out of the way, let's get to the next section!

*an image of a white parka, a peach sweater and a long blue coat are shown onscreen*

Neptune: With the ever-present danger of space whales and other such unknowns, the Moogle Conglomerate has decided to update their clothing lines with the latest threads suited for otherworldly travel!

Marvy: Be it from the harshest deserts or the wettest innards, these new threads will ensure a safe and cool feeling as you travel around!

Neptune: So, go on and grab these spiffy new threads today! First orders are discounted so get all that cash out and spend, spend, spend!

Marvy: Just be sure to save some for rations!

Neptune: Now that that's outta way, let's get to the reviews! Since my usual co-host is chilling after a nice bath, mind sticking with me for this one?

Marvy: Not at all! So, who's reviews are we reading for today?

Neptune: First up, is our daily reviewer, keybladelight! For your first paragaph...I mean, we gotta sneak in some future references here, y'know?

Marvy: Perks of having a long-running franchise to work on, huh?

Neptune: Yup-yup! Second off, have you even seen the new screenshot we have for New Years? I've got fingerless gloves like Sora and everything!

*shows screenshot of said New Years artwork*

Marvy: Wow! No wonder fans are going crazy over a potential new game...

Neptune: I mean, we've been starved of a proper mainline game since Victory-II. They're still pretty peeved over what ReVerse ended up becoming, after all...

Marvy: *laughs nervously* Anyway, what's next?

Neptune: Right, the munny...Well, Al said the leopard-head would have sealed us in for being greedy. Besides, if we had that much munny, Iffy would be forced to put in an allowance for us so we don't overspend. Just look at what happened to Compa...

Marvy: Thriftiness helps in the long run, after all!

Neptune: As for the Drifters, well, they've been in those worlds for quite a while now, so I wouldn't be surprised they chose to stay behind. It's pretty the same for you and Pinoch, right?

Marvy: *nods* All I can do to repay him and Mr. Geppetto is my undying loyalty. It is the ninja law, after all!

Neptune: Truly a dedicated shinobi if I ever saw one! As for the...other thing, well, stay tuned regarding that. Mr. Author has something cooking up for that!

Marvy: Let's hope it's good!

Neptune: Same! As for the story's big climax, well, certain things are changing up already since that jungle world, so time will tell, I guess. And for your last comment...hoo boy...

Marvy: What's wrong, Neppy?

Neptune: *hands Marvy the review* Just read the last paragraph...

Marvy: *reads through the last paragraph* Woah! This reviewer's...got quite the imagination, do they?

Neptune: They really either want a love triangle or want to pimp out my buck-o so bad, huh?

Marvy: *sweatdrops* I guess they really want some tropes around to keep them hooked, huh?

Neptune: Just so you know, reviewer, this is an Adventure and Friendship story first and foremost. Heck, most of our games in both our franchises emphasizes these more than anything else, really! Not to mention, I-

THERE HAS BEEN TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES. PLEASE WAIT

Neptune: *breathes heavily*

Marvy: Neppy, are you good?

Neptune: Yeah. I think I'm good. What are we doing again?

Marvy: The reviews, right? We have one more right there.

Neptune: Oh yeah! *chuckles* Sorry about that! Anywho, here's a review from...an Enemy Stand!

*purple symbols appears on top of the hosts*

Marvy: I heard about those symbols. This is going to happen everytime this particular reviewer pitches in, huh?

Neptune: *snickers* You bet! First off, you're very much welcome! CC2 handles the Jojo games that most people know of, so sneaking that in while she's there is pretty much a given.

Marvy: You're referring to that fighting game, right? All-Star Battle R?

Neptune: Yup-yup! Second off, regarding the spell rewards and stuff, some of that is moved in this story. Since the Cups are gonna be skimmed over in favor of an original tournament here, Mr. Author figured he could move some stuff around so our party can still be pretty strong when we need to be. Hopefully, you're not too upset about that.

Marvy: Variety is the spice of life, after all! Besides, the original games are still there. The existence of this fanfic won't take that away!

Neptune: Right, and thanks for liking the cross-game interactions. Like with this chapter, there'll be a bit more in future chapters, so look forward to those!

Marvy: I hope you liked the moments I had with Pinocchio and Mr. Geppetto!

Neptune: Okay, now regarding the skipped scenes. Some of them don't really change the context of what is happening there, or anything Mr. Author would add wouldn't really contribute to the bigger story at large. Stuff like that would be better to work with a visual medium like a comic panel or a short video. On the other hand, he has taken note and will try to be more mindful to add more of these small moments in the future.

Marvy: Hmmm, didn't I hear that you nearly ended up stuck in a cabinet at that point?

Neptune: *gasps* Where did you hear that from!? From Iffy!?

Marvy: Nope!

Neptune: Compa?

Marvy: No

Neptune: The duck, then!?

Marvy: Nuh-uh!

Neptune: Sora!?

Marvy: Try again!

Neptune: *gasps* It can't be...

Marvy: Yup. Goofy told me about it! He remembered since he was the one who opened it for you!

Neptune: Oh, Goofster...Why must you expose me so?

Marvy: A-Anyway. Our reviewer left a question for you here.

Neptune: Lemme see! "You said when you learned about the three wishes that you agreed with Aladdin in using the last wish for Genie's freedom, but what would your first two wishes be hypothetically?" Well, that's easy! I'd wish for near-infinite pudding and an all-you-can-buy video game coupon I could use everywhere forever!

Marvy: You...certainly have your priorities straight there, huh?

Neptune: You know me! I'll save this question for Sora in the next broadcast, but what about you, Marvy? What would you wish for?

Marvy: A Genie's wish, huh? Well...first, I would wish for near-infinite futomaki ingredients!

Neptune: Ingredients? Not the whole thing?

Marvy: Part of the fun is in making them, so I'd prefer to get the ingredients to make my own futomaki.

Neptune: Uh-huh. Interesting. What about your second wish?

Marvy: Hmmmm...maybe all the ninja scrolls I could learn from? I dunno...

Neptune: Eh, good enough. Anyway, for their next question. "This might be random, but how do you feel about water levels?" 'Random', huh?

Marvy: Hooooohhhh, underwater, huh? I can't say much, but having to swim underwater without a change of clothes would be worrisome.

Neptune: You tell me. Between the change of game mechanics and how 'obligatory' they have to be for the full 'world' immersion, it feels like game devs just throw these kind of levels there for the heck of it.

Marvy: Are you sure it's not because you experienced drowning in that one game you play?

Neptune: HEY! That beeping sound is so traumatizing, I could still hear it even now...

*beeping sounds are heard*

Marvy: Like that one?

Neptune: YES! THAT ONE!

*beeping sounds pick up speed*

Neptune: STOP THE SOUNDS! STOP IT BEFORE-

*beeping sounds picks up more before stopping in a drowning sound*

Neptune: Blegh...*faints*

Marvy: Neppy? Oh dear, she's all passed out from the trauma. Uh, anyway! Thank you for the reviews! Be sure to follow, favorite, leave a review and stay tuned! From all of us here at Nepstation, see you all next time!