Chapter 88: Gathering of the Seven Guardians
After waking Ventus up, along with returning the Land of Departure to its former glory, the group return to the Mysterious Tower to reunite with the others.
The people that were there were Sora's group, Riku's group, Aqua, Ventus, and the training team. Yen Sid was sitting at his desk.
Yen Sid: At last, we are all assembled. First: Drake, Sora, Riku, Donald, Goofy, Mickey, Earthland wizards, I cannot thank you enough for what you have done.
Drake: It was nothing.
Kat: It was kinda fun.
Yen Sid: (looks at Aqua and Ven) And you, Aqua and Ventus: we are fortunate to have you back.
Aqua: Thanks. I only wish we could have returned to help sooner. (turns to the others) We're grateful to all of you for rescuing us.
Ventus: Thank you.
Mickey: (frowns) I feel bad for letting you guys down. We tried but we still haven't found Terra.
Aqua: Don't. He studied with Master Eraqus, just like us. He's our responsibility.
Ventus: (nods)
Riku: Mickey told me that you saved me in the Realm of Darkness. I should have gone to help you right away. But I was too inexperienced. I'm sorry. I know that I let you down.
Sting: Hey, man. Don't be like that. It wasn't your fault.
Aqua: He's right. It was my choice to make.
Goofy: Did ya know Riku's a true Keyblade Master now?
Aqua: That's wonderful.
Donald: The King, too.
Aqua: Good for you!
That made Mickey feel a little embarrassed.
Donald: But Sora needs work.
Sora: (annoyed) Yeah, rub it in...
Some people laughed.
Lucy: (annoyed) Would you stop criticizing him?
The others gave angry glares at Donald, making him nervous.
Gray: You have no right to complain about his powers when you don't have it either.
Donald: Why are you people trying to make me angry?!
Natsu: Because it's funny.
Everyone then laughed again while Donald just grumbled to himself.
Aqua: I'm happy to see that you haven't changed one bit.
Sora: Huh?
Aqua: Sora, you probably don't remember...
Sora: Umm... Uhhhhhh... (gave an embarrassed smile)
Aqua: It's okay. You were just a little boy when I met you.
Sora then smiled with relief. Seeing that he felt left out, Lea gave a small cough. Everyone then turns their attention to the training team.
Yen Sid: Ah yes. Let us not forget our new Keyblade wielders. Lea, Kairi, you have made tremendous strides. (looks at the wizards) And thank you for helping them.
Mirajane: These two did a really good job during their training.
Elfman: Their training made them manly!
Hearing that, everyone gave a sweat drop.
Lisanna: You always say the weirdest things.
Lea: Hey there. And that's 'future Keyblade Master'-
Aqua: (surprised) Kairi?
Lea then stopped out of surprise while Aqua went up to Kairi. She then got a closer look at her necklace while Kairi looked confused.
Aqua: Incredible! It is you.
Kairi: Huh?
Jellal: You met Kairi, too?
Mickey: You know her?
Aqua: (looks at Mickey) When you and I first met in Radiant Garden, the Unversed tried to attack a little girl. Do you remember?
Mickey: (shock) Oh, gosh! That little girl was Kairi?
Kairi just stood there with a surprised look on her face.
Aqua: I guess it must've worked-the spell that I cast on you.
Macbeth: What spell?
Aqua: I cast a spell on her necklace that will protect her from darkness. I can still feel the magic energy.
Kairi: I'm sorry. Those days are hazy for me. But it sounds like I'd have been in trouble without you.
Aqua: Please. You were really, very little. Anyone would forget, hazy memory or not.
Lea then coughed again and everyone was looking at him.
Mirajane: What's wrong, Lea? Do you need a cough drop?
Lea: No. This is all really touching, guys, but where do I fit in? Ven looks just like Roxas—or is it Roxas looks just like Ven?
Ventus took notice of this.
Lady: (to Sorano) What does he mean by that?
Sorano: How should I know?
Lea: (sighs) And now I have to explain all of that to him, which is in itself a crazy long story. And, apparently everybody already knows everyone, and this is an insane amount to get memorized!
Natsu: You talk too much.
Happy: Aye.
Natsu: But your hair is like fire!
Frosch: I think so too!
Lea: You're missing the point!
Ventus: (smiles) Sorry, Lea.
Lea: (gasped in surprise) You remember me?
Ventus: Yeah, 'course! We're friends. I can't believe you became a Keyblade wielder just like me.
Lea: (a bit shocked but chuckles) Yeah...
Sora: Axel, you know Ven?
Ventus: Axel? Who's Axel?
Trish: Wow... he doesn't know about Axel. That's sad.
Natsu: My head hurts.
Happy: Aye...
Lea: See, see, see? Major brain-ache.
Jiminy then appeared on Sora's head. This surprised Lea.
Lea: Huh?! Who the hell is this?!
Jiminy: Not to worry, folks. To help us out, I've given each of you a Gummiphone. They've got summaries of everything that's happened so far. That way, you can read up, if you'd like. And if anyone has any questions, we can call each other.
Donald: That's our Jiminy.
Goofy: He's always prepared.
Mirajane: This is a nice reunion.
Sherria: That's love for ya.
Mickey: Welp, we've got our Seven Guardians.
Sora: Yeah. But...I do wish that Roxas, and Namine, and Terra could be here with us too.
Riku: Since when do you mope, Sora? Come on. Terra's gotta be with the Organization. Which means we'll have a chance to save him.
Aqua: Leave it to Ven and I. We'll bring him home.
Ventus: Yeah, I made Terra a promise. I said I'd be there for him when he needs me.
Lea: And I'll figure Roxas out. Don't know how, but...I'll get him back.
Kairi: (puts her hand on her chest) Namine is right here, safe with me. I know that we'll find a way to help her. Trust me-I'm not giving up.
Mickey: Kairi's right. We're all in this together, Sora.
Goofy: And Donald and I are no Keyblade wielders, but we'll always be right there to help keep ya steady. We've got your back, not just now, but always.
Sora smiled upon hearing that.
Donald: (smirk) Three half-pints make a whole!
Carla: No, it doesn't.
Sora: That again?
Everyone then laughed again.
Orga: Don't forget that we're here.
Rufus: If I recall, you're the one who wanted our help.
Jellal: We want to see this to the end.
Lucy: We're gonna give it our all!
Natsu: I can't wait to fight them! I got tired of them speaking about stuff.
Gray: Yeah, it got pretty annoying.
Erza: Just remember that these guys are different from us.
Yen Sid: It is a shame that all of our friends could not be here. But our Seven Guardians of Light have united. Perhaps you might say that we have more than Seven Guardians, with Donald, Goofy, and the Earthland wizards. Given time, I know the others will soon stand with us.
Sora: Yeah.
Yen Sid: Today, you recuperate. On the morrow, you journey to the fated place.
Drake: Right!
Natsu: I'm fired up!
Erza: We can't lose this fight.
Jellal: Xehanort and the Organization are the enemies.
Rouge: Let's see if they're just all talk.
Cana: If you guys don't die, have a drink with me!
After the meeting, everyone returns to their respective worlds to get some rest. The next day, they'll be going to war.
Outside of the towers, Ventus and Aqua were sitting on the steps while looking at the night sky.
Ventus: The stars here are so beautiful. I noticed it when we arrived.
Aqua: Yes.
Ventus: We've gone without this for so long.
Aqua: I know.
Ventus: I remember dreaming a lot. Of you and Terra. Of Sora and his friends too, I think. And there were some more people I didn't recognize. Oh, and I saw these weird animal creatures! It's like...I've been part of some big adventure.
Aqua: I've been places, too. But pretty soon...things'll be back to normal.
Ventus then grabbed his green Wayfinder and held it up into the sky.
Ventus: Let's share stories when Terra's back.
Aqua smiled and did the same thing with her blue Wayfinder.
Aqua: Yeah.
???: So, you guys are having you little reunion.
Aqua and Ventus turned and saw Drake walking down the stairs.
Aqua: Where are you doing?
Drake: Home, I feel very time after travelling around to other worlds. Why?
Ventus: Can we come? I like to learn more about Earthland and it's magic. And I want to meet everyone in Fairy Tail.
Aqua: I like meet everyone in Fairy Tail too. From What I heard, it's a wonderful guild.
Drake: Sure. I'll introduce you to the rest of Fairy Tail.
*Twilight Town*
In the Tram Commons of Twilight Town, Maleficent and Pete were wandering near the theater area of the commons.
Pete: I've had it with this stupid treasure hunt. Every box we've found has been nothin' but a bust.
Maleficent: I agree. Our search ends today.
Pete: (confused) What-a-huh-now?!
Maleficent: You cannot find the unfindable. The box does not exist.
Pete: I knew they was takin' us for a ride.
Maleficent: Silence, imbecile. I mean the box does not exist now.
Pete: Is that some kinda riddle? Just where we s'posed to be lookin'?
Maleficent: Light and darkness are fated to clash. A Keyblade War is upon us. We need only wait for that destined moment. No matter the victors, the box will be revealed.
Pete: That's it?! But when's my big moment?
Maleficent: You will have it soon enough. Once I possess the box, our real work can begin.
They exit in a dark corridor and leave. At the clock tower in Twilight Tow, Lea was sitting on the ledge of the tower.
He was just sitting there, eating Sea-Salt Ice Cream while looking at the sunset. He also had two more ice creams in his hand. He looked depressed.
Lea: Well, Roxas... I shoulda been there for you by now, but here we are.
???: Shouldn't you say good-bye to your real home?
Lea became surprised as his old friend no enemy, Saix, came up to him.
Lea: Why...?
Saix: (sits next to him) I'm not here to fight. Relax.
Saix grabbed one of the ice creams from Lea's hand. Lea became annoyed and tried to take it back, but couldn't.
Lea: Hey!
Saix: You can't eat all this. Why did you buy three of them? One for Roxas...and two for good luck?
Saix then took a bite from the ice cream.
Lea: I dunno. Because I felt like it, okay? Why are you here?
Saix: Got it memorized? Back when we were still friends, we used to sneak into the castle.
Lea: Yeah...
Saix: And we made a friend there, a girl. We apprenticed to Ansem the Wise to rescue her.
Lea: (bitter) Yeah, and we failed! One day she was just done!
Saix: (turns to him) You gave up.
Lea: (turns away) I did not give up. One day we're apprentices, the next Ansem the Wise has up and vanished, the day after we're Nobodies, day after that we're doing icky jobs for Xemnas. I couldn't keep up with you.
Saix: Following Xehanort's Nobody was the only way to discover what happened to her. She was his lab rat.
Lea: So? You found her? I helped you rise up the ranks, so I hope it paid off.
Saix: I'm afraid not. Nary a trace. I started to wonder if we'd imagined her. Maybe she never existed. And then, in time, I awakened to a new purpose. I realized I could be stronger.
Lea: (scoffs) Well, then, you blew it! Wise up already and just quit.
Saix: Face it. Roxas is just like our other friend. Gone forever. You need to accept that.
Lea: You wish. I'm getting her back. All of 'em! Especially Roxas! I'm even dragging home!
Saix had just finished eating his ice cream.
Saix: The marks under your eyes. They're gone.
Lea: Yeah. Don't need 'em.
Saix: (stands up) Always told you they'd stop you from crying. The upside-down tears.
Lea: (frustrated) Would you get lost?! I'll clobber you tomorrow!
Saix: (smirks and opens a dark corridor) I expect no less.
He then leaves. Lea looks more a bit until he looks back down, sadden. Even though things changed between them, he couldn't help but be sadden that one of his best friends was still being used as a puppet.
Still though, he swore that he would save his friends, no matter what.
*Destiny Islands*
The sun was setting as the Destiny Trio had gone home to their island. On the beach, Riku sat alone and looked out to the ocean.
???: How long have you known that I was with you?
Riku took notice of who it was. It was the replica version of his younger self that he met in Castle Oblivion. He, too, was sitting on the beach next to him.
Riku: (smiles) You did save me. I think you came along for a reason.
Riku Replica: I didn't make much of myself as a replica. I was a failure, and after you and Sora moved on, my body fell to ruin and the darkness took my broken mind. I was already to give up and let it happened, and then you showed up.
Riku: (chuckles) You took that as a sign?
Riku Replica: Maybe. I'd rather face my end with you than in darkness.
Riku: That's...what you want?
Riku Replica: Yeah. But I'm not done yet. Got one last thing to see through.
Riku: (understanding) Take the time you need.
The two of them continued to watch the sunset. On the Paopu fruit tree, Sora and Kairi looked over to Riku, wondering what was on their friend's mind.
Sora: Hey, why's Riku all alone?
Kairi: He said he needed time to himself. Let's let him be.
Sora thinks a moment, but was interrupted by Kairi picking a fruit and offering it to him.
Kairi: Here.
Sora: Huh?
Kairi: Tomorrow's fight will be our toughest yet. I want to be a part of your life no matter what. That's all.
Sora: (accepts the fruit) And I want to be a part of your life. Kairi, I'll keep you safe.
Kairi: (shakes her head) Let me keep you safe.
They both remember the drawing they made when they were little in the secret cave. That showed them sharing a star together.
Now, they're sharing a paopu fruit together. They both smiled at each other while they watched the sunset.
Suddenly, Sora sense something coming towards them. His eyes widened as he quickly grabbed Kairi and jumped out of the way just as something came crashing down and smashing the tree they were just sitting on. Sora had carried Kairi to where Riku is.
Riku: (quickly got up) Are you okay?
Sora: Yeah.
Kairi: What was that?
The Destiny Trio looked at the dust pile. Something came out; it was a rather large individual shrouded in a dark hooded robe and it moved at such speed it seemed almost imposible for a normal person to see.
Sora summoned his Keyblade went for a downward slash, but the hooded figure blocked it with their and pushed him back.
???: (chuckles a bit) You're skilled. Your reputation precedes you, Keyblade wielder.
Sora: Who the hell are you?!
Riku: (senses a strange power) Wait... this darkness. You're not human, are you?
This caught Sora and Kairi by surprise, but this large creature didn't look the least bit shocked, evident by its dark chuckle.
???: Correct, I am a demon!
He threw away his robe to reveal his large and imposing form. He stood at a massive frame of ten feet tall, about the same size as Elfman's Beast Soul transformation with equally muscular arms and legs. He bore the appearance that seemed to blend a komodo dragon and a crocodile. His body was covered in dark green scales equivalent to that of a crocodile with a large and imposing tale, razor sharp black claws and white teeth, a large snout that seemed like one would find on a komodo dragon and red reptilian slit eyes.
Cragnar: But I'm not just any demon. My name is Cragnar, I'm of the Three Brothers, a sub group of the Devil Hand Guild!
Sora: (surprised) Devil Hand? As in the new Dark Guild Morrison mentioned?
Kairi: You've heard of them?
Sora: Yeah, it's a guild full of demons that attacked the Magic Council a few days ago.
Riku noticed a few bubbles in the water on his right when suddenly something emerged from the water like a great shark with an open mouth. Thinking quickly, Riku quickly dodged as the trio saw two more demons arrived at Cragnar's side.
One appeared to be some sort of humanoid raven; he was covered in black feathers with red eyes, he stood up on his hind legs which bore his razor sharp talons, he had his arms folded which held the feathers on them, as they were clearly wings; he was about twelve tall with the white pentagram symbol, the emblem of Devil Hand on his back.
On Cragnar's right was the second demon who bore the appearance of a large, muscular, and humanoid shark. His skin was leathery and was a dark blue color as he bore yellow eyes and a large fin on his back. He also had a white Devil Hand pentagram on his right shoulder.
Shark demon: The Master was correct. The three Guardians are on this isolated island.
Raven demon: Indeed. And with the human wizards not here, we get a chance to snatch our prey.
Riku: More demons.
Raviary: Yes. I am one of Cragnar's brothers, Raviary.
Fanglor: And I'm his other brother, Fanglor.
Sora: What do you want with us?
Cragnar: Not you, boy. (points a Kairi) We're here for the girl: Kairi.
Kairi: (shocked) ME?!?!
Raviary: Our Master demands your presence, and we will bring you to him.
Sora: And what if she doesn't want to come with you?
Fanglor: We'll take her by force.
Sora: Over my dead body.
Riku: (glares) We won't let you take her.
Cragnar: (smiles in sadistic anticipation) We were hopping you'd say that. Fanglor and I are quite hungry.
Chapter 88 ended.
This is it, the Keyblade Graveyard arc is about to begin. I need some help with this arc in terms of ideas or role-play scenes on Wattpad or Discord.
If any of you like to work with me on this, please let me know at the comments below and you will not regret it. Trust me. Peace out!
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