Video Game: Kingdom Hearts SOS: The Road To Light

Upon arrival at the Land of Departure Karina found a spot near the back of the room to stand against a wall. Nothing ever really changed. As soon as she was in a large group, she went to the back, stayed quiet, and kept out of the way. Karina pulled a small music player out of her pocket and put a pair of headphones in to listen to it. She figured it may be a while till they where assigned another mission. Besides it seemed like Krowley had stuff to sort out first. She assumed it was none of her business so she would stay out and not listen in. She allowed herself to slide down the wall till she was seated on the ground with her legs up by her chest. Her music drowned out most of what was around her and she ignored what she could hear. She preferred to avoid conversation or conflict at this point in time. It wasn't worth it to her.

As she sat listening to her music an old familiar song came on, one that her and her brother would often listen to, and sometimes sing along to. It was a song that always gave her the courage to be who she wanted to be, not who she was expected to be. Awake and Alive, it used to be her favourite song for such a long time. But that was before she broke her connection with her family, and her home world. She softly started to sing along with the female parts of the song, imagining her brother singing with her. She had a surprisingly soft, pretty singing voice in contrast to her appearance and attitude most of the time. Karina closed her eyes as she continued to sing, thinking back to her brother. She did really miss him. If she ever returned to her home world, it would just to be to visit him, nothing more.

 

"No one should have the ability to cause corruption in the world of others... That's the whole reason the time belt was created. The Order would use it to prevent these exact situations from happening... We just didn't think it was our creation that would spark it all."

"The Order?" Yen Sid asked.

"In our time, the seven lights have organized themselves into a group called the Order, and from it, have amassed ourselves into training future generations by creating an academy to train wielders. I'm one of those seven, and only came here because I was sent to track the signal on the beta belt you took... without permission I might add."

"I know..." Krowley felt awful. After he heard of Aux's departure, he snuck into the main council room and stole the belt that was meant to hunt down the theft of the first belt. "Wait, so if you're here... does that mean you found the belt?" Krowley was both relieved, but fearful of the consequences his friend would have to pay.

"'Fraid not. Soon as you took off, one of the order began immediate work on a third belt. It can only travel backwards, and has a time limit of a few hours. Not to mention it can only turn back the universal clock. Yours can do the same, but without the time limit. And the perfected belt can go forwards, backwards, or worse if he knows how to use it." What could be worse, he wondered.

"It's true I've used the academy's world as means of transport, but I'll need to head back soon. I just came for the belt." He held out his hand with his palm facing upwards, expecting Krowley to co-operate. Being the obedient student he was, Krowley complied with Blaze's request. He sighed as he unbuckled the device from his waist and delicately placed it in his palm.

"You just don't know what it's like... to watch your best friend walk away and not be able to stop him. Feeling helpless... like there's nothing you can do but watch him go..." As he received the belt, Blaze stopped to think. Everything he said hit pretty close to home in his past experiences. He chuckled at his memory and could see why he did what he did.

"I know I might have to even fight Aux to get him to co-operate. But I don't want to see the darkness take him whole. I want to be the person that brings him back into the light." Even more close to home. That burning desire to save a friend no matter what. He sighed again and repeated his phrase from before. "Why do I always get stuck with the icky jobs?..."

Krowley looked up in confusion. "Huh?" With a limp throw, he shoved the belt back at Krowley, who had just barely been able to catch it. "I-I don't understand." Blaze chuckled again. "Let's just say I know how it feels and leave it at that. Besides, we can use the extra man power... If Aux is causing more problems, you can at least stop him if he goes back further." Quickly placing the belt back around his waist, Krowley looked up and nodded. "Thank you."

"It would be really helpful. The Order has their hand's full upping security on the academy and protecting the princesses." Blaze remarked. Krowley turned his head down for a moment. "We couldn't stop them from taking one of them... Snow White..." Blaze brought his fist directly under the chin of his mask. "So they know..."

"Know what?"

Meanwhile, in the realm of darkness.

No Heart was carrying off from Krowley's question coincidentally, as he was explaining to Vanitas. "There are more than just 7 targets now... Thanks to the power of time, we are able to search for dozens of possible candidates." Vanitas folded his arms. "You explained this already, and I still don't get it. There are only 7 lights... one of which I had to purposely surrender." Vanitas was more and more angry with his erratic decisions. "A princess of heart is merely a title that can be handed off at a moment's notice. Whether they are from this time or the next, I've brought back worlds to better improve our chances of that."

"So you find 7 princesses, regardless of their time, seal the final keyhole, and control Kingdom Hearts. That's your base plan?" Vanitas retorted. "One of many I wish to pursue, yes. If you are still concerned for your merging with Ventus, I assure you it all fits in my blueprint..." No Heart answered. "You keep saying you know what's going to happen, and have this huge advantage, but all we've done is bait and run. I'm getting sick of it old man." Vanitas scoffed.

As he finished his sentance, a dark portal appeared behind him, with Nequa coming through, followed by Aux, carrying a heavily damaged Master Xehanort. "Speaking of the old man..." Vanitas sneered. Xehanort cringed as he was tossed to the ground in front of No Heart by Aux. "So the second master makes his arrival... What took you so long?" he asked, looking more on Nequa than Aux. "Old man reeeeally didn't want to go down. Tougher than he looks." she sighed.

On the ground, Xehanort's blurred vision looked up to find his former apprentice. "Et tu Vanitas?" he asked with a smile.

"No Heart made a better offer and presentation." Vanitas glared.

Xehanort's eyes perked up at the mention of No Heart, but ended up coughing once more from his damaged upper body. "And by what means did he convince you-"

"Simple," No heart interrupted. "I just informed him of all your failures... You may have done the research, but it was poorly executed on more than one account. I have perfected your plan with a guarantee of success." Xehanort let out a soft chuckle. "The words of an inexperienced man."

With no reply, No Heart turned to his apprentices and began handing out orders, "Vanitas, begin preparations to transport the cargo to the location we discussed. Aux will assist you after having put our guest in the Cryo-Chamber next to Eraqus." Aux nodded and followed Vanitas as they both headed North along the high up roads.

"Nequa's turn to play?" the girl ask excitedly.

"Just don't play too rough." he added cautiously.

"YAY!" she pumped a fist in the air and ran through the dark portal behind her.

What goes on in that deranged mind of hers? he thought to himself.

With vanitas up in front, Aux was casually walking slowly behind him, with Xehanort's frail body carried over his shoulder. He had read much on Xehanort, but didn't wish to speak out of turn. "Are you concerned on the uncertainty of your fate?" Aux asked.
"On the contrary... I wish to see how this plays out..." Xehanort spoke.

 

Karina glared up at Flora. She didn't care to talk to her. She wanted to be left in peace. She picked up her music player and replayed the song she was just listening to. She looked back down giving Flora the idea to go away and leave her alone. It seemed the other dude was still talking about whatever he was talking about. She hadn't listened to one word of his thing and didn't care to know what he was talking about. Even if she was paying attention there was a good chance that most of what he said would go in one ear and out the other anyways. There was no point.

 

"If this turns out well, we could very well win this battle. the Order handles protecting the seven princesses of heart from our time, but that still leaves plenty at risk..." Blaze thought out loud. "How much?" Krowley ask hesitantly.

"Well, after our main math guy calculated all the worlds and such, mixed in with the different timelines they were pulled from, I'd say around... 14 more."

Krowley's shoulders dropped a level. 14? That means there were three times the amount of precious targets.

"Can you at least give us some names to make our search easier?"

Blaze looked around at all the young faces. He knew the list from their time, along with another from his younger days, but the last list was out of his hands. He also still couldn't fully trust people in the group. any one of them could just as easily be working for No Heart. There was too much to risk, and too little hope of gain.

Blaze placed his arm on Krowley's shoulder. "'Fraid I can't help you there... But I can give you the co-ordinates for some one who might help." Blaze stepped over by the Holo-almanac that Krowley had left in the front hall.​

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New Co-ordinates have been placed!​

"If his world is in view, be sure to visit him and tell him Hothead sent you." Blaze continued to go on with the Order's current plan of action. "Our belts only reverse the universal clock, so we can't even stop Aux from stealing the first belt. Believe me, we went through a whole lot of options, right now, our biggest concern was to save anyone we can until a more liable solution comes into play." passing the young man, he slugged his arm off and passed by Yen Sid for his departure.

"Thanks again for the help." Blaze spoke as he walked off. Yen Sid seemed confused. "And what assistance would that be concerning?" Blaze chuckled. "Let's just say you gave me a little light when I was lost in the darkness." He looked onto the faces of all the keybladers before him. Optimistic... Filled with anger... Innocent... these words were just a few that popped into his head from his second look. this small brigade was their most valuable source of recon. With their world in lockdown, they needed people on the outside.

Summoning his keyblade, he tossed it in front of him, to create a flaming keyglider. Before hopping inside, he turned back for a few final words. "You all be careful... The Princesses of Heart when together are very valuable... Others aside from No Heart and his apprentices will do anything to seek it's power. Don't let their darkness overtake you." Casually hopping on to the vehicle, he fled the scene, allowing them to act on their heart's content


Ananta received Frolic Flame!
Base received Frolic Flame!
Beuce received Frolic Flame!
Etrius received Frolic Flame!
Eon received Frolic Flame!
Flora received Frolic Flame!
Glen received Frolic Flame!
Karina received Frolic Flame!
KEL received Frolic Flame!
Krowley received Frolic Flame!
Luna received Frolic Flame!
Steel received Frolic Flame!

Meanwhile, in a far away castle...​

A shroud of dark, unseen figures were deliberating in a throne room. While there was a main leading force sitting on the throne, the others stood in a circular format, being panned on with each of their thoughts and contributions.

"Whoa whoa whoa, let me see if I'm hearing this correctly. You want us to assemble a group of princesses which could possibly open a secret door which holds limitless power?" one spoke out.

The ominous presence on the throne nodded his head. "Precisely..."

"Well I'm in, hahaha! I fancy myself a gamblin' man."
"Well I think it sounds like rubbish! I'd bet my right hand on it."

"You sure you want to be making bets brother? Looks like you already lost one."
"Shut up!"

"SILENCE!" The booming voice echoed through the throne room with the most commanding presence. The Hooded figure arose from his throne

"I do not care for you petty indifferences. I have the seven of you here to be a part of something more grand then your petty schemes of vengeance and chaos."

"And for what reason, pray tell, should we follow in YOUR plan."

The Horned King stepped menacingly towards the center of the group. "Because I have been shown what happens, and I can assure you. None of you succeed...."

The room stood in shock for seconds. "Even you?" The Horned King hesitated to admit it, but his own rash thinking was the source of his downfall. "Even I, in my own blind ambition, failed to see the errors I would make." The Horned King spoke with a soft and understanding tone, not showing rage unless he wished to get their attention.

"Divided, we will fall, but together... we are a force that will not go down so easily... Allies of darkness, I have been shown the future by a man in a mask, and with our new following... We can make the future the way WE see it."

"And who's too say we can trust him OR you?" the villains looked upon him to see his answer. Before he could speak, the door at the end of the room creaked open. A diminutive hooded figure stumbled through the hall in a hurry out of fear from his long travels.

"S-sire, I return. Hehehe..."

"Yes... You've brought Queen Grimhilde then?" The little creature, removed his hood, showing a disfigured little green imp with uneven eyes, and a thin purple hood beneath his brown one. "Um.. well, hehe, Your excellency, She was, umm... Struck down, sire. B-by lightning" He cringed at his final words.

The Horned King's fist clenched. "Then why are you here, interrupting me?..." The little creeper erratically shifted between glee and fear as he was explaining. "Well, while the queen may have been electrocuted, hehe, I-I-I bring you a replacement to add to your team." He turned around and opened the door, bowing as he let the mystery villain in. "M-m-may I present to sire, M-Maleficent."

The Horned King sneered at the new visitor. Not out of anger or blight, but unfamiliarity. "My herald has not reported anything on you." the Horned King replied. "I am not the most easiest of sorceresses to find my liege... your minion tells me you seek information on princesses," she chuckled a small bit of evil laughter. "I subject I know all too well..." the Horned King grinned past his thin skin. "It seems we have more to discuss with our new member.... Creeper!" He shouted at his minion, who flinched at the sign of his name.

"Y-yes sire?"

"Send my herald out into the worlds again. Time is a precious thing that we must use to our advantage."

The Creeper gulped. "Th-the Herald sire?"

"Is that a problem?" the King asked with a growing tone.

"No sire. No problem at all, hehe..." He limped along and closed the door behind him, leaving the villains to discuss. "I hate the herald!" he sighed. He jumped along the steps of the castle until he reached the main hall. He hesitantly opened the door to carry along the Horned King's message. Though admittedly, he was just as afraid of him as he was of his majesty. "H-hello? Herald! S-sire wishes for you to-"

Before he could relay the message, evil laughter was heard from the darkly lit hall. Nothing could be seen but darkness. With the sound of a dark corridor opening, the herald's laughter was followed by the clopping of hooves. "AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"

The Creeper covered his ears at the mind numbing laughter, and removed them once the corridor closed. "I hate the herald," he repeated.