Post by Hayate on Oct 18, 2006 20:09:46 GMT -5
Chapter 1: Beginnings
He just stood there, looking on at the sunset beaming down upon the waters of Twilight Town, his dusk-shaded hair swaying in the gentle breeze. He just stood there, firmly clenching his Keyblade in his right hand. His name is Shiro. It’s only been a few hours since he left Origin City. What’s Origin City, you ask? A little while ago – about 17 years – the universe was finally rid of the Heartless and Nobodies, only to be introduced to an entirely new threat simply called “Darklings”. Darklings are hideous beings that are even stronger than Heartless or Nobodies, and can take on the form of humans. Simply put, a Darkling can be easily undetected… unless you’re a Keyblade master, that is. At the same time the Darklings appeared, it’s been discovered that new Keyblade masters could be born. Babies with strange birthmarks were thought to be future Keyblade masters, which was usually the case. Thus led to the birth of the world known as Origin City, where newly born Keyblade masters would go when they came of age to develop their skills and newfound powers. When they were thought to be ready, they would be sent out to other worlds in order to fight the Darklings. Young Shiro is one case. Anyway, back to the story. Shiro stands on top of a bridge that overlooks the main river that ran through Twilight Town, clenching onto his master’s Keyblade, the Relinquishing Light. Shiro takes a hold of his collar and speaks into a tiny microphone.
Shiro “There aren’t any Darklings here, Ayane.”
Ayane was the name of Shiro’s “supervisor”, who was monitoring his actions back at Origin City’s Central Tower.
Ayane “It’s been over an hour already. Maybe you’re right. Okay, Shiro, you can head on back now.”
Shiro “On my way. Hmm?”
In the corner of his eye, Shiro spots something’s shadow slowly making its way into the darkness of an alleyway.
Shiro “Hold on, Ayane. I think I found something.”
Ayane “Really? Where?”
Shiro “The back alley. Kind of cliché, huh?”
Ayane “I’ll say. But if you did see something…”
Shiro “I know. I’ll go check it out.”
Shiro takes great caution tiptoeing into the alley. The shadow he spotted earlier was now making its way into the concourse that ran underneath the town. Where the concourse comes to a dead end, Shiro spots a normal human girl. But she was giving off a strange black aura.
Shiro “No doubt about it. A Darkling!”
The brick wall in front of the Darkling reveals an infrared retina-scan. A couple seconds pass, and the brick wall rises, having concealed an entrance. Shiro immediately takes a hold of his collar.
Shiro “Ayane. I’ve found it. There was a small Darkling base stationed in Twilight Town.”
Ayane “All right. Nice job, Shiro.”
Shiro “Now commencing infiltration.”
Reaching into his pocket, Shiro pulls out a contact lens that gives his eye a slight reddish hue. Walking up to the retina-scan door, Shiro stays perfectly calm. The infrared scanner slowly runs up and down his left eye. Verifying Shiro as a “Darkling”, the wall rises in front of him.
Shiro “I’m in. I’m cutting off communication here, Ayane.”
Ayane “Right. Be sure to take extra caution.”
Shiro “I know.”
Ayane “…Good luck.”
Shiro “Oh. Thanks.”
Inside the base, Shiro keeps the Relinquishing Light handy as he ducks behind almost every large object he went by. In front of a door marked “Generator Room” were two Guardian Darklings.
Shiro (whispering) “Fire! Fire!”
He fires two Fira spells to distract them, and as they dash by, Shiro swipes a keycard off one of them.
Shiro “All too easy…”
There was a keycard scanner that controlled the door in front of it. Swiping the keycard through the scanner, the machine beeps thrice and the door creaks open. The Generator Room was where all of the Darklings were being produced. On one side went in normal Heartless and on the other side came out humans with black auras.
Shiro “Well, that explains where all the remaining Heartless went. But what could be powering this machine?”
Through further investigation of the Generator Room, Shiro finds yet another door leading to yet another room. A quick shake of the knob establishes that the door was…
Shiro “Locked.”
Shiro then takes two steps back and clasps the Relinquishing Light in both hands. With a swift swing of the Keyblade, the door is neatly sliced into two halves.
Shiro “Heh.”
Two Darkling humans quickly turn around to see two door halves on the floor and Shiro standing there nonchalantly.
Shiro “Whoops! Sorry! I thought this was the Employee’s Lounge!”
The Darklings were unfazed by Shiro’s humor. A single spin around and they reveal their true forms: little demons with black skin, long claws, menacing red eyes, and battle armor.
Shiro “Hey, I said sorry, didn’t I?”
The Darklings dash at Shiro in perfect synchronization and pounce on him. They instantly deteriorate into nothing with one strike of the Relinquishing Light.
Shiro “Never stood a chance. Now…to shut down this machine. Um…”
Of course, Shiro didn’t even know how to do that. Activating his microphone…
Shiro “Hey, Ayane. I’m in the Generator Room and I don’t know how to shut off this machine.”
Ayane “I’m running a full-body analysis of the machine now… I got it! There should be a pipeline running through to the machine that pumps in a dark fluid. If you can sever that pipeline, the machine should power down. The pipeline is…right on top of you.”
Shiro “Got it! Thanks, Ayane!”
Ayane “Hold on. I’m also picking up some human life forces nearby. Do you see anything, Shiro?”
Taking a short look around, Shiro notices another room. Inside, human beings lay in cryogenic states inside small capsules.
Shiro “Hey! These are the people of Twilight Town that had gone missing a few days ago!”
Ayane “Those must be who the Darklings’ human disguises are being modeled after.”
Breaking open one of the capsules, a human girl falls into Shiro’s arms. She looked just like the Darkling that Shiro was following earlier in the alley. The girl gradually stirs awake and looks up at him.
Girl “Who…are you?”
Shiro “Just call me your savior. Either that, or Shiro.”
Girl “Um… I like Shiro better.”
Shiro briefly looks away in annoyance.
Shiro “Yeah – everyone does. Do you remember anything from a few days ago?”
Girl “I remember being enveloped in this dark mist, and the next thing I know, I’m here.”
Shiro “Yeah? Well, don’t worry. I’ll get you out of here!”
Girl “That’s good. I bet my parents really miss me…”
Shiro (to himself) “So innocent…”
Shiro breaks open the remaining capsules holding humans. Like the girl, they had no recollection of being captured either. They just stare into space, wondering where they were taken.
Shiro “We’re all set, Ayane.”
ayane “Right. Engaging transporter now.”
Shiro (addressing the captives) “Stay calm, everyone. You’ll be transported to Twilight Town Square momentarily. In 3…2…1…”
The twenty captives are all transported out of the base. The girl Shiro had rescued first echoes a faint “Thank you” to him.
Ayane “All of the captured people have been safely returned to Twilight Town. Good job, Shiro!”
Shiro “Thanks, Ayane, but it isn’t over yet…”
Shiro proceeds with walking back into the previous room and severs the fluid link to the Darkling Generator. The machine powers down almost instantly.
Shiro “Mission complete!”
Ayane “Uh, Shiro?”
Shiro “Hmm?”
Shiro turns around to see an army of nearly 50 Darklings staring him down with lifeless red eyes.
Shiro “Big deal. Beam me up, Ayane! Hehehe…”
Ayane “Sorry, Shiro! The transporter doesn’t have enough power! It needs to recharge!”
Shiro “Is that right…?”
Shiro simply flashes an innocent smile.
Shiro “Looks like I’m having a party then…”
All of the Darklings charge at him at one time with their claws aimed forward.
Shiro “Don’t you guys know ANYTHING about fighting fair!? Oh, well…”
Shiro grips the Keyblade tight and jumps up high into the air, startling the Darklings. From below, Shiro’s body appears pitch black in the room’s ceiling lights.
Shiro “Rampant Arcanum!”
In an instant, Shiro appears to split into five. Rushing downward, the five Shiros slice through the Darkling army in about three seconds’ time. As soon as the five Shiros come together, the Darklings’ auras drift away in the wind.
Shiro “Ha!”
Ayane’s headphones almost slip off her head as she gazes at the monitor with dilated pupils and suddenly unruly hair.
Ayane “Shiro… Where’d you…learn to…do THAT?!?”
Shiro “It was one of Master Kaizo’s cooler lessons.”
Ayane sighs in relief and wipes away any little sweat on her temple as the danger finally passes.
Ayane “You almost gave me a heart attack there!”
Shiro “Sorry, Ayane…”
Ayane “Ohhh… It’s all right… See you when you get back.”
Shiro “Sure. Shiro out.”
Shiro leaves the Darkling base after burning it to the ground, content with his victory. At the Twilight Town Station Plaza, fully-grown Hayner, Pence, and Olette all greet him.
Shiro “Hayner! Pence! Olette! What’s up, guys?”
Pence “Hey, Shiro! Here on business as usual?”
Shiro “Yup! A Keyblade master’s work is never done!”
Hayner “Hehehe… Sounds like a certain someone I once knew.”
Olette “Go on, Hayner! Give it to him!”
Shiro “What?”
Hayner “Oh, yeah! Here.”
Hayner presents Shiro with a Keychain.
Shiro “A Keychain?”
Pence “Yeah. Yen Sid’s been working on for some time now.”
Hayner tosses the Keychain to Shiro. Catching it in one hand, he examines it. The chain was made from a fine silver material, and at the bottom end of the chain, a golden star with a golden halo around its edges was attached.
Shiro “What’s it called?”
Olette “He called it the Wings of Exile.”
Shiro “Wings of Exile… Not a bad name.”
Hayner “Yeah, that’s what I said!”
Concentrating his energy, the Keychain vanishes and reappears on the Relinquishing Light, altering its own appearance. The handle was a smooth light-blue color between white-silver angel wings that curved around it. The blade itself shines bright white, and at the very top, the key shape of the Relinquishing Light is replaced by three intertwining haloes.
Shiro “Whoa… He’s been working on this for HOW long?”
Pence “Heh… I guess you’ll be goin’ then!”
Shiro “Yup! Gotta go! Thanks a lot, you guys!”
Shiro runs inside the train station of Twilight Town with a great smile, with his new Keyblade in hand, and immediately boards his recently customized Gummi Ship.
Shiro “Okay… Engines online… Cannons and lasers operational… Turbo thrusters are active… All set for takeoff!”
The Gummi Ship pulls away from the Gummi Ship port and takes off into interspace. It wasn’t too long before the ship came under attack by Darkling Ships.
Shiro “Man, these guys don’t give up, do they!?”
The primary computer switches itself on as Shiro receives a transmission from Ayane.
Shiro “Hey, Ayane. I’m on my way back already.”
Ayane “I’m afraid not, Shiro. There seems to be a distress call coming from Port Royal. I’ll patch it through.”
Only one second later…
?? “Hello!? Is anyone out there?”
Shiro “Wait… I know that voice… Will?”
On the other end of the transmission was another of Shiro’s good friends, Will Turner.
Will “Oh, hello, Shiro. Long time no see!”
Shiro “Yeah! What’s the problem?”
Will “It seems ol’ Jack Sparrow’s gotten too greedy for his own good! While looking for treasure, he’s gone and awakened a sleeping Darkling!”
Shiro “Just one Darkling?”
Will “Tch! ‘Just one Darkling’, he says!”
Shiro “Uh-oh.”
Will “Wouldn’t you know it happens to be a Poltergeist Darkling!?”
Shiro “POLTERGEIST!?!? Are you serious?”
Will “I’m not kidding! You’d better get your keister over here, and quick!!”
…The message ends.
Shiro “Ayane, send over a couple other Key bearers to help out at Port Royal! I’m gonna have my hands full with this Poltergeist!”
Ayane “Poltergeist, you said? I’m already on it!”
The computer switches off, and Shiro turns his attention to the Darkling Ships.
Shiro “Sorry, fellas. We’re gonna have to pick up where we left off some other time!”
With that, he opens a glass cover and presses a switch under it with his fist.
Computer “Trans-D Jump engaged!”
Shiro “Later!!!”
A great flash sends Shiro’s Gummi Ship hurling through a speed warp, leaving the Darkling Ship pilots’ agape…
TO BE CONTINUED…
He just stood there, looking on at the sunset beaming down upon the waters of Twilight Town, his dusk-shaded hair swaying in the gentle breeze. He just stood there, firmly clenching his Keyblade in his right hand. His name is Shiro. It’s only been a few hours since he left Origin City. What’s Origin City, you ask? A little while ago – about 17 years – the universe was finally rid of the Heartless and Nobodies, only to be introduced to an entirely new threat simply called “Darklings”. Darklings are hideous beings that are even stronger than Heartless or Nobodies, and can take on the form of humans. Simply put, a Darkling can be easily undetected… unless you’re a Keyblade master, that is. At the same time the Darklings appeared, it’s been discovered that new Keyblade masters could be born. Babies with strange birthmarks were thought to be future Keyblade masters, which was usually the case. Thus led to the birth of the world known as Origin City, where newly born Keyblade masters would go when they came of age to develop their skills and newfound powers. When they were thought to be ready, they would be sent out to other worlds in order to fight the Darklings. Young Shiro is one case. Anyway, back to the story. Shiro stands on top of a bridge that overlooks the main river that ran through Twilight Town, clenching onto his master’s Keyblade, the Relinquishing Light. Shiro takes a hold of his collar and speaks into a tiny microphone.
Shiro “There aren’t any Darklings here, Ayane.”
Ayane was the name of Shiro’s “supervisor”, who was monitoring his actions back at Origin City’s Central Tower.
Ayane “It’s been over an hour already. Maybe you’re right. Okay, Shiro, you can head on back now.”
Shiro “On my way. Hmm?”
In the corner of his eye, Shiro spots something’s shadow slowly making its way into the darkness of an alleyway.
Shiro “Hold on, Ayane. I think I found something.”
Ayane “Really? Where?”
Shiro “The back alley. Kind of cliché, huh?”
Ayane “I’ll say. But if you did see something…”
Shiro “I know. I’ll go check it out.”
Shiro takes great caution tiptoeing into the alley. The shadow he spotted earlier was now making its way into the concourse that ran underneath the town. Where the concourse comes to a dead end, Shiro spots a normal human girl. But she was giving off a strange black aura.
Shiro “No doubt about it. A Darkling!”
The brick wall in front of the Darkling reveals an infrared retina-scan. A couple seconds pass, and the brick wall rises, having concealed an entrance. Shiro immediately takes a hold of his collar.
Shiro “Ayane. I’ve found it. There was a small Darkling base stationed in Twilight Town.”
Ayane “All right. Nice job, Shiro.”
Shiro “Now commencing infiltration.”
Reaching into his pocket, Shiro pulls out a contact lens that gives his eye a slight reddish hue. Walking up to the retina-scan door, Shiro stays perfectly calm. The infrared scanner slowly runs up and down his left eye. Verifying Shiro as a “Darkling”, the wall rises in front of him.
Shiro “I’m in. I’m cutting off communication here, Ayane.”
Ayane “Right. Be sure to take extra caution.”
Shiro “I know.”
Ayane “…Good luck.”
Shiro “Oh. Thanks.”
Inside the base, Shiro keeps the Relinquishing Light handy as he ducks behind almost every large object he went by. In front of a door marked “Generator Room” were two Guardian Darklings.
Shiro (whispering) “Fire! Fire!”
He fires two Fira spells to distract them, and as they dash by, Shiro swipes a keycard off one of them.
Shiro “All too easy…”
There was a keycard scanner that controlled the door in front of it. Swiping the keycard through the scanner, the machine beeps thrice and the door creaks open. The Generator Room was where all of the Darklings were being produced. On one side went in normal Heartless and on the other side came out humans with black auras.
Shiro “Well, that explains where all the remaining Heartless went. But what could be powering this machine?”
Through further investigation of the Generator Room, Shiro finds yet another door leading to yet another room. A quick shake of the knob establishes that the door was…
Shiro “Locked.”
Shiro then takes two steps back and clasps the Relinquishing Light in both hands. With a swift swing of the Keyblade, the door is neatly sliced into two halves.
Shiro “Heh.”
Two Darkling humans quickly turn around to see two door halves on the floor and Shiro standing there nonchalantly.
Shiro “Whoops! Sorry! I thought this was the Employee’s Lounge!”
The Darklings were unfazed by Shiro’s humor. A single spin around and they reveal their true forms: little demons with black skin, long claws, menacing red eyes, and battle armor.
Shiro “Hey, I said sorry, didn’t I?”
The Darklings dash at Shiro in perfect synchronization and pounce on him. They instantly deteriorate into nothing with one strike of the Relinquishing Light.
Shiro “Never stood a chance. Now…to shut down this machine. Um…”
Of course, Shiro didn’t even know how to do that. Activating his microphone…
Shiro “Hey, Ayane. I’m in the Generator Room and I don’t know how to shut off this machine.”
Ayane “I’m running a full-body analysis of the machine now… I got it! There should be a pipeline running through to the machine that pumps in a dark fluid. If you can sever that pipeline, the machine should power down. The pipeline is…right on top of you.”
Shiro “Got it! Thanks, Ayane!”
Ayane “Hold on. I’m also picking up some human life forces nearby. Do you see anything, Shiro?”
Taking a short look around, Shiro notices another room. Inside, human beings lay in cryogenic states inside small capsules.
Shiro “Hey! These are the people of Twilight Town that had gone missing a few days ago!”
Ayane “Those must be who the Darklings’ human disguises are being modeled after.”
Breaking open one of the capsules, a human girl falls into Shiro’s arms. She looked just like the Darkling that Shiro was following earlier in the alley. The girl gradually stirs awake and looks up at him.
Girl “Who…are you?”
Shiro “Just call me your savior. Either that, or Shiro.”
Girl “Um… I like Shiro better.”
Shiro briefly looks away in annoyance.
Shiro “Yeah – everyone does. Do you remember anything from a few days ago?”
Girl “I remember being enveloped in this dark mist, and the next thing I know, I’m here.”
Shiro “Yeah? Well, don’t worry. I’ll get you out of here!”
Girl “That’s good. I bet my parents really miss me…”
Shiro (to himself) “So innocent…”
Shiro breaks open the remaining capsules holding humans. Like the girl, they had no recollection of being captured either. They just stare into space, wondering where they were taken.
Shiro “We’re all set, Ayane.”
ayane “Right. Engaging transporter now.”
Shiro (addressing the captives) “Stay calm, everyone. You’ll be transported to Twilight Town Square momentarily. In 3…2…1…”
The twenty captives are all transported out of the base. The girl Shiro had rescued first echoes a faint “Thank you” to him.
Ayane “All of the captured people have been safely returned to Twilight Town. Good job, Shiro!”
Shiro “Thanks, Ayane, but it isn’t over yet…”
Shiro proceeds with walking back into the previous room and severs the fluid link to the Darkling Generator. The machine powers down almost instantly.
Shiro “Mission complete!”
Ayane “Uh, Shiro?”
Shiro “Hmm?”
Shiro turns around to see an army of nearly 50 Darklings staring him down with lifeless red eyes.
Shiro “Big deal. Beam me up, Ayane! Hehehe…”
Ayane “Sorry, Shiro! The transporter doesn’t have enough power! It needs to recharge!”
Shiro “Is that right…?”
Shiro simply flashes an innocent smile.
Shiro “Looks like I’m having a party then…”
All of the Darklings charge at him at one time with their claws aimed forward.
Shiro “Don’t you guys know ANYTHING about fighting fair!? Oh, well…”
Shiro grips the Keyblade tight and jumps up high into the air, startling the Darklings. From below, Shiro’s body appears pitch black in the room’s ceiling lights.
Shiro “Rampant Arcanum!”
In an instant, Shiro appears to split into five. Rushing downward, the five Shiros slice through the Darkling army in about three seconds’ time. As soon as the five Shiros come together, the Darklings’ auras drift away in the wind.
Shiro “Ha!”
Ayane’s headphones almost slip off her head as she gazes at the monitor with dilated pupils and suddenly unruly hair.
Ayane “Shiro… Where’d you…learn to…do THAT?!?”
Shiro “It was one of Master Kaizo’s cooler lessons.”
Ayane sighs in relief and wipes away any little sweat on her temple as the danger finally passes.
Ayane “You almost gave me a heart attack there!”
Shiro “Sorry, Ayane…”
Ayane “Ohhh… It’s all right… See you when you get back.”
Shiro “Sure. Shiro out.”
Shiro leaves the Darkling base after burning it to the ground, content with his victory. At the Twilight Town Station Plaza, fully-grown Hayner, Pence, and Olette all greet him.
Shiro “Hayner! Pence! Olette! What’s up, guys?”
Pence “Hey, Shiro! Here on business as usual?”
Shiro “Yup! A Keyblade master’s work is never done!”
Hayner “Hehehe… Sounds like a certain someone I once knew.”
Olette “Go on, Hayner! Give it to him!”
Shiro “What?”
Hayner “Oh, yeah! Here.”
Hayner presents Shiro with a Keychain.
Shiro “A Keychain?”
Pence “Yeah. Yen Sid’s been working on for some time now.”
Hayner tosses the Keychain to Shiro. Catching it in one hand, he examines it. The chain was made from a fine silver material, and at the bottom end of the chain, a golden star with a golden halo around its edges was attached.
Shiro “What’s it called?”
Olette “He called it the Wings of Exile.”
Shiro “Wings of Exile… Not a bad name.”
Hayner “Yeah, that’s what I said!”
Concentrating his energy, the Keychain vanishes and reappears on the Relinquishing Light, altering its own appearance. The handle was a smooth light-blue color between white-silver angel wings that curved around it. The blade itself shines bright white, and at the very top, the key shape of the Relinquishing Light is replaced by three intertwining haloes.
Shiro “Whoa… He’s been working on this for HOW long?”
Pence “Heh… I guess you’ll be goin’ then!”
Shiro “Yup! Gotta go! Thanks a lot, you guys!”
Shiro runs inside the train station of Twilight Town with a great smile, with his new Keyblade in hand, and immediately boards his recently customized Gummi Ship.
Shiro “Okay… Engines online… Cannons and lasers operational… Turbo thrusters are active… All set for takeoff!”
The Gummi Ship pulls away from the Gummi Ship port and takes off into interspace. It wasn’t too long before the ship came under attack by Darkling Ships.
Shiro “Man, these guys don’t give up, do they!?”
The primary computer switches itself on as Shiro receives a transmission from Ayane.
Shiro “Hey, Ayane. I’m on my way back already.”
Ayane “I’m afraid not, Shiro. There seems to be a distress call coming from Port Royal. I’ll patch it through.”
Only one second later…
?? “Hello!? Is anyone out there?”
Shiro “Wait… I know that voice… Will?”
On the other end of the transmission was another of Shiro’s good friends, Will Turner.
Will “Oh, hello, Shiro. Long time no see!”
Shiro “Yeah! What’s the problem?”
Will “It seems ol’ Jack Sparrow’s gotten too greedy for his own good! While looking for treasure, he’s gone and awakened a sleeping Darkling!”
Shiro “Just one Darkling?”
Will “Tch! ‘Just one Darkling’, he says!”
Shiro “Uh-oh.”
Will “Wouldn’t you know it happens to be a Poltergeist Darkling!?”
Shiro “POLTERGEIST!?!? Are you serious?”
Will “I’m not kidding! You’d better get your keister over here, and quick!!”
…The message ends.
Shiro “Ayane, send over a couple other Key bearers to help out at Port Royal! I’m gonna have my hands full with this Poltergeist!”
Ayane “Poltergeist, you said? I’m already on it!”
The computer switches off, and Shiro turns his attention to the Darkling Ships.
Shiro “Sorry, fellas. We’re gonna have to pick up where we left off some other time!”
With that, he opens a glass cover and presses a switch under it with his fist.
Computer “Trans-D Jump engaged!”
Shiro “Later!!!”
A great flash sends Shiro’s Gummi Ship hurling through a speed warp, leaving the Darkling Ship pilots’ agape…
TO BE CONTINUED…
