Post by Hayate on Oct 18, 2006 20:13:14 GMT -5
Chapter 4: Resolve
It was practically midnight. Shiro, with his legs in an Indian stance, sits across from Kaizo, also sitting in an Indian stance. Both of them were in the center of the room. Lit candles circle all around them.
Kaizo “Before we begin, I must ask you: This is the first time I’m teaching the use of darkness to anyone. When my master taught it to me, the pain was unbearable, but I was aware of the consequences. And I endured. Do you understand the consequences of improperly learning this technique?”
Shiro “I do.”
Kaizo “Also, I do not wish for this technique to be misused by any other, in fear of the dire outcome. After I teach you this technique, do you solemnly vow not to pass this art on to anyone?”
Shiro “…I solemnly vow.”
Kaizo “Very well.”
The wind blows in through the window cracks, slightly blowing on the candles. Shiro waits patiently for Kaizo’s next words as he gulps in uneasiness.
Kaizo “Now… To begin with, learning how to control the darkness is a dangerous art, and with exploitation of it comes costly results, such as losing your heart itself.”
Shiro “I understand.”
Kaizo “Good. Now, I want you to concentrate. Focus your thoughts and emotions.”
Shiro slowly closes his eyes and clasps his hands together lightly.
Kaizo “"I want you to focus on all negative emotions: Fear, anger, hatred, greed, jealousy… Think about the utmost moment in your life that made you feel all of these emotions at one time…”
Shiro recalls of a time, about 2 years ago, even before he was sent to Origin City. He was 13 at the time, 2 years after he had met Ayane. He had a big crush on her. One day, while he was strolling through Twilight Town’s Sunset Terrace, he spotted Ayane by the fountain, holding hands with a guy older than himself. His name was Cain. Shiro had already known about him and Ayane. They’ve been spending time with each other for a while. One could call it “going out”. It made Shiro feel angry as well as depressed, since he really liked her. Naturally, it also made him feel jealous. A few days later, Shiro found Ayane at the same fountain, but she was alone this time. She was crying her eyes out. Shiro could see Cain walking off with another girl whose name he had forgotten. Ayane had explained how Cain suddenly had feelings for someone else, making her feel terrible. Shiro hated Cain even more from that day on…
Concentrating on his anger, Shiro soon starts to growl quietly. The grasp his hands had on each together grows tighter. As the growling gets louder, a dark aura – similar to those of Darklings – slowly builds up around his body. His bluish-black hair was beginning to sway in a nonexistent wind.
Kaizo “Good. Stay in control. Just focus your thoughts on that one moment in time.”
Just by his facial expressions, you could tell that Shiro’s rage was constantly accumulating itself. The dark aura around him gets thicker and denser.
Kaizo “Shiro?”
Shiro “Grrrr… Grrrr…”
Kaizo “Shiro, calm yourself!”
Shiro “GRRR… AAAHHHH!”
Kaizo “SHIRO, STOP!!!!”
In a flash, Shiro comes to his senses. His eyes open and the dark aura immediately vanishes. He was trying to catch his breath.
Shiro “What…happened?”
Kaizo “You’ve built up too much energy… You almost lost control…”
Shiro “Oh…”
Kaizo “But it was still a good try. You’ve focused your thoughts rather quickly.”
Shiro “Thank you.”
Kaizo “That was not a compliment. You’ve focused your thoughts too quickly. Doing so would burn out your energy in mere moments.”
Shiro “Ah… I see…”
Kaizo “Get some rest. We’ll try again in the morning.”
Shiro “Yes, master.”
Staggering out of the dojo, Shiro finds Ayane standing in front of him.
Shiro “Ayane? What’re you doing here?”
Ayane “I knew you’d be working hard. So…”
Ayane hands him a cloth and a bottle of water. Shiro giggles taking the items from her.
Ayane “What’s so funny?”
Shiro “You spoil me, you know that?”
Ayane “No, I don’t. I just worry.”
Shiro wipes away the sweat remaining on his forehead.
Shiro “…Thanks, Ayane.”
There was a sort of sincerity in Shiro’s thanks that causes Ayane’s face to redden.
Ayane “Uh… Sure. A-Anytime.”
Shiro “You okay, Ayane?”
Ayane “I’m fine. I just…need to get some sleep. G’night.”
Shiro “Sure. G’night.”
Shiro proceeds to walk to his home in Origin City in the residential area. During his walk, he feels a sudden shock in his head. The rushing pain makes him fall to his knees. He drops the water bottle Ayane gave him and it spills onto the cold hard ground.
Shiro “Gah! What’s…going on?! What’s happening…to me?!”
Shiro grasps his head with both hands. The immense pain must’ve been what Kaizo was talking about.
Shiro “The pain… Make it stop…! MAKE IT STOP!!!!”
His great scream catches Ayane’s attention.
Ayane “Shiro!?”
Shiro “AAAAAHHHHHH!!!”
Ayane “Oh, no! Shiro!!”
Shiro “GRRRRRAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!”
…The very next morning, Shiro awakens in his bed with a lukewarm damp cloth on his forehead. His hair was unruly, his sight blurred, and his head still in pain, but not as much as before. He finds Ayane at his bedside.
Shiro “Aya…ne?”
Ayane “Shiro! You’re awake! Kaizo, Xavi, come quick!”
Kaizo and Xavi both hurry into the room and kneel down at Shiro’s side.
Xavi “Hey, man! How ya feelin’?”
Shiro “Like I just dove headfirst into solid concrete.”
Ayane “You had me so worried.”
Kaizo “We were all worried.”
Shiro “Master… What was happening to me?”
Kaizo “It must’ve been the dark energy you accumulated last night working its way into your system.”
Shiro “What? I don’t understand…”
Kaizo “In order to fully bend the darkness to your will, you must naturally feel it course through you.”
Xavi “Ayane and Kaizo filled me in on what was going on. Learning to control the DARKNESS, Shiro?! Are you outta your mind?!”
Shiro “I guess, in some ways, I was. But how else are we gonna save Captain Ryuma and Queen Minnie from Orion?”
Xavi “Hello?! We can outnumber him!!”
Shiro “Xavi, the guy took on half of the entire first-class of Keyblade masters SINGLE-HANDEDLY!!!”
Xavi “Oh, well… When you put it that way…”
Shiro “Master, if it’s okay, I’m ready to continue my training.”
Ayane “Whoa, hold on! You just had the migraine of a century! And you haven’t even completely healed from your battle with Orion!”
Xavi “Yeah, man! Quit being so reckless all the time!!”
Shiro “Ha-ha… I guess you’re right. Come to think of it, my eyesight is a little fuzzy.”
Ayane “Why not start by washing up first? And breakfast?”
Shiro “Yes, mom.”
Everyone felt the need to laugh. No matter how badly beaten up Shiro gets, he always seemed to bounce back and put everyone in a good mood. Later that same day, Shiro steps out of his house and stretches his arms above his head.
Shiro “Ahhh… Time to get down to business!”
With determination in his eyes, Shiro wastes no time jogging over to Kaizo’s dojo. As expected, Kaizo was waiting for him.
Kaizo “Ah, you came. Good.”
Shiro “May I ask you something?”
Kaizo “Yes?”
Shiro “Learning how to control the dark… Did it ever cause you to lose control of yourself? You know, go berserk?”
Kaizo “…”
Shiro “Master?”
Kaizo “…It was seven years ago.”
Shiro “I knew it! The Origin City Chaos, right?”
Kaizo “You know?”
Shiro “I learned of it in school. Seven years ago, a Keyblade master sent to Origin City for training was also learning how to control the darkness in hopes of being the one to exterminate the Darklings. He lost control of his own body and went on a rampage as if he were a Darkling. It lasted for days. Few were killed, and hundreds were injured… That was you.”
Kaizo “It’s not something I’m particularly proud of. I was foolish back then. Too foolish to even recognize what I was becoming. My master forgave me, and I vowed to never make the same mistake twice, not even with my own pupils.”
Shiro “That explains why you refused to teach Orion. Because he was just as foolish as you were.”
Kaizo “Correct. It’s also why I was reluctant to teach you at first as well. But you show promise, Shiro. Promise that Orion’s never shown. That none of my students have ever shown.”
Shiro “Thank you, Master.”
Kaizo “If you’re ready to continue…”
Shiro “I am.”
For the next several days, not only has Shiro been training, but also, his time off duty had eventually ended. On a Saturday afternoon, Shiro takes a stance in front of Kaizo.
Kaizo “Let’s see how well you’ve mastered.”
Shiro “I’m ready.”
Kaizo “Dark Aura.”
Closing his eyes briefly, Shiro releases a dark aura from his body.
Kaizo “Good… Dark Fire.”
Shiro circles his hands around like a sphere, collecting his own dark energy. It eventually forms into a ball of flame.
Kaizo “Dark Force.”
Amassing energy into his left hand, Shiro thrusts it forward, releasing a short burst of dark power, just like Orion had done it.
Kaizo “Dark Shroud.”
Shiro places his palms together. His body fades away for about five seconds, and he reappears.
Kaizo “Excellent. Now then…”
Shiro “…”
Kaizo “Dark Flight!”
Shiro takes a different position and focuses his power.
Shiro “Nnnnn…”
The aura over him grows thicker and little by little, he lifts off the ground, leaving a small whirlwind below his feet. Returning to the ground, Shiro attempts to catch his breath.
Kaizo “Well done, Shiro. You’ve mastered all of the main elements of wielding darkness: protection, physical and magical offense, cloaking, and flight. It is up to you to strengthen these skills.”
Shiro bows graciously.
Shiro “Thank you, Master, for everything you’ve done.”
Kaizo “You may be able to control the darkness, but you still have a long way to go.”
Shiro “I know. I won’t let you down, Master.”
Kaizo “I’ve taught you all I can, Shiro. There is no need to call me Master any longer.”
Shiro “Thank you…Kaizo.”
Shiro dashes out of the dojo with a newfound resolve.
Kaizo ‘Who knows? Perhaps Shiro can succeed where I’ve failed. Maybe he can defeat Orion. I only pray that my training has been enough.’
In front of the dojo, Shiro’s com-watch suddenly beeps. He quickly answers it, hoping it was Captain Ryuma. A distorted image, along with a voice that was breaking up, appears on the watch.
Shiro “What is this?”
?? “Key bea… I know of… way to sav… your capt… eet me at th… stern in Radi… rden… hurry!”
Shiro “What? Hmm… Maybe if I boost the transmission output and replay the message… Done!”
?? “Key bearer, I know of a way to save your captain. Meet me at the postern in Radiant Garden. But hurry!”
Shiro “Who was that?”
Feeling like he shouldn’t ignore the message, Shiro hurries to the dock and boards his Gummi Ship, only to find both Xavi and Ayane in the passenger seats. Shiro nearly shoots out of his seat to discover them.
Shiro “What are you doing here?”
Xavi “Ayane and I saw you and heard the message on your com-watch. So we decided to come with you!”
Ayane “Surprise, surprise!”
Shiro “Are you nuts!? It could be dangerous!”
Ayane “Hey! You seem to be forgetting that we’re Keyblade masters too!!”
Xavi “And besides, the voice on your com-watch sounded familiar…”
Shiro “Oh… Well, who did it sound like?”
Xavi “It’s just something I need to find out, that’s all.”
Ayane “Just face facts, Shiro: You’re stuck with us!”
The overview: Shiro was outnumbered. Even if he tried, Ayane and Xavi wouldn’t leave. So he quickly turns around, plants himself in the seat, and starts the ignition sequence.
Shiro “Buckle up and hold onto your lunches, kids! It’s gonna be a bumpy ride!”
Upon strapping themselves in, Ayane and Xavi firmly grasp onto the hand-rests of their seats.
Computer “Trans-D Jump engaged!”
Ayane/Xavi "Trans-D Jump!?!?”
Shiro “BANZAI!!!!!”
The Gummi Ship takes off at supersonic speed and flies straight for Radiant Garden, arriving there in about 7.3 seconds.
Shiro “WHEW!!! What a rush!”
Ayane “…”
Xavi “…”
In Radiant Garden, Shiro walks actively through the marketplace. Ayane and Xavi are still shaking off the adrenaline rushes.
Ayane “You…could’ve…warned us…”
Xavi “Ohhh…I feel ill…”
Shiro “Shake it off, guys. I go through that almost every day.”
Both “WE KNOW!!!”
Moving cautiously through the postern, Shiro glances around for that someone who messaged him at Origin City.
Ayane “Man, I never realized how creepy this area gets when it’s quiet.”
Xavi “Yeah. It’s like one of those monster movies where the heroes are walking through a dark alley and suddenly, a HUGE MONSTER POPS OUT AND--”
Xavi’s sudden yell makes Ayane yelp in panic and she accidentally punches him in the face. When she pulls her hand away, Xavi is left with a red mark on his nose.
Xavi “Ow…”
Ayane “XAVI!!! Don’t do that!!! You scared me half to death!!!”
Xavi “Duly noted…Ow…”
Continuing their tiptoe through the postern, Shiro, Ayane, and Xavi still haven’t found the source of Shiro’s message.
Shiro “I see the entrance to the corridors now and still no one!!”
Ayane “Good… Let’s get out of here before that changes…”
Just then, Ayane receives a gentle tap on her back, making her shriek. She swings her hand around, coming into contact with Xavi’s face a second time.
Xavi “OWW! What’d I do now?”
Ayane “Y-You just t-tapped on me!”
Xavi “What? No, I didn’t!”
Ayane “YES, YOU DID!!!”
Xavi “NO, I DIDN’T!!!”
?? “Um, excuse me…?”
Ayane “Huh?”
Ayane looks down and jumps into Shiro’s arms upon sight of the source of the unfamiliar voice.
Ayane “AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! GIANT RAAAAAAAAAT!!!!!!!!”
?? “I’m not a rat; I’m a mouse! There’s a difference!!”
Shiro, Ayane, and Xavi all blink twice in unison when they realized a big-eared mouse dressed in lavish clothing was standing in front of them.
Shiro “No…”
Xavi “Way…”
Ayane “It’s…”
All “KING MICKEY?!?!?!?”
TO BE CONTINUED…
It was practically midnight. Shiro, with his legs in an Indian stance, sits across from Kaizo, also sitting in an Indian stance. Both of them were in the center of the room. Lit candles circle all around them.
Kaizo “Before we begin, I must ask you: This is the first time I’m teaching the use of darkness to anyone. When my master taught it to me, the pain was unbearable, but I was aware of the consequences. And I endured. Do you understand the consequences of improperly learning this technique?”
Shiro “I do.”
Kaizo “Also, I do not wish for this technique to be misused by any other, in fear of the dire outcome. After I teach you this technique, do you solemnly vow not to pass this art on to anyone?”
Shiro “…I solemnly vow.”
Kaizo “Very well.”
The wind blows in through the window cracks, slightly blowing on the candles. Shiro waits patiently for Kaizo’s next words as he gulps in uneasiness.
Kaizo “Now… To begin with, learning how to control the darkness is a dangerous art, and with exploitation of it comes costly results, such as losing your heart itself.”
Shiro “I understand.”
Kaizo “Good. Now, I want you to concentrate. Focus your thoughts and emotions.”
Shiro slowly closes his eyes and clasps his hands together lightly.
Kaizo “"I want you to focus on all negative emotions: Fear, anger, hatred, greed, jealousy… Think about the utmost moment in your life that made you feel all of these emotions at one time…”
Shiro recalls of a time, about 2 years ago, even before he was sent to Origin City. He was 13 at the time, 2 years after he had met Ayane. He had a big crush on her. One day, while he was strolling through Twilight Town’s Sunset Terrace, he spotted Ayane by the fountain, holding hands with a guy older than himself. His name was Cain. Shiro had already known about him and Ayane. They’ve been spending time with each other for a while. One could call it “going out”. It made Shiro feel angry as well as depressed, since he really liked her. Naturally, it also made him feel jealous. A few days later, Shiro found Ayane at the same fountain, but she was alone this time. She was crying her eyes out. Shiro could see Cain walking off with another girl whose name he had forgotten. Ayane had explained how Cain suddenly had feelings for someone else, making her feel terrible. Shiro hated Cain even more from that day on…
Concentrating on his anger, Shiro soon starts to growl quietly. The grasp his hands had on each together grows tighter. As the growling gets louder, a dark aura – similar to those of Darklings – slowly builds up around his body. His bluish-black hair was beginning to sway in a nonexistent wind.
Kaizo “Good. Stay in control. Just focus your thoughts on that one moment in time.”
Just by his facial expressions, you could tell that Shiro’s rage was constantly accumulating itself. The dark aura around him gets thicker and denser.
Kaizo “Shiro?”
Shiro “Grrrr… Grrrr…”
Kaizo “Shiro, calm yourself!”
Shiro “GRRR… AAAHHHH!”
Kaizo “SHIRO, STOP!!!!”
In a flash, Shiro comes to his senses. His eyes open and the dark aura immediately vanishes. He was trying to catch his breath.
Shiro “What…happened?”
Kaizo “You’ve built up too much energy… You almost lost control…”
Shiro “Oh…”
Kaizo “But it was still a good try. You’ve focused your thoughts rather quickly.”
Shiro “Thank you.”
Kaizo “That was not a compliment. You’ve focused your thoughts too quickly. Doing so would burn out your energy in mere moments.”
Shiro “Ah… I see…”
Kaizo “Get some rest. We’ll try again in the morning.”
Shiro “Yes, master.”
Staggering out of the dojo, Shiro finds Ayane standing in front of him.
Shiro “Ayane? What’re you doing here?”
Ayane “I knew you’d be working hard. So…”
Ayane hands him a cloth and a bottle of water. Shiro giggles taking the items from her.
Ayane “What’s so funny?”
Shiro “You spoil me, you know that?”
Ayane “No, I don’t. I just worry.”
Shiro wipes away the sweat remaining on his forehead.
Shiro “…Thanks, Ayane.”
There was a sort of sincerity in Shiro’s thanks that causes Ayane’s face to redden.
Ayane “Uh… Sure. A-Anytime.”
Shiro “You okay, Ayane?”
Ayane “I’m fine. I just…need to get some sleep. G’night.”
Shiro “Sure. G’night.”
Shiro proceeds to walk to his home in Origin City in the residential area. During his walk, he feels a sudden shock in his head. The rushing pain makes him fall to his knees. He drops the water bottle Ayane gave him and it spills onto the cold hard ground.
Shiro “Gah! What’s…going on?! What’s happening…to me?!”
Shiro grasps his head with both hands. The immense pain must’ve been what Kaizo was talking about.
Shiro “The pain… Make it stop…! MAKE IT STOP!!!!”
His great scream catches Ayane’s attention.
Ayane “Shiro!?”
Shiro “AAAAAHHHHHH!!!”
Ayane “Oh, no! Shiro!!”
Shiro “GRRRRRAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!”
…The very next morning, Shiro awakens in his bed with a lukewarm damp cloth on his forehead. His hair was unruly, his sight blurred, and his head still in pain, but not as much as before. He finds Ayane at his bedside.
Shiro “Aya…ne?”
Ayane “Shiro! You’re awake! Kaizo, Xavi, come quick!”
Kaizo and Xavi both hurry into the room and kneel down at Shiro’s side.
Xavi “Hey, man! How ya feelin’?”
Shiro “Like I just dove headfirst into solid concrete.”
Ayane “You had me so worried.”
Kaizo “We were all worried.”
Shiro “Master… What was happening to me?”
Kaizo “It must’ve been the dark energy you accumulated last night working its way into your system.”
Shiro “What? I don’t understand…”
Kaizo “In order to fully bend the darkness to your will, you must naturally feel it course through you.”
Xavi “Ayane and Kaizo filled me in on what was going on. Learning to control the DARKNESS, Shiro?! Are you outta your mind?!”
Shiro “I guess, in some ways, I was. But how else are we gonna save Captain Ryuma and Queen Minnie from Orion?”
Xavi “Hello?! We can outnumber him!!”
Shiro “Xavi, the guy took on half of the entire first-class of Keyblade masters SINGLE-HANDEDLY!!!”
Xavi “Oh, well… When you put it that way…”
Shiro “Master, if it’s okay, I’m ready to continue my training.”
Ayane “Whoa, hold on! You just had the migraine of a century! And you haven’t even completely healed from your battle with Orion!”
Xavi “Yeah, man! Quit being so reckless all the time!!”
Shiro “Ha-ha… I guess you’re right. Come to think of it, my eyesight is a little fuzzy.”
Ayane “Why not start by washing up first? And breakfast?”
Shiro “Yes, mom.”
Everyone felt the need to laugh. No matter how badly beaten up Shiro gets, he always seemed to bounce back and put everyone in a good mood. Later that same day, Shiro steps out of his house and stretches his arms above his head.
Shiro “Ahhh… Time to get down to business!”
With determination in his eyes, Shiro wastes no time jogging over to Kaizo’s dojo. As expected, Kaizo was waiting for him.
Kaizo “Ah, you came. Good.”
Shiro “May I ask you something?”
Kaizo “Yes?”
Shiro “Learning how to control the dark… Did it ever cause you to lose control of yourself? You know, go berserk?”
Kaizo “…”
Shiro “Master?”
Kaizo “…It was seven years ago.”
Shiro “I knew it! The Origin City Chaos, right?”
Kaizo “You know?”
Shiro “I learned of it in school. Seven years ago, a Keyblade master sent to Origin City for training was also learning how to control the darkness in hopes of being the one to exterminate the Darklings. He lost control of his own body and went on a rampage as if he were a Darkling. It lasted for days. Few were killed, and hundreds were injured… That was you.”
Kaizo “It’s not something I’m particularly proud of. I was foolish back then. Too foolish to even recognize what I was becoming. My master forgave me, and I vowed to never make the same mistake twice, not even with my own pupils.”
Shiro “That explains why you refused to teach Orion. Because he was just as foolish as you were.”
Kaizo “Correct. It’s also why I was reluctant to teach you at first as well. But you show promise, Shiro. Promise that Orion’s never shown. That none of my students have ever shown.”
Shiro “Thank you, Master.”
Kaizo “If you’re ready to continue…”
Shiro “I am.”
For the next several days, not only has Shiro been training, but also, his time off duty had eventually ended. On a Saturday afternoon, Shiro takes a stance in front of Kaizo.
Kaizo “Let’s see how well you’ve mastered.”
Shiro “I’m ready.”
Kaizo “Dark Aura.”
Closing his eyes briefly, Shiro releases a dark aura from his body.
Kaizo “Good… Dark Fire.”
Shiro circles his hands around like a sphere, collecting his own dark energy. It eventually forms into a ball of flame.
Kaizo “Dark Force.”
Amassing energy into his left hand, Shiro thrusts it forward, releasing a short burst of dark power, just like Orion had done it.
Kaizo “Dark Shroud.”
Shiro places his palms together. His body fades away for about five seconds, and he reappears.
Kaizo “Excellent. Now then…”
Shiro “…”
Kaizo “Dark Flight!”
Shiro takes a different position and focuses his power.
Shiro “Nnnnn…”
The aura over him grows thicker and little by little, he lifts off the ground, leaving a small whirlwind below his feet. Returning to the ground, Shiro attempts to catch his breath.
Kaizo “Well done, Shiro. You’ve mastered all of the main elements of wielding darkness: protection, physical and magical offense, cloaking, and flight. It is up to you to strengthen these skills.”
Shiro bows graciously.
Shiro “Thank you, Master, for everything you’ve done.”
Kaizo “You may be able to control the darkness, but you still have a long way to go.”
Shiro “I know. I won’t let you down, Master.”
Kaizo “I’ve taught you all I can, Shiro. There is no need to call me Master any longer.”
Shiro “Thank you…Kaizo.”
Shiro dashes out of the dojo with a newfound resolve.
Kaizo ‘Who knows? Perhaps Shiro can succeed where I’ve failed. Maybe he can defeat Orion. I only pray that my training has been enough.’
In front of the dojo, Shiro’s com-watch suddenly beeps. He quickly answers it, hoping it was Captain Ryuma. A distorted image, along with a voice that was breaking up, appears on the watch.
Shiro “What is this?”
?? “Key bea… I know of… way to sav… your capt… eet me at th… stern in Radi… rden… hurry!”
Shiro “What? Hmm… Maybe if I boost the transmission output and replay the message… Done!”
?? “Key bearer, I know of a way to save your captain. Meet me at the postern in Radiant Garden. But hurry!”
Shiro “Who was that?”
Feeling like he shouldn’t ignore the message, Shiro hurries to the dock and boards his Gummi Ship, only to find both Xavi and Ayane in the passenger seats. Shiro nearly shoots out of his seat to discover them.
Shiro “What are you doing here?”
Xavi “Ayane and I saw you and heard the message on your com-watch. So we decided to come with you!”
Ayane “Surprise, surprise!”
Shiro “Are you nuts!? It could be dangerous!”
Ayane “Hey! You seem to be forgetting that we’re Keyblade masters too!!”
Xavi “And besides, the voice on your com-watch sounded familiar…”
Shiro “Oh… Well, who did it sound like?”
Xavi “It’s just something I need to find out, that’s all.”
Ayane “Just face facts, Shiro: You’re stuck with us!”
The overview: Shiro was outnumbered. Even if he tried, Ayane and Xavi wouldn’t leave. So he quickly turns around, plants himself in the seat, and starts the ignition sequence.
Shiro “Buckle up and hold onto your lunches, kids! It’s gonna be a bumpy ride!”
Upon strapping themselves in, Ayane and Xavi firmly grasp onto the hand-rests of their seats.
Computer “Trans-D Jump engaged!”
Ayane/Xavi "Trans-D Jump!?!?”
Shiro “BANZAI!!!!!”
The Gummi Ship takes off at supersonic speed and flies straight for Radiant Garden, arriving there in about 7.3 seconds.
Shiro “WHEW!!! What a rush!”
Ayane “…”
Xavi “…”
In Radiant Garden, Shiro walks actively through the marketplace. Ayane and Xavi are still shaking off the adrenaline rushes.
Ayane “You…could’ve…warned us…”
Xavi “Ohhh…I feel ill…”
Shiro “Shake it off, guys. I go through that almost every day.”
Both “WE KNOW!!!”
Moving cautiously through the postern, Shiro glances around for that someone who messaged him at Origin City.
Ayane “Man, I never realized how creepy this area gets when it’s quiet.”
Xavi “Yeah. It’s like one of those monster movies where the heroes are walking through a dark alley and suddenly, a HUGE MONSTER POPS OUT AND--”
Xavi’s sudden yell makes Ayane yelp in panic and she accidentally punches him in the face. When she pulls her hand away, Xavi is left with a red mark on his nose.
Xavi “Ow…”
Ayane “XAVI!!! Don’t do that!!! You scared me half to death!!!”
Xavi “Duly noted…Ow…”
Continuing their tiptoe through the postern, Shiro, Ayane, and Xavi still haven’t found the source of Shiro’s message.
Shiro “I see the entrance to the corridors now and still no one!!”
Ayane “Good… Let’s get out of here before that changes…”
Just then, Ayane receives a gentle tap on her back, making her shriek. She swings her hand around, coming into contact with Xavi’s face a second time.
Xavi “OWW! What’d I do now?”
Ayane “Y-You just t-tapped on me!”
Xavi “What? No, I didn’t!”
Ayane “YES, YOU DID!!!”
Xavi “NO, I DIDN’T!!!”
?? “Um, excuse me…?”
Ayane “Huh?”
Ayane looks down and jumps into Shiro’s arms upon sight of the source of the unfamiliar voice.
Ayane “AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! GIANT RAAAAAAAAAT!!!!!!!!”
?? “I’m not a rat; I’m a mouse! There’s a difference!!”
Shiro, Ayane, and Xavi all blink twice in unison when they realized a big-eared mouse dressed in lavish clothing was standing in front of them.
Shiro “No…”
Xavi “Way…”
Ayane “It’s…”
All “KING MICKEY?!?!?!?”
TO BE CONTINUED…
