As Bageera is about to grab Mowgli Baloo burst into the group of monkeys with a monkey disguise on. As he bursts in Bageera falls forward and quickly runs back to the bushes. No one noticed Bageera as they were staring at the disguised bear. "Yo whats up my monkey cousins." He starts dancing and singing getting slowly closer to Mowgli. "Do I know you?" Louie says moving towards him. Mowgli was in the hands of two monkeys behind him looking confused at Baloo. "Oh god." Bageera whispers looking wide eyed at the bear. "Are you sure you don't reconise me Louie? It is me your cousin ba. Balou." He says looking a little nervous. "That name does sound familiar?" He says tapping his chin thinking.
Ritsuka just stared at the ridiculousness of the scene before him, he was starting to think that Baloo wasn't the best guardian for Mowgli after all, but that wouldn't matter if they didn't get him back in the first place. He was about to intervene but just then a group of Monkey Heartless appeared in the ruins and began attacking the regular chimps. The primates scrambled for safety, which allowed Baloo to grab Mowgli from his captors, but almost immediately afterwards he was taken by King Louie again, who climbed up a tree to keep his meal ticket safe.
"Baloo, Bagheera, you guys get Mowgli, we'll take care of the Heartless!" Ritsuka exclaimed over the madness as he summoned his Keyblade. Bagheera and Baloo nodded in confirmation and went after Louie. "Come on Karin, let's do this!" Karin brought out her katana, ready to fight beside him but just as they were about to charge into the horde a small blast was heard and a moment later Karin fell to the floor. Ritsuka and Moguri looked over to see shadowy residue emanate from the back of her head as she laid unconscious on the floor.
"That was Dark Firaga, kupo!" Moguri stated. The two were about to approach their fallen comrade, just before they could reach her, a pillar of darkness appeared before them, causing them to step back a few feet until it dissipated. In it's place was a lone figure clad in a black body suit with the heartless symbol across its torso; he also wore a helmet that obstructed his face from view, as well as purple gloves and boots that ended in flame like patterns at his forearms and calfs.
"You, are you the one who did this?" Ritsuka demanded as he readied his Keyblade.
"What if I was?" The figure relied, his voice revealing it to be male.
"Who are you, are you the one behind these Heartless attacks?" Ritsuka accused. The figure shook his head.
"Sorry, but this isn't my handy work, in fact if anything I'm on your side Ritsuka." He replied, much to their confusion. "Now, I don't care about the fate of the worlds or anything, save them, destroy them, it doesn't matter to me, so long as you come out on top. With that said, I can't have some non-wielder holding you back now can I?" He explained cryptically, with a hint of mockery and enjoyment in his voice.
"Hold me... what the heck are you talking about, and how do you even know who I am?" Ritsuka frustratedly replied.
"You'll figure it out soon enough." The Figure then scooped up Karin and placed her over his shoulder. "Don't worry about your little girlfriend here, as soon as I get what I want, she'll be free to go, you just focus on your quest. See ya, and remember, I'm rooting for you." As he said this a Dark Corridor appeared behind him and he slowly stepped backwards into it, never breaking eye contact with Ritsuka.
"WAIT!" Ritsuka exclaimed as he rushed up and tried to land a hit on him, but he disappeared through the corridor before the Keyblade could hit its mark. "No, Karin!" Ritsuka lamented, he felt awful, he couldn't believe he couldn't help her. Before he could dwell on the subject, the Heartless turned their focus towards him, and so he picked himself up and vented his anger on the creatures of darkness.
"Baloo, Bagheera, you guys get Mowgli, we'll take care of the Heartless!" Ritsuka exclaimed over the madness as he summoned his Keyblade. Bagheera and Baloo nodded in confirmation and went after Louie. "Come on Karin, let's do this!" Karin brought out her katana, ready to fight beside him but just as they were about to charge into the horde a small blast was heard and a moment later Karin fell to the floor. Ritsuka and Moguri looked over to see shadowy residue emanate from the back of her head as she laid unconscious on the floor.
"That was Dark Firaga, kupo!" Moguri stated. The two were about to approach their fallen comrade, just before they could reach her, a pillar of darkness appeared before them, causing them to step back a few feet until it dissipated. In it's place was a lone figure clad in a black body suit with the heartless symbol across its torso; he also wore a helmet that obstructed his face from view, as well as purple gloves and boots that ended in flame like patterns at his forearms and calfs.
"You, are you the one who did this?" Ritsuka demanded as he readied his Keyblade.
"What if I was?" The figure relied, his voice revealing it to be male.
"Who are you, are you the one behind these Heartless attacks?" Ritsuka accused. The figure shook his head.
"Sorry, but this isn't my handy work, in fact if anything I'm on your side Ritsuka." He replied, much to their confusion. "Now, I don't care about the fate of the worlds or anything, save them, destroy them, it doesn't matter to me, so long as you come out on top. With that said, I can't have some non-wielder holding you back now can I?" He explained cryptically, with a hint of mockery and enjoyment in his voice.
"Hold me... what the heck are you talking about, and how do you even know who I am?" Ritsuka frustratedly replied.
"You'll figure it out soon enough." The Figure then scooped up Karin and placed her over his shoulder. "Don't worry about your little girlfriend here, as soon as I get what I want, she'll be free to go, you just focus on your quest. See ya, and remember, I'm rooting for you." As he said this a Dark Corridor appeared behind him and he slowly stepped backwards into it, never breaking eye contact with Ritsuka.
"WAIT!" Ritsuka exclaimed as he rushed up and tried to land a hit on him, but he disappeared through the corridor before the Keyblade could hit its mark. "No, Karin!" Ritsuka lamented, he felt awful, he couldn't believe he couldn't help her. Before he could dwell on the subject, the Heartless turned their focus towards him, and so he picked himself up and vented his anger on the creatures of darkness.
"What do we have here? Another player in this game? The boy seems to be of heartless origin. But. No. Could he be one of the anomalies? So many questions. Well. I feel like he will be no problem for me. The boy would take this to be a shock. But will he succumb?" The dark puppet master behind this stood in his world of storms and darkness contemplating what just took place.
Baloo and Bagheera looked baffled by what just happened. The monkeys that were not fighting did the same. Some of the monkeys were struck down and went limp. After five monkeys fell the remaining fled. The bodies dissolved and left heartless in their place. With a clicking like growl the heartless monkeys attacked. They seemed more intelligent then regular heartless and used speed to attack from behind while others distracted Ritsuka.
King Louie fled through the jungle shocked by the sudden fall from his kingdom. He would be able to rebuild it with time. But now he focused on escaping. Carrying a disoriented Mowgli we heard mumbling as Mowgli made sense of the situation. "Hey put me down!" The boy yelled. The sudden yelling made Louie cover the boys mouth but in doing so he didn't see were he was swinging and hit a tree. falling back down the tree he hit a high up branch and was rendered unconscious. Mowgli grabbed a vine and made it to the ground safely. But with no way of knowing were he was he listened for the river and headed for it. He was about a kilometer away from the group fighting the heartless.
Baloo and Bagheera looked baffled by what just happened. The monkeys that were not fighting did the same. Some of the monkeys were struck down and went limp. After five monkeys fell the remaining fled. The bodies dissolved and left heartless in their place. With a clicking like growl the heartless monkeys attacked. They seemed more intelligent then regular heartless and used speed to attack from behind while others distracted Ritsuka.
King Louie fled through the jungle shocked by the sudden fall from his kingdom. He would be able to rebuild it with time. But now he focused on escaping. Carrying a disoriented Mowgli we heard mumbling as Mowgli made sense of the situation. "Hey put me down!" The boy yelled. The sudden yelling made Louie cover the boys mouth but in doing so he didn't see were he was swinging and hit a tree. falling back down the tree he hit a high up branch and was rendered unconscious. Mowgli grabbed a vine and made it to the ground safely. But with no way of knowing were he was he listened for the river and headed for it. He was about a kilometer away from the group fighting the heartless.
Ritsuka threw a strike raid into the air, killing three Heartless that were coming at him from above. He then leaped into the air and grabbed the Keyblade on the way down, immediately falling into a Spark Dive, killing a few more. A few more were coming from behind him, but Moguri froze them with Blizzara, allowing Ritsuka to shatter them bits with a single swing. Moguri cast Aero on Ritsuka for some extra protection as they were surrounded by the remaining Heartless. They were very agile and their strikes were nothing to scoff at, it took a while but eventually the two apprentices were able to slay them all, leaving them alone in the ruins. Ritsuka panted from exhaustion, his anger made him use a lot more energy than needed.
"...Mowgli, Baloo, Bagheera!" He called out, but received no answer.
"Louie must've left with Mowgli, kupo." Moguri suggested.
"Damn, come on, we gotta find them." Ritsuka summoned his Keyblade Glider and he and Moguri hopped on it and flew off into the jungle. They bobbed and weeved through the trees and brush, keeping their eyes out for any sign of their friends. "Come on, where are they!" Ritsuka said with noticeable frustration.
"Hey Ritsuka, you ok, kupo?" Moguri asked with concern.
"No, I'm not Moguri, excuse me for not wanting to lose another friend." He said bitterly.
"I don't like it either Ritsuka, but there's nothing we can do about it right now." Moguri said, trying to comfort the Keyblade wielder.
"Well what about back then? We should've done something instead of chatting it up with that creep... I should've done something..."
"Look, let's just focus on finding Mowgli and the others, once we know this world is safe then we can go look for Karin, ok, kupo?" Moguri suggested, as much as Ritsuka hated to admit it, he was right. They still had a duty to this world and Karin wouldn't want them to turn a blind eye on her account.
"Fine, I just hope we're not too late."
"...Mowgli, Baloo, Bagheera!" He called out, but received no answer.
"Louie must've left with Mowgli, kupo." Moguri suggested.
"Damn, come on, we gotta find them." Ritsuka summoned his Keyblade Glider and he and Moguri hopped on it and flew off into the jungle. They bobbed and weeved through the trees and brush, keeping their eyes out for any sign of their friends. "Come on, where are they!" Ritsuka said with noticeable frustration.
"Hey Ritsuka, you ok, kupo?" Moguri asked with concern.
"No, I'm not Moguri, excuse me for not wanting to lose another friend." He said bitterly.
"I don't like it either Ritsuka, but there's nothing we can do about it right now." Moguri said, trying to comfort the Keyblade wielder.
"Well what about back then? We should've done something instead of chatting it up with that creep... I should've done something..."
"Look, let's just focus on finding Mowgli and the others, once we know this world is safe then we can go look for Karin, ok, kupo?" Moguri suggested, as much as Ritsuka hated to admit it, he was right. They still had a duty to this world and Karin wouldn't want them to turn a blind eye on her account.
"Fine, I just hope we're not too late."
Bagheera and Baloo began an extensive search for the boy. The two were at odds ends with the panther feeling anger towards the bears foolishness. "You shouldn't have done that. I would have had the boy and we could have been out of this with no problems." Bagheera seemed to scold Baloo. "I know baggy. I am sorry if I screwed it up but right now the only important thing is finding him. Hopefully before someone else does." The bear seemed to put aside his cheery care free attitude in exchange for a more series and saddened tone. But like Bagheera it was lined with fear and concern for the boy.
Mowgli was making his way through the jungle and getting to the river he sat down. "Where could they be?" He asked himself. Little did the boy know in the bushes near by something else watched him. Silently stalking the jungle the creature moved what looked like a black serpentine tail towards the boys back. Feeling something up Mowgli turned but with speed of lightning the tail was gone. The boy scratched his head before walking along the river a bit. Whatever tried to get him seemed to have fled.
Meanwhile as Ritsuka and Moguri traveled through the jungle some vines and foliage got into the engines of the glider. The glider began to spark a little as it seemed to be malfunctioning. The foliage was causing the glider to get jammed and would require time to fix itself. As it flashed red signaling damage the glider began to descend and slow.
Mowgli was making his way through the jungle and getting to the river he sat down. "Where could they be?" He asked himself. Little did the boy know in the bushes near by something else watched him. Silently stalking the jungle the creature moved what looked like a black serpentine tail towards the boys back. Feeling something up Mowgli turned but with speed of lightning the tail was gone. The boy scratched his head before walking along the river a bit. Whatever tried to get him seemed to have fled.
Meanwhile as Ritsuka and Moguri traveled through the jungle some vines and foliage got into the engines of the glider. The glider began to spark a little as it seemed to be malfunctioning. The foliage was causing the glider to get jammed and would require time to fix itself. As it flashed red signaling damage the glider began to descend and slow.
"Oh great, that's just perfect." Ritsuka complained as he landed his Glider, turning it back into a Keyblade.
"Looks like we're on foot the rest of the way, kupo." Moguri said.
"You mean, I'm on foot." Ritsuka pointed out, noting how Moguri merely floated everywhere. He just shrugged smugly at the comment, doing back flip, as if to rub it in, before moving on. Ritsuka sighed. "Mowgli!" He called out into the jungle. "Mowgli where are you? Mowgli!" Suddenly, Ritsuka tripped, falling to the ground and getting a face full of dirt.
"You ok, kupo?" Moguri asked.
"Pfflah, yeah, I'm fine, I just tripped." He said, looking back at what he tripped on. It seemed to be a cylindrical object, with a black, scaly texture. "What the heck is this anyway?" he inquired as both apprentices examined it further
"I don't know, but it kind of looks... familiar, kupo." Moguri stated, searching his memories for where he had seen the object before. The two then followed the object to its source, finally finding Mowgli.
"Mowgli, there you are!" Ritsuka called out to the boy, who turned his head at the sound of his name.
"Ritsuka, Moguri, you found me!" Mowgli replied with slight relief. He ran up to them, looking around behind them as well. "Where's Baloo and Bagheera, and Karin too?"
"I ...don't know, probably still out looking for you, Baloo and Bagheera were pretty worried when they couldn't find you." Ritsuka stated. Mowgli seemed to sadden at the statement.
"I'm sorry I've caused so much trouble, it's just, I really want to stay here the jungle, this place is my home, and I love it. But Bagheera keeps saying I have to go the man village... why can't I just stay here?" he said, kicking the dirt in frustration. Ritsuka saw that the boy was in quite the bind and kneeled down to his level, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Hey, it's alright, I actually know how you feel." Ritsuka revealed. "The truth is, me and Moguri are in a situation where we can't go home right now, so I know how frustrating it is. However, if I went home right away, I wouldn't have meet you, and I wouldn't be able to help you. I know you'll miss this place if you go to the man village, but as long as you keep it, and the friends you made here in your heart, you'll be able to come back someday, when you're big and strong and able to take care of yourself better."
"Really?" Mowgli asked.
"Of course, but right now, it's too dangerous, and you don't want your friends to get hurt trying to protect you now would you?" Mowgli shook his head. "Then let them take you to the man village, I promise you that you don't have to leave the Jungle forever."
"Well... I don't know." Mowgli replied, still unsure.
"Come on, let's find the others for now." Ritsuka said. With that the three went on into the jungle, hoping to run into their friends.
"Looks like we're on foot the rest of the way, kupo." Moguri said.
"You mean, I'm on foot." Ritsuka pointed out, noting how Moguri merely floated everywhere. He just shrugged smugly at the comment, doing back flip, as if to rub it in, before moving on. Ritsuka sighed. "Mowgli!" He called out into the jungle. "Mowgli where are you? Mowgli!" Suddenly, Ritsuka tripped, falling to the ground and getting a face full of dirt.
"You ok, kupo?" Moguri asked.
"Pfflah, yeah, I'm fine, I just tripped." He said, looking back at what he tripped on. It seemed to be a cylindrical object, with a black, scaly texture. "What the heck is this anyway?" he inquired as both apprentices examined it further
"I don't know, but it kind of looks... familiar, kupo." Moguri stated, searching his memories for where he had seen the object before. The two then followed the object to its source, finally finding Mowgli.
"Mowgli, there you are!" Ritsuka called out to the boy, who turned his head at the sound of his name.
"Ritsuka, Moguri, you found me!" Mowgli replied with slight relief. He ran up to them, looking around behind them as well. "Where's Baloo and Bagheera, and Karin too?"
"I ...don't know, probably still out looking for you, Baloo and Bagheera were pretty worried when they couldn't find you." Ritsuka stated. Mowgli seemed to sadden at the statement.
"I'm sorry I've caused so much trouble, it's just, I really want to stay here the jungle, this place is my home, and I love it. But Bagheera keeps saying I have to go the man village... why can't I just stay here?" he said, kicking the dirt in frustration. Ritsuka saw that the boy was in quite the bind and kneeled down to his level, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Hey, it's alright, I actually know how you feel." Ritsuka revealed. "The truth is, me and Moguri are in a situation where we can't go home right now, so I know how frustrating it is. However, if I went home right away, I wouldn't have meet you, and I wouldn't be able to help you. I know you'll miss this place if you go to the man village, but as long as you keep it, and the friends you made here in your heart, you'll be able to come back someday, when you're big and strong and able to take care of yourself better."
"Really?" Mowgli asked.
"Of course, but right now, it's too dangerous, and you don't want your friends to get hurt trying to protect you now would you?" Mowgli shook his head. "Then let them take you to the man village, I promise you that you don't have to leave the Jungle forever."
"Well... I don't know." Mowgli replied, still unsure.
"Come on, let's find the others for now." Ritsuka said. With that the three went on into the jungle, hoping to run into their friends.
The source of the dark tail was long gone. Seeming to appear then disappear like a ghost it followed them. In the darkest corners of the jungle. Who could figure out what it is. The darkness may not be thriving in this world instead it did seem to be cultivating or living in small bubbles. Being able to focus all the darkness something strong could have formed.
The trees near by held something else scaly and hunting. Hearing the conversation of the boys it looked. "What do we have here? Man cubs? Two of them and. Some smaller thing? Desert maybe?" The serpent asked itself being across the river. The sun in the sky began to set and the sky went orange as the ripest fruit. "It is starting to get dark. Maybe we should find somewhere to rest for the night." Mowgli suggests.
The trees near by held something else scaly and hunting. Hearing the conversation of the boys it looked. "What do we have here? Man cubs? Two of them and. Some smaller thing? Desert maybe?" The serpent asked itself being across the river. The sun in the sky began to set and the sky went orange as the ripest fruit. "It is starting to get dark. Maybe we should find somewhere to rest for the night." Mowgli suggests.
When Karin finally came to, her body felt heavy. With a groan she willed herself to sit up. What happened? She tried to will her eyes to open, but she felt as if they were filled with lead. Her head felt cloudy and oddly she felt sad and empty. It was a feeling she had only experienced when she was younger and the darkness had taken over her world. It was the feeling of being touched by darkness. A touch a fear hit Karin, and then her eyes opened. For a moment she was blinded by the sun and then everything came into view. She wasn’t in the jungle anymore, but some kind forest. As she slowly got to her feet, she noticed a house a few feet ahead of her enclosed by a gate. To the left and a few distance away, she noticed a large town similar to that of Traverse town, but more modern. How did she get here? Staying on her guard with her hand grasped around her kantana in her pocket Karin made her way to the town. There was no use trying to get into the house in front of her as it was behind iron gates.
Within minutes, Karin’s feet left the lush grass and she found her way to paved streets. Looking around as Karin walked, she noticed a few shops and lots of people walking the streets. She saw vendors for clothes, a bank, and a few shops selling items she didn’t recognize. How did she get here? She stood in front of a bulletin board full of help wanted posters as she thought. She remembered getting ready to fight heartless and then suddenly…darkness. Had Ritsuka been captured too? Was he stranded somewhere in this world too? Or worse…
As she was lost in thought, Karin didn’t notice the men who had wandered up behind her.
“Well hello hot ninja, I haven’t seen you around before. You know, I can help you find work if that’s what you’re after.” A voice said behind her. Startled, Karin whipped around, her kantana whipped out and ready to strike. Instantly, two people jumped in Karin’s face, fists held high.
“Hey man, you don’t get to attack Seifer when he’s tryin’ to help you, y know?!” A new voice said. The voice came from a strong looking figure with short, black hair and a chain around his neck. Next to him stood a girl with light purple hair covering one of her eyes. Behind them, grinning slightly, was the boy “Seifer”. His hair was covered in a black beanie, with strands of his golden hair just peaking out from underneath it. However, the scar across his forehead and nose was still painfully visible. While Karin was outnumbered she was sure she could take them.
“I don’t need any help from strangers! Stay back!” Karin warned them, using her kantana to keep them at a distance.
“Strangers?! Who doesn’t know Seifer y’ know?” The dark man said, getting angrier by the second.
“Back off Rei!” A new voice said. A girl slid next to Karin and shot an angry look at the group. “You can’t treat new travelers this way or we’ll never have more!” Her green eyes glowed with anger.
“Really, you don’t want to lose another fight against us,” Said a man from outside the group. His blond hair was wild on top of his head and his face looked at the boys disgusted. A short, pudgy man stood next to him with a bat in his hands. The man Seifer glowered at the new group of people for a moment before he turned.
“Tch, fine. Come on Rei, Fuu, It’s no fun now,” With that he walked off with his friends close behind him.
“What a bunch of creeps! I’m sorry about them. You’re new aren’t you! My name is Olette, what is yours?” The girl next to her ask, a pretty smile on her face.
“Karin…” She replied, slowly lowering her kantana. She just wanted to get back to her friends…
Within minutes, Karin’s feet left the lush grass and she found her way to paved streets. Looking around as Karin walked, she noticed a few shops and lots of people walking the streets. She saw vendors for clothes, a bank, and a few shops selling items she didn’t recognize. How did she get here? She stood in front of a bulletin board full of help wanted posters as she thought. She remembered getting ready to fight heartless and then suddenly…darkness. Had Ritsuka been captured too? Was he stranded somewhere in this world too? Or worse…
As she was lost in thought, Karin didn’t notice the men who had wandered up behind her.
“Well hello hot ninja, I haven’t seen you around before. You know, I can help you find work if that’s what you’re after.” A voice said behind her. Startled, Karin whipped around, her kantana whipped out and ready to strike. Instantly, two people jumped in Karin’s face, fists held high.
“Hey man, you don’t get to attack Seifer when he’s tryin’ to help you, y know?!” A new voice said. The voice came from a strong looking figure with short, black hair and a chain around his neck. Next to him stood a girl with light purple hair covering one of her eyes. Behind them, grinning slightly, was the boy “Seifer”. His hair was covered in a black beanie, with strands of his golden hair just peaking out from underneath it. However, the scar across his forehead and nose was still painfully visible. While Karin was outnumbered she was sure she could take them.
“I don’t need any help from strangers! Stay back!” Karin warned them, using her kantana to keep them at a distance.
“Strangers?! Who doesn’t know Seifer y’ know?” The dark man said, getting angrier by the second.
“Back off Rei!” A new voice said. A girl slid next to Karin and shot an angry look at the group. “You can’t treat new travelers this way or we’ll never have more!” Her green eyes glowed with anger.
“Really, you don’t want to lose another fight against us,” Said a man from outside the group. His blond hair was wild on top of his head and his face looked at the boys disgusted. A short, pudgy man stood next to him with a bat in his hands. The man Seifer glowered at the new group of people for a moment before he turned.
“Tch, fine. Come on Rei, Fuu, It’s no fun now,” With that he walked off with his friends close behind him.
“What a bunch of creeps! I’m sorry about them. You’re new aren’t you! My name is Olette, what is yours?” The girl next to her ask, a pretty smile on her face.
“Karin…” She replied, slowly lowering her kantana. She just wanted to get back to her friends…
Twilight Town
The Figure that had bright Karin to this world was standing on top of one of the buildings, out of sight and out of earshot from the group below.
"Well, would you look at that, making friends already." he said to himself as he watched the interaction. "Just hang tight for a while Ninja, as soon as Ritsuka deals with this "Heartless Takeover" fiasco, I'll come back for you." He then disappeared into a dark corridor, having other business to tend to.
Indian Jungle
"Yeah, I guess you're right, any ideas?" Ritsuka said. Mowgli looked around and lead them to a big tree.
"Here, this is perfect, this tree has a lot of leaves and branches, so it should protect us if it rains." Mowgli explained as he made a little bed for himself out of grass and leaves.
"Well, ok, you're the expert. I'll stay up and keep watch for those monsters, you go ahead and get some sleep." Ritsuka offered. Mowgli let out a big yawn.
"Ok, good night guys." He said as he pulled some leaves over him and drifted off to sleep. Ritsuka leaned against the tree, looking out for any signs of danger.
"Are we seriously going to sleep under a tree, kupo?" Moguri complained.
"You got a better idea?"
"Why don't we beam up to the Gummi Ship, that would be safer anyway, kupo." Moguri suggested.
"We can't just leave Mowgli here by himself, and we can't take him on board because it'll disrupt the world order." Ritsuka rebuked.
"Oh sure, now you care about the world order, kupo." Moguri quipped, gaining a chuckle from Ritsuka. There was a comfortable silence for a good long while, Ritsuka felt like he would fall asleep of he didn't talk, so he just said the first thing that came to mind.
"I hope Karin's ok."
"Don't worry about her Ritsuka, she's can take care of herself." Moguri assured. "Remember, we still have a duty to complete, let's focus on finding the next Keyhole, and making sure Mowgli here is safe and sound, kupo."
"Yeah, you're right." They fell silent again, nothing else really to talk about.
The Figure that had bright Karin to this world was standing on top of one of the buildings, out of sight and out of earshot from the group below.
"Well, would you look at that, making friends already." he said to himself as he watched the interaction. "Just hang tight for a while Ninja, as soon as Ritsuka deals with this "Heartless Takeover" fiasco, I'll come back for you." He then disappeared into a dark corridor, having other business to tend to.
Indian Jungle
"Yeah, I guess you're right, any ideas?" Ritsuka said. Mowgli looked around and lead them to a big tree.
"Here, this is perfect, this tree has a lot of leaves and branches, so it should protect us if it rains." Mowgli explained as he made a little bed for himself out of grass and leaves.
"Well, ok, you're the expert. I'll stay up and keep watch for those monsters, you go ahead and get some sleep." Ritsuka offered. Mowgli let out a big yawn.
"Ok, good night guys." He said as he pulled some leaves over him and drifted off to sleep. Ritsuka leaned against the tree, looking out for any signs of danger.
"Are we seriously going to sleep under a tree, kupo?" Moguri complained.
"You got a better idea?"
"Why don't we beam up to the Gummi Ship, that would be safer anyway, kupo." Moguri suggested.
"We can't just leave Mowgli here by himself, and we can't take him on board because it'll disrupt the world order." Ritsuka rebuked.
"Oh sure, now you care about the world order, kupo." Moguri quipped, gaining a chuckle from Ritsuka. There was a comfortable silence for a good long while, Ritsuka felt like he would fall asleep of he didn't talk, so he just said the first thing that came to mind.
"I hope Karin's ok."
"Don't worry about her Ritsuka, she's can take care of herself." Moguri assured. "Remember, we still have a duty to complete, let's focus on finding the next Keyhole, and making sure Mowgli here is safe and sound, kupo."
"Yeah, you're right." They fell silent again, nothing else really to talk about.
"We grow in number and might. Soon our might and power will reach to the utmost limits. Then the darkness will consume them all." Three dark figures spoke in this world of darkness. "Patience my brethren. Soon we shall have all worlds devoured and kingdom hearts will be ours." The tallest shadow spoke being a smokey figure with glowing red eyes. The other shadows seemed to bow and fade away. "They will be consumed like the last one. But the original one. He has potential. Maybe too much." He says as he moves to a black glass like orb. The orb brings up a image of the jungle and gives silhouettes of Ritsuka's location. "That other one. The one who took her could prove a problem. Even more directly to me then I thought."
Back at the jungle the tree they were in stretched into the sky and they were at level with the canopy. The leaves were thick and lush with small flowers occasionally around. As Mowgli dozed off at the base of the tree he stretched out and was soon asleep. The large snake from across the river got to the edge of the trees and with the most stealth made it across the river using the trees. Sneaking up on the boy from above the serpent made it to the same tree and was a few feet away above the boy. He looked over and saw Ritsuka and the small creature and frowned. He had an idea to deal with this. Maybe by collecting the other boy as a meal first.
Back at the jungle the tree they were in stretched into the sky and they were at level with the canopy. The leaves were thick and lush with small flowers occasionally around. As Mowgli dozed off at the base of the tree he stretched out and was soon asleep. The large snake from across the river got to the edge of the trees and with the most stealth made it across the river using the trees. Sneaking up on the boy from above the serpent made it to the same tree and was a few feet away above the boy. He looked over and saw Ritsuka and the small creature and frowned. He had an idea to deal with this. Maybe by collecting the other boy as a meal first.
Twilight Town
“So, you were taken from your friends… how awful,” Olette responded, licking her popsicle despondently. The pudgy boy, whom Karin came to know as Pence, bit a large chunk out of his own popsickle before replying
“Well, we’ll do whatever we can to get you back to your world!” He was hardly heard over the sound of the food in his mouth. After shivering as he swallowed his bite he beamed at Karin.
“I’m sure we can find a way to get your back even without your… yummy ship,” He laughed.
“Gummi ship, and yeah...” Karin replied numbly. Karin seemed to be looking past the group, up into the sky where the sun was now setting. Her popsicle was dripping uselessly into her intertwined fingers. She had never tasted sea-salt ice cream, and if she was in a better mood she was sure she would have liked it. However, she felt as if there was no hope to get back to her friends. She wondered if she would ever meet them again? Would Yuffie eventually notice her absence after a few months or not?
“I hope you’re right…” She felt that without outside help she would never be able to leave this world.
The group had already gone back to the forest where Karin was found and together they could not figure out how she had gotten there, or how she was to get back out. Disappointed and frustrated, Karin had followed the group back into town where they had offered to buy her something to eat. They then took her up to the top of the giant clock tower in town where they now sat eating, their feet dangling over the edge. Karin watched glumly as her popsicle dripped off her fingers to the group below.
“For now, you can always stay with me! I have plenty of room at my house,” Olette said warmly. From the moment Karin met her Olette had always been sweet, never letting her smile fall from her face. Karin looked up and half smiled at Olette.
“That would be great, thanks.” She then turned to look back at the setting sun. This town was quite beautiful, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad staying here after all.
“Heck, you could always take the train and just find somewhere new to live!” Pence told her, licking his popsicle stick clean. Karin snapped out of her dejected state and looked over at him.
“Train? I never knew you had a train here!” She told him, getting excited. Pence laughed again.
“Haven’t you been paying any attention? We’re sitting right on top of the entrance to it! Look, the train is making its way over here.” Pence had pointed to the train across the town, a small smoke cloud following in its wake. Karin had hardly noticed she had jumped to her feet, her eyes were glued onto the train as it wound through the city and made its way into the station. Wildly, she turned to face her new group of friends.
“I have to get on! Maybe it could take me to a place that has a gummi ship and could take me back to see my friends!”
“Whoa slow down there girl,” Hayner replied, grabbing her shoulders to keep her from going off the edge in excitement. He ran his hand through his wild blonde hair and sighed.
“Unless you’ve got some munny, which I’m guessing you don’t, you won’t be able to buy a ticket onto it. If I could speak for all of us I’d day we’d love to buy you a ticket, but we’re broke.” Hayner looked at Karin unhappily. Karin turned to look at Pence and Olette who only looked down at their shoes painfully.
“Well… I’ll just have to make some money then! I’ll find some odd and end jobs around here, just enough to buy a ticket.” She told them, her excitement dying down. She needed to get her head back on straight. Obviously it wouldn’t be that easy to get out of this world, and there might not even be another place around that had a gummi ship, but she had to try!
“We’ll help to! Let’s go take a look at the bulletin board!” Olette responded, jumping to her feet and grinning at Karin. Pence slowly clambered to his and stood next to Olette, ready to help.
“Lead the way!” A smile had found Karin’s face for the first time since she had arrived here. She would find a way back to her friends! As she followed her new group of friends off the clock tower she took one last look at the setting sun, now almost completely hidden behind the buildings in the town.
“I’m coming,” She whispered, before turning and following Olette.
“So, you were taken from your friends… how awful,” Olette responded, licking her popsicle despondently. The pudgy boy, whom Karin came to know as Pence, bit a large chunk out of his own popsickle before replying
“Well, we’ll do whatever we can to get you back to your world!” He was hardly heard over the sound of the food in his mouth. After shivering as he swallowed his bite he beamed at Karin.
“I’m sure we can find a way to get your back even without your… yummy ship,” He laughed.
“Gummi ship, and yeah...” Karin replied numbly. Karin seemed to be looking past the group, up into the sky where the sun was now setting. Her popsicle was dripping uselessly into her intertwined fingers. She had never tasted sea-salt ice cream, and if she was in a better mood she was sure she would have liked it. However, she felt as if there was no hope to get back to her friends. She wondered if she would ever meet them again? Would Yuffie eventually notice her absence after a few months or not?
“I hope you’re right…” She felt that without outside help she would never be able to leave this world.
The group had already gone back to the forest where Karin was found and together they could not figure out how she had gotten there, or how she was to get back out. Disappointed and frustrated, Karin had followed the group back into town where they had offered to buy her something to eat. They then took her up to the top of the giant clock tower in town where they now sat eating, their feet dangling over the edge. Karin watched glumly as her popsicle dripped off her fingers to the group below.
“For now, you can always stay with me! I have plenty of room at my house,” Olette said warmly. From the moment Karin met her Olette had always been sweet, never letting her smile fall from her face. Karin looked up and half smiled at Olette.
“That would be great, thanks.” She then turned to look back at the setting sun. This town was quite beautiful, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad staying here after all.
“Heck, you could always take the train and just find somewhere new to live!” Pence told her, licking his popsicle stick clean. Karin snapped out of her dejected state and looked over at him.
“Train? I never knew you had a train here!” She told him, getting excited. Pence laughed again.
“Haven’t you been paying any attention? We’re sitting right on top of the entrance to it! Look, the train is making its way over here.” Pence had pointed to the train across the town, a small smoke cloud following in its wake. Karin had hardly noticed she had jumped to her feet, her eyes were glued onto the train as it wound through the city and made its way into the station. Wildly, she turned to face her new group of friends.
“I have to get on! Maybe it could take me to a place that has a gummi ship and could take me back to see my friends!”
“Whoa slow down there girl,” Hayner replied, grabbing her shoulders to keep her from going off the edge in excitement. He ran his hand through his wild blonde hair and sighed.
“Unless you’ve got some munny, which I’m guessing you don’t, you won’t be able to buy a ticket onto it. If I could speak for all of us I’d day we’d love to buy you a ticket, but we’re broke.” Hayner looked at Karin unhappily. Karin turned to look at Pence and Olette who only looked down at their shoes painfully.
“Well… I’ll just have to make some money then! I’ll find some odd and end jobs around here, just enough to buy a ticket.” She told them, her excitement dying down. She needed to get her head back on straight. Obviously it wouldn’t be that easy to get out of this world, and there might not even be another place around that had a gummi ship, but she had to try!
“We’ll help to! Let’s go take a look at the bulletin board!” Olette responded, jumping to her feet and grinning at Karin. Pence slowly clambered to his and stood next to Olette, ready to help.
“Lead the way!” A smile had found Karin’s face for the first time since she had arrived here. She would find a way back to her friends! As she followed her new group of friends off the clock tower she took one last look at the setting sun, now almost completely hidden behind the buildings in the town.
“I’m coming,” She whispered, before turning and following Olette.
Ritsuka felt like he was about to dose off, desperately trying to stay awake. He listened to the sounds of the Jungle, which only seemed to relax him more, not very helpful when trying to stay awake. Suddenly, an unusual noise came from the branches of the tree. Ritsuka looked up, but it was to dark to see anything.
"Hey, Moguri, I think I heard something." he said, but when he looked over, he saw Moguri asleep, yet still floating peacefully in the air. "Moguri, wake up." He shook the little Moogle, but all he did was stir a bit and reposition himself for more comfort. Ritsuka just gave up and decided to let the little guy sleep, he on the other hand had some investigating to do. He jumped into the air and grabbed a low hanging branch, pulling himself up into the foliage of the tree. He climbed around, trying to feel his way around, but he just couldn't really see anything in the dark. "Gah, man, there's nothing up here, maybe I'm just hearing things." He suggested, about to give up. But just then, he heard a strange hissing and before he could react he felt something coil around his body, clamping tightly making him unable to move. "Huh, what the... what is this?" He inquired aloud, and he soon got his answer. He heard a smug little laugh coming from behind him and turned his head to see. The moonlight shining through the treetop was just bright enough to reveal the culprit to be a snake, whose head hung down from its body on a higher branch and eyes glowed in the night.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" It said in a mocking voice. "It's not everyday we get Man Cubs in this part of the Jungle, how... deliciously interesting."
"Who are you... let me go!" Ritsuka demanded, struggling to get free. His hands and arms were constricted as well, so he couldn't even summon his Keyblade.
"Oh, you want to leave so soon, but I was hoping you could stay for dinner, we're having something special." As the snake said this he revealed Mowgli and Moguri, both tied up as well and still sound asleep.
"Mogli, Moguri!" Ritsuka cried in concern, shooting a glare at the snake. It giggled in delight.
"Oh don't look at me like that, I promise it won't hurt a bit, just relax..." The snake said in a soothing voice. It looked at Ritsuka in the eye with a hypnotic stare, suddenly Ritsuka felt sleepy, trying his hardest to stay awake. "Come now, aren't you tired, come on, sleep..."
"Hey, Moguri, I think I heard something." he said, but when he looked over, he saw Moguri asleep, yet still floating peacefully in the air. "Moguri, wake up." He shook the little Moogle, but all he did was stir a bit and reposition himself for more comfort. Ritsuka just gave up and decided to let the little guy sleep, he on the other hand had some investigating to do. He jumped into the air and grabbed a low hanging branch, pulling himself up into the foliage of the tree. He climbed around, trying to feel his way around, but he just couldn't really see anything in the dark. "Gah, man, there's nothing up here, maybe I'm just hearing things." He suggested, about to give up. But just then, he heard a strange hissing and before he could react he felt something coil around his body, clamping tightly making him unable to move. "Huh, what the... what is this?" He inquired aloud, and he soon got his answer. He heard a smug little laugh coming from behind him and turned his head to see. The moonlight shining through the treetop was just bright enough to reveal the culprit to be a snake, whose head hung down from its body on a higher branch and eyes glowed in the night.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" It said in a mocking voice. "It's not everyday we get Man Cubs in this part of the Jungle, how... deliciously interesting."
"Who are you... let me go!" Ritsuka demanded, struggling to get free. His hands and arms were constricted as well, so he couldn't even summon his Keyblade.
"Oh, you want to leave so soon, but I was hoping you could stay for dinner, we're having something special." As the snake said this he revealed Mowgli and Moguri, both tied up as well and still sound asleep.
"Mogli, Moguri!" Ritsuka cried in concern, shooting a glare at the snake. It giggled in delight.
"Oh don't look at me like that, I promise it won't hurt a bit, just relax..." The snake said in a soothing voice. It looked at Ritsuka in the eye with a hypnotic stare, suddenly Ritsuka felt sleepy, trying his hardest to stay awake. "Come now, aren't you tired, come on, sleep..."
The snake bobbed it's head in front of Ritsuka its eyes pulsing with colours. Ritsuka's eyes copied and he was quickly getting sleepy and falling under the spell. "Good boy." The serpent says laughing. His coils tightening as the three of them are all coiled up and sleeping. Close to them Baloo and Bagheera looked through the jungle in search of the group. They were a good two hundred meters away and in the silence of the jungle it was hard to find anything. "Blast where are they?" Bagheera asks. "How should I know Baggy. This is not good. I mean if Shere Khan finds him." "Don't even think of that. I am hoping to god that is not true." The Panther says and continues looking through the jungle.
Twilight Town
The flashlight in Karin's hand shook slightly and her breaths were shallow. She rounded another corner and was met by a row a trash cans. Slowly, she drew her katana from her pocket and whipped it out to full length.
"Hello? Is anyone there?" She breathed, shuffling closer to the house. Brittle, dead vines coated the outside of the shed before her and everything seemed silent. She shined her flashlight around, illuminating a broken skateboard beside the cans; one of the wheels to the skateboard were spinning slowly. After taking a few steps closer she went to round the building, when she felt breath on the back of her neck. Goosebumps covered her as she whipped around, but no one was there. She drew in a rattled gasp and clenched her fist tighter over her lantana, covering it in electricity and illuminating the area around her in a blue hue. Suddenly, a high pitched, curdled scream filled the air. Turning, Karin fled to where the sound was coming from. As she skirted around the corner she saw Olette on her knees, her head starring down in her lap. She seemed to be shaking, and her breath came to her in shallow gasps.
"Olette! Olette are you alright!!" Karin shouted to her, running up and grasping her shoulder. As she did, Olette threw her head back and Karin saw the tears in her eyes. However, a bright smile lighted her face. She was laughing.
"I though--I thought he was a GHOST!" She said in between fits of laughter. In her lap was a small orange tabby, licking its paws.
"Maybe next time try not to scream yeah?" Hayner said irritably, scratching his head. His face held a smile as well.
"Well, it seems we solved old Martha's ghost problem," Pence said, emerging from a group of trees near those. The three of them laughed, Olette scratching behind the ears of he kitten in her lap. After a moment, Karin couldn't help but chuckle with them.
They returned to Martha's house and collected their munny before heading back to the usual spot to count their saving.
"100...150...230...we just need 70 more and we can buy your ticket out of here!" Pence said, holding up the money for her to see. That night, including the money they had made from Martha, the team had earned 175 munny. Graciously, the group pooled what little savings they had left and gave it to Karin. She tried to deny them, but they were insistent.
"It's not every day you get to help a stranger and make a friend," Olette had said with her usual smile.
"Well tomorrow we'll help Jim with his deliveries and with that you should have enough for a round trip on the train!" Pence said, carefully storing the money in a drawer. Karin looked around at the group, overwhelmed with gratitude.
"And you all for your kindness, if it wasn't for you, I don't know how I would have ever done any of this." Smiles were exchanged around the room.
"Come on, let's go to my house! My mom will be worried sick if I don't get home soon. You can come share my room! Guys, we'll see you in the morning!" Pence and Hayner waved and with that Karin and Olette set off.
Olette's house was cozy. After meeting her wonderfully pleasant mother, the two girls set up for bed. Olette graciously let Karin sleep in her bed, even after countless rebates from Karin, and was now sound asleep on a make-shift bed on the floor. Karin however, say up in bed looking out her window. The moon shone brightly over her new city and thousands of stars lit the sky. She had been watching one in particular, watching as is grew dimmer and dimmer until it was gone. Had someone else just lost their home? Did the world her friends were in just die? No, she couldn't get held up by thoughts like that. She would find a way to them in her morning, and everything would be fine.
After heaving a sigh, Karin flopped back done in bed and managed to get comfortable. She hoped her friends, wherever they were now, we're also as comfortable as she was. Slowly, her eyes flustered to sleep.
The flashlight in Karin's hand shook slightly and her breaths were shallow. She rounded another corner and was met by a row a trash cans. Slowly, she drew her katana from her pocket and whipped it out to full length.
"Hello? Is anyone there?" She breathed, shuffling closer to the house. Brittle, dead vines coated the outside of the shed before her and everything seemed silent. She shined her flashlight around, illuminating a broken skateboard beside the cans; one of the wheels to the skateboard were spinning slowly. After taking a few steps closer she went to round the building, when she felt breath on the back of her neck. Goosebumps covered her as she whipped around, but no one was there. She drew in a rattled gasp and clenched her fist tighter over her lantana, covering it in electricity and illuminating the area around her in a blue hue. Suddenly, a high pitched, curdled scream filled the air. Turning, Karin fled to where the sound was coming from. As she skirted around the corner she saw Olette on her knees, her head starring down in her lap. She seemed to be shaking, and her breath came to her in shallow gasps.
"Olette! Olette are you alright!!" Karin shouted to her, running up and grasping her shoulder. As she did, Olette threw her head back and Karin saw the tears in her eyes. However, a bright smile lighted her face. She was laughing.
"I though--I thought he was a GHOST!" She said in between fits of laughter. In her lap was a small orange tabby, licking its paws.
"Maybe next time try not to scream yeah?" Hayner said irritably, scratching his head. His face held a smile as well.
"Well, it seems we solved old Martha's ghost problem," Pence said, emerging from a group of trees near those. The three of them laughed, Olette scratching behind the ears of he kitten in her lap. After a moment, Karin couldn't help but chuckle with them.
They returned to Martha's house and collected their munny before heading back to the usual spot to count their saving.
"100...150...230...we just need 70 more and we can buy your ticket out of here!" Pence said, holding up the money for her to see. That night, including the money they had made from Martha, the team had earned 175 munny. Graciously, the group pooled what little savings they had left and gave it to Karin. She tried to deny them, but they were insistent.
"It's not every day you get to help a stranger and make a friend," Olette had said with her usual smile.
"Well tomorrow we'll help Jim with his deliveries and with that you should have enough for a round trip on the train!" Pence said, carefully storing the money in a drawer. Karin looked around at the group, overwhelmed with gratitude.
"And you all for your kindness, if it wasn't for you, I don't know how I would have ever done any of this." Smiles were exchanged around the room.
"Come on, let's go to my house! My mom will be worried sick if I don't get home soon. You can come share my room! Guys, we'll see you in the morning!" Pence and Hayner waved and with that Karin and Olette set off.
Olette's house was cozy. After meeting her wonderfully pleasant mother, the two girls set up for bed. Olette graciously let Karin sleep in her bed, even after countless rebates from Karin, and was now sound asleep on a make-shift bed on the floor. Karin however, say up in bed looking out her window. The moon shone brightly over her new city and thousands of stars lit the sky. She had been watching one in particular, watching as is grew dimmer and dimmer until it was gone. Had someone else just lost their home? Did the world her friends were in just die? No, she couldn't get held up by thoughts like that. She would find a way to them in her morning, and everything would be fine.
After heaving a sigh, Karin flopped back done in bed and managed to get comfortable. She hoped her friends, wherever they were now, we're also as comfortable as she was. Slowly, her eyes flustered to sleep.
Ritsuka fought with all he had to stay awake, but it was no use, he eventually succumbed to Kaa's hypnosis and fell asleep like his comrades. Kaa let out a laugh.
"Now you see, that wasn't so hard now was it?" he said to the boy's sleeping form. "Now then, how should I do this, perhaps the younger boy for an appetizer, the grown boy for the main course, and the little pink puff ball for desert, hm hm hm, yes, that sounds wonderful." He mused to himself. He then brought up Mowgli, his mouth practically watering, licking his lips as he prepared to swallow him whole. Just then, Moguri stirred a bit, the commotion being just enough to wake him up. He groggily stretched his arms and gave out a large yawn.
"*yawn* Ah, sorry Ritsuka, it looks like I fell a... huh... AHHHHHHHHH!" Moguri screamed as he saw Kaa open his big jaws over Mowgli's sleeping head. Moguri summoned his little sword and pointed it to the sky. "Thundara!" A bolt of lighting came striking down from the heavens, landing right on Kaa and lighting up the sky momentarily. The shock woke Ritsuka and Moguri up and made Kaa loosen their grip on them, allowing them to wiggle free. Kaa shook off the magical blast and boy was he not happy.
"Ohhhhh, you little sneak." He hissed at Moguri.
"Go on, try something, I dare you, kupo!" Moguri challenged, Ritsuka also joining him with his Keyblade.
"That's right, pay back time you creep." Little did they know Mowgli was gathering up all of Kaa's coils, collecting them at the edge of the branch.
"That's it, Man Cub, when I'm through with you not even the buzzards are going to want toAHHH!" Kaa exclaimed as Mowgli pushed his coils over the edge, causing Kaa's winded up body to flail all around as he fell to a heap on the ground.
"Yeah, take that Kaa, you no good snake!" Mowgli said, looking down at the injured snake. Kaa glared at him for a movement before turning away.
"Oh, I'm getting sick and tired of this, when I get that kid in my coils I'm gonna..." Kaa grumbled to himself as he "limped" away into the forest. Mowgli and the others laughed at the display.
"Oh man, that was a close one, you really saved our skins back there Moguri." Ritsuka praised, much to Moguri's delight.
"Yeah well, I'm sorry for falling asleep in the first place, kupo." Moguri apologized, rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment.
"It's ok, you came through for us when it mattered, thanks Moguri." Mowgli said with a smile, which Moguri and Ritsuka returned.
"Well, you guys get some sleep, I'll take the next watch, kupo." He offered.
"Are you sure?" Ritsuka said with a sour tone.
"Don't worry, I've got this, kupo." Moguri assured. Mowgli and Ritsuka decided to trust the little Moogle and made themselves comfortable, drifting off to sleep as Moguri kept watch for anything else that may do them harm.
"Now you see, that wasn't so hard now was it?" he said to the boy's sleeping form. "Now then, how should I do this, perhaps the younger boy for an appetizer, the grown boy for the main course, and the little pink puff ball for desert, hm hm hm, yes, that sounds wonderful." He mused to himself. He then brought up Mowgli, his mouth practically watering, licking his lips as he prepared to swallow him whole. Just then, Moguri stirred a bit, the commotion being just enough to wake him up. He groggily stretched his arms and gave out a large yawn.
"*yawn* Ah, sorry Ritsuka, it looks like I fell a... huh... AHHHHHHHHH!" Moguri screamed as he saw Kaa open his big jaws over Mowgli's sleeping head. Moguri summoned his little sword and pointed it to the sky. "Thundara!" A bolt of lighting came striking down from the heavens, landing right on Kaa and lighting up the sky momentarily. The shock woke Ritsuka and Moguri up and made Kaa loosen their grip on them, allowing them to wiggle free. Kaa shook off the magical blast and boy was he not happy.
"Ohhhhh, you little sneak." He hissed at Moguri.
"Go on, try something, I dare you, kupo!" Moguri challenged, Ritsuka also joining him with his Keyblade.
"That's right, pay back time you creep." Little did they know Mowgli was gathering up all of Kaa's coils, collecting them at the edge of the branch.
"That's it, Man Cub, when I'm through with you not even the buzzards are going to want toAHHH!" Kaa exclaimed as Mowgli pushed his coils over the edge, causing Kaa's winded up body to flail all around as he fell to a heap on the ground.
"Yeah, take that Kaa, you no good snake!" Mowgli said, looking down at the injured snake. Kaa glared at him for a movement before turning away.
"Oh, I'm getting sick and tired of this, when I get that kid in my coils I'm gonna..." Kaa grumbled to himself as he "limped" away into the forest. Mowgli and the others laughed at the display.
"Oh man, that was a close one, you really saved our skins back there Moguri." Ritsuka praised, much to Moguri's delight.
"Yeah well, I'm sorry for falling asleep in the first place, kupo." Moguri apologized, rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment.
"It's ok, you came through for us when it mattered, thanks Moguri." Mowgli said with a smile, which Moguri and Ritsuka returned.
"Well, you guys get some sleep, I'll take the next watch, kupo." He offered.
"Are you sure?" Ritsuka said with a sour tone.
"Don't worry, I've got this, kupo." Moguri assured. Mowgli and Ritsuka decided to trust the little Moogle and made themselves comfortable, drifting off to sleep as Moguri kept watch for anything else that may do them harm.
Baloo and Bagheera heard the commotion of Kaa falling from the tree and the groups laughing. This lead them over there to see the group now in the tree. "Looks like they are safe." The panther says giving a sigh of relive. "Yea. Thank everything." Baloo says a tired smirk on his face. The duo headed over to the tree to be with the three. Now tired they would soon fall asleep with little time. "Hello? Any of you still awake?" Bagheera asks climbing the tree.
In the darkness of the jungle the same dark figure that had been stalking them since their arrival watched. Not attacking just watching and examining. It's body could be slightly seen in the moonlight. But as quick as the leaves blew over and blocked the light the creature was gone. It's location unknown.
In the darkness of the jungle the same dark figure that had been stalking them since their arrival watched. Not attacking just watching and examining. It's body could be slightly seen in the moonlight. But as quick as the leaves blew over and blocked the light the creature was gone. It's location unknown.
Twilight Town
The moment the sun hit Karin's face, she jumbled awake. She hurried over to shake the sleep from Olette, excitement flowing through her. Olette opened a sleepy eye and looked at her before sitting up, yawning widely.
"Time to go already?" She asked, rubbing her eye with the back of her hand.
"I'd like to get on the soonest train. So the quicker we can finish with Joe's deliveries the sooner I can go! I've already imposed enough," Karin whispered, careful not to wake up anyone else in the house. Olette sighed and jumped from her bed with a sleepy smile.
"Alright let me get dressed. Go downstairs and put some toast on and i'll be right here. I just gotta text he boys...'" she told her, making her way for her closet. Karin raced down the stairs, careful to be as quietly as possible and popped some toast in the toaster. After an excruciatingly long minute Olette came down the stairs dressed for her day, just as the toast pooped up. Smearing them both with some peanut butter, the two girls rushed outside.
After a few minutes of good running they made it outside a cosy looking home with a white van in front. A tall man in a white outfit was already loading up boxes of goods, wiping sweat off his brow after he finished. He seemed surprised to see the girls.
"Here already? Excited are we?" He asked them with a smile.
"I'd like to start as soon as possible sir! I need to leave on the soonest train!" Karin told him eagerly.
"Well then we have no time to waste do we?" His blue eyes crinkled. He turned back into the van and lifted a few decent sized boxes out of it. He went to hand them to Karin, but before she could grab them they were snatched away.
"Let the men take the first load!" Hayner said, smiling over the boxes. Pence took the next armload of boxes and the two boys sped off down the road on their skateboards. Karin and Olette took the next few armloads and together they set off.
The town was bigger than Karin had imagined, and more than once she had gotten lost. If it weren't for Olette she would have never found her way back to the van. All in all though, Karin had fun meeting everyone in the town. Everyone was very nice, and the girls even made some tips along the way. Although they were sweating, and the boxes hurt their backs, the girls found time to laugh.
The sun was shining brightly above them by the time the truck was empty. When the girls retuned to the van Joe was waiting for them.
"Them two boys said they would meet you at the train station and that I was to pay only you!" He said, smiling as he handed Karin 100 money.
"There's a little extra here to thank you for all your work. No no, just take it!" Joe said when Karin tried to give some back.
"It'll be easier splitting it with all your friends. Now go! You're going to miss your train!" The girls smiled at him, and thanked him before turning and running towards the train.
Steam was pouring out from the train and the ticket master was already punching a few tickets outside when they arrived. As the girls ran up, they saw Pence and Hayner already waiting, ice cream in their hands.
"We made some extra cash on tips. So we figured we'd get you a parting gift," Pence said, handing the girls their ice cream. Karin graciously took hers and began to lick it; working had made her parched!
"So this is it huh? Do you have everything you need?" Hayner asked, looking her over. Karin took a bite of her popsicle and smiled.
"All I need is my money and I'm set!" She told them, looking over at Pence. He jumped when she looked at him.
"Oh, I almost forgot I hadn't given you that!" He told her, taking the money out of his pocket and giving it to her. She made sure she gave them the extra 20 munny she had made.
"Don't forget, you always have a place to come back to if you can't find your friends. We can keep you here and figure out more ways!" Olette told her happily.
"Thank you. Thank you all so much. I couldn't have done any of this without your help. You guys are truly amazing people and i'll never forget your kindness," she told them. Hayner waved away her comment and Pence just laughed. Just then the train's horn blared, singling that it was time to go. Karin gave each of her friends a quick hug before buying her ticket and rushing on the train.
As the train began chugging away, Karin stuck her hand out and waved goodbye to her new friends. They chased the train a few ways, waving and shouting goodbyes before the train sped off past the trees. It was disheartening to leave her new friends behind, but she was hopeful to find her old friends. She starred up at the map on her wall ahead of her and tried to recognize any of the towns names. Maybe some of the people on the train would know....
The moment the sun hit Karin's face, she jumbled awake. She hurried over to shake the sleep from Olette, excitement flowing through her. Olette opened a sleepy eye and looked at her before sitting up, yawning widely.
"Time to go already?" She asked, rubbing her eye with the back of her hand.
"I'd like to get on the soonest train. So the quicker we can finish with Joe's deliveries the sooner I can go! I've already imposed enough," Karin whispered, careful not to wake up anyone else in the house. Olette sighed and jumped from her bed with a sleepy smile.
"Alright let me get dressed. Go downstairs and put some toast on and i'll be right here. I just gotta text he boys...'" she told her, making her way for her closet. Karin raced down the stairs, careful to be as quietly as possible and popped some toast in the toaster. After an excruciatingly long minute Olette came down the stairs dressed for her day, just as the toast pooped up. Smearing them both with some peanut butter, the two girls rushed outside.
After a few minutes of good running they made it outside a cosy looking home with a white van in front. A tall man in a white outfit was already loading up boxes of goods, wiping sweat off his brow after he finished. He seemed surprised to see the girls.
"Here already? Excited are we?" He asked them with a smile.
"I'd like to start as soon as possible sir! I need to leave on the soonest train!" Karin told him eagerly.
"Well then we have no time to waste do we?" His blue eyes crinkled. He turned back into the van and lifted a few decent sized boxes out of it. He went to hand them to Karin, but before she could grab them they were snatched away.
"Let the men take the first load!" Hayner said, smiling over the boxes. Pence took the next armload of boxes and the two boys sped off down the road on their skateboards. Karin and Olette took the next few armloads and together they set off.
The town was bigger than Karin had imagined, and more than once she had gotten lost. If it weren't for Olette she would have never found her way back to the van. All in all though, Karin had fun meeting everyone in the town. Everyone was very nice, and the girls even made some tips along the way. Although they were sweating, and the boxes hurt their backs, the girls found time to laugh.
The sun was shining brightly above them by the time the truck was empty. When the girls retuned to the van Joe was waiting for them.
"Them two boys said they would meet you at the train station and that I was to pay only you!" He said, smiling as he handed Karin 100 money.
"There's a little extra here to thank you for all your work. No no, just take it!" Joe said when Karin tried to give some back.
"It'll be easier splitting it with all your friends. Now go! You're going to miss your train!" The girls smiled at him, and thanked him before turning and running towards the train.
Steam was pouring out from the train and the ticket master was already punching a few tickets outside when they arrived. As the girls ran up, they saw Pence and Hayner already waiting, ice cream in their hands.
"We made some extra cash on tips. So we figured we'd get you a parting gift," Pence said, handing the girls their ice cream. Karin graciously took hers and began to lick it; working had made her parched!
"So this is it huh? Do you have everything you need?" Hayner asked, looking her over. Karin took a bite of her popsicle and smiled.
"All I need is my money and I'm set!" She told them, looking over at Pence. He jumped when she looked at him.
"Oh, I almost forgot I hadn't given you that!" He told her, taking the money out of his pocket and giving it to her. She made sure she gave them the extra 20 munny she had made.
"Don't forget, you always have a place to come back to if you can't find your friends. We can keep you here and figure out more ways!" Olette told her happily.
"Thank you. Thank you all so much. I couldn't have done any of this without your help. You guys are truly amazing people and i'll never forget your kindness," she told them. Hayner waved away her comment and Pence just laughed. Just then the train's horn blared, singling that it was time to go. Karin gave each of her friends a quick hug before buying her ticket and rushing on the train.
As the train began chugging away, Karin stuck her hand out and waved goodbye to her new friends. They chased the train a few ways, waving and shouting goodbyes before the train sped off past the trees. It was disheartening to leave her new friends behind, but she was hopeful to find her old friends. She starred up at the map on her wall ahead of her and tried to recognize any of the towns names. Maybe some of the people on the train would know....
"Baloo, Bagheera, boy am I glad to see you, kupo!" Moguri greeted softly, as to not awaken the sleeping Man Cubs.
"Is Mowgli ok?" Bagheera asked immediately, quietly examining the young boy for any injuries.
"He's fine, no harm done... well, we did run into a little trouble not too long ago... involving a snake, but we took care of it, no worries, kupo." Moguri assured, sighs of relief coming from Baloo and Bagheera.
"Thanks goodness." Bagheera said.
"Boy that overgrown worm better hope he doesn't run into me, I tell yeah I'd give him the old one-two, trying to hurt my Man Cub." Baloo said as he began to shadow box. Bagheera's expression changed from relieved to angry and annoyed at the bear's comments.
"YOUR Man Cub, Baloo I thought I made myself perfectly clear, Mowgli has to go back to the Man Village." Bagheera stated as he leaped back down from the tree.
"Ah come on Bahgy, you still talking about that, look I'm sorry about the Monkeys, but can't you see the kid really wants to stay in the Jungle, why can't we let him?" Baloo argued.
"Baloo, you have to think about what's best for Mowgli, you couldn't even save him from a gang of Monkeys, how on Earth do you intend to protect him from Shere Khan?"
"Well, I uh..." Baloo was at a loss for words. Truth be told he never really thought about what he would do if he ran into the tiger, he may have been strong, but Shere Khan practically ruled this jungle, he doubted anyone could stand up to him.
"As soon as Shere Khan gets word of a Man Cub in his jungle, he will stop at nothing to kill him, Mowgli just isn't safe here." Baloo just couldn't argue anymore, Bagheera was right, he was always right, if Mowgli was going to survive, he need to leave the jungle.
"...Ok Bagheera, you win, we'll take him back to the man village." Baloo sighed in defeat. "But, can't we at least wait till morning?"
"It's morning now, Baloo." Bagheera informed. The sun had indeed rose above the horizon, illuminating to once dark jungle. As the sunlight hit Ritsuka's face, his eyes fluttered open and he let out a yawn.
"One hour of sleep is better than no sleep I guess." Ritsuka said groggily as he took a look at his surroundings, finally noticing the Bear and Panther.
"Baloo, Bagheera, about time you found us." He said a bit sarcastically, but was truly happy to see them. "Mowgli, hey Mowgli wake up, look who's here." He shook Mowgli awake, the young boy rubbing the sleep out of his eyes before noticing his animal friends.
"Baloo, Bagheera, you're back!" Mowgli cried as he leaped from the tree into Baloo's arms. The Bear did his best to hug back, but his heart still felt heavy from the task ahead of him.
"Is Mowgli ok?" Bagheera asked immediately, quietly examining the young boy for any injuries.
"He's fine, no harm done... well, we did run into a little trouble not too long ago... involving a snake, but we took care of it, no worries, kupo." Moguri assured, sighs of relief coming from Baloo and Bagheera.
"Thanks goodness." Bagheera said.
"Boy that overgrown worm better hope he doesn't run into me, I tell yeah I'd give him the old one-two, trying to hurt my Man Cub." Baloo said as he began to shadow box. Bagheera's expression changed from relieved to angry and annoyed at the bear's comments.
"YOUR Man Cub, Baloo I thought I made myself perfectly clear, Mowgli has to go back to the Man Village." Bagheera stated as he leaped back down from the tree.
"Ah come on Bahgy, you still talking about that, look I'm sorry about the Monkeys, but can't you see the kid really wants to stay in the Jungle, why can't we let him?" Baloo argued.
"Baloo, you have to think about what's best for Mowgli, you couldn't even save him from a gang of Monkeys, how on Earth do you intend to protect him from Shere Khan?"
"Well, I uh..." Baloo was at a loss for words. Truth be told he never really thought about what he would do if he ran into the tiger, he may have been strong, but Shere Khan practically ruled this jungle, he doubted anyone could stand up to him.
"As soon as Shere Khan gets word of a Man Cub in his jungle, he will stop at nothing to kill him, Mowgli just isn't safe here." Baloo just couldn't argue anymore, Bagheera was right, he was always right, if Mowgli was going to survive, he need to leave the jungle.
"...Ok Bagheera, you win, we'll take him back to the man village." Baloo sighed in defeat. "But, can't we at least wait till morning?"
"It's morning now, Baloo." Bagheera informed. The sun had indeed rose above the horizon, illuminating to once dark jungle. As the sunlight hit Ritsuka's face, his eyes fluttered open and he let out a yawn.
"One hour of sleep is better than no sleep I guess." Ritsuka said groggily as he took a look at his surroundings, finally noticing the Bear and Panther.
"Baloo, Bagheera, about time you found us." He said a bit sarcastically, but was truly happy to see them. "Mowgli, hey Mowgli wake up, look who's here." He shook Mowgli awake, the young boy rubbing the sleep out of his eyes before noticing his animal friends.
"Baloo, Bagheera, you're back!" Mowgli cried as he leaped from the tree into Baloo's arms. The Bear did his best to hug back, but his heart still felt heavy from the task ahead of him.
The birds sung as they flew off to hunt the small early morning prey of tiny mammals, reptiles and insects. The tree they were in seemed to spring to life as small flying moth like insets flew out. The leaves dripped with moisture and liquid from the moist night and the trails from where they had walked had been all but destroyed by light mud and water. As the group climbed down to move they could smell something odd. It smelt like smoke and fruit but it carried an almost salty smell with it. "What is that smell?" Baloo asks sniffing at the air. The sky seemed clear with no sign of fire or smoke so its source was strange.
The train had many stops, but after talking to a few people on the train she learned she only needed one. She was intimidated to ask at first, since many of the people looked dark and mysterious. After talking to a few though, she found they were actually quite nice. There were only a few who wouldn’t give her the time of day. Every person that she did talk to though recommended she go and see Yen Sid. They told her that he was rather intimidating and was always fierce, but he had a mysterious power. A few described him as an old, mean man. If she wanted his help, she had better be interesting. She hoped she could convince the fierce sorcerer to help her, maybe if she told him of the state the world was in he could help! Still, she twisted her hands together in her lap worriedly.
His tower was the next stop now; she would be there any minute. She wasn’t sure exactly why she was worried. Her thoughts were scattered. Would he send her away immediately? Or would he toy with her a bit? Maybe he was actually very nice and would gladly help her! She sighed and rubbed her neck. No matter what, she would find a way to get back to her friends. If she had to she would take what she needed from Yen Sid, regardless if he knew about it. The train leached back, pulling Karin from her thoughts. As she looked out the window she noticed they were approaching a forest. In the middle of the forest rose a giant tower, blue sidling covered it. She had battled heartless before, how could one old sorcerer frighten her? Karin gathered up her wits and exited the train.
She paused for a moment after she did and starred at the tower in the distance. The train let off its horn and chugged it’s way past her, whipping her hair in her face and leaving her completely alone. Part of her wanted to chase back after it and go back to where she was safe. Back to where she wouldn’t have to worry about the state of the worlds or anything else. She knew though, this would never be possible. How could she just leave everyone to fend for themselves? She sighed and began her walk to the door.
The closer she got to the tower, the more massive it became. Once she reached the doors, she seemed tiny in comparison to the entrance. She took a calming breath and then tentatively knocked. What would happen next? Would guards swarm the door? Were there traps? She waited with her heart in her throat and sweaty palms. For the next few moments though, there was nothing. No sound from inside and no deadly trap waiting for her. Confused, she knocked more insistently and the door swung open instantly. However, there was no one to greet her at the door. She cautiously poked her head inside and looked around.
“Hello?” She called. She was greeted with silence. Carefully, she stepped inside and continued to look further. The landing seemed to be pretty empty for a house, but she noticed near the back of the room there was a winding staircase. As she drew closer to take a better look she noticed it went up all the way to the top. The staircase had to go up at least nine floors!
“Hello! Is anyone here?” She called out, her voice echoing off the walls. Still, there was nothing. Maybe no one even lived in this tower anymore. Groaning, she began to make her way up the stairs.
The staircase had gone around at least six times by now. Karin’s legs burned and her breaths were heavy. As she tromped around another flight she stopped for a moment to catch her breath. Panting, she looked up to see she only had one more flight left.
“Come on let’s get it over with,” She encouraged herself as she continued. For the last bit she decided to sprint up the stairs, stopping once she stood in front of a large oak door. A crescent moon shape gleamed back at her. She stood there starring until her breaths slowed and her heart stopped hammering in her chest. After tightening her fists she gently opened the door.
The room she now stood in was…peculiar. Figures of stars and crescent moons were cut out of the tower so that the sun was now streaming inside. Books adorned the walls in little cubby holes or in bookshelves around the room. A chalkboard was in one corner of the room next to a dresser. In the center of the room sat an old, plain looking desk. Behind it, sat an old fierce looking man. He was garbed in a long, elegant blue robe and atop his head sat a tall pointed hat covered in the same shapes as the walls. His arms were folded as he looked at her and his thick brow was furrowed.
“How did you get into my tower?” He asked her with a frown. When he spoke his long beard moved with him.
Karin’s mouth filled with cotton.
His tower was the next stop now; she would be there any minute. She wasn’t sure exactly why she was worried. Her thoughts were scattered. Would he send her away immediately? Or would he toy with her a bit? Maybe he was actually very nice and would gladly help her! She sighed and rubbed her neck. No matter what, she would find a way to get back to her friends. If she had to she would take what she needed from Yen Sid, regardless if he knew about it. The train leached back, pulling Karin from her thoughts. As she looked out the window she noticed they were approaching a forest. In the middle of the forest rose a giant tower, blue sidling covered it. She had battled heartless before, how could one old sorcerer frighten her? Karin gathered up her wits and exited the train.
She paused for a moment after she did and starred at the tower in the distance. The train let off its horn and chugged it’s way past her, whipping her hair in her face and leaving her completely alone. Part of her wanted to chase back after it and go back to where she was safe. Back to where she wouldn’t have to worry about the state of the worlds or anything else. She knew though, this would never be possible. How could she just leave everyone to fend for themselves? She sighed and began her walk to the door.
The closer she got to the tower, the more massive it became. Once she reached the doors, she seemed tiny in comparison to the entrance. She took a calming breath and then tentatively knocked. What would happen next? Would guards swarm the door? Were there traps? She waited with her heart in her throat and sweaty palms. For the next few moments though, there was nothing. No sound from inside and no deadly trap waiting for her. Confused, she knocked more insistently and the door swung open instantly. However, there was no one to greet her at the door. She cautiously poked her head inside and looked around.
“Hello?” She called. She was greeted with silence. Carefully, she stepped inside and continued to look further. The landing seemed to be pretty empty for a house, but she noticed near the back of the room there was a winding staircase. As she drew closer to take a better look she noticed it went up all the way to the top. The staircase had to go up at least nine floors!
“Hello! Is anyone here?” She called out, her voice echoing off the walls. Still, there was nothing. Maybe no one even lived in this tower anymore. Groaning, she began to make her way up the stairs.
The staircase had gone around at least six times by now. Karin’s legs burned and her breaths were heavy. As she tromped around another flight she stopped for a moment to catch her breath. Panting, she looked up to see she only had one more flight left.
“Come on let’s get it over with,” She encouraged herself as she continued. For the last bit she decided to sprint up the stairs, stopping once she stood in front of a large oak door. A crescent moon shape gleamed back at her. She stood there starring until her breaths slowed and her heart stopped hammering in her chest. After tightening her fists she gently opened the door.
The room she now stood in was…peculiar. Figures of stars and crescent moons were cut out of the tower so that the sun was now streaming inside. Books adorned the walls in little cubby holes or in bookshelves around the room. A chalkboard was in one corner of the room next to a dresser. In the center of the room sat an old, plain looking desk. Behind it, sat an old fierce looking man. He was garbed in a long, elegant blue robe and atop his head sat a tall pointed hat covered in the same shapes as the walls. His arms were folded as he looked at her and his thick brow was furrowed.
“How did you get into my tower?” He asked her with a frown. When he spoke his long beard moved with him.
Karin’s mouth filled with cotton.
You are on: Forums » General Roleplay » Kingdom hearts (Crystie78 & Monkeycyborgninja)
Moderators: Mina, Keke, Cass, Claine, Sanne, Dragonfire, Ilmarinen, Darth_Angelus