Radiant Garden- Keyblade Academy

 

Ordinarily, the Radiant Garden Keyblade Academy was rather quiet, at least by the standards of a school. Not much happened, and it was rare for any sort of exciting events to happen in the years of peace that the world had experienced. However, on this particular day, that was about to change. The Masters of the Keyblade Academy were about to send a group of students off on what would be the most important journey since the one taken by Master Sora and his friends in the past. The previous day, almost 20 students had received letters from Master Sora. Each letter shared the same message, though with slight alterations to include the name of its recipient:

 

Dear (Student),

 

Hello, this is Master Sora. I would like to let you know that you have been selected to participate in a very important mission. This journey could take a short time, or many months. I apologize if this interferes with your busy schedule, but you will be excused from all missed lessons during this time period. I would like you to convene just outside the Academy tomorrow at noon, by the fountain. You will receive further instructions at that time. I wish you and your fellow companions the best of luck on this journey!

 

Sincerely, Master Sora

 

This particular letter and mission were unknown to those who were not participating, unless a participant had informed them ahead of time. It was just the small group leaving on this quest who had any sort of knowledge as to what they were about to face...

 

 

Indy arrived at the fountain early. He hated arriving late, and as such, arriving at a meeting very early tended to become something he'd been known for. Noticing that no one else had arrived, he decided to sit down on a nearby bench, waiting for his fellow students to file in. He knew that his best friend, Raidyn, would be going along with him. Aside from that, he had no clue who all would be joining. He just hoped that they would all be ready for whatever they'd need to face. As he sat, he became lost in his thoughts. This mission could potentially mark his first time ever leaving his home world of Radiant Garden. He could finally go out and see more worlds. He could meet new people. Most importantly, he might finally have a chance to track down the person he'd been trying to find for years... He managed to look calm for the most part, though he could feel his hands shaking with excitement. This could very well be the moment he'd waited years for.

Raidyn / Toshi

 

"Alright, Somreme. Well then, I guess that makes four of us," Raidyn said, counting Nexus as one person alongside himself, Toshi and Ember. "Okay now, the rest of us need to stick together."

 

"That's right. We'll lead you to Thebes," Toshi added.

 

Walking with their classmates, Raidyn and Toshi walked down the steps leading to the colisuem. They traveled and traveled until they had reached the city of Thebes.

 

"Huh... come to think of it, I don't think I've ever read about this place," Raidyn thought aloud.

 

"Really? This is going to be unfamiliar territory for us all..." Toshi commented.

 

"Yep. Don't worry though, as long as we keep focus, things'll probably pan out the way we want them to."

 

"I-I'm... I'm surprised you weren't more curious about exploring this place."

 

"Well, I am... but you know, you and I being co-leaders and all, you gotta think more responsibly.""R-right... Co-leaders."

 

"Speaking of that," Raidyn turned to the others, "Remember guys: we're lookin' for any strange activity that might be connected to the Seekers. Nobodies, Heartless, or any other weird stuff that might be going down: it's all something to keep an eye out for. Alright?"

Annistha looked to calm down a little when Somrene said he would be staying with Indy and Rei. With the SoL attacking so brazenly, it wouldn't do to leaving anybody anywhere without able back up.

"Alright, if you need help, call us." Annistha told Somrene.

She flashed him a thankful smile before following the others towards Thebes.

[Nexus Shift]

Zather jogged forward so that he was near the front of the group. His eyes never stopped moving as he looked for threats that were doubtless out there, ready to spring. He rested his Keyblade on his shoulder and kept his left hand close to the grip of the Gunblade.

"Bets on our attacker being part of what's going on here versus an assassin stalking this team in particular?" He asked while keeping up his vigil.

Lucas was ecstatic at the chance to get to go a real royal palace. "Wow! This is gonna be amazing!" He ran up to the Llama and began questioning him about what the palace was like. "So what's your palace like? Do you got mounds of gold everywhere? Is there like wax clean floors all around, and statues of you in your magnificence and stuff like that?" He said with a goofy grin. "Oh and uh, sorry for petting you before, your majesty..." He added sheepishly at the end as he walked alongside him.

"Is it just me or does this sound like a Frog-Princess story where the prince is cursed to turn into a frog until a princess kisses him? I'd say this similar to that...Except there isn't a princess and it's MUCH longer. But cooler though!" Saki said walking with his arms behind his head. "So what's it like? Being a llama and all? Is it cool? Do you get to use animal instincts? Do you like being a llama?" Saki asked the Emperor Kuzco.

-Artemis Thornton-

 

Artemis's expression was somewhat dumbfounded. "....an llama Emperor.....and here I thought I had seen everything." He noted, shaking his head slightly before walking along with everyone else.

"I would presume you view your...condition, as a curse, Emperor?" Artemis asked, fully expecting a particular answer.

 

-Luna "Nephilim" Urbane-

 

"I'm sure there are weirder things than Emperor llama over there....such as the Seekers of Light!" She jested, following the others.

*Tumbleweed*

-Maximilian-

 

Maximilian didn't even ask any questions, he didn't have anything to say, at all, he knew there was magic around, but turning people into animals was a new one, at least to him. 

 

He simply sighed and followed the others as he smirked a bit as Luna said something, "Well we had a heartless fall in love with one of us, doubt it'l go farther than that..." he said.

Forward Unto Dawn

 

Zion flicked Allitt's forehead, then floated up. "There." She said. "So, your name's Allitt Caelum. Fascinating...why did you leave the Academy?" She asked

 

 

Stalwart Dawn

 

Orias's avatar turned to Indy. "She will be fully healed in ten minutes, young man. She might be woozy and out of it for a minute or two, so just get her sitting up and breathing in air. And keep her from fighting for a bit, let her regain her strength. That was a bad cut...an expert cut."

Aello's attention drifted for a moment as she watched a tumbleweed float across the jungle, mouth open in shock and amazement. This was not a place she had expected to find one of those awesome plants in... She quickly snapped back to reality, shouting her agreement to Joel's decision. "Alright! To the temple!" She pointed randomly like a dramatic adventurer before pausing. "Um... Which way is it again?"

Somrene watched the group leave before turning to the ship and walking inside. He found Indy with the Orias AI and the wounded Rei. "Is she going to be alright?" He asked suddenly, not pausing to say why he was here instead of with the others. He walked forwards towards the table and watched the medical machines work. He leaned against a different table, watching the lights move as they restored her body.

 

Ember followed behind Raidyn, Toshi, and Zather. She cleared her throat before attempting to answer Zather's thought. "She had the same kind of look as the woman we saw back in Twilight Town. That would mean she's a Seeker of Light, right?" She hazarded a guess.

Andes Mountains

 

Kuzco was getting bothered by all of the questions. "I have a nice palace, I hate being a llama, blah, blah. Less talking, more moving. We need to get to my palace as soon as possible, and I don't have time to answer so many questions." He spoke in an annoyed tone, and continued moving ahead. "Last time I checked, you're all supposed to be protecting me. Not bothering me."

 

Pacha looked a little angry with Kuzco. "You know, we could all just leave you at any time if we wanted to." Pacha told Kuzco, trying to get him to quit with his insults.

 

"And I could still go and have your village relocated when I get back. I wouldn't go running off on me just yet."

 

 

Forward Unto Dawn

"Yes, that's my name. How do you know so much about me?" Allitt asked angrily. "By the way, I told you to let me out of here."

 

 

Mt. Olympus

 

When the group reached the bottom of the stairs, they arrived in a plaza with a fountain in the center. There were still people walking around nervously, although this area was much more heavily populated. Upon arriving in this area, a scream could be heard in the direction of a few buildings not too far away...

 

 

Stalwart Dawn

 

"Got it. Thanks, Orias." Indy sighed in relief. He was happy that Rei would be okay. However, he was surprised when Somrene suddenly entered. "Uh... yeah, she will. What are you doing here, though? I thought you were with the others..." He asked curiously, a bit startled by the sudden company.

Zather jogged forward so that he was near the front of the group. His eyes never stopped moving as he looked for threats that were doubtless out there, ready to spring. He rested his Keyblade on his shoulder and kept his left hand close to the grip of the Gunblade.

"Bets on our attacker being part of what's going on here versus an assassin stalking this team in particular?" He asked while keeping up his vigil.

Ember followed behind Raidyn, Toshi, and Zather. She cleared her throat before attempting to answer Zather's thought. "She had the same kind of look as the woman we saw back in Twilight Town. That would mean she's a Seeker of Light, right?" She hazarded a guess.

 

"That's a good point, guys. I wouldn't be surprised if they decided to show up in person. From what I gathered from the others, that happened quite a lot in Twilight Town." Raidyn said. "With that in mind, I'm sure they'll be much harder to deal with than Heartless or Nobodies."

 

There were still people walking around nervously, although this area was much more heavily populated. Upon arriving in this area, a scream could be heard in the direction of a few buildings not too far away...

 

"Did you guys hear that? There was a scream coming from other there!" Toshi said, pointing towards said direction of noise.

 

"Well, looks like we got our first lead. Let's check it out!" Raidyn commanded, he and Toshi leading the others towards the spot of interest.

*Tumbleweed*

(whatcha tumbleweeding for? Rei's been mortally wounded and there are screams to follow.)The sound of the scream made Zather smirk for a moment. If you left the prey to their own devices, they'd always give away their position. Taking up a position near the middle of the group, Zather pulled out his Gunblade as he ran along with the others. he kept looking to the roof tops and allies, ready for an ambush if the screams turned out to be bait.

"Looks like somebody's a very cranky ruler." Saki commented while walking with Lisa right by him. "So why are you helping him? Are you trying to make just a little more nicer?" Saki asked Pacha.

As this is all this was happening the whole time every time Kuzco, Zar's murderous aura acted up. He got to the point where he was grabbing his weapons to take them out. But stopped himself, he would have to constantly keep himself in check. "Why not just do it?" Raz asked. "Because our mission is to help this area and this isn't helping." Zar said to Raz, trying really hard to keep himself in check. 

"So we're escorting an emperor turned llama, not only that but we're in the company of Lisa! the heartless who somehow got emotions." He whispered the last part to whoever was near him as he walked along with the team, "I wonder if the seekers are even here..." he commented as he looked around as he walked, analyzing the areas they walked by, pherhaps when they got to this palace, they would actually find something worthwhile.

Andes Mountains

 

Kuzco was getting bothered by all of the questions. "I have a nice palace, I hate being a llama, blah, blah. Less talking, more moving. We need to get to my palace as soon as possible, and I don't have time to answer so many questions." He spoke in an annoyed tone, and continued moving ahead. "Last time I checked, you're all supposed to be protecting me. Not bothering me."

 

Pacha looked a little angry with Kuzco. "You know, we could all just leave you at any time if we wanted to." Pacha told Kuzco, trying to get him to quit with his insults.

 

"And I could still go and have your village relocated when I get back. I wouldn't go running off on me just yet."

(Damn, these guys are savage )

 

"So we're escorting an emperor turned llama, not only that but we're in the company of Lisa! the heartless who somehow got emotions." He whispered the last part to whoever was near him as he walked along with the team, "I wonder if the seekers are even here..." he commented as he looked around as he walked, analyzing the areas they walked by, pherhaps when they got to this palace, they would actually find something worthwhile.

Joel had to stifle a fit of laughter after hearing Kuzco's and Pacha's rather threatening banter.

He was also close enough to hear Max's comments. "Let's hope that there's a Seeker or two lurking about. Well, not like it's good if they should be here causing trouble and stuff, but we didn't get much prime-time action back in Twilight Town, y'know?" Joel responded, trying to coherently voice his mixed feelings on the matter.

-Zion-

 

The teacher sighed and, surprisingly, undid the chains. She teleported Allitt to the surface.

"Run. Train. Because next time, you die kid."

 

She said nothing more.

 

-Rei-

 

She cried out and sat uo, chest heaving. She looked around, and saw Indy.

"W...what happened?"

(Damn, these guys are savage )

 

Joel had to stifle a fit of laughter after hearing Kuzco's and Pacha's rather threatening banter.

He was also close enough to hear Max's comments. "Let's hope that there's a Seeker or two lurking about. Well, not like it's good if they should be here causing trouble and stuff, but we didn't get much prime-time action back in Twilight Town, y'know?" Joel responded, trying to coherently voice his mixed feelings on the matter.

Lucas also snickered a bit at Kuzco's behavior and Pacha's banter with him. "I'm hoping we get to bash in more heartless on the way. That Palace is gonna be awesome to see!"

Andes Mountains

 

Pacha looked over at Saki. "Well... He's trying to build his new summer home over my village, and I agreed to do this only if he moves his home somewhere else." After taking a quick glace at Kuzco, he leaned closer to the student. "I believe that everyone has at least a little kindness in their heart, and that Kuzco is no exception. I couldn't really turn down someone who's in need, either..." He confessed.

 

The llama didn't seem to notice what Pacha had said, although he seemed a little annoyed that Pacha was whispering something to the new followers. "Hey, I hope you're not scheming something. I'm the emperor, you need to take me back safely. If anything happens to me, the entire kingdom will be after you."

 

"Yes, sure, Kuzco." Pacha sighed.

 

 

As for what Maximillian and Joel had been discussing, as if on cue, a certain newly freed cloaked figure was running to find the students. Allitt eventually found them, and stayed in the trees to avoid being spotted. If I follow them, I'm sure to find one of my allies somewhere... I'll just have to make sure they don't see me. Of course, if they do, I'm sure I can work my way around a fight... She smirked as she watched the group move onward once again. Zion's threat hadn't bothered her one bit. She'd make sure that if they met again, she'd be the one on top this time.

 

 

After walking for a while, the group of students escorting the llama emperor eventually came across a rickety bridge. A few boards were missing, and it looked like it could fall at any moment. Pacha peered over the drop ahead of them, and could clearly see a rather long drop down to a dangerous looking river. "This... will be a problem." He sighed. "So... who's going first?" He looked around at the rest of the group.

 

 

 

Mt. Olympus

 

When the group arrived at the scene where the screaming had occurred, they could notice a group of Rabid Dog Heartless surrounding a few native citizens. Upon the arrival of a larger group, a few of the dogs turned towards the students. They began barking, and a few of them leaped towards the Keyblade wielders, prepared to bite them. A few in particular targeted Raidyn and Toshi, as they seemed to be the ones leading the group, and the closest targets. Meanwhile, some of the other Rabid Dogs moved in to attack the innocent citizens, who began pleading for the students to save them.

 

 

Stalwart Dawn

 

Indy jumped out of his seat when Rei got back up. "Y-you're okay...?" He asked, looking concerned. However, he calmed down. He was sure Orias had healed her properly. Instead, he decided to answer her question. "W-we got attacked by a robed person... They were targeting me, but you... you took the attack for me." He suddenly looked a little angry. "Rei... I'm the one who was put in charge of this group. I should be the one taking risks like that, it's my job to make you safe..." It was obvious at this point that he was still blaming himself for Rei's injuries. "N-next time, leave those people to me... Okay?"

Mt. Olympus

 

When the group arrived at the scene where the screaming had occurred, they could notice a group of Rabid Dog Heartless surrounding a few native citizens. Upon the arrival of a larger group, a few of the dogs turned towards the students. They began barking, and a few of them leaped towards the Keyblade wielders, prepared to bite them. A few in particular targeted Raidyn and Toshi, as they seemed to be the ones leading the group, and the closest targets. Meanwhile, some of the other Rabid Dogs moved in to attack the innocent citizens, who began pleading for the students to save them.

 

"Oh shoot! Heartless!" Raidyn said, alerting the group and summoning his Keyblade.

 

He and Toshi blocked the attack of the Rabid Dogs and fended back their initial strike. Raidyn took the fist move and slashed through both the Rabid Dogs at once.

 

"Everyone, clear out! You need to get somewhere safe! Don't worry, we'll take care of these guys!" Raidyn called to the citizens as he and the rest of the group continued to battle.

 

Toshi was managing herself a lot better than she was previously, fighting with swift and calculated strikes, though still having trouble reacting and counter-attacking. Even so, her determination was not diminished. I can't look bad in front of him... not if I want to keep up, she thought.

Lucas also snickered a bit at Kuzco's behavior and Pacha's banter with him. "I'm hoping we get to bash in more heartless on the way. That Palace is gonna be awesome to see!"

"Also true," Joel commented.

 

Andes Mountains

 

Pacha looked over at Saki. "Well... He's trying to build his new summer home over my village, and I agreed to do this only if he moves his home somewhere else." After taking a quick glace at Kuzco, he leaned closer to the student. "I believe that everyone has at least a little kindness in their heart, and that Kuzco is no exception. I couldn't really turn down someone who's in need, either..." He confessed.

 

The llama didn't seem to notice what Pacha had said, although he seemed a little annoyed that Pacha was whispering something to the new followers. "Hey, I hope you're not scheming something. I'm the emperor, you need to take me back safely. If anything happens to me, the entire kingdom will be after you."

 

"Yes, sure, Kuzco." Pacha sighed.

 

 

As for what Maximillian and Joel had been discussing, as if on cue, a certain newly freed cloaked figure was running to find the students. Allitt eventually found them, and stayed in the trees to avoid being spotted. If I follow them, I'm sure to find one of my allies somewhere... I'll just have to make sure they don't see me. Of course, if they do, I'm sure I can work my way around a fight... She smirked as she watched the group move onward once again. Zion's threat hadn't bothered her one bit. She'd make sure that if they met again, she'd be the one on top this time. [insert joke here] /shotshot

sorry not sorry

 

After walking for a while, the group of students escorting the llama emperor eventually came across a rickety bridge. A few boards were missing, and it looked like it could fall at any moment. Pacha peered over the drop ahead of them, and could clearly see a rather long drop down to a dangerous looking river. "This... will be a problem." He sighed. "So... who's going first?" He looked around at the rest of the group.

Joel looked down along with Pacha. "...Welp."

In Joel's mind, there were two ways that the group could try to traverse the bridge. They could slowly cross it one person at a time, in an attempt to ensure that the bridge would be able to carry its load. However, if the bridge gave way at any point, it would be quite difficult for anyone to save the unfortunate soul that would end up falling into the river.

The other option was to have one person begin crossing at set intervals. The bridge would end up being under more stress, but it would be easier for someone to dive in and save someone else from falling to their probable doom.

"... Alright, I'll go first. Once I'm... a fourth of the way there, the next person should start moving, and once they're a fourth of the way there, the next person goes, and so on. That way, if the bridge breaks, you can either grab someone, or we can all fall together," Joel explained to the group. "Also, the lighter you are on your feet, the better, I guess."

Joel then turned to face the bridge. He took a deep breath and slowly placed his foot on the first plank of the bridge.

Nothing happened.

He then took another step, putting his whole weight onto the bridge.

The bridge creaked a bit, but after a moment it was still again.

Joel turned to the others and gave them a thumbs up, then slowly resumed his journey across the bridge, while silently praying that nothing bad would happen.

"Ohhhh, I see. So he's one of those characters." Saki whispered back. While they were walking, Lisa's left ear twitched. Her eyes blinked. She was hearing something rustling. She looked to the side facing the trees. Saki, on the other hand, looked concerned and confused looking at Lisa. "Hm? Something wrong Lisa?" He asked. The Heartless tightened her sling shot just in case. Lisa was beginning to notice a follower...She made a quick look towards where Allit was, but soon faced back to the path up ahead.

 

Once they stop at the bridge and Pancha asked the question, Saki immediately raised his hand. "I'll go! I'll go! Hee hee!" He said smiling. He looked towards Lisa. "Are you coming with me Lisa?" He said. But Lisa wasn't looking at Saki this time. She was looking at the trees. She couldn't help but have the feeling someone else is with them. Saki looked a little confused with his smile disappearing. "Umm....Okay, I guess you aren't coming...?" Saki said. "What's up with you right now? I'm getting worried..."

"Finally." Zather breathed.

He slashed down a Rabid Dog to the ground with his Gunblade, then stabbed it dead with his Keyblade.

{Nexus Shift}

Annistha flipped over her embedded Keyblade, transforming the Gunblade as she vaulted through the air. When she landed, she pulled her Keyblade out of the ground, swinging it over her head, then leveling it and the Gunblade at the Heartless going after the civilians. She opened fire with Ruin spell and bullets, tryint to cut down as many of the monsters before they got to the people.

"Ohhhh, I see. So he's one of those characters." Saki whispered back. While they were walking, Lisa's left ear twitched. Her eyes blinked. She was hearing something rustling. She looked to the side facing the trees. Saki, on the other hand, looked concerned and confused looking at Lisa. "Hm? Something wrong Lisa?" He asked. The Heartless tightened her sling shot just in case. Lisa was beginning to notice a follower...She made a quick look towards where Allit was, but soon faced back to the path up ahead.

 

Once they stop at the bridge and Pancha asked the question, Saki immediately raised his hand. "I'll go! I'll go! Hee hee!" He said smiling. He looked towards Lisa. "Are you coming with me Lisa?" He said. But Lisa wasn't looking at Saki this time. She was looking at the trees. She couldn't help but have the feeling someone else is with them. Saki looked a little confused with his smile disappearing. "Umm....Okay, I guess you aren't coming...?" Saki said. "What's up with you right now? I'm getting worried..."

Lucas decided that since Saki was being held up, he'd go on the bridge first. "Hey Joel, i'm coming after you!" He started slowly walking on the bridge, slowly trying to make his way across. Please don't fall, don't fall. He did one step, and the bridge creaked, but took another, and the bridge still held up. "Slowly...slowly...Ok, whoever wants to come next, you can come in a few seconds!"