After Terra was done kissing Aqua the woman’s face turned beat red and steam billowed out of her head before she suddenly fell over “Uh...Aqua?” Terra asks worriedly, wondering why Aqua just fell over like that.
“I’m sure she’ll be fine.” I say with a giant ass smile on my face.
“T-t-terra...k-k-kissed me…” Aqua stutters breathlessly, moving a hand up to her lips in disbelief.
“What did you mean by that?” Ansem asks me curiously.
“What’s the last word for ‘relationship’?” I ask before the good doctor nodded in understand.
“I understand.” Ansem says before Aqua quickly got up quickly, summoned her old Keyblade and started smacking Terra with the blunt end of the weapon.
“Aqua stop!” Terra pleads, raising his hands in some defense against the very flustered girls assault.
“You don’t just kiss me like that you idiot!” Aqua shouts, her embarrassed and flustered tone sounding like that of a girl from a high school anime finally being kissed by her lover.
“Alright alright no need to beat up the poor guy for finally showing you his true feelings.” I say, stepping forward to try and stop the super embarrassed Aqua.
As Aqua cooled down a bit, Terra basically told Ansem that he quit and the three of us walked around Radient Garden for a bit to sight see, and to find people who could train me in the other weapons. The ones in the staff I already have dates set up for training, and we were looking for some others who might be able to help. “I thought finding the other eight wouldn’t be this hard.” Terra said.
“Well I mean we need to find seven cause a girlfriend of mine knows how to play the Sitar surprisingly.” I say with a shrug. “But yeah, finding seven masters of seven different weapons is going to be a fucking nightmare…” I groan before rubbing my forehead. “Where’s a pub? I’m pretty sure we can find at least one of those people playing cards and beating people’s asses.” I say, not entirely sure if Luxord’s human form was there.
“Hey, huh?” We turned around, and saw Braig standing behind us. “Terra?”
“Yeah-” Terra was speaking before remembering. “You were the one helping Xehanort!”
“Oops, guess cat broke out of the bag.” His weapons appeared, and we summoned ours.
“Listen, how about instead of losing your other eye in a fight you can’t win how about we all just calm down alright?” I ask, not wanting to start a fight right now with the one eyed gunner. “Besides, it’s a good thing we found you cause I have a...request of sorts.” I say before switching my Keyblade out for the weapons that looks similar to Braig’s.
“No way…” Braig said, suddenly right in front of me and looking at my weapons. “These are the ZRX17 models! How in the hell did you get these?!”
“Oh these?” I ask while looking them over. “I call them ‘Sharpshooters’, but I was...given these beauties from a friend.” I say with a little smile. “But the main reason why I’m sort of glad your here is because...I need help actually learning how to use these damned things instead of pointing and shooting like an idiot.” I say sheepishly, even though I had combat experience with the bloody things I would still like to learn from the person that actually knows how to wield the things.
“Your friend must have really liked you to just give these things away, they cost over 9.7 million munny each and the energy core is forged out of the essence from the sun of whatever world they were forged on.”
My jaw dropped at hearing how special these damned things were. “Holy christ…” I say breathlessly. “I...didn’t think they were that special...I mean there special yes but still…”
“Heck yeah! These things have so much magic placed into such a slick frame, the upgrades are so expensive it’s cheaper to make them yourself, and they allow both anti-gravity, AND small time shifts for the shooter of up to fifteen seconds to stop time completely!”
”I thought time was Luxord’s ability? But holy damn these things are awesome!” I think to myself in joy. “Well that’s just absolutely amazing in every sense of the word.” I say with a giant smile. “So anyways my one eyed friend, do you think you can help me get the hang of these or are you too busy gawking at how awesome these things are like I am?” I ask, still not able to believe how these things actually had a part in why Xigbar had those powers.
He seemed to be thinking the offer over. “Well… Xehanort promised me a Keyblade, if you can match, or top his offer, then I’ll train you pipsqueak. My price as a merc is rare or legendary weapons, and a Keyblade tops just about all of them.”
“Ya know, I’ll tell you legendary info that you possibly never believe.” I say honestly. “Want to know what it is?”
He seemed reluctant, but leaned in to hear.
“Xehanort was going to kill you and string you along as his pawn because of your greed.” I whisper to him.
He seemed to jump back at this info. “That sleazy backstabbing old coot! My greed may be my biggest flaw, but I don’t want to die because of it! I ain’t that greedy!”
“True, but Xehanort is a crafty bald bastard.” I say with a shrug. “So anyways, think that’s enough to slake your price to train me? And maybe, if you're lucky and these two don’t stab you with a knife thirty seven times in the chest for the shit you pulled on them you might just be able to get a chance at learning how to get a Keyblade.” I say with a warm smile. “Also I’m not joking on these two wanting to beat the crap out of you.”
He looked between Terra and Aqua, and gulped. “Uh, sure. My gummi ship is parked just outside of town… I can drive us to… wherever you guys are from… that all?”
“Actually no.” I say. “How much of this world do you know? And if you know a lot can you tell me if there are...special individuals who have mastered certain weapons and abilities?”
“Personally, no… Last partnership gave me this bad eye, but I know a place that might… just um… keep those two and your Keyblades under control… lot of baddies that will kill you as soon as they look at you.”
“I’m pretty sure who we might meet will be nothing in comparison to what we have seen.” I say simply, dismissing my weapons.
“Alright then, follow me. We’re heading to Knowhere.”
“Why do I have a feeling that’s supposed to be a bad joke?” I ask with a frown.
We followed Braig out of town to his ship, which was rather large, and the inside… holy hell this guy is dangerous. Every inch of wall has either a locker with weapons, a weapon rack with a weapon in it, and ammunition boxed all over the floor. “Sorry, I don’t usually have company.”
“I’m pretty sure you should clean before you knock something over and hurt yourself.” I frown, not liking how this place is literally covered in weapons. “Like come on, every inch of wall is filled with weapons…”
“I told you I collect them, guy’s got to have a hobby.” Braig said, taking a seat into the driver's seat. “Will be a two hour flight, find something to pass the time. Anything with a red label, touch and you might break it, green means loaded, blue means broken, and yellow means take it, I got lots more of them.”
I sigh out and start rubbing my temple through my hood, not believing this shit. “Christ...anyways, what is this ‘Knowhere’? Cause it seems a tad weird when you say ‘we’re going Knowhere’ like it’s an actual place.” I say, not knowing that he said ‘know’ instead of ‘no’.
“It is, a colony full of criminals and such, takes all forms of currency, and built in the head of a long dead Celestial being. Man, when you see it, imagine what the thing that killed it must have been, sends a shiver down my back.” We started to lift off, and soon we were heading off.
“I’m sorry, but what?” I ask with a frown. “Did you say a Celestial being? Um...define please.” I say worriedly, not knowing much about this.
“You live under a rock kid? Celestial being, a creature of unknown origin that’s been around since the universe. Massive, powerful, capable of some really cool shit. They’re just about all dead, save for some distant descendants they made with regular life forms.”
“This is starting to sound like something from Marvel Comics.” I frown, not knowing if they would know a comic book company or not, but just spouting it out.
“To each world their own kid, but with my experience, everything seems to exist somewhere.”
“And I suppose ‘Everything’ just so happens to be a Celestial.” I say, not knowing if I was right or not and just making up crap.
“Heck if I know, I’m no historian.” Braig shrugs.
“Whatever, anyways how long is the trip?” I ask, feeling like just using my Glider would be faster.
“Still got an hour and a half, just have a look around, got a shooting range four doors down the hall, just remember the labels.”
“Thank you.” I nod before turning and heading off to the shooting range to get some training with my guns, not wanting to just hope that auto targeting with the things would always get me out of a jam. After I entered the shooting range I was shooting for a good while and was getting a little better, but I looked over and saw a few guns from earth. Huh, didn’t know these were here. “Well I suppose some things would still be similar...but then that begs the question...is there a version of Earth that isn’t imaginary?” I ask myself with a frown, finding that little thing odd. “But...if that’s the case then…” I frown, questions starting to flood my head with everything that might entail. “No, the doctor in Equestria told me Minotaurs and Griffons made the things so...maybe I’m just getting confused for no reason.” I shake my head, trying to not think about complex crap about if even the imaginary multiverse actually existed in the ‘True Reality’.
“Hey.” I looked around, and saw Braig there. “Ship’s on auto pilot, we’ll be there in a half hour. So, you see my latest additions?”
“Yes I did, and I must ask...where in the name of hell did you get those? And who gave or sold them to you?” I ask curiously, slightly worried about this whole thing.
“Odd story, I got them as payment for delivering some packages before I came back to Radiant Garden to check on Terra. I thought it was a rip off at first, but ammo he gave with them was just too good to pass.”
“Do you know what the person looked like? Any defining features or did you just skip over literally everything about the job because you wanted fancy weapons?” I ask, hoping to get more details about this.
“Hey, that job was sketchy from the start. Who has a merc deliver bio-tech components and pays in weapons? Anyway, they guy I got them from and paid me with the weapons was some cyborg looking guy. Glasses, lab coat, had his brain under a glass dome, that guy honestly freaked me out.”
“Are….are you fucking kidding me?” I ask, my body going stock still. “That place exists in this giant realm? You just handed something to a mad scientist called Dr. Gero...who is most likely working for someone you don’t want to meet.” I say before disbanding my weapons again. ”Are you fucking kidding me? Dragon Ball world actually exists? For fuck sakes that’s only going to make our effort a million times worse…” I think to myself worriedly.
“Look, it was a job and I got my pay in both munny and weapons out of it, when you work illegally you don’t wanna be that picky about what you do, you just gotta be good at it.”
“I know I know...but sometimes even if you're working illegally you have to have boundaries on what you will do and what you won’t do…” I sigh out. “But whatever, thank you for telling me Braig, now onto the part where you start teaching me how to shoot these bloody things, cause I don’t want to trust it’s auto aiming for everything.”
“Auto aiming… Oh, that’s an upgrade. There are five in total for that model, so you’ll need two of each, save for the fifth.”
“Can you tell me all the upgrades for the things?” I ask curiously, wondering what other specialness this thing can do.
“First off, is that Auto Aim you said, second is the rapid-fire-tracer mod. Third are the Time-trigger fire mods, fourth is the extended mags, and lastly is the rifle-shot-bullseye mod.”
”He’s going to be so pissed when he figures out I have all those things…” I think to myself. “Alright then...but what do you think of this?” I ask before putting the rifles together and charging a shot, before shooting a big blue and black shot that bounced at a paper target and tearing the thing to shreds before it vanished.
“Wow… I need to get a set of those… So you already have the mods installed… again, you must have laid that friend good to get those…”
“Trust me, these babies aren’t the only thing in my bag of tricks.” I say with a little smile. “But I hope we’ll find some people that can help me out at Knowhere...but I doubt it cause things aren’t that convenient.”
“It’s Knowhere, if you can’t find it there, then you pay someone to.” The ship landed in a docking station and we walked around for a bit, Braig leading us to what looked like a weapons shop. “This is the guy I buy some of my mods and weapons from. He should know about everyone who uses any kind of weapon.” We entered, and we saw what looked like Bobafett's sister. “Diana! How you been?”
“So, so. What you in for Braig?” Diana asked, looking over me, Terra and Aqua.
“Kid I’m with is looking for people.” He pushed me forward towards her. “He’s a… my apprentice.”
“Oh, about time you picked one up. So, kid, what weapons do you use?” Diana asked.
”Okay I know that four are in Radiant Garden…” I think to myself before taking a deep breath. “Okay so I’m going to need to find five other masters, each one having mastered a Scythe, Kunai Knives, Chakrams, a Claymore, a deck of magical cards…” I trail off at the end, not entirely sure if I should mention Xemnas’s twin laser swords.
“Magic cards! Didn’t think anyone other than the old gambler up at the casino had a set of them.”
“Well…” I say before a 52 card deck appeared in my hand. “I hope he’s someone who likes a Fair Game.” I say with a smile. “But is there anyone else with the kind of skills I’m looking for? Cause not only do I have to learn from Mr. One eye here.” I say while moving my hand to Braig. “I have a crap ton of other weapons to master.
“I can get you a list of names, contacts, aliases, and known hideouts. Though good luck with that gambler Dorlu.”
“Trust me, I already have a lot on my plate as is. But thank you for this.” I say with a nod. “So...given that this is a ‘criminal city’...where would this gambler be specifically? Cause I have a feeling casino’s are literally around every corner.”
“Yeah, and he played the owners for them, and won them all. He’s likely in the Gamora. That was his first major win.”
“For some reason that sounds like a woman’s name.” I say, giving a half frown at the casino named after a woman.
“Just expect a lot of strippers… of all genders to greet you. Oh, and Braig, that package arrived.”
“Finally!” Braig cheered, walking up to Diana and signing some papers before a small robot came by and dropped off a box. “Been looking forward this this baby.”
“Mind if I get that list? Also what’s in the box?” I ask curiously, not wanting to be in the dark about another damned box.
“List will be in a bit son.” She said, as Braig walked over to me, holding a small, odd looking gun. It looked like a toy alien blaster from the 1950’s, but it had a blue crystal at the end of the barrel. “You have no idea how hard it is to get these things.”
“We’re inside the head of a giant fuck off being of unknown power, at least to me, so hearing that something’s ‘hard to find’ sounds a tad bit bullshit.” I frown.
“It’s not really.” Diana said. “That gun comes from a whole other dimension. Back when Celestials like the one we’re in right now lived everywhere, a ship of advanced beings came through here, and one of their ships carrying cargo was lost. Billions of years later, we found several parts of it, as well as a small hundred of those little things. They may be small, but they are as deadly as deadly comes.” Diana explains.
“Well alrighty then.” I say with a little nod. “Who knew a gun that looked like something from cliche 1950 alien movies are actually really fucking deadly.” I say.
“I’ll show you why later.” Braig said, holding the little thing in a pocket in his shirt.
Diana gave us the list, and we headed off for the Gamora. As Diana warned, lots of naked… everything… We finally found a lounge area… where Luxord was sitting on a couch drinking a cup of brandy.
I took a deep breath and stepped forward towards the human Luxord. “Hello.” I say simply to the man.
He looked me over a bit. “You clearly are either desperate or lost. People of your groups type, save for blind eye over there, don’t come into these types of places for game, drinks, skin or drugs. So why are you here?” Dorlu asked.
“Let’s just say…” I say before normal sized cards swirled around me and into my open hand. “I’d like to learn the rules so to speak.” I say. “And as far as I’ve heard you’re the only one who knows how to use these things properly.”
He stood up in shock. “I thought I was the only one who had magic cards.” He looked around. “Look, I can, and will help you, but first, you got to do a favor for me.”
“Not surprising to be perfectly honest.” I say honestly. “But anyways, what be thine favor?”
“You see that wolf girl at the bar?” He pointed over at the bar. So other anthros are real too? “I kinda need you to… keep her distracted long enough for me and her daughter to pack up and GTFO this place, deal?”
“You want me to distract a mother from beating your ass?” I ask.
“Her daughter already has twins by me, and she only lets her live in the casino because she hates humans, and this floor is as close as I can get to her without having my legs bitten off. We’ve been meaning to get out of here for a long time, but that literal bitch has her own daughter on a shock color. I can get it off, but someone has to keep her occupied.”
“Quick question...I know that you already have kids with her but...do you two actually love each other and not just for obvious reasons that could make it seem fake?” I ask, knowing that women flock to money and power like moths to a flame. “Money and power can make women do a lot of stupid things…” I say honestly.
I received a surprise smack from Dorlu. “You smart mouth kid! That woman is all I think about! The whole reason I gambled for these casino’s was for us to live in luxury away from that mother of hers. Sadly as long as her mother is around my poor Crystal is nothing more than an obedient slave to her mother's voice.”
The gambler could tell, even behind my hood that was concealing my face, I was smiling at hearing that. “Glad to hear that Dorlu. Don’t worry, I’ll keep her busy while you and Crystal go off. I thank you...and I’m sorry...I’ve been surrounded by assholes that would use their money and power to get whatever they want...I’m sorry for thinking that.” I say before checking my deck of cards and seeing all the cards having a bunch of X’s and O’s on them just as I thought they would. “I’m pretty sure I can keep her busy for as long as you need.”
“Good luck, just remember… it won’t be easy since you’re human.” Dorlu walked off, and I got ready to confront an overprotective mother.
I shuffled my deck of cards without a single thought about it, the cards feeling second nature as I walked up to the mother. “Hello ma’am, would you like to play a little game?” I ask the wolf in question.
She took one sniff, and looked confused. “You smell human… but also Equine? You ever been to a world called Equestria?”
“Yes actually, how did you know?” I ask, being taken off guard only to lead to massive curiosity at this.
“Your smell. You smell like pony.” She took another sniff. “And Zebra?”
“One of the laws in Equestria, due to the massive difference between males and females, is a male can be in a herd. I have five loving girlfriends, and one of them happens to be a Zebra just as you said…” I say with a nod. “But anyways mind if I ask your name?”
“Nyla. So, you here for the furry ladies like most humans?” She said as she poured a cup if scotch.
“I have five girls back home so no. I’m not here to cheat on the five women I love.” I say simply.
“Hah, now that’s a laugh.” She said, taking a sip of the scotch. “Humans and men only come to Gamora for two things, sex, and sex. And trust me when I say, that even though they are the same word, in this building, they have separate meanings.”
“To some men who live here that may be true, but I am not one of those dick blisters.” I frown. “You may have seen a lot of men just go about their lives doing that but thinking that all men are like that is short sighted and kind of stupid. Hell, I used to see women thinking that they are so much better than men yet flocked to assholes that treated them like crap when they could have easily been with someone that actually gave a damn about their feelings, needs, and well being.”
She chuckled. “For a pup, you’re pretty smart human. So, you’re too young to be here unoccupied. Your family here, or you escape the slave traders?”
“I have some adult friends with me…” I say before taking a deep breath, trying not to let my sudden anger show. “And you just saying the word ‘slave traders’....would give any decent bastard a cause for finding and beating the bastards who even dare treat living breathing people like property than as actual human beings.”
“I get that the term ‘human’ on your world means more than just your species, as it does on many, so I’ll look passed that. But even the Nova fear the new slave traders kid. They showed up out of the blue and took over within a week.”
I frowned at hearing this. “Do you know anything about these people? What they look like? Names?”
“Got some freaky weapons, mix of magic and science, they often buy slaves more than trade, and the one’s they trade… do not look like they did before. They do something to them, and they look a lot like… That guy.” She pointed and I turned to look at the person… Jet!
”Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck!!! I think to myself quickly and worriedly, now understanding who was owning the slave trade.
I could tell he saw me, walked over, and sat next to me. “Whisky.” He said, and the barkeep poured him a cup.
I took a deep breath and tried to be casual about this. “So how have you been?” I ask Jet.
“Upgraded.” He said, taking a sip of his drink.
“Yay~...” I cheer in a ‘dear god why’ tone. “Sounds like you’ve been busy…”
“Not as much as before. With Yellow gone, progress is much slower than usual.”
“Yeah I heard a little something something about that.” I say honestly. “But I suppose this is one of your ‘me days’ or are you here on break from work?” I ask curiously, knowing that if Jet was here then he and some others were the reason for the sudden Slave trade.
“Work, on break.” Jet says simply.
“Ya know…” I start as I thought of something stupid to say. “Sometimes I wonder what would happen if we were actually friends instead of...ya know.” I say, not wanting to give the wolf details about our past encounter.
“Unknown. My free will was taken from me when I became this. I only follow orders.” He took another sip.
I sigh out. “Kind of thought that…” I mutter before shaking my head. “Oh well...I just hope someday you get your free will back…”
“If you say so.” He took another sip. “I only follow the one with the stronger dark heart near me.”
“Even towards your own death?” I ask.
“Yes.”
I rub the back of my neck, starting to feel awkward at this point and hoping that Luxord was long gone with his wife. “Jeez...this is awkward…” I say bluntly, not knowing what to say to the Invisible next to me.
“Hey kid!” Braig said, grabbing my arm and startling me. “I need a thousand more munny for a three-way with some strippers, you got the cash?” To my surprise, Jet handed him the munny. “Thanks you stranger.”
“No need sir.” Jet said… almost like he was told to do it?
“I was going to tell him to fuck off but thanks for that.” I say with a nod.
Jet shrugged. “His heart was darker.”
“Greed and Lust can do that to ya...but Wrath…” I say, slightly hinting at Core here. “At least to me...that’s where it can manifest the most.” I say, not really knowing why I’m being philosophical to a slave bent to Core’s will.
“Can I ask you something?” Jet asked, catching me off guard.
“Uh...sure.” I say simply, trying to get my guard back up.
“That man… his heart is darker than my current master, but my current master ordered me to follow her and only her, but that goes against my programing of ‘follow the darkest heart’... which is the right choice? Follow that man, or my master?”
“Ya see…” I start. “This is where ‘Free Will’ comes into play. Even if you were ‘programed’ into doing what you believe you should do, it’s all up to you in the end Jet. If you want to follow that guy then whatever. But if you want to stick with your master then that’s fine as well. No matter how much programming you’ve been through, and even if you didn’t have free will, you still have free will to choose who you follow. Your master would be pissed that you disobeyed their orders but whatever.”
“Do I follow my programing, or my orders?” Jet asks, wanting a clear answer here.
It suddenly clicked in my head… so long as Braig is on our side, and if Jet follows him…”Follow your programming. Follow the one with the darkest heart.” I say simply, wanting Jet to at least be on our side instead of me having to fight the guy again even if he didn’t have Yellow to help him.
“Alright then. New master uploaded.” He got up, and kinda floated over to Braig.
“Well that was something.” Nyla said. “Why you have him follow your friend?”
“Cause his old master is, as far as I know, a psychopath that takes slaves to have them tortured and tested on to look like that and be even more of a slave than they already were. So instead of being a slave but having a will of their own, they are a slave and have no will of their own.” I explain. “Also because that guy is my friend and I’d rather have Jet on my side then on the enemies side.
“Makes sense to me I guess. Since you’re in the advice given mood, mind if I ask a question?” The wolf lady asks honestly.
“Sure, I’m a good guy that want’s to help others.” I say with a smile, not wanting to reject others in need of help.
“Do yourself a favor, don’t say ‘good guy’ too much around here. Last ‘good guy’ that got caught in this place was… well, death by sex… the other meaning of it. Anyway, my question is, my daughter likes this gambler, he owns the place, and every other casino in Knowhere, and he did it all by gambling for it. Is it wrong that I don’t trust him for that?”
I took a deep breath, thankfully forgetting the part I didn’t want to know. “Is it wrong not to trust a gambler for owning casino’s? Well that depends, what’s the gambler like? Does he look like a greedy man that just does it for the money? Is he a man that just likes the thrill of gambling?”
“That’s what creeps me out about him. He’s not greedy, just damn lucky. Those cards he plays with are magic, but they are made to play a fair game. He ain’t greedy, and that’s supposed to be a trait in gamblers. It doesn’t feel right for me to see a gambler without greed.”
“Maybe it’s not for the money or for the casino’s...maybe he’s trying to gamble for something that’s a lot deeper.” I say.
“Yeah, rights to see my daughter. She does have… kids by him already… but hey… sperm donor was a gambler and he nearly gambled me into slavery… I don’t know if it’s just my old emotions or fear for her to turn out like me.”
“I understand.” I say with a nod. “It’s alright to have your fears of the past...but if you dwell on them too much they're doomed to repeat.” I explain. “But let me ask...how was this gambler to your daughter? Was he kind and gentle to her? Cause if that’s true...then I suppose he was gambling the most dangerous game of all...being able to be with your daughter, the one he loves dearly against a wolf that hates gamblers due to her past.” I explain. “If I’m right and he does love her with all his heart then...he would have gambled away everything just to be with her.”
“She did say he gambled this place so she could live in luxury, and she and the twins do live in the penthouse… Crap, I’m the bad guy here….”
“It’s alright.” I say gently. “A mother was scared for her daughter, worried that something might happen to her like what happened to you…” I explain. “But...they both love each other...and I think it would be for the best if you gave them your blessing, instead of being paranoid give them your okay to be happy...and maybe you could be with them and be a nice grandmother.” I say with a smile.
“Hey, I’m old, but grandma? I’m not that old yet. My race live to be up to four hundred years old, and I’m bearly forty. Anyhow, tell them they have my blessing when you see them on your ship.” She gave a sly smile.
“Grandmother is a term for a person with grandchildren, I didn’t mean to say your old...but really? Forty is considered ‘old’? I’m sorry but you look like you're still in your twenties.” I say with a smile. “But alright, I’ll give them your blessing...but how long did you know?” I ask, wanting to know how long she knew about our scheme.
“I’m a K9 race, ears that can hear up to a mile away.”
“I shouldn’t be surprised.” I say with a little chuckle. “But you sure you don’t want to see them off?”
“I’ll be leaving this dump sooner or later. I’ll find you, I know where Equestria is anyway. Got some family that live there, and finding a human on that world will be too easy.”
“Huh, didn’t know wolves lived on Equestria. I mean I was already told about Griffon’s and Minotaurs but not about wolves.” I say in surprise, knowing about Diamond Dogs but didn’t think wolves existed.
“Yeah, we tend to make settlements far off the beaten path. Some place called Night Howl Crest. All I know is that it’s far down south.”
“Alright then.” I say with a nod. “But I ask you this because you have a sooner rather than a later.” I say honestly. “You can come along...I’m pretty sure you’d love to smell Equestrian air instead of...this.” I say, surprised that my sense of smell hasn’t burned away from all the shit here.
She seemed to think it over. “Well, been years since I last smelled fresh air… Alright, but you gotta help with my unfinished business first.”
“And what would that be?” I ask, having a feeling it’s going to be one fetch quest after another here. “It better not be distract a mother that could beat a grown man easily.”
“I ain’t you kid. No, I got a… friend that disappeared two days ago… this goes with your hating the slave traders, because it’s not uncommon for them to take visitors that are new to this place. If she’s there then you gotta break her out fast, or she might end up like tall and ugly floating next to your friend over there.”
“Listen I don’t want to know what Captain One Eye is doing right now.” I say honestly. “But who am I looking for exactly? Details will make this all the more better as I’m going to rush into a place where even worse people are in.”
“Details I don’t got… but there is a guy here that might talk… he goes by Ramilua. Has a small shop two miles from here. Just ask for him when you get there.”
“Okay then. Well this is going to be an interesting adventure. What I originally thought was going to lead to finding people to train me turned into a search and rescue...and talking to a mother to let her daughter be happy with the one she loves.” I say honestly. “But any defining features of the shop? Cause as far as I saw there’s an ass ton of shops around.”
“Look for the pink neon rose.”
”Well there’s Marluxia.” I think to myself, hoping to add that person to my master list. “Thank you Nyla, I’ll find you when I finish saving the person.” I say before getting off of the chair, the cards vanishing before I headed out, hoping that Terra and Aqua were fine in this place. ”Let’s hope this won’t go poorly.” I think to myself worriedly.
Nyla left for the ship while Terra, Aqua, Braig, and now Jet and I all headed over to the building with the big pink rose on it. When we got inside we were greeted with the scene of a… beauty parlor? “Greetings.” I looked to my side and my jaw dropped. Larxene?! “I’m Nelare, are you scheduled for an appointment or do you just want a quick makeover?”
“Um…” I take a deep breath. “Two things...first is a question, are you a master of Kunai Knives?” I ask honestly.
She was suddenly holding one between each of her fingers. “Yeah. I use them to cut hair, Ramilua uses a scythe to cut hair, but we both were trained with them to be assassins… We grew up here.”
“Not to take you away from your work but mind if I talk with you and Ramilua in private? It’s...something important, for two reasons.” I say, not wanting to talk about things in public.
“Sure. Hey Ramilua! You got a request!” She called out as a Marluxia with short pink hair walked out from the back room.
“I thought she wasn’t coming toda- oh, who are you all?” Ramilua asked.
“Hello.” I say to Ramilua. “Two things...one is a little...personal thing. Can you two teach me how to wield Kunai and a Scythe?” I ask, showing them both that I can summon the weapons at will, three kunai in my right hand and the pink scythe in my left hand. “And two...Nyla sent me here about helping someone.”
The two looked at each other in surprise for a second. “Well… we can’t just up and leave the shop…” Nelare said.
“Unless,” Ramilua added. “You can assure we can either start a new by making a new one, or getting us jobs at high traffic salons!” He finished with a little flourish.
“I...can most likely assure the later. I know this wonderful salon in a nice town that just so happens to have many people with contacts to help give you two more publicity. It’s on another world but it’s nice and colorful and you’re more likely to pass out from too much candy then being shived.” I explain honestly. “But as I was saying before, Nyla sent me here to help someone...got any info?” I ask, disbanding my weapons.
The two looked at each other and smiled. “It’s a deal young lad! Now… as for the info. The leader of the new slavers in Knowhere is an elderly human woman by the name of Nancy. She has lot’s of strange creatures at her disposal, and few sentient being’s that do the moving of… cargo. She’s not some pushover old lady either. I went down to those docks for a personal order and I saw her behead five life forms in one swing with some human weapon.”
“What it look like?” Braig asked.
“Um… was metal, no visible technology, handle was wrapped in cloth and the blade was rather thin.”
“A Katana? Huh, I got my fair share of those things.”
“Anyway, I can give you directions to the docks they park and trade at, you just let us know what ship to board so we can get out of this place.” Ramilua finished.
“Braig will show you the ship, but where is the docks?” I ask curiously. “Also just so you two know a few others will be coming along...other people I’m asking for to be my master…” I say, wanting to warn them before they meet.
“That’s alright.” Nelare said. “So long as we can finally leave this place.”
“The docks they park at are on floor negative six.” Ramilua said. “Far in the back. If you hear crying you're on the right path.”
“Yeah, this doesn’t sound like the set up to some stupid horror movie. Move around a creepy place and if you start hearing crying then you're on the right path, but if you start hearing the wails of the damned you’ve gone too far.” I say joke, sounding like one of those guides pointing towards the right direction out of hell.
Braig took Nelare and Ramilua to the ship while Terra, Aqua and I went to floor negative six. It seemed to be largely restraints of sorts here, to our surprise, and we kept walking until we were far in the back… and the sound of crying was heard. We snuck around the corners until we saw a rather large ship, hundreds of people, humans and other, in cages with heartless everywhere. There were a few people with weapons, and standing just outside the ship, was what I guess the Nancy woman Ramilua warned about.
She was rather old looking, a katana in its sheath strapped to her side, and she was looking at a locket around her neck with… a sad expression?
“What’s our move?” Terra asked.
“Hmm…” I hum before waving my hand, three assassin’s appearing before they phased through the ground and weren’t there to the untrained eye. “There’s a lot of heartless...and I don’t know how strong Nancy was...but that sad expression...hmm…” I mutter before taking a deep breath and thinking through this, the Assassin’s waiting for my command as I started gently moving towards the area, hoping to not get caught too soon.
We snuck in closer, and I had the Nobodies attack the heartless swiftly. I summoned a few Samurai's as back up, and Terra, Aqua, and I began unlocking the cages. We dealt with the guards, and split up to cover more ground. “Anyone here a friend of Nyla?” I ask, opening another cage.
“Here!” A woman’s voice called out. I opened all the cages as I went, and arrived at the one she was in, she was a mermaid?! “Nyla sent you?” She asked.
“Yes and we better leave fast before shit hit’s the fan.” I say. “Um...should I carry you or can you change your...mermaid half into legs?” I ask, having literally no idea how Mermaids work given they were in so many mythologies.
“My brother was taken into the ship, get him out and near water, he can help.”
“Of fucking course…” I mutter before summoning Dusk’s to keep guard before bolting towards the ship, summoning my shield and Keyblade as I made my way through the place. ”Let’s hope this doesn’t go horribly wrong…” I think to myself, knowing that at any moment shit could hit the fan.
I ran into the ship. The cages in here were empty, save for one… Demyx? I thought as I recognized that hairstyle anywhere. “Holy hell, someone did come!” He said, I ran over and noticed he had legs.
“Don’t worry man, I’m gonna get you out of here.” I say before unlocking the cage and summoning my sitar, starting to strum the thing before a gentle mist of water surrounded Demyx. ”This is tiring as fuck…” I think to myself, even with second nature trying to take over it was still a pain.
“Thanks.” He said, taking control of the water and creating a floating ball water. “This should help my sis out. Names Meyd, did Nyla send you?”
“Yes, your sister is outside being guarded, now come on you fishy bastard we have some leaving to do.” I say before switching to my Keyblade and shield again.
As we ran to the door, we were stopped by Nancy. “Interesting creatures, these Nobodies. The unnoticed other side of the coin when it comes to stolen hearts.” She said.
“Listen, I’m just here to stop slaves from being taken away okay?” I ask honestly, readying myself for a fight. “But I saw you looking at your locket...anything I should know before I have a sword pointed at me?” I ask curiously, wondering if I could get a little knowledge about that.
“Just mourning my lost family members. First my sister, her husband and my nephew… and most recent, my daughter.”
“Where there hearts taken away?” I ask cautiously.
“My sister and brother-in-law were killed before we left earth, and my nephew is missing, likely dead. My daughter was killed by a Keyblade wielder, but her heart was shattered in the killing blow, taking her and her unborn child’s life!”
“Jesus christ…” I frown. “That’s….that’s just….fucking hell…”
She raised her katana at us. “You and your allies all wield those accursed weapons. Whether you are guilty or not. I will have vengeance!” She was cloaked in darkness, rushing at us at much faster speeds than I expected.
“So working for Core helps?” I ask while raising my shield swiftly, hoping to block her attack. “Who wields a Keyblade to kill innocents?”
“His Keyblade and heart were stolen by one of you!” She swiped at the air, sending a energy wave of darkness at Meyd and I, hitting us both and sending him back some feet.
“By who?” I ask with a frown.
“A traitor!” She slashed at me, and I barely dodged.
“Who you mean Yellow? What is it because she actually got some fucking free will and decided to ditch the bastard? Besides, from what I figured out Yellow was his wife who he tricked into thinking was a female version of him.” I say before swinging my Keyblade at the woman quickly, hoping to actually hit the much quicker foe.
She blocked it. Damn that Katana is strong. And deflected it. She slashed again, and cut my arm. “When you care about the ones you love when drowned in your own sorrows and guilt… you do anything just to hold onto the past.”
“THE PAST ONLY MAKES THINGS WORSE!” I roar at her as I shield bashed her. “If you focus on the past then you’re only going to be a depressed mess that will cling to literally anything good or bad! Look towards the future and try to find some sort of light!”
She merely looked at me. “I am a Ventral, darkness is what we thrive in, what we strive to become! My closest loved ones may be gone, but Core can let us live our dream. We will become human demons!” She suddenly closed the gap between us in an eye blink. I was ready to take the attack, only to open my eyes and see water holding her back.
“Hit her dang it!” I heard Meyd say. “That won’t hold forever!”
I growled before my Keyblade started glowing a bright white as I slashed the women bound in water, the strike managing to hit her thankfully as the light turned to thorns and suddenly shot into her from where I struck her, twisting and turning around in her body like a bunch of snakes trying to wrap around it’s prey. “Human demons my ass.” I growl, swinging again dealing the final blow as more thorns struck out at her and ripped at her insides.
She coughed up blood as she fell when the water holding her let go. “Heh… heh.” She placed her Katana on the side, and her pendent over it. “Sister… brother… daughter… I’ll be seeing you.”
To my surprise, her body began to crack, like glass. The cracks kept going, and then, she shattered, nothing left of her other than blood and shards of glass. Did… Did I just kill her? “You finally went to where you belong ‘demon’...in hell.” I frown, taking a deep breath as I tried to calm myself from killing someone. ”Just calm down...self defense after all. She tried killing you and she didn’t give me a choice. She wanted to be a demon so I killed a demon. There’s a point…” I thing before taking another deep breath, this time shakier as my body shuddered. “C-come on Meyd...let’s go meet your sister.” I say, walking off outside the ship.
“Sure…” He said, catching up to me. “Um. I grabbed these.” He showed he was holding the Katana and Pendant. “There’s two pictures in the pendant.”
I took it and opened it. On the right, was the picture of a blond haired woman with blue eyes, leaning against and smiling at a tall, dirty blond man with green eyes. On the left, were four people, one was a girl… I’m guessing her daughter… two men, one holding the Katana she was using… and Zeke?!
“No matter how much they try to forsake their humanity and try to act like demons...they still love each other…” I mutter, still not believing Zeke was in that picture of all people but still. I took a deep breath and closed the pendant and grabbed the Katana. “Meyd, mind if you and your sister come with me and a few friends?”
“Sure, we only came here looking for odd jobs and got grabbed. I wanna put this place as far behind me as possible.” He said.
“You're not the only one man.” I sigh out. “You're not the only one…” I say before heading off, seeing the Nobodies defending the freed slaves like I ordered and finding Terra and Aqua. “You two okay?”
“Yeah.” Aqua said.
“So…” Terra said. “Where are we taking them?”
“Braig is gonna fucking hate me for this…” I grumble. “But I still have two other masters to find, but um...can you take Terra to Ponyville and get Luxu to fix his gummi ship? And someone that actually know’s how to pilot fly the fucking thing? Cause I don’t want these innocent people to die because of his shitty piloting.” I say, wanting Luxu to be here to help the innocents here.
“Will do.” Aqua said.
As she and Terra jumped on their gliders and left, I was standing around the others. “I don’t suppose any of you know about chakrams or claymore’s?” I ask curiously, hoping someone might be able to help me here.
“I think I know someone in my world who can use chakrams.” A kid spoke up.
“There’s a man in either Radiant Garden, or the Olympus Coliseum that knows everything about large swords, Claymores are likely one of them.” Another person spoke.
“I don’t think this is your standard ‘Claymore’.” I say before showing them the claymore in question. “I know it looks more like a club but it’s a Claymore...but thank you both it means a lot.”
“It still counts as a sword though.” The same person said.
“True, and I thank you. But hopefully without much delays a gummi ship will appear that isn’t a slavery ship and take you to a new world just so you can all get to grips with being free and then will be sent to your home worlds if you want.” I explain. “That okay?” I ask while seeing everyone nod. “Alright, let’s get going.”
Too be continued...