The explanation of this Game Element can be found in "Game Elements", naturally. NPC's Prof. Oak Kohn Huxley Age: 60 Occupation: Pokémon Professor Height: 5'10" Age: 68 Occupation: Head Librarian Height: 5'5" EPC's Nurse Joy James Verne Age: 17 Occupation: Nurse at the Pokemon Center Height: Personality: A younger Nurse Joy, she is a bit of a rebel while still pertaining to the usual Nurse Joy Archetype. She's sweet, kind, and courteous, but moodier than her sisters, has a bit of a gruffer voice, and has one major alteration: she has dyed her hair vibrantly Green. If one looks closely, they will also notice a small pink studded nose- piercing in the middle of her left nostril. When playing this character, imagine a punk rock take on Nurse Joy from the Anime and Games. Her signature lines include "Hey. Need your Pokemon patched up?" and "Try not to get them like that again, kay?" She owns an Audino that assists her. This Audino is also an EPC that can only be played when using Nurse Joy. "Avril" is less clumsy than most Audino, has a mixed expression of happy and gloomy, and has a spiked collar around it's neck. When to play: Just for when you heal your Pokemon at the Pokemon center. Feel free to chat with her a bit while your inventory heals. Age: 29 Occupation: Bookshop Owner Height: 5'8" Personality: Studious and well-learned, James is much more lenient than his boss, the Head Librarian Kohn Huxley. He wants the students to study and know all there is to know about catching, training, and caring for Pokémon. He's a sweet soul who has a little bakery off to the side of his bookstore, which is run by Julia Dickinson. He and Dickinson are romantically involved. When to play: When trading in or purchasing books for new lessons. He's usually in the library, but if he's outside, notice will be given.
Here's where you will announce your selections for your starter Pokémon. Simply look at the list to see if a starter is still available, and then make your choice by using the following form: Code: I CHOOSE YOU,: (Insert name of starter) For the character: (Which character you intend this starter for) Nickname: (An optional Nickname for your Pokémon; if no name is given, then leave this blank; all the nameless will be given the name of their species.) Genders and Natures have all been assigned to each one at random, and all starters begin at Level 5. Green names signify Grass-types, Red signify Fire-types, and Blue, of course, signify Water-types; Brown indicates a Normal-type and Yellow indicates a Electric-type. If a name is crossed-out, then I'm afraid that particular one is no longer available at this time. Once a Pokémon is selected and first shown in the RP by its owner, then the gender and nature along with their Owner's name beside them and no longer be crossed out (For aesthetics). At this present time, there are only two Shiny Starter Pokémon: Eevee and Pikachu. Key: (Gender M=Male; F=Female)*Nature*Species<Nickname, which is optional>- Trainer ALL STARTER POKÉMON START OUT WITH ONLY THE MOVES: 1.) GROWL 2.) LEER 3.) TACKLE! (M)*Hardy*Bulbasaur (F)*Timid*Charmander (M)*Rash*Squirtle (F)*Sassy*Chikorita<Wurzel>- Melody Jackson (M)*Bashful*Cyndaquil (M)*Hasty*Totodile (M)*Serious*Treecko (F)*Naive*Torchic (M)*Jolly*Mudkip<Juggernaut>- Diopside Verde (F)*Lax*Turtwig- Markus Friedland (M)*Brave*Chimchar (F)*Gentle*Pilup<Glacies>- Joshua Independente (F)*Naughty*Snivy (M)*Adamant*Tepig (M)*Quiet*Oshawott- Logan Kai (F)*Bold*Pikachu- Suzanna Kai (F)*Lonely*Eevee<Eve>-Topaz Nyoko Grass-Types Left: 3 Water-Types Left: 1 Fire-Types Left: 4
I CHOOSE YOU,: (Insert name of starter) For the character: (Which character you intend this starter for) Nickname: (An optional Nickname for your Pokémon; if no name is given, then leave this blank; all the nameless will be given the name of their species.)
May 14th, 2013- Orientation starts today at 7:00 PM EST!
Story Objectives Maps NPC/EPC Exclusives Objectives are Guidelines that direct certain players or all players towards the next goal while allowing for some character development and interaction. There may be times when following objectives to the letter may yield rewards! Other times, objectives are just opportunities to respond to what's going on around your character(s). But how to tell the difference? That's where Plusle and Minun come in! Plusle will hang out around the banner when a possible reward is most likely by responding to what's going on, an Minun will lounge about when you just need to show us what you're character has to offer on a normal basis. Spoiler: Plusle Spoiler: Minun Spoiler: Font Sector Map Non-Playable Character (NPC)= A character that only Sebax can control either because they do not live at the Academy or on the island. Sebax is the controller in MOST cases. NPC's can include, but are not limited to: Villians, Visiting Trainers, Wild Pokemon, and Everybody Potential Character (EPC)= Many thanks to Eleven for compiling this list. PokAcademy Black Weedle Kakuna Beedrill Nidoran (M) Nidorino Nidoking Sandshrew Sandslash Vulpix Ninetales Meowth Persian Bellsprout Weepinbell Victreebell Magmar Pinsir Ledyba Ledian Skarmory Magby Murkrow Phanpy Donphan Houndour Houndoom Lotad Lombre Ludicolo Spoink Grumpig Sableye Seviper Lunatone Shieldon Bastiodon Stunky Skuntank Honchkrow Buneary Lopunny Gible Gabite Garchomp Magmortar Gothita Gothorita Gothitelle Vullaby Mandibuzz PokAcademy White Caterpie Metapod Butterfree Paras Parasect Nidoran (F) Nidorina Nidoqueen Ekans Arbok Oddish Gloom Vileplume Mankey Primeape Growlithe Arcanine Scyther Electabuzz Spinarak Ariados Gligar Elekid Teddiursa Ursaring Mantine Seedot Nuzleaf Shiftry Mawile Zangoose Skitty Delcatty Numel Camerupt Poochyena Mightyena Solrock Cranidos Rampardos Gliscor Electivire Glameow Purugly Solosis Duosion Reuniclus Rufflet Braviary
Admissions Office ● Lounge ● Dorms ● Information Desk [/url] “I will not embarrass myself. Not today.” Professor Caesar Cade Cyprus quickly adjusted his jacket backstage in the smaller theater of the Auditorium where the lights were dimmed, while he checked over every inch of his rather imposingly tall 6’5” frame one last time to ensure the fine suit he was dressed in was as absolutely pristine as when he put it on hours before. His sandy brown hair was swept back and blown out, while his keen, crinkled coffee-colored eyes burned with intensity; his strong features bore a look of ambivalence while inside, he was suffering from a slight case of stage fright. He was only visibly startled when a soft muzzle nosed him in his right knee, causing him to instantly see his Ninetales, Lucia, staring up at him with those tender black eyes he could read as well in a silent expression as though she were actually speaking to him. Momentarily beset with worries at the sudden approach, he quickly turned to a lighter expression as he smiled broadly down at Lucia, and patted her nobly-formed white-furred head. “There’s my girl.” He cooed, while his signature sophisticated baritone articulated above par. “Are all the students waiting in the audience?” He looked to see the white ashy vixen give a nod of her slim head, her many, long white tails fanning and waving behind her where she sat. “How many are there?” Cyprus adjusted his collar, checking it in a mirror, raising his defined jaw to get a better look of his elongated, medium-thick neck. He listened intently as one paw patted the floor loudly and with distinction, being Lucia’s to count off the attendance. “Goodness, only seven?” He finished with his adjustment to his satisfaction. Frankly, he wasn’t incredibly surprised. PokAcademy was well known as a reserved school suited only for those very willing to succeed in the world. Though they came from many regions, they were usually kept few to keep the population of Pokémon from being upset by the overbearing presence of the town-like Academy. But 7? “Is Professor Oak nearly ready, Lucia?” With this last question, she gave no direct answer, but instead rose to all four of her graceful feet and headed behind the main curtain with the likely intent of searching out such an answer she could not provide. Cyprus tried to put the low count out of his mind; PokAcademy was a school where you didn’t have to attend the whole year’s course in order to pass, but it certainly helped. He hoped silently that more students would show up before long as he flipped the stage lights on in the small theater. Calmly, Cyprus walked towards a curtain to look out onto the stage but kept himself back far enough so that he could not see any portion of the darkened seating area. He grasped one leathery hand firmly in the other as he rested them behind him, only just realizing he’d forgotten to put on his gloves. He was not rushed as he let loose his grip and took to his left breast pocket inside his black dress jacket. Inside the silky pocket were two fine gloves that he squeezed his hands into for the extra sense of style he typically preferred. Once again a snout bumped him, this time right behind his knee, from behind. He turned around and took to a knee, facing Lucia directly with brightly intelligent eyes. “Good news about the Professor, Lucia?” It was not odd to him how he referred to Samuel Oak with reverence; Oak always received the formality from the standing Dean of PokAcademy, even though they technically shared similar status in the functioning world. Lucia was used to Cyprus’ respect for the elder Professor as well, because she nodded curtly. Not long after the nod, an older man, though not too far over Cyprus’ 41, walked onto the stage with glee etched on his features. Cyprus’ mouth curled up on one side in a lopsided grin. From where he stood, he could tell that Professor Oak seemed happy to see everyone who had come to PokAcademy. [/url] “Hello, everyone!” An elated Professor Oak announced to the students he faced in the audience. His eyes were fixed on them with surveying judgment that was both congenial and determined. “I must say that I am very glad I had the opportunity to come see you all personally this year to welcome everyone to PokAcademy.” He sighed heavily, shrugging his white lab coat-covered shoulders. Underneath the open lab coat, he wore a yellow, floral print tropical T-Shirt with khaki shorts below… and it was the middle of autumn. “Last year, I’m certain Professor Cyprus recalls my lack of communication skills when it comes to the use of technology.” Oak gestured toward Cyprus stage right. Professor Oak was right… Cyprus did remember, and grimaced at the memory. Apparently one of the Aides under Oak’s tutelage had neglected to follow Cyprus’ dictation that Oak’s lab was to be cleared of all Pokémon before the chat was established. Over a dozen students that day learned what it looked like when a man was nearly engulfed by an adult Muk as Oak had struggled to balance care of feeding the slimy creature and introducing the basics of PokAcademy with his own particular flair… Naturally, all wild and domesticated Grimers and Muks on the island where PokAcademy was located were temporarily relocated to storage inside Pokéballs in the Pokémon Center nearby. Just then, as he looked back, Lucia licked his bare wrist, obviously sensing his tension and trying to ease it; she succeeded, as Cyprus smiled down at the warm-hearted gesture that spoke to Lucia's Gentle nature. Meanwhile, Oak continued with his oration. “Now then, I’m sure you’re anxious to know exactly what you’ll be learning this year and what sort of adventures await. Allow me to tell you all that there is a great deal to be learned and a great many adventures to be had!” Oak smiled at the audience as a great big blank black screen descended from the ceiling. Once it had firmly landed and stuck in place, taking up most of the space that had been the back curtain, an image flickered onto it of a bird’s eye view of a small isle. “Now then, I’m sure you’re all quite aware of where this is; you just had an excellent view of it from your plane seats as you flew in yesterday, and there it is again: PokAcademy Island. Now, be sure to pay attention to how I said that: Pock Ah Cad Ah Mi. Not Poke. I find too often the school is given the wrong title in normal, everyday conversations, but all the same: I’m glad it gets talked about at all because it’s very new and very important if we are to increase our education on Pokémon and our mutual existences with them. Once more, that’s “Pock” though, as in a “Pock” mark or… Pocky… delicious, delicious Pocky...” Professor Oak waxed toward a dreamy state as he seemed to start to dream of yogurt-coated biscuit sticks, and right in the middle of his speech. “Oh!” He snapped out of his daze quickly and recovered, much to Cyprus’ relief. “Anyhow, let’s tell you more about the curriculum. That’ll be the job of our very own Professor Cyprus, who has the distinction of being the Academy’s first standing Dean.” He stated rather excitedly, but as he spoke, the image on the large TV screen changed to a looping video showing pictures of all the starter Pokémon that were offered to PokAcademy students on the first day of Orientation. Professor Oak noticed the transition when he looked behind him to see a very large Squirtle towering above him in 2-D. “Oh my! I seem to have muddled up the order of introductions.” Worriedly, Oak took a collection of note cards from his lab coat pocket that had the near to the same thickness as a deck of cards. He flipped through many of them in a rushed and panicked state, only to be relieved when he found the remedy to his predicament. “My apologies everyone! Next up is our resident Pokémon Historian, Professor Pine. She’s rather young, mind you, and not much older than yourselves, but I ask that you offer her the same amount of respect you’d give to an adult; she’s a very bright young girl, and certainly shows promise as a new researcher on the staff. Everyone: Professor Pine!” With showmanship worthy of the big top, Oak swung out his arm to stage left where Professor Pine was located. Unfortunately, his left hand happened to be the one holding the thick set of note cards that flew out of his grip to burst into a scatter on the expansive stage floor. “Oh- Oh dear…” Professor Oak blushed at his bluster, while Lucia tried to calm Cyprus again out of the fit of nerves he was falling into as the white cards blanketed the black wood. Listen to the Professors' instructions and introductions, with options to quietly talk to fellow trainers in the audience. Please note: you're really free to do whatever. Just know what you do has consequences in the RP! Also, check in the Social Group soon to understand why there's a Minun by the above banner, and why it'll occasionally be replaced by a Plusle.
Academy ● Lounge ● Dorms ● Information Desk [/url] Hello? Is this thing on? Oh darn it, this thing never works properly for me why do I even- Oh, wait, I think it's going through! Hello there! Welcome to the fantastic world of Pokémon! Er- what’s that? You’ve been here before…? Oh dear, this is rather embarrassing. And you over there, you’ve never been? Oh! Well then, Welcome! … But you all who know so much already… after being so familiarized with the idea, it was taken into account that you may not want to return for a visit. Most regrettable. It’s a good thing that Professor Pine (Hero of Time), Professor Cyprus (Sebax) and I went to the trouble of collaborating to put in as much as possible to make this experience as new as possible! This will be unlike any Pokémon experience you've ever had, but still hold true to the original as much as possible. Now then, let’s get you familiarized with the idea and the campus of the PokAcademy. As the name implies, it’s a school, which was made to accommodate trainers from every region to learn how to train and raise their Pokémon to the best of their ability. It functions basically the same as a rather large College. In fact, some who have attended, as the school was made a few years ago in the story, have compared the school to its own little community! Wonderful! You’ll attend classes on your own time, as there are few teachers and mostly books that are sold in the bookshop that educate on many different Pokémon topics. We’ll start off basic for now, but the more you learn, the more you unlock in the book shop. Who knows, your Pokémon might even benefit by you cracking open a book every now and again. Hehe Ahem… Anyhow, that brings us to our next subject: Pokémon. You’ll start off with one Pokémon at first. At orientation on the first day, there will be one of each of Pokémon from the starter choices from every game you know and love. This includes one of each of: Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile, Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip, Turtwig, Chimchar, Pilup, Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott, Pikachu, and Eevee. Oh! But I’m getting ahead of myself. Just keep in mind that in the world which Pokémon you pick is pivotal to your progression in the world, and that people will often determine an opinion of you by the Pokémon you have on hand. Your Pokémon will allow you to: Battle others, catch new Pokémon in field exams, and will be your companion through the school year. You're only allowed to have six on hand, plus two in your dorm room and all other Pokémon after that will have to be stored in your PC. Pokémon level up, evolve, battle, and interact, why there are no limits to what you can accomplish with Pokémon at your side! So what will you do? Ready to sign up for a fun filled school year? Orientation starts soon, so don't be late, or you may wind up like a certain young man I knew who could never quite wake up on time for anything! HAHAHAHA! But all the same, he wound up just as well with his Pokémon, and I'm sure you will too. Happy training! Oh... well this is bothersome. How do you click this thing o-~End Transmission I can add to and delete rules as such becomes necessary. Due to the many systems involved with PA, there are different sets of rules for each system. These rules will usually be explained in the story, but will be given a permanent and fully-detailed home in the Information Desk. *Time- You will be lead from event to event to suit the scheduling of all involved. *General Rules- Follow normal KHV RP rules. *Dorms- When the time comes, Dorms will be like Pokémon Centers in the games. It is in these dorms that you pick your team on your PC and it is also where you will primarily be ending your days when the times come. Dorms will be assigned on a later date, and will be at random; you may be rooming with one of your own characters, but the point is to force you to bond with another player's character more. *PP- Do not harm other players nor other player Pokémon without their explicit approval. No one is killed, and this goes the same for the Pokémon, save for when a Pokémon dies to set the stage for an upcoming chapter. Only I have the power to set this up. The same goes for stealing Pokémon, however, you can get permission from the owners out of the RP, but you have to both clear it with a Professor. But do NOT Power play as your roommate, ever. *End Day- Once prompted it's time to head to bed, you will have 24 hours after I post a end day prompt to make your End Day post. This is simply put as your character goes to their dorm/temporary place of rest and goes to sleep. This is to promote character interactions between roommates. As actually sleeping is an in-game school rule and not an RP one, you are free to break it for story purposes, but know that your character(s) will face discipline should they break school rules; if rule-breaking should be the case, at least notify that it is your end day post. If you do not post an end day, you may be subject to loss of certain upcoming rewards. *Battles and - Battles and Trading between players will be strictly limited to events that will be announced ahead of time. For Battles in general, your Pokémon level up according to how often you use them in battle, which can be worked on in the Gym, but the Gym closes at night. The stats are based off of existing Data canon to the games. You have to battle Pokémon to catch them during field exams. *Trading- You cannot trade with your own characters, save for circumstances where you clear it with me ahead of time. *Walking Pokémon- You will be allowed ONE walking Pokémon at a time. In order to verify which one you choose, you must notify me beforehand so that I can keep track. A Walking Pokémon is rarely seen in their ball, and is the Trainer's constant companion throughout any particular adventure. *Surrendering Pokémon- There are times when all Pokémon will be taken away by some circumstance so that Trainers have to think for themselves and rely totally on only each other. Walking Pokémon may or may not be taken away. All events of this are final, and will only be used as necessary. *Education and Books- As this is a school, various subjects will be taught to the trainers. They and you will be tested during certain events depending on how much they read the given material and how much they learn. *Catching Pokémon- Before every field exam, which occur frequently, your character(s) will be given a select amount of normal Pokéballs in order to catch the creatures set up. You must weaken the opponent in order to catch them, but causing them to faint does not make them disappear. If you catch them fainted, you must bring them to the Pokécenter in order to use them. Everything is story-driven, so think of field exams as an essay that you will be individually graded on. If I particularly like your catch post, certain perks may be given, so give these posts your all especially. Code: Name: (First Middle Last; Names from all RL countries are allowed, just please, nothing overly complicated.) Username: (Self-explanatory, and it's so everyone else can know who you are from the cast list.) Gender: (Tell me, are you a Boy or a Girl?) Character sheet: (Determines what you will encounter: Black or White; Any other colors are not permissible, as they are reserved for special characters. e.g. Golden is just for Professors.) Age: (11-19) Region of Origin: (Born in only.) Favorite Pokemon: (Just one; Please, be honest, there's no connection with a giveaway event, it's just for your character to go on, but no legendaries.) Prefered Type: (What Type of Pokemon do you prefer? Will heavily influence your collection, but not limit indefinitely. You can have two.) Idol: ([B]Game[/B] protagonist or champion. Who does your character think is the greatest?) Appearance: ● (High Quality only. Zerochan offers good pics, but you can get them from anywhere you choose. Please, no OBVIOUS Anime' canon characters. E.G., anyone from Pokemon, Naruto, Ichigo, etc... And please, for the sake of easy copy and paste, please hyperlink your image into the dot symbol given) Height: (Sometimes pics give this attribute too little credence to the actual idea. This is important for the visual media included in this RP.) Professors Trainers Name: Prof. Caeser Cade Cyprus Username: Sebax Gender: Boy Character sheet: Golden Age: 41 Region of Origin: Kanto Favorite Pokemon: Vulpix Prefered Type: Fire Idol: Prof. Oak Height: 6'5" Studies: Behavior and Habitat Name: Prof. Pym Paisley Pine Username: Eleven Gender: Girl Character sheet: Golden Age: 20 Region of Origin: Unova Favorite Pokemon: Gothorita Preferred Type: No Preference. (Just for Profs. and non trainers.) Idol: Professor Juniper Height: 5'5" Studies: Medicine and History Name: Prof. Yvette Yew Username: Myst Gender: Woman Character sheet: Golden Age: 27 Region of Origin: Orre Favorite Pokemon: Snorunt Prefered Type: Ice Idol: Prof. Oak Height: 5'4'' Studies: Evolution and Breeding Name: Suzanna Kai Username: Eleven Gender: Female Character sheet: Black Age: 15 Region of Origin: Unova Favorite Pokemon: Espeon Prefered Type: Psychic and Electric Idol: Rosa, Nate, Cynthia, Hilda, Hilbert, N Appearance: ● Height: 5'4" Name: Logan Kai Username: Eleven Gender: Male Character sheet: White Age: 17 Region of Origin: Unova Favorite Pokemon: Mightyena Prefered Type: Dark and Water Idol: N, Hugh, Alder Appearance: ● Height: 5'11" Name: Gray Hunter Username: Master of Keyblades Gender: Boy Character sheet: Black Age: 15 Region of Origin: Unova Favorite Pokemon: Samurott Prefered Type: Fighting and Water Idol: Hibert and Red Appearance: ● Height: 5"10 Name: Alex Rose Username: Master of Keyblades Gender: Boy Character sheet: White Age: 16 Region of Origin: Shinnoh Favorite Pokemon: Infernape Prefered Type: Fire and Flying Idol: Green, Nate, Appearance: ● Height: 5"7 Name: Topaz Nyoko Username: Myst Gender: Girl Character Sheet Black Age 16 Region of Origin: Hoenn, specifically Fortree City Favorite Pokemon: Eevee Preferred Type: Steel Idol: Platinum Appearance: ● Height: 5'8'' Name: Diopside Verde Username: Myst Gender: Boy Character Sheet: White Age: 16 Region of Origin: Kanto Favorite Pokemon: Cacturne Preferred Type: Bug Idol: Elite Four member Aaron Appearance: ● Height: 5'10'' Name: Melody Avery Jackson Username: FloodofTwilight34 Gender: Girl Character Sheet: Black Age: 14 Region of Origin: Almia Favorite Pokemon: Pachirisu Preferred Type: Water and Steel Idol: Steven Appearance: ● Height: 4'11" Name: Joshua Lux Indipendente Username: FloodofTwilight34 Gender: Boy Character: White Age: 14 Region of Origin: Hoenn Favorite Pokemon: Dragonair Preferred Type: Dark and Dragon Idol: Drake Appearance: ● Height: 5'3" Name: Markus Dean Friedland Username: tale_wind Gender: Boy Character sheet: White Age: 18 Region of Origin: Sinnoh (Celestic Town) Favorite Pokémon: Staravia Preferred Type: Ground, Normal Idols: Sidney, Cynthia, Morty Appearance: ● Height: 6’1” Name: Equitas Miano Username: Hexin Gender: Boy Character sheet: Black Age: 17 Region of Origin: Johto Favorite Pokemon: Squirtle Prefered Type: Ghost water Idol: Red and Blue Appearance: ● Height: 5’8 Name: Garett Michael Hart Username: Clavis Gender: Boy Character sheet: White Age: 18 Region of Origin: Hoenn Favorite Pokemon: Blaziken Prefered Type: Fire and Fighting Idol: Red Appearance: ● Height: 6'0" Name: Amethyst Azula Username: Myst Gender: Girl Character Sheet: White Age: 13 Region of Origin: Orre Favorite Pokemon: Milotic Prefered Type: Water Idol: Wallace Appearance: ● Height: 5'0 Notes: Created 5/11/13 with the assistance of HoT; worked on through the entirety of the day. All images were made by myself, with images taken from several sources. It was all made using Microsoft Powerpoint of all things! Spoiler: Too fun to delete, so I moved it There[/url] aren't any Trainers yet? Oh dear! Who am I going to give all these Pokédexes to now!? Quick! To the Bicy- Oh... Not the time for that now...hmph Professor Oak Monologue By- Sebax; Reviewed By- Eleven
Name: (First Middle Last; Names from all RL countries are allowed, just please, nothing overly complicated.) Username: (Self-explanatory, and it's so everyone else can know who you are from the cast list.) Gender: (Tell me, are you a Boy or a Girl?) Character sheet: (Determines what you will encounter: Black or White; Any other colors are not permissible, as they are reserved for special characters. e.g. Golden is just for Professors.) Age: (11-19) Region of Origin: (Born in only.) Favorite Pokemon: (Just one; Please, be honest, there's no connection with a giveaway event, it's just for your character to go on, but no legendaries.) Prefered Type: (What Type of Pokemon do you prefer? Will heavily influence your collection, but not limit indefinitely. You can have two.) Idol: ([B]Game[/B] protagonist or champion. Who does your character think is the greatest?) Appearance: ● (High Quality only. Zerochan offers good pics, but you can get them from anywhere you choose. Please, no OBVIOUS Anime' canon characters. E.G., anyone from Pokemon, Naruto, Ichigo, etc... And please, for the sake of easy copy and paste, please hyperlink your image into the dot symbol given) Height: (Sometimes pics give this attribute too little credence to the actual idea. This is important for the visual media included in this RP.)
I need somewhere to put an OC form while I'm still working on the RP it's meant for. It needs to keep the khv formatting, so I couldn't put it anywhere else. Name: Prof. Pym Paisley Pine Username: Eleven Gender: Girl Character sheet: Golden Age: 20 Region of Origin: Unova Favorite Pokemon: Gothita Prefered Type: No Preference. (Just for Profs. and non trainers.) Idol: Professor Juniper Appearance: ● Height: 5'5" Name: Prof. Caeser Cade Cyprus Username: Sebax Gender: Boy Character sheet: Golden Age: 41 Region of Origin: Kanto Favorite Pokemon: Vulpix Prefered Type: Fire Idol: Prof. Oak Appearance: ●
I like to sing, I like to act, and I'm just an all-around lover of the arts; so that seeps into my actions. Recently, I've started doing youtube videos again, and I thought I'd start with a cover of a song very close to my heart: "When the Stars Go Blue". I'd like some CnC, please. :3 Also, this is where I'll be posting all future videos I make that I upload to youtube, if this thread garners some attention. Hope to see some input soon, because I'm very excited to be recording again. For this song, I provided both the instrumentals via an Acoustic Guitar with a CAPO on the 3rd fret, and the vocals as well, obviously. The chords were supplied by ultimate-guitar.com, at this specific location, here. Look to the video description on youtube for more information.
Imagine you're in the dark. Got it? Don't close your eyes...hehe...; then you won't be able to read. All dark now? Good. The opaque encompasses you with its cold tendrils as the Children of the night cry outside your window. You start to realize this is really starting to get to you and you lunge for your dear friend, the Light Switch. You feel the flick and you hear that lovely click, but there's one problem: No Lights. You're in your own little box of mortality and reality with too much apprehension to venture towards that nearby door because all of a sudden: THUMP! right on the frame, from the outside. Your heart starts to pump faster and your limbs go numb; all of a sudden, couches are unwelcome because by having your feet on the floor, you're allowing anything at any moment to snatch your ankles and pull you under, tearing you asunder. Feeling just a little nauseous? Well, if you do, then this is fine, because, well, you're human. Words, emotions, sights and other instigators should prompt a little bit of apprehension, even though the above paragraph is just an artfully assembled establishment of words. There's also the chance nothing happened. While that isn't exactly a problem, or at least isn't seen as one, it's too predictable. Too few people give into their instincts nowadays and, frankly, you've heard it all before. "Desensitization". Is it immoral to be desensitized? Of course not. However, it's just as bad as being constantly turned on to be turned off. Why are people desensitized?? There's plenty of reasons, but for now, we're going to focus on these words: "It's just a ___________". Usually, something from the media goes in the blank. What do I mean by it? Oh just this: A favorite TV show is pitted in a dire situation, say, one it usually isn't. It's something of a surprise, and whether you admit it or not: Deep down, it scares you. Not the mortal terror you see faced by the character(s), but by the "Idea". So you bring in your ole security blanky Mr. "It'sjusta" to keep you warm and sane. Like I said though, it's not a bad mantra, but one that is used mindlessly. You're probably telling yourself more of the truth than a lie when you say "It'sjusta" during a screening of "28 Days Later". But you close off your mind to the idea. Eventually, this can become a drastic consequence because the whole point of the "It'sjusta" movie/Show/media is to entertain or incite an idea. By pulling the wool over your own eyes, you close off your mind to the desired results. Watch "Saw" with an open mind, and it becomes even more haunting than any amount of gore can accomplish. But it's not all about frights. Sometimes, in our modern societies, it's just as fearful a thought to think as it is to be somewhere frightening. Take for instance the worlds of George Orwell and Aldous Huxley. Most specifically, let's look at "1984" and "Brave New World". If you refuse to think about the deeper source material, the stories go on and on, forever about nothing. Now... philosophize. What would life be like for me in this world? For my family? For the one I love the most in the whole world? If you're able to imagine this, then you aren't as deeply affected by the overdose of "It'sjusta" most self-prescribe themselves to. Once you start to think, the world really does become a scary place, but really only because (I hate to say this) there's really no shortage of idiots. "Itsjusta"...These are the words murmured by a fair sum of people as they view any given media source that chills them to the point they can't stand it. Little do they realize: it's a big mistake! You're not just closing your eyes, you're closing your mind. Eventually, this could lead you to a helpless state someday where you mindlessly babble in a corner this other popular "It'sjusta": "It's just...a dream..." Hopefully, by the end of this, someone'll look at entertainment in a different light, because it's everywhere; but that doesn't mean everyone sees it.
In the original 1940 Disney Animated Film "Pinocchio", we see a place that is called "Pleasure Island"; it's the same spot that shows up in DDD. However, in DDD, the place is called "Prankster's Paradise". I have three theories around why this was changed: "Pleasure" Island would have insinuated something more vulgar, I suppose; it might have been called Pleasure Island, but that didn't make it passed by Modern Censors. It's arguably a very different world today than it was in 1940. Artistic License. Pure and Simple. You, the player, would already be familiar with the location, likely enough, so giving it a new name gives it a different spin; increases Player Interest. Usually, actual Real Life Locations are given this credit, but for a different reason; La Cite des Cloches and Country of Musketeers both take place in Paris, France, for example. It is in that case that Artistic License becomes a necessity; still, there is no actual such place that is called "Pleasure Island", except one relatable in memory, which brings me to my third and final theory. This is also my favorite theory! I grew up in Central Florida for somewhere of about fourteen years, and a decent portion of this was spent surrounded by Disney Culture. (Trust me, Disney Parks most definitely have a Culture all their own; it's an extension of Reality.) In Disney World, there is Downtown Disney, and in a portion of the free-to-visit Shopping District there is a place called "Pleasure Island". Directly, my prominent theory states that the Game Producers could be looking at the potential of this part of Disney World for an upcoming world. Don't doubt it just because Downtown Disney is a collection of shops; I spent quite a great deal of time there to know: it's just as fantastic there as it is in any of the Parks. So, have some support for one of these theories or some of your own? Feel free to comment! :D
This Role-play and in fact this entire page is currently a work in progress, but hopefully the sooner I open it to the public, the more interest it will gain, and the sooner we can start! Also, very important information, we need the following criteria to start: Fate: x1 Bartender x1 Accountant (CHECK) Fortune: x1 Chef x1 Waiter x1 Accountant (Which jobs which characters have are given in "Cast", and described on the wiki under the Article "Jobs".) Spoiler: Synopsis: Fate & Fortune is a Kingdom Hearts Based Role-Playing Game of my own design that pits two teams against each other. These two teams, almost a give-in, are "Organization XIII" and the "KH & FF Heroes", but with many special twists and turns. First off, both teams work at and run opposing eating establishments, but this is not your "Run-of-the-mill" [KH chars] get a job sort of RP. There's specific jobs preset for each character, and many different systems that take strategy to aid in increasing your character's capabilities and your team's success as a whole. Levelling up, bonuses, munny, banking, friends, reputations, and more are all features that will allow each player to be fully immersed into the game play, and integrated with one another in the process. The Nobodies run a bar, "Fate", funded by Xemnas, and operated by Luxord. It is slightly run aground and in need of fixing up, but the Nobodies are set to set it straight. The KH & FF Hero Selection run a family restaurant just across the street, "Fortune", which predated the establishment of "Fate" by a few months. The two are already in competition for control of Eatery Lane in good old Main Town U.S.A, but there exists a more business-like battle than a literal one. However, both sides can employ the use of Heroes and Villains to assist along the way towards success, but doing so may increase or vastly decrease Reputations, which makes it a tricky venture. Both places respect the presence of the other, so this is not the main objective, but neither are against the idea of running the other out of business either. Will the two continue to live in relative harmony? Or are things about to get topsy-turvy in Main Town? Missions, serving customers, story episodes and such will keep the story rolling, but it's up to the players to progress their characters in order to make them better at their job, in turn making their business more successful. Each character has their own limits, perks, persona, and such, so I ask: please choose wisely; you can only pick one for now, and you can't switch once we've officially started. The good thing is everybody has something big to do and everyone plays a major part! Spoiler: Cast (Links go directly to that character's page on the wiki; wiki provides basic information on the character as well as their position in work. My goal for the first week of Sign-ups is to have at least all the required positions filled out for information and at least one establishment's cast all written out.) NPC's of Main Town- Sebax(This includes Shopkeepers and Customers. NOTE: These characters cannot be claimed; they are here purely for educational purposes.) Xemnas- Funds "Fate", runs a Furniture store in Town Square. Mickey Mouse- Funds "Fortune", runs a Club in Town Square. Stitch- Runs a grocery store in Town Square; which later sells pets. Genie of the Lamp- Runs a Ad shop in Town Square. Scrooge McDuck- Runs the Bank in Town Square. These characters may be claimed. :3 Fate: Xigbar (Preemptive Security)- Xaldin (Bouncer)- Vexen (Mixologist)- Lexaeus (Bouncer)- Zexion (Treasurer/Accountant)- FloodofTwilight34 Saïx (Bartender/Chef)- Axel (Bartender/Chef)- Demyx (Entertainment)- Luxord (Owner/Manager)- Sebax Marluxia (Waiter)- Larxene (Waitress)- Roxas (Advertisement)- Fortune: Sora (Chef)- Kairi (Maitre d')- Riku (Chef)- Donald (Mixologist)- Goofy (Entertainment)- Leon (Owner/Manager)- Sebax Cid (Preemptive Security/Accountant)- Cloud (Immediate Security/Waiter)- Tifa (Immediate Security)- Yuffie (Immediate Security/Waitress)- Aerith (Waitress)- Namine' (Advertisement)- Special Rules for Jobs and criteria for work are found in the link. Spoiler: Features and Future Features Reputation System- Monitors how well a character is portrayed. Reputation can go up or down depending on how the player portrays them. Friends System- Allow for bonuses and perks, even though it has little to do with storytelling, this can be implemented all the same. Mission System- Missions allow for easy access to new levels, new abilities and another string of events through completion. Broad Missions include serving guests and Macro Episodes. Basically, Missions move the story along while also serving the interest of the players. Upgrading- Every player has a say in how the establishments can improve, and there's plenty of NPC's out there to help make these visions come true. Banking System- All munny earned goes straight into the bank. Munny can be used to be a number of goodies already available as well as new bonuses yet to come! Levelling up- Each Job has its own targets to reach and levelling up gets you new items, abilities and other goodies to make your character better at the job they do. Here are some Rules for general purposes. More rules can be found here on a wiki made especially to sort out all the info for the game. Spoiler: General Rules 1.)Follow the Rules & Guidelines of how the many ultra-convoluted systems work, and we’ll all be happy campers. 2.)I want to say this now if I said it nowhere else: Interactions for the RP go here, and interactions that involve expanding territories, claiming rewards, etc…, go in “Town Square”. It helps keep things simple for everyone. 3.)Even though the Town Square is in the OOC section, this doesn't mean you have to throw out character integration. Check “Town Square” for more on this, as it is not, per say, a rule. 4.)Basic kh-vids.net rules apply on GM’ing and PP’ing (Huh…that sounds dirty…) 5.)Once you pick a character, you are making a commitment to use that character on a regular basis. If you are inactive for 30 Days without telling me prior to the inactivity why, your character will be back up for grabs, at the same level you left them. If you’re lucky, you may be able to reclaim said character if no other user is currently using them. 6.)Keep things as true to character as possible as well as PG at a maximum. Permitted “swear” words include: “Hell”, “Crap” and “Ass” (Ass can only be used if it is referring to a.) A donkey or b.) A character is acting like an ass. No “holes” at the end though.) 7.)As Game Master, I reserve the right to kick you out for griefing, trolling, abuse of fellow players, prolonged inactivity, deliberate neglect of the rules of the game, among other factors. 8.)Post “That’s good eating!” somewhere in your sign-up post to verify that you have read AND understand all the rules printed here. Post “Wow! That’s good eating!” in your post to say you have read through most or all of relevant and updated information in the wiki. 9.)1 Character per player. We want everyone to have fun here! If things are slow for a while and you've been actively playing for a satisfactory time, then you may ask to have two characters, but can only have another from the same establishment you picked your original from. 10.) This is for in-game, but I want to stress: It’s Saïx, not Saix. You can easily put in the correct letter by holding down “ALT”, then punching in “1-3-9”. I want this RP to be as immersive and professional-looking as possible. Also, there is the matter of other accented words, such as "Maitre d'", where a circumflex would go over the "i"; don't worry about that. But do include an apostrophe after Namine, in order to make it Namine'
Author's Introduction: Here is a story adapted from several extensions and sources adapted from A. A. Milne's famous children's books about Winnie-the-Pooh. The adaption is generally sourced out of the Walt Disney film and characters, as well as all following entities they took on in further franchise, including the TV cartoon show "The Wonderful New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh" as well as the 2011 Disney animated film sequel. The story is particularly inspired by an incredibly difficult flash game that has some notoriety over the internet for its insane level of difficulty, of which I can personally atest to. Basically, this is the story leading into the game itself. However, this isn't the whole basis of the work. As I have always been a big fan of Disney work, adoring even characters even as seemingly childish as Pooh and his friends, I really wanted to write such a story based in those famous old woods, and truly try to emulate the creative style of both Disney Studios and the literary works of Milne. I have included characters not only from the original stories, but also new characters that have appeared through Disney, whether they appear in the game or not. I truly wanted a nostalgia-inducing piece you could read to your child/brother/sister/niece/nephew/cousin/younger person and let them enjoy the work I have made, or read it and enjoy on your own. It's for the child physical or at heart, of which I am somewhat the latter. Please, do enjoy, and know that CnC, anecdotes of what happened when you read this aloud as suggested, and likes are welcome. If I garner enough feedback, I may continue the narrative into the baseball game itself. Note: This story is written on the presumption level of: 10/10, that you don't have to have any prerequisite knowledge of the characters to basically grasp the story. This story in its current state contains a Spoiler rating of: 1/10, very few spoilers in its current adaption. May spoil elements of "Pooh's Heffalump movie" by Disney Studios. Do note, that if the story will continue, the rating will go up by a substantial amount. This is due to a planned inclusion of a character found in the 2011 film that I very much do not want to spoil for those who have not seen it. This story is graphically rated: G, and superb for all audiences, particularly the young. There are some big words occasionally tossed in, so it's not your typical modern day, over-simplified Children's book. Play Ball! The sun shone bright on the Hundred Acre wood one fine morning, as friends of the familiar sort sat enjoying a picnic. The young boy Christopher Robin was throwing a great big party in honor of his very best friend, Winnie the Pooh. At the long log-top timber hewn table, there sat the rest of Christopher Robin’s collection of friends who had come to honor Pooh bear on trimming his diet of Hunny to only four pots a week. Oh! Everyone was so proud of Ole Pooh, who was quite infamous for his penchant for a pot of his “Hunny”… or two or three or four in a single hour, very well let alone a week! There sat harried but jovial Rabbit, verbose and slightly pretentious Owl, timid and also dear little Piglet, matronly Kanga and her rambunctious son Roo nestled in her pouch, not-so-scary-after-all of a Heffalump Lumpy, and, last but certainly not least, Eeyore, sitting gloomily at the end of the table opposite Pooh bear. On that grassy hill, the company sat feasting on all their favorite foods, most of which had been prepared from Rabbit’s prized garden. “Three cheers, for the triumphant Pooh bear!” Hipped Christopher Robin, lifting his glass of the wood’s finest carrot juice high above his head, his expression as contented and as exuberant is to be expected of such a happy child.“Hooray!” The attendance echoed back joyfully. They were truly so proud of him!“I probably never could have done it…” Eeyore droned disheartened. “Not that I’d probably like Hunny anyway…”“My stores of Hunny have never been so full, now that Pooh isn’t always at my house asking for some.” Rabbit said poised.“G-good job, P-Pooh Bear.” Piglet stuttered precariously.“HOO! HOO! HOO! HOOOOO!” An ecstatic holler came from the bottom of the high hill by a happy-go-lucky, one of a kind Tigger. “Pooh! I gotta tell ya something Pooh!” In no time, the bouncy founcy friend had bounded up the hill and trounced Winnie the Pooh with one fell swoop.Pooh now found himself on his back and not so much upset as confused. “Tigger… why did you bounce… when you could have… not bounced?” Pooh stared blankly at the happy face Tigger had on his snout, and looked up into his gleeful beady black eyes.“It’s the besterest thing you ever hoyd! Hoo-hoo!” Tigger struck a pose standing on one foot, on top of Pooh’s belly. “I finally pahfected my “Disappear-o” ball!” Tigger was beside himself with joy.“D-disappear…?” Piped Piglet, “o…?” Repeated Rabbit, “…ball?” Observed Owl, and had all in fact said the complete line in unison.“Gosh, Mama! A real disappearin’ ball! I gotta see it!” Roo was just as happy as Tigger, restless in his pouch, which caused Kanga to wriggle around and finally lift Roo out. Holding him up, face to face, Kanga smiled at him with a motherly sweetness and understanding. “You know I wanted to be around when Tigger finally figured it out, and now he did!” Roo couldn’t quite find enough words, kicking his big feet as he slumped in Kanga’s grip.At length, Kanga sat Roo down on the ground and giggled gingerly. “My, it is a lovely day for a Baseball game, isn’t it?”Owl hooted with delight. “I say! I perceive the perfect opportunity to show off the pitch my Great Uncle Red taught me as a mere owlet.” Owl grabbed an apple and tossed it with a flourish of his feathery wing, forcing it into an almost unbelievable zigzagging pattern of flight! The apple flew over the hill and dropped to the ground below the slanted hill top.“I have my good old “Stall ball”!” Rabbit proudly professed following in queue with his own apple in hand. He threw it like Owl had thrown his, but for Rabbit, the ball went straight. However, only a second after it had left his throwing paw, it soon stopped completely in midair as if frozen by a cold wind! With the next moment, it returned to the speed it as going when he began throwing it!“I don’t have any neat tricks… just a usual pitch… nothing special… figures.” Eeyore added grumbling all the way. He gave a look back at his tail and gave it a swing before slumping down onto his rump in a miserable slump.“Try this, Eeyore!” Ever cheerful Roo offered as he heaved a baseball nearly as large himself into the air above him. His mood changed, however, when he realized he’d thrown it too straight into the air, and it was already starting its downward motion towards him!“Roo!” Kanga hustled over to the spot of danger and with a mother’s determination she knocked the ball out of its current line and sent it hopping away. “What in Heaven’s name were you thinking, Roo?” Kanga scolded firmly, but at the same time, not harshly. She picked up Roo and held him close to herself; afraid to let him go.”Mama!” Roo protested the kisses and the overbearing hugs of his parental guardian, seeming to have forgotten his recent distress in the face of his currently childish one.“Did I hear something about a Baseball game?” Chimed in a dignified young lady’s voice as a pretty little bluebird swooped in and landed on the table, wide-eyed, curious and excited. “Are you going to do your “Stall Ball”, Rabbie?” She giggled and looked over at Rabbit.“Kessie! It’s wonderful to see you!” Rabbit was momentarily lost in the moment of his own of parental adoration; he had alone cared for Kessie the tiny bluebird as a chick and had adopted her as his own some time ago. Kessie was all grown-up now, but Oh, how Rabbit loved to be called “Rabbie”, especially then that Kessie was a mature adult, who still revered him. “Yes, we had just gotten through talking about-““P-Pardon me. Oh! Umm…so sorry for interrupting.” Piglet interjected shyly.“Yes, continue, Piglet. You were saying?” Rabbit replied hastily but with a tone of patience.“Well, the thing is… that is… what I mean to say is… All I want to suggest is… Oh Dear.”“Out with it, Piglet Ole Pal!” Tigger scooped Piglet up in his paws like the jokester he was.“I don’t know how to throw a Baseball…”Piglet sulked sadly, and as a result, everyone showed they knew how Piglet felt by their concerned murmurs.“Not to worry Piglet. I shall make sure that you do fine…” Pooh seemed lost and confused as he contemplated heavily. “That is … If I figure out what we’re playing.”“Pooh, you’ve never played Baseball?” Christopher was the concerned one this time.“Not that I remember.” Pooh replied as though he was in some way at fault; he practically sounded apologetic. “Is that bad?” He added simply and fearfully.“No.” Came a reply, giggling, Christopher Robin took a knee in order to reach an equal level with the short and round Winnie the Pooh. “Baseball is a game from the United States of America; it’s sort of like Cricket.”Pooh seemed happy to understand something at last. “Do you mean like the crickets in the woods that chirp at night?”“No!” Christopher Robin chuckled emphatically. He did not mean to insult Pooh, because they were the best of friends, but sometimes the bear of very little brain could be irresistible in his naivety. “It’s a game with a bat, no Pooh beh, not like those kinds of bats,” He stopped to explain because Pooh had looked like he was prepared to say something along those lines. Apparently, that was exactly what he was planning, because the next instant, he sank dejectedly. “Silly ole beh, a bat is a stick made out of wood or metal, that’s wider at the end you hit the ball with and thinner where you hold it. Someone else tries to throw a ball at you, and you have to hit it with the bat.”Rabbit looked at Pooh disconcertingly. “Kessie,” He turned to the little bird, “Can you go round up of some of the others around the Hundred Acre Woods and when you get to my house-“ The next part was not openly heard, as Rabbit leaned in towards the bluebird and whispered something into its tiny ear. “Got it?” He asked with enthusiasm following some brief whispering.“I think you’ll have a very excited Pooh bear, Rabbie.” Kessie hinted happily before she flapped her wings a little and took off into the clouds.“Welllll, Rabbit. What’s the big idea, huh?” Tigger pleaded.“Wellll,” Rabbit mimicked the extended word, “Let’s just say that if Pooh bear can beat all of our special pitches, he’ll get a certain reward that’s golden, sticky, and sweet…”Pooh’s tummy grumbled. “Oh, I haven’t been guessing very well today, but I really do hope you mean… Hunny.” He hadn’t had any hunny in days, in fact, due to his diet.“Learn how to play Baseball, and you just might be right, Pooh Bear.” Rabbit crossed his arms and gave the simple stuffed bear a wink.“I think I rather like Baseball… it gets me Hunny… apparently.” Pooh hugged himself in contentment.“Just to warn you, Pooh beh, I’ll be watching the other pitches, which means “throwing the ball”, and I’ll be your final test before getting that Hunny. I want to make sure you understand the game.”“Oh bother.” Pooh crossed his chubby arms and plopped onto the ground backwards onto his rump.“I believe you can do it!” Christopher Robin hauled Pooh back up to his feet with a smile.Meanwhile, Owl had been off to the side, tutoring Piglet in how to properly pitch a Baseball. It was at that moment that Piglet seemed to finally get the hang of it, and timid little Piglet tossed a tremendously fast curve ball with an apple, that when it hit a nearby tree on the hill, it exploded on impact into a juicy mess.Pooh had watched this and everyone there besides Piglet and Owl wore a bemused expression. “Oh bother…” Repeated Winnie the Pooh dismally.
14 years before the events of KH I, a musically-inclined boy, Sebastian Noble, finds himself under the tutelage of Yen Sid, as Sebastian learns to take the Mage's path. Along the way, he makes friends for the first time in his life, and solidifies himself as Keyblade Warrior set for an even bigger adventure in the future... KHSOS. Pardon the Dust! This story is currently undergoing a much needed edit. Table of ContentsChapter 1: The Last Theate ChoirChapter 2: A New WorldChapter 3: Know the EnemyChapter 4: Three Good Fairies, Three GiftsChapter 5: Not the One, for Something ElseFootnotesAlso by SebaxGuest Book Chapter 1: The Last Theate Choir B ase awoke with a start. Darkness… impermeable and suffocating. He struggled to keep the playback of the most recent memory of his out of his recollection. He shut his eyes tight. The memory came to him anyway, of course, with full disregard of his attempt. His own mind denied his trying with ardent intensity to suppress it. It infuriated him as the images reeled together into one straight, inescapable vision. A nightmarish vision, and one the likes of which he had never before dared to know. Unavoidable, like the tears streaming down his face, the nightmare began again. ♫♪♪♫It had been a murky day in Theate City on the day all its ways of life came crashing down. Rain fell like a dense curtain of cold and calamity. The rain had a sorrow to it. It was like the rain was a collection of tears of the thousands of people crying out enmasse. They cried out in painful, constant agony across the entirety of the expansive city. The day had started normal and continued per usual, until dusk fell. Chaos seeped in like a river through a burst dam. The smell of lit gasoline from a nearby car choked the young man. His name was Sebastian Noble, but he more often knew the name Base. He was the sole soul on the barren street, for all he knew. A broken fire hydrant the car had hit, produced a geyser of water from the concrete. He was cold, tired, lost, coughing, and he was completely soaked from head to toe. His tousled black hair stuck to his forehead as he looked one way, then the other way on the street. No one. No sign of life anywhere except for the screams that came from all corners at once. To say the screams were faint would be a blatant lie; the screams, in fact, stuck out a great deal. It was like a chorus conducted by a demon. The impromptu choir cried out in a tormented, as well as tormenting, unorganized staccato. The perversity rocked the core of Base's mind. Ultimately, the choir produced an odd soloist in its antiphonal production. Four Whole notes, tied by the tangible terror all around, built to a crescendo. The singular crier descended from her ill-gotten perch from high above the same street. From high up in one of the many interminable skyscrapers, a young person fell. She popped into Base's weather-limited sight. The concrete was, in this case, a double bar line. The cry ended with a crack and a sickening, abrupt half beat of grotesque ambiance. The screaming soloist was there on the sidewalk in front of Base. She was just as able to reanimate as he had been to intervene. He moved onto the gray, darkened concrete, a three yard distance away. It was the hero in Base that caused him to approach the ceased screamer. This heroic predisposition would prove useless, as it seemed, in this particular case. He glanced over the sunken soloist with dismay. He saw clearly that she could be no older than a year ahead of his seventeen. Eyes that was drained of life, but they possessed a lingering character. Petite and dressed in a satin night gown, she had landed unscathed. There were no scratches or bruises on her skin. Not even life's wire puddled from where her head had cracked the concrete. If it were possible to see any evidence of life within her, it would be possible to think she was fine. She'd be okay, and would awake any moment, as if waking from a bad dream. Since she landed unscathed, Base held out some faint and foolish hope. He hoped that he had not just watched someone leaving a crumbling world. This hope was not a realistic one, nor was it the reality at all. Instead, there was only the horrific stare she had still trapped in her eyes. There was no rise and fall of the chest. There was not any traceable movement of the body whatsoever. Not even a sliver of a possibility of life inert existed. In a moment of contemplation, Base studied the face. He thought, for a moment, that he could have known this girl in life. Her facial features even struck a strange familiarity. Maybe he might have seen her before, but would never have known her on any personal level. Base was not so much social, as he was, what he said, a social repellent. No one wanted anything to do with him at any point in his life. He was... different. He was good-looking and mild-mannered, but impossible for many to decipher. Most he had known didn't even bother to try. Theate was never in short supply of idle judgments before it came crashing down. There was, still, no judgement held in this young woman's face. There was only pained sorrow. Something terrible had happened just before she fell, and it had locked her face. The pain of sorrow invaded Base's tattered soul as the perplexity ripened to fruition. He didn't even let go of a whimper, but instead he clenched his fists. All the injustices caused by the ensuing chaos of darkness were overtaking him. The darkness that had descended on his world and was succeeding in conquering it. Then, an answer to his feeling of emotional-overload, a flash of light blinded him. The biggest secret he had ever kept appeared in his right hand without his prompting it to. He looked down at the device and sneered at it with disgust. He had no clue what this object really was, just as he did not know why it was a giant silver and gold key. It did not bring the feeling of vigor and strength it had when it first appeared to him a year back. It only brought a sense of a burden he did not wish to carry. It represented a lie. A lie which he had told by never telling neither his parents nor Uncle Dean of i- (!) His heart sank as he thought of it. 'In this... where could they be in it?' This was the forbearing thought. 'What if, in all those screams still going on ... what if theirs is one of them.' This thought haunted him and froze him more than the chilling precipitation ever could. He threw a glare at the weapon at his side, but this look faded when he changed his focus down to the girl. Her blank stare pointed at nothing. It inspired in Base all the fears brought on by the sight of Death. Crouching down close beside the departed, Base closed the lifeless eyes. The least he could do for her. He extended the courtesy of making Death resemble its benign counterfeit, Sleep. The same moment her eyes shut, another blinding light struck him. The light erupted from the girl as if she were a flood lamp. He watched the light condense and thicken onto core of her motionless chest. The light softened to a dull flame. It was a beam that condensed and became a single object hovering over her torso. A crystalline heart that turned as it began a slow rise. It spun wisps of red smoke that whirled inside it and tiny beams of light shot out from within. It swirled with the grace of a ballerina, majestic and bright in the air. It radiated a soft glow around it and emanated a soft tinkerbell sound as it rose. Once it reached eye level with Base, it hovered and rotated. Base listened. There came a weak and disembodied voice from within that spoke with tenderness. 'Please... run...’ was all Base heard... or rather, thought he heard. It didn't matter if he believed it or not. The Heartless had taken notice anyway. Base did not know what he faced when he whirled around on his heel. He only had heard suspicious chattering noises beginning to swarm behind him. Creatures of darkness had manifested in the streets, and in healthy numbers. They were the Heartless. There were sixteen of the tiny beasts in all. A dozen Shadows congregated, with yellow orbs their eyes; a living shadow. Four small bell-shaped imps wearing two different color-schemes hovered over the lower Purebloods. One pair wore green armor and a brown cap, a duo of Green Requiems. The other, red armor with a yellow cap; Red Nocturnes. Small, yellow eyes stared from a shadowy orb between the caps and their armor. Eyes that danced in the fog like lanterns danced on a wire in the wind. They were strange to Base, but they each had names. Then there was what Base knew: nothing, save that these monsters did not look weak. Their idling there in the street made him precarious. One of the imps took a step forward, as Base swallowed a heavy dry lump in his throat while he watched it. So far, it had been the only one to have made a move. But, with every clumsy-looking, sweeping step, it drew closer to him and the girl. 'They're after either me or her', he summarized from the ambiguity. 'I can't let either happen.' Base gritted his teeth and readied his stance. He stared into the little yellow orbs, and it shook him. He stayed. Closer, closer, and closer, yet Base stood his ground against the confronting beasts. If he could save no one else, why not save the heart of the person he could protect to some degree? There was at least one thought that grew when the scout sprang from the ground. This instant could be his last. He let a light burn down deep inside him. He was ready to face the darkness. Chapter 2: A New World O n instinct, Base raised the Keyblade up so that the shaft of the blade covered his face. The tiny monstrosity barreled its claws at him, and made contact! TINK! The attacker launched backward, headlong and defenseless, as it fell to the ground. But, it was back on its feet again in no time. It's blank face, identical to its compatriots, never gave even a glimmer of spite. Or anything else. They were all stoic. It startled Base down to the core to see the violent spirits so apathetic. The Shadows made their way for him first. One clamored at his legs, requiring Base to leap to one side. He struck at the second attacker with a low sweeping Keyblade swing. A sharp and shrill commotion came from the creature as the Key knocked it aside with THUNK! They could not reach one, so they aimed for the other. They changed course. A duo of Shadows charged on their disproportionate feet towards the girl. They went around Base completely, to his shock! He closed off the short distance in a dash. He cut the path the two were taking with another, clumsy swing. One lunged up at Base with its sharp, black claws, but he blocked it again. He pushed the leaper off with another TINK! It all seemed, to him, so rushed, sporadic, and impossible to keep track of at once. It was a struggle to fight, and especially since he was not the fighting type. While it was lying on the cement, Base took to offense. He lifted the Keyblade high over his head and brought it down on the senseless imp. With a satisfying squish, the Shadow dissipated into a sputter of ethereal black mist. He dashed over to the girl and made a stand. He held onto his Keyblade with a tight grasp. The darkness was growing. He stared at the small army and defended the girl like a wild animal protecting its cub. If he had barked or howled, it would not have been out of place. By degrees of chilling despair, his heart sank in his chest. The myriads of Shadows doubled and tripled in numbers. Their numbers conquered the street. They painted the ground darker than tar with their odious forms. They amassed a frightening congregation. Soon, Base could see he was surrounded. The presence of the Key had become a beacon to invoke hunger in the monsters. The ravenous and insatiable appetites that had taken Theate wanted him for dessert. Defiant against the dark, Base did not move. He would not move, and he refused to do so with every fiber of his being. Even while the sky began to roll with the most ominous cloud he had ever seen. Even as the Lightening began to clash and the thunder boomed with unworldly consistency. As the ground began to quake and the Heartless became the ground. The edifices of the buildings lit up with yellow eyes. He still held his ground as the last flickering flames of Theate died. Somewhere deep inside him, something told him it was the right thing to do. Something else in him told him it was foolish, and he was going to die. That made it harder to listen to the first. He was sweating. The corruption that had taken Theate began to wrap itself around his legs. Where the street had been, Base began to sank into the pool of darkness taking him. He felt the darkness sap the life out of him. He didn't feel claws or teeth. He felt cold. "Get off!" Base hollered and spat while he slashed blind. His nerves were shutting down. Darkness started to constrict his calves. It fought his feet under a tremendous weight of pooling darkness. His face was going numb. The Keyblade did no good, and Base watched as the Darkness scaled his jeans. It coated him like a thick, rubbery cocoon of miserable invocations. He could taste the cold on his lips and on his tongue, and it was putrid in every way perceptible. Helpless to stop it, Base stopped squirming. He felt... accomplished. As though he had done everything that was meaningful in his life right then and there. He felt like he had acted as a hero. The hero he'd always wanted to be. The ones like in the movies he worshiped. He also felt like he was being flash frozen. He couldn't move or breathe. He gasped for air, but the anxiety was overtaking him. His breath was short and pointless. The darkness wrapped its slimy, opaque tentacles around his throat. It coated his jaw bone, forcing his head toward the sky. The last thing he saw was the storm clouds that rolled above. They were the last acts of nature of Theate. Albeit, they were violent acts. Theate was imploding. He was getting dizzy. The ground swallowed him up, and everything was gone. ♫♪♪♫ Base's eyes reopened. He was back where he had been before the memory came flooding back. The surrounding area was not the darkened street of Theate he had just revisited. He was not engulfed live and whole by vicious creatures of the greatest turpitude. Instead, it was a small room. There was no explanation for how this had happened, but only a comfy room. He could breathe again, and he was as warm and content as he could be. The bed was a solid oaken frame of a silvery coloration. A bed that had a fluffy blue comforter sheet. One decorated with white and golden silken stars, and one, bulky Gibson moon. Base looked from floor to ceiling with wonder as he noticed the intricacies around. A puce carpet covered the floor. Furnishings of all basic dormitory necessities adorned the space. The walls were a bumpy cement texture and light green. The angled walls molded together into a single, domed roof. A periwinkle wardrobe sat in a corner. A gray, slanted writing desk with an attached side sat beside the wardrobe. A chair with a particularly Gothic-looking frame sat in front of the desk. A few wall lamps that looked electric hung on the walls. Each had a strange fiery cast to their light. They had bowled coverings that cast a mystical ambiance with a soft glow. The more Base looked at them, the more he realized electricity had nothing to do with them. And then there was the window. There was no pane of glass within it, but there was no draft. It drew his curiosity more than anything. With steady caution, Base stumbled to his feet. He was unsteady on his own, so he caroused to the open window. What he saw outside amazed him. The sky was a mix of light hues that looked like they had blended like a water-color painting. Shades of blue, purple, green and spare wisps of red and gray; all in a sunless expanse. Base looked down and jumped back into the safety of his new habitat. He saw just how high above the ground he was. It was not so terrible, even though it was stories and stories into the air. It was the fact the ground below had its limits that scared him. Tall topiaries bordered the small island in most corners of the amorphous terrain. Where they did not ended in sharp cliffs, so that the sky stretched from abyss to heavens. The building itself was as one that he had only read about in books and seen on film. The same color that covered his wall was the edifice of the tall, castle structure. Spire upon spires burst out of one another like the budding of a wonky plant. Some Spires sprouted out of the wide tower that started at the ground and worked itself up. Others were smaller, erupting at odd angles like leaves on a stalk from the main tower. The main tower itself, from where Base looked, went up and up. It shot into the sky, beyond sight from his window. Taking in all the wonder and fear the sights and thoughts provoked, Base sank back. Stumbling backwards, he walked into a "something". The particular kind of something that sent his heart into his throat. He had hit something much larger than himself. Base was lean; this point was well established by his peers in school. As far as height went, he was a non-shrimpy 5'8". He was, instead, a featherweight 120 lbs. The presence behind him was much taller. He could feel a great power looming over him, without turning to see it. Base gulped a dry lump of air as his mouth became arid with agitation. He looked up into a pair of omniscient eyes. They looked back down at him with abject disapproval. After a moment of a studied reading of Base's face, the disapproval lightened. The elder man, his grey beard long and flowing onto his aqua robe, smiled as he crossed his arms. His hands hid themselves within wide, sweeping sleeves. He stood straight as a soldier, and only nodded his head. Base afforded a haphazard smile as he stepped forward. "Salutations, Young Keyblade Wielder," he boomed with a voice as powerful as the tides. Yet, it was also as light and airy as the clouds that sailed them. "My name is Yen Sid." He nodded his head. In a puff of grey smoke, a chair appeared out of thin air. Right in the middle of the floor! It astounded Base into a stammering stupor. Yen Sid passed him, ignoring the incoherent stuttering Base was producing. "I am certain your mind must be buzzing with questions. Which is why, without delay, I will provide you with what I know and what I can tell you." The fierce look in his eyes returned as he clapped his hands together. The produced sound was like a clap of thunder. At first, it seemed, this caused no spectacular effect. Another chair popping in didn't reach Base's radar just then. "I will ask that you sit down wherever you feel most comfortable. Rest assured, your questions will be answered." He sat with one, long fluid motion of his tall limber body and aqua-colored coat. He fixed his elongated, pointy hat, setting it straight on his head. A hat that looked like the bed sheets, blue, with yellow stars and a Gibson moon. Everything around seemed to fit a theme of stars, moons, and sharp colors. Base obliged, taking a seat at the foot of the bed, and faced Yen Sid. He was about to speak, but was silenced when a broomstick walked into his room. It was a broomstick! Two legs that formed out of divided hay bristles. Arms that sprouted out of its oaken wooden frame. In its hands, the enchanted object was carrying a silver tray in a raised position. Two matching teacups with saucers and a kettle atop it all. Everything still matched the Starry theme. Yen Sid, without much deliberation, took the navy blue kettle and one of the teal tea cups. All while making sure to take the saucer along with it as well. He held the teacup out in one hand as the tea kettle and saucer gravitated in the air nearby. Touching nothing but the handle of the square-rimmed cup, he poured some steaming tea. Yen Sid kept his eyes closed the entire time. "I understand you are trying to rid yourself of the wont of carbonated beverages," he spoke with weighted understanding. The truth was: he was right. Base had been quite partial to Woyer Cola for years. He'd avoided them on many occasions, but kept failing to ultimately kick the habit. The longest span of time he'd gone on the self-prescribed detox was seven months. It was still going strong when Woyer Co. was taken over by darkness with the rest of Theate. Base was a devoted singer. He loved the rich taste of soda, but he didn't like how it affected his voice after he drank it. He tended to drink too much of it if he did at all. That was the way it was with him: he either did something too much, or not at all. He was conscious of that. "Yes." He finally replied after he realized he had been ruminating. "That's right." He had more to say, but Yen Sid cut him off by raising a hand. "Will Hot Chocolate do then?" Yen Sid interrupted without malice. "Truth be told, I'd love one. But, there's no need for you to brew a new pot just for me." Base's voice was quavering, even though his voice was typically strong and well-established. "I'd be happy with a soda, if you have it." Yen Sid changed expressions again. Going from ponderous to humorous, there was less hubris in this grin. "You are a terrible liar, Sebastian Noble." Yen Sid opened his eyes as he stared at Base with a thoughtful inspection. "That... is good." Chapter 3: Know the Enemy M omentarily, the room was silent. “I am quite certain you are aware of the present threat of Darkness that looms, as it is the very same Dark power that has brought you here which is, I fear, devouring your world as we speak.” Yen Sid shook his head in dismay. “My world?! Then how are we here? Is this some sort of Island outside the city? Maybe we can go back and we can look-.” Base rambled on in a state of panic, until a glance from Yen Sid quieted him. “Ah yes. What you are not quite as aware about is the standing fact that there are many other worlds throughout the known Universe. Some of these worlds have been already devoured by Darkness, and several more have been invaded by powerful Darkness that threatens the stability of all worlds. There lies the utmost catastrophe: the worlds are currently out of order and time has been displaced. All those able to wield a Keyblade, regardless of age or background have been recruited to join the cause of rebalancing Light and Darkness.” Yen Sid nodded his head and stared directly at Base with that penetrating glare. “I had sent a letter of recruitment to your homeworld of Theate, but it would appear the Heartless and whoever was guiding them beat me in this endeavor. They attacked and took your world with little warning; this is most surprising.” “What are the Heartless? What world am I on? Why is it surprising?” The questions came out of Base like water through a constant stream. Base was not usually this inquisitive, but the recent string of events had hurled him into an utter fit of agitation. All it took to ease the stress he felt was for Yen Sid to raise one hand, thus signaling him to stop with the questionnaire. “You are in my world, the Mysterious Tower.” His voice had an ominous weight to it here. “It is surprising, because usually the Heartless or other creatures do not simply appear and take a world in one fell swoop; it is something that takes time. There is a theory I have, and it is that whoever was guiding them knew where to look for the Heart of your World, but that point will have to wait. What worries me most at the present time is the supremely dense population of Theate. There is no doubt this will allow the Darkness a great amount of “new recruits”, for you see, the Heartless themselves were once people, whose hearts fell to the Darkness. Should the Darkness taking Theate go unchecked, many will fall to Darkness unwillingly, regardless of the light in their hearts. This will spawn innumerable new threats that will spread like a virus throughout the worlds. The best way to put is this:” He waved his hand and a silhouette of light appeared on the floor. This glowing silhouette was shaped much like a person, and seemed to be based off the average build of a typical male adult. “So he begins: the denizen of a given world lives their normal, day-to-day existence, each with his or her own balance or imbalance of light and darkness; good and evil.” A small blot of dark matter appeared in the core of the miniature figure standing on the floor. “Light begets Darkness, and in so being, there can be no great light without great darkness, and vice versa. It is possible for a being to go through their whole lives living in this constant equilibrium. However…” The light borders of the figure shifted from an ethereal light blue to a dark purple wisp of smoky air. “It is possible for Darkness to consume the person, and in so doing, plunge him or her into absolute Darkness. The Darkness swallows whatever light may exist in the heart and separates from the body, thus becoming an embodiment of the Darkness that existed.” The figure split into two as the dark purple border grouped together and pulled away from the human shape, leaving behind a solid grey border and a similar tone to the rest of the body left behind to crash to the ground. The dark purple image resembled one of those yellow-eyed imps Base had encountered on Theate. “This is called a Heartless. It is a manifestation of the Darkness that existed in the Heart, and is an utterly bestial and unthinking entity. It contains within it only the Heart, and so cannot think, but can be guided by anyone well versed in Darkness. They are all joined together with a shared desire to destroy light where they find it, so they are often found in groups.” Yen Sid continued as the Dark Purple transparent Shadow twitched and scratched at empty air on the ground. “The stronger the Darkness, the more powerful the Heartless, and more ghastly in appearance it will be.” “If they have a Heart inside of them, why are they called the “Heartless”?” Base understood everything else directed toward him, but the paradox still boggled his brain. Yen Sid had not thrown many disapproving glares Base’s way since the two met, but the one the Sorcerer shot him now was enough to stop Base dead in his tracks, and even chilled his blood a little. Yen Sid cleared his throat and then continued. “This is only a part of the body that is affected when a person succumbs to the Darkness inside him. The body left behind is a hollow shell, which is devoid of any Light, Darkness, or even emotion; it is the definition of a “Nothing” incarnate. It is the remainder of the being that becomes a Nobody.” It was here the greyed figure shape-shifted and rose back up to a standing position, transfiguring wildly into a needle-limbed creature with a flat head and a wide zipper along the top of its head, which made the opening on its oddly shaped head look like a wide maw of darkness. “The Nobody is nothing but will, mind, and body; it cannot feel but it can think, which makes it more dangerous than even the most powerful Heartless. The more powerful a Nobody is, the more human-like in appearance they become, and the more capable they are of imitating real emotions. Do not be tricked into thinking they are even close to possessing any actually humanity. As of yet, this does not appear to be an issue, as there have been a total lack of sightings of Nobodies that are discernibly similar to living people.” ‘The Heartless have Hearts they can’t use, and Nobodies have bodies but no Heart… seems about right…’ Base said sarcastically to himself, but he still took in all the information given to him as the two separated figures started to dissipate as Yen Sid clasped his hand into a fist, his eyes closed. “There is at least one more known threat:” Yen Sid’s fearsome eyes opened as another small creature appeared out of nothing, but this one looked so much more real than the others, Base was sent reeling back. Base soon realized however the beast was only another figure; another imitation. He sighed in relief. “These are the Unversed. These are strange beings, as they are manifestations of violent emotions alone. It is unknown by which emotions, or if every violent emotion spurned causes them, however, they are just as much a threat to the Light within a Heart as the others, though they do not seek out the Heart of the World.” He raised his hand and the final creature disappeared. “I presume you wish to know about the Heart of Worlds, and it is this information you are owed, as you are a wielder of the Keyblade. However, at the present time, knowledge of the Keyblade and the Heart of each World is far too sensitive for you to be fully aware of the facts in this matter. What I can tell you currently is since you possess a greater amount of Light in your Heart than Darkness, you possess the ability to use the Keyblade, which is source of great Power, and which you can use to combat the darkness. However, I know you are, at the moment, apprehensive of the concept.” “You know I don’t feel up to this?” From this, Base received the impression Yen Sid could read minds. Yen Sid smiled heartily. “I do, in truth, know you are ready to at the very least face the Darkness that stands presently. On the other hand, however, I understand that this is a terrible world to be suddenly plunged into, and if it were not for the last minute rescue I executed for you as the Darkness began to surround you, you would have likely have lost your life to the Heartless. While I give you a choice as to which path you will choose, since it was not your choice that brought you here but my own, I must stress to you the point that few Keyblade wielders I have known would have had the gall to stand between the Darkness and the Keyblade as well as an open Heart. For you see, they seek out both sources of great light, like moths to a flame. They fear as well as search to destroy the Keyblade wherever they can find a wielder.” His expression here became solemn again, as though he’d witnessed many of such a fall himself. “I’m not a hero… because now that I look back, that was incredibly stupid a thing to do. A hero would do something, and not regret it later.” Yen Sid nodded approvingly. “In essence you are right,” Then he shook his head, “Still, does this mean that you have reason to doubt your actions. Our Hearts lead us on the right paths, and in listening to our Hearts, the Light will protect us from any dangers our situations present.” He stated profoundly, and Base had to admit, the Sorcerer was very right, and visibly so; Base was safe and sound after listening to his Heart. All the same, Base knew he wasn’t up to such a task. It was a simple truth he knew… or at least, one he felt was right. What business had he in such affairs? All this confliction of emotion unrested him and caused him slightly to swoon as the truth could not be found easily. Base searched and searched for the truth, but only found fear, and one fear in particular struck him the most. “What happened to that girl? My parents? Dean Waiter?” Base gave the fear a voice and it shouted the phrase “Truth! Don’t let that seep in!” inside his head. Yen Sid merely bowed his grey hair head somberly, and this nonverbal method was all Base really needed to know in order to realize his fears had come true! He did not know the girl personally, but he felt sorry for her, surely. His parents though? He ached to remember the last time he saw them that day before leaving for school. He found the memory after much straining, and was disappointed somewhat to find how mundane and normal it was; no prophesizing utterances and no foreshadowing of a Goodbye for good. Still, in its normalcy, it was a beautiful memory, and for that instance, it kept Base’s heart from shattering into countless pieces. Dean Waiter had even been there in that specific memory, right there with Aiden and Sabrina Noble at the Noble apartment in Theate City. All the more reason to cling tight to the image, as Dean was practically family ever since the elder musician and owner of the “Dean’s List” music shop near Base’s former school had taken Base underneath his tutelage. At that very moment between words exchanged, Base did not know if Yen Sid was as good at reading hearts as he was at reading faces and/or minds, but he knew if the wizard could, he’d see Mr. & Mrs. Base close together, standing beside a nodding Dean Waiter, and what Base imagined that girl looked like when she was alive, and, likely, happy. They made an odd group together, but the sight of them, surrounded by the lively backdrop of Theate’s huge foundations, contented him beyond belief. “I do realize, of course, the weight of all these events and revelations must be incredulously straining.” Yen Sid spoke out sullenly and teeming with deeper meaning. “I also understand why your tears for your fallen world have not quite yet been brewed.” Here, Yen Sid paused and seemed to enter a state of near meditation and deep thought, one of which even gave a glimmer of what looked like actual concern. “If you so wish to let out your frustration at this moment, I will perform the task of magically soundproofing this room from worldly ears, and, if need be, repair any objects that may be broken in any manner of emotional tirade. This is not to assume this of you; merely that there is good cause for such actions to be prompted.” His speech was without haste or retraction. On the other side of the conversation, Base appreciated the gesture, but his reply came with a shake of his black-haired head, his hazel eyes glowing with wisdom beyond his years. It was the first time he regained his senses since losing them on Theate. “If what you say is true, and everything points that way, then I have to work to keep Darkness out of my Heart. If I act out of anger, then it will be like the Darkness is winning me over just a little bit. So, if I shout, it must be for the right reasons. It will be purposed that so whoever hears me will know the dying light of Theate is never going to truly die, and that all the suffering we cannot stop will not go without being avenged. I’ve always thought there’s a big difference between “revenge” and “avenge”, but I never thought I’d be faced with it. The bleakest spot of Theate, though, will turn into its brightest beacon, even though the city crumbles away.” Yen Sid bowed his head reverently at the younger mage, for it was then the old Sorcerer realized the extent of the powerful magic of Light that existed in this particular boy. It was obvious Base was not exactly the Chosen One, but he was certainly notable in his devotion and understanding. Yen Sid stood up, his robes flowing like water as he did so. “You truly do possess an indomitably strong Heart, young Noble. As you wish.” He turned to leave, bowing his head once more, a little lower than when he had first entered. The chair he once sat in vanished in a similar fashion to how it appeared, as Yen Sid headed towards the door without rush. He placed his bony hand on the door handle and opened the door a crack; just enough for his foot to fit through. “You should be made aware, that few understand such grave matters at first grasp with such fluidity and maturity.” He gave a glance back as he opened the door wider to allow his entire tall and slender frame through the portal. It was evident he spoke genuinely, and it was in fact well felt by the speaker. “Perhaps though, you should acquire more rest. I will send for you when it is time to instruct you further.” In so concluding his statements, Yen Sid left the room, shutting the door slowly and calmly behind him as he crossed through. “It’s my blessing and my curse.” Base uttered to no one but himself in reply to Yen Sid’s notion on maturity. Base then realized how completely alone he was, and why so. He’d lost everything that meant everything, and what’s more, anything to him. It was being in this new found kind of solemnity, even though he’d known derision and relative solitude all his young life that caused him to fulfill the promise of his cry for Theate. For the sake of the People’s pains, he let out an earth-shattering shout of personal misery mixed with the empathy for innumerable masses. It was not the obligation of saying he would that spurned the pain, but the pain itself that beget the fresher pain and shook the very core of his soul. He shouted out because it was a time when he felt he would either implode or explode from the excess of his sorrow and emotions, if he did not release it that one, very prolonged cry of anguish. Chapter 4: Three Good Fairies, Three Gifts U pon Yen Sid’s apt advice, Base returned to sleep in the same bed he had awoken in, Sleep receiving him with a surprising lack of a rebuttal. Base had figured before dosing off that his relationship with Rest had been rendered irreversibly irreparable recently, requisite with his tumult. All the same, his dreams were not of the haunting variety, in fact, the exact opposite could be said to have taken into a halcyon wave rolling on a blanket of soaked sand that rushed toward his toes and all at once fled once it glanced them like a timid, but no less wonting, lover. He dreamed of dark alleys in a city much like Theate but with a much different feel and atmosphere; it was much darker there, but in the grimy bleakness, there was a strange Gothic majesty that outweighed fear. He dreamed of small, bright village that was certainly colorful to say the least which was presided over by a humongous white castle with navy blue pointed rooftops on its rooks and spires. He dreamed of places that varied so greatly, he wondered without cognizance how he stored such a vast array of imaginative places without previously visiting any in previous dreams. This was all the more shocking because his imagination was and always had been of such the over-active sort that he was often and at that time launched into a near catatonic state that his ties to reality had been severed in slumber. He had found momentary refuge. The final vision he had was of a vast valley filled to the brim with music. It had expansive, rolling hills of white grass that whistled with the wind that gave off a constant and reverberating slow, slight high-pitched audible whine like that of a section of violins in polyphonic symphony, but was so low it became supplementary to the scenery rather than intrusive. From the top of some undeterminable mound of earth, Base could see a great deal spanned over the wide valley below, which was an extremely new vantage point to someone used to the all-encompassing man-made monoliths of Theate. A silky blue pond to the far right housed stalky pink birds that Base had never seen the likes of before, with thin, elongated sticks for legs protruding out of the water. To the far left, the white grass that seemed endless was being “painted” a vibrant, lively green by what either looked or moved like a vivacious breeze of the same viridian hue. In the dead center of the valley, in the flattest portion, sat a monster of a wooden vessel that seemed eerie in the fact in looked abandoned and unattended, but at the same time majestic in its scale and simplicity. The hills and the valleys continued to play with a hauntingly serene melody that echoed with ethereal texture. He wondered where the source of the music could be and in wondering he self-discovered he was in a dream; it’s true that when someone realizes they are in a dream that they will wake up soon after; this is true, at least, on a typical basis. It was no less true in this circumstance as his thoughts of the source were the last blurs of a beautiful dream as his eyelids fluttered in unison into a renewed familiarity. ♫♪♪♫With a struggling stretch and accompanying groan, Base tried to push the sheets off of him, but found he was drawing them over his person all the more as if he were magnetically attracted to the material. With a slow succession, his eyes began to return to purpose as curtains of his sight, the muscles in his eyelids seeming to contract involuntarily and beyond his power to stop. It was only when the sheets were suddenly and violently ripped from his grip and body that Base really woke up; and with a start! “Really now, Merryweather,” Chimed a woman who talked like a bird tweets, with the same pitch, meter and pattern of speech or chirp, “We don’t want to frighten him!” She sounded like she very much wanted to defend the point, but also sounded afraid to utter it. “Fauna is right, Merryweather.” This line was given by a brisker, more affirmative female voice that sounded weighted with authority, but proper and kind all the same. “Keep in mind: Magic is all very strange to the people of worlds like Theate.” She sounded bothered by what she said, because in the next instant, she added, “Oh, it was Theate that Yen Sid, wasn’t it?” “Yes, Flora.” There erupted the twitter-like voice, more excitedly this time. “Theate. Right between Land of Dragons and Olympus Coliseum somewhere.” Her voice turned to sadder tone. “Or at least… it was.” ‘Was’. Knife allegories wouldn’t cut it to describe his sobriety upon hearing that one word. He was sullenly forced back into the reality he had fallen into when his world started to fall apart; literally. Sleep had eased his memory, but now that was gone, and he was back in that odd tower. As he looked about the room, things became odder, as he noticed a lack of speakers, but continued to hear the voices emanating from various sources of thin air in the room. “I didn’t think we really could wake him without using magic!” This voice was new. It was discontented and female, but husky and flustered. Her voice was light and airy, but had such a grumpy undertone, it seemed safe to say that its user was not whining or causing some sort of stir. “Well Dear,” The brisk voice replied, dignified, “You’re certainly right about ‘not thinking’.” Base didn’t know if she had a tongue and hard palate to ‘tsk’ with, but she did produce the same all the same because it was with vocal register that the sound weighted towards. She repeated the sound several times over as though surveying something, if she had eyes to survey with. Meanwhile, Base was happy with the fact he’d checked the wonky, tilted wardrobe in the room for some night wear and found a pair of pajamas that fit the décor of the room; yellow stars and moons against a solid blue background. The pajamas themselves were rich in design as well as comfort, which spoke for the strange ancient luxury of the atmosphere. “Master Sid used magic in front of him, so I don’t see why I can’t.” Merryweather rebutted indignantly. “He used magic near him, yes, but not on him. Also, … er… well… you aren’t Yen Sid.” Base had figured this voice to be “Fauna”, as she put everything delicately. “There’s a stark difference, I think.” “Oh!” Merryweather returned, with her feathers more than ruffled. “Flora is just too full of herself to realize I did well!” At that same moment, a stout, short and plump woman, with a rotund face under a pointed blue bonnet, wearing a blue belled dress that completely hid her feet as she hovered down to the floor appeared in the room out of thin air suddenly. “Well, he’s up, isn’t he?” She produced the same voice as the last one spoken; Merryweather. In her boisterous fit she managed to knock her tethered hat askew, casting the wide brim over her eyes and exposing the black hair on the back of her head. “I’m not in the mood to argue, Merryweather.” In popped a similar apparition, but with the same outfit colored red, and her face was slight longer, although, similarly as plump. She had grey hair under her red pointed bonnet and at that moment of arrival, bore a distempered expression. Following her entered another supernatural guest adorned in green, with a much thinner and cheerful face. Her hair was also grey and as cheerful as she looked, she appeared just as much concerned over the current situation. “Oh my… here we go again…” With a motherly care, the green-adorned apparition corrected Merryweather’s witchy bonnet tentatively, as though the one in blue would snap at her like a yippy dog. “Oh, do stop fussing over her, Fauna; she may fix what she upsets.” The red one stated matter-of-factly. “Yes, Flora.” The green one, Fauna, said to the red, Flora. “Sorry, Merryweather.” She apologized kindly to the blue one. “Thanks anyway.” Merryweather replied, shooting Flora a nasty look at the same time as she spoke. Meanwhile, Base was beside himself with the sudden realization of how odd this really all was, and this was even covering his nervousness in the face of three strangers all at once. How strange these strangers were as well! At least Yen Sid had approached him alone, and had quickly and easily eased the tension by rapidly, but calmly, going into explanations. “Who are you?” Base leaped to his bare feet, the carpet oddly warm to the pads of his feet. “Why, we’re the three good fairies, dear.” Flora smiled brightly. Base managed to return a haphazard, lopsided grin. Fauna saw both smiles and couldn’t resist putting all their elated expressions to shame in comparison to her own. “Yes, that’s right! And Oh! We have some gifts for you! Isn’t that wonderful?” She cooed. Elsewhere in the room, Merryweather crossed her arms and pouted. “I might just take mine back.” She said to no one, but then turned to Base. “It’s not you; it’d be because of them.” Flora and Fauna stuttered nervously in response, unsure of what to do until Base acted the Gentleman and approached Merryweather personally. All three of the good fairies were incredibly short, perhaps barely above five feet tall each. Base bowed courteously and spoke to Merryweather directly. “I’d like to thank you for waking me when you did. I can be so difficult when it comes to waking up and getting out of bed you see. If it hadn’t been for your…er…method, I probably would have been irascible.” Merryweather wasn’t entirely fooled, as she crossed her arms and cocked an eyebrow, sizing Base up. “I know you made that up… but thank you for at least having the nerve.” “Quite a vocabulary too.” Fauna noted. It was true, when Base took notice to the fact. On Theate, his intellect around most his own age had typically spawned a thought that he was pretentious, but that was simply the only way he knew how to conduct himself. “Anyhow!” Interjected Flora. “Now then, let’s see to those gifts!” Her words made Fauna fly into a gleeful jitter as Merryweather drew closer to the other two in the middle of the floor. Flora waved a small stick she drew from her sleeve, and waved it about to loosen her arm while the tip of the wand sparkled with multi-colored brilliancy. Base was surprised by the display, but only temporarily, as he was already adapting to the quantities of oddities now trickling into his life. “Who’s first? Fauna? Merryweather? Oh, I suppose I might as well.” Fauna could not contain her joy very well at all. “Oh!” Tweeted Fauna, “I do so love gifts!” She clasped her frail hands together in front of her gleeful face. “And it’s so much more delightful to give than to receive, you know.” A dreamy haze fell over her expression while she stared off into space. “We know; you’ve said it a thousand times before,… you fuddy-duddy.” Merryweather sat in a corner of the room and plopped down. “Now simmer down before you float off!” “Oh… Thank you, dear.” Fauna realized very suddenly that she was, indeed, starting to involuntarily float into a hover without direction. The fact that Merryweather had used a sarcastic tone on her was lost on her completely. “Flora, do you mind if I go first?” “I don’t mind at all, Fauna, not at all.” Flora bowed to the side as Fauna readied her wand. In a burst of light that followed a flick of the wrist, Fauna conjured up a small box, which was wrapped in forest green paper; with a dark green bow fashioned on top. Giggling away, she bestowed the gift to Base. Base was still unsure of what to make of the three, but they had obviously been sent with some purpose, and they seemed to come with good intent as well. He continued to play the Gentleman for the moment, smiling as he said, “How nicely wrapped.” Fauna was pleased to hear it; she reeled with delight. “Well, yes, I did wrap it myself. Thank you.” “Humph!” Merryweather’s bemusement burst from her corner. “Wrapped it with magic is what you really mean.” “All the same, I do appreciate it.” Base replied, meanwhile, he tore away the trimmings to reveal a small tome; a teal, leather-bound notebook with shiny green stationary. Base flipped through its vacant pages until he noticed Fauna was fidgeting with what appeared to be worry. “We were told so little about you, so I’m quite sorry if it’s not decorated to your liking.” Fauna apologized emphatically. “It’s a journal, for whatever you’d like to put in there. I like to keep a personal diary myself.” To be honest, Base did not care nor notice that the notebook lacked any particular decorations. “Could you decorate it with musical symbols? I would like to keep my ‘composer’.” Base guessed accurately that the request would prompt Fauna back into a state of contentment, as she leaped at the opportunity hastily. Shortly after, Flora glided over to Base with yet another gift-wrapped box; this one was a pale red with a dark burgundy bow. “My book next!” “Flora! You’re not supposed to tell him!” Fauna blurted out, horrified. “You’re absolutely right, dear.” Flora replied, and Base could only help but notice they said “Dear” far more than anyone else he ever knew. “Here you are, Base.” Base took the gift and unwrapped it, noticing it was a good deal bigger than the previous book; the last one has been hardly the size of a normally-sized book, whereas this one was about the size of an atlas or dictionary. The surprisingly synthetically-fabricated hardcover was the same burgundy as the bow that had covered it; a leather strap tightly hugged the width of the heavy tome, and a golden latch with a keyhole sat neatly on what appeared to be the front cover. Base could guess it was the front cover, because it read “P.I.” in ornate gold letterings. When he attempted to pry open the latch, Flora quickly stopped him. “Oh no, no yet; that book may need a bit more of a… oh… what’s that word…?” Flora racked her mind for “that” word, which she produced moments later, “Tutorial! Perhaps you should leave it here for safekeeping.” “Well, won’t I be here anyway?” “I’m afraid not, dear. Yen Sid has requested you come to his study.” Flora instructed. Based erred. “Umm, I don’t know where that quite is.” “Well, then there’s only one way to fix this problem.” Flora took a deep breath and whipped out her wand once more. “He’s going to be here for quite some time, girls. I believe a map is in order.” “I don’t see why not.” Merryweather huffed exasperatedly and took out her own wand. “Circle up girls. You know the formation. And there we are.” The three fairies tapped their wands together in the center of their circle, and with a flash a glowing orb broke in through thin air. A glittery bubble, which contained the image of what looked like a treasure map floating inside it, hovered in midair between the three. It was the most phantasmagorical spectacle Base had yet seen, and it sent him stumbling back a bit as soon as he saw it. “What is that?” “Just touch the orb, Sebastian Noble, and you will automatically learn to find most rooms within the enchanted realm that is the Mysterious Tower. It’s a manifestation of the world we’ve summoned to help guide you. There’s usually one locked away somewhere on each world, but they tend to be only responsive to those who are equal in regards to leading and being led by light.” Flora instructed. Despite the instructions, Base still had reservations as far as the orb was concerned. He noticed a spiky red “N” above a red arrow at the top of the map, and the depth effect made the object all the more vast-looking and ominous. Apparently, his fears were apparent, as Fauna smiled pleasantly at him. “Don’t worry. It won’t hurt.” She reassured. “Okay…” Base motioned closer towards the newer gift. “But I want to point out: that usually is the biggest lie ever told.” Against his better judgment, he touched the orb and, as soon as he did, the entire thing burst at his touch; like a glass crystal ball smashed to the floor, but in midair. Its ethereal contents threaded together and flew directly into his outstretched fingertips, disappearing into his skin. “So… just head up now?” “Not without my gift you don’t!” Merryweather protested. “Merryweather is right. You’ll need it where you’re going.” “Where am I going?” “Somewhere too soon for me to explain this to you.” Merryweather answered with a moan and a groan. In Merrweather’s possession was a neatly made blue messenger’s bag with the letters “S.N.” in a spiky golden font with a metallic luster stitched on the top part of the satchel. “But you must. He’ll have far too much to carry where he’s going.” “Yen Sid’s-?” Base started to ask, but was cut off by Flora. “Not quite, dear. You’re here for a very special purpose to be sure, and sooner or later, you’ll likely have to prove yourself in one way or another.” Before Base had a chance for a rebuttal of the remark, a new presence entered the room. “Begging your pardon bu- WHAT?!” A squawky, almost unintelligible voice came from the other side of the door. The tone was meek at first, but quickly exploded into confusion as a white, feathery head popped into the room; an orange bill hung agape from the face beneath a pair of two big blue eyes the size of saucers. “Yes, Donald?” Fauna replied. “Oh!” Realization dawned on the anthropomorphic duck, and he chuckled lightly with a wheezy lilt. “Sorry, but I was sent to get uhh…” Donald read from a card in one of his feathered hands. “Sebastian Noble.” “Ohhhh!” Merryweather was positively flustered. “Now what?” “Write a note, dear.” Flora replied nonchalantly. “I’ll what??” Merryweather was bewildered by the casual statement. “How am I supposed to explain it better on a single piece of paper? Flora!” “You’ll manage.” Flora said curtly. “Now scoot! We must let Base prepare.” “Prepare for what?” Base’s question went unanswered as the Three Good Fairies made a hasty departure. “Good luck, dear.” Each said in unison before they were gone, and Donald waddled fully into the room. “Are you ready yet, Sebastian?” Donald asked. Chapter 5: Not the One, for Something Else O range, webbed-toed feet tapped the floor impatiently where Donald stood. He grumbled to himself as he transitioned back and forth between watching the door for signs of an exit being made and crossing his winged arms begrudgingly. Donald Duck shook his head. "What's the problem in there?" Donald shouted with angst. "I'm reading the note Merryweather left. I'm slowly figuring it out, but every time I think I find something right, I wind up having to read everything all over." Donald sighed heavily. "Come out here, and I can show you a trick." At the offer, the door slipped open and Base walked out dressed in a gray t-shirt with a sigil of a lion's head, jeans, and his sneakers. He likewise had his new teal messenger bag strapped over his shoulder and he loosened it as he stepped out to get it to the most comfortable length. He had a small parchment in his hand that was inscribed with boxes and wonky rectangles all diagramming something that seemed to be dauntingly technical. "Handed it to me already! Come on, come on!" Donald prompted, agitated with his white palm open. It took only a second of an mumbling incantation for the parchment to become a smallish orb of light like the one that had opened Base's mind to the floor plans of the tower. "That should do it." Base followed the direction and everything about the gift became instantly clear. The pouch he carried would magically hold a set number of things in different categories. Depending on what category an object was in, he'd only be able to carry so much of that, but he'd still be able to carry more of other things as long as there was room for them. This would grow with him. On the other hand, why would he need so much space for things he probably didn't need? Still, it was a nice gift that he could use. The other two books fell under the category of "Tomes" and all Base had to do was put the books away in the bag, and they'd be ready to pull out if he reached in for them. That was apparently the way the bag worked; it just knew what he'd want, apparently. He wasn't going to question that after everything that had already happened. "Fauna said I was going somewhere?" "Not yet you're not!" Donald answered abruptly and to the point. If you got this far, let me tell you this: I done did screwed up. I was working on transferring "Based Forward" from the hand-written form to typed text, and crossed this post-in-progress with editing a post in a role play. Know that I will repair this soon. "This is all really one big mess. Sure, I know how to fight, but everyone who brought me here is making me out to be a champion. I don't even know how to fight that well! I weigh 114 pounds!" "So you bulk up. And if not to be a hero, at least eat a sandwich for your health." Donald chided. "Hey, it doesn't work like that. I just have a fast metabolism." Base wasn't liking this duck's short temper. "All I want to figure out by now is even what day it is. Is it the same day that I woke up and my whole world came literally crashing down?" "You're asking me? Want my advice?" Donald was leading the way up through the hallways. He didn't wait for a reply. "Trust Yen Sid, and be sure to bow to him when you enter the room." They were quickly approaching a glowing door with a crescent moon on it. "He's important!" "How important?" Base asked as the Donald's hand reached for the door handle. "Important enough!" Donald's reply was curt and somewhat angry. The door opened up to a small chamber containing numerous book shelves hanging on the wall, a long desk sitting in front of a green, decorative chair with a tall back, and windows cut out in the shapes of stars and crescent moons behind them. Standing at one of the windows, looking out, was Yen Sid watching something that caught Base's attention immediately. He watched intently as a smallish plane fly into view and hover just outside above the trees and it wobbled in the multi-colored sky as something inside of it seemed to be moving. Donald was bowing to someone who wasn't even paying attention, but neither was Base paying any mind to anything besides the grayish craft idling outside. He was watching so intently, that when a hand placed itself on his shoulder, he nearly jumped ten feet out of his skin. "This is the boy, Yen?" He had a dry, airy, almost permanently disinterested voice that was soft around the edges. Base whirled around to see a man in a heavy, black, double-lapel open trench coat with a black dress shirt underneath. His hair was curly, disorganized, and hung around his face like someone had stuck a bowl of noodles under the black, tall fedora he wore. He was watching Base with a serious gaze that the boy found unnerving, but Yen Sid intervened. "Indeed, Balthazar. This is Sebastian Noble. Sebastian, allow me to introduce Balthazar Blake, a most respected wizard whom has traveled very far to make your acquaintance." "I don't want to take up much of your time. I just have to see if the potential Yen talks about you having has anything to do with me and what I'm supposed to do." He pulled a small, metal dragon from his coat pocket. "See, this is a ring that once belonged to my mentor. Whoever this ring takes to will inherit the powers of Merlin. This is very, very important that I find whoever that's supposed to be. Now, I'll level with you: if it likes you, you get to keep it." He flashed a scruffy smile and padded the tiny dragon into Base's palm that Balthazar lifted up himself. Base thought he was completely crazy, if not just eccentric, but he was going to take Donald's advice and trust Yen Sid. Base nodded and looked at the tiny dragon himself more closely. There, he realized the token was actually a ring. It glittered and and glowed under the candlelight that lit up the room, and anticipation hung in the air... as absolutely nothing happened. Balthazar hung his head and took the dragon back. "Not your fault. That had a really, really low chance of working from the beginning. Always does." He pocketed the token and bowed his head towards Base. "You may not be the next Merlin, but I can already tell there's something else in your future that has just has potential. Don't worry about it." He flashed a goofy smile. "Actually the thing that's worrying me is being told that I have any part in any of-" Base started off, but was cut off as Balthazar shook hands with Yen Sid and walked towards a small glowing green circle on the floor that Base hadn't noticed before. Balthazar stepped into the green circle and vanished in the blink of an eye and into sparks of green light. Base worried momentarily, until the ship outside had its engine roar back to life. He watched it turn about face effortlessly, and zoom out of sight at the speed of light into the night sky. "That was odd... but educational." Base stood transfixed by the calamity of the minute's past events. Not only had so much been condensed into a small space of time, but it had also ended rather stunning anticlimax. "Alas, this was as I predicted. I figured you were not the one Balthazar Blake sought, but he is quite difficult to say no to, and so I naturally humored him." Yen Sid beckoned to Base from his desk, and waved his arm to make an empty chair appear as he took his own seat; his was the tall wooden throne behind the desk. "Please, sit. There is no doubt that Donald told you what would occur and what we would be discussing?" Yen Sid shot Donald a discriminating glare. "Wack?" Donald quacked in shock. "Huh? Oh..." He checked his notes and chagrin took over. "Would you look at that...well, I'll be gosh darned..." He chuckled nervously and pocketed the notes in his brown robes. "Regardless,..." While not amused by the duck's mistake, he lost little momentum as Base took his seat opposite the wizard. "You are inclined towards the musical arts, are you not, Sebastian Noble?" "Er, yes, I am." Base answered back almost on impulse. He knew no finer joy in life than music. He could play virtually any music, and it had always brought him peace in his fast-paced, stressful life of poverty that constantly kept him on his toes. "Why do you ask?" Yen Sid waited a moment before answering. Preceeding his statement, he threw out his arms with command and summoned forth a podium with sheets of paper resting at the top. Base could tell at once that they were musical compositions, since he could see the ledger lines and notes from his seat. "What you see before you is a gateway to another world outside of this one. The Symphony of Sorcery is where I need someone well-versed in the musical arts to go and procure for me what is called a "Sound Idea"." Yen Sid smiled toward Base. "I feel confident that there is no one better suited for the task but you, Sebastian." The smile faded, and he frowned toward the duck. "Should you elect not to go, I'm afraid I'll have to rely on Donald's efforts." "I..." Base jumped from his seat, and was ready to say 'yes', but he caught sight of Donald on his knees in the back of the room with his hands clasped together and mumbling as he looked up to the ceiling. Donald was praying, and the look on his face did nothing to soothe Base's already tired nerves. "Umm, I'll take a look at the composition..." "As you wish." Yen Sid nodded his approval with humility. Base stepped over to the podium and scanned its contents greedily. Base could tell from sight-reading that it was a poweful, bombastic piece, and it impressed him at first glance, but he needed to see more than what the allignment of the paper hid from view. He reached out his hand, but before his fingertips even glanced a single paper fiber, he was forced back as the ink faded and began to flood from the pages in rivers of blue light that streamed on measures and had notes for glowing notes for lily pads. The river twisted around itself and encircled the podium mystically, and it bounced gleefully while the soft hum of a string section began to pump the room with a song that punched. It was the song Base had sight-read, and it was even more beautiful to hear out loud than he'd imagined. He stepped back and stood in sheer wonder of the thrill it provided. He didn't even notice Yen Sid observing him with a smile. "Is the composition to your liking, young Sebastian?" He sounded like he always did; like he already knew the answer to his own questions. Awes-struck, Base replied as soon as he realized he was even being spoken to. "You knew this would happen?" He didn't answer the question directly, but only due to the fact he was enjoying the experience so much that he became entirely distracted. "It is the very nature of the portal." Yen Sid closed his eyes and listened, conducting the piece with his hands. "Pomp and Circumstance. A most excellent piece, wouldn't you agree?" There was a coaxing coat to those words. Base saw right through it, but still... as tempting as the proposition was, he was still too afraid to cross the threshold of the worlds. "I see you both wish to stay and go. I should point out, that should you go, there is a great deal more you could learn on your own. Who you are, and what you are truly capable of. However, there is no great consequence should you wish to stay here. I can find another world for you to inhabit and remain safe from present harm." Base thought. If he went, he could learn a great deal... if he stayed, he'd just go somewhere else that could work out for him, but what if the Darkness found him there like it did on Theate? He weighed his options heavily. Deep in his mind, in the center of his anxiety, he chose 'no', but as his feet moved forward and his hands gripped the paper, he vanished on his way to what his heart was guiding him to do. He disappeared from the room and sank into the world's path that would take him to the Symphony of Sorcery. Meanwhile, the Symphonic Sorcerer took no extra time to shoot a glance towards Donald Duck. "Watch over him." He commanded with verve, and pointed to the portal Base had taken. "Awww, nuts." Donald shook his feathered head to banish his own strong anxiety, and ran head long towards the portal. He went as the master of the tower instructed, leaving only the master to idle in his office. Again, a smile illuminated his face. "Very good." He whispered calmly. Footnotes Kingdom Hearts is developed by Square-Enix, formerly Squaresoft, partnered with Disney Interactive Studios. Characters owned by their original providers, respectfully Also by Sebax "Give My Regards to Bridleway"- Based on the "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic" TV show, Rarity heads off to Bridleway to be part of a show. With the help of her friends, can she hold her own in the theatre? "Asparagus, the Theatre Cat"- Based on a character from the Poems of T. S. Eliot and from the Musical Production of "Cats", this story details the life of a most histrionic cat as he walks his life across the boards. "Burns"- Set 28 years before the events of Red/Blue, Caesar Cyprus, a young aide to Professor Oak, is sent to Cinnabar Island. The research he does there will lead him down a path to an even bigger adventure for him. Guest Book Not a KHV member? Sign the Guest Book, please! I write for the love of it, but I do need, from time to time, some sort of encouragement, or else I just lose interest in posting. Sign Here!
B ase awoke with a start. Darkness… impermeable and suffocating. He struggled to keep the playback of the most recent memory of his out of his recollection. He shut his eyes tight. The memory came to him anyway, of course, with full disregard of his attempt. His own mind denied his trying with ardent intensity to suppress it. It infuriated him as the images reeled together into one straight, inescapable vision. A nightmarish vision, and one the likes of which he had never before dared to know. Unavoidable, like the tears streaming down his face, the nightmare began again.
♫♪♪♫
It had been a murky day in Theate City on the day all its ways of life came crashing down. Rain fell like a dense curtain of cold and calamity. The rain had a sorrow to it. It was like the rain was a collection of tears of the thousands of people crying out enmasse. They cried out in painful, constant agony across the entirety of the expansive city. The day had started normal and continued per usual, until dusk fell. Chaos seeped in like a river through a burst dam. The smell of lit gasoline from a nearby car choked the young man. His name was Sebastian Noble, but he more often knew the name Base. He was the sole soul on the barren street, for all he knew. A broken fire hydrant the car had hit, produced a geyser of water from the concrete. He was cold, tired, lost, coughing, and he was completely soaked from head to toe. His tousled black hair stuck to his forehead as he looked one way, then the other way on the street. No one. No sign of life anywhere except for the screams that came from all corners at once. To say the screams were faint would be a blatant lie; the screams, in fact, stuck out a great deal. It was like a chorus conducted by a demon. The impromptu choir cried out in a tormented, as well as tormenting, unorganized staccato. The perversity rocked the core of Base's mind. Ultimately, the choir produced an odd soloist in its antiphonal production. Four Whole notes, tied by the tangible terror all around, built to a crescendo. The singular crier descended from her ill-gotten perch from high above the same street. From high up in one of the many interminable skyscrapers, a young person fell. She popped into Base's weather-limited sight. The concrete was, in this case, a double bar line. The cry ended with a crack and a sickening, abrupt half beat of grotesque ambiance. The screaming soloist was there on the sidewalk in front of Base. She was just as able to reanimate as he had been to intervene. He moved onto the gray, darkened concrete, a three yard distance away. It was the hero in Base that caused him to approach the ceased screamer. This heroic predisposition would prove useless, as it seemed, in this particular case. He glanced over the sunken soloist with dismay. He saw clearly that she could be no older than a year ahead of his seventeen. Eyes that was drained of life, but they possessed a lingering character. Petite and dressed in a satin night gown, she had landed unscathed. There were no scratches or bruises on her skin. Not even life's wire puddled from where her head had cracked the concrete. If it were possible to see any evidence of life within her, it would be possible to think she was fine. She'd be okay, and would awake any moment, as if waking from a bad dream. Since she landed unscathed, Base held out some faint and foolish hope. He hoped that he had not just watched someone leaving a crumbling world. This hope was not a realistic one, nor was it the reality at all. Instead, there was only the horrific stare she had still trapped in her eyes. There was no rise and fall of the chest. There was not any traceable movement of the body whatsoever. Not even a sliver of a possibility of life inert existed. In a moment of contemplation, Base studied the face. He thought, for a moment, that he could have known this girl in life. Her facial features even struck a strange familiarity. Maybe he might have seen her before, but would never have known her on any personal level. Base was not so much social, as he was, what he said, a social repellent. No one wanted anything to do with him at any point in his life. He was... different. He was good-looking and mild-mannered, but impossible for many to decipher. Most he had known didn't even bother to try. Theate was never in short supply of idle judgments before it came crashing down. There was, still, no judgement held in this young woman's face. There was only pained sorrow. Something terrible had happened just before she fell, and it had locked her face. The pain of sorrow invaded Base's tattered soul as the perplexity ripened to fruition. He didn't even let go of a whimper, but instead he clenched his fists. All the injustices caused by the ensuing chaos of darkness were overtaking him. The darkness that had descended on his world and was succeeding in conquering it. Then, an answer to his feeling of emotional-overload, a flash of light blinded him. The biggest secret he had ever kept appeared in his right hand without his prompting it to. He looked down at the device and sneered at it with disgust. He had no clue what this object really was, just as he did not know why it was a giant silver and gold key. It did not bring the feeling of vigor and strength it had when it first appeared to him a year back. It only brought a sense of a burden he did not wish to carry. It represented a lie. A lie which he had told by never telling neither his parents nor Uncle Dean of i- (!) His heart sank as he thought of it. 'In this... where could they be in it?' This was the forbearing thought. 'What if, in all those screams still going on ... what if theirs is one of them.' This thought haunted him and froze him more than the chilling precipitation ever could. He threw a glare at the weapon at his side, but this look faded when he changed his focus down to the girl. Her blank stare pointed at nothing. It inspired in Base all the fears brought on by the sight of Death. Crouching down close beside the departed, Base closed the lifeless eyes. The least he could do for her. He extended the courtesy of making Death resemble its benign counterfeit, Sleep. The same moment her eyes shut, another blinding light struck him. The light erupted from the girl as if she were a flood lamp. He watched the light condense and thicken onto core of her motionless chest. The light softened to a dull flame. It was a beam that condensed and became a single object hovering over her torso. A crystalline heart that turned as it began a slow rise. It spun wisps of red smoke that whirled inside it and tiny beams of light shot out from within. It swirled with the grace of a ballerina, majestic and bright in the air. It radiated a soft glow around it and emanated a soft tinkerbell sound as it rose. Once it reached eye level with Base, it hovered and rotated. Base listened. There came a weak and disembodied voice from within that spoke with tenderness. 'Please... run...’ was all Base heard... or rather, thought he heard. It didn't matter if he believed it or not. The Heartless had taken notice anyway. Base did not know what he faced when he whirled around on his heel. He only had heard suspicious chattering noises beginning to swarm behind him. Creatures of darkness had manifested in the streets, and in healthy numbers. They were the Heartless. There were sixteen of the tiny beasts in all. A dozen Shadows congregated, with yellow orbs their eyes; a living shadow. Four small bell-shaped imps wearing two different color-schemes hovered over the lower Purebloods. One pair wore green armor and a brown cap, a duo of Green Requiems. The other, red armor with a yellow cap; Red Nocturnes. Small, yellow eyes stared from a shadowy orb between the caps and their armor. Eyes that danced in the fog like lanterns danced on a wire in the wind. They were strange to Base, but they each had names. Then there was what Base knew: nothing, save that these monsters did not look weak. Their idling there in the street made him precarious. One of the imps took a step forward, as Base swallowed a heavy dry lump in his throat while he watched it. So far, it had been the only one to have made a move. But, with every clumsy-looking, sweeping step, it drew closer to him and the girl. 'They're after either me or her', he summarized from the ambiguity. 'I can't let either happen.' Base gritted his teeth and readied his stance. He stared into the little yellow orbs, and it shook him. He stayed. Closer, closer, and closer, yet Base stood his ground against the confronting beasts. If he could save no one else, why not save the heart of the person he could protect to some degree? There was at least one thought that grew when the scout sprang from the ground. This instant could be his last. He let a light burn down deep inside him. He was ready to face the darkness.
O n instinct, Base raised the Keyblade up so that the shaft of the blade covered his face. The tiny monstrosity barreled its claws at him, and made contact! TINK! The attacker launched backward, headlong and defenseless, as it fell to the ground. But, it was back on its feet again in no time. It's blank face, identical to its compatriots, never gave even a glimmer of spite. Or anything else. They were all stoic. It startled Base down to the core to see the violent spirits so apathetic. The Shadows made their way for him first. One clamored at his legs, requiring Base to leap to one side. He struck at the second attacker with a low sweeping Keyblade swing. A sharp and shrill commotion came from the creature as the Key knocked it aside with THUNK! They could not reach one, so they aimed for the other. They changed course. A duo of Shadows charged on their disproportionate feet towards the girl. They went around Base completely, to his shock! He closed off the short distance in a dash. He cut the path the two were taking with another, clumsy swing. One lunged up at Base with its sharp, black claws, but he blocked it again. He pushed the leaper off with another TINK! It all seemed, to him, so rushed, sporadic, and impossible to keep track of at once. It was a struggle to fight, and especially since he was not the fighting type. While it was lying on the cement, Base took to offense. He lifted the Keyblade high over his head and brought it down on the senseless imp. With a satisfying squish, the Shadow dissipated into a sputter of ethereal black mist. He dashed over to the girl and made a stand. He held onto his Keyblade with a tight grasp. The darkness was growing. He stared at the small army and defended the girl like a wild animal protecting its cub. If he had barked or howled, it would not have been out of place. By degrees of chilling despair, his heart sank in his chest. The myriads of Shadows doubled and tripled in numbers. Their numbers conquered the street. They painted the ground darker than tar with their odious forms. They amassed a frightening congregation. Soon, Base could see he was surrounded. The presence of the Key had become a beacon to invoke hunger in the monsters. The ravenous and insatiable appetites that had taken Theate wanted him for dessert. Defiant against the dark, Base did not move. He would not move, and he refused to do so with every fiber of his being. Even while the sky began to roll with the most ominous cloud he had ever seen. Even as the Lightening began to clash and the thunder boomed with unworldly consistency. As the ground began to quake and the Heartless became the ground. The edifices of the buildings lit up with yellow eyes. He still held his ground as the last flickering flames of Theate died. Somewhere deep inside him, something told him it was the right thing to do. Something else in him told him it was foolish, and he was going to die. That made it harder to listen to the first. He was sweating. The corruption that had taken Theate began to wrap itself around his legs. Where the street had been, Base began to sank into the pool of darkness taking him. He felt the darkness sap the life out of him. He didn't feel claws or teeth. He felt cold. "Get off!" Base hollered and spat while he slashed blind. His nerves were shutting down. Darkness started to constrict his calves. It fought his feet under a tremendous weight of pooling darkness. His face was going numb. The Keyblade did no good, and Base watched as the Darkness scaled his jeans. It coated him like a thick, rubbery cocoon of miserable invocations. He could taste the cold on his lips and on his tongue, and it was putrid in every way perceptible. Helpless to stop it, Base stopped squirming. He felt... accomplished. As though he had done everything that was meaningful in his life right then and there. He felt like he had acted as a hero. The hero he'd always wanted to be. The ones like in the movies he worshiped. He also felt like he was being flash frozen. He couldn't move or breathe. He gasped for air, but the anxiety was overtaking him. His breath was short and pointless. The darkness wrapped its slimy, opaque tentacles around his throat. It coated his jaw bone, forcing his head toward the sky. The last thing he saw was the storm clouds that rolled above. They were the last acts of nature of Theate. Albeit, they were violent acts. Theate was imploding. He was getting dizzy. The ground swallowed him up, and everything was gone.
Base's eyes reopened. He was back where he had been before the memory came flooding back. The surrounding area was not the darkened street of Theate he had just revisited. He was not engulfed live and whole by vicious creatures of the greatest turpitude. Instead, it was a small room. There was no explanation for how this had happened, but only a comfy room. He could breathe again, and he was as warm and content as he could be. The bed was a solid oaken frame of a silvery coloration. A bed that had a fluffy blue comforter sheet. One decorated with white and golden silken stars, and one, bulky Gibson moon. Base looked from floor to ceiling with wonder as he noticed the intricacies around. A puce carpet covered the floor. Furnishings of all basic dormitory necessities adorned the space. The walls were a bumpy cement texture and light green. The angled walls molded together into a single, domed roof. A periwinkle wardrobe sat in a corner. A gray, slanted writing desk with an attached side sat beside the wardrobe. A chair with a particularly Gothic-looking frame sat in front of the desk. A few wall lamps that looked electric hung on the walls. Each had a strange fiery cast to their light. They had bowled coverings that cast a mystical ambiance with a soft glow. The more Base looked at them, the more he realized electricity had nothing to do with them. And then there was the window. There was no pane of glass within it, but there was no draft. It drew his curiosity more than anything. With steady caution, Base stumbled to his feet. He was unsteady on his own, so he caroused to the open window. What he saw outside amazed him. The sky was a mix of light hues that looked like they had blended like a water-color painting. Shades of blue, purple, green and spare wisps of red and gray; all in a sunless expanse. Base looked down and jumped back into the safety of his new habitat. He saw just how high above the ground he was. It was not so terrible, even though it was stories and stories into the air. It was the fact the ground below had its limits that scared him. Tall topiaries bordered the small island in most corners of the amorphous terrain. Where they did not ended in sharp cliffs, so that the sky stretched from abyss to heavens. The building itself was as one that he had only read about in books and seen on film. The same color that covered his wall was the edifice of the tall, castle structure. Spire upon spires burst out of one another like the budding of a wonky plant. Some Spires sprouted out of the wide tower that started at the ground and worked itself up. Others were smaller, erupting at odd angles like leaves on a stalk from the main tower. The main tower itself, from where Base looked, went up and up. It shot into the sky, beyond sight from his window. Taking in all the wonder and fear the sights and thoughts provoked, Base sank back. Stumbling backwards, he walked into a "something". The particular kind of something that sent his heart into his throat. He had hit something much larger than himself. Base was lean; this point was well established by his peers in school. As far as height went, he was a non-shrimpy 5'8". He was, instead, a featherweight 120 lbs. The presence behind him was much taller. He could feel a great power looming over him, without turning to see it. Base gulped a dry lump of air as his mouth became arid with agitation. He looked up into a pair of omniscient eyes. They looked back down at him with abject disapproval. After a moment of a studied reading of Base's face, the disapproval lightened. The elder man, his grey beard long and flowing onto his aqua robe, smiled as he crossed his arms. His hands hid themselves within wide, sweeping sleeves. He stood straight as a soldier, and only nodded his head. Base afforded a haphazard smile as he stepped forward. "Salutations, Young Keyblade Wielder," he boomed with a voice as powerful as the tides. Yet, it was also as light and airy as the clouds that sailed them. "My name is Yen Sid." He nodded his head. In a puff of grey smoke, a chair appeared out of thin air. Right in the middle of the floor! It astounded Base into a stammering stupor. Yen Sid passed him, ignoring the incoherent stuttering Base was producing. "I am certain your mind must be buzzing with questions. Which is why, without delay, I will provide you with what I know and what I can tell you." The fierce look in his eyes returned as he clapped his hands together. The produced sound was like a clap of thunder. At first, it seemed, this caused no spectacular effect. Another chair popping in didn't reach Base's radar just then. "I will ask that you sit down wherever you feel most comfortable. Rest assured, your questions will be answered." He sat with one, long fluid motion of his tall limber body and aqua-colored coat. He fixed his elongated, pointy hat, setting it straight on his head. A hat that looked like the bed sheets, blue, with yellow stars and a Gibson moon. Everything around seemed to fit a theme of stars, moons, and sharp colors. Base obliged, taking a seat at the foot of the bed, and faced Yen Sid. He was about to speak, but was silenced when a broomstick walked into his room. It was a broomstick! Two legs that formed out of divided hay bristles. Arms that sprouted out of its oaken wooden frame. In its hands, the enchanted object was carrying a silver tray in a raised position. Two matching teacups with saucers and a kettle atop it all. Everything still matched the Starry theme. Yen Sid, without much deliberation, took the navy blue kettle and one of the teal tea cups. All while making sure to take the saucer along with it as well. He held the teacup out in one hand as the tea kettle and saucer gravitated in the air nearby. Touching nothing but the handle of the square-rimmed cup, he poured some steaming tea. Yen Sid kept his eyes closed the entire time. "I understand you are trying to rid yourself of the wont of carbonated beverages," he spoke with weighted understanding. The truth was: he was right. Base had been quite partial to Woyer Cola for years. He'd avoided them on many occasions, but kept failing to ultimately kick the habit. The longest span of time he'd gone on the self-prescribed detox was seven months. It was still going strong when Woyer Co. was taken over by darkness with the rest of Theate. Base was a devoted singer. He loved the rich taste of soda, but he didn't like how it affected his voice after he drank it. He tended to drink too much of it if he did at all. That was the way it was with him: he either did something too much, or not at all. He was conscious of that. "Yes." He finally replied after he realized he had been ruminating. "That's right." He had more to say, but Yen Sid cut him off by raising a hand. "Will Hot Chocolate do then?" Yen Sid interrupted without malice. "Truth be told, I'd love one. But, there's no need for you to brew a new pot just for me." Base's voice was quavering, even though his voice was typically strong and well-established. "I'd be happy with a soda, if you have it." Yen Sid changed expressions again. Going from ponderous to humorous, there was less hubris in this grin. "You are a terrible liar, Sebastian Noble." Yen Sid opened his eyes as he stared at Base with a thoughtful inspection. "That... is good."
M omentarily, the room was silent. “I am quite certain you are aware of the present threat of Darkness that looms, as it is the very same Dark power that has brought you here which is, I fear, devouring your world as we speak.” Yen Sid shook his head in dismay. “My world?! Then how are we here? Is this some sort of Island outside the city? Maybe we can go back and we can look-.” Base rambled on in a state of panic, until a glance from Yen Sid quieted him. “Ah yes. What you are not quite as aware about is the standing fact that there are many other worlds throughout the known Universe. Some of these worlds have been already devoured by Darkness, and several more have been invaded by powerful Darkness that threatens the stability of all worlds. There lies the utmost catastrophe: the worlds are currently out of order and time has been displaced. All those able to wield a Keyblade, regardless of age or background have been recruited to join the cause of rebalancing Light and Darkness.” Yen Sid nodded his head and stared directly at Base with that penetrating glare. “I had sent a letter of recruitment to your homeworld of Theate, but it would appear the Heartless and whoever was guiding them beat me in this endeavor. They attacked and took your world with little warning; this is most surprising.” “What are the Heartless? What world am I on? Why is it surprising?” The questions came out of Base like water through a constant stream. Base was not usually this inquisitive, but the recent string of events had hurled him into an utter fit of agitation. All it took to ease the stress he felt was for Yen Sid to raise one hand, thus signaling him to stop with the questionnaire. “You are in my world, the Mysterious Tower.” His voice had an ominous weight to it here. “It is surprising, because usually the Heartless or other creatures do not simply appear and take a world in one fell swoop; it is something that takes time. There is a theory I have, and it is that whoever was guiding them knew where to look for the Heart of your World, but that point will have to wait. What worries me most at the present time is the supremely dense population of Theate. There is no doubt this will allow the Darkness a great amount of “new recruits”, for you see, the Heartless themselves were once people, whose hearts fell to the Darkness. Should the Darkness taking Theate go unchecked, many will fall to Darkness unwillingly, regardless of the light in their hearts. This will spawn innumerable new threats that will spread like a virus throughout the worlds. The best way to put is this:” He waved his hand and a silhouette of light appeared on the floor. This glowing silhouette was shaped much like a person, and seemed to be based off the average build of a typical male adult. “So he begins: the denizen of a given world lives their normal, day-to-day existence, each with his or her own balance or imbalance of light and darkness; good and evil.” A small blot of dark matter appeared in the core of the miniature figure standing on the floor. “Light begets Darkness, and in so being, there can be no great light without great darkness, and vice versa. It is possible for a being to go through their whole lives living in this constant equilibrium. However…” The light borders of the figure shifted from an ethereal light blue to a dark purple wisp of smoky air. “It is possible for Darkness to consume the person, and in so doing, plunge him or her into absolute Darkness. The Darkness swallows whatever light may exist in the heart and separates from the body, thus becoming an embodiment of the Darkness that existed.” The figure split into two as the dark purple border grouped together and pulled away from the human shape, leaving behind a solid grey border and a similar tone to the rest of the body left behind to crash to the ground. The dark purple image resembled one of those yellow-eyed imps Base had encountered on Theate. “This is called a Heartless. It is a manifestation of the Darkness that existed in the Heart, and is an utterly bestial and unthinking entity. It contains within it only the Heart, and so cannot think, but can be guided by anyone well versed in Darkness. They are all joined together with a shared desire to destroy light where they find it, so they are often found in groups.” Yen Sid continued as the Dark Purple transparent Shadow twitched and scratched at empty air on the ground. “The stronger the Darkness, the more powerful the Heartless, and more ghastly in appearance it will be.” “If they have a Heart inside of them, why are they called the “Heartless”?” Base understood everything else directed toward him, but the paradox still boggled his brain. Yen Sid had not thrown many disapproving glares Base’s way since the two met, but the one the Sorcerer shot him now was enough to stop Base dead in his tracks, and even chilled his blood a little. Yen Sid cleared his throat and then continued. “This is only a part of the body that is affected when a person succumbs to the Darkness inside him. The body left behind is a hollow shell, which is devoid of any Light, Darkness, or even emotion; it is the definition of a “Nothing” incarnate. It is the remainder of the being that becomes a Nobody.” It was here the greyed figure shape-shifted and rose back up to a standing position, transfiguring wildly into a needle-limbed creature with a flat head and a wide zipper along the top of its head, which made the opening on its oddly shaped head look like a wide maw of darkness. “The Nobody is nothing but will, mind, and body; it cannot feel but it can think, which makes it more dangerous than even the most powerful Heartless. The more powerful a Nobody is, the more human-like in appearance they become, and the more capable they are of imitating real emotions. Do not be tricked into thinking they are even close to possessing any actually humanity. As of yet, this does not appear to be an issue, as there have been a total lack of sightings of Nobodies that are discernibly similar to living people.” ‘The Heartless have Hearts they can’t use, and Nobodies have bodies but no Heart… seems about right…’ Base said sarcastically to himself, but he still took in all the information given to him as the two separated figures started to dissipate as Yen Sid clasped his hand into a fist, his eyes closed. “There is at least one more known threat:” Yen Sid’s fearsome eyes opened as another small creature appeared out of nothing, but this one looked so much more real than the others, Base was sent reeling back. Base soon realized however the beast was only another figure; another imitation. He sighed in relief. “These are the Unversed. These are strange beings, as they are manifestations of violent emotions alone. It is unknown by which emotions, or if every violent emotion spurned causes them, however, they are just as much a threat to the Light within a Heart as the others, though they do not seek out the Heart of the World.” He raised his hand and the final creature disappeared. “I presume you wish to know about the Heart of Worlds, and it is this information you are owed, as you are a wielder of the Keyblade. However, at the present time, knowledge of the Keyblade and the Heart of each World is far too sensitive for you to be fully aware of the facts in this matter. What I can tell you currently is since you possess a greater amount of Light in your Heart than Darkness, you possess the ability to use the Keyblade, which is source of great Power, and which you can use to combat the darkness. However, I know you are, at the moment, apprehensive of the concept.” “You know I don’t feel up to this?” From this, Base received the impression Yen Sid could read minds. Yen Sid smiled heartily. “I do, in truth, know you are ready to at the very least face the Darkness that stands presently. On the other hand, however, I understand that this is a terrible world to be suddenly plunged into, and if it were not for the last minute rescue I executed for you as the Darkness began to surround you, you would have likely have lost your life to the Heartless. While I give you a choice as to which path you will choose, since it was not your choice that brought you here but my own, I must stress to you the point that few Keyblade wielders I have known would have had the gall to stand between the Darkness and the Keyblade as well as an open Heart. For you see, they seek out both sources of great light, like moths to a flame. They fear as well as search to destroy the Keyblade wherever they can find a wielder.” His expression here became solemn again, as though he’d witnessed many of such a fall himself. “I’m not a hero… because now that I look back, that was incredibly stupid a thing to do. A hero would do something, and not regret it later.” Yen Sid nodded approvingly. “In essence you are right,” Then he shook his head, “Still, does this mean that you have reason to doubt your actions. Our Hearts lead us on the right paths, and in listening to our Hearts, the Light will protect us from any dangers our situations present.” He stated profoundly, and Base had to admit, the Sorcerer was very right, and visibly so; Base was safe and sound after listening to his Heart. All the same, Base knew he wasn’t up to such a task. It was a simple truth he knew… or at least, one he felt was right. What business had he in such affairs? All this confliction of emotion unrested him and caused him slightly to swoon as the truth could not be found easily. Base searched and searched for the truth, but only found fear, and one fear in particular struck him the most. “What happened to that girl? My parents? Dean Waiter?” Base gave the fear a voice and it shouted the phrase “Truth! Don’t let that seep in!” inside his head. Yen Sid merely bowed his grey hair head somberly, and this nonverbal method was all Base really needed to know in order to realize his fears had come true! He did not know the girl personally, but he felt sorry for her, surely. His parents though? He ached to remember the last time he saw them that day before leaving for school. He found the memory after much straining, and was disappointed somewhat to find how mundane and normal it was; no prophesizing utterances and no foreshadowing of a Goodbye for good. Still, in its normalcy, it was a beautiful memory, and for that instance, it kept Base’s heart from shattering into countless pieces. Dean Waiter had even been there in that specific memory, right there with Aiden and Sabrina Noble at the Noble apartment in Theate City. All the more reason to cling tight to the image, as Dean was practically family ever since the elder musician and owner of the “Dean’s List” music shop near Base’s former school had taken Base underneath his tutelage. At that very moment between words exchanged, Base did not know if Yen Sid was as good at reading hearts as he was at reading faces and/or minds, but he knew if the wizard could, he’d see Mr. & Mrs. Base close together, standing beside a nodding Dean Waiter, and what Base imagined that girl looked like when she was alive, and, likely, happy. They made an odd group together, but the sight of them, surrounded by the lively backdrop of Theate’s huge foundations, contented him beyond belief. “I do realize, of course, the weight of all these events and revelations must be incredulously straining.” Yen Sid spoke out sullenly and teeming with deeper meaning. “I also understand why your tears for your fallen world have not quite yet been brewed.” Here, Yen Sid paused and seemed to enter a state of near meditation and deep thought, one of which even gave a glimmer of what looked like actual concern. “If you so wish to let out your frustration at this moment, I will perform the task of magically soundproofing this room from worldly ears, and, if need be, repair any objects that may be broken in any manner of emotional tirade. This is not to assume this of you; merely that there is good cause for such actions to be prompted.” His speech was without haste or retraction. On the other side of the conversation, Base appreciated the gesture, but his reply came with a shake of his black-haired head, his hazel eyes glowing with wisdom beyond his years. It was the first time he regained his senses since losing them on Theate. “If what you say is true, and everything points that way, then I have to work to keep Darkness out of my Heart. If I act out of anger, then it will be like the Darkness is winning me over just a little bit. So, if I shout, it must be for the right reasons. It will be purposed that so whoever hears me will know the dying light of Theate is never going to truly die, and that all the suffering we cannot stop will not go without being avenged. I’ve always thought there’s a big difference between “revenge” and “avenge”, but I never thought I’d be faced with it. The bleakest spot of Theate, though, will turn into its brightest beacon, even though the city crumbles away.” Yen Sid bowed his head reverently at the younger mage, for it was then the old Sorcerer realized the extent of the powerful magic of Light that existed in this particular boy. It was obvious Base was not exactly the Chosen One, but he was certainly notable in his devotion and understanding. Yen Sid stood up, his robes flowing like water as he did so. “You truly do possess an indomitably strong Heart, young Noble. As you wish.” He turned to leave, bowing his head once more, a little lower than when he had first entered. The chair he once sat in vanished in a similar fashion to how it appeared, as Yen Sid headed towards the door without rush. He placed his bony hand on the door handle and opened the door a crack; just enough for his foot to fit through. “You should be made aware, that few understand such grave matters at first grasp with such fluidity and maturity.” He gave a glance back as he opened the door wider to allow his entire tall and slender frame through the portal. It was evident he spoke genuinely, and it was in fact well felt by the speaker. “Perhaps though, you should acquire more rest. I will send for you when it is time to instruct you further.” In so concluding his statements, Yen Sid left the room, shutting the door slowly and calmly behind him as he crossed through. “It’s my blessing and my curse.” Base uttered to no one but himself in reply to Yen Sid’s notion on maturity. Base then realized how completely alone he was, and why so. He’d lost everything that meant everything, and what’s more, anything to him. It was being in this new found kind of solemnity, even though he’d known derision and relative solitude all his young life that caused him to fulfill the promise of his cry for Theate. For the sake of the People’s pains, he let out an earth-shattering shout of personal misery mixed with the empathy for innumerable masses. It was not the obligation of saying he would that spurned the pain, but the pain itself that beget the fresher pain and shook the very core of his soul. He shouted out because it was a time when he felt he would either implode or explode from the excess of his sorrow and emotions, if he did not release it that one, very prolonged cry of anguish.
U pon Yen Sid’s apt advice, Base returned to sleep in the same bed he had awoken in, Sleep receiving him with a surprising lack of a rebuttal. Base had figured before dosing off that his relationship with Rest had been rendered irreversibly irreparable recently, requisite with his tumult. All the same, his dreams were not of the haunting variety, in fact, the exact opposite could be said to have taken into a halcyon wave rolling on a blanket of soaked sand that rushed toward his toes and all at once fled once it glanced them like a timid, but no less wonting, lover. He dreamed of dark alleys in a city much like Theate but with a much different feel and atmosphere; it was much darker there, but in the grimy bleakness, there was a strange Gothic majesty that outweighed fear. He dreamed of small, bright village that was certainly colorful to say the least which was presided over by a humongous white castle with navy blue pointed rooftops on its rooks and spires. He dreamed of places that varied so greatly, he wondered without cognizance how he stored such a vast array of imaginative places without previously visiting any in previous dreams. This was all the more shocking because his imagination was and always had been of such the over-active sort that he was often and at that time launched into a near catatonic state that his ties to reality had been severed in slumber. He had found momentary refuge. The final vision he had was of a vast valley filled to the brim with music. It had expansive, rolling hills of white grass that whistled with the wind that gave off a constant and reverberating slow, slight high-pitched audible whine like that of a section of violins in polyphonic symphony, but was so low it became supplementary to the scenery rather than intrusive. From the top of some undeterminable mound of earth, Base could see a great deal spanned over the wide valley below, which was an extremely new vantage point to someone used to the all-encompassing man-made monoliths of Theate. A silky blue pond to the far right housed stalky pink birds that Base had never seen the likes of before, with thin, elongated sticks for legs protruding out of the water. To the far left, the white grass that seemed endless was being “painted” a vibrant, lively green by what either looked or moved like a vivacious breeze of the same viridian hue. In the dead center of the valley, in the flattest portion, sat a monster of a wooden vessel that seemed eerie in the fact in looked abandoned and unattended, but at the same time majestic in its scale and simplicity. The hills and the valleys continued to play with a hauntingly serene melody that echoed with ethereal texture. He wondered where the source of the music could be and in wondering he self-discovered he was in a dream; it’s true that when someone realizes they are in a dream that they will wake up soon after; this is true, at least, on a typical basis. It was no less true in this circumstance as his thoughts of the source were the last blurs of a beautiful dream as his eyelids fluttered in unison into a renewed familiarity.
With a struggling stretch and accompanying groan, Base tried to push the sheets off of him, but found he was drawing them over his person all the more as if he were magnetically attracted to the material. With a slow succession, his eyes began to return to purpose as curtains of his sight, the muscles in his eyelids seeming to contract involuntarily and beyond his power to stop. It was only when the sheets were suddenly and violently ripped from his grip and body that Base really woke up; and with a start! “Really now, Merryweather,” Chimed a woman who talked like a bird tweets, with the same pitch, meter and pattern of speech or chirp, “We don’t want to frighten him!” She sounded like she very much wanted to defend the point, but also sounded afraid to utter it. “Fauna is right, Merryweather.” This line was given by a brisker, more affirmative female voice that sounded weighted with authority, but proper and kind all the same. “Keep in mind: Magic is all very strange to the people of worlds like Theate.” She sounded bothered by what she said, because in the next instant, she added, “Oh, it was Theate that Yen Sid, wasn’t it?” “Yes, Flora.” There erupted the twitter-like voice, more excitedly this time. “Theate. Right between Land of Dragons and Olympus Coliseum somewhere.” Her voice turned to sadder tone. “Or at least… it was.” ‘Was’. Knife allegories wouldn’t cut it to describe his sobriety upon hearing that one word. He was sullenly forced back into the reality he had fallen into when his world started to fall apart; literally. Sleep had eased his memory, but now that was gone, and he was back in that odd tower. As he looked about the room, things became odder, as he noticed a lack of speakers, but continued to hear the voices emanating from various sources of thin air in the room. “I didn’t think we really could wake him without using magic!” This voice was new. It was discontented and female, but husky and flustered. Her voice was light and airy, but had such a grumpy undertone, it seemed safe to say that its user was not whining or causing some sort of stir. “Well Dear,” The brisk voice replied, dignified, “You’re certainly right about ‘not thinking’.” Base didn’t know if she had a tongue and hard palate to ‘tsk’ with, but she did produce the same all the same because it was with vocal register that the sound weighted towards. She repeated the sound several times over as though surveying something, if she had eyes to survey with. Meanwhile, Base was happy with the fact he’d checked the wonky, tilted wardrobe in the room for some night wear and found a pair of pajamas that fit the décor of the room; yellow stars and moons against a solid blue background. The pajamas themselves were rich in design as well as comfort, which spoke for the strange ancient luxury of the atmosphere. “Master Sid used magic in front of him, so I don’t see why I can’t.” Merryweather rebutted indignantly. “He used magic near him, yes, but not on him. Also, … er… well… you aren’t Yen Sid.” Base had figured this voice to be “Fauna”, as she put everything delicately. “There’s a stark difference, I think.” “Oh!” Merryweather returned, with her feathers more than ruffled. “Flora is just too full of herself to realize I did well!” At that same moment, a stout, short and plump woman, with a rotund face under a pointed blue bonnet, wearing a blue belled dress that completely hid her feet as she hovered down to the floor appeared in the room out of thin air suddenly. “Well, he’s up, isn’t he?” She produced the same voice as the last one spoken; Merryweather. In her boisterous fit she managed to knock her tethered hat askew, casting the wide brim over her eyes and exposing the black hair on the back of her head. “I’m not in the mood to argue, Merryweather.” In popped a similar apparition, but with the same outfit colored red, and her face was slight longer, although, similarly as plump. She had grey hair under her red pointed bonnet and at that moment of arrival, bore a distempered expression. Following her entered another supernatural guest adorned in green, with a much thinner and cheerful face. Her hair was also grey and as cheerful as she looked, she appeared just as much concerned over the current situation. “Oh my… here we go again…” With a motherly care, the green-adorned apparition corrected Merryweather’s witchy bonnet tentatively, as though the one in blue would snap at her like a yippy dog. “Oh, do stop fussing over her, Fauna; she may fix what she upsets.” The red one stated matter-of-factly. “Yes, Flora.” The green one, Fauna, said to the red, Flora. “Sorry, Merryweather.” She apologized kindly to the blue one. “Thanks anyway.” Merryweather replied, shooting Flora a nasty look at the same time as she spoke. Meanwhile, Base was beside himself with the sudden realization of how odd this really all was, and this was even covering his nervousness in the face of three strangers all at once. How strange these strangers were as well! At least Yen Sid had approached him alone, and had quickly and easily eased the tension by rapidly, but calmly, going into explanations. “Who are you?” Base leaped to his bare feet, the carpet oddly warm to the pads of his feet. “Why, we’re the three good fairies, dear.” Flora smiled brightly. Base managed to return a haphazard, lopsided grin. Fauna saw both smiles and couldn’t resist putting all their elated expressions to shame in comparison to her own. “Yes, that’s right! And Oh! We have some gifts for you! Isn’t that wonderful?” She cooed. Elsewhere in the room, Merryweather crossed her arms and pouted. “I might just take mine back.” She said to no one, but then turned to Base. “It’s not you; it’d be because of them.” Flora and Fauna stuttered nervously in response, unsure of what to do until Base acted the Gentleman and approached Merryweather personally. All three of the good fairies were incredibly short, perhaps barely above five feet tall each. Base bowed courteously and spoke to Merryweather directly. “I’d like to thank you for waking me when you did. I can be so difficult when it comes to waking up and getting out of bed you see. If it hadn’t been for your…er…method, I probably would have been irascible.” Merryweather wasn’t entirely fooled, as she crossed her arms and cocked an eyebrow, sizing Base up. “I know you made that up… but thank you for at least having the nerve.” “Quite a vocabulary too.” Fauna noted. It was true, when Base took notice to the fact. On Theate, his intellect around most his own age had typically spawned a thought that he was pretentious, but that was simply the only way he knew how to conduct himself. “Anyhow!” Interjected Flora. “Now then, let’s see to those gifts!” Her words made Fauna fly into a gleeful jitter as Merryweather drew closer to the other two in the middle of the floor. Flora waved a small stick she drew from her sleeve, and waved it about to loosen her arm while the tip of the wand sparkled with multi-colored brilliancy. Base was surprised by the display, but only temporarily, as he was already adapting to the quantities of oddities now trickling into his life. “Who’s first? Fauna? Merryweather? Oh, I suppose I might as well.” Fauna could not contain her joy very well at all. “Oh!” Tweeted Fauna, “I do so love gifts!” She clasped her frail hands together in front of her gleeful face. “And it’s so much more delightful to give than to receive, you know.” A dreamy haze fell over her expression while she stared off into space. “We know; you’ve said it a thousand times before,… you fuddy-duddy.” Merryweather sat in a corner of the room and plopped down. “Now simmer down before you float off!” “Oh… Thank you, dear.” Fauna realized very suddenly that she was, indeed, starting to involuntarily float into a hover without direction. The fact that Merryweather had used a sarcastic tone on her was lost on her completely. “Flora, do you mind if I go first?” “I don’t mind at all, Fauna, not at all.” Flora bowed to the side as Fauna readied her wand. In a burst of light that followed a flick of the wrist, Fauna conjured up a small box, which was wrapped in forest green paper; with a dark green bow fashioned on top. Giggling away, she bestowed the gift to Base. Base was still unsure of what to make of the three, but they had obviously been sent with some purpose, and they seemed to come with good intent as well. He continued to play the Gentleman for the moment, smiling as he said, “How nicely wrapped.” Fauna was pleased to hear it; she reeled with delight. “Well, yes, I did wrap it myself. Thank you.” “Humph!” Merryweather’s bemusement burst from her corner. “Wrapped it with magic is what you really mean.” “All the same, I do appreciate it.” Base replied, meanwhile, he tore away the trimmings to reveal a small tome; a teal, leather-bound notebook with shiny green stationary. Base flipped through its vacant pages until he noticed Fauna was fidgeting with what appeared to be worry. “We were told so little about you, so I’m quite sorry if it’s not decorated to your liking.” Fauna apologized emphatically. “It’s a journal, for whatever you’d like to put in there. I like to keep a personal diary myself.” To be honest, Base did not care nor notice that the notebook lacked any particular decorations. “Could you decorate it with musical symbols? I would like to keep my ‘composer’.” Base guessed accurately that the request would prompt Fauna back into a state of contentment, as she leaped at the opportunity hastily. Shortly after, Flora glided over to Base with yet another gift-wrapped box; this one was a pale red with a dark burgundy bow. “My book next!” “Flora! You’re not supposed to tell him!” Fauna blurted out, horrified. “You’re absolutely right, dear.” Flora replied, and Base could only help but notice they said “Dear” far more than anyone else he ever knew. “Here you are, Base.” Base took the gift and unwrapped it, noticing it was a good deal bigger than the previous book; the last one has been hardly the size of a normally-sized book, whereas this one was about the size of an atlas or dictionary. The surprisingly synthetically-fabricated hardcover was the same burgundy as the bow that had covered it; a leather strap tightly hugged the width of the heavy tome, and a golden latch with a keyhole sat neatly on what appeared to be the front cover. Base could guess it was the front cover, because it read “P.I.” in ornate gold letterings. When he attempted to pry open the latch, Flora quickly stopped him. “Oh no, no yet; that book may need a bit more of a… oh… what’s that word…?” Flora racked her mind for “that” word, which she produced moments later, “Tutorial! Perhaps you should leave it here for safekeeping.” “Well, won’t I be here anyway?” “I’m afraid not, dear. Yen Sid has requested you come to his study.” Flora instructed. Based erred. “Umm, I don’t know where that quite is.” “Well, then there’s only one way to fix this problem.” Flora took a deep breath and whipped out her wand once more. “He’s going to be here for quite some time, girls. I believe a map is in order.” “I don’t see why not.” Merryweather huffed exasperatedly and took out her own wand. “Circle up girls. You know the formation. And there we are.” The three fairies tapped their wands together in the center of their circle, and with a flash a glowing orb broke in through thin air. A glittery bubble, which contained the image of what looked like a treasure map floating inside it, hovered in midair between the three. It was the most phantasmagorical spectacle Base had yet seen, and it sent him stumbling back a bit as soon as he saw it. “What is that?” “Just touch the orb, Sebastian Noble, and you will automatically learn to find most rooms within the enchanted realm that is the Mysterious Tower. It’s a manifestation of the world we’ve summoned to help guide you. There’s usually one locked away somewhere on each world, but they tend to be only responsive to those who are equal in regards to leading and being led by light.” Flora instructed. Despite the instructions, Base still had reservations as far as the orb was concerned. He noticed a spiky red “N” above a red arrow at the top of the map, and the depth effect made the object all the more vast-looking and ominous. Apparently, his fears were apparent, as Fauna smiled pleasantly at him. “Don’t worry. It won’t hurt.” She reassured. “Okay…” Base motioned closer towards the newer gift. “But I want to point out: that usually is the biggest lie ever told.” Against his better judgment, he touched the orb and, as soon as he did, the entire thing burst at his touch; like a glass crystal ball smashed to the floor, but in midair. Its ethereal contents threaded together and flew directly into his outstretched fingertips, disappearing into his skin. “So… just head up now?” “Not without my gift you don’t!” Merryweather protested. “Merryweather is right. You’ll need it where you’re going.” “Where am I going?” “Somewhere too soon for me to explain this to you.” Merryweather answered with a moan and a groan. In Merrweather’s possession was a neatly made blue messenger’s bag with the letters “S.N.” in a spiky golden font with a metallic luster stitched on the top part of the satchel. “But you must. He’ll have far too much to carry where he’s going.” “Yen Sid’s-?” Base started to ask, but was cut off by Flora. “Not quite, dear. You’re here for a very special purpose to be sure, and sooner or later, you’ll likely have to prove yourself in one way or another.” Before Base had a chance for a rebuttal of the remark, a new presence entered the room. “Begging your pardon bu- WHAT?!” A squawky, almost unintelligible voice came from the other side of the door. The tone was meek at first, but quickly exploded into confusion as a white, feathery head popped into the room; an orange bill hung agape from the face beneath a pair of two big blue eyes the size of saucers. “Yes, Donald?” Fauna replied. “Oh!” Realization dawned on the anthropomorphic duck, and he chuckled lightly with a wheezy lilt. “Sorry, but I was sent to get uhh…” Donald read from a card in one of his feathered hands. “Sebastian Noble.” “Ohhhh!” Merryweather was positively flustered. “Now what?” “Write a note, dear.” Flora replied nonchalantly. “I’ll what??” Merryweather was bewildered by the casual statement. “How am I supposed to explain it better on a single piece of paper? Flora!” “You’ll manage.” Flora said curtly. “Now scoot! We must let Base prepare.” “Prepare for what?” Base’s question went unanswered as the Three Good Fairies made a hasty departure. “Good luck, dear.” Each said in unison before they were gone, and Donald waddled fully into the room. “Are you ready yet, Sebastian?” Donald asked.
O range, webbed-toed feet tapped the floor impatiently where Donald stood. He grumbled to himself as he transitioned back and forth between watching the door for signs of an exit being made and crossing his winged arms begrudgingly. Donald Duck shook his head. "What's the problem in there?" Donald shouted with angst. "I'm reading the note Merryweather left. I'm slowly figuring it out, but every time I think I find something right, I wind up having to read everything all over." Donald sighed heavily. "Come out here, and I can show you a trick." At the offer, the door slipped open and Base walked out dressed in a gray t-shirt with a sigil of a lion's head, jeans, and his sneakers. He likewise had his new teal messenger bag strapped over his shoulder and he loosened it as he stepped out to get it to the most comfortable length. He had a small parchment in his hand that was inscribed with boxes and wonky rectangles all diagramming something that seemed to be dauntingly technical. "Handed it to me already! Come on, come on!" Donald prompted, agitated with his white palm open. It took only a second of an mumbling incantation for the parchment to become a smallish orb of light like the one that had opened Base's mind to the floor plans of the tower. "That should do it." Base followed the direction and everything about the gift became instantly clear. The pouch he carried would magically hold a set number of things in different categories. Depending on what category an object was in, he'd only be able to carry so much of that, but he'd still be able to carry more of other things as long as there was room for them. This would grow with him. On the other hand, why would he need so much space for things he probably didn't need? Still, it was a nice gift that he could use. The other two books fell under the category of "Tomes" and all Base had to do was put the books away in the bag, and they'd be ready to pull out if he reached in for them. That was apparently the way the bag worked; it just knew what he'd want, apparently. He wasn't going to question that after everything that had already happened. "Fauna said I was going somewhere?" "Not yet you're not!" Donald answered abruptly and to the point. If you got this far, let me tell you this: I done did screwed up. I was working on transferring "Based Forward" from the hand-written form to typed text, and crossed this post-in-progress with editing a post in a role play. Know that I will repair this soon. "This is all really one big mess. Sure, I know how to fight, but everyone who brought me here is making me out to be a champion. I don't even know how to fight that well! I weigh 114 pounds!" "So you bulk up. And if not to be a hero, at least eat a sandwich for your health." Donald chided. "Hey, it doesn't work like that. I just have a fast metabolism." Base wasn't liking this duck's short temper. "All I want to figure out by now is even what day it is. Is it the same day that I woke up and my whole world came literally crashing down?" "You're asking me? Want my advice?" Donald was leading the way up through the hallways. He didn't wait for a reply. "Trust Yen Sid, and be sure to bow to him when you enter the room." They were quickly approaching a glowing door with a crescent moon on it. "He's important!" "How important?" Base asked as the Donald's hand reached for the door handle. "Important enough!" Donald's reply was curt and somewhat angry. The door opened up to a small chamber containing numerous book shelves hanging on the wall, a long desk sitting in front of a green, decorative chair with a tall back, and windows cut out in the shapes of stars and crescent moons behind them. Standing at one of the windows, looking out, was Yen Sid watching something that caught Base's attention immediately. He watched intently as a smallish plane fly into view and hover just outside above the trees and it wobbled in the multi-colored sky as something inside of it seemed to be moving. Donald was bowing to someone who wasn't even paying attention, but neither was Base paying any mind to anything besides the grayish craft idling outside. He was watching so intently, that when a hand placed itself on his shoulder, he nearly jumped ten feet out of his skin. "This is the boy, Yen?" He had a dry, airy, almost permanently disinterested voice that was soft around the edges. Base whirled around to see a man in a heavy, black, double-lapel open trench coat with a black dress shirt underneath. His hair was curly, disorganized, and hung around his face like someone had stuck a bowl of noodles under the black, tall fedora he wore. He was watching Base with a serious gaze that the boy found unnerving, but Yen Sid intervened. "Indeed, Balthazar. This is Sebastian Noble. Sebastian, allow me to introduce Balthazar Blake, a most respected wizard whom has traveled very far to make your acquaintance." "I don't want to take up much of your time. I just have to see if the potential Yen talks about you having has anything to do with me and what I'm supposed to do." He pulled a small, metal dragon from his coat pocket. "See, this is a ring that once belonged to my mentor. Whoever this ring takes to will inherit the powers of Merlin. This is very, very important that I find whoever that's supposed to be. Now, I'll level with you: if it likes you, you get to keep it." He flashed a scruffy smile and padded the tiny dragon into Base's palm that Balthazar lifted up himself. Base thought he was completely crazy, if not just eccentric, but he was going to take Donald's advice and trust Yen Sid. Base nodded and looked at the tiny dragon himself more closely. There, he realized the token was actually a ring. It glittered and and glowed under the candlelight that lit up the room, and anticipation hung in the air... as absolutely nothing happened. Balthazar hung his head and took the dragon back. "Not your fault. That had a really, really low chance of working from the beginning. Always does." He pocketed the token and bowed his head towards Base. "You may not be the next Merlin, but I can already tell there's something else in your future that has just has potential. Don't worry about it." He flashed a goofy smile. "Actually the thing that's worrying me is being told that I have any part in any of-" Base started off, but was cut off as Balthazar shook hands with Yen Sid and walked towards a small glowing green circle on the floor that Base hadn't noticed before. Balthazar stepped into the green circle and vanished in the blink of an eye and into sparks of green light. Base worried momentarily, until the ship outside had its engine roar back to life. He watched it turn about face effortlessly, and zoom out of sight at the speed of light into the night sky. "That was odd... but educational." Base stood transfixed by the calamity of the minute's past events. Not only had so much been condensed into a small space of time, but it had also ended rather stunning anticlimax. "Alas, this was as I predicted. I figured you were not the one Balthazar Blake sought, but he is quite difficult to say no to, and so I naturally humored him." Yen Sid beckoned to Base from his desk, and waved his arm to make an empty chair appear as he took his own seat; his was the tall wooden throne behind the desk. "Please, sit. There is no doubt that Donald told you what would occur and what we would be discussing?" Yen Sid shot Donald a discriminating glare. "Wack?" Donald quacked in shock. "Huh? Oh..." He checked his notes and chagrin took over. "Would you look at that...well, I'll be gosh darned..." He chuckled nervously and pocketed the notes in his brown robes. "Regardless,..." While not amused by the duck's mistake, he lost little momentum as Base took his seat opposite the wizard. "You are inclined towards the musical arts, are you not, Sebastian Noble?" "Er, yes, I am." Base answered back almost on impulse. He knew no finer joy in life than music. He could play virtually any music, and it had always brought him peace in his fast-paced, stressful life of poverty that constantly kept him on his toes. "Why do you ask?" Yen Sid waited a moment before answering. Preceeding his statement, he threw out his arms with command and summoned forth a podium with sheets of paper resting at the top. Base could tell at once that they were musical compositions, since he could see the ledger lines and notes from his seat. "What you see before you is a gateway to another world outside of this one. The Symphony of Sorcery is where I need someone well-versed in the musical arts to go and procure for me what is called a "Sound Idea"." Yen Sid smiled toward Base. "I feel confident that there is no one better suited for the task but you, Sebastian." The smile faded, and he frowned toward the duck. "Should you elect not to go, I'm afraid I'll have to rely on Donald's efforts." "I..." Base jumped from his seat, and was ready to say 'yes', but he caught sight of Donald on his knees in the back of the room with his hands clasped together and mumbling as he looked up to the ceiling. Donald was praying, and the look on his face did nothing to soothe Base's already tired nerves. "Umm, I'll take a look at the composition..." "As you wish." Yen Sid nodded his approval with humility. Base stepped over to the podium and scanned its contents greedily. Base could tell from sight-reading that it was a poweful, bombastic piece, and it impressed him at first glance, but he needed to see more than what the allignment of the paper hid from view. He reached out his hand, but before his fingertips even glanced a single paper fiber, he was forced back as the ink faded and began to flood from the pages in rivers of blue light that streamed on measures and had notes for glowing notes for lily pads. The river twisted around itself and encircled the podium mystically, and it bounced gleefully while the soft hum of a string section began to pump the room with a song that punched. It was the song Base had sight-read, and it was even more beautiful to hear out loud than he'd imagined. He stepped back and stood in sheer wonder of the thrill it provided. He didn't even notice Yen Sid observing him with a smile. "Is the composition to your liking, young Sebastian?" He sounded like he always did; like he already knew the answer to his own questions. Awes-struck, Base replied as soon as he realized he was even being spoken to. "You knew this would happen?" He didn't answer the question directly, but only due to the fact he was enjoying the experience so much that he became entirely distracted. "It is the very nature of the portal." Yen Sid closed his eyes and listened, conducting the piece with his hands. "Pomp and Circumstance. A most excellent piece, wouldn't you agree?" There was a coaxing coat to those words. Base saw right through it, but still... as tempting as the proposition was, he was still too afraid to cross the threshold of the worlds. "I see you both wish to stay and go. I should point out, that should you go, there is a great deal more you could learn on your own. Who you are, and what you are truly capable of. However, there is no great consequence should you wish to stay here. I can find another world for you to inhabit and remain safe from present harm." Base thought. If he went, he could learn a great deal... if he stayed, he'd just go somewhere else that could work out for him, but what if the Darkness found him there like it did on Theate? He weighed his options heavily. Deep in his mind, in the center of his anxiety, he chose 'no', but as his feet moved forward and his hands gripped the paper, he vanished on his way to what his heart was guiding him to do. He disappeared from the room and sank into the world's path that would take him to the Symphony of Sorcery. Meanwhile, the Symphonic Sorcerer took no extra time to shoot a glance towards Donald Duck. "Watch over him." He commanded with verve, and pointed to the portal Base had taken. "Awww, nuts." Donald shook his feathered head to banish his own strong anxiety, and ran head long towards the portal. He went as the master of the tower instructed, leaving only the master to idle in his office. Again, a smile illuminated his face. "Very good." He whispered calmly.
So recently I have discovered the unique artistic style of a Mr. Tom Waits, who has been in the business of making music for over 40 years, and also someone I did not realize had performed a certain Ear worm from a film called "Robots" that I have not been able to get out of my head since childhood. This gravelly voiced singer, I have to admit, I can't hear enough of. His style is so diverse and it spans such a wide variety of sounds, not to mention he's inventive and creates new instruments to suit his needs. He once built an instrument using a Garbage dumpster with a hole cut in the side and piano strings placed inside of it! I had no idea who this guy was until I saw him in "The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus" two or three months ago after I rented the film from my local library. Once I found out he was a musician, I had to see if I knew any of his music; as it turns out I did, and that song, like I said, has been periodically stuck in my head for nearly a decade! No song gets stuck up there like that for so long with me, so I consider it pretty laughable how I remembered it all this time until I found out who sang it. Particularly, I like his more theatrical-sounding tunes, the bluesy and novelty ones. I like "Cemetery Polka", "Heart Attack and Vine", "Underground" which is the one I had stuck in my head, "Tango til they're sore", "Step Right Up", "Invitation to the Blues", "The Piano has been drinking", and I just want to say that I never have this many favorite tunes from a single source and there's the fact this isn't all-inclusive. xD Kh-vids.net, what you do you think of Tom Waits? Ever heard of him? Seen him in a movie? Heard his music? If I just introduced you to him, what do you think of him now?
EDIT (03/27/13): I've basically given up on this Role-play taking off. However, not so much the case on the story. Very soon, once I get a little bit further in my main writing project "Based Forward" in the Writer's Nook, I will be scripting a full-fledged story based around what you find here. Still, this Role-play will remain open and its own entity, unaffected by the story, if anyone wishes to join after the fact. Here's a link to a playlist I made to give some hints as to what the Story will include: http://open.spotify.com/user/1265289996/playlist/5grLtX27Ii9gAYHPinDbjE The premise of this Role-play is simple: Take a Kingdom Hearts character and pair them up with a Musician from real life. e.g. Goofy and Rod Stewart. The idea is that these two you pick are your two characters to play throughout the sequence which starts out such here in the introduction: (At Bottom for spacing purposes) The Rules 1.) Your two characters have to interact at some point. 2.) Try to keep canon. 3.) No PP, GM, you know... stuff like that. 4.) Advanced Role-play would be nice. I'd like to a see a minimum of four-eight well-constructed sentences. There's no maximum. 5.) The preferred amount is just having one pair. But if you like, you can have two pairs. 6.) Living artists only. Sorry. I know, there's a lot of great deceased artists, but we're taking them as they are today. Which constitutes the next rule: 7.) Whatever age your artist is, we'll have it that it's the age they start off the RP as. So, no making anybody younger to fit their heyday. The Cast Name-Artist-Character Sebax-Tom Waits-Luxord Introduction Ch. 1The stage was lustrously grand, like none Luxord had ever seen, spanning a seemingly interminable span of white solid block. The floor and walls matched the stage six feet off the floor where Luxord stood at the base of the seamless stage; the same Nobodic decor that had befitted the Castle that never was. He paced the empty auditorium in front of hundreds of rows of identical chairs, which all popped out of the slowly rising level together as if carved out of the floor, dressed to the nine in a suit that had a price tag that would make the most dedicated Kingdom Hearts player envious of how much munny it was worth. His suit was stark black, sharp from the breast to the shoes, with a black and gray checkerboard undershirt with red cuffs, and a Nobodic Wire black and white tie. His beard ha been trimmed in his favored and usual fashion, with a new Caesar hair on his blond head. Slowly, with determined discretion, he went over the iHeart Computer tablet in his degloved hands and nodded his sharp chinned head every now and again, his serious eyes watching the screen with scrutiny.A gravelly, wispy voice was echoing off the acoustic-perfected walls of the Gambler's theater, a voice that was emanating from the speakers of the iHeart. "Gamblers re-evaluate along the dotted line, you'll never recognize yourself on Heart Attack and Vine" it sang as a heavy rock'n'roll guitar did the background work as the singer's raspy voice howled. Luxord smirked; he had found his first contender. He did a search of the artist "Tom Waits" and scanned through the information hastily. Truth be told, the Gambler of Fate enjoyed what he read, even though Waits seemed to be getting on in years, Luxord liked his maniacal and histrionic style and how he balanced it with lighter selections. In due time, he believed he had made his choice. He would summon this performer from the Real world and pass the iHeart on to someone else so that they could make their selection. Enough planning time had passed; Luxord wanted to get things rolling. 'The show has to start and soon', he thought as he grinned a devilish grin, and set the iHeart on the stage, screen-side up, glowing and displaying Waits growling along with a out-of-tune piano. "Let me fall out of the window with confetti in hair, Deal out Jacks or better on a blanket by the stairs...", the music drowned out of Luxord's hearing as he transitioned into the room just behind the stage.Ch. 2"The piano has been drinking... my neck tie is asleep....and the combo went back to New York" Tom slurred drunkenly on purpose as he performed his own song on his own piano. He was alone for the night, and for a Music Idol, he was rather bored that evening, and not to mention slightly nostalgic. When it came to looking back, he wasn't particular about it, but why not entertain himself by digging up old bones? He contemplated on nothing but the splattered notes, closing his tired eyes. He was recently 63 and had no regrets about it. His voice had decreased in raspiness in recent years, but he could still call on his trademark whenever he wanted. "Gotta a crazy transition. Go or Stay? I gotta choose. I think I'll accept your invitation to the blu-" He started playing the end of another song, but was cut off when he suddenly opened his eyes and saw on the top of his piano a white envelope lying soundlessly there."Kathleen?" He called out into the empty Sonoma house gruffly and confusedly. No reply came and he was assured he was in fact left alone for the night. He sat locked in consternation, looking from nowhere-in-particular to the letter. "Where the Hell did you come from?" He asked the letter as if it could reply to him in a high squeaky voice and fix him a drink if he asked it to. Of course, there was no reply from the inanimate object, but Waits was not surprised of that fact; he was merely thinking out loud. "Okay, I give. What's in there?"He ripped open the top with a sharp movement of his thumb and he pulled out a neat little folded white paper letter with fine golden ink handwritten text. He transfixed his eyes on the paper and read it out loud, still humoring the notion maybe someone would hear him. After all, that letter hadn't been there when he sat down or when he closed his eyes; the piano had been completely clean."Dear Mr. Waits,... This letter is to request your presence for an honorary concert for you and a selection of other modern artists chosen at random by a group of the audience members. You will be asked to perform some of your work for the masses for the given dates: April 4th extending through to April 10th. Your presence has been requested at bequest of myself, Lux... Luxord(?!)" He spoke the last word/name, he wasn't sure which, with incredulity, but continued on, "Luxord, the proprietor and Executive Producer of the concert in question. Should you wish for more information or would like to accept the request right away, merely play the first G key on the piano from the left." Tom let the paper flop out of his hand as it sank, as did his expression and certainty of sanity. "First G key on the piano from the left... from the left... play the... WHO DID THIS?" He was hairline furious; he assumed this had to be some kind of joke."You mean to tell me if I play this note," He pounded the prerequisite key, "I'll be-" And so Tom Waits left California after having been swallowed whole by the piano. He was almost instantly transported to a clear white room with an odd, almost Gothic design that was entirely white from floor to ceiling. "I quit." He murmured, sitting in a kind of throne, his 6' frame too small for it, and his feet dangled far above the floor. Really high off the floor. His eyes went wide when he peered over the side. Before, he had merely been derailed and annoyed, and now he was going crazy over the sudden change of scenery. Usually his good humor and dauntless spirit could get him over anything, but this?! No way THIS was happening! Just as he thought, he let out a great big yell as the throne careened down and he was forced to look up to see a whirling pool of dark matter swirl in place of a round ceiling.When the throne slowed and stopped, he fixed his black trilby to the side and held onto the lapels of his dark-toned, pinstripe dress shirt. Immediately at the floor, standing right in front of him was a blond, pale-skinned man in a custom suit who nodded cordially at him and offered his hand to Waits."Mr. Waits, I presume?" Luxord referenced that old addage when greeting a person one has been expecting."Who the Hell are yo-? What just happe-? Where the Hell am I??" It was the first question of a string he could finish asking. He was jittery in his seat, keeping a distance from the greeting man."I am Luxord. This is my home. You have just been transported from your world to mine, for a concert which I had ascertained you verified attendance by means of musical instruction.""A concert?" Tom Waits relaxed somewhat and got to his feet, shakily, an he was a man of a strong constitution. Maybe his age was throwing him of his game? He tried not to think about it. "What concert?""Simply follow me, Sir, if you are, in accordance, acquiescing to the request given.""Sure, I'll play. Something tells me I shouldn't say no. Just tell me all the specifics on the way." Tom peered into the somber but smirking face of his greeter and apparent host."I'll lead you to your room. The others will recur and arrive in time." And so Luxord led his guest down the empty, blank halls.TO BE CONTINUED... BY YOU. Here's where we start; have fun.P.S., this is my first RP back with kh-vids and I'd really like for it to work.
Burden Bereaved Lost in a solemnity riveting in its interminable turpitude, a man’s intellect when not of the base variety is condemned to such everlasting torture. He knows reality and as an old pair of friends knows well everlasting derision. Such is my case, now, missing that which is essential, which is rare. Has been the case all along, ever since elementary days where a mature mind buys hatred from the souls of the fellow young, a malady few of them will part from in their progressive state until they themselves open their eyes. That which cannot be understood, is there not a general consensus that this abomination of greater mental capacity should perish in forced silence? There is such a decree of the public, and Chamfort, Dupin and I are one in a presumption in that which is general thought. Such is my sentence to understand man and woman in their obstinate, closed-minded abjectivity. Though do I believe myself above it all? Am I not prone to the same weak mortalities that befit a man? Indeed I am, but even in youth, I am aware of what I do; ability learned of sight, hearing, and thought well developed, and forced to do so both by outside action and nature. I am object of molding to my own thought, and it, this hand of fate which I cannot severe, never ceases, and never wanes in its furthering the development that horrible sickness that which accompanies, Sorrow. Those that I love bereave me, finding that my intellect makes me different, and so they can no longer love me for my intellect. That which draws curiosity condemns me wholly to wallow in their remarks. Such is my case since youth, and in youth I still reside, surrounded by a world bottling itself in, deeper and deeper. Even this damned anecdote is written upon the mode of man’s self-destruction! Self-destruction if not seen, if not caught; a world of information, of creativity lies in technology and the furthering of it, but look in ghastly, haunting horror how it is ill-used! Conditioning: speak of that word “conditioning” condition the conditioned to not believe they are conditioned and some will believe and some will not, and yet all are conditioned either way. There is no “unconditioning”; there is only a “reconditioning”, lest human will be ripped forever from the body which is canted within. It is in sole realization that I am locked in such mortal terror. Such is why I fear now, for the sake of those I love. It is in their conditioning that they despise me. Speak the word “intellect” and those stuffy, “ugly” old men in history books or the modern serial killer comes into the common human mind. An unwonted lover once loved but now replaced by a weaker mind is a stalker, and can be nothing more. Did I not mention that the human mind is prey to such abjectivity; blind obstinacy? A revolutionary is made mince-meat of therein for what is known cannot be questioned, yet the basis of all that is good is based in question. Is conformity being the Christian, or is conformity being the Atheist who must question all that is believed, but not question why he does not believe? Is revolution distrusting that which governs, or is it wholly not damnable to bring into reason why what is must be conflicted in a certain manner? The answer may lay in the mean or in either or in both. The answer is precisely what I seek as I now contemplate the singular record of one whom I am not sure if victim or torturer. Many I have known before like her, but in her novel intelligence I am compelled to think myself a fool that has been tricked, or is it she whom is the one being tricked? The case in which I speak of is one Diade Ignes. Her beauty, in an age of set desires, is her own; an ancient beauty which neither needs remedy nor aid to catch the eye and be lovely, it simply, naturally is. Her intelligence, as I have before inscribed, is of a not rare kind, but compelling in its encompassing of all that is studied, she makes small work of tests and essays by a sheer determination which dominates the intelligence, an furthers the production. She once loved me, but of this love there is but my own affection for her, thus a stalking. Though I have never sought her out physically, made my presence overbearing since our parting, she feels compelled to yell “Stalker” and “Court” simply because she is well acquainted with the base type of human, so meager and pitiable in their conditioned wanting of flesh. No, what she refuses to connect, though I make evidently clear, is that I care for her. It is now crime to care for another, wish no ill-will upon them! She acts as though she is one of Huxley’s, and Alpha or Beta she may be, calling forgiveness an unwanted advance. What need be there for forgiveness? In my foresight, in my caring for her as we were together, I let her go for the sole purpose of her being happy. Two forces would have ripped her to pieces, these two forces of which I was one party, and an invidious former love was another. The two forces would have ripped her apart, I say, because it was my objective to make sure such was not the case. I wanted her, after all, I loved her, but more over all, I wanted her happiness, and in so, sold my own for hers. Now here is the commonality of the reaction, the fact in which she despises me and hands herself wholly to the other. And do I not understand why she does this? The former was a scorning lover and much what her palpitating, lively young heart wanted. Once good purpose was seen in her again, the former leapt to the chance to have what he wanted. I cannot blame her for her servitude to a lesser master. Lesser can be said for many reasons but mainly for the fact she throws herself at him like he is one, and the fact I consider myself never the master of her will. Know well this one point: should he repeat mistakes past made, she will easily be kept none the wiser, and so stay in her putted place as pet which is stroked upon coming home, after the self-proclaimed owner has returned from the kennel. I can very well hate her for her derision, but don’t I understand it? I do not despise her for harm which she brings me, for perhaps I am the one far too lost in obstinacy to refuse that she could very well control far more than of what I speak. All these flaccid details are of the usual variety in that they can be compared to many ended relationships. The singularity, I’m afraid, lies in me. The fact I can let her go. The fact I can understand both the devil and angel inside her. The pity I have for a fate she is yet unaware of, and once aware of, she will find herself well dug in to the Earth and a shovel in her hand. Mercy bear upon that hand that blade will not arrest at the opposite wrist and draw from it a wire of life that is let by so many troubled in the contemporary age. That is my sole worry. Not that she will never love me again, though I wish with all my power can sustain an my soul can bear, but what method of near self-disposal she will render upon herself when footing she finds so solid is made all at once intangible. She will endure pain for pain’s sake as she always has, I fear, and it is this fear which is the greatest. It is greatest because I have no power to control it. Were she to speak and render rapid Hate useless, I feel I could save her from near-demise or total rupture in all. The pain, the empathy, I can feel the blade in my hand and feel it tear at my skin, I can sense the sensations vibrating through my thus damaged veins, and yet all is phantasm. Never have I known the feel of such self-derision that has caused me to harm myself as she has done in the past, but still I can feel her past pains and the ones yet to come! They haunt my mornings, my evenings, and my life in an incessant mockery of my ineptitude to keep them from happening! How I care for her though she cares not for me! It is an all-engulfing pain that is invisible to her eye and so she calls it a mental illness. Such like her I have never known before and how wrongly she calls this other man her paramour. Were he any other man I could rid myself of her memory and be done of this terror forever, but I cannot. She hates me most for pointing out his flaws which she listed herself! Maddening even more is the question: If she did not want me to think of this former man as nothing less than the Devil, why- O Why! - was I given so much red paint for his portrait?! All that has been listed is insufferable and in many cases, precisely what she does to me now, and she claims her worst fault is an overbearing amount of emotion. If this be the case, how can she commit the same derisive act she bore upon a mortal spirit all too similar to her own? How can she deprive me of word when word is all I seek, and her comfort secured? The answer lies only in supposition. Is it greed? Is it protection of either myself or her? I suppose the latter because this brute that is the former man is of the oafish quality which displays itself prominently as an alpha of its species, yet will grow into detestable ineptitude for its lack of thought. And yet, despite this hard truth or indeed because of it, she persists in her love for him. Oh silent monster that is jealousy! Oh cruel demon that is fate! Cannot I save one good-natured soul from the corruption that lies within us all? Are You that insufferable? That wave of time how horrid is the state in which you swell and wrap around me! Will you sift and return to me what has been lost, or will closure be lost in your thunderous and merciless rolls forever?! I try to keep my head above the water as best I can. I do accost the ocean of misery in all its horrors, and pray for the capacity which is my burden to bear, can truly be received by another, and not weigh heavily upon her shoulders. Then, perhaps, we both will be spared that turbulent wave.
Okay, so I know alts are a big no-no. However, it has been such a length of time and the me that started the account of BaseSebastian is very different than the me that created this account. (No, BaseSebastian, if you do not know, was NOT banned. I just forgot the e-mail account I used for that account along with the password.) So, with nowhere else to go but up, I have decided the best way to rejoin the masses of kh-vids.net is to start anew. I can't access BaseSebastian, so no worries, I won't spam the forum as both, however still the case, I will ask any Moderator or Admin reading this to neither ban nor delete BaseSebastian. For nastalgia reasons. Anyways, if anyone I knew from years ago might still be here: You know me. :p Writer, Actor, Singer, that sort of thing. I want to start on new stories now that I'm back, and I would appreciate it if anyone who remembers me could contact me and tell me the name I would have known them by years ago. I really want to reconnect. All I have to say is: At least I was honest saying that I used to be another user so many years ago. There we go. It's a new account; not an alt. I want a new start and I hope I can get one. In the meantime, I am off to the Writer's corner to get back in the groove. Later! :D
