Shadows Swarm

H. Moogle<I'm sure you can work something out with Artemis, Kupo!>

A. Moogle<Or just join Lady Artemis directly, Kupo!>
=================================
*Eventually, they reach the city of Athens. Thiera points up on a hill.*

T"The Temple of Athena should be at the center of the Acropolis."
=================================
R"Just wanted to rub your faces in your failures before I destroyed you. You didn't think I was just going to settle with Roatha, did ya, Kiddies?"

*He stuffs his hands in his pockets & starts to head out, but Euryale stands up, knocking her chair aside & summons her Keyblade.*

E"You don't think we're just going to let you walk out with our friend, do you!?"

<<<Shhh!>>>

*He glances back.*

R"You wanna start chucking boulders, I'd be happy to fight you. But I really doubt you've got the stones for it. Besides, what makes you think he was really your friend? I took over awfully fast. Maybe he wanted you all dead just as much as I do."

E"You're lying!"

<<<Shhh!>>>

R"Well, that's the best part. Maybe I am, maybe I'm not. But you'll never know. And it's the doubt that really eats away at you like venom."
=====================================
Aladdin<Of course. Good luck.>

Axel<Likewise, I'm sure.>

*Axel waves him off.*

Azuma: "I could try, but I don't think she's going to let me just walk off with some tusks."

===================================

Taiyo: "Yeah, fine...."

Safian:<(Ok. Maybe you should find me a leash while we're at it.)>

*Safian scares off in the distance*

<(I wonder who will let me join their team.)>
===
*Monu goes over and pats Euryale on the shoulder*

<Don't worry, we know he doesn't think that.>
---
*Artexi summons her glider I guess*

T"I think these people are used to talking animals, actually."
==================================
E"Then we have to say something to reach him!"

R"Oh, grow up."

*He waves & steps out. Lilith summons her Keyblade & runs after him. She tries using Ivybind, but Roatha turns & summons his Keyblades, blasting her with a torrent of red lightning that causes her to fly back into the table, unconscious. Euryale runs around the table, standing in front of her & slashing, sending a trail of spikes outside, which he simply cartwheels out of the way of.*
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*When they're in the forest, a strange wind kicks up, leaves flying off of the trees & swirling into a circle. As it spins ever faster, they flash gold & become [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]. Blue birds land on her shoulders & nuzzle her neck & squirrels run out of the bushes & hug her feet.*

Artemis<MORTALS...so, I heard you're in a bit of a pickle. You want to protect the boars so that you can join me-->

*He points to Hitomi with her branch, then to Azuma.*

Artemis<And you want to join Hephaestus, but don't want to hurt the boars. I have to say, I'm mighty impressed with yer concern for nature. Tell ya what--the tusks of the boars that die naturally belong to me. Ya can have some, if ya help protect the living boars. Sound good?>
=================================
*Back at the Gray Area, Demyx is tuning his sitar on the couch, next to Luxord, who is playing a card game with a small Mushroom Heartless across from them. Lexeaus stands in the corner, talking to Zexion, a Mushroom Heartless almost as large as Senthose's, & another Mushroom Heartless about the size of a teenage boy. Axel approaches Keter, who is staring out of the window.*

Axel<Excuse me, uh, Miss, but where's Senthose? Gotta report the results of the mission to him.>

*She turns to Axel, looking down her nose at him.*

Keter<You will never cease being an ill-mannered cretin, will you? He is at the Altar of Naught.>

*Eve wakes up, combs her hair, and heads out into the Gray Area*
===
*Artexi waves to those present, except for Keter, who's a bitch*
---
*Monu summons his keyblade, sending diamond shards at Roatha before running to the unconscious Lilith, laying her flat on the ground*
===
<I'm starting to like this world.>

It had more to do with not fighting Hitomi, but sure.

Azuma: "Sounds like a plan. What do you say?"

Hitomi nods in affirmation.

===================================

Taiyo goes to Lilith's side and heals her via magic geyser.

Taiyo: "We can't do this here."

*Axel is about to leave, but bumps into Eve on his way out.*

<Oh, sorry.>
=======================================
*Roatha staggers back after being hit by diamonds, then tosses his cloak off & starts forward.*

R"Don't agree, Skanko."

*Athena's Moogle winds up a little bull on her desk that begins bellowing like a siren. Roatha looks at it & opens a Dark Corridor behind him.*

R"You got lucky."

*Lilith groans.*
========================================
*They eventually reach the statue. Thiera looks around.*

T"Do you know what we're supposed to do here?"
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Artemis<Right, so here's the deal: Somewhere in this forest is a group of poachers. Normally, I'd track 'em with no problem, but the Oracle says they've got some kind of spell against me. I just need you to run 'em off & take that hoodoo from 'em. Capiche?>

*While she's talking, a large python slithers between Azuma & Hitomi, towards Artemis.*

The two of them nod.

===================================

Taiyo: "Are you okay?"

*Safian walks around the statue, sniffing at it*
===
*Monu puts an arm around Lilith, casting a healing spell over her*
---
*Artexi heads off in search of Senthose, nodding at Eve*

Eve:<The mushrooms seem to be multiplying.>

*She looks back at her own, who I suppose is there*

*Lilith stares at the cloak Roatha left behind.*

L"...No."

E"I'm sorry. Maybe if I'd been there to back you up--"

L"It's not that. How am I supposed to explain to Thiera that I let him get away? Or to Mom that I lost one of us?"
==================================
*It is still wearing her coat & takes notes on the exchange.*

Axel<Yeah. I kinda like the little guys.>

*He looks up at the Lexeaus Shroom as it approaches him.*

Axel<Or big guys, in some case. Anyway, if you wanna keep talkin', you'll have to come with me.>

*He runs off after Artexi.*
===================================
*She heads out, finding a janitor.*

T"Excuse me, Sir--yes, you--if I wanted to join Athena's team for the upcoming tournament, how would I contact her?"

<Just beseech her. That's all there is to it>

T"Uh--alright, thanks."

*As he heads off to sweep somewhere else, Thiera turns & raises her arms dramatically.*

T"I, uh, beseech you?"

*The statue glows & comes to life.*

Athena<Who dares contact me so disrespectfully?>
===================================
*The snake slithers up the goddess's leg & torso.*

Artemis<In that case, you can start by--ugh!>

*She pulls the snake's lips off of her own.*

Artemis<Not now, I'm working! So you need to--loosen up, baby--you're killin' Mama--LET--GO!>

*The birds & squirrels flee as Artemis turns back into a tornado of leaves & disappears. The snake coils on the ground & flicks its tongue at them.*

Taiyo: "Can't we do something to help him?"

===================================

Azuma: "Can you finish what she was going to say?"

Monu:<You'll find a way, don't worry.>
===
*Safian stares up at the moving statue*

<Are you Athena?>
---
*Eve follows*

*The snake hisses at them.*
======================================
*They arrive at the Altar of Naught to see Senthose & Saix staring up in the sky, where hundreds of tiny points of light are gathering far away from the castle.*

Saix<Pitiful Heartless. Mindlessly collecting Hearts. Unaware of the power they hold. The rage of the Keyblade releases those hearts. They gather in darkness, masterless & free. Until they weave together to create Kingdom Hearts.>

*Senthose looks at him.*

S<Uh--I already know that. Wha--why are you telling me this?>

Saix<When that time comes, we can truly, finally exist.>

S<Yes. Kingdom Hearts can restore any Heart that has been lost. While individual Heartless can be slain & Nobodies can regrow their Hearts over time, Kingdom Hearts is the only force which can instantly restore every world & every inhabitant damaged by the darkness. If you can control it, of course.>

Saix<So it's not as simple as obtaining Kingdom Hearts?>

S<No. A very particular Keyblade is required. A Keyblade which is made of both light & darkness. Merely having 2 Keyblades will not allow us to access the full power of Kingdom Hearts. Both components must exist in perfect unity. I thought that I could obtain it if I unlocked the darkness in my heart. You know how well that went, of course.>

*He shrugs.*
=====================================
L"If we could defeat the dark presence inside of him...but, by that point, too much damage may have already been done."

*She shakes her head.*

???<Sounds like YOU need a HERO!>

*[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] runs up.*

???<Name's Zack, Hero-In-Training! I came as soon as I heard the alarm. Where's the trouble?>

E"The trouble's already gone."

Librarian<Not true, Kupo! You need to pay for the damages!>
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Athena<And who are you, mortal, that you would be so foolish as to address me in this fashion?!>

T"Sorry, uh, we don't know the local customs. We, or at least I, was looking to join your team in the upcoming tournament--uh, your Goddess--ness?"

*She curtsies.*

Athena<In that case, I shall overlook your bizarre mannerisms. Is it just you, or also the Panthera leo?>

*They both look at Safian.*

*Safian dips her head*

<Uh, I'm really not sure...>
===
*Monu smiles at her*

<I sure we will be able to save him in time.>
---
*They head up the staircase, then Eve wanders over to Senthose and Saix, while Artexi stays in the doorway*

Artexi:<Senthose, I think you have my heart somewhere.>

They back away from the snake to look for poachers.

*Saix & Senthose look around, but they can't see Artexi because of how the Altar of Naught is set up.*

Saix<And so what if we do? Do you not realize-->

*He stops talking when Senthose unexpectedly puts a hand on his mouth & starts rubbing it around.*

S<Shh, shh...ferme la bouche. It's all gonna be okay. Just relax.>

*Saix steps back. Glaring at Senthose, he wipes his mouth on his sleeve. Senthose puts his hands in his pockets.*

S<Anyway, I suppose it's possible. Determining where the hearts come from is not an exact science. Though it may respond if you draw near it. So...is that what all of you are here for, or...?>
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Athena<And why not?>
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Zack<Uh, I don't know what's going on here, but I'm sure we can work something out.>

*Lilith glares at him.*

L"You can't help! And we don't have the munny for the book!"

*Zack thumps his chest.*

Zack<Hero Rule XXXI: Failure is not an option!>

Librarian<Isn't "Hero Rule LXV" "Compromise is for suckers"?>

*Zack waves her off.*

Zack<Details! You'll be participating in the tournament, right? Why don't you just have some of your winnings donated to the library?>
=================================
*Surprisingly, there are no poachers just behind the bushes, but there is a trail of hoof prints & broken underbrush.*

They follow the trail that hopefully leads them to their goal. But this is Kingdom Hearts, so it'll probably be ice cream.

===================================

Taiyo: "We don't have a team to join."

*Eve shrugs*

Artexi:<We also have a genie in a lamp for you.>

*She walks over and gives it to him*
---
*Safian cowls*

<Well ma'am...I'm not very knowledgeable.>
===
*Monu nods*

<We'll do that then.>

*By this point, the Hero Alarm has been stopped.*

Zack<Yeah! No problem, I can help you find one.>

*He gives them the thumbs up, then starts doing squats, for some reason.*

Zack<So, why do you want to be in the tournament?>
========================================
*Senthose takes it.*

S"Interesting. What's the story behind this?"

Axel<There was a lamp in the Cave of Wonders, but that's not it. That genie was freed, but not before Jafar wished to be a Genie himself.>

S"I see. So he's subject to the same conditions? He grants any 3 wishes?"

Axel<Aside from creating love, directly killing someone, or wishing for more wishes. Also, apparently, he can't counter more powerful magic, like the Keyblades.>
================================
Athena<I see. That would be a barrier in joining me, yes.>

"That's not true. I'm sure you could pass the test."

Athena<Without even knowing what the test is? Is that confidence or foolishness?>
=================================
*While they're following the tracks, they hear a noise behind them. A centaur whose upper body sort of resembles Goliath notches an arrow & points it at them. He also has a black coin tied around his neck with a skull on it.*

???<You're not thinking of hunting my boar, are you?>

Safian:<Where I come from, there isn't even any books ma'am. I've only just started to learn more stuff.>
===
*Monu stares at the guy, then back at Lilith*
---
*Eve claps her hands*

<I suppose we let him out by rubbing the lamp, no?>

Azuma: "We're here to hunt the hunters. And that trinket you got there screams bad guy."

===================================

Taiyo: "Why are you doing squats?"

Zack<It's--good exercise!>

L"...Don't look at me, I just wanted to stop the Organization."

Zack<Who're they?>

E"Hm...villains."

Zack<Hm...closest fit--would prob'ly--be Zeus.>

E"I'm already kinda settled on Artemis."

L"It really doesn't matter to me."
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Centaur<What, the coin? It keeps Artemis off my trail, so she doesn't turn me into a boar. And if she's recruited you, I guess I'll have to trample you & send you galloping back to Thebes!>

*He fires at Azuma, quickly notching another arrow.*
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Axel<That's how the last one worked, anyway.>
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Athena<No books? Shameful.>

T"Hey, there are other ways to learn things!"

Athena<Oh...I suppose.>

T"What is the test?"

Athena<I require my applicants to explain to me a suitable strategy to defeat their opponents, and make fools out of my brother, Ares, & his champions.>

Safian:<I couldn't even read a word before...I meet Thiera.>

*She looks up at the goddess*

<I can maul things...>
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Monu:<I will join whoever Lilith does.>
---
*Eve rubs her hands together*

<How excellent!>

Artexi:<About my heart, do you know where it might be?>

Azuma conjures up a shield of DARKNESS! while Hitomi blasts Blizzara's at the centaur.

===================================

Taiyo: "I didn't get an opportunity to see the rest of the book."

*The centaur tries to jump over them, only realizing when he glances back that they're going to turn on his back. Ducking under his deflected arrow, he decides to charge the duo, drawing a gladius.*
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S"Well, yeah, I have storage tanks just full of the things. Eve should know where they are."
=======================================
Zack<Not a problem! ...There's a god or--a goddess for--just about everything--you can think of!>

L"If my prior knowledge is accurate, there are about a dozen gods in the main pantheon. Zeus is the chief & sky deity, his wife Hera, goddess of--womanliness--his brothers Poseidon and Hades rule over the ocean and underworld, respectively, Artemis is goddess of the hunt & the moon, with her twin brother Apollo presiding over the sun, prophecy, & medicine, who is often confused with the messenger god, Hermes. There is also Athena, the goddess of wisdom, her sibling rival Ares, the god of war, Demeter, goddess of the harvest, Dionysus, the god of wine, & Aphrodite, the goddess of love, as well as a whole host of lesser deities.>

Zack<I don't know where--you got Dionysus--it's Baachus--but other than that--right on the Munny!>
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Athena<That is not very strategic.>

"Well, I don't want to join if you won't let Safian join!"

Athena<Come now. If you'll use some common sense, you'll surely realize that every god can't simply admit anyone. And if you don't want my favor, you should at least avoid my scorn. I've already mentioned how I abhor rudeness.>