The Dream Festival (PLOT; Open)

[Queen Minnie]

Her majesty smiled around at the decorated town. It was a lovely festival this year, and her heart had been rested by the fact that she'd seen Mickey so very recently, even though he'd left again for a while. Maybe he would be back in time for the festival? She hoped so.

She had been at the Gummi Hangar most of the day, greeting the VIP guests that she had invited for this very special Dream Festival. All throughout the worlds, people were gathering at the safest and happiest sanctuary in the universe to enjoy a night of fun and hope. Minnie had greeted a few princesses, many heroes and several new friends. It was nice to be able to hold such a party in the honor of peace. The pink clad queen was now ready to go up to one of the towers and see that everything was ready.

She walked up the stairs and smiled at the triplet duck boys in red, green and blue. "Is everything ready?"

"It's ready, Your Majesty!" The boys all chimed together. "All we gotta do now is..." "Wait for the signal!" "Then we can start the show!'

Her majesty nodded happily at the boy's enthusiasm. She knew that the boys were excited about this new addition to the festival. Games, food and fun during the day time, and a spectacular show for the finale at the night time.

"I suppose I should go start things off then, shouldn't I?" She giggled to herself as she walked towards the castle gates where a large stage and podium were set up for her use, complete with microphone, sound system and spotlight. It would be dark soon, so she would need these to get everyone's attention. She sat down in one of the chairs set off to the side and watched the wonderful happenings in town. So many happy faces... it made her glad to be the one overseeing this place. This was her dream... that those of the worlds would be happy. It wasn't a dream she could achieve alone, but it was a big dream that was important to her, so she didn't mind that at all. It made the dream all the better, in her opinion, to share it with others.

Minnie was waiting for night fall, to see the first stars twinkling in the sky. It was watching the sky that she began to wonder. Had everyone shown up to the party?

[Riku]

Riku had stepped into the town, looking around at all the happy residents, and enjoying the cheerful, uplifting atmosphere that seemed to explode when he stepped out of the Gummi Ship. Almost immediately, however, he realized one thing.

The King wasn't here.

He didn't know how, or why, but he knew that Mickey wasn't here at the time, and wondered why. Was it in preparation? Was he making sure that the peace was real? Riku wasn't sure, but, he knew one thing...

This uneasy feeling he felt hadn't left him since the day he and Sora sparred on Destiny Island... But, then again, it was for good reason... but that would come later. It was time for celebration! Riku was sure he'd see Donald and Goofy, and even Queen Minnie, but at this moment, he needed to buckle down and find Sora. Sora had come separately, most likely staying behind to bring Kairi along, the charmer... Riku couldn't help but still feel a tad bit of jealousy from back then about them two, and about how he and Sora competed for her... but, then again, now was different. He had more important things to think about other than childhood crushes... He had Xehanort to worry about.

When he asked Sora to come with him to the Festival, Sora jumped at the chance. Not only to see his old friends, but to provide a sense of security... Keybearers were the pinnacle of defense against Heartless and Nobodies, the most effective warriors against such a threat, yet, somehow, Riku had a bad feeling, and so did Sora...

They were needed.

[Sora]

After his episode on the islands with Riku, Sora had immediately set out to find Kairi. With such a threat he expected to hit here, not only would her keyblade more than likely come in handy, but he feared for leaving her on her own somewhere where he couldn't reach her.

"Ok, Kairi. This is going to sound COMPLETELY crazy, but you have to listen, ok? I had this dream, and the castle was all destroyed and there was a big shadowy guy looming over everything so, we have to go make sure nothing happens!" His quick synopsis on the way probably sounded like crazy banter but, hopefully she'd at least trust him on his gut feeling. Honestly, he had wished he never would have had the stupid vision. He'd rather have just asked Kairi to come for the sake of going. But instead, they were on duty.

As soon as they had landed"Come on, we gotta go find Riku." He reached down and closed his gloved hand around her own as he set off through the crowds of people, pulling her along as he weaved his way around in search of their silver haired friend. After a few minutes and still no luck, his eyes did manage to spot the small pink clad queen sitting idly by on the stage. Well, he'd have to warn her eventually. Might as well do it before the festival started.

"Queen Minnie!" He called out, waving his free arm frantically in the air, hoping to catch her attention and direct it his way. After finally pushing and shoving his way through and to the stage's base, he pulled himself up, helping Kairi up after him. "Queen Minnie! We have a problem! By this time he was slightly out of breath both from his frantic searching and from his fear that things would soon turn for the worst. "This is going to sound REALLY farfetched but, I had a vision. Everything. Everything here was destroyed and on fire!"

[Kairi]

She had been relaxing on the beach, keeping an eye out for any shells she could use to make more of her star charms when Sora found her. Oceanic eyes widened in surprise; she smiled, and was about to greet him but he'd beaten her to it, and had in fact skipped the greeting in favor of his explanation. "A dream? Sora, you were sleeping again, weren't you!" The Princess giggled, but pulled herself up off the sand and brushed herself off. It did sound silly, he was right about that, but for all she knew he could be right about the attack as well, and it certainly wasn't worth risking anyone's life over a dream. Besides, even if the dream did not come to pass, they'd get to visit the castle! "But okay," she said, nodding at the Keyblader before her. "Count me in!"

On the way to the castle, Kairi couldn't help but wonder if they would have had the opportunity to visit the castle if it weren't for Sora's dream. Would he have asked her regardless? Oh well, it wasn't anything to get worked up about, not unless she wanted to be focused on yet another "what if" for the entire night. Besides, if his dream did come true, and there was an attack, she needed to be ready to help, however possible. The moment they landed, her eyes widened yet again; the lights, the decorations, it all looked fantastic! She smiled and nodded at Sora's comment about finding Riku, though she couldn't help but make a comment of her own as well. "Sora, look! Everything, it's all so pretty!" Suddenly, her hand was clasped in his and they were weaving their way through the crowd. The Princess silently assured herself that it was the excitement from all the people gathered that made her feel so -- happy? content? -- and definitely not because Sora was holding her hand. He was simply trying to keep track of her while they searched for Riku, that was all. Right?

"I don't see him, Sora," she said, loud enough to be heard over the crowd but not loud enough to be heard by the crowd either. She gently bit her bottom lip in slight worry; the longer they were here, the more concerned she became because Riku was still nowhere to be found, and Sora did seem quite convinced that something bad was going to happen. Her eyes flashed over in the direction of which Sora was calling, and she spotted the Queen as well. This brought her a bit of comfort too, though finding Riku would definitely bring a great deal more comfort, if only they could find him. "You're telling her, aren't you?" She asked, though it was more of an observation than a true question. The next thing she knew, she was being pulled up on stage by Sora, and listening to his frantic explanation. "Everything was on fire?" He hadn't told her that back on the beach! Oceanic eyes scanned their surroundings, seeing all the bright decorations in a different light. And to think, she felt so happy and hopeful when they first arrived! She could only hope his dream was false, otherwise who knew what those gathered here tonight would take away from the festival, one which was held in celebration of hope and peace.

"Riku's here, I know he is," she said, scanning the crowd from their place on the stage. The Princess wanted to explain that she could almost sense their best friend, but her increasing worry kept her from voicing this. "Sora, your dream is scaring me," she wanted to say, but didn't; instead, she subconsciously tightened her grip on his hand -- after he'd helped her climb up onto the stage neither teens had let go of the other's hand.

"Sora," she spoke, placing one hand on his shoulder. "It'll be okay." Kairi smiled at the Queen, all the while wondering if Sora's words, the way he quickly recited the dream, would cause more harm than help. "We're here, and we can keep an eye on things, right? That's why you asked me to come with you, isn't it?" If he would simply catch his breath, she could be less worried. And one thing she knew she could do was be here, and reassure him that he was not alone.

---

ooc: in which kairi uses EVERYTHING IS PRETTY in a legit post, ftw

[Queen Minnie]

Her majesty turned around and looked for the familiar voice calling her name and her dark eyes locked onto the azure blue of Sora's as he bounded towards the stage. Her face remained completely serene but her eyes began to glisten with the worries that something had happened. She raised a gloved hand above her head to motion for the crowd to part and allow him through, but it seemed there was no need. The spirited youth had pushed his way forward and was pulling himself and his princess up onto the stage.

As he began explaining his vision, Minnie's eyes swept out over the crowds; the people, not only natives to Disney Town, but from many worlds that had been affected by the recent darkness, were all looking on with concern. She felt a tremor in her heart. This was not good... if there was a panic... innocents would get hurt... and there might be casualties. She looked to Sora with an apologetic expression for a moment before turning to the people standing close to the stage, planning to stop any rumors or concern that might have started from hearing what the heroic Sora had just said. Hopefully the microphone was not on yet... It would be upsetting to many to have overheard that unsettling news.

"Please, ladies and gentlemen, listen to me... Though the King is not here to confirm these visions, and he has sent no word that we should be worried. I know the king... and if there were any sign of danger, he would immediately send word for us to take cover and hold the festival another time. Also, " Her tone took on a cautionary lilt, " we are lucky enough to have Sora here to protect our world. So I am sure nothing bad will happen. It's better to be safe than sorry; but at this time, we have no reason to stop the festival."

Minnie then turned back to Sora, after she was certain that anyone close enough to the stage to hear their conversation had been pacified.

"Now... this vision... do you have any idea what happened or why?" She asked calmly but with an honest concern. "Perhaps it was symbolic more than precognitive? I've heard of those kinds of dreams. They say people with very sensitive hearts are most likely to have them." Ever trying to be the voice of reason, Minnie began trying to rationalize what was happening that had upset the teenage boy. She cupped one elbow in a hand and put the other hand to her chin, her finger curved lightly under her lip.

"Putting a stop to the festival... would make many people sad... and would be unfair to the many who came here to celebrate hope and peace if we gave into an unbased fear." She explained gently. "I'm afraid I have to know more before we can make a decision."

[Riku]

Where is he?

Riku had walked around for a moment, hands in pockets, and kept an eye out for anything overtly suspicious. Heartless, bald men, anything. Sora was genuinely freaked out about this, and if there's one thing he learned is when Sora's serious, things are about to get real.

Finally, he heard someone say "Look, why is that boy running towards our Queen?" "Shouldn't someone stop him?" "Oh, wait I think that's another friend!"

He looked up to the stage and saw Sora loudly telling Minnie what happened, an Minnie looking... relatively calm. Odd. He looked around again, deciding to make his way towards the stage, finally arriving and hopping up, standing next to Sora. He gave Kairi a quick smile and then looked and looked back to the Queen.

"Your Majesty.... Minnie... Please, hear him out. You know Sora wouldn't say anything like this unless he was sure of it..."

Riku then turned around, looking at Sora. "Best thing we can do is not start a panic... let's look around, see if we can find him running around... maybe we'll get lucky and prevent everything from happening after all." he said, smiling at his friend, though, Sora would be smart enough to know that what Riku really meant was simply I'm scared too.

At this point, he didn't even notice the people pointing to the sky, looking upwards.

"Come on. We'll do this together." he said, smiling.

[Sora]

"I don't know why. I was sparring with Riku when the world started spinning and the next thing I knew, I was standing here and there was a shadowy figure standing among all the ruins and flames.. I woke back up shortly after." The image was still plastered into his mind. He couldn't seem to shake it.

Sora could feel his heart drop into his feet. Queen Minnie had made the decision to go on with the festival. "But.. but, Your Highness!" He wish he could just convince everyone to abandon their good time because of a dream. He sighed. Now that he sounded it out in his head, it DID sound far fetched and unbelievable. More like a young boy who only had a nightmare. Simple as that.

Sora sighed and nodded, hoping Kairi was right. Hoping everything would be ok. As long as they were there, everything would be right? Normally, he'd be all for the upbeat attitude but that image still haunted him. He couldn't shake the feeling that it had felt real. TOO real to be just a dream.

His hand tightened gently around Kairi's in response to her own grip, glad he had been able to find her and bring her along. His could even feel his cheeks get a little warm. Even her presence helped calm him. And even through Riku's uneasiness about that situation, he had managed a reassuring smile. He was glad to have such two great friends, and began to feel slightly ashamed that it was him that needed the cheering up. Usually, that was his job!

"You're right. I guess all we can do is keep an eye out. Thanks guys.."He gave a small smile before looking out into the crowds, noticing most of them were now focusing on the sky. But, when he looked up to investigate, the sky was still dark and blank. Maybe the fireworks were getting shot off soon?

[Kairi]

How much of Sora's words the crowd heard Kairi did not know, and the Queen's gentle placation helped to slightly calm the Princess. She smiled when Sora was mentioned, and playfully nudged his side; he was someone they could count on to protect them should danger come to pass, but he wasn't the only one either. "He does have a sensitive heart," she silently agreed, wondering if the Queen was right and the dream was more symbolic than anything. She hoped. But then, where would that leave them? What sort of symbol or meaning did a burning, destroyed castle represent? She gently bit her bottom lip again as the term 'unbased fear' was heard; sure, dreams were not always enough to take action on -- more like nightmare, really -- but for Sora, the fear nearly seemed to be enough. Still, she respected the Queen's decision. Calling off the festival for nothing other than a dream wouldn't be fair for those gathered. Kairi was torn, unsure on which side to stand in this situation. In her contemplation, oceanic eyes landed on yet another familiar face, and she returned her friend's small smile.

Until Sora's words reached her. "You mean, you passed out?" She blurted out, eyes narrowing on both Sora and Riku. Due to the importance of the current situation, she managed to keep her true reaction to the sudden swell of concern at bay, but only just. Partially listening to the rest of the conversation, she remembered back when she'd been walking to the beach with Selphie one day after school, and she passed out in the middle of the path. Was Sora's own experience the same, or had he been exhausted from sparring? Again, her oceanic gaze flashed over her two friends; if he'd passed out due to exhaustion, all three of them were going to have a long conversation.

Again, Sora's voice brought Kairi back from her thoughts, and she nodded. "You'd do the same for us, silly," she said, giggling softly. And she knew it was true because he'd helped them before, simple as that. "Right, Riku?" She asked, leaning forward so she could see their silver-haired friend around Sora. Smiling, she caught sight of where both Sora and the crowd were looking, and she straightened, tilting her head back.

"Huh?" Kairi's eyes scanned the night sky. She felt as if something was...coming. As if the clear night sky wasn't really so clear after all, but she couldn't see why. "I..." She started to say, keeping her eyes to the sky. The Princess never finished, as she was too focused on trying to define what she was feeling; perhaps, she wondered, Sora's anxiety over the dream had spread to her as well. After all, this festival was meant to be a celebration! Slowly, her gaze shifted from the sky to the bright decorations below, though she'd already forgotten she was in the middle of speaking.

[Queen Minnie]

Just as Kairi looked out over the crowd, the display began, and from the sound system a recording began, Minnie only barely had time to usher the Keybladers to the side of the stage before Jiminy took the stage to start the show.

As the wonderful display started, the Queen looked up at the sky with concern. Something did feel off.

"...For some reason... I feel the urge to check on the Cornerstone... but... I don't wish to leave all these people out here unattended..." She looked up at Sora and gently rested a hand on his, realizing that something right now needed to be done, despite how it would look that she was leaving her own party. "I'm sorry if it seems I doubt you, Sora. It's not that. I'm just... well... truthfully... with everyone here... you, Kairi, Riku... and all the others visiting from other worlds. I have trouble believing anything bad could happen at all. ..." She looked down sadly.

"If Mickey were here... then this place would be more guarded and safe than anyplace... and with the Cornerstone to protect us...I have trouble believing that anyone would ... COULD attack us without being noticed and get so far as to turn this happy place into rubble."

Her majesty thought carefully. It was her job to protect the Cornerstone and her people. She turned and motioned for the three to follow her, the fireworks lighting her up as if in an ethereal glow. "Come... let us see if the Cornerstone senses any problems. As our main defense, surely if something bad were coming..." She let it trail off, beginning to walk serenely towards the Audience Chamber.

She felt her heart hammering. Was it true? Was it possible that something even now was approaching this place... something that would destroy their happiness? How frightening! But of course, as Queen, she was not allowed to give into the fear and folly of the commoners. She had to stand strong, serene, proud and sure even in times of uncertainty and despair. It was just what Queens did. Sure she would worry for her people... but it would be troubling to her people to show these emotions. Just as it would be troubling to her friends to let them see how truly sad and hurt she was whenever the King left with only a letter to signal his departure, and never a word to her. Truly, being Queen was not as easy as it appeared...

[Unknown]

As the group went to check on the Cornerstone, the townsfolk gazed up in wonder at the fireworks as they burst in wondrous colors and noise in the air. However, illuminated by the fireworks was a distant flicker of something... opening? It was gradual but one by one, the townsfolk drew their attention to something silhouetted against the sky. The silhouette would disappear when the fireworks expended their light, but appear again when another went off. And each time it would appear, it would get bigger and bigger. Soon, it seemed the silhouette seemed to dwarf the town itself. But it didn't hit the townsfolk what was happening until the silhouette was so enormous that it parted the clouds as it fell and blocked the very moon itself, casting a shadow over the town. The townsfolk panicked in ran in every direction, screaming for anyone to help as they vacated the spot. Then... it landed.

The landing was akin to an explosion, not only because of the absolutely deafening sound, which succeeded in drowning out the fireworks, but also that the impact had destroyed a huge section of the town and wiped out everything in a large radius around what was now a giant crater. Not that anyone could see the crater due to how much smoke and dust had been thrown up upon impact and shrouded everything in a dark fog. As the dust cloud lessened, the townsfolk could see a silhouette of what looked like a turtle's shell. They kept trying to get a better look, inching closer and closer at this impromptu meteorite. Then a protrusion reached out of a hole, the gigantic limb reaching out of the dust cloud and then stomping on the ground. Three more limbs popped out, each seem to be another leg which landed on the ground and carried the gigantic shell, which started to rise.

Once at full height, the dust cloud had finally cleared away and everyone saw what had landed. It was indeed an enormous turtle, it's shell easily blocking the moon and casting a large part of Disney town in shadow. The legs themselves were black in color and the entire thing radiated energy that only darkened the area around further. As the head came out, fiery yellow eyes peered out into the Town until it focused on the Castle itself. Then, it emitted a deafening roar, the sound alone enough to cause an enormous gust of wind to blow through everyone, as if a hurricane had just hit them. Some townsfolk were even blown away down the streets they occupied. The turtle then leaned its head down and chomped on a house, eating it like it was a mere snack. It then moved slowly towards the castle, its footsteps caused rumbles throughout the town and the ground to crack and rupture under its weight.

And on top of the turtle, almost invisible to everyone due to the turtle's colossal size, was a man in regal attire, standing on top of the turtle and looking at the castle, smirking as the Colossus brought him ever closer to his goal.

---------

CHANGE THEMES!

OoC: Hope everyone likes this.

[Riku]

Theme for my post only


Riku heard the deafening explosion behind him and froze, staring ahead as every good feeling and thought seemed to drain from him. He slowly turned around and saw something big. Very big... It towered above the town as it reached out with it's darkened head and chomped down on a house.

Suddenly, from within, Riku felt a feeling of dread, and suddenly saw black. Then, as if he was yanked by some unseen force, he was pulled to a dark room... a chasm, really. It looked like an old dilapidated chapel, aged and buried, stalagmites coming out of the floor as if the building was built into the cave. He took several steps forward, his heart pounding, as he saw a familiar head of spikey hair in front of him, and beside him, a familiar figure with red hair...

Sora and Kairi?

He took another step forward.

"Guys, where are -" he was cut off by a bright flash in front of him as Sora reached for Kairi's hand as two blade-like beams shot through them, causing them both to hit the floor. Riku's eyes widened in shock and anger as he drew his keyblade and stepped forward, only to find himself in a field full of wildflowers.

"We'll be together... always..." a female voice said.
"Always, my love." followed a male voice.

Suddenly, a piercing shriek shattered his vision as he was standing at the castle again, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead.

"Sora... Get Kairi, Minnie, and everyone else evacuated/" he said quietly. Knowing Sora would protest, he turned suddenly. "No time, just go!" he shouted, then turned to run towards the towering monster that was currently terrorizing the town. He stopped before the steps and looked at Sora one last time before repeating what he said all those years ago, glancing at Kairi as he smiled.

"Take care of her."

Then he was gone.

-----------------------------------

Outside, Riku dashed through the masses of people, stopping and shouting

"Everyone! To the other side of town! Go!"

The people that heard obliged, and started grabbing other townsfolk and pulling them towards the other side of the town, away from the monster. A sudden yell grabbed his attention as a small child was standing alone, crying for his mother. Riku dashed towards the child as several large pieces of debris fall towards the child. Diving above the child, Riku fired a Dark Firaga to destroy them, scooping up the child and dodging the rest of the debris, handing him to the woman he figured was the child's mother, with the way she was crying.

"Get to safety."

"Thank you!" she called as he dashed up the side of another building, climbing to the very top, and gazing at the tortoise that was now less than two hundred yards away from him. He popped his neck, and summoned his keyblade, jumping onto the turtle's tail, and running up to the top, dodging what seemed to be spikes jutting out in defense from the shell. He made it to the top and saw a figure in regal robes, and gritted his teeth.

Taking a deep breath, Riku charged forward, then jumped up, preparing to end this thing with one blow.

[Sora]

Sora ducked his head slightly as Kairi asked if he had passed out. "Well... kinda?" He replied sheepishly as he gave a slight shrug of his shoulders. He honestly hadn't thought it had been that big of a deal, but Kairi seemed to think otherwise.

He glanced back at Kairi after a few moments, as her eyes seemed fixated on the sky. She had only barely begun to speak when her words cut off. "Kairi?" He waved a hand in front of her face, hoping to snap her back into reality. But before he even had a chance to ask her what was wrong, Minnie quickly was shooing them to the side of the stag as the fireworks began and as Jiminy's voice rang throughout the town. He watched on for a moment before feeling a light touch on his free hand. He understood the Queen's take on the situation. But, he still couldn't shake this feeling.. "No, it's ok, Queen Minnie. And you're right. With us here, what could really go wrong?" He grinned widely, trying to force himself to believe everything was ok, or at least put on a brave face for Minnie and his friends. And if ONLY the King were here.. Though for a different reason than the Queen's, maybe Mickey would understand Sora's growing sense of foreboding.

As Minnie motioned for the trio to follow, Sora gave Kairi's hand a small tug as he began to follow. They hadn't gotten too far as a deafening sound erupted behind them followed by a blast of wind and dust. The keyblader quickly yanked Kairi in front of him and wrapped his arms protectively around her as he went to stand in front of Queen Minnie to shield them both from any debris that may have been headed their way. With both of them as protected as he could manage at the moment, he head quickly turned to make sure Riku was still alright. The silver haired boy was physically okay, but he seemed distant. His eyes had gone blank. "RIKU!" Sora called out, trying to snap his friend back to reality. As the dust began to clear, Sora pulled his arms away from Kairi as his foot stepped out to reach out for Riku, but by this time, he had already come back to his senses. Riku immediately gave him orders. Evacuate everyone.. "But, what about you, Riku?" He had only a moment to respond before Riku already had a reply. As if he knew he was going to say something. He only gave a slight nod as Riku took off back into town.

His friend stopped with only a few more words. Take care of her.. Sora's hand clenched into a fist. The last time Riku had said that, they had been torn apart, and those words only made him feel uneasy about what would happen here. "I will."

What WAS that thing anyways?! It was huge! Bright blue eyes stared at the large creature as it tromped through the town, destroying buildings as if they were nothing but twigs in it's way. "Queen Minnie, I need you to help me get people out of the town. Can you wait by the exit and help direct them and make sure everyone is ok?" As much as he wanted to tell Kairi to go with the Queen, he knew she wouldn't listen. At least not for long. His best bet was to keep her close enough so he could at least keep an eye on her, and besides, he needed the help evacuating a whole town of citizens and visitors. "Kairi, I need you to help me get everyone out."

In a bright flash of light, a keyblade appeared already held tightly in his grasp, as he gave a small nod to the Queen before looking to Kairi. "Let's go." As he stepped out into the already partially destroyed town, Sora already several people haphazardly running about unsure of whether to seek refuge in what homes were left or head for the castle. "HEEEY! Everyone come this way!" He shouted as loud as he could muster over the sounds of destruction. He waved his keyblade in the air as he stood on top of a piece of rubble, giving him a good boost up for everyone to see as he used his weapon to direct people towards the outskirts of town.

[Kairi]

"And you're right. With us here, what could really go wrong?"

Perhaps, the Princess would later ask herself, were those truly the best words for the Keyblader to use? But until then, when Sora initially replied, she was in full agreement. They all believed they could ward off any danger, and if not, at least protect the civilians. They'd worked side by side before, and had managed to claim victory. However, none of them could have possibly imagined the new, unknown danger that was about to strike.

Kairi followed in the footsteps of those before her, still holding onto Sora's hand though the action was more subconscious than anything. Not fully paying attention to the ongoing conversation, she gently bit her bottom lip; she was still worried about what happened during the spar, and whether or not Sora was alright. People don't simply fall over without reason, after all.

Maybe he was tired? She thought to herself, hoping the answer was something as simple as the boys just being silly and not paying attention. But...what if it was something worse? What if the things he saw...what if they're real?

Behind them, the sky fell and crashed into the city below. At least, that's what it would have sounded like, had Kairi been able to hear anything at all.

One moment their small band of royals and guardians was headed to the castle, and the next, Kairi found herself clinging to Sora with his arms wrapped around her. The Queen was behind them, or so she hoped, and she hid her face against Sora's shoulder, not yet brave enough to ignore the instinct to run from such chaos. At the sound of Sora's exclamation, the Princess's head snapped up as her oceanic eyes searched for their silver-haired friend. Her first thought was whether or not Riku had been caught in the blast, the collapse, or whatever it was that had happened the second their backs were turned. "Riku!" She cried out, seeing the distant look in his eyes. She moved to run to him, to make sure he really was back to his senses, but his words brought all actions to a pause.

He...what?

Though Kairi could hardly believe what she was hearing, that Riku wanted her to leave as well and Sora actually agreed, she knew it was pointless to argue with the two at least for now. There were lives on the line, and she was mature enough now to keep from throwing a fit when there were far more important things to do instead. She did narrow her blue eyes at Riku however, and pointedly shouted, "Be careful!" as he ran off. As she was not with them as they sealed the Door years ago, the true meaning behind Riku's parting words escaped her, and she misunderstood.

Sora then turned and spoke to Queen Minnie, and Kairi couldn't help but feel a twinge of worry for the royal mouse. She'd never seen her in battle before, and could only hope she was as strong as Kairi believed. Then, Sora spoke again, his words now directed towards her. "Just because I let Riku go alone doesn't mean you're getting rid of me that easily, mister."

Wait. What had he said?

Kairi's oceanic eyes widened; she was surprised that Sora, without convincing, told her he needed her help. She felt her cheeks turn pink again as it finally hit, and she suddenly felt a little silly for jumping to conclusions. But just a little. She summoned Destiny's Embrace, the Keyblade appearing in her right hand in a bright flash of light. It was time to get the civilians away from the danger, then hopefully drive whatever the creature was out of the world for good. She nodded, and followed Sora as he made his way back to what was left of the town.

Not everyone can see him She realized, as some of the frightened people were still scattered, or running in the wrong direction. "I'll be back!" Kairi shouted, hoping Sora heard her over all the surrounding chaos. Then she ran, grabbing the shirts or arms of those she passed to redirect them back towards Sora. A small group of people froze, staring at her in frightened confusion. "Look!" She shouted, pointing back at Sora with her Keyblade. "You've gotta go that way!" She told them, hoping they'd recognize the spiky mass of brown hair and trust him enough to follow.


[ooc: in which kairi is very very very sorry her reply took this long ;-;]

[Queen Minnie]

Her Majesty heard the explosion, but her mind didn't register it before she felt Sora blocking over her to keep any debris from hitting the Queen. Glancing around him in alarm, she saw all the devastation and the chaos ensuing throughout her world. Everyone was panicking, trying to get their loved ones to safety... and themselves too...

Watching the three depart giving their own requests of her, the Queen then scrambled up to the stage where the microphone was still plugged in and taking a deep breath she began to direct people.

"Everyone please evacuate Disney Town immediately. This is not a drill. Please head toward the Gummi Hangar in the Palace at a brisk but careful pace." She watched very carefully and then noticing that the fireworks were over and that the debris from that creature's attacks were making it difficult to see anything she glared at it with a troubled stare. Holding her hands up, she cast out a pearl of light to guide people to the front of the castle.

"Hurry, now..." She said in an almost automated voice as she allowed her mind to drift back to the Cornerstone. Looking to Kairi, she noticed the trouble the girl was having and , flipping a switch on the mic, turned on a couple of spotlights around the stage. "Come towards the lights! It's safer there. We'll begin loading everyone into gummiships. Please proceed towards the lights, please." Queen Minnie felt the unease in her heart to quickly get to the Cornerstone... but she couldn't. These people...She had to make sure they all, visitor and citizen alike, were all guided down to where they needed to be; where they could be evacuated back to their homes. Hopefully, they would be safer there...

Seeing Sora and Kairi taking well over for the evacuation, Minnie took the moment to steal back towards the castle. She rushed in a very unladylike way down the hall, holding the hem of her skirt up as she went so it wouldn't slow her down.

How was this happening? Why wasn't the Cornerstone protecting us? What could have caused it to go silent when she needed it most? Would she have been able to do anything about it if she'd listened to Sora? She blinked back tears of worry as her heart raced as fast as her shoes as she entered the Audience Chamber and began tapping her foot ,waiting for the stairs below to show themselves. She took the stairs two at a time rushing blindly down to where the very thing that she was supposed to protect, the very thing that was supposed to protect her, lay.

When she got there, she froze. Looking into the secret chamber below the throne, she gasped and leaned against the wall, trying to catch her breath and make sense of what she was seeing. The Cornerstone... was not reacting at all... in fact it was as dim as if it were slumbering... but in the space of the secret chamber, Minnie could hear a strange sound...

She heard the sound over and over; calm but unending, seemingly from the Cornerstone itself. Her eyes filled with confusion and she reached out to the stone, setting a gloved hand on it's smooth surface. "I...I don't understand... what's going on... why isn't it... repelling those monsters..."

[Unknown]

The colossus roared again as it moved slowly towards the castle, cutting a swath of destruction through the town. It barely felt anything when Riku decided to climb it, probably equating it to a flea. The man in regal robes, however, sensed Riku coming, trying for an attack to his back and lowered his arms to his sides, seemingly unaware of the rushing Keyblader. It was just a ruse, as the man flexed his fingers in his left hand. Suddenly, strands of blackness hit Riku like a punch to the gut and wrapped around him. These strands were not made of darkness, but of a wholly different energy. The energy lifted Riku into the air, brought him over the man and slammed him down into the colossus's shell, right in front of the man in the regal robes. The colossus seemed to react to this sudden aggression and roared. The shell had rock-like protrusions coming out of it and at the tips, balls of electricity were being formed, nine in total. The man looked down at the keyblader and smiled. "Did you truly think such an assault would work without any help? Foolish boy... and now you've gone and angered Moriuk? Very poor move, dear boy." Riku would then find himself lifted into the air, high above Disney Town, so everyone could see him. "Now, see what your mistakes have wrought!"

The colossus, now known as Moriuk, fired the orbs of electricity, which arced into the air and then fell, winding about as if following a random course. They then hit nine seperate areas of the town, exploding into huge, dome-shaped electrical explosions, frying and destroying everything within those areas. The regal man merely smiled. "Such destruction and despair your actions have wrought on this world. Your foolishness shall not go unrewarded." Suddenly, the energy flung Riku towards Disney Castle... and through it, shattering stone and glass as the strands of corrupted energy flung him further and further through the castle until he rocketed out the other side. The regal man smiled and flexed his hand again. Like a boomerang, the mysterious power at his disposal pulled Riku back through the castle again at breakneck speed. He didn't stop until he was back above Moriuk, within a few feet of the regal man.

"Hmm... still alive, are we?" The regal man asked, chuckling darkly. "You are quite tenacious. You also seem to wield quite a lot of power. I could use someone like you. In fact... I think I will." Suddenly, the regal man disappeared and reappeared closer to Riku and stabbed two fingers into his forehead. Corrupted energy seethed and snaked into Riku, corrupting his very essence. It was worse than the darkness Riku had so longed to keep under control. The energy seeped and infected his mind quickly and efficiently. It also had the side effect of healing all of the injuries the Regal Man had just inflicted on Riku. Once the Regal Man felt he was through, he took his fingers out of Riku's forehead and used his powers to casually toss aside Riku like a ragdoll, throwing him back into the town. The man then turned to watch what the Dark Keyblader would do.

"Continue the approach, Moriuk. We mustn't keep her waiting." The Regal Man commanded, smiling.