Keep On Whacking (KH Sequel Quest)

[NGSoares]

[X] "Anyone recognise that chick?"
-[x] Go to
--[x] The Pirate Ship

"Hey, does anyone recognize that chick?" you ask.

Cid scowls. "Scarlet," he says, "'Baroness' of Weapons Development at Shinra."

"Shinra?" repeats Goofy.

"Yep," he mutters. "They're a big company back in our world that showed up to 'help rebuild Hollow Bastion.' Lyin' through their teeth, and she's makin' mechs and WMDs."

"So they're doing the same thing as Maleficent—taking over your world, but doing it 'for your own good'?" you ask.

"Shinra will do anything to crush obstacles in their paths," whispers Aerith. "Scarlet is no exception—when she wants something, she gets it."

Her words hang in the air, casting a tense silence over the group.

"Well, that sure don't sound like someone we wanna run into," mutters Donald.

You nod, stealing one last glance at the window before moving on. "Come on, we've got more Heartless to bust."

You step toward the next portal. The window shimmers, revealing a chaotic, rolling ocean and the creaking of a pirate ship swaying against the waves. The scent of saltwater fills the air as you all cross the threshold into the next realm… only to be met with a buzzing cloud of Rapid Thruster Heartless, their tiny wings whirring like maddened bees.

Donald pales immediately. "Oh no… not again."

But you? You grin. A wide, gleeful grin that makes the others glance your way. "Oh, this is gonna be fun," you say, already switching to Hidden Dragon.

"Haru…" Donald mumbles, shifting uneasily as you raise your Keyblade. He knows what's coming next—and he doesn't like it.

But you? You're already taking aim, gathering energy for a Shotlock. "It's bug-zapping time!" you shout, eyes gleaming as the air crackles with fire.

Goofy leans toward Donald and whispers, "Uh-oh, looks like he's gone all burny again."

"Yeah… I keep calling him a pyromaniac, but he never—"

With a wild laugh, you release the Shotlock, flames and fireworks erupting as the swarm scatters, sizzling in the intense heat. The air is filled with echoing booms and smoke, and soon enough, monochrome hearts float away.

"Problem solved," you tell them all, only to have Past!Mickey run up to you again, shaking your hand and running towards the next floating window.

Donald rushes over to it, pulling the curtain string. "Let's watch another flashback, huh?!" he frantically quacks.

Once again, the scene shifts, pulling you into the dark, gloomy interior of Villain's Vale. You're once more seeing through Pete's eyes as he approaches Maleficent.

"Hey, Maleficent, what do those Shinra creeps want anyway?" Pete asks, scratching his head as he trails behind her.

"An intimidation tactic, nothing more," Maleficent answers with a wave of her hand.

Pete stares at her. "Uh… whaddya mean? They seemed pretty serious to me. What if they—"

"Fools. They believe they can scare me into submission with their crude technology and hollow promises," Maleficent cuts him off. "But they have no understanding of the power I possess, or the true nature of the Heartless. Do not forget who ruled this world for a decade."

Pete blinks, but nods eagerly. "Right, right! They ain't got nothin' on ya! But, uh, you sure they won't, y'know, cause trouble?"

Maleficent's eyes narrow. "Let them try," she says. "They will learn the cost of overestimating themselves."

Pete shifts awkwardly before speaking up again. "So, uh… what should I do?"

"Do what you do best," Maleficent replies, her smile returning as she gestures to the sea of Heartless outside of the castle. "Make yourself useful and continue building up my army of Heartless."

As you all return to Cornerstone Hill, Donald grumbles, "That doesn't explain the other door."

"Pete felt underappreciated by Maleficent and wanted to go back in time to these days," you respond, recalling your meta knowledge. "It appeared, and that's how Maleficent is targeting the Cornerstone."

"Uh, speaking of that?" Cid says. "This Cornerstone's missin' too!"

Just like he said, the Cornerstone of Light is already missing from the pedestal.

"But we haven't even gotten all the windows yet!" you exclaim. "Did Pete just sequence break?!"

"You got that right, Ginger!" laughs Pete, who's standing at the path leading to the waterway. "Now we're gonna fill that castle with darkness!" He runs off, with Past!Pete in pursuit.

"Hey! Get back here!" calls Past!Pete.

[] Deal with the remaining windows.
[] Follow Present!Pete
[] Talk to someone…
-[] Who, and what to say?
[] Write-in

 

[radioxaxa]

[X] "Dammit, guys you go after him, I'll finish dealing with the other Windows!"
-[x] Deal with the Remaining Windows as quickly as you can.

 

[UbeOne]

Talk about being on the receiving end of sequence breaking…

[x] radioxaxa

 

[NGSoares]

[X] "Dammit, guys you go after him, I'll finish dealing with the other Windows!"
-[x] Deal with the Remaining Windows as quickly as you can.

"You guys go after him!" you tell the others, gripping your Keyblade tightly. "I'll finish dealing with the other windows!"

Donald hesitates for a moment, but Goofy gives a nod. "You sure you got this, Haru?"

"Piece of cake," you say with a confident grin, even as your mind races. You can't afford to slow down now—time's ticking. "I'll catch up as soon as I'm done!"

With a final look, Aerith nods before she turns to follow the others.

As you turn to face the first window, the air hums with an unsettling energy. The portal swirls with dark mist, almost as if it knows what you're up against. Without hesitation, you leap through.

You appear on the scaffolding in the middle of the bustling construction site, the sounds of clanging metal and creaking wood filling the air. Without missing a beat, you summon your Keyblade and raise it skyward.

"Thunder!"

A crackle of electricity surges through the air as bolts of lightning strike down on the four Hammer Frames below. The Heartless freeze for a moment, twitching as the electricity courses through their bodies before they burst into dark smoke, vanishing from the scene.

You exhale in relief, but you know there's no time to waste. The next window awaits, and Pete's getting farther by the second. Jumping through it back to Cornerstone Hiill, you fling yourself to the tiny city.

Seeing the Aeroplanes flying above, you yell, "BURN, [HONK!]ERS!" before incinerating both with Fire.

As with before, Past!Mickey appears, shakes your hand and beckons you over to a window. You head over to it and pull on the drawstring, revealing another of Pete's memories.

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KW4c9aJLYxo&pp=ygUXY3VsdGl2YXRpbmcgbWFkbmVzcyBmZjc%3D​

"I must say, I'm impressed," Maleficent's voice echoes from the shadows. Her tone is cold, calculating. "You actually defeated a Keyblade wielder—but an inexperienced one."

Pete puffs out his chest with pride. "Gee, thanks, Maleficent!" he beams, though there's a nervous quiver in his voice. His eyes dart around the dimly lit corridor, taking in the unsettling surroundings. The passage is lined with cracked walls, flickering lights, and the faint sound of eerie, zombielike groaning echoing from deep within. "B-but what's this place?"

"In my ten years ruling this world, I've learned its secrets, including this forsaken part of the castle." She gestures to the walls. "A reminder of why Shinra will never control the Heartless."

Indeed, the walls are lined with rows of rusted doors and cracked glass windows, behind which lurk grotesque, mutated figures—failed experiments, left to rot in the depths. Their twisted forms shuffle in the shadows, their eyes glowing a faint purple as they groan and claw at the walls.

Pete stumbles back, his bravado faltering. "Wh-what are those things?!"

"Shinra's failures," Maleficent says, her voice dripping with disdain. "They believed they could harness the Heartless with their own—" she curls her lip— "aberrations, but like everything they touch, it ended in ruin. Remember this, Pete—those who seek to manipulate darkness for their own gain will always find themselves consumed by it."

As the scene fades and you're brought back to Cornerstone Hill, you take a deep, shaky breath. Your hands grip the hilt of your Keyblade a little tighter than before. Even Xehanort's old lab in End of the World didn't hold a candle to that—failed experiments, discarded like trash, suffering in silence for who knows how long. The memory sends a chill down your spine.

Your heart races as your mind grapples with a disturbing question: Did Xehanort know about Shinra? The way Maleficent spoke, it sounded like this wasn't the first time they'd tried to control the Heartless.

You let out a shaky breath, but it doesn't ease the tension in your chest. The thought that maybe, just maybe, Xehanort's experiments were only a fraction of the horrors lurking in the shadows makes your skin crawl. What if Shinra's experiments are just as bad?

"Why did Maleficent even show Pete that?" you mutter to yourself, your voice a bit hoarse. "What's her endgame? And how much does she really know?"

But deep down, what truly unsettles you is the possibility that the Heartless and Nobodies—creatures you've fought time and time again—are only the beginning. Just like those… things in the lab. The very idea leaves you feeling unnerved in a way that few things ever have.

You try to shake off the feeling, but it lingers, like a shadow over your thoughts. If you cross paths with Maleficent in Enchanted Dominion, you'd definitely have to pry more out of her. She didn't seem shy about dropping hints about the future—so maybe, just maybe, you'd get more answers about Shinra's shadowy role in all this. For now, though, there's a job to do.

With renewed focus, you sprint toward the wharf, the old-timey streets of Timeless River flying past in a blur of grayscale. As you near the river's edge, the world opens up into a sprawling, industrial dock. A wide expanse stretches before you, with wooden planks creaking underfoot and rusted metal rails snaking along the ground. To your right, a towering warehouse looms, its doors slightly ajar. Next to it, the garage stands silent, likely home to Pete's infamous steamboat—though the river lies eerily still, with no sign of the vessel. To your left are a couple more warehouses, too.

A watchtower perches at the far end of the dock, its silhouette cutting through the cloudy sky like a sentinel guarding the sluggish river below. The air here feels heavier, the usual whimsy of Timeless River replaced by a sense of quiet anticipation.

Ahead, you spot the rest of your party—and Past!Pete nursing a fresh bruise as he staggers back, clutching his face. "Ow, ow, ow, ow!" he groans, glaring at his present counterpart.

Present!Pete laughs, his voice dripping with smug satisfaction. "Still wet behind the ears, ain't ya?" he jeers, folding his arms with a sneer.

Before he can follow up with another cheap shot, you step forward, summoning Hidden Dragon in a blaze of fiery light. "Then try us!" you shout, your voice cutting through the tension. You plant yourself firmly between the two Petes.

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=q3n2fh2BpcU&pp=ygUbZGVzaXJlIGZvciBhbGwgdGhhdCBpcyBsb3N0​

Donald's feathers bristle as he spins his staff into position, Aerith's grip tightens around her weapon, and Goofy lowers his shield, ready for action. Cid twirls his lance with a deadly smirk.

But then, just as you're about to fight, Past!Pete—eyes blazing with renewed fury—forces his way through the group, shoving his own allies aside. "I can take 'im!" he growls, cracking his knuckles and stepping into a stance of his own, his fists raised and ready for a showdown.

​

[] Go for a melee approach

[] Stay at long-range
-[] Magic
-[] Shotlock

[] "This is for Kairi, asshole!"

[] Any specifics for party members?
-[] Just have them do what they do best.
-[] Have Aerith place an Arcane Ward.

[] Switch to a different Keyblade.

[] Any way that Past!Pete can help?

[] Write-in

 

[radioxaxa]

[X] Start by pulling the rug beneath Pete, literally.
-[x] Once he falls onto his back, paint his face too look like a bull and add some horns too his head.
--[x] "Taro, Taro!" use the rug and act like a matador, and when he comes swinging in, pull back an anvil too smash his head or fist into. "OLE!!!"
---[x] Have Past-Pete wait for right moment till Pete is dazed/injured too pound him
----[x] Have the rest of the Gang Fire Thunder spells on him(Donald/Aerith), or bash him(Goofy/Cid)

 

[NGSoares]

[X] Start by pulling the rug beneath Pete, literally.
-[x] Once he falls onto his back, paint his face too look like a bull and add some horns too his head.
--[x] "Taro, Taro!" use the rug and act like a matador, and when he comes swinging in, pull back an anvil too smash his head or fist into. "OLE!!!"
---[x] Have Past-Pete wait for right moment till Pete is dazed/injured too pound him
----[x] Have the rest of the Gang Fire Thunder spells on him(Donald/Aerith), or bash him(Goofy/Cid)

"What's that for?!" shouts Past!Pete, only for Present!Pete to shove him aside and charge at you for a punch.

"Time for some toon physics!" you declare. Despite you being in a wharf, you literally try pulling the floor out from beneath him.

You yank the rug with all your might, expecting Pete to topple. Instead, the rug barely budges beneath his feet. "What the—?!" you mutter.

[Toon Physics: 9]
[Pete: 12]

Present!Pete lets out a hearty laugh, recovering from the stumble and shoving Past!Pete aside. "You really think that'd work on me?" he sneers, charging forward with a raised fist.

[Pete: 18]
[Haru: 3]

He leaps into the air with surprising agility, slamming down with a ground pound that shakes the entire wharf. The force of the impact sends a shockwave rippling outward, catching you completely off guard.

"Whoa!" you yelp as the ground beneath your feet trembles violently. Before you can steady yourself, you're launched into the air like a ragdoll, flailing helplessly as the world spins around you.

You crash-land several feet away, groaning in pain as you try to regain your bearings. Pete's laughter echoes across the wharf. "Heh! Not so funny now, ain't it?!"

"Thunder!" quacks Donald, and lightning crashes down on Pete, only for him to summon his barrier.

[Donald: 7+2=9]

[Pete: 12]

"Nice try, birdbrain!" Pete guffaws.

But Aerith is already a step ahead. With a flick of her wrist, a swirling ball of flame roars to life and hurtles toward him. Pete's eyes widen as the fiery spell crashes into him before he can react.

[Aerith: 17+2=19]

[Pete: 10]

"That's for earlier!" Aerith says as Pete frantically puts himself out.

While Pete is still recovering from Aerith's fiery attack, Goofy grins and hops onto his shield like a surfboard.

[Goofy: 15+2=17]

[Pete: 8]

Pete barely has time to register what's happening before Goofy slams into him, shield-first. The impact knocks Pete off his feet, sending him tumbling backward in a flurry of flailing arms and yelps. He crashes into a pile of barrels with a loud thud, groaning.

"Bet ya didn't see that one comin', huh?" Goofy quips, expertly catching his shield as it bounces back into his hand.

With his lance raised high, Cid leaps into the air, channeling all his strength into a classic Jump. The battlefield seems to freeze for a moment as Cid soars overhead, aiming to bring his weapon down on Pete's head with a thunderous strike.

[Cid: 4+2=6]

[Pete: 10]

But Pete, still reeling from Goofy's shield charge, somehow recovers quickly enough to spot the incoming attack. "Nice try!" he gloats, sidestepping just as Cid's lance strikes the ground with a loud clang, missing its mark entirely.

Cid curses under his breath, pulling his lance free from the cobblestones.

"Well, how's about a change?" offers Pete, and a curtain with his face on it suddenly appears at the dock, parallel to the river. When the curtain rises, the Mad Doctor's mechanical arm rises from the water.

[] Heal up
[] Attack…
-[] Pete
-[] The arm.
[] Go for…
-[] Melee
-[] Ranged
-[] Toon physics!
[] Have Donald be on healing duty since Aerith's dice are better.
[] What will your party do?
[] Write-in

 

[radioxaxa]

[X] "Goofy, Cid, Kick him into the Water!"
-[x] If Pete gets kicked in, use Thunder to electrocute the Water alongside Donald and Aerith
--[x] If it fails, heal Donald and have Donald heal Cid

 

[NGSoares]

[X] "Goofy, Cid, Kick him into the Water!"
-[x] If Pete gets kicked in, use Thunder to electrocute the Water alongside Donald and Aerith
--[x] If it fails, heal Donald and have Donald heal Cid

"Goofy, Cid, kick him into the water!" you tell the two of them.

[Goofy: 3+2=5]
[Cid: 8+2=10]
[Pete: 18, 13]

Goofy charges at Pete, shield raised. "Got it!" he says, trying to ram into Pete's side—but his timing is all wrong. Pete sidesteps with ease, leaving Goofy to stumble, his shield scraping the ground as he barely manages to stay upright.

Cid, meanwhile, lunges in with a swift kick, aiming to knock Pete into the river. But Pete sees it coming and braces himself, grinning as Cid's boot barely budges him. "Nice try, but ya ain't movin' me that easy!" Pete taunts, swatting Cid aside with a laugh.

The two of them regroup, clearly frustrated, while Pete stands firm, his smug grin growing wider. "Ya gotta do better than that, boys!"

You cast Cure on Donald, who returns the favor by healing Cid, both of them ignoring your own bruises from Pete's earlier ground pound. Before you can even think about it, though, a soft glow surrounds you, and you feel Aerith's Cure restoring your strength.

Just then, the mechanical arm swings across the wharf, reaching to grab you. You spring into action, narrowly escaping its grasp with a well-timed Dodge Roll.

[Arm: 16]
[Haru: 18]

"Time for a zap!" Aerith shouts, as she sends a Thunder spell crackling through the air. A bolt slams into Pete, hitting him squarely on the rear, causing him to yelp in pain.

[Aerith: 15+2=17]
[Pete: 5]

Seizing the moment, you dash in, Keyblade flashing as you strike Pete with a swift combo, pushing him back under the pressure.

[Haru: 17+2=19]
[Pete: 4]

"How's about a change?" Pete sneers, yanking a lever. A curtain with his face drops down. When it rises again, you find yourselves on the swaying deck of a pirate ship.

Pete hurls an energy orb at you, but you sidestep with ease, responding with another flurry of blows.

[Pete: 1]
[Haru: 19]

Aerith joins in, casting Water, the spell drenching Pete completely, leaving him sputtering and soaked.

[Aerith: 19+2=21]
[Pete: 5]

As Pete shakes off the water, Donald raises his staff. "Thunder!" he announces. A jagged bolt strikes down from the sky, zapping Pete with even more force than before. The surge of electricity leaves him twitching, unable to react.

[Donald: 19+2=21]
[Pete: 2]

Pete's fur stands on end, smoking slightly as he stumbles, clearly disoriented from the continuous attacks. He pulls a lever, and the scene changes again, this time to a large shoal with three towers that are a little taller than you.

[] Attack Pete with…
-[] Melee!
-[] Magic!
-[] Toon physics!
-[] Something else?
[] Write-in

//RIP Goofy's blessed dice

 

[radioxaxa]

[X] Toon Physics
-[x] Jump into a rabbit hole, then appear in one beside Pete and pants him
--[x] Have Goofy toss his Shield like a frisbee and comically miss, then comes back after crossing the whole world and smack Pete in the face.
---[x] Then pull out your Keyblade and ask Pete how many lumps he wants, holding a cup of tea.
----[x] Whack him for every lump he wants
-----[x] Have Cid then push Pete into the rabbit hole and have Aerith and Donald start flooding it with water, grab a cement bag and mix it together.
------[x] "Here lies the Fat Cat Idiot, he shall be missed... by the Sandwich Shop"

 

[NGSoares]

/…I think the dice just hate toon physics.

[X] Toon Physics
-[x] Jump into a rabbit hole, then appear in one beside Pete and pants him
--[x] Have Goofy toss his Shield like a frisbee and comically miss, then comes back after crossing the whole world and smack Pete in the face.
---[x] Then pull out your Keyblade and ask Pete how many lumps he wants, holding a cup of tea.
----[x] Whack him for every lump he wants
-----[x] Have Cid then push Pete into the rabbit hole and have Aerith and Donald start flooding it with water, grab a cement bag and mix it together.
------[x] "Here lies the Fat Cat Idiot, he shall be missed... by the Sandwich Shop"

"Time for some toon physics!" You declare with a grin, diving into the ground to burrow a tunnel like a rabbit. With a quick dash through the dirt, you pop up beside Pete, reaching for his pants.

[Haru: 17]

But Pete is quicker than you anticipated. He looks down with a sneer, eyes gleaming mischievously. "Looks like we got ourselves a mole problem!" he says, conjuring one of his energy balls. Before you can react, he hurls it into the hole you just dug.

[Pete: 19]

The energy orb explodes point-blank, sending you flying out of your own trap with a comical puff of smoke.

"Goofy, shield toss!" you shout.

Goofy grins, winds up, and hurls his shield like a frisbee, but it veers off course, missing Pete entirely.

[Goofy: 13+2=15]

Pete laughs, puffing out his chest. "Ya call that aim, ya goof?!"

But as Pete is gloating, the shield curves in the air like a boomerang. Before he realizes it, it slams into his back with a solid clang.

[Pete: 11]

Pete stumbles forward, rubbing his sore spot. "Why, I oughta—" He pulls out a handful of firecrackers. "Try dodgin' these!" he snarls, tossing them across the shoal. The explosives scatter, lighting up and sizzling as they land near you, Goofy, and Aerith.

[Pete: 9]

You dive to avoid the incoming blasts, but you're too slow—one explodes right by your feet, sending you tumbling.

[Haru: 4]

Goofy tries to roll out of the way, but a firecracker pops dangerously close, knocking him off balance.

[Goofy: 7]

Aerith, however, is quicker on her feet. She gracefully sidesteps the firecrackers, avoiding the explosions entirely.

[Aerith: 15]

"Watch out!" she shouts as the area erupts in a chaotic series of explosions.

You stagger to your feet, gripping your Keyblade and summoning a cup of tea out of nowhere. "How many lumps would you like, Pete?" you ask with a sly grin.

"Zero, ya numbskull!" Pete snaps, eyes narrowing.

"Wrong answer." You dash toward him, Hidden Dragon in hand, landing a flurry of rapid strikes. Mid-combo, the Keyblade pulses with fiery energy, transforming into the Wyrm Scepter.

[Haru: 18+2=20]

Pete tries to block with his arm, but your strikes land true, pushing him back. Before he can recover, you unleash a jet of flame from the scepter's tip. He laughs maniacally and conjures a shimmering barrier just in time.

"Look, kids! Pete's invincible!" Pete gloats, yanking a nearby lever. The scene around you warps, shifting into a massive piece of scaffolding.

[Pete: 17]

As the world reorients, Aerith casts Water, hitting Pete squarely, while Donald's Blizzard spell sails wide, missing entirely.

[Aerith: 17+2=19]
[Donald: 6+2=8]
[Pete: 11]

Pete slams his fists into the scaffolding with a roar, sending shockwaves through the platform. You, Aerith, Donald, and both Petes are thrown into the air. Mid-flight, you grip the Wyrm Scepter and perform an Air Slash, spinning in a circle as you strike.

[Haru: 16+2=18]
[Pete: 17]

Your attack hits true, and both Petes crash down, with Present!Pete groaning in defeat as you all land back on the wharf.

Learned Reflect!​

"It serves ya right!" gloats Past!Pete.

Present!Pete, clutching his bruises, scrambles to his feet and stumbles away, his massive frame retreating toward a door that materializes just like the one you used to enter Timeless River. As it opens for him, he darts through, slamming it shut behind him.

"Yeah! Aaaaaaand stay out!" Past!Pete bellows after him, still full of pride.

Suddenly, a keyhole shimmers into existence on the door. Without hesitation, you raise your Keyblade. A beam of light surges from its tip, finding the keyhole, locking it with a radiant click. The door vanishes in a burst of light, leaving behind only the river's gentle murmur.

Past!Pete saunters up, scratching his head. "Now hold on a minute—will somebody tell me what's been goin' on here? Who was that creep, anyways?"

Aerith, ever quick with a grin, answers with a playful wink, "Probably just an evil wannabe who couldn't handle the competition. I mean, who wouldn't be jealous of the best steamboat captain in town?"

Past!Pete beams with pride, his chest puffing even further. "Well, my boat is the best there is," he admits, letting the praise wash over him. "Sorry about the trouble, though. Wasn't my fault, but it looks like you all got caught up in the middle of it."

Donald, crossing his arms, frowns. "Just don't make a habit of it!" he chides.

Past!Pete grins sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck. "Tell ya what, to make up for it, how 'bout I let ya pilot my steamboat? Finest craft on the river! Mickey's late anyways, and you've earned it!"

"But I can't drive—" you start.

"Let me handle it," says Cid.

Obtained Monochrome!
(Balanced-type; +2 in both rolls)​

[] Head back to Disney Castle.
[] Talk to someone.
-[] Who, and what to say?
[] What will you do once you're done at Disney Castle?
-[] Stick to the pre-established plan: a detour at Enchanted Dominion.
-[] Go to Olympus Coliseum to participate in the Pain and Panic Cup.
-[] Go back to Hollow Bastion.
[] Write-in

Your Keyblades' roll bonuses have increased, too!

Kingdom Key now gives a +2 to physical rolls and +1 to magic rolls.
Shooting Star now gives a +1 to physical rolls and +3 to magic rolls.
Hidden Dragon now gives a flat 2 roll bonus to both.
Hero's Origin is still a +3 bonus to physical rolls.

 

[Marlin]

Hmmm, what to do....

 

[NGSoares]

Hmmm, what to do....

Click to shrink...

You're free to tell them about the "failed experiments" you saw in the last window, but do you really wanna talk about the aberrations of science that Shinra makes in front of Aerith?

 

[ThaTrueRealmWalk]

Oh right, this little quest I saw! Don't see to many people voting here, but I hope you don't mind one more!

Wonderful read, it's pretty silly so far but in a cute way! Hmm- I do have a question though I'm interested in asking.

Unknown or highly sensitive spoilers: These are spoilers that Haru through his meta knowledge or an extremely limited group knows, and revealing them would shake everything big-time. This includes pretty much everything about Xion (remember that everyone forgot she existed at the end of 358/2 Days), the true nature of Castle Oblivion, and the identity of the Lingering Will. The target number there is greater than or equal to an 18 on a d20, with Xion-related spoilers having a -2 penalty. Failure results in major Whisper backlash with big consequences, possibly leading to them taking more of Haru's meta knowledge.

Click to shrink...

Now I know the high risk of this yes, but what about when there is a slight little slip about stuff like this? For instance telling Lea that "you hope he has fun with his trio" or saying how many you know who have used Sora's Kingdom Key.

What would small slips like that do?

 

[NGSoares]

Oh right, this little quest I saw! Don't see to many people voting here, but I hope you don't mind one more!

Wonderful read, it's pretty silly so far but in a cute way! Hmm- I do have a question though I'm interested in asking.

Now I know the high risk of this yes, but what about when there is a slight little slip about stuff like this? For instance telling Lea that "you hope he has fun with his trio" or saying how many you know who have used Sora's Kingdom Key.

What would small slips like that do?

Click to shrink...

Welcome aboard! We're glad to have you.

To answer your question?

For minor slips like casually mentioning "Lea's trio" or the number of people who've used the Kingdom Key, you wouldn't need to roll unless those slips have the potential to trigger a significant chain reaction.

The idea is that small mentions may go unnoticed by the Whispers, so no roll would be required unless the situation escalates or the characters start questioning the slip further. It's more about the context and potential impact of the slip than the slip itself.

If a minor slip does start leading to deeper questions or unraveling important plot points, that's when a roll is necessary to see if the Whispers intervene.

 

[radioxaxa]

[X] What will you do once you're done at Disney Castle?
-[x] Go to Olympus Coliseum to participate in the Pain and Panic Cup.
--[x] "Anyone up for a round at the Colliseum?"

 

[NGSoares]

[X] What will you do once you're done at Disney Castle?
-[x] Go to Olympus Coliseum to participate in the Pain and Panic Cup.
--[x] "Anyone up for a round at the Coliseum?"

"I betcha the castle's safe now," says Goofy as all of you return the Cornerstone to its pedestal.

"Guess we should head back," you agree.

You step through the door, and as you go through it, the grayscale world of Timeless River dissolves behind you. The transition is smooth, like stepping from one dream into another. The familiar warmth of Disney Castle envelops you, the vibrant colors of the Hall of the Cornerstone greeting you like an old friend, completely thorn-free. The Cornerstone of Light radiates with power, bathing the room in its protective glow.

Donald lets out a sigh of relief, wiping his brow. "Phew! We did it!"

Goofy grins, stretching his arms above his head. "It sure is nice to see everything back to normal, ain't it?"

Aerith nods, her eyes scanning the now pristine hall. "The light's as strong as ever. We did more than protect the castle—we restored its heart."

"Welcome back!" greets Minnie with a warm smile. "Because of your bravery, the castle is safe once again. We're all so grateful for everything you've done!"

Chip and Dale leap forward in excitement, their voices chiming in unison, "Good job, everyone! You really saved the day!"

"Of course, it wasn't easy," Aerith adds with a playful smirk, "but we couldn't let this castle fall, could we?"

Merlin strokes his beard thoughtfully. "Now, I trust you all didn't get up to anything… reckless while you were there?" His eyes flicker knowingly in Donald's direction.

Donald straightens, puffing out his chest. "Of course not!" he declares confidently. But his confidence falters at the sound of approaching footsteps.

"Donald! Donald, I'm back!" comes a familiar voice. You glance over to see Daisy marching towards the group, her arms crossed and her brow furrowed.

Donald's feathers ruffle. "D-Daisy!" he stammers, trying to muster a brave face.

Daisy's eyes narrow as she stands in front of him. "Donald, you forgot about our date again! You'd better have a good excuse this time!"

Donald tugs at his collar. "B-but Daisy, I was on an important mission, and I—"

"I know it was an important mission," she cuts him off, her voice sharp but not without affection. "But you could at least check in once in a while! A letter, a message, something!" She taps her foot, and Donald glances desperately between her, the group, and the door.

Merlin's eyes twinkle with amusement. "Donald," he warns, "no funny business."

"I'll just be a minute…" Donald mutters, making a break for the door. But before he can escape, Daisy expertly grabs him by the tail, pulling him back.

"Going somewhere?" she asks sweetly, though the fire in her eyes says otherwise.

Donald laughs nervously, trying—and failing—to sound casual. "Of course not!" he lies, already breaking into a sprint toward the Cornerstone for cover. "I was just—uh—stretching my legs!"

Daisy huffs, rolling up her sleeves. "I'm not done with you, Donald!" she shouts as she chases after him, the group chuckling at the sight of Donald zig-zagging behind the Cornerstone, Daisy hot on his tail.

As the chase unfolds, you feel your Keyblade hum with energy. Its light glows brightly, reflecting off the now fully restored Cornerstone. You hold it high, and the crown symbol appears beneath your feet, as if the castle itself is responding to the Keyblade's call.

A beam of light shoots from the Keyblade to the Cornerstone, illuminating the Hall with a brilliant glow. The world's Gate materializes, shimmering before you. With a focused point of the Keyblade, you direct the light into the Gate, causing it to shine brightly before disappearing in a flash.

As the glow fades and you find yourself back in the Hall of the Cornerstone, the scene with Donald and Daisy continues, though Daisy has finally cornered him.

"Daisy, we may need Donald a little longer," you say, stepping in to save the day.

Daisy crosses her arms, giving you a look of suspicion. "How much longer?" she presses, not entirely convinced.

Donald nods vigorously. "I'll be back soon, Daisy! Promise!"

She sighs, giving him a look that says she's heard that before. "You'd better be."

Goofy steps forward with a cheery wave. "Don't ya worry, Queen Minnie! We'll bring him back in one piece!"

"See you real soon!" Chip and Dale chime in.

"Now, Donald, think wisely before you act," adds Merlin.

Daisy shoots Donald one last glare before softening, leaning in close to give him a peck on the cheek. "Stay safe, you hear?"

As she walks away, Donald watches her go, momentarily flustered before turning back to the group. "Alright, let's go!" he declares, puffing out his chest—trying to recover what's left of his dignity.

Obtained the Pixel Heartbinder.​

About an hour or two later, you're cruising through the Gummi Ship on your way to Olympus Coliseum with just Donald, Goofy, and Aerith, as Cid had gone back with Merlin. The atmosphere inside is relaxed, but you can sense a buzz of excitement beneath the surface. "So… anyone up for a round at the Coliseum?" you ask, leaning back in your seat with a grin.

"Uh, didn't the Hydra wreck the place?" Goofy points out, scratching his head. "Ain't the Games canceled?"

You nod, waving a hand. "Well, the Hydra definitely did some damage, but I'm not talking about the regular Coliseum. The Underworld's got its own version—the Underdrome. That's where the tournaments are happening now."

Donald frowns. "Underdrome? Sounds like it's crawlin' with trouble."

"You're not wrong, but it's gonna be fun," you assure him. "Besides, who wouldn't want to fight in a tournament literally underworld-level?"

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6CzFn-Oiw0A&pp=ygUUdW5kZXJ3b3JsZCB0aGVtZSBraDI%3D​

As the Gummi Ship reaches the destination, the four of you are beamed down into the familiar gloom of the Underworld. The oppressive, heavy air presses down around you as you step onto the stone-paved crossroads that mark the Underworld Entrance. Aerith steps forward, her gaze sweeping the surroundings, her expression calm but a little pensive.

"I can feel the weight of this place…" she murmurs, her eyes narrowing slightly as she senses the presence of countless lost souls. "It's… suffocating, almost."

Just across the river of souls, where once there was nothing but barren rock, you now see a towering, monstrous structure. The Underdrome looms, its jagged pillars rising high like the bones of a giant beast. The architecture is grim but grand, with torches lighting its twisted arches in a sickly green glow.

Goofy takes off his hat and squints up at the structure. "Well, that's new…"

Suddenly, a familiar voice breaks the tension. "Oh! Haru!"

You turn to see Roxas approaching from the path that leads back up to the surface, a faint smile on his face. His usual stoic demeanor softens slightly when he spots the group. He looks a bit more at ease compared to when you last saw him.

"Roxas!" you greet, surprised but pleased to see him here. "What brings you back to the Underworld?"

Roxas shrugs, his Keyblade over his shoulder. "Leon and Yuffie are taking part in the new Cup, and I wanted to watch," he says.
"Besides, I'm not exactly looking to sit around."

Aerith smiles at the mention of Leon and Yuffie. "Well, that sounds just like them. Always ready for the next challenge."

Donald folds his arms. "Yeah, well, we could use the breather. Just don't get too relaxed—you know how Hades is."

You realize just how wild your life has become if a trip to the Underworld is considered a breather.

[] Talk to someone.
-[] Who, and what to say?
[] Sign up for the Pain and Panic Cup.
-[] Pick who you'll team up with (teams of three)
—[] Donald and Goofy
—[] Roxas and Aerith
—[] Write-in another configuration
[] Write-in

 

[Marlin]

[X] Sign up for the Pain and Panic Cup.
-[X] Pick who you'll team up with (teams of three)
—[X] Roxas and Aerith

 

[radioxaxa]

Is Cid still here?

 

[NGSoares]

Is Cid still here?

Click to shrink...

About an hour or two later, you're cruising through the Gummi Ship on your way to Olympus Coliseum with just Donald, Goofy, and Aerith, as Cid had gone back with Merlin.

Click to shrink...

Someone's gotta hold down the fort back at Hollow Bastion with Aerith in the party and Leon and Yuffie at the Coliseum.

 

[radioxaxa]

[X] Sign up for the Pain and Panic Cup.
-[X] Pick who you'll team up with (teams of three)
—[X] Roxas and Aerith

Click to shrink...

Seconded

 

[NGSoares]

[X] Sign up for the Pain and Panic Cup.
-[X] Pick who you'll team up with (teams of three)
—[X] Roxas and Aerith

"Man, this is just like old times," you say, grinning as you, Roxas, and Aerith approach the registration booth—a grim-looking boat where Hades' two imps, Pain and Panic, are waiting, accompanied by a skeletal tournament official who looks like he's seen better (after)days.

"O-oh, it's you!" Panic yelps, his blue face growing even paler as he recognizes you. He fumbles with the clipboard he's holding, nearly dropping it. "Welcome to the Underdrome! Just… uh, talk to me if you wanna sign up for a tournament!"

Aerith leans in toward you with a sly smile. "Nice to know you've made an impression here."

"Yeah, nothing says 'friendly' like scaring the staff," Roxas adds dryly, though you catch the faintest smirk playing on his lips.

"His Most Perniciousness is feelin' kinda charitable, so don't worry about dying or anything," Pain chimes in, the pink imp offering a wide, toothy grin that seems more unsettling than comforting. He glances between the three of you, rubbing his hands together. "You should consider yourselves lucky."

Aerith crosses her arms, raising an eyebrow at Pain. "I'm not sure I'd call that luck."

"Hey, we're just the messengers. Don't shoot the imps!" Pain retorts with a shrug.

"And if you win, you'll get all sorts of fabulous prizes!" Panic adds, trying to sound enthusiastic.

"Prizes?" Roxas asks skeptically, eyeing the skeletal official.

"Oh, right now we've got a tournament named after yours truly," Pain says, puffing up his chest. "You gotta sign up in teams of up to three, though. Do you have that?"

Aerith gives you a sideways glance. "Are we enough for you, or should we call for backup?"

You laugh, giving her a playful nudge. "I think we'll be fine. Right, Roxas?"

Roxas shrugs, gripping his Keyblade. "I'm ready when you are."

With a confident grin, you turn back to Pain and Panic. "Yeah, we've got a team. Let's sign up."

As you finalize the registration, Panic breathes a sigh of relief. "Great! Just, uh… good luck out there. You're gonna need it."

The skeleton tips its hat, its bony fingers gripping the oars as it motions for you all to climb aboard. "Step right up. No need for seatbelts—'cause, well, what's the point down here?" it rattles, chuckling.

You, Roxas, and Aerith settle into the creaky boat, and before long, you reach the Underdrome, where the skeleton says, "End of the line. And trust me, you'll want to stay alive through this one."

As you step onto the platform, you notice that the arena is strangely empty—except for one figure seated in a high, shadowed balcony overlooking the arena. Hades himself lounges in his throne-like seat, watching the tournament.

"Hope you're ready for the show, 'cause down here? The games are to die for," Hades drawls.

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7k2OsCgSFtY&pp=ygUbbGV0IHRoZSBiYXR0bGVzIGJlZ2luIHJlbWl4​

Five Shadows and five Hook Bats spawn in front of the three of you.

"Let's get ready to RUMBLE!" announces Hades.

[] Make a general strategy for the Pain and Panic Cup.
-[] Experiment during the tournament.
—[] With what? (write-in)
-[] BURN EVERYTHING
-[] Montage
-[] Write-in a different strategy
[] Switch to a different Keyblade.
[] Talk to someone.
-[] Who, and what to say?
[] Write-in

 

[radioxaxa]

[X] Experiment during Tournament
-[x] Test your new reflection spell out, maybe see if you can chain it with some other spells for powerful combo

 

[UbeOne]

[X] Experiment during Tournament
-[x] Test your new reflection spell out, maybe see if you can chain it with some other spells for powerful combo
[x] Have Roxas and Aerith funnel the enemies to you to facilitate your experiment.
-[x] See if they can join your chain of spells for even more damage.

 

[NGSoares]

[X] Experiment during Tournament
-[x] Test your new reflection spell out, maybe see if you can chain it with some other spells for powerful combo
[x] Have Roxas and Aerith funnel the enemies to you to facilitate your experiment.
-[x] See if they can join your chain of spells for even more damage.

You glance at Roxas and Aerith, nodding. "Funnel them toward me. I want to see if I can chain my spells together."

Roxas twirls his Keyblade, his eyes focused. "Got it. We'll push them in."

Aerith steps beside him, raising her staff. "We'll keep them grouped up. Be ready."

Roxas jumps into the air to strike at the Hook Bats, forcing them downward with swift Keyblade slashes.

Meanwhile, Aerith sends a quick burst of magic toward the Shadows, rounding them up.

As the enemies converge on you, you take a deep breath and raise your Keyblade. You cast Reflect, a shimmering barrier of light forming around you. The Heartless slam against it, but instead of breaking through, they're repelled by the counter blast.

"Now!" you shout, quickly weaving in another spell. You cast Blizzard through the air, freezing the nearest Hook Bats mid-flight. As they shatter into shards of ice, Roxas follows up by unleashing a spinning flurry of his Keyblade, the ice mixing with his attack and amplifying the damage.

Aerith steps in, casting a quick Fire at the Shadows that are trying to recover. The fireball explodes, and the Shadows are caught in the blast, dissolving into wisps of darkness.

Roxas lands beside you, breathing heavily but grinning. "That was intense."

"Yep. Go team!" agrees Aerith.

You glance at the dissipating magic, satisfied with the outcome. "Fuck yeah!" You're so glad you can swear again.

The next round are four Minute Bombs and four Large Bodies. Seeing the bulky Heartless alongside the small explosive ones, you think for a moment, then get an idea. "Let's round them up!"

You switch to Shooting Star, then get the attention of two Large Bodies with Blizzard, which freezes both of them before you cast Reflect in response to the Minute Bombs doing their corkscrew attack.

As the smaller Heartless are hit by Reflect's counter blast, they start counting down, so you bat them towards the Large Bodies before Dodge Rolling away. Aerith casts Fire on the Minute Bombs, causing an explosive chain reaction that takes out all of the Heartless at once.

You breeze through the next round, comprised of two Soldiers and five Bad Dogs, before dealing with three Vermillion Sambas and three Cobalt Bossas.

The next few rounds are even easier, until you reach one with two Assault Riders. At the sight of the centaur-like Heartless, you groan as they gallop forward, spears ready to strike.

"Scatter!" you shout, rolling to the side just as one of the Riders slams its spears into the floor where you once were. You do a quick uncharged Shotlock to stall them, while Roxas attacks the other Assault Rider with a flurry of strikes from the Kingdom Key—but it barely flinches.

The Assault Rider next to you growls, rearing up on its hind legs before jabbing at you with its spear. You cast Reflect just before it makes contact, sending the Rider stumbling back with the counter blast.

Roxas attacks the Assault Rider's side, and it swings its spear wildly, but he parries most of the attacks with the Keyblade.

You focus on the second Rider, which is barreling towards Aerith, then cast Blizzard, freezing its hooves long enough for Aerith to stagger it with Fire. You and Roxas manage to destroy that one, with Roxas dealing the last blow to it.

The first Rider roars in defiance, but you're ready. You cast Thunder, striking it down with a lightning bolt. Aerith follows up with another burst of fire, and it finally falls.

The last round is against none other than Leon and Yuffie.

"Well, well! Look who we're up against!" Yuffie calls out, waving enthusiastically. "This is gonna be so much fun!"

"Don't expect us to hold back," says Leon.

"Wouldn't dream of it," you reply.

Yuffie springs into action first, rushing forwards and throwing her shurikens at you, forcing you to block with your Keyblade.

Roxas darts to your side, deflecting a few of the shurikens. "I'll take Yuffie. You handle Leon!"

"Got it!" you reply, already turning your focus to Leon.

Leon lunges forward with a jump attack, and barely manage to sidestep, the wind from the swing brushing your face.

You cast Blizzard, but Leon deflects the spell with a flick of his wrist, the ice shattering harmlessly against his blade. He then retaliates with a wide, sweeping arc, forcing you to backpedal.

Meanwhile, Roxas is matching Yuffie's speed blow for blow. The ninja flips, somersaults, and throws shurikens from every angle, but Roxas stays on her, his Keyblade flashing with every block and counter.

"You're fast, but I'm faster!" Yuffie teases, vanishing in a puff of smoke before reappearing behind Roxas. She delivers a sharp kick to his side, sending him sliding back. "C'mon, Roxas! You're making this too easy!"

Aerith, hanging back, is playing support, casting Cure to keep your health up.

Leon charges you again, his gunblade glowing with energy. Before he can unleash his attack, you quickly cast Reflect, the barrier absorbing the impact of his attack and sending a counter blast back at him.

Leon grunts, staggered slightly but still standing strong. "Not bad," he mutters, straightening up. "But this isn't over."

Before you can respond, Yuffie flips through the air toward Aerith, shurikens at the ready. "No healing for you!" she shouts, launching a quick strike.

Aerith calmly sidesteps and counters with a blast of Fire, forcing Yuffie to retreat. "Don't take this personally, all right?"

With both Leon and Yuffie on the defensive, you see your opportunity. "Let's finish this!"

Roxas nods, joining you for a combined attack. He casts Thunder, sending a lightning bolt crackling toward Yuffie, while you dash forward, Keyblade gleaming as you deliver a melee combo to Leon.

Leon blocks, but the relentless assault is too much, and he's pushed back. Finally, with one last coordinated strike, you and Roxas manage to disarm Leon, his gunblade clattering to the ground as he stumbles.

Yuffie, panting heavily, looks between the three of you, then throws up her hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright, you win this round! Geez, no need to be so serious!"

Leon gives a small, almost imperceptible smile as he picks up his gunblade. "Not bad… for a warm-up."

Up in his box, Hades rolls his eyes. "Ugh, fine. You win." A trophy themed after his two imps poofs into his hand. "Fetch."

He flings the trophy at you all, and you catch it in your hands.

Roxas grins, wiping a bit of sweat from his brow. "Well, that was intense." He glances over at Aerith.

"Intense, but fun," Aerith agrees. She looks at you and adds, "You handled yourself well, Haru. We all did."

You nod, still catching your breath. "Yeah… we did."

So now what?

Learned Icebreaker!​

[] Go to Enchanted Dominion. You were gonna do some recon, right?
[] Do something else.
-[] Like what?
[] Talk to someone.
-[] Who, and what to say?
[] Write-in

 

[radioxaxa]

[X] Go to enchanted dominion