Chapter 12: Old Friends, New EnemiesA few days had passed since Jaron left Sora and the others to try and obtain his revenge on Sharak. Things hadn't been the same without him. They had grown so close to the Saviour that they wondered if they would ever see him again. Most particularly Sora. The Keybearer remembered the first time he had met the Saviour. Sora, along with Donald and Goofy, had been told to seek out the Saviour after reading the letter from King Mickey. It had taken two years but Sora, Donald and Goofy finally met with Jaron after he had saved all three of them from Sharak, and the relationship started from there. Their friendship had spanned from battling the Heartless in Traverse Town, to fighting Sephiroth and Hades in the Coliseum to recruiting others to help them in the fight against Sharak, the Council of Darkness and the Heartless. But things changed when they had gone to Halloween Town. Jaron went berserk when his past resurfaced because of Oogie Boogie. When the Saviour told everyone the reason behind his actions, Sora felt shock, sadness and sympathy for his friend but he also felt distrust. Jaron had left his friends behind, refused their help as well as refusing to help them and had allowed rage and hatred to consume him. Sora didn't know how to accept all these changes of his friend. Jaron's actions however, weren't Sora's most pressing problem. The nightmares that the Keybearer had been having had recently come true, or so it seemed. He had been daydreaming of losing Kairi and everything else that was important to him. The nightmares had haunted him so much in his sleep that they were now starting to haunt him when he was wide awake. He was worrying so much that he actually started believing that what Sharak had done to Kairi and the Destiny Islands might actually be true and he was losing his focus as a result. The Keyblade master was now desperately seeking the truth. He had to know for himself whether the nightmares were true. Actually, if they were partially true. He had dreamt all of his despair happening at Halloween Town. Sora and friends had already been there and what Sora thought had happened was actually an illusion. The Keybearer was feeling confusion, insecurity and almost insanity trying to comprehend the torture Sharak was putting him through. Sora was all alone in the cargo bay when Jack came along to see how he was. "Sora, we'll be at Neverland soon." The Keyblade master didn't reply. Jack left the cargo bay, leaving Sora all alone. The sixteen-year-old looked to one side to see the master of terror jump out of one of the crates that Sora was sat next to. Jack "booed" Sora in a frightful way, giving him a frightful look as he smashed out of the crate. Sora jumped in shock as he witnessed the sudden and unexpected return of the ruler of nightmares and terror. "Still got it!" smiled Jack. "Very funny, Jack", muttered Sora sarcastically. "I live to please my audience."
"Not in the mood, Jack." "Forgive me for saying so, Sora", replied Jack, "But you're not in the mood for anything. You've been like this for days. We all thought you could do with a bit of cheering up." "Genie tried and it didn't work", said Sora. "We know. He was very upset about it. He has a certain pride about making people laugh. He was quite a bit down when he couldn't make you laugh. You normally appreciate a good laugh. You're usually very cheerful." "I feel so much better knowing that I'm making other people feel unhappy", replied the Keybearer sarcastically and spitefully. "Look, Sora", said Jack sternly, "I know you're not exactly having a barrel of laughs at the moment, but you're not the only one. We're all still trying to get over that business with Jaron and we have problems just like you. Aladdin, Genie and Carpet lost their home and loved ones to Jafar. Donald, Goofy, Tarzan and Hercules miss their homes, friends and families and I'm still trying to get over what Jaron did at Halloween Town. I know he didn't mean to impale Sally and I am happy she's alright, but I nearly lost what I hold dear. And I've left MY home and friends behind as well. So don't think that you're one of a kind. Maybe our problems aren't as bad as yours but we're suffering as well. Try and realise that as well as realising that we're not the bad guys. We're your friends, so start acting like it!" Sora looked up at Jack, realising what he said was true. "I'm sorry, Jack. I guess I was too busy thinking about myself." "We're ALL going through a hard time, Sora. It's understandable." Then all of a sudden an explosion sounded and the whole vessel shook. Sora and Jack ran up to the cockpit to find out what was going on. They saw Donald and Goofy frantically using the controls as best they could. "Guys, what's going on?!" "We're under attack!" shouted Donald. "What about the weapons?" asked Jack. "We're trying!" shouted Goofy, "But they won't work!" "What's after us?" asked Sora. "A pirate ship!" replied Donald and Goofy in unison. Sora knew what that meant. "Hook." "So what do we do?" asked Hercules as he and the others rushed in to see what was again. "Retreat, survive", suggested Tarzan. "We can't!" said Donald, "They rammed us and fired at us! The engines are out! We can't escape!" "They've got us!" said Aladdin. A tractor beam locked onto the cruiser and the vessel slowly started being drawn into the pirate ship. Several minutes later, Sora woke up on the ship's deck, all on his own. He walked around looking for the others. After scouring everywhere on the deck and unable to find anyone, he turned around and headed for the captain's cabin. All of this reminded the Keybearer of his last visit to Neverland. When the pirates had rammed the gummi ship and separated Sora from Donald and Goofy. The Keybearer had remained on his own until he was confronted by Captain Hook, the Heartless and his best friend, Riku, who at the time, believed that Sora had betrayed him and had allied with Maleficent and the others, unaware that he was a pawn. Riku had retreated with Kairi (who had lost her heart at the time) to Hollow Bastion, hoping to recover her heart. The events here would lead to a major turning point in the Keybearer's quest. Sora wondered if history would repeat itself. It had certainly looked that way so far. "Look familiar?" The Keybearer gasped as he saw Sharak standing on the deck above him, above the captain's cabin. "I'm not dreaming this time, am I?" asked Sora. "With you, it always is a question of whether what you're seeing is real or a dream", replied Sharak, "You are such a heavy sleeper, aren't you?" The Keybearer brought forth his weapon and readied himself for battle. Sharak looked on unimpressed. "Your friends are currently being held in the holds", continued the source of all darkness, "Of course, unlike Riku, I won't be considerate enough to let you see them at all. Besides, I have something far more important to show you." Sora's eyes narrowed in anger and he sneered at Sharak. "Where is she?" "Who?" "You know exactly who I mean", answered Sora, angrily. "You're right", replied Sharak innocently, "I do know who you mean." The creature moved to one side to reveal an unconscious Kairi slumped against the helm of the ship. "Kairi!" "And in answer to your previous question", continued the emperor, "Yes, you AREN'T dreaming this time." Sora ran towards the upper deck only to be stopped by Hook and a dozen Pirate Heartless. "Long time no see, boy!" said Hook, with a crooked smile on his face, "This brings back old memories, doesn't it?" "This is starting to become tedious, Sharak!" shouted Sora, "Where do you get off messing around with my loved ones?!" "I do whatever I must to achieve my goals, Sora", replied the emperor, "And I also do whatever I must to eliminate those who dare to get in my way.""Hook's good, I'll admit that", confessed the Keybearer, "But I can still take him out and the Heartless without even breaking a sweat." "Oh, I am fully aware of that", agreed the creature, "But it will be most interesting to see how well you'll do with him." "Huh?" Sora looked up to the crow's nest to see a sixteen-year-old boy jump out of it and land on his feet behind the Keybearer. Sora turned around to see one of the biggest shocks of his life. "Jaron?!" He still looked the same as he did a few days ago but there were differences. Jaron no longer wore the chain with the peace symbol around his neck and he no longer wore the belt that housed his arsenal of exploding orbs and ninja stars. He also wasn't wearing his mask. Sora recognised his scarred face that he had seen only a few days ago. The major difference was when Jaron opened his eyes. Sora gasped when he noticed that the Saviour's eyes were now exactly the same colour as Sharak's, blood-red and glowing brightly. "What...what happened to you?!" "I would have thought that you would want to know the results of our battle", explained Sharak, "As well as the aftermath. He lost and at the same time, he realised what an idiot he had been. Why waste time trying to fight darkness when you can accept it? Embrace it and enjoy it! It is the only logical thing to do. Because in the end, the darkness always wins." Jaron brought out his sword and readied himself for combat. Sora couldn't believe that his friend had turned his back on him and was now following Sharak's orders. He should have been used to this sort of eventuality after his experience with Riku but Jaron was different. He had hated Sharak more than anyone. How could he possibly serve the source of all darkness? How?! "As much as I would love to see your dear friend carve you", said Sharak, "I have far more pressing matters to discuss. Captain, a moment of your time in your cabin, please." "Certainly, Sharak", smiled Hook. The emperor made his way down to the cabin, taking Kairi with him. "We wouldn't want you to get hurt now, would we, princess?" remarked the creature, "Do not despair, Keybearer, she shall come to no harm, which is more than can be said for you. Jaron, kindly kill the boy but try not to make too much noise. The captain and I must not be disturbed." The Heartless vanished and Sharak and Hook entered the cabin, taking Kairi inside also. Sora couldn't believe how Sharak had planned this. The creature had turned one of his closest friends against him and his fears of kidnapping Kairi had been confirmed. Sora's mind started racing for answers as well as wondering about what else Sharak had done. "Kairi!" yelled the Keyblade master as he saw Sharak take the princess away from his sight. The distraction however, left him wide open. The unmasked Jaron kicked Sora in the face, sending him flying across the deck and crashing through some barrels nearby. Jaron ran towards the Keybearer at top speed and swung his sword at him. Sora dodge-rolled out of the way and blocked another strike with his Keyblade. He continued to do so, reluctant at best to fight back. "Why have you betrayed us?!" shouted Sora, as he continued to block and avoid Jaron's sword strikes.Jaron didn't answer. He just continued attacking in total silence. "You hate Sharak!" continued Sora, "You always have done! Why are you serving him?!" The ex-Saviour still didn't reply. He kicked Sora in the stomach, punched him in the jaw and then threw him into some more barrels. As the Keybearer groggily rose out of the splintered wreckage, Jaron threw a fireball at him. Sora high-jumped out of the way. Jaron still continued attacking, not saying a word. Sora still refused to fight his one-time friend and continued blocking and avoiding Jaron's sword strikes. "This is stupid! We're still friends! Don't you remember?!" Jaron still continued attacking. When he started rotating his sword in a propeller-like movement and chased after Sora, the Keybearer then realised that the ex-Saviour wasn't in a talking mood. "You're leaving me no choice, Jaron! You asked for it!" Sora started unleashing weapon strikes of his own. The two weapons clashed again and again, sparks flying everywhere. Jaron tried unleashing a sword-uppercut attack but missed when Sora rolled out of the way. The Keybearer retaliated by unleashing a Ragnarok attack on his former friend. Jaron landed on his feet and hurled his sword at Sora, who only just managed to avoid it. The ex-Saviour ran up to the Keyblade master punching and kicking him. Sora managed to block some of the blows and mount a counter-attack. The sixteen-year-old struck Jaron with the Keyblade repeatedly. Eventually, it was Jaron's turn to go flying across the deck landing in a heap of barrels. Jaron stood up and held his hand out. His sword returned to his grasp and the two continued to trade blows. Jaron span around on the spot with his sword outstretched. It connected with Sora numerous times, forcing him to back away and scream in pain. The ex-Saviour stopped spinning and hit Sora in the face repeatedly. A kick to the head from Jaron, knocked Sora of his feet and exposed him to another kick to the stomach. The Keybearer rolled across the deck, holding his stomach in pain. Jaron leapt high into the air and plunged his sword deep into the deck. Dark shockwaves spread across the deck, coming into contact with Sora, striking him again and again. Then dark thunderstorms also appeared, striking the Keybearer and severely injuring him. Sora tried to get back up but Jaron wasn't going to give him a moment to breathe. The ex-Saviour rotated his sword at top-speed in front of him and ran towards his former friend. The deadly blade came into contact with the Keyblade master, sending him flying high into the air. Jaron held his sword high into the air, hoping to catch the Keybearer on his way back down but Sora was able to glide to the far front of the ship and cast a Curaga spell and an Aeroga spell. Now fully healed and partially shielded, Sora went back on the attack, hitting the Sonic Blade three times in succession. He closed in and continued striking Jaron with the Keyblade, the wind magic damaging him even more. A shot to the head knocked the unmasked sixteen-year-old off his feet. Jaron leg-swept Sora, sending him back down to the ground. The ex-Saviour jumped back up and tried to stab the Keybearer with his sword again and again but Sora continued to roll out of the way. Sora swept Jaron off his feet using his Keyblade and cast Thundaga spells on his opponent. Jaron writhed in pain as the magic struck him but all the way throughout the battle Jaron hadn't screamed, grunted or seethed to express his pain. Sora had noticed this and had also noticed that whenever Jaron was in pain, all he could do to express it was by showing expressions of pain on his face. The Keybearer was confused as he wondered what had become of his former friend. Could he no longer talk or use his voice? Had Sharak done this to him? Was what Sharak said true or was Jaron being forced to do this against his will? In the cabin, Sharak and Captain Hook still continued talking. "Congratulations are clearly in order, my friend", said Sharak, "Thanks to your ruthlessness and leadership, millions of worlds have become ours in just a few weeks." "Thank you, emperor", smiled Hook as he bowed to the creature, "I take great satisfaction in knowing that all our hard work will reward us by giving us a flawless universe to live in." "You and Sephiroth have performed admirably. Both of your skills will allow the invasion to be a complete success, as will those of the other members of the Council of Darkness." "We mustn't forget the princesses, of course." "Indeed so", agreed Sharak as he walked over to Kairi, still unconscious, "It is hard to believe that my return to power must rely on all seven of these frail beings. Weaklings who deny the strength that I offer. Still, with so much to gain, I can accept the fact that all like this one have their uses." Sharak turned around to face Hook again. "There is something though that I have been meaning to talk to you about, Hook." "Which is?" "Has there been any word on Pan?" "Not yet", admitted the captain, "But rest assured, the Heartless are still looking for him." "I do not like the fact that he has eluded me", said the emperor, "He must have gone into hiding to devise some form of rebellion against me. As long as he's still out there, we have a problem that could ruin everything." "Forgive me if I'm being arrogant", replied Hook, "But that blasted Peter Pan is just like all those other bilge rats. He has no idea what we're up to." "True, but as long as he still exists, he remains a threat, which is why he must not be allowed to confer with those other imbeciles." "I will do everything in my power to stop that from happening." "I know you will, captain", said Sharak, "And I also know that I do not have to remind you just how important Hollow Bastion's keyhole is. It will play a huge role in my regeneration and I do not want my plans ruined by anyone and that includes a one hundred-year-old child who is afraid of growing up." "I took care of his cute little girlfriend, didn't I?" Sharak and Hook erupted into laughter, remembering what had happened when Wendy had been forced to walk the plank and Peter Pan was too incapacitated to save her. "I think now is the time to return home", declared the source of all darkness, "I have much to discuss and plan with the other members. I will take the princess back to the castle. Execute the others before returning to me. Jaron won't be much longer with Sora." Sharak returned with Kairi to his castle and Hook left to carry out the execution of Donald, Goofy and the others. The emperor and the captain however, had been blissfully unaware that their entire conversation had been observed and heard by someone who had been floating outside the cabin window above the sea. The individual seethed with anger at that last remark made by Hook and was tempted to settle the score but realised that the others needed to here about this conversation as well as requiring rescue, so he flew to the holds. Back outside the cabin, Sora and Jaron continued their battle, trading brutal blows with one another. In the end though, the Keybearer had had enough. He unleashed a Strike Raid on Jaron. The hurled Keyblade knocked Jaron's sword out of his hand before clubbing him on the head. Jaron fell to the ground as Sora stood over him, Keyblade still in hand. The ex-Saviour expected the Keyblade master to kill him but to his surprise, Sora withdrew his weapon. An expression of confusion appeared on Jaron's scarred face. "I don't kill people in cold blood", explained Sora, "Despite what you've become, you're still human. You're not a Heartless." Jaron didn't say anything. He just stared at Sora, still confused. "What's wrong, Jaron?" asked an angry Keybearer, "Nothing to say? Still in shock that I've not become a murderer like you?!" Sora's taunt sent Jaron over the edge. Looks of confusion turned into those of anger and rage. For the first time in days, he screamed in fury as he got back up, laying into Sora like never before. The unmasked Jaron punched Sora in the stomach rapidly before grabbing him by the head and banging it on the decks. He then threw the Keybearer through two glass windows, in and out of the captain's cabin before smashing a table across his back and hurling barrels at him. Jaron kicked and punched Sora all over for several minutes before a battered Keybearer lay almost lifeless on the middle of the deck. Jaron retrieved his sword and walked over to his former friend getting ready to impale him. For the first time in days, Jaron spoke. "Die." He never got a chance to bring the sword down. All of a sudden a huge titanic battle exploded from the holds. Captain Hook was now doing everything he could to fight off Peter Pan, who was desperate for revenge. Pirates were being decimated as Donald, Goofy and all the rest were bringing the fight to the enemy. Tarzan speared, Aladdin slashed, Genie zapped, Hercules smashed, Jack punched and zapped, Carpet shunted, Goofy charged and Donald cast. The Pirates, Air Pirates and Battleships were all felled in seconds. They all turned to see what Jaron had done to Sora and what he was about to do. A look of anger appeared on Donald's face as he screamed and cast many a Thundaga spell on Jaron. The ferocity of the magic struck the ex-Saviour again and again. Jaron screamed in pain as he retreated back to Castle Sharak, realising that he had no chance of victory now that he was outnumbered. Hook, unable to fight off a berserk Peter Pan, followed Jaron into the portal. Everyone looked on in anger as their former friend ran away, disgusted with his seemingly irredeemable actions. Donald cast a Curaga spell on Sora, healing him instantly. Sora looked around him to see that Jaron had gone. The Keybearer seethed in hatred and hungered for revenge. Everyone made it to the cruiser and left the pirate ship. Everyone decided to head back to Traverse Town to regroup. After many explanations, everyone was gathered in the rest quarters of the cruiser, discussing what to do after a brief recuperation. "So that's Sharak's plan, huh?" asked Hercules. "Uh-huh", said Peter Pan, "He's got all these princesses, one of them being Kairi. He's trying to use them to open up this keyhole at this place called Hollow Bastion." "But how can he do that?" asked Goofy, "Sora sealed up the Keyhole years ago. Sharak couldn't possibly re-open it." "He said something about an invasion", continued Peter, "And how the abilities of the "council" would help him out." "But how?" asked Donald. "Let's see now", thought Genie, "He's got Jafar to help him." "As well as Hades and Sephiroth", furthered Hercules. "Maleficent and Ursula", said Goofy. "Oogie Boogie", said Jack. "And that codfish, Captain Hook!" said Peter. "And the Heartless", added Sora. Everyone looked at him as he sneered and furthered, "And Jaron." "But what can he do?" asked Aladdin, "If the keyhole at Hollow Bastion has been sealed, surely it can't be unsealed, can it?" "Not the last time I looked, Al", said Genie. "Immense power accumulated", spoke Tarzan, "Could total power unseal?" Everyone looked at Tarzan and realised that he could be right. The combined power of a genie (Jafar), a god (Hades), a sea witch (Ursula) and a sorceress (Maleficent) plus the total power that the princesses possessed could well be enough to allow Sharak to reopen the keyhole and allow him to suck all the darkness that was behind it completely dry. They realised that that surely must be his plan. "Could the darkness from the keyhole be enough to fully regenerate him?" asked Sora. "I don't know", replied Donald, "But I don't wanna find out the hard way!" "We've gotta stop this from happening!" agreed Goofy. This they all agreed on but they realised that if they were to do that, they needed to restock on Potions, Ethers and Elixirs and regroup to devise strategy. They decided to head back to Traverse Town. Back at Castle Sharak, the source of all darkness was infuriated to say the least. Captain Hook and Jaron were on the receiving end of Sharak's wrath. "Failures! Incompetent bunglers!" roared the creature, "I give you two probably the easiest task imaginable and not only do you fail to carry it out, you let those inferiors chase you back here and regroup with one another! And now they know of our plans!" "O mighty Sharak", began Hook, "I..." "You said you would do everything in your power to prevent this from happening, captain. You failed to do so. And because of your and Jaron's failure, we may have lost everything!" "With all do respect, Sharak", remarked Maleficent, "It was YOUR idea. YOU said it was "guaranteed to succeed" when it clearly wasn't. It was your plan that failed." "Failed?" said Sharak as he turned to Maleficent. His eyes narrowed in anger and his eyes burned bright red. He leapt out of his throne onto the mistress of all evil, choking her with both hands and a vice-like grip. "SHARAK...DOES...NOT...FAIL!!!" He threw Maleficent across the throne room where she crashed through the doors. Sharak seethed in anger for many seconds before calming down. "Jeez, Oogie", Hades whispered to Oogie Boogie, "And I thought I had problems controlling my temper!" Oogie Boogie sniggered along with the king of the Underworld. "A brilliantly, intelligent individual such as myself always has a 'plan B'", spoke Sharak, "What is the status of our forces?" "We have exactly the required number of Heartless needed for the attack on Hollow Bastion", answered Jafar. "Good. It is time. All of you down to the conference room. We have tactics to discuss. And yes, Jaron, that includes you too. You still have a place in my plans." Sharak, Jaron, Jafar, Hades, Captain Hook, Oogie Boogie, Ursula and Sephiroth made their way out of the throne room. Maleficent, who had recovered, followed behind Sharak, eyes narrowed at him. At Hollow Bastion, the seventeen-year-old boy who had arrived severely injured about a week ago was surrounded by Leon, Yuffie, Aerith, Cloud and Cid. The boy lay in his bed in the medical room. His vital signs had increased dramatically since he was brought in and the doctors felt for sure that he would awaken anytime soon. "What do you reckon he'll be like?" asked Yuffie. "Only time can tell", replied Cloud. "What if he's a bad guy? Should we kill him?" "Get serious, Yuffie", said Cid, "The kid looks about as bad as Santa Claus." "He looks and sounds innocent", remarked Aerith, "He's been muttering about darkness and the Heartless whilst he's been sleeping. Like he fears and hates it." "He's also been mentioning a name I haven't heard before", said Leon, "I don't know who or what "Sharak" is." "I'm sure he'll tell us when he wakes up", said Cloud. "Which should be right now!" said Cid as he noticed the boy slowly opening his eyes. They all looked at him with anticipation. The boy grunted as he returned to full wakefulness. He looked around him to see Yuffie and Aerith smiling at him and Cloud, Leon and Cid just looking at him. "Wh-where am I?" asked the boy sleepily. "You're at Hallow Bastion", replied Leon, "You were found at the rising falls a week ago. You've been here recovering from that crippling injury you sustained ever since." "Who are you guys?" "The name's Cid!" "My name is Aerith." "I'm the great ninja, Yuffie." "Call me Leon." "Call me Cloud."
"What's your name, kid?" asked Cid. The boy smiled and said... "Name's Adam, bud! Don't wear it out!" | 
