Recovery ((Open))

[light]

Eyes stretched to the fullest, almost appearing larger than his round ears. Body frozen through shock. Heart pounding against his chest. The tempo beating at different beats. Hands and legs weak to movement and hardly even noticeable. In site was only the Cornerstone. No longer was it sparkling with an illuminating light but instead clouding itself with darkness. His action to move was useless and all he could do was stare. A figure resided on top of the Cornerstone just watching him. Cries called out from the mouse as he tried his hardest to force his body to step in. Suddenly darkness spewed from the Cornerstone as the last shard of light was engulfed by the darkness. Sora ran towards him pushing him towards the exit but Mickey had to force himself to stay. However all he felt was a warm light and then everything was clear, just as the darkness came over them.



Mickey jolted as he awoke from inside Merlin's House. It was just a nightmare but the mouse, normally full of joy and hope , could find it within himself to call it false. He was there. His eyes, ears, and keyblade on the battlefield. Everything on in his castle. His sanctuary for peace, hope, and most importantly....light. His world was suppose to be the Lighthouse of all worlds. But now it was another domain to the Heartless. Thoughts ravaged through the mind of the king as he thought of the brooms that would be forced into evil hands, his companions who had probably arrived in Traverse Town, and Minnie who would still have to await his arrival but this time with hope and tears.

Mickey forced his head up with his glove and laid it on his left hand. His eyes looked down as he tried to cheer up on the center table. Overall, this was going to be difficult to go through. Others had depended on him to take care of the Horsemen. Their goals and plans were always hidden but now Mickey saw completely what they were after. Why couldn't see that the Cornerstone was the target sooner? He had trained with Master Yen Sid for decades to help protect it and even built the castle to nourish it. He was it's Guardian and the people's king. The people's heart and guide.

As Terra had taken her leave from the castle, Mickey had struggled to come to acceptance that his home, of all worlds, was now apart of the Heartless' collection. The only place he think to call home was here upon the Radiant Garden residents. Merlin was a trustworthy, old friend. He would understand the situation the most, and so he did.

Pushing himself up, the king scanned Merline's residence and cracked somewhat of a smile. He had taken cherish through simple things but now, firsthand, knew what the members of Traverse were experiencing back then as he followed Sora. Motivation was far from what the King needed as it was already the adrenaline to his existence. There was now more reason to fight! More reason to live and defend the people! But for now he would quote old master's and say that he needed rest. Even a keyblade master needed to know when to rest, when to fight to the end, and when it's time to give in. Each was now a feeling he felt, but resting his head upon the table he knew which one he adored the most.

[shogumecia]

The land outside the house was dark indeed as the sky was darkened with intimidating clouds, lightning and fierce winds that picked up throughout the streets. The effects from the Cornerstone were being felt not only at Disney Castle, but by the worlds closest to it as well. Here in Radiant Garden, the weather was taking a turn for the worse. Fading into view from whence she came, Ultimecia set foot upon the stone steps just outside the house of Merlin. Inside was a once proud king, now crushed by his own failure and lost from his hope.

Her sinister eyes looked up to the hellish weather that had taken over the world, and a slight smirk spread across her crimson lips. "Beautiful" she spoke to herself, then fixed her gaze upon the residence of the wizard. She sensed great power within it's walls, power that she needed for her plans to claim a stake in the universe. Who could be lurking in such a shambled place? Ultimecia thought about this as she took steps towards the front door.

[Sorry it's short]

[light]

The King's eyes diverted the only window. Seeing the darkened atmosphere did not help the matter, or even the mood, at all. Laying up, Mickey stood up and walked over to the window. Radiant Garden no longer spewed the energy petals from the sky but instead held a dark, blurry cloud below it. Mickey sighed at the sight. The Heart of the other worlds appeared to be affected also. Who would think that the Cornerstone's power could impact the behavior of the other worlds? The power of Light was truly unbelievable and did work in many ways.

Just as Ultimecia made her arrival, the King turned back to the inside of Merlin's House. He looked at the different books scattered all over the surrounding. Before he hadn't really payed attention to them but seeing them everywhere was quite distracting. They were stacked so high it was as if Merlin's books could easily be mistaken for his furniture. A fun quote popped into his head as he thought over this.

'Use what you have. And use it to the best of your abilities.'

Never judge a book by it's cover right? Mickey laughed to himself finally relieving some tension that was building within himself. But a strange urge came over him. His body turned quickly to the door and jumped away from it. With a burst of light, the Kingdom Key D digitized into his hand. His eyes starred at the door awaiting who the visitor or stranger was. Mickey wasn't quite sure who was at the door, as it was probably Merlin himself. But no chances would be taken after what happened to his home. He couldn't let what happened to his home and world happen to anyone else.

"Who's out there?" Mickey asked timidly around the timing that the visitor appeared to come close to door. His grip on the keyblade adjusted from tight to weak, adjusting with his breathing. "C'mon." Even with the unsure act his body told him, Mickey still had the approach and feeling that it was a friend. Most attacks from Heartless were directed towards the grounds around Ansem's Research Lab and Hollow Bastion. Then again, he had never truly been to Merlin's new residence here before. Maybe things had changed, but hopefully the King wouldn't.

[shogumecia]

From the other side of the door came the voice of the king, the one who had failed to protect his kingdom from the inferior heartless. With her powers to manipulate matter, Ultimecia took the frail form of the wizard Merlin. "Do not fret my friend, it is I, Merlin." spoke the witch as she completed her transformation. She took hold of the door's handle, and pushed it open to lay eyes upon the king. He stood there wielding his Keyblade in a threatening manner in case someone of hostile origins appeared before him.

In the form of Merlin, she gave the mouse king a questionable look. She then waved her hand in a dismissive manner, looking into the house as she crossed the threshold. "There is no need for weapons old friend." she began, taking a seat in a chair across from the bed. "I understand your trouble, so please explain the concerns that linger upon your thoughts. Let me be an ear upon which you can lay your voiced misery." Indeed she wanted to hear what was disturbing the keyblade wielder, not that she cared for his well being, but to find out what had the king removed from his throne.

Outside the winds continued to rage, rattling loose wooden window shutters on houses, tearing leaves and branches across the land. The black clouds in the air began to spiral, lightning flashing viciously across the sky. The weather seemed to be taking a turn for the worse, with no signs of letting up. Indeed the Cornerstone's corruption had an effect on the other worlds closest to Disney Castle. Traverse Town, Twilight Town and Destiny Islands were all experiencing turbulent weather conditions just as severe.

[light]

"Do not fret my friend, it is I, Merlin."

Mickey's nerves and body calmed as he heard the voice of his friend. Watching Merlin come in brought a sense of joy into the King's heart. Other than Yen Sid, Merlin was one of the few sorcerer friends Mickey had. Not only that but also a very smart and influential individual.

Mickey quickly dismissed his keyblade upon seeing Merline's questionable stare. He found the seat again and sat back onto it. His elbow patting the table and his head, once again, being held up by his palms. Would things have been different if Merlin was there? Or maybe even Yen Side? Maybe even if he'd sent out help to his friends or found some way to keep better guard around the Cornerstone. It was still heart-thrashing to think about and it was unfortunately the only thing that wandered the king's mind.

"There is no need for weapons old friend. I understand your trouble, so please explain the concerns that linger upon your thoughts. Let me be an ear upon which you can lay your voiced misery."

The King's eyes looked up to his friend but his first response was a solemn sigh. He pushed his head back up and turned his body towards Merlin. He head drooped down to the ground with only his circular ears laying up. Thoughts ravaged through his mind about how to phrase this. Would he be blunt, hide some details, or just not revert to it at all? Neither was easy and each could have its own consequences.

"Merlin," Mickey stated lifting his head slowly. "I just can't believe that the Horsemen have the Cornerstone. Ever since I was young I've been it's protector but they found a way through. Gosh...it...it just feels bad to think about. I've tried so hard to calm all the matters of the worlds that I forgot to stick to my obligations. And now...even more worlds could be risked." Mickey sighed again his last sentence. The thought of the Heartless spread was scary. Ansem had found before that every heart had darkness in it and therefore the Heartless could never die. Even with this burden, to know that the Heartless could have more confidence in this battle...in this war...! Mickey shivered at the thought.

The King's face held back tears because he still had to be strong. There was always a light in each tunnel and there was always a door in each road.

"But," Mickey started. "Things will be better soon. I just hope soon comes pretty fast."

[shogumecia]

In her thoughts, Ultimecia could do nothing but smirk, but kept it from showing upon her disguised face. As she moved her gaze to the window, she saw through the spectacles upon the bridge of her nose that the storm was getting worse outside. "There is always a way my friend." she lied. In truth Ultimecia was enjoying this willing relay of information from the king, and it was, so far, working well. "I am sure Warriors of the Keyblade have assembled at Disney Castle to fight for us all."

She stood up and walked to the stack of books. Upon them she placed a withered hand under the familiar blue cloak that Mickey knew. "The darkness grows stronger with every passing moment, and I will admit that things do look hopeless." she paused and turned to the discomforted king, and gave him a false smile. "You know of course that our forces are now divided amongst the worlds. Why we fail now is because we are scattered, all too concerned with our own goals." As the disguised sorceress made her way back to the chair she summoned forth a rose in her hand, then gave it to Mickey.

"You see this rose, by itself is beautiful old friend. However, should it be with more of it's kind, it becomes far more." she spoke in a metaphorical sense. The storm raged on, yet in this time of chaos it would seem this king had the time to blame himself for his failure.

[light]

"There is always a way my friend. I am sure Warriors of the Keyblade have assembled at Disney Castle to fight for us all."

Mickey's head snapped quickly to Merlin. If the Warriors of the Keyblade had gathered then, as far as he knew, that meant Sora and Riku had rushed back. Maybe even the Chasers had joined in but they were still going into battle without him. The Horsemen were not a group to just blitz in with plan. Darn Sora's irrational thoughts. Mickey was about to stand, but Merlin had beat him to it. His mind in deep thought and confusion, the king just sat back and waited.

"The darkness grows stronger with every passing moment, and I will admit that things do look hopeless."

"Nothing's ever hopeless Merlin," Mickey stated in a calm voice. "You should know that."

"You know of course that our forces are now divided amongst the worlds. Why we fail now is because we are scattered, all too concerned with our own goals."

Mickey sighed. At least he wasn't the only one that noticed this. But there was more to it. Each person was fighting for their world and friends, but their friendships had spread to different worlds. It wasn't possible to be everywhere or at the right time. That's what made the Heartless' victory so easy. They probably knew this and took advantage of it. His other friends weren't there to warn him because the other Horsemen were probably already fighting them.

Everything was coming together.

The King's eyes then shook to see Merlin reveal a rose. His head turned in confusion but he knew his friend would explain.

"You see this rose, by itself is beautiful old friend. However, should it be with more of it's kind, it becomes far more."

It had appeared Merlin's metaphoric analysis had gotten up with Yen Sid's mastery. Based off the analysis Mickey drew two conclusions. One was that Mickey couldn't do this alone. Neither could Sora, Riku, Leon, Cloud, or any of their circle of friends. They needed to be together as one. All for one and one for all. Another was another bonus for the Heartless. They already had more of their kind. Even Nobodies did. Mickey had learned that the Light was the purest of all elements but the most difficult to control. It was easy for Darkness to gather and stay together in the shadows, but light spread any and everywhere. It was sporadic and hard to keep in one place. However, Light did overcome and burst through the shadows of darkness. That's what they needed to do now.

Mickey's depressive mood appeared to have moved off for a while. His face was serious yet a smile resided on his face. He stood and looked at Merlin. With a clash of thunder his eyes diverted to the window. Quickly he ran over to see how things were looking. The king could only sigh. He closed his right hand and tightened it into a fist and held it to his heart.

"I think I understand now Merlin," Mickey said. "And I'm thankful for the advice that you've given me. I just kind of wish there was so way I could help you. You always find a way to help me but I never have the chance to return it."

[shogumecia]

The king told the impostor Merlin that there was always hope, and Ultimecia had to agree that even in the darkest hours that pathetic ones that still fought for something found the slightest bit of hope. She nodded as she surveyed him from behind the half moon spectacles on the bridge of her nose. "I suppose there is something you could do, that in turn would help all of us fighting for the light." she spoke through the voice of Merlin. Finally things would be turning to her favor.

"In a world not far from here, be it Twilight Town or Port Royal, the exact I know not." she began, putting her finger tips together as she contemplated. "There is a man in a white coat, seeking an ally to help him bring resolve to the universe. Find him, and become his ally. It might prove fortuitous for us all dear Mickey, to have a warrior of such power fighting for the Light." Ultimecia finished her proposal, and went silent.

She remained silent there, sitting in the wizard's chair. Things would indeed be coming to fruition, should Mickey take Merlin's suggestion. Outside the storm raged, it's fury welling down upon Radiant Garden.

[light]

"I suppose there is something you could do, that in turn would help all of us fighting for the light."

Mickey's eyes looked up to the wizard. A proud sense of hope and desire filled his eyes. Who could it be to help them? Or matter fact, what could it be to help? A weapon couldn't do much and what power could someone have over the Horsemen. The thoughts raced through his mind thriving for the answer. He had to know who, or what, it was!

"In a world not far from here, be it Twilight Town or Port Royal, the exact I know not. There is a man in a white coat, seeking an ally to help him bring resolve to the universe. Find him, and become his ally. It might prove fortuitous for us all dear Mickey, to have a warrior of such power fighting for the Light."

Twilight Town. Port Royal. Man in a white coat. Ally. Warrior. Light.

All the immediate words that stuck out to the king. Sora had traveled to Port Royal and had never seen anyone. Also both of them had traveled to Twilight Town numerous times. Why hadn't they seen him before? If his power was close to the Chaser's, or even Sora's, then maybe finding this man was the right thing.

Mickey walked over to Merlin, taking a respective bow.

"I'll look for him," Mickey said. "And then I'll gather everyone to help fight the Horsemen. Thank you for your time and words."

With a joyful chuckle, Mickey ran to the door and opened it. Gust blew at a fierce degree through him but Mickey found his way outside. Looking up to the sky he could feel the pain of the world without it's source of Light. Determination filled his eyes and he ran off into town to load the Gummi Ship. Port Royal was foreign to him, so the first place Mickey thought to look was Twilight Town.

[Mickey has left the thread]

[shogumecia]

As the door closed behind the now hopeful king, lightning cracked the sky, illuminating the interior of Merlin's house and the face of the impostor wizard who had taken his seat. A devilish smirk, followed by a cackling laughter of malice and cruelty came from the depths of it's chest. His face became distorted as the sorceress changed the matter once more, revealing herself and her true features sitting there in the missing wizard's home. She stood up, looking to the fury of the storm that raged outside. She was sure Seifer would be able to manipulate this king to their benefit, as such strong individuals seemed an important necessity in these times.

"Time shall withstand these Horsemen, as shall I. Your hope, nothing but a fallacy little king." she spoke out loud to herself as she made her way over to Cid Highwind's computer in the far corner. Purple claws extended over the computer's keyboard and began to type. Ultimecia had experience with much technology having spent much time possessing people in a past filled to the brim with it. The computer beeped a few times as she re-wrote the programming for the Claymore defense system around the town, which now would attack any and all beings on sight.

Radiant Garden was now a hostile environment with it's own weapon system and chaotic weather to match. The sorceress stood up and made her way to the door that Mickey had used earlier, as her hand was upon the doorknob she stopped and looked back to the computer terminal. She held out her hand, lightning crackling to life within the palm. With minimal effort, Ultimecia unleashed a powerful Thundaga spell upon the computer, causing an overload in power that blew it up. She smirked as the control panel exploded, then turned to leave through the door she had opened. The wind blew viciously and the storm raged as Ulimecia opened herself a portal, stepped through it and was gone from the world to another place.

[Ultimecia has left the thread. Thread is now over.]