Sector $
Sector IC discussed their encounter with Miyuki and what had become of Ciel and Weiss. The team of four were also filled in on the crisis taking place in Aincrad; Carol was relieved to see Raleigh was okay. "I can't wrap my head around all this." Dillon said. "I… Where do we even begin?"
"We begin by informing Global Command!" Carol stated. "They already know the Aincrad crisis, but we have to spread the word about Miyuki."
"We've actually asked Moonbase to track her ship for us." Lola said. "It's how we found her here."
"Then call them and ask where she went!" Dillon ushered.
"Yeah, you fuckin' think?!" Terry shouted, stomping to the terminal.
"You don't gotta get all grumpy!" Vanellope told him.
"Yeah I do." He mumbled under his breath. "We fuckin' let her get away."
"You know why we did, right?" Lola whispered, her enhanced ears hearing him as she followed.
"Yeah, but it's still annoying."
"I wonder if Miyuki broke into the treehouse at any point." Carol said as she checked the camera feed via her laptop. "Huh?" She found recordings of Sebastian running into her room, stealing a Flashdrive, and running to Weiss' room. He seemed to take a small book and download some info from Weiss' personal computer before leaping out the window. "What's… Sebastian doing?"
"You think Ciel ordered him to do something before he was captured?" Dillon wondered.
"Why is he in Weiss' room?"
"Miyuki said that she thought Weiss was the Winter Maiden." George mentioned. "But… did that mean that Weiss wasn't actually the Maiden?"
"Then maybe Sebastian tried to get info on the real Maiden?" Dillon wondered.
"Dillon, you think we should call Haruka?" Vanellope suggested. "These guys could use some treatment."
"Yeah, you're right. Wouldn't hurt to give Raleigh a look-over, too." Dillon left to make the call.
Avatar Realms; Sun Civilization
Sector MG sailed to an island north of the Fire Nation's main land. They disembarked and followed Zuko through a dense jungle. "I can't believe you actually defeated Azula!" Zuko exclaimed. "She was a fire prodigy. I don't think anyone has beaten her one-on-one."
"She sure didn't hold back!" Romeo laughed. "She almost had me roasted alive. But then something weird happened. Azula attacked me with four different colored flames, and before I knew it, I was using some kind of Fury Form. My body lit up with rainbow flames that weren't caused by my magic, and I was able to overpower her."
"You were roasted alive after that!" Wendy shouted. "You should've asked one of us to help you!"
"(You mean you used the Rainbow Fury?)" Victini wondered.
"Is that what it's called?"
"(Yeah! Natsu unlocked that Fury Mode when we fought the ice demon. It was because of the Sacred Flames. Since your Fire Chi is still rainbow-colored, I guess you're able to still use it.)"
"You know, Romeo's been reincarnated a few other times, hasn't he?" Kiki asked. "Were all those Rainbow Flames mages, too?"
"(Beats me. All I know is Natsu didn't have magic. I think it's just a weird add-on for you.)"
"I can't disagree." Romeo admitted. "My two chis have always gotten in the way of each other. It makes my body feel clunky sometimes. If only I had a wand, I wouldn't have to mix magic with fire."
"But I really like your magic fire." Wendy smiled. "It, well…it teaches us the beauty in colors! Or something. I don't know how to phrase it, but it's just a cool aesthetic!"
"Have you ever had this kind of trouble, Wendy?"
"I mean, I did have my wind curse."
"But you were done with that curse by the time we met you." Oliver said. "Since then, it never looked like you had trouble between magic and airbending."
"Ahaha." Wendy blushed and twiddled her fingers. "I guess I had a good teacher in Dr. Facilier, but I still don't think I was that…"
"It's true that carrying two or more types of chi makes it difficult to fully utilize both." Zuko said. "Your body needs room to balance them. At least, that's what I heard about other double-benders. But the Avatar has the power to bring out the full potential in all his elements, due to carrying Arceus's chi."
"You know, I'm sort of an Avatar myself." Maria boasted. "My Mushroomian Power-Ups let me use any element I want!"
"So does our magic." Kiki said. "We can only use small forms of the elements."
"Things are certainly more complicated in other worlds." Zuko commented. "I can see why our world is isolated."
"No kidding." Phil agreed. "It's easier to just focus on four elements, not 12, 20, or however many effing Devil Fruits there are."
"What are Devil Fruits?"
"Don't ask." Wendy smiled awkwardly. (Play "Button Bash" from Donkey Kong Returns!)
The jungle soil slowly transitioned into goldish, paved ground. Through the jungle shrubs, their eyes fell upon an ancient, Mesopotamic city. Shrubs were growing around the weathered gold structures, and a ziggurat towered on the opposite end. "I don't see anyone."
"Just like when Aang and I first came here. The Sun Warriors must not wander their own streets too often."
"They're really that scared of being found, huh?" Phil remarked.
"You never know who could be dropping by. Especially given my country has been less-than-respectful to ancient cultures…"
"Woohoo, time for a ruins level!" Maria happily long-jumped across the first street. "Let's kick on the Donkey Kong music and-" She tripped a wire, causing the floor to fall open into a spike pit. "AAAAAAHH!"
Kiki swooped over and snatched Maria. "I forgot to mention this place is full of booby traps." Zuko said.
"Is there at least a giant boulder?"
"Not that I remember."
The group either flew or jumped across the spike pit as Zuko led them toward the ziggurat. They trekked up the paved steps and reached the top. They were awed at the light of a gold-orange flame, burning from inside a chamber, the tear-shaped entrance to which had a flame mural around it. "That's the Eternal Flame." Zuko confirmed. "Said to have been lit by the dragons. Those same dragons carried the flame down from the sun itself."
"In other words, they got the flame from Solaris." Romeo figured. "Which means this is the Sacred Flame."
"(And it's free for the taking! Come on, Romeo!)" Victini fluttered up giddily.
At that instant, the ground ahead opened, erupting spires of fire that singed the big-earred Firstborn. They were momentarily horrified at the sight… but Victini was only a bit charred. "(Not as good as my sun sauna.)"
"WHO IS UP THERE?!"
The kids spun as a band of people marched up the stairs. The men were topless except for orange neck braces that matched their armbands, and all wore yellow sashes over red, wrapped pants. All the tribesmen were barefoot and had black ponytails, with orange facial makeup.
The obese chief had more makeup covering his upper face, and he wore a gold furred crown. The elderly chief cast a glare at the scar-faced man. "Prince Zuko… you swore not to divulge the secret of our clan. How dare you return with these… odd-looking children!"
"(Boy, your fashion really hasn't changed a bit.)" Victini said. "(I would almost think you're the same people! Sure are a lot fatter than I remember.)"
"What is THAT thing?!" a boy pointed.
"That shape…" The chief observed thoroughly. "And those ears! It couldn't be… Victini?"
"(Yo, I've been saying my name over and over. That's all you guys can hear when I talk, right?)"
"And I'm the Rainbow Flame!" Romeo mentioned. "Check it out!" He lit violet and yellow flames in either hand.
"What?!" a skinny man gasped. "That old legend? Is that still a thing?"
"Forgive me for betraying the secret, Chief Blitzer." Zuko said. "I was given to understand that this boy has an important destiny. They were already made aware of the Sun Warriors by God Solaris."
"The Sun God told us, thousands of years ago, that the Rainbow Flame may return some day." Chief Blitzer said. "But he didn't say anything about these interlopers! I ought to have you all thrown in the glue right now!"
"NOT THE GLUE!" Wendy cried.
"We promise we won't tell anyone your secret!" Romeo vowed. "If you want, we'll even erase our own memories. We sort of have a way to do that…"
"This matter will be discussed later." replied the chief. "If you are the alleged Rainbow Flame, I suppose you'll be wanting a piece of our most sacred treasure?"
"Um…I guess, yeah."
"What do you mean you 'guess yeah'?" questioned the skinny tribesman.
"Ehh! All I know is I need to find the four flames to become Victini's official Guardian. I don't particularly know why I need to…"
"What a ridiculous answer! We can't give the Sacred Flame to someone with no real purpose!"
"Silence, Ham Ghao." ordered the chief. "Let us hear from the boy himself. So, you have no reason for being on this journey? Just what is your purpose in life, boy?"
"I…I don't really know." Romeo creased back nervously. "I only joined the KND because I wanted to get stronger. And, not only would I be able to help people, I could still get credit for school if I write reports and stuff." His friends cringed slightly at his remarkable, impassionate demeanor. "There isn't something I particularly wanted to be. I only got enrolled in Hogwarts because all mages have to attend a school, but I couldn't get a wand, so there wasn't much I could do with magic… and that's why I was forced to start training a lot. And now I'm only trying to catch Victini because we have to find all the Newborn. Uhhh…" He cracked a sheepish grin. "So, I guess I don't have a reason for doing any of this."
"We're gonna get glued, aren't we?" Maria sighed.
"Hmmm…in a way, this story is familiar." Blitzer said. "When our young prince here first visited our land, he was at a loss for a purpose, was he not?"
"It's true." Zuko answered. "Oh, by the way, I'm Fire Lord now."
"Seriously?!" Ham Ghao exclaimed.
"(Well, how's this for a purpose: you can make friends with me again after 10,000 years!)"
"But that's the same problem. I'm only 'making friends' with you because Index said I was your Guardian. I don't mind being friends with you, but it's not like it was my life's goal…"
"Mmmmm…" Victini's ears drooped sadly.
"In any case, it is not for us to decide if you are worthy of the flame." Chief Blitzer declared. "Only the masters can deem you worthy."
He directed their gaze toward a pair of twin, parallel peaks in the west. "You must carry a piece of the flame to the Dragon Peaks and present it to the masters. Let that be your challenge."
"Okay." Romeo nodded. "Uh…what about the booby trap?"
"Allow me." Chief Blitzer pressed a switch on a pillar. He then crossed toward the Sacred Flame and reached, taking a piece of fire in each hand. "Hold out your hands and stabilize your chi. Do not let the flames grow too large or too small."
"(Whuh? Me, too?)" Victini asked.
"Since you are undertaking this journey as well, then you must find your purpose. Take the flame."
"(Fine by me.)" Victini held his tiny hands out, allowing the chief to place it on.
Romeo focused his chi to keep the flame brimming on his palms. "Huh?" He glanced down at the sapphire flame on his chest. Both flames were bobbing in and out.
"Aww, it's like a little heartbeat." Wendy cooed.
"Fire is love and life." The chief said. "The sun forms the heart of a galaxy and blesses life to the worlds. We all possess a sun inside each of us."
"Not that you moderners would understand." Ham Ghao snapped.
"No, I totally understand!" Romeo replied. "Though I sort of have my own style of firebending. My magic lets me use fire in a lot of different ways."
"Magic?" replied the chief.
"Um, yeah. My friends and I are mages. …Is that a problem?"
"Just don't use any 'magic' during the trial. Only your Fire Chi. Your flame is shrinking!"
"Yipe!" Romeo quickly willed the flame to expand. "Let's go, Victini."
"(This'll be easy peasy! For me~)"
The duo traveled down the steps and began the journey toward the peaks. "So, your name is Chief Blister?" Maria asked. "How'd you end up with that name?"
"You don't want to know."
"Oh, Chief?" Ham Ghao spoke. "I still get to assist with the obstacles, right?"
"Sigh, yes, Ham Ghao. As we agreed."
"Perfect! Hazard Team, let's move!" A band of warriors saluted and raced off.
"Hey, what're you guys planning?" Wendy asked reprovingly.
"I don't remember any obstacles when Aang and I did this." Zuko said.
"It's something we planned in case we ever had new visitors." Chief Blitzer replied. "We'll just see how good firebenders they really are. And no, you are not allowed to help them!"
"I guess we'd better go watch." Kiki said, mounting her broom and flying off.
"Whoa! She's flying on a broom!" a boy pointed.
"Is she an airbender?" a woman asked.
"Here we go again." Phil sighed. (Play "Lightfoot Tracking Test" from Star Fox Adventures!)
Game 2: Fiery Escort
Romeo and Victini crossed the first street, but upon stepping on a loose panel, flaming darts launched out from the side. Romeo ducked them with a start—this caused the flame to puff up, but he shrank it back down. Victini was already prancing ahead, crossing a part of road where the panels seemed fairly posh and clean. While Victini had no trouble crossing them, Romeo feared his own weight would set them off. He noticed some spread-apart panels that were withered. Romeo judged these as the normal ones and jumped across them, and he avoided triggering any traps.
They reached a building and decided to go around its right—a Sun Warrior leapt out and jabbed his arms, shooting Fire Darts. Romeo dodged, keeping his hands and flame steady, but he kicked fire from his right foot, dealing enough hits for the warrior to retreat. They continued around the building as two more warriors attacked, conjuring flame whips. Romeo set his boot aflame and raised it to intercept one's whip, afterwards blasting a large fireball. The other warrior tried to whip Victini against the ground, but the Newborn was a shifty evader. He ran under the warrior's legs, but when he turned, Romeo dealt a fiery kick to his back. He kicked them both once more before they retreated. "So, they're trying to test our focus, but not trying to stop us outright."
The duo entered the jungle, where Romeo stepped on a wire, backing up as an axe swung down. He bypassed the axe, but would have to jump platforms over a tar pit, axes swinging over each. Victini was able to jump them well and duck the axes. Once he was through, Romeo jumped next at a quicker pace. "How do they even navigate their own land with all these traps? Kind of paranoid, if you ask me."
"(They weren't much different back then, believe me.)" The road sloped upward in the form of slanted cliffs, with Sun Archers launching Fire Arrows from behind bushes. Romeo headed left and stepped up some small footholds to get atop the first ledge and conjured a Fire Rope from his boot, lashing at the archer to scare him off. Romeo was shot in the hip by another's arrow, but he pulled it out with his left hand and dispersed the flame, afterwards returning it to help support the Sacred Flame. Victini jumped some platforms to the next layer and ran to bite the archer's leg, but was kicked off. Romeo caught up and fought that soldier off. "Victini, you okay?"
"(Uh-huh! The flame is A-OK!)" Victini presented.
"Hah, you're pretty good!"
"(I'm not a fire spirit for nothin'.)" The two crossed the shrubs and found a deep tar pit, where they would have to cross logs interlinked to thin pillars standing in the tar, plus fiery obstacles over each log. Romeo carefully balanced the first one, which had a fire ring that he squatted under. The second log had a device attached to the center, rotating with four firebars. The duo jumped between the bars carefully. The third log was longer and had flame darts repeatedly shooting across. Victini bounced over each dart while Romeo hop-skipped over them- "AAAAH!" He slipped off the log, but was able to bind it in his legs, flipping his hands upright to keep the Sacred Flame burning.
Victini reached the other side and got away from the dart cannon. "(Romeo!)"
"Dang it! If I can't use magic, my only way out of here will be a Rocket Boost. This is gonna be tricky…"
"(Let me give you some luck and you can pull it off!)"
"No! I'm gonna…" Romeo let go and quickly flipped upright, quickly forcing a great surge of fire down- "AH!" but he had fallen into the tar, and the Sacred Flame dispersed. "I'M STUCK!"
"Guys!" Kiki yelled. "Romeo needs help!"
Oliver swooped in on his broom and cast "Glacius!" to freeze the tar. Romeo mustered some fire to melt the ice around himself, and Wendy landed on the icy part to come and pull Romeo out. She held onto him and cast Ascendio to launch them both up to the safe ledge.
"Ha ha ha ha!" Ham Ghao revealed himself with a laugh. "It seems you fail the trial! Your only option is to go back and start all over again."
"(Hold on! He can just have my flame.)"
"But then you would have to start the trial over, Victini."
"(Who cares? I'm not the one who's gonna absorb it in the end. I don't get why I need to play this silly game.)"
"Hmmmm…" It did make Romeo curious about something… but even so, "I still think it would be cheating. I'll just go back and start again."
"(Ugh, we're gonna be here all day!)"
"We should at least clean the tar off." Wendy suggested.
"Jin Ji, get the aardvark-sloths!" Chief Blitzer ordered.
After Romeo was cleaned by aardvark-sloths, he returned to the temple, borrowed another piece of flame, and restarted the trial. He made his way through the same obstacles and was able to make it over the fire darts, but Victini had already gone ahead. The next road had Sun Warriors bouncing fireballs around the ground in rampant fashion. "You guys ripped off the Fire Bros.!" Maria yelled. Romeo ignited his boots and thrusted quick kicks to knock the fireballs back at the warriors, burning their faces and prompting a retreat.
However, Romeo then had to travel up an entrenched, narrow, and snaky stairway, with fireballs aimlessly bouncing down them. With less room to maneuver, Romeo tried to shield his legs with fire, but had to endure some burns until he made it up the stairs. He then returned flames to the Sun Warriors responsible. Through a clearing of the jungle, the Dragon Peaks were in view. Romeo would first have to travel down a hill of hot coals, mustering a heat barrier on the soles of his boots to keep the coals' heat from seeping through. "WHOA!" But he slipped on a coal and fell on his back, sliding down the unstable hill. "Ow ow ow ow ow!" His vest shielded him from some damage, but Romeo eventually kicked himself up and leapt down the rest of the hill. "Oof! Urgh…" He kept his mind calm and focused on the flame in his palms.
"Romeo, are you alright?" Wendy rushed out. "Let me heal those burns!"
"Hold on there!" Ham Ghao emerged from a bush. "You aren't supposed to help him!"
"He shouldn't leave these burns untreated!"
"Actually, I can help myself." Romeo stated. "Heal!" He focused magic over the Sacred Flame and spread it over his burn wounds, completely replenishing them.
"WHAT?!" Ghao exclaimed. "Chief! Did you see that?!"
"What happened to the Sacred Flame?!" Blitzer shouted as he came out.
"I used magic." Romeo admitted. "I can only use healing magic with fire I borrowed. Figured the Sacred Flame would be a good source of healing."
"You DARE treat our Sacred Flame like some bandage?!" Ham Ghao yelled.
"Look, I'll restart the trial, okay? I'm just… frustrated."
"(Romeo!)" Victini returned from the further path. "(Ugh, did the flame go out again?)"
"Just be quiet! It's just like they said… I don't have any passion. I'm only doing this 'cause I think I have to. I don't even care about being Victini's Guardian. I'm sure not gonna hurt myself over it."
"Romeo…" Wendy spoke with sympathy.
"Hm…so, those are the feelings in your heart." the chief said. "Jin Ji! Bring the spare flame."
A woman stepped out, a Sacred Flame in her hands. She held it out to Romeo, who stared questionably. "You will resume the trial from here!"
"Huh? But, I used magic…"
"You used fire to give yourself life. It may not have been through pure firebending, but it represented a piece of fire's true beauty. The masters' lair is just beyond the bridge. Let us see if you are worthy."
"Well, if it's really okay. Thanks…" Romeo took the flame and proceeded. He spared a glance down to a sad Victini. Romeo almost thought he should say something, but decided to keep going.
"We're not done with the trial, yet!" Ham Ghao ran across the stone bridge. "Let's see how you handle my Ham Hoops!" He conjured and rolled strings of fire rings across the bridge. Romeo and Victini dodged the flames and rushed across, but Ham Ghao erected a flame wall to block them. He continued to throw hoops, but Romeo held the Sacred Flame in his left hand and used his right to drawn in the flame wall. He spun a larger ring of fire together and rolled it at Ham Ghao, the man dodging with a yelp. Romeo then kicked a purple fire at his foot, sticking him to the ground. "What?! You little brat!" Romeo ignored him and proceeded forward. "Chief! He used magic again! Punish him!"
"Ah ha ha! You kind of had that one coming for you." The chief laughed. "Warriors! Begin the ceremony!" (End song.)
A band of Sun Warriors were gathered around a wide platform before the mountains, playing drums or juggling fire while making fast, chorused chants. A sun design took up most of the platform's center. Romeo and Victini crossed the platform and marched up stone stairs, leading to a bridge that linked the twin peaks, leading into caves. The two stopped on the platform at the top of the stairs. "Those who wish to meet the masters, Ran and Shaw, will now present their flames!"
Romeo faced the left cave while Victini faced the right. "So, Victini, did you have to do this with Natsu before?"
"(Natsu had to play a kickball game! You're getting off easy.)"
"Can't say I really care, anymore."
"…" Victini turned to him. "(Am I just a burden to you?)"
"I…"
"Do not turn away!" Chief Blitzer yelled. "The masters are here!"
They faced the caves with a start. Within seconds, a pair of Chinese dragons soared out of either cave, one red and one blue, flying swift loops around the platform. "DRAGONS!" Wendy exclaimed.
"Yes." Zuko said. "The last two living dragons on the planet."
"Really?" Oliver asked. "There are loads of dragons on Avalar. But I guess it wouldn't be right to disrupt the ecosystem, huh?"
"Yeah. But you don't really need to worry about that."
The dragons began to circle slowly around the firebenders, studying them. Ran the red dragon spoke. "(The boy possesses a fragrant chi.)"
"(And this little one… it matches the shape of the Victory Spirit.)" Shaw spoke in a feminine voice.
"What're they saying?" Romeo asked.
"I will translate." The chief declared.
"Sniff, sniff… (I can see the boy already carries another of Solaris's flames. But his skin contains a scent akin to ours…)" Ran said.
"Earlier, I used another piece of the flame to heal my skin. I'm sorry…"
"(I see… Then, tell us, both of you. Do you believe you are worthy to hold Solaris's flame?)" Shaw asked.
"Beats me. I thought you were gonna tell me that?"
"Show some respect!"
"Quiet, Ham Ghao!"
"I don't even know why I'm here. I joined the KND because I wanted to get stronger. I'd get to hang out with friends and help people as a bonus. In fact, only reason I'm on this journey is 'cause I get to go on a road trip with them. So, in the end, I just wanna have fun and enjoy myself, I guess."
"Aww, he's so sweet~" Kiki cooed. "He's probably about to be dragon fodder, but it's sweet."
"(And what of you, little one?)" Ran asked.
"(Well, don't ask me. I only got dragged out of my sauna because this guy has to catch me. And he doesn't even want me around!)"
"It's not that I don't want you around, I just don't care if I'm your Guardian. I don't get why I have to be. Besides, what do you want, Victini?"
"(All I know is I'm the Victory Spirit. I show up at competitions and help people out. But I can't be friends with anybody because they'll either try to harness my power by force or just pester me for more, and then they'll end up like Natsu.)"
"But you're the one always pestering me to use your power!"
"(Well, because…because that's all I'm really good at. Even though… bad things happen… but Natsu made me feel like I had a purpose. I just thought… you would, too.)"
"(Then that is your purpose.)" Ran said.
"Huh?" replied Romeo.
Shaw followed, "(Not all beings are given a divine purpose. But even those that are must desire the purpose to live. I will say the human is more worthy than the spirit… but so long as you desire to live and understand your inner fire, then you are worthy. Even your Rainbow Chi contains a beautiful fire. You do not desire to harm others needlessly. And so, we entrust you with Solaris's Sacred Flame.)"
The dragons unleashed a cyclone of flaming breath over the two. "Romeo!" Wendy screamed.
"It's okay." Zuko assured.
Colorful flames surrounded Romeo and Victini, as though the sun had come down to bless them. The Sacred Flames rose from their palms and united at the top of the spire. It then flew down and into Romeo's chest, the fire at his chest morphing between blue and orange. The spire disappeared as the dragons spread away.
The chief led Zuko and Romeo's friends up the stairs. "The trial is done. Congratulations."
"Really? I passed? I… don't feel like I earned it, hehe."
"(Quit being humble and accept the gift!)"
"Good job, Romeo!" Wendy cheered.
"When in doubt, show humility, I guess!" Phil shrugged.
"Hmph!" Ham Ghao huffed. "I knew we should've set up more tar pits."
"So, um… are we free to go?" Oliver asked. "We promise to keep this place a secret."
"Hmm…" The chief faced up at the dragons. "Masters. Are we permitted to tell them?"
"(We will allow it.)" Shaw replied.
"Very well. Romeo… have you found any other Sacred Flames?"
"Just the one on Mobius."
"Then you have yet to go to Xadia, I presume."
"Xadia was next on our list. So, do you guys know about it?"
"More than you could believe. Allow me to show you another of our tribe's greatest secrets."
The chief led them into the cave of the right mountain. Lighting his hand with a torch, he led them down a stairwell and into a chamber beneath the mountains. The kids were awed by the eggs lined along the walls. "Are those dragon eggs?!" Kiki asked.
"Gotta repopulate the species somehow." Blitzer replied. "Ran and Shaw have really been at it."
"Kinky!" Maria chirped.
The chief guided them to a chamber with what appeared to be an unlit fireplace in the center. There was a mural on the ceiling depicting a planet, with an image of the planet splitting beneath it. "This chamber is our only link to Xadia, a world that used to be part of our own."
"Used to be?" Romeo repeated. "What's that mean?"
"Until around 10,000 years ago, our two planets were one."
"What?!" Zuko gasped. "Our planet used to be larger?"
"You mean that's why it's smaller than other worlds?" Kiki asked. "That's insane!"
"However, around that time, we were plagued by a terrible demon. One that froze our Sacred Flames."
"I know that story." Romeo said. "And the flames were restored by Natsu, right?"
"Indeed… however, that demon had spread darkness across the world. It corrupted the hearts of millions. Wars were waged and destruction was imminent. It was too much for even the Avatar to manage. So, people began to pray to the gods… particularly, the Xadians who wished to preserve their precious land, protect it from the horrid invading forces. The gods listened to their pleas and decided to split the planet, in order to minimize the chaos. However, to this day, war transpires between the Xadians. Between the humans… and the elves."
"Elves?" Wendy repeated.
"Xadia is home to an abundance of fantastic creatures unseen in our world. Though, I'm sure they're nothing that would blow you outworlders out of the water."
"Eh heh. I admit, it's not the craziest thing we've heard, but this is still incredible!"
"But how does this place link to Xadia?" Zuko asked.
The chief walked to the wall, along which a black powder was aligned. He scooped some in his hands and walked to the fireplace. "Lux Aurea!" He threw the powder in, and a great emerald flame ignited.
"Ah!" Wendy gasped. "That's a Floo Place!"
"This flame will take you to Lux Aurea, where another Sacred Flame lies in the care of the Sunfire Elves. But be warned, they may not hand it over easily."
"Heh, I wouldn't think." Romeo said. "But thanks! Are you guys ready to go?"
"They better have something to eat over there." Phil replied.
"Relax, we still have lunch." Oliver said.
"Do you need us to take you home, Lord Zuko?" Wendy asked.
"No need! I know where to find messenger hawks on this island, so I'll send for a ship."
"Okay. Thank you both very much!" Wendy bowed to him and the chief. "We'll see you later!"
The six friends and Victini entered the magical flame, which disappeared afterward. "Hm hm…" The chief smirked. "Now we'll see if they are worthy in the elves' eyes."
"What do you mean by that?" Zuko asked.
"Simple: they aren't very fond of humans. Especially mages."
"What?! What's gonna happen to them?"
"It won't be a warm reception…"
Sector $
Haruka Dimalanta checked Raleigh's heartbeat and breathing. "Everything seems normal. But I recommend massaging his muscles and feeding him liquid foods so he doesn't go out of shape."
"I'm not sure about the massaging part." Carol smiled awkwardly. "I would get Sebastian for that, but I dunno what he's up to…"
"Carol, Kokichi called." Pacifica said, walking in. "He was hanging out with some classmates of his, and said one of them went in the game after finding out what happened."
"Well, can Kokichi make it back over? We need to go after Miyuki."
"But what about Aincrad?" Vanellope asked. "If we could figure out how to get me in there, maybe I could help."
"Hmmm…I guess you're right." Carol replied hesitantly. "I need to find some way to contact Raleigh in there."
"I still don't know how I feel about sending Vanel in there at all." Dillon said.
"Man, have a little faith in me, bro! I get hacked in games all the time, I can handle some VR MMO WTF whatever!"
"I just don't know if-"
The alarms blared. The group rushed out to the living room, where Sector IC answered the call. Larry MayHence appeared on the monitor. "Ah, Sector IC, you're still here. It looks like Miyuki's ship has parked in Pennsylvania. She's close to the Forest of Twilight."
"You mean she's at Twilight Town?" asked Dillon. "Why would she be there?"
"She probably thinks one of the Maidens could be there." MaKayla figured. Her team had been given bandages for their injuries. "I wonder if it's the Fall Maiden?"
Dillon gasped. "My aunt lives in Twilight Town! We have to stop her before she tries anything!"
"We'll give you a lift!" Lola said.
"I should probably come, too." Haruka replied. "We'll try to bring Ciel and Weiss back!"
"If you're all going, then I'm staying here with Carol." Vanel said. "I'm gettin' in that game!"
"Sigh, alright. But you better still be kickin' butt when I get back!"
"Yeah, same to you, Dill!"
Forest of Twilight
Miyuki and Suki crossed the twilit forest with mild tranquility in their hearts. The sky of this region was always a lush orange sunset, casting half the forest in a calm shade. Sadly, Suki and Verglora combined their Cold and Dark Chis once more to chill the forest and cloud the sky. Only the west side of the sky was clouded, eclipsing the forest in a cold shadow. "At least the clouds look pretty!" Suki said, noting the lush scarlet around the rim of the clouds. "You know, whenever the sunset hits the clouds, they always look like giant scoops of strawberry ice cream! You think somewhere, there are ice cream clouds? I bet you Sweetopia has them! …Sissy?"
Miyuki was only focused on the path forward. Suki jogged after her in concern. "Miyuki, did you hear me?"
"Oh, yeah. Clouds do look like ice cream."
"Um, yeah… In fact, your hair is kinda like vanilla ice cream, and mine is like strawberry! I mean, I guess my hair isn't a strawberry color… maybe sort of an orangish-"
"Ugh, can it with the stupid ice cream!" Verglora hissed.
"Be quiet." Miyuki ordered. "Sigh…Suki, are you sure you still wanna be with me? Just because I'm dooming myself, it doesn't mean you have to."
"But I don't want you to be alone, Sissy."
"Oof! Backhanded insult." Verglora said. "I underestimated you."
"You were with me for my destiny, Miyuki, so I'm gonna stay with you!"
"I guess you're right." Miyuki smiled. "Well, just thought I'd ask. I don't really want you to leave either."
"Indeed." replied Verglora. "As annoying as you are, your Ice Chi is very convenient. Even back in those days, it was only easy to call upon my ice with Avis to manipulate. …Hehehehe, of course, that was actually my father inside the mask, I was somewhere else, hehehehehe!"
"Suki is a great partner for more reasons besides her icebending."
"Yeah! So, eat it, Mask!"
Miyuki slapped another collection of diverse festive masks over the creatures and spirits that lurked in the woods, making them stand guard in the event of pursuers. The quaint village of Twilight Town was made of wooden houses and trees with few leaves. Pitch-black crows with eerie white eyes sat on the branches, and chubby pigs roamed the streets. The Twili wore old-timey clothes, their skin colors were mixes of black and white, green, or purple, and they had glowing eyes on their shaded upper faces.
"Ooo, piggies!" Suki skied to one and gave it a hug. "Hello, little piggy. How are you doing today? Did you take your mud bath?"
Miyuki put on Verglora and skimmed the Twili. …She could sense a notable orange aura inside one of the buildings: the Shady Inn, a 5-story building that seemed small in width. "There's an aura just like with Pea's. It has to be the Fall Maiden!"
"Miyuki, all these pigs are giving me an idea. Want to hear it?"
Miyuki sighed, pondering what Verglora had in mind. "What?"
The receptionist at the inn was a 41-year-old Twili woman with black hair and a yellow sundress. There weren't many travelers to this town, so she rarely had customers. However, she still received income due to her daughter and nephew's services in the KND, so she had plenty of money to last in this relaxing little town.
She perked up when the front door opened, seeing a teenage and preteen girl walking in. "Hey there! Are you girls travelers?"
"You could say that." Miyuki said.
"Wow, you two have pretty eyes! They look like sunset! I don't suppose that's why you decided to visit?"
"Hey, our eyes DO look like sunset!" Suki cheered. "Hehe, maybe we should rest here for a bit, Miyuki!"
"Actually, we're here for you." Miyuki placed the mask back on and could confirm the aura more strongly.
"Uh…what can I do for you?" Victoria asked worriedly.
"Just hold still for a second."
"H-hey!" The woman could feel a dark force grabbing her. "What is this…what're you…AAAAH!"
…
Dillon used shadowbending to swiftly evade the Faceless' attacks, pulling Haruka with him into his shadow. Behind them, Sector IC worked to KO the dark creatures. Master! Something bad has become of the town! I can feel it… Dillon's shadow, Mario whispered telepathically.
"You better not've hurt anyone, Miyuki!" Dillon shouted.
Seeing the operatives race through the forest from atop a tall pine tree, Majora smirked. "Between this and what Eggman's doing, the KND are going to be in pretty bad shape." He then faced the town, delighted by the surplus in pigs roaming confusedly. "At least MMiyuki's having fun with herself."