Kingdom Hearts: Keys To The Future - Welcome to Wonderland!

[forkinyoureye]

Heartless: Appear

Yep

[shadowedPhoenix]

>Marin: Lift the wreckage trapping your mother

Your name is Marin. You've lived on this ship for sixteen years. It's meant a lot to you: home, safety, belonging - all that, until today. Until the moment you'd thought it was all gone, as you hid, bracing for impact the best you could in an emptied comms chair…

But as Mom gives you a smile, some of that feeling comes back. Right. Not going to cry here. Not going to embarrass yourself in front of Rafale and, what was it, other guy, Pierre…
Oh, forget it. A bit of a smile, something catching in your throat, and you just about leap forward to her as your heart pounds in your chest.

"Okay. I'm. I'm going to get you out of here, okay? There's, there's people around, medics, rescue parties, we should be able to get you to someone…" Where to start? You grit your teeth a little as you take hold of the heavy metal. Rafale's following, you notice, giving a friendly smile.
"Oh, honey. I'll be fine. Though I'd … never thought this would exactly be the way you brought your girlfriend over, you know?" She's obviously attempting to make light of the awkward situation.
"Um…" Rafale gives an awkard laugh as she takes a position nearby. Pierre follows, a sly look on his face.
"Don't be shy. Marin's told me so much about you."
"Ahah…" You shrink your head into your shoulders a little. Please, Mom. We'll talk about this later! you think.

Still, this isn't the time to get caught up in embarrassment. "On three?" you ask, and Rafale nods. One, two… The wreckage shifts. Moves. Slides. You manage to grab Mom and help her free before it collapses; Rafale jumps back, dropping the plate she's supporting with a clang that echoes through the hallways.

"Nice," Pierre comments as he puts his own piece down. As he does, though, he stops, looks over his shoulder. What's caught his eye?

… Oh.

That shadow.

It's moving. It shouldn't be moving. The light sources aren't… where's Master Cid? Where did he get to? He'd know what to do…
The others share looks. "Didn't we already take care of this?" Rafale asks. Take care of what?

As the shadows shift further, forms emerging from the floor, yellow eyes blinking into life from nowhere, you think you see what they meant.

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So, yeah, first text only update: I do have illustrations in mind, but I've been kind of sick these past couple of days and really not able to focus on them. I'll hopefully be able to add them in, either edited into the post or in a separate one, at some point. As it is, though, I don't want to let things stall longer than they have already.

Would it be useful if I perhaps put a banner on the text-only updates to help them stand out from normal posts?

[forkinyoureye]

Yes, the banner thing would be a good idea, as long as it's not an image.

That way people won't think it's an illustrated update and the images just aren't loading, especially if they're in a place where that happens.

[Superdog]

I honestly don't mind text-only, especially since we have all the basic images in our heads already (characters, locations, etc.), so you can add pictures whenever and however you feel is best.

Rafale/Pierre: FIGHT THE SHADOW
Marin: Protect your mother!
Cid(?): Appear!

[shadowedPhoenix]

>Protect your mother!

"Are those… what are they? Heartless?"
"I … guess so?" Pierre comments as he calls his keyblade to hand. You follow suit, but you daren't move: Mom's leaning on your shoulder. "There was a big one around earlier. This bunch? Piece of cake."

Rafale looks at you: "It's okay. You stay back. You've got your mom to look after. We'll take care of this lot."

You nod, help Mom rest against a bit of wreckage that at least looks like it's going to hold her weight, and move between her and the … creatures. They certainly fit the descriptions you've heard - shadowy, yellow eyes… that works, you'd say.

Rafale and Pierre launch into the fray. Okay, neither of them looks to be particularly experienced, but you'd guess they're hitting harder than you've done in training.

It's only a matter of time before one of those things breaks through, though.

No way.

You're not letting it get to your mother. She's had enough today. You'd kind of like her to keep her heart where it is, thanks.

Wouldn't have done this in here in the past. But what further harm can it do?

Ready, aim -



Fire.

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I was about to ==> this one before the last lot of commands came in. ^^; I really hope the text-only-ing didn't scare too many folks off - I left it as long as I dared before I got down to the update... happy coincidence, really.
But this one just wanted an image in there.

Figure I might as well pop the banners in on any update, now I've done 'em, save the confusion over who's being played in which update for now.

[Superdog]

Party: Successfully defeat the Heartless!
Everyone: ABSCOND TO SAFETY.
Pierre&Rafale: Marvel at the MAGIC. MAGIIIIIIIIIIIIIC!

[shadowedPhoenix]

Before the update, I've got a quick thing to say. As a lot of folks reading this are no doubt aware, KH3D releases in the not too distant future. As such, I'd like to put it out there in advance: please, no unmarked spoilers in this thread. While I'll likely be hunting out certain shenanigans that occur, I'd like to keep things quiet in here. So anything like Who/What Xion Really Is or What Happened To Terra? Anything spoily, really? Let's keep it quiet, and if something in there becomes relevant to KttF plot or possibilities, spoiler tag that baby. Thanks.

Anyway, on with the adventure...

---



Everyone: ABSCOND TO SAFETY.

What.

He just. Fireball. Fire. Gah.

If either of them had the faintest idea just how long you've been trying to get the smallest spark out of your key--! And there. Another one. You're a little distracted for a second: Rafale dives in, smacking away one of those probably-Heartless before it manages to get at you. Ugh - you need to get back on form here. Not going to let it show.

Another one down, and - okay.
"Think we got them?" you ask, looking around the place.
"Looks like it. So - anything else you've not been telling me?" Rafale adds, with a sly look in Marin's direction. He looks a bit embarrassed, best you can tell. His mother's got that look of 'that's my boy' pride in her eyes as she - well, limps a bit - over. Yeah, yeah, rub it in...

"Eheh. Uh, not at the moment?"
"Good." You dismiss your key for a little and fold your arms, a slight grin crossing your face. "I dunno about you guys, but I've kind of had enough of big surprises for one day."
There's no disagreement there. Everyone nods. Seriously, what are you going to find out next? you wonder...

Rafale speaks up, next: "Do ... you think we're done in here? Do you two need to get anything else?"
Marin and his mother share a look, and she shakes her head. "The important thing's safe." Oh, dear... even Marin cringes a little at that one. "Though I haven't heard from Cid, still..."
"Should we ... look for him?"
She pauses before a response. "Honestly... well. He can handle himself. I'm not sure what we can do here that he can't - wherever he's got to."
"Yeah... I guess." Marin seems a little worried still, but he nods. "So... let's go? Before more of those things show up...?"

Again, no-one's disagreeing. Rafale's leading the way, with Marin shouting directions from the back as he gives his mom a bit of support. Seriously, how is anyone supposed to remember their way around a maze like this? Though you guess Unseen Highway's pretty hard to navigate to a newcomer, now you think about it, but at least it's not claustrophobic...

It's good to see daylight when you do.

And the bleeping you've just started to hear suggests it's probably a doubly good job. Where's that from? Someone's coder? ... Something else?

[shadowedPhoenix]

==>

"Pierre..."
"Huh?"
"You're beeping."
"Oh." Oops. You sheepishly take a look down at your coder. A message? Now? "'Scuse me, guys."

A quick peep. Oh - huh! You haven't heard from her for a bit, better take a peek-

The message turns out to be one word. Just one word.

Run.

Motion, now, out of the corner of your eye - a faint whistle from somewhere else -

"Move it!" you yell, grabbing at Marin's mom's arm to pull her along. The others respond quickly.
Just in time. Explosions start to rip through the ship. The shockwave smacks your group to the ground.

As if enough hadn't happened today.

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A ==> update to keep things rolling...

I'm vaguely considering starting up an Ask Rafale/Pierre/Marin, but don't know if it'd be worth the time or effort for me to try it. Especially with my not doing much picwise at the moment.

Any case - hopefully I'll be able to start actually drawing updates properly by somewhere about Homestuck's birthday. The main Stuff I Have On My Plate'll be done that weekend.

[GG7]

>Rafale: Trip and be saved at the last second by newcomer.

[mysticCharlatan]

Everyone: Become seperated in the chaos, have to fight unique mid-bosses.

[Superdog]

Party: NEVER SEPARATE. EVER.
Rainbow Rumpus Party: Begin. And by begin, I mean Party: Kick their Rumpus with your Rainbow-colored badassery!

[shadowedPhoenix]

>Everyone: Become separated in the chaos

As soon as you hear Pierre shout, you're on it, dashing forward, but you lose your footing and slam down to the floor. It takes a few moments before you come to; by that time, the boys and - what's her name, Sue, isn't it? - are nowhere to be seen. Not that you can see much at the moment; you've been sealed back in. At least there's a torch app on your coder; Master Artie'd been insistent you had one in case. Darkness and all.

Owch. Too much time spent hitting the ground, today, you think as you get to your feet. At least this one wasn't your fault, though that's not much consolation in this situation. You quickly call Marin to see what's going on.
"Raf! You're okay?"
"Just about. You? Your mom? Pierre?"
"Me? I guess. I don't know about mom and Pi, though. A bulkhead fell down. Can't see them… I'm calling mom, okay? I'll see-"
"Alright." Heart in your mouth, you call Pierre.

He's - in a fine mood. "That's it. When we get out of here I'm going to smash something. ...That hasn't already been smashed."
You manage a weak laugh - "Yeah. I don't blame you. What was that meant to even be?"
"Could've been something down in the engine bay that … didn't make it."
"Or something else," Pierre says a little darkly. "That message I got before this happened was a warning. If I'd been quicker to respond-"
"Not your fault. Could've been junk for all you knew. You're safe, right? And mom?"
"Yeah. We're fine. She's a bit shaken but not bad."
"Your friend's got quite some reactions to him…"
"I'm alright here, too. Could use a bit of light, though..."

On the word 'light', you hear something shift.

Ah.

Worry crawling up your spine, you turn to look.

"…I've got company."
"We've got something over here, too. Great."
"Me three. I - I've got this…"

You look the Heartless up and down. Bipedal. A head or so taller than you, yellow eyes focused and bright. Ripped, torn clothing clings to its form, that looks like it could be some sort of shadow-stained work outfit or uniform. While you might vaguely recall a few lessons referring to larger variants on those guys you've just beaten, this one?

"…It looks - almost human."

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Planned on posting last night, what with 3D release day (and I'd like to repeat, keep them spoilers under wraps) and all, but my head was in places from which updates do not come, blagh. Anyway, here we are!

On 3D, though, a little bit of bonus doodling.

[Superdog]

Yay you updated! And I'm keeping spoiler free as well, so, I'm right there with you!

RAF:Attempt to use magic
Pi: Protect the mom! You can do eet!
Mar: just... Keep doing what you're doing, I guess...

[shadowedPhoenix]

Well, no update today, sorry. But instead: got a bit of bonus material I've been working on for a while. (One of the things that's been eating my time, although it's not the big thing sadly.)

>Trio: Pose as a team, because ... oh, you know the rest.



For a higher res version, here's a dA link.

... whew.

[shadowedPhoenix]

>Rafale: Attempt to use magic.

"Human? Seriously?"
"Yeah…"
"We've just got a pack of those little shadow creeps… no, wait - what the heck?"
"Mine's - ugh. Some kind of- yah!" Marin's voice is interrupted by a smacking sound, and your heart leaps in your chest. That didn't sound positive. Not one bit.
"Marin!" Sue's not sounding happy at that. You don't blame her.
"We'll get him, okay?"

The Heartless regards you for a moment, and before you can react and respond to Pierre's comment, it lunges forward. This isn't exactly what you'd call a comfortable environment to be fighting it in! You're the sort to like space to move. This tight confine hasn't got so much of it. Nevertheless, you manage to get away from its initial rush. … Mostly. Ow. The thing's pretty quick on its feet.

This is going to be hard.
How did Marin do it? Master Artie'd shown you a few times, you'd not quite got it, but if he'd managed then it couldn't be all bad…
A bit of a spark - okay, that's something! You're forced to dive for it, though, before you can focus enough to try again. The next attempt's from lying on the ground, but it works. A fireball sends the Heartless skittering back for long enough.

"Yes!"

Success! You just wish the others could see it.

Seems like at least one heard it, though. "Raf?"
"Yeah?
"You okay?"
"For now. Are you?"
"...I'm not sure…"

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Okay, and we're BACK! Apologies for the break.
Blame Xehanort.
... Almost literally. I was knee deep in finishing a Terra cosplay for a convention last weekend. It wound up eating my time even more than it had been before. That project's done, though, so I've finally got more free time to dedicate to other stuff.

But anyway, apologies for the break finishing with such a short update, too - this is just me getting back up to speed... should be able to get this thing a-moving again, and hopefully I might be able to get my art groove back!

[forkinyoureye]

Argh, I forget what color corresponds with which character again...Oh. Got it now.

>Marin: Use a potion on Rafale.

[ah2190]

>Attempt a Trinity Limit (pose?)

[Superdog]

YES FIRE.

Mar/Raf: Where's Pierre...?
Pierre: Please be okay. Please?

[OnBackorder]

Okay I'm following this, but I'm only on page two and need to get to get to school. I'll input a command later.

[Xindaris]

>Timed-block its next attack so it'll be momentarily stunned, allowing a proper counterattack.

[shadowedPhoenix]

>Pierre: Please be okay. Please?

Sure. Just a moment.

Once you've battered this whole pile of critters off you. At the moment, it kind of feels like you're breathing in shadow. That can't be healthy.

Out of the corner of your eye, you can see that a pack of them are making a break for - you'll have to ask her name. Marin's mom. She's grabbed a bit of piping and is trying to fend them off the best she can - for a regular person who's just come back from underneath a pile of wreckage, she's not doing too badly, but you know that they're not going to stay down if that's all she's got.

With a yell, you launch up through the shadow pile and run for her. Just as one makes a lunge for her, you knock it away.

"Good to hear you're still there…" That sounds like Rafale's voice coming through.
"Heh. Thanks."

The shadows seem to be retreating for the moment. At least, it looks like it? Hard to tell, though.
But you soon come to another conclusion. They're - merging together? That's a new one…

Great.



"More trouble here," you tell the others, trying to keep your voice calm. "We need to sort this lot out as a team…"
"Anyone got any ideas how?" Marin's voice sounds over the coder. "I'm kind of stuck here…"
"Me too… look, where are you relative to-"

You don't catch what she's saying as the - whatever that is, the merged shadow creature - charges forward. You're just in time to counter its swing at Marin's mom, force it stumbling back and on the defensive for the moment. Pressing on, trying to force it away from her - this is going to be hard, that thing's shifty as heck -

"Don't know. But we need to work this out. Quick."

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Here we go - hopefully I can get back into the habits of doing art with the updates! Actually trying something very slightly different with this one, messing with the linework. Don't know if I like the thicker lines better or not.
I'd like to actually start doing Pierre's outfit to match the artwork I recently uploaded; would there be any objection if I just went on and made the change?

[ah2190]

>There's only one way to work as a team: Trinity Limit!

[Superdog]

Trinity limit=Costume Change. It totally makes sense. so yes.

[Xindaris]

Hmm...
>Pierre: Even with them combining, they still lose mass every time you hit them. Try to take out any remaining smaller ones before they can join the big one. See if hitting the big one knocks off any smaller ones, if so, take out anything knocked off before it can rejoin the cluster.
>Marin: You don't have any potions either, do you? Or do you actually think ahead a little more than these other knuckleheads?
>Rafale: You know exactly where humans are weak: The head, the chest. Take out the legs and it can't move, take out the arms and it'll have a harder time balancing and attacking. Or just blast it with a bunch more fire, that might work too.

Also I guess I should officially announce this is pretty much the only and best kingdom hearts fan-anything I've read through, and that's a fairly high standard coming from me.

[C.J.C.]

>Swing at it as you fire a fireball at it.