Dawn and Dusk [King Mickey]

[Administrator]

Salt sweat, sugar on the asphalt. Our hearts, littering the topsoil...

A Heartless fell before a keyblade, the design quickly identifying it as Way to the Dawn to any who knew better, in the hands of the fairly experienced keyblade warrior Riku. The teenaged boy spun the blade in a full circle, looking around him at the approaching horde. Pointing his keyblade at the Air Soldier to his left, Riku shot off a single ball of dark energy, the energy tearing through the creature's dark skin and dropping it to writhe on the ground with agony.

Turning back to the other Heartless, Riku wondered how many of them there were left anywhere. These had been the only ones he had seen throughout all of his journeys, and he had a keyblade. He should have been attacked regularly, but all that attacked him was a few Shadows and two Air Soldiers here. His inner thoughts were interrupted by one of the remaining three Shadows striking at him. He blocked with his keyblade easily, reversing the Heartless' blow and striking it so it flew to the ground and lay there a moment, silently twitching.

All the while, Riku wondered why, in all of the worlds he had visited, there was a shortage of Heartless. Had they finally won? Was the Light destroying all of the Darkness? But, that was impossible, and not only that, it was undesirable. He didn't want the Darkness completely gone. Well, he did, but he knew it shouldn't go away. It was partially necessary, just like he didn't want people to die, but they had to, in the end.

But all of this musing was not getting him any closer to killing the rest of these Heartless. Raising Way to the Dawn, Riku went back to his destruction of the Darkness, doing his duty as a warrior of the chaotic keyblade, destroying anything which stood opposed to him. He couldn't help but feel as though what he was doing wasn't quite right, but he shrugged it off. It was just the fact that these were parts of people, that was all. Nothing more.

Yet, part of Riku wondered. Was it a good thing that the Dark was getting so weak? Maybe, after all, it wasn't...but it had to be, hadn't it? Somehow, he wasn't sure.

Sign up, the picket line or the parade.

[King Mickey]

It's About Time

Traverse Town hadn't exactly been a planned stop in Mickey's travels from Deep Jungle. But he needed a break from flying, and this world might provide him with some tidbits of information he could use. He did not expect to run into any enemies here, and he certainly did not think he would get involved in a fight should an enemy present itself.

As he wandered the streets of the world, he enjoyed how relatively peaceful everything seemed. Of course, in the back of his mind, he knew this was not actually a good thing. Such an obvious lack of Heartless only meant that the darkness was growing weaker and weaker by the day. But maybe there was something he could do about it now. He had almost forgotten about the Doors to Light and Darkness. Part of him was reluctant to visit them on his own, though. At least one other Keyblade master should be present in case something unexpected happened.

The sounds of a skirmish reached his ears, and he instinctively dashed in that direction. A few stray Heartless had surfaced, but they didn't concern him. The person fighting them was of much greater interest. "Riku!" The King felt elation surge through his tiny body. At last, he had found the silver-haired Keyblade master. The Heartless paused for a moment, sensing another wielder of the Keyblade in their midst. Mickey took the opportunity to approach Riku's side. "Let them go, Riku. They aren't important, and we need to talk." He knew it would sound odd, suggesting they let Heartless go free, but he hoped Riku would see that the creatures weren't really much of a threat, anyway.

[Administrator]

On the doorway to morning, in the time before the night...
In flames of Death's eternal reign, we ride towards the fight.

Riku turned to see the King there. He almost blurted that, before he realized he didn't have to be so formal. It was then that Mickey told him to leave the Heartless. The keybearer replaced his keyblade in whatever dimension held it while it was in disuse, immediately following his friend. The Heartless, slightly confused, vanished into dark corridors, off to sow their evil elsewhere.

His friend's appearance and actions were confirming his inner fears. The King appeared to be distracted by something. He obviously had had something bother him recently, and it was still bothering him. He didn't ask immediately, but instead waited a moment, until their walking reached a regular pace and they had moved a significant enough distance from the Heartless, or where they had been.

"Are you all right, Mickey? You seem kinda...out of it." There was really no other way the boy could put it. His friend was just distracted by something. It probably had to do with whatever he had to talk to him about. "Is it what you wanted to talk to me about?" The keyblade warrior found it highly likely. After all, why else would Mickey be so out of it? It was the only thing that made sense, not that much was making sense anymore.

[King Mickey]

Much to Discuss

Mickey tried to offer Riku his best grin as they strolled along the streets of Traverse Town. His fellow Keyblade master was perceptive, probably more so than Sora would have been in this situation. The King liked Sora, of course, and saw him as a good friend and ally, but he had an especially soft spot for Riku, especially after their shared experiences in Castle Oblivion and in the events following. Riku had walked in darkness and managed to survive with his heart and his sanity intact.

"Well...a lot has happened since we saw each other last. I don't know how much you know about what's going on, but it isn't very good news." He stopped walking and turned to look up at Riku. "The balance between darkness and light has shifted dramatically in the light's favor. And well, that sounds like a good thing, but it isn't. I'm sure you noticed how few and far between Heartless are nowadays. The darkness is too weak, and if things aren't stable again soon, bad things could start happening."

He tilted his head to the side in thought, wondering how much to say at once. But he figured it'd be better to get as much as possible out there immediately. "Also... There's a man who's been running around claiming to be a T--" He caught himself. "Well, now I guess he's calling himself a Champion of Darkness or something like that. He attacked Radiant Garden and destroyed the marketplace. The RGRC couldn't stop him." That should be more than enough for right now. He didn't want to overwhelm Riku too much.

[Administrator]

*le gasp*

Riku was shocked. And this wasn't just a little shock, it was like, "worlds besides our island" shock. Well, he knew already that the Light getting too powerful was happening, but bad things could happen because of it? Well, he supposed that bad things happened when the Darkness got too powerful, so it balanced out in that sense. Now, the rest of it was a bit more...fresh, news-wise.

The Marketplace got destroyed by some new Darkness-wielder, calling himself a Champion? That was...new. Riku had shock plastered all over his face. He wouldn't be more shocked if he had been struck by lightning. "The RGRC?" It hit him. Leon and Cloud? Neither of them could stop him? What...how...? It was hard to imagine. Riku didn't think that was possible.

"Leon and Cloud? Yuffie? They couldn't stop him? Are they all right?"

[King Mickey]

Requests

“They're alright.” Mickey nodded. “Though, they did mention something about this Champion making the darkness in their hearts grow. They looked fine when I last saw them, but anything could have happened since then.” His tail twitched a little as he thought. Maybe he should pay a visit to Radiant Garden again soon. Just in case. He knew the RGRC members were strong, but even they hadn't been able to stand up to this Champion of the Darkness. What if they couldn't stand up to themselves?

“They might need your help, though.” The king gave Riku a considering look. “I can give encouragement until I'm blue in the face, but I don't have experience of dealing with inner darkness like you do.” Riku could give the RGRC something Mickey could not: real, helpful advice on what to do. Assurances about the light and friends that would always be there would only go so far if things got out of hand.

He figured it was time to see if Riku had anything to tell him before going on to explain what he was thinking about doing with the Doors. “Have ya seen or heard anything that might be important?”

[Administrator]

Affirmative Action

Riku nodded. If they were tainted by the darkness, then that meant that they would need consoling from someone, being of the Light as they were. And Riku knew all too well the touch of darkness, and what it could do to you, as well as how to live with it. It only made sense that he would go to them and help in whatever ways he could.

Then he was asked if he had news. Thinking back, he remembered something. "Axel's back. He asked me about the Organization, and avoided some of my questions, giving me indirect answers. I don't know why, though." It was a mystery for him why Axel would be avoiding his questions. Last he knew, he died a hero, protecting Sora. They were on the same side...weren't they?

"Anything else? I wanna get to Radiant Garden as soon as I can, to find the RGRC, and see what I can do for them." He felt bad, not having been able to be there to help them fight off the Champion, whoever he was. I can't blame myself for this. It wasn't my fault. He knew he had a serious problem with beating himself up over things like this, and he was trying to stop. Riku knew for a fact he couldn't have been there, and so, he kept himself from feeling too bad. Still, it stung.

[King Mickey]

So Many Things to Do, So Little Time

Mickey's ears perked up at the mention of Axel and the Organization. If Riku had seen Axel, then that was three members of the Organization they knew for certain were back. "So, this confirms it." Mickey nodded. "I've seen Zexion. You remember him? He came to Disney Castle, and so did a strangely intelligent Heartless. But there wasn't a fight. We just talked about the balance." He paused for moment. "Then, Zexion also asked me questions about the Organization, especially about what happened between us and Xemnas at the end. And he said that Xemnas is back, but he didn't tell me about any other members. I thought it was weird, too, but I didn't think anything of it. I wonder what's going on." He scratched an ear. Could all not be well in the world of the Organization? If the group were fractured, that would certainly bode much better for the Keyblade bearers and the RGRC.

Riku asked him if there was anything else. Understandably, he wanted to get to Radiant Garden as soon as possible. But Mickey's plans might put that wish on hold for a little bit. "We need to do something about this imbalance. I saw the attacker of Radiant Garden in Deep Jungle, and he mentioned the Doors to Light and Darkness. We closed the Door to Darkness, but the Door to Light is still open. I don't think re-opening the Door to Darkness would be the best idea, even if it might help restore the balance. But... I'm thinkin' we need to close the Door to Light, too." He gestured at Riku. "I don't want to go alone, though, in case something goes wrong. I'd like another Keyblade bearer with me. What do ya think?"

[Administrator]

My list of things to do did not contain that one.

Riku shook his head. He didn't want to close the door to light. What would that even do? Separate the worlds entirely? Shut out the light from people? There was no way to tell what would even happen if they were to try that. "Mickey...I don't think we should do that. I mean, what would happen if we made it worse?" That was definitely not something he wanted to consider.

It was like once when he was younger. There had been this dog, and he and Sora had dared each other to get close to it, and all sorts of things like that, like kids do. Then, he dared Sora to poke it with a stick. He just wanted to see what it would do. But the dog was mad by then, and that had been the last straw. The animal snarled, barking and snapping its fangs at his friend. They had barely escaped with a few cuts and bruises.

This was like that. They were just playing with forces they didn't understand, but those forces could snap on them, like that dog did. And Riku didn't want to even THINK about what the possibilities were if the Light did rebound on them, if they made things worse. "I think we should just try something else. We can do that if there is no other choice...but I don't want to risk it. I mean, closing the door to Darkness is kinda the reason we're in this mess, or part of it, right?"

Zexion was back too. Riku remembered that, from a while ago. He had almost forgotten he had met Zexion in Wonderland at one point. He didn't remember much of it, so most of what Mickey told him was kind of new. It confirmed what Axel had told him, at least. But an intelligent Heartless? Another one? This one talking of balance? What are the worlds coming to? Riku had to wonder. A thought came back, unbidden. It painted a picture none too pretty.

They're waiting for the end.

[King Mickey]

Answers Are Not Coming Through Talking

That was not the response Mickey was hoping to hear from Riku. On the one hand, he knew his fellow Keyblade bearer was right. They probably shouldn't be messing so frivolously with these forces. But on the other hand, Mickey wanted, needed, to do something. He couldn't just sit around and watch things buck wildly out of control.

"Somethin' else? What else is there to do?" He couldn't stop a little bit of frustration from seeping into his voice. He was tired, and he was anxious. Worlds could be falling to darkness while the two of them stood here and refused to take an action that at least seemed like it might help. "The only other way to restore balance is to let the darkness have its way with the worlds. Is that what ya want to do? Just watch the people and places ya love fall to the darkness?"

Had he been thinking a little more clearly, he probably wouldn't have been so short with Riku. He was his friend, after all. But just talking and thinking was getting old. Nothing was changing while they hesitated. "If ya don't want to close the Door to Light, would ya rather open the Door to Darkness again?"

[Administrator]

You need a break.

Riku was surprised. Mickey had practically snapped on him. He must have been a lot more tired than he had thought. "Mickey, I think you need to go back to your Castle and rest. You're exhausted; you've been doing too much. Take some time off; I'm sure a day won't make too much difference in matters." Smiling slightly, the keyblade warrior crouched down and rubbed his hand on Mickey's head lightly.

"I know you feel you need to fix everything yourself, but you don't. You've got me, Sora, and the whole of the RGRC to help you, not including all of our friends all over. We'll think of something, and we won't have to open the door to darkness or close the door to light." Riku didn't think they should do either of those things, since it would be a little hasty.

"I mean, you've got all of us. Why take everything on your own shoulders? We can help bear the burden." Riku put his arms back behind his head, laying backwards. He knew that Mickey would probably insist on trying to do more than his fair share, but the truth was, Riku was right. The King had been trying to do too much, and he was seriously working himself too hard. Riku and Sora, as well as the RGRC, they could handle a good deal of the work Mickey was himself doing. It only made sense that they divided the duties up among themselves.

[King Mickey]

Yep, I Do

Mickey shook his head and rubbed at his cheek. "Golly, I'm sorry, Riku. Didn't mean to get angry at ya like that." He closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them, they were filled with an apologetic look. "I'm just worried, ya know?"

What Rku had said was true. Mickey had been trying too hard to do everything himself, which was typical of him, he knew. Sometimes, he forgot that he had friends to help him. But he worried that things wouldn't turn out right unless he himself got involved. Even though it was tiring trying to be the pillar of wisdom people seemed to think he was, he liked feeling needed. In fact, he thrived on it.

"But you're right. We shouldn't do anything just because we might be worried. It might not turn out s' well." Maybe he should take Riku's advice and go back home for a bit. He could rest for a while, spend time with his queen, and then leave in time to get back here for his meeting with Zexion and the Heartless. He felt like he hadn't slept in days, anyway. The last time he had gone back to the castle, a surprise had been waiting for him. This time, the only faces he had better see there were familiar, friendly ones.

"How 'bout ya go on to Radiant Garden? They could use your help there. And maybe ya can find Sora there, too." He nodded at Riku, as if agreeing with himself that this was a good plan. "Lemme know if ya need me, though. I'll be at the castle for a little while. That sound good?"

[Administrator]

If we are agreed, there are things to be done.

Riku smiled. It was great to see Mickey calm down, finally. He agreed with Mickey at this point. He should go to Radiant Garden while the King went back to his castle and rested. Then, they both could meet up in a couple of days, or maybe a week, and talk about what they had found out. "Sounds like a plan to me." The keybearer stood up, turning to walk with his back to the King.

Turning back for a moment, he said, "If you need to find me, I should be with the RGRC for a few days. Other than that, I'll see you in about a week." Turning back, Riku walked out of that area of town. It was time for him to head to the RGRC, and see what he could do to help. Mickey would go home and rest, so Riku didn't have to worry about him running into trouble. Except...

With the way things were, Mickey probably wouldn't run into any trouble anyways. That was the point, wasn't it? There wasn't any trouble anymore, not much, at least. The darkness was fading, and that meant the light would start to get more careless, and would stop being as hardened as it was. And that might lead to all sorts of bad things...but worrying about what might be wasn't going to help. With a sigh, Riku kept walking. Until we meet again...

[King Mickey]

Persistent Concern

So, it was decided. Riku would head for Radiant Garden to help the RGRC members for a few days, while Mickey would return to Disney Castle for some rest and much-needed thinking time. Perhaps they would see each other again after Mickey met with Zexion and the Heartless. Answers might be more self-evident then, and then they could decide what course of action they should take. If things didn't get better soon, the Doors would remain a constant possibility in the back of Mickey's mind.

He watched Riku leave and didn't move until his friend was completely out of sight. He was, naturally, sad to see him go after only just being reunited with him. But the king knew that both of them had their own sets of duties and obligations. Mickey was, first and foremost, concerned about the well-being of his own people. And usually, the needs of his subjects matched the broad needs of every other world. Finally, he turned and began making his way back toward his Gummi Ship.

Time to head out. Hope everything's okay at home.