The two shadows stepped backwards, fearing the power they felt from Alias's keyblade. They knew they weren't a match for it in their current state and they'd just be a liability to their red allies floating above. Alias noticed this and thought twice about attacking retreating enemies. But they weren't retreating. The two shadows moved towards each other until they touched and began to morph. [color=#e97451]"Alice, go to the door. I don't know what they're doing, but as soon as I finish them off we're out of here. I just need you safe."[/color]

Alice did as he said, but turned to watch him. He reminded her of a knight from one of the stories her mother read to her when she was younger. Strong and wielding a sword, well, somewhat of a sword ready to defend the princess. Was she a princess? She never thought of herself as one. She was just Alice and in all her imagination she never imagined herself a princess. It seemed too boring for her. She wanted adventure and for the first time in her life she was experiencing it. Even if it was a little frightening in the moment.

The two shadows fully merged and morphed into what appeared to be some kind of shadow knight. It didn't have a sword or any other weapons besides its claws, but it had a helmet with an open faceplate that showed nothing but yellow glowing dots for eyes. The new shadow knight twitched and jumped in place, getting used to its new form. Alias was honestly freaked out. He didn't even know these things could do that. But he was glad he got to see it. It reminded him not to underestimate the Heartless. They were trickier than the ones he's faced so far. He wasn't scared though. He was thrilled. He needed to get stronger to find and save his friends and experience was the only way to do that.

[color=#e97451]"Heh. A knight against a King. This should be fun."[/color] He said with a smirk before pointing to the three floating weird hat shadows. [color=#e97451]"I doubt you Heartless are honorable. No offense, it's just what the name implies. But let this be a one on one. Code of chivalry and all. After I beat your friend or friends here you can attack me all you want."[/color] Alias figured the Heartless were smarter than they looked. I mean, the two clearly knew their power separately wasn't enough to fight him.

The red shadows seemed to oblige his request. Alias nodded and turned his attention back to the shadow knight in front of him. The knight took the moment of distraction to charge at Alias to get in close before he could use his keyblade to keep it at bay. It was smart. All it had was its claws and it used them well. The knight slashed Alias across the cheek before landing behind him. Alias turned and lifted his left hand to feel the blood dripping from the cheek. He winced at the pain from the cut. [color=#e97451]"I was right. No honor. But smart. Now I don't have to feel bad. Die and release the hearts you stole."[/color]

The knight stepped back in fear, this time from the wielder of the blade, sensing his killing intent. They had made a grave mistake. Before the knight's foot could land Alias was already in front of them, not far to begin with since the knight preferred close range. Mistake number two. Alias stabbed the heart emblem on their chest, using the clearly painted target. His keyblade pierced the heart causing the shadow knight to evaporate into shadows releasing the two stolen hearts as well as some small green orbs, a bottle with some green liquid, and some munni!?

Alias didn't have the time to worry about the strangeness of it all as he had three other enemies to deal with. He lifted his arm placing his keyblade behind his back blocking a ball of fire. He turned around with a look of annoyance. As he turned the green orbs and munni pulled towards his body as if he were a magnet. The green orbs latched onto his face healing the cut from earlier and the munni transported itself to his wallet. He wasn't aware any of this was happening, hyperfocused on the three in front of him. [color=#e97451]"I knew it. A knight and mages. Didn't know you could throw fire though, but the red makes sense now. I have magic too y'know? Wanna see?"[/color]

They did not want to see. The flame shadows responded to his question sending three fireballs at him. He could block one, but what about three? Alias glanced back to make sure Alice wasn't in the path of the flames and ran away from her and the door. The flames hit the floor burning it a bit, but doing no real damage, but they did hit the green vial from earlier causing it to explode into a green mist. Alias wasn't sure what it was, but he didn't entirely trust it in the first place after Alice talked about drinking poison.

He planted his feet firmly on the ground and lifted his keyblade into the air. [color=#e97451]"My turn. Those who dare dishonor the rules of a fight, face the wrath of the King's might!!!"[/color] Three bolts of lightning fell down from out of nowhere, striking the three red mages. They weren't dead, but they were in a shocked state with the lightning still coursing through their bodies. They must've had some kind of resistance to the lightning. It made sense with fire being close to lightning. He decided to put them and the hearts they contained out of their miseries. He threw his keyblade like a boomerang cutting them each in the air before it materialized back in his hand.

The process from earlier repeated with these Heartless dropping things as well. There was more munni and green orbs, but there was also a blue cube and a red star shaped gem with three floating diamonds connected to it by some kind of invisible force. Before he could walk over to them to investigate Alice ran up and hugged him from behind. [color=b4f2ff]"Oh, you did it! You really are a knight! No, you said you're a King. Why didn't tell me you were a King? Most Kings I know would've said something about it when I called them rude. I'm so sorry, your Majesty. Thank you, your Majesty."[/color] Then she realized she was holding onto the King without his permission and immediately let go and stepped back. She didn't want to end up like one of those Heartless, he called them.

[color=#e97451]"It's okay and please don't call me your Majesty. It's weird. And how many kings do you know anyway? They sound like the rude ones."[/color] Alias responded as he turned around to face her.

[color=b4f2ff]"Just the ones in the history books my sister reads me. Though we don't have a King right now, just the Queen. Her husband, the prince died just recently, but I don't know them personally."[/color]

Alias, satisfied with her answer, turned around and walked towards the items that the fire mages dropped. [color=#e97451]"Well, I'm a King but I'm not from this world or your world because I don't know what you're talking about. My home is Destiny Islands."[/color] He picked up the red shard and looked at it closely. It was interesting and strange. He decided to hold onto it for now. He placed it in one of his many pockets and then walked over towards the blue cube. The green orbs didn't react like they did before. They only seemed to do anything if he was injured, but the munni collected itself as well. He picked up the blue cube and put it in his pocket. He figured it'd come in handy later.

[color=b4f2ff]"Destiny Islands..."[/color] Alice said imagining the place. [color=b4f2ff]"It sounds wonderful. Like a dream. Why would a King ever want to leave there?"[/color]

[color=#e97451]"Adventure."[/color] He said as he walked back over to her. [color=#e97451]"But the decision was taken out of the hands of everyone else."[/color]

Alice wasn't quite sure what he meant by that. [color=b4f2ff]"I understand adventure. That's why I'm here, but what do you mean?"[/color]

[color=#e97451]"Nothing. Let's unlock this door."[/color] Alias said walking over to the door. He had to have faith that everyone back home was okay, not just his friends and his dad, but everyone. He'd find them all and restore their world.

[color=gold]"You put on quite a show, but as I said, that's not my key."[/color] The talking doorknob repeated snapping Alias from his thoughts.

[color=#e97451]"I know, but this isn't an ordinary key. Just keep that mouth open."[/color] Alias aimed the key at the keyhole. [color=#e97451]"I hope this works."[/color] He muttered to himself. He was just guessing at this point, but this was a magical key. It had to be able to unlock a talking door. The keyblade reacted to his thoughts, a light shining at the tip of the blade. A beam of light projected from the blade straight into the keyhole. There was a click and the door opened ajar.

The doorknob was amazed. [color=gold]"Wow. I think you got my cavity too, kid."[/color]

Alice ran towards the door full of excitement. She thought they'd never get out of that room. She opened the door fully and yelled out into the World of Wonderland, [color=b4f2ff]"Mr. Rabbit, wait!!!"[/color] Before running off.

Alias ran after her. [color=#e97451]"Thank you, Mr. Door. Alice, wait for me!"[/color]

[hr]

A horned woman in a dark cloak stood atop the fireplace in the strange room Alias and Alice just left. She rubbed the green crystal orb atop her scepter. [color=800080]"Xehanort was right. This boy is interesting indeed. Will you walk in the light or fall to the darkness, you cursed child of Radiant Garden?"[/color] She laughed maniacally before disappearing into a dark portal to begin her plan.