[IC] Kingdom Hearts: Signs of Zodiac

[BioHazard]

Aslan's Camp, Narnia

"Thank you all for your great help in defeating the White Witch. I hope we once will see each other again, and when that time comes this land will be freed from the witch and Aslan will have returned." Oreius spoke.

"Take care all." Mr. Tumnus added.

After saying goodbye to the residents of Narnia the group gathered. In one of Reno's personality changes, he flew away. Away from Narnia, he was going fast, but if someone went after him now they could catch up to him, or at least see to which world he would be heading. "So from what I understand me and Thomas are going after Reno while the three of you go to the next world, right?" Belle asked, after Thomas suggested the idea. She turned to Thomas. "Since I don't have a Keyblade and I also don't know the destination of where Reno is heading too, could I hop on back of your glider?" she asked.

[Joshua Tamashii]

"That'll possibly be too slow Belle." Joshua said. He had Amaya on his back now, since she was easier to carry that way" If I know the general location I can open a Corridor for you and Thomas to go through. It'll be faster then a glider but more dangerous as well. However, if you make it there ahead of him, you might have a better chance at finding him."

[Amaya Tamashii]

Amaya yawned shifting some on his back moving her head some and murmured werid things for a bit before falling silent still fast asleep with her arms wrapped loosely around his neck. While Joshua held her legs up keeping her from falling down

[Letter Bee]

((Get this Deleted))

[Renose]

Before

Reno had returned to the White Witch's Castle after saving Belle from the White Witch's dwarf henchman by using a mysterious new spell, Dark Flare. It was unclear how he came to use or learn it, but the fact was that he had used it. He had returned because he had blacked out once again and had gone to the battlefield, leaving Amaya behind. So in concern he swiftly made his return to the castle. Fortunately, upon arrival, Amaya was safe and even Joshua and Mr. Tumnus had appeared. Several questions were asked from both of them, Joshua angry at Reno for leaving Amaya and Amaya wondering why he had turned essentially into a soulless being.

Something strange happened to the young Magus after that. His eyes seemed to become devoid of any existence as did his presence. Essentially it was as if his entire being ceased to exist, yet he was still there. In what seemed like a struggle though Reno's Keyblade did materialize for just a moment as he tried to grab it, but something went wrong. The weapon seemed to fade into nothing, not vanishing in the conventional manner, leaving Reno(?) in the same state of nothingness. An empty void of oblivion. All seemed lost for Reno after that, whose existence in his presence seemed to be completely gone with no traces of it whatsoever.

There was still hope though. In what could only be described as unexpected, a brilliant circle of pure light shone from Reno's forehead as his eyes changed colors, the eye that was grey becoming green and his green eye turning red. His entire posture and demeanor seemed to change as well. He was more mature for sure. His voice even was different. It was quieter and lacked the childish quality that Reno's possessed. Before more could be explored about Reno's(?) new state, he seemed to apologize to both Joshua and Amaya before materializing his Glider. The strange thing was he seemed to have a slightly harder time calling it forth, almost as if it wasn't actually his. After the Glider came forth Reno sped off from Narnia at a very fast pace, as if he was in a hurry to get somewhere.

---

The Present

He arrived in a world called Prydain, not that Reno(?) took note of that. He seemed to be preparing to do something, but the light on his forehead was fading much faster now. Somehow, according to Reno(?) he had 'run out of time' and wasn't able to proceed with his plans. Saying 'hurry up and hear my voice' to no one, the circle disappeared from Reno's forehead, leaving Reno back to normal as he looked around, not sure of where he was at all.

"This place seems different from that Narnia place". Reno couldn't entirely tell for sure, but his gut told him that he wasn't in Narnia anymore. It also told him that he was hungry, which Reno proceeded to quell by taking out a candy bar and eating it as he began to float away from the small clearing he was in. "Its exploration time!" he stated gleefully as he finished off the candy bar and with all haste began to float quickly now, hoping to find the others as maybe they had come here as well. Of course, he was also hoping to find someone or something interesting as well, but for now he was just moving forward quickly with no real destination in mind.

[Flamelord]

"I as well,' Thomas replied with a bow to Oreius. It was nice to have a victory under his belt, if a tad soured by the knowledge that the White Witch would probably have beaten him if it weren't for the intervention of his other self. But he could overlook that as it was. He turned back to the group, as they discussed what to do about Reno. He heard the various suggestions, and shook his head. After last time, he was not doing another Corridor of Darkness. And it would make it harder to hide.

"Thanks but no thanks Joshua," he replied. "I have confidence in my own flying skills. and we can't do very much looking if one of us is hurt by the Corridor of Darkness. So I'll pass." He then looked over at Belle. "Sure." For some reason he was looking forward to the trip, though also nervous in case he blacked out like what had happened earlier, though his fear of that had somewhat subsided. He then scanned the group. "Well, we best get moving, since he already has a lead on us"

[BioHazard]

Belle nodded at Thomas and then turned to Joshua, Amaya and Ascot. "Success in the next world. The plan was to meet back again in Twilight Town, right? See you there." Belle said and waited for Thomas to summon his keyblade glider. If the glider would be summoned she would hop on the back of it and let Thomas fly them into the direction Reno was heading. Seeing his 'other' state it can be assumed he went straight forwards and landed on the first world that he stumbled onto.

This would be a quest with only Thomas with her, that was something... different. She always had been with the group, Thomas wasn't even with the group when she first met them. However now she was going on a trip, uh, a quest with him to find Reno. Belle hoped that Reno had gone to a world where environment is somewhat better, they have been living in these cold lands for a few days and it would be nice to get some rays from the sun on her skin. All these little things would she discuss in her head during the trip, she knew it. And an occasional talk with Thomas, he doesn't really seem like a talker unlike Ascot or Reno. But why was she worrying so much, they should just make the best of it.

Once they had landed on the world where, hopefully, Reno was. Belle immediately noticed a dark presence ruling the world. This is something anyone would think as the world was cloaked in darkness and they were standing in front of a massive dark castle. The moon was red, and the sky was dark. Once she hopped off Thomas' glider she asked him "Okay what's the plan?"

[Flamelord]

The plan all set, Thomas nodded to the departing group and tossed out his Keyblade Glider, hopping on and ready to go as he felt the board shift under him from belle getting on. Her proximity was a bit unnerving with the possibility of another episode, but once again he was fairly certain those had passed. But there was more than that, and it wasn't a sensation he was used to. But they had a mission, and he needed to focus on it. He too shared the desire that the new world would be warmer than the last, though how difficult that would be was anyone's guess.. They did talk during the trip, about strategy, a bit of each others histories, though nothing ground breaking. And eventually they arrived at the world Reno would presumably have landed on.

He looked around for a spot and then took them in for a landing, He let Belle get off before doing so as well and sending away his Glider. If belle could notice a dark presence, it his like a load of bricks, dark wound flaring in reaction, and he grit his teeth while striving to suppress the pain and keep her from noticing. His eyes traveled up to the full height of the castle, and he whistled, a bit impressed.

He rubbed the back of his head in thought. "Ummm, I suppose the big, ominous, castle is a good place to start," he replied, and set off. If he didn't let his mind dwell, maybe it wouldn't be as much of a problem.

[Joshua Tamashii]

Joshua waited until Thomas and Belle had left before opening a CoD. After a moment of hesitation he entered and led the way through so the group emerged at the other end safely. When they exited they would be on a floating island, the sky in a state of twilight. It wasn't the world Ascot and Amaya might've expected, but Joshua wasn't going to risk hurting them. Not again.
"Alright then. Let's see if the old man is in... probably is." Joshua said before entering Yen Sid's tower

[Amaya Tamashii]

Amaya stirred some ad they came out of the cod as she yawned stretching a but as she almost fell backwards but held on to Joshua as she looked around rubbing her eyes"where are we? "she asked with a yawn trying to wake up

[BioHazard]

Yen Sid was sitting behind his desk on his big green chair. A single, but big, candle was standing on his desk. A little flame was radiating light from the tip of the candlewick. He saw three young keyblade warriors arrive in his chamber. Joshua, Amaya and Ascot. As a great master of the keyblade, Yen Sid knew their names, and especially now that they were on this special quest.

"Ah, Joshua." Yen Sid spoke in his deep toned voice. "It is nice to see you, as well as you two." he looked at Ascot and Amaya. "What is the business you seek here?" the interior of his room hasn't changed since the time of Sora, Riku and Kairi, or even their predecessors. Yen Sid was also curious where the other team members were, but that was a subject for later. First he needed to know what Joshua's purpose of coming here was, as it was clear that he was the one who wanted to ask something.

---

Earlier
As Reno was wandering the new world he had arrived on he was quickly encountered by a large group of skeletons and some Heartless. They didn't speak but held their weapons into his direction. They motioned him to walk into the direction of the dungeons of the castle. If Reno would come along without defeating the skeleton guards he would be lead into the dungeons and locked away behind the steel bars.

Later
Belle chuckled. "Yeah, I guess that's a nice place to start looking." she said and walked along with Thomas to the entrance of the castle. "Do you think Reno is here? This place looks dangerous, and although I know Reno can manage is psychically I wonder if he also can mentally..." Belle paused. "Sorry, I'm just a bit worried. I'm sure he is okay."

[Joshua Tamashii]

Joshua slowed down a bit when he felt Amaya stir on his back. He managed to keep his balance dispute climbing up stairs at the time, though it was only just barely so.
"We're at Master Yen Sid's place. I need to ask him for some... help." Joshua said before he continued up the stairs. After a few more minutes he reached the door to the Master's office he entered slowly. After the Master greeted them and asked why they were there Joshua set Amaya down before walking forward and bowing.
"Yen Sid-sama." He said." I... I need some help controlling the darkness inside of me."

[Amaya Tamashii]

Amaya listened as she watched.Joshua kinda struggle to get up the stairs.she kinda felt bad but he didn't seem to mind, or atleast he didn't show it.

Amaya thanked Joshua when.he placed her down. She stood up adjusting her skirt, dusting any dirt on it. She then looked around setting her eyes of yen Sid "mother use to tell be great things about you and thank-you for helping Joshua while I was...away would be the best words to describe my old situation "said amaya gently"also thank-you for allowing us in your presence "she added

[Renose]

Skeletons and Heartless. A strange combination. Skeletons were types of undead, he had seen them in plenty of games. Of course, being the powerful wizard he was and knowing that skeletons, like most undead and everything else in the entire world, were weak to fire would make them easy game for Reno's powerful Ardor spell. The others weren't around though and to be honest, Reno was a bit curious as to what was going on. Maybe if there were indeed Heartless here then maybe there was a Sign here as well. Usually Heartless appeared in important places, so Reno figured he would go with them since they didn't seem to be hostile in the sense of attacking on sight.

So just nodding to the Skeletons he followed them, floating beside them with a sense of curiosity and wonderment on his face, not really the face of one fearing the dungeons. No instead his face was its usual happy-go lucky self. As he was taken to the castle he looked around in awe at both the outside of the large, ominous building and its insides as he was guided to the dungeon chamber. "Wow, you Skeleton guys got a nice place huh?" He said to the skeletons with a grin on his face, half expecting an answer and at the same time not expecting one.

"Wow, this is my first time being thrown in prison, I can't wait to tell Father about this". He said this with way too much excitement for a kid being thrown in prison. It almost seemed as though he wanted to experience this as he was locked away behind bars, having gone willingly into the cell himself. The steel bars would be no trouble before Reno's magic, and even if the steel bars wouldn't move, there was always the brick walls. Either way, his escape was pretty much secured, but he figured he might as well enjoy the prison life for a bit. He snapped his fingers his glider appeared in front of him in a small flash of light and atop of that was a large assortment of food as Reno was using it as a table, the Glider lowering itself to the ground as Reno sat in front of it, floating on his knees in a more traditional sitting style.

"Itadakimasu~" With that he began to chow down, looking to other cells as he wondered if anyone else was in here. "Is anyone else in here? I have food if anyone wants some". After calling out to anyone else in the dungeons the young Magus continued to eat, taking the moment to relax and fill the black hole known as his stomach.

[BioHazard]

Yen Sid stood up from his chair and looked towards Joshua. "Unfortunately, I can't help you with that. For starters it's very busy at the moment, and secondly, I can't get rid of the darkness in someone." He turned around and stared out of the moon-shaped window. "However there is someone here who can help you with that. "My assistent." not long after he spoke those words, the door behind the three warriors opened. In the doorway was standing a tall man, he had long silver hair that rested on his shoulders, and a few stubbles on his chin, probably from a day not shaving.

He was wearing blue jeans and a long sleeved jacket in black and yellow color. Yen Sid continued after the man had entered. "This is Riku. He also once had much darkness built up inside of him. Not a weak darkness, Xehanort, Seeker of Darkness, also known as Ansem's Heartless. However he managed to control it." Yen Sid said. Riku interrupted. "Master, sorry to interrupt, but I'd like to take Joshua with me to the basement. The others can come too, if they want." Riku said. "Do as you wish." Yen Sid replied. Riku motioned Joshua to come with him. Once they were down the stairs, Riku placed his hand on a special part of the wall. Another staircase revealed itself to lead to the basement of the tower. Riku walked up front. The basement was dark, and empty. At the rear wall of the room was standing a piece of furniture, covered by a white cloak. Riku walked towards it and pulled off the blanket. A mirror was revealed to be underneath. "Go ahead." he said.

---

"Is there someone there?" the voice of an adult man echoed through the dungeons of the Horned King's Castle. The man had a nice and small intrument in his hands, and was dressed as a jester. He crawled towards the iron bars of the prison that seperated him and Reno. "Are you a prisoner too? I am locked up here along with a boy, a girl and a talking dog who are looking for a pig because it makes the king of this castle able to summon an army of skeletons, and take over Prydain." he looked behind him. "Did I say that right?" he shouted to the prison next to him.

"Yes!" was heard. It was a boy's voice not and adult just a boy who just seemed to hit puberty. "Tell him about the special prisoner!" he shouted afterwards. The old man turned to Reno again. "Right, almost forgot. There also is a man locked up in here, he has a special blade which is a key. However unlike us he is locked behind a barrier which only can be opened from the outside, and not from the inside with his weapon."

[Flamelord]

Thomas strolled along as it was towards the castle, glancing over at Belle as she expressed her worry for Reno. "I'm sure he'll be fine," he replied simply, ready for trouble considering the foreboding atmosphere of the place. "Even if he weren't...capable with his magical abilities, I don't think there's really anything that bothers him. And for whatever personality may have manifested, I don't know enough about it to judge," Which was true, though he'd have to admit that while this alter Reno may be easier to live with in terms of not being crazy like he usually was, the guy was better at magic, if he didn't miss his guess, which made it that much more awkward for him. It seemed the best hope at the moment was that this was an abandoned castle, but that revelation or not would take a bit as they moved towards it.

[Renose]

Reno kept eating as he listened to the Jester talk, just nodding at his explanation. Reno actually understood more long winded and more ridiculous explanations than he did easier to understand, more simplistic ones. That was probably because Reno himself said and did many ridiculous things. Like what he was doing now, eating a small feast while using a large, floating book as a table. What was more impressive though was that he was actually able to eat it all despite how small and thin he looked. By the time the man had finished his short explanation of things Reno had already finished the food and wiped his face neatly with a napkin, this action being rather graceful and mature despite his more childish nature. If there was one thing that was mature about Reno, it was his table manners. As he managed to eat the food not only quickly, but with excellent table etiquette as well. A strange skill, but useful in Reno's book.

"Yea, I'm a prisoner here. I let them take me here cause I was curious as to where they were taking me. Plus I also wanted to see what being a prisoner was like cause I played a video game that involved a prison once. It was a good game". He grinned at the jester as he said this, no hint of sarcasm or irony in his voice. Only child-like excitement. Reno was being completely serious here. "And now I wanna see how a jailbreak works". He walked over to his cell door and his Keyblade appeared as a glove on his hand, a skill he had recently obtained but had great control over now to where he could make his Keyblade a glove straight from the get-go. Instead of unlocking the door he did something different, quite different.

He waved his hand over the hinges and after a few moments the hinges were melting and turning red hot, as if some extremely hot heat was melting them. Reno knew how hot Ardor was since it was blue fire, which was many times hotter than red fire. Then, once the hinges were melted, he suddenly snapped his fingers and the door was enveloped in a small bit of air as it literally floated off its now broken and melted hinges, Reno making sure to do this carefully and stealthily as he knew that prison breaks were supposed to be quiet. He heard that in a game anyway.

After setting the door down against the wall of his own cell he went over to the old man's cell, contemplating doing the same thing, but shaking his head. "I guess just unlocking it would be easier". The young magus said this to no one in particular as he tapped on the door to the man's cell with his glove and it unlocked. He did the same thing to the boy's cell and then went over to the other 'special prisoner's' cell and unlocked it as well in the same manner, the magical barrier being no problem for both Reno and his Keyblade.

After their cells were unlocked Reno's glove suddenly vanished from his hand and in front of him appeared a very large book, his glider. The book actually opened and Reno literally jumped into the pages, his body sinking into the pages as one would sink into a body of water. Not but a minute later he returned, floating up from the pages as one would emerge from water as the book closed. Around him were floating several plates of one of Reno's favorite dishes, pancakes. Chocolate chip pancakes to be precise. There were enough plates for everyone floating around him. On them all were a stack of four pancakes that all had both syrup and butter on them as well as a fork, knife, and napkin on each plate. One plate floated towards each of them, including the dog.

"I made you all pancakes, you should eat up. I heard prison food tastes awful in the game I was talking about". Again, he just gave a kind, innocent, childlike smile as he passed them the plates, which now floated in front of them waiting to be taken and eaten. The pancakes both looked and smelled delicious and if they were eaten they would also taste delicious as well.

[Joshua Tamashii]

Joshua listened to Yen Sid, his initial reaction one of disappointment when the Master said he could not help him with this matter. He listened again though when Yen Sid said there was someone that could and said person entered thee room. When Joshua turned around, saw the man, and heard his name, Joshua's jaw could've dropped to and through the floor. RIKU! As in the Master Riku, the Warrior of Dawn from the legends and Sora's best friend (after Kairi of course but that was like comparing Joshua's relationship with Amaya to his relationship with anyone else they knew). Joshua managed to recover from his shock fast enough to hear that Riku would train him in the castle's basement. Joshua bowed to Yen Sid and gave him his thanks before following Riku downstairs and watching the Master open a secret entrance. Before following Riku, Joshua turned to Ascot and Amaya and placed a hand on their shoulders
"Please, wait here both of you. This is something I want to see through on my own." he said before following Riku down. When they arrive he saw Riku pull a blanket off something, which was revealed to be a mirror, which he moved to stand in front of and examined" I'll go out on a limb and guess this is a special mirror?"

[Amaya Tamashii]

Amaya listened as she was dissappiinted the grandmaster of keyblades and.magic could not helphoshua. She was taken by suprise when she heard who could help none other them the legendary warrior of dawn himself "this is a true treat."she said to herself before following him to the secret entrance. She watched and listened "that is understandable but please be careful Joshua ...I don't want to have to attempt to fight that dragon again"she said gently pecking his cheek as she sat down on the nearest step letting him do this on his own as she debated whether or not to explore and see if she sensed a sign or something

[BioHazard]

Belle smiled at Thomas, but didn't say anything. They walked to the castle, unlike when Reno arrived on the world, Belle and Thomas didn't get stopped by skeleton guards that would bring them to the dungeon. They could safely walk through the castle's gate, which happened to never be locked. Once inside Belle looked amazed at the medieval interior of the castle. Yes it was dusty and dark, only one chandelier that provided light in the hall. Spiderwebs covered the stairs and corners. Like outside the overall area seemed to have a red tint to it, and also like outside there were some fog. Which was weird considering they were inside.

"On a creepy way, this place is kinda cool." Belle said still examining the room. "Okay, if I were Reno. Where would I go?" she rested the elbow of her left arm in the palm of her right one and leaned with her head on the left hand. "Assuming that he is Reno then I suspect he would be in the kitchen... if they have it here. Should we just examine a few room?" Belle said. However after Thomas had answered a horde of Heartless appeared out of the darkness. Wyvern and its land version Landwyrms. Belle immediately readied her two daggers for attacking.

---

Riku nodded. "Yup. It's a Magic Mirror, or actually the Magic Mirror." he told with his arms crossed. A face, resembling a theater mask, appeared in the mirror. "Indeed I am, master. I hope today's meeting will be faster." the monotonous voice of the mirror spoke.

"Mirror, I want you to absorb Joshua here into you. He must fight his darkness, his own reflection, in order to control it. And if it becomes dangerous can you jump in to save him?" Riku asked. Mirror nodded and then looked at Joshua. "Your reflection of darkness in this mirror are your negatives, worst memories and biggest fear. Some may even make you shed a tear. Are you ready to accept this, in order to receive your bliss?" the Mirror said in rhyme.