mattmanganon

Kingdom Hearts: Heroes of Hope

@Sadu So, a couple of thoughts on this new direction

1) New Story Direction

Good

I have made no secret of my disdain for KH's rambling, writing by the seat of his pants storytelling where every game reveals "Don't you realize that you've been had! You defeating me last time was always part of my REAL grand master plan! and you defeating this REAL grand master plan only furthers my REAL REAL grand master plan!" So, as someone who has run a successful multi-year RPG by making an actually coherent story using the basic frame of the old, i can definitely say that this WILL flow better.

2) Organization XIII

Honestly, pretty much what i did with his concept as well. Although my idea was less "Capture the power of other beings authority" and more "Brainwash and empower those with Authority to do the Organization's bidding while Nobodies created based on Classic Disney Heroes serve as Puppetmasters "Trusted Advisors" to keep them in line with the Organizations goals." So, it was characters like Antonio Madrigal paired with a Mufasa Nobody with his dominion over beasts and sent to the Pride Lands, Wort paired with a Robin Hood nobody with his dominion over all Britons and sent to Nottingham and Melody paired with an Ariel Nobody with her dominion over the Sea and sent to Portorosso

I also had a running plot with Pinocchio being seen as "The Key to us Nobodies getting real hearts" Because, Pinnochio is, in this setting, an Artificial Nobody that was given a Heart. So, the Organization was hell-bent on finding him and finding out how it happened. This meant that one of the Black Cloak figures jumping around worlds and hiding from everyone turned out to be Geppetto, a student of Ansem The Wise alongside Xehanort and Garland who was seen as the leading authority on Artifical Nobody creation. Naturally, all 3 of the students went i 3 different directions. Xehanort chose to save the whole universe at any cost, Garland chose to save his own planet at any cost and Geppetto, who was infertile, chose to make a son for himself and live a peaceful life.

Also, i didn't call them Organization XIII because i didn't want the party drawing parallels between this story and the cast of forgettable cannonfodder the games had.

3) Our own Villans

I did have a few idea's for villains for the various characters:

Dotty: Currently thinking of how to introduce Cruella DeVille as well as making her a credible threat in a way that's not too... Fanficcy. Possibly thinking of her finding the Bandora Staff and then being recruited by Maleficent. (As Maleficent only really cares about villains with ACTUAL power, rather than just an old rich lady.)

Zen-Aku: Currently thinking of some Wild Force and/or Jungle Fury villains making an appearance soon. I kinda like the idea of maybe Jellica, Overlord of the Sea making an appearance in Little Mermaid world or Whiger appearing in the Pride Lands. Definitely want his "Final Boss" to be Master Org in some form. Potentially thinking of Cruella being tricked by Maleficent in the same way Riku tricked Maleficent and then give her the Magic beans that turns you into Master Org. But again, a little too fanficy for my liking and i'm certain there's a better way to do it.
Launchpad: Honestly, i kinda want Maleficent to pick up one of the Ducktales/Darkwing Duck villains as one of her cohorts. Possibly Megavolt, Magica Dyspell or Quackerjack. Kinda like the running joke of Launchpad being like "Finally, my nemesis" and them beng like "I'm sorry, and you are?"
Leon: Leon's nemesis will be the Black Knight haunting him.

4) Group 1x1 style
Honestly, not the worst way of doing it. We regularly have those kinds of RP's on here, usually Superhero based, but they always end up being quite fun.

Kingdom Hearts: Heroes of Hope

As Taivas and Tarzan dived into the fray, Zen-Aku tried to center himself, think like an Elephant... As an Elephant... Twirling the flail. As he saw a couple of monkey Heartless charging at Turk, he jumped into action, swinging the flail around, he managed to smash one of them straight on the head, its whole body being folded into its feet, before its heart floated up. The other monkey Heartless looked at each other, before somersaulting around him. This time, they attacked a lot more cautiously, seeing that the warriors weapon was large and somewhat more clumsy than the others. Twirling it around, he brought it back and tried to flatten another, but it once again was able to jump out of the way. "SIT STILL AND LET ME HIT YOU!!!" He roared, before twirling it around for another attack. This time, the monkey jumped atop the flail ball and then turned around, baring it's backside and spanking it to provoke the warrior.

"Remember, the elephants whole body is a weapon. Not just the trunk" the words came through to him. Dropping the flail, he lunged forward with a quick kick to the Monkey, sending it flying, before he dived back, grabbed the flail and then sent the ball flying at the airborn monkey-heartless. The Monkey hit a tree and shook itself off just in time for the flail head to smash its head to pieces. The small arms groped around for its head, before shrugging and exploding in a puff of smoke. As he landed, he flipped around and sent the flail at another one, who also eagerly dashed out of the way. He looked around at one of the big, fat ones coming at him, the flail bouncing harmlessly off of his fat belly. "Your Allies are another weapon. The Elephant moves in a herd at all times." He looked around at Taivas, who was already pre-occupied. He then saw Tarzan, who had just dispatched another one. He pointed at the primitive man and then at the flail, before looking at the fat one. Swinging the flail around, he the sent the hammer head towards Tarzan, who jumped on it, before he twirled it around and sent Tarzan flying high into the air, before he came back down on the back of the fat one, stabbing it multiple times with his Spear. Zen-Aku then turned to Turk.

"The Gorilla is a mighty warrior. Join the battle!" He ordered.

"Hey, Elephant-Man, i'm a lover, not a fighter." Of course, the Animal within Zen-Aku allowed him to understand the ape as she spoke. She then ran off into the brush towards the base camp as Zen-Aku turned around to continue the fight.

****

Meanwhile, back at Camp, Dotty was exploring the different nicknacks and doodads that the expedition had brought with them. "You got a TV around here?" She asked Jane. Jane simply looked confused at her. "Internet?" Janes confusion didn't lift. "At least a Comic?" Dotty's worry grew along with Jane's confusion. She then spotted a book. "Oh cool!" She picked it up and opened it, before flicking through it. "How's anyone supposed to read this? There's no pictures!" She groaned.

"Now, look, young lady." Jane began. "We are a scientific expedition, not a day care. We are here to find Gorilla's and document them."

"Just google them!" Dotty rolled her head around.

"What's google? Look, we have managed to befriend Tarzan, who's a lovely... Chap... But our mission is to catalogue and study Gorilla's. It's not like they'll come running into the camp. At which point, as if by magic, Turk ran into the camp and stopped as she realized where she was. Jane instantly dived for her notebook to begin writing about this. Dotty's canine instincts instantly kicking in as the strange animal ran in.

"Uh oh... Better make myself look big..." She whispered, slowly reaching for the mask. "HEROIC SPIRIT OF POODLEWOLF, FILL ME WITH ABSOLUTE POWER!!!" She smacked her face into the mask, but this time, nothing happened. She held it for a few seconds, before she looked up at Turk. "Sorry, this is supposed to be a lot more intimidating." She smacked the mask onto her face again another twice, before slinging the mask back onto her back and simply standing up tall, arms raised to make herself look bigger. Turk ran over to Jane, smelling the distinct smell of Tarzan. Jane desperately scribbling as Turk seemed to attempt to communicate, but neither of them understood. "Hey, i speak Horse, Dog, Squirrel, Fox and a little bit of Rabbit, Monkey i'm not good with." Turk scowled at Dotty, who simply continued to try to keep looking big.

"You can speak to dogs?" Jane asked. Turk began franticly gesticulating at them.

"Awww, i hate this game." She watched the ape trying to get their attention. "Right..." She continued to watch Turk try to communicate. "You think we've been mis-sold payment protection insurance?" Jane's confusion only deepened. "You want us to donate £3 a month to save the whales?" She asked.

"That's an awful lot of money!" Jane replied, continuing to draw and document Turk's body language.

"OH I GET IT! THERE'S A BALD OLD GUY WHO'S SECRETLY TRYING TO TAKE OVER THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE WITH HIS ARMY OF BRAINWASHED, BADLY WRITTEN GOONS!" She shouted. Everyone stopped to stare directly at her, immensely confused. "No, that's a terrible idea, who'd ever think of that?" At which point, a single lone Heartless walked through the treeline. "Ooooh, one of them followed you and now it's gonna try and eat our brains." Dotty laughed, finally understanding it. She then looked at the imp-heartless. "Oh poop..." She whispered as she then tried, once again to make herself look big. As the Imp slowly advanced on them, Jane flicking over a few pages to begin documenting this as well. Dotty once again reached for the Wolf Mask. "Come on, Poodlewolf..." She smacked her face with the mask again.

"Why do you keep doing that with that mask?" She asked.

"I summon Poodlewolf, i told you before." Dotty replied. As the Imp finally stood in front of her, she simply smacked the mask against her face as hard as she could "POODLEWOLF GET YOUR BIG, BROODY BUTT IN HERE!!!" She screamed. As the Imp reached for her, a gust of wind blew through the camp. The Imp looked up at Dotty, then above her to see A giant, metal, silver wolf stood above her, staring down. Turk and Dotties eyes were entirely focused on the imp, whereas Jane's eyes simply kept darting between Turk, the Imp and her book as she continued to write. The wolf's eyes glowed red and the imp took off at a run into the jungle. The Wolf then took off with a gust of wind again. Dotty looked around, Zen-Aku's mask still on her face. "See, i told you Poodlewolf would save us... Never seen him do Wind magic before..." She gave the thumbs up to Jane. None of them had any idea of what had just saved them. Jane simply looked confused about this entire exchange, but then continued to draw and document Turk.

****

Back at the fight, a loud wolf howl would be heard over the din of combat. Several of the Heartless looked up, then waved goodbye and ran for it. Zen-Aku walked over to Taivas. "Was... That you?" He asked. As the pair stood there, an Ape seemed to climb down from the tree and begin talking to Tarzan about something. It then handed Tarzan something. Zen-Aku walked over and looked at the thing in Tarzan's hand. It seemed to be a ship part for the Gummi-Ship. Zen-Aku cocked his head to the side, confused. "Why would an Ape have one of those?" He asked. He looked around. "We should head back to camp, meet up with Dotty."

"Meet Jane..." Tarzan nodded. A second later, the Elephant Ranger disappeared.

****

Zen-Aku breathed in a deep inhale as he suddenly found himself back in his own spirit. Master Phant letting go of his head. He doubled over for a second, completely disoriented. "Don't worry, the disorientation is normal." Phant said. "But i feel that it is time for you to return to your host." Zen-Aku let out a cough.

"But... Our training has only just began..." Zen-Aku coughed, climbing to his feet. Phant shook his head.

"No, Duke Org, you were able to learn the Elephant Form quickly. It is up to you to master what i have taught you." He said. "As for the howl... That is an old friend of yours." Zen-Aku immediately turned his head around. "Don't ask, he will make himself known to you when he is ready and when you are as well." Zen-Aku's mind swam with questions.

"What..." He began but quickly realized that Phant wouldn't answer the obvious question. "What if i am unable to master the Elephant form?" He asked. Phant turned to him and smiled, before approaching him.

"It's your destiny." He said, putting something in his hand. Zen-Aku looked down and saw a marbel with an Elephant in the middle Zen-Aku looked at the size of the crystal, then quickly pulled out his flute-knife. The crystal fit perfectly into one of the holes on it. As he dropped it in, the knife morphed into the Elephant Flail. "Go to your host, she will need you for what comes next. And when you reach the next world in your quest. Look for my fellow Pai-Zhuq masters. Rilla, Lope, Finn, Guin, Swoop and the others." Phant said. Zen-Aku looked down at the flail, before retreiving the crystal and put them both into his pockets, before jogging away a few paces. He then turned to Master Phant.

"Thank you, master..." He said, before bowing respectfully. Phant bowed back. As Zen-Aku disappeared into the brush, the spectral silver wolf appeared and growled next to Phant.

"If he is to be a seeker of Light, then he will need what i have taught him. And if he is to be a seeker of darkness, then he will not care about it." The wolf howled, before the pair of them disappeared.

Kingdom Hearts: Heroes of Hope

@King Kindred Weirdly, my 98 year old Grandad is pretty much shrugging it off. Was in pretty much flat out for 3 days in Hospital, now he's not even coughing and just wants to go home (Also moans that they keep taking all of his clothes to wash.) My but my 86 year old Grandmother has been in hospital for 2 weeks and is in and out of lucidity. She knows where she is and what's going on, passes every test of faculties, it's just coaxing her into talking that's the problem.

Kingdom Hearts: Heroes of Hope

Sorry for my lack of posts these last 2 weeks, been busy IRL. Currently 2 different Grandparents in 2 different parts of the country that both have Pneumonia and i'm kinda just bouncing between visiting them in my free time. Will try to get one out some time in the next few days.

Kingdom Hearts: Heroes of Hope

@Eviledd1984 It's going. But i'm still wondering on where this specific story of the world is going? Like, what do you have in mind for where this scene is leading to? Is it gonna be just saving monkeys until we beat Clayton and his big Lizard or what else did you have planned?

Kingdom Hearts: Heroes of Hope

@IAmTheIsland Well, i did say that Garland would play a smaller roll with Am taking over as a much more prominent recurring villain. Ultimately, she has her own goals, so she's not only going to be fighting Karre and can show up on other worlds to serve as a secondary antagonist. She just wants Karre to see the error of his ways and join her.

That being said, we ABSOLUTELY need Hook to play a prominent bad guy roll. That guy is the absolute GOAT of KH recurring villains. Always represents a difficulty spike in his boss fights (I don't know why, but Birth By Sleep, everyone i know ALWAYS loses to him the first time they try it. He doesn't seem so difficult until you suddenly just die.) Also, when i was running my 5e game, the party went 0/2 against him (Granted, first time it's because the fan suppliment lied to me. It called him a CR3 boss and he was closer to CR6. So, when i threw him at my Level 3 party...)

Plus, i'll never forgive KH2 or 3 for not having Hook appear in Pirates of the Carribean world. It was such an obvious place to use him and they just didn't.

Kingdom Hearts: Heroes of Hope

@IAmTheIsland Yes, i'm happy collabing on a post. That last one was just a little post to get back into the flow of Leon and Launchpad.

Kingdom Hearts: Heroes of Hope

Leon spent most of his time in the cramped apartment at his work-desk working on the Plasma Cannon. He saw Launchpad at the window slumped over asleep. "No..." He groaned "Marc, i promise... I'll do better on the next question..." He grumbled in his sleep.

"Ugh, he's playing Win, Lose or Draw again..." Leon groaned, getting up and moving to the next room. He set himself up on the windowsill in here instead. If Launchpad was going to sleep, then he was going to stand guard. Sitting down and pulling out the standard issue blaster. He then sat, watching the streets. At one point, he was rather concerned by a man and a dog seemingly leading a loud parade down the street, but that quickly passed. That's when he saw something... a man in full, black armour stood, watching him in the street. He stared back. The armoured figure continued to stare, Leon slowly beginning to raise the blaster. The knight slowly raised a hand, before he began pulling the helmet off, but as soon as he did, there was an explosion and screams of people. Suddenly, he didn't seem to be in Traverse Town anymore. Back in Altifaria again. It had been so long since he had seen these streets. Lilties and Yukes running past him, running for their lives, he raised the blaster, only to see a strange axe was now in his hands and before him, a terrible creature. A large dragon like monster exuding miasma He raised the axe and gave a terrible cry of battle rage, rushing forwards, leaping through the air, spinning and readying to bring the blade crashing through the dragons skull when suddenly it opened its mouth and-

"Come on, Nebula's gonna kill us!" It yelled at him, before he suddenly awoke as well to see Launchpad shaking him. He looked around, then back down at the street to see a girl with brown hair talking with Hoshi, then turning to face a horde of Heartless. He pointed it to Launchpad. "HEARTLESS!!!" He yelled, before, once again, tucking Leon under his arm. "STAR COMMAND!!!" He yelled, before summoning the magical Thunderquack again. Launching high into the air, then crashing back down into one of the Heartless that was about to attack Aerith. Leon going flying as he exploded out of the magical construct. "I AM THE TERROR THAT FLAPS IN THE NIGHT!!!" He yelled, a blue aura smashing into the ground around him, the charging heartless suddenly begining to move in slow motion. "I AM THE... Ugh..." He stood thinking for a second. "Midnight Snack... that... leaves crumbs in the bed!!!" He managed to slowly blurt out while the Heartless slowly continued their charge towards him. He then turned to Aerith. "Don't worry, ma'am, you're not the first damsel in distress we've rescued today." Leon had recovered from the crash and brought his blaster around, firing at one of the closest ones.

Kingdom Hearts: Heroes of Hope

@Daxam Well, if you want a third, i was thinking of maybe throwing up a sheet for Sparky or if you want Am, i'm happy for him to jump in there.

Kingdom Hearts: Heroes of Hope

Figured a way for Zen-Aku to rejoin the fight with Dotty abscent. Next post will be as Launchpad and Leon. @IAmTheIsland Would you rather they found their way to you for the interaction with other Leon or would you rather they helped Aeris with the Heartless?