Kingdom Heats: Blades of Rebirth

[TwilightRiku_13]

Awesome update, Negative. That Gekko kid is really beginning to piss me off. I mean, he is similar to Riku in the sense that he chose to follow darkness, but he is dissimilar in the sense where he and Seika aren't friends and he is a total jerk. Part of me wants to see him die, preferably by acid or fire. Also, who was the mysterious man with the golden eye at the end? Is it Xehanort? Ansem? Riku? I guess it could be anyone. Anyway, great job again, and I look forward to more.

[Negative]

It will be a surprise ;). Just a quick note, I redid Hana and Olivia's appearance, just for those who are interested. Olivia now resembles a certain FFVIII character. Anyway, on to Chapter 9.

Chapter 9: The First World: The Tiger Jungles

Seika, Max, and PJ were waiting by the Gummi Ship as King Mickey went over their mission. Merlin and Max's father, Goofy, stood on either side of the King.

"So basically," Seika said. He felt more relaxed then he did during his confrontation with Gekko. "You just need us to go to any world that has an unlocked keyhole, and lock it, before the Heartless or Ghosts reach it, right?"

Mickey nodded. "Exactly. But there is one thing you must know not to do. Do not meddle in the affairs in those worlds. Doing so could mess up the entire the world's order."

"Right," Seika said. 'That's easier said then done, though.'

"Before you go," Merlin said as the three climbed into the ship. He raised his hands and a burst of red, blue, and yellow shot from them, striking Seika in his forehead. "I have given you the power to cast magic. When needed, that is."

Seika gave a quick bow when he made it inside the cockpit. "Thanks."

As the ship began to rise, Goofy gave one last shout to his son, "Good luck, Maxy!"

Max quickly looked away, trying to hide his embarrassment. Soon, all that was left of the large city was just the small world with only the top of the castle visible.

Seika looked around. "So, which world are we going to first?" he asked, eager to see another new world.

Max and PJ shrugged. Without letting his hands off the wheel, PJ said, "Whichever one we see first."

Seika looked around again. The space was endless. Feeling small, he pushed himself deep into the seat, until he heard something squeak. Jolting forward, he turned his head.

A small chipmunk in engineers' clothing with the King's hopped out from behind here. "Hey, watch were you're laying! Some people are trying to sleep!" Its voice was very high pitched.

"It talks?" Seika shouted.

"Of course I talk!" it said angrily. "What would you think?"

Max swung around. "I guess I forgot to tell you about him," he said. "That's Chip, one of the King's engineers. His brother Dale should be around here, somewhere."

"He's over there," Chip said, still upset his nap was interrupted. He pointed towards a vent. He quickly looked back at Seika. "And who are you suppose to be?"

"S-Seika," he said nervously.

"The new Keybearer," Max finished for him.

The chipmunk studied him carefully. "Alright, I guess you're okay. But if you interrupted my nap again, there will be trouble." The chipmunk scurried away towards where his brother was sleeping.

As Seika opened his mouth to comment him, PJ shouted, "There's a world!" He pointed to a small world that looked like a large jungle.

Max ran to his seat. "That's the Tiger Jungles!" he said. "The King told me about this one. It's very dangerous, and most of the creatures there aren't that fond of anything that's not like them."

Seika looked at it through the glass. "I wonder if Hana could be there," he muttered. "Maybe that woman didn't take her to the Ghosts."

The ship began to shake as they flew towards the world. "Hold on!" PJ yelled, but as they entered, the window that surrounded them swung open, and the three flew out of the ship, landing in the jungles below.

* * *

A pack of wolves surrounded a rocky cliff on the outskirts of the jungle. The leader of the pack stood on the top of a large rock. "This meeting was to change the man-cub's entire future," he said. "Shere Khan will surely kill the boy, and all those who protect him. Now, are we all in agreement on what must be done?" The wolves surrounding him nodded. He continued. "Now, it is my unpleasant duty to tell the boy's father. Rala, can you come here, please?"

A wolf that sat under a limp try quickly stood up and walked slowly to the leader. "Yes, Akela?"

"The council has reached its decision," Akela said. "The man-cub cannot stay with the pack. He must leave at once."

"Leave?" Rala said, nervously.

"I'm sorry, Rala. There is no other way."

The wolf began stuttering from shock. "B-but the man-cub is like my own some. Surely he is entitled to the protection of the pack."

Akela shook his head. "But, Rala, even the strength of the pack is no match for the tiger."

"But the boy cannot survive alone in the jungle."

A black panther jumped out from the tree. "Akela, perhaps I can be of some help."

"You Bagheera?" Akela asked. "How?"

"I know a man-village where he'll be safe," Bagheera said, glancing at Rala. "Mowgli and I have taken many walks into the jungle together. I'm sure he would go with me."

"So be it," Akela said. "Now, there's no time to lose. Good luck."

The panther nodded, and hopped off the cliff.

* * *

Seika looked at his surroundings cautiously. He, Max, and PJ were separated when they flew out of the Gummi Ship. He gripped the Keyblade tightly in his hands. "Max!" PJ!" he yelled. His voice echoed throughout the jungle. There was no response. He sighed and continued walking. As he walked past a large tree, he heard something slither nearby.

"Say now," a smooth voice hissed behind him. He spun around to be face to face with a large snake. "What have we here? It's a man-cub."

Seika took a step back. "Who're you?" he asked.

The snake snickered. "Just old Kaa, but never mind that. You should sleep."

Seika took another step back. "I really need to go find my friends," he said. His heart began to beat.

"Sleep, sleep," the snake chanted. His eyes began to glow, and Seika could feel his eyes beginning to drop. "Sleep."

"Watch out!" he heard someone say. Before his eyes dropped completely, PJ appeared from the trees, and punched the snake in the side of its cheek.

Kaa gave a hiss. "You just made a serious mistake," he said. "A very stupid mistake."

"Seika! PJ!" Max came running at their side, his sword at hand.

Kaa hissed again. "You just sealed your doom." With another hiss, the snake lunged at Seika, but was quickly knocked back by Max's sword. Shaking the pain off, he jolted up into the trees, and popped out from a different branch in attempted to attack again.

Seika swung his Keyblade around, striking the snake's long body. The snake used the same strategy several times. Seika glanced around before the snake could strike again, and began to jump as Kaa dropped from a branch. Grabbing his neck, Seika pulled the snake with all his strength, until the snake's body crashed onto the ground.

Kaa gave a hiss of pain. "You win this time," he said. He began to slither away, in a limping fashion. "Just you wait until I get you in my coils!"

"I'd like to see you try!" Max yelled back to him. He and PJ gave each other a high five, then turned to Seika, his hand up.

Seika didn't notice. His heart was still beating from when Kaa tried to hypnotize him. "We should keep searching for the Keyhole," he said weakly.

Max and PJ looked at each other nervously, then nodded. The three began to move through the jungle at a quick pace.

After almost an hour, they reached a large plain that seemed endless in the outskirts of the jungle.

"There's nothing here," PJ said. "It's just an empty field."

Seika took one last look at the field, but as he opened his mouth to tell his companions to return to the jungle, the ground began to shake in an odd way. "What's that?" he asked.

Max listened carefully to the surrounding noises. "It sounds like marching," he said, arching an eyebrow. He looked at the direction of the sound. "Elephants?"

Seika looked in the same direction. He was right. A long line of elephants were marching their way, each chanting in step. "Hup-two-three-four! Keep it up-two-three-four!"

The three quickly moved out of the elephants' way as they approached, making sure not to be seen. As they watched the line pass, they noticed a young boy at the end, walking as if he were one of them.

"What is that kid doing?" Seika muttered.

Before Max or PJ could respond, the elephant in the lead shouted, "Company, halt! Inspection!" The elephants quickly stopped and turned to face their leader, with their legs together. The leader quickly made his was down the line, until he got to the boy. "Well, a new recruit, eh?" he said. He looked at the boy's nose. "Hey, what happened to your trunk?" He began to tap it with a bamboo stick.

"Hey, stop that!" the boy shouted.

The elephant jumped back. "A man-cub!" he roared. "This is treason! Sabotage! I'll have no man-cub in my jungle!"

The boy opened his mouth to protest when a shout from the jungle yelled, "Hold it! Hold it!" A black panther jumped out from the trees and approached the elephant. "I can explain, Hathi-"

"Colonel Hathi!" the elephant corrected.

"Colonel," the panther said with a nod. "The man-cub is with me. I'm taking him back to a man-village."

"To stay?" Hathi asked.

"You have the word of Bagheera," the panther said with a proud look.

"Remember, an elephant never forgets," Hathi said, shaking his trunk as if it were a finger.

The boy quickly ran to the panther, Bagheera, and the two went back into the jungle at a quick pace. As the elephants left in their march, Seika, Max, and PJ ran towards where Bagheera was, and looked to see where they were going.

"I think we should follow them," Max said. "They might know something about the Keyhole."

"I'm sure that panther might," Seika muttered. The three nodded in agreement, and the ran after the boy and the panther.

As they entered another clearing, there was a roar, and a voice growled, "That does it! From now on, you're on your own. Alone!"

Seika, Max, and PJ looked from behind some trees and saw Bagheera jumping out of a small stream and running away from the boy. The boy was walking their way.

Jumping away, the three looked at each other. "What should we do?" Seika asked. "He's bound to notice us, and if he does, wouldn't that make us meddling?"

"I guess as long as we don't do anything drastic," PJ said. "it wouldn't be that big of a-"

"Who are you?" the three spun around, and faced the boy.

They looked at each other again, then Max began, "We're.....travelers. From somewhere far away. I'm Max."

"I'm PJ."

Seika paused for a moment before introducing himself. "S-Seika. I'm Seika," he said nervously.

The boy studied them carefully. "I'm Mowgli," he said.

"What was going?" PJ said, trying to break the awkward silence that was about to begin. "Were you two having?"

Mowgli looked down. "He wants me to go to a man-village so I can be safe from Sher Khan."

"Who's Sher Khan?" Max asked.

"A tiger that everyone in the jungle fears. But I'm not afraid of him," Mowgli said. He sat by a large rock and took a small stick, poking it into the ground. Seika, Max, and PJ sat down as well. They sat in silence for several minutes, until something began to move through the surrounding bushes.

Seika jumped to his feet and summoned the Keyblade to his hands. The thoughts of a tiger that everyone in the jungle feared made him feel nervous. 'But what if it's only Kaa again?' He shook the thought from his head.

Seika tightened his grip on the Keyblade, as a large, black bear walked into the clearing.

[TwilightRiku_13]

Cool update, Negative. So, that was the Jungle Book world, right? It sounded like the Jungle Book; I haven't seen that movie in years. When will you bring up the mysterious man again? I hope it's soon; I really want to know who he is. Anyway, great job, and I look forward to more.

[Negative]

To be honest, I haven't done much with the "mysterious man" yet. But don't worry, he has a key role soon.

Chapter 10: The Kidnapped Man-Cub

The bear came walking out of the bushes, scatting to a song. He quickly stopped and looked down at Mogli. He bent over. "Well, now. What have we here?" he said. He sniffed Mowgli's head.

Seika looked at Max and PJ. "Is this suppose to happen?" he asked them. "Or is this from our meddling?" They shrugged.

The bear looked at the three, then back to Mowgli. "What a funny little bit of- Boy, I've run into everything in these woods. What have I run on?" he said to himself. "What a pretty thing this is."

Mowgli looked away from him. "Leave us alone."

"That's pretty big talk, little britches," the bear said, bending over. Mowgli jumped to his feet and began to punch the bear in his stomach.

"Mowgli," Seika said. He stopped when he noticed what he was doing. 'Idiot! This is a bear you're talking to! A talking bear!'

The bear shook his head. "Pitiful. Listen kid, you need help, and old Baloo is going to show you how to fight like a bear. Give me a big bear growl."

Mowgli stopped for a moment and gave a small low grunt.

Baloo chuckled. "I mean like a big bear growl!" He gave a roar that began to echo through the jungle.

Seika, Max, and PJ watched Baloo and Mowgli practiced fighting. The bushes behind them began to shift as the black panther jumped from the trees and stood on the branch. "Oh, no! It's Baloo! Big, stupid, jungle bum."

"That's that panther from earlier," PJ whispered. "Bagheera."

Bagheera's ears perked up at the sound of his name and he looked at the three. "Who are you?" he asked.

They looked at each other, then back at the panther. Seika responded quickly, trying not to sound awkward. "I'm Seika."

"Max."

"PJ."

The panther nodded, then spoke. "And what business do you three have in the jungle?"

"We're...looking for something," Max said. "We were following Mowgli hoping he, or you, would know anything about it."

"And what is it you are looking for, if I may ask?"

Seika looked at Max nervously. He nodded, and Seika said their answer, trying not to stutter. "W-we're looking for the Keyhole."

Bagheera's eyes widened. "The Keyhole? What business do you have with that?"

With a sigh, Seika raised a hand. In a burst of light, the Keyblade appeared in his hand.

"The One Who Holds the Key," Bagheera muttered. "You hold the key of light and ruin?"

"You know of it?" Seika asked.

"Most, if not all, know of the Keyblade," Bagheera looked back up at Baloo and Mowgli. He lowered his voice to a whisper. "I'll take you to the Keyhole, only if you help me take Mowgli to the man-village."

"We'll do it," Seika said.

Bagheera's head jolted up as Baloo knocked Mowgli in the side, causing him to roll into a log. The panther gave a laugh. "Fine teacher you are, old iron paws."

Baloo looked up at him. "Thanks Bagheera."

"Tell me, once you knock your pupils senseless, how are they suppose to remember the lesson?"

Baloo looked at Mowgli, rubbing his chin with the side of his paw. "Well, I didn't mean to lay it on him so hard."

Mowgli quickly got up and made his way to Baloo. "I'm not hurt. I'm alright. I'm a lot tougher then some people think."

The bear grinned. "You better believe it. Now let's go, once more." They began throwing punches again, until Mowgli punched Baloo on his snout. "Right on the button," His grin widened. "You're alright, kid. What do they call you?"

"Mowgli," Bagheera growled as he jumped off the branch. "And he's going back to the man-village right now."

"The man-village?"' Baloo said. "They'll ruin him! They'll make a man out of him!"

Mowgli grabbed onto Baloo's large belly. "But Baloo, I want to stay with you."

"Of course you do," the bear muttered.

"Oh?" Bagheera said. "And how do you think he'll survive?"

"How do you," he said, mocking him. "What do you mean how do you- He's with me, ain't he? I'll learn him all I know."

Bagheera tapped his chin. "Well, that shouldn't take too long."

Baloo gave him a dirty look, then turned to Mowgli. "It's like this, little britches. Just look for the bare necessities." He and Mowgli walked off into the woods, as Baloo began to sing.

Seika, Max, and PJ followed after them with Bagheera not too far behind, until they slid into a river, Mowgli sitting on Baloo's belly.

"Just try to relax," Baloo said as they drifted down the water. "Just cool it. 'Cause, let me tell you, little britches, if you work like that bee over there-" he pointed to a small bee sitting on a flower. "You're working too hard. Just take your time to look around."

Bagheera shook his head. "I give up," he growled, and walked back into the trees.

Seika watched Baloo and Mowgli drift down the river, until he heard whispering above him. He looked up into the trees. Dozens of monkeys swung sat on branches, watching Mowgli, until one dropped down, and grabbed Mowgli.

"Mowgli!" Baloo yelled. He jumped to his feet and quickly ran after them as they swung Mowgli through the trees, deeper into the jungle. Several of the monkeys began throwing fruit at Baloo, until he fell off the edge of a cliff. "Bagheera!" he began shouting.

Seika, Max, and PJ ran to the cliff and helped Baloo up.

Bagheera jumped out of the trees as fast as he could, right when Baloo shouted his name again. Giving a roar of surprise, Bagheera yelled. "What happened to Mowgli?"

"The mangy monkeys carried him off," Baloo said. He looked at the trees.

"Is this true?" the panther asked, looking at Seika, Max, and PJ. They nodded. Looking into space, Bagheera muttered, "To the ancient ruins?" He put a paw on his head. "Oh, I'd hate to see what happens when he meets that king of theirs. Come on, we must go save him!"

With a nod, the five ran through the jungle, making their way to the center.

* * *
A large orangutan sat on a stone throne, scatting a song to himself. He took a banana peel and dropped it on his head. Jumping to his feet, he went to meet the monkeys that were carrying Mowgli into the ruins.

"We got him, King Louie!" one of the monkeys said. They dropped Mowgli onto the throne's armrest.

"So, you're the man-cub," King Louie said. "Crazy."

"I'm not as crazy as you are!" Mowgli snapped.

"Cool it, boy. Unwind yourself," Louie said. "Calm yourself. Let's shake. "He struggled to grab Mowgli's hand, then shaked it vigorously.

"What do you want me for?" Mowgli said, his voice shaking.

"Word has reached my royal ear - have a banana-" the orangutan grabbed a banana from next to his throne and shot the fruit into Mowgli's mouth. "that you want to stay in the jungle."

"Stay in the jungle," Mowgli said, chewing on the banana. "I sure do."

Louie slapped his hands on the ground. "That's good, and ol' King Louie is going to fix it for you. Have we got a deal?"

Mowgli finished the banana. "Yes sir! I'll do anything to stay in the jungle."

"Well then, let me lay it on the line for you," King Louie said, and he began to scat again, then began to sing.

* * *
Bagheera lead the way to the entrance of the ruins. He, Seika, Max, PJ, and Baloo made their way to a railing and watched as an orangutan sang to Mowgli in the center of the ruins. "That's King Louie," Bagheera said. "The king of the monkeys."

"Now, here's your part of the deal, cuz," Louie sang. He pulled his ear up. "Lay the secret on me of man's red fire."

Mowgli shook his head. "But I don't know how to make a fire."

"Now don't try to kid me, man-cub," Louie said. "I made a deal with you." He continued singing and scatting. "Give me the secret, man-cub. Clue me what to do. Give me the power of man's red flower so I can be like you."

"Fire," Bagheera whispered. "That's what that scoundrel is after."

"I'll tear him limb from limb," Baloo growled. "I'll beat him-" He stopped as his foot began tapping, and he started to dance and hum along.

"While you cause a disturbance, I'll rescue Mowgli," Bagheera said to the others. "Did you get all that, Baloo-"

"I'm gone, man," Baloo called back as he danced away. "Solid gone."

"Not yet, Baloo!" Bagheera called to him. He turned and saw King Louie coming their way, with a trail of monkeys behind him, scatting along. "We need to hide," he said. He ran beside a door with a statue of a panther on the other end.

Seika, Max, and PJ stood behind three separate pillars, watching as the monkeys passed.

The door slammed open, and Baloo reappeared, with a skirt of leaves and a coconut cut in half on his snout, imitating King Louie. "Hey!" he shouted and became to scat to King Louie's melody.

The orangutan's eyes widened and he grinned. He ran to Baloo and scat and dance along with him. "One more time!" Louie yelled, and he slapped Baloo on the shoulder.

The coconut fell from his snout and the leaves on his head flew off. The skirt slowly fell off as the song ended.

"It's Baloo, the bear!" one of the monkeys yelled.

"Baloo, it's you!" Mowgli said and he began to run to him.

Baloo grabbed the boy and began to run, until a monkey grabbed him from his arms. King Louie jumped from behind a stone and took Mowgli, but before he could run, Baloo took him, and knocked the orangutan in the head. Another monkey grabbed Mowgli and began to run, but only the be caught by Bagheera, who gave a roar.

"We need to do something," Max said. Seika and PJ nodded, and the three joined in, knocking the monkeys away from Baloo as he tried to get Mowgli. As they chased after the monkey that had Mowgli, King Louie grabbed his arm, as Baloo grabbed his other arm. The orangutan tried to pull Mowgli away by grabbing onto a stone pillar that quickly broke, sending him, Mowgli, and Baloo across the ruins and into a wall.

Louie's mouth dropped as he noticed part of the ruins beginning to drop. He tossed Mowgli onto Baloo's large stomach and ran to take the place of the pillar.

Baloo gave a grin and ran to the orangutan and began tickling his sides. Louie erupted into a laughter. A group of the monkeys came running to their king's aid, and tackled Baloo. The bear knocked Louie out of his place and into another pillar.

Baloo looked up at the ruins, then at Louie, and with a quick wave, he slid out from under the crumbling stones and walked away, leaving Louie to hold the ruins.

"Run!" PJ yelled as stones smashed into the ground. The group dodged the falling rocks and ran back into the jungle, as the ruins collapsed around King Louie.

Baloo came running behind them, and with a deep breath, he chuckled, "Now that's what I call a swingin' party."

[TwilightRiku_13]

Hooray, Baloo is there!!! He was always one of my favorite characters. Man, I really need to go back and watch the Jungle Book; I have totally forgotten how the movie goes. Anyway, great chapter again, and I look forward to more.

[Negative]

Chapter 11: Shere Khan the Tiger

The group stopped for the night by a large pound. The reflection of the moon kept a pleasant light. Seika was laying against a tree, staring at the silver circle as Max, PJ, and Mowgli slept. He was deep in thought, thinking about how quickly everything happened. One day he was hit in the head with a rock and fell into the strangest dream he had ever seen, then his world turned to darkness, and now, he was traveling to worlds. It felt as if it were all a dream, and the moment he would fall asleep, he would wake up, back in his bed in the Falcon Plains. But he knew that wouldn't happen. He turned to his side and stared at the tree's root.

"And furthermore," he heard an approaching voice say. It was Bagheera, continuing a conversation he was having with Baloo. "Mowgli seems to have man's ability to get into trouble. And your influence hasn't been exactly-"

"Shh," Baloo whispered. He gestured towards the sleeping Mowgli. "Quiet down, you're going to wake him. You know, it ain't easy learning to be like me."

Bagheera laughed in disbelief. "A disgraceful performance. Associating with those undesirable, scatterbrained apes. I hope Mowgli learns something about that experience."

Mowgli gave a laugh in his sleep, then began muttering to the song King Louie sang. Baloo chuckled. "That's my boy."

Bagheera shook his head and strode away. "Nonsense."

Baloo ran a hand down Mowgli's head, and folded a few leaves over his body.

"Baloo," Bagheera shouted. "Get over here. I would like to have a word with you."

"A word?" Baloo said, rubbing his neck. He began to make his way over to the panther. "You're going to talk some more?"

Seika slid to his feet and crept towards them, staying low so they didn't notice him.

"Baloo," Bagheera began. "The man-cub must go back to the man-village. The jungle is not a place for him."

"I grew up in the jungle," Baloo said mockingly. "Take a look at me."

"Yes, just look at yourself," Bagheera said in the same tone. "Frankly, you're a disreputable sight."

"Well you don't exactly look like a basket of fruit yourself," Baloo growled.

Seika gave a yawn as the two argued, but quickly clamped a hand over his mouth.

Bagheera raised his head. "Come out, whoever is there!" he shouted.

Without hesitation, Seika jumped to his feet. "Sorry," he said, his voice shaking. "I couldn't sleep, and I heard you two talking-"

"It's alright, man-cub," Bagheera said with a nod. He looked back up at Baloo.

"Don't worry, Baghy," the bear said. "I'll take care of him."

"Oh, the same way you did when those monkeys kidnapped him?" Bagheera said.

"Can't a guy make one mistake?" Baloo said, scratching his back on a tree.

"Not in the jungle!" Bagheera growled. "And another thing. Sooner or later, Mowgli will meet Shere Khan."

"The tiger?" Baloo froze. "What's he got against the kid?"

"He hates man with a vengeance, you know that," the panther said. "because he fears man's gun and man's fire."

"But little Mowgli don't have those things."

"Shere Khan won't wait until he does," Bagheera said. "He'll get Mowgli while he's young and helpless."

"But what about this kid?" Baloo said, gesturing towards Seika. "Wouldn't he go after him as well?"

"This boy wields the Keyblade. He protect himself with it."

Seika's heart helped when he heard those words. He looked down at his left hand, and curled it into a fist. "I couldn't even protect my own friends," he muttered. He glanced up at them when he realized what he said. Neither of them seemed to notice.

"W-what are we going to do?" Baloo said, stuttering uncontrollably.

"We'll do what's best for the boy-"

"You better believe it," Baloo said quickly. "You say it, and I'll do it."

"Good," Bagheera said with a smirk. "Then you make Mowgli go to the man-village."

"W-well, can't I wait until morning?"

"It's morning now," Bagheera said impatiently. Baloo looked around. "Go on, Baloo."

With a sigh, Baloo walked towards Mowgli just as he began to wake up. "Hi, Baloo,"
he said cheerfully.

"Hi," Baloo rubbed the back of his neck. "You better wipe that sleep out of your eyes. You and me, we got a long walk ahead of us." He started to walk off, with Mowgli not far behind. He gulped, then nervously waved to Bagheera. "See ya later, Bagheera."

"Goodbye, man-cub," Bagheera said with a sigh. "And good luck." He turned to Seika, as PJ and Max joined them. "Now, about that Keyhole," he said. He strode in front of them and led them into the jungle.

* * *

"C'mon, Baloo," Mowgli said. "All we gotta do is look for the bare necessities." He grabbed two bananas from a tree and tossed one to Baloo. "So, where're we going, Baloo?"

"Well, uh..." he muttered. He tossed the banana over his shoulder. "It's sorta new and-"

"I don't care," Mowgli said. "As long as I'm with you. We'll have tons of fun."

"Mowgli," the bear said. "There's something I've gotta tell you."

"Tell me what, Baloo?"

"Uh... How did Bagheera put it... Ah!" he said as the thought ran through his mind. "Mowgli, you wouldn't marry a panther, would you?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Mowgli said, distracted by a butterfly.

"Don't you realize you're a human?"

"I'm not anymore. I'm a bear, like you, Baloo."

"Look, little buddy. Listen to me!" he said. He was beginning to raise his voice. "Look, I've been trying to tell you, I've been trying all morning. I've gotta take you back to the man-village!"

"The man-village!" Mowgli yelled. "Y-you're just like Bagheera!"

"Wait a minute, that's going too far," Baloo said.

Mowgli spun around and began to run.

"Mowgli! Wait a minute! Mowgli!" Baloo called out. The boy was out of sight. He rubbed the back of his neck.

* * *

"Mowgli! Mowgli!" a voice yelled in the distance. Seika, Max, PJ and Bagheera turned around.

"Now what's happened?" Bagheera growled to himself, and the four ran to the shouts.

They found Baloo running through the jungle. He caught sight of them and said, "You're not going to believe me, Bagheera, but I used the same words you did, and he ran off on me."

"Don't just stand there, we've got to separate! We've got to find him!" Bagheera swung around and ran into the jungle, calling back, "Sorry, Seika. The Keyhole has to wait!"

"Right," Seika muttered. He looked at his friends. They gave a nod, and disbanded.

* * *

Shere Khan crept through the tall grass, watching his prey. A doe that was nibbling the flowers in the field. He crept closer, keeping his body down and out of sight. Just as he was about to pounce, there was a trumpeting sound, and the herd of elephants came marching across the field, scaring the doe away.

"Hup-two-three-four! Keep it up-two-three-four!" they said.

"What beastly luck," the tiger growled. "Confound that Colonel Hathi." He moved through the trees and watched the elephants march past, and give another trumpeting yell from their trunks.

* * *

Seika's head perked up as he heard a sound from the distance. "The elephants?" he muttered. An idea struck through his mind. He ran as fast as he could through the jungle until he caught up with the line of elephants marching across a small pond. "S-stop!" he yelled. The elephants continued to march. "Wait a minute!" he tapped his fingers on his forehead, trying to remember what it was the leading elephant yelled out. "Halt!"

The elephants ran into Hathi as they finally stopped. "Who said 'halt'!" he yelled, looking around angrily. "I give the commands here!"

Seika ran in front of the line. "I'm sorry, sir," he said nervously. "It was me."

"Another man-cub?" he yelled. "Giving out my orders? What are you doing here, boy?"

"Bagheera sent me," Seika said nervously. "We're looking for Mowgli, the other man-cub. We need you're help. We were taking him back to the man-village, and he ran away. And there's that tiger, Shere Khan, who could pick up his trail."

"Shere Khan isn't in miles of here," he said, laughing to himself.

Another elephant walked out of the line and marched up to Hathi, grumbling "This has gone far enough." Her son not too far behind.

"Winifred? What are you doing out of rank?" Hathi said.

"Nevermind," she said. "How would you like it if our boy was lost and alone in the jungle?"

"Our boy? That's a completely different matter."

"That boy is no different then our own. Now you help find him, or I'll be giving out the commands."

"Papa," the young elephant said. "The man-cub and I are friends. He'll get hurt if we don't find him.

Hathi smiled. "Now, boy. Your father had a plan in mind." He walked to the line. "Company! Left face!" The line of elephants turned around to face him. He began to whisper orders to them.

After noticing some movement in the grass nearby, Seika bowed the Colonel Hathi. "Thanks, sir," he said, and he ran back into the jungle, returning to search for Mowgli.

* * *

Mowgli walked slowly across the jungle. He gave a sigh and sat beside a tree. A long tail dropped down and lifted him onto a higher branch. "Kaa!" he yelled as he was face to face with the snake.

"Yesss, man-cub," he said cooly. "So nice to see you again."

"Leave me alone," Mowgli grumbled as swatted the snake's tail away. "I know what you're trying to do."

"You do?" Kaa said, surprised. "I mean - you don't trust me?"

"No."

"Don't want me to help you?"

"You can help me?"

"Cccertainly. I can make it so you don't have to leave the jungle."

"You can?" Mowgli asked. He turned to face the snake.

"Yesss," he said. "But first, you must trussst me."

"No," Mowgli said again, and he began to walk away.

Kaa followed him, and wrapped his body around Mowgli's head. "I don't blame you," he said. "But I'm nothing like those fair-weathered friends of yours. Trust me."

Shere Khan approached the tree, and looked up at the branch where the snake's tail hung down. He grabbed it and gave it a pull.

He an angry sigh, the snake lowered his upper body and looked around. "Yes? Yes? Who is it?"

"It's me, Shere Khan," the tiger said, showing himself from behind the tree. "I'd like a word with you if you don't mind."

"Shere Khan. What a pleasant surprise."

"I just dropped by. I hope I wasn't interrupting anything."

"No, nothing at all," the snake said, his voice shaking.

"Oh? I thought you were entertaining someone up there in your coils." The tiger's claws shot out from his paws.

"Oh, no. I was just coiling up for my.... Siesta."

Shere Khan began scratching the side of his cheek. "But I heard singing. Who's up there, Kaa?" He grabbed the snakes neck.

"Oh, uh... I was just singing to myself," Kaa said. He tried to swallow, but the tiger's grip was too tight. "You see, I have trouble with my sssinuses."

"Oh, what a pity," the tiger said. "Well, at the moment I'm looking for a lost man-cub. Do you know where he would be?"

No. You can search me-" he covered his mouth with his coils.

"That's an excellent idea," Shere Khan said slyly.

"I don't have him," Kaa said. He lowered his tail. "Nothing over here, and nothing in here." He opened his mouth and used his tail to point in.

"Kaa!" Seika came running into the plain, and summoned the Keyblade into his hand.

"And who is this?" Shere Khan asked, scratching his chin.

"This would be a different man-cub," he hissed. He raised his head and let his tongue flicker out. "A very stupid man-cub. The one that holds the Keyblade. I hate this kid ssso very much."

"The Keyblade, you say?" Shere Khan asked, interested.

"Yesss. If you don't mind, I would like to have this boy for myself."

"Very well," Shere Khan said with a grin. He slowly began to walk away. "I'll leave you two alone. Oh, and if you find the man-cub, be sure to inform me first."

"Fine," Kaa hissed not taking his eyes off Seika. "I want to finish you for good."

Beside the snake, two creatures appeared. They looked like two small, blue snakes with large heads. On their lower jaw was the red heart emblem with the X through it. The symbol of the Heartless.

"Get him," Kaa hissed, and the two snakes shot at Seika, both with long fangs hanging from their mouths.

Seika swung his Keyblade at one of them and knocked it against the tree. The Heartless vanished into darkness, releasing its captive heart. Seika turned his attention to the other Heartless. He dodged as it lunged at him, leaving himself open for Kaa to attack.

The snake bit onto Seika's shoulder, in attempt to pull him up. "Not so tough without your little friends huh, boy?" he said.

Thinking quickly, Seika dropped the Keyblade and grabbed the snake's neck. He began to spin Kaa around, and as they spun, Seika kicked the other Heartless away, before letting go and dropping to the ground and summoned the Keyblade back into his hand. He finished the Heartless off with one last slash, then turned his attention to Kaa. "Not so tough with out your Heartless, huh?" he mocked.

Kaa gave a shout of anger and frustration. Two more Heartless appeared beside him. He gave a grin.

Seika gritted his teeth. The two Heartless lunged at him, like the ones before. He quickly dodged them. 'Don't worry about them,' he though. 'Aim for Kaa.' He dodged the Heartless again as they tried to get him again, and he swung the Keyblade into Kaa's upper body.

The snake slammed into the tree, but shook the pain out and began to snap at Seika.

He dodged and grabbed onto his neck again and began to spin, kicking the two Heartless away as they approached. When he let go, he let himself slide across the ground. He slashed the two Heartless with his Keyblade as they approached, turning them back to the darkness. Seika held his Keyblade at the snakes head.

"No fair," he hissed.

"Now tell me, where is Mowgli?" Seika said, holding his weapon steady.

"I don't know," the snake lied. "He could be long gone. He could be out of the jungle."

Seika shook his head and let the Keyblade vanish. He quickly turned around and ran through the jungle, after Shere Khan.

Kaa gave a low hiss. "Stupid boy. Doesn't even bother looking up."

Mowgli freed himself from the snake's coils and looked down at the laughing Kaa. He grabbed the snakes body and dropped him from the branch, and slid down to the ground. "You told me a lie, Kaa. You said I could trust you." Mowgli started to run back into the jungle.

Kaa spat onto the ground. "If I see any of those little sniveling brats again, it will be too soon," he hissed, and he began slither back into the jungle, dragging his limp body behind.

[TwilightRiku_13]

God, I hate Kaa and Shere Khan so much. I especially hate Kaa; that snake needs to be eaten or drowned or something. Anyway, great update again, and I look forward to more.

[Negative]

Chapter 12: We're Your Friends

Mowgli moved slowly through the outskirts of the jungle. He sat down onto a rock and looked into the black puddle. Four vultures landed beside him and began to laugh.

"Look at his legs," one said. "They look like a storks."

Tears dripped from Mowgli's eyes. "Go ahead, laugh. I don't care." He stood up and walked away.

"Poor fella," another vulture said. "Ay, kid!"

"Leave me alone," he said. "Nobody wants me around.

"C'mon kid," the vulture said. "We know what it's like. Nobody wants us around."

"Hey, Mowgli!" Max came running out of the jungle and stopped to catch his breath. "We've been looking everywhere for you."

PJ wasn't too far behind. He began doing to same. "Have you seen Seika yet?"

"Yeah," Mowgli said. "He was fighting with Kaa. But he didn't notice me. He ran back into the jungle to look for me."

"There you guys are!" Seika caught up with them and looked around. "I've been wondering where you where. Bagheera and Baloo and even the elephants are looking for you."

"They were looking for me?" Mowgli asked.

"Of course," Max said. PJ nodded in agreement.

"The reason they want you to go back to the man-village is so you can be safe from the dangers of those like Shere Khan," Seika said. "That's what friends do. They look out for each other." He remembered his friends from the Falcon Plains. 'They'll be alright,' he thought to himself. He gave a grin.

"See kid, you do have friends," another vulture said. "We're your friends too."

"You see kid, that's what friends do," the fourth vulture said. "Friends help you when you're down, because that's what friends are for."

There was clapping. Seika, Max, PJ, Mowgli, and the vultures spun around to see Shere Khan applauding their speech. "Bravo, bravo. An extraordinary performance. And thank you for entertaining my victims."

The vultures fled as quickly as they could to the nearest tree and watched as the tiger approached the four below. "Run, friends, run!"

"Why should I run?" Mowgli asked with his hands on his hips.

"Why should you run?" Shere Khan repeated. "Do you know who I am?"

"I know you alright. You're Shere Khan."

"Precisely," the tiger said, bringing out his claws. "Then you should also know that everyone runs from Shere Khan."

"I don't run from anyone," Mowgli said.

"What a spirit for one so small," Shere Khan said with a large smile on his face. "And one with a spirit deserves a sporting chance. Now I'm going to close my eyes and count to ten. It makes the chase more interesting. For me." He began to count.

Mowgli turned around and grabbed a stick from the ground.

"You're trying my patience," Shere Khan said. "Nine, ten!" he lunged at the boy, before being pulled down by Baloo.

"Run, Mowgli, run!" Baloo yelled.

Shere Khan spun around and swiped at Baloo, knocked him out. As he turned around, Seika, Max, and PJ jumped in his way.

"We'll deal with him," Seika said, summoning the Keyblade and holding it tightly.

Max pulled out his sword as PJ tightened his gauntlets and slammed his fists together.

The tiger laughed. An black aura began to surround him. "I'll show you why it is unwise not to fear Shere Khan!" He gave a roar and pounced at Seika, knocked him to his back.

PJ charged and knocked the tiger off him, then quickly formed a small bomb and threw it at Shere Khan.

Seika jumped to his feet and swung the Keyblade at the tiger, but he quickly dodged and swiped at Seika.

Max began to run for an attack, and began to slash his sword in a star shape, knocking the tiger away from Seika.

Shere Khan gave another roar and lunged at Max, and as he landed onto the ground, there was an explosion of fire, knocking Max away. He looked at PJ next and did the same towards him with another explosion of fire.

"Hey, kid!" the vultures yelled. They flew down and grabbed Seika's arms and lifted him into the air as Shere Khan approached him. "Now!" the vultures yelled and they dropped Seika on top of the tiger. Seika slammed his Keyblade onto the tiger's head, knocking him down.

"Kid!" one of the other vultures yelled. "Fire is the only thing ol' stripes is afraid of."

As Seika readied himself for another strike, he felt burst of heat run through him. It tingled through his wrist and felt as if it joined with his hand and the hilt of the Keyblade. He put his right hand onto the hilt. He raised the Keyblade and a blast of fire shot out, burning onto Shere Khan's tail.

The vultures began to laugh. "Look behind you, chum," the third one said.

Shere Khan turned his head and noticed the flame. With a screeching roar, the tiger began to run, but the flame stayed. With another roar, he ran as fast as he could into the distance.

"We did it!" Seika yelled. Rain began to fall as the four vultures landed beside him.

"That's the last we'll see of him," one said.

"Yeah, let's go congratulate our friend," said another.

"No, fellas," the fourth said. "Nows not that time for it."

They turned around and saw Mowgli crouched down by Baloo. "Baloo?" he said nervously. He rubbed the bear's neck. There was no response. "Baloo, get up."

Bagheera appeared from the jungle and approached him. "Mowgli, try to understand."

"Bagheera," Mowgli said, tears pouring out of his eyes. "What's the matter with him?"

"You have to be brave," the panther said. "Just like Baloo was."

"You don't mean..." he began to cry harder. "Baloo..."

"Now, now. I know how you feel," Bagheera said, putting his paw on Mowgli's back. "But you must remember, Mowgli, greater love hath no one, than he who lays down the life for his friend. When a great deed is done in the jungle, one may stand above the other. It's best we leave now. Come along, man-cub."

"Hey, don't stop now, Baggy, You're doing great! There's more, lots more!" Baloo stood up.

Bagheera swung around. "Why you big fraud! You four-frauster!" His insults trailed off as Mowgli ran to the bear.

"Baloo, you're all right!" Mowgli said, wrapping his arms around Baloo.

"Who me? Sure I am. Never felt-" he cut himself off as a pain flowed through his head. "better..."

The vultures began to laugh, and Mowgli joined them. "You sure had us worried."

"I was just takin' five," Baloo said. "Just playin' cool.

"Good ol' Papa Bear," Mowgli said as Baloo pulled him up onto his shoulders.

Bagheera gave a sigh, then turned his attention to Seika, Max, and PJ. "Well, I still have a place to take you to," he said, cheering up from his yelling.

"Oh, right," Seika said. "The Keyhole."

Bagheera led them into the forest and back to where the ancient ruins once stood, where they saved Mowgli from King Louie and the monkeys. "There," Bagheera said, pointing to the stone throne that still stood.

Seika squinted to see it. A light burst from the center and formed into the shape of a Keyhole. "That's it?" He summoned the Keyblade back into his hand. On its own, the Keyblade rose, and a beam shot into the Keyhole, and the key turned to its right. The Keyhole vanished with a click, and the light disappeared into the sky.

Baloo and Mowgli joined them and watched as the sparkles of light rose up. "What's going on?" Mowgli asked.

"Our world is safe from the Darkness," Bagheera said. "Thanks to Seika. The new Keybearer."

Seika gave a bashful grin. "I should be thanking you. Thanks to you, that was the first adventure I've been on, and I've made a lot of new friends. I mean, I've never been able to make many friends in my world, except for three, Kenzo, Hana, and Olivia, and they will always be by my side. They're what really helped me defeat the Darkness. And Shere Khan."

"Where are your friends now, then?" Mowgli asked, hopping off Baloo's shoulders.

"I hope still around. I thought I lost them when my world turned to Darkness. But I haven't lost faith yet, and I'm never going to."

"Right," Baloo said. He put his large paws on Mowgli's shoulders. "And remember, you have friends here, too. And we'll never forget each other. All you've gotta do is look for those bare necessities I've told ya about."

"Right," Seika said. He turned to Max and PJ. "Let's go."

"Wait," Mowgli said. He pulled out a small object. It was a small, clay pot about the size of Seika's thumbnail. "Here. I found this in the woods when me and Baloo where trying to catch up with you."

Seika took it and looked at it. There was a small hole on the side.

"It kinda looks like a Keychain," PJ said.

Seika looked at the end of the Keyblade and noticed the chain that hung from the pommel. At the end was Keychain that looked like the King's seal. He unhooked the Keychain and replaced it with the new one. In a burst of light, the appearance of the Keyblade changed and began to form into one that resembled a fruit tree with banana leaves at the end, and the hilt made of peels.

"Now you can use this to remember all of us," Mowgli said.

Seika smiled. "Thank you," he said.

As the three were being absorbed by the Gummi Ships light, an image flowed through their minds.

* * *

A woman stood at the front of a class room full of children. By her side was a young boy. He spiked up, black hair and was wearing the school's uniform. "Class, this is our new student."

The boy didn't say anything. He moved closer to the teacher's leg and looked down to the floor.

"Don't be shy, dear. Tell the class your name."

"I'm-" the boy's words trailed off.

Flash

The image changed to the school's playground. The boy sat on a swing and watched as the other kids played. Tears dripped down his cheeks and his grip on the chains tightened.

There was a tapped him on the shoulder. He turned his head and faced a girl looked at him curiously. She had light brown hair that was pulled back into a ponytail and covered with a hat.

The boy couldn't help but blush.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

"Yes, I'm fine," the boy said.

"You don't look fine."

"I am. I really am." More tears dripped down his cheeks.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

The boy didn't answer her.

"My name's-" No sound came out to finish the sentence. "What's your name?"

The boy opened his mouth, but the image vanished in a flash of light.

* * *

In the Gummi Ship, Max and PJ looked at exchanged looks, then looked at Seika, who was staring down at his feet. "Was that you, Seika?" PJ asked.

Seika didn't answer. He continued to stare down at his black sneakers. He looked at them and noticed that they were waiting for him to answer. He gave a sigh. "Yes, that was me. That happened ten years ago, when I first started school."

"And that girl," Max said. "Was that the girl you were talking about? Hana?"

Seika only nodded. A tear dripped from his eye.

"Don't worry," Max said, smiling. "She'll be fine. I know she will."

"Yeah," PJ said in agreement. "If she's from you're world, she's gotta be as brave as you are. I mean, you may be timid, but you're probably one of the bravest guys out there."

Seika rubbed the tear away and smiled. "Max. PJ. Thank you," he said. He looked out the cockpit window at the stars that surrounded them. He could see a world coming into view.

The world was too dark to see any features like the last few, but something about it sent a shiver down Seika's spine, and made his heart start beating. The first thing that came visible on it was a large mansion that was surrounded by tombstones.

[TwilightRiku_13]

Hooray, Shere Khan has been defeated and Mowgli is safe!!! So, now they are off to a new world. Is it Halloween Town? It sounded like Halloween Town, but I don't remember a mansion in Halloween Town, just a graveyard. Anyway, great job again, and I look forward to more.

[Negative]

No, but you're somewhat close ^^.

Chapter 13: The Haunted Mansion

A chill ran down Seika's spine as they walked through the courtyard of the large mansion. All the plants surrounding it were dead. A crow flew overhead and landed on top of the roof, giving an echoing caw. "What is this place?" Seika muttered.

"I-I don't know," PJ said nervously. "But I really don't like the feeling of it. It's freaking me out."

"Yeah, me too," Max agreed.

The three slowly moved down the dirt road that led to the front door. The front gate creaked in the wind before slamming closed. Seika swung around and ran to it and tried to pull it back open. "It won't open!" he said. "It's stuck!"

Max gave a nervous laugh. "I guess we're stuck in here."

Seika took a step away from the gate and charged back at it, hoping that ramming it would open it. Nothing happened except for him flying back a few feet away from the rebound.

"C'mon, Seika," Max said. "It won't be that bad."

Seika pulled himself back up and the three began to approach the mansion. As they climbed up the stone steps, PJ stopped and tilted his head to the side. He walked around to the side and put his hands on the fence. "You guys, check it out."

Seika and Max walked to the fence and stared in awe at a large graveyard that covered the property until it vanished into the misty distance. "Woah," Max said smoothly.

"A-a cemetery?" Seika said. Fear overwhelmed him. "This mansion has a cemetery?"

Rain began to drip from the sky. "Ah great," Max said looking up. He and PJ began to run back to the front of the mansion to take cover.

Seika turned to follow, but froze as he heard something in the distance give a shrieking howl. His heart leapt and he spun around, his hand out ready to summon the Keyblade. There was nothing except the growing mist. He tugged at his bracelet nervously and began to walk back to the front without taking his eyes away from the mist.

PJ gave a knock on the door when Seika reached them. There was no response from the inside. As he raised his fist to knock again, the door creaked open, revealing a dark hall. The three stepped inside and as they did, the door slammed shut. Seika looked down the hall carefully and noticed a man approaching them. With each flash of lightning from outside, he appeared, then quickly vanished into the shadows. He stopped a few feet in front of them and studied them carefully.

His appearance made Seika's skin crawl. He wore a dark blue suit with a black bow on his chest, giving him the appearance of a butler. His face looked much like a skull with skin wrapped tightly around it, giving dark shadows around his eyes and cheeks. White hair stood up around the side of his head.

"You must be Seika. My name is Ramsley," he said, rolling the the first letter of his name. He had a dark, haunting voice. He looked at Max and PJ. "And you two, his companions, I presume. His majesty sent me a message of your arrival." He gave a cough to clear his throat. "My apologies for my rudeness. I am Ramsley, the butler of this mansion. My master, Master Edward Gracey, has been waiting for the time of your arrival ever since. He's been wanting to meet the Keybearer for sometime." He coughed into his fist. "My master wishes to discuss his affairs over dinner."

He led the way down the dark hallway at a slow pace.

[TwilightRiku_13]

Aw, you like The Haunted Mansion!?!? If you like The Haunted Mansion, then you should check out madammina's fanfic "Here Comes the Bride". It's a mix of Kingdom Hearts and The Haunted Mansion; it's a really good story. Anyway, great update again, and I look forward to more.

[Negative]

Sounds interesting. I'll consider reading it soon.

Chapter 14: The Evers Family

Seika looked around the dark halls as the followed the old butler. Several coats of armor stood near the walls with shields and weapons behind them. The soon approached a large door at the end of the hall, that slowly opened to their arrival, revealing a large dining room.

At the long table in the center of the room was a family of people, a man, a woman, and two children, a boy and a girl. Each stared at the three with odd expressions.

Seika, Max, and PJ approached the table and sat down on the opposite side from the family. Ramsley walked to one end. "The master will be with you shortly," he said darkly, and he walked away.

The three sat awkwardly at the table with the family still watching them. Breaking the silence, the woman said, "Have you ever seen a fireplace that amazing?" She made a gesture to the fireplace behind them. "This place is incredible. I've never seen any place like it."

Lightning flashed. "Haven't you," said a man standing by the window. "My grandfather spared no expense when he built this mansion."

The man that sat opposite of Seika stood up and fixed his grey suit. "Well your grandfather had really good taste," he said, with a smile on his face. He held out a hand. "I'm Jim Evers of Evers and Evers Real Estate, glad to make your acquaintance, sir."

The man nodded. "Very good. I'm Mr. Gracey."

Jim chuckled, his hand still extended, but Gracey only nodded again. He looked over his shoulder nervously. "This is my wife, Sara," he said. The woman stood and approached them.

"It's very nice to meet you, Mr. Gracey," she said. The man nodded again, this time more slowly. "This is our daughter, Megan, and our son Michael." Jim gave a gesture to the two children at the table. The two jumped up and walked to them.

"You have very beautiful children, Ms. Evers," Gracey said. He glanced over to the table and at Seika, Max, and PJ. "You three must of been sent by his Majesty, I presume. I've been longing to meet a master of the Keyblade."

Max and PJ jumped to their feet and raised their hands in a salute. Seika jumped up and did the same a moment later, not realizing what was happening.

Before any of the three could state their names, Ramsley reappeared. "You may take your seats now," he said. He pulled out the chairs for each of them once again.

As Mr. Gracey took his seat, he said, "How do you think of the house, Ms. Evers?"

"I think it's absolutely incredible," she responded as a maid began to pour a ladle of soup into her bowl. "You never see houses like this, at least I don't."

Mr. Gracey smiled widely. "Great care and love went into building this mansion."

Jim looked from his wife to Mr. Gracey awkwardly.

"This house is my inheritance," Mr. Grace said. "But lately, it's become too much to bare." He looked up at Jim, then to Seika, Max, and PJ, who were eating hungrily. "Tell me, Mr. Evers, do you believe in ghosts?"

"Ghosts?" he said. "Sure I believe in ghosts."

Mr. Gracey turned to Seika. "And you?"

Seika looked down at his hands, then quickly to the bracelet on his wrist. "I used to, but I stopped a few years ago."

"The storm has swollen the river," Ramsley said, staring out the window into the dark night.

"What's that?" Jim asked.

"The storm has flooded the road. I'm afraid there will be no leaving the mansion tonight."

Megan and Michael looked at each other, then to their parents. "What?" Megan asked.

"Of course, you are all more than welcome to spend the night here," Mr. Gracey said as Ramsley walked to his side. He stood up and made his way for the stairs. "Ramsley will show you to your rooms."

Ramsley gave a dark look to his master and took branched candlestick from the table and followed his master up the stairs into the dark hallways above. He stopped at the first door and opened it. "I believe the children will be comfortable in this room." He let the children say their goodnights to their parents before closing the door and continuing down the hallway. He stopped at the next door. "I hope you and the madam will find this room to your liking," he said as he opened the door for the couple.

"Yeah, it's great," Jim said. "It'll be like spending the night in a fine hotel."

Ramsley closed the door and continued his way down the hallway to the last room. The last room room was smaller than the other two. There was only one bed, and on the floor was a mattress and against the wall was an old couch. "This belonged to one of the servants several years ago," he said. Without saying anything else, he shut the door.

Seika looked at the old bed. "I guys we'll be here for a while until it's safe to get back to the ship, so I guess we should just make the best of it. I'll take the mattress on the floor," he said. "You guys can have the other two."

"No, Seika," PJ said. "You should take the bed."

"Yeah," Max agreed. "You deserve it more."

"No, I'm fine with sleeping on the floor," Seika said. "Really."

The two shrugged. "Fine, suit yourself," Max said. Another flash of lightning struck outside.

Rubbing his left wrist, Seika said, "I'm going to take a look around."

"You sure?" Max said. "This place really gives me the creeps, and I really don't trust the Ramsley guy."

"Yeah, I'm sure," Seika said. "I just need to walk somethings off, you know?"

Max nodded. "Okay, but if something happens, give us some kind of signal."

Seika nodded and walked out of the room, letting the door creak closed behind him.

* * *

"You just had to come," Sara Evers said angrily to her husband.

"Excuse me," Jim said. "This is a big opportunity for all of us."

"Not for us, for you. The only thing you seem to care about anymore is work."

"But it doesn't matter if I work hard like this as long as I bring you expensive gifts like this, right?" he said sarcastically, pointing to the pearl bracelet on her wrist.

Sara shook her head and pulled the bracelet off and walked away, tossing it onto a desk.

Jim began to walk after her. "Sara. I didn't mean to say that, c'mon. Sara?" The door closed in front of him. "I'm sorry about that, open up, please?" He gave a sigh and began to turn around, but jumped back when he was face to face with Ramsley. "Woah! You scared me."

"The master was wondering if he might have a word with you in the library?"

"A word?" Jim asked. "Sure, I'll have a word."

"Yes," Ramsley said. He turned around and began to walk to the door. "If you will follow me."

Jim turned around and said, "Hey, Sara? I'm going to go have a word with Mr. Gracey. I'll be back in a minute." The door closed behind him.

Moments later, they entered the large room that was the library. Ramsley walked ahead. "Would you care for a drink, sir, while you're waiting?"

"Don't mind if I do," Jim said. "Thank you, Ramsley." He studied the room, until a large portrait of Mr. Gracey caught his eye. "Wow! Now that's class. That's what I need to do over at my place, get a big picture of myself to put on the living room wall. It puts a touch of elegance to the room."

"Yes, sir," Ramsley responded. "Very elegant." He handed Jim a small glass.

He took a sip. "So, Ramsley. How long have you been a butler?"

"A long time," Ramsley said darkly. "Mr. Evers, may I confide in you?"

"Please do."

"The master is not well. He must leave this house, Mr. Evers, he must move on. It is of the gravest importance, I assure you, for I fear the very worst."

[TwilightRiku_13]

So, is this from the Disney movie "The Haunted Mansion"? I never saw that movie, so I really wouldn't know. This version is different from madammina's fanfic; her story takes place in the past and mostly deals with the Black Widow Bride, Constance Hatchaway. Like I said, I really don't know anything about the Haunted Mansion. Anyway, great update, and I look forward to more.

[Negative]

Yeah, mine' is mainly based off of the movie. Hers would be based off of the ride, then, wouldn't it?

Chapter 15: The Gypsy in the Ball

Seika walked down the dark hallway. He held his kemp bracelet tightly in his hand. Thoughts flowed through his mind of Kenzo and Olivia. And thoughts of Hana. His grip tightened on the bracelet until the four black beads were squeezed in between his fingers. 'Why did this have to happen to me?' he thought. 'Out of anyone. Anyone! Why me?' He pulled the bracelet back on his wrist.

From the corner of his eye, he saw something moving. He turned around and saw a maid walk down the hallway at a quick pace. He began to walk after her. "Excuse me," he said.

The maid froze and quickly looked over her shoulder, then began to run.

Seika began to run too. "Excuse me, I have something to ask you-?" A door under him dropped open, and he began to fall down a chute, before slamming onto his back on the floor.

* * *

Mr. Evers walked around the library, admiring its beauty and elegance. He sat at the desk and looked at the objects that were on it. He knocked the small glass on the floor. He bent over to try to clean it up, and as he raised himself back up, he hit the small bust on the desk, bending it's head over.

A bookcase began to slide, revealing a hidden staircase. "Interesting," he said to himself. Curious, he made his way to the staircase. As he walked up the steps, the bookcase slammed closed. "Hey! Hey!" he yelled, slamming his hands on the wood. "Open this back up! Ramsley! Open up!"

There was no response.

* * *

There was a knock on the door. PJ quickly answered it, hoping that it was Seika, but it wasn't. The girl, Megan, stood there. "Mr. Gracey said that you were sent here by a king?"

Max approached the door. "Yeah, we're two of his guards."

She studied the two of them. "Well, there's something I think you should come see."

The two looked at each other and followed her to her room.

Her brother, Michael, stood behind the bed, staring a glowing ball of light that floated in the center of the room. At his sister's arrival, he ran to hide behind her.

"Woah," Max said. "What do you suppose it is?"

"A Heartless?" PJ whispered so only Max could hear.

"No, I don't think so. I think it might be some sort of spirit."

"It's a ghost ball?" Michael asked.

The light began to move towards the door.

"I think it wants us to follow it," Megan said.

Michael grabbed her arm. "I think you're crazy."

She shook him off and made her way to the door. Max and PJ followed. Michael looked around the room uneasily and grabbed his backpack from the bed and ran after them. "Megan, wait up!"

* * *

Seika rubbed the back of his head as he studied the new surroundings. He was in another hallway. A green light glowed from the end, and a chanting echoed all around. He slowly walked to the light. "E-excuse me," he said nervously. "I-I fell down here from the top floor, and now I have no idea where I am. I-I just wanted to ask for some help or directions-"

"I'm am Madame Leota," the voice cut him off when he entered the room. In the center of the room was a table with a crystal sitting on top. A woman's face turned around to face him. "Seer of All, Hoist to the Spirits. Whom do you seek?"

A chair flew behind him and knocked him on top. It pushed Seika close to the table so he couldn't get out. "Hey!" he yelled. "Let me go!"

"Silence!" the face yelled. "Whom do you seek?"

"I want to get out of here!" Seika yelled. "I want to get out of this room! I want to get out of this mansion! I just want to be back home!"

"There is great evil in this house," she said. "A devil's curse. It wishes to destroy you. It can sense the light that is in your heart, Keybearer. The butler sides with the Darkness. But there is another one. A creature lurks outside the mansion that wishes to devour your heart."

Seika's heart leapt. 'A Ghost? A Hearteater?'

The woman closed her eyes and began to chant. "Dark spirits from the grave, come forth. Lift us from the black, and show us. Show us our way back. Lift us! Lift us, up to the light! And lead us through this stormy night!" All the objects in the room began to rise and spin around the table. The woman continued to chant as several instruments began to play around them. "Your life is in stake, Keybearer! Your friends are in stake! Go! Save us from this evil! Release us! Release us all!" The woman began to laugh maniacally as Seika and the table dropped to the ground.

Seika jumped to his feet and began to run out of the room as fast as he could, with the possessed instruments chasing after him. He turned down several hallways until he was convinced he escaped from them. Their sounds still echoed through the halls. He continued to run, until he slammed into Mr. Jim Evers, knocking both of them down.

Jim stood up and dusted his suit. He looked down at Seika. "Hey kid, why don't you watch where you're going."

Seika pulled himself up. "I'm sorry. I got lost and took a wrong turn. It will never happen again."

"Be sure it won't," Jim said.

"I'm Seika," he said. He held out his hand.

Jim looked down at it with dissatisfaction. "Mr. Evers," he said dryly. "Do you have any idea where we are?"

"Somewhere under the mansion is my guess," Seika said. He began to walk down the hall, with Mr. Evers close behind him. He stopped for a moment and looked around. "Look out!" he yelled, and he pulled him out of the way as a ball of blue fire flew past and exploded.

"What was that?" Mr. Evers shouted. His voice was shaken.

Seika looked around again. Six creatures began to move towards them from the shadows. They had long arms and legs with long nails to match. Bandages covered their bodies, except for one eye and their torso. On the center of their torso was a black heart with a red X through it.

"Heartless?" Seika said. He swung his hand out and in a burst of light, the Keyblade appeared.

Mr. Evers looked around. "A weapon! I need a weapon!"

Seika looked around the walls and noticed a coat of arms hanging with two rapiers behind it. "There!" he said.

Mr. Evers pulled out a rapier and swung it around before readying himself to fight.

Seika looked at him, then nodded, and the two prepared to fight the ambush of Heartless.

[TwilightRiku_13]

There's a Haunted Mansion ride?!?! I did not know that. I should really watch this movie, or at least read about it; I really don't know what it is about. So, the butler is on the side of darkness? It would be really creepy if he turned into a heartless. Anyway, great job again, and I look forward to more.