Elemental Adventure

Leaving the Underworld

Yen Sid sighed flipping through the corrupt book for the third time. This book was full of spells to call forth the heartless each stronger than the last. With little hesitation, he tossed the vile tome into the nearby fireplace. As it burned a black phantom with a purple aura appeared from it. The phantom screamed before dissipating into nothing. Perhaps the legends were true and the keyblade was the only way to purify the darkness. As he eased back into his chair the door opened and Maleficent entered.

"I feel I should explain the cause of this entire situation." She stated an image appearing in the staff's gem

The image was that of herself many years in the past sitting with various files. Around her sat various beakers and bottles with different substances inside. Within her line of sight sat a jar containing a heart that glowed a strange color. From behind her, he watched as her daughter approached the table. Carefully she picked up the jar studying the heart before glancing at her mother.

"Mal don't touch that." Maleficent hissed snatching the beaker

Caught off guard Mal stumbled backward into something. Spinning she was met with a skeletal face before its boney hand reached into her chest. As it pulled out her heart her eyes flashed gold before returning to normal. With a wave of their other hand, she sunk into the floor. With a scream, Mal turned to her mother reaching for her as her hips sunk deeper. Leaping Maleficent grasped her hands looking in shook as the black-purple vortex finally consumed her.

As the image faded the staff tumbled into Maleficent's waiting hand. A stern expression crossed the master's face as he met the dark queen's eye. Stroking his beard he gave a quiet hum in deep thought of this information. He was by no means shocked to learn that their current threat was one her making. The real question at this point was how were they supposed to stop such a monster.

Standing before the god of death the blacksmith faced the stone floor. Wearing a sly grin Hades tapped his fingers on the arm of his throne. Slowly the door to his chamber opened revealing Zack and his student. Creeping to the throne the duo bowed in respect looking nervously to Flint. The craftsman could only nod in confusion returning his gaze to the god. Clearing his throat Hades began to speak his tone oddly serious.

"I think it's time you guys got some experience on other worlds," Hades stated his eyes trained on Lupin

"But boss Zack's dead he can't leave the Underworld." Lupin snapped face twisted in confusion

Raising his hand Hades let out a loud snap of his fingers. As the snap reverberated around the room a charm appeared in Lupin's hand. The charm was gold with the image of Zack's smiling face in its core. Hanging from the chain was a miniature replica of his sword made of silver. With little thought, Lupin clipped the charm to his sword's handle. As he gripped his weapon the charm hung like a keychain on a keyblade.

"Solider charm problem solved, now for the final touch," Hades stated rising from his throne

As Hades moved closer the young warrior froze on the spot. Tapping his finger to the youth's forehead Hades sent a wave of darkness through him. For a moment his eyes flickered black the making the bright green stand out. Letting out a puff of breath he looked Hades in the eyebrow raised. With a mischievous grin, the god spun to his throne giving a dismissive wave.

"Just enough darkness for what you need no more no less."

As the question formed on his tongue Lupin was silenced by a raising hand. As the hand was held up a dark corridor formed behind them. Resting his hand on his weapon's handle he glanced at the blacksmith. With a weak shrug, Flint started for the corridor unsure of where it led. Closing his eyes Lupin approached the gateway pausing before he entered. Turning back to his employer he gave a two-fingered salute stepping in the portal. As Lupin stepped in a blue glow followed him as Zack's spirit entered the charm. As Hades closed the portal he grinned to himself.

"Safe travels boys good luck out there."