Paradise Falls
“So Kairi left, just like that?” asked Elsa.
“Yeah,” said Sora with a sigh.
“Bah, forget about her,” said Edna. “If she thinks she can survive on her lonesome with those villains out to get her, then let her.”
“That’s my main concern about this,” said Elsa. “But the fact that we haven’t seen or heard from the Organization since her departure makes me think maybe she’s okay.”
“Speaking of which, we haven’t had much luck tracking Riku,” said Judy. “What could that kid be up to?”
“You might have spoken too soon,” said Hiro, looking up from his computer. “I think I found him.”
“Riku?” said Sora, coming up to join the boy genius. Sora studied the screen for a few minutes, but couldn’t make heads or tails of what it said. “Err…are you sure?”
“Don’t worry, I know he’s found him,” said Ace, double checking Hiro’s work. “He’s in a part of the Venezuelan jungle called Paradise Falls. It’s another Fixed Point.”
“And the Organization?” asked Elsa.
“Not there yet, but more than likely on their way,” said Hiro.
“I guess we just have to beat them there,” said Sora.
“Oh no. You are NOT going in there alone,” said Elsa. “I’m coming with you.”
“Honey, what did I tell you about that cape?” demanded Edna. “Remove it, or I’ll personally drag you back from the jungle.”
“Why you…” started Elsa.
“I agree that you shouldn’t go,” said Lewis. Elsa gaped at him as he quickly continued. “Not because of the cape, but because you’re our leader. You’re too important. Without you, we’ll be lost. The rest of us are expendable.”
Elsa considered this for a moment. “Okay,” said the ice queen. “Judy, if you could…”
“I’ll go,” came a voice from the doorway. Everyone turned to see Rapunzel entering the room, Olaf trying to pull her back by her hair (which was still halfway down the corridor).
“Sorry your majesty, she escaped her room wanting to go on an adventure,” said Olaf. “Or was she meant to be watching me?”
“Rapunzel, are you sure you want to do this?” asked Elsa. “I mean, this isn’t just a vacation to a new and exotic place. The Organization isn’t going to go easy on you.”
“I don’t care,” said Rapunzel. “I’ve been trapped in here forever. I want to go out and do something, help you guys somehow.”
“But if you got into a fight…” started Ace, when Rapunzel whipped her hair at him. Her hair wrapped itself around the chicken, and she proceeded to throw him out of the room and down the corridor.
“Well, I think she’s fine,” said Edna. “Foureyes. Time machine. Now.”
“You’re a foureyes too,” muttered Lewis as he left to prepare the time machine.
“I heard that,” said Edna. “Just because I don’t have powers doesn’t mean I can’t kick your butt from here to next Tuesday.” Lewis looked panicked, and ran off quickly.
“I guess it’s settled then,” said Elsa, walking over to Sora. “I’ve got a new spell for you,” she whispered. “If you or Rapunzel get in trouble, use it.” Sora nodded, accepting the glowing orb in Elsa’s hand.
“Wow, we’re here,” said Rapunzel, nose pressed against the glass. “Look at all the trees. It’s so beautiful.”
“Okay, Riku’s here somewhere, but…” started Lewis, who started looking up at something in the distance. “What the heck is that?”
Sora looked out at what Lewis was staring at. “I’d say it looks like a whole bunch of balloons,” said Sora. “But here? In the Amazon?”
“Hey, it’s moving,” said Rapunzel, pointing at the slowly shifting balloons. “Isn’t it great? The locals are having a parade.”
“Does she know much about the Amazon?” whispered Sora to Lewis.
“She spent eighteen years trapped in a tower, isolated from the rest of the world,” replied Lewis just as quiet. “I’d be surprised if she’d even heard of the Amazon before this.”
“Let’s see what they’re celebrating. Come on, let’s go,” said Rapunzel, almost jumping out of her seat.
“I guess we can do that,” said Sora. “I mean, Riku probably saw it too and has gone to investigate it.”
Lewis lowered the time machine to the ground, and almost immediately Rapunzel jumped out and started running in the direction of the balloons. “Rapunzel, WAIT!” yelled Lewis.
“I’ll get her,” said Sora. “We’ll be back soon.” And with that, Sora started running after Rapunzel. Sora ran after her for about a minute, before finding some garlic for Linguini. He continued after Rapunzel, but by now had lost track of her.
“Rapunzel?” called Sora. He was answered by a scream, and what sounded like an old man yelling. “Is that her?” asked Sora, running towards whatever was making the noise. Sora burst into a clearing, and found Rapunzel with an old man and a young boy. The two strangers were attached to a house that was being lifted by the huge number of balloons they’d seen. But Sora’s attention was on what surrounded the group. “Heartless,” said Sora, drawing his keyblade.
“You darn shadows!” yelled the old man, swinging his walker. “Stay away from my house.” The man whacked one Heartless in the head, stunning it for a moment. After a moment, the Heartless made another charge at the old man, who stumbled back out of the way.
“Look out,” called Rapunzel, whipping her hair at the Heartless. The hair-whip wrapped itself around the Heartless, which she then threw backwards into a tree, killing it.
“Who…are you?” asked the boy.
“The ones who are going to stop these things,” said Sora, taking down another three Heartless. “Stay back. These things are dangerous.” With that, Sora ran straight at a much larger Heartless, preparing to take it down.
“Look at him go,” said Xigbar, watching the battle from above the trees. “He’s certainly pretty tough.”
“I know. I had to fight him already,” snapped Xaldin.
“Whatever,” said Xigbar, waving his hand dismissively at Xaldin’s remark. “But hey, Axel was right about splitting the keyblade wielders up.”
“We’re assuming he doesn’t find the other one, who’s hiding here somewhere,” said Xaldin. “We need to find him first.”
“Relax, will you?” said Xigbar. “We know where he is. We just need to go there, get him, and go.”
“He won’t come willingly,” said Xaldin. “He knows me. He knows what we desire.”
“That’s why I’m here,” said Xigbar. “You need someone tough to take him down, and here I am. Now come on, the kid’s nearly killed those Heartless.” Xigbar jumped down the ground and started in the direction of a nearby cave. Xaldin sighed and soon followed.
“…and that’s the last of them,” said Sora, slaying the final Heartless. “So, who are you guys?”
“Oh, I’m Russell, and this is Mr. Fredricksen,” said the boy. “And we’re moving his house to Paradise Falls.”
“Move it kid,” said the old man, pushing in front of the kid to talk to Sora. “Call me Carl. And while I appreciate your help, we’re on a pretty tight schedule. The helium in those balloons won’t last forever.”
“It’s too bad we had to leave Kevin and Dug behind,” said Russell, just as a loud squawk sounded through the trees.
“Not far enough, apparently,” said Carl, shuffling past Sora and Rapunzel. “Come on kid. Thanks for your help.”
“Wait,” said Sora. “There might be more Heartless. Maybe we should protect you.”
“I don’t care, as long as you don’t get in the way,” said Carl, not slowing down. Sora looked at Rapunzel and shrugged, before following the old man. The squawking seemed to continue getting closer, but the group couldn’t see what was making it.
“He mustn’t know where we are,” said Carl. “Good.”
“I’ll leave him some chocolate,” said Russell, pulling a chocolate bar out of his bag.
“No, don’t do that,” said Carl, but it was too late. Russell had already broken a piece off and thrown it into the jungle. The squawking stopped for a moment, then something that sounded like running started coming towards them. Sora drew his keyblade just as a tall, colourful bird leapt over his head, scooping up Russell in its beak and throwing him onto its back.
“Wha…what is that?” asked Sora.
“It’s Kevin,” said Russell. “He’s my friend. Ellie said I could keep him.”
“Ellie?” asked Rapunzel.
“Yeah, it’s what Mr. Fredricksen calls his house,” said Russell. “She also said I can keep Dug.”
“That’s not it,” snapped Carl. “Ellie’s…none of your business.” Sora thought he saw a look of hurt flash across Carl’s face at the mention of Ellie. “And you’re not keeping the bird or the dog.”
“What dog?” asked Sora, as a golden retriever ran into the clearing.
“Bird. I found the bird,” said the dog, much to the surprise of Sora and Rapunzel. “You are now my prisoner, which means you have to come with me.” The dog suddenly looked up to see Sora and Rapunzel. “Oh, hello humans. I have just met you and I love you.”
“Is…that dog talking?” asked Sora.
“Aww, I love you too,” said Rapunzel, immediately hugging Dug. “And you wanted to get rid of this little guy?”
“Yeah, that’s two against one Mr. Fredricksen,” said Russell.
“The moving of my house isn’t a democracy,” said Carl, turning to continue down the path, only to be stopped by three dogs blocking the path.
“So, looks like we found the bird,” said the middle dog (a Doberman Pinscher). However, his voice box was high and squeaky.
“Yeah, and some people too,” said the one on the left (a Rottweiler). “You think they’re trying to protect it?”
“I say we take them to the boss and let him sort them out,” said the one of the right (a bulldog).
“The dogs…they’re talking,” said Sora, so stunned he didn’t even notice that they were being herded away.
The group was forced along a ravine, silent as they anticipated what might be waiting up ahead. As they walked, more dogs seemed to join their guard, until they came up to a large cave. “MASTER!” called the squeaky voiced Doberman. “We have it. We have the bird.”
From out of the cave, an old man (older even the Carl) emerged. “Good work Alpha,” said the old man. “After nearly seventy years, I’ll be able to return home. Here, let me fix that voice box for you.” The old man bent down and started tinkering with Alpha’s collar.
“Thank you master,” said Alpha, now with an extremely deep voice.
“I think I preferred the old voice,” said Russell.
“Now, what to do with you…” said the old man, facing the group.
“Wait a minute, I know you,” said Carl. “Are…are you Charles Muntz?”
“Why yes,” said Muntz. “Adventure is out there.”
“Oh, man. Me and my wife were your biggest fans back in the day,” said Carl.
“Well, I’m glad to hear it,” said Muntz. “Now, just hand over the bird, and you can be on your way.”
“NO! You can’t have Kevin,” said Russell, trying to stand between Muntz and Kevin.
“Kevin? Why would you name…” started Muntz, when some high pitched squawking sounded in the distance. Kevin replied with some squawking of his own. Except…
“Are those…babies?” asked Russell. “Is Kevin a girl?”
“What does it matter? Give me the bird,” demanded Muntz.
“SORA!” called a familiar voice. The group looked up to see Riku standing on top of a pile of rocks.
“Who’s that?” demanded Muntz. “It doesn’t matter. ATTACK!”
“RIKU!” called Sora, running towards the other boy.
Riku jumped down from the rocks into the middle of the pack, swinging of keyblade. Dogs began charging at him, only to be swatted aside with ease. “Sora, get everyone into the house,” said Riku. “I’ll keep these guys busy.”
“What about you?” asked Sora.
“I’ll be with you in a moment,” said Riku, knocking Beta and Gamma back.
Sora turned back to the house and started guiding everyone into the house. “Come on guys, get ready for lift-off,” said Sora. Just before they left the ground, Dug ran up to Sora.
“I want to come too, because I love you,” said Dug.
“As long as you don’t try to capture Kevin,” said Sora.
“For you Master, I will protect the bird, and the small mailman, and the one who smells like prunes, and the pretty girl,” said Dug, running inside, Sora right behind him.
“So, how do we get this thing moving?” asked Sora.
“We need to lighten the load,” said Carl. “Get rid of some of the furniture.” Sora and Russell nodded and started pushing tables and chairs out the doors.
“STOP THEM!” yelled Muntz, running towards the house.
“No, you stop,” said Sora, pointing his keyblade at Muntz. “BLIZZAGA!” A blast of ice shot out of the keyblade, freezing Muntz’s legs to the spot. At that moment, Carl and Russell pushed a cabinet out of the house, which lurched and began to rise. “RIKU!” called Sora.
Riku saw the house begin to take off, and ran straight for it. Alpha saw Riku leaving, and ran after him too. At what seemed like the last moment, Riku jumped, grabbing Sora’s outstretched hand. Alpha took that moment to jump too, sinking his teeth into Riku’s leg. “Get off, you mangy mutt,” growled Riku, kicking Alpha with his other leg until he let go.
Sora pulled Riku onto the porch, leaving Muntz and his dogs behind. “Are you okay Riku? Let me see your leg,” said Sora, pulling up Riku’s pant leg. Blood dripped out of the wound Alpha gave him. “Hold still, I know what to do. CURAGA!” There was a blinding flash, then all traces of the bite were gone.
“Thanks,” said Riku. “So, I suppose I should fill you in on what I’ve been up to.”
“Yeah,” said Sora. “I mean, if you want to.”
“Come on in, we need to talk,” said Riku, entering the house.
“AFTER ALL THE YEARS!” yelled Muntz, struggling against the ice. “Just to fail now.”
“Perhaps we can be of assistance,” said someone behind him. Muntz turned to see two men in black coats.
“Who are you?” asked Muntz.
“Call us…business associates,” said one of the men, sporting black dreadlocks. He raised a lance and smashed the ice that was trapping the old man.
“I don’t mind if you help me,” said Muntz. “But the bird is mine.”
“We’re not interested in the bird,” said the one with the eyepatch. “We want the kids. Now, I believe you have a blimp around here…”
“So, the Organization is after kids,” said Sora. “But why?”
“I haven’t figured that out yet,” said Riku. “But it has something to do with Kingdom Hearts.”
“Kingdom Hearts?” repeated Sora. “What’s that?”
“It’s said to be the heart of the world,” said Riku. “But there’s something needed to awaken it. The Nobodies of Organization XIII must know something, though they probably don’t understand it.”
“Nobodies?” asked Sora. “What does that mean?”
“They’re…kind of a Heartless,” said Riku. “They once had hearts, but no more. They don’t understand human emotion or reasoning anymore. They believe that by unlocking Kingdom Hearts, that will give them a heart again.”
“And will it?” asked Sora.
“Dunno,” said Riku. “No-one’s ever done it before, at least not on record. This is all based on ancient rumours and legends.”
“Like the one about us,” said Sora. “So there must be some level of truth to it.”
“Hold up,” said Carl, who’d been sitting in the corner of the room listening. “There must be something about the whole ‘kidnapping kids’ thing we don’t know, otherwise they wouldn’t need to resort to kidnapping in the first place.”
“Well, with the amount of power it must take to awaken Kingdom Hearts, I can only guess what would happen,” said Riku, his voice clear with what he meant.
“We’ll be rewarded for our services?” asked Russell hopefully. The others looked at him sadly, and realisation dawned on Russell’s face. “Oh…I don’t want that.”
“It won’t happen,” said Sora. “I won’t let it.”
“Hey guys, can you hear that?” asked Rapunzel. The group fell quiet, listening to the sound of some kind of motor.
“Hey, that sounds like my old master’s flying thing,” said Dug happily, before realising no-one else was celebrating this. “Oh, that’s bad, isn’t it?”
Sora and Riku looked out the window, and saw a large blimp flying towards the house. “Rapunzel, you stay here with Carl and Russell,” said Sora. “Me and Riku will try and get rid of that blimp.”
“Uh, Sora?” said Riku. “Is that who I think it is?” Sora looked where Riku was pointing and saw Xaldin with another Organization member standing on top of the blimp.
“Okay…” started Sora. “New plan: stop the Organization guys, no matter what.”
“Will do,” said Rapunzel, looking like she was itching for a fight.
“Are you sure about her?” asked Riku quietly.
“It’s her, or one of them,” replied Sora, indicating Carl, Russell, Dug, and Kevin.
“Okay, let’s go,” said Riku, opening the door and stepping onto the porch, Sora and Rapunzel in tow. The group watched as the blimp got steadily closer. “Get ready,” said Riku. “GO!” Riku took a run-up, then jumped from the porch onto the blimp. Sora followed, then Rapunzel last.
“You really think you can beat us?” asked Xigbar. “Man, this I gotta see.”
“Don’t underestimate them Xigbar,” said Xaldin. “These are the two that beat Luxord. They’re no joking matter.”
“Aww, you’re no fun Xaldy,” said Xigbar, pulling out two arrowguns. “Guess I better take them out then.” Xigbar fired at the three heroes, who easily dodged. The arrows sailed past the group and off the side of the blimp.
“You’ll have to do better than that,” said Sora.
“Why? I’ve got him,” said Xigbar, indicating Xaldin. Sora suddenly felt the wind pick up, and the arrows turned around. The group dodged again, only for the wind to change direction, sending the arrows back at them. Meanwhile, Xigbar had reloaded the arrowguns and was firing again.
“We need to take out Xaldin,” said Riku, dodging an arrow. “Then we can worry about all those arrows.”
“Wait, I’ve got an idea,” said Rapunzel, watching as an arrow came straight towards her. At the last possible moment, she got out of the way and let the arrow go straight through the blimp. The blimp lurched slightly, and lost a small bit of altitude. “Come on, if we put enough holes in it, it’ll fall down. Then the others can escape.”
“That’s what you think,” said someone behind them. The group turned to see Muntz holding a shotgun. He lifted it up, and shot some of the balloons of the house. The house started falling too. “The bird’s mine, no matter what,” declared Muntz.
“We won’t let you,” said Sora, plunging his keyblade into the blimp and started running, creating a larger hole. As the blimp started falling more, Sora heard another shot, and saw the house fall a bit more, until it crashed onto the top of the blimp.
“All of you, out of the house,” demanded Muntz, pointing the gun through a window. Carl, Russell, and Dug walked out the door, Dug growling at his former master. “Where’s the bird?” snarled Muntz. A squawk sounded above him, to reveal Kevin was on top of the house, pecking at some of the remaining balloons. “GET DOWN HERE BIRD!” Kevin seemed to understand this and jumped down, carrying several balloons with him. “Now, it’s time to…”
“SAVE THE BIRD!” yelled Dug, diving into Muntz’s legs. Muntz stumbled off-balance, as Kevin ran at him with the balloons, tangling Muntz in them.
“Wha…what?” gasped Muntz as the balloons carried him up a bit, then off the side of the blimp.
“Well…that happened,” said Xigbar. “I guess we better just get what we came for, eh Xaldin?” Xigbar motioned for Riku to come forward. “Either you come, or the kid does.”
“You’ll be keeping your hands off Russell,” said Carl, stumbling forward and hitting Xaldin with his walker. “You may be younger than me, but I…” Before he could continue, Xaldin smacked Carl aside with one of his lances.
“Pathetic,” said Xaldin. “Grab the kid.”
“No chance,” said Sora, standing between the Organization members and a terrified looking Russell. Riku and Rapunzel both stood beside him. Dug bounded in front of them, trying to look intimidating. Carl managed to get to his feet and joined them. Then finally, Kevin got right into Xaldin’s face and let out her loudest screech yet.
Xaldin looked unfazed by this, then turned to Xigbar. “Let’s go,” he said. “We can’t beat them without sustaining heavy damage ourselves.”
“Aww, no fun,” pouted Xigbar, opening a dark portal. “You wait, kiddo. Next time we won’t be so forgiving.” Xigbar entered the portal, Xaldin following, before it closed again.
“Great work guys,” said Carl. “Now, what do we do about this crashing blimp?” The group suddenly remembered that the blimp was crashing towards the ground.
“You guys need a hand?” asked a voice from above. Sora looked up to see Lewis flying in with the time machine. “Rapunzel, get in, then let down your hair.” Rapunzel didn’t argue, she just ran straight for the open door and jumped in. Sora grabbed her hair, picking up Dug on the way. Kevin managed to jump on top of the time machine, while Carl, Russell, and Riku each grabbed Rapunzel’s hair. The blimp soon hit the ground in a large explosion.
“My house…” started Carl, as a glow shot out of the flames.
“Hey, don’t worry about it,” came a voice, and suddenly an elderly woman’s face appeared before them. Carl seemed speechless at what he was seeing. “Look at where we are Carl. You always said we would come to Paradise Falls, and you did it. I can rest easy knowing you did this out of love. But I can rest easier knowing I can go on one final adventure.” The ghostly face dissipated, and rushed towards Sora’s keyblade. The keyblade began to glow, and when it subsided revealed the weapon had changed. It looked sturdier, more powerful.
“Ellie…” started Carl, before shaking it off. “Boy, Ellie just gave herself to you to make your weapon stronger. You better not let her down.”
“I won’t, sir,” said Sora.
“Good,” said Carl. “Hey, could you set us down somewhere in the States? I think I have a new adventure of my own to embark on.”
“Really? What is it Mr. Fredricksen?” asked Russell.
“You ever wanted a real father, kiddo?” asked Carl. “One who’s actually around?” By the look on Russell’s face, he did.
“I better come back with you guys,” said Riku. “Together, we might be able to figure out what the Organization is up to.”
“Yeah, Queen Elsa would like that,” said Sora. “I just hope Judy doesn’t overreact again…”