Sora smiles. "I think that really cheered him up." He says.
Mariya smiles. "Yeah, I think so too." She says.
{Three years later}
Mariya ebters her's and Axel's room, and texts Ally to bring her breakfast. She just felt extremly tired. She lied down on thier bed, and pulled the blankets over her.
Sora rubbed his eyes as he entered the dining hall. He grabbed a granola bar before leaving. He had alot to do today.
Kairi sighs, watching Sora leave. "You know, I thought starting to hand over the throne would make him less busy."
"So did I, if you'll excuse me, I have applications to look over." Riku says, leaving the dining hall.
Xildus walks down the hall, still wearing his Organization cloak but now with the messenger bags and Knight symbol attached. In addition, his hood is down, and as he passes by several Knights, he gives a friendly nod and continues on his way.
Underneath the castle in the catacombs, a cloaked figure silently looks over the large bulletin board. On it was a map of the known galaxy, and across the many planets listed are files and reports on sightings of the Fallen Angels. He sighs and lowers his hood. Mario takes another look as he tries to find a pattern, perhaps an idea of where to look. As it has been for the last three years, there was still nothing.
Erik enters the catacombs, and nods to Mario. "I've come to relieve you, Mario." He says. "Go into town and relax, Sora's order's."
Mario sighs and nods, walking past him as he removes the Organization cloak and places it on a nearby coat rack. "Thanks," he responds before leaving. Three years, and he was still nowhere closer to stopping the Fallen Angels. To saving Bleach's family. To saving his family.
Axel goes to their room when he see's Mariya wasn't there. He smiles when he finds her asleep, and kisses her gently before quietly leaving.
Allissa smiles at Axel as she passes him, and goes into the room and sets the food down before leaving herself. She then goes back to the kitchen to continue making breakfast.
The marketplace is it's usuall bustle, and Emma can be seen shopping with a few friends, a smile on her face.
Mario sighs as he goes into the dining hall, a bit tired as he considers what to order. Perhaps the only things that could lift his mood after a night of no results would be news on the Fallen, news of a new world that was likely uninhabited, or a good breakfast.
Ally comes over to Mario. "What can I get you?" she asks with a smile.
"A good breakfast, please," Mario states, a little too tired to look up.
"Coming right up." Ally says before going to the kitchen. A few minutes later she returns, a large plate full of Mario's favortie's. "Enjoy."
She then goes to the other table.
"Thanks," Mario states as he begins on his meal. It was a great breakfast, and he ends up enjoying every bite. It definitely helped his mood as well, although other results would definitely help more.
Axel enters then, and sighs. It had been awhile since he entered the dining hall without Mariya. "You going out into town today, Mario?"
Mario looks at Axel and nods. "Yeah, after last night, I think I need the time off. Still nothing new on the Fallen, though. Any news on an unoccupied world yet?"
"Nope. The most unoccpied world is The Haunted Mansion, but Jack Skellington isn't willing to part with it. He says it makes Halloween twenty times scarier." Axel says. "But if any other world shows up, I'll let you know."
"Kinda interesting that he would take so much interest in another world," Mario responds, "but I suppose as long as Jack's happy, we shouldn't interfere. Thanks, though." He stretches and gets up. "I'll see you later, Axel." He then leaves the castle to explore the town.
Axel nods, and eats his breakfast after Ally brings it to him.
Emma leaves a store, carrying a dress bag. Her friends laugh, and follow her to another store.
Mario walks through the town, trying to figure out where to go. Perhaps he could try going to the accessory store; there could be something useful there. Or maybe the sea salt ice cream shop; it would certainly hit the spot.
As he walks, he notes Emma as he passes by. He simply keeps going; he had no reason to interfere.
Emma coughs again, and her friends look over to see if she's alright. She waves them off, and they go adn sit on one of the walls. "So why are you getting such a fancy dress, Emma?" One of the girls asks.
"Andrew is taking me out tonight." Emma says.
"What does he do exactly?" Another asks.
"He hasn't told me much about his job. He says he finds people that owe money or something." Emma says.
Mario is silent, pausing to overhear this. He is silent for a few reasons. One, it has been three years since he first discovered Andrew's secret, and he is sorta surprised that Emma hasn't found out about what he really does by now. It was probably for the best, but what also had him a little disturbed was that he recalled her having a cough three years ago. If this was the same cough...
They leave soon after, all laughing at a joke one of the girls said.
Mario is silent. He was now officially bothered, and when no one is looking, he slips away to the castle to retrieve his cloak. He then slips it on and heads to the graveyard.
Andrew is there, pacing. He seems to be muttering to himself.
A girl, seeming close to Mario's age is also there, but ignores Andrew, heading twords a grave on the other side of the cemetary.
Mario sees Andrew and leaves his hood down as he approaches. "Preparing for your date, I take it?"
Andrew looks over. "Unless your going to arrest me." Andrew says. "Although, I sappose you would have the first time we met here."
"More or less, I have a soft spot for people who are in danger," Mario states as he stares off, trying to relocate a particular location. "Tell me, has she had that cough for three years?"
He nods. "She always says it's nothing....but why don't I believe her?" He asks, mainly himself. "Would you do me a favor? It's for her."
"Let me guess: you want me to find out what's wrong with her?" Mario asks.
"Yes." He says, his face begging. "Please."
Mario is silent, then smiles slightly. "I was planning to from the start, but now I have a request from you. I want you to come with me. If I find out something, you are perhaps the better candidate for delivering that news in a subtle way. How of you think she would react to the ramblings of a madman?"
Andrew chuckles a little. "You have to realize, I'm not going to be comfortable around the knights in the castle. She went to see Serene when she went."
"Not to worry; we're going elsewhere," Mario responds as he locates the spot. "Or should I say..." With a wave of his hand, a green portal appears. "Elsewhen?"
"Um.....alright...." Andrew says. He steps threw and waits for Mario on the other side.
Mario steps through as well, and on the other side, the portal closes behind them. "Okay, we're about ten years into the future. If what she has is serious, then by now, it will have hit its high point and have done its worst. We might find something about it in her medical records and know how to help her in the present. A good idea, though, would be to remain in disguise," he says as he puts his hood up. "We are in the future, after all, and only ten years into it. We are at risk of being identified, and it could jeopardize the entire time travel trip if we are discovered."
"Right..." Andrew says. He then starts to look for a disguise.
Mario is silent as he scans the cemetary. So far, they hadn't been noticed. "So, first step might be to see what her current condition is. If she's alright, then it might not be serious. If not, well...the medical records can provide answers."
Andrew nods. He eventually finds a decent disguise. "Shall we?" He asks.
Mario nods. "So, you know her best. Lead the way, and we'll see if she's alright."
Andrew nods, and heads to Emma's home. But he stops when something catches his eye. He stumbles. It was a grave stone, some of it was covered with vines.
Emma ----------
Beloved friend and --------
---- ~ ----
"No...." He mutters.
Mario is silent when he sees this. After a moment, he turns away. "Well then, times a-wasting. We need to find her medical records, and a cure, if one exists for whatever she died of."
Andrew takes a moment to breathe and he stands up. "I don't know where they are....I'm guessing in Serene's office."
"Right," Mario states. "Wait here, then. I'll be there and back in no time, hopefully with the intel we need to save her." While remaining in disguise, he heads for the castle and tries to reach Serene with as few encounters as possible.
Andrew nods, and sits infront of the grave.
Serene is in her office, looking over some records. She's humming a tune, oblivious to anything else.
Mario steps into the office when he is sure no one else is around. "Serene? I need to see the medical records on someone," he states, trying to sound a bit older and impersonate a potential future self.
"You should know medical records are confidential." She says, not even looking at him.
"Yes, but there is a particular citizen whose death has me a bit interested, a Ms. Emma...the last name eludes me at this time, but I would like to at least know what her cause of death was," Mario asks.
"Confidential, unless you have the paperwork." She looks at him then. "Which you don't. Also, your do for your check-up."
Mario is silent before he looks her in the eye. "Serene...please. A life is on the line, here. I don't know exactly what the condition is, but I know someone who is going through the same case as Ms. Emma; same symptoms, same situation. It might be too late to save Emma, but if there is a cure, it might not be too late to save another."
She sighs, and her face saddens. "Alright, what syptoms does he or she have, and for how long?" She asks.
"So far, only a cough, but she's had it for three years now," Mario states. "Just like Emma."
"I'm afraid it's to late for her. She has tuberculosis, basicly, the bacteria is eating the tissue in her organs." Serene says, she stands. "Follow me, we can talk more during your check-up. I'll make it as quick as I can, I promise."
Mario sighs and follows her. "There's no chance at all?" he asks. "No cure at all? No treatment?"
"Tuberculosis can be treated, if found soon enough. Emma's wasn't found soon enough, but if I had known that her's was progressing slow, maybe I could have treated her, but when she came back to see me...well she was dieing." Serene said as she began the basic check-up. "And for the record, I didn't say a word."
"Not a word at all," Mario states. "But in such a case as Emma's, where hers was progressing slowly, if the patient was not too late to recognize and check on the symptoms, there would still be a chance?"
"Maybe, it depends I'd have to examine her to see how bad the case is." Serene says. After a few mintues, she finishes. "Alright, your free to go."
Mario nods. "Thanks, Serene." He then turns to leave and return to the graveyard.
She nods, and goes back to looking over records.
Andrew is nowhere to be seen, perhaps someone came by that can't see him and he's hiding.
Samuel is silent when he arrives at the graveyard. After making sure no one is around, he speaks. "I found out what's wrong with her."
Andrew pokes his head out and sighs. "Give me a moment." He says, and soon finds somewhere to sit. "Alright.." He breathes.
"She has a case of tuberculosis," Mario states. "Normally, after this long, there would be no hope for someone diagnosed with it. However, her case is different since her case is much slower; if she goes to a doctor about it back in our time, she very likely has chance to receive treatment. So let's not waste time." He opens a second green portal where the first one was, allowing Andrew to step through first.
Andrew goes threw, half running.
Mario follows him through, and the portal closes. "Okay, we're now ten seconds after we left. So, you haven't come close to missing your date. Best strategy is probably to suggest that the symptoms could be those of tuberculosis; if you just come out and say she has tuberculosis, she might not take you seriously. I wish you luck," He says before nodding and walking away.
He nods, and goes to meet Emma, kissing her cheek before taking her hand. He then begins talking to her about her illness.
Mario, meanwhile, returns to the castle. He sits down inside the gardens and gives a content sigh.
Mariya awakes a short time later, abd eats the breakfast that Allissa left. After, she brushes her hair, and puts her crown on and heads down to her classroom.
Mario's cell rings then and a text apperas on the screen.
Come to my office when you have time. It reads. It was from Riku.
Mario blinks when he receives the text, and upon reading it, he is further confused. He gets up and immediately heads for Riku's office.
Riku is waiting, reading the morning paper. Nothing seems to interest him.
Mario knocks and opens the door. "You wanted me, Riku?" Mario asks as he steps in.
"Yeah." He says, putting the paper down. "I was wondering....what you'd think if I offered you the head knight position."
Mario blinks, semi-surprised although he kinda expected this eventually after his first trip through time. "It would be an honor, sir."
"I should warn you though. It's not easy. You have to Protect Mariya and Axel and when they have kids, you have to babysit." Riku says.
"Not a problem," Mario states, smiling as he remembers Tanner and Danielle. "You can say that I actually look forward to serving them."
Riku nods. "Alright, you got the job." He says. "When Sora and Kairi retire, I'll hand it over."
Mario nods. "Alright then. Thank you. Would you happen to know where Sora is? I might check and see if there are more reports I can take of his hands."
"I actually haven't seen him since he left the dining room this morning." Riku says. "If he's not in his office, I don't know where he is."
"Alright, I'll go look for him then," Mario states. "And thanks, Riku." He then leaves to find Sora.
Sora's office is empty, before Mario can leave the office however, his symbol flashes. Trouble!
Mario blinks and looks to the symbol. He grimaces and rushes out, heading for where the trouble is.
At the wall, Andrew's back is to Emma as he fights a few Neoshadow's. Riku arives shortly after Mario, and take's Emma's arm. "Miss, follow me. Mario, you help that guy." He says, and they run off.
Mario nods and immediately jumps in, drawing Two Becomes One as he attacks the nearest Neoshadow. "So...how'd it go?" he asks Andrew.
"Tell you once we're rid of these Heartless." He says, destroying one.
Mario nods and casts Thundaga, attempting to strike every Heartless there.
They are struck, and while they're stunned, Andrew quickly strikes them and destroys them. He huffs, and nods. "She agreed to see Serene." He said. "We were on our way there when these Neoshadow's attacked."
Andrew looks up. "Do you know anywhere I can get a good job?"
Mario almost drops his Keyblade when he hears this. "Wha-?!" He soon gets himself under control. "...Care to explain where this came from?"
Andrew laughs a little. "Well....I'm considering leaving the Angel's."
"...Really," Mario states, really surprised by this. "Wow...I'm sorry, I'm just really surprised. As for a job...well, I doubt you'd be willing to join the Knights. Too much of a background check and, well...honestly, I don't know how I can help you there."
"Actuallty, according to records, I worked for a company on a world that disapeared years ago." Anderw says with a slight smirk.
"All clear Mario?" Riku shouts from atop the stairway.
Mario looks up toward him. "Yeah, all clear," he responds. "How's the girl?"
"She's okay." Riku says. They walk down then, and Andrew kisses her gently. "Common, I think you're gonna be late."
They then walk away, hand and hand.
Riku sighs. "You go enjoy yourself, Mario, I'll let you know if Sora turns up."
Mario nods and walks away. Deep down, he was intrigued by Andrew's change of heart. Perhaps his willingness to help Andrew save Emma earlier helped to release some seed of change. Or perhaps, if Andrew was wanting to join the Knights, he was wanting to try and infiltrate the castle. Either of these, or any other number of reasons could be the truth, but whatever the case, Mario decides to keep an eye on Andrew later.
In town, things are quieter, one of the busy moments of the day had passed. Few people are in the marketplace shopping.
Mario is silent as he sighs, trying to relax. After all, he's on his break, and he has done nothing but walk around, solving problems, looking for people and answers...this is his time off, and he needs to use it.
A girl comes out of the marketplace, running, and smacks right into Mario. "OW!" She yells. After a moment she sits up and rubs her head. Her light brown hair was covering her face. "I'm sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going."
Mario stumbles back, having been in a bit of a daze up until he ran into the girl. "No, it's my fault," he says as he offers her a hand up. "I wasn't watching where I was going."
She looks at him, her hair falling back. She was very pretty. She takes his hand and lifts herself up. "Thank you."
Mario blushes slightly. "You're welcome," he answers. "So where were you off to in such a hurry?"
"I forgot I was sapposed to meet with my friend at the Borough." She says.
"Alright," Mario says. "Well, I'll leave you to that, then." He then walks off, giving a final nod to her as he walks away.
The girl sighs, watching him go, and goes to meet her friend.
Mario, after a while, decides to return to the castle. Maybe Sora would be around somewhere and, forunately, some good news.
Sora still wasn't there, but Axel was looking over some paper. He see's Mario. "Hey, good news, a new world popped up. Looks empty. Go get ready, I'll get Mariya and we'll head out."
Mario blinks and nods. "Alright. Can you meet me down in the 'chambers', though?" he asks. "If it's truly empty, then perhaps we'll have a place for them to go. And if you see Xildus, ask him to come along as well." He then leaves to go to the simulation room.
Axel nods. He then goes to get Mariya, and see's Xildus. "Hey, meet us down in the 'chamber', alright?" He asks.
Xildus looks to him and nods, and on the way down, he raises his hood.
Mario reaches the simulation room and inputs the passcodes. After the hallway opens up, he descends into the depths of the 'chambers'.
Erik is playing poker with the nobodies, and it doesn't look like he's winning.
Axel finds Mariya leaving her class and takes her hand. "You up to a trip?"
She nods, and walks with him down to the 'chambers'.
Mario watches for a bit before speaking. "A new world has been found, and it appears abandoned. I'd like to have two Nobodies accompany the group to help explore the world."
"Fine with me." Erik says, putting his cards down. He had nothing.
The nobodies put thier cards down, and gather near Mario. Mariya and Axel arrive then. "Ready?" She asks.
Mario nods. "Lead the way, Axel," he says as Xildus comes to join them.
Axel nods, and opens a portal, and steps threw, Mariya right behind him.
{Mariya and Axel to Malestrom Peak}
Mario nods and enters the portal behind Axel, Xildus and the Nobodies behind him.
{Mario and Xildus to Maelstrom Peak}