??th Kupo

[revenancenpcs]

[A moogle shows up on the communicator. It bobs at the screen; it looks like it's in the second district, on the stairs leading down to the lower level.]

Hey!

There's something going on at the fountain in the second district. I think you should all come look, kupo.

[The moogle flies over to the fountain; a glowing gold keyhole is now in the center of the design. You'll probably recognize it from the dreams you've been having since you got here.]

A keyhole, kupo! I wonder what it could mean.

Comments

[raisethemoon]

[There's a flash and a crack!, and Luna's standing in front of the fountain.]

Fascinating! We must endeavor to open it forthwith!

[buymedumplings]

This better not be another---

[Bolin actually looks at the screen. He blinks and while he's not sure what it MEANS, he knows it's familiar because of those dreams he's been having.]

I guess the only way to find out is investigate it, right?

[Turns off screen and shouts.] Ping! Mako Jr! Come on!

[brodakota]

So does this mean the world‘s dreaming now as well?

[frostyfuntimes]

Well, they did say this world was sleeping when we got here.

[unrecovered]

Does anyone else find it weird that this only showed up after we blew up a giant monkey?

[dork_of_keys]

[Well this just keeps getting weirder. That's where the Keyhole was in the waking world.

Sora doesn't say anything, though. He just heads over. It'll be a little while, though, as he was in the tea shop with a full, fresh cup of tea and a tray of scones. Figures. when he decided to check the network.]

[Voice]

[dork_of_keys]

Actually, that's how it happened last time. Once the big Nightmare was beaten, the Keyhole appeared. But, last time it appeared almost right away and in the same place I fought the monkey.

[In the sleeping world anyway. In waking, he'd found the Keyhole first, and then had to fight off a Heartless before he could lock it. He's really not sure what to make of any of this. If they're in the sleeping world, why is the Keyhole in the same place as in the waking world.]

[unrecovered]

Wait, you've done this before? The exact same fight and everything? Why didn't you tell anyone? [Yeah, no, he's really not happy about this.]

[dork_of_keys]

I've fought a giant enemy and had the Keyhole appear, yes. But the monkey I fought last time didn't float or disappear and leave a bunch of hands to fight.

What could I have told you? It was a totally different form from the one I fought, if it was even the same thing and not just a related thing. And whoever called everyone there should have known better anyway. You don't need a large team to fight one enemy, even if it does summon help. Monsters like that usually only summon however many they think they need to try to fight off the opponents. Everyone that was there already when it showed up should have been enough to take it down.

[Yeah, someone's actually kind of not happy either. Sora knows he screwed up in contributing to the magical clusterfuck that caused the explosion, but that doesn't mean there weren't other factors that made things as bad as they were.]

[brodakota]

That's true. I guess I expected the world to be having a different dream than the rest of us.

[This whole thinking of worlds as people is still new to him]

[frostyfuntimes]

This is my first time experiencing a world that sleeps, let alone dreams. Who knows what's gonna happen.

[brodakota]

Same here. Far as I know, my world didn't do either.

I guess we'll find out if someone opens that keyhole.

[frostyfuntimes]

No anybody with a giant key?

[He's mostly joking, after all Jack hasn't had the opportunity to see the various kids running around with keyblades...yet.]

[brodakota]

Actually I know a few people who have one. They've used it as a weapon, but it might just connect to this thing.

[He's surprised he didn't think of that before.]

[paopucharm]

The Keyhole?

[Kairi was at the hotel, at the time, so it doesn't take her long to get to the fountain, her Pricklemane bouncing along behind her.]

This is it, right? [She frowns at at her Spirit, who just continues bouncing in place, clearly having nothing to contribute in regards to the question. Probably didn't realise that the question was in part directed at it, either. Kairi sighs.]

[hiptobe_eraqus]

[Well, that's a sign if ever there was one. When something like that appears, it's up to a Keybearer to seal it.]

[Without much reply, he immediately heads off in the direction of the Keyhole, with all three of his Spirits behind.]

[unrecovered]

But you knew this kind of thing could happen, and you didn't tell anyone.

[He's frustrated at the lack of information and Sora's unwillingness to tell people about it. Giant dream eaters with that kind of power appearing from nowhere is something they really should know about - even without the specifics, it would have been useful. He swallows his frustration and tries to keep his voice level.]

So now what? We have a keyhole - probably the same one everyone's been dreaming about - in the middle of the fountain. What do you usually do next?

[wavesinherheart]

[Well, that's certainly something, and even without the dreams Aqua would have known exactly what to do about it. If there's a Keyhole, it's their job to deal with it, and she wastes no further time in heading out to the second district, her spirits trailing along behind her as she goes.]

[wingheart]

( Rinoa, too, had been in the hotel when she saw the Moogle's transmission and she immediately headed out, Angel in tow. She spots Kairi and heads over, a confused expression on her face. )

Hey.. um, did you see the Moogle on the communicator?

[dork_of_keys]

I didn't really think everyone was crazy enough to show up for such a battle.

[That and he had kind of been concerned that telling everyone about the giant Nightmares might create unnecessary concern. The possibility of the giant ones appearing was one reason he spent as much time as he did out and about in town. He was hoping to make sure no one else had to fight such things. He doubted that logic would get anywhere with Wash right now, though.

As to the question...]

Usually? Well, in the waking world, the Keyhole should be locked to keep the world's heart safe. In the sleeping world...

[Come to think of it, Master Yen Sid hadn't said they were -unlocking- the sleeping Keyholes. He had said they were -awakening- them. That specified neither locking nor unlocking, though Sora had gotten the distinct impression that they were actually unlocking. And he still didn't understand why three worlds he knew to be awake (his own home, Traverse Town and the world Yen Sid's tower stood in) needed to be awakened. He could puzzled on it another time. It probably looks like he's lost his train of thought...]

The sleeping Keyholes need to be awakened.

[He doesn't like this at all and he really wishes the Moogles would have a little tact. What were they thinking broadcasting on the network like this? All he can really do now is head over and check it out.]

[frostyfuntimes]

[Blink.]

Oh. Well. I guess that's problem solved then. [His eyebrows furrow] They seriously use giant keys to fight with? How does that work?

[skysmirror]

[When he gets there, he'll find Xion already arrived. She's never seen a world's Keyhole before, so this is interesting.]

[unrecovered]

[His helmet tilts downwards slightly - this is definitely a "you've got to be kidding me" look.]

Have you paid any attention to the people here?

[He waits, helmet tilting again as Sora gives him a whole two sentences. Well, that's a huge help.]

How and why?

[dork_of_keys]

[Somehow, despite not being able to see Wash's face, Sora gets that the response, if spoken, would have been along the lines of 'Are you fucking kidding me?' He knows he's not the brightest bulb, but give him a little credit.]

Maybe not enough.

[He knows that answer wasn't helpful. This answer may not clear things up either, if only because it asks as many questions as it answers.]

How it's done is one of the purposes of the Keyblade. As for why... World's can be swallowed up in darkness. They sleep while they're there, but sometimes, when they're brought back to the light, they don't wake up. Thing is, this world should be awake already because that's what I was doing last time I was here.

[Not to mention that he still doesn't get why Traverse Town was sleeping during his exam when he's been to it in the waking world and it was fine then. As soon as he could, he intended to ask Master Yen Sid what the deal was, but for now, he'd have to try to work this out himself.

He already knew it was going to be a royal pain in the ass.]

[dork_of_keys]

[And everyone is gathering around again. At least there isn't an enemy this time, though Sora had fought through a couple packs of Nightmares on the way and he was a little concerned that something might show up.]

Hey.

[He's still trying to figure why things are going the way they are. The Keyhole being in the fountain in Second District would suggest that they're in the waking world, but the presence of Dream Eaters says they're in the sleeping world. Which is it?]