Chapter Text
Back at Castle Oblivion in a dark, barely-lit room, Riku was watching Sora, Donald, and Goofy navigate through Wonderland via a magical projection on a stone table. As he viewed their adventure, Sora’s former friend felt nothing but anger and envy while continuing to watch them. He really wanted to teleport to wherever they were and put Sora out of his misery for betraying him along with his two new friends that he has no knowledge of. But for some reason, he wasn’t allowed to leave unless Kefka allowed him to. And all he could do was sulk while continuing to watch his former friend on the projection.
“That damned brat… just how far does he think he’s gonna go when I could easily drown him in Darkness!? I’m the one who should have the Keyblade, not Sora!” Riku shouts as he continues to watch the projection.
Taking a deep breath, Riku continues to watch the trio venture through the fields of Wonderland while trying to keep his temper in check. However, the more he stares at Sora, the more his temper starts to leak out as he grits his teeth and summons his Keyblade.
“Goddamn you, Sora… you’re putting this much effort into saving that world and putting a stop to the Heartless roaming around, yet you have no problem tossing me aside because that damn Kairi whispered into your ear with temptations! Why!? WHY!? WHY WAS I SO QUICKLY TOSSED ASIDE, BUT YOU WON’T STOP YOUR STUPID MISSION AND DIE!?!?!?” Riku screams as he jams his Keyblade through the table, causing the projection to dissipate.
For a moment, all is quiet as Riku is taking deep breaths and trying to calm down as he removes the Keyblade from the table, allowing the image of the trio to reappear, showing them now running through the forest.
“Will nothing seriously stop you!? What the hell is it going to take to make you give up on Kairi!?” Riku shouts while struggling to stay calm.
Suddenly, he hears familiar laughter through the hallways. Turning around, he notices Kefka floating into the room while juggling some colored balls. Laughing as he enters, the mad jester notices Riku yelling at the table and asks,
“Are we yelling at our food?”
“You know damned well that I am not in a talking mood!” Riku shouts.
“Oh, but I think you are. So tell me - is yelling at a group of fake rejections really going to take out that fake friend of yours?” Kefka asks in a playful manner.
“What are you getting at, Kefka?” Riku asks, starting to get impatient.
“Why, my dear Riku - you misunderstand me. While I deeply understand that you wish to pay Mr. Spiky Pants back for betraying you, you must understand that in order to win, you need to play by my rules. And the rules are that until I decide to let you play, you need to stay. And right now, you need to watch how your prey acts and moves while sharpening your claws. That is the secret to warfare, Riku. But if you can’t remember it, you can write it down on your arm.” Kefka explains as he tosses each colored ball onto Riku’s head, bouncing off in different directions.
Riku attempts to swing at him, but Kefka just laughs as he moves out of the way.
“Ha! Ha! Ha! You really feel like playing, don’t you!? Well unfortunately, rules are rules. So I expect you to abide by them while I’m around, so don’t get clever with me, boy. Never judge a book by its cover.” Kefka says before summoning his balls back to him.
Riku glares at him in anger before turning his back on Kefka and leaves while muttering,
“I will get my hands on him… one way or another.”
Kefka makes a mocking impression as he turns to the projection and watches the Trio venture through Wonderland while plotting his next move. Softly landing on the ground, the Mad Jester chuckles evilly as he watches Sora searching for something and he gets hit in the head by Donald, causing him to laugh.
“Oh, how the youth entertain me. If only they didn’t already outlive their usefulness so soon…” Kefka says while continuing to watch the projection.
“Hey, Chuckles. What’re you watching right there?” Hades asks in a snarking tone.
“Oh, why should it have to concern the likes of you? Shouldn’t you be plotting the downfall of that meathead you despise so much?” Kefka asks in a playful, yet annoyed tone.
“Just because I got plans against the divine bonehead doesn’t mean I can’t take time out of my day to discuss plans with you. So what’re you watching?” Hades asks as he notices the projection playing on the table.
“If you must know… I am trying to figure out what to do with the Seven Princesses. It’s never easy having to come up with diabolic agendas whenever you’re trying to keep an eye on the Hero. And I already have this one other problem regarding that swordswoman.” Kefka says as he rubs his temples.
“Well, do you need a distraction? A monster? Damsel? Bribe? Because whatever you need, I’m your man.” Hades offers with a smug smirk.
“Hmm… let me get back to you on that. Shouldn’t you be getting ready for their arrival…?” Kefka asks.
“I already got the arrangements. This guy that I found is on the melancholic, stiff side, but he is a savage with a sword. By the way, word on the street is that Vanitas brought him real close to unleashing the Darkness within him. I think I have a way of bringing more of that out of him.” Hades says as he starts thinking.
“Oh? And what is that?” Kefka asks, now interested.
“Trade secret, clown. All proprietary. Can’t have you tattling on the kid if you run into him. But I do have a hint for you. Come over here.” Hades answers, gesturing for the Mad Jester to come over to him.
Leaning his ear towards him, Hades whispers into Kefka’s ear and he suddenly perks up.
“You mean that you’re-!?”
“No, no. If you want a tragedy, you gotta knock ‘em dead.” Hades chuckles as he starts to walk away. “Anyway, I’m off. Your seat’s on me if you feel like watching.” He adds with another chuckle.
“I will consider it.” Kefka responds with a snicker.
And with that, Hades walks into the shadows and disappears. Since he now knows that the Lord of the Dead is gone, the Mad Jester turns his attention back to the magical projection and asks,
“So how will you continue to entertain me, boy…?”
. . .
“Ah! Ah!!! AH!!! AGH!!!”
“This will teach you to hit me in the head, you roasted duck!” Sora shouts with his hand wrapped around Donald’s neck.
“Okay, okay. He’s learned his lesson now, Sora. You can let Donald go now.” Goofy chuckles in an uneasy tone.
“Not yet! Not until he apologizes!” Sora shouts while continuing to strangle Donald.
“Well, Donald… I suggest you find a way to say sorry for what you did to Sora back there.” Goofy says, having run out of options.
Donald could do nothing but scream as he continued to get strangled by the Spiky Brunette and all he could do was flail around while his face turned blue due to the strangulation cutting off his oxygen.
“Um… I think he’s turning blue, Sora.” Goofy says in an uneasy tone.
“No! Not until-!” Sora shouts before the Cheshire Cat’s head suddenly floats in front of him, causing him to jump and release Donald from his grasp.
“Well, well, well, it seems that you are lost, you three. At this rate, you will never be free.” the Cheshire Cat chuckles.
“Well, maybe we wouldn’t be so lost if we weren’t busy looking for you.” Sora retorts with his arms crossed.
“And why in Heaven’s name would you be looking for me as if I’m a leprechaun? I may be rich in riddles, but I’m not rich in gold.” Cheshire Cat responds in a cheeky tone.
“If gold was good enough for the three of us, we wouldn’t be roaming across the world!” Donald shouts in an annoyed tone.
“Uh, Donald… we’re not here for gold.” Goofy points out.
“Exactly. Cheshire, I’m just gonna get straight to the point - did you or did you not set up Alice to be nearly killed by the Queen?” Sora asks.
Hearing this, Cheshire stares blankly into the distance as he processes the question he was just given.
“Um… is he okay?” Goofy asks, unnerved by the blank stare.
“Well, he’s a bizarre cat and I say that he’s catatonic.” Donald huffs with his arms crossed.
“Let’s just wait for him to speak up before we do anything else.” Sora says as he watches in an uncomfortable manner.
After a minute or so of processing Sora’s question, the Cheshire Cat looks directly at the trio and answers,
“Why, Heavens above! I was just merely trying to give the Queen a shove! Poor Alice was led astray. I was just trying to show her the way.”
“The way to what?” Sora asks.
“Freedom.” The Cheshire Cat answers.
“Um… come again?” Goofy asks, now even more confused.
“Why, my dear dog, don’t get your brain in a fog! I was just merely paving her way to destiny! There is no need to take pity.” The Cheshire Cat explains.
“That’s funny. Because I don’t remember freedom looking like an axe waiting to chop someone's neck off!” Sora huffs in response.
“But you showed up to rescue dear Alice, did you not?” The Cheshire Cat points out.
“Yeah, but it was you who implied that it was Alice who tried to take her out!” Donald shouts.
“Oh, dear Duck, your way of thinking is always a muck. Had it not been for her knight in shining armor, Alice would have lost her head. And another thing - I know what you are, Sora.” the Cheshire Cat says as he turns to the Spiky Brunette.
“Huh!? What about me…?” Sora asks, baffled by the change in subject.
“Alice may look at you and see her very own Prince Charming who has come to save her from the dreaded Queen of Hearts. But we know better… don’t we?” The Cheshire Cat responds as he keeps his gaze on him.
“What are you getting at, cat?” Sora asks, feeling a bit offended.
“On the outside, you have the look of a gallant, yet lost boy who has lost his way and finding companionship in strangers who are on a quest to save something beyond one’s understanding. But I know who you are on the inside… you are a monster in a cage.” the Cheshire Cat answers as his voice suddenly goes cold.
“Huh!? A monster!? What is that supposed to mean!?” Sora asks in a baffled manner.
“You are on your own personal quest. A quest for a young girl. And you would let the universe burn to ashes before you let Kairi get swallowed by the flames. But what I see is a young boy who has been confronted by the past and you are now going through a ritual.” The Cheshire Cat explains.
“A ritual…?” Sora asks in a confused manner.
“Yes, boy. A ritual. It’s the Darkness. Your smell may be invisible, but I can smell it deep inside you. It is a putrid, rancid smell. And little by little… you are becoming a hopeless corpse with a toy.” The Cheshire Cat answers as he grows even more sadistic.
“Oh, yeah…? You think that you know everything that there is to know about me? And why should I trust the words of a headless cat who only speaks in riddles and rhymes!? WHAT DO YOU KNOW!?” Sora asks, getting more and more angry.
“More than you will ever know, Sora Edgehart. And even as we speak… Kefka Palazzo is planning a very wicked surprise for you when you show up to his castle. Oh, I am glad that your mother and master are not here to see you for the disappointment that you are.” The Cheshire Cat answers as he starts laughing.
“I AM NOT A DISAPPOINTMENT!!! AND HOW DO YOU EVEN KNOW ALL OF THIS!?” Sora shouts, letting out his burst of anger.
“I have lived for eons, child. And even now, you refuse to see the big picture. What would Aqua say if she saw you like this?” The Cheshire Cat asks as he starts playing with his head.
Having heard enough, Sora summons his Keyblade and swings it at the Cheshire Cat. Moving around as the Cheshire Cat dances around Sora while he was in a blind rage, the former was toying with the latter.
“Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Even now as I speak the truth, you choose to deny your destiny! Why do you think that the Mad Jester chose to destroy your home!? Amusement!? Boredom!? Sadism!? All your life, you have lived as a country bumpkin! And now that you have been given the power to change the stars, you are using it to lash out at a cat who knows your every move! How utterly shameful!” the Cheshire Cat laughs as he keeps dancing around.
“SHUT UP!!! I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOUR ANGLE IS, BUT I CAN PROMISE YOU THAT YOU WILL PAY IF YOU CONTINUE TO MOCK ME!!!” Sora yells while continuing to swing his Keyblade Blade at him.
“Sora, stop! Swinging at the cat won’t get you anywhere near to finding the truth! He’s just trying to antagonize you! Get a hold of yourself!” Goofy shouts as he tries to restrain the spiky brunette.
“Yeah! Plus, this furball isn’t making any sense aside from angering you and besides, he still hasn’t answered anything about Alice!” Donald agreed while holding him back as well.
Hearing this makes the Cheshire Cat stop moving as he turns towards the trio with his head while his eyes glow an eerie yellow.
“Alice… ah, that girl by the grace of God. I honestly care less about her, nor the fate that’s about to happen to her…” the Cheshire Cat pauses in a low tone, causing the trio to be taken aback.
“What do you mean what fate!?” Sora shouts as he points his Keyblade at the floating head.
“You see, her being a princess basically means she is a key that leads to the light… or something, I couldn’t possibly care less. However, with that Mad Jester running around, she would suffer a fate worse than what happened to your world. So I figured that off with her head would be a much safer alternative to her fate… but you came along and decided to be the hero. So now… rather than using her head as a ball of yarn for me to play with… I have to settle with distracting you.” the Cheshire Cat explains.
“Distracting…? Distract us from what!?” Goofy asks.
Before anything could say or do anything else, suddenly, the ground began to shake as small tremors shook the ground, making the trio lose their balance before the sunlight was blocked by a huge shadow as the bodyless cat smiled and looked above.
“Distracting you long enough for him to show up.” the Cheshire Cat answers before completely disappearing as the trio looks up and are shocked to see what has arrived. It was a huge, bipedal monster that had the look of a clown walking on stilts with both of its feet in opposite directions, a large cage that appeared to have its organs visible, and it was carrying what appeared to be a pair of torches as it started juggling them around.
“What in Light’s name…?” Donald asks in a horrified tone.
Just then, it lets out this unsettling demonic laugh before spitting out fire as it lets out a terrifying roar. The trio flinches from the new Heartless Monster and they immediately get into their fighting stances.
“Now I remember why I preferred dogs…” Sora mutters as they get ready to fight the Trickster.