Chapter 44: Heaven's Light and Hellfire ( Part 5 of The Hunchback of Notre Dome arc.)
The three Gargoyles heard the footsteps of their Quasimodo, and three pairs of other footsteps.
"Look he's back, and he's got some friends with him." Laverne said.
"Oh joyous day." Victor said happly.
The hunchback ran in trying to find somewhere to hide.
"Hey Qusi, welcome back buddy!" Hugo yelled.
"Can't talk gotta run!" He muttered.
"Don't run too fast or she'll get away." Victor stated.
"What?" Qusi asked
"Ah come on man, we saw you with that cute girl. You gotta reel her in before she's caught in some other guy's line." Hugo said before getting hit on the head by Laverne.
"She's a woman Hugo, not a fish." She grumbled.
"There you are!" Esmeralda called out looking right at the hunchback with a smile on her face.
"Oh um hello, it was nice..seeing you again, but I must be going." The Hunchback said weakly.
"Oh wow!" She said looking at his place. To her it looked like a palace.
"You live here, by yourself?" She asked amazed.
"Oh well, Not there are the gargoyles, and the bells. Then there is my Master Frollo." He stated
"What you live with that monster?!" Esmeralda asked in shock.
"Oh no miss, he's not a monster. He took me in when no one else would. In fact I'm the monster." Quasimodo stated.
'What?" The woman said again.
'You saw what happened at the festival. the proof is all you need." He mumbled.
Neku and Shiki just made it.
The woman rolled her eyes. She then took the man's massive hand and opened his palm.
"What are you.." He started to asked.
"I'm a palm reader. See this line says your shy and you'll have a long life. Also I don't see it!" She said.
"See what?" He asked.
"No, no monster lines. Not one." Esmeralda stated.
"Oh…really?" He asked shell shocked.
"So maybe Frollo is wrong about you, as he is with me. Do think all Gypsies are evil?" The Gypsy woman asked.
"Well I've never meet anyone but you, and my….angels…so No I don't think so." Quasimodo stated.
"Oh and speaking of angels..are you two going to join us?" Esmeralda asked eyeing Neku and Shiki.
"Um, hi?" Shiki siad.
Meanwhile downstairs from the church an hour later.
Riku looked at his aloof alley. His face looked pale sickly pale. Riku was shacking like a leaf, however he needed to hold himself together. Yet when L touched him, he lost his mind.
"Riku…buddy, you okay?" He asked.
"AAHHHHAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Riku screamed after now knowing what the person who was right next to him.
"Riku, Riku, calm down, your scaring people!" L whispered trying ease his young friend.
"Your, you, gah, a gah a gho, a" Riku could barley said.
"A ghost?" L asked hoping to help.
"Yes that!" Riku snapped.
L just grinned.
"Now you get why I didn't talk about myself much?" He asked.
"A time traveling ghost?" Riku asked.
"Yep, and no I can't give you spoilers about your futures, I didn't even see you guys until I cut the cord as the doctor." L admitted.
" YOU WHAT!? Riku yelled shocked at this.
"That's right I brought you, Sora and Kairi into the world! You were three were all so cute as babies! I also did Yuffie too, granted she was a harder but as you can see she's great. I even helped out with Sora, Roxas, and Xion's great grandpa Naruto, granted-" L rambled.
"ALRIGHT I GET IT! Wait his great grandpa…..how far back in time did you travel?" Riku interrupted .
L put his finger on his own chin for a bit.
"Um about two hundred years, Post Keyblade War, but Per Hidden Leaf Village." He stated.
"What now?" Riku asked.
"Oh right you failed history class, well it's not that important, granted waiting for you all to be born took forever, and as much as I would have loved to have gone home….. the Miasma makes it so I can't….which is why I'm here." L said.
"Miasma?" Riku repeated unfamiliar with the term.
"Oh it's a deadly poison, my world's covered with it. Also infested with monsters, that would make the evil heartless soil themselves. The only thing that gets rid of it, is a giant crystal that's powered by a water called Myrrh. I wrote a report about, in fact I wrote a lot of reports, and I don't remember where I put them. Oh well." The unsent muttered.
"So…..why are you dead? I mean I know you were trying to kill Braig, but why? I mean did he kill you?" Riku asked.
L looked at Riku.
"….At one point Sora's story and his great grandfather's story were mixed, and things went wrong, every wrong. Everyone was dying and the whole timeline was going to collapse due to two nine tailed foxes. You can't have two of the same people or you get a time destroying paradox. I found a way to reset everything, but like in alchemy everything has a give and take. I had to give up the memories of my life, my heart, and no one in the new timeline could remember me when I was a kid.
I took it, and was sent to the world I call home. Slowly God gave back my old memories in time, but I was a nobody for good. In spite of that, I made friends, lost friends, got a girlfriend, lost her….to another woman, Started a church, Made many enemies. Hell I helped saved the world from a super powered Xehanort worshipping demon cult . Got promoted as the word's bad ass. I got married, took in a son, a daughter, and even had a niece. " He said in a rather happy tone.
Riku didn't ask anything knowing the bad was about come by the look on his face. He fact the young man saw tears coming out the zombies's eyes.
"My friend Eva, she could teleport in bits of time and space. She and my friend Zero had…tired to use this to see other worlds….it didn't end well thanks to the miasma. We looked everywhere for her, and it broke Z's heart. It lead him to drinking, and Tabby, Lu, Shi-Ki and I did what we could for him.
Then one day Lucy got sick, and when I had little Lan in my arms…..Braig came. He shot my wife in the chest. Brought her back from the dead, and then changed her into a cat sending her who knows where after killing my old friend! He knew about the old timeline, which is my fault, cause I let Chernabog, someone you don't wanna ever meet in my head when I went to the Underworld the first time.
I did my best to be a good dad to Lan with Tabby, Tim, and Shi-Ki's help.……You see Lan is a special kind of kid, and I don't mean like slow, I mean. He has the power over gravity. He was born with a crystal on his body…a lot like Eva does, and the normal people hate them. I knew one man who hated them, most of all. A demon in Yuke's clothing! A man a trusted to join my church, and he was no better, if not worse then Frollo!" L started to his with venom in his voice.
Riku could see the darkness level in him rise more and more.
"This man, no this back stabbing, no good bastard Iblius Contacted Braig and Xehanort, yes Riku he still lives, I just don't know how! He contacted him, mind controlled my six year old son into killing me! Forced him to pull the trigger that shot me in the chest! Framed him for it! Turned the whole village against him! Took over my church, and turned it form a house of worship into a den of hate and suffering. Oh he didn't stop there. He controlled Lan again to try and kill my niece Ten-Ten. Thank God it didn't work, but it did get my kid in his sick twisted hands. He He AGAGHAHARRHHH" L roared pulling out his hidden blades the darkness sky rocketing.
Riku quickly pulled out his Keyblade to defend himself, however he watched the man calm himself down and he was sobbing.
" He locked my sweet little boy in the basement of my church, and has been beating him, belittling him, and brain washing him into thinking he actually did kill me, his mother and Ten-Ten….If I had a heart, it would be breaking…… cause I can't do anything help him! Also my sweet Mina….last I saw her she was so lonely and now she has a Keyblade…..Oh god What if Xehanort…..Oh my God Lucy I'm so sorry. I'm sorry, I'm sorry I'm sorry, I'm so so so sorry. I'm so so sorry." L said dropped down to the ground on the floor sobbing.
Riku then picked the man up, inspire of helping someone he was terrified of.
"Why didn't you tell us any of this? We could have helped." Riku asked setting them both down on a seat.
He looked at the boy smiling while wiping his eyes.
"Would any of you had bought my story?" He asked.
"….No not really, in fact It's s bit hard to buy right now." Riku admitted.
The unsent then pulled something out of his pocket. It was a small, glowing, golden bell.
"This is what you wanted? The reason you came for." L asked.
"How did you?" Riku.
"Never mind how I know, just take it. This bell will get rid of evil hearts, out of bodies and awaken sleeping ones. I tested it out on myself-" He started to say.
"Which explains the Xehanort look." Riku cut in about to take the bell when L pulled it from him.
"Just promise me that after you save Aqua's boys, you save my boy, and wife." L asked.
"Sure, but you said you time traveled here…how are we going to do that…I don't even think Master Aqua knows how to do that." Riku asked.
"In thy the name I dub thee, Keyblade Master to be." another voice that came out of his mouth.
The minister shot out a beam of light to Riku's forehead, his keyblade was summoned as it shot out a beam of light, Riku stood back holding his head, opening his eyes to have ones and zeros in them. A new magic entered his veins.
" I have no idea what happened, but I understand how to time travel! Also it's not a line per say L it's more of a big ball of….stuff." Riku said noting being able to explain what happened in his head.
"Glad to hear it. at least God told you know, with me it was a big leap of faith. Now off with you to Quasimodo." L said as part of their deal.
Riku nodded his head and walked around to find the stair way to the bell tower.
The unsent smiled watching Riku go up.
"He went from child of darkness, to full weilder of the Keyblade. You work in strange ways alright. " He thought to himself.
He then heard a voice….A voice he hand not heard for a long long time.
Riku ran up the tower to find Neku and Shiki smiling while looking around while Quasimodo was busy showing Esmeralda around his place. Riku, looked around to find a small wooden model of the town and people, that looked rather good. He gazed at the gargoyles who weren't moving. Quasimodo looked at Riku with a rare smile.
"Riku, would you like to see the bells?" The hunchback asked.
Before the Keyblade wielder could say anything he was quickly hugged by the dancer women.
"Hello there, young man. I don't think I thanked you properly for taking care of Quasimodo." Esmeralda said while rapping her arms around his neck, causing the teen's face to flush.
"Yeah sure, welcome." He gasped having Xion in his head for some reason.
Neku and Shiki followed the three to the bells. As the three looked up at the bells. Riku could see the small bell that he placed into his pocket glowing along with the other bells.
"They like you." Quasimodo said cheerfully.
"Wow, check out the view!" Shiki said out loud.
"I bet he king himself doesn't have a view like this." Esmeralda stated looking at the golden sunset.
It took Neku's, Shiki's, and Riku's breath away.
"You know, you could stay here." The hunchback offered.
"No, no i couldn't." The woman mumbled.
"You have sanctuary. " the deformed man said.
"Yes, but not freedom, and gypsies don't do well inside stone walls." She muttered.
Neku, Shiki, and Riku looked down to find guards downstairs.
"I'll get out, you helped me. So now I'll help you."Quasimodo stated.
"How?" The four asked.
"Hate to break it to you, but we are kinda stuck here." Neku said.
"We will climb down." The hunchback said.
"Like what?" Shiki gasped.
"Your crazy!" Neku asked.
"This sounds like something Sora would do." Riku thought/
"It sounds like fun, let's try it." Esmeralda said.
The three teen's jaws dropped as The hunchback leaped off the bell tower with the young woman and her goat.
"Wow." Was all they said.
The two dropped down to the ground to find a hooded man knocked out a few guards.
"Thank you Quasimodo, you are a very special person…..and ya know you could leave this place…I could take you somewhere safe." She said.
"…..I would….but I can't." He said.
"Then I'll come to you." She said.
"Well I have chores to do, first I must ring the bells, the sweep the gargoyles then-" He was interrupted by this tan goddess kissing him on the check.
"Or whenever is good." He mumbled blushing.
She quickly put something his hand, and left, blending into the streets. The man quickly climbed up finding his friends.
"So how did it go?" Laverne asked.
"I say you two make a cute couple." Shiki said giggling.
"Me, her>" He mumbled.
"Um, Riku…have you ever felt like this?" The hunchback asked.
"Like what?" Riku asked.
"Well…so many times out there, I watched a happy pair of lovers walking in the night. They had a kind of glow around them. It almost looked like Heaven's light." He started to speak.
Then he started to make a craving of his new light.
" I knew I'd never know, that warm and loving glow, though I wish I might.." He muttered Riku and Shiki knowing how he felt.
"No face a hideous as my face, was ever meant for Heaven's light, but suddenly an angel has smiled at and kissed my check with out a trace of fright." He while finishing his craving then started to paint it.
Neku, and Shiki were drawing a few poses of Esmeralda. Riku however was somewhere else.
"I dare to dream that she, might even care for me." He said while finishing his masterpiece putting it on the table as he started to ring the bells.
"And as I ring these bells tonight, my cold dark tower feels so bright! I swear it must be Heaven's light!" He said while ringing the bells.
The three gargoyles looked rather happy. In the mood,Shiki quickly grabbed her partner and kissed him While Riku could only think of Xion.
As the bells rang, the town could hear them many were about to rest. Expect for one. The unsent dashed across the rooftops in a desperate run. His mind pushing out all, but his goal. He could see his target in the Palace of Justice. He then stepped in hearing a wicked soul say his sin. His mind however could only think one thought.
"IBLUIS!" He hissed. Looking at the door of Frollo's room.
"Dayata Maria, you know I man a righteous man. Oh my virtue I am justly proud." He said to his fireplace.
L could feel something evil grew.
"Dayata Mairia, you I'm so purer then the common weak. Then tell em Maria why see dance there? Why her eyes still burn my soul. I feel her I see her. The sun caught in her raven hear. It's blazing in me out of all control!" He ranted.
L could see what this man saw…however he saw..
"Lucy?" He thought.
"Like fire, Hellfire! This fire in my skin! This burning desire. Is turning me to sin!" Frollo ranted.
"What!?" L thought see a dozen large blazing shadows.
"It's not ma fault! I'm not to blame! It is the Gypsy girl, the witch that set this flame!" He yelled while being pointed at by the shadows.
"IT'S NOT FAULT! It's in God's plan. He made the Devil so much stronger then a man!" He yelled as the flaming figure of the woman met them both, while L saw a giant pair of demonic yellow eyes.
"Protect me Maria! Don't this harpy cast her spell! Don't let her fire, burn my flesh and bone! Destroy Esmeralda, and let her taste the fire's of hell! Or else leer her be mine and mine alone!" He proclaimed making his unknown deal with the Devil being incased by demonic fire!
"HE DIES! HOW DARE HE SAY THAT TO MY WIFE!?" L thought.
"L…no! He's not!" The Holy Sprit tired to warn him.
"Never again…NEVER AGAIN! Thinking of only his wife and child.
"Dark fire, Hellfire! Now gypsy it's your turn, choose me, or your fire! Be mine or you will burn!" He proclaimed.
L quietly kicked the door open, his blades popping out.
"God have mercy on her! God have mercy on me." Frollo said in his madness.
"Never again!" L yelled as he was abbot to attack.
"But she will be mine or she will burn!" Frollo screamed as the demonic flames blasted everywhere from his body. Forcing L back out into the city. His eye only seeing the darkness, hungry for someone's blood. The darkness given to him by Xehanort resurfaced and grew stronger. It was ready to consume him.
When he heard a voice.
"L?" A familiar voice asked.
He turned around to find someone he hadn't seen in so long. A person he only dreamed about. Her sliver hair, her warm face. He body. Her glowing eyes of passion. She was in a white dress, and yet even something as plain as that she made beautiful.
"Lucy?" He whimpered his eyes not sure if they were being lied to or not.
"Are you going to stand there like an idiot or hug me?" She asked.
"Lucy it is you!" He cried with joy. He ran to her, and hugged his beloved only to find something wrong. He could hear the screaming of souls begging for freedom or the end coming from her chest. He quickly pushed himself away form her only to have her turn into a dreadlocked demon in short pants. It was mocking him with his sadistic grin.
"YOU!" He roared.
However before he could do anything three long spear like fingers stabbed both his arms and then his chest. As he was about to scream his voice box was stabbed as well. He could look in agony as he turned his head to find Lust.
"Oh poor Minister, all you want is to see your wife and boy again. Is that right?" Lust said mocking him.
"Well he got the first part, now why doesn't Seymour give him the last part?" Envy said.
The blue haired unsent came out of the shadows with small bag. His eyes here bright yellow, and he wore a smug smile on his face. He dropped the bag.
"This is exactly who you think it is. Both them. " He said. He then dropped something at his feet.
L could see to his horror…that is was an eye shaped crystal.
In a flash L looked at the body bag being lit on fire, as he tired to break free. Still his power was now gone. All he could feel was a cold, and empty defeat. Everything he tried to do…was now….pointless. There was nothing left. Nothing but endless sorrow.
"Oh and this is only a taste of what's to come. The Master has huge plans for The Princess of Heart, and her nine tailed pet!" Lust whispered in his ear.
"Also we'll take good care of that kid we were gonna kill. Chihiro right?" Envy asked making his eye turn wide.
L then with what was left of him shot out a beam of light at the church with he last of his energy.
"As for you….sweet dreams or Nightmares I should say. EDO TI SAKA" The unsent summoner chanted as a gateway opened dragging him to who knows where. All he could look at was the body bag..as darkness covered his eyes. Praying that what he sent would reach.
"Save them!" Was his last thought.
Then darkness, and Hellfire!
End of chapter
Spoiler
