Kingdom Hearts: Keys To The Future - Welcome to Wonderland!

[GG7]

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Gravity Falls!

Robin Hood

[Superdog]

A good place to start? Jungle Book, or maybe the CIRCUS (DUMBOOOOOOO).

To phrase it nicely, Land of Jungle and Necessity, or Land of Tents and Mirth Elephants. XD

[mysticCharlatan]

I wonder, are we sticking to the limitations of the original games? 'cause if not...

The Land of Toys and Adventures (aka Andy's Room aka Toy Story World)

Otherwise I'm seconding the Land of Jungle and Necessity.

[shadowedPhoenix]

One of these days you'll get around to deleting these old messages. But as it is - aha.

"… Okay, I've got it."



"We're headed for Wonderland, everyone."

"Huh. You know, I've never been there… they're kind of a secretive bunch," Marin comments.
"At least we're all on the same page there, then, right?" you reply, with a grin. "So someone in the Court there tends to collect - well, junk. Weird and wonderful weapons. Sounds like bits of old key count as the sort of junk they like." Looking at Rafale, you add, "I think this'll be up your street. We've basically got to get in and take a look at what they've got, if it's in there somewhere."



She's grinning. Yeah. Sheesh, what is it with her and this old rubbish, anyway?

"What are we waiting for?" She stands up, stretches, bouncing on her feet and looking around. "You said that they've arranged transport for us, right? Where is it?"
… right. Of course. That might help - you check again. "Do you know where the commercial port is? Not the public one. Apparently it's there."
"Oh, sure - it's in the old town. We need to take the train there."
"Couldn't have made it a bit more convenient, could they?"
"It's been there forever. They're not exactly going to move it now. And it's probably going to be … running more smoothly than the public port."
You nearly ask why, but decide it'd be best not to quickly. Instead, you climb to your feet in turn, Marin following.

"Guess we should be getting over there, then, huh?"

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Long wait for a short update, sorry. I've been [s]tressing out a whole bunch and it's thrown me off my rhythm.
As a guide: there's been ~130 images so far in the story. If I'm to do what I want with the animated sequence, I'll need at least a third of that again.
Yeeeah. I'd cut it shorter but the music I'm using - well, you'll see. Or hear. I hoooope.

And a lot of those world suggestions sounded great! There's a few that came up that are dead certs to be used, and some I'll maybe try and work in at some point - I'd love to use a few of 'em but I'm trying to get the practicalities worked out. This isn't the last time I'll be asking for world suggestions, too, so keep 'em in mind for later events.

[meteorMirror]

Rafale: Constantly see and hear someone different in place of your friends for a few moments, but not notice until your actually in Old Town, as while you were on the train you were only thinking about the vehicle you're heading to and the new land you're about to explore.

[shadowedPhoenix]

[S]: Drop: see spoiler for video

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Well, there we go.

Phew.

There's still a few things I wish I could've done better, that I wish I could've added, but ... here's a little bit of the old KH mindscrew to wrap your brains around, everyone!

And yes, it's Sanctuary again. Because - well... yeah. Had to be done! Actually, I'd considered using Utada's Distance, which I still kind of see as the 'signature song' that I'd like to use somewhere. But it was that much longer, and the images came that much more strongly to me with this song, that it just ended up this way.

On semi-related note: I am now sitting here with a copy of 3D in front of me. Europe getting the game first, what? But all the same, I'd like to still request that we try and keep the spoilers out of harms' way until folks have had time to finish the game. Sound good?

As it is, I'm semi spoiled for some of the big events and plot twists already (Xehanort is made of chocolate, I know, it's totally weird- *brick'd for using old Penny Arcade meme*), but not all of 'em, I'd hope. So I do actually have things in mind that relate to some of the revelations in 3D, but the way things are going I suspect it'll be a while before they show up.
(And unfortunately, there's a couple of things that I'm either waving my hands around now going 'Come on, I planned that ages ago, please don't say I'm ripping stuff off' or will be doing so in the future...)

Going to be hiding this in the spoiler for archival readers's sakes some time around when the next update goes up.
So... We now return to your regularly scheduled updates. After I've keyed at a few Nightmares.

[meteorMirror]

That was a Epic [S] !
It forebodes allot and gives us viewers quite some questions, the only advice for the next time you make of these, is to make more between frames so movement feels more fluid.

[mysticCharlatan]

Awesome. Apart from the wildly different artstyle (which isn't a bad thing), that whole [S] update could have easily been the intro cinematic to an actual Kingdom Hearts spinoff. I'm awed and frightened by what happens to Rafale. I wonder how long you've been planning that, as it ties into what I see as a rather arbitrary command (that is, the whole strand of hair/keyblade combo thing).

You've also got me interested in Marin as more than Raf's ex, so kudos there!

>Gang: Get a move on! Destiny waits for no man (or woman)!

EDIT: Hey, is it just me or does that silhouetted Raf bear a striking resemblance to the huminoid Heartless in this update? Seems ominous.

[meteorMirror]

Kinda, but it seems more like that heartless was someone encased in darkness, while Rafale seemed to be more encased in her keyblade which could be seen as either light or light and darkness. If anything I'd love to see how this will get out of hand and then back in control.

[Viimesen_Kerran]

Awesome [S] truly deserving of the title 'Old KH Mindscrew'. I sorta liked the more jilted effect, cause dreams are weird, the only exception would be the keyblade-Rafale fusion thing. So, did anyone else notice that their "time" has changed? Pierre's now "Remember the PAST" which used to be Rafale's; she's now "Look to the FUTURE", and Marin picked up "Live in the PRESENT" Pierre's when he used to be FUTURE. A hint at what they need to succeed?

[Superdog]

DAT [S]. SO WORTH THE WAIT. And thanks for the no-spoilers for 3D. I haven't even looked for any news, other than mini-games and the demo. 10 more days!

>Everyone: TO WONDERLAND!

[shadowedPhoenix]

Oh man. Oh man.

Everyone - thanks so much! This is the first thing that could be called 'animation' of any sort I've done in a while... guess who nearly flunked out of their animation class in college, haha. But anyway, done, and I'm glad you folks enjoyed it, and glad you think it works as a KH Thing. Hopefully I'll be doing more in future... the FAR future...

And while I don't want to give too much away plotwise: you folks are definitely onto something. As for that comment on a certain arbitrary command? I had /ideas/ before that came in, but nothing definitively planned as a This Is How The Plot's Going thing. I like taking little things and running with them.

Basically, I have very little in the way of Definite Plots, though they're growing more solid as time goes on. I know who all the villains are. I know their schemes. I know the kids' backstories, though they're still evolving to a degree as stuff comes up - everything's still evolving. This is KH after all; what'd it be without sudden outbreaks of new plot info? ... please don't answer that.

A note, though: while I'm recovering and while I've got a bit of other stuff on, we might be having the odd text only update going on. Hopefully not all of 'em, though, as there is stuff that'll darn well need drawing...

[shadowedPhoenix]

Wonderland. Just one of many names you've heard for the place, but the one that's been most persistent over time. A world of curiosities, of living games, of strange beings and stranger royalty.
And the first world you're going to ever see first hand that isn't your own.
You almost can't sit still on the train, it's that big of a prospect… of course, the boys seem much more chilled out about the prospect. It's old news for them, sure. But not for you.

The Old Town station hasn't changed in forever, as far as you're aware, the clock tower standing proudly above it as you emerge. It's a landmark, hundreds of years old, kept well preserved despite that... and despite the fact that people keep climbing it. It's busy, though, with the hustle and bustle of a summer day, and you just about have to drag Pierre through the crowds to get him in the right direction. Marin's fine, though. He knows the route about as well as you do. Out through the subways, now, to get out of the centre of town and out towards the port itself.

When the walls were broken, this was one of the first ports established - and its age shows, as you look around. Old buildings, old crates and cranes; you feel a little out of place, even though your keybearer IDs get you through the security checks easily and round to the dock area. A sign on a wall gives instructions on what to do if darkness breaks through: evacuation directions, numbers to call. You recognise Master Artie's on the list, prominently placed.

Above all else, here. So many ships… there's a great sad space that might have taken something the size of the Wayfinder, but most are smaller vessels, their armour plating looking scuffed and bruised. Scattered crews are busily working on the well-worn old things; loading, unloading, maintaining. Suspended above it all, a series of portal generators. The easy, smooth way out of the world and into what lies between. No need to create a fracture, no need to twist a way through the dark. What must travel have been like in the old days, before they were invented?

Your thoughts are interrupted by Pierre's voice. "Which one's ours?"

About at the same time as the question's asked, lights flash on one of the ships, and the entrance ramp drops down. It's a pretty obvious sign, but...

… Seriously. The boys look as doubtful as you're feeling.

That thing?

[Superdog]

>GET ON. For serious. It's probably safe. Maybe.

[Xindaris]

>Reveal appearance of thing. (Text description or image will do)

[shadowedPhoenix]

"Mom would go spare if she saw the state this thing's in…" Marin comments as he goes towards - well. Your new ride, you guess. "I mean, it looks like it was a nice one once, I think? I'm sure I recognise the style. But no-one's been looking after it…"
"They don't know what they had," a voice comments over the interior speaker - you quickly realise who it is, though you're not sure whether to be surprised or not. "I was lucky I could get you kids this thing - it's in my name, had to call in some favours. Least I know that I don't have to tell y'all not to scratch the paintwork."
"Yeah. What paintwork?"

You're still not so sure about it as you go in. This ship's never going to win beauty contests. Its interior is held together with tape and string, wires floating freely, a couple of panels holding on for their lives. You poke one hesitantly. The hold's clear of its last cargo bar a few bits of paper and one lonely crate. The engine's behind an equally battered door; you look through, but what you're seeing doesn't make much sense. The only thing that you can tell is that there seems to be a lot of engine for a vessel this side. Crazily overpowered. Perhaps that's why Master Cid said you were lucky to have it.

Marin's chattering on into thin air as he looks around the cockpit and the small cabin - two seats, a bunk (you're not volunteering to sleep in it first), a small catering coder that still seems to be fine at least, and you'll guess the bathroom's behind that one door. You hope. Basics, at least.
"But - couldn't you be doing better things? Other things? Looking on other worlds, and…"
Cid's still talking back over the speakers. "No. Right now, kids, that ain't an option. Y'all need to get in the front - it's time to get moving. I'll handle liftoff. Scout, you can handle the rest."

Marin hops into the pilot seat; you take the next. Pierre kicks the crate over for somewhere to sit.

The doors lock shut around you. Sirens begin to sound outside, followed by a series of loud cracks and ethereal murmurs: the portal's opening. You crane your neck to look up through the cockpit screen.

"SKR-213-037, you are clear for departure."
"Acknowledged." That's not like the Marin you know, his voice crisp and professional. He's settled in naturally, checking the controls. A job to do.

You lift off.
You're on your way.



It's beautiful out here. Swirls of colour and darkness play around you - it's almost entrancing. Lights and images drift by, reflections of the world you've just left behind. Even Pierre's impressed. You could watch this forever-

"'..'ll we call it?"
"Huh?" You're snapped out of your daydreaming.
"It needs a name. The ship. What'll we call it?"

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And next time, Wonderland proper! Unless anyone has a reason not to, 'course.

[Superdog]

This is the part of the game where I type random symbols in. &(#KIUID

Alternately: Highwind

[Xindaris]

>Chronos, fitting the theme of each character representing a part of time (past, present, future). And do remember to italicise the name of a space vessel, same way as you do a naval one.

[GG7]

Equus.
It is your steed to other worlds. It is the horse, you three are the rider together. Or something.

[mysticCharlatan]

Sleipnir.

For added fun, let's have the character that suggested it (Rafale, for arguments sake) be the only one who can pronounce it without any difficulty. Because I think it would be fun to have everyone stumbling over something simple like the name of their own ship.

[ah2190]

>Chronos, fitting the theme of each character representing a part of time (past, present, future). And do remember to italicise the name of a space vessel, same way as you do a naval one.

Seconding this as my main choice.

Highwind

Seconding this as my secondary choice.

[shadowedPhoenix]

You've got an idea, you think, after a few moments' more gazing out of the window.
"Sleipnir."
"What?"
"It's a mythological creature… it's a horse with eight legs, that was born when a god -" Pierre's tuning out, you notice. Marin seems a bit baffled, but you guess he's concentrating on flying somewhat. "Anyway. It might look odd, but it's fast, right? And I think this ship's kind of the same."
"… I was going to just go with something like 'Highwind'," Pierre comments. "But that actually … works, I guess. Ancient piece of junk. Ancient piece of junk name."
"Oh, come on!"
Marin laughs - sheesh. "Okay. I think it'll do. Slip... sly…" He pauses. "I'll get there."

The rest of the journey's smooth enough - fast enough, too. It doesn't seem long, as these things go, before the new world before you is reflecting in the colours between. Flickering images of card suits, chess pieces: there's a skill to reading these sorts of things, you know. They're often a reflection of what's in a world's heart, not just what's on its surface. And this world seems to want to be just one big game.

In time, you notice Marin opening communications. "Requesting permission to land…"

He turns to you. "Um… Brace yourselves. I've never landed anything before. And especially not something like this. I've done it in simulation, but…"
Pierre smacks himself in the face theatrically. "Now he tells us."

So much for the smooth journey. You just about bounce through the portal into the world.

The port's a lot smaller than Twilight's, which doesn't surprise you: the portal generators seem to be set into giant chess pieces, you notice. With a face a study in concentration, Marin just about manages to drop you all into a berth: you're running for the hatch just about the second you feel the jolt of landing.

Your ship's - no, Sleipnir's! - outside looks even more of a mess compared to the bright and wonderful colours you see as you leave. The air's rich with the scent of flowers, even here. Clouds bob by merrily, and odd birds follow them - are you sure that one's a bird? A little distracted, you can't help but wander a little further from the ship, looking around and taking in the sights.

A new world. Really. You made it.

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Man, big delay for little update. Sorry. Have been having one of those writer's block weeks.

On the name? I actually really liked 'Chronos' and the symbolism there. But I couldn't find a way to justify it in character. So mythology it is!

[Xindaris]

No worries. Block happens.

For a moment I was wondering if you'd pull a Ratchet and Clank on us and have them crash the ship on each new world, with the quest chain on each world ending in getting a newer, better ship. But then, Ratchet was undoubtedly an even more green pilot than Marin.

>Curious local: Greet. ("curious" is meant to have a double meaning here.)

[mysticCharlatan]

>Rafale: Is that a disembodied smile?

You can't tell me that cat's not immortal.

Also, my suggestion got used! Excuse me while I squee in a corner.

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Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!

[Superdog]

>Group: Play some games!
>Mission: Get completely forgotten