Authors Notes: Brand-new fic for me. Don't worry; I'll still be working on LANL. Right now, these newspaper articles may not seem like much, but you'll see in the next chapter. These have to tie in with the story; it's just the start. Hope you like.
Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts, because I can't think of things that creative. That, and it'd ruin my obsession of it. So no, I don't own it. Tis sad, isn't it.
Chapter 1: News Reports:
Monday, June 11th, 2006
Reports show that there was an oil spill off the coast of Africa. The ship crashed into…well, into an iceberg, and a hole was made in the side of the ship according to those on board. The crewmembers and Captain state that they closed the gates between the oil tanks, but at least thirty-five gallons was poured into the ocean by accident. They say the iceberg came out of nowhere; even the lookout hadn't spotted it till it was too late. There had been no trace of the iceberg now, and officials are still looking for it. It's become the missing Ice Berg case.
Tuesday, June 12th, 2006
Still no updates on the finding of the missing iceberg, but statistics have come in. The oil, strangely, only washed up on one beach on the coast of Africa. It's a bizarre event, and it seems to become only stranger as we investigate. Local mystic says the fates want something done, and we are not doing it. If he's right, what does an oil spill by Africa have to do with us? Interview with the mystic later.
Back to those statistics though. It turns out the oil spill only ended up on beach Upendi. The locals there, along with others cleaning up the oil spill, have brought in the death toll. This statistic has us puzzled though, because no animal that was found dead just covered in oil. The locals and those helping to clean have taken these animals to those specially trained to get rid of the oil. This is where it gets a bit bizarre again. Among the marine animals and the ones you usually find at oil spills, there was another that usually isn't. A small lion cub was found in the remnants of the oil spill, completely covered and soaked in it. They raced this small cub right away to the specialists, never having to deal with a cub being covered in oil and fearing for the creature's safety. Nothing much else is known at the moment.
Wednesday, June 13th, 2006
Interview with the Local Mystic: (Riza in bold, mystic regular.)
When questioned about your thoughts on the oil spill, you replied with the saying that the spirits want us to do something, but we just aren't doing it.
Ah yes. Icebergs don't just appear out of nowhere you know. The spirits have a reason for it. It might not be directly with us what the answer is yet, but the question will find its answer soon.
What do you mean, it might not be directly with us?Everything has a place on this earth, and it's all connected. We may not know the answer, but the question will find its answer. We may never know that the question finds its answer, but we know that there is an answer and it will be found.
Er? Okay then. What do you mean about the Question and Answer?
Well, the spirits must want to answer some question. May not be their own, but it is somebody's. That somebody will find the answer if they look, and if the spirits are helping, then they shall find it.
And all this relates to the oil spill?
Of course it does! Everything is connected! One thing affects another! The spirits are affecting something with that iceberg, so whatever question needs answering, it's going to get its answer. Why do you think there was no animals dead? The spirits did not wish it; it had nothing to do with the answer.
So you are sure the spirits are involved in this oil spill?
Positive. They have told me so. This will change someone's life forever, you just wait and see.
Well, what about-Sir!
My time here is gone. I must go. You got the answers you need. Find me when the cub is here.
-Sigh- He's gone. What did he mean by that?
Wednesday, June 13th, 2006
After that bizarre interview with the mystic, nothing much is sure. The oil spill cleanups are underway though, and some on the animals have been returned to their natural habitat. Others are still under going treatment, including the lion cub. It seems to be the sickest of the bunch, and the officials are stunned on what to do next. It's had its fur cleaned of all oil, but they are suspecting that some oil got into its system. Even thought it's clean, they are wary about putting it back into the wild because it still shows signs of sickness. They decided to keep it over night, and if its condition doesn't improve within a few days, they will be sending it to the best Zoo in the country, which just happens to be our resident zoo. If the cub comes here, it will be watched closely for signs of change. Will this cub ever be returned to its home?
Friday, June 15th, 2006
Update on things going on. The oil spill cleanup is under way. Many animals are turning out to be just fine, just covered in oil. After overnight stays to make sure their condition didn't change, they were let back into the wild this morning. The locals say it sure is bizarre, but they are glad their ecosystem is not in peril. If those animals had changed, it would have drastically affected those living on the Upendi beach. Things would have been different, like laws on hunting animals there until the population of all the species was back to normal there. To say the least, it would have affected the village drastically because that is their food.
The water around the beach is forbidden to swim in at the moment, because they are still working on the oil spill and the water is contaminated. Once again, a bizarre event comes up. Dolphins, whales, and other marine animals have been avoiding the place. Even seagulls stay nearer to the village then ever, like they sense the trouble there. Some say it's the animal's instinct that is making them stay away.
Saturday, June 16th, 2006
Most of the animals are back in the wild now, and the oil spill is getting cleaned up. The spill itself is costing a lot of money, but people are saying it is worth it, and at least nothing was hurt. The balance is still in check in nature. The lion cub is still sick though, and its condition hasn't improved. It's been a few days, and yesterday it was looking like it was improving, but today it was back to normal. Tomorrow, they'll be bringing the lion to our local zoo. People are already planning to be there right away to help the cub in any way. Some are raising money and everything. It's weird that people have this sudden urge to help this cub, because I know that not everyone absolutely loves lions.
This is news though, because a lion has never been in an oil spill, that much I know. We can only hope that the cub's condition will improve.
Sunday, June 17th, 2006
Today, the lion cub has arrived and people are on the spot right away. We got to hear a few sides of the story on the way here. Apparently, the cub had almost died. The medical people were able to save the little cub, and it is now in intensive care here at the zoo. People have mostly gone home by now, but a few stragglers are still here, awaiting more from the specialists. This is all we've got for now.