Starts with an 'S'
Chapter 1 - Slow Dreams
Disclaimer: Neither Kingdom Hearts nor Final Fantasy belong to me
The soft dawn light reached timidly into dormitory room C307, distracting the sole conscious occupant from his half eaten toast and prompting him to check his watch. Upon seeing the time he muttered something about lazy roommates and rose to his feet. Snagging a pillow on the way past his own bed he walked over to his slumbering friend.
Thump
"Unngh…..what the ...hell? Sora?" came the groggy response.
"Yes Zidane, Sora, now get your lazy ass out of bed." replied Sora wearily (this did happen every morning after all) "Morning training's in 20 minutes and if we're late Squall will bitch again."
Sora started back to their shared kitchenette with Zidane half climbing and half falling out of bed in an attempt to follow in his wake. Normally the personification of agility, Zidane was not by any means a morning person so he and Sora had something of a ritual, which explains why he was no more than slightly startled when a plate of breakfast materialized in front of him. Zidane perked up slightly at this, and after mumbling something that may have possibly been about penguins but more likely an expression of gratitude, hastily set about devouring it (cause damn, could Sora cook).
A cup of coffee, a trip to the restroom and a change of clothes later he met his impatient roommate at the door to their shared room and they set off together. They made their way towards the designated training field, Sora welcoming the crisp morning air and Zidane vigorously rubbing his bare arms to ward off the seeping chill. Around them the academy slowly roused to life, students grudgingly proceeding towards their respective fields and waiting instructors. Sora was one of the few seemingly unfazed by the early hour. Some people chalked this up to his apparently inexhaustible natural energy, whilst Sora himself attributed it to his father being a graduate of the same academy, and had for many years shared with him a similar ritual morning workout.
The Destiny Islands branch of SeeD, Destiny Garden. Simultaneously both a training facility for future SeeD candidates, and a residence and deployment hub for established SeeD members. Members opting to temporarily or permanently forego field work often found employment as instructors. Their own experiences passed on to a new generation, bridging the gap between candidate and veteran. It was by this means that the prospective SeeDs got a taste of the world beyond the Garden, the stories of glorious battles and cunning victories yes, but also the despairing struggle of seemingly endless conflicts and the shattering loss of treasured friends falling on the battlefield. Not everyone was cut out to be a SeeD. About 60 of academy entrants finish the course required to take the final exam to become a SeeD, however less than a third of those ever chose to sit said exam, deciding instead to use the skills they've acquired in a safer environment. Many academy entrants in fact never have any intention of becoming a SeeD. A Garden education being second to none, many parents choose to enroll their children in the Garden academy over a standard school. Upon graduating the academy ones choice of workplace was considerable, taught to quickly assess situations and make rapid decisions, taught to discover weaknesses and ruthlessly exploit them, with strong self-discipline and a comprehensive knowledge base, academy graduates were sought after by just about every employer imaginable. But this was all somewhat irrelevant, as Sora Loire was not among the 80 of students who didn't end up taking the final exam, neither was Zidane Tribal, which was why the two of them were still here weeks after graduating, going to morning training alongside six other like-minded individuals.
On the topic of morning training
"Hn, you're early" stated one Squall Leonheart, or "Leon" as anyone who didn't want a painful death would say.
"Barely" came the reply from Sora, with a pointed look behind them where Kairi, Selphie, Tidus and Vann were quickly approaching. Noticing the lack of a quiet blonde and a silver haired bishonen Leon asked after their possible whereabouts. "How should I know?" said Sora irritably "Riku's probably still doing his hair and Namine's… well… Namine, she'll pop out of nowhere once Riku shows up, she always does"
Leons only reply was to smirk in a slightly amused manner, but then again, Leon seemed to smirk a lot. One of the aforementioned veterans, he'd seen more than his share battles and after returning mentally exhausted from an extended conflict on the border of Galbadia he'd decided to take some time to unwind and pass on a few tricks. As a mark of respect for his abilities they'd given him one of their more impressive groups of graduates to train. Usually less than half the candidates sitting any one exam passed, some of those failing re-trained themselves and tried again, while others gave up and sought a different path in life. But the group of 8 Leon had been given to teach armed combat to were exceptionally talented, he'd be surprised if any of them failed.
Leon gave Riku a mild glare as he casually sauntered up to everyone and gave a lazy wave in greeting. Leon couldn't help but notice the tastefully impossible way his hair fell gracefully around his face, unruffled by the gentle morning wind, not a hair misaligned. Pale silver drawing out the turquoise of his eyes. If he didn't know better he'd swear it was a wig. Resisting the urge to roll his eyes, he looked around for Namine and found her somewhat improbably to his left and slightly behind him, gazing at him with her head cocked slightly to one side and an innocent-but-not smile on her face, looking for the world as though she'd been there all along waiting politely for him to notice her.
Pushing the uneasiness her sudden appearance brought on aside, he gathered his thoughts and spoke up "All right, now that you're all here I want two laps around the field as a warm up, then find a partner and we'll work on some sparring."
"Enter" came a voice form within. His hand froze, poised to knock. The Superior had a number of unsettling qualities to him, ranging from personal appearance, like his predatory orange eyes, to unusual abilities, such as his disquieting awareness of the goings on of his domain. Saix was regarded by anyone who knew him as an intimidating person. Usually soft spoken he had a tendency to lash out with startling ferocity, seemingly on a whim. Of the few people who Saix deferred to, the Superior was perhaps chief among them. Steeling himself he gripped the doorknob and turned. White greeted him, the walls, the floor, the furniture, everything was done in smooth stark white. He shut the door behind him completing the scene. Harsh lights banished shadow from the room, the room taking on an unrealistic feel. The walls seemed to vanish into one another, the furniture seemed indistinct, melding into the surrounds. Saix felt as though he were suspended in a blinding white void, the pressure on the bottom of his feet the only reason he was sure his wasn't falling through some bleached abyss. And there, at the centre of all, in bold contrast was Xemnas. He made his way towards him and took a seat, closing his eyes to convince himself that the chair he could feel beneath his fingers was truly there.
"You sent for me?"
It wasn't really a question, that Xemnas had requested his presence was evident, he'd hardly be here otherwise. But the alternative was a statement, which came almost close to being vaguely reminiscent of a command, and that was a risk Saix was unwilling to take. At least not in this place, where Xemnas seemed like the only real thing in a world of nothing, the only thing keeping Saix himself from fading into the whiteness, and becoming nothing in turn.
"What is the situation concerning the archetype?"
No pleasantries, Xemnas probably didn't have time for pleasantries, in any case he certainly didn't have the inclination. The archetype, there could only be one thing he meant by that, Saix hadn't even considered it might be the reason for his abrupt summons. He'd thought the archetype was of no further use, a functioning replica had been successfully made after all. Nevertheless surveillance on the archetype had continued, simply for the sake of thoroughness, and Saix dutifully dredged the details of the most recent report from the recesses of his memory.
"For the last several years he has been attending the Destiny Islands Garden Academy, recently graduating. Currently he is undergoing final training in preparation for the SeeD exam. Thus far he has shown no indication of awakening."
Xemnas frowned at this and clasped his hands together, obviously deliberating something. After a few moments, he'd apparently come to a decision.
"Have Thirteen approach and make contact, ideally he is to instigate awakening of the archetype, however he must not reveal his origin or intentions"
Saix was startled, this was a bold move, they were risking nearly two decades of work, and all for what? Acquiring a defunct prototype?
"Number Thirteen? The copy? Isn't that too risky? The coven must be watching him too, not to mention SeeD, though how much Laguna told them is debatable, he hasn't truly trusted SeeD for a long time, but if either found out Thirteens connection to the Organization…" Saix cut of his rant when he realized who he was addressing. Xemnas was just looking at him, a mild unblinking stare, one eyebrow raised ever so slightly. "I understand superior, I'll relay the new orders to Thirteen"
And with that he pivoted on his heel and made a quick retreat from the room, he wasn't absolutely sure he'd been dismissed, but there was no way he was sticking around any longer. He didn't relax until he was free of the corridor leading up to the superiors office. How he hated that room. He mentally listed everything he would need to do in order to bring Thirteen into contact with the archetype, it would be fairly simple to arrange, they were both going to be taking their SeeD entrance examination soon, the only problem was their location. The archetype was in Destiny Garden, while the copy was in Twilight Garden. Seating himself in front of his computer terminal, he pulled the relevant data from the Garden network and sought a plausible reason to have either of them transferred. A smirk spread across his face as he looked at the class lists.
That would do perfectly, now to make a few "suggestions".
"...you'll be split into groups of three, and placed under the command of a SeeD officer. Remember, the examination is held amidst a real mission, failure to follow your superiors orders could result in your death or the death of your comrades."
Quistis Trepe, their main instructor, was giving an overview of the final SeeD admission exam. She was their main contact and the first person for them to go to for any advice, information or concerns. Politely spoken and with a kindly disposition, just about everyone was fond of Quistis. Specialist training in combat was recieved from Leon and Tifa, while yuffie trained them in stealth and subtlety. But it was Quistis with whom they spent the most time, She even accompanied them to many of the same training sessions.
"Hold up, you say groups of three, but eight doesn't divide into three. Unless your planning to divide us into fractions?" asked Riku arching an eyebrow, a cocky grin on his face.
"That's a wonderful idea Riku, how about you in one group, your hair in another, hm?" said Quistis with a disarming smile prompting Riku to clutch at his hair protectively "But seriously, a ninth candidate is being sought, if none can be found then a SeeD placeholder will be assigned, you won't be disadvantaged"
SeeD, mused Sora. If all went well then in a few short weeks that would be a title he could rightfully claim as his. A member of the most elite mercenary group in the world. Dispatched to foreign nations to fight battles at anothers behest. Was that really an appealing prospect for him. Maybe not, but it was the price of freedom. As long as he didn't have to return to the house where his father lived, and endure his indifferent yet stifling presence.
"Remember that you have a session with Yuffie later tonight. You'll be working on outdoor stealth, so wear something warm, and black. Now go get some lunch."
And with that last reminder from Quistis they were dismissed.
Selphie audibly groaned at the prospect of a night class with Yuffie, she just didn't "Do" stealth. She was loud, it was what she did. Sora himself had no real talent at it, but on the other hand, Sora had Zidane to help him, and Zidane didn't do stealth, he was stealth. He'd apparently been a member of Tantalus at some stage, the most famous group of thieves this side of.. well... anything. How he'd ended up applying at Destiny Garden was something of a mystery, but rumor held that someone high in Tantalus had pulled a few favors to have Zidanes past overlooked. Whatever the case Sora, was glad he was there, even if he made a lousy roommate.
A phone rang, once, twice, but failing to make it through the third.
"Hello" purred a voice. "This is Roxas" Simultaneously sounding playful, mocking, and a touch sensual. Water dripped slowly from freshly showered blond hair and a free hand toyed lazily with a slightly damp towel.
"Oh" said Roxas, emotion draining from his voice. "It's you Saix". His face twisted somewhat, he hated dealing with the bipolar maniac.
Listening for a few moments, disdainful expression gradually giving way to a carefully neutral face.
"Understood" was the only word he spoke before hanging up.
He gazed out the window, watching the sunset. Twilight town was renowned for it's sunsets, and it might be a long time before he saw this sight again.
Slowly a dangerous smile crept across his face. A soft chuckling grew into full blown laughter.
'Finally we get to meet'
'Sora'
Well that's the first chapter. Some parts were a bit slower than I would have liked. Namely the parts with Sora, whose supposed to be the main character. But I kinda needed to get a bit of background information in for it to make sense, I spaced it out with a bit of plot development but even so I'm not entirely happy with it. I should also point out that while I've drawn a fair bit from Final Fantasy VIII most of it's been modified at least to some degree so don't expect things to be the same just because I'm using the same names. This is the first time I've ever actually written something and uploaded it, so any feedback on what you like(or want to stab me for) is appreciated. I'm resilient enough to appreciate constructive criticism, but even so, play nice...
