Hey Guys :)
This is a small idea I've been working on recently. There are more chapters which are currently under construction, two more of which are basically complete so you wont have to wait long for your next fan fiction fix. This chapter will potentially undergo more editing in the future but for where the story is heading at the moment it fits.
Anyways I hope you enjoy.
TAYLIEXX
Stars and Galaxies blur past cobalt iris's as the Gummi Ship races through the sky.
Sora enjoys not driving the Gummi Ship, so he was happy when Riku offered. Being the passenger gives him the chance to fully appreciate the worlds around him and everything in-between, including having his friends by his side- even though right now he was supposed to be sleeping like Kairi currently is in the chair beside him instead of star gazing.
How she still managed to curl up like a small child would and sleep in such a small chair at the age of 17 he didn't know.
There were 4 bedrooms on board the gummi ship (previously for Sora, Donald Goofy and a spare) but it was a short journey they were on from the islands so his red haired friend decided she would sleep in the cockpit next to her friends. Sora had teased her earlier that his laziness was rubbing off on her and the real reason was that she couldn't be bothered moving.
It was nice joking around with his friends.
Five minutes of stargazing went by and the back of Riku's head in front of the driver's seat turned slightly in the younger teens direction.
"Hey Sora."
"Hmm?" Hummed Sora as he lifted his face from his palm it was resting on.
"Wake her up. We're nearly there."
Sora leaned out of his chair and his tanned arm stretched out towards Kairi. Her red hair was falling softly around her face and flowing with her even breaths. You'd be forgiven for thinking she was harmless. She looked beautiful when she slept. She always looked beautiful. However as her best friend Sora knew that if he woke her up wrongly things wouldn't turn out so nicely. Speaking from previous experiences anyway. His warm hand landed on her cold bare shoulder and lightly shook her. Shortly afterwards his hand was fended away.
"No." Was her short sleepy reply before shifting away from Sora so he couldn't wake her up. Sora dropped his head and smiled at the floor, trying not to laugh too loudly at her childish actions.
"C'mon Kai, I thought you were excited about today!" He grabbed her ankle and swung it about annoyingly until she was upright, stretching and yawning.
"Alright, alright I'm up," She poked her tongue out at Sora, which he returned, "I'm going to the bathroom." She drawled out sleepily while pushing herself out of her chair and towards the door.
Sora stood from his chair and propped his elbow up against the back of the driver's seat which Riku was occupying and resumed watching the stars whizz past.
"How're you doing Riku?"
"I'm doing okay, I think we should upgrade the Gummi Shields just incase. We should also increase our fuel tank size if we're going on long haul trips after today. So we'll have to stop off at Disney Castle and have Chip and Dale help us out." Riku explained.
"That's a great idea Riku. But I meant in general." Chuckled Sora, "How are you?"
"Me?.. Oh I'm fine. It's been good for me to be back on the islands. Interacting and learning how to play nicely with others again." Riku joked. "It's going to be interesting watching our group dynamic change after today." He said sadly.
A weight began to grow in the pit of Sora's stomach.
"Riku.. You know Kairi and I aren't together, right?"
"But you want to be." Riku stated. "And that's okay, you're my best friends. I'm happy when you're happy."
"Riku, we're not- she doesn't-"
"She does Sora. Whatever you two, are it's okay with me." Smiled the silver haired teen.
Sora ruffled Riku's hair mischievously, "Hey hey hey! Don't distract the driver!"
The two boys laughed together, planning their epic adventure for when Sora and Kairi have their holiday break from school a week from now. It's their summer vacation and they're all going to go travelling the worlds together. Like they had planned so many years ago.
An alert popped up on the computer panel of the ship, Riku pressed a few keys then shooed Sora away. "Go get your girlfriend we're ten minutes from the tower and we need to buckle-up before landing."
Sora pushed himself off the back of Riku's chair "She's not my girlfriend." he said in a sing-song voice as he left the room to find Kairi, leaving Riku in the cockpit alone.
"Yet." Chuckled Riku as he shook his head and smiled to himself.
Soft footfalls echoed through the main metal hall of the gummi ship as Sora headed towards the plane's main bathroom. Knocking on the cold iron door he called out to his best friend. "Kairi? Are you in there?"
A muted reply fell on his ears, "Yeah. You can come in."
Sora opened the door and found Kairi splashing her face with water, then patting it off with a towel.
"You okay Kai?" Sora asked as he leant against the doorframe of the bathroom.
"Yeah.. Just a bit airsick. I think it might be my nerves." She smiled sheepishly up at him as she sat down on the edge of the bath, fiddling with the towel in her hands.
Sora couldn't deny the fact something stirred inside him when he was with her. Even if she looked worried sick, she was breathtaking to him.
He had planned to keep his distance on this trip after his previous conversation with Riku. But she was his friend first and foremost, before any extra feelings he might be feeling. So instead of telling her that they needed to go back to the cockpit, he made his way into the bathroom and sat on the edge of the bath next to her.
She laid her head against his shoulder like she would when they were children, and he placed his chin atop her head and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, like they would all those years ago when she'd get bullied by the other kids for not being born on the island.
"What's up Kairi..?"
"I'm just worried" she answered honestly into his chest. He could feel a soft hum reverberate through her body as she spoke.
"About?"
"What if something goes wrong? What if Namine and I grow apart? What if Xion doesn't like us because of what happened to her?" Mumbled Kairi sadly.
Sora smiled to himself. It wasn't often that Kairi showed her sensitive side. She hadn't since they were young. She was such a strong person now.
"You can do this Kai. If something goes wrong it can be fixed. You and Nam's are basically the same person, so you won't grow apart. And as for Xion, what happened was her choice, and now she gets another shot at a better life, who wouldn't be happy about that?" Sora cheered.
"I guess.." A small smile escaped the red heads lips as she pulled out of his embrace.
"There you go that's better" he remarked, earning him a playful bump against his shoulder.
Sora rose to his feet and extended his hand out to his best friend to pull her up off the edge of the bath, which had not been very comfortable to sit on, at all. She accepted it, and he pulled her to her feet. She stood one head shorter than him. Once he released her hands she coiled her arms around Sora's waist, pulling them into a hug. Which he returned around her shoulders gently.
Okay. Maybe they were a bit more than just best friends.
Sora and Kairi made their way back into the cockpit, laughing about random things as friends do, Sora had small artifacts of Roxas' in his hands which he was intending to return to him.
He showed Kairi the picture of Roxas, Hayner, pence and Olette.
"Oh wow. He looks so happy." She gushed.
"I think we should take him and Namine on our next trip to twilight town." Suggested Sora.
"Sounds good to me! I'd love to catch up with Hayner, Pence, and Olette!" She agreed.
"Alright you two, pipe down would you! I need to focus, so stop jabbering on about our holiday when we have lots of work to do." Quipped Riku cheekily.
"Aye, aye captain." Responded the spiky haired teen as the younger two of the group stifled their laughter.
"Shut up."
It was good to have his friends all together again,
It made him even happier that after today everyone will have their friends back.
The Destiny Islands trio finally land on the grassy patch under the mysterious tower, and Sora and Kairi could hardly wait to give their other halves their own lives.
"Why does he need such a big tower?" Kairi questions as she pushes the main door open.
"Who knows?" Laughed Riku, "Climbing those all stairs should really be the mark of mastery exam!" The gang chuckled.
"You know, to be honest, Master Yen Sid has always kinda creeped me out.." Kairi whispered as they entered the foyer of the tower.
"Really?" Gaped Sora in a hushed tone, " I'm glad I'm not the only one!"
"Same here." Replied Riku, "I don't want to know how he knew my pant size when he gave Mickey and I our new clothes.." The younger two of the group exploded with laughter at Riku's obvious unease.
"Oh man, I'm so Excited!" Beamed Sora as he turned to Kairi who was much less nervous now as they walked up the many stairs of the mysterious tower together, with Riku protectively following like always.
Kairi nodded, "I'm so happy that Roxas and Namine will be together again."
Sora managed to hide his blush, thinking back to his and Kairi's own growing relationship. And then remembering that Riku was two feet behind them, "Well out of everyone today I think Lea will be the happiest! He gets both his friends back after so long!."
"Considering Lea tried to physically shake Roxas and Xion out of you I wouldn't argue with you on that one Sora." Chuckled the silver haired teen as he hurried up his friends to their meeting with Yen Sid.
By the time the group arrived in Yen Sid's office most of the others had already arrived. The King, Donald, and Goofy were there to support Sora and Kairi. Terra and Aqua were waiting in the corner and Lea had jumped up out of his seat and had begun to clap his hands together.
"Alllllriiiight! Let's get this show on the road!" Everyone smiled at Lea's eagerness to have his friends back. Everyone except Riku that is.
"Aren't we waiting for Merlin to come help perform the spells with you Master?" Riku questioned as he recalled the message in the bottle they were sent.
The smiles from around the room dimmed, causing Sora, Riku and Kairi became curious of the sudden drop in the mood of the room.
Yen Sid broke the silence that had set in, "I'm afraid a large riot has broken out in Hollow Bastion, and the restoration committee will not make it here today as they are on the verge of war." Yen Sid lowered his eyes down to his desk.
"WHAT?" We have to go help them!" Sora exclaimed. Feeling a slight pressure on him he turned to the blue haired keyblade master as she gently placed her hand atop his shoulder.
"It's okay Sora, " said Aqua who smiled softly down at Sora and Kairi, " Terra, King Mickey, Donald, Goofy, Riku and I will be going to go help Leon out. You and Kairi, Roxas, Namine, Xion and Ventus will need to rest because what you're doing is going to take up a lot of energy today, okay? Everything is going to be fine." She reassured. Sora nodded sadly in acknowledgement that he would not be able to help his friends out this time. He knew that it was more important in the long run for himself and Kairi to release the people from their hearts.
'Maybe once we've rested we can go help out everyone in Hollow Bastion' He thought to himself.
Yen Sid broke the silence that had set in the room once more, "She's right. It's going to take up a lot of power today. However I shall be fine without the wizard Merlin here to aid me. By tonight you will all have your friends back. It will be dangerous and I will require everyone besides Sora, Kairi and Riku to leave the room so I may focus my power without distraction." The wise man explained. The others started to leave the room patting Sora and Kairi on the back, and wishing them luck, Lea however pulled Sora into a massive hug, slight tears in his eyes, "Can't wait to see you guys!". Sora, only laughed and patted Lea on the back until he too was leaving the room and the door to the Master's room closed. Sora Riku and Kairi stood to attention in front of the wizard preparing themselves for the task ahead.
"Riku. I will require you to transport each person next door so the fairies may perform check ups on those who arrive. Please go fetch Ventus' sleeping form next door." Riku nodded at the King's former teacher before moving to the outskirts of the room and into the adjoining room. Yen Sid then addressed Sora and Kairi "We will begin with Ventus. Followed by Namine, Roxas, and Xion." Master Yen Sid stood, revealing a long thin wand from his blue robes.
Sora knew he was ready for this. He was thankful for everything Ventus had done in the past. And he had hoped for the opportunity to thank him since the moment he found out about the people in his heart. Riku returned with a sleeping Ven over his shoulder, and placed him gently on the floor in the middle of the room before moving to the side of the room out of the magician's way..
"Sora please stand in the centre of the room." Commanded their elder. "As Ventus was merely a passenger within your heart this will not be uncomfortable. His essence will leave your body, and he will be able to return to his body next door. So do not be alarmed. You should feel no pain. "
Kairi reached out and gave Sora's hand a light squeeze, wishing him luck before walking towards Riku so Yen Sid could perform the spell.
A white smoke erupted from the wand and encased Sora until he resembled a silhouette in fog. Not long after the Master began his incantations a dark spot appeared in the white smoke beside Sora. It spread like black ink on white paper until it took a humanoid shape and the figure of Ventus stepped forward out of the smoke.
"Err, hi?" Said Ventus to Yen Sid as the smoke dissipated.
"Hello" Sora said warmly from behind Ventus, causing Ven to whip his head around to face Sora.
"Vanitas?!" Growled Ven as he summoned his keyblade and crouched into a fighting stance.
"No no no," stammered the brunette teen as he waved his hands in front of his face defensively, "I'm Sora."
Ventus lowered his keyblade and stood upright. Looking the 17 year old boy up and down.
"Sora..?" Ventus Dismissed his keyblade and held his hand out at hip height, the height he remembered Sora being when he last met him, and then lifted it to Sora's current height. "Um.. How long have I been MIA?"
"Eleven years." Sora sheepishly replied as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"WHAT! Where is Aqua?! And Terra! And-" Ventus' explosion was cut short by Master Yen Sid.
"I'm sure you have many questions, your friends are fine. Riku here will escort you next door to the fairies who will return you to your body next door and perform a health check and he will fill you in on the details you need to know."
"Riight.." Said Ventus suspiciously as he followed Riku to the fairies room where he will return to his sleeping body.
"Sora, Kairi, I will require you to stand together as we bring out Roxas and Namine. You are all connected. Sora has met Namine many times and you Kairi have shared a psychic connection with Roxas. Please join one hand and prepare to join hands with Roxas and Namine."
Kairi moved into the centre of the room and accepted Sora's outstretched hand into her own and they waited for the masters next instructions.
"Now this will cause you some discomfort as I'm sure you are aware that your nobodies are a part of you. It is essentially ripping the fabric of your soul as you part with your nobody."
Sora felt Kairi nervously re-adjust her hand so their fingers were twined together, he also noticed her grip tighten as she squeezed his hand when Yen Sid practically told them they were about to rip their souls apart, and that it would hurt. Subconsciously he returned her firm grip.
"Are you ready?" Their elder asked.
Sora looked down at Kairi, she looked nervous again, but determined.
"Yes." They said in unison.
"Right, we shall begin."
Once again the white smoke projected from the wizard's wand, and encased Sora and Kairi until they were lost in the fog.
"I will require the both of you to close your eyes and think about your nobodies, visualise them beside you."
The teens closed their eyes and followed their instructions while listening to the masters incantations. His words began to sound breathless and forced as time ticked over and the spell became harder and harder to finish.
Sora could see the colour change of the smoke through his eyelids, the smoke had begun to flash black and white. Something was wasn't quite right.
Suddenly a sharp intense pain ripped through him, distracting him from Kairi's tight grasp as she also began to feel the effects of the splitting spell. A small weight entered Sora's empty hand as his other half escaped his heart.
"Open your eyes now! And envision your nobodies forming in front of you!" Yen Sid bellowed.
Cobalt eyes snapped open to meet an identical pair across from him. A ghost like Roxas was standing in front of him as the smoke continued to glitch black and white.
"C'mon Sora I'm a somebody not a nobody." Roxas cheeked at his other, turning to ghost Namine who was forming from Kairi's hand outstretching his hand to her to strengthen the connection between the four.
The light around the four flashed a blinding white gold, forcing Sora and Kairi let go of their nobodies to shield their eyes.
The smoke slowly seeped away revealing Namine and Roxas in a tight embrace.
"We can finally be together again." breathed Namine who was also a whole head shorter than Roxas.
"Aww" Gushed Kairi cheesily, until Sora pulled her into a headlock.
"Hush you!Leave 'em alone they've been waiting a long time for this." Sora chided as he and Kairi playfully wrestled for a moment. Until they noticed the state Yen Sid was in. He had collapsed onto his desk and was breathing heavily, a trickle of blood running from his nose.
Riku entered from the fairies room,"Huh? Master!" he exclaimed as he rushed over.
"I'm FINE." Grunted the former teacher angrily. "Take Roxas and Namine next door and we will continue with our work."
"Master are you sure about that? We can carry on another day when you've rested or when we have Merlin here.." Sora sympathised
"I told you I'm FINE!" he barked, "I can do this without help I am the Great Wizard."
Sora, Kairi and Riku exchanged worried glances as Riku led Roxas and Namine to the Fairies and closed the door. Leaving Sora and Kairi alone with the old man.
"Right... Stand together again. And join both hands." Yen Sid breathily huffed as he tried to wipe the blood from his nose. The teens were wary of the magicians power this time and shared a hesitant look.
"You will.. Need to.. Think about the connection you share.. As this will, help Xion to form…. She is a part of the both of you.. Focus on that."
Yen Sid sounded downright tired. Sora wondered whether he should be performing this spell at all.
"Join. Hands. Now." He commanded once more.
Sora held out his hands for Kairi's shaky ones to join his.
Yen Sid unsteadily raised his wand arm and aggressively motioned it towards the pair and a black and white smoke raced around Sora and Kairi. The speed of the wind rushing around the pair grew until it was enough to begin to pry them apart, and the white smoke began to darken to grey until all that surrounded them was black.
Kairi yelled out to Sora over the master's spell as they started to slip from each others grasp and into the drag of the black smoke. Sora could barely see her as her hair whipped around her face. With all the strength he could muster he pulled her into his chest so she wouldn't slip out into the hurricane winds that surrounded them.
"I've got you."
Moments later the smoke exploded into a technicolour tornado around the pair as Yen Sid tried to finish his spell and Sora felt a small pressure between his shoulder and Kairi's.
That's when he heard their Teacher cry out in pain.
Something had gone wrong.
All of the brightly coloured lights flashed to white and took their time to fade. As Sora's eyes adjusted he saw a blurred outline of Riku trying to help the Magician who had completely collapsed and was covered in blood from the toll the spell had taken.
He felt Kairi in his arms and a slight weight somewhere between them as he watched Riku shake their master. The fairies, followed by Namine and Roxas, bustled quickly into the room.
"Ah… Sora?" Kairi quivered.
Sora shook his head in an attempt to rid himself of his pounding headache and regain his vision. "We need to.. Help Master Yen Sid.." He groaned sorely.
"Uhh.. Sora?.. Look." The red haired teen spoke softly.
Sora looked down and noticed a small face with short black hair gazing up at him.
A very small face.
With a very small body.
Wrapped in a black blanket.
The spell had finished to soon...
And now the eyes of Baby Xion were looking up at him.