It's 6 am. Lack of sleep. Plot bunnies. Don't expect something great.
I will say however after playing 2.8 I half way wanted Sora to actually go through a character arc of dealing with the fact that he potentially could've become the 13th seeker and in this - it'll be as if he's still going after him trying to break him and the mental and emotional issues that'll come with it for him. Hopefully I do this well and I apologize in advance if I don't portray it as well as I should or could.
It felt like a dream. That's the only way it could be explained. He knew better.
His past collided with him – he knew back on that desolate beach the realm between, this could happen.
I could easily succumb to the dark
Light was his only saving grace but as Xehanort made painfully obvious his naivete was just as much a way for him to fall to darkness.
Ever since he failed his master exam it haunted him. The same dream over and over, each time diving deeper into the rabbit hole called his heart.
You were almost Xehanort's 13th vessel. You almost fell into the darkness
He was falling through his memories as they stained black. His exuberant mindset slowly whittled down to nothing more than a blank slate as he fell into what could only be described as pure darkness.
One portrait remained. His friends all of them smiling at him from Kairi all the way to Lea. The smiles slowly grew faint as did his moments before until the portrait faded completely. Darkness once again taking over his senses. Someone he couldn't make out was making footsteps lighting up a barely visible collage of photos on the floor below him. The person was in a full body suit and whoever it was had it done in a similar fashion to the one Riku wore all those years back. The person walked slowly toward him, Sora stepped back growing more and more afraid.
You have more darkness in you than you know.
The person's face was shrouded in a mask. As it faded away Sora's face grew from afraid to shocked to complete disbelief
It was as if – it basically was looking at a mirror if he had jet black hair, if he had gold eyes.
The other person smiled so hard in fact you'd think his face would split.
Let the darkness CONSUME YOU!
The difference in the dream this time is that a bright light erupted in between the two, he couldn't make out what made the light but he heard someone speak, the words he couldn't quite make out before everything faded.
Sora shot up, a cool sweat coating his tan features, after a few shallow breaths and one deep one he closed his eyes again. Swinging his feet off the small bed he slept in he stood up. Making his way into the bathroom he stood and stared into the mirror his body was for all he knew his. His eyes still blue his hair still spiky albeit as of right now stuck to his skin and damp.
He'd been out on his own for a while now visiting Radiant garden now, only for rest every now and then, fighting darkness wherever he could find it.
"I guess fighting the darkness alone for so long just made it that much easier for it to get to me" He felt a pang of pain, as he looked to the mirror as if it could answer why. When he got none, he ran the water from the sink, the cool water felt quite nice compared to his sickly – pale feeling body. He cupped his hands together and splashed himself a few more times before smiling a bit but it didn't feel real to him. He couldn't figure out why. What was bringing him down?
"Who, was that person in my dream?"
He packed his things together. He had one last area to check before finally returning to master Yensid for further instructions. He sighed to himself as he walked out and changed out of his attire from the last year into a plain white T-shirt Courage was written on it with some flashy red ink. Throwing on a black and white jacket with line designs and finally some longer shorts. Unfortunately, whoever he bought them let them get torn a bit slid them on despite his miffed expression.
He walked out to the front gate of the first district. His new shoes a simple black with blue designs clattered on the tiles of the ground as he lowered his hood as he opened the gate.
"I'll move past this darkness, I'll find my light. MY reason to continue believing in myself."
"I'm not your puppet, Xehanort" He whispered to himself. He shot off into the invisible ley lines that led him to distant worlds only one more he had left to visit. It was a world near Twilight town the only world he felt attached to on a more subconscious level thanks to his nobody. Soaring through the vast space that was the only path to the world left to him his thoughts wouldn't release him of the dark words that stained his dream, no nightmare.
His thoughts led him back to the light in his nightmare, he didn't know what caused it. Would the darkness, would that look alike take control of him? He shivered at this thought. It had to be a ploy or a trick from his nemesis he shook his head to ease himself of the thoughts.
"You seem clouded in thought, Sora" A voice spoke out he looked to his left the man of his desire to defeat a visage of him was floating alongside him, for how long? Was he always there?
He glared defiantly summoning the kingdom key he swung at the man who positioned himself above the teenager with an eerily pleased smile.
Using the force at which he was moving as momentum swung after the man without making contact.
"You know you can't defeat what makes you whole, Sora my boy" He began to cackle and Sora felt sick to his stomach. His glare faded away into a pained expression as he tried once more to strike the man.
He dodged again and grabbed the emotional teens neck.
"All alone you're powerless. You can't defeat me, boy and you know that, and to add insult to injury, this is just a shadow of my strength, nothing more" Sora struggled to no avail he glared back to the smirking elder
His vision was beginning to tunnel and he felt himself grow weaker. Tendrils of darkness began to sweep around his form as he slowly began to fall shrouded in darkness.
Brighter the light, the darker the shadow
His thoughts being the only conscious part of him anymore as he fell into what he could assume was a world of pure darkness.
"Do I even have a purpose?"
"Did I even make a difference?" He knew he was being uncharacteristic at this point and he was wrong
"I wonder, if anyone could help me see the light again"
Ruby woke up with an unusual bounce in her step that morning. If you didn't know her you'd think she was always as happy as she might generally be, but this day was a bit different to her, they had two more missions before the summer Vytal tournament began with her team and she was happy about that. She ran to the bathroom brushing her teeth happily humming a tune as she merrily changed into her combat attire. She walked out in time to see her sister and secret best friend waking up, Blake the third member of the four was already sitting out on the window.
"C'mon get ready, we have a mission today guys, I'm ready to move!" Ruby ran and bounced on her sisters' bed giggling to herself, Yang, her half-sister huffed and rubbed her eyes smiling sheepishly to herself before lifting herself along with her sister out of her bed.
"Alright, alright I'll get ready, I'll be out in a Yang" She laughed at her own joke making her sister limp and crumple in her sister's arms.
Yang placed her down as she went to the bathroom, soon after Weiss followed suit with a commanding step. Ruby was so ready to go she bounced out of the room. She was about to run down the hall into the plaza when she ran into a friend, Jaune.
"Ruby, are you guys ready?" She gave him a skeptical look
"Yeah but, I thought the mission debriefing wasn't until later?" She gave her blonde friend a perplexed look
"Grimm have been gathering around a spot in the mountains all teams are on standby until the teachers figure out the main source of the threat" Yang came out in her battle attire with a smirk
"Sounds like our type of mission, let's move it!" Ruby clearly Ignoring the sign of danger
"You – what do you even mean?" He asked again moving a bit closer to look at her directly then behind her, when he saw Weiss wasn't among them only the sisters he continued.
"A dark orb fell from the sky, it's causing the Grimm to go crazy and gather around that area, there isn't any telling how many there will be and how tough it will be either, some of the teachers are going with clear instructions to not allow any students in the area."
He was expecting his brunette friend to waver however all she did was bounce higher in the air
"WEISS HURRY UP!"
"Where...am I?" Sora asked himself, huffing as he forced himself to sit up and crawl against a rock close by. His body was sore, he felt like glass was running through his veins, cuts ran down his arms and face. He was out of magic what wounds he had he couldn't heal. Trees in the distance began falling away to howls of beasts.
"I guess, it was wishful thinking to hope for somewhere peaceful" He forced his battered body to stand. It hurt more with each attempt to move something, an arm, a leg anything and everything hurt. He summoned the kingdom key and grimaced as he took a single step. One of the creatures ran out and lunged at him teeth barred ready to kill. Sora swung tripping over himself as he did, luckily taking the beast down with him.
"This is harder than I thought," Maybe I should just give up
"I can't, go down like this!" Sora slowly stood pain echoed from his heart outward he grabbed the spot where it should be and kneeled, and finally succumbing to the pain laid in the dirt.
How can you continue, how can you stand when your heart has already accepted what you haven't?
What hope can you possibly cling to?
One of the dark creatures latched onto his arm and he cried out reacting quickly he slammed his keyblade into the beast.
All you are is a vessel for darkness you were before you will be again, submit!
Sora's memories flashed through his friends, Riku, Kairi, Leon, Yuffie, Donald and Goofy, he remembered Cloud and Tifa as well, and words the man spoke to him at one point flashed in his mind
"Did you find your light?" He was searching for it at that point, he still was, he was always closer to the dark than he ever thought he was but at that point he knew he had to find his light – his reason to keep going.
His memory recalled the most recent dream. Was that person looking at him or into his heart? He wondered as more beasts ran at him. This was clearly a test, he knew that but with little to no strength, he was done for.
"Maybe...I should embrace the dark -" He was close to closing his eyes and accepting it all.
Ruby and the others made it to the helicopter in record time. Ruby pretty much dragged them using her semblance of speed to get out there before any teachers could spot them. Out of all the landing pads only one had a pilot standing outside. Ruby quickly refocused toward the elderly man.
"We're here for the mission sir!" Ruby voiced completely elated to get started and secretly hoping the man wouldn't question anything.
"You know, I'm not supposed to take any students toward the given mission area its off limits" Ruby pouted. The pilot had a bit of a smirk on his hidden features.
"I'll give you a test however, if you pass it I'll let you aboard" Ruby looked to her sister and friends and met with skeptical looks and shrugs.
"Alright, I'll do it." The man held out a keychain in his hand and gestured her to hold hers out as she did so he placed the item in her open palm.
"Hold this item and channel your power through it. If you can do that, I'll let you aboard."
"Wait, what kind of – what kind of test is that how is anyone going to pass that, are you looney? Let's go Ruby!" Weiss demanded but Ruby gave a look of determination held the keychain close and tried sending her aura through the keychain.
Ruby began to feel a warmth spread throughout her body and an inner peace she wasn't used to. Soon after a cool feeling followed the warmth and slowly enveloped it and finally she heard a voice speak
"Maybe I should just let everything go"
"Is that really how you feel?" It was a soft voice, one he hadn't heard before
"I- I don't know anymore, I don't know if I have any light left in me" Sora continued
"Don't give up" The voice continued.
"You aren't alone,"
He slowly stood reinvigorated he glared toward the beasts – much to his dismay bear like beasts followed the wolf like ones as far as he could see.
"One more try!"
"I did it and managed to speak to someone but – "The man gave a look of utter glee
"Then let's go hurry along we don't have much time to waste!"
"Wait, but what was that all- "Ruby's question was quickly abandoned as they were thrust aboard the helicopter and soon in the air en-route
To Sora It felt as if all the beasts had a resounding thing to say to him as they approached
Give up
Gritting his teeth, he hunched low into battle stance
What good does giving up do for him in this situation.
"I can't stop here!" Despite his bravado his body seemed to protest at every step he took. One wolf ran up, he crushed it into the ground with his keyblade and continued moving forward.
That spark of hope reignited in his body, ignoring the pain screaming throughout him he didn't want to let everything end here.
They were in the air a good fifteen minutes before the man finally spoke before all that the girls each had looks of worry, excitement, neutral stoicism and for Ruby herself concern for the person she spoke to.
"Under normal circumstances I wouldn't have bothered to do this for you, but it seems you have something-"Ruby shot up from her spot
"Someone is down there fighting alone!" She pointed at a spec on the mountain
"Who do you think it is?" Blake asked Ruby shook her head as she couldn't think of anyone it could be, yet subconsciously grabbed at her chest in worry.
"Could that be…the person I was speaking to?"
"Let's go, we gotta help them" Ruby nodded in agreement
Weiss wanted to interject but Blake gave her a challenging look that kept her from speaking – at this moment in time that person needed help and Blake wasn't one to let someone who needed it go without. As they looked back to their leader to see what course of action was the best. They were met with thin air.
"She just jumped out, didn't she?" Weiss asked rhetorically despite her annoyance she smiled, Blake was the next out, soon after Yang and finally with much reluctance, Weiss.
Sora slashed away expertly aiming for the beasts' skulls killing them instantly, he couldn't risk more than a second on one he was tunneling in on the wolves he didn't notice the giant bears until he felt sharp claws burning his skin.
"!" He looked off to his side to see one of the Ursa with almost a beastly smile and its eyes almost laughing at him triumphantly. He felt exhausted – tired.
Why? He wasn't sure but his body felt sluggish his keyblade vanished. He landed on the ground he tried to will himself to stand.
Why?
He started to feel cold and he wanted to sleep.
"-ey!" He started to hear something but he paid it no mind
"It's too late for me"
"Hey, st-
He was forcefully rolled over to face the sun.
Who is that? His hearing didn't seem to be working. He blacked out.
Maybe, it's better this way.
"He's not waking up, Yang!" Ruby cried out as her elder sister made a round by the teenager.
"He's lost a lot of blood, we need to hurry, lift him up we need to evacuate!" Yang ran over while Ruby pulled out her Scythe
"We have to clear out the Ursa" Weiss being the voice of captain obvious rang out
"If we do that he'll bleed out, Ruby take him to the chopper, we'll handle this!" Yang commanded Ruby had traces of a pout on her features but lifted up the blood-soaked teen and draped his less battered arm over her shoulder.
"I'll come right back!" Ruby ran off she didn't get far as a few Ursa made way to her swiping at her she moved out of the way almost dropping her charge. Yang sent a shotgun fueled punch through its stomach.
"Go!" She repeated Ruby bolted for it using her semblance she made it to the chopper in record time.
"Hey! Hey mister do, we have any medicine?" The pilot looked back and pointed to a box on the side,
"Gaze disinfectant and some stuff you'll have to get him to take by mouth" The pilot looked over at the teen for a few moments.
"The bandages and disinfectant will have to wait here –"He stood up and handed Ruby the container.
"Get him to swallow that, then we can work on everything else." He handed over the liquid, it was a minty green in color and in smell she noticed something red in the middle of the vile but ignored it for the sake of saving the person before her. She leaned over and pinched his nose hoping his mouth would open – when that failed they both realized how far gone he was, the blood on his body was dried up. His skin was completely pale and the barely visible rise and fall of his chest was what kept them from thinking he passed on.
"Take a mouthful of that and force it into his mouth," The girl visibly flinched looking down to the medicine she swallowed hard before taking a mouthful of it, it was cool and as she expected tasted like mint. She planted her lips on the teen before her as she carefully probed his mouth with her tongue, when she finally got his mouth open she latched onto his mouth letting the contents of the medicine flow. She closed her eyes for a few moments before releasing his lips a bit bewildered at the fact that she went this far.
"I'll look after him from here on, go ahead and help your friends." Before leaving Ruby keeled down and placed something in the brunette's hand he pilot grabbed a hold of the medical kit and placed it next to the brunette.
"Get better"
"That medicine should get him on his feet by the time you all return, so come back safely!" Ruby smiled a bit taking one last look at the unmoving teenager before grabbing her weapon and running back toward the mountain.
"Soon" The pilot smiled
Blake and Yang with swift and strong strikes wiping out Beowolves and Ursa in tandem Weiss using her glyph glaciers to erupt taking out the larger threats fortune was on their side however, soon after Ruby arrived.
"How is he?" Blake asked, the most vocal of her worry
"Pilot said he'd be alright soon, let's worry about this!" Ruby brandished her weapon launching into the fray slicing an Ursa ready to strike down her sister.
On the other side of the mountain JNPR who came by foot at a surprisingly quick pace - were for the most part taking out a few wolves and managing to tear down an Ursa thanks to Pyrrha's quick and precise strikes.
"We shouldn't stay separated for long, Jaune let's form up and group up with Ruby – "A screech broke them out of the moment as they looked to the east.
"Is that –"Ren looked on with worry.
"We need to go, now!" Jaune commanded
"Weeee! We get to kill a big one!" The team looked at Nora skeptically a collective sigh was the response.
Sora shot up in a daze his body hurt like hell his vision wasn't exactly the best but he could make out a keyblade in front of him he winced away and tried backpedaling but he hit something metal behind him.
"I showed you some kindness, and you show me resistance, aren't you cruel" The man turned away
"What do you want?" Xehanort had a knowing smile
"You know what I want, I want you to succumb to the darkness, I will follow you for as long as I have to, until I have you" Sora glared a bit but faltered.
"I – I'm not like you!"
"Oh, but Sora, you're wrong, you're the one most like me I know just how to get to your heart" Xehanort smiled as he turned toward the teenager
"You're so full of light that you don't realize how dark you actually are, all it takes is one snap and you'll be just like me" Sora grimaced fully
"What are you going to do!" The man said nothing as darkness swirled around the teenager
"Break you"
"You slowly accepted the darkness in the world between ever since then my words no matter how much you put up that mask spoke to you, even now you know they do."
"No one will save you from your fate," Tears fell from the brunette's eyes
Why.
He couldn't understand why he was feeling defeated.
"I'm –"He looked up to the man those golden eyes gleaming with evil energy
"Don't give up" Sora perked up and looked down to see a silver star accessory in his hand akin to the good luck charm Kairi gave him, like the crown hanging from his necklace. He looked over to the mountain he was once at feeling warmth radiating.
"It's my good luck charm be sure to bring it back to me!" However, silver eyes clouded the memory he felt a bit reinvigorated and less afraid but – he knew he had to get away from him as well as anyone who this man of evil could use against him.
"I'm above this!" Sora stood up light surrounded his form as it eventually erupted into a beam of light.
Back with Ruby and the others they were facing down a Death Stalker – but it was different along with its normal red eyes yellow ones were seen along it's back and claws and a heart with jagged red lines was in the center of its head. It was so much stronger than anything they faced thus far. Jaune was being held up by Pyrrha, Ren was kneeling from pain to his ankle, Nora was in a ditch, literally slammed into a ditch. Ruby had a deep cut on her side, Yang had blood running down her face from a possible concussion, Weiss and Blake so far came out fine despite a few scratches.
"What do we do, this thing is a lot stronger than I remember" Blake seemed distressed
"Then we just – just have to try harder!" Ruby stood up defiantly as the monstrosity howled and raised its claw to cut down the girl it came soaring down Yang positioned herself in front of her sister intent on taking the possible killing blow. She wouldn't lose her.
"Rend!" A voice from above cried out as the arm of the beast flew off missing the group entirely, moments later a being bathed in light landed.
"Are you okay?" A nod was all the person received.
"I'll take care of this, go ahead, get out of here" The person readied a weapon
"No," Ruby retaliated getting into battle stance right near the person
"I'm taking this thing out,"
"Sora," The person called out
"Huh?" Sora readied Fenrir and Oblivion as the motioned into a threatening stance as they floated
"My name is Sora." Ruby finally got a look at the person to realize it was the person they saved earlier. Looking at him now – His spiky brown locks, expressive blue eyes that seemed clouded in an emotion she couldn't explain. She couldn't help but think he was attractive.
In a totally platonic way, kind of.
"We'll do this together, then" He held out his hand for her and motioned for her to take it.
After a few moments, she took it as they floated a bit higher in the sky.
He shot toward the beast using his momentum shot Ruby higher into the air. Using his now free hand commanded his blades to strike at the yellow eyes. Ruby activated her semblance speeding her fall, with her scythe at the ready slammed into the beasts' head.
With a howl of anger, it flung Ruby into the air, thankfully Sora was there to catch her. Sending a few bolts of lightning to subdue the beast luckily because of the uproar no one noticed.
"That speed thing you did to go faster, can you do it again?" Sora asked looking at the beast. Her eyes met his face an idea was forming.
"Yeah I can." She grew perplexed
"Alright, here we go!" Sora slowly started to spin sending a gust of Aero to the silver eyed girls feet as she began to lift of the ground she gave one last look into the brunette's eyes.
She didn't see determination or a strong will.
He looked like he was trying to hide something as if he was hiding pain inside his heart.
That was the last thing she saw as she flew in a blur toward the Death Stalker using her semblance again she set the beast ablaze with her speed alone. Sora caught up to her both teens sped through slicing the beast apart as it Vanished in a cloud of smoke, a heart came out floating toward the sky.
Ruby landed graciously, as Sora's drive faded he fell in a heap on the ground below his body felt like it was on fire it was hard to breathe. He searched desperately for something to give him relief but was met with his voice crawling out of his throat to voice his pain.
Once again, the words the old man spoke to him creep into his subconscious.
Submit
"Are you okay?" That girl with the silver eyes asked
Submit
He looked up to her for only a moment before his eyes closed again
Submit!
"I –" He shook his head quickly Xehanort was onto him and it would only be a matter of time before things got worse, he had to leave.
"Please, forget you met me" Sora whispered out as he stood up he didn't want to involve them in this
"Is that what you say to the person who saved your life!?" Yang shouted. She grabbed ahold of the brunette forcing him to make eye contact
"You aren't safe, near me" Sora whispered out Xehanort would hunt him down he didn't want to involve anyone else.
"And who are you to decide that?!" It was another girl snow white in appearance
"We risked our lives the least you can do is show some gratitude and an explanation" The brunette closed his eyes, blissfully wishing they would let him go but he knew that wouldn't be the case. He steeled himself for his next course of action.
He summoned his keyblade in front of the blonde blinding her for a moment, she went to shield her eyes as she did Sora backed away.
His body hurt, his lungs felt like fire – when was the last time he even ate? Heartless would be after him he didn't even know how to get home.
He didn't want anyone to get hurt, he wouldn't risk it.
"It's best you forget who I am, none of this is up to you to decide, you meeting me was a mistake!" Sora's voice strained and cracked under the stress he couldn't meet anyone's eyes but he heard a voice.
"But, we're your friends, aren't we?" His body visibly shook at this, he looked to his right to see that silver eyed girl with a knowing smile and a welcoming look about her.
"We all knew, as soon as we noticed you fighting alone that we had to help. If something is after you or something we'll help with that too because friends help friends." His response was a violent head shake
"I'm beyond your help" He wanted to leave, he didn't want anyone to be put in danger again.
"How do you know you haven't let us try!" Ruby said adamantly intent on helping
Her hand reached out to his and warmth engulfed him he looked to her as she smiled brighter.
"Please, Sora" Nostalgia, that's what it felt like,
He was always quick to make friends, constantly going through hell and high-water to prove his loyalty and the one time he wanted to do things on his own he's met with his own medicine.
Poetic justice
Before he could give the girl an answer another helicopter came into view hovering over the group. Professor Ozpin in view.
Due to his weakened state, he was dragged along without much effort it didn't stop him from verbally telling them to let him go.
He wanted to be left alone despite the words they spoke.
He was going to die or be taken in by Xehanort to become his 13th seeker of darkness
He'd rather die than let that happen.
Yensid let Sora go on this trip alone he needed to find himself again. However, Yensid himself knew that it was entirely possible for Sora to fall to the darkness.
"13 seekers of darkness and 7 heroes of light as far as that goes if Tera came back or if I passed on – Ventus or even Roxas…they could easily take my place" Sora looked to his left as the silver eyed girl – known as Ruby kept her hand firmly clasped around his. He visibly calmed around her they reasoned. He couldn't pinpoint why he couldn't bring himself to escape when around her. In part to the fact that she had to as they put it; use her jaws to force life into him and he owed her.
"Where are you from, Sora?" Ruby asked, the group focused to the brunette, his clothes still tattered and covered in blood, his eyes wouldn't focus on anyone. He didn't want to get close, as selfish as it sounded, in his mind It wasn't a terrible thing. If they got close they would be sad if something happened to him or Xehanort could use them to unlock his darkness.
"An island" He responded simply
"Oh, from Patch? Or Menagerie? Oh wait, if it was Patch we might met at some point – but I think we'd remember him, right Yang?" Her sister responded with a shrug
"Menagerie is Faunus populated, I doubt that's any human would end up living" Blake added in
"The place, I'm from is where my problems started" He tried to be as vague as possible
"Then, what about that weapon of yours it seems so unique, could I see it again?" The girl next to him almost pleaded.
"Look, I told you, you all shouldn't get close to me, after we land I'm leaving, it's for your own good!" Sora responded crossly
"You say that but you have yet to explain why!" Yang growled
"We're trying to be friends with you!" Sora winced a bit as he felt Ruby's hand slip away as Blake added in her own feelings.
Left to the darkness once again, he felt the old man's hold on his strengthen once again. He sunk into his chair.
"He was on that helicopter" Sora started
"Who? The pilot? What about him?" Weiss asked this time
"It was no pilot, that was the same man who has been hunting me down since this journey of mine began" Ruby adorned a look of worry as did Blake
"Then why not hide somewhere he couldn't possibly find you?" An older voice spoke Sora looked up to see the older man – adorned with a petty coat, scarf glasses and grey hair. Ozpin.
"My students seem adamant on helping you, so why don't you stay with us awhile at least until your wounds heal. You can decide afterwards if you truly wish to stay or not." He thought for what felt like hours but was only a few moments on his answer. When he went to speak a sharp pain in his head kept him from voicing his thoughts.
Did you think I'd let you off that easily? A rumble from the back of the helicopter caused the group to fall about, Ruby wasn't as lucky to just land on the metal floor she ended up hanging out of the door itself. Sora held firmly onto the petite girl until something made the helicopter shake again sending them spiraling into the forest floor.
Screams for the girl made it to the brunettes' ears, her face was full of something – he couldn't quite put his finger on.
He knew one thing though, he wasn't going to let her get hurt.
He pulled the girl into his arms and shifted his weight so he was underneath her. Her eyes held protest and she tried separating herself, when his eyes held shock for a moment she wished she fought harder to see what he saw above them. Instead - waiting for the inevitable pain she wrapped her free arm around his neck and buried her head into his chest as they hit the ground with a sickening thwack.
Why are you so afraid?
You won't get close to people? That's so unlike you, Sora.
Instead of bringing people into the light to fight alongside you, you're fighting alone?
I can see through your fear, boy.
Don't want someone – anyone to get hurt but you yourself are afraid.
Of yourself, of your friends.
Of the darkness, you harbor.
When Ruby woke up next, she was still in the arms of her reluctant savior. She stood up checking around for cuts or anything. She was fine looking down at her metaphorical cushion, he was covered in cuts and blood she didn't see any fractures or anything broken but, she tried her best to use her aura to make the fall as painless as possible.
Above her the sky started to darken, not because of the sun setting but rain. For the second time, she was tasked with carrying the person below her.
"When this is over you'll be the one carrying me" She huffed out and blushed a bit at her own choice of words.
"And I'm blushing because of the implications not because of you!" She received no response
He was clearly out cold she assumed. She went to try and lift him up only for Sora's eyes to flutter open and his body to jerk up into a sitting position.
"We're okay?" He asked incredulously he hissed soon after realizing how battered he was from the fall.
"Here, I'll help you, it's going to rain we need to find shelter so I can contact my sister so we can get out of here" Sora said nothing and huddled close to the smaller of the two as they began walking, as she predicted, rain fell seconds after.
"A cave!" awhile after walking Ruby spotted a cave and booked it inside, it was bigger than she thought it'd be.
A small pond was in the far south side and lit up by some fireflies. She started to shiver a bit though as she marveled at the sight.
"Our clothes are wet, we need a fire to dry them." Sora hobbled forward
"With what firewood, and we can't go back out there because if we start searching for wood we'll just end up worse off" Sora said nothing but threw his torn and ripped jacket off onto the ground.
"At least, I can do this" He shot a fire spell onto his article of clothing bringing the cave to life with light the last of his mana was drained. Throughout all this his stamina was low, his drive forms were a probable risk to his health and if he didn't get rest and food he wouldn't stand a chance against even a woodland rabbit.
"What was that, magic?" She drew closer
"Is that your semblance?" She asked again stopping herself "But wait, that power you used before I figured that was it – you seem more and more special no wonder someone is after you!" Sora took a seat near his now burning clothing and Ruby somewhat reluctant to do the same did so after a moment of thinking.
They sat silently for a while Ruby drifted from the wall in front of them to the water that even in this light looked crystal clear and finally to the boy near her, she didn't know what to make of him personally.
If he wasn't so – weird? Weird she'd probably like him. She could easily admit he was handsome even now. The way his hair drooped framing his face and giving his expressive eyes a form of mystery to them made her want to know more. She wanted to get closer. He wasn't as toweringly tall as Jaune but his back – his demeanor gave of the vibe that he'd protect her, anyone that needed it above all else at least, she at first thought that now? She had no idea her curiosity got the better of her she inched a bit closer being as brave as she could, expecting him to yell or move away from her. Slowly her hand reached his once again.
"Once you can get a hold of your friends, we'll go our separate ways" Sora finally said, Ruby felt discomfort in her heart for once. If i fall you'd be next
"Why, we can help you-"Sora raised his hand to stop her. If no one is near by what could happen to you?
"No, not against that monster." Ruby grew furious I can't protect anyone from him I'm not strong enough
"I don't get you! You saved me – twice and yet you act so distant because some guy is out to get you, why not let people who want to help you help!" Let me stay by your side
"Because of what he can do to me, what he could make me become, no one should be a witness to that" He thought to himself
"If you think we can't protect ourselves your mistaken all of us are hunters we can take care of ourselves, we can help you!" Sora grit his teeth, those expressive eyes looking back to her equally expressive silver.
"You can't, you can't help me, you can't stop him he will destroy everyone you care about and not bat an eye, the further away from me you are the better!" His words boomed through the cave echoing into her heart. He'll take me away from everyone here, you can't get close to me!
"I…I see you don't want -." He winced her soft words hurt even more so when her voice hitched in her throat he probably hurt her but he had to know why
"Ruby I'm –"A loud beep from an object on Ruby's belt stopped Sora mid-sentence
"It's getting low on battery, Yang also sent a message that they'll be here within the hour." Ruby shivered a bit holding herself trying to keep warm. Sora seeing this, pulled her close.
"You need to keep warm" Her eyes met his, the once expressive blue seemed dull as hers did at this very moment.
She laid against his chest with a bit of a pout on her features
"I just want to help you." She said after a moment
"It's better this way, he's not one to leave his enemies alive." She didn't want to give up
"You risked your life to save me, I'm sure," She paused for a moment to look at him fully
"I'm sure if – we work together we can defeat him together"
"What an optimistic child you've found, Sora" Out of the darkness footsteps echoed until finally the man who filled Sora with trepidation was in full view.
With only the light of the now dimming fire his guide Sora stood up and summoned Lionheart and took stance.
"You intend to fight?" Sora glared back defiant
"Ruby, get out of here, he's after me you have no reason to stay" He looked back at where the girl was originally seated she wasn't there.
" Pushing everyone away because you know what you are, so what will you cling to now?" Even in the dimming light Sora knew he was smiling so hard his face would probably crack if it went any wider
"I won't give up, if I take you down here and now, no one else – will have to deal with you!" Sora tried using his drive form but to no avail he grimaced ever so reluctant to use them in a rational sense but when in a fight it's the first thing he tries.
Typical
"You don't have any light to use those pesky forms, my boy you come at me with your own strength or not at all" Sora shot off a pitiful blast of blizzard which the elderly man easily deflected, Sora came flying right behind it with a vertical strike that was dodged easily.
Sora haphazardly tried again only to get into a stalemate – if Xehanort using one arm and Sora using both was a stalemate that was as close as it was going to be at this point.
He was toying with him. It didn't matter at least to Sora, he knew he didn't have the strength to fight him and at this point it was a fool's tale to think he had a chance.
"I'm sorry, Ruby I was being selfish but-" The sound of footsteps cut off his train of thought
"But what!?" She came back and he couldn't help but be shocked
"Did you really think I'd leave you? I just brought some help" Ruby stood alongside those three girls from before, behind them – JNPR and from the looks of it the professor.
"Oh I see…" Xehanort looked to the brunette the young girl he met before he could see the two of them a bond quickly being formed in his head and he couldn't help but laugh manically as he summoned blades of pure red energy to send flying in every direction.
"I SEE THIS JUST GETS BETTER AND BETTER!" Xehanort howled as the cave began to crumble from his attack, luckily everyone managed to doge the more lethal blades that Xehanort sent out.
"You will live for now boy," Sora growled
"What do you mean?! I'm right here face me!" A rock from the cave came crashing toward the teen only for Blake to save him.
"You can worry about that guy later, let's get out of here!" Sora glared at the spot the man of darkness once stood begrudgingly making way out of the cave.
"I honestly can't tell if you're brave or a fool" Opzin took a sip of his coffee sighing when it quenched what thirst he had. When he learned his students left without his permission on a mission that was way above their grade he was furious – more worried but still furious.
"What if instead of a human you fell into a trap? What if Sora had died, where would you be?" Tension rose in his shoulders taking a look at the four girls in front of him.
"As soon – as soon as we saw him down there we knew without a second thought we had to help, isn't that what we're supposed to do?!" Blake questioned
"You had no way of knowing you got lucky, do you expect that luck to continue? You should've been thoughtful and be thankful you found a capable warrior and not white fang, girls" he turned to the only teenage boy in the room
"Speaking of, I don't personally have a reason to lecture you, but you should know your own limits if your trying to keep people out to protect them all you're going to do is-"The man sighed releasing the tension in his shoulders and sat back in his chair trying to find a way to convey his words.
"What am I doing, you know this, I know you do, so you know what I'm going to do?" The girls tensed up concern and dread covered expressions met his calm calculated one
"Until I can figure out what to do with you, and because they were so adamant to break my rules; you will stay with them. They found you they'll look after you" The group groaned in unision
"I'm not a kid I can take care of myself!" Sora protested
"Yeah, you hear that, he's not a kid he can take care of himself!" Yang repeated
"That man Xehanort was it? Is after you and after that test we ran it's clear-"
"Now Sora, I'm going to ask you a few questions about yourself and you're to answer honestly"
He shrugged at this
"Do you have a lot of friends?" The woman asked, she seemed plain to him almost normal in every way when he compared her to this school she seemed out of place a lot of it confused him it was – so high-tech.
"Yeah, I do they mean everything to me, I'd do anything for them" He smiled a bit at the thought of his friends
"And that man who is after you," Sora went rigid
He was being monitored and he tried to put on a brave face but Xehanort was the sole reason he was so emotionally defeated.
"He's the reason I need to leave he'll come after me, and he'll take down anyone in his way" He looked away from the woman an uneasiness radiated from him
"That's not all is there?"
"You didn't answer her. You aren't emotionally capable of being left to your own devices. As an educator, I can't let you leave, knowing full well if I did you'd probably wind up dead if I did that." Sora gave him a challenging look.
"So, this all comes full circle. Team RWBY you will look after Sora for his extended period stay until he is emotionally restored or this foe is defeated" He looked to the five
"If he escapes you will be deemed responsible and expelled, do I make myself clear" an audible gasp made him glance over to Weiss
"Something to say Weiss?"
"Sir, with all do respect why must we look after him he's a warrior isn't he not only that – expulsion?!"
"Because, what this fight brings us is beyond just beacon, you could say it's the key to everything"
"D-Did you just" Sora started Yang cut him off with a laugh
"Alright, pun sealed it I'm in, don't have much of a choice but I'm in" Yang smiled
"I normally would be against it not knowing what i'm up against, but if it means helping something bigger than myself, I'll help you know aside the looming threat of expulsion" Blake smiled at the teenager who seemed sullen in thought
"You'd better not, do anything to get us expelled, my family name rests on you!" Weiss hollered stomping out of the room in a huff.
"You were hoping you'd die out there that's why you wanted them to stay away, wasn't it?" Ozpin asked soon after Weiss left the room the shift in demeanor was all Ozpin needed to know that he was right on the money.
"I've left you new clothing – as well what is your weapon of choice I might add –"Sora drew out the keyblade
"I need no weapon this is all I need." He placed the blade over his shoulder out of habit
"Since you aren't from around here Sora, I'll have Blake give you a run down for classes. And Sora." The brunette turned to face him
"You aren't alone here, if you need anything don't hesitate to ask, I know that you intended to lose your life and I know you hold some power here that I honestly can't grasp. However; I hope you can begin to turn around for the better" Ruby bounced up to the teenager
"This place runs on happy faces not frownie faces so smile!" Sora's eyes widened thinking back to the first time he met Donald and goofy he couldn't help but slowly smile, that smile turned into a fullblown laugh
She blushed more embarrassed because she felt she made a fool of herself
"It's not you, just a friend of mine told me something similar years ago" He gave her a thumbs up and a signature smile that only turned her a shade darker
"I was arrogant to try and deal with all of it on my own, I…just couldn't stand to see him harm someone else,"
After a moment of thought Ozpin stood up catching the attention of the teenagers.
"I would like to see, just how strong you are, Ruby, escort him down to the auditorium an an hour?" Ozpin made way for the door
"Sure, but who is he going to fight?" Ozpin smirked a bit
"Pyrrha"
"Whatever that man did to him" The nurse started
"It's affecting him on a deeper emotional and subconscious level. He's systematically breaking him he needs support. He needs people to surround him so he doesn't fall into a pit he can never get out of"
"So, he needs friends I take it?" Ozpin asked skeptically
"He needs love, and emotional support, if you will"
"Yensid, are you sure that was the best place to send Sora?" King mickey asked incredulously
"He needs to confront his demons Mickey you know this better than anyone, if he can't then he is lost to us, as harsh as this sounds, we have to trust and believe in him. It'll be radio silence until then" The king huffed in annoyance
"We almost lost him to Xehanort this is a test of his will, if he comes back we know his alignment if he does not…"
Ruby walked into the shared dorm room with her friends thinking over everything with a sigh of relief and stress. Deciding to take a shower, Ruby stripped herself of everything but her undergarments on her way to the bathroom, twisted the knob only to be met with a very stimulating sight.
Sora stood in front of her his generally wild hair was swept off to the side in an attempt at a semblance of a hair style, that wasn't the problem though, he was shirtless his old shirt was laying on his shoulder but that didn't do enough to hide his toned body from her spying eyes. He had some scars but that only accented his visible abs for her to drink in.
She didn't notice she was starting to drool she took one step in a general direction trying to position herself in a more nonchalant way – as if this wasn't the first time she saw a guy that she found in a small way attractive shirtless.
In her effort she lost her footing, not exactly finding anywhere else to look fell forward onto her new friends' chest causing him to take a tumble toward the floor.
Time froze for them, she inched a bit closer
"I - I'm sorry" She sheepishly hid her face
"This isn't the first time you've been this close to me right? You even took my first kiss" He added looking away from the girl
"Would you - I could do it again"
Sora looked at her skeptically, before he could utter a sentence
The door to the dorm opened
"Ruby we're…. WHAT THE –"Weiss Blake and Yang came back to see her younger sister in nothing but undergarments against her new classmate and roommates chest.
Yang cracked her knuckles. Sora silently wished the day would be over
"Now hold on I can explain- "Yang's fist flew toward him in the most dodge able of fashions he contemplated it for a moment, sighed and accepted his fate.
"SORA!"
"NOT MY FACE!"
Reviews are welcome, lemme know what you think? I dunno if i should kinda have Sora dip in and out of the emotional coasters internally or mix it up