Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts.
Sorry. It'll probabaly be taking me longer to put up chapters because I started classes recently. School. Ick! But I still manage to find ways to amuse myself. While driving onto the highway not long ago, while I was working on Chapter 2 -- I passed a sign that said:
"3 or more Axels keep Left"
Ha ha. I am so easy to please:-P
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Academy Heartless
Chapter 3
Sora was thinking so hard that he almost forgot where he was going. The city had changed A LOT since he'd been there last. Not only was the clock tower where the school stood different, but a dozen other buildings at least half as tall had sprung up. He wasn't so sure anymore that he knew where to find Leon and the others.
Merlin's house always seemed to be the place to go, and Sora decided to try locating it first. Surely, it couldn't be THAT hard to find.
He wandered around for about an hour before finally starting to get a feel for the city and feeling that he recognized some things. Even the valley where he'd fought over a thousand enemies before seemed to show some signs of residential building. Pretty soon it would be as full of people as the Market Plaza.
Weird.
Finally, after a little more wandering -- he'd noticed a few shops that might have some of his school supplies -- a familiar looking door came into view. It was nestled on a side street behind a very tall building that Sora was sure he hadn't seen before, yet was next to one he'd passed fifty times at least.
But it was comforting to finally be somewhere he felt familiar with. With the tall building blocking the view of the rest of the city, Sora could almost pretend nothing had changed at all.
Man -- what if nobody was here? The house did look a little dingy compared to all the new buildings all around -- maybe Merlin decided to set up shop in a nice little tower somewhere. I mean -- when you're helping build the city, you can go where you want right?
Nothing to do but try.
Sora knocked hard on the door. No answer came. Hmm. Well -- nothing for it. It's not like I made a habit of knocking before. He, Donald and Goofy had been in and out so much on their journeys before that finally Merlin got fed up with having his experiments interrupted and just told them to come and go as they pleased -- and try not to mess anything up.
Opening the door, which was thankfully unlocked, Sora hesitantly peered inside. It was dim, but not completely dark -- the light of early evening seeped in through the front windows. And... electronic light from a large computer further illuminated the room from the wall opposite where he stood.
Huh. The computer was on... but there didn't appear to be anyone here. But, looking around, he could see signs that someone still lived in the dingy house. A rumpled bed. A few plates left on the table... a towel draped over the back of a chair. Nothing to give away just who might be staying here now... who might be coming back.
Probably he should leave -- or wait outside. If the house didn't belong to Merlin anymore, whoever came home to find him snooping around their place might just help him out. Literally. Out the front door.
Sora moved towards the exit, only to hear footsteps approaching from the outside.
Shoot. He hadn't even closed the door completely. Sora heard the footsteps slow and then stop as they realized the door they'd left closed was now slightly ajar.
Aww, man -- should he hide? That would look even more suspicious to whoever was out there. Maybe he should just go straight out there and explain that he was looking for Leon. Surely, Leon must be a bit of a celebrity around town by now, and...whoever was out there... would certainly understand why he'd come here looking for him. Or maybe he should just...
Before he could go over more escape scenarios in his head, the door burst inward and, with a surprised yelp, Sora found himself slammed backward onto the floor. He clenched his eyes shut, putting up his arms and guarding automatically against the unexpected assault. It seemed to happen all at once and before he knew it, there was a heavy weight on his chest, and the unmistakable feel of cold steel against his neck.
Ugh. He must be getting rusty.
For just a moment, both Sora and the one with a sword to his throat held their breath. Then...
"Sora?" questioned a surprised voice from above him.
Sora cautiously opened an eyelid, peeking out. He recognized that voice.
"Uh... hey, Leon." Sora replied a bit sheepishly. He felt kinda stupid being caught so off-guard. Especially when it was by just the person he had been looking for...
Must be my lucky day, Sora thought wryly.
"I've been all over the city today searching for you." Leon stood, staring down at the boy sprawled out on the floor, his expression slightly bewildered.
"Uh -- yeah, me too." he sat up, rubbing the back of his head where it'd slammed against the floor when he'd been tackled. Sora flinched. That was gonna leave a mark.
"You've been what?" Leon reached down, offering Sora the hand that was not clutching his gunblade.
"Oh, well I've been looking for you." He took the hand offered and let Leon pull him to his feet. "Though, ah... heh. I thought I'd get a warmer welcome than that." He smirked at Leon. Maybe if he played this right Leon would forget that was Sora that had snuck into his house...
"Right. Sorry about that." He set the gunblade on the table and turned away to turn on a few of the lamps across the room.
Alright! Off the hook...
"But you really shouldn't sneak into other people's homes when they aren't around." Leon's back was turned to him but Sora could hear the slight note of amusement in his voice.
Aww -- busted. Sora scratched his head and managed to look embarrassed for the one moment before Leon could turn around to see any apology on his face. After all... if he didn't want people in his house, he should lock the door -- right?
"It was unlocked -- anyways, Merlin said..."
Wait... his house?
"Hey! Where is Merlin?" Sora stared questioningly at the dark-haired man across the room. Maybe Leon didn't live here. Maybe he was just visiting -- like everyone did. All the time.
"Merlin doesn't live here anymore." Leon stretched and sat down wearily into the chair next to the table.
"Oh, ah..." Did he have to be tactful here? Or should he just ask?
Best to be tactful...
"So, did Merlin get tired of you guys and decide to split?" Sora chuckled.
...or not.
Leon grunted, his gaze drifting towards the open window. "Nah -- once we started building he set up a place just like the one he had in Traverse Town. Though you might not recognize it. The door's protected by a different element than it was then. He thought it would be prudent... " Leon turned, studying him with a thoughtful look. Sora started to shift uncomfortably. What? Did he have something on his face?
"I might as well tell you, though." He leaned forward, resting his arms on his legs "He's not in town anymore."
"What? Not in town anymore?" Merlin was... gone? But why? Sora traipsed across the room closer to where Leon sat and pulled out a chair.
"He's with Master Yen Sid right now. Been gone for about a month. But he should be returning sometime soon."
"Oh..." Sora furrowed his brow. Sora remembered Master Yen Sid. That guy was way more intimidating than Merlin. But wizards hung out with wizards, he guessed. Trade buddies and all.
Sora spun the chair around and placed it opposite the black clad man, straddling the seat and resting his chin on the back, facing him.
Now, how did he broach this topic? Hey, Leon -- why is the new school King Mickey sent me to overrun by Organization XIII?
"Um, Leon..."
No. No. No. Start decisive. Let him know you mean business and don't appreciate being left out of the loop.
"Right. Leon!" Sora squared his shoulders up and stared down the bridge of his nose at Leon. He might risk going slightly cross-eyed... but it was important to appear intimidating.
Leon sighed. "Yes, Sora?"
"Er... the teachers at the school are..."
Darn! Let's try again...
"The teachers are, ah..." No, that wasn't good either.
"Oh...right." Leon sat up, looking directly at Sora. "So you noticed."
So...he'd...noticed...?
"Of course I noticed!" He burst out. "How could I not notice that a bunch of neurotic one-minded supposed-to-be-dead no-souled bodies who may or may not be determined to knock me off walking around in a place I'm going to school -- and they're my teachers!"Sora breathed hard. That was telling him!
"Knock you off?" Leon looked concerned "No no, Sora. You don't have to worry about that. We did bring them back, but not as their former selves. They have all the memories of Organization XIII, but they are completely loyal to the Academy. Trust me on this."
"B-but why did you even bring them back? Why not just have regular... real teachers?" He was trying to understand what this was all about. Really.
"Sora -- I'm sure you know how much Radiant Garden has grown over the past year. It's not just because we are trying to rebuild." He leaned forward, his eyes boring into Sora's "We have to make sure that something like what happened with Xehanort and Xemnas won't happen again. We need more who can fight and protect us -- but we -- just don't have enough people."
Sora thought, in that moment, that the gunblademan looked a little lost...and very tired. He regretted his earlier outburst.
But I just don't think this is okay.
"It's not like I don't understand where you're coming from with this... but I... I don't like it." That was kinda a lame way to finish. "I mean -- even the Administrator is one of the Organization!" he added for emphasis.
"Oh... that" Leon looked chagrined "That wasn't planned... it's actually why Merlin is visiting Yen Sid. We're hoping to convince him to come here and run the school. He's never one to leave his tower, though... Merlin is the only one who we think has a chance of convincing him. But he's... been gone so long." He lapsed into a brooding silence.
Ah... that made a little more sense.
"But how do you know the Nobodies are loyal to you?" Sora crossed his arms, brow furrowed.
"They aren't Nobodies anymore, Sora. They're just memories... holograms."
"But..."
"They're loyal. Trust me." The way he said it gave the conversation a ring of finality. Sora sighed. He doubted Leon would be willing to give up anymore information at the moment. Guess it was time to go. He'd hoped for a better visit than this...
"Listen, Sora... I'm sorry." Leon stood to open the door for Sora, who was already getting out of the chair. "I promise to let you know if there is any other news." He smiled weakly.
"Hey, it's cool..." Sora grinned. "I gotta pick up my school supplies anyways..."
School supplies. List. Folder... Ring!
"Oh yeah!" He practically shouted in the tall man's face, but was too busy digging the ring out of his pocket to apologize or look abashed "I found this ring in my folder -- what is it?" He passed the ring over to Leon, who peered slightly at it.
"Oh, this. Wasn't there some kind of letter with it explaining?" He glanced over at Sora questioningly.
"Erm..."
"Well, in any case... this is something that Tron helped us come up with." He handed the ring back to Sora "You put it on your right hand, and when you call your keyblade... you can make it take whatever form you need."
"WHOA! Really?" Sora jumped so high he almost lost hold of the ring and scrambled to catch it. Making the Keyblade take different forms? Definitely cool! His imagination started to run away with images of what he could create...
"Yes" Leon waved distractedly "There should be a letter explaining all of it, but come to me if you need anymore help." He looked a little anxious to get back to whatever work he was doing. Which may have been brooding. Leon made that seem like a full-time job.
"Alright! Well... thanks! And... good to see you, Leon." Sora smiled warmly and held his hand out. Leon stared at him bewildered for just a moment before he returned the smile, and clasped his outstretched hand firmly.
"Good to see you too, Sora. Now get out of here before the last train leaves..." He ruffled the smaller boy's hair before giving him a good shove towards the front door.
"Oh man... the train!" He hadn't thought of that. School supplies might just have to wait! "See ya, Leon!" He ran out the front door, slamming it shut behind him. Man -- it was almost completely dark now.
It looks like all the shops are closed anyways.
Dern... which way was the train station again? Sora considered turning back to Merlin... well, Leon's house now... and asking where to go, but didn't want to disturb him again -- he seemed to be getting in one of those moods.
Anyways, he could find it ... as long as he could see the top of the school, and figure out which direction he'd faced it when he arrived.
Pretty soon, Sora was certain he was on his way to the train station. But... he began to feel that prickling sensation on the back of his neck that he usually got when he was using magical items... or when he was being watched.
Slowing down, Sora tried to appear nonchalant... studying the window displays of the stores he passed, while trying to keep an eye on the many shadows which had formed around the bottoms of the buildings.
He listened closely, but could hear no strange noise... or anything really out of the ordinary. Most of the people had already gone to their homes, and the street was very quiet. Not even the normal scurry of rodents or noise of families behind doors settling for the night could be heard. Was it usually this quiet?
Sora walked past one of the windows. It was a store for children's toys... jack in the boxes, dolls, and even kits for magical illusions decorated the window display. They were really well done. Looking closely at some of the figures, you might almost think they were alive.
He leaned forward, looking at the eyes of a small porcelain-skinned doll. If he just watched long enough, it might actually blink...
Suddenly, Sora realized he could see a reflection in the glass. Not of the buildings, but of someone standing in the shadows. Leaning slightly on a leg, ready to run -- he pretended to still study the items in the window display. He couldn't make out the figure in the darkness... maybe it was just a shadow, too...
But no. The larger shadow moved slightly. Towards Sora.
Spinning around suddenly, Sora launched himself at the figure next to the building. The black-clad figure hesitated for moment, then took off running. He'd obviously not expected to be seen, but was far enough away from Sora already that the moment of hesitation didn't cost him.
Running behind him, Sora was hard-pressed to make out any details of the(man?)black figure. Whoever it was though was trying hard to lose the quick footed boy. He turned down several side streets, but didn't manage to shake Sora.
Sora would have actually been enjoying this if he hadn't already been just a little freaked out by the fact that a strange person was following him around in the city at night. And after all he'd seen today...
The figure hesitated at the end of the street, which split into three others -- undecided as to which way to go. He looked down each street and Sora put on a burst of speed to try and catch up with him. Closing in, Sora noticed that he wore a robe very similar to the Organization XIII robes. And as he turned...silver hair peeked out the side of the hooded face.
Ansem?
No, not Ansem...
"Riku!" Sora cried out to the figure still hesitating at the end of the street. He jumped, startled at hearing Sora's voice... before diving down the alley he faced.
Pumping his legs as fast as they would go, Sora burst around the corner. Only to see...
Nothing.
The street was empty. And all Sora could hear was his own heavy breathing.
He'd lost him.
