A/N: LOOK EVERYONE, TIS ANSEM. Told you I blame him for making the story so dark. *Razz* Anyhow, what's Ansem's intentions? Who's the new Heartless Leader? (Hint: It ain't Kairi, Sora, or Riku. Hur.) Just keep on, all questions get answered. Eventually. :D; Also... Well... No, it's not Ansem pulling another weird thing. like with Riku. Uh, yeah.*Watches the people grab torches* EEP! *Flee*
For the record, I don't own Ergheiz either. Damn you, Square.
Chapter 4: Where the Answers Lie
Andrea started shoving things into her knapsack as she prepared for travel. Food, clothing, and other essentials quickly made their way into her bag, including survival tools, and a toolkit. Closing the bag, she hoisted it onto her shoulder. Locking the door on her way out, she headed for the accessory shop.
Where are we going, small one? Ansem whispered. Andrea mumbled her answer.
"Some place called Hollow Bastion." Came the reply. Ansem murmured his approval.
Fascinating library, I hear. Maybe it would help aide what troubles you? Ansem said softly. Andrea shrugged.
"Maybe. Whatever information I can get would help. I just need my ship..."
Cid Highwind was back in charge of his old accessory shop, which now was complimented by his Gummi Ship repair shop. He was cleaning his counter when Andrea walked in, pack on her shoulder.
"Hey, Cid, where's the Ergheiz?" Andrea asked. Cid gestured.
"Outside, in th' garage. Why? I ain't done with it. Still gotta fix-"
"Thanks, Cid. I owe ya." Andrea interrupted, diving for the garage. Cid blinked.
"But I ain't fixed the main engines fully."
Andrea approached the blue-purple ship calmly. Ergheiz was emblazoned on one side, and its shape resembled that of a plane. The ship was, in Andrea's eyes, impeccable. The starry sky reflected off of the Gummi Ship magnificently. Andrea stroked it gently. Inside the pendant, Ansem watched calmly as she cooed at the flying ship.
The craft is magnificent. Who constructed it? Ansem stated. Andrea huffed.
"Me." She said. Without further comment, she boarded the Ergheiz and entered the Curaga block. She was about to ignite the engine when Cid entered shortly after.
"Cid? What brings you aboard?" Andrea asked, turning her gaze to him. Cid snorted.
"Keepin' yer sorry ass outta trouble, you knucklehead." Cid grunted. Andrea blinked.
"Wonder what I did." Andrea muttered as she ignited the secondary engines to manuver the Ergheiz out of the Garage. The ship purred like a kitten as it headed for space. Upon exiting Traverse Town's atmosphere, Andrea ignited the main engines. Cid grimaced, but said nothing. So far so good...
"So, kid, where ya goin'? Cid asked, half boredly. Andrea stretched.
"Some place called Hollow Bastion." Was the reply. Cid jerked forward.
"You fuckin' CRAZY!? Ya don't know the way, you damn idiot! You trying to get yer sorry ass killed, or stranded!? Yer fuckin' STUPID just going places without any sense of direction! God DAMN!" Cid spat the slew of swears out like bad whiskey. Andrea shrugged, accustomed to this.
"I have a map." Andrea said, holding up a slip of paper. Cid grunted.
"Good. Least I taught ye that much." Cid grunted. Andrea rolled her eyes.
Cid was strolling back to the accessory shop after another comfortable night at the bar when he spotted the 6-year-old sitting under a street lamp. She had long brown hair in pig tails, brilliant green eyes, and a pale gray top and black slacks with matching knee-high black boots. A little blue heart was embroidered, by hand, on the left shoulder. Cid approached.
"'Ey, kid, whatcha doin' out here late at night?" Cid asked. "Ain't it past bed time?"
The little girl raised her sad green eyes up to Cid calmly.
"What 'bout your momma, or poppa? Ain't they lookin' for ya?" Cid tried again. Her reply was calm.
"I have no family. They all died." She said with unnerving calm. Cid blinked. The kid creeped him out slightly, but she didn't seem hostile.
"Well, let ol' Cid keep an eye on ya a while, then." Cid said, puffing his chest in a bad attempt to seem more macho. She just looked at him, unimpressed. Cid calmed down.
"Whatcher name, kid?" Cid asked. She stared into his eyes.
"Andrea."
Andrea watched the worlds pass by as she steered, according to her map. Finally, up ahead, was a massive fortress-like world. Water enveloped most of it, but, the rest was steel and brick. Andrea barely noticed Cid's calm disposition. His unnaturally serious expression, however, didn't miss Ansem. While he didn't see it, he sensed the corncern.
Andrea docked the Ergheiz in the small docking bay. While Hollow Bastion seemed inhabited, it was very barely so. However, as Cid and Andrea disembarked, they couldn't help noticing the black and deep violet gummi ship parked nearby. The two exchanged strange looks before Andrea wandered into the library.
The library was full to the brim with books on every topic. Andrea gazed around, fascinated, at the slice of Paradise while Ansem silently puffed a little with pride. He'd worked very hard to build up the library. Andrea's amazement only made him prouder. Still, there was work to be done. Andrea reached for the book on the topmost shelf she could reach, and then froze. Ansem suddenly grew more alert himself. The two turned to face a young man with stark yellow eyes who seemed to stare directly at them. Thick red hair was combed back, and he wore all black, including his trenchcoat. Ansem tensed, sensing an overwhelming feeling of darkness from him. He braced.
"...Hello." Andrea said. Ansem cringed. She didn't seem to sense the darkness at all. It bothered him.
"Hello." The man replied. There was little emotion to his voice. A long scar ran from his cheek to under his black silk shirt. Andrea shifted. His stare made her uneasy.
"Can I help you?" She asked, warily. He nodded slowly.
"...Perhaps." Came his calm reply. Andrea tilted her head, then reached for her gun as the man lunged a hand at her chest. His hand crashed into Peacemaker as she blocked just in time. He reached again, getting blocked each time. Finally, he drew a staff from his coat, and braced to attack. Andrea reached for a button on Peacemaker, and pressed it. A thin blade rocketed out, and she lunged. Blade met staff as the two battled.
Ansem tried to sense what he could of the area, then scowled. Within the Heart, he couldn't do much except provide advice and warning. Then an idea hit him.
Let me help you. Ansem whispered.
"What? How?" Andrea said, low. "I barely know you." She blocked another attack.
Open your mind to me. Trust me, and I'll protect you. This man is dangerous, and certainly much more than he appears.
Andrea yowled, knocked back. She was still a moment, as if knocked unconscious. Behind her eyelids she could see Ansem, as if he were in front of her. He reached a white-gloved hand toward her.
Let me help you... Ansem repeated, calmly. Andrea took his hand, and all was black.
Ansem rose from where Andrea had landed on the floor. The different gender made it difficult for him to assume his own form like before, but it was enough. Ansem switched Peacemaker to his own sword arm before locking his eyes onto the man, which were shining a bright golden, indicating his presence. The man returned the locked gaze.
"You..." The man hissed. He raised his pole arm.
"I'll kill you!!!"
The man lunged for Ansem, who lurched aside, ducking. Out the corner of his eye, he sighted what he was looking for. Grabbing a book, he pulled it off the shelf. The shelf moved. Ansem dashed in, and quickly moved the shelf back into place. Several loud thuds alerted him to the man's attempts at getting in, but Ansem was already proceeding down the corridor. He soon entered a large chamber. A large comfortable chair and desk sat in the room. Ansem lit the candle as several Heartless looked on. Aside the manufactured variety, several Shadows watched as well. Ansem looked at them, before issuing a single order.
"Do not harm this one, or allow harm to befall her." Ansem said calmly. They chittered obedience before Ansem lay down and closed his eyes, and fell back, returning control to Andrea. Her body resumed it's natural state as the Heartless, mostly the little ones, curled up around her.