I spent time to do this before my finals... I hate finals and midterm exams. Please review; I worked my butt off to finish this. Sorry for the late upload.
Warning: Colorful language.
Dive into the Heart
Chapter 3: Magical Mystery
Lavi and Kanda's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when they saw a bustling city below them.
"T-this is another w-world!" Lavi exclaimed, countless emotions stirring. "This is amazing!"
Though Kanda doesn't usually show his emotions, his awe is clearly there.
"Landing in thirty minutes. Please stay in your seats and please ignore the turbulence." A pilot monotonously called.
Suddenly the two exorcists were thrown to the ground roughly. "I am going to kill that son of a b-." Kanda's colorful words were cut off when turbulence hits the plane once more.
Soon later, the Bookman apprentice and samurai came out unharmed… for the most part. Kanda grumbled as he followed Lavi who was rubbing his tush, strolling out of the airport. "Experienced my ass."
"Geez, lighten up," Lavi groaned. "Come on, we have to find that Syaoran Li and the key."
"Hey, wake up."
Stephanie moaned as her eyes slowly rises. She met face to face with a lanky boy with black hair. A pair of goggles was on his bangs, his eyes looking at her confused. "Hi there. Where am I? Either that or I'm dreaming. Good night." She fell asleep again.
The boy's companions' eyebrows twitch. A tall man with long blue hair picked her up and shakes her. Stephanie jerks awake, her grey-blue eyes wide.
"Ah! Where am I!"
"You're in Hanshin Republic." The boy replied. "My name is Masayoshi. What is your name?"
"Hanshin Republic?" Stephanie gasped. She looked around, amazed of her new surroundings. "Am I in another world or in another part of the world? Oh, and my name is Stephanie." Her eyes widened even farther when realizing her brother isn't with her. "Where's my brother? Where is he?"
"Shougo," Masayoshi looked up at the man who dropped Stephanie gently. "She's obviously from another world. Shall we take her to Syaoran? He knows the current situation well."
"Li may be from another world, but I doubt he is willing to take in another person from another world."
"Don't be negative about Syaoran! He is kind!"
"I still don't trust him. He is not a citizen of the republic."
"Well, he is until the worlds are restored."
Stephanie took no notice of their conversation as she examined her keyblade. Contemplating about her situation, she moved out of the alley and turned a corner.
The gang tried to get their leader's and member's attention. "What is it?"
"The girl… is not here…"
"WHAT!"
"Oh shit." Shougo slapped his forehead.
Stephanie glances around in awe taking note that several posters of a golden-haired boy with gold eyes.
"Missing. Edward Elric." She read aloud. She frowned, realizing the boy is also part of her dream. "If found, please contact his brother Alphonse Elric, friend Winry Rockbell, or his superior Colonel Roy Mustang. They reside at the Tomoku House in the Main Plaza." Her frown deepens. "Why is he even missing in the first place?"
She turned just to bump into a person or a hard thing. "Hey! Watch it!"
Her jaw dropped open when a menacing suit of armor looked down on her. "Are you alright?"
She screamed and ran off. "W-wait!"
"WHERE IN THE WORLD AM I!"
Stephanie ran farther and farther into the city, ignoring the shouts when she pushed through the citizens. She finally collapses in an alley, panting heavily. "What in the world is going on! Am I in Hell or Heaven?"
Apparently her rant is heard by an orange-haired girl and a squinty-eyed man.
"Hello?" the orange-head called when she looked in. She saw Stephanie in a fetal condition, head in knees. "Are you alright?"
Stephanie glanced up, eyes wide with fear and awe. "A-are y-you an an-an-angel?"
The orange-head looked at her friend in confusion. "No I am not an angel-." Before Stephanie can open her mouth, the girl quickly added, "-nor I am some sort of devil. My name is Misty and this is Brock."
"M-my name is Step-Stephanie." Stephanie stuttered.
"Hello, Stephanie." Misty smiled gently at the shaken girl. "Why are you out here?"
"I saw this giant suit of armor!" Stephanie shouted. "The suit of armor suddenly popped out of nowhere when-."
"Mist, she's talking about Al!" Brock cried. "You don't have to be afraid of that suit of armor. He's our friend; he's gentle."
"I don't believe it." was Stephanie's blunt reply.
"You really need shelter." Brock said, taking her by the hand. "You can stay with us at the Tomoku House."
He dutifully towed her to a massive manor. Misty opened the giant double doors by the knobs and marched inside.
Stephanie's eyes widened when she saw the luxurious lobby. "W-what is this place?"
"This is the Tomoku House." Misty responded. "A refuge where people from other worlds come here and stay until the universe is saved."
"Misty!" A lemon-blonde teenage girl of fifteen shouted as she ran in from another room with the suit of armor.
Stephanie immediately hid behind Brock and Misty.
"Don't be afraid." The suit of armor said. Instead of an intimidating voice, a childishly sweet voice resonates. "My name is Alphonse Elric. Call me Al." the armor gestured to the girl besides him. "And this is my friend, Winry."
"Stephanie Hartman." Stephanie replied, realizing the suit of armor is nothing she thought of. She frowned. "Did you say Alphonse Elric? Are you by any chance related to Edward Elric?"
Immediately Winry and Al took her by the shoulders and shook her forcefully. "You saw Ed! Where is he! Where did you meet him! How!"
"In order," Stephanie groaned, massaging her temple when the pair finally released her. "No, I did not see him. I do not know where he is and I never met him before. I sort of know him when I saw a stained glass platform of him in my dreams."
"A stained glass platform?" Al pondered. "I never heard of that."
Stephanie just scrutinized at the pair, taking note that they were also in the stained glass platform. She looked around and saw many people sitting on the steps, going into the doors and such. A small little yellow mouse sat near an old man tending to some turtle. She squealed and hugged the mouse. "You're so cute!"
Brock chuckled. "That's Pikachu. He's our missing friend's Pokemon and best friend."
"Missing?" Stephanie asked, setting down Pikachu. "Another missing?"
"That's right," the old man said. "My name is Professor Oak and yes, another boy is missing. His name is Ash Ketchum. He was taken from our world when it was destroyed. Similar circumstances happened to that Edward Elric boy as well."
"Can you do us a favor?" Misty asked all of a sudden.
"Yeah sure, what is it?"
"Can you find all of Ash's Pokemon?" Professor Oak said, pulling out a scrapbook. "This scrapbook will guide you and help you."
Stephanie took the scrapbook and nodded. "Can you show me a picture of this Ash Ketchum?" Stephanie said suddenly.
Confused, Professor Oak took out a picture of a young boy with black hair and brown eyes, zigzags under the eyes. Her eyes shot open, realizing the boy is from her dream also. Speaking of missing, isn't her friends and brother… "Ack! I forgot my brother Stephan and my friends Kevin, Sara, Sidney, and Ai is missing! What a horrible friend I am!"
Before anyone can say anything, Stephanie turned a head turn and ran out of the door.
A boy stepped out of a door from the second level and glanced down at the bottom floor. "Did someone say my name?"
Stephanie ran through the streets, shouting her friends' and brother's name. "Stephan! Kevin! Sara! Sidney! Ai! Where are you guys!"
Suddenly the black creatures burst out from the ground. Stephanie snarled, the keyblade flashing in her hand. "Those things again!"
Angrily she dive and took them out. She turned around just in time to see a poor woman's heart ripped out of her chest. Stephanie put her hand on her mouth, resisting vomiting. She ran away and into the closest shop, nausea crashing her system. "That is so disgusting…"
"What's 'disgusting'?"
Stephanie looked up to see a man with silver hair and eyes. He shifted his glasses as he said, "Hello."
"Hi…"
"My name is Yukito." Yukito smiled kindly. Stephanie smiled back, nausea disappearing from the comforting air the man held. "My name is Stephanie and I'm trying to look for my friends and brother."
"Your friends and brother?" another voice called from a desk. The two turned to see a tall man with black hair and brown eyes dressed in a maintenance jumpsuit.
"Touya!"
"Yuki, what are you doing?" Touya crossed his arms. "You're supposed to put those bolts and nails on the shelf." He pointed to the boxes next to the pair.
"Touya, someone just got in and confused with her surroundings. Now, Stephanie," Yukito turns to the girl. "Can you tell us what happened to you?"
"Uh, sure…"
Stephanie began to tell them the story. Touya's fists clenched when she detailed the shadows. Yukito placed a reassuring hand on Touya's shoulder and whispered to him reassuringly. Stephanie did not catch the move as she obliviously tells the story. To emphasize her point, she summoned her keyblade. The men gaped at the weapon.
"Can you wait for a second?" Touya asked suddenly.
"Yeah…"
The two men stood up and walked into the other room. Stephanie waited them to come back as she leaned against the chair.
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
As time passes, her patience diminishes. Her eyebrow twitches when she hears the ticking from the grandfather's clock.
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
"Hello!" Stephanie shouted. "Is anyone coming?" Her eyebrow twitches when the lights suddenly turned off. "Are you boys leaving your job! Hello?"
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
That was it.
"That's it! I'm leaving!" Stephanie threw the doors open and stomped out. The men looked out from the other room apprehensively.
"Don't you think…?"
"Yuki, it's the only way to get her out for that brat."
"I didn't know you are willing to cooperate with him."
"Just shut it."
Yukito just chuckled.
"What does those men doing? Closing their shop when I needed help how on earth I am here!" She stomped through the streets and into a deserted avenue.
"If you're not careful, they'll come after you."
"Wh-who's there?" Stephanie shouted when a boy of thirteen came out of the shadows. For some reason, the boy emits an aura of hostility. He has tussled chocolate brown hair and eyes. He wore a green Chinese ceremonial outfit. In his hand is a long broadsword.
She took her keyblade out to feel a bit safer and defensive if she had to.
"And they'll keep on coming after you," the boy continued. "For as long you continue to wield that keyblade. But why would it choose a kid to wield its power?"
"Hey, what's that suppose to mean?" Stephanie asked offended.
"Never mind." The boy sighed and drew his sword. "Now, show me that keyblade."
"Hold on a second!" Stephanie cried, getting into attack position. "I'm not giving you this! It's been helping me beat those black things!"
"Hm, your stubbornness will not help you win." The boy said, readying his blade. "Fine then, I'll take it by force!"
"Bring it on!"
The battle began as Stephanie ran at the boy. She attacked with her keyblade, but the boy blocked the attack with his broadsword. Stephanie jumped back and tried to kick the boy, but the boy grabbed her foot and threw her onto the ground.
"Give up!"
"No way!" Stephanie stood up and held her keyblade at ready.
Stephanie tried to attack again, but the boy spun past her thrust and knocks her on her backside. She spun back and vertically swiped at the boy who dodged the attack and tripped her. Stephanie weakly tried to get back up, but the boy knocked her over again with a kick.
"How pathetic." The boy scoffed, unimpressed. "I was expecting better from the chosen one of the key."
Stephanie weakly stood up, readying his keyblade. She was not going to lose against someone younger than she is.
"You have a lot of determination," the man said, raising his eyebrow, slightly impressed. "However, your overconfidence in your abilities could lead to your downfall. You think you can defeat anyone, and yet, you're not developed."
"Think again!"
Stephanie gave a hard thrust at the boy again, but this time when the boy spun, Stephanie tripped him and kicked him, sending the bit crashing to the ground. She charged at the boy again who quickly spun out of Stephanie's way. She thrust again, but the boy quickly threw a yellow ofuda in the air and send blasts of lightning. Stephanie's eyes widened upon seeing this and quickly blocked the attack.
"Well, I've underestimated you." the boy said. "You truly do know how to use the keyblade. However, I'm doing you a favor right here. At this point, I may have to get serious!"
"Bring it on!"
The two clashed blades with each other, locking their blades. They both struggled against each other and then jumped back. They dodged and clashed with their swords with neither backing down. Stephanie tried to attack again, but the boy kicked her. Stephanie quickly returned the attack, giving the boy a hard kick in the stomach. The two spun backwards and landed on the ground opposite from each other. Stephanie jumped forward and tried to attack again, but the boy once again launched lightning bolts at her. Stephanie narrowly missed the attack, feeling the flash pass right by her face.
Catching her off guard, the boy knocked the keyblade out of Stephanie's hand and repetitively hit her by the butt of his sword. The boy reached for the keyblade but Stephanie quickly jumped back up and rammed the boy, knocking the broadsword out of his hand. Stephanie grabbed the keyblade and slashed the boy on the chest, knocking the boy to the ground. As the boy weakly sat up, Stephanie held the keyblade and the broadsword, ready to strike.
"Now your...your...your...ugh!"
Stephanie was too weak to finish the attack. She was so tired that she dropped both weapons and fell over, fainting in the process. The boy stood up, brushing himself as if he was barely affected by Stephanie's blow.
"She put up quite a fight." The boy said impressed.
"You don't have to be so hard on her, Syaoran." An auburn-haired girl said, jumping down from a building. She has round green eyes and clad in a pink haori with white and gold linings.
"I used to be hard on you, Sakura." The chocolate-haired boy countered. He looked at the unconscious girl on the ground.
"Touché."
"Besides I was easy on her, like her brother." Syaoran frowned at the girl. "I think everything from now on is going interesting."
Sakura and Syaoran gently lifted the girl and took her away.
A pair of young men had watched the fight with interest, but also with annoyance.
Touya rolled his eyes, walking back inside. "Brat. What a showoff."
Yukito chuckled as he followed his friend inside the shop.
Lavi and Kanda happened to pass by the Tomoku House when Sakura and Syaoran hauled Stephanie inside.
"Uh… Yu…"
"What is it now, Rabbit?" Kanda grumbled.
"I think I found the key…"
"Just shut up." Kanda snapped. "How do you even know what that 'key' looks like for sure?"
"How do I know? Uh…" Lavi rubbed the back of his head embarrassed. He looked at the massive mansion that 'key' was taken in.
"The sooner we find the key, the sooner we can find Komui."
Kanda stalked away. Lavi gave one last glance at the Tomoku House and followed his friend.
Worlds away from the Republic of Hanshin, a dark castle stood ominously. Far from the castle, figures lie on the ground unconscious. A waterfall rises from behind the sleeping figures. The figures groaned and stood up revealing none other than Sidney and Ai. They gasped as they looked around their new surroundings especially a waterfall rising upwards.
"Man, Mrs. Miyamoto would never buy this." Sidney gaped.
"But where are we?" Ai asked nervously. "We don't remember this place!" They began to call out for their friends. "Hello? Is anyone there? Stephanie! Stephan! Sara! Kevin! Where are you guys?"
They began their trek through the unknown place, searching for their lost friends.
Unknown to the pair, a person or two persons was watching them. His gold eyes pierced the shadows. He wore a simple white toga with a wineglass of red in his hand. The woman next to him was an old woman with grey hair tied in a bun, fully clad in a coffee gown with a multicolored shawl.
They watched the pair travel with cruel smirks and cackled sinisterly.
Hope you like this chapter. Reviews are deeply appreciated especially constructive criticisms but no flames!
Story/Author Notes
Tomoku House - There are only a few people in the Hanshin Republic that know of other worlds so I established that refuge. Runs by the CCS group, that is where they and the other refugees stay for the time being until the worlds are restored.
If you guys hadn't notice, there are hints of who are the princes of heart in this chapter.
