My apologies for taking so long to get the fourth chapter up, school, graduation, and my computer crashed. Well here it is, enjoy.
Chapter four: Destiny Islands
Her face was glued to the window making excited noises when she would spot another other. "Like a hick in the big city." He snorted remembering something Tidus would mutter whenever Sora or Wakka would discover something new on the islands. Terra turned head casting a glance at him for a moment. He was laughing then stopped his dace becoming sad for a moment, when he noticed her looking he smiled and turned back to watch where he was going. She shrugged; none of my business anyway. She thought looking at Iole who had curled up in the extra seat on the small ship. Another world appeared from the sea of stars, it looked more like a giant tree resting on a small round ball. The brightness of the green from the tree stood out shockingly from the black compared to the other worlds she had seen.
"We'll be there soon." Riku said nodding to another small round object slowly coming toward them in the darkness. Beep! Terra looked down at her right wrist with a quick moment she had fished the other bracelet from her pouch; it too beeped as soon as she held it up. Riku pushed a button on the control as she leaned heavily against the extra chair causing Iole to look up with surprise. "What is the matter?" He asked standing beside her. "Another blue dot…but that is impossible since I have both of the bracelets." She muttered still staring at them in disbelief. "Maybe they're just having a reaction to the other." He suggested trying to ease whatever seemed to be bothering her. She nodded with a heavy sigh then grabbed his left wrist clamping the extra bracelet on the other. The beeping stopped and she closed her eyes slipping down to the cold metal floor of the ship.
"Uhm…won't you're boyfriend mind if I'm wearing his bracelet?" He asked holding his wrist up examining it closely. Two colored dots were showing, one blue (Terra) and one green which he assumed to be Iole since it was right next to the blue dot. "Gabriel won't care as long as you get home in one piece. As of this moment you're my new guardian." She said looking up at him, he dropped his arm looking back, must be some kind of honorary thing from her world. He smiled and she smiled back before lying down completely on the floor put her right arm over her eyes. He turned and took his seat at the controls once more looking over his shoulder at Terra again. Something about her was intriguing and at the same time off. He shook off the thought and started off for Destiny Islands once more.
Before she knew it they had stopped again. She had only laid down and had to sit back up. He was yawning this time giving her a wink and pointing out the window. An eyebrow flew up at the wink but followed his hand to look. As the previous world it was represented by a large tree, in this case palm, on a small round ball. Though around this tree was sand surrounded by water. She slowly got up moving a little closer…not that it changed the view of the world by any means. Iole too had gotten up and was resting on Riku's shoulder, who was looking at the monkey-like creature with confusion on its new resting place. "It seems nice." Terra said after a few moments of silence. "It is…or was when I was last here." He seemed a little sad when he said that, she looked at him wondering why he would seem so upset. Once again he brushed off his feelings with a smile and held out a hand. "Shall we go down then?" She nodded taking the hand once again being engulfed in the white and blue void.
Gabriel stared down the dimly lit hallway, something growled menacingly from its dark depths. Galatea was holding her right arm that was bleeding. As they had stepped into the once scared temple they had been attacked by the black creatures that were seemingly consuming Spira. Galatea had taken the first blow as the creature attacked her as she fired off a shot. While the blow hadn't killing the creature it left a mark on her and the creature scattered off wounded into the darkness. "Who the hell does he think he is letting us get attacked like this? Let alone have these creatures running around this temple! I swear I'm going to give that man a good piece of my mind!" Galatea hissed as she stuck close behind Gabriel who was doing his best to navigate through the shadows. "For all you know he could be dead, and if he is behind all of this we don't want to get on his bad side. Remember, we're here to find out where Terra is." Galatea growled removing her hand from the wound, the bleeding for the most part had stopped. Gabriel stopped, there was a faint light coming toward them, he used an arm and pushed Galatea into the wall placing himself between her and anything that might attack. "As the captain I think you should…" "I'd rather you live, you are the captain after all."
As the light grew nearer they saw it was a hanging lamp on a stick being held by a young woman. She was short but had every asset of a mature woman; she wore a leather over coat that hung around her shoulders with two large buckles holding it on across her chest. It fit tightly around her curves and flowed out around her hips, it was open to show a deep blue tube top and a black ruffled skirt attached by thin straps and knee high black boots that had buckles on the outside. The coat was sleeveless and showed many gold bracelets on each wrist. She had long black hair that was pulled into a high ponytail on the left side of her head and was held there by a gold band. Her narrow violet took in the two before her and smile curled on her lips as she inclined her head to them. "Lord Ishvara sent me to receive you. I am sorry I didn't come sooner to help ward off the creatures. I am Maya, his humble servant, please follow me." She turned starting back down the corridor, Galatea and Gabriel exchanged looks before follow the girl.
Just when Terra thought that there was nothing left to surprise her about this world, they landed in the middle of the ocean. Well technically a few feet off shore but the water was unexpectedly cold and the salt water felt horrible in her lungs. Riku shook it off quickly and had to grab her and Iole before they both drowned. After dragging them both to shore the three collapsed on the warm sand. After a second Terra sputtered and coughed up the water she had swallowed cursing everything within her sight. He could only laugh watching her standing up point a finger at the ocean yelling. "Stupid water! By the power of Yevon I curse you! GAH!" She flopped back down into the sand looking at her feet. "It ruined my clothes, my hair, and my lungs feel itchy. Iole?" She asked looking to Iole who was sitting up licking herself in an attempt to fix the dangers reeked by the ocean. Her gaze then fell on Riku her eyes narrowing, she opened her mouth to say something but he held up a hand. "Not my fault where we land." He said quickly, she turned her head with a pout on her face staring off at the other island that was barely visible from where they sat.
"Riku?" They turned to find two girls staring down at them; both were dressed in a blue and white stripe pleated skirt, white sleeveless button up tops, with blue ties. One had short redish pink hair and the other brown. The red-head girl's eyes widen when Riku turned his head and dropping her bag throwing her arms around the boy. The other looked at Terra then back down to Riku. "She doesn't look a thing like Sora…unless he turned into a girl. Oh my God, did he?" She asked moving closer to Terra and grabbing her by the shoulders. "Sora is that you?" She asked making a loud gulping noise. "Its nice to see you again Kairi…sorry about…," Riku started as the girl let go sitting back on her feet looking at thim. "As long as you're safe Riku, it doesn't matter. So who is she?" She asked turning to look at Terra who was now being shaken violently by the other girl. "Selphie!" She snapped getting up quickly catching Terra as she fell backwards from shock, Iole growled whipping Selphie's legs with her tail before hopping into Terra's lap. Riku got up to help Kairi get Terra to her feet.
"You still haven't told us who she is." Selphie pointed out as Terra shook her head trying to get her equilibrium back. "My name is Terra." She muttered rubbing the back of her head. "That is a pretty name." Kairi said helping the girl sit upright. "So where are you from Terra?" Selphie asked watching Iole with interest as she moved to Terra's shoulder to get a closer look at Kairi. "Spira." Terra muttered opening her eyes. "And your friend?" Kairi asked as Iole jumped into her lap, Kairi giggled scratching the creature behind her ears. "Iole." "Not much of a talker are you?" Selphie giggled, Riku sighed feeling left out he stood up holding a hand up to shade his eyes from the sun as examined the horizon. "What are you looking for Riku?" Kairi asked standing up holding on to Iole who was busy playing with her tie. Terra and Selphie got up too staring at Riku's back. "Have you seen Sora?" He asked turning to face Kairi, she looked down at the sanding pulling the small creature closer as though it were a doll, Iole gave a squeak and Kairi quickly let her go.
"He was here a week ago, he told me he'd come back soon. He had some business with the King." She replied looked up with a sad face. Riku gave her a small smile, is she upset because he is gone. Or is it that she thinks I'm going to leave again as well? He thought glancing at Terra. She looked lost and sad as she scooped up Iole watching the waves crash against the sand. "So she is here why?" Selphie asked watching Terra questioningly. "She needs to find a way home. She was told that Sora could help her." Riku replied, Terra turned and smiled at them. "It's lovely here." She said softly, turning her eyes to the water again. "It is like your home?" Kairi asked moving a bit closer to Terra curious about Riku's companion. "Part of my world yes. Tell me about Sora, please?" She asked turning to Kairi who smiled warmly taking the girl by the arm leading her up the beach. "Sure, let's get you some new clothes so we can wash your wet ones." She replied, Selphie and Riku exchanged looks before following after them.
Galatea was pinned into a corner her right cheek bleeding. Maya had an arm across her throat holding enough pressure to barely let her breath. Maya wasn't watching her though; her stone cold gaze was focused on Gabriel who was being held in the air by a dark man, his skin was bordering on black and eyes golden and fiery. He wore a long black coat with the shoulder's cut out and black boots and gloves. He had the same long black hair like Maya's that was pulled into a ponytail at the base of his neck. He grinned wildly giving Gabriel's neck another hard squeeze. "Stop it!" Galatea yelled feeling the sting of a warm tear flowing over her cut. Golden and violet eyes turned to her the fire in both were enough for her to drop her head and the pressure on her throat tightened. "Lord Ishvara didn't give you permission to speak, vile creature." Maya hissed Ishvara turned back to Gabriel loosening his grip. "Where is Terra?" Gabriel choked Ishvara laughed dropping the boy on the ground and picking up his fallen sword holding the tip to his throat. "You're friend is out of this world, literally. But I have an offer for you, one that may help you find her, after all her very existence is very important to me and my plans." Galatea raised her head, he had bent down and was staring into his eyes, something inside her was screaming this is bad! Very bad! Look away, please Gabriel look away! Too late. Gabriel stood up and bowed to Ishvara who stood up looking pleased with himself. He looked at Maya who quickly pulled Galatea away from the wall and held her arms tight behind her back. "We'll keep her here; you go back to the ship and give this to the navigator." He handed Gabriel a small blue box. "Tell them you need to go to other worlds in search of Terra, whom you are very worried about. It's best not to act like you are loyal to me…in fact you should as though you loath me deeply. When you find Terra bring her to me. Do you understand?" He asked once again Gabriel bowed "Yes, as you command." And he strode from the room Ishvara turned to stare at Galatea who was wide-eyed in horror, he nodded and Maya gave her a hard punch the in the gut. The last thing she saw was Maya being held at the waist by Ishvara both smiling at her like to parents watching their child going to sleep.
After moments of behind shoved, pricked, and stuffed into some of Kairi's and Selphie's extensive wardrobes Kairi finally pulled an outfit that seem made for Terra. A beige overdress that hugged her bosom with a zipper in-between her breasts, from there the overdress hung open and rested at her knees the bottom of it was white lace with black lace tips. The top of the dress was strapless and had small thin line of purple and came down into a V around the zipper. Underneath the overdress was a white dress whose skirt was pleated and ruffled at the ends with a lace trim around the bottom. On her feet were beige boots that came just below her knees and was zipped up from the toes. She stood in front of a full length mirror admiring the dress and running her hands along the overdress. "Wow, looks better on you than me." Kairi commented as she finished brushing and blow drying her hair Selphie was sitting on Kairi's bed reading a magazine, the floor was a sea of discarded clothes. She looked up then turned lying on the bed and pulled something from the floor then got up and placed a belt around Terra's waist. It was white and tied on her hip. "Perfect." Selphie and Kairi said at once, Kairi gathered up the discard wet clothes and the three went down stairs. Once she had placed the clothes in a metal box she called a "washing machine" they went outside to find Riku leaning against Kairi's white post fence in a white tank-top and baggy dark-wash jeans and tennis shoes. In his mouth was a blue thing on a stick which he removed to look at Terra's new outfit he then turned his eyes to Kairi who smiled. "Space Delia's Boutique, it's a new shop in town." She said as if to explain it to him, he shrugged popping the treat back into his mouth.
"Uhm, thank you Kairi was it? How long till your box is done with my clothes?" Terra asked as they stepped through the gate to stand with Riku on the sidewalk. "It will be awhile, don't worry think of the outfit as a welcome to Destiny Islands." Kairi replied with a yawn and stretching her arms to the sky. "Hey I'm gonna go get Tidus and Wakka, wanna go to the small island to watch the sunset?" Selphie asked as she stepped past the group. Kairi and Riku agreed Terra look confused and around. "Where is Iole?" She asked, the monky-like creature had last been seen riding on Riku's shoulder as he walked down the road. "My mother just adored her and started feeding her various fruits. She'll be fine." He said with a grin as he took her by the arm following Kairi down the road toward the ocean again. As they reached a small pier where six small boats were tied and bobbing up and down in the water they saw a blue and white light appear on the small island across from them. It reached up into the sky and disappeared. "Sora." Kairi and Riku said at once, Kairi stepped down into one boat and released it from the pier and grabbed an oar and started for the island. Riku stepped down into another and held a hand for Terra who took and stepped down into the boat, he too released the boat from the pier and pulled out an oar and followed. "So Sora is here?" Terra asked placing a hand on Riku's back so she could lean over his shoulder to look at the island. Inwardly he grinned and nodded. "Yeah, but try not to rush him to get you home. I'm sure he's tired, one night here won't be so bad." She laughed sitting back looking up at the darkening blue sky. "Everyone deserves a chance to relax, they way Yuffie and Aeris described him its like he is trying to save…what did they call it…oh right the universe." "Yeah the universe." Riku agreed trying to catch up with Kairi who was rowing like mad.
