A/N: It took me a while before I finished this.
Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts or Final Fantasy VII. They are the property Square Enix.
----
I reentered the forest and frowned, clearly this world had none of the answers I desired. Chaos, is there a way off of this world we could utilize?
I could feel him yawn followed by a nod, All signs point to yes, of course. You've got darkness, use it. With that he yawned and went back to sleep.
Part of my mind kicked me and said I couldn't trust him with this matter, however he tended not to lie if he had said it while still asleep. Still I thought for a moment about how to go through the darkness. Then I remembered Reno, or rather Axel had appeared through a large cocoon of darkness. Strange, though I suppose if that idiot could perform such a task then it would be of little difficulty to me. My left hand rose into the air, I concentrated on replicating the large dark shroud he had created. When I glanced up, there stood the massive, swirling portal. I crossed into it, the scenery surprised me, lots of little heart shaped arrows floated around inside on a blue background as far as they eye could see. I walked around for a moment while I inspected for enemies, I doubted any lay in hiding, but one can never be too careful.
After a short while of perusing through the endless blue landscape of arrows I opened another portal. This one had a large white middle with a dark ring around it, I stepped out through it and frowned accompanied by a grunt of pain. The light stung at my eyes, when they adjusted, I found I had a new perspective than the one my lanky frame typically offered. My vision felt like I had sank to my knees to gaze at something, however I could sense I stood upright. I attempted to wipe my nose to find that rather than a gloved hand, a dark, almost purplish colored, furred paw with lighter colored toes greeted me. When I tried to clench my paw I saw a set of long claws extend from my toes. My weird out factor skyrocketed, this could not be happening. My mouth opened and I ran my tongue over four very long, very pointed fangs. I spun my head around praying I wouldn't find a tail, yet one extended from my back and swished around, a tuft of black fur sprouted from the tip.
Lovely, I was a cat, I wandered over to a small pool of water. The reflection that appeared was that of a black maned cat with a black nose, yellow and red eyes, and long whiskers. I wasn't just any ordinary cat, I was a lion. This could only mean that someone had cast a spell on me. I had to find them before Chaos awoke to ridicule me. Now that the initial shock of my new appearance had worn off I took in the scenery. The narrow canyon had only one obvious exit without scaling the near vertical walls, that would be the way I would go then. I ran out, with some minor trouble at first, whoever designed this form certainly didn't count on precision steering, not like Chaos's form in the least. With some effort through I found that my sliding capabilities allowed for a swifter recovery than a turn.
I continued to trek through an increasingly desolate landscape, massive bones littered the area. Whatever had died here had clearly been massive, and there had been many of them. Why was it I seemed to always end up in graveyards? I thought about contacting Chaos to ask him about this, when a series of mad cackles sounded from the rim of the canyon.
"Hey Shenzi, d'ya think he's a little bit lost?" A rather grating male voice asked.
"Dunno Banzai," a female voice replied. "Ed?"
A stupid cackle came as their response, clearly Ed wasn't the brightest of them. I let out a low growl, "show yourselves." Down from the canyon appeared a trio of dogs, all three of them giggled stupidly. I could see them bare sets of yellowed teeth, their grey fur had been matted by the elements.
"Sounds like the kitty cat's got a temper," Shenzi, who I could now identify by the crest of black fur in the middle of her head. "What do you think Banzai, should we teach the kitty cat what happens when you wander into our turf?"
"Sounds good by me Shenzi, what about you Ed?" I noticed that Banzai had a small patch of stubble on his head and chin.
Ed giggled crazily, I could tell he had cross-eye when I saw him. I frowned and bared my fangs, "back off. I merely wish to pass through this area. I mean you no harm however I will not hesitate should you get any closer."
Banzai giggled as the dogs started to circle around, "wow he sure is brave for a kitten."
My whole body tensed, I sidestepped as Shenzi flew in from behind and I lashed out with my claws. I pushed her away, but then rolled to avoid Banzai, who launched at my side. I kicked my back feet up sharply and launched him into the air. Ed tried to attack head on but I caught him with my front paws around his head and spun him as I rolled onto my feet. "I suggest you don't get up again, unless you want to make me very angry." I snarled at the fallen mutts.
They merely groaned painfully as I took off past them. I didn't feel compelled to finish off scum, that and I had trespassed on their domacile, they had a right to defend it. When I cleared the massive graveyard, what awaited me wasn't much better. The dead, grey earth crunched under my feet, the bare trees creaked and waivered under the sky. This clearly couldn't be a healthy land. I trotted along what must have once been a large field full of green and life. I bent my head down and sniffed along the ground, if any sort of creature had passed this way, it hadn't been for a very long time. My head rose up as a breeze ruffled through the area, I could detect the faint hint of green and growing things. It was off to my right, I sprung and followed it. As I did so the landscape slowly changed, grey rocks and bare trees gave way to tanned and weathered lands and trees held leaves and fruits. I continued to run until I came across a large oasis, filled with plants and, my long ears twitched, water.
I sprinted between the trees until I found a massive waterfall, and next to it, a small brook. My head bent down and I practically snapped at the liquid, grateful as the pristine water ran along my throat. I let out a laugh of relief for a brief moment, I sighed shortly after and gazed around, near the edge of a cliff I noticed a large red lump. My stomach chose that moment to remind me I hadn't eaten since I'd had regained consciousness. And that was yesterday, I crept closer to the lump and pounced. However what I did not expect was that the figure would move and headbutt me in the side. I spotted a pair of blue and white feathers as I collapsed on the ground. The red beast jumped on top of me, and I came muzzle to muzzle with one of my few friends. "Nanaki?" I panted, my chest straining to move as he held his paws firmly on it.
"You know me?" He growled.
"It's me, Vincent," I replied as he backed off. I stood up and he walked around me for a moment, sniffing. I could never get used to his method of greeting, especially with his flaming tail waving in front of my face.
He sat back and then butted me again, much more gently this time, "it's good to see you again Vince!" He declared as his tail started to go back and forth.
I let my gaze drift to the ground and fixed it intently on a pebble, "so… how have you been?" I muttered.
"Well, how have you been, Vincent?" He used my full name as he sat back on his haunches.
I shrugged, "fine… I suppose…"
"You never change Vincent," he replied and stood up. "I had been anticipating something of this nature for some time. However I do not have the strength to combat the malevolent forces that have been gathering in this world for some time now. First there is one thing we must do."
I followed him across the valley to a dead point with a massive black mountain with red lines running all over it. "What's that?"
"A mountain built of corrupted hearts, we must destroy it before it consumes this world." Nanaki replied and glanced at me. "I must repay the kindness this world has shown me, it is a beautiful valley."
I nodded, if Nanaki considered it worth fighting for, then that was enough for me. I let out a roar and summoned up Chaos. I need your help.
Fine, whatever… He yawned, I could feel power course through me from him. However I didn't fully transform, my fur turned purple, but my mane turned bright red. Two horns jutted from my head and I let out a roar, flames whisped around my paws. Nanaki raised an eyebrow but remained silent.
We charged forward, I let out a torrent of fire at the base, and reeled back as the skin tore open. Darkness oozed out of it, I let out another wave of flames into the wound. The mountain shifted, I glanced up to see that Nanaki had latched onto what looked like a head appendage. I clawed my way up and spewed flames as I went, Nanaki flipped over in the air, he used his claws to slow his slide down the mountain. "What now?" I noted, we'd caused damage but nothing serious.
"Tandem limit is our best bet, right at the head," he replied.
Nanaki lowered his head and ran faster, a red energy point began to swirl around him, I let out a torrent of fire at the energy. "Tandem limit, Blood Fire Fang!" We attacked the head straight on, the bits of dark pulsing flesh in the head spiraled apart and incinerated we flew past and landed on the ground. A massive light erupted from the mountain and sure enough it exploded, releasing a group of glowing hearts into the air. I frowned and sat on my haunches as the color of my fur faded.
"You ready to go Nanaki?" I asked eager to leave.
"Yes, I feel that those who rightly rule this world have returned, so we may proceed without worry." He replied.
I turned and summoned a corridor and walked away, Nanaki bowed his head and followed me.
