Chapter 5: My New Job
Sora's P.O.V.
My head was throbbing and dizzy. I wanted to just lie here… "Where ever here is." and waited until my headache went away. I wanted to slip back into unconsciousness. Where I was didn't matter. All I knew was that I was in a stone covered street, and propped up against a brick wall and that was good enough for me. My eyes remained unopened. The blurred sound of noise and voices could barely be heard in the background. I was content… nothing mattered. My thoughts were jumbled in my head.
A warm, wet, and rough object dragged over my cheek, only bringing me half from my much wanted slumber. "Five more minutes…" I mumbled to no one in particular. I wanted to remain like that, but a sudden heavy wait was on my lap. I awoke with a start. There was an orange skinny dog sitting there. I tore my eyes from the canine and looked around, searching for any similarities, but I found nothing. The surroundings were foreign to me. As I slowly stood up, I could feel as my muscles and bones screamed at me. I stretched, trying to regain the use of my limps again. "How long was I sitting like that? Matter of fact… HOW DID I GET HERE?" I screamed inside my head. I was so busy trying to figure out was going on; I barely noticed when the dog ran away. "Hey wait!" I yelled, but it was ready to late. "Damn. Now what am I going to do. Might as well start investigating on my own." I sighed as I started to walk into town.
The streets were practically empty. There were very few people outside, your occasional prostitute, thief, and homeless person. But none of them were any help. After giving up, I turned my attention to a store in the center of the town. I opened the door to see a tall blond haired man, with a toothpick in his mouth, standing behind a counter. "Hey Brat. What business do you have here?" He said as he folded his arms over his broad chest.
"Hey Pops I'm not a brat. The name's Sora." I pronounced proudly.
"My name's not Pops. It's Cid. So Sora… what are you doing here?" Cid questioned as he leaned over the counter.
"I just walked in here to see if you can help me. No one else seems to want to."
"Sure. Do you want some hot coco?" He asked as he made himself one. I nodded and waited for him to give me mine. We both sat on the two green couches that faced each other. We remained quiet as I sipped my warm drink, but something was bothering me. "This place… it's not normal."
"Hey Cid…" I called while never looking up from the cup.
"Hn?"
"… … What is this place? I mean none of these people look like they belong here… not even you…"
I heard Cid sigh before her put his mug down on the table. "You're partly right Sora. The world you're in now is called Travers Town~"
"WAIT YOU MEAN I'M ACTUALLY ON ANOTHER WORLD?" I yelled, almost spilling my drink in the process.
"Yes and no. You see Travers Town is a broken off piece of my original home world, Radiant Garden. Now this "world" is used as a refuge for all the people and creatures that disappeared from their home world." Cid sighed as he turned his head to the side.
"People and creatures that disappeared from their home worlds? If that's true than…" "Hey. You said that this place for people that disappeared from their home worlds right?"
"What the hell am I a broken record?"
"Choosing to ignore that." "Then maybe you've seen my friends? Two of them are girls around the same height. One has short dark red hair, violet-blue eyes and a pale complexion while the other has sandy brown that reaches her waist, caramel colored skin, and color changing eyes. The other is a sliver haired boy also with a pale complexion, and green eyes." I asked.
"Sorry, but nope." He replied.
"Oh…" I lowered my head in shame. "I'm so weak, and because of that… I may have lost them forever." I sighed as my eyes started to water. I wanted to cry, but refused too. "I will not be weak anymore. I promise to get stronger and find them." Suddenly, a new desire burned within my soul as I tightened my fists.
"Hey kid." Cid said to snap me out of my thoughts. "Just because I haven't seen them doesn't mean that they ain't here. Why don't you have a look around town."
"Uh, ok. Where should I start?"
"Well this town is divided into three districts. We are currently in the First District, the safest one there is. If you go through the doors right behind us, then you'll wind up in the Second District, where most of the residents live. You won't find too much trouble there, but the Third District is the toughest one, but I think you can handle it." He said with a smirk.
"Thanks Cid." I waved.
"Listen Sora. If you run into any trouble, come back here immediately I'll take care of you." I nodded before leaving. I stared at everything and person around me as I made my way to the large wooden doors.
"Well I guess I better get started. Second District her I come." I pushed through the doors and noticed that this had to be the heart of this world. There were shops of different varieties, a hotel, couple of apartments, a clock tower, and a walkway with benches and two fountains. "This looks like a perfect place to start looking." "KE'ANIA! RIKU! KAIRI! ARE YOU HERE? HEY GUYS IF YOU CAN HERE ME… ANSWER ME!" I yelled. While walking around, I saw those same black creatures that attacked me on my island running after some guy.
"HELP ME! SOMEONE! OH DEAR GOD PLEASE… ANYONE HELP!" As the man was running, he suddenly tripped and almost dragged me down with him, but I jumped out of the way in time. "Please son, help me before it~" Was all he could say before those creatures devoured him. I watched in disgust as they turned him into one of those. Their eyes were gold, while the rest of their bodies were all black with little antennas on their heads. They didn't move, but squirmed as they disappeared into the ground. My heart pounded against my chest as I summoned the Keyblade again. "What the hell are these things?"
It took few minutes, but I finally defeated them and only managed to get a few scratches. Knowing I was ok, I carried on, traveling into the stores, hotels, and knocking on doors. I even checked the clock tower, but still nothing came up, so I swallowed my fear and entered the Third District. To my surprise it was pretty empty. "This must be the attraction part of the town." "HEY KE'ANIA! RIKU! KAIRI! WHERE ARE YOU?" I yelled as I walked into the center. "Hump. They're aren't here either." I sighed. Thoughts of what could've happened to them were broken when I was tripped by something cold and metal. "What the hell~" I was about to say until I saw different pieces started to assemble themselves in front of me. What I saw almost made me piss my pants.
It was a giant metal, purple creature with a black and red broken heart in the middle of its armored chest. I was weird looking at it. I had never seen anything like it. Before I had a chance to get up, it came charging at me. I quickly rolled out of the way and summoned my Keyblade. I had to focus on defeating it. "I know that escape is not an option." It charged at me again. I tried to defend myself, but it just knocked me back with its giant hands. "Those hands. Maybe if I take them apart then I could win this thing." I put my plan into action. As soon as it charged at me again, I jumped up and knocked its left arm off and worked on destroying it before I worked on the right one.
It took me an hour or so, but I finally defeated that monster by, literally, taking it apart. The weird thing was that when it fell to the floor, with its remains scattered on the floor, a giant sized heart came floating out of its chest and was swallowed by a dark aura. "What have I gotten into?" I was too busy watching the result of my victory to notice that it body disappeared. "Well at least I won't have to see it again… I hope." With the remainder of my strength, I slung my right hand over to my left arm and used it to cover my wounded left arm. I limped to the giant doors and used my right arm to try and open them. I wasn't as tired as I was hurt, but I could manage. After I shut the door, I almost screamed in frustration. "Did I just go in a fucking circle?" I couldn't help but sigh as I made my way back to Cid's Shop.
"Are you ok kid?" Cid asked as he led me to one of the couches.
"Yeah. Just a little banged up." I said as I forced a smile.
"Stay right here. I'll get my first aid kit." I nodded as he left the room. I slumped into the couch. I tried to fight my sleepiness. I was slowly winning, but I knew I wouldn't last. "Here you go." He said as he put the kit next to me before he tended to my injuries. Tiredness started to become my worst enemy. I couldn't go to sleep. Looking for my friends was more important. "So did you find them?"
"…"
"Sorry kid, but I think I might have a guy that can help you."
"Really?" I almost jumped.
"Yeah. His name is Squall Leonhart or Leon for short. He owes me a few favors anyway. Just tell him you're a friend of mine and that this is 1 of 100." Cid smirked.
"Thanks Cid." I said as I jumped up. "So where is this Leon anyway?"
Cid only nervously laughed as he sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. "That's the thing… I don't know where he is. He's always gone, never letting anyone know where he's going. But you don't have to find him tonight. Let me find him for you. You need to rest~"
"No thanks. I have to find my friends now. Besides I'm too worried to sleep." I didn't really lie, but it wasn't the whole truth either. "Thanks Cid… for everything." I smiled as I walked out of his shop. I leaned against the wall for a minute, trying to fight the urge to grab my arm again.
"Hey kid…" I looked up to see a brown haired man with a long scar on his face. "Isn't past your bed time?" He smirked. I slowly pushed off the door and pushed past him. "Hey kid I'm talking to you!" He yelled as I kept walking. I didn't care what he had to say to me. He was just another obstacle in my way. "Hump. Fine. Be that way, but~ HEY KID! WATCH OUT!" The man said as he pushed me out of the way. I hissed in pain as I landed on my bad arm. Just as I was about to protest, the man had just killed five of those creatures.
"I didn't even see them."
"You're welcome."
"What?"
"For saving your ass. Usually people would say thank you or I'll be your personal~" He stopped talking when he saw me coming at him, Keyblade in hand. I wasn't concentrating on him, only on the five same creatures. I used my right hand to forcibly swing my blade and kill my opponents.
"Now we're even." I growled. I never turned my head to look at him until he spoke to me.
"You can wield the Keyblade?" He gasped.
"What of it?" I glared at him. "I don't trust him. I'm wasting my time here."
"Then you're the one I've been looking for, but why would the Keyblade chose a brat like you?" He said as he pointed his blade at me. I didn't flinch and my glare never let up, but that was just a mask to hide the rapid heart pounding I was enduring.
"I don't have time for this. I have to find someone so I can get my friends back." I turned back around and took a step before a fire ball was being hurled at me. "What the hell?" I exclaimed before turning toward the stranger.
"I'm afraid… that I can't let you leave. You see, I need your Keyblade to restore that of which was lost. Now, I don't wanna seem like a common thief… so why don't you just hand it over like the good child you are." He practically demanded of me. I scoffed in his face before I stood up, gripped my Keyblade, and pointed it at him.
"Why don't you take it from me." I challenged. I knew I was tired, I knew time was ticking, and I knew that I probably couldn't win, especially in my weakened state. Even though I knew all this, I still had to fight. "This Keyblade is the only thing that can lead me to my friends..." "There's no way I'll let you have this." My glare intensified as I lifted my left hand and gripped the bar in the hilt.
"Stubborn brat. You'll pay for your insolence." He stood in, what I assumed was his fighting stance, before coming at me.
He swung his gun like-blade and I used mine to defend myself. Pain shot threw my arm as the weight of his power and force, the Keyblade, and of course my own power was crushing me. I couldn't help grunting in pain. I had to get him off of me before my arm gave way. I drew on unknown strength and pushed him back. I struck back, almost hitting him. He was fast and strong, but I have to win. He thrusted his sword and nicked my right arm before I grabbed his blade and flung him off of me before I landed a nice hit to his ribs. He stumbled back while clutching his ribs. "You're going to pay for that!" He spat before he sent another fire ball spiraling at me. I rolled out of the way, just barely. My body was getting weaker. My eyes were getting heavier. I was a goner. I charged him and unleashed a barrage of thrusts and hits. I tried to aim for where it hurts, but if I wounded him enough for an escape passage… than that's good enough for me. After my attacks, he fell to the floor on his knees. Both of our breathings were slowed and rapid. I didn't know if I won or not… all I knew was that… "My time's up." I said. My head hung low, the Keyblade disappeared, and my sandy brown bangs covered my sea blue eyes. Even though I was close to unconsciousness, a smirk played on my tan face. The cold, stone ground scrapped the flesh on my knees before I fell to the floor. Mumbled voices were the last thing I heard before everything faded to black.
…
…
…
In the Hotel Room
"You didn't have to do that you know?"
"Cid?"
"He was being stubborn and a brat."
"Stranger?"
"Guys stop fighting. I'll be right back; I've been keeping our other guys waiting thanks to you guys."
"A girl?"
"You're so impatient. It's a good thing he kicked your sorry ass. Hump maybe he knocked some sense into that bid ego holder you call a head."
"Another girl?"
"Oh very funny Yuffie, but I was surprised that I lost against him… Especially in his weakened state."
GROAN
I groaned as I was coming too. My head was hurting, but surprisingly that was the only thing that was hurting. "Everyone shut up. He's waking up. Hey can you hear and see me?" One of the girls asked. Her voice reminded me of Ke'Ania's. It was like a calming pill for me. I slowly opened my eyes to a blurry sight. All I saw was a blur of dark red, white, and purple.
"Sora, you lazy bum. Wake up."
"Kairi?" Just as I reached out to touch the figure, the colors changed colors and the picture became a little clearer.
"You're so lazy. How do I manage to put up with you?"
"Riku?" I tried to reach for it again, but the colors changed again and the picture was almost picture perfect.
"Come on Sora. I believe in you. Wake up."
"Ke'Ania?" I tried to touch her, but then she disappeared and some black haired girl was leaning over me.
"Who are all these people?" She said with her hands on her hip.
"AHHHH!" I screamed as I backed into the wall.
"Oh great, Squall. You fucked up his brain." The girl sighed.
"WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE?" I yelled as I called for my Keyblade.
The black haired girl stepped forward first. "I'm the great ninja Yuffie. This is Squall~"
"Yuffie!"
"Ok fine… this is Leon and Cid."
"Hey kid. How you feeling?" Cid asked me as he sat on the edge of the bed.
"I'm… fine actually. My body doesn't hurt, the bandages, and scars are gone… Why?" I asked as I started feeling my scar-free skin.
"That's because we asked Aerith to heal you." Yuffie asked.
"What's going on? I'm so confused." I asked. I sat on the bed and listened to what they told me. They explained about Hallow Bastion, how this world came to be, the Heartless, the Keyblade, and all the worlds out there and her connection. "Wow that's a lot to take in."
"Yeah, and it's up to you to make things better. I hope you're up to it." Cid said as he patted my shoulder.
"Do I have a chose?" I sighed as I walked over to apologize to Leon. We shook hands and from that moment on, we became friends, but the moment was cut short by a Heartless appearing in the room. Leon pushed past me and defeated it.
"Sora, come with me. Everyone knows what to do." Leon commended as he jumped from the balcony. I soon followed after him. "We're going to split up. Don't worry about the little Heartless, just go after their boss!" As he ran off in the opposite direction.
I didn't know where to look for this "Boss", but I had to start somewhere. The back ally was practically coated in the little Heartless, so it took me a minute before I reached Third District. I was actually a little afraid of what this district, because of the last incident. I didn't know the Heartless followed me here, until they surrounded me. I gripped my Keyblade before charging one section. They were easy to pick off, but relentless to say the least. I was in the middle of the fight when I heard a voice… quaking?
"Let's go get 'em Goofy." I heard the voice say.
"What the hell is going on up there?" It was weird, but all the Heartless were trying to get a good look as well. It was like the battle had paused, so we could get a good look at the event before us. Things got even more interesting when there was a flash of light before two animal-like creatures fell from the balcony, they were perched on. The Heartless and I made a run for it, but I wasn't fast enough and they landed on me. I thought I heard my spine crack under their weight and the only thing they had to say was…
"Oh. The Key." (Most likely referring to my Keyblade)
"Get the hell off of me." I grunted as they rolled off of me. "Ok. Who are you guys and how do you know about the Keyblade." I asked them. One was a midget white duck while the other looked like a retarded dog.
"We came here looking for the Keyblade master… and sadly… that's you." The duck said as he folded his hands or feathers over his chest.
"Excuse me? How would you like to be fried duck?" I threatened as I stepped closer to him.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?" He squawked before we started arguing.
"Guys?"
"WHY THE HELL IS THE KEYBLADE "MASTER" THIS SNOT NOESED SHRIMP?"
"Guys?"
"WHAT? WHY THE HELL IS THIS "NOT-SUPPOSED TO BE TALKING" NOT WEARING PANTS YOU PEDIPHILE?"
"GUYS!"
"WHAT?" The duck and I yelled in unison.
"Look!" The dog yelled as we turned our attention towards the Third District's doors. Suddenly they were blocked off; in fact all the exits were blocked off by some strange type of wall.
"What's going on?"
"Guys watch out! Something's coming!" The dog yelled as he covered his mouth with his incredibly large hands. When I turned back, I mentally swore to myself. That Guardian Heartless, I fought earlier, returned… except this time his body was in disarray.
"Ok guys." I sighed as I turned towards the two animal-like creatures before me. "Looks like it's up to us to finish this thing off once and for all. What do you say? Can we work together?" I asked. They both nodded before pulling out their own weapons. The dog fought with a shield, while the duck had a staff of some kind. I figured that I would laugh at them later. We each got into our fighting positions before it started to charge at us. We dodged its oncoming attacks. "Guys! We have to attack its body parts! After that everything will fall on it's own!" I shouted to them. They nodded as we each rushed to a different body part. Working together, we were able to remove everything, but the torso. I charged at it, ready to attack the head, but I was caught off guard when its torso started to spin. It hit my body and I went flying backwards, only to be caught by the dog person. "Thanks."
"Are you ok?" The duck asked me.
"Yeah, but it never did that before. I wonder why now?" I questioned, but I didn't have time to figure it out before it charged at us again. "I wonder if we stun it… will it give me an opening?" "Hey. Can you use your magic too stun it before I chop off its head?" I asked the duck. He nodded before readying himself. The Heartless started at us before it charged one more time at us. The duck casted a lightning spell on it. The Heartless was stunned and it gave me a chance to defeat it. I ran over to it and wacked it a few times before a light started to sparkle form it. I backed away slowly before it exploded and another heart came floating out of it. The same thing happened to the heart that happened to that one guy's heart. The Keyblade disappeared as I sighed and sat on the floor. "Glad that's over."
"Thank you." I heard the duck say.
"Huh?"
"We wanted to say thank you for defeating that Heartless for us. I don't think we could've done it without you." The dog smiled, which caused me to smile.
"I guess we make a pretty good team than huh?" I added as I stood up. "So what are your names?" I asked them.
"Donald Duck." The duck said as he handed me a feathered covered hand.
"The name's Goofy." The dog said as he did the same thing and helped me to my feet.
I dusted myself off before giving my name. "Sora. My name is Sora."
"Nice to meet you." Goofy smiled again.
"Um, Sora… would you like to come with us…? On our adventure?" Donald asked nervously. Right before I was about to answer, all three of our stomachs growled.
"How about you explain everything over dinner?" I smiled at them before I led them to Cid's shop.
At dinner they explained everything to everyone. They said they need me to help find their king and fix the worlds. At first I was sketchy, but when they said that they could help me find my friends… how could I say no. After dinner we went to Cid's spare bedrooms and slept for the night after Donald healed us. It was amazing, watching as the scars and blood and everything disappeared before my eyes.
Once we woke up and ate breakfast, I waved goodbye and followed them through at the beginning of the town. There was a weird ship waiting for us. Inside looked just like a home. There were two rooms with two beds, kitchen, living room, t.v., bathroom. "Someone could live here forever." I went to my room and noticed that there were a pile of fresh, new, clothes waiting for me with a note attached.
"This is our thank you." I reread before inspecting his belongings.
"SORA! WE'LL BE ENTERING A NEW WORLD TOMORROW! MAKE YOURSELF COMFORTABLE!" Donald said from over the intercom. I put the clothes away before falling on the bed.
"Don't worry Ke'Ania, Riku, Kairi… I'm going to save you guys and the other worlds, so we can go home… together. It's my new job anyway." I thought as I lead down and slept on my bed.