Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts. KH belongs to Disney and Square Enix.
"Goofy! Heartless!"
The knight jerked, and spun around, wide-eyed, as the intruder quickly managed to land footfirst (somewhat ungracefully) upon the ground interior of the Gummi Ship, its somewhat panicked gaze fixed on Sora. The boy appeared to be relaxed, slightly, yet Goofy's heart skipped a beat, and he whipped out his shield.
"Shucks… Not again!"
The Wyvern glanced at the knight, realising the second threat, and beat its wings downwards in a clumsy fashion, attempting to escape. Its options were quite limited, though – the Gummi Ship's door had already been sealed off.
It gave a high-pitched shriek in Sora's direction as he swung the Keyblade forth, aggressively. It skimmed past the Heartless's wing, as it spun out of the way, making use of its newfound agility, however clumsy it was portrayed. It dodged a second swipe, panicked, now.
The light was going to burn it! The light was going to destroy it! Just as its brethren had whispered…
The Wyvern continued to evade the swipes of the Keyblade Master, glancing around the interior of the mysterious vehicle. It needed to escape, as soon as it could, but there was no opening. And the two lights had it cornered – it was now backed up against the control panel…
Control… pan… Panel?
The Wyvern tore its gaze from the knight and the Keyblade Master, glancing over at the buttons that adorned the dashboard.
Wasn't there… an escape here…?An escape from the light…?
Its gaze scanned each button, searching for the correct trigger. There was something here… there was something that was sure to release it from these two hearts… It was certain. After all, it was the one who had built this ship…
… Huh?
It didn't have time to react or argue with the sudden flurry of thoughts that travelled throughout its weakened mind, once it felt a sudden force slamming it to the ground. The Key Bearer had already summoned some form of black energy upon it, which had rendered the Heartless's wings completely useless, and forced it upon the floor of the Gummi Ship.
Gummi…It felt a rush of air from above, and it glanced upwards from its dazed state, only to realise that the boy was bringing down the enchanted weapon, very much furiously, upon its head. The wyvern let out a panicked shriek, realising that the Key was travelling at an inescapable speed –
It was going to be eliminated by the light!
N – n…It had to escape… it had wanted to find out more about the light, but now neither the light nor darkness would accept it!
S – St… Sto…It had to make the light understand, somehow… It could not belong in the darkness… It had to belong somewhere!
St – Stop – "STOP!"Sora's bright blue eyes grew wide, and his swing was averted completely. Instead of hitting its intended target, the Keyblade hammered upon the hard, floor interior of the Gummi Ship with a loud CLANG.
The piercing sound rung through their ears, into an eerie silence. The knight lowered his weapon, his features growing slightly dim with confusion, as he glanced over to his younger companion. Sora's gaze had not shifted from the Heartless, since his deliberate failure to land a blow upon the Wyvern. But he regained his footing, and stood up straight, lowering his weapon to one side.
"What… did you say?"
Goofy's eyes grew wide, and he turned back to the Heartless, who seemed a trifle dazed, yet relieved that no more attacks had been threatened. His gaze switched back to Sora, who was now glancing over his shoulder at the knight, question managing to find its way within the boy's bright blue eyes.
"Didn't you hear it?" The Keyblade Master asked. "A yell, or something?"
The knight scratched his head, his expression growing slightly apologetic. "Gawrsh, Sora… I just heard a whisper, but that's all…"
"WHISPER?"
The Keybearer winced, covering an ear. The word felt as if it was being blasted into his ear, somewhat airily. There was no voice… just a harsh, forced whisper. Rubbing the side of his head, he turned to Goofy… though ended up giving a heavy and disappointed sigh, as the knight's features remained slightly thoughtful, but blank, nonetheless.
"Gee… Got a little louder, that time… but I can barely hear nuthin'." Goofy muttered, shrugging and shaking his head. One ear suddenly perked up, and he leaned towards the left, to get a better view of the Wyvern. The Heartless hadn't moved from its spot, and simply managed to be staring at the duo, its expressionless orbs seemingly more blank than ever.
Sora squatted down to face the creature, though kept his distance. For all he knew, this Heartless could have been trying out another strategy to steal hearts. Still, he stared intently towards it, hoping to hear the harsh whisper in its ear, once more. When there was no reaction from the creature, he leaned forward and began to wave slightly in front of its pointed face.
"Hello?"
Goofy's eyes grew wide as the Heartless suddenly gave a small shriek, causing Sora to fall back onto his behind, spreading his arms out to the back, in order to cushion his fall. The Wyvern had now scrambled to its talons, though both wings had lowered to each side, giving the creature a somewhat humble appearance.
"HELLO."
That word was harsher than the previous two, for the Keyblade Master, and he sat up, grasping both of his ears. However, a flicker of excitement appeared upon Goofy's features, and he gave a loud "Ahyuck!"
"Well, whaddaya know? Now I hear it!"
Sora rubbed both sides of his head with a groan. "Loud and clear…"
He rolled forward on his feet and leaned in towards the Heartless, who, in turn, leant back slightly.
"You… can talk?"
The Wyvern appeared to tilt its head to the side, in slight confusion, glancing up at Goofy, who was now approaching and equally as intrigued by the creature. Sora noted that this Wyvern was far smaller than usual – the features mirrored those of a regular Heartless of this species, apart from the fact that the 'fins' that adorned each side of its face seemed relatively shorter, and not nearly as jagged as its brethren had displayed. Its 'shoulder pads' seemed slightly shrunken, as well.
Finally, the Heartless appeared to comprehend the Keyblade Master's words. Though instead of speaking once more in a harsh whisper, it bowed its head in a slow nod, before perking back up, staring at Sora and Goofy, once more. Only this time, it appeared very much transfixed upon the weapon that was gripped somewhat loosely within the teenager's hand.
"LIGHT!" It exclaimed, somewhat cheerfully. Sora blinked, glancing down to the Keyblade, gleaming dimly in the presence of the seemingly thousands of flashing buttons that were present. With a small, bewildered smirk, the boy held out the weapon, horizontally, so that the unusual creature would not be so intimidated, as prior. "… This? Do you mean this?""KEY." The Heartless appeared slightly solemn, now, as it beat both wings down upon the ground and hovered upwards, slightly, its gaze switching back and forth between the Keybearer and the Captain of the Knights, who both exchanged glances.
"Gawrsh… I didn't know Heartless could go talkin' or nuthin'." Goofy muttered, raising a finger to his lip, thoughtfully.
Sora stood up to face the Wyvern properly, once more. "But… a Heartless shouldn't be speaking… or really thinking for that matter. All a Heartless is supposed to think about, is stealing hearts, right?"
"And… A Heartless is supposed ta have one a' them symbols on 'em, too."
Blinking, the Keyblade Master spun to face the Knight, eyes slightly narrowed in confusion.
"What do you mean by that?"
Goofy scratched his head, blinking slowly, before pointing one gloved hand over to the Wyvern. And as Sora turned to comprehend, he realised – there was no Heartless symbol present upon the creature's chest. Rather a distorted mark, mixed with red and black – as if the once-bold signature of the shadowed creatures had promptly melted. The distorted outline of a heart still remained, though.
The Keyblade Master's eyes grew wide, and he crossed his arms.
"How did that happen?"
The Wyvern, slightly blank of the situation, lowered itself back onto the ground, before raising itself up to its full height. Sora took a step back – its appearance was no longer as humble as it had suggested previously. But still, the symbol upon its chest continued to distort, and its bright yellow orbs seemed to portray more curiosity than desire. Still transfixed by the boy, it extended a wing towards his chest, its unwavering stare remaining upon the Keybearer's bright blue eyes.
Goofy noted the Wyvern's intention. Panicked, he thrust out a hand to stop the wing from progressing any further, but it had landed on its target. Sora suddenly found himself growing drowsy, weakened, as the wing remained upon his chest. It was immediate – his eyes were sliding closed, and his head bowed down.
But regardless of this sudden state, the Keyblade Master's heart began to pound in fear. He'd never let a Heartless come this close to him, before, without willing the Keyblade into his grasp. But Sora couldn't ask for the weapon, nor could he summon it. Something was standing in the way of that command, and he'd realised sickeningly, that it was due to the Wyvern, standing there before him. He couldn't call to the Keyblade in this state, and he didn't know why. Why this Heartless could prevent him from lashing back, simply by touching his chest…
"WEAKER…"
Sora's eyes suddenly shot open, as he felt the energy drained from him returning abruptly in waves. It appeared that Goofy had comprehended the boy's discomfort, taken a step forward, and grabbed the Wyvern's wing, forcing it away from the Keyblade Master's chest.
The Wyvern glanced up at the knight, whose gaze seemed slightly frightened, yet remained firm upon the Heartless, slightly distrusting. However, this façade was stripped away, as the creature's wing reached further up his arm, up to where his bandage was situated. It was only seconds upon contact when Goofy found himself witnessing the same drowsiness his younger companion had experienced – only this time, the shock was enough to cause the knight to collapse to his knees.
Sora panicked, summoning the Keyblade to his side. "Goofy!?"
The knight made no response, though he tried his very best to keep his gaze upon the Heartless, who stared back, its yellow orbs flashing, as if equally disturbed. Even when its wing withdrew a moment later, Goofy remained in his weakened state, his head bowed and clutching his bandaged arm, tightly.
"DANGER…"
The knight slowly glanced back up to the Wyvern, his heart pounding within his chest.
"Wh… Wha-?"
"DANGER." The creature said, once more. Though it seemed to speak more firmly, as if aiming for the knight to comprehend. It pointed once more to Goofy's bandaged arm with its wing, but it was intercepted – Sora stood in front of his companion, his Keyblade gripped tightly, but hanging loosely to his side. His gaze did not portray any form of hostility, but it remained fixed upon the Heartless. Watchful… but curious.
"Why're you here?" He asked, softly. The Wyvern glanced up at the boy, and Sora could note, now, that the symbol was continuously melting away. A red-black smear was all that remained, as the creature took a step forward.
"…LIgHT…"
Goofy peered around Sora's legs to peer at the Heartless. The knight still seemed weary, his grip on his arm increasing. But curiosity prodded him. The harsh whisper of the Wyvern had dimmed, slightly. Dimmed into a softer voice… still slightly incomprehensible, yet…
"FoR LighT…"
Sora blinked, then lowered himself to his knees.
"You… want to live in the light?"
The Wyvern seemed to perk up, slightly, as if somewhat excited. It gave an abrupt nod, thrilled of the boy's comprehension. A little bewildered, Sora leant back and crossed his legs, observing the creature for a small while longer. Then, when no further response erupted from the Heartless, the weakened Goofy returned to mind, and he spun on his backside, to face the drowsy knight.
"What happened?"
Goofy glanced up at the boy, who grew slightly taken aback at the fearful gaze that met him. He shut his eyes, and shook his head, his long ears swaying back and forth, before the knight managed to look upon Sora, once more. This time, the fear was absent – but eventually grew painfully obvious, the Keyblade Master realised. The knight was afraid, and he couldn't shake it off. Regardless of what façade he placed up.
"…Goofy?"
The knight closed his eyes, before rising up to his full height, and staring once more at the Heartless, who seemed to shrink back, slightly. Then, he turned away, still grasping his arm and heading for the rear cabin, situated at the end of the ship. Suddenly somewhat upset, Sora shot up and turned to face the retreating knight.
"Goofy?!"
"We can start lookin' at the nearest world."
The Keyblade Master swallowed upon hearing his companion's tone. It was exhausted, resigned. Nothing like the Goofy he knew. And what was equally as disturbing, was that the knight never turned to acknowledge the boy. He simply continued to walk over to the ship's rear, without glancing back. Without bringing forth any indication that he was alright, nor that he was hurt.
Sora bit his lip as his companion slid out of view.
He was uncomfortable. For that brief moment, it seemed that the trio had truly been separated. Neither was in contact with one another. Unlike the past few weeks of heading deeper into the worlds and overcoming Ansem, neither could really tell what the other was thinking.
But the Keyblade Master was quick to cease the thought. Instead, his bright blue eyes resumed their alert state, and he glanced down at the Wyvern, who quickly peered back up at him, cocking its head to the side in confusion.
"ScaReD?"
The boy appeared slightly hesitant for a few seconds, as he pondered his answer, before glancing to the controls. His gaze settled there for a while, his bright blue eyes taking in the rather empty sight. The chairs remained there, the three of them directed towards the window.
He remembered how excited he'd been, first on this ship. Knowing that he would soon be exploring worlds unknown, that he would soon be undertaking the adventure he had always dreamed of. Without Riku or Kairi, he knew, it felt a little empty. The fun had been taken out of the idea of such an event. Sora had wished, for a while, that his friends could be travelling alongside him. That they could all experience one world after another.
But it was later when he realised…
The first time he'd been split off from Donald and Goofy since their meeting… he was afraid. He'd been dead scared. Dropped in the middle of a Jungle world, face to face with a jaguar which appeared to be savouring nothing more than his fear, and the time to strike him down.
The second, and most painful time they had been divided, was in which both had left him behind in Hollow Bastion. And it was here when Sora had begun to realise…
That concern… being cut off from Riku and Kairi, without being able to speak to them, without being able to see them, or hear their voices, was almost unbearable. When there were times when he drifted, straight after braving such an obstacle in his quest by the skin of the teeth, he would wonder if he would truly make it through all the way. That the previous obstacle was simply a small bump in comparison to the threat ahead.
… but when Donald and Goofy had left Sora, he suddenly felt another gap within him.
Riku and Kairi had been his top priority. Sealing the worlds along the mage and the knight was a responsibility he knew he had to fulfil. And he loved it. He loved sealing the worlds, meeting the people who dwelled within them. He loved seeing the different landscapes, skies and civilization.
But… he'd hoped to have at least run into his childhood friends. At the back of his mind, exploring each world he had encountered, he'd wished to hear one of Riku's rather mocking remarks, or see Kairi's cheerful smile.
It was only when Donald and Goofy had left him when he realised that there were others that he felt the same way. Being apart was a thing he couldn't stand. Being cut off from those he'd spent so much of his days alongside was now unimaginable, in both the cases of Riku and Kairi, and Donald and Goofy.
Sora exhaled.
But this.
A situation where he knew where his companion was. Where he knew he could speak to the knight. Where he knew that his friend was right there. In front of him. Before him…
But a situation in which… he couldn't tell what the other was thinking. A situation in which it hadn't been the forces of darkness or the barriers of worlds that had divided them.
Sora realised he'd been shut out. He didn't know why, and he didn't like it. When the cause of division was simply from one of his friends. He'd witnessed it with Riku. That was painful enough in itself. Goofy hadn't been hostile, but he hadn't been trusting with Sora either. He hadn't told him what the matter was, if he was hurt, or angry.
Once more, the Keyblade Master stared directly at the empty pilot chairs. He stared at the controls, ghostly versions of himself and Donald battling over them, Goofy napping throughout the entire ordeal.
With a sigh, Sora saw themselves vanish.
He wanted to see that scene again. For real. He wanted to argue with Donald, to the point in which both grew incomprehensible in their insults. He wanted to hear Goofy's loud "A-hyuck!" in his ear, once he was feeling down.
And if he had to travel from world to world to make it happen… if he had to go on the same journey he'd gone on a few weeks ago… just to see all three of them together again…
So be it.
Sora glanced over his shoulder at the rear of the Gummi Ship, where Goofy had retreated. Instead of the forlorn expression he had worn earlier, a wide grin stretched his features, and he dashed over to the controls, strapping himself into the pilot's chair. Upon performing this action however, he noted the Wyvern out of the corner of his eye. It hadn't budged from its previous position, yet it continued to stare intently at the boy.
Blinking, Sora swung his chair around to face it, still slightly uncertain if he could trust this creature. But suddenly, he realised that it was still awaiting an answer from the Keyblade Master.
"sCaREd?" It repeated, spreading its wings ever so slightly to either side.
Sora spun back to the controls, his grin returning, somewhat milder that before.
But still present.
"Yeah." He said, softly.
But it's not stopping me, now.
He glanced over his shoulder once more, straight after commencing the launching procedure. The Heartless had sauntered closer to him, peering at the controls briefly, and then back at the Keybearer, who raised an eyebrow.
Instinctively, Sora was unable to trust this creature, for reasons obvious. Still… another "what if?" surfaced within his mind, and he fully turned back to the Heartless, his ocean-blue eyes wide and curious.
"So… you really wanna live in the light?"
The Wyvern never replied at first, but it spread both wings outwards slightly, then relaxed them. Glancing up at Sora, it once more stretched awing forth, towards the boy, who suddenly realised its intention.
It wanted to reach his chest again. For a slight moment, he panicked, recalling the helplessness he'd witnessed at the mercy of that simple action. How he believed, at that very moment, that the Heartless would manage to steal his heart for its own purposes.
But before he could withdraw, the wing had already reached its target. Like before, he felt the drowsiness sink into his mind. However, like before, the Wyvern had not proven aggressive towards him, either. It had not threatened to take his heart.
Instead, he once more heard it speak. A softened, yet clearly audible whisper, sounding somewhat raspier than previously, had entered his ears, causing his strength to flicker back into existence, briefly.
"MeEt yOU tHeRE."
Sora's energy rushed straight back to him in waves, once more, and his ocean-blue eyes grew wide to realise that the Heartless was fading from view. It was suddenly enveloped in a thick cloak of darkness, forming into an orb of some sort, before swirling and vanishing abruptly in wisps of black smoke.
Once more, Sora was alone. For a slight moment, he stared blankly at the space in which the Heartless had formerly stood, trying to make sense of this creature's anomalism.
But he was jerked back into reality when the Gummi Ship's launch sequence commenced. Swinging around to face the controls, he realised that an arrow, flashing red, had now appeared before the ship. Blinking, he noted that it was pointing to the right, and raised an eyebrow in slight confusion.
What's that mean?
Sora got his answer, as suddenly, he felt the ship suddenly being thrown to the right-hand exit of the hangar with tremendous speed. The Keybearer could do little more than scream and grab ahold of the controls as the ship somersaulted and spun, over and over, before tearing free of the final exit of Disney Castle.
(Sighs.)
I got ideas, people. And I'm hoping it'll speed up the progress of this fanfic.
For those who are still reading this story, thank you, once more, for all your patience. I've got Summer holidays coming up on me soon. And everyone – bug me. Pester me. Get another chapter out of me. (Don't scream, because I doubt I'm going to be that enthusiastic about updating if I receive such comments.)
So, guys, I'm sorry for being so slack. I truly am. Since I last posted, I received symptoms for anxiety, so I've been feeling a tad sick in the head, I guess. But I'll recover. (This state has actually given me more comfort in typing my stories, so perhaps I'll update faster.)
Is Donald out of the shadows? Does everyone know where he is? I think you all do. (Sweatdrop) I'm never good at keeping up mysteries… but I think I'm doing a good job on Goofy. :D
Til next time, guys.
NettikGirl
