With some hasty preparation, Ignis was ready to go. She had managed to buy some different potions and provisions for the trip. She had no idea what she was up against, and what was waiting for her out there. She had been well trained for different circumstances, and the past eight or so years had given her time to get stronger. She tried to reassure herself that she would ready. But there was really no way of knowing. Not to mention that the Star Shard was cracked. What would she do if it broke?
Ignis pushed the thoughts from her mind. She couldn't just settle for this stable life, day after day of fighting Heartless with no end. It was time for a risk.
She finished her preparations. Ignis had enough munny to buy a parting gift for Freya and Zack. She bought a new spear for Freya, and a helpful bangle for Zack, even though she hadn't known him for long. She left the gifts in their base, then stepped out into the Third District. Freya... please forgive me...
Ignis got into an open area, going through her mental checklist. Satisfied that she was ready, Ignis prepared the Star Shard. She only vaguely knew how to use it. Take me to someone who can help me. Someone who will know where I have to start, she thought hard, raising the Star Shard.
It gave a few sparks, then glowed brightly in the evening light. Ignis kept a tight hold on the Star Shard as it yanked her up into the sky, towards another world.
.x.X.x.
Ignis woke up on something large and green. It seemed to bob up and down as a breeze gently swept over her. She opened her eyes, looking around in confusion as she tried to gain her bearings. It was a forest... Yet instead of ground below her, it was swampy water. Ignis realized she was on a leaf. A giant leaf? How could a leaf support her weight?
That's when she realized that she wasn't exactly human at the moment. Her arms looked almost... bug-like. She looked herself over and felt around. She had thin wings... and, well... "My butt is huge," she huffed, noticing a glowing bulb for a butt. "Oh... I'm a firefly!"
Ignis giggled and willed her wings to move. With little to no effort, Ignis was airborne! She hovered a little and swerved around as she tried to move in direction she wanted, but flying was harder than she thought. She finally managed to get a general handle on the whole flight thing. Ignis headed down towards the water to see what she looked like, feeling very curious.
As she got close, something long and pink suddenly shot out at her from the side! Taken by surprise, she froze. But suddenly, something else grabbed her and pulled her out of harm's way! Seeing another glowing bulb, she instantly followed after her rescuer as they led her away.
"Woo, darling, you almost got caught up in a tussle with a toad's belly," the other firefly laughed when they were finally out of harm's way.
"A toad? That's what that was?" Ignis let out, still on edge from the whole ordeal.
"Best not to be headin' down towards that water. All sorts of critters hungry for fresh firefly, right?" he said.
"... Right..." she sighed, calming down.
"Now, I'm knowin' you from somewhere. You look like my cousin's nephew's grandpa's sister's second cousin Dale's little girl," he said.
"No... I'm sort of new to this area. My name is Ignis," she introduced herself.
"Ignis? Well, Iggie, welcome to these parts, girl! My name's Ray," the firefly introduced himself, giving her a firm clap on the shoulder. "What brings you 'round here?"
Ignis let the nickname 'Iggie' go, though it wasn't her favorite nickname. "Well... I'm looking for someone to help me... I'm a little lost. I'm looking for someone, but I don't where to start. I came here because... I heard that there was someone who could help me," she explained, trying not to give away that she was from a different world. She had a feeling that saying 'I wished on a broken star, so it crash-landed me here' would go over so well.
Ray thought for a moment, scratching his head, before punching the air in remembrance. "I got it! You want-"
He was cut off by Ignis pushing him out of the way as a dark shape lunged at them! She summoned her keyblade as she realized that were being attacked by a swarm of Heartless. Three of them looked like mosquitoes, and they were lead by a big beetle. If Ignis was her normal size, squashing them would be no problem. But she was a firefly now.
"I've got this," she hurriedly said, flying at a mosquito Heartless and slashing at it with her keyblade. With a few hits, it was defeated. She dodged the beetle as it threw itself as her, and was thrown off by a remaining mosquito Heartless.
"Nu uh, darlin', you won't be puttin' yourself in harm's way for me," Ray declared with a determined look. Expertly maneuvering through the air and using the light of his bulb, he easily took out the two mosquito Heartless.
Ignis dodged the beetle, and slashed at the vulnerable part under its shell. Ray joined in, startling the beetle into not moving. As it was dazed by the bright light, Ignis delivered a final blow to the Heartless. It burst apart, leaving Ray and Ignis alone and victorious.
"Wow, Ray, that was amazing," Ignis praised him. "You really know how to use your bulb!"
"Aw heck, you get used to it with practice. I had enough of that Shadow Man's creepy crawlies nosing around my home," he responded proudly.
"Shadow Man?" Ignis asked.
"No one you want to get in a tussle with. He's too big and crafty, that guy..." Ray explained. "Anyways, I was sayin' that you want to see Mama Odie. She knows all things about everything, she sure can help you!"
"Mama Odie? Okay, I guess I'll go see her, then," Ignis said, looking around confusedly.
Ray chuckled at her in amusement. "I'll take you to her, I remember you're not from these parts," Ray offered.
"You would? Thank you so much! I'm just so lost," Ignis admitted.
"Well, when you're lost, it just means that you have plenty of options. And I'm knowin' the best one for you," Ray asserted.
"I really appreciate this," Ignis said with a smile.
"Well, bein' honest... I need to stop somewhere first. I was headin' on my way when I saw you needin' some help," Ray said.
"Oh, okay. That's fine. I can wait here, or go with you... or whatever works," Ignis said with a smile, just happy that she had some guidance.
"... I suppose since you're not familiar with the family, you can tag along," Ray said. "I'm just worried 'n all about them teasing me... So I've been goin' alone. You see... There's this gorgeous, wonderful, beautiful girl... Her name is Evangeline."
