Disclaimer: SoraMaiDay (that is, me,) does not in any way own Kingdom Hearts. There ya go.

I also sort-of found a theme song for Mai that I can't stop listening to XD It's called "Take a Hint" by Victoria Justice. Another one that's stuck in my mind that reminds me of Mai and Ventus is "Funhouse" by Pink. Search them up!

Hope you guys enjoy this chapter! It's filled with a fight scene, so you can skim over it if you like. I'll try to upload some drawings of Mai up soon on my deviantArt, too.


Chapter 7: An Evil Tree and a Red Beret

A relatively silent, serene forest was disturbed by a feminine screech of frustration, coming from the middle of its depths. The birds took off in fear, for the scream had sounded like a creature in deep fury.

Mai yanked off the offending object that wrapped around her neck. "That's it! I'm done with this!" She threw it on the ground spitefully. "It's way too hot to wear a scarf, and I'm done with being fashionable!" Ventus' lower lip quivered. He and Terra had made that special for her! He hung his head sorrowfully.

The blonde girl saw his expression and immediately a wave of remorse drenched her from head to toe. She snatched it back up and tied it around her waist instead. "Heh, heh. Although you did make it, so it's very important to me." At Ven's incredulous look, she repeated herself. "VERY important. However, this beret has to go." She stood there and pondered her options.

A lightbulb lit up in her mind, and she glanced evilly over at her friend. He backed away cautiously, but Mai was too fast for him. She stuffed it dramatically on a pouting Ven's head. "There! It looks gorgeous on you, darling!" Mai gushed, clipping it on his head firmly.

"Thanks… now take it off."

"Nuh-uh; it stays on until I say so." Mai took a step back, a smirk stretched across her countenance. "Now quit wasting time! Let's get moving."

Promptly walking away, she ran smack into a tree in the middle of a clearing. She lay on the ground, rubbing her head painfully as she glared at the wooden structure. "Strange…I don't think that this tree was here before…" She examined it more closely. "Do trees on this world move?"

Ventus summoned his keyblade. "Get away from it, Mai!" He ordered, swinging his weapon back. Mai pushed herself off the ground and stuck her tongue out at him.

"Why should I? It's not like it's gonna kill me or anything!" A branch swung out speedily at her head, knocking her out cold with an obvious contradiction to her statement.

"MAI!" Ventus yelled fearfully. He rushed over to her prone form, but was stopped by the tree's dancing movement. "Get out of the way!"

The tree only continued to mock him by waving its trunk and circling around him daringly. "That's it!" Ventus used his shotlock and aimed at what he assumed was an Unversed. Orange orbs shot out and all hit the enemy in different areas, causing the Unversed to writhe in pain and to almost lose its balance. "How do you like me now?" Ventus shouted with a smirk of satisfaction, casting a spell. "Fire!"

Surely, the fire would defeat the Unversed, Ventus waited in trepidation, it is made of wood, after all, right? Wrong. The tree was still alive, and kicking just as much as ever.

The stupid thing jumped high up in the air and released several projectiles of purple pools of poison as it came back to the earth. (Sorry, just had to add that alliteration in there… I'm a dork, I know…) Ventus narrowly avoided one as he threw himself wildly to the side. "That was close…" Doubt stirred in his heart as he inspected the Unversed in front of him. Could he actually defeat this gigantic guy on his own? Already, his head spun with the speed at which the battle commenced, and sweat dripped down into his eye. Why was his body so hot?

Ventus reached up to his forehead to brush off the liquid, but stopped as his fingers touched something fuzzy. Suddenly, he remembered how Mai had given this beret to him as a gift, not as lovingly as he would have hoped, but it still meant that she cared about him and his well-being. He pulled it down on his head so that it rested more securely; Mai was counting on him, and he couldn't let her down. It was time for this battle to end.

The Unversed seemed to have the same idea as well. Ventus hissed in pain as the lanterns the Unversed had been carrying were released around him in one blistering surge. Unluckily, one landed near his ankle and exploded, causing the blonde to feel an intense, third-degree burn on his calve. The sizzling sensation only spurred him on as his anger began to give him the energy he needed to activate his Fever Pitch drive. Ventus slashed back and forth diagonally with Wayward Wind, not letting his exhaustion slow his movements. Master Eraqus really knew what he was teaching them, Ventus smiled grimly, maybe there was a method to his harsh training after all.

The tree wiggled backwards, trying to get away from the powerful, glowing, blonde boy. "Scared, now?" Ventus taunted. "Never underestimate the power of the keyblade, or the person who wields it!" With one final strike backed with the element of lightning, the Unversed dissipated into nothingness with a blast of purple and orange light.

Ventus banished his weapon and sprinted to where his best friend rested unmoving on the forest floor. "Mai!" He shook her, too worried to think clearly. "Wake up!"

She remained still, and a feeling of panic trickled into the back of Ven's mind. "Wake up… please. For me." He clasped one of her hands in his. "You've gotta be all right, you just gotta be. I know you wouldn't leave me like this."

Still no movement. Ventus berated himself for not noticing the Unversed's threatening attack sooner. "This is all my fault…" Ventus trembled despairingly, clenching his fists. "I should've seen it coming!"

"… Don't start blaming yourself, now, Ven, or I'll smack you all the way back to the Land of Departure. Twice." A voice coughed weakly from next to him. Ventus squeezed Mai's hand tightly.

"Mai!" He gasped exuberantly. "You're alive!"

She looked up at him exasperatedly. "Did you honestly think I would leave you here without me? You wouldn't last a minute."

Ven laughed in relief. "You got that right. I'd miss you too much." He took his hand away from the base of her skull because he had felt something oozing onto his fingertips. His heart nearly stopped at the deep maroon color covering his hand; the same shade of the blood red poinsettas that decorated the castle during Christmastime in the Land of Departure. "You're bleeding!" –"No, duh!" Mai interjected – "We need to get you some help right now!"

Scooping the girl up, Ventus zipped over to the cottage with as much haste as he could muster. After all, he had gone through a pretty hardcore fight just then, but he had to get Mai to safety.

The blonde bounced in the arms of her savior, pain and dizziness blossoming at the back of her skull. Wincing, Mai left it alone as she tried to focus on something else less hurtful… like the fact that Ventus was still wearing her favorite red beret. It warmed her heart to think of how he wore it while he faithfully defended her from the evil Unversed. It made Mai shudder at how easily she had been taken by surprise, especially considering that Ventus had warned her to get out of the way. Of course, she being the obstinate person she was, Mai chose not to listen and caused this whole fiasco. Ventus had said that it was all his fault, but, in reality, it was really hers for not taking notice of her friend's order.

A burning sensation hit the back of her throat, meaning tears were soon to follow. The combination of guilt and pain became too overwhelming for her senses and black spots began taking over her vision again. Mai fought it back with a determined start at conversation with Ventus. "Hey… I'm sorry for not paying attention to your warning. I'll work on it…" She continued struggling to stay conscious, at least long enough to hear his response to her apology.

Ventus slowed down to a brisk trot. "Hey, don't worry about it. Maybe you could listen next time, though." He smiled down at her. She sent a wavering one back in return, before letting the darkness claim her mind again. At least the pain went away when she fainted.

Ven's eyebrows creased as Mai's head fell back. "It must be really bad…" He picked up the pace and went on towards the safe haven. Finding Terra would just have to wait.


Snow White told a story animatedly to the seven enchanted dwarves in front of her. "… And then, there was a handsome prince who rescued the sleeping princess – "

She flinched in surprise as the wooden door was slammed open yet again. The poor door was getting a lot of abuse lately. In the doorway stood a panting Ventus, holding a slumbering Mai in his embrace. "Can you… help her?" Ventus slumped against the entry. "Ran… all… the way… here." He finished with a loud gulp for air.

The dwarves all rushed forward, fluttering their hands around, not knowing exactly what to do to help. "All right." Happy stood forward importantly. "I'm good with medicine, so I'll do the healing. Stand back, everyone."

Ventus clasped Mai tightly as he made unwavering eye contact with the dwarf. "I'll take real good care of her." Happy promised kindly. Ventus nodded indecisively and carefully handed his friend over to the chubby dwarf. Happy then brought the girl upstairs and placed her gently on the pushed-together beds.

Dopey offered Ventus a glass of cold water, which he gratefully accepted. The boy chugged it down quickly before handing it back, and going up the steps to the second floor. He leaned against a wardrobe in the corner and watched Happy apply a poultice to the back of Mai's head.

"Will she be okay?"

Happy smiled at the clearly concerned boy. "She'll be just fine. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if she wakes up soon." Ven let out a sigh of relief. He hadn't noticed, but his entire body had been tensed up in worry at the possible outcomes.

"Phew," Happy said, "she sure is a trouble magnet, isn't she?" Ventus held back a laugh. The dwarf's word was in fact very spot-on. Throughout the time he'd known her, Mai managed to get in a bad situation at least once a day, due to either her snarky mouth or to her crazy antics.

"You can say that again."


Mai slowly awoke from unconsciousness with the realization that she was on something very soft. That surface definitely wasn't Ven's arms, because his muscles were, in fact, very hard. She blushed a bit at the thought.

Ven must have brought me to the dwarves' home, then. Mai concluded. But that means we didn't get to find Terra, after all… Maybe he'll be on the next world. She slowly opened one eye and peered around the room. Mai then opened the other one and sat up warily. She did NOT want to faint again. Her head didn't spin too much, so that was a good sign. However, the bad sign was that Ventus suddenly came out of nowhere and was now hugging her tightly. So tightly that she couldn't breathe.

"I'm so glad you're okay! Happy said you would be, but I wasn't too sure! That was a pretty nasty head wound…" Ventus' voice was muffled, seeing as he was speaking into her hair. "Your hair still smells good, though."

"Can't… breathe…" She gasped out. Ventus swiftly released her and sat next to her on the bed, letting the cushions sink down further.

"Whoops…" He said awkwardly. "Do you think you can make it downstairs?" Mai shrugged.

"I'll sure as heck try!" She used the bedpost as support and got up heavily. Her knees shook a little, but she was pretty steady overall. Ventus got to his feet and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"I'll help."

"Thanks…"

Together, the two made it down the stairs and to the wooden table, where many people nearly glomped them. Mai held up a hand to silence their inquiries.

"I'm fine, thanks to you all." She stated warmly. "I'm almost back to normal, and my head is feeling a lot better."

Snow White pursed her lips. "Be careful, now! Just because you don't feel pain, doesn't mean it won't come back again!"

"That's right!" Doc agreed firmly. "Knowing you, you're going to bounce off to do some crazy thing, now that you're on your feet again."

Mai played with her hair amusedly. The people on this world had come to know her really well over such a short period of time. It really was quite funny.

"No worries," Ven assured them, "I'll make sure she doesn't." Mai glared at him, and opened her mouth to protest. He put a hand over her mouth, which she licked maliciously. "Ew, Mai!"

Everyone else sweatdropped. "You sure you'll be okay?" Grumpy snickered. Mai then directed her glare at the dwarf. She was about to send back a response, when she suddenly deflated.

"You know what?" Mai put her hands on her hips. "We'll be just fine. Are you gonna be okay without me?"

Grumpy spluttered. "Of course I will! You've been nothing but a nuisance!" Mai shook her head mournfully.

"If that's how you feel about it…fine. I'll honestly miss you, though. It's been fun, Grumpy." She stuck out her hand for him to shake. Grumpy coughed, before reaching out and wiggling it up and down.

"I'll miss you too…" He admitted gruffly. "Stay safe, now." Mai inclined her head happily.

"Well, I guess it's time we get going." Ventus said, somewhat gloomily.

"Yeah. Onwards and upwards!" Mai bounced excitedly. He could finally show her how to travel between worlds!

"Come back and visit!" The seven dwarves and Snow White chorused. Grumpy added, "And don't you dare forget about us!"

Mai's attitude changed again as her eyes watered up, yet again. Would she always make such good friends in each world she traveled to? This journey would be heartbreaking if this would always happen. Mai knew there was little chance she could come back to this small planet. "Yeah… Thank you. For everything."

Ventus tapped his foot impatiently and grabbed for her hand. He tugged her out the door, hitting it shut one final time. The door then fell off its hinges, tired of being open and shut with so much vigor. "Sorry about that!" Mai called out as Ven led her back across the bridge and into the woods. The group left behind all waved in farewell as the duo faded into the trees.


Mai pushed away all her sadness and replaced it with excitement. They would see more new places on their quest, so there was no need to focus on the past. Ventus finally let go of her hand and turned to face her importantly.

"Watch this!" He reached over with his right arm and tapped the button on his armor. Metal pieces extended and covered his entire body within seconds. A mask covered his face, with two metal spokes peeking out the back of his helmet. Mai stared at him.

"That's not all!" His muffled voice spoke out. Ventus threw his keyblade in the air, creating a portal to the Lanes Between. The weapon then turned in to a spacecraft of some sort, much like a skateboard.

"Cool!" Mai exclaimed in awe. "Aw, man! That means I could've left this world at any time, huh?" Even though she couldn't see Ven's face, she knew he was smiling smugly. "Wipe that smirk off your face!"

He took a step back in shock. "How did you know?" Mai grinned and hit her armor in response. Green and silver armor much like Aqua's, she would later come to know, spread out all over her being. Two spikes protruded from the sides of her head, curving towards each other like rams horns. Mai examined herself, twisting her arms in front of her.

"Very nice." She said appreciatively, summoning her keyblade. She threw Dreams Light and it boomeranged around her body in a circle, also opening an entrance to the Lanes Between. As her weapon stopped in front of Mai, her double fans glowed and shot out from under her ribbon; attaching themselves to her newly made vehicle. It was shaped much like Ventus', in the way that it was a skateboard-type. The colors coordinated with the ones on her armor, and the fans stuck out on either side of the board. (I'll draw a picture and might upload it on my deviantArt. I do get very lazy sometimes… Haha…)

"Sweet!" Mai immediately jumped on and zoomed towards her portal.

"Hey, wait up!" Ventus clambered on to his and followed her out the same exit. After all, he didn't want to lose her on their first flying experience together. The swirling black closed silently behind the boy, and the two departed into the unknown.


How's THAT for a dramatic ending? Sorry for the somewhat-later-than-usual update. Hope it was good enough for y'all! Tonight, I'm designing the armor and vehicle spaceship thingy for Mai. I'm going to a dinner party, so I'll just be awkward and draw in a corner… as usual XD

I bet most of you can guess what the next world is, but I'll tell you which one it is anyways! The Castle of Dreams, aka Cinderella's World! Personally, Cinderella gets on my nerves. She's always been my least favorite princess, for some reason. Anyways, reviews are much appreciated! Thank you to all my dedicated fans!

Have a nice week! J

-SoraMaiDay