Hello, hello and welcome back to, "To Be A Somebody, blah blah blah," ha-ha, my title is too long to put in my Author's note. Anyways once again thanks goes to all those who read my story and especially to those who reviewed! I hope I don't disappoint with this next chapter; the Heartless Battles are starting now so there will be visitation to Disney Worlds just so you know.
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy or Mulan.
Chapter 9: A World Worth Fighting For
"Well Lixicaa how are you doing with the Gummi Ship?" Xhomast asked over the radio as he continued to keep an eye on the radar making sure that he didn't miss the indication of the planet they were heading for.
"Not that good, I keep hitting the wrong button, I accidentally fired my cannon several times and I think I shot down a plane!"
Xhomast laughed, leave it to Lixicaa to shoot someone down, well based on the fact that they were nearing The Land of Dragons it was most likely an enemy ship, more specifically an heartless ship.
"Land of Dragons approaching, would you like to land?" The automated computer inside the Gummi Ship asked Xhomast who had spaced out. Luckily the computer had snapped him back into reality.
"Oh uh yeah ship, please land!"
The ship rumbled after Xhomast's voice command and it began it's descent towards their destination, The Land of Dragons. Xhomast glanced out the window to see how Lixicaa was doing and laughed as he watched her ship tilting about, left and right. She must have been having trouble with the landing, "I wonder if she knows that there's an autopilot for landing?" Xhomast asked himself. He shrugged, he was sure that she would figure it out sooner or later.
"You have now landed on The Land of Dragons."
Xhomast stood up from his seat and made his way over to the miniature closet in the air craft. He opened the sliding door and glanced in to see a single uniform inside. Pulling it out he realized that it was a soldier's outfit of some sort, he grinned as he realized it was the same kind that they wore in the Disney movie, Mulan. Xhomast just couldn't believe it, all these movies that he had watched as a kid, some of them, maybe all of them were actually real, just on different planets! It was amazing when he thought about it. He unzipped his Organization jacket and took it off and he changed into the soldier's outfit.
"If only there was a mirror in here than I could see how I looked." Xhomast sighed, oh well he could always ask Lixicaa for her opinion. Shutting the door his eyes widened as there was now a full body mirror across it that wasn't there before. Shrugging it off he glanced himself over, he looked like he belonged in the Chinese Army. If only he had the black hair and everything than it would be perfect. He pushed open the doorway with ease this time and made his way outside and gasped. The environment was amazing, it was so calming and peaceful, as well as eerily quiet.
"Xhomast! You look cool!" Lixicaa called out as she ran up towards Xhomast. Xhomast turned around and grinned.
"You look like a soldier as well, whoa what happened to your hair?" Xhomast noticed that Lixicaa's usual red hair was now a jet black, "Did you dye it on the flight over? I hope you kept the ship well ventilated."
Lixicaa frowned at Xhomast, "Wow Xhomast, for a guy who gets good grades at school you're kind of stupid." Xhomast raised his eyebrow, "It's a wig you idiot, I brought a wig with me from my collection to go with this soldier outfit, sheesh Xhomast." Lixicaa shook her head in disappointment and continued to walk on, passing Xhomast mumbling to herself.
"Uh, Lixicaa do you even know where you're going?" Xhomast asked, looking around, "I mean we just landed on the planet and all, so we kind of know nothing about this place, right?" Lixicaa merely looked at him, clearly she w as annoyed, however the reason was unknown, "Something wrong Lixicaa?" She shook her head. Xhomast became confused, "Than what's up with you, you seem upset."
Lixicaa sighed, "It's nothing, I just miss Castle Oblivion. I didn't get the chance to talk with half of the members there that's all, it's just depressing." Xhomast cocked his head at her and she sighed, "You really are an idiot you know that right?"
"Gee thanks."
Lixicaa grinned, "No problem, now how about we go and find any signs that the heartless are here after all. So far this place looks really peaceful…a little too peaceful, wasn't Mulan set during a war or something?" Xhomast nodded, "Than why aren't there any battle cries or screams of pain or bloody corpses or burnt down villages?"
Xhomast's jaw dropped, "Wow that's really sadistic Lixicaa don't you think? Be happy that there's no fighting going on right now because most soldiers are professional with their weapons, in fact they will probably be harder to fight against than those heartless back at Hollow Bastion."
"So, what's your point Xhomast?"
"My point is, if we get stuck fighting against soldiers we could be in some real trouble. We don't have that much experience with our weapons, I'm ok with my katana but I'm not sure how I would fare against a man experienced with a sword."
"Man? Isn't that kind of sexist?"
"Back in this time Lixicaa women weren't allowed to participate in battle, they were kept at home remember? Think back to the Mulan movie, Mulan had to disguise herself as a man in order to be able to fight alongside Shang and the rest of the soldiers, it's a good thing that that wig you're wearing looks like the hair of a male or else you'd be in trouble yourself."
"Wow, I would hate living in this time, I wouldn't be able to do anything, that really sucks." Lixicaa groaned, "Maybe we should practice with our weapons before we search for the camp where we're supposed to 'live as soldiers' don't you think Xhomast?"
Xhomast nodded, "Yea I guess you're right Lixicaa, but we shouldn't waste too much time or else we might arrive too late." Xhomast conjured his katana, gripping the handle in both hands he swung, a chilling wind following right after, "Should we spar against each other or what?"
"Yea I think we should spar against each other or otherwise we won't really have much practice against other people." Lixicaa pointed out as her claws flashed out from under her sleeves. "Think you can take me?"
Xhomast laughed, "Please, I have much more experience with a weapon than you do Lixicaa."
"Only by 2 hours or so, besides I'm the one who had to fight off thousands of heartless by myself and than take on Oogie Boogie!" Lixicaa crossed her arms as if she was bragging; a sly grin was slapped across her face.
"Um I believe it was Axel who killed Oogie Boogie, not you."
"…Well I would have beat Oogie even if Axel hadn't shown up."
"Don't lie Lixicaa, you would probably have died if Axel didn't show up, no offense."
Lixicaa gritted her teeth, "None taken!" She charged at Xhomast, claws outstretched, ready to pierce flesh. Xhomast looked shocked; he wasn't expecting Lixicaa to be so fast! It almost reminded him of Larxene's speed in the Kingdom Hearts games. Lixicaa smirked at Xhomast's shocked expression as she thrusted her claws forward towards Xhomast, forgetting that this was just supposed to be training. However it didn't matter for Xhomast blocked both sets of claws with his katana and pushed Lixicaa back with ease.
"Roxas took me out training; don't expect me to go easy on you!" Xhomast called out.
"Please, he took you out once, how much could you have learned in a few hours?"
Xhomast smiled, "Let me show you!" He dashed towards Lixicaa, sword raised above his head at an angle, the sun reflecting off the blade sending a blinding light towards Lixicaa, she cried out in pain as she was blinded for several moments, "Rule #1, use your environment to your advantage!" Xhomast skidded across the ground appearing behind Lixicaa and rested his blade inches away from her throat.
"Ok maybe you learned a few tricks, but don't think I'm defenseless Xhomast! I can fight back you know!" Lixicaa raised one clawed hand and pushed the blade back as she jumped away from Xhomast, taking a battle pose, "See?" She stuck her tongue out at Xhomast playfully, "What do you say to that?"
"I say this; Rule #2, always keep your eye on the enemy." Xhomast said appearing behind Lixicaa once again. Lixicaa grumbled something but Xhomast didn't hear her, "Rule #3, don't get cocky in battle." Lixicaa spun around and slashed her left arm down but Xhomast jumped back avoiding the blow.
"Stop talking, more fighting!" Lixicaa called out running towards Xhomast.
Xhomast sighed, "Fine, but I was just trying to help you, there's no need for you to get upset at me!" Xhomast blocked another blow by Lixicaa and a spark flew this time as she grinded her claws against the katana before Xhomast parried and attempted to strike Lixicaa back. Lixicaa merely thrusted once more however causing Xhomast to reach out and block with his sword, she flashed a smile as her other claws came forward ready to rip him apart. Xhomast realized that Lixicaa had pulled a bluff, but she wouldn't get away with it. He angled his sword downwards so that the second pair were blocked from injuring him as well. It was Xhomast's turn to smile as he now had the upper hand. Xhomast slowly began to push her back, the ground beneath her shoes being torn up as she was pushed. Lixicaa gasped as her back smacked across something but she soon realized that she was simply backed up against a tree.
Xhomast grinned, "Give in yet Lixicaa?" She shook her head, a bead of sweat fell down from her forehead, Xhomast shrugged and continued to push her against the tree, "You know that you're stuck right?" Lixicaa shrugged than kicked her leg forwards hitting Xhomast in the groin. He groaned in pain and collapsed onto the ground breathing heavily, "That was cheap."
Lixicaa smirked, "Rule #1; use your environment to your advantage."
Xhomast scowled as he laid on the ground continuously groaning in pain. Lixicaa looked down at her friend with concern, maybe she had over did it, maybe Xhomast was in serious pain, "Deal with it Xhomast women go through much worse!"
Xhomast ignored Lixicaa as he slowly made his way back up on his feet, "You may be a cheap fighter but at least you can manage by yourself." Lixicaa smiled proudly at the comment and gave Xhomast a slap on the back.
"What are you two doing here?!"
Xhomast and Lixicaa jumped, maybe it wasn't just the organization who liked to sneak up on people, it seemed that everyone enjoyed doing it. They turned around to see a soldier running towards them, an upset look on his face, "Did you fail to hear me? What are you two doing here? There's a battle coming up, it is important that you return to camp immediately! It's a good thing that I was sent out to scout the area or else you two would probably have been found by the Huns!"
Xhomast and Lixicaa looked at each other, and laughed, "Sorry, uh sir. We were just enjoying the scenery; it's a nice day isn't it?"
The soldier looked the two men up and down, "What two men do together isn't my business, but don't do it during war! Now come on and return to camp before Captain Shang finds out that his soldiers have been slacking off!"
Xhomast turned red, "Hey it's not what you think we were merely sparring with one another, practicing with our weapons, it's nothing like that!"
The soldier sighed, "Yeah, yeah whatever, come on already!" The soldier began to walk away from Xhomast and Lixicaa.
The two men followed behind the soldier, Lixicaa laughing for half of the trip there, while Xhomast was dead silent. He couldn't believe what that soldier had said to them, who was he to think what was going on; it was simply two friends bonding with weapons. Xhomast groaned, this was not a good start for Xhomast, not a good start at all.
XIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIII
"Yes Superior, you wished to see me?"
Xemnas looked up from his papers to see Saix once again, "Ah, yes Saix I wanted to talk with you." Saix stood there uncomfortably, his last visit with Xemnas had not gone well, not well at all and who knows what this meeting was about. "Saix it has come to my attention that there have been threat uttered to Xhomast, and those threats came from you, is that correct?"
Saix stood there silently, damn that Xhomast, he had gone too far, "Threats, my Superior I have no idea what you are talking about."
Xemnas sat there, "I don't care whether or not you are threatening fellow members of the organization just as long as you don't kill them. Understand Saix?" Saix nodded, "Good, now I have decided to forgive you for what we talked about last time, as long as you come clean and tell me what you read about."
Saix nodded, "Once again I apologize my Superior, I meant no harm in reading your papers, I was merely curious you cannot really blame me, after all there were big bold letters saying confidential, it would've sparked an interest in anyone."
Xemnas sighed, this was what he had feared, none the less he cleared his mind, "Yes that's enough Saix, just tell me what you read about immediately. I do not have the time for this fooling around, changing the subject crap."
Saix sighed, "Well Superior, I merely read about the whereabouts of the girl."
Xemnas' eyes widened slightly, "You know about her?"
Saix nodded, "And it seems like I'm not the only one, apparently Axel, Marluxia, Vexen and Larxene also knew about her current whereabouts. Why was it kept a secret from the rest of us?"
"It was knowledge not needed to know Saix, besides it is of no importance that she is still in this castle or not so do not worry about this situation understand?" Saix crossed his arms in reluctance but finally agreed, "Good, now I would appreciate it if you kept this secret from the other members, they do not need to know that Namine is hidden inside the castle."
"Understood Superior." Saix teleported out of the room and Xemnas stood up, "That goes the same for you Alexandrex."
Outside the Superior's door, Alexandrex's eyes widened, he had been caught eavesdropping on a private conversation between Saix and Xemnas, "Come in my room XIII and don't even think of teleporting or running off." Alexandrex stood up and walked into Xemnas' room. "Do you want to be exiled from this castle? You've proven to be very troublesome in this castle do you understand?" Alexandrex silently nodded his head, "First you tell the enemy all of our weaknesses and now you're eavesdropping on private conversations?! It's unacceptable, but due to the time that we're in right now, with the heartless possibly attacking us at anytime, there is no time for punishments, but be warned that you are not off the hook. Once the battle is over I will think of something to do with you, you are dismissed."
Alexandrex silently left Xemnas' office, "And XIII?" Alexandrex turned around, "Do not tell anyone, especially you're sister or Xhomast is that clear?"
"Yes superior."
"Well than, now that that's been taken care of, like Saix you can leave now, unless you have something else to talk about?" Alexandrex stood there quietly, "That's what I thought." Xemnas looked down back at his papers, soon spacing out, concentrating only on the information.
"Why didn't you send me anywhere?!" Alexandrex yelled out.
Xemnas looked up from his desk, "Excuse me?"
"Why didn't you send me anywhere like you did with Xhomast and Lixicaa?"
A coy smile began to appear on Xemnas' face, "Oh I get it, you fell left out, don't you boy? You're wondering why you haven't been sent out on a mission like Lixicaa and Xhomast and all the other members have? That's simple, it's because unlike Xhomast, Lixicaa, Demyx, Xigbar, Xaldin and everyone else, has my trust. They didn't go to the enemy and tell them all our weaknesses. They don't listen in to other people's conversations; do you understand where I'm coming from?"
Alexandrex nodded and quietly left the room.
XIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIIIXIII
"Now go back to your quarters and get some sleep, no more fooling around you two." The soldier walked away after giving Xhomast and Lixicaa their orders. Xhomast and Lixicaa looked around, it was now dark out and the only source of light were lit torches placed randomly around the camp.
"That's a fire waiting to happen," Xhomast said, pointing out how close the torches were to all the tents in which the soldiers were sleeping in.
"Ok Xhomast, once again you're pointing out the obvious."
Xhomast quickly apologized and looked around for any other soldiers, "It looks like there's no one here maybe we should make a report back to the castle?"
Lixicaa nodded and took a small black orb out from her pocket. Closing her eyes she focused on the orb as it began to grow inside of her hand until it was the size of a small melon.
"I still don't get why Xemnas gave you the orb just before we left, and why you didn't tell me about it until we were halfway here." Xhomast crossed his arms, obviously jealous.
"I don't know, I didn't think it was important, besides who cares who has the orb let's just make the report already ok?"
Xhomast still had his arms crossed but he agreed.
"Number 12 to the Superior, this is Lixicaa reporting from the Land of Dragons."
"Yes Lixicaa I know, you're several minutes late, well how is it over there?"
"Well there's been no sight of any heartless around but than again we've only been in a small area around here, right now we've been taken to their camp so I'm sure we'll find something tomorrow."
"Um Superior, has Demyx reported back from Olympus Coliseum yet?" Xhomast asked concerned for his friend who was on a solo mission.
"Yes number 11, he's doing fine, don't worry about Demyx, believe it or not he does have a lot of experience on missions. Alright than I think you should go back to your quarters and report back to me tomorrow night, understand?""
"Yes superior," Xhomast and Lixicaa said in unison. The orb shrank back down to its original size and Lixicaa placed it back into her pocket.
"Hey what did I tell you two?! Get back to your quarters!" The soldier from before had returned and was running towards Xhomast and Lixicaa and he looked annoyed. The two of them just stood there and the soldier stopped in front of them, "Are you two deaf? Go back to your sleeping quarters!"
Xhomast cleared his throat, "Actually we're new recruits sir so we haven't been assigned sleeping quarters yet."
The soldier looked Xhomast up and down, "Oh, sorry than. I guess I should take you to Captain Shang than. Follow me." The soldier walked off, leading the two to the Captain's quarters. "Go on ahead and meet with the captain, he's always happy to welcome new soldiers to his troop."
Xhomast and Lixicaa walked into the larger, red tent and stopped immediately for the Captain was standing in the middle of the tent, arms crossed looking upset, "What is the meaning of barging in my quarters at this time of night!?"
Lixicaa cowered behind Xhomast who stood straight and proud, "We are new recruits for the army. It is an honour to be under the command of such a genuine and competent captain such as you Shang."
Shang soon lost his look of anger and was replaced with a slight smile, "Oh why uh thank you, it's always nice to see new recruits, especially one with such good manners. I assume that you are here for sleeping quarters correct?" Xhomast and Lixicaa nodded, "Right well coincidentally another recruit had just recently joined and is currently in a ten alone, you two can join him, his name is Ping."
"Thank you sir, sorry to have disturbed you, we'll be on our way." Xhomast said grabbing Lixicaa and dragging her along, outside the tent they realized that the soldier from earlier had been waiting for them.
"I overheard what Shang said, I'll take you to Ping's quarters and the two of you can make yourself at home. Here it is, there are already blankets in there so enjoy it, there will be a trumpet tomorrow to wake you, after that you will have 10 minutes to clean yourself in the nearby river and than you'll be sent on a mission, of course the missions vary, since you both are now it will probably be a scouting mission."
Xhomast and Lixicaa nodded and the soldier left. Lixicaa was about to enter the tent when Xhomast grabbed her arm and pulled her aside, "Lixicaa does the name Ping sound familiar to you?" Lixicaa thought for a minute but shook her head. Xhomast sighed, "I'm pretty sure it's the name Mulan took on when she disguised herself as a guy."
"Oh you're right, I think you're right, wow what are the odds."
Xhomast nodded and laughed, "Well let's act inconspicuous."
"You mean like we know nothing right?"
"In more words or less."
The two of them entered the tent where they found a fellow soldier standing in the middle of the tent with they're back to them. "What should I do Mushu? If I go to wash myself in the river tomorrow everyone will know that I'm a-"
"Eh-hem." Xhomast cleared his throat.
The soldier jumped and turned around, his hands behind his back clearly hiding something, "Oh uh, hello. You two must be new right?" They both nodded their heads, "Well my name is Ping, and don't mind me, I occasionally talk to myself."
"And you call yourself Mushu?" Lixicaa asked holding back a smile.
Ping stood there blushing, "I think it's time we go to bed."
"Uh ok than, it was nice meeting you Mu-I mean Ping." Xhomast gave a friendly smile.
Ping nodded and laid under his sheets and closed his eyes to act as if he had already fallen asleep. Xhomast sat down beside Lixicaa who was sitting on her blanket, "I have a feeling that Mulan will wake up even earlier than us to bathe herself as to not give herself away, I think you should well…join her and get to know her, she could be a useful ally."
Lixicaa sighed, "Sure, it's not like we're waking up early or anything, I'll make sure to wake up with Mulan and go with her."
Xhomast smiled, "Um Lixicaa, if you want to get up with Mulan it will have to be before 5am you realize that."
Lixicaa's face paled, "W-what?! But that's way too early."
"Get used to it Lixicaa we're going to have to wake up early as long as we're in the army so enjoy the sleep that you get. Just think of it this way Lixicaa, based on the movie and the friendly people this is definitely a world worth fighting for."
Well everyone that's the end of Chapter 9! I know, I know, I updated this chapter the next day after Chapter 8, it must be a new record for me or something, but who cares, as long as I continue to get reviews I will continue to try my best to update, I enjoy hearing what you, the readers, have to say of my stories. And if you have any Disney Worlds that you would like to see in my story send it along with your review and if there are enough votes for certain worlds I'll make sure to include them in my story. I already have a few other worlds in mind though so don't worry, there will be plenty of Disney goodness, and if you don't like Disney than you probably won't enjoy the next few chapters other than the occasional Alexandrex scenes.
