Yays! Chapter.....I don't know....fourteen? Okay, this chapter is a little filler-ish, but has lots of key points! So it's also sort of not.
*Disclaimer
Vexen: Hello, I am-
Me: Hell no! Get the f*** out of my author's corner you creepy creeper!
Vexen: What? But-
Me: No! Begone! Quickly, before I summon my Keyblade!
Vexen: You don't have a-
Me: *summons the Spoon of Rusteth*
Vexen:....the Hell is that?!
Me: It's my Keyblade, the Spoon of Rusteth, or as I like to call it the rusty spoon of doom that will ensure that you will never ever never have children! Die creeper! Diediedie!
Vexen: *screams and runs away as he is chased by psychotic girl wielding rusty cutlery...*
Thinking and Thoughts
It was night.
It was a new moon, and cloudy as well, so it was almost pitch black on the islands. The waves were calm, lapping at the shore serenely, and a cool breeze moved the palm leaves softly.
It was close to 1:00 in the morning and not a thing was stirring, the entire area deep in slumber.
Sora tiptoed across the sand, casting furtive glances over his shoulder to where his house stood. The lights were all off, the doors were locked and for all purposes, the entire Mey family was deeply asleep.
Sora fought back an immense feeling of guilt as he thought of his parents, at home and completely oblivious to their son's desertion of them.
No! I'm not deserting them! I'm just....there's stuff I have to do. But I'm not deserting them! I'm coming back!
Yeah, and when you do you're facing hell three times over. Leaving when your parents FORBADE you! Damn Sora, what kind of son are you?
Shut up! Just shut up! I didn't have a choice! Fawn's in trouble, I'm the Keybearer, what do you expect me to do?
Leave the Succubus to burn.
Why do you hate her so much?
Call it a sixth sense. There's something about her that gives me chills. I got the same feeling the first time I saw Manse-Xemnas.
Roxas, you're too superstitious, and what did you call Xemnas?
Never you mind, darling, innocent Sora.
The brunette stifled a sigh and ended his mental conversation. He really didn't need Roxas's....Roxas-ness right now. His mind and heart were in enough turmoil without adding a psychotic blonde into the mix.
Sora would have liked to say that it had been a hard decision, the disobeying of his parents' wishes and the leaving of them a second time, but it hadn't been. It had been instantaneous. The moment Yamato and Mari had forbidden him from leaving, he had begun formulating a plan to sneak away. As luck would have it, as soon as the meeting was over the parents had left, sensing that their children needed to be left alone for awhile.
Big mistake.
As soon as they had left, Sora had turned to Mokcey and started discussing plans for their departures. Donald, Goofy, Riku, Namine, Kairi, and even Roxas had been a little surprised at how quickly Sora had gone against his parents wishes. The King hadn't seemed to be and had calmly said that the Gummi Ship would need a day or two to store up energy for the trip.
"Mundo Del Perso is very far," said Mickey in a low voice. "And it's steeped in so much Darkness....it will be hard for the Gummi Ship to make it through the veil without taking serious damage. It would be best if it was at full strength when we depart."
The King had seen apprehensive and troubled instead of his normal, cheerful self, but Sora had been too relieved at the time to notice.
The next two days had been rather awkward, the parents of the three Keybearers watching their children closely. Sora didn't think he'd sneezed without his Father giving him a suspicious look. To be fair, it had to be hard on Yamato, Mari, Lora and Kaito, learning that their children were seasoned warriors who had seen countless battles and been exposed to more than they themselves had been. And then, to hear that they wished to depart again! It was like they didn't even know the three youths.
Yes, the parents had been watching their children closely. Sora sighed as he approached the docks. It had been unnerving and he was glad to escape it, though he didn't even want to think about how his parents would react when they found him missing in the morning.
Sora stiffened as he sensed someone nearby, but relaxed as a warm feeling filled his chest, immediately identifying the person as Kairi. Sora smiled and turned as he saw the redhead approach him.
Kairi was dressed in an outfit similar to her pink and white one, except this one was black and blue. She was also wearing black leggings underneath and her hair was tied up in a ponytail. She looked older, more serious, and more battle ready.
Kairi smiled at Sora and held her hand out to him. "Ready to go?" she whispered, obviously trying to quell her growing nervousness. Sora nodded and took her hand, his face growing hot as he felt the Princess's hand tighten around his own.
You know Sora, you're going off to fight a war here. Not to sound cliché or anything, but wouldn't this be the perfect time for you to confess your undying love to Kairi?
Roxas....don't start...
No, seriously. You don't know how this whole thing is going to turn out. Stop being such a fraidycat! What are you so scared of? Just tell her how you feel!
Sora paused and frowned. What was he so scared of? Rejection? It was a possibility that he didn't want to consider, but how did he really know that Kairi felt anything for him? Roxas's assurances via Namine weren't enough to convince the teen that the Princess felt anything but friendship for him, and he was afraid to take a chance...
But he was the Keyblade Master. Wasn't his life all about running headfirst into risks? How could he falter in such a simple thing as to confess his feelings to the girl he'd known for most of his life? What made it so much more complicated? Was it because he was betting his heart on her acceptance? But even so, he'd lost his heart before...and yet....it was different.
But Roxas was right. Sora didn't know what was going to happen. They were going to a new world, with new risks and trials. Anything could happen. They were taking a big risk in going, so why not just add another risk to the list?
Sora stopped walking.
Kairi stopped as well, looking up at the brunette in confusion.
"What is it Sora? We should hurry, Riku and the others are probably already there," said the Princess.
Sora hesitated and then took a deep breath.
"Kairi...I-I have something...to tell you..." said the teenager hesitantly, a blush rising to his face. Kairi stiffened and looked up into Sora's deep azure eyes. "Sora?" she whispered, almost panicked.
"Um...Kairi...it's just that, I...I...think I'm...no, I know I'm...in love with you," said the Keybearer with a nervous chuckle.
Kairi froze.
Oh no....she thought in horror, oh no no no.
"It's just," continued Sora, oblivious to Kairi's reaction, "I get this...I don't know warm feeling whenever you're around and...Kairi, you're so amazing and I really....I really love you."
No! Cried Kairi inwardly. Not the L word! Stop saying the L word! I'm not ready for the L word! Please Sora, just shut up...
"So...yeah," said Sora, looking at his feet.
Kairi was as stiff as a board.
Kairi....are you alright?
....Not really Namine. I told you before, I'm not ready for...love. I'm too young. I need some time to figure myself out first.
So...what are you going to tell Sora?
"Kairi?" said Sora anxiously, his face rapidly losing colour. Kairi took a deep breath and looked up into Sora's eyes.
"Sora, I really really like you," began the Princess. Sora's heart lifted and a smile spread across his face.
"-but I'm not ready for a relationship or love or anything like that. I'm just...not ready. I don't know enough about myself to commit to another person. Please don't take it the wrong way, because Sora, you're amazing. I do really like you Sora but...not...love. I'm really sorry, but...no," said Kairi firmly, trying to quell the immense feeling of guilt she felt as she saw Sora's face fall into absolute desolation.
"Oh...okay..." whispered the brunette hoarsely, releasing Kairi's hand and letting his gaze fall to the ground, his whole body stiff.
Kairi winced and swore internally.
Oh...oh jeez...look at him...Nami, did I make the right choice?
Kairi, only you can decide that. If you're not ready and don't know if you love him, then you shouldn't tell him that you do. You should be sure of yourself and of everything.
Yeah...you're right. But, I don't want things to be awkward; I still want to be friends. What should I do?
Well, what can you do to show him you still care? And that you'll still be here?
Kairi thought for a moment, and then smiled.
"Sora?" said the Princess as cheerfully as she could muster. Sora looked up, his eyes shining with hope. "Yes Kairi?" he said excitedly. Kairi winced.
"Um, I still...don't want to...I still don't..." The melancholy look that quickly appeared on Sora's face told Kairi that he got the picture.
"But, I still want to be friends. I don't want this to be awkward. So..." Kairi dug into her pocket and pulled something out. Sora looked at it curiously, surprise driving sadness from his eyes. "Your lucky charm?" he said in surprise. Kairi smiled sheepishly as she looked down at the star-shaped object. "Yeah...brings back memories doesn't it? I want you to have it Sora, from me to you. There will always be the two of us, okay? Even if we're not...a couple, we'll still be together, no matter what," said the redhead.
Sora looked at the object, his eyes downcast, but calculating. After a few seconds, he gave a small smile and took the charm, placing it in the bag he kept his various keychains in. Kairi smiled back.
"Um, hey, I don't know if I'm interrupting anything, but I think we kind of have to go...now."
Kairi and Sora turned to see Riku standing impatiently behind them. Sora nodded, turning away from Kairi. "Yes," he said firmly. "Let's go."
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
The Gummi Ship.
It was Riku's first time being in one, and he had to admit, he was impressed. Looking at it from the outside, you wouldn't expect it to be the elegant yacht of a vehicle it was on the inside. The exterior of the ship greatly resembled several blocks of toys stacked atop one another, and it didn't look all that roomy. The interior, however, was much different.
The Gummi Ship was divided into three sections, the bow, the center, and the stern. The bow, of course contained the control room, from which the ship was steered. The center, surprisingly, contained an elegant kitchen, dining room, and lounge. Complete with a tableclothed table, stove, fridge, freezer, and everything a luxury kitchen needed. It also had a small lounge with comfy leather couches, a coffee machine and small music player. The stern contained the living quarters, no less then thirteen rooms. These rooms too, were that of a five-star hotel. With king-sized beds, closets, bedside table and a personal bathroom. It also had electricity and running water, plumbing as well, though god knows where the sewage went, as he had yet to see a septic tank.
Definitely not what you would expect.
Riku lay back on his bed, looking around the room with grudging admiration. He had to admit, the ship was pretty bad-ass. Looks like he owed Sora ten bucks.
Riku frowned as he thought of his best friend.
Yes, Sora. Sora was quite something wasn't he? The dashing, spiky-haired, optimist who made friends everywhere he went and who had saved numerous worlds. The blue-eyed wonder who had stolen Kairi's heart (1) and bore the name Keyblade Master with pride and just a little bit of arrogance.
Riku raised his hand and summoned Way to Dawn, observing it in the light.
The Keyblade...Sora's now, but it had been Riku's once, hadn't it? For the most fleeting of moments. When he had taken it from Sora, way back then. It had been his, originally meant for him to wield...but he'd proven himself unworthy of it...
And now, he had Way to Dawn, the weapon that symbolized his climb from the Darkness, back to the Light. A Keyblade. Not the Keyblade. But a Keyblade nonetheless. Riku had one, he should be happy, content. He stood on the same level as Sora...almost. Not quite. Sora was still the Master, and Riku had only a Keyblade he had made himself, through Darkness and determination.
Yes, Riku was better now, he had clawed himself out of the dark hole he had dug for himself and redeemed himself in the eyes of his friends...and with that came a nagging thought...was it possible that he had redeemed himself in the eye of the Keyblade?
It was thought that came to him more and more. If he truly had proven himself, and fought free of the Darkness, should such a situation arise, would the Keyblade come back to him? It was something Riku didn't want to think about, after all, the Keyblade belonged to Sora now, yet the idea kept returning to his mind...
"Hey Riku, The King wants to meet in the lounge before we take off."
Riku moved his eyes from his Keyblade to the brunette standing before him in the doorway.
"Okay, be right there," he dead-panned, dismissing Way to Dawn.
Sora didn't reply, disappearing as quickly as he had appeared.
Riku raised an eyebrow as he slid off the bed. What was up with him?
xoxoxoxoxoxox
Sora walked into the lounge, noticing with some surprise that he was the first one there.
I guess King Mickey, Goofy and Donald are setting the coordinates so that we can leave as soon as we're finished talking...Riku should be here soon....Kairi...Kairi's in the kitchen ch-checking the supplies...
Are...are you okay?
Sora blinked outwardly, a mild display of the startledness he felt at his Nobody's voice.
Oh...Roxas...haven't heard from you in awhile...
It's been like....fifteen minutes...
Yeah....about.....
Just fifteen minutes. Fifteen minutes between a bright young man about to profess his love to the girl of his dreams and a depressed teenager who had had his heart broken brutally.
............
What, no snarky comment?
...I'm sorry Sora...this is sort of my fault....I guess...I misread the vibes from Namine...
Oh shut up would you? It's not your fault or Namine's. Neither of you can affect how Kairi feels. I just...have got to accept that she doesn't love me back...
I'm really sorry Sora.
Yeah. Whatever.
Just then, Riku sauntered into the lounge, taking a seat beside Sora on the couch. The brunette didn't respond, until, of course, Kairi walked in from the door that led to the kitchen. Sora stiffened and lowered his gaze, his hands clenching into fists. Riku noticed the change in Sora's demeanour and raised a questioning eyebrow at Kairi who looked at her feet guiltily before taking a seat on Riku's other side.
Then, Donald, Goofy, and King Mickey walked in from the door that led to the bow, the mouse king looking grim.
"Good," said Mickey, sitting down on the opposing couch with a sigh. "You're all here. We can begin right away."
Silence met this, surprising the bipedal animals slightly. Where was Sora's enthusiasm and Kairi's fiery excitement? The two of them were surprisingly quiet.
As they should be, thought Mickey dourly, this mission will be the darkest one they have ever embarked on.
"Alright fellas, I'm going to start by telling you a little bit about Mundo Del Perso," began the King with a sigh.
"Mundo Del Perso is a world entirely composed of Darkness. It was born from darkness and it grew from Darkness. How life began on that world I'll never know. How humans came to be in that dark atmosphere...if you can call them that.
"The natives of Mundo Del Perso...or The Lost World as it translates...were savages to say the least. In a world devoid of light, what more could you expect? They lived only to survive, with no morals or decent thoughts. At some point however, a group of these savages stumbled upon the Heart of The Lost World...and a fraction of its power was released.
"This power brought a bit of light to Del Perso. Just a little bit, but enough to bring its inhabitants somewhat out of the deep Darkness they had festered in. The Heart then disappeared, moving to a more secure location. The light brought a semblance of knowledge and decorum to the land, and a pair of teens, who caught on quicker than most, quickly took the opportunity. They used the confusion caused by the arrival of Light to establish themselves as monarchs of the 'new world', dubbed Della Luna. That means, 'of the moon'. I'm guessing this name was chosen because before the Light came, there was no moon (or sun) in Del Perso, but after the release of the Heart, a permanent full moon appeared in the sky. It became a symbol of sorts.
"Keep in mind of course, that Del Perso was still steeped in Darkness. A very small amount of light had escaped from the Heart and the land was still dark and filled with shadows. The people of Del Perso, after this first taste of Light, were hungry for more. They wanted to bring their land ever more out of the Darkness, which I suppose, was their right. After all, who wants to live in Darkness forever?
So, under orders of the Moon King and Queen, an elite group of soldiers dubbed 'Moon Warriors' began searching for the Heart.
"But, of course, where there is a power such as the Heart of the world, there are those who want to use it for evil. Those who want to use it to bring back the Darkness so that they could control it. This was the Night Order.
"A war began in Del Perso, and the two sides began delving deeper into the Darkness that surrounded them, learning how to harness it to fight one another. The Moon King, Luciano I believe he was called, learned how to summon 'Lupisomra' Or 'Shadow Wolves'. Creatures born completely of the Darkness, yet alive somehow. Not just mindless pawns like Heartless. They were alive, with blood and muscles and a heart, yet there was not a speck of light to be found within them.
The Night Order too, summoned creatures of Darkness, though these took the form of large Dragon like Cat creatures, called "Gattigo".
The war waged for over a century, and as it did, more players were cast in. The Night Order grew, as did the land of Della Luna. The King and Queen had two children, the Sa-Lua and the Pe-Lua, Moon Princess and Moon Prince, and the four of them began known as the Reale Lialaluna, Royal Family of the Moon. The Moon Warriors became an elite guard and the land prospered.
However, the war grew more savage, and more bloody and the Night Order began to increase in numbers at an alarming rate.....the Queen was killed under mysterious circumstances.....the Moon King fell ill.....the Moon Prince disappeared....and the leader of the Night Order summoned more and more Gattigos, but the numbers of Lupisomra dwindled...this is the point we are at now. Mundo Del Perso is in a perilous state, with only the Moon Princess left to govern Della Luna and defend her people against the Night Order."
There was silence in the lounge.
"Gawrsh your Majesty, that's horrible. And the Moon Princess, that's Fawn?" asked Goofy, scratching his head. The Mouse King nodded.
"King Mickey...why wasn't this one of the worlds that Sora was sent to protect? And why wasn't it one of the worlds that Organizaton XIII targeted? It seems dark enough to provide plenty of Heartless," asked Riku.
The King hesitated and then sighed. "Well Riku, simply put, the Darkness in Del Perso is so great that it's become a part of the people there. They've got so much Darkness in their hearts already that 'falling into darkness' wouldn't affect them. They can't turn into Heartless...because their hearts are already darkened beyond belief. That's why Organizatoin XIII wasn't interested in the world. After all, they were after the Hearts released by Heartless, were they not? There was nothing for them to find on Del Perso. As for why Sora wasn't sent there...to be honest. I didn't think there was anything to be done for the world. It may have been presumptuous of me, but I thought the place a bit too dangerous for you to venture Sora," said Mickey.
Sora didn't say anything, seemingly deep in thought. He then closed his eyes and nodded.
"Alright, we can't waste anymore time. Fawn's world....it's crumbling rapidly. And she's fighting it all alone. I have to go and help her! We have to leave now!" he said passionately. Kairi couldn't help but wince at Sora's fervid concern for Fawn, cursing herself for being a bipolar hypocrite as she did. She'd turned him down. She had no right to be jealous of another girl. Hiding her feelings, the Princess nodded her consent. "We've got to help them! Imagine, living in perpetual Darkness....it's to horrible to comprehend!" she said with a shudder. Riku smiled and also nodded. "Yeah. Your Majesty, it's our job to help worlds in trouble. There's no such thing as 'too dangerous', we're ready for anything!" he exclaimed.
King Mickey looked at Donald and Goofy who nodded. The Mouse smiled.
"Alright then! Let's head off!"
YAYYYYYYYYYY! Finished! Now I have the climax, which will be about two chapters, and then I think three concluding chapters. Ooh, I'm so excited!
Okay, slightly filler-ish, but with lots of important points. Alright, I'm going to write the next two chapters before I post the first one. I don't want there to be a long wait between the two climax chapters, so I want to have them both done before I post the first one. AS a result, there may be a bit of a wait until the next update, but I'll try my best!
REVIEW!!!! Were you expecting Kairi's reaction? Tells me!
xoxo, natcat5 ;p