All the Roads We Have to Walk: Chapter Twenty-Five
"On your knees! Hands behind your head! Do it!"
"Couldn't you at least attempt something a little more original?" Zidane drawled, doing as ordered with all the airs and graces of an offended thespian. "And sound more like a person and a little less like a robot?"
Sora choked on laughter, just about managing to sound as though he was coughing. He kept his eyes down and avoided all contact, sinking agreeably to his knees. Beside him, Red hunkered down as well.
"Just use your imagination," Zidane advised.
One of the soldiers stepped forward and shoved the gun in Zidane's face. "How's that?"
Zidane raised an eyebrow. "Still lacking tact."
Tact came in the form of a bloody nose and a split lip.
"Bastard," Zidane muttered, spitting bloody saliva from his mouth.
Red stepped in before the tailed teenager dug himself in any deeper. "Zidane would you please shut up. You aren't helping."
The soldier standing in the centre of the trio, apparently the man in charge, reached to his belt and pulled out three pairs of handcuffs. He tossed them to the ground in front of Sora, Red and Zidane. Sora looked at them in confusion. What were those for?
"Put them on," the commander ordered.
Zidane was the only one who moved to do so. He pulled his hands from his nose, blood webbed across his fingers, and picked the metal objects up. Red meanwhile was shaking his head. "You should know handcuffs really aren't applicable to me." He waved his front paws. "No hands and wrists you see."
"Oh that's right," the lead soldier said, shaking his head. Sora was instantly wary and a peek at Red told him he wasn't alone in his suspicions. "We've got special orders for you." The soldier raised a hand and Sora saw a familiar but very unwelcome flash of green. "Sleep."
Red blinked heavily and was sinking down before the spell had finished weaving around him. Sora swallowed, forcing his brain to plot a course of action. If only he hadn't left Ultima on the ship and if only his summons hadn't returned to their home worlds. There had to be something he could do.
"You!" Sora looked up and saw the gun and then the soldier yelling at him. "Put those handcuffs on!"
He shook his head. "I don't… k-know how." The combined chill of the air and his broken voice made him sound as if he was terrified. His ego took a blow. The last thing he wanted was for a bunch of soldiers to spread the word that the kid they were looking for was nothing but a glorified liar.
At least the three soldiers sneering at each other gave him a chance to finally come up with a very rough course of action.
The soldier who had given Zidane his bloody nose grabbed the cuffs from the chequered floor and yanked Sora's arms behind his back. Sora looked over at Zidane, the look in his eyes saying 'be ready'. Zidane didn't give any acknowledgement but Sora knew his friend would be ready. As his wrists were about to be bound together, Sora managed to twist his hands in order to cup them. Without uttering a single word, a ball of light glowered for a single instant before Thundaga illuminated the Bizarre Room. The three soldiers took direct hits as Sora leapt to his feet and summoned the Keyblade to his cold hands.
Zidane was close behind. No one had paid him much attention and had failed to realise he hadn't locked his hands in the cuffs. His daggers were in his hands and he was already heading to cover Red, slicing apart the gun of the soldier who nearest the downed creature.
Sora took on the leader who had recovered from the lightning with frightening ease. The man didn't even bother to cast a healing spell. He just charged right at Sora, bullets ripping through the air. Aeroga protected Sora but he cast Firaga to melt any ammo that looked as though it might break through his weakening shield. He was quick to knock the gun out of the soldier's hands but his opponent was highly trained. Sora took the man's brief lack of concentration to cast Aeroga around Red to free up some of Zidane's attention but he was quickly drawn back in to his own battle when he felt a blast of ice slam into his chest. Cold enough already but feeling the chill sneak between his ribs, Sora placed a hand on his chest and melted the ice with a low level Fire spell. He didn't look up in time to protect himself from the left hook that smacked him hard in the cheek. Teeth feeling as though they'd moved an inch, Sora overemphasised the power of the attack by hitting the deck. Head kept down, Sora listened intently for the soldier's footsteps, each of which clomped on the ground arrogantly. His hand tightened around the Keyblade and as the man came to a standstill above him, aiming a kick at the teen's chest, Sora tapped into his deepest power reserves and unleashed Trinity Limit, the first time he'd used his ultimate attack without the help of Donald and Goofy. His magical energies connected with Red and Zidane, drawing on a little of their powers and adding to the attack's final blow. Blinded by the whitest light, all three soldiers met agony with an assortment of cries and yells. The light dispersed and the three soldiers were as unconscious as Red. While Sora paused to catch his breath, Zidane was quick to destroy the guns and the PHS' carried by the three men. Then he set about handcuffing them and just for good measure Zidane used each man's belt to bind their legs together. When Sora was feeling a little less drained he aided Zidane's quest to drag each soldier into the fireplace. Sora searched the men's pockets just in case Zidane had missed something and was glad to find two Elixirs and three Ethers. He tossed Zidane one of each and kept the rest in the pockets of his jacket.
"We need to block the chimney somehow," Zidane mused holding a hand to his chin once Sora had stepped away from the prone men. "The furniture in here is way too big for us to move around though.
Sora solved the problem. After swigging down an Ether he pulled Zidane back a few steps and cast Blizzaga, a huge sheet of ice blocking the opening.
"Very nice. Especially for someone who's so anti-freeze."
Grinning, Sora returned to Red. "How…c-can we…w-wake him?" he asked. At least he was starting to string coherent sentences together, Sora mused briefly while Zidane crouched beside Red.
"I don't know," Zidane admitted. He grabbed the PHS from his belt and dialled the Highwind. "Shake him or cast Blizzaga or whatever while I get us a ride outta here. They'll be others like those three around before too long."
While Zidane spoke to someone on the ship, Sora tried to wake Red. He'd never seen a sleep spell before. Donald sure hadn't used such magic and if anyone could it'd be him. Sora wished he'd paid a little more attention to Donald's lessons on magic because maybe then he'd be able to rouse Red. Shaking, talking (Sora couldn't yell) and even Blizzard spells weren't waking the oblivious creature. Even Thunder had no effect.
"The Highwind has an ETA of five minutes," Zidane announced, placing the PHS back on his belt. "And they can only pick us up from the forest."
Sora pointed once again at Red. "We have a…a problem."
"More like another problem on top of all the others we already have. The Highwind is gonna have trouble getting close. Tifa said there are blockades around this world. We've gotta be in place and ready to move or we will be screwed."
"Suggestions?"
Zidane poked Red a few times with a finger between the ribs but to no avail. "We need something like Esuna to wake him up and neither of us can cast that."
"So…"
Zidane sighed. "I'll carry him."
Once Sora and Zidane had manoeuvred Red in to position they headed back into the Queen's garden and hurried through the quiet snowy space into the Forest. Footsteps wounded the snow in all directions and over the gently falling flakes voices could be heard. Sora and Zidane took to the bushes, forcing their way through as carefully and quietly as they could. No holes opened up to swallow them and they managed to avoid being spotted by the teams of soldiers that often went running by in a clipped format. Sora's shivering stepped up a few notches. Night had fallen all over Wonderland and the temperatures were plummeting to subzero levels Sora had previously believed impossible. His face was utterly numb, his back felt as though his vertebrae were fusing together and the tips of his fingers were starting to go numb and clumsy. It was getting harder to move but even when he and Zidane had to hide behind trees Sora made sure he was jogging up and down on the spot. If he didn't he would probably freeze.
Thoughts of hot drinks, bottles and blankets kept him optimistic. Soon the snow would be just another unpleasant memory.
A muted trill came from Zidane's belt, announcing the Highwind's imminent arrival. "We'd better take out chances and make a break for the open," he murmured quietly. "If anyone comes you'll have to take care of it."
Sora nodded and took the lead, keeping low but running for the clearing where he, Zidane and Red would finally leave Freeze-Your-Butt-Off-Land. And as they broke free of the tree line, the Highwind was shooting down from the sky. Giving up all pretences of stealth, Sora and Zidane sprinted for the ship as it landed. The hatch slid open and Yuna stood there, waving madly.
"You over there! Stop!"
Not even daring to look back Sora made a dive for the ship and skidded through the gaping hatch, Zidane with Red close behind.
"Sora, Sora!" Yuna called, fumbling in a pocket. "Tifa wanted me to give you this!"
She pulled out his Ultima Materia. But something else stole Sora's attention. He frowned, seeing a pinprick of red light on the little girl's arm. Zidane saw it too but as he was opening his mouth to yell a warning, the shot rang out. Yuna screamed in agony and Ultima went flying. Sora dived to cover her as another shot slammed into the wall, catching the green orb as he went. Anger flared within him, his knuckles white as he clamped on the Materia as hard as he could. How? How could someone shoot a little girl? A little girl who did nothing but help people? Looking out as the ship began to pull up, Sora saw the lone gunwoman who was already preparing to take yet another shot at the child.
No.
No. Even I can't condone such hateful action.
Do something.
Yes, do it. Hurt her. Make her pay.
Azure fire burning in his eyes, Sora discovered summoning Ultima this time was a great deal easier. The magic sang with his rage. Pulling Yuna close to his side he held out his hand, emerald fire blazing to life with an eager, piercing shriek. The hatch was closing but not before Sora was rewarded with the sight of the woman being consumed in a green inferno.
Beautiful, isn't it?
The hatch sealed before Sora could see the spell's final outcome but his attention was back on Yuna, his almost exhausted magic scrapping itself together to cast Curaga.
There was blood everywhere. On the walls, on Sora…flowing from Yuna.
Such power contained within so much grace.
"It hurts!" she wept, crying with everything she had in her. "Sora it hurts!"
"Ssshh. I'll help."
But you know what's best about Ultima?
"I don't want to die!"
"You won't!"
Do you want to know what I love, truly love, about Ultima?
Without even bothering to let Zidane see her, Sora held Yuna tighter in his arms and ran for the medical bay. He could feel warmth finally bleeding into his frozen body but it was a warmth belonging to Yuna and the warmer she made him, the closer she got to being in serious danger. He kept whispering for her to hold on, that everything was going to be fine and he truly hoped he wasn't lying. He practically flew into the medical bay and the on duty doctor looked up from a crew member with a nasty burn, her eyes widening with horror when she saw Yuna bleeding in Sora's arms.
I love the death it brings.
Ordered to lay the child on the bed, the doctor ordered Sora away and began grabbing all the things she needed to make Yuna better. He returned to the corridor, legs shaking, just as Zidane came running.
I think you do too.
Sora's back hit the wall and he sank down to the ground, knees drawn up to his chest. He felt sick with anger, swallowing the nausea back down whenever it tried to rise up. He hid his face beneath his arms, hot tears coursing freely down his cheeks. He kept asking how could someone hurt a child, how how how how how?
"Sora I'm sorry. I couldn't warn you fast enough."
Sorry, I must've digressed. Caught up in the moment. Poor child. This is your fault. That's what I meant to tell you before Ultima carried me away.
Sora slid the bloodstained gloves off his hands, throwing them as far from himself as he could. He refused to look at Zidane. He didn't want to see the man's pity. He could still hear Yuna crying.
Your fault.
He knew.
"She'll be fine. You moved her fast enough."
Sora was beginning to feel light-headed, the use of Ultima catching up with him. The heat in his body continued to build, his clothes soaked through with snowmelt and blood.
You have the blood of an innocent on you. Does it feel bad? You'll have to explain it to me. I mean, sure I've got blood but the blood of a child? No, not me. That's just you.
"Come on, let's just…I think you need to get some new clothes."
Sora's fists punched the metal ground. His hands pressed down flat before turning into claws as if he hoped to rip the metal free and throw his anger into the hole he'd create. He'd never felt so horrified in his life. He just kept hearing her cries, her pain, over and over again. He could feel his body shaking.
What was he messed up in?
A hand landed on his shoulder, shocking his tremors away. "This won't solve anything. Come on, Yuna's in the best hands and she'll be very unhappy if you see her in mucky clothes."
Mucky clothes. Bloodstained clothes. There's no difference.
Sora shoulders began to tremble, the sobs still silent. He heard Zidane crouch down next to him, his hand sliding down Sora's arm. "It's okay. It's not your fault."
It is.
"You're…wrong."
Sora found himself being hauled to his feet but he kept his face down, tears still rolling down his flushed face. Zidane said nothing, just took Sora someplace else. Sora didn't fight his friend. He was tired and drained; his anger had already turned to deep sadness and he was already trying to force that down to the darkest corner he could find within himself. Sora's eyes stuck to the ground, his brain blurring out the parts of his body he could see where the clothes were…
Mucky.
Exactly.
"Okay, have a shower. I'll go find some clothes."
Zidane disappeared and left Sora to climb into the shower. The water was warm and it was only then when Sora remembered to take his clothes off. He did so, chucking the utterly drenched items into a soggy pile. Sora sat on the shower's floor, not really trusting his legs to hold him up. The water felt wonderful, piercing the chill Wonderland had thrust into his body. And yet he still felt numb. His heart seemed to have taken a step back from everything, leaving him to see the world through eyes that didn't have much emotion attached.
"I'll leave your clothes here and be gone again. Feel free to go back and check on Yuna when you're ready."
Sora lot all track of time, sitting on the shower floor with the lovely water crashing over him. Eventually he decided he was bored (about the same time he shut the lid on his most poignant emotions) and up he got, turning the faucet off and towelling himself nice and dry. He pulled on the jeans Zidane had left out for him and discovered that they were at least two sizes too big. Luckily Sora found a black belt beneath the grey t-shirt but the jeans still hid his feet from view and had enough room in the leg for at least one other person. Taking a deep breath, his heart stepped up and back came his emotions. He all but ran from the shower room and headed back to the medical bay, knowing the route but not really recalling Zidane leading him from there…well maybe it had been a few minutes and maybe it had been hours.
Hours. About two.
Sora stepped back into the room he'd left Yuna in, coming face to face with the same doctor. She knew exactly who he was and why he was back.
"Don't worry, she's fine. I got the bullet out and cleaned the wound. It's a good thing you got her here so fast young man. She's sleeping at the moment," the doctor pointed to a bed lying behind a partition. "But you can sit with her. I think she'd like the company."
Nodding, Sora stepped behind the partition and looked at Yuna. She was deeply asleep, brown hair splayed all over the pillow. The wound was covered in a big white bandage and her clothes had been replaced with nondescript green pyjamas that were far too big for her. Taking the chair beside the bed, it didn't take long for Sora's guilt to be overridden by his own exhaustion. His eyes closed and he drew his legs onto the chair, curling up as best he could.
I don't think you're going to sleep very well.
He yawned.
But when do you ever?
"Red still asleep?"
Tifa looked up and saw Zidane walking on to the bridge. She smiled, the expression thin. "I think Barret went to cast Esuna."
"Yuna's going to be alright. I checked in with the doctor before I came."
"And Sora?"
Zidane shrugged. "Shell-shocked but he'll come out of it. I left him in the shower almost two hours ago."
"I should talk to him."
"No, just leave him be for a little while. I think he'll be okay."
"I still have something from his pockets." She pulled the Keychain out. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"
"Very. I'm sure he'll thank you for giving it back."
"Yeah." Tifa put the delicate object back in her pocket. "So anyway, we're on route to Neverland."
"Not Halloween Town?"
"That's a last resort."
"Yeah, one we'll have to visit once we're done with Neverland. Hollow Bastion had people crawling all over Wonderland and Sora and I attacked three. Four if you count the one who shot Yuna. That is not going to look good."
"I know but we're going to Neverland."
"Any rum going around?"
"We'll have to get in and out as fast as possible."
"You're still not leaving the ship. You are hobbling."
"I know but we had to keep moving the ship while you were making more trouble…"
"Hey, that's Sora's fault."
"Don't let him hear that."
"Oh…"
"Anyway, we had at least two tails but we lost them both. Chances are the council are going to double if not treble the people they've got out looking for us now and our next two worlds are too close to Hollow Bastion for comfort."
"We could always land the ship on Neverland. Hide it in London. The city is abandoned."
"Yeah, maybe."
"I reckon we could fit it in that train station…"
"Which one? Victoria or Kings Cross?"
"The biggest one."
"It's debateable."
"Whatever. We'll check them both out."
"Cool."
The pair fell silent but it didn't take Tifa long to grab her crutches and start making her way off the bridge, leaving it in the crew's capable hands. Zidane followed her, the pair taking it slowly.
"I feel terrible for them both," Tifa said as they waited for the elevator to arrive.
"Evil has many ugly faces."
"It does and I know Sora's seen so much yet there's this instinct inside me screaming at me to hide his eyes."
"Maybe you'll have to just make up for him by being doubly cautious with Yuna."
The lift pinged.
"Maybe."