Happy New Year!! I decided we should break in 2010 with a chapter of my story. I know that'll be the highlight of your year (that's a joke, smart ones). Oh, speaking of jokes, has anyone made any New Year resolutions yet? BURN!!!
Okay, I'm feeling a bit more sane now, so let's finish up with Radiant Garden's story and move on. This... and one or two more should do it. Then we've got one last world to traverse. Oh, and one of the Riku-Yuffie-P.J. chapters will be updated in a day or two. Look for it.
Chapter 28: Confusion Amongst Revelation
In the streets...
The van pulled up outside the cleverly concealed garage and, after making sure that no one was watching, the wall folded upwards and the van drove through. It wasn't followed by the jeeps, however.
In another part of the city...
Two jeeps drove quickly through the city, Squall having traded places with one of the gunners. They had just caught the attention of one of the advance Rebel infantry units and were stopping to meet them.
"You guys with the Resistance?" the leader of the troops asked.
"I'm second in command," Squall said, jumping down from the jeep. "Squall Leonhart."
"What's the status?" the man said.
"Most of our soldiers have been captured or killed, and the Imperials are backing up towards the Citadel," Squall replied, gesturing towards the giant castle. "Your tanks won't do much good, so I hope you've got some close quarters teams on you."
"Let me guess: You don't want any substantial damage to the castle, do you?"
"That'd be nice."
"I'll get the message through to my commanding officer, and we'll get right on it."
At the Bailey...
The army of knights charged forward, lead boldly by King Mickey and Max. They flooded into the town and off in the direction of the Citadel, overrunning anyone (bad) in their path.
Mickey and Max reached the base of the Citadel first, quickly bringing the three Stormtroopers that stood in their way down.
Just as the rest of the group caught up to them, a strange shadow fell over the two.
Everyone looked up.
Then backed away slowly as a large yellow raft landed softly on the ground, it's occupants Jacob, who was standing triumphantly and saluting Mickey, and Terra, who was on her knees and clutching Jacob's leg, hyperventilating.
"Long time, no see, your Highness!" Jacob said happily, shaking Terra's arms off and hopping out of the raft before bowing low enough to see eye to eye with the mouse. "Glad to see you got out of your luxurious prison without much trouble."
"Max was the one who got us out," Mickey said proudly, pointing to the dog.
"All I did was crash a van into the Stormtrooper's lines and set off some explosives," Max said casually, shrugging.
"Couldn't have done it better myself," Jacob smiled.
"I'd ask where to got the raft," The mouse said. "But I'm not sure I want to know."
"Inflatable," Jacob answered. "I keep one in my pockets at all times. Opened this thing up about halfway down the castle."
Mickey looked around Jacob at the blond girl who was just now stepping out of the raft. "Who's your friend?"
"I don't know," Jacob answered. "And she doesn't know either, so don't ask."
Mickey and Max both arched eyebrows at him.
"Amnesia," Jacob quickly clarified. He grabbed Terra's arm and thrust her forward, grinning the whole time. "She says her name's Terra."
Terra only had to look at Mickey for about three seconds before girl instincts kicked in. "That is so cute!" She quickly picked him up and snuggled him.
Jacob held down his laughter and turned to the knights. "So, what were you guys up to?"
"We were going to clear the bottom floors of the castle and secure Ansem's labs," the leader quickly replied.
"I know the way," Jacob said. "Come on." He glanced at Terra and Mickey. "Terra, let's go."
The girl turned around and, quickly remembering that Jacob had referred to the mouse as a King, placed Mickey back on the ground. "Uh... Sorry, sir."
"No problem!" Mickey said happily. "People do that to me all the time!"
Back in the streets...
Stormtroopers ran for cover in and behind buildings as the Rebellion's tanks moved up. Infantry units moved through tight alleys to clear out the enemy while members of the Resistance that had been in hiding all over town started peaking their heads out to see what was going on. Others that had been captured were slowly being released.
After about twenty minutes of clearing out the town, troops encountered Disney Knights in the basements of the Citadel, and together they moved up through the enemy stronghold. After two final hours, the massive structure was cleared of all Imperial presence.
Jacob and Terra didn't go back up.
At the Resistance's no longer secret hideout...
Kairi had been looked over several times after she fully awakened to confirm she didn't have a concussion, but she wasn't very interested in her own health and wanted to find out what her friends were up to and how the battle was going.
After the doctors finally released her, and as she hurriedly scuttled out the automatic exit door she almost bumped right into someone...
"Oh... Jacob," Kairi said, stopping inches from him. She took a quick step back and looked up at him. "What's up?"
"Not much," Jacob said casually. "I made a new friend, jumped off a building, watched as the Rebels liberated Radiant Ga-"
"Wait, wait," Kairi cut him off suddenly. "We're finished with all of this?"
"Not quite," Jacob replied. "The Empire is bound to launch a counter-strike."
Kairi bit her lip briefly before she noticed the shy looking blond teen standing behind Jacob. "Uh... who's-"
"Don't ask," Jacob quickly stated.
"No, it's okay," Terra said, stepping forward. "... Well, we're not quite sure who I am. I... I have amnesia."
"She only remembers her name," Jacob added. "She's Terra."
"Oh... well, it's very nice to meet you, Terra," Kairi said, giving a little smile. Terra smiled as well, but a weak, timid, almost scared smile.
"Jacob, where are Sora and the others at?" Kairi asked.
"Well..." Jacob said. "Most everyone is in the cafeteria celebrating, but Sora and Goofy just landed. They took gummi ships out into space. Sora should be rushing in to check on you in...." Jacob glanced at a clock on the wall. "Five... four... three..."
"Stop it, Jacob," Kairi giggled. "He's not that predictable."
"Two... one..."
The doors opened and a triumphant looking Sora stepped in, but the look of accomplishment on his face disappeared when he saw the trio before him.
"... Jacob."
"Sora. How have you been?"
"We almost got blown up in Space Paranoids," Sora said angrily.
"Hmm. And that was how long after I left you...?"
"Fifteen minutes."
"Oh. I was scaling the side of the Citadel and avoiding Stormtroopers on jet packs then. Sorry."
Sora only rolled his eyes and looked to Kairi. "Are you doing okay?"
"I'm fine, Sora," Kairi said. "These doctors you dumped me off with are crazy. The looked me over for ages! And just to see if I had a concussion!"
"Well, glad that you two are back together after a short, obviously painful two and a half hours," Jacob said sarcastically. "If you'll excuse me, I've got to go get some doctors on my friend here." He motioned for Terra to follow him, and walked off into the medical room.
Sora and Kairi watched him go before, quite unexpectedly, Kairi hugged Sora.
"Wha-?" Sora managed to get out before Kairi let go of him just as abruptly as she grabbed him. "What was that for?"
Kairi didn't say anything, almost as though she had to think about it. "... Irvine and I almost got killed. You showed up... well, I don't really remember it, but that just proves that you saved our hides. I... thank you."
Sora couldn't help but smile a little. "... I'll... I'll save you anytime, Kairi."
"Oh, not for long you won't," Kairi replied, a mischievous grin coming across her face. "No, you're gonna teach me everything about the Keyblade so I don't need you to save my butt."
They both laughed a bit, then stopped then looked each other in the eyes, and laughed a little more, not quite sure what was so funny.
The stopped laughing again, and Kairi stepped up to Sora. "You won't be saving me for long, Keyblade Master..."
For a half a second, Sora thought she was going to kiss him. Then, almost as if in slow motion, she backed up a few steps before walking around him and out of the room.
Then she walked back in.
"Where exactly is the cafeteria?"
Sora shook his head a bit and turned to face her. "Bit anti-climactic, don't you think?"
"Oh, shut up," Kairi giggled. "But seriously, where's the cafeteria? I'm starving."
"That's not exactly the place to be right now," Sora said. "Stopped by on my way here; it's filled with a bunch of irresponsibly drunken men partying like they're still in collage."
"You two still here?"
Sora turned to see Jacob looming behind him.
"Stalker," Kairi muttered.
"Yes, we're still here," Sora answered. "Where are you going?"
"To the cafeteria. Wanna know why?" Sora shook his head no, but Jacob continued anyway. "Because I'm old enough to be an irresponsibly drunken man and I'm young enough to party like I'm in collage. That's why."
Kairi couldn't help but smirk. Sora only frowned.
"If you don't wanna eat in a cafeteria that's filled with a bunch of men living, then don't go to collage when you're eighteen," Jacob said. "But if you wanna avoid that fate now, I believe that Rinoa is in need of some company. Leon is addressing the troops and she's all alone in her room. She's having lunch in privacy." He looked at Sora. "It might be a good time to talk with her. Learn a bit about each other's pasts."
Sora's eyes widened. "Wait... are you saying to-"
"I'm sure she'll welcome your presence," Jacob cut the boy off. "Oh, and do you think you could give her this for me?" He handed Sora a small, square, somewhat brownish envelope which he seemed to pull from nowhere. "And Sora, if the ladies want some privacy, make sure you give it to them."
Kairi was watching the scene unfold before her with arched eyebrows, but Sora only nodded at Jacob and headed for the door. "Come on, Kairi," Sora said. "Let's go have lunch with Rinoa."
"Uhhhhh.... Okay?"
The two walked out the door.
Then walked back in.
"Where exactly is Rinoa's room?"
Several minutes later...
Sora and Kairi walked up to the door that lead to Rinoa's room, and Sora quickly opened it and ushered Kairi in.
Rinoa was indeed sitting in her room. The room consisted only of a bunk bed, a dresser, a door that presumably lead to a bathroom, and a table at which she was eating.
She was eating... things that probably shouldn't have been in a military hideout.
Expensive stuff.
Er... fancy stuff.
Rinoa looked up from her food quickly and seemed shocked by who had just walked in. For a few moments she didn't say anything. Then, "Umm... hello. Would.... you like to come in?"
"Yes, actually, we would," Sora said. "We were... sort of hoping to avoid the craziness of the cafeteria and were wondering if we could have lunch with you. I mean, if it's not too much trouble."
"Er... okay. Yeah, sure, come on in."
Sora and Kairi stepped into the room and shut the door behind them.
"There's... uh... only two chairs," Kairi commented.
"Hmm... that should be all we need," Sora said. "Rinoa, do you think that I could talk with you for a second? Alone?"
Rinoa, seriously confused, stood up and nodded. She motioned for him to step into the bathroom, they quickly shut the door behind them.
"Alright, what?" Rinoa asked.
Sora paused, almost as if he didn't know where to begin. "Er... well... Rinoa, I know you're... wait." The boy noticed the shadow coming from the crack at the bottom of the door that indicated that Kairi was eavesdropping. He quickly flipped the switch to start the fan, began running the shower, and then continued. "Rinoa, I know you're Kairi's sister."
Rinoa's eyes widened, and she stepped back abruptly to the wall, almost as if she had been struck. "H... how... did you find out?"
"And you know Leon, don't you?" Sora asked. "You acted like you didn't know him, but Kairi... she told me that she had these dreams, and she saw the two of you together-"
"Oh... oh-no..." she muttered, suddenly looking dizzy and leaning against the wall, reaching for her forehead, which had suddenly broken out with cold sweat. "Kairi is... she is having dreams... oh-no, he was right..."
"What? Who? Who was right?"
"Did Jacob tell you to come here?" Rinoa suddenly asked, getting off the wall with urgency. "Or did you just come?"
"That's not important," Sora said. "What is important is-"
"YES IT'S IMPORTANT!!!" Rinoa suddenly screamed, throwing herself in Sora's direction, her arms flailing above her head. "DO YOU KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING TO HER?!?!"
Sora cringed. "... No, I don't. You know what? I came here to start a reunion. You don't seem to grateful."
"Look, did Jacob send you here or not?"
"... Jacob said that you didn't want him to tell anyone about you sneaking out of the castle."
"He told you about-?"
"And he said that you wanted it to stay secret. He said that you wanted her not to know. To protect the barrier of the worlds or whatever. That's a load of bull crap. On the Millennium Falcon you were just bursting to tell Kairi. But Jacob wouldn't let you. What's really going on?"
"... Did Jacob send you?"
"Yes."
Rinoa heaved a great sigh. "Kairi's memories of Radiant Garden have disappeared. But they aren't really gone. You said that she had dreams?" Sora nodded before she continued. "If she meets people that she is told she knew from... before... she'll recover some of her memories. The more people she meets, the more memories she will regain. And... the more suspectable her mind will be."
"... What?"
"You really didn't get all that?"
"No, no, I understand most of it. Just... not the 'mind suspectable' part."
"...... There is a seal on her mind. That seal will slowly weaken as time goes on. If, that is, she continues to remember people. And then... her mind would be wide open to influence. She could lose her status as a Princess of Heart... she could be possessed..."
"Possessed?" Sora asked. "By Noir?"
"I don't really know," Rinoa said. "But... we need to protect her."
"Jacob sent me here to get you to tell her who you really are. I... well, maybe this'll mean something." He quickly handed her the envelope. "I'm gonna let you decide what to do. I don't like all that fancy food anyway..."
Sora turned the fan off, stopped the water, and opened the door. "I'm leaving," he said shortly to Kairi before walking out the door.
Kairi, who had been standing impatiently by the door for the past... five minutes was it now...? watched angrily as he walked out.
"Alright, what are you keeping me in the dark about?" Kairi asked, turning and facing into the bathroom just as Rinoa slipped a few sheets of paper back into the envelope.
Rinoa remained silent for a few moments, staring over Kairi's head and at the spot where Sora had just disappeared from seconds ago. Then she spoke.
"Kairi... I don't think there's a right way to tell you this..." Rinoa muttered, looking down.
"Uh... what?"
"Kairi, how much do you remember about Radiant Garden? You know, from... before?"
"... Not much," Kairi replied. "I've had.... sort of... flashbacks. Dreams. Some of them have been about me. Or... people who were... around me, I suppose..."
"And when have they happened?" Rinoa asked.
"Uh... I had some after Jacob told me who he was.... and... a bit after I met my... my... 'uncle'..."
"Well, tell me if you see anything now," Rinoa said. She approached Kairi and placed her hands on the girl's shoulders, leaning over so that they saw eye to eye. "Kairi... I'm your sister. Rinoa. We were both Princesses. I'm nine years older than you. You used to call me 'sissy'. I took care of you with Jacob. We lived inside the Citadel with our parents and our grandmother. You always wondered off and me and Jacob had to come find you. And you... you loved me."
Kairi's eyes widened. "Wait.... what?"
Suddenly Kairi recoiled as though she had been struck, and, jerking out of Rinoa's hands, collapsed to the floor...
Elsewhere...
The massive craft drifted about in the empty void of bleak dark slowly, sort of suggesting that some great plan had been put on hiatus. Perched atop the floating castle was a circular platform, a sweeping stair case leading from it and back into the craft. A lone figure stood in silence, pondering something.
She was joined. Maleficent turned as Noir approached from behind.
"Do we strike while they are resting?" Maleficent questioned.
"A great tactical blunder, that would be," Noir replied, gazing up into the starless space. "The Rebellion is not a force to be crushed with ease under the heel of your boot."
"Have you lost your wish for the prize?" Maleficent asked.
"The contrary. But I'm not so blinded by my lust that I cannot see a barrier set between myself and the goal."
"If there is something you wish to say, Noir, say it."
He gave a short-lived soft grin. "I think you're over-confedent in the ability of your Heartless army."
She turned away from him. "Rightfully so."
"You think that you can simply overrun them in an instant? If they manage to harness Kairi's energy, they could wipe out you and your army in the blink of an eye."
"But you yourself have stated that Jacob is reluctant to brave such a venture."
"He lacks emotions. He fools himself with false friendships."
Maleficent glanced at him and arched an eyebrow. "He is a Nobody?"
Noir laughed. "You misunderstand my meaning, Maleficent. His Heart has been shattered beyond repair. He tries to heal, but he will never recover to the extend that he can love again."
"You believe that he will give up?" Maleficent asked.
"In time. His Heart is too strong to fail to the Heartless. But eventually he may lose any bonds with this world."
"You think he may forsake his friends," Maleficent stated more than questioned.
"He is fighting an internal war he cannot win, not without help. But he is too proud to request it."
Maleficent chuckled. "You seem to know him well."
"We spent some time getting to know each other a few years back."
"What do you think it would take for him to win? Is there... anyone who could get through to him?"
Noir placed a hand on his chin, pondering. "... Hmm... a good question... Few remain from his family. Those who do are out of his reach. His 'traveling companion' from when he went up against me might have a chance of getting to him, but..."
"... Traveling companion?" Maleficent pressed.
"He fell quite in love during his little trip," Noir answered. "But you change the subject."
"And the subject was...?"
"I do believe you summoned me here to question me about my plans."
"Ah, quite," Maleficent said. "Just when do you plan on reclaiming Bliss of Heart?"
"In time, Maleficent," Noir answered. "Soon enough they will venture out again, I know it. Then we strike."
"We?"
"Would you rather stay behind?"
"... I'd prefer to conceal our partnership until further notice."
Noir smirked. "You fear Jacob?"
"More like... a healthy awareness."
Noir cracked up. "Call it what you like, Maleficent..."
Maleficent frowned. "Silence!"
Noir let out a few more laughs before spoke. "Maleficent, Jacob is a threat. Do not take him lightly."
"Do you forget the Keyblade Master?" she asked.
"I do not," Noir replied. "He is a danger as well. But I know you think he is a weak young child, and I can't change your opinion of that."
"I'm not that foolish, Noir. You assume too much."
"I'm sure."
"..... Just tell me when you plan to attack them."
"Allow them to relax for a short time. They should have at least that. The Empire will counter-strike soon, and that should leave them tired again. I doubt they will stay on world much longer, Jacob will start to feel weary if nothing happens. That is, if I nor the Empire shows up. I've faith that they will repel the Empire, and the Empire most likely won't mess with Radiant Garden again. So once the group jumps world, we take them out at their destination."
"...... What is their destination?"
"I'm not psychic, lady."
"Could have fooled me."
"Here is all I can figure: Jacob and Kairi will both weaken over time. But we need Bliss of Heart back soon if we are to continue with your plan."
Maleficent tried to absorb what he was saying. "... So... you intend only to find Bliss of Heart's location in this little venture, not kill them?"
"Eh, I might finish Jacob off," Noir replied, shrugging. "But I figured you'd want the rest of them."
She smirked. "I'd like that very much."
"Perfect then," Noir said. "I'll retrieve the artifact, and then we can move the plan to Phase Two."
"Sounds splendid," Maleficent said. "Would you escort me back to my chambers?"
"I'm afraid I can't," Noir replied. "I've other things to attend to."
She nodded understandingly and passed him. She was on the stairs when she stopped and looked back. "You know, Noir, Sora has been seeming somewhat.... unimportant recently."
Noir lifted his hand into the air, and suddenly out of space, a giant black pillar of Darkness seemed to drive itself into the man at an impossible rate, hiding him from view. His voice could be heard for a moment.
"In due time Maleficent, believe me, he will be plenty important."
The pillar withdrew with identical haste, taking Noir with it.
Hope you enjoyed a chapter with no action. Might be a bit slow for the New Year, but hey, I don't drink. Much.
So, we see Maleficent and Noir again for the first time since... which chapter was it? Twelve. That's a long time ago. Hope I confused you even more than normal. It's what I live for.
On another note, I realize there are most likely some fans of FF VI out there who are pissed off that I'm making Terra a pansy. Well, you will remember she pretty much WAS a pansy for a lot of the game. Fair warning to you: She's gonna stay kinda wimpy for most of my stories. That's right, storIES. Plural. She's a great character and all, and I think it would be fun to try and develop a character without a memory in my story. It allows me to use them however I want. Don't worry, I'll try and preserve her personality as best as I can. But she's never really going to get to the 'self-assured ass-kicking phase' that she was in at the end of her game. Sorry if that upsets you.
Oh, and of course, we've got Kairi and Rinoa. I think that little subplot is coming along nicely, don't you? But it's gonna become more than a subplot soon, you'll see. But do give me your feed back on how you think that their relationship should develop. You'll also get to see whatever memories she recovered next chapter, which should be out in a few weeks.
Anyway, until the next Episode 1 Chapter, this is Lord Fortune saying Happy New Year, review, and don't eat at McDonald's! EVER.
