Hi everyone! I think this is the quickest I've updated since starting school. I'm so happy! X3 anyway, we're still in Port Royal chasing after the mysterious Hybrid that ravaged town. Tension between Riku and Mavis (when has that not been a problem? Hopefully it won't turn into a total cliche ...), Anolani having yet to making an appearance, and most of all... where the hell is Jack!? O.o all of these questions and more will be answered in this chapter. I'm on break until Wednesday of next week, so hopefully I'll have more time to update! Yay! Hurray for Enigma!
This chapter was fun to make actually, especially the end. Read and you'll find out what I mean ;3
I don't own Kingdom Hearts! If I did, the last scene of this chapter would've been put into the game. It's just too funny and ironic not to! XD
37. The Winds of Change
Our chase for the Hybrid heartless led us to the abandoned docks of Port Royal, Sora and Riku taking the lead while Kairi and I raced from behind. The shore was littered with splitters of wood and a few of the boats and ships that remained were set violently aflame in ghostly wisps. No Followers were in sight, seeming to have vanished upon our arrival, and as we edged closer towards the shoreline I felt compelled to assume that perhaps we were in the clear. Though, my instincts told me otherwise, my nose assaulted with the scent of darkness and unruly discharge bouncing between my fingertips as I anxiously took in the scene. Even the darkness with my heart seemed jumpy, the need to tear through an army burning holes in my chest.
"I don't like this," Riku said, his voice containing a sharp edge, "This is too set up." I was quick to nod my head in agreement, but turned my head away from him when he faced us for confirmation. I was doing all I could to avoid him and looking into his eyes was the last thing I needed right now.
"Sora, do you remember anything we should know about Port Royal?" I asked the brunette, a sudden brisk chill raking my skin and the scent of darkness becoming more potent.
The keybearer bowed his head and crossed his arms deep in thought, his brows pinched in concentration, "Hmm... I remember everything from my first go around; fighting with Jack and defeating the Heartless. But," he tapped his forehead repeatedly, "I can't remember why we did all of that."
"Nothing at all?" Kairi asked. She rubbed her arms as the cold became worse. I approached Sora and pressed my fingers to his temples to see if I could get some hint of the missing memory. It wasn't a keystone missing or else this whole world would've been a blank slate, but I was amazed when I couldn't find a single trail. Just a flash of gold and darkness.
'Now what could that mean?' I was dumbfounded.
He bowed his head once more in hopes of recalling the missing piece of his memory, even rubbed through his bushel of spikes for a good minute before responding, "Just a bunch of gold coins."
"Coins?" Riku inquired, completely immune to the pick up of wind and frost. Either that or he completely ignored it, "Were you on some kind of treasure hunt?"
Sora shrugged nonchalantly and replied without a hint of worry, "I dunno. I can't remember." Once again, I'm impressed with the brunette's ability to brush off his memory loss as if it were nothing. Normally if it were someone else, they wouldn't be as calm. Now that I think of it, he should be used to this by now, so it shouldn't be such a shock to see him still smiling and fighting the Followers like it was a daily routine. 'Well, it is now...'
Suddenly, the haunting flames scattered throughout the port were snuffed. The frozen gale became aggressive, stirring up sand and wood debris as the scent of darkness burned my nostrils. Each of us lifted our arms and weapons to protect ourselves against the biting grains of dirt and splinters, and through the winds I could just barely catch the sharp streaks of black against the whirling brown and beige. The eerie moans that echoed through the hollow streets were upon us, its voice deafening. Lifting my head carefully, I squinted my eyes and caught sight of two pairs of glowing yellow orbs dancing with the wind towards us at a rapid pace.
In a desperate attempt to deter it, I shot my hand into the air with a short channel of electricity growing in my palm and shouted clear through the gale, "Fulgeo!", effectively bathing the area in white light and blinding the creature so insistent on burying us in sand.
The monster's voice screeched loudly once more, its eyes disappearing behind its hands as the light faded away. The winds finally settled out enough for us to see what manner of creature we were up against.
"Chronos...," I murmured in awe at the beast, unconsciously taking a step back in fright.
"Oh my...," Kairi joined me in staring at the Hybrid completely stricken with fear.
"Reaper...," Riku voiced in a single breath, suddenly turning fierce to combat the raw terror building within him.
Indeed the Hybrid heartless resembled greatly to that of a grim reaper, wielding a large wide scythe in its spidery fingers and the decaying color on its steel gray flesh suggesting it had risen from the dead. Beneath the skin pulsed blackened veins, and its face was deformed, as if it were a skull robbed from the earth much too soon. It wore a black headdress decorated in ornaments and its body was concealed in gun metal armor and gauntlets. Its body was suspended in air and when it finally removed its hands, my heart hitched at the sight of its hollow eyes against the black rings.
And Sora had to fight this!? I've gotta stop underestimating his abilities. Even I wouldn't have fought this from first glance if I had a choice...
With a swing of its scythe, the Reaper drove itself upon us, a wind of accursed black and violet streaming towards us at a rapid pace. Riku and Sora pushed out of the way in time to launch their initial attack on the beast with their swords, but Kairi and I received the worst of it, too frightened by the monster to react.
"Kairi!" Desperate to find safety for her, I pushed a stunned Kairi out of range in time to receive the full brunt of the attack. Immediately the air rushed from my lungs as I was propelled backward, and the surrounding darkness began to slither down my throat, effectively suffocating me moments before my body was suddenly enveloped in black smog. When the air cleared, I opened my eyes to see everything in monochrome, and that my hands had turned black and grown claws.
I picked myself up and examined my new Neoshadow-like body, thoroughly confused at the sudden transformation. Visma? Did you do this?
An erratic series of high pitched chirps went through my mind, and I concluded she didn't know what had happened either. One minute I'm fine, the next, Visma is suddenly forced out of me as if she were bring pulled by the antenna. In either case, this actually helps. With the hybrid spreading its dark winds, I don't think I would've lasted too long.
Just as I was about to rejoin my comrades in battle, another moan escaped the creatures maw, my sensitive antenna twitching at the noise. Seeing dark puddles rise from the sands, I zipped forward when the first Follower made itself known, drawing my claws and slicing through its body just as Sora made a move to deal a blow.
"Thanks!" Getting over the shock, Sora gave a quick salute before rushing towards the Reaper once more, being careful to avoid its dangerous scythe in the process. Knowing well enough the boys were fine as they were, I dived into the shadows and made my way towards Kairi, destroying the Followers trailing up to her as I passed.
Upon reaching the surrounded red head, I reached out and sent bolts of dark electricity onto the surrounding enemy horde, hoping to kill off a good amount before resorting to my claws. I jumped back with Kairi standing defensively behind me, a fierce look in her violet irises, and sharing a subtle nod we launched ourselves into battle. Our fight was valiant, the boys going the offensive to attack the Reaper Hybrid as much as they could and us girls fending off the slime riddled Followers attempting to attack them from behind. In the end, we were drawn together, our bodies failing us as Sora took a header into the sand with a look of defeat and Kairi leaning against my shoulder out of breath. Riku, though still standing, was worn from the constant dodging and attacking and I myself was too busy caring for the princess to even move.
Another series of chirps went off in my mind, and unfortunately I had to agree with the Heartless. We are so screwed...
Before the Hybrid could deal the final blow, a shower of luminescent red knives struck the unsuspecting creature. It screeched yet again, backing off as the hell fire became unbearable and edged closer towards the shoreline in an attempt to escape.
"Oh no you don't! You're not getting off that easy mister!" My heart warmed at the familiar chirp, and burst from the heat as a young raven haired girl seemed to drop from the sky and pointed her red glazed pistols at the flailing monster, "For hurting my friends, now you've gotta deal with me!"
Anolani put a hand to her hip and pointed the barrel of her gun towards the Reaper with a devious glint in her eyes, "Anolani! Head Warrior and future Captain of the Chronos Cay Royal Guard!" She ended with a smirk, showing off her sharpened canines.
"Anolani! You're back!" Kairi announced, the look on her countenance one of graciousness and joy.
"'Course I am, silly!" She smiled back at us, ignoring the escaping Hybrid as she spoke, "You can't get rid of me that easy!"
Enough with the damn theatrics and shoot already! I wanted to shout angrily at the ignorant guard, but unfortunately it all came out in random chirps. Anolani shot me an odd look, her brow raised in concern.
"You okay, sissy? I've never seen you all out heartless before!" She said in awe, bending down to get a good look, "Wow! This is so epic! How does it feel, huh? C'mon, tell your sissy!"
Forget the damn transformation and go after the Hybrid! It's leaving! Shoot it down already! Shoot it! I released my grip on Kairi and pointed a single desperate claw at the escaping monster, ignoring the yelp as she clashed with the dirt floor. But all my tries were in vain as the creature sunk into the murky depths, taking its darkness with it. With I hoped was a sighed of frustration, I threw my hands into the air and turned away from the young girl to avoid impaling her with my talons out of anger.
"Geez, what's got her so worked up?" Anolani asked curiously, scratching her scalp with the butt of her gun as she turned with nonchalance and eyed the Hybrid's headdress sinking into the misty sea. "Oh..., whoopsies, huh?"
Big 'whoopsies' Anolani! BIG! You just let the Hybrid escape into the ocean, and all you can say is 'whoopsies'!? Chronos, woman, how dense can you get!? I have half a mind to...! I turned around to face the amused girl with fiery orbs and jabbed her chest with every word, ignorant to the funny looks I was receiving from the two Keybearers left on their feet.
After a minute of screeching and yelling curses to the wind, I was suddenly wrapped in Anolani's affectionate arms and being cooed with fondness, "Aw! I missed you too sissy! You're so cute now with all your chirping noises and antenna twitching! Now you're just like me" She rubbed her cheek against mine happily, "We can be antenna twins! It'll be so cute, don't you think!?"
I growled lowly.
"Wait, Mavis," Kairi pondered while helping the fallen brunette catch his bearings, brushing sand out of his hair and off his clothes, "Why didn't you transform back?"
At those words, I pried myself out of my sister's arms and looked at myself closely, touching my star pendant anxiously for the change to commence. She's right. Why didn't I change back? Visma? I waited for Visma to return to my heart where she belonged, but the Heartless only gave a row of panicked cries.
What!? What do you mean you can't go back!? I tapped my heart repeatedly for a jump start; something, anything really that could trigger the transformation back to human form. Nothing worked, and I pulled my antenna back in panic. This can't be happening! This CANNOT be happening!
"Mavis! Calm down! You're okay, it's okay," Anolani held shoulders and looked me directly in the eye, her tone calm, "You're gonna be fine, alright? No spazzing, no panicking, okay sissy?"
The pounding in my ears settled out and suddenly I was relaxing my shoulders in defeat. Anolani gave a small smile and patted between my antenna softly before facing the group with a stern look. "Any idea how this happened?"
Riku shrugged, not having a clue what could've happened and Sora and Kairi shared a single look. For a minute, I crossed my arms and racked my brain for ideas, but were overshadowed by the sight of my pitch black skin and soon fell back into depression.
It was Kairi who spoke up next. "The wind!" She declared.
"Wind?" A queer look passed over each person, but I understood the connection clear enough and thanked Kairi many times with chirps and a twitch of my antenna. That's right! Before I transformed, I was hit with the Reaper's wind! That must've brought out Visma forcefully, and now I'm stuck like this!
Kairi explained the same idea to the others, and everyone conceited to the idea, having no other leads to follow.
"So if we defeat the Hybrid, she'll change back?" Sora asked, looking over me with pure curiosity in his eyes. I saw him move towards my antenna and Visma was quick to take a swipe at him. "Whoa!"
"Looks like it," Riku shrugged, "For now, we'll have to deal with two monsters instead of just one, so I don't recommend going near them." He smirked, both infuriating and saddening me with the tone of his words.
I bowed my head and my antenna drooped from the lead weight in my heart. Riku...
Anolani, seeing the pained look that crossed my features, shot a glare at the silverette and threw an arm around my shoulders in comfort, "Hey! That was way uncalled for, buster! What happened to you two being all chummy?"
"Ask her. I'd like to know too," Riku glared at me. Though his eyes held anger, I could see the undertone of hurt and confusion beneath the sea of aquamarine, and clutched my chest as guilt festered.
Anolani, not seeing the feeling a buried underneath, glared hotly at the silverette and held me closer, her fingers twitching against the triggers, "You better watch what you say, grandpa. You may be my friend, but hurting my sister could get you deep-sixed in a nano sec. All I have to do is pull the trigger."
Stop it. That's enough, Anolani. I chirped, pulling out of her arms and giving her a solid look of what I hoped to be seriousness. As dense as she could be, Anolani felt the ice from my eyes and lowered her guard, but she kept a steel look on the silverette. Riku's words may have stung, but I didn't want a bloodbath between friends just because of my decisions and mistakes. I walked and knelt beside Kairi and Sora, the only two I could depend on to get my point across as I began to draw in the sand with needle sharp claws.
We need to get to the Isla de Muerta. That's where Will believed the Followers were coming from. I said this as I finished my crudely drawn sketch of an island with a skull superimposed on the image with a '?' next to it. But how? I stood and pointed towards the sea where I'm sure the island was, out in the distance.
Kairi was the one to translate the drawing and pondered, "Didn't you say you had a ship, Sora?" She asked the brunette next to her.
Sora perked up at this and suddenly had a mischievous grin stretching his countenance, "I know exactly where to find one. The fastest ship in Port Royal!"
"Yay! We get to set sail like pirates, and go on treasure hunts, and-!" I stood and cut the guard off with my hand over her mouth, and twitched my antenna curiously.
Where is this ship of yours, Sora?
"We just need to borrow it from a friend of mine," Sora explained, looking towards the very end of the docks where a large ship lingered untouched, adorn with deep black sails, "But we'll have to be quick."
"Quick?" Quick? We shared a collective look, suddenly growing nervous at the blue eyed keybearer's mischievous gleam.
Well, all of us except Visma, who appeared to be excited and prepared for whatever antics the brunette might pull. This can't be good...
Jack Sparrow (or shall I say, Captain Jack Sparrow for he preferred to be addressed as such) was just on his way back from the wreckage left by the mysterious creatures plaguing the town of Port Royal, quite a happy pirate indeed as his arms were filled to the brim with nicknacks, boggles, coins, and bottles of rum to last him a week's journey at sea; possibly more depending on his mood. Though the town was ravaged and people were scarce, he had yet to run into any strange beasts; the only evidence left behind were the ink puddles and trails left behind and of course the fires as well that glowed haunting white against the black night air. He considered himself lucky to not have run into such misfortune. Why, that would mean losing his 'treasures' or worse: losing his newly acquired supply of rum.
Just as he reached the docks to board his beloved ship, the Black Pearl, he spotted an odd sight, one that set him off and had him racing towards his ship as fast as he could. A creature, a familiar creature from his past with black skin and sharp claws was in the middle of untying the ropes that held his ship anchored to the harbor.
"Oh no. No, no, no, no, no! Wait! Stop!"
The beast lifted its head, green eyes flicking towards him in curiosity before releasing a series of unintelligible chirps towards a gathering of people on board and racing to the deck swift as the wind. The pirate sped up, dropping a few of his prizes in reluctance and hoping to catch up to his beloved ship before it left the port. The anchor was lifted, and soon he stopped by the edge of the dock mournful as his ship left the harbour, the creature from before sitting on the railing in nonchalance and even gave a goodbye wave in return. Others were gathered around the railing, all of them mere boys and girls who waved the pirate farewell, but one particular spiky haired boy stood out the most.
'I know that kid..., Zora, right?' Jack pondered a moment before shouting once again, "You! Boy! Come back here with my ship!" He pointed at the boy with as much anger as he could.
The boy looked to Jack and beamed. "Hey Jack! Don't worry! We'll return the Black Pearl as soon as we're done! See you later!"
And then the ship was finally out of earshot. Jack sat on the edge of the dock with his treasures and popped open a bottle of fresh rum, taking a swig before sighing aloud.
"Brava, Zora!" He lazily waved his bottle in a toast, "Stealing from a pirate. The irony is just too sweet." At the mention of sweetness, he took another swig of his rum, "Perhaps I taught that kid too well."