When Velle reached the next world the sun was just setting. She found herself inside of a house made for giants. It was humongous, she looked around with her mouth ajar, in awe.
"I'm tiny!" Velle giggled to herself.
"And that amuses you?" Vanitas asked from atop a bookshelf. He was seated on the top shelf with his legs crossed and his chin resting lazily in his hand. Velle got the impression that he was waiting for her.
She narrowed her eyes at him, "Vanitas! Why are you following me!"
In truth, Vanitas didn't know why he followed her to the Castle of Dreams. He chewed his lip in thought and remained silent. The way Velle looked angrily up at him from so far below was so strong he felt as if they were touching nose to nose. It was those vibrant green eyes that looked so innocent yet so determined at the same time. Any normal man wouldn't be able to tell her no. Which is why Vanitas knew Ventus was enamored by the violet haired beauty. Even if she didn't know for sure, he did. He could feel it in his chest, when she looked at him, it would tighten. He couldn't believe he let her throw a rock at his head and live. He had to keep a close eye on her for his master to make sure that she was an able candidate for the future. However, Xehanort hadn't ordered him to have contact with her since Aqua and Terra's Mark of Mastery. So it would look bad if he killed her when he wasn't even supposed to be talking to her.
"Vanitas answer me!" She snapped. He smirked under his helmet and decided to toy with her. Gracefully he jumped down off of the bookshelf.
"Why should I?" Vanitas asked, walking past her and bumping her shoulder.
"Because!" She started, "you're following me? Isn't it obvious? You just showed up in the Castle yesterday with a grudge against all of us and now you're following me around. Who are you?"
"Stop asking already, I'm Ventus. How many times do I have to tell you?"
"You're not Ventus, I know Ventus. You couldn't be Ventus if you tried." Velle tossed her purple waves over one shoulder and crossed her arms. Vanitas felt a pang in his chest, and glared at the girl. This wasn't fun for him.
"Believe what you want but I am Ventus. Don't say I didn't tell you so. Besides what's so great about him anyways." He growled, getting close to her face.
"He's-"
"Somebody tell me how I got so SMALL!" Velle heard Ventus shout.
"Here? He's Here!" She exclaimed. Velle pushed Vanitas away from her and ran towards the direction of Ventus's voice. Vanitas growled, how dare she push him aside for that weakling. She would regret that.
"Ven? Ven!" Velle cried as she ran and searched for her friend.
"Velle? Is that you? Velle, over here! I'm trapped in here!" She heard Ventus call from the other side of the room.
"Ven!" She all but sobbed when she reached him. Ventus was trapped alright, inside some kind of giant mouse trap. "Ven, I can't believe I found you!" She hugged him through the bars of the cage. Ventus hugged her too, she was a sight for sore eyes. Her long purple hair tickled his chin and he breathed in her florally citrus scent.
"Velle, I missed you!" Ventus sighed and tightened his grip. "I met some new friends too. I want you to meet them!"
"I met Snow White and the Dwarves, they said I just missed you. Ven, why did you leave?" Velle asked, now holding tightly onto the bars of the trap.
"This masked guy came into my room, he said something was going to happen to Terra." Ventus explained, "But when I got to the Gates of Departure Terra just told me everything was going to be alright and left, but it didn't feel like that. I had to follow him…"
"Without me? But you didn't even say goodbye…" Velle felt hurt, she thought she and Ventus were closer. She thought he might have had feelings for her but if he left without even saying goodbye, she must have been mistaken. "I...um-nevermind, forget I even said anything. That guy, he's been following me around. He's bad news, Ven."
"Velle…" Ventus didn't hear anything after her first question. He could see the hurt on her face, he was so dumb. How could he do that to her after trying so hard to show her his feelings. "Velle, I didn't mean to leave without you or not say goodbye. I was just so scared something might happen to Terra that I had to follow him."
Velle hid her face behind her hair and began to look around. Ventus knew that it was her way of blocking herself off to him. She was upset, it hurt him to know that his own stupidity caused it. "I'm gonna try to find a way to get you out, Ven."
"Velle...please..." Ventus whispered. She turned and started to search for a key for the trap. Velle used it as an excuse to not look him in the eye, she knew she'd feel worse if she did. She had really started to have feelings for the blonde. "...just look at me…" Ventus continued although she didn't hear, his shoulders fell. Vanitas watched from the top of a tall table out of sight. He chuckled, this was going to be easier than he thought. Ventus was driving a wedge between him and Vellum on his own. Now all he had to do was claim Velle for himself, and he truly felt himself itching for the opportunity to put the purple haired girl in her place.
Just then a large woman stepped into the room. Velle summoned her keyblade and held it in front of her.
"Hey!" She shouted, as the giant picked the trap containing Ventus up. Ventus tumbled over himself to the other end of the cage.
"Ah!" Ventus cried.
"Don't be afraid." The blonde woman unlocked the cage and peered inside, "Oh! How interesting, I've never seen a mouse like you before."
Ventus rubbed his head, "Mouse?"
"He's not a mouse!" Velle called from below.
"Oh! There's another one too! Hello there!" She lowered the trap and allowed Ventus out. "Jaq, you better explain things to them."
Velle ran towards the trap and met Ventus at the entrance, just then a mouse about their size wearing clothes and a hat walked up to them. "Now, now, now. Look, little guyz. Take it easy. Nothing to worry about. We like you. Cinderellie like you too! She's nice, very nice. Come on now, Zugk, Zugk!" The mouse led them to Cinderella.
"My name is Jaq," the mouse said after a moment.
"I'm Ventus, this is Vellum. You can call me Ven." Ventus greeted with a sly grin.
Velle glared at him, "Hi it's nice to meet you both! Please call me Velle!" She smiled brightly at the giant woman and mouse.
"Okay Ven, Velle. Need something? Ask Jaq!" Jaq squeaked.
Ven thought for a moment but suddenly a shrill voice screamed Cinderella's name.
"Oh, well time to get to my chores." Cinderella sighed. "I'll see you in a little while."
"Wow, I guess she's got her hands full…" Ventus said as he watched Cinderella hurry away.
"Yep! Work, work, work! Step mother keeps Cinderella busy all day!"
"She didn't seem to mind much, though." Velle commented.
"No, not Cinderella. She works hard. She's got a dream-a big dream. The dream's gonna come true!"
"That sounds like somebody we know…" Ven smiled warmly at Velle as they both thought of Terra.
"Hey! Maybe you can help us find him. His name's Terra, you seen him?" Ventus asked with renewed energy.
Jaq shook his head, "No, no. Never seen Terra before."
Ventus pouted and Velle took a step forward, "Oh, well. It was worth a shot."
Jaq jumped, "Come on, follow me! You gotta see the house!"
"Sure Jaq!" Velle said with a grin. Jaq excitedly led them on tour through the house while Cinderella completed her chores. After a while Jaq just seemed to jabber about different memories he had in certain areas and Velle and Ventus fell slightly behind him.
"Velle?" Ventus asked slowly, unsure if she was still upset.
"Hm?" She hummed, she looked around happily and Ventus felt a glimmer of hope.
"I didn't mean to leave without saying anything. I was worried, I thought I could just convince Terra to come back and we'd all be home and happy again right now…" He frowned and stopped walking. "I wouldn't leave without saying goodbye. I don't want to leave you at all. I'm sorry, Velle...I'm an idiot."
Velle felt a smile pull at her lips, she couldn't ever stay mad at Ventus for long. "Well, you are a little bit of an idiot."
"Hey!-" Ventus began to protest, but then he hung his head in shame. "No, you're right. I'm sorry Velle, please don't be upset." Velle moved to hug the blonde but Jaq's voice calling interrupted them.
"Come on Ven! Jaq is looking for us!" Velle exclaimed, she took a hold of Ventus's hand and pulled him toward Jaq's voice.
As they exited the immediate area, Vanitas stood behind a chair leg watching their interaction closely. He felt a pang of jealousy, why did Ventus deserve friends and he didn't… Friends were one thing though, having someone with such a bright light adore and care for him as much as he could see Velle did infuriated Vanitas. Why did Ventus get to experience all those wonderful things but Vanitas had to suffer and hide in the shadows? It wasn't fair, Ventus definitely took what he had for granted….and Vanitas was going to make him regret it.
Velle, Ventus, and Jaq found themselves standing high up on a window ledge looking out onto the kingdom.
"What's that?" Ventus asked, pointing at a beautiful castle.
"That's the Palace-the king's palace. There's gonna be a big ball there tonight!"
"Is Cinderella going?" Velle asked, she felt envious. She would love to get the opportunity to go to a ball.
Jaq sighed sadly, "I don't know…" Just then the door opened and Cinderella walked in. The three on the window sill turned to face her.
"Hello you three! Have you become friends already?" Jaq and Ven nodded happily. Velle watched Cinderella as she moved a dress form out from behind her wardrobe. "Oh that's wonderful!" Cinderella began examining her dress while humming a simple tune.
Ventus glanced at Velle quickly and unnoticed before saying "You sure look happy Cinderella."
"Mmm? I'm going to the Royal Ball tonight." She sighed happily "I guess dreams really do come true!"
"Your dress is beautiful, did you make it all by yourself?" Velle asked, she hopped off of the window sill and ran over to Cinderella. Velle, in her tiny form, only came up to Cinderella's foot.
"Why, yes! Thank you!" Cinderella smiled.
"Cinderella!" A voice screeched.
"Cinderella!" A different voice yelled.
"Cinderella!" A third voice called.
"Alright, alright! I'm coming!" Cinderella shouted back.
"Wow, she sure seems popular." Velle said, running back over to her friends. She climbed the bed and hopped back onto the ledge.
Jaq shook his head sadly, "Poor Cinderella, she's not going to the ball."
"Why not?" Ventus asked curiously.
"You'll see, they'll fix her. Work, work, work. She'll never get her dress done." Velle pouted sadly and Jaq lost himself in thought. "Say! I got an idea! Will you guys help me?"
"With what?" Velle asked.
"Fix up Cinderella's dress for the ball!" Jaq hopped with excitement.
"But what do we need to get?" Ven asked, crossing his arms skeptically.
"Look around the house. There's lots of pretty things!"
Ven felt himself smile, "Okay, let's do it! Velle and I will go find whatever you need. Jaq, you get things set up here." Jaq nodded and Ventus jumped off the ledge, with a roll he braced his landing and turned back up to his purple haired companion. "Come on, Velle!" She grinned and followed suit.
"Wait! Careful you two! Gotta watch out for Lucifer!" Jaq warned.
Velle swallowed nervously, "Lucifer?" She asked, exchanging nervous looks with Ventus.
"Lucifer is a cat! He's mean...sneaky...he'll jump at you! Bite at you!"
Ven chuckled and scratched his head, "Gotcha!"
"You gotta find 5 things for Cinderella's dress: a white sash, white lace, white button, pink fabric, and pink thread!" Jaq informed them.
"No problem at all, Jaq. We'll see you in a bit!" The two keyblade wielders ran off into the house laughing with excitement.
Velle turned to Ven when they reached the drawing room of the house, "How do you want to do this?"
Ventus smiled at her, "I don't want to split up if that's what you mean, we've been apart for long enough."
"Okay! Then where do you want to look first?" Velle asked with a blush, looking around quickly and scanning the room.
"Let's try those boxes over in the corner," Ventus suggested. After some time they gathered all five items Jaq asked for and returned to the mouse in Cinderella's room. The mouse looked elated as he quickly set to work on the dress. After a moment he backed up and turned to admire his work, "hm… Still needs a pretty, pretty pearl!"
Ventus nodded, "Leave it to us." This time Velle and Ven used the mouse hole to travel downstairs into the sitting room. There laying in the center of the floor was a beautiful pearl, however, behind the pearl layed only what Velle assumed was Lucifer the cat. Lucifer seemed to be sleeping soundly but Velle wasn't sure she wanted to risk it.
"I'll get it," Ventus whispered to her.
"You sure?" Velle asked.
"Yeah, you stay here. I got this." Ventus tip-toed out onto the carpet where Lucifer slept. When he reached the pearl he decided to test and see if Lucifer was actually sleeping. Ventus waved his hand in front of the cat and when it didn't move he decided to go for the pearl. Ventus picked up the sphere and turned around moving to tip-toe away. Velle gasped, just then the large cat opened his eyes and stretched. Before she could get a word out a ball of yarn came hurtling out from above and hit Lucifer on the head.
"Look out! Lucifer!" Jaq called from on top of a table. He threw another ball of yarn down at the cat, "Hurry, hurry, Ven-ven!" Jaq shouted. Ven ran towards Velle with the pearl in hand as Jaq continued lopping balls of yarn at the cat who was now running to avoid the projectiles. Velle shouted as Lucifer ran into the table Jaq was standing on and knocked him off. She and Ventus ran to the mouse's aid.
"We've got this Jaq," Velle said, summoning her keyblade.
"Yeah, take the pearl and run Jaq. We'll hold him off." the blonde brandished his own keyblade.
"Ven, I'll distract him, you need to jump on his back so we can chase him out of here!" Velle shouted over the cats crooning.
"Got it!" Ventus made to run behind the cat and Velle shot a light thunder spell to zap the cat and grab his attention.
"Meow!" The cat screeched as it swung a paw out at Velle. She jumped in time to avoid the claws and ran the opposite direction Ventus ran, so that Lucifer would line up perfectly with him. The cat shrieked again and swiped at Velle grazing her arm, her keyblade disappeared in a flash of light.
"Ah!" She exclaimed, grabbing her wounded arm.
"Velle!" Ventus yelled.
"I'm fine!" Velle replied, she summoned her keyblade again and sprinted toward the cat. Her keyblade started to glow and she unleashed dozens of little orbs of light that shot toward the cat and stunned him. "Now Ven!" Ventus didn't hesitate, he leaped into the air
"Do it Velle!" he shouted to her as he jumped onto the cat's back and held him in place. Velle summoned all her strength, she held her keyblade above her head and focused on the tip of the blade. The lights in the house dimed and Velle's keyblade glowed briefly before she shouted "Terror!" In response Lucifer the cat jumped, his hair standing on end. He let out a pitiful howl and turned tail, galloping out of the room.
"Woah!" Ventus yelped as he was bucked off of the cat's shoulders.
'Are you alright?" Velle asked as she jogged up to him.
Ventus twisted and cracked his back quickly, "Me? What about you? Let me see your arm?" Ventus reached out and gently took a hold of her arm.
"It's fine we can just use cure," Velle deflected, fidgeting under his light touch, "That tickles!" She complained, trying not to giggle.
"Sorry," Ventus shifted her arm so he could see the wound. "You're bleeding, no we can't."
"Huh? What do you mean we can't use cure?" Velle asked, confused.
"Aqua told me that cure doesn't work on physical wounds. Remember when I fell off the ledge of the castle and sprained my ankle?" Ventus brought his face closer to her wound to examine it.
Velle laughed at the memory, "Terra bet you, you couldn't get the blitzball off the roof."
Ventus snickered, "Aqua told me not to-"
"-And you did it anyway." Velle rolled her eyes.
"Wait don't pretend that me falling off the castle wasn't your fault!" Ventus retorted.
"My fault? How was it my fault? You didn't need to take Terra up on that bet!" Velle shouted.
"You didn't have to say I had chicken legs!" Ventus pouted.
"No one told you to throw the blitzball at my head! You lost your footing on your own and fell. Can't blame that on me." Velle snatched her arm from him and crossed them over her chest, "Hmph!"
"Whatever, my point is we'll need to bandage that." Ventus said, he moved to rip a part of his shirt but Velle stopped him.
"No wait, maybe Jaq has some scrap fabric left. Here he comes now," Velle turned and pointed. Sure enough the small mouse came toddling towards them.
"Oh! That's a big thank you!" Jaq cheered.
"No thanks needed, you saved me before so we saved you. That's what friends do right?" Ventus asked with a smile.
"Yup! Yup! Ven, Vellie, and Jaq are good friends!" the mouse squeaked happily.
"Now, let's finish that dress!" Velle reminded them.
"Hey, Jaq!" Ventus started, "Do you have any scrap fabric left? Lucifer scratched Velle, she should get it bandaged up right away."
"Yup-yup! Let's flurry then!" Jaq stumbled over his words and they left for Cinderella's room.
Cinderella walked up to her bedroom window and gazed out at the illuminated castle. "Oh well, what's a royal ball…"
"Cinderella!" The three called out to the giant woman. They opened the wardrobe to reveal her completed dress, a beautiful pink gown with bows.
"Is that my dress?" She asked, shocked.
"Yes, it's a present from us!" Ventus said.
"Now you have a dress for the ball!" Velle added. Cinderella bent down and picked them up.
"Oh thank you! Why...it's such a surprise" Cinderella beamed.
"Hurry-hurry! Time to go Cinderella!" Jaq tutted.
The three new friends sat on the window sill after Cinderella left to get ready. They gazed upon the castle, Velle sighed happily. Now that she had a moment she realized how relieved she was that she found Ventus.
"Jaq-Jaq hopes Cinderella's dreams come true, what's uh Ven-ven and Vellie's dreams?"
"It's funny…" Ventus said after a moment, "I never really thought about it until you asked me." He held his hand out in front of him and summoned his keyblade. "My dream is to become a Keyblade Master."
"I hope Ven-Ven's dream comes true too!" Jaq said.
"I just need to keep believing right?" Ventus grinned at the mouse.
"Zugk-Zugk!" Jaq affirmed. Velle's silence caught Jaq's attention, "And what's Vellie's dream?"
Velle had been staring at the castle trying to figure out what her dream really was. She used to believe it was to be a keyblade master, she still wanted to be one but she honestly wanted more than just that. "Hm...I think…" She thought hard and squinted her eyes at the moon. "My dream is to protect my friends and be happy. No matter what happens I just want to be happy…"
"That's a good dream!" Jaq squeaked.
"Yeah," Ven agreed. "We'll save Terra, Velle. Don't worry!"
Velle smiled slightly, "I can't help but worry though…"
Ventus frowned, "Why?"
"I can't shake the feeling that things are never going to be the same." Velle felt tears well in her eyes and she choked back a sob.
"Oh! Velle!" Ventus quickly moved to hug her, he held her tight to her chest. Velle let herself sob, for a moment she allowed herself to feel the seriousness of the situation.
"You can feel it too, can't you?" Velle whispered. Jaq sat silently next to them unsure of what to say or.
The blonde looked shocked, she was right, he couldn't deny it. It felt as if he had no control over his own voice. It came out sad and serious, "Things haven't been the same to me for a while…"
"Huh?" Velle picked her head up and looked at Ventus. "What's that supposed to mean?" She asked curiously.
Ventus smiled despite himself, "I don't really know, but you're right. I feel it too."
"Jaq-Jaq hopes both of your dreams come true. You deserve to be happy!" Jaq squeaked.
"Thanks Jaq!" Ventus stood and offered a hand to Velle which she accepted. "It was great meeting you but I think it's time Velle and I head out. We've got a friend we need to bring home." Ventus smiled at Velle reassuringly.
"Zugk-Zugk! Come by and visit Jaq and Cinderella soon!" Velle hugged Jaq goodbye and she and Ventus headed downstairs and out into the yard.
"Where are you two headed?" Vanitas's voice snapped from behind them.
"You again!" Ventus exclaimed, summoning his keyblade. "What did you mean about Terra?"
"Surprisingly I'm not here for you, Venty-wenty." Vanitas spat, he turned his head and Velle could see her reflection in his mask. "I've had enough of this. I let you roam around for too long, Vellum. I don't care what the master says. It'll be easier to watch you if you're by my side." Vanitas rambled.
"What are you talking about? Velle do you know this guy?" Ventus asked, his face displaying his pain. Ventus didn't know who the masked boy was or how he knew Velle. What did he mean he wanted her by his side? In his mind everything seemed to make sense. No wonder Velle didn't reciprocate his feelings, she must have been seeing this clown.
Velle summoned her keyblade, "What are you talking about Vanitas?" Ventus faltered, how did she know the masked boy's name?
"It's time to come with me." Vanitas said slowly, he held his hand out as if beckoning her.
"I'm not going anywhere with you," she said firmly. Ventus's heart felt like it was on a rollercoaster. He didn't understand how Velle knew Vanitas but at least she didn't want to go anywhere with him.
"Then I'll just have to take you." Vanitas disappeared and reappeared behind Velle. Ventus felt as if he could predict the boy's move and turned quickly hitting the masked villian in the stomach. Vanitas was thrown back from the impact, he landed on the ground.
"She said she doesn't want to go with you!" Ventus barked.
"Ha! I guess you have gotten stronger. Good for you Ventus!" Vanitas growled. "I don't really care where she wants to go, she's coming with me."
"She said no, creep!" Ventus seethed.
"Ven I can handle it-" Velle tried.
"I got it." Ventus snapped at her. Velle's keyblade disappeared in a flash of light and she looked at Ventus furious.
Vanitas chuckled, "Oh Ventus! You should know our girl is no damsel in distress."
"It's over!" Ventus flash stepped in front of the masked villain and smashed his keyblade into his side. Suddenly Vanitas was engulfed in darkness and he disappeared. An awkward silence fell once they realized Vanitas wasn't coming back.
"Are you okay?" Ventus asked finally.
Velle glared at the blonde, "He's right, you know."
Ventus frowned, "He said he was going to take you away, what was I supposed to do?"
"I said I could handle it!" Velle snapped.
"Who is he anyway?" Ventus demanded.
"I don't know." She lied. He could tell she was hiding something. He didn't know what he was feeling, they never actually discussed their feelings for each other but how could she be hiding something from him. He decided it was better to drop it, whether or not Velle has romantic feelings for him they were still best friends. He needed her help to save Terra and he also needed to make sure she was safe.
"Then how do you know his name?" He mumbled under his breath. Ventus looked up and said loudly "We should get going. Terra's out there alone…" Ventus mumbled. Velle looked at Ventus still upset, she didn't understand why he was acting like a jerk. Velle and Ventus activated their keyblade armor and the blonde turned to her as he hovered on his Keyblade Glider. "Do you want to follow me, or do you want to lead the way?" Ventus asked.
"I'll follow you," Velle grumbled. They soared out into the Lanes Between and Velle followed the armored blonde carefully so as to not lose him.