There are very few times when I can look at a fellow Keyblade wielder and think 'Yes, this one has a heart so strong, they could move mountains one day.' I felt that way with each of my fellow Union leaders when I met them. Even Ventus who, even then, felt like an anomaly but still had promise of something greater. It was one of these few people I was actually close with before the Keyblade War. Her name was Sabrina- which apparently meant princess. Go figure.
…
The air was filled with electricity in the days leading up to the Keyblade War. After Ava gave her speech (one that no one had really expected, let alone how serious she was during it), the youngest of the Dandelions in both age and recruitment started to get antsy. Except for her. Brain wasn't able to see her during training much because Ava frequently helped the newer recruits than those who had been there for awhile. He wasn't one of the first Dandelions- but he could remember when he could recognize a face or two if they crossed paths during regular missions. Now there were so many Dandelions that he couldn't pick them out on a normal day without some help.
When Ava disappeared, the Dandelions were beside themselves. Should they still train? Should they go to the promised place to depart now too? Some still came to Fountain Square to train with each other. Others continued with their missions as already set by their Union leader, becoming invisible in crowds. If the line between who was and wasn't a Dandelion hadn't been blurred before, it was nonexistent then. Brain was one of the Dandelions that skipped out on coming to train in Fountain Square. Instead, he'd pester Sabrina into going somewhere else where they trained together. To say it caused a small conflict in the constantly disagreeable girl was a bit of an understatement.
"What if Master Ava comes back?" she once asked him as she attempted to side swipe him with her Keyblade. He dodged it without a problem. His hat was a bit askew, but she gave him time to adjust it. "She meets with the Dandelions like normal and finds that all of them ditched her."
"Not going to happen." Brain assured her with a shake of his head. He took his Keyblade with both hands before rushing at her. Sabrina leaped out of the way, then parried his attempt to get her from behind. "Master Ava would tell us to resume Dandelion training if she comes back."
Sabrina raised an eyebrow. "If?"
Brain gave a soft chuckle. Of course Sabrina would be able to read between the lines. She was good at that. Master Invi couldn't have asked for a smarter member of her Union. Brain took firm hold of his Keyblade again to attempt a front attack. Sabrina also saw that coming- their Keyblades letting out a loud clang when they connected. Brain didn't let up. Instead he pressed their Keyblades close enough to each other that he could have tilted his head to touch her forehead.
"You're smart." he told her. "Do you really think we'll see Master Ava again before the war?"
There was a small, subtle twitch in the corner of the girl's mouth that illustrated she did not. Seeing it, Brain finally let up. He even put away his Keyblade- an act that surprised Sabrina a good degree.
"I think we've had enough training for today," he then told her, "How about we take a break and go for a walk. It's a nice day today."
Sabrina recoiled. Brain was trying to make it less obvious that his mind was on something else. That constant fidgeting of his fedora was a dead giveaway. The girl had known the other boy for, what? A good six months? She could tell when he was hiding something from her, as little as it happened so far. Sabrina parted her lips a little to say something, but shook her head.
"Fine." she agreed with a flick of her wrist. "It better not be someplace dumb like Fountain Square or Agrabah. I've had enough sand in my shoes to last a lifetime, thank you."
Brain couldn't help it, but he gave her a wide smile.
…
As far as I knew, I was an only child. I always saw the younger wielders as equal peers than subconsciously channeling some kind of lost 'big brother' instinct. That was the funny thing about Sabrina- she was the first wielder to actually make me want to protect them more than just an equal partner. I'd tease her about wielders that seemed flustered by her growing beauty. We'd eat lunches together and promise to meet up after missions to relax. More than once we'd sit on a bench, watching the sunset, and that girl would lay on me to safely drift off to sleep. We had keys to each other's houses too. It wasn't until far later (and far too late) that I realized we weren't friends; we were family.
…
"You're going to hurt yourself."
"Haven't yet. So if you'd like, let me just break my neck in peace." There was a pause, then the prudent addition of, "You're not in charge of me."
Brain let out another laugh. He tried to hide how much he was keeping an eye on her by adjusting his fedora every so often. Walking along the high stone fence was an act of defiance and proof of how balanced Sabrina thought herself to be. Did that stop Brain from being ready in case she tripped? Of course not. Why would it?
"Where are we going anyway?" Sabrina questioned as she looked at her own steps than Brain himself.
"How do you know we're not going to fight some Heartless?" Brain asked right back.
"Because you're usually more protective if we were. Fussing around with elixirs and potions and stuff. Especially if you think that it's going to be a big one."
Brain was quick to hold the rim of his fedora a bit lower over his face. "I'm not that bad."
"Sure, sure." the girl shrugged off. And so she remained on the fence as they continued to walk along. It was quite awhile before they reached the end of it- while also being quite close to where Brain wanted to take them.
"I dare you to flip off." Brain smirked as Sabrina stood with her toes to the end of the fence. For a moment, you could see the child consider doing just that.
"Nah." Sabrina said with a shake of her head. Instead, she hopped down- making sure that she bent her knees to lessen the impact. Even if it wasn't the flair Brain had teased her on, it was still a bit presumptuous in its own way.
"Come on," he laughed, "We're almost there."
Sabrina gave a nod as she followed him. It was a silent walk for the rest of the way, not that either of them really minded. They finally reached their destination with ease; a field that overlooked most of Daybreak Town. This particular area having a cherry blossom tree growing near the ledge with its roots exposed on the cliffside. Sabrina was quick to lean against the tree before sliding down to sit. Brain took a spot next to her, but remained standing. A warm breeze kissed their skin as they relaxed in the tree's shade. It was beautiful. Memorable, even. But it was here that Brain had to tell Sabrina something important.
"The war is going to happen soon."
Sabrina blinked, then looked up at Brain with a look of displeasure. "How do you know?" she questioned.
"Master Ava told me." he replied without looking at her.
"Liar."
Brain looked down and smiled at her "It's true! Swear on my life, Wabi-Sabi."
He had expected her little grunt of doubt.
"Even if I believed you, what does that have to do with anything?" the child then spat as she crossed her arms.
"I want us to make a promise." he then said, taking a seat next to her. "A blood pact, if you will."
Sabrina gave him something that crossed a stink eye and a glare. "What are you talking about?" she questioned, even scrunching her nose up.
"Since I know the Keyblade War is coming, and you know the Keyblade War is coming, then let's promise to meet up after." he offered. He nudged her a bit to say, "We'll meet up where we usually do. Assuming Daybreak Town made it through the end. Deal?"
"And where are we meeting if Daybreak Town doesn't survive, smarty pants?"
"Our Chirithy will figure it out." Brain playfully shrugged. "They'll still be with us, and they can go pretty far without us too, so it shouldn't be a problem."
The girl gave him a small raise of her eyebrow before considering his offer. As she thought it over though, the more her face started to fall into one of conflict.
"Are you really sure that it's going to happen?"
"I would never lie about this, Sabrina. You know I wouldn't."
Sabrina looked up at Brain. His sincere, almost scared, face caused a lump to form in her throat. He wasn't teasing this time. He meant every word that he was saying. Making up her mind, Sabrina sat a bit straighter before holding up her pinkie finger.
"Pinkie swear." she told him- her voice filled with authority.
For a moment, Brain just stared at her. Then a smile started to form on his lips. He brought up his own pinkie to link with hers, and after the two gave each other an affirming nod, Sabrina launched herself at Brain to give him a tight hug. The gesture had been completely unexpected, but he didn't oppose it. Instead, he held her tight as neither wanted to let go.
…
I never really read the Book of Prophecies that Master Ava gave me before Darkness started to meddle with our new world. Or rather, show itself while we tried to figure out why we were in a digital Daybreak Town than the real one. It took me a greater part of a day to read through it. At least, it took me a day to go through the pages that detailed various enemies from the past, future, and now present. Everything else in the Book? Well, I wouldn't call it useless. At the same time, I wouldn't call it helpful either. The Master of Masters had written the Book in ways that spoke of ambiguity and a less than set in stone mentality. One part of the Book could have changed, and the rest could be rendered moot.
She wasn't in there. Strelitzia was never brought up too. What will become of my fellow Union leaders -my friends- is just as uncertain. There are small sections where I believe they are mentioned, but the wording of the Book… It's not obvious. It would take another generation to decipher just who or what it is referencing to begin with. If that.
I just want to know where she is. I need to know if she, like Streltizia, met a poor fate before the war. We're just kids. We all were. I just… I just want her to be safe. She's my little sister. She's the only family I've known. At the same time, I fear giving in to the same heartbroken rage that Lauriam is struggling against. Just… let her be safe. That's all I ask… Please.
