I woke up with a jolt and gasped as I was looked at by my teacher and the other students.
"Mr. Kennedy? Am I boring you?" My teacher asked crossing his arms.
I shook my head and stretched before seeing what I was wearing. It was the clothes from my dream! Or the ones that other me was wearing.
"Nice get up nerd!" I heard someone say.
I hid my head in embarrassment before hearing my teacher speak again, "Let me write you a note to go get a change of clothes to meet school dress code."
My teacher wrote a note and handed it to me, and I got up taking it from him and walking out of the classroom.
I shut the door behind me and saw Leo waiting in the hallway but he wasn't wearing what he was wearing before, "Leo?"
He quickly looked at me and his eyes went wide, "Glad I'm not the only one wearing anything outlandish."
I nodded in agreement and stared at him. He was wearing a green sleeveless shirt with a hood on it and a design of multiple numbers written on it, camo cargo shorts, gray sneakers wit a blue strip on it, almost glowstick-like wristbands on both of his wrists, a small jewel necklace, and his hair was a little spikier.
"They wanted to send me to the office for dress code violation but I told my teacher to shove it. You can see why I'm out here now." He said rolling his eyes.
"Yeah…hey! I had a crazy dream while in class!" I started to say.
Leo shot me a look, "Connor…stop. There is already too much weird shit going on today…please don't."
I went silent and soon Layla came walking up wearing jet black combat boots, baggy blue pants, a neon green and blue shirt with no sleeves, white arm sleeves, fingerless gloves, her hair was in a neat ponytail, blackish-red lipstick, and a glowing star necklace.
"Let me guess…dress code violation?" Leo asked.
She nodded and sighed, "I got made fun of and was called a slut, cosplay nerd, attention seeker. I was given the business."
"I don't get it…how did our clothes suddenly just change? It doesn't make sense." Leo asked.
"Maybe, its connected to our dreams." I said.
"Dammit, Connor, I said knock it off with that." Leo shot at me.
"Come one…you know just as well as I do that I'm right. Look at us, we had weird dreams, heard disembodied voices, and we are wearing the clothes from our dreams. This is not a coincidence and you know it." I shot back at him.
"Wait, you had a dream too? When?" Layla asked sounding almost a little too concerned.
"During class. I woke up to find my clothes did a whole switcharoo on me. I don't know when they changed or how they changes without anyone seeing but it happened regardless. Guys, what's happening to us?" I said almost fully afraid.
Before anyone could answer, there was a loud scream the came from the main hall.
"What was that?" Layla asked as we made our way over.
"Sounded like a scream." Leo said walking around a corner.
When we looked, we all gasped seeing 3 students surrounded by dark creatures.
"Those are the creatures from my dream!" I said causing both Leo and Layla to shoot me looks.
Yeah, what we were seeing was real and those kids are in danger, we needed to think quickly or someone could get hurt or worse.
"What do we do? We don't have our weapons that we had before. How do we help them?" Leo asked.
"Maybe we can distract them?" Layla said running out, "HEY! OVER HERE!"
The creatures looked at her and began approaching slowly allowing the other students to run away unharmed.
"Alright, we got their attention…now what?" I asked running up beside her.
"Now, we fight!" I heard Leo say before tossing us some sports equipment. "I broke into the storage closet. Thank me later." He said before grabbing a baseball bat.
I grabbed a hockey stick while Layla grabbed a polo stick and we got ready, "Don't let a single one get away!" I yelled before running and swinging at one but the stick went through it.
Leo yelled running straight for one and swinging at it only to spin and fall on his back, "What the hell! It's not working!"
Layla tried hitting 2 at once but to no avail.
Our makeshift weapons weren't doing anything to our attackers and we were out of ideas. Slowly the creatures started to close in on us before one leapt at Leo who put his bat up instinctively to block.
There was a bright flash before the creature was shot away.
I looked and gasped, "Leo! The bat!"
Leo looked at his weapon and gasped. It had turned into a large key shiny and new.
The creature the got shot away, got back up and sprinted for us only for Leo to rear the key back and swing it, launching the creature away with such great force that it hit the wall and dispersed, "Yeah! That'll teach you!" Leo yelled.
I looked at Layla who had closed her eyes and before long, the polo stick in her hand turned into a large key as well, but hers was different than Leo's. While Leo's was in the design of a red lion, hers was a gold and blue glowing key.
Layla ran in to assist Leo who was close to getting swarmed. They looked practically untouchable as they were managing to hold off the swarm.
I noticed a few stragglers heading for the classrooms, "Connor! Go get the ones escaping!" I heard Leo yell.
"I cant! I don't have my weapon!" I yelled back.
"It doesn't matter! At the very least, lure them away from the other students!" He yelled back to me.
"We have faith in you Connor! Now go! Leo and I can handle this!" Layla yelled to me.
I quickly ran after the stragglers and saw them burst a room door in and run in.
There was screaming as I saw a few kids and…Aspin…oh how the tables have turned.
I sat there for a moment and watched the creatures start to close in on the students but realized…this not me…I'm not a malicious person.
"Hey you stupid beasts! Over here! I got something for ya!" I yelled holding my hockey stick ready to probably lose the fight.
The creatures turned around as I yelled for the students to run and get the hell out.
"Let's dance a holes." I said to the creatures before one jumped on me and clawed my body which hurt like hell.
I hit the ground and saw Aspin run up to one and tackle it off me, "Get off him!"
I slowly got up and groaned before Aspin get surrounded by so many of them.
"Aspin! No!" I reach my hand out before I heard his screams of pain.
There was a bright flash before I was on my feet with a large blue and white castle looking key in my hand rushing at them, "Get away from Aspin!" I yelled stabbing one then kicking one away.
They were gone and I looked at Aspin who wasn't looking to good.
"No…no no no no." I ran over to him and looked at his body. I could clearly see…he was starting to fade away slowly but surely. I didn't know what to do. "Aspin…why did you help me? You hate me…so why…WHY DID YOU DO THAT YOU BASTARD!"
He just looked at me and chuckled, "Because…someone needed to give you motivation to grow a pair. Figured…why not make it good ol Aspin? I've only been harassing you for the better part of the year…so why not do something worth while?"
I never thought…I would ever cry for this asshole…and yet…here I am…tearing up over it.
Leo and Layla ran over and saw me next to Aspin before hurrying over.
"Do me a solid will ya? Don't let this shit be the end of you Connie. If you ever wanted to get back at me…then be a better you, and stop letting dickheads like me walk all over you…" He grabbed my hand and let out a soft gasp before a crystal heart came out of his chest and floated to the sky where it then disappeared.
I held Aspin's hand before he completely vanished.
Leo and Layla didn't say a word…I could feel them stare at me neither of them knew what to say.
"Aspin was a complete douche bag…he made me feel less than worthless…he caused me to think so little of myself in every aspect of my life. He is the reason why my life felt like hell. So why…" I turned around and looked at them showing my tear covered face, "why is it that I cant help but cry for him! After all he's done to me! All he's put me through! All the pain he made me feel on a day-to-day basis! I cant help but mourn for him! I want him to just reappear and say 'Gotcha Connie' I want him to hit me! I want him to insult me! I just…I just don't want him to die…"
I covered my eyes and let out everything I was holding in causing both Layla and Leo to walk over and rub my back.
I stood up and looked at them, "What do we do now? Where do we go?" I asked them only for them to shrug.
Leo yawned before stumbling around, "I don't know about you guys but…I'm a little sleepy-" He fell back onto the floor but fell through the ground.
"!" Layla and I watched before I started to hyperventilate realizing what just happened. That's the same thing that happened to my dad, so many years ago.
"Leo!" I yelled rushing over to where he was standing only to hear Layla yawn behind me.
I turned around to see her stretch before starting to lean back slowly. Quickly, I ran to grab her, but my hand went through her arm much like how our sports equipment went through those creatures earlier and she fell through the ground.
I waited but didn't feel drowsy, "Oh no…my insomnia…I don't feel sleepy." I tried pacing but nothing was working.
Soon the police and the principal walked in causing me to put my hands in the air.
I was quickly put into a squad car and taken down to the station for questioning. The drive was long but it felt longer as I was worried about my 2 best friends…and Aspin…
Once at the station I was put in a holding cell while they called my mom and Elliot. I needed to go to sleep and fast. I know what I saw…but if I said that, who knows what would happened to me.
I waited and waited before yawning, finally…my time to shine. "I feel a little…woozy…" My eyes slowly shut and I fell back feeling the entire world around me collapse like a bubble.
?
"Hey, Connor. Wake up." Came a voice and a tap before I jolted awake.
"Huh? What!" I said before seeing Leo and Layla standing over me.
"You good?" Leo asked before helping me up and dusting me off.
"Yeah…I think so…" I said before shoving him.
"Hey, what gives!" Leo said glaring at me.
"Thanks for leaving me at the school guys! I had cuffs slapped on me and was put in a holding cell for hours." I said crossing my arms.
"What do you mean hours? We've only been here for a few minutes waiting for you." Layla said.
"Yeah, after we woke up and didn't see you around, well we figured either something happened to you or you didn't fall asleep like we did. So we've been waiting here. Then we saw a star appear in the sky and boom! You were here." Leo added.
"Speaking of." I started looking around. "Where is here?" there was a large tower and on the floating space we were on, there were only a few bushes keeping us from jumping off.
"I haven't got a clue. Yet, somehow, this place seems familiar. Almost like we've been here before. Like I know this place is safe." Leo said to us as he peeked through the bushes.
Layla walked to the door of the tower and looked at the large scale of the place then looked to me and Leo, "Let's see if anyone is home."
We looked at each other and both nodded before walking to the door and pushing it open.
I seemed a little small on the inside but we started up the stair to the top walking through portals the jumped us to different floors. After a while, this place started to seem…impossible. It was big on the outside, but ginormous on the inside.
After a little more walking, we came up to another big door and Leo went to open it but I stopped him, "Hey, show some manners, knock first."
I saw him roll his eyes and knock on the door, "I doubt anyone is even in here."
"You may enter." Came a voice from inside.
All of us looked at each other almost tense and anxious before pushing the door open.
The room was large, in the middle of the room sat a large desk table, large chair, and a man sitting in the chair.
"Come close you three, I've been expecting you." Said the man.
We looked at each other and walked forward making sure to be on our guard.
The man looked us each up and down then closed his eyes for a moment, "Mr. Connor, Mr. Leo, and Ms. Layla. It's a pleasure to meet you all."
Our eyes went wide. Somehow a random stranger knew us without even really talking to us?
"Alright, enough beating around the bush. Who are you?" Leo asked shaking his fist at the man.
"Settle down Leo. There is no need to get so worked up. I am no danger to you." The man said to him and Leo started to do as asked.
"Yeah, well, I've had a long and rough day. And still don't know what's going on. I just want to make sense of all this." Leo responded taking a deep breath.
"I am Master Yen Sid. This is my tower. You are all safe here, I assure you." Yen Sid said to us before giving Leo a warm smile.
"Master Yen Sid? What are we doing here? How do we get back home?" Layla asked.
Yen Sid still that calming smile and nodded his head, "Why, the keyblade brought you here of course. Each of you have a legacy of the keyblade within you. Leo, your courage and bravery almost like a lion when helping friends. Layla, with your passion for defending and helping your friends. Then you, Connor…you have a knack for your friends as well, you better your friends and they in turn, better you as well."
"Keyblade? Is that weapon we were using to fight those creatures earlier?" I asked looking at both Layla and Leo who shrugged then looked to Master Yen Sid for answers.
"Yes, those creatures you fought are called the Heartless and the weapons you used to attack them, are your keyblades." Yen Sid said to us.
Leo held out his arm and there was his keyblade, "Keyblade…I remember hearing that in one of my dreams. So uh, Master Yen Sid…what are we doing here? If were tied to some 'Ancient power' or whatever, why did it just awaken now? And why weren't we here sooner?"
Yen Sid stroked his beard, "One is not born with the potential to wield the keyblade. Though the keyblade chooses its weilders, the power only awakens when one is ready to accept that power. As for why you weren't here sooner, that's because you weren't ready to realize the many worlds that are out there. And because…there is something coming. Something so big, that it threatens all of Kingdom Hearts. This made your keyblade abilities awaken in you." Yen Sid said before waving his hand and showing us a map of many worlds that I've never seen before.
"Whoa, cool!" I said then a book appeared in front of me.
"This book will contain all you need to know about where you are and about those you will meet on your journey. I want you to head to a place called the Destiny Islands. There you will meet a boy named Riku who is a keyblade master who will be able to offer you optimal keyblade training. The I want you to head to the Land of departure. There you will meet a keyblade master by the name of Aqua who will also offer you training as well." Yen Sid said.
"U-um, Master Yen Sid?" Layla started speaking, "We sorta don't have a way to get around. The only way we got to your tower was by sleeping. Is there anything you can give us to assist us in traveling to these locations?"
Master Yen Sid nodded and snapped his fingers before outside we saw some kind of a plane…ship…thing hover into view. "This will be your vessel for travel. Its called a gummi ship and its part can be swap and interchange easily. Take good care of it, you never know when it will really come in handy."
Leo smirked seeing the ship, "I call shot gun!" he yelled before running out of the tower.
Layla ran to catch up with him and I looked at Master Yen Sid who was smiling, "Is there something bothering you Connor?"
"Well, yes um…sir. A few years ago…my world time…my father disappeared. The thing is, he did the same thing we did. He fell into the ground and was never found by anyone. If we did the same thing, then that means he must have come here at some point and you must have met him." I said picking up the book. "You don't have to tell me where he is but please…is he here? Is he ok? Is he…still my dad?"
Yen Sid closed his eyes as if pondering for a moment, "Mmm, that sounds like quite the dilemma. Connor, what if I told you, your Dad was a lot closer than you think?"
I gulped and felt my heart speed up. "I would find him. I would search every world if I needed to. I would never stop until I was sure, my dad was ok."
"Then the best thing I can tell you, is to continue on your journey. Your dad will come around at some point, but for now, must master your keyblade training." Yen Sid responded prompting me to bow.
"Yes, Master Yen Sid. I promise I will do my best." I quickly ran out the door, "Guys wait for me!"
Once we were all in the ship, I sat in the pilot seat then looked at Leo and Layla, "Oh yeah…I uh, don't know how to fly this thing."