Red like Roses

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY, Kingdom Hearts, or the characters associated with them as they are the property of Monty Oum, Rooster Teeth, Tetsuya Nomura, and Square Enix in respect to who they are associated with.

"Talking"

Thoughts

Ch. 13

When traveling across the worlds, time moves a bit differently.

For what seemed like weeks to months of travel to them, at most a day or two had only passed in relation to the world of Remnant. Though they could have kept on traveling for longer, it was time to go home now. Being the last stop on their journey, Ruby and the gang wanted to relax before returning.

Where they were now was a world of vast oceans as the team had an entire island to themselves.

One of the first rules when traveling between worlds was protecting the natural order. In this particular case was not sticking out. Thus, when necessary in passing through the world's borders, their cloths or appearance would change accordingly to better adapt to their new surroundings.

Appearing on this island, their cloths became simple skirts and tops.

Seeing where they were, they were going to enjoy their time at the beach.

As each girl were engrossed in their own activity, they reflected on their journey from what they learned to the bonds and memories they cherished.

With her keyblade out, Weiss was manipulating the sand creating a giant sand castle before dropping it back down. Rising from the sand formed a giant bird to which Weiss could only give a deep sigh. "oh my precious chocobo, how I miss you . . . ." Traveling the worlds was an eye-opening experience at how big the universe was as it was really impossible to see it all within a lifetime.

But as she learned about different cultures, she also learned things about herself. Especially when she visited Halloween Town. To say the least, it freaked her out when she first got there. If not for Ruby she might have attacked a few of them. But after calming down and getting to know them, they were actually really nice with an ever so interesting sense of humor. Especially Jack as he just likes to put on a show as they all ended up dancing with him.

After such an experience, she realized she had to look deeper than what was on the surface. Being able to see a person for who rather then what they were gave her perspective. Something that softened her once rigid heart.

Smiling softly to herself, she then looked back to the sand chocobo giving a pensive look. In the last world they were at for one reason or another they were working at a chocobo farm. While there she ended up hatching an egg. From it came a white feathered variant as the little chick became attached to her. So fluffy, soft, and adorable. She wanted to take it home with her. But alas Ruby ended up objecting. However, she will come to visit when she could.

On the beach soaking in the sun, Yang was quite relaxed listening to the waves on a chair under an umbrella. Right next to a coconut tree, she gave it was good smack as said nut feel into her hand. Chilling it with magic, she took a sip before exhaling in satisfaction.

Journeying across the worlds she had many opportunities to test her strength and see how far her fists were able to reach. With each battle across the worlds she became stronger for it. Arriving in Thebes, she immediately jumped at the chance to see how far she had come by participating in the Coliseum. Chuckling to herself she still had a way to go as she lost in a technical knockout to Hercules as she underestimated his divine aura and got forced out the ring.

As frustrating as it was, it was still a fun fight as Phil after the match gave her some pointers as she reminded him of a young Hercules who had great strength but lacked the wisdom to properly use it. After some more training she would come back for a rematch.

Elsewhere, Blake was sitting out on the edge of the cliff as her key took the form of a fishing rod. Behind her was a small fire with several types of fish skewered next to it. This place was a paradise with all the fish you can eat as she couldn't help but give an elated smile.

She was glad she made this trip as it was an enjoyable bonding experience with her friends with all they were able to see and do. But more so the people they were able to meet. Arriving in a world of a much older time, they met Princess Merida. While they were there it turned into one long shenanigan in getting her out of a marriage. In getting to know her she was amazed at her courage. No matter how much the world told her no she proudly walked her own path as she didn't care to be chained down by labels or traditions. Bitterly smiling to herself she wished she had that kind of conviction.

Yet contrary to how close they became as friends and as a team, there was a small corner of her heart that wasn't ready to open up to them. She knew they sensed her hesitation. But all the more to why she liked them as they respected her distance waiting for when she was ready.

Though these thoughts dwelled on her mind, something more pressing was apparent. Concerning this world, she couldn't help but feel something was a little off about it. Don't get her wrong, this place was like a paradise to her eyes. But instinctually, something was wrong. Her shadow semblance gave her a unique connection to the darkness. Thus, now when grimm or rather heartless were nearby she was able to sense them. Yet she couldn't quite put her finger on what this feeling of unease was.

As for the fearless leader of the bunch, Ruby was surfing the waves. But in a moment of distraction, she ended up wiping out as she made her way back to the beach.

"Quite the performance there" Yang chuckled tilting up her sunglasses.

"Break time is over" said Ruby. "We got work to do".

"Woah, I was just kidding . . . ."

"Something is happening" little red continued. "Something bad" as she looked out to the horizon. Giving them time to finish what they were doing, she gathered her team, "I'm sensing some weird energy. If I can feel it from all the way over here that's definitely not a good sign".

"So, it wasn't just me" Weiss quirked as she felt it a while ago. "I guess we're going to go investigate it huh" she shrugged. "Vacation time is over now I suppose".

"We're going back home soon anyways" Yang smirked smacking Weiss on the shoulder. "What better way than to spend our adventure going out in a bang or a Yang?" as her team could only helplessly shake their head at her joke.

". . . . I didn't want to say anything just yet till I was sure" said Blake. "But I think it might be the source of the darkness I've been feeling".

"Are you sure?" asked Ruby

" . . . . Yes" Blake nodded. "But something doesn't feel right about it".

"It's darkness" Weiss quipped. "Since when does it ever feel right?"

"True" said Yang.

"But from the heartless we've encountered I've always felt a hunger. A hollowness to why they attacked others. But this . . . . It feels . . . . Angry and sad, but confused . . . . I'm sorry" as Blake shook her head. "It's a little difficult for me to put this into words".

"A pissed off darkness. That's going to be something to see".

"Alright, let's go!" as they all took flight going to the source of the disturbance. As the sun began to set, they had arrived as they saw it.

A giant creature of fire and rock as black smoke billowed out from it surrounded by thunder storms. But they weren't the only one's there. The monster was fighting a man who was able to shape shift at will as a girl on a boat nearby could only watch as things went down.

"Don't know about you all, but I'm pretty sure we don't need to guess who we should be helping" said Yang.

Without another word they all engaged the monster.

The man was surprised at their appearance. But wasn't going to refuse their help.

As they flew around blasting magic at it, it didn't seem to do any damage. Although they were attacking it, the monster appeared more interested in the man. Regardless of its size, it was quite nimble as it knocked the shape shifter out of the air twice when he was a bird. Dropping a glowing green rock, the man desperately dived after it into the ocean as the monster continued its pursuit of him.

Climbing back on the boat, "What are you doing?!"

"Finding you a better way in!" as she started to steer the boat to a clearing.

"We won't make it!" as the monster was cuing up to attack them again.

"Yes we will!"

"Turn around!"

As they continued to argue, the monster attacked. Before it could hit the boat, the man blocked its strike creating a powerful shockwave which blew them far away.

Team RWBY was no exception as they were all knocked out of the air temporarily. But with the two of them clear of the monster they had no reason to continue fighting it as they left to check up on them. Upon finding them, they were in a heated argument.

"I thought we could make it . . . ."

"We?" the man questioned angrily.

". . . . I thought I could make it". Trying to be optimistic, "we can fix it".

"It was made by the gods" as the shape shifters giant fishhook was badly damaged. "You can't fix it!"

As the girl tried to reason with him, it only made him angrier. Soon dropping the green rock, he transformed into a bird and flew off.

"Maui!" the girl cried out tearfully.

Team RWBY didn't understand what was happening. But seeing him just leave his companion like this, "I'll go after him" said Blake.

"We'll rendezvous later when we get this straightened out" as Ruby and the others boarded the girl's boat to see if she was OK. Seeing her crying softly to herself, Ruby waited a bit till she settled down.

Starting slow giving her a comforting smile, "hi, my name is Ruby. What's yours?"

"I . . . ." she sniffled, "I am Moana of Motunui".

"Care to tell us why you're all the way out here in the middle of the ocean?"

After gathering herself, she told her story.

Close to a millennia ago, her traveling companion Maui was a revered demi-god among the people who gave many gifts to humanity. But in his foolish pride, he tried to gift them with the power of creation as he stole the heart of Te Fiti. Upon stealing the heart, the demon Te Ka, the monster they encountered attacked resulting in the heart being lost in the ocean.

Without the protection of Te Fiti and Te Ka running rampant, the world was dying as the fertile lands and bountiful ocean life were disappearing.

She was then tasked by the ocean to recruit Maui and return the heart of Te Fiti and restore life back to the world.

But as seen it was a task easier said than done as Te Ka was far too powerful and dangerous as it was the only thing keeping her from giving the goddess back her heart.

After listening to her story, they knew what they had to do. "We'll take you there!" Ruby chimed. This was why keyblade bearers existed. To reward Moana's courage, she will not face this darkness alone.

"Are you sure?" Moana asked. "You saw how dangerous Te Ka was".

"We just need to distract it long enough for you to get to the inner island, right?" then said Weiss.

"If time is all you need" as Yang cracked her knuckles, "let's give that demon a run for it's money".

Almost to tears with hope renewed in her heart, "thank you" Moana smiled. "Let's be off then". Working for the rest of the night till morning the next day, her boat was successfully repaired as they were off to face Te Ka once more.

~ Elsewhere ~

"Stop following me! Go away!" as Maui tried to fly faster.

"No!" as Blake followed closely behind on her glider. "I'm not going to stop till we talk this out!"

Regardless of what Maui did, he couldn't lose her. Sky, land, or sea, it didn't matter as Blake was close behind. Finally stopping at an island, he decided to humor her. "What do you want from me?"

"I want you to go back" Blake stated. "How can you leave your companion like that?! Aren't you supposed to be a hero?! How can you be so cruel?! So callous to abandon her like that?!"

Before she could dig deeper into him, "I was afraid!" Maui shot back causing Blake to stammer. Lifting up his damaged weapon, "without my fish hook . . . . I am nothing". Allowing his self-pity to sink in, he had reflected for a long time why the world was in its current state as he was solely to blame for it. If he had not been greedy or foolish feeding his need to be needed by someone, this entire disaster could have been avoided. Now, all that was left of his pride was what laid in his hands. But like all those centuries ago, he was still no match for Te Ka. Although he wanted to make things right, he was afraid of failing again.

As much as Blake wanted to chastise him for his cowardice, she couldn't as she saw too much of herself in him. Who was she to judge him when she was just as guilty? When things got tough or complicated, she ran away as her heart wasn't strong enough to plant her feet and face the problem head on. That was the small part of her heart that wasn't ready to open up to her friends. Like her parents. Like her companions among White Fang. She was afraid she would betray their trust and she would just run away when she couldn't face it.

Looking to Maui as he quietly sulked, a small realization bloomed inside Blake as she took a seat next to him. Giving a soft breath, "It's OK to be afraid. But are you a failure?" as Blake decided to be very blunt about it. "Yes, you are".

"A little harsh don't you think . . . ."

"But allow me to tell you these words of wisdom that I've heard along my travels" said Blake as a small smile crept on her lips. "It's OK to fail as it's just a part of everyone's lives".

"But I wasn't supposed to be like everyone else . . . . I was supposed to be a hero . . . ."

"A true measure of a hero is not by the size of their strength, but by the strength of their heart" said the cat fanus soothingly as she recalled those words. "It's what we do when faced with adversity that defines us".

Hearing those words, he contemplated them for a long while. But after a bit, Maui gave a brief chuckle as he stood up resting his fish hook against his shoulder. There was no way he could win this fight. But, "I'm good for one more ride" as he looked to Blake. "You coming?"

"Thought you wouldn't ask" she smirked.

Taking flight, they headed back to where the fight was.

~ Island of Te Fiti ~

As day break broke as they neared the island, the skies above were shadowed in darkness as the light was blocked out from thick smoke.

The reefs that surrounded the island were charcoal black and completely devoid of life. But once they were close enough, Te Ka emerged howling in anger. The giant monster of lava and stone was hunched over ready to attack as its body glowed brighter in rage.

"You sure about this?" asked Ruby.

"I have to do this" said Moana as she readied the sails of her boat.

"We'll buy you as much time as we can" said Ruby. "Go directly through the opening as we draw it's attention away from you". Nodding to her teammates, they took flight as they headed directly for Te Ka. Waving her hand as the opening act, "waterga!" as an ocean wave rose up to consume the monster.

For a brief moment, it was silent as it stopped producing heat and smoke. But this battle would hardly be that easy as Te Ka burned once again possibly angrier than before.

"If we wanted to get it's attention, now we have it" said Weiss as she followed Ruby's attack with more blasts of water.

As Te Ka threw balls of lava at them, Yang played the counter defensive role as she parried the attacks either into the ocean or back at the creature that didn't do any damage. Frankly this was the worse kind of opponent for her as her specialty was close quarters. As powerful as her semblance was, even it had limits with what it can and can't do. There was only so much energy she could absorb at once or how much her body would be able to process. Though it may have been a great shield, it could not protect her against things like indirect damage. She could still feel hot and cold and she still needed to breath.

While Te Ka was occupied against the three keyblade wielders, Moana found her opening setting sail to the center. Once the heart was restored this nightmare would be over. But it did not go unnoticed as Te Ka could sense the heart. Turning about ignoring the attacks against it, she threw a ball of lava to the boat.

"Moana!" Ruby screamed out as they would not make it in time to protect her.

From the blast, it caused her boat to capsize as she was violently thrown into the water. Stunned for a moment, she quickly swam back up. Using her body as a counter weight, she tried to right her craft. But it wasn't going to be fast enough as Te Ka had started to reach for her.

But at the last crucial moment, the last of their team had arrived as Maui and Blake performed a combo slash severing the monsters hands forcing it to back off.

"Maui!" Moana smiled happy at his return. "You came back!" But then looking to his damaged weapon, "but your hook, one more hit and . . . ."

"Te Ka's got to catch me first" Maui smirked. Righting her boat as he prepared himself, "I got your back chosen one. Now go save the world".

"Maui . . . . Thank you".

"You're welcome" he answered as Blake then flew in grabbing his hand launching him into the air as he transformed back into a bird.

Though they had more hands-on deck, Te Ka proved more powerful than they had anticipated. No matter what they threw at it, it just wasn't doing any damage as it seemed more annoyed by their interference.

"We just aren't doing any damage to it!" as Weiss kept blasting it with more water. "Think we might have bit off more then we can chew on this one".

As team leader, Ruby needed to make a call. This monster was not weakening in the slightest and it didn't look like they were going to outlast it. If they were going to beat this thing, they needed to hit it with something that went beyond the superficial damage they were doing. Making her decision she made the call sign. "Bumblebee! Hail blossom!"

Weiss could only give her a wide eye look. Hail blossom was a special type of joint magic between them and should only ever be done if what they were fighting was that bad. Looking back to the demon, this was definitely one of those cases. Putting her hands together, Weiss began concentrating as she constructed the spell while Ruby gathered the necessary magic. As this was done Myrtenaster and Crescent Rose slowly spun as they orbited the two.

Meanwhile this left Yang, Blake, and Maui to hold Te Ka off. Yang and Maui would be the main attackers as they would have to hit hard and fast while quickly retreating. Thus, Blake created multiple clones of herself setting up footholds for the two to maneuver around on.

Form changing her keys to gauntlets, blocks of ice formed on her fists as they would serve a duo purpose of keeping her cool while hopefully doing some damage.

Maui had to be careful as one more bad hit would be the end of his hook.

Slicing and bludgeoning where they could, they managed to open a window of time as Weiss had finished her spell. The spell she was preparing was something mortals were not supposed to use. A type of power that went beyond the scope of what any human was capable of. Even with the power of the keyblade, it needed to be performed with the two of them to withstand the backlash of it.

To put it frankly, it was a magic that belonged to the gods.

Though Ruby could cast it, Weiss had a better affinity for it.

With preparations complete as Yang, Blake and Maui got clear of the blast zone, it was time to end this fight. Taking Myrtenaster into her hand, she pointed at her target while shouting out the spell "Diamond Dust!"

Instantly a vortex of cold wind started to form as it stretched onwards into the sky. Fight as Te Ka tried, it could not resist what was happening as it was being frozen from the outside in. The lava that represented its rage had dissipated becoming nothing but lifeless rock. Once the spell was over all that was left was a giant statue of frozen rock. As the spell name suggested, the target soon shattered into glittering dust leaving nothing behind.

"We won" Ruby goofily smiled as she felt like falling over from exhaustion.

"Let's try to not make this a usual thing" Weiss smiled weakly as she wanted to lay down now.

However, for that brief moment as they basked in the glory of victory it came to a screeching halt as Te Ka reemerged from the rocks seemingly unscathed. Taken by surprise, it quickly swatted Yang and Blake as they fell into the ocean. Trying to fight back, Maui was swatted away hitting a rock ridge nearby.

As Te Ka spotted Moana approaching her target, it was about to throw another lava ball. It was at this moment that Maui knew what he had to do as he looked to his damaged fishhook. Howling out in war cry, he lunged towards the demon as the two clashed once more. From the shockwave, Ruby and Weiss were thrown into the ocean while Maui landed onto another rock formation. Looking to the stub that was left of his prized weapon, he didn't care as he would do what was right to the very end.

Finally making it to the center mass, Moana had climbed up only to be shocked to find the main body to be completely missing. "Te Fiti . . . ." as she was at a loss of what to do. Slowly turning back, she looked to see a stunned Te Ka with a familiar spiral pattern on its chest.

With that moment of realization, she knew what she had to do. Raising the green stone above her head, she got the demon's attention as it shined brilliantly in the shadowed island.

Making her way back down, "let her come to me" she whispered as the ocean parted clearing a path for Te Ka.

With its prize right in front of it, the demon howled in anger and desperation as it crawled like a mad beast towards her.

However, Moana showed no fear as she bravely walked towards it. Reaching a small ledge, Te Ka had stopped just then standing straight up easily towering over her.

But as it stared down to this small human, her message did not fall on deaf ears as this little girl stood before her now not with fear but with compassion. Slowly her lava like body started to cool off as it knelt down to meet her face to face.

Leaning in as she pressed her forehead against it, "who you truly are" Moana whispered. Journeying after all this time, she was now completing the quest she was given as she was returning the heart of Te Fiti. Placing the stone back where it belonged, flowers started to bloom as the rock like body of Te ka started to break. From within the goddess had returned. "Te Fiti . . . ." Moana smiled as a moment of awe overtook her.

As the goddess returned back to her place on the island, the ocean brought them back to land carefully placing Moana as it fished out Maui and team RWBY. With life returning back the world, Te Fiti lifted the group to meet her at eye level.

Face to face with the goddess, Maui felt incredibly awkward after all this time. But after stumbling through his apology the goddess forgave him and presented him with a new magic fish hook as he excitedly took it.

Much to the awkwardness of their own, team RWBY also apologized for not knowing who she was. But fortunately, Te Fiti was a kind and forgiving goddess as she smiled and nodded.

Waving her hand, she gave Moana a new boat. With balance restored, Te Fiti returned to her slumber as her body became the mountains of the island as harmony had returned.

Now on the sandy shores Moana, Maui, and team RWBY prepared to part ways with each other. "You can come with me you know" said Moana. "My people can always use a wayfinder".

Smiling softly, "they already have one" Maui answered as a new tattoo took shape as a part of this world's tapestry. The two then hugged as a parting as friends. Then looking to Blake, "and don't think I forgot about you" as another tattoo showed the courage she gave back to him.

"Don't ever lose your way OK" as Blake reached out her fist.

"I won't" Maui smiled giving a fist bump. Giving a flashy good-bye, he turned into a bird soaring around before leaving.

"It's about time I go home now" said Moana.

"Same here" Ruby smiled. "Till we meet each other again".

"Till that time" as she took off returning back to her home island.

Seeing her off as they waved goodbye, team RWBY took in their final moments before returning back home to Remnant.

To be continued . . . .

Author's notes: Hope this chapter was OK as I had a bit on my mind how I wanted to structure things going forward. As much as I wanted them to visit certain places and pick up certain things I decided to gloss over/postpone it in favor of getting back to the main story. Also apologies if things seemed a little rushed. But I won't push too hard or too far as there is too much about the canon story I don't know about and I'd rather not be stepping on a landmine that I won't be able to fix later.

If it wasn't obvious, team RWBY visited at least Radiant Garden, Halloween Town, Midgard (FF7(maybe)), Thebes, and Ireland. I'll leave it as this for now.

Now in relation to this chapter, I couldn't help but feel irked at how perfect Moana's world would have fit in to the Kingdom Hearts universe. This part of the story literally writes itself with a stolen heart, a divine level heartless, and the mission of returning it back. It was an honest shame hey didn't have this world in KH3.

In regards to 'god tier' magic, things get very debatable. Obviously by game mechanics, you can easily break the damage limiter and do more damage then what summons can do. But supposedly in accordance to the lore of the story, attacks done by summonings/gods should be something else entirely. As powerful as keyblade wielders have been shown to be, especially in terms of magic, I'm not sure what their exact limits are. But in terms of 'god tier' magic, it's probably a better way of balancing things out in needing to work with others in order to cast it or risk death.

But in fighting divine entities, it's another debatable case. Supposedly keyblade wielders have the potential to rival the gods in a head to head fight. An example of this is the constant battles against Hades in the KH universe. However as seen in KH2 when you were in the underworld, Hades was unbeatable. But this was one of those story driven/game mechanic reasons. However, it makes sense that if you're fighting a god in their homefield advantage of course you're not going to win. But fight them outside their normal turf then they might have a shot. So, in the case of Te Ka, I think it's more then fair they were able to slow her down but not outright defeat her.

Now continuing back on the main story, this will lead into the Vytal festival as everyone should be aware what happens after that.

If there any questions or concerns feel free to ask as I'll try to answer them.

So thank you for reading as I further my gratitude if you can review as well.