Guilty!
Raw from pain, Vanitas groggily opened his eyes to several figures gazing down at him.
Dad?
He blinked, the image sharpened and he wanted to crawl in a hole and die from embarrassment. Leon, his brother and his companions hovered concernedly above. Sora threw himself over Vanitas and he did not have the heart to shove his brother away, despite the agony mushing his muscles.
"I almost met God," Vanitas drawled. A section of his skull throbbed like someone hammered it in place. "You didn't tell me Saix goes berserk. I nearly died three times over during the training," he accused, golden irises sliding to Squall.
The chief sighed. "I wasn't aware Saix... Isa..." The traumatic memory of Tifa lecturing him to be more mindful of Isa, throbbed in his temples. "Had so much potential," he tactfully stated and sipped a potion laced coffee, the concoction foul. "Whatever, I trust Ariel won't leave you with lasting injuries." Leon gingerly felt around Vanitas' head. A patch of shaved hair revealed four neat stitches holding a dislocated piece of bone in place. "You woke up pretty quickly."
If my brother goes senile before his time, I will kill you. Sora boiled. Or at least try, he glared darkly at the boss from beneath his lashes. Vanitas will have a fit if he checks in a mirror.
"What about the case?"
Smoothing Vanitas' hospital gown over a slew of slow healing scars, Sora reluctantly replied, "The case isn't going great, the evidence is overwhelmingly stacked against Xigbar." Charts pinned the infirmary's bright, turquoise walls. Head wounds printed ghostly white on black film. "I'm... I'm... I don't know what to-"
"Defend him," Vanitas said. He sat upright and Ariel shrieked at him to keep still. "It hardly matters if he tries to hide. I will hunt him down, even if it's the last thing I do!" He gripped Sora's hands tightly. "You're doing what you think is right, you don't have much choice."
An injury chart depicted nodes where magical energy could be blocked and Sora briefly entertained the notion of punching himself in those areas. "I don't think what I'm doing is right," he murmured and fell silent when the infirmary partition door whined open.
Blank faced, Isa stalked to the foot of Vanitas' bed. "You fought well," he solemnly complimented before leaving.
The KBWA boss followed the cyan haired operative. "One more thing," he loitered at the door, dirty mug forgotten on the bedside table and hands shoved deep in the pockets of his fur lined jacket, "don't ever let Tifa catch you calling him Saix," he warned the twins and jerked his chin at the door. "She'll maim you."
Startled by a hug from Goofy, Vanitas returned it wholeheartedly. Donald hung back, a gem topped staff clutched in his wings and exhaustion weighing his brow. Grabbing the court magician by his skinny, white feathered neck, Vanitas crushed him into a brotherly embrace while Donald quacked indignantly.
"Whatever happens," Sora collapsed into a stool and worried the ends of his scarf, "the proceedings are ending today." His mind wandered to Ventus. The KBWA made a huge show of taking possession of him, but the blonde boy stayed above Los Angeles, in a crumbling castle, free to do what he wanted. "Rest properly," Sora chided when his twin wriggled, the beginnings of his never ending banter with Donald, "you need to heal."
I'm not even worried and he's broken every bone in his body.
Casting one last cure, Donald fluttered to safety. He mumbled about rest and waddled out of the infirmary with Goofy, promising to be visit later.
"Can't you stay a little longer?" Vanitas pleaded. "Court doesn't start now, does it?"
Fluffing the stark white pillows and tucking Vanitas' favorite, feathery blanket around his shoulders, Sora smoothed his brother's hair. "I need to do paperwork and chart arguments and construct elaborate flow diagrams so I have something to look at when people stab me with their eyes," he drily stated. "I'll see you when it ends. Don't make trouble for anyone," Sora grinned placidly at the mermaid and she tilted her head warmly.
"Heh, she's probably happy she has something good to ogle at in this boring clinic," Vanitas suggestively smirked. "I'm restless," he complained.
"If you get better, we'll do a gaming marathon," Sora promised. "We can go the amusement park too. I'll ask Trucy if… if she can tag along."
Vanitas' cheeks flooded pink with glee.
Though I'm pretty sure Mr. Wright is will sic senior Apollo on me. Sora smiled as Vanitas lay back in the bed, no doubt on his best behavior till he is discharged.
11:30 a.m.
District Court
Courtroom no. 1
More important people filled the court. A white haired woman, her dress scandalously slit to the waist, sat in the gallery behind the prosecutor, sunglasses hiding her pale face from view. Her presence lodged a ball of lead in the pit of Sora's stomach and he fidgeted while the prosecutor summarized the previous day's events.
"Yesterday, Mr. Beast explained how Xigbar is the murderer." DeBeste raised his conducting baton grandly. A photograph of the defendant swathed in blood besotted bandages displayed on the courtroom monitors. "Does the defense have anything to add?"
A drizzle drummed the windows and shafts of sunlight delicately speared the thick clouds smothering the sky. "Your honor, may I ask the defendant to... to take the stand and testify his version of the events?"
"What are you doing?" Apollo hissed through gritted teeth.
"I want the court to hear him." Sora brushed his badge for support. Somehow, he got the feeling that the dangerous lady in the gallery observed him. "My client needs a chance to prove himself."
Warily eyeballing the attorney, Sebastian thwacked his baton and shrugged, "I'll allow it," he pompously agreed when the judge conferred with him. "The defense may try to masquerade their client as innocent, however, I am determined to put the criminal behind bars, where he belongs."
I'm not masquerading him as anything; Sora rebelliously strangled himself with his scarf while Xigbar climbed the stand.
"Witness, state your name and occupation," Debeste ordered.
The defendant leered at Sora, scar wrinkling the wrong way. "It doesn't feel the same without the other Clavius around does it?" he rhetorically questioned. "What happened to him by the way?"
"Your name and occupation!" The prosecutor clenched his gloved hand, tiny tears gathering at the edges of his eyes when Xigbar's lip curled into a skew smile.
"Xigbar Braig, Level 2 manager at Organization XIII." He adjusted his eye patch and DeBeste implored him for a testimony. "Hmm... on the day of the murder, what was I doing?" Xigbar rested his chin on a closed fist. "Oh I remember. I was in my office, struggling to meet a criteria the KBWA heaped on me. In addition, the government asked me to test a new prototype weapon... oops," he lazily smirked, "I'm not supposed to tell." The nobody twirled his long, grey streaked hair. "Weapon testing is a nasty business, it leaves you with lifelong scars." A finger trailed the scar marring his cheek and he pointed to the eye patch. "I lost an eye, of course it makes sense how I'd get these," he pointed to the fresh bandages on his throat.
A terse silence followed the testimony, the rain stopped pattering.
Wind gusted around the window panes.
"Mr. Clavius, you may begin the cross-examination," the judge instructed.
Worried by the glint in his co-worker's irises, Apollo gripped his bangle. "He is lying of course," he stated. "You need to justify those lies using the evidence. The wounds..." he trailed off thoughtfully.
"Mr. Braig," Sora pounced without a moment's hesitation, "you claim your neck wound was created when you tested weapons?" The defendant nodded and a flood of dark monsters, quite similar to heartless, churned over his hobnailed boots. "Your injury appears to be created by a flat blade... a sword." The attorney's voice quivered and he cleared his throat. "How exactly did you test the weapon for it to make such a mark on your body?"
Curious, is Xigbar unaware of the heartless-thingies?
"I don't understand what you mean, attorney."
"Perhaps there was someone else helping you test the weapons?" Sora prompted, piling papers in a wobbling stack.
The witness grinned humorlessly. "Of course, Xaldin helps me, we had an… accident."
"A pity it wasn't fatal," Apollo bitingly remarked and the prosecutor's cowlick straightened in astonishment.
"Can you elaborate on this accident?" the defense demanded.
Stealing a glance with Shih-na and DeKiller spread in the gallery, Xigbar leaned on his heels. "When my co-manager swung the blade, I happened to stand directly in line-"
"Objection!" Sora venomously slammed his hand on the bench, his palm stung. "The weapons department of Organization XIII suffered a total meltdown recently. Your co-manager is in a coma, thanks to Ventus who attacked your headquarters scarcely a month ago. I have... I have evidence your honor." Sora presented a series of images to court. One depicted a man under intensive care, swamped in pale blue hospital sheets.
Apollo's mouth hung open in disbelief.
Out of sync, Sebastian agitatedly pulled and retracted his conductor, bewildered at the sudden turn of events. The sardonic grin on Xigbar's lips faltered for a split second and his golden irises drilled into Sora.
"Ahem. Mr. Clavius, did you just contradict your client?" the Judge inquired, arms crossed neatly on the bench.
The attorney nodded, scarf unraveling. "The edge of the Buster sword, the deceased's weapon of choice, was crusted with blood." He presented a DNA analysis to the courtroom. "The blood belongs to Xigbar." Sora breathed loudly through his nose, aware of his senior tensing, fringe dangerously upright, "I have already... already established his wounds could not come from weapons testing-"
"Hold it!" DeBeste commanded, rebellious tears trickling down his cheeks. "The defendant could have a backup facility to test his weapons." The prosecutor desperately glanced at Miles, wearing a displeased frown. "I mean… you should present decisive evidence... you are confusing the case!" Sebastian whined angrily.
In the gallery, the silver haired woman rose to her feet and quietly excused herself.
Absentmindedly rubbing the luxurious material of his suit, Sora scrawled a mind-map of possible arguments. "Mr. Xigbar cannot be trusted as a truthful witness." The co-counsel's glower, which raked through Sora like red hot rods of iron, mellowed. "He lied about his co-worker. We can accurately assume he is lying about the weapon testing as well." The gallery grew pensive. "Mr. Braig, what is your weapon of choice?" the attorney demanded.
Azure fire flashing in his eyes. Impressive. Xigbar tilted his head and smirked. "Arrow guns. I designed them myself," he purred proudly. "You can't prove I actually killed anyone with them can you?"
The prosecutor uselessly bent his baton, on the verge of giving up.
Court record open, Sora considered the arrow gun schematics, mouth dry. Is Mr. Wright angry at me? He recalled his mock trials, the spiky haired lawyer a prominent presence in the gallery crammed with attorneys searching for new recruits. He chose me because I refused to defend a guilty client.
But if anything happened to Trucy again, or to my seniors, will Mr. Wright forgive me?
Will I forgive myself?
Pulling out the blueprints, Sora presented them to court. The dual monitors displayed the autopsy report and the arrow gun designs on separate screens. "Your honor, like the KBWA, Organization XIII members also use custom weaponry. This is the schematics of the arrow gun, designed by my client no less." Apollo squeezed Sora's shoulder in encouragement. "A moment ago, the defendant admitted to using these guns and yesterday, Cloud Strife testified the arrow gun does not leave any residue, he is... he is correct."
Surprised, the Mid-tier operator in question stopped munching snackoos.
Meanwhile, Ema snatched his snacks and demolished them under her teeth.
"The projectiles are of pure energy which function like high intensity lasers," Sora further elaborated, fists resting on his papers. "When something so hot and fast passes through a body... the wound..."
"Gets cauterized," Apollo finished. "The victim, Zack Fair was shot four times, the energy projectiles came from this gun."
Dread gnawing a hole through his stomach, Sora forced himself to meet Xigbar's golden irises. "The gun to which Xigbar Braig claimed to have designed as his personal weapon."
The judge banged his gavel to silence a graveyard silence.
"Mr. Clavius, you stay true to the spirit of the Wright and Co Lawyer's agency." The Judge blinked kindly. "Your client may be guilty," the prosecutor straightened from a woeful slouch, "but you did not hesitate in uncovering the truth in court, notwithstanding your reputation. This is a win for you." The frazzled attorney did not smile, instead, he grabbed spiky tufts of his brown hair. "Right. I now pronounce the defendant," the judge declared, "Guil-
"Hold it," a chilling voice interrupted and Phoenix swallowed, his adams-apple brushing the cold glint of steel. "I urge you to think deeply before pronouncing the verdict your Honor." Shelly DeKiller materialized next to Wright, his monocle gleaming under the harsh tube lights. "It will be a shame if the legendary defense attorney and an entire courtroom full of people," he let his words sink in, "died under mysterious circumstances."
Cold sweat dripped from Trucy's forehead, she gripped her father's hand tightly, not daring to breath.
A crash of wooden beams and the clang of metal reverberated from the witness stand. Several people in the gallery screamed hysterically. Sebastian cowered behind his bench while the chief prosecutor regally refused to be intimidated by the events playing in court.
The Buster sword shone cruelly at Xigbar's neck. "I will slice off his head if you don't remove the knife from his throat," Cloud threatened. The broad blade in a one handed grip.
Shelly pressed the blade tighter against skin.
Blood seeped across the Buster Sword and for a terrifying moment, acute fear warped Xigbar's face. DeKiller removed his knife and it disappeared into the sleeve of his kimono jacket.
"Get out. If the woman tries anything funny," Strife's mako enhanced eyes flicked to the doors, "I will kill him." He grabbed Xigbar's hair to emphasize his point. "The KBWA will take possession of Xigbar," he stated. "Your Honor," Cloud did not move from the stand, "your verdict please."
Knees weak in relief, Sora filed his notes. His mind tossed, flitting to Vanitas inert in the clinic, to his agency co-workers who dodged a death sentence. His boss smiled proudly at him and Trucy hugged her father firmly. A muted pop sounded within the courtroom's oak paneled walls and a shower of brightly colored confetti rained from above.
"Guilty!" The judge's declaration rang stridently. He banged his gavel, drawing the court proceedings to an end.
The moment Sora entered the courtroom lobby, a camera blinded him. He blinked perplexedly, stunned by the sudden flash.
Lingering in the hallway, Maya and Phoenix profusely thanked Cloud who dipped his head politely. The operative cuffed Xigbar's wrist to his own.
A media crew shoved the average sized Apollo away and thrust their mikes in Sora's face. "Mr. Clavius, is it true you chose to defend a guilty client?" The questions came sharp and fast. "You seemed to have a change of heart at the end. Can you tell us what prompted this change?"
Flash.
Flash.
Frenzied clicking.
"Mr. Clavius," another elderly journalist shouldered through, "you are in the company of outstanding talents such as Justice and Cykes. While they are famous for having clean records and solid, not-guilty verdicts; how do you feel having lost a case so early in your career?"
"Mr. Clavius." Another mike bumped his chin. "Care to explain why you decided to tackle such a controversial case. Is someone threatening you?"
A dark grey recording device joined the assault. "The defendant mentioned your brother and it is rumored he is in hospital, did anything happen to Vanitas Clavius?"
"He's affiliated with the KBWA isn't he?"
Voices. Voices. A faceless crowd jostling for a comment which stayed firmly lodged in the pit of his throat. The courtroom lobby danced with bodies and they pressed too close for comfort. Sora searched for a place to crawl in, the crowd ferried his co-workers away. The glaring lights, the viridian pop of color from the pot plant and the gold gilt frame whirl-pooled ceaselessly.
A pale hand tugged him through the sea of crowds. Legs unresponsive, Sora stumbled on the pavement and bunched the soft material of his cashmere scarf in his teeth.
"Are you alright?" Riku asked.
Managing a watery smile, Sora nodded. He fired a text to the group chat and Mr. Wright gave the rest of the day off. "Thanks," he mumbled. The aroma of mint candy permeated the car. "I lost... I lost the case on purpose." Sora leaned his head against the glass window. "I knew I was taking a big risk because my entire workplace is threatened, but I couldn't do it. Not only for Vanitas... but for everyone Xigbar killed."
03:35 p.m.
Keyblade Wielder's Association
Dining Hall
It does feel like one of those Dragon Quest taverns.
He nibbled an almond crusted donut. Pools of candlelight and magical fire cast amber glows on the surface of the dining table. Patrons crammed a bar situated at the back, sharing news and assignment results with the vice-chief; resplendent in a leather blouse and skirt. A few operatives, finishing a late lunch, graciously acknowledged the King and uncomfortable by the attention, Sora focused on his donut.
"Did I do the right thing?" he unexpectedly questioned, brows furrowed at Riku slurping a milkshake. "What if those government assassins are close? I didn't want to defend Xigbar because," Sora wiped his palms on his slacks, "because it made me feel like a surrogate murderer."
A stained glass window bled technicolor shafts of light on the laminated floor and a moogle waited patiently near a white, shimmering teleporting sigil.
"You did the right thing if it feels right to you," Nox carefully stated. "The KBWA honored your decision to defend Xigbar. But you did the unexpected thing and found him guilty. I'm sure your association co-workers don't regret your decision." A slow smile spread across Sora's face. "Despite this, you should know there are things you sometimes can't help doing." Riku stirred his milkshake with a straw.
A waft of spicy peppers and stir-fried noodles accompanied a skinny girl. She purposefully bumped her hip against Nox, stole his milkshake and disappeared in a cloud of purple smoke.
He groaned with long evaporated patience.
Placidly offering him the other donut reserved for Vanitas, Sora listened to the quiet chatter in the hall. "Did you ever kill someone?" Again the unexpected inquiry.
His trainer stiffened, turquoise irises darkening. "I killed a lot of people," Nox admitted and lowered his eyes. "I don't regret it."
"I suppose... I suppose, it's necessary. Sometimes," Sora stammered and clasped his hands to stop them from trembling.
"When your life is in danger," Riku continued, "you fight. Although, sometimes your existence pales in comparison to the bigger picture. Any of us would gladly lay down our lives if it means an end to the overwhelming darkness... but not all battles are won by sitting around and twiddling thumbs."
Self-conscious, Sora stopped twiddling his thumbs.
"I didn't mean you," Riku hurriedly assured and ran a hand through his hair. "What I meant was, if you do something, don't spend the rest of your time worrying your hair grey by regretting it." He bit into the doughnut, custard cream spilling from the inside. "If you decide on a course of action, stick to it, unless it feels wrong."
Glasses clinked. Raucous laughter erupted at a table populated by teenagers dressed in street fashion
They have teenagers as members.
"Killing is a necessary evil," Sora muttered. "It doesn't matter if it's a monster, or a person." Will I ever get to a point where I decide to murder someone seriously? "For a moment, you sink to a base level." What goes on in their minds?
Slam!
He shrieked when a mug forcefully met the table and liquid sloshed over the sides, spilling the aroma of chocolate and coffee in the air. Vanitas aggressively jammed a chair between Sora and Riku.
"Are you well enough to move around?" Sora offered his half eaten donut to Vanitas, his trainer temporarily forgotten.
Leveling a petulant glare at Nox, Vanitas chewed it, crushing almonds and cream. "Yeah," he replied. "Those elixirs are really effective." He stuffed the donut in his mouth. "Is everything alright with you?" Vanitas questioned and sipped the cappuccino.
"I lost the case." Sora explained the events in court, shuddering as he recalled details. "Nox saved me from the crowd," he gratefully stated, reddening when the vice-chief waved in their direction. Isa laconically joined her, poking a chrome cocktail shaker. "The media exploded in my face, asking questions, asking about you and the agency and the entire lobby jostled with people. I couldn't breathe." Vanitas pushed his mug towards Sora. "I was discussing the case with Nox and wondering if what I did was right..."
"Were you now?" Licking the cream foam off his lips, Vanitas drummed his fingers on the table. "And I would've never known you were here if I didn't walk in the dining hall for coffee." He slurped pointedly.
Sighing, Sora loosened his muffler. "It's not like I'll run away you know." Tension crackled across the table. "Stop acting like a five year old in constant need for attention." He playfully punched Vanitas shoulder.
A random operative gasped.
"What are you smirking at?" Vanitas snapped at Riku, squashing the beginnings of a smile. "I'll give you a bald patch in your head to match mine." His cheeks prickled, in embarrassment and a little disappointment when his twin opted to spend time with the freak instead of him. Vanitas lapsed into companionable silence, attention drawn to the bar where Isa learnt the basics of bar tending.
Boots echoed on the floor and stopped before the table. Dangerously leaning back in the chair, Vanitas scowled at Cloud and flipped upright, momentarily dizzied by the rush of blood. "You need something?" he asked, "if not, sit." He motioned to the empty space opposite him. "The bar is providing good entertainment."
He snickered as Isa scared a patron away. Saix grabbed a wine glass and polished it, eyes flashing gold while Tifa patiently prompted him to interact with people.
At the table, Riku quirked an amused eyebrow at Sora gathering the donut crumbs off the table. All three operatives watched Isa pouring a drink in a tumbler containing an ice ball.
"If you're free," Cloud shattered the spellbound silence, "I wanted to spar with you." Vanitas beamed viciously. "Your brother is free to join. You too, Grey Knight," Cloud added quickly.
"You're not getting yourself injured in another bout of fighting!" Sora hissed when Vanitas agreed. "I'm going to ground you," he threatened lamely.
A group of operatives entered the dining hall and the magical fire in the bronze braziers flared. They respectfully hushed on passing Sora and stole discreet glances at him. A heady aroma of scalded milk and cinnamon wafted in their wake and steam, rising from piping hot dishes, left opaque trails in the air.
"How about we team up and spar in double battles?" Vanitas suggested eagerly. "Me and Sora against you and Riku."
Vanitas!
Riku exhaled tiredly.
Cloud's sapphire eyes glowed. "Meet me in the training chamber in fifteen minutes."
His brother pulled a short hoodie jacket over pale, scarred skin. Sora briefly worried about Vanitas' skull but irritation promptly replaced his anxiety when the inner chamber doors shunted apart.
"If you're bleeding out from a hole in your stomach," he mutinously growled, "don't expect me to carry you back home."
An ebony halo glittered on Vanitas' raven locks and a crossroad spun above Nox's head. Cloud clasped his Buster sword, knuckles tight across the hilt and Sora summoned the Kingdom Key.
A delicate angel's wing fluttered on Way to Dawn. "Let Vanitas be your vanguard," Riku recommended and Sora promptly stepped in his twin's shadow. "This is a friendly spar." Nox shot a meaningful look at Vanitas. "However, I will be evaluating your progress," he added to Sora. "Do your best."
The virtual training room changed to an elegant ballroom draped with heavy tapestries. Ambient light diffused from an ornate chandelier above. Barely did the settings fix in place and Vanitas charged; Two become One clashed loudly with the Buster sword and disorientated from the flurry of strikes his brother expertly dodged and parried, Sora wreathed Kingdom Key in flames and hurled it at Nox who crept towards the dueling duo.
Dodging the stream of flames, the Grey Knight regarded Sora. Vanitas sprang apart from his furious battering with Cloud and spinning on his heel, slashed at Riku.
Gracefully whirling out of the way, Riku deflected a dark cannon. The stream of glitzing energy cut through a stone column and it slid to the tiled floor with a deafening crash. Using the noise as cover, Cloud doubled behind Sora, staying sensibly away from the heat of battle.
The element of surprise did not work. The skittish King spun around and rapidly discharged huge chunks of ice. The projectiles crashed against the walls, tore into the mahogany tapestries and soaked the fabric. Sora backtracked and fluidly ducked in time to Vanitas' wild swing.
A thin line of blood sprang across the bridge of Cloud's nose and he staggered back at the unexpected blow.
The chamber doors opened. Fluorescent light from outside clashed with the luxurious mood of the ballroom.
An aeroga flung Vanitas and Cloud to opposite ends. The Black Saint crashed through a window while Strife dug his sword in the floor, uprooting gold gilt tiles. Riku buffeted the winds with an aeroga spell of his own and the flames sprouting on the tip of Kingdom Key flitted out.
"How dare you do whatever you want!" Donald quacked indignantly and Goofy tossed his shield.
Terrified at the whizzing disk of metal, Sora sucked in a breath when the aegis cut centimeters in front of him and absorbed a sudden stab to his gut. Cloud folded the sword across his shoulder and the harsh ring of metal vibrated the air as Vanitas struck.
"Goofy, drive form!" He crowed and his companion obeyed.
"You're being unfair," Cloud muttered. Lightning crackled in his glove and he blasted Vanitas backwards. He lay dazed on the upper banister, like a limp piece of cloth over the railing.
Putting the Black Saint out of action, the opposition turned to Sora, frozen like target caught by sniper crosshairs.
I don't suppose asking them to go easy on me will help.
Raging pillars of flame speared from the ground and scorched the air. Cloud instinctively leapt back, the edges of his leather jacket singed. One side of Riku's body got caught in the scarlet flames and he snarled.
Cutting the flames apart, he ruthlessly stormed to Sora. Panicking, Sora gasped when the wicked blade cut into his cheek. Stemming the trickles of blood with a cupped palm, he hopped backwards, preparing for Salvation.
A broad blade sliced the tips of his spiky hair and he desperately scrambled out of the cage Riku and Cloud created by bearing down on him. Donald snared Strife in a maelstrom of thunder and wind; and Nox dashed away to deal with the court mage. Snatching the precious seconds, Sora again attempted the light spell and a horrified scream ripped from his throat when the Buster sword somersaulted through the air.
It buried inches from his head.
He jumped when the weapon dislodged from the crumbling wall and thudded to the floor with pieces of plaster. The ground vibrated with a shockwave, disintegrating the banister and Sora whacked a wedge of concrete towards Cloud barreling for him.
The soldier snatched the wedge out of the air and crushed it. Sora whimpered.
A crimson and jet-black blur whirled on the battlefield, locking legs around Riku. Face partially obscured by his helmet, Vanitas slammed Nox to the ground.
Lunging for Cloud, he slashed. Velvet petals of darkness drifted and he drove his opponent backwards, flinging a weapon when Nox stirred. Vanitas herded the two backwards, the strain of fighting aching his arms. Cloud cracked his helmet and Vanitas slithered backwards.
He dispelled his Keyblades and Drive Form. In one smooth motion, he tore off the helmet, a sardonic, triumphant grin playing on his lips.
"Now!" he yelled.
Columns of light rained from above, annihilating the ballroom and leaving a sea of dust. The digital image pixelated and the golden crown floating at an angle on Sora's head, pulsed in rhythm to the light. A corona of light exploded outwards, leaving Sora in glowing health while the training chamber broke down.
The lights flickered and went out.
"What happened?" he demanded and groped in the dark. The reek of blood and sweat hung heavily among the debris. "Vanitas? Ow," Sora cursed, "watch where you..."
Emergency lightning bathed the chamber a sickly orange. It illuminated blank, cracked walls and a large gash across the floor. Sora, bleeding heavily from a wound stretching from his shoulder to his abdomen, became rigid. Riku held Braveheart level with Sora's chest.
"You should always follow up your battles, you only win once your targets are laying dead or incapacitated at your feet." The Grey Knight wiped a cut on his eyebrow, yellow wristband soaking blood. "This being said, you fought well," he praised. "As usual, you have no tact when using magic, you aren't the least bit tired."
Expression in a defeated scowl, Vanitas kicked a section of debris. "It's a tie, right?" he hopefully asked. Cloud rested on a glitching column and stood when it vanished. "If the training room didn't break down, the two of us could've annihilated you-"
"The same for us," Cloud rasped, drowning a potion. "Although," he scored a line on the beige floor, "the inner chamber is built to withstand any type of attack, especially the virtual spaces. It doesn't malfunction easily."
"Heh, Sora's Salvation broke it," Vanitas bragged. "Admit it, we are awesome. You two wouldn't stand a chance against us."
Don't put me in the spotlight!
Letting go of the Keyblade, Riku hobbled to the side. "Like Cloud mentioned, we could have easily won." He accepted a potion from Donald and leaned against the ruined wall. "And without the use of Drive forms," Nox deliberately stated. The pneumatic doors wheezed apart as Goofy configured the controls. "It's not a tie," Riku viciously added and Sora restrained his twin. "Cloud and I won."
06:15 p.m.
Keyblade Wielder's Association
Gaming lounge
"How long will you keep on sulking?" Sora questioned. He ripped an opponent to shreds in Street Fighter. "You haven't won a single round against me."
Hexagonal plate lights lit the gaming room's pastel blue walls. Elated by the futuristic atmosphere of the lounge, Sora excitedly commented on the consoles on display, his silhouette reflecting from wide, flatscreen televisions mounted on all corners. A glass cabinet held custom designed controllers and he rifled through them like a child given an exclusive, coveted present.
Settling on the candy colored bean bags, he played with Vanitas. His brother gnarled dark threats under his breath.
"If it weren't for the silver haired pansy," the words oozed like poison, "we would've won. It was a friendly spar," Vanitas mimicked Riku, "so why is he bringing field tactics into it? If he wants to die I'll gladly take his head off his shoulders. Hmph!" He furiously stabbed the button, powering up a hadouken. "The win should've been ours."
Despite his attacks, the K.O label mocked him and he tossed the controller.
"It could've gone either way." Sora squirmed when Vanitas tipped head first into his lap. "Don't bang your head around!" he admonished. "What if that piece of your skull gets loose? And I'm trying to concentrate here." His avatar on screen somersaulted to the ground and stayed there. "Wow thanks, I died against the A.I." he snarked.
The deafening gong signaling the end of the fight rippled in the lounge. Every dance of light and sound intensified, a high quality experience, before the monitor powered down.
"Seriously, stop it. We fought well," Sora placated. "They were holding back." His twin stiffened. "I'm sure you noticed. What if Cloud whipped out his meteors? You can cope with them, I can't," Sora grumbled.
Vanitas looked at him, golden eyes meditative. "I won't let anything happen to you," he solemnly declared and the force of his words tugged Sora back to the harsh playground, one of licking dust and stinging words. Of being pressed against the chain-link fence and going home with a painful, diamond shaped imprint on his cheek. His forehead throbbed when an older bully swiped cut glass on his skin; the can filled with small pebbles met the back of his head with a sickening thud. "I'm going to protect you till the day I die."
Stop it, you're frightening me.
"Yeah? First, get better," Sora nagged. "And stop sulking."
"I'm not sulking," Vanitas protested.
Sora gave up. "I want pie for dinner," he stated. "We have the stuff at home, right?"
"Hmm," Vanitas agreed and sluggishly got up. The gaming lounge whirled in a smear of soft colors, the floor tilted under him like he balanced on the deck of a ship. "I need... I think I need to check into the infirmary," he slurred and bent double, vomiting blood. "Crap." He wiped blood tinged drool on the sleeve of his jeans jacket. "My wounds opened again."
Protégé
Late night
KBWA Living quarters.
Basement floor 7 never quieted down. At the best of times, a murmuring hush permeated the block.
Unable to sleep, Cloud dutifully wiped the Buster sword as he often recalled Zack doing. His mentor liked to kiss the cross-guards after each cleaning and tentatively, Cloud copied the action.
A knock sounded on the door and he wearily pulled it open.
His heart skipped a beat when Aerith serenely entered the cube. Acutely aware of his rumpled bed sheets and the tang of clove oil, Cloud invited her to sit on an ornate stool and resumed brooding.
He sat in Hollow Bastion. Aerith cried her heart out. The temperamental Black Saint uncovered the shroud, something Cloud never dared to do and stomped away, swearing vengeance. What did Cloud feel?
Nothing.
His hands quivered, he did not have courage to touch Zack's corpse, afraid of feeling nothing but cold. A hollow blackness settled in the pit of his stomach, he wanted the pain to hit, Zack is dead.
Why aren't you feeling anything?
The Buster sword stood on its edge, clean of blood and he wrapped his fingers around the hilt. Aerith cried, he wanted to comfort her, to tell her. But his senses and emotions shriveled, like a flame consumed them.
She would never love him.
And he would always pine for Zack, forever walking in his mentor's shadow and content to be there.
A/N: Is Cloud any less emo in the Final Fantasy 7 remake? No? I thought so.
Once again, read and review. Comments and questions and theories are always welcome