Chapter 1: Awakening
The Keyblade, a weapon of light that is perfect for slaying Grimm. That's what their wielders like to think. Sure weapon development and fighting techniques improved over the years. Allowing Huntsman and Huntress to stand toe to toe with Keyblade wielders. But there's one thing the schools from the four kingdoms can't teach, magic.
However, not everyone can use a Keyblade. Only those whose hearts shine with the brightest light, and a desire to defend the people can be granted a Keyblade.
One such candidate is about to take her first steps in being a Keyblade wielder. Her name is Lightning Farron but is going by the alternate name, Cinder Branwen.
Child Lightning theme- Camelot Map Theme from Fate Grand Order
The eleven-year-old is in one of the few places where she can be Lightning and not Cinder. Inside her heart. She did not expect her heart to be a blue circular stained glass platform in a black void. From what she can tell, the image on the platform is of herself sleeping on a throne holding her katana called Yamato in her arms like a teddy bear. Around her head are circular portraits of people she knows and holds near and dear to her heart. Her parents, Raven and Vernal.
Around the edge is a pattern of her emblem which looks like an electrical arrowhead that's upside down. Lighting notice by her portrait's legs is an image of her home, "It doesn't look like that now. Well, I think it does," Lightning said sadly.
A voice coming from the black sky spoke to the Lion Faunus cub, "It's time to take your first steps as a Keyblade wielder. Let's start with a question, what do you desire? Wisdom? Vitality? Balance?" three blue flames erupt from the floor. The one on Lightning's left burns with a thin and calming flame with Dust crystals floating around it, the one in the middle burns wildly with thick flames, the one on her right is burning averagely and the flames are not too thick and not too thin.
"Choose what your Aura will be," the voice said, "The Aura of Wisdom will allow you to use Dust more often but it can't take a lot of hits before it breaks. The Aura Vitality will take more effort to break but don't expect to use Dust as much as the Aura of Wisdom. Lastly is the Aura of Balance, most pick this Aura because they are greedy and want both a study Aura and use Dust more than once. As they say; Jack of all trades, master of none. But it's up to you which Aura you want. Just know the Aura you pick will be the one you use for the rest of your life,"
Lightning looked at the flames and she knew right away which one spoke to her, "The one in the middle," she pointed. As she did the other two flames died out.
"Why did you pick that one?" the voice asked.
"It looks strong," Lightning said.
The voice chuckles "That's my girl. Now, just walk into the flames and it will become your Aura. You don't need to worry about getting burnt. Those flames come from you,"
When the voice called Lightning "my girl" got a good idea who the voice is, "Alright!" Lightning says bravely and walks into the blue flames. Once she steps in the flames sink into the little girl's body and cover her in a blue barrier that soon faded. Though she can't see it, Lightning senses the barrier is still active.
"Congratulations Lightning, you have fully unlocked your Aura. Normally this is where you wake up but you are a Keyblade wielder, you get one more question," the voice said.
The platform Lightning is standing suddenly shines a bright light. Lightning covers her eyes so she won't get blinded. "Where you were was just the entrance to your heart. Now, this is what your heart looks like!" the voice said proudly.
Lowering her arms and opening her eyes, Lightning finds herself in a majestic castle. On the white walls hung banners with her symbol on them, huge portraits of her family and those closest to her hanging on the wall with a golden frame. Safeguarding the portraits are suits of silver armour holding swords, axes, and lances.
Lightning explores and is amazed at how grand and large everything is. It's like she's in a fantasy novel. She soon finds herself in the throne room. By far the best-looking room in the whole castle even though she didn't fully explore the castle.
Banners, tapestries, suits of armour, a long blue and gold carpet leading to a large golden throne with blue cushions. Lightning smiles brightly when she sees what's behind the throne. Giant golden statues of lions. Running to the throne Lightning sits right on it.
It was then the voice spoke again, "What power do you seek?" In front of Lightning three weapons of light appeared. They're a sword and shield, a lance and a wand, "The sword and shield hold the power of the Guardian, it will help you defend the weak. The lance holds the power of the Warrior, I don't need to explain what kind of power that is. The wand holds the power of the Mystic, magic will be the main source of your fight ability,"
"I want the power of the Warrior!" Lightning said with no hesitation.
"At a girl," the voice said proudly. "Now reach out your hand and call the power of the Warrior with your heart!"
Nodding, Lightning reaches out to the lance of light then closes her eyes. The other weapons of light vanish and the lance floats its way to Lightning's hand. She grabs it and feels something materializing in her hand. Opening her eyes sees she's holding a keyblade. It's gold with a silver crossguard. Looking at the key chain, it's gold too and kinda cute. She then looks at the teeth and smiles when it's in the shape of a crown.
"Now, it's time to wake up Lightning, my child," the voice said softly.
Lightning nods, "Okay, mom," her eyelids feel heavy and closes her eyes. She's ready to walk the path of a Keyblade wielder.
Looking outside the window Raven Branwen sees them approaching the dragon-shaped continent. It's southwest of Atlas and northwest of Vale. The landscape is beautiful with no Grimm insight. For generations, the Keyblade wielders made sure to purge those monsters of darkness from these lands. However, they are still Grimm around but the Keyblade wielders can deal with them.
Truly, the land of the Keyblade wielders is a sight to behold, for the first time. If you are like Raven and have seen it many times and are tired of it. "They always show off how great their land is," Raven sighed. Normally she will be annoyed that the plot is flying over tourist hot spots. Not today as she's not alone on this flight.
Sleeping on her lap is a young girl with short black hair wearing the same black coat Raven is wearing. There's a very good reason why both of them are wearing this coat. Raven has another little girl with her. She has short yellow hair and wears the same coat as Raven and Lightning. Her name is Vernal, the second daughter of Raven and is using her mom's arm as a pillow at the moment.
With a smile, Raven staches the back of the girl's lion ear. "Time to wake up Cinder," Raven wants to call her Lightning but can't because it's not time yet. Raven didn't try to wake up Vernal because the only thing that can wake her up is food.
String from her sleep, Lightning wakes up, "Are we there yet?" the young girl asked, rubbing her eyes. When she sits up notices the Keyblade in her hand. "So it was more than a dream," Lightning said and took a close look at her golden and silver Keyblade.
Raven smiles and caresses her adopted daughter's head, "The Station of Awakening is where you were just was. It's a place where a person goes if they want a warrior,"
"So you were the voice that was talking to me," Lightning smiles.
"I did promise you to always guide you," Raven smiles and kisses Lightning on the head.
"Thanks, mom," Lightning smiles and hugs Raven who hugs back.
The pilot speaks over the intercom, "We are now at the coastal city of Scala Ad Caelum!"
"About time," Raven sighed. She didn't use her Semblance because Raven is at the maximum amount of people she can have a portal with.
The airship lands and the back opens up. Lightning runs out with Raven not too far behind her and is carrying Vernal in her arms. "Wow!" Lightning said. The city looks beautiful. The white building, the windmills, the cable carts, the huge tower at the center of the city. Not only that, the ocean breeze feels nice.
"It reminds you of home, doesn't it?" Raven asked and put a hand on Lightning's shoulder.
"Yeah, well kind of. My old home has a lot of snow," Lightning nods. She's still holding her Keyblade because she doesn't know how to dismiss it.
Raven pats Lightning's back. "Come Cinder, you can explore the city once classes are over,"
"Aw," Lightning frowns.
"Don't worry Cinder, some of the classrooms have a great view of the city," Raven smiles.
"Really?" Lightning smiles.
"Yes," Raven smiles and holds out her hand. Lightning grabs it and Raven leads to where classes are being held. Which is the large tower.
As they use a cable cart to get to the tower, Raven spots two Keyblade wielders arguing. Raven shakes her head and holds Lightning close. She made sure Lightning didn't see them. The city's beauty made that easy.
The first to greet Raven and Lightning is a short lady with pink and white hooded robes and is wearing a fox mask. "Hello, my name is Ava. I'll be your teacher. What's your name?"
Lightning looks at Raven and gives a nod, "Cinder Branwen," the lion Faunus said shyly.
"Nice to meet you Cinder. I should let you know, I'm a fun teacher!" Ava smiles. What caught Ava's attention is Lightning's amber eyes. They look...dead. It bothered Ava most Faunus children have those types of eyes. She's happy Raven is bringing light back into Lightning's life.
"You better train her right. Cinder's last teacher did a poor job," Raven said with a stern voice.
Ava giggles, "Don't worry Raven, your daughter is safe with me," Ava holds out her hand to Lightning, "Let me take you to your first class,"
"Okay," Lightning nods and takes Ava's hand.
"I'll pick you up once your classes are over and you don't have to worry about Yamato, it's going to be in your room," Raven smiles and pats the katana that's been on her waist this whole time. Raven is one of few people that Lightning will allow holding the Yamato.
"Okay, see you later mom and good luck waking up sis!" Lightning smiles and waves.
"Thank you Cinder, I'm going to need it," Raven smiles and waves back and turns to leave.
The room where Lightning's first call will be held will be large. Raven was right and there's a huge window with a fantastic view of the city. A few of the students are looking out of it and trying to find their new houses.
But some other students are more interested in the large bookshelf that has two levels to it. There's a staircase to get to the upper bookshelf.
The rest are looking at the glowing Dust crystal and are debating what it does. She overhears that it is for charging their Keyblades.
There's one thing Lightning did notice about them. They're all holding their Keyblades. That puts Lightning at ease.
"Gather around everyone, I need to take attendance!" Ava said in a loud but friendly voice. When the children gathered around her, she looked at each one of them and checked them off her list.
"Great! Now that everyone is here, we can start on our first lesson. Summoning and dismissing your Keyblades," Ava said, "It's simple, just use your heart. After all, that's where Keyblades come from. Try it!" the fox masked teacher said with a smile. "Just say in your mind, return to me! When dismissing your Keyblade, come to me! When Summoning your Keyblade. In time, you won't be needing to say the phrase anymore,"
Doing what Ava instructed, the children practice summoning and dismissing their Keyblades. The effects differ from person to person, some Keyblades appear and disappear in fire, wind, or flowers.
Just then the bell rang and standing by the door was a man wearing similar robes as Ava but white and wearing a unicorn mask, "Hello little ones, my name is Ira. I'll be your teacher for the second class," he said in a calm and soft voice, "Follow me, everyone, I'll be taking you all outside as it's a nice day today,"
The kids cheered and starts to follow Ira but not before saying "Goodbye Master Ava,"
"Bye, kids! See you here tomorrow!" Ava smiles and waves at the children.
The place Ira took the kids is a large park with a fountain, tall trees and a gorgeous view of the sea. "What I'll be teaching is swordsmen ship, Keyblades are swords after all. Now spread apart so you won't accidentally hit each other and copy what I do," the kids did what he said and waits for Ira, "I'll count so it's easy to follow,"
The kids copied Ira's movements. Some had an easier time than others. Like Lightning but her Keyblade felt awkward in her hands. She's so used to holding the Yamato. But in time, she will get used to it.
The bell rings again and a woman dressed in a blue version of the robes Ira is wearing and wearing a snake mask. "Hello everyone my name is Invi," she said. "I sense some of you have stronger magical potential than others, to make better use of that potential I'll teach those with strong magic and Ira will continue to teach swordsmanship to the others,"
The class got split and Lightning is in Ira's group, "You quite talented, did someone already teach you swordsmanship?" Ira asked.
"My mom did!" Lightning smiles.
"I see," Ira smiles. "I can tell you have great potential, we'll keep a good eye on you,"