Chapter2: Adventure
A 15-year-old Lightning is still going by the name Cinder and due to going by it for so long, she accepts it as her name. Her bun before picking up some weights. "Remember everyone, a strong Keyblade wielder requires a strong body," Aced said loudly and with pride.
Vernal comes up to Cinder and she has her long blonde hair tied in a ponytail, "To this day, I still have no idea what we're supposed to learn from Master Aced," the blonde red-eyed teen said and picks up some weights, "All we do is work out,"
"Are you complaining?" Cinder asked.
"No, not really, I could use a good workout," Vernal smiles.
"Well, you are getting wide around the waist," Cinder chuckles and pats Vernal's stomach.
Vernal frowns, "Very funny Cinder," she said with a deadpan tone.
Cinder giggles again and continues to work out with Vernal until it's time for Gula's class. Cinder and Vernal are more excited about his class because it involves adventuring. For the past few years, Gula has told them advice and dos and don't when adventuring. Now it's time to put that knowledge to the test.
Changing out of their workout clothes and into clothes best suited for going on an adventure made from the Moogles themselves.
Cinder puts on an outfit King Arthur wore in their younger years. She adds a white hooded cloak with a red underside. The cloak was a gift from someone.
"You know you're wearing an armoured dress," Vernal teased. She's dressed in red and black attire that once belonged to someone who called themselves a demon king. Vernal quite likes the hat.
"It's a combat skirt!" Cinder huffed.
The two girls made their way to the Adventure's hall. A Moogle was working the front desk, "Name and Union, kupo?" it asked.
"Cinder Branwen, Vulpes," Cinder said.
"Vernal Branwen, Vulpes," Vernal said.
The Moogle looks at the computer screen and nods, "Here you are, kupo," the Moogle looks at the girls, "Going out on an adventure, kupo?"
Cinder nods and punches her fist, "Yup, it's time to show everyone what I'm made of!"
Vernal smiles, "And I'm tagging along so my sister doesn't go over her head,"
The Moogle nods, "Head to the board and pick out a quest to do and gather members for your Party, Kupo,"
The girls made their way to the board the Moogle pointed. They came across a girl who looks about their age, dressed in white and blue stockings. They can tell by the white hair that this girl is a Schnee. The eldest daughter of the Schnee family, Winter Schnee. "Nice side ponytail, very subtle," Cinder teased.
"What do you want, Branwen?" Winter asked and turned around. She notices Cinder's attire, "Nice dress, it suits you," Winter teased back. Both Winter and Cinder spoke in the same accent. It didn't surprise Vernal because Cinder and Winter were born in the same kingdom.
Vernal smiles and whispers to Cinder, "I told you it was a dress,"
Cinder frowns, "Want to join our party?" she asked.
Winter was stunned by Cinder's request, "R-Really?"
"Why not? The best always travel with the best," Cinder said with a smile.
"That is true," Winter smiles, "Sure, I'll join your party but I get to be the leader,"
Cinder shakes her head, "Sorry, but that's not in the cards. I'm the leader because forming this party was my idea,"
Vernal can tell Cinder and Winter are going to break into an argument and step between them, "We can decide who's going to be the leader once we have a full party. I suggest we find one more member because missions are being taken fast," Vernal said and motions with her head to the quest board which is quickly becoming blank.
The three look around frantically to find their last member. Cinder spots a timid boy with short blonde hair at a table with his head hung low. She runs up to him then wrapped her arms around the boy and said in a friendly tone, "Want to join our Party?!"
"I-" the blonde boy managed to say before Cinder cut him off.
"Good!" Cinder said with a smile. She pulled him to the board and glanced at the remaining quests. She finds one that catches her eye and rips the paper off the board. "I got us a quest!" Cinder said proudly and brought the paper and the boy to Vernal and Winter.
"Are you sure you want to bring him along?" Winter asked and folded her arms.
"He's the only one available," Cinder shrugs. Her arm is still wrapped around the boy.
Winter looks around and sees everyone has teamed up, "What quest did you get us?" Winter sighs.
"You took it because the location of the quest is at the Keyblade Forest," Vernal said in a deadpan tone.
"You think the old Keyblade master would have a better naming scene," Winter said to Vernal who nodded.
"N-nooo," Cinder said nervously.
Vernal facepalms and Winter pinches her nose. Cinder looks at the paper and starts reading it, "It says here fellow Keyblade wielders had gone missing in the Keyblade Forest and want capable wielders to find them,"
"Sounds interesting enough, let's go," Winter said.
Cinder nods and lets go of the boy and make her way to the front desk with Winter following her, "What's your name?" Ventral asks and walks behind Cinder and Winter.
"V-Ventus," the boy said "But call me Ven,"
"Okay Ven, just stick with us and you will be just fine," Vernal said.
After accepting the quest, Cinder, Vernal, Winter and Ven make their way to the Keyblade Forest on Chocobo. They were told other Keyblade wielders had taken the same quest because a lot went missing.
Cinder, Ventral and Winter got excited when hearing that. Except for Ven who became worried.
"I'll lead the way. I have a great sense of direction," Winter said proudly.
A few hours later the party got very lost. "A great sense of direction huh?" Cinder teased.
"Hey, it's not my fault everything in this forest looks the same!" Winter snapped.
"Luckily, I have a great sense of smell and hearing," Cinder said and moved her lion ears. She moves her Chocobo in front of the group but stops and looks behind her. The rest does the same and spots an old man wearing a long brown robe. He summons an old Keyblade and points in a direction.
"Go there to find your missing comrades! They're fighting a vicious monster!" the old man said.
With a smile, Cinder, Vernal and Winter race off to where the old man pointed. "No! Wait!" Ven shouts and goes after them. He often wonders why almost every Keyblade Wielder he meets are glory hogs.
"Wait, Sir Gareth!" the old man shouts.
Ven stops his Chocobo, "Me?"
"You must tell King Arthur that though he has both Excalibur and Caliburn, only Excalibur has the power to slay the terrible beast! Now go, brave knight! Before King Arthur is slain along with Sir Kay and Sir Agravain!" the old man shouts.
"R-Right!" Ven nods and races off to catch up with his party members. As he gets close, hears the sounds of a fierce battle. He also sees explosions in the distance. "We're getting close!" Ven said to his Chocobo companion.
Ven came across other Chocobos who all looked very nervous. The Chocobo Ven is riding stops on its own and looks at its rider with the same nervous look. "I'll go the rest of the way, buddy. Stay with your friend. I promise to come back with the others," Ven smiles and gets off the Chocobo.
He summons his Keyblade and runs as fast as he can to the battle. He's grateful at times like these he's a fast runner.
A large cave comes into view and Winter gets sent flying out of it along with a bunch of pale-coloured Keyblades with no keychains. "Winter! Are you okay?!" Ven asked and used a Cure spell on Winter. Healing most of the cuts she gained.
"I'll be fine, once we kill that monster!" Winter growled and stood up.
"What took you so long?" Winter asked.
"The old man stopped me, he thinks we are the Knights of the Round table," Ven said.
"What?" Winter said with a confused tone.
"Yeah," he was about to explain when he hears a loud explosion in the cave, "I'll tell you later, there's a monster to deal with!" Ven said.
Monster in the Cave theme-Killer Rabbit/Gargoyles gate theme from Dragon's Crown
Winter nods and both her and Ven run into the cave. Once inside, Ven soon discovers where all the Keyblade wielders went. They were fighting the monster in the cave. Sadly, many lost their lives to this monster. Ven had a feeling with those pale Keyblades. When a Keyblade wielder dies, their Keyblade loses colour and the keychain vanishes.
"What is that thing!" Ven gasps upon seeing a stormy orb with pale Keyblades swirling around it. The orb sends a stream of those Keyblades at the remaining Keyblade wielders. Some managed to evade while some didn't.
Cinder pushes a Keyblade wielder out of the way and takes the hit, "Sis! Vernal shouts in horror.
Cinder slashes her way out the stream of dead Keyblades. Her outfit is damaged heavily and is bleeding.
"What happened to her Aura?" Ven asked with a horrified tone.
"That's how strong this monster is," Winter growled. "It can break even the strongest of Auras," as she said that torrents of Keyblades hit sturdy-looking Keyblade Wilders and their Auras broke with one hit.
Ven remembers what the old man told him, "Cinder! One of your swords has the power to kill the monster! The sword that's your Excalibur!"
"So that's why it's been after me!" Cinder shouts and dodges an attack from the orb.
"We'll cover you!" one of the Keyblade wielders said, "This monster has killed enough of our comrades!"
Cinder dismisses her Keyblade and grips Yamato with both hands. She lets out a loud battle cry and runs at full speed at the orb.
The monster sends everything it has at Cinder. The Keyblade wielders use everything in their power to protect Cinder. Vernal is by Cinder's side and uses a barrier spell to shield both of them. Ven catches up and heals some of Cinder's wounds. She then sees a black glyph appear in front of her.
"What will launch you to the orb!" Winter shouts.
Cinder nods run the black glyph that's on the ground. As soon as her feet touch it, she is launched with great speed at the orb. Cinder enters the orb and a monstrous roar could be heard. The orb vanishes and everyone can see the monster's true form. A hideous rabbit Grimm that is big as a bear.
Cinder slices off the claws the Grimm tries to attack her with before she stabs it in the head.
The Grimm lets out a loud death roar before it vanishes to dust. Cinder falls to her knees tired and on top of the pummel of the Yamato. Ven shudders when he sees Cinder in that all too familiar pose.
"You good?" Vernal asked and pats Cinder on the back.
Cinder didn't say a thing and gave a thumbs up.
Now realizing the monster is finally dead, the Keyblade wielders let a loud victory cheer. They rushed to Cinder and tossed her in the air while cheering her name.
Ven looks around to see if there's any wounded that needs tending. There are a lot but that's not all he notices. On the outfits of every one of them is the symbol of the Vulpes Union. It's there to help others tell who's a part of what Union.
"Who here is a Vulpes?!" Ven shouts and every single living person in the cave raises their hand. This confuses everyone. Ven checks the dead and sure enough, they too are Vulpes. "Everyone here is a Vulpes!" Ven shouts.
"That is so weird," Cinder said. Now sitting on the shoulder of a tall and muscular Keyblade wielder. "Let's think about that later, right now let's hold a victory party!" as Cinde said that, her Vulpes comrades cheered loudly.
Winter and Vernal come up to, "I do find it fishy that only Vulpes fought this monster," Vernal said.
"I agree, let's get to the bottom of this," Winter said.
Ven nods "Yeah, we owe it to our fallen comrades!"
From outside of the cave a group of Keyblade wielders from other unions are not too happy about what just happened. Close to them is the dead body of the old man that Cinder and her meet.
The mastermind who caused the death of numerous Vulpes spoke up, "There will be other chances. Vulpes has been number one for far too long!" the mastermind sighs, "It's such a shame that the Faunus will lose their future king if only she joined the right Union,"
A/N: The clothes Winter was wearing were the ones Weiss wore in the manga by Shirow Miwa. The accent Cinder and Winter have is German.