With a jolt, Vanitas sat upright in bed. His eyes darted around the round in confusion. The events of the previous day were forgotten. Take a slow to breathe he remembered where he was. He had been permitted to stay in Evil Queen's castle. Standing he found a surprise waiting on a chair by the bed.
He found a new outfit waiting to be worn. On top he found an ink-black jacket with blood-red stitching, matching jeans, and a purple V neck shirt. A pair of heavy boots sat beside the chair with a pair of leather gloves poking out of the jacket pocket.
"Well isn't that a nice present?" He whispered with a grin
Sneaking from his room Evie smiled to herself. She hoped he would enjoy the change of attire. Rounding a corner she was met with the puzzled gaze of her mother. Stepping backward she let out a gasp of surprise. Slowly the evil queen's face shifted to frustration.
"I said he stay not that he was a guest. Why are you treating him this way?" She asked raising a brow
"Mother I see no harm in giving him a simple set of clothes," Evie whispered
"If you keep this up he will never leave." The evil Queen replied
"Is that so bad mother?"Evie hissed
The mystic princess turned in time to see Vanitas step out. Smiling she made her way over to him. Quizzically he turned to her straightening his jacket. Folding her hands behind her back she rocked backward on her heels.
"I was wondering if you would like a tour of the castle."
Stepping through a dark corridor Vanitas led Evie to the castle rooftop. They stood in the shadow of one of the castle's towers. From this vantage point, he could see the massive woodland. The forest seemed endless surrounding the castle from every side. The only things he could see were a small cottage and a mine in the distance.
"Did the dog make a friend?"
At the voice, Vanities turned glaring. His hand twitched slightly and the Void Gear appeared. Smirking Kadaj drew his blade spinning it like a wand. Aiming his blade toward them lightning rushed from his blade. In a blur, Evie moved to block the blast with a Mystic barrier. Gripping Void Gear tight Vanitas sighed reluctantly.
"Princess stay back before you get yourself killed." He muttered
As Evie dropped the shield Vanitas dashed at Kadaj. Their blades sparks as they clashed. Neither wanted to give the other any leave way as they struggled. Gritting his teeth Kadaj began summoning Neo Shadows.
"Nice trick but mines cooler." Vanitas quipped
Snarling Vanitas summoned a legion of Flood. The Flood hissed before attacking Kadaj's forces. The shadowy legions began to battle like rabid dogs. With another swing of their blade, the warriors clashed once more.
"What do you want Kadaj?" Vanitas hissed
"Our mistress sent me to check on your well-being, it's a shame I'll have to go back with bad news," Kadaj replied
With a growl, Vanitas shoved Kadaj backward. Stumbling back the brother of sephiroth growled. Flipping onto the tower roof Kadaj raised his hand and the sky darkened. With a feral roar, a monster appeared in the clouds.
"Goodbye Vanitas," Kadaj announced
A flock of bats appeared as Kadaj vanish from sight. Their onyx and amethyst bodies rushing through the sky as they flew above their heads. Striking they rushed overhead firing lightning down on them like a storm cloud. On reflex, Evie summons a magic shield blocking the thunder strike the attack bouncing against it. As the attack ended the bats began to dive bomb them exploding on impact with the ground. The endless horde seemed relentless in their cycle of thunder and bombings. Hiding inside another barrier Evie turned to Vantis worry in her eyes.
"So do you have any ideas?" she asked
"I'm working on it." he snapped studying the dragon
"This is why I don't like guests on my world."
At the voice, they turned to see the evil queen stepping out of a dark corridor. With a growl of annoyance, she flicked her sending out a stream of sapphire magic. The magic bound the bats holding them in place slowly compressing it. As she squeezed them together the bats popped one after another till none remained. As the last exploded she fell to one knee clutching her chest in pain. With a gasp, Evie rushed to her mother's side taking her hand. As she clutched her hand she slowly cast a healing spell on her frowning faintly.
"Mother are you alright?" she asked quietly
"I'll be alright dear, but now you're in danger." the queen said softly
As the queen stood she glared at Vanitas letting out a sad sigh. Without a word she turned Evie toward Vanitas giving her a gentle push toward him. Stumbling the princess was sent into his arms with a gasp of surprise. Looking back at her mother she was met with a weak nod motioning her away. She clenched her eyes shut taking the dark warrior by the hand looking him in the eye. It was his turn to sigh as he tossed out the Void Gear the keyblade taking its glide form. Climbing onto his odd-looking Vehicle he pulled the princess on behind him flying around the evil queen. As they flew around her the queen frowned giving one final request.
"Protect her or I'll track you done!" she yelled
"Like she needs my protection." Vanitas quipped flying off
With a grunt of pain, Oliva was sent to the ground looking up at her mother. Tifa wore a look of concern as she offered a hand to the young bruiser. Pulled to her feet Oliva looked to a distant pole standing tall just at the edge of her line of sight. She could make out a black-clad figure perched at the tip of the pole like a bird watching her. Shaking her head she took a second look finding the figure missing from his perch. Suddenly a hand touched her shoulder making her jump. Turning she found a red-eye looking into her blue ones glinting with mischief.
"Something wrong Oliva you look like you've seen a ghost," he asked
"Don't do that, just because you can teleport doesn't you should." She snapped
"yeah but it's fun, so how's training with your mom?" he asked
"About as good as you learning to control your inner darkness," she remarked
He froze at her statement his eyes going distant. He was struggling with that task even after his father had mentored him in the endeavor. He was lucky that his darkness hadn't taken him over like it had his father for a time. Shaking him she pulled him into a tight embrace squeezing him enough to nearly break his ribs. She had her mother's sheer strength coupled with her father's skill in battle. He on the other hand was agile with range and high speed. They balanced each other out in every way possible. Smiling they slowly stepped apart.