Half-Heartless
Chapter One
Now the sun is always shining, a rare fate for a Heartless. I reside in a tropical rain forest, humid and hot, lush green everywhere you turn. Today I am lying in the bamboo thicket, orange-ish paws behind my head, gazing at the crystal skies. Vague memories of my past life fill my head. A curse? A blessing? I am the only Heartless that can remember my past. I am the only Heartless with half of my heart remaining. I cannot hide my differences, because only half of the Heartless emblem is displayed on my light brown shirt.
I am teased, jeered at, insulted for my half-Heartless state. So far, out of the countless number of Heartless existing, only two others have accepted me for who I was. A Neverland-native Air Pirate nicknamed Storm and a fellow Bouncywild entitled Maria. Although I have so few allies, I know that I'd never be able to survive without them and I feel I am blessed.
I feel a sharp pain in my head, and I turn to see what struck me. A rock. I lift my gaze up to Maria's giggling figure, holding her slingshot in one paw, a half-dozen rocks or so in the other. I roll my lamp-yellow eyes and rise to my feet.
"Oh, Maria, that felt so good." I say in a monotonous voice. My buddy laughs harder at my remark. I emit a gasp of near-laughter.
We sit there for what seems like hours, laughing hysterically. Travis, a Powerwild that always seems mad at everything and everyone, glances at us and snorts. He sounds like a pig. It makes the both of us laugh so hard our cheeks turn a bright shade of crimson and we begin crying.
"Storm is here, prepare a drumroll," remarks a familiar voice. I swivel around to see Storm leaning against a sturdy stalk of bamboo. His unusual sword, cut from amethyst with an ebony hilt, gleams in the burning sunlight.
Maria stops laughing, but the essence of a smile floats about her. "Hey, Storm. What was your excuse for leaving Neverland this time, hm?"
"They didn't catch me sneaking out this time." replies Storm. "Thank Bob."
Storm has a habit of saying "Bob" instead of "God". Even though I've known him for all this time, it still makes me laugh. After chuckling a bit, I tell Storm about the day's events. He shakes his head, but there is a way Heartless can tell when others are smiling, and I feel it in the air about him.
Maria starts to say something, but then a Shadow, with its scrawny complexion, inches towards us, seeming like it's afraid of the higher- ranking Heartless. "A meeting has been scheduled for the Deep Jungle residents... very important... you must be there!"
With that, he melted back into the ground. Storm, who has a hatred with a violent passion towards the messenger Shadow, puts his right foot on the spot where the creature vanished and digs his heel into the ground. Long ago, when I was a lower-ranking Shadow, Storm told me why he hated the Shadow, but I forget what his reason is.
"Welp, we outta get going to that meeting, or else Xavier will get mad at us. We'll be back after the meeting." promises Maria. She runs off, and I follow after saying a quick farewell to Storm. I hear the over-optimistic Air Pirate singing "We're in the Money".
The meeting is at the cliffs. I hear impatient purring noises, but cannot see its source. A human boy with the Heartless symbol engraved in his forehead sits up on a ledge. His name is Xavier, and he is a Heartless that had enough will-power to keep his human form. Loud stomping is heard by the crowd, and Xavier scolds what seems like nothing.
"Calm down, boy," scoffs the Heartless boy, "Just a while longer. We have to wait until everybody is here. Think you can wait?"
An angry wailing echoes through the area, then a Stealth Sneak slowly comes into focus. It sits on its haunches, an irritated expression on its green face. When a belated Powerwild dashes into the area, Xavier glares at it, then begins the meeting.
"Fellow Heartless! Do you know why I have gathered you here today? It is because a child, a mere child possesses the power to kill us all!" he begins, emphasizing "kill us all". The Stealth Sneak emits a low, rumbling growl, and a murmur ripples throughout the crowd.
Xavier waits until he is satisfied with the murmurs, then continues. "A young boy bearing the Keyblade has already taken down our forces at Traverse Town AND Wonderland. If he diminishes the forces at the coliseum, we must be prepared for him to come."
More murmurs, but they are of approval. I see many heads nod, other Heartless have the essence of a worried expression about them. The Stealth Sneak growls once again. I, too, am one with the essence of worry. I do not wish to murderously attack a young boy because of a fate he did not ask for. Inside of my mind, I cheer him on and hope he makes it to the end.
I watch helplessly as they set up plans for attack. Stealth Sneak is the last resort; the lizard creature is exceptionally powerful. Would the Keyblade bearer be able to weather the coming storm? I hope so.
Later on, when the sunset spills its serene paints across the sky, I am sitting on the rock in the center of the bamboo thicket. I feel torn between two sides; I am loyal to my Heartless roots, but also do not wish to hurt this "Keyblade master". I feel like no one understands. I just want to be alone.
"Destiny? You alright?" I turn around to see Storm. He seems concerned and his cheerful voice is tainted with worry. I sigh, then hug my knees, turning my gaze to the lavender cloud floating in the heavens so awash in color.
"Yeah. I'm fine." I lie. But Storm can sense that something is wrong. He sits down beside me and a silence seperates our voices for a few moments. I wonder what he is thinking.
"Des, do you know why I always stood by you?" he asks. "It's because I admire you. As soon as you came into the Heartless world... well, let's just say I discovered it takes more than a heart to develop a relationship with someone."
I giggle, and Storm catches my drift. "I don't mean THAT kind of relationship!!"
"Heh. Hey Storm? I think you're right. I think that even if you exclude a heart, you still have the soul, the mind, and your personality. Nothing can change that... unless you're mindless." I reply.
"I don't think something will be out there stealing brains just yet," jokes Storm. We laugh for a minute, and then there is another silence. But we both have the essence of smiles.
I take a deep breath. I'm ready to explain everything to Storm. "You know what? I don't want to hurt the Keyblade master. He didn't even do anything. The Keyblade just chose him out of the blue. But I don't want to disppoint everyone."
The Air Pirate tilts his head. "Hmm... I think that you should do what you want. If you choose to battle the Keybearer or if you don't, is up to you. I'll be right there, whatever decision you make."
This thought comforts me. Even if I lost everything Storm would still be there right beside me. Would Maria? Or would she ravenously hunt me down alongside the others who rejected me for who I was? I'm scared. Storm understands.
"I can understand that you're scared," he tells me, "I would be too if still had half of my heart and was ridiculed by others. You're frightened that switching sides would only anger them more, right?"
I nod. Storm realizes that he should be heading back to Neverland. I watch him spread his violet wings and take to the crisp evening air. Something inside of me relaxes. [I can always count on Storm,] I think to myself, as I watch him until his figure vanishes.
[Author's Note]
Gypsy: Maji, you told me you weren't good at romance stories!
Maji: I'M NOT! THIS ISN'T SUPPOSED TO BE A ROMANCE STORY!
Gypsy: Well, it seems like Destiny and Storm have something going on... *nod nod*
Maji: --; Dumbutt.
[Disclaimer]
I don't own Deep Jungle, the Keyblade Master, Stealth Sneak, the Heartless, etc. But I DO own Destiny, Storm, Maria, Travis, Xavier, AND the messenger Shadow (even though I have no true use for him).
Chapter One
Now the sun is always shining, a rare fate for a Heartless. I reside in a tropical rain forest, humid and hot, lush green everywhere you turn. Today I am lying in the bamboo thicket, orange-ish paws behind my head, gazing at the crystal skies. Vague memories of my past life fill my head. A curse? A blessing? I am the only Heartless that can remember my past. I am the only Heartless with half of my heart remaining. I cannot hide my differences, because only half of the Heartless emblem is displayed on my light brown shirt.
I am teased, jeered at, insulted for my half-Heartless state. So far, out of the countless number of Heartless existing, only two others have accepted me for who I was. A Neverland-native Air Pirate nicknamed Storm and a fellow Bouncywild entitled Maria. Although I have so few allies, I know that I'd never be able to survive without them and I feel I am blessed.
I feel a sharp pain in my head, and I turn to see what struck me. A rock. I lift my gaze up to Maria's giggling figure, holding her slingshot in one paw, a half-dozen rocks or so in the other. I roll my lamp-yellow eyes and rise to my feet.
"Oh, Maria, that felt so good." I say in a monotonous voice. My buddy laughs harder at my remark. I emit a gasp of near-laughter.
We sit there for what seems like hours, laughing hysterically. Travis, a Powerwild that always seems mad at everything and everyone, glances at us and snorts. He sounds like a pig. It makes the both of us laugh so hard our cheeks turn a bright shade of crimson and we begin crying.
"Storm is here, prepare a drumroll," remarks a familiar voice. I swivel around to see Storm leaning against a sturdy stalk of bamboo. His unusual sword, cut from amethyst with an ebony hilt, gleams in the burning sunlight.
Maria stops laughing, but the essence of a smile floats about her. "Hey, Storm. What was your excuse for leaving Neverland this time, hm?"
"They didn't catch me sneaking out this time." replies Storm. "Thank Bob."
Storm has a habit of saying "Bob" instead of "God". Even though I've known him for all this time, it still makes me laugh. After chuckling a bit, I tell Storm about the day's events. He shakes his head, but there is a way Heartless can tell when others are smiling, and I feel it in the air about him.
Maria starts to say something, but then a Shadow, with its scrawny complexion, inches towards us, seeming like it's afraid of the higher- ranking Heartless. "A meeting has been scheduled for the Deep Jungle residents... very important... you must be there!"
With that, he melted back into the ground. Storm, who has a hatred with a violent passion towards the messenger Shadow, puts his right foot on the spot where the creature vanished and digs his heel into the ground. Long ago, when I was a lower-ranking Shadow, Storm told me why he hated the Shadow, but I forget what his reason is.
"Welp, we outta get going to that meeting, or else Xavier will get mad at us. We'll be back after the meeting." promises Maria. She runs off, and I follow after saying a quick farewell to Storm. I hear the over-optimistic Air Pirate singing "We're in the Money".
The meeting is at the cliffs. I hear impatient purring noises, but cannot see its source. A human boy with the Heartless symbol engraved in his forehead sits up on a ledge. His name is Xavier, and he is a Heartless that had enough will-power to keep his human form. Loud stomping is heard by the crowd, and Xavier scolds what seems like nothing.
"Calm down, boy," scoffs the Heartless boy, "Just a while longer. We have to wait until everybody is here. Think you can wait?"
An angry wailing echoes through the area, then a Stealth Sneak slowly comes into focus. It sits on its haunches, an irritated expression on its green face. When a belated Powerwild dashes into the area, Xavier glares at it, then begins the meeting.
"Fellow Heartless! Do you know why I have gathered you here today? It is because a child, a mere child possesses the power to kill us all!" he begins, emphasizing "kill us all". The Stealth Sneak emits a low, rumbling growl, and a murmur ripples throughout the crowd.
Xavier waits until he is satisfied with the murmurs, then continues. "A young boy bearing the Keyblade has already taken down our forces at Traverse Town AND Wonderland. If he diminishes the forces at the coliseum, we must be prepared for him to come."
More murmurs, but they are of approval. I see many heads nod, other Heartless have the essence of a worried expression about them. The Stealth Sneak growls once again. I, too, am one with the essence of worry. I do not wish to murderously attack a young boy because of a fate he did not ask for. Inside of my mind, I cheer him on and hope he makes it to the end.
I watch helplessly as they set up plans for attack. Stealth Sneak is the last resort; the lizard creature is exceptionally powerful. Would the Keyblade bearer be able to weather the coming storm? I hope so.
Later on, when the sunset spills its serene paints across the sky, I am sitting on the rock in the center of the bamboo thicket. I feel torn between two sides; I am loyal to my Heartless roots, but also do not wish to hurt this "Keyblade master". I feel like no one understands. I just want to be alone.
"Destiny? You alright?" I turn around to see Storm. He seems concerned and his cheerful voice is tainted with worry. I sigh, then hug my knees, turning my gaze to the lavender cloud floating in the heavens so awash in color.
"Yeah. I'm fine." I lie. But Storm can sense that something is wrong. He sits down beside me and a silence seperates our voices for a few moments. I wonder what he is thinking.
"Des, do you know why I always stood by you?" he asks. "It's because I admire you. As soon as you came into the Heartless world... well, let's just say I discovered it takes more than a heart to develop a relationship with someone."
I giggle, and Storm catches my drift. "I don't mean THAT kind of relationship!!"
"Heh. Hey Storm? I think you're right. I think that even if you exclude a heart, you still have the soul, the mind, and your personality. Nothing can change that... unless you're mindless." I reply.
"I don't think something will be out there stealing brains just yet," jokes Storm. We laugh for a minute, and then there is another silence. But we both have the essence of smiles.
I take a deep breath. I'm ready to explain everything to Storm. "You know what? I don't want to hurt the Keyblade master. He didn't even do anything. The Keyblade just chose him out of the blue. But I don't want to disppoint everyone."
The Air Pirate tilts his head. "Hmm... I think that you should do what you want. If you choose to battle the Keybearer or if you don't, is up to you. I'll be right there, whatever decision you make."
This thought comforts me. Even if I lost everything Storm would still be there right beside me. Would Maria? Or would she ravenously hunt me down alongside the others who rejected me for who I was? I'm scared. Storm understands.
"I can understand that you're scared," he tells me, "I would be too if still had half of my heart and was ridiculed by others. You're frightened that switching sides would only anger them more, right?"
I nod. Storm realizes that he should be heading back to Neverland. I watch him spread his violet wings and take to the crisp evening air. Something inside of me relaxes. [I can always count on Storm,] I think to myself, as I watch him until his figure vanishes.
[Author's Note]
Gypsy: Maji, you told me you weren't good at romance stories!
Maji: I'M NOT! THIS ISN'T SUPPOSED TO BE A ROMANCE STORY!
Gypsy: Well, it seems like Destiny and Storm have something going on... *nod nod*
Maji: --; Dumbutt.
[Disclaimer]
I don't own Deep Jungle, the Keyblade Master, Stealth Sneak, the Heartless, etc. But I DO own Destiny, Storm, Maria, Travis, Xavier, AND the messenger Shadow (even though I have no true use for him).