Half-Heartless
Chapter Thirteen
"...And that's how it all happened." I explain. All of us are in the Gummi Ship. It's pretty cramped, with my wings and Kristina in here now, but we managed somehow. Maria listened to the whole story, clearly intrigued. If we were human, Mel's mouth would be hanging open right now.
Kristina is hyped up and ready to go. She does a corkscrew in the air. "Tell another story! About your human life! I think it's so cool that you can remember your life before being a Heartless, because I can't and--"
"Okay, okay," I interrupt, grabbing Kristina's wings and pulling her down, "I'll tell you guys another story, about my human life. Do you want to hear a happy story or a sad story?"
"Happy." chorus the three other Heartless around me.
"Okay, then, a happy story."
"Oh, goody!" (That was Mel)
"When I was a little girl in Kindergarten, I got this MAJOR crush on a boy in my class. I told my friends, and from then on they wouldn't stop teasing me. But one day, the halls were empty, and I saw the boy getting a drink from the water fountain. I went up to him and got all brave, then told him that I liked him!" (My friends gasp) "Well, he told me that he liked me too, and we always went out to recess together, and held hands on the walk home. My mom and dad thought it was cute, but my sister and brother thought it was gross."
We giggle for awhile. Finally, after about five minutes of hysterical laughter (and Sora, Donald, and Goofy giving us weird looks), Maria rocks herself up and pokes me. "Tell them about the time when we first met Storm! Tell them!"
"Why don't you?" I ask, punching her playfully in the arm. Maria gives me her pitiful attempt at Bambi eyes, but it's still enough to bribe me. I'm perfectly lenient.
***
It was a miserable, cloudy day. Maria and I were sitting on top of the tree house, yapping about something I can't remember. I dangled my legs over the side of the house. The weather was getting to me; I wasn't in the best mood of my life. It was one of those boring breaks in a conversation when you run out of things to talk about.
Suddenly, I sat bolt upright. A raindrop had splattered on my head, startling me out of my daze. Sighing, I looked up at the cloudy sky. Darker dots began appearing on the tree house roof, signalling that it was starting to drizle. Maria moaned. "Oh, great. Now it's gonna rain."
We hopped down and walked inside the tree house for shelter. The drizzle quickened and began pounding harder on the roof. Wind howled through the old, rickety shelter as lightning forked and thunder boomed. Now both of us moaned.
"This certainly stinks on ice." muttered Maria, shivering from the sudden cold. We huddled together for warmth. Another clap of thunders shakes the tree house. The torrential rain is dripping through the ceiling and forming puddles.
Then I perked up and eyed the ceiling. "Maria... Do you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
"It sounds like something flying."
"N- Wait a minute, now I hear it too."
The two of us stood there in silence for a few moments, lifting to the steady beat of wings. Maria shrugged. "Prolly just a hawk or eagle or somethin'. Nothing to worry about."
"Yeah, I guess." I replied, feeling very uncertain. I sat on the floor, trying to make my tensed body relax. The sound of beating wings faded. Now the boards of the roof were creaking, but Maria convinced me that it was the rain.
Then, as soon as I had relaxed-
"AAAAIIIEEE!"
The roof caved in. With the hole there, I could now hear the sounds loud and clear. A soaking wet figure fell down and collapsed on the floor. My half-heart was practically tearing out of my chest. Maria had jumped to her feet and was glued to her spot with shock. The figure groaned and pushed itself off of the floor, its purple wings drooping.
THWACK!
"Ow! Hey! I come in peace!" cried the being, who we had discovered to be an Air Pirate. Maria had taken a plank of wood and whacked him upside the head. He made the peace sign with his fingers, and I couldn't help but laugh.
My Bouncywild friend wasn't so trusting. "Who are you, what are you doing here, where did you come fro-"
"Sheesh, nosy aren't you?" interrupted the Air Pirate. "First off, I never had a name. I forgot it. Everyone just calls me Wingding or something like that because I'm silly. And I'm here because I was curious about the other worlds. I came from Neverland. Any more questions?"
"Nope." is the reply.
I summoned the courage to speak up. "Well, um, welcome to Deep Jungle. I'm Destiny and the Bouncywild with the plank in her hands is Maria. Uh... Why don't we call you Storm, since you came here during a thunderstorm?"
"Hey, I like that." remarked the Air Pirate, now known as Storm. "Listen, er, I better get back to Neverland. I snuck out and if I stay too long the squad leader'll find me out, and then I get lectured at." He rolled his eyes. "See ya, I guess."
"Bye." Maria and I said in unison. Storm went outside, then took off.
***
"Des? Des? Earth to Des, you're spacing out!" I shake my head and grab Maria's paw. She had been waving it in my face. "Sorry. But I was trying to find you somewhere in the asteroid belt."
I sigh, then place my hand on my forehead and stare at the ceiling. "I should be apologizing, Maria, I... I'm not feeling too well." I shudder. "It's freezing in here. Does this thing have air conditioners or something? Turn up the heat..."
"Destiny, Heartless are naturally cold." Mel hovers up to me and peers at me closely.
My wings flare, startling my three friends. They jump/fly backwards. Sora turns around to stare at us curiously. Everyone retains that position for a few minutes, then the cold turns to hot. Perspiration beads on the end of my fur, and my wings droop. Breathing heavily, I start to fall over. Kristina catches me.
Sora shifts to Gummi Ship into autopilot and rushes over, his lapis blue eyes filled with concern. "Destiny, are you... uh... okay?"
I squint my eyes and struggle to my feet, then I shakily walk over to the Keyblade master. Although no one knows it, I'm fighting a Heartless instinct. My claws extract and retract, then come out again. My tail flicks angrily as I glare up at the confused brown-haired Keybearer. Finally, I fall backwards and land on my bottom, closing my eyes and trying to keep this from happening.
I will not let my dark side win.
I am enticed by the sound of Sora's heart, throbbing strong in sure inside of his chest. I flatten my ears against my skull and put my hand on my forehead again; I flare my wings and knock Maria away when she approaches me. My mind begins to wander again, lost in daydreams.
[Great,] I think. [Now I'm getting locked in daydreams. How fun.]
All I see in my daydream are flashes of past events, and the sound of evil chuckling reaches my ears. Kristina shakes me out of it, but the Wyvern flies to the back of the room when I hiss. "Leave me alone!"
Everyone stares blankly. I realize what I just did and fall backwards, taking the time to observe the ceiling again. "I just spoke in English, didn't I? Sora, you understand me, right?"
"Yep." replies the confused brunette.
"Jeez, what's happening to me?" I moan. I hold my paws up to my face and my eyes widen. I hadn't realized that my claws were still extracted. I sit there on the floor and try to bring them back in, but they won't. Frustrated, I dig my claws into the floor. To everyone's surprise, it tears right through the metal.
"Um, Destiny, I'm serious." murmurs Sora, reaching out to touch me. "Are you... okay?"
Without thinking, I swiftly reach out and grab the Keyblade master's wrist, then slam it against the floor. I narrow my eyes and cross my arms. "Does it LOOK like I'm okay, Einstein?"
"Destiny, what's come over you?" asks Maria, cautiously making her way towards me. A smirk and a slash; she falls to the ground, claws marks deep in her chest. I glare daggers at the rest of the crowd, making them take a step back.
"What are you afraid of?" I cackle. "Hey, Sora... You've fought tons of evil Heartless. How come you're scared of me?"
"I'm not scared of you. I don't want to hurt you because... you're my friend. At least I thought you were." replies Sora, getting a bit defensive. I notice that he has the Keyblade out.
Panic flutters in my stomach as I realize what I'm saying, but my mouth acts as if it has a mind of its own. "It's a thoughtless world out there. You can trust no one. The entire universe- it's composed of hatred and darkness." A halberd materializes in my hands. "Truly, I was expecting this all along. Even though I acted innocent, I couldn't control the darkness inside."
"What are you talking about?" ventures Mel. She hovers over to me. A swift attack from my halberd and she lands next to Maria, still conscious, but barely. "Des... tiny... Why are you doing this?"
"Fighting the darkness would be foolish. I can't hold it back any longer; if I try, it will consume me." I prepare to shove the halberd directly through the Requiem, but Kristina stops me.
The Wyvern holds my arm and strives to keep it there, her amber eyes staring into mine. "Destiny, I haven't even known you for a day, and I already know this isn't like you. I may often be silly and light-hearted, but trust me, I can fight if I have to."
"You are a foolish coward." I remark coldly, kicking Kristina. Distracted, she is thrown against the wall by an attack from my halberd. "Kristina, if you can truly fight, do so."
"But, Destiny..."
"Leave them alone, Destiny! If they won't fight you, I will."
I scream as a burning sensation erupts through my body; ashes from Sora's Fire magic reside and nestle themselves into my fur. Ignoring the pain, I turn to him and flare my wings angrily. The enraged Keyblade master unleashes another flaming ball, which knocks me backwards. In my mind I know that I'm fighting a losing battle. The halberd dissipates into tiny fragments of light and I recieve further damage from a reluctant Kristina.
The explosive pain forces me to sit down and catch my breath. The bat wings on my back vanish, and my eyes return to their normal coloration. I fall over, falling unconscious once again - but this time, I don't have a dream.
***
A delicious warmth fills my exhausted body and I find myself feeling a little better. I sit up as the Cure magic begins to take hold. Curiously, I look up at Mel, who cautiously backs away from me. I wouldn't blame her. There was no excuse for what I did back on the Gummi Ship. Sighing, I swing my legs over to the side. Immense pain explodes; I take the pillow I was laying on and scream into it.
"D-don't get up." murmurs the Green Requiem. "You b-b-broke your ankle."
Careful not to harm my injured ankle, I slowly lay back down. Where are we?
[Author's Note]
Maji: Sorry for not updating a lot. ^^; My sister's wedding was coming up...
Chibi Riku: Well, I had freedom while it lasted...
Maji: EEH! *glomps*
Young Sora: *sob* I have been betrayed!
Chibi Ansem: Will you shut up??!! Geez....
Vivi: I feel your pain.
[Disclaimer]
*is still running from the lawyers* HELP!
Whistle: *toots*
Lawyers: Time for lunch break! *walk away*
Phew! That was close. Stay tuned, everyone, this is the only chapter where I WON'T have a disclaimer! *hears the whistle toot again* EEK! Lunch break over! *runs away*
Chapter Thirteen
"...And that's how it all happened." I explain. All of us are in the Gummi Ship. It's pretty cramped, with my wings and Kristina in here now, but we managed somehow. Maria listened to the whole story, clearly intrigued. If we were human, Mel's mouth would be hanging open right now.
Kristina is hyped up and ready to go. She does a corkscrew in the air. "Tell another story! About your human life! I think it's so cool that you can remember your life before being a Heartless, because I can't and--"
"Okay, okay," I interrupt, grabbing Kristina's wings and pulling her down, "I'll tell you guys another story, about my human life. Do you want to hear a happy story or a sad story?"
"Happy." chorus the three other Heartless around me.
"Okay, then, a happy story."
"Oh, goody!" (That was Mel)
"When I was a little girl in Kindergarten, I got this MAJOR crush on a boy in my class. I told my friends, and from then on they wouldn't stop teasing me. But one day, the halls were empty, and I saw the boy getting a drink from the water fountain. I went up to him and got all brave, then told him that I liked him!" (My friends gasp) "Well, he told me that he liked me too, and we always went out to recess together, and held hands on the walk home. My mom and dad thought it was cute, but my sister and brother thought it was gross."
We giggle for awhile. Finally, after about five minutes of hysterical laughter (and Sora, Donald, and Goofy giving us weird looks), Maria rocks herself up and pokes me. "Tell them about the time when we first met Storm! Tell them!"
"Why don't you?" I ask, punching her playfully in the arm. Maria gives me her pitiful attempt at Bambi eyes, but it's still enough to bribe me. I'm perfectly lenient.
***
It was a miserable, cloudy day. Maria and I were sitting on top of the tree house, yapping about something I can't remember. I dangled my legs over the side of the house. The weather was getting to me; I wasn't in the best mood of my life. It was one of those boring breaks in a conversation when you run out of things to talk about.
Suddenly, I sat bolt upright. A raindrop had splattered on my head, startling me out of my daze. Sighing, I looked up at the cloudy sky. Darker dots began appearing on the tree house roof, signalling that it was starting to drizle. Maria moaned. "Oh, great. Now it's gonna rain."
We hopped down and walked inside the tree house for shelter. The drizzle quickened and began pounding harder on the roof. Wind howled through the old, rickety shelter as lightning forked and thunder boomed. Now both of us moaned.
"This certainly stinks on ice." muttered Maria, shivering from the sudden cold. We huddled together for warmth. Another clap of thunders shakes the tree house. The torrential rain is dripping through the ceiling and forming puddles.
Then I perked up and eyed the ceiling. "Maria... Do you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
"It sounds like something flying."
"N- Wait a minute, now I hear it too."
The two of us stood there in silence for a few moments, lifting to the steady beat of wings. Maria shrugged. "Prolly just a hawk or eagle or somethin'. Nothing to worry about."
"Yeah, I guess." I replied, feeling very uncertain. I sat on the floor, trying to make my tensed body relax. The sound of beating wings faded. Now the boards of the roof were creaking, but Maria convinced me that it was the rain.
Then, as soon as I had relaxed-
"AAAAIIIEEE!"
The roof caved in. With the hole there, I could now hear the sounds loud and clear. A soaking wet figure fell down and collapsed on the floor. My half-heart was practically tearing out of my chest. Maria had jumped to her feet and was glued to her spot with shock. The figure groaned and pushed itself off of the floor, its purple wings drooping.
THWACK!
"Ow! Hey! I come in peace!" cried the being, who we had discovered to be an Air Pirate. Maria had taken a plank of wood and whacked him upside the head. He made the peace sign with his fingers, and I couldn't help but laugh.
My Bouncywild friend wasn't so trusting. "Who are you, what are you doing here, where did you come fro-"
"Sheesh, nosy aren't you?" interrupted the Air Pirate. "First off, I never had a name. I forgot it. Everyone just calls me Wingding or something like that because I'm silly. And I'm here because I was curious about the other worlds. I came from Neverland. Any more questions?"
"Nope." is the reply.
I summoned the courage to speak up. "Well, um, welcome to Deep Jungle. I'm Destiny and the Bouncywild with the plank in her hands is Maria. Uh... Why don't we call you Storm, since you came here during a thunderstorm?"
"Hey, I like that." remarked the Air Pirate, now known as Storm. "Listen, er, I better get back to Neverland. I snuck out and if I stay too long the squad leader'll find me out, and then I get lectured at." He rolled his eyes. "See ya, I guess."
"Bye." Maria and I said in unison. Storm went outside, then took off.
***
"Des? Des? Earth to Des, you're spacing out!" I shake my head and grab Maria's paw. She had been waving it in my face. "Sorry. But I was trying to find you somewhere in the asteroid belt."
I sigh, then place my hand on my forehead and stare at the ceiling. "I should be apologizing, Maria, I... I'm not feeling too well." I shudder. "It's freezing in here. Does this thing have air conditioners or something? Turn up the heat..."
"Destiny, Heartless are naturally cold." Mel hovers up to me and peers at me closely.
My wings flare, startling my three friends. They jump/fly backwards. Sora turns around to stare at us curiously. Everyone retains that position for a few minutes, then the cold turns to hot. Perspiration beads on the end of my fur, and my wings droop. Breathing heavily, I start to fall over. Kristina catches me.
Sora shifts to Gummi Ship into autopilot and rushes over, his lapis blue eyes filled with concern. "Destiny, are you... uh... okay?"
I squint my eyes and struggle to my feet, then I shakily walk over to the Keyblade master. Although no one knows it, I'm fighting a Heartless instinct. My claws extract and retract, then come out again. My tail flicks angrily as I glare up at the confused brown-haired Keybearer. Finally, I fall backwards and land on my bottom, closing my eyes and trying to keep this from happening.
I will not let my dark side win.
I am enticed by the sound of Sora's heart, throbbing strong in sure inside of his chest. I flatten my ears against my skull and put my hand on my forehead again; I flare my wings and knock Maria away when she approaches me. My mind begins to wander again, lost in daydreams.
[Great,] I think. [Now I'm getting locked in daydreams. How fun.]
All I see in my daydream are flashes of past events, and the sound of evil chuckling reaches my ears. Kristina shakes me out of it, but the Wyvern flies to the back of the room when I hiss. "Leave me alone!"
Everyone stares blankly. I realize what I just did and fall backwards, taking the time to observe the ceiling again. "I just spoke in English, didn't I? Sora, you understand me, right?"
"Yep." replies the confused brunette.
"Jeez, what's happening to me?" I moan. I hold my paws up to my face and my eyes widen. I hadn't realized that my claws were still extracted. I sit there on the floor and try to bring them back in, but they won't. Frustrated, I dig my claws into the floor. To everyone's surprise, it tears right through the metal.
"Um, Destiny, I'm serious." murmurs Sora, reaching out to touch me. "Are you... okay?"
Without thinking, I swiftly reach out and grab the Keyblade master's wrist, then slam it against the floor. I narrow my eyes and cross my arms. "Does it LOOK like I'm okay, Einstein?"
"Destiny, what's come over you?" asks Maria, cautiously making her way towards me. A smirk and a slash; she falls to the ground, claws marks deep in her chest. I glare daggers at the rest of the crowd, making them take a step back.
"What are you afraid of?" I cackle. "Hey, Sora... You've fought tons of evil Heartless. How come you're scared of me?"
"I'm not scared of you. I don't want to hurt you because... you're my friend. At least I thought you were." replies Sora, getting a bit defensive. I notice that he has the Keyblade out.
Panic flutters in my stomach as I realize what I'm saying, but my mouth acts as if it has a mind of its own. "It's a thoughtless world out there. You can trust no one. The entire universe- it's composed of hatred and darkness." A halberd materializes in my hands. "Truly, I was expecting this all along. Even though I acted innocent, I couldn't control the darkness inside."
"What are you talking about?" ventures Mel. She hovers over to me. A swift attack from my halberd and she lands next to Maria, still conscious, but barely. "Des... tiny... Why are you doing this?"
"Fighting the darkness would be foolish. I can't hold it back any longer; if I try, it will consume me." I prepare to shove the halberd directly through the Requiem, but Kristina stops me.
The Wyvern holds my arm and strives to keep it there, her amber eyes staring into mine. "Destiny, I haven't even known you for a day, and I already know this isn't like you. I may often be silly and light-hearted, but trust me, I can fight if I have to."
"You are a foolish coward." I remark coldly, kicking Kristina. Distracted, she is thrown against the wall by an attack from my halberd. "Kristina, if you can truly fight, do so."
"But, Destiny..."
"Leave them alone, Destiny! If they won't fight you, I will."
I scream as a burning sensation erupts through my body; ashes from Sora's Fire magic reside and nestle themselves into my fur. Ignoring the pain, I turn to him and flare my wings angrily. The enraged Keyblade master unleashes another flaming ball, which knocks me backwards. In my mind I know that I'm fighting a losing battle. The halberd dissipates into tiny fragments of light and I recieve further damage from a reluctant Kristina.
The explosive pain forces me to sit down and catch my breath. The bat wings on my back vanish, and my eyes return to their normal coloration. I fall over, falling unconscious once again - but this time, I don't have a dream.
***
A delicious warmth fills my exhausted body and I find myself feeling a little better. I sit up as the Cure magic begins to take hold. Curiously, I look up at Mel, who cautiously backs away from me. I wouldn't blame her. There was no excuse for what I did back on the Gummi Ship. Sighing, I swing my legs over to the side. Immense pain explodes; I take the pillow I was laying on and scream into it.
"D-don't get up." murmurs the Green Requiem. "You b-b-broke your ankle."
Careful not to harm my injured ankle, I slowly lay back down. Where are we?
[Author's Note]
Maji: Sorry for not updating a lot. ^^; My sister's wedding was coming up...
Chibi Riku: Well, I had freedom while it lasted...
Maji: EEH! *glomps*
Young Sora: *sob* I have been betrayed!
Chibi Ansem: Will you shut up??!! Geez....
Vivi: I feel your pain.
[Disclaimer]
*is still running from the lawyers* HELP!
Whistle: *toots*
Lawyers: Time for lunch break! *walk away*
Phew! That was close. Stay tuned, everyone, this is the only chapter where I WON'T have a disclaimer! *hears the whistle toot again* EEK! Lunch break over! *runs away*