Uh, really sorry that I haven't updated very lately. I've been
majorly obsessed with another story of mine, but I did work on this just as
hard as I did with the others. There should be no lack in quality, just in
the spance in between postings. Happy reading!
"Date with Destiny"
By: Catty Engles
"Guys?" Sora's heart leaped to his mouth, and his stomach disappeared. He scrambled to his feet, "Guys!" His voice jumped to a higher octave, shrilled by nerves. Sora's eyes unfocused for a moment as he tried to remember why his friends weren't with him in this strange, new world. The keyblade had done it.
Sora's stomach returned, but in its absence it seemed to have been filled with lead. "Guys! Guys! Where are you? Donald! Goofy! WHERE ARE YOU!" Sora slumped to his knees, sniffing loudly. After a moment of gathering himself, Sora stood shakily. "Now what?" He muttered.
Sora forced himself to the overhang, draped with vines. Once again the military camp met his eye. 'Maybe someone there can help me.'
"SORA!" A speeding ball of fiery red dragon careened into Sora's back. Sora's footing slid on the loose scree. He pitched forward, expecting to fall, when a strong hand gripped his arm and flung him back to safe ground. Sora landed on his back, flattening the creature that had started his fall.
Sora rolled away, exposing a tiny snake-like dragon no more than two feet long. It was a fiery shade of red, offset only by tiny brown horns. The "smooshing" didn't seem to deter the dragon a bit. He pounced on Sora, zipping around his arms and over his head. His claws tickled Sora through his clothes. He doubled up, consumed by laughter.
"Sora! Sora-man, you've grown." The dragon took his customary perch, on top of Sora's head. Sora scrabbled with the dragon, trying to get him off.
"C'mon Mushu, It's only been a month! I couldn't have grown THAT much!" Mushu scrambled over Sora's back and around his waist, always evading Sora's fingers. Sora turned in a circle in a vain attempt to reach Mushu, akin to when a dog will chase its tail. Sora stopped in mid-turn.
"Uh, Mushu?" Mushu jumped away from Sora. The boy straightened, staring at the other human being occupying the small enclosure. A jet-black horse with white markings stood protectively behind the girl. She looked to be maybe eighteen. She toyed with her hair. Sora had a feeling that she expected it to be longer by the way that she kept running her fingers through it. The straight, midnight hair fell to her shoulders.
Mushu cleared his throat. "Sora, Mulan, Mulan, Sora. Sora, Cow, Cow, Sora." The horse snorted indignantly.
Mulan stroked its muzzle. "This is Khan." Sora, never one to be shy, advanced. He tentatively raised his hand. The horse sniffed it curiously, and then gently lipped his fingers. Sora grinned broadly, Mulan smiled back, and Mushu rolled his eyes.
Mulan was wearing black armor over a loose green surcoat and darker breeches. She kept tugging at it as if uncomfortable. Mushu noticed, and climbed on top of Sora's head again. He parted the brown spikes and leaned over until he was level with Sora's eyes, even though he was upside-down.
"We've got a little problem." Sora's brow knit in concern, "She's got to convince them," he pointed to the camp, "that she is a he."
"Oh, boy." (Get it?)
***
"Your turn." Kairi gulped and took the extended handle. 'What am I doing!? I have no idea if I even posses magic, let alone save myself from bleeding to death! I can't pull this off.' She stood with the blade poised over her own palm. Her pulse beat overly loud in her ears, and she seemed disconnected from the world.
Kairi gripped the cool steel and quickly pulled it across her flesh. A crimson gash opened where the blade had sliced her. Kairi paled at the sight of so much blood. Oddly enough it didn't hurt her. . .not yet at least.
She concentrated on the maneuver, like Thistle and Dandin had told her to. Kairi focused her gaze on the red hand. Her pulse continued to drown out her hearing. Kairi reached for it with her mind and sent the beating down her arm and into her palm. It moved lethargically, as if through thick paste. Slowly, green sparks began to knit together the wound. She felt the tendons connect and skin close. Kairi's eyes fluttered, and she watched helplessly as her wound healed but left her drained. Kairi's hand flared green and then returned to normal. She was not conscious to witness it.
Kairi was falling again. This time when she landed no Sora or Riku were there, just her. . .and her. Kairi gasped and stumbled. She sat down hard on the floor, or what she thought was a floor. Kairi was encased in darkness, no light could be seen except, curiously, from her own heart. There was another figure in this blackness, the one that had startled her.
Kairi tried to scoot away. The figure's short lavender skirt and tank top rustled in the non-existent wind. Auburn hair brushed pale shoulders. Kairi stared at. . .herself. No matter how hard Kairi tried, she couldn't distinguish any difference between herself and the impostor, well except if you count that its heart wasn't glowing, as Kairi's was.
"Nice to finally meet myself." The impostor grinned and offered Kairi a hand. Black fire flickered around it. Kairi stood on her own, timidly smiling an apology. The grin didn't falter but began to look as if it was painted on. "I know," It glared at its fire infested hands, "not very good for my complexion either."
Kairi was dumbstruck. "But, you're, how?" She stammered
"This is a dream," Kairi's image became a wisp of smoke. Kairi stepped back, "Remember?" Kairi jumped and whirled on the spot. The impostor had materialized behind Kairi in another wisp of smoke. Kairi smiled weakly.
"Wh-where are we?" Kairi couldn't shake the feeling that something was very wrong.
"Well it's not Traverse Town." The impostor said dryly. It dropped the act abruptly, "Let me show you something. There's not much time."
The impostor cupped a hand in front of its chest. More black fire curled around its fingers and solidified into a ball of glowing flames. Visions began to dance in its depths, finally resting on one: a lanky boy with clear blue eyes and unruly brown hair.
"So-" His name died on Kairi's lips as the impostor began to speak.
"He's cute, isn't he? At least you had good taste in boys," It grimaced, plucking at the skirt, "obviously not in clothes."
Panic was beginning to set into Kairi's mind. She felt no cautionary conscience, "Who- what- are you?" Kairi said forcefully.
It laughed, obviously amused. "Don't you remember Kairi? Don't you remember a time when there was no light, when you didn't have that?" She pointed a dainty finger at Kairi's heart. It flared an even brighter light.
Kairi stuck out her chin in defiance, "No."
'Sora was always there for me.' Kairi assured herself.
It smirked, "And what happened when there was no Sora? You gave into darkness as everyone before you did. Only one person has fought the darkness and won, and that was also due to your meddling. Don't you remember Kairi? How did it feel?" The black fire in its hands shot towards Kairi's heart, obscuring the light.
Icy fingers gripped at her. She began to forget. The darkness muffled everything. Kairi gasped for air through closed lungs. She dropped to her knees. 'No, fight. Remember Sora.' Kairi clung to this thought and slowly pushed away the fire, but the darkness kept coming. It recalled the flames to its palm.
"Not bad, for a second timer. But what if there wasn't a Sora? What would you do then?" The black fire burst into life. It showed the boy, cold and pale as snow, lying on a palanquin. His laughing eyes were closed in eternal sleep. Kairi bit the inside of her cheek. She tried to look away but found that her eyes were glued to the image. 'That's not true.' She thought vehemently.
"But you don't know that, do you? I think me'n Handsome here have a little date with destiny." The impostor began to circle Kairi like a vulture.
Kairi struggled upright. "What's that supposed to mean?!"
The impostor grimaced and shook her head patronizingly, "Geez, you two are too much alike for your own goods. You're no longer welcome her Kairi." It spat the name, "Wake up."
The impostor summoned the black fire again. It flew towards Kairi. The flames laced themselves around her, making her stand rigid. Her power of motion had been stolen. The impostor sidled up to its exact image and ran an icy finger along her cheek. It whispered in Kairi's ear, "I'll take care of him." The black fire constricted upon Kairi, forcing the air from her crushed lungs.
Kairi fell for the second time, but this time it was backwards and fast, very fast. Kairi felt the icy hand on her cheek again and woke up.
Pluto had one paw on Kairi's bed and another on her wrist. He licked her cheek again. Kairi sat bolt upright. The dim lights were too much for her eyes. She blinked forlornly at the yellow dog kneeling at her bedside. He nudged an off white letter with a wax seal into Kairi's reach.
Kairi rubbed her eyes. The moment she closed them the vision of Sora, lying dead on a palanquin, consumed her sight. She shook her head quickly, and for the second time, found herself in bed, the same bed she had woke in the first time. Kairi smoothed the comforter unconsciously. Her hand bumped the letter.
Kairi patted Pluto gratefully. She remembered him. He cocked an ear to the doorway, and turned tail to march out of it, leaving the letter. Kairi wouldn't have gone after him even if she had the strength.
The wax seal broke easily in Kairi's trembling fingers. Opening the meticulously folded letter, Kairi sat perfectly still, absorbed in the information she was receiving.
Kairi,
It's in unfortunate circumstances that I write to you. You have my keyblade, and I'm presuming are in Traverse Town. You should have met Thistle and Dandin, some of my old friends. If you haven't, find them with all haste. Tell them Mickey sent you.
Nothing is for sure anymore. I think that Sora will be the only one setting out on his quest this time, and I think that you would be wise to do the same. Travel through the hearts of the worlds. I believe that the Kingdom Hearts will be more selective of the 'passer throughers' because there are more select passageways. Don't be surprised if you must face destiny by yourself.
To open the door to the light, the silver and golden keyblade must be present because both were present when the door to the darkness was sealed. That means you must find Sora, or he must find you. You remember the princesses of heart, don't you? (Kairi smiled)
There are seven princes, but not all have to be present. It is their hearts that must. Find an object, or keepsake, anything of value to them. Collect seven and your way to the door to the light should be assured.
Hurry for the sake of all worlds,
Mickey
"Easy for him to say." The enormity of the task bestowed upon Kairi began to sink in. She collapsed back onto her pillow, confused by the alarming rate of events.
"Deja-vu. Hey, Kairi. Nice to see you're up, again. Here, um, again." Dandin sidled through her door and placed another small, green bottle in her hand. A thin cut was traced upon her palm. With the small pressure, it split again.
"Da- uh, sorry, shoot. Here, this'll help" Dandin untied a cloth that had been loosely knotted around his neck. He fastened it around Kairi's palm.
Not wanting to seem rude, Kairi commented, "Thank you, it's pretty."
Dandin smiled wanly, "Yeah, Thistle gave it to me."
Kairi smiled back. She drank the small amount of potion, instantly feeling better. Hopping out of bed, Kairi summoned the keyblade. "Dandin, I have to leave."
"Now?"
"Now."
***
Yeah well, I promise I won't disappear again. I'm working on it. Don't worry- if there's anyone left to worry. ~crickets chirp~ okay, well, have a nice life everyone!
"Date with Destiny"
By: Catty Engles
"Guys?" Sora's heart leaped to his mouth, and his stomach disappeared. He scrambled to his feet, "Guys!" His voice jumped to a higher octave, shrilled by nerves. Sora's eyes unfocused for a moment as he tried to remember why his friends weren't with him in this strange, new world. The keyblade had done it.
Sora's stomach returned, but in its absence it seemed to have been filled with lead. "Guys! Guys! Where are you? Donald! Goofy! WHERE ARE YOU!" Sora slumped to his knees, sniffing loudly. After a moment of gathering himself, Sora stood shakily. "Now what?" He muttered.
Sora forced himself to the overhang, draped with vines. Once again the military camp met his eye. 'Maybe someone there can help me.'
"SORA!" A speeding ball of fiery red dragon careened into Sora's back. Sora's footing slid on the loose scree. He pitched forward, expecting to fall, when a strong hand gripped his arm and flung him back to safe ground. Sora landed on his back, flattening the creature that had started his fall.
Sora rolled away, exposing a tiny snake-like dragon no more than two feet long. It was a fiery shade of red, offset only by tiny brown horns. The "smooshing" didn't seem to deter the dragon a bit. He pounced on Sora, zipping around his arms and over his head. His claws tickled Sora through his clothes. He doubled up, consumed by laughter.
"Sora! Sora-man, you've grown." The dragon took his customary perch, on top of Sora's head. Sora scrabbled with the dragon, trying to get him off.
"C'mon Mushu, It's only been a month! I couldn't have grown THAT much!" Mushu scrambled over Sora's back and around his waist, always evading Sora's fingers. Sora turned in a circle in a vain attempt to reach Mushu, akin to when a dog will chase its tail. Sora stopped in mid-turn.
"Uh, Mushu?" Mushu jumped away from Sora. The boy straightened, staring at the other human being occupying the small enclosure. A jet-black horse with white markings stood protectively behind the girl. She looked to be maybe eighteen. She toyed with her hair. Sora had a feeling that she expected it to be longer by the way that she kept running her fingers through it. The straight, midnight hair fell to her shoulders.
Mushu cleared his throat. "Sora, Mulan, Mulan, Sora. Sora, Cow, Cow, Sora." The horse snorted indignantly.
Mulan stroked its muzzle. "This is Khan." Sora, never one to be shy, advanced. He tentatively raised his hand. The horse sniffed it curiously, and then gently lipped his fingers. Sora grinned broadly, Mulan smiled back, and Mushu rolled his eyes.
Mulan was wearing black armor over a loose green surcoat and darker breeches. She kept tugging at it as if uncomfortable. Mushu noticed, and climbed on top of Sora's head again. He parted the brown spikes and leaned over until he was level with Sora's eyes, even though he was upside-down.
"We've got a little problem." Sora's brow knit in concern, "She's got to convince them," he pointed to the camp, "that she is a he."
"Oh, boy." (Get it?)
***
"Your turn." Kairi gulped and took the extended handle. 'What am I doing!? I have no idea if I even posses magic, let alone save myself from bleeding to death! I can't pull this off.' She stood with the blade poised over her own palm. Her pulse beat overly loud in her ears, and she seemed disconnected from the world.
Kairi gripped the cool steel and quickly pulled it across her flesh. A crimson gash opened where the blade had sliced her. Kairi paled at the sight of so much blood. Oddly enough it didn't hurt her. . .not yet at least.
She concentrated on the maneuver, like Thistle and Dandin had told her to. Kairi focused her gaze on the red hand. Her pulse continued to drown out her hearing. Kairi reached for it with her mind and sent the beating down her arm and into her palm. It moved lethargically, as if through thick paste. Slowly, green sparks began to knit together the wound. She felt the tendons connect and skin close. Kairi's eyes fluttered, and she watched helplessly as her wound healed but left her drained. Kairi's hand flared green and then returned to normal. She was not conscious to witness it.
Kairi was falling again. This time when she landed no Sora or Riku were there, just her. . .and her. Kairi gasped and stumbled. She sat down hard on the floor, or what she thought was a floor. Kairi was encased in darkness, no light could be seen except, curiously, from her own heart. There was another figure in this blackness, the one that had startled her.
Kairi tried to scoot away. The figure's short lavender skirt and tank top rustled in the non-existent wind. Auburn hair brushed pale shoulders. Kairi stared at. . .herself. No matter how hard Kairi tried, she couldn't distinguish any difference between herself and the impostor, well except if you count that its heart wasn't glowing, as Kairi's was.
"Nice to finally meet myself." The impostor grinned and offered Kairi a hand. Black fire flickered around it. Kairi stood on her own, timidly smiling an apology. The grin didn't falter but began to look as if it was painted on. "I know," It glared at its fire infested hands, "not very good for my complexion either."
Kairi was dumbstruck. "But, you're, how?" She stammered
"This is a dream," Kairi's image became a wisp of smoke. Kairi stepped back, "Remember?" Kairi jumped and whirled on the spot. The impostor had materialized behind Kairi in another wisp of smoke. Kairi smiled weakly.
"Wh-where are we?" Kairi couldn't shake the feeling that something was very wrong.
"Well it's not Traverse Town." The impostor said dryly. It dropped the act abruptly, "Let me show you something. There's not much time."
The impostor cupped a hand in front of its chest. More black fire curled around its fingers and solidified into a ball of glowing flames. Visions began to dance in its depths, finally resting on one: a lanky boy with clear blue eyes and unruly brown hair.
"So-" His name died on Kairi's lips as the impostor began to speak.
"He's cute, isn't he? At least you had good taste in boys," It grimaced, plucking at the skirt, "obviously not in clothes."
Panic was beginning to set into Kairi's mind. She felt no cautionary conscience, "Who- what- are you?" Kairi said forcefully.
It laughed, obviously amused. "Don't you remember Kairi? Don't you remember a time when there was no light, when you didn't have that?" She pointed a dainty finger at Kairi's heart. It flared an even brighter light.
Kairi stuck out her chin in defiance, "No."
'Sora was always there for me.' Kairi assured herself.
It smirked, "And what happened when there was no Sora? You gave into darkness as everyone before you did. Only one person has fought the darkness and won, and that was also due to your meddling. Don't you remember Kairi? How did it feel?" The black fire in its hands shot towards Kairi's heart, obscuring the light.
Icy fingers gripped at her. She began to forget. The darkness muffled everything. Kairi gasped for air through closed lungs. She dropped to her knees. 'No, fight. Remember Sora.' Kairi clung to this thought and slowly pushed away the fire, but the darkness kept coming. It recalled the flames to its palm.
"Not bad, for a second timer. But what if there wasn't a Sora? What would you do then?" The black fire burst into life. It showed the boy, cold and pale as snow, lying on a palanquin. His laughing eyes were closed in eternal sleep. Kairi bit the inside of her cheek. She tried to look away but found that her eyes were glued to the image. 'That's not true.' She thought vehemently.
"But you don't know that, do you? I think me'n Handsome here have a little date with destiny." The impostor began to circle Kairi like a vulture.
Kairi struggled upright. "What's that supposed to mean?!"
The impostor grimaced and shook her head patronizingly, "Geez, you two are too much alike for your own goods. You're no longer welcome her Kairi." It spat the name, "Wake up."
The impostor summoned the black fire again. It flew towards Kairi. The flames laced themselves around her, making her stand rigid. Her power of motion had been stolen. The impostor sidled up to its exact image and ran an icy finger along her cheek. It whispered in Kairi's ear, "I'll take care of him." The black fire constricted upon Kairi, forcing the air from her crushed lungs.
Kairi fell for the second time, but this time it was backwards and fast, very fast. Kairi felt the icy hand on her cheek again and woke up.
Pluto had one paw on Kairi's bed and another on her wrist. He licked her cheek again. Kairi sat bolt upright. The dim lights were too much for her eyes. She blinked forlornly at the yellow dog kneeling at her bedside. He nudged an off white letter with a wax seal into Kairi's reach.
Kairi rubbed her eyes. The moment she closed them the vision of Sora, lying dead on a palanquin, consumed her sight. She shook her head quickly, and for the second time, found herself in bed, the same bed she had woke in the first time. Kairi smoothed the comforter unconsciously. Her hand bumped the letter.
Kairi patted Pluto gratefully. She remembered him. He cocked an ear to the doorway, and turned tail to march out of it, leaving the letter. Kairi wouldn't have gone after him even if she had the strength.
The wax seal broke easily in Kairi's trembling fingers. Opening the meticulously folded letter, Kairi sat perfectly still, absorbed in the information she was receiving.
Kairi,
It's in unfortunate circumstances that I write to you. You have my keyblade, and I'm presuming are in Traverse Town. You should have met Thistle and Dandin, some of my old friends. If you haven't, find them with all haste. Tell them Mickey sent you.
Nothing is for sure anymore. I think that Sora will be the only one setting out on his quest this time, and I think that you would be wise to do the same. Travel through the hearts of the worlds. I believe that the Kingdom Hearts will be more selective of the 'passer throughers' because there are more select passageways. Don't be surprised if you must face destiny by yourself.
To open the door to the light, the silver and golden keyblade must be present because both were present when the door to the darkness was sealed. That means you must find Sora, or he must find you. You remember the princesses of heart, don't you? (Kairi smiled)
There are seven princes, but not all have to be present. It is their hearts that must. Find an object, or keepsake, anything of value to them. Collect seven and your way to the door to the light should be assured.
Hurry for the sake of all worlds,
Mickey
"Easy for him to say." The enormity of the task bestowed upon Kairi began to sink in. She collapsed back onto her pillow, confused by the alarming rate of events.
"Deja-vu. Hey, Kairi. Nice to see you're up, again. Here, um, again." Dandin sidled through her door and placed another small, green bottle in her hand. A thin cut was traced upon her palm. With the small pressure, it split again.
"Da- uh, sorry, shoot. Here, this'll help" Dandin untied a cloth that had been loosely knotted around his neck. He fastened it around Kairi's palm.
Not wanting to seem rude, Kairi commented, "Thank you, it's pretty."
Dandin smiled wanly, "Yeah, Thistle gave it to me."
Kairi smiled back. She drank the small amount of potion, instantly feeling better. Hopping out of bed, Kairi summoned the keyblade. "Dandin, I have to leave."
"Now?"
"Now."
***
Yeah well, I promise I won't disappear again. I'm working on it. Don't worry- if there's anyone left to worry. ~crickets chirp~ okay, well, have a nice life everyone!