Another long one!
Chapter 18: Power of Love
"What are we gonna do?" Terra whispered fiercely as Sora, Blank, and Renee walked into Ms. Snow's classroom. "We can't possibly leave all those people defenseless out there! They are clueless!"
"What do you suggest, Terra?" Blank fisted her hands to her hips. "Goin' on national TV and goin' 'oh, sorry we didn't tell you before, but we're being invaded by the Heartless, which are aliens from another Dimension?!' Hell, no! We'd be breaking about a hundred interdimensional primal laws!"
"Screw the laws! That woman just got turned into a HEARTLESS and won't ever come back," Terra growled. "I ain't putting up with it. I'm telling—someone! Anyone, I don't care. The president, the police, SOMEONE."
"How do we explain the five of us, then?" Hermione asked. "How do we explain how we know?"
"We don't...we just say...we just tell..." Terra cursed viciously.
"Just make sure you don't say that in front of my mum," Ron said, sighing. "I'm all for telling someone. But who?"
"Dumbledore," Hermione said. "He'll know what to do. Terra's right. We can't just leave all those people defenseless. We could lie—tell them they're aliens here to take over the planet."
"Oh, yeah, and we happen to know that how?" Blank said sarcastically. "Don't just jump into this thing. Think it through first."
"We're going to lose more people by just sitting here."
"Better to lose a few than lose more through rash action," Blank said coolly.
The bell rang, sending them into their seats for class once again.
"Professor Dumbledore!" Terra was near panic, running toward the white- haired headmaster. "Professor, the Heartless are taking over already in our world—we need to tell them, they at least need to know what they're up against—"
"Terra, calm down," he said. "I've already informed the proper authorities in your dimension. Very curious as to how I knew about them..."
"But...but, what are we supposed to do?"
"Nothing, I'm afraid. We're taking no action. There's nothing we can do except warn them—they can arm themselves, unlike Kingdom Hearts."
"But—"
"Terra, leave it alone," Riku brushed her shoulder gently. "They know now."
"We can do nothing more," Dumbledore said firmly. "Come. Imagination lessons are what we need right now. Perhaps if you started with something else that you enjoy yourself? Say, paints?"
He left, leading the others into his office again. Terra sighed, leaning against the wall beside where the eagle gargoyle usually stood. Riku squeezed her shoulder gently, nodding her toward the entrance.
"We might as well go, Terra. Learning is what we need right now. You know that. Perhaps we can practice after we've had some sleep. Class doesn't start for another four hours, right?"
Terra sighed. "Right." She stepped onto the steps, but lost her balance, toppling straight back into Riku's waiting arms. Her silver eyes met his aqua orbs. Blushing, she stammered out a rushed apology. She joked that perhaps her perpetual imbalance had returned and maybe she needed to spend a few more hours in Sora's body.
Riku gently righted her and they continued up the stairs as if nothing had happened.
"Right foot, right foot!" Riku shouted, the Lightblade crashing down onto the Keyblade. He backed off, pointing to Terra's right leg. "Bend the knee. You've got to be able to absorb the shock. Feel that jolt in your leg? That's why."
Nodding, Terra bent her knee and prepared for another bout. They had another two hours before breakfast. Both of them had long since finished their homework, and had read all of the books they needed to. Terra felt competent in her first, second, and third year magic. She wasn't too good with certain potions, or any of her fourth year coursework, but she was decent. Riku had this sort of knack for magic. Somehow, he knew and understood everything.
Except, of course, history. And no one paid attention to Binns anyway, with the exception of Hermione, so no one really understood it. The Lightblade jabbed through her defense, and she was extremely glad Dumbledore had dulled the blade. Even so, she was pretty sure she'd have an interesting bruise on her abdomen tomorrow.
"Sorry. Maybe we'd better quit for today."
Terra winced. "All right, I guess." She set the Keyblade up against the wall, sighing. "So, what do you think of how our plan is going so far?"
"As long as none of us goes crazy from all the information and stress, we'll be fine," Riku said, setting the Lightblade next to hers. McGonagall had let them into this spare room, which they'd had to clean themselves before their match.
"That's the main thing I'm worried about," Terra said, sighing. "Yes, it's a great way to learn all we need to, but is it healthy to continuously take that Sleep Draught for six straight years, going to school in two different places, and then switching to fight the Heartless in Kingdom Hearts?"
"I don't know. And I'm worried, too."
"Kairi?"
"No, actually," Riku stared out the window, across the treetops of the Forbidden Forest. "She's fine, I know she is. Pandora made a promise. So did Sora. And I accept both of their promises and take them to heart. Kairi is Sora's, as far as I'm concerned."
Shocked, Terra sank onto an empty desk, atop which sat two drink glasses and a pitcher full of water. Riku gave up on Kairi? Since when? And why? What had brought about this sudden change of heart?
Terra glanced up to try and voice these questions, but yelped in surprise instead. Riku was right in front of her, staring into her eyes curiously. He looked almost suspicious, like he had when he first met her. When he knew she was herself, but played at thinking that she was Sora.
"Wha-What are you doing?" Terra stammered, trying to back up. Her slippery palms couldn't catch the wood of the desk.
"Terra, why do you always look so sad?"
"What? What do you mean, sad?"
"Even when you're laughing, you're eyes don't carry the happiness that should go with it. I've only ever seen you smile for real twice. When I showed you the kittens behind the falls and the first imagination lesson. I've never seen you laugh. You've always forced it, as though it's only a requirement to make others happy. What about you, Terra? When are you going to find time to make yourself happy?"
"I am happy, Riku."
"Then why do you force yourself to smile and laugh and act crazy all the time? You know da—"
"Don't you dare curse," Terra whispered fiercely. "I don't give a flying pig's foot about my mouth, but don't you dare dirty yours."
"Terra, listen to me," Riku said, his hands on her shoulders, standing as close as the desk would allow. "Listen to me. What did your father tell you?"
Silver eyes cast toward the ceiling, hoping for an escape. Riku pulled her chin down and stared her straight in the eyes. "What did he say to you?"
FLASH
Eight-year-old Terra watched the doctors working fiercely on her father, doing every trick in the book to make him come alive again. He coughed violently, croaking for them to leave him.
"Terra...Terra, my...daughter," he rasped. "Listen...to me. You be...a...good girl. Watch out...for your brother. Listen...to your mother. Get...through school. Be...happy...act crazy...be everything...I-I wasn't. Can you...can you do that?"
"Yes, Daddy, but why—?"
"Daddy's going...away. He won't...be...back...Terra. I love you..." His hands went slack, his mouth drooped. His eyes didn't close again. His chest didn't rise and fall anymore. The little squiggly lines that had been moving a few minutes ago were straight.
A loud, annoying beeping sound echoed in the room.
"Daddy? Daddy, answer me. Daddy! Help! Help! Somebody! Daddy's not waking up! Daddy!"
"He will not answer."
A man walked in, his white lab coated with blood. Terra stared into his slim green eyes, horrified by his declaration. She watched him turn around, a little flame on the end of a wobbly stick coming out from under the coat. "He isn't going to come back, Terra. I'm sorry."
She glanced at her Daddy, then went out to ask the strange man what he meant. But he was gone.
"He told me to be happy..." Terra sighed, her hands stubbornly crossed over her chest.
"Then why aren't you?"
"Because he's gone...he just left, just like that."
"It's been seven years, Terra."
"I could have saved him!" she cried, her hands flying to cover the tears in her eyes, the red in her cheeks. "I could have told him, 'Dad, we've got to go. The fire is coming' but I didn't! I didn't do a thing, not until the fire was right on us, and even then, I couldn't save him. I wasn't strong enough. I won't ever be strong enough."
"Is that what's been bothering you all this time? Terra, you were eight years old. You're fifteen now, you've got this inner strength. You've got to find it. You've got to overcome the past. It's eating you alive, from the inside out. Stop living in the past, and look at what you've got right in front of you!"
"What? The impending doom of the entire cosmos, losing everyone I love, and being killed by Pandora?"
"I can't predict the future, but I can tell you that we're going to do everything in our power to defeat Pandora and bring balance back to our dimensions. There's no way we can lose outright—look at all we're doing!"
"What if it's not enough?" Terra sobbed. "If we lose, that's it, we're done for!"
"Terra, no matter what, we'll win," Riku said, shaking her shoulders slightly. "You know how I know that?"
"How?"
"Between the two of us we've got the three most important powers," Riku smirked. "Magic, Imagination, and Passion. Terra, I...I wanted to say this before, but I just...I was a coward. Terra...I-I...You're the best friend I've had, in a long time. I'm closer to you than I've ever been to anyone else in my life."
She threw her arms around his neck, crying and smiling at the same time. Even if he didn't like her the same way she liked him, this alone was enough. Smiling, too, Riku held her in his arms, glad that at least something was right in his life. Nothing had felt so right since he'd first suggested that Sora, Kairi, and he build the raft to go to another world.
But still something nagged at him.
Classes. Terra smiled serenely at the Hufflepuff table, seated next to Riku, across from Renee. The Hufflepuff Common Room was just as warm and welcoming as the people in the House. Justin Finch-Fletchley was quite the gentleman and knew how to make the whole room laugh. The other Hufflepuffs, like Ernie Macmillan and Hannah Abbott, the prefects, were somewhat wary of the new fifth years, who were studying elementary magic at the same time.
But that didn't matter to Terra. All that mattered to her were her friends and what they were going to learn in this world. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had promised to meet them in the library at four, after their last class, to study, do homework, and just plain hang out. Terra's good mood lasted just about as long as it took her to turn around and see Harry. He was staring at his plate forlornly, like a forsaken puppy on the median of an eight-lane highway.
"Seamus don't believe you, neither, I'm suspectin'?" Terra asked gently.
"No."
"Don't worry about it. He'll come round. They all will, Harry."
"How do you—oh, right," he smiled blandly. "I forgot."
Terra smiled back. But she felt her heart sink horribly when the Great Hall doors opened next, and in stepped a squat woman in a horrendous pink cardigan, with an even more horrid black bow in her scraggly hair.
"Umbridge...I'd hoped we wouldn't have to deal with her. Christ, help me get through this."
"Who's Umbridge?" Riku asked.
"Only the nastiest witch I've ever seen who isn't a proclaimed Death Eater," Renee said darkly, ripping into her sausage.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked. "She was at my trial, but she didn't—"
"Just believe us—you don't want to cross her path. Here she comes! Act natural."
She really did look like a fat toad, her mouth inhumanly wide, her nose stretched and thin, her eyes bulgy and reddish. Instead of hopping along, she waddled up to the High Table and sat next to Dumbledore. He called the attention of the room and introduced her, to scattered applause. She coughed gently.
"Hem hem." Already, Terra could feel a headache coming on. Dumbledore sat down, highly shocked. Terra wasn't. "Thank you, Headmaster, for those kind words of welcome."
They were the last Dolores Umbridge would hear from any loyal Hogwarts resident.
"Well, it is lovely to be back at Hogwarts, I must say! And to see such happy, smiling faces looking back at me!"
"Why is she talking to us like we're in grammar school?" Rose Zeller, a new first year in Hufflepuff, asked Terra. She smiled despite herself at the little Rose, who reminded her so much of Al it was uncanny.
"Because she's an evil, twisted git," Terra whispered back. Rose cocked an eyebrow at her. "I know. I've followed a lot of her...uh...legislation. She only got in the school because Fudge wants to spy on Dumbledore."
"Why would Mr. Fudge want to spy?"
"Because, being stupid as he is, he thinks Dumbledore wants his job. And he likes power, see, so he'll do everything he can to keep it."
"Ah, the immortal power-hog. I understand. You're new here, too, aren't you?"
"Er...yes, the three of us are, indeed. We sort of fell behind in our studies, you see."
"You're Terra Jem, right? I'm Rose Zeller. Pleased to meet you."
"The pleasure's mine," Terra smiled.
At last, the flapping toad shut her yap and the school was released to do whatever they wanted. Professor Sprout handed each person a schedule, and Terra instantly glanced at Riku's and Renee's. They were about the same, except...except she had Arithmancy. They had Divination.
"Jeez," Terra whispered. "We've already got Umbride this morning. Then Binns. Then...heaven help us, Snape. With the Ravenclaws. Man. I've got...Vector. Professor Vector. By myself."
"Don't worry about it, I'm sure you'll be fine," Renee said, frowning at her own schedule. "He's pro'lly better than Trelawny, at any rate." (AN-I'm pretty certain Vector's a guy...if not, someone correct me!)
"Come on," Terra heaved her pack onto her shoulder, grabbing the last of her grilled cheese sandwich. "Let's get to the torture chamber."
Grim, the little trio headed straight for the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. Umbridge was still in the Great Hall, so they had a little time alone in the room, with Ernie Macmillan, Justin Finch-Fletchley, and Hannah Abbott. Ingrid Taylor, Jasmine Littletown, Andy Montebank, and Oliver Took were not very far behind.
"Good morning, class."
"Good morning, Professor Umbridge," Terra and Renee said in a sort of drugged monotone.
"Our American guests have it right," Umbridge said brightly. "I'd like everyone to say 'Good morning, Professor Umbridge'. Now, good morning class!"
"Good morning, Professor Umbridge."
Terra paid little attention after that, only to say "Yes, Professor Umbridge" when she asked if they all had their books. Her basic plan was to continue her more elementary skills during this class time, since she, like Hermione, had already finished reading the entirety of the book. If Umbridge had a problem with that, she would calmly answer all her questions. She refused to let the toad get to her.
She knew Renee would ask about the course aims, but she'd warned the calico girl about it before the toad had walked in. Both of them knew better than to question Umbridge, as they'd both read the books. Riku, apparently, had not heard her warning.
His hand was high in the air.
"Don't," Terra mouthed to him.
Stubborn as ever, the boy's hand was in the air.
"Riku, don't," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
"Did you want to ask something about the chapter, dear?"
"No. I want to know why your course aims have nothing about practical use of the skills in this book."
The class murmured.
"Your name is...?"
"Riku Sawaguchi."
"Well, Mr. Sartushi, why would you think it necessary to use defensive magic if you won't be attacked?"
"How do you know we won't be attacked?"
Before long, the entire class was grumbling angrily, like a disturbed hive of bees. Riku sat back in his seat, smirking at the noise. Rolling her eyes, Terra glanced at Umbridge, who was now arguing with Ernie Macmillan.
"Maybe now we'll have some new believers for Harry," Riku whispered.
"What?"
"If they see that the Ministry is trying to corrupt the classroom, maybe these fifth years will get the rest of Hufflepuff on Harry's side," Riku said. "I managed to read halfway through the fifth book."
Terra's eyes widened as it dawned on her. He was sacrificing perhaps his own good record for the sake of Harry. She smiled and opened The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 4. This must be the reason why she loved him so much. His heart. Regardless, he would remain a friend to her.
Only a friend.
The cards leapt at Sora from all angles. Sora jabbed and dodged the spikes and axes they carried. Why had the queen made them attack, instead of just letting Alice go? He didn't have long to think. Blank took his place against a nine of diamonds.
"We'll take care of these!" She shouted, not taking her eyes off the cards, her bow steady in her hand. "You get that tower down!"
"Right," he nodded.
Sora shook his head at the memory, the Gummi Ship's engines humming beneath him. They still hadn't saved Alice. Blank and Kyle were grim, knowing where she'd gone, refusing to tell him. Freda sighed in the pilot's seat, watching the colorful multiversal stars go by out the window.
"Don't worry about Alice too much, Sora," she said. "She's okay, for now. They won't hurt her. Not yet, anyway."
"Where is she?"
"Hollow Bastion," Al said before Blank could stop him. "The bad guy hangout. Disney is not very original when it comes to its villains. Final Fantasy knows its stuff."
"So what was that door?"
"You mean the Doorknob?" Freda smiled wryly. "You locked the world. Meaning the Heartless supposedly were stilled in their takeover of that world. You only slowed it, though. To stop it, we've got to get stronger and get to Hollow Bastion. Beyond that...I don't think anyone knows."
"How strong?" Sora glanced around. "How strong do we have to get?"
"We get as strong as we can, period," Blank said firmly. "This isn't the game anymore, Freda, I know you haven't quite gotten that. This is not a game. We get stronger, we get smarter, we find our motivation. Or we perish and sink."
"I like the former part," Kyle chimed in. "Of course, I need to get back for my race tonight. Jeez, I took off college and everything to get some rest and junk for it, and now I'm all—"
"Go home, Kyle, I'll drive. We'll come and root for you later. It's finally Friday."
"No more school for two days!" Al shouted. "Hoorah!"
"You sure about this, Missus J?"
"I don't want you breaking your collar bone or something again," Freda pulled him to his feet. "Now, go home. Go to bed."
Kyle relinquished his seat to Terra's mother slowly. Watching from his little corner, Sora saw Kyle's eyes as he bowed his head and jumped straight out of this world. There was something there. Something...indescribable. What was wrong?
Sure, Kyle really wasn't in the "circle" that seemed to have formed. Sure, Sora really didn't know him that well. But somehow, he felt that there was something wrong with Kyle that hadn't been there before this all began. Was there something he wasn't catching? It was no secret Sora wasn't exactly perceptive. In fact, most people would be shocked he'd even noticed the fact that Kyle was acting strangely.
Perhaps Blank would know. After all, they were siblings. Sora glanced around. He would as when Freda and Al were not around. It would be for the best.
"Finally! Saturday is here!" Al did a little dance around his sister. Sora smiled. What he would do for a little sibling like him...
"I know what you're thinking," Terra grinned. The others pulled ahead a little. "And no, you really would not like a brother or sister. I've seen it before, kiddo."
Sora smiled, too. "You really think that's what I was thinking?"
"Either that or about...her. You miss Kairi, don't you?" Terra blinked, staring at Al, who was tugging Riku to a lemonade stand. The older boy seemed perplexed by Al's large amount of energy. "He had highly carbonated soda."
"Of course I miss her."
"I don't know Pandora. I know Dirken only through what Renee's written and told me. I know Kairi only from the few short hours I knew her on Destiny Islands." Terra stopped, her eyes trained on the track and the bleacher- like chairs that the little group they'd formed were taking. "But I do know one thing. I've still got some of your heart. You've still got some of mine. And in both of them, I feel the beating of hers. She's all right, Sora. I know she is."
Under his hand, Sora's heart beat slowly, calmly. The excitement of the impending race quickened his pulse. Thinking of Kairi made it leap to his throat. It was the same as it had been when they were still on the island. Terra was right. Kairi was okay.
But for how long, Sora did not know.
"Hey, Terra, Sora, what are you two doing back there?!" Kyle leaped out of nowhere and threw an arm around each of their shoulders. "I'll give ya a good show. Neither of you have seen me race before. Hey, Terra, when are you going to come to bed with me?"
"Wh-What?" Terra stuttered.
"Ah, c'mon, I was only yanking yer chain!"
But Sora looked into those aqua eyes so like Riku's and saw no lie. Why would he suggest such a thing? Maybe he was reading him wrong. Maybe Kyle really was just joking. Sora shook his head roughly as Kyle sauntered toward his bike and the track.
"MOTORISTS! Start your engines!"
Sora saw the number 6 on Kyle's back, but that was the only distinguishing thing between him and the other racers on the track. The motorcycles were gunning, throwing the crowd in a noisy circle. Terra and Al cheered Kyle's name out loud. The crowd roared like lions on their prey.
Like the Heartless ready to pounce.
Kyle threw one of his roses into the air as the countdown began. The crowd grew still as the announcer counted. Only the soft hum of the motorcycles below reached Sora's ears. "2...1...GO! And they're off, folks, to a great start!"
Sora screamed with the rest for Kyle, number 6, the man who they all hoped would take the gold. A large man squeezed into the seats behind them. Sora couldn't help but glance back at him. Why was he so familiar?
"Hagrid! I didn't think you'd make it!" Terra whirled around and smiled at the large man, whose bushy black beard all but covered the obvious smile on his lips. "Where're the others?"
"Dumbledore's bringin' the lot soon. Harry had Quidditch today, 'member? Hermione decided to stay an' watch, but I don' right know what happened to Ron..."
"I do," Terra smiled. "Don't you worry, Hagrid, he's fine. Fact is, they're gonna be all smiles once they get here."
"Hagrid" merely blinked at her. Sora hadn't a clue what had her in such a good mood, but just as she spoke, the three Hogwarts students and Dumbledore were walking down the stairs toward them. Sure enough, Ron and Harry were both grinning broadly, though Hermione did look a bit miffed.
"Ron, I can't believe you kept it a secret from us!" Hermione said, sounding hurt.
"Ah, Hermione, let it alone. We know now, don't we? And Ron's been made Keeper!" Harry laughed. Sora glanced at Renee, who was smiling secretly behind her mane of calico hair.
"But..."
"Let it alone, 'Mione," Terra piped up. "He didn't tell anyone else, neither, ya know." The announcer broke his normal speech routine with a shout of surprise. "Number 6 is down! Number 6 is down! It looks bad, folks, paramedics are advancing onto the track, removing most of the bike's remains..."
"Kyle!" Blank was up like a shot and down the stands before anyone could stop her.
In their absence of attention, Kyle's bike had crashed into one of the curves. His bike was a mangled bit a sheet metal. No one could tell if Kyle was all right or not. Before Sora could react, Terra, Freda, and Renee were already down at his side. Al glanced at Sora, then back at the others. Riku followed the little boy's example.
"Go on, we'll be fine," Harry nodded.
The three boys raced down the steps as fast as their feet could carry them. The announcer's updates continued.
"This looks bad, people. The other racers have been asked to stop and leave their bikes where they lie so that we can get Kyle Map safely off of the pavement. His sister, Blank, and several of his friends have raced out onto the blacktop to make certain that he is okay..."
Sora reached the blacktop and forgot all about missing the twisted bits of metal that had spread out over the crash site. Paramedics had taken off Kyle's helmet and were carefully checking his vital signs. Renee grabbed on to Sora's arm in fear.
"They said he might have broken his backbone!" she cried. "They don't want to move him, because they might kill him...they called an ambulance. An ambulance! This is bad, really bad..."
Sora nodded grimly, but stepped away from the calico girl to see Kyle better. His face was covered in scrapes and bruises were beginning to form. The paramedics had placed a neck brace on his and were working hard to get him on a straight white board of some kind. Deep red blood spurted from wounds all over his body, including on his knuckles and his ankles. His right ankle and left jaw both hung at odd angles, making Sora believe they were crushed and probably broken. Kyle still hadn't woken up.
Renee glomped his arm, crying pitifully into his shoulder. Blank stood again and stood on the opposite side of him. She didn't cry. She didn't try to hug him or anything. She simply stood there, taking strength from within and from without. Pain unlike any Sora had ever seen shimmered in her eyes.
"The bike's bars weren't secure," said an official, who was studying the mangled remains of the motorcycle. "This bike was tampered with. Someone tried to murder Kyle Map."
Not one of the people present gasped in shock. They knew exactly who had tried to kill Blank's brother. The ambulance arrived on the scene, driving right out onto the blacktop. Several men in white jumped out, bringing a mobile hospital bed with them. Several hefted Kyle into the ambulance.
"Only family," said one gruffly. Blank climbed solemnly into the back of the vehicle.
Sora watched as they drove away, the alarms whirring eerily throughout the stadium. Those remaining walked off, their faces set. Sora glanced back and happened to glance the white rose Kyle had thrown at the start of the race.
He possibly would never throw one again.
Chapter 18: Power of Love
"What are we gonna do?" Terra whispered fiercely as Sora, Blank, and Renee walked into Ms. Snow's classroom. "We can't possibly leave all those people defenseless out there! They are clueless!"
"What do you suggest, Terra?" Blank fisted her hands to her hips. "Goin' on national TV and goin' 'oh, sorry we didn't tell you before, but we're being invaded by the Heartless, which are aliens from another Dimension?!' Hell, no! We'd be breaking about a hundred interdimensional primal laws!"
"Screw the laws! That woman just got turned into a HEARTLESS and won't ever come back," Terra growled. "I ain't putting up with it. I'm telling—someone! Anyone, I don't care. The president, the police, SOMEONE."
"How do we explain the five of us, then?" Hermione asked. "How do we explain how we know?"
"We don't...we just say...we just tell..." Terra cursed viciously.
"Just make sure you don't say that in front of my mum," Ron said, sighing. "I'm all for telling someone. But who?"
"Dumbledore," Hermione said. "He'll know what to do. Terra's right. We can't just leave all those people defenseless. We could lie—tell them they're aliens here to take over the planet."
"Oh, yeah, and we happen to know that how?" Blank said sarcastically. "Don't just jump into this thing. Think it through first."
"We're going to lose more people by just sitting here."
"Better to lose a few than lose more through rash action," Blank said coolly.
The bell rang, sending them into their seats for class once again.
"Professor Dumbledore!" Terra was near panic, running toward the white- haired headmaster. "Professor, the Heartless are taking over already in our world—we need to tell them, they at least need to know what they're up against—"
"Terra, calm down," he said. "I've already informed the proper authorities in your dimension. Very curious as to how I knew about them..."
"But...but, what are we supposed to do?"
"Nothing, I'm afraid. We're taking no action. There's nothing we can do except warn them—they can arm themselves, unlike Kingdom Hearts."
"But—"
"Terra, leave it alone," Riku brushed her shoulder gently. "They know now."
"We can do nothing more," Dumbledore said firmly. "Come. Imagination lessons are what we need right now. Perhaps if you started with something else that you enjoy yourself? Say, paints?"
He left, leading the others into his office again. Terra sighed, leaning against the wall beside where the eagle gargoyle usually stood. Riku squeezed her shoulder gently, nodding her toward the entrance.
"We might as well go, Terra. Learning is what we need right now. You know that. Perhaps we can practice after we've had some sleep. Class doesn't start for another four hours, right?"
Terra sighed. "Right." She stepped onto the steps, but lost her balance, toppling straight back into Riku's waiting arms. Her silver eyes met his aqua orbs. Blushing, she stammered out a rushed apology. She joked that perhaps her perpetual imbalance had returned and maybe she needed to spend a few more hours in Sora's body.
Riku gently righted her and they continued up the stairs as if nothing had happened.
"Right foot, right foot!" Riku shouted, the Lightblade crashing down onto the Keyblade. He backed off, pointing to Terra's right leg. "Bend the knee. You've got to be able to absorb the shock. Feel that jolt in your leg? That's why."
Nodding, Terra bent her knee and prepared for another bout. They had another two hours before breakfast. Both of them had long since finished their homework, and had read all of the books they needed to. Terra felt competent in her first, second, and third year magic. She wasn't too good with certain potions, or any of her fourth year coursework, but she was decent. Riku had this sort of knack for magic. Somehow, he knew and understood everything.
Except, of course, history. And no one paid attention to Binns anyway, with the exception of Hermione, so no one really understood it. The Lightblade jabbed through her defense, and she was extremely glad Dumbledore had dulled the blade. Even so, she was pretty sure she'd have an interesting bruise on her abdomen tomorrow.
"Sorry. Maybe we'd better quit for today."
Terra winced. "All right, I guess." She set the Keyblade up against the wall, sighing. "So, what do you think of how our plan is going so far?"
"As long as none of us goes crazy from all the information and stress, we'll be fine," Riku said, setting the Lightblade next to hers. McGonagall had let them into this spare room, which they'd had to clean themselves before their match.
"That's the main thing I'm worried about," Terra said, sighing. "Yes, it's a great way to learn all we need to, but is it healthy to continuously take that Sleep Draught for six straight years, going to school in two different places, and then switching to fight the Heartless in Kingdom Hearts?"
"I don't know. And I'm worried, too."
"Kairi?"
"No, actually," Riku stared out the window, across the treetops of the Forbidden Forest. "She's fine, I know she is. Pandora made a promise. So did Sora. And I accept both of their promises and take them to heart. Kairi is Sora's, as far as I'm concerned."
Shocked, Terra sank onto an empty desk, atop which sat two drink glasses and a pitcher full of water. Riku gave up on Kairi? Since when? And why? What had brought about this sudden change of heart?
Terra glanced up to try and voice these questions, but yelped in surprise instead. Riku was right in front of her, staring into her eyes curiously. He looked almost suspicious, like he had when he first met her. When he knew she was herself, but played at thinking that she was Sora.
"Wha-What are you doing?" Terra stammered, trying to back up. Her slippery palms couldn't catch the wood of the desk.
"Terra, why do you always look so sad?"
"What? What do you mean, sad?"
"Even when you're laughing, you're eyes don't carry the happiness that should go with it. I've only ever seen you smile for real twice. When I showed you the kittens behind the falls and the first imagination lesson. I've never seen you laugh. You've always forced it, as though it's only a requirement to make others happy. What about you, Terra? When are you going to find time to make yourself happy?"
"I am happy, Riku."
"Then why do you force yourself to smile and laugh and act crazy all the time? You know da—"
"Don't you dare curse," Terra whispered fiercely. "I don't give a flying pig's foot about my mouth, but don't you dare dirty yours."
"Terra, listen to me," Riku said, his hands on her shoulders, standing as close as the desk would allow. "Listen to me. What did your father tell you?"
Silver eyes cast toward the ceiling, hoping for an escape. Riku pulled her chin down and stared her straight in the eyes. "What did he say to you?"
FLASH
Eight-year-old Terra watched the doctors working fiercely on her father, doing every trick in the book to make him come alive again. He coughed violently, croaking for them to leave him.
"Terra...Terra, my...daughter," he rasped. "Listen...to me. You be...a...good girl. Watch out...for your brother. Listen...to your mother. Get...through school. Be...happy...act crazy...be everything...I-I wasn't. Can you...can you do that?"
"Yes, Daddy, but why—?"
"Daddy's going...away. He won't...be...back...Terra. I love you..." His hands went slack, his mouth drooped. His eyes didn't close again. His chest didn't rise and fall anymore. The little squiggly lines that had been moving a few minutes ago were straight.
A loud, annoying beeping sound echoed in the room.
"Daddy? Daddy, answer me. Daddy! Help! Help! Somebody! Daddy's not waking up! Daddy!"
"He will not answer."
A man walked in, his white lab coated with blood. Terra stared into his slim green eyes, horrified by his declaration. She watched him turn around, a little flame on the end of a wobbly stick coming out from under the coat. "He isn't going to come back, Terra. I'm sorry."
She glanced at her Daddy, then went out to ask the strange man what he meant. But he was gone.
"He told me to be happy..." Terra sighed, her hands stubbornly crossed over her chest.
"Then why aren't you?"
"Because he's gone...he just left, just like that."
"It's been seven years, Terra."
"I could have saved him!" she cried, her hands flying to cover the tears in her eyes, the red in her cheeks. "I could have told him, 'Dad, we've got to go. The fire is coming' but I didn't! I didn't do a thing, not until the fire was right on us, and even then, I couldn't save him. I wasn't strong enough. I won't ever be strong enough."
"Is that what's been bothering you all this time? Terra, you were eight years old. You're fifteen now, you've got this inner strength. You've got to find it. You've got to overcome the past. It's eating you alive, from the inside out. Stop living in the past, and look at what you've got right in front of you!"
"What? The impending doom of the entire cosmos, losing everyone I love, and being killed by Pandora?"
"I can't predict the future, but I can tell you that we're going to do everything in our power to defeat Pandora and bring balance back to our dimensions. There's no way we can lose outright—look at all we're doing!"
"What if it's not enough?" Terra sobbed. "If we lose, that's it, we're done for!"
"Terra, no matter what, we'll win," Riku said, shaking her shoulders slightly. "You know how I know that?"
"How?"
"Between the two of us we've got the three most important powers," Riku smirked. "Magic, Imagination, and Passion. Terra, I...I wanted to say this before, but I just...I was a coward. Terra...I-I...You're the best friend I've had, in a long time. I'm closer to you than I've ever been to anyone else in my life."
She threw her arms around his neck, crying and smiling at the same time. Even if he didn't like her the same way she liked him, this alone was enough. Smiling, too, Riku held her in his arms, glad that at least something was right in his life. Nothing had felt so right since he'd first suggested that Sora, Kairi, and he build the raft to go to another world.
But still something nagged at him.
Classes. Terra smiled serenely at the Hufflepuff table, seated next to Riku, across from Renee. The Hufflepuff Common Room was just as warm and welcoming as the people in the House. Justin Finch-Fletchley was quite the gentleman and knew how to make the whole room laugh. The other Hufflepuffs, like Ernie Macmillan and Hannah Abbott, the prefects, were somewhat wary of the new fifth years, who were studying elementary magic at the same time.
But that didn't matter to Terra. All that mattered to her were her friends and what they were going to learn in this world. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had promised to meet them in the library at four, after their last class, to study, do homework, and just plain hang out. Terra's good mood lasted just about as long as it took her to turn around and see Harry. He was staring at his plate forlornly, like a forsaken puppy on the median of an eight-lane highway.
"Seamus don't believe you, neither, I'm suspectin'?" Terra asked gently.
"No."
"Don't worry about it. He'll come round. They all will, Harry."
"How do you—oh, right," he smiled blandly. "I forgot."
Terra smiled back. But she felt her heart sink horribly when the Great Hall doors opened next, and in stepped a squat woman in a horrendous pink cardigan, with an even more horrid black bow in her scraggly hair.
"Umbridge...I'd hoped we wouldn't have to deal with her. Christ, help me get through this."
"Who's Umbridge?" Riku asked.
"Only the nastiest witch I've ever seen who isn't a proclaimed Death Eater," Renee said darkly, ripping into her sausage.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked. "She was at my trial, but she didn't—"
"Just believe us—you don't want to cross her path. Here she comes! Act natural."
She really did look like a fat toad, her mouth inhumanly wide, her nose stretched and thin, her eyes bulgy and reddish. Instead of hopping along, she waddled up to the High Table and sat next to Dumbledore. He called the attention of the room and introduced her, to scattered applause. She coughed gently.
"Hem hem." Already, Terra could feel a headache coming on. Dumbledore sat down, highly shocked. Terra wasn't. "Thank you, Headmaster, for those kind words of welcome."
They were the last Dolores Umbridge would hear from any loyal Hogwarts resident.
"Well, it is lovely to be back at Hogwarts, I must say! And to see such happy, smiling faces looking back at me!"
"Why is she talking to us like we're in grammar school?" Rose Zeller, a new first year in Hufflepuff, asked Terra. She smiled despite herself at the little Rose, who reminded her so much of Al it was uncanny.
"Because she's an evil, twisted git," Terra whispered back. Rose cocked an eyebrow at her. "I know. I've followed a lot of her...uh...legislation. She only got in the school because Fudge wants to spy on Dumbledore."
"Why would Mr. Fudge want to spy?"
"Because, being stupid as he is, he thinks Dumbledore wants his job. And he likes power, see, so he'll do everything he can to keep it."
"Ah, the immortal power-hog. I understand. You're new here, too, aren't you?"
"Er...yes, the three of us are, indeed. We sort of fell behind in our studies, you see."
"You're Terra Jem, right? I'm Rose Zeller. Pleased to meet you."
"The pleasure's mine," Terra smiled.
At last, the flapping toad shut her yap and the school was released to do whatever they wanted. Professor Sprout handed each person a schedule, and Terra instantly glanced at Riku's and Renee's. They were about the same, except...except she had Arithmancy. They had Divination.
"Jeez," Terra whispered. "We've already got Umbride this morning. Then Binns. Then...heaven help us, Snape. With the Ravenclaws. Man. I've got...Vector. Professor Vector. By myself."
"Don't worry about it, I'm sure you'll be fine," Renee said, frowning at her own schedule. "He's pro'lly better than Trelawny, at any rate." (AN-I'm pretty certain Vector's a guy...if not, someone correct me!)
"Come on," Terra heaved her pack onto her shoulder, grabbing the last of her grilled cheese sandwich. "Let's get to the torture chamber."
Grim, the little trio headed straight for the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. Umbridge was still in the Great Hall, so they had a little time alone in the room, with Ernie Macmillan, Justin Finch-Fletchley, and Hannah Abbott. Ingrid Taylor, Jasmine Littletown, Andy Montebank, and Oliver Took were not very far behind.
"Good morning, class."
"Good morning, Professor Umbridge," Terra and Renee said in a sort of drugged monotone.
"Our American guests have it right," Umbridge said brightly. "I'd like everyone to say 'Good morning, Professor Umbridge'. Now, good morning class!"
"Good morning, Professor Umbridge."
Terra paid little attention after that, only to say "Yes, Professor Umbridge" when she asked if they all had their books. Her basic plan was to continue her more elementary skills during this class time, since she, like Hermione, had already finished reading the entirety of the book. If Umbridge had a problem with that, she would calmly answer all her questions. She refused to let the toad get to her.
She knew Renee would ask about the course aims, but she'd warned the calico girl about it before the toad had walked in. Both of them knew better than to question Umbridge, as they'd both read the books. Riku, apparently, had not heard her warning.
His hand was high in the air.
"Don't," Terra mouthed to him.
Stubborn as ever, the boy's hand was in the air.
"Riku, don't," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
"Did you want to ask something about the chapter, dear?"
"No. I want to know why your course aims have nothing about practical use of the skills in this book."
The class murmured.
"Your name is...?"
"Riku Sawaguchi."
"Well, Mr. Sartushi, why would you think it necessary to use defensive magic if you won't be attacked?"
"How do you know we won't be attacked?"
Before long, the entire class was grumbling angrily, like a disturbed hive of bees. Riku sat back in his seat, smirking at the noise. Rolling her eyes, Terra glanced at Umbridge, who was now arguing with Ernie Macmillan.
"Maybe now we'll have some new believers for Harry," Riku whispered.
"What?"
"If they see that the Ministry is trying to corrupt the classroom, maybe these fifth years will get the rest of Hufflepuff on Harry's side," Riku said. "I managed to read halfway through the fifth book."
Terra's eyes widened as it dawned on her. He was sacrificing perhaps his own good record for the sake of Harry. She smiled and opened The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 4. This must be the reason why she loved him so much. His heart. Regardless, he would remain a friend to her.
Only a friend.
The cards leapt at Sora from all angles. Sora jabbed and dodged the spikes and axes they carried. Why had the queen made them attack, instead of just letting Alice go? He didn't have long to think. Blank took his place against a nine of diamonds.
"We'll take care of these!" She shouted, not taking her eyes off the cards, her bow steady in her hand. "You get that tower down!"
"Right," he nodded.
Sora shook his head at the memory, the Gummi Ship's engines humming beneath him. They still hadn't saved Alice. Blank and Kyle were grim, knowing where she'd gone, refusing to tell him. Freda sighed in the pilot's seat, watching the colorful multiversal stars go by out the window.
"Don't worry about Alice too much, Sora," she said. "She's okay, for now. They won't hurt her. Not yet, anyway."
"Where is she?"
"Hollow Bastion," Al said before Blank could stop him. "The bad guy hangout. Disney is not very original when it comes to its villains. Final Fantasy knows its stuff."
"So what was that door?"
"You mean the Doorknob?" Freda smiled wryly. "You locked the world. Meaning the Heartless supposedly were stilled in their takeover of that world. You only slowed it, though. To stop it, we've got to get stronger and get to Hollow Bastion. Beyond that...I don't think anyone knows."
"How strong?" Sora glanced around. "How strong do we have to get?"
"We get as strong as we can, period," Blank said firmly. "This isn't the game anymore, Freda, I know you haven't quite gotten that. This is not a game. We get stronger, we get smarter, we find our motivation. Or we perish and sink."
"I like the former part," Kyle chimed in. "Of course, I need to get back for my race tonight. Jeez, I took off college and everything to get some rest and junk for it, and now I'm all—"
"Go home, Kyle, I'll drive. We'll come and root for you later. It's finally Friday."
"No more school for two days!" Al shouted. "Hoorah!"
"You sure about this, Missus J?"
"I don't want you breaking your collar bone or something again," Freda pulled him to his feet. "Now, go home. Go to bed."
Kyle relinquished his seat to Terra's mother slowly. Watching from his little corner, Sora saw Kyle's eyes as he bowed his head and jumped straight out of this world. There was something there. Something...indescribable. What was wrong?
Sure, Kyle really wasn't in the "circle" that seemed to have formed. Sure, Sora really didn't know him that well. But somehow, he felt that there was something wrong with Kyle that hadn't been there before this all began. Was there something he wasn't catching? It was no secret Sora wasn't exactly perceptive. In fact, most people would be shocked he'd even noticed the fact that Kyle was acting strangely.
Perhaps Blank would know. After all, they were siblings. Sora glanced around. He would as when Freda and Al were not around. It would be for the best.
"Finally! Saturday is here!" Al did a little dance around his sister. Sora smiled. What he would do for a little sibling like him...
"I know what you're thinking," Terra grinned. The others pulled ahead a little. "And no, you really would not like a brother or sister. I've seen it before, kiddo."
Sora smiled, too. "You really think that's what I was thinking?"
"Either that or about...her. You miss Kairi, don't you?" Terra blinked, staring at Al, who was tugging Riku to a lemonade stand. The older boy seemed perplexed by Al's large amount of energy. "He had highly carbonated soda."
"Of course I miss her."
"I don't know Pandora. I know Dirken only through what Renee's written and told me. I know Kairi only from the few short hours I knew her on Destiny Islands." Terra stopped, her eyes trained on the track and the bleacher- like chairs that the little group they'd formed were taking. "But I do know one thing. I've still got some of your heart. You've still got some of mine. And in both of them, I feel the beating of hers. She's all right, Sora. I know she is."
Under his hand, Sora's heart beat slowly, calmly. The excitement of the impending race quickened his pulse. Thinking of Kairi made it leap to his throat. It was the same as it had been when they were still on the island. Terra was right. Kairi was okay.
But for how long, Sora did not know.
"Hey, Terra, Sora, what are you two doing back there?!" Kyle leaped out of nowhere and threw an arm around each of their shoulders. "I'll give ya a good show. Neither of you have seen me race before. Hey, Terra, when are you going to come to bed with me?"
"Wh-What?" Terra stuttered.
"Ah, c'mon, I was only yanking yer chain!"
But Sora looked into those aqua eyes so like Riku's and saw no lie. Why would he suggest such a thing? Maybe he was reading him wrong. Maybe Kyle really was just joking. Sora shook his head roughly as Kyle sauntered toward his bike and the track.
"MOTORISTS! Start your engines!"
Sora saw the number 6 on Kyle's back, but that was the only distinguishing thing between him and the other racers on the track. The motorcycles were gunning, throwing the crowd in a noisy circle. Terra and Al cheered Kyle's name out loud. The crowd roared like lions on their prey.
Like the Heartless ready to pounce.
Kyle threw one of his roses into the air as the countdown began. The crowd grew still as the announcer counted. Only the soft hum of the motorcycles below reached Sora's ears. "2...1...GO! And they're off, folks, to a great start!"
Sora screamed with the rest for Kyle, number 6, the man who they all hoped would take the gold. A large man squeezed into the seats behind them. Sora couldn't help but glance back at him. Why was he so familiar?
"Hagrid! I didn't think you'd make it!" Terra whirled around and smiled at the large man, whose bushy black beard all but covered the obvious smile on his lips. "Where're the others?"
"Dumbledore's bringin' the lot soon. Harry had Quidditch today, 'member? Hermione decided to stay an' watch, but I don' right know what happened to Ron..."
"I do," Terra smiled. "Don't you worry, Hagrid, he's fine. Fact is, they're gonna be all smiles once they get here."
"Hagrid" merely blinked at her. Sora hadn't a clue what had her in such a good mood, but just as she spoke, the three Hogwarts students and Dumbledore were walking down the stairs toward them. Sure enough, Ron and Harry were both grinning broadly, though Hermione did look a bit miffed.
"Ron, I can't believe you kept it a secret from us!" Hermione said, sounding hurt.
"Ah, Hermione, let it alone. We know now, don't we? And Ron's been made Keeper!" Harry laughed. Sora glanced at Renee, who was smiling secretly behind her mane of calico hair.
"But..."
"Let it alone, 'Mione," Terra piped up. "He didn't tell anyone else, neither, ya know." The announcer broke his normal speech routine with a shout of surprise. "Number 6 is down! Number 6 is down! It looks bad, folks, paramedics are advancing onto the track, removing most of the bike's remains..."
"Kyle!" Blank was up like a shot and down the stands before anyone could stop her.
In their absence of attention, Kyle's bike had crashed into one of the curves. His bike was a mangled bit a sheet metal. No one could tell if Kyle was all right or not. Before Sora could react, Terra, Freda, and Renee were already down at his side. Al glanced at Sora, then back at the others. Riku followed the little boy's example.
"Go on, we'll be fine," Harry nodded.
The three boys raced down the steps as fast as their feet could carry them. The announcer's updates continued.
"This looks bad, people. The other racers have been asked to stop and leave their bikes where they lie so that we can get Kyle Map safely off of the pavement. His sister, Blank, and several of his friends have raced out onto the blacktop to make certain that he is okay..."
Sora reached the blacktop and forgot all about missing the twisted bits of metal that had spread out over the crash site. Paramedics had taken off Kyle's helmet and were carefully checking his vital signs. Renee grabbed on to Sora's arm in fear.
"They said he might have broken his backbone!" she cried. "They don't want to move him, because they might kill him...they called an ambulance. An ambulance! This is bad, really bad..."
Sora nodded grimly, but stepped away from the calico girl to see Kyle better. His face was covered in scrapes and bruises were beginning to form. The paramedics had placed a neck brace on his and were working hard to get him on a straight white board of some kind. Deep red blood spurted from wounds all over his body, including on his knuckles and his ankles. His right ankle and left jaw both hung at odd angles, making Sora believe they were crushed and probably broken. Kyle still hadn't woken up.
Renee glomped his arm, crying pitifully into his shoulder. Blank stood again and stood on the opposite side of him. She didn't cry. She didn't try to hug him or anything. She simply stood there, taking strength from within and from without. Pain unlike any Sora had ever seen shimmered in her eyes.
"The bike's bars weren't secure," said an official, who was studying the mangled remains of the motorcycle. "This bike was tampered with. Someone tried to murder Kyle Map."
Not one of the people present gasped in shock. They knew exactly who had tried to kill Blank's brother. The ambulance arrived on the scene, driving right out onto the blacktop. Several men in white jumped out, bringing a mobile hospital bed with them. Several hefted Kyle into the ambulance.
"Only family," said one gruffly. Blank climbed solemnly into the back of the vehicle.
Sora watched as they drove away, the alarms whirring eerily throughout the stadium. Those remaining walked off, their faces set. Sora glanced back and happened to glance the white rose Kyle had thrown at the start of the race.
He possibly would never throw one again.