Disclaimer: No, I do not own these games. Final Fantasy belongs to Square-Enix. Kingdom Hearts belongs to both Square-Enix and Disney. Breath of Fire belongs to Capcom.

Just like to apologise for not updating! I have been at boarding school, and had been filtered by the school Internet. Also, I had trouble thinking of a good escape method for Sora, Nina, Ryu and Zidane in order to get out of Treno. Now, on with the chapter!

Sora, Nina, Ryu and Zidane managed to seek refuge in the small ancient church in Treno. Zidane had been friends with the priest for years, although Sora did not know how. Nevertheless, it was important that they had a place to hide, especially as they heard that there were wanted posters of them all over the city.

The moment that they were let in, they were led to the back room of the church, which consisted of a small table with chairs around it and three beds at the side of the wall. The priest would sometimes let travellers use the church for the night if they had nowhere to stay for whatever reason.

"You use the beds," Zidane offered. "I've slept on the floor before."

Sora fell on the bed, exhausted from his escape. He had a lot on his mind. Zidane said that they had to get out of the city as soon as they could, because it was no longer safe for them. He knew now that Kairi was at least half right – the Suverian Empire were definitely after him. Why? What was so special about his Key? Sora examined his strange key which seemed such a powerful weapon…..

The priest's daughter, Anna, would go out to the square and obtain food for Sora, Nina, Ryu and Zidane. She would usually bring sandwiches, but if they were lucky, she would sometimes come to them with sweets, such as chocolates, marshmallows and jelly beans. However, unfortunately for Sora, they were not allowed chewing gum. "My father would disapprove if he found out," Anna explained when Sora asked why. Man, it reminds me of school, Sora thought, disappointed.

Zidane wanted to talk to his friends about something important the night of their arrival. It was not safe for him to tell them during the day, as the priest was holding services during the day. Although it was safe for them to talk, what Zidane wanted to reveal could uncover their identity if anybody happened to be walking past their room. Sora had to keep his key hidden under his bed.

So, during the first day, Sora decided to have another rest. Even though he had a few hours sleep before their escape, he was still a little tired from his adventure in the castle. Ryu was already in bed, fast asleep. Sora could tell by the boy's face that he had not slept so comfortably in a long time. When Sora had seen the boy in light, he noticed that he had a couple of lines across his eyes, a sign of a lack of sleep. No wonder, Sora thought, after all, the kid had been spending what seemed a great many days and nights, alone in a dark and damp place, sleeping sitting up on a hard floor and occasionally being woken up by that arrogant and cold-hearted curr who for some reason was called Bosch. Why was Ryu in that small room, all alone? Why did the Empire lock him up and treat him this way? Where did he come from and why did he leave?

Zidane was busy talking with Nina and what he said had rather amused Sora, especially when he heard Nina's reaction.

"Hey, your High- actually, Nina.."

Nina stared at him, wondering whether to be offended by what he called her or not. Apart from Sora, Riku, Kairi, her father and a few of her closest friends at school, she was never called by her name – only 'Princess' or 'Your Highness'.

"It's still daylight, Nina. They don't know you're here!" Zidane explained.

Nina realised his point. "Um…sorry," she replied. "…uh…what did you want to say, Zidane?"

Zidane smirked. He then gazed at Nina. "You know," he whispered. "I think that we might have met before…."

Nina shook her head. "I don't think we have, Zidane," she answered, slightly annoyed by his tone.

"Are you really sure?" Zidane said, appearing to be surprised. "I am sure we have met somewhere……and it was destiny that we should meet again!"

Suddenly, Nina realised what Zidane meant. She gave a sly little smile and her reply was, "Nice try, Zidane, but my father would be very angry if he found out that I wanted to spend the rest of my life on the Wyndian throne with some lowly criminal. Besides….." and she turned her back towards him. "you aren't my type anyway."

Zidane's dirty smile faded and he started to sneer at Sora, whom he noticed was covering his face with a pillow, trying, and failing, to cover up his laughter.


Anna came to the heroes at seven in the evening and told them that it was safe for them to talk – her father had finished his last church service for the day. The four escapees then gathered around the table. Ryu had woken up from his sleep, looking refreshed. That nap must have done him real good, thought Sora. When they were all seated, Zidane stared them all for a few seconds.

"Is there anything wrong, Zidane?" Nina asked, concerned at her new friend's behaviour.

"N….nothing," Zidane answered, nervously. "I just…….well, I'm not sure how you guys are gonna react to what I'm gonna say…"

"Well, you won't know until you tell us," Sora replied.

Zidane nodded in agreement. He then took a deep breath and began.

"Have you heard…..of the Returners?"

Sora thought for a moment. "Are they…..that underground group that's working against the Empire?" he asked with curiosity.

"Yeah.." Zidane began –

"Wait a minute!" Nina interrupted. "Zidane, are you and Locke…….agents of the Returners?"

"Wow…you're fast!" Zidane exclaimed. "How did you work that out?"

"When we overheard the conversation between Mr Argul and that guy Bosch about you and Locke, we heard Mr Argul say that he thought that you might be Returners!"

Zidane started to chuckle a little. "Well, Mr Argul maybe ain't as dumb as I thought he was..heheheh….." Zidane then continued. "Well, yeah…….Locke and I are Returners……but….the Returners aren't what you think they are…"

"In what way?" was Sora's question.

"Well…..we aren't to overthrow the Empire……we're only to watch over them…..and if they do something what seems….well, immoral, then…we try to find a way to stop them, basically….."

Sora then began to think…….what were Zidane and Locke doing in the castle? Had the Empire done something wrong recently? Suddenly, something came to Sora's mind…..

"Zidane, did you hear any rumours about a dragon?"

Zidane looked a little shocked. "Hey…..you're as fast as Nina….." he then nodded. "Yeah, I heard this talk about a dragon…..in the Suverian headquarters…….Locke and I went to take a look….."

Ryu turned pale. Sora noticed this and wondered why, but decided not to say anything.

"Well………we heard about a dragon attacking Wyndia…….."

Sora closed his eyes, remembering the day that he was out in Wyndia….when that strange creature came to Wyndia and destroyed a lot of the city.

"And we heard from contacts in Wyndia that half of Wyndia's been destroyed by some creature………so we know it's not a rumour.." Zidane continued.

"So, Kairi was definitely right!" Nina nearly shouted.

"Huh?" Zidane asked, confused.

Sora and Nina decided that it would be best to tell Zidane what they knew, as they both knew that they could trust him. They told him everything…..about Sora encountering the dragon in Wyndia, about Kairi hearing the conversation in the restaurant and about them deciding to investigate, as they were worried about Wyndia. Zidane listened to them very carefully.

"I know it's a little hard to believe, but…..it's the truth," Sora said after they had finished their story.

"No, I believe you," Zidane said back. "That key is powerful enough to defeat any foe that stands in its way, even if it is a dragon…."

"Do…..you think that…..the dragon will attack Wyndia?" Nina asked, worried about her home, knowing that they had failed to find it.

"It won't," Ryu suddenly spoke before Zidane could have a chance to answer.

Zidane, Nina and Sora turned to Ryu.

"How do you know?" Sora asked, getting the impression that Ryu had something to hide.

"I just do…." Was Ryu's reply. "But the Empire may find other methods…"

Nina hoped that he was right.

"Well, anyway…I know that I've told you before but I'll tell you guys again…...you can't stay here," Zidane declared. They all nodded in agreement.

"So…..where do we go?" Sora wanted to know. "Should we head back to Wyndia?"

Zidane shook his head. "They know who you are and where you live, Sora. Wyndia would be too obvious…."

Sora nodded his head, expecting that answer. In his mind, he knew that he was not going to go home for a while…….not for a very long time, anyway…..

"Listen, Sora, there is someone who would like to meet you," Zidane then said.

"Who?"

"The leader of the Returners…….our base is hidden on an island, somewhere in the ocean…..although I can't say where, in case somebody finds out where we are heading to…."


They stayed in the church for five days. Anna would come around to bring news of what is going on in the city, as well as food. The third day, she came around with some clothes for Nina and Ryu.

"At last, I can get out of this stupid outfit!" Nina said happily.

"Well, I thought you looked a little odd in men's clothing," Anna replied with a laugh. "Besides, I was gonna get some clothes for Ryu anyway – you guys will have a long journey ahead of you and he won't want to be walking on roads and across hills in his pyjamas!"

Nina was very happy with the dress that she was given. It was rather short, but it did not matter to her – she and Kairi always wore short dresses and skirts at school with their friends when they were going out to town. They even wore them in the castle, as long as it was not a special occasion such as a guest coming to visit. Nina admired her short purple dress, which was above the legs, and her long brown boots. She had managed to cut two holes at the back for her wings, as she did with most of her dresses.

Ryu's appearance changed dramatically when he was in his new gear – he no longer looked like the weak, tired and pathetic child that Sora had seen in the Suverian castle. He still had the scar on his leg, but there was nothing that they could do about that. Ryu was dressed in a brown tunic which came with a small rucksack. His long and rather messy hair was tied in a ponytail. He looked like a normal nine year old child who was prepared for a great journey, even though he was a child prepared for a journey.

"Hey…….you look pretty good in that dress!" Zidane cried to Nina. "It makes you look incredibly sexy!"

"That's real sweet of you, Zidane," Nina smiled. "But if you think that a comment such as that is going to woo me, then I think you're wrong…"

Zidane sighed in disappointment and turned to Ryu. "Kid….you look completely different from earlier!" he exclaimed. "You look a lot better than you did in those rags….and even your pyjamas…"

Ryu said nothing.


"Why does he have to leave us?"

"You know why, Helen! He's not safe here anymore!"

A woman sat in her chair with her head in her hands. It was difficult to tell how long she had been crying for. A man was standing beside her, his right hand on his shoulder.

A boy sat on another chair, a young boy of twelve with spiky brown hair and blue eyes, looking at the man and woman in confusion.

"I know why Sora can't stay in the village," the woman sobbed. "But I……can't understand why we can't come with him…"

Another woman was standing at the other side of the room. A woman with long, dark blue hair under some sort of purple hood.

"Ma'am …I can assure you, the boy and his friend will be in safe hands……this is for YOUR safety as well as theirs…"

The man hugged Helen. "Helen, it will be okay. Our son will be fine."

"I think that we should start to leave," the blue-haired woman declared.

The boy grabbed his rucksack, which was sitting beside his chair. He glanced at the man and Helen.

"Wait!" Helen cried before getting up. She walked towards the boy and threw her arms around him. "Sora……don't forget…I am your mother and I will always love you…" she whispered to him. The boy looked at his mother, seeing the tears in her eyes. He gulped, trying very hard not to cry.

The man then walked over to the boy. He stared at him, hesitating, and then also threw his arms around the boy.

"Be brave, Sora…for me and your mother, okay?" he asked, his voice breaking.

The boy nodded and then walked slowly towards the blue-haired woman. The woman remained unmoved by what was going on.

"I suggest that you and the rest of the people of the town evacuate as soon as possible," she stated plainly. "If you don't want to end up like some of the other town and villages."

The man nodded. The woman opened the door and headed out. The boy gave one final glance at his two parents……well, at least his best friend Kairi was coming with him, so it would not be too bad…but when would he see his family again?

Tears started to fill his eyes. The boy could not take it anymore. He turned towards the doorway, headed out of the house and began to follow the woman…

Sora woke up suddenly. He groaned and sat up. Man, he hated that dream….. he had it more than once. It did not occur very often, but when it did, it would always bring him great pain.

It was the third night in the church. Everybody else was asleep. Nina was tucked up in her bed, her wings folded inwards as she slept. Zidane was sleeping on some sort of hard mattress. How could he sleep that comfortably? Sora wondered, until he realised that he had been living in the luxury that was Wyndia Castle for a few years…….and he always slept in a reasonably comfortable bed in boarding school. Sora could not ever remember having to sleep on the floor. Ryu was lying in his bed, curled up as if he did not have a care in the world.

Sora sat back in his bed and sighed. How would they get out of this small room? He had been spending the past three days in total boredom. Sora almost wished that he had not decided to sneak into the castle for some damn dragon (almost – what would have happened to Ryu if he and Nina did not find him?), then Riku would not have disappeared. Sora would have been able to continue his schoolwork and spend lots of time going out to town with Nina, Riku and Kairi…..

Kairi…Sora realised that she was still at school! He doubted that she knew about what had happened…she was probably wondering what had happened to them! He had to let her know!

There was some paper on the table. Zidane has used it earlier that day to write some sort of messages – to the headquarters of the Returners, Sora assumed, as Zidane would not tell him. Whatever it was, it did not matter. Sora took some matches from the chest of drawers nearby and lit a candle (as there was no electricity in the room). Placing the candle on the table, he began to write….

Dear Kairi

I am sure that you are wondering what had happened to us. Well, I am not sure what to tell you…except that Nina and I are fine. I can't tell you where we are at the moment, but we are planning to leave the city soon – I am sure that you have seen the posters about us all over the city. A new friend of ours (a guy named Zidane – you've seen him in the posters, haven't you?) has suggested that we can go to his place, where there won't be anybody from the Empire who knows about us.

Now for the bad news…when we found our way into the castle, we decided to split up…Nina and I would go on ahead, while Riku would stay behind and come to look for us in case we got into trouble. However, when we returned to his hiding place, he wasn't there. I wanted to stay behind and look for him, but Zidane said that it too dangerous – I can't get caught. I really hope he's all right, though……maybe he went back to school, but I don't know. If he is back at school, could you tell him that we couldn't find the dragon?

Yeah, we found no dragon, even though we searched. I am getting really worried about what the Suverian Empire… will they attack Wyndia with the dragon, just as they planned? Ryu (another new friend of ours) does not seem to think so. He says that the Empire won't attack with the dragon now, but may find other ways to attack Wyndia without them being suspected. As far as I have heard, Wyndia is still safe, which is a relief, for now.

Nina is fine. Zidane is trying to hit on her, but is failing miserably. It's quite funny to watch! She is going to come with me when we leave the city, so don't worry about her.

Geez…I have run out of things to write! Well, I hope that you are well and that this letter gets to you. I am really missing you already. I gotta go now…it's the middle of the night and I should get back to bed before I wake the others up.

Thinking of you, always.

Your friend

Sora.

He gave the letter to Anna in the morning to post it to Kairi, with the address in her own handwriting.


They already had a plan to get out of the city. Anna was going to draft out some identity cards, which could help them get out of the city gate. They had thought about using the train, but decided against that, as the train was in Suverian territory – there would be soldiers patrolling the train, in case of any trouble. Therefore, walking on the road was a safer option.

"I wish they had cars in this country," Sora sighed when talking to Nina on the journey. "Like they do in Suveria."

"Hmm…..it would be easy," Nina replied. "But Treno's a really beautiful historical city….it would look spoiled if there were concrete roads….and they would have to knock down some of the buildings."

Sora nodded, accepting the sad truth that Nina was right. Oh well, at least they allowed the trains…that had helped them get to school quickly.


They approached the city gates on the fifth day – Zidane, Sora, Nina and Ryu, with their fake passes. They handed them over to the soldier standing guard.

"Hmm…..Adam Follott, are you?" the soldier grunted.

"Yep," Zidane lied. "And those two boys there are my brothers, Spike and Shrimp." He glanced over to Sora and Ryu, who both gave him hostile looks for making up such ridiculous names. Sora usually got sensitive when people made fun of his hair and Ryu was obviously offended by Zidane's joke about his size.

"And….uh….this is my girlfriend, Rosie Silverwing," he added before turning to Nina. Nina smiled in a rather sarcastic manner, while secretly wondering what spell would stop Zidane from flirting with her again – Fire? Thunder? Or maybe Simon?

The soldier ignored them and examined the passports. "Okay, you can go," he murmured, before opening the gates…..

Sora had his key in a sack. There was no other way that he could carry it out of the city. He walked through the gate with the others, with the bag on his back. Just then….

"Hey, wait!" the soldier shouted. The party came to a halt. The soldier walked up to them. "You, boy…"

He pointed to Ryu.

"Your eyes……they…."

Ryu froze. Surely, the guard did not know….

"General Bosch told us that the wanted criminal Sora might attempt to escape the city…..and could be travelling with a small boy with red eyes…"

Zidane became instantly alert. He reached for the daggers in his sheath…..

"I am afraid that you can't leave just yet," the soldier then stated. "Not until General Bosch has seen you….." He then held out his gun at Ryu.

Nina drew out her wand. Anna had given it to her, as she would need it for the road, in case they met any bandits. Ryu drew out his sword – also given to him by Hannah.

"Ah…..so you intend to fight us, little brats? This should be interesting.." the soldier laughed in a mocking tone. His arm was right near Ryu's head. Sora was tempted to take the Keyblade out, but he knew that this would be dangerous.

Nina closed her eyes and started a little chant, preparing a spell. Zidane began to walk towards the soldier.

"Now, I don't think we need to be aggressive," the soldier said, still in his mocking tone. "Now, we can settle this quickly, you guys can go and talk to Bosch and I can get a promo…"

He did not finish his sentence as he was hit by a ball of fire. Ryu jumped out of the way, sword still in hand.

By now, a few other soldiers had approached the group, with their guns out..

This time, Ryu had closed his eyes and moved his hands.

The soldiers then moved their guns towards Sora, who seemed to be the only person unarmed. Sora was tempted to get his Keyblade out…and in fact reached for the sack, but Nina shook her head at him.

Suddenly, a cloud of gas appeared right in front of Ryu and moved towards the group of soldiers. Those soldiers that were instantly caught in it suddenly froze as they were covered by this gas. Others stepped back and started to run back inside the city gates. However, the soldiers that were touched by the gas were unable to escape, as they were suddenly covered by a huge cloud of dust. When the dust had disappeared, the soldiers 'disappeared' and in their place were a group of stone statues.

"T-they've been turned to stone!" Nina cried.

"R-Ryu…..what did you just do?" Zidane demanded, turning to Ryu.

Ryu looked at his companions as if they were mad. "It's just a spell," he answered, as if it was no big deal.

"A spell! That was a Stone Breath spell!" Sora exclaimed, also in shock. "It's a Blue Magic spell. You are really something!"

"…..because I can use blue magic?" Ryu asked, still not understanding why it is such a big shock.

"Ryu, blue magic is a very complicated study of magic," Nina said. "It takes years and years to learn and master! I have never seen anybody as young as you with the ability to cast it without problems."

Ryu thought for a minute. He could tell that his travelling companions now realised that he was not labelled as what they called 'normal'. He knew that he had better be cautious……because if they did find out his identity, then……

Ryu's head turned towards the road. "Shouldn't we be going, before more come?" he suggested.

To be continued…

Thanks to the following reviewers….

Airess – Thank you so much for being my first reviewer! I was suffering from the neglect of reviews that I was wondering whether I should continue, but you have made me feel the urge to do so, now!

Macross-Green – You have also made me want to continue! Yes, KH, BOF and FF characters are a really strange combination . I was thinking of a similar fanfic before, but a humour one. I also wanted to create a Breath of Fire adventure story. Then, suddenly, this crazy idea came into my head.