Blossom Hearts- Chapter 2

"So I stand and look around
Distracted by the sounds
of everyone and everything I see
and I search through every face
without a single trace, of the person
the person that I need" –Hoobastank

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Where are you?

Aerith, don't ever change-don't ever change-don't ever change...

Regardless of warnings the future doesn't scare me at all nothing's like before...

"Whoa!" Aerith awoke with a strange animal licking her face. "What a dream..." The animal jumped on her, hard. "Ah! This isn't a dream!"

It was a dog. A big friendly golden colored hound. "Well hey boy," Aerith said, scratching it. "What's your name? Got an owner?"

The dog's ear perked, as though it had heard what Aerith had not, and it left, flopping away on its huge paws. "H-hey!" She scrambled up from her place- crammed behind a stack of large crates, and wandered out of the small side alley into the main part of wherever she was.

It was a quaint looking, old-time town, complete with dusty cobblestones and wooden buildings. There were several people milling about, and Aerith was sad to see that quite a few of them looked lost. Maybe she looked lost too...

She was in another world.

The building in the center of town looked just as good a destination as any other. She cautiously opened the door and peered in.

It was small, but open, with a simple chartreuse couch in the corner and a clean glass table. A crystal in a glass case on the polished counter intrigued her. There was a warm fire, heating the room and making it cozy.

"Hey there! How can I help- well, hello there, little lady." The shop owner gave her a friendly wink and Aerith giggled. Already she liked this guy. His hair was blond, and held back by a slightly dirty headband. She noticed his arms were also fairly oily, and realized he must be a mechanic. However, his white shirt was still very clean.

"I'm Aerith," she said.

"Well, Miss Aerith, you look a little lost."

"No, I'm fine. Well, maybe. Um- where are we?"

"Welcome to Traverse Town! I'm Cid, Accessory Shop Owner and Resident Mechanic. Lots of people have been showing up here lately. It's great for business. Or it would be, if my incompetent apprentice would stop playing around and come back with the supplies I need!"

"Is this really another world?"

"Yep!"

Aerith sighed. "Have you ever heard of Midgar Island?"

"Nope. Sorry kid, this sure ain't your island."

Another sigh. "Maybe I'll start looking around in the morning when it's lighter out..."

"It's always night here. Right now, actually, it's a little bit after lunchtime."

"Oh!" Aerith's eyes were wide. "Then I'll start looking for Tifa and Cloud right now." She went out of the accessory shop and around the corner, making her way through the large door.

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The man was screaming, trying to get away. He tripped and fell on the ground, scrambling to gain some distance. It was all futile. Aerith ran through the door just as a heart shape floated away from the man's chest. In the center of it, though, was something that looked to Aerith like a flower. She watched in what was like agonizing slow motion as a shadow creature snatched up the flowered heart.

"The creatures from the island!"

Aerith felt a swirling anger and ran to annihilate the blasted creature, but it disappeared in a swirl of dark. The man had faded away.

Was that what had happened to Tifa, and Cloud, and the island? Had they all just...faded? Aerith shook her head violently, refusing the possibility. There was a reason to all this; there must be. And once she had found Tifa and Cloud, they could go back to their home, and everything would be normal, forget any stupid rafts or other worlds. Because that was what had started it all. It was what had changed everything.

Aerith, don't ever change...

She walked aimlessly past a clothing store- empty- and down into the open plaza, where several shadows decided to attack her. Aerith leapt back and clicked the button on her staff, unleashing the thorns. She swiped away at the Heartless with her Bloomstaff, but whenever one was defeated, another simply took its place. She felt like cussing herself silly, but instead allowed the continued rhythm of slice, swipe, downward swing, and final stab. With each blow, she felt her bond with the mysterious weapon growing stronger, and her arms growing from tired to rubbery to autopilot and numb, and it was almost as though it weren't her fighting, but the weapon fighting through her, whispering the correct moves in her ear.

She walked into a side alley, missing the two figures above her come out of the hotel and run towards the first district.

In the alleyway there were more shadows waiting, but also some small treasures found lying around. Aerith wondered if they were left over from the pockets of the people that the shadows had found.

She was lonely.

That fact came suddenly when she had defeated a group of rather large shadows and, curious, entered a quaint house with two grieving Dalmatian parents inside. Aerith would find those puppies if it killed her.

Seeing the loneliness in their dog eyes, and realizing that it mirrored her own, Aerith left and found a quiet corner. There she collapsed and started sobbing, the tears coming before she could try and stop them. She wished for Cloud's iron temperament, the kind of bravery that had kept him fighting in the secret place long after he had become too tired to do more than jab at the stupid shadows.

She looked down at the Bloomstaff in her hand and hurled it away violently. That made her feel a little bit better until, in a flash of light, it returned to her palm, startling the tears away. And it whispered to her in words unspoken, you are strong like him.

Aerith picked herself up and wiped her eyes. They needed her. The brief cry had gotten any weakness out of her system, and a steely emerald-eyed Aerith was left. She needed to return to the Accessory Shop. Maybe Cid could help her out some more.

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Even in the First District there were those shadows. Aerith defeated them with some difficulty due to exhaustion, but she finally was at the door to the Shop.

Cid watched as Aerith entered, looking dejected, and tired, but purposeful. "Any luck?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

"Nope." Aerith sighed- it was becoming a habit- and flopped down on the bright green couch. "How long have you been here, Cid?"

Cid was surprised at the sudden change of subject. He busied himself with arranging some miscellaneous accessories behind the counter and replied, "Oh, nine years or so." When Aerith gave him a wondering look, he added, "A story for another time, kiddo." She nodded, and Cid felt relieved at her tactful manner. "Now where is my blasted assistant?"

Aerith thought for a moment, back to the man that had faded..."How old is he?"

"A couple years older than you- he's got a young face. Blonde, kinda spiky hair." Aerith's ears perked and she jumped up.

"Cloud!" Of course not Cloud. He wasn't older than her.

Cid shook his head. "No, a different person. Tidus has been here for nine years too." He looked down at Aerith, who had sat back down on the couch, looking on the edge of a serious bout of either anger or tears.

"Hey," he said after a quiet moment, "Don't give up! Take another look around the town. Maybe you'll find...someone." Aerith got the distinct feeling that Cid knew exactly who she would find, but she smiled at the advice and exited the Shop.

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Tidus cautiously walked through the Second District alleyway, his blue sword held tight in his grip. His red backpack, full of supplies for the Shop, was telling him that he had been gone long enough- Cid had most likely cursed up a storm waiting. He was not a patient man. But then the Thorns had attacked some innocent people, and Tidus needed to help them. He needed to help them because it was what...she would have done.

The alleyway was frightening when it was so empty. Before, when the Thorns hadn't grown massively in population, people would be sitting on the hotel balconies, or children would be playing about, climbing over the wooden wall into the First District and back again. Tidus kicked a lonesome blitzball into the sewer water. It was so empty...he needed liveliness, crowds, people to entertain. He wondered if she was as alone-

"Hey Tidus!"

"Ahhhhhh!"

The person behind him laughed, her red hair wafting around pale shoulders. "You were always a little bit jumpy."

"Kairi? Did the King send you?"

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"They'll come at you out of nowhere, y'know."

Aerith turned sharply to see a boy, about her age, sixteen, wearing dark clothes, complexly trimmed with reds and yellows. She almost gasped when she saw the blue eyes- not quite as bright as Clouds, but very similar. His brunette hair was kind of spiky.

"Who are you?" she asked, trying to sound tough. But to her surprise her voice came out...weary. Fighting those shadows- it was tiring.

"That's not so important right now," the stranger said in a serious tone that didn't seem to fit him. "They'll keep following you as long as you have that Bloomstaff. But why did it choose you?" he murmured at the end.

There were spots in her vision now. Aerith struggled to keep standing and keep her guard up. "What do you mean by that?" she asked, trying and failing again to sound in control and strong.

"Nothing. Anyways, can I have that staff already?"

Aerith swayed slightly and swallowed, trying to get her darn vision to clear. "Th-there's no way you're getting this!"

The brunette rolled his eyes. "Well alright, but I don't really like fighting girls." And then he held out his arm. In a flash, an odd sword appeared in his palm. It was like a giant key, with a deadly blade on it. It was gold and silver, with a key chain hanging off the end. "Have it your way."

Aerith fell onto one knee and held her staff out- thorns in- to block the attack that never came. It never came because she passed out before the fight even began.

The darkly dressed boy looked down on Aerith's unconscious figure and sighed. He turned and saw Tidus and Kairi coming towards him.

"You might have overdone it a little, Sora," said Kairi.

"Who is she?" asked Tidus.

"I didn't even touch her," said Sora in reply. "She was so tired from fighting all those Thorns." He shook his head. "Kairi, help me get her to the hotel. It looks like things are worse than we thought."

"A lot worse," Kairi murmured in agreement.

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It was so warm, and nice, just to be lying...well, wherever she was. Aerith's eyes blinked open reluctantly.

"Come on, wake up."

Cloud? What was Cloud doing here? Aerith felt relief flow through her. He was safe, and here with her.

"Listen, the creatures that attacked you are after the Bloomstaff. But really, they just want to steal the bloom at the center of your heart, because you have the weapon."

A moment of confusion for Aerith, and then, "I'm so glad you're alright, Cloud."

"Cloud? Who are you talking about? Name's Sora!" A bright flash and Aerith found herself in the real world, looking at the darkly dressed brunette from before. She looked past him around the room to see a blond boy- Tidus, she assumed- and a delicate redhead, wearing a short pink dress all covered in zippers, and, leaning against a wall in the corner, Cid.

"Like I said," the auburn haired girl said, "I think you overdid it."

"Kairi, I told you, she just fainted on her own!" This protest, Aerith noticed, was said with a gentle smile towards Kairi. She looked over and noticed the Bloomstaff, leaned against the wall by a large tan door.

Kairi noticed Aerith's gaze and continued. "We had to get it away from you, to shake off those creatures."

"Turns out, that's how they were trackin' ya!" Sora added cheerfully. He quieted down after Kairi gave him a Look.

"It was the only way to hide your heart, and the bloom inside, from them. But I don't know how long it will work." Her violet eyes darkened. She walked over and grabbed the Bloomstaff. The instant she touched it, a green light flashed, and it reappeared in Aerith's hand.

"Please, " Aerith finally said. "What's going on here?"

Cid stepped forward. "Listen up, kid. There are many worlds out here aside from their castle" (motioning to Kairi and Sora)" and this town, okay?"

Aerith nodded in reply.

"They're supposed to be secret," Tidus said. 'They'd never been connected before."

"Quiet, kid, and let me tell my blasted story!"

"Go on, Cid," Kairi said, in an authoritative and peacemaking tone.

"Anyways," Cid continued, bopping Tidus over the head, "when the Thorns came, that changed everything."

"The Thorns?" asked Aerith.

"They have no bloom in their hearts. Matter of fact, we don't even know if they have hearts," Sora said. "The bloom, the flower, at the center of other people's hearts attracts them. There's a bloom in every heart."

"Hey," Cid butted in," Have you heard of someone named Edea?"

She lived on an island. Was she supposed to know these things? "Uh...no. Edea?"

"She was studying the Thorns. She recorded all her findings into an incredibly detailed report."

"May I see it?" asked Aerith.

"Its pages are scattered everywhere," Kairi said. "We think our King, Riku, went to find them. That's why we need your help, Aerith." She smiled at Aerith's surprised look. "Cid told us your name."

"Anyways," Cid butted in again, "Thorns have great fear of your Bloomstaff there. That's why they're all attackin' ya."

"I didn't ask for this," said Aerith.

"The Bloomstaff chooses its master," Sora said cheerfully. "And it chose you!"

"Tough luck I guess," Tidus said.

Aerith rested her head in her hands. "How did all this happen?" she asked herself. She sat up. 'What happened to my home? To Tifa, and-and to Cloud?"

"I really dunno, kid," said Cid. "Best prepare yourself."

"Ahhhh!"

Tidus pointed to the corner, where a Thorn had appeared, and more and more with it. He drew his bright blue sword, and Sora followed suit, whipping out his keyblade. "Kairi, go!"

The redhead frowned and, much to Aerith's surprise, whipped out her own keyblade. It was identical to Sora's except for the opposite gold and silver coloring. "I'm fighting too."

"Kairi, just go this time, okay?" Sora pleaded. Kairi clenched a fist, but she turned and ran out with Cid.

"Don't you get yourself hurt, Sora!"

Sora nodded and turned back to Aerith, who was readying her staff. "Don't bother with these small ones," he yelled, slicing through several Thorns. "Find their leader." Tidus motioned her towards the door and Aerith ran out, leaping off the balcony and going through the door to the plaza in the Second District.

She found the door and entered, arriving in the Third District. It was brightly lit, with fountains in the corner and a small house on the top of the stairs to her left. She walked carefully down into the wide open space when she heard footsteps behind her. It was Sora and Kairi.

"We're fighting with you," said Kairi.

"Let's go get 'em!" Sora added.

Suddenly, a large, very, very large, Thorn appeared. It was like a giant knight, and every step it took made the ground rumble. Aerith clicked the button on her staff, and the thorns, with a sharp 'shing!' noise, protruded. Sora and Kairi on either side held their keyblades. And the three ran into battle.

Sora hacked at the Thorn's foot as Kairi attacked its gauntlet arm, avoiding sharp punches gracefully. Aerith spun her staff with power and listened to its whispered advices. She strategically swiped at the armored head between the Thorn's devastating spiral attacks. Soon the Thorn was beaten, and it dissolved into oblivion, its stolen heart and bloom wafting up into the sky.

"Whew," Sora said, resting on his knees. Kairi was, unbeknownst to Sora, smiling softy at him. Aerith grinned at both of them briefly, but then the scene reminded her of her friends...she frowned and turned away. Sora stood.

"You're coming with us, right? We have a ship; we can go to other worlds on it. You help us find Riku, and we'll help you find your friends, alright?"

"Yeah, I guess."

"Hey now," Kairi said, noticing the frown, "this team runs on happy faces."

"Kai, that was the corniest thing ever."

"Quiet, Sora."

Aerith laughed. "Why not?" she said. She held her hand out, and the two keybladers followed suit.

Later, back in the First District, Cid gave the three some free supplies. "Be careful, kids," he said gruffly. "Look out for each other. Your ship's outside the gate. I fixed her up for ya."

After thank yous and goodbyes, the three left Traverse Town as Cid and Tidus nodded.

"Big adventures comin' their way," Cid finally said.

Tidus nodded in agreement. "Yeah..."

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"That little pansy took down that Thorn? Who would have thought it?" In a darkly lit room, several villains were gathered around a table, watching a small sphere as it replayed Aerith's battle. The first voice was slightly cocky and sounded like it was used for quick talking and cynical jokes.

"Watch where those flames go," said another voice in answer coolly. "The child's strength is not her own. Such is the power of the Bloomstaff." This voice was deep and exotic but malicious, with draw out words and rolled r's.

"We kan turn ze child into a Thorn. She will get what is koming. It will settle things quikly." This feminine voice was darkly magic.

"And her little friend are the king's lackeys. Swoggle me eyes, they're all bilge rats by the look of them."

"Poor unfortunate soul, you're no prize yourself."

"All of you, just be quiet," said a new, slightly effeminate, voice. "My eidolons will take care of all of them."

"That is enough!" A strong, and commanding voice to match the gaze. The statuesque Maleficent stepped our, her long wand clacking against the stone. "The Bloomstaff has chosen her. Will it be she who conquers the darkness, or will the darkness swallow them all? Either way, she could be quite useful..."

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Aaaaand chapter two is complete! Next chapter (next world) is…a surprise. But lemme tell ya, it's a long chapter. Longer than these first two.