A/N: I'm back! Much sooner than last time too! I Essentially started this immediately after posting the last chapter. Gotta love those random bursts of creativity that let you do all the things. Hoping to have this story be the one I work on for a long while. I haven't felt like this in regards to creative writing in... hell, been about 4 years? Which lines up with my long hiatus and other stories being sent to the graveyard mid way through... oof. Anyways! Chapter 2! (Technically 3 but prologues are prologues) Hope you enjoy, reviews and (helpful) criticism is always welcome and appreciated!
Edit: Noticed quite a few grammatical errors and words not where they should be. This has been edited and mended. If I see more I'll fix it. (Edit date: 12/7/20)
Chapter Two: ...Continued through Dawn...
'Journal Entry 0001: I... don't really know what to put here. Everything is changed and I have to start some Grand Quest according to dad but.. Where do I start? When do I even know I've started? Or did I start from the moment I began living? I can't tell. What I do know is, I won't let anything happen to my Family, or my friends'
'I didn't know anything, did I?' I thought to myself as I closed my notebook after reading the first entry. Rose... she said I should start one and the night I got Mom's Blade. I did. God, I Really thought I could keep everyone safe. Maybe I shouldn't keep writing in it but.. well, on the flip side, maybe it'd keep me sane in all this mess? At least Aerith was nice enough, didn't even bat a eye at my.. little dark issue as she healed me up. Though she Did basically force me on bed rest until the morning. This.. Merlin Guy's house is at least.. cozy? No shortage of books that I can see. Maybe he wouldn't mind I read a few..
Two things for future me: One, don't stay up reading most of the night after literally being healed for a concussion The Same day. And Two? Don't do the previously mentioned thing in a house that gets up Early. My Head was pounding fairly badly thanks to the Ungodly noise that woke me up about an hour prior. I'm 90% sure it was Yuffie and I'm gonna smack her for it. Anyways, this was, Without a single doubt, the one of the absolute worst ideas I've ever had. Well, outside of jumping into a world eating black hole... I'm.. damn I'm dumb. Thankfully, someone decided to distract me from my.. less than self appreciative thoughts by entering the room after a soft knock on the door.
"How are you feeling, does your head still hurt?" Aerith asked as she set down a plate of food on the end table near the bed. I swear this woman is a saint, do I completely trust her? Oh hell the fuck no. Even the happy go lucky trio I don't trust. Granted they Did try to kill me...
"I feel... Much better aside from a bit of a headache but I have to ask... why are you so nice to me? I don't even know you, let alone with the whole... Darkness issue I got going on. Hell! Why was anyone nice to me when Yuffie all but dragged me inside, yelling someone about a Dark, angsty Friend?" I asked her incredulously, because honestly? I'm still oh so very Confused about the whole kindness towards me.
"Just because you are in a bad place now, that the Dark is trying to smother the Light; Does not make you a bad person. I have a friend I'm waiting for who is in the same exact place as you right now. And I know, from the bottom of my Heart, that you both will find your way to the light. No matter how long it may take you." She told me with a soft smile, gesturing for me to sit upright to eat as she handed me the food (Oh my God, Pancakes!) and sat on the end of the bed; Her hands glowing a bright green as I felt her magic mend my head. Well... Her reasoning explains the kindness but, I don't think I Can find the Light, what would even happen if I did? I mulled over these thoughts as I ate (devoured) the pancakes she brought me.
"Yuffie tells me you're not from around here? Are you from another world then?" She asked kindly, making slighttlly choke on my food. After clearing my lungs of her honest to God delicious cooking, I looked at her like she grew a second head:
"How in the hell would you know? Or even her for that matter?" I asked before continuing to consume the God send that is pancakes.
"We took refuge on another world when this one fell to the Darkness a long time ago. Cid.. he grabbed as many people as he could and fled to another world. It was.. admittedly hard. One day, we were fine and the next it all fell apart. Eventually, it's Light was restored, and we came back to find it in ruins. Now we are just trying to rebuild it back to how it was before everything happened, and Maybe.. just maybe. Even a little bit better." She said as she stood up, grabbing the now empty plate (Yes I know it was fast but come on! It's pancakes!) and setting it on the end table before helping me to stand. Okay, I don't think I can't Not like this woman. Swear she's like a Grandma only... young. Okay. Bad comparison.
"You seem to have your balance back, would you like to meet the rest of the Committee?" She asked as she handed me my freshly washed clothes and turned away. When... did these even come off? Know what, don't care, not gonna think about it. That way lies madness I'm sure.
"Yeah. I feel good as new and.. a committee? Like a Club or hobby or something?" I asked as I shrugged off the nightgown (WHEN DID I CHANGE) and worked on my Gear. I guess my response was off because she gave a slight giggle and shook her head.
"I guess you Could call it a Club. But it's the Hollow Bastion Restoration Committee, as I mentioned earlier, we are working on fixing our home up to be as good as new." Aerith said as she turned back around after I tapped her shoulder. At least She has good manners? Feel like she might just be a kind soul though, feels that way at least. It's.. nice to not be treated like the she-devil. I wonder if other people off my world are like this? She led me down the hallway towards the front of the house turned to me slightly to speak.
"Meet the Hollow Bastion Restoration Committee, There's Cid" She said as she gestured to a man typing Furiously on a Keyboard. Wonder what he's doing.. "You've already met Yuffie, she's off patrolling the back streets right now; There's Merlin" That's.. an actual wizard and holy hell does he feel strong, Magically at least. He could probably smear me across the pavement without moving from that spot. Which is.. basically a mountain of books... he must really like to read. "You have already met me. And then there is Leon." Tall, Quiet, and kinda broody... and he's looking at me. He does not look very happy.
"Hmm.." He Nodded to me as he.. grunted? Hummed? I honestly Don't know what kinda sound that was. Maybe he's lost in thought.
"Hey kid. Yuffie tells me you're looking for a way to get around." Cid called out from my left, still Furiously mashing keys on his Keyboard as he did. Talk about a good work ethic. Or is he just mad at the computer?
"Uh... yeah. I'm trying to find people from my home. We... Got separated when it fell." I told him. I don't really wanna go to much into detail, especially about Shawn. Don't think they would be super willing to help me if they knew I may or may not have to stab him upon reuniting.
"Well, it ain't much but I do have quite a few Gummi Blocks laying around; Not to mention more than a few run down ships from last year. With help, I Could probably have one of 'em up and running in about a week. Sooner if they are not in too bad a shape" Cid told me as he gestured for me to look at what was on screen. Interest thoroughly peeked, I walked over to see what he had and... okay, while I'm not thrilled to have to fly one of these as they really do not make sense to me; I am not gonna say no, transportation is transportation I guess. Honestly, gonna just ignore the science of it all and roll with it. Probably easier that way.
"What's that?" I asked as I pointed to the sleeker looking purple one of the 2 or 3 ships sitting there. That's.. a big engine.
"That is The Falcon V2. It's not quite ready yet. I offered the boys the original model but they kept their own ship, only really did a few upgrades to theirs to keep it going. I made this after the original turned out to be a lemon. I can have the V2 up and ready in a week if you would like?" I mean damn that's good but..
"What's the price?" I asked him, nothing comes without strings or a price.
"None, it's yours. From what little Sora and his group said about you, it's the least we can do" He told me, leading to me nodding in response before he continued "Besides, a Friend of theirs is a friend of ours."
"Yeah, about that. I'm.. not sure we're friends? They did kinda try to stab me at one point. And almost crashed on the way here like twice" I admitted, my frustration with them leaking into my voice, Which earned more than a few weird looks from the Committee. Maybe I shouldn't have said anything.. Me and my dumb mouth. Leon decided Now was a good point to finally speak.
"And why would they have tried to attack you?" He asked as he pushed off the wall, clearly tense and on guard. I am really starting to hate me and my mouth. Stupid..
"A series of unfortunate misunderstandings led to me against them and another friend of theirs. It.. yeah it sucked ass; Not even gonna try to say it went well for me. I got stomped into the ground pretty badly" I told him, which seemed to help him relax? I hope? Pretty Please?
"I see.." He said as he leaned back against the wall. Does that mean I'm clear? God I hope so. I really don't wanna have to fight these people. Especially the Wizard.
"Leon, be nice. Yuffie Vouched for her. So she must be okay." The wiz- I mean Merlin told him "Now dear, tell me.. you wouldn't happen to be a spell caster would you? I can feel your Magic and it's quite potent for someone so young.
"Um.. I have been practicing since I could remember but I wouldn't say I'm a master spellcaster, not even close." I told him, making him chuckle as he stroked his beard.
"Non-sense! You feel pretty adept just by looking at you, tell me.. how old are you then?" Umm, weird question?
"I'm... 16? Wait, we haven't passed Halloween yet right?" I asked the group around me, receiving a bunch of no's in response "Then yeah, I'm 16" Gotta love being a Halloween baby.
"Marvelous! We must practice together sometime to see how far along you are my dear!" ...on one hand, it would be nice to learn from a master. On the other, that.. that's gonna hurt me. And my pride. Ah screw it, may as well see how it goes.
"Before you two go slinging Magic at each other and make my life difficult. Maybe I could ask a favor of you since Yuffie took off before I could ask her about it?" Cid butted in, a bit irritated if his voice was anything to go by. Maybe he's annoyed at Yuffie?
"Depends on what it is" I told him, honestly should have expected this. But let's hear him out. maybe it won't be too bad?
"Would you mind running down to the Bailey and clearing it out? I need to do maintenance on the Defense system there and to do that, I have to take it offline for a bit. I don't wanna have anyone get hurt because something snuck out." That's... different than I thought it would be. Actually that's the complete opposite. Huh. Maybe these folks ain't so bad.
"I'm in, may as well help out if I'm stuck for a week. Hey Merlin? Wanna come with me? Two birds, one stone and all that jazz" I told the Wizard as I began walking to the door.
"Of course dear! Let me just ward the house before we go. It will only take but a moment." He told me as a wand poofed into existence in his hand, his eyes closed in concentration "Dare praesidium est in domum suam." He intoned as I could actually Feel the air Shift, his Magic spreading about the house in a heartbeat. What have I done challenging this man to a Magic battle!? Stupid pride... With a small sigh. I walked out the door, Merlin following close behind me before taking the lead.
"I will guide you to the Bailey, as I'm sure you don't know the way my dear." oh yeah... oops. "Also, I must know, what type of Magic are you most proficient in?" He asked as he led me up a set of stairs.
"Mainly support and utility. I do know some offensive and defensive but I have to channel a bit still if I want the beefy versions out for those. Except Reflect. That was one of the first spells I learned."
"Marvelous! Now, I don't think I have to tell you but keep your wits about you once we go in." He told me as reached the top of the stairs, directly ahead what looked like a short building with some metal gates. "This part of the patrols are admittedly the harder of them. Normally, I stay behind with Cid to keep an eye on things but I felt like stretching my legs so to speak." Merlin told me as his wand reappeared in a puff of smoke. I Nodded in response and summoned my blade, it's Dark Flashing right as some Heartless phased into existence as we walked in. Little shadows and what looks like soldiers. I can handle this.
"I'll keep them from leaving, meanwhile, I'd like to see what you can do dear, go get em!" Merlin said as he summoned a barrier between us the exit, the mere act of doing so wiping out some of the Heartless. With a nod and deep breath, I leapt headlong into the fray, casting Aero as I did. Fun little fact about Aero, aside from it making you faster if you cast it on yourself; It can throw about smaller enemies that happen to get too close. Like these Shadows, Making it all the easier to plant my weapon right between their pale yellow eyes. The soldiers didn't seem to be affected much, Maybe they were too heavy for the base spell to move them? My thoughts were (rudely) interrupted and proven right by a solder Raking it's claws along my back, throwing me forward onto the ground. Damn thing went straight through the Aero spell, and Must it always be the back shots? Heartless are assholes.
"Fuck off!" I growled out as I rolled away from not one but three slamming into the spot I was just in, only for them to evaporate from the sheer heat of a fire spell, courtesy of Merlin. Hell, I felt the heat from here, that was at least a Firaga, Maybe even a Firaza. "Thanks for the save!" I Yelled to him as I cast a quick Cure for my injuries before casting Blizzard to buy myself time, the ice forming a slick trail in front of me; The ice tripping more than a handful of the Soldier Heartless. With a breath and a few seconds of channeling, I cast my next spell.
"Blizzaga!" I intoned, a massive crystal of ice Flying forward and ending the existence of a few Heartless via impaling them before the crystal burst, taking out a grand majority of the dark tide. Phew, effective but damn does blizzard take it out of me. We done here?
"Watch out!" Merlin called out, just in time for me to cast a quick reflect. The spell forming it's familiar honeycomb dome around me as multiple blades crashed against it. The hell? Are.. are these legit samurai? Where did they come from?
"Nobodies, Annoying little creatures, best to keep your guard up, my dear!" Merlin told me before he cast.. I don't even know what that was, but more the a few crumpled into themselves before vanishing, leaving only but two of the Nobodies left. Note to self, do not to anger the literal wizard. With a nod, I dispelled my Reflect spell, it bursting into motes of light. Let's see, two swords per Nobody, there's 2 of them... Yeah I Gotta work fast here or they are definitely going to overwhelm me. With a shout, I cast Aero again and bolted into one of the Nobodies, my blade catching it in what I assume is it's head. Surprisingly enough, it didn't go down from that and instead tried to run me through with it's duel swords. With a quick dash back and more than a few curses, I lunged back into range; my blade being deflected away by the Samurai before it simply stopped everything, standing in place as if it were waiting. Deciding that waiting for my enemy to move first was, you know, a terrible idea, I channeled for a bit so I could cast Aerora on myself; I would have cast Aeroga but it is both beyond me and overkill for what I had planned. Thankfully, I got done prepping it right as the Samurai stood straight and began a fury of strikes, using not only it's blades but it's sheathes as well. Yeah fuck that. I jumped back towards a wall and planted both feet on it before I Jumped, My spell and sheer Omph I put into the jump putting me on a high speed crash course with The Nobody. So I did what anyone would; I planted both of my feet directly into it's chest, crushing it both when I hit it and when it hit the opposite wall of me, causing it to finally fade into Nothing.
"Finally! You went down. That sucked... so, so hard" I let out with a small groan as I slumped a bit before turning to see the other Nobody gone. Maybe Merlin took it down? Speaking of the old Wizard, he was waving me down as he dropped the barrier in a bright flash of light.. ow.
"Ho-ho! Good show dear! Though I must ask.. for as strong as you are Magically, why do you rarely use it? Let alone dive into a disadvantageous situation instead of using it to bring the fight back into your Favor?"
"Ah.. it's just how I fight?"
"Hmmm... let's go home, I have to handle something dear, please help Cid where you can Yes?" That's.. weird? Weird mood change right there, Maybe he is actually looney? Wizards and sanity don't always go hand in hand. Or he just gets lost in thought easily. Who Knows? May as well follow the guy back to his house. Maybe I should go check with the Moogle first? Give Merlin some space away from me.
"Hey Merlin, uh.. I'mma head to the shopping district, got some stuff on order there. I'll meet you back at the house?"
"Of course dear, handle your business, I'll send Yuffie to you in a bit so you don't get lost again" A girl gets lost One time! Literally Once! Damn it. With a wave, I said goodbye to the blue robed wizard and made my way to where the little Moogle was hanging about, maybe he cracked what the hell is in my medicine?
After a bit of walking and an encounter with a handful of Shadows that where quickly put down, I arrived at the Moogle's shop. It seems kinda.. off?
"You.. okay there bud?" I asked the floating creature, breaking it out of it's thoughts before I waved me down to it's counter to talk.
"Kupo, I've figured out what's in here and to put it bluntly; Just how are you alive?" Oh. Oh Fuck.
"That's.. not great but I'mma ask anyways, what's exactly in my medicine?" I asked him, I don't exactly Want to know but well.. curiosity and cats.
"Well Kupo, some basics like a Healing Potion base, rosemary, stinging nettle.. and then there's Nightshade along with Straight Dark essence." Oh fuck was right, that's.. holy shit I've been drinking this?! "Kupo, what are you even taking this for? This should have actually killed you."
"It's umm.. it's to keep the Darkness inside me at Bay. I guess you could call it a bit of a Birth Defect." I told the floating Moogle quietly, trying to not Advertise I'm so fucked and may have Significantly shortened my lifespan.
"That would do it.. Hmm give me some time. I've already made more against my best judgement Kupo, but I'll try to find you an alternative that's less.. dangerous. Give me about a week Kupo. And we'll discuss payment at that point. Fair warning, Kupo, it will not be cheap" That's.. that's gonna hurt. may as well see if I can't find a job? With a nod and a quick grab of my insanely dangerous medicine, I started to make my way back to Merlin's to get with the Committee to see if they need work done. Time to earn some Munny.
'Journal Entry 0006: So a week went by way faster than I thought. Cid Didn't actually ask to much of me, surprisingly enough. Then again, he doesn't seem like one to take advantage. Yeah he's a bit.. rough? Let's go with that, around the edges but he's a good guy. He does Not get along with Merlin though, something about technology being more reliable? Seeing them Argue to the point of Merlin knocking Cid off his chair with a ranged Aero spell was kinda funny. Speaking of the resident Wizard, he's been.. weird with me. Ever since he went with me to the Bailey, he's been very.. quiet around just me. Everyone else is starting to notice it too. Did I do something wrong? Maybe I Should confront him about it? Ugh.. Stupid Journal, you are of no help to me. And great. Now I'm blaming a book for not helping me. I really need to get some sleep. Working the way I have for the past week while trying to manage Yuffie And Merlin training me was.. rough. so so rough. Anyways. Should probably get going, got meds to grab, places to be, and to start my search for Rose and my Family in full. End of Journal Entry. ha. always wanted to do that.'
With a short yawn, I set down my pen and put my Journal back into one of my many pockets, gotta love this duster. I wonder how much the New meds are gonna cost? And if I'm gonna have to go Rob a bank or sell organs to actually buy them. I managed to save up about 3000 Munny but there's no telling if it is even enough. Ugh. A future problem for future me I guess. I should get out of the bed room now, unless I want Yuffie to try to 'revive' me from death again. Just... No. Shuddering, I got up from the desk that was here and flung the door open.
"Damn it, Kid! You almost gave me a Heart Attack!" Cid yelled at me as he clutched at his chest, leaning back against the opposite wall.
"Sorry about it, wouldn't want to turn anymore of your hair gray now, would I?" I told him with a barely contained laugh. Yuffie definitely shouldn't have let his age slip. I have abused it to joke with Cid, Mercilessly. On the flip side of the coin, he jokes with me on it too. He's probably the one I get along with best, outside Aerith, but again, she's a saint so that's unfair to him.
"Get some new material, I've heard that one more than once ya brat" he said before leading me to the living room, guiding me to his computer once we walked in. "The ship is about done, all it needs is another shield layer and it'll be good to go. I am going to say this until I'm blue in the face but Do Not crash my work. I'll know if you do, even if you think you fixed it and hid it from me" He told me, rather ominously, might I add.
"Hey! Who do you take me for? I won't crash it Cid!"
"Have you even flown before?" ...I see a major problem with my plan to fly. Cid, the lovely human that he is, took my silence as a big No and started laughing at my expense. I'm so gonna swap his toothpicks for plain wood ones because fun fact, flavored toothpicks exist, and his are mint. Wonder why he even has those anyway?
"Cid, be nice to her" Aerith softly spoke as she walked in the front door with Leon in tow, her words making Cid immediately try to defend himself.
"Hey! She started it with the old man jokes!" His defense earning an Immediate Glare from Aerith, shutting up right the hell up. Don't blame him. Aerith can be pants shittingly Terrifying when she wants to be. "S-so kid, why don't we fix the problem?"
"Huh? Fix what Problem?"
"Well, if you don't know how to fly, I'd say it's high time for you to earn your wings kiddo" Ah.. why do I feel like this might suck? A lot?
A/N: It's done, and it's beginning to look a lot like Christmassss. Sorry. I had to. Feeling oddly festive these days. Maybe it's the weather? Never is usually this chilly here by this point. The Central Valley is fantastic like that. Anyways, random ramblings aside, end of the chapter. This one is a bit shorter than the last but it felt like a good stopping point for the writing. Sometimes it's just like that. Hopefully I'll be back in time for the year's end with the next one but no promises. Holidays with the family take priority after all, you know? Review, follow, do all the things with the things for the thing, Freakshow signing off. Happy holidays everyone! And remember, do NOT eat the yellow snow.
P.S: For those wondering, the Latin roughly translates to Give protection to this home.