I really, really wish I could shut off Guest reviews on ffnet, lol. Please R&R!
To-xXx-Realize-xXx-This-xXx-Wish
Sora went high up into the Tower where his Apprentices weren't allowed just yet into one of the few rooms he kept under a specific sort of lock to keep them out. He sighed lightly as he looked around the slightly chilly room.
Blank computer monitors lined the walls as he began to prepare them for their purpose of monitoring specific Worlds for countless Players.
Or, well. The World's Data versions, anyway.
The mixed brunette stretched for a long moment, wearing his favored red tunic ensemble that Vanitas hated, though he wore an extra black jacket over it since this room was kept cool for the sake of the computers.
It was late into the evening, all of his apprentices having turned in for the night as he unplaited his braid, brushing fingers through it to smooth the mess of it out before pulling out his Gummi phone.
The screen immediately popped on as Data woke up with a hefty yawn, "Photo's again, me?" He blinked as his eyes widened, "You don't normally wear your hair down!"
Sora chuckled as he made his way over to the main console and placed the device on a specific holder he'd created for it, "I'm going to put it up again. I just wanted to let it down for a minute."
Data hummed, crossing his arms in faux contemplation. Sora smiled at the Memories his second adventuring outfit brought to mind. He began to type a lengthy amount of script as his Data self watched with interest from within his screen and whistled, "I bet Tron would be pleased to know you've gotten past slapping the Keyboard."
Sora blushed as he laughed lightly, "Sometimes it still feels like that works better."
Data pouted, "Please don't say that, me."
Sora snickered as he kept his eyes on the screen, ensuring any mistakes were immediately caught, "Soon I'm going to transfer you into the digital recreation of Daybreak Town to ensure it's working properly. However, I want to make absolutely sure it's safe before transferring you."
Data saluted, "I appreciate the extra care."
The Master smiled awkwardly, "Well, even after all of this time, I still wouldn't say computers are my forte, even if I almost half invented them…" And hadn't that been weird. Of course, the Tower had been created with computer circuitry and the like, but he'd had to learn how each part worked to maintain the mainframe along with everything else. It was the same for the Ark and the base for that odd World...Space… hopping device.
Data placed his hands behind his head as he looked around the room while he waited, "It'll be nice to finally stretch my legs. Hey, I might even be able to summon my Keyblade for once!" He chuckled as he smiled brightly at the prospect.
Sora smiled sadly, "I'm sorry for neglecting you so much, Data."
He huffed, "I only told you a million times."
The Master hummed, "Yeah."
Data watched him for a long moment before slumping, "Awe, don't be sad about it!"
Sora glanced at the Gummi phone before returning to his coding, "But it's true. I've been putting off this project for a little too long, even though I had all the time in the world to do it."
Data crossed his arms in thought, "Then it probably wasn't time yet, that's all."
Sora frowned, "I… yeah. You're probably right."
Data watched him for a long time as Sora continued his coding. Seeming to be referencing back to something in the background as he hummed and hawed to himself in interest. The Master raised an eyebrow as he completed the set of coding he was putting into place as the screen changed from black with green text to a perfectly replicated Daybreak Town. He looked at the Gummi phone's screen, "What's up, Data?"
Data smiled, "Well-" He put his arms behind his head again as he swayed comfortably in place, "I think you've only aged like, a year, now that I'm looking back through all of your selfies and overall photos."
Sora's face went blank as he stared at his Data self in confusion, "Huh?"
Data looked at him, "Well, I mean. Comparing all of your collected seventeen thousand photos, of which there's a decent amount of you in them. I think you might only be physically seventeen." He dropped his arms with a shrug, "You're probably just experiencing puberty over a seriously stretched out amount of time. You've grown and your voice has deepened a little bit since Chloe, and it's already been more than half a millennium since then, right?"
Sora's heart twisted painfully as he placed his hand on his chest. He frowned in thought as he realized he'd been four hundred and something when she'd first come into his life. Haiiro had been at least a century after her passing.
He slumped and sat back in his chair, an odd look on his face, "It's really been that long..?"
Data shrugged, "I know you've done some Time Gate jumps between all of that, so you aren't exactly as old as the time we've been separated from our friends, but, uh…" He ruffled his hair, "It's definitely been a solid millennium of living in your case, despite all of those jumps."
Sora groaned as he rubbed his face, feeling tired of it all.
'Just think. It took a thousand years for you to learn how to use a computer properly.'
Sora pouted at Vanitas's observation as he glanced away from Data, "How will I ever explain that to the others..?"
Data laughed, "Like this!" He smooshed his face between his hands, making Sora stare in confusion before he burst out laughing, covering his face with his arm.
"Oh wow, I forgot I was that embarrassing!"
Data huffed, "Embarrassing?! You've gone streaking!"
Sora panicked with a gasp and swiped the Gummi phone off its holder in panic, only for both of them to scream when the device flew out of his hand.
A quick Aero barely saved the poor ancient device from a harsh fall, "Hey! Watch the goods!"
Sora chuckled in distress as he rubbed his neck, "Sorry Data." He set the device back into its holder and bent forward, covering his face, "Can you not remind me of some of the weird shit I've done?"
Data gave him a weird look, "If I don't, won't Vanitas just do it?"
Vanitas cackled in the back of his head, 'Data's right. You lameass.'
Sora whined and sat back up with a blush on his face, "Gu~ys!"
Data chuckled, "It's probably been a while since you've last been taken down a peg."
Sora pouted as he slumped in the chair again with his arms crossed, "I'm supposed to be a mature adult taking care of their apprentices."
Vanitas scoffed, 'Please don't bother with the teacher route this time. Just be your old idiot self. Take lessons from Data.'
Sora made a weird face, "Are you insulting Data-me?"
Data made a face as Vanitas groaned, 'Shut up dork.'
Sora smiled as he finally sat up properly again as he looked at his Data self, "Well, I think everything is ready for the transfer. I have an emergency return set up for you just in case you think something's still off about the configuration, alright?"
Data nodded, "I'm ready when you are!"
Sora nodded and began the upload process.
Soon enough the Gummi phone was silent, and the Data-him was stretching out his legs in Data Daybreak Town with a whoop, immediately breaking pots and various items just for the hell of it.
Sora could reprogram them back in later.
To-xXx-Realize-xXx-This-xXx-Wish
When Sora had first started training Ava in Wielding, he had quickly come to the conclusion that younger children couldn't handle Keyblades.
Well. The Keyblade adjusted to their height and weight, but they were still too uncoordinated for the task. He would have preferred to wait until she'd been ten, but his greed simply couldn't deal with that timeframe. It was the same with Gula even though he was a little stronger than her.
It wasn't that he hadn't somewhat known that from training Ventus, but it was a great deal more obvious when comparing the two children to Aced and Ira.
He and Aced had figured out how to train Ava at first, with various running and endurance exercises. She also practiced with a wooden sword, and now Gula also joined her with one as they went through morning kata's alongside their fellow apprentices who used their actual Keyblades.
Ava was focused on for defensive maneuvers and how to get out of holds. Sora didn't want her to be easily grabbed by anyone, so ensuring her awareness from behind was critical along with precision.
Somehow Sora knew she'd always be small, and would have to be incredibly precise in all of her attacks because she'd be an easy target.
Other than that, she was incredible with brewing. She quickly surpassed him, and though he generally made sure someone was with her to make sure she didn't hurt herself, she was perfectly capable of handling the tools and beakers for making all kinds of healing items.
He let her brew to her heart's content once he'd adjusted to the fact she could brew Holy Water.
Gula watched her most times while going through bookwork, but otherwise was uninterested in such delicate work.
Sora also came to understand that Ava had built into other areas of Magic outside of Healing when he caught her flicking her finger and starting a flame easy as pie. He had found the motion familiar, but it was gone before he could grasp it. Still, he needed to ensure his students were learning Magic properly, so he handed off books on the Fire family into her care.
"Just let me know if you want to study a new area of Magic. I won't know what to help you study if you don't let me know, alright?" His students had agreed with his assessment.
It seemed Aced was stuck mostly with Earth and Strength based Magic and movesets, but that suited the teen best.
Ira was good with the Thunder family, along with a minimal amount of Light Magic. He also leaned towards Power based moves, though his Speed was higher than Aced's.
Sora knew Gula would be much like Ventus, heavily favoring Speed based movesets and Wind Magic. His Light Magic was better than Ira's, but not as great as Ventus's… but that made sense, all things considered.
Ava was the more interesting and baffling one in comparison. She seemed to be the only one who could utilize Cure Magic thus far, which worried him. It seemed almost absurd that the other three boys couldn't learn Cure to save their lives, yet, they simply weren't capable.
It honestly concerned him that that was the case.
Sora sighed lightly as he handed a special bow and arrow set to Ava and Gula, "I want you two to charge these arrows with Magic. It doesn't matter what kind, just imbue it and shoot. Some Magic takes more precision than others to ensure you don't harm your comrades." He handed the same set but bigger to Ira, "You especially. Thunder Magic is great, but if you're working in a group, you have to make sure you don't hit your partners and take them out in the middle of a fight."
Ira nodded as he dutifully set himself up to practice.
Aced stood to the side with his arms crossed and a frown on his face, "What would you like for me to do, Master?"
Sora hummed, "Would you like to practice alongside them? I know you're more prone to wide area attacks, but it might be good to be more precise, just in case. Sometimes delicate work needs more Power behind it to get the job done in one shot."
Aced contemplated for a long moment before nodding, "Sure."
Sora gave him another set that was more suited to his size and set up an appropriate target.
Gula looked over, "Why don't you join us, Master?"
Sora froze for a second before ruffling his hair, "Uh, nah. I think it'd be best for me to observe you all-"
Ava turned with a pout, "But Master! You've never practiced the bow in front of us! You didn't even shoot when you were teaching us how!"
Sora waffled as he slumped forward, "Do you all wanna see me shoot with a bow and arrow that badly?"
The two older teens glanced at one another before all four nodded.
Sora huffed as he rubbed his neck and retrieved another set. It was awkward, and he knew this was going to be embarrassing.
He kind of figured the Keyblades themselves helped his precision an incredible amount since he was so much of an on-the-fly Wielder without proper basic structure outside of games and what his father had taught him.
He felt nervous with so many eyes on him. His students all had at least one arrow in their targets while he'd gotten his own set, and Sora just knew he was going to miss.
Sora had perfect posture and form, yet, when he released the arrow it landed two feet short of the target in the grass.
A long silence followed as each student stared, even going so far as to glance at their own targets where they'd been much closer to making the mark. Not a single arrow in the grass between them.
Sora slumped as his face flushed. He whined with a slight hand wave, "Just because I know what to do doesn't mean I'm any good at it!"
Ira covered his mouth as he tried to keep back a snicker as Gula made a face, "Master, you suck!"
Ava pouted as Aced tried to save face while clearly holding back his laughter, "It was a great shot, Master." He was shaking in his attempt to hold back.
Sora groaned and threw his hands up before shucking off the arrow pack and pulling out Shooting Star and transforming it into its Double Arrow Gun form and precisely hitting the target multiple times.
He hefted his weapons back as he turned back to his students with an annoyed look on his face, all of them shocked with his ability to change the Keyblade, "Look. I wasn't taught anything about the Keyblade when I got it. I've been faking my way through this, which is why I'm teaching you all through methods I learned by trial and error." He huffed as they changed back into his Shooting Star Keyblade with a shimmer, "Also, not all Keyblades are capable of transformation. Some can become vehicles for traveling between Worlds. I don't have that ability with my Keyblade and my various Keychains." His Keyblade was dismissed as he placed his hands on his hips, "Each Wielder is unique. Learn what you can in proper form, and then take the time to experiment and figure out what works best for you."
They nodded, contrite at his lesson.
"Now-" He pointed at their targets, "I wanna see some Magic! Shoot those arrows and give me your best!"
They all saluted with a simultaneous, "Yes, Master!"
Sora huffed as he smiled, putting away the bow and arrows he'd taken out and sitting down to watch each of them shoot.
That was how he realized Ava could use Status related Magic, as Gula abruptly fell asleep from a random shot imbued with a cloudy white light.
To-xXx-Realize-xXx-This-xXx-Wish
Sora had made use of illusion Magic at various times. He didn't know if it was a natural ability, or something he gained from Vanitas after they'd merged. The Darkling didn't have much to say on the matter and simply shrugged at his inquiry.
It was with that unique Magic in mind, that he attempted to show it off to his students to see if any were interested in taking a shot at it.
Only Gula and Ava bore any interest, while Aced and Ira shook their heads in the negative.
"Why not?" Sora was curious.
Aced hummed, "I don't think it suits me, Master."
Ira nodded, "I don't believe I'd be any good with it, myself."
Sora nodded, "I understand." He turned to Gula, "Why are you interested in it?"
Gula smiled, "I don't know if I'll be able to change my appearance, but I feel like I could use it to hide."
Ah.
Illusion Magic could be used for stealth- whether it was to blend in, or stay out of sight.
Sora turned to Ava, "And you?"
Ava tapped her chin, "I think I could use it to hide too… but I also think I might be able to transform."
Sora thought about her Keyblade, Vulpes, and the various legends surrounding Kitsune and the like for trickery. He shrugged with a slight smile, "Seems good enough to me. Now, I'm not exactly sure how to actually teach this, but I'll try my best, alright?"
The two children nodded as Sora returned his focus to the older teens, "Now then, I believe it's time that you two learned how to at least brew Potions."
The boys frowned as they clearly wanted to object, but Sora cut them off, "Neither of you can learn Cure, and that's deadly. You need to be able to know what goes into a Potion so that, if worst comes to worst, you can choke down the ingredients for the same effect. I won't have you two be ignorant just because you can buy such things from the Moogles, or have Ava make them. If you're alone by yourself and you get hurt, I want you to know how to survive."
They nodded, properly reprimanded as Sora plopped books about herbs and the like into their hands, "Now study."
He then returned to Ava and Gula and had one of his more frustrating days as he showed off what to do, but couldn't very well explain it.
It was a trying day for them all.
To-xXx-Realize-xXx-This-xXx-Wish
Sora awoke to deep envy burning in his chest. He frowned as he spoke angrily, "The fuck?"
Vanitas chuffed, 'You literally just woke up.'
Sora scowled as he sat up and glanced at himself in the mirror, his hair an absolute mess, "Exactly!" He scratched his scalp as he glared at his covers, "It's too early for this!"
Vanitas hummed, 'Time for a new apprentice, hmm?'
Sora sighed, stretching before he got himself out of bed. "I don't feel pulled anywhere, though."
The Darkling contemplated that for a moment as Sora went through his morning routine, 'Maybe they're already in Daybreak Town?'
Sora nodded absently as he brushed his hair, deciding to count each stroke as he hummed a random tune Edym had taught him, 'Maybe…'
He prepared breakfast for his four apprentices. It'd been a little over a year since Ira and Gula had joined them, and he wasn't sure if he could handle another apprentice just yet. However, he wouldn't be able to wait this out and sighed as he announced at the table, "I'll be going around Town today. All of you self study until I return."
Aced frowned, "Are you going to find another Apprentice, Master?"
Sora nodded as Ava lit up, "I hope they're a girl this time!"
The mixed brunette blinked as he realized the nine year old girl was all by herself, surrounded by boys. Suddenly, he hoped the same for her sake. He was thankful the boys tolerated her girlish wishes, seeming to at least be aware (or perhaps, Aced had stepped in without his notice) of the deep discrepancy between them.
Aqua's prowess in battle flashed through his mind from Vanitas's perspective as they had clashed more than once, and appreciated her grace on the field.
They needed another girl.
Sora sighed lightly as he pushed away from the table, "I'm off. Be good."
They all nodded as he left them, pulling on his traveling cloak and taking a long stroll around Town.
It was midday when he decided to eat at an outdoor restaurant, enjoying someone else's cooking for the moment as he looked around.
I'm getting closer.
It was when he finished that he noticed her. She was young, older than Ava but younger than Ira.
It's her.
The young teen was surrounded by a group of girls holding a stack of books as she calmly held her ground as they nitpicked her for some reason or another. Sora stood and calmly walked over with his hood down as he caught bits and pieces of their conversation.
"You think you're so smart, don't you?" One of the girls was in her face.
Ah. A target of Envy.
He smiled charmingly, "Hello ladies."
The group of surrounding girls, five of them, jumped as they noticed him with silenced screams, "H-hello sir!"
Sora tilted his head innocently despite the predatory gleam in his eye, "Is there a reason you're crowding the street like this?"
They waffled, trying to come up with excuses as he continued, "You know, there are rules in this Town." Suddenly the girls knew exactly who was in front of them.
Daybreak Town citizens were well versed in The Master's rules. They were strange, but it was always followed with the drilled in phrase, 'For the sake of protecting the Light.'
They scattered with halfhearted words in different directions.
Sora turned to the still calm, and almost annoyed teen he'd taken note of. He smiled, "What's your name?"
She looked at him suspiciously, "Why would The Master want to know that?"
He frowned with a slight slump, "Uh…" He rubbed his head, "I'd like to take you on as an apprentice."
The teen stared at him with shock, "What? Why?"
Sora waffled, "Because you have like, a ton of Magic potential!"
The girl gave him a weird look, "If that were the case, wouldn't you have noticed it earlier?"
Sora pouted, "I'm not all-knowing, okay?"
The girl observed him before smirking, "Ivina." She was wearing a simple green dress that brought out the blue of her eyes and went well with the shade of eggplant purple of her bobbed hair.
Sora nodded, "Well, would you like to be my apprentice?"
Ivina thought it over for a moment before nodding, "Of course. It would be a great honor to study under the illustrious Master of the Tower." Sora gave her a weird look as she smiled, "Do I have to go with you now, or..?"
He shook his head, "I'm fine with you talking to your family about it. When you're ready to move in, just come to the Tower entrance. I'll know when you arrive."
She tilted her head, "I thought you weren't all knowing?"
Sora gave her a look as he sighed, "I'll know."
Ivina snickered, "Thank you, Master."
Sora waved a dismissive hand, "It's my pleasure, honestly."
Ivina nodded as she continued on her way, glad she hadn't been left to be harassed again by her classmates.
Now they would be something of the past, her Magic studies having been well worth it.
To-xXx-Realize-xXx-This-xXx-Wish
The kids were surprised when he returned empty handed.
He shrugged, turned to Aced, and asked what they'd accomplished.
The poor twenty year old had waffled for a moment before shrugging, "Nothing, Master."
Sora blinked at him, "Nothing?"
Aced sighed as he waved a hand towards Ava, who was making a flower chain, "We've been pulled into helping her."
Sora tilted his head this way and that as he watched her weave flowers together.
Now that he thought about it, the plants kept steadily growing despite her constant plucking.
He wandered over to the nine year old and settled nearby while staying out of her particular circle of flowers. He began to chain his own set of flowers, watching her work with interest. The three boys were making their own in a weird daze, as he realized Ira had at least taken it as a way to meditate. Aced was halfway there, but he was a bit more clumsy with the craft and it was only due to being around Ava for so long that he could do it without too much concentration.
Gula was pouting over the activity, but clearly the boys had coerced him somehow.
Probably that he wouldn't have to be cooped up inside with books, no matter how much he had come to enjoy reading.
Ava was deep into her work, concentrating in a way he had missed previously as he noticed the glow of Magic around her hands.
His eye widened, and after a long moment of observation, tried imbuing a very specific and precise amount of Cure Magic into his fingers as he weaved.
Suddenly he understood how Ava's flower crowns could survive so long.
He began to pay more attention to his work, weaving more slowly than before as he tried imbuing the flowers with different sorts of Magic. Mostly status related, though Cure was the primary.
Cure was the most costly of Magics, but this exercise seemed to explore expanding one's base MP for the sake of being able to still use other Magic after Casting Cure.
He became absorbed in the exercise, not noticing that Ava had eventually started studying what he was doing along with the others.
That Aced had disappeared at some point.
That Ivina had appeared after some time with him, watching them with interest as they'd all introduced themselves quietly as he and Ava stayed in their own little bubble.
Eventually the sun began to lower and Gula pounced on him. "Augh!" If Sora hadn't been imbuing Magic into the flowers, the stem would have definitely ripped, "Wha!?"
Gula made a displeased growl, "Master, it's been hours! You're new student's here, and you 'n Ava have just been in your own little flowery girly world!"
Sora scowled, "Flowers aren't girly!"
Gula snapped his teeth, "Yes they are!"
Sora snapped his arms back to catch the child under his arms and launched him. It was just as he did so that he thought, Wait, he doesn't know how to land!
The other apprentices were panicked as Gula flailed through the sky with a shout.
None of them knew The Master had the sort of latent strength to do that.
He hopped to his feet, nearly falling on his face as his legs were asleep as Sora pushed off the ground and used Airstep to catch Gula in the air before safely dropping onto the ground with a controlled roll.
Once back on his feet, Sora plopped Gula onto his feet and steadied the breathless child before taking a few steps back as he rubbed his head, "Uh, sorry Gula." He chuckled awkwardly.
Gula blinked a few times before turning with a bounce, "That was awesome! Again!"
Sora stared at him. The others stared at him. Ava hopped up from her place and ran over, "I wanna try that too!" The Master sighed and slapped his face, "N-no. Not today."
The two children slumped as he continued, "I'll teach you all how to do that yourselves over time, though."
The four apprentices and one newbie were amazed at the idea as Ira stepped forward, catching Sora's attention. "We can do that, Master?"
Sora fully turned to the others as he rubbed his head, "Yeah, once you learn Flowmotion…"
The five of them stared at him as Sora waffled slightly under their scrutiny, flushed, "I'm gonna go start dinner, to welcome Ivina!" He swiftly scurried away from them with a hysteric chuckle, embarrassed that he'd reacted so poorly to Gula calling flowers girly.
Are you a child or what?
Clearly.
Sora huffed as he spoke aloud to Vanitas within, "Flowers are for everyone…"
Vanitas smirked, 'Well, the Worlds would be a great deal duller without them.'
Sora had a defeated smile on his face, "Guess I can still learn new things…"
'The Magic imbued flower chain?'
"Mmmn."
Vanitas sighed lightly, 'Xehanort was never for delicate work.'
Sora frowned, "No… just making plans upon plans…"
They still had a long way to go, as Sora began to have vague ideas filter into his mind about the future.
