Final Fantasy XV - Kingdom Hearts
Part 4
Summary: Two warriors of Light, the Chosen King and Keyblade Master, face an unseen Darkness.
Turning in his sleeping bag, Sora's blue eyes eventually were unveiled and all they saw was the darkness of the tent, he could hear Donald and Goofy's gentle snoring along with the gentle hums of the desert winds.
Rolling on his side, he sees his companions once again using each other comfort, Donald resting against Goofy's stomach with his and Goofy's hat being used as makeshift pillow for the captain. Smiling to himself, the boy quietly exited the tent in the hopes some fresh air would make him tired enough to go back to the tent.
That…and the snores were kinda loud for as gentle as they are.
Scrambling out of his tent as quietly as he could, and quickly zipped up the tent flaps. His body was welcomed by the cool breeze of the night air, the stars above were breathtaking when he finally looked. It was almost like home except the entire night sky looked like as if he was staring at the surface of space, there were stars and cosmic trails along with a large moon that was wrapped in a beautiful bow of stars.
Moments like these made the keyblade user fold his arm and realize how rare he'd take in the night. Sora is lover of the day, who wouldn't be? But he also knew how to appreciate the night and its splendours. Corona proved that to him, where even in the darkest of days small fragments of light will always preserve.
His eyes went down to see Kairi resting on the edge of the Haven, looking at the far distance of where "Insomnia" resided. 'You ok?', he asked, walking over to her.
The princess of light turned slightly to identify the voice since he was whispering and smiled warmly at the boy. She nodded softly as he planted himself beside her. 'Just wanted to take in my surroundings', she revealed. Sora nodded, understanding. While this was technically her sixth world Kairi had very little chances to take in where she was or even explore it. Sora won't lie, he was extremely apprehensive about having her here even with Aqua and the others.
Scratching the back of his head, he nudged her shoulder with his own, a cheeky smile appeared. 'So, how does it feel to have an angry Aqua as a master?', he teased. Kairi rolled her eyes. 'Don't you start buster, Aqua is going to hold this over my head for the rest of my life', she replied. 'That's what happens when you disobey a master~.
'Oh? Then where's your punishment? I don't remember anyone tugging your ear for all the kinds of trouble you caused!', Kairi teased back.
'Jokes on them, I had no master!', Sora laughed.
The two laughed quietly together, the severity of their predicament had faded and the serenity of the night soothed their minds. They relaxed and enjoyed the silence together, shoulder to shoulder and heads gently resting against the other, neither commenting nor moving.
'…I'm sorry I left so suddenly', Kairi lamented.
'It's ok, I get it. You and Lea had to start training as soon as possible, I know', Sora said.
'Doesn't mean I couldn't have waited for a little longer…especially after everything that's happened', Kairi said, clutching her hands together.
Looking down, Sora knew deep down in his heart that was probably one of the worst days of his life, and possibly his second greatest failure as a keyblade user. Bad enough he failed his exam, but the fact he was almost possessed by his greatest enemy to become one of his vessels and be the thing he was fighting against.
Of course, he couldn't be happier when Riku passed his exam, at least his short-comings didn't hinder Riku's exam. And he knows Lea and Kairi will do just as well as Riku…
But it still hurt him, that moment in his life forever scarred onto his heart. Gently he felt Kairi's hand intertwine with his own larger one. He looked at her, a gentle and heart-warming smile was glowing on her face. Sora blushed softly at it, smiling shyly. 'Y-You know, I-I didn't hold it against you…I mean, I…'.
'Sora'.
He shut his mouth immediately. Gently the redhead placed a hand on his cheek, still holding that smile. 'You've done so much in the past two years, and I know what happened won't go away…but', she said. 'I know that this', she says, freeing her hand and placed it on his heart, 'is a heart that gave so much, saved so many people, and would do it all again for them'.
Sora was speechless, his heartbeat was quickening as his cheeks went dark with the red. All he could was stare into her wonderful eyes as she gently pressed her forehead against his own, never taking her eyes off him. Yet the gentleness shifted into sorrow, as she lowered her gaze to his heart again. 'It's not fair…', she said simply. Sora gently cupped her chin to face him, his own eyes were shining with his pain. 'Kairi', he spoke gently, 'They needed me, Terra, Aqua, Ven, Roxas, Naminé'.
People he met, some he hadn't, it didn't matter. Each of them were and are in such pain he was willing to carry all of it to just help them all. It was one of the seemingly endless list of reasons why Kairi adored this young man. 'You didn't have to do it alone, nor did Riku have to…I should've…'. He knew where those thoughts were trailing off too, and Sora refused further let her go down to that path. Gently he wrapped his arms around her, pulling the small girl into a warm hug yet keeping their eyes on each other.
Kairi's cheeks went rosy when she felt the warmth of his body heat and softness of his clothes, the safety exerting from Sora was something no could replicate for her. 'I'd fight all of the heartless in the worlds than put you in danger, and I'd do it all over again if it meant you'd be safe', he said. 'But I can't treat you like you're made of glass, I can't keep you on the side-lines'.
Kairi let out a small whimper as he gently cupped her cheek. 'I want you with me, and I know you'll be great but…what if I can't…what I screw up…?'. His greatest fears, his weakest moment, both coming together at once that will destroy his heart and soul. 'You won't…because I know you won't', she promised. Gently Kairi cupped his cheeks, and gently she placed her lips on his, and suddenly the world faded…
Later…
Up early, as usual, Ignis quietly exited the tent, dressed for the day and ready to get breakfast started for everyone. Despite the number of people increased in their party Ignis was excited to cook for new people. Besides he wanted to repay them for their help from before and what better way to thank a person with a good breakfast?
As the sun slowly rises, Ignis turned to see Kairi and Sora asleep against other sitting upright. The older man was about to wake them before he realised it was still too early for them to be awake and given how exhausting the fights were they needed more sleep. Ignis took one of the spare blankets and one of Gladio's leather shirts from the duffle bags and threw it carefully over them and gently laid them on the shirt.
Smirking at his handy work, the man began the long but rewarding process of making breakfast for everyone…
Slowly but surely Gladiolus woke up next with a jaw cracking yawn and a long stretch as the sun covered the haven and the world in a gentle warmth. The giant cracked the joints in his body as he did a few stretches and rolls, looking at Iggy's work. His amber eyes fell to the young couple still sleeping, except now Kairi was laying her head on Sora's chest and the latter held her close to himself, both content and at ease.
'They're pretty cosy together', Gladiolus whispered to his friend, approaching.
'It would seem so', Ignis chuckled softly.
Gladiolus had begun to get the chairs all stacked up and ready for the day, humming quietly while his friend worked away. Soon Aqua exited her tent, but she was looking around feverishly for someone. Before she opened her mouth, her eyes fell on Gladiolus who, with a gesture, showed her where the apprentice was currently sleeping. Aqua visibly let out a deep sigh of relief upon seeing her, understandingly given the last time she lost sight of her.
'Morning', he greeted with a friendly wave.
'Good Morning', she responded, approaching them, 'How long have those two been like that?'.
'I found them two hours ago just sleeping sitting up, so they've been out here for quite some time', Ignis explained.
Aqua gave an "ahh" in response just as the kettle finally whistled softly. Ignis removed it from the stove and poured himself and Gladiolus a coffee and offered the blue-haired warrior one too. She blinked. 'What's a coffee?', she asked, looking at the strange beverage.
Gladiolus snickered subtly, ducking his head away from the shocked look on Ignis' face, lips opened slightly. Aqua tilted her head in slight confusion before Ignis immediately brewed her a fresh cup and handed it to her. 'It's a beverage that regenerates energy for people, particularly in the morning', he explained. Aqua looked at black liquid and took a sip, but immediately recoiled and stretched it away from her, her face showing she tasted something very bitter.
'Ugh, that's bitter…', she groaned.
'Try adding milk, it'll be easier', Ignis recommended, picking up the flask containing the substance.
Once he poured the required amount, the blackened liquid turned into a more lighter colour. Aqua, with some hesitance, took a sip of her drink. An "mmm" rumbled her throat, and she tilted the drink up to consume more. 'It's delicious!', she said, amazed. Subtly Ignis was smirking with delight, a woman who appreciated ebony despite diluting it with milk.
'Just don't expect Iggy to share the ebony regularly', Gladiolus teased, 'Guy's got a mean caffeine tooth for that stuff'.
'Come now, you're merely exaggerating', the chef responded.
'A person who gives the " touch and I'll make sure your body is never found" look when you're about to take the last one has an addiction for it'.
'Maybe he just knows how to appreciate it?', Aqua offered. 'He buys it doesn't he?'.
'True', Gladiolus relented.
Aqua took a seat with him as Donald, Goofy and Prompto woke up in time for Ignis to finish the eggs. The two unique members looked at Sora and Kairi, then back to Aqua who placed a finger on her lips, shushing them. They eventually just agreed to shrug and leave the two alone, sitting down with the others. 'Where's Noctis?', Aqua asked looking at Prompto.
' *Yawm* Sleeping…', he said, taking a glass of milk from Gladiolus.
'…shouldn't he be awake?'.
'You wanna wake him up? Be our guest', Gladiolus offered, 'Sleeping Beauty isn't gonna budge unless ya kick him hard enough'.
'Or simply pester him long enough as opposed to tenderizing his ribs', Ignis chastised, giving the man a mock glare.
'Oh, so he's a heavy sleeper?', Aqua said, finishing her drink.
'Sounds familiar…', Donald grumbled, looking at Goofy. The knight gave the duck a sheepish look, chuckling awkwardly.
'So, what's on our agenda today?', Prompto pipped, looking at the spectacled man. 'We'll first escort Cindy to their ship and see what can be done, then after, we can finally head for the next royal arm', Ignis explained, filling a plate of food up for everyone.
' "Royal arm"?', Aqua asked.
Prompto jumped slightly, a panic look flashed on his face before Gladiolus elbowed him slightly. He gave the boy a nod and friendly smirk. 'You remember back there when he was surrounded by all those weapons from before?', he asked.
'I think so…', Aqua said, memory yielding little.
'I think seeing as we will likely be working together for quite some time, it'd be best to fill them in on what our current situation is', Ignis said. 'In any event, whether or not Cindy can fix your ship, you'll be with us, so there wouldn't be any sense to keep you all in the dark'.
He sat down once everyone had a plate of food, ensuring to keep some for the other sleeping three as he began to explain to Aqua and the other two just what exactly is going on, and who Noctis is…
Later…
'Do you think Cindy can fix the Gummi ship?', Sora asked, looking at Noctis.
'Honestly, I'm gonna say maybe? I mean, she's pretty good but…', he said, looking at the wreckage.
'Dude, you did not just say that!', Prompto said. 'We're talking about the Goddess of Gears here!'.
Sora blinked as Noctis gave him an unamused look as the blonde began to spout why fixing an intergalactic space ship would be child's play to Cindy. The group in part were waiting for the mechanic to arrive with Ignis, Goofy and Donald in tow, all the while Gladiolus and Aqua were making light conversations while Sora and Kairi were watching Prompto's performance as the prince just watched.
They had all agreed to wait by where the main body of the ship was seeing as there would be where most of the grunt work would take place. Sora wasn't entirely sure how much Donald would be telling Cindy about the mechanics or tricks this ship had or what material it was made of. He trusted him though, because really if they have no way home then they were boned after all.
'Has Cindy ever fixed a ship like this before?', Kairi asked, raising her hand.
Prompto stopped his movement and opened his mouth a few times before he finally answered. 'O-Of course!'. Noctis smirked and folded his arms. 'Like what? Far as we're all aware this is a once-off thing', he said, gesturing the ship in question. 'W-W-Well…like the imperial ships!'.
'Wouldn't the empire have their engineers for those ships? Besides those dropships were big, hardly Cindy alone would be able to fix that', Kairi pointed out with a cheeky smile. Prompto blushed and awkwardly coughed, looking away from his friends. 'W-Well…ya know…no one's perfect', he mused. 'Even a "goddess"', Noctis jabbed. Prompto gave him a pout in retort but before he could give him a vocal response, they all turned to the arriving party.
Once Cindy's eyes fell on the sip, the grew large in awe and even looked back at Sora, before falling back to it. 'Sweet mama Chocobo…ya'll weren't kidding about this thing…', she said, awestruck. Cindy folded her arms and looked back to Donald, who gave her a nod, permission to look. The mechanic and the others approached and after some help getting inside the cockpit, the girl began to take in her new job.
After an hour or two of poking, asking what Donald could answer, some take apart and reassembly, the girl concluded and hopped out of the cockpit. Everyone waited with bated breath for the result of their new friends' situation. 'So…I've got good news and some bad….'.
'Does the good news imply you can fix it?', Kairi asked hopefully.
'Right on the money there, sweet cheeks', she confirmed. The other worlds let out sighs of relief, but then Goofy asked, 'But uh, what's the bad news?'. 'Well…see its gonna take a LONG time to put this back together, and that's before we can even start to patch it up', Cindy said. 'Also, for the materials and tools, we'll need for it…I hate to say it'll cost ya a few limbs…'.
Noctis immediately stepped forward. 'Look, I'll pay-
'Sorry prince, but even your pockets won't go deep enough for the repairs…I'd wager you'll still be paying back through your twelfth generation of kiddies'. Everyone's jaw fell in shock, more so comically for Donald and Goofy. 'No number of hunts could even scratch the pay…', Gladiolus lamented with a grunt. 'Hey Sora, just saying living around Hammerhead isn't so bad…', Noctis offered.
'We may have to start planning to live here!', Aqua sighed, folding her arms. 'Well, I never said you can't pay us back with just Gil', Cindy suggested. Before Goofy could even point out they didn't even have that currency on them, Kairi stepped up. 'What do you mean?'.
'Listen, the prince here hasn't tried to scam me before, so I'm gonna go on a limb and say you five are just as honest as him yeah?'. 'Absolutely!', Sora said. 'Then, I'm willing to help out, in exchange, I get to make blueprints from this and build my own'.
'NO! Absolutely not!', Donald said, adamantly.
'Donald, we can't afford to pay for the repairs!', Kairi argued.
'She's right Donald, besides we gotta get back to the King soon!', Goofy pointed out.
Donald, however, remained resolute. 'I don't care! We can't let the ship be replicated and rebuilt!', he said sternly. Kairi and Goofy looked back to Cindy, shrugging in defeat. That was until Sora smirked. 'Okay Donald, we'll just stay here then…but I wonder whose gonna tell Daisy?'. Donald's eyes widened with horror, but Sora, unknowingly or knowingly, kept up. 'I mean she was pretty upset the last time you forgot about your anniversary…can you imagine missing the next one? Or maybe five years down the line?'.
If ducks could go pale the others were thoroughly convinced Donald would be the very first one to do so. He looked ready to have a full-blown heart attack from the way he looked. 'But hey ya know, she might even come and save us…but what are we gonna say or explain why it took us so long to come home?', he continued.
' "Donald could have let our mechanic have one or two blueprints, but he didn't want to"? Sounds like a legit excuse for you', Gladiolus joined in, smirking. 'Gwarsh, she'll be furious!', Goofy gulped, unintentionally making the whole thing worse, all the while Kairi, Noctis and Prompto were desperately trying not to snicker. Even Cindy looked ready to burst out laughing, keeping her professional look on.
'GAHHHH! OKAY! FINE!', Donald bellowed. 'JUST STOP!'.
Later…
With the agreement sealed, Cindy had immediately began to call in some workers to get started immediately, and she had even brought some of the more powerful light beams to keep the daemons at bay just so they could work. At a rough estimate of how long it'll before the ship will sail in the skies again, several weeks at best.
'Sorry for that, but that's me being generous with the estimation', Cindy said.
'Think nothing of it, we're truly grateful for your help', Aqua said. 'Take as long as you need', she said.
After they bid the mechanic farewell, the nine had all decided to finally head off for the next royal arm. With Sora, Kairi, Donald, Goofy and Prompto on the chocobos and the others in the car, they all sped off for the next destination.
A/N:
And now we have that out of the way. So it's gonna take time for Cindy to bring back the ship up, so what sort of trouble will the group get into? Who knows?
Sorry for the "meh" chapter, but I just wanted to get this out so I can brainstorm what to do with them. Thanks for reading either way, please let me know if there's anything I can do to improve this story. Stay awesome but more importantly stay safe!
