Final Fantasy XV - Kingdom Hearts
Part 44
Summary: Two warriors of Light, the Chosen King and Keyblade Master, face an unseen Darkness.
*Two days before Party leaves for Niflhiem*
'WHO THE FRICK DRANK MY GOD DAMN TEA!?', Cid growls, looking at his empty mug, 'Yuffie! If ya value your innards being where they god damn SHOULD be, you better say something MIGHTY FAST!'.
'Ya know that girl probably dumped it in your baby plant just to irritate ya, pops', Cindy says, on a board underneath the engine of their current project, communicating with Cid via earpiece. The mechanic from the other worlds was most tuning the up the engines and checking for any more possible hiccups the ship may have. After their last flight test resulting in destroying a tower in the distance and after getting a very strongly worded lecture from Leon, the girl was adamant to avoid causing any more property damages.
Cid grunts in annoyance, blowing a puff of smoke from his lips as he hammered the nails into the plating of the ship. 'How's it looking down there, Cindy?', he asked. 'Just polishing her up here Cid, making her nice and purdy for space after all', she says. After finishing her work, she pulled herself out from below the belly of the ship and hopped to her feet. She looked up to the see Cid on a stand finishing off the hammering. He nods in approval of his handiwork, smirking. Looking at their project the woman couldn't help but feel that sense of pride only a "Cid" could have for a masterpiece in the making.
The ship affectionately called the "Highwind Mark XV", supposedly the best ship Cid had ever worked on in his spare time. Not only would this be their biggest ship yet, but from what the old master had told the woman, it'd be near-invincible by the time it took to the stars. They were currently working on a skeleton of a ship for the moment, of course, the girl on the engines while Cid focused on the armor and structure.
Nearly a month into working on this project Cindy could see the fruits of their joint labor slowly coming to fruition.
It had been an exciting few weeks working on what was arguably her biggest job yet, going from repairing cars to making spaceships. In the time she spent with Cid after their introduction, she had discovered something quite interesting about the legacy of the C, aka the Cid name.
A day after they met, Cid had informed her he knew her Paw-Paw they were once student and master. The Cid here was his student when he was in his teens, having been mentored by the old man years ago when he was hired on as a mechanic to some entrepreneur who was trying to establish some economy between worlds. Sophiar (Paw-Paw's last name) took Cid under his wing and started to teach him some of the basics of handling engines and machines before he returned home to Eos.
He also dropped another bombshell of information on the girl's lap, stating that the name "Cid" was an age-old tradition that spans from many generations of the famous mechanics. He took the name as his own since he wanted to distance himself from his world when it first fell to darkness, something like Leon did once. Except he legit forgot his old name and just stuck with Cid. During their first few days working on the ship, he told her the history of their namesake, making references to a few of them from ages long since passed.
One Cid was a leader of a group of outcasts who still used incredible pieces of technology while resurfacing, even more, older pieces of technology, even an airship. While nowadays it wouldn't be anything spectacular given the fact, it was mostly grounded within that world, back then it was the closest thing to a Gummi Ship without it being a Gummi Ship. Another Cid was humbler and a tad bit of a softie (and a total disgrace according to Cid) who used to run some military place for young students to become mercenaries of sorts.
'So, how's that cranky geezer doing anyways', he says, lowering the platform to Cindy as she wipes her hands clean. 'Paw-Paw hadn't done much since we established our shop', she revealed, 'Mostly just lounging around or tinkering with some knick-knacks he finds'. Cid chuckles as he throws her a bottle of water from his tool belt, 'Yeah, figured that grump wouldn't keep them hands of his idle for long'. Cindy nods as she drank her beverage, listening to Cid going on about the diagnostics of the ship and the other bits she's still a little wet behind the ear to understand.
After the king had explained to Cid what the situation was and when Cindy says she was from Eos, the man immediately told them the reason why ships couldn't function right near Eos. There is some sort of oddity about that world's magic that in Cid's words, "Royally screws up" the systems engines, something akin to setting off an EMP (Electro-Magnetic Pulse). He states that for places like Eos they would need some form of a special kind of crystal that counteracts against the magic.
When Cindy brought up the ship was in utter bits when Sora showed up, the man chucked it up to the heartless or nobodies attacking them while their ship was having a massive fit.
While she and Cid would build a ship that would house the crystal needed for the trip, Leon organized a special task group to locate and find the crystal for them. Not that she minded the work, especially when Cid started to show her the ropes of building the ships from scratch, how they could work so well with anything made of gummi, what kind of engines she could make and to add sugar to this delicious cake of amazing, he even told her the gummi could make amazing cars too.
Never had Cindy met a man who could win her heart but here he is.
Taking a break from their hours of work, the two mechanics headed for the outside balcony's to see the city before them and take some fresh air. Well, Cindy did while the man took another drag of his cigarette. Sipping her water, the girl exhaled as she stares into the distance of the world around her, still mesmerized by how different it was compared to back home. She didn't spend every day there in the engine room, she was often out with Ventus or Axel to explore the town to her leisure, meet the locals and some of the Restoration Committee.
The ninja gal certainly reminded her of Prompto's hyperactivity sure but minus the sad attempts at flirting, nervousness and cute hairstyle. She's one of the leaders of the exterminators apparently, from what Zack told her in massive quotations, a glorified scouting leader for the lands outside of the town. Having said that she is fun to be around, very chipper and spirited too, especially when it came to tease her friends or the occasional harmless pranks.
The woman with a mean right Tifa was also a regular visitor to the place whenever she had time to take a break from making art. The woman was looking for someone who disappeared a very long time ago and eventually took a break from searching to lend a hand back home. Cindy took a few lessons from her when it came to self-defense, just in case some unsavory company found her. In the short lessons she had with Tifa, Cindy effectively learned how to break an arm in at least seven different ways.
Let's see how brave the boys back home would be if they touched her butt again~
'Hard to believe we've come so far rebuilding this place in just short of two years', Cid remarked, leaning on the railing. Cindy looked at him as he puts out his cigarette and then flicked off the balcony, a look of nostalgia on his face. 'What happened here?', she asked, leaning on the railing with him, 'Heartless?'. He nods gravely. 'Eleven years back, when those little critters were popping up all over the place, they swarmed our world and eventually turned it into a paradise for themselves'.
'All because of that witch, Maleficent'.
Ever since she was introduced to the RC, a lot of information was divulged to the other world mechanic, especially the enemies Sora and company faced. Of course, the most present danger to them now was a witch who has had her eyes on this world for quite some time, and after further questioning, she was given the details on how she managed to corrupt this world into her dark image. Sure, she hadn't been seen around here for almost a year now and the heartless were dwindling but the guard hadn't relaxed at all.
'And ya'll sure she'll come back? After Sora kicked her keister?', she asked doubtfully. 'Heh, little lady, do ya see that kiddo running around here?', Cid asked, chuckling. 'Ya'll got Zack, Tifa, and Yuffie, plus that Leon guy, what else do ya need?', she says with a smirk. Cid scoffs playfully at her. 'I get your point, but you've gotta remember she's got more heartless up her sleeves than I've got cigarettes in my pockets!'. The man lights one up and takes a puff from it, exhaling the black air from his mouth. 'Not sure if that old witch had given up on taking over, but ya never know'.
Cindy hummed in response, sipping her water in thought…
*Town*
Humming to himself, Axel strolled through the town in peace after finishing off his ice cream. He gave the locals some nods and greetings here and there, some he remembered from his childhood like the old couple that used to run a store here and some of the retired guards.
It was still such a bizarre thing for the man to be in, walking down the streets of his home when he couldn't exactly remember the day, he had lost his heart and turned into a nobody. Despite how far the technology had come, the old buildings he sees are still here, some of the names of streets too along with faces he knew had grown. The man knew them well but, they don't remember him much, some knew him by his hair and his little quote.
For the most part, he kept himself incognito and often claimed he just arrived here. As he strolled down a street with his hands in his pockets, he begins to ponder and muse. It wasn't so long ago he and Kairi were here with Merlin learning how to become efficient wielders of the keyblade, but they had seldom ever left the forest to go explore. He did more so than Kairi, for the sake of getting the ice cream or just for a breather while the princess was ever the more determined student. A small frown makes home on his face when he thought back to the redhead.
The day he learned he'd be training with her was probably the most awkward time he'd ever dealt with, save for one time when Roxas asked him about sex. She certainly didn't hide her discomfort that her fellow keyblade novice was the same man who kidnapped her and tried to use her against Sora, not that he could blame her certainly. Those first few days were awkward enough, but over time after he apologized profusely (a lot more than he needed to according to her), she started warming up to him and even acted more playful.
They didn't spend every waking moment training sure, she'd be writing her letters to Sora that she never sent or chatting with him about their progress while having ice cream. He remembers those chats, talking about his past life before he became a nobody along with some of the time within the Organization, while she'd tell him her past. He recalled the look of surprise on her face when he told her he was from Radiant Garden too, but much like her, it wasn't home to him anymore. Sure, he did have a place within the world of nobodies, but it wasn't home.
The days they trained, slowly mastering the basics and the sparring matches he had with her were some of the best times he's had in a long, long time. That girl was adamant in reaching Sora's level, or in her case being able to stand by his side, she didn't hold back at all in their fights. He could still feel the bruises on himself when he thought his losses. Then came the days where the looming battle dawned on him, as well as his fears.
There were times in the past few months he wished he never regained his heart, it helped deal with the betrayal he witnessed back in the MOM exam. Seeing Isa in those robes again, still working along with that smug jerk Xemnas, fully intending on fulfilling his boss's wishes. Most nights he'd lay in his bed thinking of how he was going to end up fighting his best friend again, and it would be for the final time. He lets a rueful chuckle escape him as he walks down a flight of stairs leading to the town square, fighting his friends seemed to a common occurrence for him of late.
Looking up at the sky above to see the day was still as bright as ever, he wonders how Kairi was doing and if she and Sora hit it off yet. While he wouldn't say it outright, gotta keep the "cool dude" image intact after all, he was hoping she would have at least sent ONE letter to the kiddo. He remembers teasing her about her crush on the boy, jesting that she was getting stronger just to impress him.
He fondly kept that memory of her blushing profusely and muttering that soft but shy "shut up" to him. If he knew girls, he was dead on the munny with her. This said, he wouldn't lie and say he wasn't worried about her, heck only because she had Sora, Riku and Aqua together with her was how he was able to get some sleep.
Axel found himself sitting against one of the walls near the slope, deciding to rest up after his "patrol" and just have some time to think. His mind went back to the early days of his training with Kairi when she started eating the ice cream and…
And then that girl appeared again…
No matter how hard Axel tried to place her name, it was like it was slipping through his fingers like sand. Despite having no memory of her, seeing her again with that smile, innocent and sweet, he felt a pain that couldn't be described. It as if someone had plunged a cold dagger into his heart and twisted it repeatedly, a wave of guilt accompanying it. It was the first time in so long he cried, he had completely forgotten what it felt like to cry.
Kairi changing her hairstyle when she changed into her new clothes didn't help him either because unbeknownst to Kairi, he kept seeing that girl again and again. Yet her name didn't go with her, every time he tried to remember her it just hurt his heart. One thing he did know was somehow she was connected to him and Roxas (calling it a hunch), their time with the Organization, and for this reason, he refuses to let go of his nobody's name or robes.
Exhaling his breath, the pyro took something out of his pocket that he miraculously managed to carry with him from the day he had lost his best friend. An old nearly withered popsicle stick with the very faded carving of the word "winner" along with a few nicks on it. The last thing he had of Roxas before they had a falling out over…over…something, he remembered vaguely, and after finding this on his shelf he couldn't see himself just throwing it in the trash.
He remembers talking to him about this type of prize, saying if someone finds it, they can redeem it for a free ice cream. Smiling fondly at it, he kept it so he could repay the favor to the boy when the time came.
'I see you haven't changed your diet'.
Axel looked up and nearly choked when he saw a familiar face standing before him. Steel-blue hair is neatly parted into long bangs that obscure the right side of his face and leave only one of his bright blue eyes visible.
Wearing a purple ascot as well as the knee-high silver-trimmed boots worn by the other apprentices Axel's seen. His hair is parted in a messier style. He wears a white dress shirt and a grey sweater-vest under his coat. 'It's been quite some time since we've spoken, hasn't it?', he says. Axel scratched his neck, looking away awkwardly as Ienzo watches him patiently. 'Heh, yeah…sorry about the silence', apologized the redhead as he got back to his feet and greeted his former fellow nobody. Ienzo raised a playful brow at Axel before waving off his worries.
'The same could be said about me. I received word a little while ago you've returned to Radiant Garden', he revealed, 'I've just been up the walls with decoding the Master's data as best as I could'. Axel nods in understanding, despite not understanding HALF of what those guys were doing up there. All he cared about was their end game of being able to help Roxas and Naminé get their bodies. 'Either way, it is good to see you again, Lea', he says fondly, before he frowned. 'Or, is it Axel? I forgot which name you go by these days'.
Axel chuckled, ruffling the younger man's hair. 'What part of "got it memorized" did ya not get, shorty?', he teased. Ienzo rolled his visible eye and gently brushed Axel's hand from his head. 'So, how's Dilan and Aeleus? Still the grumpy silent duo?', he asked with a smirk. 'More less grumpy but as silent as always', Ienzo remarked with a playful tone, 'They've been hanging around the castle more often these days'.
Deciding to go for a walk with his friend, Axel followed Ienzo to Ansem's old study room, after the younger man offered to show Axel some updates on their progress. Despite the amount of time that has passed since they all regained their human forms it still perplexed Axel how forgiving the man was. Not his proudest moment among others certainly, but the man of flames certainly recalled him being the very reason Ienzo had returned to his human form much faster than the rest of them despite it not being by Axel's hand.
After everything that's happened and before he joined up with Kairi, he awkwardly apologized to the man for…killing him, essentially. Yet the man merely brushed it off like it was nothing of concern. He sounded more grateful to Axel for "reuniting" him with his heart.
How often does the person you killed thank you for…killing them?
In the study room, the steel blue-haired scientist had gone over most of their discoveries to Axel, showing off the process to place a heart within the replica and essentially bring them to life. Most of the leader of this world's research was lost however as Ienzo revealed that the main brains behind most of the advancements were done by Even, or Vexen, truly. They sat down after Ienzo brewed some of Cid's tea for the two.
'After we've finished the groundwork for the process, we've explained to Sora the way he could help Roxas become his person', he says before sipping his tea. Axel hummed before asking: 'But they'll be able to, ya know, exist together?'. Ienzo nods, 'Of course. Much like how the Replica Riku and our Riku existed together without the other draining the real one', he explained. He lets a small shudder escape him as he looked down at his mug. Axel looked down as well, remembering that was the person who unknowingly brought Ienzo back as a human.
'Sorry', the man sighs, 'It's still a bit of a slow process…remembering how I was…killed'. Axel nodded in understanding, apologizing once more for his hand in the matter. He was waved off with a light laugh. 'It's done now, Axel. We weren't exactly close when we were nobodies if you recall', he says. The redhead nods before he sipped his tea, then stops. 'Ienzo…can I ask ya something?', he says slowly and hesitantly.
'I am not giving you the ingredients to Cid's tea. I'm more afraid of him than I ever will be of the heartless', the man laughs. 'I'm not looking to get ya killed a second-time buddy, just something's that's been bothering me for a while now', he explained. Ienzo nods with a smile, encouraging Axel to speak his mind. The redhead sighs, placing his cup on the table and leaned on it with his elbows. 'It's just, whenever I look at Kairi sometimes, I…I see someone else', he starts.
'Naminé?', Ienzo asked, raising a brow. 'No, no. A girl, with black hair. But she looks so much like Kairi, ya know?', he says. Ienzo hummed in thought, rubbing his chin to recall a person like her, yet nothing came to mind. 'Where did you meet this person?', he questioned. 'I…I don't…', Axel said, trying to recall her. Ienzo sees something in Axel's face, genuine confusion and worry clashed upon his face like he was desperately trying. 'Was this someone you used to know before or after you became a nobody?', Ienzo tries.
'…after', Axel confesses, 'I know that much…a-and, I feel like Roxas knew her too'. Ienzo stands up as he searches within his memories for this person, thinking perhaps she was part of the Organization. However as far as he recalled the only female among them was that volatile and unpleasant woman who controlled lightning. He couldn't recall another woman among them, certainly not one who looked like Kairi. 'Try to tell me something about this person, perhaps your memory will return', he offered.
Axel sat back in his seat and closed his eyes, digging deep into his memories of this person. Strangely he recalled the old bell tower he used to sit on with Roxas. A routine between these two…three…, finish a mission, get some ice cream and just watch the sunset before returning home. It was at best a repetitive routine, but it was something they could do every day just to spend time together, have a laugh and eat ice cream.
Axel could feel the warmth of the sun on his skin, the sounds of the bells tolling gently and not loudly to break his eardrums. He remembers the salty but sweet taste of the ice cream that somehow tasted even better when he was with those two…two?
Yes, he knew there was Roxas, of course, he was there. Yet when he peered deep into his memories, seeing that goofball's smiles, always right next to him with a sweet smile and cheerful glint in her eyes, she was always there. Smiling, enjoying their presence as they welcomed her. Why? Why couldn't he remember her name? And why did it hurt so much?
With a grunt, Axel opened his eyes and shook his head. 'Nothing! I can't remember…', he started but he sees Ienzo looked shocked. That's when Axel felt them, the warm running tears racing down his cheeks again just like before. He shakily raised a hand to them, unbelieving he was once again brought to tears by someone he didn't remember yet somehow knew was important to him. Why? Why was this person so hard to remember, and why did she bring this excruciating pain to his heart? 'Axel…', Ienzo says, placing a hand on his shoulder.
'Who is she, Ienzo? And why does it hurt so damn much when I'm trying to remember her!?', he pleads, slamming his fist on the table. Ienzo says nothing, he had no words to help soothe the agony within his friend's heart. He stands with him none the less, allowing Axel to let this pain wash through him, all the while wondering if perhaps there was another among the Organization that they all had forgotten.
And if so…who was she?
*Outskirts*
Jumping to the top of the cliff, Ventus surveys the landscape ahead of him. So far as all he could see was a canyon with many crevices within the land, not a single ounce of life ahead of him in this empty landscape of violet-blue rock. With a sigh, he turned to the edge of the cliff and hops back down, landing before Zack.
'Nothing. I couldn't see anything', he said with a pout. The man slumps his shoulders with a tired groan. 'Figures…I guess they must have ventured deeper into the canyon then', the SOLDIER says, straightening up. 'We'll have to search the canyons ourselves than'. They both turned to see Aerith approaching them, smiling. Aerith's eyes were green and friendly while her hair was brown and long, she is wearing a carmine pink and white top held up by a string that wraps around her neck. Underneath this top is a pink dress with a horizontal white stripe near the bottom. She wears yet another dress underneath the first one, this dress being white and slightly longer than the first. Ventus nods and follows him, keyblade out and at the ready for any surprises.
In the following few days that's passed since their arrival, after some discussion on Eos and the reason ships don't function, the residential gummi ship expert told them that making the ship was the easy part (as easy a building a brand new ship from scrap is) the hard part was finding the right source to keep everything from falling apart. Luckily for the team, Cid knew a way to help keep their ship functioning.
There is a special that grows within the outskirts of Radiant Garden, one that feeds off the magic and energies coursing through the land and drew power from the city years ago. It's a rare type of crystal absolutely but seeing as the city hadn't any need to harvest them in over fifty years, the engineer was positive there should be a large abundance of them within the canyons. Leon had sent a special task group to find them three days ago, but when no word was sent back to HQ, the mayor assigned Zack to go and find them.
Along with Ventus and Aerith for back up.
Their journey was uneventful save for one or two skirmishes with the heartless that were quickly taken care of by the boys while Aerith healed them. Among the girls he's encountered, Aerith was already Ventus' favorite. She did hug him but only after she took a good look at him and realized he was not indeed Sora. The reason she hugged him regardless was because she says he looked adorable.
And thus, that was the third time a girl had reduced him to a shy meek little man…
Entering the canyon through the narrow passages, Zack up in front with his hand gripping the buster sword for any more surprises with Ventus trailing behind them to keep the rear guard safe. Aerith had some knowledge of the terrain, having to spend most of her free time learning the landscape when not attending to the people or gardens. This region had been left unattended because of the old fortress Maleficent used to reside in. The darkness from that place spread and almost corrupted the landscape, turning the land into nesting grounds for heartless.
Since her departure, however, the land was healing over time.
'So, who exactly are we looking for?', Ventus asks. 'Just some mercenaries we hire occasionally for scavenging', Aerith explained, 'They're not part of the RC, but they're quite handy when we need them to procure some materials for the town or a few crystals'. 'Provide we pay them in treasure, of course', Zack said with a joking tone.
'Treasure?', Ventus asked, 'Like what?'.
'Literal treasure chests filled with most treasure chests are filled with', Aerith giggled, 'I was worried how we would manage to procure such loot, but thanks to Yuffie we filled the basement of treasure'.
'Sheesh…', Ventus says with putting his hands behind his head. 'Maybe I should sign up, the pay sounds great!'.
The cavern slowly expanded to allow the party of three to stretch out and cover more ground. Bluish white crystals sprouted up from the ground, walls and ceiling white glowed in a hue of white light, showing them their way. Zack raised a hand to halt the movement, frowning when he saw the path splits into two corridors. He sighs and turned to the other two. 'We'll have to go our separate ways for a little while', he laments. Aerith nodded before looking to Ventus, who smiles confidently. 'Don't worry about me, I'll be fine!'.
'Just stay safe alright?', Aerith insists. He nodded, promising her. With that, the group splits up as the couple take the left and Ventus takes the right.
Journey down the corridor while taking in the sights, the boy's mind begins to wander and slowly it reaches the destination, the day he was awoken after nearly twelve years of sleep. The moment he felt his heart return where it belonged when he felt Aqua's life was in danger, the power that ran through him to help protect his friend just as she did for him.
Being reunited with her, seeing the absolute joy in her eyes without tears or sadness was a gift in of itself. Then came meeting the person who willingly let him use his own heart as a place to rest and restore himself, who looked almost like a twin brother to the boy who nearly tore him apart. Despite similar appearances, their personalities were as opposite as fire and water, Sora being a cheerful and hopeful radiance of light.
After gathering the Guardians of Light, he reflects on the promise he and Aqua made, to bring Terra home when the battle was over. She told him what's transpired since he entered his coma, how long it had been since then, what's being going on and where she was. Their time was so short sadly, only a few hours before they got word Sora and his two long-time companions went missing. He remembers how desperate the group was about finding them, especially with the final battle drawing nearer.
And to make matters worse, no sooner did he return to his room by Aqua's request to rest before they started the search, he learned from Axel Kairi used the Star Shard and not only did she disappear to who knew where but so did Aqua. Not even a day had passed and he was once again separated from his long-time friend.
Thanks to Kairi, Yen Sid had ordered everyone to remain at the tower until either Sora found a way to bring everyone back home or they could figure out where exactly they all ended up in. That didn't stop Riku though, taking one of their ships and flying out to track them down. But because of that, they lost another keyblade master, and then there were three remaining. It irritated Ventus to no end, spending those days waiting and pacing around in the tower whenever he wasn't training alongside Axel thanks to Mickey mentoring the two.
In time he decided to follow his fellow teens examples and headed off on his own to find them, but instead, he finds Cindy using Sora's ship. In a way, his disobedience helped them in the long run.
Passing by a clear wall of fragile crystal, he suddenly jumped when he heard a very loud noise that echoed in the corridor. It sounded close by, and not a weapon a heartless would use. He runs deeper into the cavern, keyblade drawn as he rounded a corridor and came to a small clearing where he sees several heartless and two women fighting them off, one of which was carrying those loud firearms he hated. The heartless were just armored soldiers and two large bodies, nothing to worry about luckily.
Ventus jumps off the ledge and dives to the heartless, landing behind them and earning a few soldier's attention. He charges his keyblade with lightning coating it before he dashed in the air, spinning like a cyclone and striking the soldiers, decimating them. He jumps into the air and front flips onto the head of a soldier, bouncing off it with a powerful kick that sent him into the air higher. Reaching behind himself with the tip of the keyblade at his waist, he channeled some of his magic to perform an old technique he learned years ago.
A shotlock attack called Pulse Bomb.
His keyblade tip glowed bluey white and then he swung it over his shoulder down, throwing several spheres down onto the horde of soldiers, detonating and destroying the forces of darkness and reducing them down to one final large body. The crystals were shattered and broken apart, leaving only shards of the beautiful materials on the ground while Ventus got to his feet and eyed the last large body.
Spinning his keyblade in his usual reverse grip until it started to shine with light, Ventus crouched down and placed his hand before him on the ground like he was readying himself to break into a sprint. Instead, Ventus suddenly launched himself forward with his keyblade bursting with light. Bringing his keyblade down onto the fat heartless, he sliced through even the incredible dense rubber-like body of the creature, cutting right through it and flying forward. Sadly, for the boy, he didn't consider the amount of his speed and how much he should've held back because he was stilling rocketing forward.
He then crashed into one of the very people he was *supposed* to protect and practically tackled the poor woman into the wall. They crashed into the ground and wall with a thud, but Ventus received a much softer landing. He lets a groan out as he shook his head, his face buried in the cloth and stomach of the woman. He slowly raised his head and came face to face a pair of cleavage before his face. Suddenly the boy went scarlet, steam hissing out of his ears while yelling in shock, jumping off the woman, waving his hands.
'I'M SO SORRY! I-I-I-I-I DIDN'T MEAN…! I….', he tried, frantically waving his hands, stammering and rambling apologizes like no tomorrow. Instead of getting an earful or worse several bullets, he got a giggle instead. 'Talk about first impressions, not the typical heroic rescue', the woman says, getting to her feet. Ventus ceased his frantic movement, lowering his hands to look at the woman…and somehow his cheeks went even redder than he thought possible.
She dons a modified halter-neck top with the symbol of a "J" across the chest (that left VERY little to the imagination) and a pink hood. Yellow armbands over her biceps, a black bracelet on her left wrist, and denim boyshorts. She carries a pouch on her left hip over an ankle-length blue and white half skirt and wears laced knee-high boots. Short cropped brunette hair with a red braid hanging down to her ankles. Her eyes were two separate colors, left eye blue, and her right green.
'I told ya Yunie, you'd get all the boys to fall for ya in those!', her friend teased, in more…questionable clothing than her friend. Long blonde hair loose and braided, tied atop her head, adorned with colorful beads and held by a blue bandanna.
The girl wears a yellow g-string bikini and an olive green mini-skirt, carrying two pouches at her waist and wearing ruffle sleeves. A long yellow and red scarf hangs loosely around her neck. Her eyes were strange to Ventus, they were green like her friend's but swirled pupils. "Yunie" giggled shyly at her friend, before turning to the frozen stiff Ventus with his cheeks so bright pink he probably could have been mistaken for a stoplight at this point.
'Anyways, who are you?', the mismatched eyed woman asked. Ventus stammered and gasped like he suddenly forgot his name and his brain was struggling to choose what to concentrate on, staring at the girls or find that name given to the boy. Luckily his brain choose the wiser option and he said: 'Ventus! M-My name's Ventus!'.
'Ventus, huh?', the blond girl said with a cat-like smile. 'Cute~…hey, wait a second'. She approached him, staring deep into his eyes while rubbing her chin bending slightly due to her slight height over the boy. She snapped her fingers and stood up. 'You wouldn't happen to be related to Sora, would ya?', she asked. 'N-No! I mean…I know him, b-b-but he's just a friend!', he explained, hating how much he stammered just to get that one sentence out. How the heck does Axel and the others do this so easily?
'He does look like Sora…', Yunie commented. 'Well, I'm Yuna, and this is my cousin, Rikku'. The blonde known as Rikku gave him a cheerful smirk as the boy shyly smiled back. 'S-S-So, did you guys find the crystal Cid asked you for?', he asked. Yuna nods and from her pouch, takes out a mesmerizing crystal that almost reminded Ventus of that orichalcum ore, except this one was sky blue with red waves around it. 'This is what he showed us in the book, and we've been trying to find our way out of here', Yuna explained, 'But then the heartless kept piling up and forced us to hide'.
'Yeah!', Rikku said with a pout, 'We've been stuck here for two days because of those jerks!'. Ventus rubbed his neck, wondering why they sent these two if they couldn't handle the heartless. Shaking his head, he didn't care so much. He just needed to get out of here and back to Radiant Garden. 'Well, me, Zack and Aerith were sent to find you girls', he explained, 'So if you want, I can show you the way out'.
Yuna nodded gratefully and gestured the boy to lead them out. Taking point, the boy kept his keyblade out just in case more heartless showed, desperately trying not to think on the two's attires. Never had he been so grateful Kairi and Aqua dressed so proper, how the heck does Axel do this so well? Plus, unless it was those hormones of his, he swore he felt their eyes on his backside.
*Eos*
As they all got in their seats as the train announced take off, Noctis couldn't help but watch Aqua. She looked very…ticked. Her eyes burned with annoyance and restraint; arms wrapped around her as she squeezed her arms like she was trying to control her temper. The prince glanced at Gladiolus, equally confused and concerned.
'Uh Blue, you ok?', he asked uncertainly.
'Not…in particular', Aqua ground out with obvious contempt. 'I can't explain it, but I feel like someone has impure intentions with Ven'. Gladiolus and Noctis glanced at each other, uncertain how to answer to the woman's…senses? Then the blue head turned to Donald and Goofy. 'Guys, does Sora happen to know anyone who has certain quirks unsuited for Ven?', she interrogated.
The two looked at each other, both shrugging and shaking their heads.
'Why do you ask?', Goofy says.
'…no reason', Aqua huffs.
There was an awkward silence amongst the party, nobody had a proper response to give nor could they figure out exactly what was bothering the woman. Lunafreya watched on nearby with confusion, before turning to her ghostly companion, Naminé. The blonde had this smile that is a mixture of worry and amusement. When she felt the former Oracle's question gaze, Naminé shyly turned to her and whispered: 'Suffice to say, if somebody does something to Ventus that would taint his innocence, someone is going to die'.
Lunafreya glanced back at Aqua, and using the wisdom of the Oracle, decided to return to her book in silence.
*Outskirts*
By the time Ventus' company left the caverns, they spot Zack and Aerith with another member of Yuna's group. Scarily the woman had red eyes and short, silver hair. She wears a black leather ensemble complete with high-heeled boots, elbow-length gloves, and a folded top. She wears a silver pendant threaded with a barbed wire chain. Next to her was a curved blade with a skull motif that connected the handle and blade. One word to sum up this woman for Ventus: scary. Zack waved at the trio, filling Ventus in they found "Paine" (the scary lady) just fighting off a few heartless, something about tallying up her kill count.
Once they showed the crystal they needed, they made their way back to Radiant Garden, all the while Ventus was on the receiving end of Yuna and Rikku's attention.
*Radiant Garden*
Back at the castle as the day slowly ended, they handed the crystal to the two mechanics, the male of the two grumbled something about "taking too damn long" and went back to work. Cindy gave the girls her thanks but unless it was Ventus, he could've sworn he saw the woman do a double-take on Yuna and Rikku as if surprised to see so much skin.
Maybe the blonde mechanic was more aware of her choice of wardrobe than he thought. Shortly after that, he and the others reunited with Axel before retiring to their beds as Cindy and Cid state the ship will be ready to take off tomorrow. Finally, he thought, they could resume their search for Aqua and the others. As they headed for their rooms, the boy so eager to get some sleep before the big day, he felt two hands on his shoulders.
He was spun around to face Yuna and Rikku, and then the next he knew, he felt two pairs of lips touching his cheeks. Rikku winks at him before sauntering off while Yuna gave him a playful smile. 'To say thank you for helping us', she said, waving and heading off to her room. The boy stood there still as a statue, cheeks dark red as if all the blood in his body went to his cheeks and depleted his brain to cease all function.
Axel just looked at the boy with the biggest cat grin he could make. '*Whistles* Damn Ven! Four girls giving you passionate hugs and then two kisses? Somebody's a girl magnet after all!', laughed Axel.
Ventus did not say a word and just entered his bedroom, closing the door behind him. Axel however just leaned against the wall for a moment…and then heard a muffled scream of frustration. With that sound in his head, the pyro waltzed off to bed.
With his face smothered by the pillow, Ventus lets out several groans and swears (by Aqua's standards) as he tried to control his hormones.
The sooner they leave this world and its many vixens, the better…
*Next Day*
Following day, Cindy and Cid worked through the night to make the final preparations to the GS, apply the armor, weapons, navigation systems, and so on before installing the crystal into the main engines. Several test simulations later and after a quick physical test by the main man himself, the two mechanics declared the Highwind Mark XV ready for space travel.
It was decided Mickey would be the pilot, having more experience in flying than everyone else, while Cindy would be responsible for everything else. Aerith had procured some provisions for the team, potions and other necessities for their journey as well. She also said Zack found something important during a while ago and figured Ventus would know what it is, so she left it in a crate for him to inspect later. Ventus was the first one on board before they even prepared for launch, stating he was just eager to get going and couldn't sleep.
And judging from the menacing glare he gave Axel when he was about to elaborate on the boy's desires to go soon, Cindy had a good feeling the poor boy has had enough of having blood dominate his cheeks.
As the ship powered up with the hanger bay doors opening, the king ordered everyone to buckle up as the ship was tilted upwards. He pressed the button and the ship blasted off into the cosmos.
However, while the warriors of light face an unknown darkness in the new world, a secret group of the dark is already scheming….
*Villains Vale*
Deep within the ruined fortress that was once home to one of the most powerful beings of the darkness, two of Sora's oldest enemies walked through the ruined hallway. The first being is Pete, probably the least threatening enemy to Sora given his track record of constant failing due to his bumbler tendencies.
The second is the most dangerous of the two, the mistress of all evil known as Maleficent. Fair and green-skinned, Maleficent's shining, yellow eyes are heavily shadowed with violet make-up, and her lips are painted red. Her head is topped with a black-horned headdress. Wearing a long, tattered black robe with a purple trim and maroon edges which flare out. She carries a staff with a glowing green orb at the tip and finally wears a golden ring with a circular black stone in it.
'I can't believe we're back here again! What the heck happened to finding that black box!?', Pete complained, 'I thought we were done here!'. Maleficent says nothing and ignores her bumbling fool of a minion. Indeed, however, he had a point, the black box they had been hunting for had been her priority, but the call she received took her attention. Especially when she felt the darkness from it, a darkness so vile and cruel it demanded her attention.
They reached the old meeting room, once she would dominate her council, lead them to promises of power. Now it reminds her of the numerous defeats at the hands of the boy wielding that keyblade, all it was missing were several tombstones of her fallen subordinates. Pete grumbles more about being ignored, yet Maleficent's eyes narrowed upon entering the room as she spots a man dressed in red, leaning against the wall with a book in his hand.
With dark red hair that was tainted by the darkness, with a crimson long coat, crossed leather straps, a symbol she knew nothing of, black boots, shoulder guards in black, and a large sword strapped to his waist. He didn't acknowledge the two, merely absorbed by his book. Pete glared at him, saying: 'And whose this wannabe rock star?'. The man didn't reply as Pete approached him, but then when he glared at them, the fat man quickly went meek and weak at the knees.
'Your servant should know his place, Maleficent', he says indifferently while closing his book. 'Your standards have dropped quite considerably these past few years'. Maleficent glared at the man in red as he stood off the wall. 'Why are you here, Genesis?', she demanded. Pete looked at her, obviously, she knew this stranger but offered no other words beyond that. Genesis says nothing but gestures to the seat where once Maleficent used to use to discuss plans with her former circle of Masters of the Dark.
When she looked to see who had stolen her spot, for the first time Maleficent froze. A skeletal creature with green, rotting flesh and two gnarled horns, wearing a tattered dark red cloak. Despite his frail and grotesque form, the darkness that radiated from him was as if Maleficent was in the deepest darkest part of the realm of darkness, the power behind him felt as if being any near him would rip her heart apart.
She gave the man on her throne a bow, shocking Pete as his jaw fell to the ground in disbelief. 'Your…majesty', she says, furthering Pete's shock. The Horned King formed a crooked grin. 'You've fallen quite below your standards, Maleficent', the king taunts, his voice echoey and deathly cold like he turned the entire temperature to a frozen wasteland. 'Your failings have reached my ears, and I'd like to say I'm surprised by them if I had any form of faith in your plans'.
He lifted his skeletal rotted hand, a black swirl of darkness formed. 'Losing Radiant Garden to the light, our grip on the worlds loosened to the point of becoming obsolete, and now we have been reduced to this', he listed. 'And you waste time, pursing a box that may not exist'. Maleficent grits her teeth in fury but wisely keeps her tongue in check. Pete himself looked horrified and gobsmacked by the exchange, nobody dared to even SPEAK to Maleficent like this.
The Horned King scoffs, dismissing the darkness in his hand. 'No matter…this is an opportunity for us', he says. The two seekers of the black box looked at him as he says: 'The guardians of light have all left this world, they shall not return here for some time'.
'Without Sora or his companions, Radiant Garden's sole guardians are the RC, nothing more', Genesis added.
With a dark skeleton grin, the Horned King declares his plan: 'I believe it is time to reclaim what was ours…'.
A/N:
*Slams face into desk* This has got to be the most scattered chapter I've done.
Mostly humour, some angst and plot. Sorry there wasn't a lot of FF character moments…buuuuuut. This won't be the last time we see them! Promise! We'll be going back to Noctis and company next time!
Questions:
Q1: Does anyone miss Xion?
Q2: What did you think of the character interactions?
Q3: Did anyone care that Yuna and co were human sized?
Q4: Did I go a bit far with tormenting Ventus?
Q5: Can anyone guess who the Horned King and Genesis are?
Q6: What did you think of the humour in this chapter?
So a bit of a heads up, there will be five chapters coming up to the Christmas holidays, so I won't be doing anymore until 2020. Just so everyone knows.
As always everyone, thanks for reading! Stay awesome but more importantly stay safe!
