Author's Notes: I don't own Kingdom Hearts nor Winx Club. They are owned by Tetsuya Nomura and Iginio Straffi.
Chapter 4 – The Awakening.
A strange liquid licking made Bloom open her eyes very slowly – the entire scene was completely blurry and messy though. She was still waking up from whatever was licking her…
"O-oh… my head…" Bloom scratched the injured spot at the back of her head as she started scanning the area for any signs of life. Unfortunately, everything seemed blurry.
"Woof-woof!" A noise came out from somewhere – it sounded just like… a dog? Due to Bloom's blurry vision however, she was beginning to feel very tired and sleepy once more. She gave out a loud yawn with a gentle smile on her face before closing her eyes. "What a strange dream this is…" She admitted and went back to sleep.
Or at least that was supposed to happen until something jumped on top of Bloom's stomach and awoke her completely. "Wah! This isn't a dream!" She admitted before looking down to see who the culprit that woke her up was.
The thing responsible for waking Bloom up was a black-headed tricolored Pembroke Welsh Corgi with gray eyes and a bobbed tail. The teenager immediately screamed out of cuteness as she saw the most adorable dog ever.
Picking it up, she immediately started to nose kiss with the dog. "Oh, aren't you the cutest dog ever! Who's a good doogie? Yes, you are! Yes, you are!" Surprisingly, the dog licked her nose of out happiness as Bloom giggled.
Once she gently placed the dog on the ground, Bloom got off and cleaned the dust from her clothes. She looked around to see where exactly she was – to her surprise, this wasn't exactly Gardenia Island at all… she was in back alley somewhere.
"Oh, dear… this isn't really good. Where am I exactly?" Bloom asked herself as she continued to look around the area she was in.
What exactly happened? The last thing she remembered was being in the cave with Flora and-
Wait! Where's Flora? Bloom looked around for any signs of her best friend but there was nobody in this alleyway except for her and the dog. Oh, my gosh… what if Flora was- No! She couldn't be dead, could she?
Bloom shook her head. "No… it's impossible for Flora to be missing or dead. She has to be alive… she has to be. But where is she?" Bloom asked herself as she went into a deep thought.
Meanwhile, the corgi was looking at her with a curious expression on his face until his ears picked up a noise. Turning around, he ran away from the girl who was just finished thinking.
Bloom spotted the corgi running off and immediately gave chase. "Hey, boy! Hold on!" She yelled as left the alleyway and stepped foot in a whole new world…
(Meanwhile on another world…)
The sounds of a crushing waterfall snapped Stella's eyes widen open as she slowly began to get up and look around for any signs of life or familiarity. Unfortunately, nothing here reminded her of her island/home.
"W-where am I exactly?" The blonde's eyes were back to their original golden-brownish color as she began to see that she was standing on stone platform with no signs of life anywhere.
"Bloom! Flora! Are you two nearby?" She called out to her two best friends in the hopes that they would respond back. Unfortunately, it was not to be…
Stella sat back down on the stone platform, covered her face in her legs and began to cry – her two best friends were gone… she was all alone… and it was her fault.
Bloom and Flora were supposed to be with her when the door was opened. They were going to explore the outside worlds together… it was their dream. But unfortunately that was all in the past now…
Stella continued to cry and failed to notice a mysterious figure watching her from an upper stone platform. A villainous smile appeared on her face. "An outsider from another world, eh? This should be interesting…"
The mysterious figure had big plans in store and this girl was the perfect puppet to help her accomplish them!
(Back on the world that Bloom is on…)
"Once again, thanks for keeping an eye on Zwei. He's always been a curious little dog… aren't you, boy? Aren't you?" A 16-year old teenage girl with magenta-colored hair that was done in an asymmetrical bob-styled hair was currently coddling over the young corgi with a cute smile on her face.
Bloom smiled as well. "It was my pleasure… ummm…" She scratched the back of her head as she wondered what the name of this girl was.
"Oops! My bad… I never got around to introducing myself – my name is Tecna. The owner of this little heaven of Technology and one of the members of the Magix Town Resistance." The girl known as Tecna introduced herself to Bloom.
The orange-red haired girl nodded and wasted no time examining her from top to bottom – aside from her asymmetrical bob-styled hair, she had teal eyes and fair skin. Her apparel consisted of a soft purplish-lime green vest top, soft purple flared fitted cropped pants and shoes of the same color.
"Nice to meet you Tecna… my name is Bloom. I must say… this is quite the shop – I never expected to see so much technology stored into one small space. No offense." Bloom apologized for the rude tone and yet the magenta-colored teen didn't seem to mind.
In fact, her response was a giggle. "I know, right? I love technology... but unfortunately, it's beginning to get a little messy and crowded for my costumers to do business. I might have to save up for building a basement or storage… in the near future." She explained.
Bloom nodded and admitted in her mind that Tecna had a point – the insides of her shop featured a large variety of technology: ranging from chip boards and computers to televisions and old used machinery. Thank Goodness, there was a way to get to the counter! Otherwise, Tecna's customers might not even be able to succeed in doing business with her...
Bloom's thoughts were immediately interrupted by Tecna speaking once more. "So, Bloom… where exactly did you run into Zwei?"
"Oh! Ummm… in an alleyway. I had just awoken after witnessing my home getting destroyed by strange shadowy creatures. It was then that Zwei found me and took me to your shop. Right now, I'm searching for my two friends who are missing…" Bloom explained as Tecna was shocked at what she heard. "Wait… you are an outsider?" She asked.
"Umm… yes?" Bloom asked confusingly.
Tecna gave a sad sigh. "So, the Heartless have struck again…" She stated as she walked over behind the counter and began searching for something underneath it.
"The Heartless? What are those?" Bloom walked over to the front of the counter as Tecna came out and placed a brown book titled: "Legends of the Multi-Verse"
"This book will answer your question, Bloom." Tecna opened the book and began to search for the page she was looking for. Bloom was curious as to what the magenta-hair colored teenager was planning to show her in order for her question to be answered.
Eventually, Tecna found what she was looking for and turned the book page for Bloom to read. It was titled: "The Heartless and their Legend".
Bloom began to read the page from top to bottom and was shocked by what she learned – as it turns out, the Heartless were the creatures of pure darkness that came out when a person has a dark heart. Their only goal is to satisfy their hunger which is hearts.
Bloom didn't know how to feel about this – just a couple of hours ago, she was an ordinary islander living in peace alongside her two friends on Gardenia Island… and now that calmness was shattered by the arrival of the Heartless who were responsible for destroying her home and splitting both Flora and Stella to who knows where.
She continued to read and discovered to her relief that there was a certain weapon the Heartless feared the most – the Keyblade.
Bloom immediately froze like a statue from the inside: K-keyblade…? As in the same weapon that she acquired during the destruction of her home? The same one that was told by the voice?
If this was true, then why did it choose her? She wasn't anything special… or was she?
"Bloom? Are you okay?" The sudden voice of Tecna snapped Bloom back to reality as she scratched the back of her head. "Y-yeah… Just trying to let all of this sink. So, these Heartless are the reason my home is gone?" She asked.
Tecna nodded with a grim look. "Indeed it is… and it's not just your home as well. Most of the residents in Magix Town are refugees from other worlds as well… plus, we have Heartless problem here. It's a huge hassle…" She explained.
"I see… wait, you said you were a member of some resistance in Magix Town, right? Are you enemies by chance-" Tecna nodded as she knew that Bloom was referring to the Heartless. "Indeed. We've been holding our ground for more than two or three years, I guess… During our first battle, it was just a couple of us (resistance fighters) that we're holding their ground. We would have been wiped out if it wasn't for Ruby." The magenta-haired teen explained.
"Ruby?" Bloom asked.
"Our leader and head of the Magix Town Resistance. A bit of a goofball and immature for someone her age, but very brave and loyal to protecting the refugee world from the Heartless." Tecna explained.
"Sounds like a proper leader. When did she began her role as head of your resistance group?" Bloom asked.
"About two years ago. She came to Magix Town when she was 14 – all alone and without her family. Anyways, during our first fight with the Heartless she jumped ahead and started fighting whilst shouting orders to those that were holding their ground and were still standing… after that, Ruby became our leader and head of the resistance." Tecna explained the story.
Bloom was impressed and surprised at the information that was just handed down to her – this "Ruby" was just like it seems… she came to Magix Town when she was 14 due to having her world being destroyed by the Heartless and was cast into the role of a leader. It must have been a very hard burden for her…
"Say… if you lost your home and landed here, then there is a good chance your friends and family might be here as well!" Tecna told her.
Bloom couldn't help but feel hopeful – was it possible that her two friends were in Magix Town as well? "Are you sure, Tecna?" She asked.
Tecna nodded. "In fact… why not take a look around the town? Maybe one of your friends is somewhere in the Second Part of Magix Town – that's where most of the population are."
"Is there anything I need to know about the Second Part?" Bloom asked.
"Hmmm… there are shops, a hotel and some restaurants. But watch out for the Heartless – they are always active in that area for some reason… In the meantime, I'll send word to Ruby. She'll no doubt want to meet another outsider." Tecna told her.
Bloom nodded with a serious look on her face. If her two best friends were in the Second Part of Magix Town, she needed to find them and fast. But she had to be on the lookout for any signs of Heartless… luckily, she already had the one weapon they feared the most – a Keyblade.
"Tell Ruby that I'll be glad to meet her once I search the Second Part. Hopefully Flora and Stella are somewhere in Magix Town… I pray that they are okay." Bloom pleaded with a hopeful look.
"Don't worry, Bloom… I'm sure they're fine. Also, be extra careful please. If you run into any Heartless, come back to the store and I'll take care of the little pests for you." Tecna assured the orange-red haired girl.
Bloom gave a nod with a smile on her face. "Thanks for the assurance, Tecna. But I'll be okay… I already have something that will make sure to get the job done if I run into any Heartless." After saying those words, the teenager left the store and a confused Tecna alone.
"Have something that will get the job done? What kind of weapon does she have that will make the Heartless be afraid of her? I don't really understand what she was trying to say…" Tecna scratched the back of her head and wondered what Bloom was talking about…
(Meanwhile…)
"Again, thank you so much for taking care of those Heartless… I was alone and weaponless. I hope I'm not a burden to you, Miss Rose." Flora was currently thanking her savior who was a young 16-year old girl wielding a reddish-black scythe.
The girl known as Miss Rose gave Flora a gentle smile. "Don't worry, Flora. You aren't a burden… I'm glad that I was able to get to you in time before you became Heartless chowder. And… call me Ruby. Miss Rose makes me sound like an old woman." Flora nodded with a small smile on her face.
Ruby Rose was a young fair-skinned woman of age 16 with silver eyes and black neck-length choppy hair that gradated to dark red at the tips.
Her attire consisted of a white high-neck décolletage blouse with brown studded wristbands on the arms. There was also a black skirt with red tulle underneath with an over-bust corset with red strip holding the entire outfit in place. A black belt was bordered in red held a magnetic clip that was used to store her weapon and ammunition, there were also brown straps on her blouse. A pair of thigh-high stockings reaching to a few inches below the hem of her skirt, decorated by an image of a long-stemmed rose covered her legs. Her footwear consisted of red-soled black boots that contained four straps and buckles apiece.
A long red cloak with a singular clip on the right shoulder in the shape of a silver rose emblem was attached to her outfit. The cloak on the other hand looked like it had seen better days…
"Oh, I'm understand… Ruby. Thank you for saving me once again." Flora thanked her yet again.
"No need to thank. It's what a resistance leader is supposed to do in a situation like this. So, Flora… how exactly did you get jumped by the Heartless?" Ruby asked.
"Wait… those little creatures were known as Heartless?" Flora asked in a surprised tone to which Ruby nodded immediately. "Yep. They're the things that come out of the darkness in people's hearts. You were going to be next meal until I intervened and saved you…"
Flora shivered when she heard the words "darkness in people's hearts" – so, those Heartless are dark beings who only seek to quell their hunger? Wait… what kind of meal did they enjoy to eat?
"Ruby… about the Heartless… what do you they seek as a way to satisfy their hunger?" Flora asked.
"Hearts. They seek to feast on other people's hearts – that's their goal. Along with increasing their numbers… the Heartless are everywhere and nowhere." She explained.
Flora was horrified by what she heard – the Heartless were monsters who only wanted one thing: to quell their hunger with different people's hearts. It was barbaric…
Yet, there was one thing that was on Flora's mind – how did Ruby know about the Heartless?
"Ruby, how exactly do you know all of this? Mainly the Heartless?" Flora asked to which Ruby couldn't help but give a sad sigh. "Because they are reason I'm not on my home world anymore. Those little bastards destroyed everything that I cared about – including my family. Once I arrived in Magix Town, I immediately ended up becoming the leader of the Anti-Heartless Resistance. These last two years have taught me that I have to be strong for the people here… because if I don't then the little monsters will destroy everything that I care and protect in Magix Town." Ruby explained.
Flora nodded – it was an admirable goal that Ruby was following. Granted, she was sad that the black-haired girl had lost her world and family to the Heartless. Hell, Flora had experienced the destruction of her island by those creatures as well… plus, she had lost her two best friends as well. The long honeyish-brown haired girl was worried that Bloom and Stella might be dead. She hoped that this wasn't the case…
"So, Flora… can you tell me a little bit more about yourself?" Ruby asked to which Flora scratched the back of her head with a worried look on her face. "Well, there's not much to tell besides-"
"FLORA!" A familiar voice to Flora called out to her – it was none other than Bloom!
"BLOOM!" She rushed forward towards her best friend – Ruby on the other hand was confused… who was Bloom and how did she know Flora?
Bloom and Flora immediately hugged each other very tightly as tears came out of their eyes due to the joy and relief they were experiencing in finding each other once more.
"Bloom, thank goodness you are okay! I was so worried that something bad might have happened to you…" Flora said as she continued to cry.
"Same here! I was scared that something bad might have happened to you as well…" Bloom continued to cry as she held Flora in a tight hug.
Meanwhile, Ruby had no idea what was going on but nevertheless smiled – from the looks of things, these two were no doubt friends who were most likely separated. So, that meant one thing… they were both from another world.
It had been a long time since refugees from another world came to Magix Town. The last one that arrived here was over a year ago… to see two refugees before her eyes was an exciting opportunity.
Questions had arisen in her mind – where did those two girls came from and how did they lose their home? If Ruby had to guess, it was no doubt the Heartless… Still, she needed to ask and see if they knew anything on this matter.
The two girls were continuing to hug and cry due to their reunion but they failed to notice Ruby walking towards them. "Umm, excuse me… I'm very sorry to interrupt your private moment. But I'm kind of confused on what is going?" The two girls' private moment was interrupted by the voice of Ruby who was looking at them with a curious yet confused expression.
Bloom wiped the tears away from both hers and Flora's eyes as she got up. "Oh! I'm very sorry… its' just – I got separated from my two best friends and I was worried that something bad might have happened."
"Oh! You are one of Flora's friends, right?" Ruby asked to which Bloom nodded.
Flora got up and looked at Ruby. "Ruby, this is my childhood friend Bloom. She was with me when our island fell to the Heartless." The honeyish-brown haired girl introduced Bloom to Ruby.
The orange-red haired girl's eyes widen – was this girl really…?
"Ruby? As in the same 'Ruby' that Tecna mentioned?" Bloom asked and Ruby immediately nodded. "Yep! That's the one – she's doing okay with the shop, I take it?"
Bloom nodded with a gentle smile. "Yes. The shop and Tecna are okay… but I was told by her to come and meet with you. She said that you might-" Bloom was cut off by Ruby placing a finger on her month. "Sshh… I presume that you both have lost your world to the Heartless, correct?" Bloom and Flora's eyes widened and they immediately nodded.
"Alright, first things first – let's go to a safer place where we can have a conversation in private. The Heartless might come back and I'd rather not risk you both becoming Heartless food." Ruby explained.
Bloom and Flora nodded – Ruby had a point. Someone might be listening in on their conversation or the Heartless could come back at any moment. A private talk might be a little better in this kind of situation…
"Alright, you two… first things first, grab both my hands and hold on." Ruby ordered.
Bloom and Flora were both confused by this request, but nevertheless complied. Both girls looked at each other before nodding and grabbing Ruby's left and right hand. So, what was supposed to-?
"Hold on tight!" Ruby yelled as she immediately speeded off in a flash of light with rose petals falling to the ground.
In no time, the three girls (Ruby, Bloom and Flora) had disappeared from the Second Part completely… just like magic!