...So much for this one being shorter. Good thing I said "almost." Well, whatever. Terra and Aqua, Castle of Dreams, go!
Reunited
"So, did you manage to locate Master Xehanort?" Aqua asked. She was still worried about Ven, but if Terra hadn't known about him, maybe he'd made progress on their mission.
"No," Terra said over his shoulder, not turning back. "But it seems he's looking for pure hearts, filled with light."
"Pure hearts..." Aqua repeated. "...filled with light." Why would Master Xehanort be looking for those?
Terra started walking to the large doors that led outside. "All I can tell you is his search hasn't taken him here."
"Alright," Aqua said softly, hating how strange it felt around Terra now. It was like the guilt of passing the Exam when he hadn't had built a wall between them. It had never been like this before. She wished they could talk to each other, like they'd always been able to. But Terra was leaving...
"Do you want to help me look for more clues?" she blurted out.
Terra stopped, looking over his shoulder at her in surprise. Aqua blushed. She was a Keyblade Master now. She wasn't supposed to need help. But it was the first excuse she'd thought of to get him to stay.
Terra stared at her for a long moment, and Aqua could only guess what he was thinking. Finally, sounding uncertain, he said "If you want my help."
Aqua nodded, smiling in relief. "I do."
"Okay." Terra turned to face her fully, then looked up to the top of the staircase he'd just come down. "The prince is in the ballroom ahead. He might have some answers."
"Thanks." Aqua waited for Terra to walk over, and together they started up the stairs. She stayed silent, working on how she should talk to Terra now that she had him with her.
Surprisingly, Terra said something first. "Aqua. Do you still have the same dream?" he asked as they passed the first landing.
Aqua looked over, but Terra's eyes were straight ahead. "Well, yes," she said. The dream of being a Keyblade master had driven her ever since she'd come into the master's care and first met Terra. She may have been named Master, but it felt hollow somehow. ...Maybe it always would, as long as she was alone.
Terra nodded, half to himself. "There's this girl here. Her name is Cinderella. She made me realize how powerful it is just to believe." He stopped at the top of the stairs. "No matter how impossible things seem, a powerful enough dream will always be enough to light the darkness." He looked over at her, eyes clear and somehow lighter as he smiled. "I'd like to thank her, if we get a chance."
Aqua nodded, smiling warmly in return. "Of course." She felt a wave of gratitude for this Cinderella. It looked like she had managed to help Terra with the darkness that must have been troubling him since the Exam. Aqua felt that wall she'd imagined start to crumble. Terra would be alright. He wouldn't give in to the darkness, and when they went home, the two of them could finally stand together as Masters, just as they'd always dreamed.
As they entered the ballroom, they passed three ladies heading out, one older and two younger. Aqua suddenly felt a rush of cold, something dark flashing past in her mind. She froze, turning back to watch them leave, trying to figure out what it had been.
The man in blue she'd seen chasing a girl down the stairs earlier ran back in, carrying something in his hand. As he passed her, Aqua called to stop him. "Who are those ladies?"
The man stopped to turn and face her, and further ahead, Terra did as well. The man ran back over, slightly winded but seeming excited, Terra coming behind him. "Oh, if I recall correctly, that is Lady Tremaine, and those are her daughters." Aqua looked back towards the women, uneasy.
"You came back!" a new voice said, startling her out of her thoughts.
"Huh?"
"Oh," the newcomer said, dark eyes blinking as he saw her face. He wore fine clothes in cream and red with gold accents, and had a strong bearing that reminded Aqua a little bit of Terra. "My apologies, I was mistaken."
"Your Highness, I found this on the palace stairs," the man in blue said, that excitement bubbling up as he held up what he'd been carrying. Aqua looked back they way they'd come even though the Tremaines were long gone, unable to get her mind off the bad feeling she'd gotten.
"A glass slipper?" the apparent prince asked.
"You okay?" Terra came up beside her, shaking her from her thoughts again.
Aqua bit her lip. "There was something very wrong with those three."
Terra frowned, looking the same way. "Come to think of it, they were under the balcony that Unversed appeared at..."
"– and I shall start with the closest residence, that of Lady Tremaine."
Aqua jolted at the name, turning back to the discussion behind her, but the prince and the man were already separating. "Terra, we should follow him," she said in a rush, grabbing his arm to get his attention.
Terra blinked in surprise, but nodded anyway. "Your Grace!" he called, jogging to catch up with the man.
"What?" He stopped and turned around yet again – he had to be getting dizzy by this point. "Oh, you're the young man that saved us from that monster earlier! Was there something else you needed?"
Terra nodded. "You said you were going to the Tremaines' home, right? Would you mind if my friend and I came with you?" He gestured to Aqua. "There's something we want to ask them."
"Why, of course not! Come, come, the carriage is this way." He was almost skipping as he led them. "Oh, at last the prince has decided to marry!" he sighed happily.
"Marry?" Aqua repeated.
"Yes, finally!" The man actually jumped up, spinning in the air. "He's completely fallen in love with the young lady he danced with! The king is overjoyed, and wants to bring her back to the palace as soon as possible!"
"You mean Cinderella?" Terra asked.
"You know her?" The man became even more elated, handing the glass slipper to a servant as they entered the stables. "Then I won't have to search the kingdom after all!"
"I'm not sure where she lives," Terra said, only slightly dimming the man's mood. "But I can show you where I met her, it's not far."
The man grabbed Terra's hand with both of his, shaking it vigorously and clearly taking the Keyblade wielder by surprise. "You've done this kingdom another great service tonight! There's no way we can possibly repay you."
Terra ducked his head, but not fast enough to hide the faint blush. Aqua quickly covered her mouth and turned away to avoid laughing. "It's not that big a deal."
"My boy, you've no idea what it means to me – er, the kingdom." The man finally released Terra, who discreetly shook his hand out by his side. "You not only saved many people, the prince among them, by defeating that monster at the ball, you're safeguarding the future of this kingdom by helping me find this girl!"
"What about the Tremaines?" Aqua asked. As happy as she was for the girl who'd helped Terra so much, it wouldn't do to leave a darkness like that unchecked in this world.
"What? Oh, yes." The man looked conflicted for a moment, then brightened again. "The Tremaine residence is fairly close to the palace, so I shall escort you there first. I wasn't expecting to have a lead on the lady so soon, after all, and a ride is the least I can do to thank you."
So, alternately chirping happily about the potential wedding and singing Terra's praises (almost literally – his voice had a certain lyrical cadence), the man that Aqua at last learned was called the Grand Duke took them in the royal carriage.
"What are you grinning at?" Terra asked her, clearly craving a distraction.
"I'm relieved," Aqua said simply. "We didn't get a chance to talk, after..." She glanced to the Duke, who didn't seem to notice they weren't listening to him. "...the master's decision. I was worried about you."
Terra rested his chin on a fist, looking out the carriage window. "I was worried about me, too. I can still feel the darkness in my heart, just waiting for the chance to get out." He smiled slightly. "If it wasn't for Cinderella, I might be thinking of giving up by now."
Aqua reached across to place a hand on Terra's, giving him a reassuring smile when he looked at her. "No, you wouldn't. You'd find a way, just like you always do. And I'll be there if you need me."
He nodded, turning his hand to give hers a squeeze. "Thanks, Aqua."
"Here we are!" the Duke chimed as the carriage pulled to a stop. "Lady Tremaine and her two daughters live in this manor."
"Thank you," Aqua said, opening the door to let herself out, surprised when a footman was already there, holding out a hand to help her down. They were near a garden, with a circular fountain and a stone bench under a willow tree. Down a short road, too small for the carriage to comfortably fit, was the manor the Duke had indicated.
Terra followed her a moment later, looking around. "Wait... That fountain. This is where I met Cinderella," he said. His eyes went to the manor, face hardening. "So the Tremaines were the ones she mentioned?" Fists clenched, he started up the road, Keyblade appearing in his hand.
"Terra?" Aqua hurried after him. She caught his shoulder, trying to get him to slow down. The older boy kept walking, not seeming to notice as he shrugged her hand off. "Terra, wait!"
She caught his hand, pulling back again and finally stopping him before the front door. She shivered at what she could sense inside. Like she'd feared, there was a strong darkness here. "Terra, we have to do this carefully."
"She's right, my dear," a kind voice said, echoing all around them. Startled, Aqua turned, seeing sparkling white spots, like tiny stars, coming together. With a flash of light, they coalesced into a older woman in a hooded blue robe, smiling gently. "It's difficult to turn the darkness on itself, and dangerous to fight it with light."
"You again," Terra said, the anger fading from his stance.
"Who are you?" Aqua asked.
"Cinderella's Fairy Godmother," the woman said. "I appear to those who believe that dreams come true." She smiled warmly at Terra. "I'm happy to see you again."
Terra nodded respectfully. "Same to you."
Aqua frowned, eyes flicking back to the manor. She could hear muffled voices, speaking of the king's proclamation and preparing for the Grand Duke's arrival. "I'm honored, but I don't understand. Why would you advise us not to fight darkness with light?"
The Fairy Godmother gave her a serious look. "Strong rays of sun create dark shadows. Sadly, Lady Tremaine and both her daughters are jealous of Cinderella's charm and beauty – qualities that appear to you as light. Jealousy is darkness." She started walking over. "Light and darkness go hand-in-hand; you can't have one without the other."
"Then..." Aqua and Terra exchanged looks, seeming equally confused. "What should we do?"
"It's quite simple, dear." The Fairy Godmother smiled warmly again, stopping at the base of the stairs that led to the front entrance. "The Tremaines don't realize the Grand Duke already knows Cinderella is the girl he's looking for. We just need to keep Cinderella's light from fading in the meantime." She gestured up to one of the windows. "One of her friends is already trying very hard to do just that, so I want you to help little Jaq."
"Alright," Aqua said, nodding. "I can do that."
Terra frowned. "Wouldn't it be simpler to just go in and get Cinderella?"
The Fairy Godmother shook her head. "It's more than just Cinderella's light we have to protect. Feelings of inadequacy and helplessness can also cast shadows on someone's heart. Jaq is putting everything he has into helping Cinderella – that's the dream he's always believed in." She smiled. "You wouldn't want to keep it from coming true, would you?"
Terra rubbed the back of his head. "No, I guess not."
Aqua took his hand in hers. When he looked over, she didn't say anything, just smiled and gave him a reassuring squeeze, trying to convey without words that their dream would come true, too. He smiled back, returning the squeeze. "I'll help, too," he said, turning back to the Fairy Godmother.
"I have a different job for you," she said, something playful in her grin. "But first, we should send your friend on her way."
While being mouse-sized was... interesting, Aqua was pretty much over it by the time she'd helped Jaq get to the mouse hole. At least she'd heard something about Ven – he must have just missed Terra's arrival on this world. She could only guess where he was now, but it had been a relief to hear that he'd been okay.
She was definitely over her new height by the time she managed to get to the top of the stairway banister, looking down into the parlor where the Tremaines were greeting the Grand Duke, Terra behind him like some kind of honor guard. "Come on, hurry, Jaq..." Aqua whispered.
"Ahem." The Grand Duke gave the ladies a small bow. "By proclamation of the king, I am to inquire as to the whereabouts of the girl who fits this slipper."
"Yes, Your Grace, we've heard the announcement," Lady Tremaine said smoothly. "Whosoever fits the slipper is to be wed to the price." She held a hand to indicate the two girls behind her. "Allow me to present my daughters, Drizella and Anastasia. I believe they are entitled to try the slipper."
"Actually," Terra said, coming forward. "The one we're looking for is Cinderella."
"I beg your pardon?" Lady Tremaine asked, calm voice becoming strained.
"Cinderella," Terra repeated. "The girl who danced with the prince at the ball."
"That was her?" Anastasia sputtered.
"It can't be!" Drizella sneered, crossing her arms. "We made sure she couldn't come."
Aqua saw Terra's eyes narrow, hand clenching to a fist. Without thinking about how small she still was, she starting running towards him, only to start growing. Suddenly too large for the small platform, she tumbled down through the air with a cry and landed painfully on the floor below.
The Tremaines openly gaped at her, and even the Grand Duke and Terra looked surprised. "Ah, um..." She smiled sheepishly. "Hello?"
"What are you doing in my home!?" Lady Tremaine demanded.
"She's probably here to rob us!" Drizella put in.
"You alright?" Terra asked, ignoring the women as Aqua came to her feet. When she nodded, he turned back to the ladies with a glare. "Where is Cinderella?"
"Here!" a voice called from the top of the stairs. "I'm right here!" There, hurrying down, was a young woman in simple clothing, blonde hair tied back with a ribbon. Cinderella's eyes lit up when she saw Terra, beaming at him. All at once, the tension seemed to leave Terra's body, and he met her at the bottom of the stairs, holding a hand out to guide her down the last steps. Cinderella took it with a wide smile, then curtseyed to the Grand Duke. Aqua caught herself grinning right along with the other girl, and didn't bother trying to hide it. The way Cinderella's heart shined...
"Your Grace, I must protest," Lady Tremaine cut in. "She is simply an imaginative child. It was impossible for her to attend the royal ball."
Rather than respond to the woman, the Grand Duke turned to Terra. "This is the young lady in question?" he asked, adjusting his monocle.
"Definitely," Terra confirmed, nodding to emphasize the point.
"Well, let us follow the king's orders and remove any doubt." The Grand Duke held out the glass slipper, and with another nod, Terra led Cinderella to a nearby chair. As the duke started walking over, however, Lady Tremaine's eyes narrowed. In a flash, her cane thrust out, tripping the man, the slipper flying from his hold.
Aqua gasped, diving forward as magic twisted between her fingers like a living thing. She slid across the polished floor, slipper stopping in the air inches away from the ground. The brief, improvised Time spell let her close the last of the distance and the slipper fell into her hands where it otherwise might have dashed to pieces. Unable to stop her slide, however, she curled around the slipper protectively, twisting to hit the far wall with her back.
Slowly, she sat up, greeted by expressions of varying levels of shock. "Got it," she said with a small smile, holding up the glass slipper carefully. Relief replaced half the looks, outrage the other. Aqua merely stood, making her way back to Terra to hand him the slipper with a grin.
He returned the smile and knelt in front of Cinderella. She slid her foot into the slipper, and to the surprise of none, it was a perfect fit.
"You just keep coming to my rescue," Cinderella said warmly.
"It's only fair," Terra replied, standing and holding a hand out to the young woman again, helping her to her feet. "I think... maybe I was trying too hard, and starting to lose sight of my dream. To doubt I could ever really achieve it. You made me see how important it is to keep believing in it, no matter what. So you saved me tonight, too."
Cinderella clasped his hand in both of hers, eyes shining with happy tears. "Thank you," she said. She looked over to Aqua, then to the top of the stairs, where Jaq was jumping for joy. "Oh, thank you all so much. This is – I never even dreamed..." She threw her arms around Terra's shoulders, giving him a tight hug and saying something too quietly for Aqua to hear.
Terra returned the hug, watching with a soft smile as Cinderella left with the Grand Duke. Aqua came to stand next to him. "She's pure light," she murmured.
"Yeah." Terra glanced at her, that smile still playing on his face. "Xehanort hasn't been here. There's no way he would have missed a light that bright." He frowned suddenly, then turned to the Tremaines. "If you three know what's good for you, you'll let her have this dream."
Lady Tremaine scoffed. "A ruffian like you doesn't frighten me. Now get off of my property."
Terra's eyes narrowed. "You don't even realize, do you? How close you are to losing yourselves to the darkness." He shook his head, anger replaced with pity. "If you could just let her light in, instead of fighting so hard against it..."
Lady Tremaine glared at him. "I will not allow my daughters to be surpassed by that girl." Dark tendrils began to swirl around her. Behind her, Anastasia gave her mother a wary look, but Drizella seemed oblivious. "That unfortunate consequence of station will never be permitted to enter my heart."
"...I see." Terra closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them, they were like steel, cold and hard. "Then I'm sorry for you." And he just turned around and left.
Aqua followed him, glancing back to the Tremaines only once. They'd have to do something about those three before they left, but for now, Aqua was more concerned about her friend.
She found him standing by the fountain. His eyes were closed, and he took a deep breath as he heard her approach, fists loosening at his sides. "Maybe I'm not ready after all," he murmured, staring at the water.
"Terra..." She knew what he was talking about. Their master's decision must have really upset Terra. But he'd handled himself so well here. "You held back the darkness. You didn't react in anger." There was no way the master could deny that, right?
Terra shook his head. "Barely. Just seeing those women, knowing what they did to Cinderella..." His hands tightened again. "It took everything I had to not do something. "
"And you didn't." Aqua wasn't going to let him ruin this for himself. He'd succeeded. That was the most important thing.
"This time. If you hadn't been here, I might..." Terra hung his head. "Aqua... on another world..." He stopped, trying to find the words. When he did, they came out utterly miserable. "I messed up. I made such a terrible mistake..."
Aqua set a hand gently on his shoulder, but he didn't look up at her. "You can tell me, Terra. Whatever it is, I'll listen."
"I..." His eyes squeezed shut, pain lining his face. He didn't speak for several long moments, and for a second time that night, Aqua could only guess what was going through his mind.
He started to shake his head and turn away, mouth open to refuse. He was interrupted by a loud explosion from beyond the garden. The two spun in unison, summoning their Keyblades, and with barely a glance towards each other, ran towards the noise. They found the Grand Duke slumped against a tree, and Aqua stopped to check on him, Terra waiting only long enough for her to nod before he took off.
"The young lady," the man said weakly. "We were attacked. She's still..."
"We'll take care of it," Aqua promised. She pressed a potion into his hands and ran after Terra, hearing several more explosions go off. When she arrived, the first thing she saw was the huge Unversed, shaped like some mix between a pumpkin and a carriage. It rolled on wheels made of vines, red eyes glowing malevolently as more vines lashed in the air, throwing smaller pumpkins towards Terra, who stood protectively in front of Cinderella.
Aqua steeled herself and ran to join the fight. Cinderella saw her coming, and with a last, sad look towards the Unversed, made a break for the trees. Aqua paused next to Terra as he blocked one of the thrown pumpkins, wincing as it exploded.
"The Tremaines?" Aqua asked, weaving a barrier around them both to block the next bomb.
"The darkness got the better of them," Terra said grimly. "They called that thing, but couldn't control it."
Aqua nodded, understanding Cinderella's parting look. "Ready?"
He shifted his stance to rush forward as soon as the barrier faded. "Whenever you are."
"And after this, we're going to have a long talk." He gave her a surprised look, then nodded, face set.
With that, she let the barrier drop, and the two of them attacked the Unversed in a flurry of magic and flashing Keyblades.
Because Aqua did believe dreams came true. They would protect Cinderella's here. And she'd work as hard as she could to make their own come true, too.
Argh, you have no idea how hard I tried to avoid the pumpkin, especially as this got longer and longer (Terra and his crossroads... though I actually really like writing him). But once the Tremaines got left alone, there was no way to stop it. Sigh. So I'm going to end this right here before I wind up following Aqua and Terra all the way to Enchanted Dominion and trying to free Aurora's heart... and running into Ven... and fighting Maleficent... Part two, anyone?
Also, Terra and Cinderella. I could ship it.