It was decidedly strange, watching herself from an outsider's perspective. Dressed in the purples and blues-dark-enough-to-be-blacks of her Dark Suit, she could understand why the news casters were almost afraid of her. To come onto the scene with the elements at her command, tearing through enemies that had given the previous two defenders almost unbearable trouble. With footage of her and Robin's actions from the previous night yet to surface, everyone seemed to be of the mind that this was possibly the worst first impression from the general media.
"You get points for saving Wanjohi and Aiko though," Ethel countered, speaking over the newscaster.
"And for keeping the damage super minimal." Fred threw his feet back onto the table, an almost cheap looking thing compared to the rest of the furniture in the rest of the room. "All of that magic you were throwing around kept exploding into the air and away from everything." In usual Fred fashion, that statement was accompanied by a flourish of his hands, along with accompanying sound effects. "Going to do wonders for our PR when people start making the connection we're working together."
"It was nothing, really." Aqua fought to keep the blush off her face, staring down at her hands folded in her lap so she didn't have to meet anybody's gaze. It was one thing to do your duty, it was another to receive anything more than 'good work' for doing so.
A hand clapped down on her shoulder suddenly. "I can only apologize that I wasn't paying enough attention to help out. By the time I realized something was going on, Aqua and Heathcliff were half-way there."
Ethel scoffed. "Please. With those small fries, you being there would have been overkill." She glanced over at Wanjohi and Aiko. "No offense."
"Eh. Some taken." Wanjohi, the real name for the one Aqua formerly knew only as Wasabi, shrugged. "Don't really mind, though. You two are specialized for these monsters, so until our tech catches up, we'll just have to do our best to lighten your load."
"Hiro and I are getting some equipment set up so we can try and figure out how to incorporate your abilities. If we were able to deal any meaningful damage to those creatures, our lives would be a lot easier." Aiko glanced over at them. "If you're willing, of course."
Robin moved his hand to her head, ruffling her hair slightly. "I can assist with that. I'm the better instructor, between the two of us."
Aqua huffed and nudged Robin's arm away. It was an act he simply laughed at.
"Speaking of Hiro, where is he? I was kind of expecting him to be here."
"Studies," everybody else said simultaneously.
"Little man wants to try and stay ahead of his classes, and that's on top of everything else." Fred threw his hands up and shook his head. "One of these days we ought to force him to take a break. Going to work himself sick at this rate."
After dinner, a quiet affair considering most of the group elected to head to their own homes for the evening, Aqua found herself lazing in the backyard. In the gentle silence of night, she stared up at the sky, quietly letting the awe and wonder wash over her. Every twinkling light was a world yet to be seen; a new land with its own customs and people. For a moment, Aqua wondered whether or not the worlds she saw were the same ones that Terra saw— if the worlds that she saw were ones that Ven dreamed of.
Mickey had once told her, during their however long travel through the Realm of Darkness, that when the Heartless were in full force, stars faded out of existence on an almost nightly occurrence. Staring up at the canvas of lights and comparing it to the memories she had from other worlds, Aqua wondered if the almost disturbingly empty night sky of this world was what the Realm of Light saw back then. Nothing more than the brightest of stars that navigators used to find their way, all the finer details completely missing from the portrait.
It was almost upsetting.
She knew of course why the sky looked like this. The lights from the city all blended together, and through their sheer amount of unfocused direction incidentally shooting through the sky, the lights of the stars were blocked— the same as if she made a campfire in the same view as a candle. The combined light might be just a little brighter, but it was only the light of the fire that was distinguishable.
She shifted. It was quiet. It was cold.
But there were stars.
"You guys must have gone through one hell of an adventure."
"Hm?" Aqua rolled onto her front, turning to see who had spoken.
Wrapped up in fur lined clothes, Ethel raised a hand in greeting. "You two stop and stare at things for the longest time, sometimes. Like you've forgotten what they were."
Didn't know what they were, Aqua mentally corrected.
Ethel dropped down to the ground beside her, folding her arms underneath her head. "Gotta admit, past couple nights have been surprisingly clear. It's not often we get to see the stars like this."
"It'd be better if all these lights weren't here," she murmured.
Ethel huffed in amusement. "There's a park not too far away from here. Trees are tall enough to block out the lights from the surrounding houses, and it's a safe enough place that we wouldn't have to worry." Ethel turned to look at her and smirked. "But between the two of us, I doubt anybody that tried to bother us would be particularly successful."
She laughed and sat up. "That sounds nice."
With the hours of evening well upon them, it was only the odd car driving along that disturbed their walk. Were it anyone else, perhaps the silence between the two of them might have been called awkward, but after nearly two years of wandering with Robin, the silence felt comfortable. Nothing but the sounds of the echoing wind and their footfalls; an implicit trust between two companions to have each other's backs through thick and thin. Tucked away in her pocket, Aqua grabbed hold of her wayfinder, its warmth travelling up her arm and into her face.
"What do you think about hitting up the beach next weekend?"
"Hm?"
Ethel let out another soft, amused, snort. "Remember? This afternoon? Robin wanted to go to a beach."
Her feet stopped under her. A beach in the Realm of Light... Aqua smiled. "I think I'd like that."
"Heh." Ethel shook her head. "I'll bring you guys shopping for a swimsuit soon, then."
In time they arrived at the park. Nobody else was there but a few parked cars. If Aqua squinted, she could see the people sitting inside. Doing what, she didn't know. Didn't care. It was enough that they were inside, not presenting a cause for interaction.
"The two of you really do do that a lot," Ethel started. "Staring at things like you've forgotten what they were." She subtly nodded her head towards the vehicles. "How long were you guys... wherever you were?"
"Robin was with me close to two years," she answered after a moment.
"And before that?"
Before that... Aqua stared up at the stars, hands firmly in the pockets of her hoodie. "...a while."
Ethel let out another breath— more exasperated sigh if the familiar memories of Master Eraqus doing the same meant anything. "Nobody was there to swap out with you?"
Swap out? From the Realm of Darkness? She wouldn't wish that fate on anyone. "Those with qualifications necessary to handle the situation are rare and far between." Aqua hummed; fragments of a tune she picked up from one of the villages within Land of Departure and one of the tunes Robin often hummed her to sleep with. Mixing them together felt right, even if she wasn't sure the words would actually fit together.
How much should she say? To protect the World Order, certain lines couldn't be crossed. Mentioning that other worlds existed was the most obvious taboo, but sometimes even hinting about other worlds could cause an issue. You weren't meant to prod along the progress of a civilization; only correct certain things when they got out of hand. But it didn't feel right lying, even if omitting the truth wasn't exactly a lie.
"There used to be others who could help out, but we long lost contact with them, and so I was the only one available."
"That sounds horrible..."
"It really was," she whispered.
Ethel let out a deep breath. "And now it makes sense why you cling to Robin so hard."
"Muh?" She turned and blinked. Said like that, it almost felt like Robin was a crutch or something. Robin wasn't a crutch. He was just a close friend who she'd spent the better part of near two full years fighting alongside.
"I know I'd be pretty thankful if somebody came along and helped me pick up the slack, especially if I was the only one working on a project for as long as it sounds like you did."
Aqua looked away from Ethel. Her expression was... confusing. There was that teasing lilt Terra always had whenever he realized he managed to slip a joking insult through, but the way Ethel's lips were curled... it reminded her of some of those quips village boys would give her, thinking themselves so cunning for managing something like that. Unlike those boys though, she didn't entirely mind Ethel giving her that look.
It was... confusing. So when Ethel looked away, focusing her gaze on the empty path ahead of them, she was grateful. "What about you?" She asked. "How long have you been in the hero business?"
"Only a couple months." Ethel laid down on the grass, once more resting her head on her folded hands. "I'd rather focus on my studies and work, but..." She fell silent for a few moments. "If I didn't help out, I feel like I'd be letting them down," she quietly admitted. "I wasn't there when Tadashi died. If anything happened to the others and I wasn't there..."
Aqua sat up, laying a hand on Ethel's elbow. "There's nothing wrong with wanting to protect your friends."
Ethel stared down at her hand. "No, there isn't," she said slowly.
Aqua consciously moved her hand off slowly, doing her best not to show any embarrassment at the prolonged contact. "The things you guys have been going up against... they haven't been too difficult, right?"
She huffed. "It's just a hassle juggling everything around."
"Well, Robin and I can help out on the Heartless front, at least." She smiled. "We need to earn our keep, after all."
Ethel chuckled. "Don't worry. Even if you guys don't head out every day, I think helping Hiro and Aiko update our gear to actually deal damage will be more than enough."
/ - /
Two days later, Aqua found herself staring down Robin, a whisper of regret in the back of her mind. It wasn't the fact that she was going to be showing off her abilities that bothered her; it was the fact that she was sparring against Robin.
Robin, who somewhere within him, had Grima's strength lurking.
It was terrifying, and they hadn't even brought out their mana blades.
A single, almost lazy fireball sent her cartwheeling to the side, instincts warning her to evade the follow up crack of lightning. A salvo of wind blades sent her spinning on her knees, an Aerora giving her enough momentum to close the gap between them.
Behind a dense half dome of solidified Wind magic, Robin raised a brow. "Any particular reason you aren't using the full breadth of your abilities?"
Aqua grit her teeth, willing more magic into the ball of Blizzara firmly grasped in her hands. The damnable shield wasn't even straining against her strike, and this close up detonating it would cause more damage to her than Robin. "Training," she ground out.
"Hm."
The disappearance of resistance was her only warning. Aqua whirled around and flung the ball of ice towards Robin's unchanging location, the exploding orb completely consumed by a returned mass of Elwind. Barrier sprung up at her fingertips, the impact managing to push her back some. She shouldn't be letting this whole ordeal be frustrating her as much as it was, and yet...
Aqua huffed. If Robin wanted her breaking out more of her abilities, then so be it. A frozen Keyblade crackled into existence, unfocused mana filling its core, eager for her next command. Across from her, Robin gave the barest grin, a jagged sword also made of ice forming in his hand.
It just made no sense!
She snarled as his sword snapped up to meet hers head on, his blade not budging the slightest as she pressed down against him. For someone who proclaimed to be more proficient with a tome and bow, Robin held an infuriating amount of skill with a sword. She, who grew up training around a bladed weapon, could barely break through his defenses. She, who fought almost daily against Terra and Ven, whose strength and speed respectively were greater than hers, could find no gap to slip through and deliver even the smallest of blows to Robin. It made her—
Rage. Anger. Pinpointed desires. Aqua flung her Keyblade at Robin, a new one forming in her hand as she chased after the explosive weapon, the resulting smokescreen obscuring her approach. No, this is how Robin always was. Even back in the Realm of Darkness, he had never dodged or deflected a blow. He always blocked attacks that dared strike him head on, an impenetrable shield of whatever element struck his fancy drawing a line in the sand and saying 'here and no further'.
Once more Robin locked blades with her. Once more, Aqua let out a seething growl. "You're not dodging."
Robin raised a brow. "Should I be?"
"It would be appreciated!" Thrust forward and flick her wrist; downward right-left slash. Aqua thrust her left hand forward, a trio of Fira's spiralling outwards. They exploded harmlessly against a writhing mass of wind, the flames billowing back out as an obscuring smokescreen.
Aqua side-stepped away from Robin's falling blade, back stepped from the pommel jab at her stomach, and— Her left hand slammed against the ground, stealing away the momentum that would have had her head slamming against the floor. With a gritted grunt, she rolled backwards, a low powered Barrier buying her a moment's reprieve.
She'd known it from their time in the Realm of Darkness, but Robin, Grima or otherwise, was a force of nature. He did not tire. Did not falter. Magic flew from his fingers unendingly, and his blade, in those rare moments it was used, could not be ignored. Dodge or deflect the strike, and you'd open yourself up for a spell. Take it, and that same spell would follow up and make the wound worse.
Being on the opposing side for once, it was— it was—
Thrilling.
No, not thrilling; exhilarating. Grima's scent, hidden in every spell Robin cast, blended into every aspect of the room. She did not feel his overwhelming aura demanding she kneel, but she could sense it. That rumble of pleasure as she slowly changed from base level spells to the higher tiers. Grima was pleased. And despite the irritations she had at facing down the hidden terror of Grima's might, she was too.
For once, she was not fighting for survival. She was fighting because she could. Here, pitted against Robin, whether she won or lost didn't matter. Any injuries she received could be dealt with with a simple Cure. Any fatigue could be passed through with a hearty meal and a good night's rest.
Aqua the Keyblade Master and Aqua the Adult were having fun.
And in spite of it all, she was enjoying herself.
She locked blades with Robin. A completely meaningless gesture when the past few matches proved she could do nothing about it, but something bade her to do so.
"Tell me," Robin asked, a tiny grin tugging at his lips. "Who taught you to fight like that?"
Eraqus. Master. Teacher. "My father!" She answered back with a grin. Aqua dropped to the ground, kicking her foot out to sweep Robin off his legs. It missed, of course, by virtue of a back step, but it brought her space. An eternity in a single breath. The perfection of a single snowflake amidst a dazzling blanket of white. The first caress of dawn's touch after an unending night.
"Stopga!" She did not expect it to hold. Even as mana rushed through her body, she could see the barely perceptible movements of Robin's body.
But it was enough.
Over and over she drove mimicries of her Keyblade into Robin's form, letting instincts decide what element to imbue their cores with. Each time, she noticed the tiny glimmer of red as her blades poked through his armored cloak.
The explosion of fire and lightning sent her clothes ruffling, both nerves and hair on her skin raised from the adrenaline of the act. Robin survived. That she knew. The question was: what would be his response?
"Breaking out the special moves, are we?"
Despite the grin on her face, her stomach fell. "If we don't have to be as efficient, I think we can afford to let loose a little, don't you think?"
Robin laughed, completely unperturbed by the smoke. It was hard to tell with his cloak being the way it was (already she could see some of the larger holes she caused closing up), but he didn't even seem effected by the attack. "So then you won't mind if I do the same?"
Aqua shot him a confidence she didn't feel.
A hazy, green glow trailed behind Robin's limbs as he stepped forward.
Oops.
Five green tinged strikes came at her all at once, her arms moving to physically block them before her mind could even think of putting up a Barrier. For the salvo of wind blades— were they overlapping each other?!— she did manage to put up a Barrier, the panels cracking at the repeated site of impact.
A glint of blue.
Aqua leapt into the air, turning herself around with a quick application of Aero and finally imbuing her blade with a Firaga. Mana once more heeding her command, she launched herself towards Robin, intent on locking blades with him once again.
"Still upset about me not dodging?" He asked, the tiniest amount of pressure stopping her from continuing to win their clash.
"A little, but I know something that will make me feel better!"
"Oh?"
Aqua completed the last step for the detonation spell, maneuvering her blade so Robin's sword would become locked inside its teeth.
Robin's laughter was the first thing she heard when her hearing returned. "Well, I think we'd best stop there for now." He grinned at her. "If we go any further, we might actually injure one another."
She pouted, gesturing for a light Aero to clear away the smoke. "So I truly did nothing?"
Robin dusted off his shoulders. "I wouldn't say nothing." He stared at her, amused expression freezing in place.
She stared back.
"Perhaps we can seriously duel another time."
She sniffed. "I'll make you actually dodge one of these days." Aqua narrowed her eyes. "Don't think I didn't notice those mana barriers you were using when I had you under Stop."
"A purely instinctual thing, I swear." Robin raised his hands placatingly. "Just because the body couldn't react, didn't mean the mind couldn't."
"That's not— but Stop is supposed to—" She cut herself off with an annoyed grunt. "You're infuriating."
Robin patted her shoulder. She supposed it was meant to be reassuring, but after her complete failure to pressure Robin into doing anything it felt more condescending than anything. "Give it a few weeks. I'm sure you'll figure something out by then."
"So you were holding back!"
Robin's retreating laughter was his only response.
/ - /
It was decidedly odd how comforting the cold was to her. Before, she would have loved nothing more than to wrap herself up in blankets and a cup of freshly brewed tea. But now?
Aqua stared up at the stars. Hidden behind the visor of her Dark Suit, the stars were somehow all the more pronounced. The ambient light from the day before was missing, and in its place the Worlds she had yet to visit shone brighter. Each and every breath she took felt— ...tainted was the wrong word, but it was the closest she could think of. The air she took tasted of Grima's magic. Dark and chilling, but so very comforting.
I am the Fell Dragon.
Fell. Grima's magic tasted Fell.
Aqua slowed her breathing even more. She was not in the Realm of Darkness. She was cold and safe in the Realm of Light; with its numerous people and sunlight and warm food and—
Was... was something wrong with her? She was in the Realm of Light, and yet why was it that all she could think about was being back in the Realm of Darkness, side by side with Robin and wandering for eternity? With him by her side, she would have been safe. She could have made good on her promise to be a wayfinder for any who would find themselves lost in that Light forsaken Realm.
She would have been unable to rescue Terra, and return to Ven.
A choked gasp escaped her lips.
Terra... Ven...
At once she dismissed her armor, swiftly pulling out her wayfinder and clutching it to her chest. How could she have forgotten about them, for even a moment? She was back in the Realm of Light, and here she was, doing everything but trying to find a way back to them. She was—
"Friend Aqua."
Aqua's head snapped up.
"I have detected that you are in intense emotional distress. Talking about such issues may help alleviate such symptoms. Would you like to talk about it?"
This was... "Baymax?"
The humanoid puffball stared at her, robotically blinking. "Hello. I am Baymax. Your personal healthcare companion." Baymax raised his hand, moving it in a circle a single time. "Talking to strangers about your issues may be of some discomfort to some. You are most closely comfortable with Robin. Shall I bring him to you?"
"No! No, no, no. I'm okay, I don't need to talk to Robin right now."
Baymax waddled closer and plopped down beside her. This close, she could hear the machinery within whirring. "Some find the presence of another to be of some comfort. Shall I stay by you while you process your emotions?"
"...Fred said you have a heating ability?"
Baymax blinked. "It is cold. You are lacking a jacket or a sweater. Shall I provide warmth for you until you decide to go inside?"
Aqua giggled. It was a bit rude of her, but the cadence and emphasis of Baymax was too charming. "Yes, that would be appreciated."
A moment later, Baymax' skin gained an orange-red hue. Tentatively, Aqua put a hand on his skin, letting out a gasp of surprise at how warm it was. "It's like hugging a soft, squishy pillow made from a fresh cup of tea..."
"Aqua, are you willing to talk about your emotions now?" Baymax asked after a moment.
What could she say that wouldn't sound completely outlandish? 'The person I've spent every day with for the past two years, whose lullabies that are endearingly off-key lured me to sleep, might be nothing more than the mask of a world ender.'
She snuggled closer into Baymax, idly comparing the warmth of his heating unit to the warmth of the sun (and finding it slightly disappointing). 'The man I trust to keep me safe from everything that goes bump in the night might just be one of those same creatures'?
'At his core, the person I trust the most right now goes against everything I've ever been taught, and I feel like I'm betraying that trust, and in continuing to associate with him, betraying my teachings.'
She sighed. "Maybe not this time..."
"If you ever wish to talk about your emotions, I am always available. If you require my assistance, you need only say: 'Baymax, I require private care', and I will find us a private room."
...she was actually getting tired, hugging Baymax like this. Cold whispering along her back and her front completely warm.
"Aqua, whenever you wish to retire for the evening, you need only say: 'I am satisfied with my care', and I will assist you to bed."
"Okay..."
Next chapter will be out November 29th.