II : Castle of Dreams I
"...and insomuch as you two are now Keyblade Masters, you must always be conscious of-" Baal's charcoal eyes narrowed, Aqua letting out a small gasp as they had heard the bell ringing. Master Eraqus and the Keyblade Masters scanned the large room until Master Eraqus noticed that the pink crystal embedded into the wall shined ever so brightly behind the seats.
"What is that?" He began walking towards it as Terra ran up to them, slightly out of breath.
"What happened?" The brunette looked between Baal and Aqua, hoping for an answer that would ease his concerns. Baal lazily shrugged his shoulders.
"We don't know." He replied truthfully as Aqua glanced around.
"Why isn't Ven here?"
"Maybe he was taking a leak?" Baal suggested, a grin on his face as the bluenette rolled her eyes.
"Baal, could you at least be a little bit more serious? You're a Keyblade Master now."
"Well, I wouldn't be me if that happened, y'know." He retorted, a hand on his hip.
"Very well then, I will send my pupils to investigate." There was a small pause of silence before Master Eraqus spoke again. "Yes, I understand." He slowly nodded his head once. "Farewell."
The three pupils stood straight, arms at their sides as Master Eraqus began walking back towards them. They looked up at Master Eraqus, waiting for him to begin.
"That was my dear old friend Yen Sid. As you know, he is Master no more.. but he still keeps a close eye on the tides of light and darkness.
His counsel serves as signposts on the road we wielders of the Keyblade must walk. All the more reason, then, for concern- for he tells me the princesses of heart are in danger. Not only from the forces of darkness, as you may assume.. but also from a new threat- one that feeds on negativity.
Fledgling emotions that have taken on a monster form- Yen Sid calls them the 'Unversed'." Master Eraqus looked between all three of them before continuing.
"As wielders of the Keyblade, you are tasked with striking down any who would upset the balance of light and darkness. The Unversed are no exception. I tried to pass this news on to Master Xehanort, but my repeated attempts to reach him have failed. I doubt there is any connection, and yet... This all troubles me."
"Master Xehanort is gone?" Terra questioned, Aqua glancing over at him as Baal shifted his eyes towards the two without so much as turning his head. Their attention was brought back to Master Eraqus.
"So here we are. I need you three to get this situation under control. Eliminate the Unversed, and find Master Xehanort." Baal's eyes narrowed. He really didn't want to find the old man. He'd rather let the man keel over at any given moment. "I have unlocked the Lanes Between. You may use these forbidden pathways to travel between this world and countless others. The darkness looms closer than usual within these spaces, but your armor will protect you.
Lastly, remember that order must be kept. You cannot tell anyone there are other worlds. Now go, and fulfill your duty."
"Yes Master." Terra and Aqua spoke in unison, Baal giving him a short nod before turning around. The brunette followed his example until Master Eraqus called for him, to which he turned back around to face him. Baal paused in mid-step, his thumbs in his front pockets as he patiently waited.
"Terra. Consider this an opportunity. A second chance for you to change my mind."
"What?" Terra raised an eyebrow, obviously confused. Master Eraqus began to make his way towards him.
"You must know, I care for you like my own son. If I could have my way, I would name you Master in a second. But, how can I, when you are so obsessed with power?
Terra, you mustn't be afraid of losing. Fear leads to obsession with power, and obsession beckons the darkness." Master Eraqus placed a hand on his shoulder, leaning in slightly as he had a grin on his face. "You must never forget."
He pulled away from him as Terra bowed his head.
"Thank you, Master." He lifted his head, his right hand clenching into a fist as he was filled with determination. "I swear.. I will not fail you again." With that, he turned around and walked past Baal who stood still. Aqua reached out to Terra, opening her mouth to say something before closing it and focusing her attention on Master Eraqus.
"Master, I'd best be on my way." She began walking in the same direction that Terra walked to. Charcoal eyes watched a golden blonde-haired boy run across the room in a hurry.
"Aqua, Baal. Before you two depart, I have one other.." The two turned around to face Master Eraqus as he continued. "Well, call it a request, of the utmost priority."
"Yes?"
"I told Terra this could be a second chance to show the Mark of Mastery.. and I meant it. However, that flicker of darkness he displayed during the examination- I can sense it runs very deep. If he were to-" Master Eraqus stopped himself before continuing. "If those powers were to prove too much for him to handle, I want you two to bring him back to me at once." Aqua looked down at the ground, worry plastered over her face at the thought of losing one of her best friends to the darkness.
"It's for his own good. I could not bear to lose any of you to the darkness." Baal looked up at Master Eraqus, a grin on his face as his hand went back to his hip.
"Of course. We would never let that happen. We'll bring Terra back." The female lifted her head, the worry wiped away.
"We promise. Only this time, you'll see he has what it takes to be a Master." With that, the two turned around and began to walk out of the room. Aqua stopped in her tracks as she looked up at the stained glass window, light shining through it.
"He's not as weak as you think."
"Terra!" Ventus yelled out, running towards the brunette. He stopped in front of him after almost falling flat on his face, bending down as he panted to catch his breath before feeling a large hand ruffle his hair.
"It's okay." His breathing began steady as he looked up at Terra, concerned. Terra gave him a small smile, reassuring Ventus that he was alright before turning away. Baal stood on the steps, one foot on one stair while the other was on a more elevated one. Aqua stood at the top of the stairs as they both observed what was happening.
Terra lifted his right fist next to his head before pounding it into the armor on his left arm, a bright light engulfing him. Armor covered him from head to toe as static sparked around him every now and then. The armor's base color was a dark brown lined with orange, golden yellow and a reddish brick color. His Keyblade was in his hands, swinging down to his side before lifting it up into the air. The tip shined with pure light before it shot up into the air in a straight line, a large portal forming.
Ventus watched with awe as Terra threw his Keyblade into the air, his Keyblade Glider swooping down towards him as he jumped on. He veered his Glider, having it point upwards before taking off, to which Ventus had to cover his eyes due to the hot air coming from it.
Ventus looked up as soon as he saw that Terra was gone, a sad look on his face before his eyes narrowed. He looked down at his armor before lightly smacking it as he, too, was engulfed in a bright light. The golden blonde-haired male donned his armor for what appeared to be his first time, as a gasp of amazement escaped his lips.
His armor's base color was black, with silver and a rustic gold color along with little bits of red on his chest and leg area. Ventus summoned his Keyblade before throwing it high into the air, watching as it came back down as a Keyblade Glider. He flipped onto it, steadying himself as he rode it as if it was a skateboard.
Aqua began running up to him with Baal trailing behind her. "Wait, Ven!" She shouted, looking up at Ventus before he entered the portal in the sky the same way that Terra did. Master Eraqus ran up to them, standing next to Aqua as he looked up at where Ventus ventured off to.
"No! He mustn't!" Master Eraqus turned towards Aqua and Baal. "You two have to bring him back!"
Baal's eyes narrowed as he nodded, running up ahead as he tapped the gold armor on his right thigh. His body was covered with the same light that the two previous pupils were engulfed in. The light faded as Baal was now clad in his Keyblade Armor; a base color of black with gold lining it. The rest of his armor was blood red and dark gold, with the horns on his helmet shaped just like the horns on his head. His visor was a dark red as he threw his Keyblade into the air.
Baal's Keyblade Glider resembled a giant maroon crow that had lifeless black eyes and wore gold armor on its head, chest, talons and wings. Baal grabbed onto the gold bar that was held between its talons with his right hand before it lifted him up into the sky.
Aqua followed up with changing into her own armor, the colors of it being grey, silver and slate blue. Her Keyblade was thrown into the air as it came back down, the form of it resembling a large bow. She hopped onto it, twirling in the air around Baal as he did the same to her before they disappeared in the portal.
The two of them were flying through the Lanes Between, hardened expressions beneath their visors.
"Where could Ventus have gone?" Aqua questioned herself, Baal glancing over at her.
"We'll find him. Wherever he is, Terra would most likey be there."
Baal and Aqua walked around the grandiose castle, the male whistling an unknown tune with his arms behind his head. His whistling stopped as Aqua stopped in her steps, their eyes watching a blonde-haired woman quickly running away in a white ballgown.
"Mademoiselle! Senorita! Wait!" A man ran right after her as he held a shining glass slipper in one of his hands.
"Baal! Aqua!" The two turned to where the familiar voice came from, only to see Terra standing on a balcony. He began going down the large stairs towards them, Baal's gloved hand on his hip as he used his other hand to give him a slight wave.
"Terra.. Ven ran away from home." He reached the bottom of the stairs as he turned to look at Aqua with disbelief.
"What?"
"He left to go find you." The red-head spoke, a frown on his face.
"Do you have any idea why?" Aqua questioned. Terra slowly shook his head.
"No.." The brunette paused for a moment, suddenly remembering something. "Actually.. Just before I left, he tried to tell me something. I should have listened to what he had to say."
"Ah.." Baal mumbled, scratching the back of his head.
"So.. did you manage to locate Master Xehanort?"
"No, but it seems he's looking for pure hearts filled with light."
"Pure hearts.. filled with light.." Baal's chest tightened at the thought of a pure heart filled with light. His eyes narrowed, the frown on his face showing his annoyance as he clung onto the front of his half shirt. It annoyed him that he was dealing with chest pains; he shouldn't have any due to physically not having a heart. He let out a barely audible grunt.
His heart was with two brats.
"All I can tell you is that his search hasn't taken him here." Terra spoke, walking ahead of them.
"All right. We'll stay and see if we can find more clues." Baal lifted his head, an eyebrow raised.
"We?"
"Yes, Baal. We, as in, the two of us."
"Well why can't I go with Terra?"
"Because I'm the only one that can actually watch over you properly!" The red-head only clicked his tongue to her reasoning. Terra chuckled slightly, overhearing the two's bickering.
"The prince is in the ballroom ahead. He might have some answers."
"Thanks." Terra stopped walking and turned around.
"Aqua. You still have the same dream?" Baal raised an eyebrow at the question, to which Aqua confirmed that she still has the same dream. "There's this girl here- her name is Cinderella. She made me realize how powerful it is just to believe. No matter how impossible things seem.. a powerful enough dream will always be enough to light the darkness." Aqua gave him a small nod, a smile on her face. "If you see her, give her my thanks."
"Will do." With that, Terra turned around and continued walking towards the large double doors. Aqua watched him for a bit before turning towards the stairs, the smile still on her face as Baal patiently waited for her; one foot on one stair with the other on a more elevated one. "He'll be all right. He won't give in to it." The red-head held a hand out to her which she took, both of them walking up the extravagant stairs.
They walked along the red carpet, nonchalantly following it as three women in ballgowns walked past them. Aqua's eyes widened as she suddenly saw a flash of red. But as soon as it appeared, it went away. The man from earlier ran past them, but before he could get far Baal placed a hand on his shoulder which made him stop in his tracks.
"Who are those ladies?" Aqua questioned, gesturing towards the women that continued walking.
"Oh, er, if I recall correctly, that is Lady Tremaine and those are her daughters." Baal turned around to look at them, his eyes narrowing.
"There's something wrong about them." He muttered to Aqua, to which she nodded in agreement.
"You came back!" Aqua looked over to see a handsome man with black hair, a look of surprise on her face.
"Huh?"
"Oh! My apologies. I was mistaken." Nonetheless, Aqua gave him a small smile.
"Your Highness, I found this on the palace stairs."
"A glass slipper?" Their attention was focused on the slipper in the male's hand. It was the same slipper that the blonde woman left behind.
"One dropped by a lovely young lady, and I'll search far and wide to find the maiden to whom this belongs."
"You will?"
"Of course, Your Highness. After all, you have finally found someone whom you wish to marry. Upon hearing that happy news, your father, the king, has decreed that a quest shall begin immediately throughout the kingdom. And I will start with the closest residence- that of Lady Tremaine." The two began to go their own separate ways, Aqua quietly thinking as Baal watched her out of the corner of his eye.
"Lady Tremaine.. Let's go pay her a visit." She spoke, only to receive a hand ruffling her hair.
"You got it."
It was nighttime when Aqua and Baal had reached their destination; Lady Tremaine's home. They stood at the front door, listening in on the conversation taking place. Baal pinched his nose, waving his other hand in front of him as if there was a foul stench in the air.
"You honor our humble home, m'lord."
"Quite so."
"May I present my daughters, Drizella and Anastasia."
"As I feared. There is darkness here." Aqua summoned her Keyblade as she walked up towards the wooden doors, Baal summoning his own Keyblade.
"As long as we get rid of this nasty stench coming from the darkness."
"Wait!" A voice echoed. The female turned around, surprise evident on her face as Baal only groaned, not being able to deal with the stench. "It's dangerous to fight the darkness with light, my dear." The sparkles in the air slowly came in together, an old woman wearing a light purple cape with a large pink bow at her neck appearing.
"Who are you?" Baal raised an eyebrow at the question. Did Aqua have amnesia or something?
"I'm.. Baal. Remember?" Aqua shook her head, pointing a finger towards the woman in the clearing.
"No, her."
"Riiiiight.."
"Cinderella's Fairy Godmother. I appear to those who believe that dreams come true. And do not worry about your friend there. It seems he doesn't believe." The bluenette gave her a smile.
"Then I am honored. But, why would you advise me not to fight darkness with light?" Baal rolled his eyes, opting to ignore Aqua as she had decided now would be a good time to have a lovely conversation with herself. A weird one, at that.
"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. Light and dark go hand in hand. You can't have one without the other." Aqua looked down at her Keyblade, confused on her next course of action.
"Then.. what should I do?"
"It's quite simple, dear. One of Cinderella's friends is trying very hard to keep her light from fading. I want you and your friend to join little Jaq and help him." The bluenette nodded.
"I can do that."
"You'll need a bit of my magic to help Jaq." The Fairy Godmother pulled out her wand, giving it a few taps into her palm as sparkles flew out of it with every tap before starting to wave it around. "Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo!" The sparks flew towards both Aqua and Baal as the female's eyes watched the magic circle around them. A light engulfed them as they became a small glowing ball, the ball floating up towards the open window to the room that had its lights on.
Baal looked over at Aqua, his eyebrow raised as they were as tiny as the mouse that was carrying a gold key on his shoulder.
"Do I want to know?" Aqua giggled.
"If only you believed, Baal." He frowned at the vague response as Aqua walked towards the brown mouse who seemed to be grumbling incomprehensible words under his breath.
"Are you okay, Jaq?" The mouse continued walking, paying no attention to the female whatsoever.
"Cinderella's stepmother locked her in her room." He spoke to himself. "I've gotta let her out! I've gotta save Cinderella!" The two Keyblade Masters continued following the mouse as Baal raised an eyebrow at what he just heard.
"Let Aqua help you." The mentioned girl rolled her eyes, giving Baal a light shove before summoning her Keyblade.
"Oh, thank you." Jaq spoke, oblivious as to who he was talking to. Baal scratched his cheek. Were there this many innocent people out there? The brown mouse turned around, realization coming to him as he saw Aqua's Keyblade. "Ooh! That's like Ven's! Did you ever meet Ven?" Aqua's eyes widened. It seems they're on the right track to finding Ven.
"I'm Aqua, and this is Baal." She gestured to herself and then to the red-head, who only gave the mouse a slight wave. "Tell me how you know about Ven."
"We're friends- good friends. Ven helped me fix Cinderella's dress."
"So where is he?" Baal asked. The mouse seemed to look a tad bit more sadder.
"He's looking for a friend- another friend." A sigh escaped the male's lips.
"I see." Aqua looked off into the distance, a frown evident on her face. "Ven.. you must have just missed Terra."
"I can't understand why.." Aqua and Baal looked towards the large set of white double doors with questioning gazes after hearing the muffled voice. "It always fit perfectly before."
"Quite enough of this. The next young lady. Please.."
"Oh no." Jaq exclaimed. "Hear that!? We've gotta hurry! Cinderella's gotta try that slipper." The mouse began scurrying along. "Come on, come on! Hurry!" Jaq stopped in his tracks; a small dark blue creature popped out of the ground. Whatever it was, it didn't seem too friendly. Baal's nose scrunched up at the stench coming from it. "Ah! No, no, no! We've gotta hurry!"
"It's all right. Leave this to us." Aqua stood in front of Jaq as Baal stomped his foot on the ground. As soon as he grabbed his Keyblade another one came out, to which he let out a small grunt of surprise before grabbing it. He looked at the two Keyblades; the newer one was slightly more longer, but had the same styling, patterning, and coloring of the original one.
"Hey, Aqua. Bad timing to ask this, but.." The female turned to Baal, an eyebrow raised until she noticed the two blades in his hands.
"Where'd you get the longer one?"
"I'm not sure. I'll have to ask Master Eraqus or Yen Sid about this." The two changed their focus to the Unversed that showed up, getting into their fighting stances as more popped up. Baal adjusted quickly to the new blade; the blade was in his other hand as it was held onto as if it was a sword. He figured the blade was too long for him to hold it perpendicular to his forearm.
"Jaq, don't lose that key!" Baal pounced onto an Unversed, shredding into it as if he were a wild animal devouring the meat from a dead carcass. Of course, he wouldn't try to eat the Unversed. The stench of darkness from them was unbearable, and he wanted to get rid of it as soon as possible.
After all of the Unversed were vanquished, Jaq rushed over to the mouse hole in the wall. He turned back towards them, thanking the two before he disappeared.
Baal looked down at his Keyblades. It was clear that the two blades were one, but he had never heard or seen something like this before. He slowly shook his head, following Aqua who had walked ahead of him.
He would get his answers someday. Today just wasn't the day.
Typed out a ton more than I should have, so it will be split into more than one part.
If you have any questions, please do send me a PM. I'll do my best to answer them.
- Ran