(Ladies and Gentlemen, one night when I was roaring drunk, I said that I owned Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy. And I joked about ripping out Jack Thompson's liver and feeding it to him. Both were lies and jokes.
Jack took the violent thing seriously.
Said night also never happened and I've never been drunk in my life.
Jack still took the violent thing seriously. Retard.)
Oathkeeper
Chapter Nine: Taking Leave
"Alright, I believe I have the story so far."
"So you know why we need to take the Keyblade." Donald stated. It was wonderful there was a man with sense on this small world.
"I do. It remains however, that you can't." Oh, spoke too soon.
"...Why can't we?"
"A weapon that can supposedly break worlds all on it's own, and you ask me why we can't hand it off to anyone who asks?" This Leon made a very good point. Donald sighed. His temper couldn't ignite here, because it was a sound argument this man was making. The only way it could be defeated was to make a sound argument of his own.
"We've been assured by our King that this a matter of proportions that can't be ignored. You know that the King is a trustworthy character, right?"
"Despite never meeting the man in question personally, I do know that he is well loved. This is not a world under his rule however, and as such, his orders are no good here if you try to pull rank. However..." He began, before Donald could take that comment as a personal insult, "That is not why you cannot have the Keyblade." Sora sat on the side, watching the exchange, beside the duck's companion who had named himself Goofy. Idly taking a piece of candy out of a bag from his stash, he offered it to the... dog? He didn't quite know. However, Goofy accepted it gratefully, and reached into a pouch at his side, extracting a few pieces of a different kind, perhaps from his own world. The trade was completed, and Sora made a note to ask about the new kind of sweet later.
"Well... why exactly can't we take it? If the reason isn't it's power, I assume you trust our word?"
"I do. But the reason isn't the Keyblade, but Sora himself. The Keyblade is bonded to him, irreversibly so. You can't take the Keyblade from him even if you tried. The only hypothetical way I can imagine you could remove the bond, is to kill Sora." A pregnant silence followed. Leon broke it, continuing. "And since you don't even know the nature of this disturbance your King is hinting at, you can't make the decision to attempt taking his life. However... you would not make that choice either way, I can see." Donald nodded somberly. Leon very effectively killed any lighthearted-ness left in the mood, effectively destroying Sora and Goofy's trade route.
"But you realize anyway, we still need the Keyblade. Leon, what do you propose we do?"
"I acknowledge that this is a matter of high importance. As such... Sora, will you lend them the Keyblade? This is your choice first." Sora blinked for a few moments.
"You said that they couldn't take it... would that mean..."
"Yes Sora. These two have a method of traversing worlds, probably given to them for searching for the key they were charged with, and for locating King Mickey the First, after they acquired it. You have one of two choices, either go with them in search for the King, or stay here, and have them find the King on their own and bring him here." Donald looked to Sora, seeming to have mixed feelings. If he went with them, they would have the Keyblade, and would have accomplished half of their mission far sooner then they were expected. One heck of a boon. However... Sora himself may be dead weight. Donald didn't know anything about his abilities, but since he seemed to apprentice under Leon, it was safe to assume that he was inexperienced. If that were so, he would know little or no magic, and Keyblade or not... it might not be a worthwhile investment. Donald sighed, as he saw Sora mull it over.
"I suppose it could be done either way," The duck garbled. "Take some time to make your choice. We've found the Keyblade, we don't have to go anywhere."
"Thanks. So..."
"There are a few more things I'd like to talk to Leon about. Goofy, you restock our supplies and see about fuel, ship maintenance, and anything else that needs taking care of."
"Can do! Sora, do ya know where I could find a mechanic? Could save time if ya did."
"Actually, I've got the perfect guy in mind. Leon, do you know where Cid's shop is?"
"Once you get to Seventh Heaven, keep walking and take your first left. Shouldn't be too hard to miss."
"Thanks. Uh... Goofy's your name, isn't it?" Safe to make sure after all.
"Yup!"
"Alright, lets go then." The pair left the room, chatter beginning sometime after they left the room. Donald waited until they left.
"Leon, if Sora decided to accompany us, would be drag us down?"
"That all depends on your abilities."
"I can say confidently that Goofy and I can take care of ourselves."
"Sora might need an eye on him from time to time, but I can confidently say that with a bit more polishing, he'll be useful."
"... You seem... optimistic..."
"Perhaps that's because I am, as far as Sora is concerned. Heartless though, fall like cards to him, I've seen that much. He'll be overwhelmed like anyone else, perhaps easier then everyone else, chalk it up to experience or lack, thereof... I'm sure you and Goofy are familiar with the concept of teamwork?" Donald huffed an affirmative. "Then keep it in mind. Watch his back, and from personal experience I'll tell you he'll return the favor."
"Then... I suppose we wait and see?" Donald said, sensing that the discussion was closing, and now that the whole thing was over with...
"Not much else we can do." ...he could exhale and relax in the comfy chair. Leon knew what he was doing, bringing them back to these wonderful chairs for crosstalk and negotiation. All his stress seemed to melt away... Until Leon's voice jolted him out of relaxation.
"Buttons underneath the right arm rest." Upon investigating, Donald found the chair's back vibrating a massage through his spine. Oh, he would definately be getting a chair like this for his office.
"You are a very good man."
"Talk to Yuffie, she's not convinced."
"Who?"
"Nevermind."
--
Sora walked into the shop, but having never been there before, he didn't have any idea what to do. He obvious first step was to find another employee, and get Cid's attention through him or her.
"Kupo!" No, no time to play with the large cute stuffed animal hovering by his face wearing a name tag and little yellow vest with the shop's logo on... it...
"Hey, uh... you wouldn't happen to be a moogle, would you?"
"Po!" The thing said, nodding it's head. The red ball on it's head bobbed in time.
"Sorry, you're the first one I've ever seen." It didn't seem to mind, much to Sora's relief. He didn't want to start things off on the wrong foot to an entirely different species. "Say, you know where Cid is, right?"
"Kupo!"
"I've got a customer here for him. Think you could go find him for me?"
"Kupopo!" And off the thing wizzed. As Sora waited, he noticed the glass display cases, and the various ornaments inside. Accessories, chains, rings, and the like shone inside. The gemstones in a few gleamed as if they were brand new. Sora didn't think he had an eye for this sort of thing, but if the moogles did this, they really were good craftsmen. Goofy noticed too.
"Huh, I thought you said that Cid was a mechanic. Looks like a jeweler by the looks of these."
"He's a mechanic and a craftsman he told me. He also told me he's the best ship builder in Traverse Town, so this seemed like a good stop to make."
"Well, here's hopin'. Donald'll throw a fit if the ship stops workin'."
"If I'm on the job, that ship'll never want for nothing ever again!" Cid bellowed, walking into the room, moogle following. "Gomogi here says you brought me buisness. If that's the case, you should come by more often!" Cid laughed. "Now, I hear you want shipwork done? I'm your man. I could take a few soup cans, coffee filters, and beer bottles, make a ship outta that, and it would take you halfway around the universe!" Goofy and Sora both looked sceptical. Rightfully so. "Alright, enough of that bullshit, I'll do good work for ya, how about that?"
"That'll do just fine. Goofy, nice to meet ya."
"Name's Cid. Now, where's your rig parked? You'll have to get it into the docking bay above the shop for me to do any decent work on it. Is your pilot good enough?"
"He's the best we have."
"Well then, I'll open the doors. Go and bring your ship back over here and I'll give it the once over. What do you have in mind?"
"I guess just a checkup, make sure it's in workin' order. Could you also tell me about a place where I could buy medicine? Our stock of potions is getting low."
"I could refer your ass right back over to that counter. We do ship work, outfit accessories, sell items... we're the ultimate travelers outlet here." When Cid got prideful, it was best not to argue. Thankfully, there was nothing to argue so Goofy stepped over to the now moogle-manned counter and asked to see a price list.
"I can take things from here Sora. Be a pal and go tell Donald to bring the ship 'round."
"Sure thing. Bye Cid!"
"See ya later kid. Say, Goofy, if you decided to pay extra, I could make your ship indestructible, you know that?"
"Gwarsh, you mean it? But that sounds pricy."
"It's a damn good investment, if I do say so myself."
"You'd say it was anyway, right? Cause you'd get cash out of it."
"This business is about more then money. Working with my hands is my passion, and ships are the blood that fuels it!"
"...Gwarsh..."
--
"Donald, Goofy told me to tell you that you need to bring the ship around to the shop. I can show you where it is."
"Ah, thanks Sora. What's Goofy doing now though?"
"Cid apparently sells potions and things too. Goofy's restocking while you get the ship."
"Good, good. Oh, Leon, about the chair..."
"I'll write an address down for you later."
"Thank you." Soon, the chair would be his!
"Oh, Sora, before I forget, Merlin gave me a book while you were out on mystic knight techniques. He says you should find it informative." He handed Sora a blue book without a title. Sora grinned, knowing that with this he would probably be able to get down the technique no problem. Soon he'd be making craters just as big as Leon's!
"You're learning magic Sora?"
"Ah... yeah..."
"Hm... mystic knight techniques? An odd choice. Why would you choose that breed of magic over the others? Granted, it's easier to learn then most but..."
"Well, it's kinda the only magic I can learn." Donald raised an eyebrow.
"Is it because of talent?"
"No, it's because I can't learn magic normally. But since I was bonded to the Keyblade, I can use that for the magic instead."
"Can't learn magic? Did this Merlin tell you this?"
"Yeah. Told me that I was... incapable he said, of using magic. Using the Keyblade as a focus he said was the only way I could learn magic."
"Hm... that's very inconvinent. It means that you may never be able to learn curative magic at all."
"Huh... well... at least I get some magic, right?" Sora grinned. "It'll be great to do more then just hit things."
"No, you would still be hitting things. Enchanting swords means that you'll have to hit them in order to use the spell. However... it will be several times more destructive. Like comparing a broom handle and a baseball bat. Both would be used the same way, but the bat would cause a bigger dent."
"Replace dent with explosion though."
"Exactly. And since this spell is composed of your own magic, and not magic of the environment, you will never need to be careful of yourself using it, though if you came along, you would have to be mindful of Goofy. You would be fighting alongside him, after all. Your own magic will never harm you."
"That's good to know. Merlin never mentioned that..."
"I see.. What else didn't your teacher mention?"
"Oh, well... I don't really know. When I ran through the spell, apparently I did everything right. But then at the end, it turned unstable he said. It was still powerful, but Merlin told me it wasn't the spell."
"The spell was incomplete? Hm... Your teacher doesn't seem very capable, if he can't figure out what you're doing wrong."
"Merlin is more then simply capable." Leon said. "He's the most powerful sorcerer I know. However... that isn't to say he's not... absent minded..."
"I see... Well, if he continues to be 'absent minded', I wouldn't mind taking a look at your casting. Even if I'm not as powerful as this Merlin supposedly is, I'm not somebody to ignore."
"Huh... no kidding?"
"No kidding. We'll save that for another time though, right now, I'll need you to show me where this shop is."
"Oh, right! Lets get going!"
To tell the truth, when he stepped onto the gummy ship, Sora expected something right out of a sci-fi movie. And that was sort of what he got, control panel and multiple seats in front of it. Dead center a pilot's spot, it seemed routine, despite the beagle sleeping perfectly balanced on it's spine on top of the wheel. Saying nothing about the coffee maker in the corner, the whole scene didn't betray his expectations.
"Snoopy, wake up!" Donald yelled at the sleeping dog. Sora couldn't help but wonder, if Snoopy was a dog, what did that make Goofy...? Snoopy however, was soon on his feet, yawning.
"We need you to fly the ship- stop!" Snoopy froze, reaching for a glove compartment. "We aren't leaving the world yet. We're just bringing the ship around for maintenance." Snoopy slumped in disappointment. Sora blinked a few times.
"...This is your pilot?"
"He's apparently the best we have. Snoopy, meet Sora. He's our first mission objective." The beagle shook hands with Sora, who couldn't help but admire the little white dog's grip.
"Nice to meet you too Snoopy." Sora said, straightening his back. Snoopy's height caused him to bend down.
"Sora will be directing you to the mechanic. I'll be going back, there's something I need from Leon."
"Huh? What's that?"
"Nothing important... see you both later." And the duck walked out of the ship's bridge. Silence followed, before Sora noticed Snoopy was looking at him, expecting something. He quickly realized what it was.
"Oh, well, after Donald's off the ship... yeah, just over that way. There should be a place to dock, I'm thinking."
--
"So, this is your ship?" Cid said, looking up. The gummi ship in question was slowly lowering itself into the docking bay, via the large opening in the roof.
"Yup, that's the one." Goofy replied, tossing a sweet to the helpful moogle who seemed to be orbiting Cid's head.
"Great. You're just after a check-up ya said? Gomogi! Get my tools!"
"Kupo!" The moogle wizzed off.
"Oh, you won't have to check the engine room."
"Why's that? The engines of gummi ships have a lot of small fragile parts. Since you don't have a mechanic aboard, I should be checking it twice."
"Oh, we've got mechanics. They just can't handle the rest of the ship."
"Well why the hell not?"
"They're eight inches tall. Or was it nine... Ten...? They're little, in any case..."
"I see... well, wise choice for engine workers. Little mechanics mean little hands. Harder to mess up if they're good... and if you say you've got the best pilot, I guess they'd hand you good mechanics too."
"I hope they did..."
"Alright!" Cid barked, holding a hand out to the side. Somewhere above him, Gomogi dropped a tool belt. With surprising dexterity, Cid flicked his wrist as he caught it, sending it whirling around. A click, and it was around his waist. "Thanks girl, now, let's get to work!" Gomogi cheered, and flew into the ship as Cid followed at a slower pace. Sora blinked curiously. Up until now, he always thought Cid to be the type preferring to work alone. Well, the moogle seemed happy at least.
"Well, let's let the man work. I've gotta let Donald know about what I spent after all, wanna head back?"
"Yeah, su- woah!" Sora and Goofy leaped out of the way as five more moogles came flying out of nowhere and into the ship, each with some form of tool. The boy was breathing heavily, having almost lost an eye to a screwdriver.
"Alright, now that the gang's here we can- hey! Don't touch that! Put it back! Drop it! No, I didn't mean the hammer!"
"..." Sora figured it was best to get out of there as fast as possible. Goofy looked worried, they only had one ship... He didn't want to find a mechanic to fix what another mechanic had done. Or what seven mechanics had done...
--
"Ah, the moogles. Rambunctious little things, aren't they?" Leon said as Sora recounted the story.
"Even worse then Yuffie..."
"Well, it's a good thing you know the word. It means you're about half way through the book, hm?" Indeed he was. Maybe Cid would make him a Master Sword if he asked really nicely...
"But yeah, the moogles help him repair ships?"
"Not really. In exchange for teaching him how to craft accessories, Cid promised to teach them all about ship building and repair. It's a trade they agreed to early on. Now that Cid's learned and become a competent craftsman, he's been teaching the moogles for months. The moogles are playful though..."
"Huh..."
"Oh, Sora, I was wondering how much thought you had given the offer."
"You mean leaving to look for the King?"
"Yes." Sora suddenly found his shoes very interesting.
"..."
"You don't have to be afraid of this decision. You'll be welcomed back at any time."
"... I think I should go."
"And why is that?" Leon pried. Such an action was unlike him, but Sora didn't notice.
"Riku had already left the world before it broke... and he told me that he was going to take Kairi and me with him... Riku wasn't himself, but..." Sora met Leon's eyes. "Riku wouldn't let Kairi die, or lose her heart, or anything. So they're out there somewhere. I can look for them while we look for this King, and after I find him..." Sora grinned. "If the King's found first, I can ask for a favor, since he needs my Keyblade. If he's such a good guy, he probably wouldn't say no."
"You're coming with us then?" Sora jumped in suprise. Donald had spoken from behind him, and Goofy looked pleased.
"You're welcome aboard the ship Sora. You're gonna help us find the King after all, and he really wouldn't say no if ya asked him for help. He pays back his depts."
"As long as you keep your mind on the mission, searching for your friends shouldn't get in the way." Donald said, nodding to himself.
"So, I'll let the others know, and then get packed-"
"Don't bother."
"Huh?"
"While Sora is leaving, I offer a condition to my letting him go." Sora, confused as to this turn of events, merely looked on as Donald and Goofy stood ready for negotiation. "I demand three days before departure. During that time, I'm going to make sure he won't be a burden." Leon looked serious, booking no argument even though the demand was reasonable to everybody. "It'll also give time for everybody to say goodbye. So far, I am the only one who knows Sora's leaving. This is very sudden." Donald nodded.
"I understand. We'll be staying on the ship." The duck agreed, taking charge of the other side. The tone in Donald's voice suggested he did this often. Perhaps he was used to it, being the King's adviser. "We'll be back three days from now."
"That works. Until then... Sora, come with me."
"Huh? What's up?"
"The ceiling. Get used to seeing it. We're going to the training room." And so began two of the most grueling days of Sora's life.
--
The third day, was given entirely to him. A small party was thrown, since he was leaving for what would probably be a long time into potential dangerous situations because it was very possible they were inhabiting the only sealed world in existence.
"I can't believe my sidekick is leaving! You just couldn't handle all the glory going to me, could you? Sidekick just wasn't good enough anymore, was it?"
"Yuffie, Sora ended heartless attacks indefinitely. He's a bigger hero then all of us."
"Leon, you're no fun. You're not allowed to deflate a girl's argument. No man is. It's against the rules."
"You can put that rule right back up where you pulled it out." The music seemed to stop and all heads swiveled to Leon. That was probably the closest anyone had heard him come to saying something vulgar. Yuffie said nothing in response. After a moment of silence, Cid slapped the other man on the back and handed him a beer.
"You made her stop talking, and you defended men's rights everywhere in one fell swoop! Leon, you son of a bitch, you're my hero for the night! My king!" Leon didn't smile. However, he certainly looked satisfied as he popped the cap on the bottle. Go figure.
"Oh, Sora, that reminds me. We have something for you." Aerith said. Sora perked up instantly. Going away presents were awesome, every time. Leon already handed him several books. Aerith had given him a utility belt of sorts, made for holding a few potions and ethers. He got that potions helped heal wounds, but he didn't know what ethers were. He'd ask Donald later. Yuffie had handed him her 'favorite kunai' with a white strip of fabric tied around the ring on the handle. Coincidentally her forehead was bare of headband for the evening. She also spent a half hour teaching him how to throw it, and told him to practice in case he ever wanted to come back to be her sidekick again. Still, being handed a ninja weapon was cool. The only one who didn't give him a present yet was Cid. He wondered if the man was planning on giving him anything... not that he needed gifts or anything...
"Yup, you didn't get my gift yet!"
"Hey, we all pitched in!"
"You had to. Mythril doesn't come cheap ya know!" Sora's eyes widened in surprise as he accepted the box offered to him. Whatever it was, it was made of mythirl? Maybe another knife? He opened the present to find...
"A necklace?"
"Yup. Aerith made sure you'd heal, Leon made sure you'd be entertained, Yuffie gave you something sharp... only thing left is to make sure you're protected. Made that myself." Sora pulled a blue tinted necklace out of the box. The chain was well made, and dangling on the end was a charm in the shape of a three pointed crown. Sora grinned and slipped it around his neck.
"This is awesome either way... but how am I protected?" Cid smirked.
"Well, Leon said that you should wait until you put something on that augments you yourself. Like, makes your eyesight better, improves your reflexes, makes you stronger... he's right too. Best to get used to your own strength first. So, I made that, took it to Merlin, and asked for resistances to be put on it. That thing there, while you're wearing it just about... halves the effects of harmful magic. Now, don't rely on it or nothing, high black magic'll still shoot ya dead, but in case you can't quite get out of the way in time... this will help a bunch."
"Wow... thanks..." Yuffie looked jealous.
"Halves damage? Cid, this is something we would've taken into battle! Why does he get the good stuff?!"
"Because, even with it, if you two fought, you would kick his ass six times to yesterday. He needs a chance to get strong, and that necklace will help him get there."
"Oh, good point... Hey, Cid, could you make something like that for me?"
"If you've got the cash, I'd be glad to."
"Hey! We're friends! Where are the perks?!"
"I'd make yours first. It about ends there. Cough up the cash miss, or you'll be seeing no blue crowns until Sora comes back for a visit."
"Cid you inconsiderate jerk!"
"Oh, look at that, mythril just became rarer, and I'll be needing a bigger payment to get my hands on it. Too bad for you."
"Evil old man!"
"And then there's the little thing about my being the best craftsman in the area. It wouldn't be unheard of for me to charge a premium for my work."
"I hope you die."
"You know, it's a little known fact that mythril runs away from bad mannered customers. I'll have to wrestle it down and forge it brutally. That's hazard pay, that metal's tough as fuck."
"Don't play with her too much Cid. She's got pink dye and she's not afraid to use it." Sora piped up, finding the whole situation hilarious.
"Nah, I learned from Leon. My drawers are booby-trapped." Cid laughed, putting out a used up cigarette.
"Dammit!" Yuffie then tried very obviously to come up with an attack plan b.
"Yuffie, no plotting tonight. This is a peaceful night, the last one we have with Sora for a long time."
"Yes Aerith."
"How the hell do you do that? Seriously, what's your secret?" Cid asked, puzzled. "You just stopped the plotting. You're amazing."
"I'm also a girl. That's step one to being Yuffie's ally." Aerith said with a smile that was too happy as she patted a also smiling Yuffie on the head.
"All men are my enemy. They must be destroyed, or at best, humiliated."
"What about Sora?"
"Sora's too cute to be a man. Until we discover what exactly he is, he is exempt from any and all harmful pranks unless he pisses me off purpose."
"Hey-!"
"Sora, you just got out of pink boxers. Shut up and ride the wave." Leon said sagely as 'One Who Had Suffered.' Sora thought for a minute, shrugged, and sat back down. At least Yuffie wasn't trying to dress him up as a cat maid...
--
The night ended early, since Sora was to have an early start. Packed and ready to leave in the morning, he slept soundly, dreaming idly of two people he wanted to find desperately. His dreams recalled the moment he awoke from the nightmare before the world broke, and found comfort in Kairi and Riku's embrace. Her slim form encased in his embrace, and Riku's strong arms enveloping him from behind... It was something he wanted again so much...
(And after this, ooh. After this I get creative. Because... worlds... they're coming...
Also, you know you were wondering where that necklace was. And it's there! It's... just a little bit blue now? Ah sod off, I want one, you want one, we all want one.)