I'm baaaack! Jeez it's been forever. I'm happy to say though that this chapter is definitely one of my favorites (and longest :D)! Now I know, I know, it's taking me much longer than it should to crank these babies out, but I (unfortunately) have a disgustingly busy schedule, and get maybe one or two nights a week during which I can work on this story. Don't worry though; I'd sooner die than not finish this (especially since I'm incredibly close to the end) Now, I have one quick announcement, and that would be to thank my lovely new beta-reader kissmyanimex2010 for proofing this chapter!
Enjoy everybody! Sorry for depraving you for so long
*Selphie*
"Whoa!" I sat bolt upright in my bed, wiping sweat off my forehead. "Some dream" I panted, brushing my chocolate locks away from my face.
It was around 2:00 in the afternoon, so we would be arriving in Wonderland soon, but I hadn't gotten much sleep the night before, and had passed the time with a nap.
I stumbled into the bathroom, still shaking away the nightmare. Looking myself in the mirror, I could see that bright light that used to rest behind my eyes was no longer there; it had been replaced with a burning flame. This whole adventure, it had changed me, I was beginning to notice I was no longer perky and peppy all the time. I mean, I was still easily the most optimistic person here, but I was able to be serious now.
I was also getting stronger, and I was able to fight and train for longer and longer without getting tired. I brushed my hair, the ends automatically flipping up. I had an odd urge to make them aim straight down, no longer liking how incredibly girly and almost childish it made me.
I stared in the mirror for a minute. Would Tidus like my hair straight? Everyone's changing, maybe I should too? It would make me seem a bit more serious.
I turned on my flat iron.
Fighting the Heartless was hard, and it was scary, but Demons were the ones who found me in my dreams. I suppose my hatred towards them was a good thing though, considering I'd have to kill more than one of them soon.
*Roxas*
"Namine!" I called, walking down one of the hallways of the ship. We were landing soon, and I just wanted to see her before we set off to check on the Princess of Heart who lived in Wonderland. All of the other Princesses had people to look over them, but Sora had said Alice didn't have anyone around who could fight.
"Namin-whoa!" A girl with dark brown hair stepped out one of the rooms and I back-pedaled to keep from bumping into her.
"Roxas?" She turned to me, coffee eyes blinking.
"Oh…Selphie?" I rubbed eyes and stared.
"Ha yeah it's me!" She smiled widely
"Look have you seen Namine anywhere?" She thought for a minute
"I haven't seen her today, but if I had to guess she's with Kairi"
"And where's Kairi"
"Hmm you might want to check the lounge"
"Thanks Selph!" I said calling her by the nickname I'd heard the others address her by.
"Heh no problem…Rox…I guess that doesn't really work does it?" I shook my head
"No really, but thanks for the help!" I said, heading towards the lounge. Selphie headed off in the opposite way.
"Oh hey Selphie?"
"Yeah?" She turned
"I like your hair like that" She grinned
"Thanks!"
*Kairi*
"Take that!"
"Stop it Riku! Jesus"
"Now now there's no need for that" Riku chastised
"Grrrr"
"Ooooh I made him mad Kairi" Riku smirked over his shoulder at me, winking. I smothered a laugh
"Leave him alone Riku, you're being immature."
"YEAH RIKU! YOU'RE BEING IMMATURE!" Sora shouted in my ear. I looked at him oddly, not blinking.
"What?" Sora asked after a minute, annoyed. I continued staring.
"What Riku?" He exclaimed. I hit him hard with my game controller.
"OW!"
"Heh, loser" I smirked and proceeded to whoop his ass at our game…again.
"The score is now 38 to…3!" Sora planted his face in the carpet.
"Screw you man" He mumbled, punching my leg.
"Rematch?" I asked, waving the controller.
"Forget it" Sora grumbled, getting up. A thought occurring, I quickly stood up and gestured towards the game behind Riku's back.
Go! Go…play! I mouthed at Sora, viciously gesturing at the TV. Sora just kept shaking head.
YES! I mouthed angrily. He glared at me before turning and sitting down next to Riku.
"Fine, one last game, and then I need to go land the ship" He grumbled. Riku made a happy noise.
"Ready to lose?" Sora just growled something I couldn't quite catch.
"What would you're mother say if she heard you say that Sora?" Riku tsked, starting up another round of the game (A/N I don't know what game, it can be whatever you like).
"You can let somebody else land the ship anyways, you suck at it" he said conversationally, completely at ease as Sora gave the game his all. After the game got visibly more intense (The two guys leaned in and stopped talking…and probably breathing) I snuck up quietly, the carpet masking my footsteps.
"GO SORA!" I cheered, tackling Riku
"Oof!" Riku's face buried itself in the carpet. I locked my legs around his middle and covered his eyes with my hands, clinging firmly to him.
Laughing Sora stepped away from the madness, not taking his eyes off of the television. Riku stood up and spun around
"Let go of me Kai" He warned.
"You don't even know where you're going!"
"I fought blindfolded for months; I know just where I am" Uh-oh
Riku walked around Sora so he was behind him, grabbed my wrists, and flipped me over him.
"Ah!" I shrieked as I went careening over Riku, landing ungracefully on a happy Sora
"I won I won I won! Take that Riku!" Sora twisted his head and stuck his tongue out at Riku, entirely unfazed at having me sitting on his back in a heap.
"Oh congrats Sora, the score's now 38 to 4! Wow only thirty-four more of those sneak attacks and we'll be tied!" Sora glared at him and Riku just stuck out his tongue.
"SNEAK ATTACK!" Came a shout from behind Riku. He turned easily and dodged Tidus' punch, swiping his legs out from under him. The only problem was that Tidus didn't seem put out at all. Out of nowhere a streak of blue knocked Riku sideways, barreling him over and pinning him easily, leaning on her hands and feet, which were positioned over his forearms and ankles.
"Morning Lauren" Riku yawned, "You know, I'm really getting tired of being tackled"
"Oh you're just mad I pinned you" They both stuck their tongues out at each other. Tidus made a face at them.
"Nice job being the bait Tidus" Lauren beamed
"Oh whatever, I still want that five munny I was promised" Lauren sighed happily
"Ah, friendship" She shook her head slightly, stepping off Riku and pulling him up so hard he went about an inch into the air. Fury-strength.
"Hey is the world with the heart-like court Wonderland?" Namine asked, peeking her head into the lounge, smiling at the chaotic scene.
"Yeah that's it! How do you know what it looks like?" Sora asked.
"We just passed it…"
"SHIT!" Sora scrambled to his feet and sprinted out of the room.
"Sora don't you dare land this ship I'm sick of you crashing and all the stuff in my room falling over!" Riku yelled, running after him.
"Hey I wanna land the ship!" Tidus whined, running after the two. Lauren, Namine, and I all just looked at each other and sighed
"Boys"
*Sora*
"Ok, so who's going to stay behind and watch the ship?"
"Well not us! We did last time" Selphie pointed out right away, acting strangely serious.
"Ok fair enough, how about you three?" I pointed to Axel, Roxas, and Namine, who were standing in their own little trio, as they normally did.
"Oh sure, discriminate against the Nobodies I see how it is!" Axel complained
"Why don't you four stay and watch the ship?" Tidus gestured to me, Riku, Kairi, and Lauren.
"Because raise your hand if you've been here!" Lauren smirked. She, Roxas, Riku and I raised our hands.
"Raise your hands if you're a Princess" Kairi and Selphie raised their hands.
"Uh, Selph?" Riku raised an eyebrow. Selphie laughed
"I like to think I am"
"Well, the five of us who were supposed to raise their hands are allowed to stay here." Lauren decided, "Tidus, Wakka, Axel; you guys can watch the ship. Namine, you can come along because you're Nobody is a Princess of Heart"
"How the hell does that work?"
"That's total bullshit!"
"Anybody who has any complaints can take it up with Fury" Lauren walked off towards the door to the Bizarre Room, Fury drifting out her and crossing her arms.
"Is there a problem?" Fury smiled her fanged smile. Axel, Tidus, and Wakka trudged back up the ship's opening ramp.
"How did you figure that arrangement?" I asked Lauren quietly.
"That's Lauren-logic" She said with a grin. I shrugged
"It's got a nice ring to it"
*Roxas*
So here was the deal; Namine and I were watching over this world's Princess of Heart, Alice Liddell, while Riku, Lauren, Sora, and Kairi went out to fight Heartless (there had been an odd surge of Heartless in this world). Alice had also mentioned seeing a strange looking Heartless-one that looked strangely human. It was most likely a Demon.
So now Namine and I were guarding over Alice so she wouldn't get hurt while the others went out Heartless/Demon hunting.
Hooray.
"So Alice…how did you end up here in Wonderland?" I asked her. She looked up from her hands, which were resting in her lap.
"Oh well, you see, I was exploring when I fell down a rabbit hole and landed here!" She told me in her sweet English accent. She was one of those people that members of both genders find completely adorable in a completely not I-Wanna-Date-You kind of way. You know? Yeah, of course you do.
"So you fell down a rabbit hole?" Namine asked
"Yes" Alice clarified.
"Well isn't that…interesting" Alice blushed and looked back down at her lap before suddenly jumping up.
"Oh my gracious! I am such a dreadful host! I should most certainly get the two of you something to eat and drink! Follow me please! I beg your pardon dearly for my rude behavior" Alice began walking towards the forest
"Hey where are we going?" I asked, gently grabbing her arm.
"To have tea" She said with a smile. Namine squeaked with joy and clapped her hands together
"Let's go!" Namine grabbed both of us and hauled us into the Lotus Forest.
Well this will be fun…
*Lauren*
"So should we split up?"
"Sure! Why don't you and Riku go search the Bizarre Room and Kairi and I will search this forest." Sora ordered, making the last sentence more of a statement.
"Why don't I shove my sword where you don't want if you think you can tell me what to-
I clapped my hand over my mouth. The other stared at me, wide-eyed. I removed and smiled graciously
"Fury's a little moody" The other three nodded calmly and we kept walking. We are such a strange group.
Do I hear an old friend?
I swung my head around, trying to find who spoke.
"Did anyone else hear that?" Riku summoned his blade and nodded
"Yup"
Now there's no need for that, not when there are shadows to be fought!
"Wait a second" Sora and I said in unison.
"Chess!" I exclaimed as a pink and purple cat's head appeared in mid-air.
It's nice to see you again, and you got here just in time! It's such a relief to have the Keybearers here.
"Sarcastic much?" I asked, putting my hand on my hip. The rest of the Cheshire Cat materialized in the air in front of us and he grinned much too widely.
"Any advice for us today?" Sora asked. Kairi and Riku were silent, never having met the cat.
There are shadows in the forest and on the walls, but be sure to trust your instincts, because they are not as they appear.
The cat vanished into thin air, his smile being the last thing to vanish. (A/N sorry, I suck at being the Cheshire Cat, I know)
"Does he ever give a straight answer to anything?" Riku exclaimed, spreading his arms.
"No" Sora and I said together. Kairi laughed.
"Should we split up now?" Kairi asked. We nodded
"Yeah we might as well. Riku and I will go to the Bizarre Room!" I said, grabbing Riku's wrist.
"Gotcha" Sora nodded and he and Kairi walked off.
"Well let's get going partner" Riku said.
The two of us climbed up a few overgrown mushrooms, jumped onto a tree branch and then went through a hole in its trunk.
Perfectly normal right?
*Roxas*
I sunk further into the bright pink seat cushion and tried not to grumble while Namine and Alice served each other tea and these tiny little sandwiches like we weren't in a position where a deadly enemy could pop up at any moment.
"Roxas would you like something more to drink?" Alice asked, waving the tea pot towards me. She was a very nice (and ridiculously polite) girl, but this tea party thing just wasn't my style.
"No that's ok Alice. I'm actually gonna step outside for a second and get some air" I told them. I slipped through the white gate, exiting the small garden and walked down the small path into the forest.
Yawning, I stretched my arms up and balled my hands into fists. I blinked sleepily and glanced around. A bright flash of yellow caught my eye.
What the…? It looked like…blonde? Like, a girl's hair? I quickly side stepped; trying to see whatever it was clearer.
"Holy mother…" Standing maybe one hundred yards away was Larxene, the hood of her cloak down and her knives between her fingers, electricity crackling around her figure. My hair was practically standing up from the electricity in the hair. She smirked coyly at me before turning around and running off.
I started after her before turning back towards the garden gate…they would be ok for just a minute.
*Kairi*
"Sora I don't like this place, I feel like the place is tilted sideways" It had been subtle at first, but it definitely felt like the forest was turning slowly to its side. Plus, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was creeping quietly after me…
"That's the general effect that Wonderland has on outsiders I think Kairi, I felt it last time I was here too" Sora patted my shoulder reassuringly. You have nothing to worry about; you know how to fight now and Sora's here, so nothing is going to get you. I heard a distinct sound of a snapping twig behind me.
"Who's there?" This place was torturing me, psychologically. Sora spun around, Fenrir in hand. I froze; I couldn't even manage to summon up Blooming Strength. Ansem the Wise was standing there, obviously as surprised to see us as we were to see him.
"Saix?" Sora exclaimed in rage and disbelief. I turned towards him.
"What?"
*Lauren*
"Why do I feel the blood rushing to my head?" Riku asked me, an odd tone in his voice.
"Because we're standing on the ceiling?" We looked up at the floor.
"Right. I think this place is broken, I don't remember actually feeling like I was upside down last time I was here…" Riku did look pretty amusing with his long silver hair aimed towards the floor…which was above us. Weird
"We should probably get moving before our heads blow up and our ears start bleeding." I said pleasantly.
"That doesn't really happen." Riku said firmly. I grinned
"If you're sure" He just shook his head.
"Here let's go; I pulled him towards a maroon rafter. Once we stepped on it, it gave out under our weight and we fell through and landed on one of the walls.
"Strange, I don't feel like I'm sideways" Riku said, I nodded
"It must just be the ceiling, weird…oh when were you in Wonderland by the way?" Riku stuck his hands in his pockets and turned away. "Hey? You okay?" I put my hand on his shoulder. He looked at me sideways.
"The last time I was here it was when I kidnapped Alice…" He looked away again. Frowning, I stepped in front of him and tilted his chin down so he had to look at me.
"Then I'd say that patrolling her world for her is a great way to repay her." He shook his head
"I can never apologize or redeem myself for taking her heart, and the same goes for Pinocchio, and the other five Princesses I helped kidnap." I ran my thumb over his cheek.
"At least they're ok now" I did my best not to sound bitter. I'd killed people before for money…there was no taking that back. I couldn't even pretend they were ok now.
"Maybe I can be their personal slaves for a few years each" Riku mumbled, only half serious.
"Yeah if we make it that far. First we have to defeat a few thousand Demons."
"And when might that be?"
"I don't know…but it's getting closer. I can feel it…or Fury can. Deep down somewhere in a light forsaken place they're preparing for this final stand."
"No need to sound so ominous" Riku said, surprisingly light-hearted. I guess boys rebounded from more than just girls. He backed me up gently into the wall and kissed me with an unexpected amount of force.
"Ri- I started with shock, but was cut off. I closed my eyes and fisted my hands in his shirt and pulled him closer. He cupped my face in his hand and tilted his head to kiss me more deeply. I slid my hands over his shoulders and down his back, effectively sliding off his first jacket. He smiled against my lips before kissing me again.
A small cough came from behind him. We both froze. I looked past him, nervous.
"Hey Phoebe, can I have this dance?" I gasped.
"Or should I call you Lauren?"
"Sh-shawn?"
*Roxas*
"Hey come back here!" I shouted at Larxene, but she merely cackled and sped up. This is impossible right? Larxene's dead! Isn't she?
I rounded the corner and ran straight into Sora.
"Roxas?"
"Sora! Stop her!"
"Who? Kairi?"
"No, Larxene!"
"Who's that?" (A/N remember Sora doesn't remember Castle Oblivion…that's all)
"Is that her?" Kairi spoke up and pointed at Larxene, who was standing next to…Saix?
"What the hell?" I breathed, summoning up my two Keyblades.
"Back up Ansem, we'll take care of her" Kairi said firmly to Saix.
"Kairi that's Saix! Remember? I'm pretty sure he kidnapped you" I whispered to her.
"What? No, that's Larxene on the left, and Ansem the Wise is standing next to her!"
"That's Saix" Sora whispered urgently. The two Nobodies-in-question simply stood there calmly, watching us like robots.
"Sora I know what I'm seeing!" Kairi said, sounding a bit angrily
"Kairi he's obviously tricking you!" I told her. This wasn't the time to be arguing.
"Wait a second…remember what the Cheshire Cat said? Trust your instincts because they are not as they appear! Guys they're Heartless!"
"A-are you sure?" I couldn't blame her for sounding unsure, I didn't want to kill Ansem the Wise either, but I trusted my Other. Moving quickly I drove Oblivion through Saix's stomach. He made a choking sound and his eyes became the wild yellow of a Heartless before he evaporated into black smoke.
Of course, at this, the Larxene-Heartless stepped forward aggressively. What felt like a sudden cold breeze passed over my face and suddenly Larxene was Axel. He summoned up his chakrams and I, being closest to him, quickly mouthed Axel to the others. Sora nodded and crept up behind the Heartless. Kairi gave a gasp and I assumed the Heartless had changed form in her eyes.
My back brushed a large mushroom and I realized 'Axel' had backed me into a corner. Grinning evilly he raised one of his chakrams-and suddenly had a Keyblade sticking out of his chest. I winced as he vanished, even though I knew it wasn't really Axel.
Sora wiped sweat off his forehead. "Sometimes I really hate this place" Kairi sniffed and we glanced over her.
"I saw Riku" She mumbled. Sora put his arm around her and I turned away, letting them have their moment.
Then two twin screams pierced the otherwise peaceful air.
"Roxas where are Alice and Namine?" My blood ran cold.
*Lauren*
My knees felt weak, but I forced myself to stay upright.
"Sh-shawn? Is it really you?"
"Alive and well, no thanks to you considering you killed me." I flinched and felt a tingling sensation behind my eyes. Oh jeez
"Lauren what's going on?" Riku stepped slightly in front of me, in a ridiculously chivalrous manor.
"My name's Shawn- you're girlfriend here murdered me for a little extra pocket change" My vision blurs and I blink hard before collapsed to my knees, my hands sprawled out in front of me.
"I'm so sorry, that was a long time ago" I thank the heavens I'm a silent crier.
"You're insane! Lauren wouldn't kill somebody out of cold blood!" Riku spat angrily. Shawn just smirked
"Are you sure? Did she forget to mention she used to be an assassin?" Riku blinked, probably remembering that I had told him that a few weeks ago, even though it felt like years.
"I'd take it back, if I had a second chance" I breathe out, two tears falling from my cheeks.
"Well you can't, and as the saying goes; an eye for an eye." Shawn pulled out a handgun from inside his designer jacket and aimed it at me. I made no move to protect myself.
For the hatred of all things Unholy must I do everything?
*Fury*
Jesus Christ you all are dense idiots! I shout mentally, and quickly snatch hold of Lauren and my shared consciousness. I whip my head up, my eyes red and my fangs out, a slight growl of anger in the back of my throat.
Standing in Shawn's place is a Heartless no doubt, in a humanoid shape, yet lacking an actual face. It was just a blank slab of skin, bare of any features.
"Disgusting" I snarl before lunging forward, summoning my sword, and piercing the changeling in one fluid motion.
I'd imagine his 'eyes' went wide with shock before he vanished, leaving a few momentary smoky strands behind. I phase out of Lauren's body and glare back her and Silver-Haired Bastard.
"I hate this place" Riku said, sounding tired. Lauren peeled herself off the ground and wiped her eyes, shutting her emotions down. Good girl
*Roxas*
I practically knocked the small fence off of its hinges and I bolted into the garden, Sora and Kairi hot on my heels. Namine and Alice had been cornered across the way by none other than Nightshade, Namine bravely standing in front of Alice with her blade in front of her. I had a momentary surge of affection and respect for the blonde.
Sora ran past me and jumped, then, using his foot to propel him, pushed off the table in the center of the garden and careening into the air, summoning his sword and performing two tight front flips before falling the ground, slamming his Keyblade into the earth at the just the right time, and shockwave of white energy charging right for Nightshade. She cart-wheeled to the right quickly, undoing her whip at her side and cracking it once.
She scanned the three of us, tense and battle-ready. She simply sighed theatrically.
"Not who I'm looking for, and frankly, I'm not in the mood to deal with you amateurs" She practically flew right at me and I instantly dodged right, looking left and meeting her eyes momentarily as she shot past me and into the forest. She turned on her heel quickly and shot a few shadows out of her hand, which formed into Heartless once they hit the ground.
"Have fun!" She called before laughing hysterically and sprinting off. Kairi came up next to me, Blossoming Strength in hand.
"Let's do this" she panted. I nodded
"Right!"
*Lauren*
"We need to head back to the others" I said finally, breaking Fury's rant. She glared at me before nodding.
"Right. But I'm not done with you two yet" Riku groaned skyward
"Oh for God's sake you have to be- He cut off abruptly at the sword poking into his jugular.
"Shut it Pretty Boy or I'll shut it for you" Fury hissed. Thankfully Riku remained quiet, and therefore preserved his life for a little longer.
The hair on the back of my neck suddenly stood on end, and I turned.
Nightshade was standing right behind me. She grinned, showing her elongated canines.
"Catch me if you can" She turned and sprinted off.
"Oh I will bitch, and you're gonna be sorry when I do" Fury growled running past me.
"Hey! Let's finish this up together." I said running up to Fury's now still figure and holding out my hand. She simply sighed.
"If we must" We phased into one and I turned, gave Riku a two-fingered salute, and headed off.
We ended up on the other side of the bizarre room, along the outer stone lining of the chimney. I stood maybe forty feet from Nightshade, and I could feel Fury's dark energy pounding inside of me. That gave me strength.
"Shall we finish things up?" Nightshade asked calmly, almost casually
"What are you waiting for?" Nightshade charged at me, and I have to admit- her speed caught me off balance. I was barely able to summon up Fury's sword and block her attack with the flat side of the blade. I pushed her back a few feet and dismissed my sword, lunging forward and bring my fist straight at her ribs. She deflected and hit back, but I ducked under her fist and spun around, sticking out my foot and tripping her, before standing back up straight and snapping my leg up, knocking her jaw hard. She fell backwards and de-materialized into darkness, the ground swallowing her up.
I know what was going to happen next, but couldn't react fast enough to prevent it.
She lunged back of the ground and snapped her whip at me, it wrapping tightly around my throat. The actually length of the weapon shortened until we were probably less than a foot away from each other.
Breathing hard, Nightshade panted out her last threat
"I'm going to snap your neck now, and all of my problems will be solved. I'll be rewarded like you wouldn't imagine." She narrowed her eyes and grinned. Just as her arm tightened to pull back I slowly lifted up my right hand. She paused, first blinking curiosity, than in realization. Her eyes met mine as I summoned my sword.
Let's just say the sword was longer than the space between us. Crying out, she staggered backwards, the whip slipping from her hand and vanished into the air. She fell to her knees before slowly fading away, piece by piece. I simply stared numbly, and then headed back the way I had come. I could find no joy in this.
"Hey!" Riku yelled as he ran up to me, panting. "I wasn't going to follow you, but then I figured that I probably should."
I'm going to tell the others to meet at the ship
I felt Fury phase out of me. "It's ok Riku, Nightshade's gone, and it's alright." I told him, looking down.
"Hey" He said more softly, putting a hand on my shoulder, "I don't care about your past ok? The fact you were an assassin none of that. Just forget it; it's over and done with. Here and now is what matters." I felt a wave of anger towards him. What I had done years before was the reason for what was happening now!
"Would you forget your past? Simply leave it behind and forget it?" I asked quietly, looking up at him. His eyes clouded and gave me his answer.
"Then don't ask me to forget mine."
*Sora*
I resisted the urge to walk down the hall and collapse into my soft, incredible bed so that I could put co-ordinates in for our next destination…not that I knew where that would be. Riku and Lauren had apparently had quite the emotional roller coaster earlier as Riku had explained, so I decided not to bug either of them with suggestions on where to go.
I blinked in surprise as I looked down at the computer to see that our next destination had already been set. To somewhere called "The Badlands". A small picture of the world was presented and it looked like a desolate wasteland…a battle field. My eyes hardened.
So be it, we'll meet you there and make our final stand. So be it.
Oh my GOOD GOLLY GOSH the story's end is nearly here! Everything is tying together (and setting up for the sequel *wink wink*) and I'm loving doing so. I'm sorry it's taking me so long to update, once again I get maybe one or two days a week to work on this story because of my schedule, and that's tentative as well. Hang with me everybody! Three chapters left!
As always I shall request feedback (positive or negative) to this story/chapter in the form of a review, and if anybody has any questions feel free to PM me or just toss it in a review!
~Till next time!