Aqua StormXIV: Thanks a lot! I hope you keep reading(:
Jamila's Note: The standard point of view is going to be Sora's, but I might switch it up to 3rd person so it'll shine a light on all the character's feelings.
Disclaimer: I do not own kingdom hearts or the characters, the only thing I own would be the story itself… ENJOY!
"This feels endless."
"Well I don't see anyone around? I don't know where they are?"
"They'll be here. We'll just have to be patient, we came early for one last run through remember? Calm the fuck down," I snapped into the device.
Sometimes I was around whiners.
Roxas piped in, "You know what, just think, after this, we'll be able to get out of this arena. We'll be able to head to other worlds."
Good old hopeful Roxas.
"Well, yeah. So we need to win. Hold back unless dire." I groaned, "Hope and faith are going to take us far. Far enough to make it to full time heroes. Full time TITANS."
"Get ready guys." Riku said through the device.
I don't know how long we waited for them, or when the sun finally broke into the sky, but my patience was draining faster as the seconds ticked away. I was sitting on the floor of the cave, the walls were looming around me, except the large gaping hole from behind. There had to be a 300ft drop, but from where I was standing I could see the forest not part of the arena, it was a sight.
"Sora?"
I lifted my talkie from the shoulder strap of my training uniform. It was a mandatory uniform… unfortunately constricting my body, adding a few extra weight plates in the extra pockets, used to let us run faster without them. I worked so I wouldn't complain.
The uniform was a black sleeveless shirt, with an armor pallet on the non dominant arm, which was my left, two sets of thick belts wrapped around my stomach, which took hours of weights to tone, a thick sash belt holding the weight tablets, my walkie-talkie, and other sorts of mechanisms for battling. Gloves, thickly padded, but fit well enough to use, eventually they'd get broken into. It helped magic users adjust use magic without the training blisters that usually happened to beginners. We didn't need them anymore, but it was part of the uniform.
My key blade, which was branded, 'Winner's Proof', didn't need to be attached to me since when I needed it, it would just appear.
Then for pants, we were wearing a form of black cargo-like pants with many different pockets. Finally, our numbers, as students, which was our name to anyone who outside the academy, would refer to us was printed on the left shoulder, stitched proudly in your rank color. I had a golden 15. The we had a combat fighting style boots, but lighter and easy to throw around, you end up adjusting after all the training. Lastly, for the uniform, were the goggles, shades that showed the action from the other team mates, it's a visual hands on experience. Once activated, they allow you to see right through the other comrades eyes. It was brilliant.
"Sora? Come in Sora?"
I grunted slightly, "What's up Riku? Did you catch sight of the enemy?" There was no response for a bit, I hesitated, "Riku?"
"I'm confused?" His voice sounded as confused as he was, I scratched the back of my head, trying to not yell at my comrade who was obviously catching sight of the enemy, finally, "There are… four enemies, one for each of us."
"That was to be implied, Riku. In the plan, it's like a relay race straight to me."
"What do you see?" That was Roxas now, I could imagine him bracing himself long before the enemy actually barged into the cave entrance yet, "Are they heartless?"
"No."
"What are they, quit hesitating, we have a time limit here. The moment they entered the arena is the moment the time limit had commenced, we probably have 30 minutes max." I could feel my irritation again, something inside of me was starting to grow, the anger and shit. It was something to worry about, considering we fought heartless so often.
"Don't get your panties we Sora."
"I'm about to hand them to you Riku, what's going on."
Another silence, "I guess we'll just see."
"GET READY GUYS. I'm going for the chase now!"
I sighed, pulling down the goggles, mine being a one of a kind, of course, and scanned Riku's vision on the field like I was there myself. I was looking around his line of vision, wondering why he wasn't focused on the target, then I figured himself hiding. Then I could see them, their uniforms were… full white? But the only full white uniforms were-
"Roxas, get ready I'll be bringing them around… in a minute."
"Roger that!"
I see a blur of trees in every direction, unable to even count out one distinct tree, I was intrigued, then I see the ground underneath Riku's feet, so he made himself in plain sight, those dressed in white, were wearing a mask, so I guess me and the rest of the Oath Keepers, couldn't see their faces.
They were uniformed?
Each wearing white baggy pants, which fell into their long boots, riding up to their legs, but the long white cape hiding the rest of their bodies prevented their identities, the hood almost hiding their faces.
I wanted to know what Riku was saying but couldn't, knowing that would disrupt the mission.
I see the four of them stand tall, like sizing up Riku, who I knew well enough to serve it right back to them. These guys looked so… trained. But the mission was undefined, so I guess we didn't have a view on them anyways.
Now I see the lift off, their feet pounding away from Riku's who was keeping a distinct distance behind them. It was kind of funny, this reminds me of the steps Riku takes when we race, a couple steps behind me.
I see a green-like glow emit from his glove, I was sure he was summoning wind, because his eyes dart to see them running straight down the forest, the wind was only roaming, careful to keep it level one, and blew the slightly off course. Smart move. The group darted like bunnies, around the arena forest, starting from far away. Not even hinting to the cave, several times had they come close, but then swerved away.
I'm sure Riku was more mad then tired. Hell, I was getting mad.
Then, the time was around when the group dashed straight toward the cave entranced, I clenched my fists, waiting for the four them to go right in, almost, they did.
One stopped, turning right into Riku's path, the other three continuing right into.
I tried to see his face… but it was impossible with the hood and mask. The guy had summoned his weapon, a spear, well actually, 3 spears, not holding of them, it couldn't understand how they were spinning around the figure without one touching into their hand… running straight at Riku with full force. I was confused, they were trying to fight? They hadn't even made it to the inside of the cave before the finally played offense.
Riku was talking to them, probably saying something intimidating, trying to persuade them to 'keep along or someone would get hurt'. That was usually enough before someone would flee?
They did.
Well three of them had left.
The girl in front of Riku was the only one to stay behind.
Very straightforward fight.
Lunge after lunge, the three spears moving at an intense speed that made my eyes hurt.
The spears had multiple jabs, incredibly fast, but none touching Riku, thank god he had evasive moves done.
The screen on my goggles was now showing Roxas's vision, three of the white hooded figures were moving toward him, a slower pace as they came closer. Their steps weren't hesitating, just slowed down to walking, taking in the cave and the rest of the surroundings. It was interesting when they met face to face with Roxas, two of the members allowed the third to step forward.
Still no face or clue who the were.
This was definitely interesting. They were moving fast again, running straight to the left leaving the third member bracing themselves tight. Roxas's vision was circling the opponent, they were rounding each other, and I could feel my opponent getting closer.
This opponent was holding a staff, decorated with golden streaks, they were chanting?
How the hell would heartless, if that was what they truly were, how the hell would they know magic? Unless they were higher leveled magic?
Was that what the white color was for… were they representing who I expected them to be representing.
I could see Roxas holding a simple thunderbolt in the palm of his glove, the sparkling static electricity, building in the palm. He was quick the static striking the staff, but not doing anything. I growled under my breath.
Though no one was around to hear me, I could feel the frustration.
That's when Terra's vision broke into the screen. The two left figures had continued on and one of them caught sight of Terra and pulled a white handle from behind him, probably had a strap similar to ours. That's when I saw the water summoned, he had summoned a long water whip? That had to be incredible. We were using level one magic with opponents who were going all out.
I wanted to watch more, make sure my team was holding their end of the game, but I watched the last opponent run ahead.
I sighed, a crooked smile playing on my lips.
I was ready for him.
This was going to be fun.
I pushed the goggles down, so it hung around my neck, then awaited the intruder with open arms, my eyes were focused on my line of vision now. Which was hesitating to check once more on my team. I needed to be sure they kept them busy.
That's when the figure in full white had stepped through the arch entrance.
"Hello," I smiled, it wasn't real though.
The hooded figure's face was looking up to the ceiling of the cave, a large glowing emerald was what he was after?
So my Action 2, lead them right to what they wanted.
The figure held their hand out, carefully watching my from behind the mask.
I was waiting for them to call their weapon before me, my hand stretched out in a mirror-like fashion. I shook my head, signaling a silent 'you go first' motion. I waited and waited.
Neither one of us making any sudden movements.
It was exhilarating.
"Summon your weapon!"
Nothing.
My glove clenched, I didn't care, time was ticking and the glowing diamond above my head was something he would jump up and strike. Then we would've lost. I need this thing's hearts. I needed to collect them if I wanted to become a TITAN, if I became a TITAN, then I'd become a hero.
It was a part of the plan to win this mission.
Without winning, I wouldn't be able to go back home with my head held high.
None of my team would.
Flashback:
"I heard this is your last mission as trainees."
"Yes sir."
"At ease trainees."
Roxas, Riku, Terra, and me all straightened up a bit, in front of us was King Mickey himself, a smile on his face like always. He observed us, "You're opponents… are interesting and I wish you luck. I hope to see you guys return in one piece."
"What do you mean your majesty?" Roxas asked politely.
"Yeah, what do you mean?" Terra echoed.
We had been up to our necks in missions, getting used to working with each other, four members instead of just pairs.
"Well, just know… you'll be surprised in the end. We want you guys to definitely graduate already. You guys are all capable to be TITANS right this second."
I jumped at that, "Really!"
"The heartless have been growing rapidly. The rates are higher than ever."
I felt nauseated.
"How rapidly."
"Let's just say… we could use top notch TITANS like you four, to send out and get the missions done. So finish this mission off… well.. To the best of your ability."
End of Flashback:
Dammit.
I felt myself able to grasp around the handle of the Keyblade. My mouth dropped when I saw the hooded figure summon the same… Keyblade?
What the-
I was the only one in my own academy, the only one in White Castle Academy to be able to summon a Key Blade, how the hell were these people able to do it? Or more importantly, how was this person standing in front of me able to summon one.
Spiked with anger I grinned, "Bring it on."
We both connected blades at the same time, no shown mercy from either of us.
It was a flash for each of us.
We were against opponents who were… us with white on.
What kind of fucking mission was this-
Who were these opponents and what were they doing here?
With Riku:
Riku wasn't one to easily lose his breath, that wasn't his style, he was quick and witty and he moved with the wind, so there was hardly a problem with moving at all. He was fast, that's the way it was.
His silver hair and deep green eyes were emitting the same green aura from his hands and calm and collected poise reflected in his smile.
But this-this hooded white figure, who was unbelievably fragile looking, was… kicking his ass, not that he'd admit it to anyone else on the Oath-Keepers.
With a mere flick of her wrist, three of those damned spears would jab at his face, body, and feet, so one simple dodge of movement didn't do me any good. Quick, if quicker than him, and serious about fighting.
"Who are you!" He shouted, but the stranger said nothing, he was definitely sure he'd heard a faint laugh.
It started to frustrate him, he cold feel his energy wilting away, and he, the enemy, seemed like he could go on forever. They had been staring at each other, Riku on one side of the field and the stranger on the other, the wind breezing slightly against Riku's skin.
This time he lunged against the spears, all three had pointed straight at him, ducking down, he dilated his speed to hitch up to the fastest he could go. He was done playing around anymore. The moment his feet hit the ground, and he bent over enough to dodge, then sprung back up fast enough to grab the hood.
Almost.
He felt his fingers briskly snatch at the hood before the stranger fizzled steps away from him.
Damn!
Two can play at this game.
He'd wave his hand in front of himself, his fingertips casted portal of darkness appeared, slipping in and then slipping out behind the hooded figure, the grip tightened around his arm tightly so he couldn't just run. Riku held his sword to the stranger's throat.
"Move and I'll cut your head off."
His squirming stopped, to my surprise, I could see the three spears drop with a loud clank onto the grass.
I sighed, finally a breather.
I felt nothing underneath this cloak, I definitely was curious.
I grabbed the hood and slammed it down, I looked right in the face of… ?
With Roxas:
He hated missions that required so much effort like this.
He was tired.
He roughly ran his gloves through his blonde spiky hair, his blue eyes were boring into the white hooded figure.
And still nothing from Riku or Terra, not even Sora was reporting to him, which was good he guessed. This just meant that the others will still fighting and he, himself, wasn't the weakest like he usually felt he was. That was embarrassing.
And this stranger was easily slipping away. For the last hour all we've been doing, was throwing bolts at each other, how long was this going on for?
Roxas wanted to just graduate already.
He cast another bolt of electricity from his glove, shooting it a several steps in the direction the stranger was headed. He watched the stranger walk into it, the staff practically swallowing the magic in front of his eyes.
His magic just went to the enemy?
This was bullshit.
He ran toward the boulder behind the stranger, attempting to catch up, but again, the stranger ran away.
Like a coward, but fought from a distance.
He was a distance fighter too, how obnoxious.
Roxas decided to change his fighting style up, he ran at full speed straight at the stranger, the thunderbolt growing in his hand again.
As the stranger doubled over, away from him off to the side, just like he expected, he allowed the thunder bolt to slam straight into the dirt and rock beneath them. It traveled far enough and at perfect timing to trip his enemy.
He refrained himself from jumping up with excitement.
He had his eternal bolts (like eternal flame…) out, the yellow light lunging right at the stranger dead on, this time he was unable to move. Roxas grinned, the light flared bright.
"Come on… come on…." I mumbled underneath my breath.
As the bolt electrified in front of me, I I had to shield my eyes carefully.
The light dimmed down and I hurried over to the stranger, the hood was off and I had a clear view of their face…
"Woah…"
With Terra:
Fist pump, fist pump, fist pump.
But every time his fist went even an inch close to the danger zone, that liquefied whip would snag my wrist away.
Terra was getting welts in the most ridiculous ways and places. His slightly long brown hair, still spiky, and his matching brown hair were sweaty.
He felt a slash on his cheek start to bleed, grunting heavily he felt in his glove the water being brought up, he slid the it all over the ground, causing no traction.
The stranger glided forward, not looking the least bit affected, to his dismay.
"How the hell do you have so much energy?"
Where the hell was Sora?
He ran, careful this time, to avoid the whip which would rain down on him from any angle. He shot from behind her, his fist connecting with nothing but air, as the stranger moved off to the side.
Always ducked to the left…
Something clicked in his head, he dove for another punch, this time, using his left hook to try to catch her as she made yet, another dodge. He got him this time, he held back his grin, careful not to show his excitement.
But the stranger recovered quick, grabbing Terra's punch and the whip lashed out on his foot, pulling him so that tumbled back on his butt.
Terra used his foot to quickly trip the opponent's footing as he tried to escape.
Which actually worked!
The slender tumbled down. The stranger's hood whipped off so fast as he fell.
"You're a-!"
With Sora:
I gripped my Key-Blade, furiously trying to swing at this stupid stunting stranger.
Showing off with the aerial moves, one flip after another flip.
I dashed behind him, but he would twirl around, fast enough to bring his kingdom key up to block my slash.
It was like this again and again.
I had him cornered against the wall at one point.
But the way this guy lunged at me forcing me to stumble back and he easily slid away. He was slender… and his moves were elegant, it started make me wonder if I was fighting a human, let alone it being a male intruder.
I performed a tackle to the man, he was close enough, and he didn't get away quick enough.
"Sora!"
I grunted as, I could see the soft fabric and closed my eyes trying to salvage my strength to keep the figure down. Frustrated that he could squirm like this. This is insane.
The static from my radio was being interfered with, the frequency was messing with the voices.
"Terra?" I attempted, but the hooded figure swung the blade down again, this time a lot closer and almost missing my face. I glared, angrily, "Shit!"
I used both hands to have a good hold on the Key-Blade, both hands not showing any sign of me loosening my grip.
"SORA."
I glanced up, at the only entrance in the cave was King Mickey himself along with… Queen Minne?
So I was right, the white figures were definitely from Dark Castle Academy.