Chapter Six: Day 307: Dance Across the Water.
It was freezing.
The few times he had come to this world it had always been boiling, especially in these black cloaks everyone had to wear. So he had decided to wait till that night to head off, thinking he would avoid the heat. And it had worked!
A little too well since now he was freezing his butt off.
The hooded figure had his arms wrapped around himself, his whole form shaking, teeth audibly chattering. He was standing few miles outside the city; the palace towers and the large sand scarred walls viewable even from the distance. The cloaked person sat down atop a large sand dune, body still shaking.
"Ugh…M-m-maybe I s-s-should have thought this through…"
The hooded looked around, teeth still chattering. "M-m-man, I thought deserts were hot all the time!" His head began to make little jerks right before he- "Ah-Ah-ACHOO!"
The cloaked figure fell flat on his back from the force of his own sneeze. The cloaked figure let out a low whine before pounding his hands and feet into the sand while screeching, "ARGHHHH! I shouldn't have agreed to this! I'm the wrong guy for these kinds of jobs!"
He stopped flailing and lay there for a moment before he sat up, sitting with his legs crossed. He scratched head in thought. "Hmm…She beat Axel, so she'd probably make mincemeat out of me in no time…Unless she was tired or off her guard."
He scratched his head again, thinking harder, which only made his head hurt.
He sighed, letting his arm fall limp at his side. "My Water Clones won't do the job, they're way too weak and they'll probably make her mad…Oh man I hope she's not like Larxene…" The cloaked figure shuddered as he recalled the terrifying woman with blonde hair sneering over him, three yellow knives held between her fingers, lightning crackling between the blades. The figure shook his head to shake the memory off.
"That settles it. I've gotta find a way to get her without actually fighting her."
He rubbed his jaw before fingers snapping as he realized the obvious.
"The Heartless! I'll just sic some of them on her and when she's weakened I'll-" But his grin fell with a groan. "But Axel said she went through them like nothing without breaking a sweat. She even took down a Dark Follower with one swing! Oh man…"
He scratched his jaw again. Finally, he decided and nodded to himself.
"Well, the obvious answer is that I need something bigger, stronger and meaner than a Dark Follower…"
The cloaked figure stood up calmly and snapped his fingers. Sand shot out of the ground like a whale shooting water from its blowhole. The cloaked figure's lower jaw was visible for a split second under the moonlight, smirking as he saw massive mechanical form rise out of the sand…
Sunlight poured through the open door of her room's balcony. Aqua's sapphire eyes blinked open as the light shined down on her. She sat up slowly, the sheets falling away. The blunette brushed some locks of her hair out of her droopy eyes before yawning. She rose out of the bed, arms stretching then falling to her sides as she walked over to the window.
She leaned on the side of the wall as she gazed out into the city below, bathed in the golden morning light. Aqua could see a few people opening the windows of their homes to let in the cool air and light. More people were opening their shops, getting ready for another day of business.
Aqua smiled as she continued to watch the inhabitants of this world. She was enjoying her stay here, finding despite the uncomfortable heat it was a very peaceful world. She couldn't sense much darkness around the people.
And she had been surprised when she felt no darkness from the princess, Jasmine.
All yesterday afternoon they had chatted in the princess's amazing garden. Aqua had asked Jasmine what it was like to live in the palace and Jasmine had said it had been pretty boring. Until she met Aladdin that is.
Aqua had listened with her eyes wide and shocked as Jasmine explained how Aladdin had saved her from an arranged marriage with her father's evil visar, the sorcerer Jafar, who abused the power of darkness and used the Heartless to take over the city. Aqua gasped and gaped as she listened to the tale, about how Aladdin had found a magic lamp with a spell casting and joke telling Genie, a fantastic carpet that could fly and had used his only three wishes to help save Agrabah from the darkness Jafar cast and free the Genie from his enslavement in the lamp. When Jasmine had finished, she asked in Aqua believed her and when said she did, she seemed surprised. Aqua just laughed, saying that she had heard tales more farfetched then that.
Especially since I've been part of them, Aqua thought dryly with a smirk.
She had been tempted to tell Jasmine about her adventures on other worlds, worlds of dragons and sword wielding princes to a giant spacecraft filled with strange aliens creating weapons of mass destruction. Aqua sighed, crossing her arms across her chest. But the first lesson her teacher had taught to her was to keep the order of the worlds maintained. And this meant that she could not reveal the existence of the worlds to any inhabitants of those worlds.
With a low sigh, Aqua pushed away from the wall and turned, walking back into her room, needing to dress and prepare for her second day here.
Aqua walked down the large hall of the palace, still not use to the sheer size of this place. She had only been through it a few times, when Jasmine had been leading her. Now she felt lost without the princess around. Aqua headed for a corner that finally looked familiar, remembering this turn lead to the large dining hall-
Aqua slowed as she approached the corner. She could hear voices. One was Jasmines but the other was a mans.
Jasmine, "Are you sure?" The man's voice responded, "Positive. That's the only place the Heartless could be nesting."
Aqua froze at that. The Heartless were here as well? How? Aqua could recall a time when Heartless were a minor nuisance. But it seemed in the time she had been trapped in the Realm of Darkness, the Heartless had multiplied and spread across the worlds.
Aqua leaned in a little closer, peeking around the corner to look at who was talking.
She saw Jasmine still dressed in her royal blue clothes from yesterday. Aqua wondered if the princess had several pairs of the same outfit but quickly shook the thought off to look at the man she was speaking too. It was a darkly tanned man around Jasmine's age. He was a little taller them her and his choice of clothes clashed with royal theme of the palace. He wore a purple vest over his bare chest and baggy white pants with a yellow patch on the left knee. His dark hair was unkempt and he had a small red cap atop his head.
What was definitely the strangest thing about him was the fact a little furry animal was clinging to his shoulder, its thin tail wrapped around the man's neck for support. The little fur ball was wearing a miniature version of the mans vest and cap and watched the two with wide, curious eyes. Those eyes wandered frequently to gaze at the beautiful tapestries. Aqua could swear the animal was drooling at the sight of them.
The man smiled reassuringly at Jasmine, his right hand stroking her shoulder. "I'll be ok," He assured her. "And this could be our one chance to take care of the Heartless for good."
Aqua sighed sadly. Destroy one, two will take its place, she thought. This person clearly had no idea of how the Heartless worked.
Aqua peeked back around the corner-
Her eyes widened and her cheeks flushed pink. Aqua quickly ducked back behind the corner, her hand covering her face. She had just seen Jasmine kissing that man!
That must be Aladdin, she realized. Waiting another second, she peeked around the corner again. Aladdin and Jasmine had broken their kiss and Aladdin gave Jasmine a confident smile before saying, "I'll be back in a little while. Don't worry."
Jasmine bit her lip and said, "I still wish you would at least take some of the palace guards with you." Aladdin shook his head with an amused smile on his face. Aladdin, "They have no experience fighting the Heartless and would just slow me down. Besides…" He flicked the back of the little animal's head, knocking its cap over its big eyes. The little fur ball screeched in anger and angrily put its hat back on as it tore its gaze from the tapestries and screeched at Aladdin in anger.
"I have Abu here to back me up. Right Abu?" Aladdin smirked at the little animal who growled grumpily and crossed his little arms over his chest. Jasmine covered her mouth, giggling at the twos antics. Aladdin gave her one more reassuring smile before he said, "I'll be back in a little while. Don't worry Jasmine."
Jasmine returned the smile, though hers was a little more forced and her eyes still held some worry. With that, Aladdin turned and headed down the hall, Abu still on his shoulder. Aqua watched him go, then turned her gaze to Jasmine. The princess looked worried, her hands clutched together by her chest.
Aqua felt sympathy for her. Taking a deep breath, she backed up a little and out on a cheery smile before walking around the corner. "Jasmine! Good morning!" Aqua called to the princess.
Jasmine turned and faced Aqua with a slight look of surprise before smiling. "Aqua, good morning!" She replied just as cheerfully. She walked over to Aqua and asked, "Did you sleep well?'
Aqua nodded. Smiling and deciding to take a risk, Aqua said, "I didn't mean to but I thought I heard you talking to someone. Is everything ok?"
Jasmine briefly looked confused before blinking in realization. Jasmine, "Oh, that was my fiancé, Aladdin. Nothing's wrong, he just had to leave earlier then I thought he was going to."
Aqua nodded, appearing to accept the answer. Jasmine smiled and quickly changed the subject. Jasmine, "But he'll be back later. Come on, let's get some breakfast." Jasmine motioned Aqua to follow her towards another corner down the hall. As she and Aqua approached the dining hall, Jasmine paused to let Aqua go ahead of her and the princess looked back down the hall to where Aladdin had walked out. Aqua looked back at her, eyes sparkling with understanding.
The princess was wishing her fiancé good luck.
With the Heartless involved, he's going to need it, Aqua thought grimly.
"Jasmine?" She called. The princess blinked and looked at Aqua, smiling. Aqua smiled back and the two headed for the dining hall to get some breakfast.
Eventually, the worlds reclaim everything. Even cities. Large buildings that were once part of a beautiful ancient city were now consumed by sand, some half buried, and most almost completely gone.
Aladdin stood by the large pass that led into the huge valley filled with buildings buried in sand. Various citizens of Agrabah and palace guards had seen black creatures retreating into the desert, heading in the direction of the ruins. Aladdin knew the Heartless had to be nesting here. Reaching for the sash around his pants, Aladdin unsheathed a large scimitar, swinging it reflexively. Abu peeked around, squeaking in a worried tone. Aladdin craned his neck to look at his furry companion and gave him a reassuring, cocky smile.
Aladdin, "Don't worry Abu. Everything will be okay." Abu fretted his little hands, squeaking quietly but still sounding worried. Aladdin looked around the vast valley of sand and buildings one more time before beginning to walk deeper into it. Abu's tail tightened around his neck in fear, the little monkey looking around quickly and making little jerking motions. Aladdin maintained his calm while internally his heart and stomach were doing flips. Right now, he found himself missing Genie and Carpet more then ever.
He would've really liked them to be here to back him up.
As he approached the sunken city, Abu was still looking around in worry when he saw something sparkle up ahead. Abu squeaked in curiosity and jumped off of Aladdin's shoulder, darting for the sparkling object. Aladdin did a double take before sighing in aggravation. "Abu!" He called to the little monkey before starting to chase after him.
Abu had already closed the distance between himself and the shining object and to his great pleasure he discovered it was a rather large jewel. The monkey's eyes widened and his mouth curved in an excited grin before leaping with a loud screech to latch onto the jewel…and found the gem was about twice his size.
Aladdin slowed his running as he saw Abu struggling to pry the jewel from its spot on the sunken building and Aladdin chuckled in amusement. "Looks like you're out of luck little buddy." Abu turned his little head to give Aladdin a glare and opened his mouth to screech a response-
Abu froze, his big eyes widening to the size of saucers. His little hands and feet lost their hold on the jewel and he slipped into the sand. Aladdin blinked in confusion, asking, "Hey what's wrong-?" He was approaching Abu when he heard it. The sound of sand shifting.
Aladdin's eyes widened slightly and his grip on his sword tightened. Something rose behind him, something very large as a shadow fell over him. Gritting his teeth, Aladdin whirled around, blade raised-
A huge mechanical body descended down on Aladdin and the last thing he heard were gears grinding and Abu's screech.
It was midday and the sun was high in the sky, directly over Agrabah. The citizens were long use to the heat and hardly noticed. Poor Aqua on the other hand noticed it all too well. The young maiden and Jasmine were back in Jasmine's private garden, Jasmine standing by the large golden birdcage while Aqua sat next to the fountain, her face flushed and sweaty even though she had only been outside an hour. Aqua wiped sweat from her brow, sighing quietly. She turned her gaze to the water in the fountain, smiling as she watched the little fish swim lazily.
Aqua dragged her right index finger across the water, creating small ripples that the fish followed. Aqua's smile widened, charmed.
Jasmine looked over at Aqua, still smiling pleasantly at the young blue haired woman as she watched her drag her hand over the water. The princess walked over to the fountain and sat down next to Aqua and asked, "So, have you enjoyed your stay at the palace?" Aqua nodded, smiling back as she replied, "I have very much. Thank you for allowing me to stay Jasmine."
Jasmine's smile grew wider. Jasmine, "It's Aladdin you'll have to thank for that. He brought you here…"
Jasmine's smile faded slowly, becoming a frown of concern. Aqua felt her own smile fade away as she met the princess's concerned gaze. Aqua knew what Jasmine was going to ask…
"Aqua, what were you doing out in the desert?"
Aqua sighed internally. Inevitably, someone always questioned the appearance of a stranger on their world. Aqua pulled her hand out of the fountain as she turned away from Jasmine, staring at the ground as she wracked her brain for a convincing answer, not wanting to lie to somebody who had treated her so nicely and let her into her home without asking for anything in return.
In the end, Aqua decided to go with the truth. "I was looking for someone." She looked back up at Jasmine, her blue eyes dull. Jasmine blinked in confusion, asking, "Why in the desert?" Aqua brushed a lock of her blue hair behind her ear, looking away from Jasmine again. Aqua, "You know I'm not from around here…I'm looking everywhere for this person…"
Jasmine's brown eyes were sympathetic. She reached over to gently stroke Aqua's shoulder. Jasmine, "I'm sorry. How long have you been looking for him?'
Aqua sighed, before saying, "A while now…" She placed her hand on her forehead in grief. "I don't even know if he's still alive…"
Jasmine frowned in concern, seeing the pain in Aqua's eyes. She was about to try and say something reassuring when a loud shout reverberated through the castle halls. A loud voice screamed, "Hey, stop! Somebody grab that rat!" This exclamation was quickly followed by very loud high-pitched screeching.
Aqua and Jasmine looked at the door into the palace, both confused as Abu scampered into the garden. "Abu?" Jasmine exclaimed in surprise. The little monkey raced over to Jasmine, his right hand clutching at something fiercely. He came to stop at Jasmine's feet and frantically began hopping up and down, screeching in what sounded like panic.
Jasmine quickly crouched down to Abu's level and asked, "Abu what's wrong? Where's Aladdin?" The monkey screeched even louder, waving around the item in its paws. Aqua squinted at the flailing paws and finally saw what the monkey was holding.
It was Aladdin's hat.
Jasmine's eyes widened in fear and her voice was laced with panic as she quickly asked, "Abu, what happened to Aladdin?"
Abu screeched and jumped, turning in midair and frantically pointing over the garden walls, towards the desert. Jasmine followed his pointing before looking back at Abu and asking in a terrified whisper, "Is Aladdin in trouble?"
Abu nodded his head frantically. Jasmine gasped, her hand covering over her mouth. Aqua stood up and was about to say something when two of the palace guards rushed in. The burlier guard growled at the sight of Abu and reached for him, glowering menacingly. "Stinking vermin!"
Before he could grab Abu Jasmine snapped, "Don't you dare touch him!" The guard jerked and stepped back, bowing respectively to the princess. Jasmine glared at the to before snapping, "Aladdin is in trouble and this 'vermin' is the only one who can lead us to him!" The guard flinched, still bowing and nodding quickly. Jasmine closed her eyes, taking a deep calming breath, before opening her eyes and saying, "I need Abu to lead me to Aladdin and I want you two to come with me."
The guards nodded and stood ready, posture straight and their arms at the their sides.
Abu squeaked curiously looking up at Jasmine. Jasmine looked down at Abu, her expression serious. "Abu," she said gently. "I need you to lead me back to where you and Aladdin were at. Can you remember where he took you?"
Abu nodded quickly, hopping up and down before bolting back inside the palace. The guards craned their heads after him before looking back at Jasmine who snapped, "Follow him!" They nodded and quickly chased after Abu.
Jasmine looked at Aqua and said, "Aqua I'm sorry but I have to help Aladdin."
The princess started to follow after the guards and running monkey but Aqua followed after her. Jasmine looked at Aqua, blinking in surprise. She was about to say something when Aqua interrupted. Aqua, "Jasmine let me help. I want to repay yours and Aladdin's kindness." Jasmine frowned, thinking it over. Aqua looked at her pleading and whispered, "Please, I can help."
Jasmine smiled reluctantly and nodded slowly.
"Princess!"
Jasmine and Aqua looked into the palace where the guard had called for Jasmine. They could here the frantic screeching of Abu and the two women quickly raced after the guards and monkey.
Abu led through the palace gates into the city, running under the legs of various people and merchants, causing cries of surprise from them and looks of bewilderment as they saw the palace guards followed by the princess and a strange girl with blue hair following after a known monkey thief. Jasmine and Aqua were ahead of the guards, the two men panting in an effort to keep up with the two girls and monkey.
As they entered the second section of the city, Aqua looked over to Jasmine and asked, "Where did Aladdin say he was going?"
"There are some old ruins to the east of here. He went there this morning to take are of the Heartless nest he thought was." Jasmine closed her eyes in grief, biting her lip. Jasmine, "I should never have let him go alone." She angrily told herself. Aqua frowned sadly and was about to say something when they arrived in the last section the city and Abu screeched in alarm. The two women looked over at Abu and saw him huddled up and cowering from several creatures around Aqua and Jasmine's height.
They wore the robes and turbans of bandits but their skin was a deep blue, almost indigo and their eyes were pupil-less and yellow. Clearly engraved on the chests were the Emblem of the Heartless. The Bandit Heartless advanced menacingly, crouched slightly and waving their blades in front of themselves as they began to form a circle around the women, blocking them off from the city's exit and Abu.
Jasmine backed away from the Bandits, eyes wide with fear while Aqua stepped forward, face set in determination.
Before she could move, the palace guards shot past the two women, brandishing their swords. "Stay back princess!" The burlier guard ordered while the smaller one gripped his sword and leapt, swinging his blade down. This caused the circle of Heartless to break up and a Bandit leapt forward and blocked his swing while another leapt forward to attack the burly guard. The two guards swung their swords with great strength and managed to land a few hits.
But as the two continued to swing and slash their blades, actually managing to destroy two Bandits, gray and yellow hearts rising from the mist of the destroyed Bandits.
But regular humans with regular weapons had little chances against a swarm of Heartless and Aqua watched in calm horror as the Bandits swarmed over them, muffling their screams. Jasmine turned away, gasping in horror while Aqua watched with a blank expression. When the Bandits moved away, where the two guards had been were now two insect like Shadow Heartless, their antennas twitching in time with their jerking bodies. Aqua turned her head slightly but kept her eyes on the Heartless and spoke quietly and calmly to Jasmine, "Stay here and don't move. I'll handle the Heartless."
Jasmine did in a double take in horror. Jasmine, "Aqua don't! They'll tear you to pieces!"
Aqua allowed herself a small smirk, clenching and unclenching her fists and relishing the sound of her knuckles popping. Aqua, "Worse creatures have tried." Ignoring the look of confusion on Jasmine's face, Aqua stepped forward towards the Heartless. To Jasmine's amazement, the Bandit Heartless actually stepped back, though the Shadows remained where they stood, twitching erratically. Aqua extended her right arm out and swung her arm in a slashing motion, bright lights flashing as the Shadows leapt at her, small talons rearing for her chest-
'CHING'
The two Shadow Heartless exploded in a puff of dark smoke that vanished in an instant as Aqua rose from her crouched slash, brandishing her long dark keyblade towards the remaining Bandit Heartless. The Bandits drew their blades to themselves and stood still. Jasmine stared in wide-eyed, open-mouthed awe. "A keblade…" She whispered.
Aqua rose and pointed her keyblade at the Bandits.
One Bandit charged forward, swinging its sword rapidly in an attempt to cut Aqua into pieces. Aqua pulled her blade back and blocked the Bandits swing before lunging forward, knocking the Bandit back and its blade in the air. Twirling her keyblade, Aqua rushed forward and slashed the Bandit through its stomach. The Bandit stood still for a moment before splitting in two and exploding into a shower of black mist, a pink heart floating into the air.
Seeing one of their number fall so easily, the remaining Heartless charged at once, blades raised menacingly Aqua calmly swung her arm out and her Reflect Barrier appeared as the Bandit swung their swords all at once. The Bandits staggered back, blades reverberating while Aqua lowered her barrier and charged forward, her keyblade cutting through the neck of the first Bandit. As it burst into smoke, a second Bandit charged forward blade clashing against Aqua's. Aqua slid her keyblade down and locked the Bandits blade with her own, pinning them down. Aqua spun, freeing her blade and cutting through the Bandits turban and the upper part of its head. As that Bandit went down, two more charged at Aqua leaping and swinging their blades down. Aqua back flipped and dodged their slashes before retaliating with her own spin slash, cutting them down easily. Aqua raised her blade as another Bandit charged. Before she could attack first, two glowing blades spun at her and Aqua quickly called her barrier up, blocking the projectile blades and the charging Bandits. Aqua whirled and looked up, seeing two Bandits atop a store tarp, their hands glowing and weaving. As they did, their spinning blades whirled around and boomeranged back towards Aqua.
Aqua ducked and the two swords cut threw the Bandit behind Aqua. The blue haired warrioress thrust her blade into the air and twin bolts of lightning struck the Bandits atop the store, destroying them instantly. Aqua lowered her blade with a twirl and saw two more Bandits leaping at her. Aqua ducked and twirled under them before thrusting her keyblade out. Frosty air swirled around her keyblade and a split second later, twin glaciers of ice erupted from the sand under the Bandits, impaling them and causing them to explode in a burst of smoke and pink hearts. Aqua slowly lowered her blade as she scanned the buildings rooftops and the level area. Jasmine had watched the entire battle, which had taken no more then a minute. Jasmine's mouth had dropped and she took a few hesitant steps toward Aqua. Jasmine, "You…you have a keyblade…"
Aqua looked at her, face falling as she started to say something when she heard Jasmine whisper, "Just like that boy…"
Aqua blinked and stepped toward Jasmine, keyblade resting by her thigh. Aqua, "What boy?" Aqua's eyes widened suddenly. "Did he have blonde spiky hair?" Her tone was rushed and urgent.
Jasmine frowned and shook her head. Jasmine, "No, I mean his hair was spiky but it was brown, not blonde." That only made Aqua more confused. "Brown?" Suddenly, her eyes widened and she looked at Jasmine with desperate shining eyes. Aqua, "Was his name Terra?"
Jasmine blinked in confusion. Jasmine, "What? No, it was-"
Sand burst from the ground as a Bandit rose up from the ground; sword pulled back and aimed right for Jasmine's neck. Aqua's eyes widened in horror and she screamed, "No!" Aqua raised her keyblade as she ran towards Jasmine, trying to block the Heartless's swing. But Aqua instantly knew she wasn't fast enough or close enough to block the Bandit's blade-
The Bandit's sword almost touched Jasmine's neck when a brilliant flash of light erupted off her. The Heartless froze in midair before disintegrating into black smoke, the pink heart floating away. Aqua came to a stop, her eyes widening and her jaw dropping. She stepped toward Jasmine, who looked at the spot where the Heartless had been with the same look of shock on her face as Aqua's. Jasmine blinked several times, panting as the shock of such a close call wore off. Aqua looked at the same spot before looking back at Jasmine and asking, "How…What did you…do?"
Jasmine shook her head. Jasmine, "I-I'm really not sure."
She looked at Aqua and said, "Aqua, there are some…details I left out about how Aladdin rescued me from Jafar. I really thought you wouldn't believe me so that's why I left them out, but-"
Aqua shook her head. Aqua, "That doesn't matter right now. I lied too and so that makes us even." The water maiden turned her head toward a small corner of the lot. Jasmine followed her gaze and called, "Abu?" The little monkey peeked out from behind the stand, hands over his head to shield himself from harm. Jasmine walked over and crouched down next to him, smiling. Jasmine, "The monsters are gone. It's safe to come out."
Abu looked around for a few seconds before coming out. Aqua walked over to the princess and primate and said, "We need to get to Aladdin. The Heartless are following something's orders and Abu needs to lead me to who or whatever is controlling them."
Jasmine nodded and looked down at Abu. Jasmine, "Abu, we need to go to Aladdin. Can you keep leading us?" The little monkey nodded, although he looked rather reluctant. Jasmine stood up and backed up a little, letting Abu move out of the shop and begin sprinting past the gates into the desert.
Aqua looked at Jasmine and gave a reassuring nod. Jasmine still looked a little pale but returned Aqua's nod. The two raced after Abu, running into the desert and under the unforgiving sun.
Aqua had no idea how long she and Jasmine chased after Abu across the desert. But eventually they came up to a huge wide-open pass in a cliff wall. The pass led them into a large lot filled with half buried buildings. Abu looked around, screeching and hopping anxiously. Aqua and Jasmine followed after him, looking around the sunken ruins. Aqua had her keyblade half raised in case any Heartless appeared. Abu was scampering around various spots before finally coming to a stop near a sunken building with a large jewel embedded in the wall.
Jasmine sighed in anger and snapped, "Abu this is no time for jewel snatching!"
Abu screeched back in what sounded like indignation. Aqua walked over and noticed drag marks in the sand. Aqua, "I think this is where Aladdin was attacked." Abu hopped up and down, happily screeching. Aqua looked at Jasmine and smiled as she said, "He seems to agree."
Jasmine still frowned and anxiously looked around. Jasmine, "Where could he be?" Aqua looked around as well but she was calmer and surveying the area slowly and taking in all details. Abu was looking between the two women, his big eyes filled with anxiety, his tiny hands fiddling with Aladdin's cap. Jasmine looked toward a sunken arch shaped building and saw something purple under the arch. She gasped and sprinted towards the sunken building. Jasmine, "I see him!"
Abu screeched in joy and bolted after her. Aqua followed slowly, still looking around in case any Heartless appeared. Jasmine reached the sunken arch, Abu close behind. To Jasmine's relief it was Aladdin. The young man lay against the wall of the arch, unconscious and bruised up. Abu reached the princess and peasant and screeched in relief, jumping and latching onto Aladdin's neck, hugging him. The little furball placed Aladdin's ht back atop his head and squeaked happily. Jasmine gently stroked his cheek and shook him slowly. Jasmine, "Aladdin? Aladdin can you hear me?"
The young man groaned lowly, head lolling as he began to stir. "Jasmine…" He groaned. Jasmine's face broke into a smile of relief. She stroked his hair before looking over at Aqua and calling, "Aqua, can you give me a hand?"
The water maiden took one last look around the ruins before lowering her keyblade and turning to walk over to Jasmine and Aladdin. Before she reached the two, purple light flashed and a square shaped invisible barrier appeared around the arch Aladdin, Jasmine and Abu were under. The princess and primate looked shocked and Aqua gasped, crouching and jumping back from the barrier, raising her keyblade.
Jasmine pounded her hands against the barrier, eyes wide in fear. They widened to the size of saucers and she frantically pointed at something behind Aqua, her cries silenced by the barrier. Aqua heard something rushing her from behind so fast the sand shifted and flew in the air.
Aqua didn't bother to turn and see what was charging her. She cart wheeled to the left and something under the sand shot past her, sending a wave of sand over Aqua. Aqua raised her arm over her face to shield her eyes from the sand and snuck a glance at the shifting sand. The rapidly moving object slammed into a sunken building, causing it to shatter into pieces. The creature under the sand turned and shot towards Aqua. Aqua raised her keyblade, preparing to cast a spell when the creature leapt out of the sand. Aqua felt her jaw drop as she saw the monster.
It was a huge creature made of multiple mechanical gears that spun rapidly. It had two giant pincers by its head, wide open and ready to crush something in half. It had the Heartless emblem embedded right between its yellow eyes. It gave off a high-pitched mechanical screech as it shot over Aqua before slamming back down on the sand and sinking under as large waves rose up before crashing back down, sand flying everywhere. Aqua whirled and watched it vanish under the sand, which rippled for a moment before going still. Aqua, "Oh boy…"
Aqua looked around wildly for any sign of where the massive Heartless had swam off to. Sand burst from behind a building and burst in waves as the Heartless shot towards Aqua, the head rising, pincers gnashing. Aqua crouched and jumped over it, pointing her keyblade down at its back. Bolts of lightning shot from her keyblades tip and struck its back. The Heartless sunk back under the sand, streaks of lightning coursing over its gear body as it vanished from sight. Aqua landed back on the sand, skidding slightly but righting herself quickly. More sand burst from afar and the Heartless made another charge for Aqua. Aqua leapt back, swinging her keyblade and then pointing it at the massive head of the Heartless. Multiple shards of light fired from her keyblade and struck it right in the face. The Heartless shook its head and dived back under the sand before it reached Aqua. Aqua found her initial panic fading. This Heartless may have been big and dangerous looking but it followed an extremely repetitive attack pattern cutting the danger around it in half-
The Heartless leapt over a sunken building and Aqua prepared to blast it with more magic as it slammed back down into the sand-
But it didn't. Its whole body went ridged, snapping up straight and floating in midair. Aqua's eyes widened as a large whirlwind formed around the gear body of the Heartless. The creature's huge head craned down to look at Aqua, giant pincers snapping. Aqua stared in dull wonder and muttered, "What next?"
She regretted saying that instantly.
Blue shards of energy gathered around the Heartless's maw, its pincers spreading wide open. The energy gathered into a huge violet orb before a massive beam of energy shot at Aqua. Aqua recovered from her shock and thrust her arms up, summoning her Reflect Barrier. The beam collided with her barrier and pushed Aqua back. Aqua dug her heels into the sand, finding little purchase but her barrier held. The beam diminished and faded quickly. Aqua lowered her barrier, panting from the effort of maintaining her barrier against that beam. Aqua raised her keyblade and more shards of light shot out. To Aqua's dismay, the shards bounced off harmlessly when they collided against the whirlwind surrounding the Heartless's massive gear body. Aqua stood ready, wondering what to do next. Unfortunately, the Heartless made the first move. The wind around its body picked up and sucked up debris from the buildings it had shattered while swimming under the sand. The chunks of rubble spun around inside its whirlwind before shooting down at Aqua. Aqua cart wheeled, dodging the rubble as they slammed into the sand, making it fly everywhere. Aqua slid down a dune, crouched with her keyblade held reversed against her elbow. The Heartless followed her slowly, the whirlwind throwing more rubble at her. Aqua back flipped to dodge a large piece of stone but in doing so left herself open to two smaller but still lethal chunks of rock. Aqua summoned her barrier to deflect the debris, the rocks bouncing off her Reflect shield. Before Aqua could think of her next move, the two rocks flew back into the whirlwind, traveling up and slamming into the Heartless's head.
The massive monster wobbled in the air before falling straight down, nailing through the sand with only its head and pincers sticking up. The Heartless's yellow yes were partially closed and its mouth opening and closing slowly. Seeing her chance, Aqua jumped into the air, keyblade held down and impaled the Heartless right between its eyes, shattering the emblem into black and red shards. The Heartless screeched and lunged out of the sand, knocking Aqua off of its head. Aqua shot up quickly, keyblade at the ready. But as she watched the Heartless wobble in the air and groan in pain, she lowered it. Aqua watched the Heartless fall back into the sand, sliding and sending the grains flying for a few moments. Then, it came to a stop, the spinning gears that made up its body slowly coming to a stop and its pincer's shutting, eyes losing their glow. The Heartless's body glowed and began to fade into black smoke and pink light, a huge pink heart radiating red light floated up into the sky and then vanished into the few clouds. Aqua panted lowly as she wiped sweat off her brow and out of her eyes. Her blue hair clung to her forehead and the back of her head. The battle had been bad enough but this heat was zapping her strength as well.
Lowering her keyblade, she approached the spot where Jasmine, Abu and Aladdin were trapped when she stopped. She wasn't sure if it was because of the adrenaline lingering from the battle but she could swear there was something still watching her. Aqua turned her head slowly while tightening her grip on her keyblade when-
A geyser of water shot at her and Aqua cart wheeled to dodge the attack, the water splashing into a sunken building and leaving one wall completely soaked. Aqua looked at the ground and saw a trail of muddy sand. She followed it back to its source, spotting a tall cliff side.
And seeing a cloaked figure standing atop it.
Aqua rose up, left hand clenching into a fist while her right tightened its grip on her keyblade. The cloaked figure had his arms across his chest and seemed to look at her in annoyance. He leapt from the cliff top and onto the sandy ground, stumbling slightly but then righting himself. He walked over towards Aqua who noted with disdain he was wearing the exact same cloak as those other three had been. This one had his hood up though and she couldn't see his face.
He stopped approaching when he was halfway from Aqua. He shook his head and groaned lowly. "First I gotta deal with this desert and its funky weather and now you go and destroy my Heartless? You were supposed to lose to it!"
Aqua cocked a blue brow. Supposed to lose? Jeez, what a whiner, she thought.
The cloaked figure sighed and rubbed his brow. He lowered his hand and with it his cloak's hood. Aqua saw it was a young man, maybe around her own age or more likely a little older. His blonde hair was styled into a mullet and Aqua fought the urge to laugh at the ridiculous sight. His eyes were a greenish blue of deep water and his look was one of annoyed disdain and slight fear. He was definitely a change from the arrogant red haired assassin.
He looked Aqua up and down before whistling. "Man, you are hot!"
Aqua felt her already flushed cheeks get hotter, her face almost completely red now. "W-what?" She sputtered. The blonde man laughed. "You're even cuter when you stutter!"
Aqua growled and put her free hand on her hip. Aqua, "What is with you weirdoes in the cloaks? One moment you want to capture me the next one of you is flirting with me!"
The man shrugged and grinned. "What can I say? I appreciate the Superior's taste in women." Aqua tensed. Superior? She wondered. Aqua decided to take a chance and asked, "What does this 'Superior' want with me?"
The man shrugged again. "Don't know and I can't say I really care." His goofy grin suddenly became a dangerous smirk. "So let me tell you how this is going to happen: We're going to fight. You're going to lose and I'm taking you back to my boss and then it's vacation time for me."
Aqua glared heatedly at this arrogant jerk. He had hid behind that Heartless and taken hostages and now he was boasting about how he was going to beat her and the battle hadn't even started? Aqua pointed her keyblade at him and said, "Well you got one part right. We will fight but I'm going to win."
The man scowled and then chuckled. "We'll see." The water in the puddle suddenly rose around him and he thrust his hand up into the air, the palm laying flat. Instantly, the water surged and streamed up to his hand, combining into a small sphere that stretched out, shaping into a…guitar? No, a sitar!
The man twirled his extremely odd weapon of choice so it lay on the sand and his hand held the handle. He pointed at Aqua with his free hand and grinned cockily as he declared, "Axel may have lost but you're dancing with Demyx now!"
Aqua raised her keyblade, ignoring her discomfort from the heat and exhaustion as Demyx strummed his instruments strings and shouted, "DANCE WATER DANCE!"
Aqua blinked in confusion as water burst around him and divided into several streams, shaping themselves into forms that vaguely resembled musical notes and Demyx. The water creatures charged at Aqua, who crouched and dodged one before slashing her keyblade through it, causing the water to fall apart and splash onto the sand. Aqua shot into group of Water Clones all the while slashing her keyblade. They fell apart into puddles but for everyone she took down another would slam into her. She was soaking wet within moments, which was a small comfort considering when those things slammed into her they hurt like you wouldn't believe. Aqua cart wheeled to dodge two more clones as the came at her from right and left causing the two to slam into each other and explode. Aqua saw no more Clones were left and looked around for Demyx. Suddenly, torrents of water burst from under her as Demyx hit a fast riff on his instrument and rode the waves over Aqua. The blue haired girl was knocked back, sputtering and spitting water and sand out of her mouth. Demyx landed on the side of the ruins and his fingers strummed more chords, Demyx cackling, "Like that?" and multiple water balls formed above his head before propelling themselves at Aqua. Aqua summoned her barrier and deflected them. Lowering her barrier, she thrust her arm up and streaks of lightning shot down striking Demyx. The sitar player yelped, "Yow!" before stumbling back. Aqua charged over, keyblade pulled back but Demyx swung his sitar out, deflecting her attack and allowing him to jump over her. Aqua growled in frustration and swung her keyblade. Instantly, all the water puddles around the ruins froze over and glaciers erupted from them. Demyx's wave froze as he was halfway across the ruins and exploded. He fell screaming in fear and pain as the shards lanced into him.
He hit the sand, bouncing a little. Aqua charged over to him, swinging her keyblade and striking him hard across the chest. She landed a three hit combo before jumping back and charging into him with a powerful spinning slash. Demyx yelped again, "Yow!" He flew back, stumbling across the sand and clutching his chest with his free hand while blood dripped down his jaw. He wiped the blood away with the back of his glove and glared at Aqua. Demyx, "Alright. Now you've gone and ticked me off!" Aqua felt a stab of fear. Gone was the playfulness in his voice and it was replaced by a flat, seriousness. He strummed his sitar fast and furiously, causing three geysers to erupt around himself and knock Aqua back and for the frozen puddles to shatter, more Water Clones charging at Aqua. Only this time there was at least twice as many as before! Aqua blocked their charge and swung her keyblade widely at them, hacking a couple in two and causing them to splash onto the sand, which was quickly starting to become mud. Aqua tripped as her feet started to sink a little and wildly swung her keyblade out, cutting a few more clones down but also allowing the others to charge at her, slamming into her. Aqua tried to regain her footing but the Clones overwhelmed her, slamming onto her and crowding over her, blocking her from sight and muffling her cries of pain. Demyx sneered and strummed more chords on his sitar. Demyx, "Don't like the beat?" He mocked before hitting a fast riff. "Let's see you dance to this!"
All the Water Clones around Aqua exploded and the poor girl screamed in pain. Demyx smirked as the water rained down, briefly obscuring his view of her. No one could stay conscious after a hit like that, he told himself. "Time to get her and get out," He muttered to himself. He started walking over to her, sighing in relief as the cold water chilled his burning skin. He approached the large crater of mud where Aqua was and reached out to grab her-
The falling water suddenly moved towards Demyx and combined into multiple orbs of water that slammed into him, knocking him back with a yelp of shock. Demyx, "What the-"
The falling water slammed into Demyx and gathered around Aqua, forming a huge sphere around her. Demyx's eyes widened in shock. Aqua smirked and said, "Dance for me."
Spheres of water shot off of Aqua's protective sphere and slammed into Demyx. The sitar player stumbled back, barely holding onto his instrument as he coughed and sputtered. "No fair!" He yelled as more water balls the size of bowling balls slammed into him. "Nobody said you could control water!" Aqua rolled her eyes and smirked. "My name means 'water' you idiot."
Demyx could only cough and choke as more water slammed into him, knocking him back and a few slammed into him so hard he was briefly propelled into the air. Aqua took her chance and thrust her keyblade out. All the water in the area surged and slammed into Demyx with the force of a tidal wave. The whining sitar player screamed in agony as he was propelled all the way across the ruins and came to a stop when he slammed into one of the sinking buildings, only for it to collapse and for Demyx to keep flying all the way into an eroded wall. Demyx hit the wall so hard large stones dislodged, falling into the sand below. Demyx's hands went limp and his sitar fell into the sand, disintegrating into water right as Demyx's eyes closed and he fell face first into the muddy sand below, unconscious. Aqua watched him for a moment, panting slightly, water and sweat dripping down her locks and onto her face. When she was sure he was really unconscious, she allowed herself a sigh of relief and lowered her keyblade, wiping her brow again. "Better ways to cool off but I'll take it," Aqua begrudgingly muttered.
Turning away from Demyx's fallen form, Aqua raced over to where Jasmine, Aladdin and Abu were still trapped. As she approached, Aqua indicated for Jasmine to step back. As soon as the princess had backed up, Aqua raised her keyblade and flipped it in her grip, holding it backwards. Tightening her hold and summoning all her strength, Aqua slammed the tip onto the barrier, piercing it. As soon as the cracks appeared, they spread across the entire barrier and exploded into harmless magical shards that vanished in an instant. Aqua walked over to Jasmine and Aladdin and asked, "You ok?"
Jasmine nodded and said, "I'm fine, but Aladdin…" She indicated the injured man lying down against the wall and Aqua could see several dark bruises and even a few smudges of blood. Abu held onto Aladdin's vest and looked up at Aqua, squeaking in worry. Aqua held up her keyblade and said, "Step back." Jasmine picked up Abu and did as told. Aqua closed her eyes and focused her magic through her keyblade. A green aura covered Aladdin for a split second and his injuries faded away. He groaned, shifting his arm to raise his hand over his forehead, eyes squinted shut. Aladdin, "Ow…What hit me?"
Aqua smiled and replied, "I'd guess a really big Heartless." Aladdin looked up at her in confusion before muttering, "You're that girl…I found in the desert." He noticed she was holding a weapon and his eyes widened when he saw what it was. "A…keyblade? Like Sora?"
Aqua blinked. Aqua, "Sora? Who's Sora?" Aladdin rose up, stumbling slightly but Aqua and Jasmine caught him, helping him up. Jasmine looked at Aqua and said, "We'll explain back at the palace." Aqua nodded, turning her head slightly to look away from the two. Jasmine frowned in concern and as they all stepped out from under the arch she asked, "Aqua? What's wrong?"
Aqua sighed and dispelled her keyblade, rubbing the back of her head with her now free hand. Aqua looked at Aladdin and Jasmine and said, "I'm sorry for all this. It's my fault."
Aladdin blinked and looked at Aqua in confusion. Aladdin, "How so?" Aqua sighed and looked away in shame. Aqua, "If I hadn't come here, you wouldn't have been attacked Aladdin. The reason that Heartless went after you was because of me."
As Aqua finished saying that, she could already feel Aladdin and Jasmine's anger. But what Aladdin said next caught her completely off guard. Aladdin, "Maybe. But if you hadn't been here, something tells me that me and Jasmine would be in serious trouble right now."
Aqua looked at the two in shock, stuttering, "W-what?" Jasmine smiled kindly at Aqua while Abu hopped onto Aladdin's shoulder. Jasmine, "Aqua, even if what you said was true, I and Aladdin still owe you our thanks. We would be in danger if you weren't here right now."
Aqua smiled, her cheeks heating up a little. Aqua, "You…really think that?" They both nodded, still smiling. Jasmine stepped towards her and said, "Now let's head back to the palace and we'll-Oh!"
Jasmine gasped, her whole body giving off a flash of light. Aqua and Aladdin gasped, Aladdin crying in surprise, "Jasmine?"
Aqua stepped forward but gasped when a similar light flashed from her star charm and then a circle of light appeared around Jasmine, whose eyes closed as she began to glow with pure white light. There was a bright flash and Aqua found her eyes widening again as the Star Fragment appeared between herself and Jasmine. The Fragment had a circle of light around itself before there was another great flash from itself and Jasmine.
Abu screeched and scampered inside Aladdin's vest while Aladdin shielded his eyes and grunted. As the light faded, Aladdin managed to open his eyes and he gasped. Jasmine lay in the sand, eyes closed.
And Aqua was gone.
Aladdin stepped over and picked up Jasmine easily, cradling her against his chest while he surveyed the ruins for any sign of Aqua. Abu peeked out from inside his vest and squeaked curiously. Aladdin shook his head in a lost. Aladdin, "I really don't know Abu." He looked at Jasmine and said, "Come on. There's nothing we can for her and we shouldn't stay out in this heat." He looked around the ruins one last time before turning and heading for the exit pass.
Unknown to him, water green eyes had watched the entire spectacle from afar as Demyx hid behind a sunken building. He had the same look of awe as Aladdin had. He bowed his head and whispered, "So that's how she did it…" He grinned and faced the wall, raising his hand. A Corridor of Darkness appeared and Demyx ran through. He may not have captured her, but he still had something to bargain with in case the Superior or Saix got on his case. The Corridor faded and the ruins lay empty once more.