And I'm back!
As of Sunday, my computer has been officialy repaired and my and my Beta were finally able to go through the chapters I had prepared to release two weeks ago. About time.
Thanks go out to janus-juan, Ragnarok warrior, Linkandzel, Shire Folk, LordSilegna, Xtrepe Nobody, and knarf2010 for reviewing last time.
Once again, I present a three-chapter update!
Disclaimer: Despite my best efforts, I do not own Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy, Black Cat or any music I may or may not choose to use. I do however own my original characters, my plot, my ideas and this bottle of Dr. Pepper I just finished drinking.
Enjoy!
EDIT: Dates have officially been added to clear up potential confusion and keep the timeline in order without any discrepancies.
Chapter Nine: Back in the Garden
Wednesday, June 2nd 4794 P.C.
"Jenos!" Sora shouted as he began to angle the Kingdom away from the other two Gummi ships. "I need you to reroute all power not being used to boost shield energy!" Jenos ran over to a control panel covered in a multitude of various switches and readouts. A flash of gold enveloped the Kingdom for a brief second as the shields received the energy boost.
"Do you really think a ship like yours can outrun a Rapier Class Gummi Fighter?" the first female voice asked over the COMM. "Seriously? Just surrender and accept your death. It's a lot easier than attempting to flee." The two Rapiers dove from above the Kingdom and shot straight for them. The Kingdom's shields flashed gold as each of the fighters unleashed a volley of shots from a pair of small Thundaga turrets set into the nose of each Rapier.
"Shields down to seventy-four percent power!" Jenos shouted, staring at one of the readouts. "Two more hits like that and we're dead in the water!"
"But we're in space," Roxas commented. "Not the ocean." Jenos shot him a glare.
"It's figure of speech!" he snapped at the Nobody. Roxas held up his hands in an I surrender sort of way.
"Stop shooting at us!" Sora shouted into a microphone. "We're with the Radiant Garden Restoration Committee!" Seven missiles streaked towards the Kingdom. Sora jerked the steering wheel to the right, throwing the ship into a barrel roll. Jenos let out a cry of shock as he was hurled across the cockpit. The missiles barely missed the Kingdom and collided with each other a split second after Sora righted the ship. A massive orange fireball lit up the space near the Kingdom.
"We haven't done anything wrong!" Kairi shouted into her headset as Sora accelerated to avoid another volley of cannon fire. "Why do you want to kill us?"
"Protocol," the first female pilot said. "Any ship without proper clearance and is not a Civilian Cruiser or escorting a Civilian Cruiser is to be shot down. You're flying a Kingdom-Class Fighter so you aren't refugees and you obviously aren't a Civilian Cruiser or escorting one. Need I go on?"
"I told you," Sora growled into his headset. "We're with the Radiant Garden Restoration Committee! You can ask any of the Restoration Committee! They'll tell you it's true!"
"Your lies won't spare you," the second female pilot said. "Now hold still so we have a clear shot at you." Sora groaned in response. "Have it your way then." She said. Then another voice, male this time crackled onto the COMM.
"Rapier Fourteen, Rapier Fifteen. Cease your assault immediately. Please confirm."
"What?" One of the female pilots shouted. "But, sir!"
"Please confirm, Fifteen." The male voice barked. The other female pilot, whom Sora assumed was Rapier Fourteen, sighed heavily.
"Acknowledged, Command," she said. "Breaking off pursuit. I hope you know what you're doing."
"Of course I know what I'm doing!" a new voice said. "So quit your belly-achin'!" Sora grinned. He'd recognize that gruff voice anywhere. "Howdy, Sora! How've you been since you last decided to stop by?"
"I've been doing great, Cid," Sora said. "Thanks for calling off those fighters. You had us worried there for a moment." Sora and the others could hear Cid chuckle softly on the other end.
"Don't you mention it," he said. "Tell you what, I'll come meet you down in Hangar Forty-two. How's that sound? Then you can tell me all about what you've been up to since you took off last." Sora stared out the window as Radiant Garden grew larger, completely dominating the view on the bridge.
"Um, sure," Sora said hesitantly. "But I have one quick question for you, Cid."
"Fire away, kiddo."
"Where's Hangar Forty-two? Because the last time I was here there were no Hangars or anything like that." There was an audible slap on the other end of the COMM. Sora figured Cid had just smacked himself in the face.
"That's right!" he exclaimed, I completely forgot that you weren't here when the Gummi Station was finally finished! Just a moment, Sora." On the other end of the COMM they could hear Cid clearing his throat loudly. "Rapier Fourteen, do you copy?"
"Loud and clear, Command," the first female pilot said in response.
"Rapier Fourteen, I need you to escort that ship you blew to Kingdom Come a couple of minutes ago to Hangar Forty-two." Cid said.
"Roger that, Command," the female pilot said. "Rapier Fourteen out." One of the yellow Rapier fighters flew up next to the Kingdom. "Just follow me." Sora did as he was told and followed the fighter as it slowly changed its path so they were headed straight for the world.
"Oh, my head," Jenos said, as he pulled himself up, using the couch for support. "Are we dead yet?" Roxas looked over at him.
"Nope, we're still alive," the Nobody said with a grin. Jenos sighed in relief.
"Thank God," he said as he slumped onto the couch.
"Entering the atmosphere," Sora said. "You better hang on to something, Jenos; it's about to get pretty bumpy." Jenos let out a snort of laughter.
"I'm one of the Chronos Numbers, Sora. I highly doubt a little turbulence is going to be able to do anything to me." As if on cue the Kingdom shook violently as it pierced through Radiant Garden's atmosphere. Jenos was thrown from couch into the ceiling and back down where he landed face first on the floor. Kairi, Naminé and Roxas all laughed as he fell. Sora grinned.
"I warned you," he said with a small laugh. Jenos let out a low groan and muttered a curse under his breath. For a minute, they couldn't see anything out of the cockpit except bright orange and red. Then the view cleared, revealing an ocean. That spread endlessly in one direction. Dark purple and blue mountains, valleys and plains bordered the sea. Clearly visible at the top of a plateau was the city for which the world was named, Radiant Garden. Sora noticed they weren't headed for the city though.
"Um, where exactly is the Gummi Station?" Sora said, speaking into the microphone.
"Not too far from the city," their escort replied. "The Radiant Garden Restoration Committee had it built into the side of Mt. Kathleines, which is basically a hollowed out dead volcano." Sora glanced around at the mountain sides nearby the city. Sure enough, he could see the tiny, multi-colored dots of Gummi Ships entering and leaving a mountainside.
"We've gotten heavy traffic this week," the escort continued. "Ever since Traverse Town was lost to the Darkness, we've been receiving all of the inter-world traffic. So proceed with caution as we get closer to the Station." Sora gasped in surprise.
"Traverse Town was taken?" he said, deeply shocked.
"Unfortunately. Be careful. A squadron of Broadsword Class Fighter Gummi ships is about to take off from the nearest hangar to escort a civilian transport." Sora and the others watched as the Station grew nearer.
Gummi ships of all shapes, sizes and colors were flying around. Several single pilot fighter ships were running flying drills over the mountain's peak. A section of the mountain opened up and a group of five fighters, each one shaped like an arrow, but with large wings armed with missiles and four Thundaga cannons, blasted out of a concealed hangar, and immediately made a ninety degree vertical turn up and shot off into the atmosphere.
"Hangar Forty-two opening now," their escort said as they neared the mountain side. A pair of massive bay doors decorated with at large Forty-two opened before them slowly, revealing a hangar that could fit the Kingdom at least four times over.
"Hey Naminé," Sora said as he navigated them towards the hangar. "Could you be a pal and hit that bright orange switch on you left there and lower our landing gear?" Naminé complied and hit the switch for Sora. The words Landing Gear Lowered appeared on a small screen in front of the blonde.
"Okay, you're all set for landing," Naminé said, rotating her seat to look at Sora. Sora gave her the thumbs up.
"Thanks Naminé," he said. The Kingdom slowed down as it entered the Hangar. Sora gently set the ship down on its four legs with a loud hiss from the suspension. Sora locked the steering wheel in place and powered down the engines. He and the others all unbuckled themselves and made their way off of the ship. Sora lowered the ramp for them as they walked down the hallway to the exit. Waiting for them at the bottom of the ramp was a woman dressed in a long pink and white dress with long, braided brown hair, bangs framing her face and emerald green eyes.
"Hello everyone," she said as they all walked down the ramp.
"Hey Aerith," Sora said cheerily. "How've things been going since I left?" Aerith smiled at him.
"They've been going great, as you can see," she gestured around at the hangar. "But they've also been incredibly busy. Our population has skyrocketed ever since you last left, Sora. Now, instead of only having a couple hundred citizens, we have at least thirty thousand people living here." Sora, Kairi and Naminé all gaped at Aerith in shock.
"Are you serious?" Naminé asked in surprise. Aerith nodded.
"I am quite serious," she replied. She looked down at Naminé quizzically."I don't believe you and I have met. I'm Aerith." Aerith held out her hand towards Naminé. Naminé took it with a smile.
"Nice to meet you Aerith," she said. "I'm Naminé, Kairi's former Nobody." Aerith raised her eyebrows at this.
"What do you mean by 'former Nobody'?" she asked.
"Basically, I used to be a Nobody with my own body. Then I rejoined with Kairi and lost my body so I lived inside her head for a few weeks. Then when Sora took his Mark of Mastery Exam to become a Keyblade Master, I was looking into the memories of a Chaser and I accidentally accessed his power. That power created me a body and heart and now I'm no longer a Nobody," Naminé explained quickly without taking a breath until she finished. Aerith looked over at Sora in confusion.
"That's about as much sense as anyone can get out of that," Sora said with a laugh. He glanced around the mostly empty hangar. "Hey, where's Cid? I thought he said on the COMM that he was going to meet us here."
"I'm right here; don't get your panties in a bunch!" Cid said walking through a large door that opened on the wall, leading deeper into the mountain. "Long time no-see, eh Sora?" he said as he approached. He was dressed in a pair of blue jeans and a plain white t-shirt. A pair of pilot's goggles rested on top of his spiky blonde hair. He walked up to Sora, pulled him into a headlock and proceeded to give him a noogie. Sora managed to escape the older man's grasp.
"Good to see you, Cid," Sora said. He tenderly massaged the top of his head. "I'm sure you remember Kairi?" Sora gestured at his auburn-haired girlfriend who waved at Cid. Cid nodded.
"Of course I remember her!" he said, smiling back at her. "I'm not that old!" Everyone laughed at that.
"And this is Naminé, Kairi's former Nobody. And that guy over there in the suit is Jenos," Sora said, introducing the other two. Cid glanced at Jenos.
"Already met him," he said gruffly before turning to Naminé. "And how exactly can you be a former Nobody, little miss?" Naminé gave him the same explanation she had given Aerith. Cid's brow furrowed in confusion after Naminé finished giving her explanation. "Um, care to repeat that?" Sora, Kairi and Naminé all let out a brief laugh.
"I promise it'll make more sense once we've had time to catch up," Sora explained. Cid nodded.
"You're probably right," he said. He turned on his heel and headed for the doorway, waving for everyone to follow as he did so. "If that's the case, let's go meet up with the others so you can explain it to all of us." Everyone followed Cid out of the hangar and into a long, steel hallway. Sora glanced behind them and saw the bay doors to the outside close, effectively protecting the Kingdom from anything flying around on the outside.
The group followed Cid down the long hallway for several minutes before they reached a large circular room with a domed ceiling. There were several hundred people milling about in the room, most of who were standing in lines. There was a single line marked "Departures" that nobody was waiting in. Sora glanced around. There were at least a dozen lines, all marked "To Radiant Garden". Each line led to a row of at least half a dozen pods similar to the ones in the Kingdom's Warp Room. Flashes of white light cast strange shadows around the room.
"How exactly are we getting to the city?" Sora asked Cid. He had to raise his voice to be head over the din that was being made by almost all of the other people in the room. They had to sidestep a harassed looking woman leading a group of four screaming children.
"We're going to be using a modified version of the Warp System," Cid said loudly. "Basically, instead of warping from orbit to the world, we'll be warping from here to the city. Keep close so we don't lose each other in the crowds." They continued to weave their way through the crowd. They finally found themselves on the opposite side of the room, standing in front of a door labeled Radiant Garden Restoration Committee Members Only. Cid pulled out a small key card and swiped it through a scanner that was attached to the side of the door.
The door swung open, revealing a small room lined with ten warp pods. The group slowly filed in with Cid closing the door behind Jenos.
"Alright, everyone get in a pod," Cid said as he began typing something in on a small computer set into one of the walls. They all did as they were told. One by one they climbed into the pods and closed the doors, sealing themselves in. Cid finished typing and hoisted himself into one of the remaining pods. A large red crystal lowered itself from the ceiling. As Cid closed the door of his pod, the crystal flashed blue for a fraction of a second. Each pod was flooded with white light for a moment.
LD
The great wizard, Merlin, dressed in his usual attire of a long blue robe and matching pointed hat, sat in his home sipping a cup of tea. He let out a small sigh of content. Ever since the Radiant Garden Restoration Committee had set up their headquarters at his house, he had rarely had a day of quiet.
And those days were even harder to come by now that the population of the city was growing at an exponential rate, what with the constant babble from the marketplace a few blocks away and the never ending construction work that had to be done so homes could be built for all of the newcomers so no one would be homeless. Merlin glanced up at the clock on the wall. Just a little past two.
"Sora and Princess Kairi should arrive on this world any minute now, Archimedes," the old wizard said as he took another sip of his tea. He looked up at the bird house that hung above the book covered dais in the center of the living room. No response.
"Lazy bird," Merlin muttered.
"I heard that!" Archimedes the owl said, poking his head out of the small opening in the front of his house. "And I am not lazy! I'm sleepy. There is a difference." The owl withdrew his head. Merlin snorted.
"It's past two!" Merlin retorted. "That makes you lazy!"
"Need I remind you that I am a nocturnal animal?" Archimedes said, not even bothering to stick his head out. "That means I'm up at night and asleep during the day!"
"You're just using that as an excuse!" Merlin said as he finished off the last of his tea. He set the cup back down on its saucer as the house began to shake slightly. Merlin glanced up at the clock.
"Hmm, they're earlier than expected," he said. He conjured up a door onto the wall and opened it, revealing a staircase that led to a basement. As he headed down the basement, flames magically flickered to life in small notches carved into the wall. He opened a door at the bottom of the stairs, revealing a room filled with ten man-sized pods and a large red crystal. There was a pile of about six people tangled up together in the middle of the room.
"Oh my," Merlin said as the group began to untangle themselves from one another. "This is why I prefer magical travel to using technology to teleport." Cid groaned as he pulled himself to his feet.
"You prefer magic to virtually everything, you old coot!" he said, slowly making his way to the stairs. "Even doing laundry!" Merlin huffed and glared at him.
"That's because magic doesn't have nearly as many problems as your technology!" he followed Cid back upstairs, arguing the entire way about why technology was superior to magic and vice-versa.
Sora helped Kairi to her feet as Jenos offered a hand to both Aerith and Naminé. Naminé refused and pushed herself to her feet. Aerith accepted and allowed Jenos to help her up. Jenos kissed the back of her hand gently before heading up the stairs himself. Naminé and Aerith followed suit with Sora and Kairi bringing up the rear.
They emerged from the staircase into Merlin's now cramped living room. Aside from the fact that hundreds of books covered most available surfaces, there were now seven people crammed into a room that was probably designed for about twelve or so people, with the books taking up the space designed for most of the twelve, leaving not a lot of room to move around.
Cid was now sitting in front of a large computer that was sitting in one corner of the room, rapidly typing out a long line of zeros and ones. Sora and Kairi leapt back in surprise as a cup of warm tea floated in front of each of them.
"Tea?" Merlin offered, taking a sip from his own cup. Sora and Kairi nodded graciously and grabbed their cups from midair. Sora stared at his hesitantly. He wasn't sure if he should trust tea that could float on its own. Kairi however, didn't have a problem with it and quickly took a sip. She paused for a moment as she tasted it. Something seemed off.
"Could I get some cream and sugar please?" she asked Merlin. The wizard nodded and waved his hand. Kairi's cup floated from her hand and landed on the table. "One scoop or two?"
"Two please," Kairi answered. Merlin clapped his hands together once.
"You heard the princess," he said. "Cream and sugar please!" Kairi blushed a little at being called 'princess'. She figured a lot of people might.
That'll take some getting used to. She thought. She watched as the cream jar poured the perfect amount of cream into her cup. The sugar bowl hobbled over to the cup, lifted off its own lid and began scooping copious amounts of sugar into the tea. Kairi stared as the sugar bowl dumped at least ten scoops of sugar into the tea, making it more sugar than tea.
"Uh," Kairi wasn't sure what to say. She pointed at the sugar cup. Merlin glared down at the sugar bowl.
"How many times have I told you?" Merlin barked, snatching the spoon from bowl. "One or two scoops only unless I tell you to do more, you stupid dish." The sugar bowl shook its fist/handle at Merlin and began to hop off. "Oh no you don't." The wizard snatched up the escaping dish. Another cup of tea with cream already added to it. Merlin took the lid off the bowl and added the two scoops of sugar Kairi requested to it. The cup floated over to Kairi.
"Um, thanks," she said hesitantly. She no longer trusted dishes that could move on their own.
Merlin's front door swung open and a man and young woman entered. The man was taller than everyone else. He had long brown hair and blue eyes. A scar ran across his face from above his right eye to down along his left cheek. He wore a white t-shirt underneath a black vest and a pair of matching black pants. The woman was at least a foot and a half shorter than the man. She had lavender colored eyes and short black hair. She wore a black combat jacket over a navy blue shirt decorated with a white floral design and black short-shorts. She had on a black head band and was carrying a massive shuriken her gloved left hand.
The woman cried out when she saw Sora and disappeared in puff of gray smoke. Kairi glanced confusedly at Sora, who had a similar expression on his face. The woman reappeared inches from Sora in another puff of smoke and immediately embraced him in a hug.
"Sora!" she exclaimed, crushing Sora to herself in a tight hug. Sora felt as if she was squeezing the life out of him. "It's so great to see you! How've you been, you knucklehead?"
"Yuffie," Sora gasped. "I can't breathe." Yuffie's eyes widened in shock. She released Sora immediately and took a step back. Sora gasped and inhaled deeply. "Did you have to squeeze so hard?" he asked her. Yuffie grinned.
"Of course," she said cheerily. "That's how I roll." She looked over at Kairi. "Damn girl, you grew up quick since we all met you in Traverse Town over a year and a half ago." Kairi smiled, but it faded quickly as the self proclaimed "Great Ninja" gave her a bone-crushing hug like she had given Sora.
"And you have a sense of fashion!" Yuffie commented as she released the now gasping Kairi. "I absolutely love how that pink mini-dress looks on you! It really compliments your breasts!" Kairi stopped gasping for air and looked over at Yuffie in mild surprise. Her face turned red in an instant as Yuffie continued to talk about them. "What size are they now? B? C? D? Nah, they're not big enough to be a D yet." The scarred man cleared his throat and strode further into the room.
"Good to see you again, Sora," he said, grasping Sora's hand in a firm handshake. Sora grinned.
"It's good to see you too, Leon." Leon gave Sora his usual half smile and turned to hold out his hand to Kairi. "It's been awhile since we've seen each other, Kairi." Kairi shook Leon's hand.
"It's great seeing you again, Leon," she said. Leon looked over at Naminé.
"I don't believe we've met," he said, extending his hand towards her. "My name's Leon." Naminé took his hand.
"I'm Naminé," she said with a smile. "Kairi's former Nobody." Merlin, Leon and Yuffie all stared at her for a brief moment before looking over at Sora in confusion. Sora let out a laugh.
"I guess it's catching up time, huh?" he said.
LD
"Well, that left more questions than I expected," Merlin said as Sora finished the retelling of everything that he had been through since his last visit to Radiant Garden. "Mostly because of this Xanthos fellow. I must remember to find him; I feel we have much to discuss." A pad of paper and a goose-feather quill tipped with bright blue ink floated next to him and began writing a memo for him. "And I need more sugar now as well." He glared down at the sugar bowl, which responded to Merlin's comment by placing itself behind a large vase.
"I'm more curious as to how Naminé's access of the Chaser's power created her a body," Cid said. "It just doesn't make sense to me." He shrugged it off and turned his attention back to the computer. Naminé shrugged.
"I guess it's something to look into eventually," she said. "I'm just glad that I've got my own body again." She lifted a cup of tea to her lips and took a sip. Leon and Yuffie exchanged a glance.
"Putting aside new questions that no one has answers for," Leon spoke up, "congratulations are in order." He clapped Sora on the shoulder. "Congratulations on passing your Exam, Master Sora." Sora grinned. He was really starting to enjoy being called 'Master Sora'. Leon squeezed his way through the crowded living room towards the door. "I'll see you guys later, I have to address the Senate in a half hour." Sora turned to Aerith as Leon left.
"Senate?" he asked. "I don't remember there being a government here the last few times I've been here." Aerith smiled at him.
"That's right," she said. "We didn't have a government the last time you were here. We didn't need one then though. We had a population of less than three hundred; now our population exceeds thirty-thousand. We needed a government set up. Most of these past few weeks have been all about electing a leader. As a matter of fact, Leon was elected Governor just a few days ago." She let out a small laugh. "He's still getting used to his new title."
"What sort of things do they discuss in a new government?" Naminé asked, genuinely curious. Aerith placed a hand to her chin.
"Well, Leon hasn't shared too much about what's been going on," she said slowly. "But from what he has told us, they're mostly working on setting up who has jurisdiction over what, how budgets will be handled, and setting up a police force." She paused for a moment, briefly counting off on her fingers. "Oh! And Scrooge McDuck has been talking to them about reaching out to other worlds and forming an alliance, mostly so he can get a jumpstart on the Gummi industry before anyone else gets the chance to." Aerith tilted her head slightly towards Cid, who was too absorbed in whatever he was doing on his computer to pay attention to them.
"I see," Naminé said taking another sip from her cup. "If you don't mind me asking, what sort of governmental system did Radiant Garden have before it fell to darkness?" Aerith smiled at her.
"I don't mind answering questions," she said. "As for the type of government we had here, we were ruled by Ansem the Wise, who became our ruler after our last king, Dranek, passed away.
"Ansem kept Dranek's way of ruling, but he refused to let himself be called 'King Ansem'." Aerith sighed. "Sadly enough, even though Leon is trying his best to run things the way Ansem did, several members of our new government would rather reinstate a monarch to the throne." At the word "monarch", most of the eyes in the room darted to glance at Kairi for a second before darting back to Aerith.
"Why would they want to go back to being in a monarchy?" Kairi asked, trying to distract herself from the fact that nearly everyone had just glanced at her. "Wouldn't they rather have a democracy where they can get a say in what happens rather than one person making all the decisions for them?" Aerith's smile faded.
"Actually," she said sadly, looking Kairi straight in the eye, "they want to bring a monarch into power who has no political experience, no knowledge of every law our monarchs are required to follow, and who is young and therefore malleable. Then they could 'advise' the monarch into passing laws that they want passed.
"They would be the real rulers of Radiant Garden. And as long as there is no one of royal blood that was born here on Radiant Garden soil, then they can't have the power they crave." Aerith took a drink from her own cup of tea before setting it down and giving a Kairi a look of grave seriousness. "And because Leon forgot to mention this to you while he was here, I'm going to warn you." Kairi swallowed. From what she knew of Aerith, she was normally a happy person and seeing the look she was now receiving from the older woman, she felt her stomach knot up in fearful anticipation.
"The people who want to make monarchy our primary form of government are willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen," Aerith said. "And they're doing all they can to find someone to take the throne. As it stands now, you would be a primary 'target' for them." Kairi was taken aback.
"Me?" she said. "That can't be true. I don't have any royal blood in my veins." She paused for a second and looked around at the adults nervously. "Do I?" Aerith glanced at Jenos, who cleared his throat.
"Chronos is currently looking into that," he said in a monotone voice as if he had been forced to memorize those exact words, "at the Restoration Committee's request, mostly to show our thanks for allowing us to take up residence here since the Apostles of the Star used the Heartless to destroy our world." Aerith looked back at Kairi.
"More than likely no one will have royal blood anymore," she said. Kairi breathed a sigh of relief. "Ansem the Wise was the last of the throne, had no heirs and no blood relatives. But all that means is that we have to go to extra lengths to make sure the Monarchist party doesn't learn that you're one of the Princesses of Heart." Kairi stared at her in confusion.
"Why though?" she asked. "If I have no royal blood, then I can't be made a queen or the Princess of Radiant Garden, can I?"
"If only that were the case," Aerith said. "But our constitution, which has been in place for over three hundred years clearly states that if the royal family all dies off and no one with royal blood can be found; then the next best candidate for royalty, who will be chosen by a select group of delegates, will take up the throne as the next monarch ruler of Radiant Garden. And with you being a Princess of Heart, Kairi," Aerith placed extra emphasis on the word, "then the Monarchist party will have no trouble getting you onto the throne and putting Leon out of office." Kairi gaped at her.
"And if I say no?" she said after thinking for a moment. Aerith's face darkened.
"Then they will attempt to convict you of treason against Radiant Garden and have you executed." Kairi, Naminé and Sora all let out gasps. "And that's why we have to keep the fact that you're a Princess of Heart secret from most of the people here." Aerith finished. She set down her empty cup and got to her feet. "I'm truly sorry that I had to be the one to tell you all of that. So please be careful whenever you're here." She bowed to them briefly and made her way out of the room.
"Oh, don't let all that crappy news get you guys down!" Yuffie said cheerily as Aerith closed the door behind her. "When fighting the forces of Darkness and Evil, you have to look at the bright things in life! For example;" she reached behind her head and mysteriously produced a stack of flyers and newspaper advertisements. "There is a huge three day sale going on in the market place and it starts today!" She tossed half of the stack onto Naminé's lap and dropped the other half into Kairi's hands. She grabbed the two girls by their wrists and starting dragging them along after her. "Alright you two, let's go shopping!"
"Um," Kairi said, looking back at Sora for help as Yuffie dragged her and Naminé from Merlin's house. "Won't we need munny to go shopping?" Yuffie let out a laugh.
"Well duh," she said, she released Kairi's wrist long enough to dangle a small bag that jingled in front of the auburn-haired teen's face before pocketing it and grabbing her wrist again. "Thirty thousand munny! Courtesy of Sora!"
Sora's amused expression he was wearing at the sight of Kairi and Naminé being dragged off by the self proclaimed "Great Ninja" vanished in an instant. He quickly plunged his hand into one of his enormous pockets and pulled out the small bag he kept his munny in. Sure enough, it felt like he was suddenly thirty thousand munny short.
"When did you take my munny?" Sora demanded, looking up at Yuffie. The ninja laughed at him.
"What part of 'Great Ninja Yuffie' have you never understood?" she teased him as she dragged Kairi and Naminé out the door, slamming it shut behind them. Sora and the three adults left stared at the door for a moment before shrugging. Jenos muttered something about going to see someone named Sephiria and stepped out. Cid went back to working on his computer and Merlin conjured up a copy of a newspaper called The New York Times and began perusing it.
Sora tilted his head from side to side, popping the vertebrae in his neck. He glanced down at the few dregs of tea he had left in his cup with a tiny bit of disappointment before setting it down on the table. He glanced around the room. No one else was paying him any attention.
"I'm just going to head out and take a look around town," he said. Merlin waved a hand at him from behind the Times. Cid let out a grunt, never once taking his attention off his computer. Sora shrugged and headed out the door.
LD
Two figures stood in the darkness of an alley near Merlin's house, watching as Sora walked out and began heading in the general direction of the Marketplace. One was wearing a black cloak identical to the ones Organization XIII used to wear. The shorter of the two simply wore a hooded black cape. Both of them kept their hoods pulled low concealing their faces from view.
"So, that's the Keyblade's Chosen One?" the shorter one, obviously female, asked. The taller one nodded.
"Yup, that's him," the taller one said coldly. The shorter chuckled.
"That scrawny little brat wouldn't last thirty seconds against me," she said. "Why would the Keyblade make him its Chosen One? I'm better than him."
"Calm yourself, young one. I trust you know what to do?" The taller one asked as a Portal of Darkness formed behind the pair. The shorter one nodded.
"Of course, Master Cynthia," she said with a small chuckle. Cynthia smiled.
"Don't forget Master Xehanort's orders," she warned the shorter one who nodded.
"I won't, Master," she said.
"You'd best fulfill Xehanort's orders as quickly as possible, my Apprentice. He needs you on the inside as soon as possible," Cynthia said as she back towards the portal, the metal on her cloak clinking softly as she moved. "Good luck."
"Thank you, my Master," the shorter woman said as Cynthia vanished into the portal. The apprentice turned to look at the disappearing Sora.
"Soon," she whispered. Faint wisps of darkness surrounded her, cloaking her in shadow. "Soon, Sora, Kingdom Hearts will be ours and you will be the tool that hands it over to us." She let out a small chuckle as she vanished from sight, leaving only a tiny bit of darkness floating in the air like a black mist.
LD
Sora couldn't help but stare around at the buildings as he strode through the streets of Radiant Garden. The last time he had been here, the buildings were all still being repaired and there weren't as many people crowding the streets. Sora slowly shuffled his way through the crowd, steadily making his way to the Marketplace.
Good lord. Roxas said from somewhere in the back of Sora's mind. There sure are a lot of people here. It kind of reminds me of Twilight Town during the summer.
Tell me about it. Sora said as he attempted to avoid being trampled by a group of loudly babbling teenage girls. I wonder just how much larger the city is now as compared to the last time I was here. Sora's question was answered a half hour later after he got lost trying to find the Marketplace. He found himself at least a mile or so away from Merlin's house and, as far as he could tell, was nowhere near the Marketplace.
"Holy crap," he said as he climbed a staircase and emerged onto a small observation deck lined with binoculars. Below the deck, he could see at least half of the city. The last time he had been here, the city must've been just over a mile and a half in diameter. Now Sora could see that the outer walls were several miles away from the castle in the city's center. The only large open spaces Sora could see were where homes were being built nearby a section of the city walls. The only city he had ever seen that was larger than Radiant Garden was Twilight Town.
"That's a pretty nice view," Roxas commented appearing in a flash of blue light next to him. "Not as nice as watching the sunset from the top of the clock tower at the train station in Twilight Town, but it's still pretty nice." Sora let out a chuckle and walked towards the railing. He checked the price of using the binoculars; a measly thirty-five munny. Sora grinned and slid the munny into the payment slot.
"What're you looking for?" Roxas asked as Sora placed the binoculars over his eyes and began scanning the city below.
"I'm looking for the Marketplace," Sora replied. "Things have changed so much since I was last here and now I'm hopelessly lost." Roxas nodded and wandered over to a small garden filled with red and gold flowers that was growing in the center of the observation deck. After a couple of minutes, Sora spotted a rather large square that was packed with people that seemed to be carrying shopping bags. He quickly mapped a path through Radiant Garden's streets to where he thought the Marketplace was.
"Found it!" Sora exclaimed as he pulled away from the binoculars. "Come on, Roxas!" The Nobody grinned and vanished in a flash of blue light. Sora headed off in the direction of the Marketplace.
Two hours and thirty-seven wrong turns later, Sora finally arrived in the Marketplace. Sora's mouth opened a little in surprise as he looked around. Instead of being the tiny square with a handful of shops and the occasional shopper that he had been used to, the Marketplace was a large square now; bustling with dozens of shops, street vendor stalls, and cafés.
People of all ages filled the square, laden with shopping bags. Small children clung to their mothers and fathers. Seniors walked around the square, simply enjoying the sunshine and the cheery atmosphere. Sora was surprised to see that most of the people in the square were in their teens and early to mid-twenties. Sora couldn't help but think he would be able to appreciate the growth of the Marketplace more if Roxas hadn't been singing non-stop in the back of his head.
I'm here without you, baby,
But you're still on my lonely mind.
I think about you, baby,
And I dream about you all the time.
I'm here without you, baby,
But you're still with me in my dreams.
And tonight, it's only you and-
Seriously dude, you've done nothing but sing 3 Doors Down for the last forty-five minutes. Sora groaned mentally as he headed into the crowd. Could you sing something else or please stop?
Got a problem with 3 Doors Down there buddy?
No, it's just that I like a little variety in the songs. You know, as in not the same song or artist two songs in a row?
Ah, I see. I'll just stop for now. Besides, my throat hurts.
You're throat can hurt?
Bite me. Any particular reason why you wanted to come to the Marketplace? Roxas asked as Sora worked his way through the crowded towards a row of street vendor carts. Sora glanced each vendor's wares before making his way towards one displaying a wide variety of jewelry. Shopping for a certain auburn-haired princess are we?
Of course. Sora said with a small smile as he approached the cart. Kairi's birthday is just a few weeks away. I need to get her something now in case I don't have time later while we're going from world to world. Don't change the subject.
Ah, I see. Hmm… Sora raised his eyebrows slightly as his Nobody fell silent for a moment. Since Naminé and Kairi are technically the same person, does that mean Naminé's birthday is the same as Kairi's? Sora smiled at the vendor, a kind looking old woman dressed in bright red robe. The old woman smiled back.
Sounds like a question for the two of them, not me.
"Hello my dear boy," the woman said warmly as Sora began looking around at the wares. "Looking for something for a special someone of yours?" Sora grinned.
"Yup," he said. He craned his head to examine the necklaces the old woman had displayed. "It's gonna be her birthday in a few weeks and this might be my only chance to shop for her. So I want to get her something perfect." The old woman smiled softly.
"Ah, young love," she said. "Such a wonderful blessing in dark times. I take it she's beautiful?" Sora couldn't help but grin.
"She's the most beautiful girl in all of the worlds," he said. "She has the most wonderful personality, the most beautiful eyes, her hair is gorgeous," Sora continued to rant on for several minutes, listing off everyone of Kairi's qualities that made her beautiful. The old woman smiled warmly the entire time Sora spoke.
"She sounds gorgeous," she said after Sora had finished. "You are a lucky young man to have such a beautiful princess fall in love with you." Sora looked up from a case filled with rings to stare at the old woman. He had never once mentioned that Kairi was a princess. The old woman grinned knowingly at Sora. "And she's a lucky girl to have the Chosen Wielder of the Keyblade fall in love with her as well."
Sora's eyes widened in surprise for a moment before they narrowed in suspicion. He took a step back from the cart. His right hand clenched tightly as he fought the urge to summon the Oblivion to his hand.
"I never said I was the Keyblade's Chosen One," Sora said. "How did you know? And more importantly, who are you?" The old woman smiled.
"Do not fret, lad," she said gently. "I am not a servant of Darkness. I'm just someone who knows more than you would believe. I am simply an old woman, saddened by the growing Darkness that threatens to consume the worlds." The old woman got to her feet and hobbled slowly over to Sora. She placed a hand on his forearm. "I can see the future, well, that which has been set in stone by actions of the past anyway.
"So listen to what I am able to tell you for this is what is set in stone: Someone close to your heart, lost to Darkness so long ago, to be led back to Light. A friend's final sacrifice. The dead revived. Betrayal by someone you never expected. An unseen enemy, slinking around in the Darkness. Both doors opened. A love tested. An enemy disguised as friend that shall attempt to steal your Light. And you will either save the worlds, or they will be consumed by Darkness under your command." Sora swallowed hard. Out of everything the old woman had said, the only good thing seemed to be the first about someone he knew being brought back to Light from the Darkness.
"But I have faith in you, lad," the old woman said. "I sense that Destiny herself has blessed you. I strongly believe that you will never allow the Darkness to consume the worlds." Sora wasn't sure why, but he suddenly felt relieved at the old woman's words. He had a gut feeling that this old woman knew what she was talking about. "And I do have the perfect gift for your Princess of Heart." The old woman reached into a small bag that dangled at her waist and produced a golden chained necklace. Seven charms dangled off of the side.
She handed the necklace to Sora. He took it, and found his breath taken away by its beauty. Six of the seven charms were simple gems. A golden topaz, an amethyst, a ruby, a lapis lazuli, an opal and an emerald. The seventh charm rested in the center of the other six. Sora stared in surprise. The charm was shaped like a three pointed crown, identical to the crown pendant he always wore, although the charm on the necklace in his hand was made out of a pink metal. A diamond was set into the center of the crown charm.
"This necklace is very special," the old woman said as Sora examined said piece of jewelry. "This necklace was blessed with ancient magic. It will protect the wearer from many forms of Darkness. And each gem is special individually as well." She reached over and grasped the lapis lazuli.
"The lapis lazuli is a heavenly stone. It wards off many forms of evil and represents light. It can lessen the darkness when there is no light." She grasped the opal next. "The opal has the power to give people weak glimpses into the future, and aids those with weak sight. It has a special bond with the Lapis Lazuli and symbolizes hope.
"The amethyst," she said as she clutched the gem, "changes color in the presence of illness, pales near poisoned food or drink, and guides the wearer towards sincerity, security and peace of mind. It symbolizes truth. The emerald dulls in the presence of evil and when a vow is broken. It is a remedy for sores and ulcers and is an antidote to poison. It is the sister gem of the amethyst. It symbolizes honor.
"The topaz gives the holder some contact with the spirit world, and strengthens and clears the mind. It symbolizes loyalty. The ruby grows pale when misfortune threatens its wearer. It wards off evil spirits, and is an antidote to snake venom. It symbolizes joy." She grasped the crown charm last.
"The diamond gives courage and strength, protects from pestilence, and helps the cause of true love. It symbolizes strength and love. It rests in the center of a symbol that was very important to the Keyblade Wielders of the Light during the Keyblade War." Sora looked up from the necklace.
"What does the crown represent?" Sora asked eagerly. The old woman smiled at Sora and stared at the pendant around his neck.
"I'm afraid no one knows anymore," she said sadly. "All records from the time up until the end of the War were destroyed when the survivors of the War burned everything in an attempt to prevent another Keyblade War in the future." Sora nodded.
I might know someone who can tell me what the crown represents. Sora thought. His mind's eye briefly pictured the flashing silver eyes and scarred face of Xanthos.
"The necklace is perfect," he said as a smile spread across his face. "How much?" The old woman smiled and shook her head.
"You can have it for free," She said, smiling broadly at him. Sora's mouth dropped in surprise.
"Seriously? It has to be worth more than fifteen-thousand munny at least! And you're just letting me have it?" Sora asked. "I can pay for it. I have plenty of munny!" The old woman smiled and produced a small, black velvet box large enough to place the necklace in. She took the necklace from Sora, placed it in the box and gave it back to Sora. Sora continued to stare at her.
"I don't need the munny, lad," she said warmly. Sora slowly pocketed the box.
"Are you absolutely sure?" Sora asked one last time. The woman smiled and nodded.
"Consider it a gift from Destiny," she said.
"Sora!" Sora turned to look behind him as he heard his name. He could see Kairi, Naminé and Yuffie headed towards him, each carrying armfuls of shopping bags. Sora smiled at them and waved. He turned back to thank the old woman.
She and her cart had vanished. In its place was a small fountain that flowed into a small pool with dozens of white lilies floating in the water. A small sign next to the pool read:
A gift from Destiny.
"May the Light guide you through the deepest Darkness."
–Commissioned by Aelener, the First King of Radiant Garden
Sora stared at the fountain in shock and placed his hand against his pocket. The necklace was still there. A light breeze blew through the Marketplace. Sora could swear hear the old woman laughing softly on the wind.
LD
Kairi and Naminé both groaned under the weight of their shopping bags. They had only been shopping for a couple of hours and they had already managed to burn through the entirety of the thirty-thousand munny Yuffie had swiped from Sora. Both Kairi and Naminé were worn out and desperate for something cool to drink to reprieve them from the sweltering summer heat.
"Come on you two slowpokes!" Yuffie said cheerily as she clapped both Kairi and Naminé on their backs. The two younger teens stumbled forward. "Now that the shopping's out of the way, I want to take you on the grand tour of Radiant Garden, Great Ninja Yuffie style!" Kairi and Naminé both groaned. They both just wanted to sit down for a few minutes.
Naminé quickly spotted their escape. Sora was standing across from them in the square, staring down at a fountain. Naminé nudged Kairi's shin with her toes. The auburn-haired teen turned and raised an eyebrow at the blonde former Nobody. Naminé tilted her head slightly in Sora's direction. Kairi glanced in the direction Naminé had gestured.
The first thing she saw was the immediately recognizable, gravity defying, caramel colored spikes of Sora's hair over the crowd. Kairi gave Naminé an appreciative grin and immediately began working her way through the crowd towards him.
"Where's Kairi going?" Yuffie asked. The self-proclaimed Great Ninja swiftly scanned the crowd three times before she finally spotted Sora. "Ah, I see then." She shifted her grip on her bags and took off through the crowd in pursuit of Kairi with Naminé closely following her.
"Sora!" Kairi called as she got closer to her boyfriend. Sora looked up at her. He flashed her his usual goofy grin and waved at her for a moment before turning back around and glancing down at the fountain in shock. Kairi's brow furrowed in confusion. Sora had just been standing there staring at the fountain for at least a minute. Why was he looking at it now like he was seeing it for the first time and he expected something else to be there? Kairi shook it off as she reached him. It was probably just her imagination.
"Hey you," Sora said as Kairi threw her arms around him. At least she attempted to throw her arms around him. The multitude of shopping bags dangling from her arms combined with the weight of their contents only succeeded in whacking Sora upside his head. Sora let out a small cry of surprise and stumbled to the side while laughing. Kairi let out a small giggle and stepped over to him and leaned into kiss him on the cheek. Sora laughed at how Kairi held her arms out like a bird about to take flight so the bags wouldn't interfere.
"Would you like me to take some of those for you?" Sora asked. He gestured with one hand towards the bags. Kairi grinned in thanks and immediately handed Sora at least half of her bags. She let out a sigh of relief as her arms suddenly felt a hundred pounds lighter. Sora gasped slightly in surprise at how heavy the bags were.
"Geez Kairi," he said jokingly. "What all did you-" Sora trailed off as a small pink bag decorated with the letters VS that Kairi was doing her best to keep hidden with the other bags she was carrying caught his attention. Sora cleared his throat nervously and looked up from the bag to Kairi's eyes. "Um, Kairi?"
"Yes, Sora?" she replied, smiling innocently. Sora swallowed.
"Um, why do you have a Victoria's Secret bag?" he asked. Kairi's innocent smile vanished and her face turned a shade of red that put her hair to shame.
Oh crap. She thought, her heart suddenly racing nervously. I was hoping he wouldn't see. Why, oh why did I let Yuffie talk me into getting underwear from there?
"Yuffie forced me to," she replied quickly. Her face was burning and she could see a tiny bit of red on Sora's cheeks. "She said I needed sexy underwear for days when I don't feel beautiful so that all I have to do is put on my sexy underwear and I'll feel better again." Naminé and Yuffie quickly caught up to Kairi.
"Oh," Sora said, slowly nodding in understanding. "I guess that makes sense." Kairi's eyebrows raised slightly.
He bought it? She asked herself in disbelief. Then she noticed something on Sora's face she hadn't really ever seen before. Is he… disappointed? Kairi fought back the urge to giggle. Sora raised his gaze from the pink bag and stared Kairi straight in the face.
"But you're always beautiful, Kairi," Sora said quietly. "Even on days when you don't feel beautiful or you somehow manage to convince yourself that you're the most hideous girl in all of the worlds, I promise that you are beautiful." Kairi felt her face grow even warmer at Sora's compliment.
"That's so sweet," Yuffie said. "But I didn't tell her to buy the lingerie so she could feel sexy whenever she doesn't feel beautiful." Sora looked at Yuffie confusedly. Kairi's face continued to grow redder.
God damn it, Yuffie. She thought. Why'd you have to go and open your mouth?
"Then what did you tell her?" Sora asked. Yuffie grinned mischievously at him.
"I told her she should buy some so she can get you to-" Yuffie began, but she was cut off by a loud, high pitch scream several yards behind her. The four of them quickly turned their gazes to the source of the scream. People were fleeing from the center of the square. Half a dozen Neoshadows and a handful of Shadows were slowly rising from the ground.
"Heartless!"Yuffie shouted. "Everyone clear the square at once!" People ran screaming. Yuffie turned to the other three and snapped her fingers. All of the shopping bags disappeared in numerous puffs of gray smoke.
"Thanks Yuffie," Kairi said as Destiny's Embrace appeared in her hand. Sora summoned the Oblivion into existence as Yuffie produced a large four pointed shuriken seemingly from nowhere.
"Don't mention it," Yuffie said. She and Kairi ran towards the Heartless. Naminé hung back; there was nothing she could do but watch. Sora glanced around quickly to make sure no Heartless were near Naminé that could sneak up and harm the defenseless girl. Confident that she was safe, Sora charged headfirst towards the fray.
He was halfway to the crowd of Heartless that Kairi and Yuffie were about to fight when Naminé screamed behind him. Sora and Kairi both spun around. Naminé was being circled by seven Heartless. For the most part, they were nearly identical to Neoshadows, except these Heartless had dark brown skin covered in faint red veins and only four long claws instead of five. A name leapt into Sora's mind; Novashadows.
Sora turned to run to Naminé's aid but froze as Kairi and Yuffie both let out cries of surprise. A barrier of transparent light encircled Kairi, Yuffie, and the Heartless they were preparing to fight. Sora recognized the barrier and knew he wouldn't be able to help either of the girls trapped inside. Sora turned back and sprinted towards Naminé. The Novashadows slowly circled the blonde teen, but none of them seemed ready to attack. Naminé glanced at Sora, briefly relieved to see him rushing to help her. Her relief vanished as she saw the shadows cast on the ground shift and quickly rise.
"Sora!" she cried out, pointing at Sora's feet. Sora stopped and looked down. A fist burst from the shadows at his feet and connected with his jaw. Sora felt himself bite his tongue hard as he was lifted off his feet and hurled backwards. He quickly recovered, leaping back to his feet and spitting out a globule of blood from his tongue.
A young woman, dressed in a black, hooded cape that obscured any defining features appeared. The hood was pulled low over her face, hiding it in shadow. Her right arm was extended out towards Sora through the folds of the cape. Sora's eyes widened in surprise at the weapon she clutched. It was the Inverse Kingdom Key, identical to the Kingdom Key but with a gold blade instead of a silver one and a silver guard instead of a gold one.
"Hello, Master Sora," the woman said. Sora shot her a glare as she used his new title to mock him. "I'd love to introduce myself, but there isn't much of a point in doing so, considering you'll be dead in a few seconds and I'll prove that I'm worthy of being the Keyblade's Chosen One and that it was mistaken in choosing you!" Darkness swirled around the girl's feet as she pointed her Keyblade towards Sora's throat.
"Give into the eternal, blessed Darkness!" the girl shouted as she charged towards Sora. "Open your heart and be consumed!"
LD
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Shadow Horizons