So…the story is getting so close to its close. This just might be under 45 chapters after all! Also, I just realized that this fic has over 300 reviews. Holy crud…
Chasing The Truth
By FlikFreak
Chapter Thirty-Eight: Intentions Revealed
"So you've opened the path already," Joshua mumbled.
Sora nodded. "Yeah, and Meyxours is somewhere down it."
"How do you know?" Beat asked. "Not like you saw him or nothin'."
The question caused Sora to hesitate. He never really had thought about these things logically; he just got a feeling of where he needed to go and followed it. It had never failed him. "I dunno, really…I just get the feeling."
"You sure a feeling is going to show you the way?" Axel asked skeptically.
"Of course!" Sora insisted, feeling a bit of Roxas's own vehemence leaking in. "It's never failed me."
Kairi smiled in approval.
"At any rate," Neku began, "Meyxours is in for some serious hurt when I find him. Anyone that messes with Shibuya messes with me."
Joshua gave Neku a very brief, alarmed look, but quickly hid it under a calm and amused expression. "You don't say…"
Rhyme shivered. "Um…guys? Do you feel something, or is that just me?"
"Must be just you," Axel replied. "What's up?"
"There you are. I was hoping I'd catch you in time."
Before them appeared a blue light, slowly forming into the shape of a girl roughly Kairi's age. The differences were clear, however: this girl was not only wearing different clothing, but her hair also looked slightly messier. Rhyme's eyes widened at the sight of the newcomer. "I know you! You're the girl from the white place!"
Beat's jaw dropped. "You know this chick?"
Rhyme nodded. "Yeah. When I was asleep, she talked to me a few times."
The girl nodded. "I'm glad to see you're alright. My name is Aqua. It's nice to meet you all in person."
Neku nodded in reply. "Um…hey there."
Aqua glanced his way. "You wouldn't happen to be Neku Sakuraba, by any chance?"
The question startled Neku, but he nodded anyway. "Erm…yeah."
"I thought so," Aqua replied, smiling. "Ventus told me a lot about you. He seems quite fond of you."
"You know Ven?"
The girl nodded. "Yes, and he was supposed to be here with me a while ago. Who knows where he's gone off to this time…"
Neku blinked. "You mean, you two were both keeping an eye on me? I know Ventus was, but…"
"No," Aqua replied. "I was making sure Rhyme was kept stable. Ventus was supposed to stick close to you and make sure the Zoners didn't kill you or anything, but apparently you didn't need his help for that. He got pretty messed up after Port Royal, but he won't admit it."
"Where is he now?" Sora asked.
Aqua crossed her arms. "Not where he should be, that's for sure…Ven, show yourself already!"
"Hey, can't a guy mope in peace?"
"You can't fool me; you're not even the moping type. Now get your butt out here."
"Fine, fine! Yeesh…" And in a calm flash of green light, Ventus appeared. "There. Happy?"
"Don't apologize to me," Aqua replied, pointing to the group. "Apologize to them."
Ventus immediately noticed the familiar group of people nearby and winced, floating back a few inches. "Geez, Aqua! You could have warned me!"
Aqua crossed his arms. "Well? You owe them. You said so yourself."
Ventus rubbed his neck. "Yeah…I did." He turned to the group. "I owe you guys a serious apology."
"And a thorough explanation," Axel added, still astounded. "Honestly, it's like I've got déjà vu or something. You look exactly like-"
"Like Roxas, I know." Ventus sighed. "I get that a lot."
"But who exactly are you?" Sora asked, scratching his head. "I mean, we know your real name is Ventus, but…"
"Ew."
"…what'd I say?"
"Don't call me that," Ventus explained.
"But it's your name, isn't it?" Riku said. "What's so bad about that?"
"Ventus makes me sound like I'm an old man," The ghost scoffed, brushing off his jacket even though there wasn't any dust on it. "Everyone always called me Ven."
"I've heard your names before," Joshua mused aloud. "You had a friend named Terra, correct?"
Ventus nodded. "I figured you'd know that. About ten years ago, we got separated…but there was some guy we were fighting…" He rubbed the side of his head and winced. "I'd tell you the whole story if I could, but my memories are kinda fuzzy. I only remember bits and pieces…"
"Why are you still around?" Neku asked. "I mean, you look kind of like a…well, a ghost."
"That's probably what we are now," Aqua replied. "We aren't exactly sure. Around the time the Zoners formed, we just woke up and found ourselves like this. Ventus said he felt something strange from one of them, and before we knew it we were involved."
"Which one did you feel this…vibe from?" Neku asked.
"Xsoh."
Sora cast a stray glance to Neku, whom clenched his fists. "Keep going…"
"He didn't know it, but the other Zoners were only planning on using Xsoh as a living power gauge. They wanted to test Neku and see if he had enough power to revive the Organization."
"Did I?" Neku asked. "I managed to revive one of them, at least."
Ventus shrugged. "Revive isn't really the right term…you really just activated his data. The real Axel is probably already back by now, but we can't say for sure."
Sora felt excitement well up within him, and he couldn't help but smile along. So maybe Axel is out there, just waiting for us to-
Whoa, easy there, Sora. That's my line.
Sorry, Roxas. I guess a bit of that excitement of yours leaked over.
Admit it. You want to meet him, too.
Of course I do.
"But you only had enough power to activate one member's data," Ven said as he looked away. "The Zoners decided that if their preferred power source – which was Neku – wasn't enough, then they'd have to go after the one power source that would never fail…"
Noticing the grim look on Ven's face, Sora was highly hesitant to ask him to continue. "What power source would that be…?"
Ventus bit his lip, a look of grave fear on his face. "Kingdom Hearts itself."
"What?!"
What?!
WHAT?!
"But that's the heart of all worlds!" Riku exclaimed. "Meyxours has to be crazy to go after that! He can't handle that much power without going insane!"
Ventus shook his head. "It's more than that, though. All hearts begin and end there, and every time one goes back its power grows from everything that heart learned and endured. Kingdom Hearts isn't just a place where hearts are born and return to, it's a place of infinite power and wisdom. In other words, the perfect power source."
Sora's gaze became stern. Another threat to Kingdom Hearts…they want to revive the Organization this time, but…why?
Who cares? The Organization had a good enough goal, but they were going about it the wrong way. Just one big case of "Good Concept Bad Execution" to me; if something involves hurting others, using your members like tools and killing those that don't follow your every barking order, I want no part in it.
I wouldn't either.
I know.
"It might be a good enough power source," Aqua pointed out, "But a person can only handle so much power. There are only a few people that have ever actually been inside the depths of Kingdom Hearts and made it out without a scratch."
"Who?" Sora asked.
In response, Aqua and Ventus exchanged glances and laughed quietly. "We thought you of all people would know the answer to that," Ventus replied.
"Anyway," Aqua continued, ignoring everyone's inquiring looks, "Meyxours is probably headed out to find Kingdom Hearts right now. If you can open the new road, Sora, you should be able to get there before him."
"We already opened the road," Sora replied.
Ventus quirked an eyebrow. "Well, now you just have to follow it. I'm pretty sure you'll find the place at the other end familiar."
"Hang on a minute," Riku began in suspicion. "How do you two play into us getting involved?"
At the question, Aqua turned away sternly. "Ven…we have to go."
The ghostly boy blinked. "We do?"
"Yes. Now."
"Why?"
"Where are you going?" Neku asked. "I still have a lot of questions to ask you!"
Aqua glanced back. "Neku, Ventus and I have to do something very important right now. If you need us, we'll know. We promise. Until then…" With that, she vanished.
Ventus sighed. "That was…sudden. Well, I guess I'd better get moving."
"Will you come back?" Rhyme asked.
"Of course," Ventus replied. "I dunno what Aqua wants, but if I don't go, then…well, it won't be a pretty sight."
Neku stepped forward awkwardly. "Ven…one last thing."
The ghost paused. "Yeah?"
"Xenuk…he wanted to apologize."
The silence was deafening. After a few seconds, Ventus gave Neku a kind look. "I saw what happened to him. He did what his heart was telling him to."
"But his heart wasn't real," Neku protested softly. "Nothing about him was real. It was all fake…"
"What's real and what's fake is a matter of perspective," Ventus replied. "Xenuk believed the same thing. He knew he was only a fake you, and to him you were the only thing that was 'real' about him. I think when he saved you, he realized that there was something about him that was real."
"What's that?"
"The fact that you accepted him as a friend."
Neku stared, almost wide-eyed at the ghost. "I…"
"Xenuk wanted to thank you," Ventus continued, "But he never had the chance to. He planned on helping you save Shibuya to the very end, but when Jaxuk began to activate the Nethicite, he decided that it wasn't worth saving Shibuya if you weren't there to have it back like you were meant to."
The thought lingered in the air for a few seconds, and Neku looked in his hand at the pin that Joshua had given him before closing his hand into a fist and looking up. "I won't let his sacrifice be in vain," he said. "Xenuk bought me this one last chance. I won't waste it."
Ventus nodded approvingly. "Thanks, Neku." He then turned around and vanished.
There you are. What took you so long?
Sorry, Aqua…Neku wanted to relay a message to me.
Oh. Well, what was it?
From Xenuk…he wanted to apologize.
…Ven. It's time.
Yeah. Let's do it.
"Time to hit the road, I guess," Riku sighed. "You guys ready?"
Sora nodded. "You know I am."
"You always are, Sora."
Doesn't make it any different.
"Where will that road take us?" Shiki asked.
Rather than to answer her question, Neku spun on the spot. "You can't go!" he insisted.
Shiki crossed her arms. "Why not?"
"Because it's…" Neku struggled to find the right words. "…way too dangerous."
Ha, where have we seen this before, Sora?
Roxas's comment caused Sora to chuckle inwardly. Yeah…that does kinda seem familiar.
"Neku's right," Joshua added. "Besides, Shibuya is still in need of some serious repairs and cleaning up. I'll need most of you to stay here."
Naturally, Beat did not agree at all. "Whachutalkinbout, yo?! After all we've been through, we can't see this to the end?!"
It was then that Kairi stepped forward, biting her lip and suddenly acting shyer than before. "Beat…I know you want to help, but your place is here in Shibuya. The city needs you."
Naminé…?
Sora remained silent, swallowing nervously. "Na…Kairi's right. You guys need to stay here. We'll take care of Meyxours."
Rhyme nodded. "Well, before you go…take this." She pulled out Sora's hand and placed a familiar object in it. "It's the feather that Anima gave me. I feel like it wants to help you."
The key bearer looked curiously at the feather in his hand. It was a deep, beautiful red, fading into a flame-like yellow toward the center. It was also comfortingly warm. Looking up at Rhyme, he nodded. "Thank you."
"Be careful," Shiki warned.
"And come back safe," Beat added, "Cos if you don't you gonna regret it!"
Neku nodded, grinning. "I will. I promise."
After their final farewells, Sora, Riku, Kairi, Neku and Axel entered the portal and boarded the Excalibur. Take-off was silent, and Neku watched as his home once again faded away from view. Sora bit his lip and silently promised himself that it wouldn't be the last time Neku saw his home.
"Where is this road going to lead us?" Axel asked.
Sora shook his head. "I'm not sure. It's supposed to be a place we know."
"Traverse Town, maybe?" Riku suggested.
Neku looked up. "What's Traverse Town?"
"It's the first new world I ever went to," Sora explained, fond memories rising within him already. "If your world is taken by the Heartless, that's where you end up if you make it out alive."
"What's it like there?" Neku asked.
The brunette chuckled fondly. "It's always night there, but there are so many lights. I woke up in the alley of the first district…there are several shops there. The second district has a hotel and a really nice clock tower, but all the other shops there are closed. There's a house in the third district, along with the plaza there, but it's usually pretty empty aside from heartless. The place is kind of…well, it feels nostalgic for some reason."
"Nostalgic," Riku echoed, smirking. "Nice vocabulary, Sora."
Roxas, was that you?
Nope. You did that all by yourself.
"Sora first met Leon there," Kairi added.
"How'd that go?" Axel asked.
Sora winced. "He beat the crap out of me, temporarily stole my keyblade, and hauled me off to a hotel."
Neku laughed. "Wow, no wonder he doesn't talk much."
"He did it for my own safety!" Sora insisted, his face going red.
"I think we're here, guys."
At Riku's words, everyone turned to the front window. Sora held his breath, expecting to see the familiar reds and other warm colors of Traverse Town, the clock tower…but as he looked closer, none of it was there. Riku hesitated before speaking. "Sora…that's not Traverse Town, that's…"
Riku's sentence was cut off as a familiar blipping caught their attention. "Out of fuel again?!" Sora cried. "You have to be kidding me!"
"Are we going to crash?" Axel asked wearily. Sora felt Roxas in the back of his mind stirring with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.
"No," Riku replied. "We're going to make an emergency landing. Everyone brace yourselves!"
Sora gripped the wheel like his life depended on it (which technically it did at this point). The moment he was sure everyone was buckled in, he plunged toward the world before them, diving dangerously fast toward the surface. Once he was sure he was in the world's gravitational field, he let off the gas and let gravity do the work for him. As the surface below neared, he pulled up just in time to skid across a vast plain of blue. The sound of the ocean's surface rushing upward in protest to their landing echoed loudly, and after seconds that felt like they should have been hours, all was calm again.
"Water again?" Axel moaned. "We're not in Port Royal again, are we?"
"No," Sora replied, finding it hard to speak again.
"But we can't be in Atlantica," Neku pointed out, glancing at his legs briefly, "So where are we?"
Sora looked out the window to see a familiar bit of land in the distance. "We're…we're on Destiny Islands."
Need I say more?
Zoners:
The Deceptive Evoker, Meyxours (Chasing The Truth/Final Fantasy X)
The Elegant Reaper, Jaxuk (Chasing The Truth/Final Fantasy IX)
The Fallen Prince, Zarxilt (Chasing The Truth/Final Fantasy XI)
The Ruthless Emperor, Naxeyv (Chasing The Truth/Final Fantasy XII)
