Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts
(A/N): Ok want to say sorry to you all for this taking so long. I play Dragons of Atlantis when I can't think of what to write and my Alliance is/was planning for war and I'm one of the stronger members so I had to prepare.
Chapter 18: Revelations
Sol stood in the cockpit looking out into space. He was looking at the Pride Lands floating in the darkness. Hovering in orbit around the world was the Highwind its red colouring standing out against the black. Guilt washed over Sol as he looked on at the ship. In a few minutes the two ships would line up and he would be teleported over to the other ship. He would then have to explain to the people on the ship what had happened to their friend Riku. How he had been kidnapped by their enemies the Celestial Warriors. Sol was not looking forward to the explanation.
Turning his back to the window Sol walked to the transporters. His sister Mika and girlfriend Luna were already there. Mika stood in the transporter itself while Luna was finishing calibrating it making sure they would appear in the ship. When Luna noticed Sol approaching she nodded her head giving the single that everything was ready to go. Both stepped into the transporter and were engulfed in the blue light.
Appearing in the Highwind's transporter the three were greeted by Naminé. The blonde girl greeted them with a smile. Sol could see it on her face the second she realized that Riku wasn't with them. Her entire body asked the question. All three standing in the transporter turned their gaze away from Naminé none of them could meet her eyes.
"Just get everyone together in the cabin and I'll explain everything." Sol told her as he tried to look into the big grey blue eyes that were pleading for an answer.
Naminé nodded her head in agreement and walked out of the small room. Sol, Luna, and Mika followed after her. It was the first time any of them had been on the ship but it they were lucky in the fact the transporter room was directly off the cabin. Kairi was already in the room wearing a worried look on her face. When the she saw Mika she cocked her head to the side as if it would give her a better look of the older woman. Mika waved shyly knowing that in a matter of a few minutes the red haired girl wouldn't be happy with her.
Entering the room with Naminé were the two male Keybearers Sora and Roxas. Both had bandages wrapped around their arms and a few places on their legs. Leo must have done a real number on them if they had to be bandaged like that.
"Why are they still injured so badly? Don't you guys have any potions left?" Luna asked politely.
"We forgot to stock up on them before we headed out." Sora said sheepishly. He was grinning the entire time. Even with his wounds the unofficial leader of the Keybearers managed to have a positive outlook.
"And by 'we' he means him." Roxas said.
"I'd offer to heal you but maybe this will remind you to make sure you have potions on hand." Luna told them.
"Luna" was all Sol said.
"Alright Sol." Green tendrils shot out of Luna's fingers and into the wounds of the two boys. "Some of the ones on your arms will still scar though. It's been too long to prevent that."
"Where's Riku." Naminé finally asked from beside Roxas. "Stop stalling and tell us."
Both Sora and Roxas looked at the group standing in front of them and noticed that while there were three people standing there only one of them was male and he didn't have silver hair. Their faces turned to ones of shock as they realized that the eldest of the newer generation of Keybearer wasn't there.
"Naminé's right where's Riku?" Sora asked a small amount of fear in voice. "And who's the new girl?
"I'm Mika. Though you might know me better as Virgo. Don't worry though I'm on your side now. As for Riku.." Mika started to say before Sol interrupted her.
"Riku was taken by the Celestial Warriors."
A gasp was heard from the four as they heard the news of their friend. Sora and Kairi shared a look before the tears started to fall. Naminé threw herself into Roxas's arms as she started to cry at the fate of Riku. The blonde haired boy stared daggers at the three with a look of betrayal.
"We were on the Experiment's Paradise world when two of the Celestial Warriors attacked us." Sol continued. He had already told them what had happened now it was about telling them how and what was going to happen. "As we were looking for the Keyhole we could sense someone using magic and headed in that direction. When we found the source Mika was facing the two Warriors called Capricorn and Aries. At first we attacked Mika also but when it became clear she wasn't with the Warriors anymore we teamed up. Luna and I fought Aries while Riku and Mika went to take on Capricorn."
"You left him alone with a person who was just a few seconds ago an enemy?" Roxas asked quite loudly.
"Hey you weren't there you don't know the power those two have." Mika defended. "Capricorn is a master of illusion magic. She's so good with it that they can actually hurt you if you think the illusion is real. You think you guys are strong waving around those oversized keys? Take on Aries and he'll knock you down a peg or five. He'll slice you to ribbons before you even thought about defending."
"That still doesn't explain why they let Riku fight alongside you." Roxas countered.
"I knew Riku wasn't in trouble." Luna interjected. "I already knew Mika was on our side. After her fight with Sol I found out she's his older sister. She wanted it to be a secret so she could help bring the Warriors down from the inside."
"Look how well that worked. Now Riku's being held by those same people." Kairi cried. "Again we don't have him with us."
"I'm so tired of my enemies taking my friends captive." Sora raged. "Why don't they ever just take me? Why do they always go after Kairi and Riku?"
Sol closed his eyes and gathered his courage to tell Sora the last bit of information that he knew. "They took Riku because he's the one they needed. His heart has already embraced the darkness before and they need him to do so again."
"Then their plans won't work. Riku won't give into the darkness again!" Sora exclaimed.
"I'd like to think that about Riku to Sora. But look at his track record for a second here. When you faced Maleficent he sided with her and gave into the darkness then. Then later when he faced Roxas he once again gave into the darkness for the power to defeat Roxas. The shear amount of darkness Riku has absorbed makes him perfect to give into it again." Luna explained Sora.
Sora shook his head. "Well then why are we standing around here for? Mika can lead us right to Riku and we can rescue him!"
"Cute kid." Mika scoffed "Let's see with me on your side that means three of the Warriors are gone leaving ten more to deal with. The three of us got our asses kicked by two of them. Then you have to take Eclipse into account who can actually control Aries and Capricorn. What are the seven of us going to do? We need to keep doing what you were doing and take them out as they come to us."
Sora's Keyblade flashed into his hand. He took his stance ready to fight. "You'll tell us where they're keeping Riku even if I have to make you tell us!"
"You aren't the only one that feels that way Sora." Kairi said as her own Keyblade appeared.
Roxas appeared next to Sora Bond of Flames in his hand ready to fight. The blonde nodded his head then turned his attention to Mika. As the three got ready to strike Naminé stood in front of Mika arms spread out.
"You guys I care about Riku just as much as you do." Naminé said. "But rushing head first into danger isn't going to bring him back safely. The only thing that'll happen is that we'll get hurt and captured leaving no one to rescue him."
"Finally someone with sense." Mika whispered.
"But Naminé how can we just sit by while they have our friend?" Kairi asked her former Nobody.
"We do what Mika said. We keep sealing Keyholes. It will annoy the Celestial Warriors enough that they'll come after us and we can defeat them that way." Naminé restated.
"If you guys won't help me find Riku than I'll do it myself" Sora said heading to the cockpit.
As Sora reached the door a wall of wind blocked his path. The gust kept pushing him away each time he got close to the small portal. Stubborn and full of anger though the spiky haired youth kept trying to get to the controls and pilot the ship to an unknown world.
"Let me through!" he shouted at the group behind him not knowing who was the one stopping him. He turned around to find the source of the wind wall to find the energy emitting from Kairi. "Kairi what are you doing?!"
"Naminé and Mika are right. Sore we'd just get hurt and leave no one to rescue Riku." Kairi cried. "He's my friend to you know. I want to help him out Sora but not if it means losing everything in a failed attempt."
Sol walked up to Sora and put his hand on the Keybearer's shoulder. "It'll be fine Sora. We'll just have to deal with the other Warriors first is all. Trust in Riku's strength and the fact that he'll be able to resist the darkness. It's just a matter of time before we're strong enough to rescue him."
"Can we wait though?" Roxas asked. "Why do they want Riku to give into the darkness?"
"Literal world domination. Eclipse will have Riku open the path to the world's heart where she will connect her own and can complete control over the Valley. You know basic stuff." Mika shrugged "But some on buck up kids. We got worlds to save!"
"How are we going to do that? Split up again two Keybearers in each group or do we stick together?" Naminé asked. "I mean can we really split up again?"
"We have to if we're going to save Riku in enough time." Sora said grimly. "Kairi and I will take the Highwind with Mika. Naminé you and Roxas go with Sol and Luna. It doesn't matter what world you visit just keep sealing Keyholes. Let's draw these Warriors out as quickly as possible."
"There you go Sora." Roxas said swinging an arm around his friend. "Let's kick some butt and in no time the Warriors will be gone and I can get back at Riku for beating me."
"Yeah. Well then we can't sit here wasting time now can we?"
Roxas and Naminé rushed to grab their things from their rooms. They each packed everything that was there from the two rooms and headed to the transporter where Sol and Luna were waiting patiently. Sol was in the middle of a conversation with Mika and he was talking barley above a whisper. It was far too quiet for either of the blondes to hear. When Sol noticed them he stopped talking and gave his sister a nod before standing in the actual transporter.
Kairi who was at the controls entered the necessary information into the computer. She had learned from Sora while they waited for Sol and Luna to come. With a wave she sent the four back onto the other ship leaving her with just Sora and Mika. The older woman, who really only looked to be in her early twenties, shifted uncomfortably as her brother faded from view. Sora stood next to Kairi a frown on his normally happy face as he looked at Mika. There was going to be tension between the two of them and Kairi was going to have to deal with the problems that would arise.
"So uh, where can I sleep?" Mika asked. Kairi could hear the fact Mika was uncomfortable without anyone she knew.
"You can take Naminé's old room which was originally Goofy's old room. I'm sure neither of them will mind really. Goofy's pretty relaxed from what I've heard." Kairi told Mika trying to make her feel more welcomed than Sora was going to do.
Kairi told Mika to follower her and showed her the way to the rooms. Outside the door to what would now be Mika's room the golden eyed woman turned to talk to the red head.
"Thanks. Kairi right?" Mika asked.
"Yep. You don't know much about us do you?"
"I know what you guys looked like really and that's about it. Putting names to faces wasn't really important except Sora at first. Eclipse wanted him originally but later decided to use Riku."
"Listen Mika. Sora isn't going to be very nice to you for a while. With you here it's just going to remind him what he's lost. I know he won't do anything to you but you'll be getting the cold shoulder for a while. Just thought you should know."
Much like her brother when nervous Mika rubbed the back of her head. "Thanks for the heads up. Kinda figured both you kids would hate me really."
"Why do you call us kids?" Kairi asked somewhat insulted. "There's what five years between us max?"
"Sol and Luna didn't tell you? Well they might not really know I guess. People from our world seem to age slowly. We age almost at half the rate of most other worlds. Eclipse is from a world where they age even slower. I may look twenty something but I'm really older. Sol's twenty-nine now I think and Luna has got to be around the same age."
"So how old are you then?"
"Kairi don't you know it's rude to ask a lady her age?" Mika scolded the girl. In the back of her mind Mika could hear Sol going "Oh yeah like you're a lady" Even without him around Mika knew the sarcastic remarks her brother would make.
"Alright then." Kairi said in defeat. "I'll go talk with Sora and figure out where we're going next you get settled in."
Kairi walked away with a new look on her two friends Sol and Luna. Was Mika telling the truth about their age? If so then how did they feel escorting teenagers around the galaxy? They went to school and posed as teenagers! Looking back there was no indication that the two were any older than they looked. They acted just like other teens. The universe was certainly and odd place.
Walking into the cockpit Kairi found Sora at the controls. He still looked glum compared to his normal self. She moved to the seat on Sora's left and glanced at the monitor. A world was highlighted its name flashing in a red light above it.
Heaven's Peace
No description of the world was displayed underneath. They were flying to a world that they only knew by name. Kairi wasn't sure if she should be excited that it was an entirely new world or if she should be scared there was no description. Deciding it would better to feel excited than fear Kairi couldn't wait to arrive at Heaven's Peace.
Pushing with her foot Kairi swiveled her chair to face Sora. He looked back at her and flashed a smile as if to say that he was alright. She knew that he was faking just to make her feel better and she wasn't going to let him get away with it.
"Sora why did you want Mika with us exactly? She could have easily gone with Roxas and Naminé instead." She asked in a concerned tone.
"I want to be able to keep an eye on her Kairi. She was the one who let Riku get taken. That and Roxas and Naminé are still getting used to having their own bodies again. If Mika does turn back to the Warriors we have the better chance of dealing with it." Sora explained.
Kairi was slightly mortified at how Sora was acting. He certainly wasn't his normal self. Why was Riku's kidnapping effecting him so much? Would Sora act this way if she was once again taken away from him? She didn't plan on ever finding out. Her heart went out to her boyfriend though. He was having to deal with the fate of the universe for a third time in less than five years and each time someone important to him was put in danger because he was doing the right thing.
"Sora do you really think that Mika is going to betray us?" she asked him calmly.
"Face it Kairi we don't know what went on when Capricorn took Riku. Even Sol and Luna don't know, they were fighting some guy named Aries instead. Who's to say that she didn't help Capricorn kidnap Riku and that she's here to get us to trust her?" Sora pointed out.
The logic behind what he said was solid. Kairi could only find one thing wrong with that though. Sora thought that all out. He wasn't thinking with his heart anymore. What he was doing wasn't normal for him and she knew that it needed to be fixed soon or trouble would come. She just couldn't figure out how to lead him back to thinking with his heart.
"Sora what happened to you? You were always one to forgive people. Remember when Wakka lied to us about who broke the fort's window? You were the first to get over it and stood with him when the rest of us wouldn't even talk to him for the next week."
"That was a window Kairi. This is my best friend's life. Did you forget what they did to Agrabah, what they've been doing to countless other worlds? Kairi they want him to give into the darkness again."
"And if he does Sora we'll be there to bring him back. If you can come back from being a Shadow than I'm sure that Riku can come back to us again. That's even if he gives into the darkness. Have faith Sora."
"It's just hard to at the moment Kairi. I never had to deal with so much loss before. Even when I was looking for you that first time I never knew that so many worlds were being lost to the darkness while I hopped around. It's just so much more real this time around."
The door to the cockpit opened admitting Mika. The blonde girl leaned against the wall near the door. "If you know it's real than deal with it Sora. Sitting around being mad at me isn't going to bring the Warriors down. You know Eclipse fears you? Your passion to save so many people gives you strength. Selflessness is a great power and you have capitalized on it. Don't give in to despair now."
"I don't know what to do though. Even if we do face another Warrior are we going to be strong enough to take them down? I never faced anyone as strong as Leo before and from what you said he's not even the strongest one out there."
Smack
"Dang it Sora stop this!" Kairi shouted at him. The red haired Keybearer and Princess of Heart stood in front of her sniveling boyfriend hands on her hips looking down at him, "We aren't going to lose unless you keep thinking like that. How many times have you faced someone stronger than you and came out ok? Or did you forget how many of the Organization you took down?"
"I didn't forget Kairi." Sora mumbled. "Guess there's nothing to do but get back up and keep going. You're both right. I've faced too much to give in now. Thanks to both of you." Sora said with a smile.
Kairi could see the uncertainty in his smile though. She could see that he was still doubting himself. There was nothing more she could do now though. Sora would have to gain his confidence back on his own. She would be there to help him along the way though.
-KotH-
"Alright you guy remember where everything's at right?" Luna asked Naminé and Roxas as they stepped out of the transporter.
"Yep. I'll take Kairi's old room if you don't mind." Naminé said.
"Guess that leaves me with Sora and Riku's old room." Roxas groaned as he once again got the messy room. Sora may have been a cleanly person but Riku certainly was not and he had the room himself for a week or so.
"Ok then go and claim your rooms. Oh and Naminé since I know you like to draw and paint feel free to use the walls as a canvas. We can always paint over it once all this is done with." Luna told the artistic girl.
Sol stared at Luna. He knew that "we" would be him. Magic may be powerful but no spell he had come across could do the simple task of removing paint from a wall. It was as if the chemical makeup of paint resisted magic and he hated the substance for it. He could still blast the stuff into nothingness but not remove it.
Grumbling he went to go find another world for them to go and seal. With any luck there wouldn't be giant mutated fire breathing tiger-dragon monsters on this next world. During the time he slept on their way to the Highwind he had nightmares about the creature. Whoever had created that thing hopefully was eaten by it and the secrets behind its creation were lost.
Staring at the monitor looking for a new world Sol came across an interesting sounding one. It was called Crystal Mountains but had no description under it. Thinking that they might as well start there he set the ship's autopilot and moved back the cabin. Naminé and Roxas were already back and playing a round of cards with Luna. From the look on her face she wasn't winning. How she had already started losing in such a short time was beyond Sol's comprehension.
Sol approached his bookshelf making sure that no one could see him now that he remembered why he had hidden it and grabbed another book to read. As he plopped down on the couch to read a small fireball appeared between his face and the book.
"Solaris honey we have friends over." Luna said sweetly and then her voice changed to a demanding one. "So get up off your ass and get over here."
Sol hung his head and snapped his book closed. He wasn't going to be getting any reading done until tonight. Scotching a chair between Naminé and Roxas he sat across from Luna. Since she disrupted his reading he'd be petty and not sit next to her.
They were playing BS and Sol was dealt in. Now that he knew the game they were playing he understood exactly how Luna had been losing so badly. He also had another reason as to why she made him play. This way the game had to start over to let Sol in. She might not be the best at lying but she was sneaky.
(A/N): I didn't want to have to do a review response in a chapter but a guest left a review so I can't PM that person. Ok readers which world do you want to see first? Shall we go with Sol, Luna, Roxas, and Naminé to Crystal Mountains or should we go with Sora, Kairi, and Mika to Heaven's Peace?
dileo246: I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic or if your review is a flame but it is my story and I can do what I want with it. Agrabah may have been in a few of the games but if I want it gone than well tough luck it's gone you have to deal with it.