Disclaimer: I don't own anything other than the story idea and my OCs.
Chapter 23: Ivalice
After leaving Destiny Islands behind Sora watched Mika retreat to her room. She had been through a lot that day and he couldn't blame her for wanting to be left alone. Even after all the crap he had given her about losing Riku and even though he made sure she knew that he didn't trust her she had still come to his and Kairi's aid when Pisces had appeared. Even with the powers of their new Drive forms they were having a hard time with the Celestial Warrior. Sora had a true appreciation for fourth tier magic. The destruction that Mika's Thundaja had unleashed was jaw dropping. How one person could withstand the mental strain it would take to cast that spell was beyond Sora's understanding. There were times when he had to cast Firaga that had drained him more than he was ready for.
Kairi walked into the cockpit and sat in the chair to Sora's right. They had already selected the next world to visit. It was called Ivalice and it was pretty close by actually. With any luck they should arrive by the time they woke up. This was saying that no random Heartless attack came at them. Those Heartless were crafty like that attacking you just when you thought that you had lost them.
"Hey Sora you sure we should be heading to a new world so fast? I mean shouldn't we take a rest?" Kairi asked him from her spot in the chair.
"We have to press forward Kairi. If you're tired than you should go get some sleep." Sora advised.
"It's not me I'm worried about, it's Mika. She just had a hard time there with God after all. She probably needs more than a good night's sleep to get back on her feet." Kairi corrected.
"I know Kairi but we can't stop. Don't forget that they have Riku. The faster we get the worlds sealed the faster we can finish of the Warriors and get him back." Sore reminded her.
"I haven't forgotten about Riku. I can't do much to help him right now though and I can help Mika." Kairi told him.
"Alright Kairi. We'll give her some time to recover as we float above Ivalice." Sora conceded. There was not point into getting in a fight with Kairi at the moment. He didn't need her mad at him. Besides Mika was powerful and it probably was best for her to be in top shape for when the landed on world.
The day, according to the clock as they couldn't tell time by the sun, went by pretty normal for the three on board the Highwind. Mika stayed in her room leaving Sora and Kairi basically alone together. Now two teenagers in love with each other alone could lead to some very interesting situations. Most of which I won't be writing. There was a little of Sora trying to mess around with Kairi but you have imagination for a reason. Clothes stayed on though, so none of that.
After dinner, which Mika came out grabbed her plate and headed back into her room, Sora and Kairi decided to simply curl up together on the couch and talk about the things they missed doing on Destiny Island. They hadn't realized it but December had already come and gone. They both promised each other that once they had finished saving the world they would make it up to each other and their friends for having missed Christmas. That was saying that Sol, Luna and Mika knew about Christmas. Once they were done talking the two headed to bed to see what the next day would hold for them.
In the morning Kairi woke to the smell of burning eggs. How someone, Sora no doubt, could burn eggs was beyond her. All you had to do was watch them and they took no longer than two minutes to become cooked. Shuffling out of bed in her PJs which todays, or last nights, were a pair of shorts and a tank top Kairi made her way to the kitchen. Sora however wasn't the one cooking. Mika stood in front of the stove wearing an apron and short shorts, nothing else. It was become more and more clear to Kairi that Mika had very little boundaries when it came to showing skin. Kairi was going to have to have a talk with her about dressing correctly with a boy on board. Now Kairi trusted Sora but he didn't need to see what Mika didn't bother covering.
"Damn eggs." Mika cursed as dumped them into the garbage next to the counter. "Why do I have such problems with eggs? Behemoth steak, no sweat. Chocobo eggs, burnt to a rubbery crisp."
Kairi was horrified. They had been eating CHOCOBO EGGS?! The delicious jumbo eggs they had in the fridge had come from the giant yellow bird that she adored so much? And by so much she meant her entire room back on Destiny Island was filled with plush chocobos and she even had chocobo wallpaper and a chocobo night light, that she no longer needed. Her bedspread here on the Highwind, oddly enough, was chocobo yellow.
Mika turned around and saw a pale Kairi, well paler Kairi the girl was already white as can be despite living on a tropical island. "Uh Kairi you ok. You look like someone tore the head off your favorite stuffed animal." Mika wasn't far off base.
"You're making eggs out of baby chocobos?!" Kairi squeaked.
"These things?" Mika asked pointing to the carton of eggs resting on the counter. "These are cockatrice eggs. I wish we had chocobo eggs. They've been banned though since so many people love those giant chickens."
"Oh thank god." Kairi said. Then realizing what she said. "I mean, that's good."
"Kairi it's alright. I had a rough day yesterday but I'm fine. I'll still probably go crazy if that bastard appears again but other than that I'm good to go." Mika assured the young red head. "Now go wake that man of yours from his eternal slumber and get his butt out here. We have ham still."
Kairi turned on her heel and went back down the hall. She pounded on Sora's door until he woke up. When the door slid open Sora was standing there in a pair of boxers rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. Kairi told him to get dressed and come out for breakfast. Then Kairi remembered what Mika was dressed in, and she used that term loosely. Sliding into the kitchen Kairi saw that Mika was now wearing an overly large shirt that hung down past her shorts.
"This better?" Mika asked with a sly look on her face.
"How did you know?" Kairi asked puzzled.
"Simple. If Rin was here I wouldn't want another girl dressing like that in front of her. Figured I should do the same for you, and to disappoint Sora." Mika reasoned.
"Disappoint Sora?" Kairi tested.
"He is a healthy living teenage guy Kairi. He may love you and you might be the heart of his world but he's going to notice a girl standing practically nude in front of him. Not everyone is my brother and oblivious to the things around him." Mika informed the younger girl. "I heard Luna tried that once while he was reading and failed to be more interesting than the book."
"I heard that to." Kairi said remembering their time back at Beast's Castle. It was when Naminé had first projected herself.
When Sora finally made it to the kitchen they sat down to eat a pile of ham the size of Sora's head, hair included. Mika and Sora had an eating contest that ended with a belching contest. Mika was the clear winner in both. The dish had actually shaken on her last burp. Kairi had sensed a trace of magic coming from Mika though to amplify the sounds.
"Alright now I've been to this world before. I scouted it for the Warriors. It's a pretty fun world with many sentient races working together. I deemed it too much of a hassle to overtake but I bet they'll send someone anyway." Mika told them as she got up from the table.
After Sora and Kairi got dress, Mika didn't bother, they went over to the transporter and beamed down to the world. The first thing Kairi noticed was the hustle and bustle of the town around her. It was the first time they had appeared in a town near so many people. What Kairi noticed next was that her body felt like there was more to it. She wasn't fatter but there was muscle hidden underneath that she didn't have before. More shockingly though she had a pair of red large leathery wings protruding from her back and a pair of horns coming up out of her head. Her clothes had changed to. She had on a sleeveless white shirt that ended an inch or two under her breast and a red vest the same length over the shirt. She had a pair of billowy pants that reminded her of what people in the desert wore. Against the back of her pants Kairi felt something. When she looked to find out what it was there was a red lizard tail swishing back and forth.
Kairi looked over and saw a tan bunny girl standing next to her. There was practically nothing on the woman. She had what could best be described as lacy lingerie in the style of a teddy and stockings. Her stomach was outlined by the clothing and it only covered up the bottom half of her breast. Her stockings had intricate designs on them and covered more of her legs than her teddy covered her torso. She also had on a pair of stiletto heels. All of this was black and looked metallic but moved with the rise and fall of her breath. The reason Kairi had though she looked like a bunny was because of the two blonde ears that stood straight up off her blonde mop of a head. Golden eyes stared back at Kairi before they filled with laughter. The bunny girl pointed with long slender fingers that had very sharp claw-like nails at the end.
Following the fingers Kairi looked down to find a Moogle. Now it wasn't the normal Moogle that Kairi had seen. It had a mousey face and long ears that stuck up as if to alert the small creature to any danger around it. It had chocolate brown fur and a blue shirt and black pants. A red trademark pom-pom stood proudly above the Moogle's head bouncing in the wind. On its back was a set of tiny purple bat like wings.
"Oh if god does truly exist he has a sense of humor." The bunny girl said through her laughter.
Kairi recognized the voice. "Mika?"
"The one and only Kairi." The bunny girl nodded. "And that brown furred Moogle over there is your boyfriend."
"Sora?!" Kairi exclaimed as she dropped down to look at the Moogle. Sure enough once Kairi looked into the sky blues eyes she could see the resemblance to Sora.
"I'm a Moogle, kupo!" Sora squeaked his voice was slightly higher than normal.
"He even 'kupos'. It's too much." Mika said clutching her sides trying to hold in her laughter.
"What happened to me, kupo?" Sora asked as he tried to get airborne to talk with Mika.
"The world changed our shape to better blend in I'm assuming." Mika said as she wiped a tear away. "It didn't happen to me before. I don't understand exactly why we've changed though. There's a race called Hume on Ivalice that is basically a human. You'd have a hard time finding any difference between Humes and humans."
"So what am I? And what did you change into?" Kairi asked as she stood up to full height. Sora's pom-pom came up to Kairi's waist.
"I am of the all-female race called the Viera. You Kairi are a Gria. I've only seen female Gria but there could be some guys out there." Mika answered with a shrug.
"Why am I a Moogle though?" Sora asked as he tugged on Kairi's pants to get her attention. "I didn't kupo, kupo! Dang it!"
"You'd have to ask the world itself Sora. It's what changes us upon landing." Viera Mika told him. "I'm not complaining about what it changed me into. Viera might be a little stiff emotionally but they're a race of all women." Mika looked very excited about that prospect. Kairi almost expected her to start drooling.
"Wait where'd everyone go?" Kairi asked as she looked around.
The place they had ported in had been filled with people but now there was no one. All that surrounded them were tall buildings and shop stalls. It was now that Kairi noticed that snow was everywhere. Upon seeing the snow Kairi felt a chill pass through her body. That was definitely one of those if it was a snake it you have bit you moments. All on their own Kairi's wings folded over her and protected her exposed torso from the chilling wind. If Mika was cold she didn't show it. Sora in his fur looked perfectly fine against the wind. He still had a sad mouse face that Kairi thought was very adorable. Sora might hate being a Moogle but he was a very cute as one.
"I sense a battle coming." Mika said her rabbit ears twitching as she called forth her staff.
Kairi and Sora both called forth Oathkeeper and Oblivion respectively. Sora's Keyblade had shrunk with him to fit in his tiny Moogle hands. Mika motioned for them to follow her silently. The way Mika sauntered in her heels had a certain brown Moogle entranced. Kairi grabbed Sora by his pom-pom and carried him along with her. It was both a punishment and made traveling faster since Sora wasn't going to be very vast on his stubby little legs.
Mika crouched down when they got to the edge of a building and she peered into an open space. Kairi stood behind here still holding Sora by his pom-pom. Any real Moogle would be cursing up a storm, pom-poms were off limits. Out in what looked to be the town square was a group of twelve people locked in battle. There were Humes, Moogles, Vieras, and other races that Kairi didn't know but was sure Mika did. These included a lizard in armor, and wired dog looking guy in robes. Kairi swore that she even saw a large pig on two legs swinging a hammer around.
"What do you two want to do? The side with that red hatted Hume is losing." Mika asked the two behind her.
"We don't know what's going on though to figure out who to help." Kairi said.
"Well from the sounds of what they're saying it seems like Red Hat has a job to get rid of these thugs that they're fighting." Mika informed the two.
Kairi looked at Mika her expression asking the older woman how she knew that. Mika grabbed one of her ears and pulled it down in front of her face in response. Kairi had an "oh" moment and felt incredibly stupid. Of course Mika's large ears would increase her hearing. Not to mention the fact Mika knew a vast amount of magic and made Sol look like a novice.
"Let's help him out then." Sora said waving his tiny Oblivion around.
"Maybe I can find a way to keep Sora like this. He's just so cute as a Moogle." Mika pondered aloud.
"You will not, kupo!" Sora shouted and winced as he kupo-ed again.
"Let's just go." Kairi said as she carried Sora and pushed Mika along.
"Yo Red Hat!" Mika shouted. "Help has arrived."
"Red Hat?" a Hume wearing a red hat questioned. The red hat sat on top a mop of brown hair. He wore a pair of yellow overalls with a brown cloth underneath that stopped halfway up his chest. A four leaf clover pin was hooked on one of his overall straps. He was swinging around a long sword.
"That's you Luso." A girl with a red ribbon in white hair said. She had on a pink top and red gloves that went all the way up to her elbows. She had on yellow shorts with black paw prints on the knees and brown boots. A piece of ribbon came off her waist and looked like a tail. She held a knife backhand and stood ready for one of their enemies to attack her.
"How do you know it's me she talking to Adelle?" the boy named Luso asked
"It should be a crime to be as dense as you are!" Adelle shouted as she evaded an attack from one of the lizard people. "Do you see anyone else wearing a red hat? Do you see anyone else even wearing a hat?"
"Luso! Adelle! Stop fighting each other and start fighting the enemy. If we don't win we don't get paid." Another Hume said. This one had sand colored hair and looked to be older than either Adelle or Luso. He wore a white shirt under an armored vest. Black pants were covered by the same grey armor that was on his vest.
"Oh Vaan let them work it out now. If they don't we'll just have to hear it back at the pub." A female Hume said. This girl wore a pink top that covered as much as Kairi's own top. Her blonde hair fell in twin pigtails down her back ending at her waits. She too wore a pair of black pants but she wore not a lick of armor like the guy she had spoken to.
"I rather not hear them fight at all Penelo." Vaan replied as he countered a sword swipe form another Hume.
"Hey kids. Ignore the kids and fight!" yet another Hume said. This one was holding a gun in his hand. He had black curly hair and a perfectly tanned skin. He had on a pair of black sunglasses and his grey shirt and white pants screamed that he was a cool guy. In fact he had a cool guy aura about him.
"Shut up and aim Al-Cid." Vaan and Luso shouted at him.
"Anyone else feeling left out here?" Mika asked. "Was I not just dramatically charging into battle before these character descriptions? Do the readers even care who these guys are?"
"Mika! No fourth wall breaking!" Kairi screamed smacking the Viera with one of her wings.
"Right! Let's fight then!" Mika said not wanting to get smacked again.
Mika placed herself next to the guy they had called Al-Cid. She swore she could feel him looking her over from behind his sunglasses as he shot at the enemy. Mika groaned. It was just her luck to end up next to the player of the group. Together though they unleashed a barrage of ranged attacks on the enemy. Anyone that was attacking one of the people she'd seen arguing soon felt the sting of Mika's lightning.
Kairi and the girl name Penelo were fighting side by side. Penelo seemed to dance about the battle field with her staff. Kairi though had never looked more frightening. The body of a Gria suited her well as she used its strength to overpower her opponents and her own natural grace and agility to make quick work of those that came near her and Penelo.
Luso and Adelle were fighting their enemy as much as each other it seemed. The two were constantly trying to get after the same guy and ended up getting in the others way. Somehow the miraculously managed to win against those that fought them.
Moogle Sora was fighting next to the guy named Vaan. Sora tried to take part in the fight but wound up tripping Vaan instead. Sora wasn't used to be so much smaller than his opponents. Sure he had fought giants Hydras and a dragon and countless Large Bodies. Something about being a tiny Moogle though just changed everything for the Keybearer.
After a few minutes of battle the enemy retreated and the people from the world of Ivalice cheered. They had completed the quest they had been hired to do. Luso and Adelle were now fighting over the loot that had appeared in a pile in front of them. Penelo walked over to break up the fighting leaving Al-Cid and Vaan alone with our heroes.
"So what are two pretty girls like you doing with only a Moogle for protection?" Al-Cid asked Mika and Kairi.
"Actually I'm their protection." Mika corrected a hand pointing down over the head of the two Keybearers.
"What I want to know is why you're so energetic. I've never met a Viera so animated." Vaan said as he leaned in close to inspect Mika's face like he expected it to be a mask.
"Maybe you do not know my race as well as you think young Hume." Mika said adopting a more Viera like tone. "Who is to say that there are not Viera that tread outside the Wood looking to assist those in need? Are there not Viera that have joined you Clan?"
"Alright I take it back." Vaan said throwing up his hands.
"What made you guys help us anyway?" Luso asked carrying a new sword in his hand, his old one in its sheath at his waist.
"It's kinda what we do, kupo." Sora said. "Got to ask though have you guys seen any weird creatures running around here?"
"You mean other than Luso?" Adelle snickered. "No."
"There was a quest back at the pub saying that new monster have been spotted near the Arine Ruins near Dalmasca." Penelo said taking a stand next to Vaan. "I asked Cid if we could take that one since it's close to home. He said that after we finished with this one to head out."
"Wait. You're in charge?" Mika question in astonishment as she gazed at Al-Cid.
"Nope. I'm Al-Cid. Cid is a Bangaa that is the leader of this clan." Al-Cid explained.
"Bangaa?" Kairi and Sora asked in unison.
"The lizards." Mika informed the two.
"Why wouldn't they know that?" Adelle asked curiously.
"Maybe they're like me and from another world" Luso joked.
"How'd you know?" Kairi asked not catching onto Luso's joke.
"I was right?" Luso asked
"He's right?" the other clan members asked.
"I feel that there's a long story behind this. Let's go to the pub and talk there." Penelo suggested always the voice of reason.
Sora in Kairi's arms, Kairi, and Mika followed the clan through the streets of the city. Never once did Mika complain about the cold or slip in her heels. It was like she had born in them. Sora grumbled from his spot in Kairi's arms while Kairi had to keep swatting Sora's pom-pom out of her face. Mika snickered each time Kairi did so. After the fifth time Kairi had to ask what was so funny. Mika told her that she didn't want to know. Again the pom-pom needed to be swatted and Mika laughed.
"Mika what's so funny?!" Kairi demanded.
"You asked for it Kairi." Mika warned. "How does Sora's ball taste?"
Thump
Sora was dropped down to the ground as Kairi jumped at Mika and tackled her to the ground. The two rolled in the snow and Mika came out on top straddling Kairi's waist. Both of Kairi's arms were pinned by Mika's hands. She leaned down and whispered something into Kairi's ear that caused the Gria's face to turn as red as her wings. Kairi must have just then remembered she had a tail as it broke out of the snow and went to whack Mika off her. Mika hadn't forgotten eh physical changes that Kairi had underwent though and moved her foot to step on the tail. Viera were a very flexible race.
"Nice try Kairi. Good that you remembered your tail." Mika said as she got off the girl. "Next time though think of it faster."
Everyone had stopped to watch the two girls fight. Vaan had been cheering the entire time for Mika. This had gotten him a death glare from Penelo. Luso and Adelle had been placing bets on who would win and Al-Cid along with Sora had simply watched the whole thing unfold unsure of what to do.
"I'll get you back Mika!" Kairi shouted as she got up.
"You're welcome to try Kairi. Let's wait till after we finish all this though alright?" Mika replied.
"Yeah sure." Kairi answered.
"And she's their protector?" Luso asked Vaan to confirm what the Sky Pirate had told him.
"That's what she said." Vaan said with a shrug.
The group continued walking down the streets and they came to the pub finally. When they entered Kairi could smell the kitchen cooking up something that smelled really good. Even though she had just had breakfast not that long ago her stomach rumbled. Mika looked at Kairi and smiled in understanding.
"You only ate enough to fuel a human body Kairi. A Gria needs to eat more than what you did. Find out if this word takes munny and order something if it does." Mika advised. "Me and Kupo Boy here can explain everything while you eat."
"Hey I haven't said kupo in a while... yes no kupo, kupo! WHY ME?!" Sora whined.
Mika chuckled. "Still funny."
The two descended a set of stairs and walked to a table where Vaan, Penelo, Luso, Adelle, and Al-Cid sat. Kairi walked over to the counter where a man in a blue shirt and white turban stood talking with some customers. She sat at the bar and waited for the man to finish talking. When he noticed her he held up a finger to tell her one minute. He finally came over and Kairi remembered that she had to check if they took munny or not.
"Do you guys take munny?" Kairi asked sheepishly holding out a few beads.
"Ah yes. The Moogles said that people may try to pay with these beads." The man said inspecting them. "We pub owners are masters of trade and except any form of currency my young Gria, though now that I think about it I doubt you are of such a race." The pub owner took out a book from underneath the counter and looked at a chart. No doubt it was a key telling him the exchange rate between this world's currency and munny. "Yes yes I see. What you are holding out to me will get you a nice steak. Perfect for a growing Gria."
"I'll take that then. And some water if you wouldn't mind."
"No problem at all young miss. Go sit with your friends and I will have it delivered to your table." The man said to her.
Kairi hopped off the barstool and walked toward the table where everyone had gathered. She came into the conversation when Sora was explaining what exactly the Heartless were. They had a long explanation to go still. In a few minutes a Hume girl in a bunny outfit walked up holding a large plate. Kairi could smell the steak before she even saw it put down in front of her. It looked so good and Kairi could feel her stomach rumble at the sight of the hunk of meat. She took the knife and fork and began mowing down on the slab of meat like it was her last meal.
"So he took munny eh?" Mika asked just loud enough for Kairi to hear.
Kairi nodded her head in response. "Yeah he said that the pub owners take all currency."
"How much did you pay exactly?" Mika wondered
"Uh two hundred and fifty munny." She answered,
"Hey Red Hat." Mika shouted getting Luso's attention. "What's the currency for this world?"
"It's gil" Luso answered.
"Holy shit Kairi! The bartender must have been taken with you. A steak that size should have cost well over a thousand munny." Mika exclaimed.
"Yes this owner has a soft spot for Gria." Vaan said. "Apparently one saved his life a few years back and he didn't get her name so he gives all Gria a discount here."
"I don't care it taste soooo good." Kairi said as she stuffed another piece into her mouth.
"Gria love meat." Was all Penelo said.
Sora went back to his explanation of what was going on and what they were doing here. It took well into the day to tell the whole story but the people of the clan sat and listened intently never once interrupting the three in their tale. When Mika had finished telling the last part of the story the others just looked at them in awe.
"If I didn't already have a way home I'd ask you guys for a lift." Luso said as he patted a book on his waist. "I'm from another world to. I was reading a book, signed my name in it, and was transported here to Ivalice. I found out that by filling this book with tales of my adventures it can return me home."
"Nifty little book." Mika said. "Just be thankful my brother isn't here. You might find it missing."
"Sol wouldn't steal his book." Kairi said defending her magic teacher. "On second thought he just might."
"Exactly. So this place where there's all these new monster popping up might be a good place to look for the Keyhole." Mika said. "Sounds like it's Heartless crawling around there anyway so you guys might as well take us with you. You could say Heartless hunting is our never ending quest."
"Won't we have to take them into the Clan then?" Adelle asked. "We need Cid if we're going to do that."
"We can just have them as Guests." Vaan reminded the girl. "We just won't be able to take the full six that we normally do."
"That leaves the question of who goes with them then." Luso pointed out. "Since I have a journal to fill I should get to go with them!"
"Hold on there." Al-Cid said. "Two beautiful ladies such as these need the best of protection."
"Which means you aren't coming pretty boy." Mika said flatly.
"Vaan and I should go. We know the land around Dalmasca pretty well." Penelo supplied.
"Makes sense to me." Vaan said leaning back in his chair and propping his feet up on the table. A waitress walked by and smacked him on the back of the head at the same time as Penelo. Vaan took his feet down and grumbled.
"So it looks like Vaan, Penelo, and Luso will be going with these three to the edge of Dalmasca." Al-Cid said for confirmation.
"Yep. Let's visit the Bazaar and stock up on things and then head to the aerodrome and catch an airship." Luso declared.
(A/N): If you didn't get a good idea of what Mika's wearing just think of what Fran wears and you have the right idea. If you don't know who Fran is look her up she's from Final Fantasy XII. The other characters we have ran into are all from Final Fantasy Tactics A2. Well Vaan, Penelo, and Al-Cid are from XII also but their looks are based off the A2 sprites.