Chapter 16 Sunrise, Spells, and Streetrats

The next morning Ven wakes with a start and sits up looking around for what had awakened him. For a moment he thinks he sees those yellow eyes in the corner of his dark room again, but when he looks again they are gone. He shakes his head, mentally scolding himself. Terra said there is nothing to fear and Ven isn't about to let his imagination freak him out. He lies back down with a sigh and glances at the clock next to his bed. 5:17 Great.He thinks to himself. I'm up before the sun.He closes his eyes and tries to drift back to sleep, but he is too awake now and gives up. He stares at the ceiling and all he can think about is Zack. Zack holding him close under the coliseum, Zack kissing him so gently, Zack walking away.

Trying to quell those thoughts, Ven kicks off the covers and stands, stretching his arms high above his head. In his bare feet, he pads slowly to the window and raises the curtain slightly to peek out. There is just a hint of pink on the dark horizon and he remembers the last time he had watched the sunrise. He had been on Carinol and he remembers the soft light pushing away the chill of the night. I wonder if it looks the same here.The view from the window is obstructed by the mountains and Ven turns away quickly putting on his shoes and running out into the hall still in his pajamas.

The castle is silent so early and Ven moves like a ghost heading out the front door without a sound. Outside, he looks to the sky and sees it lighter than before. Now in a hurry, Ven runs following the path up the mountain. He passes the evil gold rings he had trained with and gives them a dirty look as he goes past. In a few minutes he reaches the flat top and pauses to catch his breath.

When he looks up the sun is just beginning to peek over the horizon and with a smile he walks forward and sits on the edge. From his perch, he can watch as the rising sun lights up the sleeping world below him. His smile widens. Sunrises always calmed him, made him feel safe, and this one is one of the most beautiful he has ever seen. Ven doesn't move for hours watching as his friends wake up in the castle below him. He can see them moving around inside and Master Eraqus staring out the window of his study deep in thought. Ven stays where he is until Aqua walks out the front door calling his name.

Ven goes to race back down the path down the mountain, but something out of the corner of his eye catches his attention. He turns to look, but there is nothing. With a shrug he bounds down the path to greet Aqua. If he had glanced back one more time he might have caught sight of an old man stepping out of the shadows and disappearing through a dark portal.

When Ven reaches Aqua, she laughs and asks, "Ven, how long have you been up?"

"Uh a couple hours I think," Ven says. "I was watching the sunrise."

"Well hurry up and get dressed. Breakfast is already ready and you better eat lots, Master Eraqus has a big lesson planned for you today."

…

"Today I am going to teach you the basic techniques and principles of spell casting," Master Eraqus says to Ven as they stand facing each other in the large inside sparring room.

"Awesome!" Ven says with a grin, pumping his fist in the air.

"I'm glad you are excited," Master Eraqus says with a small smile. He leads Ven to two chairs on the side of the room. When they are both seated he begins. "Magic comes in all different types. Most worlds have their own unique magic that is only possible there. One day you may wish to travel to every world and learn the magic there, but that is for when you are older. Today I am going to teach you about elemental magic. It is the most common form of magic and all keyblade wielders posses the ability to use it. Elemental magic is very simple. Just call the name of the element you desire and it will appear." Master Eraqus holds out his hand. "Fire." A small flame appears in his hand flickering for a few moments before Master Eraqus ends the spell. "Now there are five basic elements to know. Fire, Blizzard, Thunder, Aero, and Cure. Each has three incantations that vary the power of your spell. It is important to use the right incantation for the situation. If you are trying to light a candle, using Firaga would be disastrous."

Ven nods to show Master Eraqus that he is listening and understanding.

"Along with being more powerful spells, the higher level spells require more energy. Once you have trained hard such spells will be easy for you, but as a beginner you are not to use spells higher than the first level. Do you understand me Ventus?"

"Yes," Ven says. "Now can we get to actually doing magic?"

"Yes Ventus, we can begin the practical part of the lesson. Follow me." Master Eraqus stands and Ven does the same following him to the center of the room. "Do you see that dummy?" Ven looks where Master Eraqus is pointing and sees the dummy looking a little worse for wear. This is obviously not its first magic lesson. "To cast a spell simply hold your keyblade out like this." Master Eraqus summons his keyblade pointing the tip at the dummy. "When you call out your spell, that element will shoot out of the tip of your keyblade and hit your target. Watch carefully now."

Master Eraqus takes a breath and says calmly, "Fire." A fireball bursts out the end of his keyblade and shoots across the room hitting the dummy in the chest. Ven raises his eyebrows impressed by the perfect hit.

Master Eraqus takes a step over and motions for Ven to stand in front of the dummy. A little apprehensive, Ven steps forward and summons his keyblade. Pointing it at the dummy he tries to say with confidence, "Fire."

A small fireball shoots out the end of his keyblade and flies wildly high hitting the ceiling. Ven rubs his keyblade arm with a frown. The recoil from the spell had been greater than he had anticipated. Looking up at the spot his fireball had hit Ven says to Master Eraqus, "Sorry."

"Don't worry, this room is well protected. You won't hurt anything here with magic," Master Eraqus says waving off Ven's apology. "Try again."

…

"Alright Ven that is enough!" Master Eraqus shouts worriedly and Ven lets his arm drop exhausted. For the past three hours he had been trying each of the elemental spells minus Cure on the dummy that is somehow still standing. It was annoyingly repetitive and tiring. Master Eraqus had stepped out for a moment and Ven had gotten bored in his absence. He had decided to see how many fireballs he could send out in thirty seconds. The toll it had taken had been greater than he had expected and he sinks to the ground exhausted as Master Eraqus hurries over.

Master Eraqus kneels beside him and hands him a small blue bottle. "Drink this," Master Eraqus commands. Ven downs it in one gulp and shivers as he feels his energy return. Curious as to what Master Eraqus had just given him, Ven turns to ask and flinches seeing Master Eraqus' disapproving gaze. "You are not strong enough for rapid spell casting like that Ventus. Do not try anything like that again until I tell you are ready."

"Yes, Master Eraqus," Ven says and then quickly changes the subject. "What was that stuff you gave me?"

"This is ether," Master Eraqus says holding up another bottle of the stuff. "It replenishes the energy you lose during spellcasting. In battle you may have to use a lot of magic and ether allows you to regain your energy instantly instead of waiting for your body to naturally fix itself. Here." He hands Ven the bottle. "I want you to always have one with you in case you need it."

Ven takes the bottle and puts it in his jacket pocket. "So can I keep training?"

"Yes, Ventus," Master Eraqus says standing and helping Ven to his feet. "Just remember to give yourself time between spells to regain your energy." Nodding, Ven raises his keyblade back to point at the dummy.

"Blizzard!"

…

"Today I need the three of you to go to Agrabah," Master Eraqus says to his students over breakfast a few days later. "The Sultan there, a very kind man, has appointed a new royal vicar. Agrabah is a world still trusting of keyblade wielders and it is important that we keep up good relations with the leaders there."

"So we are going to exchange pleasantries?" Ven says, frowning at the idea. "That's the big mission? Go rub elbows with the rich and famous?"

"Yes Ventus," Master Eraqus says in a disapproving voice. "You are going to go and be polite and respectful to the Sultan."

Turning to face Terra and Aqua, who are hiding their displeasure with the mission better than Ventus, Master Eraqus says to them, "The Sultan knows you are coming; he will introduce you to his royal vicar. Be courteous but observant. I would like to hear your opinion of this man when you get back. While you are there, look around and see what state the world is in. As far as I know, the heartless have not infiltrated Agrabah, but that information is second hand. I would like a full report of everything you find when you get back."

Ven groans and makes a face at the idea of all the work Master Eraqus is giving them. Master Eraqus looks over at him frowning at his continued grumbling.

"I would have thought, Ventus, that you would be excited to visit another world," Master Eraqus says.

"After Olympus," Ven said rubbing the back of his head, "I'm thinking visiting other worlds isn't all it's cracked up to be."

"Be that as it may," Master Eraqus says, "I think you will enjoy Agrabah. It is a lively place full of all different kinds of people. But remember, although the Sultan trusts keyblade wielders, the other inhabitants may not. Under no circumstances are you to reveal that you are keyblade wielders to anyone but the Sultan and his royal vicar if he deems it appropriate. Do you understand me?"

Terra, Aqua, and Ven's heads all bob up and down as one.

"Good. I will have dinner prepared when you return. Good luck."

Master Eraqus stands and the three hasten to do the same. They follow him out of the kitchen and to the front doors. He stands on the steps outside while they activate their armor and throw their keyblades into the air. As the keyblades return as gliders, Master Eraqus calls, "Ventus!"

Ven turns his head back in the direction of his master. "Be polite!"

…

"It's too hot," Ven complains taking off his jacket and carrying it in his hand. Terra rolls his eyes.

"We've only been here a minute and you're already being a pain in the ass."

Ven mumbles something under his breath.

"What did you just call me?" Terra asks a hard note in his voice.

"Boys!" Aqua exclaims in exasperation. "None of us want to be here, but this is our job so stop squabbling like children."

That shuts them up. In silence, the trio crests the last sand dune and sees the walled in city laid out before them. Aqua takes the lead while the two boys, still sulking, walk behind her where they can shove each other around a little without her noticing. Their little spat from before is forgotten however when they walk through the open front gate of Agrabah.

The shade from the city's walls and buildings make it slightly cooler in the city than the desert outside. The streets are lined with shops selling everything from funny smelling spices to how-to guides for fire eating. Ven may have grumbled about coming, but he has to admit he is enthralled by the city as he follows his friends pushing through the large crowd that bustles around the marketplace. He twists his head from one side to the other and then back over his shoulder trying to see and hear everything.

"Hey Blondie! You hungry? Best fruit in town right here."

Distracted by the fat man trying to selling him a bag of mangos with a smile minus a couple teeth, Ven turns to find himself alone in the crowd with Terra and Aqua nowhere in sight. "Shit." He swears to himself and begins to roughly push his way through the crowd which parts unhappily for him.

Ven stops to crane his neck to look over the heads in front of him and relaxes when he spots a flash of blue hair. With his best manners, he shoves his way through the crowd ignoring the curses he gets.

"Aqua!" Ven calls and as she turns he can see her look of worry melt into relief. With a final effort, he breaks free of the thickest part of the crowd and stumbles up next to her. "Where's Terra?"

A large hand claps him on the shoulder. "Looking for you. You can't wander off like that Ven," Terra says as he comes up behind Ven.

"I didn't wander off! I just got distracted!"

Aqua sighs, "Whatever. Just make sure it doesn't happen again. Now c'mon. We shouldn't keep the Sultan waiting all day."

She takes the lead once more heading off in the direction of the palace that looms higher than any other building in the city. They have only taken a couple steps what a shout catches their attention. "Stop! Thief!"

A shop owner, whose turban is falling over his eyes, is pointing over the crowd in their direction and shouting while a group of six seriously scary looking dudes with curved swords begin to move towards them.

"What did you do now Ven?" Terra asks with a sigh as the crowd hurries to get out of the way of the soldiers.

"Me?! Why would you assume I did anything?"

"Because it's always-" Terra is cut off by a small blur crashing into him. The blur falls back from the collision and Ven can now see it is a young brown haired boy clutching a loaf of bread. Terra looks down at him surprised and opens his mouth to question the boy, but before he can another boy with silver hair bursts through the crowd and grabs the brunette's hand. The second boy drags his friend after him as they continue to run down street.

"Sorry!" The brunette boy calls back over his shoulder still clutching the loaf of stolen bread. He flashes them a quick smile before disappearing after his silver haired friend into the crowd.

"Streetrats!" The soldiers call as they try to push past Aqua, Terra, and Ven and continue their chase of the boys. Before they can make it past however, Ven sticks his foot out in front of the first man and the large man trips. His companions collide with him and they all fall into a tangled pile on the ground. Amazingly, none of the them managed to impale each other with their swords when they fell. Ven moves to Terra and Aqua who are shocked. "Ven, why did you do that?" Aqua asks angrily.

"I didn't want those assholes to get their hands on those kids," Ven replies. "But you can yell at me later. Now we have to move."

But they had left it too late to escape and Ven feels a sweaty hand grab him by the back of his shirt and yank him off his feet. "Interfering with law enforcement is a capital offense boy." A voice snarls in his ear as Ven twists to see that it is the large man he had tripped holding him.

"Hey! Let him go!" Terra shouts but the other soldiers had gotten to their feet and step forward. They hold out their swords threateningly to keep Terra from coming to Ven's aid.

The man speaks in his ear again, his hot smelly breath hitting him in the side of his face, "I suggest you tell your friends to back off otherwise they will be joining you."

Ven can see that both Aqua and Terra's hands are twitching as they contemplate summoning their keyblades. "Guys! Go," Ven says forcefully, "I'll be fine. Just go see...that guy. I'm sure he can help."

He can tell from Terra's face that he is still thinking about his keyblade but their eyes meet and Ven shakes his head slightly. Terra gets the message and he and Aqua take a step back. "C'mon." The soldier holding him says forcefully and spins him around pushing him in the direction of the palace. The other soldiers form a loose circle around them and Ven is forced to march away with his captors. Ven looks back past the soldiers and sees Terra and Aqua watching him go anxiously.

Hmmm who are these two mysterious children? I wonder if they are important...

:)

Agrabah is my favorite world 'cause Aladdin is my favorite movie. Genie is like the best character ever. Like ever. Sadly I don't think he will make an appearance during Terra, Aqua, and Ven's visit.

You may be thinking "Holy crap! Didn't she just posted a chapter yesterday? What is she doing with another one already done?" Honestly, I don't really know I've just been on like the opposite of writer's block for the past couple of days.

Mexi: Appreciate your reviews as always! Lea and Isa won't come into this story for a while. (like probably a long while) But I am going to try to have almost every character in the KH series in this story at some point.

Zephyr26: Your review really made me smile! I'm glad you are liking the story!

Sorry this chapter was a little short and kinda all over the place. I really wanted to leave you with my latest cliffhanger!

So what's going to happen to Ven in the next chapter? Prison? Beheading? Getting tied up, thrown off a cliff, and left to drown?

Well you will just have to wait for the next chapter! Review and follow and favorite and all that crap!