Chapter 18 It Was an Accident
Ven smiles tiredly as the heart from the heartless floats up and away. Aqua had done it, she had finally killed it. With fumbling fingers, Ven searches through the pockets of his jacket. After a moment, his clumsy fingers find their way around the neck of the bottle he had been looking for. Pulling the little blue bottle Master Eraqus gave him out of his pocket, Ven notices Terra hurrying quickly across the bazaar towards him.
Ven sighs in relief seeing that Terra is unhurt before turning his attention back to the bottle in his hands. After a couple tries Ven gets the cap off the bottle of ether and tips it bottoms up gulping it down in two mouthfuls. Everything snaps into focus immediately, and shoving the now empty bottle back into pocket, Ven stands stretching his muscles sore from fighting. Terra reaches him and opens his mouth with a slightly concerned expression, but before he can speak, Aqua's angry voice reaches their ears.
"Ventus! Don't you ever do that again!" Ven turns cringing to face a worried and angry Aqua whose eyes burn into his. Looking down guiltily, Ven tries to prepare himself for the lecture he is about to get. He still winces when Aqua continues to shout, "What were you thinking? That spell was way beyond your capabilities. Master Eraqus told you not to use 2nd level magic let alone 3rd level! You're lucky you didn't pass out. Did you even think before you-"
Aqua stops herself taking a deep breath and closing her eyes for a moment. "Ven," she says more gently opening her eyes. "Are you alright?"
Ven nods quickly. "I'm fine Aqua. I drank an ether after you left."
The creases of worry on Aqua's forehead disappear. "Good, good," she says running her fingers through her short hair. Without warning she rounds on Terra. "What about you? Are you OK? I couldn't find you after we were all blown away."
"I'm perfectly fine Aqua," Terra says giving her a reassuring smile. "I just got blown in the other direction." He turns pointing towards where he had landed. "C'mon." He gestures for them to follow him and confused they fall into step behind him. "I was sidetracked because those two little-"
Suddenly, eight or nine Bandit heartless pop into existence forming a loose circle around the three friends. They glare mischievously at them rocking back and forth on the balls of their feet with their curved swords raised. Terra, Aqua, and Ven react quickly and move to the center of the circle back to back.
"Ven, if you aren't strong enough yet, don't fight. We can handle this."
"For the last time Aqua, I'm fine!" And to prove his point he breaks away from them to face the nearest heartless which blocks his first swing.
Dragging his eyes away from anxiously watching Ven, Terra prepares to fight the two Bandit heartless that are advancing on him in a menacing fashion. Their swords gleam in the bright sunlight as they both arc towards him. Terra easily deflects one then the other with his keyblade and before the heartless can recover he stabs the nearest one in the head causing it to fade immediately. Seeing the fate of its comrade, the second heartless hesitates for a moment before running away from Terra. Before he can give chase, two more Bandits step in front of Terra brandishing their swords in a challenge. "Oh you want a piece of me," Terra says sneering at the weak heartless. In response, the slightly bigger of the two heartless charges forward. As it swings its sword at Terra, he spins to the right letting the sword pass right by him and catching the unfortunate heartless off balance in the chest with his keyblade. As it fades away Terra points his keyblade at the second and shouts, "Fira!" The heartless is killed instantly as the fireball explodes. Terra smirks but his proud expression shatters when a small shriek of terror makes him spin around.
The heartless that had escaped from him had crossed the bazaar and found the two boys who had been hiding behind one of the stalls. The silver haired boy and his friend are running as fast as they can pursued by the Bandit heartless. Terra sprints to reach them in time, but the smaller brunette trips on the broken rubble that litters the ground. The silver haired boy skids to a stop and runs back to his fallen friend.
As the boy helps his friend to his feet, the Bandit heartless reaches them and swings his sword at the defenseless boys. "No!" Terra shouts unable to do anything. He watches in horror as the sharp sword curves down. The silver haired boy stands pushing his smaller friend behind him. He holds out his hands in a weak attempt to stop the blade.
A bright flash between his hands goes off as the sword comes down. A sharp ring of metal on metal rings out. The light fades to reveal a red and blue keyblade clenched firmly in the young boy's hands. His eyes widen in shock as do his friend's, and even the Bandit heartless looks surprised. Everything seems to freeze for a moment and then the keyblade disappears as quickly as it had appeared leaving the two boys defenseless once more.
The heartless shakes off the shock and prepares to attack again. Before it can even raise its sword back to striking position, Ven, crouching low on his skateboard keyblade glider, whips past Terra at maximum speed. Within seconds he is nearly on top of the heartless which turns to face him only to get a faceful of keyblade as Ven dives off his glider resummoning his keyblade just in time to slam it into the heartless. His keyblade passes right through as the heartless vanishes and Ven tumbles to the ground.
Terra reaches the two boys as Ven gets to his feet. "Did I see what I think I just saw?" Ven asks
Terra nods and crouches down beside the silver haired boy who is staring at his hands with an expression of disbelief. "I think...I think I gave it to him," Terra says quietly and the boy looks up at him questioningly. "It was an accident. I didn't mean to."
"Terra, what is going on?" Aqua says having just reached them. "Are they ok?" She gestures to the two boys who still have yet to say a word. They just stand together staring up at the three keyblade wielders with expressions of awe.
"Yeah," Terra says. "Ven stopped that heartless before it touched them, but Aqua there is something else." He pulls her a little ways away to get out of earshot of the boys. Ven contemplates going with them, but decides against it.
Instead, he smiles at the two boys. "My name is Ventus. Call me Ven. What are your names?"
"I'm Sora!" The younger brunette says excitedly holding his hand up with a cute grin. Ven smiles back at him and turns to the silver haired boy.
"Riku," the boy says without returning Ven's smile.
"Riku," Ven says thoughtfully. "Have you ever summoned a keyblade before?"
"What's that?" Riku asks confused, but curious.
"A keyblade is...well...this," Ven says summoning his keyblade and holding it out so both Sora and Riku can see it.
"Hey Riku, that kinda looks like that thing you had," Sora says.
"Yeah." Is all Riku says looking down at his hands again with a frown.
Ven glances over at Terra and Aqua to see Aqua poking Terra in the chest while yelling quietly at him. He can't make out the words, but he winces in sympathy for Terra being at the receiving end of Aqua's wrath.
"She's scary," Sora says catching Ven's attention.
"Aqua?" Ven asks laughing slightly. "Nah, just bossy."
"She killed that big monster," Riku says.
"Don't give her all the credit!" Ven says. "Terra and I helped."
"Yeah, we saw you hitting it," Sora says. "It was so cool!"
"I thought you said it was scary," Riku says to his friend.
"No! I wasn't scared!" Sora shouts standing on tiptoe to be at Riku's height.
"Yes you were!"
"Was not!" Sora says crossing his arms. "And you were scared too."
Ven can't help but laugh at the two boys bickering. "Are you guys scared of monsters?" Both boys nod. "You shouldn't be scared," Ven says crouching down beside Sora. "Big, stupid monsters aren't going to hurt you guys. They won't get anywhere near you. I eat monsters like that for breakfast." Ven flexes his arm muscles earning a giggle from both Sora and Riku.
"But you know," Ven says getting serious again. "Sometimes a monster sneaks up on you and grabs you from behind." Saying this Ven suddenly grabs Sora around the middle.
He shrieks in surprise and then in laughter as Ven begins to tickle him all over. Sora struggles to pull away, but Ven stands up keeps a firm grip on him.
"Stop it Ven!" Sora says still laughing. Ven only smiles and continues. Sora seems to be ticklish everywhere as he wiggles trying to get away. After a little while, Ven decides Sora has had enough and crouches back down releasing Sora who scrambles away. At a safe distance, he turns back giving Ven a huge grin.
"Oof!"
"Gotcha!" Riku says smugly in Ven's ear. He had snuck up behind Ven and jumped on his back when Ven was still crouched. Now he is wrapping his arms around Ven's neck refusing to let go no matter how much Ven tickles him. It is not until Sora joins in the effort does Riku finally yield to the double tickle attack and slip down off Ven's back.
"Do you understand how bad this is Terra?" Aqua says for the umpteenth time.
"Yes Aqua," Terra says through gritted teeth. "Actually I do understand."
Aqua just continues making Terra roll his eyes. "This is so bad. You aren't a master yet. You can't be picking apprentices and handing out the keyblade willy nilly."
"I wasn't picking an apprentice or handing out the keyblade," Terra snaps beginning to lose his patience. "I told you it was an accident. He picked it up. He handed it back to me. Now he can use the keyblade. End of story."
"But what about the ceremony? You can't give the keyblade to someone without the Keyblade Inheritance Ceremony," Aqua says sounding like she is clutching at straws.
"Apparently you can," Terra says firmly. "Now we can stand here and argue about things we don't understand, or we can take him back to MEKA and let Master Eraqus decide what to do."
"We are old enough to figure things out for ourselves," Aqua says. "We shouldn't need to run to Master Eraqus for everything, especially if we want to become masters anytime soon."
"So you know what we should do?"
"...no."
"Then it's settled," Terra says walking over to the others before Aqua can protest.
"Hey guys," Ven says looking up as they come back over. Ven is grinning like an idiot and the two boys are also smiling as they both pull on Ven's arm like they are trying to make him fall over. Their efforts are in vain. "This is Sora and Riku," Ven says indicating which boy is which. "Guys this is Terra and Aqua."
"The bossy one?" Sora says looking at Aqua who is shocked. Terra snorts and Aqua shoots him a death glare and then does the same to Ven who looks at Sora horrified that he repeated that.
"Anyways," Ven says trying to steer the conversation in a safer direction. "What are we going to do?" Both Sora and Riku look at him curiously, but for the moment he ignores them.
"Same thing we did with you," Terra replies before crouching down at Sora and Riku's level. "How old are you guys?" Terra asks the two boys.
"I'm five and a half," Riku says. "Sora is only four."
"Hey! I'm almost five!"
"Alright, do you guys have parents or someone who looks after you?" Terra asks next.
"Nope, grown ups are mean," Riku says. "We ran away last year."
Terra glances at Aqua who nods for him to continue. "Riku," Terra says. "When that heartless tried to hurt you and Sora, you summoned a weapon called a keyblade. That means you are like us, we are all keyblade wielders." Terra pauses, but Riku just stares at him with wide eyes. "Since you are like us, we want you to come live with us."
"In a castle," Ven pipes in.
"Yes, in a castle," Terra says. "We call it MEKA and it is a school for people like us. But if you come with us we have to go to another world. That means you won't be back here for a while. Do you want to come with us?"
Riku doesn't reply looking over at Sora who is nearly jumping up and down with excitement. "Sora can come too of course," Terra adds quickly.
"Please Riku! It sounds like fun!" Sora says pleading with him. "I wanna go."
"I don't know Sora," Riku says slowly.
"It's a really cool place Riku," Ven says. "And we always have plenty of food and big comfy beds. And it is safe. Completely safe."
Riku regards him silently for a moment then nods. "Ok."
"Yay!" Sora says jumping up and down. He then runs and grabs Ven's leg. "Can we go now?"
Ven laughs and looks at Aqua. "Is it time to go Miss Bossy?"
Aqua gives him a warning look. "Yes it is and you will be doing the dishes for a week for that."
Terra summons his glider and opens the secret compartment in the seat where he keeps spare helmets. He beckons the two young boys over and hands them each a helmet three sizes too big for them. Aqua moves to Ven's side saying, "You knew just what to say to get him to come with us."
Ven shrugs. "Feeling safe is what every kid living on the street wants." Aqua fixes him with a steady gaze and Ven can feel the 'let's talk about our feelings' vibe coming off of her. Thankfully, Sora and Riku provide the perfect distraction.
"Hey Riku."
"What?"
"This!"
Sora headbutts Riku making their helmets clang together. Both boys stumble back, their too large helmets visibly vibrating from the ringing blow.
"Whoa..." Sora says clutching his head to stop the ringing.
"Maybe you two shouldn't ride together," Terra says frowning. "Here, Riku you can ride with me and Sora you can ride with Aqu-"
"I wanna ride with Ven!"
"Definitely!" Ven says with a grin. He holds out his hand just out of Sora's reach and watches with amusement as the small boy tries to jump and give him a high five.
"Are you sure it's safe on that glider of yours?" Aqua asks worriedly.
"It'll be fine," Ven says waving her off. "Stand back Sora."
Sora takes a step back and Ven smacks his armor guard. In a flash his armor appears. "Cool!" Sora shouts echoed by Riku. Terra and Aqua activate their armor as well and Ven and Aqua summon their gliders. Terra places Riku on the seat on his glider and then sits behind reaching around him to reach the steering controls. Ven makes his board hover only a foot off the ground. He jumps on and reaches down to lift Sora up. He has him stand between his feet and keeps one hand wrapped securely around him.
"Are you all settled?" Aqua calls from aboard her glider. They all nod and begin to rise up into the sky. Ven can hear Sora gasp and feels him lean back against him. Ven tightens his grip slightly as they leave the world and zoom off into space towards home.
…
"I'm sorry Master Eraqus," Terra says. "It was an accident. I don't know what happened."
Terra stands nervously in Master Eraqus office while his master stands with his back to him staring out the window at Sora, Riku, and Ven who are playing tag in the gardens below while supervised by Aqua. In the silence of the next minute, Master Eraqus watches as Ven drags Aqua into the game and presumably making her it as they scatter away from her at once.
Master Eraqus turns away from the window to look at Terra who lowers his head unable to meet his master's gaze. "I am not mad Terra," Master Eraqus says and Terra's head snaps back up in surprise.
"You're not?"
"No," Master Eraqus says smiling kindly. "We like to think that we are the ones who pick our successors, but in fact it is the keyblade that picks its next master. Riku was destined to be a keyblade wielder."
"But I am not a master," Terra says. "I can't teach him."
"No, well at least not alone," Master Eraqus agrees. "No matter the circumstances he is your successor and therefore you have certain responsibilities in regards to him that you must meet, but do not think I am going to leave you in the lurch. I will be his master until you feel fit to take on that role yourself. In the meantime, you can help him by working hard yourself."
"Thank you Master Eraqus," Terra says visibly relieved.
"Now go and bring them in," Master Eraqus says dismissing him. "The sun will be setting soon."
…
After a quick dinner of Easy-Mac, which for Master Eraqus, Terra, Aqua, and Ven was rather disappointing, but for Sora and Riku was incredible, they all go to turn in for the night.
"Do you two want separate rooms or do you want to share?" Master Eraqus asks Sora and Riku as they stand in the hallway with the apprentices' rooms.
"Share!" Sora says at once and Riku nods earnestly in agreement.
"Alright, this room will be for the both of you." Master Eraqus opens one of the doors and ushers them inside. The room is furnished with two of everything. Two dressers, two nightstands, and,
"Two beds!" Sora exclaims running forward. "Riku look. There are twobeds."
"Yes, you each can have your own bed," Master Eraqus says. "Now it's time to get ready for bed."
When both Sora and Riku are changed into their pajamas which Aqua had found by tearing through the boxes of old clothes in Terra's closet and they had brushed their teeth, Master Eraqus proceeds to do something he hasn't had the chance to do in a long time. He tucks them into bed. "Good night Sora, Riku."
"Goodnight Master Eraqus." They both reply.
With a smile, Master Eraqus exits the room shutting off the light as he goes leaving only the soft glow of night light near the bathroom in the dark room. All is quiet for a few minutes after Master Eraqus leaves then,
"Riku?"
Sora's voice is right next to his ear, and Riku rolls over to see Sora standing next to his bed hugging a pillow to his chest. "Yeah Sora."
"I...Can I sleep with you?" Sora asks plucking at the corner of his pillow. "My bed is really big."
"Sure," Riku says scooting over to give Sora space to lie down. Sora grins and hops under the covers.
"Thanks Riku," Sora says flopping down on his stomach with his arms curled around the pillow under his head.
"Mmhm," Riku mumbles sleepily as he rolls back onto his side facing away from Sora. He wouldn't admit it, but he is happy Sora had come over because it's scary to be in a strange world with strange new people. He and Sora had slept side by side most of their lives and he is glad this is not the first night they don't.
SORA! RIKU! YOU FINALLY MADE IT! WELCOME TO THE PARTY!
I've been waiting forever to bring them to MEKA. They are just so damn cute!
Speaking of cute, let's talk about Terra and Aqua. Sure they clashed a little this chapter, but I have a feeling that it is about time for their friendship to become something more. Hint hint :)
So review if you want some Terra and Aqua fluff in the next chapter!