Chapter 53 The Secrets of Shibuya
As soon as the strange creatures appear around him and Zack, Ven attacks the nearest frog like one. However, his keyblade cuts right through the monster without leaving any damage. Ven has to dive to the side to avoid the frog as it jumps at him. Rolling back to his feet, Ven looks up to see Zack get sent flying through the air by the large bear like monster that stood over eight feet tall on two legs.
"Zack!" Ven shouts in fear as he watches Zack slam back into the ground and curl up in pain. Ven starts to run towards him, but two of the frogs leap in front of him, blocking his way. Ven slashes at the one closest to him with his keyblade, but like before it does nothing. Ven takes a step back as the two frogs prepare to spring at him. He glances back at Zack who is trying to reach his fallen sword, but the wolves circling him are getting closer and closer. Ven's attention snaps back to his own situation as the frogs leap simultaneously at him. Knowing his keyblade will do nothing to stop them, Ven desperately shouts, "Thundaga!"
The bolts of lightning hit the frogs at the top of their jump and both writhe in pain as the electricity makes their muscles spasm. After a moment, they disappear with a high pitched squeal that makes Ven wince. With them gone, Ven turns his attention back to Zack to see one of the wolves leap at Zack.
"Fira!" Ven shouts and a fireball streaks away from Ven. It strikes the wolf in the side and knocks it away from Zack a fraction of a second before it's jaws snapped close around Zack's neck. It whimpers in pain, but pushes itself back to his feet. It snarls at Ven as he hurries to Zack's side and takes up a defensive position over him. The two wolves that had been circling Zack regroup and begin circling Ven. "Zack," Ven says not daring to look down and take his eyes off the monsters. "Are you alright?"
"I've been better," Zack replies and Ven can hear the pain in his voice. Glancing down, Ven's eyes widen as he sees Zack's pants ripped around his knee and blood pouring from several deep gashes.
"Ven!" Zack shouts and points quickly past Ven. Ven looks back up to see one of the wolves lunging at him.
"Blizzara!" He says and the wolf is sent tumbling back with a muzzle full of ice shards. The other one doesn't hesitate and runs forward again. "Blizzara!" Ven shouts again and the wolf backs away to avoid the attack. They return to circling again, but Ven is done being on the defensive.
Taking a deep breath, he focuses on one his most recent lessons where Master Eraqus had taught him an ability called Ars Arcanum. Gripping his keyblade a little tighter, Ven says, "Light!"
He feels the magic envelop him and curl around his keyblade. His senses come into sharper focus and either he is moving faster or everything else is moving slightly slower. With a grin, he runs forward and swings at the first wolf with more power than normal. With the magic surrounding his blade, it is able to strike the monster and send it up into the air. Ven flawlessly spins into another attack which strikes the wolf as it falls back to the ground. It howls as it disappears.
Ven lets his momentum continue and pull him towards the second wolf. He jumps and flips as he brings his keyblade down on the monster, killing it with one mighty blow. The power of the Ars Arcanum ability still around him, he makes short work of the remaining few frogs before turning his attention to the bear like brute. It slashes down with it's sharp claws, but Ven moves with quick, sure steps to avoid getting cut. Jumping into the air, Ven reaches its eye level and lands a devastating combo on it, knocking it to the ground. He lands beside it and stabs down with all the remaining power of his ability.
The brute roars and disappears as the magic aura on Ven and his keyblade also fades. Ven's shoulders droop and his arms fall limp at his sides as his keyblade disappears. "That was awesome," Ven says and, grinning tiredly, he starts walking over to where Zack had pushed himself into a sitting position.
Zack's watches him concerned as he sees Ven stumble over to him looking almost ready to pass out. "Ven," He says worriedly as Ven sits down heavily beside him. "Are you ok?"
"I'll be fine," Ven says, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small blue bottle. His clumsy fingers try to find a good enough grip on the top to open it, but before he can Zack takes it from him and easily opens it. With a murmur of thanks, Ven takes it back and downs it in three gulps. His exhaustion is gone instantly and he smiles at Zack. "See? All better. Now let me see your knee."
Stowing the now empty bottle back in his pocket, Ven pulls Zack's hands away from his bleeding knee so he can see the full damage that had been done. Ven swallows hard seeing how deep the cuts are and how much blood is still seeping out. "I should be able to heal you with a cure spell," Ven says seriously moving closer to Zack and leaning over him deep in concentration.
"My hero," Zack says with a dramatic sigh as he runs a hand through Ven's hair.
Ven pushes his hand away. "You know that makes you the damsel in distress, right?"
"As long as you're my knight in shining armor, I think I'm okay with that," Zack replies playing with Ven's spiky hair again.
Ven bats his hand away again and says in annoyance, "Stop it Zack. I need to concentrate. I've never cured someone before."
"Never?" Zack says surprised and Ven shakes his head a little embarrassed.
"I...uh...never needed to. Terra and Aqua were always there to take care of it." Ven bites his lip suddenly nervous, but he raises a hand over Zack's knee and whispers, "Curaga." A green light falls on Zack's cuts and the blood stops flowing. "Curaga," Ven says again as the first spell ends. The green light returns and the cuts heal quickly. When the second curing spell finishes, Zack carefully pushes himself upright and tests his leg carefully. He grins finding that it can hold his weight. He pulls Ven to his feet as well when a sudden voice behind them makes them turn.
"Fascinating." A boy with blond hair in a button up shirt and jeans walks over them. His purple eyes stare almost hungrily at Ven as he comes closer. "That is just what we need."
"What are you talking about Joshua?" The second boy who speaks is walking beside the blond one, Joshua. His hair is bright orange and stands out against his purple headphones. He regards Ven and Zack with a look of suspicion. "Are they players?"
"Not quite," Joshua replies. He walks closer to Ven and Zack who watch him apprehensively. "But maybe a player isn't what we needed. Maybe we need a little outside help."
"I don't trust them," the orange haired teen mutters coldly. "Did you see them fighting the Noise? They didn't have to use pins. They might be Reapers."
"Hmm," Joshua says raising a hand to his chin. He considers them for a moment. "No, I don't think they are. Besides," he says with a shrug. "As long as he can unlock the wall, it doesn't matter. Don't worry Neku, you'll be getting back to the RG soon."
"What is it that you want with us?" Zack asks glaring at Joshua. The blond's condescending tone is really getting on his nerves.
"We're just asking for a little help from the Keyblade Wielder is all," Joshua says with a smirk.
"How do you know about keyblades?" Ven asks.
"Oh I hear things hear and there," Joshua says still smirking. "Now what you really should be asking is how you can help us."
"And what if we don't want to?" Zack says quickly moving to stand between Ven and Joshua.
"My, protective are we?" Joshua looks at Zack for a moment before turning his attention back to Ven. "Now, all we need from you is to use that keyblade of yours to open a lock."
"Well you can take your lock and shove it up your-"
"Zack!" Ven interrupts shooting him a look. He pulls him away from the other two for a moment so they can talk without being overheard. "We have to hear them out. If they really need my help I have to help them. It's my duty as a keyblade wielder."
"I don't trust the blond one," Zack says frowning in Joshua's direction. "I don't like the way he keeps looking at you."
Ven can't help but smile at the jealously in Zack's voice. He takes Zack's hand in his and gives him his best puppy dog eyes. "Please Zack. Let's hear what they have to say."
Zack sighs, but he can't resist Ven with that face. "Alright," he says grudgingly and Ven smiles widely.
Walking back over, Zack asks, "So what's behind this wall?"
"The one running the Game," Neku says. "If we take him down maybe we can end it for good."
"What's the Game?" Ven asks curiously.
Neku looks down at his hand for a moment before turning to Joshua. "If we're doing this today, we have to go now."
Joshua looks at his own hand a nods. "Right you are Neku." He turns to Ven and Zack. "The wall is this way." He points down the road that leads back to the dog statue Ven and Zack had first landed by.
"First tell us about this Game," Zack says.
"We don't have time," Neku says in an annoyed voice.
"Make time," Zack says crossing his arms.
"We don't have time," Neku says again, stepping forward and holding his hand out palm up. Both Ven and Zack stare in surprise at the glowing red numbers carved into his skin, counting down slowly. It looks like they have 21 minutes and 48 seconds to open this wall. "We'll explain on the way," Neku says retracting his hand. He and Joshua begin to walk away and Ven and Zack exchange a look. After a moment they follow the other two down the street.
As they catch up, a large man on a cellphone is hurrying in the opposite direction and nearly runs them over. "Why can't they see us?" Ven asks looking after the man as he disappears down a side street.
"They're in the RG while we are in the UG," Joshua says.
"There are two different versions of Shibuya," Neku explains further seeing that Joshua isn't going to. "Most live in the RG, the Realground, but those of us in the Game and the Reapers are stuck in the UG, the Underground. We can see them, but they can't see us."
"So what's this Game," Zack asks.
"The Reaper's Game is seven days long," Joshua says in a bored voice. "Basically you have Players and you have Reapers. Players try to win, Reapers try to stop them from winning. If you win, you get to go back to the RG. To survive, two players must make a pact to work together to fight the Noise."
"You have to make a pact and you chose to make it with this guy?" Zack asks Neku, jerking his thumb at Joshua.
Neku looks at Joshua for a long moment. "He didn't give me much of a choice."
"What about the Noise?" Ven asks as they reach the dog statue. "What is it?"
Joshua stops walking and turns to face them all. "You'll see in about 3, 2-" All around them appear more of the monsters like the ones Ven and Zack had already fought. "1," Joshua finishes with a smirk. He springs into action with Neku right behind him.
Joshua raises a hand to the sky and the cars on the side of the road rise into the air and fly at the group of wolf monsters closest to Zack and Ven. At the same time, three giant icicles appear around Neku and shoot off at the snake like monsters cutting them to pieces with the sharp points. Just like that, the two boys have taken down all the monsters except three of the bear like ones. The three brutes roar in unison and start to advance down the street at them. Neku and Joshua move side by side and fall into battle positions.
Joshua flips his hair back and turns slightly to Neku. "Work for you?" He says with a smirk.
"What do you think?" Neku snaps back.
The two jump away from each other and while Neku's hands become encased in ice, Joshua's become encased in fire. The two of them are mirror images of each other as they fire shots of their respective elements at the advancing monsters. The bear like monsters roar and try to swipe at the two boys, but they skillfully dodge the claws. Beaten under the barrage of the double attack, the three monsters sink to the ground and disappear.
Ven and Zack slowly approach Neku and Joshua as their magic fades from their hands. Breathing hard, the two fighters turn to them. "So that was the Noise?" Ven asks looking at the spot where the last monsters had been.
"Yep. Not very pleasent are they," Joshua says. "But not very difficult to destroy, if you know what you're doing."
"Our swords didn't do anything to them," Zack says slowly and Neku nods.
"Normal weapons can't touch them. Only magic. We use these pins to fight them." Saying this, Neku reaches into his pocket and pulls out a handful of pins. They are all different colors and each has a unique design. Ven and Zack glance at each other then down at the pins fastened on to their shirts.
"C'mon. Let's keep moving," Joshua says brushing his hair back. He pauses to look at his palm where the seconds are still ticking away. "We don't have much time left."
He takes off away from the dog statue and the others hurry after him. They fight their way through a crowded bus terminal and glimpse Joshua ducking down an alley. A few moments later, they head down the same alley and finds it leads to an underpass. There, Joshua is standing with his arms crossed. The area in front of him is blocked off by wicked looking chains that criss cross each other to prevent anyone from getting to what is beyond them. Set in the center is a burning red symbol that reminds Ven of the patterns tattooed on the Noise.
"This is the wall you've been talking about?" Zack asks stepping up to it. He cranes his neck trying to see past the chains, but its dark. However, he can hear the sound of rushing water not to far.
"Alright, Keyblade Wielder," Joshua says to Ven. "Unlock it."
"Hold on," Ven says frowning. "You still haven't told us why you want to get past this wall. What do you think is there?"
"The composer," Neku says.
"Who's that?" Zack asks, coming back over.
"He's the one calling all the shots of course," Joshua says in a bored voice. "He also holds our entry fees."
"Shiki…" Neku says to himself with a sigh.
"So...he runs the game?" Ven asks.
Joshua nods. "The Game, the Reapers, the Gamemasters, he's behind it all and it's time someone pulled back the curtain."
Ven nods slowly and looks to Zack who inclines his head just slightly. Closing his eyes, Ven summons his keyblade and lifts it up to point at the red symbol on the wall. He concentrates hard and a beam of light strikes the wall. The echo of a lock sliding open sounds. As Ven lowers his keyblade and opens his eyes, the chains blocking the way fade away.
"Very impressive," Joshua says throwing Ven a smirk. "Let's go Neku." Joshua starts walking into the newly opened area and Neku goes to follow him, but pauses and turns back to Ven and Zack.
"Thanks," he says. Ven smiles at him and Neku nods before turning away and disappearing around a corner after Joshua.
Ven and Zack stand looking after them for a moment before Zack takes Ven's hand and turns him away. "I hope they win," Ven says with a sigh.
"Yeah, it seemed really important to Neku," Zack replies as they exit the overpass and step back into the sunlight of the bus terminal. There is no one about. They freeze and cast their eyes around suspicious.
A moment later, a Noise appears, this one a bird and it dives shrieking for thier heads. "Fira!" Ven shouts as he summons his keyblade and the bird catches fire. Now shrieking in pain, it careens about before finally dying and fading away. For a moment nothing moves and Ven relaxes slightly thinking that is it, but then two porcupine like Noise appear several paces away and bristle their tails in anger.
"Stay back Zack," Ven says before leaping forward. "Thundara!" The lightning hits both Noise, but the damage is minimal. All the electricity from his attack ends up in their prickly tails and each lets one of their deadly needles fly now cloaked in the crackling lightning. Ven hastily blocks the two projectiles and succeeds in sending one back at the Noise it had come from. Hit by it's own attack, the Noise falls to the ground and disappears. The other starts to charge Ven and he charges forward as well. "Fire!" He shouts as he jumps at the porcupine The fire he creates coats his keyblade and as he spins through the air he slashes at the Noise and it is killed instantly. Landing on his feet, Ven ends the spell and looks around for any more.
"Ven!"
Ven turns around just as Zack runs into him knocking him backwards. They tumble to the ground as a large kangaroo lands with a mighty thud in the spot Ven used to be standing in. It jumps again at Ven and Zack now lying on the ground. Ven points his keyblade up as it falls towards them and shouts, "Stopaga!"
The Noise freezes in mid air and Ven quickly rolls to his feet, pulling Zack up with him. The stop spell wears off and the kangaroo falls back to the ground. It turns its head sharply and its beady eyes lock on to Ven. Pushing Zack behind him, Ven points his keyblade at it and says, "Blizzara." Three icicles hit the kangaroo straight on, ending it.
As it fades, the ground starts to tremble. Looking up, Ven sees what looks to be four rhinos barreling into the bus terminal, snorting and tossing their heads. "Fire!" Ven shouts and a fire ball flies from his keyblade to hit the first rhino right on the horn, but the spell is just deflected away, doing nothing but anger the Noise.
Taking a deep breath, Ven lets the magic flow over him and he launches into an attack known as Sonic Blade. He crossed the distance to the first charging rhino at double his normal speed and struck it hard in the side with his magic clocked keyblade. Wasting no time he shoots over to the second one and does the same. He then hits each of the other two in the same manner before the ability wears off.
Surrounded by the strong Noise, Ven breathes hard looking for a way out. Looking over one of the monsters, Ven sees Zack watching fearfully from the side. Ven throws him a big grin as the rhinos all charge in at him at once. Closing his eyes, Ven holds his arms out to the side and tilts his head back. He starts to rise into the air as he feels all the magic left in him manifesting around him. All that energy just waiting to be released. "Salvation!" He shouts as he opens his eyes and light explodes out of him engulfing the Noise in its blast.
The light slowly fades to show the rhinos are gone. Ven descends gently back to the ground. As soon as his feet touch the ground, the magic ends and he is hit with a wave of exhaustion. His keyblade vanishes from his hand and he sees the ground rise up to him, but before he hits the pavement, strong arms catch him and hold his close.
"Ven!"
Ven turns tiredly to see Zack holding him against his chest. Zack slowly lowers both of them to sit on the ground and lets Ven lean against him. "Where do you keep those little blue bottles?" Zack asks frantically reaching into Ven's jacket pockets and coming up empty.
"I only had one," Ven murmurs with a sigh. "It's ok Zack. I just need to sleep…" His eyes start to close, but Zack shakes him making his eyelids flutter open again.
"Stay with me Ven. Stay with me," Zack says urgently. Ven looks up at him and sees the panic in his eyes. His gaze is drawn away from Zack's blue eyes as the Blown Kiss pin on Zack's shirt starts to glow. Looking into it's soft light, Ven feels his energy return and he blinks as the draining effects of using so much magic leaves him completely. Ven blinks and sits up. He looks up at Zack again as the latter leans down and kisses him gently. "Don't ever scare me like that again," Zack whispers when they break their kiss and leans his head against Ven's forehead.
Ven grins at him. "I promise," he says and gives Zack a quick kiss before getting to his feet. "Ready to go home?" Ven asks reaching out a hand and pulling Zack to his feet. Zack nods and Ven summons his keyblade. He tosses it in the air and activates his armor as it returns. Zack put his helmet back on as well and they hop on the glider, rising up and heading back to Traverse Town.
…
Master Eraqus steps out of the light corridor and into the first district of Traverse Town. He stretches his muscles and sighs. It has been a long day. He walks over and enters the 7th Heaven hoping to gather his apprentices and return to MEKA quickly. Inside he sees Sora, Riku, and Kairi at a corner table with Marlene drawing on brightly colored construction paper. They look up and wave as he enters.
"Oh, Master Eraqus, it's nice to see you," Aerith says from her seat at the bar.
"It's nice to see you as well," Master Eraqus says as he makes his way over. Tifa comes out of the back room and greets him.
Master Eraqus looks around and asks, "Do you know where Ventus is?"
"He and Zack ran off when he first got here," Tifa says. "Haven't seen them since, but they were talking about going to Leon's training room."
"I can give them a little bit longer," Master Eraqus says. "Could I get a glass of wine Tifa?"
"Of course," Tifa says and quickly fills his order. "Been a long day?"
"That it has," Master Eraqus muses sipping his wine appreciatively. "Take advice from an old man Tifa, when you and Cloud have children, stop at two."
Aerith laughs while Tifa's cheeks turn pink. "Oh," she says suddenly very interested in the grain of the wood on her bar. "We haven't really thought about it that much. We have to get through the wedding before we think too far ahead."
"The wedding is coming up soon isn't it?" Master Eraqus asks her and she nods.
"One week exactly," she says with a smile. "I trust you'll be there?"
"Wouldn't miss it," Master Eraqus assures her.
The door of the bar opens and Leon walks in. His hair is slicked back with sweat and his usual jacket is missing. "Master Eraqus," he says giving the older man a firm handshake. Leon takes a seat at the bar as well and Tifa puts a tall glass of beer in front of him. He mutters his thanks and takes a long sip.
The door opens again and this time it is Cloud who enters, his eyebrows turned down in annoyance. He walks over and gives Tifa a quick kiss before asking, "Have you seen Zack? He was supposed to go on patrol twenty minutes ago, but he didn't show."
"He's with Ven," Tifa replies frowning. "Maybe he just lost track of time. Try the training room. That's where they were headed last time I saw them."
"They're not there," Leon says putting his glass down. "I've been working out there for the last hour and haven't seen them."
Master Eraqus gets an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach at Leon's words. He exchanges glances with the others. They look just as worried as him. Standing abruptly, he hurries out of the bar with Leon, Tifa, and Cloud following. He barely hears Aerith call after them that she will watch the younger ones.
As the bar door swing shut behind them, they go to head up the stairs towards the 2nd District when a light in the sky catches their eye. Relief washes over Master Eraqus seeing it is Ven and Zack on Ven's glider coming down, but that is quickly replaced with anger. They land in the middle of the square and when Ven unsummons his armor, Master Eraqus can see his guilty expression.
"Where have you been Ventus?" Master Eraqus says in dangerous voice as he walks up to him. His furious gaze makes Ven shift uncomfortably.
"We were...um...just exploring…a little," Ven says. He feels Zack's hand slide into his and it calms him slightly. "I'm sorry Master Eraqus. I just thought-"
"Ventus," Master Eraqus interrupts. "I let the Star Shard incident slide partly because it was not entirely your fault and partly because I had thought you learned from your mistake. That is obviously not the case. The worlds are very dangerous for you right now Ventus. Xehanort has not given up on the X-blade." Master Eraqus takes a deep breath and rubs his temple. In a more even voice he says, "If you cannot see how foolish your actions today have been then I have no choice but to punish you. You, Ventus, are grounded."
"For how long?" Ven asks with a gulp.
"Until this threat is ended," Master Eraqus says.
"But-" Ven tries to say, but Master Eraqus cuts him off once more.
"Not buts! You are not allowed to leave MEKA without my permission and my supervision."
Without giving Ven a chance to argue, Master Eraqus heads back to the bar to get the younger children. The others wander away as well as Ven turns to Zack and sighs.
"I'm sorry Ven. It was my idea to run off," Zack says.
"Don't be sorry," Ven says wrapping his arms around Zack's waist. "I had fun today."
"Me too," Zack says and kisses Ven gently. They break apart as Master Eraqus returns with Sora, Riku, and Kairi in tow. "Do you think he's going to stick to the grounding?" Zack asks Ven.
Ven shrugs. "Not sure. I don't thinks he's ever had to ground one of his apprentices before. But I'm sure he'll at least let me come for the wedding."
"Well if I don't get to see you until then, at least I have something to remember you by." Zack touches the pin on his shirt with a smile.
Ven smiles back and looks over Zack's shoulder to see Master Eraqus waiting beside a light corridor. He kisses Zack again. "Goodbye," he says softly.
"Goodbye," Zack says as Ven turns away. He watches as the keyblade wielders leave Traverse Town through the light corridor. He smiles as he looks at his pin again, but as he walk to the bar his smile fades seeing Cloud and Tifa watching him with their arms crossed. With a sigh he walks over to them mentally preparing for the extra patrol hours and extra hours working at the bar that he is sure will serve as his punishment for going off secretly with Ven. But he looks down at the pin on his shirt again and his smile returns. Despite the punishment, it had been worth it.
LightzMusic22: Sorry for not doing more with TWEWY. My original plan was for it to be this whole big thing when they'd become part of the Game and have to win to get back home, BUT this story is getting really really long so I had to scratch that and go with this much shorter trip to Shibuya.
micaelaann. cruz: I promise suspense is coming in a few chapters!
Up next is…..THE WEDDING!
Who's ready for fluff?! Well get ready 'cause its coming!
WARNING! SBMO in the next chapter.
What is SBMO you ask? Its stands for Shirtless Boys Making Out. XD Yep that's going to happen.
In addition to that, there is going to be lots of dancing because thats what people do at weddings so if anyone has a favorite love song they want to see the couples dancing to let me know and I'll work it in. (Please suggest something. I don't know like any songs people can slow dance to!)