Chapter 5 The Past Revealed
Staring up at the crooked tower, Sora wonders what had brought him here and for what reason. His ship had been dragged through space for nearly half an hour before reaching this tiny world. As wary he is of whatever magical power is strong enough to take control of his ship, he is eager to find out.
Keeping his eyes lifted to watch the windows of the tower for any movement, Sora walks to the front door. He raises his hand to knock, but decides against it and slowly opens the door. The inside is empty except for a staircase winding its way up the circular walls.
Curious, Sora starts to hurry up the stairs, but after three flights, he is fed up with the climbing. Panting slightly, he opens the next door and finds himself in a small study where a old man with a long gray beard stares and him with piercing eyes from across a large desk.
"Hey there," Sora says nervously. The strange hat and blue robe reminds him of Merlin. It seems he has found the powerful magic user who had taken control of his ship.
"Sora, it has been a long time," the man says.
Sora frowns in confusion. "It has?"
"I see you don't remember me," the man says. "Not surprising as we only met a few times when you were young. Maybe something else can help you remember…" With a wave of his hand, a small blue creature pops into existence above Sora and he catches it as it falls into his arms.
"Meow Wow?" He says in shock, holding up the pudgy creature to eye level. It lets out a short and happy bark before licking Sora's face. Laughing, Sora looks back at the man. He remembers this study now. He had come here with Riku and Kairi. Master Eraqus had left them with this man, Master Yen Sid, who had given Sora Meow Wow. "Master Yen Sid," Sora says putting Meow Wow on the ground and letting him wander away to sniff around the room. "You were friends with Master Eraqus."
Master Yen Sid lowers his head. "Indeed I was, for many years."
"Do you know what happened to him?" Sora asks hopefully, but his shoulders droop when Master Yen Sid shakes his head.
"It has been ten years since I last saw him, Master Aqua, Master Terra, and young Ventus. I have tried to piece together what occurred that day, but there are many holes left." Master Yen Sid waves a hand and a chair appears in front of his desk. "Sit, he says to Sora . He does so and Master Yen Sid continues. "I understand you are trying to piece together what happened."
"Yeah, but I'm not doing such a great job of it so far," Sora says, frowning.
"Don't lose hope just yet," Master Yen Sid says. "You are not as alone in this quest as you think."
Sora looks up confused. "Who-" He is cut off by a knocking at the door.
"Enter," Master Yen Sid says and Sora twists around in his seat. His mouth drops open slightly to see a tall dog and a duck walk into the study. "Ah, Donald, Goofy, right on time."
"Master Yen Sid, it's an honor," the duck says bowing low.
His companion does the same. Straightening up, he turns to Sora and says, "Hey there Sora! Look at you all grown up."
Sora looks in confusion between the two and then at Master Yen Sid. Seeing his need for explanation, Master Yen Sid says, "Sora, this is Donald Duck, the Royal Magician at Disney Castle, and Goofy, captain of the Royal Knights. I believe they were your babysitters once when Eraqus had to go on a mission while I was also predisposed."
"Babysitters?" Sora says. This dive into the past is making his head spin.
"That's right," Donald says. "We were perfect babysitters, looking after you and that troublemaker Riku."
"Donald, I think you're forgetting that Ven ran away on our watch," Goofy says and Donald glares at him.
"You know Ven too?" Sora asks in surprise. He turns to Master Yen Sid. "I'm lost here."
"How much do you remember of your time as an apprentice under Eraqus?" Master Yen Sid asks him.
"Not much," Sora admits. "Mostly just being with them. Just being happy and having fun." He ducks his head at the memories of what he has lost.
When he raises his head again, two more chairs have appear and Donald and Goofy sit down. "I think it is best if I start at the beginning," Master Yen Sid says leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed in deep thought. "There are some things even I do not know or do not understand, but I will tell you what I can about your friends and the tragedy that befell them." He pauses for a long moment and then begins.
"At the center of all of this is an incredible power called Kingdom Hearts and a dark keyblade master named Xehanort. Hundreds of years ago, the worlds lost Kingdom Hearts when Vairos, wielder of the X-blade, destroyed the weapon to keep those with greed in their hearts from getting Kingdom Hearts' light. The keyblades you and I carry are based off the X-blade. The legendary weapon is seven parts light and thirteen parts darkness. It is given to the one charged with protecting Kingdom Hearts. Its destruction led to the locking away of Kingdom Hearts, taking its light from the worlds, and it has remained locked away ever since."
Master Yen Sid pauses again, letting Sora absorb what he had said. Sora racks his brain, trying to come up with a memory of this X-blade ever being mentioned to him, but he can't. Still, te thought of it stirs something inside him.
"Then came Xehanort," Master Yen Sid says, he voice full of anger. "Full of curiosity of the war that brought about the X-blade's destruction and having just been named a master, he sent out to travel the worlds and find a way to recreate the X-blade in order to bring back Kingdom Hearts. When Eraqus and I learned of his dark intentions with Kingdom Hearts power, we set out to stop him and succeeded in trapping him in the dark realm. However, unknown to us at the time, days before we imprisoned him, he set his plan into motion. On the dark and far off world of Carinol, he found the Kingdom Hearts chosen wielder of the X-blade, Ventus."
"Ven is the X-blade wielder?" Sora says in surprise and Master Yen Sid nods gravely.
"Ten years ago, Xehanort made his return and sought out Ventus who at that point had become Master Eraqus' pupil at MEKA. I and my apprentice Mickey, your king," Master Yen Sid says with a nod to Donald and Goofy, "traveled the worlds in an attempt to find Xehanort and put a stop to him while Master Eraqus did all he could to protect Ventus from darkness that, if able to take over his heart, would have caused the creation of the X-blade. Despite our efforts, we both failed. Xehanort got to Ventus and attempted to create the X-blade. You were there too Sora. Do you remember?"
A scene of red rock and high cliffs flashes in Sora's mind and he shudders. "You mean that nightmare I always have?" Sora asks. He has had the same recurring nightmare as long as he can remember. "The one with Ven screaming? I always try to reach him, to stop whoever's hurting him, but I never get there in time."
"I'm sorry Sora, but was no dream." Master Yen Sid bows his head. "It happened when you were five and Ventus was fifteen. It was the day Xehanort split Ventus' heart in two and the day Ventus gave you the ability to wield the keyblade after you saved him."
"I saved him?" That part is never in his dreams.
"Yes, he would have died that day if it hadn't been for you," Master Yen Sid says.
Sora tries to remember what had happened, but the only thing he can come up with is a masked boy dressed in red and black. "There was another boy there. Who is he?"
Master Yen Sid frowns slightly. "Vanitas," he says after a moment. "Xehanort took the dark half of Ventus' heart and gave it a body. His hope was for Vanitas and Ventus to clash in a physical combat and for Vanitas to win, laying claim to the X-blade with which he could unlock Kingdom Hearts for Xehanort."
"But Ven didn't let that happen," Sora says.
"Yes and no," Master Yen Sid says slowly. "Ventus and Vanitas did indeed clash and the result was the recreation of the X-blade. From what Master Aqua was able to tell me, Vanitas did take control of the X-blade, but Ventus was able to take it back, destroying it and sending himself into a comatose state."
"Ven's in a coma?" Sora asks, leaning forward in his seat in alarm.
"Of sorts. His heart fled his body leaving him in an eternal sleep. Only once his heart is returned will he wake," Master Yen Sid says.
"So where's his heart?" Sora asks looking around the study. "And his body? Is he here?"
Master Yen Sid shakes his head. "Despite my searching, I have yet to discover where Ven's heart ended up. The universe is vast and being expelled from his body could have sent it anywhere. As for his body, it is not here. Master Aqua took him someplace safe. It is a place only the one with his heart can enter. Any who wish to do him harm will be kept away."
"Is Aqua with him?" Sora asks. "What about Terra and Master Eraqus?"
Master Yen Sid doesn't answer for a moment. He looks out the window, staring deep in thought at the stars in the sky. "I know little of their fates," he says at last, turning his eyes back to Sora who slumps in his chair. "Master Eraqus and Master Terra both…presumably...fell...in Xehanort's first attack."
At his words, Sora feels his face pale. "But...but you don't know for sure," he says, hoping for reassurance.
"No," Master Yen Sid says, shaking his head. "However, Master Aqua told me before she left with Ven that Xehanort had possessed Terra's body and was in the world of Radiant Garden."
"Did she find him there?" Sora asks quickly.
"I am afraid I do not know," Master Yen Sid says in a sullen voice. "It was the last I saw of Master Aqua."
Sora drops his eyes to his shoes as he tries to absorb it all. He finally knows what had happened to his friends all those years ago, but it is worse than he had thought. Ven is in a coma, Terra is possessed, Master Eraqus is presumably dead, and Aqua has vanished.
"But what about King Mickey?" Donald asks breaking the silence. "Have you heard from him recently? He hasn't been home in months now."
"He stops by now and again, but since becoming a Keyblade Master he has devoted most of his time to looking for Eraqus and his three students," Master Yen Sid replies.
"This Mickey is looking for Ven and the others?" Sora asks hope flooding back into him. "Has he found anything?"
"Not yet, but he is the reason I have asked the two of you here," Master Yen Sid says turning to Donald and Goofy. "Mickey has indeed been away for too long. I believe it would be in everyone's best interest if you accompanied Sora on his quest. As it is the same as Mickey's you will in all likelihood cross paths along the way."
Sora turns to look at Goofy and Donald. Goofy gives him a big smile and a grin, but Donald frowns and crosses his arms. "Master Yen Sid, are you sure it's best for a kid to tag along?"
"I'm not a kid!" Sora says glaring at Donald.
"Despite his age, Sora is a keyblade wielder," Master Yen Sid says in a calm voice. "His upbringing might not have been the classical training, but it is still his duty to protect the worlds from darkness and help those in need." Donald still look skeptical, but doesn't argue further. "Now then," Master Yen Sid rising from his chair and going to a bookcase behind his desk. "I would suggest you start your search for your friends in the world of Hollow Bastion. There is someone there who may know more than I do about both your lost friends and Mickey."
"Great," Sora says jumping to his feet. "Let's go."
"One more thing," Master Yen Sid says. He pulls a book from his bookshelf. "I overheard you talking to your friends in Traverse Town before I brought you here." He moves back to the desk and puts a book in front of Sora. "I believe it will be in your best interest to read this before you depart. It has information that will greatly assist you in your journey."
Curious, Sora sits back down and pulls the book to him. He reads the cover.
How to Drive a Gummi Ship for Dummies by Cid Highwind.
His mouth falling open, Sora looks to Master Yen Sid expecting to see a hint of a joke on the old man's face, but he is met the same serious stare. Dropping his eyes back to the thick book on his lap, he opens to the first chapter and starts to read,
"Chapter 1: Where the hell is the landing gear? Trick question, there isn't one. Anyone with half a brain knows Gummi Ships aren't designed to land on worlds. Approach a world and put the ship in park so it will hover. There's a transport beam to take you down. When you're ready to leave, return to the same spot you landed and there will be a green circle on the ground to mark where the transport beam. Under no circumstances are you to ever say 'Beam me up Scotty'..."
…
Three hours and 356 pages later, Sora is back in the captain's chair on the Gummi Ship with Donald and Goofy on either side of him in the co-captains' chairs. Looking at the blinking buttons on the dashboard, Sora admits to himself that the book did indeed help. From the gauges, he could tell they have full power, full ammunition, and the shields are available for use. The video game controller in his hands has its own set of buttons with which he can fire weapons, steer the ship, and perform evasive moves like the barrel roll he has already experienced. The book had also taught him that he can switch between the controller and the steering wheel to drive with whatever he prefers, but only the controller can be used to fire weapons.
"You ready to head out, Sora?" Goofy asks.
"Yeah," Sora replies looking from Goofy to Donald. Both of them are sitting behind their own video game controller which control the two Teeny Ships now hovering beside the Gummi Ship. The supporting ships had been a gift from Master Yen Sid, along with a warning to be wary in traveling through space as many heartless ships lurk around.
Looking to the screen in front of him, Sora selects to depart and feels the engines of the ship coming to life. A moment later they are rising into the air, leaving Master Yen Sid's tower far behind as they head out into space. Using what he has learned, Sora pulls up a list of worlds in the Gummi Ship's database and selects Hollow Bastion as their destination. The radar screen comes up, showing that Hollow Bastion is to the east. Turning the ship in the right direction, Sora settles back in his seat for the flight, only occasionally pressing on the joystick controls to keep the ship on its path. Not sure what to say to his new companions, Sora focuses on flying the ship, but it isn't long before he finds himself staring with a frown at the screen.
"Something wrong Sora?" Donald asks.
Sora shakes his head slightly. "I...I have to make a call." He reaches out a hand and hesitates a moment before pressing the button on the screen that replaces the radar with a video call to Cid's computer in Traverse Town. It only takes a moment for the call to be answered.
"Sora!"
"Ka-Kairi," Sora stammers in surprise seeing the red head smiling happily at him.
Riku moves into the video screen and fixes Sora with a glare. "That was one dumbass move Sora," he says and a fresh wave of guilt rolls over Sora.
"Don't make him feel bad," Kairi says swatting Riku's arm. "You're just mad he went without you."
Sora can see in Riku's frown that Kairi is right. "Sorry Riku," he says not able to meet his best friend's eyes. "I know it was stupid of me to run off alone."
Riku's expression is still hard, but glancing at him, Sora can see he isn't really mad. "I'll just add it to the list of stupid things you've done that I've forgiven you for," Riku says.
Sora smiles, but it fades as he remembers his reason for calling. "Is Cid there?" He asks.
Riku glances off to the side, out of the view Sora has of the workshop. "Cid is-
"Shit!" The shouts in accompanied by a loud crash.
"-being Cid," Riku finishes saying. "What is it you want to tell him?"
"Oh," Sora says suddenly interested in the zipper of his left pocket. "I thought I should let him know that...I'm not coming home." He says the last part in a rush and cringes slightly as Riku and Kairi's mouth drop open.
"But you told Cloud that you were," Kairi says slowly.
"I know, but…" Sora glances at Goofy and Donald who are watching him curiously. "Thing have changed." Sitting up a little straighter he says, "I have a lead."
"You do?" Riku says surprised.
"Yeah, a world called Hollow Bastion," Sora says. "Supposedly there is some there who knows some stuff about Ven and the others."
"Sora," Kairi says in a crushed voice. "Everyone thinks you're coming home. They've been so worried."
"Aw there's no need to worry," Goofy says leaning towards Sora to be in view of the camera. Riku and Kairi's eyes widen in shock. "We've got Sora's back."
"Yeah," Donald says leaning in as well. "Heartless don't stand a chance against us!"
Sora smiles sheepishly at Riku and Kairi who are too shocked to speak. "Don't worry about me," he says. "I'll be fine. And I'll let you know when I find something, okay?"
"Sora-" Riku starts to say, a hard edge to his voice, but before he can, Sora ends the call and leans back in his seat with a groan.
For a moment there is silence in the cockpit. Then Donald asks, "So is Kairi your girlfriend?"
"What!" Sora jerks in surprise and accidentally makes the ship turn sharply. "N-no. We're just friends. Why would you think…"
Grumbling as Sora rights the ship, Donald replies, "You were practically drooling over her."
"Was not!" Sora blushes, hoping Donald was lying. He isn't really that obvious in front of Kairi, is her? "She's not my girlfriend," he mutters, trying to force the color out of his cheeks.
Thankfully at that moment the radar starts beeping and Hollow Bastion comes into view. It is a large world dominated mostly by an old castle now crumbling in disrepair. Moving the ship closer, Sora presses the button that puts it in park. It hovers at a perfect standstill and Sora unbuckles his seat belt. Donald and Goofy do the same and the three of them walk to the green circle on the floor at the center of the cockpit. With the three of them standing on it, it begins to glow brighter and brighter. Sora closes his eyes as the warm green light engulfs and when he blinks them back open he is standing on rough cobblestones of the broken city outside the large castle. He looks down to see a green circle at his feet, just like Cid's book had said.
"Who would live in a dump like this?" Donald asks, scowling at the abandoned city around them.
Sora shrugs. It doesn't seem like the kind of place anyone would want to spend any time in, but Master Yen Sid had said someone was here that could help him so he picks a direction and starts walking. "He's got to be around here somewhere," he says peering into the open doorways of what had once been houses and shops that line the street.
Donald and Goofy fall into step beside him. "Garwsh, what do you think happened to this place?" Goofy asks nervously looking down dark side alleys.
"Maybe it was the heartless," Donald suggests and as if responding to his words, Neoshadow heartless suddenly rise from the ground. The three jump and move closer together as the heartless form a ring around them, blocking them in on all sides. Sora summons his keyblade in a flash of light. Goofy and Donald glance admiringly at it before summoning their own weapons, a shield and a staff respectively.
More Neoshadows appear behind the first ones, swelling the ranks. Sora pales, seeing how many had them surrounded, but never one to give up he only grips his keyblade tighter and prepares himself for the first attack. It comes quickly, the first row of Neoshadows rushing forward all together and scratching at the trio with their sharp claws.
Sora knocks several back with one swing, but more take their place. He slashes at them, cutting and hacking with no finesse, just trying to keep those claws from digging into him. Beside him he can hear Donald shouting out attack spells and out of the corner of his eye he can see several heartless disappear in a fireball.
Stabbing through a heartless on his right, Sora isn't fast enough to block another slashing at him. He feels the sharp claw leaving a deep gash on his arm and with a gasp he turns to kill it. He is beaten to the hit by Goofy smashing his shield into the Neoshadow with enough force to turn it into a pink heart that floats away. Sora meets Goofy's eyes with a brief nod of thanks before another heartless lunges at him and he turns away to fight it off.
The pain in his arm is throbbing. He calls out, "Thundaga!" and a strike of lightning throws back the heartless closest to him, giving him a second break. "Cur-" he starts to say, but before he can the green light of a healing spell not his own falls on him. "Thanks," he says to Donald as the cut on his arm heals immediately. Donald nods and fires a blast of ice into the swarm of heartless, knocking them back and turning several to hearts.
Despite the overwhelming numbers, Sora, Donald, and Goofy are able to hold their own against the Neoshadows and after what feels an eternity of fighting off an unending black wave, only about ten heartless remain. Sora is grappling with one and sees two out of the corner of his eye try to run down an alley. A silver sword comes around the corner and slices through both, killing them in one blow. Before Sora can see who is on the other end of the sword, the Neoshadow he is fighting slashes at him and he is forced to turn his attention back to it.
Finishing it with a blow to the head, Sora spins to face the final heartless. He raises his sword in an overhead attack, but before he can swing his keyblade, a sword stabs the heartless from behind and it fades into a pink heart that rises into the air.
Sora watches it for a moment before turning his eyes back to the man in front of him. His face splits into a wide grin as he takes in the familiar wild black hair and blue eyes. "Zack!"
"What are you doing here, Sora?" Zack demands, grabbing his shoulder and shaking him slightly.
Sora's grin falters at the anger in Zack's voice. "I...I'm here to-" He cuts himself off as he sees more Neoshadows appear out of the ground behind Zack.
Zack glances over his shoulder and spots the heartless. "Damn it," Zack says. "C'mon. It's not safe here." Tightening his grip on Sora's jacket, he drags him off down the alley he had come out of with Goofy and Donald hurrying after them.
Zack! Did you know it was going to be him Yen Sid was sending Sora to?
Yay! Christmas break! Merry Christmas to everyone! My present to you all is an insanely fluffy AU short story about Ven and Zack that is totally unrelated to The Dark Seeker Saga. It's called Winter Wonderland if you're interested.
In other news, I have officially finished the college application process. Yay me! NEVER want to do that again. Supplements = worst thing in the world.
Not sure when I'll be able to write and post the next chapter with the holidays, but I'll try and get at least one out before the new year.