Chapter 13 Struggle

Sora is sitting on a bench near the Struggle stage looking around intently at the people waiting for the day's tournament to begin. Pence had been right; it seems everyone on Destiny Islands has shown up to watch. Sora studies each face that passes by him, hoping to catch a glimpse of Ven in one of the strangers, but all he sees is a lot of creeped out expressions and glares aimed at him for his unabashed staring.

He doesn't care and continues to watch. Donald and Goofy are mixed in with the crowd to search for their king, but from the frustrated expression on Donald's face Sora knows they haven't been any more successful than him. Sighing, he runs a hand through his hair trying not to dwell on how impossible this search for Ven's heart is turning out to be.

Across the stage he can see Seifer leering intimidatingly at another opponent. After meeting him the other day, Sora has determined Seifer is a decent fighter, but everything else about him remains an enigma. Everything from the way he carries himself to his prowess in battle indicates he keeps cool and level headed even in tough situations, but Sora had seen the way he had completely forgotten the battle at hand to rush to Hayner after he was hurt. It just doesn't add up.

And then there is the way he treats everyone. Overbearing, rude, and the kind of guy who went out of his way to piss people off seems to sum up Seifer's character, but according to Hayner, Seifer is the leader of some sort of one man defense militia against the heartless much like the one Leon had started in Traverse Town. How can someone who acts like he hates everyone so much put all their time into defending them?

After a moment Sora realizes he is not the only one who is studying the enigma that is Seifer. Hayner is watching the older blond scare off the boy he had been bullying and Sora can see the scowl form on his face as Seifer turns to meet his gaze. Seifer glares back with the same intensity and the two of them face off like that, neither speaking and instead letting the daggers shooting from their eyes do the talking.

"They're so oblivious, aren't they?"

Sora looks up in surprise to see Olette sit down beside him with a small knowing smile on her face. She is watching Seifer and Hayner's continued glaring contest and Sora glances between her and them.

"What?" He asks confused.

Olette's eyes turn to look at him incredulously. "Oh, come on. Tell me you can see it?"

"See what?" Sora asks now frowning at her expression.

"Maybe its just men," she mutters shaking her head. She gestures in Hayner's direction and says, "They obviously both like eachother, but being the stubborn idiots they are they'd rather fight than admit it."

Surprised, Sora looks over Hayner and Seifer again, but all he sees is hostility in their eyes and body language. "You think?" He asks unconvinced.

"Call it a woman's instinct," Olette says giving him a smile. "I almost got Hayner to admit it once before he clammed up and told me to stop confusing him."

"But what about Seifer," Sora says slowly. "He seemed like he was trying to start a fight with Hayner yesterday."

Olette let out a snort of a laugh and shook her head. "That's because they have the maturity of five year olds," she says. "But I think it's just a wall he puts up and the wall cracked a little at the tournament last year." She pauses and glances at Hayner and Seifer who both have yet to move. She motions Sora to lean in closer and he complies.

"Don't tell Hayner I told you, but after he got suspended he told me what really happened in the title match against Seifer," she whispers in his ear. "Hayner had practiced all year and was holding his own against Seifer for the first time. He couldn't match Seifer's swordsmanship, but Hayner swiped up a couple of Seifer's orbs and kept his distance while the seconds ticked down. Ten seconds to go and Seifer finally caught him. They were face to face, bats locked, and Seifer looked him right in the eye and whispered so only Hayner could hear, 'God, you're beautiful even when you're sweating'."

Sora pulls back a moment to stare at her. "He said that?" He asks and she nods, biting her lip to hold in a giggle. "Really? Those exact words?"

"Yes," she says nearly squealing. She pulls him close again to continue whispering. "Not exactly the most romantic line, but I wouldn't expect much more from Seifer. Well anyways, as you'd expect Hayner was surprised and it broke his concentration letting Seifer get enough hits on him to win by a couple of points. Seifer played it off as a joke and Hayner got mad enough to throw a punch at him and well...he got suspended like you know."

They both turn to look as Hayner finally break his and Seifer's stare. He walks away with his hands in his pockets and an angry glare still on his face. Seifer walks away in the other direction probably to go warm up before the tournament started.

"Hayner said he thought Seifer only did it to mess with his head, but I'm not sure," Olette says. "Seifer might have said it partly to distract Hayner, but I think he was genuine."

Sora considers what she said a moment before nodding slowly. "You know what Olette, the way Seifer reacted when Hayner got knocked out yesterday...you might be on to something."

Olette smiles hugely. "Good. I'm glad you agree because Pence just thinks I'm nuts," she says.

The man who Sora had signed up with the day before gets everyone's attention by tapping the microphone in his hand. "Welcome people of Destiny Islands to out 53rd annual Struggle Tournament," he shouts and the crowd erupts in cheers. Once they quiet down he continues. "We'll be starting in just a few minutes more, but first I need all of today's competitors to meet me up here to go over the rules of play."

"Go on," Olette says, pushing Sora towards the stage. "But remember, don't tell Hayner I told you anything. He'll make a big fuss over it."

"Got it," Sora says to her and hurries up on stage where the other competitors are gathering around the announcer. He tries to pay attention as the announcer starts reading through the rules, but he finds himself watching Seifer, wondering if what Olette had said is true.

…

Riku steps off his glider in the courtyard before an enormous castle. It disappears in a flash as he pulls the helmet Zack had given him off and shakes out his long hair. He looks around, but he is alone. With a sigh he tucks the helmet under his arm and trudges towards the steps that lead up to the front doors of the castle.

To say he is exhausted is an understatement. The last night he had only gotten three hours of sleep and has already visited six worlds since waking. From his pocket he pulls out a pencil and a crumpled piece of paper. Three of the names had already been crossed out - Snow White, Belle, and Aurora. After visiting the Olympus Coliseum to discover he had missed Sora by a matter of hours, Riku must have visited 30 worlds before the one he is now at only to find those three princesses already taken. The last one, Aurora, had only been missing for less than an hour before Riku had shown up. The only thing keeping him from giving into his exhaustion is anger at Ansem for being able to keep one step ahead of him.

The doors of the castle are huge. He stops before them and cranes his neck to see all the way to the top. He reaches out a hand to knock, but a muffled sound from within makes him pause. Leaning closer to he strains his ears at the indistinct voices, but he can tell they're shouting and then there is a crash followed by a girl's scream.

Riku shoves open the large doors to find himself in a long corridor. At the end is what remains of another set of double doors, but they had been blasted open by a great force of darkness judging by the black residue on them. Sprinting down the hallway he can hear a young woman screaming, "No! Charming!"

Rushing through the blown out doors, Riku takes in the scene before him in a matter of seconds. He is facing a grand staircase at the top of which is a huge black demon he recognizes instantly as Ansem's guardian. In his clutches is a blond girl in a silvery white dress who is the one screaming and kicking against its hold. A second unconscious girl is thrown over it's shoulder and the blue dress she is wearing matches the description Prince Philip of the Enchanted Dominion had given Riku about the princess Aurora.

The guardian's yellow eyes jump instantly to Riku as he enters the room, but all of Riku's attention is turned to the two men at the base of the staircase. Riku sees red at the sight of Ansem standing and turning to face him leaving a dark haired man on the floor bloodied and unable to get up.

"You," Riku says his keyblade appearing in his hand as he points at Ansem. "Where's Kairi?"

Ansem sneers and steps towards Riku. "Did you not learn from our first encounter that you stand no chance against me?"

Riku glare only deepens and with a shout he launches himself at Ansem. His keyblade is aimed at Ansem's chest, but the smirking man turns out of the way and Riku's keyblade flashes past him. Surprised by how fast Ansem can move, Riku stumbles and feels Ansem hit him hard across his back, knocking him to the ground. His keyblade flies from his hand and Riku tries to reach for it only for Ansem to snatch it up faster.

A kick from Ansem makes Riku cry out in pain and roll on to his back, clutching his stomach. He tries to push himself to his feet, but freezes feeling the sharp edge of his own keyblade press against his neck.

Keeping the Riku's keyblade there, Ansem drags Riku to his feet by his hair slams into the wall. The keyblade now pointed at Riku's heart, Ansem holds him in place with his piercing yellow eyes. "I let you live after our first encounter because I could not be bothered to kill you," Ansem says pressing the tip of Riku's keyblade hard against Riku's chest, ripping through his shirt and pricking his skin. "But now you've made yourself an annoyance and this time I will not be so lenient."

"Let the princesses go," Riku says, keeping his fear out of his voice. In truth, he is more angry than scared and he can feel it bubbling up inside him. Anger at Ansem for taking Kairi, for his plans to make the X-blade, for using Riku's own keyblade against him, and for the stupid superior smirk he always wears.

That infuriating smirk on his face, Ansem says, "You're never going to see you princess friend of yours ever again." He moves to stab Riku in the heart, but before he can an incredible power explodes out of somewhere in Riku.

Riku pushes Ansem off with his bare hands and strength behind the push is more than double what it should be. For a moment Riku can see it. A blast of darkness from his hands sending Ansem back several feet with its power. As quick as it comes, the darkness is gone, leaving Riku staring down at his hands in shock and fear.

"How did I…?" He whispers to himself, clenching his fists and wishing he'd been wrong in what he had seen. But he can't wish it away. He had used darkness and somewhere in his heart, he liked the power it gave him.

"Maybe you are worth keeping around," Ansem says and Riku looks up to see he has moved back to the staircase and his Guardian has come down to be beside him with the two princess still in his grip. "Hold onto your anger boy. It will be a source of great power for you."

"I..no...I won't…" Riku says. Never again. He will never again use darkness. To do so would bring him down to Ansem's level and he isn't about to do that.

Ansem only smirks. "Then you will never the girl again." A dark corridor opens behind Ansem and his Guardian step back into with the two kidnapped princesses.

"Charming!" The conscious girl screams reaching out a hand for the man on the ground who Ansem had beat up.

"Cinderella…" He calls weakly, trying in vain to get to his feet.

Riku is still in a state of shock. Ansem and the princesses disappear as the corridor vanishes by the time he takes a stumbling step forward. Moving slowly, Riku walks over to Charming, his mind still reeling with what had happened.

"Curaga," he says reaching him and the cuts from Ansem's attacks heal.

Charming pushes himself to his feet and grips Riku's arm tight. "You have to find her," he begs.

"I will," Riku says. "I promise I'll bring her back."

He gently pulls himself from Prince Charming's grip and hurries back down the corridor to the front doors. Before going though he pauses, looking back to see Prince Charming watching him go. On the prince's face he can see the worry and fear in every frown line and knows he is going to keep that promise.

I'll find them, he thinks to himself as he hurries down the front steps of the castle. All of them. He looks down his hands. And I won't use darkness to do it.

...

"Make some noise for our last competitors Seifer and Sora!" The announcer shouts and Sora can't help but grin as over the crowd's cheering he hears his friends shouting his name. When the noise lessens enough for him to be heard, the announcer continues, "This final match will determine this year's ultimate Struggle champion. Seifer our reigning champ for the last five years is going head to head against everyone's new favorite underdog Sora who is hoping to steal Seifer's title in his first ever Struggle tournament."

The crowd goes crazy and the announcer puts on hand on both Sora's and Seifer's shoulders. He turns them to face each other and hands them each a bat. "Now boys, this one's for all the marbles, but it is all in good fun. This is a friendly competition. Don't forget that."

The announcer seems to be talking more to Seifer than Sora and from the hard glint in Seifer's eye Sora can tell the announcer's words are having no effect on him. With a final clap on both of their shoulders, the announcer moves back to his position at the edge of the stage where he would serve as referee from leaving Sora and Seifer alone in the middle.

"Good luck," Sora says holding out his hand. He smiles tentatively at Seifer who doesn't return it.

Seifer shakes his hand briefly with a half nod at Sora's words, but he seems distracted. "When I left yesterday," he mutters almost too quietly for Sora to hear. "I never got the chance to ask, but is Hayner alright? He took a pretty hard hit."

Sora is surprised to hear real concern in his voice and smiles wider. "He's fine. I healed him with magic."

"Good," Seifer says avoiding looking at Sora by tugging on his jacket. When he looks back up his cocky smile is on his face again and his voice takes on a mocking tone as he says, "Wouldn't want chickenwuss beaten up by some lame heartless. That's my job."

Before Sora can say anything, the announcer is shouting at them. "Competitors take your places." The two of them back away slightly from each other and drop into battle stances as they wait for the announcers signal.

"Let's get this match under way!" The announcer shouts, but Sora doesn't look at him, keeping his focus solely on Seifer. "Ready? Set. Struggle!"

Sora jumps into action at the same time Seifer does and their bats slam into each other with a solid smack. They are locked for only a second before Sora turns to the side bringing his bat to knock Seifer in the side. Seifer turns as well to avoid the blow, but isn't quick enough. Sora catches him enough for two red orbs to jump out of Seifer's pocket. Seeing them fall, Sora grins and steps towards them. They jump into his own pocket and Sora starts to turn back around to face Seifer only to stumble at a hit to his back. Five of blue orbs leave him and he is just able to get his bat up in time to block Seifer's follow up swings.

Sora blocks each of Seifer's swings, but Seifer is taller than him and puts more power behind his hits. Step by step, Sora is pushed back away from the orbs that had left him. Sora tries to push back, swing his bat as hard as he can to meet Seifer's, but he can't gain any ground.

Seifer swings at his shoulder and Sora raises his bat to block only to realize too late it is a feint. A sharp rap against his knee makes him stumble back and three obs jump out of his pocket. He snatches them up quickly before Seifer can get them, but once he has all three again, he looks up to see Seifer hadn't gone after them at all. Instead, the seasoned Struggle fighter had gone for the five blue orbs still waiting to be picked up back at the middle of the stage.

Picking up the five, Seifer turns back to Sora as he charges over. Their bats slam back together and they exchange a flurry of blows without either of them able to land a hit. Sora decides to try Seifer's own tactics against him and faints at Seifer's left side only to change direction and go for his right. To Sora's dismay, Seifer isn't fooled and slams his bat into Sora's. The power behind the hit is great and knocks the flimsy bat right out of Sora's hand.

Sora dives after it, ducking under Seifer's swing. He snatches it up and whips back around to face Seifer. Seifer is already swinging at him when he realizes he had picked the bat back up in a backhand grip. Too late to change grips, Sora hopes for the best as he blocks Seifer's attack. Strangely enough, the change in fighting style doesn't make him clumsy. Sora blocks Seifer's swing and counters with one of his own that catches him in the chest. Six red orbs jump out of Seifer's pocket and scatter around the two of them.

Sora snatches up four of them and turns to see Seifer grab the other two just as the whistle blows. Both he and Seifer slowly relax as the heat of the battle dissipates letting the noise of the crowd register with Sora again. He jumps slightly at the announcer's hand clapping him on the shoulder again.

"What a match!" The announcer shouts and the crowd roars in approval. In a lower voice, the announcer says to Sora, "Let me see your orbs, son."

Sora reaches into his pocket and takes out the magic blue orb. He hands it to the man who walks over to Seifer and takes his red one. Sora watches the announcer inspect them, suddenly nervous. In the excitement of the battle he'd lost track of how many orbs he had and wonders if his last attack had gotten him enough to win.

Nodding to himself, the announcer puts the two orbs in his pocket and motions for both Sora and Seifer to join him at the center of the stage. The crowd quiets in anticipation.

"Both of our competitors are most definitely the best Struggle fighters Destiny Islands has ever seen, but there can be only one winner," the announcer says. He grabs both Sora and Seifer's wrists. "With a score of 49 to 51, I'm excited to tell you there is a new champion in town." Sora's face splits into a wide grin as the announcer pulls his arm into the air. "Newcomer Sora is our Struggle champion."

The crowd goes nuts cheering, loving seeing an underdog win in an upset. The crowd still screaming his name, Sora finds himself being dragged by the announcer off stage and to the table against the wall of the square where the first place trophy is waiting. It's huge with a wide base and four delicate blue tendrils curling up and out. On the end of each is a different colored crystal orb glistening in the sunlight.

The announcer hands it to Sora and the cheering redoubles. Donald, Goofy, Hayner, Pence, and Olette push their way to the front of the crowd and run to him, nearly tackling him to the ground as they hug him.

"You did it!" Olette squeals in his ear.

"That was some great fightin', Sora," Goofy says.

"That'll show that asshole," Hayner says grinning.

As his friends release him, Sora meets Donald and Goofy's eyes and remembers what they came here for. Facing the crowd, Sora waits for them to quiet before saying to them, "Participating in your tournament was great and I had a lot of fun, but it isn't the real reason I came to your islands. We," he indicates himself, Donald, and Goofy, "are looking for our friends. They might have come here. They're names are Ven or Ventus and Mickey. Has anyone seen them?"

The people in the crowd look to each other and whisper, but the last person Sora is expecting steps forward. Seifer is looking downright scary with his anger with the outcome of the fight clearly on his face. Crossing his arms he says, "Mickey, that mouse with the keyblade like yours right?"

"Yeah," Sora says surprised. "You know him?"

Seifer nods and jerks his head towards the far side of the square in a clear indication they should talk with less ears present to hear.

"Hold this for me, Pence," Sora says handing him the large trophy. "I'll be right back." He, Donald, and Goofy follow Seifer away from the crowd that is breaking apart with the days festivities over.

Out of earshot Seifer turns to them and says, "I'm guessing you're on the same mission as Mickey? He was looking for someone named Ven too, but he said something finding his heart in some else's."

"Yeah, it's complicated," Sora says rubbing the back of his head.

"When did you see King Mickey?" Donald asks.

Seifer's eyes narrow. "King?"

"Yep. He's the king of our world," Goofy says.

"Hmph," Seifer half laughs and his mouth twitches to a smile for a moment. "It must have slipped his mind to mention that fact. I make it my business to keep track of the comings and goings of this town. Mickey was last here about a week ago. He's been by four or five times over the last few years. Always looking for that Ven guy."

"So he hasn't found him either," Sora says frowning and looking down at his shoes.

"No," Seifer says. "He took a look around for three or four days and left again."

"We just missed him," Donald says unhappily and Goofy frowns.

Sora gives them a sympathetic smile and turns back to Seifer. "Did he says where he was going or anything else about Ven?"

"Wasn't one to like sharing too many secrets," Seifer replies crossing his arms. "All I know is his name and that the heartless don't have a chance in hell against him."

Sora lets out a sigh. "Well, thanks Seifer," he says.

Seifer nods. "Don't mention it," he says and starts to walk away.

"Wait," Sora calls after him, running to catch up. Seifer turns back to him in surprise. "I just wanted to say good match," Sora says holding out his hand. "And I hope their are no hard feelings."

Seifer looks at his hand and for a moment Sora thinks he isn't going to accept his offer of friendship, but then Seifer reaches out to shake his hand. "No hard feelings," he says. He let's go of Sora's hand a smirks. "I'll cream you next time."

Seifer turns to walk away, but Sora quickly says, "One more thing."

"What?" Seifer says turning back around and glaring at Sora, obviously getting annoyed.

"I just wanted to give you some advice," Sora says with a small smile.

Seifer's brow furrows in suspicion. "Really? You have advice for me?"

"Yep," Sora says nodding. He glances around to make sure no one is close enough to hear him. In a serious voice he says, "If you really like him, maybe try something a little less elementary-school-like than chickenwuss."

Seifer's mouth drops open in shock and he stares struggling to find words at Sora. Giving him a final grin, Sora walks back to where Donald and Goofy have been joined by Hayner, Pence, and Olette.

"What was that about?" Hayner asks, nodding in Seifer's direction.

Sora glances back to see him hurrying out of the town square. "Just thanking him for the information he gave us on Mickey," Sora says.

"So are you leaving now?" Olette asks and Sora turns to her nodding.

"Well, here," Pence says, handing the Struggle trophy to Sora. "You earned this."

Sora looks over the huge trophy, admiring the crystals on it. "Thanks, but I don't think it is very practical for us to take this with us. I want you guys to have it."

The three residents of Destiny Islands are shocked and hesitantly Hayner takes the trophy he is offering. "You sure," Hayner asks and Sora nods. "Well, at least take one of these."

He pulls the blue crystal on the trophy off and hands it to Sora who rolls it between his fingers admiring it. Hayner plucks the other three crystals off and hands one each to Pence and Olette, green and yellow respectively. He holds up his own red one to the sky and the others copy him, watching the sunlight reflect on the crystal.

"These are the real treasures," Hayner says.

Pence grins. "Legend says these crystals came from a meteor that fell here years ago and they say they have magical powers."

"Well magical powers or not, they'll help us remember our new friend even if he doesn't come back for a while," Olette says smiling at Sora as she puts her crystal in a small purse she had over her shoulder.

"Thanks guys," Sora says, pocketing his crystal. He glances at Donald and Goofy. "I think it's time we head out."

"Alright, but don't be strangers," Hayner says and Sora grins.

"Wouldn't dream of it."

With a final wave goodbye, Sora, Donald, and Goofy leave their friends in the town square to head back to the Play Island where the transporter to their ship is. Touching the pocket holding his crystal, Sora smiles to himself knowing he'll be seeing his new friends again sometime soon.

CatLoverx33: It was close, but no worries, Sora beat him :)

TopazDragon98: Yeah I know its weird but Wakka, Selphie, and Tidus are in Traverse Town (it was mentioned briefly in MEKA) and I moved Hayner, Pence, Olette, and Seifer to Destiny Islands for secret reasons that will remain secret for the time being.

LightzMusic22: I've been soooo busy too. That's why it took extra long to get this chapter out.

I'M ALIVE! My evil teachers tried to kill me by burying me in a pile of homework up to the ceiling, but I fought my way out and finally finished this chapter.

I gotta get to softball so didn't really check this over that well. Sorry for any mistakes. I'll read it over tomorrow and fix anything.