The Sapphire Sorceress
Disclaimer: The rights to Kingdom Hearts belong to Disney and Square Enix.
Act 39: Tension Rising
"This is saying our generation will never matter. But we have to matter. If we don't, there is no future worth saving."
Hollow Bastion: Bailey ( Kairi's POV )
Why couldn't I just be a normal girl at school? Sure that might sound pretty selfish, but at least it would mean I didn't need to balance two lives. It seemed like I was living in other worlds these days, not having much time to work on school assignments, and being more focused on my keyblade training. Already I could feel the duty of carrying this weapon had begun robbing me of my education and time with my friends. Doing the right thing certainly didn't make me feel right about any of this. That being said there were days when I was grateful to have an excuse to leave school like yesterday.
"Something is off about you, red! I don't know what you're trying to hide, but everyone is gonna know what and who you really are soon!" Another day went and "Lightning" gave off another threat because apparently, she noticed that I'd been spending less time at the school. I had started to feel really nervous being around there with Rufus and Claire looking at me whenever we met in a hallway. At least Yuffie just likes to tease me in a playful way, the new student really loves to see me suffer whenever she found me in school.
Now here I was in my casual outfit looking at the black-cloaked figures creating an uproar throughout the place. There was something about them which made me feel uneasy...
"W-We don't have to tell you creeps anything!" The citizens of this place had pride running through them as I've gotten to learn over the days since I've come here. That also would get them into trouble with the heartless, but there were brave people living in this world even while being outmatched by the forces of darkness. Such inspiration to fight back...did it come from me helping fight off the beasts of darkness?
"Look we aren't here to cause trouble, but if you know something about this girl then it would be helpful to just admit it." The shorter figure said trying to sound sympathetic even if he spoke in a monotone voice. Walking closer through the crowd I also noticed the both of them were hiding their faces under their hoods. Were they hoping no one could recognize them from somewhere?
"Too bad you've got yourself loads of trouble!"
I gasped out when I saw the taller figure move out of the way of being grabbed, then taking the man by his arm before throwing him back into the crowd. I knew this situation was only going to become more hostile if I didn't say anything, but I can hear the other voice speaking up now...
"We are looking for the girl named Kairi...If you wish to not make things worse then you will help us locate this girl."
That voice could it be her? She is supposed to be long away from here. Then again the Aqua I knew talked more lively, her voice was much more hopeful in tone compared to what I was listening to now. That hood was in the way, and I needed to see who exactly is hiding under it!
"We wouldn't sell anyone out for any reason let alone our new protector!"
"Yeah why don't you freaks just leave us normal people alone!"
I saw the crowd was not helping matters when they were grabbing items to throw, giving off nasty glares, and yelling at the strangers to just leave town. Part of me just wanted to leave and hope this situation calmed down on its own. As I watched one of the men toss a white rag at the black-clad strangers my mind was clear, the duty of this keyblade user was to protect everyone from these people...and themselves.
"Get out of here and leave us alone already!" Damn it why can't they force the issue like this; I don't want you all to get hurt for my sake none of you own me anything! That's when I saw it...that weapon being drawn by the smaller figure...it couldn't be that another keyblade?!
"Why do you have that...weapon?" I couldn't believe what I was staring at before my eyes. The shape, sleek look, size, and handle all looked just like Sora's keyblade, so then-why was in the hands of this person? Could it be a different one or perhaps...no there has to be something else going on here!
"Listen we don't want to hurt anyone here! Kairi if she is like me then she would know that we both have the same thought in mind." Do we now...
"Not a chance, bub! We don't know where you stole that from, but you're certainly not a good person if you're hiding under that cloak or looking for Kairi with demands or threats."
"Enough!" I said, announcing my presence before things got any worse. I couldn't stand by while this was happening anymore, what could be worth the risk of hurting people when all they really wanted was myself.
"This is Kairi? Why does she look like someone I should know..."
"It couldn't be the same person from that day..."
'They know about me?' Shaking my head in confusion I couldn't understand what they meant by those remarks. Stepping forward I tried getting a closer look at the both of their faces, but then I felt someone's hand take hold of my arm. I gave the concerned elderly women a pleading expression despite knowing she didn't want me to give into their demand.
"I don't know who you are, but can you please remove your hoods...perhaps it will help make everyone feel at ease." It certainly would mean none of us would be wondering what they looked like under the shadows of their outfits. To my shock, one of them nodded in reply, the black gloves wrapped around the top of their hoods to reveal a young teenager with blonde hair. Despite the different hair color, those eyes of his looked so much like...
"Sora?"
"Sora..." He was in a state of shock like I had been when I first saw his face it wasn't the same person...
"Roxas, why is she looking at you like that?"
"I don't know...who is Sora?" My lips moved to form words, but nothing was coming out of my mouth. Images of Sora were shimmering through my skull, the past times I've spent with him flashed before my eyes, and I wondered if it could be my mind comparing this person to Sora. The person who was apparently named "Roxas" was now staring right at me, the feeling in the air grew much colder around me.
"Sora was the previous keyblade wielder, so why do you know about him?"
"How do you know about Sora?" The female figure asked, but I noticed one of the people moving his arm up to fling a pan at the blonde. My legs rushed over to this man trying to stop this instigation from happening. A loud sound was running through my ears, the sight of a man attempting to hit Roxas with his broom was quickly blocked by that other keyblade. The situation was spiraling out of control with a wrench also getting sent at Roxas forcing me to intervene with my own keyblade. This was between me and these guys, and you all could get hurt trying to defend me.
"Trying to people innocents, such is the duty of a chosen warrior. That said you still have much to learn if that is what you consider a block with that weapon." The feminine voice could mock my inexperience all she wants I just want them to leave here before things got worse. That's when I felt Roxas move next to me, his keyblade was also trying to block a wrench from connecting with him.
"Why are you helping me?"
"I'm not, but you're also causing a situation here that might involve innocent people. If I can help get you two to leave then I will comply with your demand." That didn't mean I would follow you guys anywhere of course. Before I could do anything else someone hit me in the back of my head rendering the world around me dark as my eyes closed up. That last image of Roxas looking down at me was something that I would not be able to shake out of my head...it was like Sora was in his place despite being a different person.
Hollow Bastion: Villain's Vale ( Aqua's POV )
Thankfully we didn't have to get bothered with those rude town people now that we've moved to a more private location. While it certainly seemed like a dreadful place at least we could speak with this girl in peace. Laying the girl down in a nice chair while she rested Roxas and I looked around for any resident of this castle, but thankfully no one seemed to be here. Still, I was unable to shake this sensation that I've been here before...and yet I haven't at the same time. It was just like when I visited Castle Oblivion when I was unaware it was merely my old home reshaped by the request of my old master.
"Why did she seem to know us despite never seeing either of us before..."
Such is the reason why I had to speak with her in a more private setting hoping we weren't interrupted by anyone. Looking at the red-haired child she certainly has aged from what I could remember about her back in Radiant Garden. The major change was the sensation of power emanating from her body, the tell-tell sign of a keyblade's chosen heir along with their hearts isn't that right, Kairi. That said her heart felt much different from other people almost like that soul residing in her body was special in some way.
"Kairi...she one of the Princesses of Heart?"
Yes, those were the girls who possessed the pure hearts needed to open the pathway to Kingdom Hearts, and that were nearly accomplished by that heartless of Xehanort. What I came to realize is this girl managed to become a keyblade warrior since that time just around a full year ago which seemed like a miracle considering how long it took me to fight at an earlier age in my past life.
"Intriguing to think she is both a princess of heart and a keybearer. Kairi is certainly a special kind of somebody..."
This would certainly be an interesting development for the others back home to hear about, the realization of there still being another keyblade user out in these worlds could be a sign of change. It also meant Riku was likely hiding in the darkness hoping to see the day when Sora awakens. Namine I wonder how she is doing being stuck in that castle all by herself.
"Should we take her back with us to the castle?"
"Roxas, this girl has managed to become a symbol of hope for this world. Our duty was not even to find Kairi today, so we should take her away from her duty as a keyblade wielder. Besides, if she is also delivering heartless to fuel our Kingdom Hearts that would be beneficial to the organization." Why not let her continue doing her duty instead of controlling her every move, but Xemnas should know about this girl once the interrogation was finished.
"There is something about her eyes...why am I reminded of Xion when I first looked at her?" Indeed Roxas that similar blue shade of eyes resembled our fellow nobody rather perfectly not to mention their faces and expressions matched as well. The questions were continuing to pile up; and yet our answers resided in this young woman who likely had just as many questions.
"Hmmm...what...where am I?" That would be Kairi finally awakening from slumber, the poor girl had no idea what's happened since we left town or why she was now being held in a strange castle by two strangers in black outfits.
"W-what have you done?! Why did you take me away from the town?!"
"Consider it the continuation of our "girl talk" only without any of those rude civilians. So, care to tell us anything that would help us get along better or..." Why not be civil with this girl she acted reasonable back in town.
"Why would I want to talk to my kidnappers! You two haven't even explained why you've come here for me!" True, but that will come to be explained in a moment Kairi.
"The both of us represent a group of people who seek out a way to regain what we've lost. Roxas and I came into this world to seek out the mushroom heartless plaguing this place recently."
"Your partner Roxas could also use a keyblade...why is that?"
"Simple like yourself he's been chosen to carry the duty of the keybearers. Surely you didn't believe that only you and Sora were picked for this duty."
I could not help but grin at how inexperienced Kairi was, the innocence reminded me of Ven and Terra during our first days in keyblade training. With enough years and training, Kairi will likely blossom into a fine warrior of worlds. Walking over in front of the red-haired girl I decided to remove my hood in order to earn her trust hoping she would become more willing to speak with us.
"...No way it can't be you..." It seemed like she remembered seeing me back in Radiant Garden, but we both have undergone a change from our first meeting since that day. The key difference has she still had a soul that made her care about others, and that compassion was something that I wanted back in my life more than anything else.
"Do you remember me from somewhere like with Roxas? It might not matter considering who I am these days, or rather what I am."
"I can remember that moment from all those years ago. When I living in a different world, and the person who saved me had that voice and hair as blue as the sea. With that keyblade of hers managed to save me from those monster that attacked my home." The Unversed which were only the beginning of Xehanort's manipulations with everyone under his influence.
"Did she happen to provide a name you can remember?" I knew what the answer was but I needed to know how much Kairi could still remember about that day. She began to shake her head around while pondering my question. My arms crossed over as her voice sounded quieter than before as her answer came out of her lips.
"Aqua...she was like me a keyblade warrior, but she didn't wear that black uniform on your body. She also didn't act so hostile towards people meaning you can't be that same person who rescued me back then! Who are you then?!"
"You're somewhat correct I'm no longer the person you consider Aqua. This body you see is what's left of that poor thing."
"What are you talking about?! You can't be some kind of ghost, and I know for a fact you aren't like Ansem or the heartless. Why don't you two start explaining what exactly are you doing with me?!" I suppose we should tell her something, the more we dodged the questions Kairi's anger only continue to build up.
"We're nobodies..."
"What? You're Roxas...and who I think is Aqua, so how can you be a nobody?" She must not be aware of what we truly are like most of the world at this point. I think it's time we step out of the darkness a little...
"We are what's left of those that once were, the heartless who devoured our hearts left these shells in the place of our somebodies."
"What a minute...nobody...Riku!" Riku? What does that person have to do with th-
"Hold on a second!" Roxas had to deflect Kairi who managed to nearly get the drop on me with her keyblade, the opposite one used by my partner protected me. Why did she suddenly act so hostile unlike earlier when we first began this conversation unless...she already knew what we are thanks to Riku. Damn it now she will refuse to answer our questions, the mistake was obvious since we were too willing to provide the truth about our situation.
"You leave me alone now! I can't let you control me like you tried to do with Sora and Riku!"
"Wait a minute! We only want to ask you some questions nothing more." Roxas tried to convince her otherwise, but the look on her face let me know she was not in the mood for negotiation.
"Yeah right, you're not going to hurt me!" Kairi projected out a fireball much like Xion used before she gained her own keyblade, the magical spell was easy to avoid however it gave Kairi the chance to run out of the room. Shaking my head I knew the chance was now on, but at the very least we didn't have to worry about running all over the castle just to catch up with her. Opening a portal of darkness I let Roxas follow on foot while I sought out where she would attempt to escape from this place.
Stepping out of the portal of darkness I came to find Roxas cornering our guest in the lower section of this abandoned castle. Surprisingly she was able to fight back against a more experienced keyblade user that Roxas has become over the past 100 days, but that could be the reason why she was chosen after Sora.
"Please just listen to us for a second. We only want to understand what is going on here, and to stop the heartless from coming back here!"
"Liars! You're probably no different from the others who used my friends. Why can't you both leave me alone!" This arguing was getting us nowhere, so I deflected her blade with my weapons trying to keep her from attacking us again.
"Why would a keyblade wielder like Roxas lie about his duty!? You must know what a keybearer must do in the role of defending the worlds, the same burden is what the both of you have in common despite coming from different places." Kairi attempted hitting me with her weapon, but I took hold of her blade keeping it away from my face despite the burning heat radiating from her keyblade.
"Not bad Kairi, but whoever has been giving you lessons hasn't taught you the best way to perform a good counterattack. If given the opportunity you should move to strike in a way your opponent will not ex-" She tried to kick me in the chest while I was speaking, but I took hold of her foot before the shoe hit me as she took my advice to heart. Looking at her uniquely designed weapon I wondered how well she would perform once she was done with training.
"I beg you both leave us alone...the people have been working so hard to have a better home...they don't deserve to lose everything because of your group. The Aqua that I met back then would understand how important it would be to defend the innocent...if you really are that same person."
She was staring at my face expecting me to show compassion after that speech; instead, my face remained emotionless as I felt nothing from her plea. Such is the life of nonexistence which left Kairi shocked by this lack of reaction.
"We don't want to bring harm to anyone here, but we can't express ourselves normally like a somebody. Without a heart emotions like happiness, sadness, and anger can't be expressed by a nobody." Nodding in agreement with Roxas I hoped by explaining our situation Kairi will begin to understand.
"Once the heartless stole our hearts they left us in these hollow bodies, Things like having a taste, aging, and feelings no longer exist in us hence our pretending that we can feel these emotions."
"You expect me to believe that you can't feel anything without a heart? How come Riku told me you were acting with all sorts of emotions when he was fighting your organization, and why did you act so angry earlier if you can't really feel that way!"
"That accusation is understandable, but believe me the only way that we can interact with each other is through pretending we are normal like those people under your protection, Kairi."
"...That doesn't make any sense. What kind of proof do you even have this "lack of emotion" besides what Riku told me about you guys." I couldn't help but sigh at the demand made to confirm our status as "real" nobodies. Grabbing hold of the girl's hand I placed it over my chest knowing without a heartbeat she would begin to accept our words as the truth. She gasped and quickly moved her ear on my chest area.
"That...can't be possible! You should have a heartbeat like everyone else. What's happened to you Aqua?"
"The person you knew won't exist until I've regained my heart. As for myself refer to me as Auxaq, of the Organization." I couldn't help pretending to show pity that this reunion would now only end with being unable to feel proud of how much Kairi has grown since I first laid my eyes on her that day.
"Sora...he would have said that it does not matter what happens to you just as long as you remain true to yourself. Aqua, you were an inspiration to me along with a reason that I wanted to become strong. The dream of catching up with Riku and Sora started when you first saved me back then, but now that I've become a keyblade warrior like you...I don't know if it's worth it."
"Auxaq is right about you Kairi. You still have much to learn as do I..." Roxas. Looking at my partner and friend I could see he also felt like he was in the same boat as this young apprentice.
"If you can't handle the responsibility of being chosen then you have no right to wield that weapon. If you can't even eliminate a couple of mushroom heartless then what makes you worthy of being friends with people like Sora and Riku."
"Auxaq why you are saying that to Kairi?"
"Is is not the truth Roxas? Unlike you she is clogged with self-doubt in her abilities, she also tends to hesitate with her attacks unsure if she is strong enough to defeat the enemy, and most of all she allows the purity within herself more docile than most keyblade wielders." I no longer cared about holding this back as Kairi looked horrified by the comments I said about her.
"I would rather be caring than an unfeeling person like you!"
"That is why you're still talking rather than fighting us like Sora and Riku!"
"Yes! Even after what you said I can see why you're feeling so cold to others, but that is also why people fear whatever a "nobody" really is! You can ask for help instead of using people to suit your needs!" What and we should just trust anyone to help us regain our hearts? You underestimate what evil lurks in the hearts of humanity, Kairi or how a man can be swayed by their emotions into committing terrible deeds.
"Have you seen people throw away friendships, love, and comrades away in order to gain power..." Roxas knew that my past experiences with these kinds of humans have tainted my view of the world. This inexperienced hero would soon face such things in her upcoming days, the tests would be even more daunting than facing mere heartless in battle. It would also mean those she cares about could be at risk of being stuck in the middle of her duty, and that would mean she would have to protect them as well.
"No, but that doesn't mean I won't be ready for that stuff! Why you are trying to say those horrible things anyway, so you can test me or something?"
"Not exactly I wanted to see how much you could take before you blew us off as nothing more than freaks of nature like the people you were trying to help."
"There were just afraid that's all! If you could have waited then I might have been able to calm down the crowd..."
"Might have? That is not enough to convince a human to accept what is alien to them. It is understandable why you sympathize with your kind, but we no longer have such a luxury." She didn't believe that was the case judging by her reaction in shaking her head around and denying my words.
"Give people a chance! You were a somebody once, Auxaq. No, Aqua that is what you were and still could be for everyone!"
"Hah! Does the world ever remember heroes like me, Terran, and Ventus...no these days Sora is the one everyone is talking about now. Then in a few years, you will become the center of attention that is how "heroes" are treated currently..."
"Auxaq." Roxas, I know you think my words sound selfish, but how else should I feel about this revelation. No matter what we say or do people will judge us simply for being different from them. Looking at Kairi draw out her weapon once more I knew that future was in store for herself, but perhaps there was a way to convince her to continue fighting the heartless.
"Kairi, how would you like to see for yourself what other heroes might think about you?" Her reply was trying to hit me with a ray of light, but Roxas managed to deflect it with his own keyblade. I quickly rushed at her grabbing her hand tightly while ordering Roxas to open a portal of darkness.
"Kairi is not like us she could lose her heart in that kind of realm!"
"This girl has the benefit of being a Princess of Heart, Roxas. Trust me a pure heart like hers can never be devoured completely by darkness."
Kairi tried knocking me away with her other hand, but I forced both of her arms behind her back making her red keyblade drop to the ground fading back into the ether until it was ready to be summoned once more. I knew all too well how easily the chosen weapon of such warriors can be sent to another place entirely.
"Leave me alone already! I just want to stay here nothing more!" She tried one last attack with magic, but I took hold of her neck trying to keep her movement at a minimum.
"Are you sure this is wise considering what our mission is for today?"
"Rest assured we will report back to the Superior on time, but since we can't find the mushrooms today who says we take a little detour..." Grinning down at the angry keybearer in my grip we stepped through the dark void as Kairi looked on with fear that nobodies like ourselves have forgotten to express.
The Bridge To Marvels: Big Apple Square
Once we left the portal that Kairi referred to as a cold, empty, and depressing pathway our destination was in sight. Unlike last time we arrived inside of a building rather than a street area. Letting go of Kairi for a minute Roxas was asking me what I planned on doing here with our kidnapped guest, but I really just wanted her to understand from other kinds of heroes the life she was going to have now.
"Consider this a field trip, Kairi. If you wish to become a hero of the worlds then why don't you meet other heroes in this world although they aren't keyblade users like yourself." Granted an unwilling one for Kairi, but hopefully, once today was finished she would better understand what it means to be a chosen heir of the keyblade. Looking outside I saw a bunch of people running up the street in a rush. When I first came to this world the place seemed rather busy most of the time, but not even this man people were gathered in a spot except during that incident we got involved in.
"Do you think those "heroes" are busy, Auxaq?" Roxas knew what I was thinking about while Kairi seemed confused about what we meant.
"Most likely, but chances are the media will be talking about them like during our first visit. Naturally, that means we will need to travel into the city or rather you will Kairi."
"What makes you think I'll agree to your terms!" She quickly drew out her weapon which made me sigh in boredom knowing she could only make empty threats.
"Tell me can you produce a portal of darkness through yourself? Do you even know where we are now? Have you even visited any other worlds besides Hollow Bastion?"
Nothing huh? The lack of knowledge makes you still an apprentice with no master to help you unlike myself. I could see how you would end up with the need to be supported by others, but that is not a completely bad thing. Looking at her staring at the floor unable to come up with a defiant comment or gesture let me know that she understood her situation.
"We can play nice for the rest of day, you will get an education of sorts, and then we can split ways to continue on with our lives-no actually you're the only one living a real life."
"Can you stop with that mopey talk, please? If we have to interact for a while then I would appreciate you trying to wear a smile on your face..."
"You don't know how hard that is for a nobody."
"Not at all watch and learn!" I watched her lips grow until a bright smile; the emptiness of our bodies couldn't really appreciate this act of happiness. As I blinked there was a sudden way of a bright light cast in the room, leaving us blinded for a moment and the sound of a broken window rang through our ears. Amazingly she actually went through the window managing to escape with that trick, but she would likely be wounded.
"Don't you think we should let her go I mean she is scared, alone, and in a place, she does not know."
"All the more reason we have to find her...without someone to guide her she might suffer a worse fate than an endless slumber..."
( Kairi's POV )
Man, I didn't think ahead with the jumping out of a window trick even if I saw it was not that far away from the ground. The cuts from the glass were leaving a lot of blood on the ground. Of course, my legs were not in the best shape either since I was struggling to crawl back off the ground while there were a few onlookers watching me.
'I have to get out of here before those nobodies find me.' If they could just move through the darkness I don't have much time to flee, so I decided to get help from someone mainly an elder woman who helped me back onto my feet. To me, this is manipulation it's asking for help when I needed it.
"Oh my goodness, what's happened to you?"
"It's nothing, but do you think there is a place I can stay for a while...I think people might be following me."
"Oh don't worry I know my nephews won't mind you sticking around for a while, but we have to be careful with the current battle going on."
"Battle?" A sudden smell of smoke filled my nose as I watched some man sending out waves of thunder in the air with a bunch of people trying to attack him. There was also a female who was actually stretching out her limbs to grab hold of this man who was using electricity.
"Oh, that must be Miss Marvel! She must be fighting Electro with the others." I tilted my head in confusion about who those people were, the lady explained some criminal thief called Black Cat had been using other villains to stir up trouble around here. That's why "superheroes" are trying to stop them: the list included Hiro Hamada, Baymax, Gogo Tamago, Iron Man, Spider-Man and other spider-theme heroes, The Avengers, and others like Miss Marvel...who was now staring directly at me.
"Woah, what happened to you?! Listen I think you need to get to safety there is a huge battle going on here and-" That is why there is a huge bolt of electricity heading in my direction, the pathway suddenly moved to the kind elderly women who helped me! I couldn't allow that to hit her, so I drew out my keyblade to protect this innocent woman from harm.
"It can't be you're a hero too?" The blue-clad costumed girl asked while I managed to deflect the bolt of lighting away with my weapon. Despite the injuries, my body had suffered I refused to let others get hurt...
"No, I'm just a schoolgirl named Kairi."
[ There will be more between Kairi and Aqua don't worry, but I felt like changing the setting for the next chapter. I hope you've all had a good 2016 and hope you all have a wonderful 2017. ]