Aqua awoke to find the smell of all kinds of flowers tickling her nose, it overid her senses for a moment before she shook it off and looked around to see she was in a plaza surrounded by gardens. "This place… it's so beautiful."
She looked around to find an elderly duck taking a stroll before something else caught her eyes. A round pair of ears joint by a pink bow ran off in the direction of the castle. "Minnie?"
She found herself running after her new friend, wanting to learn what she was doing here and if Aqua could help.
Aqua took the steps two at a time while defeating Unversed with her magic, trying catch up but then saw the only place Minnie would've gone was guarded by two strong-looking men.
One was a curly redhead while the other had long dark locks and sideburns. They straightened ever so slightly when the young woman approached.
"The castle is presently closed." Grunted the darker-haired man.
"But didn't you just let someone in? She's my friend and I was hoping to catch up with her."
The two exchanged a confused look before the redhead answered, "We aren't aware of any visitors. Now please, go back to your home, there are monsters about."
Aqua sighed in disappointment.
Suddenly, a giant Unversed appeared in the sky, startling them all.
"They're here!" One guard yelled. He whipped out his ax while his partner took out a spear. They marched bravely up to the beast. "Radiant Gardens will not fall to the likes of you!"
"Don't trouble yourselves, I've got this!" Aqua assured them, summoning her keyblade before running after the creature.
"Miss, wait!" Called the taller of the two.
The other added on urgently. "It's too dangerous!"
They were about to run after her when a smooth voice hit their ears. "Dillan, Aeleus, just where do you think you're going?"
They turned to see a man dressed in a pristine white lab coat, his bluish gray hair hiding one of his eyes.
"But that woman-!"
"She will be just fine. She's quite the extraordinary person, you see."
"Extraordinary? What do you mean?" Aeleus asked, narrowing his eyes.
Dillan shook it off, content with Ienzo's explanation, even if he didn't really get it. "He's right, lord and castle comes first."
"Speaking of, his lordship wishes to see you both." Ienzo mumbled, waving his hand to the entrance while he kept his eyes locked on the direction Aqua had gone.
When they left, he smirked, placing a hand to his chin in thought. "A pure heart separated from its darkness, now roaming our city, how very intriguing…"
Aqua followed the Unversed back into the plaza and found it looming over the elderly duck she saw before.
The woman blasted it with ice, drawing its attention to her instead.
Surprisingly, it didn't come raging at her like every other had, instead fleeing quickly away.
"How strange…" Aqua was about to run after it when she heard a cough from behind.
"Wait a moment, lass! Let me repay you before you go runnin' off!" Cried the elderly duck in a heavy Scottish accent.
"No need, thank you, sir." Aqua tried to insist, the Unversed was getting away!
"Now just hold your horses, I dinna mean my fortune, just something like, would you like some jewelry or maybe-?"
"I'm sort of in a rush, I really don't need anything."
"Hush hush… Oh, do you have any kiddies at home? I know just the thing if so. But you must first tell me something…"
Aqua nodded, now suddenly interested. Would he have something Ven would like? She leaned in.
"You're from another world, aren't ya?"
"How did you-?!"
He chuckled, twirling his cane up like it was a sword. "Don't worry, my bill is sealed. Yer' secret's safe with me. I'll not be askin' ye any awkward questions. Ye see, 'tis the same with me. I asked a wizard named Merlin to bring me here from another world. After all, adventure is the mother o' industry!"
He took off his hat then and produced three tickets with a familiar logo on it, Minnie's ears. Aqua saw a quaint little town printed on the passport.
"Here. These are lifetime passes to Disney Town. Ye'll have buckets o' fun there, or my name is not Scrooge McDuck. There ye are—enough for you, your kiddo, and your special someone!"
Aqua felt her cheeks heat up. "Special someone? O-Oh, no, no, I'm giving it to my friend, he's special but not-not like that..! Really, not like that!"
Scrooge merely chuckled.
"Well, goodbye! And thank you!"
In a dark alleyway, a young girl with spikey blonde hair watched her go. In the shadows, no one could see her awestruck face. "Amazing…!"
"Isn't she just? Now move."
The girl gave a cry in pain when Adar grabbed her by her little antenna, pulling her back.
"What's the big idea, I was just looking-!"
"Looking at my princess fawning over… over…THAT IDIOT!"
The girl took out a set of knives but was shoved back by a blast of darkness.
"Elrena, there you are!" Her friend gasped, running up. The two were surrounded by the Unversed.
Suddenly, a chain whipped through them and they glanced over to see a girl around their age with red hair and green eyes.
"Be sure I don't have to save you again, kiddies." Dagrun smirked.
"That some kinda threat?!"
The boy had to pull Elrena back, forcing them to run away.
Dagrun peeked into the alleyway to find Adar.
Hidden in a back alleyway, Adar was seething with anger and trying not to light every single garden up. She grinded her teeth. Special someone… HIM?! Aqua, I love you, I love you so much, why won't you love me back already?! I'm better than Terra in every way… No matter, eventually those false feelings will fade from your heart and your true ones will come to light… Still, the idea of you even gazing upon him with those feelings… and him returning them! I can't stand it, I can't stand HIM!
"Here you are, blackbird- Oh, what's wrong?"
Adar flinched away when Dagrun tried to take her hand and wiped away her tears. "L-Leave me alone, I know you don't really care! I just need a moment before I go and destroy that rock for brains!"
"Excuses, excuses." Dagrun tutted, dropping the sympathy act the moment it was pointed out. "You're still trying to worm your way out of training Ventus, aren't you?"
"Huh? … Oh, right…" Adar grimaced. Destroying Terra was the main reason she wanted to deviate from the plan now, but she'd always never liked or wanted to do it to begin with. The show they were going to perform that ended with Ventus writhing in pain before he finally got stronger, it had been done countless times to Adar to build her power. She still felt the burns searing into her skin as she screamed and sobbed for the master to stop it. The idea of doing it to another child, Ventus especially, made her heart hurt.
"Don't tell me you're having second thoughts!" Dagrun laughed, snapping her out of the thought. "Hasn't it always been your dream to destroy him and Terra?"
"… Yes. But I want it to be quick and painless, they're still her friends and they've taken care of her for me, so they deserve that much. Our destiny depends on them being gone. If they aren't… Aqua will refuse it, refuse me… I won't let that happen. I need her love… Without it, I… I can't live with myself in this cruel universe."
Dagrun peered up at Adar through the veil and then smirked. "What twisted and broke your poor mind first, angelface? Your horrific birth or your everscheming master?"
"… Take your pick…"
Aqua ran in to find the very person she'd been searching for. Her heart lifted with joy. Ven!
"Aqua!" The boy gasped, his face lighting up as well when he noticed her.
Terra came racing in as well, he grinned. "Aqua! Ven! I finally found you guys again!"
Aqua finally felt her stress fade at seeing them both safe and sound, now she could warn them about Adar, it would all be okay.
There was little time for a reunion though as the monster in front of them suddenly roared. The trio summoned their keyblades in perfect sync.
"Let's get the limbs first! Aqua, you're with me! Ven, keep that thing distracted!"
Aqua nodded, glad to see Terra taking charge so quickly. Terra was a master now, he'd proven himself to be capable to lead them. He deserved their support.
Aqua let out a barrage of elements to hit the arms after casting Ensnare, the thing creaked and tried to keep its balance after she took them out.
Terra quickly got the legs while Ven did a magnificent job at distracting it.
Finally, it was just a torso and a head, time to take it out.
The three nodded to each other before leaping into the air.
"Farewell!"
"Begone!"
"See ya'!"
The three each gave their goodbyes to the enemy before slamming into it in unison.
It vanished and Aqua saw Ven was now free falling. She gasped before teleporting to him and scooping him up. "Gotcha!"
Terra caught them both and looked between them. "Everyone okay?"
"Yeah! That was awesome!" Ven cheered. "We got that guy good!"
Aqua and Terra laughed slightly as the boy celebrated himself and his friends.
If he's excited now, wait til he hears about these. Aqua cleared her throat before taking them out, showing them to her friends. "The fun doesn't end there, look! Lifetime passes to Disney Town! A kind gentleman gave them to me after saving him!"
As expected, Ven's grew even happier, his smile widening until it suddenly dropped.
What's wrong? Doesn't he like them? Or maybe he isn't interested in real fun now, maybe his tastes changed too? I hope-
"Aw, it says kids' pass, I'm not a little kid anymore!"
"Sorry, Ven, rules are rules!" Terra laughed, ruffling his hair while Aqua gave a sigh in relief that was all. "But, uh… we gotta go some other time, alright? The master wants you back home."
That's right, Ven should definitely be getting home now, Adar's still after him. She bent down, caressing his cheek. "He's right, Ven. It's dangerous in other worlds. I may have gotten rid of that veiled lady but that doesn't-"
"You saw the veiled lady?!"
Aqua's heart dropped and cold rushed through her in panic. What if Adar had hurt him or scared him, or lured him into even more darkness?! "You did too…?!"
"We all did." She wanted to ask more but Terra interrupted. "And I think we all know now that she's a dangerous individual. I'll take care of her, don't worry. But before that, I have to get you both home."
Aqua's felt her heart sink somehow even lower at that, her worries about Adar turning into worries about the master and herself. Sure, she'd failed the test but… did that really mean she couldn't help Terra with his mission? They'd done everything together since they first met… Why wouldn't he let them now? ""I understand Ven but…why won't the master let me help you?"
""Because you listened to a threat from the darkness, directed at Ven, again, disregarding your own safety and duty as a keyblade wielder."
He's right… I did just that. Aqua realized, remembering the only reason she'd left was because Adar, seemingly darkness-incarnate, had threatened the boy.
"And you, Ven, I've been to the other worlds you have and you've been putting yourself way too close to the darkness! It's best we get you home before-!"
"Before I mess up something else up?"
Aqua and Terra stared in shock at the boy. What did he mean, something else? Was he referring to the exam, or had he always felt this way?
""I know that's what the master thinks of me… What you think of me!" Ven yelled, glaring up at Terra.
Ven, you know that's not true! Aqua wanted to say.
"No, it is! Terra's trying to be so much like Master Eraqus now he's practically turning into him! Thoughts and all!" Ven interrupted her
Ven was the only one who thought that about him, he didn't go around messing up their lives, his mistakes were what helped him grow. He should be glad he's still at the age where he can make mistakes… Terra meanwhile, is he truly trying to become just like the master? I don't want that, I want Terra just the way he is, flaws and all.
"I'm not letting you tell me to feel guilty about who I really am..." Ven announced to Terra. "And I'm not coming home til I figure that out!"
Aqua looked between them worriedly, her hands balled into fist upon her heart.
"Ven…"
The boy turned and began to run but Aqua grabbed him. "Ven, please, don't go!"
He was still in danger from Adar, and apparently even more so from his own destructive thinking. She didn't want him to feel like this, she wanted to comfort and protect him like she always did. I want things to never change!
He gently slapped her hand away but it hurt more than any attack she'd ever seen before. "Just leave me alone for now, okay…?"
The two stared after Ven in stunned silence before Aqua turned to Terra.
"Terra, it's clearly difficult for you to do now, but you have to believe in Ven and I, that we can protect ourselves from darkness." Aqua grunted firmly. Granted, she also was worried sick about Ven falling to darkness and fighting Adar, but she kept reminding herself he wouldn't, that he could defend himself long enough to run. Terra was always the one that believed in Ven first, even at the exam when he had to remind her to. What had changed? "Or is what he says true? Did you stop believing like the master did?"
"N-No, Aqua, it's not like that…" Terra mumbled out, struggling to find the words. "The master believes in you both, he's just worried about you."
Aqua felt her heart hurt at that. Of course the master would be worried, they were like his children, after all… "Okay… I can convince Ven and we'll go back home but on one condition."
"Anything."
She stepped closer, taking his hand. "If you encounter Adar, the Veiled Lady… be careful. If she becomes too much for you, you have to run."
"But she-!" Terra cried, narrowing his eyes.
"Terra, please…!" Aqua knew her doubt could be seen clearly. Terra hated losing and never, ever backed down from a fight. But Adar had to be an exception, she was stronger than Aqua.
"… Okay." Terra sighed.
"Alright." Aqua dropped his hand before turning away. "I-I'll find Ven and get us home."
"Veeen!" Aqua called, running into the fountain square. Where could he have gone? It was like he vanished…
Suddenly, she noticed a young boy, a bit younger than Ven, with a sickly face in a lab coat, surrounded by Unversed. He was writing away, not seeming to know how much danger he was in.
"Run!" Aqua grunted, leaping between him and the Unversed. She took them out quickly before bending down to the boy. "Are you alright?"
"No, not at all!" The boy huffed, crossing his arms. "You destroyed them all when I was in the middle of research!"
"Hm?"
"Even! Where are you?! You better not have gotten yourself into trouble again!"
"Here, Ienzo!"
A man dressed in a similar uniform to the boy ran in and gave a sigh. "There you are."
He walked up and noticed Aqua's keyblade was still out. He raised a brow in curiosity before she quickly unsummoned it. He then stared at her with an unreadable expression. "We were quite lucky to have one skilled in the blade near Even, he always manages to get himself into danger to satisfy his curiosity. You'd think he'd know better since his parents passed for the same reason, but he still has us scientists scrambling to raise him."
Even gave a face at that, glaring between the two. "You don't have to bother with scrambling, you always scare off my observation subjects like this 'hero'."
"Even, be nice." Ienzo scolded softly before turning to the woman. "How could we ever thank you? Perhaps a tour of the castle?"
"Ur, no, thank you." Aqua whispered, she got the strange feeling she may not make it back out by the way he was looking at her, like she was some specimen to study. "I'm looking for a boy a bit older than Even with spikey blonde hair and a uniform like mine, have you seen him?"
Ienzo thought for a moment and then nodded. "I believe I saw someone matching that description in the Outer Gardens, just that way…"
Aqua looked to where he pointed and nodded gratefully. "Thank you."
"No, thank you, we might have lost this one if you hadn't come along." Ienzo muttered, looking down at the boy. He motioned for him to follow before he paused, glancing back at the woman. He suddenly smirked, showing the first true sign of emotion Aqua had seen from him. "Miss, I have the feeling we'll meet again. I await the day."
Aqua felt herself nod instinctively as she watched them go. She couldn't make heads or tails of the man, he could be a powerful ally… or an even worse enemy.
"Ven!" Aqua yelled, finding him just about to take off from the outer gardens.
She stopped for air in front of him. As she took in a few quick breathes, she noticed the boy looked different somehow, like he'd been hurt and crying. She went to hold his hand but he flinched away. She knew he'd be upset if she brought it up, perhaps thinking she thought him helpless, so she pushed through to the other matter. "Ven, please, I don't want to chase you anymore…Let's just go home, okay? It's what the Master wants and it's-"
"No, I won't be going home anytime soon."
Ven… What is going on? You're running further and further away from me… Aqua thought as the boy turned away. Is our connection so easily broken?
"Even so, I know I can still always count on you to be there for me, Aqua."
Ah…" Aqua glanced up in shock, it was as if he knew her concerns. She didn't know what to say or how to convince him to come with her, all she could do was respond in kind. "Yes, of course. We are friends, after all."
"Yeah. Thanks, Aqua…"
And just like that, before she even had time to protest, Ven had flown away again. "… I have to find Terra and tell him what happened…"
"There you are, Terra!"
Terra turned, panting and sweating like a weakened beast. "Aqua…"
She slid to a halt in shock. "Are you alright?!"
The man wiped the sweat off his forehead quickly and gave a firm nod. "Y-Yeah, I'm fine. Just another nasty Unversed… So, did you find Ven?"
"No, he ran away again." Aqua sighed sadly. I'm sorry, Terra… I couldn't keep my end of our bargain…
"Huh." Was all Terra grunted back. "Looks like it's up to me to find him then."
"Wait, let me help-!" Aqua tried to say but he sharply cut her off.
He turned his back to her. "I don't think so. The best you can do now is get out of the way, Aqua."
Aqua's eyes widened at that. Terra had never spoken so coldly to her, what had happened?
"… I… wouldn't be able to bear it if anything bad happened to you, okay? Please, get home and safe…"
"Terra…" He'd spoken harshly before but it was as if he'd changed his mind in the split second she had taken time to think. Did he also realize how unlike him it sounded?
As quickly as Ven had left, so did Terra.
Aqua slumped down in the fountain square to be alone with her thoughts. She heard a sudden clank and took out her music box. When did this get here?
Adar must've put it here for me to find… But why?
She slowly opened the box and listened to the sad tune. It was one of Ven's favorite things, but he'd given it away so easily at the idea it could help Aqua sleep. And so, it became one of Aqua's greatest treasures. Terra had teased Ven and the boys ended up laughing, Aqua could only give a very small smile. Terra… Ven… Why are you leaving me behind?
Suddenly, there was a quick flash of silver before a knife hit the wall just above her. An apple hung just by it's stem off it, which broke at once.
Aqua hurriedly put away her box before the apple could crush it, sacrificing the safety of her head. She grimaced in pain when it hit her.
"Bullseye! Bullseye! No denying it, Lauriam!" A voice yelled.
Two kids around Ven's age ran in.
The girl had sharp features but soft blonde hair that ended in two tiny antenna, showing her true nature. She plucked out the knife before smirking down at the woman. "Hey, you saw that super cool trick, didn't you, blue? Wasn't it a bullseye?"
"Don't you try to intimidate the witness!" A boy called after her, running in. He panted for air, brushing back his pink hair. "Please, don't be frightened, you can tell us the truth!"
"She missed by a long shot." Aqua answered bluntly, tossing the apple to the girl. She laughed. "And don't worry, I'm not…"
The boy, Lauriam, shook his head at her, clearly trying to spare the girl's feelings.
"Not…done shaking! That was some scary accuracy for a beginner!"
"Well, I'm not a beginner." The girl huffed, crossing her arms. "And who do you think you are, judging me? You're not even a warrior!"
"Who told you that?"
"Well, uh, nobody but…" The girl flushed in slight anger. "If you think you're so slick, why don't you put it to the test, huh?! Fight me!"
"I don't think so, you're just a little-" Aqua was stopped when a set of knives landed at her feet. She glanced up, recognizing the same fighting spirit Ven had. "Well, if you're sure."
The fight was over in seconds, Aqua didn't even use half of her strength to take her down and that was without the keyblade.
"Oh…" Lauriam tutted, leaning over her. "I'm afraid the fighting only seemed to work on me, you're going to have to try another method if you want more companions."
"Wait, you want me to be your friend?" Aqua asked in confusion. What a weird way to show it.
The girl blushed harder than ever and punched Lauriam gently in the arm. "N-No! It's not like that!"
"But you were the one that kept gushing about how cool and pretty the blue-haired girl was when you saw her fight-"
"No, I didn't!"
A smile appeared on Aqua's face before she laughed. "All you had to do was ask, we're friends now! My name's Aqua, by the way."
"Uh, Elrena..." Elrena muttered, turning her head away.
"Well, this has been a pleasant chat but Elrena and I have things to do." Lauriam interrupted them.
Elrena nodded quickly, looking over to the castle in the distance. "That's right, important things that are none of your beeswax!"
"Alright, alright then, I'll leave you to it." Aqua said, placing her hands up. "Whatever you're up to, be careful about it, okay?"
"I'm careful for both of us." Lauriam assured her.
"Good."
Aqua walked steadily away, thinking of the two. She was glad to have made a new friend, but couldn't help thinking of her old ones. Ven and Terra didn't want her help, protection, or even her company it seemed… She'd have to do it in secret. "I'll have to take Adar down before she can find them again, that's my duty as their friend."
After watching Aqua depart, the kids glanced back to the castle. Could they really break into such a heavily-guarded place again? They had to try.
"Ready?" Lauriam asked softly, giving his hand to her.
She took it quickly before giving a fierce nod. "Ready! Subject X, here we come!"