Chapter 6: Staff of Destruction: part 2


This day was truly something no one could ever see. Today was supposed to be the day where the students and their familiars were to demonstrate their skills as one unfortunately no one, not even the teachers had any clue as for what just happened. A giant stone-like creature appeared out of nowhere, wreaking havoc and was nearly seen killing the princess of Halkeginia.

Fear and terror ran through the students but the danger could have been even worse. That is until Louise's familiar step in and defeated the rock monster, everyone witnessed the tremendous power that this young boy possessed they all drew closer to Sora who was still in his strike form.

"Oh, Brimir, what was that monster?!" One student asked

"I don't know but whatever that thing was-."

"How did a monster even get here!" All the students were still scared as no one could have ever predicted a giant rock monster to show up out of nowhere. The teachers were trying to calm the situation but to no avail they were nothing but as they continued to panic the princess chose to speak to everyone.

"Everyone please calm yourself. I'm sure you all have questions and I promise you, I promise that it will all be answered." The students were silent, unsure about all of this but decided to trust the words of their princess, who turned to the keyblade wielder. "Sora, thank you for saving us."

Sora rubbed his nose "Don't worry about it. I'm just happy that everyone's ok." He said as she had a gentle look on her face. Louise was close to him as she was about to try and congratulate him but Kirche rushed at him with a hug making him fall on the ground.

"What?" Sora gasped, Kirche was showering him with affection Sora tried to pry her off but couldn't, resisting only made her more drawn to him as she hugged the tired warrior even more as he started to blush when something soft was pressing against him.

Meanwhile everyone else who wasn't present during the battle came outside and saw the wreckage that happened.

"What happened?"

"It felt like an earthquake."

"Look at the area."

Everyone had questions just as a certain dark haired girl came as well looking at a Sora who was injured, Siesta wasn't even paying attention to the red haired vixen, her focus was on the keyblade wielder.

"Sora!" She exclaimed seeing his injuries "Are you alright, are you in pain!" She said her voice filled with worry as she applied healing magic to him, recovering from his injuries.

"What the hell?" One of the students said, "Did that maid just use a healing spell?" Everyone began commentating.

"Thanks." He said as he let go of him as stood up as Guiche came over to him.

"Are you alright?" Guiche said, looking at Sora.

"Yeah." He calmly replied as his strike form wore off.

"Yeah. Can someone please explain, what the hell is going on?!" Marlicorne shouted, scared out of his mind.

"Heartless." Sora said

"Wait! That was a heartless, the thing was huge!" Kirche snapped as Sora said they come in many shapes and sizes.

"Heartless?" Guiche asked

"Is that what that thing called?" Montmorency said as all the other students and staff wanted answers as well. Louise looked to Henrietta as she thought that her familiar should also be beside her since he knows more about them than anyone else. But Sora already made a bee-line out of her line of sight.

"Wait, where are you going?" She shouted.

He turned around and shouted to her that he was going to find out who sent the heartless. She quickly followed him as well as Siesta out of concern.

Flashback

(a few minutes earlier)

Meanwhile, on the fifth floor of the Academy of Magic, which encased the treasure room, while the lighting was dim a mysterious cloaked figure with long green hair slowly walked towards the main door of the vault, the same one where the staff of destruction lay.

"Finally, it's in my reach." This woman was none other than Fouquet herself in the flesh. The dark mage reached out her hand to the door feeling the magic that was placed on the door and couldn't help but be impressed. "So, the main tower's magic really is powerful. Physical attacks might do the trick."

She said as she descended from inside to outside the tower looking at it at full view. "And now, on to the judging!"

"Tsk. I'm running out of time." The exhibition was about to be over, but the thief wasn't about to give up. She needed a distraction, something that will preoccupy the teacher's and guards long enough soon, snapped her fingers summoning the Rock Troll heartless.

"Go!" She commanded as it disappeared, ready to cause havoc. Now with that out of the way she turned her attention to the tower.

Fouquet placed her hands on the ground and conjured a giant stone like monster from the dirt; a golem to break the barrier, keeping the item she longed for.

Flashback End

The golem was straight at the main tower with all its might but the dirt monster was making minimal destruction, this protection spell was truly powerful indeed. "Dammit! This is getting me nowhere!" The criminal on top of the golem said in frustration, She couldn't feel any of the rumbling earlier; she had already guessed that her heartless was defeated.

They all were probably looking for her now, speaking of where's Xigbar being cryptic he was he would show up or something. He's here when she doesn't want him and doesn't show when she actually does.

"Over there!" The green haired thief soon heard a female voice, she looked down and saw Louise, Siesta and Sora had arrived on the scene.

"What is that?" Sora asked

"It's a golem." Louise answered.

"Let me guess, another familiar?" Sora assumed as Louise answered his question.

"No it's most likely summoned by an earth mage, and a triangle class one at that."

All three looked and saw a person on top of the dirt golem. "Who's that?" Siesta wondered looking at the hooded woman Sora looked at her and could feel a dark energy emanating from her.

"That's her. She's the one who summoned that heartless here!" He said to the two girls as they both were surprised.

"Who are you, identify yourself!" Louise demanded that the thief gave name.

"To those who don't know me, my name is Fouquet." She introduced "And all of you children are out of luck." She said as she waved her wand and chanted, her golem was ready to attack the trio in front of her.

"Watch out!" The keyblade wielder pushed both girls out of the way, a cloud of smoke arose too, both girls coughed up dust, the screen of dirt started to fade the both looked but neither one could see the spikey haired teen captured helplessly in the hand of the golem.

"Sora!" Louise and Siesta said together in shock at the sight of him getting captured.

"I'm okay, just run!" Sora said, trying to pry himself free, but struggled, this thing's grip stronger then he thought.

Fouquet laughed lightly "I guess he was wrong, you're really not all that powerful as he said you'd be."

"You mean that guy in black right?" Sora Said, still in the hand of the golem. "I heard from Count Mott, that a guy in a black hood sent the heartless to attack him, and I'm guessing he gave you some too, right."

"Clever boy." She smiled "Yes he did, he also told me that you like to play the part of a hero. Sending that heartless was only a distraction really."

"A distraction?" Sora repeat

"Something to keep you all busy, while I came for the prize I seek." She said looking at the main tower then to the boy still captured by her golem, but then suddenly.

"Blaze!" A large fireball was shot as golem causing the thief to look down and saw the maid with her hand stretched out. "Put him down!" Siesta continued to ignite both her hands and throw two more balls of flames at the golem but from the looks of it it wasn't doing anything, Fouquet couldn't believe what she was seeing a maid using magic.

'What the hell! This is impossible, she's a commoner isn't she, how can this maid use magic?' The thief question. this is something that really is possible, isn't this boy and Xigbar the only ones who can cast magic. She regained her focus putting this so she ordered her golem to crush them when the raven haired girl cast reflectga protecting her and Louise as the golem moved it's hand back.

Fouquet couldn't believe she blocked it. This girl was powerful whereas Louise was still, she knew Sora was teaching magic but she didn't know she was this strong or this good. She just grit asking why. Why is she good at magic, why does this world she lives in always being so unfair to her all the time.

The barrier disappeared, Siesta crossed her arms ready to cast another spell but was stopped by the strawberry haired girl who was in front of her "Lady Vallière?" The dark haired maid.

"Put Sora down right now!" Louise yelled at the criminal pointing her wand as she started to say an incantation, "In ex dest flame. Fireball!" Louise casted but instead of fireball all there was an explosion narrowly missing the spikey haired brunette and hitting the wall.

Sora said with wide eyes and a shaky voice while sweating profusely "How do you miss a target this big!?"

"Sh-Shut up, it was just a miss-fire! I won't miss it again!" She said aiming her wand with false bravado, her emotions were all over the place she was insecure, jealous, and scared. At the same time, what if she messed up again and shot her familiar this time, Louise hesitated and just stood in place scared of what could happen.

"What was that supposed to be?" Fouquet said as she heard the sound of cracking she looked at the spot on the wall where the so-called fireball struck; it looked to be breaking 'That magic just now?' She had an inner dialog, "Well thanks for that, you just made my job a whole lot easier. Now go, golem."

The golem punched right through the cracks leaving a hole in the wall the thief quickly entered the treasure vault.

"What's she up to?" Sora said out loud as she quickly left the vault with a purple case, "What's that?" He said looking at the box but the Sora was being ignored by the green haired woman who now claimed her prize.

"Thank you very much." Fouquet offered her gratitude as she made her escape the golem she summoned, the golem released the brown haired keyblade wielder who was now falling fast to the dirt but before he could make contact with the earth a certain blue dragon came to his rescue.

"Sylphid!" Sora was happy to see the dragon, Louise and Siesta were also glad that Sora was saved just at the last minute.

"Hey, what's going on?" A familiar sounding voice was heard. The two girls turned to the side and saw the red and blue duo coming at them. Kirche was shocked to see a giant golem walking away. "Why did she break the wall?" Kirche asked, with all of the girls looking at the wall, Tabitha said that it was likely the school's treasure vault.

Louise had a depressed expression on her she said thanks for making her job easier she practically helped her. She thought to herself why doesn't anything work the way she wanted, why!?


The day was about over, the sun was setting, this day was certainly eventful no one could have predicted this, a giant monster and a thief stealing from their most secure part of the school. The teachers of the academy of magic who gathered inside the vault were speechless when they saw the gaping hole in the wall.

The inscription on the wall etched by Fouquet the Crumbling Dirt said it all: The Staff of Destruction is now mine, Fouquet. Osmond swore "Damnit. Fouquet got us good, she now has the Staff of Destruction." He said to the rest of the teacher's.

"Have you found the woman who caused this theft?" Mr.Colbert said to one of their guards

"No sir, all we found was a big pile of dirt, the culprit is gone!" The guard said this day was horrendous to say the least, some rock monster showing up and trashing apart the stage and almost killing the princess now they were bested by one of the most infamous criminals out there.

The students outside looked at the hole in the main building. Everyone was still trying to process all of what transpired from almost getting attacked to a thief showing up on the same day. Well this was a day to remember for a while that's for sure.

Sora and the others were on the ground looking all over for Louise.

"It was an accident okay!" Sora heard his master's voice but it sounded like she was trying to defend herself.

"An accident, really. You let a thief get away, how was that an accident?"

"We all know you're a screw up, but this. You really are a zero, always!" The students were all ganging up on her, Louise was close to tears.

"Hey! Cut it out!" Sora saw all of this and had enough of this bullying "It was an accident, she was just trying to help!" He defended Louise.

"And her helping is what made Fouquet get away, always the zero she is." One student said.

"I said enough! Okay enough of this 'zero' thing!" He said with a small bit of anger. "I don't understand why you guys keep calling her that, so she made a mistake. It happens to everyone." Sora replied back as the students told him that wasn't just one mistake. He arched his brow as the class told him that it wasn't her first failure, all of her spell's ended up blowing up, she may know incantations but when waves her wand all that come out of it are explosions, the pink haired girl who always so boldly claims to be a mage can't use magic at all.

Sora was surprised to hear that Louise can't use magic. He kept wondering why everyone called her 'Louise the Zero' but really she can't use magic at all. Sora turned to Louise to ask her if it's true but he looked at her and saw tears running down her face.

"Louise..." Sora tried to talk to her but she immediately ran far away from him. He tried to follow but she yelled at him to stay away. He stood in place, maybe he should leave her alone till she calmed down.

"Sora." The keyblade wielder turned around and saw the princess coming towards him.

"Oh, Henrietta." He greeted the princess

"I'm so glad that you're alright." She said also worried about him after he was incapacitated.

"Hey don't worry, I'm fine, I would be lying if I said this wasn't a normal day." A smile was on his face as he added on to his comment, "Although, when I promise you that today was a day you wouldn't forget this wasn't what I meant."

The purple haired girl shook her head. "It's fine, I'm grateful that no one was hurt. Now I must report this to the palace, I hope to see you again soon, you and Louise real soon." The princess said with a gentle and kind look.

"Wait. Can I ask you something?"

"What is it?" The purple haired princess asked.

"It's about Louise. Is it that she can't use magic?" The brunette asked the violet haired girl, but she was hesitant before replying.

"...Yes, it's true she can't use magic and whenever she does try for some reason it always results in an explosion. I don't know why that's always the case but a mages skill is dependent on their affinity for the four elements, Louise has no affinity for what I can tell or maybe she has one but no control over it." That was all the princess would guess about her best friend.

"Wait, is this for real?" Sora's mind played back to earlier how Louise tried to cast a fireball at the dirt monster but instead was completely off course. He also remembers how she used her magic before, in fact he didn't know what she was doing at the time but there was an explosion.

"Even when she was a little girl she still had no control over it, even her family said that she's a lost cause, they saw her as a disappointment." Henrietta replied as memories came to her about Louise.

"So that's why everybody calls her Zero." The keybearer finally understood yet even after understanding he couldn't help but feel sorry for her, what did she think that he would be the same?

"Yes. Louise the Zero, named after all the time she has failed a magic spell." The princess replied as one of the royal guards came to her side.

"Your highness, we're leaving." The princess soon nodded her head letting the guard know she was on her way.

"I must return to the palace now, to give a report about this." She turned her back before turning around again as he locked eyes with Sora.

"Sora, there's something I need to ask you."

"Hmm?"

"If you could. Please watch over Louise for me, my responsibilities as princess keep me busy. And she doesn't have anyone here to talk to really, so please, and this is coming from me not as the princess but as her friend, please." Henrietta was asking the person in front of her to try and befriend Louise, she knew it probably was a selfish request but she didn't want to go without knowing that someone was taking care of her.

"Sure thing. I promise I will look after Louise." Sora gave a warm smile to the purple haired princess.

She smiled back "Thank you." and she gave her gratitude as she departed from the school.

Sora soon turned his attention to the hole in the tower, he was puzzled about that woman; who exactly was she, what did she steal, and who gave her those heartless questions that had Sora on edge?

That Fouquet lady was the one that summoned that heartless early today, and there was that case she took as well, what exactly was in it? Either way he chose to put those ideas aside for now and focus on Louise, Sora couldn't imagine what she must be feeling right now. Especially today.

Speaking of the pink haired girl she was currently crying on her bed.

"Why...Why can't I do anything right. *Sniff* Just once I want something to go the way I want it." Louise was just beating herself up for another one of her failures, it's always the same thing, but this, a thief got away with one of their school's treasures, this was her biggest mistake of her life.


(A few days later...)

"Here you go darling, say ah~." Kirche had a bowl of fruit and a fork as was ready to feed a brown haired boy with a red and black hood.

"Um, You don't have to feed me really." Sora said as she pushed the forked fruit on his cheek wanting him to take a bite.

"Come on, this fruit is from my home land of Germania, it's really sweet now, open wide darling~." She said, still holding the fork Sora. "Okay, would you like it if I fed you like this?" She picked up a piece of fruit and put it in her mouth as she wanted to feed him mouth to mouth as she moved closer.

Sora quickly got flustered and said he'll take the fork. Kirche was a little bit upset but respected his wishes, but not before telling him that she still wants to feed him. Sora caved in and agreed he opened his mouth as the red headed gave him a piece of fruit, one bite had him amazed.

"Wow this is sweet!" Sora said with glee.

"Told ya." She said as Louise was getting annoyed with this.

"I told you before, don't feed my familiar!" She growled, focusing her anger on Sora as he grabbed both of her arms off his jacket and was holding her back with little to no strength; she always forgets that he's stronger than he looks.

"Come on, it's just a study hall, really nothing to do after all. Besides I heard that princess Henrietta is going to be held responsible for this." The fire mage said, causing both Louise and Sora to be surprised.

"But that wasn't her fault. They can't just blame her for something she had no control over!"

"Well, how do you think Fouquet was even able to sneak in, because all the guards were sent to watch over her; plus there were a lot of complaints about her showing up on campus against the wishes of the palace." Kirche spoke in reason, Sora could only sigh, and as he turned to Louise she had a worried expression.

"Hey, Louise-."

"Miss Vallière, Miss Tabitha, and Miss Zerbst, you three are to come over to the head master's office." One of the staff members cut off Sora and ordered all three of the girls to come to the principal's office.


(Osmond office)

As the girls and Sora entered the headmaster office they saw the entire faculty present "Good...You're all here." The old sorcerer said

"We call you three here to discuss an important matter." One of the staff members said as Sora decided to speak up.

"I'm guessing it has something to do with that woman, right?" Sora guessed as Mr.Colbert told them that's exactly right.

"I'm sure you're all aware of the incident that happened not too long ago?" Old Osmond told the group of children, reminding them how a thief broke in and stole their school's treasure. Louise especially was looking down at the ground, it still was her fault this happened to start with.

"We've been searching throughout the kingdom but so far we found nothing." Mrs. Chevreuse added they were scraping for some kinda clue when suddenly Miss Longueville came through the door.

"Miss Longueville? Where have you been?" Old Osmond question where she has been?

"Apologies, I was out doing some investigating, and I do believe that I found something."

"An investigation?" One of the guards said.

"Yes, I believe that I have found Fouquet." Her response had everyone gasping.

"Earlier, I was informed in town about a woman in her early 20's, wearing a black hooded cloak entering an abandoned house in the forest nearby here." She told everyone in the room, she even had a sketch art as well.

The headmaster was impressed by his Secretary work as always "How far is it from here to there?" He asked as she said to him that it's about a day on foot, maybe a few hours on horse. Old Osmond thought for a moment before making his decision.

"Alright I believe we should notify the palace, have them send reinforcements to help!" Mr.Colbert exclaimed

"You fool, by the time we do that she'll be long gone and the staff of destruction along with her!" He shouted "No, our only choice is to capture Fouquet ourselves, that is the only way we can restore the good name to this academy. Now then who will help in this crisis?"

Osmond said, hopefully someone would take a stand, to help surprisingly one person did.

"I'll go!" The teacher's were shocked to see Louise step forward with her wand raised high.

"Miss Vallière, you're just a student!" One teacher exclaimed, surprised by her response.

"None of you are willing to go. Besides I'm responsible for this, I should be the one to fix it." She muttered as her teachers were still shocked, Sora on the other hand wasn't surprised actually he had a tiny smile on his face. He could feel it in her heart, her conviction was strong and no one would say otherwise.

"Miss Vallière-."

"Let her do it." Everyone, even Louise, was surprised to hear that "It's pointless to try and change her mind. Her heart decided, the best you can do is to let her do this and besides. I'll be there with her too." Sora started as he summoned his keyblade having the edge over his shoulder smiling brightly at the pink haired girl.

Louise stared at Sora for the unexpected support as Kirche had her wand high as well.

"Miss Zerbst, you too!?" Mr.Colbert even more surprised said

"I can't lose to a Vallière, especially when it comes to the heart." She said with a smirk with Louise yelling at her that it's not like that as a question mark was over his head pondering what she was talking about, finally Tabitha raised her staff as well.

"Tabitha, you know you don't have to come. This is between us." The red haired told her blue haired friend.

"I want to keep you safe." She said as the girls were smiling at her even Sora smiled too.

"Very well. We'll leave this matter to you all."

"Headmaster, you can't be serious!" Mrs. Chevreuse said worrying and her students doing that should be a matter for the adults, Mr.Colbert agreed with her as well.

"How about you two take their places then?" The headmaster said to the two as they fell silent "It will be alright, these children have the power to stop Fouquet and not to mention Tabitha is a chevalier as well, despite her age, her skills will be useful." Both Kirche and Louise gasped with shock at what their principal just said.

"A chevalier! Tabitha, why didn't you tell us?" Kirche asked her small friend as she replied back.

"You didn't ask." She plainly told her friend as the headmaster turned his attention to the brown haired teen in the room.

"Then we have Miss Zerbst, daughter of one of the most famous military families of Germania, and I've heard that her affinity for fire magic is exceptionally powerful." Kirche flicked her hair as she was praised.

"And finally, we have Miss Vallière who is a daughter of the well renowned Vallière family who has produced talented mages from generation to generation and um..." The principal tried hard to find the right words. "...Well, her future is bright and uh... Oh right, I heard that her familiar is quite the mage as well as a skilled swordsman who bested Guiche de Gramont son of the famous general Gramont." He said remembering that he heard about his fight.

"And not only that, I've heard from the princess about that 'heartless' creature that appeared a few days ago and that he single handically defeated it." The headmaster continued "Honestly these are the actions of a hero."

"Yes! That's right, he has the power of the legendary Gand-." Mr.Colbert immediately stopped himself from saying anything further, the old man breathed out glade that he stopped before saying something completely confidential.

"Miss Longueville, could you go with them?" The headmaster said to the secretary.

"Of course sir."

"Alright then, we'll have transportation ready for you all, be safe." The girls bowed in respect ready for departure.


Everyone Miss Longueville, Louise, Kirche Tabitha, and Sora were now traveling through the forest in a carriage, well more cart the carriage but as long as they carried out the mission. Sora was kinda excited, catching a thief who stole a sacred treasure, this was an adventure he was used to back home.

On the way Kirche and Louise bickered at one another for a long time with each other, Sora was the one pulling them apart and to get along but both just humph at the. The keyblade wielder asks why they don't get along, Louise said it was because their families had been rivals for a long time, since 200 years ago.

Sora eyes became as wide as a dinner plate, 200 years of rivalry, that long. Him and Riku have a rivalry themselves but it was more of a brotherly thing, how could something like that go on for that long. Louise explained that one of her late ancestors was stolen by a member of Von Zerbst: Kirche's family, and ever since then, the two families had been at each other's throats still till this day.

"So you guy's hate each other because of that?" Sora guessed.

"Of course, but it is personal to us as well. I'll never lose to a Zerbst!"

"Really, well I would lose to a Vallière no matter what!" Both girls said to one another glaring as sparks began to clash, they did seem to be rivals but Sora looked at the two, they both had this fiery aura about them sometimes at how neither one will back down from the other. Honestly they could be good friends too but he decided not to say anything best to let them work it out.

"Hey can I say something?" Sora had a question on his mind

"What is it?" Louise said

"Well, the fact is Fouquet can use magic because she is a noble right? Why is a noble going around stealing?" The keyblade wielder asked, remembering how society in this world works, and soon Miss Longueville answered his question.

"The truth is not all mages are aristocrats. Some became commoner for their own reasons, and there are others who lost their status of nobility causing them to turn to crime. I myself lost my ranking from being a noble to a plebeian." She answered with a smile as Kirche followed up with a question herself.

"But wait, you're old Osmond secretary right?"

"Yes. But he doesn't play favorites, he could care less if a person is a plebeian or a noble."

"He sounds like a good guy." Comment Sora.

"He is. But I could do less with his pervy antics."

"So then, how did you lose your title?" Kirche said to the green haired woman who smiled at her comment but was silent, that only made her want to know even more.

"That's enough Zerbst don't pester her. It's rude to ask someone something that they don't want to say." Louise scolded her rival.

"Humph, it's a long trip, gotta have something to talk about. Honestly, why do I have to catch some criminal." Kirche replied while leaning over the carriage.

"Well why did you come?" She said with irritation as she suddenly was sitting next to Sora who was feeling a little uncomfortable with her pressing her body on him.

"Obviously, I'm here to protect you, my darling." She said in a sweet voice.

"Um, Kirche, your-." He couldn't say anything else as she continued pressing herself against him, her amber eyes looking at his deep blue ones.

"What about you Louise, what are you going to do when a golem or a heartless comes out?" The vulprous girl teased the strawberry haired girl who was ticked off by her comment.

"Obviously I'll use my magic-!"

"You, magic, you're kidding right!" Both girls started again as Sora broke them up.

"Come on, this isn't the time for that! We're all here, can't we get along." Sora pleaded as both girls just scoffed at him as Kirche's attention was on Sora now.

"Well as long as your here, I suppose I can believe." she gave a subtle glance wrapping her arm against his.

Sora was getting embarrassed as Louise shouted to him to stop getting all lovey dovey with her, he is her familiar after all, Kirche decided to tease her about her possessiveness again not wanting anyone else around him just keeping him for herself. Louise's face turned red as she said that wasn't the case she doesn't want a Zerbst stealing him for it would ruin her family name she then tugged on his ear yelling at him.


After three hours the group made their way to the abandon house where Fouquet was hiding out, Sora decided to look around see if it was safe he proceeded to make way he examine the house outside and through the window, it doesn't look like anyone way around, he soon gave the okay that it seem clear.

"No traps." Tabitha muttered and waved her staff just as Kirche's hand was on the handle trying to open it.

She groaned trying to get the door open,

"Damnit, it's locked."

"Here let me." Sora stepped forward and summoned his keyblade as he did a beam of light shot from the tip aiming at the door, the sound of the lock soon unfasten. "Try it now." He said

Tabitha reached out and the door opened wide "A sword, a wand, and a key. What else can this thing do?" Kirche commented the keyblade was more versatile than she thought.

"Alright. I'm going to scout the area. Miss Vallière, can you keep watch?" The secretary ordered

"Yes Ma'am." Louise replied back

Sora, Kirche, and Tabitha were inside the abandoned house. All began to search every corner and cabinet for the item that was stolen not too long ago, but they found no item, just dust and broken furniture.

"Ah I'm getting covered in dust." Said the red haired wiping the dust off of her "Let's get out of here." She told the two who were with Sora soon following her.

"Staff of Destruction." The two soon whirled their heads at the blue haired girl with glasses who had a rectangular case in her arms. Both of them were shocked and gasped, it was the exact same one that Fouquet took but why was it here left unattended?

"Well that was easy." Sora told them as no soon as the three in the cabin heard screaming "Louise!" The keyblade wielder her his master shriek; they were about to make their exit when a golem crashed the roof above them "Defense." Sora quickly put up a shield protecting them from the debris.

Tabitha pointed to her staff and chanted "Need is ha." A whirlwind appeared out of her staff and struck the golem. After the whirlwind dissipated, the golem remained unscathed.

Following Tabitha, Kirche took out her wand hidden in her cleavage and started chanting. "In ex dest flame." A powerful stream of fire was shot from her wand however the golem was completely ineffective but the attack. "Not so much a scratch!" Kirche observed.

"We need to get out of here!" Sora said to the girls as they all ran out the house. Kirche and Tabitha ran in different directions while Sora was looking for Louise.

Sora heard the sound of a small explosion on the golem, he looked and saw Louise pointing her wand at the dirt monster. The golem realized this, turned around and faced Louise.

"Louise run!" Sora shouted as she stood her ground with the golem moving closer.

"No! I can do this

"Just run your no match for it!" Sora yelled at her what she was trying to prove.

Louise grit her teeth in frustration before speaking to him "Would you run away if someone was in peril?" Sora stared at her at those words. "Of course you wouldn't, you wouldn't turn back if someone was in danger if someone needed help right? Your heart commands you to do what you need to do, right. Well I can't back away from this, my pride won't let me turn away, if I don't do this I'll be called Zero for the rest of my life!"

"But you don't have control of your magic?"

"So what. Being a noble doesn't mean anything just because you can use magic, it means you don't show your cowardice to your enemy. I am a noble meaning that I will not show my back!" She raised her wand and started to chant "Now take this, fireball!" She cast but the spell only ended in another explosion, she repeated this, however all her efforts were completely useless there wasn't so much a scratch on it.

Her face showed frustration. She kept throwing spell after spell but nothing was done, she was completely vulnerable, unable to attack or protect herself.

The golem brought its fist preparing to crush her. all she could do was close her eyes, waiting for the worst when suddenly, Sora, arriving at the speed of wind, grabbed her and rolled on the ground from the fist.

"You alright!" Sora said uncovering himself off of Louise

"Stay out of this!" Louise yelled at Sora but this action only got him mad his self.

"You expect me to just stay back and let you get killed. Are you an idiot!?"

"I am your master. An idiot like you shouldn't call me an idiot!"

"If an idiot calls you an idiot, then you're twice the idiot!"

The argument stopped as Louise looked at the dirt with a pause not sure what to say next.

Sora sighs "Listen, I don't care!"

"Wh-What are you-?" She stammer as Sora started to speak

"I don't care if you can use magic or not, that doesn't matter to me." Louise was speechless at what he just said. "I'm a stranger from another world so this doesn't mean much to me. I don't know a lot about nobles, peasants or whatever, but I know that I can't let you get hurt, you're willing to die for your pride, but did you forget about the person close to your heart, think about Henrietta how sad she be if you died right now. You think you're alone but you're not, you do have a friend and you have me too!"

Tears started to fall from her eyes, now that really surprised him, he never saw her cry before.

"That's why I have to do this. People all my life... told me that I have no talent, and if the princess gets in trouble, it will be my fault!" She said, still crying, "You have no idea what it's like every single day, how frustrating it is to see everyone doing something that comes naturally... even you and that maid are so good at magic, and then there's me the failure. I'm tired of being made a fool by everyone!"

Sora's eyes were wide at what she said, he had no idea that she was keeping this all in. Constantly being called 'Zero' by everyone else who knows how to control their power and as she is the one person in this world who can't control her own magic.

But that wasn't all there was to it, the feeling of being insecure about her strength, the thought of her being weak compared to other's 'She's like…' He soon ran out of way carrying Louise; the golem was nearly about to crush them, he wasn't going to be able to protect Louise and defeat this monster at the same time. What was he supposed to do?

When suddenly a group of Neoshadow heartless, Air Soldiers, and Armored Knights. They charged at him while he was still carrying Louise in his arms; there was no way to fight and protect her at the same time. As he was having a problem the sound of a whistle was heard, the sound came from Tabitha who was on a familiar blue beast that came out of nowhere alongside her was Kirche. "Get on." She softly spoke.

Sora placed Louise on the back of the dragon "Get her out of here!" Sora said to the girls, before turning his attention to the golem and the heartless in front of him summoning his Shooting Star keyblade preparing for a fight.

"Wait a minute, you're not planning on fighting them by yourself." Kirche said with worry.

"Don't worry I'll be fine." Sora said to the girls "Sylphid get them out of here."

The dragon flew off at Sora's command as he turned to the foes in front of him. "I knew something was wrong, but I don't think you had so much pain." He grips his keyblade tight getting into his usual battle stance.

(Play-Yuuki)

Sora made a quick dash jumping in the air dealing with the Air Soldiers first, he did a series of aerial slashes following up with a mid downward spinning slash as he landed on the ground. Sora swiftly dodge and the claws of two neoshadow before cutting them down to size, with so many and the golem to deal with he had to end this quickly to move on to his prime target, thrusting the shooting star forward, his clothes turned blue with a star pattern on his jacket and the keyblade turned into the double arrowguns.

Sora began shooting at the heartless with ethereal arrows at them and each one started homing in at each one. An armored knight came towards him but he did a side flip avoiding the attack as he shot three arrows at it after an unexpected fist came from the golem the keyblade wielder jumped high in the air nearly avoiding the giant fist. Sora was then diving from the altitude he was at and performing a rainstorm of arrows at the remaining heartless, landing gracefully on the ground.

"Amazing, just look at him!" Kirche said to her classmates who were still on the back of the dragon watching Sora fight, first his weapon turned into a halberd, now a pair of guns!

Back to the fight Sora swapped out his magic form for his iconic kingdom key as he grabbed Delf in his left hand, rushing at the golem, cutting off parts of it's body only for its limbs to regrow.

They could also see the struggles he had trying to defeat this monster of the earth. Louise was getting worried, what if he loses, what if something happened to him?

"I have to help him!" The pink haired mage grabbed the violet case from the red head who was behind her "Tabitha! Bring me down." She said the blue haired girl hastily cast a levitation spell to safely bring her down.

"Oh man." Sora groaned, getting tired of this "I don't know what to do? There has to be something that can work." He said frustrated at this all his attack did nothing he soon saw Louise floating down "What is she-?"

Louise opened the case and Sora's eyes at what she had in her hands "Get away from Sora!" She declared at the golem.

"That's the staff of destruction?! Oh you gotta be kidding!" Sora said out loud.

Louise landed with the staff in hand "Take this!" She waved it only for nothing to happen "Come on, come on!" She cried out as the golem was walking toward her.

Sora ran shouting Louise name as she tried desperately to get the staff to work as Sora was in front of her, he then switched back to his magic formchange "Louise that isn't a magic staff!" He exclaimed to her as the golem was ready to crush them both with its foot but Sora was ready for it as he combined the arrowguns into the magic launcher.

"What are you-."

"Get down!" Due to the short distance between him and the golem, Sora charged up the magic launcher and shot out a large projectile at the golem causing a large explosion and the transformation wore off. Dust erupted from the golem as Sora covered Louise tightly using himself as a shield and throwing himself to the side, scorch marks were seen on the ground and as for the golem, after receiving a point blank attack it began to crumble and fall apart until a mountain of dirt was all that was left.

(Stop playing- Yuuki)

After the dust clouds vanished Sora released Louise from his hood on her. "You good?" Sora asked.

Louise replied "Y-yes!" Although she was still weak in the knees as she saw the mountain that was once the golem "Amazing." She said in awe witnessing another one of Sora's victories he just doesn't know defeat does he? She soon panicked as she didn't have the staff in her hands anymore.

"The Staff of Destruction!?"

"It's over there." Sora point, she saw it lying near the pile of dirt "But why is that even here?" Sora questioned what something like this was doing here, Louise however didn't hear a word he said as she was staring at him blankly.

Sora could feel her gaze so he looked at her briefly wondering what was going through her mind but was interrupted by a certain red haired girl's embrace. "Darling, you're amazing!" She pronounces, hugging him tightly.

Sora smiled, well she is very straightforward but maybe he could let her do it this time.

"Miss Longueville." Tabitha spoke to her friends. She was right where could she be. But that's not all they had Fouquet to deal with as well.

They didn't have to search for her as she came from some bushes.

"Miss Longueville, where have you been?" The green haired woman didn't reply as she walked to the staff, picking it up.

"What a shame. Here I thought you were going to show me how the staff of destruction worked, but I guess not." She said to the group as the secretary undid her hair and removed her glasses. "Not only that but I guess I did underestimate too. Not only did you defeat my heartless, but my golem as well, you really are powerful aren't you."

Everyone was confused at what she said. Her heartless and golem what was she talking about.

"Why would you say that?" Sora said to her as he was starting to put pieces together "Wait a minute? Your Fouquet!" He gasped. So did the girls, the person who attacked the princess during the familiar exhibition was her this entire time!

"That right, I am Fouquet!" She Declared at the party, each one of them was about to ready themselves but was stoped. "I wouldn't if I were you. I can summon more heartless remembering that your keyblade is the only thing that can stop them, but they don't have the same means to protect themselves. One little snap and their dead."

She threatened them as they spoke with their eyes looking at one another.

"What do you want?" Louise asked.

"Wands on the ground. The sword too. And another thing, no keyblade, got it." She ordered as they threw their items to the ground.

"I can't believe you would do this?!" Louise said in anger.

Fouquet explained "What use a bunch of kids, well... You're all going to die so I might as well explain. Yes I stole the staff of destruction but had a difficult time trying to figure it out. No matter what I did, nothing worked, so I thought that someone from the institute of magic would come and demonstrate how to use it. My plan was off when you three decided to go in those cowards place. But it's not so bad considering the power your familiar possessed."

"You want me to show you how it works?" Sora question.

"Yes! With Gandálfr's power this shouldn't be a problem."

Gandálfr? What's that? He turned to Louise but she shook her head she'd never heard of Gandálfr. The brown haired boy turned back the thief and glared at her.

"Alright, I'll show you how it works."

"Sora what are you doing?" Louise asked.

"Louise. Do you trust me?" Sora replied in a low voice. Her eyes and his were locked together, she could tell he was serious about this maybe he had a plan or something seeing the glint in his cerulean eyes made her feel comfortable for some reason so, she decided to take his word.

Sora walk to Fouquet as per her order however as he reached her, Sora asked for one simple he would show her how to use it but in exchange she had to promise not to summon any heartless. Fouquet tiredly agreed to his boring request. She gave the staff of destruction to him as it was now in his hands. Sora closed his eyes and started to connect with it and with a simple command he summon a powerful stream of water from the tip.

Sora explained to her that apparently the staff had to use a different kind of chanting the what she knew. He gave it back to her as Fouquet tried to cast the same spell only for nothing appear. "Got'cha." Sora smiled as the staff disappeared from her hands and into his.

"You little-!"

"Sleep."

She felt a strong drowsy effect as Sora air of purple mist came of his body, Fouquet couldn't keep herself awake and immediately fell over fast asleep.

"Sorry. But if it doesn't work for you then that means you aren't worthy of it. And this staff isn't a staff... it's called a keyblade." He said to the woman who was zoned out

"Well that's a job well done, let's go home." He said to the trio of girls.

Tabitha nodded walking towards him, Kirche looked at him with dreamy eyes, the fire mage was just falling in love with him ever more, Louise was just smiling at him, time and time again he always seems to make a miracle happen where ever he goes honestly she couldn't help but be amazed by his accomplishment today.

Meanwhile, unknown to everyone else, a certain someone was watching the whole thing. "Heh, not bad kiddo, keep getting better."


The ride back to was unforgettable, Fouquet was still out. Louise, and Tabitha were keeping an eye on the her whilst Sora was driving the carriage back to school as Kirche was in the seat next to him. Louise was starting at his head and is glad that he was able to pull of such a feat however this was on her mind 'Does he really not care?' His words kept ringing in her mind. That was the first time anyone ever said that to her. Sora felt her gaze and turned around.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." She turned away before looking back at him all she wanted was say 'thank you' but was having trouble but before she could say anything Kirche announce that the academy was just up ahead.


(Osmond office)

The girls and Sora were in the principles office and explained everything that's happened to how Miss Longueville was really Fouquet in disguise to the staff of destruction mysteriously disappearing.

"I see. Well I am glad that you are all safe and sound." Mr.Colbert said who was also present.

"We handed Fouquet over to the palace and while the staff of destruction maybe gone you three did an excellent job." He complimented the girls "A ball is to be held tonight and you girls are to be our honored guest, you can expect a gift from the palace as well."

"And Sora. Won't he be rewarded also?" Louise asked as the headmaster shook his head.

"I'm sorry, but he is not a noble, so no." Louise was sad at this, he was the one who really captured Fouquet should he be rewarded as well? He then put his hand on her shoulder looking at her.

"It fine Louise." He said

"But-." She was about to speak but Sora shook his head smiling at his master

"Really it's fine, I don't want anything. Just seeing you and everyone else okay is enough." He told her before continuing "But their is I need to ask you." He said looking at the old sorcerer. Old Osmond looked at the boy with curiosity at what do you have to say?

The headmaster agreed to his request as he told the girls to get ready for tonight. Once all the girls all left leaving just the two old mages and the young keybearer "Well now, what is it you want to ask me?" Old Osmond said.

"Well I'm going to be breaking rules even more if I tell you this, but I'm positive that you can keep a secret." The keyblade wielder said as the two elderly mean raised their brows, what is he talking about. At the wave of his hand the keyblade had appeared shocking both Osmond and Colbert.

"The staff of destruction, how-!?"

"It's not a staff, it's called a keyblade, a weapon of light. They have the power to build bridges from world to world or, depending on the wielder, can cause destruction."

They both were baffled at what exactly he was saying. "What are you trying to tell us?" Sora took a deep breath as he showed his phone and started to explain.

"... I'm really from another world."


Later that night the ball had begun. Everyone was well dressed, socializing with one another, well all but Sora who had a dull expression while he was examining his new keyblade or rather one he had seen before during his battle with the mass collection of heartless at the keyblade graveyard.

The 'staff of destruction' looked more like his kingdom key keyblade only different. The guard had a a deep, pastel blue color while the handle itself is a deep indigo. The shaft is light-blue and rounded, ending with an orb past the teeth, which are formed by a spike and a five-pointed star of the same color. A gold rainguard is at the bottom of the bar. The Keychain had a five-pointed gold star and it is attached to the hilt of the keyblade with a silver chain. It's name called out to the warrior of light; Starlight.

He soon unsummon his Starlight keyblade as he was looking down from the balcony [Hey partner, you don't have to be so down. There's a party, cheer up.] Derflinger said but his partner was too depressed to enjoy himself.

"... I'm not in the mood." He was so depressed and after what the headmaster said to him Derf couldn't blame him.

Flashback

"So...You come from a world where there is no nobility, and there are people who are able to use magic because of this keyblade." Mr.Colbert said, still trying to wrap his head around what this boy was saying, but he could tell that he wasn't lying to him.

"I know it sounds crazy but I'm telling the truth. I really shouldn't be saying anything about this cause it's violating the order of the worlds." Sora said to the two old men.

"People aren't supposed to know about this?" Osmond guessed as the warrior of light said no. "Then why are you telling us this?"

"I'm telling you because I said that I trust you. Louise is also the only one that knows about this and she's keeping this a secret too." The teacher was surprised that one of their students knows a secret as big as this. "That keyblade is from a keyblade wielder and best guess you know more about."

"Yes I do actually."

"Then please tell me, it might be a clue for me to find a way back home!"

The old sorcerer stroked his beard. Yes he knew something but it might not be helpful. "The staff of destruction is a memento of a man who saved my life, exactly 30 years ago. One day I was attacked suddenly by a dragon I nearly was about to be killed, until a man showed up and unleashed powerful magic. He saved my life but he was wounded, I immediately rushed back to the institution and tended to his injuries as much as you could, but my efforts were all in vain."

Sora felt what was coming next "You mean...he passed?" The old sorcerer nodded.

"Yes. I never did figure out who he was?

After he drew his last breath he vanished in particles of light." He reminisced his savior before continuing "After he died his staff of destruction or rather his keyblade as you call it, was the only thing he left behind.

"You know." Mr.Colbert getting the attention of the headmaster "I was not expecting this, to think there was more to the staff of destruction and to find out that there are worlds beyond ours is quite shocking."

"Can I ask you please return it to us?" Mr.Colbert said as the keybearer shook his head.

"It's not like I don't want to give it back, it's just... Here let me show you what I'm talking about." In a flash of light he summoned the Starlight that belonged to the man from the story he had it outward telling the teacher to take it as he did it suddenly flashed out of his hands and returned to its new master. "See. Keyblades actually choose their own masters and they always return to them, it's not that I don't want to give it back, it's more like I can't, I'm sorry. I wouldn't have touched this if I had known." He told them.

That gave Old Osmond an idea "Well then it's yours." This caused him and the teacher to gasp in shock. "After seeing that I can't help but believe you, not only that, consider this your reward for capturing Fouquet. I'll tell the palace that we found the staff and have it back in the vault."

Flashback End

Sora's hair was covering his eyes 'After being here for so long, I thought that I found a clue on how to get back once I found out who is sending heartless in this world. But I'm still at square one.' He thought to himself he hoped he found a clue to his friends, a clue to her but it was just false hope.

"Sora?" He turned around as his name was being called, his sad look turned to surprise as he saw Louise wearing an elegant dress, she looked... Beautiful.

[Heh, even a wicked witch can turn into a beautiful maiden.] The sword joked.

"Shut up!" She barked at the sword, turning to her familiar again. "Why are you just standing there?"

"Well Kirche is over there with some guys, and Tabitha is stuffing her face, I was just getting some air. Plus I wanted to see my new keyblade." He said to the strawberry haired girl.

"So it was really another one of those huh." Sora nodded answering her question but then again that would explain why he was the only one that could use it.

As the lights went dim music was being played, it seems that the ball was starting. "Sounds like it happening, go on have some fun." He said but Louise just stood in place staring at him. This was confusing.

"It wouldn't bother me to dance with you."

"Their are nicer ways to ask you know." Sora said as Louise decided to swallow her pride.

"Fine then." She said and what came after that made Sora really surprised she gave a genuine smile doing a curtsy as well. "My good sir, will you please offer me a dance this fine night."

How was he supposed to say no to that he could he only look embarrassed scratching his cheek before honoring his master's request as he took her hand the two began to dance.

Louise commented on his dancing skills. "You're pretty good." She said with a smile.

"I went to a festival once before. So I know how to move." He said remembering the Kingdom of Corona how they were doing the lantern festival for the princess, now that got him thinking how is Eugene and Rapunzel doing right now.

"Sora. I'm sorry." Now that was unexpected Louise apologize.

"Sorry for what?" He asked.

"I. I was jealous of you, when I summoned you as my familiar I hated it and when I saw you use magic it really got me. The first time I did something right for one but no one paid any attention to me, I'm still the only one who can use magic while everyone else could, even you a plebeian, and like that everybody got close to you they acknowledge you and I was in your shadow."

'I didn't realize I made her feel like this.' He knew she had difficulty controlling her powers but he didn't know he was making her feel more insecure.

"I kept letting my feelings get the better of me, so, I apologize."

Sora didn't know what to say, truly this is unexpected, he knew the story of why Louise was called a zero but he never knew how much of an impact it had on her. But he didn't feel sorry or sympathy, he felt that he could relate a little. Sora technically wasn't supposed to have these powers; they were really meant for Riku, but fate chose otherwise. Then he lost most of his strength before the final battle with the thirteenth darkness, he realized she wasn't any different.

"I'm sorry too, I didn't know I was making you feel like that. But really I wasn't all that good with a sword, when I was a kid I couldn't really beat my friend Riku at anything, and when I got my keyblade I lost to some people, first was this guy named Leon, and another name Cloud, even my skills with magic wasn't good either but I kept working hard until I got it down, I even had friends by my side who believed in me soon after that I found the strength to believe in myself."

Louise didn't say anything as he continued his speech "What I'm trying to say is that not everyone is talented at first, yeah some have to work hard to keep up with others but they also need to find the strength to believe in themselves and to have people who believe in them."

Find the strength to believe in your own skills, it sounds easier when said but is that really it, does he believe in Louise's strength can she believe in herself too?

"I see. Thank you Sora."

"Your welcome and if it makes you feel better, you do have people who believe in you. The princess believes in you, you also have me, because in my heart I believe in you too." Sora said as Louise's face turned red.

"R-Really."

"Really, not just as you're familiar. But also as your friend." Louise's eyes widened at his kind words, she was seeing him in a new light which made her even more happy to have someone call her a friend was even more than she could have hoped for. He truly is a gentle soul, not to mention he was the one person who didn't care about her not being able to use magic. That was the first time anyone ever said that.

'Thank you. Sora, don't ever change.' That was all she could say to herself as she smiled gently at him as they both danced the night away.

[*Sigh* Now this is something amazing. A familiar and his master dancing with one another, in all my years this is truly a sight to behold.]

End.