I would like to thank all the people who contributed OCs for this chapter!
*UPDATE*
When this story is finished, I will not be working on the Naminé story I had planned to. The reason is that I will be starting my Masters Degree soon while working full time. I'm limiting myself to one big creative project at a time while working on my degree. I decided to work on the "Sweet and Salty Days" audiobook. Also, I have had no inspiration for the Naminé story, and I don't want to force it and give you subpar work. So, for now that story is on hiatus, possible indefiniately. Sorry to those who were excited about it.
Kingdom Hearts © to Disney and Square Enix!
My OCs © to me!
Aria © to Minttea!
Lina and Peony © to Joekeybladeaura!
Koral © to YamiChaos27!
Chapter 18: Students
"I'm really excited to go to this world." Ven bounced around as Aqua and Terra joined him in the courtyard.
Terra nodded. "Traverse Town is going to be interesting for sure."
Aqua nodded as well.
Though she wondered about potential students from this world. A world of refugees most likely had kids that needed a home.
So, she'd keep her eyes, ears, and heart open for potential students.
As they landed, they found this cozy little world. A perpetual night sky covered the town. The soft brown brick walls, and gentle lights brought a warm glow to the darkness of the sky. People of all kinds walked around.
The other delegates stood around talking with a group of people.
"There you are." Hope walked over, gesturing for them to come with him. "Come meet the Committee of Eight. They run the town."
They walked over, looking at the diverse group of people before them.
Sarafa smiled as they approached. "So, everyone is here now. This is the Committee of Eight, the leaders of our home."
Firstly, a young woman with strawberry-blonde hair, about Ven's age, curtsied. "Hello, I am the High Sage, Leona."
A stoic man with dirty blond hair nodded to the group. "I am Norris, the Chief of Justice."
"My name is Roienbourg, and I serve as the High Judge." Said an older man with gray hair.
"Name's Aya." Waved a woman with blonde hair. "I'm the Advisor of Altrusim."
A feline humanoid with brown fur bowed to the group. "My name is Daena, and I am the Advisor of Inclusion."
A muscular blond man with a bright smile pointed to himself. "Name's Raymond! I'm the Chief of Progression here!"
Another young woman with short blonde hair, this one probably around Aqua's age, gave a small wave. "Hi there. I'm Rhyme. I'm the Technological Advisor here."
Finally, a tall and strong looking man with curly dark hair gave a gentle nod to the group. "My name is Jonah(1), and I'm the Master of Scribes."
Just like Hope and Sarafa, everyone looked different. The clothes they wore certainly came from different worlds and cultures.
A diverse group to be sure.
"Well," Sarafa smiled under her veil, "shall we begin the tour?"
"Of course."
The group began to follow her and Hope down the street, but Aqua hung behind. "Excuse me." She walked up to the woman who called herself Aya. "I'm Keyblade Master Aqua and I wanted to ask if I could maybe visit some kids who may not have any families. I'm would like to see if any of them have the potential to become Keyblade wielders."
"Of course. Hope and Sarafa told us about you. If you follow me, I can show you where Edea's House is." They began to walk, the woman looking over at her. "I actually have an adopted daughter of my own. Though, our situation is a little more complicated."
"Are there many kids?"
Aya nodded. "Yes. When the worlds fell, many of their families disappeared. Some of them may not be considered 'children' on their worlds, but they weren't able to mature as a species in their home environment, so they are there as well."
They walked to an area with a large number of shops and a bell tower at the end of the street. A house with white siding bore a sign saying 'Edea's House'.
Aya rang the front doorbell and a woman opened the door. Her long black hair hung down to her waist, and she wore a simple long dark dress(2). "Miss Aya, what do I owe the pleasure?"
"This is Keyblade Master Aqua, and she'd like to meet some of your charges. Aqua, this is Edea Kramer."
Shaking the woman's hand, Aqua smiled. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure is all mine." Stepping aside, she gestured for Aqua to enter. Aya came inside as well.
The well-furnished room had a desk facing the door and a few couches. It must be the waiting and conference area. A door opened and a group of kids came running into the room.
Well, some were kids.
Two fairies, similar to Tinker Bell came fluttering in as well.
"Miss Aya!" The kids swarmed her, laughing happily.
Aqua laughed slightly, catching the attention of the kids.
"Wow!"
"You're really pretty!"
"Hi there!"
A little girl with mouse ears waved both hands. "Hi! I'm Aria!" She grabbed a shyer girl wearing a brown dress. "This is my best friend, Lina!"
"Hi…"
The two fairies, one a girl in pink and the other a boy in blue, flew toward her. "Hi there! My name is Peony."
"I'm Neptune."
A taller boy with a very muscular frame and red skin, smiled at her. "My name is Shadow."
A little girl with blue skin and green hair waved. "I'm Koral! Nice to meet you!"
A boy with dark skin, purple and pink curly hair, and a metal arm waved with a gentle smile. "Hello, my name is Kanelo."
Lastly a young girl bowed, her face lacking emotion. "My name is Lux."
"Nice to meet all of you." Aqua smiled. She sat down, all the children sitting around her, asking her questions and chatting over and over.
As she sat there, she opened her mind and heart.
Searching.
One.
Two.
Three.
Three children…
She sensed the potential in three of them. And one of them, she felt a connection to.
Her future student.
But as she looked down at them, they just seemed so young. Maybe it wasn't time yet.
Not quite yet.
"Well, it was nice to meet all of you. I was visiting this world and just wanted to say hello."
"Aww! Will you come back?" Kanelo asked.
The woman smiled down at the kids. "I will, and when I do, I will bring you all cupcakes."
The kids all cheered.
As she stood up, she glanced back at the kids. "See you all soon."
"Bye Miss Aqua!"
She walked outside, followed by Aya who'd stayed the entire time. "So?"
"There are three potential Keyblade Wielders there."
"Three!?"
"Yes." Aqua nodded. "And there is one of the three I would like to talk to about maybe becoming my apprentice, but not just yet. We're not totally prepared for that yet, but hopefully soon."
"Of course. Who was it?"
"It was-"
"So, there are three potential kids there?" Ven asked with a wide smile.
"Yep, and I felt a connection with one."
Terra nodded. "Well, if there are three, and I've already got a student in mind, maybe we should talk to the other two Keyblade Masters we know and see if they're interested in taking on a student."
"Yeah!"
"And I'd like to see Riku again too. It's been a while."
"It has."
A few minutes later, Terra pulled out his phone and sent a message to Riku: Hey, how are you doing?
Riku: I'm alright. You?
Terra: Just fine. Question, have you thought about taking on a student one day since you are a Keyblade Master now?
…
…
Riku: Not really. :/ … Why are you asking?
Terra: I can explain better in person. Why don't you come visit the castle?
Riku: Sure. I'll come over in a few days.
Terra: See you then! :)
I know this was a short chapter, but I promise the next one will be more exciting. And when I finish my Transformers story, I will be uploading this story weekly rather than biweekly.
Footnotes:
1) All of these characters are from different Square Enix properties. Leona is from "Dragon Quest". Norris is from "Chrono Cross". Roienbourg is from "Valkyrie Profile". Aya is from "Parasite Eve". Daena is from "Legend of Mana". Raymond is from "Star Ocean". Rhyme is from "The World Ends with You". And Jonah is from "Tomb Raider".
2) Yes, this is Edea Kramer from "Final Fantasy XIII", but not her possessed form.
VAs:
Leona- Kelly Sheridan (Leona, Starlight Glimmer, Sango, Ukyo Kuonji, Barbie, Kreel)
Norris Porre- Andy McAvin (Aion, Dr. Nambu, Akira Maeda, Elekt, McCoy, Rei Ginsei)
Roienbourg- Michael McConnohie (Roienbourg, Charles zi Britannia, Hagoromo)
Aya Brea- Yavonne Strahovski (Aya Brea, Stalvan, Batwoman/Katherine Kane)
Daena- Stephanie Panisello (Claire Redfield, Betty Ross, Fairy, Vora, Bichiko, Stratos)
Raymond Lawrence- Mark Whitten (Raymond Lawrence, Seteth, Kyojuro Rengoku)
Raimu "Rhyme" Bito- Ashley Rose Orr (Raimu "Rhyme" Bito, Dusty, Lucy Van Pelt)
Jonah Maiava- Earl Baylon (Jonah Maiava, Ganryu, Tamaraw Spirit, George, General Villar)
Edea Kramer- Tasia Valenza (Ultimecia, Poison Ivy/Pamela Isley, Sniper Wolf)
Aria- Lauren Mote (Mia, Esther, Lizzy Griffiths, Myrtle, Gyldygga)
Lina- Sydney Park (Pru Granger, Caitlin Lewis, Angela, Winter, Cyndie, Tina, Tenny)
Peony- Kiernan Shipka (Jinora, Marnie, Oona, Spider-Woman, Helenists)
Koral Bleu- Darcy Rose Byrnes (Amber, Ikki, Maricela, Elena)
Neptune- Andy Pessoa (Rafael "Raf" Esquivel, Turo, Shermy, Frodo Gamgee)
Shadowy "Shadow" Mountain- Lucas Grabeel (Pinky Malinky, Takeshi Goda/Gian)
Kanelo- Belsheber Rusape Jr. (Ending, Kakeru Sengoku, Daichi Hino, Eden Vallock)
Lux- Bailey Gambertoglio (Shoka Sakurane, Moogle, Hank, Abigail Stone, Tiifu)