Vesper's Heroes

Still no Beta although I have been given an offer. Though really I don’t want one right now only because then I’d have to wait for it to come back to me before I could post a new chapter and that could be hours or days. I don’t want to wait or make other people wait so it will get cleaned up when I am finished.

Much love to AkuRokulove, Jediempress, and Chi'us a ilta dalninil who reviewed the last chapter. Reviews are what make the world go round and give me the drive to write more. _huggles them_

For this Sora chapter you’ll get a nice surprise about Tritoch as I totally redo the idea of Espers to fit my own story. This one is being cut short only because if I continued with where it was going I would 1) Lose my cliffhanger and 2) Totally screw up the next Sora chapter.

Anyway.

Story! Now!

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Sora was warm. Something was cradling him. No, not something: someone, and their lap. They were careful though to not disturb him as deft fingers carded through his hair. It felt nice. Especially since the last thing I remember was Tritoch’s tail slamming me in the side and throwing me into the air. Sora didn’t even remember hitting the ground. He had blacked out well before then. Even though he was awake he didn’t want to open his eyes. It was nice to just relax and let someone take care of him for once, instead of him taking care of entire worlds.

“You cannot sleep forever.” I know that voice. That had him jerk upright, spinning on his knees. For a moment Sora could only gawk shamelessly. Silver hair past his shoulders, strange aqua eyes, and that shameless smirk could only add up to one person.

“Riku?” He had to still be dreaming. Was Riku really here? Speaking of which where is here? It looked like home. The same pale beaches and palm trees Sora had seen all his life were there on what appeared to be the Play Island. And Sora was back in his original clothes, uninjured. He had not received a response from the other person yet. “Are you Riku?” he asked again. The Riku copy shook its head no, his smirk becoming mournfully at that divulgence.

“I’m afraid not though I do hope you take this conversation better than he did,” It replied. “I am in fact Kingdom Hearts and this is an illusion inside your mind.” Well that was a fine way to say good morning. Biting his tongue to let out the first retort that came to mind, Sora sat back on his heels to think for a moment.

King Mickey had hinted in the past that Kingdom Hearts was more that it seemed. Ansem the Wise did too for the brief moment he met the real Ansem. Many people had in fact alluded to the idea that, in a way, Kingdom Hearts was alive. Though if it’s hoping I react better than Riku . . . Blue eyes widened.

“Riku is alive?” Please let it be true. Please let it be true.

“Yes he is. Very much so.” What was said next was lost to Sora’s impromptu victory dance on the beach. His best friend was alive! He glomped the copy as if it were the real one, laughing insanely before spilling out questions a mile a minuet.

“Do you know where he is? Is he all right? Can you take me to him? He got pulled through a portal too right? Did he find a way home? Is he with –” A hand pressed over his mouth to stop the flow of words.

“Calm yourself, please.” It chuckled softly as the Keyblade Master sat back to give Kingdom Hearts some space. “I do know where he is. He is a bit worse for wear but he will recover. I cannot take you to him. He did get pulled though a portal though a different one than you. He did not find a way home yet and he is with someone.”

“Really I will explain things later but right now you must meet someone and help them first. There isn’t any time for me to tell you everything.” It stood and helped Sora to his feet before letting out a shrill whistle.

The one that answered that call appeared from behind the island, swooping low over the beach before landing softly. If Kingdom Hearts hadn’t been calm and steady Sora would be playing hero again. But it didn’t move as the beast settled before them. It looked like Tritoch but without the Heartless influence. Now it was white, deep sapphire, scarlet and verdant with both feathers and scales in those colors. Vivid flame saffron and orange flickered along its belly and tail as it lounged on the sand. Its beak was all colors while legs were only green. Shining ebony eyes watched them carefully as Kingdom Hearts stepped forward to offer one hand in greeting.

“You’ve met Tritoch as a Heartless Sora. This is the real one.” Tritoch nuzzled the offered limb with his massive head, chirruping softly. It wasn’t letting out the screams that Sora was used to, or the lighting that was ready to kill him. “As magicite, Tritoch still had his heart. It was too strong for the Heartless to take over. However they could still take his powers and his form. That is what has been attacking Narshe.”

They Keyblade Master finally found the courage to step forward, offering a hand of his own. The real Tritoch regarded him for a moment before repeating what he had done earlier. That feathered head pressed itself into his hand as happy chirruping sounds rumbled from his chest.

{:It is good to meet you at last Sora.:} That voice gave him as start as it echoed in Sora’s head, not his ears. One black eye measured him, blinking slowly. {:It surprises you that I speak with my mind and not my voice?:} he rumbled in a deep bass accent. The brunette nodded, having never had this kind of conversation before. {:We cannot linger long enough for us to explain. When you wake, you must find me and destroy me. And tell Terra that she has no reason to cry.:}

Tritoch withdrew from them both, rising to his feet as wings opened wide.

“Wait, why would-” Sora began.

{:GO!} Tritoch commanded, flapping hard enough to send the boy flying again. The world faded around him as he fell but this time it wasn’t oblivion that greeted him but light.

It was low and flickered off to one side. He felt hay prickling at his exposed skin as he lay immobile. Blue eyes opened to regard the rock ceiling with distaste. Great. Another new place. Why the hell can’t I stay in one spot? The youth began to shift to rise but a small hand on his shoulder restrained him. It was short, white and fuzzy with the rest of its body much the same. Moogles. Edgar told him about the moogles that lived in Narshe, saying they were friendly. When he put his head back down, it nodded and scampered off.

Other moogles were in the area, watching him carefully. They weren’t afraid but they certainly were a bit wary. Can’t say I blame them with all the explosions that were going off. But I still have to figure out how to kill Tritoch. That was not a fun thought. He didn’t want to kill the esper but if that was the only way, what choice did he have? The brunette groaned, rubbing at his face in aggravation. Why can’t things be easy for once?

“Sora!” He tried to see who was calling his name but his vision was impaired by green hair as his breathing was impaired by a bone-cracking hug.

“Let go,” he hissed, feeling his side crying out in anguish. Yep, he really had been hit by Heartless Tritoch’s tail. And it hurt. A lot. Terra gave him a confused look for a moment before pulling back, realizing that her enthusiastic greeting was aggravating something. “Sorry,” he whispered, one hand clamping on his side where he could feel a warm trickle of blood. She didn’t reply as she fluttered about, getting right to work to repair the damage.

“The moogles told us what happened,” she said as she worked. Sora only nodded as he waited for the pain to disperse. He wished he had enough magic to do this himself but most of it had been used just to stay alive. He didn’t mind the help but he wished he were stronger still. Gentle fingers on his forehead made him open eyes he didn’t remember closing. “Try sitting up.” He did so, and a grin spread over his features, as he met no pain or stiffness.

“We really have to stop meeting like this,” he joked, hauling himself to his feet. She joined in his laughter as the mage led them both to the exit.

“We’ve been dodging Heartless patrols all day. Imagine our amazement to find moogles talking about a strange boy who appeared in the mine tunnels that matched your description.” Sora whistled innocently as though he had no idea what she was talking about. The woman laughed again, grabbing a torch from one of the scones and lighting it. “I got sent to find you while the others kept after the Heartless. Really though, aren’t you supposed to be distracting Tritoch?”

“Yeah, about that,” he hedged. A forbidding rumble swallowed his next words as the walls trembled around them. Pebbles and bits of dirt were dislodged from the ceiling as the paused. “What was that?”

“Tritoch. He keeps striking at the mines. We think he’s trying to bring the whole mountain down. Let’s hur- do you here that?” They threw their torch further ahead to lessen the noise of the crackling fire. Distantly they could hear the clash of metal. “I think they’re up ahead being ambushed.” Sora bent to scoop up the torch as they added an extra burst of speed to their travel. Faltering steps became cantering strides as they navigated the twisting tunnels.

Is it just me or are we going up hill? He considered that along with the burning in his lungs and calves after jogging along with a nearly constant shower of rocks on his head. I don’t think I’m out of shape. We must be going up then. But where to?

“Are we any closer?” he gasped. She nodded as they continued on. “Any idea how much further?”

“Not far.” The sounds were very clear now and had to have echoed for miles. Not too surprising with how even and round the tunnels were: perfect for lingering echoes. After a few minutes more they moved on. It was sluggish compared to their former pace but it was all they could do to keep going. The air started to change as they did begin to reach an exit. It was as they rounded their last corner that the rest of the group came into view, locked in combat with seemingly endless Heartless.

Oblivion and Sleeping Lion came to his call like well-trained pets as he gave them a twirl. He smirked at Terra. “Let’s rock.” Somehow he found renewed energy coursing through his blood as the keyblade wielder dashed forward. He brought his blades down to impale two solider Heartless even as one foot lashed out to kick another. Terra was right at his side with her short sword swinging wildly.

“About damn time!” Sabin bellowed, throwing his latest victim into a wall where it evaporated. Edgar didn’t even look at them as he fired off another volley of crossbow bolts into the latest wave. Sora didn’t comment and only increased his fury. Even with the uneven surfaces and the continuous hail of rocks they made quick work of what was left before the remaining Heartless retreated.

“While I am confused as to why you are here,” the Figaro king began, giving Sora a pointed look. “I’m glad you are joining us. Tritoch is up ahead. The moogles managed to trap him in one of the upper caverns just across the bridge.” Sora took the incentive for once and ran far ahead of the group despite their protests to the point he was across the rope bridge before most of them even reached it as they waited for the wounded to catch up.

With one keyblade and a muttered word the entire mass of rope and wood went up in flames, trapping him with Tritoch alone. From the other side of the divide they began to shout at him with Sabin adding in some colorful words and gestures. Sora only shook his head, unable to understand them anyway since they were all screaming at once. He started to wave at them to get them to quiet down so he could reply.

“Sorry guys!” he shouted, cupping his hands around his mouth to add volume. “I gotta do this alone! And Terra? Tritoch says you have no reason to cry!” Whatever else they might have cried out in reply was lost as he continued alone into a new mine shaft were he could already hear the screams.