"Hey. Do you wonder if we are best friends in every star?"
"Hmmm. Yeah, I think we are best friends in every star M/n."
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Botanical Garden - Temperate Zone
No PoV (shocker right?)
The birds chirped in the garden of the school. Students walked as they collected stuff for their class or just wanted to skip for a day.
Yet deep in the garden was a big circle of bushes that seemed to form a bushy wall. Yet a crystal wall was up too as in the middle laid a sleeping M/n. The humanoid android he met earlier today saw that M/n was tired, that he needed urgent rest and that they continued their conversation some other day but not before M/n asked for something which the young Shroud did not mind making a copy for before he left.
Now in the garden, a certain blond haired man was up a tree staring at the child intently.
M/n was on his back while his Chirithy was on his stomach. The blond man can recognize how similar M/n was to Leona in terms of sleeping. Even if he couldn't smell the child's lion scent he was fascinated.
He had heard the running joke of Savanaclaw that M/n was Leona's child. But he then heard his Queen calling for him. His little observation cut short as he went to his call.
The day went by as M/n slept. Rolling into the shade after the sun was a bit too hot for his liking. It wasn't long that the shield he made slowly disappeared after a while.
Leona sniffed the air as he caught a quick whiff of cub scent. He looked around and found M/n sleeping. He looked at the clearing and saw how perfect the spot was for a nap. A tall barrier, perfect sun alignment, and shade.
He laid down next to M/n. Closing his eyes to enjoy an afternoon nap after Ruggie was pestering him all day about school and "disappointing" M/n. He didn't understand why he should worry about what the little cub wanted. Yes he technically did promise but not like the cub was even on him.
He opened his eyes to stare at the cub. He could see how alert yet relaxed the child was. As if he was scared of something but was doing his best to be calm. For some reason it made Leona think about his own nephew. Despite the age difference and race and technically worlds they pestered Leona one way or another.
But M/n was sadder. Remembering how upset the cub was the night prior and knowing that he didn't sleep at all later on. He didn't know why but seeing the cub away from the frosh, the Heartslaybul freshman and that nagging cat made him suspect something had happened. It also nagged him on how he felt that he should give a bit of comfort for the cub.
Slowly he moved M/n to sleep at his side. Of course M/n woke up but seeing Leona made him relax and slowly go back to sleep. Leona just sighed at himself as he closed his eyes and quickly fell asleep.
Chirithy did not sleep. They didn't need or can so they only faked to be asleep as they watched over their owner. Keeping alert on Vanitas but finally able to be less alert now that Leona was here.
From the years he watched over M/n they noticed how much they have changed now. They were a bit more violent and now are reacting more hostile when called weak. They wanted to know why M/n was like this but it was obvious. He was alone. No one in this world knows what he has done nor will ever know.
Even then it might have been more about Sora. His fading away made M/n crushed and Terra outright saying that he accidentally helped Xehanort kill Eraqus was too much.
They could remember how much crying M/n was doing. Shaking and crying as he yelled at Terra. But he knew what really landed the final nail of the coffin.
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Flashback
"MAYBE IF YOU WEREN'T SO WEAK YOU COULD HAVE PROTECTED MASTER ERAQUS IF YOU CARE ABOUT HIM SO MUCH!"
Everything was silent as M/n looked at him wide eyed. Tears ran down his cheeks more as he clenched his fist. Terra who realized his mistake tried to approach M/n,"I- No I didn't mean that M/n sorr-AGH!" A painful slash of M/n's keyblade hit his wrist.
M/n ran away quickly with Aqua and Ventus trying to follow. Chirithy looked at Ventus's Chirithy and nodded. Chirithy disappeared to appear later on.
Aqua ran to Terra and slapped him hard. But Terra did not retaliate. He knew he had messed up big time by saying that to M/n. Ventus walked in too but he seemed to be disappointed in himself as his head hung low. The three did not talk at all as enough was said.
They waited for so long. M/n never came back home.
They alerted the others and more panic was caused.
All they knew he was in Twilight Town for a while after his connection was lost from his gummiphone.
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Present Time
Dark World
"Still no connection to his gummiphone. We have tried every gummi block we have but nothing has come up."
Terra looked at his gummiphone as Chip and Dale explained the lost connection. He could only nod, "We will continue looking for him and clues about Sora here." As the call ended he put away his gummiphone as guilt continued to build up on him. He wished he knew why he said such a thing to M/n, it was understandable M/n would panic and his brain would try to understand. From what Yen Sid had told him was that at first M/n seemed to have taken the news of Eraqus being dead as calm but it didn't take a genius to see the despair in his face. When Sora was busy doing his Mark of Mastery, M/n had gone to cry his eyes out. Practically crying and sleeping on his own.
Aqua was doing her best to keep Terra and Ventus as happy as she can but she knew they had limits and even herself. The promise of her coming to find M/n as quickly as she could when she got Terra back was something she broke but M/n was never mad. Not even an ounce of hatred when she finally was able to go back to the Realm of Light. Seeing M/n right there smiling and crying as he hugged her so tightly, it made her burst into tears. But now he is gone and she wished so much she just tried harder to chase after him before.
Ventus rarely slept anymore. Dark circles under his eyes and even puffy from the amount of crying he has done. All he wanted was him and M/n to finally have a catch up picnic date together alone. He wondered if M/n was at least safe or not. If anything he just wished that M/n was somewhere that was keeping him safe and cared for. He didn't want to take the possibility that M/n succumbed to darkness or worse. All he looked now was a sad puppy who was kicked so badly it just hurts to see.
"Ven?"
Ventus looked up to see Aqua who had put a hand on his shoulder. He understood immediately that they had to retire for the night so he followed Aqua and Terra to a portal back to the Land of Departure.
The Land of Departure - M/n's Room
Ventus sat on M/n's bed as he looked over some drawings that still sat on his bed. For 10 years they still looked fresh and nice but with a few tear stains. Ven couldn't help but cry everytime he was in his partner's room, he just wanted M/n back. He laid down with his Chirithy in his arms as he wiped away tears from his eyes. He just wished this was a big nightmare and then he would wake up with M/n sleeping on his arm.
"Please give me back my sunshine. My everything."
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"Achooo"
M/n rubbed his nose as he and Leona were walking back to Savanaclaw.
"Something stuck on your nose cub?" Leona said as he stopped to look at M/n who shook his head. "Am fine. Just felt like someone was talking about me. No worries." Leona chuckled, "You believe in that?" M/n nodded,"It's a fun thing to think about." Leona laughed, "If it were true then I will be sneezing all day. People do admire me a lot and I do have people who don't like me but who cares about them."
M/n tilted his head as he looked at Leona. "You have a point." They continued to walk as the sun was setting down more. M/n just hugged his Chirithy tighter as the night grew chilly. "Something happened to you with the other freshman? You aren't one to skip classes with how much of a goody two shoes you are cub." M/n just looked down as Leona raised an eyebrow. It was silent before M.n spoke again.
"An old enemy of mine is back. Someone who is a lot stronger than me. Azul recruited them and I got demolished in a few hits." Everything stood silent as M/n looked at the ground. Leona did not speak as they finally reached the Mirror Hall.
Savanaclaw Dorm - Lounge
"Eh? You guys seriously went to the Coral Sea?" Ruggie said as he looked not really surprised as he seemed to try. "You're dumb" Leona said as he took a seat on a chair.
"Fgna?! You're the one who told us to hurry up and do something! Plus it wasn't our fault that our hench human was too we-" Jack smacked Grim on the head while my mood just went down more with Chirithy just patting my head as they tried to livin me up.
"You're right about that old nemesis but nobody said anything about jumping into the ocean like an idiot. Your time is limited. I meant, use your head to come up with a worthwhile plan of action. There's no way to beat a merfolk head on in the water, no matter how you struggle. If M/n is able to turn into one with ease then he has no problem but unfortunately for you guys the octopunk found a valuable piece and sent it in. The rest of you can't back him up." Leona sighed as he closed his eyes, "It's like you're trying to get eaten."
Jack looked at Leona intently, "Umm, Leona, did you by chance know that those twins were merfolk?" Leona crossed his arms, "Pretty much." Ruggie smiled, "Last summer I saw Floyd revert to that form during a joint swimming class we had." But his ears went down, "If he came at me like that in the water I feel like my story would be over."
Jack scowled, "Then you should have told us something like that in advance!" I sighed as I shook my head, "Like Leona has said. We went in with no plan whatsoever. The fault lies with us." Leona smirked, "At least one of you learns faster."
"But that doesn't mean am not worried for Octovinelle." Everyone looked at me in shock. "Myahhh!? What do you mean worried?! They practically kicked us out of our dorm and forced us to swim underwater!" I looked at Grim as I shook my head, "No am angry about that but am more worried that they decided to have Vanitas on their side. They are practically asking to be backstabbed by that no good idiot."
"Elaborate." Leona said as he looked at me intently. With a sigh I looked down, "Vanitas is someone who likes to follow his own agenda and dump or destroy anyone who loses their worth. He must have Azul wrapped on his finger to make him believe that he won't betray him. He is dangerous, not just to me but to anyone."
Ruggie had his ears lowered, "Azul and his Leech twin underlings are pretty famous for getting his hands on whatever he was promised from his clients. But the fact that he somehow found an enemy of yours must mean he might have already calculated that Vanitas is dangerous. He won't back down but he won't risk his own odds. The fact there are rumors that they interfere with people so they can't complete their end of the deal seems to be true."
"So in the end they are cheaters." Grim's ears lowered down, "If M/n loses am I gonna be worked to the bone forever or worse if this Vanitas person becomes the real winner?!" I petted Grim as I shook my head,"He won't do anything to you. Just me with Vanitas decided to snatch the win. All we have to do is just try and come up with a plan. A very good plan that can't fail."
Leona stood quietly before he placed a hand on my head, "Azul's unique magic is It's a Deal. He can take one ability if you sign a special contract. Also, if there's anything that breaks the contract the one who signed becomes absolutely obedient to Azul. "
Ruggie closed his eyes as fear went to his face, "It's magic that's hard to activate but has big results if you do. He's vicious." Leona stood next to Ruggie, "The ability he takes is sealed inside the contract and Azul himself can use it whenever he wants."
I tilted my head, "So if I didn't step in before then Azul could have beaten up people with the spells he has gained control over? Wild." Jack growled, "What a guy! Everything about him is a fraud!"
"His unique magic itself is pretty high level so you can't call everything he does fraud." Ruggie said as he patted Jack's shoulder. "I've never put one of my abilities on the line for a deal so I can't tell you how it works." Leona said as he placed his hands on his hips.
Jack looked confused as he looked at Leona. "Then, what did you use as collateral when you made a deal?" I then perked up as I looked at Leona, "You made a deal?" Leona just growled, "It doesn't matter. Don't make me remember and as long as he has that contract then it stays in effect. So that's why he uses deceitful language when drawing up the contracts"
Ruggie snickered, "And makes you sign for impossible conditions. Is how it goes." Leona smirked as well, "The best way to beat Azul is, don't sign."
Grim fell dramatically on my leg, "What should we do?" I sigh as I clasp my hands together, "Leona can you help me with alchemy homework?"
"Myah! Now's not the time for homework M/n!" Grim said as he clawed my leg. "Yeah I know. But you guys can go tear up the contracts Azul has back in his dorm." Leona laughed as he ruffled my hair. "Good thing you use your brain a lot." But Grim didn't seem convinced, "But those contracts are invulnerable?!" Leona sighed again, "Looks like the rest of you are really running low on brain cells."
Ruggie also gave a sigh as he nodded to Leona, "They're the types that would quickly fall for any type of scam or someone impersonating someone else." I frown, "Okay first of all rude but second of all am not Ace, Deuce, or Grim." Grim looked at me offended while Chirithy whispered into my ear, "He wasn't talking to you."
Ruggie smirked,"In the first place, why did you sincerely believe Azul when he said that his contracts couldn't be destroyed?" I shrugged, "Never tried back then."
"If I said it was a performance they could put on there. Doesn't that seem like something they could totally do?" Ruggie said with a wider smirk which made me and Jack look at each other in shock. "Every spell has its weak point." Leona said as we looked back at him. "That red brat's unique magic for sealing even had its holes. No matter how great the wizard is, they can't use magic infinitely. So Azul's It's a Deal being absolutely invincible is that it's absolutely unimaginable."
I scratched my chin as Jack crossed his arms, "His It's a Deal has a weak point. Rather than challenging the Leech brothers in the ocean, we might be better off looking for that weak point up here. Is that what you're saying? But, that reeks of foul play, you know."
Ruggie shook his head as he looked at Jack disappointed, "You know, Jack. Having high morals is great and all, but you gotta do what you gotta do. M/n isn't always gonna be the only one who has to fight."
Jack widened his eyes before looking down, "You have a point." Leona placed his hand on my head, "In general, those guys are villains that tricked some naïve herbivores and made off with all their possessions. Why do you need to hold back? It may be cowardly or a street fight, but it's your win if you can annul the contract."
Ruggie seemed giddy, "Kuu, that's Leona! He's a coward done to the bone!" Leona just smiled arrogantly, "I told you? I always give it my all." Jack mumbled, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Ok. We've got two days left. We have a plan for Azul but what about Vanitas?" Jack looked at me as I smiled, "Leave him to me. You and Grim, Ace and Deuce go for the contracts. I will hold up as much as I can."
Leona just chuckled, "Do your best, also wake up early for that alchemy homework you want." I nodded as Leona and Ruggie left. I looked at Jack who looked at me very worried. I just smiled, "Worried much about me?" He looked at me wide eyed before looking away "No am not. You're strong enough on your own right?" His ears were flatten down on his head and his tail between his legs. I let out a chuckle as I petted his head which caused him to close his eyes as his tail started to wag rapidly. Grim just rolled his eyes as Chirithy just tilted his head.
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No Pov
Savanaclaw Dorm - Walkway
"It's rare for you to give out that much advice." Ruggie walked next to Leona who looked uninterested. "For some reason do you find our sincere little juniors cute? Finally acknowledging the cub to be yours. Shishishishi."
"Tch don't ever say that again. If we put those fresh-babies to good use we might be able to find out octo-punk's weaknesses without having to lift a finger. Well, I'm not expecting much." Leona just had a smirk as his eyes held a mischievous glint. Ruggie wanted to agree but something just nagged him badly.
"Well that's one thing but I feel like the cub is hiding more than he lets on. If you know that your enemy is far stronger than you then why go against it head on? Plus why did you agree to help him with homework?" Leona just looked at Ruggie with the ame smirk, "The cub is smart. He has a plan set for himself for that enemy of his. I saw what he had in his pocket. I just feel a little generous to him."
Ruggie said nothing but immediately caught on. "Wow. Just as smart as his dad." Leona glared at Ruggie who was laughing.
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Octovinelle - Lounge
No POV
Vanitas was sipping a small milkshake Azul (was forced) gracefully given him. Azul looked at the Leech twins as his arms crossed. "The prefect is with Leona?" Jade nodded, "Yes. I caught wind of them napping together in the school botanical garden. It seems our client has fallen into Savanaclaw."
When Vanitas heard this he couldn't help but get a little jealous of who this Leona person was. No one could touch the shooting star besides him. Azul just fixed his glasses," I see. That is just a little outside our estimations." He stood quiet as Vanitas just glared at nothing, sipping his milkshake aggressively, like a little puppy who saw their owner with another dog.
"What'cha wanna do? Squeeze 'em? Send Mako Shark to Rainbow Shark?" Floyd said as he poke Vanitas by his cheek which earned him a glare but he didn't care.
"No. Vanitas already can keep the prefect at bay and its best to leave Leona alone." Azul said as he looked relaxed. But Jade furrowed his eyebrows but kept a smile, "Wouldn't it be troublesome if he becomes our opponent? Should we not make our first move?" Azul shook his head, "Though there are rumors that he and the prefect are father and son, it does not mean the slothful male lion to have his neck out for the young prefect. We may be sure that he might have heard how powerful Vaitas is against M/n. He is a troublesome opponent but he won't do stuff for the prefect. He wouldn't even consider antagonizing me because he enjoys it."
Jade just smiled, "I believe the expression goes something like, Don't kick a hornet's nest, As you wish." Floyd just looked disappointed, "Tch. He seems like he'd be good to squeeze." Azul just gave a stern look, "You two. Please continue to keep a close watch on them."
"Alright"
Azul looked at Vanitas who ignored him. "Vanitas continue your job." Vanitas just looked at Azul, "Don't underestimate the shooting star. He may be weak to me but he will have alliances. Take the advice of your underlings, he will find a way to counter you." Vanitas got up to retreat to his room.
Azul just glared at Vanitas but he couldn't help the growing fear of the boy. Something was not right and everything was telling him to get him out but can't lose this game. Not yet. All he needs to do is keep an eye out. Yeah... he will be fine for sure."
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Homework got me on a hard chokehold lol
-Y0UNG_L1NK (Dying cause highschool likes to be funny)