Kingdom Hearts Fan Fiction ❯ Friends ❯ A Mystery Surrounded by a Mystery ( Chapter 4 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

What seemed like forever, as a day passed while Inochi sailed through the universe on its course for Agrabah. A beeping noise went off letting Tifa and Rinoa, who were both eating breakfast in the kitchen, know that they were approaching their destination. Zell was still sound asleep in his room, snoring louder then the ship's engine. Tifa walked into the cockpit and looked out the window to see Agrahbah in the distance. Smiling she sat down and turned off auto-pilot taking control of the ship again. Rinoa entered and sat beside her gazing out at Agrabah as it got closer and closer to them."So that's Agrabah, huh?" Rinoa said.
"Yep, I don't know much about it except that its near a huge desert." Tifa told her."Lets hope that Squall, or someone is there. Lets hope Cloud is there too." Rinoa said with a smile."Yep!" Tifa smiled back.
As they neared Agrabah, Rinoa went back and called for Zell to wake up. She opened the door to see his face leaning against the wall, drool dripping from his mouth and in a deep sleep where even the loudest noise couldn't wake him. However, Rinoa's voice seem to be the key as she put her mouth next to Zell's right ear and with a deep breath yelled as loud as she could. Zell woke up in shock and jumped so far up his head hit the top of his room before he came crashing to the floor. Rinoa chuckled looking at the now dazed and confused man that at infront of her."We're gonna be in Agrabah soon, so you might wanna get up and get ready." Rinoa said."Yeah, but did you have to yell so loud." Zell whined, rubbing his head."If I hadn't you wouldn't of woken up, silly." Rinoa laughed.Zell groaned as he got up and got dressed after Rinoa left the room. As soon as he was ready, he stepped out and walked into cockpit. Looking out the window, he was amazed at what he saw before him. A huge world that looked much different then his own stood in front of him, and that very world could hold the very people they were looking for. Then again it could also hold the trouble they were trying to avoid, hoping not to run into those two cloaked kidnappers again. The Inochi slowly made its decent into Agrabah's atmosphere until Tifa found a safe place to put her down. Looking around, she found a flat sandy area just near the walls to the town to land ship. Landing it nice and smooth, Tifa turned off the controls and looked back to Zell and Rinoa with a smile."Welcome to Agrabah." Tifa laughed.The trio soon walked out of the ship into the hot, blazing sun of the desert. To the left was a huge wall surrounding the city and an entrance, and to their right was sand as far as the eye could see. Tifa walked up to the entrance and peered in seeing a busy street with vendors lined up in an aisle. For being out in the desert, this place seemed to be pretty populated. She wondered how so many people could survive out here, but then again they could just be on the end of the desert. She then turned back hearing a loud grumble behind her, seeing Zell holding his stomach."Well that's what you get for sleeping over breakfast." Rinoa said."Oh man, I'm hungry." Zell groaned, "I'm gonna go see if they have a small restaurant somewhere around here, I'll catch up with you two later." Rinoa sighed as she watched Zell run off into Agrabah. She looked over to Tifa, who looked quite confused, and shrugged as the two walked in and looked around. Before they could start searching, a monkey jumped down and landed on Tifa's head. The monkey leaned down and stared at Tifa with his huge eyes. The monkey had a small hat on a small purple vest that swayed with the slight breeze that went by. It said nothing but stared down Tifa as it munched away at the apple in his hands."Hey, how dare you two use your pet to steal my goods." A peddler yelled, as he approached them, "I demand you pay up now or I will report you to the guard.""Hey wait, this isn't our monkey!" Rinoa said with a worried look."You expect me to believe that a monkey would just run up to some random person and sit on their head, you're not fooling me girl." the peddler argued, "Now pay up!""But...." Rinoa stopped, as she was interrupted by an approaching man."Abu, you sure know how to cause trouble. Here this should cover it, sorry for the trouble." the stranger said, tossing a coin over to the peddler.The peddler took the coin and walked off mumbling to himself. The monkey quickly hopped off of Tifa and over to man's shoulder. He smiled at them and wore a purple vest and white pants held up by a red sash. Both Rinoa and Tifa were slightly confused by the man's smile, although acting if everything was quite alright."Its fine, don't worry about it." Tifa said."Yeah, Abu has a tendency to get into trouble and then drag others into it. Say you two don't look like your from around here, are you two from another?" the stranger asked, "Are you friends of Sora, Donald and Goofy?"Tifa was a little dazed by the suddenness of all these questions, especially coming from someone she didn't even know. Rinoa stood there through trying to recall her thoughts, Sora, she had heard that name before. Back when they were still in Selbina, when they were talking with King Mickey, or that impostor she should say. He mentioned a keyblade wielder, a boy named Sora. Its then she thought that if she talked with this boy, she maybe could find out where Squall and the others had went."Yes and no." Tifa answered,"We're just here looking for our friends, perhaps you've seen a guy with spiky hair or a guy wielding a gunblade?""Spiky hair, sounds like Sora but if you were looking for him then I guess you would know him. Sorry, I haven't seen anyone around like that but maybe I could help you guys look around, the least I can do for what Abu did. By the way, I'm Aladdin." Aladdin said, introducing himself."Tifa." Tifa mumbled."Hi Aladdin, I'm Rinoa." Rinoa said, with a smile,"You mentioned Sora, do you know where I could find him? He might know were my friends are.""I'm afraid not, haven't seen him in awhile. Although heartless have been popping up suddenly, which is why I asked if you knew him." Aladdin responded.Rinoa frowned at the mention of heartless, it seemed like they were everywhere she went. The only place she hadn't encountered them at was Selbina in Vana'diel. There was a chance though that heartless would eventually evade that world, but she couldn't bare to let that happen. Vana'diel was home to lot of people and she couldn't let the heartless disturb the peaceful place that it was. Even though her promise was to an impostor, she still kept to it in her heart. She promised to help stop the heartless, so that no one would have to fear the darkness ever again."Well then Aladdin, I appreciate the help. So maybe you can tell us a little about this place, while we look around." Tifa said with a slight nod.Aladdin nodded in agreement and three started down the busy street. Aladdin began to explain about Agrabah as they all looked around for any signs of Squall, Cloud or anyone else. Though they were unaware they were being watched. Far in the distance on top of a large building stood two cloaked men. One was Luxord and the other man being the blue-haired man from before, known as Saix. They watched the trio as they stood trying to decipher what their next move should be."I'm cold." Luxord spoke."In a desert?" Saix asked, confused."No, not temperature. A player on a losing streak oftens refers to themselves as cold, in other words I haven't been doing too well at the slots." Luxord said,"However, I do feel that we will be receiving comps soon.""We are not in a casino." Saix responded.Luxord just laughed at the comment, as he continued to gaze down upon the three. He was particularly interested in the one girl, one they learned was Tifa. In their short encounter, he was impressed with how much power she proved to have. If Demyx and him would have stayed, he might of had to gotten in the battle himself. Though if it came down to that now, Luxord was all for a fight. If it meant his chance play a game of cards with Tifa, then he would certainly take it. For now they had to lay low, and find out as much information on Tifa. To make matters worse, the girls were with another person, one the Organization knew was important to the well-being of this world. That and the young man they were with before had disappeared in to the crowd of people below, though he wasn't as much of an issue as Rinoa and Tifa were.Back down in the streets Rinoa, Tifa and Aladdin continued to search for Squall, Cloud and the others. Aladdin had been told the details and agreed to help as much as possible, along with Abu and Carpet who had joined them. The two girls sort of reminded him of Sora when he said he was looking for his friends as well. It seemed that the universe they all shared was smaller then he thought. Though he was curious to know if the heartless appearing had to do with their arrival. He just hoped that whatever the trouble was, it would pass soon. Though that never appeared to be the case and he knew that."We looked everywhere, I guess they're not here either." Rinoa sighed, disappointment in her tone."Sorry, wish I could help." Aladdin said, feeling guilty for not being more helpful.The entire time they had been searching though, something had been bothering Tifa. The same darkness she had sensed back in Traverse Town she sensed here. It was possible that the two cloaked men from before were here and watching.She glanced around trying to find them and quickly spotted two dark figures in the distance. There was a good chance they could get in a surprise attack. Escaping was too obvious, considering the only gummi ship on this world was theirs and if they tried to leave they might be attacked. They were after Rinoa and Zell, so Tifa thought it best to leave the decision up to her."Rinoa, remember those two guys who attacked you at Traverse Town." Tifa said,"Well they're here too and watching us, we can surprise attack them if you want. Escaping would be pretty hard cause it would be obvious, and we don't know what they are planning to do. I'll leave it up to you though.""No, this time I'll pay them back for what they did." Rinoa said, "I show them they messed with the wrong people.""Hey, if you got some bullies bothering you. I'll help you out..." Aladdin spoke.
"I was hoping you both would say that, now I got a plan." Tifa said, as they discussed what they were going to do.Both Luxord and Saix stood up top the same building keeping close eyes on the three. Without notice they all began to split and disappear into the crowded streets, as Luxord traced the streets with his eyes hoping to regain vision of them again. Suddenly a projectile came hurling at him, as he jumped back barely dodging the attack. Saix stepped back slowly spotting a flying carpet appearing over the edge."Looks like we've been found." Luxord said."Why are you following us, what do you want with me?" Rinoa yelled out, already losing her patience.
"How about this, if you come with us and tell your friends to stay out of it, then I'll answer any question you may have." Luxord said in a joking manner."You....that's vile!" Aladdin yelled at Luxord, angry at the man."You should just leave, you're nothing but a mouse caught between a lion's feud." Luxord said.Saix extended his arm and his claymore appeared in his hand. Luxord looked at him and was surprised by his action, although it seemed avoiding battle was out of the question now. Hopefully Xemnes wouldn't see this as an act of rebellion, Luxord didn't want to be put in the same class as those other traitors with Marluxia. Plus, this proved to be the opportune moment to play a game of chance with Tifa."Deal with girl in black, I will take care Rinoa." Saix said, no emotion in his tone."Wouldn't have it any other way." Luxord laughed, as he jumped off the building tempting Tifa to follow.Tifa looked to Rinoa, who nodded telling her she was ok and to follow after Luxord. Aladdin nodded as well and with Carpet and Abu by his side joined Rinoa in her stand against this new enemy. Tifa quickly followed after Luxord who had taken off in the distance. She had a feeling he was leading her to an open place, which she preferred. If the place was large and uncrowded, then no one would get hurt. Back on top of the building Rinoa stood staring down the new stranger who stood in front of her, blaster edge in hand ready to strike or defend if need be. She wanted to take revenge on this man, but she had questions first. Many questions that needed answers, answers that only these cloaked men could give her."What do you want with me, why am I so important to you?" Rinoa shouted out, repeating the same question."Hearts, its what gives people emotion. Love, happiness, joy, sadness, and even hate." Saix spoke,"I strive for these emotions, I strive for a heart. If I could feel sorry for you, I surely would. However, I can not fell your pain because I can't feel pain. Once I have a heart, then I will sadness for what I have done."With that, Saix rose his claymore above his head as both Rinoa and Aladdin prepared for the unexpected. A couple streets away, in a deserted part of town Luxord stood waiting for Tifa to make her arrival. The girl jumped down in front of him and stared the man down in anger. Luxord could only help but smile at her anger, trying to find some amusement out of it. Though if they were to fight, it would only be fun if they both placed a bet on the table."If I'm not mistaken, both you and Rinoa are both looking for someone?" Luxord asked."Yes that's right, what's your point?" Tifa responded, ready to strike at a moments notice."My point is that I will make a deal with you, we'll play a game and whoever wins gets what's left in the pile. We'll play a little game of cards, and if you win I will tell you the location of both yours and her friends." Luxord said,"However, if you are to lose then you must give me your heart.""My heart?" Tifa asked, confused by the Luxords request,"You're a heartless."
"Not quite, you see a strong-willed heart like yours is hard to come by. A nobody like myself could use such a thing, so do we have a deal?" Luxord posed."How do I know you're not lying?" Tifa asked."I am a man of my word, I do not cheat on any bet I make." Luxord responded."Then its a deal, but if you screw me over you'll regret it." Tifa said."Agreed." Luxord laughed.As the fight between Rinoa, Aladdin and Saix began and the fight between Tifa and Luxord started, another part of the group was else where finishing his meal. Zell walked out of the diner with a full stomach and unaware of what was taking place. He yawned feeling as if he couldn't eat another bite, but then his mood changed as he jumped back in defense. Standing in front of him was a familiar face, one he had hoped not see."You....." Zell muttered. "Relax I'm not here to fight...." Demyx said,".....I'm here to help."