The Tale of Seven: Kidnapped Hope

[Reno]

"That means Demyx...." Sora said behind Riku worriedly, his voice not carrying into the communicator. He looked up though, hearing hooves pack down dirt as Rapidash came speeding down the dirt road to them. There were pulls of reins and then two Flygon swooped down, landing artfully a few feet away and their riders jumped off, convening over to the others. Riku and Sora decided to do the same, even if they were lower to the ground. Arcanine was panting. After all she had dragged them uphill and burned away drifts of snow to tall to climb or impossible to pass around. Sora felt guilty, wishing he hadn't assumed they'd make it to Pastoria.

"I'm sorry girl," He rubbed her chin before reaching into his bag, pulling out her dog bowl and her water canteen dumping it in and setting it in front of her. She lent her head down almost instantly for a drink. Sora watched her for a few moments before turning around, feeling frustration cloud his throat thickly like a bad taste. Every where they went, every where they turned something went wrong. Now he was scared of what happened back in Porta vista, also near the ocean. Was his childhood home GONE? They place his parents lived and married and raised them? All those memories just swept away by... by this CRAZY MOTHER?! This mother Lugia who thought putting the whole world underwater would help her find her child? But then what will it have to protect when it grows up? EVERYONE ELSE WOULD BE DEAD.

And now he was scared, Arcanine was so exhausted - unlike Rapidash or the Flygon's she hadn't battled in years, hadn't worked her muscles so hard since he fought Terra! And of course she hardly found reason to do anything but be lazy on Mirage. Sometimes she circled the island or they played but it was nothing compared to the energy she exerted before.

Even he, almost endlessly hopeful, was reaching the end of his rope. Anger was clear in his voice as he turned to face them and snapped, "What the hell are we going to do?! Go to Hearthrome, THEN what? Hope some people are kind enough to give us some Pokemon who can make it through stormy waters?! HOPE that when we get to Sootopolis that Lugia's child is there IF we can even find it?! IF it's not underwater too?!"

Everyone hesitated. It was a good point...

Terra shook his head. "Someone give me the maps. Now." Roxas got off of Rapidash with Axel, getting into his satchel and handing them over. There were five in total, one for each region. The brunette took them and scooted close to to the horse for light before sitting down down spreading them out on the ground. He took out a pen, and started to study and rapidly mark them, murmuring to himself every once and awhile, making calculation where the sea was.

The other blinked, watching him and finally Ven asked what the hell he was doing. The brunette just shushed him, and some of them shrugged some, a bit helplessly though Roxas nor Axel looked very happy as all the marks he was making on THEIR MAPS!

"Alright," Terra announced ten minutes later, "With the sea level as it is, every town with an X on it is currently underwater." They leaned over curiously, and the triplets grew sad... seeing their own town was too gone. It was an even harder blow for Sora when he noticed another mark, in the midst of the sea. The area where Mirage once was... gone as well. Even Aqua seemed a bit downtrodden... because Canaclave too was marked out.

Lilycove was as well. There were nearly an uncountable number of the Orange Islands also... crossed out or with 1/2 marks near them, showing just how badly they were being affected. Sootopolis had a strange mark though.
"It is only one-forth underwater." Terra clarified when someone asked. It was made on the side of a mountain, going upwards on the sides of it like stadium stairs so it's still livable. And will be for awhile." He pointed to a calculation he made. "But at the RATE the sea level is rising... the tallest peak in the world will be covered in a month."
"How... How can that even be possible though?" Roxas whispered.
"It's not. The water will run out... but if she draws from underwater reserves and melts the icy caps... well everything but these areas will be underwater." He pointed to places he had circled on some maps. "And that will take approximately one week and five days."

[Rikugurl]

Ventus swallowed as he saw the place where he was born and grew up... marked with an 'X'. Porta Vista... was underwater? That didn't even seem possible. Their house... the beaches...everything? Even the little cove that him and his brother always played in when their parents told them not to...

It was Axel that shocked them all. He reached for his pokeball and summoned a legend that brightened up the whole forest, putting Rapidash's flames to shame.
Everyone looked up at her as she made sure her flames didn't lick at the forest around her.
"Moltres, you have to do something! Anything!" Axel cried, looking up at her in desperation. "We don't have much time to find the baby... and if Lugia keeps this up, we'll never make it in time!"

The fire bird looked down, her eyes sad as she shook her head. "Treees..."
"Please, Moltres... by us some time... I know we can find him..."

As the humans talked to the fire legendary, it was Zan who looked up at the sky. He could hear thunder in the distance and saw that there were rain clouds above. It wasn't unnatural to have sudden showers around this time of the year but... something about this was---
There was a pain in his jut that he knew well.
"ABSOL!" He cried before suddenly pouncing on everyone. People went flying as he bounced off one person to another, hearing their calls as they hit the ground and skid. The last person he pushed was Terra, having to put in his whole force to get the man out of the way before a large lightning bolt hit the ground they were all standing around.

The bolt was powerful enough to make a large hole in the ground, people covering their heads as pieces of ground flew through the air. Rapidash called as she reared onto her back legs and even Moltres was blasted back, giving a call of pain before fanning her wing out.

Everyone's eyes widened as they heard a call from above, looking up to see something large, yellow and black fly from the clouds.
"ZAAAAAAAAAAAAAP!" The bird called as he flew down and landed on the edge of the hole in the ground. Narrow eyes glared at the fire bird as a long beak opened. "ZAPZAPZAPDOSDOS!" He snapped before looking around at the group of people who were finding their footing.

His wings fanned out and electric currents started to spark. "ZAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADOS!" He called before electricity went flying in all directions, catching some trees on fire and heading towards the huma--

The electricity stopped as it hit ice shards and canceled out. The electric bird huffed and looked at where all the ice was coming from, seeing a ghostly maiden glaring at him. "Lass!"

[Reno]

Everyone was just staring at the maps, unsure what to say or do as they saw just how much land would be covered. Many people... those on the islands... they'd never make it. All those Pokemon... the men, women, children. Entire families! How could this really be happening, it-

Everyone looked up in shock as the large fire bird appeared, giving a soft call as she was let free. They looked at Axel, watching him plead with the bird, beg her to give them some help and many of them grew further frustrated when she refused! Terra was about to snap at the bird or maybe Axel who obviously didn't bother to train her at all when suddenly the red-head went flying and- SO DID HE?!

There were yells of surprise and pain all over, but then screams as the ground was torn open... and then, as the dust settled and then could push off the debris, mouths gaped as their third seen legendary... landed right before them.

Sora breathed in amazement, so struck and in awe by the electric Pokemon he couldn't even bother to get off the floor. He'd always... dreamed of seeing Zapdos.

... of course he never dreamed of him trying to kill them!

"Aaaah!" Sora covered his head again as electricity zapped close, burns marks scorching into the dirt not three feet away from him. A furious growl reverberated from close by and he looked up, seeing Arcanine had moved in front of him, her ears down and teeth exposed in a fierce way.

"Ah shit!" Terra snapped from not too far away, staying low as some electricity flew over him. He looked up slowly, seeing the forest starting to burn. He was about to call for Aqua, but Froslass beat him before he could.

"Fly! Fllly!" Came another furious call a green dragon fearlessly lifted from the ground and hovering in front of Zapdos. He wasn't afraid even slightly of this Pokemon - an electric who could hardly do him harm! 'Get lost! You don't belong here!' He ordered the bird. Legendary or not, even he knew this was not even close to the bird's territory!

[Rikugurl]

Ven panted next to Terra, looking up and over at the bird who seemed pretty pissed. His eyes reminded him of Axel... but his temper was much like his own. He looked up at Flygon, seeing him fearlessly hovering in front of the legendary. "He's a dense as you!"

Zapdos glared at the pokemon in front of his face and seemed to laugh. "You tell that stupid human to let go of my sister! We need her to help melt the ice caps! So either you tell them or I'll find another way to get her head straight!"

The fire bird looked up, her eyes widening as she heard the other. "What are you talking about!? It's not them that decided I wouldn't help you! You're the ones who don't have your head straight! These humans are trying to help!"

"Like the humans that took our new master!? I don't think so! You don't know what you're talking about, they clouded your heads. This is our world, not theirs and they'll learn that soon enough!" Zapdos snapped before starting to glow again, releasing more electric.

[Reno]

"What the hell does that mean?!" Terra snapped, seeing as his lover did the crazy but fearless way his Pokemon approached the legendary. "Idiot why would he be scared he's immune to electricity!" Didn't he know that? He owned a Flygon himself!!

Flygon's wings fluttered some, listening to the siblings argue but he became more alert when the electricity started to fly out again, flying swooping rapidly to catch some of it as it flew towards the humans shivering below. It sparked around his body but did no harm.

"ARRRRRRRRRRR!" Came a howl and flame lit the area hitting the electricity as it came close. There was a slight explosion and black smoke wafted in the air. The tiger dog snarled at the electric bird. "Are you still so young? This is alls world! Ours and theirs! We must live in harmony!"
"Arcy!" Sora was saying in panic as she spoke with the bird, and his fear grew as the electric bird looked down on his dog, more electricity sparking in his spiky feathers like a warning. He was going to shock her. No... no!

He suddenly rushed in front of her, spreading his arms out to protect the large dog instead. The movement was such a surprise, the electricity didn't fly... yet. Determined blue eyes looked up at the bird bravely. "Zapdos please! I beg of you to let us pass; we haven't done anything wrong!"

A world where Pokemon lived together... both using whatever was in their power to protect one another.

[Rikugurl]

"It's still a fucking legendary, shit head!" Ven snapped back, hiding behind his lover as another wave of electricity shot out, putting more trees on fire but Froslass took care of that easily.

Axel hunched over Roxas as another wave sprang, not so fearful about the fire itself but worried about the Pokemon who lived in these woods. He looked up, seeing Moltres and Zapdos snap before another shock ran out, making him grip onto Roxas more. That was when he heard Sora's voice.

"SORA!" Riku called as he quickly got to his feet. What was he doing!? "Sora! Get out of there!" He called and was about to head to him, to push him out of the way when the area grew bright again and electricity sparked throughout the whole area right towards Sora.
"SORAAAAAAAAA!"

"AAAAAAAAH DAMMIT TERRAAAAA, CALL YOUR POKEMON!" Ven called as he covered his eyes from the blast and looked out...only for his jaw to drop. "SORA!" He called, seeing his brother in the silverette's arms, black smoke coming from his body.

"That's it, legendary or not, you're not going to hurt my friends!" A feminine voice came from one of the sides before a large Pokemon appeared.
"STEEEEEEEEEEL!"
"Use Rock Slide!"

[Reno]

The brunette looked up at the majestic bird, the narrow eyes slitted and a deep steel that seemed to stare right into him. He almost felt like the bird was maybe reading him, seeing all he was. Everything just seemed to fade away from him, no sounds and sights as he was surrounded by light, scorching fires, the sound of battlefields and wars won and lost. His imagination sparked for just a second, wondering if a story was being told in each strike of lightning, a long nearly eternal life he never had being revealed to him in that instant...

and then there was pain.

And Sora fell.

There was a bark of pain as Arcanine was hit by a side flash, the power not seeming daunted at all from hitting it's first target. She skid back, tumbling to her stomach and at first she didn't want to move... but it was Riku's yells and calls that made her open her eyes. And she saw the terrible sight of her master. "AR!!!" She got to her feet and hurried over.

"AAAAAH!" Roxas yelled unsure if it was fear or the sudden shot of phantom pain that rushed through him that made him cry out. Other then his voice and Ven's there were no others at first, but then one became panicked, yelling and calling. It made sapphire eyes open seeing the crimson coat of the chest he was being held against before he pushed away some looking towards where he had heard Riku.

And...
"S-Sora...?" The blonde tried to yell, but his voice only came out to be a whisper. The body against Riku's chest was shaking, muscles clenching and unclenching spasmodically wifts of smoke lifting from it and skin raw and red or pink and blistering or even close to turning black. All signs of an bad electrical strike, and in the back of Roxas' mind the medical knowledge he had studied for hours and hours late at night pounding into his brain came to him. Was he breathing? If not, give immediate resuscitation. Was his heart beating? If not, a second shock would restart it.
But none of this he could managed to convey past his trembling lips that matched the shaking of his eldest brother's body.

"Fucking bitch! FLYGON HYPER BEAM!" Came a second furious cry to match the female's, a rock snake and a dragon insect both driving forward towards the sparking bird. A sparkling beam of energy and a pile of sharp, jutted boulders being thrown towards him.

[Rikugurl]

"Sora...?" Riku looked down at his lover, hardly even recognizing his fiance from the way his skin was. But he was breathing... he was alive. Quickly he pulled his lover up and rushed away from the battle, heading right for the tiger dog. He heard footsteps behind him, knowing who it was. The identical twins.
"SORA!" Ven called as he saw his brother, his skin looking horrible and...

Tears started to form in all three of the human's eyes as Riku looked up at Arcy. "Are you well enough to run?"
When the arcanine nodded, he quickly placed his lover across the Pokemon's back. "Get him to Hearthome's hospital, NOW!" The three watched the Pokemon rush off through some slightly burning trees before Riku turned, his eyes narrowing. "FROSLASS! USE BLIZZARD NOW!"

"FROSLAAAAAASS!" The ghost called as swirl of ice and snow shot out towards the legendary, all three attacks hitting at once and making an even louder explosion. The groups clothes shifted as the blast sent some sliding back but when the debris cleared, they watched the yellow and black bird push away the large boulders, stumbling a bit and looking rough.

"Brother, please stop! Tell Lugia that we're looking!" Moltres called, her injured wing making her wince.
The other bird shook his head before flapping his wings. "No way!" With that, he jumped and flew into the air, lightening hitting him and making him healthy once again before he disappeared.

[Reno]

Roxas scrambled out of Axel's arms, hurrying after Riku as he started to take Sora away. His heart was pounding so hard it was almost painful, loud erratic breathes almost weak and failing echoing in his ears. His vision blurred as his brother was placed over Arcanine, and continued to stare at the forest not caring for the battle behind him or the flight of the bird who hurt his triplet.
"Sora..."

Everyone watched silently as the large electric bird flew off, anger in their hearts. How could he...?
"Jesus fucking..." Terra hissed, running a hand through his hair while Flygon slowly flew down landing on the ground, the dragon seeming upset the bird had fled and no real battle has ensured. It had all just happened so fast...

The seven that used to be eight stood around numbly, in various stages of shock and disbelief. First at the sight of the legendary and next at what he had done. It was Aqua who finally gt it together and snapped, "Well why are we standing around here like dumbshits?! Come on let's move!"

[Rikugurl]

Green eyes looked around, his heart feeling heavy. He heard thunder above... but it didn't click at all. Zapdos was probably up there... maybe ready to strike again but... Slowly he looked at Moltres, seeing her breath fire on her wing to try and heal it. His eyes narrowed, anger building up. Why didn't she fend for them? Why didn't she protect Sora!? Didn't she care about them either!?
"UGH!" He growled before he grabbed her pokeball and pulled her back inside, some people watching as he stomped through the forest. "RAPIDASH, GET THE FUCK BACK HERE!"

If Sora wasn't off to the hospital, they would of stayed frozen, hearing the red head who NEVER swore and be flabbergasted... but more things were important.

Soon, Rapidash and two flygons came into the city of Hearthome City, the ground shaking as a Torterra raced up to the entry way as well. Riku hopped off the dinosaur and raced through the streets, following the H signs until he came to a large hospital. Luckily, it was night and the streets weren't all too busy.
Moana landed near the entrance as Riku raced up and Fuu and Aqua got off. The other flygon landed near and were recalled as the flaming horse came to a stop.

Inside the hospital, Riku saw Arcy at the front. He rushed up, running his fingers through her fur as he looked down at the man. "The boy that was just admitted, where is he?"
The man rose an eyebrow. "He's in the ER right now. What happened to him?"
"He got a...really bad electric shock." The hospital started to rumble from the thunder above.
"A lightning bolt hit him?" The man blinked, a bit shocked.
"Yea..." Riku sighed, trailing off. How could a legendary...?

The rest of the group rushed in, standing around Riku and Arcy.
"Well, he's stable and they're giving him fluids. He'll probably stay in the ER for the night. Other than that, I don't have any more information."

"Sora..." Ven frowned, looking down at the tiled floor as his hand reached up and wrapped around a charm. The one that his father had given him. "Maybe... you were right Terra..."

[Reno]

Brownish gold eyes opened when she heard the door open, blowing wind bringing the scent to her instantly. She sat up suddenly, tail wagging weakly at the sight of Riku. He eyes shut as he pet her, whimpering in worry. She had run all the way here, even after her lungs started to cramp and her legs burned and her running got sloppy still she had run and run until she made it to the hospital.

She needed to make no noise, her size bringing about enough of attention and soon she had been surrounded by people, tame enough to know not to lash out when they took her pup and placed him on a wheeling bed. Smart enough to know she couldn't follow as he disappeared down the hall.

And now they were here as well, worried as her.

Roxas, frustrated and full of fear and pent up fury, had to fight himself from shoving Riku aside all together and shaking the man until he spilled every god damn secret he had! It didn't matter if he said he didn't know anything else- he HAD to know something else. "Can we go see him?" Roxas said instead in a carefully controlled voice, almost uneasily calm for all the anger he was withholding.

Terra meanwhile glanced at Ven when he heard his comment about to ask what he meant when he remembered.
"I wonder who's next."
"...I didn't mean it..." Terra mumbled, his joke seeming to turn sour as it seemed to have come true. Fuck he had even predicted who...

[Rikugurl]

The man looked over at one of the blonde, noting that he was an identical twin. He was sure he wasn't seeing double. However, he couldn't of guess that he was related to the boy that was rushed in. He shook his head before explaining. "Not right now. The doctors are with him but I'm sure you'll be able to see him tomorrow."
The blonde suddenly snapped but Riku pulled him back. "ROXAS! What good will it do him if we're in the doctor's way!?" His voice was hurt, aching and weak. Usually bright aquamarine eyes were dim and looking empty before he sighed, looking around the group for a moment.

He couldn't help but notice the race in both Roxas's and Axel's face, though he had a feeling they were from different things. He then looked at Terra and Ven who seemed to be in stages of guilt before looking at Aqua and Fuu, seeing how discouraged they looked.
With a sigh, he took a transfer ball from his backpack, calling Arcy to it before rubbing it gently.
"I'll stay here... until I can see him. If you guys want to go get a hotel... I'll call you when it's ok to come by..."

[Reno]

"TOMORROW?!" And there it was. Roxas took a threatening step forward, eyes flashing like daggers as he snarled. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN TOMORROW?!" He was about to reach, grab the guy by his collar and throw him into the wall but hands clasping over his shoulders and tugging him back made that idea naught. He was so angry he was ready to whirl around to punch the whoever it was in the face.

But it happened to be Riku and the poor silverette was hurting enough. The blonde scoffed and looked away, knowing what he was saying was true but not liking it all the same. He just... He shut his eyes and shook his head. "No," He said roughly, his throat feeling strained. "I'm staying." And to prove his point he walked over to a chair and sat down in it, obviously intent on staying for a long, long time. Knowing better then to fight with him, no one made an argument to stop him.

Riku was the second to take a seat, none of them surprised when Ven joined them, all of them knowing already it would be a long night.


Blue eyes opened tiredly for what seemed to be the fiftieth time that night. Weights seemed to be tied to his eyes though, dragging them slowly back down, his head slowly resting back on his knee. Then he jerked awake again. What time was it, how late had it been? He looked around at the others, seeing them all in different states of sleepiness... except Riku who was wide awake and just staring at one of the doors as if expecting another doctor to walk through and give him the worst news ever. He wanted to tell the other he was being irrational. That his fear was probably not going to come true. The doctor even came out and told him he was stable...

He sighed turning his eyes down to where Sora's bag was, leaning against the leg of his and Riku's chair and atop it a pokebelt with six pokeballs on it. The nurse had given it to them hours ago - at first it had scared them all, thinking the brunette had died unexpectedly, but she explained she was only worried about them going unfed. They did, at one point, go out of the hospital to feed them, but all of them refused even a small bite.From Jolteon to little Margret, no one at all was hungry, only worried and scared.

Roxas shifted in his chair, stretching his legs across the floor before he reached over, grabbed the bag and pulling it open. His actions warranted some attention from Riku though he didn't speak a word. He did, however, arch an eyebrow semi-curiously as Roxas pulled out... a familiar blue diary. There was a slip of paper in it, over 3-4ths of the way into the book (Sora had read it, almost obsessively, while they were waiting for Axel to recover) and on it, little notes.

It was curious enough it distracted him from his original idea, which was to read the book solely to stay awake. He carefully flipped open the book, his hands gentle on the old pages before he reached out and pulled out the bookmark, keeping the page open with one hand while he looked at the self-made bookmark the notes easier to read now. There were three columns of lists spread out carefully to give more room between each new list so more could be added later. They were nearly full now but still numbers had been squeezed in as close as they could be. He read over some of it, the words striking him because his name was in two of the columns.

Ventus:
8/22/50
....

Roxas:
12/25/51
....

Ven and Roxas:
5/11/49
...


"What is this?" He murmured tiredly, the last column really catching his eyes. Those numbers he recognized by heart. It was his birthday. Their first birthday. The numbers were dates...
Riku suddenly spoke up beside him softly, saying that as he read, Sora had been marking the pages he thought they'd most like to read when they got brave enough.

That bit of news made Roxas swallow hard, blinking away sudden tears unsure it it was because of the thoughtfulness or because there were so MANY dates, so many things that their mother had to say that were so important that he never knew. His shaking hands slipped the bookmark back in it's place before flipping to the first date that caught his eye.

5/11/49
I have never felt a greater relief and happiness as I have today. Three beautiful boys, all healthy and happy. (Well, maybe not precisely happy especially not when they are hungry!) There like delicate little angels from Arceus himself. Sirocco and I have already chosen there names.

My first born, a brunette with blue eyes like mine, he is such a smiler. He has already smiled to me, to daddy, to his brothers, to Kirlia and Pigeot, to the doctor, the nurses the random birds outside our window. The Doctor told me he had never seen a first born who smiled so much and cried so little. So we choose Sora, for sky. Every moment I look at him I feel more confidant of this name. His eyes match the color but that is not all. The sky holds the sun, and the clouds, the storms and the birds, the insects and dragons who fly there. I can feel Sora will do the same - he will hold onto the important things closely, protect them. He's going to be a great big brother.

My second child, also a boy, has his grandfather's blonde hair and Sirocco's blue eyes. He is quite the screamer. He has hardly been quiet since he left my body (except now, which is why I can write this. He is asleep!). We choose the name Ventus, for wind. I was a bit iffy about this, naming him just because he howls like the wind, but I believe it suits him. I feel as if he will grow to be someone who never goes unheard, whose ideas are never missed and who will never allow anyone to push him down. If I could grant him a gift like a godmother, then I bless this baby with the gift of that strength his name conveys.

My last-

Roxas smiled at the pages, almost unable to go on. Just imagining his brothers, tiny, newly born babies, with his parents lovingly holding them, rocking them, cooing for them, watching them as they slept, was enough.

But he also knew he needed to. He wanted to see what his name, to his mother, had meant. And he wanted to see... if he had lived up to her expectations like his brothers were.

My last is just as his second brother, blonde and blue-eyed. It is he I fear for the most. Roxas hesitated again, a frown on his face before reading on. As he looked like Ven, we have given him the name Roxas, a variation of Sora with an X showing the connection he has to his brother, making it fair. But is it fair for him? Fair for him to not only live with looking like Ven, but having Sora's name as well? He is already so quiet and contemplative, thoughtful of all he knows. I feel he will be very logical. He will realize these things for that I worry of for that am sure and all I can do is grant him a wish. I wish for him to find his independence, to find where he is unique.

For all three of my boys, whether these thoughts become fact or not, this will not change. I will love and cherish them from now until the end. They are my boys, and I am grateful they have been blessed to me.

Roxas finished the page, seeing the next day about to start but he just shook his head, rubbing at a tear under his eye. Her fear was so silly, he always knew he was special. He wished he told her that... that he never felt undermined for looking like Ven or having an anagram name. That it in fact made him feel more special as such, to be so connected yet still himself.

But he could never tell her that. She was gone, killed by a terrible disease. She was never coming back. She-

The blonde trembled silently, feeling the tightening in his throat, the curl in his gut. He knew what was happening. And because he knew, he was quick to close the book and stand, depositing it in his chair. He gave some excuse, any excuse that hardly anyone heard, before he was gone down the hall to the nearby bathroom.

The door shut loudly behind him and Roxas found it blissfully empty. He leaned against a nearby wall where the paper towel dispenser was, seeing his reflection in the mirror as he took deep but quick breaths, each getting more shaky then the next. He watched his mirror image, seeing how the shoulders started to tense and the lines of his forehead stressed, how the muscles of his jaw clenched and his lips pulled to reveal white teeth.

His legs couldn't hold him up anymore and he slid down the wall, his reflection disappeared into the sinks. He laid his head on his knees, the terrible grimace on his face lessening some as he started to sob loudly, grief finally passing the floodgates in his arteries and drowning his heart. "Oh M-Mom..." He gasped, hands over his head, nails digging into his skull before he yelled loudly, voice echoing across the tile and left unheard. "G-God mom! Why did you have to die!? We need you... I NEED YOU."

[Rikugurl]

Riku... was a bit shocked that no one took his idea to heart... and one by one, everyone started to sit with their lover. All but Riku himself. That was alright though. He felt like he wasn't even there. No... he was wherever Sora was... and Sora was with him as well.
He was confident... even as the hours passed. He even had to chuckle once, remember Sora saying he would love to be shocked by Zapdos. Look like he got his wish.. and he was sure by now that Sora hadn't wished to wish that upon him. No one knew though... everything had happened so sudden...

So quickly that he had to look around and blink a few times, pinch himself to know that this was all very real.

The hours continued to pass and when he saw the nurse carrying out his lovers things... that was the first time he panicked. Was Sora alright? Had he... no... he...
Sora was alright... but his things didn't need to go off and get lost. When she left, Riku held onto Sora's backpack and belt as if it was a newborn. He was gentle with it... and had a glint of adoration in his eyes as he saw the small touches that Sora had given it. It even had his scent, making Riku calm a bit before gently placing it at his feet.

The doctor was next to come out, letting them all know he was stable and they were working on patching skin that had been torn away. She said that he would be released no later than tomorrow afternoon if everything went normal and that he should just take things slow for the first few days. She handed everyone a pamphlet about long term effects... making everyone frown as they read though it. There were so many side effects...

She left as well... and that was when the long waiting period started.
Riku however... wasn't even worried about being tired. He lived his life during the nighttime for most of it... and he couldn't have a peaceful sleep without hearing water... so his eyes stayed glued to the door, waiting for any more news.

Ventus, on the other hand, was asleep against Terra's arm, his body balled up in the chair and a blanket was pulled from his backpack, wrapped around him.

Axel had stayed up for quiet awhile. He whispered to himself every now and again, his eyes narrow and angry but he was the one willing to get up and get someone a drink or a bite to eat if they needed it. He would also give Roxas some rubs on the back and loving words... but he still seemed to be in his own world... which was very unlike him.
He had a complication on one of his snack runs, having to use the inhaler and the people of the hospital had to put on the heaters by request. He was still bundled up... and had chills once in awhile.

Now his glasses were on his lap as his arms were crossed, his head on his chest as he dozed. Luckily for everyone... he wasn't snoring.

Fuu was much like Ven, sleeping against Aqua, and all cuddled up. Her sleep wasn't sound like Ven's though, every person who walked by made her open her eyes tiredly before trying to sleep once more.


There was shifting, and dim eyes looked down, seeing a hand reaching into the bag by his feet. He was a little startled at first before he realized it was Roxas. His eyebrow rose for a moment before sighing softly, getting comfy in his chair... or at least trying to. He heard pages being turned, uncertain pauses and could almost feel him reading each line. Pale eyelids closed for the first time, somewhat feeling he knew what was going to happen. And it did when he heard the book being closed.

His eyes opened again as he heard Roxas get up, placing the book on his chair before stating that he needed to use the bathroom. He watched the blonde hurry down the hallway and into the bathroom. He was sure it was more than a sudden need to pee. He glanced around, seeing that Fuu had did her wakening for a moment, thinking that Roxas really did have to use the bathroom before closing her eyes once again. The aquamarine eyes rolled to look at the redhead, wondering if he should wake him or not to go comfort his lover...

[Reno]

No one else happened to notice Roxas leaving either, as everyone beside the silverette was asleep. Terra had his head laying against the back of his chair, legs stretched out on the floor as Ven slept against him. Aqua had her head laying against Fuujin's though she stirred sometimes when the other did.

So no one was aware of the blonde's small crisis, not even the red head himself, and even as minutes passed and it became certain the blonde was not in the bathroom to do his business, still no one knew but Riku.

Well... that wasn't precisely true...


"Nnnn..." Came a soft groan in a room that was always busy and crowded even at night. Artificial lights were always dancing up above bright and irritating for those who were awake which was typically only to ones in white coats and scrubs not the patients who were typically in jeans, ratty shirts and other grubbed up clothes that usually got changed to ugly gowns.

Fingers twitched some on the bed then the human hissed, feeling a slight jab of pain from the motion, his eyes opening to see the ceiling blurred up above. "Unnn..." The lights where too bright and he tried to turn his head but made a noise of distress and pain, feeling how it tugged at his neck. What was... going on? Where was he?
He swallowed hard, the heart monitor he was hooked too speeding a bit. He hardly heard it though, the noise sort of muffled to just a dull ringing noise as where chattering voices all around him - though no one was actually close by that he could see. Was it all in his head...?

He had no idea what was going on. He had no idea where he was either, or why he was in so much pain. His eyes fell shut to block out the light though it made his eyelids red anyways. There was something in did understand though, a little twinge in his heart. Something... that wasn't his but at the same time was. More pain but a different sort.
"Rrr...." He tried to sound out having to swallow hard since his throat was still dry. "Rrrroo....Xas?"