[Kingdom Hearts AU] Someone to Watch Out for You

Twilight

Pluto was an odd hound. The king's faithful mutt usually came and went as he pleased. Much like the king himself, there would be long periods of time where Pluto simply could not be found, and then appear again as if he never left. The most noticeable of these was when the king was gone. It was like the loyal dog just went after Mickey to make sure he was safe. Or maybe he was just bored.

Suffice to say, Ven didn't spend much time with the dog. Which was why today started a lot weirder than usual. Pluto personally woke Ventus up by jumping on top of his bed and panting right over his head until the knight woke up. After the initial shock, and Pluto jumping down again, Ven tried to rack his brain on whatever dogs could be interested in.

"Do you want to go for a walk?" he eventually asked- the confusion in his voice not lost on him or the mutt.

Pluto replied with an eager bark.

To Pluto's credit, he remained close to Ven's side as they walked around the castle together. Ven could remember a few instances where Pluto had remained close to Mickey's side as well. It was Pluto's choice if they kept going or remained in one area to throw a stick or two. When the dog led them into a room just for Pluto and sat down right in front of a red leash, that was the first time Ven realized that, yes, Pluto was leash trained.

Taking the hint, Ven picked up the leash but didn't place it on Pluto right away. Happy enough that he had it, Pluto indicated that they should leave. Curiosity was why Ven never stopped Pluto from heading to the Gummi Ship hanger. Seeing both the red Gummi Ship and his own just sitting there made Ven wistful.

"Maybe we should go somewhere today," he mused. He looked down at Pluto. "What do you think?"

Another eager bark. Maybe Ven should become a dog whisperer.

At least, he could have, if his first mistake wasn't letting Pluto in the cockpit.

"Where should we go?" Ven said to himself as he readied the ship. "There should be plenty of space in Wasteland to run around. Yeah, that sounds pretty good. What do you think?"

Ven swiveled his chair around to face Pluto. The mutt was sitting on the floor. He didn't look very happy- it came as a surprise since Pluto had seemed fine before now. Ven got up to give Pluto a good scratch behind the ears.

"What's wrong, buddy?" Ven asked him. "Should we stay here instead?"

Then, out of nowhere, Pluto perked up. He gave Ven a slobbery kiss before bounding over to the commanding console.

"Pluto, don't touch that!" Ven exclaimed as Pluto placed his paws up on the console. "Pluto!"

By the time Ven was able to reach the hound, it had been too late. The Gummi Ship was off to some world that Ven never even knew existed before.

In all respects, the landing could have been a lot nicer. Ven was able to take control again to minimize most of the damage. Thankfully they seemed to land in a rather secluded area -outside the window showing only thick trees- so it was possible that no one in this world had seen them arrive.

"Bad dog." he admonished once he was sure they were safe.

Pluto whined in full apology. Somehow, Ven still saw it as rather hollow. Either way he couldn't stay mad at the sad mutt.

"I guess we could still figure out what world we're in, at least." Ven sighed. "But only for a little bit."

That got Pluto to perk up again.

"But I got to leash you up." Ven then informed the dog. "Don't want to lose you and the king get worried, right?"

Pluto gave a happy bark in return. The energetic dog sat straight up as he patiently waited for Ven to latch the leash onto his collar. After making sure he was secure, Pluto stood up and immediately bounded out the Gummi Ship door. Ven wasn't sure how he wasn't even surprised by this anymore. He was also surprised to find that Pluto was a lot stronger than he looked.