[Kingdom Hearts AU] Someone to Watch Out for You

The Ember of Hope

"Watch your step, Snow White." Ven said as he carefully guided her out of the capsule. "The gap is a bit further down than it looks."

"Oh, thank you." Snow White cheerfully agreed. Once she was safely on the ground, she gave him an even brighter smile. "I told you you'd come to wake us. Did I not?"

"You did." he sheepishly agreed as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm sorry for doubting you."

The kind princess offered him yet another genuine smile. Ven couldn't help but return it. With her safely on firm ground again, Ven took a look around the chapel. The other Princesses of Heart, sans Kairi, were all conversing with each other. The knight looked on in an almost awe- if not for the multiple cultures that were surely meeting for the first time, then in how much warmth you could feel when all the Princesses were together. It was like a glow that couldn't be seen to the normal eye. Of anything, it reminded Ven of each time he looked at the stars- at the feeling of being safe and warm in a heart that cared.

"Pardon me," Alice said as she gave Ven a gentle tap, bringing him from his thoughts, "But was there not another one of you armored fellows? Where ever did they go?"

"Oh! Sabrina's still here." he told her. "She was attacked by Ansem earlier and now she's in the library resting. I should probably go check on her..."

"Do you mind if I come with you?" Belle inquired as she also came over. "I'm sorry for intruding, but I couldn't help but overhear. If you are going to visit a library, I want to see if there is anything about darkness. Particularly in how it spreads. It might be able to help keep the Heartless at bay in this world a bit longer."

"I don't see why not." he immediately agreed. After taking some room to think about it, his gaze then went to the keyhole. "But if I leave..."

"We can hold back the Heartless from coming through the keyhole." Snow White told him, already knowing his fear.

"The larger ones, at least." Belle gently countered

"Besides, two Keyblade masters are better than one." Alice chimed in as well with a wide smile.

Ven looked at them, then drew his attention to the other three. They were watching them as well. Jasmine, Cinderella, and Aurora looked ready for any change of plan that may have been needed. He could almost feel their hearts resonate just a smidge brighter. Then he wondered what would have happened with them if he wasn't here to help get rid of the strangler Heartless that came through the keyhole.

"Alright." he finally agreed. "I'll be back as soon as possible. I promise it, your highnesses."

"We will eagerly await your return." Snow White told him. Alice gave a firm nod as well. It allowed Ven to have the encouragement to continue forward, making sure Belle was close beside him as they traveled back to the library.

Ven was not at all surprised to find that Sabrina was no longer resting. Instead, the heart of Wasteland was looking over some documents she had found and was going through them at an ornate oak desk. Standing, of course, as she did so.

"You should probably still be resting." Ven gently chastised her as he and Belle approached.

Sabrina immediately let out a snort.

"I've had worse injuries falling off of parade floats." she informed him without so much a glance. "Just hope that kid isn't as big of an apologizer as you are when he comes back to his senses."

"If he is able to regain his heart after Ansem's hold, he would indeed have much to answer for." Belle solemnly agreed. The new voice was what made Sabrina pause. She looked up at the Princess and wanted very hard to snarl at her.