A Second Chance

How To Train A Keybearer

This is a long chapter. I didn't know quite where to end it so I just kind of let it keep going... Then it became the most abrupt ending ever. Hopefully no one minds ;D

A flash of silvers soars past your head, with you barely ducking out of the way in time to avoid a sword's collision with your cheek. You quickly rally, jumping back as you point your Keyblade at your opponent, shooting out a quick burst of ice.

"No magic! That's cheating," Angeal scolds you, watching closely from the sidelines as he rests a fist under his chin.

"Wha – oh, c'mon! We can use magic – ah!"

You interrupt yourself as you're suddenly sent careening to the ground as someone took a swipe at your ankle with their legs. Your back hits the dirt first, followed by your legs and the back of your head. With a groan you start to sit up, glaring at a grinning Zack.

"What was that? How was that not cheating?!" you ask, pointing up at Zack as you glance over at Angeal.

"He took advantage of your distraction. That's called strategy," Angeal corrects as Zack pulls you up to your feet.

"Plus, I know you, [Name]. You always cheat," Zack adds as he leans closer to you, chuckling as you shoo him away with a push to his chest.

"Do not," you grumpily argue, though he's not wrong, you do fight dirty when you have to.

"Yeah, right," he laughs, placing his hands on his hips as he glances over at Angeal. "Okay, who's next?"

You roll your eyes as you stomp over to the rest of the group. Of everyone who's gone against Zack, only two won. Riku and Aqua. The rest of you... well, to be honest, suck.

"Let's call it a day," Angeal decides, clapping his hands together so loudly that it causes Sora to jump slightly. "So, what do we do for food around here?"

"Oh man, I'm starving," Zack adds with a pat of his stomach.

"We have a fully stocked kitchen," Aqua tells them as your group begins the trek inside the castle. "It's only our first day here, so we're not quite settled in yet."

"I'm sure we can make something work," Angeal kindly tells her as he wrenches open the front doors leading inside.

"I dunno, last night all we ate was marshmallow fluff and some crackers," Lea admits.

"Wow, some things never change," Zack says with a look back at you, knowing how lazy you can be when it comes to snacks.

You give a fake laugh as if it's the funniest thing you've ever heard as Sora gives a real snort of laughter.

"We live off snacks here," he explains to Zack and Angeal as everyone follows Aqua through the halls towards the kitchens. "There's not really much time to have good meals when you're always on the move... say, where are you two from, anyway?"

"Sora, they just got here. Let them eat before you start your interrogating," Riku quietly chastises his friend.

"I don't mind!" Zack eagerly agrees, smiling as always. "We're both from Midgar. 'Gealy is from Banora, I'm from Gongaga."

"Gon-whatta?" Sora asks with a crinkle of his nose.

"It's a small town, no one's heard of it," Angeal dismisses with a wave of his hands, ignoring Zack's protests. "Our world vanished long ago into the darkness. I wouldn't expect you to know of Midgar."

"What of your families? Your friends?" Kairi questions, saddened on behalf of these newcomers.

"Perished," Angeal replies simply. "Though I am sure some made it off, if the both of us did... I haven't come across anyone but Fair."