A Reason To Smile

Chapter 11: Bobble's Day Out

You wake up with a headache. The effects of last night's training with Ansem making its presence known. You look down to see Bobble softly sleeping on your chest, softly snoring. You gently rub her head causing her to smile in her sleep.

Gently picking her up, you get out of bed and walk outside for some fresh air. Standing outside the door was Ansem himself.

Y/n: Don't you ever sleep?

Ansem: I just woke up.

Y/n: ...Oh. Well, are we going to train some more?

Ansem: Yes, but not with me.

Y/n: Wh-what? How does that...

Ansem: What I mean is, that you are going to hunt and defeat Heartless. What better way to learn of the dark, than to fight it yourself?

Y/n: I suppose that makes sense. But what about you and Bobble?

Ansem: I'll keep watch over her. Maybe show her around Traverse Town, let her get a feel of the place.

Y/n: Alright. Uh... where should I begin my search?

Ansem points to a door marked with a 3 on top.

Ansem: Start with district 3, a large group of Heartless was spotted over there. Defeat all the Heartless there, then come back.

You nod and go back to your room to grab your jacket. You look around for it, and find it next to Bobble. Reaching for it, Bobble grabs your hand.

Bobble: Y/n... it's still early. Come back to bed.

Y/n: I'd love to, but Ansem sent me to do some training.

Bobble: Alright. Please be careful and come back safe.

You lean down and softly kiss the Inkling. After pulling away, you grab your jacket and put it on. Waving back to Bobble you run out and to the 3rd district.

Bobble lays back down on the bed, not really tired now. Unzipping her jacket a little, she pulls out a necklace with a small blue pearl. She remembers this necklace as your present for her after her win against Aloha, the leader of the Pink Team and a member of the S4.

She gently holds it to her chest and above her heart. She couldn't help but think about how life would be if they were still in Inkopolis. Not that she doesn't regret coming on this adventure, she loves the fact she can go to different worlds. Then again, who knows what else this Organization XIII would've sent. She looked over to the door when she heard it open, seeing Ansem walk in.

Bobble: Hello Ansem.

Ansem: Bobble. Come on, I promised Y/n I'd give you a tour around Traverse Town.

She nodded as Ansem walked out. Putting the necklace back where it was and zipping up her jacket once more, she got up and walked outside, going around town with Ansem.

~~~~~

The two sat down in the square, a bowl of ice cream sitting in front of Bobble. It has been a few hours after Y/n left to train, and he has yet to return.

Ansem: What's got you so down?

Bobble: I'm just worried about Y/n. He should've been back by now.

Ansem: Don't worry. Y/n is a strong young boy, I'm sure that he is doing fine.

(Meanwhile)

Your back hit the wall as you were smacked to the side by a giant suit of armor bearing the Heartless symbol. Multiple other Heartless behind it.

Y/n: Alright you big bastard, no more nice guy!

You grip the handle of your Keyblade and rush towards the Heartless once again.

(Back with Bobble)

Bobble: Yeah, I suppose you're right.

Ansem: You must love him a lot, huh?

Bobble: Of course I do. Back when we first met, he did so much for me. Saved me from bullies, got my hat back, then saved my mom from the Nobodies. He was always there for me when I felt down. I feel like I don't do enough for him.

Ansem: And why's that?

Bobble: I thought by coming along, I could give him support, but instead, all I do is get in the way cause I can't fight.

Ansem: That isn't true. I read up on files of Y/n's tests. He never smiled, never showed any kind of emotion. And as you know, his Heart was devoid of both Light and Dark. He was empty in every sense of the word. But you changed that.

She looked up at Ansem.

Ansem: You filled his Heart with Light. You gave him a purpose. You yourself gave him a reason to smile.

She smiles as Ansem told her all she has accomplished.

Bobble: Thank you, Ansem. Oh! By the way, Xigbar almost called you by another name, what was it?

He takes a deep breath and pulls out a blind fold. He puts it around his eyes and ties it. A mist comes off his body as the long white hair shortens, his tan complexion pales, and he gets a little shorter. And when he talks it was deep, but not as deep.

Ansem: He was going to call me Riku, which is my real name.

Bobble: But, why lie?

Riku: About a year ago, I made a terrible mistake that cost me my home, my friends, and my Light. Now, I'm trying to atone for what I did, by helping Sora in anyway I can.

Bobble: I understand. Maybe you could tell us the full story sometime soon?

Riku: Maybe. But for now, keep addressing me as Ansem.

Bobble nodded and agreed as the district 3 doors opened, revealing you weakly holding your Keyblade. Riku quickly takes the blindfold off, causing him to turn back to Ansem.

Y/n: There were... a LOT... more Heartless than I thought there would've been.

Bobble runs up and latches onto you. You sigh constantly as she wrapped her arms around you.

Bobble: Welcome back!

Ansem: I'm sure you're tired, go get some rest. Tomorrow you can have the day off.

You nod happily and walk back to your hotel to rest up with Bobble.