As some of you may know, Peanut and I are crazy about Roleplaying, and it's clear, since this is the second one on this site that belongs to us. And we aren't even done with the first one! Regardless, that won't stop us from starting this new roleplay, Rude Awakening!

 

Kinda dark and mysterious title, eh?

 

As stated in the title, this RP is one on one, no exceptions. Please refrain from posting in the RP. Instead, follow us on this new journey!

 

Peanut, my amazing friend, let's begin!

Cedric glared at his daughter for her foolishness, disappointed in her. How could she not see that he wanted to see her at full potential? The Keyblade Master was holding her back from who she could truly be. She would only be known as his lover, and nothing more.

Lightning stood beneath her father's glare without budging. He was right in saying that she adopted his stubbornness. If you want him, you'll have to shoot me, she silently declared, knowing the message came through in her eyes. She wasn't sure if her father was completely heartless and would follow through or not, but she supposed that she'd find out.

Cedric met his daughter's gaze in silence, also lifting his gun. He pointed it at her, anger and disappointment apparent in his expression as he put his finger on the trigger. Only a second later did he pull the trigger, shooting a bullet just past Lightning, only letting the bullet barely graze her cheek before hitting the wall.

 

Riku disregarded his fight with Jihl when he heard the gunshot. He grunted, looking to Lightning to see where she was shot. But...he couldn't tell. His newest target was Cedric, the man who was simply staring at his daughter like nothing happened.

Lightning hissed in pain, lifting a hand to her cheek and feeling the burn of the bullet. It skimmed enough to draw only a small amount of blood--no other damage was done. She opened her hurt eyes and stared at her father, though the loud and fast clicking of heels got her attention. She glanced over her shoulder and gasped, seeing Jihl right by Riku and swinging her baton right underneath Riku's jawline at his neck.

Too focused on Lightning's condition, Riku neglected to watch his back. It was only when he felt the baton hit him under his jaw that he caught wind of what exactly was happening. He grunted when he was struck, the world suddenly starting to blur. Only a second later did everything go black, the young man toppling to the ground, his Keyblade clattering against the concrete before vanishing along with its master's consciousness.

Lightning heard Jihl's satisfied hum as she ran over to the Keyblade Master and knelt down beside him, putting a hand on his cheek. "Riku?" she immediately called, her voice not quiet. This situation was too sudden and startling for her to think about being quiet. But when she got no response, she looked up at Jihl and sent her a vicious glare. "What did you do?" she growled.

 

Jihl laughed quietly, sadistically. "There are certain pressure points that can knock a person unconscious," she stated. "I just hit one of them." She could tell Lightning more about that later if she was interested, but for now, it was time to go. Xehanort was waiting.

Cedric sheathed his gun, believing he wouldn't have a reason for it any longer. The Keyblade Master was down. He approached Jihl and Lightning, gazing down at the fallen wielder. "Leaving him here would be reckless on our part," he noted. "Claire, carry him. Prove your strength by lugging the young man along."

Lightning looked up at her father, angry. Of course she was angry; this was all so wrong! She cupped Riku's face with her hand, staying silent as she stared up at him. What was he going to do if she didn't do as he said? Obviously she wouldn't leave Riku here, but she wouldn't be parted either. She lowered her free hand and grasped his arm, silently proving that point.

Cedric looked at his daughter in silence, waiting. It was they either stood here and Xehanort became impatient, or they got a move on. Cedric preferred the latter, for obvious reasons. He also wanted the others to see the truth in his suggestion, that Lightning was strong enough to be a vessel.

They'll hurt you if I stay still, Lightning thought silently to Riku, lowering her gaze to him. At least this way, we're together. She carefully began to move the arm she gripped around and over her left shoulder before putting his right over her other shoulder. A grunt left her lips as she held onto his arms and rose to her feet, pulling him along with her and stumbling only one step before she balanced Riku on her back. His head was nestled by her neck and his feet would drag a little bit, but she could manage this. She had to.

Cedric smiled, pleased as he nodded to Lightning. He looked to Jihl before he started toward the castle. It was time they returned to Xehanort, and that Lightning proved her worth to the Organization. It was the only way for her to become the true thirteenth vessel.

Lightning always relied on her mind, and now was no exception. There was no way to fight Jihl and her father now; she realized that early on in the walk. Only Riku stood a chance. So, she decided to buy him some time. As they walked through the large city, Lightning purposely was clumsy on her feet, but not obviously enough that the impatient Jihl suspected her. Jihl thought she was weak, so she could use that to her advantage. She shifted her grasp on Riku's right arm and pulled him closer to her, feeling his hair tickle her skin as she silently promised to him that she wouldn't let him get hurt. Whatever she could do to protect him, she would do it.

Riku felt his feet dragging along the ground, not sure as to what was going on. The amount of Darkness his senses picked up was enough to tell him he was still in The World That Never Was, but...who was holding him? He suddenly smelled roses and grunted softly, recognizing that smell behind all of the pain in his head. It was Lightning... Whatever happened, and however hard he hit his head, he could at least tell that.

Lightning's eyes widened only briefly at Riku's soft grunt. Jihl didn't seem to hear it; she was a few feet behind Lightning and Riku. So Lightning, being as quiet as she could, gently shushed Riku. He was finally awake. She made it about halfway through the city, and if it wasn't for her "stumbling", they nearly would have been at the castle now. Thank goodness Riku wasn't waking up inside that place.

Riku heard the small shush, and he kept his eyes closed, instead relying on his other senses to tell him about his surroundings. He heard three sets of footsteps--Lightning's, Cedric's, and Jihl's. They obviously didn't know he was awake, since Lightning's shushed him. "Are they nearby?" he whispered softly, keeping his voice hushed for obvious reasons. He needed to take them down.

Lightning pulled at Riku's arm again, covering herself as she nodded softly. Cedric was less than ten feet away, and she assumed Jihl was the same. She couldn't see her, but she could hear the clicking of her heels. At least Riku was coherent and understanding why she shushed him. Though Lightning was never in circumstances like this, she did need strategy in the past against bullies. That type of thinking was helping her now.

Riku listened carefully after feeling Lightning nod her head against his cheek. "...In front and behind, right?" he whispered. He could hear Jihl's heels and Cedric's boots as they splashed through a puddle. They were surrounding Lightning...

Lightning tugged at Riku's other arm, the movement again hiding a nod from Jihl. Yes, they were both in front of her and behind her. Which was why she really had to be subtle with the nodding. Jihl may have thought Lightning actually was a weak girl, but Light could feel Jihl's cynical eyes on her the whole time. She was right to fear Lightning would pull something; that was what she was doing now.

We need a plan, Riku thought logically. As frightened as he was for Lightning's safety at this point, he knew that he had to focus on taking down Cedric and Jihl. It was after a small moment that he got something. "When I count to three, you drop to the ground," he said softly. "Okay?" He would have to take them out with speed and nothing else. It was his best bet at getting them down quickly.

Lightning softly shook her head. That plan was awful! Riku would only have the element of surprise against one of them, and Light knew how fast Jihl was because of how quickly she took out RIku. She gripped his arms more tightly, gently leaning her head in his direction. She wished she could speak to him and tell him to wait until she could somehow get both Jihl and Cedric in front of her, but until that time came, she had to keep Riku with her.

Riku fought the urge to lean his head against Lightning's, knowing that would set Jihl off. If he moved even a little, it could be disastrous. "Do you have a better idea?" he whispered. What else could they possibly do? As soon as they got in the castle, they were as good as dead. Well, Riku was. He needed to get Lightning out of here while he could. How close were they, anyway?

Lightning tilted her head back the way it was, also tapping Riku's arm with one finger one time. She couldn't keep nodding; it would set off Jihl. So hopefully Riku would understand that she was trying to create a new messaging system. It could be a while until they could finally speak again. They still had a ways to the castle, thank goodness.

Riku stayed quiet after that, barely opening his eyes so he could see where exactly they were. Still in the city, by the looks of it. He still had some time to formulate a plan. He closed his eyes and let Lightning continue to drag him, wanting to relieve her of his weight but knowing he couldn't just now.

Lightning was glad when she felt Riku's eyes shut again; his eyelashes were against her neck mostly, so she could tell that he opened them. She was so preoccupied with being worried he'd be caught awake that she failed to notice Jihl's nearer presence until it hit her. The baton hit her right under the jaw, next to the pressure point. With the wind knocked out of her, Light toppled onto her side so quickly that she only had time to lift an arm to cradle Riku's head. That arm and shoulder took a hard hit as she landed on the concrete, eyes wide as she looked out before her and saw Jihl's shoes. I can't breathe!

Riku fought the urge to grunt at the pain that hit his side from the fall, but he had a bigger problem ignoring Lightning's ragged breathing. What happened?! Why did she protect him when she could have saved herself from some pain? He would be fine. But...what happened to her?