Black boots made ripples in the puddle the dark portal materialised in front of, squelching and slapping when the cloaked man strolled through with a quick glance around. The silence that fell over the city was tense, as if life had exploded outward only to be suddenly silenced.
It brought a chill down the cloaked man's spine.
He pushed back the memories of a dark storm and the slapping of rain on his face, the ache of young muscles as they pushed to row against the waves only to stop at a dead shore. Memories of what had been and, in a sense, would be. Time was fluid, events always replaying and recycling over like a broken record.
Like the puddles that cast the reflections of the streetlights as far as the eye could see, every drop of water sent a ripple out. Things were always changing in little ways; nothing too major, otherwise his eye could be considered useless. But in small ways, like what fish in that school he could've caught, or which grains of sand would be shaken from his hair after a midday snooze.
The man shook his head, spreading his hands down his hips in order to fix his coat. His gloved fingers flexed, wiggling them with a quick stretch of his joints. It was practically a part of him at this point, a mask he wore much like his students.
With a bounce of his step, he allowed the portal to close behind him as he began to walk.
His hands rested on his hips while he gazed around, cocking his head back to look up to the looming skyscrapers that seemed to encase the city streets. He had made sure to stop at a secluded spot, not too near to the main square but not too close either. Didn't need to cause a scene, now did he?
Not yet, he quirked his lip.
He was an expert at delaying the inevitable, it seemed. No matter what people complained, he always managed to hold off until he had no other choice. No other option but to give in.
He was in no hurry in those moments. He had waited long enough for this time to catch him, why not linger in its grasp for a bit?
Seeing the future was messy like that. After his eye—really, an eye to see the future? The whole concept still brought a chuckle to his lips, they never did notice how it was always there—let him see what had to come so he had no choice. The timeline was like… a puzzle, with a group of weird, messy shaped pieces that had to be laid out accordingly. One little slip? The whole table flips.
(But that was often the case when Aced was on the losing side and they couldn't help but tease him. The ursine man just made it so… easy to get under his skin.)
He didn't know what would've happened if he hadn't followed the script of destiny - but he knew that he could—somehow— make a better alternative. While the stories and legends he had been told about had already come to pass, there was some wiggle room.
As long as he didn't do anything major, everything would work out okay… right?
The rain continued to fall, the looming clouds cast shadows across the already darker depths of the city. The lights illuminated the skies, such a sight still made him smile. This world, as far as he could remember, hadn't been touched by the heartless. But the darker, musty streets still made his nose wrinkle as he continued on his way.
A city of both light and darkness, where life was little more than a prize and a person's heart the collateral. How many failed? How many suffered these mucid alleys only to fall short? It almost reminded him of Daybreak Town and how the darkness began to sink into its roots long before his students realised—before they were able to stop it.
He licked his lips, the chill of the air made the skin tighten with each breath.
Nothing could be done. He stepped around the puddles, the heels of his boots clicked as they collided with the sidewalk, the water clapped against the leather.
Those events were set in stone… he couldn't have changed anything, or risk an even grander loss of life.
He had saved as many as he could.
It wasn't enough.
The rainshower weakened as he journeyed through the streets, the patter of drops bounced off his hood and done his collarbone. His hands yanked the zipper higher up his face, pulling the sides away from his face to shade his cheeks.
He couldn't leave anything to chance.
His coat was rigid against his body, the tautness of his shoulders forced them to roll them every few minutes. How the organisation had wore them—of their own free will—he would never understand. Perhaps he was still used to the comfort of magically crafted clothes and the solace they provided. He had tried his best to imitate their magic in his own student's robes, while mystically and… well, cool-looking at the same time, but he was sure that he had fallen short.
At least he—Sora—will be able to stay warm with this weather. The fairies clothes would make sure of that, given they weren't damaged.
"Man," The cloaked master muttered to himself. "-that'll take some time to get used to."
His brow furrowed. No, he couldn't afford to make any slip-ups. A single mistake could ruin everything. He had a role, just as Luxu and the others had to play. He couldn't afford to screw this up before they even got a chance.
The next while had to go just as he remembered.
Slender fingers twirled one of his drawstrings, swinging it back and forth in a playful manner. His arm followed suit, allowing his body to sway in time with each step.
It wasn't long before the sights around him became more familiar, the high stretches of streets and skyscrapers branched out, widening out to open into the plaza. The crossroads that gathered together in the centre made his hands tighten into fists.
He cocked his head back, glancing upwards to the fluorescent screens that plastered every surface.
The master smiled as he caught sight of the largest tower, distanced away from the plaza. The red '104' backed by darkening clouds… it would start to rain soon.
"Now where...ah, there you are." He glanced around with a mutter, before his eye fell upon the huddled comatose shape laying across the plaza, the lights cast a shadow over its limb form. He paused, looking around. There was no life in sight beside him and… the boy.
Cars laid abandoned, the streets desolate aside from the occasional flicker of a sign. Advertisements played on repeat, cycling back and forth with striking colours that made him winch. A city that cast such light… and yet was dead to the world.
The Master blew a breath through pursed lips, rolling his shoulders back before forcing his back to straighten. No slouching, no comments or gestures… not yet anyway. His fingers wiggled, itching to run over to boy. To shake him awake, to carry him away—to tell him that everything will fine.
But he didn't.
He couldn't.
His heart ached at the sight of the unconscious teenager. He was blissfully unaware of the world—of the man watching his every movement—tensing as he stirred in his sleep. Rain droplets clung to his hair, cast in a golden glow by the lights around him.
Man, he had a sore… everything after that sleep. Note to self, concrete? Not the comfiest place to sleep.
And he had spent his time in a box.
The older man rolled his shoulder as if in memory of the ache through his side, the dull pain that lingered in his muscles a vivid evocation. An echo of the boy before him.
The boy—Sora, he had to call him by his name—stirred again, the shudder of his damp shoulders made the older man take a step back. He had to move. Stepping back, he rose his hand behind him to summon another portal, the slip of the air faded when he stepped through.
He blinked, his eyes meeting the dull grey of concrete. His feet rested down on the stained ground, the puddles had followed him.
He could hear nothing but the wind and her whistle, blowing past him as he stepped forward toward the edge of the roof. The Master quirked a brow at the sheer drop—best be careful, or he could risk traumatising the boy below even further. The toe of his boots cuffed the edge, making sure to keep his balanced primed to prevent failing forward.
That would be awkward, huh?
Sora stood up from his resting place below, his smaller form twisted and turned as he gazed around at his surroundings. It was a spectacle… but too quiet. Even the second time around, he still got shivers from it.
The lights were too sharp, too purging of any shadows and life. It left a bitter taste in his mouth.
A world that was full of light and energy, sights to see and everything to take in...but not life. The empty streets, the forsaken screens left to reflect off the endless puddles that painted those streets. Everything was a reflection of what could've—no, should've been.
Sora only looked around in wonder, in confusion as he gazed down at his hand.
He didn't have a timer.
Even now, as he watched the teenager cautiously step away and down on of the many roads ahead of him, he still looked down at his own gloved palm. How ironic, he had spent half his life fighting people dressed like this, and the other half setting that trend.
"Taking a trip down memory lane?"
The Master couldn't help but roll his eyes at the sudden suction of air behind him that calmed after a moment, the click of heels made him turn to gaze behind him. "Nothing wrong with taking a teeny-weeny look."
Xigbar—scratch that, Luxu (geez he would have never connected the sharpshooter with the little kid who used to cling to him during thunderstorms… small world) only raised a brow with a snort before strolling to his side. He made a face as he glanced down along the side of the building, tucking his hands into his coat pockets.
"Y'know where he's going?"
The Master shrugged. "Sorta… hard to tell if things'll change or not now."
"Maybe you shouldn't have taken your eye-thing back, then." Luxu added, cocking his head to the side with a playful smirk as he flexed his fingers before summoning the weapon. His expression was contagious, willing the other to copy it from beneath the shadow of his hood. "Could've done some scouting, got some experience."
"Oh, I know full well."
The two men chuckled, with the slightly taller master shifting his weight between his feet. Rubbing a finger over his upper lip, he let his shoulders relax. There was no need to act mature around Luxu—the other man had technically known him since he was a kid, he had seen all the ugly bits and bobs that made him who he was. Although, he'd probably never admit it.
"So," Luxu sighed after a few moments of silence, lowering the blade. "What's next?"
"Eager to get into it, huh?" The Master grinned, his expression growing wilder as the other scoffed, resting his weight on his hip. "And here I thought you'd like some peace, some time to just… well, relax."
Luxu watched him grimly. "I had centuries to rest waiting for that old fart to get going."
"Good point." The other nodded, raising his hands to his hips as he stepped away from the ledge, pacing slowly away from the man. "What's… next." He tasted the words over, taking note of the tension in his companions stance.
Luxu, with a flick of his wrist, allowed the keyblade to vanish once more before crossing his arms over his chest. He chewed down on his lip, watching the exalted Master sway his arms at his sides. He was either stalling, or simply wanted to make some grand reveal.
Some habits never die.
"Any time now, boss."
The other rose his hands up with false defense, the wicked grin that shined beneath the shade of his hood made Luxu reward him with an empty stare. "...Geez, you take a short nap and everyone's super jumpy."
Luxu blinked.
"Alright… alright." The Master insisted, patting the air before him before allowing his hands to rest against his tailbone. "Look, I need you to keep an eye- ugh, sorry 'bout that." Luxu rolled his eyes at his long-absent master, pursing his lips to hold back any comments that could come out. "-I need you to keep an eye on him."
The one-eyed man furrowed his brow. "On… Sora?"
"Bingo!" The other man pointed a finger upward with an exaggerated nod. "Lemme' just say… you gotta make sure he stays in line; no wandering too far or super late at night, no picking fights with people who'd punch him hard enough that I'd bruise…"
Luxu scoffed. "You want me to babysit… the kid who beat Xehanort?"
"Well, we both know you have plenty of practise already." Luxu sighed, brushing back his hairline and letting his gloves loosen a few hairs. "And it's not for long… just till the others play their parts."
The sharpshooter clicked his tongue, making a face at the mention of his fellow students'… last attempts at obeying their master. Saw how good a job they did…
"And besides, there shouldn't be any majorly dangerous here. A nice, squeaky-heartless-clean joint." The man waved his arms outwards to advertise the looming buildings and lights. He let his voice twist to a somewhat purr, "Perfect for your vacationing kid to just relax and try not to get himself shanked or something-"
"And what about Ava?"
"I—have'tah wait and see 'bout that." He noted the sudden drop of hysterics in the other man's voice, the gentle slouch of his shoulders as if the weight of her name nearly sent him tumbling.
But before he blinked, the other retained his bounce.
The master chuckled. "But who knows… maybe she'll find her own way back, maybe one of the others'll finish their jobs quicker than I realised and have time to go and look." The tension in his smile still caught Luxu's eye, he knew the weight of time on a person… the animated man just knew how to hide it.
He couldn't blame him.
"I'll do it." He said bluntly. "Then, if I can… I take a look around for the little fox."
The last time he had seen her—blue eyes that were so light yet shedding tears, weeping over how she knew things would turn, over things she didn't quite understand—had been with distance, on that fateful land where everything they had known was no more.
He knew why the others had felt betrayed, he had cycled between those emotions through the centuries and countless fragile vessels. Losing his eye had been a kick in the teeth—a jab from fate over his absent master and everything he had waited so long for, taking away what his master had left to guide him. He had wanted to take his blade back from that old coon and destroyed all those foolish notions of control, to tear out that measy shred of his heart that was still inside him.
But he couldn't. He was too close to ruin everything then, even if Terra and the others had to be the collateral for his silence.
Those years in the organisation crept by, welcoming the faces of those he recognised and those he had heard of but never seen himself. The lost dandelions wandering around without a master, without memories to guide their hearts.
Years and years, more than he could be bothered to count passed by until-
"You alright there, Lu-lu?"
"Don't call me that, please." He sighed, tilting his head aside to cast a half-filled look at the man.
The other merely chuckled at him, resting his hands behind his head as he stole another look at where his younger self had gone. The cautious shape of the boy continued aimlessly down the street. "Looks like your quarry's leaving."
"Meh." The sharpshooter shrugged off his Master's tilt of head, pursing his lips as he set into his spot. "Road only goes one way, kid can't get too far."
"Flowmotion?"
Luxu paused before slowly turning on his heels, rolling his eyes. "Sonova-"
"Better get going~!" His Master sang, tucking his hands behind his back with a playful swing of his hips. He pointed a finger back at the other, "And remember-"
Luxu stopped him with a hand, swatting him away. "I know, I know… keep to my senses, don't play around."
"I was gonna say be careful… but that works too!" The Master chuckled at the other's expression, loosening a sigh from his once-teenage student who just shrugged his hood back over his head.
Both were silent as Luxu fixed his coat, playing with the rim of his hood and shifting his weight between his feet but failing to move from his spot. The Master pointed both his forefingers in the direction Luxu had yet to face, "Uh… Sora's that way?"
"Should I give updates or-?"
The Master tilted his head slightly, a soft gasp escaped him before he nodded aimlessly. "Oh, oh… I guess, if you want? It's not like I'll be vanishing again or anything."
"Great, ciao."
His hooded eyes rose up to catch the scoff in the other man's throat, the tension in his shoulders like the string of a bow. A clenched fist laid against his side, lingering for as long as it took the other man to summon another dark portal, flicking his hand back in salute before disappearing into the dark corridor. The wisps of darkness skimmed around his feet, faded away to leave him alone once more.
"Uh...okay." He swallowed, shaking away the thoughts that faded away much like the ends of the darkness, no longer tethered to a heart to command them to remain. "Bye."
The cloaked master lingered for a moment, stretching his arms out in front of him with a satisfying crack, rolling his neck as he shifted back towards the edge. The moisture in the air made his nose wrinkle, the musty scent surely to cling to his coat for a few days.
He sighed. "Okay… okay." He rose his hands up before him in defensive, despite his isolation aside from the two people seeking to gain as much distance from him as possible.
The Master chuckled, his lips faltered.
With a forced breath, he plunged his hand into his coat pocket and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper that had been folded over and over again until it was the size of his palm. Slender fingers unravelling the page with a sure delicacy to avoid any damage.
With a nod, he stepped closer to the edge before holding the page out in front of him. And began to tear it, shredding the illustration of a golden blade with certainty before tossing the torn pieces off and into the winds, to be swallowed by the puddles below.
He smiled, shifting to return to his previous spot on the edge of the roof. Raising his hands up before his face, he curled his fingers to rest his nails against one another, brushing his wrists to touch. The light of the moon was caught between his hands, only strengthening his grin.
They could wait a while longer.
It would all be worth it—right?
"Won't be long," Releasing one hand from its pose, he brushed the fabric of his hood down to allow his skin to meet the cold light that illuminated the skies. Bright eyes reflected the light, the slender shape of his nose curved into shadow. His hand once more retrieved something from his pocket, allowing his thumb to run over the star shaped object.
He lifted it up to eye-level, smiling ever stronger. Re-fitting his hood, he turned away for the final time through the scattered puddles of the rooftop before opening a portal.
"I'm almost here."
He cast a final look at the city skies.
It would be worth it.
He would make sure of it.
He would face the darkness.
He would find a way.
"I'll face whatever happens."
He glanced down at the pendant.
"I'll make things right."
He passed through the portal with a shiver.
"I will keep my promise."
