Kingdom Hearts χ - Ink Bleed

Kingdom Hearts χ [chi] and Kingdom Hearts Union χ [cross] belong to Disney and Square Enix. I do not own these games, this is a fanfiction.

EeveeGen9988: So, I had this idea for a story... It's something I thought up on Friday last week, and was excited enough to go through with it. I guess you can say it's kind of like a deviation of the plot, like a AU of sorts (maybe?)... *rubs back of neck*

So, I hope you enjoy this first part of the story. Voila! =3

...

Prologue - Gifts:

"Master, are these masks really necessary?"

Turning around, the Master of Masters smiled upon seeing his five apprentices now bearing their masks. He put his hands on his hips, humming as he faced Ira, his light blue robed apprentice with the white hooded cloak. "Are they necessary!?" the black coated man asked in mock dismay, laughing heartily when some of the others flinched. "I think they suit all of you!" He swayed, soon clasping his hands contently as he smiled from behind his hood. "Look, Ira... it's not like I gave you a unicorn mask to hurt your pride in any way."

"No, Master... It's not that," Ira said, obviously trying to keep his tone firm. The Master of Masters knew his apprentice was hardly keeping a straight face from behind his white and gold accented mask, even when its deep red eyes faced the dark coated man now. Promptly, Ira directed his palms towards the Master of Masters as he spread his arms wide, and soon he explained, "I don't think wearing a mask gives us any benefits." The Master of Masters saw how Aced, the one with the bear mask, nodded in agreement with his fellow peer. "What purpose do we have for them?" Even the Master of Masters' other apprentices were frowning back in confusion at him, even Luxu was watching from afar...

The Master of Masters was holding his chin when he observed this, soon taking in a deep steady breath. It looks like he had some explaining to do... He didn't anticipate this, but this wasn't going to be hard. He formulated a response as he hummed in thought, soon snapping his fingers as he exclaimed, "Ah… that's it!" He waved his hand dismissively towards them, and gave a chuckle, "You think having a mask is a burden, but let me tell you-" He slowly drew up a finger and waggled it in the air expertly. "It really does you justice."

"Justice?" Invi, his light purplish blue robed apprentice with a lighter blue hooded cloak, took a step forward. "I don't see how having a mask does us justice."

"Oh you guys…" The Master of Masters sagged forward, looking down towards the ground while laughing internally. He moaned miserably, "And here I thought you'd like the gifts I gave you." Sensing their unease, he went on with his charade. "I really, really worked hard on them, y'know? Going out of my way to show how much I care about you guys… yet you guys don't even like them!?" He slowly brought his hand to his chest, choking out, "I guess I don't know you five as much as I thought…"

He heard shuffling amongst the five, and he waited for any of them to speak up.

"W-We do like them, Master," said Ava nervously. He heard her brisk yet nervous footsteps edge towards him. "They're really beautiful."

"And yet you complain about them?" said the Master of Masters with mock hurt, shaking his head. "Oh… I know you're only trying to make me feel better, Ava, but it can't be helped that none of you care for them."

"Master, w-we're sorry…" Ava, the ever kind girl, grew closer until he felt her presence in front of him. He knew that kindness one day would help nurture those who needed guidance, especially with the role he had planned for her.

He slowly rose up to stand straighter, allowing himself to sag forward slightly afterward. He put a hand on top of her pink hood, cupping slightly over one of the fox ears. "Don't worry, my heart will mend from this one day." He saw her smile sadly, then noted how her white and blue accented mask was slightly askew. Slowly, he shifted it so it was leveled correctly on her head, and watched as her cheeks grew rosy from embarrassment. She was the youngest of his proteges, the least experienced… but one day, she would be wise and fair. He smiled then patted her on the head, watching as she scurried back to the rest of his students.

As soon as they were all settled, the dark coated man clasped his hands behind his back, and nodded. "I know you never expected those masks, but know that each and every one of you deserve them. A mask means a lot of things, and a mask holds many mysteries. They also-" He frowned slightly, looking off to the distance at his Book of Prophecies when he thought about what was in store for them. "Protect those who bear them."

"Then… you want us to be safe," mused Gula, the shortest of his male apprentices. As the Master of Masters regarded his yellow shirted apprentice under the pale yellow coated hood, the Master of Masters pictured gears were already turning in the boy's head. Upon nodding in response, the Master of Masters observed how the leopard mask bearer paused for a long time, soon turning towards Luxu before gesturing to him. "Then where's Luxu's mask?"

Luxu, who had been standing off a little ways from his peers, finally turned his black hood in the Master of Masters' direction. Quietly, the Master of Masters watched him as Luxu spoke meekly, "I… I don't think I'm ready for one yet." Immediately, a frown came upon Gula's face, gradually turning back to the Master of Masters.

The Master of Masters internally applauded Luxu, glad that he remembered their recent conversation. Although the Masters of Masters already was in the process of fixing up a mask for him, Luxu saw it but declined. Unlike Ira, Aced, Invi, Gula, and Ava, Luxu wouldn't be in charge of a Union one day, and already the Master of Masters knew that it pained the boy enough as it is. But, the Master of Masters told himself, one day he'll tell Luxu why. The time wasn't right, and he had to dispel his other five apprentices' confusion.

"Oh, Luxu's mask…" The Master of Masters pretended to ponder, taking note of the rapt interest his masked students held now towards him. This would be a touchy topic to handle, he mused, and knew it would take a good performance to settle their growing curiosity. He waited a few seconds before shaking his head, shrugging as he replied mildly, "Luxu already has a fabulous coat like mine, and that coat already provides certain protection of the dark." He saw Ira open his mouth, ready to comment, so the Master of Masters held up a hand and went on to lie, "But Luxu is correct." He flicked his hand nonchalantly. "He isn't quite at the same level as you guys. So, until he is... " He closed his eyes. "He'll have to do without one."

He knew his students wouldn't respond positively to that, but deep down, he knew two things. One, his students wouldn't dare to challenge his word. They were always receptive to his wishes, and never has he sensed any desires to deviate from his lessons. Second, there would never be a sixth Union… Already he remembered his vision of five of his students standing together, with Keyblade wielders standing behind them. Luxu was nowhere in proximity of Ira, Aced, Invi, Gula, or Ava, so the Master of Masters knew Luxu couldn't be a part of what he had planned for them. Although, at first, he thought it was strange, how even though Luxu came together with them in the beginning, that there was something just as important but different for him to take on… That reassurance didn't ease the pain he felt for the boy anymore than it already had.

Luxu seemed to slide off the wall he was leaning on, and left the room as the Master of Masters was mulling over this. And as soon as the Master of Masters noticed the boy was out of sight, the Master of Masters clasped his hands together before him and chirped, "...So then, that's all for today." He swung around, ready to head back to his desk while waving them off, finishing cheerfully, "You guys can go and-"

"What about your mask?"

The Master of Masters froze. "Huh!?" He whipped back, and his masked students flinched. "What did you just say, Gula!?"

All of them were dead silent, looking at each other nervously like lost ducklings. But from all of them, the dark grey robed boy looked more petrified than anything. After a minute or two, Gula slowly spoke up again with less confidence than he had previously, "I-I… I mean, do you have a mask?"

The Master of Masters mulled over the boy's words, then placed a finger on his chin as he mused, "My mask... " He soon looked at the boy curiously, smiling knowingly when he waved his hand casually. "You suspect that I have a mask? That's very generous of you to believe..."

"Y-You don't have a mask?" Gula asked in disbelief, growing completely stiff where he stood.

"Well, why would you assume I do?" pressed the Master of Masters, eager to push the boy to continue his thought process. It was certainly something new to see Gula like this, and the Master of Masters wanted to know how else the boy could apply himself right now. The boy was intelligent, but hardly took time to actively use it whenever he trained with his fellow peers. This, however, was a golden opportunity for the boy to show that...

"Y-You gave us masks, so…" Gula seemed lost for words as his voice tapered off, his mouth gaping like a fish to the Master of Masters' amusement. It didn't appear as if Gula was ready for the Master of Masters' response, so the Master of Masters knew he was going to enjoy what else the boy had to say. He willed the boy on, wanting to see Gula's potential...

But Gula wasn't the one to do so. Instead, it was Invi, who looked at the shorter boy before picking up from the place Gula left off. "...You gave us masks, Master, so it would make sense that you have one as well."

The Master of Masters smiled despite how disappointed he didn't hear that from Gula himself, but nonetheless, Invi showed promise like Gula just now. He chuckled as he saw how pale Gula's face was from losing the courage he had to speak, but the Master of Masters was pleased that Gula almost succeeded. To be inquisitive only to find something unexpected and work off of it from there… Gula would have to work on that if a situation such as this arose again in the future. Although, how quickly Invi was to support her fellow peer when she seemed to sense his current distress was pleasing to witness. She hardly was empathetic in her actions towards her peers, so the Master of Masters knew she would have to work on that further if she would receive support for herself from others in the future. She often times left her peers on a limb, watching them struggle… so it was a nice change of pace for her. As well, it paid the Master of Masters no other joy than to see how his students have grown since they started their lessons. Deep inside, he couldn't be more proud of them right now.

But back on the topic at hand, ooh… what a doozy! The black coated man hummed, trying to figure how to respond to Invi's question. It was simple, yes… but he kind of wanted to avoid bringing this up. He knew delaying his response would do no good to Gula's self-esteem, seeing as the boy might begin to think he may have been wrong or maybe the Master of Masters was angry that he brought up the topic. Those were only two imminent conclusions of thousands that boy may cook up, so the Master of Masters had to proceed with caution. But then, he snapped his fingers.

The Master of Masters grinned to himself, swaying as he gave a quick session of nods. "Well, yes- I actually do have one."

Gula seemed to relax finally, although the Master of Masters imagined the boy was ready to pass out from the suspense. Drawing his focus to his other apprentices, Ira and Aced looked at each other in silent awe, Ava gaped as she gave him her sheer attention, and for Invi... she appeared to remain the most collected of all of them. It was hard to tell what was going on in her head right now, especially since the Master of Masters couldn't just gauge her response like he used to. From the blue snake mask that covered almost her whole face now, the Master of Masters knew that it would be easier for her to hide her expressions. He watched as she stepped forward, and gestured as she asked coolly, "May we see it?"

"See it!?" The Master of Masters placed a hand on his forehead, giving a sheepish laugh before he gave another exclamation, "You want to see that old thing? I-I mean…" He threw up his hands, waving dismissively as he used as much virve as he could when he abashedly mumbled, "It's nothing like your masks...!"

"But it would be wonderful to see it, Master!" Ava gasped softly with excitement, "I'm sure it's just as beautiful as ours!"

"And you can't just expect us to not see it after psyching us up for it!" exclaimed Aced in tune with Ava as he clenched his hands into fists, but then he seemed to backpedal slightly as his tone turned meek, "B-But… if y-you don't want us to see it, then…"

The Master of Masters knew he couldn't escape from their request, despite how he didn't want to do it. He smiled painfully from behind his hood, but couldn't help but find their eagerness endearing. It was enough to win against his reluctance, which was why he decided to oblige. "Alright, alright… hold your horses… I'll do it, I'll do it," he sang as he waved his hands in the air, shaking his head with gaiety as he did a final downward wave of his hand in their direction. He soon pointed at them with the same hand. "If it makes you feel any better, I'll even wear it around you guys from now on. I just…" He paused, sensing their contagious anticipation make him feel invigorated when he murmured right after in embarrassment, "I just need to find where I stuffed it away, and then the next time I see you guys..." He clenched his hand, popping a thumb up as he piped, "I'll definitely have it with me!" He nodded, starting to feel unease over his decision.

The room immediately was filled with energy he hadn't felt in years since he gathered his apprentices together, and he couldn't help but feel a warmth seep inside his heart from the happiness that was blooming in all of them. He walked over, ushering them towards the door as he went on, "Now then, I think it's time for you guys to go for the day. I want to see you bright-eyed and bushy-tailed tomorrow..." He deepened his tone, grumbling teasingly, "But be warned that because you're the ones who were begging to see the boring old thing, you shouldn't expect it to be great..."

His five pupils obediently allowed themselves to be guided out, but Ava, who was at the rear of the group, turned back when everyone else had gone. She was halfway through the door, holding her hand around the doorframe as she spoke gently, "Don't worry, Master… I'm sure your mask will be the most special one." She then left, scurrying to catch up with her peers down the hall. The Master of Masters watched her go with a weak smile, slowly drawing the door closed before frowning.

Another thing about Ava was the hope she held onto; imagine what would happen when something bursts that bubble… He grimaced, shaking his head. That was a matter of growth for her he knew he would never see the light of day of… not that he wanted to see it in the first place.

He walked over to multiple stacks of books he deliberately placed in the far corner, not escaping to the security of his desk like he wanted to. He simply kicked them over gingerly, watching them tumble down to uncover the small chest he wished he could forget about. Electricity sizzled from his palm as he summoned No Name, unlocking the little chest with a lazy aim from his Keyblade and caused its lid to flip soundly open. Hesitating for a while, the Master of Masters soon lowered himself to the floor with a groan and sat, crossing his legs. He looked in, soon sighing when he saw it peering back at him then reached in. As he drew his mask out for the first time in ages, he felt the weight it held when he locked it away all those years ago.

The memory of broken intricate creations came to him, soiled by the image of hearts drifting from the battered ones who wore them… The coloured orbs where the eyes were located burned into his mind again, taunting him by protecting him from seeing the light in his old friends' eyes die. The mask he created for his old master was always the one haunting him the most… so he was glad he never gave Luxu that mask. If anything, one day, the No Name would be worth more to hand down to Luxu and his role than the broken ram mask that the Master of Masters abandoned repairing. In all honesty... it was a good thing he locked it away with all the other broken masks yesterday, or his apprentices might have questioned him about them too...

He had to wonder, why oh why, he chose to make masks for them. He could only guess it was a desire to give them something thoughtful, beautiful, and something to show how much he cared for them. As well, they deserved them... but more importantly, it was to protect them. In the back of his mind, he was grateful he would never see their masks break as their own lives were taken.

When he stared down at his own mask, his first flawless creation, his heart grew heavy. 'Why couldn't I just show it to them, and never bring it up ever again? It would have been easier that way…'

If trying to not grow a stronger connection with them meant anything now...

Those kids always buttered him up, and he couldn't find it in himself to tell them that. Choosing to wear a mask everyday with them meant they shared a deeper camaraderie, which meant it would be harder to do what he had to do. Making the Book of Prophecies would do them no good… even if it would help them know what was to be. And the masks he gave them was a bad idea, now that created another reminder... a reminder of the past. He was stuck in the present, yet he could see the thin lines of fractures that would worm into their hearts one day.

They were his pupils… they were good kids. Their souls were full of light and innocence, and he wanted nothing more than to protect them with his life. But… he knew he couldn't. It was never going to be like that, he told himself bitterly as he gazed deeply into his mask's eyes. He already knew, from what he had seen, that nothing good will turn out for them in the future.

After all, the greatest pain he would experience in his life would come eventually. He would be the one to inflict the most hurt they would have in their own... when he was gone.

To be continued... hope you enjoyed the chapter! =3