Kingdom Hearts

The Other Side of the Mirror

Note: A few of the characters and places that appear in this fanfiction, including one of the main characters, are original to me. This will be a novel-length series I hope will explain Ansem's behavior using information known now about the game.

Second Note: Indietro is Italian for backwards. I'll let you figure out the significance for yourself, because it will be implied, not fully explained.

Third Note: Violence, strong language, implied sexual fiascos. If you don't like that, please leave now. I will not pay for your therapy bills.

Pairings: Ansem/OC implied Axel/Larxene

Disclaimer: Most characters do not belong to me, they belong to Disney/Square-Enix. I make no profit from using them, I only create entertainment.

Summary: Before Ansem was possessed by Darkness, he was ruler of his land. When a visit acquaints him with a local soldier, his life changes forever.

Chapter One

Lynette had heard the news that the ruler had come all the way from Hollow Bastion in hopes of reaching out to the people of this world. It was strange to imagine that this quiet town of Narchoid was becoming something of a political war zone. She would be happy when this all was over. It wasn't that she was ungrateful, after all, she was a soldier serving the ruler of Hollow Bastion. It was just…So strange that he would come all the way here.

It was probably some old geezer, some fucking shit that wouldn't be worth the time she would be spending representing herself and her town.

She supposed that this visit was because rumors of a strange group of people in dark clothes who refused to show their faces was widespread around the community. The ruler needed to show people he was still in control. Rather ironic considering all most people knew about him was his name

Lynette covered the tattoo that was on her breast, an "X" going through a rounded black and red heart. She didn't want to appear indecent in front of such and important person.

"So, Lyn, what do you think about all of this? Quite a surprise for our quiet little town, huh?"

Lynette turned around to see Cerden standing behind her, a bandana covering most of his face, barely showing his eyes. She never understood how he could wear that; he must have had trouble seeing through the haze of fabric. "Let's just go inside, I want to see him before he leaves."

"Righto," said Cerden.

-

Upon entering town hall, the first thing Lynette noticed was that the place was incredibly crowded. At front was the mayor and… that must be the ruler from Hollow Bastion. He was incredibly handsome, his skin was lightly tanned and his eyes were nearly orange. His hair swooped back into three strange points, and was so white it was blue in color. He couldn't have been more than twenty.

"What an odd one, he is. Look at his eyes, they ain't a natural color," said Cerden.

"Shut up, I think that's our leader," said Lynette. Those eyes were following her, and it was a little unnerving. Why her, of all the people here?

"Cerden, Lynette, there you are. You two are up front with the others," said the captain, waving for them to follow.

It was hard to move through the crowd, but somehow they made it to the front of the room where the mayor stood next to the leader from Hollow Bastion. Those eyes weren't looking at her now, which made Lynette guess that maybe he had never been looking at her, that it was just some silly romantic thought of hers.

The mayor looked around briefly before she smiled at the crowed. "We are pleased today to announce a special visitor," she said as the crowd fell silent. "With us today, and for a whole month is our leader from the capitol Hollow Bastion, Lord Ansem Indietro," she smiled warmly at Ansem, and the crowd roared with appreciation. Lynette stood transfixed, keeping her eyes on the crowd and not on Ansem. She wasn't even concentrating on the mayors speech, and then certainly not Lord Ansem's. It didn't occur to her that the meeting was over, and not even Cerden could get her attention, so he had left.

"Why are you ignoring me?" a voice said in her ear. Lynette nearly leapt out of her skin. She tripped backwards into someone's arms. It was only then that she noticed she was alone with none other than Lord Ansem. "You were watching me before, but the minute you stopped looking, it was as if your knowledge of time was gone."

She had no idea what to say to this, so Lynette chose to say nothing.

Ansem studied her curiously. "Ah, well, I suppose this was a bit… sudden," he scribbled down some words on a paper, "if you wish to find me, I'll be here tonight," he said, and throwing caution to the winds, kissed her on the cheek before walking off with a slight skip in his gait.

Lynette stared at the man in shock. She had been KISSED by a man she didn't even know. To make things worse, it had been Lord Ansem. Why would he be interested in her? Of all she had read about story-book kings, they showed no interested in commoners, least of all soldiers who spent their entire lives caked in the blood of their enemies. So why on earth would he show interest in her?

Unless, of course, those stories were all horseshit.

-

"Gee, Lyn, you look awful. What happened to you earlier? You just spaced out, I mean, I was shouting loud enough to budge the dead, but you wouldn't answer." It was several hours later, and she and her fellow soldiers were sitting at the dinner tables, eating what had to be the best meal any of them had had since joining the military. Lynette wouldn't touch the meal though. It was because of the note Ansem had handed her. It had been the address for a fancy restaurant, one that she had never entered before. "You really should eat something," Cerden finished.

"I've told you, I'm not hungry," said Lynette, slightly hasty. Fuck this! She wanted to stand up right now and leave. He'd be there at nine, and it was nearly eight thirty now.

"You've looked edgy all night. What's up?" said Cerden, biting into a slice of chicken.

"Nothing," said Lynette. "Nothing… not that you'd believe me, anyway…" she said distantly. It was still plaguing her mind. Why had Ansem invited her to dinner, so shyly, it was like some high school romance? This was going to drive her insane!

"Not believe you?" said Cerden slowly, holding the fork to his mouth, but making no move to eat the piece of barbequed chicken. "You weren't attacked or nothing, were you?" he asked seriously.

"No, no. Nothing like that." She didn't feel quite like telling Cerden that she had been invited to dinner with Lord Ansem. It didn't seem wise to her. She was still under the impression that this might be someone's brilliant joke. "I've got to go… see you," she said quickly, and left the room, not even letting herself hear Cerden's calls after her.

-

It was a moment before Lynette was able to gather her strength. She felt like fainting. Was she completely insane! She was actually going to go through with this offer of Lord Ansem's. When she entered the restaurant, a pretty young woman smiled at her and said, "Oh, yes, you're the guest Lord Ansem was saying would be coming. Follow me, then," and she lead Lynette to a table in a corner of the restaurant, set for two.

It was Ansem's turn to not meet her eyes. His face had gone red when he saw her coming, and he said quietly, "I didn't think you'd come. Not that I… I mean… thanks," he said, finally looking at her.

"I honestly don't know why the fuck I'm here," said Lynette abruptly. Ansem chuckled at this. "Why me? You should go for one of the pretty girls or something."

"But you are pretty," said Ansem, blushing again.

Lynette was about to say something sarcastic to that, but stopped quickly. "You think I'm pretty?" she said, surprised, and at the same time, rather flattered.

Ansem nodded. "Yet… I still don't know your name," he said feebly.

"Lynette Walker. My friend calls me Lyn, though," she said with a slight smile, as nervous as Ansem. "I know you of course, you're Lord Ansem."

"Just Ansem… I don't care for the whole 'Lord' title. Pretty obvious I don't get out much, right?" he said quietly. He laughed slightly with a sheepish smile.

"Doesn't matter, really," said Lynette. Taking a bold step forward, she said, "I thought you were handsome when I first saw you." They both turned red at this, and it took a moment for them to regain their composures.

"What would you care to have? I'll pay for anything."

Lynette looked at the menu for a moment before she said, "I don't want to waste your money… really… I can pay for my own meal." Ansem gave her an almost pleading look before she said, "Alright how about the… lobster?"

"Great!" said Ansem cheerfully, "let's share it, then?" his face was still rather red. Apparently Lynette wasn't the only one to be nearly too shy to ask someone for a date. But she had been more out of contempt for those more lucky than her, than shyness.

When the waitress came around for their order, both of them had already warmed up to each other. This date thing isn't that bad, Lynette thought.

-

"I'm going to be here for a few weeks, and I'm wondering, would you like to meet somewhere again tomorrow?" said Ansem, almost hopefully.

Lynette smiled, feeling a surge in her stomach that she was positive had nothing to do with the flu. "That sounds fantastic. How about Bently's Park on the south side of town? It had a large apple orchard, very hard to miss."

Ansem turned scarlet at this. "Sounds wonderful," he said, covering his face. He quickly leaned close to Lynette and kissed her lightly on the cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow at Bently's, then. Is three alright?"

"Sounds fine to me," said Lynette, cautiously kissing Ansem back.

Lynette walked home feeling much better than she had that morning.

tbc.