SPARK OF DARKNESS
Chapter 1: Two Long Years
The World That Never Was – Where Nothing Gathers
"Atlantica has fallen. Once Triton was dealt with there was little else to stand in our way. Even that Sea Witch was a non issue." A deep voice, cloaked in black, reported.
"There are small pockets of resistance in The Land of Dragons" Another voice reported.
Master Xehanort tapped his fingers on the side of the throne as he thought.
"Divert our forces from the Port Royal Front. We have done enough damage there that we can get by with reduced forces for the time being. Lull them into a false sense of security as well."
"At once, Master" The voice replied and then the figure disappeared into darkness.
"Has he been found?" Xehanort asked.
"He has not shown his face in 2 years. Not since Radiant Garden fell a second time." A female voice repeated.
"And you cannot feel him at all?" Xehanort said.
The figure shook its head. "No, Master"
Xehanort stroked his goatee gently. "Interesting. It appears we have broken him more then I initially suspected.
"Shall I suspend the search?"
Xehanort shook his head. "No, until he has been completely eliminated he is a variable to a complex equation that must be completed.
"Yes, Master" The second figure disappeared.
"There is little else we can do right now but stay the course. Report any changes immediately. We have come too far and cannot afford to fail now."
The other figures disappeared leaving Xehanort alone.
"Soon the final stage will be set. Then can my goal finally be achieved." He said out loud to himself.
Twilight Town
"By the light!" The old man said. It was very rare for a scholar such as Ansem the Wise to be surprised but seeing the devastation that wracked the city was more than enough.
"It gets worse. Trust me." Lea replied as they stood on the clock tower.
"I fear this may not hold much longer." Ansem said.
"We evacuated as much as we could but once the outer lines broke we were swarmed." Lea reported, clutching his bandaged arm.
"Every person lost to them adds two more to his army. The war grows hopeless more and more." Ansem said, closing his eyes.
"You aren't thinking of surrendering, are you?" Lea said, exasperated at the thought.
Ansem shook his head. "No. As long as there are people willing to fight Xeahnort's tyranny, then we must fight on"
"Come, we should return to Last Bastion." Ansem replied as they turned and walked back into the clock tower.
Making their way down the tower Lea felt a tug of regret.
"Everything alright, my young friend?" Ansem said, clearing picking up on the emotions Lea was putting out.
"Just feels weird being in a place where I have happy memories amongst all these bad ones." Lea said.
"You are talking about your time spent with Roxas and Xion?" Ansem replied.
"Yea, gave me something to look forward to every day." Lea replied.
"I am sorry, my friend. I pray we find a way to bring them back." He said.
"Everyone knows what we need. There is no sense in hiding it. We need Sora." Lea said as they climbed into the Gummi ship and flew away.
They sat in silence, Lea piloting the vessel.
"No one has heard from him after the Garden fell." Ansem said.
"You don't have to remind me, old man. I was there. I saw what happened with my own eyes. Made the Battle of Hollow Bastion look like a picnic", Lea said, trying and failing to restrain his anger.
The ships comm beeped and Lea reached over, flicking a switch. The image of a young woman with brown braided hair came on the screen.
"You two need to return to Last Bastion right now. We have a major problem." Aerth reported.
"We will be there in 10. Lea out." Lea said, cutting off the connection. "Engaging Warp" He said as he pushed a few buttons and pushed the throttle forward. Soon a burst of light signaled they had entered Warp.
Last Bastion
Last Bastion is the current headquarters of the resistance against the forces of Xehanort and the Organization XIII. It was formed after 3 major worlds all fell, Radiant Garden, the Mysterious Tower, and Disney Castle. It is now a refugee world for those whose world has fallen to the Organization.
"You're clear to land" A high pitched voice replied over the Coms as Lea brought the ship into the docking bay and powered down. They climbed out and made their way to the main hall.
"Good, you're back. We just received word that the Orginzation has started a major offensive in The Land of Dragons." Aerth reported.
"Blast it!" Ansem swore as they entered the main war room.
"They seem to have diverted their forces away from Port Royal."
"Aye, they seem to have stopped attacking for now but our forces are in shambles. Half of our ships have major damage and the other half are in the Locker right now." The face of Will Turner showed up on one of the monitors.
"Try to repair as much as you can. We will send what reinforcements we can spare to help with the effort. Hopefully it will be enough" Ansem replied.
Will nodded and closed the connection.
Ansem rubbed the bridge of his nose. "What else do we have?"
"We have evacuated the remainder of the people of La Cite Des Cloches. Unfortunately we were too late for Atlantica." Yuffie reported.
"Please tell me we have some good news." Lea said, slamming his fist on the table.
"We do." Leon said, walking into the room.
"Well, spit it out!" Lea said.
Leon walked over to one of the computers and typed in a few commands. He pointed to the screen.
The location it showed was familiar but too dimly lit to make out anything.
"This was taken yesterday." Leon said.
"Where?" Ansem replied.
"The ruins of Traverse Town." He said.
A figure walked in the screen, wrapped in a cloak. He looked around, his face hidden, and went to run across the square with puddles of blackness appeared. Small creatures came out of that blackness. Just then a flash appeared and an unmistakable image froze on the screen. It was a Keyblade. One with a silver shaft and a gold handle.
A feeling of shock appeared on the faces of everyone in the room. But it was Lea who was able to find his voice first.
"Sora?"