(Well, I'm planning on this being my main KH storyline. I'll be using the somebody names after the opening, so it'll be obvious whether I'm writing in the continuity or a somewhat more canon one. Just for the record, the only names I'm not completely immovable on are Luxord and Saix, as the other unofficial ones have a convincing enough etymology to them. Enjoy)
To you, all of you, I leave my last gift – a door, in the hopes that you should someday be delivered from darkness, and bask once more in the light of the heart...
The first sensation was one of blinding light. The second was a nasty headache. Xemnas slowly picked himself up off the floor and regarded the cloaked figure before him.
"Ugh, who the hell are you?" He was rewarded with an irritated sigh.
"I spend the best part of six weeks piecing your scattered remains back together, and there were a lot of pieces, and this is the thanks I get? Wondering why I bothered here." This confused Xemnas.
"Pieced me back together?"
"Plural you. I'm just working in numeric order. And yes, if you recall, you were cast into oblivion. By Sora and Riku I believe. By themselves. I've fished you back. Now if you could kindly move, I should be attending to Xigbar." Nonplussed, Xemnas moved aside, and his attention was attracted by a strange, faint sensation. He didn't have time to ponder though, as he was interrupted by another flash.
"Did anyone get the number of that gummi ship?" Xigbar's voice.
"If you can move out the way, I have others to attend to."
"What?"
"I can hardly be bothered at a time like this to explain myself 12 times, so you can wait until I'm finished." Xigbar saw Xemnas at this point, and sidled over to him. "Superior? Could I ask what's going on?"
"If I knew myself, then yes. As it is, no. I only arrived here myself a few moments ago, but he appears to be reviving the organization..."
"All of them?"
"From the comment about repeating himself 12 times, I would assume so Xigbar."
Another flash interrupted them.
"God, I feel like I have the mother of all hangovers..." Xaldin then.
"It appears our mysterious benefactor is going through in numeric order."
"I do believe I already said that. Do try to pay attention. Just be glad that happened before I got to Vexen. He'd be ashamed of you. Speaking of which, could you move Xaldin. Thank you."
Xaldin was clearly as nonplussed as the other two about current events, and ambled over to join them.
Vexen and Lexeaus both arrived without incident, but Xemnas did note that the robed man made a strange comment about "this being interesting" before summoning Zexion. It was clearly more strenuous for him than he would admit, as he rested for several minutes before continuing, giving the six time to discuss the situation.
"So, he's reviving all of us? Can't say I like the sound of that in a few particular cases."
"I concur. After all, Axel did kill me personally."
"Indeed. And I believe that it was Marluxia and Larxene's fault to begin with."
"I was enjoying life without Larxene as well."
"It would be best not to argue with him for now. After all, his motives are as yet unclear, and in all likelihood he can change his mind again. Besides something feels... different."
"So, you feel it too superior? Though I can't say for sure, I believe 'feel' maybe be a very accurate word choice."
"Explain yourself Zexion."
"Soon. I'd like to hear what our mysterious benefactor has to say first."
By this point, the robed figure had resumed his work, and it was mere moments before Saix rejoined them. Somehow he managed to arrive unconscious, so Xigbar and Xaldin carried him out of the way. Axel, Demyx and Luxord soon joined them, although Axel got some very dirty looks from Vexen, until Xemnas shot him a glare of his own. There was another comment before Marluxia and Larxene, although nobody caught it, and he proceeded to summon them.
"Well, now that we're all assembled, I suppose I owe you all some form of explanation."
"Wait a minute. What about Roxas?" Axel sounded genuinely concerned.
"Roxas is an... anomaly. Unlike the rest of you, he was not cast into oblivion, but absorbed into Sora. As such, there was nothing to retrieve." He saw the look on Axel's face, and relented. "Given time, I could possibly recreate Roxas as a separate entity, but it will take time. Thankfully, his memories span a fairly short space of time, or it would be near-impossible to do so." He turned his attention to the whole group.
"Allow me to introduce myself, I-" He threw back the hood of his cloak, revealing a face about the same age as Zexion, with should-length light-brown hair, in a style oddly similar to Marluxia, "Am Kale. I should make it clear now that I am not a nobody, and, as of when I revived you, neither, technically, are any of you."
"So, my theory was correct. You not only revived us, but provided us with hearts."
"Indeed Zexion. I must say, I was personally somewhat dubious as to whether this would work, as all I had to go off was a key that brought me here, and a note telling me to give you all a second chance. Unsigned. Imagine my surprise when it worked."
"No offence, but you're not really making any sense here. Could you put this in some logical order so we can follow you?" There was a general consensus.
"My apologies Xigbar, I was rambling somewhat." He pushed his hair back. "In essence, somebody wants you to have a second chance at life. And apparently chose me to facilitate it, which would explain why I received these powers." The elicited a few quizzical looks.
"It's true. Until about two months ago, when I got the note, I had no powers to speak of whatsoever. However, now I seem to have this magic, so to speak, and, following the pattern that you seem to follow, it appears my 'element', if you will, is life." He paused. "As to where we are, I'm not entirely sure. The key brought me to this rather spacious castle, which should accommodate all of you quite comfortably, since both of your former bases seem to have disappeared. I understand that this is a lot to take in at once, so if you want to take some time to get reasonably settled and... accustomed to the situation first, feel free. Allow me to show you to where the rooms are. Heaven knows why there are so damn many."
It took about an hour to sort everyone out, what with such a person not wanting to be next to that person, and so on. Kale slumped down in a chair in the library.
"Clever. Divert their attention so they don't see how weak this left you." Kale turned with a start.
"Zexion? Of course. Who else would see through my little scheme, but the cloaked schemer himself? I admit, the revivals were incredibly draining, and I've been preparing for over a month. You might as well take a seat. Might I ask how you found me here?"
"In truth, by accident. I recalled seeing the library on the way up and came down to investigate. However, I have a few questions myself. For a start, how do you know so much about us?"
Kale smiled, and poured himself a cup of tea. He proffered the pot to Zexion, who nodded. "The note was more of an essay really. Quite comprehensive. It's going to be fun trying to stop them killing each other for the first week or so. I imagine Axel isn't very popular with Marluxia and Vexen right now for a start." He sipped his tea. "This is somewhat off topic, but since you aren't nobodies any more, might I suggest the possibility of returning to your old names? Obviously it's up to each of you individually, but I see no reason why not." Zexion considered this.
"Very well. Call me Ienzo. But on to the crux of the matter. Why are we here?" Kale sighed.
"I knew it was only a matter of time. The heartless are evolving. And I don't mean upon creation. Existing heartless are becoming more power creatures. And they're becoming predators, instead of merely scavengers. What's worse, they seem to be developing an iota of intelligence. They're still mindless beasts, but their instincts are much more advanced. They've become an even greater danger to so many people..." He trailed off.
"And somebody's decided that the organization are the ones to deal with this?" Kale nodded slowly.
"Unfortunately, I'm almost completely incapable of fighting myself. My powers are life. And since heartless aren't technically alive, I have can't affect them. Believe me Ienzo, I've tried."
"From how stubborn you appear to be, I can imagine. And, no offence, but you do realise your name is a kind of cabbage." Kale's eyebrow twitched.
"It's been pointed out before. My parents liked the sound of the word. Might I suggest you get some rest though. I'll answer as many of your questions as I can in the morning."
Ienzo got up to leave, but stopped by the door. "When you're less likely to collapse?" Kale smiled.
"Close enough. And I'm open to suggestions as to how to stop them killing each other."
Ienzo smirked. "I'll think on it."
(Well, there's offering number one. Hoped you liked it, and I have no idea how long this will be. Until the ideas run out I guess. I have an idea for another little series as well, which I might make alongside this. Oh, and if Kale gets a bit Sue-ish, tell me straight away. I'm trying to avoid that like the plague. Why do you think his powers are so limited?")