Ni No Kuni: Shadowed Hearts

I won't lie, this is my first attempt at a Ni No Kuni story. There will be some OCs involved. Also, there will likely be spoilers, as this takes place after the events of Ni No Kuni: The Wrath of the White Witch. I know that there are already some fics like that including Wherever Girl's fic Mystery of the Drifter, which I was inspired by, but this should be original enough.

That, and a novelization of Ni No Kuni would be redundant, I already have a Final Fantasy IV: The After Years novelization and a Ogre Battle 64 novelization. The story title may be subject to change if necessary, I wasn't quite sure what the name of the story should be. There may be a original third parallel world for the purposes of this fic, but we'll see.

I originally planned to do this after I'd finished a couple of my other stories, but I wasn't entirely sure how to proceed in most of them, major writer's block, but that's what I get for having so many incomplete fics at once. Regardless, after this first initial chapter, I may not update for a while. There's a Final Fantasy X-2 fic I started as well, but both that and this will be more like secondary projects for the time being.

Thoughts are ', " is for when a character speaks aloud, and multiple - can indicate a change in character point-of-view or time skip.

Disclaimer: Ni No Kuni and its characters, locations, etc. were created by Namco Bandai/Level 5

Prologue: Ordinary Day

It was peace and quiet mostly since Oliver returned to Motorville, ready to move on with his life as he'd promised his dead mother. The young wizard had changed into his Motorville clothing and put his otherworldly wands and outfits away. He even hid the Wizard's Companion back under the fireplace, despite that no one else in Motorville would see it or his wands, locket and alchemy pot as magical elements.

As it turned out, he'd missed out on quite a bit of homework and almost got right to work on it after making a quick sandwich for himself. Summer Vacation was drawing nearer, so the young wizard worked as hard as he could without tiring himself out too much. Myrtle, Phillip and Leila occasionally came to check on him, offering to help a little if he was struggling with a part of his workload.

'Jeepers, that was quite a load' thought Oliver as he'd finally finished his homework, calling his school beforehand to ask for a catch-up period. The teacher was disappointed with Oliver for 'skipping school', but didn't blame the teen, as Oliver still was getting over his mother's death, or so everyone had assumed and didn't think much of Oliver constantly wandering around or his change of attire. Oliver couldn't blame his teacher for her disappointment, everything he'd experienced in the other world is next to impossible to explain, much less prove that those experiences happened.

Around the same time Oliver was finally done with his homework, a man in his late thirties with short silver hair and brown eyes came by to visit the young teen, knocking on the door. Oliver walked over to answer and hesitantly asked"Yes?"

"Oliver, correct? I'd meant to come see you sooner, but you weren't home every time I tried to check on you. I heard from Leila about what happened to Allie, I'm sorry about your mother" he spoke.

"Its okay, what's your name? And how do you know Miss Leila?" asked Oliver.

The man smiled"My name is Davis, I run a small orphanage near Motorville's outskirts. I also work part-time for social services, and I can assure you that I am her brother. Now, I'm afraid I must ask you a personal question, how old are you exactly? I know you're still quite young."

"I'm thirteen, going on fourteen" said Oliver, relaxing at hearing the man's relation to Leila.

Davis nodded and said"We should discuss this at the table, if you're comfortable with that."

"Sure, what is it?" asked Oliver, though he could sort of guess. He was too young to live on his own and pay the bills for his house, so it would be expected that Social Services would send someone over.

As they closed the door and sat down at different seats at the table, Davis addressed the teen again"Now, from what you just said, you're nearly too old for adoption, yet still so young to be living by yourself. Unless someone would like to adopt a teen, which is a rare circumstance, yet not unheard of. I won't take you to my orphanage unless it seems necessary. But there should be quite a few families here in Motorville and its sister city of of Zecksville who'd be willing to help. I'm going to give you some leeway, did your mother know anyone besides Leila?"

Oliver bit his lip as he thought about it. Besides Phillip and Leila, he knew Myrtle and her parents Rusty and Betty. They could take him in, but he really didn't want to impose on them. His thoughts then drifted to the otherworld. His mother was Sage Alicia, so it wouldn't be unreasonable that she would've known Marcassin, Swaine and their parents. And then there was Esther and her father, Rashaad. But his friends from the other world couldn't be seen, nor would they be considered fit to care for Oliver.

After some thought, Oliver said"I think my mother had a few. I have some friends of my own as well." He couldn't explain to the man about the other world, there was in fact no way for the people from the other world to be seen by Motorville's citizens"But who else is there?"

"Well, my wife and I have one child of our own, but I suppose we could take you in if needed. My wife's name is Claire, our daughter is Marisa" said Davis, gently"But to be frank, I'm a bit worried about you living with strangers in a different town, but I won't push you too hard. Oh, and my family's planning on buying this house since it would seem lonely without occupants, so you could just stay with Leila or the Carwrights for the time being, I could get either one arranged for you."

"Huh? Really? I guess I can't really say anything. Could you give me some time? I kinda need to focus on my schoolwork, Summer Vacation is almost here" asked Oliver, politely. Though in truth, he was nervous about living with a family he barely knew, and he didn't want to be a burden for Rusty or Leila.

Davis stood up and walked over to Oliver, handing him a card with his number on it"I would rather you make your decision, soon. But no pressure, call me once you've made up your mind. I'll give you until the day before my family's moving day, which is about three days from now. Just remember to lock your door when you're at home, wouldn't want you to get kidnapped, Leila and Claire would let me have it for being 'irresponsible.'"

"Sure thing" smiled Oliver, saying a polite good-bye to the nice man, pocketing the card. The teen may be a wizard, but people in Motorville aren't able to see magic. He'll just have to make up his mind or go to the otherworld, but he couldn't just disappear forever.

Walking out the door shortly after Davis had left, Oliver headed for the park. Myrtle and Phillip were in the middle of a discussion.

"I don't mean to be a stick-in-the-mud, but shouldn't we concentrate on our report for school, tomorrow?" asked Myrtle.

"Ah, that stuff can be drag, but I guess we shouldn't disappoint Miss Miko, never know what she's thinking" shrugged the other boy.

"Hey, Myrtle. Hi, Philip" Oliver greeted the two.

Myrtle turned to address him"Oh, Oliver. How are you? I haven't seen you all morning."

"I was busy finishing my schoolwork. A guy named Davis visited me about living with another family since I'm now an orphan" said the brunette wizard.

"Davis? I heard of him from Miss Leila, she says he's awfully nice and adores kids. He called her about you a few times, actually. He wondered where you went if not school or anywhere else in Motorville. So, you're ready for the test tomorrow? Our teacher wants us to sing at the assembly after that. We're singing 'Unwritten'" smiled Myrtle.

Oliver nodded"Yep, I bet I can ace that test. What about you, Phillip?"

"I'm not slacking off this time" grinned Phillip.

Oliver hesitated, then said"By the way, Myrtle. Would it be all right if I stayed with you and Mister Rusty? I was told that I could stay with you or Leila for now until I make up my mind. I have to call Davis and let him know, though."

"Oh, right, your mother's gone, isn't she? Well, we could go see my parents right now and ask them" said Myrtle, helpfully.

"See you guys, tomorrow" smiled Phillip.

Myrtle and Oliver headed to the blond's house and entered Rusty's Garage. Myrtle's father had just finished repairing a broken car and had received payment from his client when he saw the two teens"What's up?"

"Rusty, may I stay in your house with you and Myrtle? My mom's dead, and as far as everyone knows, I'm orphaned. Mister Davis said I could stay with you or Miss Leila until they found a permanent home" said Oliver.

"I'll have to expand the house in order to make a room for you, but you could use the spare room for now. Betty will need to know about this before I agree to let you stay, however. If you want, you can join us for dinner, we'll talk, then" replied the older man.

Oliver nodded"Thanks" and went home, calling Davis to let him know what's going on. The teen had no idea that another big adventure was coming, one that would impact all parallel worlds.

-The Other World-

A certain long, dark-haired Sage was going through some papers as he signed various treaties from Ding Dong Dell and Al Mamoon. It had been two whole weeks since the purification of the people cursed by the White Witch and the defeat of the White Witch and Shadar. Neither one had been fully at fault as explained by his brother and Sage Rashaad's daughter. Sage Khulan and Kublai often stopped by to see him, as did Sage Rashaad and a Diplomat from Ding Dong Dell.

The Pure-Hearted one had returned to his homeworld, and the Sage of Himelin's brother discreetly helped him out here and there with things that required more technology than magic.

"My lord" A guard entered the room"Queen Cassiopea requests an audience."

"I'll be right there" said the Emperor, signing a couple more documents before heading out of his study to the throne room. He smiled warmly as a woman with green hair met him"Good day, Queen Cassiopea. Or, should I call you Pea?"

The (technically) older woman replied"Just Pea's fine, I always liked that name better. I hate to say that this isn't a social call, however. I've had a terrible premonition last night."

"A Premonition? What is it about?" asked the Himelin Sage, concerned.

Pea frowned"I saw a shadowy purple haze in my dream, within, I saw a platinum-clad warrior and a blond with wings... I'm not sure if this is ill news or not, but the dream seemed so real for some reason."

"Hm. Is it worth looking into?" inquired the young emperor.

Pea thought for a moment"I'm not sure I think it wise, but it would seem that the Pure-Hearted One's trials are far from over still, even after what he did for me and when he defeated Shadar."

"Was there anything else? Maybe we can do something" said the dark-haired Sage.

The green-haired former queen hesitated"I don't know enough, but I looked into it using Foresee. I may no longer be divided into the White Witch and the little girl you and Oliver know as Pea, but I could still see what goes on in other worlds."

"Resign yourselves" spoke a voice from out of nowhere.

"What?" Pea looked around.

"The Emissary of Jopheiliem has awakened. The Platinum Sentinel has arisen, All worlds will be purified of all abnormalities, and shall thus be recreated. Life as you know it is over. Resign yourselves."

"I heard it too, could someone without the Gateway spell have the power to breach the barrier between worlds?" frowned the Sage"Regardless, this sounds too outrageous to be true. However, at the first sign of unusual activity, we will call upon Oliver and alert the rest of Himelin, Ding Dong Dell and Al Mamoon. At the very least, however, Sage Rashaad, Esther and Gascon should know."

"I agree. The Emissary of Jophielium and the Platinum Sentinel sound mysterious, even to me. I have heard of neither" said the green-haired woman"But Shadar and my White Witch form had the power to interfere with the other worlds, so we shouldn't be too surprised."

'First Shadar, then the White Witch, and now this mysterious Emissary. I'd have hoped there would be no more trouble' The Sage of Hemelin thought.

I couldn't help it, but this may be the only chapter I'll post until I can finish a couple of my other fics. A couple of the events at the beginning were inspired by Wherever Girl's fanfic, Mystery of the Drifter. I hope I didn't make it too obvious who the antagonists are, but I thought that a villain or some kind of anti-hero could spice things up a bit for this story. We'll see what twists I throw in.

I may have made up the part about Leila having a brother, but most if not all characters in Ni No Kuni had much development. And I don't own the song Unwritten by Natasha Beddingfield.

Esther and Swaine will have their importance, but I still have to think of a role for them. But Marcassin and Pea will be major characters here. I may introduce the other two new OCs I mentioned next chapter. Hopefully, this introduction is interesting enough to hold you over for a while, I still have other fics to do. If I'm not making much sense, or if some parts are too similar to Mystery of the Drifter, please let me know.

Well, you know the drill. Reviews and constructive criticism are welcome, but no unnecessary flames, okay? As for the title of this story, its sort of a reference to the Shadow Hearts series. There may also be references from other games in future chapters. It won't be a Shadow Hearts/Ni No Kuni crossover though, unless you'd like it to be and I can do that. This won't be updated very often at first, at least not as often as my other fics for the time being.