Full summary: With no sign of Sephiroth, everything seems to be getting back to normal...but with a new evil plot rising, a new adventure comes with it! With this bonds will be made and broken, and as for what fate has in store…could mean the end of the universe…and a family…

Alright the beginning is up! Thanks again to all my past reviewers for "New World, Changed Journey". I racked up 80 reviews, not to bad for my first time around! Now to get on with the chap! Again this is another round of the brother's thoughts up to now. The five months are over as of this chap. Read! But if you're a first time reader, go back and read "New World, Changed Journey" to catch up with the plot. If that's settled, read on!

Flashback text

(thoughts)

Prologue

FRANCIS' POV

We finally finished the new Traverse. We had a few minor setbacks but it's been completely revamped! It looks the same but now we have more houses, more room at the hotel, and even more people living here. The whole place has become a city basically! I can't believe we all did it. We rebuilt Traverse Town from the ruins it once was. If feels good to know that now even more refugees can come and stay.

By refugees, I mean that now refugees make up more than three quarters of the population. Something out there is still destroying worlds. Sephiroth maybe, but why would he want to do that? There's gotta be another reason for this. Most refugees say that they only saw a glimpse of the monsters that took out their world. Nobody yet has told us a description good enough to at least give us an idea of what's out there. Something has got to come up. Something…

Sadly in the last few months I haven't grown at all. I was a bit disappointed at first but now I'm over it. Right now I'm not really concerned about stuff like that. I've been practicing and fighting more often. Everyone else has gotten better as well. My practices pay off, and it shows in sparring matches. Right now my biggest rivals are Sora, Riku, Raiku, Hideo and of course Raphael. He's the strongest out of all of us. He's beaten everyone at least a dozen times. I came close to beating him once, but I let it slip. I was so close, but he had to do that last resort thing…

My Adept powers have grown as well. Also my wing strength has increased. With my powers, now I can create random objects out of thin-air. Besides weapons and gadgets, I can also do any item I want. I've also mastered a few other skills and styles I'm now able to call on. First one of course was the first one I called on, Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu. I've noticed that I can only stay in that "mode" for a short while though. Guess having the skills of a master samurai has its drawbacks. Sora also taught me all of his special moves too. Everything from Sonic Blade to Ragnarok, but not Trinity Limit though. Sora didn't know how to teach me that one. I've also mastered alchemy. All alchemy…except for the ones I didn't want to learn. After watching Full Metal Alchemist too much back home, I've stayed far away from even trying human transmutation and the other weird stuff. Hideo has also helped me with my sharp shooting. I'm getting better, but Hideo is still the best.

Other than all of us getting stronger, everyone's still the same. Same attitudes, same smiles and faces, still the same friends I've always known. Except for me and Jymanea. That one night I'll never forget…

FLASHBACK TO 1 MONTH AGO, SECOND DISTRICT

We just finished the Second District. The hotel has been re-built from the ground up, and now it looks like a true working hotel. We've added over 30 full rooms and 3 floors. We also rebuilt the fountain and the bell tower. The fountain stayed the same but now the courtyard surrounding it is larger. The bell tower and the gizmo shop below it are still the same. I just didn't have any idea how to change it. I got a chance to talk with Raphael about the thing. His words still echoing in my head.

("Don't worry. I'm not interested. You can try, and good luck to you brother")

After that I wandered into the Second District. I needed time to think about what to do now. I was making my way up to the top of the bell tower. I thought I was the only one there, but I saw Jymanea there, sitting over the edge. Her hair in the usual ponytail she always had it in.

(Oh crap…wasn't expecting this…)

I cautioned over. Not knowing what to expect. She whipped around almost immediately. Both of us shocked for a moment. We stood there for a moment. I snapped back to reality and said the first thing that came to mind.

"Oh, wasn't expecting so see anyone here"

Jymanea stayed silent of a moment. She looked away for a second, then back to me.

"Um, yeah. Me too. So why'd you come up here?"

"Just to think, about something"

"Well you're welcome to sit with me while you think"

"Okay, thanks"

She sat back down and I did also. I right next to her, both of us gazing at the night sky. The moon was full and shining. Looked so peaceful…Then I remembered what's happening. The girl I was about to ask out was sitting right beside me. Something sparked in my mind. Do just I just like her in a sense or do I…love her?

(This is getting stranger by the minute…but I do wonder if it's just a small thing or…could it truly be love?)

"So, what are you thinking about?"

My thoughts were suddenly interrupted by her. I turned my head and saw that she was still looking up to the sky. She looked so beautiful in this light…

"I…I'm just confused about something"

"Really? What kind of thing is that?"

"It's nothing much, but what about you? What are you thinking?"

"Well…pretty much the same thing as you"

"Now what's that thing you're thinking about?"

"Hey, I asked you first!"

"Well I guess you did"

We both laughed at that. Our laughter faded into silence once again. I found myself getting deep into thought again. Jymanea let out a soft sigh.

"So, I just talked to Raphael…"

(She already did? Why didn't he tell me? What did he say? Why didn't he tell me!)

"Really? What'd you talk about?"

"Um…well…just stuff…"

She began to stammer as she spoke. She was starting to get nervous.

"Well…he told me…about…you…and…what you think about me…"

Her voice lowered on the last words so I could barely make it out. I couldn't believe my ears.

(Raphael told her what I think about her? Why didn't he do the same for me? Next time I see him I'm gonna-)

"And he told me that he knew about what was going on with me and said that he wasn't interested…"

She said the last part in a sad tone, almost as if she was about to cry. Did Raphael really say it that way?

(Now when I see him I'm really gonna-)

"The reason I went up here…before you came up…was that I was thinking about…whether I really…like or love or just wanna stay friends with you…"

Those last few words stung at my heart. I was confused about that as well, but I still don't know what to do. She's confused as well and now we're both stuck. I opened my mouth to speak, but closed it. I tried again.

"Raphael really told you how I feel about you?"

She looked away for a moment, then turned back to face me.

"Yes, everything"

"Do you…feel the same way about me?"

She was about to speak but paused. Turning away but trying again once she thought of what to say.

"To tell the truth…yes…yes I do…"

"I see…"

"I guess all that's left is whether we like-"

"Or love each other?"

Both of us staring at the other. Thinking so hard what to do. We both tried to say something but stopped once we saw the other one try to talk. Happened again twice. I gave a sigh as I voluntarily spoke on both of our behalf's.

"So, what do you say?"

"To like or to love?"

"What's it gonna be?"

"What about you? You go first please?"

"But…well…ok fine…"

I tried to continue. My mind trying to cope with my unending nervousness. I slowly let it out.

"For myself…I choose…love…"

She also took her time in rummaging up an answer. Now I was sticking with my choice. I chose love, and that's what I'm staying with. I waited anxiously for her answer. I heard her speak softly.

"I choose…love…"

I felt a burden of nerve racking nervousness be lifted and replaced with relief and joy. We both gave a sigh of relief. I had just confessed my love to a girl, and she did also. So much to say that lead to something little as just saying a sentence. I looked at the night sky, then at her.

"So, what do we do now?"

She looked at me for a second, then at the sky. A smile formed on her face.

"I've got the perfect idea, come here!"

She got up and took my hand. She led me over to the edge of the tower so that we were aligned with the fountain in the large courtyard below. I looked at her curiously, what could she be up to?

"Can you tell me why we just moved a few feet from where we were?"

"Oh you'll see"

She gave me a smile and let go of my hand. She looked right over the edge and gave me a wave and a grin.

"See ya on the way down"

She jumped off. I all went in slow motion in my head. I just told her I loved her and she jumped off the bell tower.

(What in the world?)

She was falling. I had to save her. I ran back to the wall and my wings spread. I started to go into a run but as I neared the edge I heard wings flapping, not my wings. I stopped once I heard it. I saw Jymanea rising in front of me with a smile on her face. Her trenchcoat was off, probably on the floor. Dragon wings flapping from her back, keeping her afloat. I stared in shock, and awe.

(She has wings too? That must've been why she wore the trenchcoat…)

I continued to stare and she started to laugh. Probably from the look of my face.

"You and Hideo aren't the only ones with wings!"

I couldn't help but smile as well. More and more surprises just seemed to coming. But still I wondered what she wanted to do.

"Ok, you have wings too. But what was your plan earlier?"

"The plan my love, is for you to try to catch me!"

"You're kidding right?"

"Nope, unless you're afraid"

"That's it, now I'm serious"

"Just try!"

And with that she flew off. I gave a small chuckle before taking off.

(First she tells me she loves me, and then she makes me think she committed suicide, now she calls me 'her love' and challenges me to a game of tag…no wonder she's the one)

I burst off from the tower. Jymanea already had a head start so I started to flap myself forward for speed. She looked behind herself and started to speed up also. We were in a chase all over Traverse, herself leading me through twists and turns. First District, then Second, then Third, Second again, Third again, First again, Third again, and with every reentry I was catching up. Jymanea saw this and started to fly faster. I got in closer and soon I was right beside her. I grabbed her by the waist, careful not to hit her wings, and pulled her toward me, holding her bridal style.

"Gotcha!"

"Hey, no fair!"

"What do you mean 'no fair'?"

"You're stronger"

"Well I don't exactly know how long you've had those wings"

"True, true"

"So how am I supposed to make up for this?"

"I don't know…maybe you could -"

I didn't know what made me interrupt her but I did. I pulled her face close to mine for a soft and short kiss. We both pulled away at the same time. Her shocked a bit and blushing and me wondering what the hell did I just do.

(I just…I just kissed her out of the blue…I think I'm losing it…)

I continued to fly in the open. Still thinking why the hell I just did that. I heard her clear her throat. My thoughts interrupted, I turned back to her.

"Oh, hey"

"Oh hey?" Is that all you can say after you just randomly kissed me?"

"Well, I don't know what happened. It was just…impulse I guess"

"And are you planning on doing that again?"

(Is she serious or just sarcastic?)

"Uh…I don't know…matters with you"

"Well guess what?"

"What?"

She wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me close to her. I felt my face glow red from this unexpected action. I saw a smile from on her face.

"I would love for you to do that again"

"Like right now?"

"Sure"

We came closer into another kiss. This time a bit longer but we broke away after a while. Both of us smiling as I flew.

"So where do we go now?"

"Let me off, I'll fly back to my house"

"Ok"

I stopped in mid air and hovered as I let her go. She started to flap her wings and float beside me.

"I guess I'll see you in the morning?"

"Meet me at the new café?"

"It's a date"

We both waved good bye and smiled as we both flew away. Her going to the house she shared with Raiku and Azure, and I to the house I shared with my brothers. I just had one hell of a night. A night I'll never forget…

END FLASHBACK

Ever since that, I see her all the time. Everyone knows about us. Everyone, even Raiku and Azure was shocked to hear that she had wings as well. Sometimes Jymanea and I both go back to that one spot on the bell tower. We take night flights together, hand in hand. Sometimes we go into that same game of tag. I always catch her, but sometimes I think she lets me catch her…

RAPHAEL'S POV

Construction is finally finished. I can't believe that we made the town so big. The surprise house for me and my brothers is completed. I still can't get the look on their faces when I showed them the house. They had no idea it was ours. Now we have our own place to stay. It's a simple two floor house. Not too extravagant, but nice and cozy.

It's a good thing we expanded the town since we're getting more and more refugees everyday. Only a few tell us what happened. Everyone else is either too scared or paranoid to explain. The ones who do tell us all say the same thing. Monsters from out of nowhere come. Nobody has a good description of these 'monsters'. We first said heartless, but that would cut Sephiroth from our list. He didn't like heartless as much as we did. Someone had to be controlling the heartless, they were too simple minded to go act on their own. All of us immediately thought Ansem, but he only had little control over them. Just about enough to call up to 2 Invisibles that would obey him. For him to summon enough to take out a world would take a lot of power. Everyone is still suspicious, but somehow I can tell he's telling the truth. Don't know how I can, but I just can.

I haven't really been paying much to my training lately. My skills pretty much the same but only a little better in speed and power. All of my Adept powers fully mastered. Three weeks ago is when I almost was beaten for my laziness. It was another match against me and Francis and he swore that he was going to beat me. I thought to myself that this wouldn't be different from any other fight. I was dead wrong…

FLASHBACK TO THREE WEEKS AGO, MERLIN'S ATTIC TRAINING ROOM

"Today's the day I'm gonna beat you!"

Francis readied his keyblades for a fight. I gave a sigh and slung my katana over my shoulder. It was me and him today, with Hideo at the sidelines. I gave a soft sigh as I readied myself.

"That's what you said the last five times…"

"No, this time it's different!"

"And you said that also…"

I quickly dashed up to him and tried to slash his keyblades out of his hands. I hit, but surprisingly he stood his ground and grip to his One Winged Angel.

(This could get…interesting…)

I dashed back and he ran with me. He swung Diamond Dust at me, I blocked it, and the following hit from the other keyblade. I pushed him off and did a rotating slash. He blocked the first hit and jumped away to avoid the rest. I formed a fireball in my hand and threw it at him. He slashed at it. Just like I wanted him to. While he was busy I jumped and tried an overhead slam. He rolled out in the nick of time. I smiled a bit. He's really determined.

(Wow, I'd better step it up a bit)

I withdrew my sword and clapped my hands together. I slammed my palms into the ground.

(Good thing I mastered alchemy)

A blue light shone and in my hands formed a long scythe. Just what I needed right now. I gripped it tight and swung it with ease. Francis noticed that and withdrew his Diamond Dust, leaving only the One Winged Angel in his right hand.

"Ok, let's go!"

He ducked his head for a moment then shot right back up. His eyes looking crafty and cunning, like that of a skilled assassin or killer. But he also looked calm, like he didn't have to look angry to be feared. He must've tapped into a style change. What style…I couldn't tell.

(That style…where have I seen that style before?)

In a flash he dashed right toward me and slashed at me. It happened so quick that I could only put up a weak block that sent me a few yards back. That speed, that look in his eyes…no wonder he chose to only use his One Winged Angel. How could I overlook it? Francis' favorite style to use.

(Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu…he's really wants to beat me…)

I dashed in with my scythe and did a spinning cut. He blocked all the strikes and started on an assault of his own. Quick slashes accompanied by quick reflexes were the strategy here. Both of us fighting back and forth. He was starting to get slower. I smirked and kept fighting.

(He's running out of steam…)

Just then he began to pick up speed again. Myself trying to defend myself as the strikes started to come in fiercer and quicker. I pushed him off and now his back was to me. This was my chance. I tried to hit him with my handle but he suddenly ducked and spun around to hit me in the chest with the hilt of his keyblade. That was the first time ever that he landed a serious hit on me. He followed up with a roundhouse kick that sent me eight yards back. I fell on one knee for a moment. I couldn't believe it. Had I really fell back on my training this much that my youngest brother was gonna beat me in a sparring match? Hideo was standing there in disbelief.

"Whoa…Francis is about to beat Raphael…now I've seen everything…"

I stood up and threw my scythe to the side. I summoned my huge katana and readied myself. There's no why I'll let myself be beat by my youngest sibling. I charged in with a yell and slashed at him. He blocked it but the force of my attack made him turn. I saw that opening and slashed again. Something from out of nowhere blocked my attack. My eyes met his icy white, blue keyblade, Diamond Dust. I jumped back and he turned around. Both of had determination in our eyes. Even if this was just a sparring match, pride was on the line here.

(I can't let myself be beat…not like this!)

My katana started to glow a shining purple. I didn't know what it was but I slashed my weapon downward. Somehow something like a purple crack in the air was left from my slash. The crack started to get wider, until we saw a clawed black hand shoot out.

(It can't be…)

The hand started to push the crack open. After it got big enough, another hand got through and did the same. After it had looked like they hands made a large opening we saw something step through. It stood beside me, arms crossed and battle ready. I couldn't believe it. Beside me was the king of dragons, in his infamous coat of many colors, with the floating gyroscope like mechanism on his back, it was Bahamut. We all stared in shock at the aeon continued to casually stand there, arms crossed and waiting for my command. I pointed at Francis and two words rang in my head…

(Mega Flare)

Bahamut's eyes shot open and he got down on all fours. The gyroscope on his back began to start up and gather energy. He opened his mouth and the energy formed, getting bigger by the moment. I saw Francis' face in shock and horror as Bahamut continued to charge.

(He's gonna get it now…wait…but this is just a sparring match! I can't hit him with that!)

I tried to get Bahamut to stop. I saw the gyroscope slow down and I let out a sigh of relief. I nodded at him.

(Dismissed…)

He nodded back and disappeared; only leaving feathers behind. I walked over to Francis. He was still in total shock about what happened. I waved my hand in his face. No reaction.

"Hello? Francis, you with us?"

I saw him snap back to reality. Staring right at me in shock, and in fear.

"You…you weren't gonna actually use that on me…would you?"

"No, it was just to scare you into submission"

"Well thanks a lot…I'm about to beat you and then you scare me with a Mega Flare to the face…"

"Aw don't worry bro, maybe next time"

"Whatever, let's just get out of here. I'm dead beat. Hey Hideo, you coming?"

"Yeah sure, gimmie a second…"

We both made our way out while Hideo did his thing. I looked down at Francis and gave him a light punch in the arm.

"Hey, cheer up. You came close. That counts for something"

"Thanks, but I really would love to get back home"

"Whatever you say…"

END FLASHBACK

Ever since then I've been taking training seriously. I've gotten stronger, but I still train hard. I can't let myself fall behind, especially behind my brothers.

HIDEO'S POV

Yep, we finally finished rebuilding Traverse Town. Remember when I said that something was going to happen to make us finish now and not earlier? Well it happened, in the form of a hurricane. You heard me, a hurricane. It started off sunny that day but then it started to rain hard and the wind suddenly started to pick up quickly. We stopped construction momentarily and we all left Traverse due to the storm. We stayed at Disney Castle for a day. To tell the truth the castle is a pretty nice place. So after that we went back. We found most of the unfinished buildings trashed and the finished buildings a bit wrecked. We all were disappointed at most of our hard work being ruined, but we shook that feeling off and continued rebuilding the town. And now we're here, all finished and done.

Right now we're getting floods of refugees from all over. I think we've gotten over one hundred just yesterday. I've given up on finding out what's responsible for that. So many refugees but none of them have a damn good explanation or story!

Not that many changes for me though. I'm still wearing the same stuff, with the excepting of a silver necklace with matching dragon medallion I bought three days ago. I've gotten stronger though. My wing strength growing and my sharp shooting skills are at their highest. I've mastered my Adept powers to an extent. I know a few sword styles and stuff but I'm still sticking to anything with a trigger. I also got the power of all magic spells on hand. Everything from Waterga to Stopaga I can do. I've also found out that I can infuse my rounds with magic. Some experiments followed and now I can shoot whatever magic bullet I want just by a thought and a trigger pull. Either that or I outfit one of my guns to shoot a specific element. Water bullets, thunder bullets, I've got them all.

Things are pretty much normal…well, not really. Things between me and Azure have gotten…a bit too weird to explain. It reached the highest four days ago…

FLASHBACK TO FOUR DAYS AGO, TRAVERSE TOWN STREETS

I just finished my work for today. I decided to take a walk around the town. Just strolling through the First and Second districts. I was making my way down to the enlarged courtyard of the Third District. We made it impressively bigger, and we rebuilt the fountain but now it's in the middle, all golden and shining brightly. Being bored I made my way over to sit down, but I saw another person already there, Azure.

(Oh great, her again?)

She noticed me and gave me a cold stare. I was used to getting those from her by now.

"What're you here for? Come to bother me and act like an idiot again?"

"Whatever, I just came here 'cause I was bored…baka…"

"What'd you say?"

"Nothing…baka"

"There you go again!"

"What?"

"You called me a baka you ass!"

"Like I care?"

"You should care you inconsiderate moron!"

"Why don't you just shut up?"

"NO, you shut up!"

"Damn it just shut up!"

"You're the one who started it!"

"NO, you're the one who thought I was here to bother you again!"

"That's not the point!"

"Then what it the stupid point?"

"It's…just leave me alone and shut up!"

"You're so friggin immature…"

"What was that?"

"You heard me! Sheesh are you deaf or something…"

"NO, I AM NOT DEAF, BUT YOU HAVE A MENTAL PROBLEM GOING ON FOR YOU!"


"A mental problem? You're more of an idiot than I thought…"

"Don't you call me that!"

"What an idiot? I'll call you whatever I want!"

"And what gives you the right to do so?"

"Because I feel like it!"

"That's all? Inconsiderate loser…"

"Inconsiderate loser? What makes me inconsiderate?"

"Hmm lemme think, maybe it's because YOU'RE SUCH AN IDIOT THAT YOU WON'T LET ANYONE SPEAK THEIR POINT AND YOU JUST ALWAYS THINK YOU'RE RIGHT ALL THE TIME!"

"This is getting so retarded…"

"Retarded? Oh, I got the perfect thing to make this get 'retarded'"

"And what's that?"

"Guess what?"


"WHAT?"

"I may act like I hate your guts, but the truth is that I like you!"

"Oh really? Then guess what?"

"What?"

"I like you too! Hell, I don't like you I love you damn it!"

"Is that so?"

"Yes!"

"Well then I guess I love you too!"

"Good!"

"Fine!"

"Whatever!"

And with that we both turned around and walked away. Me heading for the First District and her heading for the Second.

(First we get into a useless argument, and now we both say we love each other? This is getting-…wait; we both just said we love each other?)

As I opened the doors I froze. My thoughts still echoing in my head. I just said that I loved Azure, to Azure! I continued my way into the First District. A bit relieved and a bit shaky from what I just did.

(It's only gonna get weirder from here…)

END FLASHBACK

And by hell did it get weird. Now I can't stop looking at her, whenever we pass by we always make eye contact, and if we're in a group with everyone else, our conversations are limited to only 'Hey' or 'Hi' or any other short lines! I want to try to get her, but something in my head tells me that just asking isn't the way to go…I've gotta think this through…

3RD PERSON NARRATION

Sephiroth and Ansem stood, over looking Traverse Town from above. Ansem with a bottle in his hand.

"So Ansem, are you sure this will work?"

"Don't worry, this'll work…I'm sure of it…"

"But what about…your...'other'?"

"I wouldn't worry too much about him…he has little control…but what about you? Are your preparations complete?"

"The ones you selected are ready. All we need it them…"

"Good. Soon the darkness will swallow them all…"

End Chapter

And there you go! I'm not sure when I'll be able to update since school is starting on Thursday…oh well, read and review everyone!