Prologue Part I: The Re-Awakening
The particles of darkness en-circled each other, scattering around in the wind. They were waiting for their missing brethren's to join with them until finally that long awaited last piece fluttered into the dance to join them. The circle became a whirlwind destined for the ground where it slowly began reconstructing itself into the figure it once knew.
A black cloak.
Darkened skin.
Platinum locks.
Amber eyes.
And as the last piece touched its reconstruction a bellowing scream pieced the emptiness.
Xemnas' eyes grimaced solemnly on the once proud meeting room, where nothing gathers, atop he's rightful throne. Being reconstructed was a painful experience. Feeling every ounce of your being slowly being pulled and melded back together, the burning sensation, and the broken sensation. For a moment he felt as though he had a heart again.
He wondered if any of the other members had reappeared yet, there was no special reason he should be the only one to be reconstructed. Other than he embraced the darkness on a higher level. He's eyes gleamed towards the entrance as he heard voices speaking amongst themselves.
The doors opened.
"S-superior." Vexen stuttered taken aback by the appearance.
'Mickey. I have something I need to confess. This endower may be successful to reclaim Kingdom Hearts, but I fear the nobodies may be a different matter.'
'You don't have to worry about that; Sora and Riku are taking care of them as we speak!'
'No- no. I do not doubt Sora and Riku's potential. But I fear they may yet be to face them again. If the need should ever arise seek out my research in my old lab, and Yen Sid. Sora will need to know th... the poor child. I never meant for this to happen'
'Ansem?'
'I'm a fool.'
The conversation had echoed in Mickey's mind ever since that fateful day in the World that Never Was. As much as Minnie had begged him to stay, he had a duty to protect the worlds, if anything could be done to prevent a future disturbance it had to be done. Which is why he had called upon Sora and Riku again almost instantly as much as he would have liked them to enjoy the last of their remaining childhood. Ansem was right when he had referred to them as poor; it was unfortunate for all of them and their families.
They hadn't stopped looking for this research since they began. It was nearing a year since that fateful day and Yen Sid had refused to negotiate any information.
'What I have is of no use to you at current. Only when the time arrives.'
They had salvaged and scavenged the lab, and with a bit of help from the Hollow Bastion Restoration committee the computer system were back online. The hours they had spent reading over the nobodies files, searching for some indication of what Ansem was referring to. They had no leads, and all roads let to point blank. But Mickey couldn't lay it to rest if there was ever a possibility of the organization returning. He wouldn't seem the kingdom fall out of peace again he was sure of that.
Kairi was set tidying up what once had been a child's room. Although it was hard to believe that a child had been raised in a place like this. She was cleaning up the castle to make it easier for the others to get through everything after it had fallen into disarray. The plaque on the door had read Ienzo, one of the apprentices' that had turned. Just a child. Micky had explained the he had been taken in my Ansem after he lost he's parent's.
She had to admit, he had kept he's room unusually tidy for just a child; it was just the overgrowth and disrepair she had to face. She smiled looking at he's notice board. There was a small handmade bunny plush with a note worn with age, 'For Kelly. Remember: Ask Ansem to send off.'
Another child outside of the castle she assumed. At least he had friend's he's own age – just not enough to keep him from falling into the darkness.
It was hard being reminded she was once a part of this world before it had fallen into darkness, but she had been far too young to remember. She started to get glimpses every now and again. Mostly of an old woman caring for her, her grandmamma. She needed no one to explain that. What had happened to her since that day she couldn't bear to think…
She shook her head to rid herself of the thoughts. She needed to get this place clean so she could prevent people going through what she did anytime near in the future. Her hands shaking as she started to pull down undergrowth. She knew a child's room would give them no new leads, but it was something she didn't want to dwell on, she needed to hope and keep the spirits high for the others.
Xemnas' smirked at the members in the mission briefing room before him. He didn't quite have a full house and whether that was through insubordination or condition, it didn't matter to him; what did matter was the possibility of them blowing this recreation, those four members could ruin everything – they could succeed without them, but Xemnas wanted to lay low and completely catch the keybearer's off guard. The three previous traitors came as no surprise, Axel, Larxene and Marluxia. Demyx was a surprise however, but of course he was Demyx and at no great loss to them. But ah, the bittersweet thought of that final conversation with Sora, he had been so wrong. He was eternal but he's thought trail was interrupted by another,
Xigbar cleared he's throat, "I think I speak on behalf of everyone when I ask, we were wondering if there's actually a plan – it's nice to be here and all, but it's kind of hard to appreciate it without a heart and also It's kind of creepy when you just stare at us with that smirk to without saying anything."
"Pipe down number two. I'm sure the superior foresaw this the whole time." Saix told him calmly.
"Our recreation will need to be kept on the low. Nobody must know about this so we can work in the shadows to accomplish our goal. Since several of us are missing – they pose a threat to this, we need to locate and either dispose or convert them. The first task will be to send out search parties to accomplish this, Saix you will track down Marluxia. Luxord you will be in charge Demyx. Lexaeus, Larxene and Xaldin, Axel. Understood?"
"What about the rest of us?" Xigbar asked raising an eyebrow.
"I have something much more important to disclose with the three of you." Xemnas leered at him; Saix's face fell into a state of resent, "The rest of you move out. Our hearts will be back in our grasp in no time."
"Hello?"
"What do you want?" Riku called looking up from the bundle of research notes in front of him.
The door was pushed open slightly and a red head peered in, "Cid sent me over. The restoration committee put together some lunch to help you guys out; thought you might appreciate the break." She said holding up a picnic basket, "But if you don't want it- my stomach ain't gonna be complaining for a week."
"N-no. It's appreciated sorry. Come on in." Riku apologised, smiling as he went over to help her in, "I didn't catch your name sorry?"
"It's Vicky. I'm Cid's niece." She smiled.
"Ah, nice to meet you. Name's Riku." He greeted while clearing off some space to lay the picnic down. She was probably around he's own age, cropped flame-red hair just tickling the tips of her ears, and large hazel eyes outlined in kohl, "I'll go gather the others."
"Is it okay if I stay and join you, I haven't had lunch yet?" She called as he ran off.
"Yeah, no problem." He shouted back.
She plonked herself down in the chair he'd been in merely seconds before and looked around the room before giving off a distinctive shudder. This place gave her the creeps. Especially thinking that this was the place that caused the world being swallowed by darkness all those years ago. She looked at the picnic basket in front of her and helped herself to a sneaky sandwich; at least things were back to normal now. For good she prayed. Radiant Garden couldn't go through it again. She gave off a small smile remembering playing Hide and Seek all those years ago before the trouble.
The streets were alight with the sound of children playing, laughing, the sun burning down on the cobble pathing almost giving off a radiance of light. The atmosphere was soothing, peaceful, beautiful. Untainted.
Hide and Seek was the local children's favourite game to play. The favourite pretence amongst them was to be heroes.
A four year old Yuffie stuck a menacing grin, short charcoal black hair poking out at awkward angles above her bandana. She dressed in a loose baggy t-shirt and beige shorts that hung above her knees and cargo boots. The only way to dress in this weather, "You lose buddy. Scissors beats Paper."
A seven year old Squall grumbled under he's breath taking the loss to the girl angrily.
"Oh yeah baby! Get seeking." Yuffie cheered throwing her arms in the air before running off, "And no peeking!"
The remaining kids around him scattered finding places to squeeze into or climb up. Nobody wanted to be the first to be caught out.
Cid looked down at the bundle of two shades of brown hair beneath he's shop counter, before grinning to himself widely and proceeding to proclaim to the air, "I think I got myself some rats here." He grabbed the two bundles, one under each arm and swung them around playfully, each squealing happily at the attention.
"Uncle Cid, stop!" The first bundle giggled her hair drawn into two long plaits, "We're hiding! Squall will find us!"
"What's that? Rats can't talk!" Cid declared playfully swinging the five year olds round once again.
"Uncle CIDDDDDD!" The bundle squealed, "STOPPPPPP!"
"Alright alright, I'm sorry." He grinned putting her down. Her name was Vicky; she wore a pair of short dungarees and a black and white striped shirt. She stood cross armed her dolly shoe tapping on the floor looking displeased. Her hazel eyes scrutinising him.
"What?" Cid asked concerned.
"Can you put me down to please Mr Cid?" The second bundle asked shyly still under he's arm.
"Ah but of course how silly of me." Cid grinned putting her next to Vicky.
The second bundle looked up and smiled, "Thank you Mr Cid." She was small, with matching chocolate eyes to her hair which was pulled back into two long pigtails adorned by purple ribbons. A fringe flopping just above her eyes.
"You're welcome lil' miss." Cid saluted, "May I say those ribbons look dashing."
"Tifa helped me!" The little girl beamed with excitement overwhelmed with the complement to her purple ribbons. She wore red wellingtons and a dungaree dress, a purple t-shirt poking from underneath.
"That older sister of yours spoils you rotten Kelly." Cid told her, "Now this little miss here," he signalled to Vicky, "She was raised by wild cats, didn't get nothing like that."
"Yeah, yeah, we need to hide anyway! And you ruined our spot." Vicky declared unimpressed by the fabricated story.
Those days seemed far away now. She hadn't seen her best friend in such a long time. She had never felt quite right since the whole event, almost as if something was missing.