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"Text"-talking

Text-thoughts

/text\-reading

Two Arrivals and One Loss

Zak and the group of newcomers floated in the tunnel for a few more minutes before it opened up. They landed on their backs and had to untangle themselves. Zak looked around at the group. They had just saved him and Wadi, but he wanted to know where he was, who they were, and where Wadi and those 2 other guys went.

"Can you guys tell me just where the heck we are? And what the hell just happened?" Zak inquired as the hooded individuals stood up.

"Sure." one of them said. They all removed their hoods to reveal their faces. "My name is Shira."

"I'm Roxas." the spiky golden-brown haired man said.

"Axel's the name, fires my game." a red haired guy said, running his hand through his big hair.

"What's up? I'm Demyx!" a crazed guy with spiked brown hair announced.

"Zexion." the guy with silvery blue hair informed.

"Nice to meet you. My name is Xion." the black haired girl said.

"We know you're Zak Saturday of the World of Cryptids." Shira said, continuing before Zak could speak. "And we're here in Kingdom Hearts, the universe that links all worlds of heart together."

"We just rescued you from the Heartless, beings of darkness that have lost their hearts. They wish to steal all the hearts everywhere for their own purposes, creating more Heartless as they go." Zexion stated in a bored expression.

""They're being led by the beings known as Runari. They're Heartless that have managed to stay in human form, but have become masters of darkness. Recently they've been attacking Kagi Vesica. That is the world where keyblades are made and the Key Guardians are trained." Shira continued. "And before you ask us, we don't know where your friend is or our comrades that were with her."

"And why am I here?" Zak asked. She didn't answer him. "Come on tell me!"

"I'm sorry, but I can't really put it into words. You'll have to ask our current leader when we get to Kagi Vesica."

"Before I go anywhere, I want to find Wadi!"

"Zak, listen." Xion said, interrupting them. "We know you want to find your friend, but she could be on any of the worlds here. The only way to track her and our comrades, which we want to find too, is to go to Kagi Vesica. They have the power to manipulate portals to other worlds and look into them to see what is happening."

Zak looked at the rest of the group. They looked like they wanted to go with him, but didn't have any clue where to start. Roxas walked over and put a hand on his shoulder. "I know how you feel. My friend is with them. I'll help you find them, but we need to go where we have the best chance to find them."

"Alright you win. So, how do we get to Kagi Vesica?" Zak admitted.

"First we need to figure out what world we're on. Then we can find the Guardian in charge and they can arrange for us to get there." Shira said. "Let's see, this looks like forested world. Any ideas guys?"

"That means we're on either Dwarf Woodland, Deep Jungle, or The Land of Dragons. There are some mountains over there so we must be on The Land of Dragons." Zexion observed.

"Ok, then we need to find the capital. Underneath it is where the Key Guardians have their base. I think Sadira is the Guardian here."

The group set off for a palace in the distance. After a few hours they came across the outer wall. Outside was a camp of soldiers. They wore old armor and were training with swords and spears. Zak was about to walk up to them when Shira pulled him back.

"What's wrong?" Zak inquired. The others were crouched behind the trees, out of sight from the army.

"The people of this world don't know about us or Kingdom Hearts. Very few know the truth. We can't just march in. We have to use the secret entrance at the eastern end of the wall." she answered.

She led them around the forest to the far end of the wall. She found a small symbol on the wall and made a series of taps around it. The wall split into a doorway. Two robed individuals were there with unique spears at the ready.

"Shira? What're you doing here? Get in quickly!" one of them said. They rushed in and the wall closed up behind them. They were led to a small chamber. Inside were 16 other mystery robed persons. One looked up from the book they were reading and called out to them.

"Shira, it's good to see you! And you brought friends." the person said, revealing their face. It was a female with long green hair pulled into a bun. "How's your daughter?"

"It's good to see you too Sadira. Kira is fine. She's completing her training now and when we get back I'll see her graduate with the others. But first, we need your help. I need to access your portal to Kagi Vesica." Shira said, hurrying to explain. "We were sent on a mission to get the Supreme Guardian and…"

"You mean Kur! Is this man here him?" Sadira inquired, moving over to see Zak up close. She looked like a teenager not much older than him, but her eyes said she was much older. "He's still quite young!"

"Hey I'm a teenager!" Zak replied, backing up away from her.

"Oh and he's sensitive. How interesting." Sadira commented before turning her attention back to Shira. "Sorry, but we lost control of the portal. It just freaked on us and out popped a tough Runari."

"How tough?" Demyx asked. "He can't be too tough."

"He's a green masked Runari. And he brought at least a few dozen armored knight Heartless with him. Lucky the portal can't work without the area code, so he's trapped here. But I've only got 20 Key Guardians. I can't take him without a Shield Guardian or at least a Ferrani."

"Well then, lucky you got us. Axel and Demyx are Shield Guardians and Xion is a Ferrani." Shira said. "Show me the maps to this place."

As they went over the map, Zak whispered to Axel, "What's a Shield Guardian?"

"Beats me. The rest of us here just got pulled into this whole thing just this morning. At least I think it was morning."

"We were sent to the world for beings who have moved on." Zexion remarked.

"You guys were dead!?" Zak inquired, shocked at this.

"Yes and no. 4 of us did die while the other two sort of just ceased to exist. Roxas is one of them." Zexion answered.

"Yeah, I wasn't supposed to exist. I gave my spirit back to the original owner. Well, more like giving him back his mind." Roxas said. When he saw Zak confused, he continued. "I was what the people call a Nobody. Not a person who doesn't matter like everyone thinks. Someone who was born without a heart, so technically we didn't exist. For every Heartless born, so is a Nobody. I was the Nobody of the keyblade master, Sora. I can't wait to see his reaction when I show up one day. He's one of the few that can travel to other worlds. My friend that is with your friend is the other who disappeared. She is the Nobody of Sora's girlfriend. At least I think their together, I never really found out."

"Are all the Key Guardians former Nobodies?"

"No, but there are a lot of them apparently. You can tell us apart from the others because we tend to not interact with them without a fight breaking out. Many Key Guardians don't trust us much, but most do." Demyx answered while trying to find something to entertain himself.

"And what's up with the Runari? Just who are they?" Zak inquired, trying to learn what he could about the one who attacked him and Wadi.

"Not sure myself. But the Key Guardians who've been here longer could probably answer you." Zexion replied.

Shira walked back over with Sadira. "Hey guys. I got the info we need. We're going to attack the Runari and the Heartless with him. Then we can fix the portal and get out of here." She motioned for them to follow her. Sadira had two of her Key Guardians go with them. They would know how to repair the portal.

The tunnel went for quite a long while. Eventually they came to the portal room. It was a large circular room with a machine set against the far side. Sitting down in front of the machine were three figures. Two of them were shadowlike creatures in armor and the third was a man. He wore the same black suit as the ones Zak saw earlier. He had a green mask on and a sword lying at his feet.

"Welcome Key Guardians! Do you accept my terms for surrender? Or must I kill more of you?" the man asked, cocking his head to one side.

"We came to destroy you!" Shira yelled. She pulled out her keyblade and got in her fighting stance. The rest drew their weapons as well, prepared for the fight to come. Zak held his claw at the ready, aiming straight at the Runari.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Do you truly believe you can face me? Very well, I shall kill you all and send your bodies back to your comrades!" the man yelled. He stood up and signaled the other Heartless knights to appear. Even 6 huge centaur looking Heartless appeared. The man removed his mask to show a man that looked like a very old man. He had gray hair and a goatee/mustache combo. His eyes were blood red. "Now my Heartless, SLAUGHTER THEM!"

The Heartless jumped at them. Axel threw his fire weapons around, knocking several of them out at once. Demyx played his guitar which sent burst of water at the Heartless. The Runari stood up with the sword changing. It became a dozen swords, each one on fire or emitting lightning. The swords began to fly at them. Roxas and Shira jumped at the swords, keeping them away from the others.

Zak ran over and hit one Heartless over the head with his claw, knocking it down. Zak used the claw extension to jump over a group of Heartless charging him. He retracted it in midair and knocked each one down. He came straight down on top of one of the centaur Heartless. The guy tried to knock him off, but couldn't reach him.

Xion and Shira were at the Runari, attacking with their keyblades. Shira was fighting him up close while Xion was being kept back defending the two Key Guardians who would start the portal back up. One got hit by a bolt of lightning and collapsed to the floor. Xion destroyed the thunder sword only to have two fire swords take it's' place.

"You can't defeat me! Just surrender and I promise you a merciful death!" the Runari yelled at her, the sword he was holding crossed with Shira's keyblade.

"Never!" Shira replied.

"Very well then." he said, knocking her keyblade up and thrusting the sword through her. Time seemed to freeze. Zak looked as her face went from smug confidence to wide eyed shock. Then the Runari pulled the sword out. Zak snapped. He didn't realize what was happening until he cut through the Heartless surrounding him, charged the Runari, and grabbed him by the throat.

"You will pay for this, Crudus Runari!" Zak said, but it didn't sound like Zak. His voice had become deeper and his eyes were glowing red. The Runari struggled in his grip until Zak used his free hand to take a ball of light and plunge it into the man's chest, right on top of the Heartless symbol. "Go now to your doom!"

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" the Runari screamed. He vanished in a flash of light, leaving only his mask behind. Zak came back to his senses staring at the empty space in front of him. The remaining Heartless fled and didn't come back. The remaining portal specialist went over to work on the portal gate. Zexion went over to assist him while everyone else gathered around Zak and Shira.

"What did I…" Zak weakly said, dropping to his knees. He shifted his gaze to Shira. She was very pale and blood was seeping through her robe. "Shira! Please don't die!"

Shira lifted her head slightly with Xion assisting her. She looked right at Zak and smiled. "Don't be sad. I go now to be with the others who've gone before me. You have unlocked your first ability without help from the elders. That is…impressive. If you find my daughter, Kira, tell her I'm sorry I didn't get to see her finish her training. Also, that I'm sorry I couldn't help her…" she stated before coughing really hard and closing her eyes.

"Help her what? HELP HER WHAT!?" Zak cried out. Barely here for one day and he already lost a friend. Roxas put a hand on his shoulder and pulled him up.

"We know how you feel. We just met her as well, but she seemed like a very nice person. Don't let her death be in vain. Let's get to Kagi Vesica and do what she wanted us to do."

Zak nodded. He bent down to pick Shira up. I can at least take her back to her home. She was quite light and Zak managed to carry her over to the portal.

"It's all set guys. The coordinates are set and you should come out on the other side at the Circle. Sorry abut Shira." the Key Guardian that fixed the portal gate said.

"Thank you." Xion said. When everyone was on the pad for the portal, the Key Guardian activated it and watched as they vanished.

Destiny Islands

Sora watched as Riku brought in some more fish. He placed the basket of them next to the fruits and began to start a fire. Kairi was talking to the two girls who had washed up on the beach while the man was sitting at the fire with him and Riku.

"Thank you for taking us in. You have my undying gratitude. But you're certain there were no others?" the man asked.

"Sorry, but you guys were the only ones here. Riku and I took the boats and checked all around the island and even went to the mainland, but there wasn't anything." Sora answered. "By the way, what's your name? How do you know Namine?"

"Oh, right! My name is Larek and I know Namine because we are of the same organization." he replied. "We were sent on a mission to go and rescue two new comrades, Zak and the girl over there Wadi. My other companions made the group before we got them at eight members."

"By organization, you don't mean Organization XIII do you?" Riku inquired, suspicion clearly showing in his voice.

"Heavens no! Those jerks were nuts in their own mind and deserved the fate you gave them." Larek answered. When he saw them give him questioning looks, he continued. "Yes, our organization knows of you and your many friends and the great adventure and heroics you performed. There are of course some members that our elders resurrected that they believed deserved a second chance. You know them all and they were sent on the mission with me. There's Roxas and Axel. Xion is also there, have you met her? And Demyx and Zexion."

When he mentioned the last two, he saw them tense up. "Whoa, now easy. They're on our side now. They've been given a heart so all of them are real people now."

"Really? That's good news!" Kairi said, walking over with Wadi and Namine. "We can get to be friends now!"

"Sure Kairi." both Sora and Riku said.

"So where are they do you think?" Wadi asked. She had kept on asking any chance she got. Namine put her arm around her shoulder.

"Don't worry. They're fine, I'm sure of it. They're probably on their way to Kagi Vesica." Namine said, attempting to comfort her.

"Kagi Vesica? Never heard of that world." Riku said. "Have you Sora?"

"Nope. Where is it Larek?"

"It's on the edge of the space that the worlds exist on. If you could tell me where you've seen other people like me on this world, I can get us there." Larek said.

"Sorry, but there aren't any, what did you say, Key Guardians, here." Sora told him. When he saw Larek look down in defeat, he said, "But I can get us there! I have friends who owe me a favor and they build ships that can travel between worlds."

"Really? That would be great!" Larek said.

"Then it's decided. As soon as we get the ship, we all set out for Kagi Vesica!" Kairi announced. When she saw the looks from the shocked guys, she laughed. "Come on, Riku and Sora I know you want to go on this new adventure! And Larek won't know how to fly the ship."

"All right you win." Riku submitted.

"Cool, then we can leave tomorrow! To our new adventure!" Sora yelled raising his fist high. The others did the same. Wadi looked up into the sky, wondering where Zak was right now. I hope you're all right Zak. I'm coming to find you.

Kagi Vesica, Universal Circle

Zak and the rest of his group landed within a circle that was 30 feet wide. They looked around and saw other Key Guardians there. They had their hoods down and were smiling. But then they saw Shira dead in Zak's arms. They rushed over to them.

"Is she all right?"

"Can't get a pulse!"

"Don't let Kira come over here! She's unstable as it is!"

"Mother! MOTHER!!!!"

As two of the Key Guardians took her from his arms, a young girl ran up. She had brown hair pulled into a ponytail that came to her shoulders. She had crystal blue eyes just like Shira. This must be her daughter I heard about. Zak thought, watching as the robed girl fell to her knees and watched her mom being lowered to the ground. She clutched her mom's shoulders and buried her face into her chest, muffled cries heard by all.

"What happened?" a white haired man inquired. He had a red band around his head. Other Key Guardians with red bands were behind him, awaiting the answer.

"We wound up getting to The World of Cryptids and stopping the Runari from getting their hands on him, but were sucked into the portal they opened. Namine and Larek got separated from us with Wadi while we went to The Land of Dragons. When we managed to reach the Key Guardian post there, we had to fight a Crudus Runari. We managed to win, but Shira was pierced by his blade. Zak was the one who beat him with an Orb of Light." Roxas reported.

"You've unlocked the first ability? That is wonderful! You are strong indeed." the man said. "My name is Larino. I'm the Master Elder of the Key Guardians. I will assist you in unlocking your other abilities."

The crying had stopped. The girl walked over and interrupted the conversation.

"Are you Zak? The Supreme Guardian?" she inquired.

"Kira! I know you just lost your mother, but show respect to the Supreme Guardian!" Larino scolded.

The girl knelt down in front of Zak. "Thank you for not only defeating the Runari who killed my mother, but bringing her body back to us. In return for your kindness, I offer my services as your guard." she said.

Zak stood there speechless. A guard? Zak put his hand under her arm and lifted her up. "First off, don't kneel to me. It feels weird. Second, why do I need a guard?"

"To protect you from other Runari assassins, my lord." Larino answered. "We will have to protect our greatest hope in our struggle against the Runari. Now we need to discuss your training…"

"No, I need to find Wadi and the others. I was told you could help me find them. I'm not doing anything you want until I get them." Zak said.

"…Very well, we will help you. You remind me of the last Supreme Guardian. Come over here." Larino submitted.

They went over to a series of mirror like objects floating in the center of the ring of circles. They appeared to be made of water. "Just speak the person's name and the Servo Mirrors will reveal their location and which portal you should use."

"Wadi Hassi." Zak spoke. The mirror rippled before smoothing out to an image. He saw Wadi sleeping in a hut with two other girls. One wore the same outfit of the Key Guardians and the other wore a pink outfit. The mirror zoomed out to show an island. Three more figures were sleeping around a smoldered camp fire. One of them had the Key Guardian robe on.

"There's Namine and Larek! From the looks of it, they're on Destiny Islands. There aren't any Key Guardians there because of the Keyblade Master and his friends. They are among the most powerful beings ever. This would be a grand opportunity to recruit…" a brown haired woman started saying before she was cut off by Zak.

"Then I'm heading to Destiny Islands. Who will come with me?" Zak stated.

Roxas and Axel came and stood behind him. Xion walked over as well. Zak looked at the others, but Zexion and Demyx shook their heads.

"Sorry, but we need to return to our world and make sure it's ok. We heard other nobodies in human form showed up. We want to know what they're up to." Zexion said. "But as soon as we're done, we'll send help."

"Thank you." Zak gave one last look around before heading for the portal to Destiny Islands. Then a hand grabbed his shoulder. He looked to see Kira.

"I will go with you. I'm your guard and shall protect you no matter where you are." she said. Zak nodded in agreement and continued for the portal.

When they were assembled on the portal, Kira activated the portal before walking over to stand with them.

"I will return when I have my friends back!" Zak said before disappearing with the others.

The elders watched them go and did the same with Zexion and Demyx. Then Larino addressed the other elders.

"Well, this sets our plans back now doesn't it?"

"Master, if we don't get him to learn his powers soon, we'll miss our chance!"

"Don't worry. We are the elders. We will perform the ceremony before the Runari get the chance. And we shall succeed. All we have to do is keep the rest of our followers in the dark until the time comes."

Unknown Realm

The Runari assembled into their ranks. Vestis, Promiscus, Puniceus, and Crocinus level Runari assembled into their units. Rutilus and Crudus level were assembled into their special units. The Niveus level Runari were gathered directly in front and facing inside the formation, awaiting their lord's orders.

When everything was said and done, nearly 20,000 Runari were awaiting their leader. The Argentum Runari, leader of the Order of Runari, stepped forward. His silver mask gleamed in the sunlight. He summoned the Niveus Runari waiting with a prisoner to come forward. They carried him forward. He struggled against the restraints holding him, but it was futile.

The prisoner was the Niveus Runari who led the mission to capture Zak. He was dropped before the leader and the Niveus Runari who brought him dropped to kneel before him. "My lord, we have brought the failure!"

"So, Orin the Niveus Runari, you failed to acquire a simple man who couldn't even fight back to kill?"

"My lord! We were ambushed!"

"I care not for your excuses! You will pay the price for failure in the service of the Argentum Runari!" The leader raised his hand high and a strange weapon appeared. He brought it down on top of the man, killing him in one slash. "Let that be a lesson to all of you! Succeed in your mission or do not return. For I will kill all who fail me!"

The leader dismissed them. A few Niveus Runari followed him to his sacred chamber. There he activated a two way vid screen and waited for his contact to report.

"What is it?" a masked man inquired.

"I just dealt with my failure as you recommended, but I fear I will cause dissention in my forces. Are you sure you can get me what I want if I keep my promises?"

"Of course. Deliver me the boy and you will be granted power."

"Then by your leave." He cut the transmission after that. On each world there were only perhaps twenty Key Guardians. Only on Kagi Vesica were there several thousand under the command of the Elders. If it weren't for the barrier, he would have destroyed the outpost of each world and gone after their main base long ago. But know he had a way and all he had to do was capture Zak Saturday.

Hey guy's here's the next chapter! Sorry it took so long. Knight1 hasn't been feeling well and we had to figure out what to do with the story while he was out of touch. We will be renaming ourselves thanks to a new addition to our group. We will call ourselves The Order of The White Knights. We extend a hand of friendship to all who wish to be our friends as Honorary Knights. We will be numbered knights and our friends will choose a color to name them. Review and let us know what you think of our story and our offer.