Kingdom Hearts Zero

KH0

"Are you headed there now?" Arc asked.

Arc is a head shorter than Yen Sid. He has light brown hair and a spattering of freckles on his face. He wears a yellow shirt with a long green coat over it, along with a white mantle and yellow scarf. He has a pair of fingerless brown leather gloves, fitted black pants, and brown leather knee-high boots. He wears two belts: one thin and the other wide. The wide belt has an elaborate, large silver buckle.

"Now is as good a time as any," Yen Sid said, "but I don't think I have to rush. If they were ready for me, they'd have sent for me."

"You want to get some last minute training in before you go," Arc said. "I've read that you can never be too prepared. You should be okay with your magic: your mom is Fantasia, but this might be a good opportunity to work on your fencing."

"I wonder if he'll retrain me if I get a Keyblade," Yen Sid said, "or will he incorporate my own skills into whatever I'll need to learn."

"You should write that down," Arc said. "Matter of fact…" He walked over to Yen Sid and handed him the book that he brought him. "I got you a journal. When you get a Keyblade, I don't know when I'll see you again, but your adventures will probably make for a great story. Write everything down. So, when you come back, I can read all about them."

"I could just tell you about them," Yen Sid said.

"That too," Arc said.

"I guess they don't call you the Book Master for nothing," Yen Sid said. "Thanks Arc."

"The others are waiting for you," Arc said. "We all took the day off so we could send you off properly."

"You guys are the hardest working people in the city," Yen Sid said. "How many jobs have you all worked by now?"

Arc, putting a finger to his lips, shushed him. He chuckled.

"Hey," Arc said. "That's a secret. Maybe we'll tell you some day."

Yen Sid laughed as he got up from the bed. Arc left from his room. Yen Sid looked around his room one last time when he got to his door before he followed Arc out, closing the door behind him.

Arc led Yen Sid to the Sky Platform where Luneth, Refia, and Ingus awaited them. The Sky Platform led to The Mysterious Tower.

"We're glad you could make it," Ingus said. "We thought it best you train again before you left. Becoming a Keyblade wielder is an amazing opportunity, but it is also a tough road to travel."

Ingus is taller than Arc although not by much but definitely more built. He has a head of short, blond hair and alluring blue eyes. He wears a clean white t-shirt with a light blue and red hoody over it; he wears the hood over his head. His black pants are baggy and reach a little over his black hiking boots. He wears a pair of black motorcycle gloves with his outfit. A white belt with a gold buckle wraps around his waist while a gold necklace with a green pendant hangs around his neck.

"I wish I was going too," Luneth exclaimed. "You get to see different worlds, meet all kinds of people and creatures, and be a hero. You're so lucky: at least I can say I helped train you."

Luneth is taller and thinner than Ingus. His hair is long and silver; he wears it in a ponytail and part of his hangs in front of his face. His eyes are violet. He wears a ribbed lavender turtleneck with a dark violet hooded jacket over it and a suede sienna vest over them both. His gloves are sienna suede; his pants light gray, and his knee-high leather boots black. Around his waist, he carries a tan fanny pack.

"Don't let Ingus scare you," Refia said, "and don't mind Luneth. Just don't let receiving a Keyblade and becoming a wielder give you a big head. Do that, and I know you'll be fine."

Refia is tall for the most part and lithe. She's a strawberry blonde with shoulder-length hair and red eyes. She wears a long sleeve, white blouse with a thin, robin egg's blue vest. She wears a cross-shaped brooch along with a pair of black leggings and red-brown thigh-high boots.

"Your magic's stronger than mine," Arc said, "but we thought this would be the best and most fun way to send you off."

Luneth tossed him his wooden sword.

"I'll take you on first," Luneth said. "Then, Refia will go, followed by Arc, and lastly, Ingus."

Yen Sid caught the sword with his right hand. He placed the back of his left hand at the small of his back and clenched his fist.

Luneth charged Yen Sid, and the training battles began. Yen Sid defeated all of them one by one. It didn't take long.

"This is the last time I'll train with you guys," Yen Sid. "Who knows when we'll see each other again. Fight together. Let's see how far I've come."

"We were hoping you'd say that," Refia said, glancing at the others while grinning.

People were gathering around now.

"That's why we're here at this platform," Ingus said with an air of seriousness.

"We're going to change from Freelancers to our first real jobs," Luneth said. "We'll put on a show. You won't stand a chance."

"The stage is set," Arc said, gesturing toward the platform.

"You all have always worked better as a team anyway," Yen Sid said. "This will be a good indicator of where I stand."

They all gathered upon the Sky Platform. Luneth, Arc, Refia, and Ingus stood on one side, and Yen Sid stood across from them: in his stance with his wooden sword. All four of his friends, his foes at the moment, glanced at each other. Luneth was excited. Arc was a little apprehensive. Refia was watchful. Ingus was serious. They reached for their right shoulders and simultaneously changed from Freelancers to a Warrior, Black Mage, White Mage, and Red Magic respectively.

"Don't take it easy on me," Yen said and smiled.

"Not a chance," Luneth said.

Objective: Defeat Your Friends

Luneth – Warrior Equipment: Sword

- Command Ability: Advance

Arc – Black Mage Equipment: Stave

- Command Ability: Black Magic

Refia – White Mage Equipment: Rod

- Command Ability: White Magic

Ingus – Red Mage Equipment: Sword and Dagger

- Command Ability: White and Black Magic

Yen Sid – Trainee Equipment: Wooden Sword and Magic

Ability: High Jump Level 1

Magic: Fire, Blizzard, Thunder, Aero, and Slow

Luneth and Ingus both charged Yen Sid. Yen Sid moved toward Luneth to avoid Ingus and preempt Luneth's Advance ability; it had the ability to do critical damage to him. Luneth and Ingus were more physically oriented, so he needed to stay alert about their movements; however, he needed to handle Refia and Ingus first because they both had access to Cure, which could prolong this battle in which he was vastly outnumbered. Yen Sid knocked Luneth back and jumped over Ingus to avoid both his sword and dagger.

"Lightning!" Arc exclaimed.

Then, Yen Sid had to jump back because Arc brought Lightning from the sky with his Thunder magic. The Sky Platform was moving now, and they had an audience as it traveled along toward The Mysterious Tower. The environment was another factor to consider for this fight. Even though he'd be returned to platform if he fell or accidently jumped off, he considered it a personal goal to avoid that happening, especially because he'd also automatically lose if it did. Yen Sid ran for Arc, but he pulled his arm from behind his back and aimed his Fire magic at Refia.

"Blaze!" Yen Sid exclaimed before returning his left hand to the small of his back.

His magic surprised Refia, but she countered with her Toad magic. Yen Sid found himself turned into a toad, and he had to hop for his life as all four of his friends took this opportunity to end this battle quickly. Refia used Cure on Luneth, and Ingus used Cure on her. Yen Sid managed to escape getting skewered or grilled, and when he turned back he decided to turn the tide. They had him on run but not anymore. He decided to change tactics. Ingus was the most dangerous; he had too many options at his disposal: both a physical and magical challenge. He'd leave him for last.

Yen Sid went for Arc again. He used to his sword to keep Luneth back, jumped to avoid Ingus, and then jumped from left to right to avoid all of the magic being lodged his way.

"Lightning!" Arc exclaimed: Thunder again.

"Tiny!" Refia exclaimed, unleashing her Mini magic.

"Lose Sight!" Arc exclaimed: his Blind magic.

Yen Sid was glad he was able to evade that magic.

"Wind!" Reflia exclaimed, unleashing her Aero magic. She knocked Yen Sid back to the platform while he was in mid jump.

Luneth knocked him farther back with his Advance ability. Ingus tried to get in on the action, but Yen Sid stopped the onslaught.

"Deep Freeze!" Yen Sid exclaimed, using his Blizzard magic to immobilize Ingus for a moment or two. He took a page out of Refia's book before Luneth came with his next attempt. "Whirlwind!" His Aero magic sent Luneth off the platform, which took him out of the match.

Luneth returned to the platform and stood in the corner of it: frustrated and annoyed he was taken out first.

When Ingus was free, Refia used Cure on him, and Yen Sid took Arc out next with a flurry of sword strikes.

Arc laughed as he took up his position in the corner across from Luneth. He cheered Yen Sid on as the match continued.

Yen Sid set his sights on Refia next, and in that moment was unexpectedly hit with dangerous magic from Ingus.

"Venom," Ingus said; he hit Yen Sid with Poison.

It was a good move on Ingus' part. Yen Sid shouldn't have expected any less. Ingus' follow up was equally good.

"Darkness," Ingus said; he hit Yen Sid with Blind too.

Yen Sid already felt the effects of the poison, and he knew better to try to make a physical move when he could barely make out where Ingus and Refia were standing. The great thing though was while he might not be able to focus on their position with his sword he had no such problem handling that with his magic.

"Blaze!" Yen Sid exclaimed. "Whirlwind!" His Fire took Refia off guard and his Aero sent her off the platform. He jumped back and forth, here and there, to keep away from Ingus' sword and dagger combos along with all the magic he tried to bring down upon him.

Refia was returned to the platform and took up a corner, nodding to Luneth, which got him back in the spirit of things, and Arc. She then cheered on Ingus while Arc continued to cheer on Yen Sid.

The Sky Platform neared The Mysterious Tower.

Poison and Blind wore off as the match drew to its conclusion.

Ingus used his last bit of magic to Cure himself before it was exhausted. Yen Sid could tell.

The end of the battle became an elegant dance: sword and dagger against sword and magic. Yen Sid took several hits from Ingus while he was left in awe and impressed by how well Ingus avoided his sword and magic.

"Shock and Awe!" Yen Sid exclaimed: his Thunder magic.

Ingus used his sword to take the bolt from himself to the platform and got Yen Sid with his dagger. It happened so fast Yen Sid could only stagger back.

"Whirlwind!" Yen Sid exclaimed: his Aero magic.

Ingus pulled his weapons to himself and spun out of the way before he leapt at Yen Sid, hitting him with both his sword and dagger. Yen Sid hit and slid across the platform.

Yen Sid looked toward Ingus. Ingus looked upon him. Yen Sid knew Ingus was good, but this match was going to be his. He climbed onto his feet and ran at Ingus. Left hand behind his back, Yen Sid engaged Ingus. Ingus blocked. Yen Sid parried. Yen Sid pulled his left hand forward. Ingus prepared to defend himself.

"Breathe," Yen Sid said, utilizing his Slow magic. "It's over."

Yen Sid slowed down Ingus' time and exhausted the rest of his own magic in the process. Afterward, he returned his left hand behind his back. Ingus tried to move back, tried to protect himself with his sword and dagger, but he didn't have the speed to do so. Yen Sid finished Ingus off with several sword strikes in combination. Ingus' time returned; he dropped to the platform. Yen Sid stood the victor.

~-Defying Gravity – Amber Riley, Lea Michele, and Chris Colfer-~

Yen Sid extended a hand, and Ingus took it. Arc, Refia, and Luneth gathered with them. The four foes returned to their Freelancer garbs. Refia and Luneth shared potions and ethers with everyone as the platform docked at The Mysterious Tower. When the group stepped off, all the people watching from roofs, windows, clouds, and their own Sky Platforms applauded and cheered. The friends all smiled and bowed, signaling the end of the show and their performance.

They walked toward the tower's entrance.

"I can't believe I was defeated first," Luneth said.

"Everybody did great," Refia said. "Don't pout."

"I'm not," Luneth said.

"If you ever get the chance," Ingus said, "come back. We'll challenge you again and provide more of a challenge."

"I agree," Luneth said. "Next time, we'll win."

"This is where we leave you," Arc said. "Good luck, and take care of yourself."

"Thanks for your help," Yen Sid said, "and take care of yourselves. Don't work too hard."

"Same to you," Arc said and chuckled.

The gang waved him off and returned to the Sky Platform to leave.

~~~!~~~!~~~!~~~

A young boy, wearing a white, red-lined hooded haori, a pair of slightly shorter than normal sand-colored hakama, a thinner purple turtle neck, and a pair of purple boots, stands in the back of a Gummi Ship, provided to him by Master Luxu. He feels excitement but remains reserved about everything that is about to transpire for him. He has black hair with an almost purple hue in the light tied into a short, high topknot with one bang hanging off to the right side of his face and a few other strands free, and his sharp eyes are a steel bluish gray. As his two new friends sit up front, one being the pilot, Eraqus awaits his arrival to The Mysterious Tower.

~~~!~~~!~~~!~~~

A young boy, wearing a Black Coat, which he received from Master Luxu, traverses a Corridor of Darkness to arrive in the new world: one of many worlds he'd longed to see one day. He is alone. He takes off the coat and lays it over his left arm. He wears a short-sleeved black shirt, and an open, short sleeved, hooded black jacket over it that extends down to his calves. The inside of the hood is lined light gray. He wears a pair of dark gray pants, knee-high black boots, and black wristbands. He has silver, spiky hair slicked and spiked back with a few bangs across the front of his face. They don't hide his golden eyes. Xehanort sees The Mysterious Tower in the distance and begins to walk toward it.

~~~!~~~!~~~!~~~

Yen Sid waved his friends off before he turned and walked the stairs to the tower's doors. He gazed upon the two large doors: one with a star on it and the other with a crescent moon. He'd seen these doors many times before, but today they looked completely different: daunting yet inviting. He took a deep breath, nodded to himself, and then pushed the doors open to walk into his future, his destiny.