MFJ – Glad to know people still like my questionable writing. Merry Christmas! Or Happy Hanukah… and New Years…

You just can't tell any more…

Fenix – You might be disappointed to hear this, but being clear ain't my strong point. I'm like a muddy pond. If it's something about my writing, please tell me what I should be changing so that I can. As for the Anime terms, I was just watching it a few days ago. Don't worry, it was a one-time deal. The rest of the story will be game-terms only, and Kratos will continue to refer to Colette as the Chosen.

Riku separated himself from Genis and Lloyd, thinking what he was supposed to do. He was unfamiliar with the land, and didn't even know if he could summon the Souleater. His best bet, was to follow the two who knew what was going on, get some information from them, and leave when he could. It's not unlikely that there was a Gummi Ship nearby.

The Gummi Ship, introduced to him by King Mickey, was what people from 'his world' used to get from planet to planet easily. If Riku could find it, he could easily get home, find the King and Sora, and then some.

Genis, afraid of the silver-headed man, continued to look back every chance he could. Every time, there Riku was, simply staring at the ground. Eventually, Genis gave Lloyd a light tap with his elbow. Lloyd looked down at his young friend, and smiled. "What's up Genis?"

"It's that, Riku kid. What's his deal?" He asked, looking back. Lloyd did too. "He just appeared out of nowhere, according to Colette, and now you're letting him in your house."

"Well, you know my father would kill me if I told him I broke a Dwarven Vow."

"Just because your dad is a Dwarf doesn't mean you're gonna get in trouble for leaving a stranger out here…"

"I suppose not, but he doesn't seem like a bad guy. Just looks… lost."

"Like a puppy… but he's nowhere near as cute…"

"Yeah… okay…" Lloyd finished, uncomfortably looking away as Genis folded his arms. Lloyd looked back to see Riku still staring at the ground. "Don't worry man, we're almost there."

"Watch out though… there are a few monsters around here now a days. Just stay behind me and Lloyd." Genis said arrogantly. "I don't want you getting hurt on your first day here."

"What was that?" Riku suddenly said, making Lloyd jump. He and Genis turned around to see Riku, removing his cloak's hood. "You do realize you're talking to a Keybearer, right?"

"A what?"

"My dad can make keys out of the right kind of iron. Does that make him a 'Key-maker'?"

"Maybe it's best I show you…" Riku sighed. 'Lloyd's not the brightest… is he?' Riku wondered to himself. He held out his hand, and closed his eyes. Seconds later, metal brushed up against his hands as the blade appeared. Riku opened his eyes again to reveal the red and blue wing of Souleater in his hand. 'Good…' Riku thought suddenly. 'I can still summon this'.

"W-whoa! What kinda- how did you- Was that magic?" Lloyd suddenly shouted, his eyes as big as dinner plates. Clearly enthused, Lloyd held out his own hand, and closed his eyes. "K, now what?" He asked. Riku began to laugh, and the Souleater disappeared from sight.

"Sorry Lloyd, Keyblade holders only."

"Keyblade?" Genis asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, it's… well, a bit too complicated to go into. You've probably heard to much already."

Lloyd, disappointed, opened his eyes and put his hands in his pockets. He kicked some dirt on the road, and continued on his way. Riku followed. Genis, still unsure, held out his own hand. Disappointed that nothing appeared, he followed.

The group managed to make it through the forest completely unharmed. Riku, continued to wonder what this world was like, but decided it best if he did not ask Lloyd or Genis any questions. Eventually, Genis split away from the group, much to Lloyd's disappointment.

"Okay guys, this is where I leave."

"The Human Ranch? Genis, you can't be serious!"

"Human Ranch?" Riku found himself asking. Lloyd turned to him with a confused look in his eye.

"You've never heard of a Human Ranch?" He asked. Riku shook his head. "I suppose you're lucky. In a Human Ranch, Desians take in innocent people to do work all day. No pay, barely any food. It's slavery. Iselia has a treaty with the Desians though. We leave them alone, the Desians don't attack our village."

"What!? That's horrible."

"I know… I'd stop it, but… the only way I can defeat them is…" A long pause. "Never mind."

"Lloyd… I have to visit Marble…"

"Marble?"

"She's my friend, Lloyd. She'd love to hear about what happened today. The Oracle appeared, you can't get much cooler than that." Genis said. He turned around, and began walking away.

"Did he already forget that I appeared out of a door in the middle of nowhere…?"

"Guess so. But I have to follow him. If he gets caught, he's gonna be enslaved and Iselia is going to be attacked!"

"Come on then." Riku said, running after Genis, Lloyd right behind him.

"So, during school, the light came. It was so pretty Marble. I wish you could have seen it."

"I do too, Genis." An elderly woman said. She must have been Marble. Why would Genis have such an old friend, Riku wondered.

"Genis, we have to get out of here." Lloyd said, his voice in a low whisper."

"Yeah, I know. Just, give me a minute."

Lloyd looked at Genis. "All right, one mi-"

"What is that…?" Riku suddenly asked. A small blue light had gotten his attention. A blue stone was placed upon Marbles arm.

Lloyd's eyes widened. "That's an Exsphere."

"Exsphere?" Genis asked, grabbing Marbles hand to get a closer look.

"Grams, why do you have an Exsphere on you?" Lloyd said, ignoring Genis.

"Ahh" Marble began, beginning to look at the stone herself. "So that's what this is called. The men here simply put it on my hand one day. I didn't know what it was."

"This one doesn't have a Key-crest though… An Exsphere without a Key-crest is dangerous…"

"Lloyd! Can you make a Key-crest?" Genis asked, worried for his friend's safety. Riku still felt left in the dark.

"N-no… Key-crests are Dwarven Technology. I can't make one myself."

"You're dad's a Dwarf! Ask him to make one! Please Lloyd!" Genis begged.

"F-fine."

"No, please don't." Marble said, blushing slightly. "Don't go through all this trouble to sa- uh-oh, here come the Desians. Quick you three, get out of here!"

"Desians?" Lloyd whispered. "Great, just what we need…"

Riku lifted his head, and pointed at a nearby ledge. "Get over there. We'll probably be safe." He said, and he ran off.

"I'm sorry Grams…" Lloyd said, and he and Genis followed Riku.

"What are you doing over here?" A Desian asked Marble.

"I- I was just over here taking a breather."

"Taking a break huh? Grab her men."

"They're taking her to the back." Riku pointed out. "Whips? Wow, you people are old fashioned…"

"Oh no, Lloyd! We have to do something."

"There are four right there… Genis, hit all of them with you fire balls!"

"I can only summon three."

"Leave the one of the right to me…" Riku said darkly. A dark aura began to summon around his hands. Genis, slight shocked, nodded. He began to bounce the ball on his Kendama back and forth. "Ready… go! Dark Fiagra!" He shouted, throwing a dark fireball at one of the Desians.

"Fireball!" Genis shouted, summoning three fireballs. Flames began to engulf the remaining Desians.

"Quick! Genis, get out of here! We'll distract the guards." Lloyd yelled, taking out his dual blades. "We can't let the Desians know you were here. I'll just take care of all the remaining Desians."

"I'll help. Genis, get back to Iselia." Genis nodded, and with that sprinted. Riku and Lloyd looked at each other. Nether said anything, but both of them nodded. They jumped down the ledge to the front of the base, blades at the ready.

"So, you're the brats who interrupted us." A Desian said, adjusting his helmet. He was badly burned; most of his skin was blackened by ether Riku or Genis' attack, He carried a whip. Three other Desians, all carrying a sword, were behind him. "Well then we-"

"Bastard Desians. I'll end you!" Lloyd interrupted. Suddenly, his right hand began to glow. Before, it was simply bandaged with a simple white cloth. Riku assumed it was an everyday wound, but when the cloth disappeared, an Exsphere appeared.

"You have one too?" Riku asked.

"Yeah, but mine has a Key-crest, so I'm okay."

"…If you say so. Let's take care of these guys." Riku smirked. Lloyd nodded in a silent agreement, and both of them rushed the group.

A stab to through the chest was Riku first mode, quickly dispatching the first Desian. Lloyd chose a more powerful attack. First he slashed the Desian into the air, and then quickly followed up with a downward slash "Tiger Blade!" He shouted as the Desian hit the ground, bleeding from the mouth, cuts all over his front.

"Flashy." Riku commented. "My turn." He grabbed the hilt of his blade with both hands, and rose into the air. He then disappeared from sight. "Dark Aura!" He shouted, as he appeared in front of the man, and went through him. He appeared from the side, and preformed the same technique. From the back, from the left- Riku hit the Desian in all directions until the man feel to the floor, dead. The final Desian was cowardly, and had already fallen to the floor.

Emotionlessly, Lloyd stated; "This is for revenge for mom… Demon Fang!" He shouted, as he scraped his sword on the ground. It created a shock wave that rammed the Desian. Lloyd must have targeted correctly, as the Desian was sent back, and his the wall of the Ranch. Lloyd's Exsphere died down, and he returned to his happy-go-lucky self. "All in favor of getting out of here?" He asked.

Riku raised his hand, and stated a quick "I". The two ran to the outskirts of the Human Ranch's territory. As they crossed the small natural bridge between Iselia Forest and the Ranch, it seemed Genis had not gone home yet.

"Oh good, you two are okay."

"Yeah, thankfully. Those Desians weren't that tough though…"

"Kinda sad, really. I expected more of a challenge." Riku said curtly, making the Souleater blade disappear. "So, Genis, should you be getting home?" Genis looked like he was insulted, and was about to tell Riku off.

"He's right Genis" Lloyd cut in before Genis could retort on Riku. "We don't want any Desians coming to the village. You'd get blamed."

"Yeah… thanks again Lloyd, Riku." Genis said politely, and walked off. Riku stared after him for a few seconds, before Lloyd tapped him on the shoulder.

"Come on, let's go. My house is close by now."

The two continued down the road before they managed to stumble upon a log cabin. It had two buildings and looked professionally built. Smoke was coming out of the chimney, and the house had a small stable. In the stable was a green and white, big-eared creature was resting. Lloyd walked over to it, and began to stroke its head. Riku looked to the right of the house, to notice a grave, the area surrounded by a very small fence.

"Well…" Lloyd said, after Riku was through examining the house. "This is it. Kinda small, but, it will do for you."

"So long as I get a bed, I'm not all that picky." Riku admitted. He decided to bring up the creature. "So, what's that thing you're scratching? Your pet?"

"Yep. This is Noishe."

"What is he? He's too big to be a dog… is this some sort of monster?" Riku asked. When Noishe heard the word monster, it's ears went up, quickly followed by the head. Noishe looked around, and eventually stood. Satisfied that it was safe, it lay back down.

"Don't say the 'm' word".

"Huh?"

"Noishe is afraid of… you-know-what." Lloyd explained. "Which is strange. He's bigger than any monster I'd ever seen… You crazy dog, you."

"Dog? That thing is way too big to be an ordinary dog."

"Well, I've known him since I was a baby. Dirk found me with him and everything."

"How old are you?" Riku asked curiosly.

"17, why?"

"'Dogs' must live longer here then they do in my world. A dog that size can't live 17 years and still be able to jump at the sound of one word…"

"Well, Noishe might be a special type of dog. I dunno."

"Special is right… he's green too, that's not normal…"

The remainder of the day crept by slowly. Riku was introduced to Dirk. Unlike Riku had expected, the Dwarf was only a foot smaller than Lloyd, and was incredibly strong looking. They ate a small dinner, and Riku decided to leave the two alone.

He slept in Lloyd's room that night, many thoughts bothering him. What had happened to Marble? What would he do tomorrow that was productive? How was he going to get home?

Later that night, the group he had meet earlier that day had arrived. The man in purple, whose name Riku still did not know, Genis, Raine, and Colette. Faking to sleep, he overheard a conversation between Lloyd and Colette. Apparently, Colette was going on a long journey to Regenerate the World. Lloyd, originally, was not allowed to go. It looks like Colette had changed her mind, and the two were going, together. This raised another question. If Lloyd wasn't here, who could he stay with… maybe he would end up going with the group.

Eventually, the group left to go to Iselia, and Lloyd had turned in. Riku finally managed to get some rest.

1:00 Am, next morning.

"Is that him?"

"I don't know, serge. I can't see anything."

"Oh, shut up. I don't care. Just grab the boy with the Exsphere, and let's go!"

"Yessir… why are we even doing this, sir?"

"I told you, that's the Exsphere Grand Cardinal Kvar has been looking for."

"I see… well, I got hi- Ugh, he's heavy…"

"Good, and here we take our leave."

Lloyd woke with a start, and sat up in his sleeping bag. He looked around, and squinted. He looked up to his bed to remember that was where Riku was sleeping. "I better get rest… can't let Colette wait tomorrow."