Sora, Roxas, and Riku were riding off to the first town in their quest for support- Cornelia. It was a quaint place, a good starting town. It would be one of the first to learn of Vanitas taking the throne, and a likely spot for mild uprising, Sora thought as he tucked his hood over as they walked into town. He glanced at Riku, who had managed to dye his hair a few shades darker with the ashes of their previous campfire.

"Oh! hello!" A girl called out. Her hair was a light green tinted blond tied up in a ponytail, with warm brown eyes that twinkled with confidence and mirth. She was wearing a magenta red leotard with a lavender sash providing a skirt, and white tights on her legs tucked into ankle length boots. Her arms were covered in the same material as her leotard, and a cape was draped on her shoulders.

She rushed over, saying merrily "I'm Terra!"

Riku accepted her hand "I'm Riku, this is Roxas and..." He trailed off to look for a name for Sora "Kaze."

Terra tilted her head "Huh, don't like sunshine much, do you Kaze?"

Sora shrugged "Well, I can wear a hood if I feel like wearing a hood, can't I?"

Roxas, who had skillfully combed his hair flatter to look less like Ventus(even pulling the back into a small ponytail) shrugged as well "He just sunburns easily."

Sora clenched his fist in annoyance. HE was the one with the deepest tan here! Sunburns easily his ass!

"Hey, Branford, you making some new friends?" A young man, brown hair spiked backwards and pensive blue eyes, walked over. His general appearance was well bulit, dusty, dirty, a quick explanation was provided by the hoe over his shoulders.

"Yeah, Chikyu, this is Riku, Roxas, and Kaze!" Terra waved at them with a small flourish.

Chikyu smiled, and shook their hands "I'm Terra-"

"But SHE'S Terra-"

"We both have the same name." This other Terra's mirth vanished in an instant, but quickly returned "Just refer to us by last name. Hers is Branford, mine is Chikyu."

"Um... Okay then." Sora said "Say, have you heard the news?"

Both Terras glanced at each other worriedly. Chikyu then cleared his throat and said "Um, w-we don't support Sora if that what you're asking-"

"Oh, so you know Vanitas is ruling now?"

Branford nodded "There was an announcement this morning. Tax increase, more severe punishments, complete loyalty to the Kuraikagami clan or else you're dead... Well, to be honest..." She glanced over her shoulder, then whispered "We think he's an absolute asshole. My loyalty will always be with those who will make a peaceful world where dreams can be fulfilled. Right now, there's only fear and restraint."

Chikyu flinched, then worriedly looked around to see if anyone had heard that. He quickly held a hand on his companion's shoulder as a man arrived. Sora noticed with dread their horses were tied up behind them.

"Excuse me, but we found these horses on your property." The man said. He looked at Sora, noting the boy's discomfort. "You seem to recognize these horses."

Sora shook his head, altering his voice as much as he could, which wasn't hard when it was squeaking with fear "Ah, I just recognize them from the palace stables! I've been there a few times."

He studied the man, but carefully kept his gaze lowered. Okay, he looked to be in his late twenties or early thirties, bright blue hair and a x-shaped scar-

Sora felt Riku nudge him- a signal that they both recognized Saïx, Vanitas's most trusted tracker. Saïx then continued "I'll have you know there is a heavy tax on stealing horses from the royal stables." Chikyu pushed Branford behind him "We didn't steal anything. They just wandered away, that's all-"

Saïx pulled out a piece of parchment, Sora and Riku's mugs plastered on it "These two are wanted for treason to the crown."

Both Terras blinked, then glanced at Sora and Riku. Saïx looked over Roxas, and added "There was a sighting in another town of them, and we expect they are already here."

He turned back, their horses still in tow "If you see them, report them in for a hefty bounty. I am sure your shabby farm needs it."

As Saïx galloped away, Sora bowed to Terra Branford and Terra Chikyu "We'll be on our way-"

Miss Branford grabbed his shoulder and lifted his hood slightly. She grinned "It's you!" She grabbed his wrist "Come on in," she winked "Kaze." She looked at her companion, grinning. He smiled back, waving them all in "Come on, we aren't gonna sell you guys out. We have a little to give, but not much."

Vanitas was lounging on his throne, idly examining his mark of inheritance, just known as the Kingdom Key D. It was exactly the same as Sora's, but the colors were reversed.

Goofy, the captain of the guard, shuffled uncomfortably. Vanitas glared at him, and asked sharply "What?"

Goofy cleared his throat "Well, don't 'chya think that perhaps some of this is a little extreme-"

"It's not extreme." Vanitas said, his voice low and hissing "It's weeding out the un-loyal." He stabbed his blade into the ground with a loud, threatening clang "DONALD!"

The court magician quickly waddled in "Y-yes sir?"

Vanitas shifted from a lounging position to a threatening lean forward "Have you found him yet?!"

Donald removed his hat "N-no sir-"

"Get out of my sight and keep out until you DO!"

Donald squawked at the sudden storm of lightning, then nodded and ran off. Goofy scooted over, but Vanitas held up his hand "Halt."

Goofy rolled his eyes, then asked bitterly "What do ya need?"

"Send out more guards, search everywhere-"

"I've already sent out everyone I can."

Vanitas sighed. Then his advisor, Xemnas strode in. Vanitas growled at him "This better be good."

Xemnas said calmly "We found him, on the run-"

Goofy calmly plugged his ears when Vanitas began yelling, his rage boiling over "WHERE IS SORA-"

"He escaped-"

Vanitas pulled the Kingdom Key D from the ground and sent out a wave of darkness "HOW DARE YOU RETURN WITH THAT NEWS!"

Xemnas blocked it, completely unfazed "Your highness, we have also discovered that your cousin wasn't quite as dead as you thought..."

Vanitas faltered, then demanded "Which one?"

"Ventus."

Vanitas blinked, then stormed out of the room, crossing the halls with anger and... Perhaps it was the closest thing to fear he had. He stormed into the dungeons, and opened the cell at the very end. Yes, there Ventus was, a bloody, mangled corpse that he occasionally used to vent out his rage. Oh how he loathed that goody-two-shoes-do-nothing-wrong idiot. So sweet and innocent, everyone loved him-

He heard Xemnas behind him, and growled "Liar."

"The boy we found with the other blade looked exactly like him." Xemnas said.

Vanitas slammed the door shut "That doesn't mean he's a contender."

Sorry for such a long hiatus! I didn't know where to go with this exactly, and it just didn't enjoy coming out quite yet. Also, Miss Branford is from FF6, just FYI.