The Dark Harbinger
Within a dark world known as the Nexus of Oblivion, a place that is in between existence and non-existence stands a mighty fortress floating on an island over a desolate wasteland, the Dark Citadel. Behind this grand castle was a vortex of darkness, or as it was known to the Five Judges, the Nexus of Oblivion. Within the fortress' foyer sat four cloaked people, two men and two women. The group sat at a small circular table, awaiting the arrival of their fifth member, Lasinix, the Glacial Aristocrat, the Third Judge. The other members consisted of Davdix, the Thunderous Brute, the Fifth Judge; Xagnos, the Dark Harbinger, the First Judge and the group's leader; Axmy, the Conniving Gale, the Second Judge and one of the group's only females; and Xenkra, the Vexing Blaze, the Fourth Judge and the group's other female. Moments later, a dark portal appeared and the last attendee made his appearance. "You're late again Lasinix," Davdix said irritably. He was quickly silenced by a gesture of Xagnos' hand.
"My apologies," Lasinix replied calmly, "I didn't realize…"
"Damn right you didn't realize anything ass clown," Davdix interrupted angrily.
"Wow, the brute can speak, I'm touched," Lasinix replied caustically, still retaining his normal calm and cool demeanor. "Have you learned any other new tricks while I was away?" Davdix growled at his statement while Lasinix smirked confidently.
"Davdix, Lasinix, will you two let me tend to business?" Xagnos asked with great irritancy. "I have no time for your incompetence, so spare me the trouble of hearing you speak."
"Yes my liege," Davdix and Lasinix answered.
"Men," Xenkra of the females replied bitterly, shaking her head at the pathetic sight. Even the lesser Nobodies were more orderly than these two, and much more quiet.
"Hey, I haven't seen you do much of anything!" Davdix retorted. Again, their leader silenced him.
"I grow tired of this," Xagnos said with even more irritancy to his normally calm demeanor. "Lasinix, stats report."
"Nexam is stronger than I expected," Lasinix replied, "I must say I never thought him to somehow manage to survive in a new world, then again, the keyblade is a strong weapon."
"He has a keyblade already?" Axmy asked. "Great, he's whole again."
"I wouldn't be so hasty," Lasinix answered, pausing for the effect.
"Well, get on with it dammit!" Davdix replied slamming a hand onto the table. "What do you mean?"
"Patience my muscular oaf," Lasinix replied, "I choose my words wisely, something you could learn from, least they be used against you by someone more clever."
"Say that to my face!" Davdix shouted as he rose from his seat, summoning his large hammer into his hands. Its head was large and golden yellow, while the shaft and grip were grey.
"Sit down before you strain yourself," Lasinix replied calmly and coldly. "I'm sure Xagnos still has use for someone of your talents, if one can call them such. However, if it's a challenge you want, I'd more than happy to put you in your place." Lasinix's calm smirk faded into one more aggressive as he said this, hoping that the brute would take his bait. Davdix was getting furious at the constant insults, and strongly considering the challenge, but a glare from their leader Xagnos put him and Lasinix in their place. He put up his weapon and sat back down.
"Lasinix, do not try my patience," Xagnos added with a much harsher tone, now tired of this charade. "Now please continue or I will be forced to take drastic measures in which your obliteration will be guaranteed." He motioned to the window that had a spectacular view of the dark nexus that will destroy anyone and anything that ventures too deep. As far as the group knew, no one returned from it. Lasinix stood nervously for a moment and took a deep breath before continuing.
"As you wish my liege," he continued. "Yes, our close acquaintance has come into possession of a keyblade, the same one we saw before." Lasinix lowered his hood, revealing his spiky and moderately long, light brown hair and his green right eye. Across his left was a scar that robbed him of his vision, and ability to open it, an abomination to his perfect face. "The same one that peasant used to give me this!" he continued, with much more anger in his voice than before.
"And the kid?" Xenkra asked.
"Right, forgive my brief display of emotion," Lasinix answered, "not that we Nobodies can truly display emotion. Ah yes, Nexam I believe his name was, aligned with some of the world's more colorful residents against our Dusks. He truly has no recollection of who we are, though I'm sure that Blue Fairy explained briefly the operations of our organization."
"So Nexam knows we exist though he doesn't remember our identities and purpose," Xagnos answered. "Perhaps I should thank that idiotic King Mickey for hiding him from us. Obtaining Kingdom Hearts may have become so much easier."
"But what about Organization XIII?" Axmy asked curiously.
"Yeah, won't those idiots just get in our way like they always do?" Davdix asked in response.
"They matter not to me," Xagnos answered rather collectedly. "Their numbers have already dwindled due to the work of Sora and Riku in Castle Oblivion. Xemnas lacks the intelligence to properly manipulate the keyblade bearer. Should they be disposed of, it would be in our advantage. Organization XIII's role in this game of conquest will surely end after all, their mistakes are the catalysts."
"And the White Witch and her alliance?" Xenkra asked.
"They too have begun poorly," Xagnos answered, "exploiting their trump card, alias Kev, to their own means far too early. The keyblade bearer's wrath will destroy them before the end." Axmy nodded at his statement, along with Xenkra and Davdix. Lasinix however was another story.
"Correct me if I may be mistaken," he continued, "but do we not hold a similar pawn, Nexam's other friend?"
"Ah yes, the hero's maiden," Xagnos answered as he snapped his fingers. A transparent teal crystal appeared before the group, with Lenne encased in it. She appeared to be in a hibernating state, completely oblivious to the events that transpired after she fell into the dark abyss. "Unlike the poorly misguided Jadis, I have left things unaltered. She remains in the same state as when I ripped her from her fading world. Nexam's desire to be reunited with her will make him submit to our will."
KH-KH-KH
Hidden within the shadows of the ceiling, a young man clad in lightweight black armor clung to the roof and walls as he listened to the Five Judges. He had light brown hair, similar to that of Nexam's in style and brown eyes. If someone didn't know any better, they would say the two were related. As soon as the crystal Xagnos summoned appeared, his full attention was diverted to it. "Lenne," he whispered as he recognized the person encased in the crystal prison. "What the hell have they done to you?" His anger began to flare, with his brown eyes turning into a bright, lifeless yellow. "Those bastards will pay for this; I swear they'll pay dearly!" The young man briefly glanced at some water droplets that had collected on the metal and stone castle's walls. He noticed his eyes were the color of the Heartless. Quickly, he moved the ninja type cloth mask the rested on top of his head and covered his face with it, leaving only a narrow slit for his eyes. He had to calm down and focus on what the Five Judges said for now.
KH-KH-KH
"And what exactly do you intend to do with her once Nexam has completed all you humbly request?" Lasinix asked calculatingly. He was extremely anxious to their leader's full intentions which have been kept rather secretive. Xagnos cracked a smile, never a good thing.
"Simple my under trusting associate," the First Judge replied, "kill them both. By that point, they will have far outlived their usefulness to us, and I see no need to leave any stray pieces behind."
"So you say now," Lasinix added coldly. Xagnos glared at him, tired of this Judge testing his patience over and over again.
"You should have more faith in Xagnos," Axmy replied sternly, rather fed up with the situation. One would assume that Lasinix wanted to usurp Xagnos, but that wasn't the case at all. Being an aristocrat, he merely wanted to ensure that his needs were met, not that he cared for the others, but since they were useful, he would pretend to do so. Then again, Nobodies can't truly care, they only remember how.
"Can we just get on with this?" Xenkra asked, far beyond irate at this point. Lasinix glared at her and chuckled.
"Far be it from me to refuse a lady," he replied in the most gentlemanly manner. Xenkra scowled at him, but refrained from saying anything further. The sooner Xagnos released them from this meeting, the better.
"Well, now what do we do?" Davdix asked, doing his best to restore order to this disorderly function.
"Simple, we wait for the game to be in our favor," Xagnos answered. "All Nexam knows is that we exist, nothing more. Not even that wretched and misguided Blue Fairy could know our true motives."
"As you wish my liege," Lasinix replied, though he desperately sought to settle his vendetta with Nexam. Then again, a true test of the hero's strength could prove satisfactory to both the group and himself.
"For now, carry out your individual assignments in the other worlds," Xagnos added. Xenkra cracked a smile full of malice. Axmy nodded, along with Davdix and Lasinix. If he just happened to run into Nexam, he could always justify combat as a test. "Dismissed." The Five Judges rose from their seats and went their separate ways into the dark portals each of them summoned. Xagnos turned around and gazed at his trophy for a moment, before sending it back into the depths of the citadel. With that task full attended to, he summoned a dark portal and stepped into it, leaving the room completely devoid of life except for the young man cloaked within the shadows. Having heard all that he needed, he crept out of the fortress, wondering why the name Nexam sounded familiar to him the whole time.
KH-KH-KH
Max, Nexam, and Gene were nearing the location of their gummi ship. "Nexam, Max, Gene," someone shouted. The trio turned around to see Baloo and Bagheera running towards them.
"Hey good to see you guys again," Nexam replied as they warmly welcomed their friends.
"Is something up?" Gene asked with concern. If the world needed them still, Gene, Nexam, and Max would be more than happy to help.
"Nah, just wanted to see you off," Baloo answered, giving Nexam a high five.
"And we thought these might be of use to you," Bagheera added. Baloo looked clueless for a moment. "Now you big oaf," the panther whispered.
"Oh, right, I gotcha Bagy," the bear replied winking. He extended his paws, holding two red orbs with a flame on them, two gummi blocks, and a tropical fruit tree keychain. "We found these after you left, and figured you'd need them."
"Thank you Baloo and Bagheera," Nexam added as he warmly received their gifts, somewhat speechless at the kind gesture. "I-I don't know what to say."
"I think you already said thanks dude," Max replied.
"And you three have done more than enough to earn these," Bagheera added. "For helping us with the Heartless, Shere Khan, and Mowgli, it's the least we could do."
"It's not like we didn't have help," Gene replied courteously. "Both of you have done more than your fare share as well."
"Yeah man," Baloo added. "There's no way we're just gonna sit around and let some washed up tiger and his Heartless take over our home without a fight!"
"Thanks again guys," Nexam replied.
"Ah, don't worry about it," Baloo added, giving him a bear hug.
"Well, it must be time for you three to be off now," Bagheera replied. The trio said their goodbyes and headed off towards their gummi ship once again. When they arrived at their destination, Gene and Nexam each took one orb, and felt the power of Fire flow through them. Nexam then looked down at the keychain Baloo had given him. He summoned Knight's Oath and attached the new keychain he received. His keyblade began to glow with a bright white and then its appearance changed completely. The hand guard consisted of one yellow banana and the blue river, with the shaft of the weapon resembling the trunk of the tree, even with the same contour. At the top were three palm leaves, two on the keyblade's side, one on the other with a banana on the side with and a coconut, completing the sharp end of the weapon. The words Bare Necessities popped into Nexam's head as he held his keyblade, a fitting name in his opinion.
"Hey man, you alright?" Max asked. Nexam shook his head and came too.
"Yeah, sorry about that, just thinking," he answered as he put up Bare Necessities. "Anyway, do we have all the gummi blocks we need?"
"I'd say so from the looks of it," Gene replied as he set the parts down. "All right then, time to fix her up!" Quickly they got to work replacing the damaged gummi blocks with the four new ones they had acquired, replacing communication first in case the Returners sent a distress call, or anyone else for that matter. Once that was done, Max, Nexam, and Gene began working with the other parts in need of replacement.
"Hey guys," Nexam said, "doesn't it seem just a bit eerie that we found the spare gummi blocks here?"
"Come to think of it, yeah," Gene answered, amazed that he had not devoted more thought to the issue.
"It's like they were left here for us," Max added, puzzled as much as the others by this situation. "That's kind freaky, like someone's watching us or something."
"Yeah, definitely strange indeed," Nexam replied as he gave more thought to the ordeal. Could it be…no, Lenne and Kev wouldn't know what to do with gummi blocks. Then who left them here? "I'm sure we'll figure this enigma out soon enough," he added, trying his best to keep high spirits up.
"You're right," Max replied. "So let's finish up with the ship already. We've got plenty of worlds to help!"
"I couldn't agree with you more," Gene added as they resumed their repairs. Shortly afterwards, the gummi ship was completely restored and ready for travel. Nexam, Max, and Gene quickly boarded and prepared for take off. The gummi ship rose from the jungle floor and blasted off back into space.
KH-KH-KH
Deep within the cold dungeon of the White Witch's castle of ice, a man, a rather tall one at that, completely covered from head to toe in dark blue armor traversed through the halls. On his head was a helm shaped similarly to that of a dragon's head. Upon his back was his trusty lance, which besides his incredible jumping abilities, has never failed him in battle. He was a solider of both the land and the sky, a useful asset for the upcoming battle for Kingdom Hearts. The dragoon continued to tread through the dark, cold dungeon until he found his mistress hard at work in employing another soldier, Kev. "My liege," he said as he knelt before his master. Jadis had completely robbed him of his free will, making him one of her most obedient servants.
"What brings you here Kain?" the White Witch asked as the dragoon rose.
"You have a guest that urgently requests your presence," Kain answered.
"Really and just who might this person be?" Jadis asked in response.
"He goes by the name of Ratigan," Kain answered. The White Witch's face lit up at the mention of a new ally.
"So he did decide to come to terms with his pride and join us," she replied. "Very well, tell him that I will be with him shortly. First I must finish some unattended business with the keyblade bearer's friend."
"Yes my Queen," Kain added as he bowed to the White Witch. He glanced over at Kev who was chained to the ice hard walls by his arms and legs. His blue eyes were devoid of any hope he once held dear, much like Kain's, only the rest of his face was concealed within his helm. He felt pity for the young man, but shook it off as he turned around to deliver the White Witch's message.
"Now my dear Kev," she said, pretending to care, "tell me, what was it that you said to your friend Nexam before he left your side?"
"I'm not telling you a damn thing," Kev replied snidely, groaning in pain from the punishment of the dungeon master, a bulky and unintelligent Minotaur.
"You could end all this torment if you simply speak," the White Witch added, shaking her head. "I only want what's best for you after all."
"Really, I'm touched," Kev spat out, earning a glare from Jadis. He looked her dead in the eye. "Tell me, why do you care about me and my friends, let alone what's best for me?"
"I just want to help," she replied calmly, hoping to tap into his deep seated jealousy. "You deserve so much more than what life has given you. Your best friend deserted you…"
"He didn't desert me, I told him to go!" Kev interrupted, his anger beginning to flare.
"Really, did you tell him what you wanted to say, or what he wanted to hear?" the White Witch asked. For the first time, Kev thought deeply about that moment.
"Whoa, nice moves there buddy," Kev replied, "and thanks for saving my skin."
"You saved mine," Nexam added, "and that's what friends are for, right?" Kev nodded his head.
"You got it," he replied. Kev tried to walk but couldn't. It felt as if some powerful force was pulling him in somewhere. He turned his head to see a dark portal dragging him in.
"Kev!" Nexam yelled as he grabbed a hold of his friend. Kev knew that he didn't have much time and if Nexam held on, he would be dragged in to.
"Forget about me," Kev replied, "go on, get to somewhere safe and find Lenne."
"I can't just leave you here!" Nexam rebutted.
"Nexam," Kev replied as he stared his friend straight in the eye, "she needs you more than I do." Nexam stood there for a moment and nodded his head. "Good boy, now go, get outta here and quick."
"Take care of yourself," Nexam added as he ran off like his friend ordered him. He hoped, no, he knew that they would see each other again. It was just a question of when and where. Kev quit resisting and faded into the darkness.
Kev knew Nexam would stay and do everything within his power to save him, but he did leave quickly after he told him to go. Was Nexam only showing that he cared for me just because something was happening to our world, or does he truly care? Who's more important to him, Lenne, or me? The White Witch smiled deviously as the gears in his mind slowly began to turn away from his friends. "Nexam… That bastard, he only helped me until I told him what he wanted to hear!" Kev lashed out with his anger flaring. "He left me alone to suffer, all because of…because of…" he stopped, not being able to bring himself to say the true reason, though he knew it well. Jadis smiled once more as she read Kev's face, knowing exactly what he was thinking. "Lenne," he continued, hanging his head low.
"I told you that he wasn't your friend," the White Witch replied with a voice of sorrow that hid her true intentions. "A true friend would have plummeted into the darkness with you. In fact, right now, he's run off to play hero with his keyblade and new friends." She tapped her staff against the ice wall and an image of Nexam, Max and Gene appeared. The three of them were laughing and smiling, having a good time while Kev was stuck in this icy prison. "A true friend would understand to put the feelings of others before his own, especially when they sacrificed so much for them. Nexam would have known how you felt about Lenne if he was your friend. He would never ask you to cast aside your love for her so he could win her heart." She stopped as she gauged Kev's reaction, as he found even more truth in her words. His hatred for his former friend continued to grow as would her influence.
"The keyblade?" Kev asked.
"The weapon he was using," the White Witch answered. "You know it attracts the Heartless don't you?"
"The Heartless?" Kev asked with irritancy and confusion. He was beginning to get frustrated with all the questions he needed answers for and at his so called best friend. "You mean those shadow things that attacked my world?"
"Yes," Jadis answered, "when Nexam took that weapon, he sealed your world's fate. It was him who brought about the Heartless."
"Nexam…Nexam did that," Kev replied. Moment by moment, he began to believe that statement more and more. "He took everything from me, my family, my friends, my life, and he doesn't even care. Look at him, having fun with his new friends, pretending nothing ever happened! He's probably off having the time of his life, but me, I'm stuck here to rot while he runs away from his problems like a kid! He destroyed our world, took everything away from me and doesn't even bother looking for his so called best friend nor the person he claims to love! I hate him! I hate him!" Kev's eyes reflected the deep set anger and jealousy that once lay dormant within his heart but now consumed it.
"You can't trust Nexam," the White Witch added, satisfied with Kev's growing anger. "You never could. He only used you to benefit for his own ends. Tell me, did he ever come to you aide?"
"No, he never bothered to give a damn about me," Kev answered with his judgment completely obscured by his anger. "He was always concerned about himself and Lenne, no one else."
"I thought as much," the White Witch replied with pity for him. "Nexam was never your friend. I am however, you can trust me." Kev looked at her, now thinking clearly, and nodded.
"I will do whatever you ask," he said as he swore his loyalty. The White Witch smiled at her new victory.
"I knew you would come to your senses," she replied as she extended her staff to his shackles. The chains froze over and shattered into numerous shards landing on the ground, freeing him. "Nexam works to destroy all that I have built with the Heartless, even as we speak." Kev snorted at the statement, having had enough to hear about Nexam. "Nothing is safe as long as he roams with his keyblade. Rule by my side, and no one shall ever harm you again. Use that power to win Lenne's heart and stop Nexam's reign of terror."
"As long as I get to put that bastard out of his misery," Kev added as he slowly submitted to his inner darkness, "and take away everything he has left, just like he did to me."
"All in good time," the White Witch replied as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "Why don't we see what our guest wants?"
"As you wish my Queen," Kev added as they began to walk out of the dungeon. Jadis was satisfied that she won another powerful person to her cause. Kev had little idea of the power that lay dormant within him, a power that would match that of Nexam's. Now that he submitted to the darkness, Nexam and his keyblade would stand little chance against them. Kev's deep seated resentment and envy for the keyblade bearer would prove useful when they would be pitted against each other. The sooner Nexam was eliminated, the sooner the White Witch would have complete power over the universe.
KH-KH-KH
Once the gummi ship made it into space, everything went smoothly. The heroes were back to their normal forms and the new gummi blocks were functioning properly, even better than before. Best of all, there wasn't an enemy vessel in sight. Now Nexam, Max, and Gene had to do was find another world. "Say Max," the keyblade bearer said.
"Yeah, what's up?" Max asked.
"Uh, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind letting me have a go at flying the ship," Nexam answered. Something was bugging him about when he was last in the ship and he needed to test out a theory he had. Max looked over at Gene who shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't have a problem with it," Max replied. "What about you Gene?"
"I guess it couldn't hurt," Gene answered, hoping desperately that Nexam would be a better pilot than Max, and by better pilot, that meant no reckless stunts. Max rose from his seat and handed the controls to Nexam.
"Ok, I guess I outta give ya the basics and stuff," Max replied.
"I think I've got it," Nexam added as he moved the controls and began to pilot the ship rather well.
"Wow, you're pretty good at this," Max replied.
"Have you ever flown a gummi ship before?" Gene asked curiously, hoping he had.
"You know, now I'm not really sure," Nexam answered, as confused as Max and Gene were. "Honestly, I know I've never done this before, but somehow it all seems so familiar to me at the same time." That moment of insight was interrupted by the radar detecting nearby Heartless ships.
"Great, another wave of Heartless ships," Gene reported, rather irritated at the update. "Nexam, think you can handle it?"
"Not a clue, but I'll give it a shot," Nexam answered hopefully. "Max, you know what to do."
"You got it dude," Max replied as he manned the weapons station. He rapidly pressed the trigger, launching a massive attack at the first wave, with Nexam easily avoiding their fire. The enemy numbers were dwindling fast, something that surprised the three heroes. Naturally, twice as many came to take the place of the Heartless ships lost. That didn't stop Nexam and Max from trying to take out as many of them as possible. Multiple ships began to fire at the heroes' gummi ship. Nexam waited for the perfect moment to evade them, refusing the move the ship until it came. Once it did, he dove down, and began to spin the vessel briefly. The enemy fire completely missed them and destroyed the wave that was approaching from behind. Moments later, a new world came within sight, one that looked like a large city. Carefully, Nexam took the ship down and landed safely out of sight from any of the residents.
