Here it is another chapter, this one guest-starring characters from The World Ends with You. Possible spoilers from said game are included.
Disclaimer: Squaresoft/Disney created the Kingdom Hearts Farnchise. Taios and Saxito are Infinitestories/The Taios' OCs. I do not own the rights to TWEWY and its characters.
Shibuya's Jam
Back at Ocean Beach, airships were returning from the war with the Tuaparang, Kain still remained in the town and was near the castle. The Goddess of Harmony Cosmos eventually came up to him with a genuine smile.
"Kain. I am glad to see you once more" said the goddess.
Kain acknowledged her with a nod"Cosmos, It is a pleasure to speak with you again. Do you need something?"
Cosmos nodded"If it weren't too much trouble... Would you be able to assist Sora, Serenia, Taios, Trent, Tidus, Yuna and Arianna in this mission of importance after the wedding that is arriving soon in a few minutes? I realize that you and Lightning are Bhunivelze's Chosen warriors, but it would mean so much to me that you would aid us."
"It is no trouble" Kain replied"I will do what I can." He had no intention on continuing to be Bhunivelze's pawn if he found even a hint of trickery after all.
"Thank you" said Cosmos with a relieved smile"I am going to be the one who is appointing the marriage to Taios and Serenia. You might wish to stay for a while. Now if you would pardon me, I must prepare." She then headed off.
Kain nodded and went to check on things in the town. As he wandered through town, he kept contemplating over past events. Why did Bhunivelze choose him when there were so many others that could've easily fit the bill as Savior? Why did lightning seem almost emotionless when he is close to having more emotion than her? All these questions were put on hold as he spotted what seemed to be a mirror of himself with his back against the wall, as if he was waiting for someone till he spotted Kain.
"Well now. It is about time you and I greet each other again" said the doppelganger with an amused look.
Kain tensed"You again... What do you want with me?"
Kain smirked" think we. Both know why I am here. Or are you blinded by your puppet master to see the truth of what he truly desires?"
Kain shook his head"I do not blindly trust Bhunivelze, but until I know for certain, I cannot defy him directly."
"And I know what the real reason why you should betray him." the Doppelganger said with a more serious expression"One reason is that Serah isn't your sibling. Another reason is something very important that the Order of Salvation seeks at the dead dunes."
Kain raised an eyebrow"Hm? You know something?"
"If you truly wish to know, then meet me in the city of Shibuya once the populations problems have been dealt with" his doppelganger said before jumping away.
Kain frowned for a moment as he thought'The Dead Dunes... What could the Order of Salvation be up to? Nonetheless, I must head for this Shibuya place after Taios and Serenia's wedding.'
He wandered in town for a bit, until he arrived at the beach, where most of the Harmony Alliance's leaders, as well as Bartz's homeworld leaders of Bal and Tycoon just started to land their airships nearby. Baltheir's ship landed last.
Cecil smiled as he stepped off and greeted his old friend"Kain. I am overjoyed that you could make it."
Kain nodded his greeting"I am honored to attend this occasion with you, Cecil."
"It's been far too long since we've been together as comrades. Now we can witness our friends host a wedding for marriage" Cecil said.
At that moment, Lightning showed up having finished her business at Weyard"I see that you are reacquainted with your old friend."
Cecil glanced over to the pink-haired Gunblader with a smile"Lightning. It is always a pleasure to see you."
"Likewise" Lightning nodded"I need to speak with Kain for a moment."
"Oh" Cecil paused for a moment"Of course, of course. I shall take my leave" he said as he happily left to attend the wedding.
Kain addressed his fellow Savior"Is something wrong, Lightning?"
Lightning nodded grimly"It turns out that Alex from Weyard has been busy these past 500 years since the golden sun event and is in league with Exoduxia."
Kain was taken aback by this"What? I see. I don't know much about this Exoduxia, but I was asked by Cosmos to assist in a mission of great importance after the wedding, I can only assume the Harmony Alliance is already aware of what you just told me. And I recently recieved news of something important in the Dead Dunes that the Salvation Order is seeking. However, I don't yet know all of the details."
"Maybe I will check it out once this wedding is over with. I might also attempt to find Genesis and Weiss while I'm at it. Vincent informed me that they are still alive, and that Taios could send his some of his staff to assist me" said Lightning thoughtfully.
Kain took in this news, even more surprised"Genesis and Weiss... This makes things all the more difficult for everyone if they're at large. The both of them combined are sure to be very difficult adversaries, but I'm certain that you and whoever Taios can spare can manage."
Lightning nodded"You're right. Well, we know what to expect now. All we can do now is wait for a bit. I'll go find a seat. You spend time with your friends." She left to find a seat to watch the wedding as Kain did the same, only for her to see an old ally that she hadn't seen in a long time.
"You-... Oh thank goodness you're ok, Light" a certain brunette keybearer smiled.
Lightning glanced at him, almost emotionless"Terra... Its good to see you again. I heard about Ventus and Aqua. I'm sorry I couldn't have awoken from my crystal stasis any sooner."
"It's not your fault" Terra assured her"Though, if it were up to me, I'd get Ven out here and cure him myself."
Lightning shrugged"Tyler's doing what he can, too. I saw him while investigating the "Shadow Hunter" at Luxerion. I don't know if I can help him, but I hope that he'll eventually recover."
"Lightning" Terra hesitated, then said"There's something you should see the order of salvation before you go do anything. And Vanille's Part of it. I can't tell you more due to Aqua making me promise not to tell anyone. But you're the Savior. And you should at least see for yourself."
"I see. Very well, I'll go see them after the wedding" Lightning nodded, turning her attention back toward the altar to watch.
The wedding had begun as the large majority of the invited guests as well as being on camera for everyone to see or on radio, the former Goddess of Harmony was wearing a white and gold kimono based off of her old Goddess of Harmony garb with a gold Lenine crown and short glass-like yet comfy heels. Taios himself wore his keyblade armor but without the helmet, but with a red decorative cape, and a platinum circlet that was based off of Aqua's helmet. Then Serenia herself, dressed in her own keyblade armor, decorative cape, and similar circlet but in gold, slowly approached the platform.
Cosmos began to speak"After all these centuries... I had never dreamed that I would stand before all of you, in this grand momentous day. On this day, Serenia, princess of Radiant Garden, and President Taios, Leader of Ocean Beach would join in solidarity of marrage. To make this alliance true now and forever. Would the ring barer please step forward?"
Riku walked up"here we are" he held the rings.
Cosmos glanced over to the President"Taios... You have spent your time suffering for the sake of your friends, it is time to bring it to a close. do you take Princess Serenia, the daughter of Sora and Kairi, to be your lawfully wedded wife, for of illness and in health, so long as you both shall live?"
Taios held Serenia's hand"I do."
"Serenia" Cosmos continued"You have learned all you could from your experiences of other worlds, and survived the onslaught of the chaos since the end of the crisis with Taios' nobody, Saxito. Do you take this man, who has traveled throughout time and space, to be your lawfully wedded husband, for of illness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"
Serenia smiled"I do."
"By the powers invested in me as the Goddess of Harmony, and the advisor to the Ocean Beach Presidency; I hereby announce that you two are now husband and wife, you may now kiss the br-" Cosmos was unable to finish as she had to dodge an attack by a twisted looking kangaroo monster with both halves of its body being separated only to be held together by what seemed to be nobody streams of Darkness, having eyes of unversed. And lastly an insignia of a broken and cracked decorative hourglass could be seen.
Serenia glanced over at the Goddess"Cosmos! You okay?"
Sora readied his Kingdom Key"I'll take care of that thing."
"Sora, count me in" Lightning got into a battle stance.
Kain grimaced as he got ready to help combat the monster"How despicable of it to crash the wedding."
Taios looked at the insignia of the monster and had a look of trauma and fear for a moment before summoning his keyblade and begun to attack with speed, brutally attacking without a second thought as if all his anger was lashed out on that one monster. By the time most of the Harmony Alliance finished the job against it, The President looked like he was mentally broken and weak.
"No... Not again... Not freaking again" Taios gasped, with a mix of fear and anger evident.
"Taios!" Serenia rushed over to her Fiance.
Kain looked over"What's troubling you, Taios?"
"We're screwed ... You hear me Kain?" Taios grabbed him in a panicked and scared look"We're all freaking dead!" He then let go of him, placing his hand on his face"we're all gonna die and-"
"Taios, bro. what's wrong?" Trent butted in.
Taios glanced over the others on stage before explaining"They're called: Paradox Beasts. I fought them before. They are the most deadly and lethal creatures known to exist. Once hit with just one attack, its poison gradually erases you from existence and time itself."
"That sounds serious" Kain murmured.
Sora nodded"Yeah, its pretty freaky when you put it that way."
"If we did get struck by one of those, is there no antidote?" Terra asked.
Taios nodded grimly"Me, my sister and Daniel's barely survived the onslaught of those things."
"Daniel's...?" Arianna frowned for a moment"You mean that kid from Canada that went missing during the crisis of 500 years ago?"
"The only cure from what I've known was to sealing the keyhole as per normal. It seemed to not only hold them back... But it seemed to reset and restore time as well" Taios elaborated.
Serenia paled"But... Time is stopped for good."
Lightning squared her shoulders"Hope should have a way to reset time to when I woke from stasis, if it becomes necessary. It may reset everything that occurred afterwards, but its our only insurance against such a deadly threat based on what we know."
Kain nodded"Either way, we'll have to exercise caution if there are more of them."
"Alright people. It's been a pleasure to see all of you, but now it's time to go enjoy the food and drinks that we all set up for you guys!" Trent piped as the invited guests looked like they wanted to help, but reluctantly conceded.
Cosmos approached the group"This wedding might have been a bust... But that paradox beast was what I wanted to discuss."
Taios turned to her"Where's the majority of them?"
A familiar blond with a white shirt and pants appeared nearby"I believe I can shed some light on this situation, Taios" he had an amused look on his face and sounded amused as he looked at Sora and Rku"Wow... Who beat you with a old people stick, Sora? you and Riku really gotten up there in the past 5 centuries."
"Joshua" Sora greeted him"great to see you again. Honestly, everyone pretty much stopped physically aging after Kingdom Hearts was destroyed. Is Neku doing okay?"
Joshua nodded"He's holding out, but he and Shiki and the others are having a bit of a hard time returning to... Where they came from."
"Because they're dead" Arianna nodded understandingly.
Yuna's eyes widened"You mean... They're unsent?"
Joshua shook his head"not exactly, Yuna. They are still in the reaper's game."
"Reaper's game?" Tidus asked.
"A gamble where if you win within 7 days, you return to the living world, back in your original body before you died" Taios elaborated.
Sora crossed his arms in thought"I remember hearing Neku mention something like that. Anyway, you said you could shed some light on the Paradox Beast situation, right?"
"Yup" Joshua replied"To make this long and complicated story short, the chaos is starting to effect Shibuya and is literally starting to mess with the world's halves of the real world, and the reapers game world. And the result is creating massive contradictions that's a bit much for my superiors upstairs to handle this on our own."
"Contradictions?" Serenia asked"You mean the Paradox Beasts?"
Kain shrugged"If that's the case, we must get to the bottom of this as soon as possible."
"I would go and help deal with the situation in Shibuya, but I have my own missions" said Lightning.
Taios smiled assuringly"It's alright, Lightning. Kain can help pick up some of the slack."
Lightning nodded"Kain, good luck."
"Thank you. And be careful" Kain cautioned.
Lightning nodded and starts off back to Luxerion to go see Vanille and whatever is important that Terra mentioned.
"Well" Sora grinned"We ready to go?"
Serenia beamed"Anytime."
"First we need to get dressed" Taios said"Can't go to Shibuya looking like we're still in our wedding. But first" he kissed Serenia for a moment before letting her go"Bam! We're now husband and wife." Serenia blushed for a moment.
The group then changed into their normal attire and went onboard the Astral Eagle, taking off into the skies. Along the way, Hope contacted Kain through his intercom"Kain... There's something off that I'm picking up on my Chronometer."
Kain was puzzled"What is it?"
"Either it's broken, or time has paused" Hope replied.
Kain thought this through for a second, arms crossed"Now that you mention it, neither Lightning or myself had been able to return to the Ark since the incident where I had to save Rinoa from Vaati. And We would need to be able to give the Eradia we got to Yggdrasil. Perhaps time itself has paused..."
Hope was puzzled"Normally I have the Chrono stasis spell in the ark available for you and Lightning to use... But-"
"Someone else seems to have been using it" Kain cut him off"wait a moment... Could the Paradox Beasts be the result of time being halted?"
"Paradox Beasts?" Hope was confused"Can't say I know much about those, but its possible when you put it that way. No way to know for sure right now, though."
"I see..." Kain trailed off.
"We're almost there" Joshua said.
Trent glanced out"Shibuya Japan... You know, It's been a while since I've seen their stuff."
"You know what the city is like?" Yuna asked, curious.
Trent shook his head"Not exactly. But I was kinda obsessed with modern Japanese culture."
Joshua chuckled"Heh. Now all of you will get to see what it's like firsthand. we're here." The ship landed on top of a building.
Sora began to head out"Well, let's go check things out."
"Sora" Joshua said"A word of warning. Since the chaos infected this place, the borders between the two have waned greatly. There are pockets of both fused into one, and the monsters here are dangerous enough without it, these aren't like Dream Eaters or the Heartless. Be careful."
Sora nodded"We'll keep that in mind."
Meanwhile, in a modern-like 60's hangout pad with a glass floor with water and fish underneath, a man having black colored hair flocks like Vexen, a small chin beard, sunglasses, a black business suit with white shoes, a coin necklace with anime wings on it and red and black headphones was at the bar pouring a drink for a hooded Org. 13 member.
"I am surprised that I had received your call, Xehanort. Why would you seek someone like myself when there are far more competent people at your disposal? I already halted the flow of time as per your request" The man, Megumi said.
"I have something more pressing that has come to our attention" The older man, Xehanort replied.
Megumi raised an eyebrow"Oh? And what could be more pressing than your future self wanting to have Sora or President Taios as your vessel?"
Xehanort nodded"That is indeed and important part of my plan, but it would seem that not only are both potentials here, but it would seem that we would have to isolate Sora or Taios before I can accomplish this."
Megumi nodded grimly"I see. Then our trap shall be sprung soon."
"Indeed" Younger Xehanort spoke, he was also in the room"However, there is the matter of leaving time paused for too long. The Saviors would have taken notice of this. And retaliate against our plan."
"Which is why we'd best make our move as soon as we can" said Xehanort, calmly.
Megumi nodded as he took a drink of wine"I see. I will coordinate our goal."
Xehanor nodded"Just remember to be as precise as you can."
"Relax" Megumi took another drink"I have it under control. Isn't that right, Jecht?"
Jecht, Tidus' father, entered area"Humph. Just remember our deal."
Megumi nodded"Of course. As long as you remember yours, you can have your life back."
"You don't have to remind me" Jecht replied.
Megumi nodded"good. Now go."
Jecht nodded and left in a grumpy mood.
Young Xehanort addressed the dark-haired man"Are you certain that unsent can do this task? If he were to see his son..."
"That is precisely why I am doing this" Megumi cut him off"Watch and observe. There is no need to rush. These things take time."
Meanwhile, Sora's group safely landed on the street, with barely anyone around. And those that saw the group didn't pay much mind. Yuna turned to her companions"So, what exactly are we searching for again?"
"We're looking for our friends, to find out what's the deal with the Paradox Beasts" Taios replied.
Tidus nodded"Right."
"There's no one around so far, we best proceed with caution" Kain said.
the group agreed, before they walked onward to witness a familiar girl battling monsters similar to paradox beasts, but without the sigil. The girl, Shiki groaned as she avoided an attack from her opponents"This could be a challenge. I really wish I had Neku as backup..." She then turned her attention to Sora and the others as strange monsters and Manakins appeared"Guys behind you!"
"Huh?" Sora quickly turned and attacked one of the Manikins, taking it down with a couple slashes while Kain attacked one of the strange monsters.
Tidus and Yuna joined in with Kain as Trent and Arianna joined Sora, and Taios and Serenia joined Shiki in fighting the monsters. the Manikins were somewhat easy, considering that it was a teamed effort. But the strange monsters were a bit difficult. Tidus then attacked using his blitzball while Yuna was attacking with Ifrit at the same time, causing the monsters to stagger, making it a easy hit.
Shiki used a strange power to make her doll attack and scratch the monsters while Serenia and Taios attacked at the same time. When they were done, Shiki took a breath"Phew... All of you saved my skin." She then blinked as she stared at Sora in surprise"Wait a minute... Sora? Is that you? You look far older than the last time I saw you a week ago."
Sora rubbed his head"Long story, actually, it turned out there was a version of Traverse Town that was stuck in the Realm of Sleep."
"I'm Tidus. Sora's best friend" grinned the blond Blitzer.
"I'm known as Lady Yuna" the Summoner introduced.
Trent nodded his acknowledgement"We're friends of Sora, too. I'm Trent, and this is Arianna."
"I am called: Kain Highwind" said the Dragoon"I am an ally to our friends."
Shiki smiled"Nice to meet all of you" she then glanced at the younger red-head"And who's this cutie?"
"I'm Serenia. Sora's Daughter" Serenia smiled.
Shiki was surprised"Dughter?! Wow, congrats, Sora."
"And I'm married to her" The leader of Ocean Beach said"Name's Taios."
Shiki was pleasantly surprised"Wow, guess that's double congratulations for you two."
Serenia smiled"Thanks."
"Well, guess we got all the intro's out of the way" a familiar man with dark hair and a bandana stood nearby with his arms crossed.
Yuna blinked"Sir Jecht?"
"Dad? What are you doing here!?" Tidus demanded.
"What? Can't even greet your old man? I'd thought you'd be better at guessing at why I'm here. These Shibuya kids are playing my game" said Jecht with a cocky smirk which shortly became sombor"In all honesty though... I missed you."
Tidus shrugged"I guess I was just a little surprised. So, you're the "Reaper" in the games, then? I can't help but have a tough time believing that."
"Then believe this: You don't play?" Jecht stated"Then these kids will end up dead in the chaos. You get me? Unless you're soo scared that you can't even move?"
Tidus shook his head, irritably"I'm not scared! And why would you even do this?!"
Jecht shrugged"To get myself a body of my own, just long enough to beat the chaos when the world's clock will tick again to its last breath."
Kain raised an eyebrow"How would this get you a body of your own? If the Chaos could be stopped, wouldn't Sora and Taios have already done so?"
"Would YOU want to possess a manikin?" Jecht shot back.
Sora was taken aback"You could do that?"
"I'm already dead, Sora" said Jecht, grimly"And I already was part of the bad guys of the past. If you complete this game, then I'll be able to get out of here."
Arianna frowned for a moment"That-... actually makes sense."
"Well, I guess it would be worth a shot" Sora said.
Tidus glanced at his father"You're coming with us, then, dad?"
"When this game is over, yeah. But let's save it for later" said Jecht, snapping his fingers as everyone in the group felt pain on their right hand with a timer counting down from 30:00 before leaving.
Trent groaned"Grng! Well, what do we need to do before time runs out?"
"We need to find a monster called: An Invisible to make the grade. That's why I'm looking for Neku" Shiki explained.
Taios nodde"We'll split up."
"Right" Sora grinned"Lets do this."
Kain shrugged"Best split into three groups, I will go alone if I must."
"Kain, we're not leaving you in the dust. I'll help you" Sora said.
"Same here" chimed Trent.
Serenia stuck to Taios"I'm going to stick with my husband."
"You sure?" Taios asked.
Serenia nodded"I want to."
"I will join President Taios and Serenia" Arianna stated.
Tidus shrugged"Guess that leaves Yuna and me."
The group nodded as they split up, only for a familiar nobody in the distance from them witnessed them leave. A blue haired Adapt from Weyard followed close behind.
"You sure that the past version of HIM is here?" Saxito asked.
Alex glanced at the younger man (technically Nobody)"Why else would I call you for this opportunity that you cannot ignore? You remember the deal?"
"Duh" Saxito grunted"I help distract the idiots and kill the old man's young self, while you and your... Associate attempt to revive Exoduxia."
"Precisely" Alex nodded.
"Then you'll give me what I want, yes?" The Nobody asked.
Alex nodded"Of course. I will place a binding curse on a large majority of your darkness to suppress Vanitas as instructed. Granted you would have a limited amount of time before the dam breaks."
Saxito shrugged"Whatever. As long as it helps me, I don't care. Aou focus on your goal. And I'll focus on mine." He then left the room.
Sora's group pressed on with the organized split-up until they found Neku all alone and surrounded by monsters.
"Neku!" Sora raced into the fray, using Strike Raid and Ragnarok on some of the monsters.
Neku was surprsied"Wait a minute... Sora? How-"
"We'll explain later Neku! It's time to bring our jam!" Shiki said, preparing to fight.
Neku nodded and started to fight alongside Sora who attacked the monsters with his Rising Sun and Strike Raid techniques. Neku used strange attacks that almost reflected Tifa's martial arts techniques mixed with Ventus' quick moves, before the duo begun to do rose off the ground and unleashed a limit break that caused light and fire to unleash and home in on enemies like comets, vaporizing them instantly, while the rest finished the remaining enemies.
Neku glanced at Sora after taking a breath"Looks like you saved me again, Sora. And last I checked, it was about a week that we saw each other."
Sora dismissed his keyblade"Its a long story, and It may not make much sense to you, but its been almost five hundred years. Since Kingdom Hearts was damaged, everyone's pretty much stopped aging."
Neku tried to contemplate this"Kingdom hearts? 500... what's" he sighed after a moment's pause"You know what, forget it. I bet Joshua had something to do with this to bring us to this damaged place. We gotta find this monster called an Invisible, right?"
Sora nodded"Right."
"Then let's hurry" said Neku"We've wasted enough time as is."
"So let's get going" Sora agreed.
Trent raised an eyebrow"Do we really know where to look? The instructions weren't really clear..."
"Have you tried using noise scan, or are you so deluded in actually facing them?" a familiar Soldier approached.
Sora tensed"Genesis!" he took a breath and shook his head"I don't think any of us tried noise scan, but why are you helping us?"
"Let's just say that I have been ordered to provide support" Genesis replied.
Tidus snorted"Yeah, right. And I'm a heartless."
Sora crossed his arms in thought"Well, we won't get anywhere by ourselves at this point. Let's just give Noise Scan a try."
"Gess it's my turn" Neku muttered as he pulled out a familiar skull emblem pin as he closes his eyes to reveal a blue expanding bubble of light, revealing the monsters within.
Kain inspected the area in the image"Found them!"
"Let's go, then" Sora grinned.
The group hurried to the location of the Invisible and engaged the monsters. The Invisible looked as intimidating as it always had in the past as it was surrounded by Samurai nobodies
Kain glanced at their opponents"We'll have to fight cautiously, here." He moved to attack a Samurai Nobody.
"Right, can't let that Invisible touch us" Sora said as he prepared to attack with Strike Raid and spells.
Neku begun to float in a air for a moment before firing orbs of lightning which slightly stunned the creature before it brutally swiped at the group if not for Taios somewhat parrying it. Sora usesd Strike Raid on the creature, followed by a couple Fira Spells. Kain and Neku then finished the Invisible off with lightning and a jump attack respectively, causing the timer to vanish.
No sooner had they won, Saxito appeared"Seems like you idiots DO have some capabilities after all."
Kain tightened his grip on his lance"Saxito."
"Huh?" Neku frowned"You know this guy, Kain?"
Kain: nodded"Yes, he's basically a lookalike of President Taios, only twisted."
"Ooo. Now there's a thought" Saxito chuckled.
Tidus glared at the Nobody"What do you want this time, you horrid bag of nothing?"
Saxito smirked"Oh my, since when have you learned the talk back department? I guess that you always want your dad to ram you in where the sun don't shine."
"What? No way" Tidus shook his head"Is my old man coming?"
Saxito squared his shoulders"He's a bit ... Preoccupied right now. What you idiots should be focusing on is me finally having my revenge."
"Against who...?" Shiki asked.
Saxito smiled"Take a wild guess, Shiki. The guy in the same robe as me is here."
"You mean that Xehanort guy is here?" Neku asked.
Saxito laughed"Oh yes. And since you morons are going to obviously get in the way, I can't have you guys ruin my chance for revenge."
Kain glared"What are you scheming this time? There are surely better ways than to needlessly risk the lives of millions. I do not trust you."
"Nor should you, Kain" said Saxito with an evil smirk"And you should know better considering that I don't tell idiots like you my plans. Until then, have fun with yours and neku's old friends."
The Nobody left as two familiar faces to Neku and Kain appeared seemingly out of the blue. One was A slim teenage man having a lot of black tattoos covering the majority of his body, having eyes like a heartless, a ruined opened vest, a grayish brown wild hair, black pants, a belt with a wolf skull on it, and black shoes. The other, a certain green-haired Summoner.
"Enemy sighted" The green-haired summoner said, as though under a spell.
Sho chortled"Heh, seems like we're here to FOIL yo plans, you fractals."
"How you alive?!" Neku asked with a shocked expression.
"Neku, do you know him?" Shiki asked.
Neku nodded grimly"Yeah, Joshua and I fought this guy. And we erased him!"
"How is he alive, then?" Shiki wondered aloud.
Tidus grimaced"Weirder things have happened..."
"Uh, guys? I think we need to focus on the fact that Sho and Rydia are trying to kill us" said Taios, taking a battle stance.
Kain nodded as he readied his lance, getting into a defensive stance"Indeed, we cannot let our guard down."
"All righty, then" Tidus rushed at Sho with a Spiral Cut attack.
"Yu're out of your VECTOR!" Sho shouted as he performed a static dodge before throwing multiple ninja stars made of energy at Tidus. Rydia, meanwhile cast multiple flare spells at the group. Tidus narrowly dodged the attacks while Kain nimbly maneuvers as best he can, countering with a jump attack at Rydia.
"Tangent!" Sho snarled as he summoned Paradox Beasts akin to what seemed to be deformed Nobodies"Attention all 000's! Listen up! It is time to E=MC Squared 4 a cause! mine!" Tattoos covered Sho's lower jaw making him seem more monster than human"Rydia! Time to activate Level 1 MegaFlare!"
Neku flinched.
"Not on my watch, you math psycho!" Trent shouted as he fired his guns at the maniac, causing Sho to stagger while Tidus took the chance to attack both Sho and Rydia with slice and dice. The attack knocked off a sort of strange metallic crown off of Rydia as she fell unconscious. As for Sho, that attack didn't do anything but make him laugh.
Tidus grimaced"Tch, what's this guy been eating!?"
Sho chuckled"Time, you minus digit. I'm crunching the numbers of calculus. And now the Composer is next." He then ran away.
Kain lowered his guard, contemplating"This one is more problematic then we expected. And who is the Composer?"
"Think of it as the head honcho of the Reapers game" Taios elaborated.
Kain nodded"I see. Then we must protect this person, we cannot allow any needless deaths."
"I don't think that's going to be a problem right now..." Arianna trailed off.
Rydia eventually stirred"Ngh... Where-... What happened?"
Neku went over to her"Hey, take it easy. You alright?"
Rydia nodded"I am now... Who are-" She then spotted the group"Kain? You're alive?"
"Indeed" The Dragoon confirmed"I was actually trapped in crystal stasis along with Lightning for 500 years. Are you all right, Rydia?"
Rydia slowly nodded"I think so..."
"Tell us what you remember" Sora said, concern in his voice.
Rydia grimaced"All I remember was leaving the Freymarch until I witnessed a man with blue hair subduing me with his water and ice powers... Then he placed that on my head, and now I am here." She pointed to the now-discarded metal crown.
"What?" Kain was mildly surprised.
Trent frowned"So it was Alex's doing. That metallic crown seemed almost akin to the slave crown Kefka had initially brainwashed Terra Branford with, what was it doing to you?"
Rydia blinked"I think I'm starting to remember while I was under Alex's control. Saxito made a deal with him... But the details aren't really clear... But what I do remember what Alex said was that he was helping someone reviving a... Man..."
Taios' eyes widened"Oh crap. He's planning on reviving Exoduxia."
"Who?" Shiki asked, puzzled.
"An ancient warrior long since dead" Serenia stated.
Kain shook his head"I'd have thought things could not possibly get worse, what do Alex and Saxito have to gain from reviving this Exoduxia?"
"Hm. I can't imagine..." Trent said.
Arianna thought for a moment"Maybe Saxito is looking for something. Aside from revenge?"
"There was more to him than we originally thought. In the past, he was being manipulated by Vanitas" Sora elaborated.
Taios nodded"So it's not a stretch to find that he might be trying to suppress him with outside help."
"If he is, I think he's going about it completely the wrong way" said Serenia"Though I don't know how Master Riku was able to conquer HIS darkness." Sora had not told her about that.
"Guys" Neku said"I think all we really need to focus right now is finding him and stopping him from doing anymore damage."
Kain nodded"I agree, let's get a move on."
On the rooftops of the sky scrapers, Kain's doppleganger reverted to smoke as it was nothing more than a disguise. an old ally of Kain's world was present, the oldest of the Eblan Four who is the Thunder Ninja Zangetsu.
FuSoYa, the Lunarian Leader spoke"Has Sora and the others realized Saxito's plans, as of yet?"
Zangetsu nodded"The gist of it, at least."
FuSoYa nodded understandingly"Good. Kain, as well as Claire Farron, will need all the assistance they can muster if they are to combat this evil of both this ancient keyblade master and the deity Bhunivelze himself."
Golbez, who was also nearby, spoke"But is it truly enough? With the president having knowledge of future, you would think that this deity would have sensed as well as foreseen his own imminent demise."
Questa, standing next to him, responded with a somewhat saddened expression"All we can truly do at this point is provide support, Golbez. It's not our role to intervene on their affairs unless it is absolutely necessary."
"You look as though you wish you could do more to be of assistance" said Golbez, glancing at her"I feel the same way, but we must persevere."
FuSoYa nodded"For the sake of the worlds and beyond."
"Well then" said a voice as a certain middle-aged Keyblade Master with a Japanese style outfit approached"Let us see what events have currently transpired since my absence." It was Terra, Aqua and Ventus's old master, Eraqus.
All right, I hope this was a good chapter. Not quite sure what Eraqus' role will be yet, or if future interactions towards Terra and Ventus should be more friendly and hostile after Eraqus tried to kill Ventus to keep Xehanort from creating the X-Blade and Terra saved Ventus and fought against Eraqus. Then again, Eraqus seemed remorseful after his duel with Terra.