~The World That Never Was: Where Nothing Gathers~
"Lucy has agreed to offer her assistance in controlling Natsu's Heartless." Xemnas informed everyone at the meeting of his success. "Did you lie to her? Or was there something MORE nefarious you...did to her?" Vanitas inquired of Xemnas to which he only gave a subtle glare at him. Larxene piped up. "What's wrong? You jealous?" Saix immediately broke them up to keep everyone on track. "Silence! Both of you. ...Ansem. Did you have any luck with Natsu's Heartless or will you require Lucy's assistance?" He reluctantly admitted his shortcomings. "Against all odds; that Heartless refuses to submit to my authority. We will see if the Princess can offer any substantial help." Saix nods as he moves on to the next item on the agenda. "Luxord. Any progress with the Time Wizard?" Picking through a deck of cards with Gray, Ultear, Ur, and Silver; Luxord returned his focus to the inquiry. "Ultear has been a stubborn girl. Progress is slow, but sure. I have to be careful what I show her in the castle, or she might realize its fake." Saix looks to the top chair and nods. "Understood. Return to Castle Oblivion ASAP. We'll send Cobra with the necessary memories as soon as he collects them. Cobra. Do I-" Cobra cuts Saix off. "Yeah yeah. I heard you." Larxene raises her voice in anger. "Hold on! I thought Lumen Histoire was MY job! What the hell?!" Vanitas has a light chuckle before he explains in Saix's place. "Guess that must be embarrassing, huh? You had your chance, but you screwed the Bow-Meow on this one." She has now gone from angry to livid. "YOU'RE one to talk! You needed Roxas to come and bail you out because you were getting your ass beat by- What did you call them? Models in Magic clothing?" Vanitas laughs to hide his anger. "They got a few good licks in, that's it! I still had the advantage! Besides; you only had one opponent. Mine was 2v1. A threesome, you could say. Ha!" Saix slams his fist into the armrest of of his chair as it created a small quake felt throughout the whole room. Silence hanged in the air for a moment as the only hooded individual who hadn't said anything so far finally spoke up rather firmly "How long are we going to ignore the Zolephant in the room? Juvia's isn't here. Enlisting Lucy was NOT part of the original plan. When she hears about Lucy's...liberation from Happy, Juvia's going to assume Lucy's in danger. Why don't we go tell her?" The old man at the top answered the hothead. "Natsu. Juvia will return to us in time. Have more faith in your friends." The eyes under the hood lit up like a burning candle in a dark room at that comment. The old man continued. "Lucy Heartfilia WAS a part of the plan, but her unexpected value in controlling your Heartless is not altogether unpleasant. She will still serve her purpose alongside Ultear and Roxas." Natsu calms down as Xemnas closes out the meeting. "Any further questions? ...Dismissed."
~Magnolia: Fairy Tail Guild Hall~
"You're sure?" Makarov asked for clarification from Erza. "Yes, Master. He looked just like Sora." Makarov looked worried. "And the boy who came to his aid. He ALSO had a Keyblade?" Erza confirmed. "TWO of them, actually." Laxus demands answers, being more in the dark than he would like. "So what? Three people who can wield Keyblades show up in Fiore at the same time. Does that MEAN something? Is Sora hiding something from us? An evil twin? ...or triplets? Or did the guy with two of 'em have his OWN face?" Erza tried to satisfy Laxus's need for answers. "I couldn't see his face. Mira what about you? Did you get a good look at- ...Mira?" Mirajane was staring off into space, as she seemed to be thinking hard about something. "Huh? Oh. Uh...No. I didn't see his face. But it's the dark one that concerns me." Makarov asks her as though he feared the boy had done something unspeakable to her. Mira calmed the Master's nerves with her warm smile. "Nothing like that. It's just...I could sense his power. And it felt like...like a DEMON'S power." Everyone looks shocked by Mira's assertion. Erza is the first to make a connection. "So it IS Tartaros." Laxus follows up. "Makes sense. Cobra; from Oracion Seis was here with the lightning chick before you got here, Gramps. A demon, the Barom Alliance members, recruiting Juvia. It adds up." Mirajane doesn't seem so sure. "We'll ask Sora when he returns." Makarov speaks up. "No. Mira. You go after them and get some answers from him RIGHT NOW. Erza. Laxus. You two are coming with me." They all nod affirmatively. "I do NOT want a repeat of what happened with Mest. Mira. ...You do whatever you have to do to make him talk. Understood?" Mira reluctantly acknowledges her Master's orders and bolts out of the guild to track down Sora. Erza stands at beside Laxus as they seem to want to ask the same question. "Master? Where WE going?" Makarov leads them downstairs to a secret room. He opened the hidden door to reveal a strange looking vessel that looks like it hasn't been used in centuries. He then turned to answer his their question. "A place called Radiant Garden."