As Roxas walked down the hallway, he reflected back on the events that had happened over the last three weeks since his coming here to Never More, his missions with Xigbar, Larxene, and Xion, as well as the various mission he had done alone and the one he had done last week with Axel.
It was still hard to believe he was here, in this place. The worlds he had seen and experiences he had gone through still felt like something out of a fairy tail to him and there were still days when he would wake up thinking he was still back in Twilight Town and confused as to why his room looked so different. But these instances were becoming less and less with each passing day.
Entering the large gathering lounge, he sees Xion off to the side looking out the large windows up at the sky beyond. "Morning Xion" he says as he approaches her.
Xion jumps in surprise as she hadn't expected anyone to be here so early as they still had an hour to go till they needed to be here. Looking back, she smiles at Roxas as she pulls her hood down. "Good morning. You're up awfully early today."
"I'm not to only one it seems" notes Roxas, coming to a stop beside her. "So, see anything interesting out there?"
"Yeah, look up in the sky" she says as she looks back at the window and points upwards to the small glowing heart shaped moon in the sky. "What is that?" she asked. "I've never seen it up there before."
"Yeah, I haven't either" admits Roxas, though he had never really gazed up at the sky here before apart from when he had first arrived as there wasn't anything really interesting to see. "Just what is that?"
"It's our path to Kingdom Hearts" comes a voice from behind them, making them both spin around in surprise.
"Saix..." says Roxas while Xion nearly pulls her hood back up but stops as she had been working on being more communicative and open with the others.
"What do you mean by our path to Kingdom Hearts?" asked Xion.
"It's exactly as it sounds" says Saix, stopping before them. "All the Heartless you two have defeated and the hearts their defeat have released have been gathered by us here to create that which you see above us. And with even more hearts gathered in the future, it will grow bigger still. And once its color has shifted into a light, pulsing blue, it will be a sign that it is strong enough to create a path that will lead us to Kingdom Hearts, the restoration of the worlds, and the return of our castaway hearts."
"And that's when our jobs will be at an end then?" asked Roxas.
Saix nods, saying "I believe so. Now, seeing as you're both here, I give you your assignment for today."
"Assignment? You mean me and Roxas are going on another mission together?" asked Xion hopefully as she had found being around Roxas was the most fun she had in her life.
"Yes, at lord Xemnas's request" says Saix before handing Roxas a piece of paper he and Xion then look over. "The world you two will be heading to is another unknown world to us. I'm sure you both know the drill by now?"
Roxas roles the paper up and says "Yeah, do recon, search out Heartless, and see if we can locate the Keyhole."
"And stay out of sight of the locals" adds Xion.
"Correct" says Saix before opening the portal they would be using. "Be careful, both of you. In addition to this being an unknown world to us here, we've also detected unusual energies coming from this world, hence why you both are being sent. Be on your guard while there."
"Right" they both say, nodding as they pull their hoods up and enter the portal.
"Are you sure you don't want me to tag along with them. Keep watch from the shadows?" asked Axel as he entered the room.
Saix looks back at him, saying "They aren't infants. We can't always be there to hold their hands. Besides, I have something else I need you to do..."
After passing through the Twilight Corridor, Roxas and Xion emerge next to a dirt road that had trees lining it along both sides. Looking around and seeing no sign of anyone, they pull their hoods down and look around. "So, which way should we go, Roxas?"
Roxas pulls out the com-pad and does a scan of the area. "I'm not detecting any Heartless signs in the area." He then looks down both roads, seeing nothing but more road and trees. "Wanna flip for it?"
"Wait..." says Xion, walking to their right towards a sign that was partially obscured by a tree branch. She summons her Keyblade out and reach's up with it to push the branch out of the way. "It says Sleepy Hollow, one mile down the road."
"Must be the name of a village" says Roxas before walking past the sign. "Might as well check it out."
"But shouldn't we stay hidden?" asked Xion, running up to join him.
"Yeah, we should" says Roxas though he doesn't break his stride. "But we can also learn more by talking to the locals than we would from just looking around ourselves. And if they ask, we tell them we're just passing through."
"And we don't say anything about this in our official reports either" adds Xion, smiling a little. "And everyone wonders why I prefer to do missions with you over them."
They both laugh as they continue on down the road.
Realm Hearts
chpt.10: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
After a ways worth of walking, they found themselves walking up a moderately steep hill and at its top, they were given a good view of a small town down below them with homes of various sizes scattered about over a good distance. Luckily, the road down into the town wasn't quite as steep as the road that led up to where they were currently standing and they make their way down. "I think there may be a storm coming later tonight" says Xion suddenly, looking to the sky.
"How can you tell that?" asked Roxas.
Xion shrugs, saying "Not sure. I just can feel it in the air if that makes any sense."
After passing by wooden fence and an arch way of sorts with the name Sleepy Hollow engraved upon it, they see the first building on their walk. It was large in size, like two buildings that had been melded together; one large and one half the size of the first though it stretched out longer along the sides.
Before they can pass it by, a tall, thin, and rather lanky looking man emerges from the smaller of the two buildings; dressed in what appeared to be some greater finery who took a moment to check himself to make sure he was tidy before walking away from his home.
He was a little on the pale side with his hair curly along the side and combed back with a pony tail that hung down to the small of his neck. He had a long chin and an even longer nose with small, thick spectacles resting upon it.
"Should we ask him?" asked Xion as she and Roxas reached the building while the man was busy pulling a horse from a stable next to the building.
"Might as well" says Roxas as they turn off the road and head towards the man as he checks to make sure the saddle was on the horse properly. "Sir, excuse me?"
The man jumps, showing he was either completely lost in what he was doing or the nervous type. He quickly recovers as he turns back, saying "Yes, can I help you?" His voice sounded rather weak and mousey. Basically, he had a geek voice.
"Oh, new faces for my tutelage, I see. Well, sorry children, but schools already over for today I'm afraid" says the man.
"School?" says Roxas, looking at the large building. "So, this place is a school then?"
"Yes, that's right" says the man. "The larger building of this towns sole home for education and the smaller is my personal abode. And I and the new school teacher who just started last month; Ichabod Crane."
"I'm Roxas."
"And Xion, Mr. Crane."
"Well, nice to meet you both but like I said before. Today's studies are already over so you'll have to wait till tomorrow for all the formal introductions to be held" says Crane. He then gets a puzzled look as he says to himself. "Funny though. I don't recall hearing of any new families moving into town after I came to live here."
"Um...we aren't newly moved here" says Roxas, needing a moment to think of an explanation.
"We're just here because...um...we heard there was a festival going one but I'm afraid we may have gotten turned around" says Xion quickly, going on an impulse she was having.
"A festival, huh? Oh, then you must be here to join in the Harvest Festival then" says Crane, clapping his hands together. "Now I understand. Well then, follow me and I'll escort you to where the festivities are being held."
"Thanks for the offer, but we wouldn't want to put you out or anything" says Roxas.
"You wouldn't be, lad, as I happen to be heading there myself right now." Crane then hops onto his horse in gets it to start forward with a trot. "Come along now, don't be shy" he says, looking back at them.
"Sorry" whispers Xion, looking at Roxas as they start to follow Crane. "I panicked a little."
"Don't worry about. This may be a good thing" returns Roxas.
After a few minutes, Roxas decided to bring it up. "Um...excuse me, Mr. Crane?"
"Yes?" asked Crane, looking back at Roxas.
"I was wondering...have you heard of any strange things happening in the area lately? I mean, has anyone seen small, black creatures with yellow eyes scurrying about by any chance?" asked Roxas.
"Hm..." says, scratching his chin. "I'm afraid I haven't heard about anything like that. And I have heard an interesting tale or two being spun since coming here too. But perhaps someone else may have heard something I haven't. Once we get to the party, you'll have plenty of people to ask as everyone in Sleepy Hollow will be there...including her."
Crane then gets stars in his eyes as his cheeks light up and he starts acting all funny.
"Who's she?" asked Xion.
"Ah, her; the lovely Katrina Van Tassel, the most beautiful girl in all of Sleepy Hollow if not the world" says Crane with giddy glee. "Her father happens to be the wealthiest man in the county and who ever marries his daughter and sole heir will be a very wealthy man. Ah, I plan on telling miss Katrina how I feel for her and propese marriage to her on this very day."
'Sounds to me like your more interested in the rewards that come from being with her than actually wanting to be with her' thinks Roxas who then feels a tug on his sleeve from Xion.
"Roxas, what does it mean to propose marriage to someone?" asked Xion.
Roxas gives her a surprised look, asking "Wait, you really don't know about stuff like this?"
Xion shakes her head, saying "When all you can recall of your life is living inside a dark, dank alley way; rummaging through trash cans to find food, you don't really learn all that much beyond the basics needed for survival."
"Xion..." says Roxas, seeing her become a little sad and depressed. He reach's out with one arms and gives her a half hug, saying "I'll try to explain but I'm not really much of an expert either..."
After about forty minutes of walking, they arrive at a large building where there were already many people gathered around outside; adults who were busy conversing with one another and children who were playing happily with each other.
"Well, well, I wasn't expecting to actually see you show up today" comes a voice, drawing the three of them's attentions to see a man with a good muscular build walking towards them. "I figured you would have stayed home and curled up with a good book for the night."
Crane brings his horse to a stop as he hops down to face the taller, muscular man who now towered over him. "On the contrary, Brom Bones. I was given an invite by master Van Tassel himself as as I am still new here in Sleepy Hollow, failing to attend at least one of the invites from a man of his reputation would be quite disrespectful."
"I guess it would be at that" says Brom Bones.
"Is my being here gonna be an issue...with you?" asked Crane.
Brom Bones laughs a good hard laugh which gets several nearby people to look in their direction, wondering if they had missed a funny joke being said. "Not at all, mister school teacher, not at all." Brom Bones then plants several hard pats upon Cranes shoulders. "Well then, I must be getting back to my own duties. Have fun and..." He stops when he notices Crane wasn't alone.
Looking past Ichabod, he sees Roxas and Xion then looks back at Crane and ask "Who are the brats with you? Relatives or something?"
Crane shakes his head, then says "No, just a couple of passerby's who hoped to join in the festivities and see if anyone can help them with a search they're on."
"I hope our being here isn't an intrusion, sir" says Roxas, stepping forward.
"I don't see why it would be, kid. I'm sure old man Van Tassel will be fine with it as well as he does encourage travelers to attend these little get togethers. Good for trade realtions between villages. Now, what about this search you and the peach are on?"
"Peach?" asked Roxas.
"I think he's referring to miss Xion" says Crane. "Brom Bones here always refers to girls by using nicknames like peach or some other similar term."
"Oh, I see" says Roxas before looking at Brom Bones and says "We're looking into any weird creature sightings in the area. Would you have, by any chance, seen any weird and unusual looking beast in the area as of late?"
"Weird and unusual, huh?" says Brom Bones, giving it some thought.
"Here..." says Xion as she reach's into her coat pocket and pulls a scrap of paper out and hands it to him. "These are some rough sketch's I've made of them...well, the ones we know about anyways."
Crane moves to stand beside Brom Bones so he can see them too as does Roxas as he was curious as to Xion's design on the Heartless. Her drawings, from what he could see, were rather cartoony and shoddily done, though the Shadow's looked close enough do to their simple appearance.
"So, have you see anything like these things running around or heard anything that may match up to them at least?" asked Roxas.
"Nope, sorry kiddies" says Brom Bones as he hands the paper back to Xion. "We only have one local legend around these parts and it has no resemblence to these things."
"We do, really?" asked Crane. "I haven't heard anything about this legend in my short time here."
"Well then, make sure all three of you stick around till after the sun sets and I'll tell you all about it then. It's tradtional that someone tells the legend on this night each year anyways. Now Crane, go hitch your horse up over at the barn then bring yourself and the kiddies on in." And with that, Brom Bones turns around and heads back towards the Van Tassel home.
"Roxas, do you think this legend could be connected to the Heartless?" asked Xion.
Roxas shrugs, then says "Who knows, though we may as well stick around a few more hours and hear it while asking around and seeing if anyone else..."
"Hey, kid" comes Brom Bones, making Roxas and Xion look at him.
"Yes?" asked Roxas.
"You got yourself a cute little girlfriend there. If I were you, I'd keep her close or my little brother may try to woo her hand away from you." Brom Bones laughs at seeing Roxas cheeks go red as he continues on his way.
"Roxas, what did he mean by that?" asked Xion curiously.
"Huh?" asked Roxas, surprised to see her so mute and unaffected by Brom Bones words. He then recalls that given her past and spotty memories, not unlike his own memory problems, would likely mean she really didn't understand stuff like romance and boyfriend and girlfriend terms. "Oh, don't worry about that now. We can...talk about that later."
He hoped maybe he could get Larxene to give her that talk seeing as Larxene sort of maybe liked him just a bit now after there mission together before. Another thought crossed his mind. Both he and Xion had memory issues. Was that normal for Keybearer's? He'd have to ask the others about that later.
"Hey you two, coming along?" calls out Ichabod who, during their little exchange, had proceeded to drop his horse off and was now heading off to join the party.
"Yeah, we're coming" says Roxas as he runs over to Crane with Xion a few steps behind him. As the three of them walk towards the back yard, where the party was being held, Roxas ask "So, just who was that guy ayways?"
Crane sighs, saying "His name Abraham Van Brunt though everyone calls him Brom Bones for short, though I have yet to learn why. He's a local rowdy around Sleepy Hollow and quite a famous one at that. A heavy drinker, champion horse rider, and...he and I are rivaled for the hand of dear Katrina."
"But you two are friends aren't you?" asked Xion.
"Hardly" laughs Crane. "That exchange we had before was one of our "nicer" exchanges since I first came here. I feel he's to big a brute and he sees me as a joke of a man and we both feel the other is unworthy of the lovely Katrina's fair hand...aw, and there she is now."
Crane comes to a stop and points her out amongst the gathered people so Roxas and Xion would know which one she was. Indeed, she was a beauty and it was easy to see why she would be so desired. Yet, in Roxas mind, he felt Olette and Xion would still give her a run for her money which makes him blush immediately after due to have actually thought that.
"Well, I'm off to introduce myself to master Van Tassel as befitting the requirements of a proper gentleman. I would suggest you two do the same before asking around for your funny creatures search" says Crane before excusing himself and walking off towards a large, bulky man with a thick set beard.
Over the next two hours, Roxas and Xion had met with Van Tassel, they had started asking around and even took the opportunity to enjoy some food and drink, non achoholic of course for them, while asking various people about the Heartless. Like with Ichabod and Brom Bones, no one knew anything about them. And, as Brom Bones had warned, his younger brother did get rather flirty with Xion for a second but stopped when another girl had caught his eye, showing he wasn't a one woman kind of guy.
By now, the sun had set and darkness had already sat in. "Roxas..." comes Xion as he takes a bite of the fruit he had just gotten from a large cerving bowl. "Shouldn't we be heading back soon? I'm sure they'll be worrying about us if we don't at least report in."
"Maybe..." he says. "But I want to hear about this local legend first" was Roxas reply.
"Attention, attention..." comes Van Tassel in his deep, booming voice, getting everyone's attention. "Now that night has fallen, it's time for us to indulge in another annual event here in Sleepy Hollow. And this year, I am letting master Abraham have the honors in the telling."
Brom Bones comes walking up, saying "Thank you, master Van Tassel." He then looks out over the crowd of people as they gather around. He sees Crane also taking a seat and allows himself a slight smile. This story would make him wet his pants, he was betting. "The lights if you would" he says to a few servants who, understand his request, exstinguish most of the lit torch's saving only a couple; one of which is brought up to rest before him to cast his body and face in flickering shadows.
"Years before, during the great war of revolution, he rode; the Hessian trooper and his steed who's coat was blacker than the moonless midnight. Battled he did, taking many lives and earning many victories for his name to bare. He was the nightmare on horse back and all who saw he shrank back in fear."
"It was said he made a deal with the devil himself for his great success and for those who make such a deal, payment will always be due. And so it was that during his greates battle, he was felled as a cannon ball stuck him, taking his head into oblivion; leaving only his body behind."
"But so dark was he, so filled with evil and sin, that his body refused to die. Instead, the Hessian horseman arose, seeking that which he had lost in the battle; his absent head. So beware when you ride home in the dark of the night for the Headless Horseman may come for you, to take your own head and make it his own."
As Brom Bones finish's, a loud rumbling of thunder erupts from the sky, making many people jump and several small children even start crying from being scared. Van Tassel comes walking up, clapping his hands "Thank you Abraham, that was a spendid telling. Couldn't have done better myself."
A sudden feel of water hitting his cheek makes Van Tassel look up. "Now my friends, let us retreat inside for now as we may have some rain coming." And with that, Van Tassel heads off into his home with Brom following with others following after them. The servants begin gather the food and drink and bring it in as well so it won't be ruined by the rains.
"Roxas, do you think that...Headless Horseman guy could be a Heartless?" asked Xion.
"Maybe? Assuming he actually exist" says Roxas as more thunder rumbles overhead. "It could also be a legend though. Back home in Twilight Town, we had several legends there as well that ended up being nothing but hot air with no actual truth behind them."
More thunder rumbles. "So, what should we do?" asked Xion.
"We could go inside and wait out the storm or we could head back to the arrival point and head back. What do you think?" asked Roxas.
Xion didn't mind sticking around a bit more as she actually like this place. It was nice, quiet, and peaceful she thought. The people were friendly and the food and drink were both good. Much better than what they had back in Never Was save for the Sea Salt Icecream which they didn't seem to have here. Also, she was curious about this drink she saw some men talking about called meed. From what they had said, it sounded quite good.
She looks up at the sky then to Roxas and says "It'll take us forty or fifty minutes to get back and if my guess is correct, the rains won't start falling till after that. I'd like to stay longer but we should be getting back so as not to worry the others and force them to come look for us."
Roxas was amazed that Xion could tell what the weather would be like yet still be so clueless about the more natural things people would know like romance. She was definately an interesting girl. "Well, if you're sure. Then lets go..." And with that, they head back around to the front and leave the Van Tassel residence, following the road back to Crane's place and the way to the portal.
(twenty minutes later)
Ichabod's horse trotted along at its own pace as his owner seemed to lost in thought to be directing it himself. As for Crane, he was currently crestfallen and heartbroken at what had happened not fifteen minutes before. After a few drinks to help bolster his courage, he had finally approached Katrina and confessed his feelings for her and had even gone so far as to propose marriage as well.
And she had flat out rejected him without even giving it a moments thought.
He was glad that there wouldn't be no need of him to teach any class's for the next few days as he doubted he would have the energy or the will to teach them. Right now, he wanted nothing more than to just get home and get under the covers of his bed and forget this day had even happened.
A sudden flash of lightning brings him from his melancholy as a bolt shoots from the sky and hits a tree not thirty feet ahead of them. Crane's horse rears up in surprise, nearly knocking Ichabod off and he needs several moments to calm his steed down.
"Whoa boy, easy there" says Crane, patting and rubbing the horse neck to help soothe it. He then has it trot forward a little till he was directly beside the tree, examining it. From the looks of it, this tree had suffered many strikes from above in the past. "So, lightning does strike twice...or in this case, many many times it would seem."
A sudden sound makes him jump and cause his hair to stand on end; squeaking out in a mousy voice his eyes dart around in a panic. He then spots the source of the noise, an owl who had hooted out as it took flight. He breaths a sigh of relief while placing a hand on his chest. "Just an owl, calm down Ichabod. Those stories Brom Bones and the others told me are just that, just STORIES."
He then laughs his fears away, feeling a little better for a moment. And then he hears a new sound, a sound of horse hooves hitting the ground. But it wasn't his horse as they were still stationary. Turning to look back to see who else was coming up, he feels his blood freeze as the terror he had felt moments before comes racing back like lightning.
"A Head...Headless...Horseman" he manages to get out in an intense stutter.
A cold, disimbodied laugh comes from the headless rider as his steed rears up, neighing loudly. And Ichabod, terrified beyond all comprehension, does the only thing he can think of, he soils himself then whips his horse like mad, getting it to break into as fast a run as it could.
And the Headless Horseman was hot on his heels.
(Roxas and Xion)
"Hey Roxas, what's that?" asked Xion as they finished crossing an old wodden bridge. She had come to a stop and was now looking at the building just off to the side next to the bridge.
"Hm?" says Roxas, looking to where she was looking. He then examines the building and sees tombstones in a small fenced off field next to the building. "I'm guess it must be a church and that next to it is a cemetary."
"Oh, OK" she says, then looks at him and ask "Um...what's a church and cemetary anyways?"
"Well..." says Roxas when a cry of fear catch's their ears. They then hear a second sound, one of high pitched laughter. "Is that mister Crane?" he says as he and Xion look back. Seconds later, they see Crane and his horse come into view and right behind him was...
"Roxas, is that the Headless Horseman?" cries Xion.
"Yeah..." says Roxas, his Keyblade appearing in his hand. "And he's after mister Crane."
"What do we do then?" asked Xion, her own Keyblade appearing as well.
"We..."
"There it is...the bridge" says Ichabod aloud, recalling what he had been told before. If he could cross the bridge that sat resting next to the church, then he would be safe as the Horseman could not cross that bridge less it would be dragged down to hell to face its eternal punishment.
He looks back and sees the Horseman gaining on him. A few more seconds and he would be at the monsters mercy. But that wouldn't be an issue as he hears the sound of hooves clacking against wood, signaling that they were no crossing the bridge. And as he had heard, the Horseman brings his steed to a stop before it could make contact with the bridge as well. He was safe.
Once he had reached the far side, Ichabod stops his horse and looks back the headless rider and sticks his tongue out. "Hah, looks like I'm safe. What's wrong, mister Horseman? Does a bridge really scare you that much?" Obviously, Ichabod was feeling rather bold right now.
Unfortunately for him, his boldness quickly melts away when he sees the horseman reach back behind itself and pull out a large pumpkin with a face on it, an eerie light coming from within. The Horseman laughs one final time before chucking the pumpkin at Ichabod with all of its might.
And Ichabod was to taken aback by this to make a move to save himself.
"Oh no you don't" comes Xion as she appears from behind the stone wall that surrounded the church and cemetary, using her Keyblade to take out the pumpkin before it could hit its target.
"Miss Xion?" says Ichabod, surprise to see her.
The Horseman also appeared surprised as it pulls on the reins to make the horse turn so as to escape. But before it could even begin to move away, Roxas appears from a tree above, shouting "Oh no you don't..." and then swings his Keyblade round hard, making contact with the Horseman and knocking him off its own ride.
The Horseman groans as Roxas stands over it, aiming his Keyblade at the rider. "It's over." Roxas then notices something as Xion and Ichabod cross the bridge to join him. "Who ever you are, enough with the game and show your face already."
"Ow kid, anyone tell you that...key of yours hurts something fierce?" comes a familiar sounding voice as the hands grab onto the clothes and pulls down to make his hidden head pop out.
"Hey, aren't you mister Brom Bones?" asked Xion.
"So you remember me, peach? I'm honored" says Brom Bones before standing up.
"What...what's going on? Why did you...?" asked Ichabod.
"Huh?" asked Brom Bones before giving off a hearty laugh. "Oh, this? I just wanted to give you a little scare is all, nothing serious."
"Nothing serious? You nearly scared both me and my horse to death. And you threw a pumpkin at me too" says Ichabod.
"Yeah, well...I had to get back to you for asking my Katrina to marry you" argues Brom Bones.
"Is that really a valid reason?" asked Roxas.
"It is for me" says Brom Bones.
"Well you don't have to worry about that seeing as she turned me down...rather quickly I might add" says Ichabod in a grumpy tone.
"She did? Oh, that's good to know then" says Brom Bones before holding his hand out and ask "So, no hard feelings then?"
"Are you serious?" asked Ichabod. But he then smiles a little and says "Oh fine, what ever. You owe me one though."
"Sure, I'll buy you a drink or two" says Brom Bones before throwing an arm around Ichabod's shoulders and leads him off to the bridge.
"Roxas, what just happened here?" asked Xion.
"I don't know but it was pretty stupid" says Roxas in a deadpan tone. "Anyways, we should..."
Before Roxas could finish talking, a strong, thick mist suddenly comes rolling in, enveloping them both within it. "Roxas?" asked Xion, unable to see him as she grabs blindly in the mist.
Roxas hand finds hers and takes her hands into his own while saying "I'm here."
"What's going on?" she asked, looking around and trying to see anything within the fog.
"I don't know, but..." His words cut off as they hear the sound of hooves stomping on the grass. They then see a figure appear; a Headless Horseman. "Mister Brom Bones, why are you..."
An unearthly glows rises up around the rider while the eyes of his steed glow brightly. It extends its right hand out, making a head of smoke and flame appear upon it. "Roxas, that's the real one."
"Crap" says Roxas as his Keyblade appears again as Xion summons hers again as well.
The Horseman observes them as they prepare for it to attack. But the attack doesn't come.
Are those...Keyblade's? Are you two Keybearer's?
Roxas and Xion blink in surprise from the voice that had spoken directly to them in their minds. "You know about them...and us?" asked Xion.
I know enough to know. Now, what are your kind doing here?
'What does that mean?' wondered Roxas before saying "We came to this world to see if there were any Heartless running around and, if so, locate the Keyhole so we can seal it up, allowing this world to be protected again from the darkness."
Is that so? Well, there have been Heartless appearing here every now and then, but I can sense their coming before they arrive and head to the spot they'll appear at, disposing of them before the can become a threat.
"That explains why no one hasn't seen anything" says Xion, looking at Roxas. She then looks at the Horseman and ask "Do you know where the Keyhole is by any chance?"
The Horseman stays motionless for a moment before making a sweeping motion with his hand, making the two Keybearer's feel a sudden change come over the air, like things had split in two for a moment then pulled back together, themselves included. The Horseman then turns his horse around as while pointing with his free hand towards a spot where the mist had started to lighten to reveal a small lake.
There, upon the waters.
"Upon the...waters?" wonders Roxas aloud as he and Xion pass the Horseman by and look upon the lake. Somehow, despite the fog, there was a shadow of the moon cast upon its surface. But something was off with the reflection. It wasn't a circular shape but...it was shaped like a Keyhole.
Roxas feels his Keyblade shake suddenly, feeling the signs he had felt before back in Twilight Town next to its Keyhole. "Xion, this is it. Let's seal her up" says Roxas as he raises his Keyblade into the air. Xion mimics his actions and aims up as well; beams of light shooting from the ends of the blades and arch through the sky and come down to hit the Keyhole, creating a clicking sound as a result.
"We did it" says Xion happily, looking at Roxas who looks at her as well, also happy.
And then a geyser of water explodes from the spot on the lake the Keyhole had been at, bringing them both back to being alert, fearing that it was a Heartless. "An enemy?" says Roxas as he and Xion prepare for any attack that may come from the geyser.
Relax, it is no enemy. This is the world's way of saying thank you.
True to the Horseman's word, the geyser of water finally falls back into the lake, leaving a small ball of light floating in mid air which then approach's them; splitting in two. As it gets close enough, Roxas believes he sees something within the light; a keychain. The light then splits into two halves, passing into Roxas and Xion's chest where their hearts would be.
"Hey, what was that about?" asked Xion, looking at Roxas, then at the Horseman.
"That's what I'm wondering too" says Roxas who also looks at the Horseman for an explanation.
Look at your Keyblade.
"Huh?" says Roxas as he looks at his Keyblade and notices it; the silver keychain on it was now glowing. Curious as to what was going on, he uses his free hand to touch it and at the moment of contact, it changes from three circles that resembled a face with roud ears to looking like a pumpkin.
And then the whole Keyblade changes shape; turning black in color and very thin when compared to the Kingdom Key. It was also longer as well. "Is this...a new Keyblade?" wonders Roxas as he looks at the hand guard to see if there was a name enscribed there. "Pumpkinhead."
Obviously, you do not know. Each world has its own particular Keyblade which a chosen weilder can summon and use. This world has granted you the honor of being able to call its particular Keyblade to your side when you need it. Each Keyblade has its own special power and uses. Learning what these are and mastering them will make you an even greater Keybearer.
Roxas studies Pumpkinhead and realizes that it was different. It was thinner and longer in length than the Kingdom Key, allowing him a little more distance when attacking Heartless. But as for the special power bit? He didn't have a clue as this was the first time he had ever heard of this detail.
"What kind of special power?" he asked the Horseman.
I would not know. Finding the answer is entirely up to you. Think of this as a test if you will...
Roxas nods and looks it over again, then shifts it between Kingdom and Pumpkinhead several times to see if it would work. Off to the side, Xion also tries to make her Keyblade change but finds nothing happening.
It won't work for you...not until your heart has fully awakened...
"Huh?" she says, looking at him. The fact Roxas hadn't said anything about his words made her believe that those words had been just for her to hear. But still, what did that mean? Before she could ask...
"Say, how do you know so much? Are you...a Keybearer too?" asked Roxas.
The Horseman doesn't answer. Instead, he waves his hand out again and the two Keybearer's find themselves back at where they had been before but with no sign of their headless rider. They look around and see no sign of him.
No, though I did know one...a lifetime ago...
They had heard that and nothing more. Soon, they decided that they wouldn't hear anything more and continue on their way back to the portal. Everyone back in Never Was weren't going to belive this one.
To be continued...
Secret Report 8:
Zexion sat alone in his room, finishing up a little program he had written. Upon it was the latest data that would be sent. Now finished, he encodes it onto a disk and takes it from the computer. He would now pass this on to Axel who would take it to the drop point. He gets up and leaves his room.
And on the computer screen, three words appear for just a second. DiZ..
AN: OK, everyone. Time for another round of Q&A's from you to me and back to you again.
Kira Ria 18 and XxKenseyXx13 both wondered what was going on in chapter 5 with Saix, Vexen, Demyx, and Marluxia? Well, the answer should be somewhat obvious. They were sent to get the towns people to turn on Roxas, even if only for a few hours, in order to make getting him to join them and leave Twilight Town even easier. After all, kidnapping or forced assistance wouldn't help them in this matter.
roxasduelwielder asked when Roxas, Axel, and Xion will be hanging out? Well, they'll have their first official hang out together at the end of the next chapter. After that, even if I don't bring it up at the end of each chapter, expected that they hang out often; more so than not.
And don't worry Kira Ria 18, Xion won't be a replica...well, not in the same manner as she was in Days. You'll understand what I'm planning with her in chpt.20 and I hope you all both think and feel that it makes much better sense for her than what was done in Days.
To . , well we know they all wear pants beneath the coats. As for the shirts? I assume so though some may wear long sleeved, short sleeved, no sleeves and maybe even a couple might go around bare chested (like Lexaeus or Xaldin as they look like they have a descent physical build to them). I would say Roxas, beneath his coat, is still wearing his usual, Twilight Town attire minus the while black coat. And as for Xion, a tank top with string shoulder straps.
And sure roxasduelwielder, you can kicks Xemnas as much as you want, assuming you can get around his barriers and actually get a hit in on him.
Kira Ria 18, you asked a good question. "Roxas will no longer be needed and the fragment he held would be his (Xemnas's) once again." What does that mean? Well, that answer won't come for a good while. But I'll say this much. Is there anything in Roxas possession that looks familiar to something? Like maybe a piece taken from something else?
And . asked is Larxene going to die? Well, can Nobodies actually die or do they return to being a whole person when defeated? Time will tell though I did want to make the Roxas/Larxene interactions become something like a sibling thing to some extent.
Now I'm going to get serious here. As I said a chapter or two ago, my releases are going to be slowing up big time. This is still true even now seeing as I no longer have the internet at my place (I had to walk a ways to get to the nearest internet hotspot so I could use the free wifi so I could upload this chapter). Because of this and the fact I'll be moving in with my brother within the next week, I can't be sure when my next chapter will be coming. If time permits, both in writing and walking to the hot spot, I'll upload as many as I can before the move. After the move though, I won't be able to upload anything until I get moved back into my own place again which won't happen until at least mid-October. My brother, though he does have internet himself, likely won't be able to let me go online unless its to check my e-mails using his computer (as he doesn't have a wifi router last I checked).
So, just in case this is my last chapter released for the next few months, I'll leave you with a gift of sort. A sneak peak at what to expect with the next ten chapters of this story.
Chpt.11: Fragile: Roxas suddenly faints and falls into a coma, his body suffering moments of fading. Can anyone figure out how to save Roxas before he fades away for good?
Chpt.12: The Unknown Coatwearer (working title) While on a mission, Xion encounters another coatwearer, but this one seems to be an enemy. Will she survive the encounter? Olette also has a scene in this chapter, setting the stage for a scene in chpt.21.
Chpt.13: Someday You'll Find It... Roxas meets an unexpected face who will give him a new power, one that will come to serve him well in times of great need...where a heart of valor is required
Chpt.14: The Musicians Lament (Roxas and Demyx focused chapter)
Chpt.15: Wreck it, Roxas I think the title says it all, especially about the world Roxas and Xion go to.
Chpt.16: Connections Roxas spends time with the various members of the Orgaization. Meanwhile, Donald and Goofy finally appear in the story as of this chapter.
Chpt.17: Tangled chapter (title undecided yet) takes place before the Tangled movie. There will be a scene in this one involving Roxas and Xion that mimics the scene in the movie about the lanterns and riding in the boat on the lake.
Chpt.18: The Heartless World Upon arriving in a new world, Roxas and Xion become trapped there and find the world having almost been consumed by the darkness. Now they must face an army of Heartless while the other Orgaization members try desperately to reach them before its to late.
Chpt.19: Resonance of the Heart The power given to Roxas before will finally awaken as he and Xion combine their powers in a way no one ever expected. And this power won't be the only thing that is awakened either as the stage is finally set for the fallout with the Orgaization...
Chpt.20: ? (title will NOT be revealed till one week after the chapter has been released as the title reveals a big secret about Xion) Roxas learns about the lies handed to him and what really happened those last few days back in Twilight Town. And when he goes to meet Xion, she'll have a few surprises of her own for him. And a heart breaking battle follows that will change everything forever...
Beyond these ten chapters (11 to 20)? Only time can tell since I'm keeping mum for now...
Till the next chapter my friends...