The portal opened into a dark alleyway off from the main square. Riku walked confidently out of the darkness into the busy street as soon as they entered the world, Kairi following soon after. Xigbar was the last to come out, covering his face with his hood before he did so.
"There's a lot going on today. Is there a market or something?" Kairi said, pointing to all the stalls set up in the square. Everywhere, there were people milling about, inspecting the goods that were set out on the brightly coloured table cloths, chatting to anybody who would listen, haggling over the price of something or other.
"They always used to have markets on Tuesdays and Thursdays when I lived here," Xigbar told Kairi. "Looks like they wanted to reinstate the tradition,"
"You lived here?" Riku was surprised.
"Sure," Xigbar replied. "All of the founding members of Organisation XIII did. Course, then it was called Radiant Garden, not Hollow Bastion like it is now. But anyway, you dudes probably want to catch up with Leon and Yuffie. I'll hang around here, and meet you later, okay?" He made a gesture as to leave and intermingle with the crowd.
"Okay," Riku said. "We'll see you later, then,"
Xigbar was quickly gone, already looking at what the stall holders had to sell.
"We'd better find Leon and Yuffie," Kairi said, looking around in case they were also somewhere in the market square.
"No need," Came someone's voice from nearby. Leon was just rounding the corner with Cid.
"How do you always manage to jump out at us whenever we're here?" Riku asked.
"Coincidence?" Cid reminded him. "Where's Sora? I have a bone to pick with him,"
"He's in Wonderland. We have a lot to catch up on, I'll explain everything later,"
"Oh, it's just that I tried to talk to him through the Gummy Ship radio and he wouldn't pick up,"
"We haven't been in the Gummy Ship since we went to Twilight Town. It's still there," Riku said, confused. Cid must have just thought that they were driving the ship when they weren't.
"No, I have a tracker installed on that one. Just earlier today, it travelled from Twilight Town to the Land of Dragons,"
"We weren't using it," Kairi said, suddenly worried. "Does that mean someone stole it?"
"It's still in the Land of Dragons, last time I checked. You'll have to take your Gummy Ship - which, by the way, I mended free of charge - there to find it and bring it back. How did you get here without it, anyway?" Cid rambled on.
"That's what we need to explain. Is Yuffie around?"
"She's just picking a few things up from the shops. She'll be here any minute now," Leon said, looking out across the busy square. They all silently decided to wait for Yuffie's return.
"Is this something to do with Braig?" Cid asked. His question was met by blank faces. "I mean Xigbar," Cid suddenly remembered that the man he'd known as Braig had changed his name.
"Oh, yeah. He met us with us in Twilight Town," Kairi said. "How do you know him?"
"Braig - that's what he used to be called - used to live here, back when it was Radiant Garden,"
"He did say that, Kairi," Riku said, reminding her of their earlier conversation.
"Hi guys!" Yuffie had appeared. "Where's Sora?"
"Wonderland," Riku replied. "It's a long story,"
"Did you find Xigbar?" Yuffie interrupted. "He was looking for you,"
"Yeah, that's why we're here. We want to talk to you about that. Some of the former nobodies are going against Xemnas and Maleficent's plan to take over the world – or worse,"
"I knew she was planning something," Leon said to himself.
"Anyway, they asked us to join them," Riku finished for Kairi. "And we said yes. They call it the Twilight Alliance,"
"That is such a cheesy name," Yuffie laughed.
"I know, I didn't think of it," Riku huffed. Not that he'd ever admit it, but secretly he thought the name was rather cool.
"So you still didn't explain how you've been able to travel the worlds,"
"We've been using the darkness portals," Riku said.
"They're not safe," Leon muttered darkly. "Being that close to the darkness can corrupt you,"
Kairi looked at Riku worriedly, but he shook his head in insistence.
"It's fine. We're only there fleetingly, and yours and Sora's heart can't be corrupted anyway. And I've been way too close to the darkness to be stupid enough to fall into it again,"
"I guess that makes sense," Yuffie said. "But be careful, okay? I don't want anything bad to happen to you guys,"
"It's alright. We can handle it," Riku assured her.
"If you're sure," Yuffie wasn't entirely convinced, but she knew that Riku had first hand experience with the darkness and presumably knew what he was talking about when it came to the other side.
"So if you came by darkness corridor, which former Organisation XIII member took you here?" Cid asked.
"Xigbar," Kairi told him. "He's somewhere in the market square,"
They'd reached Merlin's house and everybody filed in to where Aerith and Merlin were deep in discussion. With them was one other person - a tall, dark haired lady dressed in black.
"Tifa!" Yuffie exclaimed as soon as she saw the new arrival. "When did you get here?"
"Just now," Tifa laughed, greeting her friend. "Who's with you?"
"This is Riku and Kairi - they're Sora's friends," Yuffie said, gesturing to each, and finally to Tifa. "Guys, this is Tifa,"
"You know Sora?" Riku asked.
"I met him a few times when I was out looking for Cloud," Tifa explained. "Where is he, by the way?"
"Wonderland," Riku said for the third time. "We didn't have anything to do, so we thought we'd come and talk to you,"
"I feel so loved," Leon said sarcastically.
"Squall! Don't say that!" Yuffie smacked him around the head.
"That's Leon,"
"Sure, whatever," Yuffie was grinning at having annoyed Leon.
"Anyway, it's still good to see you," Aerith interrupted their battle. "How is everybody doing?"
"We're fine," Kairi immediately took up the conversation, noticing with a grin how similar Leon and Yuffie were to Riku and Sora in the way they bickered. "Have you had any news from the King?"
"Yes, actually. We got a letter from them yesterday. I think I have it somewhere here..." Aerith began to search a chest of draws piled full with odd bits and pieces. "Here we go," She pulled out a tiny letter and handed it to Kairi. Riku leaned over her shoulder to have a look.
To Leon, Yuffie, Aerith, Cid and Merlin
This is Jiminy Cricket writing! I'm with the King right now - they picked me up from Twilight Town a few days ago. Sora, Riku and Kairi seem to be missing - they left me with the Gummy Ship in Twilight Town and haven't been seen since. I'm sure they're all alright, though. Anyway, we've been to several worlds - Neverland, Timeless River, Hundred Acre Wood and Deep Jungle - and defeated several nonentities there. We still don't know what their motives are, although they're definitely connected somehow with Maleficent. In Deep Jungle, we met up with a man who calls himself Xaldin - the name is familiar somehow, and I'm sure I recognised him. He helped us to fight the nonentity there, and said that it was his duty when we asked him. He also claims to know Sora, and said that he knew where the Keyblade Bearers are, and that they're safe. I'm not worried, because I'm sure that they can hold their own, but I do wonder what is going on. We're going to Traverse Town now, and I'm looking forward to seeing Geppetto and Pinocchio again since they're living there now. Well, see you soon! (I hope)
Yours, Jiminy Cricket.
"So that's where he went," Kairi said, putting down the magnifying glass she'd been using to read the miniscule words. "I did wonder,"
"Hey, dudes!" Came Xigbar's voice from the open doorway. "I thought I'd find you guys here,"
"Oh, hey Xigbar," Yuffie waved at him. The others also nodded in acknowledgement.
"Braig?" Tifa wasn't quite up to date yet.
"It's Xigbar now. Tifa Lockhart, right? I remember you," Xigbar grinned amiably. "Anyway, Kairi, Riku, I got a message from Xaldin if you're interested," He held up a sleek black mobile phone.
"What does it say?" Kairi asked.
"Nothing much. "Vexen was asleep and I didn't have the heart to wake him (no pun intended). Axel and Demyx are back but there's no news from the Wonderland expedition yet,"."
"Is that all?" Riku wasn't really impressed.
"Yeah. Well, I just came here 'cause I was bored and the market is closing now. Wanna go back yet or do you have more catching up to do?" Xigbar asked.
"I don't know. Anything else to say?"
"Don't forget the Gummy Ship. I need that back, and if you're not using them any more I'll get your one back to Disney Castle," Cid said sternly.
"See you soon!" Yuffie smiled as Xigbar opened a darkness portal.
"Adios!" He grinned, saluting as he disappeared into the black with Riku and Kairi. Moments later they were back in the snowy mountain tops of the Land of Dragons.
---
"Are you sure he's here?" Marluxia asked as he pushed his way through the strange, tentacle-like leaves of the lotus forest. They'd been searching for several hours and there had been no sign of Zexion anywhere.
"Yes. Unless Maleficent found him," Lexaeus replied. He was nearby, asking the odd talking flowers for help. He knew that the diminutive man was around here somewhere.
"He's not up in the trees," Larxene called. She was high above them in the leafy rooftops, also searching. "I found a little doorway, though. Dunno where it leads to,"
Marluxia jumped up to join her via a small collection of mushrooms, and Lexaeus floated up as well, to inspect the gap in the trees. It was pretty small; they'd all have to duck to get inside.
"It's worth a shot," Marluxia shrugged and crawled through. They both followed him, coming out into a huge room. There were paintings laid on the floor, and a gigantic tap facing one wall, which was covered in monstrous furniture. On the opposite wall were roof beams and burning lamps.
"The Bizarre Room? We already came here!" Larxene exclaimed. "Look, there's Sora and Luxord on the floor," She pointed left to where the pair were running about on the wall. They looked tiny compared to the huge table and chair in the centre of the wall. "Ugh, this room is so confusing," Larxene rubbed her forehead. "No sign of Zexion, though."
Marluxia had already wandered off, exploring this particular side of the bizarre room.
"Come help me with this tap," He said from the other end of the wall. He was trying to pull it on, but it was too big for him to turn alone. Larxene ran over to help him and together they managed to turn the great brass contraption. The water from the tap fell sideways towards the floor, filling a huge jug with glittering liquid. Marluxia ran straight into the water and disappeared. Confused, Larxene and Lexaeus didn't have much choice but to follow. Bizarrely, they popped out on top of a hedge somewhere else.
"Found him!" Marluxia said triumphantly, pointing to a small spirit nose deep in a book a little way away.
"Zexion!" Lexaeus called immediately, quickly gliding over. Zexion looked up from his book.
"Oh, Lexaeus. Where have you been? It's been all day, I was worried. What are they doing here?" He pointed to Marluxia and Larxene, annoyance evident in his tone as he mentioned them.
"Zexion. We need to get out of here. It's not safe,"
"But my book!" Zexion protested.
"Grab it and go," Larxene said, vaguely amused at the blue haired soul's childlike stubbornness.
"I can't pick it up!!" Zexion flailed, his transparent hands passing straight through the tome.
"How did you turn the page, then?" Larxene asked.
"I couldn't," Zexion admitted. "I've been reading the same page over and over all day,"
"Smart move, little one," Marluxia strode over and picked the book up for Zexion, who somehow in spirit form looked even smaller than usual. He glared angrily up at the flower elemental, who had opened a portal. "Let's go. Larxene, go get Sora and Luxord,"
"Sure," Larxene leapt off the hedge and ran towards another archway that lead to the Bizarre Room's floor. "They'd better still be in here, I'm not running around this whole bloody world looking for them,"
However, she didn't actually get into the room before there was a huge, violent disruption right near her, and a stream of water hit her like a wave. She spun around, angrily shaking off droplets of water, and saw a long, serpent like nonentity causing havoc already.
"Not another one," She summoned her Foudre, preparing for battle and hoping that Sora and Luxord would come out of the Bizarre Room soon. As strong as she was, she wasn't sure how well she'd fare pitted alone against one of those. The nonentity had a blue tint to it, the colour fading to black as it reached the tips of its three tails, and a colour closer to white at its head. It unfolded large wings from its back, and the membranes it was made of looked like textured glass, showing a distorted world behind them. Acknowledging her as an enemy, it turned to face her, roaring.
"Nice bark," Larxene admitted. "But is it worse than your bite?" Like lightning, she attacked, sending streams of electricity towards the nonentity, kunai striking it all over. She knew that she was at a disadvantage, though - since it was a water element, she could be seriously damaged if she got too close or it managed to get in another attack like the first one. She moved as fast as she could to avoid its water balls, attacking it again and again. Thankfully, it wasn't long before she realised that she had help - Sora was on the other side of the court, firing off magic attacks along with short range hits with his keyblade. The monster also periodically slowed down to almost a standstill as Luxord worked his magic, allowing Larxene and Sora to take out more of its health.
"Where are the others?" Luxord called to Larxene as soon as he got the chance.
"We found Zexion!" She yelled back, but before she could elaborate, they were pulled apart again by a powerful water attack from the nonentity they were fighting. A few moments later they were close enough to talk. "I'll explain later," Larxene said.
"Good idea," And Luxord was off again, coming to Sora's assistance. The Keyblade Bearer had suffered a nasty attack and had gone into critical health. Noticing that Larxene's health was also pretty low, Luxord used one of his mega potions to cure the whole party.
"Thanks," Sora said, and rushed right back into the centre of the battle again, thrashing his Keyblade about like a madman. They continued to fight, gradually pulling the nonentity's health down. It only took a few minutes for it to fall, defeated. Luxord opened up a portal and invited Larxene to step through.
"Ladies first," He smiled as she walked in, with Sora right behind her. Luxord brought up the rear.
Soon they were back in the Land of Dragons.
"How's Vexen?" Luxord asked as they all trudged in through the door of the small hut. Outside, a snow storm was beginning to start up and the temperature had dropped dramatically from very cold to absolute zero.
"He's asleep, so be quiet," Xaldin hushed the incoming group. "Dinner's on the table, help yourself,"
"Gladly," Larxene quickly made her way to the dining room, followed by Luxord. Sora looked up at Xaldin, who stared a little blankly at him.
"What happened in Twilight Town, anyway?" He asked, but Xaldin shook his head.
"I'm waiting for Vexen to wake up; Xigbar knows but he won't tell anyone. He says it isn't his story to tell. It's good that you found Zexion, though," He changed the subject.
"Yeah. That's everybody now, right?" Sora began to count everybody off on his fingers.
"Except Roxas, of course. He's still inside of you," Xaldin pointed to the legendary Keyblader's heart. Sora subconsciously raised his hand to his chest.
"Inside me... Is there any way to get him out?" Sora had always wanted to meet his other half. There was so much missing from him - memories that he couldn't remember, things he'd done without ever doing. There was always going to be part of him that yearned to know what had happened in Castle Oblivion, but meeting his own nobody - it was something he often dreamed of, something that would answer so many of the questions he had.
"Vexen's working on it," Xaldin was saying. "Come on, you'd better get some food before somebody else eats it. I'll go check that Vexen's okay,"
"I thought you said he was asleep," Regardless, Sora was edging closer and closer to the door to the dining room.
"He probably is," Xaldin replied. "But I might see if I can move him to a more comfortable position. He was sleeping a little awkwardly last time I went in and if he wakes up with a crick in his neck, it'll just make things worse. He's creaky enough as it is,"
"Just how old is Vexen, anyway?" Sora asked. To him, Vexen seemed like one of those infinitely old men that were just... old and always had been. It was difficult to imagine him or any of the other really old people that he'd met over the years as a young person.
"Um... Oh, I forget. Forty something? He's not that old. He's younger than Xigbar,"
"How old is Xigbar?"
"Sixty nine," Xaldin smirked. "He has been for about five years,"
Sora looked confused.
"You'll understand when you're older," Xaldin said, ruffling Sora's spiky hair. "Now go eat, if there's anything left,"
