::Disclaimer:: I do not own Kingdom Hearts or any of the original characters. Credit goes to Square Enix and Disney. This story was co-written by Grayangelhikari, Belladonadarkraven, NeoJecht, Darkblade65 and icefire5689. For character art, visit the gallery of Belladonadarkraven, Grayangelhikari or icefire5689's Deviantart account page!
Chapter Note~ Jest's fight takes place at Beast's Castle. We figured the ballroom and the courtyard would be a few nice locations to host the fights that take place here. As a group, we decided on a few songs we thought would best fit each character like a theme. Jest's theme came from the YouTube video "Kikuri AMV". I had never seen the anime, but the music from the video fit. It suited her with its twisted, carnival-like music box. It was beautiful but eerie at the same time. Often throughout our writing, we'd listen to music that suited the mood of the story at that time. This was one of the few we had for Jest. One of Passiva's themes was the song from Silent Hill titled 'There Was a Hole Here'. It carried a beautiful tune and seemed to fit the mood of her character and back story. After listening to a few songs, Belladonadarkraven and I wrote our own songs for a few of the characters.
Yet another instance when the group becomes separated.
You brought up a great point. Kairi and Namine are just kind of there so what's the purpose of having them here? The reason isn't fully explained by the end of this story, but in the second one. I can't say much without giving it away, but those answers and more are still to come :]
Everything was pitch black. Sora stood up on what felt like marble floor. Every moment or so, lightning would flash from outside, temporarily flooding the room with light from the window. Critter stood up, cocking his head.
Lightning flashed again. Roxas spotted Jest out of the corner of his eye. He wheeled around to face her but she was gone.
"Welcome!" Jest's voice seemed to be coming from all directions. "I'm glad you've all decided to come play!"
"We're not here for any games, we want answers!" Sora shouted.
"How rude. You have to have some fun. Very well, let's begin," Jest clapped her hands together. The candles along the chandelier were lit, followed by the torches around the ballroom. Jest stood in the center of the floor, holding her moogle doll. Sora glanced around the room, realizing it was only the three of them.
"What'd you do with them?" Sora clutched the Kingdom Key.
"Calm down, I'm keeping them entertained too. They're probably playing with some of the toys I left for them outside, that's all. They should be fine so long as they play by the rules," She smiled at Roxas.
Sora clenched his fist, clutching the Kingdom Key tighter in his grip. Roxas summoned Oath Keeper and Oblivion. He knew what was going through his head and he wanted the same thing. He glanced at the tall doors. A thin shield covered the wood, preventing their passage until they went through her.
Jest studied their expressions. She looked down at her doll then back to them, grinning wildly. "Let's begin."
o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o
Yuki wheeled around as light began to flood the West Hall, illuminated by torches and candles placed around the walls. A long scarlet rug ran through the center of the marble hallway, with armored statues positioned on either side. She walked along the carpet, examining the statues, continuing down the hallway. The hall opened up into a spacious room with one large staircase. Positioned around the room were large blocks, jacks and other toys.
"Stay away from those," Riku told her.
"You can't be serious!" Yuki laughed.
Riku ignored her, scanning the room. The castle had an air of familiarity. He could vaguely recall the events that happened here, but who it was with and what happened remained a blur. The castle was dark and sullen then, the way the Beast had left it after his transformation. But the castle was slightly different. It was brighter with, at the same time, somewhat of an eerie feel.
"Well now what?" Yuki groaned, walking up to Riuki.
He never got a chance to reply. The blocks of varying sizes slid toward them like they had a mind of their own.
The group summoned their weapons and began to fight off the various toys. "This is ridiculous!" Yuki smashed a block with her hammer. "Where's Sora and Roxas?"
"I don't know but Kairi and Namine aren't here either," Riku dodged a fast spinning top.
"When will it stop?" Yuki complained, smashing a top with her hammer. The toys ceased their attacks, falling in place. "Phew! Thought it wasn't going to end."
"What does that mean?" Amu asked.
"I don't know," Riku replied. "Let's go find the rest of our group before those things attack again."
"Where are the others?" Namine wondered aloud.
"I don't know.." Kairi responded. "They were just her a moment ago." They walked down the hall, calling their names.
"They're not around here," Namine told her.
"Guess so," She stopped in front of a tall dark door. It was scratched with parts of the knob torn. Kairi turned to Namine, hesitantly. Namine nodded, turning the knob and cracking the door open. She peeked inside. The room was dark. The only source of light came from the moonlight, spilling through the window and tears in the curtains. Everything was torn; the walls, furniture and even the portrait on the wall. "What happened here?" Namine asked.
"I don't know," Kairi shook her head. "Maybe we should leave."
"Okay."
Kairi turned to leave but stopped when she heard a melancholic growl. A dark figure loomed in the corner. Kairi took a step forward, carefully approaching it. Then she froze. The figure began to stand up until it was partially exposed to the moonlight. Lightning flashed outside, temporarily illuminating the room. Namine grabbed Kairi's arm and stepped back. Standing before the two girls was a monstrous beast.
"I've seen you before," Kairi stepped forward, recognizing the figure. "About a year ago, in Hollow Bastion. It was when we were leaving."
Beast eased. "Why've you come here?" He asked in his low growl.
"We came with some friends," Namine explained. "Sora's here. A girl named Jest brought us."
"What happened?" Kairi asked.
"I was warned someone infiltrated the castle and checked into it after hiding Belle with the others."
"There are others here as well?"
"Yes. She eventually found them and has been using Belle against me so that I would comply- and chained me here like a pet," he growled.
"That's awful," Namine said. "Let's get you out of here then." She picked up the chain.
o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o
Jest laughed as she dodged each of their attacks. She slightly turned to the right to avoid Sora's blade, before doing a back handspring to avoid Roxas' horizontals. Sora ran forward, jumping into the air he slashed down with his blade. Jest swiftly spun to her right, giggling as if she were dancing. Sora was frustrated. She was only playing with them, and all she had managed to do was begin to wear them out.
Sora stood up. "Cut the games!"
"Hm, you know? You're right," Jest jumped up into the air, staying put as through she was walking on a platform. She sat down, crossing her legs. She placed her moogle doll in front of her, giving it a hug. "That's more comfortable, I'll think I'll have you fight the nobody in my place. That way I can rest while the orders given to me are still carried out!"
"Why would we?" Roxas stopped.
She shrugged, rolling her eyes. "Because I told you to." She turned the doll around. An eerie green aura surrounded the doll.
Roxas watched, trying to anticipate Jest's next move. Sora suddenly collapsed, his keyblades disappeared. His eyes shut tight and his fists were clenched. Roxas dismissed his weapons, rushing toward him. He looked as though he were struggling, but he couldn't tell what. Jest watched pleasantly as though nothing was happening. Sora stopped.
"What'd you do?" Roxas asked, apprehensive.
"Just watch."
Jest's grin widened as she leaned forward closer to get a better look. Sora got to his knees, standing himself up, slightly shaking. She clapped her hands, "There we go!" She said excitedly. From what Roxas could gather from her reaction, it wasn't a good thing.
"Sora?" Roxas took a step forward. Sora's eyes began to open, looking up at Roxas. It seemed as though he was struggling to fight against something. Hesitantly, he drew his weapon.
"Don't hold back," Jest giggled, leaning back. "Saves me from the difficult work." Roxas quickly summoned Oblivion, his blade meeting Sora's just in time. Sora retaliated but met Roxas's once more, their blades crossed. It was clear he wasn't acting on his own will, so there was no reason to fight hard.
"Sora, snap out of it!" He yelled. Sora looked at him, slightly out of it. Sora tightened his grip and twisted the blade. A surge of electricity erupted from the tip and traveled across Oblivion. Roxas jumped back, small sparks still springing from his blade. Two flames shot out from the Kingdom Key. Roxas blocked one while dodging the other, the second flame crashed into a pillar, sending it crumbling. Sora ran toward Roxas, repeatedly hitting his blade. Another flame shot from the tip of the keyblade. Roxas ducked, the fire crashing into the column behind. Roxas shoved Sora from the falling pillar.
"This is no fun, you're not even trying!" Jest whined. "Being the nobody, you shouldn't care what happened to him, right? There's no emotion to restrain. What've you to lose anyway? With him out of the way, you would no longer be his shadow but your own being. Isn't that what nobodies want?"
"They told me I never had the right to exist, that being here was a mistake. But if I still cared about it, I wouldn't have left the Organization."
"Haha!" Jest giggled, appearing up on the balcony. "That's silly, you never could care in the first place," she rolled her eyes. She watched the fight with great interest. It was all a show to her. "You see, playing puppeteer is one of my fortes. If someone doesn't act upon a matter the way they should, I can make them." She smiled, setting the doll on the rail. Roxas glanced at the doll, then back in time to block Sora's blow. The doll could be what she was using, seeing it was something she always kept close to her person.
Critter's ears stood up when he noticed the doll. He smiled wide and began to make his way toward it.
Roxas summoned Oath Keeper, pointing both blades at Sora. A shield formed around him, preventing him to move outside it's border. He'd keep him contained until after he dealt with Jest. He disappeared through a black portal, reappearing on the balcony.
"Hm?" Jest turned around. Roxas threw Oblivion at the doll to knock it off the rail, knowing Critter would be able to get a hold of it down below. Jest lashed out to grab the doll. She fell back from the balcony to avoid Oblivion, landing gently on the ground below. Roxas appeared below, Oblivion returning to his hand.
Jest laughed, shaking her head. "Clever, you got it figured out!" She clapped. "I'll just have to switch things around now, since you put my toy in such a bind already." The aura surrounded the doll again.
Sora shook his head, coming back into focus. He then pounded against the shield. "Hey! Lemme out! Roxas!"
"Ngh," Roxas shut his eyes tight, clenching his teeth. Sora continued to pound against the shield. The shield suddenly shattered, causing him to stumble forward.
"You might want to grab that," Jest pointed to Sora's side, his keyblade appeared in front of him. Sora slowly approached it, picking it up. "Roxas, you okay?" he rushed over to him. Sora shook him. Roxas's blades crossed then pulling apart. Sora flew back against the pillar. He reached out his hand, redrawing the Kingdom Key.
"There is one thing I don't mind so much about nobodies," Jest said pleasantly. Roxas appeared in front of Sora, pinning him to the pillar with Oathkeeper, pointing Oblivion at his neck. "Manipulation is child's play. No heart means no protection, leading to no resistance. Feelings don't interfere, making it easier to submit." She sighed. "That was almost too easy," she pouted. "No fun at all.. and I thought I was going to get more of a show, what would the others think? Oh well, I suppose what's done is done. There are others I can play with after."
Critter watched the doll fall. He was concerned to think his new friend would be hurt so he ran as fast as he could to save him. The doll, however, was too far and landed even before he made it halfway across the room. He would see if he was alright then. He ran even faster, dodging the fight. Critter, sadly, had never been good at running and tripped over a fallen piece of stone. He opened his mouth wide as if to cry out in surprise, his friend only a couple feet in front of him and slammed into him. Something went into his mouth and without thinking, he swallowed it. Dazed and confused Critter picked himself off the ground and tried to see where his friend had got to. When he couldn't find him, he blinked. Oops. Critter sat on the floor and frowned deeply. He was sad now. He'd just eaten his newest friend. Silph would be mad at him and never love him again. If he had the ability to cry he would.
Jest stared at Critter in disbelief. "You ATE it?" She screamed. She wheeled around, facing the boys. Roxas shook his head and, coming back to his senses, released Sora. "Rrgh," Jest grabbed Critter. "You little-"
"Hey!" Sora pointed his keyblade at Jest, inches from her neck. "We're not finished."
She smirked. "Huh," she grinned, her expression becoming wild. "Okay then.. i suppose it's time to break you." She tossed Critter aside. Roxas caught Critter, setting him down on the marble floor. "Thanks," he told him. "You've helped a lot." He rushed over to join Sora.
Critter scratched his head, confused. With a shrug he sat down to watch. He'd mourned appropriately for his lost friend. It was time to get back to his other ones.
"But first, I'll let you take a look around," Jest smiled, disappearing in a wisp on silver mist.
Sora rushed forward but the smoke dispersed. Roxas put a hand on his shoulder to get his attention. "Look," he nodded toward the door. The barrier had vanished, granting them passage into the main hall. Sora opened the door, bursting into the next room. "Jest!" He called, swiping his keyblade through the air.
"She's not here," Roxas said. "Calm down."
"Yes calm down, you're producing far too much noise."
"Show yourself!" Sora yelled.
"Very well." The front doors burst opened, a strong draft filled the room. "Follow me," she reappeared in the doorway, stepping out into the courtyard. She stopped in the center of the stone path.
o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o
"That took way too long!" Yuki finished off the last of the killer toys.
"Let's find Sora!" Amu made her way up the stairs not even waiting for the others to follow.
Silph nodded. "That's probably a good idea. They might be in trouble too." She started up the stairs after Amu when she heard a voice behind her.
"But won't you stay? It's been a while since I've seen your bright smiling face," said Sarcasm. Silph whirled. He was leaning against the wall with his usual smirk. Seeing her expression he sighed. "Not that I've seen your bright smiling face." He laughed as he dodged Heartbreaker. It missed him only slightly. A single lock of his auburn hair fell to the ground. Sarcasm looked at it and began to laugh harder.
"What?" Silph demanded sharply. It irritated her to no end how Sarcasm shrugged off everything. Never took anything seriously.
Sarcasm wiped tears from his eyes. "That is probably the first time anyone has done so much damage to me. Only you could do that, Silphie." He continued to laugh for a bit then became serious. "I think you might know why I'm here."
"I don't know," said Silph, "and I don't care. Leave, or I will kill you personally."
Sarcasm shrugged. "I guess you do know. Maybe. Won't you come with me Silphie? I've got something for you."
Silph turned on him. "No. I have my own agenda, and that doesn't include you. Now go away." She started following after the group, not caring if they stared at her.
"Pity," Sarcasm whispered. In a flash he was in front of Silph, inches from her face. "But I think it will." He leaned forward and his lips met hers. Before she could kill him he slid out of the way, laughing.
"I'll kill you!" Silph raged turning to follow after him.
"That's my girl," Sarcasm replied. He slid backwards down the hall watching Silph's charge. He blinked and she was closer. "Uh oh,"
he mused. "You're serious." He picked up his own pace and slid backwards through the west halls, then the main hall, and out into the open air of the courtyard. He all but ignored Sora's little group and Jest, his eyes fixed only on Silph. He slid to a stop and Silph almost flew past him. He caught her around the waist and said, "Slow down. There's no hurry." Silph replied by trying to hack his head off. He laughed as he dodged. He half turned to Jest and said, "Sorry Jest, but I think I'll be using this place. You can watch if you want, but don't interfere." All the while he continued to dodge Silph's blows.
Jest pouted. "Do you really have to come here?" she asked, irritated. Sora rushed forward, raising his keyblade to strike. "Stop," she said, raising her hand. He froze mid step. Jest giggled, turning to the gate. The double doors flew open, the left door hanging by the top hinges. She appeared on the far side of the bridge. "Come," she beckoned. Sora unfroze, stumbling forward.
"C'mon!" Roxas yelled, rushing past him. He stood up. Now Silph was here with, he assumed, another member of the Order. "You gonna be okay?" he asked. She didn't have to answer. Something in her expression told him to leave, this was her fight. She was right. He nodded, starting toward the bridge, where he had his final encounter with Xaldin the year before. He met Roxas, who was already engaged in the fight with Jest.
o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o
"Can you break it?" Kairi asked.
"They won't break," Beast growled.
"There's a lock here," Namine pointed. Kairi summoned Destiny's Embrace, pointing it at the lock. "Here," a light shone from the tip directly into the lock. The lock clicked and fell open. The chain shattered into a shine of white lights.
"Shouldn't we go back and help?" Riuki asked, reffering to Silph.
"This is her fight. We'd only be getting in her way." Riku walked quickly down the west hall.
"And besides we need to find Sora."
"What about Kairi and Namine?"
Amu glared when she heard Kairi's name. "Who cares about them."
"That's a little harsh." Yuki opened the door at the end of the hall.
"Kairi?" Yuki cocked her head, peering into the room. (Amu screamed outside at the sound of her name, once again.)
"Yuki?" Kairi dropped the chain, walking to the door. "Where's everyone else?"
"Off fighting bad guys," Yuki groaned. "And Riku said we can't help because it's not our fight. Who's with you?"
"I'm here with Namine and Beast."
"Beast?" Riku asked. So it was his castle.
"Yeah," Kairi nodded. "He was chained here when we came in." The Beast stepped forward, stopping in the doorway. "I'm going to find Belle. You should find find your friends."
"Okay."
Stopping there for now.. the next chapter is Sarcasm vs Silph and Jest vs Sora and Roxas! I'll try to have it up by tomorrow :] Thanks!