Two Halves of a Whole
The silver fur was soft to the touch. The piercing blue eyes were staring intently at me. Then the great wolf nudged my hand so that I was moving my hand along his back. The different shades of silver and grey passed beneath my skin until I reached the tail which swished back and forth at a steady rhythm. Four paws padded the floor to keep them from numbing, creating the sound of claws on tile. The canine was about the size of a horse, taking up a lot of room in the small section of library. I made my way back to Fenrir's head and stroked his snout, feeling his breath on my neck as he sniffed at his master. However, as the book had warned, the first summoning took its toll and I found it difficult to maintain his presence. He pulled away from taking in my scent and started fading back into my heart. As soon as he was completely gone, I fell back into a chair and started breathing heavily.
"Well... I have my protection. Now I just need to find a cure for this infection." I dragged a book of medicines in front of me and began flicking through it. I had no time to rest properly. I may not have known what was going to happen, but I knew time was of the essence.
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"There has to be something in here! It's not healing as fast as it should be and it's the same Darkness that's poisoning Riku." I muttered to myself in frustration as I finished reading yet another book on medical treatments and symptoms. "Which means it must be a disease or a condition." I sighed and closed 'Medical Mystery Elucidations' and opened 'After Battle Ailments'. "This would be so much easier if I had Alfonso with me. But no, stupid Riku had to get him stolen by Hook." I continued to mutter bitterly as I read about various infections known to be found on weapons. It was then I heard something. Something like... Talking? I strained my ears to hear better.
"I told you, we don't know what to expect on this side! We ran into Heartless on the way in here, and you know how this place was."
"Yeah, but even if that's the case, sneaking around people is just going to waste time. The fastest way to find out what's up is to get in the middle of it. Sometimes, you gotta make stupid mistakes if you wanna learn!" The voices had been coming closer and closer and to my astonishment, a bookcase slid aside to reveal a corridor! And from within that corridor came two young men. One was slightly on the short side with spiky brown hair and sporting a black coat exactly like the creeps in Agrabah had worn! That immediately put my guard up and I had my hands on my sais ready, should they notice me. The other male was taller with long hair of a lighter shade of brown than his partner that reached his ankles and his beige coat complimented the almost mousy hair. He had a spring in his step much like Sora and I sensed not only the same aura from Iva and Tegan of other universes but The short one was giving off high levels of Darkness while the tall one seemed to almost radiated Light. The short one continued talking.
"Being a fool in the heat of battle is rarely a good option, but when you want to find shit out? Works like a charm." Then the taller one continued to try and reason with him.
"Yeah, but if we do that, it counts as interference. Didn't we agree not to meddle in the affairs of this side?" The shorter one shrugged him off.
"It was more of a guideline anyway. I only agreed to that because I don't want to get dragged into some stupid-long conflict. As much as I love fighting, I don't want to be forced to fight under some asshat's flag for ten years because I had to pick a side."
"Have I ever told you I am terrified of what you might do if you travelled alone? Because if your blatant disregard for boundaries like that are any indication-" They paused their small discussion as the two of them finally noticed me. At once, I picked up my sais and knocked the chair back as I stood up, taking a defensive stance.
"Who are you!? What do you want!?" Naturally I wasn't going to trust these two when the one reeking of Darkness was also wearing the same attire as the three people who had tried to abduct Riku and I beforehand. Said boy stepped forward and took up his own fighting stance, grinning away with a slight crazed air to his smile.
"Oh, somebody who wants to know what the ceiling tastes like!" Before either of us could move to attack, the other boy stood between us with his arms outstretched.
"No! We're not fighting the first person we see!"
"Goddamn, you never let me fight anyone!" From this behaviour, it seemed this was a common occurrence between these two apparent friends.
"She's just alarmed because we came in here out of nowhere! Let's explain ourselves and try not to do anything we might regret, okay?" Clearly this one was more rational than his comrade who, after a moment, stood down and sat at another desk with his feet crossed on the table.
"Fine. I don't feel like fighting anyway, I'm just getting a little... starved for action, I think." I however didn't stand down at all, not for one second.
"You're with those creeps in the black coats, aren't you? What do you want?" I kept my voice level and calm, hoping to avoid a fight because I hadn't recovered from the first summoning. The spiky haired boy sighed and arrogance spread across his face.
"Be specific, damn you. If you're badmouthing my comrades that I've never met, I might change my mind about kicking your ass. If you mean the puppets' reflections on this side, then hell, 'creeps' is too polite. And if you just mean some gaggle of losers who stumbled out of the dark realm – because they hand these out there, I swear to god - then I probably have nothing to do with 'em. Probably." He took up a pen and started drawing on a piece of paper. "See? I can play the pronoun game, too."
"Rex, you're being kind of a jerk. Can you try not to make enemies with people when we don't know their names?"
"You can be as diplomatic as you like after we settle this, got it?" It was hard to decipher which one was in charge out of the two. "This girl's trying to figure out the same thing as me: 'Is this an enemy?' In fact, I'm sure she's also thinking something like what's going through my head: 'Even if this is an enemy, I can take 'em. Doesn't look like much of a threat.'" He finally finished drawing whatever he had been scribbling on the paper and held said paper up for me to see. It's a crest. A four pointed star with a ring around it. A compass maybe? Or a compass rose? "Tell me, does this mean anything to you?" He asked. I shook my head honestly but I still remained on guard. "Alright, then at the very least, you're not familiar with our associates or their world. I suppose I won't have to tiptoe around that subject so much." He picked up the pen again and sketched a symbol I did recognise. A four pointed star with the fourth point merging into an upside-down heart and the crest had six holes in it. I recognised it from the spell tome one of the men had used. "Tell me, what do you know of this? I take it you're familiar with them, and that they probably still exist. Non-exist. Are still around."
"Yes, I know that emblem." I continued to keep my stance. "If you're not with them, then why are you here, and who are you?" The short one answered me.
"We're here because Radiant Garden's archives are fairly extensive, if I recall correctly." I recognised the name Radiant Garden from one of the books. Hollow Bastion was once called that before Maleficent took over. "We need information before we can act...Of course, it looks like this place hasn't been restored yet. So the computers will still be offline." He set the paper down and stood up. "We're travellers. Nobody you need to worry about, unless you piss me off." I didn't like the way he spoke. As if he was threatening me. His friend stepped in again.
"That's... Not really an explanation, Rex."
"Yeah? And who's the one who said that even giving out our names would be interference!?" He snapped back.
"Just let me handle this. You're... Really not doing s good job diffusing the tension." He was stood between us again. "We're not associated with Organisation XIII. See, we're from... A very, very faraway world, to put it simply. We came over this side because we were hoping to learn something that would help us combat something back home, but before we go digging around for that kind of knowledge, we need to know about the current situation."
"Hold up. You asked why we're here if we're not with Organisation XIII. So does that mean they're here?" The short one, Rex, interjected.
"I've had a run in before. But they're not in Hollow Bastion." I said carefully. Then I decided to confront them properly. Hopefully they were as friendly and kind as Iva and Tegan. "And how dumb do you think I am? You're not just from another world. You're from another universe, aren't you?" I needed allies right now, but I needed more information on these two first. To show I had no intention of attacking them, I relaxed a little.
"Another universe? No, it's another reality. ... Dang it." The long haired one let slip. Technically they were the same thing.
"I'm having trouble remembering. Who said we had to be extra-careful?" Rex mocked his friend.
"I don't want to hear your sarcasm right now, Rex."
"So this place is still called Hollow Bastion? I guess that puts us anywhere from ten years to four months behind our own time." The two of them shared a look which did not go unnoticed. "If we're gonna explain, might as well not leave shit out. She's already dealt with folks from other universes before, so other realities can't be that hard."
"Gah, fine... We're from a reality where some people went on a revenge quest and took down Organisation XIII. Then they set up shop and became peacekeepers, dealing with all the other crazy stuff that popped up afterwards. We're two of those people. And our realities are on separate time-axis' from one another, so I think we're also technically from the future." The tall one explained. Then Rex disappeared and reappeared with some papers in his hands.
"Yeah, future space-men from another dimension or some shit... So, the Ansem reports are the same, or at least these ones. I can assume this place went the same way it did back home. A good number of events are probably still the same, but we need to check. The discrepancies are probably going to bite us in the ass if we don't know what they are."
"Glad you're taking this seriously, Rex. I was worried you'd just blurt out things that'd just confuse people on this side." Judging by the sarcastic tone, the tall one was not amused.
"Hah, anything you say about dimensional boundaries or complex space-time magic will probably be just as confusing and weird. Now then..." He turned to me with a serious expression. "You're supposed to give your own name before you ask someone else's, and we've spilled our origin on you, so if you don't explain yourself in the next few seconds, our names might be the last thing you ever hear." Since he had been short with me in his first explanation I intended to do the same.
"My name is Raven. And I don't appreciate being threatened by strangers. Enough explanation for you?" I matched his glare.
"Yeah, I don't appreciate impolite strangers."
"I... Don't think I need to point out how absurdly hypocritical that was." The long hair one said but the short one ignored him.
"And I'd like to know what you're doing here. Just a loose, basic explanation will do, I don't need to know anything personal."
"Here, why don't we give her our names now? She gave us hers, and it's only fair. I'm Aleri Verde, an aspiring Keyblade master and magic specialist." At the mention of a Keyblade, I started to trust Aleri considerably more.
"Fine. Rexial Gestalt. I cut things."
"He's one of the greatest swordsmen alive, and loves fighting to the point of insanity. Also kind of a jerk, and a user of Darkness." My spine prickled at the last detail.
"Dick! Yeah, and Al here is too much of a wimp to make a move on the girl he likes, is terrified of his own master, only learned magic in the first place because he was too pathetic to use his goddamn Keyblade, spends his free time cooking-" I couldn't contain myself as I burst out laughing at the duo. They looked pretty startled as I was bent double laughing.
"Eheh, sorry, you guys just remind me of some people I'm close to."
"Hmph! For your information, I'm a great cook!" Aleri said indignantly.
"Hah, you should've tasted some of your early tests, though. I think my mouth still burns from that one time you though ghost peppers and arctic lemons would balance out." Rex jested.
"Let's, er, get off that subject." I no longer sensed any aggression within them, so relaxed and relinquished my aggression towards them.
"But seriously, why are you here? We have almost no idea what's going on." Rex was far more pleasant when he wasn't aggressive. I sighed.
"You seem like good guys, so I'll tell you. A witch called Maleficent is using me and my friend, Riku, to gather the seven princesses of heart. Though... Riku's starting to fall into Darkness. He's changed. And I intend to leave with him. Only problem is, they have his friend, Kairi. He thinks he's helping her, but I don't think she'd want him to do what he's doing. Is that enough info for you two?" They seemed to recognise the situation at once.
"So Maleficent has been gathering the princesses. That puts us about nine months prior to our own point in time, during the hero's first adventure to save the worlds. Tell me, is Nori on his way to stop the witch now?" Nori? Who was Nori?
"What's with that look?" Al said to Rex. They didn't say anymore for a while, as if having a conversation with themselves without talking. Finally, Aleri shook his head. "Neither of you were involved in this incident, at least in our reality. Then this isn't going to be exactly the same anyway."
"I realise a big battle is going to occur soon. I want to try and stop it if I can help it." I sighed.
"Records say it was a very straightforward battle that ended before too long with Maleficent retreating after her plans were smashed, and Nori left to parts unknown. It doesn't sound like it was much of a battle... Well, I mean, relatively speaking." Rex said.
"Something is pulling the strings behind Maleficent. I don't know who though. But she wouldn't have gained knowledge of the princesses without someone else's help."
"Then we should look into it, shouldn't we?"
"Fine, we'll join forces for now, but consider it a temporary alliance. I'm still a little undecided on whether you're completely trustworthy." Rex agreed grudgingly. The feeling was mutual, but I had allies now and that would make the ride so much easier.
"Say, uh, is that wound of yours okay? I can use healing magic, want me to try fixing you up?" Aleri offered. I smiled sadly.
"Thank you, but healing magic doesn't work. I'll be fine."
"Listen, if we're gonna work together, we need to be honest. That wound doesn't look like it's fine." Aleri insisted.
"I'll be fine." I repeated. "The wound can't be treated by any magic or herbs. There's a potion which blocks the pain and it allows me to move around. I just need to rest and not push myself. Which is why I'm glad I didn't end up fighting you a moment ago... I doubt I could have won in my condition." I explained, honestly.
"Then we'll fight on your behalf, I guess. Even if it comes down to it, and you have to fight, you won't be fighting alone. I'm still concerned about that injury, but if you say it can't be healed with magic then-"
"Healing magic is bullshit. Remember the time you had your midsection shredded? You healed it right up with a curaga. But then that time a guy was kinda hurt, and you couldn't do anything?"
"Yeah it's really inconsistent."
"Wait, you only know that magic from this reality can't fix it. Why can't-"
"Let's not waste time debating the possibility. Besides, I'm not a healing specialist."
"I've been trying to find a remedy in these books but nothing has come up." I explained. Aleri thought for a second.
"Well, what inflicted that wound on you?"
"A man in a brown hooded robe. I didn't see his face but I know he had golden eyes. And this creature, some kind of Heartless I think, came out of his back. The man stabbed me with what I assume to be pure Darkness."
"Doesn't sound like anyone we-" Al began but Rex interrupted.
"That's the form taken on by denizens of the Dark. They're unable to manifest properly on their own, so he's probably looking for a way to recreate his body or possess someone else's. And if he had the Guardian behind him, it was probably Ansem, the Seeker of Darkness."
"Eh?" Al stared blankly at his friend.
"You weren't around when we kicked his ass. He had this weird fascination with one of our number, so we eventually had to take him out." Realisation hit me like a ton of bricks.
"Oh no... The Darkness infecting my wound and the Darkness in Riku's heart are the same... They must be from him!"
"So, Ansem is trying to possess your buddy? Then let's deep-six that bastard. I already know how he fights and how to counter him. Being possessed by dark beings isn't exactly pleasant. Of course, the problem is, how do we even fight him if he has no form? I can strike at beings like him with my power, but I need to find him first." Rex summarised and explained.
"I haven't seen or sensed him in Hollow Bastion since he attacked me. I've no idea where he could be now."
"I feel his presence in the castle, but I can't narrow down his location. If he's trying to possess this Riku, then we can trying hanging close by and strike if he shows himself. If he takes too long, we can just inform the guy about his situation. If it's not too late, he'll be able to resist." Just then, Aleri snapped his fingers.
"Didn't I know a Riku on the other side? Solver hair, green eyes, kind of sharp looking guy. Lived on Destiny Islands. Does that sound like the Riku you know?"
"Everything except the eyes matches my Riku." Al shook his head.
"Honestly, my memory may be lying to me about their colour. So it's the same guy! That's strange. I mean, he had the potential to be a fighter, but it's still surprising to know he's here."
"He's been here longer than me."
"Neat. Wanna go talk to him now? Like I said, he'll be okay if we can warn him in time. Let's stop standing around and go after him." Rex suggested.
"Er, so where is he?"
"Dammit, Al, I've never met him. You fell his location."
"I met him before my powers really awoke, so I don't have a good enough grasp of him to do that. Raven, do you know where he is?"
"Probably with Maleficent. But I'm not sure if telling him while you two are with me is a good idea. He's a little touchy right now and he won't listen."
"That's fine, I can stay out of sight. Al, can you?" Rex said casually.
"It'd be interesting to meet this reality's Riku, but I'll let you talk to him alone."
"Thanks." As soon as I said this, the Library doors on the top floor where we were flew open, making me signal to Rex and Al to hide. Al jumped over the railing to the ground floor while Rex just vanished.
"Raven? You in here?" It was Riku and he didn't sound happy.
"I'm by the stairs, Riku." I said, subtly confirming it was Riku to Rex and Al.
"What was all that noise just now?"
"Noise? Um... Oh I wasn't looking where I was going and knocked a bookcase. Some books fell it's nothing really, I'll clean it up."
"Well in any case, Maleficent wants us to go back on Hook's ship. We leave for Neverland in two hours." He turned away and walked out again. After making sure he was gone, I relaxed.
"Phew, that was close. But nice to know he was worried if I was okay after having about twenty books fall on my head." I said sarcastically. Rex reappeared next to me.
"He's definitely being affected. If you warning him doesn't work, I'll do it. He might be able to recognise that I have more experience in matters of Darkness. It's not an incredible plan, but better than just hoping."
"Yeah, and if Ansem shows up, we just whack him." Al added as he ascended the stairs.
"I'll try talk to him on Hook's ship. It'll be easier to swipe Kairi from there. But I need to keep you two out of sight. You think you can handle that?"
"Clearly you did not just see my disappearing act." Rex said smugly.
"I'm not really all that great at it, but I can at least keep myself hidden. The whole glowing-in-the-dark thing could be a problem though." I was puzzled by this but Rex elaborated.
"Yeah, he glows in the dark, it's a pain in the ass. Al, why don't you just listen from another room altogether?"
"It's probably best if I don't come on the ship at all. How about I stay here for now?" After a moment's thought I shook my head.
"You should both stay here. In case Ansem shows up. He's no pushover and I'd rather he be dealt with ASAP."
"In case he shows up here? Well he did have a habit of lingering in Hollow Bastion."
"Then we'll do our best if he makes an appearance. You just focus on warning Riku with as much tact and caution as you can muster."
"This is not gonna be easy. Try and stay in here. It's a safe area and there might be some useful information."
"Well, at the very least we can try to confirm that our histories line up. I'd hate to find out that the Keyblade war ended differently or the worlds are all in different spaces than back home." Al admitted.
"Gah, this is a pain... If Ansem would just show his face, I could destroy him in seconds without a proper body. Either he's just cautious, or he already knows I'm here."
"I think he's just a careful person. He shouldn't know who you are, should he?"
"Al, shut up, you're bruising my ego. I need that to belittle my opponents. My ID and superego can only do so much alone.
"Oh, please, aren't you the one who said, and I quote: 'Sigmund Freud is full of shit, if he thinks 'penis envy' is real?'"
"Don't you start me on Freud's theories! I will beat you over the head with one of his goddamn thesis papers!" Seeing that they would be at this for a while and were used to it, I simply chuckled at how much they reminded me of Reno and Rude and left the Library, heading for The Jolly Roger.