Chapter 32: A Second Interlude

A/N: Kingdom Hearts does not belong to me. It is the property of Square Enix and the Walt Disney Company. This is a creative work that I do not profit off of in any way.

Hello again, my dear readers! Enjoy this newest installment!

"And it is not an inconvenience to you, then, to allow me to accompany you to Radiant Garden?" Isa asked. "I have business there that I must attend to."

"Not the slightest bit of inconvenience, Isa," Scrooge McDuck said. He tapped his cane to the ground and Isa eyed it cautiously. Hadn't Xion said that was actually a magic staff, much like what Donald used?

"Alright then," Isa said. "I will be at the Bistro tomorrow morning, six o'clock."

"I'll hold you to it, boy-o," McDuck said. "I keep a tight schedule, don't ya know."

"Oh yes, I do know," Isa said. "I remember when you first arrived in my world, Mister McDuck."

"Ah, yes, I remember you as well," McDuck said. "Best regards then, Isa. If you excuse me, I must attend to my chef."

The little duck tipped his top hat and waddled back into his bistro. Isa watched him go inside and then turned back. He needed to get home.

It was a curious feeling, nearly melancholy and yet also hopeful. Isa sighed to himself as he walked down the streets of Twilight Town. Lea had always described these streets as sleepy. In some regards, that was true—there was a sense of tranquility that seemed a near constant in this world. The conflicts of many months past rarely had a lasting impression—it had not yet been a month, but as Isa passed by the entrance to the Underground, he overheard a construction worker say to another that it was clear to be travelled through now.

Isa wasn't sure if he found the idea of the Underground to now be safe to travel through uplifting or disconcerting. It truly had not been much time since Xion had crossed blades with Sephiroth.

But to think how much had happened in just the last few days was striking. This strange new conflict between the barriers of life and death. Maleficent and her allies were seeking to rewrite the laws of reality: the emergence of foes long forgotten; killing beings that had up to this point been immortal; calling forth an undead army of Huns.

But then it had ceased, as suddenly as it had started. No new information to be had. No new leads on what Maleficent might be planning. Understandably, King Mickey was reluctant to leave Disney Castle, but surely, there was somebody, anybody, who was willing to do at least some investigation. The chaos being spread at the moment—or the chaos that wasn't being spread at the moment, but would be again soon—was, oddly, not quite as harsh as that in years pass. Worlds falling to darkness and Xehanort's manipulations and machinations to bring forth Kingdom Hearts had nearly doomed the universe.

By comparison, while certainly a source of great suffering, these recent battles had been more limited in scope—or at least the conflict in the Land of Dragons had been. Shan Yu may have been an undead…being, but fundamentally, his goals had been to kill the ruler of an enemy empire.

And then…what of his dreams? Isa had recalled many painful memories through his slumber these last few months following his re-completion, and even before, in the Organization. She was out there. Her. His friend. The one he had risked everything for. He needed to find her…and this was something he had to do alone.

It wasn't a decision that Isa was coming to lightly. He knew that Lea would be willing to accompany him, under normal circumstances, but he also knew that his oldest friend wouldn't dare leave Roxas and Xion behind and Isa would never ask him to do so. As for the children themselves, they knew all too well the pain of losing a friend, but they placed their responsibilities as Keybearers above all else.

"It's our job to light the darkness and make everyone happy."

Xion, such a sweet, gentle soul. How much she had suffered. Afraid of her own abilities, constantly treated as something less. Isa ground his teeth. He had done that to her, every day, for nearly a year. And now, history was repeating itself. Blast it all.

That wasn't fair, Isa knew, in his heart of hearts. Master Yen Sid had good reasons for his concern, for both the mordite blade and the possibility of Xehanort maintaining some presence within the girl. Xion was desperate, fervent even, to prove her worth. But the nature of her replication abilities could prove more dangerous that she intended, if she were to copy a weapon that she lacked the proper skill to use safely. An ounce of prevention was worth a pound of cure, as the saying went.

And with regard to housing a piece of Xehanort's heart…Isa's hand went to his chest. He recalled with painful ease just how foreign it had felt, a hot, painful stabbing pressure. As if his chest were in a vice and trying to expand. And Xehanort gazing upon him with some twisted gratitude. It was something he could never forget, and while he understood Master Yen Sid's logic, he was also absolutely positive not a trace of a foreign presence remained in Xion's heart.

But that didn't mean that Isa's heart didn't ache at the sight of the Keybearers struggling. They were under a lot of pressure—doubly so since these last few missions had brought them tantalizingly close to seeing Sora again—and Master Yen Sid, despite his commitment to the Light, could be very harsh. But with that ache came warmth—Xion was as lively as could be when she was happy. Her smile was such that Isa had to wonder whether its mere presence would be enough to bloom flowers. And Roxas was as reliable as the sunrise—or sunset, as the case may be in Twilight Town.

If he had been told a year ago that he would become so fond of those two children that he would have regrets about not being in their presence, Isa would have assumed it was a trick. Some manipulation to seed doubt or let his guard down long enough to strike him down. The Organization had had no shortage of enemies.

As it was, though, Isa found that he was going to miss the children. Setting off on this journey was something he needed to do. And in doing that, he would have to tell the people who had become his family.

xxxx

Telling Lea turned out to not be nearly as difficult as Isa had feared. They were alone at the moment, which did make things somewhat easier. The children were with their friends doing…well, whatever it was children did for fun in Twilight Town. Isa was fairly certain Xion hadn't gotten her little job back at the ice cream parlor, and apart from that and her seashells, he didn't know what other hobbies she had. But he would worry about her in a moment.

Isa stared at Lea. His expression was contemplative, with an air of cockiness that most resembled that of a person being told something they already knew.

"You don't seem surprised."

"Had a feeling it was gonna come to this, sooner or later," Lea said. "I remember you talking to Ansem about it the other day. And from what I gather, last night was weird dreams all the way around. You saw a vision of her?"

"It was more of a memory than a vision," Isa said. "But yes…I saw her, Lea. And she spoke to me. Reminded me of the promise I made…to protect her. To free her from her horrible prison."

"We both made that promise," Lea said, and his tone shifted from cocky to slightly bitter. "She was the first, really. The one I promised to bring back…man, that really worked out."

"Despite your misgivings," Isa said. "This isn't something I blame you for. Not anymore at least."

There had been many divisions that had driven the wedge between Axel and Saix, turning them from friends into deeply resentful foes. The wound here was perhaps the oldest, if not the deepest, but it was certainly the first. And it had led to so many others.

"Yeah…" Lea scratched the back of his head. "But there's been no sign of her for ages."

A fair point, there hadn't been a trace of their dear friend for years. Not even the ample resources in the Organization had given them the opportunity to find so much as a clue to where she might have gone. And Ansem the Wise and Ansem, Seeker of Darkness, had had no clue where she might have ended up. It was as mystifying a question as any Isa could think of. A part of him even wondered whether she might be outside this realm entirely—what if, somehow, she had been banished from this reality?

"That doesn't matter, Lea," Isa said quietly. "She's out there. She needs someone to help her. Goodness knows I've failed in upholding that promise. It's time for me to set it right."

Lea stared at him, green eyes sharp and alert. An assassin's eyes. A friend's eyes.

"You don't have to do this alone."

"I don't have a Keyblade," Isa said quietly. "In truth, Lea, how much of a help have I truly been on these missions for King Mickey?"

"Plenty important!" Lea said. "I know the kids were worried about you staying safe, but c'mon! You're our friend, Isa. We want you with us—like you said, you know your way around Gummi ships better than any of us."

"In general, I agree, which is why I spoke to McDuck about this particular detail," Isa said. "But given that the ship that King Mickey commissioned to us runs on sea-salt ice cream for fuel, that should hardly be a concern for you three."

"Ha ha, ha ha," Lea rolled his eyes. "You've made your decision, I get that. But you're the one who's gonna have to tell the kiddos."

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

xxxx

Xion was with Olette, sitting side-by-side in what passed for their backyard, though it was far too small to truly be considered such. To be more precise, they sat on a medium-sized patch of grass that was large enough to potentially be a garden, had they the time to properly tend it. The girls sat with their backs against the farthest wall. They each held a large book in their hands, their heads tilted downward, their eyes on the pages. Xion was barefoot—her boots resting at the edge of the grass.

They were reading—a fine activity to spend in leisure, Isa thought. Better that than the mindless arcade games Lea used to insist on when they were children. Upon closer inspection, Isa saw they were reading copies of the same book. Was this an attempt by Olette to build common ground with Xion? If it was, Isa appreciated it. For a moment, Isa stood in the doorway and watched.

"We saw the wolves again today. It's amazing, the way they eat salmon—sometimes they swim right up and grab one. There are nine wolves in the pack," Xion read aloud, turning a page. "I am not sure whether the pup will be able to integrate with the others, but seeing this pack gives me hope for wolves in the future."

"Ranger Rick says that the wolves are all related—the pups from the last two years and the alphas are their parents," Olette said. "Eventually, by next spring, some of these wolves will leave this pack, and go out to form their own packs. So there may be two or three or even four packs by the time I graduate high school. It's very exciting."

They were reading together? That was so sweet. Isa felt a smile etch on his lips and watched in silence for a few minutes longer. Xion looked completely at ease. Her eyes flicked side to side as she read page after page, her voice clear and concise, but also inquisitive and eager. She almost seemed to glow in the low-level sunlight that Twilight Town continuously offered. And after all the stress she had been under, every fight, every battle, every harsh encounter, this was something he hoped she could cherish.

"Oh!" Xion gasped as she got to a passage where the wolf pack placed themselves in front of the protagonist to protect them from a ravaging bear. Her toes curled into fists. "This is getting so good!"

"Ah, Xion?"

Xion's mouth formed an almost perfectly round, comical 'O.' It was quite apparent that she had been so engrossed in what she had been reading that she hadn't noticed his presence.

"Isa, how long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough," Isa said with a small smile. "I would like to speak with you. It's rather important."

"Oh, should I leave?" Olette asked, starting to get to her feet. "If you need to speak privately, I can go. I don't want to intrude. I can go home."

Given that Lea had determined Olette's family life was not particularly stable, with a father who traveled constantly and…well, actually, he had no idea as to what her relationship with her mother was like.

"You are not an intrusion," Isa said firmly. "You're welcome to stay as long as you want."

"You're leaving…aren't you?" Xion asked, but Isa could tell from her tone that it wasn't really a question. Despite her naivety, she had always had a good grasp of realizing people were keeping things from her.

"Yes…" Isa said. "Things have come to a head, Xion. There is somebody missing. Somebody who needs me."

"Your friend, the one from before," Xion said. "You mentioned her in the Graveyard…or, um, Saix did…you're not Saix."

However much Isa appreciated that Xion was still trying to emphasize the differences between him and his Nobody self, it was hardly necessary now. The promise to rescue her had been the one part of his human identity that Saix had maintained. Everything else, even his friendship with Lea, had fallen by the wayside.

"Merciful God…" Olette whispered. She looked as if she wanted to leave, but she remained rooted on the spot.

Isa cleared the distance from the door to the edge of their "yard" in less than ten steps. He stooped low to sit next to Xion. She had drawn herself into a ball, her head pressed into her knees. Her bare feet pressed into the grass.

"I think I left my…shoes inside," Olette said. "I better make sure they're still there."

That was perhaps the clumsiest way for her to excuse herself that Isa could have thought of—especially since, unlike Xion, Olette still had her shoes on—but Isa felt a twinge of guilt nonetheless. He hoped she would stay at their home a while longer.

Isa turned his attention back to Xion. She wasn't trembling, but she was still pressed in a fetal position. He placed a hand on her shoulder. Her new jacket was softer than it looked. Isa paused for a moment. This was as close proximity as they had shared since the final days of the Organization. Xion had been the last of the Seekers to be "recruited," though at the time, everyone had called her No. i. Though at the time he could not recall her clearly, Saix had ensured her protection, and when they finally had confronted Lea and Kairi in the Graveyard…

"No, Axel. This is not Roxas. Roxas isn't here yet."

He hadn't been able to recall her, not truly. He had just known that Lea had cared for her, so much. And at the time, through that horrible year, he hadn't been able to see why. But now…

She was…remarkable. The way her raven hair cropped short, and even after weeks upon her revival, it hadn't grown so much as an inch. The way her smile shined, offering comfort and forgiveness. Even the little things about her were delightful—the way she picked at her chin when she was trying to remember something; the way she put her whole being in everything she tried. Her smile, her laugh, the way she ate her oatmeal, starting with the pieces of fruit before starting on the porridge, the way she wiggled her toes when she was excited about something she was reading. It was all wonderful. What was this feeling in his chest, pride? For what, exactly? A ward? Or, perhaps, a sister?

Xion inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. Isa tightened his hand on her shoulder, firm but gentle pressure.

"I…haven't distracted you, have I?"

"You'll have to elaborate, Xion," Isa said. "Tell me what you mean."

:"You said you had sacrificed everything for her…but then…you were left in the dust. That last year…Axel was so focused on me and Roxas…did you lose focus too?"

Shame filled Isa's veins. His blood ran cold. She couldn't be blaming herself…nine years of searching had proven fruitless before she had even been created.

"No," Isa said firmly. "I did lose my focus, but it was not because of you. Sweetheart, you've been a wonderful gift."

"You've been a good gift too, Isa," Xion said. She lifted her head up and rested it on her knees. Her eyes were watery, but there was still the shadow of a smile on her face. "Um…what made you decide that you needed to find her? Has there been news?"

"A feeling in my heart," Isa said placing a hand over his chest. "She's out there…somewhere. I don't know where, exactly, but I do know that she needs me. I made a promise."

"To bring her back," Xion murmured. "Axel promised us the same thing."

"And he was right to do so," Isa said. "Axel was able to keep his promise. I need to keep mine."

"I guess i understand…" Xion said. She scooted to the side and leaned her head against Isa's chest. She radiated warmth.

Isa felt the same strange sense of melancholy and hope. Xion inhaled deeply and pressed herself against him. Isa closed his eyes. He heard a quiet shuffling of sneakers on brick, and then, a soft hand on top of his free hand. Olette had rejoined them, then.

"I'll set up another candle…"

Isa had no idea what that meant and didn't particularly care to ask. For now, he'd reflect on this.

xxxx

Tracking Roxas down was easier than tracking down Xion. He was in his room, hunched over a computer with Hayner and Pence.

"Alright…now, almost there," Pence was saying. "Just a few more minutes and we should be online. We'll be able to talk with each other. And with Ienzo too."

"I still don't really understand how all this works," Roxas said. "Xion's the one who knows more about computers…me and computers don't really mix."

"There's no way you can be worse than Sora," Hayner said. "He thought the code in Ansem's computer was you."

"Yeah…" Roxas said. "But really, Pence, how can Xion and I make this up to you?"

"Don't worry about it," Pence said. "This computer's four years old. That's like, way old, for computers. It's a gift, Roxas. You don't make up for gifts."

"Yeah, but Roxas isn't even two yet," Hayner said. "Cut him a break."

"Right," Pence said. "So this is the document processor, and you can use it to type stuff out instead of writing it down. It's much faster and neater. Might be a good idea to keep some of the stuff you've seen here."

"Got it, use it for mission reports," Roxas said. "I can do that."

"And this app is an encyclopedia," Pence said. "Anything you don't understand, you can look up. There's one for dictionaries too, and a thesaurus."

"What's a…never mind," Roxas said. "This is really cool, Pence."

"Pardon me," Isa said. "Roxas, may I have a word?"

"Er, sure," Roxas said, rubbing the back of his head. Isa wondered idly whether that habit was something he copied from Sora or from Lea.

"You go ahead, still need a few more minutes to connect to Ienzo," Pence said. "Alright now…just load this, and copy that…"

While Pence made connections with computers that Isa was fairly certain had never been envisioned by whomever it was that invented them in this world, Roxas followed him outside of the house. It was quiet on their street, even for Twilight Town. This was for the better, given the circumstances.

"You're leaving, aren't you?"

The directness of Roxas's question was hardly a surprise. He had never been one to beat around the bush. Isa gave him a firm nod.

"Yes, I'll be leaving first thing in the morning," Isa said. "Did you overhear me talking to Xion or—"

"Well, yeah," Roxas said. "But we are friends, Isa. I know you. Something's been bugging you since we were at the Land of Dragons. You said you were reminiscing…but I think you were thinking about her. Some of the other soldiers teased you about it."

Ah yes, ironically enough, Isa had forgotten that little detail. He had been thinking of her. But the chaos over the next few days had driven those thoughts from his mind, and the dream from the night before had taken center stage in his psyche.

"I find your ability to recall such things remarkable," Isa said. "But you are correct…she has been on my mind. For quite some time."

"Your friend from before…the one who was locked in the castle in Radiant Garden," Roxas said. "You're going out to find her."

That time it had not been a question. Roxas stared at Isa, his blue eyes sharp and alert. They were the eyes of a young man, filled with ideals he strove by. But they were also the eyes of someone barely beyond boyhood, if that, who had seen everything he cared for stripped away from him. The eyes of a boy who had had to fight for his life from the very inception of his being. The eyes of someone who knew in his soul what was driving Isa to this task.

"Yes," Isa said. "I made a promise. And it drives me forward, just like the promises you've made with your friends drive you."

"I think I understand," Roxas said. He glanced behind him. Isa supposed that Roxas's thoughts were drifting towards Xion. Quite appropriate, given the circumstances. The connection those two shared was stronger than any Isa had seen, with the exception of Sora and Kairi. And given that he was far more acquainted with Roxas and Xion…Isa cleared his throat. Never mind that now.

"Are you taking Axel with you?" Roxas asked, his expression turning more pensive. "He was her friend too."

"He offered, but I told him he needed to put his responsibilities as a Keybearer first," Isa said. "And his responsibilities towards you and Xion…and the other children for that matter."

""But there's lots of people with Keyblades now," Roxas said. "What if something happens to you when you're out there alone?"

Isa blinked. While he was aware that Roxas had grown to care for him, this level of concern was not something he had expected. In a way, it was comforting.

"I don't know about this…" Roxas said, chewing his lip. "Isa…I'm worried about this. All of it…and after Sora…I don't want to have to say good-bye to anyone else."

This was far more than Isa could have imagined. He and Roxas were not particularly close and…come to think of it, the last time they had spoken in even a semi-private setting had been their journey from Twilight Town to Disney Castle. That had been nearly two weeks ago, hadn't it? Or perhaps not quite that much. But still, far too long.

"And I assure you, I will not allow that to happen to me, or to her, or to anyone else I happen to encounter," Isa said, placing a hand on Roxas's shoulder. "I assure you, Roxas. And if there is any danger—"

"Send a message on the Gummiphone and we'll take the ship right there!" Roxas said. "Or a Dark Corridor if I have to!"

Isa stiffened. Dark Corridors had been the primary method of transportation while they had been in the Organization. They tore open gateways between worlds using the powers of darkness. They were beyond dangerous to use, especially given that Roxas did not have garments that would shield him from the corroding effects of darkness.

"Roxas…do not put yourself in such danger," Isa said, and he was aware there was a trace of a tremble in his voice. "It would not do for you to risk yourself in such a way. I assure you that I will not allow myself to be put into such a position where such actions would be necessary."

"Right," Roxas said. "Well…when are you gonna be leaving?"

"First thing in the morning," Isa said. "I will be commissioning my own methods of transport, but rest assured, you and the others will still have the Gummi ship."

"Alright…" Roxas said. "I guess that's okay."

Roxas didn't say anything else, but Isa found that he didn't have to. There was something to be said for companionable silence. Side by side, they stood, neither speaking, but neither wishing the other to leave.

xxxx

It was early when Isa left the house, a bag filled to the brim with Potions and Ethers over his shoulder. He'd be investigating as many worlds as he could. He would go wherever he had to go. Anything to find his friend and bring her back home.

It was early, as early as it had been when they had first set off on the missions that had started this. No matter, Isa preferred it when it was early. The streets were quieter, the air stiller. Not even the newspapers had been delivered yet.

He walked slowly down the street, but he walked with purpose. His eyes were direct ahead of him. He walked by the alleyway where Roxas and Xion spent much of their time with Hayner, Pence and Olette. He passed the Sandlot and walked down Market Street before arriving at the Bistro. Scrooge McDuck was waiting for him, wearing a new green overcoat.

"Are you ready, me laddie?" McDuck asked. "I'll be heading out with me crew in just a few minutes."

"Yes, I'm ready," Isa said. "I have all of my affairs in order."

"There's a good lad," McDuck said. "Launchpad is gathering a few extra supplies."

"Donuts again?" Isa asked. He recalled that the last time he had been escorted by McDuck and his pilot, McQuack had gotten ahold of multiple boxes of donuts and other assorted pastries.

"Actually, this time, he said he had a hankering for poutine and chocolate sauce, of all things," McDuck said. "The lad has a palette unlike any other, but if you are ready—"

"Hold up!"

Isa turned around and smiled. He should have figured. All three of them, Roxas and Axel and Xion, were standing behind him. Isa hadn't realized he had been followed, and the idea that he hadn't noticed was slightly concerning given his mission, but he was still happy to see all of them.

"Couldn't let you leave without saying good-bye," Lea said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Now, you gotta be careful out there. The world is a dark and scary place. Not everyone's as friendly as us."

"I think I'll do alright," Isa said. With a smirk, he added, "I thought you had outgrown those marks under your eyes."

Lea grinned and punched Isa on the shoulder. Behind them, out of the corner of his eye, Isa could see McDuck tapping his foot, but he didn't look overly annoyed. The pilot was nowhere to be seen, in any event.

Roxas and Xion stared up at him, their identical blue eyes locked onto him. It was almost unnerving, as if their gaze was piercing into his very soul. But there was also kindness in their gaze.

"This is for you, Isa," Xion said. She reached into her pocket and pulled out…something small and placed it in Isa's hand. It was small and pointy, made out of several sticks from sea-salt ice cream bars.

"That's sweet of you, Xion," Isa said. "But I don't think my transport is going to be running on sea-salt ice cream sticks."

"It's not for fuel…it's a Wayfinder," Xion said. She blushed and rubbed the back of her head. "You know…like Ven has?"

Ah yes, Ventus and his two friends, Aqua and Terra, used star-shaped talismans they call called Wayfinders. Effectively good-luck charms, the Wayfinders served as reminders of the bonds the three friends shared. The tradition was one that Sora had with Kairi as well—apparently there were quite a few worlds where the tradition of a star-shaped charms to lead weary travelers back to their friends, back to their homes.

"Oof!"

"Thank you," Isa said quietly, pressing Xion gently to his chest. He ran a hand through her soft black hair. He squeezed for a moment before letting go. Xion smiled at him and took a step back. Roxas grinned at him.

"I assure you that I will be in touch," Isa said. He looked from Lea to Roxas to Xion and felt his chest radiate warmth. The connections he had were stronger than he could have ever imagined. "And we will all be with one another soon."

"Look sharply now!" McDuck called. "Launchpad's here, we're heading out!"

Isa sighed deeply. He shook hands with Roxas, clasped Lea on the shoulder once more, and squeezed Xion's fingers.

He could feel their gaze lingering on him as he followed McDuck and the pilot, McQuack to the back of the Bistro. They had made some improvements to their ship and were able to teleport themselves on, once they were out of eyesight from the neighbors. World Order was thinner in Twilight Town than in many other worlds, but a little extra caution never hurt anyone.

Again he was aboard this ship. Again, he would be traveling. Isa winced as he recalled the last trip had ended rather uncomfortably for him. Isa tightened his seat belt.

I will find you, Isa thought. Thinking of you, wherever you are…I will bring you home. I will keep my promise. May my heart be my guiding key.

A/N: Another chapter is complete, my dear, dear readers. I wanted to give some attention to Isa as he sets off on his own path, and I wanted to give him some time with each member of the Sea Salt Family.

Thank you for reading, my dear, dear readers. Leave a comment if you're so inclined. I appreciate each and every one of you!