I know very few people have read Ocean to Sky, but within it I explained in the ch 3 AN that Dog in Refrain is also now part of VtD with minimal adjustment. The idea I presented in the last chapter and will continue into this one isn't new, it's just a surprise cause I never planned to make DiR part of VtD but uhhh… here we are. -awkward shrug-
This was a chapter I was ready to write out… and then struggled when it came down to it. D,X
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I knew the fight was all in vain
But I felt you falling down
Why should I wait to feel the same
When our fate is calling?
-Demon Hunter, Cut to Fit
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Riku had no idea what was going on.
He stared at Sora's collapsed body on the now blank white floor that had a magnitude of scuff marks from various others. The sterile whiteness of the walls and the brightness of the lights in the arena hurt his eyes compared to the previous images that had been projected to them.
How could a simulation so thoroughly emulate their greatest enemy?
The sound of another person collapsing caught his attention as he turned to the masked woman whose body now also lay on the floor.
Riku was left bewildered as he turned to look at the broken windows he'd forced himself through.
"You all honestly know how to make an entrance."
The teen blinked as he turned back towards the voice, a set of stairs now visible as a girl with long black hair ran towards the downed woman behind the newcomer, "Wh-" His eyes widened, "Luxord!?"
The blond man smirked wryly, "It's Ludorr, now." Riku absorbed that for a moment before nodding, Braveheart still clutched in his right hand tightly. Ludorr waved a hand, "You won't be needing that Keyblade."
The teen frowned, "What's going on?"
Ludorr pursed his lips for a moment in vague frustration, "A Field test for an entrance exam. It went about as poorly as I predicted, but unfortunately the bottom cannot change the opinions of the top." He was well aware he was being a little mouthy, his present King and upper officials perfectly capable of hearing every word spoken.
He'd lived long enough to know how to expel himself from all record.
Riku slowly nodded as he dismissed his Keyblade, walking towards Sora's changed form, "And Sora?"
Ludorr sighed as he kept close to the young Master, "I am unsure. Something within, no doubt."
Riku turned his friend over and lifted him in a princess carry after a quick once over. He went to speak before another voice interrupted, "Ludorr."
The blond turned somewhat sharply as Riku turned his attention to the young man he vaguely recognized from his dreams that looked strangely like himself, "Prince Yozora."
Yozora had a grim look on his face as Riku was left a little speechless at the greeting, "I'll take care of things here… You take these four home. Take the rest of the day off as well."
Ludorr was left gobsmacked for a moment before he seemed to almost choke out, "But-" He gathered himself together, "Why?"
Yozora smiled wryly, a hand on his hip, "I told you I recognized Master Ava's weapon, correct?"
Ludorr frowned, "Yes."
The Prince waved the other hand, "I faced Sora in a Dream once. I may not understand Keyblades, but that fight alone made me understand their significance. I'll deal with the higher ups and my father, they won't understand how important the Keyblades are to the balance of the Worlds, not merely our small country." He crossed his arms, "You all just happen to be on loan."
Ludorr stared at Yozora for a long moment before laughing in disbelief, "You got all of that from one fight?"
Yozora shrugged as he looked at Riku, "Clearly you've all been through a lot." He turned his gaze back to Ludorr, "You also have told me a great deal over your time with us… and your secret." He placed a hand on the ancient man's shoulder, "Let me do this for you, friend."
Ludorr sighed heavily before slowly nodding, "Thank you."
Yozora took a few steps back with a nod before turning and leaving them.
Skuld came beside them, Ava still unconscious in her arms in a princess carry as she spoke softly, "Let's go Brain."
Ludorr nodded as he turned to Riku who also agreed with the sentiment. The Lieutenant General escorted them out as they were left to their own devices thanks to the Prince.
Riku had kept silent on the drive, too many questions and simply not having it in him to ask.
The unconscious Sora and Ava were in the back seat with Skuld between them as Riku sat in the front with Ludorr.
It was a tense ride, a number of thoughts clearly broadcast on the Gambler's face as he dealt with a multitude of thoughts.
"We'll have to thank the Prince."
Ludorr glanced back at Skuld as he nodded, "Yes, we owe him a great deal. Riku here most certainly."
Riku tensed, "Huh?"
Ludorr smirked, "You broke into a high security Government Military training facility in a matter of seconds, and the Prince himself is going to vouch for you. That would normally send you straight to prison or worse for threatening the safety of not only our country, but even our King who was in attendance."
Riku paled, "I- I didn't even notice. I was just trying to get to Sora!"
Ludorr chuckled, "No doubt, with your Heart as your Guide?"
The silver haired teen blinked before slumping slightly, "Y-yeah…"
The Gambler sighed, "All of us Wielders are far too passionate for our own good."
Skuld giggled breathily as Riku looked the blond over, "...You're a Keyblade Wielder?"
"A long time ago, and one day shall I again. My blade has been passed down through the multitude of generations, through both my blood and those who were not."
Riku watched him baffled, "There's… Keyblades can be passed down like that?"
"With some special circumstance and planning, yes. You have seen it."
Riku straightened, "What Keyblade?"
"Master Aqua was using it as her own during our final Clashes."
The teen inhaled sharply, "The Castle told me to bring that inside, after Aqua and the others had left it as a monument to Master Eraqus."
Ludorr chuckled, "I bet Master's Union was rather upset for being left out to the elements after being in the hands of so many."
Riku ruffled his hair in consternation, "It bit me."
"You're not Aqua."
Riku huffed as he sulked, "Didn't bite Sora."
Ludorr shook his head as he pulled up to their destination, "You'd be grumpy too if you were taken from your purpose for the sake of sentiment."
The teen could only let himself out with a shake of his head as Ludorr opened the doors with the touch of a button.
Riku helped retrieve Ava from her seat as Skuld exited, taking her from him and allowing Riku to take Sora. Ludorr closed the doors as he left the car with its warning lights on, simply moving ahead to get them into their familiar condo. The silver haired teen was left a little shocked as he looked around the rather posh building.
Opulence wasn't new to him, but he could understand that what he was dealing with wasn't the norm here.
Skuld went ahead of him into the condo, knowing where to take Ava as Riku stared at Ludorr as a skittish woman popped out of another room. The man let him into Sora's room before dealing with the stranger, half closing the door as he heard soft murmurs.
He blinked at the spacious room, noting the extra bathroom with a raised eyebrow as he carefully laid Sora out in his bed. He took the teen's shoes off before looking him over, noting the brunette looked worse for wear.
Riku Cast Curaga, color slowly coming back to Sora's skin in response.
The bags under the teen's eyes didn't fade, though.
He frowned at the strange black roots his friend had gained and the shift in muscular build. He looked otherwise no different, but he had seen his red fingers and the vaguely formed Dark suit.
Riku clenched his fist, "Sora…"
The other's Gummi phone turned on, "Riku!?"
The teen blinked as he turned towards Sora's Gummi phone, "Wh- huh!?"
The old appearance of his friend rubbed his head bashfully, "Sorry about that! So your Gummi must've been where I transferred from!"
Riku stared blankly at the Data self of his friend before slowly nodding, "Uh, yeah… I guess?"
Data shuffled, peering around but only able to see what the camera saw, "Where's Sora?"
His life was so weird, "In bed."
Data gasped, "Is he alright!?"
Riku shrugged helplessly, "Don't know. I just kind of jumped in the middle of things… and Master Ava's also unconscious."
Data was left surprised before softly speaking, "Are they… are they hurt really bad..?"
Riku shook his head in the negative, "No, but…it's not good either."
Data sighed as he nodded, "Guess we'll just have to wait."
The silver haired teen looked back towards Sora, moving to throw the nearby red lightweight blanket over him to feel vaguely more useful, "Yeah."
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Ava allowed herself to float in the numbing abyss of her Station, ruminating on what had just occurred as she tried to understand.
It made no sense at all, and she was left with so many questions.
It was uncomfortable.
Slowly she opened her eyes with a sigh as she turned to look down at her Station, staring at its face before slowly lowering herself to its surface.
Her Robes were still on, but the cowl was down and the mask was off.
She stared blankly at the bright glass surface in a daze, the sealed mangled 'x' over her image's heart the only blot on its wide surface.
"So now you know."
She stiffened, pivoting as she turned to the last form her Master had taken with a gasp. She clasped her hand over her chest, fear running through her, "You're still here?"
The coated man had his hands cupped behind his back. There was a passive weariness to his posture, "You have a piece of my Heart, just as I have a piece of Yours in exchange."
Ava stared at him, her trepidation clear.
The man before her sighed heavily, his hands falling forward as he slowly went to pull off his hood.
She had forgotten how the man had appeared, his face blurring in her Memory the older she became as he hid his face from them all.
Long brown choppy hair messily braided beyond his waist, dark roots and a single full chunk of black on the left side. His bangs were long, passing his chin on the right side to cover his missing eye, the left blueish purple staring at her in a strange and tired resignation. There was a slight smile to his lips as he dropped his arms to his sides.
"M-Master…" Tears fell down her cheeks in burning trails as she tried to keep herself together. Fear, confusion, wonder, it was overwhelming, "Wh-How!? How can you be Sora?!"
He glanced away with a strangely familiar depreciative smile that she had seen on her son's face on occasion, "I failed… a lot." Ava blinked in confusion as he matched her gaze again and continued, "There were several Loops." He broke eye contact as he began to pace in what she realized was restless nervousness as he moved his hands behind his back again, "Sometimes we didn't even get to the Graveyard, or we weren't able to retrieve Ventus's Heart because it died within mine... There were a multitude of things I tried to change, or prevent and it all just…" He dropped his arms again with a helpless huff, "I have never been able to use the Power of Waking as intended- not exactly, other than with Ventus."
Ava watched him, baffled as he suddenly unraveled before her in a way he never would have in the past.
He looked at her wryly, "I've gone through all of this so many times, I wasn't sure I'd ever get past Light's expiration at Xehanort's hands." The Master shook his head, "I went through it so many times that I made that Book, gouged out my right eye, and shoved it in that cursed Keyblade to study every Loop and remember." He shrugged as he looked out towards the abyss, "I traveled far into the past after the first time, trying to understand. Vanitas joined with me much, much earlier the first time around, so much so that I didn't even know who he was to understand or miss. It was then that I gained the ability to See, to travel throughout Time as needed, as he was part of something that had always been. That was how it started."
He turned to her sadly, "This is the first time any semblance of myself has ever met you since you disappeared." The Master turned away with a slight bow to his head, "You died the first time around, too."
Ava stiffened, "Master."
He turned to her, "Hm?"
"What are you planning?"
He smirked, "I'll eventually have to make sure this version of myself returns to the past to put everything in motion." He moved his gaze away from her.
Ava watched him for a long moment, "That's not really..."
The Master shook his head, "Maintaining Balance has always been the goal of Wielders. It is our base Calling, yet, in every Loop the balance is tilted. Light slowly overcomes, and Darkness reacts devastatingly in kind. It is the balance of Kingdom Hearts itself that has fallen apart. That is the greatest threat to all of the Worlds. Imbalance." He sighed as he faced her. "There is otherwise no clear answer."
Ava bowed her head, absorbing that as the Master watched her in silence. "I thought of you as a father, and yet you're my son."
He shuffled and awkwardly ruffled his head while looking away from her, "Yeah."
"You didn't tell me things you should have."
"I couldn't."
Ava blinked as she furrowed her brows in study, "You couldn't?"
"There are things that cannot be changed throughout Time. Some things simply must happen. I had hoped Invi could speak with you about a number of things, and had even on some Loops told her to do so. Yet… she never did." He looked at her with a helpless shrug, "Time has its way of moving forward and silencing those who might derail it beyond paradoxical erasure."
Ava slowly nodded, "I see." She pondered for another long moment, "Why do you act that way?"
He tilted his head, "Hmm?"
"Vaguely unhinged."
He blanked before laughing, "Aah, that would be Vanitas's influence, unfortunately. No matter how many times I'd Looped and joined with each new version of myself, it seems Vanitas was the anchor point for solidifying our sense of self. I'dve lost it a long time ago if it weren't for the way the denizens of Darkness compartmentalize information, honestly. Still, he was kind of nuts, even if I came to sort of understand why he was like that."
Ava frowned, "And now my Sora, this most present one has merged with him? The other Heart that had been shadowed behind his?"
The Master watched her for a long moment before nodding, "Yes. Though…" He made a slight face, "Ventus did something this time that's never happened before."
"Is that bad?" Ava spoke instinctively.
"I don't know." He tapped near his hidden and empty right eye, "We'll have to find out the old fashioned way."
Ava sighed as she took that information in.
"I wonder how many other semblaces of yourself ended up giving me a little sister." He was smiling kindly as she looked back towards him as he continued, "It's a weird thought, at least, for the times you survived."
She could feel his sadness and joy all at once.
It was scary to think she'd died in other various Loops. "Did you favor me at all, Master?"
He shook his head, "No, you and the others were all chosen by my Heart and cared for equally. I've honestly never fully realized you were my mother in most Loops, since we never met consciously on this side of things." He shrugged, "I'll have to suppress that knowledge, so the less you tell of your life growing up, the easier it'll be."
Ava slowly nodded, "I understand." She did and she didn't, but she still didn't regret giving birth to Sora. For without the birth of her son, she never would have survived to see this moment. "...Are you always watching me, Master?"
The man pulled his hood back on, "No. I'm usually asleep, as I should be as a mere shard of myself. I have also lost my connection to the eye in your keychain, for we have now surpassed that insurmountable Loop."
Her Heart settled.
Ava could live with that.
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Sora sat on his Station, hugging his knees as he stared towards Vanitas's image.
He was no longer the same, merely a Summon to call upon as needed.
"I can still speak."
Sora sighed lightly as he closed his eyes, "But now we're the same. I… I can feel your Memories trying to encroach into mine."
The monochrome dark suit appeared beside him, "Yeah."
Sora frowned, "Something's missing."
"Ventus took some of my essence, I think."
The brunette looked up towards Vanitas's remnant who looked down to him with light grey eyes as he settled himself in front of him, "Your essence?"
The Remnant shrugged, "I didn't realize it. But, I think to help make me whole, to bring me-us into balance, he took a small portion of my Darkness to incorporate into his own self, as he pushed his Light into me. However, I've never truly been human, so in bringing me balance it caused erosion." He waved a hand, "And now you and I have become the same and found a new form of balance."
Sora slowly nodded, "Alright."
Vanitas watched him carefully, "It's numbing, isn't it."
The brunette watched the other for a long moment, "Yeah."
"You'll regain your full sense of self soon enough. Although it's weird to think that you might be able to form some level of Unversed from your shadow. Not to the extent or detriment as I could… but probably a handful. You could probably even bring some of your Dreameaters out by using them as a base."
Sora took in that information, "You think so..?"
Vanitas nodded, "Wielders used to have Spirits that could travel with them… and then there's the Chirithy."
Sora's eyes widened a little, "Right, they're Dreameaters, but they're connected to the person they're bound to."
"Mmhmm."
Sora glanced down at his feet, "What happened to my eye?"
Vanitas raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"
Sora covered his right aqua-green eye with a wince, "It… there's something different." He closed his left eye, "Like… I can See things… but they aren't there? Or they happened before?"
Vanitas straightened, "Sora." The brunette opened his left eye to match Vanitas's disturbed expression, "That's Foresight." The Remnant looked strangely devastated as he looked away, "It's… you're too kind for that sort of painful ability. It's cruel, honestly."
Sora closed his eyes and bowed his head, "Then I'll just have to do what I can to get used to it, I guess."
Vanitas gently placed a hand on the crown of Sora's head, "Yeah." The Remnant softly spoke, "I'm sorry."
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Riku was startled, half asleep when Skuld lightly squeezed him on the shoulder as he sat on a chair in Sora's room, "Your name is Riku, correct?" She was dressed in comfortable all black lounge clothes.
The silver haired teen tried to calm his heart rate, not expecting someone to actually be able to sneak up on him since he could still scent- "Uh." He cleared his throat, "Yeah."
She smiled slightly, "Come with me, I could use some help with making dinner and caring for Rota."
Riku nodded absently, getting up stiffly as he rolled his shoulders, "Who's Rota?"
"Ava's baby and Sora's little sister."
Riku nearly tripped over himself, "Wh- what!?"
Skuld turned slightly, "Ah, sorry. Ava is Sora's mother."
He just blinked at her, dazed and wondering what odd universe he'd fallen into, "...Huh." Well, it was what it was, really.
Skuld held back a giggle, "You have no idea how to care for a baby either, do you?"
Riku blushed as he glanced away, "Uh, nope."
Skuld shook her head, "Then I'll care for her, but you'll have to make dinner mostly by yourself then."
Riku grimaced. His cooking skills, while they'd improved lately, were… wanting, to say the least. He'd thought Ventus and Terra would be a little similar, but then found out Terra cooked the most while Ventus did well with specific dishes.
He clearly needed to improve on that, since Aqua had given him a look when he just pulled out a granola bar on a particularly memorable occasion.
Skuld watched his inner turmoil, "I'll be right there to instruct you."
Riku ruffled his hair, "Alright, thanks."
Skuld nodded, "Just know that if you're going to be here for more than a day you're gonna have to learn how to help since Ava is usually brewing Healing items at the kitchen table."
He blinked as he finally noticed the set-up still there, and realized he recognized it. His mother had the same sort of configuration for item brewing, "Oh." He nodded, "Fair."
The Dandelion nodded decisively, "Thank you."
Riku glanced at her and nodded as Skuld left to retrieve Rota from her Nursery.
Time passed, Skuld patiently telling him what to do as she carried Rota, bottle feeding her. He was startled by the infant's pale blonde hair and bright green eyes as she watched him curiously despite the bottle in the way.
If Riku were honest, he'd admit to being intimidated by her clear and focused stare on him.
If only he knew he'd been the same way towards Ava.
Still, he made sure to do his best to carry out the task before him, also recognizing that Sora also knew how to cook and did so often now.
Eventually Ava appeared blearily wearing a red zip up hoodie, dark grey v-neck shirt underneath, and black joggers with slippers. Her braid was a bit of a mess as she rasped out, "Oh, Skuld. There you are…"
Skuld giggled softly, "Riku here is helping me with dinner."
Ava nodded as she looked the silver haired teen over before blatantly stating, "You're tall."
Riku blinked, "...Yeah?"
Skuld looked between the two for a moment, Ava still seeming half asleep as she almost swayed on her feet, "Ava, are you alright?"
The Foreteller frowned, "Physically- yes. Emotionally… I don't know."
Skuld frowned as Riku mentally checked out, only to nearly jump out of his skin as Ava appeared on his right side lightly grasping his elbow, peering at what he was putting together, "Looks good."
Riku was left speechless. How were they getting around his senses?!
Ava got herself a glass of juice, needing some sugar as she glanced over at Riku with a smirk, "I'm a Master and a mother, it takes true skill to not wake up a sound sensitive baby after they've finally fallen asleep."
Riku would have to take her word on it.
Skuld laughed breathily, "We're just used to moving around quietly, Riku. Sora's even gotten quieter, so I'm sure he'll surprise you too."
Riku grimaced. The one thing he could always count on was Sora being heavy footed.
The atmosphere shifted as Ava finally became a little more with it, "How's Ruki?"
Riku paused for a long moment before he looked at the Foreteller, "...You know my mom?"
Ava pouted, "I know you don't really remember stuff from when you're a toddler, but I'd hoped that Ruki mentioned me at least once or twice…"
Riku suddenly realized.
This woman was Sora's mother who had disappeared.
He gaped for a moment as he tried to collect himself, "I- I think she's doing alright. I uhm, I haven't been at Destiny Islands all that much, between taking care of the Land of Departure and looking for Sora…"
Ava nodded absently, looking over a few things he was cooking before beginning to simply join in and help finish off some of what he'd started, and soon enough dinner was ready.
The Foreteller looked towards Sora's room unsure, "He's still sleeping..?"
Riku huffed fondly, "He sleeps a lot, honestly. Took naps all the time."
Ava smiled slightly, an odd look on her face that Skuld was studying rather intently. So much so Ava caught her eye for a long moment before glancing away.
Skuld frowned, unhappy with that response.
"I'll go wake him up."
Ava nodded as she let Riku go.
Skuld came close to her, speaking softly, "What's wrong." Her voice was hard, her eyes telling her she better speak quickly.
Ava took a sharp breath as she was left unable to look her friend in the eyes, whispering back, "I need to process it, Skuld. Give me a day."
The Dandelion searched her further before falling back with a sigh, "Sora will notice."
Ava pursed her lips, "I know."
Skuld sighed lightly as Riku returned, a dazed Sora behind him as he seemed to be nursing a headache. Ludorr also came out of the guest room seeming to have been conversing with various individuals if the girls had to guess.
There was a lot to figure out, and it was littered with nothing but emotional landmines.
Ava clasped her hands together tightly as she stared at the floor, unease eating at her as Riku looked between the two young women with a raised eyebrow. Ludorr noticed the atmosphere and frowned.
Skuld shrugged as she went over to Sora, "Are you feeling any better?" She lightly placed a hand on his forearm as he glanced at her fingers before looking her in the eyes.
"Not really, but I'll be alright."
Ludorr came beside the brunette, looking him over before shaking his head and going off to get something for his clear headache. Skuld nodded curtly to his response as she left to burp Rota and put her down for a bit, Riku left to deal with the odd atmosphere.
Riku shook his friend, "Time to eat."
Sora winced, looking at him for a long moment before smiling tiredly, "Yeah, thanks." He looked over the food as Ava watched him, "I hope this is better than that one time you tried to-"
Riku sputtered, "Skuld was there the whole time telling me what to do! And you promised to never speak of that ever again!"
Sora looked back at his friend as he snickered, "It's 'cause we all know you suck at cooking."
Riku flushed as he glanced away, unable to defend himself as he mumbled, "I'm learning…"
Sora laughed lightly as he shook his head and started plating the food for everyone.
It was going to be a weird night.