What do you mean I should focus on one story and finish it, oh, you mean Darkness to Sky? -nervous chuckle- I honestly am afraid of driving myself into a corner on that one, so uhm… I apologize. It has more to deal with available material and wanting to build other characters further than writer's block before I continue that one further. -cringe-
So, instead of several one shots, a collection for certain characters will be made part of this story. Since I've never had a deep love or interest for the Org Members, it's actually rather interesting that, like Terra, these pieces came to me. But they are all still important, and it's my own way of growing into understanding these characters. Please let me know if you enjoyed it!
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You're sinking in this and you don't know
Where to go as the darkness unfolds
Nobody see its, when you're alone
And all you know is that you want to start again
We're taking action, do you believe in what you need?
That we will find this story's end
-Deas Vail, Light as Air
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"Is the project still troubling you, Vexen?"
The Scientist frowned in consternation, "My apologies, Lord Xemnas, it seems that I have hit a roadblock in the Replica Project."
The Superior stared at the empty shell floating in the water tank before them. Various data logs scrolling down screens as the computer logged the puppet's progress.
He needed a Keyblade Wielder, one he could have some semblance of control over than the hapless boy who tugged on hazy lost memories.
He pulled out a vial of blood and held it towards the Academic, "Do not waste even a single drop."
Vexen took the vial in vague confusion, "What good will this do?"
Xemnas smiled, causing a chill to roll down Vexen's back, "We performed countless experiments on my body to try and find the root of my lost memories, along with the mysteries of the Heart. That is but a small sample of my blood from when we were still… Whole."
Vexen's breath caught, the horrible memory rushing through his head when he had protected-! "Understood. However, I must warn you that in the process, due to molecular breakdown it will most likely take on feminine characteristics."
Xemnas's eyes hardened, "What of it?"
Vexen paused, "Sir?"
Xemnas passively waved a hand, "Is that not all the better? If we are to fully take control of the Keyblade and use the Hero's Memories as part of its base, would it not help deepen their bonds all that more quickly? Was not the Princess an important piece of the Hero's Memories?"
Vexen held a hand to his chin in deep thought as he examined the vial in his hand, "I see. I believe I understand where you are going with this." He nodded, "I will immediately begin calculating this into the puppet's design for stability."
"How soon might you have results for me?"
Green met orange, "Seven days."
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Xemnas stared at the puppet, short black hair that reminded him of a strange mix of a young man with black wavy hair and Light, and the blue haired woman he'd vaguely remembered attempting to strike down whose armor he held in the Chamber of Repose.
She was a blank slate, her overall stature based on that of the Princess the Hero had harbored. Once the boy entered Castle Oblivion, he would have Naminé extract a single link from the Hero's Memory of the Princess to place within this girl.
Still, the puppet was able to move on its own and channel Magic, which was a start in the desired direction.
Xemnas handed the puppet a coat, tired of seeing its strange white and ball jointed form. It disgusted even him to see such a strange mannequin move as it pleased as it was still missing defining facial characteristics.
Vexen hummed, "I have yet to determine if it can summon a Keyblade, as empty as it is."
Xemnas gave him a chilled look, causing the Scientist to clear his throat, "I am confident that it shall, but seeing as I do not personally understand how one comes to gain a Keyblade, it is merely a Hope. It can copy any weapon it sees, and even more believably if it is touched." He waved a hand, "No. i, my shield."
The puppet tilted its head before moving a hand, a perfect replica of Vexen's shield appearing in its hand.
Xemnas hummed, "So if all else fails, send it on missions with Roxas to possibly come into contact with the Keyblade."
"Yes, Superior."
He mulled it over for a time, "I will ensure it myself." Vexen looked at him perturbed as the Superior continued, "Is it stable enough to take out of this lab?"
Vexen nodded, "Yes, it should be safe."
"Good."
No. i was watching him, he could tell though no eyes were present to track him. Xemnas frowned as he opened a portal, "Come, No. i."
It paused, "She." The two stared at it, the voice a soft soprano, "I am she, not it."
Vexen pursed his lips, prepared to reprimand it before Xemnas lifted a hand to stop him, "So you have awareness."
It-she tilted her head slightly, "Yes."
Xemnas pondered for a moment before nodding, finding he was pleased, "Good. No Keyblade will answer an emotionless vessel."
Vexen sputtered, "But sir-"
Xemnas glared at him, forcing the Scientist to shut up as the Number One coaxed the puppet to follow along after him.
She obediently followed through the portal as it eventually deposited them at the desired location, otherwise silent as she seemed to take in the machinery of the labs within the fallen Radiant Garden. Xemnas placed a disk into the computer, entering multiple passwords to open the way to their destination. A hidden door opened and he began to walk, the puppet following after cautiously.
"Lord Superior."
Xemnas frowned, strangely put off by the more than apt address, "Xemnas is acceptable for now."
She hummed, "Where are we going?"
He would indulge her, built from his Someone's blood as she was. It was more organic than he, and all children asked questions. He was thankful Axel would be taking over her care just as he had Roxas, "To bequeath you a blade."
His understanding had holes, but he felt perhaps the Keyblade in his care might have a drop of mercy.
It had been used to save him, after all.
No. i was silent the rest of the long walk, even when it shied away from cold prison cells that were in truth the graves of many helpless human experiments. She nearly touched the back of his coat in her unease, but controlled herself.
He was uninterested and fascinated all at once, relieved she had not gone so far as to touch his person. He had not been touched in many years, and could not speak of his own possible reaction.
Violence was his way and nature when it was not empty calm.
They made it to the room as he opened the door. He turned to the puppet and motioned her inside as she skirted around him and entered, looking around the room in confused wonder. The door closed behind them, making her jump as she turned towards it.
"Do not fear, we will not be long."
She nodded, standing still as he passed her and gently picked up the faded Keyblade.
It stung his hand in annoyance as he handled it. He frowned at it as he ignored the pain as his goal alone was nearly enough to make it not so.
Xemnas held the shaft, the hilt towards the puppet, "A key to bear in hand, to cross beyond Borders. Take it, and its Blessings shall become yours. Bonds crossing beyond empty Husks, for the ones whom you shall hold close shall bring you its Grace."
No. i seemed to stare at the hilt for a long time before grasping its cold grip.
Years, bereft of warmth and shelter. Stormfall disliked the touch of the empty husk of the Child of Earth. Yet, the empty hand that took hold of it- it felt a little like her Chosen Child. Yet, as fragile as a snowflake left to melt under the sun's rays.
It would Bless this small existence. She would have to come into herself, gain a true Heart and Identity of her own, but she would give her a purpose.
Perhaps, this Child could even disrupt the cause for which the empty Child of Earth was planning for the Worlds.
You may not Wield me, little one, but you shall be given Grace. Take hold, be Blessed, and let your emptiness be filled with the deluge of Stormfall.
No. i released the hilt, staring at her hand in wonder and confusion. Xemnas nodded, carefully placing the bitter Keyblade against the wall once more, "Let us return, Xion."
Xion stood still for a long moment, "...Xion?"
Xemnas smirked as he was still facing away from her, "A name, for all things with purpose have one."
Xion nodded as she took in that information, staring at her now changed right hand.
The Superior turned and stopped, intrigued that the mere act had caused the blank mannequin to gain features. She was still not yet complete, facial details still strangely blank, but she now looked more like a living thing than manufactured.
He smiled, pleased at the development, "Let us go."
Xion followed him out, still staying close to him throughout the basement.
Now for the final test.
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Vexen was nearly buzzing in fascination as he examined the puppet's shifted appearance thoroughly. She seemed rather nervous about how observant he was being, the coat having been taken from her once they had returned. She had demonstrated a possibility, a spark in her right hand of a barely there but willing Blade.
Vexen was mumbling to himself as he wrote notes, "A sense of modesty, fascinating…"
Xemnas stood silent, if he'd had feelings he would have sighed in annoyed disgust at the man's disregard.
As it was, he simply watched in empty boredom, "Are you done?"
Vexen flinched as he wrote a few more notes before nodding, "Yes, Superior."
Xemnas hummed and granted the puppet black pants, socks, undergarments, and a camisole. She took them gratefully, running to a corner to put them on in feigned privacy as Vexen continued to enter data into the computer system for his next Replica.
The white walls of the Castle bore into him.
You will adhere to my rules, husk.
The reason he was more than satisfied with passing Castle Oblivion over to their newer recruit Marluxia was precisely because of the Castle's nature.
Either the pink haired man could ignore the Castle's overbearing personality, or it didn't harass him the way it did himself.
The fact his Power was made into Cards also greatly annoyed him. Had it not been enough for him to lose the ability to Wield, but to have his Nature be made into mere playthings with arbitrary rules?
The ones assigned to this place could have it. Vexen, while not much of a fighter, still had his own gifts and had no particular complaints about the odd restrictions.
It was interesting that Naminé was not restricted, but she was born in the Castle, so perhaps that was a mercy of being something akin to the Castle's child.
Xion returned to him, Xemnas handing her the coat she'd worn before, and once it was zipped a pair of gloves. "Do not touch others."
Xion tilted her head, "Why?"
"They will know you're special."
She would have pursed her lips had they formed, "...Special?"
Xemnas pulled the hood over the puppet's head, a door opening as the white witch entered, "I have what you've requested, Lord Xemnas."
The Superior turned to the fragile little thing and waved a hand towards Xion as he stepped back.
The Witch came close, pulled into herself and nervous as she gently took the other's hands. Xion flinched, "You shouldn't-"
Xion gasped softly, suddenly feeling the world around her shift as well as on the inside. "...What did you do?"
The other girl smiled slightly, "It's a gift." She released the puppet's hands and took a half step back before turning to the Superior and bowing slightly before bolting out of the room.
Xion looked down at her gloved hands, confused as she brought a hand to her face, touching lips as she went to wet them with a tongue that had not been there.
She turned to Xemnas in confusion as her hidden blue eyes were left in wonder, "Lord Xemnas?"
The man moved to her once more, tilting her chin up to take in these final adjustments, "You are nearly ready. You shall be brought to the Gathering tomorrow."
"Let us welcome our number fourteen to bear the coat, Xion."
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Naminé, Roxas, and Xion came to Even for weekly check-ups after the second Keyblade War. He wanted to be absolutely sure of their wellbeing after everything that had happened.
For what had become of Riku's replica.
He was unsure if he could ever truly atone for all that had happened, but at least the bodies they now inhabited seemed to be properly whole and in working order.
But he had forgotten Xion's root in blood.
It came back to him abruptly in the night, waking him from a pleasant sleep to run through old logistics and procedures. Clinical notes and diagrams were searched through.
He needed to know if Xion truly still carried any portion of the blood she had been given, if it truly matched the donor body's true self, or that of the imposter.
Even needed to know, as did the parties involved.
He rubbed his aching chest, his guilt weighing him as he realized the depths of their depravity.
The next check-up came, and from each he took blood. Each innocent child baffled by the need, but accepting his flimsy excuse for the records.
It made enough sense, and in retrospect and from then on, be something he did on the monthly.
Next, he collected the other Wielder's blood. All were sampled for general health purposes.
Terra's for more.
Had Even been in the habit of biting his nails, he would have chewed them straight to the nub. As it was, he simply wrung his hands, gripped his knees, and caught strange looks.
Ansem the Wise and Ienzo would be informed soon enough.
He needed to know the results of Vexen's- of his own machinations, ordered or not.
Xehanort's cruelty and clinical outlook certainly left a trail of broken men.
Finally the results of his work printed out a tier of genetics of every Wielder on paper for the record.
Unsurprisingly, Roxas nearly matched the old pieces of hair Sora had left behind in brushes, the father (Aeros?) giving another sample to assist in his data collection.
A small trace of Ventus matched Roxas as well, making for a fascinating look for another time.
Kairi had been woken temporarily for a check-up from Stasis, as well as permission to take a sample.
Naminé was also a strong match for Kairi and Sora both, with pieces of Ventus littered throughout, causing the man to scratch his scalp.
Fascinating how a Sleeping Heart had thrown his hand in their creation unknowing.
As expected, none of the Wielders had any matching relation beyond that.
Until he reached Terra.
Even clenched his teeth as he read the data. An inconsequential amount of Kairi had been part of her shape as was planned- that had been expected. It was the true familial match between Terra and Xion that sunk his Heart, as well as gave him a small peace.
At least she was not of Xehanort's blood.
Terra was a far better man than the Seeker.
Even closed his eyes, letting the clipboard with their data sheets flop onto his lap as he gripped it and raised his face towards the ceiling in regret.
Vexen had masterfully created the groundwork with the small amount he'd been given. The black hair and eyes, both could be attributed to Sora's lineage it seemed… but it was genetic fact that Xion had nothing but his Memories to shape her. Memory was inconsequential, as it simply brought out whatever had been present in Terra's bloodline to the front to paint the needed picture.
Even opened his eyes, a deep set frown on his face.
He would have to inform them, but the time to do so was woefully lost for now.
The three children of the Land of Departure were leaving that very day to traverse the Realm of Darkness for Sora's sake.
Even would make sure that such important information got to them the moment they returned.
Xion would have to wait to learn it alongside them.
It was his burden to carry, as the one who fell so far for the sake of scientific discovery.
