Weird start for this story, I know. Linearity doesn't exist just yet. X,D,X Oh yeah, and Merry Xmas eve, and Happy Holidays.
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Boopedopp for lyrics
-Bladeyblah
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Ienzo stood staring at the empty shell they had carefully placed on the cot, a frown on his face and a hand under his chin in thought as Demyx slept in the other room.
The man still grated his nerves for his laziness.
However, he would let it pass. He had returned his first father figure Ansem the Wise to them and brought a vessel.
They also had access to Roxas's Data in Twilight Town, so that wasn't so much the issue. No, it was whether completing this task could be done in time.
The seven Guardians (and then some) would be leaving for the Keyblade Graveyard in a few scant hours, and they still hadn't even begun the data transfer process.
The Schemer closed his eyes as he sighed softly, his hand falling to his side limply.
"It's far too early to be so downcast, Ienzo."
His eyes flew open as he spun, "Master Ansem!"
Ansem the Wise chuckled deeply as he was now dressed in his old familiar lab coat and scarf, a comforting warmth Ienzo had missed from his youth settling in his chest.
He felt so much more confident.
Ienzo turned to the empty shell. Vague basic facial features that would shift into the Heart or Data's image. Otherwise, the body was dressed in black pants and shoes. Ienzo frowned at it as he returned to the console, "We're out of time."
Ansem the Wise sighed lightly, "Give me a few moments to look through the Data you've collected, and I will see what more I can do."
Ienzo agreed as he stepped back, his mentor immediately going to work. He began to pace as he crossed his arms and tapped an anxious finger against his elbow, desperately hoping they were not too late.
If only he had the same control over his gifts and access to them as he had as a Nobody.
"Ienzo."
The teen stopped with a turn as he gave his mentor his attention, "Yes?"
"Rest."
He pursed his lips, "I can't. I've been trying so hard to help them, to do what I can as a regular person. I can't just stop now."
Ansem smiled kindly, "Then take a break to eat. I have already been here for some time, and you have not even had a glass of water."
Ienzo huffed as he relented with a nod, leaving his mentor to take a moment to replenish his energy.
It was, to a small extent, agonizing.
A half an hour passed slowly and quickly all at once as he returned, his restlessness keeping him from truly enjoying the food he had warmed. It had been nearly tasteless in his distraction.
"It is ready."
Ienzo hurried over to the console next to his Master, "Truly?!"
Ansem nodded with a frown, "Unfortunately, he will still need his true Heart that resides within Sora."
Ienzo clenched his fists, "But it's enough to bring him back to some extent, yes?"
The man nodded as Ienzo looked at the waiting body, "Let us begin, they have more than likely already left for their final battle."
Ansem the Wise nodded grimly as the two immediately worked in tandem to bring Roxas back. It may have only been the groundwork, but it would be enough to start them off in the right direction for the transfer.
Soon enough the process was done as they waited with baited breath as the Data assimilation completed.
Slowly the face shifted into a familiar base as blond hair grew from its scalp, a frown marring the replica's features in a way that only Roxas could even while sleeping.
A long moment passed as the features seemed to finally stabilize. A finger twitch, a facial movement, and slowly Roxas opened his eyes. Ienzo stood closeby as Ansem kept his distance, knowing full well the Data self of Roxas would most likely react violently to his presence.
In a flash Roxas summoned Oathkeeper and Oblivion, a bitter anger in his countenance as Ienzo quickly moved in front of him and was struck for his effort with a pained shout. The Keyblade Wielder started breathing heavily as tears sprung in his eyes as he glared at Ansem the Wise, "I hate you so much."
Ansem the Wise held his hands behind his back, more than ready to receive retribution, "As it should be for the wrongs I committed against you, Roxas."
The Wielder snarled as Ienzo gripped him harshly by the shoulder, startling the focused teen into freezing, "Now is not the time!" Roxas went to speak before Ienzo shook him shortly again, "Axel and the others are in need of your help."
The blond held a sharp breath as he searched the silver haired teen in his eyes, "...Zexion?"
"It's Ienzo now. I was recompleted."
Roxas slowly began to breathe again as he looked around the foreign surroundings, blatantly ignoring Ansem the Wise. Eventually he glanced down at himself, startled as he dismissed his Keyblades, "Why am I naked?!"
Ienzo sighed as he slowly released him, "That was how your body came to us."
Roxas gave him a weary and disgruntled look as a yawn came from the doorway, "Oh! Hey Roxas, long time no see!"
The blond blinked as he gaped at the newcomer, "Demyx?"
The musician smirked, a bundle tucked under his arm, "Here's your clothes." Black muscle tank, gloves, and organization coat to go with his shoes and pants, "A bit short notice, but if you're gonna use a Corridor like in the old days to get to the Graveyard, you'll need this."
Roxas slowly nodded, shrugging the tank and coat on, gloves swiftly following after. He patted himself down, as if in disbelief he was here. He turned to Ienzo, "What's going on?"
The Schemer sighed lightly, "In short, Xehanort- the Heart behind Xemnas's Somebody, is beginning a second Keyblade War. Sora and the others along with Axel have gone to face off against his Thirteen vessels. Demyx here was previously one such vessel."
Roxas turned to the Musician as the lanky man laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head.
Slowly the teen nodded, placing a hand on his chest with a frown, "Something's missing."
Ansem turned towards the console screen before him, "Sora still has your Heart. This was as far as we could get merely with your Data alone."
Roxas frowned at the man as he looked for reassurance from Ienzo who nodded.
Demyx placed a hand on the shorter teen's shoulder, "Welp, I think it's about time we head out."
Roxas returned his attention to Demyx, "Huh?"
The older blond shrugged, "No need to chance if you can summon a Corridor if I'm here, and if we're lucky, maybe we can snag another vessel from this whole fight for Naminé, right?"
The two scientists nodded as Roxas slowly understood, "Oh... Okay."
Ienzo gently placed a hand on Roxas's shoulder, "Please, once you have retrieved your Heart and the battle is over, return here so that we can make absolutely sure your body is functioning correctly. All of this will be for nothing if there's even the smallest of mistakes."
Roxas looked up at him in wonder for a long moment before smiling with a small nod, "Thank you Ienzo." He glanced at Ansem with a slight glare, "And you, I guess."
Ansem bowed his head and turned his back, knowing full well he had no right to such sentiments from his victim.
It made it all the more clear how much of a Heart such a unique Nobody had.
Roxas turned to Demyx, "I'm ready when you are."
The Musician nodded as he flicked a hand to create a corridor, "Let's get to it! Oh, and don't expect me to fight."
Roxas rolled his eyes, "Like you ever did. Except for that one time in Olympus…"
Demyx shoved his shoulder, "Don't talk about that! Saix's beating gave me nightmares for weeks!"
Roxas snickered as they entered the portal.
The Corridor closed, and the two scientists were left behind to await the final results of their labor in silence.
Somehow, it felt like time would never move forward fast enough (hadn't it just been seven two hours ago-).
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It was more than just Roxas who returned to Radiant Garden, but the entire group.
They weren't sure if it was simply that everyone had been too tired to say otherwise, but clearly no one had objections since they all stood there half dazed and tired.
Well, Roxas and Xion seemed chipper enough.
Riku blinked at the empty coated shell that had been carefully placed on the cot behind them, "Oh, so he did bring that back."
Ienzo looked back at Ansem confused as Even came through the door, "Why of course. At least the lazy louse is good for something."
The tired Wielders looked at the Scientist as he strutted through and looked between Roxas and Xion, placing hands on their shoulders, "I must insist on a thorough medical examination of the two of you to ensure your bodies are perfect."
Axel groaned, "Can't you give us a break? We just went through a whole ton of fights, and I haven't eaten in ages!"
Even glared at the tall redhead as the other Wielders couldn't help but blearily agree. Even looked the group over, jolting in shock at Ventus, "You!"
Ventus jumped at the attention, taking a half step back as the others watched in renewed interest, "Me!?"
Even came uncomfortably close, examining him closely, "Your Heart is still full of just Light. Fascinating."
Ienzo raised a brow in interest as Ven grimaced, Aqua placing an arm in front of him with a grim look on her face, "Back. Off."
Even glanced at the woman before taking a step back, coughing into his hand to clear the air, "My apologies. I had noted it years ago when I first saw him. It merely surprised me."
Ven was left uneasy as he glanced at Roxas.
His twin shrugged, clearly understanding his unasked question.
Ienzo shook his head, "Must you always be like this?"
Even turned with a wild look about him, "But, Ienzo!"
Ansem sighed, "Let them rest, Even. A few hours will do them good, and it would be best to ensure that their bodies can absorb nutrients if we allow them to finally eat."
Even crossed his arms with something of a pout, "Fine." He stalked off as Ienzo smiled uneasily at the group, waving his arm forward, "Tell me what happened. I have been truly curious to know the conclusion of our endeavors."
The group easily agreed, more than happy to get food and sleep.
There was much to speak of.
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Roxas and Xion had come back and forth for training for a full week, with them finally staying the night for a period of three days and two nights for deeper instruction. Aqua and Terra also had Ienzo tutor all of them over the Gummi phones, having missed out on a decade or so of schooling. (It allowed him to interact with others his age as an added bonus.)
It hadn't actually been that hard to correlate world-level learning to get them all into a workable lesson plan.
The fact Roxas and Xion had any level of scholastic knowledge was fascinating and a study for another time.
The first night had gone well enough, Riku, Roxas, and Xion all setting up their preferred rooms with random items found in the upper floors. The three had been unsure if it was alright, seeing as they had once been used by previous Wielders, but the Wayfinder Trio had waved it off with Ventus proclaiming a majority of his room hosted old items approved by Eraqus himself from the upper abandoned rooms.
It eased their conscience.
It was late on the second day while the six of them were eating lunch that Terra suddenly tensed in shock, looking around the room. Aqua caught it first while Ventus quickly followed. The other three came to watch him as well as Terra noted their attention. He furrowed his brows and glanced at Aqua, "Have you… seen anyone since we came back?"
Ventus gasped, "No!" He looked to Aqua who was staring at her food, a negative shake of her head as their answer.
The three newer Wielders stared at them as Riku took the plunge, "...What's going on?"
Terra ruffled his hair, "Uh… I don't even know where to begin. I'd honestly forgotten, with everything that's happened, but… uh…"
Ventus perked up, "The Castle's haunted!" Aqua slapped a hand over her face with a heavy sigh as Ventus backtracked, "Uh- well, not haunted haunted, but like… It preserves Memories?"
Riku pursed his lips, "...That's a natural part of the Castle?"
Xion glanced between all of them before focusing on Riku, "What do you mean?"
Riku ruffled his hair, "I mean, Castle Oblivion. It used our Memories against us. Sora forgot, and for me it just made my Darkness stronger. It pulled out my Memories of Ansem and tested me, I guess?" Something like that. He'd have to get some clarification from Ienzo, since he'd been involved along with Aeleus.
Aqua hummed, "Well, I suppose it fits… After I arrived here, it didn't take very long for some of the Castle's Memories to approach me, and Terra always had someone watching him from the edge of his vision."
Terra clenched his hand hard enough to bend his fork, causing Aqua to pause, "...Terra?"
The brunette stared at his plate hard before slowly looking away, "It was… It was Xehanort's youngest self. The one we saw when he and the Master… left."
Aqua and Ventus startled at this while Riku frowned. Roxas and Xion didn't have anything to say, and were left somewhat confused. Xion piped up softly, "Do the Memories look real? I've never seen a ghost before, and when I came to the Castle, it didn't seem to have an effect on me like what Riku and the others spoke about."
Riku turned to her, "Wait, really?"
She nodded, "I never had my abilities made into cards." She shrugged, "Maybe it's because I was made inside the Castle..?"
Roxas frowned, "I didn't make it past the foyer to find out."
Ventus laid his hands flat on the table, "Well, they were based off of Master Eraqus's Memories. Do we know how it works when a new Master takes over the Castle?"
Aqua slumped, "No, and the only person I've lost is the Master…"
Terra slowly released his tension, "I never saw my mom… so it would be weird to start seeing her around the Castle now."
Aqua nearly whispered, "I know the Castle was cautious about Ven's memories…" She rubbed her side recalling the frightening pigtailed specter that had swiped at her.
Ventus stared at the table as Roxas ruffled his hair with an abrupt groan, "Well, now we know we might see people who aren't really there. Does everyone see them or is it just one person?"
Terra and Aqua glanced at one another before he continued, "Usually it was just the one person, but sometimes more than one could see them."
Riku leaned forward, "Is it just anywhere anytime?"
Aqua hummed, "It was usually in reflective surfaces, or sometimes they'd interject during our lessons and distract the Master. It was sort of situation based."
Riku nodded with finality, "Then we'll just have to tell one another when it happens so we can know what sort of Memories are haunting the Castle now."
Ventus gripped his knees, his stomach sinking a little as he recalled being prone to saying things and immediately forgetting, "Right."
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It was the middle of the night when Xion woke Roxas nervously, not wanting to get something to drink by herself. She hesitantly grasped his hand, her other balled at her chest as she glanced around nervously as Xion whispered, "Now I'm kinda nervous, Roxas."
Roxas nodded, "I understand… but at least they warned us, right?"
She slowly agreed, "Yeah…"
The two crept silently, far too used to sneaking around as they turned a corner, there, Ventus stood alone in the center of the hallway still dressed and stiff as a board before he bowed his head, "Master…"
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The lessons had ended in the early evening, and for a while they all had hung out and chatted over various things. Aqua had pulled out an old command board and gone over it with Xion, Riku, and Roxas.
But when they had departed for the night one by one, Ventus found himself restless. He had first gone to the Library to look through some of the piles he'd left behind in his preferred nook, thumbing through a few in feigned interest before curling up in his chair and staring out the window.
Chirithy popped up on the desk, "Can't sleep?"
The blond nodded slowly, "Nn."
It hummed, a paw to its chin as it contemplated, "I didn't know the Castle stored Memories."
Ventus slowly turned to it with a sad smile, "Yeah. Master Eraqus's classmates… they helped us out a lot, and probably in so many ways we'll never get to understand or thank them for."
Chirithy nodded, mulling it over, "Is it scary?"
Ventus shook his head, "Nah. To be honest… the Castle warned me my own Memory is here… so I've always felt at home. It's because the Castle made use of my… Data I guess? To guide and protect when other options weren't fitting or available."
Chirithy was boggled by this, "Wait, what?! How?"
Ventus shrugged, "Something to do with the Founder of the Castle I guess."
Chirithy tapped its chin, "Hmm." It seemed to close its eyes for a long time before it gasped softly, "Oh."
Ventus raised an eyebrow at it, making the Dreameater shuffle awkwardly, "I'll tell you when it doesn't hurt to remember anymore, Ven."
The blond pouted, turning towards the window, "I guess…"
It slumped a little, "I don't wanna hurt you, Ven."
He closed his eyes for a long moment before speaking hoarsely, "I know. It's just… frustrating to be left in the dark."
It left with a pop as Ventus slowly opened his eyes and raised his face towards the ceiling, "Guess I'll just have to walk it off…"
He had a hard time sleeping. Sure, he'd managed it with Aqua's help the night of the War, but after that…
Ventus didn't want to make her or Terra concerned, but he had to do a lot to get himself to sleep.
He rubbed a shoulder as he wandered the halls. Up and down stairs, all the way to the topmost tower and quietly back again.
He traced his hand on the walls, remembering one incident or another during his four years there.
A tightness in his throat made him bite his cheek.
Everything had gone wrong so quickly, and it had destroyed them for an entire decade.
Slowly he breathed in and out, trying to keep his sorrow at bay as the night wore on.
Finally he decided to return to his room when he felt a shift.
It was an old familiar shift, not the slightest amount of fear as he slowly turned to the Memory that had come to him.
A Young Eraqus looked at him sadly, all faded through and regretful, 'I know I said this before, at Scala… but I'm sorry.'
Ventus sucked in a breath as tears came to his eyes, whispering, "Master-"
Young Eraqus came close to him, "I never meant to imprison you- I didn't want Xehanort to get ahold of Kingdom Hearts."
Ventus slowly nodded, "I know now. I'm sorry… that I got you killed."
Young Eraqus took in a sharp breath before gripping him on the shoulder, "That is not your fault."
The blond clenched his eyes shut, balled his fists, and grit his teeth, "But that's what happened, because I didn't want to listen to Aqua-!"
The Memory grasped his other shoulder, "Look at me, Ventus."
The blond shook his head harshly, "Master-"
Eraqus shook him sharply, making the blond look at him, "I did more than that to harm you. I didn't bother to explain anything to all of you, and through Xehanort's machinations I fell. All because I couldn't let go of my brotherly affection and desperate hope that the man could change. It was all truly my fault."
Ventus looked away from him, "Still…"
"You mustn't hold it against yourself Ventus. We were all at fault, and I held no grudges."
Ventus released a breath before bowing his head as tears fell down his cheeks in hot trails, "Master…"
Eraqus came close and hugged him tightly, running a hand over the top of his head as he murmured softly, "You lost so much, and yet came to gain more in your disobedience. It was truly my error to not explain to you my reasoning for keeping you back. I was in error, Ventus. I shouldn't have done that to you, while proclaiming fairness and embracing the Light."
Two hands hesitantly touched his shoulders on either side as Roxas spoke softly, "Ven..?"
Ventus started, looking between the two of them before looking back towards Eraqus's Memory.
The young Memory smiled sadly as he laid a hand on his head, "Thank you for letting me raise you, Ventus. It was an honor, I'm proud of you, my wayward child." He slowly stepped back as Ventus stepped forward and raised a hand, and called out, "Master!"
The Memory had faded, leaving Ventus with so much he wanted to say and couldn't. He covered his face, desperate to hold his emotions in as he was unable to do so, crying out as he began weeping, "Master Eraqus!"
Roxas and Xion glanced at one another before Xion carefully went over and hugged Ventus to herself on his left, Roxas falling in step beside her and joining in on the right. Ventus blindly grabbed hold of them tightly, weeping and unable to speak, whispering gibberish as the two tried to console him.
Eventually, the two coaxed Ventus to bed and stayed by his side, unable to find it in themselves to leave him.
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Aqua hadn't expected to find Roxas and Xion cuddled up on either side of Ventus in his bed. Ventus had barely ever done anything like it with her and Terra (and in retrospect she understood with herself), but she was surprised Roxas would have done so.
Ventus and Roxas still both had random moments of being freaked out by the other before shaking it off.
Terra came up beside her with a weird look before glancing in, blinking.
He immediately took out his Gummi phone and snapped a picture, Aqua's disapproving glare also in frame as he grinned widely and continued on towards the kitchen whistling before she could grab at him to make him delete it.
With a shake of her head she turned and took a few cautious steps in, "Guys, it's morning."
Xion was the first to wake up, a serious case of bed head as she sat up dazed, blearily looking around the room as she took a long moment to process which boy was beside her before leaning over Ventus and shaking Roxas.
The action woke them up simultaneously, causing both blonds to scream as Ventus unconsciously Cast an Aero spell. Xion yelped as she fell off the bed, while Roxas got wacked into the wall while Ventus jumped off defensively, only to fall to his knees because his legs were still slightly asleep.
Aqua stared for a long moment as everyone froze before she burst out laughing. Ventus sat back on his knees, "Aqua!"
The Master held her stomach as she tried to control herself, but could only lean back against the doorframe as Riku peeked in, "What's going on here?"
Roxas scowled as he got off the bed and stomped past everyone, "Nothing. Mind your own business." He shoved the other out of his way, clearly grumpy as he stalked to his own room.
Riku wasn't overly offended by the other's abrasive behavior since he'd decided to tolerate it for a time, but he glanced back at Xion who was dusting herself off, "Nothing, Riku. We just had a mini sleepover."
Ventus covered his face in embarrassment as Aqua finally started to regain control of herself, "S-sorry Ven."
"Augh, gimme a break…"
Xion slipped beside Aqua and grabbed Riku lightly by the wrist to pull him away, "We'll be at breakfast shortly."
Riku nodded as he continued on his way after letting her pull him along for a moment to help set up the table.
He was already notorious for his piss poor cooking skills.
Aqua partially shut the door, moving over to Ventus as she extended a hand to him. After a moment he took it and allowed her to pull him up, blush on his face as she looked him over. She questioned him softly, "What happened Ven?"
He rubbed his hair as he took a few steps back, collecting random things, "I saw Master Eraqus when he was younger." Aqua took in a breath as he continued, "He apologized about stuff… and uh... Well. I got overwhelmed by it. Roxas and Xion found me crying in the hall and couldn't see him."
Aqua slowly nodded as she placed a hand on her chest, "So they stayed with you?"
Ventus shrugged helplessly as he glanced back to her, "I was scared to be alone, and it worked out that way."
Aqua gave him a gentle smile, "I see." She gave a short nod, "You know you can always come to Terra and I too." She carefully opened the door and looked back at him, "I'll see you at breakfast."
Ventus nodded, watching as she left and shut the door behind herself.
He couldn't help the long sigh that followed as he moved to get ready for the day.
