KINGDOM HEARTS: Edge Before End.
Kante Nach Ende.
Part I:
"...As one Door closes...another opens." says χ-Super. Although having been defeated by Myst...it remains both calm and composed as normal. "...It's ironic. The ways that Doors and Keys work in tandem with the other respectively...yet. Humans always find new ways...to make new paths ahead of them. My flame has now died out...however. Your story...has only just begun." says χ-Super...before ultimately vanishing into a Dark mist...leaving Myst himself to remain silent afterwards.
"...Alright! now we've got to save the town next!" after a few seconds of silence, Myst speaks; already preparing for his next agenda on mind. "Myst!" says Iden, he and Verum rushing towards Myst's side. "!? G-Guys!" says Myst, grateful to see his loved ones safe and unhurt. "...? ! !? B-Big bro!? what's-what's with your eyes!?" says Verum, noting the permanant colour change within Myst's eyes...
"! Oh, right. I guess...my eyes are stuck like this now." says Myst, confusing Verum and Iden before speaking up; saying "Anyways, never mind that you two! look! the town...we've got to save it!" says Myst, pointing in the direction of the town's imminent destruction. "! Y-Yea, you're right! except. We don't have a lot of time left..." says Iden, looking at the despair of the situation...however. Myst bumps his best friend's chest, replying with the words "Come on dude. Usually...YOU are the one whom remains clear headed. If anyone can think of a way to save Midlight Town...it's you, Ide." says Myst, displaying his faith in Iden.
"!? Mysty..." says Iden, surprised by his best pal's gesture. Suddenly, Verum holds both of Ide's hands. "Listen to him...listen...to me. We know that you have always been the analytical type...Diva knows too. There may very well be not enough time left to save anything...but. We trust you, Iden. I...I trust you, too..." says Verum, having formed a closer bond with Ide throughout everything that has transpired...
"!? V-Veru...n-no. Verum...I...understand." says Iden, complying with Veru. Regardless of the situation...Myst appears comically distraught by what is happening here in front of him. "...W-What's going on here, you two?" says Myst, seeing how things are turning out between his best friend and his younger sister. Suddenly...the ground starts to shake!
The entire town...is starting to be lifted up towards the Keyhole! "!? Uh-oh!" says Myst, commenting on the surroundings. "!? This isn't good. Midlight Town...is heading towards that massive Keyhole!" says Iden, starting to panic. "Iden! don't worry! you've got this!" says Verum, reassuring Ide of what needs to be done. "Ide! tell what I should do, please!" says Myst, counting on his friend for a suggestion.
"I don't...! wait. Myst! that object of yours...the Keyblade, was it? remember what that thing said...about doors closing and opening? well. It's just a hunch, but...try and use the Keyblade to close that Keyhole! Keys exist to both open and close doors, after all!" says Iden...presenting the only idea that seems to be plausible. "! R-Right...that seems legit, right enough." says Myst, looking upwards...
"Brother please! save Midlight Town! don't...don't let our home disappear!" says Verum, requesting Myst to save the town from being destroyed. "Don't worry Verum, I'll-!?" without warning though...Myst...is pierced through his chest by a beam of condensed Light! "!? M-MYST!" shouts out Iden, seeing Myst fall towards the ground right in front of him.
"W-W-Wha!?" says Myst, unable to move and baring the immense pain of someone's sneak attack. The someone in question...revealed to be...Xavi! "Sorry, but that's NOT how things are gonna play out here. Smart move however, thinking to use the Keyblade to lock the Keyhole. I'll give you lot props for that..." says Xavi, showing off her choice of weapons-steel claws on both hands...
"!? H-HOW DARE YOU!" shouts Verum, charging at Xavi with her border guard sword in hand. "Veru no!" says Iden, attending to Myst's side whilst calling out for Verum to stop. "Whoopsie, sorry lil lady...it's such a shame really. I was hoping...to get along with my future sister in law." says Xavi, using keen reflexes to dodge Verum's sequence of attacks before greatly shocking the latter with the former's words. "W-What did you just...!?" says Verum, backing away; absolutely perplexed by the meaning of Xavi's words...
"You-you were with that earlier group." says Iden, recognising Xavi alongside Xenon and the others from back at the Summit Sanc. "Bingo! give the young man a prize. That's right...we are...templars, of sorts. Knights...crusaders...something along those lines. We are bound by the order of our master...to follow a certain oath. And that is...may our Hearts become our guiding Keys. As such...we have now reached this juncture. Where the end of one thing...shall lead to the beginning of another thing entirely." says Xavi, her words still continuing to baffle Iden and Verum.
"...Tch!" says Iden, as he places a hand on the ground...sensing the town was starting to rise higher and higher into the sky. "...What did you mean...by sister in law!?" says Verum, bothered by the meaning of these words in particular. "! Hehe, I'm so glad you asked. Well..." says Xavi...until. "Xavi...that's...enough. Don't confuse her...not when...we are so close now." Xander arrives on the scene!
"!? Y-You're still alive!?" says Iden, shocked to see Xander having survived χ-Super's earlier attack. "Yeah...I'm surprised myself, to be honest. Guess...I just have very good luck, huh..." says Xander, knowing that Iden and Verum hold no love for him...even though his previous action had saved the two of them. Because of Xander himself being the instigator of Midlight Town's destruction...it is...only natural...
"...Myst Arcane Secre. You truly...are...one heck of a man. You pulled yourself up, even when you were on your last legs from fighting me. I won't deny your spirit...you have...my respect. But...even when...we have formed a bond through constant differences of opinions. The end result...will still be the same. This town...MUST end. Too long...has the Dream been repeating itself. Now...it must fade. In order to make way...towards...new Dreams." says Xander...
Myst, unable to turn his head and facing the ground hears Xander speak. He replies in a somewhat muffled manner "...You'll-you'll pay!" says Myst, his contempt for Xander remaining as strong; as ever. "...I don't ask for you to understand me, nor do I beg forgiveness. It doesn't matter...even though you managed to change the future ever just slightly. The course of the Twilight Road towards Nightfall...still remains exactly the same." says Xander, shocking Myst and the others.
"What do you...mean...by that!?" says Myst, as Xander then says the following in reply "...This World lies on the outskirts of a fictional Realm. Here...nothing is all as it appears to be from mere first glances. The masses can change, the Worlds can change...and. Hearts can change too...in correspondence towards the Worlds, living within the Realm of Light. You see...this town was residing inside of a sealed away pocket dimension. No one could access it...so long as the Door to Darkness had remained opened." says Xander, mentioning...a certain door...
"...Door to..." says Verum, followed by Ide "Darkness? ..." says Iden. "Yup-yup! the one and only. You see...it's a door that keeps the Heartless from the Realm of Darkness in check. Unless you have two or three more Keyblades to open it...the door won't budge. It's purpose was to maintain the sealing of Darkness, keeping Light from mingling with said Dark." says Xavi in a cheerful manner, despite the surrounding chaos...
"It had...another purpose, however. Asides keeping Light away from Darkness...it also. Kept reality away...from fiction. In other words...when the door was finally closed for good. It's sealing...had broken. Allowing US, the eX-Templars to journey here...and begin...our given mission. We were...tasked by our master...to destroy Midlight Town. The reason being...is because...this World is the final linchpin. Dividing the Worlds...from one another." says Xander.
"...That doesn't make any sense! if this door was closed, that should have meant you guys couldn't come here to begin with!" says Iden, trying to use normal logic to argue his point. "...The Worlds are fickle. Maybe...they are irony impaired. If a door closes...they must see another door opening, as far; as they are concerned. Regardless...that's not what is important here. What's important...are the Worldlines. They have been seeping into multiple timelines across the ages, affecting certain individuals and places. This town is no different...except, in one regard. It...is a barrier. It is keeping the majority of the Worldlines from entering any further...until NOW, that is. With the destruction of Midlight Town...Midnight shall descend. Thusly...the Worldlines will be able to break in through the cracks, just like with a dam full of water. This objective...has a name. It is called...the "Project Paradoxum". It is the plan created by our master...Luxu. To bring about...the end of all Worlds..." says Xander, greatly horrifying both Verum and Iden alike; as Myst goes silent...before sensing the tremors starting to get worse.
Part II:
(Music Cue-One Way to the Netherworld from Trails of Cold Steel III.)
"...Project...Paradoxum!?" says Iden in outrage. "...Correct, it is the name of the goal that our master, lord Luxu; seeks to achieve. He will stop at absolutely nothing in order to achieve it...it's a plan that has been set into motion for over at least a decade now. Perhaps...maybe even more so. I was recruited by Luxu at least 17 years ago...during the time of Midlight Town's last cycle of repetition." says Xander, explaining the circumstances behind his recruitment into the eX-Templars. "For me, it was more then just a few years ahead of Xander's joining our merry little band. Yet, even so...I have fallen head over heels for him. Even though...he has...another woman in his life." says Xavi, cuddling up towards Xander; causing slight anxiety somewhat...
"...I...I don't believe you! how can I!? all this talk...about Worldlines and such. It's-!?" says Verum, until she sees Myst trying to stretch out his arm; signalling that he intends to talk despite being unable to move. "...It's the truth, sister. He's...completely serious. I know one thing about the guy, having fought him...he's no liar." says Myst, even though he has great dislike of Xander...he will acknowledge at least his honest side...
"N-No..." says Verum, still in denial. "...There is more that you three should know. Listen well...for this...concerns the fates of all. Master Luxu has been active for quite some time now, in the Realm of Light. We do not know of his explicit activities there...however. He has summoned his kin-the Foretellers to bare witness. Five of the six apprentices are now gathered...and. Under their leadership...we shall see the project towards it's max completion." says Xander, stating his determination.
Iden leaves Myst upon the ground...drawing his polearm. "...Fat chance...of THAT happening!" says Ide, intending to fight alongside Verum against the two foes in front of them. "...You can't hope to stop this now, Iden." says Xander, shocking Iden by revealing he knows the latter's name.
"H-How do you-" before Iden could reply, Xavi next interrupts. "What does it matter? at any rate...time...is already up." says Xavi, pointing towards the sky; revealing...Midlight Town was in point blank proximity of the massive Keyhole! "...Before forgetting-" says Xander all of a sudden, strangely lifting up his right hand...causing Verum great pain!
"!? U-UGGGGGGGH!?" shouts out Verum in severe agony, her chest feeling like it's on fire! "V-Veru!?" says Iden, shocked to see what is happening whilst Myst cannot move; unable to see what's transpiring with his sister. "...Didn't you ever find it odd? I mean. Outside the Station of Awakening...we were able to keep track of both you and your friends at all times? how do you think. We were able to set things into motion...from the very beginning? leading. Up to this moment...both here, and now." says Xander, shocking Myst and Iden alike.
As Verum writhes in terrible hurt, Xander reveals...a horrifying truth. "...When you first met that border patrol captain, whom was there...alongside her fellow guards to ambush you? whom was it. That Deus de Bellum kept tabs on, during the unfolding chaos; when you used the Keyblade in your very 1st proper battle? well?" says Xander. Myst on the ground then remembers his fight with Aemulusa only just earlier within this same day...and how Verum revealed herself during the confrontation...
"...Myst Arcane Secre. Here's a truth you should know, above all others...you...NEVER...had a sister." says Xander, leaving Myst stricken...with absolute horror upon his brow. "W-W-WHAT DID YOU JUST-!?" shouts Iden before without warning, he is pinned down next towards Myst by Xavi! "Shush, let the man speak." says Xavi, solemnly watching Verum holding her head back and forth...with tears starting to flow down her eyes...
"...During the 112th cycle of Midlight Town. There was...an only child. That was...me. I...never had siblings to call my own. During certain circumstances...I lost my place inside of the cycle. Because of my somewhat unique existence...master Luxu found me and decided to recruit me into his group of apprentices. Once we were ready to begin our mission here...lord Luxu had provided us a puppet to work with. He called it...a Replica. It was a faux Body...where Hearts could be transplanted and given life anew. However...what he gave us was not a Heart to transplant inside the Replica...but instead-" says Xander, walking over to Myst before kicking him around to face his Body upwards.
"GAH!?" shouts Myst in pain, followed by Iden replying "Myst-ARGH!" before the latter gets stomped on by the left heel of Xavi. Myst catches a glimpse of Verum's anguish. Seeing...what is happening to her. "B-B-Big brother...!?" just then...a Keyblade appears from Verum's Body!
"!? V-V-VERUM!" shouts out Myst, trying to reach out his hand towards his sister. "...Verum Veritas Secre. If your name means Three Mysteries...then hers translates as Two Truths Mystery. The 1st of the two truths...is that...she is a Replica given life. By...a Keyblade...substituting...for a Heart. And the 2nd truth...is...simply put. Acting as our spy...to monitor you. You ARE a Dark candidate, naturally. We needed someone or something to keep tabs on both you...and the other candidates that had emerged within this town. She merely played out the role of your sister...since...you are special, after all." says Xander with a cold expression upon his face.
Myst knows what Xander means by being called special...it's because the two of them are in truth, technically one in the very same person. Hence...it would make sense in a way to have Verum closer towards Myst then anyone else. However...Iden becomes compelled to speak his mind "Y-YOU ARE LYING! VERUM ISN'T...VERUM...SHE ISN'T A THING! DON'T TREAT HER LIKE SHE IS!" shouts out Iden, displaying his closeness towards Verum.
"I-Ide...!" Myst struggles, trying to move his Body and reach for Verum. "D-D-D-DANG IT ALL!" shouts Myst, not lamenting his situation anymore in the past then he currently is right now. "...Why grieve? she is...merely a puppet. A host Body...given life by a weapon. If anything...her joining the border patrol guards was in her nature, considering their line of work. It was...inevitable." says Xander, cruelly looking down upon Verum's existence...
"SHUT UP! DON'T YOU DARE...MOCK...MY SISTER! SHE IS...HER OWN PERSON! HER CHOICES-HER HEART...ARE HERS! AND HERS...ALONE!" shouts out Myst, refusing to let Xander discredit Verum. "...Then. I'll make you see...first hand. What kind...of suffering there exists!" says Xander, walking over towards Verum...intending to do something...
"W-What are you doing!?" says Myst, rapidly questioning Xander's actions. "! Xan...you shouldn't do this. Think about...the consequences." says Xavi, as Xander replies "...Trust me. I have considered the options...but. In the end...this...is whom I am. I...am nothing...but failed Darkness." says Xander, causing Xavi to become hesitant.
"...!? N-No, he wouldn't! YOU CAN'T!" shouts Iden, seeing what is about to happen. "...A mere Replica. You have proven your worth...but now. Your Dream...must end...too!" without even blinking...Xander...pulls out the Keyblade from Verum's chest! causing both Myst and Iden to become overwhelmed...by grief. Verum starts to cough, feeling her Body starting to fail...
"...ARS ASCIA!" shouts Iden, using the technique from the fight with Aemul to push back Xavi and go towards Verum's side; clutching her tightly. "V-VERUM! CAN YOU HEAR ME!?" shouts Iden, trying to keep Verum awake. "...I...I...de? is...that...y-you? I. I...thought...it...was...b-big...brother...for a...m-moment...t-there." says Verum. "Don't worry! I'm here! your brother's here too! we're both here for you! just-just try to hold on!" says Iden, taking hold of Veru's hand. "S-Sorry...I...I can't...do...that. T-This is...my...e-exit..." says Verum, knowing...that her end was nigh...
"Verum!" says Iden, refusing to let Veru go. "...Sister...my...sister!" Myst's rage starts to intensify. "...I...de. You...y...you have to...let...let me...go. I can't...s...stay...any...any longer." says Verum, fading by each passing second. "!? D-Don't be stupid, you dummy! like heck are we gonna let you go!? a-and besides! we still...we still need to save Diva together! am I right!? RIGHT!?" shouts Iden...starting to lose his hold of Verum's hand. "...It's...it's okay, r-really. I...will...be...fine, I-Iden. It...was...it was...f-fun. E-Even though...b-b-big bro...c-caused me...n-nothing...but...t-trouble. I...I still...care...for...him. Please...I-Ide. Look...l...look after...for...him. F-For...me...p-please?" says Verum, the colour of her eyes...starting to fade.
"...N-NO! I can't! I WON'T! not...without you! not without Diva! please lil Veru! don't do this to us...to me!" says Iden, refusing to let Verum leave his side. "...I...h-had...f...f...fun. D-during...the...M-Midlight...Festival. W...w...w...with you, I mean. I...I...Iden. Please...t-tell big brother. I...l-love him. I...I...I hope. H-h will...f-find...lady D-Diva. K-keep him s-safe...for...t-the both...of u-us. G-g-g-g...goodbye...a-and...t...t...thank you. I-Ide...I...I...sigh." Verum's eyes close with a smile on her face...and her hand drops out of Iden's. Horror strikes Ide and Myst's expressions...before the former next roars out in desperation.
Part III:
(Music Cue-Doomsday Trance from Trails of Cold Steel IV.)
"...It...is done." says Xander before making a gesture with his hand, holding...the Keyblade that served as Verum's Heart, so to speak. Continuing to say the following words "...This Keyblade served as the Replica girl's core-her Heart. In the past, Replicas could grow their own Hearts through Data and Memories...according to what Xerxes was told by lord Luxu. To ensure that a Heart would not grow this time around and prevent potential rebellion...this substitute Keyblade was used instead. Keyblades...are born from the Heart. Naturally...they would make viable replacements for Hearts themselves." says Xander, next; he turns around...facing away from both Myst and Iden...
"...Are you sure...that this...is how you want things to end here, Xan?" says Xavi, deeply concerned for Xander. "...I...I thank you...for...your friendship, Xavi. As well...as your feelings. But...there's nothing left here now...only-" as though he could sense killer intent a mile away, Xander uses Verum's Keyblade to block an attack...made by Ide!
"...Give her back...give...HER BACK TO US!" shouts out Iden, tears starting to swell down from his eyes more then ever before. "...If you want "her"...then. Try...and take "her"." says Xander, goading Iden into a fight. Ide starts to believe that if he can retrieve Verum's Keyblade...she could possibly be returned back to life. Therefore...there was no doubt about what Iden had planned on doing. Defeat Xander...and retrieve the Keyblade!
Myst on the other hand, however...was lost within his despair. "...Why...why do they...keep leaving me!?" says Myst. Thinking about how Diva was taken by Xerxes...and now. His beloved sister was seemingly murdered by Xander...his very own counterpart. With the danger of Midlight Town reaching it's end any minute now...Myst tries to call upon the powers of Darkness yet again, except "Don't be stupid! trust me, bad idea. If you go any further...you'll turn into a χ-Blade of Darkness. An imperfect one at that..." says a familiar voice...
It was...χ-Super! rather. It was the χ-Super...that met with Myst, during the beginning at his Station of Awakening. "!? Y-Y-YOU!" shouts out Myst, recognising this particular χ-Super. "Phew...glad to see you remember my aura. Us χ-Supers all share a conscience...but not motives. The χ-Super that tried transforming you into a Dark χ-Blade isn't here, I'm holding him back. Also, you already defeated the χ-Super from way back when. So...there's just you and me. Trust me...on this one fact. I make no qualms...about being guilty. Like I said, we ALL share a collective hivemind...therefore. Our morals and our principles...remain one in the same. But...what you said...about...each and every one of us not thinking for ourselves. That...got towards ME, somehow. It...has affected ME, for whatever reason. I...I want to help you. Just like...when I "helped" you at the station. Again...I am probably doing this for my own benefit...but alas. We...I...can't have you stomping about, when you are on your last legs..." says χ-Super.
"...You're all guilty...for...everything. My home...my sister...Diva! why should I...listen...TOWARDS YOU!?" shouts out Myst, his anger swelling up with every passing second. However...χ-Super takes action. "...You don't have a choice. You must...fulfil your purpose. Regardless...of what it is...that YOU yourself want. This is...the end...of...your home." speaks χ-Super in a cold manner, greatly horrifying Myst.
Back in reality, Iden is seen to fight against Xavi in place of Xander. "...Thank you, Xavi..." says Xander...appearing to be very strained. "...You fought that battle with all you had whilst still thinking about everything else...sigh. You idiotic fool...you are...only acting on fumes now. Expecting me...to do all of the work." says Xavi, annoyed...with Xander remaining silent. She was right in her assumption though...for Xander was still weary from his fight with Myst...and. When he endured χ-Super's previous strike...intended to end the lives of both Iden...and Verum...
"...There's...nothing left...for me. I have now...said my goodbyes...all...of them. This is...the end...at...long last." says Xander, looking up; seeing the giant Keyhole. "FIGHT ME! FIGHT ME YOU COWARD!" shouts Iden, wanting Xander to return. "...We're done here, young man. It's time...we bid adieu." says Xavi, fending Iden back; long enough to make a quick retreat. "N-NO!" shouts Ide once more, trying to chase after the enemies...until. He notices Myst...his Body...having gone limp! "M-Myst!" says Iden, seeing his friend turned unresponsive.
"...Project Paradoxum: Phase Interludium...objective...accomplished." says Xander, as Xavi then returns by his side; holding him up. Next, together with Xavi's help...the two lift up Verum's Keyblade...pointing it...towards the giant Keyhole. "...Midlight Town...may your Dreams...eternally end. And...may they all...find...peace..." says Xander, closing his eyes...using Verum's Keyblade to fire another beam of Light. Just like the one...that caused the giant Keyhole to appear to begin with.
Finally...the giant Keyhole shined forth, consuming Midlight Town...in it's entirety. Iden, tending towards Myst looks at the bright Light before shouting out "N-NO! NOOOOOOO!" ultimately. Becoming consumed...by the Light itself. And thus...ends...the Dream. The Dream...that was never ending. The Dream that went on, since the days of Daybreak Town. The Dream...that...was now formally named...Midlight Town...
(Music Cue-Anata by Utada Hikaru. Ending Credits Music...)
Part IV:
(Music Cue-Night of the Dark Dream from KINGDOM HEARTS Birth by Sleep.)
"...Those whom did naught...said naught."
Mere minutes before the bright Light had engulfed the whole of Midlight Town...were seen six individuals. Their faces masked...by the Light that would ultimately consume them. Scattered across the ruined town...each with differing thoughts respectively. Finally...the Light struck...and. Midlight Town...had met...it's end...
"...With the passing of time...movement begins to stir."
Somewhere, within the Realm of fiction...is located...a giant tower of some kind. A World...dubbed...as the "Xiggurat Skyhook". Here...is where the eX-Templars have stationed their headquarters. Seen inside of shadow...are the gathered members of the group, asides both Xander and Xavi for obvious reasons. Xerxes, Xenovia; Xavier. Xenon and Xane...discussing amongst themselves. Sitting on tall, liquor black coloured thrones; adorned with a unique emblem...resembling spikes.
"...I guess that's it then. Xander has made his choice-casting aside the connections and Memories of his previous life." says Xavier in a stern manner, analysing the events up till now. "HA! give the guy a break, why don't ya; I mean. After all...it's only the destruction of his dear old home...heh heh." says Xenon, showing no scruples in displaying his sadistic side...
"Man, talk about having guts. If that were me, I couldn't go through with it; even if you begged me to..." remarks Xane, astounded by Xander's actions. "It's a good thing Xavi was with him...otherwise, I would have lost me a handsome face to stare at." says Xenovia, holding her hands upon her legs; which she then folds on top of one another.
"Enough, all of you. Quit wittering...we have important matters to discuss. Now...Project Paradoxum has completed it's 2nd phase. Leaving...phase 3 to begin, upon the master's direct command..." says Xerxes with authority...sitting upon the highest throne. Next to him are two empty thrones that are the nearest in height towards his...belonging to both Xander and Xavi on the left and right sides respectively...
"...Speaking of the project and the master...that reminds me, Xerx. When...will Xadi finally return? it's been far too long already." says Xenovia, surprising the rest of the group; mentioning the name...of it's last missing member. "...Xadiel has her own goals to accomplish, Xeno. She acts differently to the rest of us...that's why she wears the white coat. To signify...her role in all of this." speaks Xerxes...
"Hmm, the timing is too perfect; given recent events. We saw the footage that we received from lord Luxu...about that youth from the Realm of Light whom could wield the Keyblade. What if...that boy were to make his way here, within the Realm of fiction?" says Xavier...displaying great concern for the future of the eX-Templars' plans.
"Do not be so hasty, Xavier. There is no need to fret...our master had already informed me of the boy's fate. He abused the Power of Waking...and. As a result...he is now trapped...inside the Final World. He won't be able to escape...not without outside help, that is." says Xerxes, waving about his right hand. "...But then, that means...outside help is still plausible. Can't shrug off all of the options...if you know they are there to begin with." says Xenovia, sharing her thoughts.
"Tch! you're all too worried. Listen...we've got nothing to fear. We have complete control over the Illuminati...plus! soon enough...THAT World will eventually become putty in our hands! HA HA!" states Xenon, letting out a maniacal laughter. "I can't wait to put on my singing solo, once we take over the city...aww yeah!" says Xane, eager to conquer...a specific World in mind...
"Silence! you no good duo! we are not seeking...to take over Quadratum for the sake of amusement. Trust me...that place...will be full of barricades for us to face. I know...because...I once hailed from there..." says Xavier, sharing a glimpse of his background. "Why indeed...that's why lord Luxu had recruited you, the eldest amongst our rank. Tell us again, Xavier...about...the Night Sky." says Xerxes...bringing up...a certain subject...
"...Nothing waits...for no one."
(Music Cue-Dearly Beloved, but its evil from YouTube.)
Continuing off...from where EX III had ended. A young man...seen with both a red eye and a blue eye...looks up towards the moon. Raising his palm, he tries to capture the moon itself...only to fail. "...Sigh...no luck. I can't...reach. Not yet...I'm...still...weak!" says the young man, tightly clutching his palm into a fist, before-
"...I can help you do something about that, or along those lines; at least." says a stranger...wearing the same black coat that the eX-Templars cloak themselves in. His face is concealed...though the young man doesn't appear to be concerned. "...Go away. I don't need you..." says the youth, appearing to already know the enigma that has appeared...
"Oh ho! is that so? well. Forgive me for being rude...but. You got yourself trapped, not so long ago. Now, just whom was it...that saved you? saved your Heart...from becoming lost, forever?" says the enigma, standing alongside the young man...looking towards the moon. "...That's different. Right now, I'm...contemplating my next move. I have to...in order...to save her." says the youth, mentioning...a "her".
"Ah yes, the girl...of your Dreams. The one...whom you were betrothed to. What was her name? hmm...oh! right. Stella...that's it. It's a real shame...what happened to her, I mean." says the enigma...angering the young man. Suddenly, he draws a crossbow like weapon; alongside a hi tech looking sword. Using them...to fend away the enigma!
"WHOOPS!" says the enigma, jumping back; not getting hit by the youth's weapons. "Sorry...guess that really is a touchy subject. Although...you shouldn't go around blaming yourself for what happened. It weren't your fault...things just turned the way they did." says the enigma, trying to ease the young man's woes...however.
"...And I'm suppose to believe...that you didn't have a hand in that!?" says the young man in outrage, untrusting...of the enigma's shrouded nature. "Welp, believe what you wanna believe. Can't stop anyone from thinking what's truly in their Heart...but digressing. Because of my help...you only lost your true form and not your entire existence. Through my help...you got that new appearance of yours without anyone batting an eyelash, why? cause I changed everyone's perception." says the enigma...
"...Hmph. I give credit where it's due...but remember. Never mock...Stella...in front of me." says the youth, de-summoning his pair of weapons and then turning around; facing the moon again. "Aye-Aye-Aye, young love...truly. It's a sentiment...that will never get old." says the enigma, standing by the young man's side and looking up towards the moon again.
"...What is it...that you want THIS time?" says the young man, cutting right to the chase. "Ah, I'm that transparent huh? well that's a shame. I make sure to keep this coat on at all times, hiding away my Dark side; boohoo!" says the enigma...trying to feign the role of a jester. "...I have...a little proposition for you." suddenly...the enigma's tone turns serious. "...Go on, I'm listening." says the youth, curious to know...about the enigma's offer...
"...You are the commander in charge of the special anti conflict unit...known as the KARMA. The Kingdom Armoury Requisition Militia Armigers, dubbed appropriately...KARMA for short. By the decree of Quadratum's king, your dear old father; king Quarto Versus Haeresis the XIII. All of this city's military might rights were surrendered over to your group alone through deals behind the scenes and what naught, using official signings. Evidently...the king did not trust his own royal knights with safeguarding their home, thusly; They were effectively resigned from their posts. All in the pursuits of protecting Quadratum from the threats...belonging...to the eX-Templars..." says the enigma, mentioning the templars!
"...With those Gigas under their command, we can only defend the city and not make a decent counterstrike. Luckily...we have managed to steal some of those bots for ourselves...and use them for our own purposes. We know EXACTLY...how the templars power the Gigas to begin with." says the youth, explaining his side of things. "Indeed...fiction...made somewhat real. Sorry...I know you don't like being called unreal." says the enigma, though whether or not he is genuine about his apology...remains a mystery.
"...It doesn't matter. I don't care about how I achieve the end through whatever means...just. As long...as I can save everybody. My friends, my family...even...her. The templars will pay...for what they have done. I'll make sure of it...no matter what!" says the young man, pointing his clutched fist towards the moon. "...Now, about the offer itself..." says the enigma, getting the topic back on track...
What both he and the young man talk about goes unheard by the viewers...except. By the end of their discussion "Well? what do you say, huh? think you're up towards the task?" says the enigma in a whimsical manner whilst the young man remains silent with a deadpan expression. The youth next answers by replying "...Sure, I'm game. Just tell me...whom it is that I have to save." says the youth, before the scene then goes Dark...
Part V:
(Music Cue-Aria -Holy Saint, Holy Spirit- Super Arrange Version from Trails of Cold Steel II.)
"...From Light...follows Darkness."
Elsewhere, across Quadratum...Riku arrives! at the central crossing. "...So...this...is it. This...is Quadratum." says Riku, taking a few moments to gather his bearings for the surroundings. "Strange...this looks...just like the Organization's World." says Riku, walking across the streets; making a comment upon the sights. "I guess...that really isn't surprising. Considering..." Riku recalls his encounter with the white hooded individual from his Station of Awakening...remembering...what he had asked the figure during their conversation.
The white hood mentions "...When the Worldlines ultimately overlap...they...will become destroyed. They cannot, will not be able to support their own weight...as such. The respective universes shall crumble and create a massive influx of energy, to which...Kingdom Hearts shall absorb said energy. You see...Kingdom Hearts-the Heart of all Worlds...was...originally constructed." says the white hood, greatly shocking Riku.
"W-WHAT!?" shouts out Riku in disbelief, towards which the white hood raises a finger for him to be quiet and maintain his natural shock. "Shush...do not be so loud here. The voice echoes...and. It reverberates here..." says the white hood, in a somewhat comical manner. "S-Sorry...h-hey! wait! why am I apologizing!?" says Riku, getting caught up in the white hood's self amusement.
"...Kingdom Hearts...is actually...a tree. A World tree...given life...by Hearts...Human Hearts. World Hearts...Hearts of Memories. Hearts of Nonexistence...Hearts of Data. Hearts of Dreams...Hearts...of ALL living things. Past, present; future...as well as both Light and Darkness. Most especially of Light and Dark...since. It was because of two Hearts intertwining...that had created Kingdom Hearts to begin with..." says the white hood...
"...What are...you trying to say here?" says Riku, questioning the nature behind the white hooded figure's words. "...You must study the true history...before making a decision...upon arrival of your destination. Quadratum...the centrepiece...of the Realm of fiction. Where both a god of life and a goddess of death reside...and reap their own benefits. The dyad deities...Yggdrasil of the living...and...Qliphoth of the dead...respectively..." says the white hood, continuing to explain things.
Before Riku could get a word in, the white hood places the finger from earlier upon Riku's mouth; interrupting him. "Before you ask, let me continue first; then. Ask away...ahem. Both Yggdrasil and Qliphoth...into this current era. They have been taking action...following...the dawn of their shared existence. The two have been seeking to create...three conglomerates...three facsimiles...of Kingdom Hearts. One coloured blue, one yellow...and...another red. Not long ago, a devious man sought to obtain the blue Heart for himself...using imperfect means. He failed...and after. He resulted to obtaining the yellow Heart instead...once again. Using imperfection towards achieving his goals...by both acquiring the Door to Darkness and creating a pale reflection of the yellow Heart itself. Failing on both counts...it was only by the time of the next Keyblade War. That...the man was close at hand...to grasping his ideals, within the palms of his hands. No longer using imperfect ways and deciding towards going about things in a mindful manner...at long last. The man was finally able to create...the ultimate Key. A Key of Light and of Darkness...baring the sigil...χ." says the white hood.
"...Master Xehanort...and...the χ-Blade." says Riku, recognising whom the white hood speaks of. "Correct, the man known as Xehanort had used the χ-Blade to summon forth the true yellow Heart...before tainting it with his Darkness. In the end, he was stopped...but. The damage...was already done. Kingdom Hearts...had now experienced Darkness. The real, cold; and unyielding Dark...of the natural Heart." says the white hood, turning away from Riku...
"...! Wait a second!" says Riku, placing a hand upon the white hood's shoulder. "Aqua told me...about her battle with Xehanort, alongside Terra and Ven. Me, Sora and the others have only ever encountered the yellow Heart...but. Those three and Mickey actually caught a glimpse of the blue one...so...why is that?" says Riku, trying to place certain pieces of the puzzle together...
The white hood then turns around, facing Riku again. "...Kingdom Hearts can be summoned...through differing means. The way by which to summon Kingdom Hearts...using the Door to Darkness. Are...the Seven Princesses of Heart, or; rather...the seven pure Lights. The summoning of the yellow Heart is culminated...by the gathering of the Hearts of Humans. In the past, Xehanort's group; the Organization XIII...had utilised a way of creating their very own Kingdom Hearts throughout this particular process..." says the white hood, as Riku then turns silent with a solemn expression...
"...Yeah...I know." says Riku, gripping a fist...remembering, How the Organization used both Sora and his Keyblade to nearly acquire their artificially made Kingdom Hearts. The white hood next resumes speaking...saying the following words "...As for the real yellow Heart...it can only be brought about...by the union of VII Lights and XIII Darknesses. However...the Lights and Darknesses themselves. Do not necessarily need to be the ORIGINAL ones...in order to call forth the moon." says the white hood, shocking Riku once more.
"Wait, what!? what do you mean...by originals!?" says Riku, wishing to know more upon this topic in question...but. The white hood chooses towards not answering him...revealing her reasoning as to why "...You will figure certain things out, on your own accords; true Keyblade Master. For now, I don't wish to digress from our current course of discussion...please humbly respect my decision..." says the white hood, asking Riku to forget what he is focusing on; at least. For the time being...in order to talk about the things that prominently need discussing, during; this rather crucial moment in time.
"!? ...Alright. I know well enough...what we're talking about is very important. Especially since this concerns Kingdom Hearts...I'll put aside my other thoughts and questions, for now; anyways. So...back towards where we left off..." states Riku, resuming the conversation...about the different colour shaded variations of the Kingdom Hearts moons...and. How they are summoned...with the white hood then replying "...Yes. The blue Heart, the one that your three companions-Terra, Aqua and Ventus had encountered. Is a Kingdom Hearts, which; can be brought forth...by the Hearts of Worlds and other living things. Asides beings...of...the material forms..." says the white hood, ever continuing to surprise Riku with revelations. However...
"! ...Beings...of material forms?" says Riku, not understanding the white hood's last explanation just now. "! S-Sorry...I misled you slightly." says the white hood in reply, somewhat uncharacteristically bowing her head in apology. "N-No! it's fine, really! ...although. Something has been bugging me...for quite a while now too. Haven't we...met before, somewhere?" says Riku, causing the white hood to become shocked herself for once; during this entire time they have been talking together...
"...It's...your disposition. And...now that I compare height sizes at this close a range. I can...start to remember. Where I've...seen you, before. Yeah...that's right. It's starting to come back to me...whom you remind me of. You're...HER, aren't you? ..." says Riku, having figured out...the white hood's true identity! now. The white hood herself is left in great shock...having hoped...Riku wouldn't have realised the truth. "...Sigh...no. I am...I'm just the shadow of someone...whom has yet to regain their confidence. Call me...a shadow...of...the former shadow..." says the white hood...before unveiling her coat's cloak!
Much towards Riku's greatly surprised, but not shocked expression upon his brow...he then smiles. Replying to the white hood with the following "...I knew it. I had a hunch, though; I didn't believe at first. Except...considering our experiences together...and the kind of person you are. I should have had more faith...since...I was the one whom chose not to go to sleep. Do you remember...that first meeting...well...Naminé?" says Riku.
Part VI:
"...Muffled words...befuddled meanings."
(To Resume later on, once the short story-KINGDOM HEARTS: Edge Before End-χ Rubicon has concluded.)