Chapter 3 - Piece by Piece…
The next couple of days passed in a blur with Anya doing odd jobs around town or hanging around with Olette and her friends. Though if you count getting into all types of trouble as 'hanging around' then they were masters of 'Getting in all kinds of clusterfucks and such'.
On this bright sunny day though, Anya was merely minding her own business and taking a stroll around town and gathering some inspiration about her first future novel. She had almost forgotten about her dream in a while now… but then again, she was busy with paying off her debt to the hotel and hanging with Olette.
As she walked, she couldn't help but voice her apparent like of Twilight Town. So far her stay has been nothing but a peaceful one. Granted she did miss her home at certain times but she had managed to build her life anew here. The people were interesting, the food was yummy and the stores here were amazing.
Despite the positive atmosphere, Anya still wondered when exactly her mission would begin. She was very eager to get started on her appointed journey to stop the flow of darkness and save the universe. It shouldn't be long now…
The brunette had continued her walk around town and came to a nearby ice cream stand run by an old lady. She was in the mood for some sea-salt ice cream so she bought herself one bar to eat while walking and gathering inspiration.
"There you go, my dear. Don't eat it too quickly!" The old woman advised.
Anya nodded and gave her the munny before leaving to continue her little stroll. She failed to notice the arrival of a young ravenette wearing a black coat.
"One bar of sea-salt please." The ravenette wished.
The old woman nodded and took out a wrapped-up bar of sea salt. "Here you go, miss." She wished.
The ravenette with blue eyes took the ice cream. "Thanks. Also, who was that girl who bought sea salt ice cream before me? She looks like a newcomer." She questioned.
"Oh, that's one of the resident staying at the Twilight Hotel - one of the cheapest loggings in Twilight Town. Her name is Anastasia Stefanova or Anya as the people call her. She's quite an enigma that one… showed up one day and made her home here." The old woman explained.
The ravenette nodded. Anastasia Stefanova… quite a mouthful name she has. But on the plus side, her duty to her 'family' was to learn and acquire all data on hand - whether it was new worlds or people. Right now, this 'Anya' was definitely someone worth gathering data on.
"Miss, do you know where Anya is going?" The ravenette asked yet the old woman shrugged.
"Not a clue… sorry, dear." She apologized.
The blue-eyed girl sighed but gave a thankful nod in return. She immediately turned around and ran after the brunette's location. It saddened her that she wouldn't be able to have her moment with her friends at the clock tower but as usual duty calls.
Little did she know was the hooded figure watching over her and wearing the same black coat as the ravenette did. The hood was raised to cover their face.
"What is she up to…?" It spoke to reveal a masculine tone.
He ran after her via the rooftops while the ravenette used the numerous alleyways to avoid suspicion while keeping an eye on the brunette Anya.
(Meanwhile…)
Anya was continuing her stroll around town and enjoying her sea-salt treat without a care in the world. So far, the day was going well for her and she was taking it all in with a smile on her face. No worry or negative whatsoever today…
She was still wondering what sort of novel she should write once inspiration hits inside her head. Something about adventure but what else? Mystery, supernatural, action… she wasn't sure yet.
"So many genres to choose from… yet I don't know which to focus on. Think, Anya - there must be a point from which you can begin." The brunette told herself.
As she ate her ice cream, she failed to notice the ravenette listening on her words and making notes in her head. What did she mean by 'so many genres to choose from'? Was she writing something for the foreseeable future?
"Hmmm… can't really think straight. Ugh, I'll get nowhere with my first book if I don't get any inspiration." Anya sighed and headed onward.
A book… so, this 'Anya' wants to be a novelist. Interesting… but what kind of book would she be writing about? That's what the ravenette needed to know.
She continued to follow Anya while being unknowingly tracked by the mysterious youth wearing the coat. "Why is she following that girl?" He asked himself.
The various places that Anya went to were the Sandlot, Market Square, the train station and lastly Sunset Hills. Sadly, she didn't draw any inspiration whatsoever which left annoyed and discontent. She was sure that there would be at least one chance to find what she's looking for. Oh, well - there's always the following days.
For now, Anya was content with enjoying the sunset and relaxing while finishing the last bits of her sea-salt ice cream. Little did she know was that the ravenette had unknowingly followed her and continued to spy on her without giving her location away.
Her investigation revealed several things about the girl: she enjoyed hiking, gets easily annoyed but calms down after a while, wants to be a novelist… and that's about it. Nothing else.
The ravenette was a little disappointed that this was all she had learned from Anya. But still there was something else about her that rubbed off the wrong way… or maybe it was just the wind. Either way, she had what she needed. It was time to head back and enjoy her treat.
Teleporting away, she left Anya alone who was enjoying the sunset and trying to take her mind off the fact that she couldn't come up with any inspiration whatsoever.
(Hours later - Organization XIII's Round Room…)
The Superior's second-in-command Saix was currently overlooking the reports from the various members of the organization and checking the words written on them thoroughly - especially Demyx's.
Out of all the members, he was the least provocative and often tried to squeeze himself from performing his tasks. A typical lazy and idiotic gesture… if he kept that attitude, he'd be turned into a dusk soon.
Speaking of Demyx, Saix had just gotten to his report… and immediately made a deadpan look when he examined the contents:
'Name: Demyx'
'Location: Middle of nowhere'
'Activity: I guess... doing some recon or something?'
'Information: Lots of stuff, Heartless everywhere - it's crazy, dude!'
Saix was going to kill him. Liter- Wait, what's this?
He examined a little message after P.S. - Best course of action is to… stay away or don't send people like a super sitar player out on a mission… ever again!
That message made Saix crush the report and pinch the bridge of his nose. "Temper, Saix… temper." He reminded himself before calming down.
He'd definitely have some words with the Melodious Nocturne later but for now he needed to finish all of the report analysis. Next came Luxord and Xaldin's report…
Then Axel's and Xigbar's before finishing with Roxas'… Wait, Roxas'? That was it… one was missing.
Saix thought about it and rechecked all the reports from top to bottom… one was definitely missing. But who was it…?
Just then, a corridor of darkness opened as a young woman with short black hair and blue eyes entered the round room. Like Saix, she also wore the standard attire of the Organization.
It was then that Saix realized why the reports were incomplete - Xion hadn't returned from her mission. No doubt spending time with Axel and that boy… hmph. Typical puppet…
"I'm sorry that I'm late, Saix. I took a wrong turn." Xion apologized.
Yet all Saix did was scoff. "I care not for your excuses, Number XIV. Have your report done by the end of day." He ordered.
Xion nodded somberly and took off while Saix rolled his eyes and continued examining the reports. But halfway…
"Saix?" Xion spoke as she turned back to him.
Saix was planning to ignore her and resume his eyeing on the reports but he sighed heavily before looking at her. "Yes, Number XIV? What is it?"
"It's… it's related to a new development for the Organization. A newcomer has resurfaced in Twilight Town." Xion revealed.
Saix's mind blocked for a moment. A newcomer in Twilight Town? A tourist possibly…
"A newcomer?" Saix asked.
"Yes… she has the most unusual name ever: Anastasia Stefanova or Anya as the residents call her. According to the people living there, she showed up one day out of the blue and made Twilight Town her home. I've managed to learn a few things about her - she wants to become a novelist, gets easily annoyed yet manages to calm down afterwards and she enjoys walking. Also, she has established a friendship with one of the resident kids there." Xion finished explaining.
All Saix did was raised a brow. "Nothing else? For all we know she could be a simple civilian having ended there by accident." He pointed out.
Xion nodded. "Yes… but… I have a feeling that there's something off about her." She added.
"Hmph. How can you tell?" Saix asked.
"I… well, I can't really… but there's just something off. It rubs me the wrong way…" Xion explained.
Saix crossed his arms. "Clearly you have nothing better to do than waste my time. Focus on the report, Number XIV." He ordered and dismissed her.
Xion frowned and shook her head before turning away. Saix could overhear her footsteps followed by the door being slammed which made him sigh in relief at the peace of being alone. Now he could focus on the report examination in peace…
(Twilight Town - ?)
"A girl?" The man had repeated in regards to the cloaked male's explanation.
He was quite the enigma - his entire face was covered in red bandages, save for his right eye and mouth along with two tied intersecting belts around his head, one passing over where his left eye should be. His remaining eye was colored in bright orange.
He wore a long, red cape with a quadrate cross cut taken out at the chest, the edges of which were yellow. This cut exposes a similarly oblong white symbol on a pitch-black shirt. Over-top this shirt, there seemed to be a grey, segmented armor over his sides and abdomen. His legs were covered by a long, black cloth lined with yellow, which itself has several brown straps pinned onto the front, seemingly for no purpose other than to create yet another angular pattern. On a yellow sash that hangs around the waist were three brown pouches, descending downward diagonally on his left hip. These pouches were all identical, all sporting the same design on the top flap and all closed by a darker brown strap that attaches to a silver button on the right ride, a grey tassel hanging from each button. Lastly, there was a dark colored scarf around his neck along with light colored sleeves.
"Yes… brunette hair and blue eyes. Xion definitely seemed intrigued by her for some reason. She was even commenting on some of her traits." He explained.
The mysterious enigma placed his gloved hand and stroked his chin. Why would one of the Organization members be interested in a child? From what Riku described, she didn't seem like anything special…
"Curious on why those blasted Nobodies would take an interest in a child. It doesn't make any sense…" The enigma stated.
"Maybe she has a connection to Sora?" The cloaked male known as Riku suggested.
The enigma thought about that possibility but it definitely seems too far fetched… something else was amiss.
"DiZ?" Riku questioned after the enigma didn't open its mouth.
"No… I don't think it has anything to do with your friend. Something else is in the works… Riku, given the change of events, we must proceed onward." DiZ told him.
"What do you suggest?" Riku asked.
"If the Organization has taken an interest in this girl, then we must be prepared for the worst. You will continue your surveillance and report back should the blasted Nobodies make a move." DiZ ordered.
"Understood." Riku nodded.
"Good… And one more thing - this girl Anya… I want you to keep an eye on her. See what exactly makes her special. And if the Organization takes a special interest in her, bring her here. It's for her own good… by force if necessary." DiZ told him.
Riku titled his head in confusion. "Isn't that a bit much? She's just an ordinary girl." He explained.
"Like I said, it's for her own good. Even if she doesn't want to, bring her no matter the cost, Riku. I trust that you can handle this task?" DiZ asked.
Riku was conflicted due to the orders he was given - bringing a girl his age here? She didn't have anything to do with this…
But then again, she could get caught in the crossfire between the battle of DiZ and Organization XIII. In any event, he didn't have a choice.
"I… I understand my task. If things get heated, I'll bring here no problem." Riku promised.
DiZ nodded. "Very well. You may go now." He told him.
Riku left the room where DiZ was staying and headed his own way…
Little did they know was the fact that Ava was unknowingly spying on them via a corridor that she conjured to keep an eye on Anya and her progress.
The revelation that she had overheard made her sigh heavily - in addition to this mysterious Organization XIII finding out about Anya's presence, now this mysterious DiZ was also aware of her. Wonderful…
The brunette now would be caught in the pointless game of light and darkness… but luckily Ava wasn't going to let that happen to little Anya.
"The darkness is approaching Twilight Town fast… in the next few days, Anya will finally begin the journey. She'll be the one to bring back balance to the Realm of Light." Ava concluded with a sigh.
Then she took a deep breath and set her mind to work. The next few days were going to be quite hard...
Author's Notes: And with that done, Chapter 3 is ready to post! Oh, boy - things are going to get tough for Anya! Not only is Organization XIII now aware of her presence but DiZ has also taken an interest in her. My poor female self-insert will definitely be having a very hard time in dealing with both parties... but fear not! The Mama Fox known as Ava will make sure that Anya is well prepared for the trip that lays ahead!
Next chapter will finally cover all that we've been waiting for - the first appearance of the Heartless and the arrival of Anya's Keyblade based on my own design, of course. I hope you all are excited for what is about to happen... I sure am!
With that said in mind, I'll see you all in Chapter 4 where Anya will display her skills with a Keyblade and begin the first steps towards her journey... along with adding post-chapter diary entries by Anya herself. I hope you all enjoy reading her thoughts when I post them!
As usual, I don't own Kingdom Hearts nor its characters - they are owned by Tetsuya Nomura! I only own my self-insert Anya and the story! That's all! Laterz!