Me: Hey shadows! I'm back with a new chapter! Today I'm joined by the lovely Tifa and Cloud, who hasn't even shown up in this story. I've been playing FF7 Remake lately, so why not invite these two!
Tifa: Hey everyone!
Cloud: Hello
Me: I really did miss you two in KH3.
Tifa: Yeah, we missed Sora and his friends as well. But, we'll be back
Cloud: Eventually
Me: Care to do the disclaimers?
Cloud: Miss Oblivion J does not own anything except her plot and characters.
Tifa: Any property featured belongs to Disney or Square Enix.
Me: A small warning for the chapter. For those that haven't seen The World Ends with You I will be spoiling the game's ending and one of the characters. So, please be wary of that. Also, I have a reference to sex work within this chapter.
Tifa: Enjoy the chapter everyone!
Chapter 53 - Connection
"Ugh. You're kidding me, right? You took on a WHOLE swarm of Heartless by yourself! No wonder the Unkindness are nothing for you!"
"Kally, lower your volume please," I asked, covering my ear.
She was sitting right next to me, and Dustin and Azula were right across the booth from us. There wasn't any reason to shout.
" 'kay," she nodded.
Azula grabbed a fry, looking at the demon. "Dust, that's insane. I didn't think demons had to fight so much to get out of the Realm of Darkness. It was really kill or be killed for you," she said, finishing her food.
"Yeah, it was. I wasn't easy and I was unable to rest with all the Heartless around me. I'm still surprised I made it out to begin with," he said, happily.
Demons had a low rate of making it out of the Realm of Darkness. At least that's what my new library book - Dark Beings - told me. It went over things like their hunger and dark powers like dark corridors and transformation gaining horns and a tail. I kinda wanted to ask Dustin about his transformation. I really want to see it! But, well… it seems like such a weird thing to ask.
"Nico, how was your experience in the Realm of Darkness? How did you end up there?," Kally asked. Her eyes glared with puppy eyes. I tried to look away, yet it was too late.
"I told you guys before… I don't remember how I became this way. I woke up in Traverse Town like this. I don't have any memories of anything," I lied.
"You still don't remember," Azula said, sadly.
I shook my head. "I've been remembering bits and pieces… but nothing huge. I've been recalling my childhood, but that's all."
That wasn't a lie. I had been regaining my childhood memories. I'd been getting small glances, and last night I recalled my grandmother telling me a bedtime story. It wasn't anything huge or explained anything much, yet I remember seeing the ring - the same ring I wore - upon my grandmother's hand.
I rotated the ring around my finger. Purity… Could it mean something to my family?
"You'll remember soon enough," the fashionista reassured me.
Suddenly Kally got a buzz on her phone, causing her to pick it up. After a glace, she gasped, beginning to gather her stuff. She motioned for me to move. I scoot out the booth allowing her out.
"Hey, I have to go! My mother needs me home." She turned to me. "I'm not going to be able to drop you at home Nico. I'm only going to be able to drop off Azula." Kally reached into her coat. "Here let me pay for a bus -" "I'll take him home," Dustin cut in.
Kally nodded, "Thank you, Dustin!"
Azula got up from the booth, grabbing her bow and arrows underneath the table. Both head towards the door.
"See you guys another time! Let's hang out more after work!," Kally shouted.
They left the diner leaving us "demons" alone.
Dustin and I glanced at each other for a brief moment. He opened his mouth to speak, but closed it instead. He looks around suspiciously. I guess whatever he needs to say can't be said here. I stretch out my arms, before fixing my clothes. That burger and fries had filled me up. I know Branden is going to be angry. I ate out instead of eating dinner at home. But, I wanted to eat with my friends for a change.
Dustin got up from his booth, walking towards the door. I follow after him. Entering the dead end road of Walt street, the area had a few citizens walking and talking.
One of the bully girls passed by us, then stopped and came right at me. She was dressed in a gray coat, dark pants, and boots. She wore a scowl upon her face, while she stared right at me! I gulped.
"Excuse me, Dustin, but why are you with this boy?," she asked.
"Bonjour Isabella. This is Nico. I'm just taking him home," he answered.
Isabella bented closer to me, giving a death glare. "Nico, huh? It's a pleasure to finally meet you. You're his new lover, right?"
I shiver at her tone. She had a dark look in her eyes and completely used her height to tower me. "N-No, we're just friends!"
Moving away from me, she crossed her arms. "Oh, reealllly! Are you sure? I mean no one would lend someone their coat without some kind of meaning. Friends, sure… but there's something else besides that going on. He'd never be that happy while on the job unless you meant something to him. So, what are you? His little toy? His friends with benefits? Or is he just using you for sex?"
Dustin pulled me behind him with something - a tail! Standing behind him with his around my waist, I looked up spotting two curved horns within his hair. Suddenly a thick, red aura came off of him.
"We're just friends, Isabella. Nothing more, nothing less. Let it go," Dustin growled. "Back off already!"
"You dare show your demon form in front of your elder," she crackled. "What reckless courage you have!"
Elder? She's a demon too? But, I can't sense her heart like his?
"It's hard to respect an elder if you're disrespecting me."
"Y-Yeah!," I agreed.
She shot me a look, causing me to hide more behind him.
"Hmph. Whatever. He's important to you…. All I needed to know.. See you at work, whore," She said, cackling once more as she walked away.
I huffed. What the hell is with her!
Quickly, Dustin's tail and horns began to vanish. He turned back grabbing my hand, pulling me forward. I guess he wanted to get away from her. She's his co-worker. The day I was there she must've been off I guess. A demon elder… she must've existed longer than he has, but still looked just like a teenager.
Staring at Dustin, I wondered about the words and what she'd called him. I'd heard the term before from Phoenix and Meredith once. They'd been talking about some manga Meredith used to read in her teen years. But, I hadn't heard about it much since then.
"Dustin, did you -" "Yeah, I slept around. That's what you were about to ask, right?," He interrupted, letting go of my hand.
He stopped dead in his tracks, causing me to stop too. I became very quiet. He must've done it before. How many times had he told someone about this? In a way, I didn't want to know and did at the same time. But, I kept quiet as I saw his aura became blue.
"It's okay. I'm used to people calling me whore. It's not the worse I've been called or the last time they'll call me it," he told me. Turning around, his eyes were misted with tears. "But, fucking I hate that I can't just be friends with someone without other's thinking that I'm using them to make money!" He paused, wiping his tears away. "Sorry to rant. It's just when I tell others about my past… they begin treating me differently."
"So, you're being bullied by Isabella too?," I asked.
"Her and her posse love drama and gossip. Them bitches are annoying," he grumbled, wiping another tear.
Going over to him, I gave him a hug. "Agreed. But, don't let them keep you down. You're living on your own. That's a good thing. You're working a part-time job as a Starbucks waiter and have a job as a Starlight protector. You're doing great without sleeping around right."
"Yeah… Yeah, I am," he said. "I've been doing my best to stay away from it. I promised my little brother, Ivan, that I'd try to work other jobs."
Letting go, I tilt my head. "You have a family? What are they like? Are they demons too!"
"No, not demons. Vampires," he answered.
"Wait - they are the vampires you mentioned last time. WAIT! You're telling me YOU were adopted by vampires!"
"Yeah, I was. Vampires are natural users of darkness. When I was fresh out of the Realm of Darkness, they took me in and raised me, taught me how to understand darkness and how to fulfill my hunger. In exchange I'd give them my blood. It's also why I bit your neck the other day since I used to copy them. More of a habit now, but my siblings, Ivan and Noel along with our parents were so proud of me back then." He laughed.
The way he reminisced about his past. Part of me felt envious -
His laughter stopped as his aura faded. His expression became serious. "That girl Isabella is an older demon. She is the only demon I know who can mask her presence and pass as a human. Don't worry I doubt she knows the truth about you. Still that bitch has a habit of poking her nose in other people's lives. Be careful around her."
I nodded my head. "If she's an elder, then how long has Bell been a demon?"
(He gave a deadpan look. "Bell? You gave her a nickname," Dustin said.)
("I try to give everyone a nickname.")
He hummed, "Lets see… My kind can exist for a century. Isabella is nearly halfway, while I'm nowhere near her age. Elder demons are rare, which is why Isabella takes it upon herself to make other demons here fear her or join her crew. It's just another reason Kida hates my kind and fears an uprising."
Beginning to walk again, I wondered about it. I'd run across a few demons here, but none of them were as threatening as Bell. A demon like her could she -
"Do you think Isabella and her gang could be working with Jade Mafia?," I wondered out loud.
"Who knows," he shrugged. "Hey, now that I think about it, is your darkside hungry?"
"Umm well… not at the moment. Thanks to Merry's job, she has been able to bring home blood packs. I drink half a cup every morning. It's not greatly satisfying as a pint, but it tames the urge. From what I've noticed my hunger only grows when I use darkness. As long as I don't overuse it, then I won't attack anyone."
I avert my eyes. I should tell him about Riku, but… I've had enough lectures from Kida and Barret.
Dustin tugged my antenna, gently. "Usage equals hunger. Yep, you're a Heartless alright," he snickered.
"Hey! Don't say that outloud," I said, looking around us. There wasn't anyone near us (luckily).
"I know." He stopped, taking something out his pocket."Remember what I told you last time in the training room."
I nodded my head. Of course, I remembered. How could I forget!
~ A week ago… ~
Within the training room, Dustin and I sat across from each other. Holding up his hand, Dustin summoned a dagger. The dagger had a zigzagged blade with a gold hilt. I tilted my head as I tried to understand what he was about to do. Cutting into his right arm, blood began to seep out. I gasped, yet soon fell into a daze as a sweet aroma filled my nose. Crawling closer to him, the smell grew stronger. It smelled just like a heart! My hands began to turn into claws, I nailed them to the ground to keep from attacking.
"You have the same reaction as vampires. Guess it's to be expected since you're so hungry. Go ahead and drink up." I stared at him, worriedly and starving. He shook his head. "Don't worry about me."
After drinking his blood, I felt better and calmer. Looking at his arm, I watched as the cut and bite mark began to lessen in blood. The marks were still there, but the blood wasn't seeping out anymore.
I awed, "Why aren't you bleeding anymore?"
"It's a demon's recovery. Whenever I'm bleeding, my body stops my blood flow for a bit so I don't bleed out." He took a deep breath. "But, I'm kinda out of it… you took more than a teaspoon."
"Are you going to be okay?"
"Yeah. This is nothing… I once fed two vampires in a row and could still walk afterwards." He bragged. With a weak laugh, he laid upon his back. "Still I haven't done it in a while, so I'm a little dizzy."
"You should have pushed me off if I was taking too much."
"Nico, I don't mind giving you a meal. As long as you're getting full, then it doesn't matter how much you take. It's okay."
I shook my head, "It's not okay! It's never okay to hurt people who I consider a friend."
Slowly, he begins to sit back up, trembling a bit. "But, as your friend… I'll do whatever it takes to keep you from attacking others. So, until you learn how to control your hunger or satisfy it another way, I'll be your blood bank."
~ Present Day ~
"Catch!" He flips something my way, causing me to leap up and catch it.
Looking down into my hands, a pin rested in my palms. It was a black pin with gold around the rim and an engraving of a golden hellhound.
"A summoning pin! Why did you give me this?," I asked, meeting his eyes.
He smiled. "Whenever you need me for blood or help in battle, I'll drop everything and come to your side. Even if you need someone to talk to. I'm there at the drop of a hat!"
"Really?"
"Yeah, friends look out for each other. Besides us "demons" need to stick together." He winked.
"Y-Yeah," I smiled.
"Come on, let's get you home a little bit faster. Ready to teleport?" He grabbed my hand. "Ready to teleport?"
"Huh? Not really."
"Well, it's nothing like a corridor of darkness, so you might want to hold on tight."
Within seconds, we poofed from existence and then existed somewhere else. It wasn't like a corridor of darkness, instead it was just like we'd jumped up, entered a green and gray corridor, then jumped down. Swaying a little bit, I beamed with excitement.
"That was so cool! Can we do that again!," I exclaimed. "This time let's travel all the way to the harbor!"
Dustin laughed. "Maybe next time. I've got to get home besides I think someone is waiting on you." He nodded his head toward the window. I peered over looking at a fox and a cat staring out towards me.
"Yeah, I see."
He lifts my hand, kissing the top. "I'll see you next time, mon amour."
Heading towards the house, I opened the door to find Phoenix in human form and Sapphire in her big form. My eyes widened, confused. Phoenix pulled something from his back pocket, giving it to me. It was a black letter with a red stamp.
"I don't know who dropped this off, yet someone broke into the house to leave it. They must've really not wanted anyone to steal it," the vulpine told me.
Opening the letter, I found a white letter written in black ink -
"Hello Nico, if you are reading then yes, I did break into your house. Sorry for the invasion, however, there's been a change in plans. I need you to come to Castle Oblivion. Sincerely, Riku," I read to him.
"Riku? He's the guy who knew you were a shadow right?," He said, annoyed.
"Yeah, but… I didn't tell him where I lived."
Phoenix face palmed. "Great, you have a stalker," he grumbled. "Why does he want to meet with you? What's this Castle Oblivion place?"
"Castle Oblivion is an organization base, I've been there before." Heading into the living room, the animals trailed after me. "I'm supposed to meet him tomorrow."
"Nico, Do you trust Riku? Do you think he will try to harm you or anything?," Phoenix asked.
Sitting upon the couch, I sigh. "Riku doesn't seem like he hates me. I don't quite understand it, maybe if I had my memories I'd make more sense. But, I'm trusting my heart right now, and it says, "Trust him." He might have attacked me once, but he's already apologized last time. I have to believe he's not out to get me. Actually I just think he's just very... sad."
"I don't think sad people break into someone's home!," Phoenix yelled.
"Okay, maybe sad isn't all he is, but when I looked into his eyes the other day. I saw someone who's been in my shoes. We both served Jade Mafia… in a way I feel a stronger connection to him. This is everything my heart is me," I say, laying the letter on the coffee table.
"Do what you must, but once you begin traveling again try to keep to darker places. You're stable now, but it's better to be safe than sorry. And, what out for Organization 13 please. We don't know where those Nobodies are up to. They could be working for Jade Mafia or aiming for something else. Either way both groups are equally using Heartless. It'd be bad if they found out about H.R.P, okay. "
I nod, "I won't tell."
The vulpine smiled, before leaving the room heading towards the stairs. Meanwhile, Sapphire jumps upon the couch and pillows, climbing to the top. She licks my face, causing me to laugh. Leaping from the top, she lands upon my lap and curls up. I begin to pet her. I sighed looking at the letter. Going back to Castle Oblivion…
The place where Namine was. Where Riku was last - What happened there in the time I wasn't with him? He knows and is working with Namine… He also seems to know Sora? Who even is Sora?
Sora… what caused me to forget you?
Pulling my journal and pen from my coat, I opened it to a blank page.
Entry 244
Ever since my journey began, I lacked any memories of my past. In turn, I didn't understand a whole lot about emotions or why people did anything. Due to my lack of memory, the only way I could react was by expressing anger, fear, and pity. These were all I felt until I met Ash and began to adventure around with others who held different emotions.
But, now my friends are far away on their own mission to take down Jade Mafia, while I'm my own. I feel way more emotional than I did in the past. But, I still lack memories…
Hearing Dustin, Kally, and Azula talk about their past made me feel envious of them. They can remember everything about childhood, their past struggles, and pains - yet when it comes to me. My Heartless memories are all I fully remember, while my human side is still coming back.
I was scared of gaining my memories back, yet not anymore. With my memories coming back now, I want to know everything. It's as my human self said, I can't be afraid of the truth. I can only accept it.
~ The Next Day ~
Last time, I stood with Team Shade staring at this ominous castle.
Now, I stood here alone.
I didn't know long ago that Castle Oblivion belonged to Organization XIII, yet knowing it now… Could Cross know of this place as well? Did she come here long ago, but knowing it belongs to the organization… it makes me wonder if Cross had infiltrated this place as well.
"You came!," a girl's voice shouted, breaking me from throught.
I looked around, confused at where the voice had come from. Then, a corridor of darkness appeared as Riku and Namine stopped out from it. Both wore an organization's coat, yet Namine's was unzipped revealing a white dress and silver sandals underneath. Last time I'd seen Namine she was asleep in her bedroom. Now, her eyelids were open wide with her blue eyes on me!
Namine gave a small smile. But, the smile didn't reach her eyes. I'd felt her last time. She was a Nobody. She couldn't exactly feel any emotions just like Roxas, Axel, and Zexion. I frowned. My powers can't read her… which means I won't know if she's lying or hiding something. How can I trust her if I can't read her emotions or darkness?
"Nicholas? It's really you," she breathed, rushing to me.
Circling around me, Namine started to poke me in my side. I turned around, yet soon felt a tap on my shoulder, causing me to jump. By the time, I'd turned my head, she wasn't there anymore. A laugh caused me to look forward, seeing the Nobody right in front of me laughing.
"Sorry, I just needed to make sure you were real," she told me. "It's hard to tell since you look so different from your other self. Oh - Sorry I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Namine by the way."
Riku chuckled, coming over to us. "He already knows your name already, Namine. Also, what's gotten into you all of a sudden? You're acting a lot more chipper."
"Of course, he knows my name… I'm just..." She bowed her head, starting to play with her hands. "This is my first time meeting someone who is fully connected to Sora. I don't know how to act. So, I chose to act excited. Iis that so bad?"
"No, not at all. I was just taken back," he said. "To be fair it's kinda off putting."
"No, it's not! Right?," she shouted, glancing at me.
"Well… it kinda is. I mean you're acting the emotion, but it doesn't hold any true emotion. It is rather off putting," I answered. She gasped. "You're like a computer -" She winced. "Or phone!"
Drawing up her hood, Namine began to walk away. "Boys are mean," she murmured, opening a corridor of darkness.
Riku and I yelped. "WAIT! Come back!" "WE'RE SORRY!"
~ And, Then ~
Within the castle halls, Riku walked ahead while Namine and I were side by side. She'd pulled her hood back down, and appeared to be calmed down. She wasn't trying to leave so that was a good thing. Still seeing her blank expression felt odd to me since I'd grown so used to seeing people with so kind of emotion.
Nobodies are interesting. They can't feel anything, just act the emotions out by memories. Roku had explained this back during my time in The World That Never Was. But, actually interacting with a Nobody made me feel saddened that Namine and the others couldn't feel joy, anger, or anything. But, Roxas showed these emotions, but it almost reached his eyes. Of course, he had a heart unlike the others, but he still didn't admit any aura. Strange… Nobodies are just strange.
"Nico, are you familiar with Organization XIII?," Riku asked.
"Very familiar… I've ran into to them a lot after the Door to Kingdom Hearts closed," I answered.
"Have you run into a boy and girl wielding keyblades by chance?," he asked, looking back at me.
I stopped in my tracks. Memories of Xion's attack echoed in my mind. Bowing my head, I begin to play with my ring. "Y-Yeah… I know both of them. Roxas is someone I've seen around Twilight Town a lot. Xion… she killed my friend, Ashley."
Their footsteps stopped.
"The other shadow in the scarf," Namine asked.
"Yeah. How'd you know?"
"I saw her within Sora's memories. She used magic to protect him."
I raise my head, giving a nod. "Yeah, she did… I think. Memories still blurry."
Namine averted her eyes looking off to the side. "I know."
Riku touched her shoulder, before looking at me. "Roxas and Xion have Sora's keyblade and by proxy are connected to him. I don't know exactly how Xion gained that power, because she is a puppet of the organization. It's bad news. She hasn't done much, but I fear she might be a problem later on. Both of them hold a part of Sora's memories. However, Roxas, another person, and you are the only ones fully connected to Sora by heart."
"How am I fully connected to him? Are we siblings? Cousins?," I asked.
He began to rub his chin, as he crossed his other arm. "It's hard to really say. Sora's parents don't really talk about their family. Sora doesn't have any other family besides his parents. It's hard to pin down a true connection to you two," the swordsman answered.
"He's right… You two have a true connection," Namine agreed. "It's not created or linked like Roxas and the others. No, you two's hearts are bound by something greater. I just don't know what."
Bound by something greater? What could that be?
Upon reaching the last floor, we sighed in relief. There were too many halls and doors in this place, and the fact that we hit a few dead ends didn't help much. Still here we were upon the top floor, which meant we were almost there. Wherever there was?
Catching up to Riku, I began to walk next to him. I didn't know if he knew I was there or not. It was kinda hard to tell if he could even see me in that thing. But, he must've known I was there since he turned my direction.
"Riku… why do you wear that blindfold? You can see perfectly fine, right?," I asked.
"I can, but… I'm wearing this so I can understand darkness better. If I can't see, then my senses are increased more than with sight. I want to control my darkness better, so I'm trying this out," he explained.
Control darkness… He's trying to control it. Just like me!
"Well, if you need help my mentor, Meredith can always help you. She's a little mean and self-centered at first, but she is kinda sweet. I could introduce you to her if you'd like."
"Nah, I'm good."
Coming to a faded blue door, Riku hit a button causing it to open. He allowed Namine and I to enter first as he followed from behind. The new room was a blue-ish white with lights running across the floor. Five pods that looked like flower buds stood in a row. Walking past two, I saw a duck and dog within them. They seemed to be sleeping inside. Entering through another door, it was a huge space with a giant flower pod in the middle. As we came closer, I began to see more inside the flower. There floating inside was a spiky haired boy, asleep -
Quickly, my head and heart began to ache. His darkness smelled so familiar to that shadow I'd met in Hollow Bastion. This was him in human form. I couldn't believe it. Stepping closer, I began to approach him unable to stop myself. Each step brought a sound - voices and images echoed within my mind.
One image held younger versions of Riku, Kairi, and Sora. Riku had his hair tired in a ponytail. He wore a yellow dragon shirt, blue shorts, and was barefoot. Kairi's hair was longer to her shoulders. She wore a long, pink dress with white flowers and a necklace, and brown sandals. Sora's hair wasn't as long. He wore a white Ponyo shirt, red shorts, and was barefoot as well.
Sora smiled raising his hand, "I'm Sora!"
"Hey Sora! Nice to meet you!"
The next image - No, memory came to my mind. It was nightfall, and it wasn't on the island I'd been on before. Instead it held houses and many other people. Sora was looking at me, sadly.
"Where are you going, Nico? Will I ever get to see you again?"
"Sure, I'll be sure to come back and visit. Next time I'll bring all my friends so you can meet them! Okay!"
The last memory was of Sora and I, as shadows in Hollow Bastion.
"Sora, one day… Let's be friends instead of enemies, okay."
"Friends… Nico...Pro...mise."
Touching the pod with my head, I take a heavy breath. Moments flooded my mind as a few of my memories began to unblur. A smiling boy with spiky hair trying to find his friends came to mind. His joy, his sorrow, his sacrifice, all came rushing back to me in a heartbeat. The person who I began my journey - I could fully remember him now.
"S...So...Sora," I stammered. I close my eyes, grinning. "I remember… now."
"It seems being near Sora has a huge effect on you as expected," Namine said.
Stepping away, I felt this warmness I'd never felt before. Turning around, I looked to Riku and Namine. "While I was away, what happened to Sora? Why did he end up like this?"
"Two months ago, Sora, Donald, and Goofy entered this castle where we came in, while I arrived in the basement levels," the swordsman started. "Sora was lured here by Marluxia into a trap to turn him into Organization 13's puppet. He used Namine's powers to keep Sora going to the top floors, while Axel, Larxene, Vexen, and even a replica of myself whittled him down."
I raised a brow, "A replica Riku?"
Going over to Namine, he gave her a head pat. "While Sora was way ahead, I began to climb the castle. I encountered Vexen, and he used my data and DNA to produce a replica of me. He's gone or rather he has fallen into darkness after our last fight. I doubt he'll return any time soon." he explained.
"Sora and Riku finished their climb to the top of the castle making a choice with me," Namine added. I looked towards her. "I asked Sora if he wanted his memories I'd messed with to be turned back to normal, he answered, "Yes" and I placed Donald, Goofy, and him into pods to sleep so I could fix them. When this happened, I had to undo all of Sora's memories - it affected everyone connected to him, yet you and his nobody, Roxas, have a stronger tie to him. When I did it, you both blacked out and any memories you had were temporarily gone."
I yelped. "That was you!"
She nodded. "When I began to reorder Sora's memories of childhood, some memories of his might have reached you two as well. You might've just mistaken them for dreams. Now that I've gotten further that shouldn't happen anymore. But, it proves that your connection to him is strong even as a Heartless."
"I'm… well I'm actually a Hybrid. Half-Heartless and half-human. That's why I have a heart now," I explained. Maybe, I shouldn't have told them, but it would explain my current form more clearly. Sorry Phoenix!
"A Hybrid? How did you become this way anyways?," Riku asked.
I rub the back of my head, causing my anntatnes to wince. "It's a long, complex story."
"Well, I'd like to hear it," he smiled. Namine nugged him. His smile faded, shaking his head. "Another time perhaps."
"Human, Heartless, or Hybrid the connection still stands. Though I don't know why you two have a strong tie, I do know you and him have an unbreakable connection." She comes over taking my hand in hers. "Just like Sora, I asked Riku if he'd like me to seal his memories of darkness away, and thus he answered, "No". This leads me to my question to you, Nico. Do you want me to unchain the rest of your memories?"
"You can do that?"
"I can have the power to affect memories of those who align with Sora. From family members, friends, and acquaintances, I can use my powers upon their memories. However, in order to fix your chain of memories, you'd have to be awake for the process. Unlike Sora, Donald, and Goofy's restoration, your memories aren't as tangled anymore, so I could pick at the chains to unravel them, but I don't know the pain level you'll experience. I've never done it before with someone awake."
"I see… Your power is similar to Roberta Cross. She has the power to lock memories away. She used her powers to hide some of my Heartless origins away from me."
Namine's jaw dropped. By her reaction, she knew about Cross. Beginning to move closer to me, she touched my chest with her hand. "I knew I felt traces of her power… but I didn't know why. It's gone now, did she dispel it -" "I got rid of it myself," I interrupted.
"Humm… You must've said her sealing word. That's the only way you would've been able to break her curse," she explained. Taking her hand away, she sighed deeply. "To think that Cross used to be a Guardian of Darkness…"
"I'm lost… What are you two talking about? Who is Cross?," Riku asked.
"Roberta Cross was a part of a group of powerful Heartless known as the Guardians of Darkness. The guardians are known as the rulers of darkness and protector of light, they govern the balance and anyone who breaks that balance is placed on trial. The best way to put it, they are the judges of vice. Anyone who breaks the balance has to be judged for their crimes against the realms. The thing is no one is meant to know about them as they work in secret, but once Jade Mafia began to terrorize everyone the guardians have forsaken secrecy to stop her."
"Not all of them. Tanuki, the Keeper of Knowledge is still in secret. I ran into her a while back, but she hasn't tried to reveal herself to me at all," I answered.
"Some guardians still keep to the shadows. Bennu and Nevermore have always been like that; that's why so many fear them since no one has seen them. I guess in a way it's easy to fear someone you've heard rumors about. But, from what Cross told me… Nevermore is quite caring and like a mother, which is why she was so easy to backstab her."
My eyes widened. "Huh? Wait you've actually met Cross! How!"
"After her fight with Nevermore, she came here since this place cloaks dark traces just like Betwixt and Between. She'd just stolen Nevermore's power - Creation and Destruction, and was wounded deeply. Of course, I'd just come into existence not long ago, so I didn't know who she was. But, I did my best to help her recover. Over the next three days, she explained to me everything that's been going on. She told me about Jade Mafia's true goal and how a new era would begin once the Door to Vice was opened," the nobody explained. "Those three days was the only time I'd had a friend. Funny enough, she's the one who named me - Namine."
"That's where you got your name. I just figured Marluxia or Vexen named you," Riku wondered.
She shook her head, "No, she named me. Those three days were the only time I ever saw her. When Cross left, she sealed away my memories, but left the one with my name. Of course, we didn't know about my powers long ago, but now I was able to reverse her curse since my powers can create, seal, and revive memories. I can also do this!"
Suddenly two chains appeared from above her, causing me to jump. The chains linked together, allowing Namine to sit down upon them. She began to swing back and forth, giggling. I moved aside watching her, agasp.
"Chains? Does everyone with memory powers be able to do this!," I shouted.
"Chains are a part of memories. We call on them to aid us, at least that's what I learned a few days ago. I really wish I'd learned about it when I was being terrorized by Marluxia and Larxene…." The swing slowed down as Namine's feet slid to a halt. "Then maybe Sora and his friends wouldn't be like this." She bowed her head. "This is all my fault, so I need to make it right. That's why I need to strengthen your connection to Sora."
"Then, let's bring him back, Namine," I said. The nobody looks up meeting my eyes. "The best way to fix your actions is to correct them. Also, I'd like to remember more about my past beyond my childhood, can you undo one then if it's not as painful then we can undo more?"
She nodded, getting off of the swing. It vanished as she sat down upon her knees. "Lay down on the floor and relax."
I laid upon the ground, relaying my head upon the cold floor. Riku sat on the other side of me, as Namine stared down at me. She gave a semi-reassuring look, before placing her hand over me. Suddenly a pain hit my chest, as my body began to wince. Under the pain, I grunted and groaned. This pain wasn't as intense as the entanglement of my Heartless memories, however, it still felt like part of my body was being tortured.
"Fight through the pain! I'm almost done!," Namine shouted. "GOT IT!"
Her words were the last thing I heard.
As a bright light invaded my mind.
(5 years ago…)
Within a lounge where the floor was glass tiles with fishes swimming below and jazz played from the jukebox, a blond haired Nico sat upon a white couch facing a platinum blond-haired guy who sat in a matching couch across from him.
The guy wore a baggy white shirt, gray jeans, and shoes. Instead of looking at Nico, his full attention was upon his flip phone. What was he doing? By the quick motions pressing the numbers, was he texting someone? Either way Nico didn't care. In fact, by now he just wanted to leave this world. Never to return here again.
Looking down at his hands, Nico stared relieved that the numbers were gone. He sighed.
"Congrats on completing the seventh day, Rider."
"Thanks." Nico says, looking up at him. "Why did you call me here? What do you want from me? I've survived ALL 7 days. Let me leave this cursed world already, Kiryu!"
"Calm down," the guy said, snapping his flip phone shut. He moved his hair back, giving a huff. "Also, call me Joshua. You earned that right since you won the Reaper's Game."
"What about him? What's going to happen to my partner?"
"He will either repeat the game or become a reaper. You should be grateful your partner was selfless, if not you'd be playing again as well since I have a feeling you'd refuse to become a reaper. You choose a good partner."
Nico took a deep breath trying to keep calm. "Becoming a demon isn't why I would refuse it. Being a part of this cruel and twisted game is the issue!"
"Ah! There it is!" Joshua said, nonchalantly. "Rider, do you really think this game is evil?"
"YES! They just wanted to live again, how can you erase them… they were -" His eyes looked down, before glaring back at Joshua with fierce eyes. "They were my friends! How is the Reaper's game NOT evil, Joshua!"
Getting up, Joshua merely laughed coming over to him. He plopped into Nico's lap wrapping his arms around his head. Nico tried to push him off, but the boy weighed a ton. "You keys always view this game as evil, unlawful, and cruel, however, the higher plain view this game as rewriting a wrong. I'm only the Composer, I am not the one who orchestrated this whole thing. Nah, that was done by people before me." He sighed, giving a frown. "Not everything is good or evil, Rider. This game was never to cause chaos, it was to give people another chance. If you really wanted to live again, to go back to the land of the living, then you'd fight harder than anyone to reach Day 7."
Nico remained silent.
"Everyone has a destiny, Rider. But, not everyone can achieve that destiny. Here we give people another chance to reach their destiny, not to die quite yet. What's crueler is the people who deny a second chance at all? Don't you think so?"
Their eyes met, causing Nico to give in.
"Everyone needs a second chance… but I don't believe this is the right way to give it. Destiny shouldn't be a prize at the end of a game," he answered.
Getting up from his lap, Joshua walked away shaking his head. "Keyblade wielders are always so naive, while the masters understand it." The composer whirled around crossing his arms. "You're still too inexperienced and naive to understand the importance of this game. If this is what the next Minerva wielder is like, then light is destined to fade."
"The light will not fade! I'm not letting it fade! I'll stop whoever threatens the worlds! I'll do whatever it takes to -" "Yeah yeah, do whatever it takes and more. But remember that one day you'll have to understand that light and darkness' fates will forever interteen with yours. One wrong move and it's game over."
Nico leaped to his feet, confused. "What do you mean?"
A wide, mischievous smile appeared across Joshua's face. "I'm afraid you'll have to learn that on your own."
Suddenly silver-white wings appeared upon his back, causing Nico to gasp. Joshua chuckled, before turning into a small orb of light heading away. "Goodbye Rider."
(Memory End)
Opening my eyes, I stared into green ones in front of me. My human self smiled at me. Looking around, I found myself back at the station with my memories floating around the outskirts. I opened my mouth, yet my other self put his finger to his lip. I stayed silent.
"The chain was untangled, but it wasn't from the beginning. Nevertheless, I remember this person… or at least his smell. Such a prideful person with strange intentions... I don't recall him well, but we didn't like him." He gave an annoyed look, before shaking his head. "If this keeps up more of our memories will come back, allowing us to recall everything. Please keep it up, shadow."
I nodded my head.
Everything began to fade as I closed my eyes once more and opened them again. This time I was staring upwards at Riku and Namine, who watched me intensely. Riku had pulled his blindfold back allowing one of his eyes to be revealed, while Namine wore a gasp. Sitting up, I took a deep breath.
"Nico… thank goodness. You blacked out for ten minutes. Are you okay? Did you remember anything?," Riku asked.
"Yeah, I'm good," I answered. "I remembered something and someone, but nothing about Sora or my connection to him."
"That's okay. You remembered something… that's all that matters," Namine said. "What was the memory about?"
"It was just a conversion I'd had with an angel… something about the Reaper's game," I explained. "Ring any bells?"
Namine and Riku shook their heads.
"No, I'm afraid not," Riku said.
Joshua… Reaper's game. Whatever I remembered is not helpful at all.
Getting to their feet, both of them reached out their hand to me. Taking their hand, they pulled me off the ground.
I give a low hum. "Looks like I've got to find out that memory myself. Namine, I want to keep going, but I think that was enough pain for today. I need to get home, so I can get to work."
The nobody nodded. "I knew this process would be painful, so I understand holding off. It's not going to be easy and it'll take fifty more sessions at this rate to untangle them all," Namine explained.
"That much!" Riku and I shouted.
She giggled. "The chains of memories within you have been shackled for a long time since you were a Heartless. They're unraveling, yes, but at a snail's pace. The rate it's going without my help, you won't recall your memories for two years. I can untangle a few more and let it continue if you can't handle the pain or I can undo them all. The choice is yours."
"I understand," I said.
"Come on, we need to leave before organization 13 catches wind that we're here," Riku said, opening a corridor of darkness.
"Right," she says.
They begin to leave -
"Wait Namine!," I called, rushing to them.
She turned around, "Huh?"
"Thank you. I'll think it over," I smiled. "ALSO, RIKU!" He jumped. "No more breaking into my home! No more stalking me either!"
"S-Sorry about that," he said, sheepily.
"If you two need to talk to me, please just come over to me like normal people. I understand not wanting to draw too much attention, please I've been there, but could you not stalk or anymore breaking and entering. Okay!," I told them.
"We promise we won't!," Riku nodded.
"Friends?," I wondered.
Namine froze a moment, before a smile crossed her face. She nodded, before giving me a hug. "Friends!"
In that moment, I felt a febal, warm and inviting aura. It was happiness, but it wasn't coming from Riku or me. My mouth became agape within her embrace. I began to sense emotion from a being who lacked a heart. Somehow, Namine was giving off a faint emotion, even if I couldn't see it I could feel it.
A Nobody with emotions.
A Heartless with a heart.
I smiled ear to ear. My antennes moving around happily. She was happy, so I was happy.
This wasn't an act. This was Namine's first real emotion.
= Chapter End =
Me: Namine is a character I really wish we got to interacting with more in this series. Whether in the game or manga, she isn't really flushed out like Xion or Kairi. So, I decided to add more personality to her or at least have her faking it.
Tifa: She isn't that great an actress unlike other Nobodies.
Me: Yeah, she is a bit off in her emotions. Namine is using Kairi, Riku, and Sora's emotions from their memories to make up her own acting. Her excited emotion is from Sora, shocked and worried is from Kairi, and her brooding is from Riku.
Tifa: (giggles) Are you sure she gets her brooding from Riku? Maybe, she gets it from Cloud
Cloud: Not funny!
Me: (chuckles) Sadly no. Moving onto our next topic and the main reason for the warnings today!
Dustin used to have sex for money. I debated on adding this since I know a lot of people either don't agree with this, however, this is vital to his character and I felt like not adding it would make him feel incomplete. One thing out of the other, Dustin is older than he looks. Also, I do not support underage prostitution!
A little fun fact about Chapter 45 - part of the lyrics in "Love Me Less" by MAX (feat. Quinn XCII) I cut out actually depicts Dustin's life and fear.
There are a lot of things I'd love to ramble on about when it comes to Dustin. He is one of my favorite characters to write next to Nico and Ashley.
Tifa: You're not supposed to pick favorite characters y'know
Me: I know, but out of 50 characters of the main, supporting, and minor cast. I'm going to have a few favorites.
Cloud: Then who's your absolute favorite character?
Me: The fallen angel. I loved writing her in Chapter 48, and she's an all around joy. But, due to spoilers, I won't be saying too much about her.
Speaking of angels, I finally got to introduce a character I love/hate. Yoshiya Kiryu aka Joshua is from The World Ends with You. He is the Composer of the Reaper's Game. This version of him is a bit different from his counterpart in TWEWY and DDD, since I blended both sides of him together.
Tifa: The room Nico and Joshua were in is the Dead God's Pad.
Me: Well that should be it on all we have to explain. So -
(Suddenly a large gift pops upon my desk)
Me: Hmm… A gift?
(Cloud reads the tag)
Cloud: Says it's a present from Yuna, Rikuu, and Paine. Should I open it?
Me: (nod) Yeah
(Sitting the box on the ground, Cloud opens the box.. Tifa and I gasp seeing a small green figure)
Cloud: ITS -
Me: A THORNBERRY!
(As I said it's name, it came at me! I ducked under my desk. Quickly summoning my keyblade. Tifa dodges the Thornberry just in time)
Tifa: Why did they send that thing!
Me: No clue! Guard up! We're in for a long battle!