A portal opens outside out in the outer circle of the city. The moment the portal has disappeared, the hooded walks inside a decent-looking house— at least one that shows signs of having gone through repairs. The hooded stops at seeing the living room are filled with memory drawings. Not a surprise, what is, is that Naminé is not working on any drawings this time around. Instead, he can hear: "Alright, now stir it slowly. Let the water settle" from the kitchen. The hooded and walks over there.
Inside that room, he finds both Naminé, stirring a caldron, and Ienzo, who is watching her and being the one he heard.
Not even turning away from watching over Naminé, Ienzo remarks deadpan, "Of course you only turn up when the crisis has been solved." Naminé turns away from her little task of trying to brew… whatever it is, she gives him a smile, which he weakly returns.
Ienzo's remark is warranted, but he doubts the people of Hollow Bastion would allow him to help them out, given the face he currently wears… but to his defense, "I knew you guys could handle it, besides, didn't Sora give you a hand?" Ienzo gives him an unamused look and he really has to restrain himself for not rolling his eyes. Instead, he asks. "How are things going?"
"Well, other than have been dealing with our share of problems from the Organization and a rampaging computer." Ienzo grabs some herbs and throws them into the cauldron. Naminé returns back to her potion brewing. "I say we're doing well. Sora, his friends and King Mickey have been a great aid." Ienzo replies in such a manner that it was like he spoke about a school drama. A moment of silence and the spell caster of this trio. "Sora is still searching for you, and something tells me he won't give up before he does."
"No, he won't" Naminé replies before the hooded can, she has been following Sora's second journey through her powers and knows: "He wants to return home with you at his side."
The hooded nods slowly, he is very aware of this. Sora can be ridiculously stubborn when he wants to, but he can't make himself face Sora when looking like Ansem— oh, speaking of which. "Ienzo, during one of our talks, you mentioned a ruler of this world."
"Yes, Ansem the wise." Ienzo blinks, not sure why Riku is suddenly so interested in their former ruler, "But he's not the one you're unfortunately is stuck as. That man was known—"
"I know, but I am talking about your ruler." He gently interrupts Ienzo before he gets started on these long but often very insightful speeches he sometimes gets into. "I think he's the man I have been working with this past year." Eyeing the blond girl, "The one who "took care" of Naminé."
Ienzo's eyes wide in shock and understandable the young man exclaim: "Diz is Ansem the wise?!" Then demands the still hooded Riku, "Why haven't you said anything before now?" If he had known this Diz was the former ruler of this world, then he wouldn't have worked so hard to avoid the mansion!
"I have just made the connection. Ansem has been calling himself Diz in the time I have known him, and it's only when I found this:" He hands Ienzo a piece of paper that has been written by Diz, one that is a small window into the man's past life and on it is the names of the man's apprentices', one of them being Ienzo's name. "I realized Diz is the Ansem that once ruled this world."
Ienzo reads the small journal, gets quite emotional about it, and tries to hide it by covering his eyes. He does not judge his friend for having such a strong reaction, though. Ienzo has gotten better but is still dealing with having a heart again. The hooded waits patiently for the slightly older male to compose himself again and after Ienzo has taken a few deep breathes, "Thank you." He does not respond; there is really no need. "Where is Ansem now?"
Here he answers, "He's going to the Nobodies stronghold." According to his last journal, Ansem wants to finish his revenge on the people who betrayed him. Ienzo did mention it, but the hooded still find Ansem's actions a bit too harsh. More so now that he has gotten to know some of Ansem's apprentices better. Won't deny their actions were horrible, but they regret their actions, so honestly, there's no need for revenge.
That does reminds her, "Kairi is there too." both Riku and Ienzo turn to her in disbelief of what she has revealed. Naminé becomes quite nervous at the sudden spotlight. "She's unharmed. Saix had no wish in hurting her. Merely use Kairi as a lure for Sora." The reason why she didn't say anything before now.
"Well, this Saix sure knows how to pick his battles." The hooded remarks dryly, his body still ache from the last battle he had with that guy.
However, things have changed. Saix might not have any wish to hurt Kairi before, but after that last meeting… "Saix is affected by Xehanort's darkness. He is losing control." Ienzo explains the two others and gives Riku a look, figuring that his friends know more about that struggle than anyone. Bit hard to know what Riku is thinking, he refuses to drop the hood, but Ienzo knows why he keeps it up. "I don't know how long he can resist that darkness. Saix is not like you, Riku." and knowing how far Xehanort is willing to go for whatever scheme he's going. "Besides, if Xemnas ever learns about what Saix is doing. Then he won't hesitate for a second to use Kairi for his plans." He eyes Naminé; she is clearly worried about these facts. "You have to get her out from there this instant." But his words are aimed at his friend stuck in a very unfortunate situation.
He would but; "I don't know where she is located. That castle is enormous and filled with Nobodies." and only a fool would think he can fight past the lesser Nobodies on his own.
"I can guide you," Naminé suggests, having no wish in standing on the sideline anymore, besides; she is ready to return back to where she truly belongs. "With the connection I share with Kairi, I can bring you to her." Their hooded friend nods.
"Tthat's good and all, but you will still be walking in blind." Ienzo voices and, with a sharp gleam in his blue eyes, "Which means I am going with you." he removes his mother's caldron from the heating spot and walks over to fetch his satchel with his Arcanum spellbook.
"You sure?" the hooded asks the Nobody that replies in a manner that he is quite serious: "The moment I have informed the others about Ansem's whereabouts, I will meet up with you at the Sunset Terrace. Now go," their eyes meet. It becomes clear from that sharp gaze that Ienzo has taken a role of authority. The hooded is well aware that there's really no point to argue when he's like that. "We're wasting time." So he does, not going to bother trying to change Ienzo's mind; after all, that will only waste time. He turns to Naminé, who nods, and opening a portal, both he and the Nobody of Kairi head out.
Ienzo hurries back to the castle to give the others this news. Maybe it's Zexion in him showing, but having Sora and perhaps Aeleus and Even to join in this fight, well, should avert the Organization's attention from their little rescue mission.
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Swift leaps out from its own portal, landing right on top of a table and smacking a potted plant down to the floor. Shion jerks away from her small lunch in surprise, then sighs exasperated at the mess Swift made by coming in its bigger form. Putting her food aside, she grabs the shards of the destroyed pot. "You can't appear like that…" she scolds the friendly monster, but clearly Swift did not care about the mess it made, way more interested in shoving a folder full of papers into her face. Confused, Shion takes the folder and notices a note from Saix.
'A scientist named Even needs these in Hollow Bastion.'
Shion titles her head at this. "Since when have Saix become someone's delivery boy?" She asks Swift, but all she gets from that one is the creature reverting into its smaller form and starts messing with the spilled dirt. She removes Swift from the dirt, cleans it quickly and with the flower planted outside, Shion muses to her pet, "At least it gives me a chance to leave town for a while." Swift only gives her a cute head title, making her giggle.
Shion heads outside of town, and when sure no one is nearby, she takes off the necklace of a red stone held by silver lines and throws it into the air. Magic surrounds the necklace and it becomes the harpy eagle Keeper. The large bird bows down to her, and she climbs up. When sitting properly on its neck, the harpy eagle Keeper spreads its short but powerful wings and flies away from this world with a single kick to the ground. A faint glow surrounds the Keeper and Shion as they leave the world's protection and fly into the space of darkness between each world. Even though it is dangerous with the enemies roaming around, Shion still finds this place quite beautiful. By her command, the harpy eagle Keeper brings her to the world called Hollow Bastion. Shion is not sure if this place lives up to its name, for it looks to have been quite a beautiful place before some major disaster destroyed everything. She makes the Keeper land at the city's outskirts, and to her surprise, that place is not as abandoned as she had hoped.
A man with long middle hair, a single slash scar over the forehead, and wielding a sword with the handle as a gun is standing not far, ready for battle. "Who are you?" This man demands.
Her Keeper turns to the man and its past master's more aggressive nature stirs. Shion puts a hand onto its feathery neck, 'Let's not start a fight' The harpy eagle folds its wings but does not stop glaring at the man. "I'm looking for someone named Even." Shion replies one of the inhabitants of this world, noticing the change in the man's expression. "Do you know him?"
"Yeah, he's one of the scientists." The man replies, hesitates but does step out from his battle stance. "I can bring you to him." Shion nods, slides off the Keeper and reverts it back to the necklace shape. With it back around her neck, Shion walks over to the bit wary man. "What was that creature?" He asks.
"Keeper." Shion replies.
The man nods slowly and a bit to her surprise. "You don't happen to know anything about one looking like a kangaroo?"
"I do. Why? Has he been here?" Shion asks and begins to listen for the kangaroo's voice, but she cannot hear any Keeper in the area. "He's friendly but a bit loud."
"I wouldn't call it friendly." the man muses and gestures to a canyon, Shion gasps of what is down there; the very same stuff the harpy eagle and the tailed lizard Keeper's made back in the world… that is now gone… "It went on a rampage and if not for the king and Sora—" Sora has been here? "It would've caused a lot more damage."
Ah, so he went feral… guess it was only a matter of time… "I'm sorry you had to deal with that." Shion replies the man quietly, she has seen first-hand how destructive a feral Keeper can be. Maybe it was for the best the kangaroo Keeper got destroyed. Nothing deserves that sort of madness, less so when they leave a trail of destruction behind and are unaware of it.
"Do you know how it happened?"
"I'm not entirely sure." Shion admits that this whole Keeper business is still new to her, discovering how much power she has over these creatures. "But from what I can tell, a Keeper goes feral when they lose all their connection to their master."
The man blinks, "A master, huh? Any way one can recognize a Keeper's master?" but that Shion has no idea, so all she can do is shrug. The man introduces himself as Leon and by his request, Shion follows him up to the castle. Halfway there, they encounter a large man that removes any Heartless in the area. Leon explained this person is a guard and named Aeleus. Shion bows her head as a greeting. The big man does the same and takes over in bringing her to the castle.
Aeleus brought her into a room where two, one dressed in a white and looks more like her and Aeleus, the other small and has large round ears. Their chat does stop when the large man calls, "Even, this young lady wishes to speak with you." the blond and older man turns, proving to be this Even.
"What do you need me for young one?" Even asks with a somewhat impatient voice, sounds like she interrupted him in an important talk.
Shion is not sure, but something about this man makes her nervous, still not wanting to let Saix down, she hands him the papers. Even takes them and his annoyed posture changes to surprise as he reads what the papers hold.
That's quite a surprise, but Saix did say his former appearance would be the last. So that makes the question; what made Saix trust this young lady with such important papers? Even turns to the girl, but appearance-wise, he cannot see anything special about her other than she looks a bit like Kairi but that's probably just a coincidence. "Thank you." Still not entirely sure why Saix sent this girl, but at least Saix kept his end of their quick agreement.
"What you got there?" King Mickey asks curiously what this girl gave the head scientist of Ansem's apprentices. Clearly, Even was in deep thoughts as it took him a moment to realize he was asked a question: "Oh, some ongoing research notes of mine." Even replies vaguely, Mickey has been around Even long enough to know that this hint is the man has no wish in revealing more at the moment. So he drops the subject and instead goes back to why he has returned after Xehanort forced him out from the dark portal. "Even, you still haven't told me what you know about them."
That's his queue to make the delivery girl leave. Aeleus gestures for her to follow and she does, though she stops when Even's voice replies after an annoyed sigh: "I may have been one of them, but it is now clear that I haven't got a clue of what Xemnas is planning." Aeleus wishes he could help the king of this other world, but like Even and Ienzo, he too has realized that Xemnas has kept them all in the dark, never trusted any of them with his true plans and only used them as pawns in his sick game. He reaches out to the girl who really shouldn't be hearing this, but much to his and probably Even's surprise as well.
"Wait, you've been working for Xemnas?" Shion asks from what she had just heard. The man named Even and even that round-eared person turn to her.
Even is surprised this girl knows about Xemnas. "How do you know this name, young lady?"
Shion hesitates but they must be good, otherwise, Saix wouldn't have sent her. He is quite overprotective of her. "I… it's a bit hard to explain, but I used to be a puppet for the Organization…" Shion muses and to her big surprise, the scientist lets out a gasp and, with a quick stride, is right before her. "What did you say?" he asks in shock and a gleam in his green eyes Shion did not like one bit.
She backs away, accidentally hitting the guard, a hand on her shoulder from that man gives her the same sense of comfort when Saix or Axel did it. "Even, you're scaring her." Aeleus speaks, a hint of a warning. Sounds like Aeleus is a protective person as well.
Even ignores Aeleus warning that he is overstepping his bounds. What this girl said cannot be. He does not recall creating a female replica. He has to be sure, Even lets his hand hover before her chest, and he feels it. A core, working as a heart. It is an incredibly powerful memory, he can say that much. Even's eyes wide in shock, he recalls making a replica that was, in his eyes, his best work yet. But he can't remember what happened to it, nor what purpose he made it for. Yeah, sure, the body of this replica isn't perfect, but it sure has exceeded his expectations. This replica's core has grown and earned a power of her very own. "You're a replica." He speaks in shock at how he hadn't been able to recognize his own work before she said it. The girl only stares somewhat fearfully at him, yet the look in those pale-blue eyes shows he stands corrected.
"She's a what?" Aeleus is dumbfounded. Is this girl one of Vexen's puppets? But… "She's nothing like the replica in Castle Oblivion, too life-like" eyeing Even. "Are you certain?"
What does Aeleus take him for? Even shoots the guard an offended glare. "Of course I'm sure. Don't you think I wouldn't recognize my own work?" Looking at this girl, now seeing why Saix wanted him to resume this project. "This one has exceeded much further than I ever could calculate, not only in being so life-like, she's practical human and I sense… a power." Magic unlike any he has ever sensed before, it's neither light nor darkness but… something else.
"What is this replica you two are talking about?" King Mickey demands. He is very low on this subject and would rather not be out of the loop as this sounds important.
This is a bit too much for her. Shion jerks away from the two and, in a bit safer distance, "I'm not a puppet anymore."
Ah, he almost got caught in what made him lose his heart in the first place, "Forgive me, curiosity is a weakness of mine" Even apologizes to the girl, which reminds him. "What name do you go by?"
"Shion." she replies, and now it's her turn to ask the questions, not about this man apparently being her creator— that very thought makes her feel oddly depressive. Instead, she is way more concerned about the talk she interrupted them in. "are you going The World That Never Was?"
quickly to realize that he won't get answers on what a replica is at the moment, "yes, but no one of us knows where that world is." King Mickey replies to this girl and nods up to Even. "and those who does, no longer have the means to travel the way they used to."
this confuses Shion, "How did you get to that place before then?"
"Long story short," Shion turns around and a man, a few years older than Riku, dressed in a dark grey shirt, walks through the door. The visible eye has the same sharpness like Even, but there is a much friendlier gleam in it. And there's something about him, Shion is unsure why, but she instantly trusts this young man. He steps over to her and explains, "I, Aeleus and Even used to be Nobodies, but after their destruction, we were able to return as humans." He puts a hand on himself. "I was known as the Nobody Zexion."
Shion stares dumbfounded at what she has just been told, these three used to be Nobodies, but now they are humans? Saix wasn't kidding, a Nobody's destruction does return them as humans! "Oh my gosh!" She exclaims and can barely withhold her tears of relief and joy that Axel is not truly gone, but on his path to regain his heart. This is why Saix kidnapped Kairi, why he wanted Sora to come after the Organization. "This is Saix's plan; he wants them all destroyed so they can become humans!" This is the best news she ever could've gotten.
The former Nobody that was named Zexion smiles down to the very excited Shion, does get replaced with a taken by surprise face when she hugs him. Shion didn't notice the awkward look; she's too relieved knowing that Axel and Saix will become human, something they always wanted. "Thank you." She says with tears in her eyes. The young man weakly down to her. Then clears his throat, she gets the message and steps away. The former Nobody then turns to the others, asking: "Have you informed Sora?"
"Yes, he's currently in Twilight Town. Trying to figure out how to reach The World That Never Was." Aeleus replies, and would like to join, for the attack on their home sure made it look like Xemnas wants to throw the worlds back into darkness, but; "Without the ability to open the corridor of darkness. We cannot reach the Organization's stronghold."
"I do know how to reach Twilight Town, but got no clue how we get to The World That Never Was." Ienzo points out. Even gives him a taken aback look at this statement and he merely replies, "Twilight Town is a core world." that is enough to explain it, at least for now.
"Too bad we can't use the gummiship due to this barrier you mentioned." Mickey remarks, and the head scientist nods in agreement.
Not sure it will be of much help, but "I was able to leave The World That Never Was." Shion points out. "My Keeper can easily get past the barrier surrounding that world."
Really having to resist asking what a Keeper is and instead focus on this young girl has just proven to be the ticket to the base of the Nobodies. "Something tells me that this is why he sent you." Even remarks and asks her. "Can you bring us there?" According to Ienzo, who got from Riku; they got the news that their ruler, Ansem the wise, is alive and currently in The World That Never Was. Ienzo wanted to go, and although Even is reluctant to put his life on the line like this. He does wish to atone for their mistakes, and if that means facing an army of Nobodies, well, so be it.
"If it's not much to ask." Mickey rather not ask this girl for something she won't be comfortable with.
But Shion is more than happy to help these people, she has been idle for too long, so it's nice to be helpful again. "Sure!" It will be dangerous but this will bring her and her friends one step closer, fulfilling their promise of going to the beach together. But she is going to need more Keepers if they are all going. "My Keeper might be strong enough to carry all of us, but I don't think there's enough space… I have to call for another."
"These Keepers, how many are there?" Even asks, intrigued about these Keepers the former replica is talking about. He hasn't even heard about them.
"They are pretty rare," Shion replies, closes her eyes and calls out to the worlds. 'I need aid, one of you, come to me!'
She hears a voice, one she has heard before and Shion runs outside, at the Bailey, a powerful wind and flying above her is the Cobra Keeper. It tells her that it will aid her in whatever she needs. Shion isn't exactly happy to see the Cobra Keeper again, but she can put her own feelings aside and simply be grateful this Keeper is willing to help.
The three apprentices and single king walk out onto the Bailey, all equally in awe at the sight of this huge, purple, and flying cobra above them. Shion turns to them, asking, "Which one of you will ride on this one?" She summons her own Keeper, the cobra is not happy to see the harpy eagle, and her Keeper starts insulting the Cobra, close to getting into a fight. Shion tells them both hard. 'Cut that out! We're all on the same team!' Her harpy eagle stops instantly and after some disapproving comments, the cobra glides down, allowing people to get onto its neck.
Shion climbs onto the harpy eagle, "It's all right." she tells the others as they hesitate.
Exchanging a look with one another, Aeleus and Even walk over to the fire-colored eagle while Ienzo and Mickey get onto the cobra. The two Keepers take to the sky by Shion's command and like animal-formed gummi ships, they fly to Twilight Town.
The flight back to Twilight Town happens mostly in silence, but Shion does sense that her 'creator' Even is very fascinated about the Keepers, but do stay respectful with his questions about the Keepers and she told what she has learned far. Apparently, only she can hear their voices, they are tightly connected to a master and when that bond is lost, they go feral and start leaking some magic that can drag a whole world into an unknown realm if the feral Keeper is not dealt with.
"Gosh, sounds like we did the right thing in destroying the one that attacked Radiant Garden." Mickey muses from the cobra Keeper.
"Radiant Garden?" Shion asks, and Even explains: "Hollow Bastion is the crude name Xemnas Heartless and the witch Maleficent called our homeworld after the invasion of Heartless. Before it was known as Radiant Garden."
Shion nods and will admit that name suited the world better. "Was it beautiful?"
Mickey nods, "Yes, very much so." and does voice his thoughts out loud. "I hope they can restore that world back to its former glory."
"We are planning, but it's going to take some time." Aeleus hums thoughtfully.
Shion would like to see the world when that happens, but for now, she has to focus on leading these people and maybe also Sora to The World That Never Was.
there might go a while before another chapter is submitted. I want to return to some of my other stories, mainly as I have finally gotten inspiration for new chapters to those.