This chapter is a little bit out of order time-wise, but I still like the flow of it. I also just happen to think the idea of Ava being in Quadratum is neat. 'Cause I wanna hold onto the hope that she didn't get killed off off camera. One of the few girl characters in a sea of guys… she better still be alive if all the others are.

Please R&R!

I woke up in the trash and got adopted by the local trio.
xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx

"...Hey, Vanitas?"

He really didn't want to open his eyes. He was dreaming again. He knew he was… but he didn't want to acknowledge it this time. It hadn't been that long since he'd last spoken with Sora.

"...Vanitas, you've been sleeping the past two days. You've kind of stolen my reflection when we connect."

His eyes shot open, "What?!" His voice was hoarse.

Sora smiled at him awkwardly. The brunette was no longer trapped outdoors, but in a well lit bathroom. Vanitas took in his surroundings, knowing he was now somehow in a reflected version of the room Sora stood in. "There you are!" He grinned and clasped his hands behind his head with a slight sway.

He still looked pretty bad with dark circles under his eyes, but his skin pallor had drastically improved. There was just still something weirdly off about him. But really, who was he to judge? He still felt like shit. Vanitas sighed, "So you found help."

Sora paused and slowly dropped his arms, his mood becoming neutral, "Well, more like, she found me." He scratched his cheek, "It's kinda weird, but I guess we're the same age? And like… she wears a mask all the time. But! That's okay, 'cause she can see me, and I found out I can actually eat the food she prepares!" He grinned again, a little more excited.

Vanitas frowned, "...Were you starving this whole time?" How had he survived?

Sora ruffled his hair awkwardly, "Uh… A little?" Vanitas's face must've changed and Sora immediately raised his hands pacifyingly, "I had food in my inventory I could prepare! I collected a lot of ingredients for Little Chef so, I had stuff to live off of for a long time! I just- I had to be careful about it!"

Vanitas wasn't really comforted by that.

Sora huffed and put his hands on his hips, "Okay, so I did lose some weight. I know I did. But I'm gonna be okay- or well, at least a little bit better now." He was silent for a moment, breaking eye contact with him. Vanitas waited, and went to speak before Sora spoke quietly, "There were times recently… where I felt full for no reason." A shiver went down Vanitas's spine, "I think our Hearts are too connected. Maybe."

Vanitas was kind of impressed that Sora had come to realize that, "Supposedly… Supposedly some of your data is mixed with mine. At least, according to Ansem."

Sora blinked and raised an eyebrow, "Really?" Vanitas nodded, and Sora hummed, cupping his chin, "Weird."

Vanitas shrugged, "We don't know why we became connected like this in the first place. I'd believe it if it were one of your closest friends or allies… but… not me." It shouldn't be him.

Sora mulled that over for a long while before flushing very slightly, "I think I got desperate." He lifted his arms with a wide and long stretch as he groaned before dropping his arms, "Y'know, I tried to call out to everyone. I think I got a little delirious, calling out everyone's names. My friends, my allies… and then I called for you, and you answered." His eyes became teary at that, and Vanitas pitied him, "I'm so glad that you answered… and that we can still talk." He sniffed and rubbed the back of his hand against a cheek, flustered by his own emotions, "I'm so glad Ava found me, but she's still a stranger, and you've become a comfort for me." He sniffed, "What happened to you to pass out, even this far into Sleep?"

Oh, he was gonna ask? Vanitas sighed, "I started to remember things from the past. The ancient past, I guess." He shrugged tiredly, "Couldn't tell you how Master Ava ended up where you are but… if there's anyone you could wholeheartedly trust, it'd be her."

Sora's eyes widened, "Y-you know Master Ava!?"

Vanitas looked Sora dead in the eye and monotoned, "No. I don't know her at all, but the Light does. She was in our way."

And then he woke up.

He took in a deep breath and winced, not managing to breathe in too far before the pain struck. He must have made some sort of wheeze or whine because the figure that slowly came into focus beside him, Isa, looked down at him and sniffed, "Broken ribs are a bitch to heal even with Magic. Don't move."

Vanitas blinked, "...My ribs are broken?"

Isa nodded, closing his book and settled it in his lap, "Unfortunately. Merlin had to use a mixture of the Heimlich and CPR to get you to breathe. Either method may have caused your ribs to break."

Vanitas stared at Isa blankly, "What sort of Magic is heimlaikt?"

Isa stared at him blankly before turning his face away and covering his mouth. Vanitas scowled at the man, flushing at his clear mispronunciation. Isa lifted a pacifying hand as he tried to keep his quiet chuckle to himself, "Apologies- I." He sighed, "The Heimlich is a method of compressing a person's ribs and diaphragm from behind in the event of a blocked throat due to various causes. CPR is another method, but involves an individual that has lost consciousness from lack of air. Drowning and other issues may cause this. The rescuer begins with chest compressions for a set number of counts before plugging the victim's nose and breathing air into their lungs mouth to mouth to keep up a flow of oxygen in the body."

Vanitas felt considerably grey as Isa explained. He nearly choked, "Isn't mouth to mouth kissing?!" He wanted to throw up.

Isa rubbed his face with his free hand and a hefty sigh. Now that Vanitas had a second, he could hear a multitude of squabbling voices in another room, "Vanitas. There's nothing enjoyable about CPR for either side. You were fortunate enough to not need much of the latter, but your ribs did sustain damage. So calm yourself."

Vanitas swallowed dryly and nodded. Isa stood, "I'll go inform Merlin and the Three Fairy Godmother's that you've awoken. You've been asleep for a few days now, so Merlin will be quite thankful you're conscious."

Vanitas was numb as the man left. He half wondered why Isa had been brought in to watch over him, but then realized it was more than likely that Hayner, Pence, and Olette had school and couldn't be by his side.

He knew nothing of Naminé's unusual circumstances.

A few moments by himself, and then Merlin slid into the room and closed the door. The years fell off and he sighed in exhaustion, haggard from having to deal with the three fairies. He took a moment to recollect himself before giving him his proper attention. "Vanitas." He moved across the room and sat down in Isa's vacated seat with his hands in his lap, "You certainly gave me quite the fright the other day." Vanitas felt sort of bad about that. He was troubling enough already. Merlin got a suspicious glint in his eye, "Now don't go being hard on yourself, young man. You've never taken the time to process any of the terrible things done to you, or that you've done to others."

Vanitas scowled, "I'm plenty aware-"

Merlin raised his hand to stop him and continued gently, "I know not what caused your episode the other day, but you certainly had me worried when you started to choke and go blue."

Vanitas frowned, "...It was that bad?"

Merlin nodded, "I was worried for you." He placed his hand on Vanitas's forehead, and though the Darkling wanted to hate the gesture, he melted a little into it with lidded eyes. He felt tired again already, "I had your hair trimmed while you slept, so that they wouldn't bother you when you woke up."

Vanitas hummed lightly, "Thanks."

Merlin's expression stayed rather concerned, slowly pulling his hand away from the teen as he spoke very softly, "I felt you go very far away again."

Vanitas absorbed that for a long moment, "...You can tell when I connect with Sora?"

Merlin tilted his head, "Is that what happened?"

Vanitas breathed in carefully before slowly exhaling, "I guess I was Asleep, even on that side. Sora got me to wake up… we didn't get to talk long, but he found help." He closed his eyes, "I'm… really glad he found someone who could see him."

Vanitas was falling into a healing sleep again, but opened his eyes when Merlin placed his hand on Vanitas's bicep, "Stay awake to drink a glass of water, at least." Vanitas nodded slightly, and Merlin smiled a little. "I'll be right back."

Vanitas barely made it through the small glass, and once again he fell asleep.

"Next time you wake up, your ribs should be healed and you can train again"

It was good to know.

xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx

Sora had seen Vanitas's petrified face just before he'd disappeared from his reflection. The brunette sighed with a slump, sad to lose his chance to be with his… friend? Brother?

Vanitas was a comfort in his own brisque way.

"Who were you talking to?"

Sora yelled (he did not scream, thanks) and jumped back from the inquisitive girl who'd spoken. He blinked at her, baffled by the fox mask underneath the pink cowl.

It didn't match the style of this World at all!

She smiled at him kindly as she held her hands clasped in front of her, "What's your name?"

Sora swallowed, sweating at the idea that someone could see him, and might look crazy to strangers. "S-Sora."

The girl nodded, "Are you alone here?"

He nodded again, far too friendly and quick to answer the questions of a stranger.

But she could see him!

"I see." She held out her hand to him, "You look lost. I've been trying to track you down after I noticed your Light. It's started to become murky and... I've been worried about your safety."

Sora swallowed, "You can sense the Light in someone?"

The girl nodded again before glancing around, "Well, I don't think this crowded street is a good place for me to talk with ghosts, so why don't you come with me?"

Sora stared at her baffled as he unconsciously took her hand, "Okay."

He was kinda dumb. He could recognize it, he was fift-ah wait. Sixteen already! He knew better!

Yet it's how he'd gained so many friends.

She gently tugged him along, quiet as they walked until they found a secluded park with a fountain. Instead of directing him to one of the benches, she settled him onto the fountain's edge before joining him with her hands folded over one another in her lap, "My name is Ava. I haven't been here for very long, and… I'm not entirely sure why I ended up here."

Ava sounded lonely, if he were honest.

She turned to him, the small smile still present, "I used to watch over many-" She paused, brought her hand to her chin in contemplation, before sighing, "Actually. Are you good with weaponry, or have any unique abilities?"

Sora blinked in confusion before it dawned on him that she was being obtuse on purpose.

She was trying to keep the World Order by not mentioning what might be otherworldly.

Sora cleared his throat and raised his hand, summoning Kingdom Key and showing it to her, "One of these?"

She gasped softly and clapped her hands together, "A Keyblade!" She flushed, half covering her mouth while glancing around cautiously before calming, "I apologize."

Sora laid Kingdom Key over his lap, "It's alright."

Ava nodded before continuing, "How much do you know about the history of Keyblades?"

Sora stared at her before flushing lightly, glancing away as he scratched his cheek, "I uhm… I don't really know anything. I became a Wielder kind of… maybe by chance." It was… kind of painful to talk about, actually.

Ava was surprised by this, but slowly nodded, "I see. So you weren't bequeathed a Keyblade." Sora shook his head in the negative while Ava continued, "Then I suppose what I'm about to explain won't mean much… but… Oh. I guess you wouldn't know about the Keyblade War either."

Sora nearly jumped, "I do! Uh, kinda!? Because Master Xehanort was super obsessed about it and forced my friends and I into a second one!"

Ava's mouth dropped open, the mixture of her feelings lost with the mask, and yet he could tell she was rather distressed by the information. She slowly clenched her teeth and bowed her head, "I see."

She seemed so sad. "I'm sorry. I guess… there were barely any Keyblade Wielders left by the time I came around."

Ava felt tears prickle her eyes. What had happened to her Dandelions? To their students and those who came after, "It's not your fault." The Darkness had nearly won, it seems.

Sora tilted his head, "No but… being the messenger of bad news is never fun."

Ava smiled slightly and sat up straight with a heavy sigh, "I see. I wonder… if Ephemer and Brain were able to make the difference I'd hoped for?" She clenched her hands together, "I wonder how Skuld, Lauriam, and Strelitzia got along…"

Sora didn't have her answers, and slowly Ava shook herself out of her musings, "I'm sorry. I-" She recollected herself. "Well." She placed a hand on her chest, "I am Master Ava, a Foreteller and an Apprentice of the Master of Masters. I hail from Daybreak Town, though I know that World no longer is named as such, as it was prophesied."

Sora's eyes widened, "Oh, so you're someone pretty important, huh?"

Ava slumped slightly with a heavy sigh, "Yes… though…" She slowly lifted herself up to look towards the misty hidden moon, "I'm still only a teenager, so I don't think I'm all that great compared to others."

Sora sprung to his feet in excitement, "Really!? I didn't-" He struggled for a moment, flushing slightly as he reigned himself in awkwardly with a chuckle, "It's kinda hard to tell… with the mask and all."

Ava nodded and lowered her head, "It's a sign of my Apprenticeship and Mastery."

Sora ruffled his hair, "I see. Well uh, I'm only sixteen so..." He motioned futilely, "It's really hard, having a lot of expectations, right?"

Ava paused before looking up to him, "Oh uh, yes. It is. Was."

Sora nodded, "So why can you see me? No one else has been able to since I ended up here!"

Ava contemplated that for a moment before answering, "Well. I can use Transformation Magic… as well as hide myself in plain sight. It's a little hard to explain since I can simply… make use of it."

Sora nodded, crossing his arms as he simply accepted that, "Sounds cool!"

Ava genuinely smiled with a tiny giggle, "I suppose it is." She pushed herself up to stand, "Sora, if you're alright with it, why don't you stay with me? I just got my own place to stay, and you aren't getting any healthier."

Sora ruffled his hair before dropping his arms to his sides, "Are you sure you want a random ghost guy in your home?"

Ava gently took his hand, "I'm used to living with others. Aced, Ira, Invi, Gula, Luxu… along with the Master. We all lived together, so it's kind of lonely… and it's not like anyone else has been able to help you here, right?"

Sora swallowed dryly. He shouldn't, he knew he shouldn't… and yet, he found himself meeting her hidden gaze, "Yeah. Thank you."

Ava nodded and pulled him along, and he went obediently.

It was after his second time of walking by a reflective surface that he noticed Vanitas in a coma-like Slumber.

xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx

Vanitas woke up to night.

He glanced around the room, his body heavy from needing to sleep so long to heal. Carefully he inhaled and found that his ribs were truly healed. No pain, no hesitancy. He grinned for a moment before grimacing.

His skin felt like it was crawling. It was as if he were charged with static and his hairs could only stand on end.

He really needed to pee!

He pushed himself up and looked around the room, shifting his legs towards his right before realizing there was a lump on the floor. He nearly screamed and pulled up his legs to his chest and stared until the shape became recognizable.

What the fuck was Terra doing sleeping in his room!?

He shuddered and felt like his space had been violated. He pulled back, carefully looked over the floor on the left side, noting an empty set of bedding there and gently put his feet down and stood. He was starting to sweat again, but he knew he could recover his stamina after some careful training, and really who cared about anyone else, he needed to move with silent haste!

He crept up to his door and strained his ears, wondering if any others were there, for wherever Terra was, Ventus and Aqua were sure to follow.

A very gentle murmur of a familiar female voice and Merlin's reached him. He scowled and opened his door, silently creeping down the hall before leaning against the wall to listen to their conversation without notice.

"Do you really think it's alright?"

Merlin sighed softly, "Master Aqua, it is with great pain and agony that Vanitas reproduces those creatures. I have sealed his Darkness so that he can learn to rely on something else, to harm himself less. Masters should always be looking for ways to meet their students and bring out the best in them, yet all Xehanort did was force him to cause grievous harm to his body and mind continuously. I will not be so foolish as to say that he will be reformed. His nature is still the Darkness. It is his irrefutable origin that cannot be denied."

He realized he could see their reflections in the window. Aqua looked so distressed, and yet..

He felt something instinctively burn in rage at the other who silently sat at that table. He knew that man, he'd dealt with him minimally within the Organization, now that he had slowly regained his Memory of the place.

Marluxia hadn't been particularly cruel towards him, but Vanitas had done his best to stay the hell away from the man.

He ground his teeth before shouting as he shoved off the wall, "What are you doing here!?"

The three jumped at his appearance, so stuck in their circles about whether or not he should be allowed to exist here. He was a person, and he refused to be discussed like the problem child of the family! And why did he think of it like that!?

Lauriam frowned, "You… You're Vanitas, correct?"

Vanitas snarled, and he noticed a puddle of shadow shift in the corner of his eye.

Of course. His Flood would choose the worst of times to try and come to him!

"What's it mean to you who I am!? I don't know you!" That was a lie. He did. He did he did he did and his Heart was trembling and his pulse was too fast and he needed to leave!

Lauriam didn't react, as if he'd seen this sort of behavior from him before. As if he were familiar with why he acted out. "My apologies, I am here simply to get help in finding a friend of mine and nothing else." For now.

Vanitas bristled, and his Flood jumped out onto the table, startling Aqua with a yelp as Lauriam immediately reacted to it and summoned Divine Rose. He went to strike it just as Aqua summoned her own Keyblade before Vanitas launched forward with a crash and snatched the stupid thing, "Leave them alone!"

Lauriam froze at his intense stare, and Aqua also stayed still. Merlin had gone to stop them, his wand held mid-Cast before sighing, "Put those Keyblades of yours away. I told you to leave this Flood alone."

Aqua and Lauriam winced at the reprimand and dismissed their blades. Vanitas was panting, the speed he'd used had taken the little bit of energy he'd had. He slid back on the table, the Flood clutched happily in his arms as he stood on shaky legs, "Fuck you guys. I'm getting some air."

Merlin closed his eyes in acquiesce. He had no reason to stop him, and he had no desire to lose what tenuous trust Vanitas had in him as his guardian. Aqua immediately felt guilty for having so easily gone with the flow, the instinct to destroy Unversed was difficult to resist.

Lauriam simply sat down, neutral and unsettled.

Vanitas stormed into the bathroom and shut the door, throwing the sink water on so he could use the facilities in peace. It was too quiet, and he didn't want to think about them.

Once that task was done he started to wash his hands, only to begin scrubbing up his arms in a slight frenzy. He knew he wouldn't be able to get away with it for long, but he needed to feel just a little bit cleaner than he did now.

He rinsed off, wiped his hands and arms, and yelled down the hall uncaring of Terra sleeping, "Magic baths only do so much Merlin!" He shoved open the back door and dropped his Flood onto the floor and commanded them to hide again. It sank into the floor and disappeared as he closed the back exit and made his way to the roof. Breathing in the fresh outdoor air as he glanced up at the purplish sky was cleansing and his pissy mood immediately began to evaporate.

It was almost embarrassing, how fresh cool air could really calm his mood.

He got to the roof and found his preferred spot to watch over this little Town. He stood, his hands on his hips since the black sleeping garments he presently wore didn't have pockets. There was a light breeze, and everything was rather quiet.

It was tranquil, and it settled his last nerves.

He stretched his arms upwards languidly before he began to stretch out his muscles and warm up. He wanted to at least be able to jog without losing his breath by tomorrow.

Time passed, and he was really into his stretch routine when he felt something trickle up his back and raise the hairs on his neck.

The calm before the storm, the thunder before the lightning.

He jumped.

Merlin crossed his hands before his face, pensive at the table with the two Wielders. The Guardians of the Light meant well- they were doing what they felt was best to protect themselves and the Worlds, but they honestly kept him at the same place with Vanitas.

He'd gain and step and take one back due to their interference. It was maddening!

Suddenly a pot exploded outside and something crackled frighteningly. The Old Wizard felt his pulse shoot up and stood, Aqua and Lauriam following suit as the three scrambled to the windows to see just what had happened.

Terra also shot out of Vanitas's room and looked out the window, "There!" He pointed and all three turned their heads.

And then there was laughter. The sort of laughter that made Lauriam's heart race in relief, in excitement. He knew that laugh, of the person who had stayed by his side, even when they no longer could truly feel. Could no longer remember how or why they had known one another, but they had known. They could only trust each other. "Elrena!"

They all witnessed her shoot down the street in her light blue pleather jacket and shorts, white top, and black boots. She cackled as she chased the shadow of a boy down the street.

Lauriam's mood dropped into his stomach, oh shit.

Terra yelled, "Vanitas!" He jumped out the window, and Merlin insanely did the same. Yet, as he fell the years fell away to their surprise, and he was young and nimble as he shot down the street after them, far outpacing Terra within moments despite his layered garments. Lauriam and Aqua followed behind in haste, neither sure of how this would play out.

"Come on Vanitas! Play with me! I'm sure you wouldn't mind, being all evil and whatnot!" Elrena was enjoying the chance to toy with this kid! He had a Heart pitch as black, and her Starlight Keyblade itched in her hand to slay the too-familiar Darkness.

She didn't need to remember that much to know that this kid was bad news!

Vanitas wasn't wearing shoes, so it was already stressful enough to be running around town without them, but the moment his foot caught onto something and nearly twisted his ankle, he was ready to scream.

How much did he have to suffer in one week!?

He felt his heart in his throat as he tumbled, and instinctively curled as the downward incline carried him. He did his best to cover his head, and managed to pop himself back up onto his feet.

He felt the electricity before it ran through his system, causing him to scream out in terrorized agony, his body recalling Xehanort's torture and nearly blacking him out between the paralyzing pain and the Memories of his training.

"Stop this at once!"

He heard Merlin before he was able to regain his vision to see him. A flash of white intricate garments fluttering like a wave of petals before him, nearly covering him as Merlin reached into his robes and pulled out his sword.

Elrena didn't even have a chance to acknowledge the stranger who'd appeared before her. Her eyes zeroed in on the sword in the man's hand and felt a shiver of terror go down her spine. It was glowing with a Pure and Holy Light, a weapon of another World that was Legendary. It demanded respect, and she knew she wouldn't be able to pull back in time or even slow down her momentum before their blades clashed. She yelped as the man held his ground with one hand, while she felt the blade sink into and begin melting her Keyblade. It was as if her heart itself were being pierced, and she growled in a rage, adjusting her position so that she could land on the ground and jump backwards. She shot back like lightning, and gasped when she felt strong arms grip her arms as her body collided with a familiar form.

Elrena looked up, and everything was going too fast and too slow as his pink hair bloomed around him and framed his face, "Elrena."

She nearly shivered, "Lauriam!"

They were both winded from this clash.

Aqua slid to a stop along with Terra, both itching to have their Keyblades out, but deciding against it.

They too shivered at the sight of the sword in Merlin's hand, and his overall authoritative presence.

Vanitas latched onto Merlin's robes from behind and buried his face deep into his back, his body shivering from exertion and fear, and sighed in relief at the appearance of his protector. He'd let himself collapse, if it were safe enough, but it wasn't the time. Not yet.

Merlin kept Excalibur raised, the blade of golden silver with intricate engraving, and waves of blue in its guard. A weapon forged by the beloved Lady of the Lake Nimue. It was certainly a sight to behold.

And he would force them to behold it. He was angry! How many times did he need to drill into these children to leave Vanitas alone! He would be only just barely lenient, for this new girl had no idea that Vanitas was his to protect, but he would drill it into every last one of their young little skulls.

"Do not touch Vanitas, girl."

Elrena straightened out of Lauriam's grasp with a frown. She wanted to mouth off, but Starlight whimpered and forced her silence.

She had only just regained her Keyblade, and now it was harmed! Who could even repair it?! It was a reflection, a piece of her Heart, and this man had dared to cause her such harm!?

Merlin sneered with a smirk, "I can practically hear your thoughts, girl. Keyblades are sacred little things, born of Hearts. But to think of yourself too highly, so above any other. It does you nor your blade any good."

Elrena hesitated, and Starlight dismissed itself from her grasp. She winced, annoyed that it had deemed that she was not as ready as she thought she was to so easily call upon it.

Lauriam sighed gently, "Elrena. Vanitas is under Merlin's watch, and thus, is to not be harmed."

Elrena spun on her heels and threw her arms out, "But he's our enemy, isn't he!?"

Lauriam's expression turned... tired, if there was any way that she could phrase it. He cupped her cheek and pressed his forehead against hers, "Were we not enemies of the Light as well, Larxene?"

The air caught in her throat, and tears threatened her eyes. She hated it, she hated how callous she could be! Yet, she had needed to become ruthless to survive! She'd woken up with no Memories on that miserable lightning infused mountainside and had survived one miserable trial after another! She didn't even know if her Chirithy still lived, after having been turned into a Nobody twice over.

She really and truly hated Xigbar with every fiber of her being!

Lauriam tutted and pulled back, sorrow in his eyes, "We did quite the job of hurting those children. Children I would have otherwise watched over and nurtured, had they been in a Union."

Elrena sighed gustily and glared off to the side, "Yeah well." She sniffed before yelling at him in frustration, "What else were we supposed to do, as we tried to remember our purpose of finding your sister?!" She loved him, she really did, and she had cared for that pigtailed girl who she couldn't clearly remember anymore.

If only Naminé had been able to search and find their lost Memories, instead of being so intricately tied to the Keyblade Hero! Sora was so lame! Why did he have to be so special!?

Lauriam was surprised at Elrena's words, yet, the word sister slotted into the places he hadn't been able to clearly recall. Flowers and white began to color the lost image of her. He breathed out shakily, holding back his tears, "Elrena. Please, let us search for clues to our lost past together. I have no desire to fight with the Guardians of Light. Xehanort's plot is well behind us, and I wish to begin anew."

Elrena made a few faces before bowing her head, "Did you ever find that kid again?"

Lauriam blinked, "Kid?"

She made a disgruntled face, 'Y'know, the sleeping one you were looking after?!"

Lauriam paused, ah. That was right, Elrena had been present for that much, "...Ventus?"

Elrena nodded a bored shrug, "Sure, if that's what his name was." She didn't care to remember.

Merlin sighed internally and lowered his sword, placing it into its sheath and hiding it away once more. Clearly this was the girl Lauriam had been searching for, and the man would get his partner under control.

Or at least, he hoped as much.

On the other hand, Aqua and Terra were confused. Sure there had been the incident as Ventus and Kairi had left to look for answers, but…

Terra stepped forward a few paces with determination. "You know Ven?"

Lauriam and Elrena turned their attention to him, and Elrena felt a shiver go up her spine. She'd never liked dealing with the Xehanort that possessed that body, but to meet the man underneath the vessel. It was unnerving. It was clear he had been the one behind Lord Xemnas's face.

Lauriam had acclimated to it already, though he too felt some level of distress acknowledging Terra. "Perhaps, if it is the same boy."

Terra didn't appreciate that answer as a sharpness glinted in his eyes. They might be in a tight spot with him, but Ventus was still their friend. He wouldn't allow him to be in danger because of these strangers. "Does the name Ephemer mean anything to you?"

Lauriam and Elrena's eyes widened in surprise. A barely there whisper of a whine was let out from Merlin's direction, but he wasn't going to give Vanitas his attention.

These two were the bigger part of the picture, and clearly more mentally stable. "Ven and Kairi took our Master's old Keyblade somewhere to find out more about Ven's past. The Castle told him through Ephemer's Memory to go to-"

Aqua latched onto his arm, a cold sweat breaking onto her skin, "Terra." He looked back to her as she continued, "We can't trust them. Not yet."

Terra swallowed. He had almost spilled the beans, hadn't he?

Lauriam sighed, "I see." He seemed… defeated, really. It was kind of depressing, if Terra were honest. "For now, that is enough, thank you." He turned his attention to Elrena, "The two of us will catch up, since I have now found the person I was looking for. We will leave you to your business, and I hope to one day have the chance to speak with Ven about the past."

Aqua and Terra blinked as she asked, "You… do you really know Ven?"

Lauriam smiled sadly, "With much sorrow, yes." And anger, so much buried anger he had to try and release, to keep his Heart Pure and Strong.

He was exhausted. He longed for Brain's calm advice, and knew they would never meet again.

Their paths had broken off long ago, along with Ephemer's.

Lauriam closed his eyes and sighed morosely, "I desire to end our grief and find closure. It's all we can do, for Ephemer, Brain, and Skuld's sakes, as well as my sister's, Elrena."

Elrena scrunched her face in frustration before sighing gustily into surrender, "Fine."

Lauriam chuckled softly and patted her on the head, flustering her.

Somehow, their paths had crossed due to his search for his sister. He was thankful for her support, and wished that she could regain some of the softer parts of her personality.

He didn't dare ask how it'd been so thoroughly beaten out of her.

Terra ruffled his hair, he didn't know what to make of these two, yet Aqua stepped forward. "Please keep in touch so that when Ven returns, we can all talk together. All of this has been so confusing, and seeing this new side of Ven… it's unnerving."

Terra raised an eyebrow at her, "What, since he's becoming more assertive?"

Aqua shrugged helplessly, "I don't- I don't think that's what's going on Terra."

Vanitas bit his cheek and gnawed on it. Really, he didn't know what to do with these people anymore, and he felt tired of them all. "I'm gonna take a shower."

Merlin blinked and looked back towards his ward with a raised brow, "In the middle of the night?"

Vanitas released his now steady hold on the Wizard and glared up at him with silver glinted eyes as he passed, "You know how much I hate feeling scummy, Merlin." He briskly walked past the gaggle of Wielders, annoyed at every last one of them and giving them a wide berth. None of them were his allies or friends, and he had no desire to be friendly.

Yet, he knew he couldn't leave without one last comment as he turned slightly, almost out of earshot as he spoke, "Thanks Merlin."

He left them and let himself back into the apartment.

He was greeted by clean sheets and an empty room with wards once cleansed, and he happily made use of locking the door and flopping face first into bed.

Vanitas slept well, dreaming of Destiny Islands, its warm sand and clear blue waters, and awoke at dawn.

He felt homesick for a place he didn't know.

xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx

When Ventus had first gone into the room with Kairi, they had both been under the impression that things would be simple.

Things were not simple.

They stared up at the strange mechanisms of Magical machinery. They could hear gears and the whirring of metal.

Kairi swallowed, "...Did we just get led into a labyrinth?"

Ventus felt a slightly unhinged chuckle try to escape the back of his throat as he attempted to swallow his nerves, "Uh, maybe?"

Kairi groaned and slumped forward slightly before throwing her arms up and yelling, "Are you serious!?" She didn't know who to blame for this, but she'd scold Sigurd for not warning them!

Ventus chuckled as he scratched at his cheek with his left hand. His right hand ached from holding Master's Luster in the correct grip and finally gave in to switching it to his preferred hold. It was still a little bulky, but the weight of it felt more balanced and he relaxed a bit, "I guess some sort of protection had to be put in place on this sort of knowledge. And well, to make sure only the people it was meant for would receive their messages."

Kairi frowned, "Then… should I leave?"

Ventus shook his head in the negative, "I'm sure if you weren't allowed, Sigurd would have held you back. It… I feel a bit more courageous and stronger with you here at my side."

Kairi felt warmth in her chest as she grinned with a giggle, "Thanks Ven! I'm glad to give you my support!"

Ventus nodded with a small smile, "Well, I don't know if we'll be able to clear this thing in one go… but let's get moving."

Kairi nodded and called for Destiny's Embrace. Together, she and Ventus entered the path set before them.

It was many hours later, shaking from exhaustion that they barely crawled back out the entrance door. They were haggard and leaning onto one another, but they'd made a dent into the labyrinth, and were thankful that those before them had had enough mercy in their hearts to leave behind a save point and a return teleporter so that they could continue onward from where they'd left off.

A path only they could use to continue on towards truth.

"I sssee you have r-r-r-returned Master Ventus, Kairi."

The two of them looked up towards Sigurd's frame. Their voice sounded better- still robotic with some glitches, but greatly improved. Ventus blinked tiredly as he faintly asked with a parched throat, "Did someone work on you, Sigurd?"

Sigurd chuckled naturally as two high pitched and familiar squeaking chuckles joined him. On each shoulder popped up a chipmunk who bounced happily as they spoke in unison, "Heya Ven! Kairi!"

Kairi's mouth fell open in understanding as Ventus smiled a bit wider as he pushed himself back onto his feet, "Chip, Dale! It's good to see you two!" He paused and tilted his head, "It's like you haven't aged a day since I last saw you!"

Chip and Dale looked at one another from across Sigurd's collar before shrugging and Dale responded simply, "You humans age differently from us! That's all!" Not that Ventus looked much different himself, but they knew exactly why.

Ventus felt himself sweat a little bit as he couldn't help but think, But that's not how any of that works at all! ...Is it?

He didn't have the strength to ask any further than that.

Kairi sighed, "I'm so hungry…"

Chip giggled, "The King's almost done makin' dinner, so c'mon! Lead the way Sigurd!"

The android nodded amicably and began to lead them down to where they'd eat. Kairi wondered aloud, "So, did the King have you two come to fix up Sigurd?"

Dale hopped with a turn to face her, "Sure did! Took longer than we'd hoped to be able to get here, but we had some Gummi Ship repairs to do that were pretty extensive!"

Chip also hopped to look at them, "Yup! The King did a few repairs over video with the Gummi phone, but there was a whole lot we couldn't help with unless we were here! Donald and Goofy dropped us off before continuing on their own mission!"

Ventus nodded. "I'm glad you can help hi-them?"

Sigurd chuckled, "Either is fine. I was built with a male body, th-th-ththhthough I am a machine with no g-g-gender."

Ventus nodded absently while Kairi filed that information away.

It didn't take long for the scents of various foods to reach them, causing them to salivate as they finally made it to the dining room. King Mickey smiled at them widely as he placed down a final plated dish, "Ven! Kairi! It's good to see you again!"

Ventus and Kairi had to hold themselves back from just launching onto the table to gobble the food barehanded if necessary. They hadn't even eaten breakfast! They spoke in unison, "It's good to see you too, Mickey." They were starting to drool.

Mickey chuckled and waved a hand at them, "Go wash your hands first- don't make that face, I see how dusty you two are! I'll make you each a plate so you can dig right in when you get back!"

They nodded and turned to Sigurd who bowed slightly with easier grace than earlier and led them to the nearest basins. It was hard to take the time to wash properly, but the King was right. The soap on their hands was grey from their day long trial and they were thankful he'd insisted.

They barely had the strength to return as they flagged once more, and Mickey settled them into their own seats, a lovely plate prepared for each, 'Dig in!"

Ventus barely grabbed his fork before shoveling in food, Kairi ferociously going at it beside him.

He'd come to realize over a rather short period of time that due to growing up with two boys who, on a rare occasion, liked to try and steal from her plate, that she guarded her food. He'd once had the unfortunate thought to try and prank her, and she'd literally growled at him and snatched his wrist with her nails clawing into his wrist joint just right to make him squeak in an embarrassing pitch. Aqua hadn't even bothered and ignored them while Terra laughed at him.

Until Kairi kicked his shin for good measure under the table.

Both he and Terra had learned a lot that day, if he were honest.

Soon enough they were full and they enjoyed their beverages. It really had been a long day, and Potions just did not curb thirst the way you'd think they would. Ventus felt sleepy and Kairi was nearly face first in her finished plate before Sigurd gently pulled her back up, "Rooms are prepared for you two, if y-y-y-yyyyyou would please f-f-follow me."

The android helped Kairi to her feet as she barely nodded, Ventus pushing himself up beside her as the labors of their day made it difficult to move. Still they trudged along, guided with the odd comfort of whirs and clanks that sounded far more in tune than the rough cacophony of earlier. Ventus idly wondered just how quietly Sigurd could run when at optimal performance.

Kairi was led to her room first, and she perked up just a little at the aspect of a shower. She waved goodbye to him, and Ventus smiled with a tiny wave of his own, "Night."

She smiled, "Night Ven."

He was settled into his room, and Sigurd bowed, "Goodnight Master Ventus."

"Goodnight, Sigurd… oh, and please. Just call me Ven."

He felt Sigurd's smile without seeing it, "Understood, Master Ven."

Well, they'd tried at least.

The door clicked softly shut behind him, and Ventus couldn't help but stare in wonder around the room, noting a change of clothes on the bed. He nodded to himself as he wandered over to the bathroom to shower off for the night and tucked himself in.

This place was an empty World, full of sorrow and lost stories, yet… yet somehow, as his eyes fell shut.

It felt like his friends were all right there beside him, and he smiled as he fell into slumber.