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

When it had first (somewhat awkwardly) been suggested that Lauriam, Elrena, and Skuld should go to Scala ad Caelum to go through the labyrinth, it had been somewhat contemplated and brushed off.

Then Lauriam tried to sleep that night and realized.

He really, truly wanted to have Brain's final opinions… and to thank Ephemer for his efforts for them.

To learn of their accomplishments as they lived out their lives before them.

Lauriam had approached Ventus the next day (scaring the poor kid, understandably) and took him up on his offer.

Ventus had been wide eyed with Kairi watching him suspiciously at his side, "Y-you really wanna go?" He'd smiled so brightly in an interesting show of blatant relief, "That's great! I'm sure their Memories would be happy to see you!"

Lauriam had nodded, "How is it that you arrived there? I'm not sure of the finer details of how to get to Scala ad Caelum."

Ventus blinked, "Oh. Just ask your Keyblade and Chirithy. It's the same route to Daybreak Town, just… slightly to the left?"

Lauriam had stared at him incredulously, but he'd simply taken that information and run with it. He'd collected Elrena and Skuld, and Lauriam ran into a bit of a problem that should have been clearer sooner.

"...Skuld, do you still have your Chirithy?"

Skuld had tilted her head, "Well, sure." The little one appeared in her arms with a pop, and Lauriam felt relief.

"I see. Good. Elrena and I have become Nobodies on more than one occasion, so… I have very little hope that our Chirithy survived that process."

Chirithy had tilted their head, "What are you talking about? They're there. They're just tired and healing."

Lauriam had been astonished, but swallowed his swelling hope and joy to turn to Elrena. "Are you ready?"

Elrena's expression had been unreadable. "Yeah."

The three together had opened the way, and together they walked through the Corridor of Light and soon found themselves in Scala ad Caelum.

A dead beautiful city, monument to the many ways the darkness could destroy. A ghost town suspended in time.

Ventus had been right though. It was like walking to Daybreak Town… but slightly to the left.

Sigurd had come to fetch them, surprised at their early arrival, while Chip and Dale had popped out of his chest and surprised them all with their chattering.

They'd greeted King Mickey shortly, and began their own journey through the Labyrinth of Trials.

Three days passed like that, and now the three of them trudged out of that dusty enclosed area for the time being, having had their private talks with Ephemer and Brain's Memories.

Elrena groaned, "Lauriam, I hope you understand just how far I'm willing to go for you to have endured all of this shit."

Lauriam was tired. Tired of the Trial and lengthy conversations, but also of Elrena's bitching. "...Elrena, why do you even stick with me, then? You said yourself that you weren't very close to my sister, so I don't know why you trouble yourself so."

Elrena grimaced, "I can feel guilty for not being a good enough friend or teammate, can't I?! I knew her! I felt bad and wanted to help you find her!"

He glanced back at her tiredly, "You allowed yourself to become a pawn of Xehanort despite knowing full well you wanted nothing to do with it. Because of my choice to rejoin?"

Elrena turned her face away from him. "I…"

Skuld tilted her head. She was probably the least bothered by the whole ordeal, and sort of had fun learning their quirks. The two of them were a great team when they had a mutual goal, and Elrena's sharp mouth was kind of refreshing in its own way. She did clearly have some trauma she was dealing with, which made her snappy… but Skuld had approached her in the quiet of night to smother her with her own brand of gentle kindness and she'd broken easily.

Kindness could do much in the silence, even if Elrena hadn't wanted her to bother.

Skuld smiled somewhat mischievously, "You like Lauriam, don't you, Elrena?"

Elrena turned to panicked denial, "No! Skuld!" She was quickly turning pale and seemed about ready to hyperventilate.

Skuld had not expected that reaction, "S-sorry! I just thought-" She sighed to herself and grabbed Elrena's head and buried it into her shoulder to hide her face, "I'm sorry for insinuating it if that's not the case. I just- well. My thoughts don't matter here, I suppose." She ran her hand over the blonde's hair, "I just thought you two worked particularly well together, and were darling."

Lauriam was… concerned about Elrena's reactions as he observed them and crossed his arms. He'd had his own inkling thoughts on that subject, but he had decided to be passive for now.

After watching her reactions to the Dwarf Woodlands, and how constantly alert she'd been, he'd decided that Elrena only felt particularly safe with him, and a decent amount of amicability towards the Organization Members.

Otherwise, if she didn't feel like she was powerful enough to defeat them, or better than them, she was in trouble. A mess of sorts.

He had no idea how to help her. He could tell she was trying her best to be helpful and worthwhile.

Lauriam sighed lightly, "I appreciate your companionship Elrena, and look forward to continuing to have your aid in the matter with my sister, as well as other conquests. Now then, let's get out of this dusty hell hole of a Trial and eat."

Elrena pulled away from Skuld slightly flustered as she wiped away tears and quickly recovered with a determined nod with an electric air about her, "Sounds good to me!"

Skuld nodded her head at him in silent apology and he simply shrugged and nodded.

Elrena could keep her secrets, that was fine. She would open up to them at her own pace, someday.

They followed the scent of food and after a quick refresh and wash, they found the King just as he finished plating their dinner, "Oh! You all made it just in time!"

Skuld bowed slightly, "Thank you again, your Majesty."

Mickey smiled at her awkwardly and chuckled, "It's fine to just call me Mickey, Skuld. And anyways, it's my pleasure!"

Skuld nodded as Lauriam nodded his thanks and greeting as well, "Thank you for the meal."

Elrena sat down at her seat, "...Thanks."

Mickey smiled at them all, "Let's eat, shall we?"

They all agreed and sat at their places before starting their meals. It was quiet, but companionable. Mickey observed them all and couldn't help but ask, "So, were you finally able to talk with Master Ephemer, and Master Brain's Memories?"

Lauriam nodded, "Yes… it seems they're a little concerned about Ventus's choices, but after discussing how Merlin reacted to Elrena trying to kill off Vanitas, it was decided to let the matter lie for now."

Elrena grumbled, "Thought my Heart was gonna get sliced in half by that Holy Sword." She shuddered and withdrew slightly.

Lauriam felt a little sympathetic. If he hadn't ended up meeting Vanitas the way he had, he might have reacted similarly.

However, unlike Larxene, Marluxia had spied on Saix quite thoroughly to the best of his abilities. He'd been rather… interested to see how the man worked. He'd seen Vexen take Vanitas into the depths of their stronghold, as Saix eventually followed after. He'd followed and spied on them, surprised to find empathy within their empty shells.

They'd set back their own goals to help that speck of darkness.

But he'd been confused by Xehanort's actions, and his refusal to properly assist his own Apprentice's Heart from the Past by placing him into a Replica.

He'd seen Vanitas's face for a brief second before leaving.

He'd had much to think about, as the Memories of Castle Oblivion and his own actions slowly resurfaced.

Naminé was a great deal like Strelitzia, and yet, he had gone out of his way to crush her.

His amnesia could only be excused so far.

Lauriam set down his fork and rubbed at his face tiredly with a heavy exhale towards his multitude of thoughts. Mickey watched him in confused concern, "What's up, Lauriam?"

Lauriam smiled bitterly as he looked down at his hands, "I still have much to learn, and much to apologize for."

Mickey nodded, "Well. If you're ever not sure about which way to go, you can always try and find me. I've got good ears for listenin'!" He twitched his ears for emphasis and gave him a big smile as he continued, "Sometimes it's good to take a break and have someone else's outlook on things!"

Lauriam smiled at him tiredly, "Thank you for the offer, your Majesty." Mickey gave him a slightly put out look at the mention of his title as Lauriam continued, "Are you going to stay here in Scala ad Caelum for long?"

Mickey hummed, "Well. I'm having a whole lotta trouble researching these texts for more information about the Foretellers and the Ancient Keyblade Wielders… but more than that, I'm honestly kind of confused on what sort of information I'm even looking for!"

Lauriam frowned, "Only you?"

Mickey shrugged, "Everyone's been looking for Sora… so this is something I could do that would still allow me to return home constantly… or at least, that's kind of why I think Yen Sid gave me this particular task."

Lauriam nodded absently, "I see… well. Perhaps I could be of some assistance after we take care of some things. I am rather listless, and it would give me a goal." He had helped Brain on a number of occasions as well, despite constantly going out to look for information about Strelitzia.

Mickey hummed, "Have you met up with any of the others?"

Lauriam raised an eyebrow, "What others?"

"From the Organization, as people!"

Lauriam blinked while Elrena scoffed, "Augh, I could go without seeing them ever again."

Lauriam glanced at her before turning back to Mickey, "...Why bring them up?"

Mickey smiled and shrugged helplessly, "They might have some interesting information, and maybe it'd be nice to see how they've changed since becoming people again."

Lauriam contemplated it, "But… Most of them were from Radiant Garden, right?"

Skuld froze and became wide-eyed with slight panic, "I don't want to go there."

Mickey jolted and looked at her astonished before slowly becoming sympathetic, "Oh, I'm sorry. Do you have bad memories from there?" Skuld nodded silently. "I see. I apologize, I didn't know."

"I-it's alright, King Mickey." Skuld tried to smile again, "There was no way for you to know. It was where I was experimented on."

Mickey sat up straight with a gasp as something clicked for him, "Wait… you're the girl who went missing!?"

Skuld nodded numbly with slight confusion.

Mickey forced himself to relax into his seat, "I see." He nodded and turned to Lauriam, "Ansem the Wise would be glad to receive the message that Skuld... or well, the amnesiac girl who disappeared was found alive and well. No need to speak further of her, but it would give him a great deal of closure." Mickey turned to Skuld, who was clearly full of anxiety. "I know you might not want anyone to know anything, but Ansem the Wise realized just what was happening in his kingdom when you disappeared. He's been worried sick about it, and was even exiled from his World after attempting to end the experiments his Apprentices were conducting all those years ago. I can't say I've always agreed with his choices, but sometimes you just gotta fall hard to realize how far pride can ruin you."

The mouse King shook his head morosely, "A true shame that whole business was… but they're all trying very hard to be people again. Good people."

Skuld nodded vaguely, "I… I understand, Mickey." She smiled a little as she turned to Lauriam, "If you do go, you can at least tell them I've been found and I'm well."

Lauriam nodded as Elrena scoffed with a roll of her eyes as she made her own opinion known, "They should rot in their guilt."

Lauriam was silent for a beat, "Like us?"

Elrena stiffened and clenched her fists into her lap with an ugly look of disdain on her face as she kept her silence. She turned her face away from him, both in shame and stubbornness.

Lauriam was tired and tense. But he was also ashamed and angry. He pushed himself from his seat, "I'll be taking a walk."

Skuld nodded at him, somewhat distressed as Mickey gave him an awkward smile, "Don't go too far."

Lauriam raised an eyebrow, "Not very far to go until the end of the Isle."

Mickey was silent for a moment, "Ah, well. The water's deep, and things creep down there."

Lauriam felt a shiver as he stared at the King, "...You've been under the water?"

Mickey nodded, "Donald and Goofy were down there with Sora while fightin' Xehanort. Said there were the ruins of a Tower, and that it was mighty eerie."

Lauriam swallowed and pictured it immediately.

The gears and bell.

The glorious height against the dawn of the sky.

The Tower of Daybreak Town, the symbol of their Past and beloved Home.

It was beneath the water.

Nothing there could possibly ever be of use again.

Lauriam left the room in silence.

He went under the water.

xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx

Lodur nodded in pleasant greeting, "Master Ava, Master Riku." He observed the feline that was sitting rather tense and neat across Riku's shoulders, "Master Sora. My pleasure."

Ava frowned and tilted her head slightly as she observed his Lady Luck Keyblade, "...You're a Wielder too?"

Lodur chuckled rich and short as Riku felt tense and suspicious. Sora's claws were digging into his shoulders and it was the only thing giving away his feelings. Sora could easily hold a poker face in his present form. The elder blond waved a lazy hand, "Quite an old one, truth be told."

Ava clasped her hands tightly across her stomach, "...You're not here to see us off, are you?"

Lodur sighed gently as he gave her an oddly wistful and affectionate look that had Sora's fur on edge. "Not quite, though I have no desire to play any games with you all, either. I too desire to return home. My mission was far more short lived than that person's."

Ava pursed her lips and Lodur shrugged, "I cross over between. My services come and go, but I rarely use the Keyblade to deal with such trivialities. I will take my leave for a time with you all, and eventually return. It is a privilege I have earned with a great deal of work."

Ava sighed with a slump as she nodded, "I see. So you'll be going back with us? And helping?"

Lodur hummed, "I'm not sure about help, but I bear no ill-will against you all." He turned to Riku, "It is you, young Master, who shall lead the way back. You had a specific method of appearing here, and I believe our desired destination is one and the same."

Riku furrowed his brows, but slowly Sora's claws detracted and he took that as a sign to go with it. "Fine." He turned and began walking, Ava hesitant to follow until Lodur took his first steps after.

Riku called out Braveheart, and when Sora turned to her, she realized he'd materialized Kingdom Key into his mouth.

She covered her lower face as she felt a rush of excitement and the need to suppress the desire to scream about how adorable it was that he could Wield like that.

Sora gave her a questioning look before snickering, somehow catching on to her clear penchant or all things feline and turned forward again.

Ava called forth Vulpes, "How far do we have to walk, Riku?"

Riku was silent for a beat, "Uh, well. I have an... idea of where the Gate was, but…"

Sora's words were muffled, but understandable, "Sho wha' yer shayin' ish yer losh'."

Riku made a face at that before blushing lightly, "I am not. It's just gonna take me a second to remember just where in Quadratum I landed."

"Riiikuuuu!"

Lodur chuckled, "I believe I know the way, young man." He shifted slightly to the left and strode forward, leading the way a few blocks before a blue Gate appeared in the middle of an empty square. Regular people couldn't do much with it, so it was a rather fascinating light display in their eyes.

For Wielders like them, it had more use.

Lodur turned to Riku and waved a hand in the Gate's direction, "Lead the way."

Riku sniffed and gave him a look before coming to a stop and lifting Braveheart towards it. Sora copied him as he stood up on his shoulders.

Lodur and Ava copied him, and suddenly their worlds were filled with blinding light.

They opened their eyes to endless sea kissing beautiful sky.

The man in Black Coat clasped his hands behind his back with a deep chuckle as he observed their departure from a high rooftop, "Well done." He looked upwards toward the waning moon, "But you'll be back soon enough." He stepped away from the ledge, "We'll meet again. I can barely See it."

"Well done, Luxu."

xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx

Vanitas woke up and chose violence.

Ventus shielded himself with his arms, disgruntled, as pancake batter magically went everywhere, "Who's idea was this!?"

Kairi was laughing maniacally as Xion giggled beside her while they poured batter onto the pans while utilizing their wands.

Naminé just sat in her chair at the table with a slump, resigned to her fate as she watched with an empty look in her eyes.

Vanitas just wanted coffee.

He had just showered.

He wanted coffee!

He wasn't sure if he was immediately hedging a breakdown in tears or rage but his eyes were warm with the pain of incoming waterworks and he wanted to scream.

Roxas just watched with a lazy smirk on his face as he cupped his chin in one hand at the table while tapping his own wand in an unheard rhythm as he hummed. He was clearly listening to music from his Gummi phone while watching the chaos before him in silent glee and appreciation.

Naminé was holding her own wand in her lap, but in a way that was clear she wasn't using it.

Vanitas snarled and looked at Ventus accusingly with slight hysteria bleeding into his tone, "Who gave you all wands!?"

Ventus looked at him in surprise. He seemed to be taking this chaos better, but that didn't mean he wasn't having his own internal meltdown, "Whuh?! I- I don't know! Merlin?! I already have my own!"

Vanitas blinked, "...Since when?"

Ventus gave him a confused look, "Master Eraqus gave us all wands. It's a backup for our Keyblades and teaches pinpoint Magic manipulation. Terra just sucks at it and Aqua's too good."

Vanitas nodded numbly. Made sense, "You're in the middle?"

Ventus shrugged, "Didn't really use it."

He wasn't taught how.

Vanitas winced, "Oh." He would NOT offer to teach him

The tiny voice of Sora in the back of his head laughed cruelly and told him otherwise.

The smell of pancakes was strong, but Vanitas's desire for coffee was stronger as he tried to calculate how to get to the coffee pot without being splattered.

At least until Merlin stepped into the kitchen/dining room and stared in horror at just where all of the pancake batter had flown to. He stood in dazed wonder, open mouthed until a huge splat of batter slapped him right in the face.

Silence rang with a pitch as the two girls realized they'd gone too far with their food fun.

Merlin's wand appeared in his hand and he gripped it with white knuckles as he tried to keep calm while he wiped away batter with the end of his sleeve, "...Girls."

Kairi winced with a light cough, "Y-yes, Merlin, sir?"

Merlin turned to his student with a… frighteningly questionable smile as he sweetly asked, "Do you need to be banned from the stove like Lea?"

Kairi ducked into her shoulders with a wince and squeaked, "...No?"

Merlin pressed his hands in front of him like a prayer, "Then I do hope this will be cleaned up shortly. All of it."

Kairi nodded frantically as Xion bowed slightly, "S-sorry, Mister Merlin!"

Merlin sighed silently as he waved his hand, "Nothing a little cleaning Magic can't handle, Xion. Please do learn the finer details of minute Magic manipulation before trying something as… delicate as pancakes again, though, hmm?"

Xion nodded swiftly as she straightened her posture, "Yes, sir!"

Merlin waved his wand lazily, cleaning up the area with the coffee pot and swiftly setting the machine up to do its brewing rounds. He could sense Vanitas's mood, and knew the Darkling was somewhere between bloodlust and sobbing.

Vanitas did not do well with interruptions to his quiet morning routine.

Though if Merlin were honest, he needed a cup himself.

This was too much first thing in the morning.

He glanced at Naminé, and set a pot of green tea to brew as well, and the poor girl slightly perked up at the sight of it.

Merlin loved these children, certainly, but he would never wish to be a father himself.

Being a Guardian was work enough.

Ventus slumped as he started to wipe down his arms. Merlin had mercy on the poor boy and cleaned him off with a simple flick. Ventus glanced at him and nodded in thanks before turning slightly to Naminé, "Do you know how to use a wand, Naminé?"

Naminé looked up towards Ventus with a slight smile as life slowly bled back into her, "Oh, only a little bit. I'm just beginning to learn the basics."

Ventus nodded, "That's great!"

Naminé tilted her head slightly, "What sort of wand do you have? I know we all have basic beginner ones, and Vanitas managed to customize his."

Vanitas winced as Merlin gave him a calculating Look.

It was difficult to get a wand to change for their Caster, but when they did, that meant they'd reached certain mastery levels and a unique level of trust.

Vanitas was still too new for that, and Merlin could only guess that the wand he'd been gifted was even more mischievous than the boy.

Ventus had to think for a minute as he crossed his arms with a frown. He mentally catalogued his inventory, and eventually he jolted, lifted his hand, and then with a simple flick of his hand a bronze colored wand appeared in his hand. He looked it over before looking at Naminé sheepishly, "I kinda forgot about it."

Merlin frowned, "...May I see that, Ventus?"

Ventus blinked before he nodded and moved over to him, handing it off to the Wizard as the man put away his own wand and looked it over with a calculating eye.

He felt the internals of this… counterfeit. It had silver and copper along with wood and gold intermixed haphazardly with the external bronze. They were the sorts of materials that empaths needed to keep others out. These ingredients had their uses, but they were rarely used.

This messily constructed wand was meant to impede and repress. He'd had to use a few of these in his time, as there had been a few Magic users who were too strong for their own good, and could easily blow off their arm with a single basic Cast due to how… talented they were.

It was meant to help with Mana control.

Ventus did not need this sort of wand, and the wand knew it. It had even gone so far as to hide deep within the boy's inventory.

Merlin didn't know how to approach this.

Vanitas looked at it, tilted his head, and scoffed, "What a bunch of bullshit." His wand was red-hot in its place. It was angry and offended for his brother.

Ventus looked at him in confusion, "Huh?"

Vanitas took in a deep silent breath while counting before he quietly exhaled, "You were given a dupe wand, dummy."

Merlin sighed loudly as he gave Vanitas a tired look, "There's no need to phrase it like that."

Vanitas shrugged carelessly, "Not my fault the good guys did terrible shit to their own kids."

Merlin slumped slightly. He supposed he couldn't fight him on that. Eraqus had truly focused on the wrong things in his attempts to keep the World Balance. He put the useless wand away, deep into a special place within his storage and pulled out a new wand. It was a basic little thing, but he willed it into the colors of Ventus's Wayward Wind and handed it over, "Here. You should try it out later, to see how it feels to use a proper wand."

Ventus took it with numb fingers and dejection, "Thank you, Merlin."

Merlin crossed his arms within his sleeves and gripped his elbows, "You are most welcome, Ventus. I believe your Magical capabilities will be able to grow exponentially from here on out, so do please use the training grounds to figure out the finer points of control."

Ventus nodded as he placed it forward in his inventory, and Vanitas felt his wand settle.

Plates and wares were set as pancakes filled each spot. Cups of tea, coffee, and juice were placed, and Vanitas decided it was a plain black sort of day.

He drenched his pancakes in copious amounts of syrup as the others slowly winced.

Except for Ventus who did the same and dug right into the sickly sweet mess along with his brother.

They had to share their tastes somewhere, right?

In contrast to his brother, Ventus had a glass of milk.

Roxas would've laughed at the light versus dark thing going on, but huddled over his coffee protectively as he drank it, far more interested in his brew than the fluffy cakes before him.

At least until Xion gave him a kicked puppy look, and shoveled an entire layer into his mouth to appease her.

Naminé smiled to herself as she felt warmth from each of them, cozy in this little moment of normal that they all were starved for.

Vanitas stopped as he neared the end of his plate as a vacant look entered his eyes.

He set down his cup of coffee and pushed away from the table and looked towards where the sun was in the sky.

Roxas stood next, and slowly Xion and Ventus joined while looking in the direction.

Naminé felt the world around her disappear as she stood and turned in that direction, as chains, links, and threads suddenly were pulled and dragged from so many directions.

It was like a whirlwind of colors glowing in the dark of her mind, as connections reforged with a flurry towards something far away from many many Worlds.

Tears fell down her cheeks as she gasped and held her face, "Sora."

She knew the others also had wet cheeks as they, too, spoke in their own tones, "Sora!"

Roxas's Gummi phone vibrated with a message from Ienzo.

Bring the others here to Radiant Garden.

Especially Vanitas.

xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx

The moment they appeared in Radiant Garden Sora felt it.

He nearly passed out from it as he dug in his claws and gasped silently.

Riku probably heard him, certainly felt him stiffen and waver.

He felt his Power shatter and leave, and tear away from him with entrenched claw marks upon the Station of his Heart.

He felt like a hollow shell that had been emptied of all of its contents, as every single one of his abilities disappeared from his mind. Tears swelled and he was barely able to process the sarcastic surprise that he'd kept his feline form and World Magic.

But he felt so tiny and small, as if all that was left of him fit right into this tiny cat body, and no further.

He must have made a sound as the others gave him attention. It had happened so instantaneously, so abruptly that the world spun and his claws retracted.

Ava dropped Vulpes in a shower of glitter and caught his tiny body in her hands with a light gasp as she felt what had happened to him. Riku turned to her in concern and confusion as he looked down at the limp Sora as she repositioned him in her hold, close to her chest. Lodur was frowning, an unreadable look in his eyes as he spoke, "I see. So he went that far."

Riku looked at him with annoyance as his worry for his friend made him snappy, "What do you mean?"

Lodur sighed tiredly as he dismissed Lady Luck. "Xehanort pushed you all into a corner, tighter and tighter. I can't say I hadn't had my suspicions… but incredible sacrifices had to be made to bring you to the other side of the end of everything." He crossed his arms and closed his eyes, "I must say that I am ashamed that in my attempt to investigate the matter, that I helped to bring this fate upon him. Luck was kind enough to spare him, no matter how dismal the situation looks."

Ava was watching Lodur with a pensive air about her as she asked tightly, "Who are you?"

Lodur observed her for a moment, "I suppose I'm late to explain myself." He uncrossed his arms and reached behind himself. It was a familiar action for those with hidden inventories, and a familiar, but rather aged hat was pulled forward. Ava felt her chest tighten as the man placed the well-worn hat on his head in aching familiarity as his eyes were shadowed, "It has been far too long, Master Ava."

Ava could scarcely breathe, "Brain?" Lodur nodded as Ava felt a warring tide of emotion, "Brain?! It's- it's really you?! But how!?"

Riku watched silently with his arms crossed, lost to the significance of it.

Lodur sighed heavily as he tipped his hat up, his blue eyes now a shade of slate-blue that was somehow just barely familiar to Riku, as if he'd seen such a color from a ghost. "It wasn't particularly my idea. In fact, I was rather offended by the source when it was first suggested to me."

Ava frowned, "...That doesn't really answer my question, Brain."

Lodur huffed, "Masters can remove Heart from Body. Whether it is to allow that body to Heal and place them into stasis, or to continue onwards in time… it's a bit of a grey area of business. I've only done it a handful of times, with very specific particulars... yet I still find it distasteful, even if it was so that I might see my comrades again."

Ava was silent and tense for a moment. "...So someone else suggested this to you."

Lodur nodded, "On my very deathbed. Chirithy was… pleased by the prospect."

Ava bowed her head, "Are they still with you?"

Lodur nodded, "Yes." He took off his favorite hat and placed it gently back into his inventory. It was quite the fragile antique these days, "Just quite a bit older and a little weaker after suffering my… decompletion twice. Though I suppose that guy's Chirithy had it much worse."

Riku was… baffled. He looked between the two before him before clearing his throat, "Well. As ambiguously interesting as this all is, why don't we bring Sora to Ienzo and the others so they can scan him?"

Lodur blinked as he looked down at the barely conscious feline in Ava's arms, "...My apologies." He nodded at Riku, "Lead the way."

Riku nodded and turned, a swiftness in his step as he led them towards the Castle.

Meanwhile, Sora couldn't do anything.

He was vaguely aware of the conversation going on around him, but it was as if he were submerged in water. Half of him was able to understand the outside world.

The other part of him was collapsed onto his Heart Station. It had terrible deep gauges in it. Claw marks from a three-clawed beast that ripped through him.

Shattered glass lay around and under him, cutting into his skin and causing him to bleed.

He felt his heart lurch and shudder as it continued to beat in his chest.

He felt sick.

Sora closed his eyes, feeling sweaty and cold as heat radiated through his blood.

This was miserable.

He was helpless. There was no strength left in him, emotionally or physically.

Chains reached out with ribbon and thread.

He concentrated on breathing.

Hands from so many directions, glowing in an array of color were reaching and calling out.

Existing Hurt. Why did it have to Hurt so much!?

Was he even still alive!?

A familiar sharp voice broke into his train of thought.

Now do you understand?

Sora exhaled with shaky lungs, "I didn't mean to not understand your pain, Vanitas."

Silence. Something like a sighing breath in the emptiness.

I'm here.

"...Yeah?"

I'll return the favor.

Sora frowned. He wasn't sure if that was a good idea.

Ventus will, too. So will the others. They owe you their lives. Rebuilding your pathetic remnants is simple enough.

Sora felt offended by the tone.

Cruel loving laughter.

Drink.

Black began to flow out of the bleeding gashes and lapped against his skin. He felt that burning rage in the back of his mind. That emptiness and desire to eat the Hearts around him.

His more sinister forms were lurking.

Sora couldn't even move, yet he somehow managed to dip his tongue into the Deep.

He felt feminine hands caress and move him, hold him as something Dark and Great wrapped around him with a gentle coo as pitch black hair that pained his eyes curtained his view.

Like a mother cocooning her young in warm blankets before bed. A sickly sweet scent of sugar and temptation.

Sora didn't know what this was, but he was terrified as the being cupped a handful of the Deep and poured it into his parted dry lips.

Drink Deep little one. Can't have you breaking now.

He didn't want to Know who she was, but he knew that this being was too much for those of the flesh.

Sweet Child of Light, Chosen to Open the Door. The one who can See into the World's Truths.

You will become stronger.

This is but merely a set-back upon your path.

Rejoice.

The presence gently laid him onto his back and slithered away along with the all too familiar darkness.

His breath shuddered as everything within him finally settled. He glanced to the side and saw that the bleeding gashes had been filled and covered with emptiness.

Lines slowly bled back into place to reform his reflected image.

The familiar lines shifted and changed as the gashes slowly swirled and reformed into a monochrome 'x' over the changing images of his friends.

New and old, imprinted upon his Heart.

Light swirled and bloomed. A new being was made manifest. Long floor length golden hair dipped in light aqua teal pooled around them as they gazed upon him warmly with unnaturally bright eyes in the same shades. Golden robes with threads of blue and red crossing over, golden beads of light and silver chain draped over and around a golden sash at their cinched waist. Silver and gold lucky emblems dangled off chained bracelets on either hand strangely in and out of place.

They smiled at him with terrible love, "Welcome back, Sora."

Sora felt terror as he could scarcely ask, "Who are you? What are you doing in my Heart?"

They closed their eyes and clasped their hands across their midsection, "The Key to the Door." There was a terrifying familiar red and black Heart symbol hidden under their robes at the top of their sternum.

They didn't need to say anything more.

He Knew.

The X-Blade.

xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx

Vanitas felt buzzing in his blood as they stepped into the computer room where Ansem the Wise, Ienzo, and Even waited for them. The elderly Ruler smiled at them all warmly, "It is good to see you all well."

Kairi bowed awkwardly as Xion did the same. Naminé gave the man a curt nod in greeting while Roxas simply frowned and crossed his arms. Ansem felt no offense, he deserved even less respect from these poor children. Ventus simply bowed slightly in proper greeting while Vanitas crossed his arms to suppress his singing blood.

Merlin was back to his older look and nodded curtly.

Ienzo was pleasant, "We've finished our analysis on Vanitas's data. Unfortunately, we had to cross reference Roxas and Xion's Data along with Ventus and Sora's to ensure we were on the right track."

Even shook his head, "A complete mess of my work! That body of yours has some fine problems, but with a little bit of work, it should be made right."

Vanitas swallowed, "No."

Even blinked before annoyance settled in, "What do you mean no!? It could affect your health in the long run if we don't correct what was scrambled!"

Vanitas shrunk into himself as he scowled, "I'm fine the way I am."

Merlin was silent for a moment before moving over to the incensed scientist, "Allow me to see the Data, young Even."

Even gave the elder Wizard an incredulous look, but kept his words to himself out of respect for the Wizard's power.

Vanitas gripped his arms tightly.

Ventus watched him with concerned confusion, "Why don't you want them to fix what's not right? I won't say I know exactly what's going on, but…" He knew what it was like to be broken.

Vanitas took in a deep breath before slowly exhaling, "...I have come to accept myself as I am. I came into this World as a broken being of Flesh. That's how I'll leave it, too."

Ventus gave him a sad look, and Naminé turned to face him, "...Vanitas." The Darkling shifted his gaze to her and she reached forward. He didn't move as she gently grasped his vest with a shaking fist, "...Won't you reconsider it? Not today maybe, but… maybe sometime soon?"

Vanitas gazed deep into her imploring eyes.

They were dissecting each other. Naminé understood him wordlessly.

He had to receive punishment, one way or another.

This was simply a silent way to do it.

Merlin hummed, "I see." He turned to his Ward, "There isn't much time left to correct the flaws within Vanitas's Data. The Replica body he presently resides in could eject his Heart and collapse into nothing."

Vanitas froze at that and swallowed hard.

Oh.

He felt a shiver as mortality struck him.

He could end up being thrown to Kingdom Hearts.

Did he even have enough of a Heart to survive that? To be reborn?

He couldn't risk that much.

He winced as he rasped lightly, "...Merlin."

The old Wizard tapped his wand against his shoulder while staring at the screen in thought before turning to his ward, "I will leave it up to you, but I believe it would be in your best interest to allow this procedure for your own sake. As far as I can tell it isn't particularly invasive, and my own wards should hold up through the process."

No need to worry about bleeding or vomiting darkness.

Vanitas felt nervous.

There were times that the ambiguity of their existence was tiresome and ridiculous.

This was one such time that it felt particularly irksome.

A male voice rang out, "Oh- Hey! If it isn't Roxas and Xion!" The group turned to the newcomer. Ienzo and Even groaned while Ansem chuckled lightly. Merlin was too tense for this nonsense, and Roxas and Xion lit up a bit as they exclaimed, "Demyx!"

The blond man rubbed behind his head with a grinning chuckle as he looked them all over with bright blue eyes, "Long time no see!" He caught Ventus's blank look, "Oh, hey Ven!"

Ventus blinked in startled confusion at the address, "Uh, oh, Hello."

Vanitas felt himself flinch before he realized he'd jumped to the other side of the room away from this… freak.

Within the Organization, Demyx was the one member he'd thankfully never dealt with.

But being in his presence with an all-too bright and searing Heart of Light was tell enough.

He hated this guy!

Demyx looked at Vanitas as though struck and dramatically clutched at his chest, "Now that's just rude!"

Vanitas hissed and felt his hair stand on end.

Who the fuck was he!?

Ventus could feel Vanitas's reaction through their frayed bond. He hadn't felt much from his Other- had never noticed much before in the past… But at this moment, so close together, he felt Vanitas's wariness.

Demyx had called him Ven.

The scene of a wasteland surrounded by dead Keyblades awaited them as he cautiously walked towards the two teenagers in the distance at the assigned meeting place. He was so nervous, and he was still just a kid, so the older ones always intimidated him.

They noticed him and waved him over happily.

"Oh uhm, Hello. My name's Ventus, but my friends call me Ven!" (Not that he'd had any to call him by that.)

Ventus felt his chest constrict as he sensed something, a deep well of grieving loss was suddenly filled with disbelief and raising hope. He shouldn't have Hope, not like this, yet, Master's Luster came to his hand in his preferred grip uncalled.

Demyx pulled back in dramatic surprise before becoming painfully gleeful as he addressed the Keyblade, "Oh wow! It's been a while, huh?!"

Ventus was lost. He was being torn in so many directions!

Kairi was now disgruntled as she pointed into Demyx's face and forced him to pull back, "What's your name, and why are you even here?! What do you want?!"

Demyx raised his arms in peace, "Hey hey hey! Wasn't I nice enough to bring you food while you were stuck in that cell?!"

Kairi glared at him with teeth bared and a snarl.

Demyx rolled his eyes hard before he grinned and rubbed the back of his head and pointed to himself with his thumb, "Name's Edym. Now that I've got my Heart and body back, I figured I'd stay around here while recollecting myself! Can't really travel between Worlds through Dark Corridors without Darkness, afterall!"

Roxas frowned, "...You can't use them anymore?"

Edym waved a hand before placing them on his hips, "Nope! I'm a good boy now!"

Even buried his face into his hands and groaned, "Please take him when you leave!"

Ienzo looked haggard, "He tried to help."

Xion looked back at them before turning back to the lanky musician, "...You're not very helpful, are you?"

Edym had the grace to look bashful as he flushed and scratched lightly at his chin, "...Nope! I'm not really good with all this… sciencey stuff!"

Roxas slumped as he grumbled, "Not good with missions either."

Edym was shocked, "Hey! That's not nice, Roxas!"

Roxas looked up at him with a pout, "But it's true!"

Ventus was having an internal crisis. Between Vanitas's continued silent aggression and rejection of Edym, Ventus was having really weird moments of deja vu with this guy.

Master's Luster was singing and it was distracting!

Ventus felt his blood buzz from the Keyblade's glee.

Ventus didn't want to presume. It was just so far-fetched, yet, he couldn't help but croak out hesitantly, "...Ephemer?"

Edym looked at him and grinned with his hands on his hips as he gave him his full attention, "What's up, Ven?"

Ventus didn't even have the chance to stop the tears before he reached forward and grabbed the man by his Black Coat, "...Are you… it's really you?!" He felt desperate and frightened all at once.

How?! How!?

He Knew how, but it was still too crazy to believe!

Edym pulled him close and smothered him in a hug as Ventus closed his eyes.

The world around him was black, but instead of the tall man before him in reality, there was that scratchy red scarf and soft curly white hair brushing against him in similar height. The teenager holding him chuckled warmly, "It's been ages, hasn't it?"

Ventus sniffed grossly, embarrassed but so very tired emotionally, "You're alive..? Why did you leave so much behind, as if you weren't going to make it..?"

Ephemer squeezed him for a moment before relaxing his hug, "I didn't know this was possible either at the time."

And suddenly the world snapped back into place as Edym moved him a step back with a brotherly look of affection on his face, "I was kind of on my deathbed when Chirithy whispered their final secret to me, so I decided to leave things as they were. Made it a bit more believable, in case someone in the future was a little too interested in the past." He stepped back and crouched down. He made a motion, and Ventus knew he was calling his Chirithy, as his own popped into his startled arm as his other clutched his Keyblade.

There was a glimmer, and then glitter coalesced into shape and gave it form. They were almost pure white now with their ancient age. The black of their fur now a pale and light grey against the whites, their purse gone and cape replaced with a worn out handmade teal sweater. They swayed on their feet with faded eyes, "...Ephemer?"

Oh, even their little voice sounded so faint and old.

Edym looked at his Chirithy with pained affection as he gently scooped them up and held them, "I'm sorry Chirithy, you've been through a bit too much for your age recently."

Ephemer's Chirithy hummed with blind eyes narrowing as if closed in thought as they tapped their chin, "I can't expect much else from someone as reckless as you."

Edym chuckled awkwardly, "Awe, c'mon Chirithy!"

Chirithy chuckled lightly to themselves before tilting their head. They paused and gasped and reached forward, "-Chirithy?! Ven's Chirithy?!"

Ventus's Chirithy reached out, and Ventus moved to accommodate them as Edym did the same. Their little paws touched, and Ephemer's Chirithy sighed in relief as they wept unseen tears, "It has been so long Chirithy!"

Ventus's Chirithy wept as well, "Yes! And you made it too! I almost faded away when Ven's Heart was split in half, but I made it! We made it!"

Vanitas couldn't help but speak, "Do they seriously all just call each other Chirithy!? They don't have their own names!?"

Edym blinked and looked at him with blank neutrality, "Do the beings of darkness have their own names?"

Vanitas swallowed hard and dry at Edym's attention.

The Darkling felt his chest constrict painfully as anxiety crushed him with that simple phrase and the man's gaze.

Naminé shoved Edym and the musician yelped as he kept hold of his Chirithy, "Hey!"

Naminé was breathing hard and panicked. Edym winced, "Sorry. I wasn't trying to intimidate him! Promise!"

Naminé bowed her head, "Still!"

Vanitas felt his energy leave him in a rush and flow in one direction.

Echoes of a laughing Lich reverberated at the back of Vanitas's mind and he reached out and grasped the remnants of splintering glass of an all-too-familiar Heart.

He wasn't sure what happened after that. His mind fading away as the world around him turned dark.

It has been so long, little one.

Vanitas was floating in the abyss, Sora's damaged Heart was glowing in the distance.

He felt Sora's power bleed out in a flood.

Do you want me to save the little wretch?

Vanitas communed with his brother.

...Yes, please.

Oh, a 'please' for your Queen?

Vanitas breathed out shakily, My Dearly Beloved of the Deep.

The sultry voice chuckled as she caressed his cheek and drew black blood. He felt a slither throughout his whole being, but that's simply how darkness was. Terribly invasive and a pain in the ass when separated from it.

Alright, my dear little Knight. Of all of your comrades, only you have grown your own pathetic little Heart. Shorn from a Pure Light, even! How utterly fortunate for you.

He would disagree.

A whisper and breath was on his ear, I will save the one who graced you with a face, my little puppet.

Vanitas swallowed his insult, his snarl of anger.

He knew how Xion felt about being called a puppet.

The sultry sweet voice of his once-Queen laughed lightly and slithered away from him as darkness pooled on Sora's Station, Until we meet again in the Abyss.

A whisper.

Until we meet again.

xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx

Roxas and Xion yelled in agony as Ventus broke down mentally while Vanitas abruptly fell to the floor unconscious. Ventus was yelling and clutching his head as he dropped Chirithy and Master's Luster.

It didn't disappear, and Edym stared at it long and hard before gingerly picking it up. Its shape changed, and it returned to a length more fitting for his build.

Master's Union was pleased. Its job with the others was done. It had returned to its rightful place.

Ephemer couldn't help but sigh- in relief and resignation as the young ones struggled.

Naminé was panicking as she mentally reached out towards Ventus despite the sharp pain in her head.

Kairi was lost and frightened and she didn't know what to do to help, so she held onto Ventus to keep him from hurting himself.

Naminé groaned as Ventus's Chains of Memory whipped around violently. They were tugging and dragging at Roxas and Xion, overruling their wits as his longer years on this earth easily allowed him to overpower their Wills.

There were too many Chains to trace, too many emotions!

Vanitas's Chains were silent and splayed where they'd fallen until they started slinking towards the younger two.

Ienzo lifted the Darkling up with surprising strength and grace as he settled him onto the cot before them. He turned to Merlin who nodded, and Ienzo returned to his place.

The computer booted up, and the repair work on Vanitas's prone and breaking body began.

Roxas struggled against the flashes of Ventus's Memories that were assaulting him.

But even still, Vanitas's Memories were also bleeding into him for some strange reason! Not as violently, oh no. He was used to being slammed with Sora's Memories. Ven's were acting much the same.

No, Vanitas's Memories were like an oil spill sinking into cloth slowly to stain.

It was an unintentional thing, as he felt something strange and sweet assault his senses.

His Light bucked against it instinctively, and Xion grabbed his wrist painfully as she gasped greedily for air.

He looked at her with a wince, and she shifted to hold him close. He buried his face into her chest as they clung onto one another. She was crying, and Roxas knew he was too.

Naminé groaned at the strain she was throwing her Powers into. She'd never had to… fight Memory like this! It was far too alive and violent! Still, she couldn't let whatever had been triggered between all of them to drag them down into Sleep!

She gasped as she felt drenched in sweat. It was unpleasant and miserable.

A gentle hand she didn't know filled with Light and a sealed away deep Darkness took hold of her wrist and coached her gently, "Yes, good. It's alright, you're doing well. Keep going."

Naminé felt tears trail down her cheeks as she cried out, "But it's so hard!"

"I know. I'm here now. I'll help."

She felt blind as the world around her turned white. A light pink fox that was unnaturally large looked at her with gentle violet eyes and nudged her lovingly. She felt relief as warm fire filled her being and flowed around them. Ventus's wild Chains of Memory stilled and shuddered before pulling back into their correct place.

"Continue, little one. It's alright. We're here."

Naminé tried to control her breathing as the fox wrapped around her and pulled her into her magnificent fur. She sniffled and held this being close as she helped settle the frayed Chains and Nerves of those around her.

She sensed Roxas and Xion relax into one another, sensed Ventus finally calm and faint into Kairi's terrified hold.

Naminé allowed her powers to brush along her sister, to calm the Princess of her fears. Kairi sighed and suddenly was filled with grateful joy.

She took a moment to examine the frayed pieces of Vanitas.

"Your love reaches towards him. You can help him, it's alright. I won't be angry at you for helping one so soaked in the Dark."

Naminé sniffled as she asked with a small voice, "Really?"

"Sora told me all he knows. He trusts his brother."

Naminé exhaled in relief and collected the pieces of Vanitas that had bled out.

She caressed each thread, each Chain and rearranged them back into their proper place.

Naminé opened her eyes, and found herself collapsed on the floor in the arms of a stranger.

The girl's face was hidden by her mask, but the image of the fox made it obvious who she was. The one who'd helped.

Her throat was so dry and weak, "Who're you?"

"My name is Ava. I'm a Foreteller, and Keyblade Master."

Naminé felt her eyes close as she fully relaxed into her, "Oh… thank you." Sleep was close.

The girl's hand brushed away sweaty bangs, "Rest, Naminé. We can talk more later."

"...Kay."

The Artist fell asleep, and Roxas and Xion were much the same against one another.

Riku was frowning deeply as he observed the mess he'd walked in on. Kairi was smiling at him brilliantly, "Welcome home, Riku."

Riku nodded at her and smiled hesitantly, "I'm home." He held Sora's prone form in his arms, and Kairi shifted her gaze to him.

She frowned, and then felt Sora's battered Heart and gasped. She held onto the collapsed Ventus tightly as tears sprung to her eyes, "...That's Sora?"

Riku glanced at the cat in his arms before nodded and meeting her gaze, "...Yeah."

Kairi felt how damaged Sora's Heart was. If it had happened suddenly, if it'd happened when the others had suddenly freaked out, then no wonder! They were all so deeply connected to him, and could very easily effect one another like a set of toppling dominoes.

Ventus's situation didn't help.

Edym looked… guilty, really, as he held his and Ventus's Chirithy. Ephemer's Chirithy tutted, "You should have reintroduced yourself gently."

Edym blinked, "What!?" He looked at his ancient Chirithy, "I thought I was being gentle!"

A deep chuckle sounded behind him as a familiar face finally entered the chaotic room, "I believe what he means is that perhaps we should have allowed Ventus to think us dead for a bit longer."

Kairi frowned, "...You're... Luxord?"

Lodur glanced down at Kairi before he nodded, "Name's now Lodur, though, depending on who you might ask, it was also once Brain."

Kairi stiffened and held Ventus close in her arms. There was terror and threat there.

She didn't trust him.

Lodur chuckled, "That's a fine reaction, Princess Kairi. A good one."

Kairi glowered at him while Edym gave him a bored Look while grumbling, "That's not gentle, Brain."

Lodur looked… incensed, "By the Light, Ephemer-"

Edym tutted, "Aht, aht aht! No swearing!"

Lodur monotoned as he turned away as if to leave, "May Saix have you."

Edym squealed and pulled back, "No, wait! I'm sorry!" He reached toward the man's shoulder and yanked him back, "I'm sorry, okay?! I know I ate the last tub of your favorite ice cream last year!"

Lodur paused before turning to him in bewildered anger, "That's why you believe I am angry?! Are you senile!?"

Ephemer's Chirithy snorted, "Yes!"

Edym whined while Lodur slapped a hand on his face and exhaled loudly, "I'm going for a walk."

Edym looked between everyone before running out and gently dropping Ventus's Chirithy on the floor on the way when he remembered he had extra.

Riku just stared before turning to Kairi, "What'd I miss?"

Kairi slumped, "A lot? A little?"

Sora started snoring.

The conscious ones startled before looking at the slumbering feline. He looked almost emaciated somehow, as if he'd lost half of his body weight out of nowhere. Ienzo had practically watched it happen with a critical eye as Even and Ansem paid full attention to their work on Vanitas.

Ienzo stepped through the mess off his fellow teenagers and raised his arms, "Let me examine him."

Riku pulled back, "But-" Ienzo kept his hands lifted as he silently implored him, and slowly Riku relented, "Fine."

Ienzo took Sora's tiny form, felt every bone and wasted muscle, and set him down on the second cot.

Initially, there had been some thoughts of scanning Ventus and Vanitas simultaneously, but now that Sora was here, it wasn't needed.

However, the form he presently wore was a bit of a problem.

"Uhm…" Ienzo turned to the masked girl on the floor. She minded her fingers before shifting her capelet and removing her mask. He was silently shocked by the wavy milkshake pink hair and violet eyes, but he shifted to the mask she held out, "If you place this on him, it should turn him back. However, you'll have to leave it on, or he'll disappear."

Ienzo frowned. That went against Logic, but he would go with it. He'd have to. So he moved over to her and took the oddly heavy mask from her hands and carefully settled it over the prone feline Sora.

The young cat began to glow, and soon enough her was holding the mask on the head of a familiar teenager.

How did that work?!

Ienzo felt familiar Magic brush against him.

Tricks of the Light. Illusionary Magic.

It burned against his frayed Magic circuits and slotted them back into place.

Ienzo frowned as he felt Magic rush through his veins again.

He had accepted his losses long ago!

He turned to the young Master in confusion and she smiled pleasantly at him, "That's a rare gift you have, you know."

He did Know.

Ienzo slumped slightly as he clenched his fists, "...Yes."

Ava frowned at his reaction, "...I'm sorry, I should have asked first."

Ienzo closed his eyes and shook his head as he let his arms fall to his sides, "No… it's alright. Accepting it, and feeling useless despite it are two different things."

Ava nodded wordlessly as Ienzo stepped back towards the console. He felt the Magic swirl and swell before it settled quietly into place. Just like it used to.

It was comforting.

He began his own scan of Sora's present state of being, as erased lines of code and Data immediately became apparent.

It was heart wrenching.

It was as if something had clawed through the entirety of his existence.

He frowned.

Foreign pieces of Data were appearing, familiar errors.

He glanced back towards Vanitas.

So that's how it is.

Merlin was observing both sets of Data now.

He couldn't help but feel a little impressed. It was somewhat relatable, with how he'd imprisoned one of the Great Demon Gods, the Fourth to be exact.

Now the little thing was a spiteful magical beast affectionately called 'Fou-kun' by a bespeckled Demi-Servant.

None of that now, back to the present.

Merlin closed his tired old eyes and sighed heavily.

These children were a mess, but he found he loved each and every one of them.

He was doomed.

xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx

Edited within 24 hours with slight wording adjustments.

I've once again used Fate/ lore again... sorry about that, lol.

FFnet Guest: I'm glad you're enjoying my story.

Guest reviewer on FFnet Arika Koski 2021: I didn't know how to respond the first time you asked. I'm not the literal ESRB. I don't really watch movies or pay a lot of attention to ratings like that, but I've labeled this as "T" on FFnet. It's probably pg-13, but FFnet doesn't use that scale. Please do not ask me again. I can't tell if you're mad at the idea of VaNami, or excited, but I still at this time do not plan to have ships in this story. There may be hints at my own preferences, or certain characters writing themselves in certain ways to seem shippy, but I'm trying to leave things open. I didn't write this with the intention of involving romance.

I will state I am squicked by TerrQua, so please do not insinuate it with my stories since in this one they are primarily by themselves.

As an aside: I don't like responding to Guest reviews (from FFnet) in my A/N's since that complicates how many pages I've actually written, and I try to avoid it. I am happy to respond to User reviews privately. I'm finding I have a higher chance of being harassed by Guest reviews, and I'm getting ever closer to disabling the option on FFNet because it's causing me problems. I'm not always able to moderate them in time since my "on PC" time is sporadic, and I can't do anything through the app. FFnet always reroutes to the app on mobile. The ability to deal with harassment on FFnet is abysmal.

Finally: I'm sorry if anyone found the last chapter weird, or if there were any errors. Had a campus event I was running at work and I was kind of dead while writing some of it, and ran out of energy to proofread beyond making sure FFnet didn't mess up spacing like it tends to.

Thank you, and Please R&R!