I woke up in the trash and got adopted by the local trio.
xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx
Ava walked solemnly behind Merlin as he floated the unconscious children to the medical area as Aeleus led the way.
She had ideas. Contemplations.
Hopes.
She hid under her hood, her face partially shadowed in place of her mask.
Ava had been trained to use it, it had significance to her, even if the man who'd awarded it to her was a person who's words she wasn't sure she could trust anymore.
That mask was a symbol.
A connection to her Dandelions.
She gazed at Ventus, one of the children she had chosen that had somehow traversed time.
Riku and Sora didn't know enough to explain why he was there. Only how they'd come to know him by second-hand accounts. (Riku'd had the chance to get to know him and his friends, but they'd all separated for too long looking for Sora to have the time.)
Merlin glanced back at her, "You have much on your mind, Master Ava."
Ava twitched in surprise and looked at the kind old Wizard. "Oh, yes."
Merlin tilted his head slightly, "I have ears to listen."
Ava smiled slightly, "I was just curious. There are ways to survive time… grey areas of morality that I've never really entertained as feasible." Merlin nodded absently as she continued, "But this is most certainly Ventus, the same as he was before the Keyblade War. A few years older, but… it is most certainly him in his original form."
Merlin added, "Broken, but most certainly."
Ava frowned. She hadn't really wanted to stare at that, for it was true. He had so many cracks and edges that were healing over. Yes, Sora had done a terrific job of helping and healing him, despite doing the impossible.
Because Hearts did not normally cross boundaries such as this.
However, the moment she saw Vanitas along with Ventus, she understood.
A terrible Darkness had been sealed into the boy of Light she had recruited. He had done a wonderful job of sealing it, all on his own.
She guessed, at least.
But it was as if half of his entire being and existence had been shorn off. He'd healed, barely, and was most certainly getting stronger… but he'd lost literally half of himself.
Sora taped him up, and connected to what was torn away.
It was a childish mess of strings, tape, glue, and ribbon. Chains haphazardly tangled between them like necklaces that had become knotted.
Vanitas had been patched up delicately more recently by pink flowers and golden thread.
"Are you Vanitas's Guardian?"
Merlin hummed, "Yes. I chose to take him under my wing, after seeing how much the Darkness was harming him."
Ava was quiet, "He is Darkness."
Merlin paused and turned to her, "Yes, and he was torn out of a Heart of Light unwillingly. He was created and raised by a man who saw him only as a weapon and tool. His body couldn't handle that abuse, both the physical and internal. He was made to Wield his Keyblade and Power in an atrocious manner."
Ava swallowed. She hadn't meant to step on toes, "I apologize."
Merlin was quiet for a moment before he began to walk forward as Ava followed, entering the medical bay as Aeleus stood at attention at the door to guard the room. Merlin motioned with his wand, guiding each slumbering child to their own beds. He did this gently and with great care until Ventus, Roxas, Xion, and Naminé were settled and covered in each separated cot.
"I'm not human, Master Ava." The Foreteller snapped to attention at that as Merlin turned to her with his full attention and changed in the fuzzy blink of an eye. An old bespeckled man in blue robes one moment, and a tall young man with long wispy white hair and robes of white with accents of black, gold, and blue the next. She could smell flowers from him and his eyes were kind, "I am a being known as a succubus. A being, considered to be of the demonic sort depending on who you speak to about such others."
Ava blinked, "Oh, yes. I have… though I thought they were female."
Merlin gave her a look that told her he was laughing a little bit on the inside, but was kind enough to not do so aloud. "Succubus and Incubus are used as terms and connected to female and male gender, but they are not truly so straightforward. Humans are the same, preferring to think of men as "over" women, but in reality either can be above or below."
Ava furrowed her brows, she… sort of understood what he meant, but she wasn't entirely sure.
Merlin sighed softly with a shake of his head, "I suppose you're just shy of too innocent for that. Simply put, I'm more of the submissive type, so I identify as a succubus. I'm not above humans, and consider myself equal to them… however, it eases their minds if I say that I am below."
Ava pursed her lips.
Merlin chuffed and patted her gently on the head, "I say this to help explain how I am raising Vanitas."
Ava perked up a little at that and tilted her head, "What do you mean?"
Merlin placed his hand under his chin in contemplation as he explained, "Well, for example... female succubus devour the life force of men to live and stay young. I, conversely, enjoy the energy created from Dreams. All must sleep eventually, and I can ambiently absorb energy from the greater populace in one city safely and without harm to any single one person." He shifted and crossed his arms, "Conversely, Vanitas needs to eat negative energy. I, unfortunately, had to cut off his ability to do so along with his powers of darkness to begin guiding him on a healthier path. He has, thankfully, figured out a way to take in someone else's negative emotions… however, it needs a great deal of work so that he doesn't have to kiss people."
Ava blinked before blushing lightly, "Oh, that's…"
Merlin grinned, "It's awkward, especially for a teenager who doesn't exactly know how to be human all that well."
Ava winced.
Merlin tapped the tip of his wand in an unheard rhythm on his shoulder, "If I could find a way to more easily assist him in ambiently absorbing negative energy, I would. But it has been somewhat difficult, particularly due to the fact that he doesn't particularly enjoy being close with others. It would be so much easier if he didn't have the hang up of needing to act as though he were eating food like humans do."
Ava stilled. She waited a moment before taking in a deep breath to clear her mind and spirit, "I've had some… ideas to help Sora with his ghost problem."
Merlin blinked, "Ghost problem?"
Ava minded her fingers awkwardly, "Sora… no one could touch or see him except for a select few. He's now very susceptible to paranormal and spiritual attack because he… no longer has much of his body left."
Merlin raised his eyebrows in surprise. He could wrap his mind around the concept. Heroes and Legends of the past, present, and future could be summoned and given astral bodies to exist in reality, or even possess like-minded individuals. That's somewhat how Summons worked in some Worlds, where Magus thrived and fought Wars over the Holy Grail. He himself could be summoned through such arcane means as a Caster.
"How is it then, that you make it so that he has ties to the physical realm?" Merlin supposed he could see the boy without the use of his feline form that relied on World Magic, or the mask she wore that was clearly not simply ornamental in use.
"...Imagination."
Merlin nodded slightly, humming as he contemplated the mechanics. "Ah, Illusion and Imagination, parlor tricks of the Light. I'm surprised you can use something such as that."
Ava shrugged, "It was kind of for fun, since I can hide in plain sight by becoming invisible."
Merlin looked her over. He supposed a child would like the idea of being able to hide away easily like that. "Ah. Well. It's certainly unorthodox, but it clearly works in this case."
Ava nodded, "I thought about creating a magical tool. Something easy for him to wear, that would allow him to stay physically present. I just… I'm not really sure what to create and how to implement it? It would need some level of connection to an outside magical source, or it'll slowly deplete his Mana all of the time. Even staying in his cat form creates some level of Magical waste that he simply isn't old enough or trained enough for to handle in a long combat situation."
Merlin frowned, "So a magical device?"
Ava nodded, "I know he has varied jewelry to assist with various ability boosts, along with fabric and other such accessories. That's common among Wielders these days, and even in the past there were some enchanted items with boosts for collecting Lux or critical damage."
Past Wielders heavily relied on Magical tools, since so many of their abilities came from the Book of Prophecies through various Medals.
Merlin closed his eyes in thought. "...What sort of materials do you believe might be required?"
Ava grimaced, "That's the more difficult part. It'll require a decent amount of pure materials. I'd thought about cutting out a piece of my mask and forging it into a ring for him, but I wasn't sure if that alone would be enough."
Merlin nodded, "Do you know what your mask is made of?"
Ava went silent, "Not… not exactly. I believe that there may be particularly pure Mythril, as well as Orichalcum involved… but…"
Merlin understood her dilemma. "...Perhaps we can work together to create something that benefits the both of us?"
Ava tilted her head, interested. "What do you mean?"
Merlin looked to her, "Well, I believe the issue we both have can be resolved similarly. You were contemplating a ring?" Ava nodded and he continued, "Perhaps we can make it go two ways. Have them be connective devices that hold the wishes of the "Bonds of Friendship," tie that to the power of Light to help continuously restore Sora through many others, while simultaneously syphoning off building darkness the other way towards Vanitas. That way Vanitas won't need to explicitly touch someone to eat their darkness, and Sora won't have to directly rely on one individual's Magic to give him physical form."
Ava's eyes widened. "Oh, is that really possible?"
Merlin frowned deeply, "It'll be difficult, but I believe we can manage it if given enough time. I have a bubble World with distorted time that I can create. We can take our time figuring out the measurements there while being particularly conscious about our material consumption. To the outside our work can take only a few hours, but for us, well, it can take however long we need until we get it right."
Ava smiled and clasped her hands with a clap, "That sounds wonderful! I am ready whenever you are, Merlin."
Merlin nodded and returned to his older form as he walked past her, "Then let us inform Ienzo and the others, and move along. Time is of the essence."
Ava giggled lightly and followed swiftly after.
xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx
King Mickey smiled as he handed Lauriam, Elrena, and Skuld Gummi phones, "Here ya go! Don't be strangers now, and make sure to let me know you've all made it back alright, you hear?"
Elrena looked at the garish device with disgust while Skuld looked at it happily and nodded at the Mouse King, "We'll message you. ...However you do that."
Mickey laughed, "It's easy enough to use, and everyone's contacts are already programmed in. If you're havin' trouble, feel free to ask any of us to teach you!"
Skuld nodded. She liked the idea of trying to figure it out for herself first before asking, and she knew her partners were the same.
Lauriam nodded and put the device away, "Thank you for everything, your Majesty."
Mickey tapped his foot and crossed his arms in affectionate annoyance at his title. "I hope when I see you next, you'll call me Mickey. We are of the same rank, Lauriam."
Lauriam snorted, "I am no King."
Mickey's tail flicked, "We are Masters, my home World rank doesn't matter here."
Lauriam slumped slightly before having a short chuckle, "Alright… Mickey."
The mouse beamed and Elrena rolled her eyes. Skuld bowed slightly, "We'll be off."
Mickey waved, "Be safe you three!"
Sigurd bowed slightly by the King's side, "Do return."
They nodded, summoned their Keyblades, and entered the Light Corridor.
After some deliberation, it had been planned to first go to Twilight Town to speak with the others and drop off Skuld, and then move on to Radiant Garden.
Yet, they found themselves stepping out into the daylight of a Town Lauriam and Elrena didn't know, and Skuld froze.
Her Heart Knew this World and shuddered.
Skuld began to breathe in short panicked bursts as she pulled her arms close to her chest, "Radiant Garden?"
Lauriam grabbed her arm firmly, afraid the poor girl would pass out. She stood strong, if not a little wobbly, and he was… concerned. They had been aiming towards Twilight Town… with the others in mind. "...Perhaps we miscalculated how to return to Twilight Town by focusing on Roxas and the others."
Skuld leaned into Lauriam's build, huddled close and seemed to be trying to hide as much of herself into him as possible. It was almost unfortunate he wore a vest and not a cloak to hide under.
"Oh hey! You guys ended up here too?!"
Lauriam turned slightly while Elrena scoffed in annoyance and went silent as Lea waived at him as he approached. Isa was close behind him and stiff. Lauriam frowned, "...What do you mean?"
Lea rubbed the back of his head, somewhere between hidden stress and uncertainty, "We~ll… Ienzo sent us a message that Roxas, Xion, Ventus, and Naminé had collapsed while they were fixing up Vanitas."
Lauriam's fist clenched, "...Was there a fight?"
Lea blinked and Isa responded, "No. It would seem it was an issue of… Memory Chains going awry."
Lauriam was... familiar with the idea of Chained Memory, "How much do you know?"
Isa sighed silently, "Not much. Ienzo was too busy to speak further."
Lea motioned with his hand, "Master Aqua and Terra were summoned as well. We just got here a little while ago and were taking our time."
Lauriam raised a questioning eyebrow, and Isa shifted uncomfortably, "We have not exactly taken the time to return… home. It is… difficult, to know whether or not those we knew still live after this World's fall."
Lauriam winced, "Oh. My apologies."
Lea waved his hand, "Ah, it's fine. It's a bit of a mix of wanting to avoid seeing our families again, and being morbidly curious." He looked towards the Castle, "But unfortunately, our friends are in there."
Skuld buried into Lauriam deeper, shrinking into herself impossibly further.
A cloak settled around and over her, and her anxiety settled as she glanced up into Isa's sympathetic gaze. She let him ease her out of Lauriam's shadow as he gently toned, "You will be safe in our hands. No harm shall come to you. None of us will allow it." He squeezed her hand, "Endure this once, and you can be free of this World forever."
Skuld swallowed. He had a point. If she faced this now, instead of later, she could perhaps overcome it.
Anxiety and fear were things the darkness fed on. It would open her Heart to being devoured, and if she took courage to face this, she could heal and close the gaps.
Skuld nodded, her body shivering but steady, "...Alright. Don't.. Don't leave me, okay?"
Lea came to her other side and squeezed her arm gently, "We won't. Promise."
She sighed and grabbed both of their hands tightly. It was painful, but they didn't mind.
Isa murmured gently, "You are strong."
Skuld shook her bowed head, "I'm weak."
Lauriam's eyes softened as he gently lifted Skuld's chin up, "You are not alone. Your strength comes with our numbers."
Skuld stared up at him, wide eyed before slowly nodding, "Yes."
Lauriam pulled back and nearly jumped when his phone began to ring in a simplified cadence that made him remember being Lord of the Castle. He tapped the screen awkwardly, and he saw moving sky on the screen for a moment before a tiny voice grunted and set the other device down to face them. He blinked in confused shock at the sight of the ancient white Chirithy in a tiny teal sweater.
Somehow it was cute and strange all at once.
The ancient Chirithy wiped at their brow, "Phew! This thing's way too heavy for an old one such as myself."
Another familiar hatted Chirithy popped into view beside them, "You should have waited for me, blind one."
The white Chirithy jumped, "Oh! You were there, Chirithy?"
The Chirithy wearing a familiar black hat that made Lauriam want to cry nodded their head tiredly, "Yes." There was noted bickering in the background. Oddly… familiar voices, rising and falling in the nearby distance unseen. "Lauriam, it is good to see you well."
Oh boy, it was… funny, hearing that childish voice speak so much like the Wielder they were clearly and impossibly connected to.
Skuld inched over beside him with her boys, and Elrena moved to vaguely glance at the screen.
Lauriam felt crowded, "...What is going on?"
Both Chirithy sighed gustily and in sync motioned and spoke, "Bickering."
Lauriam snorted shortly. It was too surreal and funny to him, "Between who?"
Lea raised his eyebrow, "...Do I hear Demyx?"
Isa frowned, "...And Luxord."
Lauriam wasn't sure of the odd buzz he felt then.
The white Chirithy sighed, "Can someone come here and deal with these two? They're both too old for this."
The hatted Chirithy chuckled with mirth, "They have a terrible game going, Chirithy."
The white one looked back towards their fellow companion, their voice strained, "Really, Chirithy?"
The hatted one chuckled with crossed arms. Still customized the way Brain liked them.
Lauriam was surprised his voice was steady, "Where are you two?"
They both paused and spoke, "...Uuuhh-"
Isa tilted his head, "I.. believe I know where they are. It is still close to the Castle, but near the waterway." He turned, "Follow me."
Lauriam ended the call and put the device into his pocket.
Skuld held tight onto Isa's hand as they walked. Their pace was slow, and if Skuld needed to stop Isa and Lea would do so.
But she took each step. If little Naminé could face Lauriam and Elrena after all they'd done to her (Lauriam had confessed to Ephemer and Brain's Memories as well as her- he'd had to), then she could too.
Naminé didn't have a Keyblade to protect herself like she did.
Naminé was only two years old.
She could do this.
Her hands were clammy, but Lea and Isa held tight.
Slowly voices echoed through the area. One whining in pitch, and the other low and patiently incensed.
They rounded the corner and found the two culprits deep into it as two elder Chirithy toddled over with… someone's Gummi phone.
Isa frowned at them and took it off their paws, "Hello, little ones."
The white Chirithy giggled and smooshed their face, "You're too kind, young child of the moon."
The hatted Chirithy sighed, "Thank you for the help. You were called Saix, yes?"
Isa felt his eyebrow twitch as Demyx spun around with a yelp, "Saix!?" He backed up instinctively, "I swear I didn't do anything wrong! I'll write my report properly this time!"
Isa sighed and massaged the space between his eyes, already exhausted with the man's behavior as his scar ached while Luxord smacked his face and exhaled in exasperation, "Please tell me you can punt him with your claymore."
Lea held in a snort as Elrena stood bored and commented, "I told you guys a cereal bowl's more useful than him."
Skuld was confused. She felt more and more at ease, and it wasn't because of where they were.
She felt familiar warm Hearts of Light.
Lauriam couldn't help but chuckle lightly, "So you two managed to become complete once more, as we have."
Demyx brightened up and pointed a thumb at himself proudly, as though he'd just won some sort of contest, "Yup! All human and without the extra baggage!"
Being Xehanort's Heart.
Lauriam observed him as an odd feeling crept over him, "...Right." He glanced down at the two Chirithy, and then back to the familiar faces of his fellows from the Organization.
It was a strange thing to presume, but only one Wielder had customized his Chirithy so… specifically.
"...Brain?"
Luxord stepped forward and extended his hand towards him, "A pleasure to be able to meet you in flesh and Heart once more, Lauriam. Sad to say I had to cast off my original body due to age, but well. I hadn't exactly planned on this outcome when we all separated." In more ways than one.
Lauriam was… floored. He mechanically shook Luxord's hand with wide eyes, "How did I not notice?"
Luxord raised his eyebrow, "Being without Hearts made it easier to fool everyone. However, for as long as we had worked together back in the past, I can't say we knew one another's particulars."
Lauriam nodded numbly, "I suppose you're right." Him especially.
Demyx popped up beside Luxord as they separated, annoying the blond man with his exuberance, "Oh, oh! Guess who I am!"
Lauriam realized just why Luxord was angry with this man, "...I don't think I want to entertain the thought, Demyx."
The lanky musician slumped with a pout, "Oh, come on!"
Skuld released Lea and Isa's hands and stumbled forward to grab onto Demyx's Black Coat, "...Ephemer?"
Demyx grinned brightly as he kept her steady, "Yup! It's been a long time, and I'm glad to see you well, Skuld."
Skuld gasped and immediately started crying as Demyx panicked, "Oh- oh hey! Awe, Skuld, don't cry!"
The young woman sniffled and rubbed at her face as she tried to keep her emotions in check as she wailed, "But you died and we were never going to see each other again after parting so sadly with our friend, and you gave me so much courage when we saw the end of the World!"
Demyx winced before properly hugging her and patting her on the head gently, "I know, I'm sorry. When I set up everything, way back when, I went to my deathbed figuring I was gonna be... Y'know, dead. It's kinda funny how that didn't exactly work out the way nature intended it…" He had the nerve to seem bashful about it.
Lauriam looked to Luxord, "What happened?"
Luxord took in a cleansing breath before sighing, "Well. I ended up in Scala ad Caelum a little over a hundred years ago, perhaps? Time between Worlds can be a little… off, if you get what I mean." Lauriam nodded as Luxord continued, "Raised a family as I researched and had my questions and worries. Made my own will and final touches. Raised my grandson for a little while, and was heavily injured by a wave of darkness." He breathed for a moment, "And then this guy shows up, fresh as a cucumber in a shiny new pre-teen body and exclaims it's not time to go yet, and next thing I know I'm in a new body with barely any explanation."
Demyx pouted, "You were totally dying though!"
Luxord gave the man a tired and annoyed look and Demyx chuckled and rubbed the back of his head awkwardly.
Lauriam still didn't understand as he turned to Demyx, "Ephemer."
Demyx sighed and gently eased Skuld away from him into Isa's waiting hands before crossing his arms, "Well. I guess Wielders can extract Hearts from bodies? It's not common, and not exactly looked upon nicely, but sometimes Wielders go through too much and hibernate."
Lea frowned, "Like Ven?"
Demyx stared at him for a moment before slowly nodding, "Yes, I suppose so. It's the body's automatic defense to too much trauma, especially since Chirithy were no longer an option in the new Order of things. It created a different set of problems we never really had the chance to entertain. So the Power of Waking was developed, both to help Wielders who fell too far into Sleep, as well as to help awaken those who fell into Slumber."
Luxord continued, "You see, I didn't know that there was no hope for the others within the Data Daybreak Town. We all ran out of time to do anything. There are some… fuzzy Memories of the Past that I can't actually clarify for myself… but, it seems that our Chirithy had the option of allowing their Wielder's Hearts to perish and return to Kingdom Hearts to be reborn… or to go to Sleep. It seems the majority chose Sleep… and their Chirithy took their Hearts, protected them, and became their new bodies. Chirithy were Dream Eaters… but once they took in and protected their Wielder's Hearts, they became a new kind of Dream Eater."
Lauriam frowned. He vaguely recalled their initial gathering with Xehanort in that strange Dream space of the Room where Nothing Gathers. How Xehanort had tried to take a Sleeping Sora's body, and how Riku had had a strange, yet familiar symbol on his back.
"So Wielders can also become Dream Eaters with this power?"
Demyx blinked, "Huh? No they-" He stopped, "Oh, right. Riku was like that with Sora, wasn't he?"
Lauriam nodded.
Demyx ruffled his hair, "I don't know. But I think it's something we needed to witness to help. And well. I think we'll definitely need Sora in the future."
Luxord crossed his arms, "Sora has a deep connection with many of the Dream Eaters as they exist right now. It's rather… amazing, truth be told."
Elrena finally took a few steps forward and snapped, "What's amazing is your ability to waste our time chatting about imaginary concepts!"
Luxord blinked at her before turning to Lauriam with a questioning look.
Somehow Lauriam knew he was asking about her attitude and behavior, but he could only shrug in response.
He didn't understand it either.
Skuld sighed lightly, "I want to check on Ven and the others. To make sure they're okay, if they're really here."
Demyx winced and Skuld raised an eyebrow, "...Ephemer?"
Demyx slapped his hands together in prayer before him as if to ask for forgiveness as he exclaimed, "I didn't know he was gonna freak out like that! I swear I didn't mean to make Ven panic! How was I supposed to know that it'd effect Roxas and the others?!"
Lea growled, "It's your fault the kids were hurt?!"
Isa glanced at Lea, "They never said they were hurt."
Lea waved an arm, "Hurt, passed out, seems kinda the same to me!"
Isa nodded in acquiesce.
Demyx cleared his throat, "W-well, anyways, I'm called Edym now, and-"
"I'm now Lodur."
Lauriam nodded, "Understood."
Lodur paused, "Ah yes. One last thing, so you aren't quite so shocked." Lauriam raised an eyebrow, wondering how that would even be possible before Lodur gained a particularly vague smile, "Master Ava is here."
Lauriam felt the air leave his lungs, "M-Master Ava?! But- how?!"
Lodur was silent for a moment, "I don't know. She appeared in Quadratum while I was still a Nobody the second time around."
Quadratum?
Lauriam cleared his throat, "Is that the World you were on?"
Lodur turned to lead them inside, "It is a World outside of our reality I travel to and from. Ephemer has traveled with me once or twice. He doesn't like it there."
Edym sniffed, "It's wet."
The white Chirithy toddled in front of their Wielder and motioned to be picked up. Edym did so as they responded, "Says the guy who summons water clones."
Edym blushed, "Shut up, Chirithy. Using water and getting misted sharply in the cold are two totally different things!"
Chirithy crossed their arms and closed their blinded eyes, "Whatever, wimp."
Edym screeched, "Wimp!?"
Elrena groaned, "Is he always like this?!"
Lodur laughed somewhat bitterly as he carried his own aged Chirithy, "Oh. You don't even know the half of it."
"Augh!"
Lauriam chuckled.
Edym was a trip.
xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx
If you were to ask Ventus why he'd freaked out, he wouldn't be able to give a clear answer.
One moment he was fine and relieved, and the next it was as if something snapped inside of him and his mind collapsed.
He'd recover just fine, but he'd felt his Memories claw out towards Xion and Roxas. It'd frightened him, how easily his Memories could overtake them.
MustProtectStaySafeDon'tThinkAboutItJustGoBack
Ventus frowned and grabbed those thoughts.
Suddenly he was standing on his Heart Station, and he was gripping his younger self's arm.
The young him was crying, had been for a long time, really.
Ventus didn't know what to make of this. "...What's wrong?"
The young him flinched before he looked up towards him with terror in his eyes, "They always leave me!"
Ventus blinked, "...I know."
The young Ventus ducked his head in shame, "Mom, dad… everyone. They always… leave me behind…"
Ventus stilled. He didn't remember that far back. "What happened to them?"
The young Ventus sniffed, "I don't know anymore. I woke up in a bed. My head was wrapped up. I was found alone deep in the forest hurt and empty. No one ever looked for me."
Ventus vaguely knew he had a scar on the back of his scalp. Aqua had told him about it once and had wondered if that was why he couldn't remember much.
Ventus slowly released the figment's arm and settled onto his knees in front of him, "It must've been scary, to be all by yourself."
Young Ventus sniffed as he rubbed at his face and nodded silently.
Ventus was silent for a long time before he hesitantly asked, "Do you like to hide from your Memories?"
The young Ventus nodded, "Uh huh." He looked up at him with innocent soulful eyes, "Bad things keep happening to me, so I hide those Memories in a box."
Ventus frowned. He had a feeling there was a proper phrase for this sort of thing, but well.
He couldn't remember.
Ventus laid his hand on his younger self's head and patted it gently, "Do you have to hide them? The bad things?"
Young Ventus sniffed and rubbed his nose on his wristband. It made Ventus's stomach roll as he realized how gross that was. "I tried not to… but then the world would desaturate. I'd focus on what I did wrong, why no one loved me, and then everything would turn white and I'd be all alone!"
Ventus realized he was still prone to doing that. That if he thought something was his fault, he'd try and shove it to the side in a rush.
Like throwing toys under the bed and saying he'd cleaned. It was still messy, but hidden.
He hid from himself and his own actions.
"I can't do this forever, you know."
Young Ventus paused, "Huh?"
Ventus smiled at him sadly, "I have to face my past properly. I can't keep hiding my Memories anymore." He looked to the side, and the faint images of Roxas and Xion appeared.
The younger suddenly grabbed onto him and huddled into his chest, frightened. "Who're they?"
Ventus held his younger self close and brushed his hand through his hair, "They're my friends… but they're also connected to my Heart. I didn't notice it before, though I should have." He looked at the younger him, "Sora kept me safe for a long time… and he went through a lot of sad and painful things while I Slept and recovered. I didn't do much for him… though I think I did a little more than I thought, since Roxas has my face, even though he was supposed to be Sora's body."
The young him blinked up at him puzzled.
Ventus laughed lightly, "Weird, right?"
The young him nodded.
Ventus sighed and stood, carrying his younger self, "I know we're still really immature, and have a whole lot to learn… And that we have a whole lot of Hurt to sift through and heal from… But we have a lot of friends now." Behind Roxas and Xion, Lea and Isa appeared. Soon Sora, Vanitas, Terra, Aqua, and Kairi appeared. Skuld, Ephemer, Brain, Lauriam, and Peter Pan. More and More, different friends from his journeys appeared and the young him became entranced.
"We have a lot of friends now." The last to appear was Master Eraqus. "People don't always get along. They fight, and there are times that we don't understand why they chose to do the things they do, but…" Ventus turned away from his friends, to see the very faint images of his parents. His mother who he took after, a face and voice he couldn't recall. His father who had lost all features over time and was merely a silhouette.
The all-too-clear back of a girl in a white dress with bell sleeves and orange pigtails at the edge of his Heart.
"So long as we can talk and apologize for our actions… and learn from one another, I think we'll be alright. It's okay now."
"I can handle the weight of my Hurt."
The young him closed his eyes and smiled before disappearing into Light.
Ventus felt that Light settle into him, and suddenly the Memories, the good and that bad that he'd lost, slotted back into place like they'd never been missing.
He sighed and ignored the tears falling down his cheeks as the phantoms of everyone he'd known disappeared.
The girl was still there. She turned to him with a shadowed face.
He was a lot of help.
Ventus blinked, surprised that the Memory spoke to him.
The girl smiled, I'd like to thank him.
She disappeared.
Ventus was left alone, confused, before he shook it off and turned.
He opened his eyes to a high ornate white ceiling surrounded by white thick curtains. A hospital cot?
Aqua popped into his view, "Ven!" Ventus yelped in surprise as Terra leaned forward and laughed, "Ven, you're awake!"
Ventus blinked and looked between them in open mouthed wonder, "Huh?! What-you're here?!"
Aqua smiled as she replied, "We got a call that you'd collapsed, so we came." Terra nodded, clearly relieved he'd woken up.
Ventus cleared his throat. He was thirsty! "Uhm, how long was I out..?"
Aqua slumped, "A whole year."
Ventus froze.
Terra rolled his eyes, "It's been two hours."
Ventus pouted, "Aqua! That's mean!"
Aqua had the grace to look guilty despite her giggle, "I'm sorry. I just-" She sighed as she curled into herself slightly in her chair, "Sorry."
Ventus frowned. ...Oh. Was she trying to lighten the mood?
She'd clearly been stressed out and kind of forgot that Sleeping wasn't a good punchline for him anymore.
Ventus grimaced, "It's… uhm, I'm kinda mad, but it's kind of okay."
Terra shook his head and moved to pour him a glass of water. He wordlessly handed it over and Ventus drank greedily. He felt like a whole new person!
Terra patted him lightly on the head, "You really had us worried, Ven."
Aqua straightened and took his hand, "Things were kind of a mess when we came. Anyone who might be able to explain what happened was asleep, and Naminé seems to be sleeping the deepest."
Ventus nodded morosely, "Oh. I'll have to apologize to everyone."
Aqua watched him, searched him before squeezing his hand lightly for attention. He looked at her as she hesitantly asked, "What really happened, Ven?"
Ventus was silent as he hesitated before he took in a deep breath, "I guess… I've had a bad way of protecting myself mentally."
Aqua frowned, "You think so?"
Ventus nodded, "I just… kept putting away my Memories messily into compartments. Made them untouchable so I wouldn't have to deal with being Hurt."
Terra held his chin in thought. He knew there was a phrase for that sort of thing, but he wasn't sure if it was correct.
Ienzo pointedly cleared his throat from outside of the curtain, "May I interrupt?"
The three turned to the barely seen silhouette as Ventus replied, "Sure."
Ienzo gracefully moved aside the curtain and stepped into their little space as it fell behind him. He came to Ventus's other side and sat down on the empty stool waiting there. He was silent, observing him before writing down a number of notes on a chart. It felt uncomfortable and as if it took ages, but finally Ienzo sighed and looked at Ventus. "You have some level of PTSD. I believe all of you Wielders have some form of it, understandably, but with you it's a bit more complex. However, I see you've made some sort of breakthrough while asleep."
Ventus frowned, "...You can tell that much by just looking at me?"
Ienzo smiled wryly, "I have always been interested in the humanities. I may be rather clinical, but since Master Ava helped get my Magic back into working order, I'm finding I can use it in this manner for good, instead of manipulation and hurt." Ventus felt wary now. "Oh, my apologies. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
Ventus rubbed his arm, "N-no, I uhm, It's kinda just awkward."
Ienzo nodded, "I see." He hummed lightly in thought, "Well, anyway. I believe your usual form of mentally protecting yourself was something along the lines of "rewinding a clock" in that, you would simply erase hours, days, weeks, or even years to simply find the place where you felt emotionally stable and safe. It's not a great way to deal with trauma, but we can't help how our minds try to protect us."
Ventus nodded numbly while staring at the blanket pooled in his lap, "Sounds… about right."
Ienzo tapped his pen onto his clipboard for a moment, "You don't have to talk about it, but I do believe talking to someone about your worries and hurts will help."
Ventus glanced at Ienzo, "...Yeah, probably."
Ienzo gave him an awkward smile and a helpless shrug, "I apologize, I'm not exactly a professional, and I can only do so much."
Ventus shook his head, "No, it's alright. I think you're right. I just need to be careful, to try and pick up the signs that I'm trying to suppress my Memories."
Ienzo slowly nodded, "Sounds good… though don't push yourself."
Ventus nodded as Ienzo stood. The blond couldn't help but ask, "How're the others?"
Ienzo smiled kindly, "Roxas and Xion are already up, but are sticking close. They're worried about Naminé, Sora, and Vanitas."
Ventus frowned and he felt like he wanted to jump off the bed. "Can I see them?"
Ienzo contemplated it for a moment before shaking his head, "I'll let them know you're up. You stay here for a while longer, alright?"
Ventus sighed with a slump, "...Okay."
Ienzo chuckled lightly and left their little space.
Xion popped her head in shortly thereafter, "Ven!"
Ventus brightened, "Xion!" He winced, "My Memories didn't hurt you… did they?"
Xion moved over to Ventus and sat on the bed near him and took his hand, "Only a little bit."
Ventus drooped and Xion squeezed his hand, "It's okay, Ven." He looked at her sadly and Xion laughed lightly, "Really, it is… though I can't say I like having another boy's Memories in my head."
Ventus felt his face heat up as he blushed deeply and his voice cracked, "Wait-"
Xion waved her free hand, "You dumped everything, Ven."
Ventus wanted to bury his head in the sand, "N-no! How-Why did you end up with all of my Memories?! It was- it was just the ones from the past few years, right?! Right!?" Not that that would make it much better!
Xion glanced away from him, a light flush to her cheeks, "Uhm, no. All of them, I think. You were definitely a kid in some."
Ventus wailed and covered his face. Xion felt sympathy and patted him on the head as he curled into himself in humiliation.
Aqua looked at her puzzled, "...Xion, uhm, I'm not exactly clear on what happened…"
Xion shrugged, "I don't think I can explain it well either, but I was originally meant to absorb all of Sora's Memories through Roxas. I don't have that... function anymore, but Ven was close to Sora, and uhm… I guess something happened that made him and Vanitas dump their Memories on us. Roxas knows he saw all of Ven's Memories too, but they're a lot less straightforward for him. For me it was sort of like being dunked into a pool. For him, it was kind of like getting smacked in the face with a piñata and staring at the spilled contents in confusion."
Aqua blinked, and Terra tilted his head, "I… guess that's a decent explanation, if that's how it works..?"
Xion slumped, "Vanitas's Memories were kind of… weirder though. Like fog and oil slick. It's… there, but murky."
Aqua frowned, "But why would they push their Memories onto you?"
Xion contemplated for a moment, "...Stress, I think."
Aqua thought about that for a long moment along with Terra. Ventus… knew that was probably the case. He had been stressed out. Regaining his Memories in fragments. Seeing the Memory versions of Ephemer and Brain and grieving them… only to find out Ephemer was still somehow around in a different body. Meeting Skuld again…
Worrying about Sora for a year.
Ventus sat upright again and gave Xion a sad and apologetic look, "I'm sorry, Xion. You shouldn't have to deal with someone else's Memories at all."
Xion observed him silently for a moment before reaching over and tucking him under her chin affectionately in a hug, "It's okay Ven. Roxas and I don't have a lot to go off of, when it comes to being people… so it's kinda nice, in an awkward kinda way."
Ventus huffed and leaned into her as he closed his eyes. "Still…" He was a boy, and she was a girl.
Xion was quiet for a little bit before giggling, "Well, you can always make it up to us by teaching us how to be proper Keyblade Wielders." She patted him on the head, "We now have your Memories, but I can't say we really understand the finer points. We just do things without questioning how we know how to Cast Fira just right to not burn down the surrounding foliage."
Ventus pulled back and gave her an awkward look, "If it's Magic, Aqua's way better though!"
Xion tapped her chin mischievously with a smirk, "We wanna learn from you."
Ventus regarded her with suspicion, "I feel like Roxas wouldn't really like that."
Xion laughed, "No, but if nothing else, you can be our big brother."
Ventus felt his chest warm at that, "O-oh, that's okay. I guess."
Xion grinned and Aqua smiled at them. Terra crossed his arms and stated, "Still. Might be good to stick close to Aqua and Kairi. Y'know. For girl stuff."
Xion and Aqua looked up at him incredulously as Ventus gave him an annoyed look, "Seriously Terra?"
Terra flushed lightly, "C'mon Ven! There's stuff guys just don't talk about!"
Ventus rolled his eyes and shook his head, "Wuss."
Terra choked and Aqua burst out laughing, smothering her face into her hands, "Ven!"
Ventus shrugged as Xion watched in slight confusion before something clicked and she raised her eyebrows. "...Ven, why do you-" Ventus covered Xion's mouth with a panic and hushed her, "Mmph!"
Aqua peeked out from between her fingers and sweetly asked, "What was Xion going to ask, Ventus?"
Ventus was red, "Nothing inappropriate! I promise!"
Aqua crossed her arms and legs with a suspicious and playful look on her face, "I guess I'll have to do some investigating of my own."
Ventus lost the ability to articulate and spoke in panicked gibberish.
Terra was painfully lost, "What, do you peek into her room while she's changing or something?"
"No!" Ventus immediately kicked out and nailed Terra in the thigh, causing the tree-man to grunt and raise an eyebrow unmoved. Ventus slid down into the bed and curled up under the blanket, "You can all leave now, thanks!"
Aqua looked at Xion questioningly, and she just looked at Aqua with pure innocence, "It's nothing bad, promise." She stood and smoothed out her skirt, "Also, Terra? Maybe you should read some romance and learn to shut up."
Terra blushed, "Uh-"
Xion sniffed and let herself out of their little makeshift room with a strut.
Aqua snickered, "Yeah Terra, read up a bit more on how to treat a lady."
Terra sighed, "I hate romance novels."
Ventus grumbled from under covers, "And you suck at being considerate with girls."
Terra glared at the lump that was Ventus while Aqua stood and shoved him playfully aside, "Let's go get some food for everyone, okay?"
Terra rolled his eyes and neck with a crack, "Fine."
Aqua shook her head and called back as they made their exit, "We'll be back, Ven."
"Mmhmm, stay safe."
"Will do."
He was alone. Ventus sighed heavily and pushed himself up as he rubbed his face. What a mess.
What. a. mess.
xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx
Sora slowly returned to reality. It was like trudging through the snow of Arendelle. It was slow and miserable, and he wasn't sure if he was freezing or warming up.
Did he still have all of his fingers?
He opened one of his eyes and found himself cocooned in Kairi's arms, tucked under her chin and their limbs tangled up.
...WHAT?!
He blinked, frowned, furrowed his brows and mentally shut down.
He heard fabric move and a snicker, "Oh man, Sora. Your face!"
Sora felt himself go from pink to an ugly red. He glared at Riku who had a fox-like grin as he leaned over them with his Gummi phone and took a photo while Sora grumbled through clenched teeth, "Riii~kuuu~!"
Kairi shifted with complaint and woke up, glanced up at Riku, sniffed, and then curled up around Sora even further and nuzzled into the brunette's hair as she tried to sleep Riku away, making the poor guy trapped in her arms lose his train of thought again.
Riku poked Kairi's cheek, "C'mon Princess, wakey wakey."
Kairi whined sleepily with her eyes squinted shut in displeasure, "Stop tha~at, I hate being called Princess!"
Riku snickered and poked her temple, "I told you you'd damage Sora's last brain cells if you cuddled up to him while asleep."
Kairi's whine turned into something of a growl as she continued to wrap herself around Sora. Sora just… he didn't really know what to do..? His hands were… somewhere? He didn't know what to do with his arms!
He moved the arm that was somewhat free and hugged her lightly before pinching her back. She yelped and shifted to her elbows and knees, unintentionally rolling them from their sides to him being on his back with her on top of him. She was resting on her elbows while hovering over him awkwardly, and Sora felt the instinctual fear of almost getting kneed where it counts, and the awkward rush of affection and something that having someone you're interested in hover over you could do.
Sora was breathless and freaked out, "Oh shit."
Riku covered his mouth as he wheezed, and Kairi turned red for a number of reasons, "Uh- I'm sorry!" She plopped her forehead onto Sora's sternum, to try and hide away from how awkward this was. It was totally her own fault! "I didn't mean to- uhm, I've really missed you, okay?!"
Sora knew his face was red and that his heart was beating a little too fast, and his stomach had butterflies or something, and-
And Riku was kind of a jerk. Sometimes. Right now. "Uhm, it's- it's okay?" He blinked and touched his face, "...You can see me? Touch me?"
Riku burst out laughing and Sora wanted to kick him. He knew what he meant!
Kairi shook in suppressed giggles before pulling herself up so that she wasn't so close… though still awkwardly hovering over him. On a cot. Dammit. "Yeah." She reached forward and caressed his cheek with embarrassed affection, "Master Ava's had some ideas on how to make you visible without having to wear her mask or be a cat. Once Merlin got the others onto cots she spoke with him about her idea, and they swiftly went to his home here, in Radiant Garden, to talk to Cid." Kairi moved her right hand away and clasped his left hand, intertwining their fingers before she lifted it forward for him to see, "They all worked together to make rings for all of us."
Sora shifted his gaze from her face to the ring on his left hand. The band was a smooth black with a thin line of his choice in red, with a red filled-in shape of a fox head that was clearly Ava's motif. Sora was shocked and entranced by it for a long moment. "...Oh."
Kairi unwove their fingers and moved aside so that she sat on the side of the bed, and Riku sat down on the other side of them with a slightly apologetic look as he passed them both water bottles. Sora noticed a flash of navy blue with yellow on Riku's left ring finger, much like his own ring.
Sora shifted into a proper sitting position and made himself comfortable, a flush still present on his face as he concentrated on not having shaky hands while he opened his water bottle and took a long drink.
Ah, sweet simple bliss.
Kairi turned her face away as she drank some of her own water while she tried to recollect herself. She took a deep breath and cleared her throat without turning, "Now Riku." Their friend stiffened at her tone, "If you tease me and Sora about what just happened, I'll tell everyone your worst secrets."
Riku panicked, "Wait, Kairi-"
Kairi lifted her head, "I'll make you regret it, I'll put lizards in your shoes-"
"Kairi!"
"I'll make you eat clams-"
"By the Light, Kairi PLEASE-!"
Kairi turned to him with a blank look on her face and deadpanned in a quietly sinister manner, "And I'll make you kiss toads while proclaiming everlasting love."
Riku buried his face into his hands, "Augh!"
Sora burst out laughing, "Oh- oh man, Kairi!"
Kairi pouted, "He talks about brain cells as if he has any."
Riku jolted, "Hey!"
Kairi huffed, "Fine. You have one."
Riku raised an eyebrow, "Just one?!"
Kairi haughtily lifted her head and chuffed with her arms crossed, "Just one."
A disgruntled voice rang out muffled behind curtain, "Augh, fuck! Just get a room! With walls!"
Sora choked, "Vanitas!?"
There was something of a scuffle before Vanitas threw the curtain aside, pissed, as dark circles stained under his eyes. "Void below, I don't wanna hear you three flirting!" He sounded terrible.
Riku and Kairi blushed, "We're not flirting!"
Sora had nothing to say, too shocked to finally see his brother in reality. "...Oh. Hey Vanitas."
Vanitas slumped, put out as he huffed and shoved Riku off the cot as the teen complained. Vanitas plopped down heavily with a sigh and pulled Sora under his chin tiredly, "What a pain in the ass you are."
Sora bit the inside of his cheek and nearly drew blood, somehow oddly ashamed as he sat stiff for a long moment before leaning into his twin and closing his eyes. He didn't know why he wanted to cry, but for some reason he did. "...Sorry."
Vanitas hummed as he patted him on the head with the hand that was holding his brother, while the other was used for balance.
Some would say the way Vanitas was talking and patting him on the head was patronizing, but Sora knew he was being genuine with his words. "...Thanks."
Vanitas breathed in before slowly exhaling, "...You really shouldn't."
Sora smiled, "You helped keep my Heart together after the Lich tore through me earlier."
Vanitas couldn't refute that, "I guess."
Riku placed his hands on his hips and raised an eyebrow. He hadn't really… expected Vanitas to be so… friendly? He wasn't sure how to phrase it, but the fact he so easily gravitated to Sora was a bit of a shock.
Sora was quiet and hesitant, "...What was that?"
Vanitas had an idea of what he meant, "...You mean, my Lady?"
Sora opened his eyes and furrowed his brows, "...Was that darkness?"
Vanitas dug his nails into Sora's scalp and nearly made him wince before Vanitas forced his hand to relax, "The highest in rank."
Sora shivered, "What was that doing so close to my Heart?"
Vanitas hummed as he thought about it, "Not sure. Might've been me. Might've just been you."
Sora didn't like that, "Why?"
Vanitas huffed, "I dunno, idiot. You've done some crazy shit in a short amount of time. Maybe you're just tasty."
Sora choked and shoved him, "Tasty?!"
Vanitas shrugged nonchalantly as he righted himself, "You've got something in your possession. Not sure what. Feels kinda familiar though, like the Memory of ice cream."
Sora gave him a weird look, and Vanitas just stared blankly back, entirely serious.
Sora buried his face into his hands, partially collapsing into himself as he exhaled tiredly, "Maybe it's because of that."
Vanitas rolled his eyes, "Oh, that's not totally ambiguous."
"...The x-blade." Vanitas and Kairi stiffened as Sora awkwardly continued, muffled, "It… they? Appeared in my Heart after I got patched up by the Deep."
Vanitas swallowed. He salivated at the idea of holding that weapon, while simultaneously wanting to throw up at the sight of it. "Oh. That sucks."
Sora laughed weakly as he whined, "I don't understand why I have it still."
Vanitas frowned, "...You held it? The real, complete thing?"
Sora nodded wordlessly, and Vanitas looked at Riku questioningly. Riku glanced at Kairi, who was getting pretty stressed out by this, and gave his full attention to the Darkling. "We were kinda holding back the Kingdom Hearts Xehanort had summoned. Kairi was kind of… indisposed at the time."
Vanitas blinked, "...The old man sacrificed her like the rest of us Dark ones, huh?"
Sora slumped into Vanitas, depressed, "Right in front of me."
"Aaah, asshole."
"Mmhmm."
Riku shifted, "Xehanort gave Sora the x-blade, and then pissed off to Kingdom Hearts with Master Eraqus's Heart."
Vanitas blinked, "...Seriously?"
Riku nodded.
Vanitas groaned, "So no one got to shank that old bastard?! He got… got a friendly hand to take him to Kingdom Hearts?"
Riku nodded some more, "Yyyup."
Vanitas groaned, "Aaaugh, laame! I wanted him to bleed! Gore! REVENGE!"
Kairi was quiet, "Well, at least he's gone now."
Nearly wiped Sora off of the mortal plane in the process.
Sora was tired again, "Yeah." Vanitas moved his hand behind him, leaving Sora to lean against him on his own. Sora stared down at the black ring on the Darkling's left ring finger that had a thin white line that connected to the fox symbol. "...Thanks again. For everything." For helping to keep him together in more ways than one.
Vanitas was quiet before he gently spoke, "You're welcome, brother."
Sora smiled.
xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx
A/N: I'm aware the previous chapter was a little chaotic. I do still like it that way, and I hope I managed to explain myself a little in this chapter, lol. The Queen bee thing with the darkness is an idea I've had for some time that I haven't been able to properly apply to Wielders to Master, despite sort of alluding to it early on. OTL
I chose Edym for Demyx's name (In Wielders to Master and here) because it's another version of "Adam." Since Ephemer was the founder of "Keyblade Society" as it became known, well… it seemed fitting here.
Finally, I wrote this chapter in reverse and had to rearrange it twice, lol.
Please R&R!