Author's Note: As promised, another chapter is posted.
I don't own Kingdom Hearts, or Final Fantasy.
CH51: Twilight Reunion.
Next morning, even though it was noted that the worldly travellers didn't get much sleep as everyone noticed how tired they all looked, they freshened up as best as possible with breakfest and cleaning themselves up again(thankfully the Gummiship came installed with a shower as well), no sooner had Sora sealed Disney Castle's Keyhole and Mickey made a vow to return home without the worry of Aced.
But not before deciding to take Shalua and Shelke, who despite their troubles were given their room guest rooms under heavy guard just in case they caused trouble again, with them, the group which now included Namine, Strelitzia, Serah, Mog and Chirithy, were once again boarding the Gummiship after making a few repairs after saying their goodbyes to Minnie, Daisy, Pluto, Chip, Dale and Jiminy who decided to stay behind this time, which the group understood.
But as Mickey took the pilot's seat, suddenly remembering the importance of this launch sequence, the King looked back at everyone who wouldn't know or didn't remember straight away, and advised sheepishly, "Uh, fellas? Ya might wanna tighten your seatbelts. It's not gonna be a fun fall."
"What fall?" Ven asked, confused as he, Skuld, Aqua, Terra, Strelitzia, Serah, Mog, Chirhity, Isa, Myde, and even Shelke and Shalua shared confused glances.
"Yeah, aren't we gonna blast off through there?" Myde added, pointing at the Tunnel that was also shaped like Mickey's head as Runway lights flashed lit it up.
Unfortunately, Donald, Goofy, Sora, Riku, Kairi, Lea, Roxas, Xion and Namine all remembered and quickly did as Mickey instructed just as Donald, Goofy and especially Mickey gulped when a giant red neon arrow appeared pointing downward.
"Uh oh." Lea muttered nervously.
"Forgot about tha-aaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!" Sora ended up screaming when the ship suddenly fell when the real launch tunnel opened up underneath them and he and his friends all found themselves struggling to keep their bearings and hold on tight. Everyone else echoed his scream as the ship tumbled through the tunnel.
As soon as they reached the exit, Mickey quickly corrected the Gummiship's position and soon launched it on the journey back to Twilight Town while everyone else all slumped in their seats and sighed in relief, some of them looking a bit shaken by the experience. Especially Myde who looked almost as pale as a ghost.
"...I see what you mean." Ven muttered after a moment or two of recovering.
"W-who's idea...was that?" Myde trembled, as though he was traumatized but was ignored.
Lea, feeling as though his entire stomach was about to eject itself during the ordeal, groaned before stating to the Disney Trio, "No offense, your majesty, but ya couldn't have made a launch sequence that wouldn't make anybody feel as though they're about to die?"
"Sorry." Mickey, Donald and Goofy chorused an apology, feeling guilty for scaring their friends like that and now that they thought about it, maybe it was time to change that as they didn't like that either.
Mickey then explained sheepishly, "It was kind of a budget issue and uh, well, there wasn't anywhere else to launch it upward so Professor Von Drake had to install it that way."
"Next time, we'll let Gyro do that." Donald grumbled, folded his arms in annoyance and both Goofy and even Mickey couldn't help but nod in agreement.
"Well, at least we're okay. No biggie." Sora, not one to be holding a grudge over little things like this, said optimistically to lighten the mood despite the situation that was going on.
At this statement, the group decided that he was right and continued sailing through the sea of stars on their way to Twilight Town, with Strelitzia and Serah marveling over how everyone else travelled in this vessel and even both Shelke and Shalua had to admit they were impressed. The rest of the group still felt a bit tired but they wouldn't allow this to wear them down. They had a mission to do, and now that they were finally close in saving Yen Sid, Angeal and Genesis, it was only the matter of meeting up with Cloud, Zack and possibly Vincent before they would all go together to the Ruins of Daybreak Town which was located on the other side of the Keyblade Graveyard.
Though Lea couldn't help but stretch and yawn before grumbling, "Man, if it weren't for the worst nightmare of my life last night, I would've gotten much better decent night's sleep."
"You had a nightmare too?" Goofy asked, surprised. This cauht everyone else's attentions as they gazed at him in confusion and shock while he continued, "'Cause I had the most awful dream and it sure felt real I thought it was actually happenin'."
"Hey, I had a nightmare too!" Donald exclaimed.
"Oh, gosh! I had one too, and I couldn't even get back to sleep for an entire hour and I even woke Minnie up by accident." Mickey exclaimed in shock and worry, feeling guilty all over again and shuddered slightly. "I hate to admit it, but I was so scared I kinda didn't wanna go back to sleep."
"I had a nightmare too, and since then I couldn't get back to sleep at all." Roxas added.
"Me too." Xion nodded, and soon Namine, Isa, Ven, Aqua, Terra and Myde all made their comments of having nightmares as well which stunned and shocked both the Disney Trio and the Destiny Island Trio.
"Seriously!? Riku, Kairi and I had nightmares too, and it felt as though...it was really happening!" Sora exclaimed in shock, gazing at Kairi who returned the gaze while rubbing her arms. He then gasped softly and then asked in worry, "Wait, if we're all having nightmares at the same time, then that means the situation is getting worse?"
"I dunno, Sora." Mickey admitted, adding. "But what I do know is that...in my nightmare, we were at the Keyblade Graveyard, but Isa, Myde, Roxas and Xion weren't there, and Terra...he..."
"I was still possessed." Terra continued, which had the King gaze up at him in shock. "Is that what you're talking about, your majesty? About Xehanort still possessing by body?"
Mickey gulped nervously, not liking where this was going. "Uh, y-yeah."
"Wait, your dreams wouldn't include Xehanort first taking out Ven and Aqua and then sending out a giant tornado of Heartless that swallowed us up one by one, would they!?" Lea exclaimed in shock, horror becoming more apparent on his expression and soon everyone else was beginning to share that expression and feeling.
"Yes...and we were all powerless to stop them even with the lights in our hearts." Aqua muttered gravely.
"And I was the last to go." Sora muttered, clutching his fist to stop his hands from shaking. "Then I found myself where..."
"Where everyone but one of us gone, lying on the ground and not moving." Kairi continued on. "That's the first part of the nightmares I've been having. Except this time, Sora was there and it felt so real like he was there."
Sora gapped at her as he exclaimed, "That felt that way to me too! But with you and...Xehanort somehow returned and he was a large shadow that-"
"That grabbed me." Mickey interrupted with an apologetic look at Sora. "Just after everyone else disappeared, Xehanort was there in front of Chaos and...a huge monster in light I've never seen before."
The King gasped in realization and turned to Kairi while continuing, "That's the dream you were havin', Kairi! And if I'm gonna guess right, that light must'a been Bhunivelze and now if we're havin' the same dream..."
"Then the awakening of Bhunivelze is among us and Chaos's goal is exactly like Xehanort's." Isa concluded in realization.
"And with Ardyn and the unusual man wanting to kidnap seven hearts of pure like including me, and kidnapping Even, Aeleus and Dilan, Xehanort could return too." Namine added in fear.
"Or...maybe it's both showing us that Chaos and Bhunivelze are coming soon and what we saw are from an alternate universe." Sora muttered with his own realization.
"What do you mean, Sora?" Strelitzia questioned, "I know that I went into an alternate universe not long ago, but how can you possibly tell?"
The spiky haired young man shrugged, thinking about his meeting with his alternate self who is now long gone. "Not sure. Might've been a crazy dream after I went back to bed after getting some fresh air last night, but I met someone...a ghost of someone. I know this is gonna sound crazy, but...what if Caius is right and Time is getting so messed up that ghosts are starting to appear?"
"You're right; that is crazy. And ghosts!? Don't we have enough problems as it is!?" Myde exclaimed.
"That's strange. I didn't have a nightmare of what you're all describing, but I do know I saw the rest of the dream which concludes is the same as Kairi's. But then, in the nightmare that I had, it was like...a memory; of someone mentioning something about become a 'Virus'." Skuld said, thoughtfully in worry.
"A virus?" Donald asked, dumbfounded.
"Gawrsh, maybe Sora's right. Maybe time really is becomin' all ker-skuffled." Goofy stated in concern.
"Just like all of the Realms of the Dead are in danger, like Master Yen Sid said." Mickey realized, his heart sinking at that very thought. Eyes narrowing, the King looked back at his friends and declared, "We'd better hurry! There's not much time left! We can't let Chaos win!"
Everyone else nodded in agreement, knowing that the sooner they rescued their friends and figure out where Chaos is hiding, the better. Otherwise reality will cease to exist as they know it, and, as much as Sora hated to admit it, things could end up to the point where much like his Alternate-self, he would have to change the future and use the power of waking to bring back everyone.
'No. I promised I wouldn't do that. I have to do everything and more to make sure everyone is okay.' Sora thought to himself, determined to protect everyone he cared about and loved. He returned his gaze to Kairi who turned her attention to the stars the gummiship was flying past. More than anything, Sora had to keep Kairi safe.
Because she was the light within the darkness. His light. More than anything, Riku was right. Sora had to tell Kairi how he felt about her sooner her later, before it was too late.
'Kairi...' Sora thought, realizing now he couldn't hold back that feeling. He loved her.
"If you two kiss again, I swear I'm really gonna be sick." Vanitas grunted in disgust, apparently having read Sora's thoughts.
'You know, you can close your eyes and pretend it's not happening. Ever thought of that?' Sora retorted in his mind, annoyed by Vanitas' taunting and really getting tired of the dark embodiment in his head.
"I would, but after the first time it's too late to get it out of my head. Anyway, hope you're prepared for what's coming, Sora. Because it's not going to be like you want and who knows? You could end up like your otherself and end up using the Power of Waking and be long gone forever." Vanitas said darkly.
Sora shut his eyes, trying hard not to think of that worse case scenario. 'Only if that happens. But until then, I'm not losing my friends. Not by a long shot.'
"Suit yourself."
Sora mentally shook his head, and just focused on meeting up with Cloud and the others in Twilight Town before heading over to the real Keyblade Graveyard. Yet he couldn't help but feel like...something bad was going to happen. All of them were unaware that Shelke and Shalua were both sharing a concerned and thoughtful gaze.
Not long after disembarking at the Train Station, the worldly travellers, Shelke and Shalua made their way down the path towards the Market Street: Tram Common only to quickly discover something that made them gasp in shock. Cloud, Zack and Vincent were there already, but obviously needing some help because they were fighting a large horde of Heartless that were formed into a huge snake-like wave and were horrifyingly fast.
"Heartless!" Sora exclaimed, quickly summoning his Keyblade, with Kairi, Riku, Mickey, Roxas, Lea, Xion, Isa, Ven, Terra, Aqua, Skuld, and Strelitzia following his lead while Donald summoned his Staff, Goofy his shield, Mog turning into Serah's bow and Arrow, Myde his Sitar, Shelke her Laserblades and both Namine and Shalua standing their guard.
"This one is called the Demon Wave. One of the most powerful and deadly bread of Heartless. Be cautious." Shelke advised.
"Gee, thanks for the last minute info." Lea said sarcastically.
"Namine, go hide somewhere that's safe!" Xion instructed her friend who, despite wanting to stay and fight, nodded and hidden herself behind a store.
Sora and the rest of the group hurried over to join Cloud, Zack and Vincent who noticed them quickly and with shared nods despite the wary glances at the Rai sisters, everyone stood firm before they leaped out of the way when the Demon Wave whooshed over towards them. Aqua summoned Master Eraqus's Keyblade and unleashed a chain spell to hold it in place just like she did in the Realm of Darkness when she sacrificed herself to protect both Riku and Mickey. As she grunted while struggling to hold it in place, the others wasted no time in attacking it. Sora and Ven both tossed their Keyblades at the trapped Demon Wave to decrease it's defense before the former raced over and bashed it with his Kingdom Key just as the Heartless began to break free.
No sooner had Sora leaped away and was about to fire another attack with the others following with their own, the Demon Wave broke free from the chains and began to fly even faster. Riku chanted a Thunderaga Spell right at it followed by Terra jumping and thrusting his Keyblade right in the middle of it just as it was about to crash into the rest of the group. Zack and Cloud both followed Terra's example and thrust both the Buster Sword and the Fusion Sword at the front of the Demon Wave which allowed Lea to flare up a huge wave of Fire as he thrusts his Keyblade at it before leaping out of the way to avoid in getting engulfed. Isa thrusted his Keyblade at it several times when it came flying by him after he jumped to narrowly avoid it's attack, sending in a huge gust of Wind to capture it in his own attack. But it managed to avoid it and merge itself into the ground before re-emerging and nearly hitting Goofy who cried out in alarm.
Luckly Kairi came to the rescue and chanted her Pink Orb of Light which somehow managed to do even more damage before she pulled Goofy out of the way and both narrowly avoided in getting hit. Serah fired several Arrows at it while Strelitiza chanted Blizzagara which took shape of a crystal Snow Flake that completely froze the Demon Wave in place briefly but it broke free and it made to attack her had Vincent not scoop her up within his cape and escaped narrowly while firing shots at it before landing on the ground and gently set the young Keyblade wielder down and checked his ammo quickly before the two rejoined the fight.
Aqua cartwheeled out of the way when the Demon Wave went for her, but it managed to knock her back and up into the air and was about to engulf her had Mickey not come to the rescue as he blasted three Orbs of Light at it to drive it back before using Gravita to slow Aqua's descend to the ground. The blue haired young woman nodded her thanks to the King who nodded back.
Aqua then used her Rainbow Magic which sent different colours of light at it no matter where it went before switching to her Dream Weaver Spell, twirling around while holding her Keyblade above her, sending out waves of Light at it. Mickey used his speed and skills to attack the Heartless with his Kingdom Key-D Keyblade he was using for this battle and then spun himself while making a circle of light as he did while holding his weapon out. The Demon Wave lost several shadows when it tried to attack and engulf him. Skuld then unleashed Light Aero magic she combined while slamming her newest attack at the Heartless as soon as Mickey's attack stopped to save his life while he landed safely on the ground.
Donald used his Fireworks Spell and flared it at the Heartless so that it wouldn't escape but it nearly hit him which caused the mage to scream while running to avoid it. Roxas jumped and leaped while slashing at the Heartless several times with the Oblivion Keyblade before slamming it downward, causing it to shatter into several other Heartless before he noticed a deep crimson ball with a few other Heartless on it, and when it shot out a Thunderaga at it, it weakened it even further and that's when he and everyone else who noticed while defeating the scattered Heartless realized it was the weak spot. Shelke jumped and slashed at it with her Laser Blades while Shalua jumped and punched and kicked it which had Cloud join in along with Sora and soon everyone else before the Demon Wave could re-assemble itself as quickly as they could.
Xion held her Oathkeeper Keyblade above her as it began to glow in light before she jumped and slashed at the ball of Heartless just as everyone else leaped out of the way when she decided to give out a new move. The former Replica stabbed her Keyblade right into it and digging deeper into it despite the rest of the Wave about to engulf her. Xion then jumped and narrowly avoided in becoming engulfed by it in the nick of time. Sora then had an idea and held up his Keyblade and spun it over his head while the Demon Wave was still reforming. To everyone else's surprise even his own, a train appeared out of nowhere covered in lights and it could fly which made everyone get another crazy idea. So they all hopped on board and held on while, as they were careful with their Magical Mana and Elixirs, they attacked the Demon Wave while flying around on the train that Sora had somehow summoned with his Keyblade.
The Demon Wave flew right at the side of them though and nearly made them tumble and fall over, but they held on as long as possible as Sora, at the head of the train, controlled it with his power and had it hit the Heartless and successfully forcing it back until he commanded it to fly higher and at his signal once they were above it and the Demon Wave flew right towards them for a head on collision, they all jumped out and used Gravita to land safely on the ground while both the train and the Demon Wave crashed into each other, causing a huge explosion of light that had the worldly travellers shield their eyes for a moment before it faded. When they looked up, the Demon Wave had thinned but still posed a threat.
So readying themselves, the worldly travellers dashed forward in a combined finishing strike, half of them slashing at the lower half, and the rest slashing at the upper half in a downward strike, eliminating it completely as it disappeared from sight and faded into nothing. Or so they thought as it suddenly reappeared behind them and the group sensed it too late when they spun around and gasped in shock. Namine, seeing this from her hiding place, gasped before making herself to rush over to help them. But there was no need because just as the remains of the Demon Wave was about to strike, Ephemer and a strikingly familiar woman suddenly appeared from behind it and finished it off in a pose that half of the worldly travellers did and eliminated it for real.
Sora and his companions stood there in stunned shock and awe while Namine rejoined them. Most of them didn't recognize the white-haired boy with a Keyblade that was much like Skuld's or the woman that resembled a bit like Serah. But while Skuld recognized Ephemer, Serah recognize the other woman who was no doubt three years older than her. Vincent though recognized both of them.
"You?" The former Turk muttered in surprise and confusion.
Both Ephemer and Lightning nodded, before turning their gazes at the stunned two who recognized both of them while Ven looked torn between confusion and the feeling of he'd seen Ephemer before.
"Skuld, Ven. Long time no see!" Ephemer greeted with a smile as he approached both of them.
"Ephemer..." Skuld whispered, torn between feeling relieved and overwhelmed. She then pouted and growled softly which made her old friend worried, before she whacked him hard on the back of the head which made Ven and everyone else wince in sympathy in shock. "Where have you been!? I've been worried sick about you!"
"Ow! What was that for!?" Ephemer complained while rubbing the sore spot on his head.
Ven, even though he couldn't remember Ephemer and felt terrible about it, suddenly felt as though he was starting to remember a few more bits and pieces from his lost memories. So he couldn't help but say sheepishly, "Even though I don't remember either of you guys much, I kinda get the feeling you deserved that for making her worry."
"You really don't remember, do you?" Ephemer asked as he turned his attention to the other boy, and couldn't hide the disappointment that was noticable in his voice.
"No. Ven lost most of his memories of all of us together, and I guess I shouldn't be surprised because there are memories even I don't remember either except our time together which is in bits and pieces." Skuld replied sadly, before adding a bit angrily, "And he's right that you deserved that! Where were you?"
Ephemer shrank back a little in fright while holding his hands up in surrender. "Okay, okay! I'm sorry! But you know me, when there's something needed to be investigating, you know I always go out and try and figure it out."
The dark haired young woman pouted while placing her hands on her hips, scolding, "You always do that; go on your own and vanish for ages, leaving behind your friends to figure out what happened to you. That kind of habit is gonna end up with you not coming back alive one of these days and this time poor Haruo wouldn't be here to see you again."
"Haruo?" Ven blinked, confused. Why did that name sound familiar?
"A friend of ours...it's a long story." Ephemer replied in a hint of sadness. "As for where I was, well...part of it was that I was helping her out."
He turned to Lightning with both Ven and Skuld noticed as the woman was approached by Serah who hesitately approached her in disbelief, relief, uncertainty and doubt.
"Lightning? Is...is that really you?" Serah whispered.
"Do you doubt me?" Lightning questioned at her younger sister who nodded slightly. The older woman shook her head, "I told you before, Serah. It's good to doubt. You really have grown up."
Serah didn't respond to that at first. She was feeling the mixture of emotions rise inside her, because her sister was right here! Safe and sound! Having saved her and everyone else when they needed it. The younger Farron finally let it all out and hugged her older sister who returned it with a few tears of her own as Serah began to cry.
"It is you! I've been looking everywhere for you! Where have you been?" Serah sobbed on her sister's shoulder.
Strelitzia smiled in relief, feeling moisture of tears of her own and for some reason...she felt as though something was missing inside her own heart. While she was so happy that her friend had finally found her sister, there was something about the reunion that made the Keyblade Wielder feel...like someone like family within her was missing as well and she had yet to find them. Almost as though...she was missing an older sibling of her own and then suddenly she realized that like Ven and Skuld, some of her own memories were missing as well since she returned to life.
The rest of the group felt the mixtures of emotions as well. For Sora, it was more the case of this reunion and Serah's words of looking for her older sister reminded him of when he finally reunited with Riku that one year ago, when he also reunited with Kairi.
Flash-Back: During the events of "Kingdom Hearts II" and "Second Chance"...
Kairi told Sora to approach, which he did, before she held hers, Sora's and 'Ansem's' hands together, saying, "Here. You'll understand. Close your eyes."
Still puzzled, Sora did close his eyes, just as 'Ansem' turned to look at him. Within his closed vision, Sora could see a familiar silver-haired teen, a year older than him, in an Organization coat, but with aqua eyes, looking at him in the same stance. Opening his eyes again, Sora's heart seemed to stop. Despite the different body, the teen came to realize that 'Ansem' was none other than Riku all along. Sora didn't know how, or why, but now he understood why Mickey was reluctant. He knew all along and promised not to reveal the bad news to Sora, but thanks to Kairi, Sora knew half of the truth.
"Riku..." Sora mumbled, beginning to cry, "It's Riku. Riku's here..." before falling onto his knees while still holding Riku's hand, tears falling, relieved, sad and happy to finally reunite with his best friend who was also a brother to him. "I looked for you!" said Sora, silently crying.
Seeing this made Riku say, back in his normal voice, "C'mon, Sora. You've got to pull it together."
Wiping his tears, Sora said again, "I looked everywhere for you!"
End Flash-Back;
As soon as the memory ended, Sora smiled as a single tear slid down his face, which he noticed and in surprise by this he wiped it away.
"Sora? Are you okay?" Kairi asked, worriedly when she noticed this.
"Y-yeah. I'm fine. Don't know where it came from." He replied, sheepishly.
"Hey, wait..." Goofy began in slow realization, as a memory came into his mind which combined to what Serah just said.
"What is it, Goof'?" Mickey asked as he and the rest of the group gazed at him.
"Serah said that her sister's name is Lightning. Didn't Zeus say that the person who stopped Bhunivelze was named Lightning too?" Goofy asked and reminded.
"So?" Myde shrugged, not getting the picture.
Lea did, however, because he exclaimed in shock while remembering that Isa told him that Serah knew about the story of Bhunivelze and that she was cut off from explaining something before Davy Jones attacked Sao Feng's ship. "Wait a sec! Serah's sister's the same Lightning!?"
Serah and Lightning both released each other as they, Strelitzia and Ephemer gazed at Lea and everyone else with slight guilty and apologetic looks that were also slightly firm.
"That's right." Serah replied, having heard what Lea said.
"HUH!?" Donald asked, eyes wide in shock and disbelief.
"Serah...that means you...are like Ven, Skuld, Strelitzia and even Ephemer?" Sora asked, unable to believe what he was hearing.
Serah and Lightning shared a glance before gazing back at Sora, with the former answering. "Kind of."
"Hey, what do you mean 'kind of'?" Donald demanded, folding his arms and tapped his foot impatiently.
"That's my question." Zack pouted, folding his arms as well.
Before either of them could answer, a familiar voice called out, "Is everything okay?" and as everyone turned to the source of the voice, most of the worldly travellers were surprised to see a familiar teenage girl run up to them, having brown hair and green eyes.
"Oh, hey Olette!" Sora and Roxas both greeted happily as Xion ran up to Olette who, seeing them and the others, ran up them while Lea gave her a smile and a friendly wave.
"Hey." The redhead greeted.
"Roxas, Xion, Axel, Sora, Donald, Goofy, Kairi, your majesty, Namine and Riku! How are you?" Olette greeted happily while holding hands with Xion.
"Oh, you know. Travelling the worlds, fighting off the Heartless and Nobodies, beating up bad guys, that sort of thing." Sora replied, holding his hands behind his head.
"You okay?" Lightning asked Olette who nodded, which again surprised the worldly travellers and before they could say anything even further, they heard footsteps approach as well as panting. When they all looked, two more familiar faces approached; it was Hayner and Pence who, after catching their breath, looked up.
"You guys okay?" Olette asked, worriedly.
"Yeah, no problem." Hayner grinned.
"No one knows Twilight Town better than us." Pence added, before noticing Sora and the others and greeted. "Hey, you guys are here! Great timing!"
"You sure know how to turn up at the right time." Hayner greeted as well.
"Yeah, well..." Roxas began, awkwardly, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head.
Before the former Nobody could continue, the Twilight Trio then noticed those that were unfamiliar to them, but the one who really caught their eye was Ven and when they did, they gapped in shock and disbelief.
"Hey, whoa! You're..." Hayner began, trailing off.
"You look like..." Pence added.
"...Just like Roxas." Olette finished for her two best friends.
"Oh, um...yeah, I guess." Ven replied sheepishly, before introducing himself, "Just call me Ven."
Lea just chuckled while Isa shook his head, as the former turned to the trio, "You think you three are shocked, imagine how Roxas felt when they both met for the first time a while ago. I had to try and explain things that they looked like each other while sorting out the major whacko-ness."
"Did those three call Lea 'Axel'?" Serah asked Strelitzia who nodded, also confused.
"Uh...why did they call you 'Axel'?" Zack asked the redhead.
"That was my Nobody's name, but since we're both the same person, not like Sora and Roxas, now it's my nick-name. Got it memorized?" Lea answered with a grin.
"If you say 'Got it memorized' one more time, I'll definitely turn you into a human swiss cheese, Axel!" A familiar and unwelcomed voice grunted, alarming Lea and everyone else as they turned to their right in the same direction to find Arlene as well as Lauriam who was smirking at them. Immediately the worldly travellers including Ephemer and Lightning stood in defense while Hayner, Pence and Olette stood nervously with Namine.
"Arlene! Lamuria!" Sora grunted angrily.
"Why are you here?" Aqua demanded.
"Only to gain what Ephemer and Lightning had found. It is however good to see that they and those friends of yours had escaped Maleficent and Pete, Sora, and Roxas." Lauriam replied.
"Maleficent and Pete were here!?" Mickey exclaimed, shocked. He and the others turned to the said five as while Ephemer and Lightning nodded, Hayner, Pence and Olette shared a worried glance.
"Not sure how you guys know them, but they were at that Mansion causing trouble to these two guys." Hayner answered while gesturing at Ephemer and Lightning. "It's a long story."
"It's become clear that they were searching what Master Aced sought out." Lauriam continued coldly.
"You mean what you and Arlene were looking for, Lamuria." Shelke corrected coldly as she and her older sister gave him and Arlene cold glares. "You were the traitors of the old times and made to betray Master Aced as well."
"However, it's become clear that Master Aced's views are wrong and despite the situation, the Realm of Light may be in better hands of Sora and his friends." Shalua added.
Arlene rolled her eyes, "Oh, gimme a break! You two seriously think that those losers got what it takes to take on Chaos and Master Aced and those Ardyn and Caius guys?" before sighing and shrugged, "Not that Aced's our major problem anymore."
"No longer...?" Shelke began.
"We knew from the beginning of Aced's views, but you could say we played double agent to find clues of the truth. The key to our memories as well as what the future holds." Lauriam explained, turning his gaze to Lea, continuing, "But a more minor fashion than what you had done, Axel."
"Hey, I'm not happy with what I did, okay?" Lea argued.
"Then what would you say to your old superior if Xemnas was still alive?"
"Well, let me think." Lea said sarcastically, then answered. "How 'bout, 'He was never my superior'."
"He wasn't my superior either." Isa spoke up. "In truth, we both were like you, but much more careful right up until...well...things that started to fall apart which is more my fault than Lea's."
Arlene raised an eye-brow in curiosity, smirking. "Oh, so you two were traitors too? That's news flash to me. No wonder you played double agent way too well, Axel. More like a triple agent!"
"Look who's talking! What, what you guys did? Yeah, we figured out who Mar''s real name is here." Myde pointed out while crossing his arms. "He's Lauriam and I bet you didn't even notice."
This brought shocked expressions from Ephemer and Strelitiza, because they, Skuld and even Ven somehow suddenly turned completely to Lauriam. Suddenly they all felt a sense of brooding form and none of them knew how or why it was even possible. For Strelitzia, it seemed to be a hardest hit for her than anyone else. She never fully understood the feelings ever since learning of his name...except that he was her killer, the one who stole her rulebook.
Yet her heart was telling her that it was not the case, but something entirely different. Something more...familiar and longinging and it made no sense to her at all. There was also now something familiar with Arlene as well; she'd seen her before...but how was it possible?
"So you now know? When did you learn of that?" Lauriam frowned.
"You kidding? Some names do get arranged in different ways. Yours just got in two instead of what Xehanort did to all of us by re-arranging our names." Lea scoffed.
"Ugh, not only I hate you, but that old geezer is just...UGH!" Arlene grunted in disgust.
"Okay, that's enough!" Sora snapped impatiently. "Since you two worked for Aced like Shelke and Shalua, where's Master Yen Sid?"
"And Where are Angeal and Genesis?" Zack added, just as impatiently.
"What? The two annoying sisters wouldn't tell you?" Arlene asked.
"What we mean is are they still alive?" Sora corrected himself.
The blonde-haired woman scoffed while looking away, answering. "Last I checked, they were and knowing their luck, they probably are. That grandpa and those two freak-shows may be locked up, but Aced is keeping them alive for more info."
"On what?" Riku demanded.
"Not telling."
Mickey felt some relief, but at the same time didn't want to fully hope that his mentor as well as Zack's mentor and Genesis were alive now, knowing that it maybe completely different. Especially since Arlene said 'Last I checked' which could've meant weeks ago or even longer than that. His heart was in the mixture of relief and severe dread and worry.
Before he can ask or even plead with Lauriam and Arlene on what Aced wanted with Yen Sid, Mickey blinked when Strelitzia hesitatedly approached the two enemies who gazed at her and, much to the confusion and shock of everyone, their expressions turned to that of confusion, suspicion and...familiarity?
"...You said you were looking for ways to recover your memories?" The ginger-haired girl asked softly. "Was that what you looking for? The journal you left behind in that Mansion, Lauriam? Or is it...the Book of Prophieces that Maleficent wants?"
While Sora and the rest of the worldly travellers shared a shocked and realized expressions, Lauriam and Arlene gazed at Strelitzia, not answering her question.
"You...you are Strelitzia." Lauriam remarked.
The young Keyblade wielder nodded, nervously at the man who had taken her life. "Yes...I...I'm the one you killed, back before the Keyblade War began. I want to ask you, Lauriam, before we have to fight; why did you kill me and take my place as a new Foreteller? What was it that you wanted that you couldn't do on your own? Why did you and Blaine team up against everyone?"
Lauriam and even Arlene were silent which was unusual for everyone else who waited. What was it that the pink haired man really want? What was his motive to killed Strelitzia? Was it to gain access to Kingdom Hearts? To the X-Blade?
Somehow Lauriam looked extremely uncomfortable, which made Lea, Isa, Roxas, Xion and Myde share uncertain glances at their former co-worker of the Organization. Now that they thought about it, they hardly knew anything about him or Arlene apart from the fact that Xemnas picked them to be members of Organization XIII: to eventually become vessels of Xehanort's heart which thankfully never happened.
"It was...to..." Lauriam began, as something dull and intense was growing inside his mind, which he then blurted out almost unconsciously. "...Find my younger sister."
"Oh, right. I think I'm starting to remember now; it's you who had a sister, not me." Arlene muttered, which she quickly realized she sounded suddenly weak as she was feeling the same thing as Lauriam was feeling.
"Your sister?" Ephemer asked, only for him, Strelitzia and even Skuld, Lauriam, Arlene and even Ven suddenly feel intensed jolts flash into their minds as waves of images suddenly appeared their minds; Strelitzia in Daybreak Town with her Chirithy, seeing Ven pass her, Ven, Skuld, Ephemer, Lauriam and someone in a hat, which was Blaine who was reading a book, Lauriam speaking to a young girl who resembled to a slightly younger Arlene...in fact it was a younger Arlene.
All of these came flooding too quickly and too painfully to all six of them as each of them clutched their heads, bending forward and grunted and groaned which worried Sora and everyone else who gasped in horror on what was happening. Just then something similar was happening to Myde, except his was different and shook it away which it still felt like a headache, but he focused on what was going on and gazed worriedly at Ven, Skuld, Ephemer and Strelitzia.
"Ven!?" Aqua and Terra exclaimed worriedly, gently holding their younger friend in grave concern.
"Ven!" Mickey cried out in horror.
"Skuld!" Roxas, Xion, Lea and Isa exclaimed worriedly as they reached over to the girl.
"Strelitzia!?" Serah cried out as she and Mog hurried over to their friend.
"Ephemer!" Lightning held her young companion gently in grave concern as well.
"Ven! Skuld! Strelitiza!" Sora and everyone else cried out worriedly, wondering fearfully on what was happening.
"Hey, what's going on?" Hayner cried out, concerned while Pence was frozen stiff and whimpering, and Olette covered her mouth with her hands, terrified.
Riku shook his head, "I don't know. But something's happening...maybe they're remembering memories that are too painful for them."
"Oh, wonderful. It looks like my spell is finally wearing off. I knew this would happen." An unfamiliar voice to most of them spoke in a bored tone. When Sora and everyone else who weren't suffering such painful flash-backs looked up, they gasped in shock and horror at the sight of Blaine. Skuld and Ephemer looked up despite their skulls feeling like they were about to split in half, managed to look up and gasped in shock and horror as they recognized the newcommer.
"Blaine!?" The two Keyblade wielders exclaimed.
"Oh, hello, Skuld, Mr. Leader, Lauriam, Ven. It's been too long." Blaine greeted coldly.
Namine shivered and hidden herself behind Kairi who instantly knew who this man was as the Princess of Heart glared hard. "You're the one who tried to kidnap Namine, are you!?" She demanded.
Blaine smirked, "Fancy in finally meeting you, Princess. You as well, Sora. This just makes things a little more easier. Then again with this number, I can't get near the Princess of Heart or even her Nobody."
"Out with it! You work for Ardyn, don't you? What do really want?" Sora demanded, while he and Riku stood protectively around Kairi and Namine as did Mickey, Donald and Goofy.
"That's none of your business. Except for one little thing, which I'm gonna have to re-arrange these two's memories all over again. Too bad the girl I killed as well as Ephemer, Skuld and Ventus will remember, but so what? It's not like any of you will survive the War that's coming." Blaine smirked while gazing down at the still struggling Lauriam and Arlene.
"What do you mean!?" Sora snapped angrily.
"Don't tell me you haven't figured it out, Sora? Hmph, and you're the so called hero of the Realm of Light? The Keyblade really made a mistake in choosing a dud like you." The feather-hat young man scoffed, not impressed.
"Shut up!" Roxas snapped, and without thinking, summoned his Oblivion Keyblade and leaped up despite his friends' protests. He descended to attack Blaine, but to his and everyone else's shock, the latter summoned his own and easily knocked away the former Nobody who screamed and crashed onto the ground.
"ROXAS!" Sora, Lea, Xion, Namine, Isa, Hayner, Pence and Olette screamed out in horror, before the former five glared angrily at Blaine.
"You're gonna pay for that!" Lea yelled, summoning his Keyblade and despite that he was about to make the same mistake, he still tried to thrust at the boy who blocked it, gruntined a little but held himself in place.
"Is this and what Roxas held supposed to be Keyblades, or just a couple of jokes?" Blaine scoffed again. He didn't wait for an answer and instead smacked Lea back while the redhead yelled but unlike Roxas, he regained himself and flipped over before landing safely, but fell to one knee, panting and glared angrily at the Keyblade wielder in the hat.
"What do you think you're doing?" Vincent hissed.
Blaine smirked, "For a former vessel of Chaos, I'm surprised you and Sephiroth's puppet next to you are just as clueless. You both should consider yourselves the true Nobodies; vessels for the darkness of both."
"Shut up!" Cloud snapped, readying himself but careful not to attack foolishly. "You don't know any of us!"
"Yes, I do. But...I'll be needing a refresher later. For now, I'll be taking Strelitzia's...precious older brother," Blaine began, grasping the hair on the back of Lauriam's head, continuing when he did the same to Arlene as the two sudden captives grunted in the pain which was different compared to what was happening inside their heads, "And his loyal zappy helping girlfriend."
The group couldn't believe what Blaine just said, as Strelitizia, still whimpering at the agony she was going through, asked weakly and in disbelief. "My...older brother?"
"Oopsie! Looks like I made a bit of a slip. Heh, not that Marluxia here will remember this anytime soon. I'll be seeing you all again soon, I ensure you. Ta-ta!" Blaine chuckled as he used his powers to teleport away in a corridor of darkness.
"Stop!" Mickey and Cloud shouted and charged to try and stop Blaine, but were forced to skid to as they were too late.
"Who...was that?" Olette asked after a few moments of silence and that everyone else realized that Blaine was gone, with Lauriam and Arlene now held captive. By then, Roxas and Lea slowly stood up as they recovered, while the pain within the minds of Ven, Skuld, Ephemer and Strelitzia eased.
"Blaine...but he's not the Blaine we knew. Or at least...he's the darker side of him." Skuld replied, slowly.
"If he could re-arrange memories like I used to...then why does he and Ardyn need me for?" Namine muttered, worriedly.
"And why would he take Lauriam and Arlene?" Myde added. He never really liked Marluxia and Larxene always scared him. But there was something about this that didn't quite add up at all.
"He said he killed a girl...but that would mean..." Zack muttered, having heard of what was discovered earlier.
"It wasn't Lauriam who killed Strelitzia. It was Blaine, and he re-arranged everyone's memories but his own." Serah finished, and Lightning nodded in agreement.
Strelitzia, still panting from her ordeal, finally saw the truth and her heart ached terribly in guilt and sorrow. Tears began to form in her eyes. She should've known! The truth had been right there, and yet she had been fooled into believing a member of an Organization created by a terrible man who wanted Kingdom Hearts was the one who took away her life before Cosmos revived her.
"Lauriam...my brother...he...he was looking for me." Strelitzia whispered to herself. All this time, and her death had lead Lauriam and Arlene on a wild goose chase, very likely unaware of her death and they, Ven, Skuld and Ephemer were used as tools for whatever Blaine had in mind at the time.
The rest of the group gazed at her in sorrow, sympathy and worry.
"We were all played as fools. But why?" Shelke whispered to herself, in disbelief as even she was shocked by the entire thing. Why would Blaine do such a thing? Was the entire thing a set up by one who wanted a goal that was unknown?
"Master Yen Sid..." Mickey whispered to himself, closing his eyes in even greater worry.
"...Angeal." Zack muttered, thinking of his mentor and best friend.
Sora didn't know what to do. So many things were happening and everything was being placed somehow squarely on his shoulders. The weight of being the hero of the Realm of Light was becoming more and more difficult. Now he knew what his other self had meant on the Organization members; even Lauriam and Arlene didn't deserve any of this. Everything was completely messed up. It was like one step forward, ten steps back.
To ease off the stress that was happening and hoping to get Ven, Skuld, Ephemer and Strelitzia recovered, Lea suggested they all buy Sea-Salt Ice Cream and meet up on the top of the Clock Tower which, it was a bit cramped given that there was so many of them, they managed.
The redhead, Roxas, Xion and Isa sat on the usual railing even though they were sharing the conversation with everyone else. First Serah and Lightning explained the entire truth about their past-lives and their last battle against Bhunivelze which shocked the worldly travellers and at first they demanded to know why they hidden it, until Lightning pointed out was that it wasn't much of a choice. But she did give out good advice on how to defeat the God should he return to life and that she will be there to help if or when that ever happened.
They then moved on to calm down with more minor conversations as they knew they had another big day tomorrow.
"I can see why you guys used to come here so often." Terra commented.
"The view from here is beautiful." Aqua agreed as she gazed at the sunset.
"Yeah, even on our day off we came up here." Lea chuckled, "Not that it made a difference. Usually I do something more meaningful on those days."
"You mean sleep?" Roxas, Xion and Isa deadpanned with smirks. Lea just shrugged.
"What else did you do on your day offs?" Cloud asked, skeptically.
The redhead shrugged again, "Sleep, roll over and sleep some more."
"And everybody says I always slept a lot." Sora laughed, while Kairi and Riku both shook their heads. Everyone else, even Strelitzia and surprisingly Lightning, Shelke and Shalua shared laughs, before they all sombered up to return to their situtation.
"So, um...what did happen at the mansion earlier?" Lea asked Ephemer, Lightning, Hayner, Pence and Olette.
"We were looking for the Book of Prophecies, hoping it would give us a clue on how to solve all this without War going off or summoning Kingdom Hearts. Turns out that's where it was hidden all along." Ephemer explained, digging into his pockets and pulled out the very old designed book which has everyone else's eyes widen in awe and surprise, while Hayner, Pence and Olette were even more confused.
"What's a Book of Prophecies?" Pence asked Hayner.
"How should I know?" His friend shrugged cluelessly.
"It's a book that contains strong power as we thought about earlier, and Maleficent wants to use it to cause all kinds of trouble. It's very dangerous so it's best not to say anything much." Mickey replied firmly, with the rest of the worldly travellers nodding in agreement.
"We searched that mansion for a couple of days and by the time we found it and began to leave, well, that's when Maleficent and Pete found us." Lightning grumbled, as she stood while having her arms folded to her chest in the same manner as Cloud and Vincent.
"What about you guys? Did something happen?" Sora asked Hayner, Pence and Olette.
"We heard several rumors of things and people appearing at that old mansion, so we thought we'd do some investigating of our own to find out. When we did, we found out that old lady you guys call Maleficent and that big guy which I'm guessing is Pete had shown up." Hayner began to retell the story of what happened before the worldly travellers' arrival earlier.
Flash-Back: Hours earlier...
Something strange was going on. First the white things, then new black things that were just as bad as the other monsters, now two mysterious people appearing out of nowhere; a woman with pink hair and a boy about sixteen or something, were spotted vanishing into the wall which lead to the forest that was the hiding place of the old, abandoned mansion. Hayner, Pence and Olette tried to find them, but had to fall back a couple of times. So today was their latest attempt to figure out what was happening.
As luck would have it, while the three teenage friends were silently creeping towards their destination, they hidden themselves behind a tree where out of a Corridor of Darkness, Maleficent and Pete emerged just outside of the gates of the old mansion just as Ephemer and Lightning emerged from the mansion's doors, before two, seeing the evil duo, quickly stood in fighting stances.
"Hmm? What do we have here? More fools to meddle?" Maleficent inquired.
"Who are you?" Lightning demanded.
"I know who that is; she's Maleficent and if I'm guessing what, that big guy's Pete!" Ephemer grunted angrily.
"Hey, how'd you know 'bout us, you brat?" Pete demanded angrily.
"Indeed. This boy is yet another fool, yet a clever one which we cannot allow to go free on his way." Maleficent nodded in agreement.
Pence, unable to contain his excitement, whispered a little too loudly, "It's about time!" only for Hayner to quickly cover his mouth hurriedly.
"Keep it down!" Hayner whispered angrily. He and his two friends carefully checked to see if the evil fairy and the big fat cat heard them before sighing in relief when it was clear that they didn't. So the taller teen whispered to Pence and Olette, "Come on."
"Why are you here? If it's for anything to hurt others, you're making a big mistake on your part." Lightning hissed.
"That is none of your concern, child." Maleficent responded, before adding with a smirk, "Yet, I do sense darkness within your heart, waiting to be awakened. Join me, warriors and together we will rule all the worlds!"
The pink-haired woman scoffed angrily. "Thanks, but no thanks. Why would I want to work for an old hag like you? Let alone rule all of the worlds? I already had enough experience doing as I'm told through lies to help them get what they want before I learn the truth. What makes you think I would do something as stupid as helping you?"
"You dare to speak to me like that?" Maleficent growled angrily.
"Yeah, nobody and I do mean nobody, calls Maleficent any bad names! Youse best mind your manners, pipsqueak! 'Cause when I'm through with both of ya's, you'll be wanderin' in darkness with nobody comin' to save ya's!" Pete yelled at Lightning and Ephemer who just glared harder.
Ephemer quirked an eyebrow at Pete's claims. Was this guy for real? He looked more like a clown as far as the Keyblade wielder was concerned.
"Yeah right, and you call taking over every single world and casting them into darkness 'manners'?" Ephemer scoffed. "You might wanna consider finding something much nicer to do."
"D'oooooooh! That's what that goof-brain with the Keyblade brat said and by the way, if ya's know 'bout me and Maleficent, then you must know about those twerps too!" The large cat growled in sheer annoyance.
"Why, yes. Of course. It's now clear that you two are allies with Sora and his meddling friends. Then you must know of the Book of Prophecies and the Black Box." Maleficent agreed, her frown turning into a cruel evil smirk.
Just outside of the mansion walls, both Pence and Olette gasped on the one side while Hayner was hiding at the other opposite to them.
"She said Sora, and that guy must mean Goofy." Pence whispered and Hayner whispered in agreement.
"Those two people need us!" Olette whispered urgently, knowing that if the other boy and the woman know about Sora and the others, it's clear that they are friends and they know that something is going on. The three teenagers continued spying and listening in while coming up with a plan on how to do this without getting caught or killed.
While Ephemer and Lightning grunted at the mention of the Book which they had finally found in the library after searching through it for the last couple of days, the mention of the black box was quite still new to them so they shared a confused glance.
"What book and box?" Lightning asked, as she and Ephemer gazed back at the two villains.
"You think you can lie? The Book of Prophecies as the power to create worlds and gain full control of everything." Maleficent answered.
"As for that there black box...well, nobody knows what's inside d'at thing." Pete added, in which he continued with uncertainty, "I'm not even sure if such a thing even exists."
That made Lightning smirk in amusement, "Well if it doesn't, then you're just wasting your time going on a wild goose chase."
"And good luck finding whatever it is you're looking for, because number 1, we were looking for something entirely different and number 2, we've come up empty handed." Ephemer added.
"Perhaps, but we will search this place. However, in order to do that, you two must prepare to meet your doom!" Maleficent declared. But just before she was about to cast a spell on the two young fools before her and Pete...
"Yoo hoo!" Pence called out, interrupting as he came out from his hiding and caused the two villains to stop what they were doing and turned to face the teenage boy. "Excuse me!"
"Hey, where'd you come from, pipsqueak?" Pete pouted angrily. "Can't ya see we're busy?"
Pence, who wasn't expecting this kind of greeting, awkwardly tried to continue the conversation. "Oh, well, I'm looking for a friend who used to live here."
Unaware to everyone except Pence, Olette had snuck in by climbing the walls and hidden herself behind tombstones while making her way to Ephemer and Lightning who both looked concerned, wondering who Pence was or why he would come all the way out here.
"Do not be foolish, child. No one lives here." Maleficent told him impatiently.
"This ain't no place for you, kid. So go on, scram!" Pete waved off, attempting to shoo the teenager away.
"But um, sir and miss..." Pence stepped closer, attempting to continue to distract the two villains.
Now Pete was getting worried while Maleficent was getting even more impatient to the point that she was willing to do the boy harm. Pete on the other hand, began to say awkwardly, "H-hey, kid! I said scram! Didn't your mother teach you not to talk to strangers?"
By now, Olette used this oppotunity to grab Ephemer by the arm which caught the boy's and Lightning's attentions as the teenage girl whispered urgently to the two, "This way!" and pulled the boy away, with Lightning, despite wanting to stay behind realized what was happening and with no other choice, hurried along as she and Ephemer suddenly sensed more unexpected help was about to arrive.
Sensing movement behind them, Maleficent and Pete both turned to see what Ephemer and Lightning were suddenly gone, which caused the latter villain to stutter in shock and confusion. "Wha? Where'd they go!?"
Using this distraction, Hayner emerged from his hiding place and jumped to give Maleficent a surprise kick attack, yelling out, "Hey, losers!"
Unfortunately, Maleficent and Pete both turned to see this and the latter, surprisingly quick, grabbed Hayner by the foot.
"Or not!" The teenager yelled out while dangling in mid-air, causing Pence to groan in both worry and in dismay at his friend's not so clever idea. Pete just gave the panicked boy a glare before flinging him towards the wall.
"Nice try, brat!" Pete smirked before he tossed him.
However, just before Hayner was about to hit the wall, a monster that looked a bit like Heartless, but more humaniod, with sharp crimson claws and horns suddenly appeared and caught Hayner in it's arms and gently set him down on the ground before leaping and then began to claw at Pete who, in shock and confusion, was smacked right in the face and attempted to claw at Maleficent who stumbled back in shock and confusion. Hayner on other hand stared at the even more unusual thing in shock. Normally those white things and the black things terrorized Twilight Town. But this thing...
"It saved me..." He whispered in awe and confusion.
Pence, once his mind began working again, hurried over to his friend and pulled him up by the arm while saying urgently. "Hayner! Get a move on!"
"Oh, okay!" Hayner nodded once he realized that his friend was right. The two boys then hurried on outta there without looking back and hoped that Maleficent and Pete wouldn't follow. Fortunately for them, they were too busy with their latest problem as the unusual Heartless gazed at them.
"This thing ain't no ordinary Heartless! What's goin' on!?" Pete exclaimed, both angrily and in fear.
For once, Maleficent had no clue either at first. But the more she gazed at the creature, the more she felt something quite familiar she could not place, one that she only encountered once somewhere not real but at the same time real to her. Suddenly in her mind's eye, a ghostly figure of a boy glowing in golden light appeared in the same place as the monster, glaring at her; a boy with dirty blonde hair, blue vest and white sleeveless shirt, light brown shorts and blue and white shoes with white socks, was in a battle stance holding a very familiar weapon; a Keyblade that matched that of Skuld's.
She then suddenly knew who this thing was and she was furious.
"YOU!" The evil Fairy snarled, flaring up her staff before sending out a blast of green energy at the creature, but it jumped before it could be hit. The unusual monster gazed at both her and a shocked and now terrified Pete before it vanished into darkness.
"Say um, M'lady? Not to question ya or anythin', but do you know what that thing was?" Pete asked hesitatedly.
"Hmph. I know not of the kind of creature. However, it has a similar pattern to that of a Heartless, but with a heart and a soul." Maleficent answered. "That soul is that of a boy I once encountered long ago. His fate is questionable, but now he is here in the present, to interfere much like Sora and his friends."
She then turned and summoned a Corridor of Darkness to leave for the time-being, which had Pete to quickly race after her.
"Maleficent, wait for me!" He cried out, managing to enter before the Corridor of Darkness vanished.
End Flash-Back:
"...And then we met up with you guys, so the rest is history." Hayner concluded.
The worldly travellers were surprised by what they were hearing, the fact that Hayner, Pence and Olette had risked their lives to save Ephemer and Lightning from Maleficent and Pete was both worrying and amazing. Not to mention amusing at some parts of the story.
"Heh. Serves those two right." Sora snickered, as Kairi, Mickey, Aqua, Ven, Donald, Goofy, Xion and Namine giggled in agreement.
"But that thing that saved you...we saw those things in Mickey, Donald and Goofy's hometown just yesterday." Riku muttered in realization, which made everyone else realize that he was right.
"Darklings." Skuld muttered in worry. "They're here too?"
"Darklings?" Ven asked, confused.
Skuld nodded, and replied, "Still not sure how they came to be apart from looking for Light, but they used to be Keyblade wielders who had fallen into darkness to become those things. They're the most powerful forms of Heartless and began to appear just before the you-know-what started. But what I don't understand is why one of them would help Hayner and the others."
"Now that you mention it, there was one that helped us out in fighting the rest of those things too, which is really weird." Sora nodded in agreement.
"I think I know who that is but...how can it be?" Strelitzia thought in concern, thinking about the Darkling that helped and then vanished.
"Do you think the thing that helped Hayner is the same one that helped us out?" Roxas asked Lea and Isa who both shrugged.
Lea was the first to answer even though he was just as uncertain as his friend was. "Could be, but who knows? On the other hand, that's the only explaination that makes sense and if given the history of Riku and Terra, I'm thinkin' that it's somebody who's starting to regain control of themselves in a weird way."
"Someone who..." Ephemer trailed off, before gasping softly in realization and sighed in sadness. "Hauro. Could it really be him?"
"Huh? Who's Hauro?" Hayner asked, confused.
"A friend of mine. Someone I met a long time ago before Skuld met him. He...well, that's a long story and none of has seen him in a long time." The white-haired boy shrugged in sadness.
Skuld then realized something and turned to Strelitzia, asking, "Strelitzia, I remember now! Lauriam was searching for clues to find you and I think he and Ephemer when to ask Hauro about it. You ever met him?"
The ginger-haired girl shook her head, "No. I was too shy back then. But I did secretly follow him because, well, I liked what he did. He was so brave and sweet and kind. I really wanted to talk to him but...I never got the chance."
"Bummer." Pence remarked in sympathy.
"I'm sorry. It's because me this has happened. It's just...I didn't want him to go away." Strelitzia muttered, trying hard not to cry.
"Aw, it's not your fault, Strelitzia. Why, nobody ever knew that Blaine and Aced would do such horrible things." Mickey ensured while gently rubbing the girl's back to comfort her.
"He's right. It'll work out." Serah agreed, smiling in sadness yet warmth at her friend. "I know because we're going to set things right. You helped me find Lightning. Now it's my turn to help you and bring Lauriam back to normal."
"Serah...your Majesty." Strelitzia muttered, feeling her heart ease and at Sora and everyone else's determinded nods of agreement, she felt overwhelmed as she smiled yet tears began to fall free. She tried to wipe them free. "I-I don't know what to say."
"Eat your ice cream before it melts. It'll cheer you up. It always does to the rest of us." Lea advised warmly.
"That's the lamest thing I've ever heard, apart from your dumb idea of immorality." Cloud scoffed teasingly, and Zack, Roxas, Sora, and even Vincent nodded in agreement.
"Hey!" Lea pouted, before they all began to laugh.
Though despite this, everyone knew that the dangers were far from over, since they now had to find another hiding place for Namine since Blaine was aware of her being here and it could end up the case when Axel(which Lea still cringed about and apologized again to Kairi who told him she forgives him and that he is her friend) kidnapped Kairi all over again.
Because starting tomorrow, the rescue mission in the Keyblade Graveyard was about to get underway.
A/N: The next chapter will hopefully reach the Keyblade Graveyard. However, the final battle isn't taking place just yet as there are still other things our heroes will have to go through and for that, they need Yen Sid's guidence.
See you then!