And here we are agian! No missions this time, but a bit of lore and theories... I think. Either way, not too much action but mostly filler.
Enjoy!


After the festival in Corona, Tenebrae had taken Ray back to the Light Protectors. It was going on dinnertime when the pair returned, they saw Rylan finishing up in the kitchen. Everyone else was relaxing. Tenebrae had declined any dinner this time and went on his way.

It was getting dark and he just wanted to rest. Tenebrae also wanted to find a way to contact Shaylex. He knew that could wait a while though. They were partners on missions and nothing more. When she was ready, she would find him.

Tenebrae went to the Sunset Hill and headed to the bench. So far, that was the best place he slept. He was able to ease into but had no dream this time.

When the sun woke him up, he felt surprisingly refreshed. But he knew the feeling wouldn't last. He smelled his clothes. Even after his last adventure, they didn't smell as bad as when he got out of the Realm of Darkness. He knew he needed to find a place soon.

'Even with the Heartless I've encountered,' Tenebrae thought as he descended the Hill, 'I've got enough. But I can't see myself buying a place. And I don't want to have to pay for a hotel each night. I would rather avoid spending too much time with Keval's group.'

Tenebrae boarded the train to head back to town. The local line trip was a short trip. He and others got off the train and headed to the Shopping district. He ordered a breakfast pastry and some juice to quell his hunger. He went to an alley before jumping up to a roof.

Tenebrae sat on the edge of the roof. He started his breakfast and watched the citizens of Twilight Town go about their business. Many people were either chatting or opening shop.

Tenebrae noticed Cetus among the crowd. The Wielder-turned-flower girl didn't seem to have a care in the Worlds. She seemed content with the life she had. Why should she be brought back to this life?

Tenebrae heard a portal open behind him. Mentally, he prepared to fight. Luckily, the presence that stepped through wasn't Heloa or Hashley. He turned and saw Axel waving at him.

"Hey Tenebrae!" Axel said with a smirk. "Glad to see you still around."

"I have nowhere else," Tenebrae said, facing forward and watching Twilight Town. "And like you said, Twilight Town isn't very big. But I'm surprised to see you so soon."

"Well I got some good news," Axel sat down next to him. "Shaylex was taking a break from missions for the last week. But she'll be going tomorrow to a World called the Great Bayou. And she asked me to let you know, so you could meet her there."

"Really? Well whatever happened is her business. But it's good to know I'll be busy tomorrow." Tenebrae looked at Axel from the corner of his eye. "Thank you for finding me, Axel. I'll do my best."

Axel grinned. "Hey, Shaylex is a friend. Just promise me, you two will look after each other."

"She is my Partner," Tenebrae said with a smirk. "I'd rather die than see anything happen to a comrade. So, we will be fine."

"Good." Axel stood up and walked away. "Well I got my own mission to take care of. See you around." Axel walked through a portal and out of sight.

Tenebrae finished his breakfast in silence. After the last few days, he was sure a day off wouldn't be bad. And since he would be on a mission with Shaylex tomorrow, he figured some alone time wouldn't hurt. It was just a matter of what to do.

'I am curious about that tunnel system,' Tenebrae thought as he jumped into the alleyway. 'There was a large gate near Sunset Hill, like the ones in the Shopping District. Could they be connected to each other?'

Tenebrae walked to the nearest entry and entered the tunnels. He was still mentally prepared to fight. So, when the first Heartless appeared, he immediately summoned his Keyblade and burned them. With all the missions he's done, he could tell he got stronger.

Tenebrae made it through the first tunnel with ease. The Heartless hardly posed a threat.

Tenebrae came upon an open area. It was a square room with a few large steps leading down. It was spacious and connected to two other doorways. One lead to another room with a pillar. The other looked to reconnect with the tunnels. Tenebrae decided to jump into the room itself. He wanted to explore the lowest level. Almost immediately, he was attacked by Heartless.

With a snap, flames surrounded Tenebrae. The Heartless closest were burned instantly. Tenebrae felt a power surge through him. He directed his magic as he took down the Heartless.

When the last Heartless burned, Tenebrae had a to take a breath to calm down. The Darkness around him was still strong. It was concentrated only in the tunnels, which concerned Tenebrae. The Darkness seemed to connect to the south of his location, while any other direction led to Light.

Tenebrae decided to follow the Darkness. He went to a gate marked with a "2" above it. It led to another tunnelway. Immediately he came across another open area. There was a waterway at the edge of a platform.

Tenebrae felt the Darkness, but it was muted and focused. In fact, there felt like a connection to the Realm of Darkness. He shouldn't have been surprised, the Heartless needed a way into the World.

'And with no clear path, guess I can't seal it.' Tenebrae thought. 'And something tells me, this isn't the only source. Since I felt the same at that mansion.'

Tenebrae walked through the tunnel. He noticed the exit was to Sunset Terrace. He didn't think that the two areas were connected by the tunnels. That made sense as to why it was free to use the train to travel between. If people weren't lazy, they could take the tunnels and exercise.

'I'm surprised with how much work people will do, to be lazy,' Tenebrae thought as he walked to the Hill. 'But then again, I don't know which area came first. If the trains were built then the tunnels, it would make sense. If it was vice versa, then these people are lazy.'

Tenebrae made it to the Hill and stretched. He walked up to the diorama and examined it. With his current recon, he noticed the diorama looked to be a more recent representation of the town. Most of what he explored could be seen in the diorama. Of course, anything underground didn't seem visible.

'Guess this is a good way to keep track of locations,' Tenebrae thought. 'If you read this like a map, you can always find a place to meet. This will be great for later.'

Tenebrae decided to sit on the bench to relax. While he didn't want to do a mission, he also wasn't sure what to do. Since tomorrow he would meet up with Shaylex, there was no reason to do anything today.

He felt a portal open behind him. It felt like the ones the Organization used, he could tell since Axel and Shaylex used it around him. To his knowledge, Shaylex was meeting him at the World abd Axel was on a mission. Who else even knew about him?

"Hey there, fairy boy," the voice shocked Tenebrae. "Are you being a good little Wielder?"

Tenebrae got up and turned quickly, summoning his Keyblade. He was met with a smirking Xigbar. The Nobody had a knowing look as Tenebrae glared at him.

'What is he doing here?' Tenebrae thought.

"Oh, the silent treatment?" Xigbar seemed to put on a show of being hurt. "I thought we were friends. After all, we both know you came from the Age of Fairytale."

"I have nothing to say to you," Tenebrae growled. "Or need I remind you of the bolts you SHOT at me? Forgive me if I'm a bit tense."

"Oh, is that so? Then how about a deal?" Xigbar smirked "Since I attacked you, you can attack me. I won't fight back."

"I doubt that!" Tenebrae rushed Xigbar and swung his Keyblade.

Xigbar vanished before he could land a hit. Tenebrae felt the shift in the air, magic like Rylan's. He followed the source and saw Xigbar near the end of Hill.

Tenebrae growled, before running after the Nobody. As soon as Tenebrae got close enough to strike, Xigbar would vanish. Tenebrae could feel the magic each time, but still tried.

Xigbar lead him into the tunnels. Tenebrae took the opportunity for what it was. He used his magic and tried to destroy Xigbar. Even his flames couldn't do much to the Sharpshooter.

"Aw, is someone getting angry?" Xigbar taunted him at the end of the tunnels. "To be fair, I didn't hit you. So why should you be able to?"

"Because you're annoying!" Tenebrae shouted. "What do you want from me?"

"Just wanted to test you." Xigbar smirked. "If this is the apex of you Wielders, I'm a little worried."

"I hate to admit it," Tenebrae said, "I'm not the strongest. There are others much stronger than I. I'm just finally catching up."

"Is that modesty?" Xigbar looked shock, but Tenebrae could tell it was faked. "I'm guessing you had some pretty interesting experiences."

Tenebrae pointed Kingdom Key D at the Nobody. "Watch yourself. I have no reservations about striking you down."

"Yeah right, as if!" Xigbar put his hands on his hips. "You aren't strong enough for that. I bet even our weakest member could take you."

"I doubt it," Tenebrae said, doing nothing but glare at Xigbar. The Nobody seemed to be playing with him. Whether it was intentional or not, pissed him off more.

"Still, I gotta say," Xigbar leaned on a wall. "You are definitely stronger than some Wielders I've met. At least your Heart is."

"It has to be," Tenebrae hissed. "Or I would be unfit to wield a Keyblade. Now enough games, what do you want? I know you aren't' worried about my health."

"Let's just say you are under observation. You may be recruited to our Organization." Xigbar's smile filled him with dread. "Who knows?"

"I'll pass." Tenebrae said, easing up only a little. "I don't care much for groups. So, leave me alone."

Xigbar stood up straight and wagged his finger. "See, that I can't do. If you interact with anyone of the Organization, we won't leave you alone. But you won't see us."

Xigbar disappeared in a plume of Darkness. All traces of his presence disappeared. That should have made Tenebrae feel better, but he was still on edge. He shook his head, as he dismissed his Keyblade and left the tunnel.

To his surprise, Tenebrae was in the Shopping District. He had been so focused on chasing Xigbar, that he wasn't focused on his location. Normally, he would be better about keeping track. But it didn't matter now, he was outside.

'Now that I think about it,' Tenebrae thought after he calmed down, 'I should let the Light Protectors know about tomorrow. I won't mention with who, but it would be better than a search party.'

Tenebrae walked through the District. It was late in the afternoon, so he had hoped the others would be home. As he walked through the district, he grabbed something quick to eat. He ate it as he went towards the complex. He did see Cetus tending her shop.

Tenebrae made it to the Light Protectors' apartment. He knocked on the door and waited. Rylan was the one to answer, a sucker in his hand as he smiled.

"Hey, wasn't expecting you to ss you today," the time-user said. "When you didn't show up this morning, Keval told us not to worry. But here you are."

"I thought it wouldn't be fair to not give a warning," Tenebrae said. "May I come in?"

Rylan opened the door and let him walk through. Solas was sleeping on one couch. Mojie and Ray were another couch, the young girl reading a book and the young boy was on a device. Keval was unaccounted for. Rylan went towards the kitchenette after closing the door.

"Where's Keval?" Tenebrae asked, genuinely confused.

"Out doing some training," Ray said, "He goes off sometimes after a mission. Usually it's either training or to visit Cetus."

"I see," Tenbrae said. He wanted all of them together, but he didn't want to stay long. "Then relay this to him. I will be meeting with my Partner for a mission. I just got into contact with them and I leave tomorrow. I don't know when I'll be back, but I'll check in when I do."

"But why leave?" Sols asked drowsily. It shocked Tenebrae as he looked at the sleeping Ursus.

"Even though he sleeps a lot," Mojie giggled, "Solas is very perceptive and alert. But that is a question I had. Why not introduce your friend to us. We can all do missions together."

"They are my Partner, like Keval is my Union mate," Tenebrae sighed, "And they are already a part of another… party. So, we have an agreement."

It wasn't wise to mention Organization XIII. And he was sure the last thing Shaylex would need would be anyone from the Unions after her. They didn't need to know just yet.

"That doesn't mean they can't work with us," Rylan said from the kitchenette. "Members of other parties did it for large scale missions. Maybe their entire Party can help us."

'Bad idea.' "I may bring it up," Tenebrae said. "But the point is, I will be away. And I want Keval to know that."

Rylan came out with a few pots of food. "Noted. We'll let him know. Be safe."

Tenebrae nodded. He said his goodbye and left the apartment. It wouldn't do for him to stay. It would be better for him to get an idea of the World he was going to.

Tenebrae left the complex and went back to the Shopping District. It was becoming evening, so he went to grab a quick dinner. It was a hearty meal and cheap. It filled him up and he was ready to go.

He made it to the tunnels. Tenebrae made sure none of the Protectors followed him. The last thing he wanted was a chance conflict between them and the Organization. Tenebrae opened a portal, hoping he had the right World on the other end. -


And there we are! A new World, a new mission, and more fun! If you can guess the movie used, or if you read Shaylex_Cosplay's story, A New Destiny, you win! But the next mission will be a multi-chapter endeavor. And will be directly tied to Shaylex's story.
So be prepared for some fun next time!