Trials of the psyche

07:30 a.m.

Los Angeles

General Hospital

The medicine decided to obstinately stick in his throat before going down. Bitter pills and a sheet of colorful capsules lay on the table besides Sora and groaning miserably, he swallowed another moderately sized pill and choked on water. A nurse confiscated the vial of golden liquid Mickey gifted him yesterday and Vanitas visited him during the evening, tenaciously refusing to leave even after the police threatened him.

He slept in the hallway, a hospital issued blanket around his shoulders, curled like the angry little kitten he was.

Hushed voices roused Sora from his drowsy state and inwardly praying it's not his twin brother, Sora lay rigid, surprised by Mr. Wright gently talking to Trucy. He quickly pretended to be asleep when his boss poked his head around the curtain.

"Your eyelid is twitching," Phoenix deadpanned. "Trucy is summoned as a witness to court, she will testify for both you and herself if it's okay with you." Sora nodded vigorously, gaze never quite meeting his employer. "I… don't blame you for what happened to her," Phoenix said, but the smile failed to reached his eyes. "I talked with the KBWA and they insist Squall Leonhart is as innocent as snow." He barked a short, sarcastic laugh. "Well, he is innocent as far as this murder is concerned."

Phoenix lingered, prattling about random topics, a hand squeezing the magatama in his pocket when a multitude of black psyche-locks popped in his vision. The associate squirmed in discomfort and guilt.

"Sora," Wright inched in, pausing when the young man visibly flinched, "I understand this is not your fault."

Nodding again, Sora reached for his scarf, remembered it was not there and settled for strangling himself with his necklace. "I can't help feel like it's my fault." The words barely rose above a whisper. "If I trained properly, if I was a bit more like Vanitas or...or Nox, I could fight Roxas off, not kill him," he clarified. "Just, knock him unconscious so he wouldn't... couldn't hurt us." The medicines pulped his brain into mush, he heard the roar of distant cars and Mr. Wright's suit appeared a shade brighter. "I'm sorr-"

"Don't apologize," Phoenix placed a report of yesterday's court proceedings on the bed.

"I want to apologize," Sora asserted, fingers pulling the chain taut and Wright feared the young man might throttle himself. "Let me, it's the least I can do!" his voice rose agitatedly as Trucy hobbled into view.

"Are you pestering him?" she asked. "Daddy, you better be careful Vanitas doesn't see you," she teased, her smile dipping a fraction at the tiredness glazing Phoenix's eyes.

Fighting to verbalize the request ricocheting in his skull like a bunch of uncontrollable Ping-Pong balls, Sora drew the sheets to his chin and watched Trucy leave, supported by Wright.

"Do you want to say something?" she turned at the door and smiled encouragingly, the gown hanging off her shoulders.

"This case," Sora mumbled, "I wanted to see it."

Rubbing his wrist absentmindedly, Justice paced the courtroom lobby, reviewing the case details he received from the prosecutor. Late last night, Mr. Wright paid an impromptu visit to Apollo's apartment and briefed him about the meeting with the vice-chief and while he did not trust Leon completely, he knew his client did not influence the murder and Apollo soothed his conflicting feelings by vowing never to take a grey case ever again.

His rapid walking garnered stares, Athena sat on the couch, satin blue ribbon tied into a messy bow as she calmly listened to music. A pot plant decorated the foyer, its soil crumbly and dry.

The courtroom lobby doors opened to admit Trucy bundled in a trench coat and Mr. Wright supporting her.

Imminent trial swept clean out of his mind, Apollo bounded over, the morning's lethargy replaced by a fountain of bubbling energy. He tried not to show how happy he was, but a grin split his face as soon as she turned to him and beamed.

"Head's up Polly!" Trucy chirped, cheeks flushed from the cold nipping the air, "you need to be extra cool for Sora."

"Huh?" Justice scowled in confusion; "is he here?" He looked around. "What do you mean?"

The bailiff informed them about court being in session and the exuberant atmosphere deflated like a punctured balloon.

"Athena, can you record the trial using Widget?" Trucy questioned and an understanding grin spreading across Athena's face. "He really wanted to see the trial but he's not allowed out of the hospital, so I suggested we send a live recording!" Trucy pumped a fist in the air, wincing when it hurt. "Be sure to leave an impression on your protégé, or he'll be mesmerized by prosecutor Gavin and that'll be a shame wouldn't it?" She smoothed the messy strands of hair escaping from beneath her hood.

Phoenix escorted his daughter to the witness lounge. "A real shame," he repeated. "Make us both proud," he added as he and Trucy exited to the corridor.

"A real shame," Athena echoed and activated Widget's recording abilities. "I wouldn't want him to change his mind about being a lawyer."

Apollo grumbled under his breath. "I'm FINE!" he screamed right before entering the courtroom and his loud voice played through the silent corridors. Smirking at several rattled courtroom personnel, he assumed his place at the defense's bench and glared at Klavier nonchalantly sliding behind the prosecutor's bench with a rock star flair.

"I'll teach him how to be persuasive and assertive-"

"Oh it's Herr Justice," Klavier smiled lazily, "for a moment; I mistook your shiny forehead for an extra light fixture." Apollo bristled like his cactus. "Are you recording me Fraulein?" he asked and titled his head. "Make sure you get my good side." The prosecutor prepared his opening statement as the Judge marched in, trailing an anticipatory silence in his wake.

Aggressively tightening his tie, Justice folded his arms, his bangle shining under the courtroom lights. "The defense is ready your honor," a faint blush surfaced on his cheeks when Athena turned to record him.

She gave him a thumbs up.

Climbing the raised dais and settling on the varnished, throne-esque chair, the Judge twirled his beard for a moment and mentally braced himself to listen to both sides of the argument. He strived to pass a fair verdict honoring those who deserved it, but law always contained loopholes for people to exploit and more often than not, innocent victims may draw the short straw. The Judge neatened his heavy robes, sat straighter and asked the prosecutor for the opening statement.

"Achtung," Gavin snapped his fingers, "I called on a special witness today so she may enlighten us in regards to the relationship between," he peered at his documents, "The Keyblade Wielder's Association and Organization XIII."

Trucy Wright took the stand, her ankles aching, she smiled assuredly to Apollo and Athena at the bench, and at her father, Maya and Pearl seated pensively in the viewing gallery.

"Fraulein, state your name and occupation please."

Missing her top hat, Trucy tugged her sleeves. "Trucy Wright, Magician extraordinaire," she waited while the viewer's politely clapped. "And... university student I guess."

Klavier rested his chin on clasped fingers. "Fraulein Wright's testimony will tell us what happened on the night of the murder." The witness paled and he frowned sympathetically. "Ach, I do apologize for this, but we need to know the truth." She nodded meekly. "As I mentioned before, your testimony will reveal the dynamic between the two parties..." he trailed off as the attorney scowled uncertainly.

"How?" Apollo growled. "How will Trucy's testimony solve anything, she was attacked!"

"How Herr Forehead?" Gavin lowered his sunglasses, "you will be telling us how." He launched into an air-guitaring sequence as Justice's hair horns drooped, the trial only started and already it headed south. "Fraulein, give us your testimony," Klavier ran a hand through his air and more than one young woman in the gallery fanned their faces, "let's rock."

The courtroom air suffocated her. Funny, she was never this nervous when she came with Daddy, or stood behind the bench to act as co-counsel. "Sora asked me to accompany him to Organization XIII's main department store," Trucy began, fighting the gnawing pit in her stomach. "He is really bad with people," she giggled quietly to alleviate the tension throttling her throat, "and once he picked the things he wanted, I paid for them." She recalled the Level 9 music store full of fans, clamoring to get an autograph from Demyx. "After we finished shopping, it was really late, the moon was already out." Beautiful moonbeams splayed in irregular shapes in the darkened parking lot. "And... and when we walked to the taxi stand-"

She touched the back of her neck and swallowed.

"He was there." The prosecutor no longer smiled, he wore a frightening frown. Polly on the other hand scrunched his documents in a ball, a vein beating visibly on his temple. "He introduced himself as Roxas, they call him the Wayward Wind." Trucy's voice wavered. "He said his task was to eliminate the King... he said it and attacked Sora." She pressed her palms against her mouth.

So much blood, flecking across her dress. The sweater Sora wore ripped to shreds. His head almost cracked apart on the pavement.

"When Sora became unconscious, he twisted my arm, I fainted afterwards." Trucy grinned shakily and gazed at Phoenix for support. He stared at his lap, slate irises dulled. "Later I woke up in the hospital."

Silence.

The Judge observed the young woman, his mouth open in shock, how could the poor girl smile so bravely after what she went through? "Ahem! Mr. Justice," he prompted the petrified attorney, "your cross-examination and make it quick." He banged his gavel for emphasis.

Jolted by the judge's words, Apollo began his cross-examination. "Err... yes." He racked his head. "Did anyone else see Roxas attacking Sora?"

The witness thought for a second, no people milled in the parking lot.

"It's strange," Athena murmured. "Aren't Keyblade wielders important to the Association?"

Justice touched his bangle. "Hmm... Roxas was murdered after Sora lost consciousness. Your honor, both Vanitas and Sora Clavius are extremely important individuals in the Keyblade Wielder's Association." He sucked in a breath when the viewer's gallery raised dubious eyebrows. "Vanitas is always accompanied by some form of protection, not like he needs it," Apollo sarcastically added under his breath, "and if my client did plan to murder Roxas, it would make sense for him to tail Sora. Why wait when Sora was nearly dead? It doesn't make sense. Leonhart was not present at the crime scene-"

"Hold it," Klavier interjected, smashing his fist against the wall behind him. "Herr Justice, where is your evidence? Can you tell us where the defendant was on the night of the murder?"

Remembering to appear extra cool for Sora's sake, Apollo grinned widely as he presented a sheet of paper to the court. "Take that!" he forcefully said. "This is Leonhart's activity log, supplied by the receptionist at the KBWA, Mr. Wright checked it with several others." The Judge accepted the evidence. "Here, during the time of the murder, which occurred approximately before midnight," Justice pointed to the document enlarged on the courtroom monitors, "Squall, the local police chief and a member of the government's security team met together, to draft measures against, err, otherworldly threats?" Apollo rubbed the confused lines mapping his forehead. "In any case, he has a solid alibi."

"And what of Sora Clavius' importance?" Gavin pressed. "How are we sure he is as important to the Association as you claim?" The prosecutor calmly absorbed the full fury of the defense's glare, his hands loosely balled in his pockets

The court records had nothing to offer and Justice nervously smoothed his scarlet waistcoat. "I do not," he cleared his throat, "have evidence." The viewing gallery babbled in disappointment. "However, I do know Vanitas Clavius is an elite member of the KBWA." Bluff. "And he is extremely protective of his twin brother, if anything were to happen to Sora, Vanitas would not take it lying down and the KBWA honors their relationship with Vanitas too much to let something like this occur." He waited for an opposing argument from the prosecutor, chin up, defiant.

Twirling his fringe, the prosecutor ruminated, jaws clenched. "Little forehead, you are saying Herr Leon could not be the murderer because the initial attack on Clavius would have prompted him to execute Zephyr on the spot, am I correct?"

Apollo nodded cautiously.

"The timetable could be fabricated. Achtung, it would be easy for the defendant to do it, are there any video records of the meeting?" The prosecutor asked.

Seething, the defendant replied in a negative.

"Herr Justice, your evidence is not enough to grant the defendant a non-guilty verdict." In the dock, Leon simply stared in front of him; while in the gallery, Tifa tapped her thigh. "Are you sure you don't have any other evidence? No compelling arguments? Leonhart is the leader of the KBWA branch nein?" Klavier leaned on his elbows. "He is a highly skilled operative, what did the vice-chief say? Do you think he is capable of doing this?"

12:40 a.m.

General Hospital

Emergency ward

"Whoa, it's really him." Vanitas breathed loudly as Klavier air-guitared. "Will Gavin sell his necklace as a collector's item?" he eagerly questioned, pointing at the stylized 'G' shaped pendant resting on the rock star prosecutor's chest. "Can I take a selfie with him? I'll ask him to autograph it for me." Vanitas shifted much to his brother's chagrin.

Letting his twin blather, Sora watched the court proceedings. It may be senior Apollo doing the defending but he could not help feeling a stab of anxiety each time the prosecutor countered the attorney's arguments. Sora's palms sweated and Vanitas practically climbing on his lap did not help things. Their heads remained bowed over the touchscreen phone and Sora grinned when Apollo presented evidence like Mr. Wright. A pleasant thrill buzzed in the base of his cranium and it abruptly turned into a headache when Klavier demanded decisive evidence.

"Is Trucy going to be okay there?" Vanitas questioned when the camera panned to the lone witness, fidgeting on the stand.

"Huh?" Sora vacuously replied. He, like Apollo, searched through the evidence laid on the bench. Leonhart was a skilled operative, Lockhart said as such. Is the prosecutor helping the attorney?

"Trucy," Vanitas insisted his ears flushing, "is she gonna be okay?"

"What?" Sora blurted, irritated by the constant interruption, he glanced up. "Wha... please don't tell me you have a crush on her." Feigning disinterest, his twin glowered at the screen. "Apollo is going to skin you alive."

"Not if I skin him first."

"And then Mr. Wright will find you guilty of murder and send you to jail," Sora concluded. "Find someone else to crush on, please," he faltered when his brother kept quiet. Vanitas and silence hardly made a good combination. The trial carried on, attorney and prosecutor arguing back and forth. "Eh, you didn't threaten her did you? I hardly think you insulting her will be the start of a healthy relationship." Sora reached for a glass of water.

Grabbing a pillow, Vanitas sat cross-legged; the bed may have squeaked at their combined weight but meh, the KBWA can pay for any damages. "She... she's cute," he bumbled and Sora spewed water all over his shirt in surprise. "And she's not afraid of me; you're okay with her too." Vanitas grabbed a few tissues and cleaned his sleeveless tunic. "Stop gawking like a fish starved of air!" he hissed as a smirk unfolded on his brother's face. "Leave me alone," his cheeks prickled, he absolutely hated it when Sora teased him. "You wanted to watch the trial," Vanitas shoved his phone, "so watch it and stop grinning!"

On screen, the attorney contemplatively zoned on his notes. Tifa Lockhart testified the wounds on Roxas' head were too messy for Leon's weapon to make...

The weapon!

Klavier squinted. "Herr Justice received an epiphany ja? His forehead is shining like the sun, ach, my eyes," he exaggerated and Athena stifled her giggles. "Care to share your thoughts?"

Two pictures showed side by side on the courtroom monitors. One depicted a revolver with a blade sprouting from its tip, while the other showed Roxas' autopsy report and the several fractures on his skull.

"This is a Gunblade," Apollo gestured to the weapon. "It is the defendant's choice of a weapon; a gun... with a blade."

"A silver gun... with a blade," Klavier added with a pointed smile. "Anything else you want to add? Perhaps the length of your demonic hair horns?"

"I can also tell you the exact amount of time Mr. Gavin spent in prison," Apollo muttered acidly. "Prosecutor Gavin, does the defendant's weapon look like it is capable of inflicting the type of wounds found on Zephyr's head? Ms. Poppet's updated autopsy report states she died from blunt trauma to her internal organs, which in turn induced severe hemorrhage. The Gunblade can shoot," the model on the screen fired a bullet as the blade folded downwards, "and stab. It cannot hit like a hammer."

"Heh, take that!" Sora cheered for his mentor.

The prosecutor, judge and viewing gallery collectively studied the Gunblade while Apollo patiently waited for them to reach a conclusion. The little model fired and folded several times.

"Herr Judge, what do you think?" Klavier snapped his fingers.

The Judge twisted his beard. "I don't think the Gunblade is the murder weapon," he conclusively stated and banged his gavel.

"Is Herr Leonhart able to use any other weapons?" Gavin questioned, staring straight at Apollo.

"Can your boss use any other weapons?" Sora desperately questioned, grabbing Vanitas' necklace

The Black Saint delicately untangled his brother's fingers. "No. The members all use custom weapons. Although, I've never seen him use the Gunblade." A derisive smirk materialized on his lips. "I'll make Leon give me a private lesson."

Back in court, Tifa confirmed how the leader of the Keyblade Wielder's Association is unable to use other weapons. "None of us use standard arms," she clarified and Xemnas smoldered, wrinkling his cashmere shirt. "The operative who executed Roxas and Xion, is currently under our care and given full authority of his assignment. Neither Leon or I were aware of his actions." The vice-chief stepped off the witness stand as the court conferred with each other.

Some of the members regarded Leon suspiciously, the same suspicion extended towards Tifa. While others softly mocked the KBWA and its bizarre policies.

"I think it's time you gave us a verdict Herr Judge," Klavier smashed his fist behind him and the boom of sound silenced the stray whispers. "You have listened to the facts," the courtroom filled with upbeat music, "now pass judgment, get rocking, baby."

Shaking his head at the flamboyant prosecutor, the Judge viewed the court from his lofty seat. The defense waited with quiet resignation, head tilted at the bench; and the defendant slouched in his seat, the scar slashing his face deepening.

"I pronounce the defendant," the chamber tensed in anticipation, "not guilty!"

Sora hooked Vanitas around the neck and vigorously rubbed his brother's hair. He squealed and the nurses rushed to him, alarm in their expressions. "My... my senior won the case," he squeaked and the nurses smiled amiably. "I got excited," he explained and slowly let his twin go.

A shower of brightly colored confetti rained from above and Apollo cracked a smile when Athena squeezed his shoulder warmly. Trucy tackled him into a hug and Maya offered to treat him to an all-you-can-eat burger buffet. Justice rubbed the back of his head awkwardly when Mr. Wright picked a glittering square of foil from his head.

He thrust a ticket in his hands. "The Siren of the Ballad is having a concert next Saturday," Phoenix politely acknowledged Klavier. "Take a break and go. I think she would appreciate it if you showed her around the city."

Slightly aghast but not about to complain of his boss' generosity, Apollo turned the ticket in his hand. It consisted of a card, painted with a lush, valley landscape. Little trees dotted an escarpment. A solitary cloud smeared the sapphire sky. "Trucy would never let me go alone," he grumbled, failing to keep the glee out of his voice, "where's her ticket?"

Wright ignored him.

"It's refreshing to be ignored so thoroughly for a change," Apollo scathingly delivered. "You're a cheapskate Mr. Wright," he stuffed the ticket in his pocket as Trucy threaded her arm through his. "Thanks."

"Hmm?" Phoenix waved to Widget's camera. "Did you say anything?" he smiled shrewdly, "I didn't hear you."

He chuckled when Apollo, fringe tapered to a dangerously sharp point, marched past him. Wright lingered for Maya as she conversed with the KBWA people and she waved him away. Too far away to catch snatches of their conversation, he reluctantly sat on the couch in the courtroom lobby and sipped a cold coffee Athena graciously offered him. The information he received yesterday from the Association was to be returned after the trial finished and he sorted through the original from the copies he hastily made at the agency.

Hopefully the vice-chief won't find out. Phoenix slotted the documents into a clear plastic folder as the KBWA exited. He presented the file to Tifa. She took it from him without a word.

Leon thanked him. The KBWA leader's grip nearly crushed the bones in his wrist and Squall's pale blue eyes lagged for a second too long. Wright exhaled slowly when the double doors to the court slid shut after the retreating figures.

He smiled, the copies tucked safely into a file.

The Doctor said his brother could go home tomorrow.

A message popped on Vanitas' screen, he sat next to the bed while Sora snored softly, clocking out after he swallowed another dose of medicines. The beeping in the ward continued, equipment hummed lowly in the chamber and several monitors showed figures and diagrams which made little sense to anyone who wasn't a doctor or nurse.

KBWA meeting, the subject of the message read. The Black Saint, Grey Knight, Mid-tiers Cloud Strife and Shiki Misaki as well as High-tiers Hercules and Joshua to report to the boardroom at 15:00 to discuss Zack Fair's murder investigation. Failure to attend the meeting will result in the operative being discharged from the investigation.

Vanitas wondered if the last part was specifically aimed at him. He rose, stretched and tucked the clean bed sheet around his twin. Sora continued sleeping, mouth agape, fingers faintly twitching. Wishing for him to have pleasant dreams, Vanitas signed the list at the reception, unnecessarily reminded them he would be back, whether they liked it or not, and stalked out of the hospital to tepid, afternoon sunshine. He narrowed his gaze at the clouds banking the horizon; the air heralded the coming of a storm.

He arrived five minutes late to the square, squat two story building serving as branch headquarters. The bored guard sternly warned him never to wear a spike studded tunic before allowing Vanitas through. At the inner gate in the reception, he gave up his phone and watch. The Organization XIII logo spun on screen one last time before the devices died.

"And yet you wear these things." Riku's barbed comment cut deep.

What was he supposed to do? Walk around naked? He hardly owned anything without Org XIII stamped on it.

The anthropomorphic duck and dog waited for him inside the second floor, a little landmass in the sea of chaos. "Is everything okay?" Goofy asked.

"You are late!" Donald quacked indignantly and pointed a wing at the transparent cube room, "get inside, the meeting already started."

His companions flanked him on both sides and bowed in tandem to King Mickey, seated on Nox's right. Pretending the duo never existed; Vanitas parked himself next to Hercules. A bronze, lion skin tunic was belted at his waist and the hero tapped the marble table, lost in thought. Leon paused in his monotone commentary when Vanitas entered and resumed seamlessly when everyone settled.

"The fruits of the Replica project has been successfully terminated, we did not envision ending it in such a way but whatever," Squall listlessly stated, expression gaunt from spending three nights in a solitary, lightless cell. "Another Special Assignment is completed." He set the document aside and steepled his hands. "It's confirmed Organization XIII ordered the execution of the King," Leon paused when Vanitas scoffed, "we suspect they wanted the Kingdom Key, which brings us to the discussion of their motives."

The lucid walls of the boardroom turned opaque, like frosted glass and the painting depicting the Elementals changed to a mind map diagram exhibiting the supposed goals of Organization XIII.

"You all know this business of them is a farce," Leon began and slid lower in his seat, "they came to this micro-planet after Olympus converged on Los Angeles. The Kingdom Keys are vital components in the making of the Chi-blade-" the boss stopped as a hand shot up in the air. "Yes?"

Vanitas used a moment to best articulate his confusion. "I don't know what the hell you are blabbering about," he said and Joshua's mouth curled into a skew smirk.

The diagram on the wall displayed a picture of two nearly identical Keyblades and another foreboding weapon combining the two. "This is the x-blade," Squall clarified. "A legendary weapon acting as the key to Kingdom Hearts, the heart of all the worlds combined. It is the original keyblade and can bring about good, or calamity depending on the wielder. It is a well-known fact the Chi-blade is forged by the repeated clashing between the forces of Light and Darkness."

As he listened, Vanitas blanched. He wiped sweaty palms on his jeans. "What do you mean the x-blade is formed by light and darkness?" All attention turned to him. "Sora, he's pure light isn't he?" Again, Joshua smirked and Vanitas wanted to smash his boot on the grey haired teen's head, "And I'm the opposite... does this-" he broke off, the sudden lump in his throat preventing speech.

Goofy sympathetically blinked at him.

King Mickey put out his hand and Vanitas silently gasped as a familiar Keyblade materialized in his gloved palm. "The forces of light and darkness are a catalyst to creating the Chi-blade, but you need the Kingdom Key and the Kingdom Key D to create a perfect one. Traditionally, the x-blade is forged by war between the hearts of light and the seekers of darkness. Xehanort," he paused as more than one member around the table recoiled in revulsion, "found a different method to create the x-blade after I summoned Kingdom Key D."

A terse silence engulfed the chamber as the mouse King hopped on the table, to better explain the slides playing across the screen.

"Two hearts of equal strength, one of pure light and one of pure darkness," Mickey gestured to the monitor, where a golden heart spun on one side, mirrored by a jet black one, "are needed to create the Chi-blade." The image changed, the two hearts crashed into each other. "When the hearts clash, a new power is born, the x-blade is forged." The next picture showed the two hearts, smoking and spent, but a weapon between them. "The hearts are consumed in the process of the forging, but now you have a power capable of doing what the wielder wishes it to do. It may open Kingdom Hearts, and grant its wielder all the power and wisdom in the world."

"Hah," Vanitas snickered the moment Mickey finished. "Two hearts of equal strength? Fight? Yeah, it'll never happen between-"

"In conclusion, you think you and your twin can potentially forge the x-blade," Joshua drawled, curling a lock of hair between his fingers. "How arrogant," he sneered and Vanitas lit a fira in his palm. "However it is frightening no? Twins, split from a single cell and granted characteristics totally opposite each other. Hmm... interesting." The all-knowing grin on Joshua's face stayed there as he ducked from the soaring fireball. "You get twins who look different," he scrambled out of his chair, in time as a thundaga zapped it, "who act different," Joshua whipped his button phone out and punched keys, "but children born together have similar alignments of darkness and light. You and Sora don't."

Click.

Out of nowhere, a dull green nuclear warhead leveled Vanitas to the ground. He coughed blood as his companions hurried to him. Donald whirled on Joshua, gem topped staff clutched angrily between his feathers while Goofy pushed the warhead off Vanitas and gave him a potion.

"The heck do... you think... you are?" Vanitas rasped, flecks of crimson dotting his pale lips. "Get down here, let me re-arrange your pretty face," he hissed.

Joshua picked lint off his asymmetric jersey. "I'm a High-tier member of the KBWA," he grinned like a predatory animal. "Why don't you come up here so I can knock some sense into your brain?"

Surprisingly, no one tried intervening in the fight and Lockhart, sitting silently through the entire briefing, did not admonish Joshua for his unruly behavior. Gritting his teeth at the unfairness of the situation, Vanitas limped back to his seat as Hercules passed him an elixir.

The hero apologetically inclined his head. "You may want to stay clear of Joshua," he whispered as the conference resumed. "The only reason he isn't the boss of our KBWA is because he chose not to be."

Glowering at the infuriating teen conversing cordially with Misaki, Vanitas gingerly touched his broken ribs. "Like I'm gonna let the stupid pipsqueak boss me around. I'll grind his bones into fishmeal; I'll wipe his grin off his-"

"Clavius," Leon raised his finger, "silence."

The acerbic words pouring from Vanitas' lips gurgled to a stop.

Smoke curled at the edge of the chamber, where the dying embers of a fira slowly charred the luxurious carpet. The smell of ozone and metal rose from the warped chair.

"Interruptions aside," Squall rubbed his scar, "Organization XIII had two main goals, the first is the replica project; and the second is the forging of the x-blade. I want the High-tier members to look into the progression of the forging, but remain civil towards them." Hercules and Joshua nodded in affirmative. "As for the rest, we are reviewing details surrounding Zack's death.

"He went to Hollow Bastion for a mission I personally asked him to take." Squall recalled how Zack grumbled about not being able to see Vanitas return from his first solo mission. "Currently, only the Clavius and Strife are aware of the perpetrator and they are under strict orders not to engage. Instead, you are tasked to keep discreet tabs on Organization XIII and comply with their requests should they ask you anything related with the KBWA."

What?

"I understand you dislike this mission Clavius," Leon kept his voice neutral, "but this is how we operate, civilians cannot be dragged into our war. Magic will affect those without second sight, one way or the other. Our sole focus is to keep the balance, this is the last stable micro-planet, some of your co-workers, don't have a home anymore."

Hercules defensively folded his arms. Joshua's shock of thick hair lit in a blinding flash, stabbing Vanitas' eyeballs with a searing pain. The marble table-top section near Joshua cracked like he struck thundaga on it.

"Therefore, you are to keep cordial relations with Organization XIII, despite everything." Vanitas reminded himself of his vow and solemnly nodded as Leon cracked a tired, distinctly parental smile. "Get your missions from the work board in the reception. You are all dismissed."

Chairs scraped the carpet; the edge continued belching acrid smoke as the members of the KBWA filed out one by one. The walls morphed back into clear glass, showing the scarlet spread of twilight; and the monitor behind Leon pixelated before assuming the form of a classical, gold gilt frame depicting the founders of the Keyblade Wielder's Association. The blonde boy standing in the middle of the Sea Queen and the Earth Titan wore an innocent, saintly expression and Vanitas irritably scrubbed the dried blood on the corner of his chin, gaze lingering on the painting.

"Clavius, you may leave," Tifa prompted. "Now."

The monitor in the reception showed a log of recently accepted quests. Special S-class assignments were reserved for High-tier members and he fiddled with them, trying to decipher what the quests entailed. A flagged file caught his attention and Vanitas opened the folder marked for Keyblade Wielders.

Inside he found two assignments, one addressed to the Grey Knight, the other to the Black Saint. Both the vice-chief and chief signed his mission and Vanitas reluctantly smashed his hand on the button.

Mission accepted, the monitor bleeped, attend remembrance gala at Organization XIII's headquarters next week.

Innocence

Early afternoon

Amusement park

The world whirled by in vibrant streaks of colors as Ventus vigorously spun the teacup, a determined smile on his face. Aqua sat opposite him, her silver blue hair blowing in all directions. The purple, patterned teacup spun in dizzying circles and he giggled gleefully as it stopped.

"Let's go again!" Ven sang and Aqua shook her head as she daintily climbed out of the ride. "Please?" he latched on her arm. "Please~" A group of people stopped to watch, collectively wilting under the might of his liquid blue eyes.

The faint aroma of popcorn and greasy snacks hung in the air.

"Ven, there are other places you can go," Aqua reminded him gently. "How about there?"

He regarded the rollercoaster shooting across a twisted, zigzagging rail and grinned appreciatively. "Okay. Can I get some candy floss?"

No was never an option.

The duo weaved to the street vendor and Ven bought three packets of hot pink and candy blue sugar threads. "I'm eating this one for Terra," he announced and passed a bag to Aqua, who smiled at his antics. "This stall is sponsored by Organization XIII," Ven read off a rippling banner. "I really should visit them one day," he chirped.

"Trust me," Aqua's irises sharpened, "visiting them is not a good idea, you will get the urge to break something." She sighed at the open air as Ventus disappeared, his golden blonde hair melting into the crowd.

A/N: When I played BBS, I started with Ventus' story first because I liked his character design. The opening theme foreshadowed how the game would end, but honestly, I was not prepared for what happened to the three of them. Poor Ven, he deserves his happily ever after.

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