Kingdom of Chaos

Chapter 4: Tavern Brawl

Author: Sketchy Sunshine of OSTOCOM

Rating: PG-13, just to be on the safe side

See chapter one for summary, disclaimer and other goodness. Otherwise, here's chapter four! XD

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The tavern was quieter than usual tonight. The few tired townspeople that had dared the threatening rain clouds now huddled around their drinks and meals, talking in low tones. Their faces were illuminated yellow and blue by smoky candles and flickering neon signs. Even the bartender kept his volume down tonight. While no one mentioned it, all of them noticed the lone figure sitting in a darkened corner, dressed in a black robe with the hood pulled over his face.

Any conversation existing died as three identical robed figures entered the tavern. The three newcomers ignored everyone else, including the robed figure in the corner, who did his best to make himself invisible. They took their seats around a single table, not bothering to shake the stray rain off their coats. Without hesitating, the bartender brought them three nameless beverages, taking care to avoid their eyes.

As soon as the bartender left, one of the robed trio pulled back their hood, revealing a head of long, dark-blue hair. She looked at the other two Organization members with bored eyes. "Any particular reason for making us come here in the middle of the rain, Danix?"

Danix pulled back his own hood, and stared calmly back at Kalixta behind blue-tipped white bangs. "You've heard what happened at the castle, I assume."

"Who hasn't?" Kalixta rolled her eyes. "They Keyblade master and his friend took out half the Organization. I told them this would happen. The Keyblade master was too strong for just four of us to control him, even with using that little witch."

"You know Axel was directly responsible for two of those," Danix said quietly.

"Does anyone know where Axel is now?" Kalixta asked.

The third member pulled back his hood, and shook some of the rain out of his wild aquamarine hair. "He's been missing since the castle was deserted. I assume that the boy silenced him."

"I assume nothing, Roxius," Danix scoffed. "And even if he is, it's only a matter of time before they return."

"I'm already sensing Larxene's presence on the edge of the void," Kalixta said with obvious disdain. "She always was an impatient little brat."

"Although I must admit, if the traitors wanted to go through with their little 'plan,' that was the time to do it," Danix sighed. "There's never going to be a better opportunity to take the Keyblade master."

"We'll make our own opportunity," Kalixta said, leaning in closer to the other two.

"Don't tell me you want to pull a Marluxia," Danix said with raised eyebrows.

"I think I'm insulted," Kalixta sneered. "We were supposed to wait for the Superior to give the word. And that's what we're going to do. He knows what's best for all of us."

A few of the other tavern customers began to discretely get up and leave. They all knew the dangers of being near these people for very long, and braving the streets at night was beginning to sound better all the time. However, the other hooded figure didn't budge.

"The Superior should do it sooner rather than later," Roxius said, averting his gaze from his companions. "It should have been done the moment the Door was closed. The longer we wait, the greater the risks become."

"If I didn't know better, I'd say you two were thinking the same way those traitors were," Kalixta spat. "Whatever happened to trusting the Superior?"

"I trust the Superior, but I'd like to think I have my own will," Danix said cautiously. Kalixta glared daggers at the white-haired man.

"So essentially you called us here to tell us things we already knew," she said when Danix didn't elaborate.

"I heard from Xavier that there might be a second Gathering…once everyone destroyed at the castle returns," Danix finally said.

Kalixta's eyes widened. "Xavier? The First said that?"

Danix nodded. "Apparently, the Superior wants to…'reassess' the Organization's purpose. There's no telling how he'll handle the traitors."

Kalixta was about to respond, when she happened to glance over at Roxius. The quiet Organization member was focusing straight ahead, as if lost in a daze. He lips were pursed together tightly, refusing any breath to pass.

"What's the matter, Roxius?" Kalixta said in an annoyed tone.

"The Keyblade's shadow…" Roxius whispered. "He's here!"

The three instantly got to their feet, knocking over the table in the process. One of the remaining diners choked on their drink at the sudden crash. At the same time, the hooded figure in the corner stood quickly, knowing he'd been identified.

Toshi ripped back the hood of his robe, revealing dampened blond hair and a cocky grin. "Right under your noses, and you didn't even know. You guys are getting decrepit."

Kalixta said nothing, but stretched out her hand, and summoned a broad shield from thin air. The shield was nearly as tall as she was, and ended in an enormous spike. She lifted the shield above her head, and drove it spike-first into the floor.

Tavern customers began shouting and screaming as the room suddenly changed. The plates and silverware rattled against tabletops, and the candles snuffed out, leaving only the eerie glow of neon. The patrons and bartender fought for first rights to the door while an agonizing groaning filled the room. Chairs and tables splintered and then collapsed in on themselves, overcome by the intense increase in gravity.

Toshi gritted his teeth as the pressure from Kalixta's gravity spell wrenched at his muscles. He launched himself from the floor and touched down on a nearby wall. He reached out, and a Keyblade formed in his hand. "Gravity? That's as creative as you can get?" he taunted, hiding his discomfort well.

As Kalixta continued her spell, Danix added one of his own. He pulled out a small bone flute, and played off a strain of notes that no one else could hear. The air above him began to distort and glow, accentuated by the surrounding neon streaks. Toshi realized he was beginning a summon, and gripped the Keyblade for a strike.

"Valefor!" Danix finished the spell and raised his hand. A gigantic bird-like creature materialized above him, its broad wings covering the expanse of the room.

Before Danix could even look up again, Toshi attacked, slashing the Keyblade through the summoned creature and across its caller's arm. Toshi mentally winced as Valefor recoiled with a screech…he knew the creatures Danix summoned weren't necessarily beings of darkness.

"Gahh!" Danix ignored Valefor and clenched at his own wounded shoulder. He twisted his head in the direction of the third Organization member. "Roxius!"

Roxius lifted his hand, and a greenish light shone over Danix. Within seconds, his wound was healed.

Toshi landed close to Kalixta, and swung the Keyblade to strike her. She deflected it effortlessly with her broad shield, although it caused the gravity spell to weaken.

"Where is she?" Toshi demanded, an angry light glinting in his blue eyes. "She hasn't come back! I know you have her!"

He drew a second Keyblade and moved to knock back Kalixta, but she teleported directly behind him. This left a clear opening for Valefor, and the great beast charged with talons outstretched. Toshi sprinted up the side of the tavern and onto the ceiling, his coat billowing at the force of the barely-avoided attack. He held the two Keyblades ready, surveying his opponents from above. "Tell me!"

"You're going back to the void," Danix growled, motioning with his hand for Valefor turn back for another pass. "And you're never coming back."

"You haven't answered my question!" Toshi dove to the floor with Keyblades crossed, and slashed them outwards before touching ground again. Yells of pain and another spell from Roxius told him he had hit home. He spun around, and the Organization members halted briefly, each waiting for the others' next move.

"She was in the castle," Toshi said evenly, "and now the castle's gone. You must know where she is."

Kalixta narrowed her eyes, and the ground rumbled again. Purple-black energy swelled in currents from the floor, and the building supports began to crack under their own weight. "You will not stop us," she said with more conviction than she felt.

"Well if you won't help…" Toshi raised the Keyblades again. "Perhaps they will."

He was caught off-guard by Valefor, who struck him from behind with the force of a hurricane. He landed hard on his side, grimacing with pain. Just in time, his gaze caught Kalixta's shield spike hurtling towards his head, and he knocked it away with one Keyblade. Despite his injuries, he was back on his feet with a grin.

"You won't—" Danix began.

Toshi stepped lightly to the side, passed through the wall, and was gone.

"Damn!"

His purpose complete, Valefor dematerialized. The three Organization members immediately teleported to the street, where a small crowd was waiting in a wide circle around the tavern. They instinctually drew their hoods back over their faces. Toshi was nowhere in sight.

The three exchanged glances…no words needed to be said. Their weapons disappeared into the foggy night, and they followed suit.

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That's it for now! May have to do some character fanart for the new Organization members when I have the time…

I'm a bit fuzzy on how to begin chapters five and six, but hopefully inspiration will strike and they'll turn out good.