6H:Hello everyone! Welcome back to Shattered Fragments. I hope you've all recovered from my party! And I hope no one's killed anyone with Leon and Cloud's swords.

Anaretsu: Not that I recall.

6H:Hey! I didn't give you any!

Anaretsu: I don't need a sword when I have a sythce.

6H:And I bet some of you have been wondering this for awhile- Jack of Spade is a REAL person. She's my cool friend!

Anaretsu: I thought you didn't have any friends.

6H: Let's just get to the chapter, okay?


Kingdom Hearts-Shattered Fragments

Fragment 31-Merlin


Cedeile, Ryu, and Aru walked down to the small house in the 3rd district to find Leon and the others. It had been a long trek from Monstro to Traverse Town, and they were still worn out from their battle. Ryu and Aru had noticed that Cedeile had been quieter than usual and hadn't said much unless you asked her something. They walked in to find Aerith sitting in a chair and reading a big old looking book.

"I thought you guys would come here." She said, standing. They dragged themselves in and threw themselves in the nearest chair or on the bed-whatever they were closer to. Ryu leaned against the chair, slinging his arm over the back of it. Cedeile laid on the bed, looking at the ceiling, and Aru sat down in another chair at the table in the center of the room.

"Anything new here, Aerith?" Ryu asked. She shook her head.

"Where did you come from this time?" she asked.

"We were swallowed by Monstro, a huge whale." Aru told her. Cedeile stared at the ceiling, lost in her own world of thought.

'I can't get that feeling out of my head. It's like I can still feel Riku kissing me...Why though? Why would he suddenly have feelings for me?' she wondered.

"Cedeile?"

"Whoa!" Cedeile darted upright. They all looked at her. "Yeah?"

"I was just going to say that Leon and Yuffie are down by Merlin's house. You know where that is, right?" Aerith said, a look of worry on her face. Cedeile nodded.

"Yeah. I guess we should head down there then?" she asked, standing.

"Yes. He'd like to tell you something about the fragments."

"The fragments?" Ryu asked. "What does he know?"

"It would be better if he told you." she said. Cedeile nodded to Ryu and Aru and they stood up, going to the door. "Oh, Aru, can I talk to you for a mintue?" Aerith called before she went out the door.

"Sure." She closed the door, leaving Cedeile and Ryu outside. "What is it Aerith?"

"I couldn't help sense some kind of presence around you that wasn't there before." Aru looked at her puzzled.

"Could it be because of this?" Aru pulled out the black half-heart that hung from the black chain. "I woke up in Monstro and I suddenly had it. Could this be the prensence you sense?" Aerith took the charm from Aru and looked at it carefully.

"I'm not sure. It could be, though. I'm sorry to have bothered you, Aru." She handed the charm back to Aru.

"That's alright. I'm curious as to what this thing is exactly. And Aerith?"

"Yes?"

"My MP meter seems to be jammed. It won't recharge by itself anymore. When we get back from Merlin's, could you take a look at it?" Aerith smiled.

"Of course."

"Thank you, Aerith." Aru said, bowing. Then she turned and went out the door. Aerith sighed.

"That charm...it may not be the other presnece I felt around her. It was an ancient presnece, like of a spirit from very long ago. But why would it be around Aru...?"


They headed down into the dark cave. The rocks that lead to Merlin's house across the lake layed before them. The swishing of water filled the air around them.They leaped over the stones, being careful not to fall in and soon landed on soild ground. Cedeile lead them to the back of the house and through the curtain into the house of the old magician.

"Hey, Merlin! You in here? It's me, Cedeile-I'm Sora's friend, remember?" she yelled in, walking around the small room.

"A good magician never forgets." Merlin said suddenly, making them all jump a little. "You don't have to shout-I'm not deaf."

"Sorry. Aerith sent us here." Cedeile said, sitting down on the raised platform and looking up at Merlin in his high backed chair. Ryu leaned against the edge of the platform and Aru sat on the steps that lead to the top of it.

"She said you had something to say about the fragments." Ryu stated, his face slightly in a glare.

"Ah yes, the fragments. How many do you have with you now?" Merlin asked.

"Nine." Aru told him. Ryu handed the bottle to Merlin. He carefully took one out and looked at it, holding it up to the light and closing one eye.

"I see. So perhaps I was right..."he murmered.

"Right about what?" Ryu asked warily. Merlin chuckled a little.

"Don't be so uptight boy. We're all friends here, right?" he looked at the three of them. "You all seem to be very good friends. That is important, if you are to face the darkness. The heartless will not give up the chance to devour you all, but keep your light strong and that will not happen."

"Come on Merlin!" Cedeile said, in a begging and excited tone. "Tell us about the fragments! What have you found out? Do you know what they are?"

"I have a good idea, but it's only a theory so far." He turned to his table and picked up a huge book that was about half the size of Aru. He opened it and found the page he was looking for. "'Long ago, fragments of light flew across the sky of every world. Every person saw them and watched in wonder as they flew beyond to the western horizon from somewhere in the east. They seemed like many shooting stars as they made their journey across the sky to the land of the dead in the west. People thought that it was a blessing from the gods, and some thought that it was a signal of destruction, for indeed a year later, a black shadow crept across every world as heartless demons fed on the hearts of the people. It was not until two becons of light appeared in the east from the land of life that the shadows left and peace returned for a short time before each world was thrown into oblivion and the roads of light faded into the darkness. People became ignorant of the other worlds out there and went on with their lives, forgetting that they weren't the only ones in the universe. It is believed that these events were triggered by the lights that traveled across the night sky, for there was a shift in the balance of light and dark. Ever since the two forces have been colliding with each other and causing mass choas.'" Cedeile looked at him blankly.

"Yeah, nice fairy tale, but what does that have to do with fragments?" she asked. Ryu smacked her in the head.

"Didn't you pay attention? The fragments were the light that shot across the sky!" he yelled at her.

"So they went to the west?" Aru questioned, thinking.

"That makes sense. I hadn't been finding any fragments since I started traveling west, and we've been going west this whole time, finding fragments as we go further." Ryu said. Cedeile nodded.

"I think I get it. But what about the 'land of the dead' part?" she asked. "And the 'land of life'? Sounds like some kind of myth to me."

"There is a great darkness in the west that has been there ever since the beginning of time. People who go that far never come back, so it is believed that it is 'The land of the Dead.' In the east there is a great light, so they believed it forced the death back, hence they called it 'The Land of Life.' It is why the king built his castle in the east. Because it was close to the light and far from darkness." Merlin explained.

"So the fragments came the from the east to the west. Why would they fly to darkness?" Ryu wondered.

"Now to my theory. The document says that they were like shooting stars. The 'stars' we see in the sky are really far away worlds. That got me to think that the fragments are worlds that were destroyed suddenly in one, mass wave of destruction." Cedeile pounded her fists down on the platform, which she was now leaning against.

"So you're saying that the fragments are destroyed worlds?" she asked.

"That is my theory, but I have no way of proving if it's true." he sighed sadly. Ryu looked at a the bottle of fragments.

"Then why do they look all jagged like they fit together?"

"You said it yourself Ryu-no one knows what will happen when all the fragments are gathered. Maybe when you bring them all together, the worlds return." Aru suggested.

"That could be, but why would they fly to darkness? And how come they flew AWAY from the light? Wouldn't it have been more logical if they flew TOWARDS light? And how come it was only some worlds wiped out in one blow? And why were they destroyed so easily? There's so many questions without an anwser that it seems iffy that Merlin is right." Cedeile debated.

"You don't think they're worlds?" Aru asked.

"No."

"What makes you so sure?"

"I had never gotton a good look at the other fragments before, but I just noticed now when Merlin was holding the one fragment- Merlin, can I see the one you were holding?"

"Certainly." he handed it to her. She looked at it quickly and then showed it to them all.

"There's this grey line on this fragment." she said, showing them.

"A line?" Ryu questioned, looking closer at it.

"I never saw it before either." Aru said.

"I know. It's hard to notice because it's not a really dark grey, but it's there, and it looks like it's been drawn on it. Maybe there was some sort of picture on it, and the fragments form that picture. The ones without lines on them could be background." she said smartly.

"Cedeile, you aren't as stupid as I thought." Ryu said, folding his arms and smiling.

"Thank you, R-WHAT?" she yelled suddenly. "You think I'm stupid?"

"But what could the picture be of? And why was it broken in the first place?" Aru thought out loud.

"It is also a plausible theory, but does not have much to back it up." Merlin said, looking at the page in the book. "And this is the only passge I've found having anything to do with the fragments. And I have one of the most extensive libraries around."

"Is there someplace that might have more books?" Aru asked while Cedeile and Ryu were bickering.

"Well, if you're seeking certain information in a book, then why not go to a world full of them?"

"Huh?" Cedeile and Ryu suddenly said, breaking part from their fight. Merlin stood up and walked down from the platform and to a book shelf. He pulled out a normal sized book that was extremly thick. The pages made crinkling sound as they were turned, and looked brown like baking paper. When he found the page he was looking for, he brought it over to them to look at it.

"Book City has more books than anyone can count. It's where storybook creatures of all kinds live inside their books. The High Book Master watches over them all, and keeps them all in check-the good and the bad. But you will most likly find something about the fragments there. These days, however, few venture there, as the local demon Kana has been causing problems. It'll be dangerous..."

"Whenever has something not been dangerous?" Cedeile said, cockly pounding her fist into her hand. "If there's any trouble I'll pull another one of those 'Last Second Miracle' things and we'll be home free."

"What's the worst that could happen? We get swallowed by a whale?" Ryu joked. Aru seemed worried, but said nothing. Merlin shook his head and laughed.

"You kids sure have some spunk. You'll be able to find it, I'm sure. The High Book Master is a friend of mine, so he shouldn't give you any trouble."

"Sounds good to me. What do you guys think?" Cedeile asked them.

"Why not? There might be fragments there anyway." Ryu said, a grin on his face.

"We could also see if their keyhole needs to be sealed." Aru chimed in.

"Alright, we're going! But let's go back to Aerith first, since we promised we would."

"You kids be careful." Merlin said somberly. "I'm not of sure Kana's powers. She might seem like a pushover, but she's a powerful demon." The kids nodded at the old magicians words. He smiled again, his mood lightening. "And have fun as well. Book City is not just a place for battle but for fun."

"Okay then! See ya Merlin!" Cedeile called waving as they ran out of the house.

"We'll be back with anything we find out about the fragments." Ryu promised.

"Take care of yourself, Merlin." Aru said, bowing. They left. Leon came out of the shadows.

"My goodness, Leon, have you been there the whole time?" Merlin asked, surprised by his prensence. "What about Yuffie? Weren't you two training?"

"Merlin, that girl with Cedeile..." Merlin's expression turned grim as he looked at the candle sitting on the table.

"I know. She has some strong magics about her. I would be careful around her if I were Cedeile and Ryu. Someone with that kind of power...is never good. Espically with THAT much of it."

"A girl who doesn't seem to have any memory of her past and has magic like her's...is always trouble..."


Cedeile and Ryu waited outside while Aru got Aerith to fix her MP meter. Aerith channeled her powers through Aru's hand and focused on trying to get the MP meter to get past half full. It was taking alot of time and magic to do it, and curaga could barely do it. Aerith's own MP was getting low, but it still would not fill.

"So Aru, why don't we talk? Things like this alway become more pleasent with conversation." Aerith suggested.

"Okay."

"So, what about your family, or the world you come from? Tell me about that." Aru stayed silent for a few moments before anwsering.

"Well, honestly, I don't have a memory past when I woke up in Traverse Town. The only things I know about myself are my name and age, and that I was trained in magic."

"Maybe the heartless have erased your memory." Aerith said.

"I don't know. When I woke up, I just walked around for awhile and tried fighting some heartless, but I always got scarred and my magic wouldn't work. But then I met up with those guys and I felt brave..."

"It's what having friends does to you." Aerith smiled at her. Aru faintly smiled back but it went away quickly.

"And...I have a mission."

"A misson? To do what?"

"That's the thing! I don't know what I'm here to acomplish. I just have to be with Cedeile and Ryu to do it." Aerith stopped and stood up.

"Maybe you're mission is to fight the heartless so you can get you memory back."she suggested. Aru nodded slowly.

"Maybe."

"I'm done for now. You're MP is back to full, but it won't charge up by itself anymore. You'll have to use cure and ether like the rest of us." She said, smiling.

"It's strange. I don't think my MP meter has gotton jammed before. Maybe it's cause of this." She took out the chain with the half-heart on it and held it up to the light, where the shiny black metal reflected the light. "I think Riku gave it to me. He's Cedeile's friend, and we had a small fight in Monstro, but when I woke up, he was gone and I had been fully healed. And I had this too. Do you know what this is, Aerith?"

"I've never seen anything like this before. Maybe it's just a special magic charm of some kind to protect you."

"Yes...maybe. The first emotion that came to me after I woke up here...was the feeling of being lonely. Maybe Riku is lonely too..."

"I wouldn't worry about it too much. Focus on the good thoughts so you can fight the heartless." Aerith smiled at the magician, who weakly smiled back.

"You're right. Ryu and Cedeile need me to be strong. Otherwise, they might kill each other." The two laughed at the thought, knowing it could be true. "Ryu is frustrated." Aru added in between the laughs. "He can't sort out his thoughts. And Cedeile is immature, so she won't think about it much. They may never come to realize their feelings."

"Yes. I have noticed there is some tension between them. Ryu was jealous Cedeile went to spend time with Sora, even though Sora and Cedeile are good friends and nothing more. It was quite funny."

"Yes. Maybe my mission is to get them together." Aru joked.

"Speaking of them, they are probably waiting for you. You should head on your way. Please be careful, all of you. Make sure you all come back alive." Aerith pleaded, worried.

"We will. We've always come back alive. Injuried, but alive. It's because we have a guardian angel, and that angel has always made sure we got through okay." Aru said, smiling as she went through the door. Cedeile and Ryu sat outside on the wall, waiting for her. Cedeile jumped off as she came out.

"Well? You okay?"

"Yes, but my MP meter won't recharge by itself anymore. It's not really that big of a deal, since we have plenty of ethers anyway. Heartless are constantly leaving them behind as we kill them."

"That is true." Ryu said from his place on the wall. "Regardless, we have to head to Book City. If there's information on the fragments, then we need to know it."

"Right. Let's head out then." Cedeile said. Ryu jumped off the wall and the two began to walk to where they had left the gummi ship. Aru took out the chain again and looked at it, then up at the stars above.

'I wonder if you're lonely tonight, Riku. I hope we can save you from darkness.' she thought, clutching the chain tighter. 'Until we meet again, I'll protect this for you.'

"Hey Aru!" Cedeile called. "Let's go!"

"I'm coming!" she yelled back, and she ran to join them.


6H: The mysteries are piling up. Who is Aru? What are the fragments? What waits them at Book City? Keep reading to find out.

Anaretsu: You should stop reading this fic now!

6H: Anaretsu, shut it! She doesn't mean it!

Anaretsu: Yes I do.

6H: Ignore her anyway! Reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw,reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw,reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw, reveiw-

Anaretsu: SHUT UP!