Hi, everyone!
So, this is slightly embarrassing, but I had no idea how to put in headers and footers in the story, so I wasn't able to explain what I wanted to at the beginning, but now I can tell you a little background, just to give you an idea on how the story elements will work.
As I'm sure you already know, the mysterious new wielder (who you will get a name out of in this chapter) is from Daybreak Town. I am more familiar with the fighting elements of Unchained X/Union X (hence why she fought with medals), but will be using story elements from all three versions (X, Unchained X, Union X).
Along with that, the wielder in question is my own character from the game. I tried to think of a different character design, but I've already grown familiar with her as a character, and it would just be awkward trying to morph a different character into one that's already right in front of me. Also, to make it more fun, you guys who are also familiar with the mobile app can pretend it's your own character if you'd like.
Also...Spoiler Warning!: This chapter includes details from the Cinderella world in Union X! You have been warned!
So, enough with that. I'll see you guys at the end of the chapter. Enjoy!
Aqua exited Enchanted Dominion, coming across the Castle of Dreams, with the Castle Town right across the bridge that had thankfully remained intact. She briskly crossed the bridge, hiking up the cobblestone hill to reach the fountain at the center of the town. She carefully lowered the girl off her back, leaning her against the fountain.
Sighing, Aqua sat, her back resting on the cold stone of the fountain. She glanced at the girl, seeing her chin resting on her chest, her breathing calm and even. She smiled, her gaze reaching to the sky miles above her, stars crossing her vision as they continued their endless cycle through the dark abyss.
Her mind flashed back to looking at similar shooting stars with Terra and Ven, to Ven's eyes alight in wonder and Terra's small smile as he enjoyed his friends' company. Lost in her daydream, Aqua didn't notice when she herself had fallen asleep.
Aqua was suddenly aroused when she felt movement next to her. She awoke immediately, seeing the girl next to her stirring. She squirmed, her hand rising to scratch her face as sleepy eyes blinked open. Upon seeing where she was, she froze, mixed emotions passing through her expression.
"Hello," Aqua said. The girl jumped, giving a startled cry. "Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to startle you," Aqua said hastily, reaching for the girl.
The girl breathed a laugh, replying, "No, it's okay." She smiled brightly at Aqua. "Thanks for helping me back there. I don't exactly know how long I was like that." Her eyes drifted to the ground as she spoke.
Aqua smiled at her shyness. "It's no problem. In a way, I'm kind of relieved I found you. I thought I was the only one down here for the longest time."
The girl' gaze returned to Aqua, and she gave her a sympathetic smile. "I'm Aqua, by the way," Aqua said, holding her hand out to the girl. "What's your name?"
"Nightly," the girl replied, giving Aqua her hand.
"Well, Nightly," Aqua replied, "if you're feeling any better, we should get going. I've been trying to find a way out of here."
"Out of here?" Nightly asked. "What do you mean? Where are we?"
Aqua's brow furrowed in confusion. "You don't know where we are?" Nightly responded in a shrug, shaking her head. Aqua sighed sadly. "We're in the Realm of Darkness. This place specifically is called Castle Town, right by the Castle of Dreams."
Nightly's eyes lit up. "Cinderella's town?" She hesitated, connecting the dots. "Oh," she breathed.
"Yeah," Aqua replied sadly. "So you know Cinderella?" she inquired.
Nightly nodded in response. "I had to deliver a message to her house." In spite of herself, a smile crept its way onto her face. "When I made it to her house, I tried to open the door with my Keyblade; but before I could, Chirithy appeared and-" she cut herself off, falling immediately into silence.
"What's wrong?" Aqua questioned, gazing at the bewildered face beside her. Remembering, she added, "You mentioned someone earlier named-uh, what was it?-"
"Chirithy," Nightly answered. "My best friend. I haven't seen them since I came here."
Aqua looked at the girl's crestfallen face, and smiled. "We'll find them. Before we leave this place. We'll make sure they come with us."
Hope flooded Nightly's features, and her gaze lifted to meet Aqua's eyes. A smile lit up her face. "Thank you," she said.
"No need to thank me," Aqua replied. "I'd never leave anyone behind if I could help it."
"Me either" Nightly agreed. She popped up, offering a hand to Aqua. Smiling, Aqua accepted, and Nightly pulled her to her feet.
The two began walking, heading once again to the bridge dividing the town from the castle. Just before they would have stepped on, Aqua stopped, her head tilting as she strained her ears. Noticing, Nightly stopped a few feet in front of her. "What is it?"
"I thought I heard something," Aqua replied. Three heartbeats passed. Four. "There!"
Nightly's head tilted as well, trying to hear what Aqua heard. She gasped, "I hear it!"
"It's coming from the town," Aqua said. "Let's go!"
The two ran back up the hill toward the fountain, the sound becoming more audible. The voice behind the noise tickled Aqua's and Nightly's memories.
"Hello?" Aqua cried into the void. The voice that replied was louder, clearer. Still incoherent, the voice came from the entrance of the Town, rebounding off the empty buildings as it came closer. Aqua called out again.
A small figure jumped down from a piece of the road, landing on a building. It was followed by a larger figure, landing in the same place. "Aqua!" shouted a small, high-pitched voice.
"Mickey!" both girls cried happily, finally able to pinpoint the voice to the face in their memories.
The smaller figure jumped down from the building, followed by the larger one, and before Aqua and Nightly stood Mickey and a silver-haired young man. The mouse's usual cheery red attire had taken a dark turn, a black jacket with a few silver star-shaped highlights and red trim fitting over similar shorts, the rolled-up hems held up with tiny silver belts, black shoes where the yellow used to be.
Similarly, the man wore a black short-sleeved jacket over a white tank top. A black belt held up a pair of dark blue jeans which covered part of his black and white shoes.
"Aqua, we found ya!" the mouse cried with glee. The two met in an embrace. The man behind them stood awkwardly, looking between Aqua and Nightly, concerned eyes locking onto Nightly.
"Mickey," he questioned slowly, "I thought only Master Aqua was here."
"Oh," Aqua said, breaking away from Mickey. "This is Nightly. I found her in the darkness and helped her out." Nightly gave a small, shy smile and wave.
"Master Aqua," the man said, approaching Aqua. "I have to thank you for your help from about a year ago. We wouldn't have been able to seal the door if it weren't for you."
Aqua smiled, looking up at the man she once knew as a little boy having fun on the beach with his best friend. "You don't have to thank me for anything, Riku."
Riku returned the smile. Looking to both girls again, he declared, "Well, I think you two have been down here long enough. What do you say we get you two out of here?"
"Wait!" Nightly exclaimed. "What about my friend?"
"Oh, that's right," replied Aqua.
"What?" Mickey asked.
"I promised Nightly we wouldn't leave without her friend," Aqua explained. "They were lost to darkness the same time she was. We were about to go find them when the two of you showed up."
Mickey smiled up at Nightly. "Well, don't worry, Nightly, we're not leaving anyone behind this time. Of course we'll help ya find your friend."
Nightly's face brightened. "I don't know how to thank you enough."
"Getting everyone out of here for good will be thanks enough," Riku replied.
Nightly giggled gleefully, "Well, let's go!" Unable to contain her excitement, she took off away from the fountain, toward the bridge.
Riku sighed. "Well, she's a ball of energy." He threw a glance at Mickey. "Just like someone else we know, huh?" He looked again to the quickly disappearing Nightly. "I'll make sure she stays out of trouble if you two want to catch up."
Aqua chucked. "If you don't mind."
Riku gave a wry smile, taking off after Nightly.
Aqua looked to Mickey. "So, how long has it been since we last met?"
"This time, only a little over a year," Mickey replied happily.
"That's good," Aqua sighed. She hummed, smiling. "Riku's grown up a lot, hasn't he?"
"Yup," Mickey replied, chuckling. "He and Sora helped save the world's a second time after I left, although some things happened before that, too."
"Really?" asked Aqua, looking to where Riku and Nightly had taken off. "How about we walk and talk? So we can at least try to keep pace with them?"
Nodding, Mickey replied, "Good idea." The two began walking. "Hopefully I'll have time to explain everything."
"I hope so, too," Aqua replied as the two trekked down the hill, ready to hear the year's worth of stories her friend had to tell.
And that's it for that chapter! I really meant for this to be out sooner, but I haven't had much time between work and getting ready for college come fall. That being said, I will try to update every couple of weeks or so, a month being the absolute latest (hopefully!).
Next chapter will have a conversation between Riku and Nightly that will lead to confusion and uncover some secrets of the past. (Big shocker for those who know Union X, I know!)