Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Chapter 2:
Home and Grave
"We did it, we finally get in!"
"Wow… so this is the castle of The World That Never Was?" Those who had never been to the white castle looked around with awe. Sora doesn't look too impressed.
"This castle IS wonderful… had it only been used for good." Sora groaned.
'Well… this is where all the Nobodies used to hang around anyway.'
Sora blinked. What was that voice from his head just now?
'Yo, it's me.'
'Roxas?'
'Yep.'
'What was it?'
'Well… like I said, this is the place where Nobodies linger. It sure doesn't change much.'
'Where have you been?'
'I'm in you. Remember, I'm your Nobody. I am you, as you are me.'
'But now you're talking to me. You never did that in the last 2 years!'
'Well… given that we're in war for the last 2 years, I don't want to disturb you in your fight.'
'Oh well… glad to know you're still there.'
'I'm glad too. Hey, since you're already in here, can you do me a favor?'
'What?'
'Can you go to the Proof Of Existence Hall? Ya' know that room with the XIII Order member's insignia on the floor.'
'That room? Yeah sure. What do you wanna do?'
'Reminiscing. You'll see.'
"Sora? Sora! HEEEY! Earth to Sora!"
"Huh? What? Kairi?"
"We're inside. Now what Sora?" Riku continued.
Sora blinked. "Why did you ask me?"
"Uh-yuk. You might don't know it Sora, but to be honest, you're the commander here." Goofy chuckled.
"I… I am?"
"2 years of war and you realize that just now? Wow, how did we survive all that time?" Riku snorted.
"Maybe our commander doesn't realize that he had saved our butt in the last 2 years… for how many times?" Mickey tried to contain his laughter.
"Added with that feat he just did… urhh… I lost count." Donald was smirking.
Sora's face was now bit red. Kairi also giggled. Flirting Sora never failed to make her laugh.
"So…now what…Commander?" Leon added.
"Uh-hum. Comb the castle all the way to the Dark City. Make a group of 5 and keep the com online. Anybody see any Nobodies or Heartless whose numbers are more then they can handle…"
"We'll say Kingdom." Leon answered.
"Hearts." Sora finished.
Pretty soon, the group began to disperse. The only one left were Sora, Kairi, Riku, Mickey, Donald and Goofy.
"You know Sora? For a second there, you do look like a leader."
"Stop flattering me."
"Hey, I'm serious."
Everyone laughed except Sora.
Sighing, the dual keyblader began to walk.
"Where are you going Sora?"
"Proof of Existence Hall."
"Why do you want to go there?" Kairi looked questioningly at the brunette.
"Roxas want to go there."
"Roxas?"
"Yep. He's still here." Sora pointed at his chest.
"Then I guess I'm coming with you." Mickey spoke up.
"Hm?"
"I need to check on Xemnas' Kingdom Hearts in the Altar of Naught. If anything, I had a feeling that all those Heartless came from there."
"Agreed." Donald and Goofy nodded.
"Fine. What about you guys?"
"Stupid question." Riku shook his head as he rested his keyblade on his shoulder.
"Sora. We're with you all the way."
Sora smiled. "Let's go."
The six went off. In the way, they met several heartless, in which they make a short work out of them. In a relatively short time, they've reached the Proof of Existence.
Sora looked around the room. The insignias were still as clear as ever.
'This sure bring back memories.'
'Roxas, what is this place?'
'Sora, did you ever know why this place was called Proof of Existence?'
'To tell you the truth? No. In fact, I didn't know this room's name has a story in it.'
'I assume as much… What did you face in here?'
'I fought Sai'X and Luxord here.'
'Yes. They brought you into their turf. The place in which they have the advantage over their enemies… You see, before you came, each of this insignia has that exact same warp gate like the ones on Sai'X and Luxord's insignia. See?'
'You're saying that each one of the member had their own turf?'
'Correct.'
'Why did you know so much about this place?'
'You didn't realize it yet?'
'Huh?'
'Try to find my insignia. It's the one that is written: Key Of Destiny.'
Sora looked around and found the said insignia. He looked at the symbol, and then to his Keyblades. 'These keyblades…'
'Yes. Oblivion and Oathkeeper. They were both mine.'
'So you were with the organization… and this was your turf…' Sora then noticed something. 'Hey, why is it that your insignia is colored in blue… while others in red?'
'I don't quite understand it either… but my guess is, if we managed to regain our original self, the insignia will turn from red to blue.'
'Still… that doesn't explain why this room is called Proof of Existence.'
'…there is another reason… why Sai'X and Luxord took you into their turf. We nobodies are beings that were not supposed to exist. Me being your nobody, off course, was a very rare exception. Nevertheless, some of us believed that the chances for us to return to our original selves were next to none. That's why this room was created. So that if we were to die as a Nobody, then we will die here, in our world, a place where the existence of Nobodies like us has a meaning… Sai'X, Luxord, Axel, Lexeaus, Xigbar, me… we were those who believe in that. Marluxia and Larxenne think it's ridiculous though. In a manner, we consider this place to be our home… and our grave.'
Sora frowned. Home and grave… what a terrible thought. These Nobodies. From one point of view, judging by things they've done, they looked like an evil organization. But, when you see it from a nobody's point of view… to become an existence that should have never be… they were probably was so desperate to become acknowledged as a being, they did anyway possible… even to the point where they choose death only to be acknowledged.
Kairi looked at Sora. After the last 2 years, although Sora himself might do not realize it, he was changing a bit. Kairi noticed this. Years of fighting the Heartless and many life staking battles had taken up its mental toll on Sora's personality. His once childish eyes had diminished, replaced by sharp and piercing blue eyes. He's still talkative, but only in certain times. In fact, she often noticed Sora do a lot of thinking lately, like what he did now. She was contemplating to cheer him up when a voice at the back of her head rang out.
'Don't. Let's just leave him alone for now.'
Kairi silently gasped. 'Namine?'
'Yes. It's me. Sora is talking to Roxas right now. Let's just let him.'
'I'm worried Namine… Sora… seems different.'
'I believe that's what we call maturing. I don't think you should be afraid… it's bound to happen, one way or another.'
'But to tell you the truth… I like the old upbeat and talkative Sora a lot better.'
'What was that? Did I hear I love Sora?' Namine giggled.
Kairi blushed. 'I said I like, not love, Sora.'
'Well… that's not what your heart said.'
'W-what?'
'Hey, I'm a witch. I can also read hearts you know.'
'What! Hey, privacy policy!'
'Ha! So it's true isn't it? When you're going to tell him?'
'I don't understand what you're talking about.'
'Why, when you're going to tell him that you love him off course. Better hurry, otherwise he might get taken.'
'A bonehead like Sora? Get on with it! Who would like him?'
'You.'
"CUT IT OUT!" Kairi was so embarrassed that she didn't realize that she had let that one out. Ignoring the confused look from her companions, she continued her inner battle with her other self.
'Well, ask yourself. During this whole 2 years war, Sora's name and face has gone very famous. Once this all over, you can be sure there will be legions of fangirls that would love to be his girlfriend. Judging by the way things are, it is pretty soon. You better hurry…' Namine added the last sentence in a singsong tune.
Kairi gulped. What Namine had said did make some sense. And to be honest, Sora had grown to be quite a looker. Once this all over, what Namine had said are bound to happen indeed.
Sora observed the insignia on the floor, one by one. 'Xigbar the Freeshooter, Xaldin, the Whirlwind Lancer, Vexen the Chilly Academic, Lexaeus the silent Hero, Zexion the cloaked schemer, Sai'X Luna Diviner, Axel the flurry of Dancing Flames, Demyx the Melodious Nocturne, Luxord gambler of fate, Marluxia graceful assassin, Larxene Savage nymph… Roxas key of destiny… what's Xemnas?'
'None. He's the leader and plus, he believes in nothingness. Hence, he doesn't have any title whatsoever… But if anything, I'd say the Enigma of Nothingness.'
'Truly befitting title.'
"Sora?" Mickey spoke up.
"Yes?" Sora snapped out of his daze.
"I'm going to the Altar of Naught. You're coming?"
"'Kay."
Before they could leave, Sora's eyes caught a sudden movement on his left. "Who's there?" He threw the Oathkeeper to the moving figure. The white keyblade missed the target by mere millimeters.
"Alright, alright, I give up." Came a harsh voice reply.
Everyone looked at the stranger. Mickey recognized the figure in an instant.
"PETE!"
"Huh? YOU!" The bulky dog gaped.
Everyone tensed up immediately as they prepared their weapons. Oathkeeper disappear and reappear in Sora's hand.
"Wait the minute, wait the minute! I surrender! You got me outnumbered okay!"
"Where's Maleficent?"
"Well… actually… I don't know… last time I saw her, she was…" The big figure rubbed his bulky chin.
"Well?"
"She was doing something with that big heart on the sky… all the sudden, something flashy came out of her chest… and then, it transformed into this ugly dragon thingy…"
Sora blinked. "You're saying… she became a Heartless?"
"Seems like it."
"Wait thuh minute… ugly dragon thingy… Gawrsh Sora, could she be that big black dragon that blocks our ship's path back there?"
"The one that Sora beheaded?" Donald quacked excitedly.
"Be-BEHEADED?" Pete gawked.
"Pete, does the heartless dragon have 3 pairs of claws?"
"Errhh yeah."
"Yep. That was her. She's toasted." Sora smirked.
Pete dropped down on the floor. "You're not lying again are you?"
"Well, ask King Mickey, ask everyone, we got whole bunch of eyewitnesses there… but what exactly was she doing before she became a Heartless?"
"I don't know… she said something about using the power of Kingdom Hearts to open a gate to somewhere… But she kept explodin' the hearts. Creatin' more and more Heartess… the whole castle was filled with Heartless in no time at all!"
"That explains the sudden Heartless outburst…" Mickey rubbed his chin.
"But… what does she mean by opening a gate to somewhere? Was there… another world?"
"Hard to say Sora. But master Yen Sid had once told me about this. The worlds you've known are merely tiny parts of the greater realm. If anything, I'd say Maleficent was trying to open a gate to another realm, in which more hearts are still there… and then turn them to Heartless."
"But eventually it backfired… why?"
"Dunno… I'd say, let's go to Altar of Naught. All will be made clear there."
"Agreed. Let's go guys. Pete, you too."
"Why should I listen to you? You killed my boss!"
"And we can get you too, if you don't come with us on the double!"
The criminal gulped.
"What's wrong? Is the scary Pete had lost his guts?" Mickey smirked.
A twitch appeared on Pete's eyes. "Why you lit'l runt! Come on I'm gonna make sure you get there in one piece!"
The group eventually reached the Altar of Naught. Everyone gasped. There, floating in the sky, shining brightly was Kingdom Hearts. However, there are some parts of the heart that were missing. It was as if the Heart was torn apart. However, flows of pink hearts were streaming into the incomplete Heart.
"How can this be?" Mickey was gaping.
"The Heart is reforming?" Sora was equally confused.
'There's a force field engine created by Xemnas built in the castle. This entire structure was emanating an aura field that will gather any released heart from the Heartless. Clearly that engine is still active even after Xemnas' demise.'
'Is that so?' "Roxas said there's an engine somewhere in the castle. That engine emanates an aura that will capture the released hearts of the Heartless."
"And where is this engine?" Mickey asked. Riku rub his chin. "Sora, ask Roxas. Does he know?"
'Roxas?'
'Dunno… I left the organization when that thing was still in blueprint.'
"He doesn't know." Everyone's head dropped down.
'I know!' Namine perked up.
'Namine?'
'I was hiding in here for some time… so I know.'
"Namine said she knows where the machine is!" Kairi cheered.
Everyone's face brightened. "Great! Show us the way then!"
'Okay, let's go!'
'Gotcha!'
The party left the altar. Slowly but sure, they went down to the deepest part of the castle.
"Ya'know… somethin's been naggin' me." Goofy suddenly spoke up.
"What was it Goofy?"
"Well, last time we came here, this place was crawlin' with Nobodies… now… we haven't even seen one!"
"Hey, you're right Goofy. Roxas, do you have any idea?" Sora followed.
'Nope.'
"Roxas said he doesn't understand either."
"Eeerrhh… maybe I can explain…" Pete suddenly spoke up.
Everyone looked at the big fellow.
"Ya' see… Maleficent has been pretty pissed on the Heartless' mindless actions. So, she was trying to think of a way to subdue that white thingy. Because she thinks they look a lot smarter then the Heartless. So she asked me to capture a lot of them! My dear poor back…"
"In another word… she has been capturing the nobodies in this castle for… Guinea Pigs of her experiment?"
"Well… in a way… yeah. But one day she got herself an assistant."
"An assistant huh? I wonder… what's this assistant looked like?" Sora cracked his knuckle. He had just begun to sympathize with the poor white creatures. The thought of the dark sorceress using them as guinea pig was a sure way to give the witch, or anybody associated with her experiment the best whacking of their lifetime.
Kairi sighed. 'Namine? How much further?'
'Just a little bit more. We have to get past the dungeon to get to the castle ground. The machine supposedly lay somewhere there.'
Pretty soon, the group reached the dungeon. Everyone gasped. They were surprised to find how CLEAN the prison was.
"Well now, this is what I call a prison! Hey, Mickey, care to change your prison into like this?" Pete smirked.
"Well, I'll be damned. I thought our prison was clean but this one makes ours look like a poorly backed up Toilet!"
"Uhh… guys, look inside here!" Kairi pointed inside one of the cells.
Everyone look inside and gasped. Nobodies were swiveling in there.
"Wow… so many nobodies… so… Maleficent captured them all?"
"Excuse me, I captured them all!" Pete pounded his chest.
"That's a hell of a lot…"
"Say… each of these cells holds different type of Nobody." Riku observe the other cells.
"Is it now?" Sora looked at one cell. Inside there were dozens of Samurai nobodies.
'Hey, Sora, release the Samurais.'
'What?'
'Just open this cell. Come on!'
'Are you nuts? We're gonna be massacred!'
'Believe me.'
'Well… uhh…'
'Tch… fine.'
All the sudden, Sora's hand moved on its own, grabbed the Oathkeeper and cut the Cell barrier apart.
Everyone was utterly shocked. "Sora what are you doing?" Riku gawked.
The Samurai burst out of the cell prison and charge towards Sora. Unconsciously, Sora raised his hand. The Samurai stopped just a few inches away from the dual Keyblader. The spectators' jaw hung open.
Slowly, the Samurai landed and stood in line in front of Sora.
'Roxas… care to explain?'
'Each members of the XIII organization control a certain type of Nobody, respective to their skills. Sai'X can control the Berserker nobodies, Xigbar can control Sniper nobodies, Axel can control Assassin nobodies. I can control Samurai nobodies.'
'Can you not tell me beforehand?'
'To be honest with you, I wasn't certain whether or not I can still control them, now that I've become one with you. So it's a 50-50 gamble.'
'If only you're not inside me…'
'Errhh… you regret we fused together?'
'Kind off…. Because I can't put a chokehold on you for scaring me to death!'
'Ha ha ha… too bad huh?'
'Grrrhhh…'
"Sora… what was that just now?" Riku asked.
Sora sighed. He looked at the group of Samurai nobodies. 'Roxas… will they listen to my command?'
'Well… you are me. That's the idea.'
'Okay…' "Uh hum. All of you! Get in line!"
Following Sora's order, the samurais got into a straight line.
"Wow! Sora can control nobodies now?" Goofy gawked.
Sora sighed. "Okay guys. They'll help us from now on."
"Really?" Kairi blinked.
'Figures. These samurais were very passive. When I was here, I met a few of them, and they keep muttering Roxas… my guess is, Samurais were Roxas' henchmen.'
'So… they obey Sora because Sora is Roxas?'
'Exactly.'
"Why would we need them anyway?" Riku looked skeptically at the group of Samurai.
"Come on don't play like a tough guy. I mean… we've fought all day… don't you feel exhausted or anything?"
"Well… a bit. But I can still make it."
"Really?" Sora smirked.
"…"
"Still… if these nobodies will really help us, I'd say let's send them to the other's places. Surely they could use some help." Mickey suggested.
"That's a good idea. I'll com everybody to make sure they don't attack the Nobodies." Just then, Yuffie's voice roared from Sora's com.
"Kingdom. Kingdom. Kingdom, Kingdom. We're under heavy assault. Get your big butt here ASAP!"
"Yuffie, help is on the way… just one thing… don't attack the helper. Where are you?"
"We're in Memory's Skyscraper! What the hell you mean that I'll attack my helper."
Sora turned to the Samurais. 'Roxas, can they locate Yuffie?'
'Just tell them where they need to go. They know this place inside out.'
Sora immediately instructed the Nobodies. "Go to Memory's Skyscraper. Blast every Heartless you see! Don't hurt any being aside from Heartless. Am I understood?"
The Nobodies nodded once before immaterialized. Just then, Yuffie's voice roared again. "NOBODIES? WHAT THE HELL? KINGDOM! KINGDOM!"
'That was fast.' "Yuffie calm down! That's the helper I mentioned."
"But they are Nobodies!" Leon's voice rang out.
"Don't worry. They are under my command and they won't hurt you as long as you don't hurt them. You'll see. I give you my word."
Truth to be told, the Samurai only attacked the Heartless, leaving the rest of the warrior untouched. Within a short time, most of the Heartless had already been taken out.
Cid whistled. "Well I'll be damned…"
"Maleficent can control the Heartless… and Sora can control the Nobodies… this is just…" Leon smiled. "Speaking of which…" Leon contacted Sora back. "Sora, did you find Maleficent?"
"Maleficent's dead. She was that dragon Heartless we met on our way here."
"She's… dead? Is this true? Maleficent's dead?" Even Leon couldn't cover his happiness. Finally Radiant Garden will be completely restored.
"Yep." Sora smiled. The boy thought up for a moment. "Ah… by the way, Leon, is Cid with you, by any chance?"
"You want to talk to him?"
"Yes. Actually, I need his help."
"Why Sora?" Riku asked.
"Well… we're going to find that machine right? Given that Gyro and Horace might busy fixing Kingdom Savior, I figure we need the closest able mechanic possible… Cid is the only option left."
Riku blinked. "Wow. You could think that far? Now I know I had a fever."
"What was that supposed to mean?"
"Anyway… where are you?" Leon spoke up.
"We're in the dungeon. Where's Cid? I'll guide him all the way-"
Just then, Cid popped out right on top of Sora.
"Huh? Sora? Where are you?"
"You're… sitting… on top of me…"
"Huh?" Cid looked down.
"Cid… I… can't… breathe…"
"Whoa sorry! Kid! It's that old geezer of a wizard! We were arguing about which one is better, machines or magic, and then he got mad and mail me here."
"Cid?" Riku cut the tirade.
"Yeah?"
"You're still sitting on top of Sora."
"…sorry!" Cid immediately got up.
Sora stood up, cracking his back. "You need to exercise a little bit, Cid. You've been sitting in front of the computer for too long."
"Sorry."
"What's all that racket?" Suddenly a girl's voice echoed from the dungeon halls. Everyone turned their face toward the sound. A girl, in her 20s, has a short brown hair, walked in. She was wearing a standard XIII order clothes, except that it's all colored in grey instead of black. Plus, the garments didn't have any hood. The girl was holding a tray of papers. She blinked when she saw the group.
"Pete? Who are they?"
"Well… they are…"
"Aki? Aki Ross? Is that you?" Cid suddenly spoke up.
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Cliffy again. I know. Hate me if you want.
Teaser for next chapter:
"Now I looked upon you all… it pleases me that it seems the world had become a better place indeed. Thus, I shall grant you denizens of the light, one more chance. Let the gate to the new world be opened." The blast of light burst out from the creature's mouth and hit Sora's Keyblade.
