Author's Note: Well, hello everyone! Welcome to the wonderful world of Kingdom Hearts...okay, okay, I'll stop now. This thing has been in the works for quite some time, I just never could focus long enough to get working on it. Silly me. This is based completely off the Secret Ending of Kingdom Hearts 2. So, for those of you who haven't seen it (go watch it, now!) and don't wanna spoil anything, turn away and walk in shame! Just kidding, come back, we love you anyway! Well, you know how those quotes fly by? One sort of stuck out to me and that was "The Keyblade War"...so, that combined with the wonderful look at all those pretty Keyblades inspired this whole story. Since that's about all I can go by, the whole thing is naturally AU (Alterbate Universe). So, enjoy the trip! Oh, and please PLEASE read the warnings. I'll accept flames, as always, but if I'm flamed for somethingI warned about...vicious hounds will be sent to your house.
Warnings: This is a slash/yaoi/boyboy story with multiple pairings, focus on RikuSora. Angst is always fun...maybe a character death on the side, depending on my mode. Expect slight OOCness, because hey, I'm not perfect.
Disclaimer: All rights belong to their respected owners. And as for the story...it's my Kingdom Hearts 3...so nyahhh!
The Keyblade War
Division One: Twilight's Embassy
"Walk the path of destiny with purpose and an open heart."
He could feel the sweat dripping down his neck; he could feel it running down in his eyes which made him blink. The salty flavor coated his dry lips and his hot breath blew onto his cheeks, trapped by the thickness of helm.
His arm ached. And his fingers, though covered by armored gloves, stung from the countless blows. Three more of his foes, creatures cloaked white, fell by his blade. Looking around, he noticed his enemies were gone for the time being. He could see in the distance far off blurs, and hear the other Bearers fighting their own battles.
But for now, he deemed himself safe enough. He collapsed to his knees, armor crashing with the force. His blade supported him and kept his ragged body from falling to the hard ground. The sun's cruelty and hours of fighting had left him exhausted and the breath gone from his lungs.
Blue eyes found themselves resting on the mighty blade before him. Its unyielding strengths shined in the sun. The weapon was known as a Keyblade; it was much like a key, prong detailed and ever-sharp. Its golden handle and beautiful silver body had cut many in this battle, yet showed no sign of it. For the enemy had no life-blood which they might stain the Keyblade's sheen.
Nobodies felt no pain. The white creatures simply vanished back into the Void from where they had come. However, these creatures may not have had blood of their own, but the Nobodies did have the thirst for spilling it from others. This is what forced the Bearers to wear the thick, protective armor.
The blue-eyed warrior stood with shaking legs. And he took another deep breath. Then he heard something behind him, and while turning, he caught sight of a flash of white with wide eyes. He knew he had no time to raise his Keyblade and he closed his fearful eyes from the Nobody's strike.
With his eyes closed, he did not see what happened but he heard it clearly. There was that definite hiss which echoes when a Nobody disappears. The blue eyes snapped open, and he was faced with not a white creature, but another Bearer donned in ebony armor. The other's Keyblade was still steaming with the dark vapor of the Nobody's insides. His eyes could not leave the beautiful weapon, the very weapon that had just saved his life.
It was a black Keyblade; as black as its Bearers armor. Intricately carved silver designs splayed around the handle and a shinning amethyst was embedded in the hilt. Finally, the stunned warrior gasped in recognition. He knew that Keyblade from his lessons and training.
"That…that's the Oblivion. You're the Oblivion," he rasped, looking up to the other's tall helm.
"You should be more careful," the dark one said. And that was the only warning he gave before he took steps away from the startled other. His long, tattered, black cape licked his greaves and his heavy boots kicked up clouds of dust from the blue cliffs.
The other made to follow him, "Wait! Wait, please!" To his relief, the Oblivion Bearer stopped, but did not turn around. "You saved my life. Won't you at least leave me your name?" The blue-eyed one waited, after realizing his mistake. Asking a Bearers name went against tradition. Names were given to those only of high class who asked them of another. The silence left him afraid. He knew he had overstepped his bounds.
He watched as the other turned to face him and reach up to his helmet. The blue-eyed one began to shake. He could not understand it; to take off one's helm was the highest honor among Bearers.
Before he could voice a protest, the Oblivion had removed his helmet. Silver locks fell from inside and he shook it. But with the heat, the motion did very little to remove the long strands stuck to the back of his neck and cheeks. Dust had made a band across his eyes and nose where the helm opened to allow sight. Yet his vibrant green eyes shone through the grime.
"My name is Riku," he said as he situated his helmet to rest on his hip. "Riku the Oblivion."
The other couldn't get his golden helm off fast enough. And when it was finally removed, it was dropped to the floor in haste. Blue eyes gleamed from an equally dirty face. "I'm Sora," he smiled. He could feel the silver haired one's eyes studying him. Sora glanced up and his gaze was captured by the green eyes framed in light hair. He couldn't find the strength to pull himself from their stare. Fire shot through his veins and lighting was sent through his back.
Riku was the one who finally broke the spell. He looked to the expanse of cold blue stone around him. He could not see many more of the white creatures, and those he could, other Bearers were making swift work of them. With a flash of purple light, the Oblivion vanished from his hands. Riku set his helmet on the ground and raised his left leg to lean on it.
Sora had still not let his eyes leave Riku's form. He barely heard Riku when he spoke, "The battle's dying down."
All the blue-eyed Bearer could so was nod, "Yeah."
The Oblivion then reached into a leather pack, black like the belt it was attached to, and withdrew a small bottle. It too was of an ebony color, but its topper was imbued with clear crystals. Sora could see there was some sort of liquid within it; however through the black glass he could not tell what the substance was.
Riku removed the top and took a small sip from the container. He replaced the cap, turning it only slightly to close it. Then, without warning, he tossed it to Sora. The brunette fumbled with it before finally catching it.
"What's this?" Sora asked as he held it to the sun, peering inside.
"It's just water," Riku smirked. "I don't have anything better, but it looks like you could use some more than me."
"But -"
"Keep the bottle," Riku kicked up his helm and easily caught it. After running a hand through his hair, he replaced the black helmet and summoned the Oblivion again. He shouldered the blade and Riku turned away from the blue-eyed boy, "See you around, Sora the Kingdom."
Sora was too stunned to do anything but watch him fade into the distance. Once the black shape disappeared over the horizon, he closed his eyes and took a steadying breath. But when he opened his eyes again, he was not faced with the blue towering cliffs of his homeland, but of mountains which brushed the sky and a sun glowing in the oranges of twilight.
"Sora? Sora! Wake up, Sora!"
He came to awareness slowly. At first, Sora didn't understand who was calling him. The last he remembered was the tall peaks and the twilit sky. His eyes snapped open and as he sat up abruptly, his head connected with something solid.
A duel chorus of painful gasps sounded. Sora grasped his forehead and cracked open one eye to look at the blonde boy who was also clutching his own head.
The other one recovered first, "Sora, what are you doing? Are you planning on sleeping all day? It's already a quarter passed the eleventh hour."
"Wha-?" Sora mumbled, still only half awake. His eyes finally became focused, and they met equally blue tones. "Roxas?"
"Uh, yeah…who else?" the blonde boy responded. "What's wrong, bro? You've been dreaming again, haven't you?" When Sora hesitated, playing with the sheets puddle around his waist, Roxas sighed, "Was it the same one again?"
"Yeah," the brunette nodded. Roxas sat down on his bed, which was across from Sora's. The castle was large enough to house all the Bearers chosen to come live there. Yet, the two brothers were taken from their parents at such a young age that they chose to share a room. Now, some twelve years later, both remained in their shared quarters.
"You need to put him out of mind," Roxas smirked.
Sora looked to his brother. Roxas was a year younger than him, but almost the same height. Though, obviously not twins, the two looked remarkably similar. Both their eyes were a deep ocean blue framed by a rounded face. While Sora's messy hair was a reddish-brown, Roxas' equally strange style was a golden blonde.
The brunette uncovered himself and detangled his legs from his soft blue sheets. He swung his feet over the side, until he was sitting much like Roxas. "I can't, Roxas," Sora ran his fingers through his unruly locks.
"What makes you think he even remembers you?" the blonde asked as he stood up. He moved to their shared dresser and took the small black bottle from the top drawer. Sora's eyes were fixed on it. "It was three years ago."
"Three years isn't that long," Sora told him. He also moved to his feet and padded over to the dresser. He took the bottle from his brother's fingers. "And how many times did I tell you not to touch this?"
"Excuse me," Roxas laughed. "Get dressed, if you hurry you might make it in time for lunch." With that the blonde headed for the door.
"Lunch?" Sora whined, "But what about breakfast?"
Roxas only laughed as he turned out the door, shutting it behind him. Sora hastily grabbed one of his tunics and threw it on. He didn't bother making his bed for it was one of those things he deemed pointless. It would only get messy again tonight, so unless there was an inspection, it was left untidy.
When Sora went into the hall, he found Roxas speaking with a girl. Sora smiled as he recognized that red hair, "Hey Kairi!" Roxas and the girl turned toward him, Kairi waved.
"Morning, Sora," she laughed. He jogged up to them. Kairi was a close friend of Sora and Roxas. The three were not far apart in their age, and had grown up together in the castle. Kairi was the same age as Sora, but she was closer to Roxas' height.
"It's not really morning anymore, Kairi," Roxas joked. His brother playfully punched his arm and the three headed down to the kitchen.
While walking there, Sora realized that his friend shouldn't even be able to come downstairs yet. "Kairi, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be training?" Kairi was a powerful Bearer in her own way. Unlike most, who would wield their Keyblades in battle, she was training in the arts of White Magic. Her weapon healed, not hurt. On every odd day, Kairi was to report upstairs to train with the resident White Mage, Aerith.
"Nope," she smiled happily. "I get the day off. Lady Aerith was summoned by Lord Ansem."
"Yeah," Roxas laughed. "Unlike you, she had a valid reason for missing her lessons." The blonde laughed again when his brother's face became pale and he stopped walking. "Leon's pissed."
Sora ran a hand over his face with a sigh. Leon was one of the more powerful Bearers in Radiant Garden. It was frightening to see him angry, for he hardly showed emotion at all. Leon was the wielder of the Keyblade known as the Lionheart and he gave lessons each morning to younger Bearers.
"Leon's pissed about what?" a voice sounded from behind them. The three turned to see a young girl with short black hair grinning at them. Slightly behind her was a taller man with shoulder-length, brown hair. He wasn't smiling.
"Hi," Kairi and Roxas said at the same time. Sora, was slowly creeping behind his brother. It may have worked if Roxas had not been a few inches too short.
"Sora," the man spoke and the blue-eyed Bearer cringed.
"Yeah," he squeaked.
"You look like you just woke up."
"Huh?" he moved out from behind his brother, who was trying not to laugh. Kairi also was grinning. "You're not going to yell at me, Leon?"
"Why would he yell at you?" the girl questioned. She looked between Sora, the smirking pair beside him and back to Leon again. "Wait, you didn't steal his belt did you? I tried that once and he yelled at me." Those words enough sent Kairi and Roxas into a fit of giggles. Sora was confused.
"Yuffie…" Leon warned in a low tone. "Sora, explain yourself."
Sora scratched the back of his head, "I missed my lesson this morning. Aren't you mad?" The brunette unconsciously closed his eyes in dread. He could have run away, straight down that hall and onto the beach. Instead, he tensed and waited for his eminent demise. It hadn't been the first time Sora missed a lesson, for he was rather incapable of ever getting up on time, so he always had this deep-rooted fear of Leon. Sora blamed it on how many Nobodies he'd seen the Lionheart cleave into clouds of smoke.
"I canceled them this morning," Leon stated. He began to head to the stairs on their left which lead to the upper levels, places only certain Bearers could go. "Come on, Yuffie." Leon disappeared up the stairs, but Yuffie lingered a little longer.
"Why you-!" Sora lunged at his brother, who easily avoided. The blonde was laughing and wiped a fake tear from his eye in a dramatic fashion. Sora stood still fuming while his little brother slowly calmed his laughs. Kairi chuckled once; a small smile remained on her lips.
"You're just lucky," Roxas said. "It's not my fault that you sleep 'til lunch and have weird dreams." As he said this, Kairi leaned over to see Sora's face. His cheeks had the faintest tint, even when he grumbled at Roxas to shut up.
"Dreams?" Yuffie asked, the three had almost forgotten she was there. After a moment, something seemed to click, and she laughed too. A strange gleam came into her eyes, "Was she cute?"
Sora's blush only darkened while Roxas and Yuffie laughed. Kairi only wore a thoughtful frown.
"Lord Ansem, was there anything else you need me for?"
An older man, clothed in a long, red tunic, took a seat near a table. He shook his head while running a hand through his blonde beard. The other in the room, a young woman with long golden-brown hair, bowed slightly and moved toward the door.
"Just one more thing," the man said from his seat. The woman turned to face him again with a smile. "I don't need to tell you how important this treaty is to our kingdom's future. I want all of the most gifted Bearers to be there to welcome the embassy."
"Of course," she replied. "Formal tunics?"
"Yes, I think that would be for the best," Ansem nodded. "Twilight is a kingdom of formality. We do not want to appear threatening."
"Which Bearers would you like to be present?"
"Leon…and you of course, Aerith," the lord said without hesitation. "Yuffie and Cid are welcome as is your young pupil." Aerith nodded with a smile. "Perhaps, Kingdom and Oathkeeper as well…those two show such promise."
"I shall inform everyone at once, my lord," the young woman bowed, her braid slipping to her front. She turned and headed for the door once more. This time Ansem did not stop her, he only began to fiddle with the papers on his desk. With a sigh, he hoped everything would work out well and that fate would shine on Radiant Garden once more.
Aerith found the three friends in one of the small dining halls adjacent to the kitchen. Roxas and Kairi were eating lunch, while Sora was busily eating what he had found leftover from breakfast.
When she approached, they looked up and smiled a greeting. "Hello, Lady Aerith," Kairi said. Roxas also gave a smiling greeting with a wave, but Sora was to caught up in his meal. Aerith eyed him with a smirk and shook her head with a sigh. Though, the brunette had to admit, she found Sora's childish personality uplifting in such times. The war had taken away many people's smiles. It was good that the younger Bearers still found the strength to laugh.
"Hello everyone," Aerith returned the greeting.
"So, how was the meeting with Lord Ansem?" Kairi asked. Her face had become serious. She knew from listening to the older woman speak on certain matters that the lord of the kingdom was planning something, yet she did not know the details.
"It went well," the woman smiled. She took a seat across from them, quietly adjusting her pink dress. "I have orders from Lord Ansem, to you."
Sora even focused on her now. "What? Direct orders?"
"Were the three of you aware that Radiant Garden has been working peace negotiations with Twilight Tower?" she asked. Kairi nodded, it had been one of the topics Aerith had spoken to her about before. However, Roxas and Sora seemed confused.
"But I thought we already were on peaceful terms with them?" Roxas voiced.
Aerith nodded, and continued to explain, "We are. But we have never been formally allied. We simply have been fighting the same enemy, therefore, fighting on the same side. Tomorrow an embassy from Twilight Tower will arrive and Lord Ansem will sign a treaty."
"Really?" Roxas asked. "An embassy? I'd like to see it." He glanced to his brother, "Wouldn't you, Sora?" But, his brother gave no indication he had heard the question. His face had suddenly become thoughtful and he was unusually quiet.
Before Roxas could snap him out of it, Aerith's voice compelled him to turn back to the healer. "Well, you're in luck," she said happily. "Lord Ansem wishes for all of you to be present at the welcoming ceremony tomorrow."
Kairi and Roxas exchanged an excited grin. Sora looked at her, eyes wide. "You mean it?" he asked.
"Yes," she laughed. "Make sure you dress in your formal tunics, no armor. And be there on time, Sora."
"Wha-hey!" Everyone laughed. Aerith bade her farewells and excused herself, her soft boots making quiet taps on the way out.
Finally, when she was out of earshot, Roxas turned on his brother, "Alright, what's up with you? You're thinking, aren't you? That can't be good."
Sora totally ignored the comment, for now. He would simply have to remember to suffocate his brother with a sock tonight. His blue eyes had lit up and goofy grin had appeared on his lips. Kairi and Roxas now exchanged nervous looks.
"If an embassy comes from Twilight Tower…he could be there! No, he has to be there," Sora mumbled, more to himself than anyone. The brunette rested his chin in his palms and continued to mumble his thoughts out loud.
"Do you know what he's talking about?" Kairi turned her blue eyes to Roxas. She watched as the blonde ran a lazy hand through his hair with a sigh. The girl looked at Sora once more only to see he was still lost in thought. Kairi had known the boys for years, and they had always told her everything. But, now…she felt as though she'd been left out of the loop.
"Unfortunately," Roxas replied. "Hey," he called to his brother. "Hey, Sora! Roxas to Sora….calling all Sora's." When the Kingdom continued to ignore him, Roxas gave a low growl and roughly whacked the back of Sora's head, "I said, Sora!"
"Ow!" he cried, rubbing the forming lump. "What the hell was that for?"
His brother shrugged, "Had to get your attention somehow. Now, tell me you're not thinking about what I think you're thinking about."
"I'm not thinking what you're thinking I'm thinking," Sora was still rubbing his head and he smiled. Kairi laughed, although she was still rather confused. Roxas 'hmphed' and turned his head the opposite way.
"Think about it, Roxas," Sora started, "if there's an embassy coming, Riku could be a part of it. And I'll finally get to thank him!"
"Do you even know the chances of that happening?"
"No, but I don't have to."
Kairi watched the siblings argue for a moment more before tilting her head and clearing her throat to get their attention, "Who's Riku?"
"The Oblivion," Roxas drawled. Kairi's eyes went wide.
"You know him?"
"Yeah," Sora chuckled. "You remember a few years back when I said someone saved my life?" He watched her nod. "That was Riku…the Oblivion. He saved my life that day and told me his name. I've wanted to see him again for so long."
"And you honestly think Ri-the Oblivion is coming tomorrow?" Roxas eyed his brother as he enthusiastically nodded and laughed. With a sigh, the blonde rose from his chair. At times like these, there was no use in arguing with Sora. And Roxas had years of experience. "Come on then, let's spar. We should get a few matches in before curfew especially since lessons were canceled today."
"Alright," Sora agreed. Before anyone could get a word in, he was headed toward the door and out to the training grounds.
"Well, what do you say, Kairi?" Roxas smiled. "Scorekeeper?"
"You got it," she grinned back and followed the younger sibling after Sora. She didn't have time to think why the two had kept that from her.
Nightfall had brought Sora back to his thoughts. He sat on the edge of his bed, cradling Riku's bottle loosely in one hand. Roxas had already fallen asleep, so the only sound was his deep breathing, leaving Sora and his thoughts in peace.
He knew there was almost no chance that Riku would be with the embassy when it arrived. With him being one of the strongest Bearers in Twilight Tower, they may have required him to remain fighting on the frontlines. Sora could only hope they had sent him as the escort, seeing as an embassy as important as this needed to reach their destination.
His blue eyes rested quietly on the black bottle for an unknown period of time before Sora placed it carefully back into his drawer. The Bearer yawned and stretched, hearing his back pop. Then he slid into bed, a hopeful smile remained on his face the whole night.
He didn't dream of Riku.
The hall was beautiful. It had always been a grand sight, but the banner of purple, blue and various grays adorning the columns made it grander. The colors were symbols of the kingdom of Twilight. Radiant Garden had been transformed in the excitement and hope of the peace at hand.
Many Bearers had been invited, and all stood near the dais in their formal garbs. Some of the citizen granted special privileges also lined the room. Upon the dais, Lord Ansem sat in his throne. He too was dressed in elaborate clothes. To his right, Aerith stood in a beautifully crafted white dress trimmed in pale pinks. Her hair was down, reaching the base of her back. On his left, there stood a regal-looking Leon.
Sora, Kairi and Roxas, as well as Yuffie and Cid, were all standing in a group near the left side of the throne. Sora stood in front, giving him a clear view of the large, ornate doors at the back of the hall. The brunette found he couldn't stop fidgeting and he'd begun to sweat from anticipation.
Sora wore his formal tunic…and how he hated it. The pants were black reaching down to cover the tops of black leather boots, which were freshly shined and cleaned just this morning. His tunic was a deep blue similar to the hue of his eyes. It was trimmed in white and a red cloth belt hung from his waist.
He had brought Riku's vial with him. The Kingdom had grabbed it from his drawer as an afterthought, and he didn't know why. Sora looked up at the ceiling and took in a deep, calming breath. He was jolted when the doors were opened by an attendant announcing the arrival of the embassy.
The people all turned to the back, whispering to one another. Soon four figures, in complete battle-gear could be seen slowly making their way to the door. Sora saw Lord Ansem rise from his seat, but his wide eyes did not leave the four Bearers striding through the door.
Sora's gaze could not be torn from the figure leading the way, the one donned in familiar ebony armor…
Author's Note: I have a sick, sick obsession. Anyways, I'd appriciate a review or two. Ja ne!
