A New Task

It took a week of nonstop walking to reach the Dark Margin.

Beiyue also taught them what they need to know about the true nature of Darkness, stuff that she learned when she explored this world before, so they won't fall prey to all who'll try to deceive them in the future. For Beiyue, it's a tool. No more, no less. But for Light Residents, its a dangerous drug that corrupts one's mind and heart the more they use it. End result, that guy they fought who got an 'irritating god complex'.

'Phew, here we are!'

By this time, Beiyue's body is back to normal.

'Its safe to purge you guys of the Taint you gained here so your Light in your heart will be stronger, before I open a corridor.' said Beiyue as she blasted the taint off of them safely. 'Let's start with Destiny Islands.' she said as she opened a corridor to their home island...and its finally fixed to her and Riku's delight.

'It's really back...Sora declaring that Kingdom Hearts is Light restored our world!' Riku exclaimed in relief. 'It's all OK!'

'Yeah...good to be home after several months...' Beiyue shook as she changed her clothes into a casual dress and shoes with a fingersnap.

'You kids will be alright now.' King Mickey smiled for their happiness. 'I'll have to continue traveling.'

The first thing they did, was go home.

Problem?

'What do you mean Sora never got back?!'

Kairi dropped that bomb on her sister and friend when they asked how things had been. Only Sora never made it back home!

'Exactly. It's just me who got back. Where could he have gone...?' Kairi wondered. 'Our people and parents are back, only not him yet. I had to lie we're in a sleepover but that excuse won't last for long.' she said anxiously. 'Help.' she squeaked.

'A-alright, I'll fix our people.' Beiyue pinched her nose with a heavy sigh. 'Riku, can you bring him home somehow? I'll maintain the masquerade in this island.'

'I gotcha.' Riku snorted. 'I'll bring our lost boy home.' he grinned. 'But I lost Soul Eater...its a weapon Maleficent created for me.' he sighed. 'When Sora beat her, it vanished.'

'Its created out of her magic to begin with.' Beiyue snorted as she removed her wrist cuffs and gave them to him. 'This will lend you my Training Sword. Use my Space Ring too. Try taking my sword out.' Riku summoned her sword, but in his hands...it changed form befitting a boy that suited him...and changed form.

'Oh.'

'Whaddya mean 'oh'?! You're in stage two! I haven't gotten that far yet!' Beiyue sputtered out indignantly, her eyes popping out. 'If you reach stage three, you can begin training in bringing out your own Keyblade! Stage three means your heart is strong enough to summon your keyblade!' she cried, making Riku do a double-take at her words. 'A Keyblade Warrior's Keyblade is unique to every person in form, manifested by our hearts. A keyblade suiting the wielder in form, power and strength reflecting their heart will come out, after the Bequeathing Ritual and training. If you reach stage three, return my sword and go see Master Aqua for training.'

'Right...I'll take that into account.' Riku mused, putting the sword away. 'How about you?'

'I got the Bequeathing from Master Yen Sid too...but I guess something's holding me and my heart back from growing up.' Beiyue sighed. 'I have to do some soul searching on where am I going wrong.' she said gloomily.

'Oh don't be gloomy, growing up shouldn't be rushed.' Kairi reassured her. 'Otherwise, we'll miss stuff in life we shouldn't have missed as part of growing up.' she pointed out. 'Let's start with your...upbringing before you ended up here. We might find a clue there.'

Beiyue choked.

And in the Play Island where they went to for privacy, Beiyue showed them images of what her home life was like in her home world and how she felt throughout that she genuinely believed she only has two people in her whole life. Her mother and her personal maid whom she recently repaid for staying with her so she would have a prosperous life on the other side if she decided island life isn't for her, considering it's hot as hell over here at first! Dongling can cultivate but when she reaches a level, she would help her become a Summoner to have a better future that no one will dare pick on her.

'So I'm on a wait and see basis about that.' said Beiyue. 'If I see that she's happy there, I will let her find her life there. Now that she's a martial artist, she won't be a maid forever and can finally get the future she wanted. Mother granted her citizenship so she can quit being a maid anytime she wanted and have a stable career as a Mercenary or a Specialist-Pharmacist selling solely medicinal pills.'

'Only Dongling citizenship?' Kairi blinked.

'Yes, only her. She passed mother's Test of Character. She even earned education no servant would ever hope to get.' said Beiyue brightly. 'It must be because she knew how the other maids look at me given my...situation...that mother and father caused. Now that I know the truth, I'm not sure what to feel. I thought I truly healed by living in these islands after two years of my life was destroyed...and then Uncle Yan dropped that bomb on me.' she said in a pained voice. 'Its like ripping off a freshly-healed scab.'

'It means your heart weakened because you couldn't move on.' Riku told her. 'Its how I see it at least. Your life and the truth behind that very life greatly affected you so.' he said softly. 'You're conflicted in ways words cannot describe. But if I were you, focus on your happiness in the present and the future instead of being shackled by your past and letting it define you. You're wasting yourself by shackling yourself by things not worth you.' he advised.

'The happiness you gained in your time with us. Your bonds of friendship with Dongling that has been your pillar of support in trying times when your mom goes out. Your mother doing her best to tell you that you're not alone in such a shallow-minded world and she loved you. Her heart is always with you. Draw strength from people who truly love you. And from there, forge an ideal future you see for yourself. A future worth you.'

'It's a good start!' Kairi chirped cheerily. 'Why not do that? Someday, you too, will get a strong heart enough to forge a Keyblade!'

Beiyue looked thoughtful. Before she smiled.

'Mm...may my heart be my guiding key.' she said. 'Let your heart guide you to the right path as well, Riku. And be careful of god-complex idiots while you find Sora.'

'Right!' Riku nodded as he concealed his cuffs with his leather wristbands. Beiyue then opened a Corridor, gave him her hooded shoulder cape and Riku left through it, fully-cloaked after.

'Well, back to normal life we go huh?' Kairi grinned as Beiyue used magic to make her skin 'tanned' again.

'Yeah. School, going home and our usual thing with Selphie. Come on!' and the two girls went home, holding hands like any close sisters would do.

Beiyue's task was maintaining the masquerade. To hide that their boys...aren't truly home.

'You know Kairi,' said Beiyue as they ate lunch at school rooftop. 'Sora should rea~lly be grateful his grades went up because of me. Especially in Math.' she pouted. Kairi burst out laughing. 'Its hard making his schoolwork really believable! Its easier to pull off Riku! It's hard being Sora!' she complained.

'Heeheeheehee!'

The girls were unaware what was happening to the boys at this moment. Oblivious to the adventure they had missed.

But Beiyue's powerful protection in Riku reacted within her and Beiyue did her best to protect Riku. Darkness is her forte, and she won't let anyone else's darkness taint those she cares for.

She decided that her life is all about protecting those she loves and the love that was returned to her, bringing her the warm light in her cold world of pain.

Riku was right. She would fight to protect 'her' world.

Her world of family and friends. Her precious treasures.

She made that resolve that in her heart, it bore the image of her embracing many circles, comprising those who truly loved her, with a smile on her face, in her white princess dress...and had she gotten her sword back, it would have evolved in her touch.

She also saw something intriguing through Riku's eyes...that she once paid Namine a visit.

'So you're the girl messing with my boys.' she said. Namine gave her a rue smile.

'Not by choice.' she said. 'Or Marluxia will kill me.' said Namine sadly. 'He wants to control Sora to control the Keyblade.'

'What a fool...the Keyblade chooses those with truly strong hearts.' Beiyue snorted. 'Does he seriously think, even with your power, he can control a Keyblade wielder?' she chuckled incredulously. 'It just shows how pathetic he truly is. You need not obey him when you are far better than he. Peaceful person you may be, but you are far stronger. Take comfort with that knowledge, Namine.'

Namine closed her sketchbook.

'If I had someone like you by my side...like a sister...maybe I would've gained the power to fight back my plight.' said Namine with a sad smile. 'I'm jealous of Kairi...she has you, while I have no one. I truly have...nobody.'

'That, is your choice.' said Beiyue coolly. 'Borne out of guilt, but is that what you really want? Being alone is true suffering. Even moreso when you have no one to turn to when you want to cry, and find comfort and solace in a friend's arms. Go and live a life. Leave Marluxia. There will be meetings and partings...but you will truly find a place to call home. It's your call. He is weak without you and he knows it. So he bullies peaceful you with Larxene for control without letting you know how stronger you are than he is.'

'...'

Namine never had anyone tell her that, until now. Nobody to help her, encourage her, nothing. She was captured and used ever since she was born, when they found out whose Nobody she was!

But Beiyue came for her to tell her that someone out there would care for her, bringing warmth and joy to her heart.

'...I made a mess out of things.' she said. 'I will fight by making things right. I will fix the messes in Sora and Riku's memories...stuff they made me do.' Namine told Beiyue. 'That's how I will fight. I will fight back this way.' Beiyue nodded, before vanishing.

She then walked around the castle for a bit longer, before she encountered Axel.

'Heeey, look who walked in! The Princess of Darkness herself!' he greeted cheekily. Beiyue gave him a flat stare.

'I don't recall having such an arrogant god-complex to call myself such a moniker.' Beiyue snarked with a raised eyebrow as she heard capital letters in what he called her. 'Now then, where is the local god-complex idiot in this place anyway? You're clearly sane and don't have such...delusional mental damage, so you're not my problem.'

'Well, I know a handful~' Axel grinned. He seems to be a friendly guy for a possible enemy, Beiyue thought. 'Though your pals are doing the job for you already.'

'I see. That's good to know. Now then, you should also choose in advance as you're clearly smart, and not stupid...' Beiyue grinned as she changed into her darkness form and wore a smile a psychopath would be proud of, and made Axel feel her full power that made him meep in fear before her. He felt that death is about to swallow him up! 'Make an enemy out of me, or not? The quickest way to die, is if you mess with what's mine and I sniff out who did it. The way to live long, is not to do it.' she said, changing back to normal. 'Make your decision.' she said, leaving Axel as he felt weak on his knees and he was shaky.

Even his lower jaw was shaking. He was that terrified of her.

"Shit! Shiiiiit! She ain't Princess of Darkness for nothin'!" he choked out as his mind and heart are smothered by sheer fear of her.

He had to recover from being a mental wreck, before he can go home...and they want to mess with this kid?! Hah?! THEY STOOOOOPID?!

xxx

Back at the islands, that's as far as Beiyue went in interference. That since the day she got back home from that castle...five months have passed. The boys haven't returned home yet!

'I'm getting worried now...' Kairi is NOT too happy. 'We'll graduate Junior High soon and those boys aren't home yet!' she swore, 'What on earth, are they doing?!' she said, armfolding. Beiyue is now a sophomore and Kairi a senior along with the boys.

'They better not goof off for too long...' Beiyue frowned before looking thoughtful. '-oh yeah, it'll be Summer Vacation soon.' Beiyue stated. 'Wanna learn how to fight from me at Master Yen Sid's place?' she offered. 'I taught you magic the past year as well as physical training...because fighting with swords is really tough in a body that easily tires.'

'Yeah, maybe I should do that.' Kairi gulped. She's a target because of her newfound status. Its not like she asked to BE a Princess of Heart! Just who chooses them for the job anyway, she wondered.

She learned magic from Beiyue, the magic she deems useful for 'living long enough to finish a fight', and nasty ways to exploit spells to make your opponent's life MISERABLE in combat until you can nail them with a fatal blow. But that fighting style applies to opponents who can think, like Ansem. Heartless are stupid so plain simple methods it is.

Upon arrival at the Mysterious Tower...

'So, training for future precautions, is it? That is a sensible idea, now that Kairi is a revealed Princess of Heart.' Yen Sid mused as his pupil took her foster sister for training. 'Very well. Kairi, as Beiyue knows, training will not be easy.' he told Kairi. 'Beiyue, I shall handle your sister. You on the other hand, must go to assist Riku, for Sora's sake.'

'...what happened? What have they gotten into now?' Beiyue questioned. 'Ever since Riku wore a blindfold after declaring to Mickey and DiZ that he will walk the Road to Dawn by accepting both Light and Darkness as his power, choosing the middle road, I can't track them down anymore.'

'Sora cannot wake...for his memories are scattered, beyond Namine's control due to what the new enemy has done.' said Yen Sid. 'There is a new enemy that has arisen...we didn't take into account what happens to a person after their heart, is stolen.'

'What happens? What can be worse than becoming a Heartless?' Kairi inquired.

Yen Sid showed the girls an image through illusion to make understanding easier.

'Three things comprise a person. Our Heart, Body, and Soul.' he said. 'When a Heartless consumes a person's heart, their body and soul is left behind. However, people with strong wills whose hearts are taken, reanimate and become Nobodies, shells of their former selves...but they don't exactly come back as 'themselves' as you can see.' he said, showing many forms of Nobodies to the girls. 'At birth, Nobodies are rejected by both light and darkness. Instead, they are made to walk the realm between and doomed to a state of non-existence. If for Heartless, the more evil person you are in life the stronger you are...the equivalent for a Nobody is how closer they are to human form in turn.'

'The boys and Beiyue have encountered such enemies in Castle Oblivion, when Mickey came to me saying what he encountered in the castle with Riku.' Yen Sid continued. 'If Heartless act on instinct...Nobodies act on memory. Upon losing their hearts, they cannot feel, thus rely on memory to react appropriately in situations to hide their true natures. They are still under study, so Beiyue, I have a task for you.' Beiyue nodded. 'As a being of darkness, you can detect if what I say is true...prove that they truly have no hearts, or possibly regrowing a lost heart.' he told her. 'Only people who have hearts contain light and darkness. If they did grow a heart, they will become their own selves no doubt. This is something, only you can do.' he said. 'For as humans live and experience things, darkness comes first, before light in their hearts.'

'Yes, sir.' Beiyue understood her mission: study their new enemies!

She left the tower, clad in a black sheer shirt with bubble short sleeves and over it, is a purple dress and dark purple shoes.

xxx

In the Cultivator World...

Zhanye made his way to a Cottage in the city, wearing a cloak to conceal his identity at night.

In the newly-built cottage, there lives Dongling, the former maid of his cousin.

Since quitting as a maid, she became a Mercenary and Pharmacist with a stable livelihood, that she had her own house built. She can afford a well-made Siheyuan made of wood and clay bricks, and made it quite big for just one girl to live in...with good reason. It is protected by barrier empathic connection to her miss also ended on her final adventure in the World of Darkness, as she earned her happy ending with the restoration of her islands after months of having to be 'the bad guy'. The tale ending with Beiyue promising Dongling that when she reaches a certain level, she would aid her in becoming a Summoner.

Dongling was one of the rare Earth-Element Cultivators in the world, and only Earth-Element cultivators can become Pharmacists. Many people would want such an asset for their clans, but she was firmly

By her skill and strength, she was already Sword Sage Class...all at age thirteen. She and her friends. They were all powerful geniuses in their own right, though Sora and Riku were stronger than her.

She was her own legend in the Palace, as the Maid who Earned by Loyalty, awarded by the Princesses she served. That she is now a citizen, no longer a slave, and a known Mystic Rank 2 Pharmacist and Arcane Rank 9 Sorcerer, the highest rank a Sorcerer can achieve, if an Enchanter specializes in sorcery, not both magic and creation of magical tools. A maid who came into beauty, power and a small fortune and that serves her just fine, as greed will lead to misfortune as she believes. She won't even allow herself to become a Concubine and relied on Emperor to keep Noble and Wealthy Sons who failed her spot-check off her back. Her time with the Xiao Clan turned her off from a life of Concubinage, thank you very much.

Although, her tale made her a target by opportunistic young men around her age in marriage offers as the dowry will clearly be, her home, and she was a far better breadwinner among commoners that boys wanting her for a wife will be willing Kept-Men who can dominate her in this world where men are in charge of the family. It was why Dongling, cautious girl that she was, pretends such offers didn't exist. She wondered if she has to go to other worlds just to get married to a decent man who would do her right and not exploit her! She wasn't stupid, like most girls who fall for pretty faces, unaware of monsters within!

She was thus another person growing to hate Linhua City. Resenting its nature as a 'collective of users and the stupid used'. There was no male who wants her as a wife for good reason, she was just a meal ticket. She vets all her suitors with sorcery and what she sees, was to her growing disgust...and despair that she can't get married BECAUSE!

So her excuse was, 'I'm barren, who'd want me for a wife?' to turn suitors off. Though some are still persistent because of money that she brings...and that barren excuse to bring up yet another disgusting reason: yes, she's barren, so she can be their plaything!

She had made the decision never to marry, and adopted children instead. Orphans who lost parents in many circumstances. However, even these children, are vetted, adopting only kids at age six with good hearts despite their misfortune in life, and ignores those who are already evil at heart. Preferring they eat each other in the streets, or karma bites them for their deeds as they deserve.

With her finances and sorcery, she has many cultivator foster children, learning knowledge Beiyue taught her. twenty boys and twenty girls, all at age six. She hopes that when they grow into adults, it would create an effect wherein their children and descendants would become good human beings instead of joining 'that collective cesspit' she grew to despise.

Unmarried she may be, but at least, she has children. She adopted them like how Royal Aunt adopted her, and swore to raise them right.

When Zhanye came, all children now have lily-white skin and he suspects they have a yearly supply of Lotus Blossom pills too, to grow beautiful and handsome. The children have no clue who he is, so they played around as usual, happy and carefree after a hard day's work of studying and cultivating.

What privileged orphans.

Dongling is now fourteen years old, like Beiyue. She grew two heads taller and into her womanly charms. And since quitting as a maid, always wore her riding outfit, ready to fight incase. She wore white, black and purple with tribal designs, and her hair long enough to go past her hips.

'Your highness.' Dongling bowed in reverence as he took off his cloak, showing that he wore clothes from the other side, nicely tailored for him. A white shirt with a very trendy leather trenchcoat, and clearly flexible pants for combat. He also wore belts and accessories teenage boys wear in the other worlds, but he has his own style. Though he kept his long ponytail. 'How may this one serve you today?'

'Dongling, is there a way to go to where Beiyue is?' Zhanye asked her. She got wide-eyed before looking dismayed.

'Is this a mission to bring her back? To this world she hates so much?' she asked him.

'I want her to know many things...before wrong beliefs set in for good.' said Zhanye. 'Then again, its also our fault that she believes so. If only through me, we want to set things right and hopefully, she visits grandmother at least once.' he said. 'Guilt made her fall ill, even if she watched your dreams that she lived a happy life on the other side.' he said. 'It was guilt that we all failed her as family as a whole that made her fall ill despite everything...we believe that we can restore her will to live, if she sees Beiyue. The grandchild she failed.' he said. 'A visit is sufficient. We will not...force her back here.' Zhanye reassured her. 'That will only make her hate us more.'

'...the magic I gained is a mere tool.' said Dongling. 'The rest, is up to your strength of heart. If my magic failed to respond to your heart, its simply not strong enough.' she said, gathering her magic. 'Are you ready?'

'I'm ready.' Zhanye prepared himself as Dongling gathered her magic which she pushed into his heart...and with his will and focus, he was gone from her sight.

'...I hope that worked...or he could be anywhere.' she shuddered. 'Lost anywhere and I'd be an asset that I just lost Nanyi's Crown Prince.' she muttered with a grimace.

xxx

Zhanye felt himself soar and fly through space. He refuses to open his eyes incase he gets lost and stuck somewhere, he has to keep using the magic Dongling gave him and his own heart to go to where she is.

Twilight Town.

He immediately asked for a local store that deals with gold and jewelry...so he can sell five of his ingots for munny.

He got 500.000 munny in all units.

"Maybe I shouldn't bring my whole fortune with me had I known I'll get this much." Zhanye thought with a sweatdrop. Still, munny sure is a strange currency. Little crystal diamonds...or are they(?)...with a yellow copper inside. There were three types...a green-tinged copper round thing, a copper small diamond-shaped thing, a clear-cut transparent thing and the most expensive unit, this doublet-like thing.

He decided to shop for more clothes to wear just to fit in better as he stands out in his trenchcoat! Maybe just a shirt and jacket will do? Should he go short sleeved as its WAY TOO HOT HERE?!

Cringing, he really has to shop.

Shopping in expensive clothing stores, he got himself a sleeveless shirt with leopard prints, a pair of jeans and he learned how to use accessories better...from helpful, lovestruck salesladies who were...way older than he. It helps that he spent the last year buffing himself up, but not too bulky.

Satisfied, he went out on his search.

He searched the whole town relentlessly for hours, and by sundown...

He came across a mansion outside town.

'This is the last place.' and he jumped over the walls to get inside, and sneak around.