I know, wouldn't it have been wonderful if it had been thirteen chapters? But it's not, there are more to follow. Oh well.
Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts or its characters.
"Sora, your dad is really amazing!" Xion said, quickly hugging Sora the moment he stepped into the house Friday afternoon.
"Wow, that was the quickest hug I got walking in through the door. You beat Papa's record by like a second." Sora said. "And which dad? I've got two, remember?"
"Both of them, actually." Kairi said. "You should see the stuff Xemnas got! He's really looking into helping out with saving the ghosts." She motioned for the others to follow her as she went into the dining room where Xemnas was getting frustrated with cameras while Saïx acted like they were easier to work with than building blocks. "He got all sorts of cameras!"
"Whoa, and I thought ghost investigators on those shows Axel watches had a lot of stuff." Roxas said. "How did..."
"I'm an extremely wealthy man, Roxas. So, I use my wealth to take care of my family… and if that means a ton of cameras so I have eyes in the mansion while my baby boy is in there, then so be it." Xemnas said. "Saïx! How the fuck do I do this?" He let out a frustrated sound, a bit like a snarl. "I can reattach a human finger if it's done within a certain time frame of it being severed, but these things?" He held up parts to electronic devices. "Some assembly required my ass! I've performed surgeries easier than this!"
"As you can guess, I was the one who put the furniture together in the house if we didn't hire someone else to do it." Saïx chuckled a bit. "Honey, the one on the left goes to a night vision camera, the one on the right goes to a microphone."
Xemnas paused, looked at the objects, then put them down. "I'm getting some fucking hot chocolate! With marshmallows!" he snapped, storming off. Twenty seconds later, he leaned back in. "Anyone else want any?" he asked in a more polite and extremely calm tone.
"The cameras are a go to set up in the morning." Saïx said. "You kids have your plan of action?"
"Yeah, go in, set up the cameras, test them and the microphones, get confirmation from your end that it's all fine, and stay together as a group." Axel said.
"All the while of finding the keys." Riku said.
"We know where they are, so it would be easy to go to each location to put up different cameras." Zexion said. "But we also have to be mindful… such anomalies can lead to electronic failure and drained batteries."
"Indeed." Saïx nodded. "We have various cameras and went over each one, including go-cameras." He informed. "There's no guarantee they'll work with spiritual interference, but just in case."
"So, wearable cameras. Cool!" Kairi said, picking up one of the head-gears. "Even if they fail, it's cool having these. Maybe we can use them after this is all settled."
"Dude, I've seen rich… but this is awesome rich." Marluxia said, looking over the electronics. "Sora, if this isn't your dad trying to be super protective, I don't know what would qualify as that."
"Daddy really has his ways." Sora said to the ghost.
"Now Sora," Saïx spoke up, "you especially need to be careful. Remember, we tend to attract attention from the dead… you especially." Sora nodded. "You need to be diligent, stay with the others, hell, hold someone's hand if you feel the need to."
"Or use handcuffs. They can borrow yours." Marluxia joked, earning a look from both ghost seers. "Just joking. A little. But it wouldn't hurt to hold someone's hand or even have someone else tie you to each other."
Saïx nodded. "And the rest of you, you need to be cautious, too; never be alone."
"And hope you don't have a shy bladder if for any reason you need to go while in there." Xemnas added, earning a look from his husband. "Or… just don't drink too much coffee before going in…"
"You're a wonder sometimes, you know that, right, honey?" Saïx asked.
"All too well." Xemnas said before perking up when he heard the doorbell. "Oh, pizza's here. I'll get it." He then walked off.
"Anyway, he does have a point. Even if you have to relieve yourself, don't be alone… have someone with you." Saïx said. "But also be cautious. I don't know the inside of the mansion well, I refused to go in long ago, but… it can disorient you if you're not careful… It's what I feel about the place."
"Telling you not to worry would be futile..." Naminé said. "But you can worry a little less in knowing we'll be more diligent and cautious than first time paranoid parents."
"Don't remind me..." Kairi sighed, resting her forehead against her hand, indicating that she had such parents.
"Anyway… going on… we also need footage for our documentary…" Axel said.
"Well, if things go well, we'll be recording the entire time you're in there Saturday and if there's anything more and the ghosts are free and the manor's safe, then you can go back in on Sunday." Saïx pointed out. "But remember, if it gets too dangerous, then get your rears out of there."
"We'll be sure to do that." Demyx said. "I don't like the idea of being in a dangerous situation."
"A couple of you help me bring the pizzas in!" called Xemnas.
"Yup! On it!" Axel said, he and Demyx getting up and going to assist Sora's other father.
"Hey, Papa… you and Daddy… you're okay with me going in?" Sora asked, wanting to be sure.
"Honestly? No. We're terrified." Saïx admitted. "But… you want to help others and we understand your position on things… which is why your dad went through this to help out the best he can." He smiled. "You need to be cautious. And keep your friends close. You all need to be." He scooted over and hugged his son. "And no visions have told you to stay away? Or seemed suspicious in calling for you? Visions? Vibes?"
"No; my visions have been about where to find different things we need." Sora admitted. "That with Naminé's automatic writing and creating a sketch for us of one item, we're set in that regard. But… when someone actually spoke to me, they made sure to remind me to be careful."
"Then listen well to them." Saïx said. He then looked to the ghost that sat among them. "And you, Marluxia, you be careful, too; there's no telling what will happen since you're already a ghost."
"I'll be stubborn and make sure nothing happens to me." Marluxia assured jokingly. "All jokes aside, though, I'll keep on my toes. And keep an eye out for these kids."
"Good." Saïx nodded.
"Now I get why Axel gets a little annoyed when you guys talk to ghosts." Xion giggled before looking over, Naminé sketching. "Hmm? Sketching?"
"I assume this is our ghostly friend, Marluxia." Naminé said.
"Well I'll be, girl's got talent. Looks like how I remember me. Glorious hair and all." Marluxia praised.
"Narcissist." the father and son duo commented.
"But he does approve." Sora added.
"Ventus." Sora said, finding himself standing at the gate, his hands on the bars. On the other side, Ventus stood, mirroring Sora's position. "Tomorrow is when we go in."
"Be cautious, Sora, and tread lightly." Ventus warned. "Xehanort is stirring… he knows you're coming."
"Should we put it off? Should..."
Ventus shook his head. "We need you to help us… and you need to be strong so you can. Xehanort won't be able to do much if you keep your Light going; it'll chase away the Darkness." he said.
"I still don't understand..." Sora sighed. "How am I supposed to help? I don't understand what this Light is that's in me..."
"It's like the light we seek when we are supposed to cross over. It's warm. Welcoming. And it chases away the dark shadows that lurk. That's what you are." Ventus informed. "I don't know how else to explain it… but you need to not let Xehanort get to you. It's okay to be scared, but remember you're never along… your friends are your power… and as long as you remember that, you'll chase away the Darkness." He sighed. "But be diligent. Xehanort may try to take your friends and hide them from you… you may even see them, but they won't see you..."
"Here… not here..." Sora whispered.
"Right. But it won't mean they're dead. Keep it in mind… even those of us who disappeared didn't die the first night; Xehanort's not that powerful…" Ventus explained. "But if he gets you… if you fall to him… he could become that powerful."
"But why is it Xehanort? He's Daddy's Grandpa… this stuff has gone on longer than him." Sora questioned.
"I can't say for sure..." Ventus sighed. "Only that according to those who have been here since before then, it got much darker when Xehanort passed away and took control..."
"Is there a way to get rid of Xehanort?" Sora asked. "If he's gone, you may be able to get free, right?"
"Surely there must be… but we've not found it. Even if we did, we may not be strong enough..." Ventus admitted. "Now… rest well. It will be a long day tomorrow."
"I'll do my best to help you guys." Sora assured.
"And we'll do our best to support you." Ventus nodded, gently resting his head against the bars, Sora doing the same so their foreheads could touch.
Heyo, lovelies!
You know, Xemnas pinged me as the guy to not drink coffee often; it probably messes with his bladder and makes him go more frequently, which he can't have as a surgeon. So, he probably drinks cocoa instead.
Anyway, we're continuing on with the story and about to enter the mansion. Which means we should be upon the last chapters. So look forward to the next one!
Hopefully you enjoyed reading this one. Until next time!
~chibi