Toshiro stepped slowly through the short tunnel and into the large crystal room, his eyes fixated on the glowing center piece. It was taller than he was, reaching up towards the ceiling like a magic imbued stalagmite. The whispers had calmed on his approach, but he could still hear the music. It was a lullaby of some sort, and it sounded like it came from a music box. It calmed him, somehow, easing the terrors in his thoughts brought on by the false Aizen, a dangerous sense of peace coming over him with each note. He knew he shouldn't let his guard down… but the music seemed to flow right through him, and for a brief moment he felt whole again.

When he could finally move his eyes away from the crystal he spotted the music box itself, resting on a stone pedestal before the gem, realizing he had stopped just in front of it. It was pale violet in color, open to show a small swirling figure, a petite fairy with crystal butterfly wings of icy blue and a tail to match in medium and color, small white horns coming from her violet hair, poised like a ballerina as music boxes often had them. Whoever crafted the fairy sure put their heart into it, as it seemed she could fly away any moment, and he questioned the odd additions of tail and horns to a creature who's only features commonly chosen were tiny stature and wings.

He continued to listen curiously as the music began to slow, the fairy's dance slowing as he reached out for it. Just before he touched it, he pulled his hand away, not wanting to ruin something so elegant and pure with his touch. Instead, he knelt before the box, listening until its final note echoed in the cavern, relishing the feeling of safety and comfort in the lullaby, even allowing a small smile to come to his face, features softening.

When the silence came thick into the room, Toshiro allowed a frown to appear on his face. He wished the beautiful music would continue, would let him remain embraced in its magic. It had been many days since he'd last felt so peaceful, perhaps weeks even with the many hardships he faced even before the darkness took him.

But, with a shake of his head, he remembered that he needed to get back to the others. Nami had been hurt last he saw her, so now that Aizen didn't seem to be following him he could perhaps lend his aid with Kido. He stood, but couldn't help glancing at the music box once more. It still lay open, the fairy frozen in her pose, no longer spinning with no music to dance to. He could not shake the feeling that this item was familiar to him, precious even, and he was inclined to grab it and take it with him.

The room gave a shake as Lacia was defeated elsewhere, making the Nobody tense.

There is no need to fear, this room will not be touched.

Toshiro turned back towards the crystal in surprise, recognizing the soundless thoughts that came through his head. It was the same 'voice' that had guided him before, both when he first got his Keyblade and when he needed it back to fight the Stigma Heartless, Bugshroom.

"What… is this place?" Knowing the spirit was only there to guide him, Toshiro sought out answers.

A lost relic of the first world, a piece of a sacred place only two young souls knew about.

"First world?" The idea of a first world confused Toshiro, as he was under the impression there were a great many worlds.

All worlds were once a part of one, with Kingdom Hearts at its center, their shining light to protect them from evil. The Keyblade War caused this world to fall and disappear. It was the hearts of children who brought back the memories of those worlds, only now forever separated.

"The worlds… used to be one… what is all this about, this Keyblade War? No one ever said anything about there being only one world." The more answers he got, the more questions he had, his mind filled with confusion.

It is a history lost to time and memory, a world where the very first Heavenly Guardian gained their power, and created Kingdom Hearts to protect that world and be a safe haven for those departed.

"I… I don't understand... so then, Soul Reapers existed even before it was just the Soul Society?" Toshiro was trying to wrap his head around the idea, having believed something different from his first conversation with this spirit of his predecessor.

The land of souls was a feared place, and it was there the Heavenly Guardian felt he must do something to stop the despair growing within his home. He sought out the great spirit dragon, and after making a pact with him, formed Kingdom Hearts to protect lost souls from the darkness.

"Hyorinmaru…" Toshiro realized which dragon the voice meant.

Play the lullaby once more, and open your mind to its song. Within it, you will see your past.

Toshiro turned his gaze warily to the innocent music box. If this room was somehow connected to his past… was this item also important? And how so? He carefully picked it up and held it, but hesitated to rewind its gear, not comfortable putting himself in a vulnerable position with possible enemies right outside.

None shall disturb this place. The spirit assured him, the soft glow of the crystal passing on a confidence he had been avoiding just before.

With a resigned sigh, Toshiro decided to trust his guide, sitting on the floor as he usually would when meditating before gingerly winding up the music box. The calming tune began to play, the fairy spinning once more on her stage with tiny crystal wings reflecting the light around her. Teal eyes slowly closed and Toshiro took a deep, slow breath, focusing on the melody as he slipped into silent thoughts. Within his mind he could see the music box again, but now the fairy did not remain frozen on her stage. Her little wings fluttered with a chime like tiny bells as she rose up into the air. There was the sound of a little girl giggling happily.

'Who…?' Toshiro felt like he recognized the voice, but he had never heard it before in his life.

Two figures stood by the same crystal he had just been near, still bearing the same soft light, but their figures were still blurry and unrecognizable in Toshiro's mind. One was the laughing girl, ecstatic about the musical fairy, praising the other figure for his magic. When the other spoke, he had his own voice, but somehow Toshiro could only hear his own over top as he entertained the girl. They seemed to be close. But there was also a sadness within the older figure. Toshiro got the feeling the girl was not allowed to leave the cavern, as if her very life was tied to it, the only reason she could still live. She had some kind of fatal illness.

The older figure left the chamber, seeking out an answer to the darkness plaguing his home, poisoning innocent souls like his sister. Sister? So that's why the girl was important to him. A little sister with long white hair and eyes that could never see with only her brother to trust. His sadness grew as her time came short, and it was only within this cavern, listening to the music box, that he could feel she was still there.

His journey led him out to an icy landscape that stood in his way, home to a great spirit that took care of all other spirits. The dragon was convinced to use his powers for a better cause than purging the lands of evil, hoping to instead stop its plague before lives were lost, agreeing to partner up with this bold warrior. Following the dragon's lead, other spirits aided the warrior tribes in protecting the lives of the innocent. Using the great dragon's powers, the first warrior created a world within their world for these hearts and souls to go.

They gave him a title. The Heavenly Guardian.

A mysterious figure in black approached the guardian, curious about the powers of spirits and hoping to give mortals a chance to defend themselves as well. The guardian agreed, and this new friend created a unique weapon for warriors of the heart to protect their own, their power spreading and protecting the light. The Keyblade, they called it. The Heavenly Guardian got to wield one of the first ones, increasing his power. He kept among his own as his companion set about on his own journey, the first Keyblade Master, a Master of Masters, working towards a goal the guardian could not quite see. They went their separate ways with a promise to see where this new world would take them.

So when the darkness came and the Keyblade War began, the Heavenly Guardian created for himself a curse, a curse to be reborn and fight against the darkness whenever it should become too strong, before sealing off his homeland. The homeland that would become the Soul Society.

And with the last of his power used to protect the lines of the Soul Reapers, the first Heavenly Guardian met his end.

Toshiro gasped as he was brought out of the vision. Most of it was still hazy, details missing or unclear, but he understood the importance of what he had seen. An expansive world unlike anything he had ever seen, an entire city full of young Keyblade Wielders lost to greed for the light, leaving the sparse few he knew today as their legacy. And this Master of Masters… hazy as the image was, he dressed just like Organization XIII had, the same robes he had discarded first chance he got on this world. Why would his predecessor ally with him? That part was still unclear…

"So… my existence here and now… is just to see what happens?" Toshiro questioned to the air, knowing the spirit was still around to answer him. "I'm just… continuing what he started."

It is not so simple, but your fate is indeed to protect the light of Kingdom Hearts, the sanctuary of innocence and lost souls. If darkness overtakes such a sanctuary, there will be no end to its plague.

"I thought you said darkness wasn't inherently evil." Toshiro reminded the spirit, though he glanced at the now silent music box, the fairy still once more. Imbued with some kind of magic, it withstood a great many centuries placed here in this cave.

The 'voice' did not answer at first.

Like any other power, darkness can be controlled. It is the uncontrollable that is dangerous. The light is dangerous as well… as you've seen, it breeds greed in mortal hearts, inviting the darkness… the stronger the light, the blacker the darkness.

"You've said that before…"

It is not so easy to determine what is right or wrong, that you must learn for yourself.

Toshiro let out a hum of thought at that, picking up the music box once more. Up close, he could truly see the care put into the fairy's making, bearing its own glow.

It is the last remaining piece of her memory, the girl your past had cared for. It still plays within these walls for her, calming lost spirits. The first Heavenly Guardian had a talent for bringing peace to the restless, and his magic continues in the lullaby. It will help you keep nightmares at bay.

"You want me to take it?" The Nobody looked surprised.

It is her wish. She needs it no longer, and does not wish to see you despair.

"I'm… I'm not her brother though." He felt guilty taking something so important from this secret place, and something this exquisitely crafted would be a prize for any pirate. He could not deny, however, that the possibility of such peace at the turn of a key was an enticing offer. It would be nice to finally get decent rest again.

It is her wish.

Grip tightening a small bit on the box, he reached a hand up and carefully closed it, hiding the fairy away.

The light in the cave went out.

"What happened?" Toshiro asked, surprised by the sudden darkness, the crystals now dull and the room silent from its previous whispers. When he got no answer, he realized whatever magic had kept this place alive and protected had vanished with the closing of the music box, so he opened it back up for a moment to see if it would bring it back. The crystals remained lifeless, but the fairy retained her own icy blue glow, the last remaining vessel of this place's memory and magic. "I see…"

A faint shout caught his attention, turning his gaze back to the entrance of the small cavern and listening closely once more. As he did so, a shadowed head peeked around the corner.

"I'm alright, Hyorinmaru." The Nobody said to the dragon's curious yellow gaze. "I found something interesting though."

'And memories as well, it seems.' The dragon responded, recognizing the expression on his master's face to mean he had been through something quite emotional. He maneuvered his body into the cave, taking a curious sniff at the music box, intrigued by the magic around it. 'Can I hear it? I never got the chance to with my first master.'

"Later perhaps, I should try to find the others." Toshiro responded. He wanted to ask how much Hyorinmaru remembered of his first master, but this was not the place for it, surrounded as they were by an unpredictable mountain and enemies trying to ensnare him.

'The woman of the mountain has been defeated by the pirates, they search for you now that the mountain is back to normal.' After giving this report, the Heartless stepped swiftly into his master's shadow and vanished from sight, only his yellow eyes still shining in the darkness so one could know he was listening.

"Better not keep them waiting then." Toshiro sighed. He glanced once more at the music box, wondering if he should mention it to the others. They had proven helpful allies and loyal friends, but he was not part of either crew, and they were still pirates, so he could not yet trust them to treat him the same as they did each other, and the poor fairy would be a big prize. He decided to hide it for now, tucking it away in his jacket after closing the lid and making his way out of the cavern.

The mountain had thankfully stopped shaking, settled into its normal state of existence with a single tunnel leading from the cave the Sunny rested in to the inner chamber everyone remained huddled in. The cavern from which Toshiro emerged was concealed through a tiny pathway, hidden behind what seemed to be a random assortment of boulders to keep it out of view, but were placed just right one could still pass them by and leave. This he did, stepping into the larger room where everyone else was, a few calling his name still.

"Hey, there you are!" Luffy spotted him first, his usual grin back on his face now that everyone was accounted for. Once the mountain had stopped changing, a few had left and determined the remaining Heart Pirates were safe back on the Sunny, reporting back to those waiting inside. "Good thing you didn't get crushed!"

"Luffy, that's too blunt!" Nami gave him a smack on the head that he mostly ignored, simply looking confused about what he did wrong.

"You healed?" Toshiro's confused comment brought their attention back to him, stopping any potential argument. Nami realized he was looking at her stomach and remembered that, last they had seen each other, she had been given a serious injury.

"Not so much healed as I got far enough away from the puppet that whatever illusion they make went away." She explained to him with a thumb up. "Who knows what would have happened if I had stuck around though, so thanks for getting me out of there."

"…all just an illusion." A flicker of anger was seen within his teal eyes as he glanced at Lacia's still form over by the wall. "I'm starting to get tired of those."

Law took on a thoughtful expression, piecing things together from what he'd heard from Nami and Toshiro's behavior around the name 'Aizen'. Aizen had done something pretty terrible to the Reaper, something Toshiro agonized over constantly, and if it was related to his current comment about illusions, it was no doubt something Aizen had forced Toshiro to do without the latter realizing it. Never a good situation to be in for sure. And there were the comments the puppet had made, when they had spotted Lacia speaking through it…

"Oh hey, there's a tunnel here! Cool!" Luffy shouted from behind them, stopping Law's thoughts short. While they had been talking, the Straw Hat had gone off to explore and find out where Toshiro had appeared from, discovering the small tunnel hidden away behind the boulders.

"There's a cavern there full of crystals… it had what I was looking for."

"And what would that be?" Law questioned, wanting to know the reason they had all been forced to face puppets of their past.

"…Memories of a past life." Toshiro answered somewhat vaguely. When everyone only gave him confused stares, he sighed. "The cavern had magic imbued into it, though it has now lost all of it giving me memories of my past life."

"So you know a little more about this Heavenly Guardian stuff you were talking about?" Nami looked interested, though while her question was on topic her gaze was towards the tunnel, no doubt wondering if the crystals might still be worth anything.

"I know how it started… not really how to use it. It's still a blur, it might take me some time to make sense of things."

"I wanna see the magic!" Luffy as usual wasn't really paying attention, pushing his way into the tunnel.

"Luffy, he just said there wasn't any anymore!" Nami shouted after him, before sighing and putting on a smile as she turned to Toshiro. "So, what kind of crystals were in there?"

"I'm no expert on gemstones but they weren't any kind of diamonds." The Nobody responded, a light smirk tugging at his mouth when the navigator pouted. "Their only value was its memory, and I already reclaimed that value."

"Personally I have no time for mining, thanks." Law grumbled, his face saying he wanted to be done with this mountain, already turned away and making his way out. The other Straw Hats aside from Nami and Luffy – still in the cavern most likely – followed after him with agreeing opinions.

A moment of silence stretched awkwardly between the pair still in the cavern before Toshiro cleared his throat and started walking back to the ship as well, Nami no doubt waiting for Luffy to come back so she could scold him, hands on her hips.

"You okay?" Her question made him stop, turning his gaze back to her.

"I'm fine." He assured her, and while he did feel fine, a nagging thought in the back of his mind wondered if that was correct. Nami seemed to doubt it as well, one brow lifting in suspicion. "I mean it."

"You were pretty frozen in front of that Aizen guy, excuse my pun." She argued.

"I'm sure all of us were dealing with our own nightmares." Toshiro's response was colder than his previous ones.

At that the navigator frowned and didn't stop him as he continued his leave from the tunnel. She had hoped to learn more about the mysterious child, having thought he might be more open after she and Robin had spoken with him, but she supposed his reaction made sense after everything that happened and decided to try again later.