WARNING (besides about grammar, collocation etc.): SPOILERS, SPOILERS, SPOILERS EVERYWHERE! WHICH IS SUPER DANGEROUS IF you don't know what happened. UNLESS if you're already know what happened so far in KHX, KHUX. Although I tried to lessen the spoilers, the warning is just… in case.
Disclaimer: I don't own KH and you know that already. Disney, Square Enix, Tetsuya Nomura own KH.
Special thanks to Everglow and KH Insider and others who helped (with the translation) since I also use some of their vids translation for the part from KHX. (But I try my best to retell with my own words)
Note: There are some parts where I try to avoid to insert more spoilers than this. Most of them contain SPOILERS . This will be the LAST WARNING. I actually use present tense and Skuld's POV to make this fic as if she lets out her thoughts and feelings out when the scene occurred. So readers could feel Skuld's experience.
MISSING AND SEARCHING
~ Reunion ~
Chapter summary: Gone but not lost forever. You'll always find a way to each other. EphemeraxSkuld (mainly), Ephemera/SkuldxPlayer (subtle, depending on your interpretation)
"Skuld, you'll be all right on your own now."
.
It was his last word before leaving me. I… can't believe this. Just like Master Ava once reminded me, he'd leave me if I didn't convey how I felt. There are a lot of things I have told him. Of course, there are a lot of things I haven't told him.
I know he's been like this. But what happen now… hurts me deeper than I think.
Before that Valentine's day, he's easily gone and was easily found too in the town out of blue. After that Valentine Day, he distanced himself – disappearing and appearing nowhere.
But now, it's different. He really is leaving me. He's somewhere I couldn't reach.
I keep searching for him. Who knows he would appear at some point. Sometimes I waited at the places we've been. Plus, I search clues of his disappearance while I am working on my mission collecting Lux. And yet, I can't find anything. I can't really believe that he had really disappeared, just like the blown Dandelion seeds.
At some point, I feel like giving up. Tears swell in my eyes as I think of him. To think I can't reach him anymore…
By that time, I give up searching him. At the same time, I wish that I could meet him again.
Sometime later, he appeared in my dream, he told me to meet that person, also,
"This world is going to meet its end."
What did he mean by that? I wish I could ask more, yet, he's gone again. However, I woke up.
Anyway, I do what he advised me. So, I encounter that person. That person, like me, saw him in a dream of them. We discuss about Ephemera then decide to go to the Clock tower. Chirithy would forbid it. I know. We wouldn't know if we never tried. There are possibilities where we might suddenly run into him by chance.
All of sudden, we feel a strong tremor and decide to check it out. We are shocked seeing the fight of the Anguish and Ursus leaders. "Why?! Why are the Foretellers fighting?"
I've begun to be aware what he meant by the end of the world. None of us believe it, not even that person and Chirithy, after I tell it to them.
But what did he try to warn us about?
Nevertheless, I keep searching for him with that person.
That's why we sneak into the Clock Tower.
Things aren't as perfect as it seems. We are caught by one of the Foretellers who admit that Ephemera was here and he…
"He's gone."
My heart breaks. I tried my best not to break down so the darkness won't overtake my emotion. "How could you?!"
That person stands facing the Foreteller. The Foreteller, later is impressed with that person's strength, reveal that was actually Master Ava in disguise. She tells us about everything – her illusion, Ephemera, the Keyblade War, and Dandelions.
We are invited to Dandelions, a separate organization that Master Ava formed that are meant to survive the upcoming and inevitable Keyblade War.
Ephemera is one of them. So I agree, while that person don't.
Master Ava has explained us everything. She dismisses us. We leave.
Then, that person and I sit by the fountain. After Chirithy's bewilderment since its wielder declines joining Dandelions with reason not wanting to leave all of the war's participants, I recounts how I met him.
"Hey, can I share a story?" that person sit closer. "When I became a Keyblade Wielder, I was so excited. I even made my own party, but no one wanted to join it. Finally, after what seemed like ages, Ephemera did. For a long time, it was just the two of us. But as time passed, others joined in, and we spent all our time gathering as much Lux as possible." I let out sighs from my mouth. "With our busy schedule, Ephemera and I spoke less and less, until one day he turned to me and said "Skuld, you'll be all right on your own now." And then he left. I continued to collect Lux with my party members, but I guess people started to lose interest. One by one they left, until one day, it was just me again. And you know what Ephemera was right." I try not to break down as I see seeds of Dandelions flying to the sky. That Dandelion head… why does he have to leave? Is it for us – the Dandelions? "I WAS fine on my own. And I know he never forgot about me either because he led me to you."
I try to smile as I continue my story. At least, until I thank and part way with that person.
I haven't found him. He must be working under Master Ava's order, and so must I. Who knows… I could help him. It would make things faster. Thus, I could meet him as soon as possible. It isn't easy. Yet, at the same time,
None of us could be restless.
As I carry on my duty as Dandelions like him, many cases have occurred recently – missing wielders, the wielders that have succumbed to the darkness, different colored Chirithy, fights among wielders, and Foreteller's conflict. Everyone is disconnected little by little.
I see that person stopping fights of wielders at Fountain Square. I join that person to stop them. However, the fights worsen and can't be stopped at any cost.
"The war's already begun." claimed one of the wielders who come to join the fights.
Master Aced approached us. He confirms that it is true and believes that strong union is absolute than how much Lux they have*.
"What?" I objected.
"Do you disagree? Aren't you one of Ava's chosen wielders? One of the Dandelions? You, all people, should be able to see that she's using her special Union to demonstrate her power." With his words piercing my heart, my mind goes blank. I can't object more.
That person stood for me against Master Aced.
They battle. But… that person collapse.
Master Ira stops the fight. He and the bear masked man have some arguments. What I heard, Master Aced is talking about 'waiting at the battle place' before making his leave. The crowds at Fountain Square take their leave too.
I inquire Master Ira the meaning of the 'battle place'. He affirms that it was about the Keyblade War.
"That's–! Master Ava said that there'll be no winner after that battle! If it's actually like that, then what's the point of fighting!?"
"That's right… we fight because there is no winner."
He warned us to prepare ourselves before leaving.
That person collapses due to the fight against Master Aced. I bring that person home and tend that person's wound.
That night, I am glad that person has regained consciousness and is okay. At the same time, we are so lost for learning this. Ephemera is still nowhere to be found. Dandelions aren't any better than the rest of the wielders. They have been losing morale too since Master Ava's disappearance recently. Conflicts are everywhere now.
With so many questions on our heads (especially about the war), we seek answers. Now Master Ava's gone, we wonder how we could see her again. We even have no idea where she is.
Chirithy suggests to see Master Gula for information regarding to Master Ava's disappearance. And so we seek and ask him at the following day.
He discloses everything – First, Master Ava is searching for Master Luxu to find out the Master of Masters whereabouts. Secondly, the war is getting close. Thirdly, what was written in the Lost Page in the Leopardus leader's possession is going to happen regardless if it is about the traitor or how the war begin.
We don't believe it. As he quotes the content of the Lost Page, we learn that the traitor WILL end this world. Unfortunately, none of us could decipher what it means.
"And then with that one strike, a bell will toll for the final battle, and the battle will begin at last, and the time shall be chosen"
The bell really tolls.
We couldn't deny the fact that it is all true.
Master Gula sends us away as every union has a gathering to prepare the war.
Seeing the war's will begin, I encourage that person to join the Dandelions. I don't want that person to die at war, and does Ephemera. That person turns down my offer. We shakes hands before parting ways. I am on my way to see the Dandelions while that person… I don't know maybe to Union gathering? Master Gula did mention gathering in each unions before making us to leave. Probably they're preparing the war. They can't avoid it after all. Also the beginning of the war has been signaled. That person really joins the war, just because that person can't leave the rest.
Despite the big adventures, there is still no clue of him. Where could he be? I've already been to a grand adventure with that person. Yet my adventure hasn't met its conclusion. No, I have answers so it has conclusions. However, it is more like an end without reaching destination. With everyone and that person going to the war, I'm left alone again, just like when he left. I sighed and begin to think,
"where were you?"
…Perhaps, I AM too conceited. Not just I couldn't stop everyone from participating the war. He— he isn't everywhere even I'm doing my duty as Dandelions on my own. I…couldn't…
I'm a failure.
I wonder, why am I doing all of this in the first place?
"…ld."
I'm such an idiot.
"Skuld."
I can't do anything! It's over now.
"Skuld,"
"Huh?" before I realize, it is his voice. And, he is in front of me.
I, disbelieve, look at him confusingly. "Hey, look at me. Geez, you're awful, seeing me like a ghost." He grins and laughs sheepishly like he usually does.
For unknown reason, tears start to well up in my eyes.
"Thank you and I—"
I wrap my arm around his neck. He follows suit before caressing my hair. "No, I should be the one who say thank you." There is a pause before I continue, "Also— I'm glad you're okay. I thought… I'm putting a false hope. But now you're here..."
"You did your best. Thank you for your hard work."
After it seems like a moment between us, I finally remember something.
"Ah," I accidentally release myself from his arm. "That's right! That person—"
He chuckled and put his hand on the back of his head, "Oh, right! I forgot that our job isn't over yet. Not just that person, we've got to save the others too."
I nodded, "Right, let's go!"
"Yup, the two of us again! Let's go then!" We summon our keyblades before setting off.
Sheesh, at time like this, he says it nonchalantly with a smile. Never knowing why, that kind of attitude always relieves my thought.
"We'll go together."
He kneels down and reaches out his hand to that person. As that person's hand links to Ephemera's, we finally did it. Every Dandelions and that person are gonna be okay now. But our jobs aren't finished yet. Those memories of the warzone might have lingered inside them. It was really a spine-chilling experience. I finally understand why they have to forget it. On top of that, I'm glad to be able to aid him. Everything works well so far.
"That's everything. Thanks for your help-" Ephemera glanced at me bewilderingly. "Skuld? Are you okay?"
Huh? That's weird. I feel tears on my face. Why? Everything's okay now. I should be happy. But I can't stop them. What a strange feeling. Nonetheless, I can't stop smiling.
"I'm just glad that you're here."
"Ahahaha… what was that all about?"
"Y'know, I have a lot of things that I want to convey." I can't help but to be honest, can I? I want to convey how I feel, more than anything. Also, I don't want to let go of him anymore.
"And so do I. I guess we have a lot of things to share." He grins (again). This time he has a pink flush on his face. It makes my face red all of sudden, probably redder than his. "I know it's a little late. But do you welcome me back?"
"Of course, you, Fluffy Dandelion Head."
He sweat-drops and tilts his head a little, "Fluffy Dandelion Head?"
Both of us share laughs before he beams then reaches out his hand.
I smile from ear to ear and take his hand in return.
A/N: I have to admit that this chapter either or not is related to the first one. Maybe not majority related, only what Ava told Skuld is related.
Okay maybe the chapter summary is very... cliche... (typically for KH).
I intended to make this fic 600-1000 words. Like the previous chapter, I ended up making 2000 words fic orz.
Anyway, for those who doesn't like Ephemer being called Ephemera (by me), I'm sorry. I just prefer calling him Ephemera.
*is Lux countable?