(Update 1/28/20: General Updates)

(Update 2/4/20: Added a Fuma Shuriken to Yuffie.)

(Edit 8/10/20: Edited Maleficent's words as she appears in Traverse Town, correcting an inconsistency made in a future chapter. It helps that there were no real revelations so the edit is seamless.)

(Update 3/14/21: General Updates)

I don't own To Love-Ru or Kingdom Hearts.

Happy Remind Eve!


Inquiries of Darkness! A Destined Reunion?!

Traverse Town - Second District

The night sky was as quiet as could be, until a low hum sounded through the air. Slowly, the hum started to get louder and louder while a pink ball of light appeared way high in the sky. The ball of light got bigger and bigger as pink lightning bolts shot out from it. Eventually, the pink ball of light turned into a pink portal with a boom while the hum died down; the portal being aimed at the town below. After a few moments of silence, a girl with long blonde hair fell out of portal, the portal closing right behind her. She noticed that she was falling and adjusted herself while growing two white angel wings, catching the air underneath, even if the small backpack made it a little difficult. She slowed her fall and landed on the ground boots first.

"That was unexpected." Yami commented as her wings disappeared and she analyzed her surroundings. It appears she had landed in a large plaza of a cozy town. The floor below her was composed of dark grey cement and the section she was standing in seemed to be sunken into the lower area. There were a set of stairs leading to the upper area where various shops were located, including a Handbag Shop, a Suits and Dresses Shop that had an animatronic of a strange old man tipping his green hat, and a Boots and Shoes Shop. Also in the upper area was a large Hotel that had two entryways. All throughout the area were lamps that were illuminating the District with a soft yellow light. Yami turned around to find a large white building with stain-glass windows and a lit candle to the left. The trans-user then took notice to the fact that she was the only one here, Momo and Zastin were not with her?

"Princess Momo? Commander Zastin?" she called in a calm manner as she continued to analyze the area for any sign of them, to no avail. "This does not bode well." Looking to the ground, she mulled over the possibility of using the dial Lala gave her to go back.

'However, there is also the chance they are somewhere else in this town. I should take a look around first, so I don't return alone.' she concluded. 'Yuuki Rito, your disappearence is causing a lot of issues...' her irritation grew as her brows furrowed.

All of a sudden, Yami felt a strong blood-lust behind her. She immediately used trans to form her arm into a large blade, turned and pointed it at the source...a small shadow creature with yellow bead-shaped eyes that seemed to glow.

"Hmm?" Yami's eyebrow twitched ever so slightly as she studied the creature, having never seen it before. Accompanying it was a sense of...apprehension?

From such a small, base-looking creature of...

...Dark Matter?

No, not just that...it felt closer to the force of the dark portal the hooded man used. There was more to this creature than meets the eye.

Nevertheless, being no stranger to a fight for her life, Yami raised her blade in front of her. To do battle with this Dweller of Darkness.

"Very well then." she spoke with a monotonous tone as two more of its kind appeared.


Traverse Town - First District

Rito looked around at the town with great intrigue as he and his team walked forward from the Main Entrance. This district was very brown due to the houses, doors, walls, and had many lamps with orange lights inside all around the area. Off to the left was a Cafe and an Item Shop, and in the front of them up the stairs was a Jewelry and Accessory Shop. Before the stairs were two brown lampposts with the same orange lights as the lamps. Underneath these lampposts was a small circular garden each. A mailbox fashioned with a hat was to the right of the stairs along with a direction post pointing south and east. The First District stretched to the back and lead to the Second District while the doors to the right of the team had a sign that read 'Traverse Town' and lead to the Third District.

"So how bout it, Rito? You remember anything?" Lea asked while the boy continued to look around.

"Hmm..." he went silent for a bit "No, nothing." he relayed.

Kairi noticed something off about the area, there was no one around. It was completely deserted."Where is everyone?" she asked no one in particular. Just then, as if on cue, a Corridor of Darkness appeared in front of the trio.

"Wha? Why did this happen?" Rito wondered when Lea suddenly put his hands out in front of both him and Kairi.

He glared at the Corridor while warning the others "Be careful."

"Well, Well..." a woman's voice came from that Corridor of Darkness "If it isn't a familiar pretty face and an Organization Deserter." Maleficent and her henchman Pete walked through, the Dark Corridor closing behind them.

Kairi got into a defensive stance as she recognized the two from Sora's stories, and the time at The Organization's stronghold "Maleficent?! Pete?!"

Lea was focusing his attention on Pete, feeling like he should know this guy 'I know I've seen this cat before, but where?' the question echoed in his mind as he got into a defensive stance as well, ready to summon his Keyblade and protect his two allies if need be.

The Dark Fairy cast her gaze towards Rito; a new face to her "Oh, and it would seem you have found a new playmate. How amusing." Rito became wary as Maleficent took notice of him. Something about this lady gave him the creeps...

Pete squinted his eyes and took a look at Rito as well, but wasn't very impressed. "Say Maleficent, I dunno about the other two..." he pointed at him "But somethin' about newbie here looks WAY punier than the rest. I say we finish him off before he even gets his feet wet."

'Punier than the rest?' Rito didn't feel good after that comment, he felt a heaviness hit his chest.

"Waste no time with the boy, he's inconsequential. We have far more pressing matters to attend to." Maleficent reminded her lacky.

"Hmm? Oh that's right!" the big cat nodded to himself with a smile "We's gonna get some help findin' that Black Box!"

"Be silent, you fool!" Pete flinched at the insult while she continued to converse with group "As for you three: we shall meet again." she turned her back to the trio "When I have time for such trifles." she opened another dark corridor and walked towards it.

"Yeah, and youse' better get your act together before then. Later, pipsqueak!" he turned and walked toward the Dark Corridor, callously waving his back hand behind him as he left. The dark portal disappeared, leaving the team to themselves. Rito walked forward to where the Dark Corridor was and Kairi heard him sigh in a not-so-happy manner.

"Rito?" she called his name in a caring manner.

After a moment of silence, he showed his face to the two, a not-so-happy smile plastered on him "Don't worry about me, I'm fine".

"Wait, Don't tell me what that Lug-head said got to ya?" Lea asked with soft disbelief.

He crossed his arms over himself "I said I'm fine." he reiterated, sounding more upset.

Kairi wasn't convinced, his body language reflected otherwise. She decided to show him support to cheer him up. "You're going to get stronger, don't worry!"

"Hey you guys!" a cheery female called out from above. They all looked in the direction of the voice to find Yuffie standing on the roof of the building leading to Third District. Yuffie was a young woman with short black hair, dark violet eyes, and light skin. She wore an unzipped, black combat vest with a black strap dangling from the right of the vest, over a very dark navy blue tank top with white floral designs. On her right wrist was a large white wristband and on her left hand was a black, fingerless glove that had a lose black sash over it. Her shorts were dark brown, had a black covering layer over them, and had a black strap dangling from the left side. She also wore black, over-the-knee socks with white stripes at the top that were underneath dark tan sneaker boots that were knee-high in length. On her head was a black headband with white outlining and on her back was a Silver Fuma Shuriken, completing her whole ninja vibe she was going for.

"Yuffie! Hello!" Kairi waved to the ninja girl with Lea sending a salute soon after, and Rito hiding behind Lea, waving from there to keep his distance. She jumped from the rooftop and landed in front of the three.

"Nice to see you guys made it without any issues." she seemed to be unaware of Maleficent's or Pete's appearance.

"Yeah..." Rito voiced from behind Lea.

Yuffie noticed him hiding and sent an apologetic look "...I won't bite, you can come out from there."

The boy seemed unsure "I'm just being careful...what if I-"

Yuffie cut-in, knowing what he was getting at "I know we didn't exactly have the...'Best' relationship before you went off to train...But after hearing your determination to look for your friends on that day..."

Kairi's eyes slightly widened. Was it just her, or did Yuffie have a bit of red on her face?

"I decided to try and have more...patience. So can you please come out?"

A moment of silence passed before Rito slowly came out from behind Lea, showing himself to Yuffie. She silently stared at him in awe before...

"Wow! Lovin' the new black, kid!" she cheerfully complimented his new clothes with a smile.

Rito's face lit up, not expecting the compliment but feeling good about seeing a happy Yuffie anyway. He smiled back and thanked her with a nod.

She turned to Kairi "And don't think I didn't notice your new duds either. Looking good!" The Ninja turned to Lea and frowned "As for you, you're still wearin' that old Organization Coat?" she questioned as she slightly leaned forward, looking up to him "You ain't even part of it anymore. I don't think it's a good idea to keep it on, you might give people the wrong idea."

"Hey, like I say if ain't broke, don't fix it." he defended his decision "This is how you pick me out of a crowd." he pointed his right thumb at himself "I make myself easy to remember."

Yuffie's face deadpanned "How thoughtful."

She and the ex-organization member stayed sharing deadpanned looks before Rito had a question about the town "Where is everyone? I thought it'd be a little more...crowded."

Yuffie broke eye contact with Lea to answer "Most of the people are hiding inside from the Heartless, while Leon is helping shelter some over in Third District right now where our old base used to be. But that won't keep the Heartless fooled for long. So, we kinda need help clearing out Heartless from the town, if you guys are willing to lend a hand?" she finished just as Lea said something about 'Winning'.

"Of course we're willing, Yuffie." Kairi assured.

"Oh, by the way. We've asked all the folk about Rito, to see if anyone knows him..." she told the group.

The boy in question brightened up "And?..."

Unfortunately, Yuffie frowned "Sorry, no luck..."

Rito expression turned around to one of disappointment as he looked down to the ground. That feeling of something not being right about his World disappearing, was he wrong about it? Was it truly denial that kept him from moving on with the fact that his World, and all his friends; those that he forgot, were gone?

He shook his head, stuffing down those thoughts of doubt. "I have to look around myself at least once. I don't want to give up that easily."

Yuffie sighed with sympathy "Rito...Look, I get it but..." she trailed off, taking look of uncertainty. To her, It made some form of sense for Sora. He had lost his world recently at the time, so it was very possible for someone else to be out there. But for Rito, after more than two weeks of 'radio silence', let's say...

"The chances of you finding someone from your World are less than one percent at this point, that being very slim." Link spoke up from his dock all of a sudden, making Yuffie jump.

"Wha! Was was that?!"

"Oh, sorry about that. This is Link." Rito cleared up her surprise as he pointed to the eye hanging around his neck. "Sorry for not telling you about him, he's been kinda quiet ever since we got here."

"My apologies if I frightened you, User Yuffie." The program gave his apology. "I was processing newly acquired data, and I did not know how to interject myself into the conversation. So I assumed your uncertainty was a good jump-in point."

'Hey...he sounds like Tron.' Yuffie mentally noted before she smiled "Oh! So this is Link. Leon and I were told about him by Cid before we left." her smile became mischievous "Leon's gonna be thrown for a loop when he hears him talk."

Rito did not respond, going silent and staying that way for a few seconds before he put his open right hand out below him to gaze at and spoke again "But Link, it's not at zero percent, right? So even if there is just the smallest chance, I want to take it." His mood switched to one of resolve as he closed his hand into a fist "I have to after coming this far."

Lea grinned at Rito's determination "Well, that's that then."

Yuffie shook her head. Who was she to second guess how destiny works? Belief can be a very powerful thing. Aerith was able to meet with Cloud again, so who knows? "Ya know, you're right!"

Just then, Five Heartless appeared from bursts of darkness in front of the group. In a horizontal line was a Red Nocturne, a Blue Rhapsody, a Yellow Opera, a Green Requiem, and behind those four right in the middle, a Spring Metal.

"Well, one of these things is not like the others!" Lea commented as he got ready to fight along with the rest of the group.


Traverse Town - Second District

'Why?'

Yami sliced another Shadow, making it disappear, only for more to take it's place.

'Why?'

She sliced several more in quick succession with a several blades made of her hair, and several more showed up soon after.

'Why?!'

Yami used many ways to defeat the unknown adversaries as they kept piling up and increasing their numbers. It wasn't that her attacks had no effect, nor was it that they dwindled her down; they hadn't landed a single scratch in fact. But it was more so that for every one she defeats, either it comes back or more take it's placement. She was getting nowhere with the mob that had formed.

Just then, as she was planning for her next course of action (Perhaps a tactical retreat?), the mob exploded in a green fiery demise. Yami put her right arm-blade over herself against the heat and embers.

"Huh?" she quietly let out. Yami could tell this was no ordinary fire. Through the fire she can see the silhouettes of a humanoid robed woman with horns and a large portly cat. Eventually, the fire died down, and in it's place was a horned woman in black robes with a staff, and a strange large cat. Who could have guessed?

"Good evening to you, my dear." the woman sent Yami a greeting, complete with a halfway bow.

Yami was not having it, she kept her guard up "Who are you?" she asked, not relenting from her stance.

The woman smiled "Why, I am Maleficent." she gestured to the cat "He goes by the name Pete." her voice became a little less than enthused as she introduced her lackey. "But that is of no concern. Now you must reciprocate the introductions, who are you?"

The off-season assassin was no fool, she could plainly see and feel that this woman was not as pleasant of a person as she is making herself out to be. Yet, she was able to defeat those creatures all at once without them returning or gathering back-up. She definitely knew something about them, otherwise, why be so calm about their destruction unless it was certain in some form? Maybe she can use deception to her advantage here...play along for now to gain information...

"I am called Yami-chan." she used the name she was given and fond of on Earth as she changed herself back to normal. There seemed to be little to no reason to use her old assassin name 'Golden Darkness'.

"Hmm...Yami-chawn?"

Yami lightly quivered. "You may just call me Yami." Something about the way Maleficent pronounced the honorific was not only incorrect, but disgustingly creepy...bleh...

"Why did you aid me? Do you need something of me?." she asked, moving to another topic. Yami very much doubted she did this out of kindness.

"Pardon my intrusion, but I was viewing your battle against the Heartless and noticed your particular...qualities. Have you lost your World to them as well?"

'So this is another World then. But...'

"The Heartless?" Yami questioned the name "Is that what those creatures are called?"

"Oh. You don't know? They are beings of Darkness that are currently running rampant throughout the Realm of Light. Consuming the hearts of many people and many Worlds." Maleficent explained while feeling a twisted sense of nostalgia.

Yami kept her unreadable poker face up on the outside, but inside, she was going over what she had been told. The 'Realm of Light' is something she decided to figure out about later. The Heartless, on the other hand, sound like a real threat. She assumed this 'Maleficent' meant the meta-physical heart, when she spoke of their ability to 'consume hearts'. If they've been running amok as she says, that would explain the disappearance of stars; the Hearts of Worlds, lately...

Pete butted in "That's right! They're the darkness that are made outta folks hearts. Creepy crawlies that can't be beaten for reals by almost anything."

"Is that so?" Yami paused for a bit. In that case, she should go look for her allies, they may be in trouble elsewhere. "How did you defeat those Heartless so quickly?"

Maleficent sported a proud of herself smirk "I, my dear, am capable of powerful magic that is able to dispose of the Heartless quite efficiently..."

'Magic? As in...true mystical arts?' The blonde wondered in her head. Now that she is mulling over the idea, this woman does look like a witch from some fairy-tale...

The 'Witch' continued "But alas, even that is only a temporary relief. They may return shortly soon." she paused for a moment before continuing "However, there is one other way to truly dispose of them."

Yami's crimson eyes narrowed as Maleficent began to tell her a tale of sorts "Imagine with me, child. A legendary...box, that contains the power to conjure anything from what lies within, surely such a power can be used to defeat the Heartless..." another pause before she continued "Perhaps, that power can even be used in other manners...such as ruling Worlds."

Yami caught on. That is certainly a 'red flag'...

"Now, if you wish to know more, aid us in finding this box." That didn't sound like a request...more like an order.

"And why would I join someone dripping with malevolence as you?" she questioned the obviously ill-intended witch coldly. Yami knew she was no saint herself, not with the kind of life she has led. But Multi-World domination was something this 'Maleficent' was very much intending, and it was something she herself was not interested in. In fact, she should be getting back to her own mission. Letting them off with a warning should be enough for aiding her...

'As I believed, this girl is indeed too perceptive.' Maleficent thought 'That won't be an issue...'

"My dear. It's not a matter of why, but of will."

The Dark Fairy started to gently glide the fingers of her right hand over the orb of her staff; which began to glow a sickly green.

"For in your heart, I can feel there is a darkness just waiting to be awakened..."

Suddenly; before she could retaliate, Yami started feeling VERY sick as her body started to glow the same green as the orb and as of now, Maleficent.

Pete darkly chuckled, knowing what Maleficent was up to 'Ho-ho! This is gonna be great!'

"What do...you...mean...?" she let out between breaths as her senses became disoriented and her body felt very weak and heavy.

'What is this...sensation...?'

Maleficent started to approach the girl "You shall see very soon, for I hold power over sleep. And I can awaken what is inside you..." her smile turned devilish "Then you will be free, child. Free to be who...or what...you truly are."


Troubling World - Sanian (The Past)

"That's right, Golden Darkness. You are aware that you are something that doesn't belong here. You understand that you will eventually leave this place, without anyone having to tell you. Because you realize it unconsciously, your true self; which sleeps deep in your heart. Your true nature as a weapon, which can never love a person...

Darkness."


Traverse Town - Second District

Pete's ears perked up, hearing a voice from very far away, slowly coming closer. But from where?

"Uh, Maleficent?" he tried getting her attention, only to earn her irritation.

"Be silent, fool. I must concentrate." She dismissed Pete quietly, but harshly.

"ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh-"

Pete looked behind and above himself, finding where the voice was coming from, the sky. He could see a...something, but he wasn't sure what it was...

"Hmmm?" he squinted his eyes to try and make it out as it came closer and closer.

"AHHHHHHHHHHH!"

It was a boy...falling from the sky?!

"Uh, Maleficent?! We might wanna-!"

"I ordered you to be silent!" spat Maleficent as she was peering into the darkness of Yami's heart with her magic. How strange...something here felt very similar to that 'Date-Escape'...what an unusual darkness indeed. She was right to look into this...

"Please! Get out of the way!"

'That voice...' it may have seemed far due to her disoriented senses, but it sounded very familiar to Yami. It was a voice she hadn't heard in weeks.

That voice...

"Yuuki...Rito..."

Maleficent's brows furrowed and twitched after Yami got out the name.

"Maleficent, look out!"

CRASH!

Someone had crashed right into the ground in front of Maleficent and Pete, onto Yami, so loudly and so hard, it made a very large dust cloud! Maleficent used her arm to throw her cloak over herself and coughed along with Pete as the dust spread around.

"*Cough!* Who goes there! *Cough!*" she demanded to know as she tried to make out who would dare interrupt her process of obtaining a new servant as the dust started to settle down and disperse.

"*Cough!* I tried to tells ya! *Achoo!*" her current lackey hacked out as he sneezed.

"Owwww..." a boys voice sounded as soon as he pulled his face out of where it was "That Heartless sent me flying...*Cough* Where am I?"

The dust settled and cleared, letting Maleficent and Pete view their saboteur, who just so happened to be...Rito?

Maleficent narrowed her eyes and frowned "You!?" she growled.

Pete shared her feeling of annoyance "That new pipsqueak from before!?"

Rito stopped looking around himself and noticed the two. "Oh, it was only you guys here?" He started to rub the back of his neck with his right hand "I'm glad you're not hurt, but I could have sworn I saw three people..." he stopped rubbing his neck and put his hand down not on the floor...

But on something soft...and squishy.

"Hmm?" the boy became confused when his hand didn't feel floor. "Wait..." he squeezed a bit more "Why does this feel...familiar?" he looked down to what he was feeling...

And froze.

Yami was underneath Rito on the floor, laid out and positioned in a manner that gave him a view of her white underwear while Rito's hand had been feeling and squeezing the girl's left bosom, without her consent. As for Yami herself...

If looks could kill...

"Even after all this time...your still skillful at falling...Yuuki Rito..."

He would have died ten times over.

Rito's face became blue from abstract horror, and he let go of her breast ASAP!

"YAMI!"

He started to crawl back away in terror "I-I'm S-S-Sorry...I-I didn't m-mean t-t-to..." the boy didn't even notice him calling her name, or her saying his, for every inch of his body was cold-sweating and shaking in fright. All of his instincts were absolutely screaming at him, sending danger signals, telling him to RUN!

But he was too scared to stand!

Maleficent and Pete were watching this unfold as Yami slowly stood up. They noticed the air all around get REALLY cold and the Mistress of Evil darkly smiled 'I think we're about to witness a murder.'

'Sayonaries, Pipsqueak.' Pete's thoughts were a bit more sympathetic. He didn't imagine the kid would meet his end like this...

The girl slowly walked to his location, and stood over him as Rito's body became paralyzed with fear. Several locks of her golden hair slowly rose into the air and suddenly transformed into large blades and knives, terrifying Rito even further.

"Wa-Wa-Wai-" he stammered.

"I...hate perverts!"

The blades lunged!

Then, out of absolute panic, he closed his eyes and shouted-

"STOOOOP!"

All of a sudden, from Yami's perspective...

He was gone...without a trace...


Get it? Remind Eve?

I'm aware that "Darkness" does not equal the darkness of Yami's heart exactly. Considering them one and the same would be foolish.

That'll be explained way down the line, but it probably was a blessing in disguise for Maleficent that Rito interrupted her.

You get two guesses where Rito's face landed...

And yes, he did exactly what you believe he did at the end.

See ya after Remind!