So, you guys want LORE!

I won't go full info-dump as it's more fun to discover over time. However, as I was planning, you'll be getting quite a bit of lore. Wanting this story to span about a year means you'll see all the holidays of Twilight Town, as those are easy catalyst for chapters.

If you're interested, I'll make some sort of lore document and post it somewhere, maybe on the Kingdom Hearts fan fic wiki or something. Or on Deviantart or Tumblr.

Enjoy!

Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy © to Disney and Square Enix!

All OCs © to their respective creators!

Quistis, Reeve, Hope, and Sarafa © to Square Enix!

Oswald and Ortensia © to Disney!


Chapter 21: Change


"That's all? Your world is so small. It sounds cozy."

"It is." Akiko smiled over at Quistis. "I've heard of Radiant Garden from Sora and Riku. It sounds nice."

Hope glanced over at Oswald. "And your world seems to have the only monarchy in the group. Though from what you said, the king and queen are equal in power."

"Honestly," the rabbit laughed, "I love Mickey, but I fear Minnie more than him."

"You all speak so casually about your leaders." Sarafa noted. "It's a habit many of us in Traverse Town had to get used to."

"It doesn't help that lots of royalty from other worlds usually end up on our committee. Yourself included."

"True."

Jenna smirked. "Well, as Hope stated, there's only one monarchy represented here. The islands and our town are run by democratically elected mayors."

"And we're super casual with Risa since we all grew up with her." Miya leaned on the table. "If we ever called her 'Mrs. Uchida', she'd probably think we were going nuts."

Ortensia giggled. "I think that's nice. Being so close to your leader makes it easy to bring requests, but it seems there is still a modicum of respect, and it's casual without being TOO casual."

Reeve nodded. "Our world just changed its government. We were a monarchy until recently. The king stepped down after he'd been missing for a while. Instead, he set up a chamber that has the members elected by the people. He's still in the government too, as part of the chamber."

"Interesting."

Akiko looked down at her notes she'd been taking as the meeting… well, more like a get-to-know-you gathering this first time. "So, we probably should get some business done or our bosses might be a little miffed."

"Probably." Hope straightened his tie. "Why not talk about resources?" Scrooge's head perked up at those words. "Our worlds probably have some unique resources that will be good for trade."

Brielle cleared her throat, looking down at her papers. "O-our world has a very large wine industry."

"No need to be so nervous." Ortensia gave the woman a smile.

"Sorry… I just. I'm nervous. I haven't had a job like this before."

"But you're the hardest working person in town and we all know it, that's why we picked you." Jenna stated.

Scrooge nodded. "She's right, lass."

Brielle blushed slightly as Miyu spoke up. "I mean, we're an island, so we've got insane amounts of fish, and also a ton of coconuts."

"What's a coconut?" Sarafa asked.

"I will bring some next time."

"Sounds good."

Reeve muttered as he wrote. "Wine from Twilight Town. Fish and coconuts from Destiny Islands. We have tons of flowers, which can be used for teas and even for cooking."

"Also, we have been working on some technological advancements we can share. Ienzo has been working with Chip and Dale from your world." Quistis guestured to the delegates from Disney Town.

"Yep." The rabbit nodded. "We also have the gummi ships to do a lot of transporting. And not to mention all the other foods we have, as well as magical items. Most of the stuff we make is a combination of magic and science."

Hope nodded slowly. "We have a lot of textiles, jewelry, and other such things. Since we have people from many different worlds, they bring their own trades and craftsmanship with them, so our exports could be as diverse as our people."

Ven leaned forward. "We may not have much to trade, but we're here to help keep the peace. That's our job as Keyblade wielders anyway. Aqua said that we can act as a patrol for wielders. If there is a dire situation coming up, one of us three will go check it out. If we can handle it alone, we will, or if not we will gather the others and deal with it. And if anyone manifests the ability to wield a Keyblade, we can train them."

"We won't be using many of the resources offered, since we don't really have many of our own." Terra explained. "But we will do what we can to help maintain balance and safety."

"And we appreciate that greatly."

Scrooge leaned back in his chair. "While we're on the topic of money, I have a proposal. What if the first thing that money is put into isn't trade?"

"Who are you and what have you done with Scrooge McDuck!?"

"If you'll let me finish-" The duck huffed. "Sometimes you have to make long-term investments first. And I think a good allocation might be to education."

Jenna raised an eyebrow. "This wouldn't be connected to our situation back home, would it?"

"Perhaps."

"What situation?"

"It's nothing. We can han-"

"Oh no." Akiko cut in. "This is our whole job. If one world needs help, we help."

Murmurs of agreement crossed the table.

"Ok… fine." Jenna glared at Scrooge who smirked. He planned this. "We lost our school board and all the funding they gave, which allowed the school to have as many opportunities, staff, and resources as we could find."

"What happened?"

Brielle clenched her fists. "The old board was… problematic. They used their money to get what they wanted and to keep their children from being disciplined for their bad behavior. If their child got in trouble, the board would threaten to pull funds from the school."

"That's terrible!"

"Scumbags."

"Their children turned into horrible bullies. But the principal decided enough was enough and stood up to the board, refusing their demands. So they quit, and took all their funding with them."

"We have enough for this semester, but there will be cuts made for next semester."

"No there won't." Miyu looked over at Akiko. "I'm sure, until we as a group can make some sort of education fund or system across worlds, we could make a donation."

"Of course we can." The woman grinned at her friend.

Oswald nodded. "We can pitch in too."

Quistis glanced at Reeve. "I know we can as well."

"Easily."

"I think we'll all pitch in." Sarafa giggled as Hope nodded.

Terra reached into his pocket and took out some munny. "We don't have the same funds, but I'm sure every bit helps." He tossed it over to Brielle.

"And don't think McDuck Enterprises won't assist as well." Scrooge tipped his hat.

Jenna and Brielle glanced at each other, tears welling in their eyes. "Thank you…"

"That's literally what we're here for!"

"It was no trouble at all."


Knock. Knock.

"I've got it!" Roxas jogged to the front door, throwing it open. "Oh, hi Miss Jenna."

The delegate, a box in her arms, smiled down at him. "Hello. May I come in?"

"Sure."

She came in, pausing as Kosho walked up, sniffing her legs.

"Kosho. Come." The dog ran up to Isa as he and Axel came down the stairs. "Miss Jenna. What do we owe the pleasure?"

Setting down the box, she pushed a stray lock of hair from her face. "I brought something for you. And I wanted to be the first to inform you that Yunalesca, Lani, Dona, and Leblanc will not be returning to school."

"What!?"

"Their parents pulled them out for private tutoring instead."

"Why?" Timidly coming out of her room, Xion approached.

"The board quit because Principal Maddie refused to give in to their demands." Her eyes turned to the teenagers. "She was inspired by the courage of two new students…"

"Huh?"

"Us?"

Glancing at each other, Axel and Isa smiled.

"That's right. And don't worry about the school, we got some help. I don't know if you've heard yet, but there are six worlds creating a coalition together. Ours is one of them."

"Really!?"

The woman knelt down by the box. "Yes, I just got back from the meeting with my fellow deleaate, Miss Brielle. And some friends of yours wanted to pass some things along to you."

"Miss Brielle?" Roxas grinned.

"Yes, she is a very hard worker, and we know she will put her all into everything she does. So, we knew she'd do her best, and she'd be a kind woman, and people would love her."

"She's perfect for that job." Roxas couldn't keep a smile off his face. He, like everyone else, knew how hard she worked and this job was an awesome opportunity for her.

"Now, here are your presents." Opening the box, she pulled out a stuffed animal. Handmade. Not the prettiest thing, but Xion could tell it was a dog. "Terra wanted me to pass this along to you, Xion. Apparently, he made it himself."

"He did!?" The girl took the bear, hugging it close.

Jenna took out a nicely folded shirt. "Roxas, this is from a man named Miyu Irino."

Sora's dad!?

Roxas took it, unfolding it to see a shirt with a picture of the beach on it. The boy smiled. It reminded him of their promise in the past.

To go to the beach.

"Axel, Isa. This is from a woman named Quistis."

"Quistis? Man, I remember her. She was always a smarty-pants."

Jenna smirked, handing him a book. "She still is."

"Of course she'd give me a book…" He took it. "Hey, a notebook and sketchbook. This is great!"

Isa laughed. "She hasn't changed a bit. What did she get me?"

"A very large and detailed planner."

"Yes!"

Jenna smirked as she put away the box. "I wasn't sure what Radiant Garden was on the birth certificates of these two, but then I met Quistis and Reeve. "You're from there, right?"

"We are, these two kind of are, legally. It's a long story."

"I'm sure it is." The woman sighed. "Well, have a good day."

As she walked away, Axel glanced over at the others. "The worlds are changing."

"Yeah they are."

Xion hugged her bear before looking over at Roxas. "And the Lucky Ladies are gone from school!"

"Yes!"

Isa patted Xion's head. "School will probably be a lot better now."

"Yeah!"

It probably wouldn't be the last they saw of those girls, but at least they didn't have to see them every day.


"Is it bad that I want to say 'Ding-Dong the witch is GONE'!"

Cherri laughed. "No, we all feel that way."

Auston let out a chuckle as drama club practice ended.

The first practice without a scheming blonde in pink sitting in the back.

Ms. Jessie already recast her character, and everyone felt like a weight lifted off the school.

The change was instant.

"Well, see you guys later." Xion too looked lighter, not having that jerk glaring her down constantly.

"Auston," Cherri asked, "didn't you get two tickets to the new movie premiere this weekend?"

"Sure did."

"… Now's your chance, you know."

Auston watched as Xion jogged down the hall, immediately running to Roxas, who stood waiting for her. The boy's face lit up as she came closer.

"Nah… it's fine." He smiled, watching the two walk away together.


*coughs*

Well, I know that probably wasn't a TON of lore, but it sets the stage for me to build off of. And when I eventually write the stories about the Wayfinder Trio as well as Naminé and Riku I will flesh it out even more!

Yay!


VAs:

Quistis Trepe- Kristina Pesic (Quistis Trepe, Deirdre Lamb, Karen, Sandra, Sammie Harper)

Reeve Tuesti- Jon Root (Reeve Tuesti, Agent Ryan Whealon, Krill Pilot, Cole, Detective Roberts)

Oswald- Frank Welker (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Megatron, Fred Jones, Scooby-Doo)

Ortensia- Audrey Wasilewski (Ortensia, Tucker, Misty, Megan Olsen, Arlene, Terk, E.T.)

Hope Estheim- Vincent Martella (Hope Estheim, Phineas, Robin/Jason Todd, Bradley)

Sarafa- Kim Mai Guest (Alyssa Zaidelle, Mei Ling, Sabaru, Nina Einstein, Sayoko Shinozaki)