Hoo boy, this chapter came out of nowhere! I was working on another KH fanfic, and then all of a sudden, I was working on another chapter for this one! It just completely came out of the blue! I hope you guys like it, because honestly, the lack of reviews for the last chapter got me a little down...I really liked the last chapter...but apparently, you guys didn't...oh well! I guess this one will just have to impress you guys more! Though I still say the last one was better.
Btw, I couldn't figure out how to double space between paragraphs, so from now on,
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That will mean a break between paragraphs, capichee?
*Disclaimer
Me no own nothin', cept my wunnerful OCs! And the plot o' course!
Forgive Me Father, For I have Sinned
A barren landscape, desolate, devoid of life, war torn and battle scarred, and marked with deep furloughs and permanent bloodstains that were an everlasting testimony to the countless number of lives lost here.
A lone castle stood against the landscape, decaying and decrepit, with starving, pitiful people cowering at its gates, calling for salvation to whomever dwelled within its walls.
All around, wolves roamed, howling and growling, encircling the impoverished civilians, while fierce soldiers marched back and forth. The soldiers were in horrible condition, weak, starving, injured, but still marching.
In the distance, fierce, horrifying creatures could be heard, screeching and yowling, and sending the civilians into a panic. A loud, commanding voice rang out, and a figure appeared on one of the castle walls. The man was imposing, swathed in a black cloak, with only the wisps of a silvery, scraggly beard poking out. He called out words of command and encouragement to the disparaged people, but was largely ignored as the horrible screeching increased.
Suddenly, scores of terrifying creatures, some hybrid between a dragon and a jungle cat, rose from the ground, surrounded by fierce warriors, shrouded in shadows. This army charged at the pitiful people around the castle gates, barely deterred by the desperate soldiers trying to stop them. The wolves, too, tried to halt the attack, but were ripped to shreds at the claws of the horrific dragon cats. As the charge hit the castle gates, the leader fell from the ramparts, inwards, into the courtyard. In his place stood a teenage girl, with wild, curly black hair, and desperate, golden eyes.
Sora found himself beside her, watching the terrible battle below with wide blue eyes.
"What's happening?" he whispered, turning to Fawn. Fawn looked at the brunette sadly. "My world is dying Sora, the Night Order is winning. Soon, all my people will be dead....," the girl trailed off sadly, squeezing her eyes shut as the anguished screams of the soldiers and civilians below rent the air.
Sora was shaking, never before, in his long, battle-scarred career, had he heard such pain, such suffering, such death.
"Why....why is this happening? Why are all those people dying?" demanded Sora, barely able to keep the sob out of his voice. Fawn opened her eyes and looked to the brunette once more.
"They want the heart of our world, to harness it for darkness! The Moon Warriors, my people, we're trying to stop them but....more and more people are crossing over to the Night Order...and now..." Fawn fell silent as she looked down at the massacre below. Sora shivered and closed his eyes tightly, feeling like he was about to throw up. "Why....why are you showing me this? What do you want me to do? How am I supposed to fight...." the brunette trailed off as the memory of a fierce Dragon cat tearing apart a man and his young children crept into his mind. Sora took in a hitched breath, shaking visibly; his eyes still clenched shut, the tears snaking out from under his eyelids. Fawn mirrored Sora, breathing through barely suppressed sobs and shaking, though her eyes were open, as tears ran down her cheeks.
"Sora, the Moon Warriors need to find the heart of this world before the Night Order does. Then, we can bring light to Del Perso, instead of darkness," whispered Fawn. "What does that have to do with me?" asked Sora, his eyes still tightly shut. Fawn grabbed the Keybearer's hand, causing him to open his eyes in surprise. "Sora," said Fawn seriously, "You're the Keybearer, you're job is to lock and unlock things. I also know that you usually have a sixth sense about when you're near the heart of a world...you could find ours, and set the light free! You could save Del Perso...please," Fawn's voice broke into a sob as she said the last word, staring into Sora's eyes pleadingly. The brunette's heart twisted uncomfortably and he felt himself nodding. Fawn smiled, and then frowned. "But beware Sora, the Night Order are coming for you too. They want to use you for evil. Especially watch for my brother, Myris. He may try to trick you, but he only wants to do you harm...like he's done me..." she whispered, lowering her gaze. Sora's eyes widened in alarm. "What do you mean? What's he done to you? Fawn!" The brunette began to panic as the world around him began to fade into mist, Fawn included. "Fawn! Wait, stop!" he cried frantically. Fawn stared sadly after him. "You can't save me Sora; all you can do is save my world," she whispered as she faded into darkness. "Please, Sora! Save Mundo Del Perso! You're our only hope!"
Sora searched anxiously Fawn, as she had completely disappeared into the mist.
"I promise Fawn!" he cried out, as he fell back into darkness, "I promise!"
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Sora's eyes snapped open and he sat upright with a gasp. The brunette was in his bed, in his room at home on Destiny Islands, sweat soaking his shirt and his whole body shaking. Sora took in a hitched breath and wiped his hand across his face, feeling tears stinging the corners of his eyes.
Sh-shit...he thought, shaking even inside his mind. What...what was that?
What was what?
Sora jumped and let out a little shriek as Roxas interrupted his private thoughts.
Whoops. Forgot you had the memory of a goldfish with Alzheimer's. Let me start again. Hello. I am Roxas. Your Nobody, who shares your head. Sometimes I talk to you, usually when you don't expect me too.
I know who you are!
Do you? 'Cause sometimes I have to-
Shut up! I'm not in the mood for you right now.
Ouch. What's eating you?
I don't want to talk about it right now. Just leave me alone would you? And could you leave or something? I have to think about stuff, and I'd rather you not be breathing down my neck.
There was silence in the Keybearer's mind.
Okay. Said Roxas, his voice sounding small and somewhat hurt. The blonde's presence vanished quickly from Sora's mind, leaving behind an eerie silence that the brunette wasn't used to. Sora winced, sensing that he'd hurt his Nobody's feelings, but pushing the thought aside; he had way too much on his mind already.
Sora shivered as he remembered the vivid dream he had had.
Was it a dream? He wondered in his mind. It...It was so real...I could smell the blood....
Sora trailed off, closing his eyes tightly and suppressing a whimper as the details of the dream came back to him. All the screams, all the death...
"Sora! Sora honey! Are you up? Breakfast's ready!" The cheerful voice of Mari Mey broke through Sora's sombre thoughts, jerking the teenager back to reality. Sora shook his head to clear it, and slid off his bed, pulling on the gloves that sat on his bedside table.
"Coming Mom! Let me just get dressed!" he called, poking his head around his bedroom door. Sighing, Sora shut the door and turned around to face his room.
There wasn't much to it. A bed, a dresser, a bedside table with a lamp, and a window beside the bed. The bed was in shambles, the dresser had clothes hanging out of each and every door, and the bedside table was a collection of half-started drawings and frustrated scrawls. Sora smiled as he looked at them. It had been a surprise when he'd found himself taking a liking to drawing, thinking that was more of Namine's thing, and Kairi's as a result. But the brunette loved drawing, especially when he was frustrated about something. He didn't think he was any good, but Roxas thought he was great. The Nobody was the only one who knew about Sora's drawing, as the teenager was a little bit embarrassed about it. Right now, the drawings on the bedside table were all half finished sketches of Fawn. Some of them consisting only of her wild curls, others centering on her golden eyes, and a few portraits, all rough and unfinished. Sora had drawn most of them last night, after his encounter with the girl that day. That had been strange enough, and then to have that dream....
Sora once again shook his head to clear it and set about choosing an outfit for the day. The brunette sighed as he looked at a drawer bursting with dress shirts and ties, a forewarning of the school days looming on the horizon. Another drawer contained a couple of t-shirts and shorts, while another drawer held two pairs of jeans, but Sora didn't feel like any of those today.
The Keybearer fell to his knees and reached under his bed, pulling out his black, blue and red ensemble; his battle clothes. Sora smiled as he laid them out on his bed, a thousand memories coming to surface along with the outfit. With a sigh, knowing World War III was going to break out as soon as he left his room; the teenager took off his pyjamas and slipped into the battle clothes.
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Mrs. Mey was humming softly as piled pancakes onto Sora's plate, pushing about ten of them into an unorthodox heap. She put the pan in the sink, and then proceeded to drench the pancakes in syrup and whipped cream. Mr. Mey, sitting on the other side of the table, looked at the mound in disgust. "Mari," he began sternly, "I don't think Sora needs-,"
Just then, the teenager in question strolled jovially into the kitchen.
Mr. Mey shut his mouth firmly, turning to glare at his son. Mari gasped and dropped the two bottles she was holding. "Good morning!" said Sora, happily, but nervously. He turned to the heap of pancakes sitting on the table. "I hope those aren't all for me," he said with a chuckle, but meaning every word he said. Since his travels, Sora had become more health conscious and aware of what he ate. He couldn't afford to get fat; what if he needed to fight again?
Mari ignored his comment and stared with obvious annoyance at her son's attire.
"Sora," she said seriously, "What are you wearing?"
Sora sighed, having anticipated this argument the moment he had pulled the outfit from under its hiding place under his bed.
"Mom, you know this is my favourite outfit, and I don't wear it that much anymore! It's kind of like my lucky charm...I dunno, I just really felt the need to wear it today," said the teenager, glancing at the door that led to the outside world. It was true, he felt uneasy about something. Maybe it was just yesterday's events, or the dream he had had, but something was making him feel insecure and antsy, and these battle clothes were the closest thing to reassurance he had.
Mari frowned. "I don't get why you like it so much; black isn't your colour. You never liked black. I don't even know where you got that thing.....neither do you, for that matter," she said, casting her eyes downward.
There was silence in the kitchen.
Sora looked down at his shoes, not knowing what to say. It's not like he could tell them that his clothes were magic, made by three fairies at the request of a powerful wizard.
Sora sighed. "Look Mom, breakfast looks...uh...delicious, but I'm not hungry. Maybe I'll have some later. I'm going to run over to Ri-,"
"You'll do no such thing!" bellowed Yamato Mey, standing up and banging his fists on the table in rage. Mari leapt back with a frightened squeak, but Sora just stared at his Father evenly, his blue eyes narrowed. "Why not? I'm going to school next week, I want to enjoy the free time I have left," said Sora calmly, never breaking his Father's gaze. Yamato seemed taken aback by Sora's boldness, and his calmness. His voice rang with authority, power and fearlessness...Mr. Mey still couldn't get used to this, this Sora who stood up to him without whinging like a child and throwing out petty insults. This Sora who faced him like a man. He didn't know where he'd come from.
Frankly, he scared the crap out of him.
"Why not!" shouted Yamato, "Because I said so! I'm your father! And you spend way to much time with that Riku boy anyways! His family's got enough problems to do with without you breathing down their necks! And I don't want to see you running off with Kairi either! I don't know what you've spent the last two years doing, but now, you're going to buckle down and start taking some responsibility! You can't spend your entire life flitting about like a child!"
Sora's eyes narrowed, and his hands clenched into fists. "Dad," he said softly, "I can guarantee that I know more about responsibility than you ever will. I know the responsibility of having the fate of millions, billions, trillions, resting on your shoulders. I know what it's like to have the fate of those you hold most dear in your hands. I know more responsibility than I hope either of you have to deal with. So don't patronize me, I deserve some off time. And what's with you suddenly talking to me? Weren't you shunning me or something?" Sora's voice curled into a snarl as he glared at his stunned parents.
Mari stared at her son in shock. Who was he? Who was this mature stranger, and what had he done with her little boy?
Yamato stared at Sora in a stunned silence, his blue eyes, almost as vibrant as his son's, wide and enraged. "Wh-why, y-you!" began Yamato, shaking with rage.
"Stop!" cried Mari, surprising both her son and her husband. "Just stop! Stop yelling! You guys are father and son! Act like it! Sora, you are not going to Riku's or Kairi's. You know why? Because you're going into town with your father! We need groceries, and the two of you are going to go and get them, together. And you better get along and are speaking to each other –not yelling- when you come back. Or so help me God I'm kicking the both of you out!" screeched the normally docile woman.
Sora and Yamato stared at Mrs. Mey in shock, and then turned to look at each other grudgingly.
"Out!" cried Mari, grabbing the still warm frying pan from the stove and brandishing it threateningly.
She didn't have to tell the guys twice.
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Yamato walked down the street sullenly, holding the shopping list that had been thrown at him attached to a very pointy fork. The list said: milk, soap (Dove), apples, oranges, celery, green peppers, whole wheat bread (for Sora), pancake mix, eggs, cheese, yogurt
Yamato snorted and tucked the list into his pocket. Sora looked up at the noise, but then quickly returned his gaze to his feet. Yamato glared at his son, unable to read his thoughts, his face obscured by the crazy mane of brown hair.
I've told him at least twenty times to cut it, he thought irritably, but does he ever listen? Does he listen to anything I say? I'm his Father! I know what's best for him! Even if he doesn't think so...
Yamato turned his head away from his son, hiding the utter frustration in his eyes.
I wish I knew why he was so different though....I don't buy the bullcrap about him and the other two forgetting everything; neither does anyone else on the island. What do they take us for? ....I wish he would just tell me what happened. Does he not trust me or something? I'm his Father...if something happened; he should be able to tell me...
Sora walked beside his father, oblivious to the turbulent thoughts plaguing the man's mind. He had enough to think about himself.
Jeez, this is the last thing I need! Why does he have to be so difficult...he still sees me as an insolent child...I'm not. I wish I could tell them....oh well. I've got enough stuff to worry about. Like that dream. Was it real? Did that....did all those people really....I don't even want to think about it. If it was real, than I have to do something...ugh! I hate this! See, this is what I meant...Dad doesn't have any idea about the weight I have to carry as the Keyblade Master. Hm, on another note, can I really trust Fawn? She was acting really weird when I met her yesterday...and those wolves....in the dream, they seemed to be fighting on her side...does that mean the wolves that attacked us were hers? Speaking of the attack, what was with that Firaga I did? Without the Keyblade! Ugh...as if I didn't have enough on my mind...and Roxas hasn't come back yet. I kind of miss him; he'd be able to cheer me up right now...I hope I didn't upset him too much....
Sora's thoughts trailed off, and as they did, an unpleasant tingling sensation filled his body.
Sora stopped walking.
No....the last time I felt this....
Yamato stopped walking as well and turned to face his son, confusion and irritation clear on his face. Sora didn't even acknowledge him; he was looking around frantically.
They were in a crowded marketplace, filled with stalls and people. The market was set up on a street, the main street that ran through the island. There was a never ending flow of people, as most of the people on the Islands had found that today was the perfect day to go shopping at the market.
"Sora?" said Yamato, annoyed at having had to actually talk to his son. Sora was standing completely still, shaking under the force of the unnerving tingling wracking his body.
Shit, he thought nervously, what's happening? What is this? What's going-
Sora's thoughts were interrupted, or rather, answered.
A dark foreboding mist covered the marketplace, less thick than the one that had covered the Play Island the previous day, but still dark enough to instil fear in the people gathered.
Sora's eyes narrowed, and he fought down the urge to summon the Keyblade, aware of all the people around and most importantly, aware of his Father.
In the middle of the crowd, a huge corridor of darkness began to formulate, sending people scurrying backwards, screaming in terror. All the mist flowed into the corridor, restoring visibility, but enlarging the portal. People backed away, retreating hastily from the huge aberration that had appeared in their peaceful home. The Island Police approached it warily, already making plans for a barricade.
Then, they appeared.
The first one was a girl, with pale blue hair that fell to her waist and frighteningly pale skin. She was dressed scantily, in only a black camisole bra and a flowing sapphire skirt. She grinned at them with wickedly pointed teeth, her pitch black eyes wide and sinister. She cracked the whip she held in her right hand, brandishing the claws on her left.
The next one was a boy, with curly, blood red hair that fell to his shoulders in cherub like ringlets. His eyes were also black, as were his teeth, which had two large fangs that fell down past his lower lip. He was as pale as the girl, and was dressed in tight leather pants and a tight leather vest.
The last one to appear was another boy, smaller, and frailer than the others. He had dark purple hair that spiked downwards, falling past his shoulders (1), and was as pale as his two companions. He had long, black nails like the girl, and sharp, black fangs, like the other boy. His eyes were hidden by his large bangs and he was dressed in black shorts and a black tank top that ended far above his midriff, fingerless black gloves on his hands.
There was silence.
The girl walked forward smiling eerily, her teeth glittering. "Hi!" she said cheerily, "I'm Nexa, and that's Froxe..." she pointed to the red head, "and he's Paxle." She pointed to the purple headed boy.
The people began whispering to each other. Who were they? How had they so mysteriously appeared? What was that black vortex? What was with their strange appearance?
Sora narrowed his eyes. Nexa? Froxe? Paxle? Were they Nobodies?
"What do you want? And where did you come from?" said the Police Chief, John Kent. Nexa giggled. "Ooh! You're being rude! Be careful or I'll have to get Paxle to teach you some manners!" she said with menace. The Police chief seemed taken aback. "Of course," continued the girl, "I could teach you myself, but I won't. You're not worth my time. In fact, you're not worth Paxle's time either! The only person who we're gonna tango with is...." The girl paused dramatically, and then winked at the crowd.
"The Keybearer."
Sora gasped and his eyes widened. He recalled Fawn's warning from his dream.
"...beware Sora, the Night Order are coming for you too. They want to use you for evil..."
Sora swallowed nervously. Where was Roxas? And for that matter, where were Riku and Kairi?
A ripple of confusion went through the assembled people. Keybearer? What was that?
Kent frowned and took a step towards the trio.
"I'm sorry, we don't know what you're talking about," he said. Nexa raised an eyebrow and looked at her companions. Paxle made no move, standing completely still, his eyes still hidden from view. Froxe shrugged and a grin spread across his face, revealing even more of his long canines. "I dunno Nexa. We know the Unlocker's here. Maybe they're just being stubborn; don't want to give up their precious little Keybearer. We should just tear 'em all up until we find the one holding a sword that looks like a key," he said, fingering one of his ridiculously long teeth. Nexa giggled. "I agree completely! I hate talking!" The blue haired girl snapped her fingers, and immediately, scruffy, dangerous looking men came pouring out of the portal, followed by about a score of huge, mutated cats.
The Island people screamed and began to run away, only the policemen holding their position.
Yamato swore under his breath and began to back up, stopping only when he saw that his son hadn't moved an inch.
"Sora!" he hissed, "Come on!"
Nexa smiled at the fleeing people and the stubborn policemen. She raised her hand, signalling the warriors behind her. "Atta-,"
"STOP!"
Everybody froze, turning simultaneously to face the spiky haired brunette who had cried out.
"Sora!" said Yamato in alarm. Nexa smiled as she heard this. "Sorrrra," she purred. "That's right. You're him right? The Unlocker? Lucky us! That wasn't hard at all! Come here pretty boy, before I sick my friends on all these looovvvvely people," she drawled, beckoning him with a single, long nail.
Stiff faced and ignoring all the people staring at him, Sora walked forward, pausing about two metres away from the three newcomers.
Froxe looked him up and down, his eyebrow raised. "Hmph. Not much are you? Well come on then, let's see it! The Keyblade! Prove you're him, or all these people are going to be little red smears on the pavement!" he snarled.
Sora's eyes narrowed and he raised his hand. In a brilliant flash of light, Oathkeeper appeared. There was a collective gasp from the onlookers, and Yamato looked like his eyes were about to bug out of their sockets. Nexa and Froxe stared at it with pure longing in their eyes, grins on both their faces. Paxle remained impassive.
"Good," purred Nexa. "Now that that's settled, why don't you come with us? Before we have to blow somebody up. That little girl over there looks nice. Don't you think she'd look good splattered all over the ground?" she said sinisterly, meaning every word he said.
Sora was practically shaking. Never had he felt such darkness coming from anyone. Not even Xehanort, nor Xemnas, had radiated such evil. He didn't want to go with them, every part of him was screaming at him, to not go with them....
Sora turned his head, looking around at all the people gathered, all looking frightened and confused. His gaze rested on his Father, who was looking at him with complete disbelief.
Sora sighed.
I'm sorry Kairi, Riku, Roxas, wherever you are, I'm sorry. I'm sorry Fawn, for playing right into their hands after you warned me...and I'm sorry Mom, and I'm so sorry Dad, that I didn't get a chance to explain...I'm so sorry.
The Keybearer took a deep breath, and began walking toward the dark triplets.
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Ooh! Epic cliff-hanger!
Okay, I've been majorly neglecting my other stories, so I'm going to work on them for awhile, unless, by some blessed miracle, people actually start reviewing this bloody thing. Seriously, reviews are like chicken soup for the author's soul! And I'm seriously deprived (sulks in corner). I won't withhold chapters, especially on a cliff-hanger like this, but I have other stories, and I won't update this one for awhile, especially with school coming up. So if you want to see what happens next, then click that bloody green button!
(1)If you've ever watched Yu-gi-oh, think of Bakura's hairdo, only dark purple.
xoxo, natcat5 ;p