Chapter 11: The Deviation
LolNote: So, again, it has taken me stupid long to upload this. But hey, it's here. And it's long. We're at a point in Crossblade where stuff needs to be explained, adn to do that, these chapters must be the opposite of fun-sized. I don't know if that means boring-sized... I hope it doesn't~. This part's a bit tricksy, but nothing's new. Sort of. I lied. Everything's pretty new. First of all we got YAOI in this chapter as well as ORGANIZATION XIII. I'll leave you to piece those two bolded phrases together. And that's the most misleading thing ever.
RoflNote 2: GUYS, MY BIRTHDAY IS TOMORROW! :D I will officially be an adult. WHOO~!
Disclaimer: I don't claim possession over characters originating from the franchises of Square Enix, Disney, Game Freak, and The Pokémon Company, Chun Soft, or Nintendo. They belong to their rightful owners. Few characters are original.
Thunder shook the skies relentlessly in the absence of rain. This was not the mainland. Three Pokémon had been transported to one of the larger chunks of suspended terrain floating amidst desecrated space...
The suspended land was fairly foggy. It was alarmingly lusher than what might have been anticipating, that being an environment torn apart at the very fibers. Albeit scarred with the marks of Heartless darkness, among other freaks of nature, the area, or at least what could have been seen with the naked eye, was far less ravaged than the mainland...
Riolu came to. His body twitched slightly, signifying his awakening. A second following this, his eyes opened half way. He felt the soft, damp soil under his fur. Inverting his body so that he is facing this soil, he pushed himself up with both arms, palms flat against the ground. He was in decent enough shape to do so. It was Grovyle and Sora he was far more concerned with. Quickly scrambling to his feet, he took point of the current situation. He failed to spot Grovyle anywhere, although he did see the unconscious Eevee and Shaymin laying nearby. Eevee was the first to be approached. Upon kneeling to the other's level, Riolu noticed very little damage done to the boy, aside from the gash in his side from the a Heartless a while ago. To his surprise, not a single mark related to the Crossblade's strike was seen. Whatever had happened on the mountain's summit, Eevee, and,for that matter, Shaymin were lucky enough to be unscathed. Even Riolu himself was not damaged any by this nova. That led him to believe Grovyle was well. Perhaps he was here, though it was far too misty to make out a very reliable distance. Raising his head and scanning ahead of him, the blue Pokémon did manage to make a discovery. A silhouette of something stood idly by not twenty feet from he and the other two. This shape could not possibly have been mistaken.
It was a reptile-like Pokémon. It had to be a grass-type. He was from the future... And it was not Grovyle.
Jovany faced Riolu, the deep scarlet glint in his eyes beaming clearly through the dense fog. Moments of hesitation and disbelief followed until Riolu finally reached forth and called out.
"Jo-Jovany!" He yelled. To his dismay, it appeared Jovany had not heard him. How? He was right there! Rather than approaching, the other Pokémon simply turned around and walked off into the murkiness of the fog. Riolu could not have helped but pursue his supposedly lost friend. "Jovany, wait! It's me! Riolu! I-I missed you! Where are you going...? I', here! Waaait!" Riolu broke into a swift jog, only to find that his partner had vanished, almost literally, into thick air. Riolu came to a halt, desperately taking in all directions, hoping to locate his friend. Hopelessness struck his mind when not a soul was sensed. He clenched his paws into fists, preparing himself to use his enhanced aura capabilities... However, even with the lack of this, he identified a threat looming nearby. Multiple threats, in fact. Shadows danced and swerved ever closer to him in the fog. The anger in his eyes deepened. These were the ones who stole Jovany away. It was crucial he annihilated every last one of them if it meant having his partner by his side once more. He would have traveled to the ends of the world for his friend. The literal threshold for just that had been blurred, as he was beyond the end of a fragment of his own world...
These foes must have been Heartless. They resembled those type of creatures closely. They were taller than Riolu by about a foot, possessed jagged feet and hands, as well as beak-like heads. They appeared to never stop swaying in a deadly dance fashion. The colors of their bodies were very much like the typical Heartless Riolu has seen thus far: pitch black with a few evident signs of blue or red veins. The dancing Heartless were about five strong, swaying all around Riolu and preventing any plans for escape.
The first offense came from behind. Aware of the sudden change in footsteps, Riolu lurched forward at the nearest dancer, catching it off guard with ease. He delivered an aura-charged uppercut to the Heartless, at the same time avoiding a threat from behind. Each of the dancers were on edge now, their yellow orb eyes wide and bodies poised for attack. Choreographed with precision, each of the dancers, including the recently attacked, hunched over as if about to jump. Each of them froze. Riolu clenched his teeth. He had to think quickly. Quickly scanning for any means of escape, he spotted a crimson glint. Jovany was watching. Riolu did not need to be smart any longer. A ferocious drive overwhelmed him. The radiating aura from his fists enshrouded his entire body, imitating that of a force-field. A fivefold assault followed. Riolu's will was unbent. His arms flailed out, the aura around him erupting into the air. The wave of blue unleashed enough energy to clear the surrounding fog temporarily. In all technicality, the Heartless became a part of this fog. They had been decimated by the rage-invoked attack. With his fists still tight, Riolu glanced forth, quickly making a hasty beeline for the gleam. No matter how many strides he took, it seemed to avoid him. Jovany was fading again. Riolu simply could not reach his partner. Yet, his devotion did not waver. Through the haze, the Pokémon advanced, determined to reunite with his close partner.
Despite the many attempts by the Heartless to block him from doing so. They were disposed of by a furious force... What Riolu failed to notice—and if he did he most likely would have shrugged it off—was that his own aura was darkening... Perhaps an optical illusion in the fog.
…
Nearer to the edge of the world fragment, two Pokémon lay. One was an Eevee, the other a Shaymin.
The first to awaken of the two was the Shaymin. Unusual for most Shaymin, he had obliviously slept through the a period of time in his sky forme. In fact, this was not only unusual. It was impossible. After hours, Shaymin could not possibly maintain their sky forme. Of course, this Shaymin did not know any better. The very first thing his slightly blurred vision saw was another Pokémon about five inches from his face. He appeared to be in a similar state. Clumsily, the Shaymin lifted himself up, though not quite standing. Or sitting for that matter. He felt weak. His muscles ached. His skull throbbed. But that was all. There was nothing else. He was blank from within. He was barren...
"Gnnh..." He groaned, making sure that he still possessed a voice. Reassured at that matter, he examined the Pokémon near him. He did not know what this creature was. He did not even know what a Pokémon was. In essence, he was bewildered at his own appearance, fascinated moreover by his long, cloudy ears. Feeling this abnormal weight on his head, he lowered himself to his belly, playing at his ears with a paw, basically trying to curl them closer to his own head. "What are these...? Are these my ears? I don't remember having these as ears..." He mused, examining his green-tipped paws next. "I don't remember these either... H-hey..." He shifted his attention to the Eevee nearby, nudging with his free paw at the somnolent Pokémon. "Do you remember these? ...Who are you? Are you asleep?" The Shaymin blinked. Perhaps he was asleep. If so, than it would have been considerate to not disturb the other. Why did he want to be considerate around this little creature?
Why was I sleeping so close to him?Did we get knocked out? Or... maybe... The clueless boy let his mind race through endless possibilities. I don't want to wake this person up. But why do I want to let it sleep? Do I want it to be rested up? That means I want to be nice to it... But... why? Is it my friend? We were sleeping together. Ohh... Is she my girlfriend? ...Is she a girl? Am I a boy? I sounded like a boy .I-I don't know... I can't remember anything. I think I should talk to her, who ever she is. Whoever I am.Again, the blank boy nudged at the Eevee, this time bringing his muzzle a bit closer to the other's ear. "Hey, uh... w-wake up? Please?" At that moment, Shaymin understood for a fact that he himself was a boy. He crossed that off of his mental "to remember" list.
Eevee felt a warm, soft breath against one of his long ears. His ears were not quite as long as Shaymin's, though they added a bit of weight to his already quite large head. He, too, ached all around. This was a sign of his coming consciousness. Unfortunately, he lacked consciousness of anything happening prior to this moment. All he knew was that someone was speaking to him, and that someone was very close. And their breath felt very comfortable. The memory-absent Pokémon scooted itself closer to this source, still blissfully unaware of anything. Shaymin found himself tilting his head in utter confusion at this display of affection. Maybe his second intuition was correct. Maybe this creature was his significant other. It was all he had at this time. He decided on an interesting gambit to waking this "significant other" up. In this state of mind, he gave the other a few gentle licks on the top of the head, breathing generously into the Eevee's fur as it had enjoyed.
The pain melted away. Eevee knew he was in the presence of someone who cared for him, based on the licks and warmth. He felt the "stranger's" feathery, furry paws brushing against his own. He revealed his eyes to the thick air, his focusing moving to the Shaymin so close to him. He spoke.
"Hello..." Eevee's voice finally sounded. It almost took Shaymin off guard.
"Hi there." Shaymin responded, his eyes now fixed on the other male's, a friendly smile across his face.
"I don't know who you are, but you're really nice. Do you know me?"
"We were asleep together. I think I know you. I don't remember anything though. Do you remember something? Anything at all?" Shaymin expressed a genuine look of concern and curiosity to his supposed mate.
"I don't remember anything either." Eevee, shook his head before burying it into the other's chest. "So you're like me?"
"I am." The white and green Pokémon nodded slightly, nuzzling at the other's head. "And you're like me... I don't see anyone else around. You're all I have, I think."
"Oh..." The Eevee's cheeks flushed red through his fur. "You're all I have too... At least we like each other. Right?"
"Yeah." Shaymin chuckled, smiling wide again. "I don't remember anything, but let's like each other. I like liking you." The Eevee in his embrace giggled rather femininely.
"I do too... I think you're funny." He lifted his head to meet his thought mate's eyes, ears brushing against the other's chest as he did so.
"I still don't know what you or I are... but I think you're cute." Shaymin flirted, followed by an innocent peck on the other's nose. Another sweet giggle was heard, and the kiss was returned to Shaymin's chin. For the next few moments in their ignorant bliss, the two cuddled close, blanketed under a veil of cool mist.
…
The Nobodies called it The Round Room.
It was a bare circle. There were thirteen white thrones in this colorless room. Each throne was raised at a different height. In this room with no entryway or exit, beings dressed in black sat. A select few of these beings wore the black coat. Another portion of these beings simply wore a black scarf with a peculiar white insignia on it. It appeared as a spearhead with a cut-off upside down heart.
At present, some of the chairs were empty, as other members of this special coalition were up in arms with what would be considered unusual business. Only one of the members dressed in the black cloak was hooded, and he happened to be sitting at the highest throne. There were two other human-shaped members aside from him, and a staggering six others of varied species. Although they were not often concerned with their direct species names. They were known as Pokémon. Plain and simple.
Each of these Pokémon wore the black scarf, with the exception of one. The five which did also shared something "rare" in common. They were considered "shiny" variations of their original species, which meant that their body colors were altered in distinct ways...
"Luxord." One of the manlike Nobodies spoke. He was quite tall, with silvery blue hair that fell quite a ways passed his shoulders. A notable feature between his eyes was an X-shaped scar. "It is time."
"Indeed!" The man called Luxord responded. He had the aura of a gambler. His bright blond hair was cut short, as was his goatee. There was a sophisticated air about him. "It is unmistakably the time for an otherwise enigmatic roll of the dice." With that remark, the cloaked man sank into a vortex of gloom which he had called forth. This left eight of the Nobodies.
"Now..." Came a voice which pierced nothingness. The source was the hooded entity. "You each understand your liabilities, correct?" The five Pokémon nodded in unison, each paying close attention to the man; their leader. "Good. Before you take your leave for your fitting stations, you will be instructed to perform necessary tasks in, and some outside the castle... Are there any questions?" Not to his surprise, the ominous leader took of these Pokémon eying each other carefully. One of them spoke up.
"If I may?" A scarfed Roserade started. All eyes shifted to him. "Have we received any word regarding that lizard and the pink time traveling bug?"
"Yeah, what about them?" A Pachirisu inquired. "Especially that Crossblade brat."
"Ah, yes..." The black phantasmal cloud of a Pokémon finally spoke. He seemed to be floating at all times. Around his neck was an red object shaped like a spike collar. Flowing from his head was a cloudy trail of white. "Grovyle, Celebi, and Cruce. You need not worry about them."
"The Crossblade Bearer will no longer pose a problem. Grovyle has been eliminated. Celebi has recently been captured. We will assume that much of her based on Luxord's stratagems." The cloaked man concurred with the shadow.
"Hmm..." Another Pokémon pondered. It was a Glaceon. "What of the 'other' Crossblade? That key, was it?"
"Hmhmhmhm..." The Superior chuckled... Seconds passed before his response.
…
"Yes. The Keyblade. If we look to Cruce's last movements... We can see that he is in the past. He and the wielder of the Keyblade have met. The Souls have been released by the Crossblade. Number XII. The Time Gears. Kingdom Hearts. All will be ours... And now there is little an obstacle in our path." He lifted his arms, as if praising a divine force. "There will be no Blade to hinder us. No longer will we be limited." Slowly, the Superior returned his arms to the rests at his sides, scanning each of the Pokémon Nobodies. "Go about your duties in the castle. Be thorough."
Without any further hesitation or questioning, each of the Nobodies vanished in a fashion much like Luxord's... This left three critical members of Organization XIII.
"Now, where has Number VIII run off to?" The Superior Nobody questioned, stroking his chin...
"...He is not to be trusted. I do not understand why we continue to foster his recklessness." The scarred Nobody replied.
"There is nothing he can do. It is interesting, to say the least, to see what dire situations he digs himself into... He will accost us at some point." The leader's averted his attention from the matter, changing the subject to something slightly less immediate. "Darkrai. Find Riku."
With the lack of a response, the phantom of a Pokémon known as Darkrai faded into the blank air...
…
Two Pokémon walked side by side at a fair pace through one of the many gray corridors of their castle between dimensions. Like their three allies, they were of the shiny variation. On the world of Pokémon, they were called a Kirlia and a Krokorok. As they approached their destination, a tormented Kirlia finally decided to ask his partner about something beyond bothersome.
"Does it bug you, Xorkorokk?" He asked, catching the larger Pokémon off guard. It's snout was now facing the Kirlia. Though he said nothing, his expression was the only question necessary. "We aim to bring great things to the Organization, so why have we no memory of past events?"
"Ixrilka." The deep-voiced Krokorokk began. "I believe you have answered your own question. We are loyal. We were born from deep darkness to serve Darkrai and the Superior."
"I have no complaints about my duties. I will gladly accept any mission to better the Organization. But my mind implores me to wonder... Was there something before this? Was I something before this? Something else? There is evidence that points to such a conclusion. Many of the others are human. They have memories, Xorkorokk. Memories. Something that we do not have." To this argument, Xorkorokk fell silent once again. It was a commonly occurring trait of his. Most of the words heard from his lips were heard by Ixrilka alone.
"...In such a case, we have more to pay attention to." He finally commented, just as the two had reached their destination. It was an enormous, suspended cage holding a great diversity of Pokémon. This was the "other side" of the prisoners from Treasure Town: those who had escaped the Heartless... however fell victim to the clutches of the Nobodies shortly after. A horrified look of anxiety filled each of their faces as the Nobody Pokémon came closer. One notable Pokémon inside the cage was Chillarmy. Sure enough, she was the objective.
"...So this is part of Xigbar's project, concerning an seashell-wielding otter? Odd. When will he be here?" Ixrilka wondered, half expecting an answer from the other. Chillarmy shuddered, her paws over her mouth. It appeared she knew who the otter was.
"Shortly, I believe. I've known him to be unique when it comes to missions, however."
"As if, 'Croc. 'Think I'd be late?" The man called Xigbar approached his fellow Nobodies, having followed them with the curiosity that they might mention his "project". "Alright, you two. Help me with bunny girl here."
"And you're positive this will even work?" Ixrilka commented, hands on his hips.
"Positive? You should see that Futachi guy. He's a time bomb on a wild goose chase. I know it'll work..."
It turned out Chillarmy's dreaded suspicious were true.
…
And it also turned out that the words spoken to Futachi were true. Chillarmy was, in fact, captured. At this unsettling time, there was no way he could have known for sure. Futachi took a step into the circular building that guild members and townsfolk alike have gathered within. These were the refugees of the incident which befell Treasure Town. His senses were greeted with an air of complete confusion. What happened? This simple question was on every Pokémon's mind. What was the reason for the blinding light on the Sky Peak? By that time, everyone was aware that Riolu, Grovyle, and Sora had ventured to the summit of the mountain to begin their journey, or at least investigate a possible way to get started on it. The concept of spacial flight in this case was far from myopic. Anything was possible.
Even a random supernova.
The only effect it had on the Central Refuge was distraught. Countless murmurs created a climactic anxiety. Even Futachi was worried. Wigglytuff made mention of the Crossblade to him. In his mind, Sora's Keyblade was the threat. He had never considered the Crossblade.
"Futachi?" The voice caused a Pokémon of solitude to face it's origin: Sunflora. "You were outside. Did you see anything that we maybe didn't?"
"I couldn't see anything after that flash." Chimecho, floating beside Sunflora, admitted. "I'm still seeing blotchy shapes all over."
"Mm." He responded curtly, huffing through his nose. "Futachi see flash on very top of mountain. Is all there was."
"Are you sure?" Sunflora had to get over her fear of asking this to Futachi. She thought it was an annoyance against his ears. Though he disproved that.
"Was a scream like Futachi never heard." This caused the two girls to gasp.
"A scream? Who did it sound like?" Chimecho inquired, floating forth about two inches.
"Mm. Futachi believe it come from the small one. Sora."
"Sora..." Chimecho spoke the boy's name, frowning. Sunflora's entire body perked up at the sight of Vulpix approaching the conversation.
"What happened to Sora?" She asked, overt in having overheard the subject.
"...Do not concern self with." Futachi dismissed the idea, walking off elsewhere and leaving the three girls.
"...He's not the social type, is he...?" Vulpix kept her voice, and, for that matter, tails down. She would have been better off with a little insight as to how Sora was doing. There might not have been a possible way for Futachi to know, but she had made the boy promise him something...
"I think he's just really upset because of Chillarmy. Seems like everyone lost a dear friend in that rampage..." Chimecho explained, Vulpix responding with a sigh through her nose. The three girls remained silent for a few seconds prior to overhearing a plan involving some of the guild members. With eyes locked on four Pokémon near the entrance, they listened.
"Absolutely not!" Chatot refused. Exactly what his refusal was aimed at was unknown. It soon became obvious. Before him stood Bidoof, Corphish, and Loudred. "How could any of you know what is happening up there? Maybe something terrible has happened to those three. We cannot afford to have it happen to you!"
"Hey, hey! They're our friends, Chatot! At least let us go outside and search around if we can't climb the mountain, hey!" Corphish argued.
"Yup yup! Maybe they're on their way back down." Bidoof added, nodding at his own statement.
"You GOTTA let us do SOMETHING." Loudred began, his voice booming over the murmurs. "We can't just SIT here."
"Pipe down, will you!" Chatot retorted, growing rather impatient. Despite that, he rolled his eyes. "I simply cannot let you wander out there into the hostility of the storm willy-nilly! ...Though, I'm plenty aware we're getting nowhere. I will-"
"CHATOT!" Guildmaster Wigglytuff hollered from behind his assistance, practically causing the bird to squawk and freeze in a laughable position, his wings spread all the way out. "I think we should go out and look for clues about that big boom! What say you three?"
"Yup! I agree whole-heartedly!"
"I feel the same, hey, hey!"
"YOU BET!"
"Great!" Wigglytuff cheered after each of the apprentices' agreements. Chatot spun around, squawking once more.
"G-Guildmaster! You think we should go outside?"
"Yep! Everything will be fine. I'll watch us! Lopunny said she will too." With this came a sigh from the assistant Pokémon.
"Oh, alright. Honestly, my poor heart cannot take it when you shout like that, Guildmaster." Guild members and guildmaster alike shared a laugh at this. It was absolutely true. On more than one occasion has Wigglytuff startled the words out of Chatot. And that was one of the more difficult things one could do around the guild.
"Sorry! Alright everyone!" Wigglytuff called out to the entire crowd that was inside the building. "We're going to check around outside! Feel free to join us if you don't mind the rain! Once we find everything to be in tip-top shape, we can start looking for friends! Now, let's go!"
Instinctively, members of the guild, and a few townsfolk for that matter, expressed a passionate cheer. Vulpix was surprised at this. Spirits remained high, even after such a startling coincidence. She detested water, but she felt in essential to join the Pokémon laboring away in the rain. Or whatever it was they were about to do. Wigglytuff was slightly ambiguous, not to mention hasty about the whole thing...
...Meanwhile, outside, many of the Shaymin villagers are focused solely on the affairs of the Central Refugees. When things began to shape up was when they would decide to rebuild, other offering to assist their work. Pokémon eagerly poured from the building, high-spirited with the hopes of locating more and more fellow explorers in the vastness of the chaotic world. As soon as the first steps were taken onto the soaking grass, shock and awe acted as the following experience.
Four figures in the center of the village stood close by. One of these figures—the smallest—possessed what appeared to be a black and white flickering, almost lightning-like leash around her neck. Everyone easily identified this, upon freezing in place, as Chillarmy. She was terrified, clearly trembling before the Pokémon she knew. Perhaps if the terms were not so awful, it would have been elating to see them. The figure standing behind her was a man dressed in the black coat. His hood was down, revealing his scarred face, not to mention an obvious eye-patch. His hair was sleek with lighter gray streaks, tied down into a fairly long, thin ponytail. The two by his side were Pokémon. Each of them were classified as "shiny", with a black scarf bearing a certain symbol on it. One was a Kirlia, the other a Krokorok, though Krokorok was not very well known to many of these Pokémon.
"Well, well, whadd'ya know? Good old Demyx was right. There is a Resistance growing here." The sleek-haired man started.
"Who are you...?" Wigglytuff, leading the group of Pokémon, questioned. "And why do you have our friend Chillarmy? That's not a good thing!"
"Clever egg. I tell you, you Pokémon really do come in all shapes and sizes and the like." The man known as Xigbar commented, arms crossed and attempting to look over the crowd for a particular otter.
"The scents here are diverse." Ixrilka, the Kirlia, made note of. "Identifying them will be no simple task."
"This world is considerably large." Started the Krokorok, dubbed Xorkorokk. "The others who have visited thus far are prone to experience trouble It is fortunate Demyx's run-in with the suspicious red fox whom Darkrai discovered led us here." He spoke rather silently, the other Pokémon unable to hear his mentioning of Darkrai.
"FODDER!" A voice roared from the crowd. Futachi, having spotted his dear friend, shoved his way to the front of the gathering. He stood beside Wigglytuff, pointing directly to Xigbar's face, both shells already held tightly. "You release Chillarmy now. Futachi care not what happen to Sora or Crossblade holder. You hurt her, you die."
"Seashells! Good to see you, buddy!" Xigbar mocked, hunching over a tad and waving over his head to the water-type.
"This is the one?" Asked Ixrilka. A subtle thumbs-up from Xigbar's free hand approved that.
"Futachi!" Chillarmy hollered. "B-be careful! Um, they're very strong! P-please just do what they ask!"
The mere voice of such a dear friend calmed the fierce Pokémon. All eyes were on him... The moment was tense.
"What do you want?" Futachi asked, though it would have been more accurate to say he was demanding an answer.
"Not much. But I hear you know about Sora and Cruce, otherwise known as the Bratty Blade Brigade. Say that five times fast." Xigbar scoffed, failing to hear anyone attempt this. He happened to turn his head toward the Shadow Summit. Or, at least, what was supposed to be Shadow Summit. The area was completely engulfed in a thick black fog. It almost seemed like smoke, a frequent flickering of starry lights within it. "Check that out." He pointed to the scene. "You see? I know where the kids are. Or were. Looks like they had a little skirmish. That. Is what. They do. They will keep fighting like this. They will destroy everything." Xigbar let this sink in. Suspicions regarding Sora and Cruce were always present. Now, however, things were beginning to seem far more malevolent about the two than first thought.
"You say was caused by Sora and Cruce? Two blades?" Futachi inquired, his interest in the subject only present due to Chillarmy being at risk. "Is impossible, no?"
"As if. It's completely possible. Those two blades aren't even supposed to exist near each other. It screws everything up. They're opposites. Comprende? They can't be here together. It's why they fight."
"And how exactly do you know all of this, Mr. Human Man?" Wigglytuff voice a question, increasingly skeptical.
"Tch, we've dealt with both of those suckers. We've learned a lot about them in the past, or future, few months. Or years. Your call." Xigbar responded, seemingly calm at virtually handing out all of this information.
"Who is 'we'?" The guildmaster leaned forward, eying each of the mysterious figures.
"Organization XII." Futachi answered.
"Yahtzee. Seashells gets a B plus. Would have had an A if you put a little more effort into my mission for ya, but whatever, you know? Now maybe you've all heard a lot of stuff from 'other parties' about us, but that's all bologna. Lemme tell you, Organization XIII is a dark and spooky and gloomy group 'o classy individuals who really don't have a choice in the matter. We like to keep it that way to stay low. Whole lotta good that did us. Pbbth. We're looking to control time itself because, if we can, we can hold time, so that it's not destroyed by those two savages Sora and Cruce. I don't know about space and the other thing, but we're working on it. Lots and lots of little details. As for this cutesy little one..." Xigbar paused, grinning down at the chinchilla Pokémon before him. Her leash was held by Xorkorokk, even though the material of the leash did not at all seem solid.
"...What do you want?" Futachi repeated his earlier question, still mulling over the Keyblade and the Crossblade. His suspicions were correct. Sora was not to be trusted.
"See, sometimes we gotta play it rough. We did wind up taking Chillarmy because we knew there was a little invasion. We saved a bunch of Poképeople, y'hear? We're all humbly requesting their assistance in these crazy times. Seashells, Chilly here wants you with her. The three of us promise we'll explain more once we RTC, but for now... Tag along, Futachi. We need more peeps like you on our top force. And all your friends here can look for their chums! We'll even help out where we can! ...So what do ya say?" There was little hesitation. Perhaps it was partially due to Xigbar's sincere request. Even Chillarmy was mistaken by this. She assumed that Organization XIII was pure evil. Were they? They had to be. The way Ixrilka and Xorkorokk had presented this as "Xigbar's project" sounded far too insidious to be productive! But Futachi had already obliged.
"Fine. Futachi will go. Wish to be with Chillarmy..."
"Futachi?" Wigglytuff spoke. "Are you sure?"
"Yes." He nodded, not even facing his guildmaster. "Made promise. Always be there for Chillarmy. Times are... confusing. Maybe Time One, Grovyle, working for wrong cause. He tricked by Crossblade Boy..." …This answer set the minds of many in reverse. Who they believed was the enemy might very well have been the allies all along. The evidence was Sky Peak. Futachi was also correct. The time were confusing, and everything Xigbar explained made remote enough sense. There were missing details, like the attempt at kidnapping Vulpix and the strange creatures called Nobodies. In fact, one of these details was about to be unveiled by Vulpix herself. She worked her way through the crowd, wincing at the feeling of raindrops drenching her fur.
"Wait!" She demanded, standing beside Futachi. "Before you go, I have one question."
"Oh, she has a question!" Xigbar played at the girl's call. "Let's hear it."
"...Um..." She searched for the words within her mind. Giving it a few seconds of thought, she was ready to articulate her troubles. "Who is Kairi?"
…Xigbar stood up completely. He glanced at Ixrilka, then Xorkorokk, each of them returning the look. With a menacing smirk, the man faced Vulpix...
"She's a girl we're looking for. Believed to have some connection with Sora... I hear she can put a stop to this whole thing! Crazy, huh?"
The crowd behind her sounded with various gasps. They knew Sora had called Vulpix Kairi plenty of times. It allegedly sounded like an accident each time.
"It is rumored," Ixrilka began. "That she was much like Sora: a human before all of this with memories that are now absent from her mind. For the time being. But it is within her nature to keep Sora from contact with the Crossblade."
"...I think..." Vulpix started, her head low and her voice breaking. "I think I'll be coming with you... Futachi."
And again came the reactions of shock and awe.
"V-Vulpix!" Bidoof cried out.
"But, Vulpix! How can you be so sure? Maybe Sora was-"
"I just have the feeling." She interrupted Sunflora, raising her head to Xigbar. "I need to come with you. I'm Kairi."
"Coincidink." Xigbar remarked, grinning wide. "Demyx was right! Right then, gather 'round, kids. We're off."
...
They coalesced.
…
In blackness, they disappeared, leaving with a blank face off with their friends.
…
The rain fell... Neither thunder nor lightning were present...
The path of these Pokémon was set awry. All they could do was stare into the black mist of the Sky Peak. Grovyle was not in charge. Dialga or Palkia were not in charge. Team Crimsongleam was not at the head either. It was Organization XIII whom they were to follow...