Chapter Eleven: Day 312: Empty Half.
It was hard to breathe with all this dust.
The air was filled with it, the wind blowing and picking up large clouds of the stuff, choking and blinding him.
Ven stumbled through it, coughing, one arm over his face to shield his eyes from the blowing dust filled wind while the other waved out in front of himself, trying to wave the dusty wind aside to no avail. Almost as soon as he had arrived on this world his whole being had been assaulted by this dust storm. He really wanted to leave.
But he couldn't.
He was here. Of that Ven was positive.
Ven had seen that masked teen from his room days ago in the darkness of the space between worlds. Ven had been shocked to see this as Master Eraqus had told them that one should never move through the dark space between worlds without some kind of protection. The masked youth had moved towards this world and Ven had followed.
And here the young teen stood, surrounded and blinded by this infuriating dust!
Ven swiped his arms out in frustration and-
The wind stopped howling. Ven froze, standing perfectly still as the dust fell and settled back on the ground, revealing he was in the middle of a vast empty wasteland surrounded on all sides by large pillars of earth erupting from the ground.
And standing directly across from Ven was the masked youth.
And as Ven looked at him, he once again felt that air of arrogance emit from the youth.
And Ven still couldn't shake the feeling that behind that strange mask the youth was smirking.
The youth and Ven held each other's gaze for a few moments, Ven tense and gritting his teeth, the youth calm and unreadable because of his mask.
It was the youth who spoke first this time.
"You look stronger."
Ven gasped, flinching back a little as he was caught off guard by the statement.
He quickly reposed himself and snapped, "What's that supposed to mean?"
The youth chuckled and merely replied simply, "You will learn soon enough." The youth shifted slightly and Ven flinched, gasping. The youth chuckled again, amused at Ven's jumpiness. The younger teen mentally bereted himself. Why was he so jumpy? What was it about this guy that filled him with this strange fear and anxiety?
The youth spoke again.
"It would seem Terra is losing more and more of his identity."
Ven flinched again from a combination of surprise, fear and anger.
Surprise because of this masked weirdo's random statements and unsettling aura of arrogance.
Fear from the comment about Terra losing his identity.
And anger at the feeling he just couldn't shake that with every flinch and gasp of surprise or other emotion this youth riled in him, the wider and bigger his hidden smirk grew.
Ven angrily swiped his arm out and shouted, "What are you talking about? Make sense!"
The youth laughed a little louder then he had before and crossed his arms over his chest, moving his masked face away from Ven though the young blonde suspected the youth hadn't taken his eyes off him.
"You will learn soon enough." The masked youth held his hand out, pointing at Ven.
"I wish to see if you've grown any stronger since the last time I saw you…"
The younger teen was growing more confused by the second.
Ven, "What? But why-"
Ven's eyes widened, his jaw dropping as his words died on his lips.
Purple flames gathered and burst from the outstretched hand of the masked youth, the flames smoking and writhing in his hand, lengthening out, stretching and shaping into something long and with a handle, no a hilt-
Ven's eyes grew even larger then they already were and his jaw snapped back up as he swallowed and gasped.
In the outstretched hand of the masked youth was a long weapon that seemed to be made from two gears fused together, small red bump like tips at the end of the top part of it, a blue eye in the center of the metal shaft that joined the two gears. The hilt had a circular guard with a handle in the center of it allowing the youth to grasp it easily. And from the end of the hilt guard dangled a chain with a broken gear charm.
Ven stared at the youth's weapon in shock.
There was no mistaking it, no way to come up some kind of excuse to explain the uncanny resemblance because even if Ven could think up one he knew in his heart what the masked stranger held in his hand.
A keyblade.
The youth raised his keyblade while pulling his arm back, elbow past his head and extending his other arm back. The masked keyblade wielders hidden eyes met and held Ven's wide blue orbs.
"Come on kid. Show me what you've got!"
With that, he charged at Ven, keyblade still raised as Ven swung his own hand out and called his keyblade in a flash and swirl of light, swinging it up in a reversed slash to-
Static interrupted, cutting off the battle but one could still see images of the two keyblades clashing. Even with the few viewable images, it was still clear who was the more skilled and the outcome was never in question-
Ven lay on his side on the ground, face scrunched up in a look of pain, his exposed arms cut and bruised, the white half of his jacket stained with dirt and blood.
The masked youth towered over Ven and with his calm cool posture, one wouldn't think he had even just been in such a fierce duel mere moments ago.
Ven's right hand reached for his keyblade not even half a foot away, hoping he might be able to still turn this around somehow-
Crunch!
Ven's scream of agony still couldn't drown out the sound of bones breaking as the masked keyblade holder stamped his booted foot down on the younger teen's hand, the edges of Ven's fingers poking out only centimeters away from his keyblade's hilt.
The masked youth glared at Ven behind his mask and snarled, "You're so pathetically weak. Hard to believe you're the key to his plan."
What, was all Ven could think of. What plan? No, whose plan? And what did this guy mean by the 'key'?
The youth pulled his keyblade back, the geared blade gleaming dangerously.
"No one with such little power deserves to live. The old man will just have to find another way."
Ven didn't even comprehend that last part, only staring up at his attackers keyblade with wide eyes.
The youth thrust his blade down, aiming right for the spot where Ven's throat connected to his torso while the young teen feebly tried to raise his arm to protect himself-
"No you don't!"
A flash of black and light blue with yellow spots intercepted the masked keyblade wielder's swing and sent him sliding back.
The masked youth growled like an animal denied its meal as his hidden eyes glared at the interloper. Ven lowered his hand in surprise, blinking in utter awe and wonder at the sight of his savor.
It was a short, anthromorphic mouse with a big head and ears, wearing white gloves and black shoes to go with his all black apparel. But Ven had hardly noticed that his savior was a four-foot tall mouse. What his eyes were drawn to was the weapon held in the mouse's large white-gloved hand.
The mouse held it reversed much like Ven did with his own weapon, but his was the strangest looking one out of al three of them. It was long but the blade bent slightly near the tip and Ven saw it was a pale blue, almost white in some spots and in others there were star insignias engraved, including one right at the bottom of the hilt guard, connecting the white wing like halves. The very end of the blade curved with several small blade like points. Inside the curved edge of the blade was a golden crescent moon and filling the void of the crescent was one last star.
And dangling from the star bottom of the hilt guard was yet another keychain, this one having another golden crescent moon as its charm.
Yet another keyblade holder, and without a doubt in Ven's mind this one and his keyblade looked the strangest yet.
The mouse glared at the masked keyblade holder with beady eyes before looking at Ven and the twirling his keyblade before he thrust the blue blade into the air. A split second later Ven was covered in a wave of healing green magic, his cuts and bruises fading instantly, fingers snapping back into place. The teen staggered to his feet, picking up his keyblade as he did.
Ven looked at the mouse and said, "Thanks…"
The mouse flashed Ven a kind smile that contrasted with his earlier glare towards the masked youth. "No problem," replied the mouse. The keyblade toting mouse turned back towards the masked youth and held his star shaped blade back at the youth. Ven resumed his fighter's stance, holding his keyblade reversed.
The youth snorted, not raising his blade.
"You are weak if you need a rodents help."
The youth raised his keyblade again, pointing it at the two.
"And as I said, those with such little power don't deserve to survive!"
He charged at Ven and the mouse, while they stood their ground unflinching as the youth-
Static interrupted the flow of images once again, save for a few rare and sparse scenes of keyblades swinging until-
The masked youth stumbled back, slightly hunched with his keyblade hanging limp at his side.
Ven and the mouse were no better, maybe even worse with more cuts on their bodies and clothes, but still they stood.
The youth looked at them from behind his mask…and Ven swore he could almost see the smirk even from behind the reflective glass.
"Heh…"The youth chuckled.
He waved his hand behind himself and darkness burst from the ground, rising in an oval shaped portal. Ven gasped and started to move forward but stopped when the masked youth didn't move.
The youth spoke. "Maybe you're not so useless after all…"
He slowly walked backwards, the swirling darkness leeching out to engulf the youth. That was when Ven and the mouse shot forward, Ven crying out, "No you don't!"
The youth and the darkness slowly vanished from view but both Ven and the mouse heard the masked keyblade holder's last words to them.
"I'll watch you a little longer…and see what develops."
And with that, the darkness and the youth were gone, leaving Ven and the mouse in the empty canyon wasteland. Ven looked around wildly, gritting his teeth in frustration. "Not again…"
The mouse walked over to him, keyblade lowered to his side. He walked over to Ven and the young blonde turned to meet the mouse's gaze.
The mouse asked, "You know who that was?"
Ven shook his head. Ven, "All I know is that he shows up and bad things happen." The mouse nodded. Ven looked around another second before returning his attention on the mouse.
Ven, "I didn't catch your name."
The mouse smiled and dispelled his keyblade, holding one of his big hands out.
"My name's Mickey."
Ven smiled and extended his own hand out to shake Mickey's.
"Mine's Ven-"
The images fizzled out suddenly and the dream faded away, much faster then usual.
A single blue eye opened, the other hidden by the pillow his face was currently buried in.
Roxas lay on the flat of his stomach; the sheets still half way around his waist while his right arm dangled over the side of his bed. His opened eye was slightly droopy. He could hear the sound of rain taping against his window.
The young Nobody sat up slowly, turning his body to look at his window. Droplets of water ran down its surface as more rain fell. No thunder or lightning broke the pattern, it just rained.
As Roxas stared at the window, thinking about his dream.
That masked kid from the earlier dream had been in it this time. And it seemed like the other people he saw he too could wield a keyblade.
I guess ten years ago, wielding a keyblade wasn't such a big deal back then as it is now, Roxas thought dryly.
So with a heavy sigh that was almost a groan, Roxas untangled himself from his sheets and sat up, though he was slow and reluctant to do so. He did his morning routine of getting ready by showering, brushing his teeth, combing his hair exactly one time and then putting on his black cloak.
Within a few moments he was walking down the hall for the Grey Area, passing a few Dusks on the way.
Those silver shells seemed to be affected by the rain, their already sluggish movements even more so and their arms hanging limp as their zipper like mouths hung open lazily, like a panting dog.
Roxas watched the Dusks vanish around a corner before he continued on for the Grey Area, finding himself longing to go back to bed and fall asleep to the sound of rain. He shook off those thoughts.
He was just around the corner to the Grey Area when a voice called, "Roxas?"
The blonde slowed in his walking as he saw Xion approaching him from the Grey Area. He walked up to the young girl and smiling said, "Hey Xion."
Xion smiled back and walked up to him while replying, "Hey." They stood in the hall outside the Grey Area and Roxas asked, "Where are you heading today?"
Xion blinked. "Heading where?"
Roxas nodded, "Yeah, where's your mission today?"
Xion frowned in slight confusion. Xion, "Mission?" She gasped, her eyes shining in realization. "Oh, you must not know."
Roxas frowned in confusion and asked, "Know what?"
Xion stepped to the right and pointed inside the Grey Area. Roxas looked at her before following her hands gesture. The first thing he saw was that the entire room was empty, no one sitting in any of the chairs or couches. The giant windows in the room were splattered with rain and Roxas could make out the shifting forms of the clouds the rain fell from. But not even those clouds could hide Kingdom Hearts as its radiant glow pierced through. And the last thing Roxas saw in the room was something taped onto the window, in the exact pot Saix always gazed out to look at the heart shaped moon.
It was a perfectly square shaped piece of paper that read simply in big blocked letters:
MISSIONS CANCELLED FOR TODAY.
It seemed that Organization XIII was taking another vacation day.
Roxas felt his face light up in an excited grin and he looked at Xion who returned the smile, her blue eyes lighting up. Roxas, "For real? No missions today?" Xion nodded. Xion, "When I got here earlier Saix was putting the sign up. When I asked why he said, 'The Superior took an unexpected leave.' And left."
That made Roxas frown a little. Roxas, "The Superior…left? Really? As long as I can remember he's just stood on his perch or called meetings. The thought of him taking a day off…It's-"
"Unimaginable, I know," interrupted a familiar cocky voice.
Roxas sighed through clenched teeth while Xion's bright eyes darkened as they turned to face the newcomer.
Xigbar walked boldly over to the two, grinning that arrogant smirk of his. He stopped in front of the two younger teens and looked down on them, single eye twinkling. Xigbar, "But it does happen. I mean if I had to hang out with that lap dog of his all day too, I'd probably jump off that perch he's always on. So he takes a little trip off world every now and then." Roxas glared up at Xigbar and snapped, "Why don't you go do that now? Better yet, any perch, not just the Superior's, all though the fall from there would probably hurt more, so why not?"
Xion covered her mouth to stifle her laughter while Roxas just smiled pleasantly up at Xigbar. But infuriatingly, the Freeshooter's smirk only widened and he tossed his head back in laughter. Xigbar, "That was a good one kiddo! You've really stepped up from being a personality-less zombie." He gave Roxas a friendly pat on the shoulder, a mocking smile to Xion and then turned and walked away. Before he turned the corner, he stopped and looked back at the two, meeting their icy blue glares with his flaring amber eye.
"He's taking a nap."
Both Roxas and Xion were caught off guard and Roxas said, "What?'
Xigbar went on. "The Superior. In a nice, cozy little chamber…" Both Roxas and Xion exchanged baffled looks while Xigbar looked away, grinning to himself and chuckling a little to a joke only he understood.
Both Roxas and Xion exchanged bewildered looks. Xion asked what was on both their minds first:
"What was that about?"
Roxas only shrugged. "Got me. We shouldn't think to much into it, I mean it is Xigbar." Xion nodded though she couldn't help looking down the hall where the Freeshooter had vanished too. After a moment she looked back up at Roxas, smiling a little.
Xion, "So…you have any plans for your day off?"
Roxas chuckled a little. Roxas, "I would if I had known I had one."
Xion giggled and her hands moved behind her back. Roxas then repeated her question. "So do you have any plans? On our last day off you trained."
Xion shook her head. Xion, "Nah, this surprised me too. And it's no fun training with Dusks or Samurais." She looked at Roxas, her lighter blue eyes meeting his darker ones. Xion, "Do you want to do something together? We could invite Axel too."
Roxas chuckled. "Knowing Axel, he's asleep right now. I swear he's lazier then Deymx some times." Xion giggled again before asking again, "So? Do you wanna hang out today?"
Roxas nodded, smiling. Roxas, "Yeah, it's been a while since we did anything together." He spared a glance towards the windows, looking at the rain as it started to come down harder. Xion followed his gaze. The two looked back at each other and Roxas said, "Want to head off world?"
Xion nodded, smiling. "Probably a good idea."
Roxas held his hand out and flicked his wrist, mimicking Saix's movements and summoning a Corridor of Darkness next to himself and Xion. Roxas lowered his hand, shuddering a little. Xion looked at Roxas, concerned. Xion, "You ok?"
Roxas nodded, grimacing a little before smiling at Xion, ever so slightly forced and still pained looking. Roxas, "Yeah I'm ok. I just…don't like summoning those myself." Xion looked at the swirling miasma of darkness and Roxas saw her bristle a little. Xion looked back at Roxas and said, "Neither do I."
Roxas smiled back at her in understanding before stepping back and holding his arm out, bowing a little. Roxas, "After you."
Xion giggled and walked ahead of Roxas as she said, "Thank you kind sir." She stepped into the Corridor, vanishing from sight. Roxas followed after her, unable to wipe the smile off his face. As soon as his blonde locks vanished into the darkness, the Corridor melting into the ground a second later.
Up ahead, leaning on the wall, Xigbar stood with his arms crossed, his smirk ever present.
All was still.
The chains still glowed with radiant light.
The armor and the blade remained where they lay, the Unknown still sitting upon his throne. His hooded head was bowed slightly and his chest rose up and down slowly, his arms lying on the arms of the throne.
Like the armor, he slept.
And he dreamed.
But his dreams were not consistent.
The images flickered in his minds eye, jumping from memory to memory, of a world where a carriage shaped like a pumpkin rolled in front of a blonde woman in a torn dress, to the image of a mirror with a mask like face inside it and finally settling on the image of a woman with pale green skin and clutching a staff in one hand and a pulsing orb of light in the other.
What stood out clearly within his dream was the last image of a young brown haired teen covered in an aura of darkness, his deep blue eyes filled with rage as his ancient looking keyblade tore into the cheek and then the eye of a familiar black haired man, the man's once arrogant smirk fading into a look of raw agony…
Roxas was starting to wonder if any good time in his life would last.
And as he and Xion stood under the gate to the tunnels, hoods raised over their heads to protect themselves from the pounding rain that poured out of the dark clouds above, obscuring the red sky of Twilight Town. The two teen Nobodies had arrived in the vacant lot and were greeted by a loud crash of thunder and crack of lightning. They had run to the alley way and under the tunnel gate, which had thankfully been open.
Roxas sighed, watching the rain continue to fall and showed no sign of letting up. Roxas, "I guess when it rains it pours everywhere." Xion nodded sadly. Roxas sighed, pulling his dripping hood back, Xion doing the same. Roxas stared at the rain that ruined any hope of doing something in Twilight Town and then looked apologetically at Xion. Roxas, "Sorry."
Xion shook her head.
Xion, "It's not a big deal. We'll think of somewhere else we can go." Roxa nodded though parted of him wanted to just go back to the Castle and back to bed. But he shook that thought off, reminding himself he hadn't spent any time with Xion in forever. Roxas turned to look into the tunnels, raising his hand to call another Corridor and-
"Agh! It just had to rain today didn't it?"
Roxas an Xion both turned to look in the direction of the voice and saw three familiar looking teens running down the steps, soaked to the bone. It was Hayner, Pence and Olette and it was Hayner who had voiced his complaint. The three ran for their spot hidden behind the fence gate, Olette and Pence laughing as Hayner continued to shout his indignation towards the pouring heavens. Hayner, "Of all days to rain, why on the day we decide to go to the beach!"
Xion's head raised and she gave a small gasp. Xion, "Beach…" She murmured thoughtfully. Roxas turned his attention away from the three teens who had disappeared into the usual spot and asked, "What?"
Xion suddenly broke out in an excited smile. Xion, "The Beach!" She looked at Roxas, blue eyes sparkling even brighter. Xion, "Roxas! I know a place we can go today!" "Where?" Asked Roxas, very curious about what place could get Xion so excited.
Xion giggled in excitement and flicked her wrist, calling a Corridor of Darkness up behind the two teenagers. Before Roxas could ask or say anything, Xion was already racing towards the Corridor, pausing briefly to look back at Roxas and call, "Come on!" And then she ran into the swirling darkness vanishing. Roxas broke into a sprint after her, becoming engulfed in darkness before the Corridor faded away.
For a split second he was blind.
The sudden light Roxas stepped into had caught Roxas off guard, blinding him. His arm instantly moved over his eyes to shield them. He could hear bird cries and waves rolling, and remembered Xion had exclaimed something about a beach. He slowly lowered his hand, eyes squinting, trying to see past the bright light.
Slowly, but surely, the light began to fade down to more bearable intensities and Roxas was able to see where Xion had taken him and herself.
His eyes widened back open considerably.
Roxas found he was standing on the shore of an island surrounded by perfect blue water. The sand under his shoes crunched as he looked around, jaw dropping. There were wooden decks and even a tree house or two built onto the sides of the island's surface, palms trees everywhere. Rising slightly above the beach was a section or the island that had a natural fresh water spring and a small waterfall falling fro ma hole in the side of the wall. Roxas looked over to a raised area, spotting a flagpole and a wooden bridge connecting this island to a smaller one where there were more palm trees and a tree that had been bent over. Roxas could see strange star shaped fruit on that one.
Roxas did a quick spin in place to take in the island, Xion standing only a foot away from him, hands behind her back and a look of barely contained excitement on her face.
The blonde Nobody looked at his dark haired friend, his own face lit up in wonder and excitement. Roxas, "Wow! How did you find this place? It's amazing!"
Xion didn't respond and instead stifled some excited giggling. Roxas hardly noticed, still looking around island, taking a few steps toward the waterfall. He never heard Xion slowly approaching him as he asked again, "Seriously, how did you- GAH!"
Roxas stumbled a few steps when he felt a hard push against his back. He managed to right himself before falling over entirely and whirled around, seeing Xion moving away from him, laughing as she called, "Tag! You're it!"
Roxas just stood where he was, looking confused. Roxas, "Huh?"
Xion continued to stay back, bouncing a little as she replied quickly, "Tag! Come one, you're it!"
Roxas cocked a brow. Roxas, "What's 'tag'?"
Xion stopped bouncing and her excited look fell to a more perplexed one. Xion, "Roxas you don't know what tag is?"
Said teen shook his head, still looking confused.
Xion sighed, rolling her eyes and walked over towards him.
Xion, "I can't believe it! Roxas how could you not- Hey!"
Roxas lunged out trying to grab Xion but she jumped back and moved away from Roxas as he stood back up, a grin on his face. Xion looked back at Roxas in outrage and cried, "You cheater! That was a cheap trick!"
Roxas laughed and advanced slowly while Xion moved back. Roxas, "That was payback for pushing me. Now hold still!" He lunged again but Xion easily dodged him and ran under the bridge. She waved at Roxas and stuck her tongue before calling in challenge, "Come and get me!" Roxas grinned and sprinted after Xion who quickly ran away from him, running through a wooden shack like door and into another section of the island.
Roxas barreled through it and looked around for Xion. He saw he was on a raised section of the island closer to the ocean and a series of wooden bridges connected together by more wooden planks. Xion was already half way across when she looked back, eyes widening when she saw Roxas sprinting after her again. Xion faced front and leapt across the rest of the way, landing on another raised section of the island right by a large wooden tower post. Roxas saw Xion jump ahead and decided to follow her example, jumping and clearing half way across the bridge. He touched down, already moving after Xion-
Crash!
The wooden planks under Roxas gave way, splitting like twigs and the teen found himself plunging down with a shocked cry. Xion stopped and spun around when she heard Roxas's shocked cry mixed in with the sound of wood breaking. She gasped when she saw Roxas laying in the small pool under the bridge, his form obscured by wooden planks. Xion gasped and cried, "Roxas!"
She raced over, her boots shoes splashing in the water and the bottom part of her coat dragging a little. She crouched by Roxas and shoved the planks aside. Xion, "Roxas, are you-Eek!"
Xion was suddenly yanked under the pool by Roxas, who laughed and shot up, unharmed. Roxas, "Got you!" Xion rose back up, sputtering water her short hair plastered to her skull like Roxas's spiky locks were as well and shot the blonde a glare. Xion, "That was not funny!" Roxas flinched from the anger in Xion's voice and the hurt look in her eyes. He moved towards her while saying, "Xion, I'm sorry. I was just- Gagh!"
Roxas found himself suddenly shoved back into the pool and Xion moving away quickly, laughing and calling, "You're it again! Come on Roxas, nobody falls for the fake hurt look any more!" Roxas shot back up out of the water, an amused angry look on his face. Roxas, "Oh you're going to get it now!" He chased after a screeching Xion.
The two chased each other all over the island for the rest of the day, laughing, switching back and forth between who was tagged. It was the most fun they had had in months, reliving a child hood fun they couldn't remember or had never experienced.
It was hours later and the blue sky slowly bled into red as the sun began to set.
Roxas and Xion lay flat on their backs in their under clothes, Roxas's consisting of a black t-shirt and pants while Xion wore a white top and black shorts on the beach, their cloaks, socks and shoes drying by them while the two teens stared up at the red sky. They had chased each other back to the front f the island and collapsed on the sandy shore, exhausted and out of energy. Roxas stared up at the sky for a few more moments before turning his head to look at Xion, who kept her gaze on the red sky above. Roxas, "You didn't tell me."
Xion blinked and looked at Roxas. Xion, "Tell you what?" Roxas shifted a little so his head lay in his palm to support himself, looking at Xion and asking again, "How did you find this place?" Xion looked back up the sky, not saying anything for a few moments. Then she answered quietly, "I just knew where it was."
Roxas blinked,
Xion went on, never seeing his look of confusion. Xion, "It was around the first time you fell unconscious, into a first month in the Organization. That night, I had this dream…about that boy, Sora, and a girl sitting on that pier." She looked over and Roxas followed her gaze, staring at the small wooden dock. Xion then returned her gaze to the sky and went on. "And the next day, after my mission…I had this weird feeling in my chest…and when I summoned a Corridor back for the Castle…I came here instead."
She looked at Roxas, smiling. Xion, "I found my first seashell here and I've tried to come back after missions as often as possible."
She stood up while Roxas rose to a sitting position, watching her move towards the shore. Roxas, "You get your seashells here?" Xion looked back to him and nodded. "Mm-hm."
She looked down at the rolling waters and her eyes widened suddenly. She bent over and plucked a small object from the waters. She looked back at Roxas, proudly displaying a small blue shell. Roxas smiled back at her in amusement, shaking his head.
Roxas, "You must have hundreds of those by now."
Xion giggled and walked back over to her cloak, kneeling down and slipping the shell inside her cloaks pocket. Xion looked back at Roxas before gasping, looking out towards the oceans horizon. Xion, "Oh, we're about to miss it!" Roxas furrowed his brow in confusion. Roxas, "Miss what?" Xion didn't answer and moved over to him quickly, grabbing him by the shoulder and pulling him up. Xion, "Come on! You have to see it!"
Roxas still had a confused expression but allowed Xion to lead him up the steps to the bridge that led to the smaller island with the bent tree. She moved Roxas and herself in front of the tree, giving them a perfect view of the setting sun.
"Watch," Xion whispered.
And Roxas did, never taking his blue eyes off the setting sun. The huge golden star seemed to be sinking into the blue waters, its fading light reflecting off their surfaces and giving off flashes of red and gold. Roxas stared in awe while Xion watched both the setting sun and his reaction.
As the sun sank almost all the way down and the amazing display of color faded, Roxas whispered, "Wow…"
Xion didn't say anything and like Roxas, she continued to watch the sun sink into the ocean, thought it was not quite gone yet and there was still some light left. Xion finally broke the silence by saying, "You're the first person I've brought to this island. I wanted to bring both you and Axel but…" She trailed off but Roxas understood.
He looked down at Xion, smiling gently. Roxas, "Thank you." Xion looked up at Roxas in surprise, blinking. Xion, "For what?"
Roxas, "For a great vacation day to the beach. I've had more fun today then I can remember having since I joined with the Organization." Xion blushed a little, nervously running a finger through her black locks. Xion, "Thanks for spending today with me, Roxas."
Roxas smiled back, blushing a little himself. Roxas, "Anytime." They stood there for another few moments, neither saying anything. Finally, it was Roxas who reluctantly said, "I guess we should head back." Xion nodded sadly. Xion, "Yeah."
Roxas let Xion walk ahead of him as they moved across the wooden bridge. Xion was already standing by the flagpole while Roxas was only half way across when the blonde suddenly stopped. Xion looked back at him and saw a strange expression on Roxas's face. Xion frowned and called, "Roxas?"
The teen clutched the side of his head, his fingers gripping his temple, eyes closing in a sudden wince of pain stabbing into his brain. Xion quickly walked over to him, touching his arm and asking, "What's wrong?" Roxas panted a little, eyes opening a fraction. Roxas, "Head…splitting…" Before she could do anything, Roxas suddenly fell to his knees, clutching at his head and letting out a cry of pain. Xion, "Roxas!"
Roxas fell on his side, gripping his head and shaking, letting out gasps of pain and confusion. Xion crouched down by her friend, her blue eyes confused and wide with fright. Roxas continued to shake and make little panting sounds as his gaze wondered to the beach…and then the air before his eyes rippled…a memories echo replaying before his very eyes.
He kept his eyes on the ocean before him, ignoring the sound of approaching footsteps.
The footsteps stopped and everything was still, the only sound was of the waves rolling on the shore.
Ven kept his eyes on the sunset as he said, "Were 'friends', right?"
He looked away from the ocean and the sun to face the reflective helmet of the dark keyblade wielder, who watched Ven with his hidden eyes, arms crossed over his chest. The youth chuckled dryly.
"I like to think so, yes." He replied, voice dripping in sarcasm.
Ven looked back at the sun, watching it sink below the ocean, turning the waters as red as the sky above.
Ven, "Then erase me."
This caused the masked youth's chuckling to stop abruptly.
Ven glanced at the youth out of the corner of his eye, glaring at him. Ven, "What's the matter? It should be simple enough. I am 'weak' after all."
The youth slowly began pacing, his helmet not facing Ven but the teen knew he was looking at him with his hidden eyes.
"A few days ago," the youth began. "I would have had no problem with that. But," He stopped and turned his head to Ven. "That's no longer the case with us finally being equals in power."
Ven blinked, looking at the masked youth in surprise.
Ven, "Equal?"
The youth made an impatient gesture. "Not the word I would use but the word that old man insists on using."
Ven bowed his head. "Old man…" He murmured thoughtfully. And suddenly, it clicked and Ven was stunned by how obvious it was.
"Master Xehanort…" He breathed.
The masked youth snorted.
"'Master' indeed. What fool decided he was worthy of such a title is an idiot. But hey, beggers and choosers." He pointed at Ven.
"With us finally being, 'equals', the X-Blade can be formed."
Ven stared, more confused then ever.
Ven, "X…Blade? What's that?"
The youth chuckled, but not dryly as before. Ven could swear he sounded…excited.
"Yes," the youth breathed out in a hiss. "The X-Blade. The key to the ultimate power. It can only appear when two hearts of equal power, one of light, and one of dark…" He leaned forward, and Ven knew behind that mask the youth was leering, no doubt with a crazed glint in those hidden eyes.
"Merge as one."
Ven stared for a moment, understanding but showing no reaction.
"Never," He spat.
The youth actually flinched.
"What did you say?"
Ven, "You heard me. I'll never let that happen. Yours and your master's plans will never come to be!"
Ven held a hand to his chest.
Ven, "I may not have been meant to exist…"
He swiped his arm out, glaring at the youth.
"But I won't let my heart be used to hurt anyone else!"
The youth pulled back and Ven felt anger radiate off of him.
"You're pretty defiant," The youth snarled.
"For a cast off shell."
Ven blinked.
Ven, "What…? Cast off…shell…"
And then there was pain.
Ven collapsed to his knees, hands clutching his head as fire spike through his mind and his heart.
He remembered.
Images flickered in his minds eye.
He was in that canyon where he had fought the masked youth, only now he was surrounded by tall, lanky, twitching black creatures with yellow eyes. Ven saw himself defeat horde after horde of these creatures until finally, they were all destroyed and Ven was on his knees, keyblade still in his hand.
He heard footsteps approaching and saw legs in black boots and pants and the edges of a silver cloak. Ven looked up at his master, meeting his yellow eyes with his blue.
His master had his own keyblade out, a terrifying silver and black weapon with blue eye like gems embedded in the hilt and axe like tip of the blade. Ven heard himself utter weakly, "Master…"
And then there was more pain in his chest.
Ven saw in his mind his master stabbing him in the chest and then ripping the blade out in a splash of blood. Ven saw himself fall back, a gaping hole in his chest.
Right where his heart was.
All was still for a small eternity, the master watching patiently with his yellow, reptile like eyes.
And then, horrifyingly, an orb made of dark purple energy rose from Ven's chest, moving away until it was between the fallen apprentice and his master, whose ancient features broke into a pleased grin.
The orb contracted and expanded slowly, the aura around it growing, shaping itself into a humanoid shape. There was a flash of dark light and where the orb had floated now stood a boy around Ven's age, wearing a form fitting red and black body suit, a tan kilt around his waist. The new boy's arms were outstretched, flexing as he took in a deep breath. His first breath.
Ven felt his eyes growing heavy but he couldn't take them off what had just formed in front of him.
The creature turned its head to look at Ven.
And the last thing he saw before passing out was a golden eye, staring at Ven gleefully with an insane malice.
Ven let his hands drop to his side, eyes numb and dull with horror.
The youth slowly walked over and gripped Ven's shoulder.
"You remember now don't you…brother."
Ven shook his head in horror.
The youth went on.
"As long as we coexist, we are but two empty halves. Fitting, for me at least. That's why as soon as you get over this revelation, you will come to the graveyard…my birth place."
He removed his hand and walked away from Ven, flicking his wrist and calling a portal of swirling darkness.
He paused to turn and look back at Ven, who hadn't moved.
"Ventus."
At the sound of his full name, the young teen looked at his 'other half'.
And he knew he was grinning with those golden eyes.
"My name…is Vanitas."
Roxas thanked whatever forces shaped this universe as the images stopped and sweet darkness claimed him, the last sound he heard was Xion screaming his name and the last thing his eyes saw was the shore where Ven learned the truth about the youth in the mask.
It was still raining on the World that Never Was as the Superior walked up the last flight of stairs to his perch.
And much to his annoyance, someone was waiting for him.
"Hello boss man," greeted Xigbar, still wearing that smirk of his. "Enjoy your nap?"
The Superior didn't respond as he walked to his usual spot directly under Kingdom Hearts, the huge moon of hearts breaking through the clouds to bathe him in its light.
The Superior craned his head up to gaze up at Kingdom Hearts, almost smiling.
Xigbar continued to stand only a few feet from his lord and spoke again.
Xigbar, "Well, I dragged what was left of Xaldin back from Beast's Castle. Your water maiden did a real number on him."
He began pacing behind the Superior, who only gazed up at Kingdom Hearts, showing no reaction whatsoever to this news.
Xigbar, "So, there's no worlds with a princess of pure heart under our watch left. But…" He held up his hand, index finger raised; smirk widening.
"There is…that world."
The Superior moved his head ever so slightly in Xigbar's direction.
Xigbar, "And we both know that's where she's going. After all, that world holds what belongs to her. And once she learns that, I'd say she'll want it back, wouldn't you?"
The Superior turned to face Xigbar, the Freeshooter meeting his orange eyes with his one amber one, unafraid.
Xigbar, "We both know I'm the only one who can bring her back here. And you know why."
The Superior stared at his Number 2 for several moments, the rain the only thing breaking the silence. Then, he turned his back to him and resumed gazing up at Kingdom Hearts.
And then the Superior replied, "She will be there tomorrow. I've made sure of that."
Xigbar cocked an eyebrow. Xigbar, "Really now? Interesting."
With that, Xigbar started for the stairs. But stopped. He looked back at the Superior and called, "Hey, boss man?"
The Superior made no movement to suggest he even heard Xigbar.
But the Freeshooter went on.
Xigbar, "This is the perfect opportunity to wrap up…a loose end, don't you think? I mean, do we really need three keyblade wielders? She's an embarrassment to our Organization wouldn't you say?"
The Superior still made no move to respond. So Xigbar shrugged and started for the stairs but stopped cold when he heard loudly and clearly:
"My Organization."
Xigbar turned and saw the Superior was staring right at him, orange eyes flaring.
The Superior, "This is my Organization Xigbar. Not ours. Remember that." The Superior turned to face Kingdom hearts once more.
"Do as you please, but bring Aqua back here."
Xigbar's face broke out into an excited smirk and he descended the stairs two at a time.
Once he was back inside the Castle, he laughed to himself.
Xigbar swiped his arm out, and in a flash of purple his arrowgun appeared, his arm rebounding to balance the weapon on his shoulder.
Xigbar, "Nothing gets me more excited…then meeting up with to an old friend." He pulled the trigger on his arrowgun, a single diamond projectile shooting out and then vanishing. There was a loud 'ping' sound and behind Xigbar, a Shadow Heartless fell over, melting into black mist.
And all the while the Freeshooter's single eye glinted dangerously, filled with anticipation.
Well things are certainly getting exciting aren't they faithful readers?
Hello, it's certainly been a while since I last spoke to you all, hasn't it?
Once again, I must say thank you to every one who has faved, reviewed and watched, and you all have no idea how happy i was to see i had gotten over a hundred reviews for a story I really didn't have that much faith in. But you all like it and that's all that matters.
And as a reward for you all, I will reveal what chapter Aqua and Xemnas finally meet.
You ready? Here it is:
Chapter 13.
And that's only two chapters away.
Keep reading everyone, that keeps me writing.
Now on to my favorite thing ever:
Review Resposne:
BloodyAphrodite: 1: Wanna know something funny? You posted this review right when I posted Chapter 7, which had the last RR. Made me lol.
Aqua StormXIV: 1: The fact that you've played Days on Proud Mode has my respect. I haven't even thought about trying it on that difficult setting. I barely beat KHII on Proud. 2: And so the pattern is revealed. And Luxord doesn't cheat...that much. 3: Eh, 'Fragment' sounds better. He can remember happiness..and that's what makes him special. Someone is going to meet Aqua there...but it may not be who you think. 4: Actually, Xaldin got off lucky, his broken bones have to heal natarully was the punishment the Superior gave him. And indeed the Superior finally takes action through subtle means. Yay Mickey! I heart him. Hold on tight, cause I'm not even close to being done!
CrimsonDarkness 0013: 1: Noes, I made a reader cry! FORGIVE ME! And now I want everyone to make me want to write their interaction as much as possible. The more anticipation, the more i'll try to write my best. 2: You guys come up with plenty of words to describe how awesome it is. Don't diss indeed. 3: You're the first person I've left speechless...WHOO!
Sovereign Beta: 1: Not looking for writing advice but thank you anyway. 2: Spur of the moment dialogue, don't envy me, I'm still learning. They may learn but they still follow orders 2: Is that what he needs her for? I love your comparison, seriously? that was awesome. I lol'd so hard.
FlightFoot: 1: Thanks, went and fixed those. 2: He's not a nice guy that DiZ. yes, but where and when? 3: But can Aqua give any answers? 4: Eager, no. But what choice would they have?
NinjaSheik: 1: I went out of my way to keep Luxord as in character as possible and with him it isn't easy. 2: Hey! This Dattebayo town! Believe that! 3: Plan too. 4: I love Beast's Castle, it's one of my favorite Disney Worlds and movies.
Riku Uzumaki: 1: I loved the Phantomtail, he's one of my favorite Heartless. Then again, I just love teleporters. 2: well it was either that or ZUWARDO. Went with Dissidia cause that scene was cooler. 3: Eventually, right now she has one last world to visit. And as to the memory situation, that will be resolved...in due time. 4: The irony of that comment will not be lost on Aqua.
Elia41: 1: Glad you aprove. And Deymx will never get any good luck, poor guy. 2: (Wipes bloody nose at the image of Aqua in a Wonder woman costume) Ahem, indeed. Glad you liked that joke, (rubs throat.) cause Xemmy sure didn't. 3: I'm looking forward to writing everyones reactions. Don't hate him, he'll just choke you. Indeed he did. 4: Well done for getting his butt kicked?
TonberryBlue: 1: The memories of Ven will only lead Roxas to oblivion. Why has Xemnas been sending them? We'll learn soon enough. Aqua vs. Larxene? shame i'm writing this when's she dead, becasue now you've tweeked my interest. Yes, be very afriad...
Yue Twili: 1: Oh yes, Xemnas knows a lot. I've skimmed it, looks interesting. 2: Ironiclly, I've only met one person who apparantly likes Xaldin in the reviews of this story. Weird right?
Vampire Countess: 1: Luxord and hsi cards are one of teh funnest things to write. Keep reading, all shall be revealed in time.
Karma's Slave: 1: Yo're patience will soon pay off. 2: I was going to include that some where, seemed appropriate. Just two.
ObsidianPhantom: 1: Glad to write something everyone enjoys. My advice? Can't find a story you wanna see, write it yourself. 2: Luxord always deal adivce on the times he loses...except when Sora kileld him.
00virtuezero: Avoiding spoilers? Then avoid this story, though all they flashback scenes are based on what I've read or heard, so it's interpertation. Xemmy does have an interesting taste, though I prefer my VG girls with green hair rather then blue (No offense to Aqua). Deymx isn't the best when it comes to well thought out plans. As much as I'd love to put the Sentiment in this story, I can't find a palce for it.
iceandfire66: 1: Does it? Well if you say so. 2: There's a reason for I chose these particular worlds. The confrontion approaches...
sickweirdo: 1/2/3: first, I'm going to thank you for pointing out the spelling errors. In resposne to your constructive cristiscm, like I told Sovereign Beta, I'm not looking for any. Word of adivice, 'chap', keep reviews that should and could be posted in all the same review posted in the same review, other wise it's kinda of annoying to see an alert for 5 reviews only to discover there all from the same guy. 4: Law of teh Universe: Good guys always win...most of the time. 5 Once a week is my range of updates. 6: fixed those. 7: It'll be more like: Xigbar: Remember me! Aqua: You! Braig!
organizationkhII: 1: It would appear so. 2: Whoops, wrote that wrong, she doesn't my writing just screwed that up. 3: He can, he summoned the Antlion. 3: eh, look at it from his POV. 4: Yeah, he did. Second time I had to endure a loss of such a character.
Clemerl: 1: Looks like you were the only one to point that out.
Herald of disaster: 1: thank you, I try to keep all bad guys awesome.
NoahMatrix1000: 1: Nope, that's this chapter.
Grim D. Slayer: 1: (Removed.)
Until next chapter everyone.