Chapter Twelve: Day 313: Part One: Friend and Enemy From the Past.
She stumbled through a golden haze, confused and tense.
Only moments ago she had been in the grip of that muscular creature of shadow with black skin, its grin mocking as its yellow eyes met the eyes of its creator and master. Her former friend.
He had slowly approached her, dragging that silver and black axe like weapon behind him. He was injured in several places, burns from fire and lightning, frost clinging to parts of his body and smoke from pure light attacks wafted off his aged but healthy skin. But the eyes, those horrible yellow eyes still held an unnatural light in them, a fire that refused to go out.
He reached her and their eyes met and held, her watery sapphire orbs meeting his flaming yellow without fear.
Her former friend raised his keyblade, pulling back for a mighty swing and-
And then she was here, in this surreal realm of golden light.
She looked around wildly, confused.
A mocking laugh broke the calm of this strange realm and the air behind her rippled. She ducked under the swing of a massive fist and as she rolled away and looked back, she saw it was that horrible shadow her friend had summoned. It leered down on her, grin widening maddeningly. She raised her keyblade, the blue blade Bright Crest, and was about to attack-
"A…qua…"
She gasped and the shadow took a chance, massive fists swinging out but she ducked under them and shot up, spinning and slashing her keyblade across the shadow's back, tearing it open and causing a disgusting black ooze to drip out, staining the pristine gold of this strange place. She turned away from the shadow as it writhed in pain, her sapphire eyes looking all over the golden realm.
She had heard his voice. She knew she had.
She continued to look around wildly, wondering just how big this strange realm was-
He was there.
Stumbling through the darkness, his left hand over his face and his right hand gripping something. She gasped and cried, "Terra!"
Ignoring the shadow even as it feebly reached for her, she charged through the golden light, racing towards the dark haired form of her real friend and not the white haired imposter who had her at his mercy mere moments ago-
She came to a stop only a few feet from his staggering form.
Her eyes had widened in horror when she saw what was in his hand.
A nightmarish black and silver blade with an axe tip, a blue eye embedded in the base of the blade seeming to stare at her. The keyblade of the old master, the same weapon that she saw cleaving for her neck before she arrived here.
She had been tricked. It wasn't her friend merely the imposter trying to fool her to catch her off guard so he could kill her more easily. Eyes burning in outrage, she pulled her Bright Crest back, the blade tip gleaming in the golden light as she prepared to-
His hand fell away, his dark blue eyes meeting her lighter ones.
She froze mid swing, eyes widening, jaw dropping.
"Aqua…" He groaned.
"Terra…" She whispered.
Neither could say more as the shadow lunged upward between them, roaring, it's grin gone and replaced by a look of fierce rage. She was forced to jump back, sliding to a stop a few feet away while the shadow floated in front of the dark haired warrior behind itself. She saw his hand over his face again but could make out a partial expression of pain.
And then she understood.
She charged forward, weaving pass the shadow's massive swinging fists and ran for her pained friend. She looked back over her shoulder as she reached him and saw the shadow charging over, yellow eyes wide with rage. And fear.
She looked at her friend and saw his exhausted face, blue eyes dull.
She understood his pain, but still needed his help.
She raised her keyblade Bright Crest and met his tired eyes with her own fierce orbs.
He understood, nodding as he righted himself and raised the black keyblade of the dark master.
The shadow lunged, its mouth opening in a roar of outrage as its clawed fingers reached to grab them and-
The dark blade collided with the blue blade as the earth knight and water maiden declared:
"TOGETHER!"
Light erupted from the blades, outshining the gold of this surreal realm in a brilliant burst.
The shadow froze only mere inches from them and let out a bestial scream of rage and agony as the light pierced through its dark form, melting it down into black mist that faded away into nothing but black specks that vanished even faster. Within seconds the shadow was gone-
And she was back in the courtyard, the imposter wearing the form of her friend staggering back, clutching his face as if he had been struck. He stumbled, falling to his knees and coughing, spitting blood on the ground. He clutched his chest now, and the expression on his face was one of confusion but also agony of the worse kind.
She glared at the imposter's weakened form and pointed her Bright Crest at him.
"Release my friend! Release him NOW!"
The imposter spat more blood and glared at her, bloody teeth gritting in a snarl of rage. He stumbled up, pulling the black keyblade back as he snarled, "You-"
He stopped with a jerk of shock, whole body snapping straight, arms shooting out as a golden aura covered him. She gasped in shock just as much as he was in. His face grimaced, eyes snapping shut for a moment. They opened slowly and she saw they were no longer those burning yellow flares but a deep blue. She gasped, her face lighting up in excitement as she moved towards him-
She stopped as her friend's head jerked, snapping to the side as the blue eyes changed back to yellow. He growled, lunging at her like a caged beast but whatever power held him in place did not give. He began thrashing wildly one second before going limp another, all the while his eyes flashing from blue to yellow, the hearts and souls of the dark master and the earth knight fighting for control of the body they shared.
His right arm still clutched the black keyblade and the whole arm and blade shook fiercely in struggle against his bonds.
"You will not…" The voice of her friend gasped through gritted teeth.
His arm tore free, shattering the golden aura around it, his eyes no longer flashing but not settling on either blue or yellow, instead a strange brown tinged with orange.
"USE ME!" Screamed the earth knight as he plunged the black keyblade into his chest.
The water maiden gasped in terror as her friend stumbled, the keyblade falling in a clatter and splash of blood, the terrible weapon vanishing in a burst of black light and smoke.
Her friend stumbled to his knees once again, his face set into a look of shock and pain. She raced over towards him, already gathering magic into Bright Crest to use Cure-
The shadows under her friend extended, flowing like water but giving off small smoky tendrils that reached for his prone form, wrapping around his still body and began slowly dragging him into the darkness. She gasped racing towards him even as his body sank under the darkness.
She did the only thing she could do.
She plunged into the shadows after him.
She jumped into the puddle of darkness, sinking into it and then-
Falling.
She was surrounded by darkness and falling.
As she descended deep into darkness, she caught a glimpse of white and her eyes locked on the falling prone form of her friend.
Setting herself, she willed her body to fall faster and somehow, within moments she floated by him.
His eyes were closed, arms and legs hanging limply in the never-ending darkness.
She looked at him for a few seconds and then looked back up from where they had both fallen. As she suspected, there was a single hole in the darkness, a circle of light piercing through. And she could see it shrinking rapidly.
In moments it would be closed and she knew there wasn't enough time for her to take both herself and her friend through it.
She looked away from the portal, smiling sadly.
She raised both her hands, gently grasping the sides of his face and raising his head slightly so she could look at him.
His eyes opened slowly, their new brown color dull with exhaustion and confusion. They met her sapphire eyes and he stared at her in confusion.
She smiled and whispered one word:
"Live."
The charm on her shoulder flashed and her keyblade, now the blue and silver Rain Storm, appeared, the two items floating to him, the charm flashing and summoning pieces of a suit of blue and gray armor. As the armor floated over her friend, she reached for an object dangling around his neck and very carefully removed it.
She looked at the item, an orange charm shaped like a star made from carved shells before she looked back into his confused and tired face. With one last smile, she released her hold on her armor and keyblade…
And they flew towards the shrinking light, taking her friend with them. His exhausted features morphed into a look of horror and his arm lunged out towards her.
His fingers slipped around the string of her own star charm, this one blue.
And it snapped, the charm following after him as the string wrapped around his fingers.
He watched her sink deeper into darkness as she watched him race towards the light.
She smiled as he vanished into the light…and the portal closed.
She closed her eyes, holding her hand that clutched his charm to her heart and let herself fall deeper into darkness.
Aqua's eyes opened slowly.
She felt sick.
She pushed herself up onto her hands and knees, her whole body aching, particularly her stomach which felt like it was tied into several knots.
Aqua took in a single shaky breath and promptly began coughing she had just inhaled smoke. She coughed several more times before suddenly dry heaving, but no vomit came out, just spittle as her whole body shook violently. Finally, after several minutes the spell of sickness passed and she collapsed on her side, face pale and sweat broke out, cooling her burning skin, eyes half lidded and dull, her breathing labored and uneven.
As she lay there, she thought about her dream.
That had been the last time she saw Terra, but it had only been part of him. And she had only glimpsed that part of him for brief moments. After that, she had wandered that terrible Realm of Darkness after willingly plunging into it.
She forced herself up onto her knees again; face still pale, skin still sweaty but she had caught her breath, the sudden sickness passing.
She looked around, taking in the surroundings of this new world.
She saw she was on some kind of rocky canyon side overlooking a vast expanse. Strangely enough, the ground was colored a purplish blue. Aqua looked up to the sky and saw that the sky reminded her of Twilight Town, only instead of the gold and red it was more of an indigo with bright golden clouds, like the morning dawn. The water maiden looked around the spot she was on and saw a large jagged hole in the wall. An exit maybe?
Deciding to find out, she moved over to it and squeezed herself inside it. Aqua moved through the tight space, fighting claustrophobia as she did. After several moments of slow inching down the passage, she finally saw a spark of light. She inched herself further along down until she finally broke through this new exit.
Aqua found herself emerging from a cliff side at the beginning or end of some kind of trail overlooking what looked like a ravine. Aqua stepped into the trail looking around. To the front of her was the trail itself, going deeper into the hillside while behind her was another large opening in the side of one the cliffs. Aqua approached this opening, peering inside without actually entering. Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped slightly.
Inside was a cave with beautiful crystals of all sizes emerging from the walls. Each crystal gave off a mesmerizing glow, natural light illuminating the cave.
"Wow," breathed Aqua.
She was about to step inside to get a better look at the crystals when she heard a strange noise. Stopping mid step from entering the cave, Aqua turned around, frowning slightly. She heard the noise again and looked to her right, towards the ravine trail. She almost dismissed it merely as the sound of running water but then she heard the sound again and realized it sounded nothing like running water.
As she approached the edge of the ravine, Aqua realized it sounded like…
Chittering.
She reached the edge of the path side overlooking the ravine and the water maiden peered over to see what was making that sound-
She jerked back, face paling once again while her eyes widened, taking several steps back until her back hit the cliff wall.
For a second her mind couldn't, wouldn't, accept what she had just seen in that ravine.
Very slowly, she moved away from the cliff wall and back towards to side of he path, looking back into the ravine. She remembered encountering that huge Heartless that resembled a Darkside in Twilight Town and her worry about the state of the worlds if such a Heartless could appear. As she peered back down in the ravine, she definitely knew the state of this world.
There were hundreds, thousands, hundreds of thousands, maybe even a million, writhing, twitching, black insect like creatures filling the ravine below to the brim and beyond. And each of them looked around with hungry yellow eyes. A hunger only sated by light.
And fresh Hearts.
The ravine was filled with Heartless of varying shapes and sizes but all of them had the same instinctual hunger.
At first she thought the fragment had somehow taken her back to the Realm of Darkness. But she looked up and saw meager rays of light coming down from the sky. She was still in the Realm of Light, on another world. But this world felt very close to that other realm.
Aqua stared down into the writing bodies, noting with a small, very small, twinge of relief that none of these Heartless appeared to be moving. As Aqua continued to look down at them she thought that they all appeared to be…waiting for something. A sign.
Aqua stepped away from the edge before a Heartless took notice of her and decided to try and get a fresh heart, alerting the rest of them. One Heartless she could handle no problem, half a dozen no biggie, over a dozen it would be an effort but she could probably win. Close to a million, she was a snack to these things.
As she stepped back, Aqua reached into her satchel on her belt, fishing for the Fragment. When she finally gripped it and pulled it out, she looked at its shining surface.
And saw the internal shine had faded, no doubt having leaked out through that huge crack that should have split the Fragment in two. Aqua hissed and bit back a curse. That black spark she had seen inside the last flash back at the castle had meant worse then she thought.
She was stuck here, on a world teetering the edge and tipping into the deepest darkness.
"Looks like that beach paradise will have to wait," she muttered as she put the Fragment back into her satchel with a forced chuckle that became a sigh. She was suddenly very tired, feeling like she'd just collapse any second now. It had been two weeks since she arrived in Twilight Town but it felt longer. Traveling to multiple worlds, running, fighting, with only a few moments of rest was starting to catch up with her. She couldn't stay here though. Aqua knew without a doubt she was the only fresh heart for miles.
Staying was not an option, she had to move.
The water maiden looked back into the crystal filled cave. She could see it sloped slightly, no doubt leading to a lower level of ground. Probably right by that ravine.
She turned to look back at the other end of the path and saw it rose up. Away from the ravine. But she couldn't be sure if this path led to sanctuary…
Or doom.
Taking a deep breath and letting it exhale slowly, Aqua turned, facing the rising path and started walking.
One way or the other, she was going to find out.
It had finally stopped raining the night before, a few hours after the Superior had returned.
Of course the ceasing rain didn't improve Xion's mood.
She had arrived back at the Castle dragging Roxas's unconscious body and screaming for help. Of course the only two people in the Grey Are had been Saix and Luxord and neither had jumped to action. But Axel had heard her scream from down the hall and came racing in. When he saw Roxas limply hanging onto Xion he had scooped the smaller boy up and took him back to his room.
And that's where Roxas had remained, lying atop his bed's sheets with his eyes closed and his face looking peaceful. If one was to walk in and look at him, it would look he was just asleep. But if that had been the case, Xion and Axel would have been able to wake him up by now.
The dark haired girl had taken the single chair to Roxas's desk and pulled it by his bed, sitting by him since last night and showing no signs of fatigue.
Likewise, the Flurry of Flames had been outside Roxas's room, leaning on the wall by the door all-night and waiting for some kind of sign to show Roxas would wake up soon.
And still the two waited.
Axel had his arms crossed over his chest, head bowed slightly but his eyes were open and alert.
Why, he wondered for what had to be the hundredth time, why didn't they come and get me when they decided to leave yesterday? Maybe if he had been there he could have prevented whatever knocked Roxas out. He gritted his teeth, jaws almost grinding. There was no time to think about that now.
He was here now and Axel was going to wait here all day and for however long it took to see Roxas wake up.
Problem with that was, when Roxas fell over unconscious under strange circumstances, he usually stayed out for a while.
The red head let out a sigh, shifting a little.
He hadn't been a good friend lately, blowing Roxas and Xion off on their trips to their usual spot, avoiding Roxas when had been trying to talk to him about something and then there was Xion. He didn't have to explain why he had been an especially bad friend to her as of late.
Axel sighed again, closing his eyes for a brief moment.
This day could not get worse.
"What's up Flamsilocks?"
Axel groaned audibly as he finally noticed the heavy footsteps and turned his head slightly, green eyes meeting a single amber one in a fiery glare that failed to impress this interloper.
Xigbar's smirk seemed wider then usual and Axel immediately noted that was very bad. Whenever Xigbar was excited, something really bad was about to happen.
Xigbar, "Heard kiddo and Poppet had a fun little day at the beach." He looked back at Axel, his single eye meeting Axel's again, smirk ever present.
Xigbar, "But I also heard you were napping all day yesterday. They didn't invite you? I could've sworn you all talked about going to the beach together one day."
He turned to face Axel completely, his own arms crossing over his chest to mockingly mimic Axel's pose. His smirk morphed into a sneer. Xigbar, "Are you three not tight anymore? That's shocking. Long as I can remember, you've hung around both shrimps since they joined up."
Axel's fingers gripped the sides of his arms tightly, almost too tight as he fought back his growing anger.
Xigbar was about to go on but Axel beat him to it by snapping, "What do you want? You can't ever seem to take the hint that you're not wanted around so what makes you think today is any different?"
Xigbar flinched, his face looking hurt. But Axel saw the ever present gleam in his eye and knew his words didn't affect the Freeshooter one way or the other.
Xigbar, "Ouch, way to shoot the messenger." His look of hurt morphed back into that mocking sneer. "Shootings my job, pyro. You just burn stuff. Don't pretend you actually care about poppet or kiddo." He shoved Axel aside, stepping in front of Roxas's door.
Axel glared at the Freeshooter as he looked at him out of the corner of his eye, the single amber orb glinting dangerously.
Xigbar, "None of us feel anything."
He pressed a switch on the side of the wall and the door slid open.
Axel heard Xigbar's last words to him even as the Freeshooter stepped inside, door slamming closed behind him.
"No matter how hard we pretend too."
The Flurry of Dancing Flames stood alone in the hall, his look still one of anger, but the flames of rage only cooled off, melting back into cold unfeeling of anything.
Xion didn't hear or notice any kind of exchange from Axel and Xigbar behind her. She simply remained by Roxas's bed, looking at her unconscious friend with tired but worried blue eyes. Every now and then she would check Roxas for any sign of a fever by placing the back of her hand on his forehead. So far he was fine, just asleep to the world.
Xion finally did hear the door close and turned around, thinking it was just Axel to come check up on Roxas. Much to her annoyance, it was the one eyed Freeshooter, smirking down on her and Roxas.
Xigbar, "And how's the sleeping tiger Poppet?"
Xion didn't respond and instead just glared at Xigbar with all the anger she could muster. This only amused the Freeshooter as he casually walked around the room like he owned the place. Xion watched him tensely, hoping he wouldn't try to break anything or steal something. Xigbar stopped to look at Roxas's desk, snickering when he looked at the white wash board calendar. Xion's scowl deepened but Xigbar only walked away, moving to the other side of Roxas's bed, opposite of the young girl.
Xigbar peered down at Roxas with his only eye.
Xigbar, "Huh. Certainly doesn't look ferocious now, does he?"
Before Xion could respond, Xigbar's right hand moved over Roxas's face and he flicked his index and middle finger, tapping the sleeping teen on the forehead roughly. Xion gasped and slapped Xigbar's hand aside while exclaiming, "Don't!"
Xigbar only laughed. Xigbar, "And she speaks! I was beginning to feel ignored there Poppet."
Xigbar continued smirking while Xion only glared. Xion, "Fine. What do you want?"
Infuriatingly the Freeshooter laughed at her again. Xigbar, "Straight to business? Really, no, 'How are you today Xigbar?'"
Xion took great satisfaction in replying in a sweet tone, "I only ask that to people who don't make my skin crawl."
She had hoped to get a rise out of Xigbar but as always he remained unflappable, just laughing at her retort.
Xigbar, "Ha! You've been hanging out with Roxas and Axel too much."
His smirk grew into a sneer. "I can fix that. The reason I'm here Poppet is because the Superior himself has assigned you a mission."
Xion blinked in shock, stuttering, "W-w-what?"
Xigbar replied coolly, "You heard me. Seems we found a new world just ripe with hearts to gather."
He jerked his hand, thumb out towards Roxas and went on, "And seeing how champ over here is down for the count that means it's your time to shine Poppet."
Xigbar's sneer couldn't get any wider after what he said next.
Xigbar, "And more importantly, Aqua was sighted there just an hour ago."
Xion felt her blood freeze in her veins. She instantly understood. Xion, "I'm…supposed to fight her?"
Xigbar nodded and said, "And catch her once you beat her, then bring her back here."
Xion looked up into Xigbar's one eye and asked, "If none of the others sent ahead of me could beat and capture her, what makes you think I can?"
Xigbar shrugged. Xigbar, "I never said I thought you could do it. You're the one who said you had to fight her. Which you do, but I never said I believed you could beat her."
Xion looked back at Roxas, her anger towards Xigbar melting into concern for her friend. Xion looked back up at the Freeshooter and she said, "Can it wait? I really want to-"
She stopped when Xigbar laughed suddenly.
"As if! Since when," interrupted Xigbar, "Has any of us cared about what you want?" He leered over her, face set in a mocking sneer, single amber eye glinting.
"Don't you understand your place in this Organization yet?" Asked Xigbar, enjoying watching Xion bow her head to avoid looking at his sneering face. Xigbar went on. Xigbar, "You're our puppet Poppet, not a real being but certainly not a Nobody. Just a doll. Our doll. When we wriggle our fingers," He thrust his right hand into Xion's face, causing her to jump back in a flinch of surprise as he wriggled his fingers in example. "You dance for us."
Xion stared at his hand for second until he let it fall back to his side. She refused to raise her head, not going to let him see the tears gathering in the corners of her eyes or the slight quiver of her lip. She heard more heavy footsteps, and could partially see through her bangs Xigbar moving away from the bed and towards the door while saying, "Now go do whatever it is you do before missions that constitutes as 'preparations', as puppy would put it, and meet me in the Grey Area. I'll send you on your way."
And as if they had just had a pleasant chat, the Freeshooter patted the top of her head in a friendly gesture. There wasn't a doubt in Xion's mind that if she looked up now, Xigbar would be smiling kindly down on her. She didn't move as Xigbar pulled his hand back and with one last chuckle and smirk she couldn't see, the one-eyed sniper opened the door and stepped through back into the hall, heading for the Grey Area to wait for her.
Xion remained sitting by Roxas's slumbering form for several moments, making no move even as the door opened again and Axel stepped inside. She didn't look at him as the Flurry of Flames asked, "Xion? What was that about? What did Xigbar want?"
She didn't reply, just raised her head, the back of her glove wiping the few tears that trickled down her cheeks away. She stood up, Axel watching her reach into a pocket of her cloak. When Xion pulled her hand back out, she held the same blue seashell she had found yesterday in her palm. Very carefully, she placed the shell inside the palm of Roxas's right hand and closed his fingers over it to keep it in place. Xion smiled down at Roxas's sleeping face before turning to look at Axel and saying simply, "I've got a mission. Can you watch him until I get back?"
Axel frowned slightly, concerned and confused because Xion hadn't answered his question but nodded anyway, saying, "Yeah, sure." Xion smiled and replied, "Thanks." With that, she walked over to the door, opened it and stepped into the hall, following after Xigbar.
Axel stared at the door for several moments. Then with a sigh, he grabbed the chair Xion had been in only a few seconds ago and sat down.
True to his word, for what Xion suspected was one of the few instances in his previous and current existence, Xigbar was waiting for her in the Grey Area.
The Freeshooter was waiting for her, watching her step into the Area and as soon as his one eye spotted her, his face broke out into a smirk. Xion kept her own expression as blank as she could as she walked up to him, her head pulling back to look up his taller frame and meet his leering face. Xigbar, "Ready Poppet?"
Xion nodded.
With a chuckle and flick of his wrist, Xigbar summoned a swirling Corridor of Darkness. Just to annoy and anger her even more, Xigbar bowed slightly, extending his arm out in a clear mockery of the gentlemanlike gesture Roxas had did yesterday. Xigbar, "After you."
Xion glared into his mocking face before shoving past him and stepping into the Corridor. Xigbar watched her form become engulfed in darkness and disappear, the Corridor itself shrinking down into a puddle. And the entire time he watched he was unable to wipe the smirk off his face.
Aqua had been traveling up the ravine trail for a good while, looking over the edge of the path every now and then, extremely nervous due to the presence of all those Heartless. She reached a cliff edge and paused, leaning against a wall to wipe her brow. She still felt slightly ill and the exhaustion didn't help. Shaking her head to try and clear up the pounding in her temples, she looked across the cliff edge she stood on.
The path still went on further ahead and Aqua saw it stopped in front of a gate of some sort.
For a split second Aqua felt a twinge of hope that there was some kind of population and that they had a defense to keep the Heartless out. Smiling, she pushed herself away from the cliff wall and continued down the path. She arrived in front of the gate…and her smile fell, along with that tiny spark of hope.
The front of the gate and its stone pillars had been smashed to rubble, revealing a wide courtyard with a strange green and blue symbol engraved on the ground. Aqua slowly stepped into the courtyard, looking around. Something felt…familiar. Bt she couldn't place this feeling and decided to ignore it for now as she spotted another set of steps leading up another path. Aqua followed the path with her eyes and looked up slightly. Her eyes widened.
She was staring up at large circular protective wall made out of solid stone. It was broken in several places but still remained standing. But it wasn't this wall that caught her attention. It was the large tower rising over it, with several cranes and stock pipes rising out of it. Construction. Someone was rebuilding that castle.
Aqua's eyes lit up and her face broke out into a grin. There were people here! Excited, she raised across the broken courtyard and up the steps, turning a few times before she arrived in front of-
A very large an intimidating set of mechanical doors.
Aqua came to a stop, looking surprised and quickly surveying the set of doors. Clearly whoever had put them here wanted to keep everything else out. Aqua looked back over her shoulder, towards the ravine trail.
"I don't blame you for wanting to keep the Heartless out…"
Aqua lowered her arm but kept her palm open. Light gathered in her hand and extended out, then the sparkles flashed, heralding the appearance of her keyblade. Aqua stepped back until she could hold her keyblade out in front of herself. Light gathered at the tip, at first resembling a small swirling sphere of light until it suddenly shot out into a beam that struck the center of the huge doors. There was a groan and series of clicks and the two doors swung wide open. Aqua smiled, lowering her arm and dispelling her keyblade.
"But I need to get in. Hope you don't mind."
With that, she stepped through the doors, making sure to close them behind her. It took a bit of effort because they were VERY heavy. But she did managed to close them again and continued on her way.
As Aqua headed up the new path, she never saw the shadows shift and move behind her…
A second Corridor of Darkness appeared in the middle of a simple spot made of gray cement and a moment later, Xion stepped out, pausing as the Corridor melted into the ground and vanished. The dark haired girl closed her eyes for a brief moment, taking in a deep breath. Then, slowly, she opened them again, her face set determinedly.
I'm not your puppet or the Organization's doll, she told herself. Oh, how she wished she could believe that.
Forcing herself not to focus on the words of the one-eyed Freeshooter, Xion looked around and spotted some stairs, noticing she was on an elevated spot overlooking this entire city. Captivated by the view, Xion walked over to the edge of the spot she stood on, hands gripping the edges of the wall, her blue eyes wide and her mouth opened in awe.
She could see dozens of houses below, and could even make out the faint images of small children and adults, the children playing, the adults chatting or performing chores. But Xion only took notice of that in stride. What really caught her attention was the massive castle rising up in the center of this town. And massive it was, though as Xion looked it over and noticed the bottom part seemed to burst out of the ground, it suddenly reminded her of a tree and the jutting smoke stacks and towers didn't really help. Xion covered her mouth with her hand to stifle her giggles.
Sighing, Xion turned away from the amazing view and moved towards the stairs, walking down them one at a time. She now stood in a small square filled with buildings advertising sales of all things from weapons to jewelry. Xion looked around for another second, spotting another set of stairs leading down into the square itself and then up across it, towards another shop and what appeared to be, much to Xion's confusion, a large refrigerator storage.
Xion almost walked down the new stairs but stopped herself and looked towards the shops again. Only one of the shops actually had somebody inside them, a young man maybe a few years older then Xion manned the shop that had various accessories in its sign. Deciding to take a chance, Xion walked over to him.
The young man looked up as Xion approached, putting on that universal smile all store owners had, the one that said 'I'm here to help!' Xion hoped he could and smiled back saying, "Hello."
"Hi!" Responded the clerk eagerly. "What can I do for you today?"
Xion spoke in a casual questioning tone as she asked, "By any chance did a woman with blue hair pass by earlier?"
To Xion's disappointment, the clerk frowned and replied, "No, you're the first person I've seen today." Xion sighed and nodded. Xion, "Thanks anyway." She moved away from the shop and looked back across the square, towards the last set of stairs going down into the town below.
She had a search ahead of her.
After another walk up a path, Aqua found herself inside the protective wall around the castle, a kind of bailey. Aqua stood in the bottom part of it, a large set of machinery behind her while in front of her was another barred off path, though it wasn't the same huge doors that blocked her this time but a simpler yellow gate. As Aqua peered through it, she saw it led up another path, this one being paved over and covered with metal. And Aqua could see the castle rising over the metal path. The water maiden had almost walked over to it but looked back towards the stairs. She saw they led into a section of the wall, perhaps an overlook.
Deciding the path to the castle could wait a few more minutes, Aqua walked up the winding stairs, fighting her fatigue and almost failing. But somehow, she made it to the top. And indeed it was a hollowed out section of the wall with two small openings to look out into the rest of the world beyond this place. Letting out a breath and wiping her brow of sweat, Aqua walked over to the closest view port and looked out into this world.
It seemed almost all the ground was colored that strange purplish blue, and the earth was cracked and scarred badly, like some huge pair of clawed hands had ripped chunks out of the world itself. And filling each canyon, ravine or any kind of hole in the worlds ground, was a mass of black writhing insect like creatures. Aqua stared at the torn sections of ground filled with these Heartless and noticed something.
All the cracks, the tears, the rips within this world's earth…
They all intersected, meeting and connecting at…
Aqua's eyes traveled the lengths of the tears, the ravines filled with writhing Heartless and saw they all met in a huge crater miles away from this protected area.
And rising from the crater was a series of rusted and falling apart towers, with a huge red Heartless insignia embedded on the front of the middle tower. Aqua stared at the vale of towers for a moment before looking back down into the sea of Heartless.
She had a much better idea of how so many could appear on one world.
She stepped back from the view port, turning towards the steps again but paused briefly when she saw a reinforced gate barring a path to her right. She almost considered heading that way but dismissed it instantly, turning and walking back down the stairs. She couldn't explain why…
But she felt drawn to the castle. Like that courtyard inside the ruined gate, it looked familiar.
Despite all the Heartless and the strange landscape, not to mention the overwhelming aura of darkness…
She could sense something under all that. And it felt hauntingly familiar.
Aqua stood back in front of the metal gate barring her path to the castle.
Repeating her earlier actions, Aqua stepped back and extended her arm out, keyblade appearing in a flash of light. A second beam of light shot from the tip, though this one was smaller, hitting the doorknob and undoing the locks in a series of clicks.
The gate swung open on its own accord and the water maiden began to walk through, her metal shoes clanking against the sheets of metal paved onto the partially constructed pathway. She had only taken a few steps when she stopped, hearing a strange rustling noise behind her. Sighing, since she already knew what made the sound behind her, Aqua turned to face it. And wouldn't you know, it was the Heartless.
Though these had to be the ugliest ones yet, Aqua noted with a slight cringe.
There was a least half a dozen on them, their black bodies the size of full grown adults, their limbs long and ending in short but sharp looking claws. They had antennas dangling behind their heads like long ears. And like all Heartless, they had yellow eyes, each pair of them focused entirely on her and filled with that instinctive blind hunger.
Aqua raised her keyblade, noticing but ignoring the slight shake in her arm.
The Heartless in the lead of this pack crouched and leapt, pulling its claws back. Aqua ducked under the hit and pushed her keyblade out to block the attack, gritting her teeth as the Heartless actually managed to push her back. With some effort she shoved it back only for a second one too charge at her, furiously swiping its claws. Aqua jumped back at the same time two of the Heartless melted into the ground, becoming living shadows that shot under her own feet and rose up behind her, claws rearing back at the same time the first two charged at her again. With a sweeping slash of her keyblade Aqua called her Reflect Barrier up; deflecting all four Heartlesses attacks and then forcing them back as the barrier shattered into multiple bursts of green magic. Aqua charged forward, her keyblade impaling through one of the Heartless in an instant and still using the momentum of her thrust, she ripped the blade out and spun, slashing through a second.
Both Heartless fell over, melting into black mist.
The remaining Heartless backed up as Aqua advanced slightly.
The keyblade mistress was thankful the living shadows were too stupid to really pay attention to how pale and sweaty she was, panting in an effort to stay standing. Her exhaustion was catching up and catching fast. She had to end this even faster.
With reckless abandon, she charged, her keyblade shining as an aura of light covered it-
"Aie!" Aqua stumbled halfway towards the Heartless, her free hand grasping at her back, fingers slipping in her own blood. She whirled and saw one of the Heartless had gotten behind her. Its black claws looked darker as her blood dripped from them. Before she could move, another Heartless tore into her side, drops of her blood splattering onto the ground. Wildly she swung her keyblade forcing them back and away from her.
But that was all she could do as her strength faded away entirely. Aqua stumbled and collapsed against the gate, sliding down into a heap. Her eyes were half opened, her hold on consciousness slipping. And still the Heartless advanced. Aqua stared at them, her grip on her keyblade weak.
Above on part of the city walls, a small figure in black looked down on the bailey, eyes focusing on the Heartless for a second. And then zeroing in on the girl with blue hair. And her keyblade.
Aqua watched one of the Heartless begin to jerk and spasm, pulling its head back in what eerily resembled a howl. The lack of mouth on the Heartless only aided the images strange horror. Aqua's blue eyes squinted shut as all the Heartless leapt at her and all she could do in defense was raise her keyblade flat out in a weak and feeble defense.
'Schink'!
A blade had been drawn and Aqua's eyes opened.
All she could see was a blur of gold against black tearing into the Heartless in a series of spinning leaps, cutting the shadows down, tearing them in two, blocking their claws. And never once pausing until all the remaining Heartless hit the ground and melted into black mist.
Her savior landed in front of her with his back facing her.
Surprisingly, he was extremely short, maybe half her own height. And he was wearing one of those black cloaks, complete with the hood raised. But Aqua failed to notice this.
Instead, her sapphire eyes widened at the sight of his weapon held in his right hand outstretched. It was easily as long as its wielder was tall and colored a shining royal gold. The blade teeth at the end were shaped to resemble the classic image of a crown and the square shaped hilt guard was a silvery white, a red circle around the spot where the blade and hilt connected. And dangling at the end of the guard was a long golden chain, the charm at the end shaped like a mouse head with big circular ears.
Aqua stared at the keyblade in shock before looking back at its wielder.
And finally noticing the two huge circular ears that threatened to pop out of the hood.
Her rescuer lowered his weapon and turned to look at her. Aqua saw the lower half of his face, noticing that pointy black nose of his. And she saw he was smiling, that friendly smile that could make anybody grin back.
"Gee, it's been a while hasn't it, Aqua?"
The water maiden was unable to stop the smile of relief from spreading across her face or the tears that had been brimming in the corners of her eyes from falling down her cheek.
"M-m…" She stuttered before suddenly exclaiming and grabbing him a fierce hug that he returned happily.
"Mickey!"
Cold.
He was freezing and couldn't move.
Someone was cradling him but he couldn't see who, only that they wore some kind of armor.
He heard a familiar laugh.
"This brat's a keyblade wielder? As if!"
And while he knew this voice and had long grown use to the cocky tone that came with it, he was suddenly filled with anger.
The voice's owner must have noticed because he laughed again, but this time he sounded impressed.
"That's some look you got there!"
And then there was only a flash of light.
Blue eyes blinked open and stared right up a familiar steel ceiling.
Roxas stared up at his room's ceiling for a few seconds before forcing himself to sit up, eyes shutting in a wince at how stiff his body felt. As he completely sat up, he felt something in his hand and looked down at it-
"Roxas!"
Said blonde blinked in surprise as Axel suddenly appeared, green eyes concerned but relieved looking.
Axel, "Thank the gods you're finally awake!" Roxas rubbed the back of his head, still groaning and wincing. His throat was really dry but he forced himself to ask, "Wha…what hap…happened?"
Axel sat back down in the chair he been in and replied slowly, "You passed out yesterday. Do you remember what you were doing before it happened?"
Roxas straightened up a little, rubbing his forehead with his left hand while still clutching the small item in his right. Roxas, "Yesterday…Me and…"
He stopped and looked down at his hand, fingers uncurling.
Nestled right in the center of his palm was that same blue seashell she had picked up yesterday.
"Xion…" Roxas breathed. Axel looked at the shell as well before looking back up at Roxas.
The teen went on. Roxas, "We were…at the beach…played tag…"
Axel smiled slightly at that but quickly forced his grin back down. Roxas didn't notice and went on.
Roxas, "Then we watched…the sunset. I don't…" He closed his eyes suddenly, his left hand pushing into his forehead as he groaned loudly. "Remember."
Axel sighed but nodded. Axel, "Don't think too hard about it. All that matters is you're awake." The Flurry of Flames grinned suddenly. Axel, "Much more quickly than usual. Last time you were out at least a month!"
Roxas smiled slightly at that, letting his hand fall away as he shifted, swinging his legs over the bedside, which made Axel stand up, and push the chair away as Roxas sat on his bed, blue eyes still focused on the shell in his hand. He rolled the little item between his index finger and thumb before looking up at Axel and asking, "Where's Xion?"
Axel stiffened suddenly, looking away from his young friend and rubbing the back of his neck. Axel, "Uhh, yeah, about Xion." Roxas's eyes widened, suddenly fearing the worst for Xion. Roxas stood up, stumbling but righting himself while asking, "What? What happened, is she alright?"
Axel gently grabbed Roxas by the shoulders. Axel, "Calm down. She's fine; she's just not here right now." Roxas frowned, confused. Roxas, "Where is she?"
Axel let go of Roxas and rubbed the back of his neck again, looking very nervous. Axel, "Um, ok, well, earlier, before you woke up, Xigbar showed up and-"
Roxas's eyes widened in outrage. Roxas, "Xigbar? What did he want?"
Axel shrugged. Axel, "I don't know. I didn't hear whatever he said to her and after he left, she followed. Last I saw, they were both heading for the Grey Area." As soon as he heard that Roxas moved past Axel and straight for the door. The red head quickly followed after while saying, "Whoa Roxas hold up! You just woke up and you want to go see Xigbar of all people?" Roxas ignored him and opened the door, stepping out into the hall, Axel still following. Roxas didn't say anything until he and Axel reached the Grey Area.
And sitting with his boots propped up on the table, not a single hair or his eye patch out of place, was Xibar, his smirk wider then ever as he watched Roxas glare at him from across the room.
"Hiya kiddo," greeted the Freeshooter in a friendly manner so sweet it was obviously fake. Roxas walked over to him, Axel not too far behind. Xigbar went on, asking, "Enjoy your nap?"
Roxas only replied in accusation, "Where is she?"
Xigbar put on an innocent and confused expression. "Who?"
Roxas scowled down on Xigbar and snapped, "Don't play with me. Where's Xion?"
Xigbar frowned for a second and then snapped his fingers, like he just remembered something. Xigbar, "Oh, Poppet! Yeah, now I remember."
But instead of answering Roxas's question, the Freeshooter glanced past him with his one eye, looking at Axel. Xibar, "Yo, pyro! Puppy wants you." Both Roxas and Axel frowned in confusion at that. Axel asked, "So why didn't he come find me himself?" His tone was suspicious.
Xigbar shrugged. "That's what I asked. But apparently I'm everybody's messenger boy today." He waved dismissively at Axel. Xigbar, "Off with you! Don't keep the moon gazer waiting. We all know about that temper of his…"
Axel glared at Xigbar for another moment, his green eyes untrusting and accusing. Xigbar just smiled pleasantly back at him, waving his hand again. Axel stepped back, not taking his eyes off the Freeshooter until he was out of the room.
The only two Nobodies left in the Grey Area were Roxas and Xigbar.
Roxas's glare intensified and he angrily snapped, "Alright, he's gone now. Where is she?"
Xigbar folded his arms behind his head and his face was set in a mocking thinking expression. Xigbar, "Where is she again? Darn, I knew where I sent her a few minutes ago…"
Roxas's right hand was clenched into a shaking fist while still being careful as he held the shell and he snapped again, "Don't play games! Where is she?"
Xigbar still looked thoughtful before snapping is fingers again. Xigbar, "Ah! Now I remember. The Superior had a mission for you, but since you were getting some much needed beauty rest, he decided to send our dear Poppet. It's your standard recon mission for any new world." Roxas's angry glare suddenly morphed into a confused expression.
Roxas, "New world recon? That's it?"
Xigbar nodded. Roxas couldn't contain his sigh of relief. But his blood ran to ice at what Xigbar said next.
Xigbar, "But it seems Aqua was also spotted on that world as well, so aside from the recon and heart collecting, Xion is to take a whack at her with her own keyblade." Xigbar's smirk widened into a full-blown sneer and he leaned back in his chair. Xigbar, "Wow, a fight between keyblade wielders. Kinda makes me wish I was there right now."
Both of Roxas's hands were clenched into shaking fists, his eyes wide and furious. But he forced himself to not throttle Xigbar's neck as he said through clenched teeth, "This was a mission for me right? I'm awake now so send me."
Xigbar rubbed his chin, frowning mockingly. Xigbar, "Eh, seems like a waste of time. I mean she's already there."
Roxas couldn't keep his anger towards the Freeshooter bottled anymore and he was about to snap and scream at him to let him go after Xion-
When Xigbar's form flickered before his eyes. Roxas's angry expression cooled into a look of horror and confusion. For an instant, Xigbar's black cloak became a kind of gray uniform, the gray in his hair faded back to black and shortened. He had both eyes again and they were just regular brown instead of that haunting amber. Overcome by horror that his dreams were once again affecting his waking world, Roxas stepped back.
This confused the Freeshooter and he really frowned in a combination of confusion and annoyance. Xigbar, "Roxas? What's wrong?"
As soon as he spoke, the illusion broke and Xigbar looked normal once again. Roxas shook his head and replied without thinking, "I'm fine Braig."
Xigbar's single eye widened while Roxas felt the blood drain from his face. The Freeshooter stood up, looking down on Roxas and asking quietly, "What did you say?" Roxas looked away from Xigbar's suddenly very intense gaze and said quickly, "I said I was fine."
Xigbar looked down on Roxas with his single questioning eye. Then, slowly, he raised his hand and flicked his wrist. A swirling Corridor of Darkness rose up next to him and Roxas. Xigbar, "You know what kiddo, you caught me in a good mood. Go on after Xion and tell her to come home." Xigbar pointed his index finger at Roxas before saying, "But you have to complete the mission in her place. Understand?"
Roxas nodded quickly while moving into the Corridor. It swallowed him, engulfing his form in darkness before sinking into the floor and vanishing.
Xigbar now stood alone in the Grey Area, his look blank and thoughtful.
And then very slowly, his smirk reappeared, bigger then ever, his single eye excited.
Xion found herself in the alleyways of the village. She had been walking around for a little while and noticed the following:
This entire city was surrounded by a huge protective wall made of gray stone. But the wall was falling apart in several places and there were all kinds of repair vehicles set up, cranes and generators for extra power. There were also several pipes built into the ground of the town, maybe for an irrigation or sewer system. It also looked like these homes were a recent addition because they appeared to be made from all kinds of materials ranging from brick, metal and stone.
All this told Xion that this world had suffered some kind of attack or recent cataclysmic event and the inhabitants were trying to repair and pick up the pieces.
It reminded her of Agrabah, because they had still been repairing the damage from all the storms. Xion looked up at the crane and generator on the wall above her as she stepped into another alley. But these people had more to work with and more damage to repair.
She continued to walk a little farther ahead, wondering where to start looking for Aqua.
"Hey Leon!"
Xion stopped when she heard a voice up ahead and moved closer to the wall to stay hidden from view.
A second voice replied, "What?" From the sound of his tone, the owner of the second voice was slightly emotionless and bored.
The first went on and said, "I got this new idea. It'll improve town defense by ten fold."
There was a sound like a door opening and she heard the first continue saying, "If anything it'll definitely make going to the castle a little easier." There was another sound and Xion knew what it was now, a door opening and then closing.
"Castle," muttered Xion.
Best place to start, she figured and continued around the corner. She was now in front of a large cottage built into a series of buildings. Xion guessed that was the place the owners of the voices had entered. But she didn't need to focus on them right now. She looked down another alley and saw it lead to a set of stairs going on top of the wall. Xion looked back at the castle one last time before sprinting down the alley and then up the stairs.
And what a set of stairs they were! They were long, slanting vertically and when she arrived up them she stood right by the mechanical crane and the generator it was connected to. Xion found she was atop the protective wall around the city and that there was a chain link fence being built into it. Xion stepped up to the fence, gripping it as she stared out into the world beyond the city.
The ground was a strange purple and blue color and was torn up badly, deep scar like canyons and trenches all over.
A cataclysm indeed.
Xion looked away from the fence and down the rest of the path, ignoring all the pipes and sheets of metal to settle her gaze on the gate barring the way into another part of the village. Xion walked across the way and up to the gate. She tried to open it but not surprisingly it was locked.
Xion stepped back, frowning with her hands on her hips.
"Well. I guess this is a chance to try this out…"
She lowered her right hand, opening her palm as she did. Sparks of light gathered and extended, forming into a long blade. There was a flash and Xion held her Kingdom Key keyblade again. She stepped back and pointed the tip at the lock. A small beam of light shot out, entering the lock. There was a loud click and the gate swung open.
Xion smiled a little. It was a keyblade after all.
Pushing the gate open the rest of the way, she started down another set of stairs.
Axel slowly walked into Saix's large room, the blue haired second in command gazing up at Kingdom Hearts through the huge window, arms crossed as usual. Saix didn't acknowledge Axel's presence until the Flurry of Flames was halfway from him.
Saix, "What is it?"
Axel scowled and snapped, "You tell me! Xigbar said you wanted to talk to me!"
Saix maintained his blank expression as he turned to face the red head. His reply was simple.
"I never told Xigbar that."
Axel's green eyes widened. Axel, "W-what?"
Saix ignored that confused stutter and went on saying, "And if I wanted to speak with you, I would have said so to your face instead of sending that annoyance to get you." Axel heard this and his face went even paler then it already was. He turned and quickly moved away, almost running out of the room.
Saix watched him go.
Then he returned his yellow eyes back on the glowing moon above.
Within moments Axel was back in the Grey Area.
And saw he was the only one there.
Roxas and Xigbar were gone.
Axel couldn't fight the growing sense of unease and horror in his stomach. Xigbar lying was a normal thing. But lying to get both Roxas and Xion alone, on a new world only Xigbar knew how to access…
Axel sprinted out of the Grey Area and back into the halls, looking for someone, anyone at all.
He found Demyx, walking for some destination only to be stopped by Axel as the Flurry of Flames yanked him over.
Demyx, "Yah! Hey, what's the big idea Axel?"
Ignoring his question Axel asked breathlessly, "Have you seen Xigbar?"
Demyx frowned. "Xiggy? No man, haven't seen him all day. Not surprising, nobody knows what he does on his days off."
Axel frowned. "Day off?"
Demyx nodded, smiling. Demyx, "Yeah man! The Superior declared no missions for any body today! Why, didn't you hear?"
Axel stared at the Melodious Nocturne in dawning horror.
Axel, "Oh no…"
Mickey led Aqua to a hidden spot behind a large rising stonewall cutoff in the path. The area had metal grates and plates welded and built down onto it. It appeared the people of this world were trying to make a better path to the castle.
The first thing Aqua had done when Mickey lead her here was sit down, her eyes barely open. Seeing this, Mickey reached into his cloak and pulled out a golden elixir bottle and handed it too her. Aqua gratefully swallowed the contents of glass bottle, her wounds healing and her vitality and stamina returning. She swallowed the remainder of the restorative drink and lowered the bottle, taking in a breath before looking at Mickey.
He stood across from her, hands by his sides and his keyblade was gone, the mouse having dispelled it when they arrived. He watched her, still smiling, no doubt very happy to see her. And also no doubt confused by her appearance here all of sudden and out of the blue.
Aqua looked him over, noting while it was a few sizes smaller then the others; it was still one of those cloaks he wore. So Aqua decided to ask first, "Why are you wearing that?"
Mickey looked over himself, tugging the front of the cloak and chuckling. He looked back at her and replied, "I've never been one to pull off the basic black look have I? But it's necessary. I'm in hiding at the moment."
Aqua frowned, and asked, "Hiding? What for?"
Mickey, "The guys I stole this from don't like me." While the statement should have been a joke, Mickey's expression was dead serious.
Aqua nodded and looked away from the mouse king. Neither of them said anything for a second. Finally, Aqua spoke again.
Aqua, "Thank you for saving me."
Mickey smiled bashfully, rubbing the back of his head. Mickey, "Ah, you woulda done the same thing." He still smiled, but also looked concerned. Mickey, "Aqua, where have you been?"
Aqua sighed, pulling her legs closer to herself and wrapping her arms around her knees. She spoke quietly. Aqua, "The Realm of Darkness. Wandering and wandering, walking down the same never-ending path every day. I could never tell when it was day or night. I guess it really didn't matter. It was always perpetual darkness. I was alone…Save for the Heartless."
Mickey's face fell, looking both sad and horrified.
He stepped closer to her, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. Mickey, "How did you escape?"
Aqua shrugged. Aqua, "I don't know. This portal of light just appeared. And I didn't stay around to find out how it appeared."
Mickey frowned still. Mickey, "Just now?"
Aqua shook her head, eyes closing. "No," she replied and then said, "I arrived in this town between light and darkness. It was perpetual twilight there. And some of the Heartless followed after me through the light. I spent a good day hunting and destroying as many as I could." Her eyes opened, her expression now scowling and angry.
"But I wasn't the only one. There were these two others, both wearing that same cloak of yours fighting Heartless. I saved them from a huge one. And the one with red hair threw a chakram at me."
Mickey's eyes widened and he gasped out, "Axel!"
Aqua nodded. "That was his name. I managed to get away from him and his friend. For about a day. These two younger kids, both wearing the cloak like him tried to trick me into going with them."
Mickey interrupted by asking, "Go with them? Why?'
Aqua shrugged. Aqua, "At first I thought it was because I could wield a keyblade. And horrifyingly enough, those two I talked to could too. They almost had me until that red head Axel attacked me again. I beat him, somehow, and when his two friends showed back up I beat a hasty retreat." She smiled sheepishly.
"By jumping off a cliff side." Mickey winced.
Aqua nodded. "Not one of my better decisions these last few days. I survived somehow with a lot of bumps and bruises. I must have passed out because I woke up in this strange mansion. I met two people, a boy younger then me named Riku."
At the mention of that name, Mickey's ears perked up and he smiled. Aqua went on saying, "And a man in red with bandages on his face calling himself DiZ."
At the mention of that name Mickey's ears dropped and his smile fell.
Aqua noticed this but went on saying, "DiZ told me who those people in the black cloaks were. Beings that lost their hearts, living shells. Nobodies. He explained their leader needed to use keyblade wielders to gather hearts from the Heartless. He wants his own Kingdom Hearts to give hearts to the Nobodies."
Her eyes narrowed, her gloved hands gripping her legs tightly.
Aqua, "And to take over this entire realm of worlds."
Aqua reached into her pack with her right hand and pulled out the cracked Star Fragment, displaying it to Mickey, whose eyes widened in shock.
Mickey, "Where-How-?"
Aqua interrupted, "DiZ gave it to me. He said it was gift from an old friend." Mickey's eyes narrowed in thought at that and he took the Fragment, looking it over before putting it in a pocket inside his cloak.
He looked back at Aqua, urging her to continue. And so she did.
Aqua, "The Fragment has taken me to so many worlds. And in each of them I've fought someone in a black cloak. They've all been trying to capture me, under orders from their…Superior."
Mickey crossed his arms over his chest, closing his eyes and bowing his head in thought.
He didn't say anything for a moment and Aqua just watched him.
Finally, she asked the question she had been avoiding.
Aqua, "How long?"
Mickey looked back up at her in confusion.
Aqua, "You know what I mean. How long has it been?"
Mickey stared at her, eyes suddenly looking very tired and sadder the she ever remembered seeing them.
He didn't say anything, just looked away from her.
His reply was very quiet, almost too quiet to hear.
Mickey, "Ten years, almost eleven."
Aqua's eyes widened.
For a moment, she simply refused to accept what she just heard. It wasn't possible, she told herself. Just not possible. She touched her face and said, "B-b-but I haven't-"
Mickey, "Time moves differently in the Realm of Darkness. Ten years here could be the equivalent of a month there. I'm sorry Aqua."
Mickey watched her carefully as Aqua lowering her head so she could hide her face against her knees. He couldn't see the tears but he heard them in her voice.
Aqua, "Then I'll never find him…"
Mickey's head rose a little.
Aqua, "It's been too long. He could be anywhere…or he could be dead."
Mickey looked at her with sad, sympathetic eyes but made no move to comfort her.
He looked back down the path, towards the castle. He looked back at Aqua. Mickey, "Aqua, did DiZ say anything else?"
The distraught water maiden shook her head. Aqua, "Nothing, just something about a world called Hollow…something."
Mickey's eyes widened slightly. Mickey, "Bastion."
Aqua nodded numbly. Aqua, "That was it. Hollow Bastion."
Mickey crossed his arms and looked towards the castle's rising towers. He spoke slowly and carefully, tone serious. Mickey, "Aqua. I'm looking for something in that castle up ahead. A document that's part of a series of reports a very close friend of mine wrote. If I can find it, it can answer questions regarding the damage done to this world."
Aqua listened quietly, nodding slowly. Aqua, "And why is this report so important?"
Mickey turned to look at her. Mickey, "Because the man who wrote it, my friend, was the ruler of this world. He was framed Aqua. Someone stole his name and everybody believes the current state of the worlds is his fault when it was really the imposter's. I've got to clear his name."
Aqua smiled, flicking a tear off her cheek. Aqua, "You haven't changed, I'm glad to say. Still helping those in need."
Mickey smiled. Mickey, "That's me."
Aqua stood up, smiling back at the mouse king. Aqua, "I'll help. It's the least I can do."
Mickey's grin widened in happiness. Mickey, "Thank you. After we find it, I'll take you off this world. Maybe old Master Yen Sid will help us out…"
Aqua nodded, still smiling a little.
Mickey moved ahead and she followed, both walking up the rest of the path of the castle.
Behind them, a young girl wearing the same black cloak as Mickey moved to follow them but at a slower pace then the two so they wouldn't notice her.
High atop one of the worlds many cliffs, a hooded figure wearing the black cloak as well watched all three of them, the lower half of his jaw that was visible in what little light there was revealed his mouth was set in a smirk as he watched the show below.
The puddle of shadows that was the Corridor of Darkness Xion had stepped through rose up, growing back to full size only this time it was Roxas who stepped out. He looked around wildly, instantly noting that this world was huge, filled with houses and a massive castle right in the center.
Roxas set his blue eyes on that castle.
"Xion…"
A second later he was sprinting across the shopping square and down the steps into the alleyways of the houses below.
Aqua and Mickey were walking across the last trek of the path, moving close to a large platform connected to the castle. It looked like a recent addition and was made of several metal girders, sheets and tubes that connected it to the side of the castle and allowed it to suspend over the pit below. Their footsteps echoed off the metal of the platform as they stepped onto it.
Mickey looked up at Aqua and said, "I just found his old office and that's probably the best place to start searching." Aqua nodded. Mickey continued to speak as the two moved towards another set of stairs leading down to a walkway. Mickey, "Though it's probably not there. Gosh, I wish I knew were his old lab was…Aqua?"
The bluenette keyblade mistress had stopped walking and stood in the center of the platform. She turned slowly and Mickey followed her movements. And saw they had a guest.
It was a girl who looked a few years younger then Aqua She had short black hair and deep blue eyes and while she was very pretty her face was set in a serious expression, making her look sad and tense. Aqua met the girls eyes evenly, her own expression blank and cool. Mickey started to move closer but Aqua held her hand out slightly, stopping him.
The girl and Aqua just stared at each other for a few more moments, the tension in the air growing with each second. It was Aqua who broke the silence. Aqua, "I remember you. You were that girl I met in Twilight Town."
The dark haired girl nodded, smiling sadly. "That's right. I'm not surprised you don't remember my name. I'm Xion, Number 14."
Aqua raised a brow. Aqua, "14? I thought this group called itself Organization XIII." Xion nodded sadly. Xion, "That's right. But I'm still Number 14, their second keyblade wielder."
Aqua crossed her arms over her chest. Mickey only watched silently, eyes focused and intense.
Aqua, "Is that what your Superior wants with me? To be Number 15?"
Xion closed her eyes and sighed helplessly. Xion, "I don't know. None of us do. He just ordered all of us to try and capture you. We can't defy his orders. None of us dare."
Aqua's eyes lowered sadly. Aqua, "I'm sorry."
Xion looked at Aqua pleadingly. Xion, "Please. I don't want to fight you, but I can't go back empty handed. You have to come with me."
Aqua's expression changed from sympathetic to angry.
Aqua, "I don't have to go anywhere with any of you." She raised her hand and pointed at Xion. Aqua, "Return to your 'Superior' and tell him no matter how many of you keep chasing me, I'll stand my ground and defeat every last one of you."
Xion's own pleading face slowly changed into an angry one. Xion, "Of course. I guess even you wouldn't understand. You're a 'real' keyblade master after all. Not a fake. Not a doll. You make your own fate." With an angry cry of despair, Xion swung her arm out, her Kingdom Key keyblade appearing in a flash of light. She gripped it with both hands and crouched slightly, glaring at Aqua.
The water maiden's anger had melted into confusion over Xion's words. "Real…?" She murmured thoughtfully. Xion glared at Aqua, her deep bleu eyes shimmering. Xion, "You're not like any of us…Maybe that's why he wants you."
Mickey started to step forward but Aqua held her hand up to keep him back. Aqua, "This is my fight. It has been since the day they found me." Sweeping her right hand out, Aqua called her own keyblade into existence and lowered it to her side but kept her gaze on Xion. Aqua, "I guess I'll see how keyblade wielders fight these days." Xion didn't say anything, just kept her blue eyes focused intently on Aqua.
Aqua stood perfectly still while Mickey backed up until he stood on the platform to the castle, out of the battlefield.
The two keyblade wielding females stared at each other, neither moving an inch.
It was Xion who acted first, charging at Aqua with a battle cry while pulling her keyblade back in an overhead swing. Aqua stepped back calmly and swung her keyblade out to deflect Xion's strike and try to hit the girl. Xion dodged by rolling and moving a few feet back, both hands still gripping the handle of her keyblade.
Aqua extended her blade out in a classic fencer's ready stance and the two women began circling each other. Xion charged again, this time bringing her keyblade up a powerful uppercut like swing. Aqua dodged by pulling back and she thrust her keyblade in the opening Xion left, clipping the girl's side and forcing her to retreat back. Aqua remained on the offensive, swinging her keyblade quickly in powerful, skilled and timed strokes. Xion only managed to block these by reversing her hold on her keyblade and holding it against her self like a shield. Aqua was forced back as Xion swung again, and the younger girl mimicked Aqua's earlier sudden attack by swinging her keyblade in a rapid three hit combo.
Aqua managed to block each strike with her own keyblade, still making no real effort to do so and retaliated once again with a thrust of her blade towards Xion's chest. This time the younger girl wasn't fast enough and was pushed back with a cry of pain. She stumbled back clutching her chest. Aqua knew that had to have hurt. The younger girl clutched her chest, eyes closed with her jaw gritting to keep from crying. Aqua almost thought about ending the fight here Xion forced her eyes open to glare back at Aqua.
To the keyblade mistress's surprise there was little anger in Xion's dark blue eyes but a strong determination. Aqua found herself impressed.
There was something about those eyes…
She didn't have time to think it over as Xion suddenly thrust her blade into the air. Aqua felt energy crackle in the air and swiftly cart wheeled to the side as a bolt of lightning struck down from the clear sky above. Xion repeated this thrust of her blade several more times, calling three more bolts of lightning in rapid succession. Aqua dodged them all in a series of fast cartwheels and back flips that left the spots she had been standing on scorched. Aqua smirked at Xion.
Magic huh?
She could play that game.
Aqua held her keyblade out and the tip glowed. Without pausing once, multiple bursts of electricity fired from the tip in rapid-fire succession, every shot shooting for Xion. The dark haired girl managed to dodge just barely, rolling under and running from each shot. The spots where they struck instead became alive with electricity, small bolts arching off the walls and dispelling quickly. Xion thrust her blade back in the air and a large flaming red orb shot into the air only to descend down on Aqua quickly. The water maiden watched it, eyes widening as it began to smoke and spark.
Aqua quickly cartwheeled narrowly avoiding the huge explosion of flame, stumbling and almost falling over. Xion took her chance and raced over, slashing her keyblade rapidly and scoring a few hits, hitting Aqua hard on the chest and her side. The keyblade mistress called her barrier up to deflect a sweeping blow to her head which might have knocked her out if it connected and the sudden appearance of her barrier caught Xion off guard forcing her several steps back, keyblade still ready.
Behind the two girls Mickey still watched patiently and silently, his eyes following every move.
Aqua thrust her keyblade back out, magic gathering at the tip before unleashing a salvo of fireballs that would explode on impact. Xion tried to deflect them only to discover their explosive properties as they collided against he keyblade and sent her flying back, hitting the metal ground of the platform and sending her keyblade skidding. Not wanting to continue this fight and risk hurting the girl even worse then she already had, Aqua thrust her keyblade in the air, calling more magic. Xion felt the metal under her begin to rapidly chill and frost over, spurring the dark haired girl to roll quickly away from that spot just a series of ice pillars burst out of the ground almost piercing Xion but failing thanks to her timely dodging.
Xion scrambled up and held her hand out, causing her keyblade, that still remained a good distance away, to flash and vanish in a shower of bright sparkles and reappear in her hand.
Xion gripped her keyblades handle with both hands, face flushed and panting. She was already on her last leg while Aqua still hadn't broke a sweat.
Aqua looked at the panting girl, seeing she was about to fall over any second now.
Aqua, "Please stop. I can tell you're not like the others I fought. Don't push this any farther then it has to go."
Xion glared at the water maiden through tired but still determined eyes. She would not be pitied by this woman. She didn't need anyone's sympathy or help!
Xion held her keyblade out and spoke lowly but fiercely. Xion, "I won't-"
Light erupted around her keyblade, turning it into a sword of holy power.
"Give in!" Screamed Xion as she charged, rapidly swinging her new sword in wide sweeping slashes. Aqua's eyes widened and she jumped back, running her hand over her own keyblade. Deep indigo magic covered it and the keyblade grew into a sword of magic power the size of Xion's. Both blades collided and the two keyblade holders swung rapidly, each meeting collision of their blades sending sparks flying and blood on the ground when they failed to block or deflect a strike. Xion jumped back, pulling her keyblade back before charging and swinging, sending four pillars of light at Aqua. The water maiden charged at the attack head on and leapt, spinning herself and her blade rapidly, deflecting the pillars.
And cutting Xion across the chest as her blade cut through hers, sending shattered shards of light magic everywhere. When the shards hit the platform, the vanished in a burst of sparks. The dark haired girl looked shocked and pained as she fell back in midair, her light sword turning back into her Kingdom Key keyblade. Xion and her keyblade hit the metal platform in a loud 'clang', bouncing twice before sliding and coming to a stop by the short wall of the platform.
Aqua took in several deep breaths, her blade's charge dying down and turning her long sword of magic back into a keyblade. Mickey walked over, his eyes on Xion as the girl feebly tried to reach for her weapon to continue the fight. Aqua looked at Mickey and opened her mouth to say-
"Xion!"
Both Mickey and Aqua whirled and saw a blonde and black blur racing over, fast foot falls reverberating off the metal of the platform. Aqua saw it was that blonde teen who looked so much like Ven.
The teen raced over to his friend, crouching by her and picking her up in his arms. His look was one of anguish when he saw the tear in her cloak and the blood stains on her white shirt that peeked through the tear. He looked at her face and murmured, "Xion…"
The girl's eyes opened a little, and she smiled up at her friend. Xion, "Roxas…you're awake…"
Roxas looked at her wound and then at Aqua, his anguish morphing into bubbling rage. He returned his gaze to Xion and asked, "Why? Why did you go after her? You've seen what happened to everyone else!"
Xion's smiled sadly. Xion, "I wanted…to prove I wasn't…their doll…"
Xion raised her right hand, which shook badly as she stroked Roxas's face. Xion, "I'm sorry…Roxas…" And then her hand fell away, her head lolling as her eyes closed. Roxas's eyes widened in horror and he pulled the girl closer while crying, "Xion! XION!"
Aqua watched silently. She saw tears pour down Roxas's cheeks and onto Xion's. Roxas briefly bowed his head as he lowered Xion gently back down. Roxas, "You're not a doll…you're my friend…" His whisper was so quiet Aqua almost didn't hear it. She found herself thinking of Ven again. And then she saw his left hand slip around the handle of Xion's keyblade.
Roxas looked back up at Aqua, blue eyes teary. And enraged. "You," he snarled. Aqua had never heard Ven ever sound this angry and that helped remind her this wasn't Ven at all.
Just someone who looked an awful lot like him.
Roxas stood up; left hand holding Xion's keyblade while his right remained clenched and shaking. Roxas raised his right hand as if to point at Aqua but his fist was still clenched and shaking. Roxas, "This is all because…OF YOU!" With a roar of barely contained fury he swung his right hand out, hand opening and in a swirl of sparks called a second Kingdom Key keyblade into existence.
Aqua's sapphire eyes widened. She had never seen someone wield two keyblades.
Aqua, "How did you-"
But Roxas's only reply was a scream of rage as he charged forward, pulling both blades back. He brought them down with such force Aqua almost couldn't raise her keyblade in time to block the attack. To her horror, she was pushed back and down on one knee, using both hands to keep her keyblade raised. The three weapons shook, Roxas's enraged face looming over her. Aqua, "Stop this! I didn't want to hurt your friend but she left me no choice! None of you have since you all started after me!"
Roxas, "Shut-" He swung both blades out and sent Aqua's keyblade spinning in the air. "UP!" He screamed as he thrust both blades for her stomach and chest to impale her-
Clang!
A flash of gold blocked silver as Mickey appeared between Roxas and Aqua. Mickey met Roxas's enraged glare with a cool and collected look. Mickey, "Try me on for size!"
With that said Mickey swung and forced Roxas's blades down and then the mouse king let loose a barrage of sweeps and swings with his golden Kingdom Key, the blade bashing and cutting into Roxas's chest, arms and legs. The duel wielder stumbled back, using his keyblades to block some of the blows while glaring angrily at both Mickey and Aqua. The water maiden collected her keyblade and charged back over, swinging in time with Mickey. Roxas blocked both their keyblades with his and with massive strength forced the two back in a powerful shove and spin slash from his blades.
Mickey and Aqua slid back, side by side. The two exchanged glances and nodded. Two on one wasn't fair but this one had two keyblades and they'd have to make an exception.
Roxas twirled his keyblades before pulling them back, holding them reversed against his elbows and then swinging them again, releasing his hold on them. The twin Kingdom Keys spun like boomerangs and Aqua and Mickey dodged by jumping to the side. Aqua righted herself and unleashed another salvo of fireballs. Roxas caught his keyblades and swung them like bats, deflecting all of Aqua's projectile magics. And sent them back at Mickey. The mouse king barely tried to dodge them, easily weaving and dodging past each fireball and causing them to hit a part of the platform or castle. Mickey returned the favor to Roxas by thrusting his gloved palm out, multiple orbs of white magic shooting out for the teen. Roxas wasn't fast enough to deflect them this time and each orb struck him in the chest, forcing a grunt from his mouth and for the blonde to take a step back with each orb as it hit.
Aqua saw her opening and charged, spinning and becoming surrounded by a circle of flame that scorched the front of Roxas's cloak. She struck him several times in the chest and then kicked him away. Roxas hit the wall with bitten down cry of pain. He righted himself and glared at Aqua, blades twirling. Mickey jumped back over to Aqua's side, looking up at the water maiden as he said quickly, "I've got an idea! Buy me some time!"
Aqua nodded just as Roxas charged again, pulling his keyblades back as he crossed his arms over his chest. Mickey leapt away while Aqua called her barrier up just as Roxas slashed widely in an 'x' shaped cross chop. Aqua was forced back with a surprised cry, the front of her barrier cracking, almost shattering right there. Was this boy's strength natural or did it come from using two keyblades? She wondered while dispelling her barrier and charging at Roxas. The boy met her charge head on.
"Showdown!" Roxas declared.
Time seemed to slow. The two continued to move towards each other, Aqua pulling her keyblade down in preparation for an uppercut slash and swing of her blade while Roxas had his left keyblade high for a chop but kept his right at chest level and slanted slightly for a slash. They met in the center of the platform, keyblades ready-
And Roxas was the quicker, his keyblades slamming into her shoulder and cutting her across the stomach. Aqua was launched back with a cry of pain, hitting the platform hard. Roxas raced at her just as Aqua righted herself and thrust her blade out, firing bursts of electricity. They each nailed Roxas in the chest and stunned him, arcs of yellow lightning coursing through his body and making his already spiky locks even spikier. Roxas stumbled back allowing Aqua to race over and slash him several times, the final slash sending him staggering back, almost dropping his keyblades.
Aqua watched Roxas right himself as if he hadn't just taken a beating or several lightning blasts to the chest and then she called over her shoulder, "How's it coming back there, Mickey?"
The mouse king was on a higher part of the platform, golden blade held high in the air, an orb of light glowing and growing at the tip in time with the aura around his body. Mickey called back, "Almost there! Just a little longer!"
Aqua nodded as Roxas howled a battle cry and charged, blades slashing wildly, no skill just wide sweeping slashes with raw power behind them. Aqua knew if even one of those hit her it would break a bone and disable her, leaving Mickey vulnerable to the teen's rage. Aqua concentrated on dodging, cartwheeling and back flipping away from each slice, ducking and weaving away from each slash and calling her barrier up when Roxas almost managed to hit her neck and take her head off. Her barrier didn't hold as well this time, the portion Roxas struck actually shattering. Aqua jumped back a good distance and called, "Mickey!"
The mouse king's eyes had been closed in concentration and suddenly snapped open, glowing with blue and white holy light as was his entire body and keyblade. Mickey looked at his shining keyblade and declared, "Light! Give us Power!"
With that, he slashed his keyblade in the air and pointed it at Roxas. A beam of pure white light shot out and struck Roxas dead in the chest. The teen only had time for one look of surprise and clarity from his rage-
As the beam of light exploded around him, consuming him an explosion of raw power and purest light. There wasn't any real sound as the light exploded nor was there any sound of pain from Roxas either. Mickey leapt over to Aqua's side; the two watching the explosion of light fade away, the pure white energy dissipating.
And Roxas still stood; head bowed and shoulders hunched, hands still gripping the two keyblades at his side. His cloak was torn and burnt in several places, his gloves were intact though and blood ran down a few cuts on his forehead and dribbled out of his mouth. He looked at Aqua and Mickey with clouded eyes. The two were shocked to see Roxas still standing. The blonde keyholder raised his right hand slightly, fingers unclenching from their grip. He was looking at something other then his keyblade but Aqua couldn't see what.
Roxas, "Xion…"
His grip on his keyblade became tight again and he looked back at Aqua and Mickey. There was still anger in his eyes but it was focused now.
Roxas, "Give me strength!"
He jumped into the air and thrust both blades towards the sky. Instantly, he became consumed in a pillar of light and neither Aqua or Mickey had time to move as more pillars burst around Roxas and them, erupting form the ground and blasting them with pure white light. Aqua and Mickey screamed as Roxas pulled his keyblades back and roared, calling more light that burned hotter, more intensely then his earlier attack. When the barrage of light pillars ceased, Roxas floated back to the ground as Aqua and Mickey collapsed to their knees, keyblades barely supporting them. The blonde duel wielder panted as he stared at them. He took a single step toward them-
And collapsed to his knees.
Aqua forced herself to raise her head to look at him, watching Roxas's grip on his keyblades loosen and the twin Kingdom Keys clattered onto the platform before vanishing in a burst of sparks. Roxas's head was bowed; mouth opened to take in several deep panting breathes. His head raised, blue eyes meeting Aqua's sapphires.
Roxas, "Who…who are they?"
Aqua stared back, confused.
Aqua, "Who…?"
Roxas took in several more breathes before replying, "Terra…"
Aqua went still.
Roxas went on. "Vanitas…"
The water maiden looked at the blonde in shock.
He spoke the last name. "Ven…"
Aqua looked at the blonde teen who looked so much like her friend and somehow knew names ten years old and forgotten. Mickey looked between the two before settling his gaze on Roxas like Aqua did, his own look confused.
Roxas lowered his head again, shoulder's shaking in grief. Roxas, "Who are they? Why am I dreaming about them?" He buried his palms into his eyes, letting out a moan of anguish. Roxas, "Who are you people and why do you all have keyblades?"
Aqua continued to look at him, her blue eyes now filled with a desperate hope. Aqua, "You have to tell me where you heard those names." She held her hand out beseechingly. Aqua, "Please. It may be my only chance to find my friend."
Roxas lowered his hands, glaring at Aqua through tears. Roxas, "You hurt my friend. So why should I help you?"
Aqua lowered her hand; head bowing and letting her blue locks hide her eyes. Mickey looked at her, eyes questioning. What Aqua said next caught both the mouse king and Roxas off guard.
Aqua, "I'll go with you."
Mickey did a double take while Roxas looked back at her with a gasp. Roxas, "W-what?"
Aqua met his gaze, eyes teary. Aqua, "Please. I'll go with you if you will tell me how you learned those names." Mickey reached over and grasped Aqua by the shoulder. Mickey, "Aqua…don't-"
Aqua looked back at him and said, "It's my only chance. Please understand that." Mickey's mouth opened as he prepared to say something else. But when he looked into Aqua's eyes and saw the desperate hope in them, he sighed and nodded, lowering his hand and stepping back. Aqua returned her eyes to Roxas, who watched her in shock. Roxas, "You mean it?"
Aqua nodded. A look of relief broke over Roxas's face. Roxas, "Then…I guess it's ov-URK!" There was loud sound, a bang that nearly drowned out Roxas's sudden cry of pain. Aqua and Mickey gasped as the blonde staggered and fell over, revealing a large violet diamond shaped projectile embedded in his back. Roxas's right hand fell out in front of him, fingers going lax.
Aqua saw a small blue object slip and tumble out of the teens palm.
A seashell.
There was a bright flash of violet and a black booted foot appeared over the shell.
And stomped down, crushing the shell to nothing.
Aqua stared at the boot in horror while a voice chuckled above her.
"Seashells? Nothing more useless to collect then that, other than stamps or trading cards."
Aqua raised her face up to the hooded black cloaked figure's hidden one and glared at him with barely restrained fury. In the back of her mind, a memory echoed. Aqua stumbled up, Mickey rising as well and she didn't have to look to see he was just as angry as she was.
The new Organization attacker laughed at the sight of them. "Well look at this! A two-for-one special! The ever elusive water maiden and the imposter wearing our cloak!" He paused, looking Mickey over. "You're shorter then I thought you'd be."
Aqua shook with anger as she glared at this man who would attack his own comrade. Aqua, "You didn't have to do that. I was going to go willingly!"
The man laughed. "As if! Do you really think I care about that? It didn't matter if you came willingly or not because today's your last day of freedom little girl! And I wanted my shot at you before I hauled you off back to the Castle. Literally and figuratively."
Again, Aqua felt a stir in her memories. Something about this man's voice…
He noticed the confusion mixed in with her anger and laughed again, only this time it was low and menacing instead of loud and boastful.
"Ah, you don't remember me, do you? I'm hurt."
Aqua blinked in confusion while Mickey gripped his golden keyblade tightly.
Aqua, "Remember?"
The man crossed his arms, keeping his left hand raised. "Come on. Even if you can't remember my voice…" His left hand reached and grabbed his hood, pulling it back.
And revealing that smirking face with the single amber eye.
Aqua's eyes widened, her mouth opening in an 'o' of horror. Aqua, "You…"
She remembered him appearing over her as she cradled Ven's frozen body in her arms. His smirk, his laugh and his boasts. And no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't forget his name.
"Braig!"
He broke out into a fit of laughter, enjoying himself immensely.
"Hahaha! I knew you wouldn't forget this pretty face of mine! But it's Xigbar now." He paused before smirking again. "The 'x' make's it sound cool."
Aqua ignored his weak joke, and stared at Braig- Xigbar- in confusion. Aqua, "But…but why are you here?" The years had not been kind him she saw. His hair was longer, tied into a ponytail that went down to the midsection of his back and streaked with gray. His scarred face had stress lines all over it, making him look older then he really was.
Xigbar scoffed, looking insulted. Xigbar, "Can't you tell? I'm with the Organization now. I'm not some lowly apprentice to an idiot old man anymore. I'm Number 2 now baby!" His smirk widened, clearly impressed with his own title.
Aqua summoned her keyblade in a burst of sparks while Mickey held his out, already ready. She was winded from her fights with Xion and Roxas, especially after that attack Roxas used. But her anger was giving her a second wind. There was no way she was going to lose to this loser who betrayed, used and shot his own comrades.
No way.
Deciding to push his buttons, Aqua said, "Then I guess it's official. You really are just a second stringer, following after those more powerful then yourself and hoping for a taste of that power. A lowly flunky until the end." Aqua allowed herself a smirk as well when Xigbar's face fell before anger filled his single eye. He scowled at her.
Xigbar, "Second stringer? As if!" He snapped. Xigbar glared at her and pointed both hands at her, index fingers and thumbs raised like mock pistols. "Here's the straight up little girl: There's no where left to run and there's no where you can hide from me! In other words: You're time is UP!" With that declaration, his hands swung out, first his left then his right. Twin flashes of purple called into existence his weapons of choice. Aqua remembered they were energy firing bow guns or 'arrowguns'.
But these looked different from the ones she remembered. The top part was a long 't' like cross with a circle in the center of it, and the handle had several long violet diamond shaped projectiles jutting out of it. Xigbar twirled both weapons in a quick draw like brandish. Aqua scoffed. Aqua, "Things never change." Before Xigbar could point and fire she was already charging over, keyblade raised to cut him in two-
Only to cut into air as the Freeshooter vanished in another flash of purple. Aqua blinked in surprise and froze when she felt something long and pointed touch the back of her head. "Actually," breathed Xigbar, having teleported behind her. "Things have changed a great deal." She could see his finger on the trigger in her mind's eye but couldn't move, too shocked by his faster teleporting powers to do anything. But the shot never came as there was another burst of purple followed by the sound of air whooshing.
Mickey jumped to her side and exclaimed, "Don't let your guard down no matter what! He's way more dangerous then anyone else you've fought to this point!"
"Heed the mousey's words…"
Xigbar reappeared across from them, his arrowguns flashing violet before melding together. The circle 't' was now the barrel of the rifle and the diamond handle stock was longer.
Xigbar sneered at the keyblade mistress and mouse king while saying, "Because I wouldn't want to fight me either!" With a cackle, he vanished. Aqua remembered this tactic he used. He would teleport away to some high vantage point and open fire.
And he did just that, letting loose a burst of violet colored projectile fire. Aqua and Mickey moved quickly, dodging every shot by jumping, dodge rolling or cartwheeling. Xigbar's rapid firing came to an abrupt stop and Aqua and Mickey stood several feet apart, looking for where he was now.
The answer came in a flash of purple a Xigbar materialized between the two, legs shooting out in a scissor kick that hit them both upside their heads and sent them crashing down. Mickey recovered first and charged, keyblade pulled back. Xigbar just teleported again, reappearing behind Mickey and delivering a spin kick to the back of the king's head. As Mickey stumbled to his knees Aqua charged and leapt, keyblade pulled over her head to swing it down on his other eye. But the Freeshoter acted first and vanished, reappearing a few feet ahead and causing Aqua's blade to slam down onto the platform. With a sneer, he teleported again and reappeared over her, knee slamming into her jaw and sending the water maiden flying back and blood on the ground.
Mickey leapt, body curled and spinning before he uncurled to swing his keyblade at Xigbar's head. The Freeshooter didn't teleport this time and just ducked, sending Mickey flying over him. Xigbar watched Mickey land roughly and raised his arrowgun, letting loose a volley of blasts. Mickey twirled around, palm against his keyblade to deflect the blasts. Xigbar raised both guns and vanished as Aqua attempted to slash him. The one eyed sniper reappeared, upside down in midair above the two. Sneering he twirled in place as he fired rapidly. What appeared to be dozens of energy projectiles rained down on Mickey and Aqua. The water maiden moved over Mickey and summoned her barrier around herself and the mouse king. Aqua gritted her teeth as her barrier started to crack under the unrelenting fire from the Freeshooter.
But just as a part of the barrier actually broke off there was multiple clicks from Xigbar's guns. Aqua , Mickey and even Xigbar himself looked slightly surprised. He looked at his guns, rattling them like a child would an empty cereal box. Xigbar, "Hmm. Reload."
Seeing how Xigbar just revealed their chance, Aqua cast off her barrier as she and Mickey leapt at Xigbar, blades ready to cut into him-
Only to cut air and the two slammed into each other as Xigbar vanished.
Aqua and Mickey fell back onto the platform, looking around wildly. Before either said anything, Xigbar appeared between them, swinging the pointed barrels of his guns out and cutting Aqua and Mickey across the face. Before she could right herself, Aqua saw Xigbar flip and his boot came up, slamming into her jaw. Mickey tried to slash Xigbar with his blade but he was already gone, vanishing in another burst of purple. Mickey looked at Aqua and cried, "Back to back!"
Aqua nodded and the two turned away from each other, covering their backs. They looked around the platform, wondering if the Freeshooter had teleported away to open fire on them again. That question was answered as Xigbar reappeared, back flipping towards Aqua.
Aqua exclaimed, "I got him!"
The response she got from Mickey confused her as he replied flatly, "I don't think so."
Behind her and in front of Mickey, Xigbar was almost on top of Mickey, before jumping, rolling in midair over the two-
And vanishing once again.
Aqua and Mickey stared up at the spot in the air where he had vanished before returning to look around the platform-
Xigbar reappeared in front of Mickey, pistol whipping the mouse king hard before raising his leg to spin kick-
And teleporting to complete the kick against Aqua's face-
And the reappearing to kick Mickey with his other leg-
And then teleporting to try and pistol whip Aqua but she blocked his efforts with her own blade and she thrust the weapon out to try and impale him through the chest-
Xigbar reappeared in front of the still reeling Mickey and lunged out, stabbing the mouse keyblade holder with the pointed barrels of his guns. Mickey pulled back, coughing blood and Xigbar spun again, legs out-
And nailing Aqua in the face and neck again-
Before she could even try to retaliate, Xigbar reappeared in front of Mickey and back flipped, both of his boots connecting with Mickey's jaw-
Just as he vanished, reappearing below Aqua to sweep kick her off her feet-
And reappear in the air to deliver a roundhouse kick to Mickey's face.
The barrage of teleporting attacks ended.
It had taken less then a minute.
Aqua and Mickey stumbled and reeled while Xigbar reappeared, casually leaning against the railing of the platform, looking over one of his arrowguns. The arrows had refilled, more glowing diamond projectiles attached to the stock. Xigbar looked at their staggering forms and sneered. Xigbar, "Want a break? I'm almost done reloading-"
Mickey threw his golden keyblade at the one eye of the Freeshooter, but he dodged easily by simply teleporting a few feet down the railing. Xigbar, "Please. Like I'll- AGH!" Mickey's keyblade reversed its directions and slammed into the back of Xigbar's head, causing him to stumble.
Mickey looked at Aqua and cried, "Now!"
Aqua didn't need to be told twice and she charged over, keyblade slamming into Xigbar over and over again, knocking him back several steps. The Freeshooter exclaimed in pain with each hit and Aqua pulled her weapon back to unleash a spinning slash that would take his head off-
Only for Xigbar to vanish again.
Aqua panted, looking around wildly as Micky collected his keyblade. Xigbar reappeared on a cliff side across the platform, blood running down a cut under his eye. Xigbar, "Not bad. Not bad. You've haven't slouched. I guess it's time…"
His arrowguns rejoined together as one and he crouched down, supporting his elbow on his knees to keep the rifle raised and steady. "I cut loose!"
Blue energy gathered at the tip of the rifle's barrel, glowing and growing. With a cry, Xigbar fired, releasing a huge blast of blue energy, the kickback from the blast pushing Xigbar back and nearly causing him to let go of his rifle.
Mickey and Aqua didn't know what hit them as the blast struck a foot from them and exploded sending them flying over the side of the platform and onto the walkway under it. The two lay there a moment, groaning in pain from the cuts, bruises and energy burns now on them. Mickey managed to get up and with a swing and thrust of his blade, healing green magic covered them, knitting and closing their wounds. Aqua propped herself up on her elbows. Aqua, "He's too strong."
Mickey nodded grimly. Mickey, "Even together I don't know if we can beat him. He's their Number 2 for a reason."
Aqua slammed her fist down on the walk way, frustrated, tired and angry.
Aqua, "If I just had…" She trailed off.
Mickey looked at her, confused and asking, "Had what?"
Aqua sighed and went on. Aqua, "My-"
There was a bright red flash of light from around her neck. Both Mickey and Aqua gasped in shock, the star charm around her neck floating up. And tugging towards the open doorway at the end of the platform.
There was the sound of feet banging down on the platform above and Xigbar's mocking voice called, "Come out come out wherever you are! Don't make me start shooting randomly!" A pause.
"Actually, that sounds fun."
Laughing, multiple rapid fire bangs could be heard and a few of Xigbar's energy projectile shots over the platform and onto the walkway. Mickey and Aqua raised their keyblades over their heads like umbrellas. The water maiden looked at the mouse king pleadingly. Aqua, "Mickey, buy me some time." Her charm tugged impatiently towards the doorway.
Mickey, "But Aqua you don't know-"
The water maiden didn't hear the rest of his protest and was already rushing down into the castle, the last sight of her a bright flash of red.
Mickey gritted his teeth.
Something didn't feel right…
With no other alternative, he crouched and leapt, landing on steel pipe connected into the platform and meeting Xigbar's single eye and grinning face. Xigbar, "Hickory dickery dock! The mouse ran up the clock! The clock struck two-"
Xigbar thrust his arrowguns out and cackled, "And the mouse fell dead!" He opened fire and Mickey swung his own hand out. Multiple blasts of light magic shot out from his palm, deflecting each of Xigbar's blasts. Mickey glared into Xigbar's sneering face. Mickey, "Come on!"
He leapt, keyblade pulled back to cut out Xigbar's other eye-
Only for the Freeshooter to vanish and reappear behind the mouse king, leg swinging out and slamming into Mickey's side.
Xigbar loomed over Mickey as the keyblade wielding king stumbled back up. Xigbar, "This place always had a rodent problem…" He twirled his arrowguns.
"Time to fix that!"
The star charm tugged and pulled against Aqua's neck, leading her down a series of crumbling hallways. Aqua was very confused, following after the charm as fast as it tugged against her neck, almost like it wanted to just tear off of her. And it did just that, ripping itself free in a bright flash of red and shooting down the halls even faster.
Aqua gasped in shock and lunged out to grab it. Aqua, "Wait! Stop!" But the charm only shot and turned down another crumbling hall. Aqua followed after it as fast as her legs would carry her, nearly tripping over rubble and spilled water from broken pipes. She chased after the possessed charm, racing down and through twisting halls on the verge of collapse.
Within moments she found herself in a large open hall where all the other hallways connected. This spot was in slightly better shape then the rest of the path she had just taken. Aqua looked around and spotted a flash of red going through the last hallway entrance.
Aqua, "Hey! Stop! Where are you-" She raced through the hall and turned. Then stopped. "Taking me…" She finished in an awed whisper. The star charm floated by the only thing at the end of the hall: A door.
This hall was in much better shape she noticed, the carpeting and white wallpaper were both slightly intact. Aqua cautiously and slowly walked down the rest of the hallway, looking around. She was suddenly very nervous.
When she reached the door at the end of the hall, Aqua gently grasped the charm with her right hand. It still glowed, pulsing brightly. Aqua looked at the charm and then the door. Her left hand reached out and grasped the knob, turning it and finding it unlocked. She pushed the door open.
And looked inside.
It was an office or study, books and pieces of paper scattered all over the floor. There was a desk and chair in the center and several smashed glass containers. Aqua blinked and stepped inside, gently closing the door behind her. She didn't know why she stepped inside. Mickey was no doubt fighting for his life…
But something was drawing her in here.
Aqua looked around the room, wondering what it could be that drew her here-
And froze, eyes widening when she spotted the painting over the desk.
She stood there for a moment, simply too shocked to move. But after a few seconds, she forced herself past the desk and chair, until she was directly in front and under the painting. Tears brimmed in the corners of her eyes.
The painting was of a man maybe a little older then herself, skin darkly tanned and he wore a white coat and purple ascot around his neck. She found herself laughing a little at the image of him of all people wearing an ascot. Stifling her laughs but still smiling, her hand reached up and touched the painted face. His hair was longer she noticed, two single strands framing his face but she could still see the locks of spikes in them she remembered. Aqua's fingers brushed the painted cheek of his face.
Aqua, "You're here…"
It was Terra, older and looking very different. But it was him.
He was here, somewhere on this world. And he was here.
Aqua wiped the few tears that had actually fallen down her cheeks.
It was almost over.
Behind her, a black gloved hand touched a section of the wall of the study.
Aqua whirled around as bright lights flashed-
And a section of the wall fell away, revealing a hidden hallway made of metal. Aqua blinked, looking around the study. She could have sworn for a brief split second she had felt someone else in this room. Aqua looked at the newly revealed way and slowly stepped inside. She was now standing on a, metal walkway overlooking a huge area, a laboratory of some sort.
Frowning, Aqua followed the metal walkway and found herself in front of a huge computer terminal and a circular object. She couldn't fathom what this item was needed for or what its purpose was. But she saw something flashing on the computer. Still very confused and curious, Aqua walked up to the computer.
There were words flashing on it.
They read simply: System Start.
Aqua frowned. What was starting? There was a mechanical hiss to her right and Aqua whirled around, hand raised to call her keyblade-
And saw a door had been opened. Aqua blinked. She looked around. She couldn't fight the feeling that someone else was here.
Returning her gaze to the opened door, Aqua slowly walked over to it and then through it. She now found herself atop a huge flight of stairs. Looking around, Aqua began to descend them, moving quickly. When she finally reached the bottom she found herself in front of another door. This one was also open.
Aqua stepped though it and found herself at the bottom of this huge lab, on a platform across from a series of huge devices. Aqua stepped down the last set of stairs, wondering why she was led down here-
When the floor in front of her flashed and she almost fell into the newly formed hole in the metal platform. Aqua quickly stepped back, eyes wide. She was suddenly very confused about why she had come down here. Mickey was fighting for his life above and she was wasting time chasing ghosts.
Aqua turned, about to race back up the stairs and hope she wasn't too late-
Loud footsteps echoed from below. Inside the hole in the ground. Aqua whirled back around and ran back down, peering inside. Aqua, "Hello…?"
Only more footsteps. Aqua looked back up, towards the study and the corridors beyond it.
Mickey forgive me.
Turning back to look down into the hole, Aqua prepared herself to jump into it. But stopped when she saw an illuminated path leading down into it. Aqua quickly raced down it and started to run down the twisting walkway. Her metal shoes clanked loudly, but not loudly enough to drown out the sound of the strangers steps. Aqua called again, "Hello? Please, who are you? What is this place?" Silence, save for her own breathing, footsteps and the footfalls of the mystery person leading her down this twisting path, into darkness below.
After a small eternity of running down the path, Aqua arrived at the bottom. And discovered she was the only one there. She looked around, trying to see the owner of those footsteps in what little light there was. Nothing. She was alone.
Aqua stood at the bottom of this pit, panting, eyes confused. Behind her, there was another hiss and more doors slid open. Aqua whirled around, almost blinded by the sudden light and illumination.
She never noticed the cloaked and hooded figure behind her, blending almost perfectly against the darkened walls.
Aqua looked into this new hallway and slowly stepped inside. She saw multiple locked and chained doors, which confused her. Why would you need to chain a locked door?
Aqua looked down the hallway and saw one last door. This one wasn't locked. She moved quickly down the hallway, approaching the door and stopping when she stood in front of it. This door was bigger, with two slashing marks on it. Far behind her, a black gloved hand raised, fingers extended.
The door opened of its own accord, surprising Aqua and causing her to step back. She saw the inside of the room, seeing it was a wide circular chamber. As Aqua peered into it, she saw chains covering the ground. Her eyes widened slightly and she stepped inside, not caring that the door closed behind her.
Aqua looked around the chamber, seeing all the chains led into that strange symbol she had seen on Luxord's cards and Xaldin's spears. Frowning, she turned away from the chains and symbols, looking at the throne in the center of the room. She approached it, touching the arm. She looked it over for a moment and then looked into the last part of the chamber.
Aqua's eyes widened in disbelief.
For a moment, Aqua simply stood there, staring at what lay on the chambers floor like a sleeping person. And then she approached it, slowly and carefully, like she was moving towards a real sleeping person.
She reached it and gently sat down on her knees, staring at it.
It was a suit with distinct feminine curves, the gauntlets, chest piece and knee guards a deep blue while the rest of the armor was a grayish black or completely black. Blade like spikes protruded from the elbows and under the shoulders and from the sides of the grieves. Aqua only looked at the armor for a second before looking at what really left her so stunned.
Impaled in the ground by the outstretched hand was a long silver and blue blade with a circular black and white hilt guard. Near where the blade and guard met was two small hole like bumps, shaped like diamonds. The teeth of the blade was rectangular lined with short blade teeth, three of them on the side and one at the tip of the blade itself. All in all, it looked…key like.
Still unable to believe what lay before her, Aqua's right hand, still clutching the orange star charm, reached out and brushed the keychain dangling at the end. Her eyes softened and she smiled upon seeing the charm at the end was a series of water drops. Aqua let out a small laugh, one of both happiness and sad relief. She raised her left hand, calling the keyblade that had guided her through the Dark Realm and the last three worlds into existence. It was a simple blade, long and completely black with a wide square guard and simple 'E' shaped teeth.
Aqua reversed her hold on the blade, touching the golden charm at the end of it.
Aqua, "Teacher…thank you for offering me your guidance."
Aqua gently touched her forehead to the charm and let go of the keyblade.
Instead of the blade falling to the floor and clattering, it floated in the air, melting into multiple sparks of light. And disappearing.
Aqua watched the sparks of light vanish, smiling sadly.
Her smile faded as she looked at her keyblade.
Mickey still needed her help.
Aqua raised her right hand, charm still held in her palm, and grasped the hilt of her keyblade. She stood back up, hand still on the hilt of the blade. And very carefully, with all her strength, she pulled it free.
A rush of power filled her, easing her weariness and restoring her lost strength. Hundreds of ethereal pink petals appeared around her, floating and blowing to an invisible wind.
Aqua held her keyblade, Rain Storm, once more and at last felt like a true Keyblade Master.
Mickey was sent flying back by a powerful kick to the jaw from Xigbar's boot. The mouse king hit the railing hard, almost dropping his keyblade. Xigbar sighed in boredom, slowly approaching the mouse king. Xigbar, "Now this is just sad. Come on, admit it: She abandoned you to save her own life. Some friend."
Mickey took in several deep panting breaths before glaring at Xigbar. Mickey, "Even if she did, I don't care. I won't let your Superior get her!"
Xigbar laughed. Xigbar, "Because we both know the truth about him and her, don't we?" Mickey looked away. Xigbar waved his right arrowgun out. Xigbar, "You knew all along and had every opportunity to prevent everything that has befallen the worlds. But you didn't. Oh well, I've had fun, so I guess it doesn't matter." He pointed his arrowgun back at Mickey, aiming right between Mickey's eyes.
Xigbar, "One less rat in the worlds. And one less thorn in the Organization's side." He fired a single shot, and the projectile flew for Mickey's face-
Only to be deflected by a shard of light magic.
Xigbar's single eye widened in surprise while Mickey looked relieved and looked over to his rescuer.
Aqua stood opposite of Xigbar, glaring at the Freeshooter with eyes filled with a new determination.
Xigbar balanced his arrowgun across his shoulder while leaving the other one hanging by his thigh. Xigbar, "Look who showed up! I was wondering where you ran off too." Xigbar pointed his arrowgun at her. Xigbar, "Not very polite to run off on your guest. I'm rather insulted. But I'll let you apologize and then I guess I'll take you back to the Castle. If I feel like it."
Aqua met the Freeshooters smirk with a blank and focused expression. Aqua, "Of course you would. Only a coward like you would end the fight before it really began." Xigbar's single eye narrowed and he growled. Xigbar, "Little girl, I just handed yours and that rat over there's hides to you! Why do you insist on fighting when you know you can't win?"
Aqua raised her right hand, holding it out. Aqua, "Because like you said: Things have changed."
It was then Xigbar finally noticed what was on her left shoulder.
A strange jewel like object. It reminded him vaguely of-
Xigbar's eye widened and his face paled.
Armor.
Before he could move or do anything at all, Aqua slammed her hand against the item on her shoulder, causing pink light to erupt off it. In a flash of light her whole body was covered by a feminine suit of blue and grayish black armor, the helmet's prongs jutting backwards like flat ears. The black visor of her helm glared into Xigbar's shocked face. Very slowly, Aqua removed her right hand from her shoulder. Ethereal petals floated and twirled around her hand, flashing and calling her keyblade Rain Storm into her palm. Mickey watched in awe before his face broke out into a grin.
Xigbar stared at the restored water maiden before himself.
Words echoed in his mind:
She will be there tomorrow. I've made sure of it.
Xigbar's arms and arrowguns shook…as an excited smirk broke out on his face.
"Finally," he breathed. Xigbar laughed and spun his arrowguns, pointing both at Aqua.
"I get to fight a real hero! Come on little girl! Let's dance!"
High above he stood on a broken rafter.
From this vantage point his presence went completely unnoticed, just as he knew it would.
He had been watching her since her arrival on this world, guiding her only when she needed his aide. He had led her to the Chamber and restored her to what was hers.
And now only one last thing stood in her way.
The hooded Unknown reached toward the front of his cloak, pulling the zipper down to reach what dangled around his neck.
His hand gripped the blue star charm delicately.
They had found it in his hand when his fool of a teacher and his apprentices discovered him half dead and delirious. And they told him he refused to let them take it, even when he had been unconscious.
The Unknown caressed the charm and returned his hidden gaze to the duel below.
Very soon…
She would be his at long last.