A/N: Dun dun dun da! And now, the moment you've all been waiting for…
The Wedding Day!
"I want you looking your best for our wedding." That phrase Xehanort uttered not long ago echoed through Ienzo's head all evening.
The small apprentice had a very large lump in his throat. He knew that this day would come and he had dreaded it all the same. Xehanort's servants (the non-possessed ones) wasted no time in immediately getting Zexion clean and dressed for the wedding.
"Do I really have to wear this?" The youth said, pointing to the strapless, white, ball gown, he was being forced into. It had an overabundance of aurora borealis crystals and horrid white heels that matched.
"King Xehanort has requested that you wear this wedding dress specifically." A large, overbearing woman said blandly. "It should have been me!" shewhispered to herself.
Ienzo chose to shrug off the strange comment. He had much more important things to be thinking about. Like escaping from the castle before he had to walk down the aisle.
As he pondered this, Ienzo was rushed back to his room, where he was told to wait until the priest was ready.
This was the moment he was waiting for! Wasting no time Ienzo tried the door, but someone had locked it. Next, he checked the window and was greeted by a cluster of dusks.
"I guess I will have to wait until they come for me. Then I'll make my getaway." The violet-haired boy thought.
Ienzo attempted to read as a way of passing the time, but, instead he nervously picked at a scab on his knee. When the servants finally came there were too many. They pushed the tiny apprentice down the hall. He had no way of sneaking off unnoticed.
As the group walked a sheen veil was squished onto Ienzo's head. It was two times too big and trailed far behind him.
His small heart fluttered and hammered in his chest. Ienzo had no idea what to do as they approached the large wooden carved doors that lead to the outside gardens.
He noticed a mirror on the wall to his left. He had a moment to glance into it. Ienzo had been forced to wear rouge, eye shadow and a sparkling diamond necklace. The boy turned away from the sight. Disgusted with himself and his lack of strength. Were he stronger, he could have found his friends and freed them. All of the sudden, he saw a dark figure in the background of the mirror, but the second he tried to look again the servants pulled him away.
The iron lined doors opened to revel the gardens, bathed in warm sunlight. To Ienzo, it would be a refreshing welcome from the darkness that he had been surrounded by. Were it not for the fact the he was soon to be married.
Purple flowers covered snow white arches all the way down a blood red aisle. It just dawned upon Ienzo that he would have to walk all the way down that dreadful aisle in order to get to the alter. Much to his misfortune, many had gathered for this momentous occasion. Practically everyone in Radiant Gardens was there. (And they seemed to be alright)
"Well it looks that Xehanort intends to keep his end of the bargain, for now…." Ienzo thought, just as the band began to strike up, 'Here comes the bride'.
The young boy gulped for air as he took the first step outside. Suddenly thousands of eyes turned to stare at him. Ienzo took a step back, so many thoughts wandered quickly through his mind. 'Will I ever see my friends again? Is Master Ansem dead, or worse?' 'What will the heartless do with me once I am queen?' 'What is Xehanort going to do with me for that matter?' 'This dress itches.'
He slowly exhaled, gripping his bouquet with a grip tighter than the jaws of life. Ienzo finally began to make his trek down the aisle. Dozens of strange faces peered at him from the crowd. Ienzo could not help but pity them, for all of these innocent people were caught up in Xehanort's madness as well.
Though it felt like forever to Ienzo, the teen arrived at the alter in a matter of moments.
"My dear, you look absolutely ravishing!" The older said as he took Ienzo's hand and rubbed it softly.
Ienzo paid no attention to the priest, as he read their vows and asked them to repeat after him. Ienzo merely glared at Xehanort with a coldness that the youth did not know he possessed.
As the ceremony dragged on the small apprentice could not help feeling nervous. Was this really it? Would he really be married to his childhood friend-turned-monster? And if he was, would Xehanort keep up his end of the deal?
Ienzo began to fidget with the bouquet of black roses he was holding.
Sooner than blue-eyed boy thought the priest reached the infamous line, "If, for any reason, these two should not be wed speak now or forever hold your peace."
Xehanort shot out a look to everyone in the audience, as if he was daring anyone to say a peep.
After a few dreadful seconds of silence the priest began to continue, until….
"Yes sir. I do." A strong voice rang out.
The crowd gasped and Xehanort growled. It was…..
Eleaus!
Ienzo's protecting friend ran down the aisle. He looked so much older than he really was. Only twenty and already he had worry lines imbedded deep into his forehead.
"Eleaus!" the boy cried.
Ienzo tried to run to his friend, but, Xehanort hastily grabbed him by the arm.
Gunfire resounded throughout the gardens. All of the guests went into a state of pandemonium. Braig tumbled through the crowds, wielding a pair of pistols and laughing like a lunatic.
Then, Dilan dropped down violently on top of Xehanort from the arch directly above them.
Even began shouting spells from a distance as Eleaus grabbed a hold of Ienzo.
The two apprentices scrambled through the panicked crowds. Ienzo could not keep up so Eleaus picked him up and carried him far from the gardens.
The blue eyed boy could hear the most appalling noises echoing behind them. But he did not want to see what was transpiring. Instead Ienzo closed his eyes and leaned into Eleaus. For some reason though, his friend was devoid of warmth. Feeling as cold as death.
Eleaus carried Ienzo a few miles away from the castle. After he surveyed the area for threats. When Eleaus believed it was safe, he set Ienzo down. He gave the violet-haired teen a new set of clothes and let him change in peace.
Once Ienzo finished dressing the others began to arrive. The boy watched them with shock. His friends looked so different then he distinctly remembered.
Dilan was successful in gaining a horrible gash on the left side of his face. His hair had been freed of it's tie and now became tangled dreads. Like a messy spider. His eyes were dark and dangerous. Dilan looked so fearsome that Ienzo did not want to even glance at him.
Even had grown paler than before (if that were possible) and looked terribly ragged. Wrinkles lined his face. There was no more energy in his steps. The once excitable scientist had become a ghostly old man.
Braig now had a long grey streak running through his jet black hair. The playful guard of radiant gardens, now had the appearance of an insane, starved animal.
Ienzo took notice for the first time, that Braig had a make-shift patch over his eye. "What happened?" the smallest apprentice asked quietly.
His answer came out as a half-hearted laugh, "Nothing little buddy, just lost it in a heartless ambush."
'That wasn't the only thing you lost during that was it?' The boy said knowingly.
Braig sighed deeply and ruffled the boy's violet, shaggy hair.
Ienzo gave everyone a sweeping glance. The apprentices looked like the wind had been knocked out of them. They were all staring off into the horizon. Eleaus was the only one who looked Ienzo in the eye. It seemed that the apprentices were lost in their own minds.
"Why do you all look like you've given up? We're all free. We can leave together now." Ienzo tried to keep the edge of hysteria out of his voice, as he spoke.
They all stared at the ground.
"Don't worry about us anymore, you're the only one left that still has a heart." Eleaus said solemnly.
"What?" Ienzo all but shrieked.
Eleaus began to "Go on now. Go be free, some place safe and far away from here."
"Why aren't any of you coming with me? I'm so confused." Ienzo pulled at his hair.
"We are too far gone. The darkness has taken over all of us. Which means that Xehnaort can do anything he wants now…" Even said, in an almost melancholy voice.
Dilan held Even's hand to comfort the scientist, as he continued, "Xehnaort controls the darkness in our hearts and so he can control all of our actions. The only reason we were able to prevent your marriage was because he was distracted."
"No matter what you do, never return here." said Braig said cryptically.
Iezno chocked back a sob, "But, I don't want to be alone. I can't leave without all of you. I just can't!"
Eleaus lovingly put an arm around Ienzo shoulder. The others just stoically watched, as Eleaus tried to comfort him. They knew this had to be done. Though most of them were loath to do it. For it was better that Ienzo live on his own then be with them as a slave to the darkness.
When Ienzo had stopped shaking Eleaus patted his head and walked him to a dirt road. A road that led out of the city. That, hopefully, would led Ienzo to a different life.
Ienzo looked into Eleaus's eyes with such anguish that even without a heart he still felt a pang of guilt deep down. But he continued nonetheless;
"So, go now, Ienzo, for all of our sakes and sacrifices." Eleaus coaxed gently. With that Eleaus gave him a final push toward the sunset.
He stumbled toward the horizon, looking back at his friends, no his family. Ienzo's heart was breaking. He felt as if he were hanging on a single thread. His head pounded and every muscle was sore.
He promised himself that he wouldn't look back. It would only cause him more heartache, but he did anyway.
He saw, one by one, the apprentices disappearing into black smoke. Eleaus was last, casting a look of longing at him. Then he vanished. Just like that.
That last thread that was holding him up snapped. He broke down into a waterfall of tears. Yowling and moaning as he fell onto the rocky ground.
He crawled on his belly to a sheltered patch of grass near the forest line.
Ienzo curled up into a ball in the dirt. His lungs burned, breathing suddenly became an impossible feat.
He cried all night long and when his tears had all run out he just stared into the endless darkness of night.
A/N: There is so much craziness in this thing that I am about to explode! XD It feels good to be writing this story again. It may be weird, but it's still my baby.X3 I just noticed that it has been one year since I updated this. So sorry for the wait. ;_;
Anyway what with A new Form, a New Life wrapping up I thought I'd finish this one next. There should be one or two more chapters left for this one. (depending on how I feel about the ending)
On a color note, Gawd, Xehanort does not know what colors to put together, I mean come on, purple roses as decorations, but the bride carries black? And a red aisle? He should fire his wedding planner.
Anyway, R&R. Hope you all enjoyed. :D