TUH: You are going to hate me by the end of this.

TN: At least that takes the heat of my shoulders.

TUH: At least we bounced back up since last chapter.

TN: That's true. Now the readers can finally see what Riku and the villain Alexia are up to.

TUH: Not as much as they are going to see next chapter, hehe.

TN: Well, let the army begin.

NOTE: This chapter is highly focused on plot. Next chapter will be highly focused on character in counter. Thank you!

*DISCLAIMER AS USUAL*

Chapter IX

The Beginnings of an Army

"You. . . don't know your real name?" a much younger King asked One as they stood on the corner of a crowded room, everyone but them staring through a stained glass window. And no, it wasn't stained glass; no, it was normal glass stained by blood. You see, they were standing in one of the 'privileged' rooms right above the arena called the Pit of the Chosen. All inmates were required to be in this room to understand what they would surely be sent to do and even to evaluate each others skills, since they may just end up fighting them later on. Still, neither of the two felt the need to do it on this particular match. Well, One never wanted to do it, but this time, even King didn't. He already knew the victor and how she worked. Instead, he was focusing on his new friend. It had barely been a week ever since they had met, even though he was told One had been on the project during the start. She was small and easy to miss, barely leaving her quarters outside of the mandatory meals and battles and she wasn't much of a people-person either. King had to approach her to even get her to say something.

Now, you may be asking yourselves, why would it take a week to ask someone her name? Well, simple. It wasn't allowed. People inside the facility were nothing but experiments, and they were instructed to treat themselves as such. If caught calling out for someone by their respective name, you would be automatically scheduled for a fight to the death with that person to break any bonds made.

Still, King would not accept being treated like an animal.

"I don't. . . I never met my mother and they never told me anything. One is truly my name as far as I know," she explained, wincing at the sharp cry of pain that followed. Something else that King didn't understand was how she was so tame. She had the highest number of arena battles, and most were against the really proficient members. People feared being drafted One. Inside the arena she was a reaper of souls, but outside she was as fragile as a leaf in the wind. This dichotomy made for even more fear to loom on everyone who even thought of approaching her, since the "true her" was everything but evident. King had to admit, it felt stupid to drop his guard around her, but he couldn't help but to.

"That's awful. Your name is the only thing truly yours in this place. We have to fix this." If there was anything to cling to, anything that made sure you were YOU and not just a tool in here, it was a name. One didn't have a name. He could not risk her breaking under their demands, especially seeing her in the Pit.

A large shriek exploded afterward, suddenly being silenced, the sound of shattering ice then filling their ears. King and One rushed to the window just to see Eighteen slowly walk away from the shards of ice that once contained a full person.

"Number Eighteen has won the right to live another day! Next, prepare yourselves, number 245 and One,"

Silence.
Harrowing silence.

King looked to the side to see how One had shriveled away, as if to dodge all the fulminating stares she was receiving, but not all of anger.

"No! You can't make me fight her! You can't! I'll take five on! Ten! Whatever! Just don't make me go in there!" the inmate she was supposed to fight screamed as he was dragged away by the guards. "Don't put me in there with the Pit Beast!" he shrieked before vanishing into the stairway. One cringed at the title she had gained over the years. But once a guard came to her and grabbed her arm, she knew there was no other way out except for murder. She left willingly, King watching as she was dragged into the exit, crossing paths with Eighteen.

"What? No, 'I'm glad you're safe'?" the blonde asked, a grimace showing annoyance as she arrived at King's side.

"If I said that, you'd be annoyed at me not trusting you. I knew you'd win anyway," King replied, not removing his eyes from the glass.

"You interested in what's coming next? We all know she's just adding one more to her murder-streak," Eighteen dismissed, shaking her head in disgust.

"She's not to blame! We are all forced to do it!" King suddenly snapped, his brown eyes meeting her icy blue ones.

"She smiles, laughs even, while doing it. I take it you have a liking of picking up stray puppies, but there is a difference between a dog and a wolf in sheep's clothing," Eighteen replied, her voice almost sparking lightning.

"You really have to be like that to everyone you meet, don't you?" King told her, shrugging and turning to look to the arena.

"Don't speak like I'm talking bullshit. As much as she seems like a nice girl to you, the truth is she has another side to her. One that we're about to witnesses," Eighteen said, the duo just shutting up as they saw the trembling mess of a person being dumped in the Pit along with One. The gates closed and both knew they weren't about to open again until one of them breathed no more. One did not move, she never seemed to have a battle pose. The other one was a mess, as expected; he didn't move either. They stood there for a minute until One took one step in his direction, sending the man's eyes into overdrive as sweat trickled down his face. Taking a blade, he screamed more than chanted:

"GARUDA!" A whirling tempest erupting from the man and covered the pit with a tornado of blade-like wind. "Stay away from me! STAY AWAY!" he cried, swinging the sword more and more, creating blades of wind that soared through the tempest that pushed One back and drove into the girl. She quickly dodged the wave by moving her upper body left and right, even back, but she did not advance. King realized that the wind was probably too much for it. He wasn't worried about her life, more with. . .

"One got hit!" one of the bystanders exclaimed as all gasped. Indeed, in the second wave of wind blades, One had barely managed to avoid the last by whipping her head to the left, even then her right cheek got heavily cut.

"I'm going to lose my lunch if I watch this. . ." Yes, unlike what you may have thought, the true reason for the gasp was not the looming possibility of One losing. It was much the opposite. One started to slowly chuckle after the shock of the impact, her opponent screaming:

"DIE! DIE! LET ME-"

"USELESS! STOP!" One roared, the colors around her opponent inverting for a moment before returning to normal. The whirlwind itself seemed to stop in time, much like its user. One slowly walked towards the teenage boy, all of the watchers gulping in silence as she pulled out her dagger, giggling all the way.

"For you time has stopped, its checkmate…" she said as she took the dagger and threw it against his chest. The dagger stopped just as it touched the skin, being affected by the same spell.

"And time flows again," One announced, the teen's eyes jolting as the dagger sped into his lungs, a cry of agony being silenced by blood. One's eyelids then slit as her grin scared even King. It was sadistic, sick, and just downright evil. Edging closer and closer, the girl knelt down and ripped out the knife from the teen's lungs as he cried again in agony. She licked the knife, seemingly enjoying the taste of the red liquid streaming from it.

Suddenly though, her eyes returned to normal and her expression transformed from the savage beast-like expression she had into a horrified, ashamed one. She slowly looked up to the stands, the most apologetic of looks staining her face, eyes-watering.

"I knew it…" King whispered, looking towards Eighteen, whose face was still ice-cold, even in the midst of the confusion. Her eyes then opened up and her mouth opened in shock. She hit the window screaming:

"Behind you!" but it was too late. A blade erupted from One's chest, courtesy of number 245. The girl, shocked, lost all her strength and her arms slumped downwards.

"I. . . I did it! I can finally. . ." the backstabber exclaimed as One fell backwards.

"How DARE YOU?!" One roared, turning with such power the blade still inside her broke, her small but powerful hand grappling her opponent's neck.

"GO TO HELL!" she shrieked, her voice reverberating in everyone's ears, the glass shattering by the vibration, all of this as the final scream of the man came as One ripped out his throat.

Yes, that one man did lose his lunch. And he was not alone.

Hours had passed since then, and we know One as she stared at the wall of her room. She was curled up in the corner, knees against her chest, sobbing slowly and melancholic.

What's wrong Sunny? the voice questioned, almost taunted. When she talked the wound burned even more than it did normally. She had not been treated, only dispatched after they stopped the bleeding. She had to heal herself once she regained the energy for it.

"What's wrong? I. . . I just lost the only people that tried to get close t-to me," she sobbed, remembering the look of disgust Eighteen had on her face and even worse, the look of sheer terror on King's face. They certainly looked at her like everyone did. . . a beast.

Well, good! Last time I checked, you almost DIED trying to impress them! Let's not forget how you may have to KILL them later on. No use playing buddy-buddy with them! the voice told her, giggling at the reaction.

"B-but I'm so lonely. . . I have to talk to myself. I feel like I'm going insane!" One screamed, stuffing her head into her knees again and crying.

Oh, let me tell you a secret sunny. . . you're already insa-

"We're risking our neck for her? Why again?!" One suddenly opened her eyes and went into an alerted state; a low, metallic stream of thuds approaching.

"She got injured because WE showed restraint to the way she fought. She got hurt because she stopped to look at us. It's our fault." There was no doubt about it. She knew those voices.

"Number eighteen and number nineteen ninety four?" she called, loud enough for the voice to leave her vicinity, but low enough as to not wake any guards.

"Guess we're doing it either way now," Eighteen groaned, the bars to the ventilation system up above suddenly being dislodged, King's young face popping in One's view with a beaming smile.

"One, we have a surprise for you!" he exclaimed, extending his hand downwards. One questioned just what they were about to do with her, but they had just stopped her voice and she owed them an apology, so she took it, being pulled into the ventilation conduits.

"We can stand in here?" King heard One ask as soon as he closed the hatch.

"Yeah, pretty big, aren't they?" King said, the most casual of tones being used as to keep the girl as calm as possible.

"Let's move. And keep it down!" Eighteen told both, starting to walk in the opposite direction to One's room.

"If I can ask. . . why are you here? I don't want to insult you but. . ." One questioned, King patting her head.

"Think of what we're doing now as our apology," he explained, resuming to talk when One was about to ask what he was talking about. "Look, if it weren't for us, you wouldn't hesitated and you'd be fine right now. This. . ." he touched the left side of One's chest, who couldn't help but squirm in pain, "is our fault. So we're giving you something of greater value," One's eyes perked up in curiosity. The girl clearly had no idea what she was being given, but she was still a girl in her early teens; she couldn't help but get curious. "Your name."

"WH-?!" she began to scream, only to be stopped by the boy in front of her, who told her to shush. "I'm sorry. . . I lost myself for a moment. But how are we going-"

"Eighteen's father there is the head scientist. He was forced to put her here but he DID give her the blueprints," he explained, the person in question scuffing.

"Don't think I'm giving away my name now though. I'm doing this because I do admit I was wrong," she groaned, increasing the pace as King and One had to catch back up.

"Don't mind her, she's grumpy when she's wrong. If you want, I can give you MY name! It's-"

"Don't. We'll share them once I can give you mine," One dismissed, winking happily as she skipped towards Eighteen.

"Well, you're just becoming a beam of sunshine, aren't you?" King said under his breath, happy she was so taken by the gesture they were extending. At first he was afraid she hated them now, but hating herself would have been a much worse path. For once, all the begging towards Eighteen for her to go his way was bearable. He ran up to her and asked: "Well, what's your Esper?" he asked, One looking back at him, confused. "The Esper they infused you with when they sent you here. I've never seen anyone quite like you, and they normally infuse one Esper into ten people,"

"I-I don't know. . . I don't remember anything before living here. I've been here ever since I was born," One explained, the nagging feeling on the back of her head returning.

I do, but I'm not telling! Ignoring her other self and focusing on appearing normal, she was greeted with a chuckle.

"So we're on the same boat, huh? Well, at least on the not knowing our source of power thing, Eighteen there has Shiva," the woman stopped and glared at King, who smiled back. "What? Was that off limits?" giving a large scuff, Eighteen stopped and pointed to the right.

"Let's just get in, get her files and leave," Eighteen said, calling King to help her remove the bars, the trio jumping in.

"This is a library?!" One asked, marveling at the massive shelves filled with all kinds books, tomes and scrolls.

"Aye, which reminds me. . . Cid'll cover up for us if a book vanishes, as long as it's not too important. Get one or two that fit your fancy while we look for your info, alright?" any and all thankfulness that One had was just crushed once the cold truth came down on her. Looking downwards and sniffing, she said:

"I-I can't read. . . they never told me how. Something about 'able to know too much'," she explained, softening both Kings AND EVEN Eighteen's expressions. Eighteen even started to move towards a particular shelf, her hand knowingly reaching out to a particular cover, massaging it before removing the quite old and thick book from the shelf. She moved in One's direction and handed it to her. The golden letters that adorned the cover read The Tale of Tirion, The Ashbringer.

"Everyone needs to start somewhere. This is my favorite book and I'll read it to you. We'll help you understand it all," she said in her supremely rare warm, motherly tone.

"I. . . I can't thank you enough!" she exclaimed, gripping onto the book with such joy someone would think they had just saved her unborn child.

"You don't need to. That's what friends are for, right?" King asked, One's lips curling and being bitten gently.

"Friends. . . I've heard about them," she whispered, clutching up to her book even more so.

"And now you have them. Tell you what, I'll help you pick another book while Eighteen goes through the records, okay?" he said, the blonde older woman nodding with the same caring smile as King touched One's arm and began leading her into another section of the library.

"Sooo. . . want to learn more about the world outside?" he asked, flinching a bit as he locked eyes with the large, boggled violet ones of the girl. He wondered how something so innocent could turn into. . . that.

"How?" she asked, to which King jumped, kicked one shelf to reach the highest of the shelves and pulled out a massive tome.

"THE Encyclopedia Natura. You'd be hard pressed to not find a non-extremely rare life form that isn't here," he explained, and One did not doubt it. The thing was easily four times bigger than her already quite large book. "And plus, this one was filled with illustrations, so we can use it to teach you what certain words mean!" he exclaimed, then stopping once he saw One divert his eyes away from him, saying nothing. "Anything wrong?"

"I'm just. . . speechless. I-I. . . nobody was ever this nice to me," she said, her eyes now sparkling with tears. King was not sure if he should feel happy or sad that he had made her cry out of joy, but he did the best thing he could think of. He put his arms around the girl's small and seemingly fragile body and held her as she let all the emotion pour out into his chest. "Thank you. . . just. . . I just. . ."

"Don't worry. We'll be here for you from now on," he promised, and he had all the will to keep it.

After a few minutes of emotional downpour, One finally calmed down, slowly removing herself from King's now completely wet chest and starting to mouth an apology, but she was silenced immediately.

"It's okay. Let's go meet with Eighteen," King said, a coughing sound telling him it may not need to be that way.

"That'll hardly be necessary," Eighteen said as she walked into them with a book. "I've got good news and bad news. Bad first, right?" she questioned, One nodding. She seemed to have lost all hope: "Well, the bad news is that I don't know what Esper is inside you One. . . or should I say-,"

HoL:TS

I'ltorien
July 17, 2010

"It's noon already. Wake up!"

"Christina!" King cried, almost propelling himself out of the bed he was in and head-butting someone or something.

"Dude! What?!" his lieutenant exclaimed, massaging his head while Cuore watched sitting on top of the table, dangling her legs and tilting her head to the side.

"Yes, I must ask, "Dude! What?!" Cuore mimicked in her emotionless but naïve voice.

"I. . . I was just having a dream. It felt so real though. . ." he whispered, wiping the cold sweat off of his forehead.

"A dream, huh? Oooooh, you've been dreaming of a girl? Who's her? Your secret love? Your crush? Are you going to elope?" he mocked, making dreamy poses as he did.

"No. . . nothing you need to know Tor. Now, move from the closet," King told his Lieutenant, who nodded as King slipped on his general attire. "I have. . . FIVE MINUTES?!" King screamed as he finished clothing, quickly telling Tor:

"You take care of her! I gotta order the patrol, present my case to Orlandeu, talk to the Emperor and I'll be back!" King exclaimed, bolting out the door as Tor feebly tried to stop him:

"But I. . . suck at babysitting," he looked back as the teal haired little girl looked at him in an expecting manner, all of her usual cold and otherworldly feelings being replaced by the curiosity of a little girl. "So what do you wanna do?"

King ran down his tower and through the gate of the castle, prepared to rush through town with all his might. He had to be at the gates for the change of the patrol schedule in four minutes or Eighteen would kill him. . . after he got demoted. At first, he did so, rushing through the plaza and until he reached the less populated, thinner streets, it was then that he saw a couple of thugs struggling with what seemed to be a lady in rags, fully covered up by a brown cloak.

"Yer a rare one, aren't'cha? Oh, we gun be rich!" one of the blokes said as he forcefully pulled the lady into an alleyway.

King cringed and cursed inwardly. Slave Trade. Something that, no matter how much he tried to warn the Emperor of, he just waved off as not-important. No actions were being held against it, and there was the result. "Gotta finish this fast!" King told himself, arm already glistening once he entered the alleyway, but as he did, he got blinded by a flash of light. Once it finished, he regained his eyesight and grabbed his sword, fearing they were magic-wielding-thugs. They weren't. Instead, both thugs now burned into a beautiful white flame with a blue center, the woman in rags seemingly observing him. Suddenly she stepped forward, King's brow starting to sweat like never before. Just who WAS this person?! Or better yet, WHAT was this person?

"I'm sorry Mam, but this isn't what it looks like. I was here to help you! Here, look at my uniform. I'm Gen-" he was interrupted as the woman's delicate lips moved.

"You have power. . ."

She touched her robe, removing the hood. Pale, straight green cascaded from it. And something much more telling. She wasn't human for sure. No. Her pointy ears stopped any and all doubts there. Her brown cloak then began to burn in the same white and blue flames, leaving not burning the person standing in front of him. She now was revealed and King saw that she wore a red dress that exposed some of her cleavage in a V-format, knit together by pinkish strands. Her high-heeled boots and gloves were much the same, with pink socks to contrast in the same way. Finally, her apparel ended with a pink sash around her waist, along with a matching small cape. Pale skin and amber eyes. Those ears, unfit for any human. Her hair, green and tied in a ponytail by pink sashes, with two large bangs reaching her shoulders and adorned by that truly unique Gold hair ornament with a red-jewel on the center. Was she. . .

". . . like mine."

HoLTS

Radiant Garden
July 22, 2010

Riku watched his best friend take off from the ground, exiting the atmosphere, and going to search for new worlds. He somewhat envied Sora. All he had to do was stay behind and run around a few worlds, and all the same ones, too. He sighed and turned around, nearly knocking over a beautiful young woman in the process. Very young, must have been his age.

"Oh, sorry, my name's Alexia," she said, introducing herself. Riku took her hand and shook it. She was a little shorter than him, but not by much. She had silver hair just like his own, cut to conceal her right eye but reveal the left. Her visible eye was a dark and deep set purple, like amethyst. She had a cute smile, harmless and meaningful.

"Oh, it's okay, it was my fault," Riku explained, brushing his clothes. She giggled at him. He felt uneasy under her stature.

"Are you Riku?" she asked with sudden formality. This took him off-guard, and he returned the business tone.

"Yes, what about it?" he asked, turning to go back into Merlin's house. She followed.

"Leon sent me to get you and bring you inside, but it seems that you were already doing that," she explained. Riku sighed, wondering what Leon could want now and why he sent someone he didn't know. He pondered at this as he strolled on the pavement of Merlin's back lot. Most of the gang had walked into the house while he and Sora had shared their moment. He opened the door and found faces hurriedly avoid his gaze. Alexia followed on every step, a shadow.

He passed by the hushed conversations, the whispers. He understood that they were worried for his feelings, but he wished they wouldn't be. This was his battle and he would overcome it. He would overcome the darkness in him as well. He would do whatever it was that Leon wanted him to. He would do whatever it was that Mickey wanted him to. He would do it all, and he would do it perfectly.

And alone.

He ascended the stairs, Alexia still following him.

"Is it necessary for you to follow me?" he asked, slightly irritated. Footfalls echoed in the halls of Merlin's enchanted house.

"Yes," she answered curtly. "Leon has asked that I be there, as well."

"Great," he sarcastically breathed, turning onto the next flight of steps.

"Excuse me?" she asked, irritation laced upon her voice as well. Riku sighed.

"What?" he asked.

"What's your problem with me being here?" she asked vehemently.

"I like working alone," he replied simply. He could feel the tension spark between them. They arrived at the open door of Leon's conference room, the sun streaking in, illuminating it in brilliance. It was rather warm. Riku disregarded that once he saw who Leon was talking to.

"Mickey! What are you doing here?" he asked, striding forward and hugging the regal mouse. Mickey always released the soft side in Riku.

"I'm here on some business. Master Yen Sid agreed to make one more portal for me to come here. I want to tell you what it is you'll actually be doing," he explained squeakily. Riku took this pause to sit down and get comfortable. Alexia did the same.

"Now as you are well aware, Maleficent is back to bad habits and evil. She most certainly wants to rule the galaxy, but I don't know how she will do this without Kingdom Hearts. That is a problem, but it isn't the one you'll be concerned with. That is for Sora to worry about as he seals Keyholes. No, you my friend, have a different task to do," Mickey said, shifting in his seat slightly to face him and Alexia better.

"Riku, I want you to go to Twilight Town and Destiny Islands. On each of these worlds, you are to inform the mayors of the current situation. Also, you will begin to create an army. The resistance to Maleficent," he said in a very serious tone, eyes downcast and fierce, but hinted with anxiety and unknowing fear. Suddenly, Alexia shook, as if a cold-chill had run through her. She looked at them and giggled, instantly smiling again. Riku could have sworn that she had just replaced a look of fear. As if for a second.

"I know this may seem radical. But with or without Kingdom Hearts, she will amass her own forces and try to take over the worlds and everything we hold dear. So, you will be my precursor and start my, our army. The army that will defend the worlds, should anything go horribly wrong.

"You are to tell this to the mayors of Twilight Town and Destiny Islands. Once that is done, you are to find a single person of your choosing to lead the training of that world's inhabitants. I am leaving the choice entirely up to you. I believe you will make the right choice. Once that is done, report back here, where you will await further instructions. Now, if you will excuse me, Master Yen Sid needed to discuss something with me." And with that, the King walked through the magical door, and shut it, leaving nothing in its wake.

"Now, my turn," Leon said, leaning against a wall. He had been standing the entire time. "Riku, I am sending Alexia with you through this task to both accompany and help you. She will also be serving as a representative of Radiant Garden. I cannot always be available to the other worlds. Radiant Garden is undergoing many transformations. New districts are being added, the population is swelling exponentially, and that brings along countless headaches," Leon said, pinching the bridge of his nose.

How could this get any better? Riku thought sarcastically. He rolled his eyes and snarled very slightly, something that did not go unseen by Alexia. She turned to face him more directly.

"Is this going to be a problem with you?" she asked snappily. He looked sideways at her, disbelief wrought upon his face.

"What was the first hint? Perceptive aren't you?" He turned away. He instantly regretted what he said. He noted to apologize later. He was just in a foul mood because of Sora's departure. He was surprised when he didn't hear a retort come from Alexia. He glanced over and saw that she had looked away. Leon looked at them like they were children, and Riku silently agreed that they were acting immature. A tense minute passed.

"Well, if you two are finished, your brand new gummi ship is pulling in right now," Leon said, motioning outside to a landing gummi ship. Riku didn't need another word as he left the room. Alexia did the same. He walked to his guest room and grabbed his belongings, which weren't much. He only had spare clothes and a few valuables. Alexia was the same way as they bumped into each other in the hall. Neither said a word as they left the house. Again, the gang was there, waiting for the duo to leave.

"See ya guys, Riku said, not doing well with farewells. He saw Axel and the face he wore, depression printed on it. Riku felt like he had to say something. He approached Axel.

"Axel, everything is gonna be okay. Sora can take care of himself, and therefore Roxas will be fine," Riku assured. Axel looked at him with confusion and tad frustration.

"My name's not Axel. It's Lea," he said angrily.

"But we've been calling you Axel since we got here," Riku replied, confused.

"No you haven't. I don't know where the hell you got Axel from, but that's not my name. Now leave me alone," he retorted, turning on his heel and going inside.

"Don't worry Riku, we're trying to figure it out, too," Yuffie said with a large grin. Riku brushed it off and walked to the gummi ship. Riku thought he would never see an awesome version of these. It defined him.

It was sleek, aerodynamic, and looked very fast. It had small cannons on the underside. A laser cannon, and a powerful one, was situated underneath in the middle. The back engines were smooth as well, yet powerful. It looked remarkable like a fighter jet from back home. It was black with white trimming on all accessories. Streaks and spider-webbed white cracks adorned the body for a pleasant look. In a defining red script, the name of the ship was clearly labeled. It's name was Balmung.

"My newest creation," Cid said, walking up from behind Riku.

"Thank you, Cid," Riku said gratefully, not knowing what else to say.

"Now, she's more powerful than she looks. I was finally able to find the perfect mix of high speed, tough defense, and firepower. She will get through any dogfights, asteroid belts, and just about anything else you come across. Her fuel is good, as she can go on for a long while. And with Merlin's expansion magic, the inside is like a house, nearly. You'll like it, I'm sure. It has the exact same layout as Highwind, so you should already be familiar with it. The only thing different is that there are two bedrooms instead of three. I did this to make her lighter, seeing as how there were only to be two of you kids. Now be careful. I think Alexia already knows how to pilot one, so she can teach ya." Riku was near speechless. He thanked Cid, said goodbye one last time to everyone, and entered the ship. He did not like the fact that Alexia would have to teach him to pilot.

He made his way without thought to the bedrooms. Alexia had just exited from the left one, so Riku strolled over to the right one. It was the stock decorations, but he wasn't going to be like Kairi and change everything. He was okay with it as is. He dropped his stuff off in the room and left to meet Alexia in the cockpit. She was starting the ship up and he felt it rumble beneath his feet. He dashed to the co-pilot's seat and buckled in, not eager to relive the last experience. She paid him no mind as the ship shot through the sky at speeds that shamed the Highwind. Riku clutched to his chair.

"Now, this ship has auto-pilot, but I need to teach you everything. We have three days until we arrive at Twilight Town. So let's get started," she said orderly. Riku nodded and continued with her teachings.

HoL:TS

In orbit of Twilight Town

July 25, 2010

"So, what is his mission?" Maleficent asked, looking at Alexia with that piercing gaze. Even through a small seeing orb, she seemed so threatening.

In Alexia's small hands was a seeing orb. One of Maleficent's creations. In Maleficent's possession in the room Where Nothing Gathers was a very large seeing glass. Not only could Maleficent use this to spy on anything she wanted, if it were accessible, but she could use it like a phone with the smaller seeing orbs.

Alexia had had a bad couple days on the Balmung. Riku was very intolerant and she disliked him very much. Maleficent had warned her that Riku was stubborn and not easy to get along with. Alexia had also been very nervous, pondering about this army King Mickey was wanting to put together. This could stop Maleficent, and Alexia needed her.

Over the past couple days, Riku had learned to pilot, and every now and then, he went, turned the auto-pilot off and did it on his own. He also trained a lot in the simulators. This also worried Alexia because that meant he would become a formidable opponent, as opposed to how powerful he already was. She trained a couple times, but he always scoffed and refused to train with her. She tried so that she could study his form and style. But he was stubborn, and she nearly detested him. And it was no secret that he did not like her.

She brought her attention back to Maleficent.

"Well, King Mickey has given orders to Riku. . ." She then proceeded to tell Maleficent all about the small conference and the suspicions that King Mickey held. When it was all said and done, Maleficent was actually surprised.

"His Majesty is much more perceptive than I give him credit for. I will not make that mistake again. Remember Alexia, never underestimate your foes. That is folly. Also, as for this army. I have no worries. Once I acquire Kingdom Hearts I will rule all with unsuppressed, immeasurable power!" she exclaimed, bursting into high pitched laughter.

"But what of Kairi? She will not be easy to obtain. She is learning from Sora, and she will be extremely guarded," Alexia said.

"Ah, as for that. I have plans in my mind, no need to worry," Maleficent stated in a cruel and sick voice, malice dripping from her tongue. Alexia shivered at the sudden change in her voice.

"Anyway, Alexia. You have done a good job. Report to me once you leave Twilight Town and do be careful. Riku is also a perceptive person," Maleficent praised.

"Thank you," Alexia said, bowing her head.

"Ah, if it isn't Kefka and his brother—" and then the transmission cut off, the orb becoming a regular glass sphere until its next use.

It was very early in the morning. The ship would arrive soon, so Alexia went to lay down for a few hours before arrival. Riku slept through their entire conversation, unaware.

HoL:TS

Twilight Town
July 25, 2010

Riku was surprised at how a world could be comprised of just a town. But then he had to marvel at how his own was just a few islands. That's why there was a world order. It would create a panic. Or so he thought as he and Alexia walked their way to the mayor's office. They turned through the alleys and streets of the town, running into a lot of the teens of the village. The atmosphere never changed. It was an endless sunset. No morning, night, nothing. Always a reddish, ruddy glow casting all the brick into deep shadows, flared with life. They approached the mayor's office and walked in. They requested to speak with him and were ushered into his office.

Mr. Blake Lipner, mayor of Twilight Town, greeted them warmly into his office. They sat down in the room, adorned with books, certificates, and many papers. He sat across from them, behind his desk of course. He was a portly man, with round and chubby cheeks, patched with dark red. Hie was balding, his hair that actually remained a stark white. He had a funny curly mustache and a small goatee. He intertwined his fingers of her large belly, his tweed suit nearly bursting.

"So," he said in a gruff, but kindly voice, "what can I do for you two?" Alexia looked at Riku, and he supposed that meant it was for him to tell the Mayor. After much discussing, trading pleasantries and politics back and forth, the mayor leaned back in his groaning chair.

"Well, this all seems to be in order. We do have an agreement with His Majesty stating that we would help should anything like this. Okay, we can supply our own gear for the time being, for training purposes. I'll leave it up to you and I'll inform the town with a meeting later this week. Should you need to stay the night and restock for the trip to Destiny Islands, we shall provide," he offered.

"No, that's okay, Mr. Lipner," Alexia responded. "We can sleep in our gummi ship," Riku said after her.

"Well then it's settled. You two have at it! Just tell the chosen leader to report to me later, okay?" And with that, Riku exited the town hall, followed closely by Alexia. They saw a throng of teens pass by quickly, all heading in the same direction. With no other leads or ideas, they followed down to what looked like a sandlot of sorts.

"Ah, so this must be what Sora meant by a 'Struggle Tournament'," Riku said as he and Alexia beheld none other than a Struggle Battle. The final to be exact, and it had just ended. The announcer boomed into the microphone.

"Ladies and Gentlemen! We have our new champion! Winning for yet another time, is leader of the town Disciplinary Committee, SEIFER!" Riku peeked his head above the crowd and saw a young man, about his age, maybe a bit older, hoist both a trophy and belt into the air, glee on his face. Retreating from the ring was a man, easily in his late twenties, wearing a police-esque uniform and clutching his side painfully. Did that kid just beat that cop's ass? Riku thought in silent wonder.

"Yes, yes, ladies. He is a powerhouse. He has only lost twice. Once to legendary Setzer and another time to a boy named Sora. . ." Riku chuckled to himself. It figured. But, seeming as only this man named Setzer and Sora could only beat him, then this sounded like the man for the job. Riku made his way through the crowd to Seifer.

"Seifer, you're just great, ya know?" a burly man said, clapping Seifer on the back.

"Spectacular," some girl said, short and to the point. A little. . . something, shrouded in cloaks, a hat, and shadowy face, cheered for him. Riku approached him.

"Excuse me, are you Seifer?" Riku asked. The boy turned and looked at him with a smirk.

"Sorry, I'm not signing autographs," he replied cockily.

"I wasn't asking for one," Riku replied. Seifer raised an eyebrow.

"Then what do you want, stranger? And I don't like strangers," he said.

"Seems so. The last one that strolled through kicked your ass," Riku said with his own tight lipped smirk.

"Sora? Do you know him?" Seifer asked, real curiosity showing.

"Yeah. We grew up together, but that's not why I'm here. Let's go sit down, this will take some time," Riku said, motioning them to a nearby table. And so, Riku and Alexia explained all they could, telling Seifer all about the army and that he needed to train them, seeing as he was the most able to do this successfully.

"And so we've picked you, seeing as how you are best suited," Riku said.

"Well isn't this romantic?" he asked sarcastically with a smile. "Yeah, I'll do it. Hayner's gonna get his panties in a wad over this." His little gang laughed at that.

"Okay, well you need to start as soon as possible. We never know when she will attack. Can we trust you?" Alexia asked.

"Yeah. I'll shape every single soul in this town. I'll make them true fighters before you all know it," Seifer said.

"Yeah, he's great, ya know?" the man who they learned was Rai, said.

"Phenomenal," Fuu stated.

"Great. The King sends his thanks," Riku told them. He stood up with Alexia and they beamed back to their ship.

"How long until Destiny Islands?" Riku asked, excited to back home, even if for a night or so.

"Three to four days," Alexia answered, setting the auto-pilot. The ship took off as they went to the kitchen to make themselves dinner.

HoL:TS

Destiny Islands
July 29, 2010

The time spent traveling to Destiny Islands was focused on training. Riku let Alexia train with him and he learned real quick that she was powerful. She was not as good as him at melee, but she could hold her own, that's for sure. But he also had learned that she was a powerful mage as well. They were just about equal. And she used both at the same time with the special staff of hers. They were still not on good terms with each other and he still wanted to work alone, but he was growing tolerant of her. She seemed to be doing the same. But given the chance, should it ever show itself, he would work on his own in a heartbeat. He didn't need her.

He never would need her.

After visiting his family and Abigail, they told Kairi's dad all about what King Mickey told them, just like Mayor Lipner. He nodded in understanding.

"Okay, Riku. I trust ya, son. Just get someone that knows their stuff," David said, putting a strong hand on Riku's shoulder. Riku thanked him and left with Alexia, knowing the perfect person.

HoL:TS

"Hey, Tidus!" Riku shouted over the wind, kicking sand as he and Alexia walked on the play islet. Even as adults, or nearly adults, the gang still played on the islet.

"Riku! You're back!" Tidus shouted, forgetting all about his duel with Wakka. Wakka followed a running Tidus, Selphie trotting behind; she had been spectating. The others noticed Riku and followed as well. Before he knew it, Tidus, Wakka, Selphie, Morgan, Robin, Catherine, Lucy, Jake and Sophia were in front if him, all smiles and all questions. He finally quieted them down with a smile on his face.

"Guys, calm down. I can't stay. I'm here on business," he told them. The smiles dimmed a bit, but they listened. He told them everything he told the mayors and Seifer. It was like a well rehearsed story. He then got to the part he really needed to tell them.

"Well, the soldiers-in-training here on Destiny Islands will be you, Tidus. Will you do it?" Riku asked. Tidus looked taken aback, shock stricken across his face. He then shook his golden spikes and smiled radiantly.

"Yeah, man! Of course I will!" he replied energetically. Riku sighed in relief. Tidus may be overactive and distracted with girls all the time, but he was loyal and wouldn't let him down.

"Thanks, bro. It's really gonna help us out. You need to start as quickly as you can. David is gonna supply all the equipment necessary for training. Make good use of the simulators at the Academy. I'll see you when I next can and good luck, man," Riku said. There were a bunch of goodbyes as Riku and Alexia beamed up to Balmung ready to return to Radiant Garden, another three to four day trip.

HoL:TS

Radiant Garden
August 2, 2010

Riku now tolerated Alexia. Being forced to be with her for a couple of weeks straight, and only her, made him lighten up a bit. She had done the same. She acted odd every now and then. She told him that her room was strictly off limits, but he figured most girls would have been like that. They had trained together some more, and had even had a chuckle together. It had been awkward and they went back to tolerating each other and rarely speaking to one another. Now they sat in Leon's office again.

"Well done, you two. This will make His Majesty very happy. Now we have the beginnings of an army. Now we have something to combat Maleficent with in the future. Thank you for your assistance, Alexia. I knew I could trust you," Leon said, a rare smile showing.

"Always loyal," she replied with a wide smile.

"As for now, I ant you two to help in the restoration of Radiant Garden. Also, you may help in the building of the new districts. Rest today and start tomorrow until given different instructions. It may be a week or two before King Mickey says anything," Leon explained.

Riku stood up, and nodded to Leon, before making his way to his guest room. He was stopped by Alexia with his hand right on the doorknob.

"Sorry about how we started things," she told him meekly. He looked down at her with silent wonder. He was quiet for a moment, the he stretched his hand out. She took it with a small smile.

"I am, too. Let's try again next time we work together," he said.

Which I do not want to happen.

HoL:TS

Radiant Garden
August 2, 2010

"I am, too. Let's try again next time we work together," he told her. He then turned into his room and closed the door. She walked into her own. That night she would contact Maleficent and report to her again.

"What a gullible fool. I can't believe he fell for that," she said to the empty room, slightly giggling. She stopped. She just felt so alone here. But hadn't she her whole life? She had always been alone. Ostracized.

By them.

The outside world.

She went and laid on her bed, frowning, feeling the tears try to break through. That feeling in her chest appeared like an old friend, ironic. . . That horrible feeling everyone feels when distraught. The loss of a loved one. That yearning to be with your lover, when they are away from you. That feeling right where the heart pumped blood through the body. Emotion. It was a fickle thing. And it loved to toy with Alexia, and everything she had ever known. The first tear leaked from her purple eyes. It streaked her rosy cheek and fell onto the linen. Her hair splayed out. The emotion was taking over, grabbing a hold. She would lose this battle.

Maybe, she thought, in a different reality. Maybe then, I could have a friend.

That night she cried herself to sleep, forgetting all about Maleficent.

NOTE:

Tor is not TN. Tor and TorNathan have nothing to do with each other.

TN: Tor is an OC I made years ago and I have grown close to him. Hence why he is part of my pen name. So I want you all to know that Tor is NOT a representation of myself in any way.

TN: Also. Remember this chapter was more for plot than character. Chapter 10 will have MUCH more character in it.

TUH: I can hear the angry crowd.

TN: I heard them before it was even written.

TUH: I will sleep soundly today.

TN: Let's just hope that when they read THAT THING next chapter, that they won't kill us. . .

TUH: I'm used to death-threats.

TN: Well I'm not. Let Anuwëy protect us.

May the love of Anuwëy guide you when all Hope is lost

TorNathan
The Unknowing Herald