Mike AZ 2 here, another chapter of Kingdom Hearts Dissidia Duos is ready to go. This chapter is a bit of a step-up from the last one. Anyway, thoughts are ', " indicates spoken dialogue, and _ indicates change in character point of view and/or lapse in time.
Disclaimer: Kingdom Hearts and Dissidia: Final Fantasy are the work of Square Enix.
Chapter II: Trouble at Twilight Town
In Twilight Town, a world with eternal Twilight, all was quiet and calm as it had been. Roxas and his girlfriend Xion bought two Sea-Salt Ice Cream bars and hung out on the Clock Tower overlooking the town. Xion breathed"It's as pretty up here as always, don't you think so Roxas?"
"Yeah, it still reminds me of our time in the old Organization XIII. Sure was a bad group, come to think of it" sighed the light brown haired Nobody.
"But it's when we first met, right?" smirked Xion around a bite of ice cream.
"Point taken. Anyway, how do you think everyone else is doing?" inquired Roxas.
The dark haired girl replied"Same as ever. But seriously, we don't talk about much these days, huh?"
Roxas flushed"Yeah, well, there just wasn't much to think about. By the way, what did you think about Sora and Kairi's kid?"
"Serenia? She's very cute, though we haven't been to Radiant Garden lately. I'd say she's more like her father, but has the traits of both parents" smiled Xion.
"Yeah, and Tyler's quite energetic at times. Anyway, we should probably head back soon" sighed Roxas.
Xion nodded, and the two slowly finished their ice cream. Roxas got up to teleport back to the Land of Departure with Xion when he saw a figure moving past the tower.
"What's up?" inquired the black haired girl, seeing him look downward.
Roxas shrugged"Thought I saw someone. Probably just my imagination."
Xion tossed aside her popsicle stick"As members of the new World Order Defense Force, isn't it our job to investigate anything suspicious?"
"What's so suspicious about a passerby?" frowned Roxas.
"Just curious, I guess. Beside, don't you think Saix, er, I mean Isa would want to know the latest news we can deliver? Besides, I think I recognize that individual" said Xion.
"All right, let's do some patrolling" smiled Roxas.
The pair teleported down from the tower, following the figure's shadow down a few streets before coming to a small tavern, far south west of the Sandlot. Roxas barely caught a glimpse of the passerby, a tall blond man wearing brown robes over his clothes. The male Nobody frowned"His aura dosen't feel too familiar. But what do you think?"
"Dunno. Anyway, isn't Pence running this tavern?" said Xion.
"Let's go visit" said Roxas.
The two stepped into the bar, which had a small casino upstairs. A few people occupied the bottom floor at the various tables. The Bartender, a black haired man with a bandana recognized Roxas"Hey, what's up?"
"Pence, it's been a while. How are Hayner and Olette?" smiled Roxas.
"Same as ever, the two got together last year after last season's Struggle Tournament. Me? I was asked to help run this tavern for some paltry sum of Munny, but I'm not complaining, since I get to hear some juicy gossip" said Pence.
Roxas shrugged"I bet, so have you seen a blond man enter just now?"
Pence replied"Yeah, I hear he's a real shady character. Not many people pay that much attention to him, the guy's a notorious gambler and card player, but they say he dosen't play fair."
"Mind if we look around?" inquired Xion.
Pence smiled"Be my guest, the Casino is upstairs if you want to check it out, I've been there myself a couple times. Have fun with your girlfriend, Roxas."
The two Nobodies headed upstairs at the corner of the Tavern. The Casino consisted of several slot machines, and some tables and chairs where people played cards at. Sitting at one large round table with a booth was a cocky blond with his two friends. The cocky man said"Yo, what's up? My Dicsiplinary Committee is on the lookout for suspicious activity. Actually, I was thinking of playing a game of cards myself, want to try your hand at poker?"
"Wait, here come more new players" said the silver haired woman at the man's side. A brunette, a silver haired man, and a blond man with a mustache, goatee and brown robes sat near them.
"Hey, Seifer, you here to play?" smirked the brunette.
"Hayner, I bet you're just causing trouble as always. Am I right, Fujin, Raijan?" smirked Seifer.
Hayner scowled"As if."
"Hayner, don't listen to him" said another voice as a woman apporached.
"Ah, stay out of it Olette" sighed Hayner.
"Looks like everyone's got game, today. Hm, Hayer, right? Would you and your friends care to join us?" said the silver haired man, who wore a trenchcoat over his clothes.
Olette shrugged"I'm not a fan of gambling, but a game of cards couldn't hurt."
Most of the group sat down, Hayner smiling as he noticed Roxas"Hey, want to play?"
"You're on, it's been some time Hayner" said Roxas.
Roxas and Xion sat down, while the blond man dished out some cards from his pocket"Some of us shall play Poker, which I specialize in and will play. Anyone up for a game of Rummy? Only four players can partake in Poker, after all."
"Okay. But, do I know you?" said Xion.
The blond man grinned"I get that sometimes, but I guess I could say the same for you and your friend. Allow me to introduce myself, by the way, my name is Droul."
"I might as well tell you mine since some of you may not already know, I'm Setzer" said the silver haired man.
The group sat around the table and played the respective card games. Roxas joined Droul, Seifer and Fujin in Poker, playing with both their cards and Munny. Xion watched nervously from where she was playing with Hayner, Raijan, Setzer and Olette"Do you think this guy really cheats? I heard of him."
"Ah, don't sweat the details. If someone cheats, we'll sneak our money back" grinned Setzer.
"I suggest you be careful what you say" said Droul, who currently has most of the Munny his group bet.
"CHEAT" snapped Fujin, suddenly glaring at the blond gambler.
"Oh, you hurt my feelings, what makes you say that? sneered Droul.
"You didn't follow through with your bets, ya' know?" said Raijan.
Droul stood up"Well, looks like this game's over. I have the pendant which you gambled away, not knowing it's purpose, Fujin. Wheere'd you find such a thing?"
"It's a gift for Princess Serenia that I bought from the jewelry shop yesterday for Sora. I gave it to Fujin to hold on to" sighed Roxas.
"Well, I had a good old time. No hard feelings" said Droul, standing back.
Seifer flared up as he stood, growling"I'm putting this cheat of a gambler on Twilight Town's blacklist. Dead or alive, preferably alive so that I can teach him some manners!"
Droul reached into his pocket and pulled out a card with a dart hidden in it's edge"Be careful to not bit off more then you can chew. Roxas, it was good to see you again."
"Luxord! I thought it was you" gasped Xion.
"It's Droul to you now, poppet" said the blond gambler, tossing the dart at Xion.
Setzer skillfully grabbed the card and tossed it back"A skilled card player can always spot cheaters. You've made a tremendous mistake."
Droul pocketed his spoils, just as a pink haired man approached"Got the pendant, Droul? My client needs it's hidden magic to unlock forbidden powers, whatever that means."
Roxas summoned his keyblade"You're not going anywhere."
"Oh? Is that you, Roxas?" smirked the pink haired man, drawing a scythe.
"Marluxia, Luxord, it dosen't need to be like this" said Xion.
"Xion, get everyone out of here. I'll deal with these two" said Roxas.
"My name is Lumaria, the graceful Assassin. Few who face my Scythe live to tell the tale" said the pink haired man.
"Lumaria, that's pretty girly for a guy like you" said Xion.
"Watch it" growled Lumaria, swinging his scythe at Xion.
Roxas intercepted the blow with his keyblade, the dark haired girl gasped"Thanks, I'll go after Droul. Keep Lumaria busy."
Roxas and Lumaria fought, while Xion chased the blond gambler downstairs. Droul turned around, and pulled out a loaded dice"I have something for such an occasion. It was truly good to see you and Roxas again, girl."
Droul activated an explosive mechanism in the dice and threw it at Xion. The black haired Keyblade wielder rolled under it before surprising the gambler with an upward slash. The man staggered before draing what looked like a rod with a spade on it"I am prepared for many occasions such as this. Now, let's see how you deal with my new Shock Spade."
Xion dodged as Droul slashed before throwing another explosive dice. The female Nobody shot it out of the air with fire before thrusting her keyblade. Pence groaned as he watched"The old bar owner's not gonna like this."
"Hey, forgetting someone?" Setzer had caught up, throwing a spiked card of his own as the blond gambler. Droul dodged before throwing a hard dice at Setzer. Xion hit the hostile blond with an ice spell before slicing downward with her keyblade.
The injured man staggered"Hmph, the pendant's not worth the trouble. It was supposed to respond to hostile forces, but I surmise that evil can't use it."
Lumaria teleported behind him and said"That pendant is one Artifact which Master Sanhile requires. Come with me, no need to fight any longer with these fools."
Before anyone can stop them, Lumaria hurled a smoke bomb before using a teleportation stone"Before the day is through, the worlds shall be eclipsed!"
Roxas came down, only to find that he was too late"Doggonit, we fell into his trap!"
"They weren't the only ones, Lumaria mentioned someone called Sanhille. We need to report this back to the castle at the Land of Departure" said Xion.
Later that day, at the Land of Departure, Sora, Ventus and Aqua were touring the Land of Departure with Tyler and Serenia. Just as they were finishing on the grounds, Roxas and Xion appeared.
"How was your date?" inquired Aqua.
Roxas sighed"Terrible, but let's not talk about it in front of the kids."
Kairi nodded"I understand. Tyler, Serenia, would you like to come with me to the main audience chamber?"
As Kairi headed back to the castle with the kids, Roxas reported"Xion and I followed a suspicious man into Twilight Town's tavern, seems he and a guy named Lumaria are working for someone called Sanhille."
"Sanhille? You mean, Master Yoran Sanhille? I read about him when I was little. He is an ancient Keyblade Master who supposedly fought in the Keyblade wars on the side of Light. But hearing this from Roxas, I wonder if it's really the same guy, the Keyblade War was eons ago" said Aqua.
"I don't know the details, but Lumaria mentioned something about an eclipse" said Roxas.
"Perhaps the eclipse you speak of is part of an ancient cataclysm that once cast a powerful curse on the worlds" said a vocie as the Deity of Harmony appeared.
"Cosmos?" said Sora.
Cosmos nodded"The mysterious warrior set his sights on a very ancient artifact called the Stone of Secrets. What's more, the infamous Assassin, Lumaria: the Count and underground con man Droul, and the Valkyrie Arlene have joined forces with him. They formed a powerful group with some other mysterious individuals."
Roxas interjected"Droul stole a pendant, does that have anything to do with it?"
"Yes, but then again, perhaps not. The pendant in question is really a crystal of unknown power, those with darkness in their hearts can never use it. Regardless, we are up against some potent enemies, even more powerful then Chaos himself I believe" sighed Cosmos.
"We'll deal with them, Cosmos. Our defense force is ready for anything" grinned Sora.
"I am happy to hear that. Still, you must beware, I fear that Sanhille may succeed where Chaos did not" said Cosmos, vanishing.
Sora sighed as he addressed Aqua"This is bad news, I have to tell King Mickey and Riku about this and figure out how we're going to protect the worlds this time."
"I'm not sure we can prevent the catastrophe which Cosmos informed us of. Anyway, Tyler and Serenia are still only new students, so Ven and I are limited in how we can help" sighed Aqua.
Sora grinned"No problem, Riku, Mickey and I can handle things from here. Anyway, I know Serenia hasn't gone through the first exam yet, but can you still teach her the way of the Keyblade? She already learned some of the basics from me."
The blue haired Keyblade Master replied"We'll do our best. Good luck."
At the mystery realm, Lumaria confronted Droul"That was a grave mistake, now Sora knows of our plan."
"You underestimate us, " said a deep voice as a man with purple hair and dark and purple clothes showed up.
"Let's not be so hasty, Caius" said Sanhille, entering the room.
"Show some more love to your dogs, or they may bite you someday" said a silver haired man with white clothes.
Sanhille spoke to him"Kuja, right? I trust you and Arlene gathered warriors to help with my plan."
Kuja smirked"Indeed. Ex-Soldier Weiss is at your command, also joing us are Caius here, and some other potential warriors. What is your plan once you gather the so-called artifacts of the worlds?"
"We shall see, but true light shall soon return. If what you say is true, the darkness shall be purged" said Sanhille, leaving the room.
'Don't count on it for too long, Kuja. You and him may get stabbed in the back yourselves' thought the silver haired Ex-soldier.
Kuja smirked as he thought'Hm, I know these self-rightous types, they claim to know the answers and such. Truly, this shall be an amusing delight, Cosmos and her ilk will never know what hit them.'
How's that? I may have originally planned to use an OC protagonist when I wrote the summary, but Sora's still a major character for this fic. The Twilight Town scene was just to spice things up a bit to make up for how slowly this fic is starting out. Also, I needed to add some more back story to the plot.
Again, I don't know too much about the new cast of Final Fantasy XIII-2, so Noel and Caius will likely be somewhat OOC.
Aside from throwing in some elements from Dirge of Cerberus, Final Fantasy XIII-2, and Final Fantasy IV: The After Years, the rest is a surprise for now. I'll likely use a few Disney worlds in this fic.
Please feel free to review.