Terra yawned as he watched from the couch as Riku, Ven, and Axel played a game on the Secret Board of the Command Board in the den of Axel's apartment in Twilight Town. It was small but spacious nonetheless. It had a red couch along one wall facing the front door and the entryway to the kitchen. The den had a simple wooden round table with four chairs. On the wall between the front door and the kitchen entryway was a framed photo of Hayner, Pence, and Olette along with a photo of Sora, Riku and Kairi. There was also a copy of the photo that had been taken of Hayner, Pence, and Olette with Roxas in the digital Twilight Town.
"So do any of you wonder how Sora and Aqua are doing out there?" Terra asked, interrupting the game.
"Well yeah. Of course we're worried." Ven said, turning towards him.
"I never said worry, I said wonder." Terra corrected.
"I know that, but I worry anyway. They haven't tried contacting us once ever since they left. It's not like them to not check in now and again. Not since we learned to D-Link anyway." Ven replied.
"I don't think they haven't tried. I think that they simply can't make the connection." Axel said. All eyes turned towards him.
"What do you know about this, Axel?" Riku asked curiously. Axel leaned back in his chair and rested his hands behind his head.
"Working for Master Yen Sid does have its perks. Sometimes he'll tell me some of his adventures as a Keyblade Master and boy are they good ones too. He told me about what happened when he came back from those Forgotten Worlds that Sora and Aqua went to. He said he tried to contact his Master via D-Link but all he could hear was a distant echo calling his name." Axel explained.
"So he was too far away to communicate with his Master?" Riku asked.
"Yep. Of course, he did say that the passageway between these worlds and those had been closed when he tried contacting him. He also said that he was intent on keeping the passageway open for as long as Sora and Aqua remained over there so their signal might come in a little clearer." Axel said as Riku rubbed his chin.
"Well I guess we'll find out eventually." Ven said before he suddenly jolted upright.
"Scratch that, we're about to find out now!" He yelped as he pulled out his lucky charm and closed his eyes. Terra and Riku quickly joined in.
"Sora? Aqua?" Riku asked. They found themselves within a strange place of infinite white.
"Over here!" They heard Sora calling. They turned and saw Kairi and Master Yen Sid nearby. They turned again and saw Sora and Aqua nearby but they were semi-transparent and almost grainy like on a television with static.
"Sora! Aqua! You're alright! Did you find Namine?" Kairi asked eagerly.
"Not yet, but we know she's here in the Forgotten Worlds. We just need to find her. But we did find someone else." Sora replied, his voice a little distorted, as Aqua smiled and looked at Ven and Terra.
"Ven, Terra, we found Si'Lea!" Aqua declared happily. Her voice was also distorted slightly. Terra and Ven's jaws both fell to the floor…figuratively speaking. Yen Sid's eyes widened and he smiled in response to the announcement.
"Si'Lea! She's alive?" Ven asked in shock.
"Who's Si'Lea?" Riku asked.
"A friend of ours from back before the mess with Xehanort happened. She was Master Yen Sid's last apprentice before he retired. She was promoted to Master six months before it all started and disappeared to someplace unknown to us. I guess that's where she went." Ven said as Terra grinned.
"Does she still have that hourglass figure?" Terra asked, earning an annoyed glare from Aqua.
"She's pushing thirty, she's lost her left eye, and she's got an apprentice she considers her own daughter that's Sora's age." Aqua replied, her right eyebrow twitching in annoyance.
"I wasn't asking about her age, her apprentice, or her eyes." Terra corrected with a smirk.
"I'm glad to hear that my former Apprentice is still alive. Has she been of any help in finding Namine?" Yen Sid asked with a smile.
"Yes sir. In fact she's going to help us search for her. She and I are going to check a few worlds together while Sora follows his own leads." Aqua explained.
"I know you guys will find her. I have faith in you." Kairi said with a smile.
"Hey, what about Mickey? Where's he in all this?" Riku asked.
"We don't know. We can't seem to find him. We seem to have lost him the second we went through the passageway." Aqua replied.
"But I'm sure he's okay. He's a smart guy and he knows how to wield a Keyblade. He'll be alright." Sora said as Yen Sid nodded.
"He carries my Star Shard, so he was probably sent to where he was needed most." Yen Sid said.
"So then I guess we should let the two of you go then." Riku said as the other two nodded.
"Yeah, we'll contact you the second we know anything more. Master Yen Sid, the search would be much easier if we could have some back up. Si'Lea's been asking about all of them and I'm sure it would be great if they could-…" Aqua said but was interrupted.
"I'm sorry, Aqua, but I must remain firm on the subject. Only Masters may pass through to the Forgotten Worlds." Yen Sid said, earning a unison sigh from the others.
"Well, we can't blame you for trying." Terra said.
"Yeah. But hey, maybe we'll have some better news the next time we call. News like, hey-we-found-Namine, kinda news." Sora said with a smile.
"Take care, Sora." Kairi said with a smile.
"I'll find, Namine for you Kairi. I made a promise to protect her and I'm going to keep my promise." Sora said but Riku raised a finger (not that one.)
"Um, you do realize that that promise was one she implanted in you, right?" Riku asked before earning a glare from Sora.
"I don't care if it's a false promise or not. It's real to me and I intend to keep it, if not for my sake, then for hers." Sora said as Riku smiled.
"I should have known better than to try and persuade you otherwise. Go get 'er…Roxas." Riku said as Sora nodded understandingly. The two Masters then vanished from the D-Link.
Meanwhile…
"While, I'm gone, I want everyone to remain vigilant and alert for any signs of trouble. First is bound to have her agents looking for me and we must make sure that she doesn't learn about my departure." Si'Lea said as she paced back and forward in front of Laaurim, Arlene, Medy, Ludro, Vincent, Fang, Vanille, Nixe, and Prof. Drake as they stood in a single row, in that order, in the ballroom. Forte sat against the wall softly (and begrudgingly) playing a sort of peppy marching tune. (A/N: I'm hearing "Rufus Welcoming Ceremony" from the Final Fantasy VII soundtrack)
"And what if they do show up?" Laaurim asked. Si'Lea glanced at Professor Von Drake as she continued pacing.
"Professor, is that invention of yours ready?" Si'Lea asked as Prof. Von Drake whipped out a device that looked like a cell phone.
"My latest creation! The Dimensional Phone! It acts exactly like a Dimensional Link except you can only get audio, sacrificing visual communication in favor of a far clearer signal!" Professor Von Drake said as he handed Si'Lea the phone. She looked at the screen carefully then arched an eyebrow.
"Why is the pizza parlor down the street set as number one on the speed dial?" She asked curiously. Professor Von Drake tugged nervously at his collar.
"Well even a mad scientist has to eat some time." He laughed.
"Oh brother." Arlene groaned, pulling her cap down over her eyes. Si'Lea pocketed the D-Phone and continued pacing.
"Which reminds me, Master Sora needs something analyzed in your lab right away Professor. If you wouldn't mind helping him when you're done here?" Si'Lea said as the professor saluted.
"I'd be happy to help the lad." The professor said.
"So what do we do while you're gone?" Fang asked, her arms crossed over her chest.
"Fang, I'm putting you and Vincent in charge of guiding Master Sora around town if he needs it. Laaurim, you're in charge of keeping the town safe from Heartless. Don't hesitate to contact me if you need help. Same goes for all of you. Vanille, you're in charge of watching Nixe." Si'Lea ordered, causing Nixe to groan.
"Aww! Come on, Master! I don't need a babysitter! No offence Vanille." Nixe whined.
"None taken." Vanille replied with her usual smile. Si'Lea whirled around and glared at her apprentice/daughter with her good eye.
"Nixe, we've been over this. You're not ready to go out into the worlds alone. You're too young and inexperienced. That's why you must remain here." Si'Lea said before she continued pacing. Nixe crossed her arms and looked away with a pouting expression.
"Alright, I suppose that about wraps up everything. That said, you're all dismissed." Si'Lea said as the group started to spread out and Forte instantly stopped playing the marching tune. Nixe, however, quickly found a hand on her shoulder as she started to pass her Master.
"Nixe, I want you to hold back a minute." Si'Lea said. Nixe sighed and watched as everyone but the now silent Forte, who couldn't move in the first place, left the ballroom. As soon as the door closed, Si'Lea knelt down in front of Nixe.
"Look, I don't want you getting hurt out there. The other worlds are dangerous and there are people out there who would like nothing more than to steal your heart, especially since your heart is of the light and that you wield the Keyblade." Si'Lea said as Nixe sighed.
"I know-I know, but why is it that Sora's a Master, yet I'm not? He's only fifteen and he's a Master. Master Aqua said that he had been visiting other worlds since he was only fourteen and not even an actual Apprentice too. I'm fifteen and the only worlds I get to see are in my dreams or in the sky when I look up at night, or in the books in the library. It's not fair." Nixe said as Si'Lea sighed and lowered her head for a moment. (Music Cue: Out There – Hunchback of Notre Dame)
"Look, Nixe, I don't keep you here because I want to. It's because I have to. I want you to come with us and help with the search just as you do, but I can't allow you to because you're just…(sigh) listen…" Si'Lea said before she started singing…
"The worlds are cruel.
The worlds are wicked.
It's us alone whom you can trust in this universe,
we are your only friends.
We will keep you, teach you, feed you, dress you.
We will all defend you without fear.
How can we protect you, girl, unless you,
always stay down here.
Away down here."
"Remember what I've taught you, Nixe." Si'Lea said before she sang…
"Your heart has light."
As Nixe replied…
"My heart is light."
Then Si'Lea sang…
"And you have a Keyblade."
As Nixe replied…
"I have a Keyblade."
Then Si'Lea sang…
"And these are crimes
for which the Dark
shows little pity!
You do not comprehend."
Then Nixe replied, her spirit seemingly broken…
"You are my one defender."
Si'Lea then sang…
"Out there they'll revile you
as a monster."
Nixe then sang to herself…
"Am I a monster?"
Si'Lea then sang…
"Out there they will hate
and scorn and jeer."
As Nixe sang to herself again…
"Are they a monster?"
Then Si'Lea sang…
"Why invite their calumny
and consternation?
Stay down here.
Be faithful."
Then Si'Lea sang as Nixe replied…
Nixe: "I'm faithful."
Si'Lea: "Be grateful."
Nixe: "I'm grateful."
Then Si'Lea sang as she stood up and slowly started walking towards the door…
"Do as I say.
Obey.
And stay down here."
(Pause Music)
"Be safe, Nixe." Si'Lea said before she turned and quickly ran over to her Apprentice, pulling her into a hug and kissing her on the forehead.
"Augh, mom!" Nixe groaned but Si'Lea ignored her protests. She then stood back up and turned to leave. Nixe sighed and trudged after her, leaving Forte alone in the ballroom.
"Hmm…it seems that the Master is on the move." Forte said with a malicious chuckle as he began playing his gloomy waltz.
"I know someone who will be very interested in hearing about this, development."
Outside the Mansion…
They had gathered in the backyard of the Mansion, where a beautiful and lush garden grew, Laaurim's handiwork obviously. The garden was surrounded by a hedge wall, so tall that anyone from the outside would be unable to see in, even from the top of a building outside the mansion grounds.
"Alright, Aqua, you ready?" Si'Lea asked as Aqua nodded.
"Take care, Sora. We'll keep in touch." Aqua said as Sora nodded.
"You take care of yourself too, Aqua." Sora said as Aqua smiled.
"Alright then, let's go." Aqua said as she activated her armor. Si'Lea reached into the left side of her haori where her armor piece was and in a flash, she was clad in a suit of armor similar to Aqua's but it was more ornate, with three backwards swept metal spikes on the helmet. It was also colored in silver, black, and blue. (A/N: Look on the KH Wiki page at Master Eraqus's armor from the BBS Final Mix and imagine it more feminine and with the colors listed above).
Aqua then summoned her Keyblade Glider. Si'Lea summoned her Keyblade and threw it in the air. The sound of a roaring engine was heard a short second later and a long blue metallic Keyblade Glider flew down leaving two streaks of blue energy behind it as it soared. On the front was the yellow star in the center like a wheel on a motorcycle while two large turbine-like engines sat facing forward behind the driver's seat.
"WOAH! KEEN GEAR!" Nixe exclaimed as Si'Lea chuckled and leapt onto the Keyblade Glider, grasping a pair of handlebars and revving the Glider like a motorcycle.
"Hey, I know how to ride in style, kid." Si'Lea replied as Aqua chuckled.
"Si'Lea you're such a showoff." Aqua said as Si'Lea shrugged.
"Hey, I love this ride! Race ya out the world's barrier!" Si'Lea said before she tilted it upwards and launched straight forward with Aqua in hot pursuit. They soon vanished into the sky, a pair of twinkling stars briefly flashing as they disappeared.
"Well…that's it folks. Show's over." Laaurim said as they started to disperse.
"Remind me never to question her taste in transportation." Arlene chuckled with a smile.
"Come along, Master Sora, I want to see what it is that we can find from this thing you want me to analyze in my lab." Professor Von Drake said to Sora as they headed back inside the Mansion with Fang and Vincent close behind. Vanille would have left but she noticed Nixe simply standing in the same spot she had been when Si'Lea and Aqua had vanished, staring up at the sky with a fixed gaze.
"Nixe? Are you alright?" Vanille asked, but was greeted by only silence. (Resume music: Out There – Hunchback of Notre Dame)
"You'll get your chance one day, Nixe. Don't worry." Vanille said with a smile. Nixe then sang…
"Safe within this world and it's city made of stone,
gazing at the stars all above me.
All my life I watch them as I hide down here alone,
hungry for the mysteries they show me."
Nixe then looked down at her Keyblade as she sang…
"All my life I memorize their places,
knowing them as they will never know me."
A smile appeared on her face as she started walking towards the gazebo…
"All my life I wonder how it feels to pass a day,
not below them…"
She then started running to the gazebo and with a mighty leap, landed on top of it as she sang…
"…but part of them.
And out there,
under one lone sun.
Give me one day out there,
all I ask is one,
to hold forever!"
She then stepped back a little and with all her might, leapt into the air and grabbed onto some ivy that was growing on the side of the mansion. She then started climbing as she sang, Vanille close behind…
"Out there,
where they all live unaware of,
what I'd give,
what I'd dare,
just to live one day out there!"
She then helped Vanille onto the roof and pointed out towards the sky as she sang…
"Out there are stars and worlds that all share just one sky,
through my dreams and stories I can see them!
Every night they shine and sparkle all before our eyes,
heedless of the gift it is to be them!"
Then she started climbing the steeple again as she sang…
"If I was in their skin,
I'd treasure every instant!"
Then she sang as she hung off the side of the steeple, still looking up at the sky…
"Out there,
strolling on their sands,
taste a morning out there,
like ordinary men,
who freely fly about there."
She then swung around to face Vanille, who was smiling up at her, and sang…
"Just one day and then,
I swear I'll be content,
with my share…"
She then leapt onto the very top of the steeple, standing on all four points of the weathervane as she sang…
"Won't resent,
won't despair,
rave and rant,
I won't care!
I'll have spent,
one, day, out THE-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-ERE!"
(End Music)
Nixe stood on the weathervane, a grin on her face as she stared up at the sky. Vanille then looked around with a concerned expression.
"Uh, Nixe…how do we get down?"
End Chapter 11.
The song above was an altered version of "Out There" from Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame.
I'd like to take the opportunity now and explain the concept behind Si'Lea and Nixe. When trying to come up with a plot for the story, I thought of three things. First my thought was "there has to be more than one Keyblade Master out there" and second "what would Aqua be like had she not gotten trapped in the Realm of Darkness?" Well those two questions resulted in Si'Lea's creation. She's my interpretation on what Aqua would be like had she not gotten trapped in the Realm of Darkness. And third was "What would Sora be like if he had been trained as a Keyblade Apprentice from the very beginning?" So Nixe is essentially supposed to be a female version of Sora in some respects. She's how I believe Sora might have turned out had he been trained by a Keyblade Master, not necessarily by Aqua, but by a Keyblade Master in general.
And it appears no one has been able to figure out the anagram of Si'Lea's name so here's an extra hint: What is Walt Disney's full name?