Standing on the roof of the castle, you stretched the bonds between yourself and others.
Riku, Naminé, and Mickey. As always, the sheer distance and barriers made the connections hazy, but you were sure Riku was the closest then Mickey, and finally Naminé. Naminé was the weakest because it hadn't quite formed into a bond, but it was close.
You decided to head to Mickey's location and hopped through a Dark Portal. The inside churned terribly and the fact it was still dangerous getting away from Hollow Bastion said a lot. The shifting and abrupt ending left you stranded in space. It was a bit nippy and you felt a bit...floaty.
It was easy to ignore the conditions as a ship, a spaceship to be precise was ahead. It was even more interesting because it was exploding.
It had to be at least, 300 meters from end to end. The tips and top were painted red and the main body was white. Little pods were shooting off from it to the planet below. Near the back, painted in gold lettering or engraved was a name for the exploding bucket.
"Endar...Spire," you mused aloud. One of those escape pods was getting pretty... close...
Oh.
Yeah, no, you'd take the VIP tunnel down. Viva la Darkness! You vanished through a portal and down to the world below.
-
You appeared in a lovely apartment overlooking a city with flying cars, hordes of people and...completely empty. Neato... a free apartment! The World or universe of this dimension reacted to you and you felt the spell to fit in appearing.
It was amazing, this world was... totally rebuilt. No Heartless, no Nobodies, and not even travellers beyond yourself. The World had reached a state of repair that it actively protected people's Hearts from manifesting Heartless...
Though... they had a lot of close 'enough' versions. Ghosts, vengeful spirits, and you had no idea what else since the disguise was complete. The knowledge from the World fading.
You looked down at your bleach white robes that obfuscated your frame. A nearby mirror showed you only gave off two pale yellow eye lights in the dark cowl. The parting gift of the World called you a 'Jawa'.
Sounded nice. You practised speaking and you were surprised when some fake gland in your head gave off a scent as you spoke a high pitches mess of garbled words that felt too fast for any human tongue to mimic. You searched the apartment until you managed to get 'Common' to work on this strange tongue.
Jawaese was nice, but it was as good as speaking to people without needing a bulky device.
The apartment didn't have much beyond a Holographic screen to display the local news. Hurray for local translation being ingrained in this handy spell.
"-Spire exploded over the planet Taris. Many escaped fugitives are now hiding in the city and will bring harm to the good people of Taris. Martial law under Sith law is here to protect you. Don't resist. Soon, these criminals will be found and executed," A smiling scaled woman beamed at the camera.
Depressing.
You tried a child's show.
A large shiny man in reflective armour spoke down to the children.
"Remember, if you see dissonance among the song of Sith, report them to the nearest security officer! Good boys and girls get social credit and better futures!" the laughing man said and the children clapped in glee.
You would shudder to think about what became of the History channel...
You peeked out the front door and saw it was mostly empty as your current apartment. Maybe you should 'find' these criminals and see what the fuss was, but first... this kind of city had to have all sorts of guns for you to swallow up.
You were missing a few styles to round out your sharpshooter class.
You swiped the spare key from the nearby dresser and went to explore.
-
A few things you learned that your disguised didn't stop people staring at you.
"A Jawa... here?" a woman whispered.
"Thieves... scandalous they're here in the upper sector," a man with the features of a pig growled.
Second, most of these 'Sith' people were humans. All their uniforms were well...uniform for a human. There was no bulky muscle Sith guard or a strange trunk-person or whatever.
Sith liked to employ their own types, for some reason.
And third... the security around here was simply laughable to someone who didn't care for physics. Moving between the plates without an elevator was suicide because of the distance. You'd sooner hit terminal velocity before the ground. They didn't even have turrets beyond the entry point for rising cars. Going 'down' was never programmed to be watched for!
The buildings had windows, but there was no... protective means other than the threat of a long fall. Sure, the windows had locks, but... it was latched at best. To be fair in their direction, the buildings were sleek and hardly easy to grapple hook in or mountain climb, but really.
For example, this non-descript warehouse building stationed near the east elevator that was religiously guarded by the Sith. A red glow covered the floor, but you just slithered along the wall with your noodle body, dropping the disguise as it was cumbersome to use out of sight.
You eyed the lines of racks. Hand pistols, grenades, armours, some sword that the inventory papers listed as 'Vibro' or something. You grabbed a sword... and the pinkish blade was encircled by nothing energy and changed. It became a jagged blade with the shaft looking more deadly to swing at from the side than stab with. The handle was just another jagged piece to hold wrapped once in purple cloth.
Twilight Fang: Does D5 slashing damage with the ability to use 'sonic strike' for 1 NP. Sonic Strike turns the damage to 'Wind' and turns the damage to D5+5. (Warrior/Samurai)
You grabbed a pistol blaster next and it changed as you 'owned it'.
The blocky thing turned smooth and sleek, a single lilac piece that was clipped around your hand to rest on the back of your noodle hands. The sides of the gun had wilting flowers etched into it.
Fallen Beauty(Pistol) Does D2 damage but does not need to reload. If you roll double numbers when using this (11, 22, 33 so on) then this gun can shoot an extra time for free.
Neato... you grabbed some grenades next and they didn't change sadly. All you could store in your space was three.
3X Thermal Grenades: Does d10+7 damage, but is indiscriminate.
There was one final thing, the armour. All of it was bulky and none particularly seemed drawn to your classes until you came to something in particular. It was a strange hand barrier that would produce a forcefield. The barrier would take a few shots then splutter out if the instructions in the box were correct.
It changed into a strange small buckler that had four panels of light emerging from the shield. It hung then vanished.
Luminous Barrier: Does d3 blunt damage and reduced physical attacks by 2 and Light damage by 3. Suffer +3 damage from dark natured attacks in return. (Locked to the Bastion of Ice class)
You barely left through the window when someone imposing walked into the room. The World around him seemed to be...malleable. It was strange, but whatever he was doing slipped right over your being, finding... nothing of importance.
Oddly, that same force pulled at you. Urging, but not demanding. Asking, but not forcing. It wasn't able to really do more than tug this way and that, like a mute guide.
You let it guide you.
-
This was troublesome.
You stared the tired doctor who worked at his station as he nervously made sure the door to the back of his store was kept close.
You were four or so plate levels down and the quality in the plates dropped faster than the zoo life in Racoon City. You cleared your throat and the man nearly fled his clothes from the nerves.
"Are you... oh, I thought you were those... never mind. How can I help you?" the man asked, his dark skin wrinkled with stress. You could see him nervously eye his loose parts as if you were about to pilfer them there and then.
Jawas got a lot of shit, you were noticing.
Sure, you just stole from the Sith, but that didn't count.
"I have no idea. I just... Followed the wind, and it carried me here. I suppose the real question is, how can I help you?" you offered, your voice still high pitched.
The man smiled but it didn't reach his eyes.
"Not unless you have a miracle cure in your pocket for the Rakghoul disease," he sighed. You silent thought about it then pulled out that strange Green Herb you had found in the zombie lab where you rescued Cindy.
The doc raised a brow.
"Plants? A novelty," he admitted.
"To my knowledge, it boosts immune function... I only have the single sample for now, but more could be acquired, or grown under correct circumstances. It might take a while, though..." you shrugged.
He took it gently and began to make splices of it, mixing it with water or some fluids to study it under a scope that projected the results on a screen.
The screen showed finely scoped results of chlorophyll and cells moving about more active than you imagined most plants did.
"Introducing strain in sealed environment," the doctor mumbled. There was an introduction of a dark fluid that made your senses tingle... it was... indeed quite Dark. The two met and after a moment, the two groups separated like oil and water, not interacting.
"No true outcome other than Rakghoul continues to be adverse to plant matter... perhaps if we introduced a bit of my own blood in a sealed manner," the doctor mused. This was science, quite interesting!
The inject of red had an effect alright, you watched as both groups moved into it. What you could only describe as a scene like two alien forces meeting for the first time and burying the first contact friendship flag into each other's throats occurred.
The Rakghoul was empowered by virus biology and a slight hint of Dark, but the Green Herb had simply met crazier shit and told it to fuck off. The was a moment then the inside of the seal chamber exploded with a thin layer of blood smoking across the interior.
The doctor blinked then read what his sensors were reporting.
"Well... it cured the blood," he announced flippantly to himself.
"The trick is to make it do that without exploding, I assume? Try gaseous state or a modified strain," you suggested and the Doctor looked at the small amount of herb left.
"I might need more than a single bunch," he admitted but he looked happy, almost ecstatic after a moment.
"I'll pay you what little I had left if you can get me more of that plant. Is it grown on the planet surface?" he asked curiously.
"On a planet. Let's just say I had to travel a long way to find just that. I can do it again, but I'm not sure how long it'll take." you admitte and the Doc nodded, understanding.
"Be careful, thugs looking to monopolise any cure for the rich are watching my place, so take theses to avoid suspicion," the Doc said and passed a few medics over, each containing advance disinfectant and bandages.
X3 Medkits. Can heal 10 HP outside of combat or handle general wounds.
You left the store and kept your head down as you walked past a man and a woman. The woman a dark-haired human with glancing brown eyes and skin that spoke of coastal genes and sun.
Despite her curious eyes, her body moved like a different creature. A glance at her... was confusing. Her Heart was bound by a chain of memories so elegantly wrapped and snipped that it was almost artistic.
The chain didn't go anywhere, it was like a snake or chain set around the Heart, but it was plastic or artistically dishonest compared to the real writhing chain under it. Her companion glared at you.
"Jawas. Thieves and scavengers, I'll tell the doc to check his stock," he grunted at the woman, his short brown hair and stubble combined with bloodshot eyes made him...
Dangerous.
"No need. I purchased my goods like a normal person," you spoke and the man looked like it only made him more suspicious
"It is rude to accuse those you have not met, even if only by implication," you added. The man had a flush crawling up his neck now and he turned.
"Right..." he said and walked inside. The woman smiled wryly.
"Carth is high strung. Sorry about that," she shrugged.
"No worries. He should probably work on that though. Undue stress does the heart no good, or so I've heard. But it is a pleasure to meet you, fair lady, what would you name be? And why would this strung strudel be following you?" you asked as you felt the timer on your portal ticking down.
"Zila Galycon and the grumpy snack is actually leading me about so don't think he's too bad. He does need to work on his 'comments' though," she rolled her eyes. She leaned in.
"Do you have any idea where I might a Rakghoul cure serum?" she asked bluntly and you had a strange feeling that you were on the other side of the questioning table for once.
"Yeah, I've just aided the Doc with something, but the details are his to share," you said carefully, remembering the warning you got not even 5 minutes ago.
There was a rush of that... presence and you heard a woman as Zila massaged her head in pain.
"Zila... null there... not to be trusted... silent in the For-" the visions cut out and Zila grimaced as if the words hadn't quite reached her.
"Sorry, I've been getting concussion twangs all morning... had a bad wake up," she smiled sardonically.
"Are you all right? Perhaps you should see the doctor for more than this 'serum' you're hoping for..." you said and she inhaled once.
"I would, but everywhere I go, people have problems to solve and I just have this... bad feel about Taris no mattered where I go. You're the first person I've been around who makes me feel like I have some peace and quiet," she grinned then coughed.
"Sorry, that was some kooky Jedi crap that slipped out," she said, embarrassed.
"Jedi..? I don't know the term. But you are right, this place... It stinks of bad tidings, especially with the martial law enacted," you frowned as in the brief patches of sky you could see. A massive ship hung over the world, bearing down like a metal god.
"Jedi in Jawanes would be..." Zile thought then made a decent noise but since it lacked the scent, it went from 'Warrior of the universe entwined with the will' to 'Bantha Cannons point due Soup'.
Truly, the Jawas' language was beautiful.
Your portal was ready to go and Mickey seemed... closer than before. It would be wise to catch him before he went the other way.
"Warrior, entwined with the universe's will... So, you feel the 'pull' of the 'wind', as well?" you asked and Zila snorted.
"Only Jedi and important folk feel the force. I'm just your Moon skipping, honest working, smuggler," she winked for comedic effect.
"Zila, gotta hear this," High-Strung Strudle called. Zila gave a wave as if introducing you to her life.
"Duty calls, Credits beg for my touch, and Carth frumps. Truly, it is blessed to be me," she bowed once and walked into the clinic.
"May the wind guide you, blessed biscuit," you called after her.
Nice lady, really. Shame that the she was a literal walking vortex of that... Force. A maelstrom of change and power.
Not a Jedi indeed.
-
You found a secluded spot and focused on leaving the World. The Force stroked your arm like a friend hoping to see you again.
The portal opened and off you went...
You stepped out on a large clocktower as Mickey himself watched over a town cast in the beautiful dusk light.
He was looking down at a girl with black hair smashing Heartless with a Keyblade. It seemed everyone had one of them these days.
Her image wavered for a moment, but it filtered over you like a thin film. You saw the girl, but underneath was a doll-like body slowly carving its features into that of a smiling young boy.
It was... confusing as it was fascinating.
"Number 14, Xion," Mickey said gravely as the title or the name was a grim topic in itself.
She didn't look that bad. What was this girl special? Was she able to mess with memories like Naminé? It would explain her weirdly tangled chain of memories. They were... oh boy.
"Hello again, Mickey. The mission was a success, Aqua is back to the realm of Light... Albeit injured, and on last check, unconscious. She's resting in a safe part of Hollow Bastion, guarded by another friend," you said conversationally. Mickey nodded a few times, distracted.
Then he nearly fell off the tower in a yelp.
"What!?" he said in shock.
"What... like it was hard?" you asked dryly.
"Emotive Pastry Delivery service. Arrives before the portal closes or your money back," you added and he seemed lost for words.
"Is she in Hollow Bastion? Sora has friends in a nearby town, but... Naminé said that they most likely won't remember him for a while until she fixes his Chain of Memories," he explained.
"She is still there, being guarded by a friend of her own. While she did escape, she was rather exhausted. I was hoping you might be able to help look her over for any other issues that I might not be able to notice. She's atop the castle itself, in a spot where that place's defenses can't reach her. Guarded by... A little, blue,... Being, that called itself Stitch. A friend of Aqua, Terra, and Ven, it said." you explained and Mickey nodded, looking pleased as punch.
"I would love to see her. This is great news! Ever since finding her and losing her. I've been researching means to gain access to the Realm of Darkness using my new Keyblade," he explained, showing the thing off in a flash.
"Most avenues lead to areas so far away it was pointless, but I'm glad you got to her. I didn't want to leave her there and if I told Riku..." he trailed off, sounding sad. He perked up.
"I'll go and-" he hesitated and looked down at the girl called Xion.
"DiZ wanted me to watch her while Riku did something. Sorry to be a bother, Eraqus, could you..." he trailed off hopefully.
"I think I can handle babysitting for a while, yes." you agreed and Mickey was off, using his weird star thing to shoot off into the sky.
Subtle, Mickey... subtle.
You eyed the lonely girl as she held her Keyblade to her side. She hesitated then began to look up at the tower, the feel of sadness about her growing.
Definitely not a Nobody.
"Another sad pastry... honestly, I don't understand why so many of them tend to be so gloomy, I'm running out of synonyms and pastries for emotion alliteration, at this point." you commented and she tilted her head, at your form. She seemed to be unsure but waved once.
You had to wave back.
It was obviously a local custom. You floated down lazily as she walked forward. Hands unable to decide if they wanted to be behind her back or held at the front or once... she made to rest them behind her head.
"Hello, Mr Dusk... do I have new orders? I like your gloves," she smiled brightly. There was a hint of loneliness under it all and she looked terribly unsure of herself.
"No updates for you, I'm afraid. Sit here, and we're going to talk for a while because I was asked to keep an eye on you by a friend of my Sad Muffin. How goes your current progress?" you asked and she looked flabbergasted.
"You can talk! That's so amazing, Mr Dusk. Did you have to take lessons or practice a lot? I practise greeting people in the mirror every morning, but I never get to use them..." she trailed off.
"Why not use them on me right now?" you offered. Xion looked bashful and shrugged.
"It's okay. I'm not really memorable to most people so I think I'll just stick to waving," she said with a smile that made her close her eyes.
"Shame... but to answer your question. I was always able to since I first became a Dusk... Perhaps the others simply do not, for fear that words might offend their superiors?" you mused. Xion looked up at the orange sky.
"I can see that. People get threatened by being turned into a Dusk. What do Dusks get threatened with?" she asked quietly, hands wringing themselves.
"There isn't much left other than returning to a truer form of non-existence," you answered honestly. Xion winced.
"Then you can't waste time on me. You have to do your job or do well... I'm not worth oblivion," she insisted, standing.
"My Job at the moment is to keep track of you. As long as nothing too bad goes wrong, I should be fine like this." you said easily and Xion looked around unsure.
"I'm a nobody of importance, anyway. Who will mind?" You added.
"I'm supposed to be on the job. I still have 200 Heartless to slay today to cover Roxas' and I's quotas..." she said, sounding tired of it already.
"I'll help," you offered and Xion hesitantly did a strange spell that formed a silver ring around her and a white one around you.
Party formed:
Xion N-Link not found. Drastic reductions in benefits.
Xion HP: 85 (?)
Base Damage: 10+D15 (+5 to Heartless)
Xion looked at you and a smile that she tried to hid formed behind one hand.
"You're... really strong!" she tried to say with a straight face.
"I'm really not, but your attempt at kindness is appreciated. But I am not here to be strong. I am here to cover your back, keep you from being mobbed. It's still your job, you're still the lead. I'm just your backup." you announced. Xion stopped being so amused.
"Mr Dusk... the things that I will be hunting," she began then bit her lip.
"They'll flatten you and I can't risk that!" she said, shouting to the surprise of herself.
"Which is why I will do my best to keep my distance. I might not have a lot of power, but I do have some versatility. That's why I plan to use the power of friendship and these guns I found" you promised. Xion smiled weakly.
"Distance is... not an issue with these monsters. I'll be hunting a squad of Noveshadows with Luxord or was supposed to be. I think he's lost again," she sighed.
Novashadows sound... interesting.
"How about... we make a promise?" Xion said, saying it slowly. She stuck out her pinkie finger.
"I'll let you come with if you promise to run when I say, okay?" she beamed. The most strangest thing happened.
For a moment, Xion's face became... Naminé's and it was her smiling down at you then a boy... then a girl with reddish hair and the same blue eyes.
". . . Very well. I'll keep an eye out for sir Luxord, so you can focus." you shook the pinkie and the image returned to Xion.
Her chain of memories was growing tumours. Bulging to fit pieces coming in from two different sources, but the pieces were messy. Forced to slip through artificial choke holes and nooses.
"You see it too?" Xion asked quietly and pulled her hood up smoothly.
"I can't say I completely understand what's going on, I see something, definitely... It looks unhealthy but I have at an idea of what that is," you admitted. Xion shook her head.
"My friend Roxas fell into a coma three days ago. And ever since then, things have gotten worst. But I think I can handle it. He'd handle it and so would Axel," Xion said confidently.
"You have good friends. Still, there's no need to suffer unnecessarily. Just like you wouldn't leave a wound unattended if you have a potion. If you think you can handle it though, then there's no need to rush. I'll see what I can do later, we do have a mission to complete after all," you explained and Xion nodded once and you both took off into the town.
"Thank you... please take care of me, Mr Dusk," Xion smiled at you.
"No problem, and I'll be relying on you as well Xion and... It's Eraqus, if you don't mind," you added. She was strong, but perhaps her nervous demeanour carried over into a battle and she would need some help there?
-
You didn't feel prideful often, but Xion took your pride and confidence as a warrior out the back and shot it like a sick Heartless. The girl in the fight was...
She stood among slewed Heartless as Munny and Material rained down around her, her Keyblade glinting in the twilight eve.
Unforgettable.