Chapter 78: Land of Mystery

Hey everyone I'm back. I saw your posts about the idea for a spin-off and I won't make it. I'll just stick with this. Anyway for my friend masters123lfm I've got a surprise for you in this chapter. If anyone would like to see more girls added to Roxas' harem send me your ideas and I'll see what I can do. I hope you like what I have planned as we go into the world of Anastasia. Please Review and Enjoy.

On the Tempest everyone was sitting down enjoying the Gumbo and Beignets that Ginger had made.

"Mmm, Ginger these are beyond hextacular." Raven said eating a beignet.

"Thanks Tiana gave me a few recipes before we left." Ginger smiles passing out bowls of Gumbo.

Nearby Roxas and Amora were talking to Yen Sid about Maleficent's sudden appearance.

"So Maleficent is finally making her move?" Yen Sid said.

"She tried to go after La and then she recruited that Shadow Man. What could she be up to?" Roxas asks.

"Maleficent must be trying to expand her army like Xehanort and we have been doing. But what she is planning has yet to be revealed." Yen Sid said.

"What about Xehanort? We haven't heard from him since he sent Even to try to take out Ever After with the Snow King." Roxas asks.

"Knowing Xehanort he's probably got something planned, he's just buying his time until he can make the right move." Yen Sid said.

Nearby Crystal was talking with Briar and Ashlynn when she noticed the concerned look on Roxas' face.

"Hey is everything alright with Roxas? He's usually so calm and collected." Crystal asks.

"He's talking with Yen Sid, he must be struggling to figure out how it affects us." Briar said looking over.

"Not to mention he has to tell Headmaster Grimm about this too. It's not easy being the leader." Ashlynn said.

"He does all that for us?" Crystal asks surprised.

"Yeah, he's gotten us through some tough times, but he always tries to keep us motivating it's just another way Roxas is amazing." Briar sighs.

Crystal looks at Roxas hanging up after talking to Yen Sid and walking over to a chair and sitting down.

Looking over she grabbed a plate of beignets and walked over to him.

"Uh hey Roxas you look like you could use a snack." Crystal said offering him some.

"Thanks Crystal." Roxas said reaching out and taking a bite out of one causing him smile. "Wow these are good."

"I know right. Ginger's an amazing cook." Crystal said.

"She says her inspiration is all our missions." Roxas said.

"Hey you think I can go on the next one? I really want to see what other worlds are like." Crystal asks.

"Sure Crystal I wouldn't mind having you help me out next time." Roxas smiles causing Crystal to blush softly.

"So, uh what was that call about?" Crystal asks nervously.

"Let's just say I think we might have more problems in the future." Roxas sighs. "Headmaster Grimm is not gonna like it when I have to tell him more bad news."

"I thought Headmaster Grimm liked you now?" Crystal asks.

"He does, but he hates dealing with bad news and when it comes from me let's just say I rarely give him anything happy." Roxas said.

Crystal looks at his saddened face and reaches out. "You know Roxas you don't give yourself enough credit. It's because of you so many good things have happened and besides my parents think you're hexcellent." Crystal said.

"Really? Even after I tried to beat up your dad?" Roxas raised an eyebrow.

"Well to be fair he was under a curse, but yeah he said it's been forever after since someone's given him a challenge." Crystal said.

"Wow your dad sure is interesting." Roxas chuckles.

"You can say that again." Crystal laughs as they share the rest of the beignets.


Meanwhile in the World that Never Was, Xehanort and his vessels were all sitting on their thrones.

"Master Xehnaort, let me go! I can take that pathetic nobody down this time!" Vanitas said.

"Yeah like you said during the invasion but Roxas kicked your butt again and left you little present." Larxene smirks.

"At least I had the guts to actually get off this throne and do something." Vanitas said.

"Face it Vanitas Roxas has you beat in every way. I have a better chance of defeating him than you ever will." Mira mocks.

"Now that would be a sight." Braig smirks.

"Enough." Xemnas said calming them down.

"Mira, you have indeed proved that you are a powerful vessel. What sort of plan do you have in mind for Roxas?" Xehanort asks.

"When I'm done with him, he'll be right where he belongs." Mira smirks.


Back at the Tempest the Forever After Fighters were approaching a new world in trouble. The Land of Mystery.

Walking out of it and onto a snowy plain Roxas, Blondie, Crystal, Ashlynn, Farrah, Melody, Alistair and Bunny examined to see a city with lots of smoke in the distance.

"Wow uh this world sure is…interesting." Crystal cringes.

"Not the most glamourous world we've visited." Bunny said.

"Are you kidding? Look at the air, it's so polluted." Ashlynn said.

"Brrrr, I wish we had brought our winter wear with us." Blondie shivers.

"Come on, let's see if we can find some a way into town." Alistair said as they walked down the path.

Nearby in a fork in the road a woman with red hair was staring at the signs.

"Go left she says, well I know what's in it for me if I go that way. I'll be Anya the orphan forever. This is crazy, someone send me a sign, a hint, anything." She said sitting down.

Suddenly down the path a small dog was barking like crazy as it ran towards Anya in fear and jumps into her hands.

"Whoa there, sorry but I don't have time to play. I'm waiting for a sign." Anya said putting the dog down, but the dog barks down the opposite path to show multiple Winterhorn, Icy Cube, and Lance Warrior Heartless rushing towards them. "Monster coming down that path? Definitely a sign." Anya grabs the dog and runs down the path towards the city as fast as she could.

Down the path towards the city the Forever After Fighters were walking calmly when all of a suddenly heard a voice.

"Run!"

"Huh?" All of them turn to see Anya and the dog running as the Heartless gained on her.

"Run!" Anya yells running up to them when Alistiar drew Lady Luck, Ashlynn drew Stroke of Midnight and Roxas summoned Monster and Proud.

"Fira!" Farrah fires a powerful ball of fire which zooms past Anya and smashes into an Icy Cube destroying it.

"What the?" Anya said as Crystal drew her wand and everyone ran in front of Anya.

"Don't worry we got this. Follow me." Blondie said as Anya followed her away.

Jumping in the air Bunny attempts to crash down on the Heartless but a Winterhorn jumps up and rams into her with its horns knocking her backwards.

"Bunny!" Alistair gasps before growling and charging towards the same Winterhorn. The Winterhorn charges at Alistair but at the last second Alistair slides on snow going under it as the Winterhorn jumps in the air and delivers a powerful slash to its stomach knocking it to the ground.

As it tried to recover Crystal turned her wand into a hockey stick and skated towards it. Slamming her stick into its face the Winterhorn disappears.

"Okay that was pretty cool." Crystal admits. "You guys do this all the time?"

"More often than you think." Melody said firing multiple flaming music notes at the Lance Warriors who stab them away.

"Magnet Spiral!" Ashlynn draws in three Lance Warriors towards her and unleashes a spin attack knocking them backwards. "Farrah!"

Farrah fires multiple blasts from her wand destroying them.

Picking herself up Bunny runs towards a sign and using Flowmotion does a pole spin dealing multiple kicks towards an Icy Cube before slamming down on top of it.

As Roxas slashed two Winterhorn Monster and Proud glowed before transforming into two taser like blasters.

"Oh yeah." Roxas grins firing multiple blasts of electricity at the Heartless destroying a large handful of them leaving only one Winterhorn and two Lance Warriors.

"I got an idea. Ashlynn." Farrah said as her wand glowed.

Raising her keyblade Ashlynn and Farrah point them both at the Heartless.

"The Ball Awaits!" From both lights a large pumpkin carriage appears and rams into the three Heartless before exploding destroying them.

When the battle ends Blondie turns to Anya who was stunned at first.

"Are you alright?" Blondie asks.

"Uh yeah, thanks to you guys." Anya said as the dog barked happy as well. "You guys took on those monsters like pros."

"It's what we do." Melody shrugs.

"We go around helping people in need and fighting those things along the way." Ashlynn smiles.

"Helping people…hey listen I need to get somewhere and I could really use some help in case those things show up." Anya said getting an idea.

"What's wrong?" Crystal asks.

"Well I need to get back to Paris, you see this." Anya pulls out a necklace that read Together in Paris. "I think my family is there."

"What do you mean you think?" Bunny asks.

"Well for the last 10 years my past is kind of a blur, all I have is this clue. Please if you could just help me get there I could really use your help." Anya begs as the dog gave her the puppy dog pout.

Shrugging Roxas nods causing Anya to smile.

Making their way into town they arrived at the train station.

"9 tickets to Paris please." Anya said.

"Exit Visa." The ticket man said.

"Exit Visa? What's that?" Roxas asks.

"No Visa, no ticket!" He yells slamming the door in their faces.

"That is so not just right." Blondie scoffs.

"Talk about rude." Crystal said.

"We get a few of those on our travels too." Melody sighs when an old woman walks up to them.

"Psst. See Dimitri, he can help." She whispers.

"Where can we find him?" Anya asks.

"At the old palace, but you didn't hear it from me." She said.

"The old palace huh?" Anya said as they made their way towards what had to be the largest house they ever saw, but all the entrances were boarded up.

"Whoa what happened here?" Crystal asks.

"Apparently there was a revolution in this town 10 years ago and the royal family that used to live here were all killed." Anya said when her dog ran towards an opening. "Pooka. Pooka come back here."

Pooka ran through a crack in the boards and into the palace.

"Hang on." Roxas summons Two Become One and smashes the boards down.

Inside the palace there were two men sitting around. One was a large man with a beard and gray hair. The other was young man with short brown hair. These were Vlad and Dimitri.

"Did you hear something?" Dimitri asks.

"I didn't hear anything." Vlad said brushing it off while Dimitri got up to investigate.

Entering what appeared to be the ballroom everyone looked in awe.

"This place…is like a memory of a dream." Anya said.

Walking up the stairs Roxas spotted an old painting of a family and as Anya walks by it he swore for a second one of the kids in the painting bared a small resemblance to her.

"Hey!" Someone calls out alerting them all. Turning towards the staircase they saw Dimitri and Vlad. "What are you all doing here?!"

As everyone runs towards Roxas and Anya Dimitri looks at the painting and then to Anya and a grin appears on his face.

"Vlad, do you see what I see?" Dimitri whispers.

"I do." Vlad said surprised.

"Uh are you Dimitri?" Crystal asks.

"That all depends on whose asking." He said.

"We need papers…all of us." Anya said.

"Wow tall order for a group this big." Dimitri smirks.

"Yes, well we need to get Anya to Paris." Farrah said.

"I see. Well Anya is there a last name to that?" Dimitri asks.

"Well...uh that's the thing. I'm not sure. I was found wandering the streets when I was 8." Anya said.

"And before that?" Dimitri asks.

"Look I know it sounds weird but I have no memory from my past." Anya admits.

"Well…it just so happens that Vlad and I are leaving for Paris as well. But that's the thing we plan to take her. Anastasia with us." Dimitri said pointing to the painting. "We plan to reunite her with her grandmother, but come to think of it, you look a lot like her."

"And you think Anya is this lost girl?" Alistair asks.

"You guys are mad and not in the good way." Alistair said.

"Look she needs to go to Paris, Anastaisa has family in Paris and if she is Anastasia we might be able to get you all to come with us. But hey if she's not she's not." Dimitri said as he and Vlad walked away.

"What do you think Anya?" Melody asks.

"Well it's hard to imagine anyone being a princess where you're laying in rags, but then again who hasn't." Anya said.

"Hey for all we know maybe you could be Anastasia, at the very least it gets us to where we need to go." Farrah said.

Anya leans in liking what she was hearing.

"Come on, let's go grab Dimitri." Ashlynn said as they ran to catch up with them.

"Dimitri! Dimitri wait!" Bunny calls out.

"Hmm you guys call me?" He asks pretending he just heard them.

"Well since Anya has no memory of who she is maybe she is this Anastasia." Roxas said causing Dimitri to grin.

"Everyone, I present the Grand Duchess Anastasia." Dimitri announces as they all left the room. Uh by the way dog and bodyguards stay."

"Uh no, they go with us or not at all." Anya said.

Little did they know a man had heard all of this. In the dark room a man was growling in anger. He had tattered robes, black hair and pale skin. This was Rasputin.

"It can't be, after all these years one little girl got away…after I sold my very soul to the darkness." Rasputin said holding up a green cylinder with a skull on it. "Well then….I guess I'll just have to make up for lost time. Come my minions! Fly!" Rasputin said as from the cylinder multiple green demon creatures sprouted up into the air.

"Go and destroy the last of the Romanov family!" Rasputin declares.


Meanwhile the Forever After Fighters, Anya, Dimitri, Vlad and Pooka were on the train heading to Paris.

As they all sat in the compartment Crystal looks to find an open space. Moving towards Vlad she was about to sit down when Pooka barked signaling he was sitting there.

"Oh sorry about that." Crystal said quickly standing up. Looking around she noticed a space next to Roxas was available and takes a deep breath before moving over to him.

"So what do you think so far?" Roxas asks.

"Well it's certainly different from learning to make winter." Crystal admits. "You think Anya is really Anastasia?"

"That's something going on these missions gives you. They teach you to open your mind to all sorts of possibilities. Remember how much you learned when we saved your parents?" Roxas asks.

"Yeah that was something." Crystal nods.

"Don't worry if anything happens we got your back." Roxas said causing Crystal to smile.

An hour into the train ride everyone was sound asleep in the compartment when Vlad was walking through the halls.

"You see papers used to be in blue now they're in red." A passenger said causing Vlad to gasp seeing he forged their papers in blue ink.

Walking back to the compartment he woke up Dimitri. "We got a problem."

"Better move to the baggage storage." Dimitri said getting up. "Hey come on wake up." Dimitri said shaking them all awake. When he got to Anya she ended up punching him in the nose.

"Oh my gosh I'm so sorry I—oh wait it's just you." Anya said.

"Come on, get your little entourage up we're moving." Dimitri said shoving her jacket in her face.

"Nice to see you too." Melody scoffs.

Flying through the forest Rasputin's monsters flew towards the train, as one passed by the window Pooka barked loudly.

"Men are such babies." Anya said as they followed to the baggage cart.

"Yes, yes, this will do nicely." Dimitri said walking in.

"They'll freeze in here." Vlad whispers.

"They can thaw in Paris." Dimtri said.

"Hmm I don't suppose there's something wrong with our papers." Blondie asks.

"No of course not, why would you think that?" Dimtri asks.

"Call it a hunch." Bunny narrows her eyes when suddenly the demons flew towards the connector and blew it up causing them all to fall backwards.

"What was that?!" Ashlynn asks as they turned around to see the rest of the train behind them.

As Pooka barked at the door to the control room Bunny and Ashlynn run over to it. Looking at each other they both nod before they kicked the door open to see what was going on.

"Uh team." Ashlynn said nervously.

"What is it?" Roxas asks picking himself up.

"I think something's wrong with the engine." Ashlynn said pointing to the inferno at the front of the train.

As everyone went over Bunny hopped onto the roof of the coal compartment. "I'll go have a look."

"Be careful Bunny." Alistair said as she ran to the front where she saw nobody was driving the train and the flames were getting larger.

"We're getting faster." Anya said as Blondie took out her mirrorpad.

"This just in viewers we are literally riding a runaway train. You cannot make up this kind of excitement." Blondie said when Bunny jumped down behind her.

"Nobody's driving this thing!" Bunny said causing them to gasp.

"What a twist? What will happen next say tuned and don't touch that dial." Blondie said.

"We're going to have to jump!" Dimitri opens the door to reveal if they jumped, they would jump off a large cliff.

"After you!" Anya said.

"Come on we gotta unhook the compartment!" Alistair said running to the switch but the demons heard him and melted the lock together when he jumps down.

Summoning Lady Luck he hits it multiple times, but nothing works.

Climing onto a box Pooka barks getting their attention, looking at it they saw it was a box of exploisives.

"That'll work." Melody said grabbing one and running to Alistiar. Handing it to him Alistair puts it down before they all ran for cover as it explodes unsnapping them.

"What do we do now?!" Crytal asks.

"No worries we'll just keep going until we stop." Dimitri said when Rasputin's demons destroy the bridge up ahead causing it to collapse.

When they look ahead all of them gasp at the destroyed bridge.

"You were saying?" Anya asks.

All of them let out screams as they tried to think of a plan.

"I got an idea! Roxas give me a hand!" Dimitri said grabbing a chain.

Roxas was about to run over when Crystal's foot fell through the boards of the train.

"Crystal!" Roxas gasps as Crystal tries to pull herself free. "Hang on!" Roxas runs over to try to help her free forcing Anya to run over.

"Where's Roxas?" Dimitri asks.

"Busy." Anya said as she handed him the chain.

Looping it around the bottom of the train Anya pulls Dimitri back up. Just as Roxas pulls Crystal's foot out.

Throwing the grappling hook, it latches onto the tracks slowing the train down considerably.

"Well everyone, I guess this is our stop!" Farrah said.

"Ready? Jump!" Roxas said as they all jumped into the snow just as the train plummeted off the bridge.

"Ugh remind me never to take a train again." Crystal groans.

"Agreed." Dimitri groans.


Soon they were climbing onto a boat and set sail for Paris. Along the way Dimitri and Vlad explained to Anya that she had to prove that she was Anastasia for the Grand Duchess. Luckily Ashlynn, Farrah and Crystal helped school her in all things Princess.

As the sun was setting Ashlynn was teaching Anya and Dimitri how to formally dance while everyone watched.

Anya was wearing a new blue dress that Dimitri had picked out for her.

"I'm feeling a little dizzy." Anya said.

"Kinda light headed?" Dimitri asks.

"Yeah." She said as they stopped dancing.

"Probably from spinning, we should stop." Dimitri said.

"We have stopped." Anya replied.

"Uh right…Anya I—" Dimitri leans in and the two of them were about to kiss when Pooka let out a loud bark stopping him. "You're doing fine." He said walking away.

Sitting next to Vlad and Pooka Crystal was looking at them curiously. "Hey Vlad…do you think those two are?"

"Absolutely." Vlad nods.

"But why won't Dimitri tell her?" Crystal asks.

"My dear love is a mysterious thing sometimes even when you're not looking for it love has a way of entering your life." Vlad said as Crystal looks over to Roxas laughing with Melody as they were working on a song.

"I never thought about it like that before." Crystal said.

"Why? Is there a special someone in your life?" Vlad asks as Pooka climbs onto her lap.

"I uh I'm not sure…but whenever I'm around him I feel…happy." Crystal said petting Pooka.

"Then my dear it is up to you to figure out what those feelings mean." Vlad said as he got up left.

Crystal looks down at Pooka. "I don't suppose you know what I should do?"

Pooka moves his head back and forth meaning no causing her to giggle.

"Hey it was worth a try." Crystal said.

That night in their room Dimitri was fast asleep while everyone else was trying to handle the rocking boat.

"Are you alright Vlad?" Ashlynn asks.

"Fine, fine just riddled with envy. He can sleep through anything." Vlad said pointing to Dimitri.

As Farrah sits down she accidentally bumps into Dimitri's back and knocks out a small gold box.

"Hey what's this?" Farrah asks picking it up.

"It's beautiful." Bunny said looking at it.

"Pretty jewelry box isn't it?" Vlad asks as Anya examines it.

"Jewelry box? Are you sure that's what it is?" Anya asks.

"What else could it be?" Melody asks.

"I don't, something personal… a secret maybe. You think it's possible?" Anya asks.

"Anything is possible. We've learned that first hand." Blondie said.

"Good night everyone." Vlad said going up to bed.

"Sweet dreams your majesty." Alistair said.

"Sweet dreams royal guards." Anya jokes as they all went to bed.

In his dark realm Rasputin was watching Anya as she slept.

"Sweet dreams princess. I'll get inside your mind where you can't escape me." Rasputin said as green magic entered Anya's head causing her to sleepwalk to the door.

When Pooka saw this he jumped startled and started barking trying to wake everyone up.

"Pooka, what is it?" Roxas groans waking up when Pooka points to Anya missing.

Up on the top deck a rainstorm was pouring down as Anya made her way to the edge of the ship and was about to jump into the stormy sea below.

"Anya no!" Ashlynn yells as she, Dimitri and Alistair grabbed her pulling her off the edge as she was screaming.

"Hey it's okay, it's okay." Dimitri said trying to calm her down.

"The Romanov curse." Anya said confusing them.

"What are you talking about?" Dimitri asks.

"I keep seeing faces, so many faces." Anya sobbed.

"Hey it's okay, it was just a nightmare." Dimitri said hugging her.

"Sorry but I'm the only nightmare around here." Another voice said getting their attention.

From the sky the as black dragon roared as it flew in and landed on the deck hopping off it everyone gasps to see Mira Shards walking towards them

"It's been a long time." Mira smirks.

"Mira Shards." Ashlynn said in shock.

"Dimitri get Anya inside now." Melody said.

"Right." Dimitri said as he led her below deck.

"It's nice to finally meet you in person Roxas." Mira said.

"So you're the Evil Queen's Nobody." Roxas said summoning Two Become One.

"That's right, now that the introductions are out of the way let's get down to business." Mira snaps her fingers and bursting out of the sea were multiple nobodies with hooded robes and dark magic forming in their hands. These were the Dark Mage Nobodies.

"What the?" Melody said looking at them in shock.

"Like them? A gift from Xehanort and that's not all I got." Mira said revealing herself to have golden eyes like Xehanort. Extending her hand, a flash of darkness grew and from it a flail appeared in her hand.

"That's new." Roxas said as Mira charged at him and swung her flail but Roxas blocked it with his keyblade.

"Roxas!" Crystal and Melody ran to try and help but two Dark Mages blocked them from coming to his aid.

Ashlynn, Blondie, Alistair, Bunny, Crystal, Melody, and Farrah looked around to see a dozen Dark Mages surrounding them.

"Rise and Shine viewers, Blondie Lockes here with a shocking update. Mira Shards, the nobody of our very own Evil Queen is back and she seems to now have become an official vessel to Xehanort and gotten her own brand of nobodies in the process. Stay tuned as the battle is about to begin." Blondie records.

"Guess Roxas is going to have to wait." Alistair said as they readied their weapons.

'Hang on Roxas.' Crystal thought.

Up above them on the upper deck Roxas and Mira were clashing weapons.

Roxas separated Two Become One into Oathkeeper and Oblivion before ducking just narrowly dodging Mira's attack and delivers two powerful slashes knocking her backwards.

Mira growls in pain as she holds her side. Using this opening Roxas charges in but at the last second Mira raises her hands a large mirror appears which repels Roxas' attack and sends him skidding backwards.

"Don't you know breaking a mirror is bad luck?" Mira said.

"Yeah well you sticking around is even worse." Roxas narrows his eyes.

Mira slams her fail into the deck causing the boards the split as it headed towards Roxas.

Jumping in the air Roxas glided out of the way but Mira wasn't gonna let him get away that easy. Jumping onto the back of her dark dragon Mira flies after him.

Down below Ashlynn and Alistair had their backs to each other as they were fighting off two Dark Mages who were firing multiple purple fireballs at them.

"Look out!" Crystal waves her wand and a wall of ice appears blocking the fireballs. "This won't hold for long, if you guys have any ideas I'm open to them."

As Bunny jumps around various areas of the ship dodging enemy fire she lands on top of a large barrel and ends up rolling on it. Once she gets her balance an idea comes to her. Moving as quick as she could Bunny smashes the barrel into a Dark Mage destroying it.

"Guys!" Bunny yells as she kicks the barrel towards the two Dark Mages firing at Crystal, Ashlynn and Alistair stunning the Nobodies.

"Bunny you're the best!" Alistair grins as he swings Lady Luck and the Heart emblem appears before Alistair swings his keyblade knocking it into one of the Dark Mages destroying it.

As the other fires purple lightning at them Crystal fires multiple icicles at it canceling the two attacks out allowing Ashlynn to charge in and swing Stroke of Midnight destroying it.

On the other side of the deck Melody and Farrah were facing three Dark Mages.

"Alright boys time to pay the piper." Melody said as she flipped her headphones, so the speakers were facing out. "Farrah you might want to cover your ears."

Farrah looks to Melody and does what she says. Taking a deep breath scratched her nails on the her battle mix causing her records to release a high pitch scratching noise that shattered many windows on the ship as well as made the Black Mages hold their heads in pain.

"Watera!" Farrah creates two powerful blasts of water which knock the Dark Mages overboard and into the sea. "Great job Melody."

"What?" Melody said trying to her hearing back.

Farrah looks up and gasps. "Roxas!"

As all of them look up they saw Roxas gliding around the ship with Mira's dragon breathing multiple blasts of dark fire at him trying to roast him alive.

"You can't keep running forever Roxas!" Mira grins as she closed in.

Roxas glides towards the main mast of the ship and notices a loose rope. Gliding towards it he grabs the rope and swings around it before slingshotting back towards Mira surprising her.

"Faith!" Roxas blasts Mira and her dragon with a powerful light blast as he approached them knocking her and her dragon back onto the ship.

Landing across from her Roxas summons Song of the Sea and Storm Condor as Mira gets back up.

"Sneaky move, no wonder Vanitas hates you so much." Mira smirks.

"Give it up Mira, you got no Dragon, no Nobodies. You can't beat us all." Roxas said.

"But Roxas…I don't need to defeat you all just you!" Mira coats her fist in darkness and releases it around him creating a dozen mirrors.

Roxas looks around trying to figure out what was going on when from the mirrors multiple chains shot out binding him and making him drop his keyblades.

Grinning Mira walks up to Roxas with a ball of darkness forming in her hands as everyone ran to try and help him.

Grabbing Roxas by the chin Mira moves it so he's looking her in the eyes. "The very thing that you fought so hard to get will be what destroys you in the end." Mira said before slamming the ball of darkness into his chest causing Roxas to scream in pain.

"Let him go!" Mira turns to see Ashlynn, Alistair, Melody and Crystal aiming their weapons at him.

"You should have chosen your words more carefully." Mira smirks as she lets go of Roxas sending him over the edge and into the stormy sea.

"Roxas!" Crystal said as she ran to the edge to see Roxas struggling to stay above the water in the strom.

"The choice is yours defeat me or save your leader." Mira laughs as she takes her dragon through a dark portal and leaves.

Looking around frantically Crystal notices a life preserver hanging on the wall.

"This isn't good those waters are too strong!" Blondie said.

"We should've brought Meeshell with us!" Ashlynn panics when Crystal runs over with the life preserver.

"What about this?" Crystal asks.

"We'll need some rope." Melody said as Dimitri and Anya ran over.

"Here give it to me I'll dive in and get him." Dimitri said as Bunny tied the rope around it, but before he could do anything Crystal grabbed it and jumped off the edge of the ship and into the water after Roxas surprising everyone.

"Crystal!" Everyone yells.

"Shocking news viewers! In order to save Roxas from drowning at sea Crystal Winter dives in to save him." Blondie said as Crystal resurfaces with the life preserver in her hand.

"Roxas! Roxas!" Crystal calls out as he resurfaces nearby gasping for air. "Hang on!"

Crystal swims to him as fast as she could but just before she could reach him a wave comes down and hits them both sending them underwater. Crystal opens her eyes to see Roxas sinking nearby.

Mustering up every last once of strength she reaches out and grabs him.

Up above all of them were looking around frantically when Crystal resurfaces gasping for air with Roxas in her arm.

"I got him! Pull us up!" Crystal yells.

"Hang on!" Anya yells as they pulled them back onto the deck.

Laying Roxas down they saw he wasn't breathing.

"Oh no, no, no, no. Come on Roxas breathe." Crystal said pounding his chest to administer CPR. Leaning in Crystal was about to breathe air into his lungs when she realized her lips would have to touch his and blushes slightly as the nervousness she felt earlier came back to her.

'Please Roxas we all need you…and so do I.' She thought as she leaned in.

"What is this…it feels warm and comforting.' Roxas thought as he opened his eyes to see Crystal's smiling face looking down at him along with the rest of the team, Anya, Dimitri and Pooka with big smiles on their faces.

"You're okay." Melody smiles.

"Boy you sure gave us quite a scare back there." Dimitri said as Pooka jumped into Roxas' lap and licks his face causing him to laugh.

"Hey! Cut it out." Roxas smiles as everyone laughs.

Crystal looks at Roxas' smiling face as Pooka licked him and in her heart, she felt so happy and relived to see he was safe.


Soon they arrived in Paris and went to meet with Sophie the cousin to the Grand Empress Marie.

"May I present the Grand Duchess Anastasia." Vlad said introducing her.

"My she sure does look like Anastasia, but so did all the others." Sophie said examining her.

"Others?" The Forever After Fighters asks.

"Where were you born?" Sophie asks.

"At the Peterhoff Palace." Anya said.

"Very good." Sophie said as they sat down.

After spending hours answering questions Sophie came to her final question. "Now if you don't mind me asking how did you escape the palace?"

As Anya thought about it Dimitri grabbed his head realizing he never brought up that question.

"There was a boy…he worked in the kitchen and he…opened a wall. I know that sounds crazy, walls opening." Anya said as Dimitri looked at her with an astonished look on his face.

"So is that it?" Blondie asks.

"Is she a Romanov?" Ashlynn asks.

"She answered every question." Sophie said as they all cheered.

"You did it!" Vlad said hugging Anya.

"So when can we see the empress?" Bunny asks excited.

"I'm sorry but you don't. Madame has asked to see no more people claiming to be Anastasia." Sophie said.

"Sophie my beauty, there must be some way." Vlad said flirting with her.

"Hmm do you all like Ballet? Because Madame and I never miss a show." Sophie said.

"Looks like we're going to the ballet." Melody smiles.


That night at the ballet Dimitri and Vlad were outside and Vlad was pacing nervously.

"We don't have anything to be nervous about, she's the princess." Dimitri said.

"I know I know." Vlad said.

"No you don't know…I was the little boy. The one who opened the wall, she's the real deal Vlad." Dimitri said shocking him.

"That means our Anya has finally found her way home. She's a princess. And you?" Vlad asks.

"Will walk out of her life forever. Princesses don't marry kitchen boys." Dimitri said.

"You've got to tell her." Vlad said.

"Tell me what?" They turned around to see Anya walking to them with the Forever After Fighters.

"H-How beautiful you look." Dimitri said nervously.

"Oh, thank you." Anya said.

Walking into the ballet Dimitri points out an old woman wearing crown this was the Grand Empress Marie, Anastasia's Grandmother.

"There she is." Dimitri said.

"Please let her remember me." Anya silently prayed.

Making their way to the room Anya and the Forever After Fighters wait outside while Dimitri went to talk to the Empress, but little did Dimitri know part of the door was opened.

"Please inform the Grand Empress I have found her granddaughter Anastasia." Dimitri said.

"I am sorry but Madame will see no more visitors." Sophie winks.

"Tell the man I have seen enough Anastasia's to last me a lifetime." Marie said.

"Your majesty please just a moment of your time. You see my name's Dimitri and I used to work at the Palace." Dimitri said.

"My that's one I haven't heard in a long time. Now leave." Marie said.

"But your majesty please this is her." Dimitri said.

"I have heard of you Dimitri, you were holding auditions to find an Anastasia look alike so you could get the reward I offered." Marie said shocking all of them especially Anya.

"No please you have to understand she's the Princess!" Dimitri said as he was thrown out of the room at the feet of everyone.

"This was all a lie?" Crystal glares.

"I was a part of a con?" Anya asks.

"No Anya please listen." Dimitri said trying to explain but Anya slapped him across the face before storming in anger.

As Dimitri tried to go after her Roxas and Ashlynn summoned their keyblades blocking him.

"Guys not you too." Dimitri said.

"How could you do that to Anya?" Farrah growls.

"She had nothing, she trusted you." Roxas said.

"I know but listen please. She is Anastasia." Dimitri said.

"Why should we believe you?" Melody asks.

"Because…because when Anya said a little boy let her out…that was me." Dimitri said surprising them. "Look I screwed up big time, but have any of you trusted someone even though everyone else thought you were crazy?"

Everyone frowns as they looked to Roxas who sighs.

"You better have a way to get Anya to talk with her grandmother." Roxas said.

"I do, but I need all your help to do it." Dimitri said.

After the ballet Dimitri and Roxas were waiting outside as Marie made her way to the car. As her valet opened the door for her the two of them ran into the front seats and drove off.

"My slow down." Marie said.

"Sorry but we're not slowing down." Dimtiri said.

"You? And who is he your sidekick?" Marie asks.

"Hey. I'm one of the good guys." Roxas said as they pulled up in front of the house where Crystal, Ashlynn, and Bunny were waiting.

Running out Roxas opens the door for her.

"Please miss, go see her." Ashlynn begs.

"Really? Using children to change my mind? How stubborn are you?" Marie asks.

"About as stubborn as you are. Remember this?" Dimitri asks pulling out the small box.

"Where did you find this?" Marie asks holding it.

"Please, I know you've been lost and alone, but there's a chance she's as lost and alone as you are." Bunny said.

"If you don't take this chance you could regret it for the rest of your life." Crystal said.

Up in her room Anya was furiously packing her things while Blondie, Melody, Alistair and Farrah were trying to calm her down.

"But Anya where will you go?" Farrah asks.

"Anywhere but here." Anya said.

"But Anya—"

"No buts Alistair, this is it." Anya sighs when there was a knock at the door. "Go away Dimitri." She said but the door opens to reveal Marie surprising them. "I said go awa—oh I thought you were someone else."

"I know very well who you thought I was, but the question is who are you? Do you children mind giving us the room?" Marie asks as they nodded and left. "Interesting children are they with Dimitri?"

"No, in fact they're my friends and to answer your question I was hoping you might know who I am." Anya admits.

"My dear I am old and I am tired of being conned and tricked." Marie said.

"I don't want to trick you." Anya said.

"And I suppose the money doesn't interest you either?" Marie asks.

"I just want to know if I belong to a family, your family." Anya said.

"You are a very good actress, best I've seen but I've had enough." Marie said as she made her way to the door when Anya smelled something.

"Peppermint?" Anya asks.

"Oil for my hands." Marie said.

"Yes, I spilled a bottle on the rug and it smelled of peppermint. I used to lie on that rug all the time. I missed you when you went away to here." Anya said as Marie sat down and gestured for her to sit with her when she notices her necklace.

"What is that?" Marie asks.

"This? I've always had it, for as long as I could remember." Anya said.

"May I?" Marie asks as Anya handed it to her. "This was our secret, my Anastasia's and mine." She reached into her bag and pulled out the box.

"The music box. You gave this to sing me to asleep when you were away." Anya remembers.

Singing a melody, she inserted the necklace into the box and spun it.

Here this song and remember

Soon you'll be home with me

Once upon a December

"Oh Anastasia, my Anastasia." Marie smiles reuniting with her long lost granddaughter.

At an old clock tower Rasputin was looking at the paper that said Anastasia had returned. "Grr! If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself." He growls. I'll go to the party and finish off Anastasia myself."

Rasputin laughs evily as it echoes throughout the clock tower.


Soon Anya or Anastasia was being fitted for her dress when Marie brought over a beautiful tiara.

"Anya uh I mean Anastasia you look fableous." Crystal said.

"Thanks, but you all can call me Anya. I can't thank you all enough for helping me find my way home." Anya said.

"It's what we do, we help people." Roxas said.

"You guys are the best friends anyone could ask for." Anya said as they all hugged.

"Excuse me." A butler said walking over. "The Grand Empress has called for you all." He said.

"We'll be right there." Alistair said.

Making their way to Marie's room they saw Dimitri waiting inside.

"I'm glad you all could come. This is for all you." Maire opens a briefcase. "10 million Munny and my gratitude for bringing me back my granddaughter."

"I accept your gratitude, but I don't want the munny." Dimitri said.

"And what about you?" Marie asks looking at the Forever After Fighters.

"We're happy enough just helping those in need." Crystal said.

"You children have good hearts; may those be your guiding keys. But Dimitri, if you don't want the money what do you want?" Marie asks.

"Unfortunately, it's nothing you can give." Dimitri said about to leave.

"Young man, where did you get that music box?" Marie asks. "You were there weren't you? The servant boy who got us out. You saved her life and mine then you restore her to me yet you want no reward?"

"Not anymore." Dimitri said.

"Why the change of mind?" Melody asks.

"It was more a change of heart, not to mention having some good friends who were there to help me when I needed them." Dimitri said smiling softly. "I must go."

As they left the room Marie had a smile on her face. Walking down the stairs Dimitri saw Anya in her dress and crown.

"Hello Dimitri." Anya said.

"Hello." He replied.

"Did you collect your reward?" She asks.

"My business is complete." Dimitri said when the butler walked over.

"Young man, you will bow and address the princess as your highness." He said.

"No, that's not necessary." Anya said.

"No please. Your highness I'm glad you found what you were looking for." Dimitri bows.

"And you as well." Anya said.

"Well then, goodbye your highness. I'll see you all around." Dimitri said turning towards the Forever After Fighters and leaving.

"Goodbye." Anya said softly.

That night as the party to celebrate Anastasia's return was underway Anya looked from behind the curtain hoping to see if Dimitri was still there.

"He's not there you know." Marie said walking up to her.

"I know he's not, wait who Grandma?" Anya asks.

"A remarkable young man who found a music box." She said.

"No he's probably off spending his reward money as fast as he can." Anya said looking out to see the Forever After Fighters with Pooka observing the dance.

"Look at them, you were born into this world, but I wonder if this is really what you want." Marie said.

"Of course it's what I wanted, I found where I belong, I found you." Anya said.

"Yes you did and you will always have me." Marie hugs her. "My dear, he didn't take the money."

"What?" Anya said surprised.

"Seeing the woman you have become brings me great joy that I thought I could never feel again. Whatever you choose we will always be together." Marie said walking away.

Anya was about to answer when suddenly she heard barking down the hall.

"Pooka where are you going?!"

"Slow down!"

Looking over she saw Ashlynn, Roxas, Alistair and Farrah trying to catch Pooka as he was running out the door.

"Pooka?" Anya said curiously as she followed them outside through the garden.

"Pooka come back here."

Eventually they caught up with the little dog at the bridge and picked him up.

"What are you doing?" Anya teases.

"Sorry you had to leave the party like that." Ashlynn said.

"Don't worry. Come on let's get back before everyone realizes we left." Anya said.

They were about to turn back when a creepy voice echoes around them. "Anastasia. Anastasia."

"Who's there?" Roxas calls out.

"Anastasia. Your imperial highness." From the fog Rasputin appeared. "Look what 10 years has done to us. You a beautiful young flower while me, a rotting corpse." Rasputin said.

"That face." Anya said in fear.

"Last seen at a party." Rasputin recalls.

"The curse." She remembers.

"Followed by a tragic night on the ice. Remember?!" Rasputin raises his cylinder and the entire area around them turns to ice.

"Rasputin." Anya remembers.

"Destroyed by your family! But what goes around comes around." Rasputin conjures multiple green demons that circle Anya ripping her dress.

"I am not afraid of you!" Anya said.

"I can fix that. Care for a little swim?" Rasputin blasts part of the bridge Anya was on causing it to fall over. "Farewell Romanov! No one can save you now!"

"Wanna bet?!" Dimitri said running from the other side of the bridge and punching Rasputin in the face.

"Don't forget about us!" Roxas said as he, Ashlynn and Alistair summon their keyblades and Farrah draws her wand.

"We'll take care of him go help Anya." Ashlynn said.

"On it." Dimitri said sliding down to grab her hand.

"Dimitri, if we get through this remind me to..."

"You can thank me later." Dimitri finishes for her.

Rasputin turns to face the Forever After Fighters and growls. "Well looks like I get to fight you annoying brats as well."

"Won't be much a fight." Roxas said as the four of them charged.

"You ruined Anya's life!" Ashlynn yells swinging her keyblade at Rasputin who quickly dodges.

"The Romanov's ruined my life first!" Rasputin said when Alistair knocked him the chest with Lady Luck.

"Well consider this payback." Alistair said as Rasputin tumbles towards the edge of the bridge.

Roxas charges to strike when Rasputin blasts the statue of the Pegasus to life causing it to fly towards Roxas causing him to jump out of the way.

Rasputin turns to Anya and Dimitri and was about to take a step when a magical mine appeared on his foot exploding on him.

"Seeker Mine." Farrah said aiming her wand at him.

Rasputin growls as he raises his cylinder and fires a blast of green magic at her, but Farrah counters with her wand creating an explosion.

With Roxas, Alistair and Ashlynn the three of them were fighting off the stone Pegasus.

Using Song of the Sea Roxas fires a jet of water forcing the Pegasus backwards as Ashlynn and Alistair swung their keyblades chipping away at its stone legs until the statue slammed its hooves into the ground creating a shockwave knocking them backwards.

"Ashlynn, Alistair I got an idea." Roxas said helping them up.

"We're listening." Alistair said as the Pegasus spread its wings and flew at them. Rolling out of the three of them were facing it from different angles.

"Tri Light!" They yelled as their keyblades glowed brightly. Slamming them down into the ground three waves of light shoot out slicing the Stone Pegasus into three destroying it.

With Farrah and Rasputin, the two of them were clashing magical spells back and forth.

"Thundara!" Farrah yells as she fires a powerful electrical attack but Rasptuin summons a green demon to take the attack from him. "Using others to take your hits? How low are you?"

"Child you have no idea how low I've sunk for revenge." Rasputin said when Dimitri pulls Anya up to safety. "And now I will end you along with the last of the Romanovs!" Rasputin raises his cylinder to blast Farrah when Pooka runs up and bites it out of his hand. "No!" Rasputin said as it rolled towards Ashlynn and Anya's feet.

"Mind giving me a hand?" Anya asks.

"With pleasure." Ashlynn nods.

"This is for my friends!" Anya yells stomping on it.

"This is for Anya's family!" Ashlynn yells stomping it after her causing it to crack.

"And this is for you. Goodbye Rasputin." Anya said smashing it to pieces causing a bright green light to shoot into the air causing Rasputin to scream in pain as his body turned to dust and disappeared.

When the dust cleared everyone smiles at their victory when Dimitri walks up to Anya.

"I thought you were going home." Anya said.

"I was." Dimitri said.

"And you didn't take the money." Anya said.

"I couldn't…because I." Dimtiri never got to finish as Anya kisses him on the lips.

Walking over Pooka barked holding Anya's tiara in his teeth.

"Hey there." Ashlynn smiles when suddenly a light forms in her hands and a new keyblade was formed. The blade was the old royal palace where they met Dimitri, the guard was shaped like Anya's music box and the keychain was Anya's pendant.

"Ashlynn, you got a new keyblade." Farrah said.

"It's amazing." Blondie said.

"What are you gonna call it?" Alistair asks.

Ashlynn looks to Anya and Dimitri and smiles. "How about Romanov Legacy?"

"I like the sound of that." Dimitri said taking the tiara and holding it out for Anya. "They're all waiting for you."

Anya looks at the tiara and then to Dimitri. "Dimitri, you Roxas, Ashlynn, Pooka you all helped me find my home…but now that I have it I realized there's another place I'd rather be at."

"Where's that Anya?" Dimitri asks.

"With you." Anya smiles as she stands up and hands the tiara to Ashlynn. "Could you bring this back to my grandma for me?"

"Absolutely." Ashlynn nods as they said their goodbyes.

"Hey guys!" Dimitri calls out. "Never stop doing what you're doing."

"Don't worry, we won't." Roxas said as they made their way back to the others.


After giving the crown back to Marie the Forever After Fighters were waiting for the Tempest to come pick them up.

Sitting down at the steps of the Marie's home Crystal looks up at the night sky when suddenly she felt a tap on her shoulder. "Huh?" Looking over she saw Roxas holding out some Sea Salt Ice Cream. "What's this?" Crystal asks taking it.

"Call it you officially becoming a member of the team." Roxas smiles.

"Really?" Crystal smiles.

"We always have one after a mission and you definitely earned this." Roxas said.

Smiling Crystal took a bite. "Mmm I could get used to this." She smiles.

"Well you will because I want you to be apart of our team for a long time." Roxas said causing Crystal to blush when they heard the Tempest landing nearby. "Well there's our ride, you coming?"

"Uh yeah I'll be right there." Crystal said as Roxas walked away. 'I never thought about this before but…do I have a crush on Roxas?'


At the World that Never Was Mira was walking up the steps when she came face to face with Vanitas.

"Wow Mira that was certainly impressive, but wait, Roxas is still alive. You're not better than me." Vanitas mocks.

"All good things come to those who wait Vanitas soon Roxas will be gone and not only will I be the one laughing at his defeat I'll hold it over your head for the rest of your life just like that gift he gave you." Mira smirks as Vanitas takes off his helmet to reveal a scar on the right side of his face across his cheek stopping at his nose.

I'd like to thank SuperHeroTimeFan for his ideas for Mira's battling style.

Now we're going back to Ever After High.