Author's Notes: Hello again! This is a quick update of a chapter. Sets up the eventual meeting with Sora and friends that I teased two years ago now :D. For now, Sora is on the move, and the organisation itself has increased its presence in Twilight Town (as you'd expect). So... she has no choice but to head off (with her friends in tow) to a new world. One that will be very familiar to readers.
Perspectives and Moving On - Chapter 10 - Arc Two
/Unknown/
A cloaked figure can be seen walking along an empty street - each footstep echoing in the air. Turning down an alley, the figure appears to be walking to a dead end, however...
The footsteps stop, leaving the empty street quiet again.
/Lanes Between - close to Twilight Town
The familiar sound of a keyblade glider can be heard streaming through the dark expanse of outer space.
"Well looks like I'm almost back to our temporary home - and temporary it may be if things begin to escalate." Cecelia was worried that whatever Xehanort had planned, would eventually find her and her friends – even on this remote world.
Steering towards the Clock Tower of Twilight Town, Cecelia lands just in front of the clock face and looks out across the whole town.
Never ceases to amaze me, a town in eternal twilight - what a strange phenomenon.
Reaching out her senses she finds the other denizens of Destiny Islands, and decides to teleport to their shared accommodation - waiting for their return.
Remembering the current time on the town's clock, she has a couple of hours before everyone arrives back from their daily activities (work, shopping, leisure). Using this time she opens the magical entrance to her own study - a variation on Yen Sid's own Magician's Study - and begins to compile her findings.
..tick, tock, tick, tock..
About two hours pass by, and Keyblade Master finally hears her friends slowly coming back to their shared residence.
/Twilight Town - Destiny Parents Shared Residence
'Phew what a day, glad to be back home.'
'You can say that again.'
...other mutterings could be heard...
Cecelia (feeling a little mischievous) decides to use this as an opportunity, make a grand entrance! By teleporting right in front of the returning group of parents and caregivers.
In a wisp of magical energy, glowing in starlight - she appears right in front of the parents.
"Hey guys ya missed me!?"
Cecelia holds her hands out, waiting for some grand applause - what she gets instead, is a bunch of shocked and frightened parents...
"Don't scare us like that Cece!" Mrs. Hikari almost had a heart attack, when her friend just appeared out of thin air.
"Yeah just...don't ever do that!" Riku's mother lightly punches her friend Cece – as payback for jump-scaring her.
"Okay, okay...sorry about that!" Cecelia she rubs the back of her head, mirroring her own son's actions when nervous.
"Anyway...big news I j-" Cece senses something off and immediately puts the residence under a cloaking spell
'Cece what's wron-' Cecelia's eyes narrow as she raises her finger to politely silence her friends.
This feels wrong somehow - not dark but not light either - definitely not a good feeling...
She uses some of her surveillance magic to look over the perimeter of the residence and from the very edge of her vision, she spots movement. People in... Black Coats.
Black Coats...
She furrows her brows, immediately focusing her gaze on the newcomers, while trying to minimise her own powerful presence.
Glad I conjured up these measures, cause it looks like its finally paid off!
'Hey Cece is everyt-'
She whispers, harshly, "no it isn't but please everyone stay clam, be as quiet as possible and let me concentrate!"
The entire residence falls silent, as Cecelia gets to work.
These must be the ones I've been hearing about from my travels. Who are they? Why are they here? How much of a threat are they? Likely questions that will be answered later.
Prior to meeting with her Master (at his Mysterious Tower), she had heard whispers... rumours of a group of hooded strangers. Their descriptions were ubiquitous across many worlds. They were all described as wearing black coats, with black pants, boots and gloves. Sometimes... they were alone, or in small groups of one or two. Someone as well traveled and learned as her, could never say rumours like that were heresay.
Cecelia looks to the room full of nervous faces, and then refocuses on the Black Coats just outside the residence.
I want to listen in, but if I use too much magic, they might sense it - especially if they have any magic users in their group.
Cecelia furrows her brow, but then realises with her surveillance magic she can record what is happening outside.
If it's magic already in play, it should be able to avoid detection! Yes, I will need to review this footage later.
What seems like an eternity passes, before the Black Coats disappear in what appears to be dark portals.
Figures they'd use dark powers to travel – it's easier but also dangerous.
...now time to inform everyone about the next plan of attack.
She breaths a sigh and turns back to the quiet but clearly nervous parents
'U-um C-Cece, w-what h-happened?' Kairi's mother stammers out.
'Y-yeah why'd you tell us to be quiet!?' Riku's mother stutters out.
...Murmurs abound across the residence...
"Yeah, well...we have a few problems" the Keyblade Master closes her eyes and sighs again. She wasn't expecting to have to move out so soon. But, that's the reason why she makes plans in advance. You can never know how things will turn out – until they do.
She looks over the group, and is not surprised at the slightest with the many worried expressions.
"I'll take questions about this later but, suffice to say we may need to vacate this world."
Gasps and shock abound.
"Remember I planned for this eventuality and told you all about the many contingencies I have for any sorts of problems we could come up against. Looks like we may need to inact our departure plans" The Keyblade Master gives a sad look to the parents and caregivers – now close friends and allies.
"Before we depart, I have recorded footage of the group I was watching a little while ago, so would like to look over that before making any definitive decisions. However, everyone please start your packing right away. Any friends you have made here, please advise them that you will be going on a trip - if you want to of course."
The parents all look at each other nervously, while some have more determined looks on their faces.
Cece moves towards the centre of the residence - to a five pointed star shaped mural embedded on the floor.
"You will have a day or two to sort your personal situations out. I will be spending time in my study to look over this footage and to also set up some other measures to protect us. This will likely take a day to complete" A golden light begins to emanate from the mural.
"Do not worry, after I am finished, I will inform you all fully of what I intend to do. However, it is time I depart and leave you all to your devices. See you soon!" The golden light envelopes Cecelia and she disappears in a shimmer, leaving the parents to ponder the days events.
"Also, tell the Mayor we'll keep the lease on this place for a little while longer..." Cecelia's directs... her voice fading away.