The screen flickered for a bit as the author appeared.
*Hey guys Hakuorofan7 here and welcome back to another chapter of From No One to Someone.*
*Would have had this out in March, but let's just say life had gotten in the way. As per usual.*
*Anyway I will keep things short, but in this chapter the events in Enchanted Domain begin. With Roxas and Aqua learning a bit of what happens in the world and the two of them having a much needed talk. While on the other hand Vanitas begins to set up his plans while meeting with Maleficent. That and a little surprise in this chapter. Where it will lead, well it will be interesting. But I do hope you all enjoy this chapter.*
*So let's begin shall we.*
*First off I do not own Kingdom Hearts.*
*Secondly just sit back, relax, maybe put some music on, and enjoy. I will see you all at the end of the chapter.*
The author snapped his fingers as the screen faded to static before the chapter begins.
Discussions in the Dark
"So they have finally arrived then." Vanitas said as he looked off towards the setting sun.
Currently he was resting against some trees, looking over some papers as Kier was dodging the sword strikes of the tall armored Unversed.
"Should we begin now my liege?" Kier asked as the armored Unversed's sword glowed red an unleashed a fireball.
The sentient Unversed ducked out of the way and dove into the ground. Before shooting from out of the ground and struck the larger Unversed, pushing it back.
"No it is getting dark out. They are most likely going to camp out for the night, and we are going to need the extra time to prepare for everything. Besides the weakling hasn't arrived onto this world yet." Vanitas mused, looking back at his papers.
He could care less about his weaker half arriving on this world or not. But he needed him to get stronger incase for his and the old coot's plans.
That and Xehanort could figure something was up if all three Keyblade wielders strayed far enough from the path.
Any deviations so far can be traced back to Roxas joining them right before the Mark of Mastery. Given that the old coot was more focused on Terra and making sure he did not go after his weaker half, Roxas and Aqua had more free reign under his supervision.
They were the back ups, more so Roxas than Aqua.
She was meant to temper Terra and Ventus on their chosen paths. Xehanort has decided that Roxas was to be the back up for all free if a single one of them failed their patches and were killed. Before getting rid of them once they provided use of their plan.
The old coot was smart, the ancient Keyblade wielder would give him that. But he was also blind for simply killing off the two.
Sure he would nothing more then to kill Aqua for what she did to his eyes and nearly killing Kier, but she would still have her uses.
Especially if his plan for Roxas results in his death.
Vanitas doubted it, but it was still better to air on the side of caution. That and the Keyblade Master would do better than the weakling.
Still if Roxas did die he would be losing a massive edge against Xehanort and Luxu, and losing quite the source of information he could provide.
But he would have to wait until the Tantarian was finished.to know the outcome. Still it will not deter him from seeking other ways to further his goals.
Which is why he was currently looking over the notes he had read from Xehanort, copied and recreated from memory.
Perhaps he missed something in them that he could use...
Vanitas was broken from his musings when the sound of lightning erupted and Kier was sent flying towards him.
The ancient Keyblade wielder reached out a hand and caught the sentient Unversed before it could crash into a tree.
"Thank you my liege." Kier said as Vanitas lowered it to the ground.
"No problem, just get back in there for another minute or two." He said, getting Kier to nod as it nodded before diving into the ground and towards the larger Unversed.
He went back to the papers and continued to look over them before noticing something on the same page that he used as the basis for the Husks.
Vanitas studied it for a few moments, scanning it over and over again before smiling under his mask.
How interesting.
Seems like the process which Xehanort used to create his body was also a bastardized form of creating copies. Far more powerful then it's original purpose, but too complex for the old man to truly recreate.
Too complex for even him to pull of.
But with the Husks being unfinished, some of the materials he has gathered, and that accursed fairy who lived on this world...maybe he can actually pull this off.
"Okay that is enough for today." Vanitas said, getting the large armored Unversed to pause and bow.
Before being hit by two silver energy blades.
"Kier, I already ordered you to stop." Vanitas said as the sentient Unversed emerged from the ground right next to him.
"Sorry my liege, but that thing had had it coming all day." Kier said, getting Vanitas to widen his eyes underneath his mask.
"Was that sass Kier, because if it was then I am proud of you. You are truly starting to grow." Vanitas said, getting Kier to beam as he looked at the armored Unversed.
It had held up well with it's purpose, Kier at least won't be completely blindsided now against a Keyblade wielder.
Perhaps it could use a few upgrades to better match a Keyblade wielder. It could be useful in the future.
"Wait for my orders, I will have use of you later." Vanitas said, getting the large Unversed to nod before it dispelled in a puff of darkness.
Followed soon after by him dispelling the papers in the same way.
"Kier follow me.Once we can spot Maleficent's fortress stick to my shadow and stay cloaked. Right until I motion otherwise." Vanitas said as he began to walk off in that direction. Kier just nodded before following it's liege.
"If I may have to ask my liege, who is this Maleficent?" Kier asked.
"A dark and twisted fairy that I hate nearly as much as the old coot for what she has done to some people...that I knew." Vanitas said, his tone a mix of melancholy and venomous. His tone surprising Kier. "However with what I know and given the fact she has some materials that I need, I believe we can reach an agreement."
"Are you certain my liege?" Kier asked, it's tone showing a hint of concern for it's creator.
Vanitas smiled at that and nodded with a sigh.
"I'm not particularly happy about it, but if everything goes according to plan than we will have an extra surprise or two to use against those that have wronged us." Vanitas sighed out, getting Kier to nod as the two continued on their track to Maleficent's fortress.
"So there really is no way to break the spell?" Roxas asked, getting Aqua to nod as she tossed a few more pieces of firewood into the campfire.
"That is correct, no matter what I tried they would not wake up. At least this curse has not been effecting everyone in the kingdom. Whoever is doing this is either the strongest spellcaster I have encountered until now and incredibly proficient in dark magic. I dread to think if they have any relation to what happened with Terra or working on Vanitas. We just need to increase our guard for the night incase anything else happens." Aqua said, sighing out at the end.
Roxas just nodded with a sigh, already having a good idea in what they were going to happen.
More specifically on who they were potentially going to face.
He and Aqua had arrived on the world just as it was starting to turn into night.
They had did a quick fly-by of the world just incase Ven was on here, what they found was surprising to the two.
A majority of the hearts on this world seemed to suffering a sort of affliction. They felt for a term the Keyblade Master and Keyblade wielders stilled.
No movement what so ever, nor imbalance in all of the afflicted hearts either.
Aqua had landed and the two quickly visited a nearby village to gather information on what happened.
They quickly were managed to ask a villager in what had happened and learned a terrible truth.
The village was on the edge of a kingdom undergoing the effect of a curse 16 years in motion. The villager didn't mention much but said the curse was only supposed to effect the princess of the kingdom, Aurora.
Instead the curse had been extended to encompass nearly putting the entire kingdom in an eternal slumber. Along with the monsters lately playing the kingdom it seemed like they were doomed.
Aqua tried to help wake the villagers, but it came to no avail. No matter if it was a spell or an ether, the curse could not be broken. The villagers thanked her for trying before warning them to leave as the curse effected anyone entering the kingdom after a matter of time.
Aqua and him knew the curse would possibly not affect them as they were from out of world. With her learning from Eraqus and Roxas from Sora's memories of the Grim Reaper Heartless. Still they left the village to give them some piece of mind.
After that Aqua had decided to set up camp as night fell, along with supervising him doing some light training on perfecting Watera.
Though the Nobody could see the discomfort on her face the entire time, especially while they ate dinner. Trying to figure out how Terra played into this.
Something Roxas had a good idea about the true cause.
The villagers seemed to afraid to mention the name of the one who cursed the kingdom, in fear of inviting her wrath. Cause of a nearby village had done something similar years ago and trespassed in her domain. Being cursed with all of their harvests being killed of by frost months before winter came.
Considering who was behind the curse, the Nobody didn't blame them.
For they mentioned the princess that was cursed was Aurora. The last of the seven Princesses of Heart that he could located and shared her home world with Maleficent.
Meaning they would have to be dealing with not only Vanitas and the Unversed, but with one of Sora's worst enemies as well.
There was also two main worries Roxas was concerned about.
The first was did Terra truly have a part in the current condition of this world? Something that was eating him up almost as much as Aqua.
Roxas believed otherwise, but considering how she was able to manipulate Riku before Ansem took over it was a very real possibility...
The second was on the matter of Maleficent herself.
She caused uncountable atrocities in the years she commanded the Heartless in conquering worlds. So it would usually be best to eliminate such a threat from the worlds. But considering that she migjt have encountered Terra, Aqua, and Ven in the past and was still around to face Sora gave the Nobody to pause.
It might just be best to see how things play out first.
Yet he did know that if she and Vanitas were to be working together...it would start to look as bad as Hollow Bastion was for Sora.
"First thing tomorrow we are heading for the castle. We should be able to get some answers there and possibly find a clue on what Vanitas has planned for us." Aqua said, breaking Roxas out of his musings and getting him to nod.
"And we are going to continue to look for Ven tomorrow." Roxas asked.
"Correct, but honestly I hope that he was already at this world and moved on. With the curse and Vanitas, he would be safer just about anywhere else than Enchanted Domain." The Keyblade Master sighed out.
Along with whatever Terra did here, Vanitas and Kier running lose, an entire world cursed by an evil sorceress, and keeping Roxas safe it was possibly for the best if Ven was anywhere but here.
If not she would make sure that Vanitas, Kier, and whoever was behind this curse to feel her judgement.
Especially with the former too. They were a blight on the worlds that needed exterminated.
Master might have wanted Vanitas alive, but he did mention being able to overlook parts of him missing.
So she would only eradicate parts of him before bringing him back to Master Eraqus. That way she could make him suffer for all the misery that he caused to the worlds and those close to her.
Roxas noticed light started to flicker off of her and noticed that the light in her heart was growing more and more imbalanced.
It had steadily grow since Castle of Dreams, but now the light in her heart was growing more intense for the lack of a better term.
The Nobody didn't know what would happen if this continued, but he would do what he could to prevent it.
If having your heart consumed by darkness results in the Heartless, he would hate to see what the light would do.
"Aqua are you alright?" Roxas asked, breaking her out of her musings as the light around her seemed to die down quite a bit. "Your light has been causing more and more of an imbalance lately to your heart. If there is something wrong we could talk about it. Or with Terra and Ven when you get the chance, but I suggest you do it with them as soon as you can." He sighed out.
It was something he and Axel should have done a lot more before leaving the Organization. Would have saved the both of them a lot of problems in the end.
Especially with Xion...
Roxas flinched as he tried to remember something, but the memory would not come.
It was probably best not to force it through, no matter how much he wanted to remember. He just needed to make sure to remember what he can. It was like dream had said, he just needed to focus on what he can remember about Xion. The rest will come eventually.
Aqua noticed Roxas's expression turned solemn and her light dimmed a bit.
"Did you and your friend Axel do that as well?" Aqua asked, getting Roxas to sigh before it turned into a small smile.
"Thought we did, but by the time we did we had a small falling out and not much time afterwards. Not with everything that happened after." The Nobody said, getting Aqua to nod as she could guess what happened next.
The Keyblade Master spent a few moments deciding on what to say before speaking up.
"I'm worried for them Roxas. For Terra, Ven, and you. If Terra did play a role in this world, then what nearly happened in Dwarfen Woodlands happened here. Ven has always seemed to one step ahead of everyone, but it is only a matter of time before he falls due to his lack of training. With you Roxas it seems that Vanitas is going to keep coming after you." Aqua sighed out, her tone turning a little somber. "Days ago all I had to worry about was if I could become a Keyblade Master. Now I am worried about Terra might fall to the darkness, that you and Ven will possibly be unable to deal with Vanitas and the Unversed, and myself for not being a good Keyblade Master."
It had only been days ago since she had been made a Keyblade Master, at least for her. Given the travel between worlds it would have possibly been a week or two.
Either way it has been one issue after another.
First the Unversed appear, Master Xehanort goes missing, Ven followed after Terra and has been missing ever since, Vanitas kidnapping Roxas from infront of her twice, Terra nearly getting tricked into taking someone's heart, encountering the abomination that is Kier, and finally everything on this world so far.
At this rate things were going to get worse from here on out.
And at the center of it all seemed to be Vanitas. The source of their misery and the one controlling the Unversed.
Once she could get him to Master Eraqus maybe that will eliminate the problem with the Unversed. If not then curb their rampage across the worlds.
Until then she would have to focus about worrying about keeping those she cherished safe.
Roxas stayed silent as Aqua seemed to be lost in thought.
The light flickering around her was dimming considerably and the light in her heart was regaining balance.
He figured that she could do the rest from here, but there was something that he needed to say first.
"You have only just become a Keyblade Master Aqua, and thrown into a situation none of us were prepared for." Roxas said, breaking the older Keyblade wielder out of her thoughts.
He took a deep breath before speaking once again.
"I am sure that you are doing your best at being a Keyblade Master. With what you said about Dwarfen Woodlands and our struggles in Castle of Dreams have shown that I believe you could be an amazing Keyblade Master. But there is still something that you have to work on." Roxas said, getting Aqua to frown.
"What would that be?" Aqua asked with a inquisitive look.
"Faith, in others and yourself." Roxas sighed out. "We have already talked it with Terra multiple times. If he was partially behind what happened on this world, then there we will find out what. For Ven he might be a head of us all, but on every world we have encountered so far he has
been able to take care of himself and help others. So I believe that while he will need help, we all underestimated what he can do. As for you, Aqua it is your ability to be a Keyblade Master."
Aqua stared at him before getting a slow nod at him.
The younger Keyblade wielder was right at some points.
While she would not stop worrying about Terra possibly losing his way and Ven's condition now that he was adrift in the worlds...Roxas had a point.
She had known Terra her whole life. While his heart was unbalanced towards the darkness and was seemingly too trusting, there was no way he would willing have a hand in such a curse as the one affecting this world. Nor would he fall to darkness so easily, not without a fight.
Ven had known the both of them for literally as long as he could remember. He had trained with them nearly everyday for the past four years. So while she would still have to catch up to him and take her under her wing until they could find Master Eraqus, Aqua couldn't help but feel a little proud for handling himself and acting like a true Keyblade wielder despite his training being incomplete.
As for herself, this was a situation no one expected. Just becoming a Keyblade Master and already having so much to deal with. She had been doing everything she thought was right, but given Vanitas was still running rampart and him kidnapping Roxas from right under her. And could very well do so at a moments notice and they were definitely walking into a trap laying in wait on this world. The prospects of which caused her nothing but dread.
But still with what the four of them had done on Dwarfen Woodlands and Castle of Dreams had shown her a potential look of the joys and dangers brought about in the worlds. Along with the potential for growth.
Ven had at least managed to make a few friends in both worlds and Terra's heart might still be unbalanced, but he hasn't changed a bit along with the imbalance seemingly more manageable.
Yet given the events of this world, that same progress might have been put in jeopardy.
With that Aqua had made up her mind.
She would continue to do what she had been doing on her Master's orders and what she thought best. But now as soon as she was done with this world and figured out what had happened here before seeking Terra out. To try and see how much more imbalanced his heart would be and to hand Roxas off to him.
The youngest apprentice would help temper the imbalance in his heart along with being protected from Vanitas. It worked well last time, so it could again.
For Ven, once Aqua found him she would see how far he had progressed and finally find out why he took off after Terra. After that she would take him under her wing and perhaps set up an exchange with Terra. This way the both of them could keep an eye on Ven and possibly make things harder for Vanitas if he goes after him too.
It would give her some piece of mind while keeping her friends safe while helping to improve herself in becoming a fully fledged Keyblade Master through defending the worlds and training both Ven and Roxas.
But first she was going to have to track Terra down first if she wanted to make this work.
Which was easier said then done, but she did at least have one idea on a world to look after Enchanted Domain.
Until then, she would have to make sure to lift the curse on this world along with dealing with Vanitas's plans here.
"Aqua are you alright?" Roxas asked, as the new Keyblade Master had been lost in thought for a few minutes now.
She nodded as she noted the campfire started to dim.
"I am alright, just thinking about what you said. It has given me quite a bit to think about. I still have a lot to learn, but you are right about Terra and Ven. Ven has managed to surpass anything myself or Terra could imagine him to do on his own. And I know Terra well enough that he won't so easily fall to darkness.While I can not stop worrying about our friends, I do suppose I can at least feel confident they should be alright on their own for awhile." Aqua said with a small smile.
With Vanitas's attention focused on them both Terra and Ven should be alright with his full attention on her and Roxas.
While there was still Unversed and whatever other threats that where out there in the worlds, Vanitas was clearly the biggest one of them all.
Given he controlled the Unversed and had successfully created a sentient one in Kier, one that could possibly evolve even further.
They needed to be dealt with immediately. While Vanitas might have intended to set up a trap for Roxas on this world, perhaps they could turn it around on him.
Maybe they could finally bring him down?
Reverse the trap and capture Vanitas. It was possible and she could bind him with ethereal chains.
The tricky part besides actually managing to capturing Vanitas and transporting him would be to locate their Master. With the Land of Departure on lock down she had no real idea on how to track Master Eraqus.
And given how Vanitas seemed to have always been ahead of them, even the new Keyblade Master was unsure on how long she could keep him restrained. So the sooner they find.
It would be important to track him down as well. So if they did manage to capture him, they would make a quick check on the world Aqua suspected Terra to be on.
If he wasn't there, then she was bringing him straight to Yen Sid.
Aqua knew of where the Mysterious Tower was due to her map. So it would only be a matter of making there in time while keeping Vanitas restrained to find where Master Eraqus was.
Even without him, she was going to pay him a visit to possibly get a better location on his and Terra's locations
Cause Aqua needed to know why he didn't tell them about certain things like the the Heartless. If they were so much of a threat in the past like the Unversed were currently and had faced them.
If something like that resurfaced while they fought against the Unversed, it could spread even more chaos into the worlds.
And she didn't even know what they are capable of...but she had a feeling that Roxas knew.
She had been meaning to ask Roxas since Castle of Dreams, but now they had a reached Enchanted Domain now seemed like the right time.
"While I do appreciate your confidence in me Roxas, I do believe you should have a bit more faith in myself, Terra, and Ven. While you have shown that, I believe you might be hiding a few things about your past before ending up at our home." Aqua said, getting the Nobody to pause. "Given what you have told us about your past I don't blame you, but can I ask that he out share a bit more about what you experienced?"
Roxas pondered on what Aqua asked for a moment.
Depending on what she asked, he would be honest as he could with her. But he needed to at least keep the fact he came from another timeline a secret for now.
The Nobody would tell them one day, but it was for the best that he stabilized his and Ava's existence first.
"Alright, so what do you want to know." Roxas sighed out.
Aqua gave a small smile, glad to see he was willing to answer her questions. Yet she only had one on her mind right now.
"Roxas during your time under Xemnas, how often did you fight the Heartless?" Aqua asked, her tone turning venomous at the. mention of Roxas's former master.
"Nearly every day of my time under him." Roxas replied honestly.
"So you did know about the Heartless, I suspected as much since Castle of Dreams. Then why didn't you tell any of us about the Heartless. If you have been fighting them for nearly a year, then why didn't you tell any of us? Considering how much of a threat they were on that world decades ago I believe we have a right to know incase they cause trouble like the Unversed?" Aqua inquired.
"And if the did show up you would have known immediately. Eraqus knew, he recognized by the style I use for the Keyblade. While it is basically self taught, it is based around killing the Heartless. I thought that at least he told the three of you, but I guess not." Roxas sighed out, wondering what Eraqus was thinking on that regard.
They should have at least learned a little bit against the Heartless by now.
Aqua studied Roxas for a few moments before deciding that he was telling the truth.
"I see...if Master knew about then why didn't he tell us?" Aqua asked, mainly to herself and sounding a little hurt.
"Maybe he had his reasons? The King did tell that three Keyblade wielders including Xehanort fought off the Heartless decades ago, perhaps that might have a reason to with it. Though I wouldn't know, so I guess that you would have to ask him. That is if we can find Eraqus." Roxas suggested, hoping that would response would help Aqua.
The new Keyblade Master mused over his words before realizing the Nobody might be onto something.
Master Eraqus, was not very keen on talking about his and Xehanort's past before they became Keyblade Masters. Especially with the fellow apprentices with them learning all under their Keyblade Master, Odin.
When asked about it, Eraqus would clam up and refuse to talk about it. All that she and Terra could learn besides some of their names was that they had become one with Kingdom Hearts after some kind of incident.
If the Heartless were the cause of such an event, it would make sense on why their Master was so reluctant to talk about it.
But her and Terra were old enough now and had been facing the Unversed for quite a while now. They should be old enough to know what truly happened back then and the dangers of the Heartless.
Something she would get answers from her Master later if everything goes to plan...along with giving him some grief about keeping something as important at the Heartless a secret from them for so long.
But she did have a source a source of knowledge about the Heartless just sitting across from her.
"I believe that might know the reason why, but that is enough about that issue." Aqua said with a shake of her head. "Still if you have been fighting them for over a year, do you believe that we will encounter them?"
"I highly doubt it. If Yen Sid was able to notify Eraqus as soon as the Unversed emerged, than it would make sense to inform him if the Heartless were to become a problem. Along with Eraqus himself confirming that there had been no Heartless sighted for a few years." Roxas said immediately, figuring that Aqua was worrying about the threat the Heartless would pose.
Minus his encounter with the Ras Al Gul, there should be no other Heartless in the worlds for about a year from now. But if they did appear again, then he would cut them down as per usual.
Still it would be for the best to catch Aqua and the others up on the Heartless. While they are making progress dealing with the Unversed, the Heartless were a whole other matter.
"If you say so Roxas." Aqua said, trusting his words as he had more experience in that area. "So what should I look for in Heartless and how do they spread?"
"Honestly I do not know how they can appear on a world naturally as they come from the Realm of Darkness. The only way that I know of them for them to appear if a world has nearly fallen into darkness, if someone with enough darkness in their heart summons one, and of someone loses their heart to the darkness and becomes one." Roxas said, getting Aqua's eyes to widen in horror.
Before she could even speak, the Nobody raised his hands to get her to pause.
"It is a lot harder then it sounds. Honestly Lady Tremaine's heart is dark enough to become a Heartless yet she is still human. The willpower of someone also factors into becoming a Heartless. On their own someone losing their heart completely to darkness and being weak willed enough allow the darkness to go out of control is a rare combination. Otherwise the Heartless would have been free to run rampart across the world a lot more often then what Eraqus had said." Roxas said, figuring that Aqua was worried that Terra would share such a fate.
The new Keyblade Master digested this information. While she could wonder why someone like Tremaine hadn't turned into the monster she was like how Roxas had described.
Yet then again what he said about the conditions meant it was probably a good thing. She was only a threat in her world and becoming a Heartless would make it even worse.
And considering her condition, she wasn't much of a threat at all. And wouldn't be one for that much longer.
Still the conditions of becoming a Heartless and the thought of Terra becoming one...Aqua couldn't help but let out a small grin.
"I guess you are right about that. While Terra is working on the imbalance in his heart, he is too stubborn to let the darkness in his heart to get out of control." She said, her grin quickly fading. "Still you mention on their own, is their another way to become a Heartless?"
"There are two. The least common way I know is a Heartless can be created through an object by someone with a strong enough darkness in their heart and control over it. Either consciously or not. But such a method is extremely rare." Roxas said thinking of Captain Hook and how he had created the Ruler of the Skies Heartless through Pete's manipulations.
He had to thank his previous missions on Neverland and Tinkerbell otherwise he would have fallen into the ocean so many times...
The Nobody also had to bregrudgingly give some respect to Captain Hook.
The man might have been just a normal human that was eternal due to the nature of Neverland, but his determination, strong heart, and unconscious control over his own darkness allowed him to survive for so long and create such a powerful Heartless while still keeping his entire self.
Out of the survivors of Sora's dismantling of Maleficent's little cabal he was to only one who made it out unscathed that wasn't a god or just lucky like Hades and Pete were.
"So you have seen something like that before?" Aqua asked, getting Roxas to nod as he held up a single finger. "Alright so only once, then what is the other method." She asked, her tone laced with dread.
"If a Heartless kills you, your heart is lost to the darkness and becomes a Heartless. It is what makes them so dangerous. Depending on how strong it is they can quickly spread across a world in a swarm, trying to locate the heart of the world and plunge it into darkness. However the worlds do have defenses against such a thing and to prevent them from traveling to other worlds, but they can bo overpowered and once you become a Heartless you can not come back." Roxas said grimly, omitting that Sora was the only real exception.
Meanwhile the young Keyblade Master had a horrified expression as she grasped the true dangers of the Heartless.
They were dangerous then any Unversed she had encountered so far and perhaps even Vanitas.
The Unversed was causing the worlds to suffer a great imbalance, but the Heartless?
They would straight up destroy it and plunge the worlds into darkness.
Given what Roxas said the worlds had a way to slow the spread of the Heartless down, but it could eventually be overpowered.
Given that such a plague against the worlds was allowed to exist and her Master and Xehanort weren't able to destroy them...then how was something so dangerous allowed to exist?
"Roxas, if the Heartless are so dangerous then why are they allowed to exist at all." Aqua asked, her tone growing cold as light started to flicker around her once again.
"As far as I could tell they are a part of the balance of the worlds. They have been around since ancient times Aqua and are still around. The only way I can think of eliminating them would be getting rid of the Realm of Darkness. Doing that will do more damage to worlds then the Heartless ever could." Roxas said evenly.
Knowing that Kingdom Heart lied within the Realm of Darkness, destroying it could result in the end of everything.
He only briefly glimpsed the devastation an artificial Kingdom Hearts did to the World That Never Was during his last interaction with Sora.
The thought of the real one being destroyed and the resulting actions that would befall the worlds...the Nobody could scarcely imagine the results from such an action.
With Aqua mirroring his thoughts to a lesser scale.
She had learned that the Realm of Darkness while a place of untold dangers and horrors existed from her Master. Someplace that Keyblade wielders dare not enter as no one had ever returned from there.
While it was the antithesis of what she and Master Eraqus believed in, it proved necessary for the balance of the worlds.
So if the Heartless were to be the dangers told, then destroying the Realm of Darkness would only destroy balance of the worlds permanently.
Aqua just sighed out in defeat.
If getting rid of the Heartless meant possibly destroying the balance of the worlds, than it was not worth it.
But given that according to Roxas they had been around since ancient times, then there was way to prevent them from ravaging the worlds.
And she realized it was the most obvious answer.
"Then the best way to deal with the Heartless is to exterminate them while they are on the worlds." The Keyblade Master said, getting the Nobody to nod.
"And it is easy considering they are drawn to a Keyblade like moths to a flame. It is among the only things that can permanently kill them. A regular weapon can kill them, but they will return in a matter of time. They can also be sealed away, but that can cause more problems down the line if it breaks." Roxas said with a slight shudder at the memory of the Ras Al-Guls sheer ferocity. "It is like how we are dealing with the Unversed, although in terms of combat they are more dangerous then Heartless."
"How so?" Aqua asked.
"The Heartless have raw power, but they are essentially mindless. They operate on instinct alone with the strongest ones of their kind having some degree of intelligence. But it is rare, the Flood are smarter then most of them. The Unversed have the intelligence to at least strategize a little, and the strongest ones we have faced so far like the Symphony Master and Silver Recluse are smarter then almost any Heartless I have encountered. That and the Heartless can be controlled by someone with a dark enough heart, but one slip up on the darkness within and they will turn on you. That or for someone they precieve as darker and stronger. The Unversed though seem to be completely loyal to Vanitas." Roxas said, pausing for a few moments before speaking up again. "And that might be part of the reason why the Heartless hadn't shown up yet. Despite causing disorder to the words, Vanitas has some standards as we saw in Castle of Dreams."
"Despite how twisted they appear to be." Aqua said slightly venomously, before she really began to mull things over.
Given what Roxas had said the Heartless were nearly impossible to control so it would make sense that Vanitas would have the Unversed to do his bidding.
Still while he was a danger to the balance of the worlds, according to what her Master said the were located on a number of worlds, so why not all of them?
There was possibly something else going on here, something beyond just letting the Unversed run rampart on the worlds and going after Roxas. Something that she would need to figure out to put a stop to the Unversed for good before Vanitas could enact what he had planned.
"Which might be also why the Heartless haven't shown up yet. While Vanitas has something planned, he is only disrupting the balance enough not to cause the Heartless to appear. Perhaps if the even appear, Vanitas would be the first against them." Aqua mused out, getting Roxas to nod.
While it was difficult for her to picture, given what he did to Lady Tremaine and seemed to have reluctance to attack Cinderella according to Roxas Vanitas did uphold a few points of being a Keyblade wielder.
Although twisted and ultimately corrupted by darkness.
Either way she had a feeling if the Heartless did show up, he would have had them destroyed with the same amount of effort that he had been messing with Roxas, her, Terra, and Ven.
"We still need to figure what Vanitas, but I believe that is enough for today." Aqua said with a small smile. "You certainly know your way around the Heartless Roxas, but I suppose spending a year fighting a year would do that."
"It certainly will. Although I believe Terra and Ven should be caught up on this as well." Roxas asked, getting Aqua to nod
"And they will but enough about this tonight. It is best to get some rest, we have a lot to do tomorrow and we will get to the bottom of what is going on this world. I am going to take the first rest tonight Roxas. Make sure to wake me up in about three hours or you find yourself in a situation that you can not handle." Aqua said as she got up and started to stretch herself out.
"Alright, but are you sure that will be enough sleep for you Aqua?" Roxas asked, getting the new Keyblade Master to shake her head.
"I have preformed similar sleep schedules practicing magic at night, although Master would scold me if I was caught. One night will be enough and if everything goes to plan then I can make up for it tomorrow. After that I will take over for the rest of the night. But until then I want you to practice training with your light and see if you can get a better control of your light. Even a little improvement will be a big help against everything tomorrow against Vanitas." Aqua said as she began to approach the Nobody.
"That is definitely a good idea." Roxas said, before he felt a pair of arms wrap around him.
He tried to escape, but it was too late.
Aqua had him in a hug and the Nobody could feel the air in his lungs quickly draining away.
"I am sure you can Roxas. And thank you for talking with me about being a Keyblade Master and Terra and Ven. I really needed it." Aqua said before letting go, allowing Roxas to quickly regain his breath.
"It's alright, I am worried about them as well. But I figured that letting it consume you won't help you or them." Roxas said as he recovered his breath. "I just didn't want to see my friend upset."
"I know and I appreciate that." Aqua said with a smile as she separated herself from Roxas. "Try not to tire yourself too much, I am going to wake you up at sunrise tomorrow. We are going to have a long day tomorrow."
"That it will be." Roxas said with a small smile of his own. "See you in a few hours Aqua."
"See you in a few hours Roxas." Aqua said as she began to prepare for bed.
The Nobody took a deep breath as he summoned a ball of light to his hand and tried to concentrate on it.
Tomorrow was going to be a long day.
Figuring out what was going on in this world, what had Terra had done, what Maleficent and Vanitas had planned, and praying to Kingdom Hearts the two of them weren't working together.
Either way, it was best to prepare for tomorrow and whatever horrors it holds.
"Okay now might be a good time to take a break." The Master of Masters said as he closed the book and a Corridor of Light and walked through it.
He had cooped up long enough in his study after all and it was high time he got some fresh air.
And he knew just the right spot.
More accurately he knew where he needed to be in a few minutes.
Vanitas walked through a dark corridor somewhere deep within Maleficent's fortress. Lead by what he believed to be goblins to where their mistress currently was.
At least the ancient Keyblade wielder was certain they where goblins.
They were a mismatch of different creatures and had the collective intelligence of a sack full of hammers.
Yet their hearts felt like those of a goblin.
Then again different worlds, different laws, different species.
Still they had some decent strength to them, could provide an excellent defense as meatshields for the Unversed if things went to plan.
Especially with how quickly they were to react to his arrival. They trained their spears and halberds in record time.
When he explained that he was with Xehanort they let him through and began to lead Vanitas to Maleficent.
Though the ancient Keyblade wielder had to chuckle at the fact the goblins could only remember Xehanort as the old goat beard.
Still he was being lead through the fortress to where Maleficent would meet him, and judging by what he sensed it was the same place where Maleficent was keeping Aurora's heart.
The inside was enchanted to be like a maze to lose everyone who entered except for the goblins who knew the secret paths through, which Vanitas made to remember each and everyway. Along with Kief hiding out in his shadow.
He walked for another minute before for the troop of goblins led him to a wall. A pig like goblin whom Vanitas understood to at least be Maleficent's lieutenant tapped a brick on the wall with his halberd to reveal a hidden staircase.
"Her majesty will see you in a minute, do not break anything. It will not end well." The lead goblin said with shudder, as if he remembering doing such a thing.
Considering their intelligence, it was a possibility.
"Don't worry I will not." Vanitas said as walked up the steps, the doorway closing behind him. "That includes you too Kier."
"Understood my liege." Kier said as it's eyes flickered from Vanitas's shadow before we walked into what looked like a small study.
This is where Xehanort had introduced him to Maleficent inorder to include her for his plans for Terra, not that the Keyblade Master make it all that clear to the fairy what he intended to do.
At first the ancient Keyblade wielder only knew of two reasons why the old coot would come to an agreement when he was fine with Vanitas unleashing the Unversed on any other world. Though he knew now that perhaps Luxu had a small part in this decision.
What he did know that Xehanort was curious about the darkness that lied within Maleficent and her potential. That and what this little study had contained.
A small cache of artifacts that belonged to a dark Keyblade wielder that Xehanort could at least date the container to before the Keyblade War.
There were a number of such caches that had been hidden before the war of after it by Keyblade wielders of both sides of the spectrum and outside of the Unions. To either hide artifacts, of tomes to help teach the next generation, Keyblades, forbidden knowledge, ect.
As long as it was important to a Keyblade wielder they were buried in a container. Either to hide something a way, a time capsule for the future, or just something to help a new Keyblade wielder if there was no other left.
Most of the latter types having been created by his brother after the war.
No one truly knew how many caches had been created or how many were destroyed when the world tore itself asunder during the Keyblade War, but a large amount had found over the years.
With the one on Enchanted Domain having been found by Maleficent years ago and Xehanort appropriated part of the collection which wasn't much. Just a few books and tomes and a dark artifact or two in the cache. Which Maleficent parted with as she didn't need them anymore or Xehanort already had them.
Although now he was here alone he could get a better look at what remained.
And Vanitas wasn't all that impressed with what he saw-
"Never mind, this is a good one." Vanitas said as he pulled out a small book from the collection.
Wasn't much of a tome, more of a guide to learn and preform a number of dark spells and Xehanort already had a copy in better condition.
But the artwork and care to detail on each page was still quite impressive after even after so many years had passed.
That and the author had a good selection of tea recipes and knowledge included in the book, for someone that dabbled in darkness possibly as much as Xehanort.
Vanitas skimmed through the pages as he walked around the study, looking for anything that could help him get an edge.
Nothing really that much, other then some points to possibly add include to improving Eclipsing Darkness.
The ancient Keyblade wielder continued to study the pages for a little more before stopping in front of an artifact that lied on a desk, getting a fain feeling from it.
He recognized it as one of the artifacts that Maleficent had mentioned to have been in the cache.
It looked like a pair of large fossilized butterfly wings, with at the corner of the upper wings looked like it had a pattern similar to the number 7 in the corner.
While the item in question was a unusual, it is what Vanitas could sense from it. Something he had the unfortunate encounter with recently alongside Luxu.
The fossilized wings were the catalyst of an eidolon.
"You don't really see this many catalysts out in the open these days." Vanitas said, getting a better look at it before letting out a chuckle. "A fairy, should have known by the wings alone."
"A rather astute observation, apprentice of Xehanort." A familiar voice called out behind him, getting the ancient Keyblade wielder to sigh.
"I would prefer not to be referred as such. So please call me Vanitas, Maleficent." Vanitas said as he turned to face the Mistress of Evil herself. Her raven
familiar Diablo perched on her shoulder, gave him an inquisitive glance. Seeing if he would act against his mistress or not.
"If you are here alone, then either he dispatched you to this world or your are here on your own purposes. Either way I will give you a mere moment to put down that tome." Maleficent said coldly.
"Relax I was just looking." Vanitas said as he placed the book next to the catalyst. "Besides the moment you got Aurora's heart that partnership ended as the old coot and you both got what each other needed. Although I didn't expect you to expand her curse to a majority of the kingdom."
To his surprise at that, Maleficent let out a loud, dark laugh.
"It was those foolish fairies that placed the castle into an eternal slumber, so no one would realize Aurora's curse had come to pass. To rose them up once my spell had been lifted." Maleficent said with a grin as Diablo flew into her staff and began to preen at his mistress's touch. "I mearly added onto to their spell, tying the curse to it and expanding it's reaches to the entirety of the kingdom. Along with rousing some of the castle up and making sure it didn't affect everyone. That way the kingdom, especially him will witness that curse that I had promised those 15 long years ago has come to fruition."
Vanitas just shook his head at his vindictive she was, but that was what he was hoping for. To use it her desire for revenge and power against her, and to her benefit as well.
"I can certainly imagine the effects of the curse are still strong, even days later. I can practically feel the negativity in the air and the Unversed are certainly stronger for it." Vanitas said with a grin.
The sheer dispare and negativity in the air helped create an atmosphere for the Unversed to be enhanced. If only a little.
Still Maleficent had unwittingly created the conditions tip things in his favor for his plans for Roxas if just slightly.
Though he still had to persuade her into an agreement, which should be easy.
"Should help when Eraqus's other apprentices arrive onto this world." He said, getting Maleficent to nod.
"Yes, the other two Keyblade wielders Xehanort had informed me about. Once they are dealt with I expected that you and your abominations to remove yourselves from this world at once." Maleficent demanded, looking slighted as Vanitas waved it off.
"Oh I know, was planning on it anyway. Would prefer not deal with this world longer than necessary. But Xehanort did not tell you one thing, there was another apprentice added into the mix not that long ago. And my main target here. For that I wish to strike an accord. I will have free reign of your fortress and ask of your assistance in getting to him. Along with making a trade for sorts. I am asking for a few materials and in exchange I promise you something of great importance." Vanitas said, getting Maleficent to frown at his disrespectful attitude.
However the dark fairy had to admit she was curious what Vanitas had to offer, but was it worth it or not she had to ponder.
Which she did, mulling over the benefits it would could possibly come out of his arrangement.
It took her a few moments to come to a conclusion, as Diablo made it for her. Cawing and nodding, getting her to smile as she began to stroke the raven's feathers.
"Very well, what is it that you have to offer me." Maleficent said.
"Straight to the point then, alright in truth I have two things. But the first is unlikely to occur, but it is still a good opportunity for you. It is a heart of pure light. Not like any of the Princesses of Hearts but still is pretty strong. It belongs to one of the original two Keyblade wielders Xehanort told you about and he should be on his way to this world soon. It might not be possible for it to be safely extracted, but if you wish to wipe out the weakling it belongs to feel free to do so. If his heart does survive the extraction, well you will have another pure heart of light to speed up your plans. Either way the one who I am after is the back up to him in Xehanort's plans. So getting rid of the weakling won't do much to affect him and would only show he wasn't worthy of the role the old coot had planned." Vanitas said, seemingly uncaring about the fate of Ventus.
Maleficent processed this information and thought that it would be worth the risk.
If the extraction succeeds then she could gain a new heart of pure light. If not then she had nothing to lose if she planned things carefully.
"The heart of pure light is promising, but what else do you have to offer." Maleficent said, getting Vanitas to grin underneath his helmet.
"Your wings." He said as whisps of darkness formed around his hands.
As expected the room darkened as Diablo flew away from his mistress, whose form was bristling with green flames as she began to approach Vanitas.
Only for her flames to soon being the only source of light as the study was completely covered in darkness.
And soon began to glow as an entire swarm of Unversed surrounded her, Kier at the forefront and generating a small sphere of darkness in it's claws.
"Make one more step or so much a flicker of flames towards my liege and we will rip you to shreds!" Kier threatened, getting Maleficent to pause.
She didn't think any of the Unversed could talk, but looking at it closer this one seemed to be entirely different from the others.
Noticing the other Unversed the flames dispersed alongside the light returning to the room.
Revealing that she was completely surrounded by Floods and Scrappers, the former lining the walls and the latter drawing forward with their claws drawn.
Except for one that was trying to swat at Diablo as the raven tried to peck it's eyes out.
Maleficent surveyed the room, before lightly tapping her staff on the floor. Calling Diablo back to her as he perched on her shoulder.
"Call off your monstrosities and explain." Maleficent said coldly, getting Vanitas to chuckle.
"Not going to happen incase you decide to cause another outburst. But I will call off a majority of them." Vanitas said, as he dispersed most of the Unversed into himself. Leaving a dozen Floods clinging to the walls. "Kier, stand down for now."
"Of course my liege." The sentient Unversed said as it dispelled it's attack and returned to the ancient Keyblade wielder's side.
"A curious creation,I believed the Unversed couldn't speak at all?" Maleficent inquired.
"Kier is the only one. And it is much smarter and stronger than any of your goblins." Vanitas said, getting Kier to beam in pride.
Diablo let out a series of calls as Maleficent let out a dreary sigh.
"I do not doubt what you say." Maleficent groaned out before she regained her composer and icy tone. "Now where have you found my wings, I have spent years searching for where that accursed Stefan his them."
"In a large empty chamber at the top of one if the castle's tallest towers. Locked in an reinforced iron cage and the only reason I know is by chance. Given what I know my target will be heading there after dawn. So can intercept them at the castle, you can inflict more misery onto the kingdom, and I can retrieve your wings and bring them to you. So what to do you say to that." Vanitas asked, his offer was meet with by Maleficent gaining a sadistic smirk.
This offer appeased her and if everything went right she will get her wings back and inflict even more misery on Stefan.
Her choice was obvious.
"Very well I will accept your offer and what you have planned, but I ask for what do you want in return?" Maleficent inquired.
"Some dragon scales, a few feathers from your wings, some of your hellfire, and something I will disclose when I need it. But let's begin to hash out the details, if we have an accord?" Vanitas said, holding out his hand.
Which was son joined by Maleficent's.
"We have an agreement then." Maleficent said as they shook on it and separated from each other. "Now than, let us discuss the details."
Under his helmet, a grin spread out across Vanitas's face.
Everything was going according to plan.
The screen flickered for a bit as the chapter ends before the author reappeared.
"Hey guys Hakuorofan7 here and I hoped that you all enjoyed this chapter. And as you can see quite a few things have happened.*
*Maleficent has used the three fairy's spell to her advantage and has cursed the entirety of the kingdom to an eternal slumber. Leaving a few awake across the kingdom to know that she had kept her word all those years ago at Aurora's christening. And it is about to get a whole lot worse for them soon.*
*As you can tell I'm taking a few cues from Maleficent, but mainly sticking to the Sleeping Beauty movie. And as you can see that minor change is going to affect a few things. And it is going to be interesting.*
*Anyway for Roxas and Aqua the two of them are camping out for the night, bracing themselves for the potential dangers tomorrow will bring. Along with the two growing a bit closer as Roxas reaffirms Aqua's faith in her friend's abilities to take care of themselves on their own as the control of her light is starting to slip like Eraqus's and Roxas coming clean on the basics of the Heartless along with the two figuring out Vanitas was up to something bigger then they first thought. Although Aqua is still dead set on dragging Vanitas to her Master, she is now more focused on checking up on Terra and getting answers from Eraqus after making it through Enchanted Domain. That and along with making plans to keep her friends safe when they reunite, but considering everything going on it's debatable if they will work.*
*And finally Vanitas and Maleficent.*
*The two of them have come to an agreement, with Vanitas pulling the strings the entire way inorder to get what he wants. Well they both will in the end, securing an alliance with Maleficent is beneficial for his plans for Roxas and Aqua and securing a means to get a trump card for dealing with Xehanort and Luxu. He has everything he needs, but all he needs to do now is to finish the book and his real plan is in motion.*
*Along with setting up an event or two for the future and the next chapter.*
*Speaking of which next chapter Roxas finds himself back in the Age of Fairy Tales experiencing a little bit more of Ava's past and having a conversation with the Master of Masters. While back in the present Vanitas starts the first phase of his plan as Roxas and Aqua finds themselves with quite the rude awakening. So I hope that you all will enjoy that chapter when it comes out.*
*Alright just about time to end this.*
*If you have any questions leave a review or PM me and I will get back to you when I can. So until next time, ciao!*
The author waves goodbye as the screen fades to black.