The Age of Fairy Tales:

The New Gods XIV

"And so, the Lost Guardian and her apprentice ride off to meet the White King and the Black Queen. Both of them wishing to make up for past failures." The man in the dark coat turned the page over. "The Lost Guardian who dances in water, forging unbreakable bonds and the apprentice whose hair is the same color of the flower she is named after. One walks the path to find a better future for all…The other walks the path of atonement…I wonder though, how she will find it? Or will someone decide to give her…a helping hand?"


The One Who Named the Gods

Once upon a time, there was a lone Dragon that traveled the universe in search of other beings like himself. Overcome with loneliness, the Dragon decided to create one himself. Despite being all powerful, even the Dragon had to split its magic in half – into two symmetrical forms, one of light and the other of shadow. Each side thought one was the original and the other was the copy.

Despite different personalities, they were ever only complete when they were together. The elder was a god of light, life and creation, while the younger was a god of darkness, death and destruction. During the day, the elder brother filled Remnant with life in the form of water, plants, and wildlife; at night the younger brother would discover his brother's creations and become disgusted, so he created drought, fire, and famine in order to rid Remnant of life, but life would always come back in the end. In order to completely wipe all life off the planet, the younger brother created nightmarish, soulless versions of his brother's creations whose sole purpose was to destroy anything and everything, these would be known as the Creatures of Grimm.

Finally, the elder brother decided that they shouldn't fight anymore and make peace by creating something together. The younger brother agreed by using the four gifts of knowledge, creation, destruction, and choice to create Humanity who could choose to use their gifts for either light or darkness. Despite their agreement, the Brothers would still quarrel in one manor or another. Humanity would often seek out the elder brother for his blessings, for he was of light and creation and would avoid the younger brother, for he was darkness and destruction.

Humanity's blessings and trials were a result of the Gods of Light and Darkness, respectively. The God of Darkness was interested in their limits and admired their resourcefulness, whilst his brother was overprotective and underestimating of humans. The God of Darkness soon found the limit was the Grimm–who slowly wiped them out. The brothers entered conflict over the Grimm being introduced to the world, eventually agreeing to stop the production of Grimm in secret.

Nevertheless, the God of Darkness continued to secretly create more and more forms of Grimm whilst the God of Light planted a hidden gift in mankind to defend themselves from the monsters. When the two brothers discovered each other's powers, they waged battle and left the world in ruination, to the confusion of mankind.

Then one day, a woman came before them, tired of their quarrel.

She beseeched them that their quarrel is dividing humanity, turning their creations against and sure enough an army approached, claiming the Brothers have been hiding the secret to eternal life from them. The woman stepped between Brothers and the army, demanding they stand down.

They would not.

They would attack but the Brothers would intervene, saving the woman who spoken on their behalf. For their foolish betrayal, the Brothers stripped Humanity of their gifts.

All but the woman who had come to warn them of what their quarrel had done.

Turning to her, the Brothers offered her all the gifts humanity had been stripped of but the woman refused, stating she had no need for such gifts. She wished only for the fighting to end and wanted to help forge a better bridge between the Brothers and Humanity. To make this possible, she offered the Brothers names, allowing them to decide if they could become more than just light and darkness. Surprise and yet intrigued by the woman's offer, the Brothers accepted her proposal and asked her for a name.

To the God of Light, she offered the name Izanagi, father of life.

To the God of Darkness, she offered the name Erebus, bringer of chaos.

The Brothers accepted these names, and both transformed into a new continent at one end of their world. And there, to this day, the dragons still sleep until the day that they will waken, rise, and judge.

"Light's out, Oscar!"

A young Oscar Pine quickly placed the book on the nightstand next to his bed and blew out the candle before pulling the covers over himself, contemplating the story he had read as he closed his eyes.


"You ready?"

Both Aqua and Poppy were expecting a rough fight. Both Ozma and Salem were magic users and one of them is immortal. Luckily the two came prepared not just with well training to hone their skills. With two relics the staff and the lamp nicely concealed to enter the kingdom. There are only two tools to end this war once and for all.

But they won't know the outcome that it will resolve itself peacefully or if Salem chooses the latter option.

They had a feeling that Salem will choose to do it her own way.

Aqua also informs her apprentice Poppy about what she is going to expect entering the kingdom of Draken. When Poppy heard what Aqua said not only meet the king and queen of that kingdom they may meet their children. Poppy wants to know the witch in person that had taken so many lives in her home village, her family, and her friends. When the apprentice heard what Aqua found out through her semblance connecting with Ozma that the white king and queen have children.

To think that monster can make children…

She kind of expected Salem's children to be like their mother.

Poppy nodded to her mentor, even though they had been more or less equals for years now. "Let's go."

They walked towards the entrance of the temple, exchanging greeting with people as they made their way out.

"Are you guys leaving?"

Poppy stopped and saw a man wearing armor, practicing with a sword nearby. "Yep. Got things to do, Maxwell."

Maxwell was actually the name of the boy they saved in the first village they came across when she started traveling with Aqua.

Sadly he was the only one they saved that day but somehow he found his way to them, wanting to become like them.

A warrior who saved people from the Grimm, rather than watching them die.

He was around her age and…

"Sorry, don't have time for long goodbyes." Poppy said, turning to Aqua who was patiently waiting for her. "Tell you all about it when we get back."


Ozma stood in front of the gates of his kingdom, staring off into the horizon. The message had been sent and he was just waiting now. He had to wait now before making his move.

"Don't you see? None of that matters anymore. Why spend our lives trying to redeem these Humans when we can replace them with what they could never be?" Salem offers her hand out, but Ozma hesitates to take it, backing away in disgust.

'Don't do anything yet!' Diggs shouted from within the depths of their shared soul. 'You need help. You need Aqua's help.'

Before Ozma could ask what, he meant, Diggs showed Ozma previous memories about this blue haired woman that he had forgotten, culminating the reunion back at the desert searching the relics. Aqua did tell the truth about Salem who tried to use a Grimm to kill her.

Those three monsters interrupting their reunion because they wanted to free their master and destroy him personally so they could be free.

Those were three of the previous followers of that former warlord she and him fought before. After the fight Aqua told the full story about Salem which left him disbelief.

His beloved wife.

The woman he had rescued from that tower.

He couldn't believe she would do such a thing.

Why had he forgotten her?

Diggs told him that the Sword of Destruction couldn't destroy Salem because of her curse of immortality but it could destroy memories which was what Aqua did to make him and Salem forget about her. And then there was the red-haired girl who was a witness and the victim of for what Salem had done to wipe out an entire village leaving only her as the lone survivor. Ozma was in disbelief and felt great shame of himself for what he done.

He didn't believe his friend.

He acted on rage to fight her that was defending her apprentice and lost any chances of knowing how she got in this timeline.

He also began to remember through the previous soul about feeling Aqua's presence before searching for Salem. He even began to understand what Aqua had given to the both of them.

It is called Aura, an ability that could help a fight against the Grimm.

Diggs also advised him not to unlock anyone else's or do the same technique to anyone else that possessed less than moral values for themselves and who might bring harm to others.

Ozma began to understand the more logical reason but was still left distraught in finding out Salem was not who she claimed to be but right now but that wasn't the issue.

Getting their daughters out of harms way was the priority.

Ozma was shaken from his flashback when he looked up into the sky and saw something approaching the castle.

His eyes widened in recognition. "Aqua…"

The glider was different from what he remembered but he recognized her armor all the same. The glider circled around the castle several times before they seemingly spotted him and flew down, stopping a few feet above the ground. Ozma watched as the glider hovered down onto the balcony before him and then vanished into a flash of light, changing into white and blue key shaped sword that was different from the one he remembered.

But the armor remained the same.

As did the woman wearing it when the armor vanished, revealing her identity to him.

"…Aqua." He muttered again, surprised to see her again.

Despite knowing she was older than before; she almost looked the same with longer hair and a white coat like robe like his own.

"Hello, Ozma." Aqua said calmly, staring at him with a stoic face.

The red-haired young woman next to him fixed Ozma with a calm but analyzing face. However, Ozma ignored this as he stepped forward, taking a closer look at Aqua who remained still.

"I knew it was true, but I still can't believe it…You are here, after so many years have passed, and you have changed so little." Ozma gestured to her. "Almost exactly the same."

"I can't say the same for you, Ozma." Aqua replied calmly. "…You remember me."

"Diggs shared his memories with me." Ozma clarified, a remorseful look appearing on his face. "…I am so sorry, Aqua. I shouldn't have lashed out like I did…I was so happy to be back with her that I could barely think of anything else."

"Why did you come back?" Aqua asked.

"The God of Light offered me a chance to come back but he had a task for me. I am to unite all of humanity and once that it is done, bring the four Relics together that will summon the Gods back…For judgement." As he spoke, Ozma turned away. "I was going to say no but then he told me Salem was not dead and waiting for me in the afterlife, that she was still alive. I made my decision, because I thought any hardship would be worth it…If I could see her again."

Aqua and Poppy were quiet, listening to Ozma explain himself.

"Then I saw the memories…Is it all true?" Ozma looked over his shoulder at the two women. "Did Salem really do all those things?"

"Yes." Aqua nodded. "She turned her grief into an excuse to lash out at everyone she held responsible. Me and then the Gods and then she tried to trick them into bringing you back. And when they made her immortal, she chose to spite them even more by turning everyone against them…I barely managed to convince to spare the people who were innocent of her plot."

Ozma lowered his head, looking down at the town surrounding their castle. "It can't be…"

"I'm sorry, Ozma. It's the truth." Aqua placed a hand on the despondent Ozma's arm. "I wish it wasn't, but it is."

"But how? How did it go so wrong?" Ozma shook his head and looked at her. "I don't have the right to ask you, but I need your help. Salem's not going to stop here. She's not going to stop with controlling the world. She wants to…replace humanity."

Both Aqua and Poppy stiffened.

"And she's going to use our daughters to do it."


"Your Grace, the Silver Knight has arrived."

Salem was seated on her throne as the messenger spoke, with her children by her side and the royal court gathered to meet this person. She frowned, wondering why her husband was seated next to her but paid it no mind as the doors opened. She raised an eyebrow, seeing Ozma walk in first, walking hastily up to his chair and ignoring their servants bowing to him.

"Daddy." Their daughters said happily once he sat down.

"Where have you been?" Salem questioned.

"I was actually greeting our guest when she arrived at the gate." Ozma answered with a sheepish smile. "I was outside and spotted her as she arrived."

Salem looked to him but turned to the door and watched as their…guest arrived followed by a young woman with red hair. Salem noticed dark markings on the red-haired woman that she could instantly tell were not natural.

It was almost as if she had been possessed by a Grimm but Salem knew that was impossible.

No one could survive being possessed by a Grimm.

Everyone was silent as they approached, the servants, generals and guards looking warily at the two while Salem and Ozma's daughters stared curiously at the approaching duo. The two were calm as they stopped before the throne and both offered a bow to them.

"You are both the rulers of this kingdom?" The blue haired woman asked.

"How dare you speak to the King and Queen so casually?!" One of their generals, Darren stepped forward, placing a hand on the hilt of his sword. "Do not speak unless spoken to!"

Poppy stepped in between Aqua and the general, her hand reaching for her own sword. "They are not our King or Queen and you'll do well to remember that."

Darren looked ready to attack when Ozma stood up. "Enough! General Darren, these are our guests! Not our enemy!"

Darren spared a look at Ozma before stepping and removing his hand from his sword. "Forgive me, Your Majesty."

Ozma turned his gaze over to Aqua as Poppy lowered her hand as well. "Please, forgive that outburst. I understand you are not used to meeting with royalty."

"We usually travel outside of any kingdoms, helping in any villages we stop to rest at." Aqua explained calmly. "We meant no offence. I understand you asked us here for a chance to discuss a chance for peace."

"Indeed." Salem stood up from her throne and stepped forward. "We are attempting to unite the world under a banner of peace and war is certainly the last outcome we want. Perhaps we should reconvene to the meeting room."

Salem noticed the red-haired young woman sending a small glare in her direction but paid it no mind.

It was the woman with the magical sword she was interested in.


When Poppy heard what Aqua said they would not only meet the king and queen of that kingdom, but they may also meet their children. Poppy wanted to know the witch in person that had taken so many lives in her home village, her family, and her friends. When the apprentice heard what Aqua found out through her semblance connecting with Ozma that the white king and queen had children she didn't know how to process that.

To think that monster can make children.

She was expecting Salem's children to be like their mother.

Ozma had gone on ahead, motioning for the guards to escort them to the castle which they did.

Poppy steeled herself as the doors opened, allowing to perfectly see the pair of rulers on their thrones.

The White King and the Black Queen.

Poppy knew what the White King looked like from their time back in the desert white blondish hair, dark skin, and now wearing a dark gray coat with black shoulder pads along with details in light blue and dark blue cuffs. Under his coat, he wore a dark blue dress shirt with light blue linings and details and donned white gloves upon his hands. He also wore gray pants and black shoes.

Suitable for a king.

But when she saw the Black Queen, it finally dawned on her she was meeting none other than Salem the witch that wiped out her home village and she stiffened. Her mentor grabbed Poppy by the shoulder squeezing it to remind her not to react with anger or hatred. Poppy breathed in and slowly let out trying to relieve herself of the attention of anger. But her hatred remained inside her when she saw that witch calling herself the Black Queen, finally meeting her for the first time.

She possessed a human appearance but now got a better look at her black outfit. Completely pale white skin complexion and long hair that is stark white. And when she looked in the eyes of crimson spheres just like a Grimm. Poppy believed the witch was more Grimm than a person now, leaving Poppy completely resentful for Salem seeing that witch for the first time in person.

Poppy needed to remember to stay calm and collected. She had to fight the urge to attack Salem in revenge for her crimes. She knew better than that, because of the curse preventing that which from dying and restoring her being.

The two rulers of the Kingdom greeted them kindly.

So did the two that had to visit their kingdom, despite the general's outburst.

The Black Queen was keeping an eye on Aqua instead of the other companion with her.

Poppy knew it too.

Salem must have more hatred toward her mentor because she interfered in her plans for world domination.

"Until now, I believed that my husband and I were the only ones in the world capable of magic." Salem continued. "Just how is possible for you to wield magic?"

"I proved myself worthy of it." Aqua simply said. "This power I have…It only manifests itself to those it considers worthy."

Salem frowned but said nothing else.

Ozma glanced in her direction, knowing she was not used to people speaking to her the way Aqua was.

"And where exactly did you gain this magic?" Salem asked.

"I can't say too much about it as I was sworn to secrecy by my mentor." Aqua replied. "I believe the purpose of our visit was to make a peaceful agreement between our respective lands."

"And how can we offer peace to someone we know nothing about?" Salem asked, narrowing her eyes at Aqua. "How can we trust you?"

"Perhaps by having faith and believing that we want peace as much as you do." Aqua calmly replied.

"Faith can be rewarded in times." Ozma threw in carefully.

Salem was silent for a moment before leaning back in her chair. "Yes, it can be."

"So, can we place our faith in you when we ask you not to send your armies to our lands anymore?" Aqua asked.

"We can be considerate…If you agree to remain here." Salem stated. "If the magic you have only manifests itself to those it considers worthy, perhaps if someone worthy is found here then we can have a warrior much like you to defend us."

Aqua remained composed but realized what game Salem was playing at.

She wants the Keyblade for herself and thinks she can trick Aqua into giving it to her.

"And if I refuse?" Aqua slowly asked.

Salem narrowed her eyes but before she could answer a messenger rushed into the room. "My sincerest apologies for the interruption, Your Majesty and Grace, but some of the Grimm outsides are behaving rather aggressively."

Salem looked surprised about this, having ordered the Grimm to stay away from the castle. When she connected to them, she felt the Grimm were not only coming to their lands because negativity.

Something is forcing them to be drawn here for some reason and it was not negative emotions.

"I will handle this. You continue speaking with our…guests." Salem told her beloved before heading to the door, though not before throwing a look at Aqua.

Aqua was curious when she turned her attention towards the White King.

She noticed the look on his face seeing him relaxing when he sighed. "This was your idea all along."

"I was hoping she would step away for a moment but I have no what is happening with the Grimm." Ozma replied. "Though this grants us our opportunity."

Ozma got up from his chair and motioned for the pair to follow him. "This way. We have to get my daughters away from here."

Ozma led them out of the meeting room and down the hallway to where his children are located. Aqua was beginning to understand what he was trying to do. He wanted himself and the children away from the place and especially away from Salem. And if Salem's children knew what she was planning the last thing he needed to make things more difficult on him too.

When they entered the room where the children resting. Poppy was expecting the children like her mother.

Except, the children were not the same as their mother.

Although, they seemed to resemble Ozma they look more like human children.

Poppy was conflicted with emotions, displeased about seeing the witch that killed her family having one of her own and surprised that the four daughters that were more human than Salem. The four daughters woke up, greeting their father and then looked at them where Poppy could see in their eyes were innocence and purities. Not aware of any consequences just like her when she was so young before her little brother was born.

Poppy was beginning to remember before she met Aqua.

Her little brother Oak, her parents, and her friends at her home village who were all long dead.

All because of her negligence.

Which meant she has to own up to the responsibility for her actions. Before Poppy would have jumped a chance for her to eliminate Salem but the four little girls made her remember her mentor's words if she did the same thing that Salem had done the cycle of hatred will never cease. If she tried to kill that witch, although that would not happen, the children would also become vengeful against her.

It's for the best that's cycle of hatred is broken.

Poppy had to be sure she heeded Aqua's words by the letter. She would rather be wiser than foolish. She wants to atone for her actions and start a new life, a new beginning for her.

Just Ozma was leading them out the door, one of the girls stopped. "Mommy?"

Poppy followed their gaze and sure enough there she was.

Salem.

Standing by the windows with a look of calm fury etched into her face.

Ozma stood in front of his daughters, holding out his staff. Salem let out an enraged roar as she released a blast of red lightning from her hand.

"Poppy!" Aqua waved a hand at Poppy and the children.

Poppy watched as a barrier was placed over her and the girls. "Aqua!"

"I'm sorry, Poppy but we have to protect the girls!" Aqua said before turning back to the battle.

Salem shot forward, yelling in anger as she collided with Ozma, slamming him through a wall. Ozma countered with another emerald blast from his staff, sending her flying out and crashing through several walls. Salem got up and flew at Ozma again but Aqua jumped in, lashing out with a spinning slash that knocked Salem down to the ground, causing cracks to form from the impact.

Salem got up, looking at Aqua with pure rage in her eyes as guards rushed out into the hallway.

"Your Grace?" General Darren called out.

"Kill her!" She pointed at Aqua. "She has turned the king against me!"

The guards gripped their weapons, seemingly ready to attack…

But then Aqua did something no one expected.

She laughed.

She held a hand up to her mouth as she let out an amused laugh that caused Salem to look surprised…and then angry.

Ozma looked nervous and their daughters were staring between their parents and Aqua in silent confusion and fear from their mother's growing anger.

"A God, Salem?" Aqua asked once she was done laughing, her smile fading quickly. "I would never thought you would have referred to yourself as one, considering what happened the last time you went up against an actual God."

Salem and the guards were stunned by brazen Aqua was now speaking to her. Poppy had to suppress the urge to giggle.

"I see you have retained your penchant for lying and deceiving everyone into doing your dirty work." Aqua narrowed her eyes. "And now you think you can subtly bully me into staying here and give you a power you could never, in a thousand life times be worthy of having?"

Salem snarled as she stood up. "Seize her!"

The guards moved to apprehend her as Poppy unsheathed her sword and lit it on fire, plunging it into the ground. Fire erupted under the barrier and traveled towards the guards, knocking them before they even realized what happened.

Aqua and pointed her Keyblade at Salem. "This can go one of two ways, Salem. End your scheme here and now or answer to everyone when I reveal the truth."

"Truth? Truth?!" Salem snarled, raising a hand as magical energy gathered into it. "I will not be dictated to in such a manner by nameless wench!"

(Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep & 358/2 Days Original Soundtrack Fight and Away Begins)

(Information: Defeat Salem)

Salem started the battle by thrust her arms forward, releasing bolts of lightning at Aqua who quickly started rolling and cartwheeling to avoid getting hit. Ozma flew in, stabbing her with his staff several times before blasting her with magic. Salem flew back but got back up almost instantly, her wounds regenerating in mere seconds. Salem then grabbed pillars with her magic and hurled them at Ozma. He created a barrier but the force of being buried under the pillars caused the ground underneath him to give and he ended up falling several floors below.

Salem then thrust her hand at Aqua firing a blast of light but Aqua jumped back, pointing her Keyblade at the attack. "Defend!"

A barrier appeared at the tip of the Keyblade, deflecting the attack back at Salem who slapped it back at Aqua but the Keyblade Master deflected the attack again. For a moment it became a game of deflecting the attack between each other and it moved faster each time it was reflected until it slammed into Salem who was too slow the seventh time and grunted loudly from hit by her own attack.

"Thunder!" Aqua shouted, sending several bolts of lightning at Salem while she was still disorientated.

The attack caused her to yell buts he seemed to yell more in anger than in pain. Standing up Salem clenched a fist and slammed it into the ground, releasing a shockwave of purple energy that moved towards Aqua so fast that she barely recognized herself being hit and sent flying back, hitting the ground hard and both were sore all over.

"Heal!" Aqua quickly said, healing herself enough that she could stand up and continue the fight.

Aqua shot a Fire spell, hitting Salem in the stomach and making her grunt in pain. She shot another bolt of lightning at Aqua who cart-wheeled to the side.

"Freeze!" Aqua shot a shard of ice at Salem, forcing the evil queen back again.

Salem fired a blast from her hand but Aqua side-stepped, spinning to the side and slashing at Salem who raised her hand and conjured a red energy barrier that blocked the Keyblade. Aqua slashed again, breaking through the barrier and Salem took the hit, thinking her immortality would protect her…

"AH!" Only to scream in pain as the Keyblade cut through her robe.

"Water!" Aqua shouted, a stream of water blasting out of her Keyblade and knocking Salem backwards.

Salem flipped through the air, landing on her feet and skidded to a stop. She looked at her wound, finding it was healing much slower than normal and then looked back at Aqua.

Her weapon could hurt her!

Growling she leapt forward, seemingly flying through the air towards Aqua who jumped up to meet her and the two met in mid-air, Salem's hands grabbing onto Aqua's Keyblade. Both fighters fell to the ground, landing on their feet perfectly and Aqua quickly kicked off the ground just as she landed, pushing Salem back and swinging her Keyblade out, knocking Salem back again. Salem landed on her back and rolled out of the way as Aqua stood over her and jumped to her feet.

Salem was beyond furious, seeing this woman was actually standing up to her and had actually hurt her.

Something she had not managed to succeed in centuries, despite her attempts to kill herself.

This woman…

She was a threat to everything Salem was working towards!

Aqua's eyes slightly widened as Salem suddenly lifted herself in the air, hovering above her. Salem pointed her hands at several large pieces of rubble and a purple aura engulfed the debris and was slowly lifted it off the ground. Aqua stepped back as the debris now floated above Salem's head. Salem gave a shout as she thrust her hands forward and the debris shot towards Aqua.

"Thunder!" Aqua shouted as he pointed his Keyblade forward and a bolt of Lightning shot out, destroying the debris in mid-air.

Aqua was not done quickly took the chance to make her move. "Gather!"

At the edge of his Keyblade appeared a vortex of magic and suddenly Salem found herself being pulled towards it. "Wh-WHAT IN THE-"

Held above her, Aqua struck Salem several times and each time Salem screamed. Aqua then released her and her attempts break free sent her spiraling across the room and into the wall. Salem let out a pained grunt as she slid down the ground. She opened her eyes, gritting her teeth as she glared angrily at Aqua and pointed her hands at her again.

"Freeze!" Aqua shouted, firing a shard of ice at Salem, skewering her arm.

Salem screamed in pain, staggering and noticed something.

Her arm was not growing back!

She looked at her arm and saw it was regenerating, just not as fast as it should.

She stared back at Aqua who looked back stoically. "You…"

She screamed as an aura of lightning surrounded her and she directed all the bolts at Aqua who calmly deflected them back with a Reflega spell.

Ozma managed to make it back up to the floor with energy gathered into his staff. He let out a yell as he swung it down on Salem…

BOOM!

Salem's body was incinerated as the entire castle began to collapse.

"AQUA!" Poppy shouted to her mentor, still safe under the barrier.

Aqua conjured another barrier around herself as the castle collapsed around them. There were few minutes of silence…

And the first to emerge was Ozma, wounded heavily from the blast with clothes stained with blood. Nearby, the barrier around Poppy and the girls finally broke and the girls rushed over to their father.

"DADDY!" The girls crowded around their father.

And Salem was next.

In a flash of golden light, Salem had fully regenerated and held an orb of fire in her newly regenerated hand.

"We could have had freedom…" Salem snarled, glaring at Ozma as Poppy moved in front of him.

The Black Queen raised her hand to send out a spell of fire at Poppy not knowing how strong enough it is that will also not only vaporize Aqua's apprentice but her own children too. Just as this happened, the barrier Aqua had cast allowed her to break out of the debris that had collapsed on her, just in time for her to see Salem attacking Ozma, Poppy and the girls.

"POPPY!" Aqua shouted, horrified when the blast reached them.

Poppy raised her sword as it was alit with fire from her Semblance.

Everything seemed to be slowing down for her just as the blast was mere inches away…

Poppy began to think about every single moment her life as it started flashing before her eyes.

Seeing her parents, her little brother, the village people, and the terrible outcome after she ignored the warnings in the woods.

Then remembering the brighter light means Aqua had to help her become who she needs to be a warrior and a protector.

She went on this journey with her not just learning the ways of the warrior but to atone for the actions of her negligence.

For not knowing better and to protect those who were much like how she used to be.

She had to fight and live for those that need her still even her mentor who gave her that chance to fight for her life instead of ending it.

She wanted to end her life from the beginning after Aqua saved her but within these adventures that she found something to hold so dearly.

The times they spent together fighting enemies and grim.

Helping those to be set free seeing their smiles and joyful looks on their faces.

Even making new friends along the way like Amarilla and the other members with her.

Especially that man they had saved from that last village before seeking the relics quickly.

Poppy and that boy…Maxwell had started developing an interest in one another.

Becoming more than friends.

They both trained together to become the next protectors.

They wish to continue living on their journey to the fullest.

Poppy realized that everything she had been through had all led up to this moment.

She will not let her life end here. She has so much more to do in this life and she will still make up for it for what she has done.

She will walk on the path of atonement.

Then the red beam of magic finally hit its target.

Aqua was paralyzed in shock, believing that the magic attack had killed them…

And yet Aqua did not sense her apprentice had passed away and she would know it by her connections. When the smoke cleared revealing her apprentice and the girls were scared of what had happened but were otherwise unharmed.

Salem's eyes widened, surprised that her attack had been stopped.

Aqua however, wasted no time.

Locking onto Salem, Aqua aimed her Keyblade and cast Prism Rain, letting loose a salvo of rainbow colored orbs that blasted Salem into the debris.

"Get them out of here! I'll hold her off!" Aqua called out to Poppy who reluctantly nodded and lifted Ozma's right arm over her shoulder and pulled him off the ground before making their way out of the battlefield.

(Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep & 358/2 Days Original Soundtrack Fight and Away Ends)

"RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Aqua turned back to Salem, seeing her having fully recovered and was glaring at her with deep hatred.

"You…" She snarled. "You ruined everything!"

"I'm not the one who almost killed her own daughters!" Aqua retorted.

Salem paused; the thought having killed her own daughters apparently had not crossed her mind until Aqua had spelled it out for her. But she immediately waved it off with a growl and lunged at Aqua who summoned a barrier.

Salem slammed into the barrier and tried to break through it. "Who are you?!"

"Guess it's no surprise you forgot me." Aqua quietly said before making a gesture.

SHATTER!

The barrier exploded like glass, knocking Salem back.

"I didn't want to do this." Aqua reached back and pulled out the Staff of Creation, holding it out and let it extend into its true form. "But you left me no choice."

Salem watched in surprise as the Spirit of Creation manifested from the Staff. "Ah, finally someone who has come to engage my creative wiles!"

"Hello Ambrosius." Aqua greeted.

Ambrosius looked over his shoulder and his smile faded. "Oh, it's you again. You know, Aqua I don't mind your company, but I wouldn't mind seeing a new face either."

"I don't have time for this." Aqua pointed the Staff at Salem. "Ambrosius, I ask you to create an unbreakable crystal prison around Salem!"

Salem's eyes widened in shock at what she had just heard.

"Oh, that's a new one." Ambrosius rubbed his chin with an intrigued smile. "Not even the Old Man thought of doing that. You really do think outside the box."

"Are you going to do it or not?" Aqua questioned, not taking her eyes off Salem.

Ambrosius shrugged. "Well, you did ask."

"NO!" Salem screamed and lunged at Aqua.

"Behold my artistry!" Ambrosius waved his hands and pointed them at Salem as she shot past the spirit and was about to strike Aqua…

And there was a flash of golden light.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Aqua covered her eyes because of the flash and lowered them when it was done.

Right in front of her was Salem, trapped in a blue unbreakable crystal, a look of rage and horror etched onto her face.

Aqua sighed as she lowered the Staff.

"Well, my work here is done." Ambrosius wiped his hands and vanished back into the Staff.

Aqua lowered the Staff, retracting it back into its small rod form before placing on her back and looked down at the imprisoned form of Salem.

She hadn't wanted to do it.

She had hoped she wouldn't have to.

She had used the Staff itself, rather than let Ambrosius channel his power through her because she hoped one day, Salem might learn her lesson…

And because she didn't want to test her luck that the Brother Gods wouldn't try something if she used her Keyblade to imprison Salem for good.

A scream interrupted her, and she turned and rushed in the direction Poppy had gone with Ozma and his daughters. Just outside of the remains of the castle, Poppy was with Ozma and the little girls, surrounded by the guards and soldiers posted outside who had all their weapons pointing at them.

Ozma was trying to calm them down, but his wounds kept him from speaking too loudly and they were not listening.

"Stop!"

Everyone watched as Aqua emerged from the rubble, holding out a golden lamp.

Just as the soldiers moved to surround her, she held up the Lamp and whispered one word. "Jinn."

Time seemed to freeze all around her, but she could see everyone surprised as the blue mist emerged from the Lamp, forming into Jinn, the Spirit of Knowledge.

"Hello, Aqua." Jinn greeted, smiling down at the Keyblade Wielder. "Care to use the final question?"

"So as long as you make sure everyone here has the same knowledge as me." Aqua said, taking in the surprised reaction of the soldiers. "Jinn, who is Salem?"

Jinn smiled and a blue mist engulfed Aqua and everyone else…

And per her duty as the Spirit of Knowledge, Jinn answered Aqua's question.

The girl locked in the tower.

The young woman who sought to bring back her beloved.

The woman who was cursed by the Gods and in revenge turned humanity against them.

She who cursed everyone but herself.

She who decided to become a new God alongside her husband.

The one who planned to replace humanity with her own spawn.

And in the end, was imprisoned by the woman she saw as a threat.

Imprisoned in a crystal.

The simple question brought forth a long story as Jinn showed everyone, the surviving soldiers and guards who Salem really was.

When it was over, the entire army was left in stunned silence…

Their goddess was never a goddess at all.

It had all been a lie.

All of it.

Ozma looked down to his daughters, having witnessed Jinn's tale along with everyone else.

There were a few minutes of silence…

And then someone looked at Ozma. "…LIAR!"

And is if a spark had been lit, everyone turned to Ozma, shouting in anger for being deceived.

Ozma's eyes widened, seeing their anger and realized the danger the crowd posed to his daughters. He pushed Poppy behind him along with his daughters, lifting them up with his magic and threw them over the crowd towards Aqua who gasped and pointed her Keyblade. She used a Gravity spell to lighten their fall, allowing them to land softly on the ground. The crowd fell upon Ozma, punching, kicking and even stabbing…

Aqua gasped, clutching her chest and fell to her knees.

"Aqua?" Poppy was by her side instantly. "Are you all right?"

"I…" Aqua held up her hand and watched as her hand became transparent. "…Oz…"

Poppy looked to the crowd as they continued beating and killing Ozma…

The White King wasn't bothering to fight back.

She looked back at Aqua and realized what was happening.

Aqua was only able to follow Ozma because she had been traveling through his heart.

That's what she had learned when Aqua had finally explained herself, confiding her a few years after meeting her.

It had been kept a secret from everyone else.

Ozma was dying…

And Aqua was disappearing because of it!

"Poppy…" Aqua managed to say as her body became transparent. "You need to get out of here…Get the girls away from here."

"I won't leave you." Poppy shook her head, unwilling to abandon her mentor, her friend…

The only person she could consider family since she had lost her home.

"You have to get the girls away from here…" Aqua removed the Lamp and the Staff, along with the Horn from her person and gave them to Poppy. "Use the Horn to get back to the temple…Hide the Relics again…and don't let them be brought together…"

The final knife was stabbed down onto Ozma's chest and with that, the White King was dead.

And Aqua disappeared with him, vanishing from this world.

Poppy could only stare where her mentor, her friend had been just a second ago.

How could this happen?

They stopped Salem.

Poppy looked back at the rubble that remained of the castle…where Aqua had imprisoned Salem in that crystal.

She couldn't be killed.

But she could be defeated…

And imprisoned.

Even if she was still alive, Poppy considered this to be a more appropriate punishment for all the crimes Salem had committed.

A prisoner once again.

She was shaken from her thoughts by the sound of the four girls crying and she saw the crowd glaring at them.

The daughters of the pretend gods.

The ones the queen had wanted to use to replace humanity.

Poppy realized what Aqua meant by getting them away from this place and quickly grabbed the Horn. Just as the angry shouting came, she blew into the Horn, conjuring the spirit Heimdallr and immediately shouted her request.

"TAKE US TO THE TEMPLE! MY HOME!"

"As you wish." Heimdallr gestured and Poppy was swallowed up in a flash of light along with the girls just as the crowed moved to attack.

The light was gone, along with Poppy and the girls.

The kingdom of Dracon collapsed completely in the following days, the village surrounding the destroyed castle completely abandoned.

In the center of the castle, the crystal prison holding Salem remained undisturbed.

Days became months.

Months became years.

And in that time, the crystal would be buried into the ground as nature covered the remains of the castle.

The stories of this place caused people to avoid coming here and the dragon continent was completely abandoned.

No one lived there.

No one wanted to.


Poppy woke up sooner and heard the little girls having a nightmare, so she checked on them.

"Are you okay?" She asked, holding the girl.

The girl looked up at her with tearful eyes. "I dreamt…I dreamt I was…I was like…Mommy."

Poppy comforted the child and held her close to her, remembering how her mentor had done for her in the years following the loss of her village.

She remembered doing the same for her little brother when they were younger.

She remembered feeling scared and upset when she first met Aqua saved her.

Poppy comforted the child with soft words, letting the little girl know that she was nothing like Salem.

That their mother had forgotten what love and life are to everyone. Eventually the little girl finally fell asleep blissfully.

She left the room of the four little girls with magic and returned to her room. Once she was in bed, Poppy began to reflect on things that had happened even looking at the broken blade that had been broken that night. She stared at it for another moment before lying down and going back to sleep, hoping that one day she'll become more like her mentor.

She never noticed the broken sword becoming engulfed in a flash of light, becoming a very familiar black and red sword, shaped like a bat's wing with an angel wing at the end.