Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts or The Legend of Heroes. They are own by Square Enix and Nihon Falcom respectively.

Chapter 2: The Royal Family

Background Music: At the Imperial Palace (Legend of Heroes Cold Steel 1)

"Ok, didn't think this would happen so soon."

Sora was a little nervous. Right now he is walking, with Claire, within Valflame Castle, home of the Imperial Family. Claire had told him the Imperial Family wanted to meet him. This isn't the first time Sora has met with royalty. He's mostly friends with them as well, but he will be meeting strangers. Well the best he can do is be himself, and remember all that formal training Donald gave him when meeting royalty.

"We have arrived." Sora snapped out of his thoughts as the young keyblade wielder and Claire were in front of a door.

"Here we are." Sora gulped. "Just want to remind you that you will be in the presence of His Majesty. So be on your best behavior." said Claire as Sora just nodded. "Alright then."

Claire opened the door into a wide open space. Sora could only look in awe. He's never seen a wide open space in a building before, well beside the throne room of Disney Castle.

"This is the Second Receptionist Hall." said Claire as Sora looked around in awe. "Someone will be here to greet us to escort us to His and Her Majesty. Claire turned her attention back to Sora, who was looking around in awe. It was like seeing a little kid at an amusement park. Honestly, it was kind of cute to Claire.

"If I hadn't seen for myself, I would find it hard to believe this child could be fighting those creatures for a whole year."

"So this is the young man who had helped my sister." A young man with blonde hair tied in a ponytail, and purple eyes. He was wearing an elegant coat with a white necktie scarf, a blue tunic under his coat, white pants and dark brown boots. This is Olivert Reise Arnor. The older brother of Alfin.

"Your Highness." Claire gave a bow. "It's a pleasure to be in your presence again."

"Ah Claire, it's wonderful to see you again." said Olivert. "I must also thank you for your assistance in helping my sister."

"No thanks is necessary, I only did what I was ordered too."

"Now, now, now don't be modest." smiled Oliver. "It's okay to accept praise once in awhile you know."

"Well, if you say so, Your Highness."

"Now," Oliver turned to Sora, "Sora, correct?"

"Um, yes sir, that's me!" Sora gave a hand salute in instant speed causing Olivert to chuckle.

"There's no need for formalities, my friend. Especially since you're the knight who saved my sister."

"Uh I wouldn't call myself a knight or anything." Sora scratched his cheek in embarrassment.

"I beg to differ. The way Alfin described you, it sounded like she was retelling her favorite fairy tale. A young brave knight swooping in to protect his princess." Olivert gave Sora a wink. "Never have I seen my little sister speak with such passion." Claire let a small cough gaining Sora and Olivert attention.

"If I may speak, shouldn't we be on our way to His and Her Majesty?"

"Ah yes of course! Sorry, I let my own passion distract me. Then again how could it not after hearing my sister." Olivert let out a small chuckle as he began to walk off. "Well let's get going! Shouldn't keep Father and Mother waiting." Sora and Claire followed Olivert as they further in Valflame Castle. Sora, with his hands placed behind his head, is casually walking behind Claire and Olivert as thinking about what's going to occur.

"I wonder how I'm going to explain this?" thought Sora. "I can't necessarily say I'm or the Heartless are from another world. Ignoring the world order for a bit, I don't think they would believe it anyhow." Sora let out a sigh. "I'm starting to realized how hard this is going to be without Donald and Goofy here."

"We're here!" Sora brought his attention to the door in front of him with Claire and Olivert by his side.

"Sora, just a reminder that you will be in audience with the nations most beloved and respectful leaders, so it will be in your best interest to be on your best behavior." commented Claire. Sora nodded, feeling a bit nervous. Which is a bit odd since he met with royalty before, it's probably because he's by himself this time.

"Oh, no need to make the lad nervous, Claire." laughed Olivert before turning to Sora. "No need to be so uptight. Father and Mother will enjoy your company. After all you did save their treasure daughter." Olivert gave Sora a wink before opening the door. "Father, Mother we have arrived!" Sora and Claire entered the room to see a couple of people before them.

Starting with the first two Sora noticed were the two seating down on two separate thrones. First on the left throne is a middle age man with blonde hair with a thin mustache wearing a militaristic outfit which seems to be red and black with a fur-edged cape, cream trousers, and black riding boots. This is Emperor Eugent Reise Arnor III.

On the right throne is a woman with bright blonde hair with blue eyes wearing a red dress. She had a modest amount of jewelry on her as Sora could see earrings, pendant, and tiara on her person. This is Empress Priscilla Reise Arnor. Wife of the Emperor. Standing next to her were Alfin, which Sora was happy to see, and young boy who looked about the same age as him, and had some similar look to Alfin.

He had blonde hair and blue eyes similar to Alfin and Olivert. He is wearing a red coat mix with black and gold with a white shirt, trousers, and black boots. This is Cedric Reise Arnor, Alfin's twin brother. Off to the side of the room he noticed someone else as well.

He looked to be a well built tall man wearing what seemed to be a military uniform. Dressed in purple with black strips with gold trim, purple trousers, boots, and a white cape. He had short brown hair and green eyes. This is Mueller Vander. Olivert's childhood friend, and protector. Sora noticed he had a large greatsword latched on the side of his hip.

"Your Majesties." Claire kneeled before Emperor Eugent and Empress Priscilla, prompting Sora to do the same.

"Rise, Claire, and," Emperor Eugent turned to Sora, "the one they call, Sora, correct?"

"Yes, sir!" Sora nodded. The Emperor chuckled.

"Now, now there's no need to be so nervous. Please lift your heads up you two." Sora and Claire raised their heads to see the rulers of Erebonia smiling at them. "After all it should be the two of us bowing our heads in gratitude for saving our daughter."

"No, Your Majesty! I only did my duty as a citizen of Erebonia, and Captain of the Rail Military Police." argued Claire.

"And I just did what anybody else would do. So no big deal on my end." commented Sora.

"Nonetheless thank you for protecting our daughter." smiled Empress Priscilla. "Her, and Cedric mean the world to us. To have her home safe is a gift itself."

"So allow us to not thank you not as rulers of Erebonia, but as parents grateful to see their daughter is safe, and unharmed." finished Emperor Eugent.

"It's my pleasure to protect Princess Alfin." Claire gave a small bow.

"I'm just happy to see that she wasn't harmed by the Heartless." commented Sora as he rubbed his nose. The mention of the dark creatures increased the tension in the room.

Background music ends

Background Music: Seriousness (Legend of Heroes Cold Steel 1)

"Yes, those vile creatures," Empress Priscilla frowned. "We've never encountered monsters like them before."

"They just appeared randomly out of nowhere." commented Emperor Eugent. "Monsters don't usually attack populated areas unless trained by someone else to do so. The way these creatures appear is…unusual to us."

"They've been appearing throughout Heimdallr for a while now, and our forces have been able to defeat them." continued Olivert.

"But no matter how many we defeat, they just show up again." Mueller commented for the first time.

"And what's worse we received reports of people just disappearing when those monsters attacked." Claire recalled some testimonies from some witnesses. "But due to the chaos and confusion when it happens they don't know what happen to the victims.

Alfin and Cedric couldn't help but look horrified at what had been said. They had no idea this was happening right inside their own capital. Monsters appearing without warning, making people disappear, it's all too much.

"Which leads us to you, Sora." said Claire. Everyone in the room now had their attention at Sora. "You know something about them, don't you?"

"Yes," Emperor Eugent stroked his small beard as he continued talking, "In the report Claire brought in, you called them "Heartless" and she mentions you have been fighting them for a while now." Mueller also remembers Claire mentioning that earlier. When Sora entered the room, he wasn't expecting a boy, who's the same age as his younger brother. If he's being honest, he has some doubts.

"If you could share anything you know about these creatures, it would be most helpful." Olivert then gave Sora a cheeky smile. "If you do, I will happily reward you with a warm embr-".

"Now is not the time, Olivert!" Mueller interrupted with a heavy sigh causing everyone to chuckle. Sometimes his childhood friend can be troublesome, but he can tell he usually does this to ease the tension in certain situations.

"I'll be happy to share what I know." Sora crossed his arms as he gave a small frown as he stared at the ground. "Though it's a lot, and I don't know where to start."

"Anywhere is fine." Mueller crossed his arms. "Maybe start with their origin, where they come from would be a good start."

"I agree." nodded Claire. "Knowing your enemy gives you an insight on how to defeat them."

"Well," Sora lifts his head up, "To start with Heartless are the darkness in people's hearts manifested in physical form." Everyone in the throne room eyes widened.

"They come from people?" muttered Alfin in shock.

"Yep." nodded Sora. "And what the Heartless wants is to steal people's hearts."

"Steal people's hearts?" muttered Olivert in confusion.

"Can you elaborate on that?" Like everyone else, Claire had a clear confusion on her face. "What drives them to seek a vital organ?"

"Oh no no! Sora waved his hand as he gave a light chuckle. "Not our physical heart. The heart I'm talking about is more like a core, or our very essence."

Everyone gave Sora a raised eyebrow with clear confusion on their face prompting Sora to continue.

"It goes like this, our hearts essentially make us who we are as a person. It's what gives us our emotions, memories, ambition, goals, and will."

"Hmm, never thought of hearts in that way before." Olivert had a fond smile on his face. After all, you could say it's his heart that drives him to face the problem his country is facing, along with challenging a certain Chancellor.

"I think it sounds lovely!" Alfin smiled as she clapped her hands together. Like her brother, she never thought of a heart in that way before. Something that carries her emotion and memories, it makes her feel all warm inside.

"I agree!" smiled Cedric. Cedric himself thought about his own heart that drives his goal and ambition of becoming someone like his brother Olivert, and Chancellor Osborne.

Mueller gave a small smile himself. It does sound nice, but-,

"Sora if that's true then that makes the Heartless even more dangerous."

Unfortunately, Mueller's words brought back the tension in the throne room.

"Yes, I agree." Claire slowly nodded. "To think there are creatures that can steal our very essence."

"It's horrifying." Empress Priscilla hugged her children close to her as if she felt they would disappear from her grasp.

"Sora, the people that have disappeared, is it because they had their hearts stolen?" question Olivert.

Everyone, except Sora, eyes widened and their faces looked horrified as Sora nodded.

"They're just…gone?" question Empress Priscilla as she held her two kids even more tightly. Alfin and Cedric didn't mind as they even started to hug their mother back.

"Not just gone." sighed Sora.

"What do you mean?" questioned Emperor Eugent. "What else happens?"

"When a Heartless manages to steal someone's heart, that stolen heart falls into darkness and becomes a Heartless." explained Sora.

"It becomes one of them!" exclaimed Mueller in shock. Sora nodded.

"Unfortunately, yes."

"Then the people that have disappeared-, Claire started to say.

"Have become Heartless." finished Emperor Eugent with a tired sigh.

Olivert couldn't blame his father. The more he hears about these creatures. The more terrifying they become.

"It's what the Heartless do. They're beings that are driven by instinct." explained Sora. "And their instinct is to seek out hearts and increase their numbers."

"Oh Aidios." muttered Emperor Eugent as he shook his head in disbelief.

"How long have the Heartless been here?" asked Sora. "Recent?"

"Yes, actually, they've been here for a couple of days." answered Claire. "They appeared out of nowhere at Central Station, and after that they would appear randomly in certain parts of Heimdallr."

"So far it looks like they only appear here in Heimdallr. continued Mueller. "But if what you said is true, and they've increased their numbers-,"

"It's only a matter of time before they spread across Erebonia." finished Olivert in dread. Olivert turned to Sora. "Sora, is there anything we can do?"

"Yes, as Major Mueller mentioned earlier, our army has been able to defeat these Heartless, but they just keep coming back after a while. explained Emperor Eugent. "Is there a way to permanently defeat them?"

"You see, an ordinary weapon can defeat a Heartless, but you need a Keyblade to permanently defeat them." explained Sora.

Background music ends

"Key…blade?" repeated Emperor Eugent in confusion.

"I've never heard of such a weapon," said Mueller. "What is it?"

"Keyblade?" thought Alfin as she tilted her head.

She feels like she knows what Sora is talking about. Her eyes widened as she starting to remember when Sora came to her rescue. He was wielding a giant key!

"Sora, is that the weapon you were using when you came to aid Claire and I?" question Alfin with excitement in her voice.

"That's right!" nodded Sora.

"Oh, that's right!" Claire's eyes widened in realization. "You did have a peculiar weapon you were using when fighting the Heartless."

"Oh, now I'm interested in what this…Keyblade is." said Olivert with a slight interest.

"I am too if I'm being honest." added Mueller.

"I would be lying if I wasn't a little curious myself." said Empress Priscilla with Cedric nodding in agreement.

"Sora, if it's not too much trouble, could you show us this Keyblade?" asked Emperor Eugent. The current Emperor sized Sora up and down. "Do you have it with you? It doesn't look like you have a weapon on you."

"I got it right here!" Sora held out his hand, and in a flash of light, Sora's Kingdom Key appeared in his hand. "This is a Keyblade!"

Everyone jumped in shock at Sora summoning his Keyblade out of nowhere. Everyone stared at Sora in shock, making the young keyblade wielder tilting his head in confusion.

"Did I do something weird?"

"Where was he hiding that?" thought Claire in pure shock.

She's been with Sora ever since they left Crystal Garden, and she found it hard to believe Sora managed to sneak a weapon while near her. Plus Sora didn't seem the stealthy type.

"It just appeared in his hand." muttered Olivert. Olivert has seen a lot during his time at Liberl, but even this was a little shocking to him.

"Wow!" Alfin was the first to get over her shock which turned into awe. "Sora, how did you do that?"

"Yes, I must admit that's quite a trick." Olivert is looking at the Keyblade with slight interest. It was a peculiar weapon like Claire said. He's never seen a weapon quite like it.

"It's not a trick." responded Sora as he twirls his Keyblade before resting it on his shoulder.

"But how did you do that?" question Mueller. "It just appeared in your hand."

Sora didn't know how to answer that. The keyblade always appears when he needs it most or when he's in a dire situation. It comes when his heart needs it most.

"It's difficult to explain." Sora scratched his cheek. "The Keyblade always responds to my call whenever I need it. Been that way since I required it."

"And this weapon is able to permanently kill the heartless?" asked Emperor Eugent. Sora responded with a nod. "Then can you tell us how you require such a weapon? If we know that we can have our forces be equip with this "Keyblade" and stop the Heartless from growing.

"Now see, that will be hard to do." Sora slowly replied.

"How so?" question Claire. "Is getting a Keyblade difficult to require?"

"That, and-," Sora shook his head. "You know it's better that I just show you." Sora spun his Keyblade so that the hilt facing directly at Claire. "Here, take it."

Claire raised her eyebrow growing suspicious as slowly went to grab the Keyblade. Everyone else watched in suspense as Claire grabbed Sora's mysterious weapon. Claire looked over the Keyblade as she turned it, inspecting every angle. It truly is a peculiar weapon.

"It feels…" Claire's eyes widened as the Keyblade disappeared in a flash of light before reappearing in Sora's hand. "W-what happened? What did you do?" Sora shook his head.

"I didn't do anything. That was the Keyblade." Everyone looked confused as Sora continued his explanation. "The Keyblade chooses it's wielder, and it chooses those with strong hearts. The fact it returned to my hand means Claire didn't meet any of its requirements."

"It chooses its wielder?" repeated Olivert in confusion in a low voice. "Does it have some form of sentient?"

"The Keyblade chose me to wield it, I didn't pick it." finished Sora. "Not everyone can just wield a Keyblade." And to be fair Sora wasn't so sure he had the authority to give people an ability to wield Keyblades. Lea had explained Master Yen Sid had performed a ceremony with him that gave him the ability to wield a Keyblade. Best keep that information a secret.

"I-I see." Claire could only look at her hand before putting it down.

"This is a problem." thought Mueller as he closed his eyes. "The only weapon capable of defeating those vile creatures and yet it's in the hands of a child."

Mueller has nothing against Sora. After all he was willing to share all this information about the Heartless. But this threat shouldn't be handled by a kid who looks to be the same age as his brother. The threat of these Heartless is too much for a child. Mueller looked around the throne room and it looked like he wasn't the only one thinking that. Claire, Emperor Eugent, Empress Priscilla, Alfin, and Cedric looked worried.

Olivert was the only one who didn't look worried, in fact he had a smile on his face. Mueller raised an eyebrow at his oldest friend. He could guess what's going through that head of his.

Background Music: Sora (Kingdom Hearts 2.5 OST)

"Don't worry I'll handle the Heartless!" Everyone, except Olivert, looked at Sora in shock. Sora just smiled as his keyblade rested on his shoulder. "I'll get to the bottom of this!" Olivert's smile grew as he continued to stare at Sora.

"B-but you're just a child." called out Empress Priscilla. "This is too much for one so young to handle."

"There's no need to worry." Sora waved off her concern. "I've handled the Heartless before so this is nothing new." Sora smirked as he rubbed his nose. "Plus it's a Keyblade wielder to fight off the Heartless."

"This isn't a game! Surely-," Mueller was interrupted by Olivert.

"Are you sure you can live up to that promise?" question Olivert. "I'm sure you're aware by now they have spread across Erebonia, and not just Heimdallr. It would be quite a task for you."

"True." Sora's smirk never left his face as he answered Olivert. "I'll admit I haven't thought very far if they have left Heimdallr. But that won't stop me!"

"Oh, aren't you afraid?" question Olivert.

"Nope!" Sora shook his head. "It doesn't matter if they're here in Heimdallr or somewhere else in Erebonia. I'll be there to stop them! I'll make sure they won't hurt anyone!"

"Such strong conviction." thought Olivert with a smile. "I wonder…"

Alfin looked at Sora with admiration in her eyes. To her Sora spoke like a true hero. He didn't look scared at all. He just looks so…confident as he just smiles ready to protect people from harm.

Alfin wasn't the only one feeling admiration towards Sora. Cedric is looking at Sora in awe. Sora looks to be the same age as Aflin and him and yet he talks like a hero from a story book. If it was him in this situation he would feel scared, shaking in his boots.

Prince Olivert continued to stare at Sora as he rubbed his chin. He feels as if Sora is still hiding something, but overall he seems to be a good person. He actually has something in mind for Sora but he would have to observe more.

"Father, I believe we should let Sora handle the Heartless here in Heimdallr." Everyone, except for Sora, looked at Olivert with eyes widened.

"Are you sure?" question Emperor Eugent. He's shocked his son would suggest such a thing. He couldn't let a child handle the weight of a nation resting on his shoulders, especially on his own.

"I don't see why not?" Olivert shrugged. "I mean according to Claire, and Alfin, Sora can handle himself, correct?"

"I mean, yes. Claire slowly nodded. "Sora shows exceptional skill for his age, but still-,"

"Plus, he knows more about the Heartless than any of us. Having him handle, at least in Heimdallr, the Heartless would be the best decision." Mueller raised an eyebrow in suspension. After being around the prince for a long time, he can tell he's up to something, but due to how random he is he can never in detail tell what's going through his mind.

Emperor Eugent rubbed his chin as he weighed his options. He hasn't seen Sora in action but Claire and Alfin wouldn't lie about such things, and he does have the only weapon that can permanently defeat the Heartless. But can he really ask a single child to help save his nation's capital? Probably not just the capital but the nation itself? Who knows how long it will be before Heartless starts appearing all over Erebonia.

"And of course I'll be helping Sora by lending him my aid." Emperor Eugent snapped his attention back to his older son as he and everyone, except Sora and Mueller, looked at him like he grew a second head.

"Wow, would you really help me? question Sora with a big smile. He wouldn't say no to having a company, especially someone who knows this place better than he did. Plus making a new friend is something he is always up to.

"Haha, but of course! As a prince, I should help my nation as much as possible." said Olivert. "Especially since we have better knowledge on these Heartless."

"And when were you going to tell me this insane plan of yours?" Mueller sighed in annoyance.

"W-well just now in fact." Olivert chuckled nervously. "I mean I wouldn't leave my dear partner out of the loop." Mueller just sighed. This isn't the first his prince has done this and it won't be the last.

"Well don't think I'm going to leave you on your own. Someone has got to keep you on a lease." said Mueller.

"I wouldn't have it any other way!" Olivert gave his best friend a wink causing Mueller to shake his head but had a smile on his face.

"Thanks a lot, Olivert, Mueller!" smiled Sora.

"Haha, no need to thank me." Olivert gave a wink towards Sora. "Just think of it as returning the favor for saving my sister." Emperor Eugent rubbed his chin as he looked at Sora and Olivert talking.

"This could work, though-," Emperor Eugent looked at his eldest son, "For my son to offer his assistance, wonder what he has in mind for Sora?"

To be continued…

Author's Note: Chapter done! Hello everyone! Sorry this one this one took so long. Was not feeling well for the past 2 months, so writing was not on my mind. Then when I started to write, Daybreak came out lol. I've been playing and I'm now at the finale of the game! No spoilers please if you have played it already. This chapter was kind of on the short side, Sora meeting Alfin's family, and Mueller, explaining the Heartless, and Keyblade. One of things I liked about writing in this chapter was when Sora summoned his Keyblade. While there are weapons that can be summon, I'm pretty sure those are rare, so Sora doing that will be a shock to a bunch of characters especially in the beginning. Like I'm pretty sure most characters in Trails carry their weapons.

I hope I wrote the Royal Family well, especially Olivert as he is one of my favorite Trails character. I hope I wrote Mueller as close as he is in the games. I think the one person I'm kind of worry about is Empress Priscilla. I know so she does appear in the games but not a whole lot at least compare to her family, or I just simply don't remember her much.

I also want to mention the part where Claire was holding Sora's Keyblade, only to be not accepted as a wielder. Well that's a nod saying, don't expect any Trails character to wield a Keyblade. Don't get me wrong, there are a bunch who are indeed worthy, but I just don't want to give everyone a Keyblade, that's not what I want to write. Maybe in the future I'll give maybe one or two characters a Keyblade if I think it about some more, but I highly doubt it.

Well that's all from me. Hope you guys enjoy this chapter, and know I'm already working on the next one. I'll see you next time!