Author's Note: And here we have Chapter 2. This is kind of a new thing for me. As it introduces an OC into the story and doesn't have the main character of the story in it, but I felt it worked best this way. Meet you at the bottom!
Chapter 1: The Remnant Part 1
Desolate. That was one word that could be used to describe the world that had come to be known as The Keyblade Graveyard. A wasteland was another. The place where so many things began. But this world wasn't always like this. Once long ago, it was part of a thriving living world. A much greater world. It was once a small, fortified town surrounded for miles by grassy plains. Now that town has long since deteriorated to nothing with the grassy plains having died long before that.
Very few, if any, people remembered that time. And it just so happened that one of those people decided to visit the world at just this moment. But it wasn't through Gummi travel or Portals of Darkness. No, it was something that hadn't been used in centuries, at least. They traveled through a Portal of Light. Or a Corridor of Light similar to the Corridors of Darkness that Organization 13 used.
The Portal would appear right in the middle of the crossroad of dead keys. If anyone had been currently there though, they'd' only see a hooded white coated individual step out of the portal before it closed. The individual takes a glance of the immediate area in front of them before finally speaking.
"Starbreak Town," said the white coated individual, whose voice if they were heard by others was kind but soft, "It's been a long time since I've been here… You have certainly gone through hell and back… My hometown."
The individual would take a few steps down one of the four paths that split the keyblade graveyard into four quadrants. The one they chose would lead them towards a maze of dirt and rock. Something that was completely new for this individual to see. This had not been here the last time they had visited this place.
"What happened here," said the white coated individual, as they arrived at the wall and ran their hand over the coarse texture of it, "This... Was made by magic. It's not natural... So, who formed this maze and why?" Raising their right hand up so their palm was eye level, they would open and close their hand a few times before raising their arm out in front themselves. Only for a moment later a flash of light to occur around the hand with the hilt of a blade appearing soon after in their palms. The blade, like the ones in the graveyard, was another keyblade. It looked very much like Sora and Mickey's Kingdom Keys, but the hilt, blade, and keychain were pure white.
"Remnants Oath," said the white coated individual, "Grant me thy power. Grant me thy sight." And with that, the individual would take the hilt of their blade into both hands before plunging the tip down into the ground. At first, it didn't seem like it was doing anything, but eventually the individual spoke again.
"I see... A battle occurred here again," said the white coated individual, "A battle over that accursed weapon. A battle over the weapon that bears the original world's name. A battle over HIS abomination of a creation. Even when he is gone... He plagues the world. I still don't regret striking him down... I just wish... I would have done it sooner."
Pulling their keyblade out of the ground, the individual would begin making their way through the maze. They would stop at every room and plunge their keyblade back into the earth to see the specific events or rather fights that took place in each of the large rooms. They were quite impressed by those they could tell were Guardians of Light and how they fought. They were particularly impressed by the spiky brunette-haired boy who seemed to be in every fight. He showed a promise that they had not seen in a long time…
There was also another that caught their interest. At first, the black-haired girl looked to be on the side of Darkness, but eventually they changed sides to ally with the Guardians of Light. Her blade as she swung it looked similar to the brunette boys, but something seemed off about it to the individual. In fact, something seemed off about the girl. Like she was mentally there in the world but wasn't there physically. Like she wasn't a complete being. Something the individual had only seen happen once before. But that is a tale for another time.
When the individual arrived upon the plateau that was where Sora, Riku, and Mickey fought the three Xehanorts. A frown would grace their lips underneath their hood. They recognized that blade that the Old Man held. It was HIS blade. The Gazing Eye.
"Even with that man gone," growled the white coated individual, "His personal weapon still causes problems… I should have shattered that blade with the last of my strength back then. This is... The fourth time it has caused problems for the World."
"Well, well, well," came a sudden voice out of nowhere, "What do we have here? It's been a while since I've encountered something like you. And a powerful one at that." The individual didn't seem surprised at hearing the voice of voice of a male no less. Instead, their eyes traced over the landscape trying to figure out where this new arrival was going to appear. Eventually their eyes landed on the throne that Xehanort had sat upon during the last confrontation here in the world.
"Just show yourself already," said the white coated individual, "I know where you are… My Light can sense your Darkness."
"Aww, you're no fun," came the voice of the male again, before a portal of darkness appeared in the aforementioned spot. Only to disappear and leave behind a sitting man in a black coat that had a ponytail and eyepatch on. "And here I thought I found someone interesting," said the man, "But all I found was an old fart who can't seem to ever have any fun. I seem to have a knack for finding people like you."
"Who are you," the white coated individual spat, not liking the feeling of this man, "What do you want?"
"Now now," said the man, "No need to rush us. We have all the time in the world right now after all. How about you let me know who you are fir-"
The individual would have none of this and thrust their blade out at the man. Summoning and throwing a ball of light towards him. But the man didn't move. Didn't even make an attempt. Instead, the ball of light simply collided with a wall of invisible hexagons that appeared in front of the man.
"Testy, testy," said the man, with a grin, "I think I know who you are now. Correct me if I'm wrong… Miss Last Master of the True X-Blade."
The individual would frown their brow under their hood. This man knew who they were, but they didn't know who this man was. They would verbally say, "Tch." They had the upper hand in terms of knowledge it seemed.
"I'm spot on, it seems," said the man, "Man, this must be my lucky day. I got to see my own Master again AND his long-time rival. What an exciting time."
"Own Master… Long-time rival," thought the white coated individual, their eyes widening underneath their hood, "No, it can't be. Only one person could be my… Rival… It can't be!"
"Who are you," shouted the white coated individual, as they threw their free hand out to the side, "How do you know me!?"
The man would let out a hearty laugh. He hadn't expected that response from the individual. "How do I know you," laughed the man, "Why wouldn't I know one of the two individuals responsible for not only breaking Kingdom Hearts but putting the rest of it to sleep no less? You're famous, lady. Or maybe I should say... Infamous."
The white coated individual would frown but made no retort back. Why would she retort that back? She knew it was true. She was the one responsible for defending Kingdom Hearts and she failed in her duty. She was responsible in her mind for all that transpired to Kingdom Hearts. No matter what anyone says. Including her master.
"As for who, little old me is," said the man, "I'm no one really important. Compared to the real old coot, but if you must know a name… I go by Braig now."
"Braig," mumbled white-coated individual, "What do you want?"
"Oh, I don't want anything from you," said Braig, "You're washed up. A relic from a bygone age. You're no longer of any importance to the world. But... You could still cause trouble for the old coot's plans… So, it might be best for me to get rid of you."
"Old coots plans," questioned the white coated individual, "I think I know you're talking about him, but I know for a fact that he's gone. I made sure of that myself."
Braig would let out a laugh at this, and reply, "That's funny. You think YOU got rid of the old coot. Please. All you did was delay. The old coot is still very much around. I should know. I'm partially him."
The white coated individual's eyes would widen under her hood as the realization of what Braig said dawned on her. "No, he didn't," shouted the white coated individual, "He couldn't… He… No... He promised!"
"Promises are made to be broken," said Braig, with a wicked smile, "Besides you didn't keep your promise, did you?"
"Lies," the white coated individual threw the arm that held her keyblade out to the side, "I always keep my promises! I just thought he would still have some honor left!"
"Honor? Honor," Braig said, with a laugh, "What honor did you have? You cheated in your fight. You were dead to rights. Then you used some sort of cheat ability. Though I can't say I'm too surprised by this now. All those wielders like you seem to do the same thing. In fact, that kid.. What was his name again.. Was it Sky.. Nah, that doesn't matter. Did something similar here as well."
The white coated individual didn't bother to respond to any of that. All she did was look down at the ground. Slightly trembling and lost in thought.
"Aww did I hurt little Miss X-blade wielder feelings," mocked Braig, before saying, "Welp. I better take out the trash then. Can't let a stinky thing like you stink up the old coot's plans."
Leaping off the throne he sat on, Braig came in fast and hot as he brought his keyblade down towards the white coated individual's head. It almost seemed like Braig was going to win without much of a fight from the individual, but at the last most she brought up her keyblade and blocked Braig's overhand strike
"I'll never let him, or you win," growled the white coated individual, her eyes now clearly visible from underneath the hood, " I swear on my name Seras Rainbrook and my own Master that I shall stop you both."
"Ah, there's that Guardian glare I know all too well," laughed Braig, "I almost want to say I missed that look. But I'd be lying so I won't. Besides there's nothing YOU can do Lady; your time is up. You're nothing but a Remnant now. You don't have any say in the affairs of the world anymore."
"Until a new wielder arrives, and I teach them what I know, I will always have a say," spat Seras, "And I think you meant to say YOU ARE no match for ME, Braig."
"As if," Braig replied, as he broke the weapon lock and jumped back slightly, "I've taken on remnants just as strong as you, if not more. You're nothing, Seras." Braig would close the distance between the two again, bringing his blade in for an upward diagonal strike which Seras blocked once again before launching her own attack. A downward diagonal strike that Braig nearly jumped back in time from.
"Hmm," said Braig, as he cracked his neck, "Maybe I will have to use more power than normal. Try this on for size! You better run!?" In a flash of light another weapon would appear in Briag's free hand, it almost looked like a crossbow to Seras eyes, but she wouldn't have time to reflect on that further. As Braig raised the weapon up towards her and fired three times. The first two shots, Seras would block easily, but not the third. That one vanished just as she was about to block it and reappeared directly behind her. Striking her shoulder and causing pain to ripple through her body.
"Argh," winced Seras in pain, "How?"
"Oh, didn't I tell you," said Braig, as he brought his keyblade up to his shoulder. I'm a Master of Space and Gravity. There's not a way in hell you can beat me." Seras would only glare, as Braig continued, "'On this ground light shall expire.' Man, that coot has continued to be right about that. And will continue to do so it seems. Since you're about to expire right now."
With that Braig disappeared from Sera's sight, and a moment later his voice would be heard saying, "You better start running!" Which would soon be followed by what sounded like the sound of more lasers being fired from his gun.
"Huh," said Seras, as she calmly looked all around her for Braig and the direction of the lasers. Only to find it moments later striking her shoulder again. "Ack," shouted Seras, as she quickly brought her keyblade up to block the remaining shots. Though it was tough, she did manage to block the remaining shots that Braig fired.
"Well, well," said Braig, from his vantage point, "You're pretty spry for an old lady. No wonder the old coot was so scared that you might have survived somehow. Maybe I'm taking on more than I can handle... Just maybe."
A "Reload" would then be heard before another volley of shots would come towards Seras, but this time from a different direction. But Seras was prepared this time, and not only blocked the hits, but redirected them back where they came from causing Braig to let out a yelp of surprise as they hit the man.
"Clever little sneak," said Braig, slight annoyance tinting his voice, "I know a kid who pulled that off as well. But no more mister nice sniper." Suddenly several "whooshes" were heard around Seras and five Dusks appeared. "Let's see you do what you did with my bullets when dealing with other foes, huh," said Briag, before another volley of shots would begin being fired at Seras.
At first, Seras was doing alright. They would begin by dodging each of the shots as well as any of the attacks the Dusk's made at her. Sometimes she would get in a swing at one of the Dusks, but nothing more than that as Braig wasn't letting up with his shots. Unfortunately, Seras wouldn't be able to keep it up and one hit from a Dusk was all it took for Braig to land not just one shot, but all his shots.
A blood-curdling scream would escape Sera's lips as the lasers tore at her coat and seared at her skin. They even managed to cause the hood of her coat to come apart from the main body and fly away. Which caused long beautiful silver hair to flow freely behind her as she screamed. Suddenly, the shots and Dusks stopped which allowed Seras to plant the tip of her keyblade into the ground to use as a crutch. Her coat was in tatters and filled with holes, and the places where you could see skin were blackened from the shots searing into it.
"I guess all that bravado you had was false," said Braig, as he reappeared in front of Seras, "And here I was worried I bit off more than I could chew. Any last words before I finish you and return your remaining self to the Light you came from?"
Seras would glare at Braig. Their silver eyes shining with intense hatred for the man who tormented her with the knowledge that the one she had risked her life to stop had survived all this time. That he continued to play his games with the inhabitants of the worlds, and she could do nothing to stop it in the end.
"I see," said Braig, with a chuckle, "And here I thought Light taught love over hatred. Maybe all these keyblade wielders have been fighting on the wrong side all this time. Maybe they should have been fighting for Darkness then."
"Go to hell," shouted Seras, as she swung her keyblade out at Braig before planting it back into the ground.
"Ooo someone continues to be testy," said Briag, mockingly, "I will say though... Finding you here did have me worried at first. Made me think that you showed up to teach that kid. He does have a very similar key... At least that's what the old coot told me anyway. I've never actually seen you with your old keyblade. Say... Is it true, that old blade can talk?"
Seras just continued to glare at Braig, who continued to ramble while pointing his gun at her. "Heard it's a real yapper when you get it going," said Braig, "Must have been a real headache. Especially since it's technically always with you. Anyway, I think I've rambled long enough, time to.. Actually! Oh, I have a brilliant idea. I know the old coot would love it as well."
Dismissing his guns, Braig would re-summon his keyblade, The Gazing Eye, back into his hand. "How about I replace your remnant heart with my own," sneered Braig, "Real insult to injury for you. You get a front row seat to all the old coots plans and are able to do nothing to stop it. In fact, you'd be forced to help in those very plans."
"I'd like to see you try doing that forbidden art on me," said Seras, "From what I could tell it didn't go well for that other fellow."
"Who? Xehanort," laughed Braig, "Unlike him, the old coot's heart is way stronger. And again.. You're just a remnant. The last of ancient spirit. A lingering will. Just waiting to be blown out like a candle. My heart and by extension the old coot's will overpower you before you can even think about what happened."
"Go ahead," said Seras, "Try then. I won't stop you."
"Defiant up to the last I see," said Braig, as he stepped up to Seras, "You should have just begged me to end you. Then you wouldn't see all the old coot is planning." Seras just stared at Braig. Eyes still filled with hatred, but accepting of their fate as well.
"You asked for this," said Braig as he brought the tip of his blade to the individual's heart, "Welcome to being part of the old coot." Suddenly a blast of darkness would launch from the blade straight into Sera's heart. Seras would let out a gasp, as she released the hold of her own keyblade and grasped the part of her chest where her heart was. She could feel it… That man's DARKNESS. Seeping closer to her heart, but... It would never arrive.
"I see... You let yourself be struck," said a voice, in her head, "So that I would be able to appear…"
"Yes," thought Seras, "I know... I shouldn't have, but…"
"No, it's alright, Seras," said the voice, "I understand. You've been upholding your vow. Your oath since that day. It only makes sense you would require my aid. The aid of a friend. Now call out my name."
Closing her eyes, Seras would take a breath, Braig not being any wiser of what she was doing. Suddenly her eyes snapped open to reveal they were glowing an ethereal silver light. "X-Blade," shouted Seras, and a flash of light would appear in her hand and a new keyblade would appear there. A blade that would look very familiar to Braig. For it was the Kingdom Key that Sora, himself, wielded.
Author's Note: Well, what did you all think? I hope you like Seras. And that I played Braig correctly... Got to admit that has me nervous if I got it wrong. Anyway, if you like or dislike this chapter. Don't be afraid to leave me a review about why you did or didn't like it. Till next time.
