The Age of Fairy Tales: Fairy King IV

"You must truly be afraid if you think I would strike down innocent children." Oberon remarked. "We both know I only have one target here, Ozma."

"Then do it but leave my daughters alone." Ambroise spread his arms out and gripped his scepter. "Let them leave. They have nothing to do with this."

"I wouldn't harm them, but I can't let them leave either. They hold the gift of magic, a chance for a new magical humanity to be reborn." Oberon stated. "That alone makes them the most valuable to me outside of Poppy and Aqua."

Ambroise glared hatefully at him. "Just like Salem. You want to replace humanity with a so-called superior breed."

"Are you sure that was what Salem wanted?" Oberon asked with a small smile.

"What?"

"I find it odd, given what you told Aqua who later told Poppy who would later tell me of Salem's wishes at the time. You who only went along with her plans of being Remnant's new Gods so you could carry out the God of Light's task, still serving the old Gods who abandoned Remnant and would have destroyed if not for Aqua's intervention. Then when you learned your daughters you feared Salem would commit genocide because she said you could now replace humanity." Oberon's lips curled into a smile. "Only was it actually humanity she was talking about?"

Ambroise paused.

"How could just four magical humans replace an entirely non-magical race? Did the two of you suddenly plan to keep more magical children after your four daughters? Did you even stop to think that was the case?"

Ambroise's eyes slowly widened. "What are you saying? Of course that was her plan! How could you know, you weren't even there?!"

"Good point. Let's find out." With that Oberon teleported in front of Ambroise and grabbed his head.

Ambroise's eyes widened as memories of his past life flashed before his eyes.

"So, where should we go now?"

"Wherever you'd like."

"What do we do now?"

"Whatever we like."

"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?"

"Ah, so there it is." Oberon let go and Ambroise fell to the ground. "So now I have the full picture…You really are a fool, Ozma."

Ambroise grasped his head as his daughters knelt down next to him, hugging him as they glared up at Oberon. "What did you do?"

"I searched for the truth which is what I have done ever since the day I lost my home and family. I have to say, Ozma you are more deceitful than I could have imagined. After all, you supported Salem's plan to manipulate humanity while at the same time you were manipulating her into helping you carry out the God of Light's task. It was only after your daughters were revealed to be magical that you started questioning and even then it was because you realized it was against what the Gods would have wanted." Oberon shook his head, looking disgusted now. "And if Salem truly wanted to kill humanity don't you think she would have long since done it? Her control over the Grimm would have allowed it long before you or Aqua had returned. No…Salem's true goal back then was to replace the Gods themselves!"

Ambroise's eyes went wide again, becoming completely still from the proclamation that Oberon had just made.

"Yes, it seems she and I weren't so different after all. But you and your everlasting loyalty to them, you couldn't commit to the idea, so you tried to back out and steal your daughters from her. And you turned to Aqua for help because she and Salem had already parted on bad terms the last time they had met. You were counting in that, weren't you?" Oberon chuckled bitterly. "You used her as much as you used Salem to clean up your mess. If only she was here right now to see this. Would she even bother to help you out of this right now?"

"I…I…" Ambroise shook his head. "It was still wrong to try and impersonate ourselves as Gods! Even if what you say is true!"

"It was but unlike you I am able to back up my claim." With a wave of his hand, Oberon pushed Ozma's daughters away. "And now, you can die again as recompense for your mistakes in this life! Incinerate!"

Ambroise barely at the chance to blink before his body was engulfed in a pillar of fire, his body burning away and leaving nothing in its wake.

Not even any ashes were left behind.

Aqua held up her hand and watched as it began to fade. "No…Not yet. Not now."

But there was nothing she could do.

Ozma had died again.

And with him, Aqua's bond with his heart was now forcing her to follow him into his next life, whenever or wherever that would be.

"Not like this…Not like this…" Was all Aqua could say, losing all senses as she fell to the ground.

She could barely make out someone screaming her name, seeing someone rushing to her side…

And then there was only darkness.

Aqua had vanished from Remnant once again.

Once that happened, Oberon breathed in a sigh of relief before a voice cried out. "DADDY!"

He watched as the four girls who were Oz's children cried out for their father, even as the body of his new host burned.

Right.

Ozma's children.

They had magic like their parents and himself. They would be useful to him and his plans to purify this world from the darkness.

Though before he could even take another step, another voice shouted. "DIE!"

He dodged as Poppy swung her Keyblade at his head, a look of utter fury on her face. She stood between him and the children as the other woman with the golden scythe rushed over to the children.

"GET THEM OUT OF HERE!" Poppy shouted at the woman. "I'LL HOLD HIM OFF!"

Amarilla nodded, holding out the golden scythe and she along her subjects and the children vanished into the ground, through the power of the earth scythe.

"That won't work." Oberon stated, causing Poppy to look back at him. "I'll find them eventually."

"Not if I stop you here and now." Poppy snapped, gripping her Keyblade's handle so tight a trickle of blood started to drop.

"I know you must be infuriated with me, Poppy for my actions but they were done for good reasons. Ozma was responsible for allowing the Grimm to grow and fester that led to deaths of our families. He rescued Salem from that tower and when she tried to bring him back, she caused humanity's downfall because of her selfishness and stupidity. And when he came back, he went along with her plan to become the new gods of this world, allowing her to subjugate us and make us bow to her." Oberon began slowly. "Aqua could have prevented all of this from the beginning but clung to a foolish moral code instead. She chose to pretend she didn't have that power, but real heroes do not stand by and allow evil to spread, they take action to make the world in what it should be. Free from evil, tyranny and false gods!"

His reasons however, seemed to only further enrage Poppy as she let out an infuriated battle cry and charged at him. Oberon dodged the first swing, conjuring a magical barrier in one hand that he then used as a shield.

SLASH!

CLASH!

Oberon stepped back, his shield blocking Poppy's Keyblade as she attacked.

"I can do more now than Aqua ever could, Poppy. Together, you and I could help truly save this world."

SLASH!

CLASH!

"We can destroy the Grimm, get rid of Salem and Ozma together."

SLASH!

CLASH!

"I can even remove those Grimm markings on you!"

Poppy paused for a second and Oberon thought he had gotten through to her. He then noticed a dark aura surrounding her, one that caused the Grimm markings on her to start glowing an eerie purple light.

"What makes you think I want that?" Poppy asked as her eyes slowly changed color, becoming amber for a second. "I keep these marks as a reminder of what happened to me long ago."

"And what if I say I can undo what happened?" Oberon asked, making Poppy pause again. "This Kingdom Hearts…You have no idea how great its power is but I feel it…I can use its power to bring back all those that perished."

Poppy's eyes widened…but then narrowed as they again flashed amber. "Is that before or after you killed everyone who disagrees with you, including the Grimm? You didn't just kill Oz, you killed his host before their souls even merged together. Whatever you think you are, it's clear to me what used to be Maxwell is now gone."

Does she know for sure he can't revive anyone from the dead?

Perhaps not but it doesn't matter.

She had seen a lot of monstrous people, but the one that was in front of her?

What was once someone she thought she could share her life with, was now the complete definition of a monster.

As for Oberon, seeing he couldn't win her over to his cause, decided he would have to force her.

He raised his hand, a golden light gathering as Poppy charged at him…

CLASH!

BANG!

"And here you go." One by one, the Master of Masters handed a book to his apprentices, the Foretellers. "A copy of the Book of Prophecies."

All of the Foretellers beheld the books in their hands, awed by what they were holding and the knowledge written in the pages.

"Oh, there is one other thing." He walked back to his desk and picked up his book, placing a bookmark on a specific page. "This one is for an old friend of ours."

He slowly approached her and open the book for them to see. "Remember her?"

Ava looked down at the book and gasped when saw the drawing of a familiar blue haired woman. "Aqua?"

The other Foretellers were silent as they each looked at their page, showing Aqua in what looked to be a mural, likely forged from her own heart.

"Surprising huh? I wasn't fully sure or expecting her to become than what we all thought in the beginning, especially the seven she'll meet down the world in the future she is helping to create." The Master closed the book. "There was a reason I said to test her, not eliminate her, Aced."

Aced shifted a bit but remained composed.

"I wasn't kidding when I said she might be special. So special," The Master of Masters turned, his hands folded behind his back. "She could even change the course of history and prevent the darkness from succeeding."

The Foretellers, especially Aced were stunned to say the least but the Master held up a hand, silencing them before they could ask any questions. "Ira, I have got a job for you."

Ira cleared his throat. "Yes, Master."

"I want you to give this to her." He handed the book to the Unicorn themed leader. "The first pages will lead you to her."

Ira carefully held the book. "The book knows where she is?"

"It doesn't matter where she's at. It's a matter of when she will appear." The Master answered, confusing the Foretellers. "Somehow, she is walking through the passage of time, even changing the course of history within that world to make sure it becomes a much brighter future later one."

Ava gasped. "Walking through time?"

"Bingo." The Master snapped a finger. "The book holds a certain spell that can locate her through time. And when you do, the spell will be important. Her final test."

"A test?" Ava questioned.

"You've all challenged her to a duel to test her skills, right? Oh, wait." The Master brought a hand to his chin. "We forgot someone."

"Me." Ira stated. "Am I to finally challenge her, Master?"

"Well, I instructed all of you to test her so it seems only right to finally finish that." The Master turned back around. "The final Foreteller and leader to boot."

"What will happen if she…If she fails?"

"Oh, nothing." The Master shrugged. "It's not a life or death, so don't worry about it too much. I wouldn't dream of trying to kill someone you consider a friend, Ava. No, this is to answer a question."

Ava sighed in relief. "And what question is that, Master?"

"The question…If our dear friend, Aqua is worthy to be granted…Her own book of prophecies."

"Sounds like you've had a rough time, Neo."

Neo's eyes widened as the sparkling lights came together and formed into… "Roman!"

"Hey!" Roman laughed as Neo ran up and hugged him tightly. "Guessing you missed me."

Neo cried into Roman's chest, more than likely her answer to his statement.

"Heard you had been causing a lot of trouble to 'avenge' me." Roman patted Neo on the head.

Neo nodded, seemingly forgetting she could speak now.

"I'm flattered but I never would have asked you to go that far, and I certainly wouldn't have asked you to team up with that fire wench Cinder to do it." Roman said softly.

Neo looked up at Roman's face, her face consorting with anguish.

"I know. You only had me around and it was fun while it lasted but I got myself killed and we both know that's how it usually goes in the life." Roman patted Neo on the head. "I just wanted one last chance to see you again since we didn't even have the chance to say bye last time."

Neo hugged Roman again, so tight that Roman's body started to crack, tears slipping down her cheeks.

"I know but it's good to get this chance because I got to make sure you can look after yourself." Roman wiped Neo's tears from her cheeks as she looked up at him. "Now, don't bother trying to take revenge on Red. Remember, we're professionals and we don't do sucker jobs like revenge. Besides, she didn't kill me, it was a Grimm. Second, look after this."

He tapped the hat Neo was still wearing.

"I'd say look after my cane too but that was lost, wasn't it?" Roman asked with a small smile.

Neo nodded.

"Well, saves you from crossing off one last chore on the list." Roman chuckled. "And lastly, you get the chance you get out of the life and don't look back, especially not that fire witch and her boss."

Neo trembled and nodded. "I…I will."

Roman smiled. "That's my girl."

Neo's eyes widened as Roman's body began to slowly dissolve. "No…"

"Sorry kid, I was only sticking around because I still needed to see you one last time." Roman chuckled. "Just make sure to look after yourself and the other girls."

Neo raised an eyebrow. "…Other girls?"

"Right. Still, that time travel stuff." Roman rubbed his head and sighed. "Oh, it's such a headache. But long story short, you won't be alone ever again, Neo. And I'm not just talking about her."

Roman gestured to Aqua who remained silent.

Neo followed Roman's gesture, looking at Aqua and then looked back at him. "Okay."

"Just that?" Roman raised an eyebrow.

"Well, I guess you'd want a better goodbye speech than that. All right, I got one for you." Neo giggled softly as she smiled at him. "I won't say I love you; I won't say I forget you. What I will say is…When it's my time, I hope you will be there, waiting for me with some ice cream and I'll bring the cigar and I'll tell all the wild stories I'll have to tell you, Roman."

Roman smiled back and patted Neo on the head. "I'll make sure it's your favorite flavor, kid. Don't be afraid to do something bad along with the good…Or do a little in between."

And with that, Roman's body dissolved back into the particles of light he had appeared from and was gone.

Neo just stood there, watching as he disappeared.

Aqua and Chirithy were silent and remained still, watching as Neo said her final goodbye to Roman Torchwick.

Once he was finally gone, Neo remained still for a moment.

Then she turned around and walked up to Aqua. "…I'm ready now."

Aqua nodded, summoning her Semblance and the pink glyph under her that represented her bond with Neo.

And a moment later, Neo vanished from the Final World.

Once she was gone, Aqua sighed and looked around, seeing the rest had vanished as well, leaving her alone.

The one thing she feared the most: being completely alone.

How had it all gone so wrong?

"So here we are. I need you two to get this situation under control. Eliminate the Unversed, and find Master Xehanort. I have unlocked the Lanes Between. You may use these forbidden pathways to travel between this world and countless others. The darkness looms closer than usual within these spaces, but your armor will protect you. Lastly, remember that order must be kept. You cannot tell anyone there are other worlds. Now go, and fulfill your duty."

Aqua brought a hand to her face. "This is all my fault…I meddled…"

She created a replica of her home with the Staff of Creation, she brought Poppy who later brought Maxwell who became Oberon upon emerging with that…

She knew it wasn't Kingdom Hearts, but it was something similar.

A forgery, an inferior copy but a powerful one, nonetheless.

Because of her.

She had told Izanagi about other worlds when she asked for help.

She had stayed on Remnant after the Brothers departed because she couldn't leave the people behind who had become defenseless against the Grimm.

She made a copy of her home, pretty much just announcing her secret even though she tried to keep everything hidden.

"Hello."

She turned around…and looked down to see a familiar creature. "…Chirithy."

The small furry creature she had met in Daybreak Town and here in the Final World.

"You have come back." Chirithy simply said.

Aqua sat down, pulling up her legs and wrapping her arms around them. "Yeah…"

Chirithy tilted its head. "Is something wrong?"

"I…I made a huge mistake." Aqua muttered, burying her face in her knees. "And a lot of people have paid the price for it."

"A mistake?" Chirithy came up to Aqua. "What happened?"

Aqua was silent for a moment. "I…I tried to make the world I've been staying in feel like the home I lost."

The temple she had made had been a replica of her home in the Land of Departure. After everything she had been through, she just wanted to rest in a place that felt like home. She hadn't planned on taking any apprentices like her master had done, believing she wasn't worthy of being a master after losing her friends. She focused on living, protecting villages as a simple traveling warrior, stopping Salem from taking over the world as its new god because she thought she was doing the right thing.

But her mistake was…

"I tried to bring back my past and I ended endangering a lot of people." Aqua admitted as she explained what happened.

She never meant to cause any harm when she saved Poppy and Ozma's daughters but she knew her presence had somehow brought up threats like Sin and Oberon, both born from a Kingdom Hearts appearing on Remnant thanks to the slain Heartless releasing Hearts for some reason.

Why did the Hearts come together and form a Kingdom Hearts?

She didn't know why it happened, but these incidents helped reinforce the idea of the World Order how the Keyblades is supposed to remain secret which Aqua has done to her very best.

She didn't plan on an entire kingdom being built around the temple she made with the Staff of Creation. She was trying to find a home for herself and due to missing her own home greatly tried to recreate it on Remnant. After all, she had just lost her friends, her family and home before she fell into the EverAfter and began her journey and couldn't bring herself to let go.

She was, for the lack of a better word, tired and just wanted to go home.

In her quest to try and save Remnant while trying to hold onto her old home, she had Poppy who followed her teachings and even gained a Keyblade on her own somehow while Maxwell believed they should do so much more went down a dark path, watching his family being butchered by Grimm having scarred him greatly to the point he would do anything, even becoming a tyrant himself to stop all of it.
Poppy learned eventually how to let go and be with her new family, Aqua being the mother figure she needed and raising Oz's daughters who lost everything like she did led her to moving on while Maxwell didn't but hid it as best as she could.

As much as Aqua could sympathize with Maxwell, she was also angry.

He used and betrayed Poppy.

Killed Oz right before his children.

And probably turned her new home into a kingdom from which he would try to take over the rest of Remnant.

She explained it all to Chirithy who remained silent until she was done and just buried her face back into her knees.

It reached over and patted her on the head. "Don't be too sad, Aqua. It is perfectly natural to miss home, especially with what has happened. You can't be blamed for that and I know you did not intentionally make these mistakes."

Aqua lifted her head. "But I broke the rules Keyblade Wielders are sworn to uphold."

"You have been chosen to be a Keyblade Wielder to seek the light. The Keyblade is the power of the heart of light. The journey is hard and can be filled with difficult times when you end up making difficult decisions, some that may lead to mistakes being made but those mistakes can be redeemed if you chose to not give up and accept that not even a Keyblade Wielder is all knowing." Chirithy stated. "I know it seems dark now but remember, it is the duty of the Keyblade to back the darkness and gather light to protect the world. It's a difficult task and can't be sure what's waiting for you at the end, or what you'll actually be able to do, but by following the connection of hearts, you'll come to discover a greater truth- one that's sure to help you. That's all the advice I can give you. Beyond that, I can only say... may your heart... be your guiding key."

Aqua blinked, surprised by the creature's words. "My heart…be my guiding key…That's a very old saying."

As she spoke, Aqua began to disappear, her body sparkling as it faded and returned to the world, signaling she was about to begin the next part of the cycle.

"I hope to see you feeling better when you appear again, Master Aqua." Aqua heard Chirithy's voice one last time before the vision faded.

When she opened her eyes again, she found herself facing someone…

A man wearing a unicorn mask. "So, you've finally arrived."