"NO!" a high voice screamed out, that wasn't Kairi's own.
No, Kairi didn't react in time to even have a hope of saving her friend! Sora didn't, either! But for Kairi, she was just so- so completely shocked that a guy like Lauriam would do something like this that she just- she didn't- And now it was already too late. Way too late.
Luxu hadn't moved, either - either because he was still too beat up and hurt, or shocked, too, or...maybe a part of him wanted to let it happen (a dark part of Kairi thought)...
Regardless, it wasn't any of them who reacted in time to save Riku.
It was the most unexpected of people, who disappeared suddenly in a flicker of white light, and reappeared right in front of Riku - facing Lauriam with her arms outstretched.
Strelitzia.
Lauriam's face, in a slow motion moment, shifted from that inconsolable rage and hatred...into pure shock and horror. But even he couldn't stop himself at this point - the blade was already swinging, with all his speed and might. Momentum was carrying it...
His Keyblade swung down in an arc, aiming for the shoulder of the person before him: unstoppable.
Someone tried - Kairi saw a pillar of purple, magic ice sprout up out of the ground, growing in an instant - but...even that wasn't enough.
Lauriam's Keyblade struck the pillar of jagged, dark ice - slowed, tore, struggled - but continued on still through it, cleaving it to reach its unintended, unwanted target all the same.
Strelitzia's face, pale and freckled, and determined, lit up with the light of the streak of energy that the Keyblade left behind, across her body. From left shoulder, down to her right hip. Then, she blinked, her expression shifted...and she fell backwards, her long, orange hair fluttering in front of her like ribbons.
Riku himself moved, dropping down and catching the girl in his arms before she hit the ground.
And then the world was speeding up again to Kairi.
There was movement, shouting, yelling - so many people and so many voices-
The pillar of ice crashed to the ground again with a shattering noise, pieces flying everywhere.
Lauriam's Keyblade hit the ground with a great clatter in its wake. Then he himself followed it, falling to his knees before his sister, his blue eyes wide and fixed to her. "N-no...no...Strelitzia, w-why...?" he whispered.
Even as the likes of Luxu, Amaya, and Aerith took the girl from Riku and began to cast Healing spells on her, Strelitzia looked past them all...her eyes, too, only for her brother. Even now... "B-because...this isn't...you..." her weak, quavering voice came, responding to him, like a ghost. "I can't...see you like this...a-again. I w-won't. I told you, before...remember? I reached out to you...across time and space...just to try to reach your Heart. So why did you...do it again...?"
Lauriam stared at her in shock. Then he shook his head furiously, raising his hands before him, staring at his palms. "Maybe this is just...who I am inside..." he answered, his own voice a trembling, emotional mess.
"No! My brother...is kind, and loving. He cares...and understands. He doesn't hurt people...for no reason like that..." Strelitzia refuted, her green eyes narrowing, holding more certainty, more strength, even as she struggled against...terrible injury. "Just remember that...please..."
"I'm sorry!" Cognis's voice came, distressed and husky, as her faceless face "looked" down on Strelitzia. "I couldn't form the ice fast enough to stop the attack - I tried, but it wasn't enough! Riku-"
"Hey - don't freak out - it's okay!" Riku said quickly. "I know, okay? You tried your best, you actually-"
"I have had ENOUGH of this!" Cognis's voice erupted again suddenly, as her form warped and rippled fiercely, her humanoid shape twisting to become a cloud of pure darkness. She surged forward to hover before Lauriam, her aura burning and sputtering erratically around her core. "It isn't enough that all of you worthless, pathetic fleshbags have to hate me for no other reason than that I exist - but you go after Riku?! One of your own? A child? A necessary sacrifice to get at me? A noble, innocent hero of a boy was going to die so you could strike out at an innocent being who has done nothing with her existence but save your stupid little lives, time and again now?! Are you pleased with yourselves?! ALL OF YOU? ARE YOU PROUD?! CONGRATULATIONS FOR WHAT YOU'VE ACHIEVED: POSSIBLY KILLING YOUR OWN SISTER! YES, IT SURE WAS WORTH IT, WASN'T IT?!"
"Cognis!" Riku shouted, leaping to his feet. "Stop, it's-!"
"You're telling ME to stop?!" Cognis shouted, her form expanding, growing more and more... "Tell all of these disgusting, idiotic PEOPLE to stop! Your human Hearts' emotions blind you so deeply that you cut down anyone in your way to get at your perceived enemies, never even stopping to think to judge if one is even an enemy or not before you decide to kill them! Perhaps if you had, we'd not need to BE enemies at all-"
"COGNIS, ENOUGH!" Riku yelled again - not with anger, Kairi noted, but fear. She didn't think it was fear for himself, though.
"NO!" Cognis responded fiercely. "They are going to apologize to you, to ME, to Strelitzia, and then they can all go and-!"
"T-thank you..."
Cognis stopped. Her form shrank down in an instant, to a beachball sized cloud of darkness, with a purple core. Her aura rippled as she drifted backwards. "What..?"
Strelitzia blinked up at the dark cloud that was Cognis, her lips frowning. "You...did try to save me...didn't you? You made the ice...? Thank you...for trying... And I'm s-sorry...for my- stupid, stupid, stupid brother..."
"...You're welcome - Strelitzia, isn't it?" Cognis said softly, slowly. Subdued, and also maybe...tinged with embarrassment now? Or shame.
The girl nodded her head weakly. "And you're...C-Cognis?"
"Yes. I'm sorry I couldn't stop the blow completely, I really am," Cognis replied, her voice twisting with guilt and regret now.
Strelitzia gave a thin, shaking smile. "It's...okay. I'm sorry my brother attacked you like that. People really shouldn't...judge others without knowing them...should they?"
"No: they shouldn't," Cognis said, flat and dull now. "Yet, they always seem to."
"I hear that one, sister," Erin spoke out, striding forward across the square - to stand next to Riku. To stand before Cognis's shimmering form. "It's a real pain, isn't it? If we could all just be seen and judged as the individuals we are, instead of some sweeping 'whole'...it sure would make life a lot easier!"
Kairi took Sora's hand, stalking over to Riku as well. She summoned her weapon to hand, gazing around her fiercely. "Okay, look, I'll just make this simple: anyone who has a problem with Cognis here - you're the problem, not her! Instead of being all hateful or self-righteous about yourselves, why don't you try and stop and think about that for even a single second! She's not the enemy, she's not the bad guy here: you are, if you're going to try to hurt or kill her or Riku, like this, for what? Just because she's made out of darkness?! Why don't you go cut down every human being out there with a nose piercing, because you hate the way it shines in the sun! That's how stupid you all are! But I can at least try to protect innocent people from your flailing stupidity! If you can't not try to kill innocent people here, then get lost! We don't need your help, thanks for nothing, assholes!"
"What she said," Luxu spoke, rising to his feet and turning from Strelitzia (though he left a green, swirling magic circle beneath her, still). "Let's all calm the hell down, and let's address these elephants one by one here, okay? We'll start with the Darkness sized elephant first - then we can move on to the Xehanort sized one. Amaya, I know you've got your own issues too, but can we just-"
"I've already met her," Amaya said, firm and calm, not looking away from Strelitzia as she held healing hands over her form.
"And...? I'm hoping you chose to be on side 'give her a chance', all things considered," Luxu responded.
"This individual girl - yes," Amaya stated.
"Great! Then we're on the same page there; whew, man, I really didn't want to have to fight you!" Luxu muttered in relief. "Though, that still leaves four other people here that could be a real problem..."
Amaya stood, nodding, and summoned her Keyblade to hand as he stepped up beside him. Her gaze found the Foretellers, flickering from one to the next - they already had their own Keyblades out. "I don't want to have to fight the Masters again, either - but I will. I won't let an innocent person be harmed...either of them! I gave them that promise, and I'm going to uphold it," she finished, turning to look at Cognis directly. At her and Riku, both.
"What about you, mouse king?" Luxu called out to Mickey, looking to him across the square. "Are you blinded by the light, or are you smarter than I hope you are?"
"Well, I know the darkness can be pretty scary - but that's not an excuse to go around hurting people like this!" Mickey started, slow at first, but then firmer and louder. "Especially somebody who hasn't done anything wrong yet. Gosh, I mean, I've seen how it can be used for good before, myself, and that really opened my eyes. And, why, right here we've got so much light and darkness together, all ready to stand against what threatens this town - so why don't we all just work together? That's why we came here, right?" Mickey concluded, staring around himself intently. He nodded and raised a fist, then scurried across the square. He stopped before Cognis directly, gazing on her shimmering humanoid shape. "Besides, if you're with Riku, you can't be that bad, can ya - Cognis, wasn't it? It's nice to meet you!"
Mickey offered her his hand, gazing up at her still (maybe a bit uncertain, but he was).
"I hope you won't think I'm being rude by not shaking your hand - I quite literally can't," Cognis responded. "But I would like to - Your Majesty."
Mickey laughed, lowering his hand. "Haha! It's fine! And don't bother with that Majesty stuff, either, okay? Just call me Mickey. Any friend of Riku's is a friend of mine!"
"Awesome - NOW: guys," Luxu called to his friends, stepping forward - toward them. "You want to lose your minds over phantoms in the dark again? Really? How'd that end for you last time - how'd that go again? Why don't we instead just take some deep breaths here, and talk shit out with one another before things spiral out of control. Huh? Alright? Maybe we can avoid another tragedy that way!"
Invi gave a hesitant nod, her eyes still narrowed at Cognis. At those in front of Cognis, protecting her. "Agreed...but why - if this is one of the beings responsible for Daybreak Town's-"
"BZZT!" Luxu's voice rang out, shaking his head. "Wrong, girl - wrong girl."
"What...?" Invi said, baffled.
Luxu sighed, giving a one-armed shrug with his sword arm. "This one, specific Darkness has nothing to do with any of that stuff - I can attest to that, personally, considering I was there at the time...and watching everything go down in the Data World. There were a handful of Darknesses around, doing sneaky shit - but this one isn't one of them. So, what's your grievance? What's our grievance, honestly?"
"It's a being of pure darkness - surely it can't just be trusted-" Ira spoke up now, stepping forward as well, tightening his grip on his weapon at his side.
"Who said anything about trust?" Luxu responded. "I sure as hell don't trust her yet - maybe never will, call me a hypocrite, everybody - but I'm sure as hell not going to kill her for no damn reason other than that she exists. Or, I guess more accurately, I'm not gonna go cutting down the Riku kid to get rid of her. That's the whole reason I walked out on the Master, you know! Because he was going to do that to us! To all of you guys! You really want to do that to someone else now? You want another dead kid on your rap sheet? Really? Because personally...I'm sick of doing awful shit to innocent people! All I want to do now is...what's right and good. What about you?"
"You know, I just saw the Master again, by the way - fought him," Luxu went on. "Who do you think did all this to me? And he did say some interesting things, in conversation with another Darkness. Don't know how much can be trusted or not, but he's got some personal history with their kind, and he still seems pretty set on genocide, it seems like. And genocide is bad, kids! Wiping out a whole people, darkness or not, because of personal issues...that's no bueno, in my book. How about yours?"
"The Master was here?" Aced spoke out.
"Yep. And now he's gone again," Luxu said idly. "Who knows where? To do who knows what? All I know is...I don't want a part of it. Do you? Want to go along with his fucked up plans again, unwittingly? Or do you want to consider maybe he's wrong, and maybe...we give people a chance? Maybe there's- another side, another story here? Maybe like the whole war, that conflict he pushed you into with each other, maybe he's here pushing for us all to be against these beings too - light against darkness, blind and unthinking? Now I'm not saying all of them are great or misunderstood or whatever - I'm just saying...maybe we take this on an individual basis? The ones that have proven themselves to be threats to the World...and the ones that haven't yet?"
"How do we know the Master was really here?" Gula said. "That you really are-"
"Okay, here!" Namine cried, stomping forward, her eyes narrowed at the Foretellers.
The four all gave gasps, startling and reaching for their heads.
Namine continued glaring at them all, her hands curled at her sides.
"Happy now? Does that answer your questions? Now can we skip all this and make sure my friend doesn't die because you all wanted to be fucking stupid idiots?!" Namine went on furiously, whirling away and stalking toward Riku and the others. She stopped next to Lauriam, then drew back a foot and kicked him in the ribs!
Lauriam gasped in pain, looking up at her, distraught. "Namine - I'm sorry..." He looked to his sister. "I'm sorry," he repeated to her, heartfelt. Then, he looked to Riku... "I- I am sorry to you, too. I didn't-"
"Apologize to Cognis," Riku stated flatly, crossing his arms.
Lauriam turned his gaze to her shimmering form. For a long moment, he was silent.
"Lauriam, please... She hasn't done anything wrong...but you have." Strelitzia's voice came, intense, firm. "I can't- I won't call myself your sister- when you're like this! Okay?"
"I...I am sorry - Cognis?" Lauriam spoke, quiet. Hesitant.
"Apology accepted - I suppose you have more understandable reasons than most to lose your head," Cognis said. "You did lose your sister to one of my kind once before. However, I am not that person. I'm nothing but myself, just as any of you are."
"Quite right, quite right, my dear!" the wizard Merlin's voice came, as he suddenly appeared out of shiny light particles (along with a highly discombobulated set of Even, Leon, Tifa, and Cid!). "Why, shame on all of you!" he said sternly, poking his wand around at them all. "As a good friend of mine once said - or, eh, will say: just because you can't understand something doesn't mean it's wrong! Who are any of you to decide what's evil and what's good? And- and to just declare one person as this or that...horrendous! I'd hoped these many worlds would hold more enlightened thinkers than my own presently does! But I have to say, I'm rather disappointed, oh yes indeed! Dreadfully disappointed!"
Luxu nodded to Merlin, then returned his gaze to his friends. "Come on, guys, don't fuck this all up now. New era, new understandings. Put your weapons away, please. It- it tore me up having to see you guys fight each other back then, and I don't want to have to fight you all now! Just- just put 'em away, and...give the girl a chance. Same chance as us. If we're wrong, we can find a way to deal with it later - a way that doesn't involve sacrificing another innocent kid, at least! It's just...it's just one."
"Sorry, what did we just walk into?" Even spoke out - though no one answered.
"Hang on, is that-" Leon startled, his eyes finding Xehanort. He grasped for his weapon behind his back-
"And what in tarnation is that?!" Cid exclaimed, jabbing a finger out at Cognis (eliciting a heavy sigh from the girl).
"He's alright; he's here to help," Amaya stated fiercely, stepping up in front of Xehanort, her eyes narrowing at Leon. "Don't try it!"
Leon stopped, gazing at her. He looked around at the others. Apparently he realized that no one else was really freaking out...and decided to follow their lead, at least for now. Somewhat. He lowered his weapon, but still stood with his eyes fixed to Xehanort, all the same.
"And that...?" Cid insisted, looking to Cognis.
"She's here to help too!" Riku shouted, frustration and anger in his voice. "Can everyone give her a break?!"
"Very well, Luxu," came a soft voice. It was the woman of billowing lilac hair, Invi, who lowered her Keyblade next moment. Lowered it - and relaxed - but didn't let it vanish. "I'm willing to give...her, a fair chance. And you might be right about this just being another part of the Master's plans for us - but I'm not sure, according to your own words before about Daybreak Town..."
"Cognis wasn't even there for any of that!" Riku shouted again, throwing up his hands now. "She was born like two weeks ago, okay? And can everyone stop trying to kill us, please?! I'm almost getting used to it at this point..."
"I won't let anyone hurt you," Cognis said firmly.
"We won't let anyone hurt you," Kairi stated, turning to smile at her friend - even if he couldn't see it.
"Yeah," Sora agreed. "Either of you guys!"
"I guess she deserves a chance..." Gula's voice came, with a sigh, as he let his weapon fall too. His vanished, as he closed his fist tightly in a shimmer of particles of light. "I'll trust you, Luxu. Your memories are clear enough," he added, with a look at Namine - a nod of appreciation. "The Master didn't come off too great in them."
"No, he didn't," Ira sighed, too, his own weapon disappearing as well. He shook his head, raising a hand to run it through long blue hair. "I'm not inclined to trust him again, now more than ever. It's clear that he...he always had his own motives. And in hindsight, perhaps biases that cloud his judgements. Ours have been clouded the same, before - I don't want to let it happen again. If you say this- being has done no harm, then...she's better than us, at least."
"Awesome," Luxu said simply. "Aced - as usual, you're the last one. Want to pick up the pace with that thinking brain of yours? If you can?"
Aced startled, blinking at Luxu. His jaw clenched - then relaxed again. He stared at Cognis intently...then he let out a growl, threw up his hands, and let his weapon vanish. "Even if I said I thought this was a terrible idea, and wanted to fight over it...it would be me against so many of you all! I'm not sure I could win that one. And...I've had enough of being the world's fool - so why not?" he finished tentatively. "Like Gula said - your memories of the Master were clear enough to me. If he wants us to think or do something, at this point it's probably...safer to just do the opposite."
"Ah, man, that last reason there is why I like you," Luxu said with a laugh - a truly relieved laugh. He let his weapon vanish, and gave a look around the square. "So, are we all cool here - everybody?" He looked at Xehanort's three friends, and raised a hand to them. "What about you guys?"
The guy, Hermod, gave a nod and a small grin. A shrug, too. "We've already met her a few days back, too. We're cool with her."
"For now..." Urd said hesitantly, nodding too. "We're trying to be, at least. Eraqus thinks-"
"Eraqus knows about her, too?" Luxu cut across, his eyebrows raising. "And he didn't go apocalyptic on her? Or the kid?"
"Oh, he tried," Terra spoke up, stepping forward now across the square. "I talked him down from it - after a fashion. I guess the only one that leaves is..." He looked to Aqua, pointed. Questioning.
Aqua stared back at him, raising her chin with a little scoff. Then she sighed, dropping her head again and shaking it. "I've already met her as well - I'm the one who sent Riku and her to you earlier."
"So that's why you were in Aqua's world!" Sora exclaimed, turning to Riku with a smile.
Riku froze, for a moment. Guilt and conflict crossed his pale face. Then he shrugged, turning his head away. "W-well, that's not exactly-"
"We're not dealing with that right now," Aqua interrupted, swift and firm - again, like she had before, Kairi noted. "Later, Riku..." she added, in a soft tone.
Riku hesitated, then gave a nod, still facing away. "Right. Radiant Garden needs us."
"Okay. Good stuff," Luxu nodded. He turned, waving an arm out. His gaze found Skuld, standing on her own near Ven and Cloud. "Skuld...?" he said quietly. "You good?"
Skuld took a breath, bowing her head, her long hair spilling forward. Her hands rose up, as shaking, pale fists - then they fell again. "I wouldn't want to judge someone based on what others have done..." she spoke quietly, almost inaudible. "It's not fair or right to think that way."
"Good to hear," Luxu replied. His gaze scanned the square - landing on Elrena next. "Elrena?"
The woman stood in the middle of the crowd, near Gula and Aced still - her arms just...at her sides. Her face was pale and taut. Her green eyes were fixed to Lauriam - had they been, this whole time...? At Luxu's voice, calling her name, she startled, as if coming out of some deep thoughts. "Huh? What?"
"You good over there, or are you going to be a problem?" Luxu said evenly.
Elrena's lips parted, exhaling sharply. Then she shook her head, setting a hand on her hip while raising the other to wave it about airily. "What? You think just because Lauriam goes crazy, that means I'm going to join in like an idiot? Like we're - what - joined at the hip now? Please! I am an independent woman who has her own thoughts and feelings, thank you very much, asshole!"
"And what are those thoughts and feelings? Different from his?" Luxu pressed.
Elrena eyed Lauriam again. Then, her gaze flickered up to Cognis. She snorted, shaking her head again. "Different from his, okay? Happy now? I'm team give purple blob a chance, alright?! What else am I going to say? I'm an evil bitch, myself, and everyone's giving me a chance! So - there!"
"That does make me happy to hear, actually, yeah," Luxu said, giving her a smile.
"Whatever...just leave me out of it..." Elrena muttered, looking away and crossing her arms with a huff, her cheeks tinged pink.
"Okay. So, Skuld and Elrena, and what about-" Luxu went on.
But whatever he was going to say was interrupted - by the appearance of another portal of swirling light, blues and white hues, intense and powerful.
Out of that portal came a tall figure with strikingly similar features to Skuld, Kairi saw - and she realized who it must be, based on what Luxu had told her before about the woman, a second before it was confirmed.
"Mother?" the younger Xehanort gasped, staring at the woman with wide, blinking silver eyes. Eyes exactly the same shade as the woman herself. "What are you doing here? How did you even-"
The woman who could only be Moreth raised a hand, and in a flash of gold light a Keyblade appeared. It was a simple keyblade, with a silver blade and a blue handle (that looked similar to Riku's short-lived, first Keyblade, the one he'd named Kingdom Key). Moreth gave the weapon a little shake, giving Young Xehanort a humorous smile. "It took me a few tries, but I did remember my training. I came to see if there was anything I could do to help-"
"No!" Xehanort said, instant and firm. "You can't fight, you-!"
"Thank you for being so worried for me, but I never said anything about fighting," Moreth cut across, firm. "I know I'm not good enough to be much help in that area." She looked around herself, flashing a smile at them all as she put her hands at her waist, holding her weapon like a shy schoolgirl. "But good Healers are just as important in a battle, wouldn't you say? I think I can manage to cast some good Cures for people who need it..."
"Some would say we're more important!" Aerith spoke, looking to Moreth and giving a smile of her own in return. "Welcome to the support team!"
Moreth nodded to Aerith, giving a small wave, her cheeks flushing.
"And there's the next elephant we've gotta tackle here," Luxu murmured, turning on a heel and stalking toward Xehanort. Stopping directly in front of him. "You - what the hell are you even doing here? You're supposed to be on house arrest. So go home and be a sulky little shit while the rest of us actually save some lives here."
Xehanort looked at them all, then to Luxu. He glanced at Amaya - then he took in a breath. "Sorry to disappoint you, but actually, I'd like to help," he said quietly.
Luxu looked at Amaya. She looked at him, then at Xehanort, calm and intense. Sizing each other up? Or communicating silently?
"Let me fight with my friends this time, instead of being helpless, cut off from them while they...disappear," Xehanort went on, louder now. Firmer. Determined.
"And everyone else?" Luxu said. "What about the town? You give a shit about it, or just your buddies?"
"Let me help- all of them, too," Xehanort said, halting, gazing around again. "Let me be- what I was. What I wanted to become. What I...what you hope I can become here. Let me prove myself. Let me prove...that I want to be so, as well."
"Nice words - but let's see if they're just words." Luxu looked to Namine. "Namine: peek into his Heart for me, why don't you? Tell me what you see there. Right now."
Namine looked at Young Xehanort, her face scrunching up. Her hand raising to her chest. After a long few moments, she breathed out, her hand falling. "He's telling the truth; he doesn't want to be a total dick anymore. And he doesn't want to become an even worse one, either. No matter what happens, he's...going to try to avoid going down that path. That's what I feel from him - what's in his Heart."
"Regardless of the truth of his feelings, I don't think he's ready for this yet," Amaya started softly.
"I'm ready and willing - I...I promise you all that," Xehanort cut across her, hesitant. Uncertain, despite his own words. Or... He looked to Skuld, suddenly. He blinked, his eyes widening and relaxing. His expression...trying to be something like disarming? Or non-threatening? "I'm sorry - for what my older self did to you. For the pain and harm he caused you. For what I..." he blurted, only to stop again at the end, trailing off.
Skuld stared at him. She strode forward, looking him in the eyes. She stopped next to Luxu. She was taller than Xehanort. She gazed down at him now, up close. "You listened to me, and you helped me that day - you saved me. You said you only wanted to talk, and that was all you did. I want to believe what I saw that day. And it wasn't you - it was your future self. I can't hate you for something you didn't do. And if you want to do things differently..." She took a shaking breath. "I'll accept your apology. And I'm willing to give you a chance to help. We need all the help we can get here."
"Fine. But if you do anything other than helping to save people here today, protecting this world, you'll be getting my blade through your chest - and I don't care what your mommy or adopted mommy wants. I'll cut you down and take the heat for it. Got it?" Luxu said harshly, glowering at Xehanort. "We all get one chance here - don't waste yours."
"Got it," Xehanort said mechanically, looking away.
Skuld's eyes drifted away from Xehanort, her body relaxing now - and found Moreth; Moreth looked back at her, tilting her head.
Moreth stepped up to Skuld, letting her Keyblade vanish with a nervous little glance down at it, like she'd forgotten it was still there. She smiled at Skuld, then bowed her head low. "You must be Skuld - my ancestor, from the Keyblade War. It's...it's wonderful, to have the chance to meet you, if you don't mind my saying. My family's Keyblade legacy was never something I was too interested in, but I have to recognize how special it is to get to meet such a historical figure from it!"
Skuld looked downright shocked at the idea of being a "historical figure". Then she smiled back, raising a hand to brush at her long locks behind an ear. "It's not a direct relation, as far as I understand it - but I'm happy to meet you, too. Even if it's so distant...we are related, I guess."
Moreth straightened. She tilted her head again, eyeing Skuld's face - examining, roaming her gaze. "I love your hair, by the way - it's beautiful!"
"Huh?" Skuld blinked. Then, she laughed. Laughed at the absurdity, maybe, more than anything. "Oh - well...yours, too! I suppose I'm glad my family's genes are still so strong, after all this time..." She paused, eyeing Xehanort. "Though I guess it doesn't show itself in MALES, does it?"
Xehanort startled, his head whipping around. "Hm?"
Moreth gave a small laugh, her hand going to her mouth. "No, it doesn't seem like it does!"
Skuld laughed with her.
Xehanort looked between her and Moreth. He frowned, then shook his head and turned away, his cheeks flushed.
"Hey," Kairi called out, starting forward now. Feeling it was safe enough to leave Riku's side - and address her own unfinished business. "If you're really here to help, I'm not going to complain about it - but I still remember you being a huge jerk in Traverse Town! So, you've got a lot to do if you really want to prove you're not the same evil asshole anymore...or at least that you don't want to be that guy anymore. But I gave my friend Riku a chance, after everything he did, and you technically haven't done anything yet, have you? So I can give you a chance, too. Just don't ruin it, okay?"
Xehanort gazed at her coolly, his chin raised to her. He balked as Amaya's elbow got him in the ribs. He turned to glare at her - then he sighed. He looked back at Kairi, his face actually softening. Shifting. Somewhat, anyways. He gave a small nod. "I assure you, I meant every word I just said. Check with your Nobody, Namine, if you wish to ascertain my-"
"Okay, good enough," Kairi interrupted. "You could have left it at that first part."
Xehanort gave a small snort, turning away from her again.
Kairi was happy to let him. She turned away, too, heading back for her friends. As she walked, she heard the voices behind her talking, low and quiet, and rushed - Skuld and Amaya.
"...Skuld, I just have to tell you how sorry I am for hurting you-"
"Don't. It's okay. Well, it's not okay - I wish you'd learn to speak up by now - but I wouldn't have known when the right time to bring up something like- Xehanort being related to me and Ephemer would have been, either... It doesn't matter now, either way, anyways, does it? And I don't want to spend the time we have together again being mad at you..."
Suddenly, Kairi found herself stopping. She looked over at Luxu - finding his gaze. Meeting it. She turned to glance back at the two women (who were in the middle of a hug now). She looked at Luxu again; he gave her a little nod. It was time. It was smart - like Luxu's decision to go tell Yen Sid and Master Eraqus about them being back. And Kairi just thought, too, that telling them right away...well, no one knew what tomorrow would bring. Better to tell them now, and risk not being able to at all, right?
So Kairi turned on her heel and started back toward Skuld and Amaya, stopping before the two women. "Hey," she spoke out, tentative. "Skuld - Miss Amaya?"
The two broke their hug, turning to look at Kairi together.
Skuld looked at her with a little frown of curiosity - Amaya, with a tiny smile.
"What is it?" Skuld asked.
"Well..." Kairi began, taking a breath. She glanced away, to where Luxu stood. She dithered. She put her hands behind her back, rocking on her heels. "Well...um...you see, while I was in the Realm of Sleep...I found out about some people who were- missing for a really long time," she said, slow and halting. "The Hearts of the Dandelions - from the Data World. They merged with their Chirithies, a-at the end, and escaped into the Sleeping Realm. And...Luxu and I found them, and we- helped them regain human forms again. Helped them wake up, remember themselves. We're not sure if it's EVERYONE, but...we found a lot. And they're...they're out, now. They're back. Them and their Chirithies. We sent them to Scala Ad Caelum, for now."
Amaya stared at her, her lips parting, her eyes glistening. Skuld gave a soft gasp, raising her hand to her mouth. The two women looked at each other, then, back at Kairi.
Kairi threw another look to the side - to Luxu. She turned back to the women, bringing her hands in front of her now. "But that's not everything. Before Luxu found me in there again, I met someone else there. Someone who saved my life. Someone who you two are going to be really happy to see again," she spoke, soft and happy. "We couldn't have even saved the Dandelions without him."
"Him? Who...?" Skuld said slowly - quietly.
"Ephemer."
"E-Ephemer?!" Skuld exclaimed. "He's- he's- he-" She stopped, choked. Swallowing. She looked to Luxu, swiftly turning, her mouth agape.
Luxu gazed back at her - at Amaya - and gave a nod, along with a small smile. "It's true. He's in Scala, right now, with the rest of them. And that's not all," he continued. "I think I've got a way to bring back...everyone who fought in the war, too. Not just the Dandelions we saved."
"You do?" Amaya whispered, stepping forward sharply. "How?"
Luxu hesitated, now. He gave a look around, at everyone else who was now watching him pretty closely - like a sporting event. Listening in on his words. Kairi's words. Their whole conversation with Skuld and Amaya, really. The hesitation cleared, though, and Luxu drew himself...and began to speak on with confidence. Explaining his plan, his thoughts. And the plans for the future, if he could pull it off right.
"If I can do it - I really don't want to get anybody's hopes up here, okay? In theory it's sound, but in practice, I'm not too sure," Luxu was saying loudly. "If I can...they're going to need a nice place to live their little lives out, going forward. A safe, peaceful place. Some world that doesn't get much trouble, no conflicts, no wars. A lot of sunshine and light. Nothing's perfect, but...they deserve the best they can get."
"Gosh, I think my world would love to help them all out!" Mickey spoke up, stepping forward and beaming up at Luxu. "It's no stranger to the knowledge about other worlds, and it's always been a bright and cheery place! People are willing to help each other there, all the time! I'm sure I could talk to some people about it - if you'd have me!"
Luxu gazed down on King Mickey. Then he nodded. "If we survive this, I'll be in touch, for sure - I appreciate it, your kingliness. Your world's the best I can think of, myself, off the top of my head...and that's saying something."
Mickey laughed happily, nodding back.
"Amaya...?" Skuld's quiet voice came, uncertain.
Kairi turned, seeing Skuld looking at her friend, a hand on the other woman's arm.
"I want nothing more than to go to Ephemer, right now, and hug him just the same as you," Amaya whispered. "But-"
"Just like before - you're going to be here to try to help who you can in the battle," Skuld finished, smiling at her friend. "You were braver than I was, Amaya. I joined Ephemer in the Dandelions, instead of staying behind with you like that. I guess I gave up on everyone, and you didn't..."
"I don't think it was ever that simple," Amaya refuted, shaking her head. "For any of us. 'Keykids' or Masters alike," she added, with a look to the Foretellers. To Luxu. "Life is rarely ever that simple. But sometimes it is...and sometimes..."
Xehanort stepped forward, his shoes clicking, suddenly. "I'd be interested in meeting him as well. After all, not only is he the founder of Scala Ad Caelum, but he's also allegedly my very ancestor."
Skuld and Amaya both turned to look at Xehanort in surprise. They stared at each other. Amaya gave a small smile, a small nod.
"If you're good, we can make that happen, sometime," Amaya replied to him.
Skuld glanced Amaya, then, she gave something like a- badly suppressed chortle. "You really did become a mo-"
"Why do you look like that?! Why don't I look like that?!" Kana's voice erupted in the square, along with rapid footsteps. "Can you actually fly with those?!"
Kairi whirled, tensed - then she relaxed again with a little laugh at the sight that met her.
Kana was right in front of Aqua - grabbing her arms and looking her up and down critically, a beaming look on her face.
"W-well, I'm not too sure, myself!" Aqua stammered, shoving Kana back and stumbling away, her cheeks flushing. "Um...ask- Even about it?" She paused, shaking her head. Then- "I think I should be able to fly, though, yes...but I haven't tried yet..."
"That could be handy in a fight," Ven spoke, smiling at her somewhat. "No more glider!"
"Though, how are you going to fight, Aqua?" Terra said lightly. "You don't have a Keyblade anymore..."
Aqua froze, staring at him. She flushed again. "I- wasn't exactly thinking of that when I..."
"Oh - I've got you - here!" Kana's voice came, along with a flash of light. Her Rainfall...replicated Keyblade appeared in her grasp - which she then flipped around with one hand and offered the handle out to Aqua. "You can keep it, if you want it; I already have my swords - I like them way better," she added, patting a hand down at her waist, where her twin swords were sheathed at hips.
Aqua stared at her doppelganger, her blue eyes blinking. Glinting. Her hand slowly raised, and long clawed fingers closed around the handle of the Keyblade. A light shined beneath her palm, and she raised it up and stared at it, her lips curving into a warm smile. She looked at Kana again, tilting her head. "...Thank you? That is actually so- so sweet of you!"
"It's not like I like it - it wasn't a big deal," Kana shrugged, turning away and stalking off again.
"Kana..."
"What?" the woman said, her head snapping around, her face puzzled.
"I think I am actually...incredibly proud of you right now," Even said, in a hushed voice.
Kana beamed, setting hands on her hips. "You'll be prouder after I save this whole world by myself."
"No, no, let's not get ahead of ourselves here!" Even said quickly, with an actual, high laugh. "Let's just focus on-"
"Kairi?!"
Kairi looked toward the castle suddenly - seeing her own doppelganger with dark hair racing through the broken gates into the square. Behind her was Ienzo, and Aeleus! "Xion?!" she exclaimed. She frowned, then, as the realization finally hit her. "What were you doing in the castle instead of out-"
She never got to finish the sentence, as, next second, Xion had run up to Kairi and flung her arms around her, hanging onto her neck with a cry.
"Ack- bleck- hey, sis! I get the feeling you're not letting me go for the next MONTH..." Kairi choked out, wrapping her arms around her sister in turn.
"I'm so sorry I wanted to find you it was so terrible I hate food and air is bad and my hair is stupid and crying burns and I'm so happy you're back before I had to go through my first period - the bleeding one, not the ones on a piece of paper!"
"Okay, okay - hey, I'm back now!" Kairi said with a strangled laugh. "It's all going to be okay! And- you don't have to worry about THAT. I'll help you through it, sis..." she murmured quietly, flushing somewhat. "What were you doing in the castle, though? Why weren't you with- Sora and the others? You-"
"I lost my Keyblade-" Xion started, muffled.
"What? How can you lose a-" Kairi started right back, shocked. And just confused!
"It was my Master's fault, apparently," Luxu stated flatly.
"WHAT?" Kairi drew away from her sister, whirling. "How could he have-"
"I don't know," Luxu said. "I'll need to see that memory of hers to figure it out. But he did the same thing to me before we fought. Somehow he can just...take Keyblades from other people, like that." He raised a hand, snapping his fingers. "And it doesn't seem to matter if they're 'real' or Replicas, either."
All the Keyblade wielders in the square (of which there were a considerable number of them) all reacted pretty viscerally to that news.
"Wait, if he did the same to you, how do you still have yours now?" Kairi asked.
Luxu frowned. He sighed. "He gave it back to me. After he beat the hell out of me, he tossed it down to me and just...disappeared. Guess he felt like he'd made his point: he can beat me with or without it - it won't make a difference if I have it."
"Okay, well, as terrifying as that is to contemplate, don't we have something else to be-" Kairi began.
"Quiet, all of you!" came the voice of Young Xehanort, sudden and sharp.
"Hey, asshole, we're-" Kairi rounded on the guy, furious.
"We have an unwanted guest!" Xehanort cut across her, an arm raised to...point out across the square? He was pointing...at a building rooftop nearby?
Kairi looked, and saw absolutely nothing. "What? It's just a building. Are you-"
A flame of darkness rippled to life on that roof, briefly flaring up into a shimmering human shape...which then vanished instantly.
Kairi fell silent immediately, her cheeks hot.
"Okay, enough with the socializing! We need to come up with a good strategy for defense before they make another attempt at it!" Luxu said loudly, quickly. "Invi, Aced, Gula - the three of you can patrol the city. Help out where you can, alright? Ira, Amaya, and King Mickey - I want you guys up there in the castle's highest floor maintaining a barrier, for as long as you can. Pool your power and focus on that above all else. The rest of you can take care of stragglers that make it in past the main gates...or try busting through the walls themselves-"
"Hold on a second - who put him in charge, of all the people?" Braig spoke, leaping down from the roof.
Luxu turned, tensed, his eyes narrowing.
Braig narrowed his eye back, raising and twirling a gun.
Ansem The Wise looked to Aqua and Terra. To Mickey. Then, to Kairi. "Of all these people who have come to answer the call to defend my world, I know not of their strengths or weaknesses, or capabilities. I will not be the fool to attempt to play battlefield commander over people I do not know. I am a king, after all, not a general. In this matter, I shall trust in Master Luxu's judgement."
"And what does make him most qualified for that?" Aqua spoke up.
"Because I'm the one guy who's either worked with, watched over, or actually fought against damn near every last person in this square - and that's not an exaggeration and we all know it!" Luxu snapped. "Yourselves included - time travelers included!" He went on, with a look toward Xehanort and his friends. "So yeah, I'd say I am the one and only guy uniquely qualified to know where, when, and how you should be doing things in a battle like this. If you want to go off and do your own thing and not listen to me, fine - do that. But you screw over Radiant Garden in the process. Either trust me or don't, but we don't have time for this shit anymore! So make your choice and stick with it!"
Aqua glowered at him silently.
"Aqua, please," Ven spoke, gazing into her face.
Aqua looked back at him. She looked to Terra. Then, to Kairi. She sighed, nodding. "Fine. There's no sense disagreeing when I'm clearly outnumbered - and saving Radiant Garden is more important right now."
"Hallelujah - then we're in business," Luxu said.
"We are - you're not. I really think you should sit this one out too!" Kairi said firmly. "If you're really the only hope the remaining Dandelions and Keyblade War fighters have, then you staying here like this is just selfish and irresponsible. You're risking THEIR chance, risking EVERYTHING! Please - trust us again!"
Luxu looked at her, conflicted. Surprised. "How about this - I'll sequester myself safely in the depths of the castle? I can be on hand, I can rest and recover a bit, but I'm out of the way."
"And what if Maleficent gets so impatient and frustrated she decides to just destroy it?" Kairi retorted. "You need to go off world, Luxu! Go to Scala, just go, please! For them...for Ephemer, and Cotyle, and- and for Katerina and for Cassiopeia!"
Luxu looked around. Then he let out a growl, shaking his head. "Fine. Alright! I'm out! If you guys can trust me, I can trust you with this! Just...try not to die, okay? And- good luck. Namine, come on. Roxas can stay if he wants, but you - you're with me! No arguing."
"But Strelitzia-" Namine started instantly.
"Why don't you take her with you?" Aerith spoke up suddenly. "Anywhere will be a better place for her to recover than staying here on a battlefield."
"If my sister's going, then I'm going with her," Lauriam said instantly, climbing to his feet at long last. His face was ashen, and his demeanor subdued. Drawn in. His powerful, muscular, beautiful presence seemed a lot smaller now, frailer. Weaker.
"Okay, let's go," Luxu said, immediately turning to create a portal of light with his Keyblade. "Namine - now. Please."
Namine hesitated, still, looking to Kairi and the others.
"You can keep an eye on things with your powers, can't you?" Kairi said quickly. "If things get really bad, then you can come in and help us out. We'll probably need it by that point."
"Alright..." Namine agreed. But she still lingered. She shot a look at the other- the "Lesser" Nobodies around the square. "You guys - thanks for answering our call. Can you stay and help them for us?"
Voices echoed out, in the depths of Kairi's mind and Heart, giving...assurances. It was still so strange, but she guessed these Nobodies didn't really have mouths, so it made sense they'd use some kind of telepathy.
"We will serve our liege," came one disembodied voice above all else.
And then another: "As our mistress wishes, our help will be given to this town."
"Thanks," Namine said, smiling and waving out at them, before turning and running into the portal.
Lauriam walked alongside Aerith and Merlin as they used magic to float Strelitizia over into the portal, as well.
Luxu stood alone now, looking around the square. He looked to his friends...to Cognis... "Don't let me down, guys. I've got every faith in you to do the right thing," he called out to them. Then he turned and strode away into the portal.
It disappeared behind him; Aerith and Merlin lowered hand and magic wand, looking relieved together.
Silence filled the square.
Everyone looked at everyone else.
"Well now, let's get moving, people!" Lea's voice rang out, as he raised an arm and gave a fierce grin. "We have a city to protect, right?"
That got everyone going again, inexplicably.
As Kairi watched Ira, Amaya, and King Mickey race toward the castle, she realized...
They were all, really, actually following Luxu's plan.
"Well...I daresay it's time for old Merlin, the great and powerful wizard, to roll back his sleeves!" Merlin chuckled to himself, drawing himself up and giving his wand a flourish. "Yes, yes, I'll make that wretched witch regret bringing her monsters to this world! It's seen trouble enough!"
Merlin vanished in a shower of sparkles, leaving Kairi blinking and rubbing her eyes.
And wondering just what it was the old wizard was up to!
AN: YAAAAAAY. Some massive stuff is FINALLY FREE FROM MY DRAFTS AFTER LITERALLY WEEKS! :D I'm SO EXCITED AND HAPPY! :) :) BEEN SITTING ON THIS SHIT FOR SOOO LONG NOW!