Reunions - Part 1
The hub for Kingdom Valley pulsed with newfound energy. Colour and light flooded back into the once empty space as Shadow stood amidst the remnants of a trapped world, another victory in his ongoing battle against White Space and Black Doom. Yet, his mind lingered on that girl, Naminé. The meeting with her still gnawed at his thoughts. He turned, his crimson eyes scanning the void, but all that remained were the skeletal remains of broken architecture.
"The rest of the group must not be far?" Shadow mused, his voice low and quiet. "I need to discuss this Naminé with them."
Aqua, Elise, Cloud, and Tifa were gone—the latter two had ventured deeper into White Space's depths. Omega had gone to track the energy signature of their Aqua, leaving Shadow momentarily alone. The silence felt heavier now, an eerie contrast to the victory he had just achieved.
But suddenly, a scream tore through the blank stillness. Shadow's ears twitched.
There was panic and fear in the voice's tone. A desperate cry for help.
"Wha—?!" Shadow remarked. The hedgehog's body tensed as his gaze snapped towards the source.
In the distance, a girl fled across the fractured landscape, her golden hair whipping behind her. She was pursued by two Black Warriors and a pair of Neoshadow Heartless. Her dark blue puffy-sleeved blouse and light blue dress fluttered as she ran, white shoes skidding against the uneven terrain. Shadow's eyes narrowed. He knew that girl. He knew that attire.
It was Maria!
Seeing her in danger, a deep scowl formed. Shadow's muscles coiled. His red eyes shone with deep, crimson rage. He launched forward, his air shoes igniting as he tore through the void, streaking towards the girl. The air around him distorted from his sheer velocity, rippling outward in chaotic waves.
Maria had come to a stop against a towering white and gold wall, its ornate surface cracked and weathered as if frozen in time. The intricate gold inlays shimmered faintly, reflecting the eerie light of the void. Trapped and with nowhere to go, she spun to face the encroaching creatures, her breath rapid. One of the Black Warriors lifted a clawed hand high, its jagged fingers poised to strike. Their glowing red eyes bore into her, relishing her fear.
"Help!" she cried out in distress, fear etched all over her face.
Maria crouched low, her arms shielding the top of her head.
Suddenly, a blur of black and red shot into view.
With a bone shattering impact, Shadow drove his foot into the creature's gut, sending it rocketing into the air. Before the creature could react, Shadow teleported above it with Chaos Control, striking with a barrage of rapid-fire kicks and punches, each blow a calculated burst of fury. A final devastating hook launched the Black Warrior downward, its body smashing into the cracked stone wall before dissolving into a mist of green and black.
The remaining foes hesitated. But Shadow was going to show them no mercy.
The hedgehog was gone in a flash. Then, suddenly, he was at the side of the second Black Warrior. A brutal side kick sent it careening into the distance. He vanished again, reappearing before the two Neoshadows, fists slamming into them in a flurry of motion. Each strike was precise, relentless, his wrath honed and unwavering. The creatures barely had time to react before they shattered into nothingness.
The last Black Warrior turned to flee. It didn't make it far.
Shadow materialised in its path, his expression cold and merciless. With a final, punishing roundhouse kick, he sent the monster soaring through the void. It disintegrated before it ever hit the ground.
Silence fell across White Space. Shadow exhaled, his body relaxing as he turned toward Maria. She remained huddled, her breathing uneven, the echoes of fear still clinging to her. But then, she felt it—the absence of danger, the return of calm. Slowly, hesitantly, she peeled her hands away from her head and turned.
Blue eyes met crimson.
Her lips parted in a gasp. Recognition dawned.
"Shadow!"
She rushed forward, arms outstretched, falling to her knees to embrace him.
Warmth and pure light. The sensation was almost foreign to Shadow as he stiffened in her grasp. It had been so long… fifty years since he had felt her presence.
"So it was her I saw earlier…" he thought, stunned, flustered by the moment.
Just then, a voice—aged, wise, familiar came calling. Their tone was anxious and full of worry.
"Maria!"
Both turned to see an older man rushing toward them. Though slowed by age, his urgency was evident.
It was Professor Gerald Robotnik, Maria's Grandfather and Shadow's creator. He came to a halt, relief washing over his face as he took in Maria's safety. Then, his eyes flickered to Shadow.
"Thank you, Shadow," Gerald said, gratitude evident in his voice.
Maria pulled back slightly, her face alight with awe.
"Shadow… where did you learn to fight like that?" she asked, blue eyes searching his.
Shadow didn't answer immediately. His expression hardened, turning away slightly from the pair. A gloved hand rose to his chin as he averted his gaze.
"They must be from a point in time before the ARK disaster…" He thought, mulling over the realisation.
The hedgehog's gaze lifted. The Black Moon loomed above in the void sky. One of the eyes was watching him thoroughly.
"Perhaps… I can change their fate," Shadow thought, thinking over the possibilities.
He then turned to face the two people of his past. Maria tilted her head, her voice softer now.
"Shadow? You look grim. Are you all right?" she asked, her voice full of concern.
Shadow shook the thought away. His frown returned.
"I'll be fine. We'll all be fine," the hedgehog affirmed firmly.
A small, reassuring smile touched Maria's lips.
"I know we will… with you here. But… where are we?" Maria asked as she stood up, taking in the fractured world around them. "This place is so strange."
Gerald adjusted his white lab coat, studying their surroundings.
"From what I can tell, this is some kind of temporal anomaly?"
"It is, Professor" Shadow confirmed, arms crossing over his chest. "We are in White Space. A place trapped between time and space."
"Whoa… really?" Maria replied, turning in fascination. "No wonder things look broken and weird."
Gerald nodded, stroking his chin. The white void reflecting off his darkened glasses.
"It's probably best I don't interact and investigate too much. If this is truly outside of time, the risk of paradox is high. Still… this is remarkable."
Before Shadow could respond, another voice called out from nearby.
"Shadow."
The group turned to see Aqua and Princess Elise approaching, their expressions mixed with relief and curiosity.
"There you are. Where did you go?" Shadow asked, his tone firm and stern.
"Just walking and talking," Aqua replied. "We got to know each other a little more."
Elise nodded as she spoke up.
"It's truly remarkable what Aqua has endured in her reality."
Gerald's interest piqued, his gaze turning to the blue haired Keyblade Master.
"Another reality, you say?"
Aqua hesitated for a brief moment, her mind racing. She had to tread carefully, revealing too much could have consequences, but withholding the truth could make her seem untrustworthy. She steadied herself, looking at the two newcomers with Shadow.
"So, this place pulls in individuals from across the multiverse as well?" Gerald continued, fascinated by the concept. "Truly outstanding!"
"That's right..." Aqua replied with slight hesitation.
Gerald nodded, before he's sharp gaze settled on Shadow.
"And you?" he asked, his voice measured yet laced with intrigue. "Are you the Shadow we know, the one from our timeline? Or do you hail from another reality as well?"
Shadow's red eyes flickered with something unreadable. He exhaled through his nose, a barely perceptible shift in posture betraying his hesitation.
"I'm the Shadow you know, Professor," he said at last, his voice lower, almost burdened. "I'm just… from the future."
Maria's breath hitched. Her blue eyes widened in awe.
"Oh wow!" she gasped, taking a small step forward, studying him as if seeing him for the first time. "That's incredible."
"Fascinating…" Gerald muttered, truly taken back by Shadow's revelation.
"Damn it. I sound like Silver!" Shadow muttered inwardly, resisting the urge to grimace. "That's unsettling..."
Aqua frowned, shifting her weight slightly. Something about Gerald's reaction unsettled her. His tone wasn't just that of scientific curiosity, it carried a knowing edge, as if he had encountered something like this before.
Her grip on her arm tightened. Did he suspect more than he was letting on? Had he seen evidence of time fractures before? She needed to tread carefully.
Before she could press the matter, Shadow turned on his heel, his movements swift and deliberate. He began walking away from the group.
"Shadow?" Maria tilted her head, her voice gentle with curiosity.
"Where are you going?" Gerald inquired, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"To find Omega," Shadow said, his tone clipped. His pace did not slow as he walked with a sense of purpose. "He went to locate my Aqua."
Maria blinked, her mind catching on his phrasing.
"Your Aqua?" She looked towards Aqua, puzzled. "Wait, so does that mean there's another Aqua in Shadow's time too?"
Aqua met Maria's curious gaze and gave her a small, reassuring smile.
"That's right. It seems my variant is close with Shadow," Aqua confirmed, watching the hedgehog disappear into the misty expanse of White Space.
"Indeed," Gerald mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully. The light from the void caught his dark glasses, but Aqua could see the gears turning in Gerald's head.
The professor was already filing away what he'd just learned, as if every piece of this puzzle was another thread in some grand design.
"And who exactly are you two anyway?" Aqua asked, her tone curious but cautious. Her eyes narrowed slightly as they settled on the older man.
Gerald paused slightly, then gave a slight chuckle, raising a hand apologetically.
"Oh, forgive me, my dear. Where are my manners? I am Professor Gerald Robotnik," he said with a mild flourish, then gestured to the girl close by. "And this is my Granddaughter, Maria."
Maria smiled gently and took a small step forward, folding her hands politely.
"It's nice to meet you," she said warmly, her voice soft but sincere. Her gaze shifted to Elise, who stood to the side of Aqua.
"Are you a princess by any chance?" Maria asked, tilting her head slightly.
Elise blinked, caught off guard.
"Why—yes, I am. My name is Elise," she replied, with a small laugh of surprise. "How did you know?"
Maria smiled, almost shyly, and shrugged.
"I just guessed… I suppose."
There was a sweet innocence in her voice, untouched by cynicism. She didn't seem uncertain, only humble.
Aqua found herself watching the girl more closely now. There was something, something familiar in the way Maria stood, in the brightness behind her eyes. It wasn't just kindness or optimism. It was something deeper. Something pure.
"She carries light," Aqua thought, a ripple of recognition flickering through her. "A strong one. I've felt this before… in others chosen by fate."
The Keyblade Master stood quietly, watching Maria's gaze drift toward the figure now walking away from them. Shadow was already a distant silhouette against the pale nothingness of White Space.
"We should follow Shadow," Maria said, stepping forward without hesitation.
"Maria, wait," Professor Gerald called gently, a hand half-raised. "We need to be careful."
Maria turned back, her eyes bright with certainty.
"Don't worry, Grandfather. With Shadow here, I know we'll be safe."
Her voice carried a kind of unwavering faith that momentarily silenced any objection. Then, Elise stepped forward, her tone light but sincere.
"And we have Aqua," she added, glancing toward her companion. "She's a Keyblade Master, after all."
Maria's eyes widened, lips parting in surprise.
"Oh my!"
She turned fully toward Aqua, stepping closer. There was awe in her expression—not fear or doubt, just wonder.
"I've read stories about the Keyblade," she said breathlessly. "It's a mythical weapon, its legacy reaches across countless worlds."
Aqua blinked, caught off-guard by the girl's excitement. For a brief moment, the weight on her shoulders seemed to ease. She offered Maria a soft smile.
Gerald chuckled, stroking his long mustache thoughtfully.
"She's not exaggerating. Maria's always had her head in the stars, so to speak. Her stories… they've opened my eyes to possibilities I never imagined. Perhaps, one day, I'll study the Keyblade myself. Once we return to our rightful place in time, of course."
Before anyone could reply, Maria turned again, raising her hand and pointing toward the distant blur that was Shadow.
"Come on, let's go!" she said with renewed enthusiasm. She looked between Elise and Aqua, her energy infectious. "I want to learn more about you both!"
Elise chuckled, her steps falling in beside her.
"That sounds like fun."
Gerald followed after them, his pace slower, more measured. But when he looked back, he noticed Aqua hadn't moved.
She stood at the edge of the plaza, her head slightly bowed. Her gaze was fixed on the ground, unfocused. Her hands hung by her sides, fingers curling and uncurling slowly. She looked as though she were trying to anchor herself to something solid in a place where nothing truly existed.
Gerald stepped closer, his voice gentle this time.
"You seem troubled."
Aqua didn't answer right away. She drew in a breath, then exhaled slowly, eyes still on the fractured floor beneath her boots.
"It's... Just a lot," she said finally. She lifted her head and gestured vaguely at the white, endless void around them. "This place. The multiverse. All the people I'm meeting. Shadow…"
Her voice trailed off. She shook her head, a tired motion.
"I'm still trying to make sense of it all, that's all."
Gerald studied her in silence, the windless air settling around them like a held breath. Then, with a small nod, he offered her something rare and simple.
"If you ever need to talk," he said, "I'm all ears."
Aqua's shoulders eased, just slightly. Her eyes met his, and for the first time since they'd returned, there was a hint of a smile—worn, but real.
"Thank you," she said quietly.
Aqua Prime:
Returning from the now rescued Radiant Garden, the two Aqua's, with their new ally Terra Branford, found Silver, Orbot and Cubot back in the plaza of the void. The three heroes explained what happened in the hub and how they helped rescue Terra, breaking her free from seemingly the Phantom Ruby's power. The group were deep in discussion, with the weight of the void around them still heavy.
"That's some story," Silver said, looking intrigued, his golden eyes looking to Terra. "Especially that you were seeing the Aqua's as enemies."
"It was strange. The way I saw them... It was troubling," Terra admitted, her tone downbeat. She was still guilty for attacking them.
"Please don't be upset," Aqua Prime replied sympathetically. "You didn't mean too attack us."
"We were able to calm you down," the other Aqua added calmly.
"Yes, but you used that Ultima spell..." Orbot clarified, his tone seemingly anxious.
"Which sounds super duper bonkers if you ask me!" Cubot exclaimed, in awe of the powerful magic spell. "Overkill much?"
"It worked, didn't it," the other Aqua argued back, her tone composed. Her blue eyes looked to the two robots, who seemed to shuffle slightly by the hard stare.
"Well... It seems to have done the trick," Orbot replied back with a shrug. The robot then turned his attention to Terra. "I hope..."
"Yeah! We can't be having that Esper form of yours running wild over the void ya know," Cubot added, chiming in with his chipper tone.
"Don't worry, it did," Terra confirmed with a nod. She placed a hand on her chest. "I'm in control now."
"That's good to know," Orbot replied.
"Mind you, that must have been one heck of a wallop!" Cubot expressed, still fascinated by what he was told. "A name like 'Ultima' doesn't sound weak."
"It sure didn't tickle... that's for sure," Terra answered honestly, moving her hands to her side.
"I bet," Silver agreed, his eyes still looking to their new ally.
"Ultima is one of the most powerful magic moves out there," Aqua Prime explained, turning to her variant. "Something which shouldn't be used lightly."
"You sound just like Master Eraqus," the other Aqua replied, looking to Aqua Prime.
"Because that is what her would say!" Aqua Prime countered with a slight frown.
"All I know is we needed to stop Terra, and we did," the other Aqua answered back with a small shrug.
"And I'm thankful. Truly I am," Terra cut in, gratefully. She didn't want to cause any arguments in the group . "But, we need to focus on that Phantom Ruby and this Mephiles... right?"
"Right," Aqua Prime agreed with a firm nod.
The rest of the group nodded in agreement, they had to keep moving forward, time and space depended on it. Terra looked around the white void and the plaza area. Her expression showed one of intrigue, but there was a hesitation within the young woman. However, she had to dig deeper into investigating this place further.
"So," Terra began, gesturing around the plaza area. "This is the void you mentioned."
"Sure is," the other Aqua confirmed.
"And Radiant Garden," Terra replied, turning and pointing back to the now colourful hub. "That is... Or was a trapped world? Which was stuck between time and space?"
"That's right," Silver confirmed with a nod.
"You're catching on," Cubot said, his tone still bubbly.
"From what we know, the Phantom Ruby and Mephiles are causing this chaos," Silver explained, earnestly. "The more worlds Aqua saves, the better chance we can stop Mephiles and return everything back to normal."
"And get me back home?" Terra asked, eager for answers.
"Of course," the other Aqua confirmed, looking to Terra thoughtfully. "I'm trying to get home too."
"Then, let's keep moving," Silver declared, his voice resolute. "We have places to save!"
The group nodded, but Aqua Prime looked perplexed. The group picked up on this instantly.
"Aqua?" Silver asked, looking concerned.
"What's on your mind?" Orbot asked, tilting his head slightly.
"Something is bugging me," Aqua Prime voiced, her expression showed on of perplexation.
"Oh, what is it?" Orbot replied, his eyes narrowing.
"Yeah! Spill the beans!" Cubot exclaimed, eager to hear what Aqua had to say.
"It's the Phantom Ruby... Does it have the power to mess with people's minds and what they see?" Aqua Prime mused, placing a hand on her chin in thought. "Terra said she thought we were monsters. Could it be the gem can mess with what we can seen?"
"You mean someone's cognitive perception?" Orbot replied, interested in this hypothesis.
"Cognitive perception"? Aqua Prime questioned, raising a brow.
"What do you mean by that?" Silver added, seemingly confused.
Terra and the other Aqua looked to each other, their expressions were puzzled as well.
"You might want to break it down for us buddy," Cubot said, turning to his robotic counterpart.
"What I mean is, the process by which human's take in information through senses and utilise it to respond and interact with the world around them. It involves capturing, processing, and making sense of sensory stimuli," Orbot explained thoroughly cupping his hands together, his tone matter-of-factly.
A moment of silence followed, the group looking at one another still bemused.
"Uhh...I'm still not following," Silver admitted, scratching the top of his head.
Orbot sighed, exasperated. But Cubot gave his friend a slight nudge.
"Perhaps dumb it down for us," the robot said, his tone upbeat.
"Okay, fine," Orbot replied, slightly annoyed. But he simplified his explanation nonetheless. "The Phantom Ruby might not just be showing people illusions. It might actually be manipulating their minds, making them believe something is real even when it's not."
"So, is that why Terra saw us as monsters?" Aqua Prime asked, intrigued but still confused.
"Exactly!" Orbot said, sounding pleased that someone was finally catching on.
"That's... rather disturbing," the other Aqua remarked, crossing her arms.
"It really is," Terra agreed, her expression growing more serious.
Silver didn't say anything, but even he looked concerned by this theory.
"So, wait," Cubot spoke up suddenly, jumping slightly. His tone urgent. "If it can make us believe something is real… how do we know we're not already under its control? What if nothing is real? What if we were all actually toasters?!"
"Toasters..." Aqua prime muttered to herself.
"Cubot, you are not a toaster..." sighed Orbot, exasperated. He looked to his companion with narrowed light blue eyes, debating how he got stuck with him.
"That's exactly what a toaster would say!" Cubot declared, narrowing his optics suspiciously. He pointed at his friend sharply. "I've got my eyes on you, mister!"
Orbot let out a long, weary sigh and shook his head, placing a metallic hand over his face in sheer exasperation. Terra, despite herself, pressed a fist to her lips, stifling a laugh. Silver and the Aqua variant, however, merely exchanged puzzled glances, as if trying to decipher the logic—if any—behind Cubot's bizarre paranoia.
Aqua Prime, on the other hand, didn't seem amused or confused. Instead, she furrowed her brow, a thoughtful glint in her blue eyes. Unlike the others, she had a genuine and rather unique question to ask.
"Orbot, can robots even suffer from the same effects? Would the Phantom Ruby be able to mess with your perception?" Aqua Prime asked, speaking up. Her gaze shifting to the red and black robot.
"That's a very good question," Terra said, intrigued.
Orbot hummed in consideration, tapping his metallic chin before he replied.
"It's unlikely," Orbot said finally. "Our perception is based on data processing, not sensory input like yours. However," he gestured toward the void around them, "we can still detect distortions in reality. We might not see the hallucinations, but we would see changes in the world itself."
"So if I was a toaster, you'd still see me as a robot, but I wouldn't know I was a toaster?!" Orbot gasped.
"Cubot, for the last time... You're not a toaster!" groaned Orbot, losing patience with his robotic counterpart.
"That's exactly what someone hiding the truth would say!" Cubot insisted, pointing an accusatory finger again. "I demand a diagnostic scan!"
"Cubot.. shush!" Orbot ordered, his patience becoming thin.
Aqua Prime pinched the bridge of her nose. She took a deep breathe before continuing.
"This conversation has officially gone off the rails," she uttered.
"Tell me about it," the other Aqua agreed with a shake of the head.
Silver, meanwhile, was rubbing his temples.
"Look, as fascinating as Cubot's toaster identity crisis is, maybe we should focus on the part where we stop Mephiles and his hold on the Phantom Ruby?" the hedgehog suggested. "He could be planning something far more serious."
"Agreed," Terra said, placing her hands on her hips.. "If it can make me see enemies, it could be used to turn allies against each other."
"Which means we need to be extra cautious," the other Aqua added, gesturing slightly with her hands. "If we can't trust what we see, then we have to trust each other."
"Yes, that would be the logical conclusion. Though some of us might need extra reassurance..." Orbot remarked, shooting a firm look at Cubot.
"Fine, fine," Cubot grumbled, waving his hands dismissively. "But if I start craving and heating bread slices, you'll be the first to know."
"Noted," Orbot sighed, shaking his head in exasperation.
Before anyone else could chime in, a booming, mechanical voice suddenly echoed through the void, cutting through the conversation like a blade.
"KEYBLADE ENERGY DETECTED."
Aqua Prime's breath hitched. Her blue eyes widened in recognition.
"That voice..." she gasped in surprise.
Silver, equally taken aback, took a step forward.
"That sounds like..."
The group turned towards the source of the voice just in time to see a towering, heavily-armoured figure enter the plaza.
"OMEGA?!" Orbot exclaimed, his voice nearly cracking from shock.
Cubot practically short-circuited on the spot.
"Oh man, I really hope he doesn't destroy us!" he squeaked, his hands waving frantically. "I mean, I like being in one piece!"
The other Aqua tilted her head, brow furrowed in confusion.
"Who's Omega?" she probed, tilting her head slightly.
"Another machine?" Terra mused, studying the massive, heavily-armed robot with wary intrigue.
Her mind flashed back to the war machines of her own world, the Magitek monstrosities that had ravaged the land, fueled by magic torn from Espers. She swallowed, her fingers twitching slightly. Is he Magitek?
The towering, metal behemoth came to a halt before them, his optics flashing ominously as he processed the group before him. A beat of silence passed, heavy with anticipation, before Omega's voice rang out once more—unwavering, commanding, and as direct as ever.
"OBSERVATION: AQUA FOUND. OBJECTIVE COMPLETED."
"Wait, you've been looking for me, Omega?" Aqua Prime asked.
"AFFIRMATIVE. I'VE BEEN DETECTING YOUR KEYBLADE ENERGY THROUGHOUT WHITE SPACE."
Aqua Prime blinked, the term catching her off guard.
"White Space...?" she echoed, her voice low with uncertainty.
Silver glanced around at the blank, featureless surroundings, arms crossing over his chest.
"So that's what this place is called, huh?" he murmured. "Makes sense… looks the part, I guess."
Omega turned to Silver, his optics locked onto the time traveller from the future.
"SILVER. YOU HAVE FOUND YOURSELF IN THIS VOID AS WELL?"
"I'm afraid so, Omega," Silver confirmed with a nod. "We all got dragged here."
Omega's massive head turned with a low mechanical whir, his glowing red optics locking onto Orbot and Cubot. The two smaller robots instinctively stiffened beneath his gaze, shifting uneasily as if caught in the act of something they hadn't done—yet.
Orbot raised a trembling hand and waved with forced politeness.
"Oh... h-hello, Omega. Fancy meeting you here."
Cubot leaned in beside him, his tone overly cheerful and transparently nervous.
"Lovely weather we're having, huh?"
Omega's optics flared briefly.
"INSUFFICIENT AND WEAK EGGMAN ROBOTS," he stated in his usual flat, thunderous monotone. "THERE IS NO WEATHER IN WHITE SPACE."
"Right.. right," Cubot sighed, rubbing the back of his cubed head, still jittery.
"Thank you for the confirmation, Omega," Orbot remarked nervously, his metallic fingers twitching ever so slightly.
Omega remained still, his towering form humming with low energy. Without a word, his glowing red optics fixed on Terra. The air shifted, subtle but perceptible, like a scanner being charged in the back of everyone's mind.
"OBSERVATION: PERSON OF INTEREST DETECTED," he declared, voice cold and absolute.
Terra blinked, confused.
"Person of interest?" she echoed, glancing toward Aqua Prime.
The Keyblade Master Nobody could only shrug slightly.
Before another word could be spoken, Omega's frame pulsed faintly, his systems initiating a deeper scan. A red light flickered across Terra's form.
"SUBJECT: TERRA BRANFORD," Omega intoned. "ORIGIN: ESPER WORLD. LATER, GESTAHLIAN EMPIRE. BIOLOGICAL STATUS: PART ESPER, PART HUMAN. AFFILIATION: RETURNERS INSURGENT GROUP. CLASSIFICATION: HIGH-LEVEL MAGIC USER. STATUS: MONITORED BY G.U.N. DUE TO UNSTABLE ENERGY SIGNATURES."
Terra took a step back, her eyes wide.
"G.U.N.?" she repeated, alarm bleeding into her voice. She folded her arms tightly, guarded.
Silver, sensing her rising discomfort, spoke up gently.
"It stands for Guardian Units of Nations. They're… a global defense organisation, sort of." He paused. "Not everyone's a fan."
"A military force keeping tabs on me?" Terra said, her tone colder now. "Forgive me if I don't find that comforting."
She tilted her head slightly, her green hair shifting as she fixed her eyes on Silver.
"Where were they when Kefka destroyed everything?"
A sudden silence fell over the plaza. Even Cubot stopped fidgeting.
Silver met her gaze, serious now.
"I hear you. I do. But... things got bad fast across the worlds. When the darkness overtook Mobius, G.U.N. barely survived themselves. Most of their systems were compromised. Resources spread thin. They couldn't even save their own world, let alone others."
Aqua Prime stepped in, her voice steady.
"But when they finally regrouped, they acted. Without G.U.N., the Seven Princesses of Heart would've been lost. They helped lead the charge to recover Hollow Bastion. That effort saved many worlds from the darkness."
Terra's expression flickered—uncertainty, weariness, grief—all dancing behind her eyes.
"Is that true?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Omega answered with mechanical precision.
"AFFIRMATIVE. DESIGNATION: OPERATION RADIANT RETRIEVAL. OBJECTIVE: SECURE AND PROTECT PRINCESSES OF HEART FROM HOLLOW BASTION. RESULT: SUCCESSFUL."
Her arms dropped slightly from her chest.
"I see…" she muttered. "Not exactly what I expected from a military organisation."
Orbot scoffed as he spoke up.
"Sure, sure, they helped this time—but don't let that fool you. G.U.N. and Eggman go back a long way. Their bureaucracy is a mess."
"Yeah," Cubot chimed in, bobbing nervously. "And don't even get me started on their cafeteria food! That stuff's a war crime!"
"You wouldn't know a war crime if it bit you on the wiring," Orbot muttered, deadpan.
At that, Terra stepped forward, her brow furrowed.
"Kefka…" she said quietly. "You mentioned scanning me. Then you must have records on him."
Omega's optics pulsed with a faint red flicker as the scan completed.
"AFFIRMATIVE. SUBJECT: KEFKA PALOZZO. STATUS: EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. DESIGNATION: WAR CRIMINAL. ACTIONS INCLUDE—INITIATING GENOCIDE AGAINST MAGIC USERS, DESTABILISATION OF WORLD ORDER, MULTIPLE WORLD-TIER ATROCITIES, DESTRUCTION OF BALANCE BETWEEN MAGIC, PLANETARY ENERGY... AND TAX EVASION."
The plaza fell quiet. Before Cubot broke the silence.
"…Tax evasion?!" Cubot gasped, eyes flashing wide with mechanical disbelief. He nearly tripped over himself, whirling towards the group. "He didn't pay his taxes?!"
A beat of stunned silence followed. The other Aqua blinked.
"Wait, that's the part that shocked you?" she probed.
"He's a fiend!" Cubot cried, absolutely scandalised. "A monster, sure, but a freeloader too?! That's a whole new level of evil!"
Terra raised a brow, looking at the robot.
"He turned the world into a wasteland, murdered many, and you're upset about... unpaid taxes?"
Orbot groaned audibly, placing a hand to his face.
"This is what he latches onto. Not the mass destruction. Not the genocidal rampage. Tax evasion."
"I mean, it's just so villainous," Cubot huffed, arms flailing. "Like, how dare he use magical genocide to avoid an audit!"
"Cubot," Silver said dryly, "he literally caused an apocalypse."
"Exactly!" Cubot said, nodding rapidly. "And on top of it, he cheats on his taxes! I mean, come on! Where's the line?!"
The group exchanged glances, half-bemused, half-bewildered.
Terra, despite herself, exhaled a laugh under her breath.
"Honestly, it fits him perfectly. Kefka always did think he was above every rule. Laws. Morality. Sanity." Her smile faded into something harder. "But he won't get away with it forever."
"You still intend to fight him?" Aqua Prime asked gently.
Terra nodded, her voice resolute.
"I have to. For Mobliz. For the children. For everyone who still believes this world can be saved."
Cubot gave a small, proud sniff.
"See? That's what a hero sounds like! Unlike a certain flamboyant tax-dodging nihilist!"
Orbot shook his head, turning to Omega.
"Please continue before Cubot spirals into a moral lecture on tax codes."
"ACKNOWLEDGED," Omega responded flatly. "TARGET: KEFKA REMAINS ACTIVE. CURRENT LOCATION UNKNOWN. THREAT LEVEL: EXTREME. RECOMMENDATION: ELIMINATION UPON ENCOUNTER."
Aqua Prime's expression sobered as she looked to Terra.
"Is he still chasing power?"
"No," Terra murmured. "He already has it. The question now is how long before he tears the world apart again."
She looked toward the white horizon beyond the plaza.
"But I won't let him. Not this time."
Cubot gave a salute, hand smacking his forehead panel with a loud clonk.
"We believe in you, Miss Green Hair Esper Magic Mom!"
"Please never call her that again…" Orbot muttered, utterly mortified.
Terra just smiled faintly, a flicker of warmth softening her eyes.
"Thanks… I think..."
"You have such a way with words, Cubot..." Aqua Prime said flatly.
"I aim to please, Aqua" Cubot beamed, puffing out his chest with metallic pride.
"Right…" the other Aqua muttered, clearly unimpressed.
"Okay, moving on!" Cubot chirped, clapping his metal hands together with a tinny clang. "That got really heavy for a moment there. I'm all for emotional stakes, but my circuits are starting to spark!"
"Oh, now you care about stakes?" Orbot deadpanned, throwing his hands up in the air.
"Hey! I contain multitudes!" Cubot declared, spinning in place like a malfunctioning ballerina. "Drama! Humour! Toast settings!"
"Back to the toaster thing again..." Silver sighed, shaking his head.
"I'm still suspicious, alright!" Cubot remarked loudly.
Terra chuckled under her breath, and even Silver cracked the hint of a smile. The other Aqua could only look to the white sky in disbelief.
Aqua Prime's expression softened as she turned to Terra.
"You're stronger than you give yourself credit for. We'll get you back home. I promise."
Terra met her eyes, the gratitude unspoken but evident.
"Thank you. But don't survive what I've seen by being fragile."
"Apparently not," Orbot muttered, glancing at Cubot. "But somehow, he always survives anyway."
"Hey!" Cubot snapped. "I'm durable! Like a rusty wrench with heart!"
Omega, unbothered by their banter, simply resumed his process. The soft mechanical whirring resumed as he turned his head, his glowing red optics locking onto the other Aqua.
Without preamble, his voice boomed once more.
"OBSERVATION: AQUA VARIANT DETECTED."
Aqua Prime stepped forward, her expression serious.
"Yes, she's another version of myself from a different reality."
Omega's optics flickered for a brief moment before responding.
"INTERESTING. OBSERVATION: ANOTHER AQUA VARIANT WAS FOUND EARLIER ALSO."
Both Aquas stiffened. They turned to each other looking slightly bewildered by that development.
"Another… Aqua?" Aqua Prime repeated, a slight frown forming as he turned her head back to Omega.
"What do you mean?" the other Aqua asked, her voice firm as she sought clarity.
Omega remained as direct as ever as he responded.
"I HAVE MET ANOTHER AQUA TRAPPED IN WHITE SPACE. SHE IS CURRENTLY AIDING SHADOW."
"Another me?!" Aqua prime remarked in awe.
"Another us?!" the other Aqua added, taking a step back.
"And Shadow is here too?!" Silver chimed in, equally stunned.
"AFFIRMATIVE."
Silver crossed his arms again, deep in thought.
"Well, at least she's with Shadow. This place is a nightmare if you're alone."
Cubot, unable to help himself, gave an exaggerated nod.
"Man, we're drowning in Aquas at this point! It's like an Aqua Variant Bargain Sale!"
Orbot facepalmed in a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance.
"Cubot..." he moaned, losing the will to live.
"I'm just saying!" Cubot protested. "That's three Aquas so far! Who knows how many more are running around that we haven't found yet?"
The other Aqua let out a small chuckle, shaking her head.
"You know… you're not wrong. Funny how we've all been dragged into this."
"Especially you, Aqua," Terra remarked, glancing at the variant.
The other Aqua sighed, giving a small, tired smile.
"That's true…"
There was a small pause before Aqua Prime spoke up, turning her attention to Omega once more.
"Omega... I'm taking Shadow is stuck in White Space also?" Aqua Prime questioned.
"AFFIRMATIVE," Omega confirmed. "SHADOW IS WORKING TO STOP BLACK DOOM'S PLANS.
"Black Doom?!" Aqua Prime gasped in suprise.
"Wait a minute, I thought it was Mephiles who was causing all this mess?!" Silver remarked in confusion, unfolding his arms.
The rest of the group nodded, which had Omega's optics looking around at them.
"MEPHILES?" Omega questioned. "I SEEK CLARITY. EXPLAIN."
"Oh boy," Cubot sighed, scratching the top of his cube head.
"It's best we start from the beginning," Orbot implied, looking to Omega.
"There is a lot to explain I'm afraid," Aqua Prime affirmed with a nod.
"UNDERSTOOD. INFORMATION GATHERING IN PROGRESS. PLEASE PROCEED."
Meanwhile...
Cloud and Tifa's footsteps barely made a sound, lost in the vast, white emptiness around him. The oppressive expanse of White Space stretched endlessly, blurring the lines between reality and illusion.
Tifa glanced over to Cloud, her face tense, eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"How long has it been since we left Shadow and the others?" Tifa asked softly, her voice strained as though she fought against the very air itself.
Cloud shook his head slowly, his sharp gaze scanning the blank horizon for any hint of movement.
"Feels like hours…but maybe it's only been minutes. I can't tell anymore," he admitted bluntly.
The duo stopped to take in their surroundings more. Tifa sighed, a shadow of frustration passing over her face.
"This place is messing with our sense of time. It almost feels deliberate," she admitted, frustration lacing her tone.
Cloud nodded in agreement. He could feel that familiar darkness he had pursued for years. Sephiroth. He was close, hidden somewhere within the blinding void.
"He's close," Cloud replied sternly, his body tense. "His darkness lingers."
But before Tifa could voice a reply, a sudden, unsettling noise echoed around them—low and guttural, resonating with sinister intent. In an instant, figures emerged from the whiteness of the void, taking shape with menacing grace. Cloud's pulse quickened as he recognised their twisted silhouettes.
"The Black Arms," Tifa hissed, already raising her gloved fists, slipping effortlessly into her fighting position. The creatures moved silently, their eyes gleaming like bloodied stars.
Cloud grabbed and swung his Buster Sword forward, his muscles flexing instinctively beneath his skin as he shifted into a defensive stance.
"Stay sharp," he declared with a commanding tone. His eyes were locked on the number of Black Warriors around them.
With a feral growl, the Black Warriors lunged forward, claws slicing through the air. Cloud met them head-on, his sword cleaving neatly through shadowed flesh, dissipating enemies into misty wisps of black and green. Tifa was a blur beside him, fists blazing with a devastating combination of speed and power. For a fleeting moment, Cloud thought they'd easily dispatch the creatures.
But more Black Warriors surged forth, closing the gap with alarming speed, pressing harder and faster than before. Cloud parried one blow, then another, spinning to deliver a fierce strike that shattered another enemy to mist. Tifa dodged gracefully, striking back with precision. But the sheer number of attackers threatened to overwhelm them.
The air around them grew heavy, thick with an unseen force. A faint ripple, almost imperceptible, disturbed the void. Before Cloud could process the shift, everything changed in an instant.
Suddenly, a streak of crimson and black tore through their midst, moving with a precision and speed Cloud had never witnessed. A metallic flash sliced through the Black Warriors effortlessly, dismembering them all into harmless black and green vapour in mere seconds.
Cloud and Tifa froze, their breath catching as they watched the mysterious figure halt just ahead, its back turned to them. It stood straight, still poised for battle, wielding a striking weapon—an ornate sword with a single-edged dark blade, etched with web-like patterns near its tip. Eight sharp, metallic ridges extended along its blunt side, creating an imposing silhouette. A white and golden hilt contrasted starkly against the dark steel, suggesting power and history.
"What…is that?" Tifa remarked, tension radiating from every muscle.
Slowly, the figure turned, revealing familiar features beneath a starkly unfamiliar guise. Cloud felt his chest tighten as he registered the figure standing before them.
"Shad... Shadow?" Tifa questioned, her voice echoed with confusion. She stepped cautiously towards the figure.
It certainly looked like Shadow—but the aura around him was all wrong. Cloud's instincts screamed at him, an unsettling weight pressing against his chest. This Shadow moved differently, carried himself with a quiet but unmistakable shift in demeanour, as though molded by a different struggle. The energy rolling off him felt distorted, tinged with something foreign yet familiar. Cloud narrowed his eyes. Whoever this Shadow was, he wasn't just altered. He was something else entirely. His footwear, usually sleek white and red air shoes, had been replaced by rugged boots, lined with sturdy metallic reinforcement that glowed softly, powered by an unknown technology. His familiar limiter rings were darker, more intricate, resonating subtly with strange energy. Cloud narrowed his eyes slightly, focusing on the gauntlets encasing the hedgehog's hands—battle-worn metal, layered and sturdy, clearly designed to handle the blade he wielded effortlessly.
The sword itself was intimidating, but Cloud was more disturbed by the feeling radiating from this version of Shadow. This energy flowed subtly within him, unmistakably pulsing through his veins.
"You're…not the Shadow we know," Cloud murmured carefully, refusing to relax his grip on his Buster Sword.
This other Shadow regarded him coldly, his expression unreadable save for the faint narrowing of his crimson eyes.
"I could say the same about you two," he replied calmly, but the hedgehog was still on guard, frowning at Cloud and Tifa.
"What does that even mean?" Tifa questioned sharply, her rusty red coloured eyes darting warily between Cloud and the newcomer.
Shadow studied them for a moment, a careful scrutiny marking his movements. His voice finally broke the tense silence, calm yet edged with suspicion.
"You look like my Cloud and Tifa. Avalanche fighters, correct?" the hedgehog questioned, his crimson eyes locked on the two.
Tifa glanced briefly at Cloud, uncertainty showing in her eyes. Cloud could sense the suspicion from his friend's gaze. He too was taken back by Shadow's comments, but he knew the wonders of what White Space could draw in.
"That's right…but you're not our Shadow, are you?" Cloud questioned stoically. His gaze locked onto the hedgehog.
Shadow shook his head slowly, his eyes softening only slightly.
"No. I don't think so. I recognise your energy, your movements—but they're off somehow, altered," the hedgehog revealed, his tone firm.
"We're from another timeline," Cloud reasoned, carefully piecing the situation together. "You must know another version of us."
Shadow nodded slowly, absorbing the revelation. His mind churned, sifting through the weight of this discovery. Another Cloud. Another Tifa. Yet, they were not his. How many versions of them existed? Did his own world even matter in the grander scheme of things? A strange sense of detachment settled over him, but beneath it, curiosity stirred. If these two were from another reality, how different was his own fate from theirs? And more importantly, what had brought them all here?
"Then perhaps you've already met another version of me. If you know my name," Shadow said coolly, lowering his sword slightly.
"Yes we have," Tifa admitted cautiously. "The Shadow we know, he's different. He doesn't wear your gear, nor does he wield a sword."
Shadow's crimson eyes flickered toward the blade in his hand, his grip adjusting slightly on the hilt.
"Arondight," he said finally, as if answering an unspoken question. "The sword is called Arondight."
Cloud raised an eyebrow at the hedgehog's reveal. The name sounded mythical to him, like he heard it from somewhere before.
"Never heard of it," Tifa chimed in, her brow furrowing.
"You wouldn't have," Shadow said calmly and measured. But something in his words hinted at deeper weight. "It's an ancient weapon found in the depths of Cosmo Canyon."
Cloud's expression remained unreadable, but internally, his mind churned at those words. Tifa crossed her arms, her thoughts racing.
"And how does someone just… find a blade like that?" she questioned, her voice laced with curiosity.
Shadow's fingers tapped once against the hilt.
"I didn't find it," he corrected, eyes flickering toward her. "I earned it."
The words hung in the air. Cloud felt his jaw tighten slightly. That phrasing, 'earned it', it carried implications.
"…That means someone had to have given it to you," Cloud said, his tone unreadable. "And if it came from Cosmo Canyon, then it must've been…"
"Bugenhagen," Tifa finished, looking at Cloud.
For the first time since they'd met, Shadow's expression shifted, just slightly. Not shock. Not even surprise. Just a flicker of something in his gaze before it hardened again. Cloud caught it. So did Tifa.
"So you have a Bugenhagen in your reality too?" she pressed, watching him carefully.
Shadow paused, his red eyes drifted away, staring into the white abyss as if seeing something far beyond it. He didn't confirm it. Didn't deny it, either.
"Yes. But, he had his own thoughts about me..." was all Shadow said.
Tifa sighed, shaking her head.
"Even this Shadow is stubborn," she muttered, glancing at Cloud. "Just like the one we know."
Cloud remained quiet. He wasn't done putting the pieces together just yet.
If Shadow had truly been to Cosmo Canyon, if he had spoken with a version of Bugenhagen, then that meant he had been on Gaia for some time. Long enough to gain something from it. Which led to the bigger question.
"…How the hell did you end up on Gaia?" Cloud probed firmly.
Tifa turned back toward Shadow, her brows raised slightly. That was the question, wasn't it? The Shadow they knew had been created aboard Space Colony ARK—a lifeform forged in the stars with alien DNA, far from the soil of their world. So what brought him to this version of Gaia? What twist of fate, or cruelty, had crossed his path with theirs?
And yet, here he was. Clad in unfamiliar gear, wielding a weapon not of alien origin, but born of their world—or rather, a version of it. It was strange and somewhat unsettling.
It made Cloud and Tifa think for a moment, ponder about the multiverse and the number of possibilities.
How many broken timelines and splintered realities had led him to Gaia?
What kind of Gaia had made this Shadow?
And how many others were still out there, shaped by different fates?
Cloud waited for an answer. So did Tifa.
Shadow stared back at them in silence, his expression unreadable—until, finally, he spoke.
"It's a long story," he said flatly, the words clipped and blunt.
Tifa exhaled sharply through her nose. Cloud closed his eyes and shook his head slightly at the blunt, cryptic answer.
"Figures," Tifa moaned, looking to the hedgehog. "I guess all Shadow's are the same."
Cloud didn't press further. There was no point. He had dealt with his own past long enough to recognise someone who wasn't ready to talk about theirs.
Still, it didn't sit right. There was a story here. And it was bigger than what he was letting on.
"So," Shadow said breaking the silence. "The multiverse is real then, huh?"
Cloud opened his mouth, ready to reply, maybe even push just a little more, but then, the air shifted.
The temperature plunged. It wasn't natural. It wasn't wind. It wasn't the absence of warmth. It was presence. Something dark, familiar, and damn right haunting.
Tifa felt it too. Her muscles tensed instantly, her body snapping into defense.
"Cloud—" she said uncalmly. Her gaze looking around the void.
And then— A voice.
"Cloud…"
The sound was a blade slicing through silence. It was low, smooth, calculated, and indeed dark.
Cloud's pulse slammed once against his ribs. His grip on the Buster Sword tightened on instinct, breath stilling in his chest.
Tifa took a half-step back, her breath sharp, her hands curling into tight fists.
Shadow had already turned toward the sound, his own stance lowering just slightly—not cautious, but ready.
"So... He's here too?" Shadow mused bluntly, his frown deepening.
Tifa swallowed, glancing toward the hedgehog.
"He is," she confirmed. "That's who we were looking for. Before we ran into you."
Cloud barely registered her words. His focus had already shifted, drawn toward the weight pressing in from the void, the sheer gravity of the presence looming just beyond reach.
Shadow exhaled slowly, the sound sharp in the heavy silence. His red eyes stayed locked on the abyss stretching before them. When he spoke, his voice was lower, colder.
"Sephiroth."
The name left his lips with quiet, simmering anger.
Cloud gave a single nod, the motion tense, measured.
"Yeah," he murmured. His voice was quieter now, edged with something grim, something inevitable.
Then his gaze slid sideways, towards Shadow. A realisation settled in. Cloud's grip on the Buster Sword tightened.
"…Is it your Sephiroth?" he asked, his voice even but firm. "Or ours?"
Shadow remained still for a moment. His expression darkened, unreadable, yet something in his stance shifted. There was a silent understanding, an unspoken truth.
Then, without looking at Cloud, he answered.
"…Or perhaps, another..."
A heavy silence fell between the three of them.
The warriors stood in the endless white, surrounded by shadows of possibility, each of them knowing that whatever Sephiroth had come for, it wouldn't end here.
Not until they found him.
Howdy, folks!
This chapter has been sitting in the wings for a while. I originally intended it to be longer, but I really wanted to get something out there and reconnect with the story. Apologies for the delay, and thank you for your patience. I'm finally back at the keyboard after some time away, and it feels good to return to writing.
This chapter marks an important moment I've been building toward: Shadow and Maria's long-awaited reunion. I've had a few readers asking when they'd finally meet again, and I'm happy to say, here it is.
It's a shorter chapter, but the next one will be longer and a bit more lore-heavy. I'll be diving into some deeper exposition and info-dumps (you've been warned!), likely set in a certain mysterious Collection Room...
A Few Highlights:
Maria's Light: It's strong. Too strong to ignore. Could she be, or have once been a Princess of Heart? Just a little food for thought.
FVI and FFVII Elements: You've probably noticed I've been incorporating Final Fantasy VI and VII more heavily into the narrative. I've been replaying both, diving back into the lore, and doing a ton of research. It's been so much fun reconnecting with these worlds. That said, if I ever get a detail wrong, I totally own that. I'm always happy to hear feedback and correct things if needed. We all make mistakes… even the occasional toaster with a hero complex. (Looking at you, Cubot...)
Terra Branford's Journey: Pulled straight from FFVI's World of Ruin. She's carrying the weight of Mobliz and the children she's sworn to protect. Now she's stranded in White Space... and being subjected to Cubot's tax evasion rants. Poor Terra.
Tax Evasion Running Joke: First Scrooge in KH II BBE, now Kefka. Who's next?
Orbot and Cubot: Honestly, these two have become one of my favorite duos to write. Their banter brings balance to the darker themes, and I love letting them steal the spotlight here and there.
Shadow of Gaia (FFVII Variant): I've been toying with this idea for a while: a version of Shadow who exists within the FFVII timeline. What if he had roots in Gaia? What if he forged bonds with Avalanche? It might even become its own standalone story one day. For now, a taste of what could be.
Arondight: Recognise the name? Yes, it's the same blade Sir Lancelot (another Shadow variant) uses in Sonic and the Black Knight. In this version, I've tied it into Gaia's mythical past, rooted in Cosmo Canyon's ancient mysteries. That place always felt like it was hiding more than it let on.
Thanks again for reading and sticking with the story. The support means the world, especially with everything happening on my end lately. Writing again has helped me a lot, and I'm genuinely excited about where the next chapter is going.
See you in White Space soon.