Kingdom Hearts: Final Master, [CHOCK FULL OF SPOILERS!!!][PG-13][End of Part One] Alright, alright! I've had enough of my friends telling me, "You should put your story on that forum site you like to get codes from!" So, here it is! I hope that it doesn't crash and burn like my Golden Sun RP on another site, (PM me if you like Golden Sun and want to learn more about my RP)... Anyway, this is my version of the events that happened before and during the story of Sora and his friends. And for those of you who didn't notice, yes, Adrian is based on myself. I would like to warn you, though: Final Master is not for those of you who don't know the entire story of Kingdom Hearts! This story is chock full of spoilers and references to the three main games in the storyline, (KH1, KH2, and CoM). So, if you want to have the entire story ruined before you actually play the games, go right ahead and read on! If you have played the games and know the story, then I would think that you are safe! Oh, and by the way, if you know the story well enough to notice flaws in my story, then please let me know about them in a PM! But, in your PMs, please don't be rude and degrading to me or my work. I got enough of that on other sites. However, in my experience with KH-Vids, I have never, (and I mean never), been put down and/or insulted by any of the members. Props to those of you who actually have a sense of compassion! PROPS!!!! :yelling: So, without any further ado... Part One Prologue: Twilight Town... Well, this is it. I have approximately two years to live, according to a good friend of mine. If I am to die after that time, however, I will not be forgotten. I will chronicle my tale here. It will be written in several parts, each consisting of different chapters. If you have the mind to read on, then do so. I am doing this for the sake of remembrance. So others won't make my same mistakes. And I will not leave my desk in my Twilight Town apartment until it is done. I will follow through this time. I will not fail, like I have on so many other things before... My tale begins when I was five years old. Young, isn't it, to have a quest forced upon you? Well, I didn't have a choice. I was only five years old, and yet I was thrust into a war that would either make or break the worlds. I have seen both sides of the coin, so to speak. I have traveled from the universe in which the "bad guys" won to this one... The one where victory has yet to be decided. I am called Adrian. And I am a Keyblade bearer. Well, I was, that is. I am now known as a Final Master. (I have no clue where that name came from, trust me.) I was once a Keyblade Master, but was turned away by its power when I was deemed unfit to wield it. Many believe the Keyblade to be a weapon of fate. Driven by destiny to the outcome that is inevitable, that was predetermined by some force that remains unknown to us. Others believe it to be a gift. Given to the one who can wield it and take the power for granted. Whether for good or evil, that is left up to the wielder. In fact, there are several prophesies regarding the Keyblade. One says that it will either bring order or chaos to the worlds. It will either bring a time of light, where little darkness permeates the veil that protects the worlds. Or, on the other hand, it will bring about the slow decay of all order, happiness, and light in all the worlds, where the smallest light is quickly snuffed out by the malicious darkness. However, this is not the prophesy that will be the main focus of this tale. There is one prophesy that was made long after the discovery of the Keyblade, but it has been so long that many hold it to be an old wives' tale. In this one, there are specifics. It says that an order will rise, taking up the responsibility of ruling the worlds. This order will work within two separate worlds, creating pathways that interconnect the worlds. On one of the few worlds that have not been connected by such pathways, there will be a magical event so dramatic, the heart of that world will explode in power. The Keyblade will chose the one who was born during that explosion of magical power. It will chose them and the prophesies will be shown for what they really are, whether they be true or false. The "order" that rose, as you probably guessed is Disney Castle. King Mickey and Queen Minnie are the rulers there. They are who takes on the task of keeping peace between worlds. The two worlds are the Radiant Gardens, (later known as Hollow Bastion), and the Disney Castle world. The pathways are known as gummi routes, named for the type of ship that travels on them. The world that will explode, the child that will be born? Destiny Islands and... Me. I was the Keyblade's chosen one. I was the one who will either save or destroy the worlds. I made mistakes, and I opted out of making them again. There will still be problems, yes, I know. But I can live with the problems of my slowly degrading physical and mental state. I can live with no connection to any of my old friends, save one. I can live with that stuff. But making the same mistakes again, with no hope of changing the outcome... It's unbearable. I think that I've said enough at this time. The following is a recount of the events of my life. I can clearly remember many things about my early childhood that other people are unable to recall, so this may take a little longer than a normal memoir, autobiography, or other type of life-story. Although, it is written in third-person, so I don't think that it can be called a “memoir” or “autobiography...” Anyway, I hope that you are very comfortable, because you are going to be here for a while! Signing out from Twilight Town, Adrian of Destiny Islands Chapter One: Destiny Islands... Countdown to the Connecting of Worlds: 19 years “Congratulations, ma'am,” the doctor said over the wailing of the baby in his arms to the woman on the hospital bed, “It's a boy!” The woman looked up as the doctor said this and a small tear came to her eye. Her long, shiny, brown hair was disheveled and her beautiful, green eyes were dulled with weariness, but she still had a joyous glow around her. Her face was now contorting with a mixture of weariness and pure, unmistakable ecstasy. She wiped her face on her hospital gown and held out her arms to her beautiful baby boy. The doctor gently placed the child in her arms and, suddenly, the baby stopped crying. The eyes that gazed back at her were green like his her's but the sparse hair on the top of his head was pure, jet black. The mother looked up at the doctor and cocked her head to one side. “Why is his hair this color? My husband's hair is blond and mine is brown... Wait. Does it have something to do with, um, what's it called...” “Recessive genes.” The doctor smiled. “That is what you mean, but I'm not sure that that's it...” “What? What do you mean?” “When he was born, I was sure that his hair was blond. Then, when he was being cleaned, it looked brown. Now, it is black! I'm not sure what that was about, but his eyes did the same thing. I looked into his eyes a while ago and they were blue. Now they are green... It's like his body can't make up it's mind on what color everything should be! It sure is a mystery...” But the woman wasn't paying attention. She was lost in the eyes of her son. Her one and only child. In fact, she had been staring into his eyes since she had asked the last question. Hmmmm, she said to herself, I feel like he knows exactly what I'm thinking, what I'm saying... There is an intelligence in his eyes that can only come with age and wisdom. What are you thinking, little one? I wish I could see into your head, my little Adrian... “Ma'am?” The doctor tried to get into her field of vision, but she was completely oblivious to him and everything around her. He smiled and left the room, closing the door gently behind him. Meanwhile, at Disney Castle... King Mickey and Queen Minnie were getting ready to head down to the Audience Chamber and greet their escort to Hollow Bastion, which was a different world than their own. Oh, yes. There are other worlds out there... The trick to finding them is secret! What, you thought that I was going to tell you how? Well, that's too bad... Anyway, the King and Queen, (dressed in their best traveling clothes), were about to go to meet the escort when the door to the Library burst open and who should come flying through it but Head Mage, Donald Duck. He looked even more flustered than usual, and had a triumphant gleam in his eyes. “Your Majesty! I mean, Your Majesties!!!” Donald cried as he came blaring at them. “Donald!” The Queen's Lady in Waiting, Daisy, stepped in front of him, in an effort to make him stop. “Wak!” Donald tried to stop but ended up flat on his face in front of Daisy. He quickly recovered and dusted himself off. Queen Minnie giggled. “Now, Donald! Calm down and tell me what's going on!” The King looked at Donald levelly. Donald straightened and saluted, then started to talk. As the mage got further into his story, Minnie started to notice a distinct change in her King's facial expression. It went from indifferent to skeptical, and finally excited. He was obviously getting ready to cancel the trip to Hollow Bastion or have her go without him... “Minnie!” He spun around and addressed his Queen. “I need you to go to Hollow Bastion and tell Ansem the Wise this: 'What we've been looking for has been found!' Can you do that for me?” Minnie nodded solemnly. “Thank you!” The King turned to Donald and started to go out. He stopped and turned as he reached the door. He looked at Minnie and said, “I'll catch up with you later. Don't worry about me.” And he left. Queen Minnie sighed, saying, “There he goes again...” Daisy patted her Queen on the back and smiled. “But he always comes back. You can trust that.” The Queen smiled and looked up at Daisy. “Thank you, Daisy. You always know exactly what to say at the right time.” And with that, they made their way down to the Audience Chamber. In the Audience Chamber... “Hey, Cloud,” a young, brown-haired man said to the mysterious-looking, spiky-haired, cloaked, young man kneeling beside the door, “What's your story? Why are you here?” Cloud looked up at the other young man and frowned. “I don't know. What are you doing here?” “Oh, Cloud!” A young, black clad woman with long, shiny, black hair shook her head, annoyed. “Why do you have to be so rude? All Squall was asking was why you are here! That doesn't have any malicious intent behind it at all!” Cloud just shrugged. “It's not his business. That's all I'm going to say.” “Thank you, Tifa. And, by the way, call me Leon. Please.” The brown-haired man muttered. “Leon, huh?” A younger preteen girl with a giant throwing star swinging in her hand giggled. “Why? Your name is Squall! Why not – ” “Yuffie!” Tifa snapped, “That's what he wants to be called, so that's what we're going to call him! 'Kay?” “Fine, fine...” “Just stop...” Cloud muttered. “Cloud,” Tifa said, looking at Cloud, concerned, “You okay?” “It's just a head-ache. I'll be – ” Just then, the Audience Chamber door opened and Queen Minnie and Daisy came through. Cloud jumped up, making Leon smirk. “Huh?” Yuffie cocked her head to one side and frowned when she saw that the ladies were the only two to enter. “What? No King?” Tifa shot a look at Yuffie and shook her head. She turned back to the Queen and bowed. Everyone else followed suit. The Queen blushed and shook her head, saying, “Please! Please! Stand up! I am your friend, not someone who needs to bowed to! If the King had told me that it would be you three, then I would have been dressed more casually... Now, down to business...” “Wait!” Tifa said suddenly, “Where's Cid?” “Cid?” Yuffie frowned and looked around. “I don't know! He was with us when we arrived...” “Well, yeah,” Cloud said, his voice full of sarcasm, “He's kind of the one who flew the ship...” “Cloud!” Tifa shot a look at him. Leon smirked again. “Here I am!” The engineer came bursting through the door to the Chamber, flight goggles and all, with a huge grin on his face. “Why are you so happy?” Yuffie said, crossing her arms and frowning. “Ya Majesty!” Cid addressed the Queen, ignoring Yuffie, “I must say tha' those two little guys ya got down in th' Gummi Hangah' are top notch! I wouldn' min' workin' with them two any time!” “Why, thank you, Cid! Chip and Dale would be happy to hear it!” Minnie smiled and turned to the rest. “Now, I would like to let you know that the King will not be joining us today. He was abruptly distracted right before coming down to meet you. Apparently, an enormous energy force has been recorded on another world. He believes that this force is the “hero” that himself and Ansem the Wise have been looking for.” “Wha'? Ya mean tha' lucky person who's gonna get 'chosen' by, um, tha', uh, whatchmacallit...” Cid scratched his temple. “The Keyblade, Cid.” Leon said. Minnie nodded solemnly. “Yes. The King believes that a person will be born in a blast of magic energy on a world that nobody has ever gone to. I think that that very thing may have happened...” “Well,” Cloud said, “Are we to go to this world?” “No. We are to go to Hollow Bastion, as planned. However, I will be meeting with Ansem the Wise in the King's stead.” Tifa nodded. “Then shall we get going?” Minnie nodded at Tifa and answered, “Yes. We should leave now.” Later, at Hollow Bastion... “Hm? What's that you say? King Mickey may have found the one who will become the Keyblade Master?” Ansem's eyebrows shot up at the news of King Mickey's discovery. His long, graying hair was very neat, along with the rest of his person. However, this was a contrast to his current setting. His office was a complete mess, what with papers scattered over the floor and chalk-boards with scribbles on them ripped off the wall. The Queen was beginning to feel the urge to just start tidying up, but she resisted it. “Yes. He believes so.” The Queen said presently. She was sitting on one side of Ansem's desk, in a very beautifully carved armchair. Ansem sat opposite her in an old, torn-up office chair. She didn't understand how he could stay focused while sitting in something that looked that uncomfortable. “I see... Xeanhort!” Ansem called to his head assistant. The office's door opened after a moment and a young, silver-haired man with a handsome face peered in. “Yes, Master Ansem?” “Two things. One: ready my gummi ship for departure. Two: stop calling me 'Master Ansem!' Simply 'Ansem' will do...” “Yes... Ansem.” “There you go! Now, where were we? Ah, yes! I was about to tell you my findings on the Heart of Worlds and the D.T.D.” “Um... Mr. Ansem...” “Ah! That's right. You are not interested in that, are you? Hmmmmm... In that case, make yourself at home! I must meet up with the King on this 'new world...' Please! Don't be shy. My assistants would be happy to help you with anything! But now, I must go. Farewell!” And with that, Ansem got up and left the office. Hmmmmm... The Queen thought to herself, What is so important about this “Keyblade Master” that it needs to interfere with Mickey's duties as King? The worlds aren't even in danger! Why does Ansem seem to get so worked up about it when it is mentioned? What is this “Keyblade,” anyway? Chapter Two: Yen Sid's Tower – Twilight Town... Countdown to the Connecting of Worlds: 14 years Adrian was tired. It had been over three months since he had been taken by Yen Sid to “hone his magical skill.” What did that mean, anyway? Did it mean the weird stuff that he can do when he gets mad? Or is it something else? Well, either way, he was physically exhausted. Yen Sid, the greatest known wizard and the King's personal teacher, had been making him run up and down the Wayward Stair for over two hours! And it didn't help that he kept teleporting to each room and randomly throwing small objects at him as he ran! He kept saying, “Who's to say what you will be forced to go through in that big, dangerous world out there? This may seem harsh now, but imagine doing it with a big, scary monster behind you! Keep running! Dodge! Block this one! Run faster to get a ahead of this one! Blah, blah blah, blah blah, blah blah!” Was he trying to kill him? If he was to ever get out into that “big, dangerous world out there,” he would have to survive Yen Sid's training! No, this wasn't training! This was boot camp! Yen Sid sure talked sweet, but he was mean! If Adrian didn't do something right, he would be told to run laps up and down the Wayward Stair, while dodging and blocking the little spoons and cups that Yen Sid just happened to have stuffed in his pockets! Where did he get all that kitchenware, anyway? Presently, Adrian opened the door to Yen Sid's study, drenched in sweat and dragging his feet. Yen Sid was sitting behind his desk with a stern look on his face. Adrian could barely see him through the thick fog that clouded his vision. He knew, though. His training for the day wasn't over by far! Why, it was only eleven in the morning! He still had the whole day ahead of him! He came and stood before Yen Sid's desk and waited for the sudden rush of energy and cool to wash over him... It never came. He blinked and shook his head. He tried to focus his eyes on his teacher, but ended up closing his eyes, instead. He felt a slap on his cheek that snapped him back to reality. His eyes focused and he saw Yen Sid clearly. He looked expectantly at Adrian. Adrian frowned with an effort. “Wha' ya wan' me ta do?” Adrian slurred. “Heal yourself.” Yen Sid said simply. Adrian would have done a double take, but he could barely move. Heal... Himself? How? He'd never done a curative spell before! How would he do that?! “Go on! I want to see you control the power within yourself.” Adrian shook his head and instantly regretted it. His head spun and he began to wobble. “Concentrate!” Adrian heard this word attempt to pierce the mist over his mind. But it barely got through. He tried to focus his mind on feeling better... And passed out. Yen Sid sighed as Adrian collapsed in a small heap on the ground. His body was taking quite a beating in this training, but it was entirely necessary. If he could just harness the magic power that lay, untapped, in his heart, he would become a very powerful mage and, in time, Keyblade Master, indeed... One worthy of the destiny that awaited his older self. “Oh, my!” Flora, Fauna, and Meriweather, the three good fairies who helped Yen Sid with his work, had come into the room as Adrian collapsed. “Oh, my, indeed!” Flora said, looking with concern at Adrian, “Are you trying to ruin his body?” “No. I – ” “Well, that's what you're doing!” Fauna went over to Adrian and lifted him up in her arms. “You don't underst – ” “Oh, yes! I understand perfectly!” Meriweather cried, “You think that you can beat the skill into his head! Well, we won't allow it! As of right now, we are going to train him!” “Now, wait a moment – ” “Oh?” Flora looked at Yen Sid inquiringly. “Are you going to actually train him? Train him instead of putting him through torture?” Yen Sid sighed. He had given up. “Alright! I give up. I should have asked you for your views on how to train him before I took it into my own hands. It's impossible to win an argument against you three, anyway...” “Good,” Fauna said, “You've finally seen sense!” “Now,” Yen Sid started, “What should I do with him today?” Flora, Fauna, and Meriweather all looked at Yen Sid and frowned. “Ah. Fine. I shall give him a day or two to rest. He has been very good about not complaining. He is a good boy. In fact, tomorrow, you two take him to the Struggle Battles in Twilight Town. He has already voiced an interest in meeting this Setzer. He's a little young for such violence, but I think that he can handle it.” The three fairies looked overjoyed. They started to leave the room, but Yen Sid stopped them. “Wait.” They turned. “If you can, try to get Adrian a photograph with Setzer. Even though he is only twelve years old, Setzer is strong beyond his years. Adrian might learn something from him.” Yen Sid smiled and laughed a little. “Maybe a little something about how to breathe when he runs... Adrian pants like a little puppy when he is doing those laps on the Stair...” The fairies all looked stern at Yen Sid. “But, those laps won't be happening again, of course!” Meriweather smiled at Yen Sid and left the study with her two companions. Hm... Yen Sid began to ponder the mystery that had been nagging at him lately when they had gone, I sense that this boy's future hangs on one crucial person... His recently born brother seems to be of some importance to whether Adrian will even become a Keyblade Master! What it all means is beyond my ability to see. But a new “player” in this game seems like it would be more of a hindrance than an asset. We shall see how it all plays out in the end... For now, I shall train his mind and body to obey him without outside assistance. That is all that I can do for him... And with this mystery stored in the back of his mind, Yen Sid teleported to Disney Castle to update his close friend and student, King Mickey... Meanwhile, in Hollow Bastion... “Are you sure?” Xeanhort muttered to his companion, one of the other assistants who worked with Ansem, “He is gone?” The other assistant nodded. “And the Queen? Where is she?” “I escorted her to her lodging...” The other assistant looked troubled. “What?” Xeanhort looked sideways at the younger man. “Are you having second thoughts?” “Well,” the young man looked around and nodded mutely. “Hm.” Xeanhort shook his head and stepped out into the light of the corridor. The other man followed suit. Xeanhort looked down the hallway, away from his colleague. “Just think of it this way: He would stop us from pursuing our dreams. You and the other 'assistants' all want to find this 'Kingdom Hearts,' right?” The other man nodded and muttered, “But Ansem is nothing but nice to us... What we are planning is cruel and – ” Xeanhort stopped him with a glare. “He would do something worse to us. Maybe not now. Maybe not in ten years. Maybe not ever, at this point! But, if we were the ones who kept a huge machine that can produce creatures of shadow in our castle, while also saying things like, 'It is dangerous to meddle in the affairs of people's hearts,' he would go and blow it up in our faces, too. Get that through that thick layer of loyalty and kindness and you'll do just fine...” The other man nodded, looking more encouraged. Xeanhort turned and smiled evilly. “Let's go.” And he took off running down the hall, the accomplice hot on his tail. Chapter Three: The Lot – Twilight Town... Countdown to the Connecting of Worlds: 14 years “Yeah! Go Setzer! Go!” Adrian couldn't remember the last time he'd had this much fun. Had he ever had fun like this before? Well, as stated, he couldn't remember! He was amazed by Setzer, the star fighter in the Struggle Battles. He had come out of nowhere, defeating all who stood between him and his trophy. Not to mention the “bragging rights” that the announcer always referred to. In fact, against Yen Sid's orders, Flora, Fauna, and Meriweather, (all in less-than-convincing disguises to hide the fact that they were fairies), had let Adrian bet on Setzer's victory in the final match. Adrian was positive that someone was going to try and sabotage Setzer to make him lose, but he would still win, even with the handicap. To be more specific, someone was going to throw a Struggle Bat at Setzer's head, miss, and hit the back of his left ankle. However, according to Adrian, Setzer was going to rise above the pain and conquer his opponent in the final match. To explain Adrian's bet, I would have to give a little background on the betting system of the Struggle Battles. First, a person who bets on anyone puts down an amount. That is how much that they are paying for the bet. Next, they put down a “win margin,” which is by how much the fighter that they are betting on is going to win by, (in points). Lastly, they put down any details that they want to, which would increase their winnings by a multiple of ten. That multiple would be decided by how unlikely a win would be if the situation described in the “details” section actually happened. Also, depending on the likelyhood of that person winning, the original amount would be multiplied by the chances that the person would lose. To summarize Adrian's bet: He put down 1,000 munny, (the last of his going away present from his parents), a win margin of 37 points, (which would add 500 munny to whatever he put down added to any other multiples), two details – that Setzer would actually knock the other person out, (which would multiply his winnings by twenty), and that he would win despite an injury to his left ankle, (which would multiply his winnings by another forty), resulting in his original amount being multiplied by sixty – and a 4-to-1 win-lose ratio, (a four-times multiplier to the winnings), which added up to a total of 240,500 munny. Now that is a pretty penny! As of the present point in time, that bet was looking a little wasted! Setzer was getting destroyed out there! But, Adrian was confident that he was going to get that munny. Suddenly, Setzer dodged a blow that would have meant the end of the match and landed the hardest blow yet – an incredible uppercut that had just the right amount of flair to it. He hit his opponent so hard, many people later said that they heard that poor kid's teeth smash into each other and crack! That blow happened to be the first, last, and only hit that Setzer had landed on that guy during the whole match. And he made it count! Adrian smirked at another boy with black markings under his eyes who had been rooting for the other guy. The boy, (being older than Adrian by a long shot), looked ready to challenge Adrian to a impromptu battle in some secluded alleyway, far away from the crowds of the Struggle Battles... Adrian was about to take him up on his non-verbal challenge, but Fauna saw what was about to happen and held him in place. He looked up at Fauna, who shook her head and frowned. Adrian grimaced, but didn't say anything. He looked back to where the boy was and found that he was gone. “You don't need that kind of nonsense now, Adrian,” Fauna said comfortingly, smiling at him, “He's just a poor sport.” Adrian thought about that for a moment, found that he agreed with his guardian, and went back to staring at Setzer with wonder-filled eyes. At one point, Setzer made eye-contact with Adrian, who looked away and blushed. He heard Setzer laugh a little and say something about autographs. Adrian smiled to himself and kept the idea that he had come up with suddenly in the back of his head for later. "Adrian? You okay?" "Hm?" Adrian refused to take his eyes off Setzer. "You look..." Fauna cocked her head to one side as she looked at the five-year-old. "Well, I just can't place how you look right now!" Adrian smiled and returned her gaze. At that moment, Fauna realized that something was wrong. Horrifically wrong. Was this truly the same young boy who had just been blushing and giggling over Setzer? She saw in his eyes something that frightened her. Power. Raw, wild, untapped power. She suddenly gasped and held one hand to her head and the other to her heart. Adrian's eyes seemed to shimmer and glow with an evil light as Fauna looked into them, transfixed. Her body slowly began to shut down and her vision blurred, eventually fading altogether. The last thing that she remembered before all of her senses got snuffed out like a candle was a too-mature voice that seemed to come from the direction that Adrian was in. "This world's time has come. And so has yours." Meanwhile, in Hollow Bastion's Heartless Manufactory... "Master Ansem!" Leon ran full tilt up the stairs from the Heartless Manufactory to the computer room within Ansem's office at Hollow Bastion. What he had just seen couldn't have just happened! It was impossible! When he arrived at the top of the last stairwell, he burst through the door into the computer room, slamming and locking it behind himself. Ansem's head jerked up at the young man's sudden appearance into the room. "Leon! What seems to be --" "No time!" Leon yelled. He was already at the computer terminal jabbing at the keyboard. "You need to get out of here now! Evacuate the town and try to find shelter far away from here!" "Leon!" Ansem got up and approached his friend. But, before he reached Leon, there was a deafening explosion and a flash of light, during which the entire windowed wall behind the terminal got sucked out into the Manufactory and disappeared. Leon quickly regained his feet before the dust had even begun to settle and helped Ansem up. He turned back to where the terminal used to be to find a horrifying sight. "Oh, you're kidding me, right?" Darkness. A vortex of darkness. A tempest made of darkness so pure, so tangible, that the longer that Leon gazed into it, the more he felt his entire soul being sucked into it. Awesome, but terrifying, as well! The vortex was about three hundred yards wide on all sides, with a single line of what looked like black, undulating spider's thread that extended from the bottom into another, smaller vortex that had formed on the floor of the Manufactory. The smaller vortex seemed to be spawning many different kinds of shadow-like creatures. Some were small, and feral-looking, while others were quite large with an air of malicious intent around them. "What have I done...?" Ansem whispered hoarsly as Leon dragged him out of the now wrecked computer room. "Master Ansem! Ansem!" Leon was yelling as they ran. Ansem glanced over at him with saddened eyes. "I understand that you feel responsible for what is happening right now, but what you must understand is that your guilt will have to wait! Innocent lives are at stake now, and, regardless of your part in this, you need to step up and try to save as many people as you can!" They had arrived at the Bailey, the area between the town and the castle. Leon stopped running and faced Ansem. "Cloud, Tifa, Yuffie, and I will remain here and try to stop whatever is in there. You, Merlin, and the others try to get the townsfolk out of here as fast as you can. Try to keep them calm and go to the other side of the Wall. We will come to get you when it's safe again." "What should I tell them?" Ansem asked as Leon started to head back to the castle. Leon smirked without turning. "You'll think of something!" And with that, Leon ran as fast as he could back to the castle. On the way, he saw Cloud and Tifa up on one of the balconies getting ready to jump into the highest window on the castle, which led into the Great Hall. He was about to jump to the next highest level to meet up with them when he was hit in the chest by something that he couldn't see. He flew through the air and was about to smash into the wall behind him when he was roughly yanked by his arm to the side. He landed next to Yuffie on top of an archway that overlooked the Bailey. "Fancy meeting you here, Yuffie." "Well, Squ -- Sorry, Leon, I was on my way to find you when I heard that boom come from the computer room. But, by the time I got up there, you and -- " "We'll talk later! We got company!" And he was right! What looked like a squadron of fighter jets was zooming right at them from the hole that the vortex was eating in the side of the castle. However, they were not fighter jets! They were dragon-like creatures that were red in color and has an interesting insignia on the tops of their heads. It looked like a heart with a thorny vine running across it in the shape of an "x." "What the heck are those?!" Yuffie cried. Leon ignored her and drew his gun-blade and leveled it at the on-coming dragons. He charged up a shot and was about to let it loose when he got nailed in the chest again by another invisible something. Yuffie had sensed it coming and jumped, but Leon was, once again, sent flying straight at the wall. This time, he caught himself on a wire and swung up and around onto another, higher archway. He looked around for the source of the blow, but couldn't see anything. He heard a scratch on one of the walls a few yards away and looked in that direction. He saw claw marks being scored into the wall by and invisible creature. "Aw, great." He took aim at the claw marks and let off a shot in that direction. Apparently, the creature hadn't been paying attention to Leon because the energy blast hit it dead on and knocked it off the wall. As it fell, it materialized. "Ooh. Even better! A chameleon?!" And it was a chameleon. Or, at least something that looked like one! It had to be at least twelve feet long and around five feet tall. It's tail was about as long as it's body and had a nasty spike on the end. Luckily for Leon, that spike had never connected with him! Also, it had the same, strange symbol on it's head... "Bring it!" Leon yelled and launched himself at the incapacitated creature... Only to get bombarded by the dragons that he had suddenly remembered were still there. Meanwhile, in Hollow Bastion's Great Hall... "Cloud! Left!" Tifa dodged right as the gigantic, hulking shadow smashed some kind of appendage right down onto the spot that she had been standing not even a second before. Cloud spun left and swung his Buster-Sword at the closest leg-looking thing. He glanced up for a split-second at Tifa to check in on her. "Up!" Cloud yelled at Tifa as the monster swung that same appendage up to swat her out of the air and Cloud jumped out of the way of another. Tifa landed side-ways on the wall across from Cloud and did a little hand-spring off of it, quickly spinning straight at the only weak-looking spot on her foe. She charged up a relatively weak spell and fired it off at the glinting little circle on the very top of the monster's "head." She wanted to keep it weaker to preserve her strength if it failed. It didn't. There was a sickening squishing sound as the spell hit and sunk into the monster's head. It went stiff for a moment, just long enough for Tifa to land on top of it and leap off onto a shattered pillar. And then it went nuts. It started to claw the top of it's head and wobbling around. This thing was huge, though, so the fact that it was wobbling in such an in-closed area made things get pretty interesting... Cloud had been in the middle of charging a spell, himself, when Tifa's had caused the current response. He faltered when the beast had went stiff and he lost the spell. Bad news! Cloud was forced to jump, dodge, spin, and actually deflect blows from the flailing thing as he tried to get to safety. "Tifa!" He screamed, trying to get to her, "What did you do?!" "I just cast a Level One Fire spell on it, and it went nuts!" She screamed back as he landed by her on the pillar. "Level One?! Then why -- " "Dodge!" The beast had seemingly regained control of itself and had heard them yelling. It was angry now. Irate, in fact! It was so aggravated, that it had suddenly realized that it could instantly cast Top Level magics! Now knowing this, it started casting spells like Top Level Flare, Top Level Haste, Top Level Dark... That kind of thing! And, obviously, it didn't know how it was doing it! Tifa and Cloud, however, didn't care how it was doing this -- they were on the receiving end! They were too busy trying to dodge and block these spells that even they hadn't mastered! Both were constantly trying to pay attention to the other, while also evading the walls of Flare and Dark spells that were now coming almost non-stop! As you probably guessed, they quickly gave up on that! Damn! Tifa thought to herself as she narrowly missed getting her head incinerated by yet another Top Level Flare spell, How the hell do we kill this thing?! Its only weakness is the top of it's head, but how do we even get in range and in sight of it, now?! Suddenly, an idea popped into her head. Reflect... She started to make her way towards the never-ending sound of Cloud's sword ringing as it took multiple hits from the myriad of Top Level spells. He looked up and saw her make a hand motion as she flew by at top speed, followed by a stream of Flare spells. He understood. They both launched into action right as there was a lull in the shadowy/fiery rain. Tifa went up and right; Cloud went up and left. Both were headed for the top of the room. The spells continued to come, but they were moving so fast that the Flare spells were snuffed out as they passed and the Dark spells got flung right back at the creature and in every direction. At the same time, both Cloud and Tifa made it to the top of the room and jumped up and out of the shattered glass roof. They went up and up... Then Tifa lifted her hand, which was a signal for Cloud to do the same. They began to fall back into the castle as the out-run spells flew up to meet them. Their hands began to glow blue... And they collided with the onslaught of magic! There was a deafening boom and all of the windows in the town of Hollow Bastion were suddenly in tiny pieces and flying out of their frames. Leon and Yuffie were thrown high up into the air as this happened, while all of the strange dragons and lizards disappeared as if they were candle flames and a bunch of hands had pinched them out. They regained control and both landed on rooftops in the town. They shook themselves to snap out of the shock of the explosion and looked up to the source of the sound. The entire top half of the castle was gone! "What the hell was that?!" Yuffie said hoarsely, her mouth and eyes wide open. "Cloud!" Leon yelled and jumped with incredible speed towards the castle. Yuffie followed, wondering what Leon had meant by yelling Cloud's name... When they landed on the new top of the castle, Leon and Yuffie both froze, open-mouthed. "Oh, no..." Yuffie whispered, speech-less. There were Tifa and Cloud, lying far below, on the floor of what used to be the Library, surrounded by the wreckage and carnage that was now Hollow Bastion. "NO!!!!" Leon yelled and launched himself off of the shattered outer wall of the castle. He was at Cloud's and Tifa's sides before Yuffie could blink. He put a finger to first Cloud's, then Tifa's pulses. "No......." Leon stood and staggered back into what had once been a bookcase, now a large, shattered pile of firewood, and sat heavily on the ground at its base. His eyes flooded with tears. They were dead. Chapter Four: Yen Sid's Tower – Twilight Town... Countdown to the Connecting of Worlds: 14 years Adrian sat up in bed so suddenly that his head spun and he almost threw up. What had just happened? Adrian looked around, closed his eyes, and slowly reached up to his head to steady the sudden, nagging urge to collapse back onto his bed. After the nausea had subsided, he took his hand away... It was covered in blood. He froze, but only for a moment. He jerked his head away from the horrific sight, then frantically began flapping his hand to clear the red liquid off of it. When he looked back to his hand, it was completely clean of anything. He looked around his room to find that the blood that should have splattered on the walls and other surfaces in his general vicinity was not even there. He sniffed his hand and did not smell blood on it, at all! “What the heck was that about?” He jumped off of his bed, completely convinced that what had just happened was just a lingering dream. However, when his feet hit the floor, he realized that he was suddenly too tall. He glanced down to his feet, which were very far away now, and saw that they were not bare, as they should have been. He was wearing black boots. He stared at his now-distant, booted feet for a minute. Then he snapped out of his daze and looked into the mirror on the wall to his right. He was so shocked at who looked back at him that he jumped a little. Black boots. Black, baggy pants. Black straps that criss-crossed over his torso, which was covered by a black, vest-shaped top. His hair was very spiky and suddenly bright blond. He turned a little to look at his back. For some reason, his back had strange, stiff strap-like sheathes all over it. To make this weird situation even harder to understand, as he looked at the sheathes, a glimmer began to form within them. He watched in wonder as a pair of gigantic blades suddenly materialized into the openings of the straps that served the purpose of holding these blades on his back. He looked back up into the mirror and at his reflection's face. He had transformed into the man from his dream who he had just seen die. He was now the young man who, in his dream, had been called “Cloud.” He felt a sudden pain hit his mind with the force of a falling boulder. He fell to his knees and held his head in his hands as the pain intensified. He could barely hear a voice trying to break through the static that had sprung up in his head. Fight it! The voice got stronger as Adrian concentrated on clarity. You can do it! You just have to think of what's around you... Something solid, that's always there... The bracelet. The bracelet that his mother had given him before he left. It was always right there, right next to his bed, on his bed-side table. He tried to picture it in his mind as the noise and the pain began to fade. He could now see it clearly before him. A tarnished, silver band that reminded him of what and who he was here for. The power that he held within, and the mother he had left behind. He came back to himself and looked around his rather small room. He glanced down to his feet to find them bare and as they should be. He looked into the mirror and saw himself, not Cloud. However, his eyes were now a bright bluish green. There was a strange glint in them. “What's happening to me?” He wondered aloud. He was surprised to hear a voice reply... You are channeling my personality and my power. I have died in a world that you may of heard of... “Who are you? And why can't I hear you with my ears? It doesn't sound like your voice is... Audible...” You catch on quickly! The voice laughed a little before continuing. I am... Well, used to be, anyway, a part of a small group of fighters who were hired by a man named Ansem the Wise and King Mickey to help protect the secrets of Kingdom Hearts. Ansem is a scientist who was studying the Heart of Worlds with some assistance from the King. However, something has gone terrifyingly wrong. Adrian cut the voice off, “I don't care about any of that! I just want to know why your voice is suddenly sounding in my head!” Hm. You're a little impatient, aren't you? Well, I'll keep it short, then. I, along with my friend, Tifa, have actually died as a result of our fight with a giant shadowy... Thing. I don't know what happened to Tifa's spirit, but it looks to me as if mine got sent to you. “'Sent?' What the heck does that mean?!” Adrian stomped his foot on the floor. I don't really know how I got here, myself! So, don't get mad at me over something that neither of us can control! The voice now sounded agitated. “Hey! If you haven't already noticed, I happen to be five years old! What makes you think that I am strong enough to be able to take on the responsibilities of having the spirit of some warrior who I've never met in my head! I don't even know your name!” My name? Wow... I thought that you were smarter than that! If you have already forgotten what I was just called in your dream, then the time we spend together as we try to figure out some way for me to revive my body and that of Tifa should be very fun... Too fun! “Well, Cloud... That's your name, right?” Adrian smirked a little at the sarcasm in his own voice. Ding! Get set for the smartest boy in the world! Good luck, contestants! “I am getting tired of hearing you yap at me! Shut up!” Now, as is probably obvious, Adrian was fed up with Cloud's constant superior attitude. “If you aren't going to help me, then butt out! Okay?!” No need to get mad! Let's get going to find my body! Adrian sighed and began kneading the sides of his head with his fists. He had better just ignore the idiot who seemed to find it incredibly entertaining to annoy him. Was there any way that he could get rid of this “Cloud?” Fat chance of that, kid! “So you can hear my thoughts, too?” Adrian shook his head and sighed. “Fantastic.” This is only temporary... That is, if you decide to help me find my body! If not, then... Well, you get it, right? Adrian sat down, knowing that he was defeated. “Fine. Let's go.” Chapter Five: The “Secret Place” – Destiny Islands... Countdown to the Connecting of Worlds: 7 years Haven't we been here before? Like, three years ago? “If you were still able to read my thoughts...” Adrian smirked. Shut up. It had been seven years since that strange morning when Adrian had woken up to find Cloud in his head. And, over the course of those seven years, they had been unable to locate neither Cloud's nor Tifa's bodies. There was only one world left to search. The only problem was that that last world was cloaked in shadow and, therefore, was unreachable. They had temporarily given up on finding the bodies and had started to search for a way into that other world. During their long time together, Adrian had come up with a way for Cloud to “pay” for his help. He wanted Cloud to help him train his body and mind to use the magic he apparently could use. So, every once in while, Cloud would teach Adrian how to use one or two new spells. After seven years of this, Adrian had mastered the Top Level Curative spell, (also called, “Curaja”), and the Top Level Magnet spell, (also know as “Magnega”). He had also made much progress on many other spells, too. Y'know what? I'm sick of having to go from world to world and not be able to at least speak to anyone! Can we at least talk to somebody here? Please? Adrian stopped and grimaced. What? He thought back to why he had come here. Destiny Islands was his home. He was born here. He lived here for his first five years. He also hadn't been back here for seven and a half years. He wanted to see his house, his old friends, his hang-outs... His mother and father. He couldn't help it. A tear came to his eye. He was quick to wipe it away. Apparently, he wasn't quick enough to hide it from Cloud. You have family here. You were born in this world. Right? “Shut up, Cloud.” No. You haven't been here since you went to Yen Sid, have you? You... Cloud stopped, awestruck. YOU! That whole time! The one the King was looking for! It was you! “What are you talking about? What do you mean by that?” You mean... You don't know? Adrian kneaded his temples, something he had been doing almost nonstop for the last seven years. “Do it look like I know?” Oh. Good point. Well, this is what I know about your connection to the King. Before you were born, the King and a man named Ansem the Wise, two close friends and colleagues, had been looking out for a certain event that would take place in a world that nobody had ever gone to. That event was the birth of a person who would grow up to be a powerful magician, as well as a warrior. At the time of this person's birth, an enormous amount of energy would explode from the Heart of the world he was born in. “Are you telling me – ” Wait! Let me finish! Anyway, one day twelve and a half years ago, a huge energy source was suddenly recorded on a large machine in Disney Castle. That is where the King, himself, lives. That source was traced back to this world. The King was promptly alerted and he set off for here. Me and four others were going to take the King and Queen to Hollow Bastion, the first world we looked in for our bodies. Remember? Well, the King didn't go with us. He came straight here and waited for Ansem the Wise to arrive. The Queen told Ansem of this occurrence and he rushed off to meet the King. When Ansem arrived, the two of them set out to find the child who had been born here. When they found the parents, they requested that, in five years, they take the child to a safe place to train him to use his hidden power. The parents were reluctant to agree, claiming that their child couldn't be the one they were looking for, that there must be a mistake. The King was about to leave when Ansem stepped forward and said that he would prove it. The parents watched, skeptical, as Ansem gently poked the child in the temple and whispered something in his ear. The child's eyes began to glow and Ansem held up a small tissue in front of his face. The baby stared at it as his eyes slowly lost the glow to them. Ansem was confused as to why nothing had happened. Then, as he was about to lower the tissue, it burst into flames and disappeared into nothingness. The baby's parents jumped and stared at their son's eyes. They looked the same as they should have been, but slightly brighter. They agreed to let the King take their son after five years. “Okay! I get it! Just stop referring to me like it's not me! Jeez...” Sorry. But you do not understand the extent of what you were being trained for, do you? “Huh? I thought that I was just trying to harness my magic, so that I can use it well... Am I wrong?” Uh, huh. The reason for your training was to ready you for the task that you would need to undertake when the time came... “And that task is...?” You would be chosen by a special power to wield it and, to put it in an overused way, save the world. That power is known as the Keyblade. Adrian shrugged, not impressed by this unconvincing story. “Good story, but you're obviously lying. Do you even hear yourself? You sound like a complete moron! A 'Keyblade?' What the hell kinda name is that for a 'special power,' huh? It sounds ridiculous! I have so grown out of bedtime fairy-tales, Cloud!” Suit yourself! You'll understand soon enough... “Let's just go!” And with that, Adrian walked out of the cave that he had appeared in when he came to this world. Meanwhile, off the coast of Destiny Islands' smallest island... “Hurry up, Sora!” “I'm trying, Riku!” Two boats were making their way across the water from the main island to the smallest one. On one of the boats, a seven year old boy with spiky, brown hair was rowing with all of his strength, while in the other one, another boy, who was eight years old and had silvery hair, was doing the same. They were racing toward the island. A young girl was sitting on the docks, watching the boats as they drew near. “And the winner is...!” She cried as the boats were about to hit the sand next to the docks, “RIKU!!!” Riku jumped out of his boat and took a grand bow to the imaginary crowd around him. Sora tried to jump out, but was too tired to do so. He ended up doing a little hop and falling flat on his face in the sand. Riku and the girl laughed as Sora lifted his head up and grinned before planting his face back on the sand and fell asleep. The girl giggled and rolled him over as she said, “Don't want him to choke on sand, now do we?” “You're too nice to him, Kairi.” Riku said, smiling evilly, “Just kicking him to wake him up would have been funnier!” “Riku!” She glared at him, not laughing. About that time, Adrian came out of the cave and squinted in the sudden light. Riku and Kairi both froze as they noticed him standing there, about twenty yards away. As Adrian's eyes adjusted, he saw the two kids staring at him, terrified. He looked around to make sure that he had appeared on the right island. He had. Uh, oh. We got company! Shut up, Cloud! Adrian thought back, trying to figure out what to do. Adrian smiled and didn't move closer, to avoid scaring them further. “Hey!” He called, “Do you have any way of getting back to the big island?” Riku snapped out of his shock and folded his arms over his chest, looking defiant. “Who wants to know?” Adrian laughed. “I'm sorry. My name is Adrian. Nice to meet you. What are your names?” “I'm Riku, she's Kairi, and...” He kicked the boy on the ground, making Kairi protest, “this little lump here is Sora.” “Cool.” Adrian began to approach the three kids and did his best to quickly hide the sword on his back in his cloak. “How you guys doing?” Sora opened his eyes and smiled sleepily. “Cupcakes? I'd love some...” And he began to snore again. Riku, Kairi and Adrian stared at Sora for a moment then busted up laughing. The sudden burst of laughter woke Sora up and made him jump to his feet. “What's goin' on!” He looked at Kairi and then at Riku. Suddenly, he noticed Adrian. They both froze as they stared into each other's eyes. Adrian felt his heart wrench for absolutely no reason and he knew that Sora had felt the same thing happen to him. They looked away from each other, embarrassed. Kairi and Riku stared at Sora, confused. Then Riku spoke. “You know this guy, Sora?” Sora looked troubled. “Nah, don't think so!” What the hell just happened, Adrian? Cloud! Shut the hell up! I have no clue! “Ummmm...” Adrian looked around, blushing. He looked at Riku and smiled again. “Can I borrow one of your guys' boats to get to the big island? I promise that I'll bring it right back!” “Uhhhh...” Riku looked at Sora, then at Kairi before answering. “What can you give us to pay for it?” Adrian frowned. What did he have? He suddenly thought of something. “How 'bout this?” He pulled out a ball of fused glass that he had made using magic. It was about three inches wide and had red, blue, green, and silver ribbon-like designs that were visible throughout the middle of it. The three kids were transfixed. “Whoa!” “That's awesome!” “Now that's payment!” Adrian handed the orb to Riku and said, “So is it a deal?” Riku nodded and then started to run away with the orb, yelling, “Come and get it, Sora!” Sora quickly gave chase. Adrian smiled and said a quick thank you to Kairi, who had remained standing there watching the two boys run around. She nodded and smiled back. Adrian got into one of the boats and began to row toward the big island. Earlier that same day, in Hollow Bastion... Leon was writing his memoirs. It seemed a little strange for him to do so, seeing as he had almost no good memories within the last few years, but he was doing it anyway. Ever since Cloud and Tifa had died, he had been isolated, disconnected. He could almost feel his heart descend into the abyss of darkness. He knew it. Sometime soon, he would slip and the darkness would consume him... It hadn't helped that the King, Yen Sid, and Ansem had been constantly asking him about some kid he'd never heard of before. Apparently, about seven years ago, Yen Sid's student, who had been five years old then, had just disappeared one day. No note, no warning. He just was gone one morning. It was theorized that he had run away because of what had happened to Fauna, one of the good fairies who had been helping Yen Sid to train him. The three fairies had taken him to the Lot in Twilight Town one day to watch some tournament there. When it was Fauna's turn to watch him, things went wrong. The only thing that anyone knew was that the boy had suddenly appeared at the front door of the Tower in which they all lived. And Fauna had been nowhere to be seen. One of the other fairies, Flora, had found Fauna in a crumpled heap in a secluded alleyway in Twilight Town, around the time that the boy had shown up at the Tower. She took her back to Yen Sid, but he couldn't make her wake up. She had been in a coma ever since. The boy, who's name was Adrian, had had no idea as to why he had suddenly appeared at the Tower or as to what had happened to Fauna. He seemed genuinely upset and concerned for her, but somehow lacked any verbal expression of these feelings. Then... He disappeared. Yen Sid and the others hadn't left him, Yuffie, or Cid alone since then. He was about at the end of his patience. He knew that he would break if this continued. Leon shook his head, crumpled the piece of paper in front of him, and threw it across the room into the trash can. He had to keep a level head. If he wanted to complete this thing, he would have to stay sane. He needed to let everyone know why he was doing the things that he would do when the darkness ended up taking his heart. He wasn't sure as to what had been going on around Hollow Bastion within the last seven years, but he did know that the castle was already finished being rebuilt, that Ansem had destroyed his equipment, and that King Mickey had been running frantically from Disney Castle's world to Hollow Bastion and back non-stop for that whole time. He was looking for something that Ansem wouldn't tell anyone else about. The King and Ansem had been keeping to themselves for a long while now. What were they hiding? Presently, Yuffie walked into the room and saw Leon crumpling yet another piece of paper up and throwing it across the room. “What the –” Yuffie did a double-take when she saw what Leon was doing. “I'm writing my memoirs.” Leon said without looking up. “But not for anyone else to read or see. Just so I can remember what's important.” He wrote a sentence and then put down the pen he had been writing with. “Wow.” Yuffie nodded, smiling a little. “I never thought that I'd see you show such passion, Leon.” “Well, seeing two of your friends dead and knowing there's nothing you can do about it does that to people, Yuffie.” Leon did look up then. The pain that he felt was clearly etched on his face. “I don't... That shouldn't have happened. And I don't know who to blame for it, either!” He slammed his fist down on the desk that he'd been working at, making Yuffie jump a little. He then lowered his head solemnly. “I just don't know what to do anymore...” Yuffie stayed put, not wanting to go near him for fear of upsetting him further. She just nodded. “I know. It's hard to lose someone you love to the hands of unfortunate circumstances. But we can't do anything about that now. All we can do is live our lives to the fullest. The way Cloud and Tifa would if they were still here...” “Part of me wants to blame those damn assistants.” Leon said, raising his head. Yuffie flinched when she saw the raw emotion in his eyes that he had held for the last seven years. She felt the anger and the sorrow pour out of him. He went on, ignoring her reaction. “I mean, where the hell were they when the castle got torn apart?!” He stood suddenly and the chair he had been sitting in went tumbling across the floor behind him. He grabbed the sides of the desk and bowed his head. “I give up. I can't take this anymore!!” He yelled this last part and stood up straight. He clenched his fists and put them to his temples. He looked up and yelled. Just an incoherent and anguished wail. He looked back at Yuffie and that's when she saw it. A blind rage. The kind of rage that she had only seen once before... The rage of a shattered heart. Just like those creatures! “LEON! NO!!!” Yuffie lunged at him and found herself suddenly crashing into the wall to his right. He had swatted her like a fly with his gun-blade, which he had drawn when she jumped. Her head spun and her vision blurred with tears. “L-Leo... Le-Leon........” “No time for your games, little girl.” When he spoke, it was as if two voices spoke through him. One was his. The other belonged to... “Xe... Han... Ort...?” Yuffie muttered as the world turned black. Chapter Six: Just off the Main Road – Destiny Islands... Countdown to the Connecting of Worlds: 7 years Adrian had thought a lot about what Cloud had explained back in the cave on the smallest island. What if he were to be chosen by the Keyblade? Would that make him a hero? He smiled inwardly, (not outwardly to avoid Cloud guessing about what he was thinking). Now that would give him a reason to try and learn magic! Well, he already was learning a little bit from Cloud, but what about when... No. If the Keyblade came to him? He thought a little bit about it, coming to the conclusion that he would react to it as it came along. Yeah. That was the best course of action for now. He came up over the last, tree-covered hill before his old house. He smiled. Mom always did love that rocking chair. And that weathervane was still crooked -- Dad hadn't fixed it yet! Memories came flooding back as he looked at his old home. It was all the same from the outside. But what about the inside? He was about to go down the hill and out of the trees when he saw her. His mother. She was carrying grocery bags and had her hair tied up in a bun. He dropped to the ground and stared at her through the underbrush. She got around to the corner of the house and stopped. She smiled and looked right at him. Could she see him? It seemed so, judging from the smile that was growing on her face. He didn't like that smile at all. It held no mirth, no joy. Determination. That was all that he saw there. She opened her mouth and spoke: "Hm. Thought that you'd be showing up soon." And, with that, she turned and went around the house. Adrian stayed laying on the ground, frozen. What? Is she okay? What was that about? I got a really bad feeling about this... Cloud directed at Adrian. Well, we got no choice now. I gotta see if my parents are okay! Alright... Cloud thought a sigh. Would be better if I were in my body, ready to fight with you... Adrian smiled grimly and went down the hill. Meanwhile, on the smallest island... "Sora! Riku! It's getting dark! We should go home!" Sora and Riku came running from behind the foliage of the biggest tree on the island, out of their "Secret Spot." Kairi put her hands on her hips and frowned. "What do you two do in there, anyway? Fight? 'Cause you can do that out here, too!" "Can't tell." Riku said condescendingly, crossing his arms over his chest, "It's boy stuff." "Hmph!" Kairi turned away and crossed her arms over her chest, as well. "C'mon, Riku!" Sora said, looking skeptical, "Can't we tell her? This one time?" "Hmmmmmm..." Riku turned to Sora and looked at him. "Y'know what? Sure. We'll tell her! But just this once!" Kairi turned and grinned. Then, she looked expectantly at Riku. He leaned in close and whispered to her. "We were investigating how that guy from earlier today got here. 'Cause he couldn't've come from the Big Island, right? So, we went in there, lookin' around..." He looked at Kairi sideways. "And we found a door..." Kairi's eyes went wide. "Like, a secret door?" Kairi whispered back. "Uh, huh! But you gotta keep it secret, 'kay?" Kairi nodded as Riku stood up straight and motioned to Sora to get in the boats. Then, he stopped and smacked himself in the head. "What is it, Riku?" Sora looked over at him from where he was crouched, untying his own boat. "Oh, man..." Riku moaned. "I let that guy take my boat! And he hasn't come back!" "Then take mine!" Sora and Kairi said simultaneously. They both looked at each other, then laughed. "You can ride in mine," said Kairi. "Aw, no!" Riku laughed. "I will row in yours! Move over!" And, amidst some confusion and a lot of laughs, the two boats with their three passengers made their way to the Big Island... Back on the Big Island... Adrian approached the front of the house. He looked out toward the smaller islands. It was nearing sunset. He wondered if his parents had any other kids... Adrian. Cloud mentally poked him. Focus on now. Let's see what's up. And be ready for whatever is in there... That's a big help... But Adrian raised his fist to knock on the door without hesitation. And it opened. And it was his mother standing there, holding the door open. Without a word, she motioned for him to enter. He did, and instantly drew his sword, spinning around to swing it at his "mother." He felt his arm jerk with the impact of his sword on the red chakrams of the imposter. Sparks flew, lighting up the man's face. Adrian vaguely remembered those black markings from somewhere before... He jumped back and leveled his sword once more. "A little feisty, no?" The man's cocky tone bore into Adrian's patience. "Why don't you put that away. I'm here to talk. Name's Axel." He tapped one finger to his temple as his weapons disappeared in a puff of flame. "Got it memorized?" Adrian stayed tense and let his gaze follow the man around the room as he went to relax in the recliner that had once been his father's. "You're parents..." The man looked sideways at Adrian as he spoke. "They aren't here. In fact..." He snapped his fingers as he stood and the house slowly shimmered into its true form. The windows were boarded up and the front door was replaced by a large, steel blockade-looking thing. The furniture was still there, but covered in sheets. Nothing was the same. Adrian's shock got the better of him. He lowered his weapon as Cloud screamed at him to stay alert. Adrian had put two and two together. His parents were dead. He fell to his knees and dropped his sword. No. His body screamed. His mind rent itself apart from the inside and the power that had lain dormant in his heart exploded outward. The sheets that covered the furniture burst into flames and the steel blockade on the front door started to melt as the temperature rose above three thousand degrees. The whole house blasted apart in a shower of wood and metal. The entirety of Destiny Islands saw the explosion and the neighboring houses bore the scorch marks until they, too, were destroyed. Cloud, the whole time that this was happening, could feel his grip on Adrian's soul slipping and cried out for him to control it. Slowly, but surely, Cloud began the tortuously slow descent into the Darkness. But Adrian didn't care. He had no reason to care. Not anymore. Sora, Riku and Kairi heard the explosion as they tied up their boats to the docks on the biggest island. They turned to see what had happened and watched as the brilliance of the twilit sky was magnified by the flames that had engulfed a certain neighborhood in that direction... "What the --" Riku stood watching as the flames died down a little bit. But the glow of the fire remained on the horizon. Sora, in a daze, stared at his hands, which had started to glow. Kairi stared at Sora, unable to see the glowing. "What is it?" She shook Sora gently. He slowly turned to her and said two simple words. "It's him." And then he took off toward the fire. "Sora! No! Don't!" Riku tried to grab his arm, but Sora pushed him away with unnatural strength. Riku recovered and stared at Sora's back as he disappeared into the gathering night. Sora ran and ran. He got to the source of the explosion and saw his old house in flames. And he felt him. He knew that he was inside. His brother. He gathered up all his courage and walked into the flames. He didn't feel a thing as the fire's tongues licked at him, hungry to consume him, body and soul. He made it through to the house, (or what was left of it). And there, kneeling with his fists clenched on his knees, was his brother. Sora did a double-take when he saw who it was. "Adrian?!" Adrian looked up to the voice that he remembered from earlier that day, on the small island. "Hey... Sora..." He looked back down to his fists and unclenched them, painfully. They were scorched and burned from the magic that had come from them. He winced as he tried to conjure up some curative magic. His eyes went wide as he came up empty. He looked at Sora and smiled at him. A single tear fell from his eye and evaporated in the intense heat. Sora could see it now. He was going to kill himself! "NO!!!" Sora yelled as he started to run at the young man he knew to be his brother. "DON'T!!!!!!!" And then all was black for both of them. Later that day, in Hollow Bastion... "Yuffie!" A voice was calling to her from far away. She couldn't tell who it was. Yuffie could feel someone slapping her face. She tried to move, but she couldn't. She opened her eyes and winced at how bright it was. How long had she been out? What had happened? Then, suddenly she remembered. "LEON!!!" She sat up and banged heads with whoever had been calling to her. She recovered a little and saw someone who she didn't think to see here. "Aerith?!" Yuffie said and laughed. Aerith laughed a little, too, and wiped a tear from her eye. But she was smiling. Then why was she crying? "What's wrong?" Yuffie asked, pointing to her tears. "You just hit me in the nose! That's what's wrong!" Aerith laughed as she wiped another tear away. "Oh! Sorry!" They both laughed, happy to see each other again. They were in Yuffie's room. It was just after nightfall and the whole castle was bustling, looking for Leon, most likely. Yuffie was laying on her bed and Aerith was sitting on the side. When they were done greeting each other, Aerith asked Yuffie, "Do you have any idea what happened to Squall?" Yuffie looked blankly at her for a moment then realized who she was talking about. "Oh! You mean Leon!" She laughed. "Oh, is that what he's calling himself now? Okay..." Aerith giggled. "And, to answer you, I haven't got any clue as to why he flipped like that! He just got angry and attacked me! I was going to knock him down, yeah, but that was just plain mean!" "What about this?" Aerith reached past Yuffie and grabbed a piece of paper that had a big ink stain on it. Yuffie frowned. "Isn't that...?" "Yeah. It's his suicide note, of sorts. He wrote in it that he would have to be 'controlled' soon, and that the 'darkness in his heart' would 'grow out of hand.'" Yuffie snapped her fingers as she put together what that meant. "What?" Aerith put the note down on the bed. "That's what happened!" Yuffie looked Aerith in the eye and shook her head sadly. "He's a Heartless now!" "A what?" "You remember when Cloud and Tifa died, right? How they died?" Aerith nodded. "Well, Ansem had been working on this thing about the darkness in people's hearts, but -- and this is Leon's idea, not mine -- Ansem's assistants got fed up with it and overloaded the system that created the monsters that killed Cloud and Tifa -- the Heartless! That place behind Ansem's office? The part that they took apart a while ago? That was known as the Heartless Manufactory. Where the Heartless were made..." "And this has to do with Leon going crazy, how?" "The last thing that I remember him saying before I blacked out was something about him 'not having time for me...' But he said it in the head assistant's voice! Aerith, he was channeling Xehanort!" "Ah! So, you think that Xehanort is a Hearless that took control of Squ -- I mean, Leon?" "Yeah!" "We should tell Ansem..." At that moment, an alarm went off and they both jumped. One of the castle's guardsmen came in and said, "C'mon! Ansem wants to see you right away!" Aerith and Yuffie looked at each other and nodded before getting up and leaving the room. Soon after, in the World Monitoring Room... "What? Another one?" Cid cried. "Yes, and in the same world, too..." Ansem looked gravely at the three remaining Ambassadors, (for that is what they were, Ambassadors to different worlds). "You will need to go to this world and find out what happened. You will take as many guardsmen with you as possible. And try to keep a low profile. This world is not connected to our system of worlds. Disney Castle and King Mickey have no jurisdiction there. Keep it fast, too. So far, only two or three people know about us. Let's keep it that way." "So... Let me sum it up." Yuffie crossed her arms over her chest. "There was an energy explosion, what, twelve and half years ago, and now there's another one? And we are to go investigate the cause of this explosion." "Yes," Ansem said, nodding at her, "Destiny Islands may well need to be connected after this..." "Are you sure?" Aerith inquired, looking troubled. Yuffie and Cid looked confused, so she explained. "The worlds are all connected by a system of roads and paths that were devised by Ansem, the King, and other great minds from each of the many worlds. These paths are what make it possible to travel easily from world to world. However, on this journey, it will be harder to stay on course. There is no road connecting this 'new world' to the others. So, we will be 'flying blind,' so to speak." "Well, not completely." Ansem stood up from the chair that he had been sitting at. The screen that he had been in front of was still on. It showed a small sphere on it, with charts and graphs lining the sides of the screen. This world seemed to made of mostly water and small islands. However... "What's that white line?" Yuffie said, pointing at a single strand of white that trailed from off the screen into the biggest island on the little ball. "Somebody... Is already there." Ansem said with a sigh. "And I think I know who." "Leon?" Ansem nodded. "Well, then!" Cid ran a hand through his hair, looking determined. "Let's go an' fetch 'im home, eh?" "Yeah," Yuffie and Aerith agreed. And they set out that evening. However, they had no idea what awaited them at Destiny Islands. They wouldn't stand a chance against what was there, even if they had brought the entire Hollow Bastion Guard. They wouldn't have stood a chance even if Cloud and Tifa had been there. But one thing is for certain... They never knew what hit them. Intermission Number One... Six years has passed since the team from Hollow Bastion set out to investigate the explosion of magic power and the white trail in that "new world." They still hadn't returned. Ansem was in a state of suspended animation, deep within his castle. He had put himself there to hide any secrets that his mind and heart may hold. That was four years ago. Dark, shadowy creatures of frightening strength had appeared once more, thought to be gone and destroyed by the people of Hollow Bastion. Now, there was an evil grip on many of the worlds. It seemed as if the great Keyblade would never reveal itself to the inhabitants of the worlds. All seemed lost... Then, out of nowhere, a man going by the name of Xemnas began gathering people of strength and "training" them to join his army. There were eleven others like him. They were all part of an organization of powerful people known as Organization XIII. They were looking to recruit a thirteenth member, one who was "like them." Nobody thought to question what this meant. They didn't see past the idea of being rid of these infernal creatures, once and for all. And that would be their downfall. The two young people who had been at the source of the explosion on Destiny Islands, (Adrian and Sora), had been captured and held against their will at the hands of the Organization. They were thereafter subjected to tests of strength against these "Heartless." At one point, Sora fell to the vicious claws of a Behemoth, losing his heart and becoming as one of the creatures. Adrian, in a sudden burst of magical emotion, revived him and destroyed the beast, in a single spell. The Organization members were impressed and decided that maybe, just maybe, this was the famed Keyblade bearer that they had been looking for. After three and a half months of questioning, torture, and isolation, they were put into suspended animation until such a time that they would be deemed useful. Now, after six years, Adrian would get a rude awakening. An old friend would come to visit him, putting him through such shock that he would lose his own heart. He would also be given a chance to right what had been done to the worlds, and expose a hidden threat to them. His time had come. END OF PART ONE Part Two to be posted below! :registro5B15D: Bye for now! :action-smiley-030:
Hello there good friend. i was just reading this, and as soon as i finished, i was open mouth and i couldn't belive it. That was really good!!! REALLY REALLY REALLY good! it was one of the best, i mean it follow's the story, during and before it, it even makes sense. keep up the good work there. Can't wait for the next part
Kingdom Hearts: Final Master [Part Two] Okay! I think that the time has come to continue my story! Well, it's only been, like, twenty-four hours, but what the heck, huh? So, before I start to ramble, here is... Part Two Chapter One: The Dungeon - The World that Never Was... Time until the Revival of Worlds: 3 years Adrian's mind was wandering. Many would think that impossible while in a state of suspended animation, and, normally, it is. But Adrian was special. He had the spirit of a SOLDIER in his head. He was about to break out of his suspended animation chamber. He had no heart. It was strange to think that he should be feeling his heart hammering against his chest, feel the blood pounding around in his ears. It sure was... Different. He hated being a Nobody. If Cloud hadn't come back... Well, I did! Cloud pointed out to him. Adrian would have sighed, but he couldn't move. He technically was still in suspended animation. The only difference was that he was conscious. He could hear some sounds from outside his "sleeping chamber." This place sure was nifty! Accommodations for all! Adrian! Focus! Well, I'm finding that hard right about now! They'll be around soon. Then you can kick the crap out of them and free Sora. We don't even know how able I'll be to walk! And you're still thinking of making me fight?! Do you want to leave your prison of the last six years or not?!?! Adrian didn't reply. He hated the fact that his mental blocks would have to be put back up now that he was a Nobody. Nobodies. The antithesis to Heartless. The "empty shell" left behind by a heart being taken from someone's body. Some Heartless out there just got really lucky. Good job, Cloud. Hey, it's not my fault! How was I supposed to know that the Darkness would cling to me?! I just thought that we'd be better off staying together after I fought with the Darkness... Do you know how hard it -- Yes. I know how hard it is to fight the Darkness. By yourself. With no weapon. You've told me. Now I have two words for you. "Shut." And "up." Hmph! Have it your way, then! Cloud had apparently fallen into the Darkness when Adrian had blown up the house on Destiny Islands. He had been blasted into it, more likely. He had fought through the Darkness and with it for most of the six years that they had been apart. He had realized that the Darkness in his heart was so potent because he let it be that way. If he hadn't listened to that side of himself so much, then maybe he could have let it go sooner. He had had to learn to fight it the hard way. By facing its true form. It had been hard, Adrian got that. But he didn't need to keep reminding him. Get ready! Hear one of them come! Adrian snapped out of his thoughts and got ready to break out. He listened closely. By the sound of it, there was only one of them this time. Big. Probably Lexeaus. Great. He remembered fighting him during his "testing." Big guy with a giant tomahawk. This was going to be fun... Focus... I am! Now shut up! The footsteps got closer and closer as they echoed across the chamber. They stopped to the left of him. He was checking Sora first. One... Lexeaus would take two and half steps from Sora to him. He would need to summon some power to break the hold on him from the suspended animation and break the glass in front of him to get out of the chamber... Two... That's one step. Two steps. And... THREE!!! Adrian's eyes snapped open and his arms thrust outward and into a thick pane of glass. He could feel it give, but only a little bit! He swore through the liquid that he was in, throwing another punch at the glass. This time, he put a little bit of magically enhanced "oomph" into it. The glass shattered and showered all over Lexeaus, some of it going into his arm. Adrian fell out and recovered enough to do a little tumble through the shards on the ground before standing, minimally hurt from the fall and the glass. Lexeaus had been standing just to the left of the tank's window, resulting in Adrian clipping him on the way out. He had been surprised to see the eyes open and was about to hit the alarm when the glass had shattered, making him throw up his arms. He grunted as he pulled a large piece of it out of the back of his forearm. He smiled at the wavering boy before him. "I'll deal with you myself, then!" "Bring it." Adrian tried to say, but he spit some of the liquid out, instead. Lexaeus drew his tomahawk from the air in front of him, smashing it down into the ground afterward. Adrian read him like a book and jumped left as the tomahawk suddenly blew right past him and smashed into the wall. He had seen this before. He was big, but he was fast. He also had a weapon, a category of which Adrian was sorely lacking! He sidestepped a smashing swing from Lexaeus and stepped onto the tomahawk. He jumped over the big Nobody and looped his arm around his neck. He pulled back on his throat while Lexaeus tried everything in his power to throw him off. At one point, Adrian could feel his strength slipping. He had just woken up from a six year nap. He was too weak! He would have to find another way of incapacitating this guy... Lexaeus suddenly got the idea of smashing Adrian into the wall. He backed up and pressed into the chamber's wall. Adrian had the wind knocked out of him and his left hand, (which was holding his right arm in place around Lexaeus's neck), slipped a little bit. He looked to the right and saw a metal pipe sticking out of the white wall. He wrapped his legs around Lexaeus's waist, (no easy task there!), and let go of his neck! He grabbed the pipe, wrenched it from the wall, and brought it down onto Lexaeus's head with enough force to break several teeth. He went limp instantly and fell forward, his tomahawk falling beside him. Adrian stayed laying halfway on his foe's back, exhausted. Wow... Adrian directed at Cloud, That's one experience that I never want to do again! Let's just go. We gotta move faster now! If we don't then they might -- I get it! I just gotta catch my breath! Adrian stood and took three deep breaths. Then, when he he had recovered a little bit, he tucked the pipe under his arm and walked unevenly over to Sora's suspended animation tank. He pressed three buttons on the control console after carefully looking at it. The liquid drained from it and the glass slid open to the right. Sora stood there for a moment, looking peaceful, then his brow furrowed and his eyes opened slowly. He took one staggering step forward and then another and another. He looked around the white-walled room. Then he saw Adrian, looking sweaty and a little winded, standing at the console. Adrian put a finger to his lips and beckoned. Sora, who was still a little woozy, nodded and fell backward onto his rear. He crawled over to the exit of the tank and put his feet out in front of him. He dropped down to the ground. Adrian tried to say something, but his voice gargled. He stopped, grimaced and, cleared his throat. Then, he tried again. "We gotta go. We're getting out of here. But we gotta be fast. The big guy is over there." He pointed over to Lexaeus's unconscious form. "Can you walk?" Sora looked at him and took a few exploratory steps. He staggered a few times, then took a few more. He was looking better, already. "Here." Adrian put a hand on Sora's chest and called up some low-leveled curative magic. They both felt a little bit of cool spread through their lungs and, for Sora, heart. Sora looked at Adrian funny when he felt the magic go through him. It felt different. He was about to ask when Adrian cut him off. "I'll explain things later. For now, let's grab our stuff and get out of here!" And he went over to the lockers on one of the walls and opened on of them to find their old packs. He picked his up, tossed Sora's to him and headed out the door, Sora hot on his heels. He stopped suddenly as he thought of something. Lexaeus had had a set of keys, hadn't he? They could be the only set of dungeon keys here! Do it. Cloud encouraged. Adrian smiled evilly as he went back into the cell, grabbed the dungeon keys from the large Nobody's belt, and locked him into the cell. Then, he put the keys into his pocket. They might need them later! Sora held back some laughter. He gave his older brother the thumbs up. They got to another door that required a key. Adrian pulled out the keys and grabbed the one that looked like it went into the lock. It worked. He peeked out through the door and saw another hallway that went to the left and right. The walls were white here, as well. The difference between these walls and the ones inside the dungeon was that these had large patterns on them that you could only see from certain angles. The two boys went out into this new area of the castle and went left down the hallway. They went down a flight of stairs and saw their first window on the first landing that they came to. They peeked out and saw a vast city that stretched to the horizon. There were skyscrapers and large, neoclassical-like buildings. The one thing that they all had in common was that they were all black. They tore their gaze from the massive city that lay far below them and went down the stairs some more. They needed to get to ground level to get out. The only problem was that ground level would be the most crowded area of the entire castle. They would need to be careful... They got to the staircase between second and third floors when they heard voices coming from below. They retreated up the stairs and sprinted down the hallway, back the way they came. Sora stopped in front of a door and beckoned Adrian in. They went in to find living quarters of some sort. It didn't look like any of the Organization members lived here, but they stayed away from the door, just in case. The voices went by the door and they heard snatches of conversation between a young man and a boy of about Sora's age. "So, Roxas, you got a special power?" The young man's voice said. "Hm. I don't really know." This Roxas sounded a lot like Sora, too. "I just figured that I'd find out more about this 'Organization XIII' for my self." "Hm." The voices got further down the hall, but the last bit of conversation that Sora and Adrian heard was about Lexaeus. "I wonder what's taking Lexaeus so long?" The young man wondered aloud. "I don't know. Maybe the prisoners broke out? You ever consider that, Axel?" They both laughed as their voices faded out of earshot. Adrian and Sora came out of the room and stared down the hallway after Roxas and Axel. "Roxas? He sounded like me, didn't he, Adrian?" Sora looked at Adrian and froze. "That was him." Adrian said, looking furious. "He was the one who lied to me about our parents. He's the reason I'm here." "Adrian, calm down and let's get out of here. We need to get some bearings on how long we were in those things. It couldn't have been more than six months, huh?" "Sora, look at me." Adrian faced Sora and Sora gasped. "Do I look only six months older?" "What about me? How much older do I look?" Sora looked at Adrian sideways. "About five. Give or take a few months." Adrian said. "Yeah, right! Be serious! How old?" "I am being serious. It's been six years since we woke up here and they started 'testing' us. I asked Cloud." "Huh? I thought Cloud got ripped outta you when you blew up the house! Did he come back? Is that how you got out?" "I'll explain later! We gotta get out of here right now... But yeah, Cloud's back and he's the reason we're able to escape." No need to thank me. Shut up. You're just a voice in my head right now. You can be all cocky when you have your body back... I'll hold you to that. I know you will. "Uh, Adrian?" Adrian snapped back to reality. He blushed. "Right. Let's go." And they took off toward the stairs again. Meanwhile, in the Dungeon... "So, do you remember your true name, Axel?" Roxas asked as he followed Axel up some more stairs. "Nah," Axel replied, "And not many of us do. Our human memories died with our human selves. Not much to us. I guess that if I could feel emotions, I'd be sad. It sucks being disconnected to anything real..." "'Real' as in emotionally real, or 'real' as in existence real?" Axel laughed a little, but didn't reply. They entered the cell block where Adrian and Sora were being held and they saw Lexaeus laying on the ground amid broken glass inside the now locked cell. The prisoners had escaped! "Aw, man! You big idiot! Wake up, Lexaeus! WAKE UP!!!" Axel yelled at him. He sighed and summoned his chakrams and threw them both between the bars. He teleported through them and ended up right beside Lexaeus. "WAKE UP!!!!!!!!" He bellowed and blasted Lexaeus's glass-injured arm with fire. Lexaeus jumped up and waved his hand around like an idiot for a moment and then relaxed after Axel snapped his fingers, making the fire go out. They looked at each other for a moment, then Axel got up close to Lexaeus's face. He then proceeded to yell at him. "THE PRISONERS HAVE ESCAPED!!! YOU NEED TO FIND THEM!!! YOU!!! NOT ME!!! YOU!!! GET GOING!!! YOU'VE REALLY SCREWED UP BIG THIS TIME, LEXAEUS!!!!!!" Lexaeus jumped when Axel had started yelling at him. He tried to run out of the cell, only to find it locked. He found this out by running into the bars and getting knocked out again. This made Axel stop yelling and look at the pathetic, once-again-crumpled form of the big Nobody. He looked up at Roxas, the picture of calm, and said, "Go inform the Superior that Adrian and Sora have escaped. I'll deal with ol' Lexy here..." Roxas nodded and ran back the way he had come. Chapter Two: Memory Skyscraper - The World that Never Was... Time until the Revival of Worlds: 3 years Adrian and Sora had run for a while and were starting to feel it. They had been dodging and running from the Heartless that seemed to live in this gigantic city for nearly an hour. Getting out of the castle had been surprisingly easy. A lapse in the judgment of a guard had let them slip through the security fairly quick. Now, however, they were continually running from the Dusks that had been sent out after them by the Organization and the NeoShadows that had been springing up all over the place within the city. Adrian was just waiting for a fight to break out between the Heartless and the Nobodies, but that had yet to happen. The Heartless were too intent on claiming their hearts, (well, in the case of Sora, anyway), and the Nobodies were too blinded by the orders of their Superior! If they didn't get out soon... There was a crash somewhere up ahead. A flickering light appeared in the sky above the city, signaling that something was aflame. Sora and Adrian stopped and looked at each other. Then, they looked around to see that the Heartless and the Nobodies were all gone! "What the --" Look out! Adrian jumped to the left as a ball of flame hit the ground right where he had been standing. Sora looked across the flames at him and tried to get around to him. "Take another step and I'll incinerate you." Sora froze and looked up to see the silhouette of a man standing on top of one of the smaller, two story buildings, pointing a sword at him. The tip of the sword was smoking. "Who are you?" Adrian yelled. "I could ask you the same thing." The man said calmly and jumped down. He had brown hair and a scar that ran from his hairline, between his eyes and across his right cheek. "Well, I'm Adrian. I am trying to escape this world, and if you wanna get in my way..." He went into an offensive stance to finish his point. The man laughed. "So you're Adrian, huh? The magical prodigy. The would-be Keyblade master..." "Wait." Adrian relaxed. "What did you say?" "Hm. So you understand. My name's Leon. Pleasure to meet you." He looked around. "But it's not safe here. Come with me." And he took off down the street, not waiting to see if they were following him. "Should we trust him?" Sora asked as Adrian started to follow Leon. Adrian looked back and nodded. "Cloud used to know him. Before he died. Leon'll be happy to know that Cloud still has a hold on this world, even if Tifa doesn't." "You guys coming?" Leon called back. "Yeah!" Adrian called back. "Let's go, Sora." And they took off after Leon. Meanwhile, in the abandoned castle at Hollow Bastion... The castle at Hollow Bastion had been silent and empty for almost six years. Nobody in. Nobody out. It had become an empty shell of its original splendor. It would never be the same again. The Library's contents were slowly, but surely, eroding into nothingness. The documents in Ansem's study were already gone, looted by the brigands and thieves who had appeared since the Organization had connected all the worlds. The town of Hollow Bastion was even more empty than before, as everyone had either been turned into Heartless, "recruited" by the 13th Army, or been killed by the wild, crazed people who had been exposed to too much Dark energy. However, after all this time, a machine stirred, deep within the castle's hidden passages and rooms. A machine that monitored magical energy in all the worlds. A machine that was directly linked to another machine, which held a certain scientist in suspended animation...... Later that day, in the Healen Lodge at Gaia... "Sir! A message from the Organization!" "Thank you, Rawlings." Rufus Shin-Ra, president of the now obsolete Shin-Ra Electrical Company, was sitting in his office at the Healen Lodge, about to read the message from Organization XIII's Superior, Xemnas. He had been keeping close contact with Rufus, trying to get him to supply him with troops enhanced with mako. He sighed as he opened this new message. Probably another request. He read the first line and stopped dead. He read the whole thing intently. Dear Mr. Shin-Ra; As you have not complied with my previous requests to either supply me with the technology to enhance my Nobodies or send me a good number of your own SOLDIER operatives, I have been forced to take action against you. You will find, attached to this letter, a plan of action that my colleagues within the Organization have come up with to crush any resistance that you may build against me. Approximately five hours after the time on this letter, you will be effectively wiped from the face of all the worlds. An army of Nobodies of every size, shape, and strength will be unleashed upon your general world. If you do not comply with my terms within four and a half hours after the time on this letter, you will find yourself responsible for the destruction of your world. I hope to be hearing from you within the next four and a half hours. With my deepest regrets, Number I of the Organization Xemnas Time and Date: March 27th 1:20 p.m. Rufus looked at his watch. He slowly looked up again. It was just past 6:30 p.m. He heard an explosion from the direction of Midgar. It was too late! "That rotten --!" He had sent the message at such a time that it would get here after the allotted time! He cheated an entire world of its life! The explosions got closer and closer. Rufus readied his shotgun and got ready to fight. The Nobodies that Xemnas would send couldn't be too difficult to kill, right? Wrong. At dawn of the next day, in Leon's Hideout in the World that Never Was... "So, Leon," Adrian said, looking across the messy apartment at his new ally, "Cloud wants to know what happened to you six years ago. He says that a dark spirit from the space between worlds told him that you went Heartless for a while. What's up with that?" Leon grimaced. "Leave it to Cloud to bring up something like that." He smiled though. "But you can hear about that later. What's your story? How did you end up here? You went missing when you were five years old. Then I heard recently that you'd been killed in an explosion in Destiny Islands." Now Adrian grimaced. "Oh. That. I here's what happened..." And he went on to tell Leon what had happened to him from when Cloud had first entered his mind to when he had awoken in the Organization's Castle. Sora looked over at him and asked, "And why did you wake up? You were gonna tell me about that." "Yeah." Adrian ran a hand through his hair and looked up at the ceiling. "Cloud had been ripped from my mind when I lost it, just before the explosion. Axel had been there, and he had told me that my parents "weren't there." At my old house, that is. I took that to mean that they were dead. I let out all of my anger and sorrow in that few moments, and Cloud got thrown into the Dark Realm. After he had been there for a while, he started to realize that the darkness in his heart, which was personified as Sephiroth, was only as strong as it was because he let it be that strong. Since he had always believed that the Darkness was stronger, made it so that it was. He fought it and fought it after that, forcing his way back into the Realm of Light. When he got back here, he found me and got back into my mind. When he did, though, he didn't count on there being residual Darkness gathered around him. That Darkness is the reason that I... I am a Nobody." Sora gasped and Leon nodded, not surprised. "I saw it the moment I looked at you." Leon got up and walked over to Adrian. He waved his hand over his head, saying something under his breath. An aura of dark silver appeared around Adrian. Leon nodded again. "I can see this aura around you whenever I look at you. The Dusks have it too. So does Axel, Xemnas and that fool Demyx, too. The Heartless, however..." He put a hand over his eyes and said something again under his breath. A blackish purple aura surrounded him. "Look like this. And normal humans..." He went over to Sora and did the same thing to him as he had done to Adrian. A white aura appeared around Sora. "Look like that." "So, you're still a Heartless?" Sora asked. "Yeah. As inconvenient as it is. But," he added, smiling a little bit, "It makes it easy to ambush them!" He turned back to Adrian. "So you're a Nobody. I'm a Heartless. And Sora's a human with a strong knack for magic. We make quite the team, huh?" Adrian laughed. "Yeah. We should be fine." "Wait!" Sora jumped up, looking excited. "I have an idea!" "Well, don't just stand there looking hyped!" Adrian smiled at Sora's eagerness. "Tell us!" "If you're a Nobody..." He ran over to a pile of clothes on the ground and sifted through it. Leon frowned. "That's kinda rude..." "Hold on!" Sora held up a finger behind him. "There! You have one!" He ran across the room and tossed a black cloak to Adrian. "Put that on!" Adrian put it on and Sora and Leon nodded. "Put on the hood!" Sora said. Adrian did, still not getting it. "Now go look in the mirror." Leon said, smiling. Adrian went to a stand up mirror that was hanging on the wall and finally understood. He'd become a spy. A kind of double agent within Organization XIII. "Ah." "You see?! It's perfect! You could sabotage them from the inside! Get trusted, make friends, then crush them! It's so perfect!" "I see how it could work... If I wasn't already known as an escaped prisoner from there!" "Hm." Leon studied Adrian for a moment. "Good point. We gotta figure out a way to make you look different." Sora snapped his fingers. "What?" "I have another idea..." He went over to his pack and began sifting through it. He pulled out a small orb. It shone with some inner light. "Is that...?" "The materia that I found when they were 'testing' us after we got captured! It makes sense now!" He held the materia in his hand and pointed it at a pencil on the ground at his feet. He said, "Sword!" and it turned into a small sword! It didn't get any bigger or smaller, it just turned into a tiny, letter-opening sword. "If we use this on Adrian..." Leon nodded. "But who?" They pondered it for a moment. Me. Cloud directed at Adrian. He got it. "Cloud just suggested that I turn into him." Leon and Sora looked at each other, then back at Adrian. "Let's do it." "But you still owe us a story, Leon! Don't you forget it!" "I won't. Now hold still..." Sora pointed the materia at his older brother and said, "Cloud Strife!" There was a flash of light and Adrian felt himself start to change..... Chapter Three: The Dungeon - The World that Never Was... Time until the Revival of Worlds: 3 years There was a crash and a loud grunt from the other side of the wall that Roxas was leaning on in the Dungeon in Organization XIII's castle. Lexaeus was getting thrashed by the troop of wyvern Heartless that Xemnas had brought in to punish him. Roxas winced as Lexaeus screamed, (not a common occurance). He probably got hurt pretty bad, seeing that there was a collective screech from the wyverns as they all died in puffs of smoke. Roxas stood up when the door to the cell opened and Lexaeus tumbled out. Xemnas followed, looking less irate than earlier. He smirked at the torn up Nobody in front of him. "Remember that you pay the price for your weakness if your enemies can exploit them. Now get out of my sight." Lexaeus scrambled up and stumbled/ran out of the Dungeon. Xemnas turned to Roxas. "I wouldn't normally do this. In fact, I try to keep up the charade of 'kindness' and 'nice' for everyone, even my subordinates. But a failure is a failure. Keep that in mind when you are supposed to be doing something... Roxas." "Got it. Now, about what I asked you earlier..." "Ah. You want to know why you still have emotions." Xemnas beckoned to him as he began walking back toward the castle proper. Roxas followed. "It may be that you and your original self share some sort of connection. He is nearby, after all." "He should be, anyway." Roxas nodded. "Right. So, if he were to, say, see his companion get hurt, then..." "I would feel it." "Correct. You must keep in mind, though, that Sora is an expressionate boy. His emotions run unchecked, mostly. He would not be able to hold back if Adrian were to get hurt." "And we'd find them. If we focused on harming Adrian, we could bring both of them back, because Sora would do something stupid and blow their cover!" "That's it!" Xemnas smiled, (not a comforting sight). "We will send all the Nobodies after Adrian, alone. If they ignore Sora, then we have a higher chance of getting them both. Sora would have to hold off the onslaught, as Adrian would be incapacitated. Then, when the boy cannot take any more, we step in and take them back!" "Got it. Should I go tell Axel and the others?" "Do it." And Roxas ran off down the hallway and out of sight. Xemnas frowned. "It really is a shame that he is expendable..." And he disappeared in a swirl of shadows... Meanwhile, in the Ruins of Hollow Bastion... "What has happened?!" Ansem the Wise stood on the edge of what used to be the Castle Gates of the Radiant Gardens. He had been asleep for... Well, he wasn't sure how long he had slept, but he did know that his world had run into chaos while there had been nobody to lead the people in it. The town below was nothing but a pile of rubble. The castle was in an even worse state than before. And, to make matters worse, it seemed that the Heartless were no longer alone. There seemed to be another group moving far below. During his time as leader of Radiant Gardens, he had developed a device that could read the level of darkness in a single heart. The user would direct it at a person or creature and the levels would be logged into a great computer in Ansem's office, deep inside the castle. He had had a number of these devices made and installed around the town that surrounded the castle. When he had awoken, the first thing that he did was awaken the security systems in the town. When he had done so, he looked at the monitors that projected images of the common places in that town. Most of the cameras seemed to be broken, but a couple of them still worked. He saw strange, silvery creatures wandering about in the town. There were no people. He directed one of the aforementioned devices at this new "thing" and saw that it didn't even register to it. It was as if it didn't even exist! He went to a balcony and looked to the town below to find that nothing remained of the great Radiant Gardens. Maybe the name that he thought to be a misnomer was more accurate than he had first believed. "Hollow Bastion." Isn't that what people called it after the attack? That fateful day when Cloud and Tifa had died... He was about to go back inside when he felt a rumbling come from below. He ran back to the edge of the balcony to see a huge Heartless running up the side of the castle... Right at him! He was going to dive out of the way when he heard a cry akin to that of a large bird of prey come from above. A flying creature like the ones he had seen in the security monitors! He was stuck! Just before the two colossi were going to collide... "Look out!" A female voice called out to him and he suddenly found himself flying through the air over the shoulder of a tall, cloaked woman. She had apparently seen his plight and jumped to him, picking him up and throwing him over her shoulder. He could only think of one woman strong enough to do that... "Tifa!?" "Shh!" She landed and roughly dropped him on the ground. He looked around. They were in the Villain's Vale. He looked up at Tifa and cocked his head to one side. "The Vale is empty. Nobody had lived here for years. Nobody, that is, but myself and a good friend of mine. She saved me from the Darkness and gave me a new life." She said all of this without looking away from the door in front of them. "Master Ansem. I want you to meet my friend and savior... Maleficent." "What?!" Ansem's eyes went wide as he remembered this name. "We meet again, Ansem the Wise..." The door opened and a tall woman dressed in a black and purple cloak came out. She held a staff in her hand and walked slow, as if expecting an imaginary crowd to part and let her pass. "You! I thought we --" "Me?" The woman's voice was so commanding that Ansem suddenly found himself unable to speak. "I seem to remember you banishing me to this pit, where I built this castle to rival your own. And what did I do to deserve this? Nothing. And now, you will get what you deserve..." And she raised her staff at him. Tifa looked away as she didn't want to see the man she had once looked up to as a father figure destroyed for reasons that she didn't fully understand..... Meanwhile, in Mideel, on Gaia... "What in the heck was that?!" "Cool it, Gramps. You're hearing things again." "No! I know that I heard something! A roar... Off in the distance... Like that of a huge beast..." "Gramps! Shut. Up." "Now there's something outside!" "No, there is not something outside! Look! I'm going to open the door..." And the top half of the house was ripped off. "OH MY GOD! THERE'S SOMETHING OUTSIDE!!!" "I told ya!" Mideel was in a panic. Reeve Tuesti was trying in vain to keep everyone calm and get them away from the town's main area. He had to get SOLDIER a clear shot at that... Thing. It wasn't like Weapon. Hell no. It was made of pure shadow, with a hole right through it in the shape of a heart... "Go go go go go go!!!" Reeve yelled, ushering more people into the forest, "Get a move on!" He waved at a Shin-Ra helicopter that had come into sight a little ways away. It landed on the shore on the outskirts of town. Rufus Shin-Ra was lowered out of it and into his wheelchair. He guided the motorized chair over to Reeve and looked around frantically. That's when Reeve realized that something was up. "What's going on, Rufus?" "This is my fault, Reeve! I didn't accept the offer of that Xemnas!" "Wait. Who the hell is 'Xemnas?' I've never heard of him." "You know of the other worlds, correct?" "Yeah... Is he a leader from one of them?" "You could say that! He rules most of them!" "A dictator? Of multiple worlds?!" "Yes! He demanded that I give him the means to enhance his minions in the same way as our SOLDIER operatives, or give him some SOLDIERs, right out. I declined. He sent a letter the other day that said that if I didn't comply within five hours, he would send a huge army of Nobodies to destroy our planet! But, being the lowly scumbag he is, he didn't give me the opportunity to reply or do anything... He sent the Nobodies, anyway! Healen and the surrounding area are completely destroyed, Edge is gone, Kalm... What can we do?!?!" "Rufus! If you are responsible for this, shouldn't you be hiding? If someone found out..." "What's the use?! I'll die anyway, whether from assassination, the Nobodies, or the Geostigma... I don't care anymore! In fact..." Rufus pulled a small gun from the folds of his white robes and put it to his head. Reeve pulled it violently from him and slapped Rufus across the face. Rufus looked shocked for a moment. "Pull it together! You can commit suicide later! For now, make your men useful! Help evacuate!" "Uh... Right..." And Rufus wheeled away, mumbling to himself. Reeve was stunned. Had this whole ordeal made Rufus Shin-Ra go insane...? Later that day, in the World that Never Was... Adrian was beyond being nervous. He couldn't decide how he should walk, how he should stand... He felt awkward, being in Cloud's body. He was taller, more muscular. Plus, to the surprise of Leon and Sora, Cloud's Buster Sword had appeared when he had finished transforming. It didn't make sense, but they weren't complaining! Presently, he strode up to a black-cloaked woman who was standing in the middle of a street that ended on a cliff that faced the castle. She turned and, suddenly, there were claws on her hands, sparking with electricity. "Who are you?" She sneered. "I'm Ador. I am here looking for the leader of Organization XIII..." Adrian couldn't get past how strange it sounded to have his voice in his head be different than the voice that came out of his mouth! "Why's that? You got some kinda business with him?" "Yes, as a matter of fact. I wish to be part of your group. I am a Nobody, I guess. I didn't know at first, but I know now. I thought that I was just insensitive. But it went further than that..." "Okay, okay. I don't need to hear your sob story. I'm waiting for someone here, but I'll open a way to the castle... Here." And she held out her hand and a dark pathway opened. Adrian nodded. "Thanks, I guess..." "No problem... Oh, and by the way, you didn't see me here." "Got it." Adrian said, nodding as he walked into the darkness. He immediately felt himself fall forward into the dark. He flailed a little bit, then realized that he wasn't actually falling. It was as if he had the sensation of falling, but had remained on his feet. He straightened out and looked around. There was a light in the middle distance. He began walking toward it. It got closer faster than it should have and he soon found himself in a grand entrance hall of white stone: the same entrance hall that he had seen before, when he had been trying to escape this same castle. "You must be the new-comer Xemn-- I mean, the Superior was talking about." Adrian turned to see Roxas leaning against the wall by the huge gate. Adrian nodded, looking a little surprised. "I guess I am... But how did he know?" "His Nobodies are everywhere. They see and know a lot of things. Plus," Roxas continued, standing up and coming over to him, "he can sense when another Nobody like us is near. He sensed you the second you got close enough." "Right." Before or after the transformation, I wonder? Adrian added to Cloud. Maybe before, but he didn't know where you were. Hm. Maybe... "So... You wanna come meet my friend, Axel? We're about to go look for a couple guys who escaped. They were supposed to be prisoners here, but somebody couldn't keep an eye on them. I mean, they were in suspended animation, weren't they? How hard can it be?" Adrian forced a laugh. "Yeah. Real hard..." "Hey!" And here came Axel, red hair and all. Adrian still couldn't place where he had seen those markings under his eyes before though... "Hey, Axel. This is..." Roxas smacked his head. "I'm stupid. I never introduced myself! I'm Roxas." He held out his hand to shake. "Ador." Adrian took his hand and shook it. "The name's Axel." Axel put a finger to his temple and tapped it twice. "Got it memorized?" "What?" Adrian, who was sick of Axel already, acted confused. "Nevermind." Roxas said, laughing. "Hey! Want to come with us to try and find those two guys? We'll explain some stuff on the way. Plus, you might be able to help us find them. Y'know, if you saw anything on the way here." "Sure. But shouldn't I check in with this Xemnas guy, first?" "Nah, we'll be right back." Axel crossed his arms over his chest and grinned toothily. "Unless you're scared...?" "No heart, remember? Can't be scared." Adrian pointed out. "Oh, you just had to bring that up, huh?" Roxas said, moaning playfully. "Let's just go. Lexaeus looks angry." Axel nodded his head to Adrian's left, down the large corridor at Lexaeus, who was trudging down it, looking murderous. "Yeah, let's get outta here!" And they all took off out the gates. They ran out into the city for a little bit, then Axel stopped. He looked around, frowning. "What is it, Axel?" Roxas whispered. "Someone's here," Axel replied in a low voice, "and they're watching us. I've never felt someone so powerful..." "Who could it be?" Adrian asked, whispering. "I don't... Oh, god no..." "What?" "I would think that you wouldn't have forgotten me... Cloud." A dark figure with a single, pitch black wing floated down from a window in one of the buildings. He had long, flowing, silver hair and the longest katana Adrian had ever seen. Could this be... Sephiroth! Adrian, we gotta go! If he's seen you looking like me, then he'll try to kill us! Plus, we would be discovered! I kinda realized that, Cloud! "So," Sephiroth started, but Axel cut him off. "We don't want trouble, Sephiroth. Just get out of here." "Hm. I don't see that happening." Sephiroth said, smirking and never taking his gaze from Adrian's face. "Why did you pick such a weak body to possess, Cloud? You could've taken, say, Xemnas, for example. But no. You had to take this boy... No matter. I will destroy you, regardless! Who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth...?" And Sephiroth charged at Adrian, who spun around, letting his foe's sword deflect off the Buster Sword on his back before drawing it. He was trying his hardest to block the flurry of blows that Sephiroth was sending at him, and he was barely doing it. He couldn't keep it up for long... "Why don't you speak, Cloud? Why stay silent?" Sephiroth backed off then, letting Adrian fall to one knee. Adrian gasped for air and tried to keep his sword raised as he replied. "I don't... Know... What you... Are talking about! I don't know... A 'Cloud...' My name... Is Ador!" "Hm. You think you can fool me? Nice try, but you have failed at one more thing. And it will be your last failure!" Sephiroth charged Adrian again, ready to end the fight, but Axel threw his chakrams at Sephiroth, distracting him. Sephiroth turned. "Do not interfere! Unless, that is, you wish to be wiped from existence, as well?" "I said," Axel yelled, summoning his chakrams back to him, "we don't want trouble! Got it memorized?! Now get your one-winged ass outta here! I will not hesitate to inform the Superior of your infringement if you continue..." "Then it is settled." Sephiroth sheathed his sword, the Masamune, and began floating upward into the eternal night. "Your destruction will be your own fault... Ale..." And he disappeared. Axel stood in silence for a little bit, staring at the spot where Sephiroth had disappeared from. Roxas came up and asked, "What did he mean by that? Did he call you 'Ale?' Or was he just randomly saying that he wanted ale?" Axel snapped out of it and looked first at Roxas, then at Adrian. "I don't know... But he pronounced it 'ai-lee...'" He got more intense as he turned to Adrian, who flinched. "But I also don't know who it is we're dealing with here! 'Ador...' That doesn't seem like a Nobody's name, now does it? What is your name, 'Ador...?' Is it 'Cloud' perchance?" "Okay, okay, so I lied!" Adrian said, thinking fast. "My true name is Ador... I told you that because..." He trailed off. "Because...?" Roxas leaned in, looking suspicious. "Because I didn't want to let it go!" Adrian called up some tears and let them flow. It was surprisingly easy. "I have a little bit of my old self left in me! I don't know why, so don't ask! That's why I have a little bit of emotion... That's why I wanted to make you think my name was Ador!" "So, what is your Nobody name?" Axel snapped at him. "And who is Cloud?" "My Nobody name is... Ro... Rodax." "And this Cloud?" "My true self's twin brother..." "Alright, Rodax." Axel looked at Roxas, who nodded. "We believe you. But try to be honest, okay? We don't want secrets here, got it?" Adrian nodded, the picture of sadness. "Buck up!" Roxas said, looking encouraging, "We're on a mission now. Gotta stay focused!" Adrian nodded again, looking more stable this time. Then Axel took the lead. "Alright! We gotta start tracking the escapees. Roxas, you take the east half." "Got it!" And Roxas took off into the night. Axel turned to Adrian. "Watch this!" And he raised his chakrams into the air, lighting them aflame. They spun around and circled him. Then he caught them and brought them down to his sides. A number of Nobodies had appeared around them, all of type that Adrian had never seen before. They were like a mixture of Dusks, Snipers, and Red Nocturne Heartless. They were basically red, fire elemental Dusks with flamethrowers. "These guys were made for me by Xemnas, himself! I can summon them and make them do whatever I want! Well, they are incredibly stupid, but one thing's for sure... They work! Now, my minions... Take the west half!" There was a general sound of affirmative from the mob, then they dispersed to the west. Axel turned to Adrian. "You and I will cover the Memory Skyscraper..." And they set out for the tallest building, (beside the Castle, that is), in the World that Never Was....... Chapter Four: The Resistance Hideout - Disney Castle's World... Time until the Revival of Worlds: 3 years "Your Majesty!" Goofy ran into the dimly lit war room, looking flustered. "They're here!" "Okay. Thank you Goofy!" King Mickey turned back to the SOLDIER operatives who were gathered around. Rufus Shin-Ra had never found out about these "rogue" operatives who had fled Gaia when Xemnas had began his campaign there. They didn't want anything to do with it. So, three years ago, they traveled to the world where it was said a resistance group was gathering. They joined and lent their strength to the cause, throwing the balance of the Hidden War, (as it had come to be called, seeing as many people didn't even know about it), in the King's favor. The Organization had met their every attack with all their strength and power, but had failed every time. It seemed that the War was going to go full-blown and become known when the tide began to turn against the Resistance. King Mickey had been in every battle, seen some of his dear friends turned into Heartless and their bodies become Nobodies. He had had enough. The life of every world depended upon his success! He had to win! Presently, he addressed the SOLDIERs in front of him. "We are at a turning point in this struggle. We need to fight them off! The Settlement is on the other side of the Steamridge Mountains. If we do not stop them here... I hate to think of what would happen to all of the residents of our city if they broke our defenses! So, this is it. If we can keep them at bay long enough, we might be able to turn this war back into our favor. Our secret weapon should arrive in about three hours. We need to hold them off until then! So... Shall we?" And the King grabbed his sword and shield and got ready to depart. As he left the room, he felt a presence pass through him. He looked back and saw, to his shock, a young man of about sixteen years old. He had silver hair and wore a blue and yellow outfit. He stood there for a little bit and then nodded. He spoke after a moment. "You need more help. This fight is hopeless. I think I can give you the help you need..." "Who are you?" "I am the spirit of a young man who has a destiny tied to that of the Keyblade." "The Keyblade?!" Mickey was shocked. Could this be a bearer? "I am not a Keyblade bearer." The young man said. Mickey looked a little downtrodden. "But I know who will be. I grew up with him. His name is Sora." "Sora?" "Yes. But, as things are in this world, he never will become the Keyblade Master..." "I don't think you mean 'world' as in Hollow Bastion or Atlantica..." The guy nodded. "That's right. I mean 'world' as in a parallel universe that would have come into being if things had been different..." "So, how do we get the Keyblade into the right hands?" "We can't... Unless we find the door to the past." "The door to the... Past?" "Yeah. If we can find that..." "Is this like the Door to Darkness that Ansem the Wise spoke about?" "Perhaps. It is said that the Door to the Past lies within Kingdom Hearts, the Heart of all Worlds. Deep within its darkest depths, where the Heartless swarm and the shadows lurk. If this is true, then there is only one way to get there." "Through the Villain's Vale in Hollow Bastion." "Right. So, I will wait for you in the Computer Terminal Room in Ansem's castle." "Wasn't that --" "Your Majesty!" Mickey whipped around to find the Head Mage, Donald, standing there, looking worried. Mickey turned back to the silver-haired guy, but he wasn't there anymore. He turned back to Donald and nodded. "Let's go." He left the war room after glancing back again. What had that silver-haired boy meant by giving him the "help that he needed?" Did he intend to give them more fighters? Or was it something else? He was headed to the surface. The base, being underground, was built in a system of caves and caverns that twisted and turned around and around the world. The King had not even known about them six years ago, but found them when he had fled Larxene and Lexaeus when his own castle had been taken over. He had headed to the Gummi Hangar and fallen into the take-off tunnel. He had barely survived the fall by catching himself on a broken pipe and climbing up into a hole in the wall of the tunnel. It had led to these caves. Apparently, the Heartless had invaded the castle through that hole, making their way up into the castle proper through the Courtyard. He had been afraid that he would run into more of them as he went through the caves, but met no enemies, Heartless, Nobodies, or otherwise. He had made it out of the same hole that he was about to go out of now and made his way to the Settlement that he had heard about, on the other side of the mountains. Presently, he started hearing the sounds of battle, though they were still far off. He came to the entrance cavern and looked around. There were already many injured and many who were too far lost to be cared for. He felt his heart drop at the sight. Donald and Goofy came up behind him and Donald spoke. "We can't hold them for long. The Weapon won't get here in time! What can we do?!" "I..." Mickey started, but he felt the presence approaching again. He looked around to see that there was a shimmering in front of the passage that led outside. What was that...? "Don't give up yet, Your Majesty!" The boy said as he appeared. He was wearing a very light suit of gold and silver armor with no helm and a shield on his left arm. The sword that he held looked strangely familiar... "What is that sword...?" The King wondered aloud. "This old thing?" The new-comer laughed. "This is just a sword a... Friend of mine found in some ruins on this world. I don't know who it used to belong to, but whatever. It's mine now!" "Gawrsh!" Goofy cried, remembering what it was. "Is that...?!" "It is!" Donald ran toward the boy to get a closer look at the sword. "What is your name?" Mickey asked the boy. "Me?" The boy laughed as Donald gawked at the sword. "I'm a replica of Riku. He just spoke to you in that planning room..." "A... Replica?" Donald asked. "Yeah, kinda lame, I know. But I can fight! And I got all the stuff that the original has, to boot! Well, we all do, but hey. He made us, y'know." "How?" The King said, wonderingly, "You look to be about sixteen! So he must be, too! Is he really that smart already?!" "Ha! Me? Smart?" The Riku replica laughed. "Nah, just powerful. I'll explain later. For now, we gotta go handle all those Heartless and Nobodies! If we sit here chatting, we're bound to fail! There are more Riku Replicas outside, already fighting. Let's go lend 'em a hand, huh?" The King nodded and motioned for Donald and Goofy to follow him. They got outside to see a huge battle off in the distance. There were easily twice as many Heartless and Nobodies as last time. Plus, with half of the Resistance's forces gone, that made for a battle that was four times as difficult! This was going to be fun... As if he had read Mickey's mind, the Riku Replica looked at him as they got into a transport/cart thing and said, "There are over three-hundred Riku Replicas out there, all with a replica of this sword and armor. You're good for now. Although, it'd be easier if the actual Riku was here..." Mickey nodded and tried to smile. He didn't want to lose any more friends... But he'd do what he must. He couldn't get distracted. Not now. Meanwhile, in Ansem's Computer Terminal Room... Riku looked around. It had to be somewhere... It was small, but Ansem would have wanted to keep it somewhere that was easily thought of when he wanted to use it. Like a secret drawer that there was only one of. Something like that. He poked around in the terminal room, then took the elevator down to the Manufactory Ruins. He got there and saw a small disc laying on the ground, face up. He picked it up and looked at the label side. It was blank, but it had the Organization XIII symbol on it. He smirked and went back up to the terminal. He booted up the computer. He swore when a password entry screen popped up. He tried all of the obvious ones, ("ansem," "Heartless," "Keyblade,"), but quickly gave up. Then, suddenly, he thought of something. He typed in "dtd" and got an "Access Denied" message. Then, he put in the full meaning of that term. "Door to Darkness." There was a click, the right side of the terminal opened, and a box with a disc drive rose out it. Riku put the disc into the drive and waited as it loaded up. A voice recognition password popped up. He swore again and got an "Access Denied" message. Then, it said that he had four more tries to get it right, or the system would lock up. He left the room, back into Ansem's old, messy office. He cleared his throat and tried to talk like Xemnas. When he thought that he had it, he went back into the terminal room and tried again. "Access denied. Three more attempts left." The computer taunted. He tried again. "Access denied. Two more attempts left." He almost swore but stopped himself. He couldn't waste another attempt. That's when it hit him. There was probably a word that he had to say, in Xemnas's voice, to gain access. Great. He tried again. "Organization XIII." He said in Xemnas's voice. "Access denied. One more attempt left." He sat down in the chair and was about to say something like, "I give up," and use up his last try, but he got an idea. He rolled the chair back to the terminal and spoke in Xemnas's voice. "Kingdom Hearts." "Access..." Riku held his breath. "Granted!" He smiled and let out his breath. The screen came alive with colors and small squares. He looked at the squares and saw that each did a different thing. One was like a folder that held papers, but it was all digital. Another controlled the security cameras. There was one in particular that caught his eye, though. It said, "Room of Sleep," at the top and had two buttons inside it. One said, "Open." The other said, "Close." He shrugged and clicked on "Open." There was an echoed click from the Manufactory ruins. He ran over to the elevator and took it down. When he got there, there was a red, glowing circle on the ground in front of the main processing area. He stepped into it and he heard a rumble. He looked down and saw the the ground had disappeared in a rectangle that stretched from right in front of his feet to about the center of the processing area. A ramp rose up out of the darkness and the walls and floor of this new, hidden area lit up with red streams of lights that ran all the way down. He could see a spiraling ramp that started on the bottom of the one in front of him. He walked down the first ramp to the first "landing" thing and looked over the edge into the hole. It was a large, circular hole that had a ramp that ran along the wall all the way down. He could see, far, far below and on the opposite side from him, a door of white stone or metal. He started to go all the way down the ramp. After the long walk down, he came to the door he had seen from above. The ramp ended here, too. He stood in front of the door and it slid open automatically. He stepped through and saw a long, white-walled, marble-floored corridor that was lined with doors with chains on them. He was in some kind of cell block. There was a larger door on the far end. He walked all the way down and stood in front of the door, waiting for it to open. It didn't. That's when he noticed that there was a pulsating, white light coming from the other side. He could see it under the crack between the door and the ground. There was some kind of low humming coming from the other side, as well. Then, both suddenly stopped. Riku hid himself with magic as the door opened and Xemnas and a woman in armor walked out. The woman had her helmet off and Riku could see her face. She had vacant, blue eyes, deep, blue hair, and a friendly face. Although, she looked like she was in a trance. She was kinda staggering behind Xemnas. Riku waited until they got farther away, then started following them. They got to the end of the hallway, where Xemnas stopped. Without turning, he spoke. "Whoever you are, if you do not stop following me, I will be forced to annihilate you. I will open this door, and go through. I hope that I feel a presence go past me or otherwise go away from this place by the time I get to the top of the ramp. If not, then I will seal you within one of the Rooms of Sleep for a very, very long time." He chuckled. "I would absolutely hate to have to do that..." And he kept walking. Riku jumped past him and ran up the ramp. When he got to the top, he took the elevator to the terminal room and went back into the office. He left the office and went out into the corridors. He sprinted through the maze of hallways and out into the Postern. He jumped down into the Restoration Site and into the Bailey, where he waited for Xemnas to pass by. After a considerable time had passed, he took down his magic cloak and looked back up at the castle. Nobody seemed to be coming. "Damn! He must have teleported..." He jumped back toward the castle to continue his search for what he had been looking for before he had been distracted. He had been looking for a small, glass key. It was in the same shape as the Keyblade, but it actually was just a key. He knew that Ansem had had it at one point or another, but he never knew where it had been kept. When he made it back to the castle, he saw it crawling with Nobodies of the nastiest kind. "Ugh..." He muttered, "Sorcerers..." They were everywhere. The Postern was so crowded with them that Riku couldn't hope to even get near the castle, let alone get inside. He looked up and saw a balcony that led into one of the upper levels. He jumped up and grabbed a hold of the edge and flipped onto the ledge. He had to get back to Ansem's office. He may only have one chance left to find that key...... Meanwhile, at the Memory Skyscraper in the World that Never Was... "So, this is the Memory Skyscraper, uh, Rodax." Axel said, nodding up at the slightly warped tower. "You might have a flashback here, if you stay long enough..." "Have you had one, Axel?" Adrian asked, trying to stay calm. What if he had a flashback that gave him away? What if he lost control? "A few. But I can't shake that feeling you get when you see someone that you've seen before, but the memory's not strong enough to actually trigger the whole thing... Every time I have a flashback here, I get that feeling. And I got it when I saw one of the escapees, too. Like, I've seen him before, but not as he is now... Ha!" He brightened up again. "Don't tell anyone that I said that, though. They don't need to know about every single thing that happens in my head, now do they?" "What about the whole 'no secrets' thing, Axel?" Adrian added slyly. "Hm. Good point. I should stay consistent with my little 'rules,' huh? So... From now on... Secrets are allowed! There! Now, I'm not in the wrong!" Adrian laughed. He couldn't help it. Maybe Axel wasn't the mean, disgustingly evil person that he had first thought. Well, he didn't leave a great first impression, though. But now Adrian had another thing to think about. Adrian had this feeling like he'd seen someone with the markings under their eyes before, but hadn't really known that person. And now he learns that Axel vaguely recognized him, too! What did it mean...? "Hey, Rodax! We gotta go check this place out." Axel said, looking over his shoulder at him. Adrian nodded. We gotta get this guy figured out soon. Cloud noted to Adrian as he followed Axel toward the Skyscraper. Yeah. He's not a bad guy, but he seems to not care about what other people think of him. I think that he's more focused on finding out more stuff about his true self. He's not all bad... True, true. But keep your eye on him. We don't want him to blind-side us. Noted. As they approached the tower, Adrian suddenly felt as if the ground was slipping from beneath his feet. He looked around and saw that the world seemed to be shimmering with light. He vaguely saw Axel just outside the shimmer and called out weakly to him. Then, everything went black. Slowly, an image appeared in Adrian's head. It was of the Lot in Twilight Town, during the Struggle Battles. He laughed a little bit. He remembered that day! The day that he bet 1000 munny that Setzer would win. And he had won... Hadn't he? Wait. He didn't remember that! What had happened after he had seen that boy...? The boy! It was Axel! He was sure of it! The black markings, the spiky, red hair... It was all there! How could he have forgotten? Then, he saw himself from behind. Cheering for Setzer. He saw Setzer deal the one and only blow to his opponent that ended the match. Then, his five-year-old self looking over at the younger Axel and glowering. Fauna was there, too! “You don't need that kind of nonsense now, Adrian,†Fauna said comfortingly, smiling at him, “He's just a poor sport.†Little Adrian nodded and looked back to the fight. Then Fauna said, "Adrian, you okay?" "Hm?" "You look..." Fauna cocked her head to one side as she looked at the five-year-old. "Well, I just can't place how you look right now!" The little boy looked at her and Adrian saw that there was something in those eyes that shouldn't be there. A dark fire that should be eating the little boy's heart, but didn't. The raw, wild power that he held. Fauna gasped, then fell over. She was in a coma! "This world's time has come. And so has yours." Adrian's gaze whipped to the little boy, but he was gone. Instead, the crowd around where he and Fauna had been standing all gasped and a couple good-natured people picked her up and carried her to a bench, where they tried to give her some water. Adrian, on the other hand, from his higher up perspective, looked around for the little boy. He saw a lone, small figure floating away from the scene and out of the Lot. He followed, wondering why this little boy was now floating rather than walking. He came to an ally way and saw the younger version of Axel standing there, staring at the little boy version of Adrian. They stared at each other for a moment, then the little boy smiled menacingly. Little Axel freaked and looked down. There were little tendrils of darkness creeping up his leg, wrapping him in darkness. They reached his chest and his face went all vacant and empty. There was no emotion behind it. His heart had just been consumed by the Darkness that this five-year-old had summoned from the ground! Axel's heart had been stolen by a five year old boy?! Worse yet, that boy was Adrian! "Hey!" Axel called, his voice seeming to come from a distance. "Wake up, you liar!" Adrian slowly came to, Axel standing over him. He was pissed. "What happened, Axel?" Adrian said, wondering what Axel had meant by calling him a liar. "What hap --" He broke off and turned away from Adrian, more pissed than before. "What happened is that you are one of the escapees! Adrian! You are also the one who stole my heart!!!" Axel screamed these last two words and summoned his chakrams out of fire. "I know! That's what I just had a vision about! A flash --" "I don't care! I want you dead! It doesn't matter to me what he Superior wants you for! All that matters is that you are eliminated!!!" Axel charged Adrian, who reached for his Buster Sword, only to realize that it was gone. He'd changed back to himself! He rolled out of the way, looking around for a weapon. He grabbed a pipe that was sticking out of the side of the Memory Skyscraper and wrenched it out of the wall. He went into a battle stance and got ready for Axel. Axel roared, charging again, then froze when he looked at Adrian's weapon. Adrian frowned, then looked at his weapon, himself. It was a Keyblade. "You little --!" Axel charged again, even angrier, only to be blocked by a thrown sword that stabbed into the wall to his right, blocking his path. He skid to a stop, looking up and to the left. "Leon?!" Adrian cried, following Axel's gaze. Leon jumped off the top of the building that he was on, landing next to Axel, and grabbed his gun-blade from the wall. He smiled back at Adrian. "I didn't think that that outfit suited you, anyway." "Is Sora...?" "Safe. I took him to a friend of mine. He's in the Ruins of Hollow Bastion, safe and sound." "The Ruins of Hollow --" "No time to talk. We gotta go!" Leon fired a few blasts at Axel as he backed up toward Adrian. He grabbed Adrian and opened a portal of Darkness that led to Hollow Bastion. Axel dodged the blasts and tried to follow them, but couldn't get to the portal in time. He sighed. If only he had controlled his anger long enough to ask some questions. Man, he was impulsive! In the Ruins of Hollow Bastion... "Oof!" Adrian landed hard on his side and rolled away from the portal as Leon strode through it. Leon laughed. "Still not used to the portals, huh?" "Ha ha, very funny." Adrian got up and dusted himself off. Then he turned to see Sora sitting next to a short figure wearing a cloak akin to that of the Organization members'. He smiled at Sora and held out his hand to the person, who shied away. Sora laughed, saying, "It's okay! This is my older brother, Adrian." "Nice to meet you!" Adrian said, then remembered what had just happened. "Oh, yeah! Leon did you see...?!" "Yeah, I saw." Leon said, turned away, bent over a broken computer terminal that had papers spread over it. "And I wish it wasn't true." "Huh? What happened?" Sora asked, looking at Adrian. "Well, it'd be better if I showed you, rather than try to explain..." Adrian looked down on the ground where he had fallen to see the piece of pipe that he had tried to use as a weapon. He picked it up and it disappeared into a bright light. When the light died away, the gold and silver Keyblade was in his hand. Sora gasped, as did the person sitting next to him. "Is that...?" "Yeah. The Kingdom Keyblade." Leon said without turning away from the papers. "One of two Keyblades that have enormous power. This one is the Keyblade of the Realm of Light. You will not be able to hide from the Organization as long as you hold that power in your heart!" "What's the other Keyblade? And where is it?" Sora asked. His question was answered by the person in the cloak, which made Leon freeze. "The Darkside Keyblade." The person said. It was a young-sounding woman. "It is held within the Door to Darkness that Ansem the Wise studied. That Door is also known as Kingdom Hearts." Leon whipped around. He took a hesitant step toward the young woman and spoke. "Is... Is that really you...?" "Leon, you should know more than anyone that it'd take more than a Heartless infestation to take out..." The woman took off her hood. Her long, black hair was tied with a yellow ribbon. She smiled cockily. "The Great Ninja Yuffie!" "It is you!" Leon ran over to her, looking amazed. he took her face in his hands and looked her over, as if to make sure he wasn't dreaming. He backed up as she took off her cloak to reveal that her outfit hadn't really changed much. She threw the cloak aside. "That thing was getting stuffy, anyway!" "Why didn't you tell me sooner?!" Leon cried, calming down a little bit. "I didn't want to. Just in case you still had a small, residual amount of Darkness in your heart and mind. But I just found something out that may be of use to our search for the Darkside Keyblade..." "You're right," Leon said, clearing his throat, "We need to focus, now more than ever. What did you find out?" "Ansem the Wise was sleeping in the castle, in suspended animation. Well, until recently, that is..." "What do you mean, 'until recently?'" Adrian asked, still confused about a few things, but not showing it. It could wait. "He woke up. Then, the Heartless and the Nobodies, who, as you know, Leon, are constantly warring over territories here, brought the fight to the castle and almost killed him. Somebody showed up to bail him out. The only problem, though, is that he's now being held in the Villain's Vale." "Who bailed him out?" Sora questioned. "You'll be surprised to know that it was our old friend, Leon. Tifa." WHAT?! Cloud's voice bellowed inside Adrian's head so loud that he grunted and put a hand to his temple. "What's up with him?" Yuffie asked, looking worried. "It's Cloud..." Adrian said. "What do you mean? You know him?" "Well," Sora turned to her and explained, "When Cloud died here in Hollow Bastion, his spirit apparently got thrust into Adrian's head. That happened when he was five years old. They were together until he was twelve, then Axel, an Organization member, came to Destiny Islands, where I used to live and where he was born, and set him off. Cloud got thrown into the Darkness. But, six years later, (more accurately, two days ago), Cloud came back to him and helped break us out of the World that Never Was. We'll catch you up completely later. For now, we'll just tell you that Cloud is living in Adrian's head." "Wow. Sound's fun. So, uh, Cloud... How are ya?" Tell her that I want to know how Tifa got her body back! Okay! Geez... You already gave me a headache. No need to keep yelling... "Well, being the insensitive jerk that he is, he just wants to know how Tifa got her body back." "She probably found it in this world while she was in her spirit form. Easy. I actually have Cloud's body hidden in the Castle..." WHAT?! Adrian! We've found a new goal-location! Tell her to take us there! STOP. YELLING. Geez... "Well, still being a jerk, he demanded that you take us to his body." Well, you would be insensitive, too! You don't have to live in some guy's head! Plus, you don't have a heart! How dull is that?! Cloud? I can hear all those deriding comments that you're making. Shut the hell up. Sor-ry! "Oh, I was going to take Leon down there, anyway, to show him that I need to find their spirits. One down!" "Who else do you have down there?" Leon asked. "Aerith, Cid, and some guy who was good at flying the Gummi Ship out of there when things got sticky. He got us out after Aerith and Cid got incapacitated. It was us two after that. The soldiers and such disappeared, seeing that their hearts weren't strong enough... I wonder what's so special about this guy...?" "Okay. Let's go." Adrian said. "Why the rush?" Yuffie asked, looking sideways at him. "I kinda want to get rid of Cloud, if at all possible. A-S-A-P, if you know where I'm coming from!" I heard that. I didn't figure that you wouldn't. Nice. Just nice. "Alright! Let's get over to the castle, then!" And they set out into the ruined town of Hollow Bastion....... TO BE CONTINUED!!!
DUDE!!! OMG! You are SUCH a talnented writer! This is more riviting than anything ive read! Keep up the good work man!
