Kingdom Hearts: The 13th Requiem [PG-13/Not Accepting]

[Yosuke-kun]

Shuren was a little surprised about being called an idiot. It's not that he didn't agree, he just wasn't expecting it from Viola. In any case, she was right about what she said. He, Ryan, and herself had all been way too down about everything that had happened. Yes, James kidnapping was terrible, but that's why they were here, wasn't it? Still, Shuren couldn't shake the feeling that the blame for the kidnapping rested solely on his shoulders. He was the last to leave the Arcana Cabana afterall, leaving James alone and undefended.

 

Even so, what would Shuren have done to stop the kidnapping? Yes, he was a fairly good fighter, and he could use magic to top it off, but he was certain that the Organization thug who'd nabbed James could vastly overshadow him in both those areas. Maybe if it were Trevor or Viola there instead of himself, but him? No, he'd have only brought more problems to the group. For now, it'd be best to cheer up. If not for himself, then for Viola and the others.

 

It was at that moment that Viola started to drag him and Ryan out of the inn. For such a small girl, she had a lot of unexpected force behind her, as she was able to drag two teenage boys twice her size out of the inn. Another twinge of guilt struck Shuren as he looked at Ryan. He DID kinda ignore him for Viola earlier, and Lightning... well trying not to get distracted by that was no easy task either. "Hey Ryan." he said smiling widely at him as the two were lead off "Tell me everything about your nightmare later, okay?"

 

No that that was out of the way, he made himself a silent promise. Even if there was nothing he could have done to stop it, James kidnapping was his fault. So to make ammends for that, HE would be the one who saved him. Whether he had a keyblade or not, he'd find James, and stop whoever it was that kidnapped him.

 

As they approached Balthazar, Shuren noted that a blue rabbit seemed to be talking to him. But... no that wasn't right. Rabbit's can't talk. 

 

"Sooo master?" Shuren asked kneeling down and poking the rabbit in the nose lightly a few times. "What up with the bunny? Is he like a friend of yours or something?" That's when the rabbit introduced himself as Prince Cornelius of Titania, and Shuren squeeled and backed away. "Holy crap! That thing can talk!?" Viola took this a good deal better than he had, as she simply introduced herself. Shuren felt a little embarrassed at his reaction now. He wasn't sure why why a talking rabbit bothered him so much either. Just yesterday he went toe to toe with monsters that he'd never even dreamed about fighting, but a talking bunny made him squeel like a little girl? At least the others would get a laugh out of this he supposed.

 

"I-I mean.... Sorry your highness. Not really used to rabbits talking. I'm Shuren. Another one of Master Balthazars apprentices."

[The Warden]

Cornelius was doing his absolute best to hold back his general discomfort and embarassment. It was not once, but twice tha these apprentices made reference to his 'condition', and worst of all, one of them was poking him like he was a simple pet. His ears visibly strained as he fought down the urge to strike them for these injustices. 'Yes, I c-can talk young man. Though I may appear in the f-form of a beast, I too was o-once, human. And, I'd rather my, condition to not be put into light. The indignity of it all, to think that my life would turn to this. But, I must endure if I am to see Velvet once more. I am here because of dark tidings, brought on by the Shadows your master refers to as Heartless. Though, as the precious seconds drift by I do worry for my world."

 

[hr]

 

Haxz was idly spinning a munny ball on the table, when it just occured to him that if no one was around, they'd probably be having a meeting. "If I know Kreix the way I think I do, he'd probably be doing where the old Organization met. Gathering Nothing, or something like that. Hmm, now hat I think about it the old Organization were pretty nihilistic in terms of naming."

 

He corridored away swiftly, the chair he was sitting on falling down by the movement.

 

[hr]

 

Rather than just directly corridoring into an empty chair, Haxz, for some reason, took the subtle approach of coming in through a wall, specifically, the one next to Kreix's throne. Quietly stepping out, he overheard Kreix declaring for Xelo to bring him another Nobody. "Hmm, Greater Nobodies seem to come out of the woodworks these days" he thought as he leant on Kreix's throne.

[Mugendramon]

Omcraxs looked up a Kriex's throne as Haxz came out of it unceremoniously. He sighed and leapt to his seat, still not comfortable with his dangling feet. What was the point then, I have to look up to Haxz of all people, and I'm not even comfortable. Bullshit.

 

The mind of Number III was still circling around the World to which he sent a Wraith. It had been a while, and it still hadn't returned. Omcraxs rested his elbow on the chair's arm and held his head on a palm. There was something about that world that made it stay, and it was making him look bad. Not to mention it nabbed at him. Without realizing, he spoke out loud.

 

"I just don't understand it, the Heartless have completely overridden that World, it's visible even from afar. But they somehow haven't destroyed it yet, like there were still hearts remaining. I wonder-"

 

Then he realized he was moving his lips, looked around quickly, and sighed in annoyance at what he knew would come. Great, time for counseling.

[Phantom Roxas]

Balthazar turned to his apprentices. "Prince Cornelius is from another world, and he is here as refuge. However," Balthazar looked back at the prince. "If the Heartless attacked you, why do you… Look the way you do now?" He hesitated, not wanting to repeat the phrase "blue rabbit" again.

Balthazar looked back at Trevor, Balthazar's cloak swaying in the wind what with all the back and forth the sorcerer had been doing. "The voice you heard was the Keyblade itself. As for the call to other worlds, I think that's obvious. The Keyblade wants us to recruit more allies from other worlds." Balthazar looked at the Star Shard, which was glowing faintly. "We need a way to control our path. I'm going to look around. In the meantime, our new friend has some backpacks that need to be found. See if you can help him out. And where is Lightning?"

[hr]
Kreix resisted the urge to groan as Haxz appeared. "Glad you could make, it Haxz," Kreix remarked with a not-so-subtle hint of sarcasm. Kreix summoned his staff, knocking Haxz with it as a way of getting him to take his own seat. However, Kreix's annoyance turned to curiosity as Omcraxs found himself talking out loud. Kreix dismissed his weapon, leaning forward with his hands overlapping. "Which world, Omcraxs? I know a lot has happened in the mere hours that I was away, but aside from a world somehow not being destroyed, it sounds like this world has some special meaning to you. Care to explain?"

[hr]
Lexyk appeared before Dawn, stroking his claws across his arm, as if he was waiting for him. "I would not expect the Superior to bother with lesser Nobodies such as you, but do not think I'll let you go without familiarizing yourself with the rest of your rank. For one thing, you seem rather alert now. Impressive. However, you must accompany me to meet with your fellow Samurai.

[Mugendramon]

Omcraxs didn't resist the urge to groan as he heard what he expected to, from Kreix none other.

 

"Well, it's simple really. The world is brimming with Heartless, if you bother to check the terminal at the Library. But the place hasn't imploded like the others have. I have a strong reason to believe something-" he paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts and frowning, "or someone  is keeping them at bay. I don't want to jump to conclusions - or take responsibility for them, but I'm thinking it could  be a Keyblade Weilder."

 

He sighed, and leaned back on his seat. "I already sent a Wraith, and it hasn't returned. Is anyone," the Nobody added with a sharp glare at a certain someone "except Haxz  want to take a shot at it? I hear most of you guys yet have to go on a mission, and this one's almost done! You have one  dude to beat, tops. Can't be that hard eh?"

[Super Chaos Sonic]

"You are incredibly dextrous apprentice. I am Prince Cornelius of Titania. Pray, what is your name?"

 

Trevor slightly turned his attention to the talking rabbit, as he smiled. "Nice to meet you, your majesty. I'm Trevor Masters of...well New York. Not exactly a huge deal in my world though." he said chuckling a bit, as he heard Balthazar talk to him as well, nodding at what he replied with. It was the Keyblade itself? Wow...though the voice felt familiar too. Eh, it'll pass. Trevor thought, as he heard the dilemma that Cornelius found himself in. "Six backpacks? Sounds like it shouldn't be too much of a hard thing to do. No worries, Prince Cornelius, we'll get them for you no problem!" he said confidently. I honestly cannot believe I'm talking to a bunny....

[Nexev]

"Well now." Justice said as he hovered behind Xelo, his closed eyes displaying no malice nor delight, just a simple regard for new facts. "It appears that installing that Doorbell was a meaningless effort. "What could the great and powerful Organization ever want with me?"

~~~~

"Well then." Strider said as he was thrown onto the chair by Laxc. "Atleast for the small favors." Unfortunatly his body landed face first, causing his body to collapse in a unnatural shape, somehow though Strder seemed to not notice. "Well anyway there is a possibility with that. The presence of heartless does not necessitate the domination of it. The prescence of a strong being of light can distract the heartless as they mistaken the being for the heart of the wolrd or alternatively it may be a threat that is stemming the tide of the heartless, the prescence of this being may even be why the Heartless gather in such a number in the first place. Alternatively a being of darkness is capable of manipulating heartless due to their reactionary nature, thanks to this Heartless may not consume the world as their ruler's megalomania prevents him from allowing the places demise. Also dude, chairbro, which world, I can think of a lot which should be dead logically. Also can someone turn me around, this cushion isn't very intersting." Upon this statement Laxc jerked towards Strider and flipped him then resumed his position as a collapsed pile of elongated limbs.

[The Warden]

Haxz fell to the ground dramatically after being bumped by the staff, but he merely chuckled face down, his laughter muffled and sounding kinda weird, given the context. A Corridor formed on him and he was gone, only for it to appear on the seat to the exact right of Kreix afterwards. His he rested his head on his hand and was waiting with silent amusement, for once. "If he means that world, then I might have a fairly good idea as to why it hasn't gone tits up yet. But let's see if the other puppets can put two and two together yet."

 

He gave an obnoxiously serene smile at Omcraxs, and waited patiently, even though in all likelihood, he was going to end up answering the question anyways.

[Mugendramon]

Omcraxs glanced up at the jerk who'd proved more knowledgeable than him after showing up like what, an hour  ago?

 

"Well, he's right; it could  be some sort of megalomaniac who can somehow prevent them from eating the place, but I believe  it's a world much too underdeveloped to support such things. But I didn't observe it for long enough to tell. You're surprisingly knowledgeable on these things, er... oh what the hell  are you called anyway?"

 

Omcraxs stretched his arm at Number II without even looking at him. He could feel the smugness irradiating from his person. "Also Haxz shut up you're not going anywhere near my missions again. Every time you're near me I end up hindering all of our schedules and putting my own safety at stake."

[Christian Exodia]

"Might as well go with it while it's non-hostile." Dawn looked towards the man who called himself his 'superior' and calmly sighed. He looked towards Lexyk, and simply kept his combined blades in their current forme. He was curious about a certain aspect. "Might I inquire as to how you knew my location?" Nobodies tended to not have such a certain aspect of emotion, but it was such a thought that piqued whatever interest Dawn had left. The short hair fluttered atop his head as it hits the breeze and points itself towards the other Nobody. "And who are these other Samurai?" He, almost happily, piped up. The fake smile always stayed on his face on their trip.

[Yosuke-kun]

At the mention of Lightning's name, Shuren started to blush slightly. The memory of her 'morning greeting' was still fresh in his adolecent mind, to his own embarassment and shame. In his defense though, it wasn't as if he intentionally peeked at Lightning while she was in the shower or anything, it was her own fault for presenting herself in the manner she did. 

 

"I believe Lightning's still... waking up Master." Shuren said after a short while.

 

He then turned his attention back to Cornelius. Although he was still a little disturbed that a rabbit was talking to him, he did feel sorry for the guy. Besides, it's not like he was always a rabbit. From the sound of it, he was probably under a spell of some sort. If that was the case, it was up to the apprentices to help out the furry prince in any ways that they could. "Six backpacks? Shouldn't be to hard to find." Shuren started "We should split into teams of two. It'll be dangerous if we all go alone, and I doubt anyone's gonna just go 'take this' and hand us soome magical defense item, but we'll cover more ground if we split up." As Shuren spoke, he began to pace slightly, and think about all that had transpired the last few days. 

 

"Well, Trevor has the Keyblade, so that automatically makes him the best swordsman, and I think by now we all know that Viola blow's us outta the water magically. It's a little tough for me to admit, but Ryan, you're a better sorcerer than I am, but I think I might be better with a blade; at the very least quicker. It'd be silly if we had Trevor and Viola pair up, since they're our best fighters at the moment, and I doubt that Ryan and I would last too long without one of them to back us up. Soo... Trevor, you and Ryan pair up..." At this, he stopped pacing beside Viola, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders to pull her to his side, and gave the other two a wide grin. "I got Viola. This way our odds against the Heartless, should any appear, are at the highest. If we get into anything serious or find another backpack, call or text the other team on those phone's that what's-his-face gave us. Oh yeah, and ask around about James. Maybe somebody saw him here. Send any information you can about him too." 

 

With his speech now finished, Shuren turned and took Viola's hand before speeding off with her down the opposite street. While everything he'd said was, at least in his opinion, true, he hadn't mentioned that he didn't want to pair himself with Trevor, despite the fact that he got along with him best, because he still wasn't sure how he felt about Trevor obtaining the Keyblade first. On the one hand, Shuren knew that Trevor deserved it most out of the apprentices, but on the other, Shuren wanted to obtain the Keyblade to prove to himself that he wouldn't turn against them. This may have been a cowards way of dealing with it, but he'd rather be called a coward than a traitor, and if he put a little distance between Trevor and hismelf, maybe the jealousy he felt would disappear.

 

He also left out that he simply wanted to be alone with Viola for a little while. Partly because he didn't think he could talk to her about what he wanted to in Ryan or Trevor's company and get a real answer, and also because... wait, what was his other reason? He knew he had one, but why couldn't he remember it? Did he feel guilty about the morning and the birthday issue? Yeah, that must be it.

 

After a while of running aimlessly through Traverse Town, Shuren started to slow himself to allow Viola a chance to catch her breathe too. "uhhh... Sorry about snatching you away like that by the way." he said awkwardly scratching the back of his head and smiling apologetically. "Anyways, I kinda wanted to talk to you a bit. That is, if you're okay with it."

[Kōsuke Ueki]

After Ryan's moment of bipolar disorder passed, he wondered what was going on with him. Nothing made sense at all. First he gets caught in an Entice spell filled with pure evil. Then, he has a nightmare that seemed to have traumatized him and made him a completely different person. Finally, Shuren ignores him in the middle of a crisis involving the loss of his friends, leading to his moment of going crazy. Something was making him have a change in heart and judgment. But until it begins to risk his life and such, he can't let it get to him or else he'll end up being diagnosed with psychosis by a psychiatrist in a different world.

But before Ryan could apologize to Viola about acting so strange, she began to assume that James disappearing was why him a d Shuren were all acting so upset. To Ryan's surprise, Viola had more strength than he could tell. She dragged both Ryan and Shuren as if they were 10-year-olds being forced to do what they were told. "H-hey, take it easy Viola; you got it all–ow!" said Ryan, struggling with Viola's python grip. He then heard Shuren tell him to talk about the nightmare later. "I don't mind that–OW! Geez, Viola, can you crush my arm any fur–" Suddenly, Ryan came across someting unexpected: a talking rabit. A BLUE one at that.

Ryan was completely speechless the whole time. He listened to everything everybody, including Trevor, Balthazar and the blue rabbit known as Cornelius, as if he had nothing to say. He heard that Cornelius was once human but was bewitched at some pointed. Since he now believed that magic exists, he finds it more plausible that sorcery caused Cornelius' condition. He definitely felt sympathy for the prince, but the experience of actually seeing someone like this is jaw-dropping and he culdn't break out of it.

That is, until Cornelius brought up finding six backpacks. But for what? Then Shuren brought up splitting up. He decided, without even voting about and choosing on his own opinion, that Ryan and Trevor would be one duo, which was fine as he respected him the most out of the two, and Shuren would be with Viola. But this is the second time he was weird about it. Although Shuren ignored Ryan during his unneeded moment, it was to chat with Viola. And now things were getting weirder because Shuren decided to pair up with Viola, no questions asked. Well, Ryan tried at least, finally breaking away from his speechlessness.

"Uhhh, I don't think that's a go-" was all Ryan could say before two ran off. Yep, there is definitely something between the two that is being confidential. Ryan hung his head in shame and sighed at what just happened. But he shrugged it off and wrapped his arm around Trevor, shaking him a little. " Well, at least I got paired up with the Keyblade Weilder." Ryan chuckled a little and kneeled down towards Cornelius. "So, mind I ask what these backpacks look like? And what purpose they have towards you? Or is that confidential?" He needed to know what he was getting into before he got too hasty. But, being paired with his best friend the Keyblade Weilder, he should be just fine, right?

[Merci]

Viola was calmly listening to the others. From what she could gather, it was interesting how Trevor's own Keyblade talked to him. Did that mean that it was sentient? It was a bit of a creepy thought, but probably not important. Not only that, but from the sound of it, the blue rabbit 'Prince Cornelius' hadn't always been a rabbit. She was right about to answer Balthazar's question when she remembered with happened with the guys and Lightning earlier, distracting her, and Shuren beat her to the punch.

 

Then, all of a sudden, he came up with a plan without stopping to discuss it with anyone else, and then he came up with 'teams', splitting up into groups of two.

 

"Um, me?" Viola asked, pointing to herself in confusion when he suggested that the two of them be together. Well, in a way, it was fair by splitting up the Keyblade User and the Prime Merlinean, but still, it was a bit sudden, and, well, her thought process was cut suddenly as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her over to his side. "E- e- eh, wait a second-" Her face was starting to burn red, but before she could get her thoughts in order and protest, she found her petite body being dragged away. "W- w- w- w- wait, Shuuurrrrrrreeeeeeenn!"

 

Helpless, she was brought along the opposite street and further off into Traverse Town. The guy didn't even know where he was going! By the time he slowed down, she was utterly exhausted, not having the stamina for such sudden sprints. A silence passed between them as they regained their strength before Shuren apologized to her.

 

"That's," a deep breath, "alright, but jeez, dragging me away like a runaway shonen hero... Couldn't you wait? I mean my phone's still in my room so I'll have to rely on yours, and we don't even know what the backpack looks like."

 

She sighed in exasperation, before looking up to face the boy. Upon seeing his awkward smile, however, she instantly blushed and looked down again, pretending to take another deep breath.

 

"So, S- Shuren, what did you wanna talk to me about?" Viola asked, trying to sound normal.

[Yosuke-kun]

"O-oh, um... right." Shuren's thought prosses was somehow cut off now. What was going on now? For no reason in particular, Shuren was getting flustered. His face was getting warm too. Red even. He was blushing, if only a little, but why? What was causing it? The only logical answer Shuren could find was that he was getting nervous around Viola. Something about the way she was talking or acting struck him as... cute? No, that wasn't right. Viola's just his friend. Besides, he was never like this around her before. Then again, he was never alone with Viola before either. He was always accompanied by either Ryan or Trevor before when he ran into her, or she'd be with James, or they'd all be training together. This was the first time it was just the two of them.

 

[i]Alright, that's enough of that.[/i] Shuren thought before he let his mind wander on that subject anymore. After all, things were hard enough on all of them, and especially hard on Viola since James disappearance. She didn't need him hitting on her when he was almost certain that he didn't like her in that way too. It took a second, but Shuren's thought's returned to him. 

 

"Well, I wanted to ask you... What's your take on all of this?" That could have been worded better. Like a lot better. "I mean... James being kidnapped, those weird guys showing up, and to top it all off, we get the Grimhold back without so much as that creep saying 'you shall not pass'? You must have some thoughts on it all." He wanted to add more on the James disappearing part, but Viola was close to James, and he didn't want to unnerve her anymore by making her think too hard on what might be happening to him as they speak.

 

He turned away while she pondered the answer and stared up at the Clocktower at the center of Traverse Town. It wasn't too far from where they were. Maybe just a block or two away. Shuren could already visualize a large shopping plaza around it. Looks like he'd need to pick a few pockets, but was that really right? Despite being a theif, and a borderline kleptomaniac- eh, screw the borderline, he was a kleptomaniac and he knew it, he didn't think that stealing anything was the right thing to do. At thvery least not here. Stealling from those who can afford it is one thing, but Balthazar said that everyone here was a refugee from worlds destroyed by the Heartless. They had enough on their plates without Shuren swiping their last penny. 

 

He turned back and faced Viola again, looking less embarrassed now, and more confident and determined. "Normally I'd be talking about this to Trevor or Ryan," Shuren said "but I think we both agree that Ryan's not in a fit state to talk about this at the current moment, and I don't want to make him think too much on it unless I need to, and Trevor..."

 

Trevor was a tricky subject. Should he just tell her how he really felt about that situation? It wouldn't hurt anyone he supposed, but again, Shuren didn't want to say anything about it. It didn't really matter anyways. Viola was smart, she probably already figured out he was feeling about it anyways, and if she didn't, all the better.

 

"Anyways, point is you're easiest for me to talk to right now. Sorry about all this, just had to get it off my chest. Besides, you seem to be handling things better than the rest of us." 

[The Warden]

Cornelius hid a sly smile as he saw the apprentice take off with the girl. "A young love in bloom, tis a beautious thing to behold. I am sure they will be quite content with each other."

 

His inner monologue was offset though by the apprentice who had said little. This one seemed much more reserved, or perhaps, more damaged than the other children. Cornelius' ears flopped to the side as he inspected him, and the question he had posed. "As Velvet would say, I should tell them only that which they need to know. I don't trust them fully, and I do not treasure the idea of letting these miscreants stealing away with the Coins."

 

The pause was taking too long, and the suspicious nature of him was going to become even more suspect. "Apprentice, my backpacks are large black satchels, they are identified by having an enormous silver buckle keeping them closed. As for their contents, they were my supplies. One contained my food source, another my special trinkets. The third healing potions, and the fourth stronger healing potions. The last two contained more special potions as well. They are vital to me due to the effort put into producing them, and, with the Shadows lurking like a plague, I desire to be prepared."

 

Cornelius folded his arms and tilted his head to the left, content with the information given. However, something caught his eye. Now having the chance to look past Balthazar and his apprentice, he saw hanging from the weathervane that clung to the roof of the Inn was none other than one of the backpacks in question. He could not hide his grin as he leapt past Ryan at full pace. Despite walking on near tiptoe, he was a pretty agile little bunny.

 

With a tremendous leap, he landed on top of the lightpost closest to the inn, then, he leapt off the lampost with great height, then double jumped to somersault onto the roof. Climbing like a jackrabbitk his small hands and long feet allowed him to cling to the roof with ease. He reached the roof with minimal effort and seized the backpack from the weathervane, it creaked as if in gratitude.

 

Raising the backpack upwards, it returned back to his inventory reel. Satisfied, he leapt off the roof and landed perfectly on two feet, a cloud of dust scattering as he landed.

[Merci]

While her fellow apprentice asked her, he was using a rather solemn tone. He seemed to be pretty depressed. Judging by his attitude, he was likely hiding a few things away from her and there was more to his question than she could tell, but she didn't call him out on it. 'What's your take on all of this?'. It wasn't exactly an easy question to answer, and Shuren turned to face the nearby clocktower as she pondered it. Glancing up at his back, somehow, she felt as if he was becoming even more depressed. But by the time he looked back towards her, it appeared as though he'd gained confidence.

 

Then he mentioned about the other two, Ryan and Trevor. The former had been a little bipolar to an extent lately, but he'd get better once James came back. But as for the latter... "Coward? You don't know me! I'm not a damn coward!!!" It was the first time she had ever seen him angry. Didn't he say it was a trigger word, something he'd heard many times in the past? She'd always thought of him as the most normal, the most confident, but maybe that wasn't the case. It was hard to tell since he acted like a shounen hero incarnate ninety-nine percent of the time.

 

Then Shuren complimented her, though the situation was still tense.

 

"Hahaha, is that so?" Viola asked jokingly, grinning while triumphantly placing her hands on her hips. Seeing the guy so solemn, she had to force herself to cheer up. "It's fine, it's fine~ Viola Makaivair will always be here to listen to your every problems!"

 

Come to think of it, that must've been the first time he'd heard her surname, since he came in minutes late after her introduction. In fact, come to think of it, wasn't this the first time that they were out together? Before this moment, they'd always met either inside the game shop or the inn. Of course, she had only herself to blame for that, but still. It was a bit like a date, if only an incredibly weird date that involved running about and cryptic conversations.

 

Then, as a slightly awkward moment of silence passed between them, she remembered that she still hadn't answered the question yet.

 

Her mannerisms changing, Viola took off her glasses, since they were only for appearances anyway and didn't actually magnify anything, before looking at Shuren directly in the eye. She couldn't help but note that his were a vivid blue, a bit like the sky, but didn't let it distract her. Noticeably, her own looked a little tired without the flashy glasses.

 

"So, what's my take on all this, huh?" Viola murmured, but then the girl apprentice took on a more serious expression as she spoke more clearly. "From the day I discovered Balthazar's magical game shop, I have to admit I'm not too surprised with all that's happened in the past three months. A secret organization, Heartless, that Emperor guy, even James disappearing... It's not that I don't care, it's just that I've come to expect things like that over time. Troubles. Pain. Loss. I know what kind of person you are, Shuren, so you might be able to understand."

 

A small smile crept up onto her face as she looked up to the sky, but it was different than the one she wore mere moments ago. It had a hollow feeling. The air grew thicker. Why was she even telling him this? That was a question she couldn't answer, as her words and thoughts had disconnected from each other.

 

"Once, a long time ago, I realized that happy experiences don't always last. That's why, even if we don't find James, I'll still be able to move on. Even if everyone else disappears, even when I'm alone again, I'll still be able to live on. I abandoned my friends, threw away my old life, and moved to New York for that one purpose. You know, once you learn to expect these things, it hurts less."

 

Looking back down, Viola rose her hand to look at the dragon ring she wore - the ring that signified her uniqueness, her destiny as the one and only successor to Merlin.

 

"Maybe that's why I was chosen to become the next Prime Merlinean, don't you think... Shuren?"

[Love of Ghibli]

Nerhyx was bewildered at the puppet nobody and his instantaneous knowledge of the heartless. It could be possible that before there he was a nobody this man had some knowledge of the heartless that he simple retained while he was being converted to a nobody. Though that didn't seem likely. Nerhyx didn't really seem to care either way. This world that Omacrxs spoke of must have been an interesting phenomenon. Though Nerhyx has infested many worlds with the heartless it would seem that the heartless have not completely taken over. This thing that nobodies have about not liking each is just getting more and more peculiar. Nerhyx recalls some of his readings where it seemed that the nobodies formally known as Axel, Roxas, and Xion seemed to have been pretty close as friends. This didn't provide any deep revelation it was just something his mind tended to wonder about. 

 

"Well seeing as the puppeteer has such knowledge of these matters why do we not just send him to investigate your mysterious world. Besides It would be fair if all of the new nobodies got a taste of some real world missions." 

[Kōsuke Ueki]

From what Ryan could see in Cornelius' facial expressions, he was reciting his own poetry in his mind. Odd. After the descriptions of the backpacks and their contents were disclosed, Ryan was dumbfounded, again. The fact that Cornelius could jump and climb in extreme heights almost made him faint at the thought of it. But he got a look at the backpack, and Cornelius was right about what it looked like. Hopefully, he'll be able to find these things with more ease. But then he remembered about something that's really important...his phone. "I knew I forgot something; Trevor, give me a minute, I'll be right back." He then went back into the inn to get his phone.

10 minutes pass, and Ryan comes out of the inn, disappointed. "I don't know how I did it, but I lost my phone." he sighed. Oh well, at least Trevor has his right? Right? RIGHT!? "Okay, let's head out." Hethen began to head out. But he stopped the moment he was off the staircase and turned around. "Balthazar, Cornelius, would you like to join us or will you both be fine with aiding each other?" Ryan was curious, is all. Cornelius could be a huge asset to the search, plus Cornelius' current "condition" has its own benefits added to it.

[Phantom Roxas]

Kreix shrugged as Haxz invited himself to sit next to him. At least he had sat down. Omcraxs personal investment in this world interested Kreix, but he felt that Nerhyx's idea was quite reasonable. He knew a compliment would make Nerhyx delighted, and it was always amused Kreix to exploit his devotion. [color=#00009A][font='times new roman', times, serif][size=3]"A fantastic idea, Nerhyx! Omcraxs, you shall escort Xetatyl and this puppeteer to this world yours. If the puppeteer-"[/size][/font][/color]

[color=#00ff00]"His name is Strider, and the puppet is Cal."[/color]

Kreix slammed the back of his hand against Jumpsuit, who teleported away. [color=#00009A][font='times new roman', times, serif][size=3]"Regardless, if he is correct and there is someone controlling the world, you are to eliminate them and subjugate the rest of the world. Is that clear?"[/size][/font][/color]

Xetatyl shook her head at Kreix's commands. "Do your meetings usually take this long?" She stood up from her seat and summoned her silver rapier, slashing it through the air and shooting a glare at Strider. "You're not the kind of man I'd listen to, but everyone else seems to listen to you like their your pet dogs, so if you're going to send me off to some other world with some moron that can't keep his mouth shut, and a puppeteer who seems to have his mind split between himself and his doll, what other choice do I have?"

Kreix smiled. [color=#00009A][font='times new roman', times, serif][size=3]"I like you, Xetatyl. Haxz, you could learn a thing or too from her. If your first mission is successful, you should be rewarded handsomely."[/size][/font][/color]

Xetatyl size up Kreix. If this was his attempt at flattery, it was failing miserably. "No thanks."

Kreix's grin grew wider. [color=#00009A][font='times new roman', times, serif][size=3]"How disappointing. Oh well, you have your orders.[/size][/font][/color]

[hr]
[font='comic sans ms', cursive][color=#B22222]"We are currently having a meeting,"[/color][/font] Xelo told Justice. [font='comic sans ms', cursive][color=#B22222]"It is time you made yourself known to the rest of the Organization."[/color][/font]

[hr]
Balthazar sighed as Shuren took off with Viola, and Cornelius' commentary didn't help matters. If his apprentices and fallen in love with anyone else, that was one thing, but falling in love with each other? If one of the other boys were to be jealous of Shuren and Viola, the results would be disastrous. That must have been what the ring was warning Balthazar about when it bit Shuren. It knew that something like this would happen, something like what happened with Balthazar, Veronica, and Horvath.

[color=#800000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif]"Lightning really is taking an awful long time to get ready. We'll have to let her do her own business, and hurry up. Ryan, you and Trevor go found of Cornelius' backpacks. Cornelius, you can handle yourself, right?"[/font][/color]

Not waiting for a response, Balthazar rushed off. After a few minutes of searching, he saw various workers taking materials to one place. There was a makeshift tunnel. Balthazar followed them, but the workers seemed to ignore him. He found himself getting deeper and deeper, descending into the caverns with metal and wood lining the walls. At the end of the tunnel, he saw the full of a ship, with engineers hammering planks to the hull, and more workers adding some metal to strengthen it. Balthazar singled out one voice giving orders to everyone, but by tone of the voice, Balthazar could tell that its owner was a a tough man, but was cheering for his workers rather than just bossing them around.

[color=#800000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif]"Need any help?"[/font][/color] Balthazar asked. The workers started to line up, letting their boss walk through.

A stout man walked up, rubbing his goggles to get a good look at Balthazar. "Well, now who are you?"

[color=#800000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif]"Balthazar Blake. May I ask what you're all doing?"[/font][/color]

"The name's Cid!" the old man declared. "We here are building us an airship, see if we can get out of this darned town!"

[color=#800000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif]"An airship. Listen, I've got some friends who will need such a thing. Would it be alright if we joined you?"[/font][/color]

Cid stroked his beard. "Well… That depends on how many people you got. A lot of people seem to like it here, even though I'd be more than happy to take everyone. Set things right, if you know what I mean."

[color=#800000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif]"Just seven of us. That isn't too much."[/font][/color]

"Seven? Hah, that's nothing! If you help us out, all your friends are welcome!"

Balthazar nodded. [color=#800000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif]"My pleasure."[/font][/color] Balthazar raised his hand, and the materials the workers were carrying were lifted from their hands. They flew around, hovering above the airship, and nails shot towards them, the workers ducking to make sure that they didn't get caught in the crossfire. The airship had a more complete design, but even Balthazar could tell that the airship wasn't ready to fly.

"Well, that's mighty impressive, Balthazar!" Cid said with a heavy laugh. "Just don't do that too often, you hear? Otherwise my boys will get jealous! Of course, now you get the base all settled, but we need to get this Red Wing ready to fly. Time to the Gummis!"

Balthazar dug out the Star Shard from his coat pocket and presented it to Cid. [color=#800000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif]"Anything you can do with this?"[/font][/color]

Cid fixed his goggles. "Ah, I see you got a Star Shard!"

Balthazar glared at Cid. [color=#800000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif]"So you're aware of these things."[/font][/color]

"I make it my business to know the best kind of materials for all kinds of ships! Just give it here, and I'll tinker around, maybe make it some kind of guidance system."

Balthazar nodded, but he was reluctant. He was surprised that the part of Mateus locked in his mind didn't stop to say anything, but this seemed too good to be true. [color=#800000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif]"Can I trust you?"[/font][/color]

"Did I give you a reason not to?"

Balthazar hesitated just a little longer, but gave the Star Shard to Cid at last. [color=#800000][font=verdana, geneva, sans-serif]"Just be careful with it."[/font][/color]

"Heh, if you think I can't be careful, you really don't know ol' Cid." Cid received the Star Shard from Balthazar. "ALRIGHT, BOYS, BREAK OVER! LET'S MOVE!"

[hr]
[color=#006400]"When I first found you, I gave you the Recusant's Sigil. It is a way that we Nobodies mark each other, so that we may be able to keep track of our own. It identifies ourselves in more ways than one. Speaking of which, you have not yet received your new name, have you?"[/color] As Lexyk took Dawn closer to the Samurai, the Paladin beckoned towards one of them. That Samurai stepped forward, bowing to Lexyk.

"Yes, sir?"

[color=#006400]"Sujoxah, I will leave this Nobody in your care, but first, he must have a name."[/color] The naming ceremony was a right usually granted only to the greater Nobodies, but as one of Kreix's most favored Paladins, Lexyk, and even Doxfer, were allowed to name new recruits, save for other greater Nobodies. Samurai, Dusks, Dragoons, you name it. All those were within Lexyk's authority to name. Doxfer waved a hand before the young Samurai, and the name "Dawn" appeared. Lexyk spun the name around the Samurai's head, until Lexyk stopped it, revealing Dawn's new name to be…

[Christian Exodia]

(I was talking to Roxas about this)

 

Xawnd heard his new name spoken soon after his question was answered. He took a calm acknowledgement towards both the name and the answer, the uniqueness of the name calming him and piquing another slight interest, and the answer culling his interest. He simply bowed towards his superior, and walked towards Sujoxah, his fellow in arms. He presently kept silent as he tried to meet the group, trying to search the expressions the other Samurai gave as he walked past. He stopped at Sujoxah's side, unknown to his surroundings, who he even is, or what he even is. He saw the name that was used in his ceremony, and wondered if it was his. So many questions, so little time.

[Super Chaos Sonic]

Just him and Ryan? Well, guess it was probably better this way. Shuren and Viola needed to talk, and besides...after the way he snapped at Viola, he needed to keep his distance. I hate to have done that to a friend...I gotta make sure I don't ever snap like that again. Trevor thought, as he nodded as Balthazar left.

 

"Well then Ryan, might as well find those bags for him." he said, as he pulled out his own phone, much to Ryan's relief. "Ryan, didn't the guy who gave us these say there was a mapping function on here somewhere?" Trevor asked, as the two began their way away from Cornelius and the inn. "I'm asking because, if there is, we can use it to map out where we've looked and where we haven't. That way we aren't running around here blindly."

[Nexev]

"Oh yeah, it's an embarassing story but my main bro Cal, kinda like that puppet over there? Anyway he was descended from that Pinoccio bloke,the puppet turned human? Anyway so he kept trying to do that, and he got really into the whole thing, used all sorts of magic, including pacts with dark forces and all that junk, then heartless came to the world and all that junk went south. Anywaaaaaaaaaay do I really have to take negative nancy along with me? Why not just me, chairbro, and jumpsuit? That should be more then sufficent to atleast figure out what the issue is." Laxc grabbed Strider and hoised him on his back, the puppet/master draping his limp arms over the masked being's shoulders. "Aanyway adventure time awaits I suppose, let us go."

 

~~~~~~~~

"Now, what would the powerful organization want to do with a man like me? Oh well then, after you I suppose."

[The Warden]

Haxz merely smiled at Kreix's aside comment. "Really Kreix, you should be a lot more composed in a meeting like this. It does you no good to let your hormones fly across the room willy nilly. And, well, I'm sorry oh great Superior, but I'm simply not interested. I love Munny, and I'm afraid there is simply no room in my heart for anyone else."

 

Haxz then made a mental note to laugh at the irony of using the word 'heart' in that particular context later. But, it was Kreix' own fault really. If he's going to be compared to a woman then clearly it can be turned against the Superior with entertaining results. Though, for the briefest of moments, he almost pitied that Dusk. It must be hard to be stuck around Kreix almost 24/7... well, could such relation be made? There is no sun, and the moon is still literally dead. There is no adequate way to explain the passing of time, or if there even is any on this cold world.

[Mugendramon]

Omcraxs rolled his eyes. He was being ignored by Kreix again. He even acknowledged his reconnaisance task as that other jerk Nehryx's idea. It was clear to him that standing up to the Superior would be a stupid idea, but he was also head over heels about this bitch who showed up out of nowhere, where had his goals gone? "If you'd been paying attention," he began; "you would have heard by now that I have no idea where the world in question is, and I certainly do not want to be involved. But if you actually are willing to go with my  idea and travel to that mudball, lemme just see if I can get you a ride there."

 

Number III cleared his throat ceremoniously. Soon followed a loud and unceremonious shriek. "STAAAAARSCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMM!"

 

The Wraith, which was already floating behind Omcraxs at this point, was thrown back by its master's loud voice and uncloaked in panic. It then hovered over to face him, its head lowered.

 

"There you are. Has the Wraith I sent on reconnaissance come back?"

 

The floating Nobody shook its head. A vein popped in the humanoid's head.

 

"I see. Any other Wraiths which might know where to find this world?"

 

It flinched for a moment, then it excitedly nodded. It immediately bent backwards and opened its ghastly mouth, producing no audible sound. This always creeped the hell out of Omcraxs, but he was stuck with it. Luckily he never had to see  it, thanks to the Wraiths' innate abilities. But Starscream...

 

"... .-- .- -- .--. / .-- --- .-. .-.. -.. .-.-.- ?

- .... .-. --- -. . / .-. --- --- -- .-.-.-"

 

It did not take long for a second Wraith to uncloak in front of Omcraxs, head bent down much like Starscream's.

 

"I take it you're the one who knows how to get there. Open up a corridor and show her," pointing a finger at Xetatyl, which the unnamed Wraith followed, "and those two," moving his finger towards Strider and his friend, "to the place. Hopefully it's the right place. Understood?"

 

Nod.

 

"One more thing," he added in a low voice; "are there any Wraiths assigned to those three yet?"

 

The creature shook its head almost imperceptibly.

 

"Then call two more before departing."

 

A slight nod was followed by the Wraith resuming cloaking. Two minutes later, it revealed itself once more, in the centre of the room. It opened a corridor and stared at it, expecting to be followed.

 

"So is anyone changing their mind about this yet?"

 

[hr]

 

A Search Ghost flashed its red lights and started out for the woods. It did not feel the urge to consume. It felt bizarrely... happy.

,

Chloé leapt at it from behind and gave it a kick. It was unharmed, as Heartless tend to be when attacked, but it still showed no sign of hostility. Instead, it began mimicking the gesture a person would do while laughing.

 

These things were not very bright, Chloé told herself, but they seemed to understand how she felt. The first one she saw seemed as scared of her as she was of it, but they soon began to appear more frequently, and less fearfully.

 

Her first contact with one was a monkey-like creature. It had appeared, moping around the creek as she herself was crying over the death of her old man's hound.

 

She found it hilarious, so horribly proportioned. She immediately burst out laughing, and the monkey looked at her. A smile cracked in its face and it began leaping in joy. What the hell, she thought.

 

Then it started happening more and more often. Chloé could tell she was dealing with one of "them" because of the odd sign in their bodies, looking like a black heart and a red cross. They all looked grotesquely funny to her, and they always seemed cheerful to see her too.

 

She had grown very attached to them.

 

Meanwhile, a Wraith watched her; in silence, and in terror.

[Love of Ghibli]

With an emotionless face but a tightly gripped fist Nerhyx proved that Nobodies can feel emotions. He was acknowledged by the superior. His new life was completely affirmed as he felt the elation that came with being acknowledged. However Nerhyx simply nodded as a form of gratitude in response to the superior. Not even the moronic words of Number III taking ownership for the original idea could take him off this mental high. Though to be quiet honest the superior's flirtation with the female nobody was a little jarring. This unworthy peasant was bad mouthing the man in public. Lobbing off her head would have been justifiable homicide, but the superior returns this offensive with kindness. Didn't matter though it seemed like she and the puppet were going to be out of his way soon.

 

He stayed still as he noticed Omacrxs' voice getting lower as he talked to the Wraith. He didn't let his face show any emotion but it was slightly interesting. Was he taking measures to take out all of the other nobodies? It was comical to think about. Such an implosive group the nobodies seemed to be that it was a wonder if they were going to succeed at their goal. Nerhyx could only hope that in the end there will be less nobodies at the finish line.