The Chasers: New World Locket

[Reno]

Sora frowned as he left Riku's side to back of the house were there bedroom was. The cool air made goosebumps rise on his arms and he involuntarily shivered. Or maybe it was just cause he was worried about Ven...

He open the drawer to the nightstand, full of all sorts of things including an alarm clock spare, a blindfold, lube and other such things. He took out the watch and shut the draw, slipping the device on and slowly began to tinker with it, matching the coordinates on his phone with the watch.

Vi gave a whimper rubbing against Riku's hand. As the silverette began to walk away though she quickly padded after. Both of them seemed upset and she didn;t like it. She pounced on the bed, whimpering again.

Sora was double checking the watch and his phone, making sure the coordinates were exact when he heard the noise. He looked back and smiled softly reaching out to pet her as well, scratching behind her ears. "It'll be okay Vi. Take care of the house while we;re gone." he gave her an affectionate kiss on the top of her head, before straightening and walking over to Riku. "Ready?" The silverette nodded and Sora drew Ultima. He turned and slashed and, just like that a portal appeared. "W-Wow!" It was his first time using it and it was... kinda cool.

He glanced at the other, smiling reassuringly before he stepped through, his husband following close by.


Terra snarled at the man's words, feeling his neck hairs bristling. "Shut up. They will be."

Even still the next few minutes were tense and silent, and people began to wonder what was taking the brunette and silverette so long.

The Dark Knight tilted his head, as if asking, 'Well?'

Then their was a crackle behind them, drawing everyone's attention and out from the blackness like glowing archangels stepped Sora and Riku.

Sora stepped out of the portal and his eyes instantly widened as he took the scene in. The area was MUCH colder and being from a tropical island he nor Riku were exactly dressed in prepartion for it. But it was the premanence of all the darkness, thick and freezing that made a shudder of horror work down his spine.

"My god..." He breathed, his eyes dancing from the group of Chasers... to the Dark Knight... to Master Xehanort...

and finally to the large serpant like heartless with... Demyx and Saix in it's cake-like belly, twin looks of terror on both their faces. Just like the cage that had held Pinocchio all those years ago, except... theirs seemed... a LOT more snug. And... possibly could get moreso.

"W-What... What's going on?" Sora asked again, and this time he knew he wouldn't like the answer. He looked towards Xehanort, noticing the arrogantly triumphant look on the other's face and his blue ones began cold and hard. The petite brunette male scowled at him. "You... what did you do?! Let them out of there!"

[Rikugurl]

Riku frowned but nodded at the question, walking through the portal himself. When his shoes met the dark coral floor, coldness... yet.... something very familiar ran over his body. Darkness. His eyes darkened as he looked around, a bit in shock at what he was seeing. All the Chasers with their weapon's drawn, the Dark Knight, Master Xehanort and... a Heartless.

He quickly got into stance, Twilight Requiem appearing in his hand as he pulled it up over his shoulder.


Ven looked back, wanting to smile at his brother but he couldn't force it on.
Olette looked sad as she saw the two. "Sora..."

Xehanort only smiled wider as he saw the two, and saw how spunky Sora was. "I finally meet the keyblade master." He cackled out and nodded. "I can that you're related to Ventus, that same blood, the same temper. It's been awhile since I've seen you... though, back then, you were nothing but a child."

He looked up at the Heartless then back at Sora. "I have already made arrangements of their release, don't you worry about them. The leader of the Chasers has given me his word that I would be allowed to enter the Realm of Darkness.... and Sora, your husband holds that power."


Riku's eyes widened, getting out of stance. "What!?" He quickly looked back at Terra before looking back at Xehanort. "No way! I'll never let your through!"
The old man only grinned, snapping his fingers and the two inside the cage screamed out again as the walls around them grew closer.

[Reno]

Ultima, still drawn glew with it;s master's anger. Sora stared up at Xehanort, growling a bit.

"It's been awhile since I've seen you... though, back then, you were nothing but a child."

Blue eyes widened. W-What?! That couldn't mean... what he thought it meant... DID IT?!

"Ventus! Ventus!!" Soran cried, his father holding him back.
"No Soran you can't!"
Ventus' hand rasied up even as he was swallowed, blue eyes dark with fear.
"No!" He heard his mother scream.
Meanwhile a dark, evil laugh radiated across the town... the keyblader that was destroying their home.

Sora stumbled backwards a bit, shaking his head in horror. At the next sentence though he couldn;t help but glance towards Terra. He had... promised Xehanort that he could go to the realm?! Was he INSANE?!

Husband... "Riku?" He whispered, glancing at the silverette, unsurprised when he automatically refused.

Terra looked back at them quietly, his eyes desperate for them to understand. He didn't have a choice here!

And they quickly found out why, the snap of the fingers radiating across the stone walls like a death knell. Demyx and Saix began to scream in pain, their cage getting ever smaller.

Sora's eyes went wide and it all clicked together. "Oh my god. Stop it!!" The other Chasers began to make similar demands. But Xehanort didn't give the order... and Sora shot forward suddenly. The Dark Knight stood in his path and Sora slashed, their keyblades catching in a stalemate. He knew why Xehanort wasn't stopping... "Riku!!" He yelled, catching his husband's attention.

"Tell him to stop! Please! They're gonna die!!"

[Rikugurl]

Fujin called out as the two inside the cage started to cry, their bodies being pushed together more and more.
Sai finally shifted, to make more room. His body wrapped around Demyx inside of beside it. It was an uncomfotable pose, but it would... help them live longer...

Ven was about to dash out again before Sora did it. He watched as they went into a stale mate and cussed. Shit... if they were this strong outside the Realm of Darkness.... they would become invincible in it. There would be no way to get rid of them once and for all their... it would be their death sentence if they followed.

"STOP!"
Riku finally called and the small chaos paused. Darkness wrapped around the silverette man as he glared at Xehanort.
"Fine... I'll let you through..."
His eyes lowered as he heard another snap of gloved fingers and the cries of the two stopped.

Slowly a dark wisp appeared behind him, like the ones the Nobodies used. Darkness pulled into the warp as he looked back up at the old man.

"Excellent." The golden eyed old man spoke as he slowly walked down the rest of the stairs and passed the Dark Knight. No one dared moved since they knew what would happen if they tried to stop them. Slowly Xehanort passed Riku but stopped, them exchanging glances. "Too bad you wounded up with Light." He grinned before slowly walking into the portal. The Dark Knight disappeared and suddenly Darkness exploded where the Heartless had been, the two captive falling on the floor.

[Reno]

Demyx grit his teeth as the other shifted sobbing a bit. "Sai..." This was terrifying and painful. His arms wrapped around the other, bringing them even closer together, giving them also some slight room.

But finally Riku cried out and the pain stopped. Demyx gave a sigh of relief, shaking against the other.

Sora sighed slowly, his shoulders slumping a bit. This was a very very bad... position for them all. The minute Xehanort waked into the realm... he'd be unstoppable...

He watched as the man passed him, his blue eyes narrowing. The Chasers tensed as he approached Riku's portal.

And then with a few choice words to the silverette that made Sora give a yell of protest, Xehanort walked through. The Dark Knight disappeared and the brunette stumbled a bit.

"Oof!" Demyx uttered as he and Sai landed on the ground. He coughed a bit, his whole body shaking.

"Sai! Dem!" Aqua cried, running forward and kneeling down next to them, her eyes wide. She reached out, rubbing Demyx's back and looking down at her brother, terror still in her eyes.

Sora glanced back at Riku, then hurried forward as well, kneeling down next the the previously caged ex-nobodies. "Are you two okay?"

Terra silently watched his ehad lowering some before he split from the group as well, walking next ro Riku and closer to the portal. He looked at it silently, not daring to enter yet.

[Rikugurl]

Sai growled as he hit the floor hard. He panted and shook his head, his body still shaking from everything. They... could of lost their hearts again. He slowly looked up at his sister then Sora. He looked down in shame then nuzzled Demyx. Maybe if he didn't lash out like that...
Fuu slowly walked over and looked at the two. They seemed shaken up... but fine.
"We should teleport them back to the ship."

Before Olette could walk up to see if everything was ok, a blonde raced passed her. She gave a yelp as she was pushed back and looked, her eyes widening. "VENNY!"

Ven cried out as he suddenly bolted towards the portal. His eyes were dark as he passed Terra and jumped into the warp.

[Reno]

Demyx nuzzled Saix back, smiling faintly. At least now he understood why he was bait...

But he was truthfully just glad to be alive.

Sora smiled a bit, seeing the two nuzzle each other. Yeah they were gonna be fine. A yell however brought his attention and he looked over. "Ventus!" He cried.

Terra blinked when the blonde rushed past him, raising a hand as if to catch him but Ven was already gone. he lowered his hand bowing his head and shutting his eyes.

"Shit Ven!" Seifer snapped hurrying forward.

"Wait." Terra snapped suddenly and everyone paused. The brunette leader glancing back, looking at them all solemnly. "Guys... I'm saying this as a friend... if you don;t want to come. Don't. I don't want anyone to die... think about what you might lose if you do." He looked over at Riku. "I'm sorry... I never meant to drag you or Sora into this." He nodded to the silverette, spared one last glance to his teamamtes and friends, and then he hurried through it as well.

"Terra!" Aqua stood suddenly gritting her teeth. What did he mean... what they might... She glanced at Fuujin and then her brother. She bit her lip hard but walked forward anyways for the portal. This was her fight too.

Seifer stood there quietly, uncertainly. If he and olette died... what would happen to Gunnar and Lucina? He glanced at Olette.

Sora frowned, hurrying over next to Riku, his eyes glimmering. It was obvious he wanted to follow too. He looked at his husband.

[Rikugurl]

Fuu looked down when Terra spoke. It was there fight yes but... now that Xehanort was in the Realm of Darkness... who knew what might happen.

Olette looked at Seifer, the same thought running through her head. She wasn't the best fighter in the world... and... she couldn't bear the thought of losing her husband...
She blinked though when Fuu walked passed them. "You two shouldn't go... you have children to raise." She looked at them and smiled. "Besides... we need someone to get Sai and Demyx back to safety. You'll still be doing an important job."
Olette smiled and nodded, looking at Seifer. "Alright! We can do that! The portal to the ship is still open at the surface, we need to bring them there!"

The woman in orange ran up to the two men then looked back. "Be careful!"

Fuu quickly ran to Aqua's side who was headed to the portal. Her hand grabbed onto the other's and gave her a nod in assurance. They quickly raced into the portal together.

Riku sighed but nodded, letting Sora jump in and then quickly fallowed after. The black wrap disappeared and the two chasers, the sitarist and the Berserker were left in the castle.


Riku's eyes adjusted to the Darkness quickly but blinked in surprise to see... where exactly they were in the Realm of Darkness. He should of know... the Dark City... or better known as the late Nobodia.
He frowned, seeing the Chasers ahead of them rounding a corner and quickly followed suit.

[Reno]

Seifer nodded quietly, echoing Olette's words. He watched them all leave with a sigh, before walking over to join Olette at Saix and Demyx's side. "You guys gonna be okay to walk?" He asked looking them up and down. "Anything broken?"

"I... don;t think so." Demyx said. He looked at Sai. "You okay?"


Sora blinked, having a bit of a harder time adjusting to the sudden darkness. the chill was even worse here and he could see his breath puffing in front of him. Riku took off and he quickly hurried after. Once the fight got heated he;d probably stop noticing it.

He couldn;t help but feel the spark of anger come back, remembering what the other had said. "He split me and Ven up." He murmured, knowing the silverette beside him heard him. "All those years ago." It was Xehanort's fault Ven had such a horrible life of lonliness... and that was unforgivable to him. no one messed with his 'little' brother and got away with it.

Terra took a few strides quicker o he could run beside Ven. He glanced at the blonde, seeing the anger marking his face. He sighed looking forward again. "Calm down Ven. That;s how you got in trouble last time." Thats how they had ALL gotten in trouble last time.

But asking Ven to calm down was like asking Saix to sprout wings and fly. He couldn;t help but notice and feel the darkness skirting around this world. For some reason... it felt much thicker then last time. More... THERE. He doubted the Realm had changed though.

But it felt so different to him.

Aqua smiled at Fuujin as she ran. There was only six of them now. this battle was going to dangerous... even deadly. She didn;t know if they could win but... she had to hope. she had to give it her all. She didn't want Xehanort to survive past this point. Who knows what he could do next.

[Rikugurl]

Saix nodded slowly and with Olette's help, stood. His legs were weak from being crushed together so close. He would need help walking.
Olette looked at Seifer and nodded. "You take Saix and I'll take Demyx." Demyx was a lot thinner and Seifer was stronger than her. They switched places and where about to help the two when another voice echoed through the throne room.

Green eyes looked out to see a woman at the doors. It was Jay.
"There's Heartless all over the place!" She cried as she ran up to them, then gasped as she saw Demyx.
Olette sighed but nodded. "Alright. I'll take Sai, you take Demyx and Seifer, you lead the way." This way, Seifer could shoot and slash down the Heartless as they went. Olette was a fighter so she had a bit more strength than this mystery woman.


Riku continued to race after the Chasers... and realized that his speed was faster than his husband. That was right... this was his element too. He grinned but frowned when he heard Sora. So... Master Xehanort destroyed their planet? "Well... look on the bright side Sora, if he didn't split you... we might have never met." He smiled down at his love and offered his hand.

Once Sora took it, their speed increased and were able to quickly join the Chasers.

Fuu looked back slightly, seeing Sora and Riku right behind them. She looked in front of her again rushed after the two men.

Ven let Terra's words go in one ear and out the other. There was no way he was going to calm down. Ventus always knew Xehanort was the one who turned their world into nothing but chunks of floating land. That was how the Chasers first started. Him and Terra were both hunting after Master Xehanort... and found each other.

The blonde and brunette rushed towards the floating castle that once belonged to Nobodies; The Castle That Never Was. Unlike Riku's and Sora's surprise, he never saw the castle before... but knew that was where Xehanort was. He crossed The Brink of Despair and into the castle.

Riku stopped at the foot of the crossing and looked up at the castle. Didn't... Axel and Roxas get rid of that castle? It seemed the Darkness brought it back... He frowned but quickly raced across the bridge with the others.

All six passed through Nothing's Call onto Crooked Ascension where some Heartless appeared as the elevator brought them up. They were quickly put to rest by the keyblades. They quickly raced after Ven's lead once more. Twilights View was passed and then Hall of Empty Melodies. Riku frowned as they passed here, remembering it well. This was where Sora fell to his knees... and started to cry.
They broke outside to Naught's Skyway, slashing at the Heartless that came their way. Where were all the Nobodies...?

They rushed through Proof of Existence and up the stairs, everyone seeing the broken tombstone looking things on the floor.
They jumped through the portal at the top and landed in Naught's Approach. Kingdom Hearts glowed down on them but they continued on to Ruin and Creation's Passage. They jumped on the broken platforms and finally reached to the top.
The Altar of Naught.

Ven panted as he stood at the top of the stairwell and looked out, his teeth clenched as he saw Xehanort looking away and up at Kingdom Hearts. The Kingdom didn't look right... it seemed like... it's very own heart was having a problem.
"XEHANORT!"
The man blinked and looked back, a sudden shadow spreading to his side and the Dark Knight appeared.
"What took you so long? I was worried that you wouldn't follow."

[Reno]

Demyx sighed a bit, letting Seifer pull him up. He was still feeling weak as well for too many reasons to count at this point.

Seifer nodded to his wife;s order going over to Saix, but the appearance of Jay made their plans change once more. Seifer watched as the female hurried to Demyx side.

The blonde smiled at her. "Hi again."

Seifer glanced back, making sure all four were well situated and then he nodded, holding his gunblade aloft as they began to walk forward and out of the castle. He sliced down any heartless that came his way. It was going to be a looong trek.


Sora glanced at Riku hearing his words. He smiled. "Nah, I bet we were always fated to meet." he murmured, taking his husband;s hand. He yeloped when they suddenly shot forward and chuckled. Riku was probably going to have a better time then him...

Then again if they entered Kingdom Hearts all of them would get a power boost.

Terra sighed, knowing Ven was ignoring him but hell, he wasn;t even really listening to himself either. He was pretty damn pissed too. He glanced back, seeing the ones who had followed. None of their appearances really surprised him... He had expected it to go out like that. He hoped Seifer and Olette could get Demyx and Saix somewhere safe though.

The race through the castle was quick. All of them took down the heartless with ease not even having to pause in their mad dash to the top of the castle. When they passed through Hall of Empty Memories, Sora felt a twang of nostaligia from Riku. He glanced at him, seeing the look of reminsecence on the other's face and just smiled a bit, remembering the scene as well.

"Riku... Riku's here..."
"I looked everywhere for you!"

The brunette squeezed Riku's hand lightly. What could he say? He had been real scared. The fact that he didn't know what had happened to him... or if he was even alright... even ALIVE... had terrified him for many many nights. Having him back that day... it almost seemed unreal.

The pass through the Proof of Existence only proved to make further memories. Fighting Saix and Luxord... He had taken out most of the organization in this castle... and castle oblivion. in fact Axel and Demyx were the only ones not killed in a castle.

Finally they all made it the the Alter. The keybladers lined up next to one another, creating a line as if to block Xehanort's path back down. Sora shivered a bit, disturbed by how alike this scene was to... the scene of Xemnas back when he was a teenager.

The Dark Knight, once he appeared, turned to face then as well, keyblade held on in a stance. The other's quickly fell into their own, keyblades gleaming in the light of the heart-shaped moon.

Terra scoffed, glaring at Xehanort. "We'd never do that. It would be CRUEL of us to just let you wander the realm all alone."

"This is the end for you." Aqua snapped suddenly, sounding braver then she actually was. "Your not going past this point!"

Sora glared a bit, glancing up towards Kingdom Hearts. Actually he was pretty sure they would be going beyond this point...

but what was wrong with it?

[Rikugurl]

Riku frowned as he looked up at the Kingdom. There was a darkness surrounding the inside... and then a glowing off red was trying to seep through. His eyes widened suddenly as he understood.
He glared at Xehanort. "You're here for less than a hour and you're already trying to take Kingdom Heart's own heart!? LEAVE KINGDOM HEARTS ALONE!"

Riku had stayed in Kingdom Hearts for a bit... and grew to understand it. If you will, he was a bit protective of it.
The heart of Kingdom Hearts was where his dragon form had died.. along with himself. Was the place where he and Sora sat and finally caught up on those two years away from each other.

He was the first to dash out towards Xehanort but the Dark Knight loyally protected. They grew a stalemate and glared at each other. Riku's eyes became dark as a sudden darkness wrapped around them and suddenly pulled them in.

Fuu look out and gasped. "RIKU!" The darkness passed and Riku and the Dark Knight were gone.


At the boarder of the Realm of Darkness, where Twilight Town laid, not to far away from the town were two castles.
The Tower and Castle Oblivion.
Inside Castle Oblivion, on the twelfth basement floor, darkness swirled around and Riku pushed the Dark Knight away.


Ven growled but Xehanort only laughed. "Yes Aqua, keep that hate. Kingdom Hearts loves it."
A sudden door appeared at the base of Kingdom Hearts, the door that Axel and Roxas had opened to let the lost hearts return to their Nobodies.
A stairway appeared and Xehanort suddenly turned around, pointing his keyblade at the door, and unlocking it.

He looked back and grinned. "Shall we?" He quickly rushed up the stairs and through the large doors into the light.

[Reno]

"Ri-" Sora started as the silverette left his side, starting forward as well.

The Dark Knight jumped forward, catching Riku's blade and the two disappeared.

Sora slid to a halt, eyes widen in horror. "RIKU!"


The Dark Knight landed easaily, getting into a stance, tilting his head slowly. He charged forward, red energy illuminating his keyblade and he slashed at Riku again, and even as the silverette caught the attack the blast richoeted him backwards.


Terra scowled at the taunt and rushed forward suddenly.

"Wait what about Riku?!" Sora cried.

The brunette came to a halt, glancing back. "Where is he?"

The keyblade master stared back silently, then bowed his head. He didn't know.

"If we take out Xehanort the Dark Knight will disappear as well." Terra said. He faced forward again, knowing Riku wasn't exactly someone to mess with. He had, afterall, been close to taking out all of them back when he died. And besides... Xehanort was becoming a bigger problem. If he used Kingdom Hearts now... the whole universe could be at risk. They didn't have time to go searching for the elusive silverette. At this point the only way to help riku was to kill Xehanort. "He'll be alright Sora."

[Rikugurl]

Riku growled as he watched the Dark Knight come at him, seeing the power behind his swing. He quickly countered... only to be blasted away. He flew into the wall and a loud crash could be heard. Dust and smoke came from the wall where Riku had hit and when it cleared, it showed Riku leaning on his keyblade panting.

"Your power..." He panted and made a fist in his available arm. He looked up at the knight and frowned. He was wearing the same out fit as his replica... Did... did Xehanort make a replica of his own shadow? What sort of powers did that man have? If he could make a strong replica of his own shadow... who knew what... might happen to the others.

He coughed and got into stance again, blood dripping from his lip. This wasn't going to be easy... but he was the the boarder of Realm of Darkness... between Light and Darkness. Twilight. This was his Realm... where he overcame Darkness for the first time.
His eyes started to brighten... and slowly started to change color. A darkness swirled around him once more and wisped up a strong wind. Dark streams ran in and out of his body circling his heart.
There was a glow that was wrapped around and blocked.
The connection between him and Sora.

If Riku got hurt, Sora wouldn't be able to feel it.

His eyes suddenly turned an amber color and broken horns sprouted from his head. His silver hair grew longer and he grew an inch. His pale skin started to turn darker as the Darkness quickly covered him.
"AAAAAAAH!!" An angry yell came from within and the darkness broke, revealing a new being.

Amber eyes looked out towards the knight, wearing the exact same clothes Master Xehanort. The only difference was that his shirt had been unbutton to show his chest... but it seemed like there was something missing...

He got into stance again and grinned, the power of Darkness radiating from him.


Ven growled and run off but stopped at his brother's question. He looked at Terra slightly and nodded. "Riku will be fine." He added and was about to head back up when he heard someone.... fall behind him. He looked back to see Sora had fallen to the stairs. "SORA!" He raced back down and helped his brother up, seeing blood drip from his lip. "Sora...?"

"HURRY!" A cry suddenly came as a silverette woman rushed passed him. The doors of Kingdom Hearts were starting to close.

[Reno]

The Dark Knight looked back at him silently even as riku began to change between his very eyes. He was nothing but a shadow. He knew no fear, no happiness, no pain...

He was just a shadow. like a nobody. Never meant to exist and only mweant to obey by his master's commands. And his master wanted them all dead and gone for good.

And even if he was destroyed here it would change and affect nothing. His death would be meaningless. Riku was fighting him would be using all his energy... for nothing.

Xehanort was the one who had to be taken down. He was nothing but a shadow, less then a heartless...

He rasied his own sword as Riku got into his own stance, seemingly unaffected by the other's change. The power of twilight ghosted across the basement, fighting with pure darkness of the Dark Knight.

The knight rushed forward then, slashing at Riku. they were both out of the fight now. the question was... who would die? The puppet... or the former puppet?


Sora frowned as Terra and Ventus tried to reassure him, shaking his head a bit and opening his mouth to reply when a sudden pain racked his whole body. He stumbled suddenly, falling to the ground with a grunt, winded and dazed.

He blinked away stars from his sight, just as Ventus came to help him up. He could feel the iron-like taste of blood in his mouth, the thick liquid dripping down his chin. He looked at his brother's concerned face before reaching up, rubbing the blood away. "I'm okay." He answered pulling away some. that had been riku and...

Something close in his heart. He reached up, placing his hand over it, his eyes full of worry. It was riku... riku had smacked a wall between them...

and he knew why. now they could fight without sharing the pain... they could fight without feel each other;s feelings or times of weakness.

Fuujin's yell made him look up. The doors were closing.

"Shit!" Aqua snapped running after the other.

Terra glanced back at the twins, making a head motion to follow. Then he rushed through the door, Aqua and fuujin at his heels.

Sora frowned a bit, then took a deep breath a reassured smile on his face. "Let's go." He grabbed his brother's arm and yanked him forward, and with a quick jump glided through the air and up to the door. The two passed through just as the doors snapped closed. Sora let Ven get back on his own feet, dropping down next to him.

If the darkness had been cold before... it was suffocating now.