Of Fairytales

[Reno]

Roxas blinked his eyes opening at the remark. He smirked flicking the other's nose. "Axel..." He started to sound scolding, but then he merely sighed and smiled.

"Yeah, it's a triplet kink, get over it."


Terra blinked, glancing at the other and chuckled. "You really think age matters to us? It's just sex." He laid back down and shrugged. "Besides, who said there were rules on how to act when you're looking for someone?"

[Rikugurl]

Axel pouted as he got his nose flicked and rubbed it. "Hey!" He laughed more, bringing the other Shee in close. "How cute~~" He grinned before kissing the other's ear and pulled up the sheets around them. They laid there in their warmth before Axel's eyes opened. "Hey... if you think about it... tonight's the first night we haven't gotten naughty in a week."


Ven's eyes widened as his face dropped.
He... did not just say that...
he was kind of dumbfounded really... no sure how to take it...

Three boys were sitting at the table as they looked up at a chalkboard not too far away. One of the boys suddenly raised his hand.
"Yes, Ventus?"
"So... when they bite each other... does that mean that's the sign to let everyone know that they love the other?"
"S-sure. I don't see why not." the old professor smiled.

"So..." The blonde blushed, looking down as his father looked at him. "When is the right age to... have sex?"
Jet smiled and shook his head. "Well... when you know... that this person you love... is the right one. The one you want to be connected to all your life. When you know you're ready... it should be the most intimate connection you'll ever have with this person."

Ven's face grew hurt... and angry at the same time. Without notice, he stood and his wings glowed with a flicker. His charm, that he had put back around his neck bounced as he walked away as quickly as possible. Fist clenched as he entered the wood, hearing his name called... but didn't stop as tears started to for in his eyes.

[Reno]

Roxas laughed softly, running his hands through Axel's hair before murmuring softly, "Don't get any ideas. My legs are killing me."


Terra was just about to relax and shut his eyes when the other's violent movement made him jolt. He blinked clueless, watching Ven stepping away. "Ven... Ven?!" He cried, sitting up. "Hey!!"

What did he... do? Or was something wrong in the woods?
He jumped to his feet. "H-Hey wait!" He rushed after the other. "What's-" Ven suddenly spun around, giving him a glare that froze him in his track and made his stomach plummet. "O-Oi.... What is it?"

[Rikugurl]

Axel grinned but nuzzled the other. "I wasn't thinking anything~~" He teased, softly pressing his lips on the others. There was some more silence before Axel's eyes opened again. "Hey Roxas... I... I want to thank you...."


Ven continued to stop into the Wood when he stopped and spun around, glaring up at Terra. "What is it? WHAT IS IT!?" He growled, the growl he had to learn when he was in Atteris. "Did you ever think that MAYBE they love each other or something? Just sex. You say it like it has no emotion to it!"

He turned around again, his wings fluttering familiarly. He was pissed. "Sex isn't just... It's purpose to be.... UGH!" He growled more as he stomped off before stopping once more. "Just tell me one thing... you never told me you loved me... after we had sex.... but... did you....love me....?"

[Reno]

"For what...?" The blonde prince asked wearily, looking down into the emerald gaze. He smiled suddenly.


Terra was rather glad he wasn't a wolf right now, or he;d be embarrassingly rolling on his back. But at the growl... oh god that growl...

The brunette looked away letting the shadows hide his grin. Ven apparently hadn't worked very well on his growl because it still sounded so fucking cute!

His smile fell though as the other brought up the subject of love and then slowly he looked up, his eyes conflicted and confused. people had sex... when they were in... love?

"Ven," He started, then paused. For the first time, he truly felt the strain between their species. He had to be really careful when he answered this...

"What does it matter?!" He snapped. Okay, that wasn't even REMOTELY careful, but he couldn't help but feel the twist of anger in his gut. "Damn it Ven, I crossed a fucking DESERT for you and NOW you're doubting me?" He spun on his heels, huffing. "Sex is just a primal desire, love is the heart's desire. They AREN'T the same."

[Rikugurl]

Axel smiled up at the other. "For... that coffee..." He laughed softly, pure joy over his face.
The words were small but they meant so much more.
Thank you for not giving up on me.
Thank you coming back, even if it hurt.
Thank you to your trust and devotion.
Thank you for trying to make me feel better.
Thank you loving me.
And thank you.... for everything you have done.


"NO. IT'S. NOT!"
A scream ran over the Wood, making everything silent again. Anger and frustration filled the boy's face as he looked at Terra.
He swallowed and looked down. The anger was bubbling in him... but he needed to keep his cool... That was what Gin taught him.

He rubbed his face as he realized something.
Atterians... didn't understand love.
They were never taught it... never showed it.
"I-I know that... it's not in the dictionary... but I know... your mother taught you what love was." he started as he looked back up at Terra.
"You followed me because I was the only friend you had... and that... was an emotion from your heart. When you mate with someone... don't you want to be with that person for the rest of your life? Don't you.... love them?"

He turned away, pulling the cloak closer as the night started to cool. "I loved you... before I brought you to that oasis..."

[Reno]

Roxas blinked, but then he laughed hearing the undertones to that thank you. "You're welcome..." He smiled, "But... you don;t need to thank me for loving you Axel. I give you that because I want to... AND.... the coffee shop is to the right of the fountain you can go there everyday now."


The Atterain was quiet before he turned around. "You're wrong..." Terra murmured softly. He got a strange look. "It is in the dictionary. 'A deep feeling of sexual desire and attraction' or 'an object of warm affection' or 'a score of zero in tennis' whatever the hell that is."

He looked away from the other, frowning before walking over to him. "You need to do some research. Did you know Atterains pick up some of the qualities of their animals?" He leant forward, looking at the other. "Wolves mate for life." He looked away suddenly.

"And when we mark our mate... that means... that we want to blood bond - your version of 'ribbon sharing'." He looked up at the other. "We mark during sex only because it distracts from the pain but if I could have I would have marked you before But if you remember, I was half-dead and thought I was hallucinating half the time. I was scared you weren't real. How am I supposed to love something I can't help but too scared is too good to be true?"

[Rikugurl]

Axel smiled more as he nuzzled the other. "Alright. I'll go everyday in the morning... and you can come with me! Got it memorized?" He pointed to his head and smiled more. "I love you, my prince~"
For once, he could say that... and MEAN it now that he was a Shee himself.


Ven blinked as Terra went through the meanings of love. He didn't mean it that way... that there was no tie between the word sex and love in the dictionary.
It was just how one was brought up.

He sighed as Terra grew closer, listening to him closely.
His eyebrows shifted as he slowly wrapped his arms around the taller male. "I love you Terra..."

[Reno]

"Yeah it's memorized," Roxas said with a soft laugh, but his face became even softer at the admission, feeling the certainty in the former imp's voice. "I love you too..." He brushed his lips across the top of the others head. "My Axel..."


Terra wrapped his arms around the other and murmured softly. "I love you too Ven," He murmured, brushing his lips across the others. "Even if... we don't always understand each other, that's never going to be misunderstood."

That was right! I love you could be said in a million language but the meaning never changed...

[Rikugurl]

Axel smiled softly as he nuzzled the other's neck, this time, going to bed for sure. His lanky legs pushed between the others, giving and taking warmth that they never had to worry about before seeing that Tarsa had always been warm.

He sighed happily before drifting off to sleep.
This... was what he wanted. He wanted this but didn't know it until this very second.
His mind... and his prince.


Ven smiled before he pressed his lips against the other's, making it passionate but sweet. Heh, go figure that he'd be the first to have an argument with the man he loved.
Then again, who knew if Axel and Roxas fought yet.

He pulled away before taking Terra's hand. "Come on, let's get back to the palace."
With that, they walked back towards the kingdom with ease and through the gates. People who were closing their shutters blinked as they saw the two heading down the main road.
The Shee and the Atterian... hand in hand.

[Reno]

Roxas' legs spooned against Axel's and the smaller curved around Axel, chin on the top of the other's head. black and white wings fluttered noiselessly under the covers as blue eyes slowly slid shut.

He was slowly led to sleep by the other's breathing pattern, lulled away to dreamland, secure in the knowledge that tomorrow he would wake up and Axel would still be there, now and forever.


For Terra there would be very few moments he could ever look back upon and think of as perfect. This would be one of those few:

In the moonlight, walking through a world full of flowers of beauty and sounds of peace - hand in hand with the person he knew he'd spend with until his dying day.


~~~

The night passed slowly for some, and for many it passed in the blink of an eye. But life went on as usual... and the world did as it was always meant to. It moved. And the moon dropped from sight - the sun began to rise. The universe and time moved as one, never stopping for anyone.

In a medical room blue wings fluttered on the back of the eldest of the princes, lips upturning in a half-smile as he breathed evenly, hot breath moistening the neck of the silver-haired human still recovering. Being on the west side of the castle, neither noticed the sun rising.

In a bedroom fit for a royal fighter, two lay spooned lovingly atop the sheets, a large brunette covering most of the bed, his blonde mate's back against his chest. Arms were curved around the smaller's waist, hands curled around the other's securely. Both their backs were turning away from the rays of light, but the wolf on the bed shifting somewhat as the heat flared across his back.

In another bedroom dressed up like a miniature king's, two Shee lay adorably sprawled. There positions had hardly shifted except the red-head had stretched out his legs - and had the bed been any smaller would have been over the edge. The blonde meanwhile had his hands curled in red locks.
The light didn't bother the former imp as he was turned away, but it hit Roxas right in the eyes.
"Uhn..."


In another bed the king and queen of Shee lay, brown hair sweeping over the edges of the bed and blonde curls spread across the man's chest. Dainty fingers lay motionlessly atop the other's strong stomach while the queen slept listening to her her husband's heartbeat...
Until a pounding unlike that of his heart or even a drum made her awaken and shoot up in bed.
"King Jet! Queen Runa! You must come quick! There is something you need to see!!"


Black and white wings twittered restlessly, the sheet slowly slipping...


"Firi... Firi wake up." The blonde woman was shaken until the green eyes opened, looking up into the sad, gray gaze of her husband...
...fully dressed for combat, his spear in his other hand.
"It's time."


Blue eyes opened, only to shut again at the bright glare of the sun...


Aqua mechnically pulled on her gloves, her armor clinking together as she did so. She lifted her helmet, before pausing and gazing at it sadly for a moment, as if deep in thought.
Then she shook her head, her blue eyes becoming cold as she lifted the helmet and placed it atop her head and snatched up her spear.


The head turned and the eyes opened against as much as they dared, the room slowly coming into focus...


Yellow wings fluttered as an old man sighed, shutting an ancient book and setting it slowly atop his bedstand. He eyes reflected chaos as Latium turned and walked for the door.
The title of his book read: Kingdom Hearts: Norn's Dark History


The blonde slowly slipped his hands away from the redhead, and sat up in bed stretching his muscles...


Violet eyes searching the private inventory one last time, before slowly reaching for some dragon scales and dropping them into a bubbling, blue mixture. The concotion suddenly stopped bubbling as it frozen instantly, before turning a sharp blood red.
Purple wings fluttered, slowly lifting a ladle and filling a bottle with it, corking it securely and storing it in his pocket.
"I'm ready for you..."


The Shee prince slowly turned his head, catching sight of Axel and smiling happily as memories of last night returned but something out the window caught his eye...


Whimpering filled the room as a Nix-Siren huddled in the darkest corner of his room, strumming broken chords on his sitar with shaking fingers, wide eyes staring at nothing.
"Puppy.... Puppy..."


His head slowly raised, blonde strands fluttered against temples...


Riri was walking down the halls, her arms full of bottles of that she needed to take down to her medical room when she passed a window.
She froze, her eyes widening and taking a glance outside....
bottles of half-finished potion smashed all across the round, their murky brown color spreading across the perfect white tiles as Riri's scream filled the hall.


"Oh... Norn!!" Roxas cried, jumping from the bed and unsettling it violently as he shot towards the window. His fingers curled around the edges before slamming them open.
The sky was full of fire-orange like Tarsa, and the sun was a brillant, unnatural red. And on the horizen, far, far on the horizon was a line of black, getting steadily closer inch by inch like night taking over the day...
And his heart jumped in his throat because he knew that what he was looking at... was Xehanort's army.

[Rikugurl]

The bitterness of the Darkness surrounded the wide portal that very morning. It was time.
Growls and howls filled the throne room as black figures started to gather around together with larger beast in the back. Saliva ran from their fangs, already tasting the juicy blood that would be theirs soon.

Yellow eyes peered through the Darkness as he walked through the animals. He knew where three keys were... that was enough to find the rest.
Today would be the end of Norn's balance... he would make sure.
"My pets, to the portals you go!" He pointed to the black portals, seeing the Beasts of Darkness quickly rush through them and disappear.

The cold eyes looked back, seeing the Atterians. "As for you, to the next room and wait for your turn.
Thirty-one Atterians growled, all in their beastly form as they obeyed their orders. One being a panther with a missing eye. He was up front. The leader of this small group.


Crystal clear water ran over tanned skin skinned. A tribal tattoo darkened over his left arm, signifying that he wasn't a native to the kingdom. No, he was born in Makatza, the small village on the other side of the world from the royal palace. This was where the black wings dwell when they are fed up with the kingdom's laws. The sun is more hot down there, turning the Wood into a tropical forest the further you go. This tanned the Shee's skin who were born and raised there.

Life there is free of rules and regulations of the ancient Shee, but made new ones where any Shee can do and be as they pleased. A new sort of Balance that wasn't so temperamental. There was only two ancient fountains here, making it easier to deform their balance without creating too much trouble.

This royal Shee was born from a black and wing on Makatza, and sprouted red wings with only a small tinge of black near the base. However as he grew a bit older, the black faded off into a dark maroon. He learned how to fly much quicker than the others and spent his time racing around the trees. He would ask kids to race him and oddly enough, he beat them quite easily.
He soon was recognized as the fastest Shee in all of Makatza.

One day he had asked his red winged father what was beyond the sandy beaches and huts. His father explained that there was a royal palace with a kingdom made of all metals from all the worlds. That white bricks made the place shine and that crystal water came from the fountain. He also explained how prejudice they where when it came to wing color and that they still go by the rules of the ancients. That there was a royal family, and that he even use to work for them.

To the young Shee, this place seemed... well... majickal and that he had to see it for himself. His mother wasn't all to happy when he packed his bags to go to the kingdom... but she didn't stop him. She told him it was his own choice and to be careful on his journey.
He told her he was just going to see it and come home... but the minute he laid eyes on the gates... he knew this was where he was meant to be.

A week later, the boy returned to Makatza with a message. That he was... the new messenger of the palace.

And so was history. They noted that he was the fastest and most reliable messenger of the kingdom and promoted him to The Royal Messenger.
Dyre.

He turned the water off and walked off the platform. He took a towel and started to dry himself. It was going to be another busy day, he was sure. He tied the towel around his waist and opened the door, looking out over the training field when he noticed... the sky. He gasped and without further hesitation, he quickly got dressed and flew to the kingdom doors.

He, like all messengers were up and about with the cook staff very early in the morning. And he was the one to deliver the news to Gin. Sounds of bustling and flapping could be heard all over the palace as the two woke up the rest of the army and so on.


The tanned messenger pounded on the royal doors.
"King Jet! Queen Runa! You must come quick! There is something you need to see!!"

Jet shot up in bed along with his wife. He got out of bed quickly and wrapped a robe around him as he rushed to the doors and opened it. "What is it?" He asked in panic and they Shee walked to the closest balcony. Blue eyes widened in horror as he saw over the mountains. The Darkness was coming... but the Balance... it did not pull. The keys were still safe.
"Hurry and call the army to the field! I'll be there shortly!" The king called before rushing back to his room and quickly getting changed.

He looked at his wife who was now at their balcony as well, crying in horror. "Runa! Get the children!"
He looked back at the open door. "DYRE!"
A few moments passed before the red wings was there. "Yes, your majesty!?"
"Tell the guards to sound the horns! We're under attack!"
The tanned Shee saluted and was off.


Green eyes shot open as the blonde woman was awoken. "Uh... wha..." She looked up at her husband, seeing him in his war clothing. "What!?" He cried as she got up and looked at him. Before he could say anything though, the wife and mother cried out again. "LILO!"


A girl watched some butterflies land and clean their legs on a close flower. She giggled as she leaned closer. She had stayed with a friend that night and was planning on heading back to the palace when she was done playing but she had a hard time sleeping. He strayed into the Wood to play until her friend came looking for her.

The closer she got, the larger her shadow became over the butterfly and then... it flew off. She blinked and looked back down, only to gasp as glowing yellow eyes looked up at her.
"AAAAAAAAH!!" She shot up and started to run back to the gates as the creature formed and jumped after her.


As the army started to for in the field and the horn was sounded over the land, there was a horrible explosion. It threw everyone off, some Shee losing their balance completely. The people in their homes cried in horror, not knowing what was going on but that the war horn had blown and that they were now under attack.

Women and children hid anywhere they could as men and women that had volunteered to fight got ready and out the door.

Far off in the wood, a pod like thing came crashing from the red sky and cracked opened wide. A few minutes passed, making the smoke free when all of a sudden, beast sprang out and raced down the meadow and through the forest towards the kingdom.


The explosion had sent the young warrior out of bed. "Mhnnn.." he whined as he rubbed his head. What... was that!? He looked up, seeing Terra already at the balcony. "Wha--" His eyes widened as a sudden pound came from the door and his mother's voice was crying out to him.

Axel snored as drool ran down from his mouth. A leg was dangling from the side of the bed as he nuzzled the pillow. However, his green eyes shot open when he heard his lover's cry. He sprang up, orange wings fluttering as he quickly went to Roxas's side and looked out. "Whoa...." He looked over, seeing some smoke coming from a far off meadow. "LOOK!" He cried. "Atterians!"

[Reno]

Runa ran quickly to the balcony as Jet ran from the room. Her breath caught as she looked outside, seeing the red sun and the orange sky, and the blackness that was slowly devouring their land...

She placed her hands over her mouth, shaking in terror but when she heard Jet's cry she immediately calmed again. This wasn;t the time to lose her head. "I got it!" She replied, rushing back into the room hurriedly getting dress - who cared if it matched, before her red wings were fluttering out the door and down the halls. They had to act quickly!!!


Gin started a bit in surprise, before placing his hands on his wife's shoulder. "Firi calm down! She's safe. She's with her friend remember? Don't worry, she'll be alright." He squeezed her shoulders reassuringly, giving her a quick kiss, "I gotta go." He had an army to lead.

With a nod to her he was sailing out the door. Messenger Shee were everything, fluttering this way and that as they got ready for combat - it was too soon, they weren't even nearly prepared. And what's worse most of the tunnels made to go to the dungeon had no been finished - especally for the families on the farthest outskirts of town.

They had no time for an evacuation to the palace though. War did not stop for anyone.

He came to the edges of the field, seeing the Shee racing around disorganized and messy and cursed under his breath. This was not good! Before he could yell any orders though a crash sent him toppling.

He turned - only to see the outcome of that explosion. Horror grew in his eyes before he turned, whistling sharply. Heads turned. "ARCHERS I WANT YOU ON THE GATES NOW!!"

The Archers, a mixture of colorful wings mostly red, shot for the skies and flew with as much speed as possible to the edges of the town. The silver-wing was just beginning the struggle with his enxt decision when he saw a familiar purple-wing inside the castle walls through one of the open windows. "ARTIOS!"

The purple wing hesitated, then came to the edge looking outward.

"Gather the magicians and follow the archers to the gates! Keep the enemy out as long as you can! We need some time!!" There was a quick nod and the man was gone.

As he was shouting orders and calming people down to do their job... he had no way of knowing that his daughter was indeed in more danger then any of them at current. She was on the other side of the gates...


Artios sailed down the halls and out the doors of the palace, following through with his orders. He didn't look for Soran or Rocas - the princes needed to stay out of this fight as long as possible.

He called a messenger or two to help him deliver the orders as he spread his wings and flew towards the gates.


On the gates archers perched precariously, wings spread defensively as they grabbed their bows and prepared their arrowed for flight...


Sora startled awake at the sound of a scream and the call of horns. He gasped, looking around - no no, it couldn't be - but with terror he knew it was so. He knew why the horns called...

Xehanort had finally come.

He looked down at Riku and reached out, shaking the silverette's shoulder. "Riku! Riku wake up!"


Terra smelt it. The darkness. Moments later he heard horns ringing and he was awake in a second, rushing towards the window almost instinctively. He snarled, eyes narrowing as he saw the darkness - as if someone had taken a pencil to the horizon and drew a line down. Except it was moving... and getting bigger - closer. Xehanort was coming.

He heard the yells from outside the door, and the pounding, and then Ven was up as well, confused and disoriented. The noise stopped - signifying Runa had gone to her next sons room.

"Ven get ready... the war's coming." The other said, oddly calm. Fighting was what he did - and he was going to be right by Ventus' side.


Roxas scowled at Axel's observation, before he suddenly turned in a flutter of wings and rushed to his closet. He through the doors in and rushed within. There was a scuffle, some loud curses and the sound of clothing being torn as it was tugged off.

Minutes later the blonde re-emerged in his clothes, a bow made of oak - king of the trees - in his hands. He had made it long ago after completeing his archery training, becaise he knew oak symbolized protection, truth and steadfast knowledge. It's magical properities were immense and similar to him - neither skewed completely in light or darkness, but a combination of both.

There were no arrows.

His head turned, hearing his mother's call just outside his door. "This is it..." He looked to Axel. "You... don't have to follow..."

[Rikugurl]

The king flew off the balcony, seeing the archers in flight over the kingdom already.
His blue, calm wings fluttered as he flew towards the field, seeing all the Shee line up. Those who weren't in the Peace Army but volunteered to help in the fight and were trained, were in the palace, holding the front line.

He landed next to his best friend and looked over the men.
"PEOPLE, PLEASE CALM DOWN!"
The army stopped, trying to calm their wings that had burst.
"Now listen... you have all been trained by the best... so I want nothing but the best. I know we don't have much time... but the orders that Sir Gin must be carried out rather quickly. I want each and every one of you to focus and even if it takes some time, I want you to be accurate and determined. You know the wives and husbands, and children and friends you all know? You're actions might save them all."
He looked around, seeing the Shee eyes becoming more calm and determined.


Firi swallowed as she watched her husband leave. She looked down, quickly pulling on her robe. She slowly sat back down on the bed, knowing that she and the others who lived in the palace and who couldn't fight needed to get down into the dungeon... but she had this feeling...

In the Wood, the brown wing girl ran for her life. "MAMA!" The girl cried as she jumped over a fallen log, looking back in horror as she saw a yellowed eye creature coming after her. "MAMA!'

Firi's eyes opened wide, now bright orange. "I'm coming baby!" He cried as she shot from the bedroom and down the hall.
Some servants stopped and looked back at the woman who was running the wrong way. "LADY FIRI!" But the blonde woman didn't stop. She burst through the front doors of the palace, seeing how dark the once bright world was now. "LILO!" She cried before her yellow wings burst out and she sprang to the sky.


In the medic room, the two boys could hear the callings. Riku's eyes opened sluggishly as his aquatic eyes looked up. "S-Sora...?" He had no idea what was going on. His starvation had hurt his memory... and didn't remember that Norn was in red.


Ventus blinked but nodded and he got up and rushed to his closet. He pulled his clothes on, letting them fall all over the floor. He pulled on his armor, suited by the best tailors and blacksmiths in all of Norn, just like the others in the army. He grabbed his spear that was handmade for him and looked out to Terra.

Their eyes met before Ven rushed over, grabbing Terra's face and kissed him passionately. When he pulled away, he grabbed the cloth around his neck and ripped it off, revealing the mark Terra had given him. "You said I need to show it right?" He grinned before nodding. "Let's go!"


Axel blinked but smiled. So he'll have to wear what he was given. He was sure the army didn't have something to measure up to his tall stature. He grinned, holding out his hand. A light spear was made and he grasped it. "I'm a Shee now right? I'm not about saving my own tail anymore... since I don't have one." He joked as he rushed to Roxas's side. "I'll fight with you."


Jet slowly smiled before suddenly leaving Gin's side... and stood next to a soldier. "And don't worry... I'll be fighting along with you." He looked up though, suddenly seeing a flash of red.
Ventus.
The boy flapped, his spear in his hand as he landed and he too stood next to a soldier. He saluted and nodded. "Your orders sir!?"
From behind Gin, an Atterian walked down the stairs, followed by two more Shee. Roxas and Axel.


Dyre was flying all over, making sure everyone in the palace was going to the dungeon and having the doors opened to those residents who lived close enough to the palace to get in and safe. The tunnels were being crowded under him but everyone was still looking after one another.

He flew pass a closed door and opened it, looking in to make sure everyone was out. That was when he saw a blonde huddled in the corner. "Sir Demyx?" He called, quickly rushing to his side. "Sir, you must get to the dungeon."


The Beast of Darkness were coming down the mountain, pushing there way down into the Wood where the Heartless were already forming. They only had one thing in mind... and that was to destroy everything in sight. Tombstones from the cemetery were broken, brick wings and statues were broken.

They panted as they rushed down, a sheet of Darkness covering their tracks.


Larger and more powerful feet entered the Wood. Chimeras of all kinds dashed over logs, throw bushes and down banks as if nothing could stop them. The large pack was covering ground and fast. Their job as of now was to break into the gates and walls of the palace with the distraction of the Heartless. They would take out the front line, letting the Beast behind them pick up what was left and push forward.

The panther huffed, now seeing all sorts of Heartless in front of him, heading to the palace.
"SPLIT!" He cried. The pack split into three, the larger group going towards the gates the two smaller groups were headed towards different parts of the walls that closed in the kingdom.

Xigbar was in one of the smaller groups.
They rushed towards the west side of the walls, four other Atterians chasing after him. As they approached the wall, Xigbar's large club at the end of his tail raised, about to smash the wall in... when he twisted. Instead of smashing the walls, he smashed his tail into the four Atterians, sending them to the ground. His fangs flashed as he spun, pouncing on one of them.

[Reno]

Terra looked at Ven - and his eyes widened at the kiss he was given. He shut his eyes, kissing back not knowing if this might be their last one...

He grinned suddenly at the sight of the mark nodding his admission and second later they were racing out the door and down the hall.


Roxas meanwhile smiled proudly and nodded. "Axel..." He brought his hand around the other's neck, abruptly tugging him down so their lips met in a fiery kiss. When they broke apart, he grinned. "Come on!" He turned and rushed out his door, Axel at his heels. Not too far ahead of him, he say Ventus and Terra.

"Boys!!" His mother cried and he glanced back, seeing her down the hall. "Where's Soran?!"

"In the medical room!!" He called back, and then the four took a corner and where gone. There was nothing she could do or say to convince them not to fight - and she knew it.


Gin was incredibly relieved when Jet came to his side, calming his army easily. He sent his friend a grateful look - and moments after his speech they were joined by friends...

He turned. Ven, Terra, Axel and Roxas all dressed up and ready to go. He paused on Terra, looking at him critically, but he saw no deceit in the way he stood, ready to fight - for them, not against.

Xan and Isu... took chances for their world to exist... now he would have to do the same. He nodded in allowance-

He was about to give his orders, when a fifth came into the picture and they paused, looking at the dragon-like blue armor stepping onto beside the four.

"You too, Aqua?" Gin said, startled.
"Well I do have the armor for it." She joked, her voice rough from behind the helmet.
He glanced at Jet and he said nothing to disagree with either the former imp, Atterain or dragoonian joining. Maybe their adoptions... wouldn't be so bad.

"Alright!" He called wings fluttering on his back as he turned to stare across the lines of men. Their first priority was to get the people to the dungeons safely.

"Only three of the tunnels had been finished by the brown wings, that leaves four-sevenths of this town unable to reach the palace quickly and safely under the cover of the land!" The tunnels had been built in the other Shee homes in unobvious places like udner a rug or behind a plotted plant or in a closet - accompined by a metal covering so Atterains and Beasts could not simply sniff them out and follow easily or quickly and led all the way to the dungeons. Unfortunetly, is was the ones closest to the Palace that had been finished. They all led down to one singular large tunnel leading straight in and metal bars had been constructed to come down once ever Shee had gotten safely inside so that, on the likelyhood Atterains did get into the tunnels they'd have to go through the bars next.

"Our most important thing is to get the people from the town into the palace and to the dungeon as quickly and safely as possible! Divisions one and two" He was of course of division one, and Ven was the commanding officer in two, "Will take the southern area! We will take care of the outskirts!" That would be the closest area near the battle and he needed both his strongest and quickest men there. That was the same area where tunnels six and seven were never made as well...
"Division three will go to the front lines and join the archers - do whatever you came to stop them from advancing within the town for as long as possible! Division four will join with the guards and stay around the Palace and make sure everyone makes it safely inside to the dungeons and no attacks are made within! Division five - you'll take the western where tunnel four was supposed to be! Division six and seven go to the eastern!" That covered all four tunnels.
"Division eight and nine! You will be providing relief and support for the other divisions - try to stay spread out across town and help where it is needed! Riri and Artios have both made potions and elixers for us so make use of them!! Once everyone is inside the palace you will be stationed at the palace with the fourth and protect the north! The rest of you, once you are certain everyone is safe, stay in your parts of the town and protect it from intruders! Am I clear?"
"SIR YES SIR!" The cries came.
"THEN MOVE OUT!"

Wigns were a flutter - and Gin turned towards the five still behind him. Ven knew his placement.
"Terra-" He started.
"I'm going where he's going." The wolf stated firmly, pointing to Ven.
The sliverwing smirked. "Both of you get a move on then. You've got a lot of people to protect." The two were gone. "Roxas! Get to the gate, Artios and the others will need your support."
The black-and-white wing looked a little surprised - on the front lines already? - but nodded all the same. He was the top mage in this town, he had to make use of it. "Gotcha!" His hand curled around his bow and he was fluttered off for the sky. Gin saw the look on Axel's face and shook his head. "If you want to join him, by all means, follow him."
Aqua stepped down, "I'm going to join the fifth division if you don't mind." And with the leader's agreement she was off for the western side of town with the other Shee of that division.

The only one not accounted for was the king himself - who Gin had no say in where he went at all. It was completely up to the king.


Meanwhile, the queen was racing through the halls, trying to create order among the people. She passed Riri who she hurriedly told to get to the dungeons before making her way for the medical room.

"Riku..." Sora said softly, his eyes brightening. "Oh thank god... you're awake!" He grinned happily - but then the door opened and he looked back. "Mom!"

"Soran!" The woman came over, her heart settling because she had at least found all three of her sons.
"What are we gonna do?" He asked, nodding to Riku - he couldn't just leave him here!
"We have no choice, he'll have to come to the dungeon with us." She said. "Let's wait for the halls to clear a bit and then we'll bring him there. Riri will do what she can for him."


Demyx looked up, hearing Dyre's voice and he blinked. "Dun...geon?" That was right, King Jet had spoke of emergency precautions... "O-Okay!" He stuttuered, and got up from his position, hurrying off.

He would have gotten lost if that wasn't where most of the others in the castle were going. What he came to - down several halls deep inside the castle was a hole in the floor, a wooden door opened to let the Shee inside a dank room with rows and rows of unused cells and torches that had been lit for the occasion. He didn't hesitate to go down seeing more shee coming in from a carefully crafted hole at the other end of the amazingly large room.


Arrows started to fly through the air, precision from the two best - Casis and Peri - never missing not even once. Heartless disappeared into blackness, Beasts and Atterains alike were brought down.

Then some spells rained down into the woods from the mages, showing little mercy for their foes approaching further off. Lightning, fire, ice - they all combined to deal heavy blows.


As the halls of the castle went silent and the fields weere cleared as many went about their assigned task, Sora leaned over, placing his ehadon Riku's forhead. He was still uncomfortably hot - but they didn't have a choice. "I'm sorry Ri, this isn't gonna be fun." He tore off the bandages around Riku's arms, carefully taking out the IV needles - still he was unable to stop it from hurting and sent a guilty look to the other.

With his mother's help, he lifted the silverette into his arms and carefully walking out of the room and started down the hall, her by his side. He was worried he wouldn't be able to make it to the dungeon - but he didn't have a choice. Riku needed to be somewhere safe.