Of Fairytales

[Reno]

Demyx looked up as his tears were wiped away, sniffling a bit. But before he could respond or the other could even finish, the loud noise of nails screeching across brick made their heads jerk to the left...

And his mouth gaped in horror at the black creatures spilling in. that was NOT good. He heard the man's cry though and he grit his teeth, steeling his courage. That;s right, there were shee depending on them!

He didn't hear the vsase breaking, but he did hear the water, and his eyes narrowed in determination, lifting the battered Sitar. He strummed down on his sitar hard, the water of the vase swirling around him like a deceptive snake. Each time he threw hard chords the water jerked outwards like a whip throwing the heartless back - or if it was aa particularily big heartless he hit the chords hard and the beings where thrown up into the ceiling as if hit by a geyser.


Thanks to Roxas' final arrow, it killed some of the nearby heartless. He kicked another when an idea struck him.

Soran stretched out his fingers swirling his wrist and the water lifted from it suddenly. He jerked his arm up and water fell into the air, the pressure making the heartless that were crawling over the symbol get blasted off.

"Ice!" Sora cried, jerked his hand in a downward sweep and the water flew through the air crashing into the heartless nearby... and froze them suddenly. He snapped his fingers, and the ice shattered like glass, and the shadows within where ripped apart, leaving nothing behind but glowing hearts. He couldn't keep this up... he had to do it. Had to do the trick Artios taught him...

"Prince Soran, we don't have enough time to train you. You have the potential to be a great warrior, and if we had a year to practice, I would be less worried about you...but we don't. A few days, maybe a week at most. I can only teach you some of the low-level spells... and train you how to protect yourself better."
Soran bowed his head, wanting to argue but knew not what to say. Artios was right. He couldn't become a great fighter in seven days.
"I will however teach you something else. Something I fear... you might need. I'm going to teach you how to join with the balance. Judza."
The Shee looked up in alarm. "An ancient... an ancient word?" His eyes glowed with excitement. "I'm going to learn an ancient spell?!"
"Yes... but it's a dangerous one Soran, and often times overwelming so pay very close attention. And don't tell your father either - if he found out i was teaching you the ancient words before he gave permission... let's just say I'm glad we don't have execution policies."
The blue-wing laughed softly, and nodded.

The prince jumped up to the top of the fountain once more and sat down, crossing his legs. He breathed in slowly, taking in the magic... "Judza" 'join'

He raised his hands crossing them palm over back of the hand at face level blue magic gathering. The hand broke apart, storking the air like he was taking a stroke through water - butterfly style - and a blue, circular barrier burst around the entirety of the fountain curving above him like a dome and sealing himself and the fountain within it's protective embrace.

He inhaled and exhaled slowly, feeling the various tugs of the balance, feeling norn, the hidden keys, the war, the death, the pain... everything. It was almost mind-shattered how much he could feel...


Roxas barely uttered a squeak, his body shaking as the creature came at him, claws just an inch away from impaling him...

then the body went limp and smacked into him and with a yelp he fell over, the dead weight of the creature tugging the breath from him.

His eyes were wide, feeling warm blood matted down his shirt and wetting his pants, before the weight was lifted and he was looking up at - "D-Dyre?"

At the other's words, he gave a shaky smile, taking the hand offered and getting too his feet on shaky legs. Too shaky, he felt completely weakened...

But arms wrapping around him and a sweet kiss to the forehead perked up his spirits at least. "Axel..." He looked to dyre once more, his eyes becoming saddened, but he nodded in agreement. "You are right... one who is too tired to fight shouldn't be in the battle... Thank you Sir Dyre, I owe you my life." He smiled, his eyes weary but true, before he lanced back at Axel. "Do I see gray hair? Stop worrying about me!" He teased lifting up on his toes to give the other a sweet kiss on the lips - well Axel already gave him a kiss, what was the point hiding anymore? - before slipping from his arms. "I'm going back."

His charm started to glow however and he glanced over Axel's shoulder, frowning when he saw his eldest brother and what he was up to. He was using the balance... to protect itself. And though his eyes were closed he could see the light shimmering under his lashes - he was using a lot of it.
Be careful Soran... He thought worriedly. To use the Balance's power was delicate and risky, one had to be completely in-tune with it...

if they weren't, well there were ltos of rumors about this. many said the balance would break apart and the world of norn would cease to exist...
But Roxas, being heir, knew that was incorrect. Only the destruction of Xan's key could do that.

No, he believed... that if you took too much of the Balance... it could consume you with it's power... and kill you. But it wasn't him doing this - it was Soran.


Diliza's eyes caught sight of the red beside her, thinking at first it was Volken, but a glance over made her nearly tumbled over herself in mid-air as she saw the young boy.
She knew him instantly, already having spotted Roxas. One of the twins...
Ventus. This one was Ventus.
She drew her eyes away from her grandson, not saying a word - because heartless were shooting towards them.
"Everyone full force!" Diliza called to the other black wings - and suddenly the creatures were upon them in a violent waves. Only a few of the shee were able to charge through, weapons flying, the other's had to pause in their flights and throw the creatures off.


On the ground, Gin suddenly spread his wings and rushed forward, charging the spell. The spear in his hand spun, gathering stretch as silver crytals circled the tip... "Split!" He yelled and with a powerful over the head swing, the spearhead crashed into the powerball, making the magic explode.

His feet were planted hard into the ground, stopping himself from being thrown back as dark puddles of darkness splatetred across the ground around him as if he had liquified the dark magic.


Terra's eyes narrowed, trying to look for an opening... and finally got his chance. He didn't know how many Atterains were left in this town - but he had to take the chance now.

He changed and raced across the ground, breaking away from the group as he gained speed.

"HEY UGLY ASS!" A cry from Xehanorts right rang out as Aqua seemed to dash in, sliding to a halt and her spear cracking the ground. A rapid torrent of water sprung up flying for the man - a stream breaking off to curl around and hit his left side at the same time - but to everyones amazement the water froze before it ever came close to contacting him.

The man seemed to smirk - but it was quickly wiped off as a hwl rang out and powerful paws slammed into the frozen ice, and the ferocious wolf with bull horns pounced down, jaws gaping for the other's head.

He saw the key coming though, the blow a deadly one, and his body twisted, fangs latching around the metal of the blade and claws curling around it, his back full of spines now facing the ground.

[Rikugurl]

Roars rang out as the claymore smashed into quite a few heartless, sending them flying out of the hole. As the two fought off the dark things, the medics and wounded raced behind them.

The Berserker's eyes seemed to narrow as he hit more and more. With all their effort, it seemed like it was never going to end... that each Heartless dead created just another one in their spot.

Before he knew it though, the Balance around them seemed to becoming thicker... and his muscles started to weaken. The claymore seemed much more harder to wield now...
The blue haired man looked over at the blonde, seeing that he too was having a hard time. "Demyx... go back to the dungeon and stay safe. I can take care of them."


Dyre's eyes widened as he saw the PRINCE... the heir to the throne... KISSING another MALE Shee. He shook his head and rubbed the back of his neck. So... two of the Trinity were... gay. He couldn't wonder if...

He heard the cry from a very familiar voice up above and looked up... noticing the black wings. The people of the tribe he was born and raised in. His eyes widened... seeing two very familiar people... well.... three. His father, mother and the other prince as they flew towards a section of the town.

He looked back at the two and saluted. "No sir, you don't owe me anything. It is my duty as a Shee and as a part of the Peace Army to protect and serve the royal family in the time of war. What I do is not done to be paid back but as the pride of what I vowed to do." He bowed before standing. "I must join the battle now, sir. Please take care." With that, he flapped his wings and was off, quickly racing to join the others.

Axel blinked as he watched the tanned Shee fly off quickly, kind of stunned at how fast he was going. He smiled though as he pulled Roxas up and flapped his wings. "Well I hope I don't have many greys!" He laughed as he soared through the air, slowly looking down at Soran as he sat on top of the fountain. He flew through a window and looked around, quickly seeing where everyone was going. He rushed after them as well, hearing the loud crashes outside and the cries of war still raging.

The orange wing brought the prince into the dungeon and easily found the queen with some green wings. Lady Riri was on the side, watching over a silver haired human.


Ven flapped his wings, changing his course from the Heartless fountain to the man that was the main threat. He left the black wings to deal with the heartless as another Shee followed close behind. Blue eyes looked back, seeing an older Shee with red wings as well. He frowned but nodded as the two soared down... but Ven's heart pounded the minute he saw Terra.

"TERRA!"
He cried, seeing his lover in his beastly form and WRAPPED around the key. "NO!"


Xehanort smirked as he looked up at the tip of his key. The beams had been disrupted again but the Balance was still being used by some other force he didn't know of yet. "Stupid mutt." He growled before slashing the key out, a powerful blast sending Terra flying through the air.

Xigbar wasn't far behind... and what he was running at made him feel completely stupid. He had no weapon.
He could easily turn into his beast form... and probably do a lot of damage... but Aqua... he didn't want her to know...
Before he could think much about it, there were spikes coming at him full force. Guess one couldn't say that they got their nephew thrown at them every day.

He growled as he stopped and pushed his hands up. He was going to call an earth spell... but he realized that the impact might kill Terra. So instead... spikes impaled his hand as he grabbed onto them and with all his might, tried to keep them away from his face. The force blew him back and as quick as the caught Terra, he tossed the Atterian in the air.

When he stopped, he panted, looking down at the holes in his hand. Welp... that was more wounds to put on his list.


As Terra flew in the air, a gentle yet powerful gust picked him up. "AERO!"
The gust slowly moved and stopped when it got to a rooftop... and Terra landed safely.
Blue eyes softened once the Atterian seemed alright and his spear flipped in his hand. "DAMN YOU XEHANROT!"

He flew down fast with Volkan, both their spear out and ready to strike... when a huge piece of building was effortlessly throw at them. With a powerful swing, Ventus broke it, making the pieces blow around him. The blocks were hit by the one behind him, sending them back at Xehanort but they were easily thrown back. The two dodged them before one hit Ventus and he was sent spiraling away.

Volkan continued down, his eyes narrowed as he slashed his spear down and only hit a key that was shot up at him. The old man looked up at him for only a split second before electricity shot through the key and into Volkan's spear. The blast shot the old leader into the sky without mercy, steam coming from his hands as his spear dropped... right in front of Xigbar.


As jet rushed with the rest, he suddenly stopped as he heard something. Judza
"Kya...?" "What...?"
He turned around and looked back, seeing his son down the street and on top of the fountain. "SORAN!" His eyes flashed yellow as he started to rush towards the fountain, dodging those that were coming in the opposite direction. "PURA NA PURA YAHA!" "DON'T DO IT!"

[Reno]

Demyx grunted as he felt the Balance shift, the protective rings of water bending around him like two powerful hands bent a wire bracelet. He took a deep breath, fingers skimming across the strings of his instrument but at the other’s look his eyes became conflicted.

Stay and possibly die… or run and hide and let the other take the fall…

He looked up into the other’s eyes, about to agree – what could he say he was a cowardly, spineless Nix-siren – when suddenly he froze. Staring back at him was the face... of wolf, full of black fur, sparkling yellow eyes and an identical x-marked scar. He blinked and the man was before him again. “P-Puppy…”

The eyes seemed to spark with recognition and Demyx gasped. “It is you!” He shook his head vehemently. “I’m not leaving you!” The other’s eyes seemed to narrow, and he saw disapproval and disagreement spreading across the former wolf’s lips…

When Demyx strung on his sitar hard, the chords dissonant and rough as water shot out, going right past Saix’s shoulder and hitting the heartless right behind him. Demyx grinned proudly. “I just got you back – I’m not losing you again.”


Roxas watched Dyre leave, sighing at the other’s modesty. Yet he was glad for the loyalty, that’s what a good kingdom was made of. People who… who cared about others without restraint and without greed. That… was why they were the most powerful race in the world – they made unbreakable and unshakeable bonds with one another and gave it their all. When one was in trouble, they all were.

He chuckled softly at Axel’s words, feeling the arms curling around him and taking him up in the air. He let the other do most of the work, his wings feeling heavy and useless on his back. The glow to them was weak – but whether it was because he had used a substantial amount of magic or because of the sudden strong pull in the Balance he didn’t know.

He did however spare a glance back down to the courtyard, spotting his brother still sitting there. He bit his lip, worried for him. If the Balance was too much than Soran… Soran would…
No he couldn’t think like that! He had to believe in his brother!
They stumbled as they came flying through one of the windows and Roxas straightened, following Axel’s assistance down the hall.

“I shoulda known better then to push myself too hard.” He grinned weakly up at the other. “Then again, I tend to learn lessons the hard way.” He chuckled, finding it rather funny. It was true however – when he was told not to touch the hot stove by the Shee cooks, guess who touched it? When he was told not to fly in the woods, guess who did it anyways? When he was told not to anger the bees’ nest next guess who was jumping in the swamp for salvation?
He really had to start watching the warning signs…

He sighed as the cool air of the dungeon surrounded him and Axel, and they came down the stairs carefully. In an instant, he attracted the eyes and voices of many – and the arms of his mother, squeezing him tightly.
He coughed softly. “M-Mom… air… need it!”
Runa let him go, fussing over him. “Oh Roxie, what’s going on?” She demanded.

He sighed, and before answering he sat down against a wall, making sure to stay clear of the stairs as Axel joined him. He looked up at his mother, but her mouth and eyes were firm. So he told her wait he knew. He told her about the South, the breaking of the gate, the fall of the archers, the break-in to down, his and Artios’ attack and the following death, the disappearance of the Atterains and the beasts, Xehanort’s appearance, Hatori’s disturbance and death, and what was going on now.

“Soran…” Roxas mumbled softly, shoulder to shoulder with Axel, his wings drawn in and his eyes drooping as he started to drift. “He’s trying to join with the Balance.”

Over where Riri was helping Riku take a drink of water she saw the boy’s eyes react, hearing and recognizing the boy’s name. She lowered the cup, noticing how much attentive he suddenly was. She glanced back just in time to see Runa’s reaction.
“What!?” The queen cried, her eyes wide. She fell down to her knees taking her son’s shoulders in her hands and shaking him slightly to wake him up.

The blue eyes blinked up at her, confused. “The Balance, he’s joining with it…”
Runa’s eyes grew frantic. How did he kn- Artios of course! Why… why would he tell Soran those words though he… he knew Soran wouldn’t be able to… No, no her boy! “Roxas are you sure?!”
“Yeah mom, what’s wrong?” Roxas asked, sounding suddenly worried.

She looked at her son, biting her lip. He really didn’t know. “Roxas… only Shee with your wings can join with the balance and live! Any other Shee… will be sacrificing themselves.”
Roxas blinked slowly, then shook his head, not wanting to believe what he was hearing. He reached up, hand curling around his glowing charm – recognizing Ventus and Soran both. “No… No way mom Sora can do it, I know he can!”
“Roxas… he can’t. No matter how balanced he is… he can’t.”


Terra growled at the insult, feeling the power of the key crawling under his skin and curling in his belly. He was sucking some of it away – but before he could take enough to be substantial, Xehanort was suddenly throwing him and Terra was yelping in pain as energy blasted him right in the face.

His body flew through the air, seeing the world speeding him by – before suddenly in his numb trance, he heard a growl of pain and he was being tossed like a rag doll into the sky. His limbs flailed about and his body twisted just in time to give him a nice view of the ground millions of feet below him.

He yelped in panic – why?! Why did he get to die from a height!? His second greatest fear! He yelped as gravity started to pull him down…

Then he heard an angel’s voice crying out a spell and twists of warm wind stopped his descent. He could of cries in relief as his body was lowered slowly to a roof top. His legs buckled as he looked up and met Ven’s eyes his tail wagging behind him to show the other he was alright. When Ven turned away however, screaming bloody murder, Terra sighed and collapsed on the roof slowly turning back into a human. His blue eyes fluttered as he split out a combination of darkness and blood from his mouth. His right shoulder, which had taken the brunt of the impact of the spell, was burning with pain. He tried to make his fingers respond but they barely even twitched.
He could fight no longer.

He watched the fight take wing however, and his eyes widened when he saw Ventus get hit by a piece of building, being thrown backwards. “Ven!”


Aqua gave a grimace, seeing Xigbar’s insane move – wow that had to hurt like all fucking hell. She looked away however and suddenly ran towards Xehanort.


“Volkan!” Diliza cried, flying forward quickly and catching her lover quickly. Her wings beat before she swooped down laying him out on the ground and placing her hand on his cheek, brushing away strands of his hair. “Vol…” She murmured, but once she was sure he was breathing, she stood, eyes narrowed and furious. Her dark wings spread and she suddenly flew towards the man.


“Surround him!” The silver-wing called as they passed the unfortunate Atterain with holes now in his hands.
Gin and his elite team charged, the five of them spreading out to surround the old man. Peri shot an arrow with electricity sparking at the tips; the other four pointed their spears at Xehanort and as one they threw their spears down blue, silver, red and orange energy all slicing towards the same man in a great large X-mark.


“What’s going to happen?”

“And the wall just crumbled and in came all these dark beasts I thought I thought!”

“My son! My son! Oh Norn my son!”

“Are we going to die? Is this it?”

“We should of finished the tunnels. Ooooh, it’s all our fault we should have!”

“Where is everyone else?! Why is no one coming?!”

“He’ll make it damn it! He has too!”

He could hear the cries in the dungeon, the screams of the dying, the howls of the damaged keys, the bellows of Norn. All in so much pain… so much darkness…

Soran took another breath, forcing his heart to steady, forcing his mind to think happy thoughts. If he continued to listen to all this pain, continued to focus on it, the darkness of his inner Balance would consume him.
So he thought of home and the swamp and the flowers and his family and Destiny Islands and Riku… and his pulse steadied ever so slowly. He could do this… he had too…

Heartless jumped towards the fountain, and each time they did, Sora’s wings would flap like I was a mechanical movement and each time they flapped, the walls of his barrier grew white, contact with it deadly to the darkness. Always, as if it was the tick-tock of a clock. Jump. Flap. Jump. Flap. Jump. Flap.

Soran’s eyes slowly opened, hearing the yell of his father. He glanced back slowly and his eyes, usually a brilliant blue or a striking orange were now pale and gray, so light that they almost appeared white…

He shook his head, saying something but no words emerged from his lips. What he mouthed however seemed to be ‘It has to be done’. His hands, formerly in his lap, moved to touch the ancient stone of the Balance fountain. The next words he said, he had never learned, but the Balance taught him what he needed to know. “Savax.” “Heal.”

Green magic flowed down the fountain and went into the ground and like following secret lines, the green trails broke into three and went to three separate keyblades – one of fire, one of light and one of magic. The tarnishes and clinks in their metalwork healed over and the keys stopped crying.

The white streams of the Balance pulsed, ghosting over Soran’s wings like hands petting a cat, thanking him. His blue wings flapped again, killing another crowd of heartless. He could hear the cries of the army behind him as they got beaten back again and again – by just one man…

Streams of Balance circled him, caressing his cheeks, curling around his fingers, whispering in his ears. They were all saying the same thing…

“Usa anviarya samapawa isa aba.” ‘You must end this now.’

[Rikugurl]

The blue haired man looked at Demyx, ready for him to either agree or argue... but nothing came... except for something else.
Something that made his eyes brighten and if he had his tail, he would of wagged it in happiness.

His eyes widened though as a stream of water was shot by him. He looked back, only to see the smoke of a Heartless. He looked back at Demyx, nodding with a smile. "Alright."
With that, he pull the now heavier claymore up and continued fighting alongside the water mage.


Down in the dungeon, Axel stayed quiet as the son and mother talked. He frowned, running his arms a bit, not noticing the dirt and blood all over his new clothes. Sighing, his mind went elsewhere, trying to block all that he saw. Sure Tarsa wasn't the most nicest place to go... but they were so wicked that no other race seemed to even WANT to bother them. The Shee had gone far if they were originally imps... but maybe all this peace and harmony wasn't such a good thing.

Everyone would want to take it.
Or maybe it was just ugly old men.

He looked back, seeing the horrid look on the woman's face when she heard the news about one of her sons. He had to wonder... would his mother be so worried if something were to happen to---

"SORA!"
His eyes widened as he heard a cry from a man down the hall of the dungeon. His orange wings flapped as he leaned over, seeing the human trying to get up.


"S-sora..." Riku shook his head, the world spinning around him and the air (the Balance) was pushing hard against him. But... he had heard the woman's voice... even if he didn't exactly know who she was... but he knew Sora... and he knew he was in trouble.

He pushed against the wall, only to topple over the green wing who was trying to keep him seated. "P-please...I....I have to f-find Sora..."


Red wings beat quickly but they couldn't stop the force of the brick. It was already going so fast when it hit him, and he was going twice that now. Something caught his flight though. Something.... solid.
"AH!" Ven smashed into the cafe's wall and fell to the floor. The blow knocked his air from his lungs as he fell to the ground hard.

The brick fell onto him as well, crushing his legs. "AAAAAAH!!" The prince cried out, trying to pull his legs from the huge object... but it was near impossible.... He couldn't feel them anymore...


Volkan would of flipped and lost the brick... if he was maybe 10 years younger. He wasn't exactly an elder Shee... but he wasn't a spring chicken anymore. If he was still in the army, he would have to retire to desk lieutenant while Gin took his place. The heat of Makatza helped his joints stay flexible and morning jugs and exercise helped him quite a bit with staying in shape.

He fell back, only to hit something like Ventus... only this was much more softer. His dull eyes looked up, smiling as he noticed who had caught him. The brick fell and smashed into the ground below before he was lowered himself.
He smiled softly as he took a deep breath and nodded, indicating that he was alright. Before he could say much, she was gone.
That was like her though, and he had learned this.

He leaned against the wall for a moment before he heard a cry up above. No Shee, Atterian, Beast or Heartless cry... but one that was also familiar. He winced as he held out his arm and something very large perched on it. A hawk. It wore a simple collar around its neck, the beautiful colors matching it. In the middle, there was a very beautiful rock. A rock that held an ancient power of Shee that were very hard to find or just misleading to one who didn't know what it was.

"Ikia..." He whispered. "Take some of my strength to her..." He closes his eyes before his wings started to glow. A red glow ran down his arm and up the hawk, soaking into the stone.
Up above, the fair Shee with black wings wore a similar necklace and it started to glow red.


A yellow eye narrowed as a man slide down against the wall of a building. Blood poured from his hands, able to see right though them. Already they were starting to heal... but it would take awhile. He sighed, hearing blast from behind. "Aqua..." He growled before he looked at his hands again. This was going to hurt...

He suddenly slammed his hands onto the ground and the earth started to rumble under them. He closed his eye and visioned Aqua. "Bawander..." He whispered, a dark energy pushed through him and into the earth.

While Aqua was rushing after the man, a energy surrounded her and suddenly, very much like the spell Aero, a gust of sand and stone spun around her like a shield.


The power of the X exploded as they hit the----
The dark shield. Black rays of Darkness surrounded the old man like the sand did to Aqua. "You Shee had much more spunk last time." He grinned as he suddenly slammed his key into the earth and the rays that surrounded him shot out, pushing everyone away violently.

In the ray, Dark ice shot out like daggers, stabbing the remaining Shee in various places and unfortunately hit through on of the Shee's wing. The daggers easily bounced off the sand shield that Xigbar had summoned around Aqua, but even she was pushed off.

His golden eyes brighten as he twisted the key into the ground. If he couldn't unlock the keys from above, he would do it through the roots and water. A Dark energy pushed through the key and found the Balance easily.


Jet rushed towards the fountain, swinging his spear and killing off the Heartless in his way. When he approached the rim though, the shield pushed him away. "SORAN!" He cried as he looked up at his son helplessly.

[Reno]

Demyx grinned, staying close to Saix's side - and the fight went on. Water and pwoerful swings of a claymore took down dark creature after dark creatures. Snarls and grunts echoed down the halls.

The fight was desperate, unselfish, and noble. Though they had no ties to the world... it could almost be recognized as home to them, and they had friends they wanted and eneded to protect.


Roxas and Runa were drawn by the cry as well, both looking down the way where the silver-haired human was, his blue-green eyes full of worry and panic.

"Riku you can't!" The green-winged Shee said, taking the boy by his shoulders and trying to force him to sit back down. But for someone who had been starved and dehydrated and over-heated, he knew how to fight back.

"Ple-" She tried when a shadow overcame them and she looked up, seeing Runa suddenly there.

The queen kneeled down, firmly gripping the boy by the shoulders and then... pulled him into a hug. "I'm sorry Riku..." At this point... nothing could be done.

Roxas watched for a moment, before putting his head in his hands holding back tears.


Terra grit his teeth, hearing Ven's screams. He grunted, trying to pull himself up again and gave a cry when it sent pain down his spine. He fell to his side, squeezing his eyes shut. "Ven..." He whispered, angry that he couldn't get to his mate and terrified of how hurt he was.

He reached out with his left arm and tugged himself forward, cringing as it pulled at his limb right arm. He reached the edge and looked down at the battlefield - searching tirelessly. He saw nothing but holes in walls and dying Shee...


Diliza flew through the sky and swooped, feeling the warmth of the gem pushing against her skin and red power floating down her wings. She knew it was Volkan - she would thank him later.

She raised her spear and red and black power concentrated at the tip. She threw it down to join the others' attacks on Xehanort.


Aqua ran towards Xehanort, and when the shield came up she was not alarmed. She knew it was Xigbar. She wouldn't let it go to waste!

Her spear spun on her fingertips and she swung down again, another wave of water flying up with a cutting edge, striking straight for the man and his barrier.


All efforts... were futile.

The closest five- Gin, Gati, Nyobe, Makino and Peri - were all thrown back quickly. Peri cried out as he fell back uncontrollably into a star-pole, daggers in his legs.
Nyobe and Makino both yelled - one thrown back against the brick of the palace daggers in her shoulders, another flying back and smacking hard into the ground several feet away, passing Aqua by scant inches, a dagger embedded in her forehead.
Gin grunted as he was thrown through a window and smacked into a table within, the weight breaking underneath him. He grunted fingers ghosting across a dagger in his stomach.
Gati screeched as he was thrown back, but the tear of his wings made his eyes blank so much he didn't even notice as he crashed into a trash can. The wings trembled on his back, before the light of them sparked and raced down the thin, fragile appendages and struck his heart with alarming force. He jerked, cried out... and then he was gone.

Aqua and Diliza were not lucky either. Aqua yelled as she was thrown, and though the shield protected her from the daggers and took the brunt of the impact when she fell backwards and into the ground, it still left her breathless and shaky.

Diliza grunted as she fought the backlash, her spear spinning on her fingertips to richoet the daggers - but the power was took much and she fell upwards in an arc and then back down, smacking into the ground close by - ironically - the garden of the palace by the same flowers she had yesars ago requested to be planted. Her spear had fallen farther away and the woman grunted softly, feeling one of the dagger in her thigh.


"SORAN!"

"S-Sora... P-please...I....I have to f-find Sora..."

The prince hesitated for a moment, his wings shaking, when the Balance gave a vicious tug and his eyes went wide.

"Soran!" It called and suddenly he was taken away. Physically he knew he was still atop the Balance Fountain, but cosciously, he had been tugged down.

He flew through dirt and roots and lava and streams of magic signifying the keys and streams of darkness signifying Xehanort and escape tunnels and lava and down, down, down farther he went...
until he reached... a door. It was ornate, carved like an arch with a triangular head, brass knobs that shined and the painted wood - a perfect mixture of white and black - shined back at him. when he reached out to touch the knob however, he found that at first glance it was no longer beautiful.

The knobs were rusted and dirty, spiderwebs connecting between them. The wood rotted and water damaged, green muck growing on the edges. Paint was peeling off of it revealing dirty brown and destroyed wood underneath. Streams of blackness was streaming from the keyholes.
The doors cracked open.

He flinched, backing away - seeing inside nothing but darkness, while cold struck his body. It smelt like decay and death and he raised his hand to his nose, grimacing.

"Xil..."
"Heart?" Sora repeated softly and then suddenly... he understood. The heart of Norn... was dying.
"Baca.... Virawa... “Protect…. Valor” Red streams came from the doorway, filling the boy with courage. The red swirled around the charm, as if reaching for Ventus.

"Paraka... Viveka" 'Insight... Wisdom' Blue streams swooping from the door and curled around Sora's wings, filling him with knowledge and peace.

"Kula... Nayaka" "Complete... Master" Yellow streams flowed out next, also curling around Soran's wings, touching along the soft yellow edges. He felt cheer and skill.

"Xil.... Akiri..." "Heart.... final." Streams of black, white and silver flowed across Sora feeling him with all sorts of emotions. Happiness, sadness, pain, determination, compassion, empathy, satisfaction, confidence. The silver came to his wings, but the black and white went around his chain, reaching for Roxas.

The prince was quiet, before he bowed his head. “I understand.”

He was back in his own mind in an instant and not a second had passed on the battlefield. Sora raised his head suddenly and stood. Streams of the Balance around him were turning black from Xehanort’s invasion into the heart and corruption on the land.
His wings fluttered and he tilted his head back to look up at the sky, seeming to be asking heaven something, before he whispered one word. "Pavitra..." 'Holy...'

The white magic flew down in a powerful stream surrounding the fountain and engulfing Sora in its light. The blue wings trembled before giving a power flap, and the streams broke apart in a thousand lights flying through the air and across the sky, before they curved down as if gravity was taking over and struck the land.
Like a million spears the lights struck the hearts of the heartless killing them upon impact. It passed harmlessly over two Atterains – one with an eyepatch, the other with a rare scheme of blue eyes – but it pushed back a hidden third, this one a caracal with the horns of an elk and the legs of a rabbit, cried out as it was burned and thrown to the ground.

Demyx and Saix got a respite in their fighting as the lights of holy hit the heartless around them, not harming them in the least. The Nix looked around, before breathing a sigh of relief.

“Xehanort…” Soran called as he turned on the fountain to face the man, a mixture of orange, blue and white meeting the amber gaze of the man. It was not Soran that the man saw in the gaze however – but Norn. He saw its beginnings as it burst into a star, its first flowers and trees, its first spring and winter, it’s first critters and first people. He saw Xan melding with the heart of the world, brining the Balance. He saw century after century pass as the world grew in age – corruption rarely hurting the world. He saw the creation of the keys, as well as the placements of them all. He saw… everything Norn ever was. All it’s pain and hurt, it’s struggles and celebrations, it’s victories… it’s losses…
And then he saw… himself. Being locked away and his return. The immense pain he brought upon the world…

"Xehanort..." Soran said again, his voice full of the pain and fury of Norn. "MELANA DURA!" GET OUT!

The command was powerful streams of the white Balance flowing from Sora's wings and striking like snakes at the black ones, purifying them once more. Then the streams, under Sora's direction, struck into the ground searching out Xehanort's power that was going for the keys, curling and squeezing them violently until the purification followed the lines all the way back to their creator. The Balance flowed around the man, curling around his body.

[Rikugurl]

Jet's eyes went wide as he felt the tug of the Balance all fall down on his son. "SORAN!" He cried one last time before he knew... his son was gone. His eyes widened, now becoming white themselves as the Balance wrapped around him as well. Streams of light shot from his wings, the royal blood boosting the Balance's strength.

Everyone ducked and paused as the weight of the Balance was too much for their bodies to handle. If it got any heavier, their bones would shatter.

It lifted though, making wings flutter once again. Everyone looked back who could, seeing the strength coming from the Balance Fountain.
It was clear, through those eyes... that this fountain was the exact place that Xan had given his life for Norn. That this fountain was where his key was driven that one day and where the Balance was born. This was the fountain that held the first key... and that no one had known this until now.

The lights shot out, killing all the Darkness that was trying to take over this would. The blue haired man blinked, seeing that the never ending Heartless were gone and that the portal they were coming from had disappeared as well. He panted, the claymore dropping and disappearing. He looked over at Demyx, smiling softly with a nod.

The light wrapped around Xehanort and the key. The Balance knew that this key... was a fake.
And like all fake things... it could be destroyed much easier that the real.
World's End shattered, as if it was made of fragile glass. The old man clenched his teeth as the light wrapped around him, the feeling of his power being crushed from the outside in.

"AAAAAAAH!!" He cried out, his hand reaching up towards the sky. The light seemed to burn away at the Darkness that the man was made of. From his hand, the light burst through, shooting up to the sky. It exploded... but not dramatically. It was like a large firework, the sparks soaring through the sky... and making it blue again. The black clouds turned white as the sun returned to the cheery color of yellow.

The sparkles of light fell to earth as the sky cleared. All the burned trees grew back to health as the blood of the dead Shee seeped into the earth, the power becoming one with the Balance to heal its own wounds.

The light wrapped around the man more, his yellow blazing eyes looking right at Soran. "Damn you Shee...." He choked before he suddenly shattered, just like his key. The light purified all the pieces that Xehanort had become before disbursing and as fast as the pressure was applied, the Balance restored to Norn... and birds started to sing.


The sound of hammers could be heard from the new gates of the kingdom.

Brown wings fluttered as bricks were placed carefully and skillfully on top of one another, rebuilding the walls that divided the Wood from the population. Others building up walls to something more personal; houses.

White wings fluttered as the owners held hands and spoke the ancient tongue in prayers at each ancient fountain, calming the spirits of the Balance and putting the keys back to rest.

Green wings fluttered as the medic room and spare rooms were filled with injured Shee, all getting the best of care that one could get and equally. Children ran around, checking on their parents or friends as recovering patients started to walk and flap their wings again.

Red, dark blue and orange wings filled the streets, coming up with old blue prints and helping those who had lost so much as ice blue wings helped everyone stay calm as they ventured to their broken homes.

Yellow and purple wings gathered children and kept them happy as the adults took care of restoring everything that was destroyed.

Gold wing crafted strong metals for the water pipes that were damaged and clean, clear water was quickly restored to all the homes once again.

Pink wings reunited loved ones how had been lost and helped those who had lost their loves ones how to grieve healthily and how to move on.

Black wings took the dead and transported them all to the mountain where many graves were dug. Care was given when other helped fix the broken tombstones. Most of the black wings from Makatza had left, biding their farewell before departing to make sure their own village was alright.


Blue eyes opened, slowly looking up at another pair. The charm on his chest glowed warmly, the broken cross of passion. He smiled, seeing the brunette standing by his bed. He winced a bit as he tried to sit up and realized that his legs were numb.

It was the day after the battle.

"Terra..." He whispered softly as he reached up and ran his hand over the rough cheek. Tears of relief ran down his face as he realized that he, Terra... and Norn... was still alive and by the feeling of his charm, his brothers... including Soran... were safe.


Orange wings fluttered as they reflected off the clear waters of the fountain. Cloaks flapped gently in the breeze as two Shee sat on the fountain edge. Bread crumbs were tossed gently down, and the green and blue eyed Shee watched as the small fish started to nibble away.

A piece of the bread was broken and handed to the other. "Here..." A soft voice was spoken as he shared the last piece with his lover. Sharing wasn't so hard anymore... now that he found his balance.


Silver hair blew in the wind as aquamarine eyes looked down at the exotic flowers that were kept in the garden. He sighed softly before his head picked up, looking back to see someone that seemed to be the most important being in his life. He slowly stood, still wobbly on his feet as the brunette came close. Sora had stopped in front of them and they both looked at each other in the eye.

The silverette slowly reached down into his large pockets of his pants and pulled out a glass bottle with a note in it. "When your messages stopped coming... I decided to send you one too before I decided to just sail off to find you." He looked down at it and smiled. "I'd let you read it now... but I think... it has already been answered." The bottle dropped on the soft grass as he came closer, his lips softly finding those of Soran.

I'll find you, my prince... wherever your wings have taken you.


In the training yard, a yellow wing giggled as she watched her daughter from the stands. She had a cast around her leg and crutches were placed on the benches next to her. Lilo frolicked around the training ground as her father chased her.

The green eyes blinked as she looked up, seeing the shadows of an incoming Shee. She stood, getting her crutches and carefully hopping down towards her family... and the new comer.
Red wings flapped as the older Shee landed. Lilo ran to her mother's side and wrapped her arms around her waist as she looked up at the man she did not recognize.

The old leader smiled as he looked at his old apprentice. "Before I leave, I have something to give you." He reached into his cloak and pulled out a bag and handed it to Gin. On it, it read 'Fluffy Stuff'.
Firi saw it and couldn't help but giggle.
Volkan smiled before flapping his wings again. "Let's just call it a late wedding gift."

With that, the old leader turned and before he took flight, he looked over his shoulder at the family. "Sippai would be proud." Another flap and the red wing was gone, quickly meeting up with a black wing in the sky and their messenger hawk.


A huge hug made a blue haired woman squeak. She pushed her attacker away and growled before looking up... and realized exactly who it was.
Saix.
The boy that had saved her life... and was her only friend in the world when she was an innocent little girl.

The reunion seemed sweet, but in the background, two other males were glaring from jealousy. One with bandages all wrapped around both hands and the other holding a very worn sitar.

The yellow eyes man looked up, seeing the man who was missing an eye... and slowly narrowed his eyes. He could see right through him... seeing the beast that he truly was. His eyes widened, recognizing the beast. It was the same one that had wanted to eat Aqua when she was a child. The very one he had thrown rocks at.
He whispered to Aqua about the man... and all she could say was rude and sly marks that he was some pervert that hung around her and so on.

He learned under her tone though... that he had saved her countless of times... and if he hadn't been her secret admired after the night of the Heartless, she would of starved to death.

He nodded and slowly pulled away from her. "Well... I see that you have a guardian of your own... so... I hope you understand when I say that there is something else I must guard." He looked back, smiling at Demyx only to get a bright smile back.


A few minutes passed and both Dragoonians walked from the palace and down the road to where wooden boxes were being filled with the bodies of those who lost their life. Many were already gone... but one was still undecided.
An Atterian who had been badly burned.

A yellow eye looked down at the body, mangled and burned. He reached into his pocket, pulling out the wooden flute. Aqua watched silently as Xigbar just looked at it before taking it with both his hands... and breaking it in half. He dropped the pieces in the box and slowly turned away. "There..." He slowly started to walk off as he closed his eyes.
"Now no one will try and take it away from you ever again...kid brother..."

A portal opened and Xigbar looked back at Aqua, smiling slightly. "Let's go home."


Bells rang from the top of the palace, different from the usual ones. Wedding bells of course.
In the meadow, a wreath arch was covered in beautiful white flowers that were full in bloom. White wings stood around as purple wings played music and a very popular yellow winged Shee sang happily.

At the alter, a green wing doctor and a tanned red wing messenger kissed passionately as their arms wrapped around each other, the red string tied between their fingers.


The streets of Norn were busy. People buying flowers, clothes, food and goods for their homes as the bells filled there hearts with cheer. New peace treaties were filling quickly and more and more imports were helping the palace expand. Medicine was becoming richer as more goods and ideas were made.

The fountain was glowing, the Balance itself unchangeable.


Ocean waves crashed on sandy beaches as gulls cried over head. Destiny was experiencing yet another perfect day.
Shoes walked down the silent halls of the school as the rooms were full of kids still listening to their teachers. This didn't bother the silverette any. He had graduated today and high school was now over for him. He had passed the school's new course with flying colors.

Shee 101

The peace treaty was signed a year ago, the first treaty that one of the princes had made and Destiny was the first world to become a blue world as Shee had put it.

He walked from the school and down to the docks where he saw a very familiar person swinging his feet over the bridge. The older boy walked over, sitting down next to the other. He smiled as a tropical drink was handed to him and he took a sip. "Perfect as always..." He smiled more as he leaned in, tasting sweet lips of the Shee he had fallen in love with.


As the heir to the throne, one must look at that that he rules and tries to make it better. Homes could be heated better, teachers could teach more accurate studies, fishing could become easier with new techniques. Then there was new flowers to be planted from new worlds, more trees and animals in the Wood. New paths to unite the kingdom with Makatza and for trade to open.

For wings to hold back on their meaning and adjusting that not only purple wings could sing but so could yellow, or brown, or pink and blue!
The ideas were endless... but he couldn't do it all alone without the wings of change. The orange winged Shee.

"So... you really don't like these curtains?" A redhead tilted his head as he looked at the sheer white that were hanging in the princes room. He looked back, seeing the blonde shake his head and pout. "Too much sun, huh?"
He rubbed his chin and looked at the curtains closer before he snapped his fingers.

"I GOT IT!" He cried.
"Oh yea?" The prince tilted his head.
"YES! How about black curtains with hot rod flames coming from the bottom?"
"Axel...." The redhead suddenly got bonked on the head and the two laughed hysterically.

That was a guarantee that this palace would be full of laughter for many more years to come.


The king and queen smiled as the sat next to each other, reading a rough draft of their next peace treaty.
At the top... it read:
Atteris

The treaty wasn't everything they hoped it to be... but with the confrontations that the word 'Renki' had been outlawed and that bad mouthing would stop along with rough teachings, the Atterains agreed that they would no longer attack the Shee.

It was as good as they were going to get and just the first step to their long road of peace between the two races. This single treaty had never even been imagined... but with the strong belief of peace between the two lovers... it had been done.

But not without the help of their one son... and his lover.

Ventus's new body armor had been made, the style of a leader and the bands to prove him as such. There was a single hole in which one could see his scar. He wore it as proudly as title of royalty.

On the peace treaty, there was a small symbol on the bottom, one that would become a respected symbol between both Shee and Atterian.
The symbol was the silhouette of a Shee and an Atterian holding hands... the scale of their height measuring those of Prince Ventus, the other, Terra Tellis,

and all lived happily ever after.
The End