The Chasers: The Key to Memories Past

[Rikugurl]

A black sheet was spread across a vast canvas, small holes punched in it as light shined through it. A natural masterpiece, so perfect, it could not be done by the hands of man.
Two orbs were held in place, close together but oh so far a part, glowing colors of orange and red.

Their light brought life down to a city, almost as vast as the masterpiece itself. It too, a masterpiece of itself but with flaws. Flaws of man.

Unnatural lights shined as well, along paved highways that twisted and bends, twirling around themselves as moving objects with wheels powered down across them.

One in particular was driving off a ramp, heading through a forest of darkness, heading to the light in the middle.
A large house was under the masterpiece of the sky, built up high over the circle drive way in which people of all kinds were leaving. Dresses worn by women were as colorful as the the natural lights of this world as men walked them into the large home.

A seal on the doors showed the wealth and family history of those who lived here... but not everyone attending were close friends... but as a gathering.

The sleek, black car from the highway drove slowly as it entered the circle, stopping as it waited for it's turn behind other cars to reach the walkway to the house.
When it came up, it stopped and the back door opened slowly, a man stepping out as his brown eyes reflected the lights that beamed down from the house. The door was closed before the man in a dark grey suit walked around to the walkway but did not walk down it just yet. Instead he opened the other door, and offered his hand.

A delicate one took it, his strength helping her up and out of the vehicle gently. She was pulled close in a loving way, his arm wrapping around hers before the door was closed behind her and the two together walked down the way, the vehicle slowly leaving.

The two walked down the walkway, under the heavenly masterpiece in silence before coming to a set of marble stairs. They walked up them slowly, stopping by a pillar with a strange gadget on it.
The man walked forward first, blinking slightly as a laser shot out, scanning his brown eyes.

A name flashed under the gadget.
Sir Cassius de Andeuvilla the 2nd

The man pulled away, the woman stepping up next. Her brown eyes as well were scanned, a name flashing.
Lady Anzu Giouanus

She stepped down as well, the couple looking at each other in a smile before the doors to their right opened, the house welcoming them in. The man held out his arm once more, the woman wrapping her arm around his before the two walked in together...and the doors shut.


Inside was a whole new word on its own. A large welcoming room was before the couple. A large chandelier hanging above them, shining like the stars outside.
The seal of the house once again could be seen on the walls as people of all shapes and sizes, colors and races were held. Smiles and laughter could be heard, as some more serious subjects were called upon. The sound of harp music in the background set the setting of high class.

Women in white dresses walked around, handing strangers their drinks and some giving out food as if there wasn't enough food and drink on the many tables outlining the room.
The young couple continued walking, passing elders who seemed to know the business like the back of their hand as the women moved their expensive fans to give them air as the men pushed up their glasses and joked about the passing of time.

Some heads turned, looking at the brunette young man with the grey suit and the striking brown eyes as he walked a fair young woman in a beautiful green gown, her blonde hair done up in the most beautiful of curls, ribbons placed in as if an artist had spent many a hour to make it perfect. Her red lips and beautiful make up made her own brown eyes stand out as they continued up the stairs together.

Her necklace was her centerpiece, capturing the eyes of some people. It glistened like the chandelier and though they never had seen such a beautiful work of art, they knew that this couple was not only rich...or high class. They were of noble families.

Another large room was waiting for them as the stairs leveled, twisting up towards different wings that were not accessible to those who did not live there. The couple proceeded, eyes still moving to look at them, not recognizing the faces at all.

An older man in the back of the room, surrounded by portraits of men and women sitting or standing, wearing the fanciest of clothes and wearing the seal of the house.
His ancestors.
He was laughing, in a joy mood as he talked to his guests of the night. He loved Friday nights. Nights of Auctions.
People came from all over the world and even.... other worlds from the Connection.

An auction in which only those being invited were allowed to attend. Those of royal, noble or rich blood could attend, dance and eat.
His laughter calmed as he looked out, seeing the couple slowly walk towards him as they gave out small conversation to those who welcomed them.
The old man dusted himself off and made sure he was presentable as they finally made their way to him.

"Welcome, friends. I am sure you know who I may be, the lord of the manor and auction house." He smiled joyfully as the man in the grey suit nodded.
"Lord Ramos Rainsford, I presume." He spoke softly, yet his voice as strong as the bricks that made this home.
"Correct. I apologies if I'm wrong but I must guess that this is your first time here at Rainsford Manor. I could never forget a face of such a beautiful young woman." The man bowed, taking the fair woman's hand and kissed it softly, seeing all the beautiful rings and bracelets she was wearing.

The brunette man nodded before bowing slightly. "It is our first visit, your lord. I am Sir Cassius de Andeuvilla the 2nd and this is my fiance, Lady Anzu Giouanus. We are from the world called Sellick, our families being noble land owners and electrical company hires. In the spring, our families will finally be united by our wedding."
"Very well!" The man cheered. "I am glad you both could make it. Please, enjoy yourselves. The auctions will start in about a hour."
"Thank you and thank you again for your invitation."

"No thanks is necessary." The man added, but a gleam filled his eyes, grinning a bit. "But before you go, do tell me what on the item list are you hoping to win tonight."
The couple looked at each other, smiling lovingly before the man looked back at the lord. "We had our eyes on the auction of....the keyblade."

[Reno]

Brown eyes looked out the window silently as the car drove, the unnatural but beautiful lights shining through from the top of the covered world. Buildings built high sliced through the majestically rays, bouncing them in all direction but leaving their backs in dark, never-ending shadows like the unseen side of the moon.

This darkness could be feared did not light exist in-between it's influences. It is only human nature to fear the unknown, to desire the day when the monsters roamed at night. Embrace the sun, but curse the moonless night where not even the stars of the heavens were enough.

As the car drove, bumping only every now and then until it reached the higher class, roads having been repaved again and again until flaw is but a memory. The lights up above shimmered into the darkly-tinted window only to be eclipsed by various obstructions - so easy was it to block out the light, yet so difficult it was to remove that barrier. And after a while, one - whether it be by lack of will or just laziness - just gets accustomed to not seeing the light and merely allows it to stay.

The woman within placed her chin in her hand as the driver flawlessly lead them to a great estate, the building full of beautiful gardens and fountains, majestic arches, interesting statues but from white stone, black iron gates with pointed tops. It was, in every sense of the word, rich. The car stopped, barely moving them and the woman took a breath as he companion got out of the car, slowly lowering her hand. It was time.

As her door opened she placed a smile onto her lips, placing her hand so delicately in the other male's it was as if she were a queen asking her inferior to kiss it. She was easily lifted out of the car and, held close, they walked to the front door, her green dress flowing behind her making the trek slow-going. They reached the front door, going through the electronic measures and soon were given entrance.

Inside was a gathering few people truly ever saw. Unlike rancorous parties with drinking and screaming and Truth-or-Dare, the parties of the rich were more refined and quiet, almost droll and boring in nature. Waiters danced artfully between throngs of people talking in low, respectable voice, carrying calls of wine and hors d'oeuvres of fancy cheeses, deviled eggs and dumplings. Separate tables were set up for easier access, though most merely gathered around these tables and talked. In the background a beautiful song was playing - very distinctly the harp, instrument of the angels, with it's individual-chords drifting through. The harpist, however, was nowhere in sight.

Many glanced up at the entrance of the newcomers, critical gazes stinging from all sides. The two just continued to smile as they walked forward, feeling the pressure to make no misstep, to make the first impression the best or be forced to suffer the scathing remarks said behind one's back. In high society like this, words of scorn were often returned to you in the form of highly composed poetry with such a careful construct as such that at first read, would not appear as if you were being ridiculed at all.

Their were some whispers about the woman's childish ribbons and slightly thick make-up, some gasps over the choice of gray on the man and the slight slouch he had when he walked. However, not all comments were bad. Some wives growled at their staring husbands, some men stepped in the way of giggly women - there was no hiding that the newcomers were... different somehow. They were noble, obviously from the symbols, but the class around could almost feel there was something even more unique about them than that. Where ever they traveled from must be very exotic.

The woman on the man's arm continued to smile even as she noticed many moving out of the way for them, letting them pass without complaint or maybe even notice - a subconscious pulling away from the strangely powerful and influential - as they found the host of this grand and decorated social outing.

The woman blushed only minutely as she was kissed nodding to him and smiling. "Thank you for the invitation, it is quite a pleasure to be here." Her voice was soft and lilting, musical almost to the extent of putting the background harp to shame. As her partner bowed she made do with a graceful curtsy and let the two talk, leaning the brunette's arm and looking every bit of a delicate flower who would wilt at the slightest abusive touch. The minute the word 'fiance' was uttered, she looked up at the brunette, smiling up at him in the most adoring of ways. She was mostly for show - of course, all women were in environments like this. Patriarchs demand that woman remain inferior - even with such a tenacious power like aristocracy.

At Lord Rainsford last question however, the lovers could not help but smile to one another eyes gleaming secretively as Cassius announced their finding. After his words the woman looked over as well almost as timed as an actor in a famous and well-played drama, saying softly once more in her lyre-like tone, "It is such an unusual sounding item, is it not? It would be a wonderful adornment in the sitting room - something sure to catch the eye and spark conversation that could otherwise end in silence, Mm?"

The auctioneer respectively agreed to her words and after a dismissive word, they were turning around and back into the crowd. Already they had forgotten of the two as being newcomers, seeing as they slid over the marble floor as gracefully as the next.

[Rikugurl]

"Yes, yes. It is quite a stunning piece, if I do say so myself." The older name nodded, his eyes gleaming more from the sound of money in his pocket more than the actual beauty it held. "I heard that quite a few people were looking at this piece but I do wish you the best of luck." He smiled and bowed his head, stating that he was now done with this conversation. He needed to get back to others in which money was involved.

The brunette man nodded, bowing again. "Thank you, lord." With that, he and his beautiful fiance slowly parted, walking around the room, picking up small bites to eat along with some glasses of wine.

The lord of the manor, his grey eyes watching the new couple smiled. Many anew young, rich lovers had come to his auctions and lost all their wealth to him. The young were so easy, not knowing their limits once their eyes caught onto something. The appreciation of beauty was there, but the juvenile sin of greed was what made him rich.

His interest in the couple gave him a spark. If they left this manor with the keyblade and still a pocket full of money...they were worth another invention.


The minute hand passed around a circle once and the hour hand pointed to a new number. The harp music was given a master as the harpist was shown in the ballroom. Many people gathered in the ballroom, but also many did not wish to dance as their long, complex but shallow conversation ended and new ones began.

Those who did decide to come together and dance with their lovers, daughters and old friends. The music was subtle, with little movement but a flow in which emotions could come to life.
A pair of lovers, those who still had many curious eyes on them, were one who took up the dance floor.
Women commented on the remembrance of the love the young couple shared. The connection between them as they gazed into each other's eyes, looking in so deep in which it looked like they were admiring each other's souls.

Their fingers intertwined as they waltz close together, his free hand laid delicately on her waist as they moved as one. When she twirled, it was still so close to his warmth and when their hands clasped together again, he pulled her close, the back of his hand running along her soft cheek as their gaze came back. They moved their feet slowly was he leaned down, his face coming close to hers, their lips almost touching...

But clapping filled the room and the harpist's song was over, making the man pulled away. The delicate kiss...was never meant to be....

He smiled nonetheless and held out his arm for her to take before they followed the crowd into a larger room than any they had been in before, seeing rows and rows of chairs in front of a large stage. It was time for the auction to begin.
The fancy people found their numbers on the chairs, sitting down and whispering to those they knew as the harp music started once again, now through the speakers once more.

The young couple found their seats as well, finding that they were in the middle of everything. They sat down and got comfortable, the brunette reaching up and scratching his ear before pressing a small....button that was hidden under his locks. He pulled his hand back down before placing it over the woman's.


A tanned hand in the darkness reached up to a communicator, long fingernails brushing against her ears that resembled that of a rabbits. Hearing a beep...she knew it was almost time. She was hoping that plan A would work out smoothly... but if not, plan B would need her assistance.


Another pale hand reached out, hearing the beep as well. Purple eyes glowed next to a pair of green, these having a cat-like feature to him.
Signal Detected
The screen popped up, showing a type of currency. Plan A was in process.


The minute hand on the clock continued to move and one after another prized treasured, some soft clapping to though who won the bidding wars. More whispering could be heard close and some weary eyes continued to watch the couple, noting that they hadn't bid on a single thing.

That was when the next item was wheeled over...and a beautiful jeweled piece shimmered under the lights of the stage. It was decorated in the finest gems and in the shape...of a key.

"Bidding starts at 15,000 Munny!" The announcer started. "Do I hear 17,000? 17,000 from Orr! 17,000! 19,000 from Handel! 19,000! 22,000 from Ziegler! 22,--- 26,000 from Cyncad! 26,000!"
A button was pressed on the chair.
"30,000 from de Andeuvilla! 30,--- 35,000 from Handel! 35,000---"

The bidding continued, the room becoming quiet as they watched the faces of the participating bidders.
"260,000 from Orr!" ----
"560,000 from de Andeuvilla! 560,000! Going once, going twice--- 600,000 from Cyncad!"
A beeping could be heard in the brunette's ear, a frown growing on his face before looking down at the blonde woman.

"Going once! Going twice! SOLD to Cyncad for 600,000! Thank you for your donation, you may pick up your item at the end of the party! Next item!"

The auction continued, the couple not bidding on another thing...


"That is quite too bad." The old man smiled as he caught up with the young couple after the auction was done a hour later. "Maybe you'll have better luck next time. I want to thank you for coming."
The couple looked at each other before nodding. "It was our pleasure."
"Please, enjoy the last of the party and I hope I can see your faces again soon."

They spoke for not a few minutes more before slowly walking off, seeing some people walking toward the hallway in which they could pay for their winnings. The two...oddly headed for the window instead of a table or the front door.
The brown eyes looked out, watching the moons hang in place.
"It's such a nice night out...."

BOOM!!
A huge bang shook the manor, making men yelp and women scream as they were pushed onto the floor. The couple caught themselves quickly before the brunette smashed his arm against the large window, making the glass shatter.
"What's going on!?"
"What was that!?"
"Are we under attack!?"
Women cried as men looked around to find the answer. Chaos started as people fled everywhere, security coming in and helping people out of the house.

Some were even looking for the couple that were by the window but...they were gone.


The sound of an engine roared outside the window as the couple jumped down, landing on some sort of flying vehicle. A large net was engineer in holding a banged up case in the shape of a key. The couple held onto the bike like hovercraft as it started to zoom away, up from the forest and into the sky.
"WOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!!" The breeze whipped through their hair as they headed to a large ship that was hidden behind clouds, hearing gun shots down below as the guards realized what just happened.

Unfortunately, they were too late.
The Chaser's had struck.

As the bike came closer to the ship, a door opened in the back, large enough for them to land in.

[Reno]

The two went about the motions of common joviality; their gaiety as they spoke to other guests about nothing at all was just as uncontentious than the next conversation beside them. If there were any jokes they were clever and witty, disguised in the wordings of puns and irony or slanderous comments of others and laughing was a quiet affair, women daintily holding their hands in front of their mouths and men keeping their guffaws on a low key. Anything louder would of been awkward and gauche.

And of course, eating and drinking was an easy affair. The reason rich people had such small finger-foods was to lessen the chance of ruining their high-class, designer made clothing that cost hundreds sometimes thousands of dollars. Also, it was inelegant to eat a lot in front of mixed company, lest one looks like a pig from a farm. Drinking came of the form of aged wines and fine champagne, both poured in glasses so tall and thin their had to be less than an ounce of actual liquid within. Woman of course kept their pinkies out, while men held their glasses between their ring and middle fingers, hands curling likes devilish, possessive claws around the brittle glass.

There really was little art to acting in such a community as long as one knew the motions and gestures. Truly effortless.

Even when the clock struck the time for dancing, that took as little thought as the room before - at least for the women. As long as one was not asked, no real knowledge was needed. If one was well they merely had to follow the steps of the gentleman caller.

It was the flamboyant however that got attention. And no one could miss the noble couple that danced as fine as their status. Of course such a thing was to be expected - the noble had much time on their hands, making room for the arts. Painting, writing, dancing, music, archery, swordsmanship, and various studies including history, language and the sciences. They, especially in youth, did not have to work much for their gain they merely had to keep themseleves occupied lest go mad from boredom.

Poets especially watched the couple with contemplative eyes - as if gauging if they would be excellent subjects for their next prose. They watched attentively at the love they seemed to share, at the way her dress furled and her curls bounced, at the way his steps glided and his mouth smiled. One poet in fact was writing on a pad as these words are being written. If one were to gaze beyond his shoulder or lean just slightly closer, they could of red the words being written upon the fine white parchment:

Dancing perfectly in time,
Romance of the deepest sublime.
Moving like black waters;
The Gentle-man never falters.
Gliding like jade
Masked; O' that fair maid!
Fake lovers: Of which outside emotions seem true,
but in the hearts of 'reality' they knew,
their love could never burst out and be,
because only as brother-and-sister do they See.

Soon the song was done - the timeless kiss like the lovers of the Grecion Urn forever striving but incomplete. The couple only smiled, as if their was nothing missing at all, as if their love and beauty could last forever, like a moment in time only photographs could catch. And out the door they walked once more, back into the foyer where it was now set up and ready for the auction. Everyone found their numbers in an orderly manner and once everyone was seated the auctioneer greeted them once more and began.

Each piece came on to the stage one by one, a small description being uttered on each artifact's behalf. Little paddles with numbers written on them were raised as people respectively called their price and never got competitive or spoke over another as they outbid each other. It was all so very simple and quiet and one watching from outside would be shocked over how it seemed as if people were not spending hundred-thousands of dollars on simple decorative pieces.

Beautiful artworks of pastoral, religious, urban, country or western scenes were all shown and auctioned away quickly for high prices - probably more than they were worth. Vases and other pottery that had been crafted long ago and were still undamaged and unscathed were also gone within moments some being sold to museum owners, others for people's personal aesthetic pleasures. Books with authentic signatures or the original manuscripts of famous authors also hit the high marks, each page showing no wear or tear, not even a wrinkle on each leaf. Jewelry of every kind with gems of various rarity passed as well - diamond necklaces, pearl bracelets, emerald rings, platinum anklets, ammolite earrings. Their were many other interesting knickknacks bartered off - candle holders, tea sets, old-fashioned cars, miniature models of automobiles, dolls, there were even a few animal companions sold of the rarest and utmost pure breeds.

But finally came the piece the couple had been waiting for. A jeweled weaponry piece - certainly not the first of it's category to go swords and daggers and knifes had all also been sold over the waiting period - but certainly once of the most unique and stunning. It glimmered, showing off it polish, under the lights and the many jewels gleamed brighter than any engagement ring. It was so stunning many woman gasped in joy and wonder and many men grimaced in pain as their ladies turned their pleading, wanting eyes on them. Everyone knew such a fine piece would go for much - it might even be the most expensive artifact yet.

In the end it between five bidders it went for 600,000 - making some men hang their heads and wives sigh unhappily. Only the winning couple had anything to cheer about. The noble couple however took their loss in silence, the woman still keeping up a smile as if it did not matter even as they did not attempt to buy another thing - not even some very nice and easily won jewelry pieces.

The auction finished shortly thereafter, the couple engaging with the host once more. The talk was short, the undertone of farewell there. Lady Anzu gave another curtsy to him, smiling as she spoke softly. "It will be a stimulating experience to return. Thank you again for the invitation." Arm and arm they left the man, only to pause at the window and stare outside, as if looking for some deeper meaning in the night.

Until a large explosion burnt the perfect little party to depths of hell. Panic rose, screams echoed, and everything people worked to guise up turned to naught. Many ran for the doors, pushing and shoving, cursing at once another. Order was broken and chaos ruled. In the end, the rich were still human and, no matter how often they tried to disguise it, were just as bestial and violent as a peasant who fought for his supper. No one noticed when the gentleman and lady jumped from the window - but if they had, many would be horrified at the obvious mad suicide.


What the unseeing and blind rich did not know was their was more than just the ground waiting underneath - but a bike hovering above it giving them a safe landing point. And on the bike, the lady, once so proper and prim, started to cackle, high on adrenalin and success. "Al-fucking-right!" She cheered just as the bike revved and burst towards the sky, a cloud trail followed behind them like a jet stream. No one was able to stop them but everyone, absolutely everyone, knew who they were.

The Chasers were no universal secret. They made sure to make a name for themseleves and to glorify their purpose of ridding the universe of all evil that is brought from within the darkness of one's heart and powered by the sway of the Keyblade. This group garnered as much respect as a league of heroes as they did the reputation of a gang of ruffians.

In the sky, half hidden by clouds and darkness, a ship came into view, a large metal piece opening like the gates of heaven. The driving biker had no trouble at all leading her hover machine to the doors and the tires squealed some as they touched down, sliding along the metal of the interior until the three on board stopped.

The three stepped off, the male holding onto the jeweled piece as the woman stretched in a very lady-like way. "Thank the gods that's fucking over." The doors behind them closed as the ship started to ascend quickly through the clouds. The three glanced at one another before walking towards the pilot's lounge, finding the green-eyed teen running the ship, a boy silently sitting in the seat beside him.

The woman walked over, hitting a button. "Mission complete. Re-entering space now. Will reach rendezvous point in 3 point 7 minutes." She chirped.
"It's about fucking time, Luci." A little screen to the far right popped up on the monitor that was giving an outside view of the world. She had a sour expression on her face, paling blue hair framing her heart-shaped and aged face. There was a nasty scar going down the left side of her face and through the ear but was half-hidden by her hair.
Name// Aqua Umi
Age// 49
Chaser// 3
Stance// Leader of Gen 1|| Scouter

"Ah, but Aunt Aqua, you wanted us to practice on our infiltration and acting skills. I think Gunnar and I passed with flying colors." She announced, waving to herself then to 'Sir Cassius de Andeuvilla the 2nd' behind her. she even, for laughs, gave a exaggerated curtsy.
Name// Lucina Almasy
Age// 23
Chaser// 7
Stance// Leader of Gen 2 || Pilot

"Maybe so, but you are also missing three members of your team." Aqua scoffed. "If something had gone desperately wrong you would not have as much back-up as usual."

"I fail to see how two are of our error." The green-eyed teen spoke up in a calm, passionless voice. Though he looked young, he spoke with a great maturity that seemed beyond his years. "By the nature of your binding contract, is it not the parent's job to keep her nestlings in order?"
Name// Kadaj ???
Age// Unknown
Chaser// 18
Stance// Neogotiator of Gen 2

Luci glanced at the man beside her before grinning to the woman in the screen. "Ah, do you miss Ten-Ten auntie?"
"Tch, are you kidding? I'm glad that whiny brat is off with his whiny other half screaming their lungs out with some poorly-down music. Maybe when he comes back my ears will be spared from his nonsensical gabbling. Only been a year and already he's driving me nuts." She huffed, crossing her arms. "So, did you actually obtain a real Keyblade this time or is it another counterfeit? Because if it is I- GAH!"

The woman was cut off suddenly by a hand pushing into her face and shoving her out of the a picture. A new one came in, this one male with short blonde hair pulled away from the face, making the scar slashing between his eyes overly evident as if he took pride in it.
"Don't listen to that codger! Princess, tiger, you two did great!"
Name// Seifer Almasy
Age// 47
Chaser// 5
Stance// Pilot of Freyr

"SEIFER, YOU OLD SON OF A BITCH!! And did you just call me an eccentric old MAN?!" Came the off-screen rage.
"Sure did!" Seifer said with an innocent smirk.
Lucina couldn't help but smile and giggle.


"This was the secret place. Well, it wasn't actually secret we all KNEW about it, but Sora, Riku and Kairi liked to pretend they were the only ones who knew about it." Said a man with dirty blonde hair that fell messily atop his head, as he easily walked through a small cave halls into a large cavern. Ever since the dreadful tsunami years back, the path to reach the hollow inside had widened, making it accessible to adults. He was obviously aged by many years, his hands were coarse and callused from working hard with his hands over many years. He was known as Tidus Ankhuli, the town's home-builder and surfer.

Walking beside him was a beautiful blonde maiden, with an eerily familiar face and light blue eyes. Tidus would also say she was the spitting image of her mother, Kairi. She wore mostly white, and her steps were careful even as she rolled her eyes and mumbled that she had heard this story before, smiling in amusement.
"Ah. I know I know, I was saying it for Ember!" He waved behind him, towards a little fox-cat that was hopping along after them. It was a Moombuncle. After their daughter had gone off to live into space and two of their very good friends, Sora and Riku, had passed away, he and Kairi had gotten rather lonely - and many past years ago adopted one of the little critters that their distant friend, Axel Xipil had been breeding. It was a cross between a lion that could spit flames and a fox that could hear injuries.

Theirs was more like the lion half in build - and also she could stand on two feet - though not walk, only hop. She had big paws and a long tail with a bushy, colorful end. She was mostly orange, red and yellow only with very faint flecks of green, but her face was more long, her eyes were bright blue and diamond-shaped and her ears long and triangular like the fox's. She had neither healing abilities nor any fire abilities... not exactly at least.

The cat-fox blew softly, a little burst of sparks shooting out and popping out of existence like a fireworks display. They were harmless, having such a low temperature that they could never catch on fire. It was just a fancy show.
"Oh I know, let's call her Sparkles!!"
"Sparkles?!" Tidus paled, looking at her red-haired wife. "You've got to be kidding."
"What's wrong with Sparkles? She blows out little stars!"
"Ugh... what's WRONG with sparkles?" Tidus waved a friend. "Oh hey Wakka come meet my new pet. Her name is Sparkles! Ugh, he'll never let me live it down!"
"Oh you big baby!"
"Come on, can't she have a tough name? Like Flame? Or Spark? Or... or Ember?!"

The woman beside him giggled, saying how no doubt Ember had heard all the stories too.
"Maaa.... you're probably right." The blonde sighed but grinned, Ember dashing past their legs to sniff at the cave walls. He was glad his daghter had come to visit. She was already so grown up... "So, anything new?"

[Rikugurl]

The bike skidded to a halt, hearing the large doors behind them close. It didn't take the Generation II Chasers very long to get use to their new ship, Magne after Balder was destroyed.

Odd looking shoes, high heels with claws on the tip hit the cold steel floor as she turned off the bike. She was slightly higher than both, though her long, rabbit like ears made her look even taller. Her skin was a tan, maybe a shade darker than the late leader of the Chaser's. Her one ear bent as she looked back, grinning at her leader. "I'm glad you two didn't cock up, that would of gutted the chiefs."

Name// Bonnie Bunansa
Age// 20
Chaser// 20
Stance// Tricks of Trade

Her British like accent following the two 'lovers' as they walked into the next room.

When the three walking into the room, she frowned, seeing a younger blonde sitting in her seat.
"Oi! Bugger off, Sammy!"
The blonde looked up, his purple eyes having an eerie glow in the dark as he scrambled up and let her sit down.

Name// Samael ? ? ?
Age// Unknown
Chaser// 19
Stance// Repairs

The boy swallowed, looking over at Lucina, his leader, and smiling softly. He always thought she was really pretty... As for him, his looks had changed drastically within the year. He had lost mostly all his baby fat in his cheeks and figure, being more of a handsome young man with dirty blonde hair and a thin frame.
Now, it was even harder to pin point his age, no longer looking 14 but now maybe 17.

Tensai still wasn't able to figure out the truth, for the mysterious Chaser never wrote any more symbols like the ones they had found him with that day they picked him up. When he started to learn how to sign, it seemed like he didn't understand what Tensai meant by age.
"How many years have you been alive?"
The blonde just shook his head.

"HAHA! Thanks dad!" The brunette man grinned, leaning over Kadaj's chair as he looked into the camera. He held out the keyblade, showing how overdone it looked. "I'm sure either Tensai or Roxel can help us with the name."

Name// Gunnar Almasy
Age// 22
Chaser// 8
Stance// Scout Patrol Leader || Second in Command of Gen 2

They said their quick goodbyes for it was getting late, the young, handsome man pulled away. His suit no longer seemed to look right on him. "Well, let's go pick up the brats on Calandra and head back home for...." He paused but smiled. "Chirstmas."

He looked around the room before placing the keyblade in a seal like dome on a nearby table. The only people that could put it in the room where they were sealed off was a keyblader...and seeing that they were jerking around instead of being serious, they would have to wait until they picked them up.

"Good job, everyone!" With that left, walking down another hall and towards his room.


The back stage was hot and cluttered, the sounds of the crowd cheering in the background as glitter fell all over them could be heard.
Performers and the like were panting, laughing and sweating as the concert just ended. It had gone great and everyone seemed really pleased!

They even had an encore!

Among the performers were a set of familiar ones, sweaty but excited with still tons of energy.
"WOOOOOOOOOOO!" A redhead with fire blonde burned tips cried happily as he shook his thin hips.

♪"I go ooh ooh, you go ah ah
lalalala alalalala~"♪
The sang was he walked backstage and was hugged by some girls.

Name// Roxel Xipil
Age// 18
Chaser// 12
Stance// Weapons Bed Keep

"YOU WERE AWESOME ROXEL! And you too, Tensai!" Another girl hugged the boy coming in after the thin teen.
"Yea! I love your new single! It's so catchy and romantic!
♪ So where we are,
under the stars,
so here we aaaaaaaaare!
Together, we can go....so faaaaaaaaaar~~"♪
She giggled as she bounced.

"Thanks! You were pretty awesome too, Shenny!" The blonde laughed, panting slightly from being on stage as his long hair fell in his face that had some piercings in it. A happy yp came in and all the girls suddenly rushed to an odd looking creature that everyone knew so well.


The woman smiled as she slowly walked down into the dark tunnel, seeing how the water had carved deep into it. It was a real shame, she could tell that there had been cute pictures drawn on the wall. She always had a secret passion for drawing and did all the sketches that were needed for missions.

Name// Naminé Ankhuli
Age// 24
Chaser// 16
Stance// Scout Patrol || Item Keep

When her father asked the question, she smiled softly. "Ok, I guess. Roxel and Tensai have gotten really popular but I'm sure you've seen it in the magazines mom gets." She sighed softly and shook her head. "But no one else is really happy about it...especially Gunnar. But...I'm glad I'll be able to see them again when they come back this week! Christmas always brings us together no matter what! I'm just glad... they understand how easily home sick I get." She giggled before noticing a messed up drawing near one that seemed to be still in tact.

It was of a boy looking happy with a paopu fruit. "Is that suppose to be Sora?"

[Reno]

Seifer smiled as his son came over, showing him the Keyblade. He rolled his eyes but wasn't really surprised over how over-decorated and rich-looking it was. Over the years he had discovered that Keyblades will land in specific areas based upon it's make and type. Jungle Keyblades, for example, landed in places like Deep Jungle, Dragoon's wind region, the Evil Forest. He really hated the later - petrification was a problem. And some of the people there were weird... they had tails coming outta there asses.

"Yeah, no doubt." He added before nodding. "There's a lot of traveling to do tomorrow. It's late you guys better get some rest."
"WAIT A DAMN M-"
"Gotta go!" Seifer waved and as the younger Chasers yelled a quick goodbye his screen fizzled out.

Kadaj raised a curious eyebrow as a few others around him laughed. He smiled some, trying to pretend to be amused - but what was the hilarity of the situation? He would have to give it some deep thought tonight before bed...

Lucina glanced back at her brother, hearing his tone. Tensai and Roxel had been AWOL quite a lot lately. It really wasn't a surprise to her though - not after a year ago, shortly after Terra and Ven's deaths, when Aqua asked if anyone wanted to retire... and both teens nearly gave up their Chaser symbols. This was obviously not the duty they wanted to have.

But their keyblades had stopped them. No except Aqua and Roxas really understood what had happened that day...

"Alright..." Aqua asked, looking around at the still grieving faces of both generations. "I'm all of you have noticed as more connections open between the worlds the darkness also gets stronger, more dangerous. This was an issue Ven, Terra and I discussed a few years ago actually. Terra believed it was because the more connected the worlds got, the more readily darkness could call upon its' forces and create more powerful heartless or corrupt more powerful Keyblades. But, you've all seen what ridding the world of a Keyblade rotting it's heart has done for the people living their... and what happens when we fail."
Everyone looked away, remembering the water world as well as the next.
She sighed slowly. "Rant and Rave... they were bad. They nearly single-handedly killed four keybladers... and our close friends. But... they aren't the worst. I guarantee you they aren't. When each of you joined, all of you were aware that death was possible - yet not having seen one of our own die yet on the field maybe things more comforting. Made everyone more confident. I don't think any of you worried about that really." She leaned back, her eyes serious. "I want you to worry now. Terra and Ven are dead, Sora and Riku are dead. All four of them had been exceptional in skill and power; had fought darkness for YEARS and suddenly... two kids come along and gut them all."
Everyone winced again. She nodded. She was scaring them, good. "Think hard about what exactly you all are getting yourselves into. Then... if you decide to hand in your Chaser badge just remember it is not a sign of cowardice or anything any of us will look down on you upon. Everyone deserves a chance at a real life and real happiness; one that's free of worrying if you'll be seeing the next day's sunrise. You don't have to answer now, come to me at any time. Just think about it." She stood suddenly. "You're all dismissed."
Everyone nodded slowly, standing up and started to split up. The blue-haired woman sighed and turned, walking to go back towards her room for some quiet.
"Aunt Aqua!"
"A- uh mom!"
She paused and looked around. The various Chasers did as well, all of them looked back in surprise. The two teenagers stopped by the woman. Tensai was looked ashamed and Roxel a little relieved as they reached for their symbols.
...But then they just stood straight, their bodies rigid as if they had been struck by a thunder attack, wordless but slightly pained. There was a long pause then...
"Nevermind..." Roxel whispered.
"S-Sorry..." Ten added, glancing at his best friend before the turned and raced towards the ramp towards the other ship.
Aqua merely watched them, her eyes dark but sad with understanding.
"What happened?" Luci heard Uncle Axel whisper to Uncle Roxas. She looked around, but no one else could hear them.
"The keyblades won't let them quit." The blonde said, his voice full of sorrow and pain for his son.
"Why not?"
"Because when your a blader... you follow your destiny to death."
"Roxas... what about you?"
"...we'll be okay." Roxas smiled at the red-head. "Because I've got you." There was never a better time to not be a Keyblader than there was right then.

After hearing that... she became much more lenient on the boys. She knew Gunnar was confused about her actions - in fact many of her crew had complained about her favoritism to the boys especially when on many of their missions they needed them to place the blades in the vaults and check to see if they were even real (that was becoming more of a problem, blacksmiths all over wanting to copy the beautiful designs of keyblades), but she couldn't help it. The two best friends... were never going to have a normal life. They might never have any more chances to do what they really wanted to do...

They might not even be as lucky as their fathers to even live to their thirties, let alone fifties.

Aunt Aqua understood what she was doing though. She didn't much like it either, since the boys learning nothing goofing off as they did... but she was grateful for the gestures all the same.

She sighed shaking her head and nodded to Kadaj, "You got it?"
"Mmm..." The silverette just hummed in affirmative. It was scary and unnatural how easily he had learned to drive the ship - without any instruction at all. He merely had watched herself and Gunnar go through the motions time and time again and one day, when she was too sick to drive, Kadaj rather than her brother had taken the pilot seat and drove the airship like a damn natural. Fuck it took her YEARS to learn all the steps and just by WATCHING her he suddenly knew everything.

But now, especially in these times, it was kind of a relief. "Alright good, then I'm getting out of these ugly rags." She said before turning on her heels, heading for her room as well, not commenting as Sammy followed after her.

Kadaj tilted his head, then glanced at the bunny woman in the corner of his eye. "What does 'cock up' mean?"

She was not the only one with fantastic hearing.


There was a deep sigh admitted as a black-haired male, highlighted an unnatural copper-red and falling into his eyes, walked back stage, feeling exhausted and sweaty after their show. He smiled at his friend's obvious enthusiasm - where did he keep all that hyperness? - and looked up when he heard some happy and congratulatory cries. He was careful to keep behind his friend, unnoticed so the fiery teen could accept all the hugs. Not because he didn't want them but just because he knew Roxel deserved them more.

Name// Tensai Tellus
Age// 17
Chaser// 10
Stance// Translator

Unfortunately for him, a few still sneaked through. "YOU WERE AWESOME ROXEL! And you too, Tensai!"
Yeah... he was used to that. As if he were an afterthought and certainly not as grand as to deserve the over-active/loud/annoying scream-yell as Roxel did. Even his pet was getting more attention than him!
He sighed, exasperatedly, as he hugged some of the girls back, murmuring his thanks. They must of heard his missed keys too - even if Roxel had said it was ONLY two and no one noticed at all - the musically inclined certainly must off. It didn't matter if they had never seen their music sheets...
Fuck he worked his ass off to get those notes right, he worked his ass off just to understand the god damn notes, but even still he-

Roxel looked back at him. All smiles, and Tensai was quick to put one on his face as well. His friend didn't need to know of his distress. He grabbed his friend's shoulder, tugging him along. "Let's grab a drink!" They had to take good care of their throats after all.

In the middle of the throng of girls, the fox-like lion smirked as he was pet and cooed over and loved of so much. His tail twitched in pleasure at a particularly well-placed scratch under the chin. Ah that hit the spot.

Name// Moxley Tellus
Age// 12
Chaser// 17
Stance// Healer || Scout Assistant

He let the girls continue to spread the love - until he noticed his two masters escaping away towards the refreshment and food table. He yipped and slid between the girls feet, hurrying after.

Tensai was grabbing up two cups of water, holding one out to his friend. The duel red-and-blonde haired boy made a face, trying to look for something with taste. "Not-uh you know the rules Xel!" Tensai berated. "One cup of water after a show to keep your throat hydrated - than you can drink whatever you want." He wasn't being mean - just practical. The other pouted a little, but took the cup.


"Yeah definitely." Tidus sighed as well but smiled. Their fathers would of been so proud... all four of them. At the mention of Christmas though he couldn't help but feel excited. They were having it on Destiny again... it was really and truly the only time anyone ever relaxed and had fun. It worried him over how much stress his little girl had to deal with every day...

His head tilted though when he heard Namine's inquiry, looking towards the picture. "Oh... yeah it is." He smiled, though a small jealousy was in his eyes. "When Kairi and Sora where really little they came in here and drew a picture of each other." And knelt down, running his fingers along the snuffed out scribbles that looked like white eraser marks on a chalkboard. "This was Kairi at one point... Later on they drew the paopu fruits when they started to like each other but well..." He looked at his daughter and grinned. "You know what actually happened. Sora went tripping over Riku and I caught your mom. I don't think anyone actually ever came in here and changed the picture though..."

Ember yipped as she bounced about the cave, jumping onto roots and popping her head out the hole at the top of the ceiling. She could see through the tree roots to the ocean beyond. What an exciting view! She landed back on the floor, sniffing around some more, breathing out little sparks to light the cave some. Her sharp eyes caught something gleaming between two rocks. She yipped excitedly, running over and trying to get her paw in-between them.

[Rikugurl]

Samael smiled as well, he too not too sure why something was so funny but... the emotion that filled the room...that made him smile. His purple eyes widened as he saw Luci walk off, quickly following her down the hallway.

When they reached their room, they walked inside and the door closed. Even with the new ship, it was nice because...it was a very close model to their last one...and seeing that everyone seemed ok with their living quarters and the people they shared their room with (with exceptions with Namine and Bonnie), they decided to keep them.

So, Samael still slept in the same room as Luci.
Slowly he sat down on his bed, pulling off his shirt. He knew it was getting late...more so that it was that time of the day that people slept. The real difference between him and Kadaj was... he actually...physically changed and wasn't so much a quick learner. He was more on the curious side... like...he didn't know what anything did. Like a tooth brush or books or why changing when going to bed.

Where had these two...come from?

The purple eyes watched the woman as she started to get un-dolled up and started to change into her night wear. They weren't perverted eyes but... a small blush ran over his features. When she finally turned to him, he was able to communicate the only way he knew how. His hands.

Tensai had spent many hours teaching him how to sign because his vocal cords didn't seem to work. Well... actually... when Samael went to his first doctors exam, the doctor came to a conclusion that some people kind of knew but still found a bit shocking.
Samael wasn't human. He might look and act human, walked and breathed like a human but the purple eyes always gave it away.
What the doctor explained was that Samael's throat was very different.

He had the tube that went to his stomach that was the same as any human but...another, smaller tube, detached and coiled around his heart and then to who knew where. Along this extra cord seemed to be several different...vocal cords. What they were for and why he had them...was as mysterious as the boy himself.

Before Tensai could even teach the blonde how to sign...he had to figure out what language sign he should use. English was probably the best and seeing that Samael sort of understood it, that was what he picked. Then, he not only had to teach Samael how to use it to communicate, he had to teach everyone else how to understand it.

It was...a long process.

"You looked nice tonight." He signed with a soft smile on his face.


Golden like eyes slowly rolled, looking at the silverette as she lounged back in the chair. Her dirty blonde hair fell in her face as her ears moved slightly. "What do you mean by...oh.....right...." She paused as she closed her eyes, thinking of a word that he might understand. "It means like... mistake, you say?"

The silverette nodded before she leaned back more, seeing a world coming up slowly. There were the boys...
"I don't see why I gotta go to this bloody Christmas. Everyone has a jolly time while you, Sammy and I just stand around pissing off when we could be scrumping for more Keyblades. Then again, you dimwits don't know a bloody thing that's going on..."


Roxel waved when Tensai pulled him over to a table that had water, water and more water on it. "Oh man! I want something with a little flavor Ten---" He stopped and sighed as the other handed him a glass of water. He took it none the less and drank it all in one gulp before panting and wiping his lips. "Aaaaah...."

He was just about to grab another cup when he felt arms around his neck and pulled him close. "Roxel! You did great out there!" A man said, grinning as he rubbed the boy's sweaty hair before pulling away. He reached into his back pocket and handed him a rather thick envelope along with a large pouch. "Here's your munny, and more tour dates for when you ever come around here again."
"Awesome! Thanks so much Phil!"

As the two talked, a orange hair girl leaned over Tensai. "Hey Ten~" She blushed as he faced her, before handing him a pad and pen. "Can I get your autograph?" She asked with much perk, seeing him take it and handed him a pen. "I'm reeeeeeeally glad that you could join the concert tonight..." A sweet voice escaped candy pink lips as she blushed more.

When she was handed back the pad, she winked. "Please tell me you're not busy tonight... maybe we can....you know....go back to my place for awhile? I have some left over Chinese that I need help eating~ Moxley's welcomed too!"


Namine couldn't help but notice her father's old jealousy come up. She knew how much he always wanted to be with her mother when he was growing up and he kept thinking that either Riku or Sora would end up with her. He said it was a miracle that he actually got her.

"Yea...I think everyone was a little too busy to come back and fix a picture." She smiled more but blinked when she heard a yip. "What is it?" She asked as she turned was walked over to Ember's side, seeing something shiny as well. She reached down, and with some careful pulling and some manoeuvrings, she was able to pull out a long, chain like thing.

She studied it, seeing all the dirt and grim it had collected but... she could still see...the crowns.
Crowns...?
"Hey dad!" She called over before showing it to him. "Was this Uncle Sora's?"

[Reno]

Lucina hummed as she kicked off the high heels - damn were her feet going to hurt - and carefully pulled the dress up and over her head, throwing it into the laundry chute. Next the stockings and her bra followed before she snatching up a nightgown and threw it over her head.

She did all this without even flinching over the blond-haired boy behind her. She didn't know why she had grown so comfortable when undressing in front of the other - maybe because Sammy never seemed to react at all... or when she had he had been just a kid to her. Sure he was obviously a lot older - he had gone through a hell of a growth spurt in the past year. And each time they had bought new ones for him they had to go shopping AGAIN that was how fast he was growing.

Everyone was a little relieved when his stopped growing so damn much - it had really been cutting into their expenses. And patience.

"Well he could just run around naked like he first did when we taught him about the shower." She had said. everyone decided the alternative was better, though annoying.

Of course maybe a good portion of her fear had been because of their discovery one fine afternoon in the hospital. That Sammy wasn't a human. It didn't really shock her... though it was unsettling, the eyes had given it away.

Of course, Tensai had oddly colored eyes and he was human - or of course they THOUGHT he was human. He had grown up human - god only knew if he wasn't.
And then their was Kadaj who... was obviously either very troubled or not human - his eyes were a by-product of Mako. But, no one really knew about his history. Whenever asked all he said was either he didn't remembered, didn't know or it didn't matter.

Lucina tilted her head at the blush and the signs, and then couldn't hold back a small smile. How cute. God was she glad Tensai had found a more effective way for him to communicate. "You think so?" She reached up, pulling out the barrettes holding her curls up in a fancy way. "Are you just saying that?" She asked curiously, wondering if he really understood what 'looking nice' meant.


Cock-up meant mistake. Huh... interesting. And here he thought it meant erection. Maybe he took things too literally. He merely nodded, but when a familiar planet came into view he reached for the communicator. He pressed a button, sending a signal down.

At the other's comment though, he turned his head, raising an eyebrow. "We go because Christmas is a time to be together, stuff our faces with food and sing bad songs fuc-KING badly. At least that is what Gunnar informed me."

A pause then, "And I understand what's going on - simple fact is I have no interest. The worlds may die if they wish, it is of little concern to me."


Tensai chuckled some as Roxel downed the whole cup in one try. Jeez, he was as much of a pig as Uncle Axel! Like father, like son - right? He sighed, sipping his own and nearly jumped in surprise as someone jumped into view. A familiar someone.

His eyes narrowed just a tad at how buddy-buddy Phil was with Roxel. He hated Phil. Well... that was a strong word. But he greatly disliked Phil. He didn't like how 'friendly' the man was with his friend. He just screamed child molester. Not that... Roxel was a child or anything, though he certainly acted like it. Okay teenage molester.

He didn't mind being ignored much - though before he had known the man better he would not deny it stung a lot to always be given the blind eye to the other. It was always Roxel this and Roxel that. It made him jealous of his best friend for the first few concerts they had had...

But, he got over it. He was told he was like his father Sora in that respect - he had trouble holding a grudge and forgave pretty easily. ...Even silently. He was quiet like his father Riku in the respect that he didn't let Roxel know what was wrong. He didn't want to worry him. As for Terra and Ven... well he was pretty sure they gave him his potty-mouth, his easily spun anger and his possessiveness. Oh... and a love for muffins.

But anyways, he wasn't really mad after awhile because it was so OBVIOUS how much Roxel deserved all that attentive. He had an amazing voice, his passion was so true and easy to see, he was friendly and inspiring, he was an awesome dancer... he was just... p-

A voice he didn't known broke into his thoughts. He turned his head and rose his eyebrow in surprise as the girl standing shyly beside him. Whoa when did she get there?!

"Huh...?" He asked dumbly at the question. Autograph? He looked at the pen and paper for a few moments then - "Oh! Oh yeah!" He grinned, setting his cup down. Awesome, he didn't get to do this a lot. He took the paper, licking his lips in concentration as he signed his name. Got, and he thought printing English was bad? Cursive was like... a torture of hell. Seriously he could just picture little imps with pitchforks stabbing him in the back and cackling as they forced him to give his a's a more ovaly shape.

Therefore, he did his best to make his name with a flare but as close together as possible do she wouldn't notice he still couldn't do his T's or s'. He smiled triumpahntly as he handed the pad back to her, but blinked at the wink.

....Huh?
Was she... flirting with him?!
.....WHY?

His cheeks darkened a little at her question. "W-Well I uh..." Wait maybe it was a ruse. Maybe she was some psycho lady like that Lizzie Bourden chick. Course she just killed her parents... but still!

He opened his mouth, about to ask her if she had parents and if they were still breathing when he heard a beep in his ear. ... Oh...
"I-I can't..." He murmured slowly before nodding towards Roxel. "We gotta start heading home. Christmas is next week and all... and we have a long way to travel." Why did he sound sorry? He LOVED Christmas. The food, the presents - everything!

He shouldn't feel bad for wanting to be with his family...


Tidus chuckled at his daughter's response. He supposed not... especially since the picture wouldn't quite fit anymore anyways. Course, they could of always said that Kairi was Riku, he did have horribly girly hair.

However, he did glance back when he heard Ember yipping away. He rose an eyebrow - wonder what she found. His daughter was the one to hurry over and check though. Ah youth... he missed it so.

He watched her curiously, telling her to be careful as she started to yank at something. He heard a screech and a ping, then a rattling of metal as it was freed between the rocks. Ember's tail wagged excitedly, hopping as high as she could to get a better look, emitting a little noise each time she bounced so it sounded like "Yip - yip - yip!"

She blinked and hopped after as Namine started walking away. Tidus blinked before looking at what his daughter was showing him. His eyes widened a little and he reached for it. "I can't believe it..." He stared, before holding it up in the light. It was incredibly damaged from water - both salt and rain - and being in the cave atmosphere for so long. Probably a bit rusty...

But their was no mistaking the crowns. "Wow... damn, Sora much be rolling in his grave." He chuckled. He looked down at her. "He used to wear this all the time, along with that silly necklace of his. It was special to him for some reason - I dunno why. I don't even think HE knew why. Well anyways... when the Tsuami hit and took away Riku and Sora's home here, they had lost a lot of things including this. We had looked all OVER this island... or at least I thought we had. We all figured the sea took it away." He looked down at it. "Huh... wonder what we should do with it."

[Rikugurl]

The blonde blinked as the new question was asked, tilting his head in confusion. What did she mean? He frowned, slowly looking down...before just shaking his head. This was really starting to get hard. Learning a whole new language and way of life. Everything was so different. It was like...being born again.

Unfortunately, these people didn't communicate with emotions but....words. Words that he couldn't speak or know how to use. It might of been easier to understand him but...he didn't feel any relief. Was.... 'nice' the right word? The way he felt when he had seen her in the beautiful outfit...was that what these people called nice?
If only he could show her...in his heart.

He let out a voiceless sigh before laying in his bed.


Bonnie rolled her eyes as Kadaj started to speak. Either dictionary or Gunnar and low and behold, it was the latter. However, at his last note, her eyes slowly rolled to look at him. What a cold meaning...spoken as if it were nothing. How could he...?

"Ugh...." She growled before looking away. Why was she even here? She frowned, slowly getting up and leaving the room as the ship started to enter the new atmosphere.

She walked down a hallway, heading towards the kitchen. She knew damn well what Christmas was. Time to be with family and friends... but...she was so far away from her family...
It wasn't....the same without them.


The girl smiled, her eyes big as she hoped he would say ok. However, the look on his face made her pout... and then it was confirmed. "Awe... well....when you come back, maybe we can hang out? I'd really like that~" She giggled softly before winking to him again. "Well, have a merry Chirstmas and have a safe trip, ok cutey?"

She walked close and reached up, placing a kiss on his cheek before running off into a door nearby.

A blue and green eye narrowed, seeing what was going on.
"Roxel? ROXEL!?"
"Huh!?"
"Jeez, I know you have ADD but LISTEN! The minute you leave your Christmas get together, make sure you call me! I'll have some photo shoots on schedule so make sure you're ready. Ok kid?"
"Yea, sure." He frowned, seeing Tensai blush.
"Good! Now see yo later!"

The teen nodded before heading to his friend, grabbing his arm and pulling him to the docks. "Hey Ten-chan, did you hear that? We'll have a photo shoot when we come back!"
They slowly left through the back and headed to the port close by. This world was the world for concerts. No one really lived here except the staff. The rest was just concert halls and stages, ports for ships to land and some places to eat.

They could see the ship land already and sighed before stopping, bringing the black haired boy close. "Hey... you know.... I've been thinking. We should just... use the munny we earn to....to get our own airship! YEA! We don't need to keep giving our munny to Luci and Gunnar...I mean...it's not fair. We work hard for it!"


Namine tilted her head this way and that as she looked at the odd chain. What was it exactly? It couldn't be a necklace... it just didn't have that vibe to it. And...what did Sora use it for? It didn't have any clips on the end to make it useful...like a wallet chain.

She looked up at her dad as he asked the question before smiling.
"How about... we put it on his grave?"

[Reno]

Lucina watched him, seeing the conflicting emotions go through him. Heh, wasn't he cute? He still had so much to learn though. Or maybe she did - she had to remember not to over-complicate things with her womanly nature. "Don't worry you said it right." He was just trying to be sweet after all...

She chuckled and walked over ruffling his hair and giving him a little peck to the cheek. "Thank you." She said simply, before going back to her own bed, turning off the light and climbed into bed.


Kadaj smirked just a little as the rabbit left, easily taking the ship into the port of the world. He had learned over time that he could easily disturb people with his words. Humans and apparently bunnies were very faint of heart. And Yazoo had told him to never let his own go?

He wasn't really sure he wanted it. The cons outweighed the pros still. He did not see what was so grand about being 'human'. It was just acting on their part anyways.

He reached over opening the hatch and lent back, hearing footsteps as they asended into the ship.


Tensai blushed as he was given a kiss, squirming some. "Erm uh... yeah sure! M-Merry Christmas to you too..." He watched her hurry away, rubbing the back of his head. Shit.

Wasn't she... potentially a girlfriend? He wondered... what his parents would of said.

"Ah! Riku Tensai got his first girlfriend!"
"So?"
"SO! Let's celebrate."
"Okay, I'll make a cake with breasts."
"Riku..."
"Wait I'm not done! The nipples will be stop signs and I'll put 'abstinence' all over it."
"Okay, as long as it educational."

Terra wordlessly hands his only son a condom. "Use it well."
"Don't listen to him!" Ven shoves Terra out of the way. "Don't do anything fucking stupid damn it!"
"He's a teenager Ven, he's going to do whatever the fuck he wants."
"SHUT UP YOU ARE NOT FUCKING HELPING!"

"If you get her pregnant your life is over!" Aqua cried, pointing at her only child's face. "If you do I'll fucking DISOWN you, is that clear?"
"Aqua..."
"NO I MEAN IT! I don't want no squabbling, drooling baby grandchildren!"
"Don't listen to her." Fuujin patted her son on the shoulder. "Just try to keep it in your pants until the third date. And oh, use protection."

.... Why did all of those visions have to do with sex?
"H-ah!" He yelped as he was tugged by his friend, following after him quietly. "Oh uh... yay?" He said, regarding the photo shoot. It didn't really matter to him - any of the pictures anyone kept was for Roxel, not him.

Except that girl who had invited him back to her pl-
....Holy fuck. He had just talked himself out of SEX!

"I'm... so.... proud!" Sora bursts into tears.
"Guess we don't need the 'congrats on losing your virginity' cup cakes."

"FUCK YEAH!" Ven punches Terra. "I told you! My son's a genius"
Terra shakes his head. "Have I taught nothing?"

"GOOD! BECAUSE I WOULD OF CUT IT OFF!"
"Well if that's what you want..."

"Damn it!" He cursed under his breath before looking at the back of his best friend's head. He wondered how many times he had done it... Sure, Roxel always TOLD him he was a virgin, but he probably just didn't want to make him feel bad or something. There were those times he just... disappeared for an hour or so...

Moxley's ears twitched and he looked up at his master curiously. What had him so upset?

Tensai blinked as he was yanked closer, blushing some. "Errr..." He hesitated, "You think they'd let us? I mean I'm not really old enough... and our parents already don't see a lot of us as it is..."
The duel-haired teen just commented they could do it anyways.
"...Maybe." Tensai mumbled, walking up the steps to the ship with his best friend. That was if-

"Keyblade." Kadaj said, pointing behind him.
-That didn't stop them.
Tensai sighed some but smiled. "Hey where's the 'Welcome back' and 'How was your day?'"
"I really couldn't care."
Tensai pouted and shrugged to his friend before walking over to the Keyblade. His eyes widened, seeing the gems sparkling back up at him. And the blade itself - it had to be pure gold! He'd never seen one this ornate before! "Wow... Roxel come look at this one; it's beautiful!" God did he hope it was real or they'd get an earful tomorrow about how they weren't doing their job again and that they were lazy asses.

This was one of the reason's Gunnar was being such a bastard. As more worlds and connections opened up to one another, the word of the Chasers, the Heartless and the Keyblades became common knowledge. It had caused more problems than just fake keyblades though...

"Alright, everyone just get the supplies you need." Aqua called, glancing around the airship town. It was the same one... that Rant had died on many years ago. Everyone nodded and started to split up. Tensai smiled as Roxel started to drag him away - knowing they'd be putting their knowledge for no good cause.
"You know those Chaser people?"
Tensai and a few other Chasers froze and slowly turned his head, looking towards two teenage boys. Though they were obviously talking to each other, they were looking towards them - they knew exactly what they were doing.
"Yeah, what about them?"
"My dad said their leaders died a few months ago."
Tensai's eyes widened and he started to shake.
"Hmph, good riddance to the mongrels. They're all useless thieves and liars anyways and anyone who welcomes them is welcoming death."
Tensai remembered seeing red - hearing a screech of fear and a crunch of metal being buried into brick. When he should see again, he had the boy held up by his collar, his Keyblade buried right by his head into the wall behind him. "SAY IT AGAIN I FUCKING DARE YOU!!"
"Aqua, stop him!" Olette maybe?
"No, I think I want him to kill him." There was a pause then, "Alright, Alright. Tensai, he isn't worth it, let him go."
Tensai, shaking all over in rage, slowly did as he was told - but not before slamming his fist in the other boy's nose, hearing the satisfying crunch as it broke. "Despicable jackasses." He growled before turning and joined the other's once more.

He placed his hands on the shield, trying to feel a resonance from the blade.


Tidus smiled back and nodded. "Yeah, I think that's a good idea."

[Rikugurl]

The purple eyes looked up, seeing his leader as she walked over and kissed him. He smiled softly to her and watched her as she walked across the room. When the lights shut off, he sighed once more, closing his eyes so the glow to them wouldn't freak her out.

Sometimes...he wished he was....like them. That he could speak their language, be good at wielding a weapon or even understand the most simplest things.

If it wasn't for Terra leaving behind his library...he would still be lost.
Lucina put a lot of time into teaching him how to read. Tensai would if he could. So, Samael read in his pastime if Luci was on a mission without him. He would read what most humans would be feeling, doing, liking and disliking at this age. Something called hormones in which he wasn't sure applied to him. He could see it in Roxel and Tensai though.

Then there were mood changes, which he saw a lot in Lucina and Bonnie, along with...well...everyone. He learned that Namine suffered from something called....low self confidence and that Kadaj was a certain type of...what was described as a jerk.
It was all so interesting. Humans were so complex yet...so simple. They overlooked the smallest of things that mean the world.

Emotion.

If he wasn't reading about human's functions and other things, it was romance novels. That was one thing he could understand well. It seemed like he was full of...what humans call....love. Each time he read a new romance, he grew rather excited.
The one he was reading now had to be his favorite. It reminded him of someone. Someone that was close but...so far away. It was a monster who was in love with a human...but they could never be together.

Or...so they thought.

He opened his eyes slowly, peering out at Lucina as she laid in bed. He wished he could show her...


"Pffft! Who cares, Ten-chan? We can take care of ourselves, right? That's why we got keyblades. No one will mess with us!" He walked onto the ship, seeing that no one was up except the silverette in the pilot chair. Where was Luci?

He took another gulp of his water before throwing it into a trashcan, hearing the doors close and the ship starting to lift once more. When he heard Tensai call over to look at the new keyblade, the fire head could only roll his eyes as he walked down a hallway towards the kitchen. "Who cares! I'm S-T-A-R-V-I-N-G!"

[Reno]

Lucina just sighed contently, unaware of the turmoil her roommate was going through. Man, she didn't understand why she and Gunnar had to dress up so much - when it was just Terra, Ven and Aqua they always just jumped onto a world, took the keyblade and left. They didn't care if they were meddling or stealing, they just got the job done.

She wished it could be like that again...


Tensai turned away from the blade when he heard Roxel, his eyes darkening just a little. He cared! He bet if Namine was here, she would of cared too. Of course, Roxel didn't give a damn about anything but music and eating.
Stop it. He chastised himself. That's no way to think of your best friend. He sighed breaking the barrier and reaching for the blade.
Hidden Treasure
The sparkly blade left his finger tips and went to the vault, finding it's place. He turned and followed his friend, nudging him in the ribs. "Is your stomach all you can ever think about?" He teased.

Kadaj just moved the ship back into the stream of space, putting in their coordinates to match Freyr's so they would meet at the same place. The trip back to Destiny would take some time. He placed the ship in sleep mode, the lights still on across the ship dimming all as the burners and thrusters started to cool some, saving fuel. He switched it to auto-pilot before standing and going towards his room, ignoring the chatter of the others.

Humans.


"YIIIIIIIIIIIIIIP!"
"Yipyipyip!"
Heads turned as two strange creature that looked like a mix between a fox and a lion, dashed towards each other and collided playfully on the beach.
"Well it's about damn time!" Aqua growled, tapping her foot on the ground. Beside her was a familiar man with swirly blonde hair, smiling away.
"That is absolutely no fair Aunt Aqua, we were farther away then you!" Lucina laughed, as she stepped of the ship to the beach, being careful to walk around the playing pair of pets. They acted like they were pups again! "Where is everyone else?"
"Back at Kairi's helping her out."
Lucina nodded. "Oh. By the way we were passing Atteris and we got this weird signal..."

"Hey Luc, come look at this!" Gunnar called.
Lucina yawned walking from the kitchen with a cup of tea in her hands, not even minding Samual following after. "What is it?"
"Well, I was running over the traveler's log," That of course was their passage route. The sensor's that Seifer and Samual had built on the ship with Ven's old technology that was used for scanning nearby worlds and finding Keyblade resonance. "And well... look at this." He pointed towards the screen.
Lucina leaned closer, her eyes narrowed on the world list of connection to.
Atteris: Signal received. Keyblade: 0.
"...Why... would be getting a signal from Atteris if there is no Keyblade reading?"
"That's what I was saying. Do you think it's a malfunction?"
"Well..." She hesitated. It couldn't possibly be Quicksand - they had already re-obtained that Keyblade and Ven's Aero Maxim. Before she could answer though she felt someone tugging on her sleeve. She turned and Sammy started to sign to her quickly his eyes full of urgency.
'We have to go there.'
Lucina frowned before glancing at Gunnar. "How far to Destiny?"
"About ten minutes."
"Alright well, we'll talk to Aqua about it first."
Samual let out a breath of fruatration, signing again.
'We should go now!'
Lucina smiled and placed her hands on his shoulder. "Hey calm down we WILL. We don't even have the fuel to make it back anyways."
The teen frown but nodded in resignation.

"Yeah we got the same signal." Aqua said. "Of course we actually had TIME to stop and check things out. We didn;t find anything amiss though."
Luci frowned. "Then why?"
"I'm not sure. After we're down here, we'll go back to radiant and refuel than we can all head there and-"
"STOP!" A hand cut in-between the two as if cutting off the conversation. "No talking about work on Christmas morning! This is the only day we get to re-LAX from all that!"
Name// Roxas Xipil
Age// 49
Chaser// 11
Stance// Cook
Aqua sighed, rolling her eyes. Though it only came once a year, Roxas acted rather happy over the whole affair. Maybe because he didn't have to cook for once.

"UNCLE ROOOOXAS!"
The blonde looked up, seeing the other's getting out of the ship before finding the one who yelled for him. He chuckled walking towards the orange-eyed boy. In one hand he was holding five flowers - he knew exactly what graves they were for - in the other he was holding onto headbands with antlers them. One was on the teen's head and his nose was colored red.

"What's up Ten?"
"They won't get into the spirit!" He waved the antler-bands unhappily. "I wanted us to be the nine reindeer but no one will play along!"
The blonde chuckled, remembering many years past when the kids used to dress up on Christmas. It was the only way they could combine the merry holiday with Halloween - it had been his and Sora's idea, inspired by Jack Skellington of course. "What about Roxel?"
"He's sleeping like a bum!" Tensai pouted.
"On Christmas morning?!" Roxas huffed before grabbing two headbands. He put one on his own head, smiling. "Alright I'm Dancer! Go find Axel, he'll play along."
"Really?"
"Well, if he doesn't tell him I'm cutting him off."
"...Cutting him off what?"
"Err... that doesn't matter! Just trust me, it'll work." Roxas chuckled as he walked onto the kids' ship to go find his dozing son.

Tensai blinked before turning and hurrying over to his mother, giving her a big hug. "Merry Christmas mom!"
Aqua chuckled, hugging him back. "Merry Christmas~"
"Will you be a reindeer?"
"...Do I have to be?"
"Pleaaaaaase?!"
She sighed. "Alright, alright. I'll be a reindeer."
Tensai grinned, handing her a band. She looked down at it... well if it made him happy. She placed it on her head. "I'll be Vixen then."
"YAY! Thank you!" He kissed her on the cheek before hurrying off to Kairi and Tidus' home to find more victims.
Aqua sighed before blinking, Lucina, Gunnar, Bonnie, Samual and Kadaj all looking at her with raised eyebrows - and some with big teasing smiles. "Not a damn word. I can still fight circles around the lot of ya." She turned and headed after her hyperactive son. She was just glad to see him so animated. This year had been really tough on him.

"I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas! I wanna wish you a Meeeerry Christmas! I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heaaa~rt!" Roxas sang as he opened the door to his son's room. He blinked, seeing his son indeed still sleeping. "Hey, Roxel! get up, it's Christmas!" The father called, walking over and and shaking his son.

[Rikugurl]

Magne landed on the soft shores off the coast of the large main land. The tropical breeze blew through trees, making gentle waves and flowers dance. It was a paradise...with a glint of sorrow.

The doors opened and a bridge came down, allowing the people inside able to get out. The ship was close to another, almost the same in size.

The first who were out were the leaders. The ones in which had dressed and danced in the most element way.
Mako eyes looked around, both the brunette's and the silverette's behind him. A soft smile ran over his lips as he felt the breeze, taking in a deep breath. It was weird having Christmas on the islands. There was no snow at all. Ever.

Behind the head leader was a blonde boy, a red nose and reindeer headband on his head. He was Dasher. He didn't understand. He never read in any book that one had to dress up for Christmas but he still liked the idea.

Behind them was a taller woman, her high heels clicking as she walked down the bridge.
"Won't you wear these!?"
"No."
"COME ON! PLEEEEEEEASE?"
"OI! Nancy boy! Don't you see these things already occupying my noggin!?" She snapped as she pointed at her ears.

"MY BABIES!"
The woman with curly brown hair called as she rushed pass the woman in charge and wrapped her arms around both Gunnar and Lucina at the same time.

Name// Olette Almasy
Age// 46
Chaser// 6
Stance// Communications

She gave them two huge kisses and giggled. "I am SO happy to see you!"

"TEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN-CHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!"
A far off cry came from a girl down the street as she rushed towards the orange-eyed boy before he could get inside the other ship.
She came running up and GLOMPED the poor boy, making them both fall into the sand. She smiled happily as she slowly got up. "I missed you---OH!" She cried happily as she took a fallen red nose and reindeer headband before putting it on her head.
"I'm Comet!"

The one who saw the childish display slowly walked down the bridge and smiled, her short silver hair almost slightly dull under the sun. Her eyepatch gave her away, a blue Chaser symbol against the black patch stood out.

Name// Fujin Umi
Age// 45
Chaser// 4
Stance// Negotiator

She could only chuckle as she walked by them and to the bluette. "You're really living up to trying to have both Terra's and Ven's jobs at the same time, huh?" She teased. Ever since the two had died, her wife had changed. She hardly ever took no for an answer... and was rather cranky and crabby.
She was hoping it wasn't early menopause.


Loud snoring came from a room that was decorated in music notes, pictures of live performances, some other bands and artist as well as notes, schedules and other junk lying around as a boy with fire hair drooled on his pillow.
He was sprawled out, a VERY old Carbuncle plush in his hands.

When he heard a call, he moaned and shifted in the bed, his butt sticking in the air. "No...I want another slice of pizza...."

[Reno]

"Mooooooooom!" Lucina whined as she was hugged and kissed by her over-enthusiastic mother. "We just say each other not even a month ago! You act like we've been gone a year!"

Tensai's eyes went wide as he heard the call of his name. "Nami-NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" He cried as he fell over, her practically smooshing him to the ground. He laughed, hugging her back but as she pulled away he blinked and grinned as she took one of the bands. "I knew I could count on you Namine!" He grinned excitedly. "And I missed you too it's been SOOOO boring without you!"

He pouted. "All Roxel's been talking about all week is our stupid photo shoot and stuff. He didn't even care about the new Keyblade." His eyes lit up. "It was so pretty you should of SEEN it! It was made of gold and had all these glittery jewels!"

Aqua was watching the two as well with amused eyes, shaking her head. She looked over when she heard A familiar someone and chuckled. "Hey I think I'm doing a pretty good job!" She leaned up, kissing the woman's cheek before a smirk grew on her face. "And just for that comment... Oooooh Ten! Fuu wants to be Blitzen!"

The black-and-red haired boy looked back, his eyes excited. "Really?!" He jumped to his feet and ran back over, hugging his other mom. "Thank you mommy! Merry Christmas!" He handed her a headband.


Roxas blinked but laughed, hitting his son on the butt. "Get that outta my face and get up!" The other grumbled some more but Roxas lent over, placing on the other headband. "Come on now Donner~ They'll be sweets and presents if you do."

[Rikugurl]

Olette smiled and poked her daughter in the nose. "Well, if either of you ever get kids, you'll know how I feel not having you around 24/7!" She only blinked as she got a kiss from her son before he pulled away. "Yea, right mom." He laughed as he looked around some more. "So, where's dad?"

"Oh~ He's with Tidus in the house working on the decorations."
"That you made him put up?"
"Of course!" She laughed winked playfully before she looked at Kadaj. "Hey~ It's good to see you too! And you too sweetie!" She called to a bunny woman as she walked off towards the house.
"Whatever..."

The woman only smiled slightly before looking behind her daughter. "There Sammy is! Are you excited for Christmas?" The blonde boy nodded and smiled.


Namine's eyes grew wide as she heard about the keyblade. "OOOOOOH! No fair! I wish I could of seen it! I wish I was a keyblader... then you and I could capture all SORTS of awesome and pretty keyblades! Roxel doesn't know how lucky he is. Keyblades are better than girls. His music is even hitting here and my mom really liked it but she had NO idea it was you guys!" She laughed but before she could said anything else, the boy was off, running to Fuu.

The silverette smiled and shook her head, taking the headbands. "Merry Christmas, sweetie." She leaned down, giving the boy a soft kiss on the cheek. "You look good. How was the concert?"


"HEY!" The teen fell off the bed, hitting the floor hard. "Ten-ch---OH! Hey dad!" The green and blue eyed boy looked up, his hair a mess and still had some glitter in it as he looked over the bed. He slowly got up, yawning as he rubbed his chest.

"......WAIT!..................DID YOU SAY PRESENTS AND SWEETS!?"