The Chasers: The Key to Memories Past

[Reno]

Aqua just smiled weakly back to Fuujin. Her style of life was a lot different from her wife's. In her world, families tended to be very large not because they understood the value of that or some stupid sensitive shit like that but because young death was a very common aspect and there always needed to be... extra. It wasn't really the best way to look at it, but it was just simply the way they had to live. Their were plagues and diseases, starvation and poorly prepared foods, harsh and cold winters, infections from farming wounds or death from just accidents on the workforce.

The only reason her family wasn't large like other's was because of Sai. In fact most Berserker families did not bother to birth another child (unless of course he is younger) because it was a bad omen. She was just... sort of a mistake. A lucky mistake.

At least her father died proud - right? He had made a huge difference for their people... even if he didn't live to see it. Free trade, sociability with the other regions, the lack of tax, democracy - it was progression of free reign.

The next two memories were not very contrasting. Samual, learning the black magic of his people, and Ventus, learning the dark tendencies of a Keyblade. Both were very young. Many were frowning, disapproving of how things had gone for both and a few couldn't help some sad chuckles at Ven's hope for a hot air balloon but nothing could be said as a gold light hit the gem.


"Tomorrow will be a grand day."

Kadaj, once again in the library, looked up, his eyes narrowed. Several manuscripts and manila folders were spread before him on the desk, many candles burning to light up the darkness. The most disturbing thing about this picture, however, was the reader himself - Kadaj... looked not a day older than did the man standing on the pedestal. But he had been younger when he had been placed within the Mako chamber (though still older than what he had been when his first emmory had been shown) - how much time had he been in there? Days? Weeks?
"Why, may I inquire?"

"Ah, it is training day for you and the others who have survived!" Yazoo said.
Kadaj did not seem to understand what he meant but did not bother to ask. "Does that include you?"
"Why yes... yes it does." Yazoo lent over the table, smirking.
"That is... appropriate."
The other silverette blinked. "Ah I see you are still upset with me."
"You shot me. That should be a endless state of being 'upset' with you." The younger said plainly.
"Ah but the Mako healed you quickly!" The other chirped, as if he had no care in the world. "If it appeases you Hojo was so enthralled about how well the treatment worked upon you he is planning on duplicating it upon us other surviving clones and future ones as well."

Kadaj just twisted in his chair, seemingly dismissing the other. "Whereabouts is Loz?"
"He is preparing for tomorrow as he is our elder and Hojo requires his assistance." Yazoo lent over the desk, long hair framing one side of his face and nearly touching the wood of the desk. He appeared unhappy at Kadaj's blatant disregard of him. He hummed some picking up the cover of one of the folders. "What are you reading upon now?"

The younger slapped down on the folder, placing it closed as if to hide it from the other. "If you must know, I am attempting to discover more about our... family."
Yazoo blinked. "Family?"
"Those of us who had names before numbers."
"Ah..." The other nodded in understanding. "The experiments before us." He tapped his chin, contemplating something before smiling. "If I were to enlighten you, would you grant me pardon for my 'behavior' before?"
"Perhaps." Kadaj said turning back towards the other, eyes now interested. "Begin with... ShinRa."

"Easily." Yazoo said as he straightened. "Our planet, named Gaia, was ruled by ShinRa. They began in the most populated town - Midgar."


In the Room of Echoes, something strange occurred. White and silver flashed across the ground and connected with Kadaj's light, creating a catastrophe of colors within. Tensai and Roxas both were confused as neither of them had anything to do with this memory - and then gasps and noises of surprise suddenly echoed around as the scene on screen... shifted.

Yazoo dimmed out of the picture and instead, to everyone's shock, they saw Midgar - much different than the town they had known before. Yazoo's voice however, still came through like a narrator in a movie. No one had time to marvel at this though as they instead attempted to listen and understand.


Though different Midgar in fact looked even worse than it had been upon the arrival of the Chasers - if such a thing were possible. The land was terribly polluted, no sign of any vegetative life whatsoever There were all sorts of trains around - a few of them curving upwards to go between the two levels. Creatures of unknown origin were scuttling along dirt paths, starving strays were starting fights of bones in alleys, dirty and hopelessly sick people trudged around their homes, trying to make some sort of living.

The strangest thing of Midgar was it appeared to be of two levels and, like a pizza, made of eight slices or 'sectors'. The top level was not bad, the richer and better off living upon this area though live still appeared hard as they avoided the many guards that controlled the sectors.

The bottom level was disgusting the citizens within them unable to even see the sky and any clean rain they could of used, instead of reaching the ground, instead would only be lead down dirty pipe systems and pool messily in the dirt, polluting it further. At the edge of each sector was a large structure and it appeared to be sucking up glowing green liquid straight from the earth.

"Mako reactors, like the one we are familiar were within the mountain were in great abundance in this town."

However the most familiar structure to them of all - the one they had seen time and time again - was an enormous building of 70 stories, a large red diamond near it's peak. The ShinRa logo.

"ShinRa was, at first, merely a... notion."
"I believe he was a person?" Came Kadaj's voice.
"As that as well." The screen changed to show several people sitting around a round table. They were all young and talking adamantly amongst each other.

"The company began with only three. Two scientists: Gast Faremis and his understudy, Hojo." The pictures shifted to two men in their twenties both of them wearing white coats and talking animatedly - or possibly arguing. One was easily to recognize, long black hair tied in a pony tail, stringy black hair framing his face though he was much younger. Next to him was a man with a mustache and short black hair, his face wise. Both of them wore glasses.

"And of course, President Shinra himself." ShinRa was a large man his yellow hair gelled back and a mustache growing on his face. He was watching the two, a grin growing upon his face.

"Gast had learned of what we now term the 'Lifestream'. They were able to explore how Mako worked and found it could be used by humans as a power source - simply, electricity. So that is what ShinRa proposed: an electric company. It was soon approved by the people of Midgar. And the first reactor was built."

A quick flash, construction going on as torches fired metal closed and loud noises could be heard, the hollow shell of the struture raising high above them in a skeleton of what it would later became.

Then another flash. The reactor was complete. A drill whirring as it met the ground, digging... digging... digging. Green started to spurt into the hole, hissing at the metal and the drill was replaced with a large hose.

Another flash. The metal hummed softly, a green glow surrounding it, tubes all around filled with glowing green liquid. The homes spread out before the sector was lit up peacefully.

"Yet, it did not end with just this. Seven more were built, one for each sector. And the ShinRa tower was beginning to be built. However, though few were intelligent enough to realize this, bringing up raw Lifestream had an adverse affect upon the creatures lower than humans. Animals started to mutate and began other creatures entirely."

Midgar was shown one more, all eight sectors lit up. In the center of town, raised high on a metal platform a building was being constructed. And slinking around the towns shell-like animals with many rows of teeth and creatures with appendages coming from their ribs.

"Over the next three decades, many things changed." Yazoo continued to narrate. "Now rich, ShinRa gave Hojo and Gast significant funds to continue research. They gained more assistance - including one of which Hojo would later copulate with. Lucrecia."

Several jittery young men and women stood in a line as Gast spoke to them. One, which the camera strayed on, was a young woman, long brown hair pulled up in a pony tail and a shy smile on her face as Hojo himself strayed over to her, saying something that made her laugh.

"And then our mother, Jenova, was found not long after."

The troop of scientists, all nicely bundled in winter clothes, were carefully climbing down a rocky trail were the two top scientists were, studying a large green crystal - and encased within was some sort of... creature. Her skin was a dark blue - but unlike Kali's was ugly with veins popping out all over her body. She was most definitely a woman as she was bare and her breast easily seen - though instead of nipples eyeballs took their place. Long hair - silver - framed her smooth blue face, and her only eye on her face was a laser-like red. She had no arms though she did appear to have legs. From there she ceased to even look human, her body contorted in unreal ways, wing-like structures on her back and a gaping hole in her stomach, organs hanging around her rather than being inside of her body.

The screen quickly shifted back to the library, showing Kadaj with an intense gaze on his face and Yazoo lounging some as he spoke. "They took her to Nibelheim, where we are at current. They had to enlist help from ShinRa of course. Of them was a lady named Ilfana - who Gast took a liking too." He reached out moving some of the folders and opened one. He shifted through it until he pulled out a worn photograph. The woman had incredibly long brunette hair and green eyes that were almost the color of grass and a beautiful smile on her face. She was in a white dress. Beside her, was Gast, in a tux. "When she saw Jenova she became frightened and soon she convinced Gast to leave the project, leaving Hojo in charge."

He set down the picture and found three other folders, opening them. They were profiles. One was of a man in a familiar blue suit and short cropped black hair. "Vincent Valentine. He was what ShinRa dubbed a 'Turk'. He sent him as a body guard for the scientists but kept another, Tseng, with him at all times." The second picture was of a young Asian man with long black hair and a dot on his forehead - easily recognized.

"Hojo called Jenova an Ancient, but he was incorrect. The true ancient had walked out with Gast but he was all unaware of this fact. Soon after Lucrecia was deemed pregnant and Hojo believed he had a revolutionary idea." He pointed to the second folder. This one had a familiar man with long silver hair in it and in black dress. Sephiroth. "He attempted to bond Jenova's cells to the young child as he was within the womb of Lucrecia. He wished to birth a new age of Ancients. Seemingly, he failed."

Kadaj's eyes narrowed. "The first experiment... was upon his own son - and our brother."
"Yes." Yazoo said uncaringly. "Valentine was upset of this fact as well. He attempted to get in the way. Yet he was unable to prevent Lucrecia's death during childbirth. He attempted, instead, to get revenge. He became the second experiment."

The library faded once more.
The same man they had seen in the picture was moving, running into the same lab Kadaj had been seen in in many memories before. He was yelling, face red with anger.
There was the gleam of black metal in the lab, eyes narrow behind spectacles - and then a flash as the gun was fired. Vincent fell.

The man was suddenly on a table, struggling and yelling though he was voiceless to the watchers, as Hojo raised a saw and lowered it to the man's right arm right past his elbow with an intention that would make many pale and look away. He made the first cut, red spilling everywhere - and the scene quickly dimmed.

"Shortly after Hojo returned, with Sephiroth and Jenova, to Midgar. All of his aids pronounced dead. Yet things had changed over the many years he had been absent." Yazoo continued as if nothing had happened. Soon Midgar was shown again. "The Tower was finished, and railroads were being built. ShinRa had all the power he claimed necessary to dominate the world and unknowingly to the public had many unheard of departments that would be necessary for his control. There was Palmer, appointed for space development." The scene changed to a meeting room of sorts with bright red carpet and a long oak table were many were seated. The camera moved to show a fat man with two chins, laughing uproariously and... a tub of lard in front of him.

"Scarlet, in charge of Weapon's development and her partner Heidegger, leader of the military that was being instigated. They were under the guide of protecting people from the monsters being created by the Mako. Unknown to all, together they were creating a force that would be unstoppable for Gaia's people to fight." The camera moved showing a beautiful red lipped, blonde haired woman in a red dress, long nailed fingers curled over a model of a gun, as she spoke with a rough, large shouldered man with a long grizzly beard an ugly scar on his face.

"And finally Reeve, who was to herald to public affairs and urban development, though none of his plans were ever approved." The camera moved once more, panning over a clean man with a beard and a goatee. He was seemingly ignoring the others, doodling in a notebook entitled 'Plans for Midgar' and was etching out a nice looking blueprint of a town - one very unlike the Midgar being built outside. In his lap curled up contently, was a small black and white kitten, a small crown on it's head and a little red cape tied on around it's neck.

"It was not long before the plate was completed and the people of Midgar oppressed that expansion was finally proposed. ShinRa was no fool. He began in Junon, the port town that was eagerly hoping to, like Midgar, obtain electricity and unaware they were appearing upon their own doom. So they built the reactor underwater and soon Junon became a military base."

A town by the beach was scene similar to Costa De Sol though it's buildings were bigger and structured much differently, beautiful sapphire waves rolling to the beach as kids and families played at the beach side. Then there was a flash and their was a rounding number of gasps. It was the same town of that there was no doubt, but now it had a new top structure to it like Midgar complete with helicopter and airship landing pads, a large inner structure that seemed like a holding cell, and most shockingly a very large cannon that went far across the ocean. The water itself, once a pretty blue, was now an ugly Mako green no one daring the go near it.

"Because the water became polluted, discovered a new problem of the Lifestream. Hojo dubbed it Mako Poisoning. Humans exposed to large amounts of raw Mako oftentimes got sick and died. This was not a priority however as instead the first battle of a two-decade long world war was beginning. It started in Cosmo Canyon - where another of our brethren was birthed. Red XIII."
The camera as if upon an airplane suddenly flew over the sea to the opposite continent. They caught a glimpses of Costa, a site of large mountains and a small mining town, of a large structure high in the air and a desert, of a small town surrounded by a forest, and finally it slowed as it reached a beautiful and large canyon full of luscious red rocks. In the midst of the rocks was a little Indian-like town, a large bonfire easily seen from the distance.
"Why the canyon?"

"They were the first threat because of the Larko Clan. They were the cousins of the Cetra and no fools to the ways of the planet. Intelligent and outspoken beasts, ShinRa feared they would spread their knowledge to the humans and fill them with doubt and uncertainty. So, at current lacking military strength he put the creatures being birthed of the Mako under his control and had them attack instead."

The camera shifted. Noises of battle echoed outside of a small hut, howls ringing and war cries echoing throughout the canyon.
"Father!" Came a little cry, a small animal running across the floor. It was a cross between a lion and a wolf, his fur a brilliant orange-red and a little horse-like mane growing atop his head along with two blue feathers held in his mane with barrettes. There were little anklets around his paws and the tip of his long tail was burning with a small flame. It was he who had spoke.
"Nanaki!" Came a sharp cry and another of his type came hurrying over, snatching the cub up by his scruff. She was obviously his mother, her fur less orange and more blonde yet her mane was a bright red like his yet it was in a more feminine style. Her triangular ears had several earrings in them and her thighs had black tribal tattoos etched in them and a few on her cheeks. Like her son, her tail was on fire.
Her huffed and hurried over to an old bald man in a blue robe and a long white beard. The man took the other with no complaint. The little cub struggled in the man's grasp but was unable to free himself.
"Bugenhagen I apologize." The Larko spoke, "But please watch him."
The man nodded but said in a soft, wise voice. "Nipala, you do not have to go."
"I must." She smiled cattily, "Seto and the others will need a woman's touch."
"Mother..." Whined the cub.
"Do not fear young one." She said, licking the other's muzzle. "Even if I do not return, we will meet again." She smiled to him before turning and running from the hut.

The camera followed her outside, panning around a fierce battle being held just outside of town. The monsters of Mako were hideous to behold - floating skeleton like creatures hovering in the air holding spears of their own, vipers with Mako dripping from their fangs and scorpion like tails, large spiders with green bodies and deadly legs, and wolf-like creatures that were so thin they appeared as if they had never eaten merely looked at their opponents and they fell to the ground, dead. Behind them all was a large shaman like creature, firing off fire spells.

Humans with spears, most of them darkly skinned with tattoos, earrings, bracelets and feathers of their own, fought side by side with creatures much like Nanaki and Nipala. The largest of this clan was also the most highly decorated - the leader no doubt. He had eight feathers in his hair, large and heavy anklets, twelve earrings in each ear, and a multitude of both old scars from many previous and fierce battles and tattoos decorated his body. His tail burned brighter than any others as he tore one by one through his foes - yet disturbingly a few rock spikes were lodged in his body and slowly seemed to be petrifying him. It was not long before the yellow Larko was at his side, and the two clans struggled together to make their foes retreat towards a large gap in the canyon wall - their trap.

There was a flash and then the battlefield was scene again. Larko and human alike lay dead upon the battlefield and the creatures of Mako were gone. At where the cave entrance had been was nothing more than rubble and beside this was an unmoving Nipala, laying on her side a Quake Materia still glowing in her mane, bites from snakes and the spear in her flank her obvious downfall. Suddenly the camera moved inside of the cave illuminated within. the creatures of Mako were howling and roaring in rage - trapped. And on a hill high above stood Seto, spikes sticking out all over his body... and completely made of stone.

"This show of force petrified the humans - and with Junon and Midgar already under their control there was little they could to. Many gave up without a fight. Kalm."
A small countryside town with blue roofs and picket fences was shown.
"The ranches."
A farm town illuminated the screen, showing yellow Chocobos grazing in a small pen.
"Costa De Sol. Golden Saucer. Icicle Inn. Bone Village. Mideel. Gongaga. Even Nibelheim."
The beach resort. The amusement park high up in the sky with a desert prison far below. A snowy town. An archeological dig town. A town surrounded by ocean. The forest town. And a town shadowed by mountains.
"More reactors were built."
In Gongaga, time seemed to have passed. A small boy with wild, spiky black hair silently stood on the edge of the forest, watching with interest as workers constructed a structure similar to the ones seem before.
In Nibelheim, two children watched solider marching through their small town towards Mt. Nibel's trail. One a girl had jet black hair tied back and fighter's gloves on. Beside her was a small and younger blonde with spiky hair and bright blue eyes, almost appearing to be the black-haired boy of Gongaga's twin if it weren't for the age difference.
"Some towns took a few decades to obtain and only on the basis of a contract. For North Corel - it was a mining agreement. For Rocket Town... well, that should be obvious."
In the mining town, a large and tall black man in an awkward suit nodded to Scarlet, shaking her hand.
A blonde-haired man was shown a grin on his face and a cigarette in his mouth as he took the pilot's jacket and goggles from the fat Palmer.

"Wutai and Fort Condor were the only other towns ShinRa had to take by force. Fort Condor-" The small town build within a mountain was shown, a humongous condor bird perched at the top, watching her people battle ShinRa troops down the hillside. "Was hardly one to worry of as it was small and unimportant. However the ninja town, Wutai, had an abundance of the one thing ShinRa lacked - Materia. As well as a large population."

The Asian town was shown, a large pagoda built in the center of town and the surrounding mountains carved with the faces of unknown but probably wise beings. The town was bustling with people. Including one small girl with short black hair causing trouble for all as she stole from people's pockets.

"Combat at first was ineffectual. However Hojo hypothesized that if Mako can power a city, it can power a person if added in correct dosages. He of course began such tests with Sephiroth who at the time was already part of the military. The experiments succeeded and some the president ordered for these projects to be duplicated upon other soldiers - it was quickly learned that only certain members could withstand and survive Mako treatment. Therefore only 1st class ever received treatment. This is how many future Turks, and our brothers Angeal, Genesis and Zackary, came to be."

Several more screens passed by in a quick succession. A red-haired man with emerald green eyes in a messy blue suit whistled as he followed between their Asian leader and a bald man, tapping a electro-mag rod against his hip. Behind them dressed nearly the same as the trio, were several others including a man with purple eyes and a tattoo down his face and a shotgun, a brunette with her hair in a pony tail and a large bazooka-like gun, a man with brown hair that spiked in the front with no weapon, a woman with gray hair and a sword, a red-brown haired teen wielding the same weapon as the pure red-head, one was a honey brunette teen with chakrams among many others. Behind all of them, running quickly, was woman with short blonde hair, several grenades on her belt.

A flash, then they saw Sephiroth, much older, speaking with two males. One was a man in a red-coat with red-brown hair and a large red sword on his back. The other was a black-haired man with a familiar buster sword upon his back.

Another flash, then they saw Zack doing squats as he spoke enthusiastically to the nearby black-haired male with the sword.

"Ah, and how did I not recall? During the Wutai war, ShinRa had a son."

A young boy, blond like his father, sat upon a couch, curled around his back almost protective was a large animal. Upon closer inspection, it appeared to be a black cat, almost like a panther in every way, except for the long 'tail like' appendage it had growing from the base of it's long neck. It's glowing green eyes were watching the adults intensively, making soft, contented noise when Rufus pet her.

"The war was eventually won by ShinRa of course. Though small rebellions still cropped up, forcing them to take action. The 'accdental' explosion of Gongaga's reactor-"
The forest town was seen smashed down by metal and shrapnel that had been thrown by the burst, spiraling smoke rising high up into the sky. Those that had survived were running blindly for the forest including a kind, old man with spiky black hair and an old woman with bright blue eyes.
"The burning of North Corel."
Scarlet's eyes narrowed hatefully at the big black man, shaking her head as she left the brick house in a huff. "YOU'LL BE SORRY BARRET!" She yelled behind her. The mine town was then shown in flames, a large man holding a small girl running for the edges.
"The falling of Sector 7."
A button was pressed then a nimble Turk Reno was quick to jump back as a large sword flew right were he had stood. He hurried backwards, jumping onto the edge of the large structure beam that obviously held up the plate above waving to the standing. He gave the three standing dumb and frozen a vicious grin and a wave before jumping off.

"As for our brethren, Genesis and Angeal were corrupt experiments, only months after their final trial. Zackary sacrificed his life for Cloud's once ShinRa ordered their termination. Valentine and Red XIII were later apart of AVALANCHE. And the rest is of your knowledge."

The picture faded away, revealing Kadaj and Yazoo within the basement library once more, now many manila folders open showing pictures of many they had been discussing.

The younger silverette hummed softly, looking down upon the pictures but he did not seem to be seeing them. "If Gaia was once a connected spirits, what caused us to become like a dimension of its own?"

Yazoo sighed. "Maybe your eternal anger was better." He lent forward and picked up another folder, opening it and throwing it down. "These black creatures did it."
Kadaj blinked before slowly down at the pictures seeing what he would know as a Heartless shadow. "They are...?"
"Creatures who ate the Lifestream of people - and Gaia."
"They are like reactors?"
"In essence." Yazoo nodded. "After Sephiroth's long sleep, he rose again as you know to attempt to destroy the world - he was, with the help of these creatures, able to succeed... though not as he had planned. If it were not for AVALANCHE's and the half-Cetra Aerith's intervention, he might of."

Slowly they faded out again and instead they saw a beautiful temple with a crystal clear lake underneath an alter - and kneeling down, hands clasped and wearing all pink, eyes shut as she prayed, was a familiar someone that all the elder Chasers and a few of the younger, knew well. Aerith.

"SEPHIROTH!"

Her green eyes snapped open though when she heard the yell and looked up eyes widening as she saw a silver-haired man plummeting from the sky long sword pointing down right for her heart.
But someone with spiky blonde hair jumped between them, intercepting the other with a large, overweight buster sword, throwing him backwards. He had an uncanny resemblance to the young boy in Nibelheim. Sephiroth flew back but not far, a large black-feathered wing spreading from spread him and keeping him in the air. Cloud, Aerith's savior, landed on the edge of the alter, scowling up at the man.

"Aerith!!"
The woman young woman blinked looking up and over towards were a small but formidable group of people stood.
The one who had called for her was a black-haired woman with wine colored eyes in a miniskirt and a short shirt. The martial-artist of Nibelheim, Tifa.
Beside her was the large black mayor of Corel, Barret, his left arm missing and instead a large barrel gun in it's place. He was in large combat boots and military gear now.
Nanaki, the last of the Larko Clan, sat beside them, his eyes upon Sephiroth - or eye as one was scarred shut. He now had four feathers upon his mane and many tribal tattoos on his body, gold anklets, one earring, and an interesting XIII mark on his right shoulder.
Vincent, the young Turk of Nilbelheim, eyes now a blood red, stood silently beside the creature, fingers of his left hand curled around a revolver. His other arm was decorated with an ugly metal claw and he was wearing a cape around his shoulders.
Another familiar man still in the pilot garb he had receieved in Rocket Town stood beside the campire-like man, the blonde leaning on his spear as he too watched the one-winged man with a narrowed, irritated gaze. Cid.
And next to him, sitting atop an overweight Mog with bat wings and mechanical parts, was the same little cat they had seen as Reeve's pet. Added to his crown and cape were large red boots, white gloves and a large megaphone in his hand.
The little black-haired thief of Wutai they knew as Yuffie was bouncing with nervousness at the end of the line, now older as she twisted his shuriken on her fingertips. Her white shorts seemed to be very weighted down however by many little colorful materia orbs she had stuffed in her pockets.
Aerith was quick to pick up her staff and join them.

Sephiroth merely smirked down at them all as if their opposition was no more frightening then a team of butterflies. "It is too late."
As he spoke, the land started to shake sending many of the members tottering. "Come on let's get out of here!" Tifa called, grabbing onto Aerith's arm to help steady her. It took no more encouragement as that, the team quickly running for the exit.

Cloud looked over his shoulder, watching them go.
"What will you do Cloud? Will you fight me, one final time, or will you run like your friends?" Sephiroth taunted.
The blonde scowled hatefully at the man, growling as he started to get into a stance - but another desperate rumble of the earth nearly sent him falling from the alter into the clean lake below. "Damn!" He growled before turning and jumping from the alter onto the ground below. He glanced back. "This isn't over... Sephiroth."
The silverette merely smirked. "It never shall be." He drew his wing in and then he was gone in a burst of black light, nothing left but a few black feathers.
Cloud glared at the empty spot for a few more moments before turning and running after his friends.

The scene shifted and suddenly the nine were screen racing along a snowy incline, black shapes chasing along after them and attempting to surround them constantly. The sounds of automatic and solitary gunfire, bursts of magic, curses, howls, and war cries echoing across the land.
Barret and Vincent had the lead, running and shooting valiantly and without pause at the black shadows trying to tear out their souls.
"No one's getting the great Ninja Yuffie!" Called the Wutain princess, throwing her shruiken into the fray of heartless.
"Great ninja nothing fuck!" Cid snapped slicing his spear down. "Fire!" Flames exploded, burning the snow and many of the dark beings.
"AIIIE!" Cried the cat as his bouncing form was suddenly halted by large black claws gorging into his Mog's stomach, machinary breaking and stuffing being pulled out. The heartless looked up at the cat, rows of teeth snarling right in his face. "EEEEE!"
There was a furious roar, a red blur charging over as it struck the black shape, teeth latching and tearing out its throat without a pause. Nanaki stood from his dead prey as it faded into nothingness under him. "Get on!" The cat didn't hesitate to jump onto his back, grabbing onto large tufts of his mane.
"You weren't trying to stop Sephiroth, were you?! You were trying to stop these things!" Cloud called as he ran alongside Aerith, absent-mindedly calling a Comet spell to the left of him. On the other side, Tifa was calling up a vicious Ultima spell with took out rows of the right flank and many behind them.
"Yes!" The panting woman called back. "These creatures are harming the planet more than Sephiroth can! Wall!" The pink-wearing woman called. All of the members hesitated as a dome like barrier surrounded them, panting hard as they tried to catch their breaths. Tifa was quick to hurry to the other's aid, throwing out a few cure spells.
Cloud, eyes slightly glowing and green, turned to Aerith. "But?"
"It is too late." She panted as she held onto her knees, "There is little Holy can do. What happens from here is all up to Gaia."
The members all looked back at the woman, their eyes dark and hopeless. Before they could speak more however a voice came over them, loud but crackly.

"Guys."
"Master!" The cat called happily, lifting his gloved paw were the voice was emitting from.
"Reeve!" Many of the other members called.
"What the fuck is going on?!" Cid snapped.
"Midgar isn't doing too good guys. Me and the other Heads of Department just received word that Rufus' escape plan with the Turks failed."
"That's the fucking best news ever." Barret grumbled.
"What happened to them?" Nanaki asked calmly.
"The took a train hoping to escape the city - but they were ambushed by the Lifestealers." Reeve answered. "Completely wrecked the train and killed almost all of them."
"Tseng?" Asked the ex-Turk of the group, red eyes worried.
"He survived Vince... and has taken cover with Elena, Rude and Rufus himself. But no one else. Not even Dark Nation." The head of Urban Development sounded mournful.
A silence, some of the members bowing their heads. Tifa shook her head, eyes sad. "Even they didn't deserve such a fate..."
"...I have worse news."

There was a long pause, many of the members listening to the heartless hitting upon the edges of the wall spells. Finally Cloud grit his teeth. "What is it?"
"...Midgar's plate is being destroyed... and the Lifestealers have infiltrated the Tower."
There was a pause, everyone horror stricken, then
"Where the fuck is Marlene?!" Barret cried.
"Kalm." Was the short answer.
And then...
"And where the fuck are you?!" The pilot burst out.
"Where do you think I am Cid? I am in my office."
"No!" Aerith cried sharply.
"Reeve get somewhere safe!" Tifa yelled.
"There is nowhere I can go."
Yuffie stamped her foot in the snow. "There always is a way! Climb through the air shaft like Cloud did!"
A chuckle. "I am afraid... it is not that simple." there was another, long pause then, "I'm sorry guys, it wasn't supposed to turn out like this. I did all I could here but now..." A sigh, "After all I have done I have no right to request this of you all, but please take care of Cait Sith for me."
"Master..." Whimpered the cat ears falling.
"...Goodbye friend." Vincent.
"Reeve!" Cloud.
"Reeve no!" Aerith.
"Damn it don't do this!" Cid.

The screen changed scenry, revealing a familiar clean-shaven man in a nicely pressed suit looking down at a radio, listening to the many voices coming through it. Past him, outside the large window, the plate of Midgar was breaking, buildings crumbling, the sounds of battle and pain faint on the air.
"Fucking hell Reeve ANSWER US!" Barret.
"Reeve please!" Tifa.
"You can't die!" Nanaki.
"Don't give up!!" Yuffie.
"Master! Master!!!" Cait.

The man sighed, hearing bangs and screeches in the hallway just outside his room. Even still he smiled, reaching up... and turning off the radio, killing his friend's voices forever. He set it slowly upon his desk. He lowered his hand before pulling open a drawer... and pulled out a handgun. He cocked it and lifted it just as the door burst open, a handful of heartless and monsters alike spilling into his room all pausing to stare at him.
Reeve glared at them. "Come and get me!" They charged for him. He started to shoot.
One of the longer shadows jumped, claws gleaming in the air as it got under his guard and struck for the man.

The screen quickly flashed back to the nine hidden in the barrier, Aerith gasping sharply and raising her hands to her heart. The others needed no other confirmation as they all bowed their head, little Cait sobbing into RedXIII's fur.

CRAAAAACK!

All of them snapped back to attention quickly, looking around as the wall spell started to break around them.
Cloud grit his teeth. "Everyone head for Icicle Inn we can put up a better defense there!"
There was a shatter like glass.
"RRRRAAAAWR DIE YOU WORTHLESS BASTARDS!" Barret screamed as he charged forward, shooting like a maniac. Vincent was quick on his heels providing him cover, his own eyes holding a glint of anger. Nanaki snarled with fur, his fur bristling as he dashed after, his teeth and claws ripping into the shadows while Cait held onto him for dear life.

Tifa hesitated at first, watching them run but as the heartless tried to fill in the gaps she charged forward, legs and feet flying with expert moves, destroying any that dared try to get in her way.

"Come on Yuf! Fucking hell use that Materia you stocked up on!"
"I am I am!!" She snapped as she turned towards the east. "Quake 3!" The ground trembled fiercely, before large chunks of land started to break and fall off, sending troops of the Lifestealers into the icy ocean below. Beside her Cid called for a destructive gravity spell, flattening many before they started running after the others, Cloud and Aerith close behind as the blonde slashed his sword behind him, a slice of energy tearing through his foes. The sky above was pitch black now, as if a storm had taken over.

But as the land underneath them cracked open as the world started to shake there were lights. Green lights, misty Mako, flying past them like auroras, creating vicious barrier like walls the heartless could not pass through without being destroyed upon impact.

Unfortunately, neither could a human. That was why Barret, Vincent, Nanaki and Cait paused and looked back in horror at their trapped comrades. Tifa was behind one wall, and another was behind her leaving her in her own cage, alone. In the other stood Cid, Yuffie, Cloud and Aerith.
"What the fuck is going on!?" The pilot growled in a frenzy.
"Gaia is breaking apart!" Aerith answered. She looked past them towards the four on the furthest end. "Keep going guys! You can still make it! In town you might be safe!!"
"Wait! What's going to happen to us?!" Yuffie squealed.
The Cetra of the group looked around them, seeming how the Lifestealers started to melt into the ground, but they did not rise - instead they were burning away the ground leaving nothing but darkness behind. "...I think we're going to die."
Cloud's eyes widened then he looked up, past them towards the solitary woman. He split from them, hurrying towards the edge of their entrapment. "Tifa!"

"Oh Cloud..." She whispered.
"Fuck no! We'll get you outta there!" Barret suddenly raged, running towards them. The martial artist looked back and shook her head.
"No, You heard Aerith! Get out of here!" Tifa said.
"Wait no save MEEEE!" Yuffie cried.
"Go, please!" Aerith encouraged, bumping Yuffie. But despite this even Nanaki started to hurry back over as did Vincent.
"Fucking idiots!!" Cid snapped.

"GUYS!" Cloud suddenly roared, halting the four. He looked towards them, his eyes narrowed and glowing. "As your leader... I order you to go save yourselves!" There was still some hesitance. "I SAID MOVE OUT!"
The four grit there teeth. Then finally Vincent spoke, "We must continue on. Goodbye..." He turned, red cape fluttered as he started to run.
"Guys..." Cait started to sniffle again. "I might only be a cat but I'll miss you!!! May good fortune be with you!"
Nanaki however looked proud of his friends even as tears welled in his eyes. "Gaia will take care of you... young warriors." He threw his head back and gave a loud mourning howl before turning around and running.

Barret didn't move. "Fucking hell like I'm leaving you guys!"
Cloud growled. "Barret..."
"Barret it's okay." Tifa said softly, her own land slowly being swallowed by darkness.
"We're going to be fine!" Aerith called even as she, Cid and Yuffie got closer together. "You need to get to Icicle Inn - you still have to take care of Marlene, remember?!"

Barret watched them, gritting his teeth in fury and pain as he looked away, eyes shutting tightly. "Buncha... fucking... idiots!!" He shook his head and tried to hold back tears as he, like the others, turning and ran.

They watched him quietly, then Yuffie wailed. "I can't believe this is how it ends!! I still had so much to do! So much to steal!!"
"Shhh, it's okay." Aerith said calmly, hugging the younger girl. "Here..." The woman reached up, pulling out from underneath her ribbon and handing it to Yuffie.
The girl's eyes widened. "Aerith... you can't give me this. It's the rarest Materia in the world!"
The woman smiled. "I can't think of anyone better to have it then."
The girl smiled, fingers curling around the precious gem. "...Thanks."

"Fuck... Didn't even get to tell Shera..." Cid was grumbling, looking towards the darkness slowly reaching for them.
Aerith smiled. "Don't worry Cid... she knew. She always knew."
The hot-heaed man looked back. "You think?"
"Yes. There is not a doubt in my heart." She said, before looking past them towards Cloud, already separated from them as the darkness started to swallow the land behind him, his eyes longingly watching the girl beyond the barrier.

On the other side, Tifa gave a giant leap, landing on the land right in front of Cloud. She smiled to the other through the barrier, though her eyes were full of sorrow. "Cloud..."
He chuckled softly, "Even after all I've done in my life... I still didn't get the girl."
"Oh?" She asked, giving a little giggle. "Well... maybe there was nothing to get... maybe you just always had her and were just too oblivious to see it."
The blonde rose an eyebrow, and smiled faintly. "....You'll always be my light Tifa."
She smiled back. "Mine too Cloud."

"Cloud! Tifa!!" Came the frenzied calls from behind the two looking back - just in time to see Cid, Yuffie and Aerith fall their screams echoing in nothingness.
Cloud's eyes went wide. "No..."
"Cloud..." Came Tifa's soft whisper... and then under them both, the land was swallowed... and together they fell.

Slowly the darkness lightened, until a familiar library came back on screen. "As it is, the world was broken in many pieces and spread across space and Hojo, being here when the incident occurred, became to make clones so as to avoid madness due to idleness." Yazoo said, sounding incredibly uninterested.

"Then we can assume that the rest of the planet is somewhere, floating in space and surviving on it's own too." Kadaj said.

"As if it matters. It shall never become one again." Yazoo yawned before straightening. "There is your story, Kadaj. Now let us go and train, such things are more fulfilling for the body." The man stood and stood walking out of the room, silver hair swaying after him.

The younger silverette watched him leave before looking down at the many files spread before him, now open. His fingers ghosted along one photograph, before lifting it, staring at the tall, long-haired General. "I am curious to discover the reason upon which Hojo wished to create us in your image after all the destruction you wrought. What life is that - to destroy?"

He seemed to ponder it for a few more seconds before he set the picture down and left the room, snatching his double-bladed sword as he left.

[Rikugurl]

This memory...was the longest of them all...and actually helpful in many ways.
Everyone knew the people who had bunched up at the end. Cloud, Yuffie, Aerith, Tifa, Cid especially. Roxel even remembered Sora talking about his fight with Sephiroth.

Many questions popped up though. If that planet broke a part...and were now in many different areas, such as Costa del Sol, their vacation world, does that mean that every small world out there was a part of a bigger one?

Like, Destiny Island... and Hollow Bastion. When Sora beat the darkness, the lands grew larger. The main land for Destiny Island appeared and the town of Radiant Garden and the other castle appeared as well.

Did defeating the Darkness make fragments of planets come back together?

And Axel's Somebody. He seemed to have a big part in the ways of ShinRa. What was a good thing though was that they knew the little boy that was in the memory was now taking good care of Midgar... and trying to make things right with the help of the Turks.

What some did wonder was...what happened to the rest of the AVALANCHE group?

Before any could ask, a new memory came onto the screen.


The door to a small looking building opened and a familiar brunette walked in, his face pain as his eyes looked weak from the lack of sleep.
A woman with brown hair stood behind a desk, her hair in a long braid with a pink bow in it.

"How is he?" The man asked, even as he passed the woman in pink as he walked down the hallway and came to a door, opening slowly and peering in. The woman walked slowly to his side and looked in as well.
The camera showed what was inside the room. A pot of lilies were on the nightstand next to a bed were a blonde man was laying.

"He's still in a coma..." She said softly as she slowly looked at him, sighing softly as he walked into the room and sat in the chair by the bed.
"Aerith...what are we going to do....if he doesn't wake up..." Hurt came from Terra's lips as he slowly looked up at the woman who walked in.
"Well...all we can do for now is pray. I've done all I can do for him. It's up to his heart and we can only help to give it strength." She spoke softly as she looked down at Ventus who had some wires in his arms, his skin deathly pale.

The screen shifted to a whole new place entirely, no longer on Radiant Garden.
It was on Olympus that a few Chasers met with Clouds, Tifa and Yuffie.
"Sounds like... Geostigma." The blonde looked down, his voice dark as everyone looked at him in worry. "I had it once. It happened when our home world was being damaged. Jenova's body was destroyed and when the lifestream busted to save the planet, her cells contaminated it. I guess little Gunnar must of bumped into Mako somehow when he went down to Midgar. Actually, Edge...seeing that Midgar is destroyed but I guess they're still calling it that..."

"So...what can we do?" A helpless mother's eyes watered, making the woman who was viewing this remember it like it was just yesterday.
"There's no cure..." He spoke, his voice seeming to crack the woman's heart.
"What do you mean there's no cure!?" A man with a nasty scar running down his face growled as he stepped forward.

"It's something he will have to determine on his own." A woman sighed softly as she shook her head, her long black hair flowing behind her. "His body has to either accept it...or not."
"And if he doesn't...?"
"His body is trying to fight off the foreign cells and by doing that, it overcompensates. If his body doesn't accept the new cells and keeps fighting it he will develope black rash-like scars on his body and will cause him extreme pain from time to time, oozing a grotesque black puss when at its worst. As time wears on, the disease starts to draw too much energy from the body, and he will hardly be able to move, maybe be confined to a bed or wheelchair. Eventually, the war within his body will be lost, and Geostigma will take the his life." The blonde's voice made the mother sob in her husband's arm.

The man could only look down at his wife and hold her close before another blonde walk up and frowned. "Don't cry, Olette. We all know Gunnar is a tough little kid. He'll accept it. He can beat this thing. We just have to keep positive."

The scene switch again, now back on the Chaser airship. Two parents sat on a new bed that they had to buy to separate the from his sibling as a silverette woman sat in a chair next to the bed.
A little girl with blonde hair walked in, her face sad.
"Mommy....daddy?"
The two slowly looked over and the woman smiled softly before getting up, walking to the girl. "What is it sweetie?"
"Can Gunnar come play now?"
"No sweetie...he's fighting his first battle but he'll be able to play when he's done. You can come sleep with us tonight though."

A red eye slowly looked over as Olette picked up the girl as so did the man still sitting on the bed.
"Night Princess..." He said softly before looking back at the boy who was still sweating badly.
"Fuu...what am I suppose to do?"
"Have faith..." She spoke softly before she watched Seifer lean over, running his hand over Gunnar's forehead. "Come on, Tiger..."

[Reno]

After the very long memory Kadaj, Tensai and Roxas helped to generate, many of the Chasers had finally decided that standing was cramping their legs. To some of them, especially to those with Keyblades, it was hard to imagine just how much history was on one planet - even though it now was very broken up.

It had been so corrupt too... did it, like other worlds, even have the slightest chance of being brought back together?

Soon another memory was showing - and this one made some of the younger Chasers jerk back in surprise. It was kind of hard not too... considering what Terra looked like - yellow eyes, sharp teeth, long claws. He even was walking strange as if his legs no longer fit his body. He looked... scary.

No one had time to ask why he looked like that though before another memory was upon them and this one was just as dark as the last... and disheartening. Ironically though, Lucina's behavior made quite a few of them - especially Roxel and Tensai - raise an eyebrow just as Aqua's first memory did.

What the hell happened to the sweet little girl there?!


The scene changed again though rather quickly.
"Damn kid, the fuck did you do to her?!" Yelled an irate voice from under a colorful gummi ship.

"Ah you know," A young boy in all red - minus the white gloves, yellow shoes, blue belt and black jacket - said from where he sat on a wooden counter, his voice almost comical with how high it was - it had yet to break. "Just got ganged up on by a few heartless, ran for our lives all that good stuff!" Sora chirped swinging his legs as he looked up towards the sky and all the twinkling stars of Traverse Town.

"Fuck, kids your age shouldn't have licenses."
"Hey blame Donald! He was driving!"
"Oh so you just watched."
"No way! I get to shoot at them!" He said with a wide smile.
"Pff... you got bad aim."
"HEY!" Sora crossed his arms, pouting. "Do not..."

"Well if you don't I'm a fucking kangaroo." A hand reached out from under the ship, reaching for something but found nothing but the ground. there was an irritated growl before Cid rolled out from under the ship and looked around. "The hell my socket wrench go?"

He glanced towards Sora, his eyes narrowed and accusing, then he rose an eyebrow. "You seen Yuffie come in here?"
Sora blinked. "Nope. I've been watching you the whole time!" He lied, grinning.
"You're lying kid."
"Ahh... how'd you know?"
"'Cause your damn belt's gone brat."
Sora looked down and placed his hand on his waist finding that his big blue belt he always wore was indeed missing. "Wow... she's good."


The scene shifted quickly.
"Man this is so exciting Roxas!" Axel said, his butt wiggling and smacking into his husband.
The blonde laughed, pushing the other away slightly. "Hey be careful with that thing! And calm down we're not even inside yet."
"But we WILL be! I hope some of them spit fire!"
"Okay that I really doubt." The blonde laughed.

"Are you sure you're okay to watch them all?" A woman in all orange asked to one in all pink.
Aerith giggled some, several kids of varying ages rallied around her - the eldest at 11, Namine, Lucina, Gunnar, Roxel and, the youngest at five, Tensai. "Of course, It's no problem at all! Besides you all deserve a break."

Luci, however, was pouting at this fact not much liking the idea of having to spend the day away from her parents and instead with - ugh - Aerith. She tugged on her dad's shirt. "Daddy can't I come with you?"
Seifer smiled at her. "Yes princess. You can't get into anything we're gonna do and it would be real boring to just sit around and watch us have fun."
The girl continued to pout.
"Listen, you behave today, and as soon as we get the chance we can practice your shooting for as long as you like."
Luci's eyes widened. "Really?! As long as I want to?!"
"Yep."
"Yay!" She hugged him. "Thank you daddy!!"

Tensai hugged onto Roxel as the line started to move forward. "I don't wanna be away from our daddies." He pouted.
Roxel however did not quite have this fear. He grinned. "It'll be fun!" He leaned over then and whispered, "And we'll be with Aunt Aerith! She'll buy us all the ice cream we can eat!"
Tensai's eyes widened. "Really?!"
"Yeah!"
A wide smile broke out on the boy's face.

Terra meanwhile was watching something beyond the gates. It was an odd contraption high in the sky like some sort of tower and a ring of... seats with people sitting on them was around it moving up the tower at a slow pace until it finally stopped at the top.
...And then it fell. Fast.
Terra went pale and turned to get out of line. "You know what I think Xio and Invidia need some company!"
"Oh no you don't!" Ven grabbed onto the other's waist. "We already paid for your ticket!"
"But-but-but!" Terra pointed towards the tower he had been looking at. "Did you SEE that?!"
Ven grinned widely. "Yeah it looked awesome we're totally going on that first!"
"Noooooo," Terra said shaking his head. "We are NOT riding that EVER!"
"You baby!"
Aqua glanced back from the map she and Fuu were looking at, an evil grin on her face. "Says here it's called the Drop Tower with a freefall of 250 feet! I agree with Ven it looka fun!"
"Oh man we definitely gotta go on it now!!" The blonde said, bouncing on his heels excitedly.
Fuujin couldn't help but smile when Terra paled even more - and turned even a little green. She glanced at Aqua, grinning. "You're kind of mean."
Aqua giggled. "I know, isn't it great?!" She glanced back at the map. "Oooh there are water rides too!"

Gunnar was looking at a map with a bit of a pout. "Man I wanna ride some of the cool stuff!"
Namine looked over his shoulder, seeing some of the more high-tech rides that even to her looked kinda fun! "Well, when we get our own ship we can always come back? Whenever we want?"
Gunnar grinned. "That would be awesome!"
"Wait is that a loop?!"
"Don't be a scardy-cat!"

As the scene faded, it filled some of them with nostalgia. It was the same park that, several months later, they would be inspired to create a hologram of on Atteris to trick Rant and Rave.

[Rikugurl]

The sight of Aerith made a lot of people sad...who knew her of course. She wasn't always tons of fun to the Gen 2 but she was extremely nice... and caring. It seems like she had given up her life, the things she wanted to do.... just to help others. Even people that she hardly even knew. She didn't have to be the Chaser's medic...

Gunnar swallowed as he watched the next scene, realizing they were talking about him. He couldn't really remember what had happened between Kadaj catching his fall to...when it was normal being able to hear, see and feel things that he did today.
He had to wonder...what would of happened if his body rejected it.

He'd be dead obviously... but how would... life be now without him? Obviously Tensai and Roxel would be a lot more happier.

The next scene made his mind drift off the thought as he watched and chuckled, seeing the lighthearted scenes. Terra was always afraid of heights... He was shocked he had gone so far being so.

When the memories faded, another glow hit the gem and a new memory came up.


A small group of kids walked down the sidewalk of a beach with a single adult. Some boys were being rowdy and some girls were spreading gossip. The only two who seemed to be somewhat behaved was a small gift and a rather husky tanned boy.

A red eye was covered by the shadows of a hand so that it could see better over the sunny day.
"Hey, what's that?" She pointed out and the boy looked over.
"Oh that? It's a theme park they set up every year on the beach, y'know?"
"Oh! I wanna go!"
"You can't, y'know?"
"Huh?" The girl stopped dead and pouted, something that no one had seen Fuu do...well, except for Aqua maybe. "Why not?"

The boy scratched his head then shrugged. "Cause you're a cry baby, y'know?"
"I AM NOT!"
"That's what I heard, y'know?"
"Well it's not true." The girl looked away, tears welling in her eyes.

The scene shifted and the kids were back at the orphanage. The silverette girl sighed as she sat in her bed, eying a boy from across the room. He was showing off muscles that he had already built and grabbing all the boy's and especially girls attentions.
"Yea, I don't let any lamers or chickenwusses push ME around~" The blonde laughed, being smug for only being eight.

The girl swallowed but smiled, a blush running over her cheeks. "I wish I could talk to him..." She looked away and frowned down at her bed. "But I'm a cry baby..."
"You know, if you just hid all your emotions, you wouldn't cry so much...at least not when anyone else was around."
The girl blinked and she looked over, seeing an older girl on a bed next to her. The girl had long black hair and pale skin.

"What do you mean?"
"Maybe...you should just act tougher, don't speak unless you have to and don't let what anyone says hurt you. All the kids shy away the grown-ups from adopting you because you're a cry baby. As long as they keep it up, you might as well have a better reason why people are shied away. That you're a tough, mean girl that they fear. Either way, it looks like we're both stuck here until we're old enough to be on our own. I think that boy that you're crushing on would like a touch girl instead of a cry baby....for a girlfriend."

The silverette continued to frown before slowly looking back at the blonde who was still boasting.
"Right."

The scene shifted again, though much later in years.
A sweet humming came from the hallway in the Clock Tower Suites as a woman in sexy, black and blue lingerie walked down it with a tray of strawberries.

The Room of Echoes seemed to gasp as everyone realized who it was...
The door opened to a room and the woman popped her head in. "Oooooh Fuuuuuuuuuujin~~~~♥" She called but her blue eyes shot open wide as she gasped, the tray falling to the floor. The camera moved to show exactly what the woman was looking at.
Another woman with long, silver hair, leaning over a side of the bed, her face in her hands. She was still in her wedding gown and....sobbing.

"Fuu!" The woman cried as she rushed to the other, sitting down and wrapping her arms around the silverette. "Fujin! What's the matter?" She cried in worry but she blinked as the other turned to her...oddly seeing a...smile over her features.
"Aqua..." The silverette choked. "I'm so.....happy...." Her arms wrapped around the woman's neck as she came closer, the women holding onto each other tightly.

"Then....why are you crying, baby?" The blue haired woman asked as she rubbed the other's back.
"B-because..." The silverette sniffed. "Because I'm a cry baby....."
"You're not a cry baby, Fuu..." Aqua said softly, a gentle smile over her features before the camera turned and showed Fuu's face. She too had a content... and thankful smile of her own.

[Reno]

Everyone was pretty shocked to witness what they did - and Aqua couldn't help but blush and hide half of her face - PRIVACY anyone?! - but the memory ended on a happy note and it made her smile now understanding even better just how... completely she had helped to ease her wife's deepest concerns about her flaws.

Yet barely a glance was bale to be shared between the two, or a mental respite gained by the others who had to witness Aqua in underwear before the screen went black the gem started to glow silver. An agonized scream tore through the room of echoes making everyone jump in fright or muscles tense, on edge. Except for one - Olette. She knew these screams.

The scream fell away... and a baby's crying could be heard and that too faded.

Slowly a scene faded in.


The studio was familiar. It was full of paintings most half-finished and the area was messy. forgotten cups and plates left everywhere, blankets and pillows thrown on plenty of chairs as if to provide warmth and support for many not just two - no three.

A familiar blue-skinned woman was sitting up in bed, humming a tune to a slumbering boy wrapped in a blanket, his skin soft yet pale compared to her and a little fuzz of black hair on his head.

"So," Whispered a voice, his steps echoing loudly in the small room as he trudged over, sitting down on the edge of the bed. He paused, running his fingers carefully along his son's head before leaning over and giving him a gentle kiss. "Hello Akidric."

Kali smiled some, "So what?"
"Huh?"
"You were about to ask me something and got distracted." She said.
"Oh..." Charlie rose his head and in his eyes was pride - but also torture. Because now it was official. "Fifty-six days, right?" His countdown had begun.
The woman nodded slowly, her own eyes sad but her face disapproving. "Yes."
He hummed before standing and walking off. When he returned he was holding a calender and a paint brush. He circled September 24 in red paint and then counted. He flipped into October, counted and flipped into November, counting more. "55, 56." He put an X through November 19th. "My day of death."

He stared at it in silence, swallowed hard, and he probably would of had a hard time looking away from it if not for -
"Mmm!" Whined the boy as he shifted in his mother's arms his eyes opening. The two looked over... and Aki started to cry sending the new parents into panic.
"Oh dear, you can not be hungry again!" Kali said, rocking him. "Do humans eat so much?"
"Well sometimes but you just fed him." Charlie replied.
Akidric continued to cry.
"Maybe he needs some fresh air. Charlie, would you be a dear?"
"Uh-uh yeah!" He said as he dropped his things and held his hands out and the baby was transferred to the father's hands, the man careful to support his back and head.

However, strangely, the moment he did... Akidric ceased crying. His little eyes opened and looked up at his dad, pouting.
Kali watched for a moment then slowly she chuckled. "Oh I do believe you had upset him Charlie."
"Upset him? How?"
"I believe he dislikes it when you are... morbid. As do I."
Charlie blinked looking down at the boy. "Is that true?"
Akidric just blinked and smiled an adorable baby smile.
"How can he possibly understand that?" He whispered, fascinated.
"Remember, he is not all human." Kali answered. "His sensitivity to emotion had developed nicely."
The man looked at her, than back to his son, and started to rock him. "You are an amazing child already my son. I will enjoy life, not mourn my death."
The orange-eyed boy seemed appeased by this, nuzzling the other to fall back to sleep. And yet even still Charlie had a hard time looking away from the boy his eyes filled with wonder and awe.

"You are going to paint him, aren't you?"
"Yes." The other answered automatically, as if not doing so was out of the question.
"As expected." Kali said, lounging back.
"Kali I must know something." He sighed. "I know decisions are flaws in your vision - but can you see who will take care of our son?"
"Yes."
He looked over to her in surprise. "How?"

"Simply because I have know Zeus for eons and I know the decision he will make. He will take our son and give it to his brother Hades to decide the boy's fate. Hades, being a spiteful person, will choose someone he dislikes greatly to care for Akidric. His choice however ends up - probably intentionally - being beneficial to me because he chooses a couple that I can see clearly."
Charlie gave her a peculiar and confused look.

"As I said, few beings I can see clearly beyond their decisions they can make - you and Aki..." she looked away and sighed. "But these two... and many like them, I can see. They are called 'Keybladers' - weapons born to fight darkness but with such a formidable strength can easily corrupt it's user. A keyblader's destinies are set from the moment they are chosen... to the day the keyblade gives them up."
"So what... death?"
"Most often... yes."


Many in the room of echoes tensed up, their eyes widening, sharp breaths echoing in the room.


"So wait... who did he choose?"
"Riku Mizushima, a man whose birth had always been tainted in darkness and his battle with his destiny a struggle, but though he has made mistakes, his destiny has overall been surmountably influential even to beings that should not exist. His husband is Sora Holani of which Hades has held a grudge against for years."
Charlie opened and closed his mouth unsure what to address first. The fact his child was to be adopted by two MEN or that nagging voice in the back of his mind. The nagging won - "Why?"

"Sora... is the Keyblade Master. Basically, the ruler over all keybladers and with strengths unmatchable. Even by Gods." Charlie's eyes went wide. "Sora has defeated Lucifer and Hades - more than twice." She looked at her shell-shocked husband and smiled. "It is a dangerous power. He could distort the entire universe if he so willed. Could destroy entire world ties, bring apart fierce plagues and damnation. But his heart is good and such notions never touch his mind."

She lent back and spoke, "Hades I know chose them for two reasons - one because, to his glee, I had announced their date of deaths nearly a year ago after their defeat of a cruel warlock keyblader. They will be killed in the third year of our son's life something that will be torturous for poor Aki." She reached over, running her knuckles along the boy's head.

"And secondly?" Charlie looked down at their boy.
"Because we gods know the argumentative tendencies of an egotistical human. Sometimes they tend to be so violent that for some silly reason, a relationship's ties are completely broken if no one attempts to speak up and stop it." she shook her head. "I and he have seen many bonds destroyed by the appearance of a child in a couple's life... he is hoping the same will happen to them."
"Will it?"
She smiled. "It will put them at ends for quite awhile... but no. There love is stronger than Hades could ever grasp." she glanced at their son. "Do not fear Charlie, they will be absolutely wonderful parents for their short time with him."
He sighed and nodded. "Then I am glad.... you wouldn't happen to know who takes him next would you?"
She grinned. "A-ctually...."

The scene faded away but despite all the shock everyone felt they could think of nothing to say. Bright white added to the silver then and a new scene began.


"Hey Riku..."
Fights that had nearly made a relationship collapse. Those who had known Sora and Riku for a long time knew only two instances of this - during their original wedding date when the darkness of their shared souls started to tear them apart only to be reconciled just in time for Riku's death.

"...You know I've been thinking..."
And of course when they had taken in Tensai and the idea of adopting the boy or finding his parents had sent them both on such a violent path of harsh and hurtful words that Sora finally took an oath of silence against his lover for nearly a month while Riku continued to look and search. Until of course, it was revealed he had given up long ago and was actually trying to adopt the boy as well and the papers were set before the brunette's eyes.

"...What if we tried something new tonight..."
No one really knew there was a third fight - that in realty was actually their first. It was during a time of great change and stress for them both. Because they were no longer teenagers but adults and everything was more more complex when you were an adult.

"...and you let me have sex with you?"

"No." Riku said plainly from the counter were he was cutting into some fresh fruit.
"No? That's it? We're not even to discuss it?" On the couch Sora called, a book with a title only people forced to read would eve dare pick up dangling from his fingertips but obviously forgotten.

There was an aggravated sigh. He had already physically rejected Sora's 'domination' on many occasions. "No Sora we are not going to discuss it for there is nothing to discuss." Chop, chop, chop, chop.
"What do you mean there is nothing to discuss?!"
Chop. Riku looked up, his eyes dark. "It means that no way is it ever going to happen so why bother to talk about it?"
Sora snapped his book closed and set it on the coffee table before standing and walking over, crossing his arms as the counter separated them. "Riku... don't you trust me?"
"You know I do." The other said easily. "I just don't feel comfortable with it."

"Oh!" Sora broke in with mock shock. "You're not 'comfortable' with it. Just like I wasn't comfortable with you having sex with me and you still pushed the issue plenty of times."
Riku scowled, his anger rising. "I stopped whenever you told me too. You were totally willing the first time we made love."
Sora's eyes narrowed back. "Of course I was - but ever since I did I regretted it, because you expect me to just... let it happen!"
"That isn't true!"
"Oh like fucking hell!" Sora threw out his arms before making his voice lower, doing his best Riku impression, "'Come on Sora there's a gift for you in the bedroom - let me help you unwrap it.'"
"I was being sexy!"

Sora's face turned serious and he crossed his arms again. "I know. And I liked it but Ri... don't you ever think that maybe I want to do that kind of stuff too?"
The other paused, seeming struck by those words. "Sora... you're just not-"
Bad choice of words. Sora's eyes narrowed in fury. "Not what? Not 'hot' like you? Not 'sexy' enough?" He slammed his hands on the counter, glaring. "Or let me guess it's just 'not my place' right?"
Riku shook his head, silver hair flying around his face. "Sora you're being-"
"What? Sensitive? Irrational? A GIRL?" Sora scowled at the last term. "I'm sick of you treating me like that Riku - not just as the 'girl' of the relationship but as if I'm your inferior! Not even equal to you!"

[Rikugurl]

"Meow~~" Some people blinked when they heard a purr coming across the room, a glare beings shot from a short blonde man and a silver haired woman....at the tall redhead.
"WHAT!?" Axek blushed and looked away, crossing his arms. Alright...so Aqua looked attractive for a woman in those kind of clothes! It's not like Roxas could wear stuff like that.

The thought made him drool a bit but the next memory was on its way and everyone looked over, seeing Kali and Charlie once more.

The parents and girls that were watching all smiled as they saw baby Tensai in his mother's arms. Olette could only smile, remembering what it was like to hold Lucina and Gunnar in her arms right after they were born.
She had no idea what she would do if she knew that she wouldn't be able to be with them for....most of their lives.

However, they were all disappointed when the memory cut off right before Kali were to explain the.......angry lovers. Charlie must of almost died from a heart attack!

Fuu's head tilted as the memory drifted off. Did Kali know about her and Aqua...?

The next memory...............................................well, that was a bit awkward. Roxel rubbed the back of his neck as he blushed a little. Why was this memory popping up!?

Already Aqua's....privacy was ambushed and now Sora and Riku's. Some of the people on the platform were getting a bit nervous. Where their more...personal bedtime affairs going to show up?
Axel was kind of hoping for it! To see that sexy Roxas of him in action... then again... he could really embarrass himself...

Gunnar swallowed as well, glancing at Kadaj. If one of their... behind doors activities popped up, his father was going to KILL him!

The memory passed and everyone was a bit speechless. For a close and loving couple as they were, when they fought, holy shit, watch out.

Another color hit the gem and the screen started to roll, some people sighing in relief knowing it wasn't one of theirs.


A silverette woman walked down the cold hallways of the airship. It was hard to tell if it were day or night thanks to the blackness of space but a clock that she walked by let everyone know it was in the evening.

"Fuck...that was gross. Never a-fucking-gain!" A voice could be heard in the background with a chuckle of another man. "You kind of looked cute."
"Pfft, yea, all fucking bloody like you like me..."
"Speaking of which...."
"ACK!"

The voices faded as the woman continued to walk down the hall and turned the corner to where another closed door was, the inside finally silent.
A red eye looked around, making sure no one was watching her as she silently tip-toed over to the door. She wrapped her hand around the handle quietly before slowly turning in and silently cracked the door open.

A red eye could be seen in the silver that she had opened the door before the camera turned to make it seem like it was looking through her eye at the next scene.

On a full bed, a woman sat up in the middle as a man leaned up against her. The two were slowly looking down at a bundle in her arms as the baby inside was nursing.
The look on the new parent's faces were... so loving and hopeful.
"What a beautiful princess..." The blonde hair man whispered as he reached over, softly running his fingers across the newborn's head.

The red eye softened and the door was slowly shut, the woman pulling away and sighing softly, neither happy....nor sad before she slowly and quietly walked away.


Tear ran down Olette's cheeks as she reached down, holding Seifer's hand in happiness. It was the first time she held her first baby...

No one noticed Seifer's manly blush as the next memory quickly came onto the screen from two colors.


"Roxel. R-O-X-E-L"
A pen was placed on the black piece of lined paper, a little, chubby hand holding it as a larger and slimmer one held onto it over top. Slowly, a 'R' was written and then an 'O', then a 'X', 'E', 'L'.
"Wockewl." The bi colored eyed boy smiled as he saw the word, feeling how it was written.

"Yep. Now let's spell your last name. Xipil. X-I-P-I-L."
A space was made after the name 'Roxel' and the next name spelled after that, the little boy giggling some.
"Wockewl Cki...."
"Zeeee~"
"Wockewl Zipiwl! That's me!" The boy laughed as he looked up at his redheaded father.

"Yep! Now, do you want to practice by yourself?"
"NO! I wanna wite my daddies names!"
Axel could only chuckle before wrapping his hand around the boy's and nodded. "Alright, let's start with daddy Roxas. R-O-X-A-S."
The words were slowly written below the boy's name.
"And then there's me. Daddy Axel! A-X-E-L. Got it memorized~~?" The redhead grinned as he chewed on his son's ear, making him giggle even more before a space was made and the next name was placed on the paper.

[Reno]

As the last of the angry memory faded Roxas crossed his arms. He wasn't as embarrassed as the rest considering he and Sora used to discuss things pretty openly via space mail - hey they WERE the same person at one point. Though sex was a very embarrassing subject (god knows he spent long enough trying to tell Roxel the birds and the bees) he and Sora never really had difficulty talking about it or anything really and he easily read under the lines of the whole argument, seeing the troubles the two were facing.

It made him a little... sad actually. Sora hadn't admitted all that to him - probably didn't want to worry him while he was busy building up Delshad with Axel or something silly like that.

Tensai was just embarrassed period and a little scared. Did they always fight like that? No one ever mentioned it before, they always sad how sweet Sora was or how rational Riku had been, but if his daddy Ven was that violent...

Kadaj meanwhile found the whole thing fascinating. He'd seen a lot of arguments before but never one such tenor of this - echoing somewhat to what he and Gunnar had been saying just last night. Curious... maybe this memory was for them to see.

A new scene came up, offering some relief.

And fond smiles and an embarrassed blush from one Gen leader were quick to follow the sight of baby Luci.

Aqua couldn't help but chuckle at the first half of the memory though hearing Terra and Ven's short conversation reminding her of how their brave leader RAN for the hills when Olette went into labor... both times and both times VEN was their 'doctor'. Ah, memories.

There was a quick switch and then the sight of little Roxel... learning how to write. Tensai couldn't help but feel the old pang of jealousy when he saw this but he hid it well.

Roxas meanwhile smiled sadly, realizing now all that he had missed because of his job. Maybe this was why Roxel was more comfortable around him? Axel had been the one to teach Roxel most of the stuff he knew... most of it expect maybe-

The gem changed from red and purple to white and purple.


"♪Three little liooon kits♪" A blonde sang a catchy joyful tune, sitting at his son's bedside. Roxel, who was only a little older then, his arms wrapped around a familiar and quite REAL lion.
"♪Thwee wittle wiooon kits♪" The little boy sang along.
"♪One of wit, the other one spit, the third could knit.♪"
"♪One of wit, da otder one spit, da dird cou knit.♪"
"♪All sat down in a mitt, but could not fit!♪"
"♪All dat down in a mitt, bu cou not fit!♪"
"♪So they hit, spit and one even bit!♪"
"♪So day hit, spit and one eben bit!♪"
"♪The one of wit, spoke to quit,♪"
"♪Da one of wit, spake to quit,♪
"♪The one who could knit made the mitt split♪"
"♪Da one who cou knit made da mitt spit♪"
"♪And happy was it, those liooon kits with mitts!♪"
"♪An happy was it, dose wiooon kits with mitts!♪

Roxel blinked then smiled a big toothy smile. "I sang it!"

The blonde father smiled proudly, kissing the other on the cheek. "Yes you did. Now you should go to bed."
The boy pouted. "One mowe? Pwease?!"
Roxas chuckled but smiled. "Alright, which one?"
"Wittle baby!"
"Okay." The tone of the father's voice changed to something softer.
"♪Hush little baby don't say a word...♪"


Roxas rubbed the back of his neck, blushing heavily and feeling self-conscious even when he was singing LULLABIES and not even in the current!

The sad thing was, he hadn't even seen how talented he really was.

[Rikugurl]

Blonde hair shifted as purple eyes watched the memories. Everyone seemed to have different ways of growing up, learning and meeting the people they did today. He had to smile softly as he saw Lucina, just after she was born. He was probably too young to have the memory for when he was born...to see if his father was there too. It was doubtful.

The mysteries of his parents...would he ever learn how they found each other? How they fell in love...?

A black glow hit the gem and a new memory appeared.


A young boy rushed across a thin bridge to an odd shaped house, opening the door and closing it behind him. He had quite a pout as he walked through the small living space towards what seemed to be a kitchen.

"Mother?"
"Hmm?"
The boy leaned on the counter that his mother was working on, her orange hair much longer now and not up like it use to be. Her purple eyes glanced at the boy as her pale, almost blue like skin, arms were being washed under the water.

"I went to play with Mauro... but he's all grown up! He's only interested in girls now and doesn't want to read or play tag with me!" He pouted more and crossed his hands.
The woman tilted her head and smiled. "Oh, that. That's normal, baby. When Thym get to a certain age, they mature drastically within a moon cycle. Human who live on the other side of call it their teenage years... but we do not have them. Those years are pointless to us so we skip it all together. Though...I know those years are important to humans."

"So...when I get to be Mauro's age, I'll grow up too?"
The woman paused before shaking her head. "That I don't know. You are both Thym and Human together."
"Is that why I look funny?"
The woman giggled before wrapping her now dried hands off around her son, bringing him into a hug. "You don't look funny. You look a lot like your father."

"Can we go see father?"
"No baby. Remember I said that we cannot see him until this world is no more?"
"I hope that's soon..."
"Me too, Samael.... me too."

The scene changed to another house, one that was still familiar to the viewers as the house where the oracle lived. The faceless beast ran her black claw down the page before closing it.
"It says here, young master, that when Thym reach the human age of fourteen, they mature for one moon cycle, which is what humans call a week. They will then be the human age of twenty, a fully mature Thym. They are then old enough to pass through the Mirror. However, I believe that you and your mother have been banned from passing through the Mirror..."

The camera changed to show a boy a bit younger that when he had met the Chasers.
"Which isn't fair..."
The faceless being just seemed to chuckle, making the blonde boy blink. "What?"
"Nothing, young master. You sound more and more like a human every time I see you. Your emotions and sense of injustice are strong."

The boy frowned as he looked at the floor but slowly looked back up. "How old am I now in human years?"
The figure tilted her plated head before reaching out, placing some of her claws on the boy's forehead.
"Thirteen."


The memory faded, making some people tilt their head. Maybe that was the reason why Sammy grew up so fast so sudden. He actually did get older... not just taller. However, it had happened in the stretch of a year instead of a week. Maybe it was fact that he was human that made it last a bit longer.

"Hmmm...." Namine hummed as she thought. Wonder if uncle Terra or Tensai has any books on the Thym and Thymosia. Then again, if they didn't even reach the connection where this world was...

Her thoughts were interrupted as another glow hit the gem but the screen was still dark, even as they heard a heavenly voice.


"♪Three little liooon kits~ One of wit, the other one spit, the third could knit. All sat down in a mitt, but could not fit! So they hit, spit and one even bit! The one of wit, spoke to quit, the one who could knit made the mitt split and happy was it, those liooon kits with mitts!♪"
"Are you done warming up?"

The screen suddenly showed a young teen with fire hair, crazy colored eyes and... lots and lots of make up. A woman was standing behind him, combing and putting up his hair in a stylish way.
"Huh?" The boy blinked as he glanced over, the screen showing a very short man....no wait....man.....goat.....thing.

Phil. The faun who could only see dollars and hear cheers of fame.
"Yea, you done warming up because I have three words for that. That. Song. Really. Sucks!"
The boy blinked, putting his hand up and started to count his fingers. "Phil, that's four words....AND HEY! That song doesn't suck!" He frowned and crossed his arms. "My daddy sang that to me when I was young."
"Yea well, now you ain't young so find a better song to tune to! Rhyming songs don't work, kid. Now look, the show starts in 10 so make sure you're ready. I'll go check up on Ten."

The faun turned and stomped out of the room only for the young star to close his eyes and put up his hand as if he was his own conductor. "♪Three little liooon kits~"

The scene faded slowly, the boy hitting the notes in a beautiful tone.
He obviously had a lot of voice training.

The very same teen smiled as he looked over at his blonde father.

[Reno]

Luci was wondering the same thing Namine was, her eyes darting towards Sammy's back. He had grown exceptionally fast in just a year - but he was also a BOY and having Gunnar for a brother she learned things like this were normal. It probably wasn't too peculiar... was it?

The next memory was on a scene very familiar to Tensai and Roxel both. But to everyone else it was more interesting, seeing a glimpse of what the two Chaser's life was outside of missions, eating and sleeping.

Roxas' chuckled as the memory finished looking towards his son with a fond smile. Roxel still remembered that song even after all these years?

Another memory appeared this one blue.


"Aqua you can't help me." Sai said patiently, as he tended to their small field, turning the soil for the spring. Around his head, keeping the hot sun out of his face, his tunic was wrapped around his head.

The blue-haired girl had a sour look on her face sitting on a giant rock her legs crossed maybe about six or seven. Her clothes, unlike the rags of a dress they had been before, looking almost brand new. And... several times too big for her. A rope was wrapped around the large pants to keep them up and her shirt was falling off her shoulders.

He sighed again when he got no response. "Why aren't you wearing the pretty new dresses we got for you? Ladies should be in dresses not pants."
She glared more and scoffed.
"Aqua... What do you want?"
"I want to help." She said firmly.

"You can't. You're a girl." Her brother said firmly. "That means you cook, clean, sew and you go to school you get a husband, have kids end of story."
She scoffed. "Girls who do that are stupid."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, not helpful at all!" She slapped her hands on her thighs.
"Well, too bad because that's what you are." He said turning his back to her as if it was the end of the discussion.

She huffed. "Not a girl."
This mad the Beserker pause and he looked back, chuckling. "Oh you're not?"
"No!" She huffed and tugged off her shirt without a thought, tying it up on her head sloppily as if to imitate her brother.
"Aqua that was very unladylike."
"Not a lady either!"
"Then what are you?"
The girl pouted even harder and didn't answer.
Sai sighed. "Go to school Aqua."
She didn't budge.
"Fine, just sit there all day! You're not going to help and that's final!"

There was a flash, the sun higher in the sky than before. Sai was further down the field, huffing some as his tired and blistered hands continued to tend to the field. He glanced over his shoulder seeing Aqua still sitting on her rock, practically in the same position he had left her in. Her pale skin was red in many places, especially her back which had been facing east.

"Damn her... gonna be the only woman in the world to do man work." He grumbled. Did he have a choice? "Aqua!"
The girl inclined her head a little at his call. "Go fetch the spade and seeds! We got to start planting!"
Her eyes widened then lit up, a grin on her face. "Okay!!" She jumped off her rock, her little legs running fast for their barn.

Another flash and now two people were in a run down kitchen an elder girl, now a preteen, listening with intent interest to the conversation occurring downstairs in the living room, watching her brother and mother.
"It's unseemingly Sai! A girl working the fields! I let it pass while she was a child, plenty could mistake for a boy then but now no one can can think it's a trick of the eye. Aqua can't work the fields with you anymore."
"But... she wants to."
"So what? Plenty of us want things but that's not how life is! She needs to grow up and learn that her life will be a woman's life."
"...I know..." He sighed. "I suppose so-"

Aqua scoffed, leaning over the wooden railing. "Ever ask my opinion, mother?"
The two looked up from their seats in surprise. Adrielle's eyes narrowed and she stood. "Aqua, when are you going to learn a lady's opinion never matters?"
The strong pre-teen grunted some. "Well maybe I don't WANT to be a lady! Maybe I don't want to be a wife, or a child-rearing fool! I want to be a traveler! A fighter! A worker! I can do whatever any guy can and BETTER!"
"Will you put away these silly plans? You're acting as rebellious as Ronan!"
"Well good I'd rather be like him than you!" Aqua growled back, only have a small satisfaction at her mother's hurt and furious expression before pushing away from the railing and stomping off towards her room.
"Aqua-" She heard Sai call but she slammed her door closed, cutting him off.

Aqua chuckled some, smirking in pride. She remembered those days - she had always wanted to work in the field when she was little, always idolizing her father and brother and wanting to do the things they did. It would of been simpler had she simply been born a boy but then she couldn't rub it in her mom's face.

The scene changed quickly, a white light hitting it instead.


Soft blue eyes in a long, green face watched carefully a small human child toddle around on his shaky legs, still new to walking. Her paws barely made a sound on the carpet as she walked behind her, tail twitching behind her.

"Come on Ten, you can do it!" Sora encouraged, his arms out and waiting for his son to reach him.

The little boy made little noises as he teetered towards his dad but made a mistake both human and animal caught before the infant as he lifted his shoe and placed it atop the other rather than on the carpet.

The animal made a small bark of alarm as the boy's arms wheeled and he started to fall her front paws leaving the ground as her small teeth quickly but carefully bit upon the collar of the boy's shirt and tugged her back so he wouldn't fall on his face.

Unfortunately he fell back inside, and right atop of her. "Ee!" The little fox-rabbit cried as she was smashed under the boy's weight, her paws flexing and she sighed. Sora was quick to hurry over to make sure they were alright. Tensai's little orange eyes blinked and he sat up carefully, before giggling and hugging Invidia around her neck. "I love Vi-Vi!"
Invidia blinked then smiled, tail wagging behind her as she started licking the boy's cheek, making him laugh.

Sora blinked then grinned, lifting the boy off of his poor friend. "Ahh Ri, Vi just saved Ten! And he said just his first full sentence!" He reached over, scratching Vi atop her head and gave her a kiss on the knee. "Good job girl."
She yipped back happily, her chest puffing out a little, obviously very proud.

The scene shifted to show an older boy running around his room nervously pulling on his jacket and a leather bracelet with a small chaser symbol on it. Running in several circles on the carpeted floor was an adolescent moombacle, barking continuously in excitement. "Man what am I forgetting?"

There was a soft, muffled back, making Tensai look back seeing a familiar yet older green fox sitting on his bed, a hip strap held between her teeth, a bag full of potions and whatnot inside. "Oh!" He reached over, taking it from her and quickly put it on. "Thanks Vi-Vi!" He leaned over giving her a kiss on the nose. He straightened and looked over to his hyperactive pet. "Come on Moxley!" The moombacle yipped happily running after his master as he rushed out the door.

Invidia watched them quietly before sighing sadly, hanging her head. There was a pause in the small room then footsteps were heard running right back and a head popped back in, orange eyes glowing happily. She looked up at him curiously. "Come on Vi, aren't you coming? I can't do my first mission without you!"
The fox's tail wagged and she barked happily, jumping from the bed and running after him.


The screen slowly went back but it was obvious to everyone who Invidia took to liking most after losing Riku and Sora. Tensai sighed sadly but smiled, missing his old friend.
Moxley whined from behind his master, recognizing his mother even if he couldn't scent her.

[Rikugurl]

Fuu laughed as she watched the defiant girl and her brother. Honestly, she would of been the same way...only shier she could imagine. She wondered if they were actually able to have children if their child would be much like that.

She crossed her arms and looked over at the woman. "Don't want to be a wife, huh?" She could only laugh at Aqua response before the next memory flashed, making Jax yip and growl.
He was such a jealous thing!

Especially on the next memory.


"WHOOO!!" A call could be heard over the plain as three lions ran across the green grass. Well, two cubs and a lion like...creature.
"COME ON, XIO!" A cub wit multicolor eyes called back at the older lion, panting a bit but seeming to have fun as he cashed the reddish and black cub.

The three hiked up a large hill before the red cub pounced on the black, laughing as he chewed on his ear.
"Haahahaha, knock it off Xel!" The black cub swatted the other but they both stopped as they heard some whimpering.
Roxel looked up, blinking as he saw Xio looking out over the mountain before slowly getting off Tensai.

The two cubs slowly walked to where the older lion was, who in which was turning and rolling his eyes now, leaving to go back down the hill disinterested.
The boys eyes widened when they saw what the old moomba did.
"Um...what are they doing....?" The red cub blushed in embarrassment.
"Well...I read that male lions hump each other to establish dominance." The black cub nodded knowledgeable.
"Umm.... but....those two are my dads...."
"Oh.....OH!"

Slowly, the two backed up and out of sight.

The scene faded and a giggle could be heard as Axel rubbed the back of his neck.

Luckily, the next memory popped up rather quickly.


A flash of electricity could be heard and the sound of a ZAP. "ACK!"
"Hey! Watch it kid!"
A young blonde winced as he rubbed his hand, a small burn mark showing was he placed down a torch.

A man came over and crossed his arms. "Did I tell you to wear gloves if you were going to work on this?"
The boy blinked but sighed. "Oh...I forgot. I just...wanted to stop thinking about my family...wanted to...think of something else. I haven't seen them in two years..." Ven sighed more as he continued to rub his hand.

There was silence before a sigh was admitted and a pair of gloves was placed in front of the boy's face.
Ven looked up a bit surprised at the man, not sure if he should take the gloves or not.
The room was shown better. Many odd objects hung off the wooden walls, looking like a very old shack of some sort. Unfortunately, one could see outside the door and the whole place seemed to be one large shack of a home.

Cozy though.

"Barqi..."
"You'll see 'em again someday, kid." He placed the gloves on the item that Ven was working on before slowly walking out of the room. "Dinner's on the table when you're ready and the blue wire connects with the yellow."
Ven blinked before looking down, picking up the gloves in a hurry before taking some tools and connecting the blue wire to the yellow.

Instantly, the item started to light up and glow, putting a huge smile on the boy's face.
"Thanks..." He spoke softly before getting up and rushing out of the room, out of sight before the screen faded out.

It came back in, the two in the room once more. They talked but the viewers had a hard time understanding due to the terminology. Obviously the man was showing Ven how to fix a computer that he had built.
"And, that should be it."
"Hey, if I fix the computer... can you help me on my airship?"
The man rose his eyebrow but grinned. "I can fix my own computer in a few days..."
"THEN...." The boy pouted but grinned. "How about...if I can make you a new computer in a few days, can you help me then?"
"And what if you don't?"
"I'll....cook for a whole week!"
"You can't cook, Ven." The man spat out playfully.

The boy pouted more and tapped his foot. "Then...I'll make my mom's muffins for you!"
"Hahaha, alright. Hopefully they won't give me heartburn like your eggs did. I don't know how you managed to do that..."

The screen shifted one more time and the boy grinned proudly as he placed a computer in front of the man at his work table.
"Huh? What's this?"
"Your new computer!"
"Ven. It's only been two days and--"
"TURN IT ON!"
Barqi rose an eyebrow before turning on the button, the computer instantly turning on, though a bit loud.

It still functioned.
"....................Alright.... so what do you need help with?"
"Lifting stuff!"
"That's it!?"

[Reno]

Aqua blushed at Fuu's comment, scratching the back of her head sheepishly. Hey she was just a kid and stupid and... stuff! She should not be held accountable for the stuff she said when she was thirteen.

However two memories quickly came to past, the one of a familiar land of lions catching evryone's attention. Looks however quickly became horrified, traumatized, amused or embarrassed.

There was a mortified groan, Roxas hiding his face behind his hands.

Tensai just looked away uncomfortably, his cheek a rosy red.

Aqua for one found it utterly hilarious, bursting into laughter.

"EWWWWW!" Luci, meanwhile, rang out.

Thank everything that existed the next scene came up rather quickly.

When it finished everyone had fallen for the most part quiet, but these small memories - for the ones Ven had never told these memories too - they were rather eye opening. No wonder he was so obsessed with technology...

As the scene faded a new one returned.


Large blue eyes reflected in the glass, eyes watching with interest at the object inside, hands pressed against the clear surface protecting the artifact.

"Orphan!" An overbearing presence walked over, casting a shadow across the young child who appeared possibly ten.

The boy tensed, pulling away from the glass quickly and turning around, his eyes narrowing at the insult but when he saw who it was he backed away like a creature with a tail between his legs.

The man was large and broad-shouldered with sharp teeth and wild hair and quite a few showy scars down his neck and arms. "What the fuck are you doing here still? School's over, get the fuck out."

The boy hesitantly glanced towards the glass, murmuring softly. "I just wanted to know what it was."

The man, obviously his teacher of some sort. glared as the camera panned around the room showing a typical classroom environment - except the desk were not would but metal, there were no forgotten writing utensils as they had neither pencils or paper to write upon. Instead, in a corner of the room on a metal shelf, were small slate chalkboards and pieces of chalk - both made of materials gained from the mine.

A large chalkboard stood at the front of the class as well. Lessons seemed like they were still being learned regardless of the fact they had no texts to learn from but nothing in the room was in perfect condition. Desk legs were bent from heavy objects impacting, chalk was broken or ground into dust on the floor, scratches were made into the metal of desks, blood stained in several places of the room. Even the big chalkboard had a long crack going down the middle implying it was either very aged or someone - probably a student - had been thrown at it with great force.

And with a teacher with such prowess it was not a hard guess who had been the thrower.

"It's a book." He growled, as if irritated by a student's interest to learn. "It's made of materials of wood. You ain't stupid enough that you don't know it's important right?"

The young boy grit his teeth at the implied insult, but couldn't quell his curiosity. "Where did it come from?"

"Tch, fucking answers that question." A fist came swinging but the boy saw it coming jumping backwards quickly, feet swiftly back-tracking as the boy looked up, blue eyes narrow and a growl reverberating in his throat. The teacher snarled back, his brown-red eyes narrow. "Get out."

The boy hesitated, before wheeling around and taking for the door without a word. He hurried down now-empty halls into the cobble stoned and dusty world outside, passing two boys nearby the front who were wrestling on the ground, fighting for some sort of shiny rock.
"Give it back you bitch!"
"No, fuck off!"
They looked no older then five.

There was a flash. Everything was dark. Night had fallen. All seemed silent in a small apartment made of stone it it weren't for the growls and noises of struggle coming from down the hall. The same boy was laying upon a rug, glancing out the living room window up towards the moon as if expecting it to give him answers.

He snorted in disgust when he heard a pleasured moan echoing from a room nearby and rolled over getting to his feet and hurrying for the kitchen. He rummaged through the drawers, colelcted a candle and some matches, before hurrying for the front door.

He glanced down the hall, eyes narrowing as he snarled under his breath, "Whore." Before he turned the doorknob and snuck out, racing out of the poor excuse for a home as quick as he could.

He didn't even bother to shut the door. He wanted everyone to hear what his caretaker was doing. Again.

Another flash and the boy was seen again, hesitating in front of a large, dark building but, despite how heavy the doors of steel and rock seem to be, the brunette had little trouble opening the doors, his own muscles already fairly developed despite being so young. He hurried down tiled halls, lockers lining the moonlit walls - he was at the school again.

And soon he was in the same classroom he must of been in maybe just days ago or maybe even that afternoon. Nothing had really changed about it except that everything was less distinct at night, in the dark.

All but the glittering glass box and it's prize inside. Terra's eyes darkened, a malicious grin coming across his face as he walked over and sat down on the floor, lighting one of the matches. He held it under the bottom of the candle. He had to use a few matches before it started to burn and drip and was able to 'glue' it to the floor. Then he lit it.

He stood again carefully lifting up the glass cover and setting it down before snatching the book with a rough force that was surprising to those who had known him. "All wood burns." He hissed as he sat back down on the ground holding it out towards the candle flame, his intention obvious.

But then he froze, his eyes catching something upon it that he had not noticed before. He leaned over, some, looking at the cover intensely. Something was on it... words?

"Liberty and Tyranny. A Radical View. By Harley Ashbell." The blue eyes blinked, finger running across the hardcover surface. "What is... liberty?" He whispered softly, bringing the item closer to him. He turned the rectangular object around in his hands, seeing nothing on the back by a splay of white and blue. But also more curious... was it opened.

"You are a peculiar piece of wood." Terra murmured as he flipped through them more words coming out at him. "Your leaves are inside." After a few attempted to discover how to work this 'book' he finally noticed something at the bottom edge of the pages. numbers. When he flipped them right, they grew bigger, when he flipped left, they got smaller.

"Ah..." He flipped quickly to the front where the words etched in the front had been and looked at the first leaf. It was just like the front. He turned the next page and had to squint, unable to read the incredibly small print in the dim lighting, so he looked to the next one. "To my friends and fellow country...men?" He quirked an eyebrow before turning the next page, sounding out carefully, "Ack...nowledg...ments..."

Another flash, and it was morning in the classroom. the candle had been burnt to the floor, creating an ugly black stain, and Terra's chin was on his knees, eyes closed as he dozed, book craded by his legs to his chest.

He stirred however when he heard the door opened, and his eyes snapped open. He looked up when he saw a man walked into the room - his teacher.

The man froze almost instantly after stepping into the classroom, his eyes seeing the empty class first... then little Terra curled protectively... around HIS book. He snarled, walking towards the boy. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?"

Terra bared his teeth. "You don't deserve an item like this."
The teacher hesitated, raising an eyebrow. "Are you... challengeing me?!"
The brunette nodded slowly, his eyes flashing.
"...I'm going to fucking break you like a twig." The man said as he stalked towards his student, fingers balled into firsts. The book fell from his hands but Terra grabbed something else - the glass box - and hurled it towards the man with a wild cry.

SMASH!
"AAAAAH! YOU FUCKER!"
Terra snatched the book off the floor and rushed back his teacher in a hurry and charged out the door, dodging students and hearing curses and threats behind him as he was chased. But he didn't stop, no matter what, as he clutched the precious item to his chest.

[Rikugurl]

Explains why Ven knew how to make and repair everything. The guy who found him obviously taught him everything he knew. Some wondered...what happened to this man and why Ven never even...spoke about it. Had he even told Terra about his childhood?

Those questions passed and they were sure they would learn sooner or later.

The memory that came next though... was a heart breaking one. One that no one could really understand. How could a race...live like that? How did Terra survive through it and how did Ida last as long as she did? Most of them came from different worlds but...this one had to be the worst.

If the majority of Atterians were like this... no wonder they were given the name as 'Renke'. No wonder Terra was afraid of never being loved but it was amazing how much he loved Ven... and remembering the way they looked at each other at rare times...it was good to know that he did find love.

The gem once again lit up, however, some hoping for a more happier memory didn't get what they wanted.


"Whatever Fuu, I don't have time to hang out with chickenwussettes. I already talked to Rai and we're both joining the real league. None of this pretend 'Twilight Town Disciplinary Committee'. If we're going to be the REAL Twilight Town Disciplinary Committee, we're going to need some official badges to show these lamers that we mean business."
A blonde teen walked pass a silver haired girl that was dressed up nice...though she seemed a bit out of place.

"Date?"
"I just said forget it Fuu. You have something in your ears? Rai and I are packing up for tomorrow and heading out for boot camp. I guess if you think what you have what it takes, you can tag along."
"But---"
"Don't have time." The boy turned and reached for his pockets before giving her some munny. "I stole it from some lamer. Go get yourself some ice cream or something."

With that, the boy walked back into the orphanage and closed the door, leaving the girl outside.
A red eye slowly looked down at the munny, the wind blowing through her short hair softly.
Something wet patted on the gems before her hand closed around them and she rushed off down the street.

The scene shifted and seemed to be at haste as the girl used the munny to buy a suitcase instead and headed back home, packing up the few things she had that she could call her own.

Time went normal just as the memory faded only for another one to slowly come into view.
It was dreary and gloomy, the train was somewhat full of mean, rough looking kids who all held onto a bag of some shape, size and color.
In the back of the train, three teenagers sat in silence. One, a buff, tanned boy with black hair, in the middle, a pale, overconfident blonde boy with a nasty scar on his forehead and next to him, looking out the window was a silver haired girl, her fingers holding the handle to her case tightly.

"Yo sis, you didn't have to come, y'know?" The tanned boy frowned as he looked over the blonde.
"Sure she did, Rai. She didn't want to be a Chickenwussette. Right?"
There was some silence, the sound of the rain hitting the top of the train when the came out of the tunnel.
"Right..."

The memory faded as if drowned by rain when another light hit the gem, one of red.


A figure walked down the halls of the Castle That Never Was, his steps not as cheery as they use to be. Arms were crossed as narrow eyes seemed to be full of sorrow and.... confusion.
"What's wrong now?"
A stern voice came from the shadows as a hooded figure came out. By the voice, every one knew who it was.

"He's gone."
"So? We'll just have to eliminate him. Wasn't that your job? To stop him from leaving?"
"I did."
The hooded figure crossed his arms. "Then, did you tell this to the others?"
"No."
"Why not. Xemnas---"
"BECASUE..." The redhead yelled, his voice echoing through the halls.

"Because.... I...I've been thinking."
"You are a fool to think." The hooded figure reached up, pulling off the hood so his long blue hair fell over his shoulders.
"Saix... do you....remember... anything of your past?"
The man shifted but frowned. "No, and I don't have time to. Instead of remembering who we are, our main goal should be trying to be who we once were. Our mission doesn't seem very important to you, Axel... We need hearts to feel and---"

"Then...why did I cry?"
Golden eyes widened a fraction. "Excuse me?"
"When...he left...why did I cry...if I can't feel anything."
"You're trying too hard. Stop now, Axel. You are a fool to keep chasing a friendship that you never had. If you keep trying... you will meet your end as well."
Silence rang between them before Saix covered his head once more, turned and walk off, leaving the redhead to hang his head.

"Roxas... please come back...."

[Reno]

Some of the Chasers, sans of course Roxas, Olette and Fuujin herself, were a bit... shocked at Seifer's behavior. He was... incredibly tough on foes and friends alike... wasn't he?

More than that he was a complete jackass! Aqua growled, her eyes narrowing as she glared across the floor towards said blonde-haired scarred man. "Seifer..."

The second in command just ran a hand through his hair sheepishly. Hey, he had every right to be young and stupid too right?! He glanced at his wife, seeing she was even less approving. Damn it!

He hoped more off Fuujin's memories stopped including him in them. Or Roxas'... yeah they didn't need to see those.

Luckily he didn't get told off - yet - because the next memory played. And it was even more disheartening.

As it ended their was a note of desperate melancholy that fell upon them all, especially... once blue and one blonde haired keyblader.

For Aqua, it was hard not only seeing a close friend like Axel hurting, but also her brother, acting so cold and careless, his tone lacking so much and his face lost of all expression. Not even when he beserked did she ever see him be so... inhuman. It made her tremble from head to toe.

Meanwhile Roxas swallowed hard, placing a hand over his heart. It had been his mistake to leave - well not really a mistake, it was probably the most life-saving thing he ever did, he just did it foolishly and... without... a heart. But if he hadn't of left then Riku wouldn't of found him to have their rematch, he wouldn't of lost, had his memory wiped, had a fake world created only to use him for Sora. In the end things worked out okay but...

but the things he had said that day...

"Axel..." He looked back on those days now... and still had trouble not feeling guilty over them.

But it was Saix's final words that made his soul convulse. Because he knew, even before the red, silver and white combined into the marble-sized gem, what he was going to see.


A spiraling of energy surrounded the area like warps of dye on a shirt, shifting and twisting in a calligraphy of colors that mixed and twisted in a sickening way - reds and greens, blues and purples, oranges - yet all shades were so dark and lacked all hope. In the colors, turning in clockwise and counter clockwise motions like they had been imprinted on the floor were Nobody symbols, turning and twisting with their colors. On two opposite sides, different as night an day, were two differing sides. One bright as a sunny light, the other dark as a moonless night. There seemed no way to go but backwards.

So why were the four within - a duck in blue dress with a staff, a dog with green clothes and a shield, a mouse in red and with a golden key, and a boy in black also wielding a key but like one had a star at it's end - moving towards the darkness?

And fighting. They were fighting. White dancing figures that appeared to be dressed in hoods but had no faces.
"They just won't stop coming!" The duck quaked as he froze another figure, his partner smashed it down with a shield.
"What are we gonna do?!" The teen called, standing back to back - well sort of - with the mouse, slicing at any Nobody coming his way.

"Don't stop moving or the darkness will overtake you~" Came a teasing cry. A familiar red-haired man in black jumped onto the screen in the fray of heartless, swinging a chakram effortlessly through a dusk and throwing another, slicing down three more. He looked back, narrow green eyes harsh. "Get going!"

And Sora, surprised and dumbfounded, probably had to say the stupidest thing in the world at the moment. "Why?"
The red-head agreed with this fact, his face showing it plainly that the brunette must simply of been born an idiot. "Don't ask! Just do it!"
Unfortunately, while he was distracted a Nobody suddenly curled around the redhead and forced him to the ground.
"H-Hey!" Sora cried, running forward, Keyblade swinging as he cut down a few dusks in his path and smashed it into the dusk's head, sending it flying off of Axel. He knelt down, his eyes worried for the red-head while Donald, Goofy and King Mickey surrounded them, keeping them protected. "You okay?"

Axel lifted himself off the floor, looking up at Sora. Rather than answering, he jumped onto a completely different topic. "I kidnapped Kairi - but she got away from me." Sora's expression didn't change - apparently this didn't shock him. "After that Saix caught her. He's a member of organization - Saix. Got it memorized?" Axel asked, his fist punching in the ground. Sora's eyes narrowed determinedly and he nodded. "Now go save her!"

The keyblader frowned, knowing Axel was implying to leave him, but his eyes narrowed and he shook his head, standing and slicing through a dusk that was coming up behind him as if somehow, despite not seeing it, he knew it was there. "Leave us alone!" He snapped.

The red-haired nobody sighed but stood up next to him, picking up his chakrams. "You've got a special brand of stupid, don't you?"
Sora glanced over his shoulder and glared at him. "Hey! I help people - end of story!" He turned and started to rush at a few of the Nobody hordes.
"But I'm not even a person!" Axel yelled back even as he stayed close to the brunette's side, effortlessly throwing his flaming chakrams threw a line.
"I'm going to pretend-" slice "-I didn't-" Smash! "-HEAR THAT! THUNDER!" Bolts of electricity smashed down onto a whole horde, sapping many away.
"But-"
"THIS CONVERSATION'S OVER!!"
Axel smiled some, looking almost nostalgic. "Yeah yeah whatever... Roxas."
"Sora. So-Ra! S-O-R-A! Got it memorized!?"

The scene dimmed out. Then it returned in the same area.

Mickey, Donald and Goofy were in the far distance fighting together, closer to the light end but Sora and Axel were right in the middle of it all standing back to back, both of them breathing hard as they were surrounded on all sides by Nobodies. They were so in sync with each other, as if they had been fighting together for years.

"I think I liked it better when they were on my side!" Axel said jokingly.
Sora looked back, grinning playfully despite their situation. Something about this... it felt so familiar. So natural. "Feeling a little... regret?"
Axel looked back, a smile of his own on his face as he leaned down to the shorter's height. "Nah... I can handle these punks. Heh, watch this!" He straightened with a smirk that definitely said he was about to show-off, big time before he took a mighty leap, landing right into a fray of nobodies. The red-head let go of his chakrams, but instead of falling under the laws of gravity, they instead started to spin, fire collected around their tips as they wheeled around the 8th nobody as fire seemed to burn from him as well. He spread his arms out wide with a loud cry fire streams shooting from his body as more walls of flame erupted all around.

Sora and Donald were quick to call reflect spells as fire and light took over the whole area that it was blinding.

As if cleared though, Sora lowered his hand from his eyes and looked around his eyes widening in shock. All the Dusks - every single one - was gone. "Amazing!" He breathed, before turning his head, looking for Axel excitedly - but that expression fell to worry and horror as he did indeed find the red-head, laying on the ground flames dying out around him and black streams wafting off from him. "Axel?" He called, running for the other. He fell to his knees beside him, his hand reaching out hesitantly as if wanting to touch him but too hesitant too. "You're.... fading away...?"

Suddenly, the scene shifted revealing a familiar place that no one but a select few could ever reach. A lazy black figure was lounging in a tree, foot swinging from the branch as he watched with disturbingly yellow eyes the only other live figure in the area.

It was Roxas. His fingers were crushingly curled around tufts of half-blue, half-green colored grass, as if a child had been the one coloring and found he didn't particularly like the color green. He was leaning over a half golden half clear pool of water, looking down at it with an intense stare.

But instead of his reflection staring back at him... he was seeing Axel - but every few moments this vision turned black just for a split-second before returning. "Stop blinking." The boy hissed to no one it seemed. But it was obvious who he was talking to. Sora. He was watching his best friend's death... through Sora's eyes.
"Well... that's what happens when you put your whole being into an attack." Axel chuckled as his head lolled weakly to face the 'camera' more fully, "Not that Nobodies have BEINGS...right?" He found this even funnier, laughing breathlessly. Sora's eyes darted away, looking down at the black boat for a moment as if uncomfortable by the statement, before slowly turning back to his face.

"Anyways... I digress. Go, Find Kairi." He said, before pausing as if he was pausing for thought but the pained shaking of his body lead to a different conclusion. "Oh, almost forgot. Sorry about what I did to her." He murmured, breathlessly. Roxas shook his head, his blue eyes wide.

The vision of Axel blurred for a few moments, before their were several snaps of darkness to clear it, Sora saying urgently, "When we find her, you can tell her that yourself!"
Axel just smiled and looked away. "Think I'll pass. My heart just wouldn't be in it. Haven't got one. He...hehehe."
"Idiot, don't make jokes!" Roxas chastised harshly even as the shimmering behind his eyes finally broke, tears trickling down his face.
His Somebody didn't say that though. "Axel... what were you trying to do?"

"I... wanted to see Roxas."

The blonde watching jerked his head back, his watery eyes widening but he couldn't look away from Axel's sad expression.
"He... was the only one I liked..."
"No..." Roxas breathed, shaking his head slowly in denial.
"He... made me feel... like I had a heart."
"Don't say that..."
"It's kind of... funny..." Axel turned to look back towards the 'camera'. "You make me feel... the same." He shut his eyes suddenly, gritting his teeth as he drew in a sharp breath.

Roxas' fingers dug into the ground. "Axel... Axel I'm right HERE." He called down to the water - yelled it! "...Don't die damn it!!" He choked out desperately.

"Kairi's in the castle dungeon. Now go!" The red-head said, not having heard his friend. Sora looked away from his face, watching instead as an arm lifted up, hand shaking as the red-head struggled to use the rest of his energy... and created a portal.

Unfortunately, that was all he had. The hand falling limply to the ground. Sora's head turned quickly to pan back to Axel's face but the eyes were closed, the face relaxed as the streams of black started to overtake him quickly, his body simply started to fade completely.
"Axel..." One whispered...
"AXEL!" The other screamed.

And then he was gone. Nothing left of him... but a very small Chakram keychain. A black-gloved hand, trembling lightly, reached out for it slowly, picking it up with care and letting it fall flat on his palm. The fingers curled around it, the charm started to glow before it burst into something much larger. Hand now curled around a black hilt, the guard very distinguished as a Chakram, charm now dangling from it. The blade burst out in a between way, the top also circular like the hilt with sharp bladed edges just like the Chakram.

Roxas watched in silent interest, breathing in loud little burst of harsh air. But as the Keyblade formed he looked away his eyes shut tightly as if the sight of it was too painful to bear. It was for Sora as well, the vision blurring again.

"Sora?" Came a soft, concerned voice. The blonde looked back top the picture, watching the camera shift, to pan onto a hand hand on his shoulder before slowly looking up towards the face of the concerned dog. There was a pause, the boy's free hand moved towards his eyes before the sight turned blank for a few long moments before coming back, the hand leaving.

The sound of feet stepping softly on the ground and the camera changing height was seen, before Sora looked towards Donald and Mickey flanking his other side before finally looking forward. He sighed, nodding sharply. "Let's go!"
"Tch..." Roxas hissed, his hand crashing into the lake water and when it settled nothing but his own reflection came into view. He leaned back, curling his legs to his chest and buried his head in them, his arms moving up over himself almost protectively and he didn't move.

There was a fading out then a return. Even though Roxas was still in the same position he had been in not having moved one inch, time had passed. The first clue was Anti-Sora - he had moved. He had left his tree and was walking on all fours in a predatory way around the still blonde. The second clue was the world around them - it was full of motion. The leaves on the tree were trembling as if moved by wind, the strands of grass swaying and the water rippling. In the light purple-blue sky above were white clouds, quickly flying across the one-dimensional surface.

"It is his fault, you know." Spoke the heartless Sora as he circled the other. "Had you of been in control, he never would of passed as he had."
"....."
"You can not honestly believe that things would not have been different had you of been fighting by his side? It is his fault you're comrade has died! You would of never let such a terrible thing happen - you would of protected him!"
"......." The fingers twitched.

The anti-Sora inclined his head stopping in front of the others, thin streams of dancing darkness wafting from him, curling around Roxas tantalizingly. "He is not like us, young Nobody. He is frail and incompetent. Weak." He lent forward as if sharing a great personal secret. "He deserves naught to be in control. I see it and you see it. This is your chance - take him! Take your revenge upon them all! Those other Nobodies who used you for only your power, the mouse and two men who lied to you and tore up your heart with false implications of friends and home, and most of all Him - he who keeps you locked up here, uncaring and selfishly unseeing of your pains, your wants and needs! You know what I saw is only justice!"

There was a long pause, the heartless waiting expectantly. He got a response as Roxas arms slowly moved from over his head and the head lifted, blue eyes showing through strands of blonde hair and full of nothing but unbridled fury and pure, overflowing hate. "How?" He hissed.
"There is a place you can fight him - a place were you can take over. It is what protects this area, where all things begin and end." The heartless spoke, pointing upwards a small spark of darkness jumping from the tip of a claw up into the air. Narrowed eyes looked up towards the sky. The second the darkness hit the sky, paled in color and became see-through all the way to the horizons, a familiar glass palate showing through, a reflection of Sora showing through at the very most top and down the 'sides' many smaller glass windows of various design. But it was deeply familiar to him.

The Dive in the Heart. The Station of Awakening. It was where he remembered returning to, as he started to gain Sora's memories and obtained the Keyblade once more. So... they were inside a giant pillar of glass.

There was a shimmer across the world and the see-through disappeared, making everything return as it was. But suddenly all the movement in the world ceased except for the heartless and Nobody. The trees and grass stopped swaying, the water and clouds stopping shifting. Everything had just become motionless as if the wind had died completely.

"His fight has ended. It is your chance." The heartless raised his hand, creating a dark portal a few feet off. "You must go - you will not have another chance!"
Roxas looked towards the portal before looking at the heartless suspiciously. "Why are you helping me?"
"As you have freed me, I will free you. I now know who was meant to be in control."
The Nobody was silent for a few moments before he stood and turned walking towards the portal. As he did, wafts of darkness started to cover him, changing his sneakers into black boots and the edges of a familiar dark cloak formed from his ankles up to his shoulders, long back sleeves coming down his arms and dark gloves covering his once bare hands. "Hey." Roxas called as he looked back and just before the hood formed to hide his face he gave the other heartless a cutting look. "When I throw Sora down here... tear him apart."
The heartless bowed some. "As you wish... master."
Roxas turned and stepped through the portal.

The heartless slowly raised himself, watching the portal fade. But as the area around him started to stir again, a malicious grin slowly grew upon the heartless' face.

The next few scenes, all those of a fierce battle, flashed upon the screen with haste.

Roxas, running forward and slicing his keyblade down, Sora raising his own to catch it, arms shaking in effort to hold him off before the city around them flashed out of existence.

A keyblade flying, the sharp edges of a Chakram blade slicing through black cloth of his opponent's back, tearing away two layers of clothing and one of skin, blood falling to color the blue ground.

Another blade, Sora side-stepping but unable to get away fast enough and he held back a cry between grit teeth as the sharp point of Oblivion went slicing into the juncture of his neck and shoulder.

Slices of bright white Nobody symbols flying across the ground like beams of pure energy, flying for Sora but rather then running or dodging the brunette charged right forward, swinging his blade and slicing them all down before cutting for the black-clothing teen on the other side.

Roxas jumping artfully back and flipping in the air, narrowly missing a charge of lightning bolts and pointed his blade forward just as Sora came charging after him, several blast of energy bursting from the tip and slamming into the boy, throwing him back and rolling onto the ground.

Crashing and clanging of blades as they met, Roxas gaining ground as he forced the brunette back but even as he struck with two blades, Sora outwitted him. The Bond of Flames came up, circular edges catching one of the long, thin columns of the blade and with a fierce yank it was torn from Roxas' grasp. The brunette jumped back just as Oblivion smashed down into the spot he had just been, causing cracks into the ground. Sora grabbed the hilt of Oathkeeper and separated the two blades before charging towards the blonde now.

Oblivion slicing into a forearm. A cry of pain; Oathkeeper going flying and a shadowed man dodging to catch it just as a furious fire spell scorched the ground and surrounded the hidden teen.

Things got faster and faster, the scenes melding together as the fight came towards a conclusion.
Magic flying, cries of pain echoing, keyblades clashing, bodies dodging, blood splattering.

"Why did he chose you?!"
Two blades of a duel-wielder slicing into the ground...

Sora jumping through the air, blade smashing into one of Roxas, the shock wave sending him higher up, the Nobody jumping after...

Bodies twisting and turning into nothing but the surrounding darkness, double blades crossing and slamming into a red one, forcing it's wielder back and flipping through the air - back towards the ground...

A brunette body twisting and turning as artfully as any dancer, dodging every powerful strike of the two blades coming for him...

Sora holding up Bond in a guarding position as Roxas slamming Oathkeeper and Oblivion into the metal, a powerful force behind his swings as the sounds rang in the area...

Roxas smacking Bond of Flames from a falling Sora's grasp, hearing it smack and skin into the ground. Sora was quick to rush after it but he was quicker, Oathkeeper coming down and pinning the blade down by it's hilt, leaving it unreachable while he pointed Oblivion right at Sora's face, victory seeming so close...

Sora's hand reaching out, a flash of light in the corner of his eye making Roxas look away from his opponent down towards the blade only to find it missing "What?!"...

Sora bouncing to his feet, slicing diagonally at the other...
A cut from right shoulder down to the left side of his waist appeared across Roxas skin, bleeding heavily...
Oathkeeper and Oblivion falling, shimmering away...
Sora stepping aside as the Nobody stumbled past, nearly falling, his hood falling as his hands fell on his knees, breathing heavily...

Roxas looking back over his shoulder, smiling as two pairs of identical blue eyes met. "You make a good Other." Light twisted around them making everything fade away.

Slowly, the light cleared and Sora was revealed once more standing with a confused expression on his face as The World that Never Was stood around him. "You make a good Other..." He repeated.

Footsteps hurriedly echoed behind him, Goofy and Donald stopping behind him. "Are you okay?" The duck asked, worriedly.

The brunette looked back his right hand automatically reaching up for the near-fatal cut that Oblivion had made up on his shoulder, but when his hand touched the spot, there was nothing there. No blood soaking his shirt, no injury left behind. Not even a scar. It was as if... they had never been. "What... just... happened?" He asked, completely lost.

"Gwarsh I dunno!" Goofy said. "You just disappeared! And me and Donald had to fight all them nobodies by ourselves!"
"O-Oh..." The brunette stuttered and the scene faded away...

Only to return to his inner world, where Roxas was walking upon the soft grass once more, the black coat slowly twisting away to reveal his checkered colors underneath. The cuts upon his own skin were healing quickly not even a drop of blood falling upon the tranquil land and his cloths mending, erasing all sight of the fight.

"You lost." Said the heartless. The blonde inclined his head and he smiled, walking towards the heartless. But his demeanor was frightening somehow to the shadowy being, as Anti-Sora started to back away.

"I did." Roxas said simply. "But thanks to that, I remembered something."
"And what is that?" The heartless growled as he backed his way up into the nearest tree.
"My purpose." He said as he came to a stop only a few feet away and spears of white lights with Nobody symbols on the top came down in front of the heartless and curved up above him - locking him in a cage once more.

"YOU!" Squealed the furious heartless, his hands grasping as the cage, cutting at them with his claws. They didn't yield an inch "Traitor!"
Roxas' smile fell into something a little more serious. "Yeah, I was. To him. My job is to protect him from you."
The heartless growled, before struggling to calm himself, pacing around in circles in the small space. "What about you? He's keeping you from your life!"
"What life?" Roxas asked back, crossing his arms. "Being nothing but some expendable pawn for Xemnas? Or maybe you mean life in Twilight Town where nothing existed." He looked away his eyes hurt. "Hayner, Pence and Olette... they were just computer replicas. None of that was real, not like the things for Sora are! Heh, I was sure played as a fool outside of this place, why would I ever want to go back?!"
"...Axel."

There was a hesitance, before Roxas shook his head. "It doesn't matter anymore. Axel's gone."
"It is Sora's fault he is gone."
"No!" Roxas growled, waving a hand out. "You will not fool me with this stupid deceiving game anymore! I and he - we were never supposed to exist. Axel was a Nobody and whether he had died this day or weeks from now, he is still a Nobody. His purpose is to fade back to where he started... he returned to where he was meant to, with a heart, like I have."
"...Are you so certain of that?"
"...No." Roxas said after a moment. "But it is the only truth I CAN be certain of and that is what I must content myself with. I do know you can not know any more than I and I was a fool to believe anything you said."

He turned his back to the creature looking around. "Look at how unstable I let this place become..." A silvery glow started to shimmer off of him.
"What are you doing?!" The heartless barked.

"I felt it up there. I felt all that he did." Roxas breathed. "Sora... he is fighting. Fighting for an uncountable number of friends, an unheard of amount of worlds and hearts and people and promises. And he won't let anyone or anything stand in his way. I fought only for nothing - he fights for everything."

He frowned a little. "Namine said I held a part of Sora's power within me that I had to come back here and return it. But I was... I was angry, and spiteful, so even though I returned I didn't give any of it back and I ended up hurting the wrong people. Yet he still... still made it this far without me! And I think - no I know - he can make it the rest of the way too."
"He is only lucky!"
Roxas just smiled and shook his head, as if listening to the idiocies of a child who would learn when he was older. "Maybe one day you'll learn... what being selfless really means." He held up his hand the silvery light shooting from the fingertips and flying up towards the sky. It hit the clouds instantly turning them a stunning silver. Shimmers fell from the fluffy clouds only the grass, trees and lake. The red completely colored the trunks of the trees, the blue overtook each leaf and blade of grass, and the lake turned to a full golden color everything so... Final. The only thing left incomplete was the sky - but that was much higher than him - only Sora's light could change that.

"Do you know what you have done?!"
"Yeah... I just helped him win." Roxas sighed as he laid down on the grass, looking content. "Since my existence, I'm pretty sure this is the first thing... I've done right."



Roxas watched the screen black out before sighing and looking down at his feet. The whole thing was hard for him to see. Axel's first 'death'. His betrayal again his 'brother'. Even at the end, when he spoke about protecting Sora - yeah how the fuck long did that last? Up until about a year later when he nearly tore up his heart when he was trying to prove Riku wrong about Axel - and guess who ended up being right!

Why... did the Keyblade choose him to be the next master? He did so many terrible things... to Sora, to Axel, to countless numbers of people. He was never worthy of it.

[Rikugurl]

Axel swallowed as he watched his own death. The thing was...we would of done it again if he had to. Protecting Sora was like protecting Roxas. It was just sad that...Sora had no idea... just what...no....who he was protecting. Everything he did was for Roxas's well being. Killing off the other members so there was less chance that Roxas could be hurt by them.

He was just glad that...his death could still hold hope for Roxas...and that it wasn't another member that killed him.

He would of deserved it though...

Roxel's eyes widened as he watched. The past of his fathers...had been so... dramatic. His daddy Axel was a real geek but...he knew why now. Because he was.... happy. He was with the one person that made him feel complete.

Slowly he looked over at the black haired boy with orange eyes, swallowing a bit. He'd....do the same for Ten-chan too though....

As the memory faded, a red light hit the gem and it glowed once more.


A rather dismal and dark world could be seen. It was made of black shadows and white, jagged rocks. The world wasn't familiar to anyone except for Axel but everyone did know one thing. The thing that hung in the sky.
A heart shaped moon.
Kingdom Hearts.

The camera slowly changed, showing the 'ground' of the world. There was actually no ground but what looked like water. A still, motionless water.
The thing that sent shivers through everyone's spine was what was beneath the water. It looked like...bodies. Millions upon millions of bodies that just seemed to of fallen in and mingled with each other. It was a morbid sight as the camera came closer and closer, confirming that what they thought they saw was correct.

Naked bodies mingled together under the water, the looks on their face as if death had just struck them and they were frozen in time.
Suddenly, a soft whisper ran over the surface of the 'water'.

Slowly, the bodies started to move. Not themselves but something....under them. Pushing them out of the way, trying to struggle through them.
What no one was ready for was a pale hand that finally broke free from under some bodies, reaching up and up until it broke the surface...in which wasn't water at all but a weird kind of jelly-like substance.

The next thing made everyone gasp. The hand pulled back and used the bodies above it to push the rest up. A redhead. His thin, naked body pushed through the other's, making way until he too surfaced, the oozing liquid sticking to him fast but he gasped for air as he broke the surface and continued to struggle out until he was finally free.

The redhead fumbled and stumbled his way across the bodies, grabbing a hold if the closest jagged rock he could. Slowly his narrow eyes opened, emerald pouring out as the man continued to pant.
"Roxas...." He panted but his eyes narrowed as something...started to shine bright. He slowly looked up, seeing Kingdom Hearts glow and then...

The screen went dark and silence caught everyone...but it wasn't done.
"Hayner! Pence! Olette! This can't! Sora let me through I'm going to-"
"Namine isn't a fighter! She's not going anywhere!"
There was a shift in the darkness before:
"Namine, Namine, Namine. Hayner. Pence. Olette. Where does Axel even cross your mind. I thought we were best friends..."
"AXEL?!" Two voices cried. "Axel i thought you..."
"Theres no.. way I saw you you... where are you?!"

A small light started to glow in the darkness, becoming brighter as the voices continued.
"You look tired... you should get some rest...."
"But I want to see you..." A whisper. "Now."
"Sora, Sora he's here please we have to find him!"

The light started to shine brighter and brighter until---

"So now your search for me? I should be flattered." The redhead remarked as he watch Sora run off. "However, I'm not. I had to remind you that we were best friends. The Roxas I knew is long gone.... isn't he?" The red hair fell over his long black shirt that hugged his curves. Blue jeans came down to black shoes. He was no longer in his Organization clothes.

A ring of fire circled around them, blazing up in front of Sora so he couldn't run off any further.

He put his hands out by his hips, and as soon as he did, balls of flame appeared, circling around until they made his chakrams. A grin appeared as he moved his body to the flow of him twirling the rings in his hand.

"You won't forget this!" His body started to go up in flames as he soon got into stance.

"Axel!" Sora cried in surprise, the keyblade instinctively appearing in his hand. he looked at it, shocked. "Wait a minute! Last time... last time we saw each other... Axel you said you wanted to see Roxas. Well..." Sora shut his eyes and he suddenly transformed right in the alleyway. Roxas stumbled a bit, then he looked over at Axel. "I don't want to fight you."

The red head's eyes softened as he saw the blonde. "You really do remember me this time?" He asked as the chakrams burst into flames and disappeared.

He slowly walked up to the shorter blonde. "When you left... you said no one would miss you." He looked away slightly. "I did. I missed you a lot."

[Reno]

Roxas inclined his head back up when he caught a hint of red in his eyes, looking up to spy the gem telling him whose memory was next. He rose his eyes only a little more, swallowing hard as the disturbing images started to play.

He had asked thousands of times how Axel had returned to the world over the course of the years and it had taken nearly twice as long to get an answer... but hearing about it was nothing like seeing it. The whole scene was disturbingly horrific and terrible to imagine.

It was not a world he ever had to see. He had had Sora.

But sometimes - no pretty often actually not that he was well... aged - he wondered if that would be the world they would return to rather than to the afterlife he knew Sora, Ven, and Riku were at. Was there any future beyond life for them?

Words started to cut into his thoughts and he brought his focus to the scene, watching Axel and Sora come close to clashing - and then the shift. The sight made him jerk back. Well that was eerily. He never actually SAW himself physically change... but he had to say it looked more unnatural than it did when Terra changed into a fucking maniac wolf!

"I missed you a lot."
Roxas couldn't help the smile even as the screen went dark, looking towards his husband. "You sap..." He murmured softly.

A white light hit the red, joining together.


"Come on Roxas just a few twists and spins and then its all over!" Axel whined at the doorway.
"No." The blonde said, concentrating on some sort of file in front of him, reading through the regulations of something.
"Just ten mintues!"
"No."
"Two minutes!"
"No."
"What if I gave you... three sea-salt ice creams?"
Roxas licked his lips but shook his head, going back to the paper work. "Mmm... tempting but no."
"Ahhh! Almost had you..." Axel hummed tapping his chin thoughtfully.

After a few moments he snapped his finger and looked up with an 'ah-ha' look on his face. "What if I did all the paperwork this weekend?"

The answer was instantaneous. Roxas immediately dropped his pen and jumped out of his swivel chair, giving his boyfriend a wide grin as he grabbed his arm and yanked him down the hall. "Let's dance!"

"Whoo!!"

There was a flash as the scene changed, the two seen in the living room. The coffee table had been moved to the side to provide ample space for two to move as sweet music filled the area. From the kitchen Xio sat, his head tilting slowly as he watched. "....Yip?"
"And 1, 2, 3 whisk. 1-2-3 whisk. 1-2-3 twirl!" Axel said as he lead a shorter blonde across the floor their feet moving a little clumsily but they didn't seem to mind.
The blonde in question was smiling as he was stepped backwards with Axel's guidance and they did some sort of a half-circle before he laughed with delight as he was spun. "This is easy!"
"Wanna learn a waltz spin?" Axel asked with a mischievous smile.
"What's that?"
"It's a really fast spin we do together - it might even make you dizzy."
"Hell yeah let's do it!"
"Okay well it's easy too we just-"

Well that certainly explained Roxas strange love for the whirl-like amusement rides...

There was another flash just as they saw Roxas and Axel slowly going through the motions of a turn. Instead now the viewers saw something rather different.

Axel and Roxas had switched places. Axel was humming the tune of the waltz song as he read over a proposal. Roxas meanwhile was lounging against the threshold, a half-eaten blue ice cream bar in his hand.
"Soo... when are you gonna finish?"
"Huh?" Axel glanced back. "Oh hey Rox. Well I dunno."
Roxas looked towards the window. "... Wanna... take a break?"
"I just started!"
"Twenty minutes ago!"
"That's not even remotely enough time to finish anything."
Roxas bite at the top of the Popsicle stick. "Come on, just a few minutes?"
"Why, what do you want to do?" The red-head looking back at him skeptically.
Roxas hummed looking around the room as if for some excuse. "Oh no reason just..." He lowered his voice and mumbled it."hfyur"
"... What was that?"
"I said to... dance?" Roxas started to turn pink in the cheeks.
Axel stared at him incredulously then snorted and burst into laughter.
It turned into a full out crimson apple blush. "Come on I'll even finish the paperwork!"
"Oh no! Ahahahahahaha!" Axel crowed as held his stomach, smirking evilly. "I can do this. I got something better!"
Roxas looked at the other uneasily. "... Name it."
"Nope, you can only say yes you can't know what it is!"
"But that's not fair!"
"Take it or leeeeeave it." Axel taunted turning to go back to the paperwork, a smile growing on his face.
Roxas huffed. "Fine, fine! Can we dance now?"
"Yep, let's do it!"


The screen slowly turned to black.
"So... what did he make you do?" Aqua asked curiously glancing towards said blonde.
He blushed and answered quickly, "Nothing!" He pointed to Axel just as he saw the other's grin growing and his mouth opening about to tell. "Not a word Axel!"
He was NEVER going to live down that Halloween...