The Chasers: The Key to Memories Past

[Reno]

Before they could discuss more on how this memory structure worked exactly a horrible sound drew all their attention towards the left. Almost identical to the noise of the wall opening, came a loud echoing crash. Heads turned and eyes widened as the opening was suddenly blocked off - but not by azurite and hematite but more like... feathers?

It was soon discovered that... they were trapped within. In the end that did not really matter though, considering they could not leave until the trial was done with anyways.

At Olette's call however everyone snapped back to the mission at hand. And while she was right, the question still stood in all there minds.
"How?" Tensai whispered, his voice loud in the silence.
"I believe the beginning starts with birth." Kadaj said as if the answer should of been obvious.
But there brought another problem. How could they access Terra's memories... when Terra himself had not been known to any of them until he was seventeen?
And without Ven, most of Terra's happier memories... were gone as well.

Aqua crossed her arms and shut her eyes. She looked like she was contemplating something. "Come on... come on...."
"What are you doing Aunt Aqua?" Luci asked curiously.
"I'm trying to make this... thing show us our last Christmas." She opened her eyes frowning some. "But it doesn't seem that this thing connects with our mind."
"So that means we can't just think a memory up and show it..." Roxas clarified. That... was bad as well.

"So what are we supposed to do?" Kadaj inquired. Just as he spoke, the golden light glowed under him... before connecting to the prism, glowing yellow underneath.


"An organism that was apparently dead, was found
in a 2000 year old geological stratum.... X Year, X Month, X Day. Jenova, confirmed to be an Ancient." Glowing eyes narrowed. "An Ancient...?"
"Kadaj."
The room was dark, lit only by a candle or two. It was a candle that never seemed to go out. The room was illuminated though by a light not of the spectrum.
A young teen was lounging by a desk his legs crossed and resting on the table top. A book was in his hands, it was old and handwritten. Around him bookshelves shot from floor to ceiling, thousands of records around him. But it was not... Terra's library.
"Yes Yazoo."
"Just because he is apart of us, does not mean you must read the texts he had." The other said aloofly, walking into the room. He was taller, with longer hair but his eyes glowed the same as his brother's. He tilted his head, reading the title. "The Jenova Project, by Fairholm Gast. Why are you reading of mother? Are you becoming uncertain of our quest?"
The younger looked up. "I am simply inquiring on what happened to her. One can not know where to begin looking when no history is available."
"That is silly." Yazoo walked over snatching the book and slammed it closed onto the table. "Stop reading this rubbish that will poison your mind. If Father were to find out-"
"I. Do not. Care. I do not fear him." Kadaj emphasized as he stood. He reached out, snatching the book away from the other. "She was... similar to us."
"Why does that matter?" The other said, looking bored. "Come. It is time for Loz's dose. You know how he needs us to hold his hands." He turned and without another word walked from the library.
Kadaj watched him go before slowly looking down at the book. "Why... does it matter?" His eyebrows furrowed as if trying to understand something that was beyond him.
"No. No stop! Stop. STOP! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Came a loud, anguished scream from somewhere outside of the room.
Kadaj looked up before sighing and dropping the journal atop the table and walked from the room. As he did everything went black.


The glow faded. Everyone stared blankly then their heads turned towards the silverette who instead looked at the ground his head tilting some as if he were still, to this day, trying to discover that answer.
But... what exactly had all that meant?

[Rikugurl]

Namine frowned as she looked at the wings covering their way. She knew that they couldn't leave until the trial was over but... why would they want to?
She felt more....trapped than anything.

Slowly she pulled away and quickly ran back to Bonnie's side. Even if the bunny girl was rather rude and mean...she always felt safer around her.


Gunnar frowned as he watched the screen play out, seeing Kadaj and his brother, Yazoo. He was kind of....shocked. Kadaj actually looked....different. Younger.
He frowned as he heard the name Loz, not recognizing it at all. Who was Loz...? And where were they?

No one seemed to understand what the had just saw when the screen faded, all eyes on the silverette who seemed to be just as confused.
"Kadaj..." Gunnar whispered but another silverette broke in.
"Maybe...it's not connected to our minds but...our heart...or our soul."

Everyone went silent again before a red light went to the gem.


The sounds of boots clicked onto a white floor as a tall man with a long coat came into the center. His face was hidden under the hood only for a moment before black gloves pulled it off, revealing a younger looking redhead with sharp green eyes. They looked up, seeing tall seats around the room.

One of them figures in black upon the highest seat looked down, his face too hidden by a hood. His gloved hand reached out and suddenly, glowing letters flashed in front of the redhead with dark purple tattoos under his eyes.

"The Naming."
The letters spun around the redhead, making him close his eyes before an 'A', 'E' and 'L' lined up. Slowly the letters split for a 'X' to find it's way in.
"Axel. Organization's eight member."

A white chair slowly came down to the ground level and the lanky redhead headed over, slowly sitting down before it shot back up.
"WHOOOOOOOO!!"
When it stopped, it was at the lowest of the other seven that were in the room. He looked up at the highest and grinned. "Can I do that again!?"

[Reno]

Kadaj was thankful for Fuujin's presence. He... did not want to answer Gunnar if he were to ask him any questions right now. He... would be uncertain how to answer. He recognized the day however. That time line of his life. It had been very difficult.

Tensai looked over to his mother. Their hearts... and souls? Did that meant they all were safer? Their souls would not steer them wrong, and their hearts were all inherently good...

Maybe this would not be so hard at all. Maybe everything would be okay as long as they trusted in themseleves. The only problem would be is controlling the memories... but maybe that too... was unnecessary. Maybe the solution was right in front of their eyes and the trick to finding it... was to stop looking for it.

Everyone looked out as another memory played out. Roxas made a noise of surprise as the familiar white room spread out on the scene with the long, tall chairs. He recognized it well back from his days in the Organization. It was their meeting room. "Where Nothing Gathers." He murmured softly.

He was unable to stop a smile though at the newest member. The newly born Nobody who was still so enthusiastic and close to his lost heart. "That was... when you joined." He said, looking across at Axel. Though those had been terrible times... there were some memories he was glad to have. It was in that room... he and Axel had first met.

Aqua rolled her eyes, seeing the look in the blonde's eyes. Completely infatuated. "Get a room." Before anyone could ask Axel how he had managed to pick one of the memories of his beginnings, the gem turned from red to silver. And strangely... white.


"I HATE THIS!" Came an angry cry a book being through the air with a violent force before smashing into the wall. The unseen camera moved to be placed on the sight of a little boy sitting on the floor, his arms crossed and tears dribbling from his chin, frustration screwed all over his face.

A familiar brunette sighed as he walked into view and over to the book, picking it up with care. "Well, that's no reason to punish the book. It didn't do anything wrong."

"No, it's mine. I'm just an idiot!" The boy snapped.

The father looked back before back at the wall looking down at the abused book. His fingers drummed along the hardcover surface, whispering softly to himself, "'Be more supportive.'" He sounded as if he were quoting someone for those who did not know this man they would assume it was his wife, who would naturally be the more emotional and sensitive of any couple.

He sighed and turned walked back over and sitting down on the floor beside his son. He hesitated before reaching over rubbing his back. It was almost funny... how uncomfortable the brunette father was with his affection. "Hey now... you'll get it."
"Dad I'm seven and I still can't read a single sentence!" The boy snapped, rubbing at his eyes with his sleeves. "I must be the stupidest kid on the planet."
"Well uh..." He paused, seeming to think about that. "Now I wouldn't say that-"
"Oh sorry I forgot. The UNIVERSE!" He threw his hands up in the air.
The father blinked than rubbed the back of his neck. "Stop talking about yourself like that Tensai. You're not stupid. Even if you can't read you've got a developed vocabulary. And you know people on my world got buy without ever reading a single page in their lives - that didn't make them stupid."
"Dad your world was seriously messed up."
"It was no-" Terra paused, frowning some and cursed softly. "Fuck!"
Tensai couldn't hide a little smile.
"Alright, fine bad comparison." He sighed setting down the book, before reaching over and picking up his son and getting to his feet. "Let's take a break."
"Can I have hot coco?"
"Sure."
The two started to walk from the room, but even as the scene started to fade to black the words of the continuing conversation still echoed.
"Dad what if I can never read?"
"Son it doesn't matter. We'll find an alternative. I'll.... love you no matter what."


Tensai smiled. He... remembered that day though very vaguely. It was the first time his dad had tried to reassure him that it didn't matter if he could never do something that for others was meant to be simple. He was pretty sure his daddy Ven had a lot to do with that day - now he knew for sure.

It had happened so long ago when he had gotten so frustrated by not being able to read when he was at an age that was meant for kids to read short stories and it hurt even more when the other kids he did know could. He had been feeling so incompetent and stupid... like a failure really especially with a dad like his. Terra never said that of course but in his child mind it was hard not to come to that conclusion.

"That was surprisingly fucking sappy." Seifer put in.
"Hey look!" Roxas called, ignoring Seifer as he pointed to the ground. He hadn't noticed but... his lines had brightened as well. But that was certainly not his memory - he wasn't even in it. "What's going on?"
"It stands to obvious reason." Kadaj said calculatingly. "Tensai is the blader of Time that inclued the times of past and you are the Master of all Keyblades and Keybladers. Together, you two are able to access Terra's memories. In theory, you two could access the memories of any blader of history."
"But that means-" Both Tensai and Roxas said, their voices loud and high with excitement and the white and silver glows zipped across the floor and crashed into the gem with a fast intensity, spurred by their enthusiasm.


"Waaaait up!!"
A small boy, maybe nine or ten, looked back a smile on his face, silver hair framing his face and glinting under the bright summer sun. "Come on you slowpoke, keep up!!"
The other boy, much smaller than the silver-haired one stumbled over across the sand, putting his hands on his knees and panting. His hair, a light brown, shot in all direction atop his head. He looked up. "Riku that's no fair you got a head start!"
The boy grinned. "No, I'm just faster!"
"No way I said on three-"
"And you said three so I started!"
"But I was supposed to say one, two th- RIKU!"
"HAHAHA I'M WINNING SORA!"
The brunette pouted and huffed before taking off across the beach sand, waving his arms as if he were trying to take off and fly. "CHEAAAAATER!!!"


As the scene went black, a few of them were chuckling at the antics of the two young children they knew so well. Tensai however was just staring with wide eyes and a sense of wonderment on his face, taking a few small steps forwards until he was near the edge of the platform, his hand reaching up and touching the shield of snow. He had Roxas' stories. He had pictures. He even had a vague memory or two - but actually being able to see them moving. Alive and happy... it was indescribable.

And on top of this he would get to know... even more. About Terra and Ven. About Aqua and Fuujin. And... about himself.

He smiled. This was going to be an amazing experience.

[Rikugurl]

As everyone watched the memories like short movies, some realized that this was going to be a bit confusing as well. Especially for Bonnie. She crossed her arms and her ears twitched, not understanding the first memory at all. Where was Axel... and what did Roxas mean?

Axel smiled as he looked across the room at Roxas, feeling his heart beat faster.
It was the first day... he was created. It was kind of....weird thinking of it like that.

He blinked though when an angry and frustrated little boy could be heard, seeing poor little Tensai... and Terra acting....fatherly!?
"Whoa!" He laughed, not believing his eyes.
A soft smile ran over everyone's face as the memory faded. Even if it looked like Terra was struggling, he still put in a lot of effort when it came to raising his son.

However, the next memory was quite normal. Everyone knew how competitive the two were when they were growing up...and even when they grew up!

This made Fuu smile before a green light took over.


The silverette was leaning on a wooden railing, looking out at the beautiful beach of Destiny Island. There was no way Ven would miss his brother's birthday.
"WHERE THE FUCK ARE THEY!?" A blonde man stomped around the house, looking everywhere but the two he was looking for didn't seem to be anywhere until...

"Ven!" Fuu cried, making the blonde come out and look as she pointed down at the beach.

"COME ON SORA!" A silverette man laughed as he looked back, his hair blowing behind him as he ran across the beach, a laughing, happy baby cradled against his chest in a pouch as a brunette chased way behind.

"RIKU! YOU CHEATED!"
"NO WAY! TENSAI TOLD ME TO GO!"
"DON'T BLAME HIM!"
"HEY! HE ONLY WANTS TO BE A PART OF THE WINNING TEAM! HE'S A REAL SMART ONE, HONEY!"
"UGH!" The brunette laughed as he continued to chase Riku until they ran off and could no longer be seen.


Namine smiled but she realized something. She needed to speak up before any more memories started.
"I hate to be the party pooper! This seems like a lot of fun but.....we could be here FOREVER going through everyone's memories..."

[Reno]

There was a sudden burst of laughter when the scene between Sora and Riku was repeated - nearly thirty years later! They certainly hadn't changed at all. But before they could get any father into this fun home-made video Namine's voice cut through.

"She's right." Aqua sighed, smiling sadly. "We didn't come here to skip down Memory Lane."
There were a few sighs and groans of disappointment but the blue-haired woman just shook her head. "We're here for a reason, we've got to remember that." She crossed her arms, looking at the ground contemplatively. "If Fuu is right and this is connected to our hearts... than we need to stop thinking so hard. We just need to trust ourselves. That was anything that shows up on that screen, no matter what kind of memory, we must believe will be helpful to us in the end."

That was like asking everyone to become Sora. But it wasn't impossible.

Tensai frowned some but sighed. His mom was right. They had to work on saving Terra and nothing else - his heart knew this... hopefully his selfish wishes wouldn't taint this.

[Rikugurl]

Fuu nodded in agreement. She looked as he hands reached up and rested on her heart. "The phoenix said something about collecting the light in our memories... we can combine them to open another keyhole. I'm guessing... it's not just memories of Terra but maybe like.... the happiest moment in our own lives."

Slowly, some others reached for their heart as well. Happiest moment?
That was going to be harder to find than anything!
Especially for people like Olette. Her first kiss with Seifer... their wedding... their first time making love...the birth of Lucina....the birth of Olette.
Even just quiet nights where they all cuddled together on the bed as a family.

These were all her most happiest moments. She couldn't just pick one!

"Maybe we should start at the beginning." Axel finally broke the silence. "Just close your eyes and... think way back. Like... the first thing you can remember. What....your childhood was like? Maybe or memories will just keep picking up....after that? You know like, the ones we need?"

Roxel looked down after listen to his father and smiled. He could do that! A purple glow shot out as well as a red and then a silver.


The sound of a cart went down the isle as two men strolled down with a little toddler in the seat up front.
"What do....kids usually eat?" Axel rose his eyebrow as he looked around the baby section.
"ICE CWEEEEM!" The baby shrilled as he slammed his palms into the handle of the carriage happily.
"Nooooooo, not ice cream."
"How about some of that mushy stuff?" A blonde pointed to some jars before picking them up and reading them.

A few moments passed before the blue eyes looked up. "Do we....even know how old he is?"
Axel slowly glanced at the boy with the hug smile. "How old are you?"
"ICE CWEEM!"
"You're not ice cream years old!"
"AXEL!?"
"What!?"
Roxas sighed and rolled his head. "I'll guess... around two?" He picked up some jars of veggies, making Axel make a gross face....Roxel quickly imitating him.

"Roxas, that's gross stuff..."
"GWOSS!"
"Well YOU"RE not eating it....though you should." Roxas glared as he put some jars in the cart.
Axel pouted but grinned as he looked over at the boy. "So, what kinda snake do you wantAND don't say ice cream!"
"Ice cweem?"

The screen shifted, as if time passed before it showed a new small family at the dinner table.

"Uuuuugh...." Axel looked down at his plate full of veggies. "Roxas....do I seriously have to eat this?"
The baby was looking at his veggies, his chubby arms crossed.
"Axel..." Roxas hissed under his breath. "Eat them so Roxel will to...."
"NO WAY!"
"NO!"
"AXEL! YOU EAT YOUR VEGGIES NOW OR YOUR GROUNDED!"
Xio's eyes flatted on his head as he whimpered.

Green eyes widened as he just stared at Roxas, his jaw dropping. "G-grounded?"
Roxas narrowed his eyes before he pointed at the leash and collar, only to make Axel gulp.
"O-ok....fine." He glanced at Roxel and smile nervously before getting a fork full of veggies, seeing Roxel get one or two on his little fork.

Slowly the two put the greens up to their mouths, glancing at each other as Roxel opened his mouth up much wider than needed. Quickly, Axel shoved the greens in his mouth and held his breath as he chewed, swallowing quickly before taking a big drink of his orange juice.

Roxel put the veggies in as well and started to chew, making both parents look to see what he would do.
They weren't expecting...
"YUMMY! OM OM!" The little boy laughed happily before eating more and more of it until it was all gone.
Roxas clapped and Axel followed along. "Good boy!" The blonde slowly got up, going to the freezer before pulling out something that made the little boy's eyes widened so.

The wrapped was pulled off to reveal a blue cold treat and was handed to the little fire head. "ICE CWEEM!"


It was Roxel's second day of life.

[Reno]

Roxas grinned as the next scene came over then, his heart light as he watched his new'born' son, himself and Axel shop and then later eat. That had been so confused and lost when they started out being parents. It had been scary and challenging for months afterward and certainly nothing they were prepared for. they didn't even get ninth months of preparation!

Some things were a great relief though. Things that they thought would be hard, like getting little Roxel to eat vegetables and fruits, wasn't actually difficult at all. He was a fairly happy and brave child and he nor Axel had to deal with Roxel getting scared during the night when he slept alone in his room and they didn't have any 'accidents' either. He was still a handful though.

The scene faded away but instead a blue light hit it again.


"We need to do something Ronan! This drought is killing us." She was an stout but short woman, her hair an azure blue was pulled up in a bun. Her face was lined with a few wrinkles, showing her age and hardships.
"I know 'Rielly, I know." The man spoke as calmly as possible. He had big shoulders, buff arms and legs. His hands were calloused and his skin was darkly tanned. His hair was also blue but more dark, almost navy.

Beyond the adults' notice, just around the corner and crouching on the stairs, were two young children. Their clothes were thin and had a few holes, almost like rags really, and they were very dirty.
The elder, a boy with sharp golden eyes, reached out and took the younger's hand helped her up and leading her back upstairs. She was a little girl, maybe four, and her dress was lacking color and flair of the sundress it might once of actually been.
"We're in trou-bel." Said the girl softly as they entered their room, her voice full of childish omen.
"Yes, we are." The other said, helping the girl up onto the bed. He picked up a brush and sat behind her, starting to slowly brush out her matted and dirty hair.
"Is it because of the water all going bye-bye?"
"Yeah."
"Why don't we just take some from the ocean? It's thiiiiis big-" She spread her arms out as wide as they could go, "And it has a lot of water! Re-Re will help us!"
The boy, nearly a teen really, smiled faintly. "Well we can't. You remember drinking that water?"
"Yea it was yucky."
"It's yucky for the plants too. It's salt water Aqua."
"Salt? Who put salt in the water?"
"Well...." The boy blinked, thinking. "I guess Regole did."
"....Why?"
"Because... that way she can live close to us."
"...Oh.... then we better leave it alone." There was a pause then. "Does she make rain too? I miss that."
"Yeah she does."
"...Let's go pray for Re-Re to make rain than!"
"Alright, we'll do that first thing in the morning." The boy said tying up his sister's hair before setting the brush aside. "Come on time for bed.
The girl smiled and quickly scuttled over to the top of the bed getting under the covers while her brother blue out the burning candle in the room and got under the covers with her.
There was a long pause, the two listening to the whispers of their parents talking downstairs. The girl squirmed.
"Big Brother?"
"Yea?"
"I'm really hungry."
The bluette glanced over at his younger sister and even in the dark their was no mistaking his sad look in his golden gaze. He turned over wrapping his arms around the other and hugging her close.
"I know."

The scene shifted.
Suddenly the little girl and boy were in a temple. They were on their knees in front of a statue of a serpent-like dragon.
The little girl clasped her hands in front of her and bowed her head, her brother beside her doing the same. "Big brother says since it was my idea I get to say the pretty words. Re-Re can you make it rain please? My daddy is really sad we don't have rain anymore. He's so sad he makes his own rain except it comes out of his eyes and it's not enough for the plants. Mommy misses cooking the planties and even though I don't like how they taste I know she woooorked reaaaally hard making it so I eat it anyways. I miss the rain too - it made nice big puddles in front of the door. I loved jumping in them. It gets me all muddy and wet!" There was a pause then. "I wish you had legs Re-Re. Then we could go and jump in the puddles together."

The scene shifted again. Dawn was breaking... and there was a soft noise. A pattering. On the bed again were the two children one stirring. It was the girl. She rose her head from her pillow, blinking blearily towards the window, then her eyes widened and she gasped. She shoved the blankets away. Her bare and dirty feet hitting the wooden floor as she ran out of the room little feet thumping softly.
"DAAAAAADDY!"
She slammed into her parent's bedroom. "DADDY! DADDY!"
There was a snort and a bleary call. "Wha-What?"
The little girl ran over, patting her dad's whiskers on his face. "Daddy wake up! Re-Re made water fall!!"
"What...?" He asked confused, still half-asleep even as he sat up.
"Water!! Everywhere! Get up daddy!!!" She said. excited before she turned and ran from the room.
"What is that child yelling about?" Came a grumble from the other side of the bed.
The man blinked before glancing towards the window. "Adrielle! It's raining!!"

The scene shifted again but it must of only been minutes later. Aqua was giggling in the rain, jumping up and down in puddles that were already beginning to form. Behind her, the door opened, three family members peeking their heads out.
"Aqua, get out of the rain! You're going to catch your death!" Adrielle demanded.
"Not huh! I gotta dance for Re-Re!"
"Dance eh?" The father, Ronan said.
"Yeah-huh! She can't jump in puddles cause she gots no legs so I'ma jump for her ALL day!" Aqua giggled as she jumped up and down to emphasize her point.
"Ronan! This is nothing a child should be doing!"
The man looked at his wife and smiled. "You're right." He stepped out into the rain and walked over to his dancing daughter. "Need some help?"
Aqua blinked then grinned, holding out her hands. "Yea!"
He chuckled, taking her hands in his. "Okay here we gooooo!" And together the two started to dance a silly little dance, stomping their bare feet in the growing puddle. The father chuckled and had his daughter spin.

[Rikugurl]

Axel couldn't help but laugh as he watched little Roxel. He really did love mimicking him and Roxas.
Namine giggled as well, watching the scene. She remembered when she was young and Roxel came to visit Tensai. They would play together sometimes too!

However, Jax growled as he saw the larger Moomba in the picture. Who was that!?

Before anyone could comment, another picture started to roll and everyone blinked as they saw two familiar people...only as kids!

Fujin tilted her head as she watched, studying Aqua's parents. She knew these younger memories were going to be slightly hard. Everyone having parents...
The thought stopped though as she watched Aqua and....how adorable she was!

The silverette had to hold her hand over her mouth to hide her chuckles. She had never seen such an adorable child before.
Her red eyes slowly moved to look over, seeing her wife. A small, loving smile ran over her lips as the others outside smiled as well.
Except for Gunnar and his father. Their mouths were gaped open wondering what the hell happened to that cute little girl!?

"AQUA! You're so adorable~~~" Olette laughed as she giggled.

As giggles and smiles filled the room a sudden glow of black hit the gem and a very dark place came onto the screen.
Everyone seemed to hold their breath as they realized whose memory was showing.


A world, made up of nothing much at all was connected together by thin pieces of land that seemed to act like bridges that went to one small piece of land to another. The depths that seemed to be a fall to death glowed hauntingly as the sky above glowed the same way. Around the world however was pitch black.

Black ash few up towards the sky from the bottom, like a never ending gentle snowfall.

It was a silent world... at least to those who did not speak the language.
Black figures of all shapes and sizes gathered around here and there outside of oddly shaped building, looking as if they were talking to each other. Most frightening about their looks was none of them had....heads. They only had a neck with an oddly shaped plate to them.

Black birds that too had no heads soared overhead, though they could be heard as they called out a highly computerized trumpeting sound.

Looking out of the biggest building that familiar beast like creatures surrounded to guard, a more normal looking woman stood, looking over the world. She had soft purple eyes in which a fancy headpiece was in the middle. She had long, flowing orange hair that ran down her elaborate black gown. However, he skin was as pale as a sun beaten rock.

A soft smile ran over her lips before she blinked, hearing a soft coo behind her and looked back.
"Oh, you're awake!" She cried happily before she walked over to a dark crib, leaning over and gently pulling out a baby. The boy was wrapped in black blankets as his pale, chubby arms flailed. His own purple eyes opened under cute little locks of blonde hair.

She rocked the boy, singing a soft song that made the baby smile happily until a loud and furious bang came onto the door.
"CHARNETTE! OPEN THE DOOR!"
The woman's eyes widened as she heard the man's voice and quickly rushed to a dark side of the room where one of the odd figures was standing. She handed the baby over carefully, her eyes worried. "Hide him..." She whispered and the figure nodded, pulling a hanging rug out of the way to reveal a hidden door.

When the figure and baby were gone and the rug fixed, the woman rushed to the door and opened it slightly. "Father, please leave me alone...I am still feeling unwell..."

[Reno]

Aqua blushed faintly at Olette's words and more so at the look on her wife's face, rubbing her neck and looking towards the glowing symbols under her. Her childhood - it was not something she often dwelled on but she had hardly forgotten it. Life had been very hard those days... but some things were worth recalling.

There was a pause however though when the next memory came over them. They all looked up seeing the black glow and everyone held their breathes. A memory of Sammy's...

As it finished though everyone was left with a slightly disturbed feeling - and a lot of confusion too. That was obviously... Sammy's home world. The headless birds and... people too.
Tensai swallowed some. It was no wonder it was the only thing Sammy would draw for him. He wondered if they were sacred creatures on his world.

Luci watched, unable to keep down a shiver. But not just because of the citizens of the world... but because of the scene that took place. "Sammy..." She whispered her eyes sad. Something bad had happened to him - he had been separated from his mother, but why? And... was this hard for him to see?

There was silence in the Room of Echoes... until another light flashed across the floor and changed the gem once more. Gold.


The scene... was strange. They could hear heavy, ragged breathes. Everything was a glowing green - but it was a color that was sharply familiar to everyone. Lifestream. Beyond all the flowing green liquid was a poorly-lit room, the walls cracked and broke and very, very old. There were metal tables with test tubes and beakers, hand-written notes and dying pens. Bookcases were nearby for easy access.There were people milling around as if not have a care in the world - all dressing in long coat.

The unseen camera started to pan around almost frantically, and every few moments or so it would go black for a split second and than return. The 'camera' itself had a crack in it, something shiny and clear that went straight down the middle and disappeared down the edges.

Little hands appeared at the edges of the camera - hands of a toddler really - and reached out. They were uncertain as they pressed against an unseen barrier - glass. At the very edges of the sight, they could see legs kicking through the life stream as if the person was attempting to swim.

His actions drew attention.
"Professor Hojo! Professor Hojo he's awake!"
There was a flurry of confusing and confounding motion as people moved and started to surround the tube some of them taking notes, others looking at electromechanical things - a heart meter, vital checks, brain waves patterns, and the like. But most... were just staring within, gaping like fish. As the camera moved around the watchers of this seen realized horrifically they... were seeing this through Kadaj's eyes. The crack was not a crack at all - it was a mask.

"Ah, there you are Specimen LXXIX. Welcome to the world of the living. We did not expect you to wake for another few weeks - if at all. Interesting, interesting." Kadaj's head moved slowly paused at one right in front of him. It was a gangly, thin man with a hunch in his back. His hair was greasy and string-like as it framed with face. spectacles were over his eyes, and a sinister sort of grin was on his face. He grabbed a chart one of the assistants handed him, looking it over.

"Ah your vitals are doing much better than the other subjects. There might be a chance with you, we will see. I have big plans for you, big plans." The man grinned toothily, and started to laugh the noise disturbing. It seemed to worry the one watching as there seemed to be a gap in distance growing between them, Kadaj obviously trying to move away but instead he let out a little cry both frustrated and hurt. "Ah, are you in pain?"
A hesitance, than a shake of the head.

"Ah, good, good! The nerves are working wonderfully." He turned his head. "All of you, scatter! You! Put him back to sleep. We will give him another week before allowing him to roam."
"Yes Sir Professor Hojo!" A young teenager said while the rest of the others quickly broke away the other reached into his pocket and dug out what seemed to be a marble but everyone watching recognized them well. Materia. The teen turned to to tube and murmured softly, "Sleep."

There was a burst of yellow sparkles in the Mako and the eyes started to droop, the eyes falling before jerking as if he were nodding off. However, with much effort, the boy raised his head and turned it slowly to the left... and then to the right. Lining at each side to make a semi-circle were large tubes that humans or other creatures could easily fit in much like the one he must be in.

Some of the tubes were filled... full monsters and humans alike in various stages of development. Some looked no more developed than a fetus, others were almost fully grown infants. Some were only partially human with other parts of their body were grotesque and inhuman. The most disturbing one was a tube at the very end, not full of Mako like the others but empty, with the wrinkled and ashen body of a dead infant laying at the bottom.

"Sleep."
There was another sparkle of yellow than the eyes fell shut.


There was a long, long silence.
"That... was how I was born." Kadaj clarified.

[Rikugurl]

Some people became a bit uneasy after seeing Sammy's memory. It was the first time in years that they seemed to learn about his personal life. What kind of world he was from and what kind of family he had. It seemed like a rather dismal place for such a lighthearted boy to come from... but his mother seemed kind. Maybe not only bright and happier places were nice.

Worlds that looked like they were at the edge of decay could be a nice place as well.

Namine hummed as she thought. By the way the woman dressed, it fit the title. She did look like royalty compared to the others in both her gown and her looks. She had a face unlike anyone else on the world. Her jewels and pieces she wore were signs of royalty as well and the fact that her father came around, she guessed that she was a princess. But where was the prince? And why did she want to hide her son from her father?

Did he not know he was born or did she just didn't want him to see?
Sammy didn't look as exotic as his mother.
Hopefully...more questions would be answered.
Namine looked over at Lucina who had her eyes on the blonde. She slowly looked at him as well, seeing him look at the dark screen longingly.
He obviously missed her.

Their attentions were brought back though when another flick showed, this one also as gloomy but with a bright green glow.

Gunnar's eyes narrowed, remembering that stuff quite well. He was almost swallowed by it when he was young. He watched like a hawk at everything that happened, studying everyone's voices and faces.

The kicks and movement made his eyes sharpen and a sudden flash made him take a few steps back.
Olette noticed and frowned, looking at her son who seemed a bit off. "Gunnar?"
The brunette shook his head before continuing to watch, seeing all the test tubes and...realizing...that....
"He sees that knowledge and the knowledge of Life Blood imitated within you, young clone."

His mouth gaped open. Kadaj...was a clone....? He blinked a few times before looking down, trying to gather all of this so quickly. No wonder he never ages or....had such a hard time with emotions. He was just a...test....a number....and Yazoo....the same.
Was this 'Mother' who they spoke of so highly the one they were cloned after? And if so....why? And who was she?

No...
He had a flashback of his own, making his eyes react in the darkness of the room.
That night...

The brunette and silverette laid in the bed, facing away from each other in the darkness. Dried sweat and nude bodies under the sheets told the tell tale sign on what had happened only a hour before. Dried semen still on the brunette's hand, some of been licked off and...

the brunette jerked in bed as sweat ran down his face.
So hot. Burning... It felt like....he was on fire and....nothing but darkness before flame after flame appeared.
A figure slowly came to view, tall with long silver hair. A large sword was in his hand as he turned, looking through the flames with a grin so sinister and blazing mako eyes...

Kadaj and Yazoo was a clone of....that man.

Before he could speak, the sound of a baby screaming filled the room as green glowed around, making the mako filled memory blend in with the next.


Every turned back to the screen, seeing a basket being placed down in front of a door before shadowy figures rushed away. A baby inside the basket flailed, screaming at the top of its longs. The door was opened only moments later as a woman walked out and looked down at the basket. She looked around to see who had left the basket but no one could be seen.

The woman sighed before smiling, picking the baby out of the basket and pulling it close before walking back inside. Above the door read:

Twilight Town Orphanage.

The woman put the basket down as she headed towards the kitchen, seeing some other look back as they heard the screaming child. "Oh no... not another one..." One of the women said before taking the baby gently, grabbing a bottle close by. When it was put to the baby's lips, it became quiet and made noises of satisfaction.

"Was there a note or anything?"
The woman asked the other who had found the baby girl. The woman looked through the basket that had a design of what looked like to be wind. "Just this..." She said as she picked up a picture and showed it to the other holding the child.
The screen got closer, showing the picture. It was old with water stains but seemed like some kind of ancient art.

"Her parents must of been Hindu. The picture are of Hindi gods." She glanced at the back but still no writing. It was obviously a picture to give the baby luck.
The head nurse, the woman who was feeding the starving baby glanced at the basket then at the picture.
"We'll call you Fujin, baby girl."


The screen blanked out and Fuu swallowed, looking away. Her parents wanted her to have luck...so they dump her off at an orphanage....?

[Reno]

A lot of eyes, like they had been for Sammy, turned to Kadaj instead, full of the same sadness and pity. And worry too. Though it was hard to understand exactly the effects of Kadaj's life yet... his origins already did not look promising.

Seifer was looking towards Gunnar who seemed to be in a bit of a sweat, his eyes flickering and the look almost feverish. Something about that memory had affected his son... in more ways than one.

Lucina's eyes darkened upon her brother's choice of a lover. He was born in an... over-sized test tube?

Aqua's arms crossed over her chest her eyes averting from the scene that was deeply disturbing and disgustingly familiar to her.

Tensai frowned as he averted his eyes. What must it of been like - to have the first thing you see in life... this abstract and horrible scene of both life and death. Everything about it was messed up and inhumane - no wonder Kadaj seemed to have so many issues.

Before anything could be said however, another memory was already taking place, everyone eye's drawing back to their 'film'. Seifer was the first to recognize it, and visibly jerked back, green eyes narrowing. The orphanage.

"Fuu..." Aqua whispered, feeling sorrow creeping into her heart as the memory passed away, her blue eyes flickering to her love's troubled visage. She had such an urge to go over and embrace her right now - but she knew... that some of these memories really would not be easy to see and it probably would not get any easier...

An instant flash however lit up the whole room, followed shortly by a blast of thunder and a hollering, frightened screen. Eyes fell back to the prism, the gem glowing white underneath.


The room was small, cluttered with childlike toys and worn clothes, hidden foods and unseen ant trials. There was a dresser decorated with sticks in a corner, a closet off to the right. Little glow stars sticking on the walls and ceiling. But what took up a good portion of the room, right against the window, was a bed.

And on this bed was a lump of shivering blankets. There was a long pause, before the head - full of brown spikes - poked out. The head turned as if studying the room - then the small boy let out another peal of cries as there was another flash, thunder following quickly. He pulled the covers to his chin, eyes still darting but much more frantically as if trying to find a new hiding spot.

There was something... disturbing about young Sora - hardly five - that made his audience hold their breath. His eyes almost all of them new so very well as a swirling blue as bright as the sky, were tainted. The swirls had been mixed with another, more ominous color - yellow. Heartless yellow.

The boy continued to shiver and shake as the storm of the likes he had never heard before continued outside. He did not notice what was materializing in the corner of his room. A very faint blue light masked by the lightning shimmered as it took a form... a little boy - see through like a phantom - with swirly blonde hair and in clothes not of this world of Islands. Mostly browns and blacks, they were rustic, airy and light things something of a different culture no doubt.

Sora's head jerked towards the corner of the room suddenly as if finally taking notice. He tensed some, and whispered. "Who are you?"

The boy in the corner slowly opened his eyes, blinking some at his surroundings as if unsure of how he got there. He looked around before zeroing in on Sora... and slowly he smiled, the expression almost fearful on his ghostly visage. "I'm..." A pause and he tilted his head as if searching for the right response. In truth he was searching - but searching a mind. A mind that was not his. "I'm Ventus. But you can call me... Ven."

Sora blinked and than - storm forgotten for the moment - a wide smile came over his face. And in his eyes, hardly noticeable, the yellow flecks started to shrink away as if harmed greatly by this chance meeting. Soon there was nothing but blue left - this made 'Ven' smile even more, as if appeased by this. "Ven, eh? I'm Sora!" The brunette chirped. "This storm is really scary Ven, will you stay with me?"

"Yes." Was the simple answer, the little boy walking over the wooden floor without a sound, almost appearing to glide to the brunette's side.
"Thank you! We're gonna be great friends!!"
"So we will. But for tonight..." The other chuckled softly as he rose his fingers and placed them to Sora's forehead. "Sleep, Sora."
There was a small flicker of light, and the boy's eyes widened some before drooping and shutting quickly. Sora toppled onto his back spiraled on bed and seemingly sleeping peacefully.
The boy looked down at him and smiled in a fond, wiser way before there was a flash of blue light and he was gone... as if never there at all.


"That.... That was me?" Roxas whispered softly, his eyes full of confused recognition. That was his birth? And Sora... his eyes... He didn't remember that at all! What, what had been going on!!

Before anything could be said or done, about the memories more became to pop up in a quick succession.


It was like flipping through a picture album. The memories shot past like a slide-show on crack.
Short second memories of Sora drawing pictures of himself and a blonde boy while a ghostly Roxas-boy watched sitting atop a counter - unseen by the parents only two feet away with worried looks.
Another of them in a large, boring-looking room of nothing but books and smelly chairs and dim lamps that just drooled office. Bryna and Sirocco were talking to a man in glasses, their faces full of frantic concern while their son played patty-cake - in their eyes - all by himself. But Roxas and him had no problem meeting hands each time, even if his were not quite whole and no sound was made.
Many times Sora would just sit in front of the reflections of things - mirrors, water, shiny metal things - grinning away like a fool as he talked to the objects but on the other end unnoticed by any who watched that the reflection in the picture was not of the brunette but a little blonde boy who was always smiling right back.
Searching for bugs in the grass. Seashells on the beach. Monsters in the closet. They had done it all.

Until one day...
"Daddy says I can't talk to you anymore." Sora was in tears, biting on his shirt as if to lessen the pain. "He-He said 'big boys don't have no imaginary friends!'" He started to wail loudly, his voice echoing in the bathroom. "But Ven your my bestest friend!"
The boy in the mirror was the utter essence of reverse, smiling calmly and composedly, as if such a thing had always been inevitable. "Riku's a lot of fun."
The boy's cries quieted some and he nodded. "I know but-but..."
"It'll be fine Sora." The other reassured. "Daddy knows what is good for you."
The boy sniffled and nodded. "I...I'll miss you..."
"I'll miss you too."
"I'll never forget you, I promise!"
The boy laughed softly, struck by the irony of it all. "No..." He nodded. "Sora, can you do me a favor then?"
"Uh huh!"
"Bring the colors back to me one day okay?"
The boy blinked confused but nodded. "Okay! I'll let you have alllll my coloring sets! Promise!"
"Good bye Sora."
"Bye bye Ven." The form faded from the mirror, leaving only Sora's image behind.
"SORA, RIKU'S HERE!"

The scene changed but it did not appear like time had changed. Roxas was still young - a toddler really - but he was walking slowly across a large field. It was familiar - it had a large pond in the middle, trees surrounding it and a bright sky above but instead of the wacky colors it would later become, everything was normal and peaceful, and just a little windy too. It felt like... home.
The only mar on this pretty place was nearby a large oak, caged in like a dog by spears of blue light with handles a combination of fleur-de-lis and crosses, was a dark, ugly shape identical to Sora but nothing but shadows and wide lantern yellow eyes. Pacing, pacing, forever pacing - waiting for his chance to get free.

But what the boy was approaching was was something new; an interesting rip in the world... where another part, still developing, began. It was all sand, palm trees and bright blue ocean water, perfectly intact seashells lining the shore. Roxas paused at the small chasm between the two lands before he took a deep breath and shut his eyes, glowing with a soft light. His hands spread out... and suddenly a barrier of clear light filled the gap and shot high up into the sky. there was a sound of something unseen breaking in half - like how sticks broke when you pulled both ends down. The minute the break happened there was a horrid cry of a child the voice familiar because it mimicked the one Roxas himself had - but their was something more real, more complete about this voice. This was the voice of a boy who had his own heart. Gone forever.

His job done, the little boy turned and started to walk towards the lake - just as a slow moving waves of light similar to Aurora Borealis started to drift up from the land, the trees, the water, the sky, even Roxas himself and instead filtered through the new barrier to connect with the building world beyond. Each light hitting the beach world creating something new. An island, a seashell, a cloud. It was creation.

But on the world of trees and wind was the depressing sight of destruction. Nothing crumbled or rotted, nothing fell, nothing died. But as the lights left with them they took color - leaving everything black and white and gray and oh so silent. The little boy who had done so much, was now weary and weak, lacking all color and life. He slowly lay in the grass and his gray eyes shut. His mouth moved with a small farewell but no words passed his mute lips.

And then he smiled... and fell into slumber.


The scene faded.

Roxas, like his smaller self, was left speechless.

[Rikugurl]

Olette shifted a bit uneasily when she realized her son was alright but the new picture on the screen...was of a place she knew rather well. A place that a certain gang of kids came out of everyday and tried to stay as far away from it as possible for the rest of the day.

It was located on Sunset Terrace in the back alley. She found it slightly odd that when Seifer's gang kind of...departed....thanks to....uh....her, Fuu spent most of her time watching over that district unlike when she was a child.

She shook her head though when the screen changed and being more...horror stricken too.
Everyone was silent when they saw the yellow color in Sora's eyes, not understanding. Was it the night that he had his Awakening...?

Some gasps filled the room when they saw...Roxas?
Even Axel shifted as his narrow eyes watched. How did....Roxas do that? He didn't even think that was...possible.
Sora had disconnected with himself in a way that he created his Nobody...to....talk to?
Obviously Ventus wasn't there... so it had to be after they lost him to the darkness.

The rest of the memory... was hard to grasp. What was...happening?
Everyone was left speechless, even Roxas himself.
Roxel seem to cradle himself, not understanding any of this...it was...scary! "D-dad..." He whispered but before anything else was said, a flash shot out one again, silver this time as a new 'movie' started.


Two babies sharing a crib were crying out loudly, their chubby fingers reaching for their mouths as if it was in pain.
"What are they crying for, Bryna!? Why won't they stop!?" The man seemed to be at his wits end as black circles were under his eyes. The two babies, obviously twins, were wearing the same cute little outfit. One had soft brown hair as the other had soft blonde.

"They're teething..." The woman said as she came in, a cup of yogurt in her hand. She stirred it up with a spoon before leaning over. "Open up~~~" She cooed to her brunette boy, seeing the tears fall down but he opened his mouth anyway. She put the spoon in his mouth and pulled it out as he closed it, seeing him munch on it with his cute little cheeks moving.

It seemed to help as the cold liquid eased his gums.

She put the spoon back in before leaning over and putting the spoon by the blonde who was screaming his lungs out still. "Open up~~~" Still screamed.
"Oh Ventus!" The woman sighed before pulling the baby up as the man put a large brown bear in the crib. The brunette baby hugged onto it before sucking his gums, looking up at his brother who was flailing in his mothers arms.

"You always have to make everything difficult huh?" She asked wholeheartedly as she smiled, rocking him. She put the yogurt on the nightstand and dipped her finger in before pushing it through the screaming mouth, gently rubbing it on his gums. At least he couldn't bite it off.
The baby gave sounds of discomfort, trying to pull away but he settled down as the cold liquid eased him into a sniffle.

"There you go~~" She kissed the boy on the cheek before gently putting him back into the crib and he hugged the big bear, sniffling and crying softly.
"That will just have to do for now." The woman sighed before smiling at her husband and they both left the room, putting on a small lullaby on the radio.

As the blonde baby continued to cry silently, he blinked when his other brother patted his eyes suddenly and gave him his first hug.


Olette smiled fondly as she watched the babies. She remembered what that was like!

[Reno]

The memory that passed filled everyone with a sense of foreshadow and disarray - but the second one that lit up the screen was a harsh contradiction that was full of hope and rightness. It calmed many of their hearts but it still left them lost in the dark.

Aqua couldn't help but chuckle some when she saw how troublesome Ventus was even at that age. "A troublemaker even at one." It fit him well.

Tensai tilted his head and smiled some at his mom's words. That sounded about right. His daddy Ven also was the rambunctious little one and his daddy Sora was always the peacekeeper. He wondered what it would of been like had they of grown up together like they were supposed to...

He didn't have time to contemplate it much however when another silver light hit the gem, making it glow even brighter and a new scene appeared on a world unfamiliar. Tensai's eyes went wide though and he gasped, his body trembling some.

Because there was no mistaking those orange eyes.




The brush made a soft ffph, ffph, ffph noise as it swept over the canvas, the painter careful to define each stroke, to pay attention to each detail. Beyond him - of which he sat upon a hill under a large sweet chestnut tree in the midst of spring - was a agricultural beauty: rolling hills where cows plowed, horse graze, sheep were chased by ardent border collies, men worked and farm boys caught naps unseen in the willow grass.

But even though the scene before him was beautiful and perfect for art, on the canvas it only held the rolling hills and the faint excuse of the farms, devoid of the life the world should of held except for a far, far distance where plumes of thin black smoke rose like fire and death was on the horizon. But none of this was in compassion to the main portion of the picture off to the left but closer. It was of a woman, naked but her knees drawn up to hide her modesty though her face was in an almost seductive and cruel expression. She had blue-green skin, a flawless body except for the nose ring in her left nostril, and long black hair with a Hawaiian flower in the top. Around her were various knick-knacks including a pumpkin-like structure with curly hair, an old-fashioned camera with an alien baby reflecting in its lens, a pearl necklace that curled around her ankle, and a blue man with a tree for hair.

He was so preoccupied he did not have any awareness of the woman in a delicate dress behind him, leaning against the bark of the tree until she spoke. "Close, but still wrong."

The painter, startled, jolted with a fright, as he spun, not noticing how his brush slashed across the canvas leaving an ugly smearing of green across it. He was a clumsy man really with pale peach skin, small brown eyes hidden by black-framed spectacles and messy black hair that was cut short but appeared almost like a mop on his head, large ears poking between the strands. His body was thin and gangly and with shorts legs and bony shoulders. His hands however were attractive - long fingers meant for a pianist, thin and flexible arms and steady palms perfect for his art. "W-W-W-?" He stuttered in confusion.

She, unperturbed by his confusion and utter shock, walked over ignoring his gasps for air. "I do adore the shade you chose for my skin though as you can see it is utterly incorrect. You have added too much green making it appear teal whereas my skin is cerulean." She stopped within three feet of the man, turning her palm gracefully over so he could gaze at the lines etched in them and the blue shade it held. "And, as another note for future reference my eyes are not black they are as a sunset over the sea - orange-red. Orange is the basic of change of which is my being how could you forget?"

She did sigh here though, wistfully, "And if only my hair were of such beauty! Black like your own it would compliment me so very delicately - but no my hair is an ugly yellow. I do not even get the pleasure of having it be a golden-yellow or strawberry-blonde." All the while as she spoke the painter gaped, opening and closing his mouth unable to form anything but incoherent squeaks and whimpers at this alien woman who was before him, outlined in a golden heavenly glow. "I do hope you do not change your image - she is beautiful though I do not have such a ring and I utterly despise flowers and being so... bare. Oh but look at what has been done by my interruption." She leaned over him, her blue fingers reaching out to hovering along the ugly thick green mistake. As she did however the accidental slash of green disappeared as if she were reversing the damage.

"There. Now, isn't that perfection Charlie Wish?" She asked as she turned her head and smiled.

The painter looked at his canvas than back to her, before hie eyes rolled back and he toppled from his stool and onto the ground.
"Oh but I do believe I have made him pass out."

The scene shifted. They were still on the hill but now the painter - Charlie - was holding a mug of something warm, his fingers shaking violently and sloshing the liquid within.
"So... S-So you're... Kali."
"Correct."
"...H-H-How is that possible?"
"You tell me, Charlie." The graceful woman said, "You have obsessively painted me for years. I do not doubt you know all of my being?"
"Apparently not!" He shouted out then squeaked hiding his eyes behind his hair. "I-I-I mean... of course I know you are the Goddess of Time... but that really can't be. You can't be HERE."

"Oh but you are incorrect. I am here." She waved her hand over a budding flower. "Time is my essence. I have seen century upon century come to pass and the story is always the same. Life begins, it grows and it dies." As she said this the flower's stem grew bigger and it's bulb opened, soft frail petals blooming outwards but it quickly started to wrinkle and whiter, turning ugly and brown before finally falling to the ground and dying.

Charlie stared at the dead flower with wide eyes. "How??"
"I sped up its time." She explained shortly.
"C...Can you do that... to anything?" His eyes widened, a little frightened.
"I may. It is but one of my powers. But just because I an able to do so, does not mean I will. Now it is my turn to inquire. What is that you are consuming?"
The artist blinked before looking at his cup. "T-This? It's... hot chocolate. But... shouldn't you of known that?"
She smiled deprecatingly, and spoke as a story that everyone else seemed to know but him. "If I were to be in my own realm, yes I would have. There, in Olympia, I am like any other immortal. Timeless. But when I dare step upon the mortal realm, that power is lost because I am Time therefore I must be one with it. Here I lose seconds, minutes, days even years of my life. If I were to stay here long enough I too would pass in life just as any mortal." A pause then - "May I try it?"

Charlie blinked before looking down at his cup in which she was gazing. "O-Oh of course!" He held it out to her without a second though. She took it delicately and the other shivered and blushed when her fingers brushed his own. Because though she was so very different from himself she was so very beautiful. So... so much more stunning in person.
She took a slow sip of the drink before smiling softly. "Mm simply delightful!"

The man smiled some, finding her antics cute but it quickly fell in concern. "Why... Why are you here? Am I going to be punished by the Gods?"

Her orange eyes looked up at him. "In times of present no - in future, it is possible." She sighed slowly, seeing his concern turn fearful. "Let me explain young Charlie. As I am time I can see all dimensions it is. I know what is past - the things etched and unchangeable. I am able to gaze upon what is present and see actions take place. I am also able to glance at the future and what it will most likely become. Each being in the world I may see as they are charted by decisions in their near futures and depending upon their choices I can see what the various outcomes that may be. Few mortals lives are set by a destiny beyond them where despite their decisions are unable to escape their future. Do not worry you are not one of them."

The man swallowed hard and nodded slowly. "That... is a relief. But are you hear because... I am to make a bad decision and you are here to prevent me from it?"
"No... I am here to make you make it."
"W-What?!" He yelped his hands coming up to his throat.

She waved her hand slowly. "Charlie. I have watched you for many a year - from your birth I had felt a connection with you. I watched you grow and discover. I have watched your faith shake and steady, your family fall, and your love for someone you were never entirely sure existed grow. This feeling did not change even when your fellows called you crazy. Even now - now that you know of my ugliness - you love me."

"You are not ugly Kali!" He broke in, then blushed. "You... You are the most perfect thing...I have ever laid eyes upon. Nothing I have ever created in your form... can compare to you. I-I... have... loved you for a long time."

She chuckled softly, humored "I believe you are just happy to know I do not have six arms." She placed the cup on the grass before leaning forward and kissing him upon his forehead. "But you are sweet as well." She stared deeply into his eyes before softly speaking, "Charlie, I love you as well. Never has anyone given me the devoted attention as you have. All others knows of me have respected me but feared me or have despised me completely. But you, you have never once looked upon another woman and found her worthy - only I. And in turn, I have watched you - watched every imperfection and every mistake and tragedy fall upon you and have in turn fallen for you and all your mortal faults."

The man's eyes were wide and his cheeks bright red, but at her words he smiled almost dreamily taking her hands in his. "S-So... may we be together?"

"That is why I am here." Her face turned serious. "There are few times where a road of decisions are set before I as I can not see the paths set out before an immortal since time does not exist there. This sight can only occur to me when my life crosses paths with a human. I have seen my choices set before me - and I have chosen my path. I wish for my life to intersect with yours. Together, I can see what will occur. Together upon this mortal realm, on this very day we will conceive a son."

"Oh... Kali..." He breathed, blushing more.
"However... this comes with a price."
"Oh?"
"Yes. Charlie this is where you must make your decision. If you accept me, our time together will be brief though our love will be timeless. You will have less than a year before Zeus will discover what he believes is treachery and he will punish us both."
"W-What'll happen?"
"Precisely fifty-six days after our son's birth, on the eve of a full moon he will take your life with a lightning bolt."
Charlie's eyes were horror-struck and he swallowed. "And...And you...? And the boy?"
"As far as I can see our boy will survive but will be cast off to live without us upon the mortal realm. As for I, I will return to my realm, the loss of you both my punishment."
His eyes saddened, but his wit was quick. "Kali... that will force you... to suffer eternally. Why would you make such a decision?"

She smiled as if the answer were obvious. "I am already in love with you Charlie. I will gain the same fate of watching your life be fulfilled to its end if you choose to not take me. I will forever suffer without your life upon the realm, brightening every day with your glow; however, you will forever remain alone. But with me... I am able to ease you of that loneliness and able to give us a legacy of our love and suffering. And I will have the joy of watching him live and will forever be reminded of you. It is the perfect love."

She lent back, her fingers squeezing his gently. "But, all of this depends upon you Charlie Wish. You must make your decision as I have."
The man blinked before lowering his head, staring upon the grass. He shut his eyes, the whole scenario utterly beyond him. But... he knew what his answer was to be. He looked at her and smiled. "Kali... I would rather live only a day with you, than a lifetime without. Let the lightning rain down and strike me dead, I would always make this decision, just for a chance at this moment!"

His inspired words made the goddess laugh, her voice like bells. Even still he continued. "It is more than I could ever ask more than I deserve! And even more so... a son..." He laughed softly, smiling. "Unbelievable... something I had never pondered! He will be so beautiful and strong, I know." His eyes saddened. "I will only regret two things: that I will not be able to see his life.... and that my pain will only last a moment, while yours will be eternal."

"While this is what I am glad of." She said ironically, smiling with joy unmeasurable even as she lent close. "You, Charlie Wish and our son will never be forgotten from my heart. Thank you..."
He just smiled right back. "That is what I should be saying, my love." He moved, closing the distance between them and met her in a kiss.


And the scene disappeared.

The silence was thick in the Room of Echoes, the bodies within so frozen they appeared as statues.

That was until one suddenly crumbled to his knees, the force of the memory too much and broke the spell.
"Ten!" Aqua and Fuujin both called with worry.
The boy shook on his pedestal, tears falling from his eyes but he managed to choke out, "I-I'm okay..." This had been his... his parents...

His face paled as guilt consumed his heart, realizing how many horrible things he had thought of them for so very, very long spurred by feelings of abandonment and unjust suffering. But... but this was the truth. His father had given up everything... and his mother... his mother must still be hurting so badly...

For love. And for him.

He didn't deserve any of it though. His mother should hate him for what his birthing had done to her... and to his father.

[Rikugurl]

Some chuckling could be heard as the memory faded of the two babies hugging. Even so young, it seemed liked their personalities were very much the same until the day they died.

Another memory came to the screen, confusing people for a moment before realizing that this memory was like Sammy's. Unknown to any of them...
But this one... was more forbidden. This was the question that all the Chaser's had asked.

Where was Tensai from...and who were his parents?
What was his real name and why was he found floating in the ocean?

Everyone held their breath as they watched, some hearts pounding as other quivered.

When they saw the woman though, some were struck. The woman...she wasn't human at all. Namine smiled slightly, knowing that her theory was indeed correct! They had three half bred humans on their team!
But what she wasn't expecting was... that she was a....god?
Tensai...was a half....god?

And his title as Keyblader of Time....

Their words they shared however, were heartbreaking. Olette covered her mouth as she stood closer to Seifer.
Fuu's red eye was wide as she watched the two and Roxel's mouth was gaped.

His best friend...had....GOD in him??? He swallowed, looking down in guilt. He had pushed a half god to do things he didn't want to... he was going to get into a lot of trouble for that....

Bonnie's ears shifted as she listened closely. So his mother knew some things of the future.... did she know that her son would lose two of his adopted parents? Would he lose a third?

Even Gunnar had to look away. He had been back slapping, yelling and pushing the boy around, and now he finds out that he's a half god. He should of listened to his mother about his temper...that it was going to hurt him more one day... He had a hell of an apology to sing. Then again....they were all going to leave this place having another feel for one another. That is...IF they got out of here.

Everyone swallowed as the memory faded, still not believing what they had saw. It was Tensai himself that snapped everyone out of their daze.
"TEN-CHAN!" Roxel scream as he watched his friend fall, pressing up against the electric field that didn't harm him at all. His blue and green eye widening as horror and hurt went out for his best friend.
"Tensai!" Fuu cried as well as she walked to the edge of her platform, looking through her field at her son.

At Tensai's call though, everyone relaxed....slightly. Hurt filled everyone's heart though. It was the first time the boy had seen his REAL parents... and.... what they had done. They knew that Tensai had cursed his real parents, thinking that they must of abandoned him or something else... but now...it was clear....

The silence was broken when a black light suddenly hit the gem and they were seeing another memory.


In a dark room that was only fluttering with the light of many candles, books upon books could be seen on the shelf as a table was in the middle. It was still highly decorated in that of riches and the odd looking figure with no head could be seen by a set of stairs. The disc that was suppose to be a head tilted, as if curious what the woman at the table was doing.

It seemed to be like a secret hiding place. The one behind the rug.

Other than the bookshelves and some other smaller tables, a rather large mirror was pressed against the wall. However, unlike a regular mirror, it had no reflection. Just dim shadows.

A book was opened to the first page and snow pale fingers ran down the paper.
"Ett oooooooh~~" The boy giggled as he sat on the woman's lap and looked at the pages. His purple eyes were wide with excitement as his longer blonde hair bounced a bit.

The woman chuckled as a hand ran over the toddler's head lovingly. "I think it's about time we learn daddy's language. It's called....English."
Her own purple eyes shifted down, looking at the symbol's written on the page. A frown ran over her beautiful features as she tilted her head. "Maybe we should have daddy teach us instead." She giggled as she kissed her son's head.

Just as she did, the mirror by them seemed to....move.
The figure by the stairs, as so did the woman and the boy looked over to see someone COME out of it.
He was a handsome man with thick blonde hair and a goatee that matched it. His clothes were wore, obviously a working man but he held himself high as he looked around the room and then down at the woman and child.

He was a human.
However, his smile was beyond humanly. It seemed like no human could have such a loving and warm smile as that that he gave the woman and child. Slowly the woman stood and walked to him, handing the child over. The man smiled more as he told the boy, hearing him laugh....soundlessly.
The woman looked down at the boy who gazed up at his father with love before looking at the man that she loved.

"I wish you could hear his laugh... and my voice, Cheval...." She spoke softly, knowing that the man could not hear her.
The man slowly looked at her and frowned. "Is there something wrong, my love?" The man asked, seeing the woman's saddened face but she only smiled and shook he head.
"Alright then..." He looked back at the boy before kissing his forehead and then leaned over to kiss the woman on her lips. "Did you start without me?"

The woman shook her head, her beautiful orange hair shifting before she pointed at the book that was on the table.
The man nodded before going to the chair placing the toddler on it with care, holding him so he wouldn't fall.
"We'll have to hurry, our son really needs a name that we can both agree on!" He laughed as he reached for the book but just before he could touch it, a horrid sound came from the door above the stairs, making the man jolt from such a silent world.

The woman's eyes widened before she grabbed her son and pointed at the mirror.
"GO! GET OUT OF HERE! HURRY!" She cried at the man but to the man, her lips didn't even move. However, he understood before giving her a sad look and a quick kiss. "This must stop..." He said sadly before her rushed into the mirror and disappeared just as the door was flung open and creatures on four legs walked down the stairs.

"What are you doing here? This is the princess's quarters!" The headless figure snapped down at the other before the beast like thing looked up at her.
"It doesn't matter." A familiar voice came from the man at the top of the stairs. His looks were quite frightening compared to his daughters. He had pitch black hair and beard as atop his head was a black headdress. "This is the king's world."

As he walked down the stairs, his black robe slide down them behind him and his glowing white eyes seemed to pierce through them.
However, one look at the child in his daughter's arm made him stop dead.
"Charnette. What IS that creature?" He questioned as he pointed at the blonde boy.

The woman swallowed, looking down at the boy before looking back at her father. She held the boy close as she took in a deep breath. "This 'creature'....is my son AND the future king of Thymosia."
"SON!? Oh Charnette...what have you done?" The man asked as he shook his head. "'One day a Thym would born a child of mankind blood and the sky of Thymosia will crumble for it could not hold the rage of the world.' I never imagined my own daughter would complete the prophecy of our world's destruction."

The woman looked away as she continued to hold her child close, hearing him coo slightly. "I do not care what the prophecy says..."
"CHARN---"
"Enough father!" The woman cried, the toddler suddenly fussing but was rocked lovingly. She slowly looked down into the blue eyes of the boy and smiled. "I know what I did will bring the end of our world... and I do not blame myself. The prophecy will always happen... and there is no stop to it. These decisions were bound to happen sooner or later and I could not stop my love. As the future queen... I would have to find a king to bear a child with...and I knew I could never be happy without the one I feel in love with."

She looked up at her father, still staying strong. "My decision is made and I cannot change the past nor the future, both are set in stone the same. Our world will crumble because of what I did and this proves once again that our prophecies are correct. That is more important than anything. However, our prophecies do not tell us how long we have or how... so I am taking the risk of being the best mother I can be for my son. It is too late for you to try and kill him for he is still heir to the throne if he lives that long to take it."

The man growled as he slowly turned away from her, his 'guards' making way towards the stairs.
"That THING will never rule our world, I will make sure of it even if I am the one who will have to destroy this world to make sure of it. And as for any heir to the throne, there is none...for I have no daughter."
His voice had a hint of sadness to it before he slowly walked up the stairs. However, he stopped and put his palm behind him, a glow of purple forming, and suddenly it at the mirror, making it shatter to a million pieces before he finished climbing the stairs and slammed the door.

The woman just stood there, her eyes closing when the mirror was shattered. When the door slammed, the headless figure quickly grabbed a broom and started to sweep the mess away from the woman's feet as a tear ran down her cheek.

[Reno]

Seifer frowned some as Tensai's memory played, pulling Olette close when she started to search for comfort. From the tone it held he knew the two weren't going to have a happy ending. But not even a year...? It was... hard to imagine.

Lucina's heart trembled as guilt started to wrap around her throat, her eyes darting to the stunned orange-eyed boy who... was a... God? Holy fuck. Was it simply a miracle that Kali hadn't come to strike them down or was she going to come now that her son knew the truth? Was she... watching them right now?

Kadaj's eyebrow rose slowly, and he smirked at the irony of it all. His 'brother' that he was modeled after had always claimed he was a God. But... he didn't compare, even in the slightest, to that woman upon the screen. It was hilarious!

Aqua looked at Tensai, her feet shifting on her platform in agitation as he sobbed. If only she wasn't stuck here... but she knew that this was probably not going to be the only memory that was hard for all of them to watch. There would be more tears, more pain, more fear. Because you could not find the brightest light until you dipped into the deepest dark.

Moxley whined in worry as he saw his master and friend fall, leaving Jax's side to run over to Tensai's pedestal pacing around it like a nervous lion waiting for his lioness to have her cubs. He wanted to run up to his side, offer him some sort of comfort but instinctively he knew it was not possible at the moment.

Roxas swallowed some as the truth of his nephew was finally revealed. No wonder the phoenix nor the Divine Dragon could speak of it - only a god was allowed to speak of god affairs. His eyes darted to glance at Axel, his eyes pained. Sacrifice for the near impossible... they both knew a lot about that. They had given nearly everything to gain their hearts - and risked it all for Roxel. He could understand though why they did it - he certainly didn't regret doing something so brash and unthinkable.

There wasn't time to say much at all though when another picture came upon the screen this time from Sammy once more.

At first the memory was very sweet and heart-warming to the point that even the wretched time keyblader was able to calm and watch, showing the young infant being loved by his mother; they even laughed when the mother was unable to teach Sammy English - and the appearance of his father was a great surprise to them all. He was obviously very devoted to his family though, their was no doubt about that. But like the memory before that this was not meant to last as things took a turn for the worst.

The appearance of the king and the words shared between them made many of the Chaser's eyes widen in horror - not just because of the so-called prophecy but also because of the disowning. Many - including Namine, Tensai and Luci - gave a cry of protect as the mirror was shattered to pieces as if they were apart of the scene too and their voices just weren't enough to halt the horrible deeds.

And then it was dark again as the scene faded away, Charnette's sorrowful cry echoing in the small room before that too passed, nothing but a memory.

Seifer rubbed his wife's shoulders, feeling her cuddle even closer to him, trying to quell her rising sadness. He always thought she was a little too sensitive about this kind of stuff...
Of course he had to remember... this was all truth. It wasn't as if he was watching a movie in which they could all forget the next day.

Roxas fingers clenched some at his side and breathed out slowly, quailing a rising fury. Not even Sirocco had been able to stop loving his children, despite his qualms with who they were married to. The irony of the similarity was not lost to him however - had Tensai and Samual's hearts called out to one another?

Ten breathed out slowly, placing his hand over his bleeding heart at the tragedy that he had just witnessed tears gathering in his eyes once more but this time for someone else. He had always felt a connection with Samual for reasons he couldn't really explain, different from anyone else even Roxel. Because somehow despite worlds and connections and light years apart, they were similar. They were part of some unconquerable destiny that their parents had to suffer for. Was... that why Sammy was alone? Had the prophecy come true?

Kadaj tilted his head. So Sammy was like an animal of which no human could understand his language but his own. Peculiar - why had he not come to that conclusion before?

Aqua grit her teeth, her eyes narrowing as she felt a sense of familiarity over the whole affair. Not because this memory was almost identical to the one that had come to past but because it reminded her of a certain someone else in her own life.

"Oh Sammy..." Lucina couldn't help but whisper, her head bowing. Had he known all this? Or like Tensai was he learning it all for the first time?
...What had Sammy ever done to deserve such a horrible guilt upon his shoulders?

They didn't get a chance to do or say much more, as a white and silver light hit the gem simultaneously and a new figure appeared before their eyes - the very sight of him making many shrink back in fright and others tense with rage.


"What are you doing?" A masculine voice hissed, red eyes narrowing under black locks, his steps sure and lengths long like a jaguar on the prowl as he approached his prey.
There was a little whimper, chubby tiny fingers curling around the object he had found almost possessively to his chest. His eyes were wide though, obviously too frightened to move.

The man snarled ducking low so he was eye-level with a boy. He effortlessly pulled the toddler up by his shirt, snatching away the item the other had. It was a long wooden stick with many holes in it - a wooden flute. He shook it in the other's face making the other shrink back. "Does this look like a toy to you!? Don't you understand anything brat?!"
A frantic shake of the head. No of course it wasn't!
"Don't touch it again, am I clear?!"
The little boy nodded, but his lip started to quiver and his eyes were watering.
"Oh don't you dare start to fucking cry!"
The boy sniffled, lips held in a tight line as he did attempt to avoid such a thing. "M'nota cry!"

Luckily there was an angel in this family.
"HATORI!"
SMACK!
"OW! FUCKING HELL WOMAN!"
Ida quickly snatched her son away from the other, holding him close in her arms and rocking him gently. "It's okay Terra, it's okay..." The boy sniffled again his little fingers holding onto her tightly. She looked over her son's head to glare at the man. "Stop treating him like that. He's just a toddler Hatori!"
Hatori rolled his eyes agitatedly, rubbing the back of his head. "For fuck's sake if you keep coddling him he'll end up being a pussy."

The woman, still strong and young though thin and dainty compared to her husband, simply rolled her eyes and stalked past him going towards the kitchen. "He's been raised just fine as he is!"
Hatori grumbled under his breath, "Yeah if we want a fucking girl."
"I heard that!"
"Fucking bat ears!"

He growled and walked after her into the kitchen, crossing his arms, flute dangling from his fingers. "Well, what about discipline? He could of snapped my music-maker in have! My PRICELESS possession."
"He's just a little thing Hatori, he doesn't know any better." Unbeknown to both parents, the quiet Terra's eyes flickered between them, watching them argue with curious blue eyes.
"Exactly. That's why I'm fucking teaching him! Shit, if you hadn't lost the first kids you wouldn't be so fucking obsessed about this."
There was a pause, than the woman growled grabbing and plate and setting it down on the table - hard. "Just eat a muffin and get the hell to work."
The red eyes narrowed and the other emitted a soft growl, snatching one of the said breakfast treats from the plate and stomping out of the room.
SLAM!

Ida flinched but sighed. "That man is so unreasonable."
"Ne... ne!" Terra squirmed in his mother's arms, eyes brighter than before now that his father was gone. His little hand was waving through the air towards the table and the plate. "Muffy!"
The woman blinked but couldn't stop a fond smile from spreading across her lips. "You want a muffin?"
"Muffy!" The boy repeated.
She chuckled, grabbing one of the cup-shaped treats. "Muf-fin." She said, accented it carefully.
"Muf-fin!" The boy repeated, glowing with pride.
"That's my boy." She said fondly, giving him an Eskimo kiss. Terra giggled and chomped into the treat when it was held out to him.