All That's Left [Alpha Draft] - Pt 14;

[keybearer]

Chapter 14: Rocky Reunions

She shivered, even though the chill of the whirling darkness had long since become second nature. Grasping her hood, she inched through the corridor, breath stilted and chest tight. What if something went wrong? What if he wasn’t even there? Sure, the clock tower was their meeting place, but who knew what’d happened after she fell into the Realm of Darkness? For all she knew, Roxas could’ve gotten in trouble. He could’ve been hurt! Or worried. After what had to be days of absence, there was no way he wasn’t. And what about Kairi? Donald and Goofy, too. Xiruk, Naminé… had she hurt them by staying hidden? And what was she supposed to do if she did find them? What was she supposed to say?

She came to a complete stop, grasping her hood even tighter than before, while her eyes snapped shut, and her teeth dug into her bottom lip. It hadn’t really dawned on her until now. Chrysanthemum’s arrival and subsequent promise had distracted her. Even given her hope. But now that she was alone, all those latent worries and fears sprung out of the depths of her mind, swirling around like a hurricane.

“But if you stay here, it’ll only make things worse! Pull it together, Xion. You can do this…”

Right? It wasn’t that hard. She’d passed through corridors plenty of times. She just needed to move forward, one step at a time. And so, drawing in a huge breath, she dragged herself forward and down the narrow path. Her fingers pulled away from her hood, and her arms dropped at her sides, swaying with each little step. Soon, she broke into a jog, then a run, until she barged out of the darkness and came skidding across Big Ben’s tiled floor.

Clear across the room, she saw a mess of light, spiky hair, which turned her whole body to ice. Her mouth hung slightly ajar, and her eyes had popped wide open. She could only stare as he peeked over his shoulder, his eyes meeting hers. And just like Xion had gawked at him, Roxas gaped at Xion, bumping into one of the pillars. After rubbing the back of his head, he darted towards her with a big, bright smile glued to his face.

“Xion!”

He stood only about a foot away. When’d he get so close? Gulping, Xion squeaked and brushed her hand against one of her shoulders. Her head drooped, and she shifted in place.

“Roxas, I…” She bit her lip again, forcing herself to look him in the eye. “I’m sorry! I should have…” Come back to him, gone back to the tower, told them she was all right, not left them all in the dark. She knew this, but the words refused to form.

“Xion…” Soon, he’d closed the distance between them, squeezing her in a tight hug. “I dunno what happened, but I’m just glad you’re safe.”

“Mm…” She deflated, shakily lifting her arms to return the hug. It was… nice. Warm. She’d missed this just as much as she’d missed her friends. Sure, Chrysanthemum had been kind to her, but there was a distance between them. And after everything that’d happened over the past… week? Two weeks? She wasn’t sure how long, but right now, she didn’t even care. “I’m… glad you’re safe, too, Roxas. I was so worried that DiZ—that he’d…”

“He didn’t do anything. After you fell through that portal, he got all… quiet and stuff.” He leaned back a little, locking eyes with her again, and his smile softened. “I think he knew he messed up, because he actually told me why you’ve been changing.”

Her heart froze, and a tiny gasp escaped her. “He did? Then what is it, Roxas?”

His smile vanished, and he gazed off at the pillars. Slumping, he let go of her and took a step back. “It really was my fault…”

It had to be the simulation. Why else would Roxas blame himself? She’d already had her suspicions, between the strange glitches and her own appearance changing, but while she normally might’ve laughed at the irony, she instead slipped in front of Roxas, leaned forward, and slammed her hands down on her hips.

“Roxas, I chose to go in there.”

He huffed, pointing at himself with his thumb. “But I suggested it, and I’m the one who tried hurting DiZ, so it’s my fault you fell through that portal, too! And I know you told me not to blame myself, but ever since you disappeared, I’ve been worrying so much.”

“So it’s my fault.” She looked down at her hands, curling her fingers against her palms. “I could have come back at any time, but I didn’t.”

Sighing, Roxas rubbed the back of his neck. “Man, at this rate, we’re just gonna keep going in circles.”

Her eyes widened, and then she giggled. After all, he had a point. “I guess all that really matters is that we’re here.”

“Yup. And since you’re back, how ‘bout we celebrate?” He dug into his pocket, plucking out a bright blue stick of ice cream in clear, plastic wrapping. One look at the treat, and Xion slapped her hand over her mouth, squeaking out another laugh.

“The icing on the cake… I should have known.”

“Well, c’mon! If you don’t hurry, it’s gonna melt.” He waved the stick back and forth, then planted himself at the edge of the floor. In a way, it was kinda surreal how fast the tone had shifted. Just a few moments ago, Roxas was pouring out his… well, maybe not his heart, but his worries, and now he was back to his cheerful self, as if nothing had changed between them.

But it had. Her new allies and new goals were still fresh in her mind. If Roxas knew, what would he think? Would he understand at all? Instead of dwelling on it, she shoved those thoughts to the back of her mind and plopped down beside him. And when he passed her the ice cream, she immediately tore off the wrapping and took a small bite.

The sharp, salty flavor made her face pucker up, but when the sweet aftertaste followed, she blew a small, wistful sigh. “It’s just as good as I remember…”

“So are you feeling better?”

“A little.” She twirled her stick, while the fingers of her free hand rapped at her thigh. “Sorry I worried you, Roxas. I meant to come back a lot sooner, but I was just so tired…”

He looked down, pulling his own bar out of his pocket. “But you didn’t get hurt, right?”

“No, but it was pretty lonely. I don’t even know how long I was down there.”

“Just a little over a week!” He let out a shaky laugh, then blew a small puff of air. “I should’ve known you’d be okay, though. You’re way too tough to let one portal slow you down.”

She shook her head, and her hand moved to her hip again. “But that just proves you’re a good friend! You’ve been looking out for me ever since we met, and I think that’s really sweet.”

“Er… well, you know. I was just doing what felt natural.” He averted his eyes again, scratching his cheek. “I did look for you, though, and so did Xiruk. We even got Aqua and the King to help out.”

She slid back, gripping the front of her coat. “All that just for me?”

“Yup! And get this: I met a guy named Ringabel the other day, and as soon as I mentioned you, he decided to start looking, too.”

“What?!” Heat surged in her cheeks. Both her hands flew up, and she shook her head. “But he doesn’t even know me. Why would he want to—”

“’Cause he’s a huge ladies man.” Roxas shrugged, laughing softly. “But mostly, I think he just wanted to help. Lots of people have. Max, PJ, Phil… they all told me they’d keep an eye out for you.”

“Roxas…” She covered her face with her hand for a moment, removing it only when she noticed drops of ice cream splashing on her coat. It was just so much to take in. She never would have expected a total stranger to go out of his way to find her. Maybe it was because DiZ had told her how worthless she was. How she was just a puppet. How she didn’t deserve friends or family… She wanted to think she’d moved past that, but some habits were tough to break.

What was she even supposed to say to that?

More drops of ice cream formed a tiny puddle on her coat, so instead of speaking, she kept her eyes fixed to the melting treat. Was she really that important? What would happen now that Roxas had found her? She couldn’t stay forever. She still had to help Chrysanthemum and Éclair. She still had to find a way to change back. And then what? Would Roxas end up searching all over again? Was it really fair to keep them in the dark?

Without even realizing it, her hand had started shaking. Wincing, she clutched her wrist with her other hand, trying to hold it steady, but she must’ve been too slow. Roxas had already slid closer to her, and he reached for her sleeve.

“Hey, what’s the matter? Did I say something wrong?”

“No! I really am grateful, Roxas.” She looked up at him, trying to force another smile. “I just never expected so many people to care.”

“Well, we do, and nothing’s gonna change that.” He tipped his chin up, grinning. He was so confident, so sure of himself, and in a way, it was a little weird. Was Roxas always this cheerful? Times like these made it easy to forget what he was. “So, you’re coming back, right?”

Cringing, she pulled her eyes from him over to the starry sky. “I can’t. Not yet…”

“But how come…?” The words were low, weak, and a little strained, making Xion wince a second time. She couldn’t tell him the truth. She’d made a promise, after all. Still, she had to at least say something. It wasn’t right to keep him completely in the dark.

“There’s just something I need to take care of first, and I don’t want the rest of you getting involved.”

“But we’re your friends, Xion! If we all work together—”

“No! Please. You already have so much on your plates.”

Pouting, he crossed his arms. “But there’s always room for more, y’know. If we have to, we’ll make room.”

“And I appreciate that, but it’s better this way.” Holding her breath, she pulled back her hood and shut her eyes to hide from Roxas’ inevitable reaction. In the time since they’d last spoken, her hair had grown another inch, now reaching the middle of her neck. The silver streaks remained mixed with the original black and, thankfully, her face hadn’t changed, but while Kairi’s hair was of even length, Xion’s fanned out, becoming longer around the back of her neck.

The shape was closer to his hair now. Roxas must have noticed, too, because for a few seconds, he stayed dead silent.

When he finally spoke, his words came out hoarse, almost squeaky. “You mean it hasn’t stopped…?”

“No, and I don’t want to go back until I’ve found a way to fix it. Can you even imagine how worried they’d be if they saw me like this?” She grabbed some of her locks, giving them a small tug. “They already have so much to deal with. The Organization, Riku, the Keyholes… it’s all more important than me.”

“Don’t say that!” She could feel his hand over hers now, but she still refused to look at him. “Just because he’s back doesn’t mean they’ll stop caring about you. Just look at Donald and Goofy! They started off with Riku, but that hasn’t stopped them from being friends with you or Kairi.”

“But I can’t…” She wasn’t ready. She barely knew who she was anymore. Who knew what’d happen if she saw them now? Flashes of memories passed before her eyes. Black blocks coated in red veins. Her body flickering and distorting, switching between Riku and Kairi’s appearances. Riku grabbing her hand, trying to encourage her, only for a mechanical voice to blare a warning, calling her an error. Corrupt data. It was that computer that started this all. Her meeting with Riku changed everything.

Could she really face him again when his own memories threatened to devour her?

That was something she’d have to sort out on her own time. Roxas didn’t deserve to get weighed down by all her woes. He’d been so kind to her, and here she was, worrying him all over again. The least she could do was lift his spirits somehow, and one idea came to mind.

“Roxas, could you do me a favor?”

“Uh, sure. But what is it?”

Finally, she turned to him again, her face calm. Steady. She could do this. “I want you to tell the others that I’m doing all right, and I’ll try to come back soon.”

He nodded. “But are you sure you wanna do this alone?”

“Mm. Just for now. And it’s not like I’ll be going away forever! If I have time, I’ll at least try to stay in touch.”

“Hmm…” He leaned back, gazing out at the sparkling sky. “So I can expect to see you here again, right?”

“Of course! I like it here.” She looked down at her lap, wiping away some of the ice cream residue. “And hopefully I won’t make such a big mess next time.”

“Aw, I know you’ve had a lot on your mind. Don’t worry about it!” He dug out a stack of napkins, passing one off to her. “By the way, you might wanna take a look at that stick.”

She was about to blot off her coat, when she froze, peeked at her half-eaten ice cream, and noticed the letters ‘NER’ poking out from beneath the bar. “Wait, how come this one has writing on it?”

He chuckled. “Keep eating, and you’ll find out! I don’t wanna spoil the surprise.”

Her cheeks puffed up, and her brow furrowed, but instead of complaining, she started chomping down the remains of her snack, shivering when the icy bites hit her with sudden brain freeze. Still, she persisted, blotting up the melted puddle between bites, until the rest of the word revealed itself in big, bold letters.

“Winner…?” She shifted the stick in her grip, head tilted. “But I don’t get it. What’d I win?”

“A free ice cream! They say that if you collect enough of ‘em, you can even pick up prizes, but…” He slumped, tucking his popsicle stick in his pocket. “Right now, they’re outta prizes, and you gotta go to Traverse Town if you wanna buy more.”

Traverse Town? That was odd. “Did something happen?”

“Er… yeah. Something huge.” He paused for several seconds, reaching for his neck again. “The Organization attacked Twilight Town. Now there’s nothing left but ruined buildings…”

“What?!” She sprung to her feet, fists clenched and arms bent. “But why? And what about all the people there? Are they—”

“They’re fine. Sora, Kairi, Aqua, and all the others made sure of that, but now they’re all stuck in Traverse Town…” He struck the floor with his fist. “Can’t believe I ever wanted to help those jerks…”

She knelt next to him. “You didn’t know. Even I never expected them to go that far…” And that was after countless lectures from DiZ about how Nobodies were terrible, ruthless creatures bent on chaos and betrayal. “But that just proves that I picked the right path.”

“Huh?” He blinked, a small frown on his face. “So, what’re you trying to do?”

“I wish I could tell you.” She looked away, standing back up and tucking her hands behind her back. “But I promise that I’ll do whatever I can to help. It just might take a little time.”

“Well, I won’t pry.” He turned sideways, glancing from her to the sky. “Just seeing you again’s good enough.”

There was that weird warmth in her cheeks again. What was that all about? It wasn’t even that cold! Or hot. Well, whatever it was, she’d just have to ignore it again. Roxas was just being… well, Roxas again. The fact that he was willing to accept her words just proved his loyalty as a friend. It was nice having someone to confide in, even if she couldn’t reveal all her secrets. A small wave of relief washed over her, and soon she seated herself back down on the ledge, joining him in watching the stars.

“You’re right. I missed this…” She rested her cheeks in her hands, breathing in the moist, night air. “I don’t have to leave right away, so could we stay here for a while?”

Shutting his eyes, Roxas breathed out a quiet laugh. “Like you had to ask.”

x.x.x

She hit the ground with a CLANG. Tucking the Star Shard away, Aqua pulled her eyes off the pavement and peered at the surrounding town. One look struck her like a blow to her gut, and she let out a sharp, pained moan. The Heartless had vanished. A warm blend of oranges and reds painted the sky in watercolors, fluffy clouds drifting steadily above her. Beautiful on its own, perhaps, but clashing with the surrounding wreckage. Dents and cracks scarred the sloping street. Piles of shattered stone, broken glass, and bent, rusty pipes clustered in street corners, along the sides of the road, and even created walls blocking the pathway up the hill.

Many buildings were reduced to jagged foundations, with contorted crossbeams jutting out of the earth. The street was silent. No train whistles blaring, no chiming bells welcoming the sunset. A quick glance around revealed still shadows, and a crumpled up newspaper tumbled past her, bobbing on the cool, gentle breeze. Once a booming city, Twilight Town had been reduced to a deserted ruin, and as her present circumstances sank in, it felt as though a gradual weight had accumulated on her shoulders, threatening to flatten her on the ground on which she stood.

For a moment, a warm, friendly voice rose from the depths of her mind.

Failure… It’s such a heavy burden, isn’t it? It leaves scars that never fade. Guilt that lingers months, even years later, robbing you of sweet dreams. And in return, all you get are the painful memories it brings.

She swept her bangs out of her eyes, shoulders and head hanging low. She knew what she was getting into. Before leaving the Tower, she’d told herself she was in for an unpleasant sight. She was there when it all fell apart! Even now, she could still hear the booming footsteps of Behemoths storming the Tram Common. When she looked to the sky, she saw the Battleships blasting windows with their cannons, while Minute Bombs descended over rooftops, collapsing buildings with bright, fiery explosions. But those were just memories. They’d saved as many people as they could, and by the looks of it, the Organization had left.

The silence left both her and her mind to wander. Soon, she found herself wandering up the hill, stopping only when a towering wall of stone cut her off from the Station Heights. Freezing in place, she stared at the wreckage, then brushed her hand against the heap of debris.

The sky turned black. In place of the rust-colored buildings and streets, she saw the mangled remains of a golden castle, its stained glass windows shattered. She saw a silver Keyblade resting on the cold, lifeless earth. It was just like her home, desecrated by darkness, yet remaining as a hollow shell. Worlds taken by the Heartless vanished entirely, and once the Door to Darkness closed, they’d return to their original states. Rather than showing mercy, the Organization left Twilight Town a battered wasteland. When the door closed, the wreckage would remain.

They’d find a way to make up for it, of course, and she hadn’t come here to wallow in sorrow. She owed it to her friends to find answers and, with luck, DiZ, but before she so much as turned around, she heard soft, pounding footsteps approaching, coupled with a faint, yet ice cold sensation that trailed down her spine.

Darkness.

Throwing her right arm aside, she swiveled on her heel and willed Master’s Defender into her grasp. She was about to jab her weapon forward to preempt her pursuer, when she heard a loud yelp, and the figure behind him threw up two gloved hands.

“Aqua, wait! It’s all right. I won’t—”

“Ringabel?” The fluffy pompadour, fuzzy-collared jacket, and elbow-length gloves were dead ringers for him, and she instantly dismissed her weapon, eyes wide. “I’m sorry! For a moment, I thought…”

“You wouldn’t be the first to elicit such a strong reaction.” He emphasized this by rubbing at his ribcage. “Besides, your reflexes are impeccable! Not that I expected anything less from Keyblade Master…”

Confident as ever, Ringabel first crossed paths with Aqua several months ago, after she and Sora had defeated the gargoyle Demona alongside their friends. The two met him completely by chance, and while his flirting initially threw her off guard, he soon won them over through his kindness, having offered them a place to rest on a massive vessel named Grandship. There, she learned that he’d failed to save his home world, and his friends had been scattered to the winds. She and Sora offered to search for his companions, and they’d been friends ever since.

Back then, she’d never noticed any prominent darkness, so why the sudden change? Was it simply because nobody else was around? For the time being, she’d keep it to herself.

“You still could have gotten hurt.” She gave him a stern glance, though it soon softened. “I’m just glad it’s you and not one of them.”

“Well, if those treacherous Nobodies decide to show themselves, then I’ll see to it that they don’t lay so much as a finger on you! Just say the word, Aqua, and I’ll be your shield.” He pressed his palm over his chest, winking, instantly squeezing a laugh out of her.

“I appreciate the offer, but there’s really no need. I’m already used to—”

“But I insist!” Both his hands balled into fists, and he locked eyes with her. “You’ve done so much for the worlds, and I think it’s high time someone repaid you.”

“But you’ve already repaid me through your friendship.” She paused, taking another glimpse at the rubble. “The fact that you’re here is more than I could ask for.”

“Well, I made a promise, didn’t I?” His hands slipped into his pockets, and he sighed. “If only it hadn’t come to this. Even knowing what had happened could never have prepared me for the sheer desecration that surrounds us.” His shoulders started shaking, and his face twisted into a grimace. Seeing this, Aqua moved beside him.

“I understand. Remember, I was throughout the entire attack.” She saw the buildings collapse, heard the screams from helpless civilians. Ringabel was lucky in that regard; he only saw the aftermath, eerily calm despite the blatant destruction. “This isn’t the end, though. I promised those people that we’d find a way to rebuild their home.”

“And I’m sure you’ll succeed!” He turned around, lips perking. “Back on Luxendarc, we faced a similar tragedy. A great chasm tore through the earth and swallowed an entire village. Tiz was its only survivor, yet he was determined to rebuild his home in spite of the risks and, in the end, he returned the village to its former glory. Perhaps even improved it.”

Aqua tensed. An entire village, gone? Could it have been the Heartless’ doing? “Well, I suppose we’re lucky. For as many lives the Heartless claimed, we still managed to save at least some of the townspeople. Even if they’re in another world, they still have each other.”

“They do, though quite a few tried to sneak their way onto Grandship even after I offered them lodging.” He reached for his forehead, exhaling quietly. “Others begged for me to return them here, but I’m glad that I declined. I had enough trouble navigating through the wreckage, and I have a shield to protect me.” To prove his point, he reached over his shoulder, revealing this shield, half red and half blue.

Would they even need to sneak on board? Ringabel seemed more than willing to accept passengers before. But then, several of the refugees were children and teenagers. Perhaps they reveled in the challenge. Whatever their reasons, she decided not to ask, instead focusing on a more relevant topic.

“Did you find anything suspicious?”

“Hmm… not really. I’ve nearly scoured this town from top to bottom, but I found no traces of injured civilians, let alone Heartless and Nobodies.” Digging into his pocket, he pulled out a cracked potion bottle. “My only real findings were a few dented treasure chests. Thankfully, their contents were mostly unscathed.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” They must have evacuated all the survivors. That no one was trapped in the rubble pulled a tremendous weight off of Aqua’s back, and a smile started to claim her lips again. “By the way, have you checked the mansion yet?”

“Actually, I was just about to head to the Tram Common.” He pivoted sideways, then gazed over his shoulder with a grin. “Why, are you looking for an escort?”

“Well, I wouldn’t mind the company.”

He swept his arms to the side and took a bow. “Then it’ll be my pleasure, Aqua. Just stand back, and I’ll pave you a path through the rubble.”

She covered her mouth, but another giggle still escaped her. “I do have magic, Ringabel. Why don’t you let me help?”

He pouted, instantly deflating. “That… wasn’t quite the reaction I was hoping for. Besides, no woman should have to do so much heavy—”

She pointed her Keyblade at the nearby debris, giving it a small flick. In a flash, a transparent sphere wrapped around several chunks of stone and dragged them into the air. “See? It’s no trouble.”

“I stand corrected!” He let out a shaky laugh, eying the floating concrete. “What sort of magic is that, anyway? Levitation? Telekinesis?”

“Not quite. It’s actually called Zero Gravity.”

“Impressive!” Ringabel tapped his chin, a crease in his brow. “I’ve dealt with Gravity spells in the past, but never the opposite.”

“Well, it is one of the more advanced techniques. In order to use it, you have to focus long enough to reverse an object’s gravitational pull. Doing so allows me to lift items and enemies into the air, but the effects are only temporary.” To prove her point, the sphere surrounding the rubble began to flicker, and soon they dropped back to the ground, landing in a small pile at her feet.

“Temporary or not, it should make our journey a much simpler endeavor!” He paused, chuckling. “Though I’d still like to serve as your escort.”

Aqua raised no objections, allowing Ringabel to take the lead as they strolled down the hill. Along the way, she took occasional glances at the few remaining buildings, the chilling darkness still lingering close. Too close, as if it dwelled in Ringabel’s very shadow. However faint it was, she found her gaze returning to him multiple times, even when they left the Station Heights in favor of Tram Common. Fortunately, it remained clearer than the hill. One of the stairways leading onto a raised path had crumbled, leaving a slanted ledge in its place, and a heap of bricks and shingles replaced the rounded candy shop. Deep, two-clawed footprints marred their path, but the two simply stepped around the tiny craters and brushed past the wreckage altogether.

It only took a few minutes before a wide, concrete wall came into view, sporting several long, jagged cracks surrounding the opening that led into the woods. Despite the obvious wear, it stood steady, refusing to collapse. Moving past Ringabel, Aqua pressed her palm against the dented stone, but soon she found her eyes wandering back to him.

His eyes met hers, and then he flipped his hair. “Why, Aqua. Could it be that you’re finally falling for me?” His tone was light, almost teasing, but Aqua responded with a frown and a sigh.

“This isn’t right. I can feel darkness lingering close by, but I don’t know where it’s coming from.”

“…Ah.” He turned away, though for a fleeting instant, she could have sworn she saw him cringe. “Perhaps you’re detecting the Dark Knight asterisk.” Though he didn’t sound fully convinced. “Whatever it is, I doubt it’ll be an issue for the two of us!”

“I suppose…” She ducked through the hole, waiting for him to follow, though it took a few seconds before he joined her in the woods.

Several toppled trees formed a barricade, many burnt black, leaves and grass reduced to a light ash coating the soil. Crouching low, Aqua leaped not once, but twice, landing atop one of the trees. She extended her hand, pulling Ringabel up top, and together, they wedged their way through the remains of the woods, hacking through crisscrossing branches and pulling themselves over the countless fallen tree trunks. In time, they reached the mansion’s brick fence, its gate slightly ajar. A quick peek at the mansion itself revealed that it had weathered the attack without so much as a scratch.

Now that they’d reached their destination, Aqua took the lead, guiding him up the steps of the Foyer, through the library, and down the cold, metallic steps leading into the basement. A tiny sphere of light shimmered at the tip of her Keyblade, guiding them down the dark halls, their feet clanking on the metal flooring. In time, the sounds of beeps, clicks, and hums joined with the sounds of their footsteps. As she slipped into the hall that led to the Computer Room, Aqua cupped her hand around her mouth and called out.

“DiZ, are you there?”

Nobody responded. In fact, the whole room was completely vacant. The beam of light that led into the simulation had since flickered out, leaving an empty grate at the far edge of the room. Projector screens still cast pale blue light against the walls, and the computer terminal itself still glimmered with the glow of each individual screen. Gone were the red and black clumps of viral data, replaced with lines of binary code. She didn’t get a chance to read the specifics before Ringabel’s ridiculous hair blocked her view, and he bent over the keyboard, glancing from screen to screen.

“Hmm. Irregularities at a forty-percent decline. Current status: stable. Last update… 4 PM, today!”

Aqua dashed beside him, fixing her eyes to the monitor. Just as Ringabel said, one of the dialog boxes showcased a list of activity, spanning from the previous week up until today. The list itself gave no detail, simply a list of dates and times, but the implications weren’t lost to her.

“So he was here, but that doesn’t explain where he’s gone. And why would he leave the computer active? If the Organization were to find it…” She squinted, tapping a few of the keys, but another dialog box popped up, blocking out all but the edges of the screen.

PERMISSION REQUIRED_

INPUT PASSWORD:_

“Well, it seems he’s taken all the necessary precautions.” Grinning, Ringabel eyed the keys. “So, any idea what he’s hiding, Aqua? It sounds as if this DiZ fellow’s a friend of yours. Hopefully nothing more, but—”

“He’s more like an ally.” They shared a past with Xehanort and a deep disdain, but beyond that, she knew so little about him. Certainly not enough to call him a friend. “As for what he’s hiding, I know that there’s a virtual copy of Twilight Town inside the computer. Beyond that, I have no idea.”

The images on the screen were just too abstract. Bar graphs, boxes filled with zeroes and ones, and a few wireframe images were all that stood out, and said pictures focused largely on the station tower and a room filled with what looked like a couch, a dart board, several boxes, and other assorted clutter. Between the windows, she spotted what looked like the helmet of a gladiator statue and the fanned leaves of a palm tree, but without color and lighting, it was just too difficult to tell. Ringabel, in the mean time, brushed his fingers across the edge of the keyboard, his grin even larger than before.

“Care to find out?”

“Ringabel…” She shook her head, one hand on her hip. “Do you honestly think we could decode it ourselves?”

“Surely there’s no harm in a few guesses!”

“A few? DiZ hasn’t left us any clues. We don’t know how long the password is, if it includes numbers or symbols… We literally have nothing to guide us.”

His fingers stiffened, and his gaze dropped to the floor. “I know, but sometimes the challenge is half the fun.”

“But it could take hours, maybe even days.”

“And I can’t afford to waste too much time on guessing games…”

“Neither can I.” She wrapped one arm around her torso, propping up her elbow, while her hand slid beneath her chin. Turning her back on the computer, she began to wander across the room. “This would be so much simpler if DiZ had left us a—”

CRUNCH.

The sudden sound drove her to a complete stop, and she lifted her boot, kneeling over whatever it was she’d just stepped on. It was tough to tell in the dark, though it had a vaguely round shape. After scooping it up, she felt rough, crumpled edges and a dry, papery texture. By the time she stood back up, Ringabel was right by her side, a devious smirk lining his lips.

“Well, well! Seems you’ve literally stumbled onto something, my dear. Shall we take a closer look?”

“Just a minute.” She took the folds between her thumbs and index fingers, slowly unraveling the paper ball. Then, once she’d gotten it into a vaguely rectangular shape, she pressed it between her palms and turned back toward the screens, holding the paper in the light.

Despite the wrinkles and the dull lighting, she managed to make out a short message.

‘Encrypt and encode. Transform the physical into data. These principles allowed me to create the simulation, and they may hold the key to ending this madness.

I cannot take any more chances.’

“Odd,” said Ringabel, jotting a note in his journal. “How does one change physical objects into code? It seems a bit too farfetched, and I come from a world where giant, magic crystals control the elements!”

“I’m not sure how he managed, but it is possible.” She moved over to the grate, pointing at the pointed metal beam hanging above it. “Riku spent the past year inside the simulation, and from what I understand, its residents looked and acted just like real people.”

“That sounds remarkable! It’d be one thing to create a program that resembles the town, but actually changing living beings into data and back? I’ve seen a fair share of technological feats, but none could ever measure up to something this grand!” He turned toward the computer, taking a few more notes. “The question is, how does he intend to use his skills? Assuming ‘madness’ refers to the Organization’s antics, then does he intend to contain them all within his computer? I suppose he could always delete or reprogram them, but it all sounds rather risky.”

“Exactly. It’s true that DiZ despises the Organization, but I’ve never seen him pick up a weapon, and even one of their members could easily overpower him if he wasn’t careful.” And while their numbers had dropped somewhat, from what she understood, at least nine still remained loyal to their cause, and their stronghold remained shielded from the rest of the worlds. It was hardly a simple task. “I suppose he could be targeting Kingdom Hearts, but…” She paused, gripping the edges of the note, and took a slow, deep breath. “Hearts aren’t objects. The Organization may be using them as tools, but what right do any of us have to do the same?”

He’d just be taking them from one twisted form to another. True, it’d potentially stop the Organization’s plans, but there were so many holes in the plan and obstacles holding him back. The barrier continued blocking corridors, preventing him from even reaching their castle. There was also no telling how he planned to orchestrate this plan, assuming that was his end goal. Just how many hearts had gathered since the Organization’s inception, and what would happen to them after the fact? And what if something went wrong? Was it worth putting all those hearts at risk?

With a furrowed brow, Ringabel shut his eyes, rubbed his forehead, and tucked his journal back into his pocket. Seconds later, he turned toward Aqua, a surprisingly stern look fixed to his face.

“I can’t say I approve either, but which is the lesser evil? The Organization’s made it clear that they’re willing to put entire worlds at risk, and while I can’t claim to know everything about their plight, I can already tell how much pain it’s brought you and everyone else involved.” Pushing away from the keyboard, he moved closer. “If there is a way to end it, then isn’t it at least worth considering?”

Her breath hitched, and she slowly lowered her gaze. “It is. And I suppose it’s not my place to judge him when we still don’t know the specifics.” DiZ was an expert. It was possible he’d considered the risks himself. Unlike the Organization, he had a heart to guide him and the knowledge to succeed. “But now we know that he was here, and there’s a chance he’ll return sometime soon.”

“Then are you going to wait for him?”

“No. The others are going to want to see this, and I can’t afford to spend days waiting on a possibility.” They needed to continue working on their own plan, as a failsafe if nothing else.

“I understand. Grandship does need its pilot, after all!” His hand slipped back into his pocket, and he flipped through his journal before tearing out one of the pages. “But before you go, why not leave him a message? At least then he’d know you dropped by.”

“Thank you, Ringabel.” She took the page after tucking DiZ’s message away, and when he offered a pen, she wrote a quick, simple note. She got his message, was glad he was all right, and hoped to meet with him soon. Once she’d completed the letter, she folded it into a small, neat square and set it on the corner of the keyboard.

With little reason to stay, the two soon left the mansion behind. Sadly, once they made it halfway through the courtyard, the surrounding air started to shift. Where before Aqua sensed a faint chill, several small, icy presences wrapped around them from above, corridors swirling and dropping Heartless directly into their path. The first to appear wore green robes and cylindrical hats, summoning hardback, brown books with a wave of their hands. A wall of Large Bodies dropped behind them, while crimson claws burst from below Aqua’s feet. On pure impulse, she grabbed Ringabel’s arm and lunged behind one of the broken pillars, summoning her Keyblade in a flash of glimmering light.

The Bookmasters flipped through their books, heating the air as a barrage of flames blew toward their hiding spot. Drawing his sword, Ringabel’s entire body stiffened, back bent, shoulders hunched, and weapon trembling in his grasp. He took a step back, then started to charge when a barrier flickered around them, deflecting the flames back at the mages’ bothersome books. Squeaking, they all raised their books like shields, and instead of incinerating the covers, the flames petered out the moment they made contact.

“That’s an irritating trick,” said Ringabel. “But just wait until you see what I’m capable of!”

As the barrier faded, he reached into his pocket again, pulling out a small gem and squeezing it tight. A flash of light wrapped around him, and the next thing she knew, Ringabel’s entire outfit had shifted to a long, red jacket with matching gloves, teal pants adorned with roses along the legs, knee-high red boots, and a giant rose at the center of his belt. And, in true Ringabel fashion, he kept his jacket open to reveal his bare chest. Everything about this outfit looked like a cry for a woman’s attention.

She opened her mouth to comment on it, but stopped when she caught sight of something red sweeping at her cheek. Clenching her teeth, she drove her boot into the Soldier’s chest and blasted its helmet with an electrified orb. Its body twitched, spasmed, and exploded within seconds, while a circle of mines lit up around the duo, flying at the feet of the incoming Soldiers, Large Bodies, and Armored Knights.

“What, no reaction? I was certain you’d at least be surprised! Normally clothes, don’t—”

“There isn’t time.” It came out a bit sharper than she’d hoped, in part due to the ice clusters flying at her chest. Orange sparks started to swirl around her Keyblade’s tip, but before she got her chance to strike, Ringabel slid in front of her, spewing fireballs from the tip of his sword and reducing the ice balls to steam.

“Behold! With the Red Mage asterisk, I’m able to combine black magic, swordplay, and healing all at once.” He ducked under one of the Bookmasters’ flying books and sliced across its back. “I know it pales compared to your Keyblade, but surely it’s at least a little impressive!”

She cartwheeled behind a Large Body, striking its back with three sharp, icy clumps. It toppled over, evaporating into smoke, and a light blue aura swirled around her. “I never said it wasn’t, but this isn’t a contest! You don’t have to prove—” A Wyvern’s talons swooped at her face, further proving her point. Luckily, she pulled up a barrier just in time to send it fluttering back and straight into the path of an electric explosion.

Smoke swirled around the tip of Ringabel’s sword, and he tucked it back into his sheath. “And just when I’d hoped to sweep you off your feet.” Laughing, he clasped his hands together, standing straight in the path of another twirling Wyvern.

“Ringabel, what are you—”

“Oh, nothing spectacular.” He refused to budge even when the talons came within an arm’s reach. Aqua had half a mind to shield him when, out of nowhere, Ringabel flickered behind the Wyvern and slashed across the middle of its back. Black smoke spewed from the open wound, and it crashed into one of the broken pillars, exploding upon impact.

He took a bow as he landed. “See? It’s just a basic counterattack combined with a few support skills.”

“Are you sure it’s safe?” Even talking put them at risk, so she once again stopped, lashing out at three Armored Knights, each swing coating their armor in ice.

“It’s all right!” he said, clasping his hands again. “This technique renders me impervious to physical blows.” Though he ducked his shield when more fireballs flew his way. “Magic is a bit of a problem, but this shield absorbs fire and ice, so all I really have to worry about is—”

The sky hissed, and lightning shot down at his hair, and he leaped back with a yelp. “Well, I’m sure you can connect the dots.”

Immunity to physical attacks and two of the most common elements? Perhaps he wasn’t acting as reckless as she’d thought. While she blasted another electric sphere at one of the Wyvern’s snouts, a smile started tugging at her lips. If nothing else, his enthusiasm eased the tension of the ongoing fight. Their combined efforts made quick work of the remaining Heartless. While Aqua dragged the Bookmasters into a Magnega spell’s violent orbit, Ringabel blasted fireballs, icicles, and sliced through several careless attackers, too naïve to predict his swift counters. However, though the Heartless’ numbers declined, that ever present darkness tugged at the back of her mind, and as the fight dragged on, she felt yet another tingle in her spine, pulling her focus toward the remains of the forest.

Another ring of corridors started to swirl and swell, and another chilling presence led her back toward the gate, its hollowness impossible to ignore. Lips pursed, Aqua pulled her arm back, then shoved the gate open and thrust her weapon straight at the woods. An immense fireball exploded before her eyes, drying the air and charring the bark, leaves, and grass black. The moment she unleashed Mega Flare, a voice screamed from within the woods, and soon a black-coated figure came staggering out, grasping his chest.

“Well played, Master Aqua.”

She knew that voice. Even if she’d never seen his face, there was no way she could forget the Nobody who’d brought Sora so much pain. When the boy flipped his hood back and revealed a fringe of silver hair, she found herself glaring into his one visible eye, while light coursed down her Keyblade’s tip, forming an enormous blade. The gate creaked behind her, and Ringabel stormed over to her side, pointing his blade at the Nobody.

“So you’re one of those Nobodies! Well, it was awfully foolish of you to provoke us. Now you’ll not only have to face Aqua’s ire, but the seething fury of my love!”

Zexion’s visible eyebrow perked. “And you are…?”

“A champion of love, romance, and defender of women everywhere!” He lifted his chin, wearing a stiff grin. “But you can call me Ringabel.”

“How absurd.” Zexion snorted, folding his arms. “You’re vastly outmatched by the very woman you wish to protect. If you were smart, you’d turn your back on this entire affair and forget you ever crossed paths with me.”

“And what are you planning to do, Zexion?” Aqua stepped closer, her fingers coiling around her weapon’s hilt. “Was this town’s destruction not enough for you?”

“Heh. It was your reluctance that brought it to its knees.” He pointed his at her Keyblade, a smug smirk crossing his lips. “Deny it all you want, but no matter how hard you try to justify your actions, the simple fact remains that this is all your fault.”

“How dare you?!” Ringabel stomped in front of her, teeth bared. “You’re the fiends commanding the Heartless, and you have the gall to blame her for your treachery?”

“Well, she and her companions forsook their responsibilities when they should have continued releasing hearts.” Zexion sighed, running his fingers through his bangs. “It was such a simple task, but she allowed those same Heartless to persist, dragging countless worlds into the abyss…”

While Ringabel’s eye twitched, Aqua slowly inhaled, giving Zexion a sharpened glare. When she spoke, it was with a level tone. “Do you honestly think that will work? I know you’re trying to manipulate my emotions, but your words mean nothing to me.”

“But you feel responsible. I can tell…” He stepped closer, and his smirk grew even larger than before. “Your failure to protect this town is eating away at your heart. So many innocent lives fell prey to the Heartless that day, and despite the combined efforts of you and your friends, this entire world—”

SLASH!

In the time he’d spent rambling, Ringabel had slipped behind Zexion, jabbing his sword at his waist. If she hadn’t known of Zexion’s powers, she might have done the same, as open monologues often left glaring weak spots. Sadly, Ringabel’s sword passed through thin air, and Zexion disappeared in a twist of smoke, his laughter echoing from afar.

“You might want to get a leash for your attack dog.”

“Gah!” He looked back and forth, squeezing the hilt of his sword. “I didn’t realize you were a coward.”

“Why bother with pointless violence?” Another swirl of smoke, and he reappeared to their right, chuckling and shaking his head. “I already know what she’s capable of, and the Organization has no interest in breaking its tools.”

Aqua scoffed. “So we’re tools to you now?”

“You always were. You see, it wouldn’t matter if you were a Keyblade Master or a novice, so long as you fulfilled your purpose. True, Lord Xemnas does have an odd fascination with you, but to me, you’re simply an annoyance.”

Ringabel snarled. “First a tool, now an annoyance… Have you no respect?”

Aqua gripped his shoulder. “Ringabel, it’s all right. Don’t let him get to you.”

“Ah, I see…” Zexion stroked his chin. “Your friend’s got quite the darkness hidden in his heart.”

“That hardly concerns you!”

“Oh? Did I strike a nerve? You seemed to get awfully riled up over this town, and this world isn’t even yours to begin with.” He paused. “But then, I seem to recall meeting someone with an identical scent once before, and his world has since vanished…”

Turning toward Ringabel, Zexion’s voice grew cold. “Could it be that you have no home to return to…?”

Silence was Ringabel’s only response.

With the way things were going, Zexion would only twist the proverbial knife deeper and deeper. He’d failed to break Aqua, so why not strike the nearest target? Perhaps he thought that by hurting him, he’d drive Aqua into recklessness as well. While smart in theory, her friend took priority over Zexion, so she turned her back on him altogether and nudged Ringabel toward the woods.

“Let’s go.”

He looked back at Zexion. “But how can we leave him when he’s—”

“Trying to manipulate you? I think that’s all the more reason to leave.”

“I suppose you’re right.” He tucked his sword away, dragging his feet toward the forest. “Sorry, Aqua. It’s not like me to act so rashly, and yet…”

“I wouldn’t be too sure,” said Zexion. “Perhaps there’s another side of you that you’re too scared to confront. We all have darkness inside us, even those as noble as Master Aqua…”

She refused to comment, following him into the woods. “It’s okay. Hearts aren’t something we can easily control, and you had every right to be angry.”

“Of course! You deserve far better than his slanderous words.” He straightened his back, smiling weakly. “But in the end, they are just words. Next time, I’ll try to tune him out. Then we’ll see who has the last laugh!”

Aqua giggled. “Don’t you have enough to worry about with Grandship?”

“True, but I can’t turn a blind eye to such heinous villains!”

“Just try not to go overboard. We all have our limits.”

“I could say the same to you, Aqua.” He winked. “Though, if it makes you feel any better, I plan on purchasing earplugs the second I return to the ship.”

She bit her lip, trying to hold back another laugh. “I suppose that would help with his rambling…”

“Rambling? I’d say it was more like blabbering…”

“Well, at least you’re feeling better.”

He threw his shoulders back, head held high. “Please, I’ve weathered far worse than a few petty insults. Besides, our mission was a success! Isn’t that worth celebrating?”

Aqua covered her face, laughter finally escaping her. “I’d love to, but the others are waiting for me.”

“Well, do pay us a visit sometime soon, and bring your friends, while you’re at it!”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

Until then, she had a message to deliver and duties to fulfill. Promises to keep, worlds to protect and, with luck, an Organization to defeat. Now that she’d uncovered DiZ’s note, there was no sense in delaying any longer. So, once she and Ringabel made it to the forest’s edge, the two shared a brief goodbye before Aqua blasted back into the sky.

TO BE CONTINUED