“My hips hurt.” Joy grumbles, finally getting dressed after showering that didn't involve…’new activities’. “You women are insatiable…”

“Sorry Joy.” Sweetie Bell said, belly noticeably larger, but acting more like her usual self.

“Not sorry.” Jenny said, stretching, belly also rather large now. “To be honest I thought you’d break before getting to all of us.”

“Dire Wolf stamina mixed with all the fighting me and Ben have experienced helped a lot.” Joy huffs. “What's all your opinions on being pregnant all of a sudden?” He asks all the girls.

“Eh.” Jenny shrugged.

“Kinda hard to move.” Sweetie said.

“I feel fat.” Scootaloo said.

“I feel like I’m carrying a basket full a’ apples.” Applebloom replied.

“Like a mom.” Frisk replied.

“Like a milf.” Chara replied.

“Shameful...and less horny.” Ray said.

“I’m good.” Gabby said.

“My dad is gonna kill us.” Lovely said.

“I didn't force any of you to dogpile me.” Joy states.

Chara rubbed her belly before gaining a wicked smile. “Well, this leaves an obvious question. From what I gather, we can birth at will, question is, do we, or when should we? Cause I can have fun with this.”

“Don't give your parents heart attacks.” Joy sighs out. “But I'd have to ask the doctor about how many a woman can give birth to without...hurting themselves.” He says worriedly. “And can we not have over a million kids all of a sudden? The others are gonna flip when they see this…” Joy sighs out, knowing I'm going to laugh my ass off at this development.

“Eh. So? Let’s be honest, they are in a worse boat since they are still having sex and getting pumped with more kids. Heck, I bet they are wrestling it out in the sheets now.” Jenny spoke up.

“I have a feeling he would be either training, figuring out where to go next on his new harem travels, or just showing Viva around, not fucking like rabbits.” Joy says. “Wait...are rabbits just animals in this world or no?”

“Just animals.” Sweetie says. “Well, even if they can’t talk they do have some intelligence. They just prefer to stick to the woods and such while ponies and others like us evolved and left the forest for structures we create.”

“Right then.” Joy nodded. “So...what do you think the others reaction will be if we show them...this?” he asks, gesturing to all his girlfriends.

“Not sure. Ben already knows, think he told them?” Frisk asks.

“Most likely…” He sighs out. “He's probably laughing his ass off right now...so who wants to meet all of them and have a talk that's obviously about to happen soon?”

“Might as well get it over with…” Ray said, face red as Applebloom’s mane. “The things I let you do to me… why do I want that again?!”

Chara patt Ray on the back. “Welcome to womanhood ‘Bro’.”

“Anywhosits….” He sighs out. “Everyone dressed?” He asks, putting a simple hoodie over his simple black t-shirt, his blue jeans fitting nicely as well.

“Hang on.” Jenny said, walking into the closet...to which Joy saw she was pantsless, and came back out a time later in sweat pants. “Welp, gonna need to do shopping, cause only this fits.”

“True...Rarity and Coco might need more cloth for things…” He mutters while walking out the door to start this embarrassing conversation.

As the group walked down the halls they noticed everything was rather silent. Joy grew suspicious, now at the dining room doors, which were closed. They were never closed. He opened it, dark greeting them until the lights turned on, blinding them all for a moment before they saw...a party...a baby shower. “Surprise!” Ben and all his wives yelled.

“There idea.” I said, earning a playful slap from Rarity.

“So...none of you are upset about us...sadly not waiting?” Joy asks worriedly.

“I am a tad peeved.” Rarity said.

“So am I.” Applejack said, walking out from behind Rarity. “After all, our sisters are underage.”

“And Sweetie just had her first heat.” Rarity added.

“But, to be fair, our parents had Big Mac at seventeen years old.” Applejack said.

“Yes and I suppose I haven’t been the best role model in terms of...self control.” Rarity said.

“We just...hoped you’d be older before that.”

“Gabby and Jenny are technically old enough by griffon standards...but everyone jumped me when they saw Gabby was pregnant first. Honestly...I had no choice, and was about to tell them no before…” Joy sighs out. “Sorry…”

“Well, at least it’s with a caring fellow.” Applejack says, taking a seat. “Can’t really say otherwise as...heh...I was Bloom’s age wh’n I lost mah virginity.” Applejack’s face gained a blush. “Too bad the fella moved two years later, wouldn’t mind hooking back up.”

“Don't worry we haven't told Asgore or Toriel yet.” I tell them.

“Glad to see you all don't...entirely hate me for not waiting.” Joy says nervously.

“You waited longer than me so that's good right?” I ask sheepishly.

“Yeah...well except for Gabby…” Joy admits nervously.

“So, this is a baby shower for us?” Frisk asks.

“And us.” Luna speaks up. “Figured it’s best time, with this marriage of Ben and us getting closer, once this herd has acquired its last member, soon will follow the bachelor and bachelorette parties, then the weddings.”

“I thought I was supposed to marry all the female royalty here?” I ask curiously. “Or just forget about it and be happy about now?”

“No, that plan is still on the table for you working man.” Chrysalis spoke up. “This is just for now.”

“And there’s presents.” I turned around, seeing Aqua and Terra arrive on gliders. “Sorry we’re late, Terra was at the doctors.”

“Cure spell can heal cuts and broken bones, but you get the flu and it’s useless…” He grumbles, looking sick, but not too bad.

“Need a remedy?” I ask curiously. “Or just want to tough it out?” I ask Terra, ready to buy him the cure all item.

“I’ll be fine.” Terra said with a wave. “Doc says I’m not contagious and with a few vitamins and soup I’ll be fine in a few days. Now come on, we brought gifts for everyone, including the fathers.”

“Sweet.” Me and Joy smile. “Well there's plenty of food, so dig in when you want.” I tell them all.

Terra walked up to Joy and I, handing each of us a small box. “This is from me, something I think you two can use.”

Joy and I took the gifts and opened them, inside was a small shard of something, it pulsated white and dark. “What's this?” I ask Terra curiously. “Nothing I’ve seen before…”

“I was told you found the birthplace of the Keyblades, I went back and found these. I think these are shards of either that pure light X-blade, clearly corrupted with darkness now, or shards from the X-blades forge.”

“The forge is indestructible though…” I frown. “And these shards…” I frown while gently grabbing the shard and looking it over, wondering what this could be.

Joy decided to use his assistants scanning function and scanned it, hoping to find the answer about this. “Let's hope this works…”

Chromega Blade shard.

The Chromega blade was a failed, pure light variant of the X-blade that ended up creating the heartless. This is one shard of, according to calculations, ten of it’s core. If all pieces are brought together and reforged, the Chromega blade can be reforged. Or, if Pure darkness is added, a second X-blade.

“This thing is a piece of that keyblade...and apparently...could make another X-blade if we fuse it with pure darkness.” Joy explains.

“That's surprising...” I frown. “Hmm...wonder what would happen if we mix it with pure Nothingness...it would be bad if it had three equal parts…”

“Personally, I say find those shards, and hide them. In my experience, one X-blade is bad enough, two can cause trouble.” Terra said.

“Move over.” Aqua said, playfully pushing Terra and handing Joy and I a gift each. “This is a day for fun, so here, a gift from me to you two.”

“It better not be a lewd picture. One married woman giving me a lewd picture as a get well present is enough…” I mutter to myself while we both open our presents, wondering what Aqua wanted to get us. “Oh, how's Ventus doing?” I ask off topic here.

“Doing fine. He’s been remembering more and more of his life before coming to The Land of Beginnings. For instance, his last name is Vexel. Kind of funny, his initials being V.V.” Joy and I looked inside. They were a set of gold earrings. “They...were my parents...I don’t remember much of them, or know much about them. All I know is that they gave me to Ericus when I was five and never learned why. Two years later these appeared in my bedroom with a letter, though, I don’t know what language it is. I’ve been to lots of worlds and read all kinds of books on languages dead and living but...it’s not recognizable anywhere.”

“Do you have the letter?” I ask, Joy scanning the earrings just in wonder of what their made of.

“Yeah.” Aqua said, opening a pocket under her Keyblade armor and taking out an old, folded piece of paper.

Joy grabbed it, careful to unfold it and it was symbols. “Okay...lets see here…” He mutters while scanning the symbols on his assistant.

Assistant language translation matrix activated.

Scanning…

Scanning…

Translating…

Translation complete.

Dear Aqua,

We are sorry. So, so, so, so sorry we have to do this, but if you are reading this, then...your mother and I are…

Besides the point, what you must do now is move on, live your life. Our past mistakes lead us to you reading this letter, something we both...hoped would never happen, but knew it would happen sooner or later. If you care, the day you pass your Mark of Mastery Exam, please, head to the world coordinates at the bottom of the letter...if you’re lucky, you’ll find something that we wanted to give you when you were old enough. We both love you very much.

World- 8081409209820958209570197509840918419095092835 - 258029854098509-2095209580918501750920938529835

“Okay...the fuck world is that?” Joy frowned while scanning the massive string of numbers to see what world it was.

Calculating….

Locating….

World Found.

Name: Unknown

Status: Habitable

Primary lifeforms: Unknown

World Age: ninety seven trillion years old.

Anomalies: Four
-Unnatural land formations
-Contaminated sea water
-Mutated life forms
-Abnormally low darkness

“So...that's a bunch of things.” I frown.

“Mind if we help?” Joy asks Aqua.

“Y-Yes.” Aqua said, looking unsure, nervous...and worried. “I...I never imagined…”

“Need a cupcake?” Joy asks her.

“What? No, I just…Can’t believe...I mean, I thought they...I don’t know.” Aqua said with a sigh. “I haven’t thought about them...in years.”

Joy looked back at his Assistant, the scan on the ear rings coming back.

Knight of The Light Earrings

Att: +50
Def: +30
Mag: +40

The Knights of The Light were an old order founded in the time before Keyblades. They fought back against the darkness and, after it was finally pushed back, died out when the Heartless appeared. This is one part of the special enchanted armor set. Consisting of Earrings, Helmet, Chest plate,Gauntlets, leggings, Boots, and Ring. Without every peice, their true ability is locked away, once the whole set is worn, the wearer can utilize light to push back darkness.

“Huh...that's interesting…” Joy said.

“Cool.” I nodded. “So looks like we're gonna be going on an adventure to get all the pieces.” I say...before frowning. “Well...unless you want us to help Aqua, this is actually your adventure.”

“I can use help. I don’t know what to expect, it’s best if one of you, and Terra come along. I overestimated myself once before, and we all know how that ended. It’s best I go with help.” Aqua says. “After the party, if you want, we can go.”

“After the party.” I say. “You'll need your energy.” I say while Joys stomach growled.

“And I'm hungry.” Joy says. “So let's eat and enjoy the party.” He smiled happily.

The party was rather grand. The girls all got things, some practical, some...between them, and other stuff that was for fun or just for them and not the baby...s. There was a lot of baby clothes, and diapers….it still won’t be enough, and formula, in case they don’t want to nurse...not surprisingly, a gift from a friend of Pinkie, a blue haired mare with...rather large breasts, gave several, and by several I mean like thirty, mare milkers…

I asked if they were expensive and she said not really, since apparently she owns the company that makes, and uses them. She also said the Diamond Dogs have recently been buying them by the dozens so her business is good.

There was cake, then there wasn’t...damn Celestia, that was like three bites, drinks, simple punch, and talk, and, of course, bad curiosity , well, Joy and I were bad, the girls were all rather good, as expected. Looks like that’s true from the show. Luna especially. Celestia told me that, when she and Luna would talk alone, they’d talk about what life they would have had if they weren’t alicorns. She said she would like to be an actress, and Luna wanted to be a singer.

“Thank god I have everyone…” I mutter to myself, glad to see everyone happy today. “Wouldn't know what to do…” I shake my head, trying not to think of anything bad right now.

“Having fun Ben?” Celestia asks, taking a seat next to me. “Let me guess, you’re more of a wall flower?”

“Depression is a hell of a thing when you have...basically everything you wanted.” I say to her. “Loving fiances, a wonderful little brother, a family that loves and cares for me...but there's always this small bit of doubt...that something could go wrong…” I sigh out.

“I know it all too well.” Celestia said, a solemn sigh in her breath. “Every night there’s this part of me that...is afraid. Afraid that, when I awake, Luna will still be Nightmare Moon, trapped in the moon, that Chrysalis, Rune, Twilight, that it was all just a dream...even you...and this.” She said, using both hands to rub her belly. “An unexpected event...but one I thought I’d never experience….again. Ben...Do you know, why, I prefer mares?”

My eyes widened. “No…” I mutter. “You….you weren't…” I say in fear, scared for the worst.

“Not like that Ben… After Luna...Nightmare Moon...I grew lonely, so, so lonely. One day...I used a spell to hide my true body, went out into the streets, and found a drunk stallion who was more than happy to… well, you know. It was quite the scandal, Princess pregnant and no father. Heh, if only they knew. Nine months later, I gave birth to a little filly, one I named Platinum, after the old unicorn queen. She had my coat...my mother's eyes...and Luna’s personality. She grew up, aged...while I remained the same. Out living your own child...no parent should...yet, here I am. At least, when I look as Blue Blood, I know it’s as close to immortality as she can get. That in some way, she’s here.”

“Well…” I say, putting a gentle hand on her cheek. “Your new family, your new children...and your new husband won't be dying anytime soon.” I tell her with a smile. “And...maybe not now, maybe not soon...but hopefully I'll help you learn to love a man again...and that man will be me, the bumbling idiot who's the world's greatest hero.” I chuckle.

“It’s just the fear Ben.” Celestia said, hugging her belly now. “Outliving my daughter, and her children, and their children...At some point, I realized I lost track, and was scared. It took sixteen years, and a few new spells, but finally, I found the sole surviving descendant of Platinum. Blueblood’s mother, Emerald Shine. She was a carpenter for the nobles. Her reactions to what I told her of her lineage was expected...she died, giving birth to Blueblood, and he had an accident when he was a foal. To be blunt, hit tank fires blanks. I had long since sworn no more children...cause the fear of...losing track… and now, even though Luna is back...the fear is still there...when Blueblood...passes, then Platinum will truly be gone.”

I sigh out. “At least your fear is waking up and seeing that none of this happened...but you stay in the same world where it could happen either way.” I tell her. “My fear...is waking up and learning that none of this ever even existed.” I tell her. “All of this...just a mixture of video games and tv shows from where I originally came from...all of this...just gone...none of it even existing...my parents would be dead...everyone I love...gone forever. Joy going back to Rejection...and with all the memories…” My voice cracked, tears brimming in my eyes. “No...no matter how much...you all wouldn't wish it...I'd have…” I took a deep breath and steadied myself, trying not to cry. “You fear of losing it but still having a chance...my fear is losing everything...even my life…”

Celestia grabbed my chin, and made me look her in the eyes, tears going down hers too. “We are a lot alike, aren’t we?” She asked, a small smile on her face.

“Mine....being a lot more drastic and terrible but…” I start. “And me not being a mare...having big breasts...having rainbow hair that defies wind…” I name off with a growing smile.

To shut me up, Celestia planted a wet one...right on my lips. At first I was caught off guard, then we both melted into it…when it broke, she was smiling. “Just...promise me Ben, that no matter what, you will come back. Back to all of us.” She said, placing one of my hands on her belly...I felt a kick.

I smiled gently. “What would I be if I didn't come back to all my lovely ladies?” I ask. “I promise to come back Celestia, I always come back for the ones I love.”

She kissed me again, I heard camera’s going off, but didn’t care, neither did she I guess, as this kiss lasted rather long. When it finally broke, we took in air like we were holding our breaths for a long time. I looked up, seeing Chrysalis and Rune leaning against Celestia’s chair, looking at us with smiles. “Guess it’s finally official.” Chrysalis said, planting a quick peck on my cheek...Rune..did something different...she bit my ear then whispered...things...things I can’t say aloud cause children...I have something to look forward too come bed time.

My entire face was beat red. “Wow...well…” I mumble, before shaking my head. “Anyways...thanks Celestia.” I nodded, before grinning. “See? I told you you would want me in all my awesomeness.” I joke with a giant smile.

Celestia returned my grin with one of her own. “Fair enough...but let’s just say I’ll need a…transition come tonight… After all, seven hundred years eating mares out, I have a few old habits...and skills that I can show you, so long as you say yes~” Celestia said, finger booping my nose.

“Still no futa spells.” I tell her bluntly.

“Who said I was going to be the futa~” She booped my nose again.

I blushed. “Well...I did wonder what it would feel like to have both.” I smile gently. “This went from heartwarming and touching to super lewd way too quickly...” I frown as I noticed that.

“That’s sun butt’s dirty mind there.” Chrysalis said with a wink. “And remember, I shape shift, so you can pretend you’re doing it with twins~” She said, giving me another light peck on the cheek.

Steam billowed out of my head. “I...kind of hope the others didn't hear the lewd parts…”

“We did.” Twilight said, patting my head. “Not gonna lie, always wondered what I’d be like as a twin.”

“Too bad this is a T rated fic, those sex chapters would be kinky.” Pinky said, earning a look from all of us.

“Damn it Pinkie...now they're gonna make an M rated fic for all of it.” I sigh out, knowing about the fourth wall and such. “But...besides...the lewd things...did you hear and see everything else?”

“Yup.” Lola said. “Though...not sure exactly what was going on.”

“That aside, we’re happy for you two...and please, when you’re up for that, Chrysi, look like me, I wanna see Ben’s face when he see’s that.” Pinkie said.

“You got it.” Chrysalis said, giving me a look. “That is going to be fun. Wonder if he’ll be able to tell us apart?”

“You'd have to learn how to talk like Pinkie, have her energy, and so much other things.” I tell her. “But...about my worst fear…” I sigh out. “Sorry I'm not...more vocal with my fears…”

“It’s alright Ben.” Rarity said, taking my hand. “We all have fears, and we’ve come to accept you aren’t very vocal with these matters, so that means two things. One, we will always be here to make it go away for you, whether you tell us it or not, and second, if we see it’s still bothering you, then, we may get rough, but we want you to tell us. Speaking these matters aloud can only help you when it’s to someone you trust.”

“Yeah…” I nodded. “But...hey it helped me convince Celestia to join my herd...the news is gonna have a field day hearing this.” I chuckle. “It's not the best headline name but I thought ‘The Sun Rises to what? Celestia’s new love shocks the world’.” I say, the thing sounding like crap to me.

“It can work.” Viva said. “There’s been worse headlines.”

With that settled, the party ended a few hours later. There was little food left and Terra and Aqua waited for us outside the front door. “You ready?” She asked, Terra in his Keyblade armor on his glider.

“Yep.” I nodded while putting my hood up and summoning my glider and hopping on.

“As ready as we'll ever be.” Joy says while summoning his own glider, his new crown keyblade turning into a golden version of Ventus’s glider, putting his samurai hood up as well and hopping on it. Aqua opened a DTL and activated her armor and glider, flying in, followed by Terra, then us.

It was a long flight, assistant saying about an hour or so, and finally a world came into view. As we got closer, I felt...something was watching us. I looked around, growling at whatever's watching us. “Hey guys! Something’s watching us.” I tell the others, not knowing what could be watching us this far away from the world.

There was this...massive shadow that flew over us, then darkness blinded us. When we had vision, we were on some sort of grassy field, and standing across from us was...someone dressed in a pink organization thirteen cloak. “You should leave.” She spoke. Her voice sounded...young.

“And who might you be exactly?” I ask. “And why are these cloaks so common with people?” I ask curiously.

“Once, these were for warriors, colors were various, standing for rank and position. Can you guess what pink stands for?”

“This is the first time I'm even hearing this so I have no idea.” I tell her bluntly, preparing myself for a possible attack.

She raised her hand, an Oathkeeper Keyblade appearing, though...something about it seemed different. It’s design was...like half was missing. “Assassin.” I blinked, seeing Terra already down as she made her way over to Joy.

Joy summoned Lindworm and his keyblade glider switched to his crown keyblade, winds circling around him as he prepared for her attack. “Attacking Terra was a bad idea lady.” Joy growled, thinking she was a foe with such an unwarranted attack.

“He’ll live.” She said, spin kicking Lindworm to the side as she thrusted, striking joy and sending him back, just barely dodging her attack. “Besides, I’m not here to hurt anyone, Just waiting for my brother.” She threw her “Oathkeeper” into a flame covered strike raid at Aqua. She blocked it, but was tossed to the ground.

I sighed out, getting off my glider and grabbing Reunion. “So...hard way it is.” I frown while casting haste on myself. “Twilight Slash.” I mutter before swinging my keyblade, a bolt of Nothingness speeding towards the woman.

My eyes widened, another “Oathkeeper” appeared, in thin air and blocked my attack. She then touched it with one finger. “Providet corpus.” She said, the second Keyblade gaining a bright aura. There was a flash of light and it...was a silhouette of her, made up of light and darkness. It looked over at me and charged, striking at me with hand to hand.

I summoned Frozen Pride and blocked it's attacks, fighting back against the clone. “So why did you attack is first?” I ask the woman with a frown.

“This is the second part of my mark of mastery.” She said, appearing behind Joy and spin kicking him in the neck, sending him across the ground. “The first part I completed, in your time, months ago.”

“Ow…” Joy grumbles while getting back up, cracking his neck. “Thank god for being durable.” Joy says before vanishing and thrusting all six lances behind the pink cloaked girl.

“So your mark of mastery is to attack people for no reason?” I ask, shield bashing the clone away from me.

“No.” She replied, turning around and, using her hand, deflected each of Joy’s Lindworm spears, grabbed them all and threw them back at him. “The second part to my mark of mastery. Win a battle against the King of Nothingness.” She then looked over at Joy, him catching the spears she threw back at him. “Or the prince.”

Aqua got back up, grunting as she ran over, trying to slash the girl, only for the girl to dodge, and strike the back of Aqua’s head, knocking her unconscious.

“Damn it, Joy get Aqua and Terra out of here!” I shout at Joy, hoping he'll get them to some form of safety. “But your fights with me lady.” I say while shifting to Master Form, switching out Frozen Pride for Skysplitter. “But what Mark of mastery has you fight something that specific?” I ask, Joy helping the unconscious Aqua and Terra out of the fight.

“Keyblade master. But given what I am...a standard test wouldn’t have been enough.” She said, her clone jumping back to her and reverting back into her second “Oathkeeper”.

“You clearly know I'm clueless about a lot of this right now so care to explain...all of this?” I ask.

“You know what I am. You’ve seen me. I’m younger to you right now, but I am someone you know.” She said, taking off her hood...Xion? No, her eyes...they’re red… Like Zeke’s were.

“Nyx?” I ask. “How long has it been there?” I ask, surprised to see her grown up.

“For me, fourteen years. I’m still a baby at this point in time, my older sister, Diamond Tiara, sent me back here for my mark of mastery exam. Three parts. First, help my father complete his, and I have, now I’m here, for my second part, Win a battle against the king or prince of nothingness.”

“That old bastard needs to start telling me shit instead of going back to being a nagging mumble in the back of my head.” I frown. “And the organization cloak? You said it meant a lot more than what it is...care to explain or are you going to save that till after the fight?”

“You’ll find out soon, so might as well. Black, Warrior, White, Commander, Yellow means scout, red means mage, purple means researcher, pink means assassin, Blue means, well, it’s akin to police. Green means healer, and black and white patterned robes mean Crafter.”

“Glad to know I'm a leader.” I chuckle a little, readying myself. “And your Oathkeepers...I presume that's because your Zeke’s daughter?”

“In a sense. I’m a human X-blade, these are pieces of my X-blade form.”

“Surprising.” I say. “First time I've seen it. But...did everyone get better?” I ask, hoping her family got better after Zeke’s ‘death’.

“I can say yes, but that’s all I can say about future events involving my family.”

“Well that stops me from asking how Joy is treating your Diamond Tiara.” I shrug. “But anyways, fighting time.”

“Alright then.” She said, taking a stance.

I decided to start things off simple, Nyx suddenly seeing a weird power level bars for both her and me. I took a deep breath and lowered my stance before shouting loud and thrusting Skyplitter in the air, my power increasing dramatically and a seeable aura surrounded me. “Let’s get started.” I say before ramming Skysplitter into the ground, jagged stone spikes suddenly shooting out below her.

She jumped up into the air, both her keyblades floating out of her hands before they reshaped into something like my gun arrows. She grabbed them again and started firing off lightning magic at me.

I smacked away the lightning spells with both my weapons, bolting straight towards her and leaving some cracks in the ground, swinging Skysplitter at her quickly.

To my surprise, it wasn’t her that blocked...but someone in a yellow cloak. “Sorry I’m late sis.” He said to Nyx.

“Better late than never bro.” She replied. Her brother, Blake, if my memory serves me right, deflected me away before he was covered in light, changing into an Oblivion X-blade. Nyx grabbed him and aimed it at me. “Now, let’s get started. cognatio Jurisconsultorum!” She shouted, chains of light wrapping around her brother and her arm before she rushed in for an attack.

I skidded on the ground and shouted, my aura flaring out even bigger and stronger than before. “Gaia’s Hammer!” I shouted, my weapon glowing a greenish brown and glowed brightly before I swung it to meet her attack.

It felt like time slowed down before our attacks met, finally, our attacks met...or so I thought. When my swing met hers, she vanished, appearing behind me and striking, I fell through the battle ground, to the world below. “Ow...that’s gonna hurt.” Nyx said, following me.

“Why am I falling?” I ask curiously, the pain being astronomical but suddenly falling through a battle ground was weird. “Okay…” I mutter while stopping myself from falling from my training with Braig, looking around on why I fell and how far I fell.

Looking around, I was some miles above the planet's surface...it was like a nuke went off, everything was scorched and raised up. “Jesus, was this the world we were supposed to go to?” I wonder to myself, wondering what could have caused this, but ready to defend myself in case Nyx and her brother came after me. “Also I call bullshit, two versus one in a mark of mastery exam? Really?” I grumble.

“What? It counts.” Nyx said, floating back down. “Even at this stage in your timeline I held a small chance at winning.”

“What language were you speaking? Latin or something?” I ask, wondering about the language of her named attacks.

“Yeah. It’s an old language, tied to many magics. Using it when casting attacks can do a lot for how hard you hit with them.”

“So I need to speak a special language instead of shouting things normally?” I ask curiously. “I thought shouting you're attack name in any language made it better?”

“No, shouting the attack is like...training wheels. It helps activate it. Calling the attacks name in latin, latin being linked to magic, amplifies it by generating a micro aura that quickly circulates the attacks energy before activating it.”

I huff. “Anime has lied to me.” I shake my head. “Great, now i need to learn Latin…”

“It’s optional.” Nyx says, her brother returning to human form. “We just learned it...well, you’ll see later. Anyway, knocking you out of the battle counted as a win, so thanks.”

“No it doesn't, this isn't a tournament match with out of bounds rules, your choice of arena just sucked and didn't have proper barriers.” I frown.

“You would rather I knock you unconscious?”

“I'm pretty sure some divine bullshit behind the marks of mastery decided you got the won anyways.” I tell her. “But next time, remember to put proper barriers on a battlefield so no one accidentally falls out and bails right after leaving the battlefield.” I tell her. “So...what's your third step to becoming a master?”

“Well...I don’t know. Now I have to head back to my timeline for Tiara to tell me. Hope she’s not on a date with uncle Joy… Then she won’t be back for a while.”

“When those two are together it’s they turn into rabbits.” Blake commented.

I laughed at that. “Oh god I just knew it.” I laugh. “And what's funnier is that he just ‘tied the knot’ as it were a while ago with all his other girlfriends.”

“Oh we know.”

“We babysat for them a few times when they all went off to save a world or honeymoon…” Nyx shivered. “Should tell Joy to turn his damn Assistant off, I’ll never unsee that.”

I laughed even harder at that. “If only I could tell him, his reaction would be hysterical."

“At least tell him that he can turn his assistant off.”

“I will.” I nodded. “But how many kids did he have in your time?” I asked, wondering how much of a pain it's gonna be to raise so many kids.

“Birthed...think they were reaching seven hundred...each wife?” Blake questioned.

“Yeah, Nobody nannies. Very handy.” Nyx said, nodding.

“Oh thank god those exist.” I sigh out thankfully. “Um...did you meet Roxas or Namine in the future?” I ask, remembering that's supposed to be a thing.

They both looked at each other. “No idea who they are.” Nyx said.

“But family...s. We don’t know everyone.” Blake replied.

“Ah...there probably under different names though….” I mutter to myself. “So what's your next stop in time traveling master exam?”

“Fourteen and a half years in the future to get the final test.”

I nodded. “Well stay safe in your adventuring.” I tell them. “Ah Nyx, I was told about a thing involving you and others...like you.” I start.

“You mean Greed?” She asked.

“So you already know then?” I ask.

“It’s...the reason I’m taking this. Greed broke through all of Daybreak’s defenses…He wants all of my siblings...Blake and I especially...he already took Book Worm, my baby bro from mama Moon Dancer.”

“Are...are we trying to stop Greed or no?” I ask, wondering if my future self, Joy, and many others are trying to stop greed and save Book Worm.

“Yes. In my time, it’s war against the Embodiments. Sloth and Pride have already been killed, but there’s still the rest...and Tenebris.”

“Someone or something I should know about?” I ask. “Or does it hurt with time if I know?”

“I can tell you this much. Core may have been the first Emblem heartless, but he wasn’t the first to fall to it. Tenebris is the first to fall, the creator of the realm of darkness, the one who light rejected.”

“Oh...that's...a thing.” I frown. “And here I thought Core being reborn as one of our kids was bad enough...or the embodiments...or my possible honeymoon…” I sigh out. “So, what now?” I ask the two.

“After this I recommend someone take a trip to the Realm of Darkness.” Blake stated. “Doesn’t matter who.”

“Blake…” Nyx said.

“What, it would help.”

“That’s screwing with time.”

“Like we aren’t doing that already.”

“He's got a point.” I point out. “But time is really weird, sometimes you can go back in time as many times as you want and nothing happens, sometimes you go back in time and things blow the fuck up, and in my case sometimes you think you know future events but happen to be completely wrong.” I explain.

“Well if my time Diamond Tiara comes along and whacks the two of you, don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Nyx said as she and Blake found themselves inside clock faces. “Looks like she’s picking us up. We will definitely see you later, and maybe sooner.” Nyx said with a wave, she and blake vanishing as the clock faces did.

“Well….” I take a deep breath and starting to fly towards Joy and the others. “That happened…” I mutter.

“Yeah, but what happened here?” Joy asked as he floated down and took a look around. “Such destruction.”

“Ugh, where are we?” Aqua asked, waking up.

“I had a conversation with our attacker, apparently it was her mark of mastery to fight me specifically, and a ton of...future stuff.” I tell the now awake Aqua and Terra. “And we are at the planet we were supposed to go...it's just ruined to hell somehow.”

“I can’t sense any darkness...what else could have caused this?” Terra pondered, looking around. “Huh?” He said, walking over to a patch of dirt with an imprint. “Is that...what I think it is?”

We all walked over, and saw the imprint of the X-blade.

“What the hell?” I mutter, kneeling down and checking the imprint, wondering how long it's been here.

“That's not right…” Joy frowned.

Aqua kneeled down to the imprint also. “It’s a perfect outline. The earth around the edges has been...melted into this image.” She placed her hand hear it. “It’s still hot...this was recent?”

“That's impossible, Zeke was on John's world when he...last used the X-blade.” I sigh out. “Something's not right, how could the X-blade have been here when it was nowhere near here?”

“I think he’s the reason.” Terra said, pointing over to a man standing across from us. Dressed in Yellow’s clothing...with a black X-blade.

My eyes widened. “No...nonono…” I say before summoning my keyblade and shield. “Joy, get them out of here.”

“Why the fuck is he here?!” Joy yipped in worry. “And when the hell did they manage to make that?”

Yellow’s black X-blade cracked with dark electricity, his shadow shifting as what looked like ghosts...of Sora, Riku, and Kairi, all came out of them. They then screamed, a haunting, chilling, tortured scream...that X-blade...was all of the captured Sora, Riku and Kairi’s hearts!

“That bastard…” I growled, getting up and walking over to the guy, not believing Core tortured and fused all of them together to make an abomination of the X-blade. “Hey!” I bark at Yellow, trying to get his attention.

He looked over at me, but said nothing.

“Can you talk?” I call out to him, keeping my distance at least so my power didn't start sparking like mad. He shook his head. “Okay...why are you here?” I ask, knowing it could answer without words.

Yellow raised his hand, slowly, and removed his mask...he looked like Zeke, but the number 1 was tattooed on his forehead, and his face was cracked, eyes bloodshot...A clone?

“Are you a clone?” I ask, fearing the worst.

He nodded, tracing a finger across the cracks on his face and then pointing at his eyes, then, pointed at the black X-blade in his other hand.

“Your breaking apart because of the X-blade? Or did you fight over it?” I ask, getting more confused here.

He lifted up a finger, one, then nodded. He then showed me the hand that was holding it...black tendrils came out of the black X-blade, and were inside his hand and arm. He then moved part of his robe over, showing his chest...which held a large scar, and glowed with a bluish white.

“Need some help?” I ask, knowing this was a bad thing to ask and knowing it won't help but I at least wanted to try.

He nodded.

“What happened to you?” Aqua asked.

”Core’ One of the ghost’s spoke.

”He took all of them, melted them down...forged them into this accursed blade...and then turned on his partners. He no longer had his darkness. He was a Nobody.” Another spoke.

”He grabbed every Xehanort reflection, and made this.” Another said, Yellow lifting a hand over his chest. ”Body and heart they went into it, to make a copy of Zeke’s heart.”

“Is there anyway to save you all without...either killing you or causing a supernova?” I ask worriedly.

”I die. They die. I am dying. I just...want one thing before then.”

“What is it?” I ask, not wanting to sass the dying Yellow clone.

“I want...one day.” Yellow spoke, seeming to surprise himself that he was able to talk. “One day...to be me. Not a clone, not an experiment...to at least...pretend, to be human.

Joy took out his assistant and decided to scan Yellow, hoping it would tell him how to give Yellow more time or save him. “We’ll be your friends and make sure you have the best day you can.” Joy tells Yellow.

Scanning Life Form.

Scanning…

Scan complete.

Subject is compiled from darkness and very trace amounts of human DNA. Subject’s current form is being damaged by two level nine illegal implants. Subject projected life span as is… thirty hours.

Joy checked his assistant and tried to find a way to help the poor guy. “I doubt Memory Stealer could give you a second chance with...how you are...” Joy mumbles, hoping there's a way they could help.

Suggested actions for prolonging subject’s life span require a tier ten admin level program.

“Well fuck…” Joy frowned, only for me to put my hand on his head.

“Its alright…” I tell him. “So...what do you want to do?” I ask Yellow, wanting to give him a nice day at least.

“I just...want a day.” He repeated, falling to his knees. “All his memories from before he came to this multiverse...he never got to sit and watch the sun set.”

I thought for a moment, before nodding. “I know exactly where we need to go.” I nod. “Remember Twilight Town?” I ask, hoping Yellow remembered Zeke playing Kingdom Hearts.

“Yes. Zeke loved that world in the game. Spend hours in it, just staring at the sunset from the train station.” Yellow said with a smile. “The real thing...would be nice.”

I nodded and opened a portal to Twilight Town. “And hey, we could have fun, do a Struggle match or two...and at the end eat some ice cream on the clock tower. Sound like a plan?” I ask, wanting to make his last day worth it.

“Sounds like fun. Maybe...we could do what Roxas didn’t get to...and see what the beach looks like.” He said, getting back up and walking into the DTL.

“You three look around...I need to help a friend.” I say while following Yellow through the DTL, and it closed behind me.

“Let's hope they have fun...” Joy says, looking down and feeling a little sad that they couldn't save him.

Arriving in Twilight Town, we found ourselves just outside the hangout spot from the game. Yellow took a look around. “Heh...looks better than in the game. Way better.”

“Oh yeah.” I nodded. “You know...I don't think I've ever been here before…” I say, not sure if I've ever been to Twilight Town.

“It’s nice. So calm.” Yellow said, placing a hand on the wall. “Funny, you all spend so much time...fighting...you don’t take the time to register that...it’s all real.”

“I've had times when I stopped to know this was all real...just...wish it didn't involve me breaking down and crying…” I sigh out. “But...I wish we all had time to just...ya know, hang out and be friends. N enemies, no troubles...just a normal ass day where we could all just have fun and not care about the world.”

“Hey you two!” We turned around, that voice being all to familiar to me. Seifer. Him and his three followers walking up to us. “You tourists or something? Never seen you two around before.” He asked.

“You could say that.” I say to the teen. “Why do you ask?”

“We’ve been looking for a burglar. Been taking things from computers out of people’s homes to...corpses from the graveyard. Not sure it’s the same guy, but those have been the only things stolen around town for the past week or so.” He explained.

“The only witness says it’s a strange man in a lab coat.” One of his followers, Fuu, spoke.

“Yeah. If you see something funny come looking for...hey…” He said, taking a closer look at me. “hmmm...Nice clothes. Something like that would definitely make me seem more official as head of the disciplinary committee.”

“Oh this? My fiance actually made it.” I tell him. “But alright then...so we apparently have Doctor Frankenstein on the loose...and here I thought it was going to be a nice normal day.”

“He hasn't hit in a few days.” His other follower, Rai, spoke.

“But we think he might hit again.” Fuu finished. “You can find us typically here. Since Hayner, Pence, and Olette found a better place, we’ve taken this spot over as our base.” She explained, pointing to the gate door of an allie way.

“Huh...kind of thought that was the best spot, it looks like a cozy spot.” I say, remembering that while the hangout spot wasn't exactly perfect it felt homey enough. “Hey Zack, want to do some….investigating?” I ask Yellow, calling him Zack so I didn't just call him Yellow, and hoping some detective stuff in Twilight Town would help him out.

“Huh...I guess.” He replied.

“Alright.” I nod. “So, you know where this guy might hit?” I ask Siefer and his gang.

“He’s hitting homes for the computers, which is strange since shops would have more to collect. The only building I can think of is maybe an apartment down in the marketplace. It’s one of the few that hasn't been hit yet.” Siefer explained.

“Right then.” I nodded. “Well we can look around and enjoy the day I suppose.” I shrug.

“Alright then, and thanks for the help.” Siefer said, he and his gang leaving.

“Well...we can at least figure out where stores are.” I say.

“Yeah. Sea Salt Ice Cream?” Yellow asked, pulling out a framilier pink pouch. “It’s got a hundred thousand munny.”

“Always thought that was orange for some reason...“ I mutter, seeing it up close making me see it's actually pink. “But sure, never actually had Sea Salt Ice Cream, so I wonder what it'll taste like.” I wonder.

“Guess we’ll find out.” Yellow said, the two walking over the market place.

“So while Twilight Town looks splendid as always there's some differences already.” I say, still curious on why the Hayner and company weren't at their original hang out. “Wonder if we’ll see more people here…”

Sure enough, once the two entered the market area there were people all around. Bags and people carrying them moved around like traffic. In the center, was a framilier shop. The two walked up to it. “Greetings.” An elderly lady behind the counter said.

“Hellp.” I nod with a smile. “How are you doing today?” I ask, trying to be friendly to the elderly woman.

“Oh I’m fine dear. So, what would you like? I sell all sorts of sweets and drinks.”

“Do you sell Sea Salt Ice Cream?” I ask the lady. “And glad to hear your doing well.”

“Why yes. It’s a new flavor. Been out for some months. How many?”

“Two please.” I say while getting some munny out to pay her.

I gave her the munny, she gave me some change and she opened a freezer next to her, pulling out two of the iconic treats. She placed them into a small plastic bag, and handed them over. “Enjoy.”

“Thank you.” I nod while taking the plastic bag from her. “Have a nice day.” I say kindly while turning around and heading to give Yellow his wonderful treat.

We both took a bite. At first the taste was something close to a sour head, super sour and salty, then shifted to a light creamy sweetness. “Wow. Not bad.” Yellow said, taking another bite.

“Not bad at all.” I say while enjoying the ice cream popsicle thing. “Wonder how it's made...” I wonder. “So, what next my friend?”

“Dunno. From my memories that come from Zeke… I guess seeing how the group claimed the train station tower.”

“My question is how the hell they even get up their everyday?” I point out, still wondering about that little thing. “But let's see how they did that.” I say while heading off to the clock tower.

We got a bit lost on the way but found our way to the clock tower, and, as the games did not show, there was a door on the outside of the building for maintenance. Inside, for some reason it was unlocked, was a small hallway then a long spiral stairway up to the top. “So that’s how they did it.” Yellow said.

“This seems oddly convenient…” I point out. “Wonder how they found this place...and good lord how strong are their legs if they have to walk up these everyday?” I frown. “Well...let's get walking.”

“Well, now that that is settled. How about that beach? Train should be there. Seems like it’s always summer here.”

“And always sunset.” I say. “Which since you don't know, apparently there's three time oriented town's, the third being Daybreak Town, along with this place and Traverse Town.” I explain to him. “But yeah, let's head down to the beach, I'd like to see what Roxas couldn't.”

We entered, two train tickets to the beach being a thousand munny each was pricey, but we paid and got on. It was a two hour train ride, so I tried to make small talk with Yellow, there being only one other person on the train, a child in a hoodie with headphones in looking at a phone. “So…” I start, trying to think of something to talk about. “How's your day going?” I ask, not knowing what to talk about considering Yellow is gonna die in a day.

“Best since I woke up.” Yellow said, looking out the window. “It was...strange, when I woke up.”

“Woke up?” I ask curiously.

“I’m a clone, remember? I was made in a Castle Oblivion Core somehow dragged into the realm of Darkness. I was made on floor seven, memories from Zeke’s family and bits Core somehow obtained from him directly stitched together and made into me. When I woke up, I just knew...I wasn’t...me...him. Everything felt different. My body, the way I looked at everything...even the way I felt things just felt...wrong.”

“That's what happens when your created by a mad man.” I sigh out. “Everything feels wrong when your supposed to be one person but forced to be something your not.”

“I chose to follow him.” Yellow admitted.

“Even if you knew you would have been used as a murder machine and nothing else?” I ask curiously.

“Yes. Fun fact about Zeke, while his heart is balanced, his mind isn’t. Never has been. His whole life, it’s been tug of war between his instincts, the want, desire to kill and fight, and to walk a moral path. I figured, if the original chose Morality, this fake can see what happens when when it lets the instinct and desire to take lead.”

“Was it as bad as I think it was?” I ask. “Or because you like murder so much it wasn't as bad?”

“Hard to tell. First life I took was...relieving. Like finally scratching a stubborn itch. I didn’t love or like it...but I didn’t hate it either. Core’s first order for me was to kill as many as I felt I could...I finally stopped after the ninth world.”

I looked at him. “Of course you did…” I muttered. “And I suppose the ninth world was the one we found you on?”

“No. It was the first, I went back there to die. It was a nice world. The people were a lot like on earth.”

“So many lives...gone…” I sigh out. “When will this useless war stop killing trillions of innocent people?” I growl bitterly, thinking this whole light versus dark thing is bullshit.

“That brings me to two very important things. One, the Embodiments now know Core is dead, and with their leader free now, they will start up again for the first time since before the world became the multiverse and the stars.”

“Wait...because Core was dead...he kept the Embodiments in check?” I ask worriedly.

“While he was weaker than them, he had several powerful creatures of darkness he managed to absorb and keep in check, including the leader of the Embodiments. That is what kept them in check, for as evil and wicked they are, they care about each other as much as any family. Now that he is free, there’s no reason for them to stay on the side lines.”

“Ah shit…” I frown. “And...the other thing you wanted to say?” I ask, wondering what other important thing Yellow wanted to tell me.

“...Even with Core dead, his followers and creations are trying to continue his work...including the Spy within Daybreak.”

“Don't they know there's worse shit out there already?” I ask. “I think helping fight the worse things in existence would be better than continuing on a trail to getting themselves killed.” I frown, finding their thoughts a tad self destructive. “And...there's a spy in Daybreak?”

“Yes. Been there since they took Core’s heart.”

“Who?” I ask bluntly.

“Don’t know. All I know is it’s someone high enough to know what the Council talks about...if it’s a member, then they are in trouble.”

“Shit…” I frown. “Looks like I'm gonna have to go to Daybreak to look over it before shit hits the fan…” I sigh out.

“I know one thing, a way to catch them. I know they have a Way to Dawn Keyblade.” Yellow said. “That should narrow the pool.”

“Maybe…” I sigh out. “Things just keep getting worse and worse…”

“Core opened the floodgates. They still are open. Question is...how do we close them?”

“Someone with darkness powers, someone who can wield the X-blade, or the cock yoddlers that work for Core close it themselves.” I frown. “Damn it to hell…”

“One issue at a time. Also...Here.” Yellow said, handing me a scrap of paper with three lines of ten numbers. “It’s the passcode for Core’s personal computer. Somewhere deep in the Realm of Darkness. It will have everything, everything he ever did...and how to undo it. Cure Time, make his half heartless and unversed test subjects normal again...and his diary.”

“Hooray, stealth mission into Core’s personal base to steal all his shit…” I say while taking the paper and putting it in my pocket. “Hopefully if I'm there I can tell some people that fighting us is a terrible decision and fighting bigger problems would be a better choice…” I mumble.

“Whatever the choice, it will be a long road til this is all over.” Yellow said as the train came to a stop. “Looks like we’re here. Time to see what Roxas never got to see.” He said as we got up and left the train. Outside was...ocean for as far as they eye could see. People playing and relaxing, vendors selling snacks and such, people surfing and fishing. “Wow...it’s nice.” Yellow said with a smile.

“Beautiful.” I smile gently. “And here I thought Destiny Island was a nice sight. So what do you want to do first here?”

“Fish. Zeke only did it once, and it was...nice.”

“Well I'm not entirely sure if this is the best place to fish but I'm sure we could find a fishing boat in town somewhere.” I say, wondering how fishing would be. “And honestly, this will be my first time fishing.”

“It’s not hard. Sure there’s a place with fishing gear somewhere around here.”

While Ben and Yellow were fishing, Joy, Aqua, and Terra all searched the world, looking for answers to Aqua’s parents. “So much damage.” Terra said.

“Yellow most likely did this...whether on his own or orders I have no idea.” Joy frowned. “But there has to be something here to give us a lead.” Joy mutters, still searching around.

“Over here!” Aqua called out, Joy and Terra running over to her. She stood in front of a building. “Notice what’s up?” She asked.

“Besides the building?” Joy asks, looking at the house in detail.

“It’s the only thing standing whole.” Terra said. “How? With the work down everywhere...why is this building still standing?”

“Either because it's enchanted, Yellow didn't want it destroyed, or something else.” Joy frowned, walking over to the building and knocking on the front door. “Hello?”

Aqua walked up to the wall, she summoned her Keyblade and hit it, and it phased right though the wall. She used her free hand, and touched the wall. “A Keyblade can’t affect it. Can’t even touch it.” She said in awe.

“Wonder how?” Terra questioned, walking next to Joy and trying to open the door. “Locked… And if Keyblades can’t affect it, how do we get in?”

Joy summoned Lindworm and tried to poke the building with one of his spears, hoping it'll actually connect. It did not. “Okay…” He muttered while channeling Nothingness into his hand and trying to touch the building, wondering if a type of energy could touch it.

Nothing happened when he touched it with nothingness. Aqua, taking her turn, took a deep breath… and kicked the door wide open. She then looked over at Joy and Terra. “You two overthink things a bit.” She said, walking in.

“Well sorry if I was trying to figure out if his place was a mimic or something.” Joy frowned and walked in after her.

All three instantly noticed that the inside was...larger than it should be. The door then shut closed behind them, each bringing out their Keyblades as something was heard moving around them, yet the room was too dark to see. “Is it a heartless?” Terra asked.

Joy frowned and summoned one of his chakrams, setting it on fire to bring some light into the room. “Well let's see…” He muttered, ready for a sudden fight.

At the edge of the flames light, there was a small machine of sorts. It’s metal rusted and bent. “What is that?” Aqua questioned. It’s size was no bigger than a moogle, but was like a snake and spider fused together. It’s face, a single, cracked glass lense.

“Hello?” Joy asked, wondering if the machine was actually sentient, taking a careful step closer to the rusted machine.

It made some kind of noise, then a green light flashed over the trio that came from the machine. It made a few more noises before it actually spoke. “T...Tes...Testing. Damn. Long time since I used this mic. Hello there. I’m Jonny.” It spoke from an unseen speaker.

“Hello, the names Joy. And my two concerned friends here are Terra and Aqua.” Joy says to this Jonny.

“Ah, well I already know Aqua. Long time no see, last time I saw you, you were bearly a year old.” Jonny said.

“Wait, you...you know me? Did you know my parents?” Aqua asked.

“Yes. They built me. Your father was an amazing engineer.” Jonny replied.

“Well...that's something.” Joy muttered. “What were her parents names?” Joy asks curiously.

“Her father was named Bradley, and her mother, Echo.” Jonny answered. “It’s good to see you have become a Keyblade Master Aqua, I am sure your parents would have been proud. So, I take it you are wondering why this building is immune to all forms of attacks, save for those performed by the body?”

“Because the planet was reduced to a barren wasteland?” Joy asked bluntly. “And the people who made it didn't want it destroyed?”

“This base has been hidden here for generations. The incident that took place several months ago leading to the mass extinction of life on the planet was...an unseen event, but, everything in this base is safe, as was the job of Aqua’s parents.”

“Why...did they leave me on the Land of Departure then?” She asked.

“It’s taboo for members within the organization to conceive a child. If they had kept you, your life would have been nothing but study, books, and research. You would never have been allowed to leave the base. They wanted you to have a life, so they left you with Ericis in hopes you’d find them someday after you became a proper Keyblade Master.”

“But then why did they leave me a message saying that they were...dead?”

“An experiment in the lower labs went bad. All active members developed severe levels of cancer, and had days to live.”

“Cancer? Really?” Joy asks honestly. “I know it sounds bad but when you said an experiment went bad I either thought of a mutated monster or an explosion…”

“No. They were experimenting with solar radiation and how it can be used in spells when it went wrong, those who weren’t immediately killed developed the cancer.”

“But...why radiation though?” Joy asks worriedly. “Radiation is dangerous in any situation..”

“Yes, but when infused with light, can be a powerful tool against the heartless.”

“So...where are they...buried?” Aqua asked.

“Floor fifteen. The Catacombs.” Jonny said, a doorway opening on the wall behind him, revealing an elevator. “Given you are blood to members, you have access to the whole base.” Jonny said to Aqua.

“And can we join?” Joy asked, thinking that it was an Aqua only thing.

“If Aqua says it’s alright, I can initiate the recruitment protocol.”

“I mean Terra is marrying Aqua and I'm just a friend... “ Joy says, looking at Aqua for her answer to this.

“Of course.” Aqua said.

“Then follow me. Before we can head to the catacombs, it’s best we get you two registered.” Jonny said...walking...sorta, into the elevator as we followed him in. A bit of a wait later the doors opened and inside was something that looked like a doctors office. “You two take a seat, Aqua, you can head to floor fifteen if you wish.”

“And why do we have to wait?” Joy asked curiously.

“Doc bot is old.” Jonny said, he and Aqua heading down to the Catacombs while Terra and I waited in the doctor's office. After a while, a literal metal box on wheels rolled in here from a door that opened up on a different wall.

“H-E-L-L-O. I. A-M. D-O-C. B-O-T.” It said with a very cartoony robot voice.

“Oh my god.” Joy muttered. “Hi.” He says to Doc Bot.

“P-L-E-A-S-E. D-E-P-O-S-I-T-E. B-L-O-O-D. S-A-M-P-L-E.” It asked, opening a compartment where two of the needle doctors and people with diabetes use to check blood sugar were as well as two cotton balls.

“Guess we better get it over with.” Terra said, taking a needle and cotton ball, quickly pressing the button on the little device that drove the needle into his finger. With that done he squeezed out some blood and wiped it with the cotton ball, putting it back into the compartment it came from. “You’re turn.”

Joy gulped down his whimper, not liking the fact he had to use a needle but bearing with it and giving the robot a small bit of his blood. “There…”

The robot then took both samples back into itself. Some time and rather...strange noises. Finally, two cards popped out of it, Terra grabbing both as it rolled itself back into the doorway in the wall as it closed behind it. “Here.” Terra said, handing me an ID card apparently, it had my picture on it, as well as a barcode and nothing else. “Let’s go meet back up with Aqua.”

“Let’s hope she didn't see anything...too bad yet.” Joy says worriedly before heading off to find Aqua.

As they go down and the doors open on floor fifteen, they are met with a large all stone opening where a single set of old metal doors, one open slightly, were guarded by two sets of very old looking Keyblade armor on each side.

“Wonder if those keyblade armor’s are sentient…” Joy says while walking up to the door Aqua most likely entered. Once inside, they saw many stone coffins lining hollowed out spaces within the walls, and it went on for quite the distance. “Well…” He muttered, seeing all the coffins and not sure where to start.

“Must be further ahead. Come on.” Terra said, leading the way. At some point the hallway came to a fork, both stairways, one going up and one going down. “Which way do you think we should go?” Terra asked.

“I'll go upstairs.” Joy said while taking the upstairs route.

Terra nodded, going downstairs. Joy was met with, surprisingly, a plaque, names written rather tiny into the black/grey stone, painted with white to make them clearer to read. Terra was met with more coffins, though, these ones were set up in rows in a massive chamber lit by strange glowing crystals.

Joy went up to the plaque, looking though the names. “Okay...so lets see these names…” He muttered to himself, looking through the names trying to find her parents.

While Joy read though the list, Terra finally found Aqua, standing between two coffins, each bearing keyblades he’d never seen before. One was a red and gold patterned metal, the blade shaped like five suns with the tip being a purple and black, blackhole. The other, was like space itself made up the blade with a solar system as the tip.

Slowly, he walked up to her. “Aqua?”

She was silent, then finally spoke. “These are my parents Terra...their final resting place.”

“Are their names here?”

“Yes.” She placed a hand on the coffin with the space looking Keyblade. “May, my mother.” She placed her other hand on the other coffin. “Jack Brothmer, my father…”

The sun was setting at the final few hours on Yellow’s time were coming to an end. “It was a nice day, huh?” Yellow asked me.

“Was it a nice day for you?” I ask him. “Did today fulfill your final wish my friend?”

“Heh. If I could have anything else, I’d like to make up for all the wrong I did under Core. Sadly, nothing can wash off that blood...Do you think there is an afterlife for things like me?”

“There's an afterlife for everything. Whether they be good or bad that's up to what you choose to do...but I hope you have a good life in the beyond cause...you really didn't deserve to do such things…” I shook my head gently. “But...you going out with an explosion or what?” I ask, not sure what will happen when Yellow dies.

“Yeah. The energy of about a multiverse worth of hearts from four different people reside in me and this false X-blade. When it finally breaks, I’d be ripping a hole through space itself. I already picked out a place I can go to where nothing will be harmed. From here, you’d be able to see it actually. Like fireworks from space.”

“That's quite an explosion…” I say. “I hope Sora Riku and Kairi can rest in peace...Xehanort can suck a dick though…” I say, thinking all their souls and hearts will be free in the explosion.

“Whatever happens, things will be set right… Let me ask, do you know what happens to a person whose heart is split in two?”

“Wait...when a heart is split in two?” I ask curiously.

“Like what happened to Zeke, the Foreteller’s friend Crow. Do you know what makes their splittings different than that of Ventus and Vanitus’s all those years ago?”

“Either their light and darkness had more of a personality to start with.” I suggest. “But besides that...I have literally no idea. That is something completely new to me.”

“Zeke and Crow’s hearts are balanced. Crow’s heart was unstable though, his light and dark half conflicting more than they did agree. If his heart was like Zeke’s, who’s light and dark halves both agreed and cared for each other, Crow could have wielded the X-blade. But this is also what makes them splitting so unique.

“While being balanced, in a normal heart, one’s personality is linked to what is dominant in their heart, light or darkness. For Ventus, his light was the most dominant, so when he was split, his light half still held his true self, yet having balanced hearts, Zeke and Crow’s halves both have different, yet similar personalities to their whole self, yet the combined result that is Zeke or Crow is no more. But, as you know, nothing can really be destroyed or just disappear, so, where do you think it went?”

“They reformed into something?” I ask.

“No, they are moved. Core has lived a long time and performed many a unique and unorthodox tests, and came up with a theory. When a heartless is slain by a Keyblade, the heart is released, and the darkness that was the heartless is destroyed, but that’s impossible, and not all the darkness returns to the Realm of Darkness, same thing with Nobodies, they don’t fade to darkness, so when he split Crow and saw this unique difference between the two halves, he believed that what you would call the ‘True Crow’ and ‘True Zeke’ might have been placed into a space that acts as a placeholder for things that are ‘no longer existing’. And no, not the realm of nothingness, something else.”

“Void?” I ask, thinking that's the only thing for ‘no longer existing’ stuff.

“Something akin to it, he called it Purgatory. A place where energy that’s displaced ends up. He thinks if it does exist then it must have been made when the original ‘Homeworld’ was split into the many worlds and reflections we have now. That’s when the most energy would have been misplaced and displaced, and the first time it would have happened.”

“Huh...that's interesting.” I nod. “Wonder if such a place does exist…”

“Core tried to see if it did, but it’s hard to tell. It’s not like a reflection, so it’s a theory until proven otherwise.”

“And technically I could ask someone if it does exist...but I think he's busy at the moment.” I say, not sure if Cript would have the time to talk considering he was busy. “Well…” I mutter, pulling out my Assistant and sending Cript a message about this Purgatory Yellow explained, wondering it indeed exists.

”Long time no see their.” Both my and Yellow’s backs crawled with fear at hearing that voice. We both turned around, seeing Zeke’s Psychopath light half...and that parallel me…

I sent a call to Cript, saying it was an emergency. “Why hello there me...and...whatever your name is I accidentally forgot.” I say nervously, not sure what to do here.

”Just Psychopath. Finally met up with my Kin and we all got down to discussing our plans. As it turns out, we have a means to bypass a special requirement thanks to this host.”

“Is it how to make cookies and throw none murderous parties?” I ask worriedly.

“If we find and force Drezke to reunite with his light half here, Psycho can take over, and wield the X-blade.” My parallel spoke.

”With him whole and your realms precious kingdom hearts under my control, dead, the weak living, heartless and nobodies alike will be hosts.”

I was about to say something about their plan, but something struck me as odd. “You do know sooner or later you'll just kill yourselves right?” I ask. “If you murder everything like you want...there will be nothing tk murder but yourselves...and you can’t kill a fact right? So...you're being a bit self destructive here.”

”We are the fact of murder, and you can’t kill that, this is true...unless there is nothing left to kill. The final death of the last living thing will be the death of ourselves as well. Destruction of everything, even ourselves, is beauty in our eyes.”

“Well your opinion is wrong and you should feel ashamed about it.” I frown. “Destruction is fine to some extent, like blowing up a random bike with C4...this spiral of death is stupid and pointless and you know it.” I frown.

Psychopath just smiled. ”And that’s what makes it fun.” He then was in front of me, holding me by my neck and gripping tighter. Come on, fight me, it will call Drezke here and make my job easier.”

“I call bull on you snuffing out Zekes light half.” I growl, clawing at his hand and trying to get him to stop choking me. “If you did...then why didn't you go to Zeke’s world and kill everyone?” I ask, summoning my keyblade and slashing at his arm to get him off me.

”Because Cript is watching over it.” He said, my slashes not even cutting him. He increased his grip. ”That blasted reflection is the only being aside from the ones from where I was first born to be able to stand against me and even kill my links directly.”

I raised my eyebrow at that, cutting my hand and dripping blood on Reunion. When I barely noticed it was turning a grayish red I swung my keyblade at him quickly, trying to get him off my neck.

That seemed to work, a gash on his arm and he let go of me. I let air go into my lungs again as he chuckled, his wound healing up quickly. ”Not bad. That actually hurt.”

“Ben…” I turned around...seeing Drezke there. “I warned you.”

“Was choking to death, shut the fuck up and run. You being here is giving them exactly what they want.” I say worriedly, summoning Frozen Pride and readying myself to fight.

As Psycho took a step, Yellow grabbed Drezke, holding the false X-blade up to his neck. “You can tell I’m unstable. Can’t you, you freak. Take another step, I accelerate my decay, taking you, Drezke, and this whole world out. Even if you survive, I doubt Drezke will.”

I tried calling Cript again, saying it was a Psychopath emergency in hopes that'll get his ass here sooner. “Listen to him, he will explode and kill everyone. You won't be able to come together again and try to force your will on everyone.” I say, hoping words will help solve this.

Psychopath smirked. ”Heh, respect… Do it.” He said, taking a step forward. ”The Genocide will be worth it.”

I tried to think for a moment, trying to figure out what to do. I could try to be a distraction and let them escape...or I could be an idiot and do something stupid. “Hey look Cript!” I shout and point to a random direction to try and distract them, rushing over to Yellow and Drezke and readying my first attempt for a Door To Nothingness. ”Please let this work…” I think to myself worriedly, grabbing the two and pulling them into an opening DTN.

Joy read through every name, finding Aqua’s parents after Terra walked up with Aqua. As it turned out, Joy was in the records room. And they found the files. There was a video log for Aqua from her parents.

They played the video, Aqua’s dad was where she got her blue hair, and she looked a lot like her mom, who was a blond haired version of her, only older by at least ten years.

”Aqua, if you are seeing this, you have found the long forgotten base of the ancient guardians. It’s likely dead now.” Her father spoke.

“Aqua, I know you have a million questions, and sadly, I don’t think any of them will be answered, but know this. We love you, and we...we only gave you up so you can have a life, see the worlds, not be cooped up in some lab for your whole life.” Her mother spoke.

“These may be the only words you hear our voices say, and we are sorry for that.”

“We have high hopes you live your life to the fullest. Wether you use this place to help the world's or choose to let the it rest in peace, we will respect your decision.”

“On floor seven, the control room for this whole base, there will be two buttons on a large metal table in the furthest edge of the room. The one on the left will let this place rest, the one on the right will breath a new life Into both the world, and the base. It's your choice Aqua, make it matter.”

“And remember.”

“Let your heart be your guiding key.”

“Ugh...my head.” I grunt, feeling like I was just hit by a bus. I try and stand, haphazardly regaining my balance...why is everything dark? “The hell?” I mutter, rubbing my eyes to try and clear them. When I opened my eyes there was some light, like the kind in an interrogation room, and infront of me, were words written in some sort of stone.

To define one's uniqueness is to know yourself when lost in infinity

“Weird….” I mutter, mulling over what I just read. “Know myself when lost in infinity?”

I blinked...and saw...me...countless me’s. I could see through all of their eyes...where... where's MY body?!

”Find you.” A whisper like voice spoke.

“Great...one of these puzzles…” I mutter, hearing my own words echo as I tried to find me. “Okay...so where to start…” I echo, starting to think this is some Where’s Waldo shit. I took a deep breath and started to move around, seeing myself move around as well. I flew around, ducking around to see better, but the puzzle still seemed confusing to me. I frowned before taking a deep breath, closing my eyes, and started to focus on all of my senses, feeling something off in the distance. I started to move towards the spot I felt it didn't seem to be moving away. What felt like an hour later I reached out and grabbed what I sensed, opening my eyes to see what I grabbed.

I was...in my body again, and in front of a door like the ones in castle oblivion. There were fourteen locks, seven on each side, four of them were lit up, and has the outline of my card deck, gun arrows, scythe, and reunion next to them. The rest were dark and had no image next to them.

“So this is the final gate huh?” I wonder to myself, seeing the four lights. “Hmm…” I mutter while summoning the four weapons in question, and the ones had the writing on it. “Maybe it's because of the writing?” I wonder, looking around to see if someone else was here. When I turned around, I saw there was another door, this one like the one from the beginning of Kingdom Hearts one, and it was open. “Well okay then.” I nod, disbanding my weapons. “Don't worry, I'll get off my ass and master the other weapons.” I say to the inanimate door, knowing someone was behind it as I walked towards the open door and entered it.

Once through it, I was...this is my Station of awakening. There was me, and it looked like a Dusk suit was being shed off of me, showing me in my old white cloak, a circle with each of my wives faces in it, Joy, and the others I met who were from earth. Each smiling, and several more that were blank...for the ones to come… I was holding Reunion in my hand...there was something else there, under where the Dusk was being ‘shed’ off of me...I walked over to it, and saw Rejection...setting down against a wall surrounded by darkness.

“The hell are you doing here?” I ask, wondering why Rejection was here.

“Because you’re an idiot.” I jumped, turning around...and saw Rejection was there. He looked like a black furred, grey haired version of me with green eyes.

“I was gonna say it looked more like a good metaphor of me shedding away my rejection and the feeling of being nothing.” I explain. “But if your still here and Joy is looking around a planet with Terra and Aqua...I have a feeling we still have some unfinished business.”

“You fool. I am more than just a neglected emotion. I. Am. Your. Darkness. The darkness in your heart. You’ll never be rid of me.”

“Sounds good to me, having another voice in my head helps make me feel more at home.” I chuckle.

“You laugh now, but every ounce of pain, sorrow and grief you have experienced in life, I feel every second of every day because your darkness is where you shove it all. Like a child putting unwanted toys under the bed or in the backmost corner of the closet.”

“Hmm…” I hum. “I'm sensing a sudden trend here...like what Yellow talked about with Crow and Zeke…” I frown. “So my shadowy friend, how are we going to bond over this?” I ask, feeling like it's going to be a bonding type thing between me and my darkness.

“We are not like Crow, Zeke, or even Eclipse. Darkness was never meant to exist. You and I, my other half, are stuck like this. There are only two ways out of this shit hole all hearts deal with.”

“I'm a stubborn fuck, so there's going to be a third.” I state. “But mind reminding me about these two ways?”

He summoned a Keyblade...my old Dusk Blade. “You die.” He then raised it up to his neck. “Or I do.”

“Or we could do what Zeke, Crow, and Eclipse did.” I state. “Light, Darkness, Nothingness and Void...you can't have one without the other. A lot of people on any side believe only one can prevail for some fucking reason.” I roll my eyes. “So how about we figure out how to both live without the murder. Okay?”

“...Remember these?” He asked, lifting up his sleeve...I remember those cuts. “From the writs up to the inner elbow. That’s what you want when you want results. We learned that from the internet, didn’t we.”

I gently held my arm at the sight. “Yeah…” I sigh out. “But...if you look down, you can see all the new things that kept us both alive...and gave us something we thought was impossible.”

“Maybe for you.” He said, covering his arm. “Even with all this happiness, you are full of doubt, fear, worry. You talked with Celestia just earlier today about your fears, and where do you think that sewer truck of emotions, worry and grief off loads. At least Zeke’s light and darkness share that crap… Darkness’s like me… I don’t believe there’s hope for us in that regard.”

“That's because you haven't been given a helping hand yet.” I say to him. “I'm sorry you have suffered keeping all the pain on your shoulders...but I'm here…” I say. “And all my...our wives are here for us both. Don't be the glass half empty man in an orgy full of sexy women.”

Rejection chuckled. “Since when were we the pep talk type?”

“Since we...finally got the second chance we hoped for.” I smile. “Or maybe it was after we finally get to nail Celestia...it was somewhere in between there I'm sure.” I chuckle. “Sheesh, it's barely been a full year and...look where we are now?”

“Yeah. I guess we have come a long way in a short amount of time.” Rejection said, holding out a hand. “Time for you to wake up now, me.”

“Don't worry me, you'll be feeling more joy than pain from here on okay?” I say to him, not entirely sure why he raised his hand but I raised my fist up. “Fist bump?” I ask with a smile.

“Heh. Dork.” He said, fist bumping mine.

“So...What do you wanna do Aqua?” Terra asked, he, Aqua and Joy in the room with the buttons, facing the table that would decide if the Guardians of Light would live again, or die quietly.

“It’s up to you.” Joy says to Aqua simply.

Aqua was hesitant. The fate of a whole ancient society was in her hands. She gulped. “I...I think I know what to do.”