Roleplay Kingdom Hearts: Vanguard II RP

[rikunobodyxiii 700]

(A fearful reaction to one of my characters. I'm so proud, I'm tearing up here. *Sniff*)

 

{Twilight Town: Beach}

The Program tried to counter Zion's kick, but he was still in the middle of getting up. He hit the ground heavily, but wasn't out. He managed to bring his remaining disc up to block one of Zion's blade, but the other smashed into his helmet. In a nearly impossible feat of acrobatics, he went from laying on his back, to a hand stand, to landing on his feet a couple of yards away from Zion, managing to twist in the air to face her. The cracked helmet revealed half of a face underneath, with a fresh crackling wound along his face and head. He glared at Zion, offhandedly caught the returning disc he had used against Hawk, then took off running for the town.

With the arrival of the 3rd Fleet, the forces closing on the beach was either being cut down and/or retreating. Aqua nodded her thanks to Ghost before firing a Blizzard spell at the retreating forces. She noticed a few programs trying to rescue the Ulthor agent that they had captured.

"Keep them away from him." She called to the Guardians as she used a Fira spell against the rescue party.

She was aware that another one of the guardians was injured. She wanted to go deal with that herself, but it was best to let the healers of the team deal with it.

Above, the air battle was going the 3rd Fleet's way. The ENCOM Cruisers and Fighters were out number, but were putting up a valiant fight, returning the hits they took with some good ones of their.

 

{Enchanted Dominion}

Leah followed behind Xion and nearly crashed into the raven haired girl when she stopped. Leah looked confused ahead.

"What?" She asked. "What's going on?"

She noticed Xion's reaction and looked alarmed.

"Do you know her?"

"Crap, I thought we dealt with this already." Elenar complained.

To do some venting, she kicked an exposed leg of Candy's. He grunted, but didn't move, being both too hurt and too trapped to try anything. Aeleus walked past Xion and Leah, stopping when he had a good look at the girl in the tube.

"Even mentioned this one." He commented. "He would have likely given a great deal to study the Lacuna you met before. Perhaps Master Ansem could make some sense of what she is."

He pushed past the others and looked at the controls linked to the tube.

"She appears to be sedated. I will attempt to get her out of there in the same state, then we can take her and Candy out of here. Both could prove useful."

"Whoa, hold on." Elenar objected. "Last time we met anything with the name Lacuna, we were left wondering if we had won or lost. Not to mention we gave her some pretty good licks, and she still duped us."

The Savage Nymph strode forward to prevent Aeleus from doing anything with out talking it out when another wave of dizziness hit her. Shooting pains hit her from where she had been shot. The pain and dizziness caused her to stumble and fall against the tube. Instantly, the girl inside the tube opened her eyes.

"Oh crap." Elenar managed as she looked up at the girl.

With her eyes open, it could been seen that her eye sockets were empty, leaving people to stare into a bottomless abyss. She started thrashing and struggling against her straight jacket, throwing her head back to scream. No sound escaped the tube, but the glass began to vibrate from the sound waves.

"Whoa!" Elenar exclaimed as she scrabbled away from the tank.

The water in the tube began to boil as the girl struggled against her restraints. After a few seconds, jagged void blades extended from her fingers, destroying the sleeves of her straight jacket. Once her arms were free, she started swinging wildly, cutting the wires and tubes connected to her and weakening the glass. A moment later, their was an explosion of glass, water, and steam as the glass tube gave into its occupant's onslaught.

Aeleus looked at a piece of glass that embedded in his arm, then looked up to see Lacuna standing in the wreckage of her tube. A jagged claw made of Nothingness extended from each of her fingers , which she held behind slightly behind her. A few tatters of the straight jacket remained and the breath mask she wore was now half off her face and still slipping. The new Void Witch wildly looked around at the people gathered around her. Her "eyes" fixed on the closest, a hurt Elenar who was nurse a few cuts from the glass. Lacuna let out a feral screech and lunged at The Savage Nymph.

 

{Disney Castle; Ship Armory}

Ienzo's face went rigid when he heard Neena's voice. He had hoped she wouldn't be able to track Nocturne here. Severa's distraction gave the Cloaked Schemer some breathing room, but there still wasn't a lot of room for a plan. Of course, that was usually the basic situation in which a masterful plan was concocted. He looked back in the vent at the Captured Guardian.

"There isn't time for a full explanation, so I'll boil my reason down to one word: prevention." He said quickly. "Now, if you can, go up. If you can make it to the upper decks and out on the haul, your chances of survival will increase. I will try to help you as I can, but don't push it. Good luck."

Ienzo pulled back from the vent and accidentally ran into someone behind him. He turned suddenly, readily img himself to strike out with a spell, then stopped. He looked surprised only for a moment.

"I may have someone who can help you." Ienzo called as The Graceful Assassin Luminara looked in on Nocturne.

[Elrandir 783]

Celas saw as the Savage Nymph fell against the tube, waking the Void Witch inside. The Dark Warrior slowly stepped back."This is not" She began to say. "good."At that moment the tube holding the Void Witch exploded and sent Celas flying back, getting hit on a nearby wall."Ouch..." She winced. "I wasn't expecting that."As the Dark  Warrior looked at the new Void Witch, the Prince noticed how Lacuna had her "eyes" fixed on Elenar."Watch out!" Noctis yelled.The young boy vanished and appeared next to the Savage Nymph with his weapons appearing and flying towards the Void Witch."Hold on tight." He said to the blond girl. "This may be uncomfortable."The Prince once again transported himself and Elenar away from the Void Witch, appearing next to Celas who was using the wall to keep herself up."Are you both alright?" Noctis asked"Yeah" Celas answered, her right hand on her chest and breathing is a little strange. "Just a little tired. What about you, Elenar?"

[Javelin434 3,164]

(A fearful reaction to one of my characters. I'm so proud, I'm tearing up here. *Sniff*){Twilight Town: Beach}The Program tried to counter Zion's kick, but he was still in the middle of getting up. He hit the ground heavily, but wasn't out. He managed to bring his remaining disc up to block one of Zion's blade, but the other smashed into his helmet. In a nearly impossible feat of acrobatics, he went from laying on his back, to a hand stand, to landing on his feet a couple of yards away from Zion, managing to twist in the air to face her. The cracked helmet revealed half of a face underneath, with a fresh crackling wound along his face and head. He glared at Zion, offhandedly caught the returning disc he had used against Hawk, then took off running for the town.With the arrival of the 3rd Fleet, the forces closing on the beach was either being cut down and/or retreating. Aqua nodded her thanks to Ghost before firing a Blizzard spell at the retreating forces. She noticed a few programs trying to rescue the Ulthor agent that they had captured."Keep them away from him." She called to the Guardians as she used a Fira spell against the rescue party.

She was aware that another one of the guardians was injured. She wanted to go deal with that herself, but it was best to let the healers of the team deal with it.Above, the air battle was going the 3rd Fleet's way. The ENCOM Cruisers and Fighters were out number, but were putting up a valiant fight, returning the hits they took with some good ones of their.{Disney Castle; Ship Armory}Ienzo's face went rigid when he heard Neena's voice. He had hoped she wouldn't be able to track Nocturne here. Severa's distraction gave the Cloaked Schemer some breathing room, but there still wasn't a lot of room for a plan. Of course, that was usually the basic situation in which a masterful plan was concocted. He looked back in the vent at the Captured Guardian."There isn't time for a full explanation, so I'll boil my reason down to one word: prevention." He said quickly. "Now, if you can, go up. If you can make it to the upper decks and out on the hull, your chances of survival will increase. I will try to help you as I can, but don't push it. Good luck."Ienzo pulled back from the vent and accidentally ran into someone behind him. He turned suddenly, readily img himself to strike out with a spell, then stopped. He looked surprised only for a moment."I may have someone who can help you." Ienzo called as The Graceful Assassin Luminara looked in on Nocturne.

[Decolor Ship]

 

Anticipating a negative outcome given the current situation, Nocturne quickly decided that he would be safer back in the maintenance access of the ship. As he crawled back into the vent, Ienzo watched quietly until he was completely inside and once again secured the ventilation screen. Upon hearing the schemer's reason and advice, the captive Guardian could only pin his hope on the information and blindly trust the former organization member. "Get to the hull... gotcha." he replied, furiously thinking just how to do exactly that. 

 

Get to the outer surface of the ship. How... How... Ships like this don't have a direct access to the outside other than... The Hanger... Nuts, they'll be anticipating it. I can't even use my skills to avoid detection. That girl can detect my light. It'll be impossible to evade her. 

 

"I may have someone who can help you."

As Luminara peered inside the access, the stoic Guardian was baffled at the newcomer as he tried to break the ice. "...... Nice hair..." A moment of awkward silence followed. "Um... If you want to follow me, you're more than welcome to. Got any ideas how to exit this ship undetected?"

 

Meanwhile... Back in Twilight Town...

 

"You heard the master! Execute the new orders!" Sparrow yelled over the radio to his team. Kiwi turned around on his rooftop perch and started his support as he fired off precision rounds towards anyone near the group of wielders, leaving the retreating forces alone. It was their unspoken Rules of Engagement, something that was both a blessing and mostly a curses for all of the Guards as they continued their support, albeit with a lot less to worry about now. With the horde of enemies no longer keeping up the pressure, Sparrow turned his attention to the rescue party of programs nearby. "Surrender your weapons and leave immediately!" the old guard addressed with a stern tone, "Fail to comply, and we will engage you!" Against his discipline, the leader leveled his rifle at the group, his other hand  tightly gripping his keyblade. "And I'm not joking when I say I'm a pretty decent shot with this thing..."

 

Slightly above Aqua, Ghost, and Luna, Raven was trying to awaken Hawk. As usual, a green aura had already enveloped both the medic and their downed rifleman as the healing spell was in full force. "Wake up, Nathan" Raven gently whispered, "Wake up. You're not out of the woods just yet." It was as short while before he heard a groan and saw Hawk slowly forming a fist with his left hand. "Ugh... I don't feel too good..." he weakly sighed, "...Did... Did we win?"

 

Raven smiled as he continued healing his life-long friend. "Not yet, but we're pretty close. It would be a shame for you to miss seeing it."

"You... Always knew how to... Make me smile, Dustin."

"Thanks. I took it after Leon. Kiwi, out of all names..."

"Heh... How is everyone else?"

"Aqua is doing fine, so you don't have to worry. But still, the sooner you're up, the better. Now c'mon. Cap'n can't hold off forever."

 

The rifleman weakly coughed as he struggled to get back up, propping himself on all four limbs and quietly cursing under his breath. Raven tried to help him back on his feet by carrying him up. "Hey, easy now... You know how long people are normally supposed to be out after using that spell."

Hawk was shaky; barely managing to stay on his feet even with the assistance from his friend. "We're... Not normal, mate."

Raven's healing spell slowly started to dissipate. "Sorry man. I gotta recharge. And I already know you're spent..."

"Give... me... My rifle..." The medic merely blinked, then did what he was told as he reached for Hawk's Arrow-rifle. Reaching his right arm around his supporting teammate before gripping his weapon, the faithful rifleman was both hugging and using his friend as a firing platform as he aimed through the window. "In the meantime, I'll see if I can help them out." 

 

Ghost and Luna were thoroughly relieved to see the programs retreating away from them. With Ghost showing no hint of fatigue, she too turned her attention to the straggling programs that were intent on freeing one of their own. Upon hearing Sparrow's warning, the enforcer merely scoffed at the gesture. Idiot. Typical of you Guardians. Why would you waste your breath asking them to surrender when we just finished fighting them? Showing no emotion in her face, the keyblade assassin slowly walked up towards the group until she was standing between them and the agent, not saying a word but trailing her keyblade in a menacing fashion. She held her position, ready to retaliate as necessary. Luna meanwhile stood near and slightly behind Aqua, looking a lot better than before as she finally got her break. She wasn't sure what to expect of the programs, but decided to take a safer option as she prepared a barrier spell to encase the captive. 

[rikunobodyxiii 700]

{Enchanted Dominion}

Lacuna twisted unnaturally to avoid a few of Noctis's swords. She batted a few away with her void claws, though a few nicked her, making her howl with anger and pain. She landed and started slashing viciously before she realized that her targets were gone. She looked around wildly for Elenar and Noctis.

"Not a bad rescue." The Savage Nymph commented to Noctis, trying to indicate by her tone that it was totally unnecessary.

She glanced over at Celas and frowned.

"Well, I'm just tired too." She declared.

She pushed herself to her feet, but kept a hand on the wall for support. She heard a hiss from Lacuna as the Void Witch required her target.

"Crap." Elenar muttered.

Lacuna lunged at Elenar, Noctis and Celas, but was knocked back by Leah extending her Keyblade out like a whip directly at the Void Witch. Lacuna staggered back, but caught the whip like blade. She yanked on it and pulled Leah off her feet and towards her. Leah yelped and was pulled along the ground till Aeleus stepped in and grabbed her. The Silent Hero yanked back and knocked the other end of Leah's blade out of Lacuna's hands with the flat of his tomahawk.

"Settle down, child." Aeleus warned Lacuna. "We are here to help you."

Lacuna hissed at the big man, like a angry animal. She reached out and grabbed Aeleus's tomahawk. It started to dissolve into nothingness in her grasp.

 

{Disney Castle; Ship Armory}

Luminara smiled slightly.

"Tread softly and kill anyone that sees you." He said conversationally. "It got me in here."

He looked distastefully at the interior of the air shaft.

"Not that your way isn't pleasant." He said sarcastically.

"Good luck, you two." Ienzo called to the Guardian and the Assassin before he exited the armory to find Severa and Neena.

Luminara grimaced and waved a hand for Nocturne to keep going.

"Right behind you." He said, reluctantly.

 

{Twilight Town: Beach}

The programs after the captured Ulthor Agent did not back down at Sparrow's call to surrender, even going so far as to throw discs at him in reply. The bounced off a Barrier that appeared in front of the old Guardian.

"I owe you guys one." Aqua called, using barriers to keep the thrown discs from hitting their targets. "Mop them up."

[Elrandir 783]

Noctis noticed Elenar's tone, but something told him that he should let the comment alone."Right." Was everything he said.Celas smiled at the Savage Nymph before both of them noticed the Void Witch getting ready to attack."For the love of..."She said before Leah used her Keyblade, not having the desired effect. Aeleus helped the other wielder.""Settle down, child. We are here to help you." He said.The Prince was looking at how Aeleus's tomahawk started to dissolve into nothingness."How is she doing that?" He asked. "It's not something you see every day"The Dark Warrior looked to the Silent Hero before she dismissed her Keyblade. She then looked at Noctis and Elenar while waving her hand up and down. The Prince stared at the Warrior for a couple of seconds before his weapons disappeared, leaving only a few around King Candy."Listen...we are not here to hurt you. We want to help you. I know they made things that hurt you, but we don't want to do the same. We can help you, but only if you let us."Noctis, while watching the Void Witch, glanced at Celas."She is either very brave to try and reason with that girl." He thought. "Or very, very stupid."

[rikunobodyxiii 700]

{Enchanted Dominion}

Aeleus dropped his dissolving weapon and readied magic to attack the mad Void Witch, but caught sight of Celas's gesture before he unleashed it. He instead used his mastery over earth to cause the ground to move beneath him, sending him and Leah away from Lacuna. Leah recovered and dismissed her Keyblade like Celas and Noctis had done.

"Is this going to work?" She whispered to Aeleus, who was still holding her.

"Not sure." The Silent Hero replied, putting the young Wielder down.

Elenar looked unpleased with the tactic, but followed suit and dismissed her daggers, though she remained tensed in case things didn't work.

Lacuna moved to pursue Aeleus and Leah, but paused when she heard Celas talk to her. She turned to look at the Dark Warrior, her empty eyes staring at the woman. She then raised her shoulders and hissed, an act Aeleus thought of as a predator reacting to another predator. Lacuna didn't seem to understand what Celas was saying, but took her as a threat. She roared, her claws scratching the ground as she tried to intimidated what she saw as her rival.

Something inside, but foreign to, Celas seemed to urge her to react.

<Stop her before she goes too far.> echoed the voice of the other Lacuna in the Dark Warrior's mind.

[Saber Lily 1,543]

(Twilight Town)

The 3rd Fleet, while losing two frigates and having the destroyer Eridanus fall into the ocean. As the fighters began to catch the patterns and outmaneuver ENCOM, Zion blasted away from the beach and executed Flying Birdcage, catching the running program and knocking him down, using the momentum to flip and block his path, wings outstretched.

"Not so fast chucklehead."

 

(Enchanted Dominion)

Xion finally recovered. She raised her blade, but was unsure of what to do. Everything just happened to fast.

[Elrandir 783]

Celas noticed the Void Witch's change in behavior. She recognized the girl's attempt of strength display as an attempt to intimidate her. The sound of glass shattering was heard inside of the Dark Warrior's mind, something inside was breaking before she heard the voice of the Void Witch, not the one in front of her, but the one from the other dimension.<Stop her before she goes too far.>The Dark Master looked to the ground. A split second later dark bolts of lightning began to appear around Celas' body and the ground began to shake slightly. This was Celas' attempt of intimidation against the Void Witch, this was the predator answering the other predator."It seems that I was wrong." She said flatly. "You don't deserve any form of existence. I will make sure you find your end here."Celas looked up again, her eyes glowing gold and Keyblade coming to life in her hand as she took a battle stance. The ground stopped shaking, and in a swift movement Celas unleashed chains of darkness towards the Void Witch, followed by her Dual Ragnarok attack.The Prince was watching Celas' display of strength. There was something dark, darker than before. Perhaps this was the Dark Master's true power.

[Arya Stark 1,337]

Severa ran into Ienzo as he exited the armory. Before he fell, she grasps his hand and pulled him back to his feet. She looked him in the eyes. "I don't know what your game is here, Ienzo, but for now, I've thrown my lot in with you." Severa said to the Cloaked Schemer. It was true, she had invested in him, so she expected some outcome. "So let's go. Neena went that way, so I would recommend going the other way." She said to him, pointing the direction Neena went, away from the docking deck.

----

Neena was at the security center, hacking away at a computer. She found the security tapes for the cell and watched them for a moment. Nocturne had escaped from the cells through the vents, they already knew that much. The question was, where had he gone from there? She brought up a map of the vents. There were several exits, one in almost every room. That made it rather difficult to search.

[Javelin434 3,164]

{Disney Castle; Ship Armory}Luminara smiled slightly."Tread softly and kill anyone that sees you." He said conversationally. "It got me in here."He looked distastefully at the interior of the air shaft."Not that your way isn't pleasant." He said sarcastically."Good luck, you two." Ienzo called to the Guardian and the Assassin before he exited the armory to find Severa and Neena.Luminara grimaced and waved a hand for Nocturne to keep going."Right behind you." He said, reluctantly.{Twilight Town: Beach}The programs after the captured Ulthor Agent did not back down at Sparrow's call to surrender, even going so far as to throw discs at him in reply. The bounced off a Barrier that appeared in front of the old Guardian."I owe you guys one." Aqua called, using barriers to keep the thrown discs from hitting their targets. "Mop them up."

 

Severa ran into Ienzo as he exited the armory. Before he fell, she grasps his hand and pulled him back to his feet. She looked him in the eyes. "I don't know what your game is here, Ienzo, but for now, I've thrown my lot in with you." Severa said to the Cloaked Schemer. It was true, she had invested in him, so she expected some outcome. "So let's go. Neena went that way, so I would recommend going the other way." She said to him, pointing the direction Neena went, away from the docking deck.----Neena was at the security center, hacking away at a computer. She found the security tapes for the cell and watched them for a moment. Nocturne had escaped from the cells through the vents, they already knew that much. The question was, where had he gone from there? She brought up a map of the vents. There were several exits, one in almost every room. That made it rather difficult to search.

[Decolor Ship]

 

Once again in the confines of the maintenance access, Nocturne quickly weighed his options as he carefully continued making his way into the living sections of the ship. Pausing at every vent and opening no matter how small it was, the captive Guardian was oddly at home with such maneuvers. Just like training. Except I didn't have a hunter after me who can detect my light. I wonder if I can mask it? He was aware of Luminara tailing him, and given the title of the former nobody, it came as no surprised that Nocturne was feeling a little edgy. 

 

He had hoped the decal on the intersection not too long ago wasn't lying about directions as he tried making his way to the dorms of the ship. He had an idea, and tried to hunt for an empty room for him to exit into.

 

Meanwhile, in Twilight Town....

 

Half expecting the retaliation, and yet half unprepared, Sparrow narrowly dodged the flying discs as he raised his arrow-rifle to block the attack. The rifle split at the connector points, turning them back to the subrifle configurations as the weapon was knocked out of his hand. "You asked for it!" Sparrow yelled, but Ghost was the first to immediately strike at the disrespecting programs as she swiftly slashed at the nearest one. Above him came Hawk's precision marksmanship as an arrow-bolt screamed just past his head, nicking the very tip of his hair as he tried to secure the situation. Kiwi maintained a vigilant watch of the area, scanning for any more surprises.

[rikunobodyxiii 700]

{Twilight Town}

The ECOM fighters began adapting to the enemy fighter tactics, but not fast enough. Nearly half of them were already destroyed and the cruisers were taking a pounding. The Program fighters started using suicidal tactics to keep the 3rd Fleet away from the cruisers, as the bigger ships tried to escape.

The Elite Program Zion was after pushed itself off the ground and flipped back. He made a mechanical growl as he pulled out his two discs. An eye visible under his cracked helmet looked dead as it glared at the Winged Master. As he stood his ground, a small contingent of programs with electro staves lurked up behind Zion.

 

{Twilight Town; Beach}

The last ditch attempt to rescue the Decolor Agent as the Guardians made short work of them. Aqua breath a little heavily as she too surveyed the beach, but no signs of more programs were present. They appeared to be in full retreat.

"Well done." She called out to anybody that wanted to listen.

She looked up at the 3rd Fleet above them.

"Can anyone get a message to one of those ships? We'll need some help sweeping out the rest of the ground forces."

 

{Enchanted Dominion}

Leah glanced over to Xion, her young face showing her worry and fear. She had wanted to get away from stuff like this. Aeleus was startled at Celes's answering move to Lacuna's scare tactics. He understood the concept, but could only hope that Celas was strong enough to survive if the Void Witch wasn't cowed. Elenar scrambled away from Celas as the dark lightning crackled off the Dark Warrior.

Lacuna backed off a little at Celas's early displays of power, but rallied with a roar of her own as the ground shook. When Celas brought out her blade, it was the final straw for the feral Lacuna. She coiled up and lunged at the Dark Warrior. At least, she tried to. Celas's dark chains grabbed her and pulled her down. She scarrabled to get free, but the Dual Ragnorak was already in motion.

In those few moments, Celas felt something inside her shift. Hiding invisibly inside the Dark Warrior was a portion of Void energy, left there by another. Sensing its purpose at hand, it lept out of Celas, who only felt something shifting inside her, and into her Ragnorak attack. When the attack hit Lacuna, she screamed out in pain. She flew back from the force of the attack and landed in the remains of her tank. Her cries turned from that of an animal in pain to a child crying. The sound faded and Lacuna tried to get up. She gave a sigh and collapsed.

After several long seconds, Aeleus cautiously walked over to Lacuna and knelt beside her. To the best of his knowledge, the Void Witch appeared to be sleeping.

"I don't suppose you can tell me how you did that?" He asked Celas, looking up at her.

Elenar looked at her friend, hoping the Dark Warrior could power down without smashing something more.

"Okay." The Savage Nymph thought. "The Witch would be alright, in my book."

 

{Disney Castle: Decolor Ship; Armory}

Ienzo gave Severa a reassuring smile.

"I shall not let your 'lot' down." He said smoothly. "But do please remember that I offered you a way out before."

Agreeing with Severa's suggestion, Ienzo headed down the corridor, opposite the way Neena was.

"We might try to help our young friends a little, but not at the cost of our cover. Our best course of action now is to make sure our 'friend', Doctor Cid, won't be whipping up something to hunt down the escapees."

He summoned his book and looked at a page.

"Oh, and we'll need to talk to Even at some point." He added, dismissing his book. "He will be in the cells and rather cross."

 

{Disney Castle: Decolor Ship; Hanger}

The hanger bustled with crew and guards as they looked for the escaped prisoner and got ready if he came this way. In the center of it all was Locke, who stood still in the hubbub. He calmly watched the others, occasionally checking his watch. After several minutes, he pulled out his phone and called Neena.

 

{Disney Castle: Decolor Ship; Air ducts}

The Gracefull Assassin followed after Nocturne, but slower. He was not at home in this kind of environment. At least he wasn't Aeleus's size, he thought.

It was hard to hear exactly what was coming in from what vent, but looking through the vents would solve this problem. From what the sights and sounds indicated, Nocturne and Luminara were heading into a dormitory section of the ship. The first couple of rooms appeared occupied, but there was bound to be a few ahead devoid of populace.

[Elrandir 783]

As the power surge was slowly going down Celas was regaining control over herself. Her eyes going back to their usual golden tone and the lightning slowly fading away."I..I don't..." Celas muttered. " I can't explain it. I just felt...like something inside me moved, but I don't understand it."The Prince noticed how the Dark Warrior's legs were shaking and quickly moved next to the girl."Take it easy. We don't want you to tire yourself." He said. "That power surge must have left you weak, right? Rest for a little while."Celas nodded, she felt tired indeed, but what was worse was that the pain in her chest was still there, she could feel her own heartbeat and how it hurt her tired body."Y-Yeah...thanks...I-I think I'll rest for a couple of minutes." She said tiredly. "Sorry I can't answer your question, Aeleus, but I don't have any idea how that happened."Noctis looked between the Silent Hero and the Dark Warrior before moving his eyes towards their other enemy."What are we supposed to do with him?" He said while pointing at King Candy. "I doubt keeping him inside the ice sphere is a good idea."The young Keyblade Warrior looked around, trying to sense something."I suppose that Maleficent wasn't here. At least not anymore."

[rikunobodyxiii 700]

{Enchanted Dominion}

"We will take him with us to somewhere safe." Aeleus answered, getting up and stepping over to the Cybug.

He found King Candy chipping at his ice prison with a shard of glass from Lacuna's tank, making sure not to touch it himself and be frozen. Candy looked up to see the Silent Hero glaring at him. He smiled apologetically and tossed the shard away as best he could.

"I'm sure he would be happy to tell us all he knows." Aeleus said darkly.

Candy gulped.

"Let's start with where Maleficent is?" The big man said calmly, but with a hint of menace in his voice.

"Away." Candy stammered. "She wants someplace better than this, she said, for her base."

Aelus waved a hand for King Candy to be silent, which the Cybug took to heart. The Silent hero looked back at Lacuna.

"The big question is what do we do with her?" He asked.

Elenar, who had managed to stay up right and help Celas, scoffed.

"We met someone like her before, and it all turned into a headache afterwards." She gripped. "Let's just end her now and not worry about a back stab later."

"No!" Leah cried out, looking shocked. "We can't just kill her. We have to help her."

She gestured over to Celas.

"What ever she did, this...Lacuna looked different afterwards."

Aeleus looked back and forth from Elenar and Leah. He then switched up his gaze to Celas, Noctis, and Xion.

"This girl" he said, gesturing to the unconscious Lacuna, "is a risk, but one we could learn from. I did not directly deal with the...other Lacuna, but some of you have. It is up to you. Should we take her with us, or end the threat she represents?"

[Elrandir 783]

Celas stared at the unconscious Lacuna while the Prince looked between the Void Witch  and the Dark Warrior."Care to share your thoughts?" He said flatly."I'm not sure." Celas said. "On one side...I understand that she is a serious threat and needs to be dealt with, but...Aeleus is right. We could learn from her."Noctis nodded."I'll have to agree. Perhaps she can be of use in the future."The Dark Warrior kept her eyes on the Void Witch, trying to figure out what happened. The voice of the other Lacuna was right, but at the same time this Lacuna could prove useful for them, she could stop being a threat with some luck.

[Javelin434 3,164]

{Twilight Town; Beach}The last ditch attempt to rescue the Decolor Agent as the Guardians made short work of them. Aqua breath a little heavily as she too surveyed the beach, but no signs of more programs were present. They appeared to be in full retreat."Well done." She called out to anybody that wanted to listen.She looked up at the 3rd Fleet above them."Can anyone get a message to one of those ships? We'll need some help sweeping out the rest of the ground forces."{Disney Castle: Decolor Ship; Hanger}The hanger bustled with crew and guards as they looked for the escaped prisoner and got ready if he came this way. In the center of it all was Locke, who stood still in the hubbub. He calmly watched the others, occasionally checking his watch. After several minutes, he pulled out his phone and called Neena.{Disney Castle: Decolor Ship; Air ducts}The Gracefull Assassin followed after Nocturne, but slower. He was not at home in this kind of environment. At least he wasn't Aeleus's size, he thought.It was hard to hear exactly what was coming in from what vent, but looking through the vents would solve this problem. From what the sights and sounds indicated, Nocturne and Luminara were heading into a dormitory section of the ship. The first couple of rooms appeared occupied, but there was bound to be a few ahead devoid of populace.

[Decolor Ship: Ventilation System]

 

Perfect. Upon hearing commotion from the other side of the wall, Nocturne quieted his already silent footsteps; The risky part of the haphazard plan was now underway. He turned his head around and quietly whispered to Luminara about his plan. "I need to get to the hanger to escape this place, but that's obvious. So, we grab their uniforms, blend our way into the hanger, and then make the escape there. It'll be close." He paused for a bit, then a realization occurred. "If I manage to escape, what are you gonna do?" While waiting for Luminara's response, the captive Guardian was furiously thinking of back-up plans should this main one go down the gutter just as quickly as he thought it out. Find a mid-rank uniform, ID, get to the hanger and escape. Interrogator... Neena was it? She would be expecting an escape. Cover was compromised as soon as I exited the holding cell. The hanger is the logical place to escape to the outside. Assume heavy guards and patrols, airworthy ships to be on lockdown, possible that the interrogator would be there waiting for me. Avoid eye contact and talking. Wait... Then a mid-rank uniform would be bad. Maybe a grunt technician would be fine. Grab a clipboard or some other prop and look busy to avoid interacting with others. Avoid other technicians or cover will be blown. This... This just might work.

 

[Twilight Town, beachfront]

 

"Area secured!" Sparrow instinctively barked when Aqua signified the end of the rather drawn out battle. "Sitrep, boys!"

Kiwi was the first to respond as he started climbing down the rooftops to regroup with the Master. "I'm up and kicking!"

"We're clear!" Raven yelled atop Zion's balcony, still supporting Hawk with his left arm. Luna merely groaned as she sat on the cement, breathing a sigh of relief that it was over for now. Ghost scoffed at the apparent sub-par Fifth Guardian but still nodded at Sparrow. "I'm doing fine."

 

"Can anyone get a message to one of those ships? We'll need some help sweeping out the rest of the ground forces." They all heard Aqua ask. The old guards of Nightwing Squad looked at one another. Raven asked aloud what everyone was thinking. "Where's Zion?"

[Arya Stark 1,337]

Severa looked quizzically at Ienzo. Wasn't Even a friend? Of sorts at least? If so, then why be so passive. The Cloaked Schemer confused her so. "Which do you think we should do first? Find Cid, or talk to Even?" Severa asked Ienzo, hoping that he had an idea. In either case, she did not really want to interact with either. Even was never happy, and she doubted he'd be even less so in this scenario. And the Doctor... Well, she wanted to keep interactions with that creeper to an absolute minimum.

~~~~

Neena was not particularly happy. She had no leads on where the prisoner could be on the ship. Her phone rang. The Scorned Ranger didn't even glance at the caller ID, so she answered angry. "What?!" She practically screamed into the phone. Regaining some reason, she pulled the phone away from her ear to see who was calling. Locke. Oops. "Oh, it's you. Sorry." She apologized for her out burst in a much more calm tone.

[Saber Lily 1,543]

Xion shook her head.

"Every time Lacuna has arrived, every time Lacuna appears, hell breaks loose. She is bad news, no matter the timeline."

She paused. "Lightning told me that, last time we were met. She's bad news. She needs to be put down, or we'll all regret it, living or otherwise."

[rikunobodyxiii 700]

{Enchanted Dominion}

Aeleus looked from face to face of the party, starting with Noctis, then Celas, Elenar, Xion and finally Leah.

"Well well." He said. "Two of the three people who have faced someone named Lacuna before call for her death. Yet if I include those who haven't met the other one, she would be given a chance. An interesting conundrum."

Leah looked at Xion with a shocked expression.

"B-but she's just a girl." She pleaded. "Just like..."

Her voice trailed off. Elenar scoffed.

"Trust me, kid." She said. "We are better off without crazy ladies with weird powers around."

The Silent Hero looked down at the Void Witch as he considered. His eyes narrowed for a second.

"Perhaps you would like to say something in your own defense, young lady."

"But things were heating up." Came a voice from Lacuna.

The voice sounded wrong for a young teenager. It sounded like a young woman and for those who had met her before, exactly like the Lacuna they had met before. Lacuna opened her eyes and pushed herself up. Normal blue eyes like the other Lacuna's had been scanned the crowd.

"So, your friend Lightning knows about me." The Void Witch said with a grin, looking at Xion. "Good to know."

She waved at Celas.

"Hey! Good to see you're still up and about."

Lacuna then seemed to notice what she looked like.

"Whoa! How young did they make this girl?" She asked as she looked at her hands and patted her body down. "And I thought them taking her mind was bad before, but now..."

She looked up and smiled at everyone.

"Okay, you have a few minutes to talk to me, then I'm gone and you'll have a...new person to take care of."

 

{Disney Castle: Decolor Ship; ventilation system}

"Once we are out of here, I may take my leave of this whole situation." The Graceful Assassin answered. "It is becoming hard to tell who's side everyone is on."

Luminara shifted a little, trying to be more comfortable in the vents.

"I managed to get in through the hanger, but I was alone and the ship wasn't on high alert. If you want to try for uniforms, we'll need to find a room of one of the ones in suits. The rest appear to be programs."

 

{Twilight Town: Beach}

"I think she went after a program as if ran into the town." Aqua answered as she walked over to Luna.

She knelt down beside the Guardian.

"You okay?" The blue haired master asked, concern in her voice.

 

{Disney Castle: Decolor Ship; Heading for the detention area}

"Even will take time because he will want answers to everything." Ienzo explained, sounding weary of the prospect. "The good doctor Cid will be easier."

He glanced back at Severa, noting her expression.

"I can understand your apprehension at seeing him. He was considered a bit off his rocker by the Organization, and you know what we did."

He stopped, then turned to face Severa.

"If you would like, I could send you on some fact finding missions." He offered. "There are some questions I would like answers to without asking others."

 

{Disney Castle: Decolor ship; Hanger}

Locke put his phone back to his ear, still cringing a bit.

"I'll take that as things aren't going well." He said calmly. "The hanger is secure and no sign of the prisoner. I've spoken to Jihl to start a few sweeps on the ground in case he already got off."

[Elrandir 783]

"First of all." Celas quickly said before someone else could speak. "What did you do to me? I got the feeling that you were somehow involved in whatever happened before."The Prince looked between Lacuna and Celas."She had a power surge and whatever was the cause of that was also the cause that the body you currently using stopped her attack. At least...that's what I think."The Dark Warrior nodded slowly while keeping her eyes on the Void Witch and her hand over her chest in an attempt to lessen the pain."Another thing. Since our last reunion I stopped any attempts to understand how you think, but I need to know the reason why you are here right now and I want to know why you wanted me to neutralize this version of you."

[Javelin434 3,164]

{Disney Castle: Decolor Ship; ventilation system}"Once we are out of here, I may take my leave of this whole situation." The Graceful Assassin answered. "It is becoming hard to tell who's side everyone is on."Luminara shifted a little, trying to be more comfortable in the vents."I managed to get in through the hanger, but I was alone and the ship wasn't on high alert. If you want to try for uniforms, we'll need to find a room of one of the ones in suits. The rest appear to be programs."{Twilight Town: Beach}"I think she went after a program as if ran into the town." Aqua answered as she walked over to Luna.She knelt down beside the Guardian."You okay?" The blue haired master asked, concern in her voice.

[Decolor Ship, Vent system]

Nocturne quietly nodded at Luminara's advice of acquiring the proper uniforms for blending in, then maneuvered past the first set of vents that fed into the apparent living quarters of some programs. Hoping that both he and the graceful assassin wouldn't botch up the usually not-so-simple task of quietly moving through cramped spaces, they both moved along towards another section of the living area, listening in to the voices that would filter and echo through the system for vital clues and helpful tips on the current situation.

 

[Twilight Town]

Luna whimpered softly as Aqua decided to check up on her. She was visibly ashamed of herself as she looked down to avoid eye contact with the master. "I'm so sorry, Master Aqua." she whispered, "I tried my best to keep up." Sparrow and now Kiwi stood near the fifth guardian, but only the latter had a sympathetic expression on his face as he reached into one of his tactical pouches. "I think someone needs a cookie!" the bubbly scout exclaimed as he whipped out one of his favorite caramel-encrusted sugar cookie 'with crunchy caramel bits baked into every bite!' "A little pick-me-up is what you need, right?" Luna however, didn't reciprocate his unusual giddiness nor accepted the treat. The scout slowly retracted his offering as his smile died away. "Or not..." While Kiwi started munching, Ghost shook her head in disappointment. She would never understand the old guard's erratic behavior nor would she understand the reasoning behind Luna's apparent sub-par performance, but the fact she couldn't keep up with the others was alarming to the Enforcer. "How are we supposed to fight against insurmountable odds if you barely held out on your duties?" she asked Luna, "Fighting against impossible odds is in your title. What you did keeping the area clear around Master Aqua should be natural and easy for you. It's what you train for cr-"

 

"That's enough." Sparrow interjected. "With all due respect, enforcer, some of us can't adapt our defensive combat skills into an offensive role." Ghost gave a furious glare to the leader of the old guard as he continued. "Cut her some slack. I'm sure she'll quickly adapt." It was at this time that Raven and Hawk finally approached the group after navigating down Zion's little beach house. Hawk's health had improved considerably thanks to Raven, and as they approached their attention quickly focused on Aqua. "Master. Are you ok?" Hawk asked, leaving the worrying about Luna part to Raven.

 

As expected, the medic quickly kneeled beside the raven-haired girl and tried to comfort and heal her. "Hey, I know where you come from. Being the medic isn't exactly easy when everyone expects you to be a fighter." Luna looked up to him as he gave a playful wink. "Trust me. Are you ok?" Luna silently nodded as she slowly rose back to her feet with Raven assisting her. Everyone now back on their feet, Sparrow took Aqua's remark into consideration. "Why is it always a nutjob who commands a fleet? Alright then, no point trying to fight it. Nightwing, sweep the town and see if we can find this girl." After a giggle and a snort from Kiwi, followed by blushing from the leader as he realized how wrong the phrase could be taken, the team shook it off and started their efforts as they marched into town. Ghost stayed near Aqua, and Luna decided to do the same as she cast a healing spell for herself and the others...

[rikunobodyxiii 700]

{Enchanted Dominion}

"Well, when I sent some excess healing energy to you before I left, I had a copy of my consciousness go with it." Lacuna explained.

She screwed up her face.

"Well, I'm the copy. The physical Lacuna you met is off doing...stuff."

The teenage Void Witch shrugged.

"Anyway, long story short, I piggybacked on you because I figured you had a good chance of meeting up with your reality's Lacuna. Others could have worked, but you seemed like the funner option."

She rubbed the back of her head, looking a little apologetic.

"Sorry if I messed up your mojo. I wasn't even aware of things till you entered this room."

She stopped and just smiled at everyone.

"Continue." Aeleus prompted.

Lacuna tried to look innocent, which she didn't have much practice in.

"What do you mean, sir?" She asked.

"Celas had another question."

The Void Witch rolled her eyes.

"Come on, can't I keep a few secrets? Fine, whatever. I did all this to make sure you didn't have a rampaging version of me in your reality. This copy of my consciousness was meant to get inside your Lacuna and give her...rules. Now, I can't even do that."

She gave Celas a weak smile.

"I told you to stop this girl because she was mindless. Who ever made her or put her here took out what little humanizing elements people like us have, leaving her with just instinct and rage. If she had been allowed to continue, she could have started tearing holes in your universe. I used your attacks as a way into her empty head. Now, to keep her from going ape on y'all, I'm creating a mind and putting some shackles on her powers. She'll eventually return to full power, but by then, you'll hopefully have convinced her that people are nice enough to keep around."

Lacuna sighed and put her head in her hands.

"Unless, of course, y'all do go with the whole 'kill her' option. You'll have to make that decision in another couple of minutes."

 

{Disney Castle: Decolor Ship; Vent system}

As Luminara and Nocturne crept through the vents, the pounding of feet could be heard going to and fro as guards searched for the fugitive Guardian. The sound of two people conversing could be heard ahead. As the duo got closer, it seemed to be a regular person in the suit uniform of the Ulthor hastily getting dressed as a Program explained the situation.

"And what am I to do again?" The Agent asked, sounding a little bleary.

"Reinforce the cells on world, to make sure the escapee doesn't try to release more of the prisoners." The program informed him.

"Right." The agent said as he tucked in his shirt.

He grabbed some sort of SMG from his personal locker and stormed out of his room with the program.

"Hmm, looks like we found something we need." The Graceful Assassin noted quietly. "He wireless has one spare in that locker."

 

{Twilight Town; Beach}

Aqua listened in silence to the Guardians talking, realizing she didn't understand the Guardians's structure and duties as well as she thought. She would have to rectify that later.

"Don't worry, Luna." Aqua tried to comfort. "I know how a missing friend can weigh on a mind."

She gave Ghost a look that told the Enforcer that she might be able to preform her duties with more consideration for other's feelings on future. She then turned her attention to Hawk and smiled.

"I'm doing as well as I was before." She answered him. "Thank you, Hawk."

She looked back at their captive Decolor Agent.

"I don't suppose any of you know what to do with him?"

[Elrandir 783]

Celas looked thoughtful while the young Void Witch was talking."So, I was a mean to an end." She said flatly. "I can live with that."The Dark Warrior looked at the Witch slowly, like she was analyzing her. The Prince looked around the group until his eyes landed on Celas."So? What's your decision?" He asked.Celas sighed and shrugged, but she kept a stern look on her face."I stand by what I said before. She should be allowed to live. Perhaps...she could turn into an ally."Noctis nodded in agreement and then looked at the Void Witch."I have a question." He said. "You said "people like us" What do you mean by that? How are you, or any other Lacuna I suppose, different from any of us."

[Arya Stark 1,337]

Severa shook her head. "No it's fine. It's better if I go with you. They still expect me to be with you, and if I'm away, they might become a little suspicious." Severa noted reasonably. "Let's talk to Cid first. Even won't be going anywhere." Severa said. She nodded to the Schemer, confirming that she was with him.

~~~

"Not in particular, no." Neena said over the phone. Her end of the investigation was leading her nowhere. "I tracked his light to the armory, but Severa stopped me there. She said that Ienzo had figured out that the light I had tracked was a decoy, and that he was trying to retrace the steps." Neena reported. "Since then, no luck."

[Saber Lily 1,543]

The suicide tactics were futile; the Third Fleet merely used fortress tactics to hold the line. With a wave of high powered fire slaughtering the fighters, the tactical assault bombers used the city as camo, jetting up and unleashing a full and holy hell as their missiles swarmed around and began to scream at the ENCOM ships, blossoming with fire.

 

Zion charged at Rinzler, blades flashing.

"LEAVE MY HOME!"

[rikunobodyxiii 700]

{Enchanted Dominion}

Lacuna looked up and grinned.

"I was wondering if someone would pick that up." She said. "Me and this Lacuna is what's called by some brainy people a 'Nullbody.'"

"Impossible." Aeleus stated.

The Void Witch smiled up at the Silent Hero.

"Oh, come on. You're only saying that because Even told you so. For those of you who don't know the term, a Nullbody is like a Nobody, but where as a Nobody basically is a person with a little empty, nothingness inside them, a Nullbody is a whole lot of nothing wrapped up in a body. Now, because of Nobodies, Nothingness isn't as empty as it use to be. Bits and pieces, like a memory here, a thought there, and a feeling doing cartwheels, get lost to Nothingness. Sometimes, a powerful fragment can draw some of the other fragments together. Or, a bunch of fragments get caught and put into a shell of a body, like a Nullbody. Eitherway, a patch work personality and mind emerges, which from some stumbling around between realities before ending up here to figure out, always seems to end up with a 'Lacuna'. Well, one wasn't exactly a 'Lacuna', but he isn't an issue here. Long story short, we are patchwork people who have a debatable connection to humanity. This girl had her patchwork taken by something or someone."

"But Even and Xehanort said that it would take astronomical amounts of power to create a Nullbody." Aeleus objected.

"And luck." Lacuna replied. "You can even back off on the power a bit, but that ups the luck you need."

She looked around the lab.

"That may be what happened here."

"Um." Leah said, finally speaking. "Why do you keep talking like you're not going to be here?"

"Well, honey, the simple answer is that I'm giving the girl you see a chance to make her own way." The Void Witch answered. "Only thing anyone could ask for. And if y'all want that to be a good direction, you have to guide her. I'm going to fade away pretty soon here, and then it'll be up to you what to do."

She smiled at the assembly.

"Any last questions? Better take me up on it, because this is probably the last time you'll get direct answers from someone named Lacuna."

 

{Disney Castle: Decolor Ship; Heading for the detention area}

"Let's just hope he doesn't become even more cross." Ienzo commented, though he didn't sound all that concerned with that.

He led Severa through several corridors, apparently knowing the ship better then he had let on to the others, finally coming to a door marked with 'Do Not Enter'.

"This looks like the place." The Schemer commented pleasantly and opened the door,

Dr. Cid was inside, working on some sort of device and looking worried.

"Greetings, Doctor." Ienzo greeted. "We were hoping you could help us track down our missing prisoner.

Dr. Cid turned and gave the Cloaked Schemer and the Mercenary an annoyed look.

"Well, I could have, if Neena and Locke hadn't intrupted me." He answered, though some tells suggested that wasn't the whole truth.

 

{Disney Castle: Decolor Ship; Hanger}

"Impressive technique." Locke commented. "We might have to ask him how he does that when we recapture him."

Locke had never really understood nuances of using Light and Darkness. Before meeting Neena, he thought that using those elements was just as dangerous as a Keyblade. His opinion had changed, though he was still wary of the two opposing elements.

"I don't suppose you could track his darkness? That's what he'd have to use to conceal his light, right?"

 

{Twilight Town}

"Fine." Rinzler rasped as he flipped over Zion's charge.

The Programs behind Zion moved after her, trying to strike her with their electro staves. Rinzler landed and ran further into the town as the program squad tried to buy him time.