//------------------------------// // Nobody's dating Coco // Story: Life of a Nobody // by Xinrick //------------------------------// “I know I asked for a schedule for a 'one on one’ dates but...sheesh Twilight.” I frown, seeing the massive lists she made. “Don't you think you went a little over board?” “Not at all, we all need some one on one time with you Ben, last time it was just you and me was that trip to Canterlot.” Twilight replied. “And last time I had a chance to have a one on one dates with everyone you were all extremely high and horny off of some damned chocolate Pinkie found.” I frown. “Seriously...I can still smell it in our room and you washed the room and burned some things.” “Heheh...last time I take chocolate from Pinkie...anyway. So I figured we go in reverse order. Last one brought in goes first and go backwards from there. Coco is waiting in the living room, she's got her time planned out for you two, have fun.” “Alright.” I nod. “Thanks Twilight.” I smile and kiss her gently and then leaving to find Coco and start our date. As Twilight said I found Coco in the living room, wearing a red top and short shorts. “Hi Ben.” She waved with a blush. She still hasn't fully been with me but those chocolate ls changed that with the others and her. “Don't you think your outfit is...a little revealing?” I ask her, putting my hands in my coat pockets. “It's ninety seven degrees today. Best cool rather than sweaty like you will in your cloak.” She replied. “Says the mare that was sweaty in more ways than one.” I mention offhandedly. “Oh please.” She said, rolling her eyes and handing me a folded shirt and cargo shorts. “Change please, I don't want you getting heat stroke.” “Nah I'm fine.” I say with a shrug. “I was wearing this in an area literally on top of molten lava, and I didn't break a sweat.” I say simply. “Also, I'm not wearing shorts...can't stand wearing those damned things.” I grumble. “O..oh...okay…” Coco said with a whimper that made me feel sad. “Why do you want me to change anyways?” I ask curiously, not wanting to upset her. “I made them. I made all my clothes and I wanted to make you some...if you don't want them then, that's fine…” “I don't like the guilt tripping.” I frown while taking the clothes. “Fine...but I'm still wearing my cloak.” I state. “That's okay.” She said, perking up a bit. “Thanks honey.” I say while patting her head gently. Her face went cherry red. “Y-your welcome!” “Adorable.” I chuckle before heading off to change my clothes. Three minutes later after changing in a private room I walked towards Coco with my cloak unzipped so she could see wearing the clothes she made...but I still didn't like the shorts since, even though they were perfect, still felt weird to me. “Happy?” “Thank you.” She said with a smile. “So, let's get going.” She said as we left though the front door. Walking to town. “So, what do you have planned for today?” I ask her. “Just a walk through town, maybe some snacks, and I did wanna visit a friend I made a few days ago.” “Alright.” I nod. “Who's the friend?” I ask. “Nyla. Her daughter is married to your friend Dorlu.” “Oh yeah, she's my aunt actually, given that she's Mama Dens sister.” I point out. “How did you two meet?” “Was shopping and I saw her in the market place. Thought she was you at first. We talked and she told me about her life and I talked about mine.” “I hope you were talking about good things…” I say nervously. “Nothing bad, just talked about each other.” “Okay.” I nod. “I understand. “Wonder where she is this time of day? I've been too busy to keep up with friends sadly.” “She works at the jewelry shop downtown. Her nose can smell real precious metals from fakes.” “The nose knows I suppose.” I shrug. Coco giggled. “Yeah. So, mind if I ask a personal question?” “Go right ahead. It's not like the others filled you in on my near crippling depression.” I shrug. “They did, and it’s kinda related. Um...since you know know your parent’s were murdered and not killed because of events...will you really stoop to her level for revenge?” “Revenge?” I ask, laughing at that. “Fuck no. Revenge is for the weak. And I'm going to kill that assassin on the basis that she's nothing but a monster now. She is nothing more than a test subject for Core, so I'm just killing a monster, like what hero's do all the time.” “Ever wonder why she became a monster? Luna told me about...when you killed that half heartless half human. He had his sanity still, he was just afraid. It’s...like the Nobodies you summon, lost and confused since they’re not...them anymore. Only following the strongest cause they can’t think for themselves. I believe anyone can be saved, be good if they tried, with help of course.” “My god…” I sigh out. “People can be saved yes, but for people like that can't be saved no matter how hard you try. They are nothing but monsters, and they enjoy seeing people try to see some sort of light in them...while ripping open their chest and eating their still beating hearts.” I shrug, getting really freaking morbid all of a sudden. “I dunno, people can change, I’ve seen it.” She said, leaning against me a bit as we walked. “People can change. Monsters can't.” I say. “I've seen monsters.” I say. “And I don't want any of you to meet any of them, cause they will kill you without a second thought.” I explain. “That’s what ponies said about my dad.” Coco said, going silent a bit before continuing. “Before I was born, my dad was a well known serial killer, his name was Bonesaw, but the media know him as Jaw Bone, since his calling card was his victims jawbone mailed to the cops. That changed when he met my mom. His whole life he thought of killing. He saw her...and wanted her safe more than anything, even above his bloodlust. One day he saw her being mugged in the street, beat up the muggers and finally the two dated. She found out who he was but didn’t care, he gave it all up for her. Three years later I was born...ten years later cops found him and he was executed… He was a monster his whole life. One person is all it takes sometimes to change them for the better.” “Ponies definition of 'monster’ is a fuck of a lot different than my definition of monster.” I frown. “He had a heart, he just needed to find the one person to show him that. But the monsters I fight, and see on a daily basis, makes him look like toddler throwing a hissy fit.” I frown. “In power, bloodlust, cruelty, and all around just not giving a single shit about anything and everything.” I explain, wrapping an arm around Coco. “Your thoughts are fine...but not everything deserves it.” “Maybe, still, the longer it festers the worst it can become, especially alone. Joy told me what happened to him when you were alone after everything that happened. Maybe not everyone can be saved, but how sure can we be if they truly monsters unless we try?” “Met the woman twice. I should know after she tried murdering me those two times.” I say with a shrug. “But whatever, let's just have a nice day okay” I ask, wanting to have a nice day instead of talk about sad crap. “Alright then. In that case, Joy told me a dream of yours was to visit some place called Italy? Where is that?” “Can Joy stop telling people things?” I grumbled. “Anyways, Italy, it is nonexistent because Italy is back on Earth. Unless there's a place in Equestria that's Italian then you’re out of luck.” “Well, maybe not on Equestria but maybe on another world? Plus, who knows, Joy says things from your old world are popping up here for some reason. Maybe a country will too?” “Well…” I start. “Honestly I doubt know if an entire country could just magic itself here out of nowhere…” I say simply. “Who knows...too many things and frankly I'd rather spend time with my mare instead of searching all around the world for a place that probably isn't here.” “Is this close enough?” Coco asked. I didn’t pay attention to where we were walking but when I looked in front of me my jaw dropped. It was a three story tall version of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It was a restaurant! “Like? Joy used your multiverse internet to find a picture and Luna payed for it to be built. All food follows Italian cooking standards. Aka, all fresh ingredients.” “Oh…” I mutter. “Probably pissed someone off to make this thing lean like that. But sweet! Let's go.” I smile warmly, my tail wagging at the thought of eating delicious pizza for once as I started leading Coco into the restaurant. When we opened the door we were greeted by...Kevin? “Hey Ben.” He said. “Like it? Figured I get a job rather than just free loading at Fluttershy’s place.” “Glad to see you got a job. And how is Fluttershy?” I ask him, wondering if she's alright. “And yes, the place is amazing.” “She’s good, think she and Discord are trying to be a thing and watching those two try to flirt is hilarious. Other than that yeah, I designed the interior of this place actually. Been to italy more than a handful of times...mainly to steal artwork. But took in the scenery, and high priced sports cars.” “Cool.” I nod. “Always wanted to go to Italy...sadly never got the chance.” I shrug. “But hey, next best thing is a replica restaurant with good ol fashioned cooking.” I smile. “Still sure someone was pissed about this place leaning.” “Actually that was the easy part. Magic is awesome. Anyway, you two have a table on the roof, and don’t worry, glass covered. Follow me.” Kevin said. We followed him to a small glass elevator and we went up. The rooftop seats had a view that stretched all around Ponyville, and a pretty good view of Canterlot too. Our seat was next to the glass, and Kevin gave us each a menu before leaving for us to talk and decide. “Wonderful ain't it?” I ask Coco. “The view is beautiful, and I’m glad you like this, each of us pooled together, with Joy’s help, and made something for you, this is mine, Luna payed for it since I don’t have access to those funds yet. Not till I officially say yes anyway. I do have to ask though, when researching and from what Joy told us do you like history?” “I dabble.” I shrug. “Still surprised a structural marvel such as this was done completely by accident. Or rather, by a serious fuck up.” I shrug. “Most amazing things are. Dumb luck and all. And if anypony knows about dumb luck it’s me.” Coco said with a blush. “No, if anyone would know about dumb luck it's me.” I say simply. “If I were told before that this would be my life I would called the person a nut job for giving me hope of being awesome and being in a harem to begin with…” I chuckle. “If somepony told me I’d do anything with my life I’d have called them liars. Being a serial killer's daughter makes you...not very desirable. Was jobless and homeless for a long time before my boss picked me up, she was...not nice but just wanted somepony to work as a grunt. It was that or the streets. Least I learned how to sew, it’s how I got my cutie mark. She...died, even though she was real mean I do miss her a lot. She gave me a place to stay, money, a chance. Can’t hate her no matter how mean she was.” “And I swept you off your feet practically.” I chuckled. “I'm such a ladies man...and by that I mean I've been so lucky to just have women throwing themselves at me...Derpy the most literal example.” I chuckle. “Yeah...saw her stuff from her room. Well you’ve done a lot for this world, even with what went down in Manehattan, a lot of people are alive because of you. Only reason I haven’t is because...dating is new to me...this is actually my first real date.” “I'll make sure to give you a nice enough date.” I smile. “And if this goes pear shaped we can just do the griffon way of dating. Helped me get Gilda as a fiance real quick.” I chuckle. “Gilda told me about that, I’m not that easy mister.” Coco said playfully, poking my nose. “Treats are earned, not given freely~” “Tell that to literally all my fiance's.” I laugh. “Well it’s just with me. Mainly because my cherry is whole.” She teases, her tail swishing. “Pretty sure that’s a good sounding treat for a date gone well?” “Well a cherry on top is always a good addition.” I chuckle. “So, what ya ordering.” Coco says as she opens her menu. “With some of the Manehattan survivors being omnivores and moving here to Ponyville there’s a fair amount of meat items.” “Well I'll have some pasta.” I say simply, knowing I'll had meatballs as well. “I wonder if we'll get bread sticks as well. Those are always good.” “I think we will? I’m gonna have the Fruit salad and spinach lasagna.” “Sounds nice.” I nod. “But how do you like life now?” “It’s nice, better than I ever imagined. Ponyville is a nice town, people are friendly, Apple Bloom told me the town was almost named Second Chance. Lot of the old ponies that moved here were hard on luck, or petty criminals that needed a, well, second chance. This town had it all for them.” “Glad to hear that.” I nod. “And I'm happy to hear you're happy with your new life.” “I am, guess grandpa was right, life’s a gamble. Grandpa from my mom’s side.” She added. “Life is always a gamble. But hey, glad it's been going on.” I say with a smile. “So, let’s play a game.” Coco said, clapping her hands. “The last game I played lead to me and Pinkie dragging Luna out of a game room.” I chuckle. “Hehe, no. This is a game about each other. I tell you something embarrassing about myself, then you tell me something embarrassing about you. Winner is whoever doesn’t cave and stop talking or runs out of things to say.” “Okay then, you start.” I nod to her. “Alright...I...like to play in the mud.” Coco Said, blushing. “Don’t make me explain it.” “Context.” I frown. “Please, for my own sake give me some context on how you 'like’ to play in mud.” “You...Fine. Growing up in the city I rarely saw dirt or grass save for some small parks. So...when it was raining or after a rain I’d look for mud and just kinda...play around.” “Well...at least it's not dirty.” I sigh out, accidentally making a pun in the process. “Your turn now.” “Joy recalling all the times I've had sex in vivid detail.” I shrug. “Christ that was embarrassing...albeit he was cheating because he's literally a part of me.” “That’s pretty bad...okay...I collected Jars. Back in Manehattan, they’re all shattered now, but I saw a jar broke, dirty, new, I grab it.” “That's a hobby, not an embarrassing thing. Not to mention if you found a jar that happened to have some historical value you can get a bunch of money. If people can do it with cans than the same can be said for jars.” I explain. “For me...asking my parents about the birds and the bees.” I chuckle. “You could ask them how that entire situation went.” “Walking in on the boss and a ‘private’ client meeting...she let me watch in exchange for not blackmailing.” “Having watched my parents have sex“ I say. “About...eight years old. Accident and I had a nightmare…” I say sheepishly. “Okay...I can’t believe I’m admitting this, but there is currently, online, a video of me...masterbating in the mirror. I really needed the money.” “The entire porn collection I saw in Derpy’s room made to resemble me, looks, and 'size’ somehow accurate enough.” I frown. “Sweet god, I felt so embarrassed and violated at the time…” I muttered worriedly. “Boss sold my image to a video game company, in the new game ‘Riptide’ an island mafia game thing, the main villain's wife is an overly sexualized version of me...body and voice.” “Your too cute for a role like that.” I frown. She smirked, handing me a photo of the character...my nose bleed. “Damn…” “Yeah.” She chuckled. “On the bright side I got a letter in the survivors camp saying since my boss was dead I get her things, including my part of sales when the game is released.” “Okay then.” I nod. “But my next embarrassing thing about me…” I think for a moment. “Before I was told this place was real...I always wished I could date with Twilight or Luna.” I say honestly. “Yes, when this world was nothing but make believe I wanted to date this two.” I say sheepishly. “It's...a lot more embarrassing if you think about it.” “Everyone has crushes...matter of fact I had a crush on Rarity when I first met her. Bi. And can you blame me?” “When I got a good handful of that marshmallow butt I can totally understand.” I chuckle. “But speaking of Rarity, one of the main reasons...or only reason at the time….was because she was told by Luna about our...sex life.” I sigh out. “Heheh.” Coco chuckled. “That started the ball rolling on this herd?” “Not entirely. Given that Luna wanted to date me because I'm a hero, and Twilight and Rarity because of me saving their lives the first time I was in Manehattan...then Zecora because of magic stuff, Pinkie because I was drunk…” I sigh out. “Oh dear…” “Heheh. There are weirder ways of finding love.” Our dinner was amazing, the food was right out of the pot, oven, whatever they’re baked in, it was all really good. Coco and I left the dinner and she lead the way still. “So, can you guess what else we’re gonna do?” “Twilight told me about your lists, not what they had in them.” I tell her. “Well it’s just two more things than back home for a Dream date night with Luna. Yes, they will milk that.” Coco says as we start arriving at the train station. “Manehattan?” I ask her. “Not exactly.” We walked onto the loading platform. There was no one around and the train was taking it’s time. “According to Jenny it shouldn’t be much longer.” I summoned my shield at that. “Yeah I'm probably gonna need this.” I frown. “So...where are we going?” At that moment there was a bright flash of light from the train tracks as the blue train that went from Twilight Town to Yen Sid’s tower arrived and stopped in front of us. The door opened and Jenny stepped out. “Lady and Gentle...man? Dog? Eh, your train awaits.” “Gentleman is fine.” I say with a little chuckle. “So, we're going to Yen Sid’s place?” I ask, walking into the train. “Or is this something else?” “This will just go to you’ll find out.” Jenny said as she walked in as Coco and I followed and took seats. The train started and suddenly we were on magic rails in space. “Isn't space pretty or what?” I smile, enjoying the sight of the stars. “It’s amazing.” Coco replied. “When Luna and them told me about the stars being other world my mind was blown. At first I thought it was a joke, but after meeting Time, Luxu, and you, it became more believable.” “Glad to hear that.” I nod. “If I were told any of this...I'd beat them for giving me hope that they were possibly telling me the truth.” I sigh out. “Makes you think though, all that’s out there, limitless possibilities, everything just feels so much bigger while you feel smaller.” “That's not what my harem keeps saying.” I joke, finding my dirty joke funny. “Are you sure you’re nineteen?” Coco said with a sly smile. “I'm sure that I've plowed a lot of women that give a damn about me way too much for a nineteen year old.” I chuckle. “But...I'm still glad they care…” There was a bright flash from the windows and we were in...Destiny Island? By the town, the train resting on the beach, the Destiny Island from the game across the sea...full of lights and tents. “Destiny Island festival of the Sea! Now off loading!” Jenny said cheerfully. “Wait what now?” I ask. “I’ve been world traveling.” Jenny replied. “Learned they were having a little festival today, games, seafood, all that jazz. Boat over there is on the other side of the beach, I parked the train here to hide it from the people over there. If anyone asks I’ll just say it’s a...train exhibit?” She said, the look of not buying her own excuse across her face. “I’ll just make sure no one goes near the train.” “Thank you...and I suppose no one will question the fact an anthro mare and a half dire wolf would be walking around?” I ask. “I’ve been here five times and the towns folk think I just wear a costume. Just tell them it’s something your hometown does and they leave it alone.” “Good enough for me.” I shrug. “Anyways, let's get going. There's a festival to get to.” Coco and I walked over to the other side of the Beach where a man with silver hair, elderly, was sitting in a boat. He spotted us. “Why hello there. You two from the same town as that Jenny lass?” He asked. “Yes actually.” I nod. “How are you doing sir?” I ask, wanting to be kind to the elder. “I do alright. You two heading to the festival?” “Yes sir, a good way to spend a first date am I right?” I chuckle. “Ah yes. It’s how I met my wife...and how our kids were born.” The old man laughed as Coco and I hopped in and he started rowing. “So, aside from the festival what brings you to our village?” “Hoping to not embarrass myself in front of my girlfriend that's a start.” I joke. “Even if you do it’s still a good memory.” Coco said, leaning against me. “Ah, young love, glad to see some happiness given recent events.” “What do  you mean by that?”, I ask worriedly. The old man sighed. “Some of the village kids went missing some months back, me granddaughter included.” The old man said, grief across his face. “She and her friend been sailing the island since before they popped out of their mothers, so we don’t think they got lost at sea, and we dived in the waters already, nothing but fish, sand and coral for miles. They just, vanished.” “What were the kids names?” I ask worriedly. “Hikaru, Sarah, and the new boy that arrived last year Ken. He arrived as randomly as they all disappeared. Just was on the beach.” “Um…” I start, getting a bad feeling about this. “If you could...switch their genders...now that sounds crazy and so will this...but if you could change their genders, would their names be Sora, Riku, and Kairi?” I ask the old man, getting scared right now. “Dunno, save for Riku, my boy was gonna name his child Riku if it was a boy, and Hikaru if it’s a girl. Child was born a lass and Hikaru was her name. That lass...strong both body and will, I just hope wherever she is it’s safe, or she’s puttin the family stubbornness though the grinder.” “Um…” I frown. “Was there any...mysterious events happening when they disappeared? And how old were they when they vanished?” “Ten, Hikaru is eleven, and no, they left for school as usual, school saw them leave, but they never came back home. None of the other kids saw anything either.” ”Shit. That's not good…” I think to myself, getting worried now. “Is there any short cuts or something they take?” Coco asked, catching me a bit off guard. “Well, there’s a small group of trees they walk though coming home, lot of tall bushes too, but we searched that too.” The old man said. “It only takes eight or so minutes to walk through it, and only a few bushes are large enough to hide behind, but like I said, we searched it too.” “Oh dear…” I mutter. “I'm sorry sir but...I have a feeling they were kidnapped.” I say worriedly. “Kidnapped? In the span of seven minutes in a somewhat clear forrest…” He sighed. “Their parents and Ken’s foster parents think that too, but it’s been too long, don’t these things usually come with a ransome?” “Unless they've been kidnapped by someone that is beyond terrible.” I growl, knowing full well who kidnapped them now. “I know there be bad people in the world, but nothing bad has happened here since…” The man trailed off. “Since?” I ask curiously. “Long time ago, there was a man that wanted to leave the village, see sites, and explore the unknown. He somehow found a way, and when he did, people died. That was sixty years ago though, nothing else has happened since.” “That's….weird.” I frown. “Thank you sir.” “It’s nothin, getting the word out is best to find the kids.” The man said as the boat stopped, we were on the island. “Well, we’re here, you lot have fun, don’t think anyone else is coming over and if they are they can bring their own boat, I’m getting a drink.” The elderly man said, getting out of the boat and walking into the festival. “Best you do. And thank you sir “ I nod. “Crap…” I mutter. “Bad things?” Coco asked. “Major bad things.” I sigh out. “It's...quite a story…” “Oh…” Coco said, looking around. “I don't want to ruin our date…” I sigh out. “Hell...I don't even know if those kids are alive if he got to them…” “Well...I may have an idea…” “And this plan is?” I ask worriedly. “I...don't want you hurt…” Coco looked around, and dragged me behind a tent so no one could see. She then summoned her Keyblade...the No Name keyblade. “Time told me about it’s abilities. Not completely sure how they work but we can at least see what happened to them.” “Are you sure messing with the fabric of time is a good idea?” I ask. “Cause Cript does that with...specialness…” “Time said as long as we don’t interfere with the past we won’t make a new reflection, as long as we only watch it’s all good.” “But...what if he notices?” I ask, not wanting to say Cores name lest it somehow invoke him suddenly appearing for whatever reason. “That’s why Time showed me a special ability. I just need a bowl of water.” I summoned Frozen Pride and, with a lot of concentration cause I haven't tried to make anything with this thing, created a bowl of ice, then summoning my flame chackram and starting to melt the ice in the middle of the bowl and out came a bowl of water. “That...was actually a bit more difficult for some reason…” I sigh out. Coco tapped the water with No Name, it showed a clock going counter clockwise, after a bit it showed genderbent Sora, Riku, and Kiari. ”So Hikaru, what you gonna do over the weekend?” Sahra asked. “Dad’s getting me a new game system, you and Ken can come over to play.” “Sweet.” Ken replied. “What games you getting?” “I already got the games, three. Never heard of them, but one’s called Need for Speed, the other is Sly Cooper, and the last is called Dark Cloud.” “Dark Cloud sounds neat.” Sahra said. “Well only Need for Speed has multiplayer.” They walked into the forest and as soon as they walked behind some tall bushes, DTD’s opened under them as Neoshadows jumped out, covered their mouths, and dragged them into the darkness. When they were swallowed by it, the image in the water faded. “Fuck…” I frown. “Core did take them away…” I frown. “Well he took them alive, so what does that tell you?” Coco asked. “He probably wanted to jerk off to the sound of children's screams?” I ask. “It's Core, he'd do something that sick.” “...Wow...anyway...It likely means he needs them for something big, he made it quick and to the point about taking them, and he made it fast, why?” “In my world Kingdom Hearts, the thing that had Nobodies, Heartless, and bo much more crap, was nothing but a game.” I frown. “Sora, Riku, and Kairi are the main characters and are supposed to help bring back the pieces of the X-blade and summon Kingdom Hearts...so Core would kill them most likely cause he's fucking with the games timeline and so much more…” I groan. “Well, from what Luxu and Time told me he likely needs their hearts…” Coco rolled her hand, motioning for me to continue. “Sadly he has Xehanort, the games 'big bad’, and he knew how to summon the shattered X-blade. Which it needed seven pieces of Light, and thirteen pieces of Darkness. The thirteen darkness pieces involves Xehanort splitting his heart into thirteen pieces, while the seven pieces of Light happened to be seven princesses of light...or the seven Keybladers. And those seven would be Sora, Riku, Kairi, Terra, Aqua, Ventus, and either King Mickey or Axel.” I explain. “...No, it means he’s likely taking their hearts with a Keyblade, and Time told me it’s more likely special Nobodies are made when their heart is taken by a keyblade, so you can…” She motioned again. “Even though Xehanort wanted to keep Sora’s body instead of Riku’s and Kairi is one of the seven pieces of Light.” I frown. “If there is a chance they have Nobodies, you should be able to summon them, right?” “Most likely…” I say while putting both of my palms together. I focused intently and tried to sense their Nobodies, even if they weren't their. To my surprise, someone replied. ”Who...are you?” A young girl’s voice spoke in my head, they sounded...hollow. ”Hi, the names Ben.” I mentally tell the child. ”Where are you?” I ask the girl mentally. ”I...don’t know. There’s a lot of buildings, people marching along, in yellow and black outfits.” ”Do you have friends?” I ask her. ”...Friends? Those...what are those?” ”Do you see anyone that isn't white or black? Anyone that looks like you in some way? I ask, hoping for something. ”lots...adults, all around the streets...a man flying on smoke. The ones in yellow and back are shooting at him.” ”Do you have a name? I ask. ”...Name...It...It started with an H…” ”Hikaru?” I asked her. ”That...That’s it! My name is Hikaru!” ”Do you know where Ken and Sarah are? Or do you even know who they are?” I ask her. ”They...those are my friends...what...what happened to us? Why...why can’t I feel...like me?” ”It's alright, calm down. Do you know where they are? I'll explain everything when you three are with me okay?” I ask. ”N..no. All I remember is darkness, then I woke up in this place, I haven’t left this rooftop in days...I don’t even feel hungry...thirsty…” I sigh out and focused more, trying to summon Hikaru to me in hopes to get her here.”Do you see a white portal?” I mentally ask her. ”N...No, not near me anyway. One just appeared on the roof next to me. The man who flew on smoke is looking at it.” ”Oh shit…” I frown, having a bad feeling about this but letting the portal stay open for the person. ”Don't worry Hikari, I'll get you out soon, just gotta help this person first.” ”He already walked in. I’m gonna follow.” She said, then things went quiet. A few moments passed before a guy in a jean jacket with some kinda blue eagle on his back with a red beanie hat came out of a Nobody style summon, followed by a young, genderbend Riku. “Ouch...That sucked.” The man said, getting up. “Sup.” I say while closing the portal quickly. “And how are you two doing?” The man looked at me and Coco and stared. “...Well...werewolf Conduits...that’s...new.” He said. “He cushioned my fall.” Hikaru said. “I'm gonna have to explain so many things to the two of you. But right now I have two other kids to rescue.” I say, knowing Cores forces are probably on high alert considering a nobody portal suddenly opened. ”Please work.” I think to myself worriedly, trying to find Sahra and Ken. ”A voice? That’s...new.” A young boys voice replied. ”Hi, how you doing. Ken right?” I mentally ask, hoping to get this done quick before shit hits the fan. ”That’s… how do you know my name...how are you talking to me?” ”Hikari, magic, and can you see a portal?” I mentally ask, trying to make sure it was actually closer to the nobody then away. ”A..portal? Is it white?” ”Yes.” I tell him ”It’s across from me, give me a moment.” For some reason I thought I could hear a shotgun cocking. A few moments passed before the genderbend Kiari appeared...followed by the group from Left 4 Dead 2… “And we are safe!” Ken declared. Clothes covered in blood. “Oh for the love of…” I sigh out. “Ken, wait over with Hikari, you four, stay with that person and wait patiently.” I tell them. “Hey! The name’s Delson.” He replied, slightly pissed. “Don't care at the moment, trying to save people.” I say before focusing, my shoulders shaking from the strain. ”Sahra? You there?” I mentally ask, hoping she's there. ”Who are you?” The last girl’s voice spoke...she sounded kinda angry. ”Friend, with Ken and Hikari here. Do you see a white portal?” I mentally ask the angry girl, trying my best to summon a portal for her and any hitch hikers along the way. ”There is, why should I leave where I am?” ”Because Hikari and Ken are here, to at least some sort of safety, and because I doubt you want to be anywhere near where you are at the moment. Please?” I ask her. ”Things like me belong here, there’s nothing here, nothing but them, and me.” ”Uh...what?” I ask worriedly. ”You...feel like us...come and see.” A DTD opened in front of me. ”Oh for fuck sakes.” I mentally groan. ”Where are you?” ”With ghosts.” Several hands came out of the DTD and grabbed me, pulling me in. I came out the other side landing on the ground. “Shit.” I growl, getting up and summoning Reunion and Frozen Pride, readying myself for whatever might happen. “Hello?” In front of me sat Sahra, sitting at the end of where Castle Oblivion Should have been, but..right, Core stole it. In front of her were three Absent Silhouettes, two had Kingdom Key’s on them, and the one on the center had a sketchpad. “Hi.” She replied, staring at the emptiness. “Uh...hi.” I say. “Um...why are we here?” “This is where I woke up.” She replied. “Just me and them here since I woke up. They showed me things.” She said, holding out her hand as a Duskblade appeared. “Said destiny changed, now they are truly ghosts of beings that don’t exist.” “Roxas...Namine...but who's the third?” I raise an eyebrow. “Riku...never had a Nobody right?” I wonder. “Her name, is Xion.” Sahra said defensively. “Oh...sorry.” I sigh out. “I didn't mean to sound rude…” “They want to rest, Namine, she want’s to talk. Talk to someone that exists but acts like they don’t.” “And why do I have a feeling I'm supposed to be that person?” I ask. “Cause like them, you aren’t supposed to exist, least not in this place.” Sahra said. “Just touch one and you’ll be in their domain.” “This isn't the first time I've heard I'm not supposed to exist...except in a harsher way.” I shrug while walking over to Roxas’s kingdom key and touching it, having a bad feeling about this. There was a bright flash and suddenly, I was on the tower from Twilight Town, sitting down with Roxas, how he was from the games, sitting next to me, dressed in his casual clothing eating a Sea Salt Ice cream. “So, you’re the human Nobody?” He asked, taking a bit. “I'm not a Nobody anymore.” I say. “My heart's whole, I have a loving family, and even if I'm still depressed I know what emotions are.” I say simply. “So do I, and I never had a heart, or existed. Now I never will.” “I’m sorry...the bastard responsible doesn't understand what kind of things he fucked with.” I shake my head. “Does it matter in the end? All that could have been that you knew of, has yet to happen, and now never will. That’s the thing when you know the future, it’s always gonna change. Every little possibility, ripples endlessly.” He said, taking another bite. “He’s close to his goal too.” “Oh no…” I mutter. “That's...way not good…” “He’s giving you all time though, fifteen years to prepare. He has all that he needs, he’s just letting us either make the most out of what time he’s given us, or go mad waiting. Either way, it’s not looking good from what all the Sora’s of the multiverse saw.” “And yet I may possibly be able to practically own a law of reality if I can guess how my future's going to go.” I say honestly. “Heh, future...what a joke. In the end we all wonder what it holds, even as we live it.” “That's why we focus on today.” I shrug. “The future is always a mystery, no one knows what will happen...except those people in Greek, Roman, and Norse stories...they basically told everyone how things end so...eh.” I shrug. “Heh, true enough.” Roxa tossed his unfinished ice cream over the edge, stood up, and pulled me up. “You know, someone once told me that so long as you live on in people’s memories, you’ll live forever. And I’ve learned something...When you live in someone’s memories only...it hurts more.” Everything went white and when I opened my eyes, we were standing on...my Station of Awakening. There I was, curled fetal position looking at...the viewer I guess, those circles that that each seemed to have, one for each of my girls faces in them, and in the background all my kids. I didn’t look sad either on the glass like picture...I looked thoughtful. “So, am I going to finish fading into only memory or what?” Roxas spoke, summoning Oathkeeper and Oblivion. “That depends on what you mean.” I say while summoning Reunion and my Shield. “Cause if you want to be real then I'm willing to help. But I doubt it'll be that easy.” I say, hoping it won't lead to a fight. “You don’t get it.” He said, raising Oblivion to me. “I don’t exist, even more so than a regular Nobody, the future in which I was meant to be in is impossible now. The only way for Namine and I to live on now is in memories. Least Xion lucked out.” “That card…” I start...before snapping my fingers. “Wait, there has to be a way you and Namine can exist. I just...sadly don't know how those fucking cards work.” I sigh out. “I have a Keyblade to store memories but...oi vey…” I groan, raising my shield to protect myself. “Like I care!” Roxas shouted, charging. He jumped and slammed both Keyblades on Frozen Pride. I managed to block, but was sent skidding back near the edge of the battle ground. “Even if Nanine and I can never exist, at least Xion finally can.” “So you'd rather cease to exist all together?” I ask, taking careful steps away from the edge and staring at Roxas. “We already do, the only reason there are nobodies of Sahra, Hikaru and Ken is because Core let them go, every other Nobody of them that popped out after he took our hearts he destroyed. Namine and I are nothing more than echos of their screams! Xion is here only because she somehow exists now.” “There is a way for you two to exist...I just …” I trail off bitterly. “The one fucking time I needed to know something is the time where I don't have a single fucking clue about.” I sigh out. “But listen, this might sound crazy, but someone basically stored all of Xion’s memories into a card and used it somewhere. I don't know how that even fucking works but it does. I...know Castle Oblivion doesn't exist anymore but...I know for a fact it can happen again.” Roxas looked at me, then sighed. “You’re just like him.” He disbanded Oathkeeper and Oblivion. “Always looking for an alternate option.” “People deserve chances at life.” I say, summoning Memory Stealer and Fair game. To my shock, memory stealer didn’t look like a copy of Reunion, it looked like the grip was a heart when you see them float out of Heartless, the blade part was blank cards like those from castle oblivion, and the tip looked like a mini version of said castle. It’s Keychain, a sketchbook. “Nice look.” I nod. “So, ready?” I ask, not a hundred percent sure how this is going to work but hoping for the best. “Do I have many options?” He asked, rubbing the back of his head. “Not really.” I shrug. “But...you'll be in a good family.” I tell him. “Memory Stealer.” I whisper, stabbing Roxas in the chest. “Heh, there are worst things I guess.” He said, his body fading into light. I looked at Memory stealer. There were twelve cards as it’s blade, and an image of Roxas appeared on the card that connected the blade and grip. I turned it over, that card was blank on the other side. “Twenty four memories? Huh.” I pondered. Why twenty four? “Well...here goes nothing.” I say while pulling out a Fair Game card and gently poking it with Memory Stealer. “Memory shift.” I mutter, feeling the blade start shifting the memories embedded in the blade and into the card. After about a minute the card had a picture of Roxas on the Fair Game card and not on Memory Stealer anymore. “Alright.” I nod. “Okay! Where's Namine’s door?” I call out, wondering where I'll find her now. I turned around, and saw one of those doors that appear in a Station of awakening. I opened it, got blinded by a bright light, and found myself sitting across from Namine in the Twilight Town mansion White Room. “Hello, Ben. I’ve been looking forward to speaking to you.” “It's nice to talk to you as well Namine.” I nod. “So, you have anything to talk to me about?” “Lots. No longer truly existing at all has had a few surprising benefits.” She said, walking up towards me, sketchbook in hand, and opened it, showing a crayon drawing of me, I think, sitting on some kinda throne. “You all have amazing futures.” “Well you know, when you suddenly have runes appearing on your weapons you know you're going to have a pretty good future.” I chuckle. “But I didn't think being a King would be in my future...I thought I would see me being in a massive pile of kids and my wives laughing.” I chuckle. “I was going to draw that, but then there goes my sketch pad.” Namine chuckled, flipping the page, it was the X-blade, but looked like the Kingdom Key D version. “Can you guess who this is?” “Wait…’who’?” I ask. “I know X is sentient but...that sounds worrying.” I say, seeing the version. “It’s Zeke’s future. This is what he will become.” “He...becomes X? But…” I start. “What about his family? His kids? I doubt he'll just turn into that for funzies.” “They move on, they’ll see him again in their lifetimes, but he will be bound by the rules of a Keyblade, the laws the X-blade has to follow.” “Oh…” I sigh out. “Well...it's his choice. I know that for a fact.” I nod. “Anything else?” I ask curiously. “In your battle with Core, there will be a part of him that survives, and I’m not sure who, but one of you will be unknowingly caring for it, cause like the Psychopaths, it will infect a host. One of your own children will be infected at birth, though whose children it infect I do not know.” “I...hope Cript can help...cause if it's one of my children...Core might be an asshole and try to use my kid but honestly, even if he should rot in the darkest pits of hell...I think he needs a second chance at least…” I sigh out. “Hopefully…” “Well, aside from that, an old allie will likely show himself again.” Namine flipped the page, showing someone in the black version of the Organization thirteen cloak. “He calls himself, Huxley.” “Haven't heard from him in a while...albeit I haven't heard from Eclipse or the Foretellers either...and I still need to meet this John Corvo guy.” I frown, feeling like I need to talk to my friends and make new ones soon. “He has gotten much stronger, and colder. He’s putting himself into deep darkness to gain strength to prove himself.” She flipped the page, it was an image of a Keyblade I think. It was a black cloak, flowing in the wind while it rested on a cross. “Master No More. The Master of Master’s last gift for the students he wronged.” “The Foretellers I take it?” I ask, still not knowing much about that whole thing. “Yes.” She flipped the page. It was the image of two Luna’s, one pony, the other anthro, cradling infants wrapped in blankets. “Roxas’s mother, and mine, must be the same, but from different reflections. Otherwise, the people we grow up into will conflict with who we were.” “Is the anthro my Luna? Cause...I have a feeling the normal Luna is Eclipses I think…” I say, not sure who is who. Namine nodded. “Yes. Roxas will be your son while I will become Eclipses daughter. My power over memories will make Memory Stealer mine one day, but it’s the memories yet to be that I will have power over.” “Alright. But you might not remember my words but be safe with the thing. It's pretty scary what it can do.” I tell her. “You will tell me again, in my new life...there is, one last thing.” She flipped the page, and it was a child, covered in a black aura. “The embodiment of Greed. The new Xion, Roxas and I will be the only ones like us in the whole of the multiverse. He will be after us. It will be years, but an early warning is better than none.” “Going after children...what a dick.” I frown. “Wait...why is it a kid?” “All the embodiments of the realm of darkness are children, not sure why, but they always have.” She closed her sketch book, placed it on the table, and took a deep breath. “Will it hurt?” “I don't know…” I sigh out. “But I'll make sure it doesn't. But...can I keep the sketchbook?” “It’s an illusion, all of this is, but here.” She placed a hand on my head, and another on Memory Stealer, and a card image of her sketches appeared in my hands. “Those are real, and when the time for them to happen has arrived they will change...into helpfull little trinkets, a gift for existence from something that doesn’t.” “You'll still have a nice family.” I say while getting out of my chair. “Just...stand still. I'll make sure it doesn't hurt.” I say while aiming Memory Stealer at her chest. I stabbed her chest swiftly and made sure it wasn't as painful as it could be. “Thank you.” She said, her body fading into light. Her image appeared on the same card as Roxas’s did on Memory Stealer. “Alright…” I nod while putting the drawings in my pocket and putting all the memories in Memory Stealer into another Fair Game card, now having the memories of both Roxas and Namine. “Okay...do I need to go through Xion's stuff or not?” I ask, having seen Xion's Keyblade but not sure about it. I walked out the door of the White room, and was wandering in darkness. After a bit, I came across a Station of Awakening. It had Xion on it. She was like how Sora’s was, an image of Unim and Zeke were the only two circles here with faces, though, there was Zeke’s female form in the circle with him. The background held hearts and Kingdom Key Silhouettes in a pattern all around, and next to Xion, was the image of a X-blade, made from two Oblivions. “So you came.” I turned around, seeing a child version of Xion, no older than five. “Nice to meet you, I’m Xion...well, I used to be called that. Now, my name is Nix.” “It's nice to meet you Nix.” I smile gently. “Strange having a male mother huh?” I chuckle, remembering Zeke's predicament well. “Meh, not many can love a child as both a mother and father.” She giggled. “I’m still an infant, but mentally I’m five, so that’s why I look like this to you.” “I can imagine.” I say while bending down to my knees. “So how's life been? I bet it's been nice all things considered.” “Aside from needed dad or one of my mom’s to change me and the inability to speak, good. Dad let’s or mama Celestia usually reads to me regularly. My brother Blake still breastfeeds though, I already switched to bottles.” “Okay.” I nod. “So...you have all your memories correct?” I ask. “Not exactly. I remember here because this is my heart...heh, before that was a sentence I never expected to say, now...feels good. I probably won’t remember out there till I’m older. All I know out there is that I’m too smart for my age.” “Zeke probably tells you that all the time doesn't he?” I ask her, grinning at the thought of him saying that. “All my moms too. I can nod and shake to keep a conversation, so, yeah.” “Okay then.” I nod. “But...uh...do you know who...Roxas and Namine are?” “Of course. Namine is who I was based on, and Roxas is my friend.” “Well…” I say while turning two cards over and showing their pictures. “Let's say Uncle Ben is gonna give them a second chance to be with their friend again.” “That’s so sweet.” Xio- Nix cheered. “Here.” She said, walking over to me and giving me something. It was a key, really old, rusted to all hell, with thirteen symbols on it. The ones I recognized were because they were on my weapons I mastered. “H-how in the..?” I stutter, looking at the young girl in surprise. “I was the biggest Nothing, it was a gift from the King of Nothingness. Once you’ve mastered all his weapons, summon them all and a door to his castle will appear. He want’s to have a word with you.” “Goodie. I get to talk to someone that owns a literal fact of existence.” I sigh out. “Till next time.” She waved, her body vanishing as the ground under me too. I fell in darkness then hit dirt...I was back in front of the spot where Castle Oblivion was supposed to be. “Welcome back.” Sahra spoke. “That was fast.” “Well it was simple enough.” I shrug, putting the cards and key into my pocket. “So, now do you want to follow me to see your friends?” “Sure.” She said, getting up and opening a DTD. We walked though and were with the others, though, the Left 4 Dead people and...Delson, I think, we're missing. “Hikaru, Ken.” “Coco, where did the five other people go?” I ask my girlfriend. “Oh, Jenny came by wondering how we were doing and took them with her. They’re in the train.” “Okay then.” I nodded. “Um...again I'm so sorry about...this.” I say nervously. “I was hoping for the date to go great Coco.” “You just saved what you could of three kids, that’s...hot~” Coco said, tracing a finger up my chest. I blushed at that. “Well….I suppose...we should go home and...get some things settled huh?” I ask with a little smile. “There’s a secret spot I found while you were gone~” “We’ll stand watch....till our families find us or something.” Hikaru said as Coco somehow carried me over her shoulder and ran with me into the cave. Save for the lack of drawings, it was just like the game...even the door was here. “Have fun kids...halp…” I say worriedly. To be continued...