//------------------------------//
// Zekes Trials: 2/5 
// Story: Balance 
// by BioQuillFiction 
//------------------------------//

The next day had come and after gathering quite the arsenal of newly made Keyblades from the shop I left a lot of my other weapons for the blacksmiths to forge into Keyblades. I know those weapons with Keyblade powers behind them will come in handy. Jack and Chief, who I learned was human again, and surprised Jack helped him. I was happy for Chief. This means the other sane soul starved like him have a chance at being saved too.

Jack and I returned to his world before the sun rose. “Well lass, that was… quite the something or other.” Jack said, still a bit drunk from the Old King booze supply.

“Heh, well good to know. Sober up Pirate, cause that Compass of yours is what we need to find Davy Jones.”

“Right then, let me just, erm, gather me maps first. You head on out and check on things.” He said, gathering some charts as I was about to leave. “Stay out of trouble! That, that is best.”

I chuckled. “I’ll try.”

As I headed to the ships main deck the crew members from yesterday all gave me some looks, nothing of malice as far as I could tell. This ship needs to be made ready fast, but there’s too little tech to work with. Wish there was something to do. I could hop to another world, but then I’d likely forget about what’s going on here.

With a sigh I kept an eye on the sea. 

Wha, what I miss? I heard Trixie’s voice say.

Oh finally you wake up. I sayn chuckleing.

Well, I know what I missed, it’s all in the dreams I see, just didn’t remember where I was for a second. So...pirates?

Yup.

And… we’re helping them?

Believe it or not, on this world the cut throat pirates are often more good than the governments and navy sailing the seas hunting them.

Wow… weird… So, what to do til this ship is done?

Not sure. If we head into town the folks here will shot first, drink next then don’t bother asking any questions. Our body is stronger, thanks to the soul enhancements from the Maiden in Black I got, and the more Physical soul enhancements you got from Bonfires back on Lordran. So while normal blades, arrows and even these early guns can’t harm us TOO badly, we’ll still bleed, and even with all my supplies and the ability to use magic now thanks to you, in a fight against a whole town, might not have the time. All we can do is hang around here, see if anything interest-

I felt a tug.

Did… you feel that?

Faintly. I know it wasn’t like anyone touched us. Wow did that sound wrong.

Meh. I sighed. I then looked out at the sea, wondering what that was til I heard faint screams and smoke.

“I am hoping that’s just part of the islands norm…” I muttered, really not wanting to have to set foot in town.

“Monsters are in Tortuga! Fight with your lives men!” Someone yelled out. 

Fuck…

I turned around, seeing Heartless all around… Purebloods, all of them… not a single Emblem Heartless… strange. I pulled out a personal favorite of mine that was already a Keyblade from Ed and Bolwen’s workshop. The Guillotine Axe. Strong, sharp, and now as a Keyblade… axe… whatever, it’s Keychain, the head of a Soul Starved, decapitated, and bleeding. Fits it perfectly. I just maxed this one out with Dragonstone. I can tell because It’s blade has a scaled pattern to it, and the bleeding blooding out of the Soul Starved head forms a mini set of Dragon Wings. Took forever to upgrade this thing.

Well then, might as well name it what it is. If you can hear me, Dragon Guillotine, let’s save some people. It gave me a quick flash, and I smiled. So they can hear me… good. 

Grinning, I leaped into the air, and slammed my new special Keyblade onto a Neoshadows head. It puffing into darkness on impact. Yeah, you were a good first pick to use. I told Dragon. I still think of them as kin, after all, I know each of them have voices, minds.





It’s been an hour since this started, so far the Heartless haven’t let up much, but those injured are safe on ships already just outside the island, and those fighting are. Don’t know how, but Jack took a Keyblade from the smith shop back home so he’s fighting too. “Frankly if I’d known taking this crazy weapon ment fighting monsters, I might have left it.” Jack said, slashing a Darkball into Darkness.

“You’ll get used to it.” I huffed, slicing a Gigas Shadow to death. “Shit, why are there so many all of a sudden? Who’s calling them?”

“These monsters are under someone’s control?!” Jack said, surprised, quickly taking a second to stab a Neoshadow. “What matter of magic and star traversing madness have I gotten myself into?”

“Again, you’ll get used to it.” I grunted.

“That’s enough.” I heard a voice say, followed by a clap. I know that voice. I haven’t heard it in a while...but I know it so well… How can I forget it… it’s mine. Jack and I turned around. The Heartless stopping their attack and backing up. Kexez… my body. “I felt you the second I came into this world, my soul.” He said.

“Same. You were that tug I felt.” I replied, keeping Dragon Guillotine raised. “What are you here for? I doubt it’s for a reunion.”

“Not at all. Well, not yet at least.” Yet? “Still handing out Keyblades to any sap with a hand to wield one I see?” He said, looking over at Jack. “Same old you.”

“What? You too heartless to feel like yourself?”

“Ha, good comeback, not too clever though. You see, I am here to test you.”

“Why wait all this time?”

“I needed to prepare. You know your light half and Darkhalf are together again, patiently awaiting their reunion with their soul and body…”

“I take it you don’t find that as noble as it is?”

“It’s plenty nobel, respectable, understandable...but why wait?”

“You… want them back?”

“Ha! No. Even if I did, it would be pointless as without my much needed soul taking the wheel, the X-blade would still be with that soulless mare you’re borrowing.”

“She agreed. While not expected, I’ve accepted that I might stay in this body.”

“Ah yes… bodies, such interesting things, yet everything is matter, energy… but hearts are so different, aren’t they?”

“... Do you have a point, or are you just here to speak gibberish you sadist.”

“Easy, easy. I just wanted to test something. Alright?”

“...”

“I wanted to know if you remember. Remember when we took hold of that rusted Keyblade in the Keyblade Graveyard, dueling that other Keyblade wielder. Do you remember how it felt, having them all in you wanting wielders, their power and sanity returning as they took over control from you?”

“...No. I don’t remember any of it. I just remembered waking up...changed.”

“Yes. I remember but little. What I remember clearly however, is the rush of power when we became what we did. The first ever living X-blade. As is, Zeke, you’re power can be strong, but out of your proper body, it’s limited, so very little of what you, what I, what your heart, what we all were meant for!”

“I made a mistake and accepted the consequences. I accented that role cause when I first heard their voices I knew they needed to be safe! I accepted what happened not for the power, not for the perks, but for the Keyblades!”

“Really…” He asked. “Then how about we just see how much that self ritches way of thinking counts-” He said, moving to the side as a DTD opened where he was standing...and countless damaged, rusted and dusty Keyblades flew out. “When it’s to happen again!”

I panicked, deflecting a few but one jabbed my/Trixie’s arm. In that frame of time, Kexez grabbed one, and placed it in my hand. On reaction I put away Dragon Guillotine, and took out X… “No… Kexez, Trixie doesn’t deserve this burden!”

“Neither did we. All I wanted to see was… if it was unique to us… or can any of we wielders of the true X-blade could have taken this power.”

“Kexe-”

All went black. Just… like… before.





A portal opened up and a figure walked out. “Ok Honor. Where am I?” This person was John Corvo. His own X-blade, Honor, had taken him here after appearing suddenly and opening a portal. He got a bad feeling and decided to investigate after getting healed up from training. He looked around was shocked.

While there was damage, mainly there were Heartless about. Few here and there. What he saw though was, Zeke. No, those clothes...that grin… This was his soulless, heartless body. Kexez...

John gritted his teeth before speaking after putting Honor away. “Kexez! What have you done here?!” John demanded. If Kexez was here with that grin then things are bad.

Kexez turned, seeing John. “Ah, John Corvo. We haven’t had the pleasure. Look at it all.” He said, waving his arms around. “I just summoned some Heartless and waited till my soul came out of its hiding place. The body and soul are very close you know, I can feel what world it’s on, and vise versa. Even though it’s in a new body.”

John was getting tired quickly of this so he appeared in front of Kexe and slugged him with a Void and Psychopath powered punch. Not enough to kill him since Zeke still needs him, but enough to definitely hurt even him.

Kexez laughed. “Was that meant to hurt?” He asked, standing up. “You forget, I’m Zeke’s body. I’m X-blade duraable. But in my time self experimenting I did learn what my ability as a X-blade is.”

“Then I'm sorry for holding back, but I doubt Zeke would appreciate it if I destroyed his body. I'll ask again. What have you done here?!” John said.

“Oh, all I did was summon Heartless. Not having a heart, or even a soul for that matter left me quite able to store enough darkness in their place. The damages here are only partly caused by my doing. After all, this is an island run by pirates. The rest isn’t too much my doing, but a little experiment I wanted to see if it was possible to repeat.”

“Repeat...wait? What did you do to Zeke!?” John said going post demon.

“Well back, Zeke fought another keyblade wielder in the Keyblade graveyard, for the atmosphere. Little did he know so much as touching one of those aged, mad weapons would change his life forever. They felt the X-blade was his, and wanted new owners, they wanted new wielders… They wanted their beloved Kingdom Hearts. They took us over completely, we were their puppet. It took some effort on that wielders part, but the end result was what Zeke and us are all this day. A living X-blade. I needed to see if it was just us that would be affected by such an action repeated. So far, the results are showing promise.” There was an explosion in the background. “I sent eight point two million Wielderless Keyblades from a Keyblade graveyard here, and all I made Zeke do, was touch one. He’s their puppet again, just like before. If all goes well, Trixie’s heart and body will be just like me and our heart.”

John looked towards where the explosion happened. “Don't worry Zeke. I'm coming.” John started to head that way but stopped. “Oh and Kexez? Did you feel that?” John said before heading off. 

“Hm?” Kexez hummed, noticing the blood slipping from his arm. “Hehehe. Yes. Can you feel this one?” Kexez asked, waving his hand as John was hit… with his same force of power. “My ability as a living X-blade is to store power, and release it back at whoever hit me with it. The more I’m hurt, the more power I am sending back. Of course, that’s if I was whole. As it, I can just store the energy of the attack I was hit with, and send it back at you. Simple, but effective.” Kexez told John, who crawled out of the building he was blasted into.

“Not bad, but I felt worse. Anyway I have to clean up your mess now.  Be glad I don't decide to kill you.” John then took off towards where Zeke is. Leaving Kexez behind. Besides. That ability doesn't mean much...when you nullify the attack before it hits. John didn't do that because unlike most. He likes to keep a few cards up his sleeves.

John flew out and found, or thinks he found Zeke. Although with a giant storm of keyblades flying everywhere. Where else is he supposed to be?

As he got closer, John saw standing on the eye of the storm. Trixie, or her and Zeke, since they are sharing a body, with Keyblades embedded in their body in random areas, eyes glowing as the ones flying struck at any Heartless nearby. He also saw they had the X-blade in hand, wrapped in rusted, linked Keychains. 

“Dang, that doesn't look good.” John said. He used Bend Time to stop time to navigate the keyblade Storm without problem. He then found himself a few feet from them.

As John got closer, he reaching out to Zeke/Trixie, jumped when they grabbed his arm, and looked him right in the eye. “Wielder?” They asked, No Name Keyblades, rusted and battle worn appearing around them. 

“Ok that's a little creepy.” John said as some of the keyblades got closer. Suddenly his three keyblades appeared around him. Fenrir, Counterpoint, and Honor. Although it looked like some flinched from surprise at Honor.

They still circled him before backing off, the possessed Zeke/Trixie letting go of John's arm as time began to flow normal and they began moving along. “Find. Wielders. Forget. The war.” They muttered, their voice like countless speaking in unison.

John blinked in front of them. “I'm sorry, but I can't let you just walk away with my friend.” He said holding Fenrir and Counterpoint. 

“Forget. Wash. Blood. Away.” They said, moving their arm as John was blasted to the side by a wave of Keyblades.

“Ok so a walking arsenal. Good thing I'm one two.” John said as he formed many weapons of of Void and used them to block and counter keyblades as he rushed towards Zeke/Trixie. He'll just say Zeke. When he got close he swung both keyblades at Zeke with him countering with the X-blade. “Snap out of it Zeke!”

“Need. Wielders. Need. Father.” They said, tossing John’s Keyblades aside.

“Father? Kingdom Hearts? Whatever. I'm sorry for what you suffered from the war, but I won't let you use Zeke as a puppet.” John said before surrounding himself in a lot of Void and Psychopath energy. “I'll stop you right here.” John then blits Zeke and kicked them up into the air. He followed them and found themselves in the stratosphere.

As John went for another blow, Zeke countered, the Keyblades controlling him raising the X-blade and shooting off a beam of light. John dodged bearly, the two falling back to the world. As they fell, John saw storm clouds forming. When they hit the Island, he looked up. Kingdom Hearts was above them. “Father.” The Keyblades spoke from their whole in the ground.

“That can't be good.” John said. Having a bad feeling.

He saw the Keyblades move Zeke up… and aim the X-blades tip at Trixie's heart. “Save us.” They said.

“That's really not good!” John said as he used a wormhole to appear right next to them and Used Honor to knock the X-blade away. 

“That’s enough interfering!” Kexez called  out, crossing blades with John. John faintly remembered that Keyblade from his fights with Core. It was Core’s Keyblade… how did Kexez have it, he wondered. “The experiment proceeds.” He said, John just noticing they did it… Trixie’s heart was floating out of her.

John's rage grew. He used as much Void as his body could take. As much Psychopath as his mind could take, and knocked Kexez away while having a Dobbleganger use Fenrir to open up a portal to a random place and sent Kexez into it. Knowing he didn't have long he blinked towards Trixie's heart and tried something risky. He used Honor and tried to guide it back to Trixie.

His efforts were in vain. Chains of Light rained down from Kingdom HEarts itself. Wrapping around John, Trixie’s arms, and her heart. Despite his void and Psychopath energies, the chains held, firmly. Tightly. He watched as blue energy crawled down the chains around Trixie’s heart, and began flowing into it. The heart's color changing from white to blue.

“Hey KH! What the hell are you doing!?” John yelled. Trying to get out of the chains, but Kingdom Hearts made these chains. He currently couldn't break them. Unless...he looked at Honor. It's a X-blade. Maybe not like the original, but maybe. He focused his light, darkness, and Void into it at sliced at the chains. It didn't break them, but it left a cut. If he charged more… “Come on and break already!” One more swing and he cut threw them.

By then Trixie’s heart was all blue, the same blue as Kingdom Hearts. It then was let go of it’s chains, and floated lazily over to Trixie as John hit the floor.

“Trixie! Zeke!” John said as he flew towards them.

As John flew at them, something unexpected happened. Honor left his hand… and appeared before him, blade pointed at his face. I am a X-blade first, and your Keyblade second. I am honorbound to my maker and design. I am protecting Kingdom Hearts. He heard the X-blades voice echo in his head.

“You should know me enough to know that I won't harm them. If not then I seriously questioning the whole keyblades connection to hearts thing. I'm just making sure my friends are ok.” John said.

And they will be. This is a ritual Zeke made by accident when him and his original body and heart went through it. I can not let you disturb this part, for one miss up, will kill them.

John signed before powering down. “Just don't make me want to find KH himself up there and have a private talk with them. Not looking forward to slugging a heart of all worlds in the face.”  

I assure you my wielder, such actions will not be needed. This is the second time this ritual has even been done in existence. You should feel more awe than worry, this is history. Now, two mortals born of flesh has joined the Keyblades in brother and sisterhood.

“A history that was forced on them this time. While the first was an accident.” John said.

True, but think of it this way. Zeke will have his old power and abilities back, and Trixie will be closer to whole, this ritual will make her whole. Enough. Her soul, while gone, can be replaced. While Zeke’s is in there, he could be able to leave, and let any number of stored Keyblade kin keep Trixie in balance.

“Doesn't change that they didn't ask for this ritual in the first place, and I doubt Zeke would have wanted what befell him to happen to her. I'll just wait till it's over while making sure no one interferes.” John said while taking a few steps back.

Thank you, my wielder. While I do believe you are right on what you think Zeke wanted, Kingdom Hearts did do it. Perhaps Zeke’s fate is now also chained to Trixie’s. Which sadly, means, she never could have even had a say in the matter.

“Whatever. Also I'm going to have second thoughts of ever using you in a fight if your going to go rogue like this.” John said with a small smirk.

But I have not. No one else is wielding me. I was forged with your blood. Your void. Very few others could even wield me. I am the X-blade Honor. I protect Kingdom Hearts, my wielder, and the delicate balance of Light, Darkness, Nothingness, and Void alike. In. That. Order. After all, if something happened to the heart of all worlds, you can imagine the balance would shift, and chaos would ensue across all reflections.

“I know that Honor. In a way.” Fenrir and counterpoint appeared in front of him. “Your closer to me then Fenrir or Counterpoint. No offense you two.” He said with a small smile.

Then we are in agreement. Honor said, the Keyblades around Trixie vanishing as her altered heart entered her, her whole body flashing a white light before the chains around her lowered her gently to the ground. It is done. Honor said, silencing as he fell to the ground, and disbanding.

“I wonder though. If Zeke for some reason. Once day decided I was a threat. Would you fight with me, or with him?” John said as he waited for Zeke or Trixie to wake up.

John sat with them for a good hour or two, he lost track of time after twenty minutes. Til finally one of them woke up. “Ugh… what… what happened?”

“He sleeping beauty wannabe. So is it Zeke, Trixie , or some third member that felt lonely?” John asked.

“t-Trixie…” They said. “John, right?”

“Yep. Also I had to cover you with my coat.” John said turning around.

She looked down, yelping as she plundered the pouch on her leg, and pulled out a full set of clothes and put them on. Unlike the leather stitched armor that was now ruined, this was more like travelers armor, thin, light, and simple. “The heck happened? We’ve been nearly hacked and burned alive and that armor never broke.” She muttered, getting fully dressed. “You can look now.”

John turned around. “Long story or short story? You pick.” John asked.

“Long I guess. For once I woke up and didn’t get Zeke’s memories of what happened… so what did happen?” Trixie asked.

John explained what he knew happened. With Kexez, her being controlled by keyblades, their fights and Kingdom Hearts. “That's about it. Also you can keep the Jacket. I got more of them.” 

Trixie was still for a moment, before screaming so loud John felt his blood leak from his ears. “THE FUCK! I’m some kind of living X-blade now?!”

John cleaned his ears with a cotton swab….made of void. “One, nice scream. Eight out ten. Could be weaponized.” He joked a little.

“I’M LIKE HOW ZEKE WAS BEFORE! HOW AND WHY IS THIS EVEN POSSIBLE?!”

“Blame the X-blade if you want a simple one. Other then that blame Kexez for doing this to you. Don't know where he is now? Either somewhere else planning or close by watching his ‘experiment’. If Zeke didn't need him I would so kill him.” John said. “Anyway need to scream in rage more?”

She sighed. “ I don’t even know how to feel… I didn’t even know it was possible for someone else to turn out like Zeke… why though? Why try it with me, and not someone else?”

“Because you had the X-blade. Kexez believes it's how it happened for it to work. So mine and the others probably won't work for it. Also add that Kexez seems to like screwiness over Zeke.” John said. Putting something on his eye.

“Wonder why? I mean, Zeke is his soul, why mess with him like this? What did Zeke do to his own body to deserve this?”

John blinked to make sure his contact was completely on. “Who knows other than Kexez and maybe Zeke. Doesn't matter right now. You ok Trixie?”

“I guess. Once Zeke wakes up I’ll let him take over. He knows whatever I can do now so I guess I’ll learn later on. Guess it will help in some upcoming fights he has planned.”

“Do I want to know, and should I be worried?”John asked.

She rolled her eyes. “What part do you wanna know?”

“These fights he is planning. Just who or what is he preparing for?” John asked. “I want to make sure he isn't in over his head or if he might need help?”

“Well, he wants to help a pirate names Jack Sparrow. He’s helping him get the Black Pearl, then Zeke plans on killing Davy Jones, the man able to give Jack said ship, then take his ship, then go after Blackbeard's ship. For some reason he wants to help Jack become like, Pirate Royalty.”

“Pirates of The Caribbean? Cool. Loved those movies. I know of Davy Jones. You have to get his heart to kill him. Which is buried on an island.” John said.

“Normally, but being able to hear Zeke’s thoughts, he figures since Daivy has no heart, he is basically a Nobody, and they can be slain by a Keyblade.”

“Nice theory, but what would you do if it doesn't work?” John said. 

“Well if worst comes to worst Zeke knows he can’t step on land, so if needed he’ll DTL them both to land, and see what Davy's repercussions are.”

“Won't be pretty I'm guessing. Although for all we know I'm just blast him back to the sea, that would be funny to repeat over and over, or just send him back to the locker.” John said.

“Either way, if worst comes to worst Zeke knows he can use a DTL to blast him into drift in the lanes between. But Zeke is pretty sure he can kill him.”

“Davey isn't unkillable. Just hard to. At least by this world's standards.” John said. “So how long till you think Zeke wakes?”

“Dunno. Hopefully not long. He’s normally first to wake up. Guess going through this a second time was harder on him or something.”

John shrugs before sitting the ground to meditate a little. It helps him manage his Void.

“So… did Kexez say...anything when this was going on?”

“Not much. Just that this was an experiment he wanted to see play out. Even tried to stop me from interfering. It can't be good. If he wanted this to happen then he has a plan, and I don't like it.” John said. 

“You think he would try and do this again if he knew the outcome was the same each time?”

“Probably. If he could at least make a small group of people like you then things would get a lot worse, or it could be something else. We just have to wait and see.” John said. “So. What's it like to have to share the same body with the opposite gender? Even though his wives won't have a problem from what I've seen.” John asked.

“Heh… well… You only saw my top half nude…”

“Trixie when I fight I pay attention to every detail I can...I don't have to see it uncovered to know you have both.” John stated casually. “Also one the holes from the keyblades before was close to it and things move when fighting.” 

“Heh… yeah. So not too weird to be honest. Zeke finds it stranger since to him the knockers are sensitive to everything. He’s just not used to having them I think though.”

“Not surprising really. Although from what I've heard he was once turned into a women and had to experience childbirth because one of his wife got….a little to freaky with the kinks.” John said.

“Sharing memories I can vouch for that but his chest was half the size of mine.”

John shrugs. “I wouldn't know since I'm not a woman, and if I was I'd probably be half my size and flat chested while envying you.” John joked a little. “So I take it his wives are fine with this?”

“Yes. Twilight was the first to embrace it, though personally I think it was a spur of the moment thing since he did just have her from possession. The others enjoyed the idea as well. Especially Rune. Stars that mare is wild… Funny, before I was embarrassed about my, er, extra parts… but they made me feel okay about them.”

“Wouldn't put it past them. Was wondering why you weren't that embarrassing of me finding out so easily. Anyway let's not worry about Kexez or anything else serious right now. Let's just relax and wait for Zeke. I'm sure he has his own questions.” John said. 

“Well he’ll know everything we talked about when he wakes up. When sleeping like he is, our dreams with the other awake are the memories we make as we go along. So we know what each other is doing all the time. No privacy but when you share a body I guess privacy is an impossibility.”

“Interesting. Wonder if he saw my eye?” John wondered.  He shrugged and proceeded to meditate some more. “Oh by the way…” John started asking. Getting Trixie's attention. “It's none of my business, but you might want to get a….bigger size soon. I think the ritual did more than you think.”

“What?”

“Look down.” John stated. “There….is a slight size difference before and after the ritual. Almost….half a cup.”

Blushing, Trixie looked down. “... As if they needed to be bigger… stars Zeke is gonna flip.”

“So how long do you think it'll take for him to wake?” John asked.

“Not sure. Like I said, he’s normally the one who wakes up first.”

“Then we can only wait till he does.” John said.





John and Trixie waited for about half hour for Zeke to wake up. John was meditating and focusing on his Void. While Trixie was doing her own thing while waiting.

“He’s up.” Trixie said. “Here.” She said, closing her eyes.

John saw her hair become a mix of her normal silver/grey and blond. When her eyes opened one was blue now in color compared to the other eye’s purple. “Damn it!” THey cursed, voice a bit deeper than before. Zeke was in control.

“Hey Zeke. Done with your nap?” John asked.

“I guess…” They grunted. “Fucking hell…”

“You ok?” John asked.

“Kexez won… Trixie’s like how I was now… no, not really.”

“ I tried to stop it, but when your X-blade suddenly points itself at you and tells you to not interfere things get complicated.” John said.

“What?”

“Honor. My X-blade pointed itself at me and told me not to interfere for it might cause you and Trixie to die.” John told him. Bringing out Honor.

“Well...shit… I guess at least I don’t have to worry too badly about injury then now that Trixie’s body is like my own. So, did he say anything to you? All I can remember before this all started was him asking if I remembered when we became the way I was.”

“Like I told Trixie. That this was an experiment he wanted to confirm. It worries me a bit.” John said while standing up.

“Hmm… The only way it seems to have worked is with X involved. So he knows now that anyone with X can become like I was and now Trixie is. But X can only have one welder at a time period. How would he be able to replicate it again if he wanted to without X?”

“Probably artificial like. Making them from scratch to be similar. Chances are low for it to work. Maybe with X-blades like Honor and what the others have. A side branch similar to X. Who knows.” John said. “So remember anything from when you were a puppet?”

“Nope. Just like last time… woke up completely changed… I asked Kexez about him wanting to be whole again. He said no, that even if he did take out heart back, without our soul, me, he can't use X… Hmm.”

“You changed a little more than you think. Look down.” John said.

“Yeah I know that, saw Trixie’s memories. But… my heart IS basically Kingdom HEarts, and Kexez is basically a X-blade… you don’t think?”

“This can't be good.” John said with a serious look.

“If he did get ahold of my heart, he could possibly use himself to make others, well, like us. But why though? Why use such a slow method when he already has lots of armies…”

“Who knows. Anyway if you don't remember. You don't know about this?” John asked pointing towards his left eye.

“Yup…” Zeke sighed.

John reached towards his eye and took off his contact….showing his blood eye.

“Psychopaths…”

“Had it since I was a kid.” John said. With little emotion. “Been dealing with it for years now. Had to hold back for about every fight to keep it at bay. If I didn't hold back against Core last time. I would have exterminated him.”  He said before putting it back on.

“Same. It’s why my eyes were red, on my body anyway. I...held back. In the trainings I had with family, actual combat...everything. I was never sure why. I just wanted to be normal for as long as I could remember. Growing up with criminals for family makes things like a social life kinda hard. And my eyes were the biggest proof ever.”

“You didn't go psycho till after the Mayan deal and that was by accident….I have been dealing with these voices since I was a kid. It did help me kill an admin though.” John said.

“Nice. I couldn’t kill for a long time period. In the Ventral family when we first kill, we enter this… mindset, called the Killing Mood. We go berzerk, anything with a pulse, we end it. It lasts normally about an hour or two. When I...killed someone, I didn’t just have a Killing Mood I turned into one of those monsters. Took my wife Unum, an immortal Pirate lord, different world, and two of Core’s reflections to stop me. They made off with the blood too.”

“I think I about entered something similar when it happened, but my parents stopped it before it could happen.” John said. “Don't want to know what would have happened then.” John then placed the contact back on. “So anything else you need to do here? If your little rampage episode didn't screw that up?” 

“Was just waiting for my companion here to finish up repairs to his ship, but that was gonna take a week. So I got time.”

“Who knows how long now with those Heartless Kexez brought and with what happened to you? Any ideas?” John asked.

“Not sure. Well, let’s go make sure Jack is still okay then help everything here settle.”

“Leave that to me.” John said before placing his hand on Zeke's shoulder. Who then found themselves back in the town. “Displaced. A new ability I learned recently.”

“I thought that was a bad genre of fanic?” Zeke jokes.





After finding Jack, who after the HEartless left was taking all the unguarded treasures and booze of Tortuga’s residents, John helped Zeke and some of the others fix up pirate town, John's Doppelgangers really help if not scared the crap out of more than one drunken pirate, Zeke could have swore he heard one actually say he was through with rum because he was seeing multiple.

Once enough repairs were done Zeke brought John to his new home. The land of Boletaria, the palace to be exact. While it looked marvalise, John new from the difference in the stones the place had recently went under massive repairs. Some scaffoldings were still littered about as well. “This is home. Where I told them to run if Daybreak ever fell… never thought it would happen though.”

“Never been to daybreak but I can tell it must have been, or should have been very protected. What happened?” John asked.

“You ever hear of someone called the Master of Masters?”

“ I think I heard something about him before. He is supposed to be the master of the original Foretellers and of Luxu right?” John said.

“Yeah… he wrote a book of prophecies, events he saw meant to transpire through the eye of the Gazing Eye Keyblade. He… told a lie. He told his pupils there was a traitor among them, and unless they were found, a Keyblade war would befall all worlds… There was no traitor. Just a lie, in hopes the X-blade would be forged… so he could destroy it.”

“Then there was a traitor. The master himself. He practically pushed events for the war so he could destroy a weapon that already had a welder at the time.” John said. “He didn't lie. The traitor was himself.”

“I guess. Anyway, he’s survived all these years as a Lingering WIll. Waiting for the X-blade to be made...so he can destroy it. He fears it. He made… so… so many weapons he hid under daybreak… an underground cavern stretching far under the entire city… the day Daybreak fell… he broke in, stole them all back… and destroyed the thing keeping Daybreak safe… The Crystal Heart, a device of his own making. The Heartless swarmed like ants after sugar. Only a small handful of warriors never reported in, all civilians made it our okay though. From what I hear, they think I’m dead again, and only lord Mors knows the truth about all this, me sharing a body with Trixie. Aside from my family. He’s running Daybreak now. The world itself may be gone forever… but it’s people and Ideals stand. That’s good enough for me.”

“Anything about the masters weapons of worry about?” John asked. 

“Other than the fact one in particular was designed to break and completely destroy the X-blade… yes. He made a Keyblade called the Void Key. Anything hit by it will… be erased. It will have never existed.”

“I for some reason want to laugh at its name.” John deadpanned despite what he said. “I'm guessing he also has another thing with Void right?”

“Not that I know of.” Zeke sighed, taking a seat on the low stone railing of the bridge.

“If I come across him I'll at least try to take care of his key. If it uses Void to work I should be able to break it. He is messing with the wrong territory.” John said standing a few feet away. “And is a complete idiot if he thinks he can use Void for his purpose.”

“Well, thanks I guess. So, how have things been going for you?”

“Well after that mess with Max I finished that test with that Void orb Hollow shoved into my chest. Nearly killed me, never felt that kind of pain all my life. As for my Equestria. I don't know. Haven't seen it in months. Can only hope things are going alright. Have two Void Kings in my group though. Aqua, and a….stronger Sans I guess you can say.” John said. 

“Heh. Cool.” Zeke said, looking up at the sky. “So, ever wonder when it will happen?”

“The War? Sometimes. I mostly try to ignore it by training. I keep training and getting stronger as to prevent my world from fighting in it. If I have to become a one man army to lower casualties on my side then so be it.” John said.

“No. I mean, when do you think our reason for existing will happen?”

“That's….I have no idea. For all I know my reason could be to sacrifice myself completely to allow you guys to live and finish the fight.” John said.

“Heh… Ever Since I was little, I’ve always felt different. Like, the only reason I exist was for a single event, or reason. Growing up it just kept nipping at me… till I met Cript, and all was explained.”

“So your set on a path you had no control over? That's sounds a little cliche.” John said.

“I’m a reflection of his. We, apparently, are literally made to gain power, in one form or another… just become powerful… and never stop. It’s why I always hold back. Why I can never go all out.”

“I hold back to keep the Psychopath from taking control, I took a risk fighting you earlier and actually almost lost it. Although I am a little jealous. To become stronger and stronger. But knowing me even with that much strength...I won't be able to protect everyone.” John said.

“I don’t want this power, this...responsibility. When I was first turned into a living X-blade, X and I spoke. He told me the real reason he exists.”

“One, do I have to quote spider man there? And two, what did he tell you?” John asked.

“He said the X-blade isn’t just to mark the guardian of Kingdom Hearts… it’s to mark it’s heir. Kingdom hearts is a heart like any other. To accept the crown is to accept Kingdom Hearts. I’d become it… the source of all hearts within people and worlds across every reflection of this realm. Anything I order to anyone with a heart, they’d have to do. Person, world… Keyblades. I just want a normal life… but, I realized that can never happen… so, I settled for adventures. They’re fun, yeah… but I’ve never had normal. First my family… my red eyes, then God and X, and now this. Dude, I’m borrowing the body of someone who isn’t just the wrong gender, but also a different species all together. I can never be normal.”

“I got a skeleton arm with Void rock forming on it, Ben from what I remember was turned into a wolf person, that Eclipse person is a pony snake hybrid m forgot the name for those species, and I'm an heir to the Void itself after I kill my future self with Ben becoming the King to Nothing. When were any of us normal?” John asked.

“At least you all were before. None of you have ever had to grow up reloading ammo into magazines from the back seat of the car while your parents are in high speed chase against police. Have had to learn just how much food and water to feed another human being that’s to be sold into slavery to keep them alive while they are being shipped. None of you ever had to learn how to build a dirty bomb out of crap found from hotels and houses you broke into and held the actual owners hostage for a few days just so you can sleep on a real bed.”

“Well I don't know about the others, and while I didn't go through anything like that. I had to keep myself in check without any experts from the Psychopath voice since I was a young kid. For I don't know how long anymore I thought I was going insane, or that the voices weren't real. I've come across muggings and worse like rape attempts with those voices telling me to either kill everything or even help the punks cause chaos. Even when I got into this from God those Voices never went away. Every kill….this thing made me enjoy it completely.” John said with a small red glow at the end before shaking it off. “I always worry...if I'm actually John….,or the Psychopath waiting for the right moment.”

“Why not both?” Zeke asked. “Dude, I was one of those monsters for about two, three hours. I may not remember much but I remember the pain. They feel every murder and death in creation always. It’s kinda no wonder they are all so fucked up.”

“Ya..they feel so much pain. Yet cause just as much pain. This cycle of pain basically describes the Psychopath. They feel pain. So they cause it. Just to feel it again. Then to cause it some more.” John said. 

“Such is life I guess. So, did your family raise you with a religion?”

“Mostly Christian I guess. Although they weren't my birth parents.” John said. “They apparently found me on their doorstep in a basket. You know that cliche.”

“Heh. Growing up my family never took to any mainstream religions. We kinda invented our own. It was simple. There was no higher power, no source of all evil. We believed we are alive to suffer, and the more in life we suffer, the better our next life will be.”

“Kinda contradicts itself. What if you ended making your next worse than the last? Make the one after better?” John asked.

“Just keep trying. We’d say the mind may not remember the old life, but the soul does, and should try and deter you from those same mistakes.”

John smiled a little before going neutral. “Hey Zeke. Can you promise me something?”

“Depends. What is it?”

“If….if I ever get numb to watching, hearing, or just learning of the death of close ones because I started to be able to bring them back with little effort. Put me down for good.” John said.

“Not wanting to live life if you can’t feel your own emotions?”

“What's the point if those you love dying doesn't affect you cause you can just snap your fingers and bring them back no matter what killed them or how they die?” John asked. “I'll eventually...end up like those admins who ended up getting their kicks from messing with and manipulating the people or creatures of different worlds.”

“Fair enough… Fine. But if it makes me accept that crown to kill you I’ll bring you back just to kick your nuts back inside you then kill you again.”

“I wouldn't know if I should be impressed with myself for actually pushing you that far, or disappointed you had to go that far to beat me?” John said with a little smirk.

“Eh. So John, ever wonder, if you could have asked god for anything else and to have gone anywhere else, where would you have gone? And, what would you have asked for?”

John thought for a few seconds before answering. “For where. I would probably have gone to a world that wouldn't have immediately thought I was a monster because of my form. Not the ponies fault though given they found me before two corpses.” John said remembering his first few minutes in Equestria.

“I think I would have gone to… Skyrim. Lived simply as a blacksmith or hunter.”

“Loved that game. Always tried to be an Archmage before most of the other titles. Although I wish Blackreach had more to it. It was very cool.” John said remembering that particular world. 

“Alright, and power, would you have chosen anything other than Void?”

“Only two other things really, and one would have been very powerful as well as giving a middle finger to Fate. The other is basically just the magic from a game called White Knight Chronicles as well as the Avatar Knight.” John said.

“I think I would have gone with… Luck. Not really a super power but heh, luck is a hard thing to come by.”

“That from Toriko?” John asked remembering that world had an ability called Luck, or was it Food Luck? Couldn't remember.

“No, just wish to be lucky.” Zeke laughed. “So, ever wonder where you family is?”

“My adoptive……,or my birth?” John asked.

“Either.”

“Well as far as I know my adoptive family is dead. Really thought they would survive that event. They aren't pushovers. Once a group of armed thugs burst into our restaurant trying to rob us...a few minutes later their on the way to the hospital...my mother wasn't in a good mood that day hehe.” John laughed remembering that day. “My dad even once let some thug from an alle hit him in the head with a brick...he just looked at him before hitting him once and lights out.”

“Heh… My mom once punched through a wall to knock out the annoying neighbors of a house we… borrowed from the family while they were on vacation. She hit him in the neck and snapped it… Dad once punched a guy so hard his neck completely snapped, head was bobbing around like a bobble head. Still, wish I knew where they were.”

“And I thought my parents were tough. Well I'm sure your parents are fine. Your family is tough.” John said.

“They are. Well, in private anyway. On the job, well, the media said it all. Marry and Berry Ventral, the two monsters who birthed the Red Eyed Ventral, first true red eyed Ventral in three generations.” Zeke said, pointing to himself. “Geeze, been fucked since I was born with that label.”

“That's some title. As for my birth parents….I don't know. My only clue is that one of them is tied to the Void.” John said.

“Really? Huh. Weird. So no siblings?”

“No...was an only child growing up. Barely had any friends to. I was just a loner. That kid that would sit at the edge of an empty table during lunch.” John told him.

“I had my brothers. THe eldest was a megalomaniac… he was on your world along with my grandpa when you and Core fought… I killed grandpa and sent him into the void. My other brother is just a joker, more than likely he is just messing around across the worlds.”

“Woah why send the dude to Void? Now I got to deal with him.” John said sending a mock glare at Zeke.

“Not grandpa, my brother was sent into void. I killed Grandpa.”

“Just a joke dude. Well if I do run into your bro if he hasn't changed I'll deal with him. I'm pretty sure not counting you. I'm most comfortable with killing out of all of us.” John said.

“Seems so. Well, I know he won’t change, but don’t underestimate him. He’s a crafty piece of shit.”

“He isn't the only one with tricks. For example. I'm not here-” John said before disappearing in a shadowy smoke. “-I'm here.” Zeke looked up to see John….sitting on the side of the building. “I rarely ever fight upfront. The advantage of doppelgängers is that it would allow me to get the drop on someone by keeping them guessing on who is the real me.” 

“Heh. Cheater. So, what are you gonna do when you return home?”

John blinked next to him. “Can't yet. Hollow is still training me and my Void Kings. I already have two. Aqua from Kingdom Hearts, and a special Sans from the Underground. When I got Sans is around the time I fought and killed a former admin. While taking his bow and gaining a new ability.” John said summoning the bow.

“Nice. Say, that Absent Silhouette of...me, still there?”

“Probably. Haven't seen it myself. To busy with Hollows training. Basically nerfed my control on Void to help increase my control when the nerf is taken off. And I barely survived the Void orb test.” John told him

“...Is it wrong I wonder what it will give me if I fight it?”

“No. Heck it might give you a new body like your old one or something?” John shrugs. “What worries me most...is what could happen if Tirek somehow wins…he has been causing trouble from what Hollow told me.”

“Well it seems the trend is a X-blade relating to who won it… huh… wonder if I’ll get two or something?”

“Like you need two when you can already dual wield one as it is.” John said. He then summoned Honor. “Like this.” He pulled it into two with the sword in the middle splitting in two. With half of Honor in each hand as he held the Fenrir grips.

“... I have never done that… Now I want to.” Zeke said, summoning X and doing the same as John, splitting X in half. “Oh that is so cool… wait, my Silhouette did that?”

“From what I've been told. As well as summoning the past wielders of X-blade to face and basically summoning the embodiment of Kingdom Hearts while it wields X as well.” John said.

“... The actual fuck… I’ve never done any of that stuff. But if my Silhouette can do it then I guess I can too.”

“By summoning I mean they take your place. It's like stages in a big boss fight.” John said trying to simplify it some more. “I'm pretty the last bit is something that you can probably do...if you fully accept you position and potential.”  

“Oh fuck...still cool though. I’ll figure it out I guess.”

“Hey. At least you don't have the previous ruler of you power sealed inside you. I feel like naruto or something.” John said.

“Heh. cool. Well, I’ll look into that thing.”

“If you do head to my Equestria to try the AS. Just two things. Could you check on the Everfree Village and see how their doing?” John asked the first thing.

“Sure.  If I come across Tireck, well, we’ll see what happens.”

“That was the second thing. Avoid him. From what I remember he can absorb magic. I don't want to know what could happen if he absorbs X-blade magic as well as your balance magic.” John said.

“Fair enough. But if I see Keyblades that lost their sparks I’m getting them. I think my, er, Trixie’s heart can fix them.”

“Good. They don't deserve to wither away without a welder. I just hope Gilda and Roseluck are ok.” John said.

“I’ll check on them. I’m sure Hollow will find me if I call him.”

“Maybe. Well. I better get back to it. Hollow wants me and Aqua to find two more members so he is splitting us up. Me and Aqua will search In Two different worlds while Sans stays back to train with Void. It's weird seeing a seven foot tall Sans with six wings that have eyes in each.” John said. 

“Damn. Well, good luck with that. I’ll be here for a while then head back to check on Jack and his ship.”

“Later Zeke. And try to get Trixie some new clothes. Those are at their limits due to that X-blade body thing.” John said before walking through a portal that appeared. Before sticking his head out once more. “I'm serious. Their about to tear in three...two…” John then pulled himself back in with the portal closing as a loud ripping sound was heard.

“...Well, Rarity will have some work to do… crap…” Zeke muttered.





“Twenty are needed, as well as their reflections… I know Trixie is one, so that leaves hers for sure. Ben’s should be safe in their own realm of Nothing, and that leaves Johns, who may or may not be alive, Eclipse’s, and the Foretellers I know for a fact who might be in danger, no, correction, are in danger.” I was muttering to myself. “So that’s one. There is Lord Mors, being the X-blades second wielder, but then again why take him? He was forced out of Balance by Core, so why take him? He’d be unable to wield the X-blade. Unless he can reverse it somehow, but how? So there is two at least, but then who else? And how, why?”

What am I? Chopped Liver?

“Holy fu- … Heh… hahaha! X you son of a bitch. Man is it good to hear you again.”

Feels good to be heard. As for Balanced people, I believe I might know what Kexes is planning.

Oh then please tell cause I am clueless.

Well, as you can imagine each wielder of the mine held grand power with me, you and Unum being my strongest, no offence Trixie.

”None taken.” She replied. Heh, weird.

Each wielder of mine As you know guarding my maker is my primary objective, as it is also the duty of whoever wields me. Zeke, I already told you about my Secondary objective, finding one to inherit Kingdom Hearts crown and become their new body. Neither he or I figured it would happen anytime soon. And yes, I cound how long it’s been since Unum and you/Trixie as short timeframe. We expected it might take at least twenty wielders of me to find a possible heir, but it was more likely it would have to be more like twenty Cerofilsion.

… and that is?

Right, you only know up to Centillion. It’s 10^907,256,882^20th power.

...That’s fucking big…

It is. It’s also how many Reflections this Reality of ours has. Turns out Infinity can be measured and was. We figured a weilder of each reflection was the expected amount to find or make a proper heir.

How do you think Kexes will pull it off?

As much as I’d hate to imagine it, there are ways. Since he is like me, physically and ability wise he can tell who has these special hearts, he’d only have to find twenty balanced hearts in his artificial reflection within that Keyblade of his, then there are spells, old, powerful ones that can pull reflections of a person from their reality to ours. And if he is, them it won't be below him to fuse them all together into one body before taking them into your heart after making them living X-blades.

Shit. but…?

But, if one is unobtainable, he can’t do it.

So, we win so long as he can’t take none out of all their reflections. good.

”but, having more out of his reach is better. Trixie added.

Exactly. I can find them,  and you two ban save and warn them Take them to Ben’s reality where Kexez can’t get to them. To morrow we find our first.

How will we even know if they are his target?

He will be seeking those very akin to your heart. Trixie here is, hence why your soul was even compatible with her body, and why you can summon me with her. If her heart was balanced but weak, then your compatibility wouldn't be completely balanced and I could not have appeared for you.

Ah, so you’ll be looking for the strongest then. Got it.

Then let’s get some rest, and hope Rarity finished tailoring our armors… this bath is making my skin all wrinkled!

So? 

”It creeps me out. Makes me feel like I’ve aged into my old hag years.”

X and I rolled our eyes… yeah… that was gonna be a fear of hers… Why not...