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[[Oh my god this post was frustrating]]

[ Kyle, Sora, Riku : Disney : Hangar ]

"Alright, then. I've gone over the main thread of the story," Kyle said. "But life is never so perfectly one dimensional. There are a bunch of outliers to discuss."

"First on the list--as I mentioned, Prote isn't the only one being hunted. Fact is, so far, at least two entities have commenced full scale assault on us for nothing more than vengeance against a scion," he explained, his arms remaining crossed and his lips curling, as if in disappointment. "All of you should make a personal decision about this, and that requires some back story, which was only just recently revealed in Atlantis. Eons ago, the powers that be created numerous demigod-like entities to help maintain the cosmos. The Darkness corrupted one of the leading entities--Ultima. She then helped turn eleven others, the Zodiac Scions, and aided the Darkness in what we now know was the first Keyblade War."

"As is obvious, the Darkness lost. The powers that be stripped Ultima and the other Zodiac Scions--including Zodiark, who didn't even participate--of the majority of their powers and banished them to a pocket realm of sorts--I'm guessing where espers exist," he continued. "While there, she managed to convince the other conspirators into combining their powers to open a gateway back to reality. The problem--she didn't tell them that the moment one fled into the portal, the others would be abandoned. She betrayed them and managed to exist in reality, but not for very long, and she was again banished. It was that act that turned the other eleven against her... and now, me."

"To ease your concerns--the Dress Sphere acts as a sort of leash. It not only awakens your summon, but keeps them under control... so long as your heart does not grow too brittle or weak," he explained, shrugging. "For a time, she was forced to obey. Then, in Atlantica and Atlantis... there were moments where my heart faltered, and she very well could have taken control, been free. She chose to save me, and in doing so willingly re-established the binding enchantment."

"This is why the likes of Mateus and Chaos have attacked us," he admitted. "There may well be others. I have seen the mark of CuChulainn on Alice, Jenny's replica, so he's around. Zodiark has bound to an earthling named Daniel, who has chosen to work with the Turks, and while Zodiark was not betrayed by her, his power was stripped because of their betrayal, so he may become adversarial in the future."

"If all of this puts you on edge, and the majority of you would rather I not stick with the group," he said, looking around--he was not defensive, nor was he challenging. It was a tone of acceptance. "Then I will understand and stay here for future expeditions."


"With that aside, there are other factors. Cory, for instance--he's an earthling who's... I suppose you might call rogue," he continued. He kind of wished he had some water. "On occasions, he has helped us. On others, he's assaulted us, kidnapped members for personal reasons, and directly stated his direct hatred of us. A couple days ago, he convinced another Earthling, Timmy, to start using Darkness... and we haven't heard word of him since. They're not necessarily enemies, but they can't quite be trusted, either."


"Another notable instance was an odd... thing that attacked us last night. It wasn't Heartless or any sort of minion-like entity, but at the same time, it was too monstrous to really be 'human' either. Joe got a good look at the creature, so he can project the image," he explained, looking to Joe for a moment--they had both been scarred by the nameless creature. Then he turned to Kyla--as if he'd just remembered something. "It fought us in a dome of pitch black that had been summoned moments before its appearance. The person that summoned it made herself known to Sayrike and Jacob--two other Earthlings you haven't met yet-- for a couple moments. They said that a cowl covered her face--but she used a drawing book to summon the darkness, and they also said that her voice sounded very much like our artist, so it's safe to assume whatever the beast was, it's connected to Kyla's replica in some fashion. Perhaps she can shed some light on it."


"Before I forget, however, I should also unveil some newer information. As a few of you know, during the fight this morning, dark specters... interfered with three of us--myself, Kyla, and Bobbi," he said, sighing. Perhaps he should have let them announce it themselves... but they may not have, and that was a risk he wasn't willing to take. With something else, as well... "They initially injected themselves into us, and then in times of duress, convinced us to let them in deeper. Noelle and Joe helped purge the specter from myself. Kyla's was... forcefully ripped out by the Darkness in the Atlantis battle. Bobbi's has not since responded."

"They seemed convinced that they were helping us. Perhaps they were, in their own way. Kyla was ripped away before death and healed in Atlantis, and Bobbi's assaults were aided in the final battle," he said, shaking his head as if to admit he didn't really know. "What I do know is that they certainly could have been more benevolent. It was anything but kind when it convinced me, during a very desperate moment, and as if to cement my suspicions, when allowed in, it refused to leave, despite my demands. And it had knotted itself so thoroughly in my heart that removing it very nearly ripped me apart--I was only saved by Noelle and Joe."

"I bring this up because through those connections, we've discovered the source's identity. Ultima sensed Mateus through the connection in my heart, while in the others," he said, turning back to Bo-Joseph with a knowing glance. "We found out that the host of Mateus... is Louis, the so-called Ivalician rebel that had joined us for a time. For those of you who don't know, the host of Mateus--Louis--was guarding the lab where Vexen was creating the replicas, meaning he is at least partially responsible for their existence. He disappeared shortly before the battle this morning. This is just one more reminder to keep our guards up, as depressing as it is."


"I'mma take a breather now, if you don't mind, but believe it or not, there's a bit more," he said, running a hand through his hair. At this point, though, he knew to defend, at least momentarily, Bobbi and Kyla. "And before anyone makes any decisions about those specters or anything--we're in the safety range of the Cornerstone. And if there's a safe way to go about protecting ourselves, the Wise Ones will be able to help us out. I'm sure we'll be consulting them soon, anyway."

[Dawn : Disney : Hangar]

Upon finding nothing up top, Dawn dropped down to where the group was talking. As she was walking closer to the group she half listened to the conversation about the events so far. Though her ears did perk up when Kyle brought up Louis. How Louis was the avatar of Mateus, who was after Ultima. Who also helped with the creation of the original replicas.... their enemy? Even with all she heard and saw, she found it hard to believe.

"Wait," she said with the disbelief in her voice, "You sure it isn't a different Louis? Seeing what he has helped with, I find it hard to see him as enemy."

Dawn looked uneasy, while she clinched her left hand into a fist, as the words left her tongue. For this was the same Louis who was able to free her from Ajora and removing the seal from her hand. Someone she was willing to call a friend.

[Kyla: Hangar: Disney]


The LAst Story: Sad
“I’m sorry but…”

What was she doing???

Well it wasn't like she could hide anything else now.
Kyle had pretty much exposed her involvement- which in fact- if she was honest with herself, wouldn't have happened either way. He was right in doing so. Even with the cornerstone, and the talk they had earlier Kyla was in no way ready to come clean- but now with this prompt, and everyone talking about Louis now, she just couldn't keep her feelings regarding the matter silent. They needed to know.
She couldn't consider herself a good friend otherwise.

“- I think.. no, I know. He needs our help.”

Turning her book back a good handful of pages now, Kyla found the log and pressing her pen nib to the parchment the illustration lit up. In front of the girl something began to take shape. Rather two things actually. Two figures, both roughly the same height, figure type and shape- except that one stood up, while the other seemed to be huddling around something clutched closely to their front.

“I believe Louis lost his heart- or rather... it was shattered. The events of the loss of earth was just... too much.” Kyla could understand. The heart ache- it was too much, even for her. If it weren't for Carbuncle Kyla would have collapse in onto herself long ago.

“Various parts of him are scattered around this universe- some are bigger pieces, and some represent smaller or larger unified thoughts and feelings. I think you're right- the one who attacked us was him, but the one who’s tried to help is also him. A different part of him. And the person who reached out to me is a different part of him as well.”

She gestured to the looming figure of a person made up of basically shadows. His darkened face fixated in a look of listlessness and apathy.
“Even after that fragment was torn from my heart- a part of him remains. A fragment that I think piggy backed with the larger whole-“ she gestured to the crouched figure which finally came into focus.
Louis in his grayed body. He wore a from fitting hoodie, jeans and his hair fell messy over his dark brown eyes. His entire body would have been colorless save for the eyes, except where he cradled the shard. It’s glow illuminated his outline and where it crouched a bleeding of pale color came out.

“It is this Louis I want to try and rescue. To find more of. It is this part, this small part of many others I think are still out there that I believe are worth saving. This particular shard I think represents his desire to protect the things he cares for. It was the piece that I’m certain drove him to protect me all those times and is the piece that will continue to do so…”

She closed the distance to the human-like figure of Louis, crouching down to his level. The projection looked almost real- and here in the waking world Kyla couldn’t help but feel her eyes mist over a little.
It was sad. She could feel how much it must hurt. To be broken apart and helpless. It was a terrible feeling.


“He trusted this part of himself with me. And so-" she blinekd the moisture away regaining control of herself. "I’m sorry… I can’t help but want to do anythingI can to bring him back! I think that’s what he’s been trying to do all this time. He’s battling with himself, and that battle torn him into pieces…I have no doubt the lesser of his parts will fight against us, and will be a most formidable foe with a really horrible plan in mind.”
She reached out -" But even so..-" and nearly touched the shard glowing there but her finger phased through the illusion.

“- at the same time, this Louis.. THIS Louis here. He’s on our side. He always has been. He’s become his own worst enemy because neither part of him is budging, and up to this day Louis has done all he could do in his power to tow the line between his selves and all sides of this war- “ she rolled back on her heels, and lowered her face back into her book, almost mirroring the position with her weapon, clutching it close to herself.
“..I don’t want to give up on him."



" I can't leave a friend to be lost like that all alone int he dark-

- in pain."


For whatever reason she looked directly at Sora- " Surely you know how that feels??"

[ Joe : Disney : Hanger ]

Joe had been staying mostly quiet while Kyle had continued to explain the 'outliers' of the situation to him, eyes widening occasionally as images got projected into his head

'Going to have to get used to that' he mused. It wasn't bad necessarily, but it was disquieting. He didn't like having his personal space invaded, and nothing was more personal to him then his thoughts.

'So let's see, there's the scions who are targeting Kyle, the Turks, rogue earthlings who are basically wild cards, a mystery creature, specters, and some p***k named Louis' It was quiet a bit to keep track of, to the point where he was beginning to wonder if it would have been easier for Kyle to just list the people who weren't trying to kill them.

The conversation had taken a bit of a depressing turn while he had been ordering the new thoughts. Apparently, they had known this Louis guy from before and the revelation of his betrayal had hit the group hard, particularly Kyla.

At first, Joe figured that he would just sit back and shut up, but he ultimately decided against it. If he was going to be apart of this ragtag band, he had to know he was free to speak his mind.

"Look..." he began, trying to word what he was about to say as diplomatically as possible "I've obviously been out of the loop for the past week or so, so I can't say I've had the experiences with this Louis guy that you all had. However, from what information you've all given me, we have to keep our priorities straight. If Louis is working against us, if he's standing in between us and restoring Earth, or beating the Fiends, or Finding the King, then I agree with Riku." he paused, his voice beginning to go rather cold. "We have to be prepared to stop him and if we need to, kill him, especially if he's got no compunctions against doing the same to us."

[Kyla: Hangar: Disney]

“No.” One thing she hated was people assuming anything about how she felt.
Something shifted behind Kyla’s eyes and it would take a knowing eye to see. Not even the corner stone could stop this.

“I don’t think that excuses him, and I never said it did.”

“I most certainly don’t think that ever excused you, Riku.”

Her voice began dull and shaper just like his-

“People are responsible for their own actions.”

Just as I am.

“Just as I said before, the parts of him we will be facing will no doubt fight us, and perhaps be one of the most sinister things we can face- “ she stood up and lowered her book.

“- as for who won. Based on the evidence I’ve compiled... that’s actually up in the air. It’s easy to assume one way or another, heck I’d prefer it that way- but the real reality is much more complicated.”

“Still. When the times comes. We have to do what has to be done.”

The girl cracked open her book, she flipped by the pages of everything she had compiled, stopping only a fraction of a second on the image of the creature. That thing Joe had shown her. It’s mutilated body was a confirmed match with just a glance and she closed her eyes slowly along with the cover of her book.
“Even so... 50/50 isn’t much is it?”

"-and please- don't , everyone- stop talking like he pulled the wool over my eyes ok? He didn't 'worm' his way in- he didn't ' turn me' or trick me or anything I. Called. Him. First. And form the moment that started I didn't trust him- because it's just basic logic, and I knew what he was..."

It's like talking to.. an alcoholic... someone with an addiction

they can say sweet nothings, and make all kinds of promises but they'll always be tethered to what makes them monsters, and you WILL ALWAYS be bitten.

“I was told back home my greatest attributed was my optimism. I’m always trying to find the silver lining. But never once did I stop thinking of the worst outcome. I worry about it lot. I try to cover every single detail. Because the right answers are not as simple as people would like. Lots of innocence is lost when people try to do things the easy way, and even the outcome makes people wonder if it was worth it in the end.”

"don't get me wrong. I'm not saying you all are like that. Joe and Kyle are- and have been- shouldering a lot of the hard decisions. Everyone here is going to have to do things they don't particularly like- thing that will make it hard to sleep at night. It wont be because they want to either."

“As much as I want to save everyone, as much as I believe, and hope, and try-I remind myself every day that’s not how the real world works. I got the bad ending a lot.”

She side glanced Riku from behind her glasses, regretting everything she spoke from here and before. Wishing she had told them nothing. Regretting ever talking to anyone in this hangar-... and the soreness in her back tingled. It was totally hypocritical of her though, and she knew it. Now they had a whole new look on who she was now- and it was nothing of the sort, they probably thought she was weak, unreliable, a soft-bleeding heart.

Someone they could never count on now because she was too scared, or sympathetic.

"You've gotten close to him. Will you be capable of that?"

Why else would they even have to ask.

“What’s the saying- ‘Hope for the Best, prepare for the worst.’ We’ll I’ve been prepping…”her finger brushed the spine before turning away from them all- “ever since this journey started. “

In the end, the enemy HAD to be stopped.

But this was more than just fighting Louis, for her.

She was truly alone in this.

She couldn’t possibly tell them now.

Kyla couldn’t’ give them a straight answer- heck, she doubted any answer she gave them now would ever matter. It seemed they figured out for themselves what kind of person she was. talk about ruined first impressions.

Sos he looked back to Riku and shrugged, plastering a neatural look over her face. Anything even remotely readable aboutt he artist was gone below the surface just like when she first arrived.
“- I'd be lying if I said I was ready to kill him- or anyone- right this moment. There's a few things I need to take care of-"

"but rest assured-I’ll find the strength to end it. You can believe that.”

She didn't want to be around them anymore, she didn't want to feel the cornerstone anymore. She needed to think and feel her own heart to find what she needed.
She wanted to disappear- be away from all the eyes. the staring. She wanted her team to ignore her again, stop staring, stop looking. she wanted everyone, Kyle, Joe, Riku Bobbi, everyone to just.. leave her alone.

Alone. ~I’m still be here~ She heard the summon whisper inside her head.

Kyla felt the brush of fur against her neck, the little creature hadn't left or dismissed itself.

“I know you are.” She responded verbally.

Maybe she could enter the ship again- ditch whatever was going on? Or portal straight to the palace- she felt strong enough to make a door. Thing was she wanted this moment to end. She had made her decision.

[ Noelle ~ Red Rose ~ Hangar ]

Noelle listened quietly as Kyle reviewed information, holding her right elbow with the opposite hand so she could prop it up and lean her chin on her hand. When Kyle mentioned Chaos, she shifted uncomfortably. Chaos was a little closer now than any of them knew, but Noelle wasn't going to sit idly by. She had to find some sort of solution--though whether it would be to recover Nicholas and free him from this demon, or to take him out for the sake of the group's safety, she didn't yet know. Only time would tell. Whether it was the Cornerstone lifting her spirits, or the review of all they had overcome, Noelle felt confident that she could find a way to make things work.

The blonde's attention was brought back to the group as Kyle started talking about Louis. Noelle couldn't help but frown at the revelation. Her frown deepened at what Kyla had to say. Riku's response was spot on, though. Noelle shifted a little more. She listened to Kyla's rebuttal and crossed her arms over your chest. She just couldn't keep quiet any more.

"The thing is, Kyla, this isn't about you." Noelle said, trying to keep her tone even, apathetic. "I'm hearing a lot of 'I've been preparing,' and 'I'm not ready but I will be.' Yes, I understand that these things take a lot of self reflection and growth, but you're trying to do it all on your own. We can't have a team of independents here, that's how things fall apart, as we have already experienced. What we're trying to get at here is that the collective we have to do what's best on the behalf of all of us. If something is a danger to us, we're going to deal with it, regardless of whether you're ready for it or not. That's not to say we don't value your input, but when you come out and try and advocate for someone who's trying to kill us it's incredibly incriminating. And for god's sake, lean on us a little, will ya? It's time to start making decisions based off of what's best for everyone, and using us as a resource for strength instead of just forging your own path. We're here for you and you are here for us. It's time to start acting like it, yeah?"

{James : Hangar : Disney}

James had remained silent as after his explanation further explanation regarding the young man known as Louis commenced. It was clear by people's reactions that there were a lot of mixed feelings behind him. He thought back to all that he remembered of Louis, when they first met him he had prevented them from stopping the awakening of the replicas. His minions had tried to kill all of them and then he himself, used as a conduit for manifesting Mateus had tried to kill them. They hadn't known that at the time that they were one and the same. Then they found Louis and he helped them, in more ways than just in combat it seemed. He had helped them train, to grow stronger. Yet it also sounded like he had taken a few lives and had lost control of himself more than once. In the end though, one fact still remained.

'He's one of us...'

He had made mistakes, just like the corsair had, just like everyone else had since they had come here. But they hadn't given up on any of them yet. He felt a pull at his heart for that. Louis reminded him of his older brother, he had made some stupid mistakes when they had moved away, and gotten with a bad crowd, namely it seemed Seymour. Who would have done nothing more than to bring his darker nature out. Nature that as Earthlings, as people. They all had. Coupled with being granted an Esper that wanted nothing more than destruction and revenge... He could see where she was coming from. It was clear there was a lot he still didn't know, hadn't been around for so his thoughts were clearly muddled and confused, but the bottom line was.

"He's one of us..."

'But can he be forgiven for all that he has done, all of the people who he has killed and hurt?' The Lunar Wolf spoke to his mind, making the corsair's thoughts even more confused.

'If he can redeem himself, then yes. I could forgive him. Especially since I personally do not so much about his sins as the others do. We are all accountable for our actions, I think even the good part of him knows that. He is twisted, mangled, but it is clear that if Kyla is feeling this way about him there is still good in him. He is not yet fully lost. If I had given up on my brother when he was that way, then I would have lost him... I can't bear the feeling of losing anybody like that...'

Without even realizing it, the corsair was moving. Heading away from the majority of the group and towards the pictomancer. To take a stand not only physically beside her, but to take her side on this issue as well. He listened as Noelle spoke, adding more thoughts to his already conflicted mind

"It is clear to me, that he has done some stupid things. Hurt a lot of people, and that he must be held accountable for his actions. As must we all, as we all have made mistakes," the corsair stated loudly enough that his voice could be heard. He stopped and turned to the group, his left hand clenched into a fist. As he let out a heavy sigh. "There is no real right answer in this situation. Louis has hindered and he has helped. He has never outright declared himself an enemy of ours though, never outright declared his hatred... From what I have gathered from these images, his heart is shattered, we do not know what all he went through up til we met him. But with a summon like Mateus, A corrupted Esper who yearns for only destruction and revenge for a betrayal that has nothing to do with us... Would any of us have fared any better?" The corsair was getting emotional, probably more than he should have been. More than he normally would have been. "If he were totally lost, beyond redemption, beyond saving then I would say we destroy him. But it is clear that he is not. It is our mission to fix things right? To stop the fiends, to restore Earth and save everyone we can isn't it!? Louis may be shattered, but he is still out there, and I think still worth saving. I am not saying he takes precedence over everything else. But we will not know unless we try. If he cannot be saved, then he will be lost or we will have to destroy him depending upon how it ends. Regardless, so long as he clings to a few of us, it's not like we can just turn a blind eye to him and ignore him. He is reaching out, trying to get us to help him. Can we just ignore that? He is still one of us."

The corsair then stopped, turning to look into the eyes of the pictomancer, his eyes full of empathy and understanding.

'Isn't that what you're trying to say? he asked Kyla mentally, so that only she could hear it.