The bonds that tie us (open)

[youngxehanort]

It is all linked, is it not?

Destiny Islands was always revered by many as peaceful or beautiful. The calm ocean breeze mixed with a distinct salty smell in the air made anyone feel at home on the lonely islands. Warm, soft sand and tropical trees complimented the area, each tree casting a looming shadow cast by the beating hot sun. As beautiful as they were the islands still had one particular flaw. They're just too small to inhabit. Just standing on the islands and staring out into the endless ocean made you curious on what else there could be out there. Being so vast and blue you couldn't blame anyone for thinking the islands were insignificantly small. The repeating blue just ached to be explored, researched.

A lone figure stood out on the beach, clad in a long black coat. Standing in front of the sun made him no different than a silhouette. The breeze that happened often made the tassels on his coat jingle and let loose in the wind. "Everything relates to these islands." Softly the figure said, mesmerized by the ocean blue. The person under the cloak was Young Xehanort, a native to the islands ..one that was way too familiar with them. Always viewing the island as a prison it made Xehanort wonder why others hadn't done the same as he did years ago.

Theoretically speaking this Xehanort hadn't explored the Worlds ...yet, but it's destined for him to do so. So why would someone that felt so confined by the islands be visiting them? Xehanort was there for a specific reason and it wasn't just to view the islands nostalgically through rose-tinted glasses. Curiosity. That was the main reason why Xehanort was standing on the islands. The bonds that were tied to the islands was what piqued his interest the most. Not only did his journey begin at this very same beach, but so did the journeys of Sora and Riku.

Xehanort had figured the islands weren't called Destiny Islands for nothing. The possibilities of what hidden properties the world had gave Xehanort that scientific rush. In the past he had already come face to face with his most current self, Master Xehanort. Admired by what he had become it gave Xehanort a head start on his goals and ambitions. The man that Xehanort grows up to be could be somewhat of a role model for this Xehanort, a perfect one in his eyes. The thought of his life being planned out any other way than it already had was out of question.

Now the bonds that Sora had to this world and his friends were the main interest point for Xehanort. These islands are much like his Heart ...prisons. Our journeys also began at this spot, perhaps it is here they too will end. If the ties are slowly gnawed away one by one, the power he considers most dear to his Heart will be severed. It was a devious plan really, remove the friends out of the equation. If Sora really did consider his friends to be his power, they could very well be his greatest weakness. A smirk traced upon Xehanort's lips as the wind blew under his hood, ruffling the hair underneath. There were risks for visiting the islands as one of the seven could appear, but they were empty threats to him.

[gabranth]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,460,true][atrb=style, background: url(http://i53.tinypic.com/a2vuas.png); padding: 5px; text-align: justify; color: #202020;] Well, the resolve of the warriors he had faced here had not been enough. They had given into hoplessness, despair and remorse, giving away to the darkness. The darkness had been allowed to flood the islands once more, and Gabranth looked out upon his work. There should have been pride, but there was no pride in the little challenge he had been given to claim these islands in the darkness they were swarthed in. There were no signs of the masked boy, or the other young boy smudged in darkness, but there was little to ponder on their path of conquest for why they were not here. At least now, Gabranth could gain some reflection and time to seethe in his hatred before he spread his own warpath to other worlds. He smirked arrogantly at the sight of the blackened char of a paopu tree, which he had set alight himself during the struggle. Hot white sand crunched underfoot as he strode in a victory march across the beach, this time noticing a figure clad in black. Another of the darkness? He spoke of how everything related to these islands, and Gabranth pondered upon what such a thing could bear relevance to before discarding such an cryptic notion. "Is it, now?" he answered, as some time had passed. He stopped in his tracks on the beach, some distance parallel from the black-hooded figure, standing to look out over the endless blue. "How so? All I see is a feckless spit of land. Once paradise, now paradise lost, thanks to my hand guiding my sword." He had his own swallowblade stored away under his cloak for the moment, seeing no purpose to have it out for battle for the moment, but clutched his fist as if it was still here. "But these islands hold some significance to you, do they not? And of what relevence is it to me, may you ask? If these islands are of any significance to you at all, then that scorching Light comes, you will use it as your motivation to snuff those that rely on the strength of others out. They would dare take it from you... does that not enrage you? Use that hatred to motivate you, drive you eliminate their kin permernantly." He turned to look at the Mysterious Figure. "You are with the darkness. I have heard a great deal of your kind. You and the organization that wears the black-hooded cloaks." He looked for any kind of reaction, but regardless of any, continued. "You are the bane of the keybladers. But moreso, those that follow the Light and believe strength comes from numbers and doing 'what they must'. But, do not think for a moment that I am looking for a new Lord. I am simply offering a alliance of convenience against our common foe, and watch their world burn in the flames of glory." He turned away from the bearer of No Name, out towards that empty void of indigo ocean. "You agree... do you not, or will you emmbrace cowardice?"

[/size][/td][/tr][/table]

tags Young Xehanort credits rinne

[/center]

[youngxehanort]

So Xehanort was not the only one on the island after all. It was not a surprise to him considering that the World still had its inhabitants. However the one that had approached him was definitely not of this World. No, he was definitely a traveler just like himself. The loud crunching of sand had given off his position, but Xehanort did not look. He had spoken outward to Xehanort, questioning his statement on how the islands were linked to everything. It was then Xehanort had taken the time to glance over at the newcomer. Under his hood the yellow eyes studied the man clad in armor. His mannerisms and appearance told him all he needed to know, there was no threat here, not now.

The armored one continued on about how he had conquered the land, going on to even question Xehanort's relevance to the islands. Anger and hatred were key points the man used. If I didn't know any better I'm listening to Xemnas. Xehanort mused in his thoughts, comparing the man's use of anger and hatred to that of Xemnas'. Regardless, Xehanort continued to listen to what the man had to say before speaking himself. It wasn't that he couldn't come up with anything to say at the moment, it would just be more of a convenience to him.

Then the mysterious guest had mentioned that he had heard of the Organization and what they have done, their missions, and all. There was no shock to be seen on Xehanort's face or body, just a simple turn of the head to recognize the man in armor once more. Not only did he know about them, but he wanted to form an alliance with them. Perhaps he could be of use to us, considering that of the islands and their current state. Thought Xehanort. With his last comment he rose his arm slowly he put out his hand, as if to temporally silence the man. The leather from the coat hung from his arm, swaying back and forth in the wind.

"Those that are connected are those that can be removed." His arm descended back to his side as he continued to speak, his body turning to face the man. "Once I had donned armor like yourself and traveled the Worlds. In search of the answer." Said Xehanort as he gestured to the mans armor. Now his statement was only half true. Yes he did travel the Worlds before and eventually gained his Keyblade Armor, however the Xehanort that stood before them had not actually experienced that truly. "It was on this very beach where my quest had started." Waving his hand across the ocean he stopped to take another look.

"A spit of land it may be and in the core only nothing but an asylum to those who are bound by it. However it, like all Worlds, play a bigger role than how they are portrayed." Echoed Xehanort as some waves crashed by his feet, soaking into the sand below and creeping back into the ocean. "The Keybearers of Light consider it as a home, and the Keyblade itself is tied to the Worlds. Thus their destiny was bound to their Hearts, just as this island was burned into their memories." The link between Keyblades, Hearts, and the Keyholes played an extremely important role in the universe and how things would be laid out for Xehanort in the future.

"Bound to their memories and power of 'friendship' they know not of what they truly would lose if either were erased." With that said Xehanort than removed his hood to reveal his long, white, hair and golden eyes. He then took the moment to view the Islands scars from the battle, not realizing them when he initially came to the World. "Our goals may seem similar but the end result is very much different." Unbeknownst of his true goals, Xehanort was not aiming to remove the Keybladers of Light from the equation. The Keyblade War would not be able to start without them, unless they went after the Princess' of Heart. "However your inquiry interests me." He did not doubt that this man had power, however compared to the Keybladers he would have to see for his own eyes. "Perhaps arrangements could be made between our parties." This man that stood before him had no interest in the Keyblade War. only in the destruction of the Keybladers. He would not be a hamper to their plans and could be used well.

[gabranth]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,460,true][atrb=style, background: url(http://i53.tinypic.com/a2vuas.png); padding: 5px; text-align: justify; color: #202020;] The man raised a hand as if to silence him, as if she a gesture would have stopped him even if he was still talking. Who was he to silence the judge magister? By his appearence, he was but a mere boy from what he could hear from his voice under the darkened hood, perhaps even younger than he was. A great power emited from him, but even if it did, that power still was no match for the only surviving and powerful former head Judge the Empire. Such incompetence, but if there was any expression of defiance or arrogance from either man the Judge did not, could not show it from beneath his iron mask. He let his anger, his hatred seethe and boil from within to empower his concentration, his focus towards his future tasks. The man turned to face him, and thus spoke in answer. The point that he had worn a suit of armor himself once starting off from this humble homeland was only more than a mere co-incidence. Gabranth had yet to see others that wore the grand insignia of strength that was the plate armor he wore upon his firm form. Perhaps this man was trying to find some sense of common ground to strike an accord with him. "Ah, I, too, share the homeland of what was once a common enemy. But the Republic of Landis is long since gone. My alligence with the Empire, too, was the contract severed and my kind exiled. Now I am my own master, and the worlds are but my home." It did not matter if his man learned tha Ivalice was his homeland. There was nothing there for him anymore that he would not miss that was not already guarded of it's own self-worth. He spoke where he may, but he was somewhat impressed by the man's rhetoric, that it was not of common street-rat speech such as the sky pirates of his world and the rest of the do-gooder Light-sided heroes beyond and throughout. "Doust speath thy truth, anywhere that you cannot find yourself to leave permernantly is a prison. So, I see your merit in this place, be a home to your enemy you wish to lay siege to it to draw them out, do you not?" Gabranth admired, as he too had returned to see if the enemy had come to claim this scorched earth, but this man sounded as if he were to use it as a trap. It sounded like the keyblade and it's destruction was an end goal for this man, and the island was a end to these means. It also sounded as if this world's special light had some significance after all, that it served as a proving grounds in training for those that wielded the key. Which made him wonder if this man, too, wielded such as key if he had began from these tropical beginnings. The unknown male went on to say basically that fond memories and friendship blinded their foes from seeing what they could truly lose with the absence of both. Which spoke of reflection, and as he watched he witnessed the youth take off his hood to reveal indeed a young man of silvery pale hair, amber eyes and deep tan complexion. "If you are saying they would not see what is to become of them, I would have disagree. My homeland, absorbed into the might of Archadia. My own brother, fled like a coward and to be cut down by none other than myself. Then laid subject to new masters to be their tool in swift execution. All was stripped from me, and I learned the bitter truths of losing one's memories and those that I would call comrades. It is more painful than that they would ever know for them to lose it." Indeed, they had similiar goals and all Gabranth wanted was to unleash hatred and watch everything burn before his eyes, but he was alert and would not be subject to being used as a mere hound at the beck and call of a new mastermind. "Then we have a accord. But know this. Should you ever begin to fathom a single idea of using me as a disposable means to your selfish ends, or gather a thought of raising yours or your allies hands against my will again, and I will have your head decapitated from your very shoulders." he threatened confidently and calmly, making a gesture of a single pointer finger across his neck armor as a empathizing gesture, but then lowered his hand back to his side and nodded in a relaxed agreement of his conditions of service.

[/size][/td][/tr][/table]

tags Young Xehanort credits rinne

[/center]

[youngxehanort]

The armored man that stood before him shared some sentiment about his own homeland, telling him about how he too shared a common foe from where he came. The commonality of such events happening across the Worlds were pretty high, everyone has someone to go against. While Xehanort may be against the Keybladers of Light, he was also aware of the Masked Man which the Light were sided against. If the Keyblade Wars were to go according to plan he, the Masked Man, would have to be taken out of the equation if he were to meddle. It mattered not, the main goal was still in his eyes and nothing would stop him from obtaining the true Kingdom Hearts.

He also spoke truth, if Sora's home was in danger he would definitely come running in headfirst to aid it. Perhaps Destiny Islands was just conquered or else the Darkness wouldn't have been as potent. The man that stood before him would definitely be of good use to them. Like Maleficent before him, he too would be apart of their grander scheme. Maleficent played her role admireably, distracting the heroes from her true intentions and now it would be the armored mans turn. The man did hold a considerable ammount of power, however the full extent of his usefuless will be revealed to them in the future.

Once again the judge had shared some more sentiment about his origins, relating to the task at hand. The Keybladers of Light would soon be opressed from roaming the Worlds as they do, however they are still needed for the War. "They too will know the burning cold of Death's breath, but first their own usefulness is needed." If it was War he wanted it was War he was going to get, the man would definitely agree with the statment. "The anger and hatred in your Heart consumes you, drives you, and you channel that into obtaining in what you desire." Xehanort said as he motioned his hand, clutching it into a fist as if he was grabbing something as he said desire. "You will be a worthy ally."

With that said Xehanort had then shook his head in protest to Gabranths statement of betrayal. "Need not you worry, allies are not expendable within our ranks." That was somewhat of a lie since they had no need for Maleficent any longer and would care less if something drastic would have happened to her. Xehanort walked across the shore a bit more, pacing towards the man. "If we are to truly rid of the Keybladers and their allies of Light, we need to make haste." After stopping in his track he waved his hand in front of him, showing seven glowing Lights. "Each of these represent a Princess of Heart. The Keybladers will stop at nothing to prevent us from obtaining them. It is they that will bring us one step closer to liberating the Darkness from its well guarded prison."

It was true, in the day and age he grew up in Darkness was considered a curse, an omen. One factor that irked him was that Darkness was mistreated so greatly. Now with another powerful ally on his side it would help bring the Keyblade War to true 'Light.'

[gabranth]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,460,true][atrb=style, background: url(http://i53.tinypic.com/a2vuas.png); padding: 5px; text-align: justify; color: #202020;] As Gabranth contemplated this new alliance of convenience forged between him and this tainted youth by kneeling down to examine his reflection in the tainted ocean waves, the silver-head spoke of the Keybladers being 'useful'. "And of what use exactly will these keybladers be? You speak of roles and destiny, but what exactly is your end goal be it not the Keybladers of Light's demise?" This man didn't exactly answer his questions about this subject, and seemed to either speak in riddles or change the subject altogether. "If you seek to reign control over the worlds, or destroy the existence of the realms entirely, then you are mistaken. Speak your mind, lest I sever your tongue from your mouth to match your current state of incomprehensible allusion." Not that it would come to that, but he had to make his point even if with his sharp tongue. The clenching of his fist as the youth mentioned the word 'desire' did not go unnoticed, and the Judge had to wonder if there was a scheme the young man felt impassioned to have accomplished, an ulterior motive. When he spoke of being expendable, the Judge merely scoffed, feeling he could not take the benefit of the doubt in this circumstance. "I'll forgive you if I cannot merely take your word for it; I will be watching you and your black-coat colleges with an eye as keen as my blade." With that point settled, next the pale-headed man conjured up seven orbs of light, to illustrate his point. "So, these 'Princesses of Heart'... I have dealt with a certain princess before, but I can determine these are no average mere women of sovereignty. What makes them so special that the keybarers protect them, and what is known of them?" The young man also spoke of 'releasing the darkness from it's prison', which made the executioner think that perhaps he served a master, or sought the destruction of the existance of all worlds... Gabranth wanted to carve a fiery path of destruction, but he did not want nothing left to destroy. So it was clear what this black-cloaked man wanted of him; to seek out and capture these fair female heirs to the throne. And to what purpose? To unleash this 'darkness' he spoke of, and what did it have to do with the usefulness of the keybladers? Were the keys they wielded of some use, perhaps to unlock this darkness? Before Gabranth was going to be blinded with the knowledge of having a new ally and go chasing maidens of royalty around the worlds, we would need more information to go on and what to be aware of once their reunion had come to pass. "Tell me of these circumstances in more detail, and I will lend you my aid and look into such matters for you."

[/size][/td][/tr][/table]

tags Young Xehanort credits rinne

[/center]

[youngxehanort]

Xehanort listened as the man gave him an idle threat about getting to the point. He wasn't at all moved by the ruffian's violent promise. "It is you who is mistaken at this point." Shaking his head, Xehanort turned around and looked at the ocean once more. "Light is oppressive, is it not?" His arm raised and he pointed at the sun and than moved his focus onto a looming shadow that was cast by a tree. "The shadows always present under an everlasting Light, even in night a glimpse of Light guards the Darkness with its all-seeing eye." If Xehanort was going to tell the armored man about his plans he would very well do it in the way he was most familiar with. "But why is this? ---Darkness suppressed under the Light?" Yellow eyes peered around to his new 'friend,' looking at him through the corner of his eyes.

Then Xehanort had let him say what he had to say. Naturally the man had questions and Xehanort would provide the answers. Even Xehanort had questioned his future self giving him the task of gathering his fractured successors, but undoubtedly accepted the mission. Folding his arms behind his back he slowly turned to face his ally, mimicking what his older self would usually do. "Seven wardens of Light, derived from the transcendental Light many had sought to be rewarded." He was mocking them by calling them wardens. Unwrapping his arms from behind his back, Xehanort than motioned them out in front of him as if he was giving an embrace, once again clenching his fists as he said rewarded. "To 'protect' the ones from the Darkness." Mockingly he said protect.

"They were set in place to comfort the denizens of Light, to let them know that even fragments of Light will shine through the Darkness." Xehanort pointed to the sky. "Once before our time, the sky was not as it once was and these worlds were not spread across the universe." He then drew an X with his finger. "Crossed, bounded, whatever you prefer. The Worlds were once one, joined together by long stretches of road. Darkness was not taboo in that World, it was highly regarded and not brushed off to the side." His arm waved as if he was brushing away a fly.

"We aspire to return the Worlds to how they used to be and retain Darkness as the true heir." With a quick swift head turn his eyes locked into the man's helmet's visor, staring through the shadow it cast. "The ravaging cries of War once caused the Worlds to splinter, the Keybladers of Light than put into power to prevent such an event. Now you know why we want to free ourselves and bring back what was once lost." Turning back to the beach he placed his boots firmly on the ground as the water started to get more choppy. Some waves made it onto the beach, others did not as the water swept to the tips of Xehanort's boots and then back. "It is no secret any longer, they know of our plans. With the Seven in our hand we will unlock the true path and remove the temperament of Light."

[gabranth]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,460,true][atrb=style, background: url(http://i53.tinypic.com/a2vuas.png); padding: 5px; text-align: justify; color: #202020;] "Am I, now? I best not be, seeing how it will be you hiring my sword arm, so it be best I better not be making any mistakes lest who I swing it down upon." Gabranth warned, eyes narrowed slightly at the young Xehanort. He had simply meant he was not going to work for another emperor or a destroyer, like Vayne or Chaos. If this fellow thought he was mistaken, he had better think twice who that really was if requiring his aid, needing him more than Gabranth did. The man talked more abotu light and darkness, and Gabranth shook his head. Apart from the darkness which could seem to take a life of it's own and take over a person's heart, which he was aware of even while he empowered himself with his inner strength of hatred, he did not see so much concern for any oppression 'darkness' had. If he meant users of darkness such as themselves, then he needed to state as such and stop talking in riddles. When he put his hands behind his back, he looked like... an old man, for some odd reason. Aside from the odd gesture, he talked about 'Seven Wardens of Light', although he seemed sarcastic in the words 'warden' and to 'protect' darkness. Seven... odd number, since it was considered a holy number by those who were supersticious. Apart from that bit of information, things did not make sense. Of course 'protect' did not need what it seemed, or else it would be easy to determine that eliminating the Keybladers of Light would do as such. So what did he mean by 'protect'? Was it in fact, irony, and somehow they were going to convert these 'wardens' to the darkness, since it did take over men's hearts? Perhaps, even convert them into the wretched Heartless? It took a moment for Gabranth to realize he had finally begun answering his question about the Princesses of Light, when he began his speech about lights shining their brightest in the dark. And then an interesting speculation; how the worlds first came to be. According to this man, the worlds were once as one, not seperated by the vast stretches of dark space. It sounded like the end of the story had disdain towards the light; perhaps even envy. Jealousy that it was not widely revered in modern times, unlike then. What had caused such a schism in the worlds, it would have to have been a great clash between these light and dark forces. The EXecutioner stood up in full height from his kneeling position he had maintained, contemplating what this would mean for Ivalice. And this was confirmed true, as the youth followed up with those very words moments later, after revealing it was his goal to return the worlds to this state. It made sense; a solemn nod was made from the helmet the silver-head was fixating his gaze upon Gabranth's visor. Although, the man finished that the 'Seven' knew of their plans and a 'true path' will be unlocked. Slowly, the Judge Magister raised his swallow-sword at the man, pointing it at him not aggressively, but as emphasis to the point he was about to make. "Still, you speak in riddled tongue. You are not telling me everything about these 'Seven' and the 'true path'. However, I will make you speak of these things later, I will agree to assist you as payment. Work for information, I think that's a fair trade. Take me to the keybladers, or your place of operations; we will discuss more there, or else should we cut down our enemy." With his old-fashioned English speak done for now, the Judge Magister turned and walked away from the black-hooded cloak, done with his infuriating cryptic speech... for now. He would get answers. Gabranth has left the thread for The World That Never Was, Raid #8.

[/size][/td][/tr][/table]

tags Young Xehanort credits rinne

[/center]