Souls & Hearts:Underground

[Quillion9000]

Roxas' Diary
Day 7: Entry 1
It's been a week since I got here. Saix told me to keep a diary, but what am I supposed to write about? Well, today they told us to go to the Round Room where we met our new member, No. XIV. Was I like that when I first got here? I think I was, but I don't remember too well.

Day 8: Entry 2
Axel and I went to Twilight Town today. He taught me a lot. Before we RTC'd (Returned To the Castle), we swung by the clock tower and had some sea-salt ice cream. Axel called it the "icing on the cake" after a successful mission, except there was no cake just the ice cream.

I don't know what to write in this thing!

Day 9: Entry 3
The past few days, the other members have been showing me how to fight and do mission stuff. They also told me more about the Organization and myself. I still don't really get what a 'heart' is. Apparently, it's a vital piece to who I am, so I've decided to cooperate. If I collect enough hearts, I can complete Kingdom Hearts. Then, I'll be whole.

Day 14: Entry 4
Axel and I went on a mission to Twilight Town. Afterwards, we had ice cream again up on the clock tower. He said friends do stuff like that, or they laugh together. Does that mean we are friends?

Day 15: Entry 5
The other members have been teaching me more about fighting and stuff. It's going well, I guess. Every day, after work, I've been meeting Axel at the clock tower to have sea-salt ice cream. It really is salty yet sweet. How come it tastes so familiar?

Day 22: Entry 6
Axel is going to some place called Castle Oblivion. He told me because we're friends. He had to go home early to get ready. After he left, I noticed the word 'WINNER' on my ice cream stick. I wonder what I won? I'll ask Axel when I see him tomorrow.

Day 23: Entry 7
Axel left before I woke this morning. I never got to ask him about the ice cream stick. I was partnered with No. XIV for today's mission. Xion wore a hood the whole time and wouldn't say a word. Come to think of it, I didn't have a lot to say. Afterwards, I had ice cream by myself.

Day 24: Entry 8
I teamed up with No. XIV again today, and we finally talked a little. Xion even said my name for the first time. Afterwards, I had ice cream by myself again. The lady at the shop said you can trade the WINNER stick for an extra bar, but I can't eat more than one.

Day 25: Entry 9
Today was my third day with Xion, and I've gotten to know a little more about her. That's right! She's a girl with black hair and can even use the Keyblade like me! I took her out for ice cream afterwards, but I'm saving the WINNER stick. Axel deserves a reward when he gets back. Xion wants to have ice cream with us from now on, so maybe we'll all be friends.

Day 26: How Long?
I heard somebody sent to Castle Oblivion was terminated. Saix said it may have been Axel. I tried to ask Xigbar about it on today's mission, and he said nothing's left of Nobodies once we're gone. It's because we have no hearts to leave behind. I don't remember much after that.

They say I then collapsed and wouldn't wake up…

Day 50: Xion's Seashells
I woke up to find a bunch of seashells by my pillow. I counted them, one for each day I was asleep. I wondered who left them, but when I got to the clock tower, Xion gave me another. I held it up to my ear and could hear the ocean…

Why did it sound familiar?

The stuff I dreamed about felt strangely familiar to. I remember being in a white room with somebody in red. Then, he disappeared into the white. There was also this girl's voice. She said she knew I'd be "snoozing." Why would she know that?

The voice sounded a little like Xion's.

Day 51: Annihilated
It sounds like the worst has come to pass. The whole C.O. team, wiped from existence. It's hard to come to grips with the idea Axel is gone. I feel…choked up? I don't know what you'd call it. I went up to the clock tower to have ice cream, but no one else showed up.

Day 52: Ice Cream Alone
I sit up on the clock tower, but no one comes. Not Axel, not even Xion. That weird lump in my throat won't go away. Something else is bothering me. This is going to sound crazy (good thing this is a private diary!), but these pictures keep flashing through my head. Not all the time, just sometimes since I collapsed. It happens when I'm awake too, so I don't think they're dreams.

Where do the pictures coming from?

Day 71: Axel's Back
After work, Axel turned up out of nowhere. I didn't know what to say. I thought we'd lost him for good. We went up to the clock tower and talked for a while. I told him about Xion. The choked-up sensation has gone away.

Day 72: Ice Cream with Axel
Axel and I went to Agrabah. He seems different now that he's back from C.O. Ice cream was just the two of us today.

I wonder when Axel, Xion, and I will get to have ice cream together?

Day 73: Where's Xion?
After I finished my mission, I wanted all three of us to have ice cream, but I couldn't find Xion. It's been at least ten days since I've last seen her. Axel said he'd ask Saix what was going on. Speaking of Axel, I didn't see him at the clock tower today.

Day 74: The Three of Us
Today, my job was to help Axel find Xion. It turns out she had gone missing, but we managed to find her. We finally got to have ice cream together, which was nice, but Xion can't use her Keyblade anymore. Axel says friends help each other, so I'm going on missions with her until she remembers how to work the Keyblade herself.

Day 75: Inseparable
Xion and I are working together now. The Genie we met in Agrabah said he and his friend Al are "inseparable." Axel told us best friends can be inseparable even if they're not always together, but it sounded like he wasn't sure about it himself.

I thought Axel knew everything.

That reminds me, those weird pictures flashed through my head again while I was in Agrabah. The boy in red I wrote about before…

Has he been to Agrabah or something?

Day 94: Kingdom Hearts
Xemnas summoned us. Nothing he says ever makes sense to me. He showed us Kingdom Hearts, a big heart-shaped moon floating up there in the night sky. He said the human heart will never have power over us. Great, I guess? So, why are we trying to get hearts again?

Axel said I'll understand once I have a heart, but I'm not sure…

Day 95: My Past
I went to Agrabah today with Xion. We make a pretty good team now. Afterwards, we spoke with Axel about the other Nobodies. The ones who make it into the Organization are powerful enough to keep their memories, yet Xion and I can't remember our pasts.

What was I like?

Day 96: Out of Trouble
Today's mission was with Xion, in Beast's Castle. I tried loaning her my Keyblade, and she had no problem using it. That meant I had to fight without it, but we got the job done. Afterwards, Xion remembered how to summon her own Keyblade, so I guess we're out of trouble. When we were done, we all had ice cream together.

Day 97: Our Place
Every day, after work, the three of us have been going to our place on top of the clock tower to have ice cream. We don't talk about much, but I wouldn't miss these conversations for the world. I wonder if Axel and Xion feel the same…

Do the other Organization members have their own routines? It's hard to picture.

Day 117: Special Nobodies
Today, it was Xigbar and me while Axel and Xion went out on their own mission. Xigbar told me Xion and I are "exceptional." You know, special Nobodies. Because we can use the Keyblade? Work dragged on late, so I didn't make it up to the clock tower.

I wonder if Xion and Axel made it. Those pictures started flashing through my head again on the mission. The boy in red…What's it all about? Maybe when Xigbar called me "special" he meant "crazy." Seriously, though, is Xion experiencing the same thing? It feels weird to ask.

Day 118: Vacation
Today was my first vacation ever. I didn't know what to do with it, and all Axel would say was to do what I like. Well, all I like is having ice cream with my friends, so that's what I ended up doing. Axel leaves tomorrow for a mission.

That reminds me, I still haven't given him the WINNER stick!

Day 119: Something to Protect
Today, Xaldin and I explored Beast's Castle and found something he wants to protect. Xaldin says that's a weakness, but I'm not sure. What does it mean to care about something that much? I don't, so it's hard to wrap my head around the whole idea.

Day 149: WINNER
Today's mission took me to a new world. It was a weird place. I was up on the clock tower afterwards when Axel turned up after being away forever. He said he finished that long mission, but this time Xion didn't show. I was going to give Axel that WINNER stick, but I should wait until I get another. It wouldn't be fair to leave Xion out.

Day 150: Too Precious to Lose
Xion didn't come to the clock tower again today. She and Saix had some kind of argument. Axel and I talked for a while about the things we can't bear to lose. Axel thinks for Nobodies it's our past because that's all we have to remember the pain of losing something.

I don't remember my past, but the idea of losing the present, Axel or Xion, scares me.

Day 151: What Makes Us Different?
I ran into Xion in Twilight Town. I guess she messed up a mission bad the other day, and it's been bugging her. We went up to the clock tower afterwards. She said we're different. That's obvious if you look at us, but I don't think that's what she meant.

A lot seems to be on her mind, and it's not the same as what's on mine.

Day 152: I Don't Get It
I think Xion might be mad at me, but I don't know why. Axel says girls are complicated. You can't press the wrong buttons.

Like I'm supposed to know what the right ones are!

Day 153: No Taste for It
It's hard spending time with Xion, and Axel seems busy too. I've been having ice cream alone, but it's just not the same. All I taste is the salt, and my hands get sticky. It's like I'm going through the motions of eating it just to throw the stick out and get on with life.

I must've had about a hundred of these things, yet I still haven't found another WINNER. I never did find a way to ask Xion about the pictures going through my head. I don't really know what to do about anything right now.

Day 171: What's Love?
On my mission to Beast's Castle, Xaldin told me about 'love,' and the special power it has over people. I tried to ask Axel about it, but his explanation didn't make any sense to me. Every time I ask him about this, he tells me I need a heart to understand. It's like he's dodging the question.

Day 172: Xion Collapsed
Xion failed her mission and now she's in a deep sleep. I thought they were lying to me when they told me, but I went to see her. She really was just asleep. I left a seashell by her pillow, just like she did for me. Saix hates her, and I don't know why.

Maybe he knows more about her than the rest of us do. Those pictures flashed through my mind again on today's mission (the same boy in red as usual). I guess he's been to Wonderland. I'm still trying to figure out what I'm seeing.

Day 173: Picking Up the Slack
I've decided to work harder while Xion is asleep and pick up the slack. Axel said he asked Saix about her, but no dice. He did say Saix was having second thoughts about calling her broken, though.

I just hope we get this drama ironed out before she wakes.

Day 174: Seashells for Her
Xion hasn't woken up, but I'm pulling double duty to make up for it. Axel and I talk about the dumbest stuff now, up at the clock tower. Afterwards, we head back to the castle, and I leave a seashell by Xion's pillow.

It would please me to see her smile when she finds them. Pictures flashed through my head again in Never Land, and when I flew, it felt like I'd done it prior. Has the guy in red flown before, is that it?

Day 193: Best Friends
Xion's awake! The three of us were going to get ice cream after our mission; however, she passed out again, so we had to take her home. I talked with Axel in her room until she woke. He said the three of us were best friends, inseparable.

Day 194: Even Far Apart
We've all started going back to our usual spot after work. Sometimes, Axel and Xion are there waiting for me. Other times, I get there first. Things have gotten busier for us, so we can't all make it every day.

But even if they're not there, at least now it seems like we're together again. I wonder if it seems that way to them, too. I forgot to ask Xion about the pictures in my head again…It was the same kid in red.

Who is he, and what does he have to do with me?

Day 224: What's Gotten Into Her?
I think something's wrong with Xion. Is she not feeling well again? Axel said we should all go to the beach next time we get a vacation. I think he senses something is wrong too. That's why he suggested the beach, to make her feel better.

Day 225: Something Must Be Wrong
Okay, now I'm really worried about Xion. I told Axel, but all he said was that she'll get through it. He knows something is wrong. I bet he's just telling me that to put my mind at ease. Well, it's not working.

Day 255: Now Axel's Acting Weird
I had ice cream with Axel after work today, but Xion didn't show. Axel said she got sent on an important mission, but he wouldn't look at me when he said it. I've been wondering what's wrong with Xion all this time, but now that I think about it, Axel's not himself either.

Day 256: Xion's Gone Missing
Xion has gone missing. Nobody has said anything about her being hurt, so that's good…I guess. Did she run off? That doesn't make sense. Xemnas told us not to go after her. The way Saix explained it, it's almost like they don't think she's worth getting back.

What is going on?

Day 257: He's Avoiding Me
I want to talk to Axel about Xion, but I can't seem to get ten seconds with the guy. What am I supposed to do? I can't believe he's avoiding me.

We're supposed to be friends.

Day 276: By the Sea
I don't remember much about today's mission, just that it was by the beach. Or was it? The mission didn't even feel real. Axel and I agreed to start looking for Xion tomorrow.

Day 277: No Sign of Her
I've looked everywhere for Xion, in every world, but there's just no sign of her. Where is she? Why did she leave the Organization?

I don't get it, any of it…

Day 296: Castle Oblivion
There's one place we haven't checked for Xion, Castle Oblivion. When I brought it up with Axel, he surprised me by saying C.O. is where she comes from. I guess he just found out himself.

Is that where she is?

Day 297: Who is That Guy?
I went to Castle Oblivion to find Xion, but I don't remember anything about it. Axel said I collapsed as soon as I got there. I woke up in Twilight Town. Incredibly enough, Xion was there, but she wasn't alone. There was this guy wearing our cloak, yet he wasn't one of us.

Who is he?

Day 298: Some Other Way
I don't believe it! Axel attacked Xion. There must have been some other way. I know she's acting weird, but I hardly recognize Axel these days either. What's going through their heads?

I feel so left out…

Day 299: Sora?
Xemnas told me 'Sora' is the connection between Xion and me.

Who exactly is Sora?

Day 300: No Words
For the first time in a while, the three of us met up on the clock tower. None of us really knew what to say. We used to talk each other's ears off, but I guess those days are gone. So much has happened lately.

I've even been forgetting to write about those pictures in my head. They now happen even when I'm not on missions. More often too. They even show up in my dreams. Xion told me she has dreams too.

Is all of this connected?

Day 301: My Dream
I dream all the time now, but I don't sleep well. I wake up tired every day. I guess that makes them nightmares, not dreams. Xion and Axel don't come to the clock tower anymore. I thought maybe if I got everything off my chest with them, I might stop having the nightmares.

So much for testing that theory…

Day 321: No Energy Left
I feel so tired, almost disconnected from my body. The dreams have gotten stranger. Now, I wake up with water on my cheeks. I don't know how it got there, but I think there's something wrong with me. Today, I was teamed up with Xion. She seems to be in better shape than me. We had ice cream together, something we hadn't done in a while.

Day 322: Another Dream
I had another dream. My head feels heavy. I want to have ice cream with Xion and Axel again.

Day 352: Us and the Sunset
Xion, Axel, and I had ice cream. The sunset was beautiful. I don't have to write anything else down because I'll never forget this day.

Day 353: Broken Trust
Axel let Xion leave the Organization, like he wanted her to go. She's a puppet? A mirror that reflects me? He's talking nonsense.

I can't trust him anymore.

Day 354: Who Am I?
I don't understand the Organization. I don't understand Axel…I understand myself least of all. Why do I keep coming back to the castle? Xion and I are special, connected by "Sora." If she's a puppet, maybe I am too.

I don't know what I am.

Day 355: I Am
I must know who I am…

I am DONE WITH THIS.

Day 357: Three Again?
I'm going to set Kingdom Hearts free and find my way to Sora. I'm going to get Xion back. The three of us will have ice cream together again…

I know it.

The World That Never Was: Day 358…
It was stormy within the World That Never Was when Roxas came into the neon-lit city. Typically, one could see he was Sora's Nobody by his facial features which closely resembled the island boy. This included his bright blue eyes, build, and spiky hair.

In contrast to Sora's brown hair, Roxas' was a golden blond and styled more windswept. None of this could be seen due to the black coat he wore with the hood up. Roxas was now making his way through the landscape.

"All those hearts I've captured…Kingdom Hearts…Set them free." It was that which echoed in Roxas' mind as he tore through Neo Shadow after Neo Shadow.

His keyblades, Oathkeeper and Oblivion, moved in accordance with his thoughts in a deadly dance. He never stopped nor hesitated. With each felled Heartless rose an inky black mist, their lifeblood. His blades moved so quickly it yanked the mist forth to fill its wake.

"I'll make them pay, Xion." Roxas thought.

He clung to that with all his might. He didn't care what she claimed, he would never forget. She was his friend, and he was hers. Once he was done fulfilling her last wish, once everyone paid for what they had done to her, he would go to…Static.

"No." Roxas muttered, shaking his head. "Her name is Xion. Her name is Xion. Her name…"

He had reached the base of Memory's Skyscraper. With his focus elsewhere, he didn't see the Neo Shadows pop up behind him, following him stealthily. That did not last as Roxas soon came to notice he was surrounded. He spun his Keyblades, accepting their challenge of opposition.

Roxas proceeded to tear through the Heartless, eliminating each foe with his deadly dance. Thunder crashed as he ripped through the last Neo Shadow, illuminating a figure high above. It was that unknown figure who wore the same cloak yet wasn't part of the Organization.

His hood was down, showing silvery hair blowing in the breeze and a blindfold which covered his eyes. Roxas jumped to the side of Memory's Skyscraper and dashed up its surface as more incoming Neo Shadows attempted to attack him. Roxas slashed through them, barely impeded.

He then threw one of his Keyblades, Oblivion, at the figure who jumped down and dived to catch it. Upon grasping the blade, memories of Xion came to his mind. He remembered when he met the wounded girl on the bridge as he held her in his arms.

The figure and Roxas passed each other, one falling while the other rose. While Roxas reached the top of the skyscraper, the figure gracefully landed. He stumbled and held his head as more Neo Shadows surrounded him. When one lunged for the figure, he easily dispatched it.

Roxas then jumped off the top of the building and landed. Wordlessly, they took the remaining Heartless down before jumping back and facing each other. Memories of Xion flickered through the figure's mind.

"Who are you?" Roxas asked.

"Why does it matter?" The figured asked. "I'm here for you."

Roxas' blue eyes angrily glimmered beneath his hood. "Why are you trying to stop me?"

"Because I want the rest of Sora's memories." The figure answered.

"Sora!?" Roxas exclaimed, sick of that name by now. "Enough about him!"

"Do you have some kind of plan?" The figure asked.

"I'm going to set Kingdom Hearts free." Roxas replied firmly. "Then, everything can go back to the way it was. Xion will return, and the three of us can be together again."

"Xion…" The figured looked at Oblivion. "You're managing to remember her, yet it's a struggle for me to recall her name. Regardless, I can't let you do anything crazy."

"I'm freeing Kingdom Hearts." Roxas held his Keyblade out. "Then, I'm finding this Sora person and bringing Xion back. "

The figure sighed, shaking his head. "The Organization will destroy you well before you reach Kingdom Hearts."

"Enough!" Roxas shouted, swinging Oathkeeper.

He then charged the figure, striking him only to hit a barrier. Despite his anger, that was enough to see Roxas exercising caution. As the figure struck, Roxas blocked. Both now circled each other before clashing. They blocked each other's strikes, though occasionally got a hit in.

The figure was sturdier than Roxas, resulting in him utilizing his magic and limit break to strike back fiercely. This managed to even up the battle before overcoming the figure and knocking him on his butt. Roxas now towered over his opponent, panting from what he had used to win.

"Why!? Why do you have the Keyblade?" The figure asked.

Roxas stared at Oathkeeper before shaking his head. "Shut up."

Roxas tried to attack the figure again, but he was the one knocked away this time through a powerful clash. Oathkeeper was sent flying as Roxas lost his grip on the blade. The boy who laid on the ground now thought back to his memories of himself, Axel and Xion.

The figure approached and slammed Oblivion into the ground beside him. He was taken aback when Roxas struggled to rise, using the blade as support. He managed to slash it out, forcing the figure back before charging forward.

The figure shot off a Dark Firaga, but Roxas slashed through the spell as he lunged at the figure. He slashed his blade, forcing his opponent to evade him before eventually hopping back. The two faced off once more, both clearly winded.

"Why don't you quit!?" Roxas yelled.

"Come on, Sora." The figure decided to try something. "I thought you were stronger than this."

"Huh? Get real." Roxas spoke, though his tone was lighter than normal. "Look which one of us is winning."

The duel wielder was surprised, covering his mouth at the outburst in confusion.

"So, it's true." The figure was somewhat pleased. "You really are his Nobody. Guess DiZ was right after all."

"What are you talking about?" Roxas questioned, frustrated. "I am me!" He summoned Oathkeeper to his free hand, brandishing both Keyblades once more. "Nobody else!"

Roxas then charged his opponent again. The figure managed to dodge the first slash, but he could only cross his arms and take the attack which followed. He was sent skidding back and brought to his knees, darn near out of juice as he currently was.

"Riku, please!" A voice rang out, only for the figure to hear. "You must stop him!"

Roxas' breathing was shaky. "How many times do I have to beat you?"

"Alright." Riku had some issues standing. "You've left me no other choice."

Roxas raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"I have to release the power in my heart." Riku removed his blindfold. "The dark power I've been holding back. Even…if it changes me forever."

He let out a scream as pillars of dark energy surrounded him.

"It can't end here!" Roxas' eyes widened at the display of power. "I-I don't have the magic or energy to combat him further."

He had to use a lot of what he had to bring Riku down the first time. This guy wasn't even as unpredictable as Xion had been; however, his skill was undeniable. To see this outpouring of powerful darkness…

"I can still fight." Roxas firmly clenched his Keyblades. "That's a lot of darkness though, and if I do fall, I won't achieve…Wait! There is something else I can do." He held out his hand behind him. "I need to regroup anywhere but here."

The dark, flame-like corridor opened behind him as the darkness around Riku faded. He was now a taller man with silver hair and tan skin. Roxas didn't waste time as he lept back into his corridor, deciding he had to escape now.

Riku saw this in shock before lunging forward in desperation. "No!"

Roxas made it through the corridor. It closed before Riku could follow, seeing him hitting the ground stomach first.

 

[Quillion9000]

Undertale
Whether one records it, history shapes the present. When it comes to the history of this world, it's present is one which tends to see Humans agree they should stay away from Mount Ebott. Located within the vast forest of the oldest kingdom on Earth, it towers above all.

Unusual height aside, Mount Ebott has no distinct physical features. Numerous outcroppings and steep paths lined its slopes, with trees practically covering every other surface. These days, the prospect of venturing up the mountain is primarily discussed among the children.

Generally, none of them have the nerve to go too far up, awarding it ever greater intrigue. Sometimes, adults would discuss the place with each other when not otherwise occupied. Many could be just as easily excited by the secrecy of it as those younger than them are.

Traversing the mountain was banned by the World Government, but the laws prohibiting its exploration are hardly upheld. This essentially makes it public property, yet few ever dare to climb all the way to the summit.

Any who may have, haven't been heard from again. Depending on who you ask, what their affiliation is, and/or what they are permitted to say, you'd be liable to get a plethora of explanations. What you'll hear most commonly is the following:

Long ago, two races ruled over Earth: HUMANS and MONSTERS.
One day, war broke out between the two races.
After a long battle, the Humans were victorious.
They sealed the Monsters underground with a magic spell.

Monsters, a species comprised of magic energy and possessing various powers. Terrified locals believe to this day they prey on those who have been foolish or unlucky enough to enter their domain. Despite everything, there are those curious enough to venture up Mount Ebott.

Ebott Forest, Morning…
Roxas trudged forward in a sluggish manner, his shoulders drooped while his arms hung limp at his sides. His body ached and groaned from exhaustion, a plea for him to stop. To sit or lean against even one of the many trees he passed on his way towards a mountain in the distance.

Roxas was exhausted, more than he's been in his life. His magic supply was running on fumes while his body was still recovering. He kept moving regardless, wanting to ensure he had a safe place to rest. It'd either be at the top of this mountain, or he'd hopefully see a place from atop it.

"It'd be just my luck." Roxas thought. "Decide to rest up around one of these trees, only to be attacked by a pack of wolves."

He'd seen wildlife in the forest outside Twilight Town, anyone he was partnered with for the day telling him what they were. While he wasn't certain such wildlife inhabited this forest, the Nobody wasn't about to take the chance.

Roxas eventually came to a stop as he realized, later than he'd have liked even in his current state, he'd ended up within a man-made meadow of flowers. It wasn't man-made in that someone planted flowers, more that someone cut down trees to the stump in all directions he looked.

"What is this?" Roxas contemplated.

The strangeness of this sight couldn't help but bring out the investigative side the Organization had cultivated within him through the reconnaissance of various worlds. Mostly due to anything that can at minimum do something like being trouble given his current state.

"You're not supposed to be here." A female voice called out, her tone cold yet not emotionless.

Roxas turned around to see an athletic, feminine figure. She wore a military uniform that was a mixture of red and gunmetal black with steel-tipped boots and metal plates on the back of her gloves. A katana was sheathed at her side while she wore a featureless, metal mask.

Since arriving in this world, Roxas hasn't seen signs of civilization or people. If he had prior to seeing this girl, he hadn't planned on them seeing him. Despite the times he broke it, one of the first things he learned from the Organization was to stay clear of natives.

That seemed imperative now given he'd escaped the white haired boy wearing their cloak to recuperate. If Roxas ran into anyone, his plan had been to tail them until they led him to a place where he could rest. Whoever this figure was, they didn't allow him to respond.

Instead, the figure held out her right hand towards him as the familiar sight of fire magic became evident. Instinct took over as Roxas summoned forth Oathkeeper and Oblivion. Energy the Nobody didn't know he still had surged forth, seeing him rush forward.

"Fireaga!" The figure called out.

A large sphere of fire came at Roxas, which he cut through with Oathkeeper before pressing on and slashing at his current opponent with Oblivion. She drew her sword, slashing out at the same time and managing to knock him back.

As Roxas flew back, he pointed Oathkeeper at her. "Bizzaga!"

Three spheres of ice fired off at the figure. She slashed through the first two before the third hit, freezing her within an ice crystal. As Roxas landed, he began panting heavily while recognizing he was out of magic. Still though, he pushed on and charged his opponent.

Upon reaching her, Roxas swung each of his keyblades. They shattered the ice to reach her body before he swung them into her gut together. The figure was sent tumbling along the ground but just managed to end up in a crouched position as the Nobody charged her once more.

The figure held her right arm aloft. "Thundaga!"

Roxas attempted to dodge, only to move too slow and be struck by lightning from above that had him crying out in pain. The figure now charged forward, reaching her opponent. She laid into him with slashes and kicks, the final foot thrusted into his gut knocked Roxas away.

The figure then held her right arm towards her opponent. "Blizzaga!"

She fired off the three spheres of ice at Roxas, who landed and panted heavier as his eyes widened. "Damnit, I can't fall here!"

His body wasn't going to like this, but it was all he could do.

The Nobody spread his Keyblades apart as darkness radiated off him. "Enough!"

He ascended slightly and held his blades together over his head as rays of light rained down. They smashed through the oncoming spheres of ice before attempting to tag the figure, who proceeded to fluidly move through them.

Roxas separated his blades once more, the intensity and speed of the beams increasing. While the figure was able to avoid the prior beams of light, these managed to tag her until she ended up taking them head on and was bombarded by light.

Upon landing, he saw the figure was still standing. She wasn't as sure footed, but that hardly mattered. His current state was much worse off now. He'd just used up every ounce of magic on that Blizzaga before pushing his body further with a Limit Break.

This time there was no way he could summon a Dark Corridor, so he did the only thing he could think of. Roxas hurled both his Keyblades with everything he had, time having slowed down as his mind raced to process things, before turning and stumble sprinting away.

Both blades hit her, Oblivion nailing the figure in the neck simultaneously with Oblivion nailing her in the legs. Both hits knocked the figure flat on her back before they vanished. Roxas didn't see this as he kept his focus on getting away, moving in the direction of the mountain.

Mount Ebott: Midday…
Roxas was stumbling as he walked or ran, in short burst, up a path he found. He forced his body to keep moving, even as every part of him screamed to stop. Somehow, he managed not to fall. Perhaps it was because hitting the ground would render him unconscious.

The Nobody had left a world with one figure attacking him, only for another to crop up on this new world not even an hour removed. Roxas soon saw he was seemingly reaching the top of this mountain and even spotted what looked like the mouth of a cave.

"I can rest there." The Nobody thought.

He reached the mouth of the cave, only to pause as someone was inside. It was a girl, someone who looked a little younger than him. She was stood at the edge of a hole. This girl had a tan skin tone and brown hair reaching straight down like a bowl cut.

She wore a blue shirt with purple stripes, a pair of jeans, and a basic pair of sneakers. A bandage was stuck to her face, a leather bag was slung around her frame, and she carried a stick. One not too dissimilar to what Roxas used after loaning Xion his Keyblade that one time.

"Doesn't seem to have any relation to that girl I fought." Roxas noted.

He was about to depart when he heard what sounded like ground cracking followed by a scream. Roxas looked back into the cave, seeing the edge that girl was standing on starting to give way. He acted without thinking, rushing in as fast as his body would allow in its current state.

The Nobody ended up leaping for it and extending his arms, just managing to catch the girl by the back of her shirt with his right hand as the section of ground she was on fell. At this point, his muscles were screaming at him for the sudden movement and weight he now held.

"She's not even heavy, but this girl might as well weigh a ton right now." Roxas grit his teeth. "Hold on." The girl managed to look up and meet his gaze with her blue eyes. "I'll pull you…"

Whatever he was going to say next died in his throat as the ground gave way. Roxas and the girl screamed as they plummeted into the darkness below. The Nobody too weak to do anything to save himself, let alone this girl.

Underground: Later…
The girl stirred groggily, amazed to be alive. While not remembering when she fell, the girl knew it must have been a far one given she'd been at the top of Mount Ebott. She then remembered the guy who tried to save her. The girl got to her feet, blinking to adjust her sight to the darkness.

She rapidly looked around the cave, knowing it to be one by the rocky walls and mostly dirt covered ground. The only exception was a large bed of bright yellow flowers which seemingly cushioned her fall alongside the older boy's, who she spotted not far from her.

The girl rushed over, kneeling by his side. "Mister!"

She checked his pulse while looking him over. This guy looked to be in rough shape, rougher than the girl thought she was in currently, though his heart still beat well enough. Just then, Roxas' eyes opened seeing him stare out the hole above and making out the early evening light.

"You're awake." The girl noticed he was conscious, relieved as she began to help him slowly sit up. "How are you feeling? Are you okay?"

Roxas' body still ached; however, he could feel some of his energy had returned after he'd been unconscious for however long. "I'm fine." He then looked at her. "You stuck around to help me?"

"I only woke up minutes before you, so all I really did was confirm you were alive." The girl responded. "Even then, it's not like I could have left you. Not after you tried to save me. For what everyone says about Mount Ebott, loose ground isn't one of the common dangers."

"Mount Ebott?" Roxas questioned. "Is that where we are?"

"You didn't know you were on Mount Ebott?" The girl asked, dismayed. "It is the landmark anyone on Earth should know, right alongside Ebott Forest and City. Did you hit your head?" She began examining him. "You are banged up. What do you remember?"

Roxas recognized his blunder, alongside the fact he likely couldn't come up with a convincing enough story without sounding like he didn't belong. While he had clearly failed at being covert, he couldn't exactly go with the truth here.

Telling a native he opened a corridor from another world to escape a silver haired boy who apparently wants him dead, not to mention the organization he betrayed wants the same, might not go over well. Roxas wasn't even certain he could speak on that girl he'd met.

"Maybe I did hit my head since I can't recall much." He replied, trying to sound friendly.

Roxas was nearly back in the condition he'd been upon first setting foot on this world. Not to mention he still didn't have a clue as to where he was or where civilization was. He could try leaving via a Dark Corridor, but he thought on that a little more now.

He didn't know of any worlds the Organization didn't know of, so it was likely they would track him down in an instant. Even with that girl in red about, he wanted to stay for at least a bit. To do that now, he needed to find somewhere there were people.

"Do you remember your name?" The girl asked.

"Yes, my name is Roxas." Roxas responded, smiling.

It wasn't exact, but something about this girl reminded him of Xion. Even knowing she wasn't his friend, it was still a comfort to the Nobody after everything he's been through recently.

"Well, I'm Frisk." Frisk introduced. "Our only real way to go is down that path to a purple archway since we can't climb back up barehanded, and I'm not seeing anything we could use nearby. Maybe there's someone down here who could look at your head."

If Roxas rested a little longer, he could run up. Even if he abandoned Frisk here, it wouldn't magically mean she forgot him. There was also that girl in red to consider. He hadn't seen her since throwing his Keyblades and running; however, she could very well have tracked him.

"It might be best to stick with Frisk for now and merely consider coming back here later to get out this way." Roxas reasoned, unaware just what it took to leave the Underground. "Maybe you're onto something."

Roxas had never seen this world, and, far as he knew, none of the other Organization members mentioned a world like this. He would have heard it from someone had they encountered that girl in red. Maybe that meant this world was unknown to Organization 13.

The impromptu pair began to proceed towards the purple archway, both unsteady from the fall and/or what happened to them prior to it. They soon felt a peculiar thumping against their skulls. It sounded like a conversation.

"So, you think we're here because of them?"

Down the hall the pair could now see another pair of people appear who looked incorporeal. A guy floating next to a girl who leaned against the wall with her arms crossed, both around their age. The guy had a fair complexion, short brown hair, and yellow eyes.

He wore a brown long-sleeved t-shirt beneath a dark brown vest and denim pants. Said pants were girded by a dark reddish-brown belt with a gold buckle. He also wore brown shoes with a checkered blue and yellow bandana around his neck.

The girl had medium length brown hair, a cream colored skin tone with rosy cheeks, and red eyes. She wore a long-sleeved neon green sweater with a horizontal cream stripe, brown pants, and matching shoes.

"That's what I said." The girl returned sardonically. "Can you stop asking questions?"

"Right." The guy chuckled at that. "Sorry."

The girl looked the pair's way. "Looks like they can hear and see us now."

"Roxas, do you see them to?" Frisk whispered, a tad stunned

Given the things Roxas has seen, this wasn't that weird. "If you're talking about the two incorporeal people, I see them."

"Either I'm not insane, or the two of us hit our heads." Frisk reasoned.

"First, I'm Clover while this is Chara." Clover introduced. "Secondly, neither of you hit your head or are insane. The two of us are just incorporeal. Far as we reckon, you two are the only ones who can likely see us."

"You two should get moving." Chara interjected. "Someone up ahead can help you." She then floated up next to Frisk while Clover floated up next to Roxas. "Given we have nothing better to do…"

"We'll accompany you through this." Clover voiced. "Consider us your friendly advisers." He smiled. "Now, onward!"

They then faded, leaving Frisk staring where they had been. "You think they're still here?"

"Probably still here and listening." Roxas reasoned.

It was strange to go from being alone to having three people. Given they were native to this world, Roxas wasn't about to complain. On Frisk's end, the Nobody's ease, coupled with neither 'advisor' seeming like a bad person, led to her accepting it. So, the pair moved to the next room.

Despite no clear light source being present, it wasn't as dark as it should have been. It was a dull and colorless location, save for one spot of what looked like bright green grass in the center. A single golden flower, just like the ones prior, sprouted and stood about three feet tall.

Behind the flower was another archway. As the pair started to walk forward, the previously-immobile plant suddenly grew a pair of beady black eyes and a mouth. Frisk stepped back while brandishing her stick. Roxas summoned Oblivion, having fought his fair share of plants.

"Granted, those were Heartless while this thing doesn't seem to be one." Roxas noted.

As the Nobody's mind was elsewhere, Frisk and Flowey glanced at the Keyblade. Within their gazes, unknowingly to the other, there was recognition. Not of actually seeing the weapon prior but knowing what it was.

"A Keyblade?" Frisk pondered. "Aren't those only legend?"

Then again, anything being under Mount Ebott was once a legend to her. Then she came to see the incorporeal and was met with a flower that must be a Monster.

"Howdy!" The flower chirped.

His voice was that of a high-pitched male. His gaze of recognition had been replaced by an easy going grin as he seemed unfazed by their gestures.

"I'm Flowey!" Flowey introduced. "Flowey the Flower!" Snapping out of her initial shock, Frisk joined Roxas in staring blankly at this creature. "Hmmm…You two are new to the Underground, aren'tcha? Golly, you must be so confused. Someone ought to teach you how things work here!

I guess little old me will have to do. Your heart is your soul, the very culmination of your being. I can see your souls, both are weak." Flowey stared at Roxas. "Yours particularly so. Regardless, both can grow stronger if you get lots of LV."

"This Flowey must be lying." Roxas rationalized. "Nobodies can't have a heart."

That point had been drilled into him by the various Organization members, seeing the Nobody firm his hold on Oblivion. Frisk noted how said Nobody tensed up as the flower talked, uncertain why its words seemed to affect him like this.

"What's LV stand for?" Flowey continued. "Why, LOVE of course! You two want some LOVE, don't you? You'll need a bit of EXP, or experience, first! Don't worry, I'll share some with you."

At this, he winked. Five spinning white orbs emerged from somewhere behind the flower and hovered in a circle around him.

"Down here, LOVE is shared through little white… 'Friendliness Pellets.'" Flowey voiced. "They'll give you all the EXP you need to get started. Are you ready? Move around! Get as many as you can!"

The pellets slowly approached. Even with Roxas' current intensity, Frisk was willing to give it a try. She never got the chance as he swung Oblivion in an arc to shatter the five pellets. Before Frisk could speak, Flowey's face shifted to something knowing.

"You know what's going on here, don't you?" Flowey asked.

"I heard what you had to say, most of it for the first time." Roxas declared. "What I do know of myself makes it where I can say with certainty you must be lying."

"No, what you really want was for me to suffer." Flowey returned, his face morphing to terrifying. "You idiots. In this world, it's kill or BE killed! Why would ANYONE pass up an opportunity like this?"

His voice, formerly light and friendly, had changed to a raspy growl that was punctuated by unsettling laughter. A sharp buzzing noise filled the air, the pair realizing they were now surrounded by at least thirty 'Friendliness' Pellets.

They were slowly getting closer to the pir as Flowey's face distorted. "DIE!"

Frisk held her stick, though knew it couldn't exactly defend her against this many projectiles. As the pellets were now close, Roxas summoned Oathkeeper to his free had. Flowey showed visible shock upon seeing two Keyblades.

The Nobody held the white Keyblade aloft. "Thundaga!"

Electricity discharged down from above, arching along the now close together pellets, like it would do for Heartless, and destroying them. Frisk looked at Roxas in amazement. His intuition and magic coupled with two Keyblades making her now wonder just who he was.

"With his memory gone, it's not like he'd know." Frisk thought. "Without memory, how does he know how to use them? Is that something the legends don't say?"

Roxas then brandished his Keyblades as he faced Flowey, the creature sneering. Before things could kick off, a large fireball slammed into the creature from behind. Flowey was almost uprooted by the blast and turned to face the source with a scowl.

Several Friendliness Pellets appeared as he returned fire, but they were incinerated. After this failed, Flowey shot the Humans one last sneer before sinking under the grass. Frisk was understandably terrified as an enormous black figure lumbered forward while Roxas faced it.

"What a terrible creature, torturing such poor, innocent youths…"

Frisk fear seemed to halt while Roxas was given pause. Unlike the demonic flower, this voice held no malice. It sounded like that of a woman, warm and gentle. The speaker became illuminated by the ethereal light of the room.

She was revealed to be a female goat Monster twice their height with off-red eyes. She had large paws for hands and feet, with the head of a goat complete with stubby horns. Her entire body was covered in white fur while she wore wearing some kind of white-sleeved purple dress.

The blue and white pattern on the front was of three triangles, surrounded by what looked like a winged circle. She got closer to the Humans, both recalling what just happened. Frisk tightened her grip on the stick while Roxas wouldn't lower his Keyblades.

While the goat-woman's eyes took note of the weapons, a look a familiarity there, she quickly gave them a compassionate expression. "Do not be afraid, my children. I am Toriel, caretaker of the Ruins. Are you two all right?"

Apparently noticing their injuries, she raised one of her hands which emitted a soft green light.

"Healing magic, like the Cure line." Roxas recognized.

Both suddenly felt their pain lessen as their respective injuries healed. While this did nothing for Roxas' magic reserves, feeling the relief across his body was enough. Even with what she'd done, the pair were unsure if they should trust anyone else.

"I pass through this place every day to see if anyone has fallen." Toriel explained. "You are the first humans to come here in a while."

Frisk vaguely remembered hearing about a missing-persons report of someone who had tried climbing the mountain years ago. Feeling increasingly nervous, she didn't say anything. With everything Roxas has lost, he didn't quite know how to respond to this kindness.

"You should not stay here, for that flower might return." Toriel continued. "Come! I will guide you through the catacombs to safety."

Toriel left through the door she'd just come from, seeing their 'advisors' appearing,

"Flowey…" Clover voiced, confused. "Was that really him?"

"You know him?" Frisk asked.

"I did, before I…" Clover shook his head. "Well, you know. Flowey…" He smiled. "He wouldn't do anything like THAT."

"Are you certain?" Chara asked. "He seemed pretty willing to me."

"He wouldn't!" Clover exclaimed. "He's a little apathetic, sure, but he saved me countless times. Plus he'd call me his…"

He seemed to drift off at that, his smile faltering. With him growing quiet, Frisk looked to Roxas who still held Oblivion and Oathkeeper.

"Roxas, you have Keyblades." She noted.

That got their incorporeal tagalongs looking at them, a similar way to how Flowey and Frisk had.

Roxas looked at his weapons before looking to them. "You guys know what these are?"

"Just legends…at least, that's what everyone assumes." Frisk reasoned.

"Yeah, I can confirm as much." Clover added.

As Chara stared at them, she began to squint. For some reason, her mind was telling her she's seen a Keyblade in person. Whenever she tried to drum up this memory, there was nothing to recall.

"What's up with her?" Roxas asked.

"Not sure." Clover replied. "In the short time we've been awake, can't say I've seen her concentrate like that."

"Whatever." Chara shook her head dismissively. "It's nothing."

She vanished with none of them believing that, though Clover vanished after her.

Frisk looked to Roxas. "What should we do now?"

Was landing here the universe throwing him a bone, or would it all end up being a waste of time? Roxas had no idea. All he knew was that he wanted to ask these people about the Keyblade, though recognized now probably wasn't the time.

"We'll have to go the way Toriel took regardless." Roxas pointed out.

"Yeah, guess there is no real alternative." Frisk agreed.

---

Let's have a little chat about ages. In the chronological sense, Roxas isn't even one year old at this point in time as he came into being when Sora turned himself into a heartless. Chronologically, he's not even a year old at the time this story takes place, 358 days old. Given he was manifested from Sora, along with the wiki saying as much, his age should be 14-15 by now given Sora was 14 in Kingdom Hearts.

This goes under the assumption Sora's birthday might be within those last few days of a full year. Personally, I'm just going to go with Roxas is now 15. As for Clover and Chara, their ages stopped when they died, but technically by existing one could count the years since they've been dead. I'm not going to do that, but you could. With that, here's the age of the group as I've decided:

Roxas: 15
Clover & Chara: 14
Frisk 13

 

[Quillion9000]

Ruins
Roxas and Frisk entered a room that seemed more like the entrance to a temple than a cave with smooth, purple stone walls and a cobbled floor. All of it was lit by several lanterns strung up. The structure before them had an elevated platform leading to yet another doorway.

Two short flights of white staircases on either side would allow one to proceed. Strangely, quite a few red leaves were scattered about even though no trees could be seen, and flanking the doorway were green vines.

"Up here, my children." Toriel didn't sound impatient, but the pair were still quick to join her. "Oh goodness, where have my manners gone?" They proceeded through the doorway, heading into a semi-dark hallway. "I haven't even asked your names."

Frisk and Roxas glanced at one another. It's been such a brief time, neither wholly knowing what to make of the other. Comparatively, things seemed to be going well when put up against their introduction to Flowey. Toriel's visage seemed nothing but benevolent.

"My name is Frisk."

"Roxas. I am Roxas."

"Frisk, Roxas, I am delighted to meet you." Toriel replied. "Welcome to the Underground."

"So, what else is down here?" Frisk asked.

"There are other Monsters, and quite a few interesting places to visit." Toriel replied. "You should see my favorite bug catching spot sometime. The flower bed where you two must have landed is also a nice place.

I tend too it every day, and it's quite the relaxing activity." Toriel noticed she was rambling and abruptly stopped with a chuckle. "Well, I'm sure you'll have a chance to look around once you've had a nice meal."

That reminded both they were hungry. The last thing Roxas had was a sea salt ice while Frisk ate a sandwich prior to climbing the mountain. Their attention was soon drawn to the next room they entered, which was a circular chamber with a door.

Notably, the door featured the same pattern as the one on Toriel's dress, only in black. Six gray, cylindrical stones were arranged on the ground beside the door. What resembled a yellow lever was mounted on the wall.

"Allow me to educate you in the operation of the Ruins." Toriel stepped on four specific stones and pulled the lever to open the door. "The Ruins are full of puzzles, ancient fusions between diversions and doorkeys. One must solve them to move from room to room. Please, adjust yourself to the sight of them."

The next room, rectangular in shape, contained another puzzle. A sign on the wall facing them read 'stay on the path,' which was a section of pale stone. They noticed it branched off at two points, leading to more yellow switches. One of two switches at the far end of the room didn't have a path, though the area there had been heavily boarded up with purple wood.

"Go on, my children," Toriel encouraged. "Can you solve this? I have made it relatively simple."

As they approached the first switch, Roxas sweat dropped upon seeing how simple it really was. Despite the sign already hinting at which ones to use, Toriel had written 'please activate this switch' in bright yellow letters.

While Roxas hasn't had to deal with puzzle's, all that recon he did for Organization 13 made a hint like this seem a good-natured yet unnecessary attempt at advice. Frisk just rolled her eyes and pressed the lever before Roxas followed it up with the second.

"Splendid!" Toriel exclaimed cheerfully. "I am proud of you, little ones." She walked through where there had been spikes. "Now, let us move to the next room."

"While this seems like an easy puzzle, what's the deal with that wood under where that other switch is?" Frisk asked.

"Don't press that." Only Clover appeared, his face pale. "Trust me."

Frisk glanced from the wood to his incorporeal form. "Is that how…"

"No." Clover shook his head. "Still though, I'd advise you both ignore that."

He then vanished, leaving the pair to glance at each other before deciding to heed his advice. The chamber they entered next contained a training dummy, with an off-white stuffed cylinder for a body and a triangular head sporting two buttons for eyes.

"As Humans living in the Underground, Monsters may attack you." Toriel instructed. "You will need to be prepared for this situation." Seeing Frisk become nervous, she gave them a pat on the head. "Worry not for the process is simple.

When you encounter a Monster, you will enter a fight. Strike up a friendly conversation and stall for time." Roxas looked at the Monster skeptically. "I will come to resolve the conflict. Practice talking to the dummy, please."

Frisk looked at the dummy uncertainly before approaching. "Um… hello. How are you?"

With the dummy not responding, she felt foolish, yet Toriel was visibly pleased.

"Does this really work?" Roxas questioned incredulously.

This wasn't how he was trained. Roxas recognized the Organization's faults and was willing to bet there were more in the information he lacked. The one area they hadn't failed him in was what he learned about combat, only failing him when he wasn't strong enough.

Frisk looked to the conflicted boy. "What kind of life has he led to talk like this?"

She didn't think Roxas was a bad person, the little time they've known each other and his current expression confirmed that for her. She then looked to the caretaker who crouched before the Nobody with a look of understanding.

"There may be times where I'm not there to look over you two." Toriel rested a hand gently on the Keyblade wielder's shoulder. "If you feel you have no choice, you should survive. What I will say is we Monsters lack the durability we used to have.

These days, we are like snow in that it's easy to see us vanish by your hands. It is worth noting, even if a Monster does attack first, the encounter can end positively through action. I'm certain we'll run into another Monster soon, so can you try a little compassion there?"

Compassion was a strange word. It was something Roxas knew the meaning of yet couldn't apply to anyone he knew who was still here. Even when it had applied to certain people, it didn't apply on missions. When it came to missions were world natives got in his way, he beat them.

"If monsters truly aren't that durable…" Roxas didn't know exactly how hard a strike with his Keyblades was, but he had been tearing through Neoshadows with ease before running into that silver haired boy. "The next Monster we come across, I'll try it your way."

Even if Roxas didn't look like her, Toriel was reminded of another who fell long ago. By the nature of his question, she could tell Roxas had led a troubled life. One where now telling him not to do something wouldn't help like guiding him would.

"That is all I ask." Toriel gave Roxas' shoulder a gentle squeeze and offered a sincere smile before standing. "Now, let us proceed."

Roxas turned to the dummy, staring at it. Frisk stared at the older boy's back, wondering what could be running through his mind. Clover appeared wanting to speak, only for Chara to appear and shake her head.

He frowned, vanishing before Chara glanced at the Nobody. She then followed suit. Eventually, Roxas walked off after Toriel wordlessly. Frisk now looked at the dummy blankly, wondering what about this brought out thoughts like those from the older boy.

"Could it be this is drumming up his memories, or was his amnesia a lie because he doesn't want to talk about his past?" Frisk pondered.

Upon entering the next room, Roxas couldn't immediately see Toriel and was met instead by a large white frog. Its bulging eyes focused on him before it hoped at him. He rolled out of the way as the frog tried to tackle him.

"What is this thing?" Roxas pondered.

As the Monster slowly turned to face him, Roxas felt a bizarre sensation within his chest. It went beyond that physical heartbeat, as that wasn't the heart Nobodies lacked. Suddenly, he knew a new spell.

The Nobody summoned forth Oathkeeper, pointing it at the Monster. "Check!"

"Froggit: Life is difficult for this enemy."

Looking over the Froggit again, Roxas noted how it ambled around clumsily and had a rather vacant look in its eyes. Even knowing what he now did, The Nobody still brandished his Keyblade. He then thought back to what Toriel told him.

This saw Roxas dismiss his Keyblade before addressing the Monster. "Uh, you…jump good."

The Froggit didn't understand what he said, though a deep red blush appeared on its face. The Monster then took off as Frisk entered the room, seeing her staring after the retreating Monster.

"Are you hurt, little one." Toriel suddenly approached, having seen Froggit leaving. "I am sorry for leaving you alone. The next puzzle was a tad too dangerous, so I solved…"

"No, I'm actually fine." Roxas interrupted, stunned by how that encounter went. "I don't think this would work on the Organization, that silver haired guy, or girl dressed in red. Apparently it does at least seem to work down here."

Toriel smiled and ruffled his hair.

Frisk approached. "Where exactly are we going?"

"To my home at the far side of the Ruins." Toriel answered. "We're taking a shortcut under the city. This path leads there as long as we don't stray. Come along, you two will see soon enough."

The pair followed, gradually starting to trust their guide more. As nice as she seemed, Frisk wanted to return to the Surface since being stuck here forever didn't sound like their idea of fun. Roxas was fine going along with things for now, but he wanted to eventually try his way out.

"Could I ask something of you, my children?" Toriel questioned.

"Sure, I guess you could." Frisk answered.

Toriel looked worried and embarrassed. "Do you think you could stay here for a little while? I have some business to attend to, and the road ahead is dangerous." Eager to be alone for a bit, Frisk and Roxas nodded.

"All right, I will trust you to take care of yourselves. I know, I'll give you a cell phone." She pulled one out. "I only have this one extra, so you'd need to share. If you ever need anything, you can just call me."

Frisk blinked in surprise. "There are phones down here?"

"I wouldn't know how to use that, so you can entrust it to Frisk." Roxas voiced.

Before Frisk could respond, she was given the phone. It seemed to be low-tech, having no features aside from the basic call function and a clock.

"My number is already listed." Toriel voiced. "Be good, won't you? I shall return soon as I am able."

With that, she proceeded out of the room. Clover and Chara then appeared.

"Hey, just know you can always talk to us as well." Clover informed happily.

"No guarantee we'll respond." Chara smirked. "It'd be hysterical to see you scream at nothing for hours, waiting for somebody to respond."

"She kind of reminds me of Larxene, though a version I could have gotten along with better." Roxas noted.

"…Or we could just talk to them." Clover voiced.

"Where's the fun in that?" Chara retorted.

"Despite what Chara said, having them around makes things less lonely." Frisk thought. "Granted, Roxas and Toriel also do that. Guess what I'm getting at is they're nice to have around." Her eyes went wide. "I just realized, we should have Toriel look at your head Roxas."

Initially, she hadn't thought to ask given the goat Monster had come fresh off the heels of Flowey. Even though some doubt about his story had entered Frisk's mind now, she still would like to ask Toriel given the level of trust she was able to build with them.

"What's this about Roxas hitting his head?" Clover asked confused.

Roxas glanced at their two incorporeal 'advisors.' "They were talking as though they could see and hear us before we could do the same in turn."

Despite the fact Roxas had interacted with natives before, he knew for a fact he'd done a lot better than this in keeping what mattered close to his chest. Given everything that has happened in a short amount of time, he wasn't on top of his game.

Even then, he was certain plenty of people could argue that wasn't a good game to begin with given the number of times he interacted with natives when on missions. Still though, he had been unbelievably sloppy in his approach here.

"Neither of you fell on your heads, meaning any claims Roxas is making to amnesia would have occurred prior to the fall." Chara voiced.

Frisk looked at Roxas, a hurt expression on her face.

"I'm sorry." The Keyblade wielder apologized. "It was just easier to say that because it's complicated. Even if we have the time, I don't want to get into my whole story. What I will say is I'm kind of on the run."

"Given the legends of the Keyblade, that might make sense." Clover noted.

"I don't know too much about the Keyblade." Roxas admitted. "What do you three know?"

"I've heard the obvious." Clover responded. "It's a blade shaped like a key that only a select few can wield. How exactly someone is chosen, I've never seen a thing on it."

"They're capable of various phenomena." Chara added. "You can swing it and have the potential to cast various magic. Whoever owns the blade can summon them forth, dispel them, and recall them to their hands in the case they lose them."

Roxas looked at his hands. "If that's true, I could have called back Oblivion from that silver haired guy."

"I've heard what both of them have, though I will say there are no legends of anyone who wields two Keyblades." Frisk added. "The fact you wield at least one explains why you are on the run, but who exactly is after you?"

"People like me, mostly." Roxas answered. "They don't have Keyblades, though wear the same coat and trained me. There's also this silver haired guy not part of the group who wears the coat, and I ran into this girl in all black and red who had a problem with me being in that forest."

"Where did you come from?" Frisk asked.

Roxas looked away at that. "Just…not from around here."

"If you won't answer that, why are you being chased?" Clover asked.

"The girl in red might not be, haven't seen her since we fought over me being in the forest." Roxas answered. "The silver haired guy wants to take me somewhere. The rest is the Organization, who hunts down anyone for leaving it."

"Even with all that, you still tried to save me from falling?" Frisk asked, stunned.

"Yeah, I guess so." Roxas answered.

He was still unsure why he did that, though didn't exactly regret it. The three teens, incorporeal or not, had to admit you couldn't exactly go telling people you just met this stuff.

"We should warn Toriel, just in case." Frisk voiced, figuring it was the least they could do for the compassion she's shown them. "She said her house was at the end of the path."

"Alright, let's go." Roxas agreed.

"Before we do go on, I forgive you for lying." Frisk looked to the Nobody. "I mean, we did just meet, and I get it's hard to talk about these things in this case. Just say you don't want to talk about something over lying if we're going to continue traveling together."

Roxas looked to this person he's only really just met as silence dragged on between the.

…

The Nobody recognized he was really starting to fall into what the Organization had done to him by withholding things. While not as severe given the short time they've known each other, being like them was not what Roxas wanted.

"Fair enough." The Nobody agreed.

So, the pair pushed on with the intention of getting to Toriel sooner than she'd come back to them. Within the next room, they actually found the Froggit from before who gave Roxas a nod in greeting.

"Good day, Human." The monster croaked.

It was strange to hear this Monster speak since the Nobody got the impression it hadn't understood what he'd said before.

"Hi there." Frisk spoke up. "Do you know where the way out is?"

It raised a webbed foot to point further down the path. "The exit to the Ruins is beyond the home of Toriel. Take caution, for there are more Monsters in your way. As a favor to the taller Human, I will tell my fellow Froggits to leave you two be."

"Could it really be that simple?" Roxas questioned, a tad dismayed.

"Well, at least one type of danger was taken care of." Frisk thought.

"In addition, I have some advice." Froggit continued. "Monsters can be talked down from fighting, so please show mercy. We are no match for the might of a Human."

That had the pair recalling what Toriel told Roxas.

"These days, we are like snow in that it's easy to see us vanish by your hands."

"Sure, we'll try not to hurt anyone." Frisk promised.

While they had been pointed in the direction of Toriel's, the pair did stop in at a room just above where they found a bowl of 'monster candy' with a sign reading 'please take one.'

"Candy!" Clover exclaimed happily.

"I prefer chocolate." Chara smiled slightly. "Though, this would be a close second."

Frisk and Roxas each ended up taking three pieces, the former feeling guilty though both hadn't eaten anything in a good while. As they moved on, both popped a piece into their mouth. While it was no sea salt ice cream, the flavor was still sweet and fruity.

True to the Froggit's word, none of its kind seemed interested in battling either Human. This didn't mean they weren't confronted by other Monsters, one of them being a flying, insect-like monster that seemed utterly terrified of everything.

Just as Roxas summoned forth Oathkeeper, Frisk felt that same sensation within her chest and pointed at the monster. "Check!"

"Whimsun: This Monster is too sensitive to fight…"

As if to prove that point, the mere act of Frisk pointing saw the Monster rush off in tears.

"You can perform magic?" Roxas questioned.

Not every native he has seen could do that.

"Guess I can." Frisk looked at her still outstretched hand. "That's actually kind of new. Haven't really tried it since I didn't have a teacher to test me on if I could."

Made sense given Roxas wouldn't have known he could do magic without the Organization, though generally his magic just seemed to improve over time. In particular, he seemed to gain something new by watching them or overcoming a tough battle.

"My stick is about the same length as those Keyblades and I can use magic." Frisk suddenly looked to the Nobody. "Roxas, you should be my teacher!"

"Wait, what?" Roxas questioned, stunned.

"You know magic and how to actually swing your weapon." Frisk voiced. "I don't have any interest in using what you'd teach me on anyone down here, but it'd still be cool to learn. Given you have people after you, it's likely I might need to defend myself from something."

"I don't know about that." Roxas shook his head. "While I was taught a little, most of what I got came natural. What little reference I have in teaching someone likely won't transfer well here."

"I'll be patient as you figure it out if you're patient with me learning." Frisk offered.

This wasn't even a matter of not being able to teach her anything. She has a stick with the capacity for magic. The Nobody hadn't even considered she'd potentially be a target sticking with him, probably should have.

"I'll give it some thought." Roxas voiced.

"Awesome!" Frisk cheered, confident he'd come around on the idea.

Roxas opted to continue without a word more on the topic, with Frisk moving to walk alongside him. Other Monsters tried to attack but weren't hard to handle. Whimsuns and Moldsmals, gelatinous blobs with little care for fights, were easily ignored or appeased.

To the pair's surprise, they started receiving what they assumed was money. It was yellow-tinted metal coins of which each of them ended up with 10 each, 20 in total. Roxas let Frisk hold onto his share in her bag. What puzzles they came across weren't much more challenging.

For all of Toriel's fear, they were making progress with little effort. Clover at least found them to be fun, though admitted they could be harder when Chara voiced her dislike of their ease. As they journeyed, Toriel called was to ask what they preferred between cinnamon and butterscotch.

"Oh, I definitely prefer cinnamon." Frisk answered instantly.

"I wouldn't know which I prefer." Roxas answered, drawing a wide-eyed look from Frisk.

"Have you never had sweets before, my child?" Toriel asked, concerned.

"I've only ever had something called sea salt ice cream." Roxas sweat dropped and scratched his cheek. "They're this light blue ice cream bar that taste salty yet sweet."

"Salty yet sweet…" Toriel voiced, her tone contemplative.

"Yeah, it was something a friend introduced me to." Roxas' face fell at that as he recalled how things were when he last saw Axel, though he couldn't help himself from smiling slightly. "It was the 'icing on the cake' after we'd complete something."

"I see." Toriel voiced.

"While you're on the line, would you mind telling us a bit about yourself?" Frisk inquired.

"Me?" Toriel gave a little, genuine laugh. "I'm just a silly old woman who worries too much. Now, I must go."

The pair soon arrived at a room with a wooden table that had a very large cheese wedge stuck to it. A small mouse was determinedly nibbling on the corner of it, discouraging them from trying to take any as it made squeaking sounds.

Something about how focused the mouse was in its task inspired Frisk, leading to a more powerful feeling in her chest. "I'll succeed too…I will get out of here."

Before Roxas could comment on that, suddenly a box of white text appeared before her.

[SAVE FILE CREATED]

"I…don't think that's magic." Roxas commented.

Clover and Chara appeared.

"I've seen that before." Clover noted. "It'd appear before Flowery, who'd do it for me if I ever need a save."

"Okay, what exact is it?" Frisk asked.

"I suppose I would describe it as the manifestation of a being's will." Chara replied. "Something which only appears to any being down here due to unique circumstances."

"It hasn't appeared before Roxas, and it never happened for me either." Clover voiced.

"…We should keep moving." Chara retorted.

She vanished with Clover following.

"They didn't exactly say what it does." Roxas noted.

"It might be like a game, just in real life." Frisk reasoned, noting the confused look the Nobody gave her at hearing that. "Basically, within the confines of a game, a person can return to the point a save is created if their character dies. It's like a do-over."

Roxas could think of quite a few people in the Organization who'd want to test that theory. "If it works, great." He shook his head, hoping she would never need something like that. "Hopefully, you won't have to use it."

"That might be easier were you to start training me." Frisk pointed out.

Roxas face turned to one of disbelief since she had him there. He just didn't really know how to train someone in a better way than he had been. The Organization's training methods all seemed to revolve around throwing you into the deep end. Sink or float.

"Like I said, I'll give it some thought." Roxas retorted.

Suddenly, Clover appeared. "Squeak!"

The pair looked at him while Chara appeared with her arms crossed. "I do not think a…unique sense of humor is what's needed for them."

"Squeakity Squeak." Clover retorted.

That got a laugh from Frisk while Roxas just stared at the guy, unsure what to make of this.

"Frisk, don't encourage him." Chara sighed. "As for you, I'm now thinking you're just trying to be annoying."

"Me?" Clover gave a faux offended face. "I would never."

This conversation followed them into the next room, which was an H-shaped chamber with a red patch of leaves. There was something on top of them, blocking their way forward. It was a large, white object that hovered in the air. Soft whimpering moans could be heard.

"What the…" Frisk began.

The thing turned around to reveal it was a ghost. Round at the top and bumpy at the bottom, it looked like a bedsheet worn by a child. A hollow pair of black eyes and a small frown were the only features it seemed to have.

"It's a ghost!" Clover exclaimed.

"Your presumption is incorrect." Chara replied.

"Zzzzzzzz…"

It was pretending to sleep and doing a miserable job since it just kept saying the letter 'z' out loud in the hopes they would go away.

"Hey, we have to get past." Frisk tried.

"Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz…"

"Come on, move it!" Roxas called out.

No reply. Shrugging her shoulders, Frisk charged at the ghost to try and run through it. The target of her attack looked startled and began to shed large, white tears.

Seeing this, Roxas called forth Oathkeeper. "Aero!"

He generated a small vortex which circled around the Monster, its attack, and Frisk to suck everything in. Everything was then tossed away with the tears nailing the wall, the Monster ending up across from Roxas, and said Nobody catching Frisk.

"Sorry about my friend and I." Frisk called out as the Nobody set her down. "We just need to get past, please."

The ghost Monster just cried more deadly tears, which defied gravity as they flew horizontally at the two Humans. The pair both dodged. His attacks seemed to carry a sense of resignation, like he didn't really care about fighting.

Roxas then pointed Oathkeeper. "Check!"

"Napstablook: This Monster doesn't seem to have a sense of humor…"

After a moment, the tears abruptly stopped. "Really not feelin' up to it right now, sorry…"

Frisk wondered if Napstablook would move if he were cheered up. "That's fine." She gave a patient smile. "By the way, you float well."

He seemed affected enough to chuckle softly. "Here, want to see something I can do?" Tears flowed upward from his eyes and formed a white top hat which rested on his head, giving him an almost goofy look. "I call it 'Dapper Blook.' Do you like it…?"

"Yeah, it's great!" Frisk agreed. "Look, I'm sorry for running at you. I didn't want to scare you, but we do need to get through here."

"Heh, usually I come to the Ruins because nobody is around, but today I met someone nice." Napstablook returned. "I'll get out of your way."

With that, the ghost vanished. There was now a branching pathway. They couldn't tell which way was correct, so the pair decided on a whim to try the path to the right. While it led to a dead end, it wasn't a total waste of time.

Inside that room was a signpost reading 'Spider Bake Sale: All proceeds go to real spiders.' as well as a pair of large webs suspended under holes in the ceiling. The pair noticed they were both labeled and curiously approached one of them.

"Spider Donut-7G."

Assuming 'G' was currency, they each took seven of their coins and stuck them on the web. Within seconds, tiny spiders dropped from a hole above to collect the coins. In return, they left behind two donuts. They didn't look pleasant, being a sickly purple in color and smelling odd.

Both forwent eating them. Frisk stuck the pastries in her bag as they each opted instead to eat one of their remaining candies. They then returned to the crossroads and traveled to the left where another signpost greeted them.

"Did you miss it? Spider bake sale down and to the right. Come eat food made by spiders, for spiders, of spiders!"

Frisk tried to push away the revelation of what their donuts were made of. Roxas was confused since he hadn't seen spiders on the donuts. Still, they soldiered on. Four Froggits, one of which was the size of an ant, were hopping around the room.

They gave the Humans a short wave as they passed. Napstablook also made his return, laying on the ground of another room. He said hello before vanishing once again. The next few chambers proved to be more difficult. Increasingly elaborate puzzles slowed their progress.

Monsters such as Migosp (which resembled a beetle standing on two legs), Vegetoid (essentially a large carrot with a face), and Loox (a bipedal demon-looking creature with a single large eye) were more time consuming to pacify.

Eventually, they reached another fork in the path. The way left contained another patch of red leaves with a small building in the distance while continuing straight led to another doorway. Deciding to go with the latter option for the time being, they came across a lone Froggit.

"Toriel came out of here earlier carrying some groceries." It informed casually. "I didn't ask what they were for since we're all too intimidated to talk to her. Ribbit."

"That makes sense." Frisk thought. "All the small monsters living in the Ruins would be nervous around someone as large as Toriel."

The next room was some kind of observation point. Countless tall buildings that looked in relatively poor condition extended as far as the eye could see. Aside from a few Monsters moving about the desolate streets, the whole place looked abandoned.

"Whoa, I never knew the Ruins were this big!" Clover commented, stunned.

"This place was the capital at one point." Chara looked off to the side before becoming annoyed. "Also, stop shouting."

"Looking around, I could probably have deduced that." Roxas thought. "Unlike recons, it's different learning about a world from the people. Yeah, I guess I learned a little something from prior interactions, but this is the first time I've spent this much time around world natives."

"I wonder how much further we have to go before we reach Toriel's?" Frisk contemplated.

She then noticed what looked like a plastic knife sitting on the ground nearby. It had a red, faded ribbon around its handle to improve its grip. She picked it up and put it into her bag since it could come in handy later.