Timeless Hearts

Thorn

Well-Known Member
#1
I've been trying to think up a decent KH time travel story for about a month now, and it was only while playing through KH2 the other day, I realized. Timeless River.
=============================

An Ultima Keyblade cut through the body of a Shadow in a flash. Sora, a young man now, wrinkled his nose in disgust.

"They've finally breached Castle Oblivion..." Before he could even take a breath, several more appeared surrounding him. "A hopeless attempt." A wide arc of Ultima's blade and they were dispatched. He turned, the back of his black jacket adorned with the the golden crest of the Kingdom Key and proceeded up a set of stairs to the top floor, just under the Twilight Town manor.

A haggard DiZ met him as he rounded a corner.

"There's no hope now," Ansem the Wise's once regal voice had an exhausted ring to it. "they've breached far too soon."

"I can hold them off for as long as we need." Sora countered.

"Sora...you are indeed powerful, but you would do well to remember just how many the Heartless number now. The keyblade, and your heart, brilliant with the Light as it is, calls to them."

"You can't be sure that we're the only one's left!"

DiZ shook his head sadly. "And with what power do would they defend themselves with? Besides his, yours is the only keyblade left."

"What about the Nobod-"

"Do not be so foolish with your hope!" DiZ shouted. "If you think for one moment that Xenahort left the Nobodies unaccounted for, you're more blind than I thought. They are either with him, or extinct."

Sora sat with a thump, running his hands through his wild brown hair. "This can't be over DiZ. I'm not going down like this. There has to be a way for us to fix this, for us to bring back the others."

Much softer, the aged ruler spoke. "What I meant, was that there is no hope for us to strike against Xenahort now. No way to pull the Realm of Darkness and Kingdom Hearts from his grasp. There is, however, another way out of this. I'd be no scientist if I didn't have a contingency."

Sora jumped up excitedly. "Alright! I knew you'd have something, DiZ! So what is it?"

With a solemn voice, DiZ answered. "Do you remember, Sora, what you found in the room housing the Corner Stone of Light?"

Sora's blue eyes widened. "Timeless River...but Merlin said-"

"The words of dead old wizards no longer ring with truth, Sora. Timeless River is our only option."

"But the only passage ways into Timeless River are in Disney Castle and Hollow
Bastion! Those are his strongholds!"

"Indeed. Choose whichever one you believe you can break in to with greater ease."

A haunting laugh rang out from the entrance to the Castle.

"Well now. You've finally allowed me into your humble abode. It took a while, but you've finally proven to be polite hosts." The oil slick sound of Xenahorts voice pierced the castle walls.

"He's here. You must go Sora. I'll buy you time..." DiZ sat down at a computer terminal and began typing furiously. "I've activated the Castle's Card system. He'll have to climb through his memories now, at least."

"Let me face him! I'll kill him, DiZ!"

A smile graced DiZ's face, and he let out a throaty laugh. "I know you will Sora. But not this Time. Here, you are the last bastion of light in an entire universe filled with Darkness."

The screech of a Dustflier echoed up the stairs. "Well, at least he's taking us seriously." The old man said. "Sora, go. I can hold him long enough to buy you the time you need to get to Timeless River."

"But-"

"Go!"

Sora balled his fists and shook. "I won't forget this DiZ." He reached his hand out in front of him and concentrated. Suddenly, an aura of golden light sprang forth, seemingly leading into nothing but a white abyss.

A corridor of Light. It never fails to impress me. DiZ thought.

"I'll see you again, DiZ. I promise I'll make things right. Thanks for everything." Sora forced himself through the corridor, not letting himself look back.

As echoing footsteps got ever closer, DiZ flung his arms out, unleashing his own inner Darkness.

"Come then Xenahort! Allow me to teach you one more lesson!"
=============================

More to come.
 

Thorn

Well-Known Member
#3
In a flash of light, Sora appeared in Hollow Bastion. Neo Shadows and their weaker brethren immediately sought to consume the Keyblade wielders heart, leaping high, vicious claws drawn back to strike.

"I don't think so." Pillars of light erupted around Sora, tearing the Heartless apart. Sora took stock of his position, glancing around himself.

Sora, Cloud, and amazingly enough, Sephiroth, stood in front of the gates to the castle, blades drawn. As another legion of Heartless descended on them, the three moved as one, cutting their way through.

"Don't they ever stop?" Sora complained.

"You should know better than to ask that by now." Sephiroth commented.

"Sora, you should go. We can't hold back Xenahort and his army forever...you're our last hope."

Sora's eyes widened. "No way! I won't leave you guys!"

As the three trisected a Darkside, Cloud and Sephiroth shared a look.

Palm outward, Sephiroth summoned a corridor of darkness.

"Sephiroth, what are you-" Sora's question was cut off as the flat of Fenrir slammed into his side, sending him flying toward the corridor. Briefly, Sora met Cloud's eyes.

"I'm sorry, Sora."


The world had fallen again after that...reports indicated that the duo of Cloud and Sephiroth had stalled Xenahorts troops for some time, but were ultimately overcome.

Sora shook his head to clear the painful memories.

Cloud, Leon, Aerith, Tifa, Yuffie...even Sephiroth. I promise I'll save you guys.

He sincerely hoped things weren't as DiZ thought - that those heroes of Radiant Garden now were members of a newly formed Organization XIII.

Almost negligently, the young man cut through more Heartless, the dark wisps of their existence settling around his long black pants.

"If I remember right...Pete and Malificent's hide out was somewhere off this cliff."He mumbled to himself as he looked over the edge. Closing his eyes, he let himself fall. As he plummeted headfirst toward the bottom, he pulled on his magic, and straightened himself.

"Aha. Found it." He descended into a slow dive toward a cave he spotted in the cliff wall. As he landed, his eyes narrowed. But where are all the Heartless...? Hollow Bastion is supposed to be crawling with them. I'm usually swarmed with Wyvern when I glide...

"I hope you found the path clear enough, Sora."

Sora froze at that voice. No...

"Why don't you visit us, Sora? I thought we were friends."

The cave was suddenly alight with torches. Standing in the middle of the room was a tall man wearing a black cloak. Wild and long silver hair framed green eyes.

"Riku...why are you here?" Sora asked, gulping to try and put out his apprehension.

"Now that's a name I haven't heard in a long time...no one calls me that anymore."

"You mean...the others?" Sora asked, his eyes downcast. "Where are they?"

"As if it's any business of yours."

"Please move Riku. I'm going to set this all straight."

"Well it's about damn time! What have you been doing, Sora!? What did we all die for? We thought you would kill Xenahort, make everything right! I've been a Nobody for years now, unable to feel a thing. But right now, next to you, I feel like I can hate again." A wicked black katana appeared in Riku's hands.

"Riku, don't do this. I can't kill you. Having at least you...it's better than what'd Xenahort would do."

The Nobody spat. "Fine. Then stand there and die. At least Roxas could join us then. Maybe then we'd be friends again."

As the man brought his blade down toward his once best friend, something moved from out of Sora.

Oblivion flashed into existence, blocking the wicked blade.

"Maybe Sora can't fight you, but me and you have an old score to settle." It was a blond haired man, wearing a white version of Sora's own outfit.

"Roxas!?" Riku's Nobody shouted, surprised.

Roxas grinned. "Sora and DiZ have been playing with Vexens research." The Nobody with a heart looked over his shoulder. "Sora, I'll catch up, but don't you dare leave without me!"

Sora breathed a sigh of relief. "Like I could!" He brought Ultima to bear, and ventured deeper within the cavern.
 

Juubi

Well-Known Member
#4
Kingdom Hearts fics seem to stream forth now, and good ones to boot. At first glance this looks like a reset!Kingdom Hearts.
 

Watashiwa

Administrator
Staff member
#5
Derp.

Thorn, if Sora killed Riku's Nobody, and if Riku's heart had already been returned to Kingdom Hearts, the two of them would reunite and Riku would be reborn. Ansem/DiZ knows this. Sora shouldn't be unwilling to fight Riku.

Also, Kairi couldn't have a Nobody. NaminÚ is a very special case in that she was created out of Sora's body. If Kairi lost her heart, her body would go all zombie again and her heart would hide in Sora again.
 

Thorn

Well-Known Member
#6
Watashiwa said:
Derp.

Thorn, if Sora killed Riku's Nobody, and if Riku's heart had already been returned to Kingdom Hearts, the two of them would reunite and Riku would be reborn. Ansem/DiZ knows this. Sora shouldn't be unwilling to fight Riku.

Also, Kairi couldn't have a Nobody. NaminÚ is a very special case in that she was created out of Sora's body. If Kairi lost her heart, her body would go all zombie again and her heart would hide in Sora again.
True enough. I forgot that about Kairi. Also, in the case of Riku, at this point in time, Xenahort has control of Kingdom Hearts. Nothing happens there that he doesn't want to. Will edit for Kairi.
 

Serxeid

Well-Known Member
#7
I haven't cleared Birth by Sleep yet, but perhaps Kairi's Heart could only find refuge in Sora because he was so close by? If she perished while Sora was far enough away, then perhaps she could create a Nobody.
 

Thorn

Well-Known Member
#8
DesDes-san said:
I haven't cleared Birth by Sleep yet, but perhaps Kairi's Heart could only find refuge in Sora because he was so close by? If she perished while Sora was far enough away, then perhaps she could create a Nobody.
I don't think peoples hearts should be able to find haven in others anyway...Sora's just ridiculously special in that sense. It seems like he draws lost, powerful hearts into him, at least if those people have impacted him somehow.
 

Juubi

Well-Known Member
#9
Thorn, was I close? Does Timeless River contain a way for Sora to return to a time before Xehanort controlled Kingdom Hearts?
 

Thorn

Well-Known Member
#10
Juubi said:
Thorn, was I close? Does Timeless River contain a way for Sora to return to a time before Xehanort controlled Kingdom Hearts?
Yea, in KHII Sora, Donald and Goofy use it to go back to a time even before Disney Castle was built.
 

Juubi

Well-Known Member
#11
I remember that, but I thought maybe it'd be stuck at that point of time. Guess I never thought of that. But then, why wouldn't one of the villains like Maleficent have used it to go back in time and kill Sora before he got the Keyblade?
 

Watashiwa

Administrator
Staff member
#12
Thorn said:
DesDes-san said:
I haven't cleared Birth by Sleep yet, but perhaps Kairi's Heart could only find refuge in Sora because he was so close by? If she perished while Sora was far enough away, then perhaps she could create a Nobody.
I don't think peoples hearts should be able to find haven in others anyway...Sora's just ridiculously special in that sense. It seems like he draws lost, powerful hearts into him, at least if those people have impacted him somehow.
Eh... kinda. You know about ties of the heart, right? Well, if your heart is tied to someone else, then doesn't it make sense that your heart might be pulled into contact with theirs if it gets lost? That's what happened to Kairi.

Juubi: The door leads to a point before Sora was born, before the Heartless and before the world barriers were down. There's also the Cornerstone: remember that Maleficent could never step into Disney Castle while it was active and strong. And Pete is an idiot, so.
 

Aarik

Well-Known Member
#13
You also forgot one thing.

Only a Keyblade can kill heartless with any level of permanence.

They just respawn from anything else.
 

Thorn

Well-Known Member
#14
"You should have known better than to fight me. Don't you remember all those years ago?" The powerful Nobody asked.

"Things are a lot different now. Not clinging to Ansem's left over power anymore, are you? I couldn't imagine you are seeing as how you're...heartless." Roxas countered.

The black katana came slicing toward Roxas' neck, but again it was expertly parried.

"You think just because you're borrowing someone's heart, you're special? That's not even your Keyblade."

Roxas lifted Oblivion to eye level, examining it. "Sora and I...we don't really even know who Ventus is, you know? But I...we've always been able to feel what his heart is like. Pure Light...and his Light chose to express itself through me...So I can tell you with absolute certainty that he'd want me to use his Keyblade to kick your ass. Besides...Sora would probably get pissed if I summoned his."

Roxas leaped high in the air, crashing down on Riku with a powerful barrage of strikes that the Nobody seemed to be hard pressed to deflect.

"What do you go by now, anyway?" Roxas asked.

"About time you asked...Sora would never have thought to call me anything but Riku. Kirux."

"Kirux..."Roxas said the name, as if he was testing how it sounded. "I don't like it. Not cool at all."

"You're awfully chatty. What happened? Last time you were so gung ho. You were going to Kingdom Hearts to..."

"To what? Do you even remember?"

Kirux put a hand to his head, trying to call forth the memory. Roxas interrupted him.

"I can almost remember her. Her name...it's always on the tip of my tongue. I've worked hard, even to get that far. But I promised her. I'd never forget her, and our time in Twilight Town."

Kirux eyes squinted, as if in pain.

"I know. It hurts to even try and think of her. To even recall those...blue? Yea...blue eyes. It hurts so bad."

Slowly, Kirux responded. "I do remember one thing...She was a puppet. Just a doll made to house a part of Sora. Just. Like. You."

In an instant, the two zipped across the room toward each other, blades locked in stalemate. Roxas glared.

"You say that mockingly...but I know how far you would go to even be a little more than Riku's empty shell."

Again the two retreated to opposite sides of the cavern, still sizing each other up.

"I don't know what it is about you and Sora...but something about your Hearts gets to me. It's almost weird, you know...to actually feel infuriated, instead of just recall how it was."

Roxas smiled sadly, his eyes losing a bit of their harder glint. "Axel could've sympathized with you."

"It's not fair," dark power started flowing around Kirux "Sora...you get two Hearts...Hell, you even had three once. So why the hell are you so special!?"

Light blossomed out from Roxas. "Sora couldn't kill you, but none of this is going to matter soon, anyway. Bring it on!"
==================

Sora reflexively looked back as the echoes of light and dark power reverberated around him. "It doesn't seem like they're holding back." He let out a sigh and began exploring the massive room he found himself in. Reaching out with his Heart, he 'felt' around for the locked door to Timeless River.

"It's close..." He mumbled. The Keyblade began glowing with it's typical golden aura, lifting his arm as though to guide him. Just as Sora knew it would, Ultima shot out a pure beam of light, seemingly hitting nothing before outlining a door toward the back of the room. "Whew. Found it. Just gotta unlock it."

A dark corridor erupted in front of his goal. Another figure sporting Organization XIII's black cloak stepped forward. A long cherry bang of hair shown from the hood, and at that moment, Sora felt like his heart would break.

"...Did you think he'd let me stay dead, Sora? A Princess of Heart, and a Keyblade wielder?"

"No...Kairi...how?" Sora managed to speak.

"Xenahort has a brilliant mind, Sora...You know he studied under Ansem the Wise. I'm Replica 3.0."

Sora couldn't stop himself from shaking. "First Riku, then her, and now you..."

The cheer that always could be heard in Kairi's voice was still present, but to Sora it sounded twisted.

"Yup. And thanks to already being dead, this Replica had no problem absorbing memories."

"Then you won't stop me." Sora's voice was pleading.

She walked, slowly toward Sora, her hood falling from her head. His eyes widened.

She's every bit as beautiful...

Kairi's eyes watered with unshed tears and she caressed Sora's face.

"I'm really, really sorry, love...b-but I don't have much of a choice" Her eyes momentarily glanced downward. On her neck was a black collar. "I can't take it off...He won't let me, and without it, I die." Destiny's Embrace flashed into her hand, which shook from exertion. "Sora, get back! I won't be able to stop myself-!"

Her arm struck out, slashing at Sora. Sora leaped back, a cut bleeding from his cheek.

"Sora...please, end this horrible existence for me!"
############################

I decided I couldn't let Sora off the hook that easy. For pawning Riku off on Roxas, now he has to fight the woman he loved.

Yes, no?
 

Watashiwa

Administrator
Staff member
#15
Bingo. That works great.

Few things: unless it comes after "Kingdom", hearts is lower-cased. Also, missed capitalizing Xehanort. Last, Ven's heart isn't pure light after BBS. Which is the best thing that could have happened to him under the circumstances.
 

Thorn

Well-Known Member
#16
Watashiwa said:
Bingo. That works great.

Few things: unless it comes after "Kingdom", hearts is lower-cased. Also, missed capitalizing Xehanort. Last, Ven's heart isn't pure light after BBS. Which is the best thing that could have happened to him under the circumstances.
The thing is, I don't have any way of playing BBS...I want to soooo bad ; ;.
 

Watashiwa

Administrator
Staff member
#17
Thorn said:
Watashiwa said:
Bingo. That works great.

Few things: unless it comes after "Kingdom", hearts is lower-cased. Also, missed capitalizing Xehanort. Last, Ven's heart isn't pure light after BBS.? Which is the best thing that could have happened to him under the circumstances.
The thing is, I don't have any way of playing BBS...I want to soooo bad ; ;.
Wait for the inevitable PS2 port. XD

Alternatively, you can try and emulate it. I wouldn't know how to go about that though.
 
#18
I am looking forward to seeing if you will make Time Traveling Sora into Mysterious Figure. This is going to be interesting because with KH time travel, you're not sending back your mind, you're sending back your entire body and can quite possibly interact with your former self.
 

Deathwings

Well-Known Member
#19
Considering just how insanely badass Mysterious Figure is, it would actually FIT. :blink:
 

Thorn

Well-Known Member
#21
Sora shuffled backward, expertly parrying Kairi's strikes. Sparks showered down on the two has that rebounded away from each other.

"I can't kill you Kairi! You know that!"

"That's what he's counting on, Sora..." A brilliant flame blossomed into existence on Kairi's palm, and she launched it at him with crushing force. On instinct alone, Sora slashed at the oncoming flame, sending the magical attack back at the caster at twice the speed. The flame caught Kairi in the stomach, knocking her to the floor.

"Kairi!"

Coughing up a glob of blood Kairi's blue eyes met Sora's and she gave a beautiful smile. "Shh, Sora. That's exactly what I was counting on. I might be forced to fight you...but I can at least play this battle to your strengths!"

Sora's eyes widened. "Kairi no! I can figure out a way to stop this!"

Standing up, the Princess gave the Keyblade's chosen one a wink before disappearing in a burst of speed. Almost immediately, Sora was bombarded with projectile attacks. Years of training and instinct kicked in, and the young man became a blur, guarding against the numerous spells.

"Kairi, stop! This isn't the way!"

The Princess reappeared in front of Sora, looking even worse covered in numerous burns and frostbit skin.

"You're not putting enough effort into it Sora!" She pointed her keyblade at him, and a small ball of light appeared at the end steadily increasing in size.

"Sora...I know it's hard, love, but we both know what's through that door. I'm not just calling it quits, Mister. Get this over with, and get through there and save us! The longer you stall here fighting me, the more time you waste saving us!"

A tear ran down Sora's face and he smiled sadly. "You always were right."

Kairi braced her keyblade with both hands as it shook from the energy gathering in front of it. "Ragnarok!"

The giant ball of light energy rocketed toward Sora, who lowered his arms, leaving himself wide open.

As the deadly attack reached him, he muttered one word, summoning his magic.

"Reflect..."

The shielding dome flashed into existence, and Sora had to shut his eyes against the blinding light that filled the room.

When he opened them, he found the replica of his love slouched against the far wall, breathing heavily and irregularly.

"Kairi!" He sprinted to her side.

She smiled up at him. "Good job, Sora."

More tears escaped from the mans eyes."Don't say that! None of this needed to happen! If I just could have stopped-"

"Shush. None of us knew. Could have known...really,"she coughed and more blood ran down her chin. "Kingdom Hearts was lost before we had a chance to really save it, Sora." Her arm errantly swatted at Sora with her keyblade, missing widely. The dying girl gave an annoyed huff and with a shout of effort ripped the collar from her neck. At once, the ends of her feet crystallized, slowly climbing up her body. "Don't just sit there and look sad, silly. Please...hold me before you go?"

Sora opened his mouth to speak, only to find it too tight with sorrow, instead only nodding and tilting her body into his, wrapping his arms around her.

"Mmm. I missed this..." She mumbled.

Finally, Sora forced his voice to work. "I love you," he whispered.

Reaching her head up, she planted a blood smeared kiss on his cheek. "You too."

The crystal worked its way up to her neck, and Sora kissed Kairi on her lips.

"I'll miss you...Kairi."

Another smile. "What a thing to say...Don't be silly Sora...it's not 'I'll miss you,' it's 'I'll see you soon!"

Sora nodded, summoning a strength he didn't really have. "Yea. I'll see you soon! I promise!"

"That's....that's my," Kairi's voice was fading away, "my boy..."

The air seemed to still for a moment, then the crystal swallowed her head for a moment before exploding into dust.

Without a word, Sora stood and approached the door and pointed Ultima at it.
==============================

Conclusions to DiZ vs Xenahort and Roxas vs Kirux next.

Edit: Just realized how short this all is. After I finish this part I'm going to go back and edit and add before making it an official chapter.
 

Watashiwa

Administrator
Staff member
#22
DRAMA.

And it is good. Seriously. You really might want to pad the scene a bit more--this is a DRAMATIC MOMENT OF DRAMA after all.

Also:

Years of training and instinct kicked in, and the young man became a blur, guarding against the numerous spells.
Instinct kicked in, and his sword arm blurred guarding against the projectiles.

from the mans eyes
his

Probably a bit more.
 
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