Chapter Text
*Begin Message Translation*
So if you're reading this, it somehow worked. I got ahold of someone. I don't know even how to begin. I'm trapped in a fictional world. Worlds? As a fictional character. That's more real than it should be. So help me God everyone also wants me dead. Or something. Or as a somebody? Well I dunno. Ever play the videogame Kingdom Hearts? Specifically #2? Well I'm Roxas. Uhhhh. Crap. I don't know what else to say. I'm pressed for time and didn't really think of anything specific besides HELP ME! PRESS ALL THE CAPS FOR EXTRA WORRY! :’( But uhhh... in retrospect I really doubt you're capable of doing anything. Shoulda thought that through. Never heard of interdimensional/fictional travel from when I lived on Earth so I kinda find it hard for you to... You know what? Just pray for me. That's good enough. Or just wish me good luck. I need all of it. But… maybe this is a better fit for me. Heh. May my “heart” be my guiding key.
*End Message Translation*
I stared at my hand in deep contemplation. I had the most vivid dream about Sora from Kingdom Hearts 1. It was all these random scenes of him, Kairi, and Riku at the beach. And don’t forget Mr. Spooky Darkness himself. But even though they were scenes from the first game, they all looked so real. Definitely not PS2 graphics. I saw the sand. The sand grains were all there!
Just like my hand. It didn’t look like my hand though.
And neither was the room. It was very orangey and yellow with books laying all about. Another thing that caught my attention was the neon blue lamp with fish circling around it behind my bed. That and giant chain links with a hook attached. Speaking of my bed, it was in the wrong position. Next to a very curved and large window.
I heard bells alarm in the distance. They had a kinda “tong” sound to them.
I took a deep breath. Even that felt different. Breathing. I turned onto my knees and flung the window open in anticipation. Temperate air breezed lightly in to greet me with the sight.
It was absolutely stunning. It was as if the world was stuck in a beautiful harmony of dawn and dusk.
It wouldn’t be Twilight Town if it wasn’t.
My goodness! Is that the clocktower?! It’s the actual clocktower!
“How about that.” I heard myself say.
“Oh. Ummm.” I ran my fingers against my mouth. My voice felt and sounded different. Familiar though. Almost as if…
“No that can’t be right.” I said out loud. In Roxas’s Voice.
… Y’know, for dreams, reliving the beginning sequence of Kingdom Hearts 2 is pretty dang cool. So vivid. But I’m not good at lucid dreaming unfortunately. It’ll only last for so long so I might as well face the bracing disappointment right away. Waking up sucks, but hey that’s reality.
*Pinch
…I’m not waking up. Why am I not waking up?
It was at this point I got off my bed to really examine the room. I picked up a book off the floor and flipped through the pages. The sensation of the paper skidding across my fingers… the thematic and grammatical transitions between pages. There’s no way a dream can replicate that. There’s just no way…
Is this for real?
Am I really Roxas?
I set the book down on the desk in the room, the chair was bright blue with a star for the back. Everything about Roxas’s room was shaped and curved. Even the door had stained glass with patterns that imitated a toddler’s view of the night sky.
Deciding that wallowing around in the room, or my room, was a big waste of time, I decided to go explore. First, though, I’ll need some clothes. I found the usual set stuffed messily in the drawer that the chained link sat upon. Donning the clothes made me realize just how weird Kingdom Hearts attire was.
I first put on a black vest which felt surprisingly soft like a t-shirt, and zipped it up with the iconic silver X. Recusant’s symbol anybody? Next was the pants and shoes. The pants were actually pretty normal, just a set of two-toned cargos. The shoes, on the other hand, had to be tightened using this red Velcro-like material, zipping around in an unorthodox way. I then threw on the white, short-sleeved jacket and followed up by completing the character’s design with a checkered wristband and black and white finger bands.
All in all, it was really comfortable; everything felt very natural… yet unfamiliar.
It really was like I became Roxas…
I exited the room to find myself in building not unlike a hotel. It was obviously an apartment complex or a dormitory. From the hallway, I went down the stairs to enter a lobby with a diner/coffee shop. The aroma was very sweet, and although I typically like coffee, not enough to be a regular drinker though, it didn’t entice me like it usually did.
“Roxas!”
I looked at the server, an older man with balding grey hair. He had on a blue apron and a nametag that said “William.”
He shook his head at me. “After all this time, I can’t believe you would do something like that.”
“…Umm, what are you talking about?” I replied in an uncertain voice. It still sounded like him. Roxas.
“Don’t act like you don’t know boy! You won’t be getting free crescents from me anytime soon. Not until you return what’s mine!”
Wait… this is familiar…. Oh! That’s right. Nobodies stole pictures of Roxas from the residents of Twilight Town. Everyone blames Hayner and the gang.
“Hey! It wasn’t me you know! But… if it makes you feel better, I’ll do what I can.” I said.
“Bah! Get out of here kid! I’ll know if you’re telling the truth later.”
I hurried out of the dormitory building, not eager to stay with a cranky old man, to be met with a windy, downhill avenue. It was the Market Street.
This is truly Twilight Town! That’s… that’s insane.
I knew what I wanted to do. I had to go to the clocktower! I needed to check out the place that gave me so many feels in 358/2 Days! I turned to the left to go up the winding street.
“Roxas! Just where are you going?” It was a girl’s voice. I recognized the face. Olette wore a bright orange tank top with flowers plastered on the side. It… was bizarre. My mind told me that she was fictional, that she was just a character, but my senses screamed that she was real. She was so human.
“Uhh… I was going to the clocktower. Ya’know… to… uh, clear my head.” I said.
“What?! No! C’mon on Roxas you need to be with us! You can’t just run away from this mess. We need to be there for Hayner and Pence! Or do I need to remind you how you still owe me some sea-salt ice cream?”
“…Hehe. Yeah you’re right Olette.” I rubbed the back of my head. Wow. My hair is spikey. “Lead the way.”
She sighed and started walking back down the hill. I followed her and the next thing I know I was in the back alley approaching the usual spot.
“Roxas! About time!”
“Hey Roxas! You made it!”
It was Hayner and Pence. They were both in their Kingdom Hearts 2 get up: Hayner with his camo pants and skull tank top, and Pence with his headband and red DogStreet shirt. Even those two. They’re so lively. And frustrated looking.
Not gonna lie… the Usual Place is a dump. A worn tattered couch, wooden boxes scattered around. We’re underneath the loud train tracks. Yeesh. No wonder Seifer looks down on the gang. I plopped myself on top one of the crates and tuned the rest of the trio out as they began their discussion about how everybody hates them because of the photo thief. Yeah, goodbye depressing conversation. Time to actually think about this. This… dilemma.
…
I… I’m really him. I’m Roxas. But if this is the intro sequence for Kingdom Hearts 2… then everything about this Twilight Town… is data. A part of DiZ’s plan to reunite Roxas with Sora.
To reunite me with Sora.
That’s not good. I don’t wanna disappear. I have to try and escape somehow!
…But is that really the right course of action? I know how the story ends. Me returning to Sora will set forth a chain of events in which light prevails time and time again. And at the end of it all, Roxas comes back, his own person. He gets a happy ending. I’ll get a happy ending. Maybe it’s best just to go through the motions…
Wait, how exactly did Roxas return?
First, despite being a nobody, he somehow developed his heart with his friends Axel and Xion, and his heart was stored within Sora. I don’t even know if the heart I have now is mine… or Roxas’s. What happened to the real Roxas? Did I just… erase him?
Second, Vexen created a replica: a vessel in which recreates the image of the heart… or is it its memory? Roxas’s heart sprang from Sora into this vessel and he became a normal human being.
Thirdly… his memories were recreated using the data from… Ansem the Wise. Or DiZ…
…Crap. I’m a glitch in the system, aren’t I? If I reunite with Sora, does that mean my memories will be permanently erased? Does Naminé even know I exist now? God, I’m still coming to grips with the fact that this is reality now! GAAAH.
Calm down. Just calm down. Make a plan of action.
One: Meet Naminé and see if she notices anything different.
Two: Decide to escape the digital Twilight Town, or to follow the plot and reunite with Sora.
I… I don’t want to forget who I really am. But I also don’t want to screw over a whole multiverse just because I’m being selfish. That’s a heavy choice. One Roxas didn’t get the chance to make until it was too late. But… I have what he lacked: knowledge.
…
“Hellooo? Earth to Roxas!” Pence said, waving his arm at me.
“W-what? What’d you say?” I stuttered, breaking out of my deep thoughts.
Olette giggled at me. “Wow. You really are out of it today. What’s going on Roxas?”
“I…I’ve been having these weird thoughts lately.” Like, is any of this for real… or not?
Hayner rolled his eyes at me, “That’s normal for guys.”
“Hey! That’s not it! It’s really bothering me.” I replied. Yeah, I’m not telling them they’re fictional. Even more so I’m not telling them they’re fictional data copies of fictional characters.
“So Roxas, what do you think we should do about the _______ thief? Oh!” Pence began to rub his throat.
“You can’t say _______? Why not?” Olette said, gasping.
“Pence! Look! Your ________ are gone!” Hayner said, looking at a fairly nice camera.
“My _______ are gone?!” Pence exclaimed.
I remembered this part. The nobodies stole the essence of the word picture. Preventing the residents of Twilight Town of even uttering it. But in retrospect… they probably only stole the data of the word.
“The thief not only took the ________, but they stole the word _______ too!” I said, echoing my knowledge of what was going on.
“There’s no way Seifer could pull that off.” Hayner muttered.
“This isn’t your average thief!” added Pence.
“Yeah, time for some recon! You guys in?” Hayner said, running away without staying for an answer. Pence and Olette followed him as well.
I, too, began to run after them.
I was met with a horrible dizzy spell, and I tumbled onto my knees and blacked out.
I heard a voice echo all around, “His heart is returning. Doubtless, he’ll awaken very soon.” DiZ. Or Ansem the Wise.
I stood back up a bit shaken. For me, it was a reminder. A reminder that this is his world and that he monitors everything. And that my time is running out.
Olette, like the game, returned to get me. “Roxas, c’mon.”
I nodded. “Coming!”
We didn’t couldn’t come up with any leads with the shopkeepers, but obviously I knew that. Still though, the way things were progressing simply had me on edge. That’s because I knew Seifer was next. And that meant I would begin my trial: the act of fighting and combat.
I didn’t know if that was terrifying or exhilarating.
We found ourselves in the sandlot, and wow, it was really spacious! We walked towards the trio of Seifer’s gang; in front of them were a couple those blue struggle bats mixed up in the sand on the ground.
And here was another group of fictional characters just existing for me. Fuu had her light purple hair cover her left eye and a blue vest to match its complexion. Rai wore a bright orange tank top coupled with baggy sweatpants. And Vivi… was terrifying. And cute. How does one accomplish both of those?! Those yellow eyes stared straight into my being.
Fuu turned away from the conversation she was having and pointed at the four of us. “Thieves!” she exclaimed.
Rai stuck his fist forward, his lightning necklace dangling, “That was low, y’know!”
“Oh yeah?” Hayner said back, challengingly.
“Nice comeback there, blondie.” Yeah it really did suck. I mentally agreed with the sarcasm as Seifer approached from the side of the sandlot. He had on a black beanie and an oversized, sleeveless, white, trench coat.
“What’d you say?!” Hayner, stop, you’re embarrassing yourself.
“You can give us back the _______ now.” Seifer continued, ignoring my frazzled companion.
“Yeah! You’re the only ones who would take it, y’know?” Rai echoed.
Seifer began to pace and pointed at us. “That was undeniable proof that we totally owned you lamers. So, what did you do? Burn it?” He stopped in the middle of his gang. “Ha, not that we need some ________ to prove that you’re losers.”
“Replay.” Fuu stated. Even hearing it in person, I’m still unsure as to what that actually means.
Seifer seemed to know, however, laughing confidently, “Now you’re talking!” He and his crew got into a fighting pose. Hayner and Pense also tensed up.
Well it’s now or never. I took a small step forward, my hands hesitantly in a calming manner.
Hayner looked at me questioningly. “Roxas!”
“Look, I get you feel that way. But we didn’t steal the ________. I mean, c’mon! We can’t even say the word _______! Doesn’t that strike you as bizarre? Weird? How could we even do that?” Appeal to his logical side. Maybe he has some sens-
“Hmph. Didn’t peg you for a coward Roxas. I guess if you get on your knees and beg, MAYBE I’ll let it slide.” I stand corrected. He’s just itching for a fight.
Oh boy. That’s… uhh, a shame. Guess I’m fighting after all. Well I’m not actually going to kneel before the prick. I have some ounce of pride. Somewhere. In my heart. That may or may not exist.
Out of the three struggle bats, I knew which one to pick. I went for the one in the middle, its yellow handguard curving around my grip and the deep blue baton shape stemmed from it. Playing the game, I always picked the one that actually looked like a sword, this time is no different.
I swung the bat a few times to get a feel for its weight. “Alright, Seifer. You and me. Just remember, you wanted this!” I beckoned him to follow me into the middle of the sandlot.
“Well aren’t you talking confident! Let me wipe that smirk off your face, loser!” Seifer said, approaching me with a Struggle bat of his own.
I instinctively got into a fighting stance and quickly realized that it was the same one that Roxas does in the game.
I have muscle memory! Thank God! I didn’t even want to begin to think about what my future would be like if I couldn’t even swing a weapon. I am in Roxas’s body after all, it makes sense that I can do at least the basics. That should be enough for now…
“Kneel, loser!”
“Roxas, focus!”
There was a moment of pure silence. We glared at each other before rushing in, my feet kicking up sand.
I managed to land the first hit, and my body flowed naturally into other strikes. Downward, forward, spin!
Seifer backed away and jumped into the air plunging down with his bat. I narrowly dodged out of the way and took a couple steps to create space.
He taunted me, pointing his struggle bat my way; it was swaying back and forth. “Come on… quit playin’ around and fight!”
I charged again, this time jumping up before swinging down. I never jumped that high before, but then again, Roxas was able fly at one point in the games, so screw it! I strung together another combo, but he managed to deflect the last one and used that opening to hit me as landed on the ground. That… hurt. Gonna leave a bruise. He went for another strike, but I blocked him with my round, blue blade.
Our two weapons were locked for a second, but I had the advantage of having a handguard and used my extra defense to slide down his bat and strike against his wrist. He clutched his hand and spun around before swinging. I rolled out of the way and got up just in time to see him jump in the air again.
“Isn’t this romantic!” He shouted whilst diving at me. This time, I expected it, and blocked his blow.
“Sorry pal, I don’t swing that way!” I pushed his Struggle bat to the side and rushed in with another combo. Once on his shoulder, twice at his gut.
Seifer fell to one knee, dropping the blue bat. He looked away from me. “Hmph.”
Rai and Fuu jumped in front of me, defending their fallen leader.
“Seifer’s not feelin’ so hot, y’know!”
“Tournament decides.” Yeah, that’s right Fuu. I won.
I looked back to see Pence pulling up his camera. After years of my real Mom always, ALWAYS taking pictures, I smiled naturally. I gave a thumbs up too.
Pence took the picture and returned the gesture.
And then I saw it. The dusk. Its creepy, slender form circled around Pence and nabbed the camera. It lept away, elongated and grey, its movements graceful and disturbing all at the same time.
“What was that?” Hayner exclaimed.
“The thief?” Olette questioned.
I barely heard them though, because I was well on my way following the nobody, ditching the rest of the crowd. This was it. My chance to get the Keyblade, and perhaps get out of this fake digital world!
I weaved through an alley. And through the tunnel that led to the Woods. And I must say, these trees were huge! Their towering presence allowed for the whole area to be completely shaded. It’d be a great place for a picnic.
Enough of that though, I followed the dusk as it swerved around these large Sequoia-like trees and made my way to the Old Mansion.
The forest cleared away and I saw the wondrous design of a grand building behind a tall brick wall wrapped around by growing foliage. In the middle of the wall was an opening for a black gate with a huge lock chaining it together in place.
And in front of that… was the dusk. It weaved back and forth, the nobody insignia upon its head, as if it was waiting just for me.
“We have come for you, my liege.” A voice said, emanating from the being, or non-being, in front of me. Then the dusk began to unzip its mouth, which revealed sharp triangular teeth within. That's got to be one of the coolest things I've seen! But... it was also kinda spooky.
I knew from the games… and a gut-feeling, that my struggle bat, although pretty nifty, wouldn’t be able to land a hit on this creepy dude. I was powerless.
So, I tossed the bat to the side and held my hand up forward, in a motion to summon it.
I didn’t know if I could… But there was no room for doubt. I had to believe.
“Come to me, MY BLADE!” I shouted with all my might.
Light shined through, interrupting the very fabric of this digital reality, breaking the space with an array of hexagons and numbers.
And then it appeared. The Keyblade.
But… it wasn’t the Kingdom Key like expected. Nor was it either Oathkeeper or Oblivion. Heck, it wasn’t even Two Become One.
But it did come from the games. Specifically 358/2 Days. When it formed in my hand, I just knew its name; like it called to me.
Midnight Roar.
Its grip was a bright orange, and the guard was black and circular, albeit with rough and pointy edges. The blade itself was a smooth, silver rod that ended with several black spikes, kind of like a sideways fleur-de-lis, only more stretched and pointy. The Keychain token was a black arrowhead with a diamond-shaped gap in its center.
It rested in my hand, parallel to the ground, and it just felt right. Not simply because I was Roxas, but… well, because it felt connected to also me. It was my keyblade in its rawest form. Like Ventus and Wayward Wind.
The dusk started to slither towards me, and I wasted no more time in my awe. It was time to fight. I ran next to it and struck a few blows, its slender body wiggling back and forth. It curled up and then lunched out with its claws like natural daggers, but I slid behind it in a motion that can only be called a reversal.
Dazed, the dusk hunched down, its head swirling left and right looking for I where I disappeared to. Behind it, I let loose another combo. The keyblade made me feel… stronger. It was hungry and itching to sink its black teeth into the nobody.
Soon the dusk all but exploded or vanished. Orbs and photos scattered around; the sensation of “absorbing” munny was as if my pockets slightly felt heavier, and the green orbs made me feel just a bit healthier.
I know it’s just a game mechanic… but in this world, in this reality, it was natural. Nothing felt bizarre about it. Like my senses came to expect nothing less.
My keyblade disappeared in the same manner it came, away from the digital space with numbers and shapes. Wait! No! Come back! I need you to open up the gate!
It didn’t come back though.
Welp, guess I might as well collect the photos. They fluttered to the ground, all six of them. All of the pictures had Roxas in them… or had me in them.
Shame I couldn't find Pence's camera though. Umm, hopefully, he won't ask.
After waiting a good amount of time, I nabbed my struggle bat and went back to the Usual Spot to find Hayner, Pence, and Olette. They probably lost me as I followed the dusk.
“There you are! Roxas! Any luck?” Hayner questioned.
“Yeah…” I pulled out the pictures and handed them over.
He looked at the first one, a photo of a man and myself in front of a shop, and asked, “What’s this?”
Uhhh… “I think… let’s see here, I was his first… customer? So we took a picture.”
Olette giggled, “You don’t sound so sure, Roxas! Anyway, it’s a really nice photo!” She gasped, “Oh.”
“Hey you just said ‘photo’!” Pence noted.
“Yeah, and I just said the word ‘picture’ too.” I told them. Man, it never felt so nice to hear myself say a word!
“So Roxas,” Hayner started, “Tell us about the picture thief.”
“Well, there’s not much to say. I just found that creepy, white thing that ran away and whacked it a bunch of times. And then it dropped the pictures.”
“Wait! You didn’t catch the thief?” Well yeah, Hayner, it exploded. “Then how do we prove we weren’t the ones who took ‘em?!”
“Well, Seifer was there when it stole ours. We could tell the truth. Maybe they’ll believe us with his account.” I said.
Pence looked at me, “Do you really expect Seifer to help us?”
“Well… no, not really…” I sighed.
Hayner looked down at the next picture. “It’s a GIRL…”
“You look happy Roxas.” Olette couldn’t help but expand.
“What? Of course I look happy! You expect me not to smile at the camera?”
“So, like, anybody else notice that all the stolen pictures are of Roxas?” Pence pointed out.
I nodded, agreeing with him, “Yeah, I figured that out earlier.” Or I just remembered ‘cause plot.
“Ohh. So that’s why everyone thought it was us.” Olette exclaimed in realization.
“You mean Seifer didn’t go around accusing us after all?” said Hayner.
“Yup.” I said, popping the p.
Pence raised his hand to his chin in a thinking manner. “Wouldn’t it be weird if the thief wanted to steal the real Roxas or something?” Really? You don’t say? OF COURSE THEY DO! It’s the Organization!
“C’mon, get serious! Why would anyone wanna steal a bonehead like Roxas?” Hayner said, playfully jabbing at me.
“Maybe it’s ‘cause I’m… devilishly handsome.” I said, power posing.
“…Really?” Pence stated before the four of us busted up laughing.
In the distance we heard the bells tong again, signaling the closing of the day… Does Twilight Town even have a night time? I wasn’t too sure, nothing about the sunlight changed throughout the whole day… The gang waved bye and left me in the Usual Spot.
Now by my lonesome, I waved my hand in front of me and tried to summon the Keyblade again.
No dice.
I sighed. How can I escape if I can’t get inside the manor?
Wait… even if I use the computer terminal… wouldn’t DiZ just be waiting for me? Or worse, Riku?! Even if I get out of the digital realm, how can I escape them if I’m stuck in the real Twilight Town? I have to be smart about this…
I walked outside, the sun blazing in my eyes. Everything seemed to fade to black. And I heard Sora’s voice.
“Where… am I? Who’s there? Who are you?”
My vision returned, but my determination to escape wavered. I disconnected myself from him; he was far away and not close, but yet again, hearing his voice directly reminded me that he’s a real person. Is it really alright if I go on living at the price of Sora never waking up? Could I do that to him? To Riku and Kairi?
Enough of that. I can’t afford to hesitate. I needed to see Naminé. Just two… one more day! Then I’ll have more answers!
“Restoration at 12%”
The multi-screened computer flashed before the man in red all around. Red wrappings covered his face as if he was severely injured. “Organization miscreants… They’ve found us.” He was disturbed by the fact.
Behind him was another tall man, clad in a black coat and hidden beneath a hood. “But… how did Roxas know to summon the Keyblade? I thought his memories were overwritten.”
“Hmm… that is troubling indeed. Perhaps… it came to him naturally. Facing a strange creature, albeit as weak as a dusk is, propelled him to summon it. Like an animal backed into a corner, his primal instincts roared.”
“Do you mean… he followed his heart?”
“Nonsense! Nobodies have no hearts. Roxas is no exception. There is a difference between the achings of a heart and the instinctive impulses of the body. Still… time is running short. Naminé… you must make haste!”