Chapter Text
Oh, jump that 43
Are you wild like me?
Raised by wolves and other beasts
I tell you all the time “I’m not mad.”
You tell me all the time “I’ve got plans”.
“ So, what’re you in for?”
Isa looked up from the book he was reading to see that the kid in front of him had turned to address him, sitting backwards on his seat. His face screamed boredom. Isa raised an eyebrow and leaned to the side to see past the kid. It was a nice day outside, the autumn sunlight so bright and saturated it seemed like something from a dream, making even the clouds of dust particles that floated in the classroom air look pretty like glitter. It was a day he was almost certain to miss the best of due the mess he ended up in- specifically, after school detention. While Isa may have been dumb enough today to get caught in his less than respectable antics, he was determined to make this session of punishment be his last and was not about to get caught talking when he wasn’t supposed to be.
However, it seemed that this kid was not just testing his luck. The teacher, who was supposed to be supervising them and making sure they were “really thinking over their actions”, seemed to have fallen asleep onto the pile of homework they were marking to pass the time.
“ What a disgrace… ” Isa thought to himself.
“What you mute or somethin’?” Isa turned his attention back to his latest distraction, who was currently leaning onto the back legs of his chair to get closer to Isa, as if the distance was the problem.
“No, I’m not.”
“Good. So…” The boy tilted his head, signalling for Isa’s turn to talk.
“So what?”
A frustrated noise spilled from the boy as his chair legs hit the floor once more, startling the other inmates and earning a few glares. Isa held his breath as he saw the teacher stir, but released it when they simply fell back asleep.
“I saaaid,” the boy whined, stretching the ‘a’ sound to emphasize his impatience with having to repeat himself, “what are you in for?”
“What does it matter to you? Don't you have something better to do than bother me? You’re going to get us into even more trouble.” Isa grumbled, pointedly turning his head back to the book he was reading.
“It matters because I know you,” Isa looked up at that. The boy continued, folding his arms atop the back of the chair, “and I know that you’re a total goody-two-shoes teacher’s pet and kiss ass who could never do something bad enough to land himself in detention.”
Isa felt his eye twitch, “Just because I - unlike some people- am usually smart enough to not get caught, does not make me a goody-two-shoes.” Isa’s voice was stern as he articulated, but his attempts to scare him off seemed to be for nought as the boy opposite him smirked slowly at him. The fact that the rise he was getting out of Isa was entertaining him poked even more at Isa’s buttons and he bristled, “Perhaps if you spent a little more time evaluating yourself instead of others, you wouldn’t be here right now.”
“Alright, chill out I was just messin’ with ya. You’re so serious...” Isa huffed a breath, picking up his book to block himself from his tormentor to no avail, “But you still haven't told me what you did. I’m on the edge of my seat here!”
Isa had options here and he knew it. He knew that if he just kept ignoring this kid that he’d eventually get bored. He had no reason to play this delinquent’s little game, and if anything, entertaining his advances worked completely against Isa’s goals - to get out of this damn room and go home to enjoy some time alone. If the teacher were to wake suddenly and catch them conversing it’d be another day on his sentence easily. But, something about this kid just got under his skin. Isa couldn’t tell if it was the minute hand of the clock that seemed stagnant or the way the tilt of the kid’s head read like a challenge, but something made Isa think it was worth it to humour him in this.
Isa sighed deeply and looked at the kid in front of him. As the silence drew on longer, the kid squirmed under Isa’s gaze in anticipation of his tale. Isa couldn’t hold back from teasing and opened his mouth, pretending to begin to speak. In response, the kid sat up a little in his seat, eyes widening, but all that escaped Isa’s mouth was a breathy laugh at the excitement on the boy’s face. He only laughed harder at the glare that got sent his way.
“Come on, dude! Stop playing with my emotions like that and just tell me!” The kid huffed and looked away, a pout puffing his lips.
“Sorry, it's just way too easy. You’re like a puppy, I could practically see your tail wagging.”
“And you’d deny a puppy as cute as me the treat he’s asking for? You really are as cold as your reputation says Isa.”
Isa rolled his eyes before pausing, “How do you know my name anyway? I don’t recognise you.” The kid opposite him reacted as if Isa had reached across the table and punched him in the chest. Gripping his heart with a pained expression, he dramatically fell to lean against the desk behind him,
“Extremely cold! We’ve shared a tutor group all year, dude!” Isa forced his embarrassment underneath a fixed, stoic expression. The kid leaned forward towards him again, close enough that his chair hit Isa’s desk and Isa had to lean back slightly to keep his personal space intact, “It’s Lea. L-E-A, Lea. ” Lea raised a finger and pointed it to the side of his head, tapping as he said with a smirk, “Got it memorised?”
Isa spluttered out a laugh at the action, “What was that?” he asked, incredulous. He couldn’t believe he’d never noticed this kid before. Lea tilted his head back to tiredly sigh at the ceiling,
“All this work I’ve put into making myself memorable and it’s still not enough!” Isa pursed his lips at the strange statement. He sensed there was more to that statement than what met the eye, but kept his questions to himself. Lea dropped his head back to meet Isa, “You forgot me so easily before, gotta make sure you remember this time.” he punctuated his explanation with a wink and Isa couldn’t help the grin that stretched his lips as he turned his stare away from Lea to the table just below him.
Isa felt something change within that moment. While he had never actively avoided relationships, creating strong friendships with people had never been high on his agenda. He tended to only associate himself with those he thought would be helpful to him in some way, whether that be those smarter than him so he could have access to free study help, or simply those who could provide common conversation during free periods. He worked better alone and had always been fine being alone. But this kid… was interesting. That ‘ something’ that affected him earlier kept him watching, kept him listening. That same feeling was telling him that it was worth it to keep this kid around.
But Isa kept that to himself, instead he steeled his expression once more, deadpanning, “But isn’t that spelling pronounced Lee-ah?” Isa heard Lea make a sound of embarrassment before his chair slammed down once more and he shouted,
“No, it’s not! And stop changing the subject!”
The commotion once again alerted the attention of those around them. This time the noise had been enough to wake the teacher fully. Isa’s shoulders shook with restrained laughter as the teacher righted their glasses and stood up. Isa buried his head back in his book to hide his reaction as the teacher scolded Lea for his behaviour. Lea spluttered with indignation, motioning to Isa but his attempts were moot. The teacher gave a final warning and Lea turned in his seat grumbling.
What seemed like an aeon later, the teacher announced that their time was up. Isa packed his book away and made his way to the door, but was stopped in his tracks by someone grabbing his arm. He turned to see Lea, school bag slung over his shoulder,
“Don’t think you’re getting away that easily! I definitely deserve to hear the story after all that!” Isa put on a face of annoyance, letting out an exaggerated groan,
“You seriously won't drop that?”
Lea shook his head violently, “Nuh-uh! And I ain’t leavin’ you alone until I get the full story outta you, so you best start talking!”
Isa closed his eyes and let out a tired sigh before continuing to walk. But he noticed that, even with all his bravado, Lea wasn't walking with him. Isa stopped and looked over his shoulder to see Lea standing back, seemingly unsure of himself.
“ Very interesting indeed . ” Isa thought, before shouting over his shoulder,
“You coming then, Lea? Or are you so dumb as to not be able to walk and talk at the same time?” Isa watched with a small smile as Lea visibly brightened and rushed to catch up with Isa’s stride. As he started telling the tale of his deeds to Lea, Isa thought for a second that, if it meant Lea would stick around, he may never finish the mediocre story of how he ended up in detention.
They walked and walked and walked until it struck Isa that the hallway they travelled down definitely should have ended by now. He looked down the hallway and saw that the turning to the exit seemed just a few paces away, but as they walked they seemed to get no further to the end, as if they were on a treadmill simply walking in place. Isa slowed to a stop, confused and distorted. Lea continued on, seemingly unphased by the strange aura suddenly encapsulating Isa, gluing his feet to the ground. He dared a glance behind him, to see what they had left behind.
But it was not as he had expected. Darkness stalked close behind him, eating away at the hallway, slowly creeping closer towards him. Despite the cold chill that rattled him at the sight, he could not seem to pull his gaze away. Inside him a battle fought. Something inside him felt drawn to the never ending dark that echoed before him, a pull within his soul into the calling abyss. The rest of him fought against it, screaming to run, get away, turn away. Vaguely, he heard his name being called, but it didn’t connect. The darkness was closer now, its haunting song too loud in his ears, canceling out the call that rang from far behind him.
“Isa!”
The darkness pounded his ears, completely overpowering the name being shouted from that far away distance. The ground suddenly felt farther away, as if he had grown. His body taking up space he never filled before. Strangely, as he stared unblinking into this deep, approaching darkness, he had this overwhelming sensation that he had been stuck here for years. That he had been stuck in this one exact spot, watching in fear as that darkness crept ever closer, totally unable to stop it, ignoring as that voice in the distance called that name, searching for some stranger in the darkness.
“Isa!”
How long had he been here, waiting- and for what? What had he left behind? All he could remember was being left here by who he couldn’t remember, roots forming at his feet as he stood in fear of what was to come and waited. Perhaps for that person who left him here alone. Still closer the darkness came as his thoughts rushed his head. His heartbeat raced so fast he felt it may leave straight out of his chest, leaving him cold and empty. Hollow. A strong, and powerful sadness overcame him at the thought, and as the darkness reached the tips of his toes, that deep, deep melancholy drowned him and he collapsed.
Still that person in the distance called on. Louder now than before, and steadily getting even louder and more persistent.
“Isa!”
Through his sadness, he thought on who that person may be in the distance. All this time they had spent calling, never stopping or giving up even though they had no response. He thought of how that must feel, to have someone who cared so deeply as to keep fighting for you, even when all their attempts seemed pointless. If he were to have someone like that, he thought that maybe he could find the strength to stand. For if someone were fighting that hard for them, to not push on, to not try and live with every fibre of your being would simply be selfish.
He suddenly thought of the colour red, and something about it lessened the aching in his chest.
“Isa!”
That name… It was starting to feel familiar. But how could that be, he had been alone this whole time. There was no one else.
Red.
Red... Like fire. Like the sunset.
“Isa!”
If he had been alone, whose name could it be? It suddenly occurred to him that he had not thought of his own name in a while. What was it again?
“Isa!”
Recognition flooded back to him all at once. That voice, he knew that voice and he knew that name. Suddenly, he found the strength to stand, to move towards something for the first time in what felt like years. When that person called again, he had no doubts on who it could be. There was only one who would wait for him, fight for him for this long even when it seemed worthless to even try. He heard it call from behind him, and he turned towards it and away from that darkness that was moments away from surrounding him. He didn’t need to rot here, he could move, he could fight, this didn’t have to be the end.
Behind him was a dim light, but light nonetheless. With creaking bones he stood and turned his back on that empty, oppressive darkness and ran towards that light, towards that person waiting within it. He needed to be there for him, he waited so long for him, he couldn’t let him down. The light grew as he approached, and the voice got louder and clearer, helping him along. He wouldn’t rot here. He could live, if not for himself, then for him. He could do this.
The light was blinding and warm, but he didn’t feel scared. It felt like coming home.
The next breath Isa drew was deep and panicked, filling his lungs completely. It was a breath he didn’t expect to be able to take. He attempted to sit up but felt himself being restrained by something. The scar on his face ached as if it were fresh, and was only rivalled by the pain pulsing through his chest. Through the slur of his consciousness, he could hear voices, but couldn't place their source or meaning. Suddenly the pain in his body surged and he groaned, attempting to move away from the hands that were jostling him. He didn’t care for any of this, he just wanted to sleep.
But the jostling didn't stop and the voices were starting to become more clear as he rose to the surface of his mind. He realised he knew those voices, though he still couldn’t place a face or name.
“Isa- . ..ear me? Wa-...up”
With weary effort, he attempted to open his eyes. Bright light surged at him and made him flinch, closing his eyes once more.
“Yes, that’s it. Aeleus turn the lights down, please. I think it’s a bit too bright in here for him.” The voice was clear now and spoke with a confidence that calmed Isa considerably.
“...Lea?” he groaned. He wasn’t sure why he had said that or where it came from, but his heart ached and his head pounded and that seemed to be all he could bring himself to say.
“No, just me I’m afraid. Unfortunately, Lea is yet to arrive. But he has been alerted of your arrival and seemed very keen to come and see you. So it shouldn't be much longer now.” Isa felt he had enough strength to attempt to open his eyes again. This time it went a lot smoother, the lower lighting helping considerably, but he still took his time adjusting. Slowly, the blurred figure standing over him came into focus.
“Ienzo?” Next to him, the young boy smiled pleasantly.
“Welcome back, Isa.” He was dressed the way Isa remembered him before he died the first time, and Isa couldn’t tell if he found the familiarity relieving or off-putting. Isa realised he was still laying on the floor. He brought himself up on his forearms with some effort, ignoring Ienzo’s hands hovering over him anxiously.
Looking around, he realised he was where he started all that time ago. While the main lights of the laboratory had been turned off, the glow of the portal on the back wall and the constant flashing of computer screens kept the room light enough that he could see everything just as clearly. Just behind Ienzo, he saw an empty replica laying on a bench, hooked up to countless machines and wires. At the door, Aeleus and Dilan stood watch, weapons ready in hand.
“And what a warm welcome it is.” He stated snidely, staring at the guards. Although, even he couldn’t blame them. If he were in their shoes, he would have tied himself up in chains and thrown him behind a locked steel door.
“Sorry Isa, I did try to warn them away, but they still believe me to be a child who cannot fend for himself.” Ienzo’s soft voice and smile betrayed the harshness of his words, and Isa took some pleasure in the way Aeleus shifted awkwardly in place.
“The man is as unpredictable and violent as the enemies that threatened the castle all those years ago, and twice your size. We cannot afford pleasantries.” Dilan shot back. “May I remind you that he is the one who sent you to be killed at Castle Oblivion by his little partner in crime.” Isa sneered at the statement as Ienzo tripped over his words trying to defuse the situation.
“That's quite enough, Dilan.” A hand landed on Dilan’s shoulder, and as Isa sat up to get a better view, he saw Ansem the Wise walk between the guards. “I think he’s had enough strife for one day.” Ienzo stood up at the sight of his father, back turned to Isa.
“Master Ansem! I didn’t realise you’d be back so soon.” Ansem the Wise placed a hand on Ienzo’s head and smiled at the young boy,
“I heard the good news and thought I’d come to assist.” Ansem the Wise looked behind Ienzo at Isa as he got up off the floor. In a worried flutter, Ienzo attempted to assist Isa but Isa simply shrugged him away. It was weird to see Ienzo so thoughtful after years of dealing with Zexion. While he himself knew that your personality as a Nobody was typically different to when you were a Somebody, Isa had yet to meet someone who changed so greatly between their two forms.
When he got his balance on his feet, Isa met Ansem the Wise’s eyes, face blank. Ansem the Wise approached him, and Isa felt the need to step back but pushed it down, raising his chin to look down his nose at the scientist.
“Isa, words alone cannot express my remorse over what I put you and Lea through. It is my own fault you got caught up in this mess, and I will understand if you can not find it within yourself to forgive me.”
Isa considered the man before him. His first instinct was to scorn the man and his sorry excuse of an apology. As if his words meant anything more than dirt to Isa. He knew he couldn’t extend the same courtesy as to apologise for the pain Isa had hand in causing him, so it felt wrong to even consider accepting it. Even more wrong when he thought of her , how she had not even crossed his mind as someone else who deserved an apology, some sort of compensation for the pain she had gone through. To accept this apology felt like it would be a blow not only to himself and his ego but a direct insult to her, who suffered because of this man and his experiments. Isa was in every mind to spit at his feet and leave this godforsaken castle and never look back.
But Isa was tired. He was tired of being callous, tired of being bitter and cold when it had got him nowhere but where he was now- beaten down and totally, totally alone. Isa thought of Lea, and how he had forgiven him even after all he’d done, and in turn, he thought of Roxas and Xion who would certainly be joining Lea. He thought of all the pain he had caused them for no reason other than due to his terrible jealousy, and how defeated he would feel if, when he is in the same position Ansem is in now, he were to be rejected by those children. If he were to reject Ansem’s apology now, he knew that he could not feel slighted if the same were to happen to him with the many people he had to right his wrongs with. The years of trauma and isolation may have made him cruel, but he refused to let it make him a hypocrite.
Isa let out a haggard sigh, dropping his shoulders and lowering his head to look at the ground. “I cannot say I forgive you, not yet. I also cannot say that I can award you the same courtesy of an apology..” He looked at Ansem and saw not the proud man of science like he once did, but his own exhaustion reflected back at him, “...But I will accept yours.”
With that, Ansem smiled nodding slightly at Isa, “And that is all I ask for.” He turned to Ienzo once more, “I can see that you have everything under control here. I will get out of your way. Tell Even I will return to help him with preparations for Namine soon enough.” On his way out, he signalled the guards away, and while they were hesitant, one stern look from Ienzo sent them on their way. Before turning the corner into his office, he turned once more to Isa,
“Farewell, and good luck, old friend.” He left without waiting for Isa’s reply. A calm silence fell over the room, but Isa had little time to appreciate it,
“I am so thankful for your help by the way.” Isa gave Ienzo a dead look, “With the replicas I mean. Trying to solve the puzzle of how to bring Roxas back was difficult but a very welcome challenge that seems to have paid off greatly! We’ve learned so much from the testing we did using them, and now we can use that information to help others. You’ve really done a great deed to science and to everyone here by helping Even to smuggle those vessels to us, and I’m sure I won’t be the only one to tell you that.”
Isa blinked before looking away. Thanks was one thing he did not expect to happen when he woke up, and not something he was fully sure he deserved.
“I was simply trying to atone for myself and my actions. It was the least I could do, and not something worthy of thanks.” Isa stated quietly. Ienzo widened his eyes at him,
“Do you really think so?”
Isa couldn’t bring himself to look Ienzo in the eyes, “I know so. You weren’t there, Ienzo.”
“Well, no...I guess I wasn’t.” Ienzo ran a gentle hand over his neck as he finished, mouth drawn into a thin line as he grimaced at the floor. Isa realised he never actually heard back from Axel on how he went about the extermination of those sent to Castle Oblivion. Something about Ienzo’s actions made him think that he probably didn’t want to know. Ienzo suddenly cleared his throat and moved to make himself busy on the large computer next to Isa,
“How are you feeling by the way? I remember it being quite rough waking up the first time, I am curious as to how the experience differs, what with you being a special case and all. No one else who has re-awakened has had as much experience with Xehanort’s possession as you. If you wouldn’t mind I’d like to do an examination, maybe take some qualitative notes on what you’re experiencing. It’d be so interesting to compare with my o-”
Isa’s head quickly turned to look at Ienzo, “Wait, no one else?” Ienzo halted in his movement of turning the page on a clipboard and hugged it to his chest, eyes wide and head tilted as he considered Isa, “You said no one else has re-awakened who had the same experience as me. What do you mean? Shouldn’t Braig have resurfaced by now?”
“Oh, no. Unfortunately, Braig is missing entirely. There’s been no sightings of him at all. In fact, after Even, you’re the last of the original eight of us to be re-completed here. My hypothesis is yet to be falsified, but it seems to be that wherever you lost your heart is where you end up re-completed. It happened with all of us. The only instances where that has not been true is in the case of you and Braig the last time we should have been re-completed. But from what I have come to understand, that was simply due to a confound, am I correct? I thought at first it may have been caused by your situation, making you both outliers, but now this second time you have re-completed here. It only stands to reason that Braig should also have shown up here. Unless perhaps-... ”
Isa had stopped listening. He did not like the sound of that. Had Sora simply not defeated everyone? That couldn’t be possible...right? He felt a spike of paranoia at the thought, sending that same sharp pain shooting through his chest once more. He winced and gripped at his heart. Isa thought of what may happen if he were to be found once more. He didn’t want to lose himself again, not after he fought so hard to get back. Especially with all he did to betray Xemnas and the True Organisation XIII...he dreaded to think of the repercussions of having a direct hand in their failure.
Isa’s eyes darted, lost in the rush of his thoughts. Something moved in the corner of his eyes towards him. In shock, he violently startled backwards. He heard a sound of surprise, but it wasn’t his own. He looked up, shaken, to see Ienzo standing rod straight, a hand clutching his cravat. It was only then that Isa noticed his stance, ready to fight, hand twitching to summon Lunatic, breath fast and heavy. Quickly, he righted himself, moving far away from Ienzo, jaw clenched.
“S-Sorry, Isa! I didn’t mean to startle you I-”
“Its fine, Ienzo.” Isa spoke more sternly than he had intended, but he succeeded in making Ienzo back off.
Hardly a moment passed before the sound of commotion from the next room caused them both to quickly turn their attention to the doorway of the lab. From the office next door filtered in the sound of two voices arguing. Ienzo moved to investigate, but didn’t get far past the doorway to the lab before he stopped once more,
“Oh, Lea!”
Isa stopped dead in his tracks at Ienzo’s words, eye’s round,
“You made it! I wasn’t made awar-”
“Yeah I made it, just let me to him for crying out loud-” Ienzo stepped aside and Lea bound past him in a flurry of red and black. When Lea noticed Isa, he stopped cold. Their eyes met and with it a spell cast, a hush flowing over the entire castle. The beeping monitors and whirring machinery became silent to Isa’s ears as they stood looking at each other, only a few meters separating them. Isa was afraid to blink, afraid to twitch in case he broke the seal and the spell failed, in case this was all also some cruel hallucination he had yet to wake up from. Lea was the first to move. All at once, he was storming towards Isa, a determined look in his eye. Isa shifted back nervously, head turned to the side. In the reflection of the lab glass, he saw Lea stutter to a stop a few feet in front of him.
“Isa?”
Isa squeezed his eyes shut. The hope in Lea’s tone when he spoke his name formed a ball in his throat, causing a to pain rack through his chest once more.
“Isa...Isa, would ya look at me?”
Isa let out a shaking breath and opened his eyes, turning to look at Lea. At the sight of him, the ball in his throat seemed to choke him, making it hard to swallow. His eyes stung as pain pounded in his chest. Lea got closer, eyes scanning his face before coming to focus on his eyes. He gasped out a breath before a slow smile transformed his face, hands coming up to cup Isa’s cheeks. Isa twitched at the action, stiff as a board at the sensation of warm, gloved hands on his face,
“It really is you...You’re really back.” Lea’s voice was breathy with disbelief, and Isa found that he could now no longer breath. He closed his eyes tight, ashamed yet somewhat relieved to feel a wetness leave his eyes at the words.
Isa managed a shaky smile in Lea’s direction, trying desperately to keep his words even as he spoke, “I’m back, Lea.”
“HOW DARE YOU- YOU HAVE SOME NERVE TREATING ME LIKE THAT AFTER EVERYTHING I RISKED TO HELP YOU!”
The shouting thrust them out of their reverie. Lea dropped his hands with a groan, lazily tilting his head around to see Even standing in the doorway, enraged,
“Can ya give it a rest already? I just wanted to make sure he was okay, what’s the big deal?”
“The ‘big deal’” Even’s voice was shrill with outrage, using his hands to jerkily form air quotes, “Is that he has not gone through any sort of proper examination yet! We have no idea what sort of state he is in, and seeing you could have made things worse! Is that what you want?”
Isa’s frown deepened, sick of being spoken of indirectly when he was standing right there. Lea rolled his eyes and turned round to face the enraged scientist,
“Well he saw me and he’s fine! Seriously, you talk like he’s some sort of feral animal! I mean, I know he plays the part well-”
“ Lea. ” Isa’s voice was a warning that seemed to fly over Lea’s head entirely,
“But that’s all in the past. He’s shown that already hasn’t he?” Lea stepped aside and gestured to Isa with his hands, looking at the scientist with eyebrows raised, challenging him to speak against him.
“That is not the point, Lea-” Even continued, stepping closer. But Ienzo grabbed his arm,
“If I may interrupt,” Ienzo said, “I feel that this is all getting us nowhere. Isa,” Isa made no move to show he was listening bar moving his eyes to look at Ienzo,
“Do you think you are ready to leave with Lea? You are perfectly welcome to stay here if you so wish. The bedrooms upstairs havent been used in a while but have been rebuilt and we can provide you with anything you’d need it’s no prob-”
“Or.” Lea interrupted, “You could just come with me now and we could just get all these icky important jobs out the way so everything can go back to normal faster.”
Everyone had turned to face Isa, and while it didn't show, the weight of their gazes made him feel shifty. He wasn’t entirely sure what would be best for him right now. While he was happy to see Lea, he felt that from what Lea had stated that he hadn’t totally thought everything through. There was so much that needed to be done and many more things that needed to be discussed before anything could go back to any sort of ‘normal’ like Lea wished (whatever that meant exactly).
However, this castle held way too many bad memories. Even standing here in the lab for as long as he had was making him restless and edgy, and the people around him were no help with that, as hospitable as Ienzo was attempting to be. He couldn’t imagine spending another minute in this place that was the root cause of all the suffering he and countless others had gone through.
“Thank you Ienzo, but I think it’d be best if I leave for now.” Lea’s whipped his head around to look at Isa. His wide smile turned smug when he turned back to face Even and Ienzo once more. Even huffed, seeming to bite back a scathing response. Instead he walked away towards the computer,
“Well then hurry up and leave. You’re taking up valuable space and time here in this lab and there’s a young lady waiting for our assistance.” He said sharply. Ienzo shook his head, a troubled smile on his face,
“He’s not wrong. There is a lot to do to get the replica ready for Namine.” Lea’s eyes widened at the mention of her name,
“You’re preparing a replica for Namine? I had no idea…” He folded his arms petulantly, “People don’t tell me anything! I swear, do they want me to be out of the loop or somethin’?” He sighed heavily, shaking his head. Once his frustration faded, Lea turned to Isa,
“You ready then? Time’s-a wastin’.”
Isa nodded hesitantly, “I suppose we’d best get this over with…” They began to exit the lab, Lea leading the way. Once he reached Ienzo, Isa stopped, unsure of how to exactly word himself. But before he could begin, Ienzo spoke,
“That offer is always available for you Isa. If you need somewhere.” From behind Ienzo, Even protested the statement without turning around. However, Ienzo’s smile never faltered,
“...Thank you, Ienzo.” Isa said with a small smile. Ienzo nodded once, waving as Isa left to catch up with Lea. He found him leaning against the desk in Ansem the Wise’s office, arms folded. He smiled when he saw Isa,
“C’mon, let’s blow this popsicle stand.” Lea began walking once more, but stopped when he realised Isa was hesitating, “What?”
“Are Roxas and Xion with you?” Isa kept his voice even as to not portray any emotion, but he felt the statement alone showed all too well how he was feeling. Still, he had to be prepared.
“Hm? Oh- Nah. I thought it might be best if they sit this one out. They’re hanging out in Twilight Town with the others.”
Isa sighed quietly at that, then squinted, “Others?”
“Locals that Roxas is friends with. They have a lot to catch up on, and Roxas really wanted to introduce them to Xion.” He brought up his hand and opened a dark portal in front of them,
“Don’t worry so much about Roxas and Xion. You don’t have to see them until you’re ready, the same goes for them.” Isa nodded and raised the hood of his coat over his head, watching as Lea was swallowed by the portal. He took a moment to centre himself. He had never realised until now how foreboding the dark portals truly were. He imagined himself getting trapped in between destinations, being overcome by darkness once more. He shook his head to rid himself of those useless thoughts. He took a deep breath, and stepped through the portal.
// Me and you, me and you, me and you,
We can do better, I’m quite sure //