Chapter Text
This is the result of a conversation I had with rai0sun one night. What results is insanity and hilarity.
Though this story technically takes place on the same world that Radiant Garden inhabits, I have elected to count it in the Final Fantasy XV section, 1) because no FFXV characters have actually appeared in KH thus far, and 2) this doesn't actually have any KH characters in it.
Follows my (as of yet unfinished) FFVII fics Those Who Have Been Broken and its sequel, Those Who Have Been Mended. It is not really necessary to know what goes on in those fics to understand this one, apart from the fact that several characters who had previously died in their original games are alive again, and the infamous Sephiroth has been restored to sanity :)
This first chapter is admittedly more serious and nostalgic, which was not what I intended—however, one explanation for how the XV characters came to their Kingdom Hearts-based world turned into many, and pretty soon an entire tragic backstory was coming out XD This is going to be a comedy, I promise ;)
DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Final Fantasy franchise, the Kingdom Hearts franchise, or any of the characters from those respective universes. All rights belong to Square-Enix and Disney. I am merely a fan who hasn't had her fill of these fantastic worlds! This story is written for pleasure only, NOT profit!
Please enjoy!
It was wonderful to have their king back among them. When they had been forced to flee their worlds from the ensuing Darkness, their regret had been immeasurable. Noctis would have had the power to fight it; Noctis would have found a way to come out on top. They had failed their king…they who had sworn to defend the planet in his absence, they who had already sacrificed so much and more.
There had been no way to defend Eos…not against this new darkness, this new Scourge that stole people's hearts and left them as antennaed shells of their former selves. Though there were differences between this new darkness and the one that Ardyn had brought on, the result was not much different. The new creatures were not as visually ferocious as some of the daemons they had fought during those ten years of night…but looks could be deceitful, and people were deceived.
And they, the former Crownsguard, were demoralized. Disheartened, devastated. What had Noctis died for, if the darkness had returned?! They could hold back the creatures, but that was all: without the Light, how could they hope to win?!
Yet Light could never truly dissipate…and just because the Crystal that the Lucis line had carried for generations could no longer be activated from the world of the living—having shattered when their king had sacrificed himself to seal the first Scourge away—that evidently had not meant that said king could not activate it from the Beyond.
He had not, in fact, ever been very far away.
And it had been he who had come to the rescue again: the nobles of the Lucis line had risen once more…not to obliterate the Darkness, for they lacked the means to dispel this Scourge. Not to seal it away, for the Crystal—the means to reflect the holy light from the Beyond into the Land of the Living—had been shattered, and this was a different plague, anyway.
From Founder King to True, they had used their Astral-given powers to surround their planet with light…and transport their citizens to a new world, one that the darkness had not yet corrupted. One—so they were told—that the darkness could not even touch. A planet of refuge…where those who had been overcome by this new scourge could begin again.
There were no other solutions. They were out of time. It was with heavy heart that they abandoned their beloved planet…the planet that their even more beloved king had sacrificed himself to save.
Then came the discovery of resurrection.
"My friends…long time, no see." The deep and somewhat gravelly voice could only belong to one person…one very beloved person that they had not seen in a long time.
"Noct?" Prompto dared to utter their late king's name…and was rewarded with a slight—but warm—smile.
"Noct?" Gladio repeated.
"Noct?" Ignis was the last to find his voice…and his eyes. Indeed, he was not only hearing his friend's voice: he was looking at him!
"Iggy?" Their king had caught the look of awe on his advisor's face. "What is it?"
"…I…can see," he replied, staring at his hands…and then his friends around him. New scars that crisscrossed Gladio's face, Prompto's…was that a goatee?…and at last, his close friend and charge, Noctis. He who had saved their planet at the cost of his own life less than two short years ago.
It had seemed as long as that decade of endless night.
Then the formalities broke down…and the embraces and tears flowed freely. Was this a dream? But their friend was there, in their arms, breathing and speaking and embracing them back…how could it be a dream?
"You're alive, right?!" He was grateful to Prompto for asking the question on everybody's minds. "I mean…this isn't some weird dream?! Please tell us this isn't some weird dream!" He'd had so many over the Endless Night and then again after Noctis had destroyed the Scourge…dreams of the distant past, on a journey with his friends before everything had gone south, and dreams of a distant, alternate future…where his best friend had not died to cleanse the world.
Noctis smiled, not bothering to conceal the tears this time.
"I'm here."
And that was not the only joy they were to encounter that day: for not only Noctis had been mysteriously resurrected, but the gentle Lunafreya (now Noctis' wife, for they had wed in the Afterlife), Noctis' father Regis, Gladio and Iris' father Clarus, and Lunafreya's own mother Sylvia and brother Ravus…the latter without a trace of the Scourge that had plagued his body before death.
Their families, their friends, and those of so many others. But these were the people they cared most about. How was not important…not right now. Right now…they had a new life, another start, a beautiful finish to that which they had had so little time to do.
.:V:X:V:.
"Kingdom Hearts", they were told, was the reason for their friends' unexpected but miraculous and wonderful resurrection. Passing through its orbit as those from Eos had had allowed it to restore the planets' inhabitants to their original forms.
When those who had not yet left the Beyond passed through, it restored them to life.
"It's a strange phenomenon, but one we are infinitely grateful for," the other king, Ansem, had said. "It allows for those who made heavy mistakes in life for second chances, those who were dealt frustrating hands in their previous life for better opportunities.
"But like all things, there is a catch: those who do not deserve a second chance also have it. Kingdom Hearts does not discriminate or judge: it only heals and restores."
Noctis exchanged a look with his father and the Crownsguard. Did this mean…Ardyn?
"Can it restore souls that were destroyed?" Noctis asked.
"Destroyed…souls?" Minerva—an Ancient, that's what Ansem called her; one who had merged with her planet to become its core, its Astral—asked.
"You are from the planet that bore the Starscourge, yes?" Ansem asked.
"We are…" Regis answered, wondering where the other king was going with this. But Ansem only nodded.
"That makes sense that you would have such a question; I have read of your terrible prophecies and the terrible fates you and your ancestor were mercilessly assigned."
"You knew about them?" Ignis asked, and Ansem nodded.
"You will find it is always easier on the outside looking in," he answered. "When one lives under a metaphorical dome—as your erased histories formed for you—it isn't so easy to see. But from the outside, the dome is clearly visible."
"You are from Eos, you say?" Minerva nodded. "Then my brother Bahamut was responsible for your world's creation. Yes, your question makes sense now. But to answer: your ancestor's physical form may yet be gone, as is the Scourge that plagued him. Yet his soul will remain whole, for souls are not ours to claim. Only an Omnipotent is capable of such a feat as destroying souls."
"An…Omnipotent?" Luna echoed. Gentiana—otherwise known as Shiva—smiled.
"They are what you might call a 'true' god," she said. "'Astral' is a more proper term for what we are. An Omnipotent—a true god—is not bound to one element alone; He or She can command them all. They are all-powerful, all-knowing, eternal. We are not: we are immortal, but not invincible. We have great power, but we can be defeated by mortal man; an Omnipotent cannot."
"So Ardyn…" Prompto ventured.
"Has likely merely passed from the Beyond to the true Afterworld," Minerva said. She frowned. "I have read those terrible prophecies, too. My brother the Draconian has a terrible sense of pride and self-importance. As Astrals it is not our job to control or own humanity; you have just as much potential as we. It is our job to guide and protect you."
"She speaks the truth," Gentiana agreed. "Ardyn is not destroyed. But the Scourge within him is, and his mind is free."
"He will still have to bear responsibility for the crimes he did commit, however," Ansem said. "Although he is no doubt responsible for less than Bahamut and will only be charged with sins he fully committed."
Despite themselves, both Noctis and Luna found themselves smiling. Ardyn had committed horrible deeds, even before the Scourge corrupted his mind as well as his body. But neither had he been dealt a fair hand in life: having been ordained by the Astrals, blessed with power to Heal, serving his people in absolute selflessness…and then cruelly misused by the very creature that handed him his fate. Noctis had never blamed his great-granduncle for his anger…only for his willingness to hurt countless innocents in his quest for personal revenge. Neither could Luna condone his actions that had hurt so many…had destroyed Niflheim and Tenebrae and Insomnia, possibly Eos as a whole. But she understood his pain…and for the injustices he had suffered, for that she could have only compassion. Even as his dagger had ended her life.
Wherever Ardyn was now, they hoped he had found peace.
Ansem proceeded to tell them that this new planet had room enough to hold the citizens of several.
"To have the entirety of our world under the rule of a single monarch is to foster stupidity and smother ideas," Ansem said. "Neither is it my desire to usurp the reign of a benevolent ruler. There is ample land just to the east of our kingdom, skirting around Wutai-Shōsetsu. Their Emperor Godo is also an ally of ours; I think you will find he can provide excellent information about settlements and construction. If he has no objection, our kingdom will provide you with help to rebuild yours." A pause.
"My only request is that your kingdom aids ours, should the Darkness that consumed your planet turns its sights on ours."
Not two weeks later, the plans for the foundation of New Dawn City were finalized, and construction on their capital began.
.:V:X:V:.
The idea for a "bro weekend" had been Luna's. She had had ample time in the Beyond with her husband and mother and brother; Noctis had been separated from his brothers for over a year…and like true leaders, they refused to move into any kind of castle while so many of their people were still without shelter.
However, a set of gargantuan tasks was nothing in the hands of a determined people who had just survived eleven-and-a-half years of veritable Hell-on-Eos, followed by a complete uproot of everything they knew. Productivity had not slowed…and so within three months, a satisfactory amount of construction—with ample help from Ansem's and Godo's volunteers; those ex-SOLDIERS could bench-press a Gigantoad—had already been completed.
"You've earned it, my son," Regis insisted. "All of you have. The kingdom will be safe for a weekend, and the people have seen how you've all labored for them. Even Commander Fair and his unit have insisted."
"You've not had a break since your sacrifice," Ravus said—oh how they could all already speak so casually about it, like it was a scene in a video game; Noctis liked being able to speak of it so lightly, as did Commander Fair and Hewley about their own passing—"you can take four days while your father and my sister keep things running."
That Ravus and his Crownsguard were now truly friends.
"Go," Clarus also insisted, nodding at the quartet. "You know the people are in good hands."
And they were. And so the brothers had.
"Cockatrice Campground" sat in a lush area not all that far away from Radiant Garden. A half-day's sailing and drive altogether, flying on the Regalia F would indeed have been much faster; however, neither Noctis nor Ignis had had much time to learn how to properly land the car, as the former had been dead and the latter had never regained his vision.
The long journey to the campground did not come without its perks, however: together, in the Regalia…it was just like old times. Before eternal night struck their home world (a different, deeper darkness than had taken it the second time), before the loss of the Oracle, before the fall of Insomnia at the hands of a terrifying empire…before the loss of innocence. When their only goal in the world had been getting to Altissa, seeing their brother and prince off to his bride and his future. Little did they know how the tragedies that lurked literally just beyond the city walls.
How wonderful to be back together again!
"There it is, there it is!" Prompto cut across Iggy to point at a sign, and the royal retainer immediately pushed him back via the younger man's face. Gladio and Noctis both had to chuckle…just like old times, indeed. Nevertheless, Ignis turned onto the road that the photographer indicated, and after another mile or two, they arrived at the parking area. Only two other vehicles were there; it looked like this particular part of the world was as sparsely-inhabited as Ansem said.
A fresh world for a fresh start.
The four thirty-somethings headed out to the area that the Garden's king had given them directions for. It had been called 'cockatrice' for the monsters that roamed the area, but Merlin had assured them that the monsters would only attack if provoked. The reptilian-like birds' mating seasons followed the same cycle as they had on Eos (how Merlin knew that was anyone's guess), and it was not that season. As long as they stayed away from birds that had chicks in the herds, they should be fine.
"So how much of a hike are we in for?" Prompto asked.
"Only two miles in," Gladio said. "Nothin' we can't deal with."
"Certainly isn't the longest hike we've ever been on," Noctis commented. "Or the…heaviest." He grinned, thinking of that fateful day they'd left the Crown City. Open roads, open skies…
…And then the Regalia had broken down, and they'd had to push it all the way to civilization, which ended up being Hammerhead.
Two miles on a marked trail really was "nothing"!
At last, the campground came into view…and what a fantastic view it was! The wide valley from whence they'd come, herds of wild chocobos grazing on the other side of Blue River…the same river which fed into the lake not twenty feet from their campsite now, and a perfect spot for fishing. Everything their dear friend had loved on their original planet…and everything they needed to make it as memorable a weekend for themselves and their formerly-departed sovereign and brother.
"King Ansem wasn't kidding when he said this would be the perfect getaway," Noctis grinned, looking at the water. He couldn't wait to get out there.
"Well, what's stopping us?" Ignis asked. "You catch dinner and I'll prepare it. I've everything to cook us a good fish dish."
"Thought you'd never ask," the king said, grabbing his tackle box from the car.
The remainder of the day and night was been spent in fond company of his friends, catching up in a way they couldn't before. With the Endless Night and constant threat of daemons in the days leading up to Ardyn's defeat, the four thirty-somethings had not had the time but for small luxuries…a loss only magnified for the knowledge that their king must die to bring Light back to their planet and seal away the daemons forever, that their limited time was cut even shorter for the fact that the world was suffering.
It was with all the greater joy now that they joked and laughed with each other, reveling in the miracles of the last few months.
"Nice selection," Noctis said, summoning his fishing pole from the now-restored Armiger. The new Ring of Light was different from the old Ring of Lucii: Kingdom Hearts did not require a blood sacrifice to borrow its power, only a desire to protect. Its use and abilities were otherwise identical, and his Crownsguard were able to siphon off their king's power just as they had on their original planet.
The king cast his line into the lake waters, Prompto energetically moved about, hunting for the perfect photo-op spot, while Gladio read his book and Ignis sharpened his knives, ready to make a feast as soon as Noctis caught the main course.
The four of them had lost so much when the second Darkness came to Eos. What they had gained back was immeasurable.
.:V:X:V:.
"Uh, Noct?"
"Unggghhhh…."
"Noct?" Prompto tried again, this time giving his friend a gentle shove.
"Ugh…yeah?" The king opened one eye and cocked it at the photographer, annoyed. "You know…we are out here to get some R&R…" It was way too early for him to be up, especially on vacation!
"Yeah but you should see this," Gladio's deep voice said from outside. That woke Noctis up. With a groan, he rolled over and unzipped his sleeping bag, pulling himself from the ground. He didn't bother getting dressed, but paused to step into his boots before stepping outside.
"What the?!" Their campsite looked as though a Marlboro had torn through it: their cooking stove had had half the legs whacked off, most of the fabric of their camp chairs had been torn, and the food had been ransacked.
(…The vegetables had been raided, too. Noctis couldn't help feeling slightly pleased. More vegetables lost meant less for him to be forced to eat!)
"Well, tisn't a total loss…" Ignis said. "Nothing much was taken, and we can repair the stove and chairs. Enough to last the weekend, anyway."
"What do you think did it?" Prompto asked. "We'd have heard a pack of cockatrice…." They weren't exactly quiet….
"Hard to say with these marks," Gladio said. "It's not likely it's a cockatrice; we'd have heard something. But whatever it was had claws."
"Not a beak," Noctis concluded.
"Too thin to be a beak," Gladio said. "The smaller birds don't do this. There'd be some threads out of place, maybe, but nothing like this. And see these?" He pointed: little oval footprints dotted the ground, going from one spot to another.
"It's too deliberate to be a benign monster like a chocobo," Ignis concluded. "Whatever it is, we've entrenched on its territory, is that it?"
"Probably," Gladio agreed. Then he spotted something that made his skin crawl: fishtail-shaped prints, one in the ground and another made of mud on one of the downed tables.
"Ignis," he said, and the bespectacled man made his way over to look. It was amazing to have his vision back after so many years: he had missed the sights of both nature and man-made wonder, the ability to see how a recipe was supposed to appear as opposed to just guess…the ability to drive.
…In this case, however, he wasn't sure he hadn't preferred it without his vision, for then he wouldn't be able to confirm Gladio's terrifying discovery.
"What?! What?!" Prompto asked. Ignis and Gladio turned around, grim expressions on their faces.
"We're dealing with a tonberry."
Behind him, Noctis groaned.
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
•Minerva is the "goddess of the Lifestream" shown in Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, which centers around the character of Zack Fair. She is not called an Astral in the game, but she is considered the personification of the Lifestream/Gaia, and bears enough similarities with the Six of Eos that I've decided to borrow that term from FFXV as a more universal category.
•Ardyn is indeed Noctis' granduncle (or great-uncle if one prefers; neither term is incorrect) by several generations. Also: the book Dawn of the Future confirms that both Noctis and Luna harbor feelings of sympathy for him and even honor him after he passes. (I think differently: I harbor sympathy for him, but I still despise him. That said, I hate Bahamut more and he'll get his just desserts eventually at the scribblings of my keyboard! XD)
•At this point in time I have elected not to resurrect Noctis' mother Aulea or the myriad of other canon characters who logically exist but lack any canon names or basic appearances (meaning, 'basic canon character design'). If at some point in time, such things change, I will happily introduce them to the stories somehow. But if and until then, I will (mostly) stick with canon characters that readers are already familiar with.
•Obviously, I have borrowed some concepts from other FF games ;)
Thank you all for reading :) The next chapter will be funnier, I promise.
Keep Rockin' in 2022!
~MoonlightTyger