Author’s Note: I meant to post this sooner but procrastination is a b*tch. lol. Just a quick drabble. I hope you enjoy.
I have been waiting for you for many years now, you just do not know me yet. Patient as I am, I do get restless from time to time, waiting for you. I have seen the future through my pupil and I sense your soul there. I hear it calling to me. Although I do not truly see you, I know you are there. Just like you do not know me but I long for you. My faithful student, Luxu, will encounter the many bodies you had controlled, but he will not realize you had control over all of them.
I have yearned to see you for years… my true love. My sweet lovable darling…
Author’s Note: The theme for this one is a bit dark! I do not think Luxu took over Braig’s body when he was an adult (at least I hope not)… but I like the tragic idea behind it. lol.
I had so much doing Apprentice Week! I hope we can get to do this again! <3
“After much consideration I have decided.” Ansem the Wise said sitting behind a desk while a farmer boy named ‘Braig’ sat nervously in a chair. The man looked a bit malnourished, tan from working in the yard, he wore patched up pants, an old army jacket, and wore a red tattered bandanna around his neck. Braig shook nervously waiting for his answer.
“You’re hired. You may move into the castle tomorrow.”
Braig’s eyes widened, he couldn’t believe it. Ansem smiled and reached over for a handshake. The other man grabbed the king’s hand with both hands and shook it enthusiastically, “Th-Thank you!” He was almost at the brink of tears, “Thank you so much! You have no idea how much this means to me sir!”
Ansem laughed, “It is my pleasure Braig.” He took his hands away and handed Braig a manila envelope, “That is all your information about your job and where your quarters shall be. You shall be trained after you settle into your room and receive your uniform, after about a week you will start your duties.”
“Thank you sir!” Braig said again and bowed his head, “I will not let you down!”
The king smiled kindly, “I’m glad to hear that. Thank you for applying.”
The man bowed his head again before rushing out of the room and headed out of the castle. He went towards the staircase and jumped into the air, “YEAH!”
The two guards that were standing in front of the main doors stared at the man confused, as he continued to hop down the stairs.
“Yes! Finally!” Braig stated breaking into a run, he had so much energy from his excitement. He was now, nothing could stop him. He ran past some shops before he backtracked, looking at a jewelry shop window. The store was decorated with assortments of jewelry and amulets, but a ring caught his eye.
A rose gold ring with a morganite in the middle. Should he dare?
He placed a hand onto his torn bandanna and remembered his childhood crush. His neighbor by his farm. He loved her for years but never mustered up the strength to tell her how he felt, she got engaged so Braig decided to enter the military, before he left she gave him the bandanna she always wore when farming a ‘token of friendship’. The engagement was broken so… He still had a chance. The man then grabbed his wallet and looked inside. That ring will wipe him out clean but…
He clenched the wallet and looked at the shop determined. He has the money now. Once he starts his job everything will be okay!
The man then went in, bought the ring, and left. It was time for him to face his fears! He started to walk out of Radiant Garden and to his hometown that was miles away, hours away by foot.
Braig was on a mission. He was going to tell the girl that he loved that he wanted to spend his life with her, he was going to ask her to marry him. Just thinking about it made his heart race but… He wanted to do this.
The sun had set and he was almost there, just needed to go through the woods and he’d see her house at the bottom of the hill. Braig smiled to himself and imagined her saying yes, hugging his neck, kissing all over his face, moving with him to Radiant Garden, and having a baby girl who looked just like the beautiful mother.
He couldn’t wait…
Just then a sound was heard and a sharp pain hit the back of his knee. He gave out a cry in pain before collapsing, dropping the ring and envelope he was holding. Braig quickly touched his leg and pulled out a small purple needle that glowed in the darkness.
“Wh-What?” He murmured as his eyesight began to blur. His body woozed like he was drunk. What was happening to him?
He heard a thud behind him and he quickly looked where the sound came from. He gasped in fear of what he saw. Just a cloaked shadowy figure with glowing yellow eyes. Braig was going to get up and run, but his muscles felt too loose and relaxed. He could barely hold himself up.
“You are strong.” The figure said he sounded like an innocent teenager. It walked towards him and kneeled down picking up the envelope, “You are perfect. I need your body in order to complete my role.” It said touching Braig’s face gently, “No hard feelings, okay?”
Braig’s eyes widened in anger. No hard feelings? What was this thing saying!? He then with all the strength he could muster, pushed the figure away. The stranger gasped in surprise before the man attempted to get up but collapsed to the ground. No… He tried to push himself up, he needed to get away.
“Oh…” The figure said dusting himself off, “You scared me.” A soft chuckle was heard, “A perfect vessel you are.”
“Are-Are you going to kill me..?” Briag asked, “What did I ever do to you?”
“Hm? Nothing. I just need your body, you won’t be really dead but not alive either.” The figure said squatting down next to Braig and rubbed his back, “As I said, no hard feelings… Okay?”
“As if…” The man retorted as the attacker laughed out loud.
“As if! That’s a good one!” He laughed, “But you’ll understand when I take over, you’ll see.”
“N-No…”
“No? But I have too.”
“I need…” Braig murmured reaching towards the ring, “To tell her how I feel…”
The figure gazed at the ring, “Oh. You were going to propose? Real bad timing. I’m sorry. I promise to give it to her. What’s her name? My name is Luxu by the way.”
Braig was silent.
“What’s she like?”
He was still quiet.
“Where does she live?”
Quiet.
“You know, there was a girl who I loved once.” The shadow said sitting next to Braig’s body, still rubbing his back, “Her name was Ava. I thought she was so pretty, she always liked cute little things, collected little figures of foxes and cats. She lived with me and my master and the rest of our little family… I miss it sometimes.” He stopped rubbing Braig’s back but his hand stayed in place, “Kind of makes me glad that you won’t get to confess…”
Braig groaned as he felt pressure on his back, “After All. What makes you so special to confess to the person you love?” The figure pushed his hand into the body like it was putty.
“We’ll suffer in lonely silence together.” The shadow said as his body became ink like and seeped into the man’s body, “Afterall… I am Braig now.”
“NO!” Was the last thing Braig said before his world turned black. His hand reached out and the last thought he had was of the girl.
He never told her how he felt about her…
The body went limp for a moment before his eyes opened and sat up.
“Oh, he had a strong body but not a strong heart.” The body got up, “A pity.” Luxu looked down and picked up the envelope and ring, “But I suppose I did promise to give the girl the ring. At least his love was strong.”
Luxu now Braig walked out of the woods to deliver Braig’s ring to the girl. A part of him didn’t want to out of jealousy but he knew it was the least he could do for taking his life.
Ice cream, a soft frozen food made with sweetened and flavored milk fat. A treat that is popular amongst children and adults. A sweet treat shared by lovers, friends, and family alike. A magical treat that chased the blues away. A magical treat that made you feel happiness.
Zexion stood in front of the candy shop in Twilight Town. Remembering when he was little, a Somebody, Ienzo, would go to the shop in Radiant Garden with Ansem and buy an ice cream to eat. Lord Ansem always used Ienzo as an excuse to take a break from his work to get sea salt ice cream and the young boy didn’t mind. He liked spending time with his father figure and tasting the salty but sweet ice cream.
From what he remembered he liked it.
Zexion looked around to make sure there was no one around and went into the shop.
“Hello, welcome.” An older husky woman said, giving him a bright smile.
The teen blushed awkwardly and looked away shyly, he wasn’t used to people talking to him outside the castle, mostly because he was supposed to be hidden from the public. He quickly looked around, avoiding the cookies and candy around him before finding a small freezer that had all sorts of ice cream. Zexion spotted the one he wanted, the sky blue popsicle. He took it and went to the counter to pay for it. When he left the shop he had a memory of holding hands with Ansem while they walked back home to the castle, eating their ice creams. The teen knew he couldn’t do that anymore, there was no one here for him to walk with or to hold hands.
The Nobody then sighed. He supposed he was too old for such things, or didn’t deserved it rather. Nobodies had no right to little moments of happiness such as those, only Somebodies could.
But… He looked at the cold treat. He really wanted to experience that little bit of happiness again.
A chiming bell was heard throughout the town, signalling the new hour.
“Maybe I can eat this by the bell tower..?” He thought to himself as he headed towards that destination.
Civilians walked by him, one in particular caught his eye. A little boy holding his mother’s hand as they walked down the sidewalk. Zexion could’ve sworn that he saw his younger self and his deceased mother, but it was only his imagination. He watched them walk away before heading to the tower. He found a staircase that led up to the tower.
When he climbed he saw Master Ansem walk in front of him before turning around and reached his arm back, “Need help catching up Ienzo?”
Zexion’s eyes widened as he reached for the man’s hand, but he disappeared. The Nobody’s mind played tricks on him again. He just sighed and continued up the stairs till he reached the top. The view from the tower was rather nice, a perfect place to watch the sunset.
He walked to the ledge and sat down, letting his feet dangle over. He felt small again, like when he was Ienzo sitting on a bench with Ansem.
Now was the time he was waiting for. The taste of happiness.
He unwrapped his ice cream from the wrapper, revealing slightly melted ice cream from not being eaten right away. Zexion moved it towards his mouth, he wanted to remember this emotion, and took a bite.
…
…
…
He spit it out, it was nothing but a salty flavor. He looked at the ice cream frustrated as hot tears streamed down his face.
Disgusting!
He then threw the popsicle as hard as he could off of the tower and gave out a scream of frustration. When he was Ienzo, he loved eating that ice cream.
Zexion heaved and sobbed some more.
Why couldn’t he enjoy it now? Why didn’t it give him happiness?
It only made him feel terrible.
“Oh…” The teen mumbled as he realized, “I cannot enjoy it because I am a Nobody… Of course.” He then stood up from the ledge as his tears stopped, “Nobodies can’t enjoy human pleasures. That is one of the reasons we strive for a heart…” He wiped his tears away nonchalantly.
“Yes… That’s it…”
Zexion then lifted his hand up to summon a dark vortex so he could return to the castle and left the clock tower behind with the bitter ice cream.
Zexion’s footsteps echoed in the Castle that Never was as he walked up the steps. Everything was silent till he heard Vexen’s voice call out to him urgently.
“Zexion! Zexion!”
The teen watched as Vexen rushed down the stairs and calmly answered, “Right here. What is it?”
“Where is lord Xemnas?” The blond man asked dramatically.
“His usual spot.” The teen simply said.
In response, Vexen gave a disgusted expression and sneered, “The Chamber of Repose?”
“Yes. Go and see for yourself.”
Number IV’s face became even more displeased, “THAT ISN’T FUNNY.” He then turned to face away from Number VI, “I suppose I have no choice but to wait. But the clock is ticking. Time is running out. What to do?” He said avoiding eye contact with the teen and walked away, “Why is he never around when I need him? It’s almost as if he knows I’m looking for him!”
Zexion kept eye contact on the man till he was out of sight and his frustrated mumbling unheard. The teen then continued his way to the stairs before abruptly stopping, hearing a voice.
“You know, I don’t like that place either.”
Number VI turned around and narrowed his eyes upwards towards the ceiling, to see his higher up, Xigbar, once known as Braig, wearing his hood covering his face and sitting on the pipes above him.
“What about you, Zexion? What do you think?” He added.
Zexion wanted to avoid Xigbar’s questions, “I think eavesdropping is intrusive. Why are you even here? You and Xaldin were tasked to recruit new members.”
Xigbar then hopped off the pipes and landed on his feet gracefully, before standing up at his full composure.
“Have you forgotten, or were you procrastinating?”
Xigbar answered coolly, “As if! I’m doing my job. I’ll have you know, I found one just yesterday. ‘Mar–something’.” He scratched his chin, “That puts the Organization’s count at eleven!” He shrugged to himself, “And since I’ve been working so hard, I had Lexaeus take my place for the day. I want to rest up for tomorrow, so I can wake up feeling nice and refreshed.”
The young man didn’t care for Xigbar’s excuses, “Is that so? Well then, I will leave you to it.” He waved his hand nonchalantly, “I have work to catch up on. Good day.”
Zexion then turned his back to the man and walked over to the staircase. He heard Xigbar’s feet echo behind him, trying his best to ignore it, until the man wrapped his arm around Zexion’s shoulder and pulled him in closer like they were friends.
They are not.
“Oh don’t be like that.” Xigbar said as Zexion looked away, avoiding eye contact. “Come on. Stay and talk!” The older man moved his face closer to the younger one, “Isn’t it about time you told me about Xemnas’ secret?”
Zexion’s crystal blue eyes then glared at Xigbar.
Xemnas’ secret or rather Xehanort’s?
It’s been ten years since that day. How Xehanort was just brought to the castle in Braig’s arms, while Dilan followed with armor and a legendary keyblade. King Ansem just let him in without a problem. Xehanort claimed he had amnesia and Ansem the Wise believed it, oh how too trusting he was. Xehanort just slipped his way into the castle and Ienzo’s family without a problem. He also slipped into Ansem’s precious research of the heart as his student. He did this all too easily. Ienzo never trusted him because he saw what happened.
When sneaking out of the castle to play in the town square. The sky was covered in dark clouds, it made it look like it was nighttime. He saw two people at the square. Xehanort choking a blue haired woman with one hand. The boy was scared and hid behind one of the trees. He could not hear what they were saying, just watched the scene unfold. Xehanort dropped the woman to the ground and in a flash of puffy darkness pulled out a legendary keyblade. A weapon he only heard from Ansem the Wise. Ienzo gulped, he knew what kind of power it had. It can steal hearts and make you fade away forever.
The woman then summoned her own keyblade out of light and two started fighting. Everything grew darker and the smell of sulfur filled the air. Ienzo covered his nose. Was this the smell of darkness?
He couldn’t stand the smell anymore so he hurried towards the staircase leading to the castle, before tripping on his shoe laces. He quickly got up and continued up the stairs, ran through the gates, ran down the hall, and locked himself in his room.
Ienzo pulled his clothing off of him, the smell of darkness was on him. It was intense and disgusting. He felt so dirty and tainted. He hurried to his private bathroom and turned on the water on full blast. The boy quickly got into the tub and scrubbed his skin roughly, but the smell wouldn’t go away. Maybe it was in his hair? He poured shampoo on top of his head and scrubbed, tears running down his face as the soap entered his eyes. Oh the smell wouldn’t go away.
He started sobbing in the tub and laid down on the cold porcelain surface, he just wanted the smell to go away.
After an hour in the tub, Ienzo turned off the water and climbed out. Finally it was gone. He dried himself off, wore his pajamas, and climbed into bed. He stayed in bed the whole time till Evën went to check up on him and determined Ienzo was ill.
The young boy stayed in bed for two more days before he was eventually okay enough to go out for sea salt ice cream with Ansem. Ice cream with the king always made him happy. After they had gotten ice cream and headed back home, they were walking down the hall when Ienzo smelled a familiar scent. He stopped and turned his gaze around and saw him, the man from town square walking with Braig.
Ever since that day, Ienzo’s life had changed.
The man Xehanort never spoke to the young boy, only looked at him with those cruel orange eyes. Speaking of eyes, no one noticed that Braig’s eyes were no longer brown, but yellow. Evën would be in his lab for hours, Dilan and Aeleus also, which concerned Ienzo because they were indeed not scientists. Everyone became different when that man came in, his family began to crumble apart.
There was one time when Ienzo tried to talk to the king about what he saw Xehanort do, but he would ignore him in favor of his research. Oh his research… So many children were experimented on. Xehanort somehow convinced Ansem into doing it.
Everyone around him changed. No one heard him so he became quiet. He never told what he saw on that dark day. That Xehanort had a keyblade.
And eventually they all lost their hearts. Became part of a cult with Xehanort putting himself on top. Another kicker was that Xehanort took Ansem’s name for his own research, changed everyone else’s name, and gave them numbered ranks.
Ienzo became Zexion, but he kept quiet about it. Xehanort had too much power and would destroy him if he ever stepped out of place.
So Zexion kept to himself while Xigbar rambled about Xemnas. If he revealed any secrets, he knew there would be consequences for him.
