Deliverance [Yen Sid, Zexion]

[Fate]

Embarking
[July 20, 2010]

This was the final stop of the day, Yen Sid's Tower. Upon arriving here, Zexion could only look up. The tower was tall and mighty and nothing like he had ever seen before. In fact, he wondered if any other Organization member had ever been to this castle. It was doubtful since they had never had a reason to and Yen Sid was not exactly their ally. Of course, a reason now clearly presented itself and Zexion was the Nobody that had to visit. He was the only Nobody that knew of Mickey's death and one of the only ones with an invested interest in the balance of things.

He kept his hood up as he entered the tower, walking up the long and winding stairs. Other stairs floated in the castle, but he kept to the main path. He first entered a room with moon decorations on the wall. The next room after that was one decorated with stars. It was quite ethereal compared to many other places the Schemer had traveled to, though he supposed that it was expected of Yen Sid. Hopefully, he would be received with less hostility than he was with the Radiant Garden Restoration Committee. He did not want a great sorcerer attacking him.

How would Yen Sid receive him? He asked himself this question when he looked up the steep stairs that led to the man's study. He walked up them and stopped in front of the door, being polite and knocking first before entering. There was no turning back at this point and this news needed to be delivered. Yen Sid had to know about Mickey and the other Keyblade Masters.

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[Yuffie]

Yen Sid had been expecting this for awhile now. It was only a matter of time. He was deeply saddened by the events that had transpired. His apprentice had been killed by a vastly powerful darkness. This was a deeply sad moment for them all. He had also noticed a presence moving from place to place after this event and had his suspicions as to what it was.

When he heard the knock on his door and willed the door to open, his suspicions were confirmed. It was the same presence, one of the Organization. He had a feeling the Nobody was here to talk about the King's death. However, he was unsure as to why. It was obvious that this was not Xemnas's doing. He would not care to inform those of the King's death. So it made Yen Sid wonder why exactly this Nobody was here.

"Come in, I have been expecting you," he told his visitor. He sat down in his chair behind his desk. "Please, remove your hood. I know that you do not wish to fight and it will be easier to talk with it down." Yes, Yen Sid already knew what his main purpose in coming here was, however, he did not know why the Nobody was doing so in the first place. This conversation could reveal much that was not known to the wizard currently

[Fate]

Skepticism Amongst Grief

Zexion did as Yen Sid asked, lowering his hood and coming into the room. Neither of them wanted to fight; it would be pointless when there was so much to discuss. This was the last person he needed to deliver this grave news to and then he could return home. "Thank you. I have come to deliver news about the King's death." He wasn't going to go into anecdotes or anything this time, choosing to go the bluntest way possible after delivering it many times. "It was his final wish for me to warn all those that I could. Sora, Riku and Kairi have already been warned."

That was everything that he needed to say, or so he felt. Though, his suspicion instantly came around when he gazed at Yen Sid. How did he know he was coming? Did someone warn the sorcerer that a Nobody was on the move delivering information? Who would try and do that? Zexion couldn't think of anyone that would come and warn him, especially with how fast he had been traveling throughout the worlds. Yen Sid must have some sort of other intuition that someone would be coming to visit him with this news. That, of course, would mean he must have known...

"There is other news. The Champion has started his own section in the Keyblade Graveyard. Fifty three other Keyblade Masters have been killed by him already. He is due to return to the Graveyard on the twenty fifth of this month with Mickey's Keyblade." That date was something to keep in mind for all of them, which was why he said it aloud; he would need to remember it after the coup was finished. "How did you know I was arriving?" he asked skeptically.

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[Yuffie]

Yen Sid looked on as the Nobody removed his hood, revealing the face of a young man with sliver hair. He listened to him and it was what he had gathered the young one was here for. He was here to inform him that the King had been killed. "Yes, I had a feeling that was what you were here for. I thank you for informing Sora, Riku, and Kairi," he told him. It was good that they had already been told, though he could not imagine how they must be feeling. He would need to see those three at some point.

Yen Sid was surprised by the next bit of news though. This Champion, the darkness that had killed Mickey, had started his own section for keyblades in the Keyblade Graveyard and the number was fifty-three, soon to be fifty-four. "Hmm...I thought I had sensed a great dark presence in the Keyblade Graveyard, but did not think it was him. This is troubling news indeed," The frown on his face though soon turned into a small smile at the Nobody's question.

"A high ranking Nobody moving from world to world as quickly as you have been, tends to be quite noticeable." he informed him with a small chuckle. "Your kind tends to stick to the shadows and only move about when needed. So, one moving so quickly tends to stand out," The smile on his face soon faded and it returned to a neutral expression. "Now, may I ask you a question? Why were you chosen to be the bearer of this news?" he asked the Nobody. If anyone was going to deliver such news, Yen Sid did not expect it to be an Organization member.

[Fate]

Light, Dark and In-Between

The meeting so far seemed to be going fine. Yen Sid had known already of the King's death and had expected that information out of him, though he did not know about the Champion in the Keyblade Graveyard. He could sense the darkness that came from him though at the very least, something no one else seemed to do from what Zexion could see. The news troubled him as well, though no solutions were offered. However, that was expected at this early stage; no one knew how to react or what sort of action to propose.

The smile the sorcerer wore when he was about to answer the Schemer's question was slightly unnerving. What did he know that Zexion didn't? Well, he knew that he had been moving around at an incredibly quick pace to a few worlds and informing others about Mickey's death. Yen Sid knew about the Organization and how they acted, how they were supposed to act. They were often the ones that stuck to the shadows, especially the Shadow-Walking Tactician himself. But one jumping around and delivering the news about a Keyblade Master's death? That was simply unheard of.

He then asked the important question: why. Of course, the sorcerer picked the question Zexion did not truly want to answer, but unfortunately was going to have to. He was actually surprised no one in Radiant Garden had asked why Minnie told him to tell them specifically or why he had talked to her in the first place. It seemed sort of odd to him, but perhaps they were a bit more naive than he was.

"The King and I were attempting to solve the issue of balance that has been created," he told Yen Sid frankly, "The light has gotten too strong, thus diminishing the necessary balance that holds together the worlds. I was concerned the darkness was growing too weak. However, the Champion seems to be bringing it back through the deaths of Keyblade Masters. We may very well end up having a war on our hands if he continues with these methods."

There was no question that the Champion was bringing back the darkness; this was not just an "attempt" that could be written off or forgotten about, but he was actually going through with this. Zexion remembered clearly what Lexaeus had said about how sooner or later, this may turn into a fight with those of the light against the Champion. The Organization would have to stand next to them and fight. Unfortunately, this was what it would most likely come down to.

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[Yuffie]

Yen Sid was surprised, but yet not surprised by the Nobody's answer. Mickey had strung up an alliance with this Nobody, an interesting choice. However, it seemed unlikely just one representing the Light and one representing the In-Between were the only involved. Yen Sid knew his apprentice well and knew that there must have been one representing the Dark as well. It was interesting as well that this Nobody took up an interest in this. As far as Yen Sid knew, Xemnas would not have taken an interest in this in the slightest.

One question led to more question from the sorcerer. The young man talked of a possible war between the two sides at this rate. "Yes, this is troubling news indeed," he said after the Nobody finished talking. "I have a few more questions if you'll permit me. First, I know my apprentice well and he would not agree to an alliance if all sides were not equally represented. Who is your third member, representing the darkness? And second, why do you have an interest in the balance of the worlds? I am sure this does not concern the leader of your kind,"

He was sure the young Nobody was more looking for answers as to what they were to do at this point if a war were to happen. However, Yen Sid needed more information first before they got to that. And truth be told, even with all his wisdom he was not exactly sure as to what the best method would be to restore balance.

[Fate]

Not Quite Normal Behaviour

Yen Sid had even more questions for him after his explanation. Zexion had not pictured the meeting going quite this way; in fact, he thought he would be questioning Yen Sid instead of the other way around. Though, the sorcerer knew Mickey well, better than the Nobody did, and thus had more to say on the matter. He figured there was a third member of the alliance that he had with Mickey, which was correct to assume. Although, that would make the Schemer look quite odd by having an alliance with King Mickey and a Heartless. Even the reason for having this alliance was questionable; why would a Nobody go out of its way to do this when its leader had no interest?

"Yes, the third was represented by a sentient Heartless, one of two that I know exist," he explained, his hand to his chin and his other arm across his chest. This next question was a bit harder to explain and something else he wasn't keen on getting out. However, Yen Sid would eventually find out because of his natural intuition. "Without a balance of light and dark, worlds will cease to exist as already seen with what Xehanort did. I'm not sure what the light is capable of doing, though too much of any one thing cannot be good for the worlds." There was of course the selfish interest of the Organization with the Heartless being in higher quantity, but without those Keyblade Masters to slay them, they'd be useless.

That was the somewhat vague answer, not the complete thing. He paused before delivering the next part. "Xemnas is not concerned with this, no. He is mainly concerned with obtaining Kingdom Hearts for his own purpose of gaining power. However, in two days he will no longer be of issue and the Organization will be acting without him." He didn't need to spell it out any clearer for Yen Sid. Xemnas was going to be gone within two days and that was that. How the Organization was planning to function after that was questionable; Zexion had still not quite figured that out yet.

"If I may, I would like to ask a question of you," he continued, "What do you make of the issue of balance?"

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[Yuffie]

Yen Sid was a bit surprised to hear the third member of the alliance his apprentice made was a sentient heartless. Though it was not entirely unexpected. However, more interesting was this Nobody's interest in the balance of the worlds. His explanation about why he in particular was interested made sense, but then that was when the Nobody mentioned that Xemnas would be gone and the Organization would be acting without him.

"Hmm.....I see..." he responded. He had suspicions that the Organization had some inner squabbles but he did not expect such action so soon. Not to mention the consequences that would follow after, consequences he was sure the Nobody did not know. However, it was a necessity. "Be warned that your actions will have consequences that will be most dire," he told the Nobody. He would not elaborate on that any further, at least not until what he suspected would happen, happened.

It was then the Nobody asked his opinion on the balance of the worlds. "It is true that the darkness is waning, heartless are fewer in number. It is also true that the light has begun overpowering the dark and many new keyblade wielders have appeared, but just as quickly many have been killed as you have stated." he paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "However, this Champion must be stopped. I believe this individual will not stop at balance. He will consume the worlds in darkness. There are better ways to restore balance than what he is currently doing,"

[Fate]

Something's Missing

The obvious was stated, or at least to Zexion. Yes, of course dire consequences were possible when he disposed of Xemnas; the Organization would experience a brief period of chaos before returning to order. There was a risk to his life as well. However, as Zexion thought about this, that wasn't what Yen Sid meant. He meant something else on a slightly bigger scale than just the Organization and what could happen to the Schemer. But what could possibly happen when Xemnas was gone? Surely, the worlds would be better without him, not with him.

What he said next concerning the balance made perfect sense to the Schemer, of course. No matter whose side one was on, aside from those of extreme darkness, everyone agreed on one thing: the Champion needed to be stopped. There were better ways to restore the balance than this slaughter, a way that Zexion could not even think of. If Yen Sid knew, he most likely would have mentioned it. No one knew how to properly restore the balance other than bringing worlds into darkness and killing Keyblade Masters.

The illusionist nodded his head to this, showing he understood. "I agree completely. If we continue on this track, then we'll be left with nothing. The Organization will be aiding those of light against the Champion. It is the only course of action possible." He paused for a moment, then gave Yen Sid a serious look. He was not telling him something about these dire consequences and he wanted --needed-- to know. "However, there is one question left that I have. What do you mean by dire consequences? Surely, the worlds can do without Xemnas pursuing the power of Kingdom Hearts."

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[Yuffie]

Yen Sid nodded as the Nobody spoke. The Organization aiding those of the light? It almost sounded unheard of. Needless to say their reasons were not the same as those of the light but that did not matter at the moment. What mattered was that they had to have a fighting chance against the Champion. "I will try and inform Sora and Riku of this when I am able," he told him. He figured that if such news came from himself the two would not be as skeptical of it.

And as Yen Sid figured, the young Nobody questioned what he meant by dire consequences. However, Yen Sid was not yet ready to inform him of those consequences, for he did not want to influence his choice. "I'm afraid that sometimes....solving one problem, brings about a bigger problem," he informed the Nobody. "However, that does not mean that problem should not be solved. I can not tell you any more than this," Hopefully that would satisfy the Nobody's curiosity for now.

[Fate]

This Isn't the End

Yen Sid's words left him wanting more, almost dismissive in nature. He was not going to tell Zexion what he knew about what would happen if Xemnas was gone. The Schemer knew that if he continued to press, it would only agitate the sorcerer. He had to shove this screaming, pleading curiosity to the back of his mind and hope that whatever this was, they could handle it. As long as it was nowhere near as powerful as the Champion, then they could. And, if things played out like he wanted them to, the Organization would not have to deal with any consequences and would be able to push them back onto those of light.

"Understandable," he said, keeping his tone composed and devoid of emotion as per usual. "I will prepare to deal with the consequences should they arise, as I will when we face the Champion. Hopefully, he will no longer threaten the worlds after this is done with." His face was stern as he said this. He wanted this to happen and fully intended to do his best to make it happen.

"Thank you for letting me speak with you," he continued, "In case you were not already aware, I am Zexion. I suspect we might be seeing each other again once this is finished." He cast a Corridor of Darkness behind him and vanished through it quickly. He had finished this errand and now needed to go back to the World That Never Was. In two days, the coup would be put into action and the Superior would be taken care of. Consequences may come, but he only saw good ones at the moment. The Organization would finally be able to pursue their goal without a leader who was going after another.

And perhaps, he would be in the position to enforce that.

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