May Your Heart Be Your Guiding Key Side Story: The Sunset of a New Universe
By SoulboundAlchemist and Alvasa
001
Overview
Sunset Shimmer, former warrior of light and keyblade master of a now nonexistent universe had managed to survive the total destruction of her universe thanks to the massive sacrifices her friends made to invade her in a crystal of Stopza magic. She had been rescued from the embrace of the void by the void wandering Crimson Sage, Edward Elric and taken to a new universe of Keyblade users not too much unlike her old one. With the help of the resident princess of light and X-blade wielder she was freed from the crystals and outfitted with prosthetics as well as cyber enhancement graphs on the left side of her body to replace what she’d lost before he crystalizion was completed.
Thanks to Edward she survived with the help of Kairi and her friends, Sunset was able to find the drive to keep going and a reason to keep on fighting. She wasn’t going to was this chance or see another home consumed by darkness. Thanks to the training and rehabilitation with no shortage of help from the Sage’s vast array of knowledge and power she was able to master her new abilities in a short amount of time. She was also taught by Edward’s wise to wield her recently awaken alicorn power of light and darkness.
Sunset was no longer a simple keyblade master but a warrior in the coming battles against the Armies of this New Universe under the leadership of Tash and his void sent and sin eaters. Edward had informed her of his finding in recent events hat were somewhat tied to Tash but were also superheated from his own attacks. With this info Sunset felt that her powers were better used out in the universe fighting what they couldn’t see instead of focusing on the more immediate threats Kairi and her team faced.
Sunset was also told her own keyblade mentor, Master Xerra, had managed to survive their universe’s destruction and to find his way here on his own power by the Sage. Her missions were clear: find out what this side group was and fight them back and find out their plans while also finding her master.
One week Later…
Sunset came out of the newly refitted training simulator covered in dust, scratch, and cuts.
“Time for a much-needed bath…” She scratched her head. “Hmmmm….” she felt her hair. It had grown to the middle of her back due to the last year she spent under Ed’s training in his Time Chamber. “I liked my long hair back home but… is just too much of a hassle to maintain, especially after fights.”
She walked through the floors of Midday Tower until she came to the room she’d chosen to stay in while she was there. Walking over to the mirror she looked herself up and down a couple of times, her attention mostly being drawn to her the scars the darkness had left her with on the left side of her body.
“I think it’s time for an overall new look,” She remarked as she flicked her hair, causing a small cloud of dust and debris to come out. “But first, that bath is calling me.”
She gathered up her clothes and bathing essentials and head out one more into the tower to the new open area hot spring-style bath the alchemist had installed. She honestly preferred the freedom it allowed over the cramped one in her room, and she was barely modest about anything when she was there. Honestly, Sunset was not one for modesty in many aspects of her daily left either, but she still preferred very revealing clothing as opposed to running around in just a bikini top and short-shorts. This was a trait Rarity, both her human friend from her universe and the pony version of the current one she was in found simply appalling as they said.
She walked on in silence until she heard footsteps from the opposite hall and saw Kairi and Sumire headed her way.
“Hye girls,” Sunset called out, “Were you two headed to the bath too?”
Sumire nodded with a smile. “Yep! I’ve loved onsen style baths for years, so you better believe I’m gonna make use of ours!”
“Agreed, though I will admit that I’m still somewhat uncomfortable with it, but it's still quite relaxing.” Kairi agreed with a blush.
“Or is it the fact that you don’t like being fawned over by an older woman?” Sunset smirked as Kiari’s blushed deepened, “You really are too cute when you blush! AHAHAHA!”
“You realize that before ending up here, I was a guy, right?” Kairi mumbled in embarrassment.
Sumire winced. “Now that you say that, it makes a lot more sense why you seem so shy around other girls.”
“Why does it matter?” Sunset slyly smirked again, “You were a guy that liked girls but now you’re a girl that likes girls. The way I see it, you have an advantage cause as a girl you know what a girl's turn-offs can be but as a guy, you've gained experience from asking girls out and playing the field. You have the experience and advantage to see things from both sides,” she shrugged as they arrived. “We’re hereeeee!” she sang as she opened the door and immediately started stripping, causing the others to turn bright red as the doors hadn't even shut.
“Now that’s the spot….” Sunset let out a sigh of relief as she dipped into the water.
The two redheads took a couple more seconds to join her.
“Seriously Kairi, it still astounds me that you insist on wearing that in the bath.” Sumire was grumbling over Kairi’s choice to wear a swimsuit into the bath
“Look, I’m still body shy, alright!” Kairi snapped, her blush having deepened, against all odds.
“Kinda defeats the purpose of a bath though.”
“I could leave, you know.”
Sumire paused, before raising her hands in defeat. “Point taken.”
“Embarrassment is natural to all Sumire, even men,” Sunset remarked as she floated by. “They all talk a big game but many of them would've turned an even brighter red than your hair if it came to bathing with three gorgeous girls like us. You two are still teens too, so you’re still growing, biologically at least.”
Sumire huffed, crossing her arms. “I know, but I still say it should be treated like an actual bath, not a pool or hot tub.”
“Different culture, Su-Chan,” Kairi chuckled.
“She’s still right,” Sunset agreed with the thief as she walked over to the side and grabbed her comb, and started running it through her hair. “But Ed made this place so it could be more than a bath but a place to also have fun as well Sumire. So let's just enjoy it as that's what we're supposed to do here.”
After she finished combing the knots and debris from her hair Sunset went over to the shower area and started to scrub down before returning to the main area. She sat in one of the chairs there and relaxed while Kairi’s eyes looked over her body. Most of the attention was directed toward Sunset’s scars and the pendant around the master’s neck.
“Uh, I assume most of those scars came from the war that took your universe?” Kairi asked, awkwardly looking away.
“Where else would I get them,” Sunset said with closed eyes. “I don’t mind the staring little girl but if you want to know something then ask it.”
The older redhead took a breath, before looking Sunset in the eye. “What exactly caused your universe to be destroyed?”
“Xehanort’s overall wish,” Sunset growled, “I won the fight but lost the overall war.”
Kairi nodded. “So, do you think we have a chance in the battle that’s coming?”
“You already have a lot more powerful allies than I did so I say you've got a shot,” Sunset stood up and crossed her arms under her breasts, “But I’m not going to say you can for sure either. It all depends on all aspects. Which is why I wanted to tell you,” she looked at the redheads, “I think they're more out there I can do than just fight alongside you guys. Ed told me…. My master is still alive and he could be here in this universe…”
“I’m going to find him,” Sunset said with determination. “He’s the only person I can call family I have left from home but I also think he has a reason for not being here with us, and…. I think I should be out there going to worlds and looking as well as fighting on the frontlines with my own group.”
Sumire looked a little more than put off by that last statement while Kairi knew exactly what Sunset was trying to get across.
“Are you against me going out and having my own base?” Sunset eyed Kairi.
The older redhead blinked in confusion. “Of course not, why would I have a problem with that?”
“I was expecting a bit of resistance,” Sunset pouted a little, “At least a little, Stay, you just got here, you need to rest. I was hoping to tease you a little at least.”
Kairi shot her a flat look. “I learned how to spot being baited into being teased LOOONG before I ended up here.”
“Is that why you end up getting teased by Melissa so often?” Sumire asked with a smirk.
“I let her tease me,” Kairi replied with an eye roll. “Especially 'cause I end up teasing her right back. All in good fun.”
“Somehow I don’t believe that,” Sunset put her hand on her hip with a smirk. “The tech chick is hot. Why don't you ask her out? You two clearly have chemistry.”
Kairi giggled. “She’s already taken, ironically enough, by another Displaced Kairi, though she seems to be a younger version of me.”
“So you two are dating technically,” Sunset smirked, causing Kairi to blush a little at the realization. “I honestly hope you find someone. I also hope… you don’t lose them…” she looked down as she clutched the crystal pendant.
Kairi’s smile slowly fell, as she watched Sunset, before climbing out of the bath and wrapping her in a hug. “You’ll find someone again. I know you will.”
“The thought is nice Kairi,” Sunset rubbed her head before pulling away. “But I don’t intend to find anyone for a very very long time. Unless they have immortality most are going to have a hard time keeping up with an alicorn after all.”
She walked over and grabbed a towel. “I do plan to make regular check-ins so if you could have hot stuff whip me up an earpiece as well as a few extra items for a small base, I’d appreciate it. I’ll be heading out in a couple of days. I still need to get some other stuff cleared up. I gotta tell pops and…. His crew… I think that'll be the hardest thing to do…”
She sighed and got dressed. “Thanks for everything you've done for me since I got here,” she sincerely said before walking out.
It had been a few days since her bath with Kairi and Luna. Sunset was on one of the few open balconies of the tower looking into the massive expanse of her new universe. She was just sitting on the railing and thinking.
“So similar yet so different,” she sighed. “But if he’s out there I need to find him. If he’s on our side then I know we’ll have a better chance at things. Besides,” she stood up and reached out with her prosthetic left arm and activated her dark power, her left side shifting into demon form, “I can feel it. Someone else is out there working in the dark to unseal the worlds’ keyholes.”
Sunset reverted and turned before walking into the tower’s tea room.
“Everyone here is too busy with Equestria and I can’t pull them away to deal with things that may be,” Sunset said, “Or to help me find my former teacher. I need help though… I need my own people…. And there's only one person I know I can turn to go with me for sure in this universe right now. It just so happens he lives in the first world I’m going to search for clues for Master Xerra.”
She opened the doors and headed out, “I need to see the Doc and see if the ship is ready for departure first off.”
Sunset headed for the Doctor's lab immediately but stopped as she noticed both Kairi and Luna outside, staring at a strange green orb of energy.
“You noticed too, huh?” Sumire’s voice spoke up right behind Sunset. She whirled around to find the Phantom Thief leaning against the wall, watching the two outside. “That orb they’re looking at appeared in the exact spot that Ed left from. They think its something that can be harnessed.”
“And you don’t?” Sunset replied with a raised eyebrow.
Sumire shrugged. “Honestly, it doesn’t matter one way or the other for me. I have my Persona, and the training Ed gave us, and that’s more than enough for me.”
Their conversation came to an abrupt end when a dull “THUMP” was heard, right before Kairi’s body impacted the wall right beside the two.
“Ugh,” the redhead groaned, pulling herself out of the crater she created. “Note to self, don’t do that again.”
“Ya think!” Sunset yelled. “Pops is the one who left it, so he obviously meant for us to use it for something but neither you nor blue butt can handle that power without understanding yourself better first.”
“That’s not exactly the case,” Luna chimed in as she joined the group. “We understand ourselves just fine. Our problem is that we’re still hesitant to use the Darkness, and by extension, this new power that Ed left behind.”
“And why the hesitancy?” Sumire questioned. Kairi and Luna exchanged a look for a moment, before turning back to Sunset and Sumire.
"It’s a bit difficult to explain," Kairi explained, choosing her words carefully. "Neither one of us has ever truly been comfortable using the Darkness." Sumire opened her mouth to say something, only to be cut off by the red head. "Don't be fooled, my Shadow Dragon Slayer magic affects shadows, not true Darkness."
"We've more or less been sticking to Light magic," Luna picked up the explanation. "And we've been doing that because, for most of our lives, we've seen Dark and Light as antagonists. We believed that we, as well as anyone else who wielded the Light, were the champions of good, simply because we had the Light. If, as Ed told us, these are not moral forces, if they are not opposites, what are they?"
"A simple, yet complex question, to be sure," Kairi nodded in agreement. "From my own observations, Light generates natural life, physical transformation at a molecular scale across whole planets. We see it in the Earth Ponies' Green Magic all the time, as it entices plant life to grow. This really should have been our first hint towards the true nature of Light and Dark: the domain of the Light is the domain of the physical."
"Whereas the Darkness is then revealed in many facets," Luna took over once more. "Dreams and nightmares. Emotions. Pain. Memory." The young Alicorn gestured towards the green tangle of energy. "The nature of this new power, this 'Strand', confirms this line of thinking. Darkness is something entirely apart from Light."
Kairi nodded in agreement, turning back to the energy mass. "It’s a paracausal union, conjoining intangible conscious realities, discursively linking to-"
"That sounds suspiciously like the river of souls." Sumire cut in thoughtfully.
All eyes snapped onto the Phantom Thief. "River?" Kairi asked.
The girl nodded. "It's a story that's been passed down through my family for generations. Since before history, there's been this raging river. As the story goes, some try to divert the river. Others try to build a dam. But nothing stops it. Many in my family believe that we either sink in the water or learn to swim.
Luna tilted her head in confusion. “Don't we though?”
Sumire smirks. "And that's the real wild part, we ARE the river! We decide how we flow, how we connect to each other!"
“I see it as we are the parts that make us,” Sunset shook her head. “Light or dark. Both are good but yet both are evil. It's like pops said, darkness gives birth to light and eventually, that light will be consumed by a new darkness that the light itself birthed. Life comes from both aspects in its own ways. At least that's how I see it. You can either be afraid of the darkness inside you and deny it,” She held up her prosthetic and let the darkness erupt from it, “or embrace and become the whole state of being as you were meant to be,” she added as the darkness turned into a steady flow before trickling out. “Which is it for you two?”
Kairi and Luna looked at each other again, before turning back to the orb of Strand energy, which, upon closer inspection, looked like a tangle of threads. The two reached their hands towards the orb, allowing threads of the energy to wind around their arms.
“I think they got it,” Sumire nodded with a smirk, before noticing the dark energy that Sunset had been channeling had slowly turned green and thread-like as well. “Looks like you did as well.”
“Hmmm…..” Sunset looked over her arm and concentrated a moment. “Something called titan. What did that old fart leave us exactly?” She looked at the sisters now. “Titan, what does that mean?”
Kairi’s eyes widened. “Of course! Why didn’t I think to structure this power like a Guardian?” She quickly gathered energy into her arm, before channeling it into the ground, creating a pool of healing energy. “Warlock, of course,” she nodded in satisfaction before turning back to Sunset. “Try to channel the energy into a barrier of some sort.”
“Barriers aren’t hard for me to do…” Sunset did as she was told and created a green barrier, not noticing the green shockwaves that it generated as she did. “I was taught by my… mother and Shining Armor and I would compete on whose was stronger…”
She started to feel the pain in her heart again, “I’m going to stop talking for a while..” she lowered her barrier and walked off to the side, and leaned against the wall.
Kairi sighed. “Basically what I’m saying is that a Titan is known for their defensive abilities, as well as their large-scale attacks. I’m a Warlock, which is basically the scalpel to the Titan’s hammer, if that makes sense.”
“I wonder if the old man could take a hit from me now?” Sunset muttered.
“Oh he could,” came a new voice.
Everyone turned to look at the source with it being none other than the Chibi their benefactor left for them. “It would still knock his body on his ass for a good minute though.”
“Sounds like a casualty-type attack then,” Sunset said as she looked at Kairi, “Or something all those lines right?”
“Paracausal, actually,” Kairi replied. “Abilities, events, or entities that seem to violate causality are referred to as paracausal, which is exactly what Strand is.”
“So he gave us each a weapon to fight on par with him, or at least do some real damage to his existence,” Sunset raised an eyebrow. “I mean I know pops is an op as all get-out guy but why would he give us stuff like this if he knew we could use it against him let alone our enemies? Unless…” She thought. “Does this mean the Sin Eaters and Voidsent are on that level now?”
“Doubtful,” Kairi frowned. “More likely, it's to deal with Tash. That thing is 100% a paracausal entity.”
“I wanted to ask,” Sunset looked around, “If this guy is THAT powerful then why not call pops him and let the old man wipe everything out in one go. I mean… we all saw and experienced what a small portion of his true self can do during training,” as she said that everyone became a bit unnerved as they recalled the horror that came from the Gate of Truth, “Something tells me you girls are still hide a big thing about the old man from me.”
The redhead paled. “Uh, I REALLY don’t want to talk about it…”
Luna’s eyes were blank. “So… Cold…”
Sumire and Sunset exchanged a glance before Sumire shrugged. “Don’t look at me, I have no idea what they’re talking about.”
“What happened to you two?” Sunset looked at them and then the Chibi who’d mysteriously vanished. “Doubt he’d tell me anyways…” She groaned.
“Nope, we are NOT explaining it!” Kairi and Luna exclaimed, Kairi throwing a green grenade that pulled Sunset into the air, spread eagle, while Luna threw a green rope with a blade on the end that wrapped around her throat. “You can’t make us talk!”
“You two better back off!” Sunset easily broke free as she turned into her demonic alicorn form before returning to normal. “I was asking because I’m your friend and was concerned, not to torment you! I get that you have secrets and are entitled to keep them but don’t you ever tie me up and hold a blade to my throat again unless you plan to feel a major pain in your spare tire of an ass!”
“Easy guys,” Sumire cut it. “If you guys have forgotten, Darkness stems from emotions, you guys said so yourselves. I think you need to exercise a higher level of control, otherwise, situations like this happen.”
“You mean like with Raven in the Teen Titans?” Kairi asked.
“Exactly, though not to the same extent as her,” the Phantom Thief nodded. “Just be aware that heightened emotions can trigger certain instincts, and don’t bottle everything up and you should be fine.”
Kairi nodded, then turned to Luna. “That then brings us to you, Luna. I was gonna ask what sort of abilities you had now, but I think we can safely say you got the Hunter skill set.”
The blue filly nodded. “Yep.”
“If we’re done with this shit show I think I’ll be leaving for now as I’ve thoroughly had my fill of you two for the time being,” Sunset said while directing her annoyance and anger at the sister while she started back on her way to the Doctor’s area.
It didn’t take long for Sunset to make her way down to see the doctor.
“Yo doc! Ya here or did you blow up again?!” She called out. “I’m here to check on things and see if my ship is ready for when I gather my crew.”
The Time Lord popped his head up from behind a pile of seemingly useless junk, before pointing towards a modestly sized glider-like craft. “Oh, your ship’s been done for a while now. I hope you don’t mind, but I made it bigger on the inside.”
“Handy,” Sunset crossed her arms and raised and eyebrow. “At least we’ll have space and won’t have to waste munni on an inn in any world we go to. What other stuff did you add in and aren’t telling me about my dear Doctor? Pops told me all about the timelords and their little timey-whimey wibbly wobbly nonsense, and trust me when I say I’m censoring myself?”
“Oh, my dear Sunset,” The Doctor chuckled. “Of course there’s more to it. First, and most importantly, is the Cameleon Circuit. Essentially, this allows your ship to disguise itself automatically to suit the world you’re in. Just don’t forget where you parked. Second, is the computer. That Chibi-Ed duplicated itself to integrate into the ship, becoming the computer.”
“Great,” Sunset rolled her eyes, “Well… at least it gives me a direct line to good ole ma and pa. Anything else? Weapon systems?”
“What do you take me for?” The Doctor scoffed. “Absolutely not. If you want weapons, you’ll have to find those yourself and have Melissa install them. I don’t do weapons.”
“You do realize me and anyone else on board are fighting a war against soul and heart-stealing creatures of light and darkness that can also attack us when we go to and from worlds right?” Sunset’s gaze narrowed on the small pony who was now tugging at his bowtie, “Urrrr…..” she rubbed the bridge of her nose, “Look doc I know you’re not the biggest fan of mot sorts of violence but we’re literally at war right now and I’m fighting behind the scenes here. I mean throw me to the wolves type of stuff dude! You can’t not outfit this thing with a lazer beam or something?”
The Doctor rolled his eyes. “Of course I’m not sending you in undefended. What do you take me for? I’m sure you’ve heard one of my counterparts mention that for all intents and purposes, nothing can get into my TARDIS uninvited, except for the Daleks. I’ve added the same type of shielding to your ship, as well as stealth tech, allowing you to go right through without any of them knowing you were there. Just, you know, don’t bump into anything.”
“Don’t worry,” chibi popped up. “I’ve already taken the liberty of installing several other countermeasures in the form of offensive capabilities that can be utilized in case such opportune moments should arise.”
“Can the damn thing shoot lasers or not?” Sunset asked bluntly.
“Yes,” the chibi and doctor said at the same time though in very different tones of voice.
“Thank you eggheads for the much simpler answer,” Sunset threw up a hand. “Doc, this thing can be remote-piloted too right? Not that I don’t trust you mini pops but what if you’re out of commission?”
Chibi just stuck out his tongue and popped into confetti.
“To answer your question, yes, yes you can remote pilot the ship,” The Doctor sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose in annoyance.
“Was it the lasers?” Sunset asked.
“That, and his childish antics,” he replied tiredly. “Anyhoof, ready to take it for a spin?”
“Not right now. It’s for when I get my crew together thus the need for a separate ship,” Sunset threw up her hands. “I can barely handle my new glider outside combat sims right now. And can you really blame the little fella? He’s supposed to be a part of a larger network but doesn't really have a whole lot of other counterparts as large as us that make use of him as much as we do, not to mention you’re not unknown for your own antic Doctor?”
“Point taken,” the Time Lord shrugged. “Anywho, there’s a strange temple just outside I need to investigate. Stay out of trouble!” And with that, the Doctor disappears.
“Yea, you too,” Sunset rolled her eyes. She held her left arm up and a holo-display appeared over it, “Cross reference data from all of the KH series games and materials no matter what its source,” she ordered. “I need as much info as I can get. There’s something else going on out there alongside all this, Tash bs. I don’t know if he started it but it needs to me stopped. We can’t afford to have even a single keyhole reopened and we need as many keyblade wielders as we can to join our side before it's too late.”
She walked over and looked at her ship, “Don’t worry girl,” She smirked, “You’ll be out of the place soon enough,” she turned, “I better let everyone know it's time I head out,” she walked out of the room and off to the outside to the flight deck, “hey guys and girls,” she called out over the coms, “If you wanna see me off into the wide blue yonder then make it here quick!” She smirked and cut the feed and waited.
Time slowly crept by.
“Been an hour and nobody showed up,” Sunset sighed as she dangled her feet off the edge of the platform, “Oh well, we all have our own shit todo,” she said as she easily backflipped with her new arm. “Still not used to the super strength,” she looked at her hand as she opened and closed it then summon her new keyblade.
“You know, you forgot to press the button on the comms,” an amused voice spoke up behind her. Sunset turned around to find Melissa, Kairi, Luna and Sumire just entering the room. “You’re lucky I happened to be watching the cams in the room.”
“I did press the button,” Sunset said as she showed everyone her arms, and she had indeed pressed but not all the way. “I’m a bigger idiot than the spiky-haired one is sometimes aren’t I?”
Melissa shrugged. “We all have our moments. Anyway, stay safe out there. We’ll be here when you return.”
“Hopefully it'll be with more help and a solid lead on this shadow group pops told us about,” Sunset scratched her head. “Mmmmmm… I think I’ll start there after all,” she smirked, “The Destiny Islands. It was Master Xehonort’s homeworld, not to mention Sora and Riku’s too. Maybe I can even recruit them to our cause. You’re here meaning they never met Kairi in this universe though…” Sunset thought, “Would they even be keyblade wielders?”
Kairi shrugged. “Only one way to find out. Besides, you’d be able to bestow them with their own Keyblade if they don’t have one already.”
“You know better than anyone the blade chooses its wielder,” Sunset added. “I may have achieved the rank of master but I am not going to bestow that ability on anyone. Keyblades are just as much a curse on us as they are a tool to fight back. I can’t and won’t let it reach any further than myself. If they do have the ability then that means Aqua, Terra, and even Ventus are here though. Maybe… Master is looking for them in teh Realm of Darkness… Thoughts for another time,” she summoned her keyblade and threw it out, turning it into its glider form before dawn her armor.
“Thanks for seeing me off and thanks for taking me in,” Sunset looked around her, “It's time for me to fight my own part in this war. I won’t lose another home or another family,” she said as she jumped onto her glider, “Next stop, Destiny Island! Later guys!” She waved as she zoomed off and through a portal.
Author's Note
Greetings and salutations readers, and welcome to chapter 1 of Sunset of a New Universe, the first official side story for May Your Heart Be Your Guiding Key! Now, to address the elephant in the room, this fic is technically not written by me, it will primarily be written by Alvassa. However, he has requested that I post it here, since its set in my universe rather then his own, as well as pushes the story of MYHBYGK forward. Hope you all enjoy, and we'll see you all in the next chapter!
A lone bright sparkle could be seen high in the bright blue sky as Master Sunset shot out of a distant portal on her keyblade glider. She looked around and dispelled her armor helmet as she looked down to see a familiar island covered in structures built from scavenged drift and various other items.
Sunset smiled softly as she pulled back on the handles of her glider, causing it to come to a hover in mid-air.
Sunest's glider
Susnet's armor
“It's exactly the same…” She sighed contently. “I hope they're here…”
Her helmet reformed around her head and she took the controls and headed to the beach.
She jumped off her glider, recalling it and her armor before slowly walking around.
The wind blew and she could smell the salt from the ocean causing her to remember Kair, Sora, and Riku from her universe. A single tear rolled down her cheek as she reach up and took a firm hold of the crystal pendant around her neck.
Sunset took in a deep breath and steeled her resolve, “No time for tears right now,” She looked around with clear signs that no one had been her for a while at least, “Can’t be helped with kids getting older and stuff… It’s always hard to tell when school is in session in this world too. Tropics…” she groaned as she walked on.
“First I need to search for any trace of Master Xerra,” She said as she pulled up her left arm, and the nanomachines reformed into a glass eye. “I think some drones would be useful here,” she said as spotted a piece of driftwood. “Lunchtime boys!” she smiled as the machine peeled off her limbs into a shimming mist.
The cloud swiftly flew over to the wood and engulfed it before nearly tripling in size and forming into various small robots.
“Pops sure has some nifty toys,” Sunset said as he held up her prosthetic arm and allowed a little bit of darkness to flow through it, “Look for any traces of darkness that were here in the last few months to a year ago,” she ordered the drone and the all scanned her power the darted off in varying directions, some bumped into each and bigging smacked by the bumpee.
“I’m goin to go check out the door,” Sunset shook her head and went into the hidden area by the waterfall where the kids would draw on the walls.
Walking in the area Sunset looked around as she neared the door. She eyed the door and walked over and placed a hand on the main entrance of this world and immediately felt out with her senses.
“Yep, still locked up tighter than Celestia's cookie stash,” Sunset smirked as she pulled her hand back and turned to the right, and looked down. “That’s definitely a sign for concern…” she said as she noticed a very important lack of two drawings of a boy and girl each feeding the other a star.
“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised with the Kairi of this universe having never actually grown up on the islands,” Sunset said. “Something doesn't feel right here but not even the heartless are active here right now..”
She checked the status of the scan bots on her arm but they hadn’t found anything as of yet either. She sighed and left the room and headed for a very specific spot as the sun had started to set.
Sunset slowly walked across the bridge that led to hte small island with a few trees on it not far from the main island. She walked over to the specific tree she wanted, the Paupu tree.
She placed her left hand on the and with little effort she hefted herself up onto the trunk of the tree and stared off into the distance. The sun now setting and turning the ocean just as red as the sun itself, looking as if the ball of fire were merging with the body of water.
Sunset took in a deep breath and reached up to the Stopaga pendant around her neck with her right hand. Squeezing the piece of jewelry around she chooses to open her hand and let the light shine through the crystal. With the light now shining through the crystal the technology and magic her adoptive father used on the pendant activated and a projection of everyone Sunset loved and who did all they could to save her could be seen all standing behind the young keyblade master.
Sunset then started to sing.
“You know, it's rude to listen to someone else’s woe without permission,” She called out to the two who’d shown up while she sang.
Sunset looked over her shoulder and saw one of the people she came to find and another she’d never seen before.
“You must be the Sora of this universe but I don’t recognize the other one…” she remarked as she spun on her butt to face the kids with a tilt over her head.
“Other one? What am I, chopped liver?” A rather annoyed female voice snarked out. Sunset found standing next to Sora an almost identical figure, with the clear difference being that she was, well, a girl. She was even dressed identically, with the main difference being her top was more of a crop top that was predominantly red. “The name’s Saiya, and I’m Sora’s twin sister!”
“Well… that’s very unexpected…” Sunset said with shock as she blinked a couple of times. “I must say you do look a lot like him but you,” She turned to Sora now, “Are nearly identical but with some odd changes here and there…”
“What?” Sora raised an eyebrow. “How can I look a lot like me but have changes here and there!?!” He threw up his hands. “Craze ladies make no sense at all!”
“Your outfit is different first off, The Sora I knew wore something a lot more like your sister there did at one point,” Sunset listed on her fingers. “Your hair is a lot less spikey and a little lighter with the small patch of dirty blonde being the dead ringer. You look a lot more modern than the last guy I knew.”
“What the hell?! I’ve never crossed paths with you before!” Sora stared. “Lady… I’ve met a lot of people when we-” he started to say but was elbowed in his gut by Saiya before he could say anymore.
“Don’t get him started,” Saiya sighed with a roll of her eyes. “He’ll go on for hours otherwise.”
“That’s what makes him cute in an odd sort of way,” Sunset giggled as she jumped down from her perch. “You didn’t need to shut him up about otherworlds so harshly though,” she said with a smirk, causing the twins to flinch slightly.
“Sis, I don’t like this…” Sora said as he took a ready stance. “We’ve never met before yet you say you know me and then you say something about other worlds. It means you’re not from here!”
That’s when his sister slapped her face.
“10 points to the genius,” Sunset twirled her finger in the air as she rolled her eyes. “You two are clearly keyblade wielders,” she said, and the twins called forth their weapons upon the mention of them. “What are your thoughts Saiya? Going to let your big brother do all the talking?”
(Saiya's keyblade)
(Sora's Keyblade)
Saiya grits her teeth, eye twitching. “First of all, this idiot DOES NOT speak for me. Second, he is my YOUNGER brother. Mention my height, and I WILL maim you!”
“AHAHAHAHA!” Sunset belted as she fell on her back and grabbed her sides for a good five minutes, “Oh… oh now that was funny!” She sat up and crossed her legs with her right hand now resting under her chin. “Your very cute by the way, are you seeing anybody?”
Saiya violently recoils, face going green. “Um, well, uh, I’m flattered, but I REALLY don’t swing that way.”
“Too bad,” Sunset shrugged and then blurred away from sight, leaving the twin to start looking around.
“This lady is clearly strong,” Sora remained focused as he kept his wits about him. “Can you sense where she went?”
The brunette frowned, eyes closing. She whirled, placing the tip of her Keyblade right above where Sunset’s heart was located. “Did you really think you could sneak up on me?”
“Sweethearts,” Sunset smiled as he placed her left pointer finger on Siaya blade and pushed down, the young girl doing everything she could to try and keep it up, “If I wanted to sneak up on you two it’d be simple,” She smiled evilly as she shot behind them again.
“This is bad…” Sora said as Sunset turned and green Strand energy on the left side of her body, shocking the twins even more., “Not good, very not good!”
With a quick motion of her hand, Sunset sent out a shockwave of Strand, sending both of the twins flying onto the main beach.
The twins got to their feet spitting out the sand they nearly swallowed.
“I can’t have simpletons weighing me down, so let’s see just how strong you two really are,” Sunset smiled as she summoned her secondary keyblade.
“She’s one of us…” Sora looked on in shock.
“Sora,” his twin barked. “Shut up.” Saiya then turned back to Sunset. “I know better than most that Light can’t exist without Darkness, and that both need to be in balance. Just because she can use a form of the Darkness doesn’t mean that she’s an enemy.”
“SHE THREW US ACROSS THE BEACH!” Sora barked back, “And she is literally pointing a keyblade at us and saying come at me full speed ahead!”
“Never thought I’d see the day when Sora was the one who put two and two together so fast,” Sunset commented as she tapped her shoulder with her keyblade. “If you’re not gonna fight me cutie then I’ll just take that kiss now!” She winked at Saiya.
The brunette shuddered, before hefting her Keyblade into a ready position. “As a pirate I met once said, I am disinclined to acquiesce to your request!” She charged forward, taking a swipe at Sunset, who expertly blocked it. “That means no!”
“I never said I needed permission!” Sunset remarked with a chuckle as she sent Siaya back with a hard motion only to meet Sora at her left, having dashed in to deliver an upward slash, “Oh my,” Sunset whistled as she leaned back and avoided the blow. “Kids got some moves after all! Now I want that kiss even more!”
“Why are you talking like we’re kids? You can’t be much older than us!” Sora fumed. “Saiya, you go in for the right and I’ll hit her left then we swap with Strike Raid at the last second.”
“Right!” Saiya replied, charging in on Sunset’s right flank, a Dark Firaga ball launching itself at the Keyblade master. “Also, Sora, if she hits you particularly hard, you probably offended her with your age comment.”
“Oh I don’t mind,” Sunset said with a bit of malice, “I just turned twenty not that long ago so it's actually more of a compliment, so thanks,” Sunset placed both hands on her weapon.
“Wait that’s-” Saiya started to say as Sunset shot forward in blinding speed.
“Not this time!” The twins said in unison as they crossed their keyblade and blocked Sunset’s strike.
“You recognized the attack,” Sunset smiled. “NOT BAD FOR A COUPLE OF BRATS!” She laughed as she immediately readjust and sent them both sailing in opposite directions, “But Sonic Blade has a much better effect when angling up in close quarters.”
“I think that’s enough,” came a new voice.
“And who might you be tall dark and handsome?” Sunset turned to see the latest edition to hte party.
“Rigil!” the twins sigh with relieved excitement.
“Well…” Sunset raised an eyebrow, “I guess that answers that question…”
“Don’t you think you’ve tortured them enough Master Sunset,” Rigil said as he jumped from his spot on the walkway of the treehouse to land across from Sunset in front of the twins. “And you two should’ve taken her a lot more seriously yet you let her teasing get into your head, Saiya.”
“Wait a minute,” Sora threw up his hands, “Can we go back to the part where you said MASTER Sunset?”
Saiya rolled her eyes as she smacked Sora upside the head. “It was actually pretty obvious, considering how her skills completely outclass ours. You really need to get it through your thick skull that you need to be observant!”
“That and the fact she was just playing with you while not even using her main weapon and opting for her offhand keyblade was much more obvious,” Rigil rolled his eyes then held a suitcase up and dropped it in front of the twins. “You will be needing these. They will help protect you when you guys have to go into the realm of darkness.”
“You sure know how to spoil a girl's fun,” Sunset miffed.
“Master Xerra said you would say that,” Rigil said as he looked back at the young master.
“So the old bastard did make it to this universe,” Sunset gave a relieved smile, shocking the twins but her statement left them puzzled.
“Yes, but I believe I should take my leave now,” he said as he summoned his Dark Eater and cut a hole to hte dark realm.
“You should take the time to get to know your new apprentices,” he smirked at the twins as he left and the tear closed.
“Right,” Sunset puttered and looked to the twins. “Questions now?” She playfully smiled.
“Other than Master Xerra, why are you here?” Saiya asked with a tilt of her head.
“Okay, first things first little girl,” Sunset’s gaze narrowed on the teen causing Saiya to flinch, “Don’t question me unless you really mean it, second how do you know my master?”
“I think she’s serious about this sis,” Sora looked over, causing Saiya to glare at her twin who was more or less unphased at this point. “You’re question so you look at her and, cause even I can figure out after Rigil’s visit that she’s our new teacher.”
“Hey look he can be taught!” Sunset laughed, “But seriously, I am your new master, and you’re my students. Me and my friends need your help, more specifically me though. Now I’d like my answer today please?”
“OK then,” Saiya grumbles under her breath, before turning back to the master. “What exactly was that green, stringy, energy? I know it was a form of darkness, but I’ve never seen anything like it before.”
“That would be my strand power,” Sunset held up her hand and emitted the green life strand power. “It's a recent power I gained that not even my master had when I was his apprentice. It’s not simply dark either but also light. My power is more specifically that of the titan and it's also meant to deal with paracasual abnormalities or paradoxical beings similar to my pops. It's also really fun to punch things with a really big fist. Now about my question about how you know my master.”
“Old man Xerra showed up here about 3 months ago,” Saiya explained. “He stuck around for a bit, before moving on. I’m fairly certain I heard him say something about lockpicks, or something…”
“Mmmm…” Sunset thought, “Looks like I wasn’t the only one who thought our enemies had other plans in the works,” she said as she summoned her true keyblade as neo-shadow heartless started to appear. “And it looks like they’ve also noticed me now. Make your choice now kids, join me and fight, or… stay on this island and let time pass you by!”
She changed forward and started to cut through the heartless.
The twins glance at each other, shrug, then summon their Keyblades and charge in after the Keyblade Master.
