Rising Storm (Organization XIII, PM to join)

[Zephiris]

(( This thread marks the Organization XIII's official raid of the Destiny Islands. ))

The sun hung above the ocean, drifting lower in the sky and staining the clouds the brilliant red of the Islands' dusk. A breeze rustled the palm trees serenely. Otherwise all was quiet.

The first Corridor of the many to appear that night flared briefly on the beach. A young man stepped from its shadows, dismissed it with a gesture, and begun strolling up the strip of sand. Nostalgia almost instantly thrust all tension to the back of his subconsciousness. The sudden tranquility was an odd sensation, considering he'd last been here only a few days before. . . and so much had changed since then.

Riku couldn't help but smirk as he walked past the swath of tall palm trees and grassy ledges where he would race Sora, and win. He was here to find that Sora; the one who he fooled around with as kids, back when building a raft was the only means by which he could visit new worlds.

Namine hadn't delved into specifics when she said Sora was here. Riku had gone straight to the Play Island on instinct, but now that he was here with no Sora in sight, he was faced with a slightly more difficult challenge of locating his friend. Did I expect him to be here waiting for me?

He wouldn't be in the Cove, if anywhere. Riku continued along the sand, past the lookout tower, through the water that broke a shallow stretch of beach, under the bridge. Intuition, at least, told him where Sora was not.

His aquamarine eyes roved the area. They flicked from the tree cave to the seaside shack before darkening, coming to a rest upon the shady hole beside the waterfall.

[Zephiris]

In a flash of shadow, a second figure arrived as witness to the sun's descent. Unlike the first, it stood for a moment to watch the red spectacle.

"It looks like it's drowning," Xigbar snorted after a moment. "Man, these island kids live with such a depressing sight before bedtime."

It was then he caught sight of the keyblader, already almost out of sight. A grin stretched across Xigbar's craggy features as he watched him from a distance. The kid hadn't noticed him yet.

As Xemnas had assumed when he had told him of the plan, there was now no doubt that the night would prove victorious. Their raid was multi-faceted; if they lost in one aspect they were guaranteed success in another. Even if they couldn't call upon Darkness to destroy the Islands - for there still lingered the chance that the Keyhole had been locked by the damn Light wielders when they sealed the Door - still one strategic goal would be accomplished. Zexion actually did right this time, Xigbar thought, glancing down at his hands.

They gripped what he knew to be his faithful Arrowguns, although they appeared as a strange model he didn't recognize. It was to be expected; his weapons didn't look like Xigbar's weapons because he didn't look like Xigbar. Tonight he was Braig.

"Hang on," he said, to the vacant beach. He knew they would hear him anyway. "Wait for the other kiddo."

[Era]

Vines of liquid shadow gave birth to a third pitch black portal, and from it, another member of Xigbar's party emerged.

A teenage mane of flaming red had surfaced, his neck fitted with a gold and ochre scarf. He scratched his head, still not used to the awkward feeling of this far uglier skin: this appearance was a cruel injustice to his normal, and far better looking self. Axel had never been so wide before.

He withdrew around the corner of the Tree Cave: he'd have to keep his noticeable hair out of site, lest they be spotted. The Flurry leaned against the wall, arms crossed with mild discontentment. He seethed an uncomfortable snarl into the air, probably not loud enough to be heard by very many of his cohorts in crime. ". . . I hate waiting." Yeah, he knew the importance of it, but that knowledge never really numbed the itch to act.

Those jade green eyes were likely his most distinguishable factor - they had hardly changed. And now, they rested on his elf-esque counterpart, waiting for the moment to move.

He reminded himself of a Lion in waiting, ready to pounce in a fraction of a moment's notice. Like the rest of their group, Axel was restless for the Heart of this world... Because that meant that Organization Thirteen was a step closer to Hearts for themselves.

His gaze shifted from the silver-haired Keyblader to the calmly swaying palm trees, the peaceful, rhythmic flow of the beach, the perfect colors setting the sunset ablaze. It would be a shame to bring this world down. . . But for the sake of Kingdom Hearts, the outcome would far outweigh the price of the sacrifice.

[changes]

Quickly, one portal flickered with darkness power, and as it faded away to nothing, one figure emerged from the cold inside. Any mission that was this important, Zexion thought, Would be tough for the others to accomplish. That's why I'm here. But then again he must keep his distance. If he didn't, his illusions would suffer, creating chaos for the Organization. And then they would have no hope.

And Zexion knew this mission would be a high point for the Organization. Triumphing over, not only an entire world, but also over two annoying, meddling brats. Yes, Riku and Sora had to be finished, and today was the best day. And the only day. Lexicon appeared with a quick flurry of pages whipping themselves to the cover. Levitating itself above his nimble fingers, the book gracefully opened up, revealing 2 blank pages to Zexion.

As he looked from the tree in which he found himself, Zexion glanced at Xigbar, only it didn't seem to be, well, Xigbar. No, this appeared to be another person he knew from his REAL life. That, was Braig.

He teleported himself down from the tree, his book as well. Strolling forward, he found himself next to Xigbar.

"Greetings Xigbar."

The younger nobody spoke.

[Deleted]

A dark portal of black and silver opened from nowhere, and flowed together before admitting a man dressed in guard garb through, a single lance in his hand. The symbol of a heart was apparent on the single weapon he held, and long black hair was put back in a ponytail.

Or, so it seemed. In reality, Zexion's illusion had worked wonders on the Organization, for they now resembled their human counterparts.

Their Dark XII counterparts.

Yes, the intent of the mission was to either gain the heart of the island or frame the Dark XII for the attempted destruction. Or, even better, both. Xaldin had appeared in the Secret Place, standing before the door. As he stepped towards its entrance, he felt the calm breeze and manipulated it, whispering to it as if to a lover. Only his allies would hear what he whispered.

It is almost time. We strike upon the beginning of the storm. Whatever you do, do not blow our cover. And Zexion, it would be wise to take the form of Ienzo, just to be safe. Remember, you encountered both Riku and Sora in Castle Oblivion.

Xigbar, you will search for the heart, while myself, Demyx and Larxene will create both the signal and the destruction. The rest of you will wreak as much havoc as you can. Let us show the Dark XII why we are the superior beings. Any responses can be whispered to the winds, and they will reach me.

Then he waited, allowing the wind to let him hear anything said on the island.

[Larxene]

(Updated by the mousey graces! I go hibernate now. D: )

When she emerged from the Darkness and slinked into the shade of a towering palm Larxene could not help but sneer. It was bad enough that she was cloaked in the guise of her inferior half – the Heartless Arlene – but apparently more of their number were involved in this plot than she was first led to believe.

Demyx, Xaldin, Zexion and herself were a given: the three to create the “storm” and the one to hold the illusion that shaded them. She could sense their presence, Xaldin and Zexion’s at least. Demyx was absent – typical. But in addition to Xaldin and Zexion’s presence she also sensed two others: Xigbar and Axel’s. Doubtless even more would be joining as well.

A certain proverb came to mind: too many cooks spoil the broth.

She didn’t know what the higher ups were thinking - having so many hands involved, having so many chances for someone to slip up - but it did not settle well with her. She preferred to work with smaller numbers, or alone. So many different pieces on the board carrying out so many different plays at once could easily lead to the disaster.

Then again, the superiors could have very well had it all thought through, know exactly how things will play out. As low on the totem pole she was in the Organization’s ranks certain plans from up top could have very well not reached her ears. Whatever.

If everything goes to crap, it sure as hell won’t be by her doing. She knew the role she would play, and she’d be sure to play it well.

Wearing Arlene’s visage, Larxene leaned against the trunk of the palm, careful to keep out of sight by eyes undesired. She took in her beautiful surroundings with disgust. “Where is that other Hero of Light?” she hissed softly under her voice, electricity crackling around her knuckles. “I can’t wait to tear this abhorrent world apart, piece by measly, flowery piece.”

[Doogie]

( Cinderella has finally finished all of his chores! And the mice, and birds have started being musical and awesome again! They've sewed some clothes, aaaaand washed my back...cause apparently birds do that. o3o It was quite disturbing to have two birds invade mah shower. T__T BUT! Now that I've got nice animal friends, I've also met my Fairy Godmother who allowed me to wish up this nice post. :3 So here ya go. :3)

Although Sora had been the first to talk to Namine, and he had run off as fast as he could to go to Destiny Islands...riding in a Gummi Ship took some time. Having landed on the Main Island, Sora of course started looking there, but obviously not having found anything, the only option left was the Play Island. So, onto the Play Island he went!

As he rowed over to the Play Island on his little boat, he got to the Island before many people did, and had explored up to the area where the Paopu trees were located. Having not seen anyone yet, Sora decided to sit on the tree, and rest for a minute, watching as the sun started to set. Sora watched in amazement as the bottom of the sun caressed the horizon, barely making contact, but still creating beautiful colours. I remember when Kairi, Riku, and I would sit here every evening and watch as the sun set. We were so naive then. I...almost miss it sometimes. Sometimes.

[/color]

As the sun began it's decent below the horizon, Sora jumped off of the tree and began to walk back toward the bridge that connected this tiny island to the larger Play Island. Looking around, Sora saw the one person he had been looking for all the day.

Riku!

As he yelled his name, Sora started running toward his companion, abandoning caution and jumping from the bridge down to the ground, stumblinb as he landed. He quickly got up and ran to his friend, hugging him when he got close enough.

"Riku! I'm so glad to see you! Namine told me you were here! What're you doing here? Why'd you leave?"

Sora could hardly hold back his excitement and wanted to push many more questions on his friend, but one thing at a time. Riku didn't like to be bombarded anyway.[/blockquote]

[Deleted]

((Place holder for Seedykins? >_> Dental apointmeeeeeeent))

[ayama]

Emerging from the depths of darkness, Demyx appeared onto the island at long last. Raising his arms to stretch, he let out a large yawn as if to show he had just woken up. Which was true. 'Alright...might as well get this done and over with.' he thought lazily in his head. But really the Nocturne had to wonder...what exactly were the superiors thinking!? Making him attend to such a task as this. Wouldn't having too many members on the playing field cause problems? And to have him be one of those pieces of all things! And it didn't help that he also had to disguise himself as his heartless counterpart Myde, which really wasn't too bad but still...red hair just did not suite him at all.

But what could he do? Going up against Xemnas was clearly a no, no. And it's not like he could easily negotiate with the superiors and have them take him off this mission. Hell, he didn't have the guts to just go up and talk to them! And with Crystal now in Xaldin's possession...it was just a no win situation for poor Demyx. He let out a sigh. Oh well, at least he wouldn't doing that much productivity. All he had to do was help Xaldin, and Larxene create the "storm." Sounds simple enough.

Oh wait, Larxene was apart of this mission as well...damn it. Well now the Nocturne could officially call this the worst mission ever! The nymph and him, ever since they first laid eyes on eachother they grew a common hatred. She had always been on his back about almost everything he did, and was basically just a bitch in general. He couldn't count how many times they saw eachother in a room and automatically just started fighting. Out of all the members in the Orginization, she was the worst. And if he asked others about it, he was sure that most of them would agree.

'Just don't make eye-contact. He thought repeatedly in his head, 'It can sense fear!'

The nocturne let out another sigh, then after putting a hand to his head like a gun and lowering his thumb as if to pull the trigger straightened up and looked at the beautiful landscape that surrounded him. A look of guilt then appeared on his face, though it soon disappeared as he spotted Larxene hiding underneath one of the palm tree's. He instantly looked away, now was not the time to be thinking about regrets. If he wanted to avoid turning into a dusk, and having Crystal killed he had to start manning up, and not act purely on false emotions that he knew he didn't have.

He looked up at the sky, and crossing his arms murmured quietly to himself. "Well then...shall we start this shindig?

[Zephiris]

(( Sorry, Seed, skipping you. New round! Thread has been changed to ‘PM to join’ to accommodate for the chance that Light members are on or may stumble upon the Islands during this event.

To address the worries of a few members who have come across this thread: should the Islands fall, the Heart will not rejoin Kingdom Hearts but be captured by the Organization. The possibility of the world returning in the future need not yet be ruled out. ))

Riku

The eyes tore themselves away from the Secret Place at the call of a voice, strangely unexpected from the direction it sounded from. They widened as Riku turned. In the next instant he was nearly barreled over by a brown-haired, blue-eyed, beaming teen – Sora.

Perhaps because he had just had the wind knocked out of him, or maybe due to the maelstrom of relief and guilt and irritation and irrational happiness that intruded upon his cool consciousness, or possibly even as a result of the bright setting sun, Riku didn’t register Sora’s first words for a few moments. He laughed at first, a natural sound on the Islands. Then his consciousness honed instead on the last four, the Why did you leave.

It was only after he mentally struggled with that question for a bit did the first part of Sora’s exclamations lodge in his brain. And then, finally, he turned cold.

“Sora,” Riku said suddenly, breaking free of his friend’s embrace to grip both of Sora’s shoulders, staring him directly in the eye. His brow was dark with confusion. “Namine told you to come here? Are you sure?”

His unease was far from paramount; the Island serenity saw to that. He had been looking for Sora, and Namine tended to help in strange and subtle ways. This was probably another of the mysterious girl’s helpful gestures. But. . .

“She had told me that you were here,” Riku told Sora slowly. “I just got here."

[Zephiris]

Xigbar

Xigbar inclined his head towards the illusionist. He was about to comment on the lack of pretty Heartless get-up when Xaldin beat him to it; over wisps of wind their messages would be carried along, as they were beginning to now. Xigbar ignored Larxene’s all too eloquent threats that murmured over this new river of wind (the second key kid had had appeared on the beach just then, in any case). Another mumbled voice told him that Demyx had appeared, late. Surprise, surprise.

Yo, Dem, dunno about you, but we’ve already started.

And it was time for him to go play fetch. The moment Sora called out to the silver-haired prettyboy from the beach, Xigbar tore the air before him in a deft movement and stepped through it, emerging from his spacial dimension in a cave by a star tree. Arrowguns slung over his shoulder, the Nobody examined the odd thing in mild interest. It wasn’t a paopu tree. The plant’s upper half was simply a large, yellow star. Xigbar reached out a gloved hand; it glowed at his touch.

Choosing him for the task of searching for the Heart of Destiny Islands wasn’t an altogether poor idea, despite it leaving him out of the thick of the action. The subtle energies he was so keen at sensing could possibly betray the presence of a hidden world power.

The tree he quickly identified as nothing of importance, and left it in contempt. Axel could burn it later.

Xigbar paused for a moment at the top of the ledge the thing perched on, looking out upon what the Islanders called the ‘Cove’. His sharp yellow eyes flicked back and forth in their search. He was taking his time; for the present, at least, the islands were tranquil. A few moments more and he knew the setting would change dramatically. A grin cracked across his features, the harsh crags somewhat less defined in the haze of a red sunset.

[changes]

Xaldin spoke to him. Zexion listened and tapped two fingers against his chin. Xigbar was going to say something to, and Zexion already knew what it was. The illusionist was going to be asked to make everyone look like they're human counterparts. Zexion could do this, easy. His book levitated up as he focused his power at the illusion. Those around him morphed and reshaped in all ways, twisting and turning until they resembled their Dark XII counterparts.


"Storm Time."


Yes, the time was indeed upon them. To come upon these pathetic islands in a rage, like a storm, and destroy all of Sora and Riku's hopes and dreams. Yes, it was over. No more happiness for them, nothing. They should be destroyed. Ready to start his illusions he waited for Xaldin, Larxene, and Demyx to begin. Waiting was annoying when the goal was tangible, so tangible Zexion felt it right in front of him. It was either reach it and grab it, or reach it, and miss it.

"We don't have all day."

Zexion spoke mockingly. They had to hurry, or else Riku and Sora would realize what was happening. Shaking his white lab coat with his hand, The Book of Retribution floated just inches above his hand.

"I begin now, join in soon Xaldin. Storm clouds come first, then rain. Demyx, you come in second, and Larxene you third."

Zexion "Ienzo" ordered them around. This would work, after all these two keybladers were certainly not the brightest bulbs, I mean, they didn't do much thinking.

((Bad post is Bad, really sorry.))

[Deleted]

((No worries))


He appeared. Not in the normal flashy manner he so vainly used. No, he looked like the very thing he despised; Lumaria. The fool had the worse fashion sense in the world and dragged their name through the mud. Sharp senses caught on to the others from his perched position on a Coconut tree. Slitted eyes surveyed the area, taking in all the senses and sights. "Soon...soon you'll be ours." It was scary how close their smirk and poisoned undertone of the two halves seemed to mesh. For as much as each would speak against being like each other; Deep down they knew they shared traits.

"Lumaria" appeared next to the Schemer with a toothy smile, "Are we having fun yet Iezno. I do hope there will be more entertainment later." More laced words as he gazed at the others; trying his best to stay in character. In fact, he was going to take it to another level. But all that will come in due time.

[Deleted]

Annoyance flickered over the face of the guard that Xaldin was disguised as. Yes, the power of the Cloaked Schemer was quite impressive, but the way he tried to command the others...

"Zexion, hold your tongue. Await your orders, and give none at all."

It was then Xaldin's second annoyance arrived, in the form of his newest burden in the Organization. He hadn't expected Marluxia to arrive, in all honesty, seeing no use for the male Nobody in this charade. He changed the way the air was flowing, sending Marluxia a message only the pink-haired man would hear.

"Try anything to ruin this, and termination will occur faster then you will comprehend, Marluxia."

Then, changing yet another flow of air to only reflect light in the direction away from the Keybladers, Xaldin rose in the air, a hand over his head. Tempest winds ripped form his body, and begin to assault both ocean and sky both, bending trees and rippling the water.

The storm had begun.

[Jason Arilani]

Destiny Islands... Normally a sign of peace among the worlds. Though now, it appeared as though plans to take it had been put into motion. Arriving at the meeting area, Luxord found himself under the appearance of his other half, Ruold. While he had tried to study this creature, Luxord found it difficult to do. This man appeared to be a trickster, one who had several things up his sleeve. There was hidden secrets about this heartless that Luxord had not been able to uncover, so he hoped that he could play the part well.

As he walked up to Xaldin, he gave a soft bow. "And where do I fall into this picture? Sincerest apologies for my tardiness, but studying my other half took a tad longer then I had anticipated." He said, waiting for further instruction. Zexion, Larxene, Xigbar, Xaldin, Marluxia, Demyx, Axel, and himself... Eight of the Thirteen members showed up, though Roxas' absence was not surprising, The others not being here stuck the Gambling nobody as odd. Saix, Vexen, Lexaeus, and Xemnas himself were also absent. The fact that Marluxia had shown up but not the others made Luxord curious. Perhaps they were tardy like he was? It mattered not.... Luxord knew that he had his own part to play, and that would come soon enough.

[Sorry for the short and late post. Meant to post earlier but work followed by lack of internet kinda made that not work out too well]