Well, I'm sorry it took so long for this story to begin. But now, I've gotten my midterms over with for now so I'll have sometime to work on this new installment.

Let's begin with a summary, shall we?:

A year has passed since Sora went to sleep and he is soon to awaken. Yet the time that took to return him to normal was much more than expected. Now that Roxas will soon become one with Sora, Ayano has been given the task of diverting the looming threat of the Org. from them. An, although there's not much trouble with that job, there seems to be a problem with her powers. Before, they wouldn't even answer to her. Now, they go on rampages that not even she can control. In order to find a way to control her powers, she must sway away from the orders of the DiZ and her duty. Led by the source of her powers, she seeks out an answer while helping Sora in his quest. Yet nothing is that easy. Her dark self seeks to clash against her to absorb her overloading powers while the Org. has a bounty on her head. Two threats after her while jumping from world to world helping Sora doesn't sound nice and it certainly isn't a piece of cake. More so when strange occurrences keep triggering memories that she knows are not hers. There's more to conflicts when even you start doubting if you are really 'you'.

Kind sketchy, yes, I was listening to the Timeline of KH by GameTrailers. Great stuff there (-w-)b

12/9/14 EDIT: My inspiration for this story has been reignited TTwTT And I couldn't be happier. I still am working on my PH story and am planning on uploading another hopefully by new years. But I really want to go ahead with this one. I have started an outline but I don't know if it'll work for this one. For now I'll reedit it as a whole and change some things.

Now let's start this, okay?

The First Mask

Ghost of Past Abandonment

"Fuck..."

Another wave of strong energy crept up my left palm to my shoulder making me curse under my breath. It freaking hurt every time it did that. I had just gotten inside my room when I felt the familiar burning in my eyes intensify. Lately, every time that happened a charged energy crawled and crept across my arms up to my shoulders where my snake tattoo resided. It was hard not to notice it if I didn't have my coat on. Luckily the energy traveled fast until it was more or less placed where it should be in my body. Unfortunate for me though was that it traveled in vibrant red streaks of electricity. Those, unlike my tattoo, could be seen over my clothes. I couldn't let Riku or DiZ see them. And there was no way I would let them see me so out of control with my eye ability.

It seemed that my eyes were just so overly sensitive ever since...I came back.

I pushed back that bitter thought and waited. Surely enough, after an hour or so, the pain finally subsided. I hissed as I pulled my sleeve up to see the burns left behind by the electricity. The snake tattoo became visible once I rolled my sleeve back. As soon as I did that though the snake began to move lower on my hand. I hissed loudly because with every move it made it give me a sharp burning sensation as well.

Finally, it nestled itself on my palm in a big, black blot of ink and spurted out a single drop up and let it fall back making the ink on my hand ripple. Before my eyes, it did what it had only done once before when I first began to experience this pain.

In my palm the figure of a small girl formed and stood upon the pool. Her hair was black, long and curly but seemed short since she had it tied up in a ponytail that let it cascade on her shoulders. Her skin was pale and didn't seem alive. She wore what looked like a white pinafore with a frilly skirt underneath a reversible coat. She wore it with the black out and the pinkish red inside. The coat had no hood and had a turtleneck collar that was big on her, enabling her to hide her chin and mouth from my view. Her cheeks however were visible and they seemed scaly. Her eyes were as dark as the ink that made the pool beneath her feet.

Her gaze fell upon me just as stoic as the first time she appeared. She never betrayed any emotion and was bland like nobody's business. Seriously, I couldn't crack a joke that would put even a quirk on those lips. Then again, she was a snake. Real or ink, snakes were cold-blood reptiles. Guess her lack of humor was proof that at least that was consistent.

Another perk that she had when she was on my shoulder as a tattoo was that she could talk to me telepathically like she did when I faced Hotaru. But when she was like this, her voice both talked in my head and in the outside. And as far as I knew there were only two reasons why she would appear before me.

One: my head hurt too much to let any connection in for her to speak directly through.

Two: she had something serious to tell me that required her to physically show herself.

Because the latter was the case the first time the energy started unleashing, I assumed this was the reason why she came out now.

"You should not force yourself too much after the lashing of energy, Master."

Then there was that... She's been calling me master ever since she showed herself to me.

"Would you stop with that?" I say under my breath and pull my sleeve down. Reaching for the wall, I lean against it to help me stand. A sharp breath went into my lung at the aching my body was feeling after that lashing. It felt like I just had gotten beaten with a whip. "Why are you here anyway?"

"To warn the Master to be cautious of her condition." Her indifference didn't waver and since I couldn't see her mouth move, it made it all the more awkward. I couldn't even tell if she was talking out in the open or to my head. No doubt, I was going to end up crazy sooner or later because of all this weird crap. "My existence has been very unstable since your dark entity exited your body. With no balance to counter me, I cannot delay the rebound that happens every time you use me."

"Rebound?" I groan cringing from my aching body as I walk up onto my bed. "You're saying that this always happened?"

She nods and continues her explanation. "This rebound happens because of the immense powers you use. The amount of energy demanded to correctly derive me in usage requires a balanced distribution of that energy. Because of your missing dark half, my energy cannot travel as fluently as it did hence why I have to accommodate myself. And since you use me so constantly, the rearranging of energy will occur just as often."

"So I have to suffer from you moving about every two hours?"

"Unless you stop using me so much, yes," she concludes while closing her eyes.

That was easy for her to say. I didn't even know how to turn them off. For freaking goodness sake, I've tried so much before to undo this. I've tried to not lie but...it always backfires. I can't live through anything anymore without deceiving people.

"Is there no way to stop this?"

"Yes, there is." Her quietness after that sentence annoyed me greatly. I knew why she wasn't answering. Questions to her had to be brusque and to the point. You asked exactly what you wanted with her or she wouldn't clarify.

"And what would that be, exactly?" I asked with a tick in my jaw that I couldn't stop.

"To retrieve your other half and become complete again. Or..."

That...has been the oddest thing I've seen so far. Never has she hesitated before. "Or?" I pressed her on.

"Or you can create a new dark entity within yourself."

"Why didn't you just say that?" I inquired a bit confused and laid myself on my bed.

"Creating an opposing entity of oneself when another is already in existence can cause an even greater imbalance. If your original darkness came back and combined with you while you have a new darkness, they would collide and ultimately destroy the light in you. Master would literally become a dark entity herself."

I gulped my anxiety down and scratched my cheek with my free hand, "Okay. I guess finding Hotaru it is."

She nods in agreement. "Rinto shall retrieve then." I agreed and she went back up to my shoulder and laid there calmly. Rinto had been the name I gave her when she first appeared. It was better than what she had as a name: Snake of Deceive. Yeah...way better. She reminded me of a thorn apple. So I simply mixed both and came up with Rinto.

She acted so unattached that it perturbed me sometimes. It really...reminded me of the meaning of the thorn apple.

Another sigh escapes me as I try to pop my shoulder. Just then I hear a couple of knocks on my door before it opens.

Only one person I knew did that so blatantly. "Obviously, you haven't learn to wait for an answer when knocking, huh?" I tease as I turn around to face the tall man that stood before me.

The mismatch of heights took me a bit by surprise. With his face hooded, I couldn't really tell what his face looked like but then he spoke. And that voice said everything.

"Are you all right?" The deep baritone voice completely gave him away. Riku had let the darkness in him out in order to capture Roxas or so they told me.

Apparently it had been shortly after I fought with Hotaru at the Skyscraper that they engaged in battle. He was victorious and brought Roxas back but not without paying a high price.

"Yep!" I call with a mock solute to him. There I go again: lying my ass off. "Why did you come?"

"I noticed you left and after you didn't return..."

"Aw, poor boy was worried," I cooed as I walked past him and pat his shoulder.

"Don't dismiss me like that."

"Or what?" I asked going completely cold. Yep, definitely a lie. I couldn't help but feel a connection with this kid. Ever since we met at Hollow Bastion a year ago he's been a major pain in the ass for me...as well as one of my greatest allies. I shook my head, throwing my short temper aside. "I'm sorry," I apologize taking a hand to my temple. "My head has been killing me these last few days. DiZ and his orders have me like a madwoman all around town. 'Get this, make sure this is fine, go get ice cream'. I swear he acts like he can fucking boss me around."

"In a sense—"

"Don't even, big boy. He's a major thorn on my side that I would gladly get rid off. And were it not for Sora, I'd have kicked him to the next world already." I motion away with my thumb and just then I wince. I'd unconsciously done it with my left arm...and it still hurt like a bitch. I hid myself behind a calm mask and motioned, with my right, for us to leave.

Without a word he followed after me and we soon found ourselves in the lower part of the mansion where all the computers that DiZ managed where at and where Sora slumbered. In front of the computers there the old man sat and monitored Roxas. He and the virtual kids that he'd befriended sat atop the clock tower eating ice cream and apparently enjoying the treasures they'd won.

My mood instantly dampened and rain poured down on me. I tried my best to hide it but it was rather hard. It reminded me so much of what we did, Axel, Roxas...and I.

"They look happy," I mumble a little too loud and hear DiZ scoff.

"He's a Nobody. He cannot feel."

"I've heard that before many times. I don't believe it," I snarled at him with a fury that only he brought out from me.

"Then you are not as perceptive as I thought you to be."

A nasty retort is about to come out from my lips when I hear exclaims from the monitors. Glancing up, I see as Roxas slips and falls from the tower.

"Goodness, no!" I called but the monitors instantly become static and the ones in charge of Sora's vitals began to go haywire.

"What's happening?" Riku asked not understanding what was causing the interference.

"It's Sora's heart. Roxas has connected to Kairi through Sora," Ansem explained as he typed away trying to stabilize the situation inside the virtual Twilight Town. "What a pest."

My head riles through the options we had to undo this until one comes to my mind. With that being my only idea, I go up to the computer, "Perhaps if we do this." Clicking three keys and pressing enter stabilized the whole city while putting Roxas back in his room.

"What did you do?" Riku inquired somewhat confused.

"A reset won't change the happenings in his mind," DiZ scolded at me.

"Yeah, well, at least he'll think it was his imagination. He'll let it pass." A sudden jolt of unexpected energy caught me by surprise. It made me jerk away while grabbing my arm as the red energy took its time to placate.

"What was that?" DiZ called startled.

"Nothing," I groan between gritted teeth as I mask myself and head for Naminé's place where she watched over Sora. Walking away, I ignored the sudden glares I knew I was getting. One was of confusion and the other was simply irritated.

Damn it, Rinto!

"I apologize, Master. Alas, that was a move I had to make or your mask would have been broken."

Taking stoicism to a whole new level was her job alright. I simply shrugged the feeling away and stepped into the chamber where Naminé stood alone watching over the sleeping kid.

"How is he?"

"Fine." Then silence. Weird. Naminé was never this quiet with me.

"Have you been hearing everything that's happening to him?" I ask taking a sit on the floor and sitting with my legs crossed.

"Yes," with this she finally turned to look at me. I smile from beneath her. "Thank you. For giving him your necklace."

A smile comes to my face and I give him a nod. The necklace she referred to was the one she herself gave me back when I was in the Organization, feigning to be one of them. She had given it to me during my stay in Castle Oblivion. Unbeknownst to me, that necklace was specially made to pinpoint and hear over events that the wearer went through. That was how Naminé had constantly kept a watch over me during my time in the Organization and how she now kept a close watch over what Roxas was going through.

"Don't sweat about it. Besides, I wouldn't have been a good big sister otherwise. Someone had to keep a lookout for him in my absence."

"You were...Roxas' mentor while in the Organization?" Naminé asked a bit fazed.

For some reason, I hesitated a bit. I was his mentor...at least I think so. Memories of my time there are hazy now that Sora's memories are starting to be rearranged. Naminé explained to me that because of my connection with him, however loose it was, I, too, was being affected by his rearrangement of memories.

"I believe so. Along with Axel, we taught him everything he knows. Or...knew, I guess." I didn't understand how to use my words now that he was as oblivious to everything as any other world dweller. "He was a good fighter. He'll do good to Sora."

She remained quiet until she hit me with one of the question that I didn't want to answer most. "You don't want Roxas to disappear...do you?"

Knowing it was coming, I had already masked myself and gave off a smirk as an answer. "What do I care what happens to him? He was just a piece of the puzzle I managed to control from the inside." Standing back up, I give her my back and start walking away. "He'll be better off going back where he belongs."

As I left I could've sworn that I heard her whisper, "That's a lie I can't believe from you."

Once out of her earshot, I sighed in disdain. I hated how perceptive she was of me.

"I thought my powers were stronger after Hotaru left..." It wasn't a question that I had asked but Rinto had answered promptly afterward.

"They have. But just because they are stronger doesn't mean that you can control them. You are correct to assume that the more unstable I am, the more powerful you will be. However, if it's a power you cannot control then you cannot utilize it to its fullest."

"You should really teach me how to control it then since I'm getting really tired of not being able to hide myself," I admit with a heavy sigh. Frankly, I've been hiding from the world for too long with my deceiving eyes. I've grown too fond of not letting people anywhere near me. I never liked it. Their judgmental stares and harsh gossip were like needles. They bothered me too much to just ignore them. With my eyes it was easier because I simply hid behind lies and sugar coated insults. It was better to live like that for me.

"Are you done talking to yourself?"

I spun on my heels to find Riku, again calling me with that baritone voice. From his hooded face I could barely see his hair peaking out. I sighed, trying to seem nonchalant and hoping that Rinto finally decided to work well for once. Coming up close to him, I reach out and tuck away the silver strands.

"You should really consider cutting your hair," I suggest with a fake smile and step back. "You look more like a chick than I do."

He turned his head to the side as if ignoring me. "DiZ is looking for you."

"What's new," is my sarcastic reply. I walk past him and pat his arm, "Be careful out there." When I reach the door leading to the other rooms, I halt. For some reason I couldn't hold back the question that I wanted to ask. "Hey, what do you consider me?"

"What do you mean?" he asked turning fully towards me.

"Yeah," I say as if he were stupid. "What do you consider me? A friend? Ally? Or simply someone you work with by coincidence."

"Does it matter?"

"I want to know." I wasn't asking just because. I wanted to know. "Would you humor me and answer?"

"You're a great ally, I won't deny you that," he admitted after a few seconds.

"It sounds like there should be a but there."

"There is. I consider you a friend, somehow. You've helped us so much that it'd be improper not to."

Against my will a small grin perks on my lips. Improper, huh. So by duty and respect, he considers me a friend. I'm far below Sora and Kairi in that aspect then. I nodded and gave him my request anyway, "Soon, DiZ won't have a need for Naminé anymore. And I don't want her to disappear."

As I said those words I realize that I could lie to Riku just as much as I could lie to Naminé. It was futile for me to try. I still did but mildly though. It seemed that all those connected to Sora were also partially immune to my powers. I could hide from some, not so much to others...and I hated that.

"I wish for her to go back to where she belongs too, like Roxas will," I continue a bit stronger but not loud enough to be overheard. "And I know that in the end she will choose what path is best." With a last sigh, I decide it's enough beating around the bush. "I want you to protect Naminé. People like us, simple human beings, shouldn't mess with the free will of others."

He remained quiet and for a moment I swore he was going to completely ignore my petition and call me crazy. But then he simply said, "I'll do what I can."

Those words made a smile come to my lips. I simply nod as an answer and left quickly and headed to the computer room. There DiZ met me with a stoic face. Rinto and him should hang out sometime. Looks like they'd have such a fun time together.

"What's up, doc?" I call humorlessly at him while standing with one hand on my hip.

"You need to occupy yourself with the Nobodies outside," DiZ called almost commanding it. "They cannot become a nuisance now when we're so close to our goal."

Clicking my tongue before going away without an answer. He was bullshitting me and I knew that well because I head previously scanned the whole perimeter from top to bottom and I had found no Nobodies or Heartless. And although that was weird in and of itself, I wouldn't care as long as they didn't interfere.

Knowing it was safe for now, I headed to my room while massaging my neck with my hand. I haven't had a good night's sleep since I came back. Guilt drove me crazy at night still and nightmares were more than usual for me. So instead of sleeping fully, naps were more useful since I slept for half hour lapses that let less nightmares in to haunt me.

I opened the door and locked it shut behind me. For now rest was what I needed and so I went and slumped myself onto my bed. But hearing a paper crunching beneath me made me get up immediately.

"What in the—" I sit up and look at the crumpled envelope in my hand. Smoothing it out, I find a distinct seal of a mouse's silhouette on the back. When I open it I find a nicely written letter inside.

Dear Ayano

There are matters of importance that I think ya should hear for yourself. I know this is strange and perhaps sudden but this will answer some questions of yours. Head to Twilight Town's train station. By seven o'clock a train will await for your arrival and take you where we await. Don't worry, you'll know which one when you see it.

P.S. Believe me, this encounter will answer some of the stuff you've wanted know.

Sincerely, King Mickey

King...? Mickey!?

My eyes stare at the short letter in my hands still unable to believe that the king that those three had been looking for actually reached out to me for a meeting...wherever he may be.

Rereading the contents of the letter again to make sure of the contents, I only assure myself of what I had read. Yeah, it was him all right.

A train will be waiting for me at seven, huh? I glanced over to the clock hanging above my wall. I only had fifteen minutes to decide whether to believe the mouse or not. Either I left right now and met with him or...I stayed behind.

What did I gain from staying here? Sora would soon awake. He didn't need me much. Riku could look after him while he slept these last three days. Besides...seeing Roxas disappear wasn't something I wanted to witness.

I sighed and got up while crumpling the paper into a ball and throwing it in the trash. After leaving my room, I headed straight for Naminé's room. I call her name as I enter and she turns a bit startled at me.

"What's the matter?" she asks a bit confused.

I shake my head and glance up at Sora. "I wanted to ask you something. The necklace I gave to Roxas, what will happen to it once he returns to Sora?"

"It'll be passed down to him," she answered.

It was something I had figured and nod at her one last time before asking, "Could it be possible to interconnect one bracelet to more than one necklace?"

"Why do you ask?"

Should I tell her? I ignore the question. If I do, it'll be involving her too much in my problems. I couldn't do that to her. "I want to make sure that he's being thoroughly watched over. He can't be left alone or he'll hurt himself or something," I lie with a small smile placed on my face.

She looks at me for an instant before nodding. "That sounds like a good idea." Her hand moved towards the bracelet on her left wrist and took it off. Taking my own right wrist into her hand, she places it on me. "This will do. If you're near those who wear the necklaces corresponding to this bracelet, the beads will shine and you will know what is happening to them. If you ever find yourself in need of another necklace just pull a bead from here to create it. This bracelet only has two necklaces left."

"Nice," I grin as I look at the crystal beads that hang from the tight wrist band. I look at her with a small smile before adding, "Thanks by the way. For everything."

She shook her head once and gave me back the same smile. "Thank you, Ayano. I've learned plenty from you. And for that I am thankful." She glanced over at Sora before continuing. "DiZ is very preoccupied with Sora's awakening, just like Riku. No one's really minding anybody else's business, huh?"

My half-hooded eyes widen at her sudden comment. Soon enough, though, I understand the meaning of her words. She perceived what I wanted to do. It was the only reason she would be speaking to me in that manner.

"I have a job to do too," I reply and scratch my cheek and soon enough begin leaving. "It was a pleasure meeting you Naminé. You were one of the few who understood me most. I'm thankful for that. So, thank you."

"You're welcome," she said with a smile. With this last farewell, I leave and pass DiZ without warning. I see Riku nowhere in the vicinity and for that I was glad. Out of all, I think he would be the one to be asking many questions.

Without any further distractions, I arrive at the train station minutes before seven. After buying my ticket, I stand in the platforms awaiting this train that Mickey said to wait for.

I blew away my bangs that had grown annoyingly long. Nowadays, I had to have my hair tied or in a braid for it to stay put and that bothered me too much. I waited with my arms crossed before me and my foot tapping the platform floor. A few minutes in, the great clock tower above the platform ticked and the tower gave away seven consecutive bell tolls. I glanced up as it resonated and heaviness settle upon my pain made me hold my chest tightly with my hand. This guilt would be the end of me someday.

Heaving a sigh, I let my eyes close. The moment I did, though, I heard a distant train whistle blow twice. Glancing at the only empty platform, I watch as a overly flamboyant train the color of purple and gold came to a halt before me. I stare dumbfounded at its astounding and zealous colors. I blew my bangs away once again and huffed a chuckle. Atop the engine compartment was a triangular hat with ears on it.

Yep, this was the train all right. Nothing like it around here. The door opened by itself the moment I came near it. Briefly stopping before entering inside, I sat down on one of the many open sits. As soon as I was ready, the train departed and in less than minutes it was heading out of Twilight Town.

"Where the hell is it taking me?" I murmur to myself as I look out one of the star-shaped windows. My answer came soon after as the scenario outside disappeared and in its stead came to be a rainbow-colored sky and ground. The railroads on which it traveled appeared as it went and made me wonder just where in the hell I was.

In what seemed a couple of hours, the train was finally tooting its whistle signaling that the next stop was on its way. Looking out the window again, I saw this tower that was appearing through the horizon along with a piece of land that remained afloat where nothing else stood.

Within twenty minutes the train halted just before the tower and opened its doors to show the way out. Standing up and getting out, I walked only a few steps away from it before I heard a distinct whoosh. Turning behind me, I gasped as the train completely disappeared.

Well, I guess there's no turning back. It didn't take me long to get to the double doors that stood as entrance and went through them. I grimaced at seeing what was inside.

Stairs. Fucking hate stairs. Sighing away my annoyance, I began climbing staircase after staircase. I must have gone three or four floors up before I saw a door that didn't look like that others.

To me there was no point to bother with knocking so instead I opened the door. Inside the room was a simple study. A desk and arm chair stood in the middle. The windows of odd shapes stood behind it and shelves of books adorned the walls along with a couple of wood chairs and buckets with brooms as well. A single candle's dim light illuminated the small room that I had stepped in. A single other door stood to the far right of the room. After a second of silence it opened and out came a short, hooded figure but by the huge round ears I figured there was just one person whom it could be.

"You called for me, Mickey?" I call out putting my hand on my hip. At my outburst, he jumped startled but then quickly recognized it was me. He quickly faced the inside of the other room. I didn't hear much beyond the muffle of his voice which, in reality, I didn't care much for. All I cared about was why he had called me out here when Sora wasn't even fully awake.

"I'm glad ya decided to heed my letter, Ayano," he replied and walked forth to stand a few feet before me as we stood in front of the desk. "After I heard from Master Yen Sid what you were to Oswald, I had to see for myself."

"So that's what this was all about?" I ask in disbelief. "To showcase me?"

"No! Absolutely not!" he called loudly and waving his hands in denial. Odd. He seemed squeamish. "Master Yen Sid told me everything he knew about you which is something that I think you should hear for yourself."

"That's nonsense," I call starting to leave and reaching for the doorknob. "There's nothing I don't know about myself."

"You do not know everything, child."

My hand froze at hearing that deep and lethargic voice. My eyes widened and I couldn't help my be nervous.

That voice...

"We cannot allow her to fall into the wrong hands. You understand this, don't you, Oswald?"

I turn to find an old man in blue robes and a pointed blue hat with stars on it. His beard fell before his robe and he glanced at me with a piercing stare.

"I assume you know who I am."

"Yeah." My anger was spilling with venom through my words. I hated this guy. It was because of him that I ran away from Wasteland. He had been the one forcing Oswald to throw me away.

"You're the bastard that wanted to send me away from Os."

Pretty damn long for a first chapter but nonetheless it's a fair start. It took me about two weeks to write this so maybe that'll be the pace of stuff. Don't count on it though -w-

So how was it? Anything interesting or confusing yet? Good :D

Dont forget to review! C: