The Death in Darkness

Chapter 1: Talisman

            Traverse Town was always the crossroads of Worlds. Anything that affected all worlds affected Traverse Town when it first began. Even when the walls were up, Traverse Town was open for commerce for those who had a gummi ship. People owned shops, but very few people lived there. Those that did often liked it compared to their home world. Others were so small when they arrived that they didn't know anywhere else. The arrival of the Heartless due to Ansem's research in Hollow Bastion had caused an upset of the Worlds, and everything had changed, some for the worse, some for the better. Even with the walls on the worlds, they were weaker, thinner, and would be for a long time. Thin enough for travel and commerce. Noone had noticed until one genius tried a gummi ship flight, and succeeded. People were no longer trapped on small Worlds, but opened up to the whole universe. It did, however, also open up a more likely chance of the Heartless returning, or for the darkness spreading. The balance had just gotten more delicate. Many stories could be told about the times after the initial Heartless appearance, and this tale is just one of many.

            The ferry to the Coliseum was already loading. People of all kinds were on the ship already--Traverse Town was just the last stop before the Coliseum. A girl, around 17 1/2, boarded the ferry like all the others, carrying a duffel bag. She selected her seat and plunked down, her slightly spiky brown hair bouncing as she sat. She wasn't attractive, but she wasn't unattractive. She was just plain. A pale blue crop top, blue jeans, and a tan belt and holster carrying a pistol was all she needed, really. Her green eyes glanced over the crowd on the ferry, seeking out any new faces. She'd been a regular on the ferry since she could remember. Seeing no one, she glanced out the window, running her fingers along the grip of her pistol. She'd recently taken it apart and modified it. Everyone had a reason for going to the Coliseum. Hers was combat.

            The White Mushroom wandered through the Coliseum in silent, almost unobserved motion. A pink metal chain with a black and pink yin and yang patterned crystal heart pendant was on its neck. It watched everyone disembark on the Ferry nervously. It knew exactly what it was looking for...It thought. The Heartless wove through the crowds; the stampedes of small children, the parents trying to keep track of their children, the hopeful warriors. If they saw the Heartless, they paid it no mind. White Mushrooms were known for friendliness, which considering they were Heartless was completely disturbing. Still, everything had a purpose. The White Mushrooms and Rare Truffles were just created for different means than the others. This little one, however, had something to deliver, and quickly, before the enemy could take one step further.

            The girl meandered over to Phil and Hercules, still clutching her duffel. She waited for Phil to finish talking before speaking.

            "Hey. Phil. Are there any open slots for the Tournament this time?" She asked. Phil looked at her a minute before shaking his head.

            "Look Andrea, I'll tell you once again and that's it. The Tournament is for Hero's ONLY. Now if you want to compete, you'll have to get a license or wait for an opening." Phil said. "And you'll KNOW when we have one because you always COME here!"

            Andrea pursed her lips thoughtfully.

            "Don't worry about it, Andrea. Phil's just been under a lot of stress lately. We think Hades has been up to something. Again." Hercules said. Hercules was a lot friendlier than Phil was, though Andrea was fond of the both of them. They were definitely amusing. Then, she had a sick sense of humor. Unlike most people, she was downright morbid, and that suited her just fine. In fact, it was somewhat amusing.

            The White Mushroom glanced around. Unlike most creatures, it, like other Heartless, were gifted with the ability to see a person's Heart. Not all Heartless used it for good things. Some, if not most, abused this power. Not that the others were surprised. There was, of course, a universal balance of light and dark, and good and evil. Without the Balance, most creatures knew, the cosmos would simply not exist. The White Mushroom stopped at the pounding of a Heart nearby. It was the physical aspect of the heart, the one that kept the body alive, but it could hear it, clearly. The familiar sound and scent caused the Heartless to look. Closing it's little yellow-gold eyes, it listened to the metaphysical Heart, and the one Heartless usually preyed upon.

            Her physical appearance didn't matter for now. She was young and primed for her 'abilities' to start showing up. Their dormancy didn't matter, because they could always be awakened, but it had to be soon, before THEY found her. Her life was critical right now, although she didn't know it. On a metaphysical scale, she stuck out like a sore thumb, looking so much inside like their Master before THEY found him. If THEY found her, was no other chance. THEY had already nearly upset everything once... She hadn't changed much. She was lucky to be alive. The Master would be most pleased when he awoke again...

            The White Mushroom jerked it's head up when one of the less couragous caught direct sight of it and screamed.

            "HEARTLESS!"

            Andrea glanced as the confusion at the Coliseum began. People were racing for safety. There wasn't anything.. Except a small mushroom creature getting knocked around. It seemed to be the source of the confusion. Andrea pushed her way through, pulling a tachi, usually a sword used by mounted riders according to her books, and grabbed the creature.

            The White Mushroom squealed in the confusion before locking its eyes with the girl who grabbed it. Yes. This was the one. However, now that its presence was considered dangerous, it didn't have time to awaken it's Master. The talisman had to be delivered now. The White Mushroom looped the pendant that it had worn around its neck around the female's neck. Before she could react, it wriggled, spun, and vanished in her hands.

            Andrea blinked a minute after the Heartless vanished, then poked the pendant at her neck. It was a rock, like a pink ruby. At least, she thought it was. If it were cursed, she'd already know, because she'd feel it already. Whatever it had been up to, no way to find out now. Andrea was vaguely aware of Hercules calming everyone down, and encouraging them to take their seats. Andrea moved for the benches and sat to watch the first match.