The Girl of Darkness

'So, how is she settling down?' Maleficent asked Riku as they were by the lookout balcony, overseeing the Great Maw where the gathered Heartless Army are.

'Hmm, she thinks we got too much space when its just us here.' Riku snorted with an armfold. 'She was baffled we live here yet almost no one.'

'True. Not just anyone can survive the darkness this castle possesses.' said Maleficent. 'A common person will immediately become a Heartless once exposed to the darkness of this world. Yet your friend reeks of stronger darkness, stronger than even I.'

That got Riku in disbelief.

'What?!' Riku did a double-take. 'Sweet, innocent, naive Beiyue, possess great darkness?!' he asked in disbelief. 'I've known her for years!'

'Do not judge a book by its cover Riku. There are always surprises everywhere.' said Maleficent chidingly. 'Her powers are pitch-black, so black if I looked into her strength further, I would lose myself.' she stated stiffly, conjuring an image of Beiyue who was by the grounds of Villain's Vale, her castle, as she plays an instrument on her lap. The heartless gather around her and that's it, just puzzled at what to do with her as down below, due to her darkness, they see her as 'one of them'. 'And she can already control them to a degree I see. She knows not what she possesses.'

'Beiyue...' Riku croaked out, amazed.

xxx

'So you got something from your old world.' said Riku, walking through the Heartless that listens to his friend play.

'Yeah...its been so long since I last played a table harp.' said Beiyue. 'I got a little rusty.' she chuckled as she put it away, her magic looking like black smoke as she banished her harp. 'If my late mother knew I'll get scolded.'

'...when did you awaken your dark powers though? I had to learn and bring it out the hard way if I am to live with these things.' said Riku, waving an arm at the heartless around them.

'Probably when I got exposed for the first time.' said Beiyue softly. 'I was the last living person in the islands as it was being swallowed by darkness when its heart was devoured...winds swept me off my feet and pulled me towards the black hole that was consuming our world.' she told him, showing him images of how her last memories of the islands were.

'It was a deadly force.' she continued. 'If I didn't focus on staying sane than be consumed, I'll drown in the darkness and become these things myself...so I thought, why not consume it and make it my own?' Beiyue opened a black corridor. 'Wanna see the Realm of Darkness? Once you're there, you will basically...face yourself. Face everything negative and bad about you being brought to life there taunt you while tormenting you. And if you think these little things are weak here because its in the Realm of Light? They are loads stronger in their home turf...become darkness or lose your life. And that's not an option.'

'You've gone through a lot it seems.' Riku remarked thoughtfully as he took a peek inside to see a bleak-looking world of black and gray.

'Yeah. If not for my master, I'll never see you guys again.' said Beiyue with a sad smile. 'Master isn't in the Realm of Light any longer. He departed after seeing I'll survive on my own. He wanted to learn more about Heartless.'

Because of her dark powers, the residents of the Mysterious Tower collaborated to spin a tale to fool friends to fool enemies.

'Heee...so what did you learn under him?'

'Small, but important facts.' Beiyue chuckled. 'The bigger and uglier, the more of a bad or downright-evil person you were in life. It makes you wonder...what kind of person a Heartless used to be before they became one. These tiny things we see here are a mere handwave away compared to what's worse.' she explained, waving an arm at the Shadows surrounding them. 'In short, you face a person's evil, their darkness, not a monster if Heartless attacks you.' Riku gawked at that. 'Second, which is good for orphans such as us, killing them makes money.' she said, taking out her sword and killed one, making it drop money and she picked it up before pocketing it. 'Stable livelihood.' she grinned before going serious. 'Heartless keep what's in their pockets when they were human. And the reason still baffles master to this day. He's on a...study pilgrimage, so to speak.'

Beiyue then looked at the setting sun.

'By the way, its gonna be dinnertime soon...where's the market? And does Maleficent even have diningware or a kitchen?'

Riku laughed at that.

'Oh, don't worry about that, Pete's our cook.' he snorted. 'He does everything here while I do everything else on the field.'

xxx

'Well, that's new.' said Pete as he and Maleficent finished eavesdropping on the kids. 'Does anyone knows what she and her Master know?'

'I doubt that.' said Maleficent coolly. 'Its already a progress to get this much.' she said, narrowing her eyes. 'Her master knows plenty enough about our future fates, should we lose control. That, we cannot afford. Let's keep an eye on things.'

xxx

Riku mostly hung out with Beiyue. Be it by talking or sparring with her and doing this brings joy to her heart.

She also helps him with dark magic out of fear for his well-being as his alignment made him a resident of Light, not of Dark like her. He doesn't have the immunity she has. She gave him some of her darkness energy to protect his heart and body from darkness as her own way to help him as a 'training wheel' like her sword was to her. As long as he believes in her, her magic will keep darkness away from his light and his heart.

Because losing isn't an option until they get back her sister and Sora.

'You've been going around while I trained in the tower for a couple months huh?' Beiyue mused as they ate Sea-Salt Ice Cream together.

'Yeah. And I should be honest with you.' said Riku.

'Hm?'

'Beiyue...to save your sister, we have to do a bad thing.' Riku told her.

'A...bad thing?' Beiyue frowned.

'I'm not sure if this will even work. But I'm willing to take chances.' said Riku, clearly troubled by this. 'Maleficent said Kairi's heart is lost. Its why no matter her magic, we can't find her. We need to kidnap seven Princesses of Light in exchange for Kairi. And I already got Alice for her.' Beiyue gasped at that. 'Before Alice, she already got Princesses Aurora, Cinderella, and Snow White.'

'Oh dear...' Beiyue was stunned, that Riku learned how to be a kidnapper for her sister's sake.

'Its all we've got. Kairi's a sitting duck, so we have to pull our muscle.' Riku informed her. 'And I'm gambling as it is.'

'Hmph. She had better deliver for making you go this far.' Beiyue growled, her eyes flashing yellow in warning. 'Or she'll be figuring out how to leave the Realm of Darkness.'

'Realm of Darkness...and you've clearly been there.' said Riku in trepidation, worrying for Beiyue.

'Yup. When you master at least, Dark Firaga, I will take you there for a visit.' Beiyue smiled. 'So you'll have combat training against nasty stuff, yes? I can easily get us out, as I got a poor trapped lady there out.'

'Trapped lady?'

'Yeah. Speaking of trapped lady...she told me stuff while we talked.'

Her name...is Master Aqua.

xxx

For Master Aqua,

It still felt surreal.

She was in the Realm of Darkness, suffering loneliness, despair, guilt and fear for ten years, unable to get out as she lost her Keyblade.

Then this young girl came.

Beautiful, but she felt like Master Xehanort. Reeked of Darkness.

She was Beiyue, a thirteen year old girl who, in Aqua's opinion, was born with great misfortune in fear her potential might attract Xehanort to her like Terra did and didn't end well for him.

However, for how she was too strong in power, she was inexperienced. Born with great talent. Unpolished talent.

But she got her out without much effort. Heartless stayed away from her. Even the Demon Tides chasing Aqua for years backed off on her orders!

To her horror, she said, 'Ah that? I'm so pitch-black they see me as peer, I'm not sure whether to be flattered or not since they destroyed my home.'

Destiny Islands was destroyed.

Beiyue was the last survivor and witnessed a black hole destroying her world, and ended up at Master Yen Sid's place, and learned of her powers. Which she uses to great effect she made Beiyue swear to keep her power as a trump card...lest she end up like Terra if she gets the wrong attention.

And told Beiyue about her tale.

'I see...what a real piece of work.' Beiyue shook her head. 'Taste a little power, you gain some god-complex and be a little shit about it. He is a perfect example of a Resident of Light who tasted the power of darkness. For me who is a Resident of Darkness, I actually weaken in the World of Light. I'm like, half the power outside if here, I can kill anyone if I feel like it.'

Beiyue told her that the power of Darkness is a tempting drug, bringing out the worst in a Resident of Light. Xehanort is a perfect example. Particularly in arrogant people. But for Darkness Residents like her, its like living a normal life like any normal person would...but she gained a sort of morbid mindset and learned black jokes...and swearing became a normal thing too when before, she couldn't swear.

And when Aqua expressed her opinions about the two powers...

'That's pretty arrogant too...because any form of power is just a mere tool. Like how we use a pen to write...but how we use a pen is up to us. Writing good stories for entertainment or bad stories to slander others. A knife to help cook food or hurt others by stabbing them.' Beiyue would say. 'Keyblade. Light. Darkness. Are just tools.' Beiyue told her. 'Its up to us how to use those tools. Its also our choice, whether to be like Xehanort...or not.'

Then Beiyue cleansed her of the taint she gained in her ten years for her heart and mind to recover, and now she is in Traverse Town, a world that was born when many worlds are destroyed recently...Destiny Islands included, and recommended she stay with the Heartless Resistance to meet and mentor Sora, her friend who somehow, got a Keyblade according to her master and doesn't have a clue how to use it beyond...whacking stuff.

Aqua was floored by Beiyue's words.

A Keyblade is an important treasure and he's using it like you would whacking a pinata?

Not like King Mickey's subordinates teaching him how to use it. He has no master to teach him right. At least Donald, the Royal Wizard taught him magic.

Beiyue then left her in Traverse Town with a large pouch of munny as Heartless drop money when killed and Beiyue enjoys such financial sources as you can't travel without money, while looking for her foster sister Kairi. Out of four friends, only her sister can't fight. At least Riku would be OK, now that she found Sora thanks to her Master Yen Sid who detected the awakening of a Keyblade User and it turned out to be Sora.

And now here she is.

She never dreamed that the boy she met ten years ago...is this, now.

'Ahhh! You're that lady from ten years ago!'

He didn't forget her either.

'And you are...?' Leon inquired.

xxx

'...so that's how it is...I thought it was just some mumbo-jumbo by Terra. I'm actually a future Keyblade wielder, his heir!' Riku looked excited as he listened to Beiyue of stories she gained from Aqua, a Keyblade Master. 'The words he spoke to me is actually a ritual to gain a successor!'

'Don't tell Maleficent though...and regain the strong heart that made Terra choose you.' Beiyue told him. 'Listening to Maleficent damaged you. Remember ten years ago, that made you ideal heir, Riku.' she reminded him. 'You have a strong heart that you could keep holding his Keyblade in your hands back then.'

'I will.' said Riku in determination. 'I WILL be a Keyblade Wielder, just you wait!' he promised her. 'And looking for Kairi will be a lot easier!'

'Yeah.' Beiyue smiled. 'Then we look for Terra to help Master Aqua. Xehanort...ruined him so bad just to have his body. Beware of any man with gold eyes trying to lure you to darkness, Riku. Never listen to him.' she warned him.

'Right!'

'Let's work hard while keeping our little secret from Maleficent and Pete. Good thing she's out with Jafar or something!'

Riku then got a dark envelope.

'...we got a job. C'mon!'

xxx

'Oh come on! It can't be that hard!' Beiyue was floored with their orders. 'Jafar, a sorcerer more seasoned than me, have trouble looking for one person?' their job, was to find and kidnap Princess Jasmine in Agrabah next.

'It baffles me as well, making me question his competence. His excuses are just as pathetic.' said Maleficent in a cold sneer. 'Be on your way and I'll enjoy laughing to his face that children are far more competent than he!'

'On it.' said Riku as he and Beiyue vanished.

And in Agrabah...

The clothes are interesting, to say the least.

'Eek! H-how revealing! This is scandalous!'

Beiyue was freaking out.

Why?

She wore what native girls wear.

A coral pink tube top, add-on pink sleeves, and matching harem pants with red shoes with a veil on her head. Her outfit was more princess-y because of gold embroidery and she had jewelry on her person. Riku wore an open vest that tormented her with his physique and harem pants too, but his shoes are pointier than hers. She could see how muscular and ripped he was with no body fat whatsoever with such sculpted body, her white face now sembled a tomato and someone was using her heart as a drum.

'Er, the sooner we get this job done the sooner your culture clash torment will be over. Just how sheltered are you exactly?' Riku sweatdropped as Beiyue's upbringing got her horrified with this world's choice of wear. Bad enough she freaked out with dresses back home till she got used to it! Then again, her...top may be called underwear...he was a little embarrassed, but failure is out of the question. And was her waist ever that small?

'I look like a harlot! I hate this! Let's hurry up!' Beiyue wailed in dismay, looking ready to cry, as they ran into the streets and eager to cheat with her magic just to get things done faster.

However, Sora was also here at the same time they are, it was a little weird hiding from him.

xxx

'...that smarmy little vizier could have had em', had someone stuck around to give him a hand.' said Hades in playful mocking to the kids. The kids took advantage that Sora and Jafar are busy with each other to kidnap Jasmine.

'Awww zip it, he should know better.' Beiyue snarked back, hands behind her head casually. 'He got complacent. And its a little embarrassing on his end. What an idiot.' she said derisively.

'Ouch kid, you're soooo cold we should warm up a little!' Hades cackled as he went orange flames, snickering. That was the only moment of light they have in their dark meeting room.

'Fufu, Jafar let his hatred get a little out of hand. One must be careful not to let it burn too fiercely.' Maleficent chuckled with a cold smile.

'Now then, we got our second princess.' said Riku. 'So where's our end of the deal?'

'Really people, you're getting way too cold.' Hades fanned himself with his hand. 'Oh yes, twerps, we got a little special something for you~'

'We had a deal, yes?' said Maleficent. 'You help us, and we grant you your wish...' on the round stone slab, a magic circle appeared, showing an image of a sleeping Kairi causing the kids to gasp.

'Kairi!' Riku gasped out.

'Go...your vessel awaits.' said Maleficent, as Captain Hook stepped in with an arrogant swagger.

'Just remember, this is no pleasure cruise.' he said. 'It won't be a pleasant voyage.'

'It must not be, with you as a ship captain.' Beiyue snorted, making Sea Salt Ice Cream appear for her to eat.

'Hey! i'm a ship captain worth my salt! Have some respect!' Captain Hook cried indignantly in his whining. Hades and Ursula had fun at his expense.

xxx

On Captain Hook's ship...there was Kairi, sleeping in a room in a cabin.

'My god...Kairi...' Beiyue croaked out, placing a hand on Kairi's forehead. 'She's alive, but cold!' Riku touch Kairi but quickly yanked his hand back.

'Too cold! Is losing your heart doing this to one's body? It felt like someone buried her in ice and just excavated her out.' Riku shuddered. 'You said you saw visions before our island was destroyed, right?'

'Yeah...visions of you three in the Play Island on our...last night at home.' Beiyue choked out. 'Riku...why is Maleficent gathering Princesses? What's the end game?'

'I don't know yet. Maybe we'll get told once we have almost everyone.' said Riku. 'Maleficent is searching for those who are Princess of Heart, girls whose hearts are pure light, not possessing a drop of darkness. We take the girls, we get Kairi back.'

'I hope so...the culprit who destroyed our home will pay, mark my words.' Beiyue promised him. 'Come on, let's take Kairi back to Villain's Vale. I'm a little iffy leaving Kairi with a bunch of men!'

xxx

Dongling knows she's connected to Beiyue just so she can see how her miss is doing just so Dongling won't worry about her.

But!

There's particularly strong feelings it makes her head and magic hurt during royal dinner...

Her miss is horrified, embarrassed and...frantic?

'Dongling?' the Emperor frowned.

'T-this is...nothing!' Dongling wheezed out but she buckled over, causing her magic to explode...and showed visions she normally can only see in her dreams at night. But its not even bed time yet, what's going on?! 'Eek!' she then buckled over, showing visions.

It was...about that small talk in Villain's Vale...before the mission to Agrabah that made for an...interesting dinner show.

'Eep...'

The family and servants were...speechless.

'Er...what was that?' Yingye squeaked as Dongling shakily stood up.

'I'm forbidden to say with magic I'm sorry~!' Dongling wailed. 'B-but miss...she said just so I won't worry about her connected our minds together so I would see how she's doing...usually in dreams! This is the first time this happened, probably because she was super-embarrassed!'

'With an outfit like that, I can imagine...she said it herself, didn't she?' Prince Jing choking with a red face as Beiyue's questionable outfit got them all scandalized, baring her body form for ALL to see and she has a very beautiful, delicate form for her age. Even more when her feelings and thoughts were VERY CLEAR at looking at Riku's muscularly-ripped torso...

'Who is this boy?!' the Emperor has other worries. His hidden DAUGHTER's thoughts was clear as day, and he wants that boy vetted first! 'He's clearly around my younger sons' age!'

'U-uhm, he's the boy milady likes that way...she's crushing on him for two years now.' said Dongling, twiddling her fingers as the Royal Family choked into their tea and she's pretty sure the maids have a lot to gossip tonight. 'But he's so oblivious and miss is easy to read to boot! Are teenage boys this thick and dumb?!'

She was oblivious to the comical imaginary arrows pointing at Zhanye and Third Prince with the words 'teenage boys' hovering over them as she earned deadpan looks.

'So you see how she's doing in dreams.' the Emperor looked thoughtful. 'I want to see those dreams, Dongling. We'll start after dinner. Show us all your dreams. From the very beginning.'

'Yes sir! But I'm forbidden to show her training dreams though...because in training, her Master only allowed me to know on her wishes...'

'That's fine.'