[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/220729/023912a75a8a9b16c801799640a60148.png[/img]

[b]Word Count:[/b] 870
[b]Level 8 Roxas:[/b] 22/80
[b]Exp Gained:[/b] +2
[b]NEW EXP Balance---[/b] 24/80

[h3]Skies of Dystopia[/h3][/center]

It was a relief when the Virgin Victory managed to escape above the storm clouds. That relief was very short lived, followed by a whirlwind of “Oh crap!” that was itself followed by a completely different iteration of “Oh crap!”. The first Oh Crap was when the Moebius emerged and it became clear that the ship was not going to get away from him in its current state. The second Oh Crap was when the other ship suddenly appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. No one had any idea if this was friend or foe, so there was no telling if the Seekers’ situation was improving or getting worse.

All fears were alleviated when the fighters who emerged all took on Z, meaning they were no friends of the Consul in question. All the better when they managed to route him and allow their collective escape. A few of the Seekers recognized Dante the triplets, although Roxas did not. But he then heard a voice that could easily have been a third Oh Crap, albeit a positive one in this context - as Tora came bounding out to join the others, and he wasn’t alone. Unless his eyes were playing tricks on him, Roxas also spotted the familiar form of Poppi accompanying him too!

[color=gold]”Tora! Poppi!”[/color] Roxas exclaimed with excitement as he pulled off his mask and clipped it to his hip. Hugs and reunions were had by all. For once, the Seekers actually did manage to catch a break after enduring a conga line of disaster after disaster. Needless to say, the fortune of Poppi’s return was very very welcomed. [color=gold]”You did it, Tora! You saved her!”[/color] Roxas happily said to Tora, [color=gold]”How'd you do it?”[/color]

"It thanks to Organization member, meh" Tora explained. "She retrieve Poppi spirit from valley of ruin. Friends all aware that spirits are data, yes? It seem like for artificial being like Poppi, experiences get written to spirit as well as memory. So after Tora make new body, Poppi spirit give everything needed to bring Poppi back!"

The answer gave Roxas a pause. The Organization did this? Knowing them there had to be some kind of strings attached. But frankly, he was too glad to see Poppi again to worry about that right now. If this was part of some scheme, they could cross that bridge when they got to it.

Poppi didn't know what to make of her situation herself, nor the frank discussion of her artificial nature, but she seemed every bit as grateful as Tora that things turned out for the better. "For me, it like dreamless sleep," she mentioned. "By now, whole experience in Valley of Ruin feel more like nightmare than reality. But now Poppi awake, and glad to be back."

[color=gold]”I’m glad you’re back, too.”[/color] Roxas told Poppi, [color=gold]”[i]Both[/i] of you!”[/color] And now, with the danger seemingly passed, Roxas figured it was safe to let Scamp out of his Poke Ball, and so that’s what he did. [color=gold]”Come on back out, Scamp. You still haven’t met everyone yet.”[/color] The Yamper appeared out of the Ball’s light and barked its usual cry of “bow-wark!” then scampered around in circles, clearly energetic and excited by all the new faces around.

The happy reunions also came with some serious talk. Mostly about Alcamoth, as Midna asked about it once she returned from inside the ship. In addition she also inquired about the strangers who were accompanying Dante - the Lost Numbers, as they called themselves. And they’re explanation honestly left Roxas wondering something, a question he was certain was on everybody’s mind in some shape or form. Or if it wasn’t then his pointing it out would certainly pique people’s curiosity.

[color=gold]”Wait, but… if you were born [i]here[/i] in Galeem’s world,”[/color] Roxas spoke up, unable to keep himself from asking this, [color=gold]”then what happens to you when this is all over?”[/color]

Dawn and Cirrus exchanged a look, the latter wearing a sardonic expression that quickly got turned on Roxas. "Beats the hell out of me," the man told him. "Dawn here thinks we might get pulled into the world our parents came from. Of course, that wouldn't turn out well for those of us whose parents came from two different worlds, now would it?" He shrugged, his gaze listless. "Me, my bet's on ceasing to exist. But hey, what can you do."

His sister sighed, unable to sugarcoat the situation.

Their answer was… about what Roxas expected, and he looked down at his shoes. It was one thing to want to fight Galeem and put the worlds back how they were. But could he still do it if it meant some people had to disappear along with this world? Roxas was no stranger to being made to disappear in order to help another. He had to do it once himself. At the time he was angry about it, feeling like the choice was being made for him against his will - and he wondered if either Dawn and Cirrus were feeling the same.

[color=gold]”I’m… sorry.”[/color] Roxas finally said. [color=gold]”I probably shouldn’t have brought it up.”[/color]