World Refugees Final Mix

What's all this about a nightmare epidemic, now? There's nothing interesting even going on around here anymore, unless you count the Nobody from way back and who even knows what happened to her anyway. You'd think it'd be Ari and me suffering nightmares, with the shit we've been through lately. And I don't know about her, but I haven't had any hint of one. Epic battle dreams, yes, but those are totally normal and not actually nightmarish at all!

The only reason I can think that anyone here would have any problems with dreams are the Dark Terrorists, but from how what's-her-name acted before, I doubt it was her because why would she go after Eli? So I'm thinking it's Medrau. The why is still up in the air, though. Maleficent must be up to something again, but I'm betting you guys would know that better than me.

But yeah! I figured one of us should check in sometime this century. We're still alive and have everything completely under control! Disregard the angry pirates that may or may not be after our blood ships. Ari and I are simply peachy.

How's life going for you guys, nightmares notwithstanding? Who else is up to shenanigans~?

[ There is a faint, warm light flickering nearby - a candle, trying and failing to further illuminate the distinctively dreary, gray light that accompanies a storm. Ray looks like she only just woke up, eyes blinking owlishly from sleep. When she speaks, her voice is slow, solemn, with a tinge of something else just beneath the surface that she doesn't want to show. ]

The plan is working. It's slow going. But we expected that, you know? [ She smiles. ] Can't cure poison instantly. It takes time to heal. We were doing it, though. We were making it happen. [ Ray looks away for a moment, smile faltering. When her eyes flick back to the screen, it has faded completely. ] But there's something you guys need to see.

[ The camera whirls as Ray picks it up and turns it around. It settles on a view of the tops of buildings, and the sky beyond. Strange, dark clouds are roiling up there, and lightning flickers from far off. They are eerily reminiscent of the storm that struck Earth and Destiny Islands years ago. ]

[ Ray's voice is soft when she speaks again, almost a whisper. ] Look familiar to anyone? They just rolled in the other day, but the storm hasn't begun just yet. They were on the horizon for a few days before that. Everyone thought it was just another storm, a hurricane out of season or something. I hoped they were right, but this... [ She pauses, taking a deep breath. ] It brought more Heartless with it. More than Atlantica's been seeing lately, and that's a lot already. We've lost more people to them and the Miasma, and it... It doesn't look good. Not at all.

I don't know if we should even bother trying to neutralize the Miasma anymore. I think we're running out of time for that. At this point, I think it's time to just give up on saving Atlantica, and rescue who we can before it's too late.

[ There is a shaky sigh. ] All this, right when we found a way.

Oh, and I haven't seen anyone that looked particularly suspicious, as per Margaret's suggestion. Not that that means much anymore, around here. Everyone's looking suspicious, and we've been busy.

So, um. Yeah. Atlantica's basically lost, now. I don't suppose it would be feasible to ask for help in rescuing who we can? I know Lesley and Eliphas and I have our various Corridors, and I don't know about them, but I can only open mine for so long. I've gotten better at it, but it isn't enough for a rescue of such a large scale. Not to mention that I've been feeling pretty shitty lately, but that's probably exposure to the Miasma.

[ Ray goes quiet for a few moments. Lightning flickers, and yells float up from the streets, quieted a second later by an echo of rolling thunder. ]

I'm going to go talk to Ariel and Eric. Maybe King Triton, if I can get a hold of him. We have to get rescue efforts underway as soon as possible.

[ The camera shuts off. ]

Yen Sid's plan didn't work. There's something interfering, though he couldn't tell what. He said he'll keep trying, though.

I don't know, guys, and I'm pretty shitty at riddles. "Closer than you think, further than you know?" I don't know. I suck at this.

Someone should check out Space Paranoids like Med suggested. I'd say Earth, too, but that's a bit... big to search in the time allotted. Um... I want to check and make sure that he isn't in this locket. Stupid idea, maybe, but just in case, y'know?

And I guess... I'd say the Timeless River should be given a once over, but Maleficent can't get in there, right? That isn't to say someone couldn't have done it for her, though. I'm gonna go check the digital Twilight Town tomorrow, and after that see if I can get to The World That Never Was. I'm thinking if he's gonna be somewhere, it'll be somewhere with lots of Darkness since that's kind of her thing. Dark Corridors, maybe? He couldn't be lost in there, right? Or... god forbid, that dark beach we got stranded on...


And you know, I think we really do need to get her laid. Maybe then she wouldn't be such a bitch.

[ here's Ray, sitting in a large, dim library. There's a few piles of books around her, but she's focused on the one in her hands ]

I've been burying myself in some more dusty old tomes for the past few weeks here in Meridian. Didn't find much on what I wanted, until last night.

I was researching Light Corridors, between trying to find any hints about what's been going on, lately. This book here [ holds up the book she was looking at ] says that, if you're not taught the proper way to use them, you need assistance to do so - that would be my bracelet, I think [ holds up her wrist for a second to show it ]. It's enchanted to make portals, and I can't do it without. But the book goes on to say that, in order to learn to use Light Corridors without assistance, you need "a mastery of the Light."

[ She finally looks at the camera ] I don't know how many of you know about it, but I crafted a Light spell a while back, using what Calum told me about how he used Darkness. I took the Darkness spell, if you can call it that, and tried to turn it into Light, using the same technique. It took me some time, and it apparently required me turning into a light fairy, but I got it to work, and it's a lot easier for me to use than Calum's Dark... thing. Problem is, it's still a first-level spell.

[ grins ] So. Anyone want to help me go for Lightra? Maybe you, Roxas, since your element way back when was Light? Figure I could learn something from you about it, if you let me. If not, ah well. Any help from anyone about this would be much appreciated!

I've missed Twilight Town.

Y'know, it's kind of weird not seeing Heartless around.

And that's weird because the Heartless aren't supposed to be around anymore in the first place.

But there's not a one around here. No Heartless, Nobodies, nothing, just like Aria said way back when. It's just monsters, same old same old for this world.

It's starting to get a little unnerving, honestly.

So, uh. Sorry for missing the party and all, and I haven't had much time until now to say anything, but...

We've been busy. We were busy here, with the investigation and all that, but on Halloween... On Halloween, the Heartless showed up. They're still around, and we're still fighting 'em here and there, but that's not the point. They were supposed to be gone; what the hell happened?

I'll tell you one thing, though, Prince Adam is even more pissed now than he was before.

And if they're really back, this can't be the only world they're on. Have they shown up anywhere else?

[ Ray's sounding kind of hesitant ]

Uh, hey, Calum.

I know this isn't exactly the best time, but... I'd kind of like to talk to you, if I can. Y'know, like last time? No threats to your safety unless you threaten mine - that sort of thing. I've just... got some questions.

RAK I AM GOING TO KILL YOU