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Chapter II
Bright Faces


Ashaedia was filled with amazement. Ienzo gently grasped her hand and led her through the open doors for her to get a better view. He beamed with happiness as if Radiant Garden was his world and he was proud of creating it. Ashaedia looked down from the platform, seeing large diamonds of flowerbeds and snow white walls. A town sat below the castle, people milling in and out of the white buildings. A town square sat in the middle of the town, large flowerbeds of vibrant roses, daisies, tulips, morning glories, and wild flowers bringing color to the cobblestone streets. Ashaedia followed Even and Ienzo down a long white staircase that led to three golden gates.
"These gates lead to the town and through the gardens," Even explained, leading Ashaedia to a gate on the far right side. "We'll still see the gardens on our way to the town, so there's plenty to see!" Ashaedia nodded and followed Even through the gate. They walked down another long staircase and arrived at a large garden surrounded by white walls. Fountains spewed water at beautiful angles as the sun beat down on the flowerbeds. The grass was an emerald green, and Ashaedia bent down to feel the grass. She stared at it in amazement, it's soft texture surprisingly comforting. Suddenly, she had a brief vision of a meadow. It wasn't like any old meadow; the ground was nothing but flowers and the paths were the brightest of green grass. The flowers and tree's leaves changed colors constantly, even the bark switched from brown to red at times. It was extremely bright out, golden dust rising and falling with every step Ashaedia took. But it was labored steps, not easy steps. She felt like every step was a ginormous effort, each step making her weaker. Suddenly, she fell forward. The meadow faded from view with painful blurs and she could feel a hand help her up. Ashaedia held her head, a massive headache attacking her.
"Hey, Ashaedia! You alright?" Ienzo's voice said. Ashaedia looked down at him, her blurry vision slowly focusing on him.
"Y-Yeah . . . I just had a vision that I've seen often . . ." Ashaedia replied sheepishly. Even stared at her curiously.
"What type of vision?" He asked.
"It's a vision about a place that's called Mana Meadow. It's a place that's huge, and there's no civilization to ruin the meadow's beauty," Ashaedia explained. "The tree's leaves and the flowers change constantly, as in their color, and when I think of it, I feel so happy, so carefree, but then I can barely walk. And sometimes I see a young boy there." Even nodded.
"So is this a dream?" Even asked.
"I think so. While I slept, I had the dream often. It was a never ending dream that always comes back to me." Ashaedia said.
"It happens. One time I had a dream that never went away but stayed in my memory. But I barely remember it now." Ienzo said.
"Yeah, weird huh?" Ashaedia said to him. Ienzo nodded and he and Even led her through a large cedar door that led to the town. Ashaedia looked from left to right at the town. There were so many strange people . . . Even walked ahead of her and turned around.
"Well now, we're in the town of Radiant Garden. I think you'll get to know many of the residents here. They're all quite kind," Even explained, and he turned to face the town and marched towards it. "But onward! I must give you a tour before I leave you to yourself. Ienzo and I have a lot of work to attend to." Ashaedia acknowledged him, and followed Even and Ienzo towards the town. Even explained the history of the town, Radiant Garden, and about the many people who visit this world. Ashaedia listened intently, taking in the fine details escaping the scientist's mouth. Meanwhile, Ienzo stayed quiet while Even gave Ashaedia a tour. They passed by the town square and into a small part of the town called the Borough. Even pointed towards a dark red door.
"Oh, do you know who lives there?" Ienzo asked, pulling on Ashaedia's sleeve.
"Hm, that door looks familiar and so does the building . . ." Ashaedia said, examining the building. "Oh . . . Oh! It's Merlin's house! I can't believe he still lives here." Even smiled.
"Ah yes! That wizard has been here for most of his life. He has some friends of his who helped a young Keyblader named Sora restore Radiant Garden when it was taken over by the Nobodies and Heartless," Even explained. "Back then in those dark days, this world was called Hallow Bastian." Ashaedia looked up at the pristine castle. She imagined what it was like when it was called Hallow Bastian. But then after she took in the word "Heartless", her fist tightened and dark flames erupted from her knuckles. Ienzo looked up at her.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"Heartless . . . I . . . Um . . . My father and I . . ." Ashaedia began, and looked away, tears brimming her eyes. Her father . . . Where was he? She saw the buildings in her mind, and she imagined that they were rusty, broken, and worn out, the white walls orange with years gone by during the Heartless and Nobody's grip on the world. She returned to reality as Ienzo pointed towards a figure walking by, trying to comfort her by squeezing her hand lightly.
"You see that duck in the brown coat and top hat walking by? That's Scrooge McDuck. He's an entrepreneur and great salesmen." Ienzo said. Scrooge McDuck walked by, whistling an old tune to himself. Ashaedia smiled as she remembered that the people of Disney Town looked something like him. They continued their tour and after thirty minutes of walking around and having brief explainations of the part of town they were in, they returned to the town square. There were more pedestrians roaming about now.
"Well, this is where we part ways, but you'll see us another time," Even said, and reached into his coat pocket. He took put an orange bag with blue drawstrings. Even put it in Ashaedia's hand. "If you haven't remembered, this is Munny, the currency of our world and of other worlds as well. There's a good sum of Munny in here, and I trust you'll use it right." Ashaedia looked down at the bag of Munny.
"Oh, thank you, Professor Even, but you don't really need to." Ashaedia said. Even smiled.
"Ah, no worries! Keep it. I have loads more in the castle," Even quipped, and he shook Ashaedia's hand. "Go and explore the worlds that lie outside of this one. You'll make many friends along the way, I know just that. Maybe someone might need your help and Keyblade expertise," He turned to Ienzo. "Is there any questions you'd like to ask Ashaedia or say goodbye to her?"
"Yeah, just one question . . . How come your hands changed into claws?" Ienzo asked.
"When I was asleep, I had lots of nightmares as well as dreams. One of them was particularly scary. I was younger, and I was in a dark room. It was large, and a great black shadow appeared. It had long claws and yellow eyes, and looked like me. The shadow chased me around the room, trying to grab me and drag me into this dark portal that followed it wherever it went. When it was about to grab me, the nightmare vanished and I saw my father's face . . ." Ashaedia explained, and she shivered. "I . . . I don't know what it was. I think it tried to control me and have me attack you, but I resisted. At the same time, a voice was ringing in my ears, telling me to resist and not give in." Ienzo nodded.
"Yeah, it might of been a Heartless. Heartless are evil creatures. They feed on anger and hate and sadness." Ienzo said. Even acknowledged his colleague.
"Yes, and that reminds me. Ashaedia, since you experienced your own Heartless trying to control you, I recommend you be on your guard. This could be a problem, or could be a sign of the Heartless rising again," Even warned, pointing a finger at her heart. "Be true to any friends you make, and don't let your differences get in the way of things. Once you make some allies, you're little circle will expand and you won't have to fear anyone." Ashaedia gave Even a hug and gave Ienzo a hug also.
"Thank you. I'll remember you guys. Send Braig and Dilan my regards. Even though I've known you for a short while, I'll miss you until I see you guys again." Ashaedia said, and gave a slight smile. She saluted them both, and they parted ways. Ashaedia walked to the edge of the town square, her gaze following the many people who passed by. She stood out among most of them, her professionally tailored, long dark blue, intricate coat very different from many of the other coats people wore. Her strange yellow and gold eyes shined with a soft confidence, her tanned skin soft and free of any blemishes and her long silver hair shining softly. Some people glanced at her, though Ashaedia didn't mind their curious stares. She spotted a group of children pointing at her, and she smiled and acknowledged them with a small nod. They giggled and ran away. Ashaedia heaved a sigh and put a hand on her non-Keyblade weapon, a five foot katana she named Lunamune. The handle was black with sapphire ribbon crisscrossing the handle, and in between the spaces where the ribbon intersected were silver specks that looked like stars against the black of the handle. It hung at her side in a black scabbard that was strapped to her belt. Ashaedia walked through the crowds, going into the dip in the ground where stairs led to a lower level of tiled ground. Vibrant flowerbeds lined the edges, and Ashaedia sat down on a bench near the flowerbeds. She felt the flower petals, slowly slipping into daydreams of the place called Mana Meadow.
"Oi! You there! Lass with silver hair!" Called an old man's voice. The voice sounded lighthearted and happy. Ashaedia jumped and quickly returned to reality. She looked down and saw Scrooge McDuck staring up at her.
"Oh, hello. Can I help you?" Ashaedia asked politely. Scrooge McDuck gave a merry laugh.
"Well, lass, I think I'd help you!" Scrooge said. Ashaedia gave an obvious "huh?" and stared at him perplexed.
"What do you mean?" Ashaedia asked.
"You're not from around here, no? You might be, but have been one of those people who take really long naps and forget some important info!" Scrooge laughed, lightly hitting himself in the head with his brown cane to indicate memory loss. Ashaedia gave a smile and chuckle.
"Yes, I did have a long nap, or what I just call a Sleep. After I woke up, I felt reborn. Fresh. I am from around here, though . . ." Ashaedia explained. Scrooge smiled.
"I see. Well, lass, why don't I give you a tour to refresh your memory?" Scrooge asked.
"Oh, thank you, but I already got a tour." Ashaedia said.
"Ah, I see. Now how about your name? Wouldn't want to call you 'lass' all dang day!" Scrooge said.
"My name is Ashaedia." Ashaedia said. Scrooge shook her hand, his feathery fingers a little strange to Ashaedia.
"And my name is Scrooge McDuck! A pleasure to meet you," Scrooge exclaimed, and reached into his coat pocket. He withdrew a colorful ticket with the words "Disney Town" written across the top. "My, I have so many of these . . . Here you go, Ashaedia. That's a life time pass to Disney Town." Ashaedia looked down at the Disney Town ticket. It showed a picture of a very bright and colorful town square with a merry-go-round and many of the town's residents. A mouse wearing a pink dress and golden crown smiled up at her from the picture.
"Oh, thank you, Mr. McDuck. I wish I could repay you . . ." Ashaedia said.
"Ah, not to worry! I have too many of those tickets anyway. If you need a ride to anywhere, I'll gladly take you along in my Gummi Ship! Unless you can be fine on your own accord." Scrooge explained.
"Thanks again, but I think I can get to the other worlds with my Keyblades." Ashaedia said. Scrooge's eyes lit up instantly as she said "Keyblade".
"Oi! You have one of those nifty Keyblades? You must be a powerful figure then. I've come across a couple of people who wield the mighty Keyblade. Of course, I haven't seen them summon it." Scrooge said, beaming. Ashaedia smiled.
"If you want, I can summon my Keyblades for you to see." Ashaedia suggested. Scrooge nodded eagerly. Ashaedia stood up and held out her left and right hand, her black and white feathery Keyblade and her black and red Keyblade appearing. Scrooge looked up at them in awe. Ashaedia's Keyblade's keychain, a silver chain with a black wing, hung five inches from the handle, but the other Keyblade had no keychain. Ashaedia swung them around a couple times, the large Keyblades glowing faintly with a golden glow. She brought them in front of Scrooge to see more clearly. He ran a feathery finger along the ebony Keyblades.
"Amazing. Such magnificent weapons. They look almost too beautiful to use," Scrooge complimented. Ashaedia dismissed her Keyblades and sat back down on the bench. "What rank are you?"
"I'm a Keyblade Master." Ashaedia answered.
"Ah, you're one of those Wielders who are the most experienced Keyblade Wielders, correct?" Scrooge asked.
"You can say so." Ashaedia replied. Scrooge smiled.
"Well, it was nice meeting you, Ashaedia! Good day to you . . ." Scrooge said, and walked off, his brown cane clinking against the stone pavement. Ashaedia watched him waddle off, and she looked up at the sky.
Why don't I remember going to other worlds? Ashaedia thought.