Chapter Text
Chapter 41
The New King
Lea’s POV
I won’t say I’m not scared out of my wits for meeting the one person, who’s replica could have very well turned my best friend against me, but Harry doesn’t deserve to be manhandled the way he was and I have already seen evidence that the Organization has changed just from Larxene’s words a week ago.
And if Axel or Roxas believe that I haven’t noticed Demyx trying to make contact with me, but being fearful of those he caused so much problems during the 1000 Heartless attack then they really don’t know me at all as I had actually met with the Melodious Nocturne before we both felt the phasing.
Demyx had been the first to respond as he had wondered why anyone would phase here while his team had agreed not to travel to other worlds yet and I had followed him, both of us furious when we heard Axel, Roxas and Harry talking as it didn’t take a genius to figure out what had happened.
By now Demyx has returned to the Castle and I had intended the same thing, until Demyx had told me to return Harry to his appointment and I had realized that the little guy was probably onto something really important when those two meddlesome fools intervened, which really makes me ashamed of my Nobody.
I then arrive in the room where Xemnas is and am shocked as the whole room is covered in a Darkness that I can easily recognize as one coming from the Oblivion Keyblade and I am quick to draw my own Keyblade, setting the flame at the end of it ablaze with my power and enlightening the room.
Everyone by now seems really disoriented and Harry smiles at me slightly, making my heart almost sing with joy as his green eyes are now a peaceful color again, the cyan and orange rings really going well together with the soft emerald green without blending in or standing out too much.
Then suddenly Xemnas sees Harry and me and whispers: “Lea.” Before Harry hugs him tightly, whispering: “Are you alright, father?” And I know Harry considers Xemnas the most important of his parents. The man is quick to reassure his son and lies a hand on his hair, softly caressing his scalp.
In the mean time does he look at me and I say: “Axel and Roxas are renegades no matter what life they live. And they’re not smart renegades either.” The man nods and Vexen asks: “So this was not planned by anyone in the Universe?” But I shake my head, recognizing his careful tone and say:
“Those two are just scared of you for still wanting them destroyed. I tried telling them they have nothing to fear as Larxene did nothing to me when she saw me and neither did Demyx, but the last acts of the New Organization seems to give those two numbskulls some different ideas on that part.”
The man nods and says: “They told us so, yes. I must say I am amazed that Xehanort was able to manipulate the situation to such extends.” I nod at this as even Master Yen Sid had been amazed at how far Xehanort had been willing to go and then turn to Xemnas, wanting to know one thing above all else.
“What were your ultimate plans for Kingdom Hearts?” The man seems shocked at this question and then he answers: “My ultimate plans were – I am sad to say – exactly what Xehanort had told you they were, Lea.” To this my lips turn thin as new doubt over his person rises within me and he goes on:
“However, had I been in this mindscape in that time, I would have changed my plans and would have made the World that Never Was a home for my son – right in between Light and Darkness so neither would be able to influence him and with Kingdom Hearts to grant us the hearts we require for his care.”
This makes me sigh in relief and he says: “I also wish to let you know that Harry is of royal blood, but that I have no intention whatsoever to take the crown – simply out of fear that I will fall back into the Darkness of the mindscape I had when I was Leader of the World that Never Was.”
I nod at him, while having been shocked and worried when I heard that that sweet little angel in front of me was of royal blood and while the fear of him using that role for his own gains had flashed through me, can I tell by the sincerity in his orange eyes that Xemnas truly fears this possibility to happen.
I then take a deep breath and say: “I am glad that you and yours are nothing like what we fought a year and a half ago.” The man nods and asks: “So you are the only one left?” But I shake my head and say: “Xehanort apparently didn’t see any use in Dilan, Aeleus, Even or Ienzo, just Braig and – Isa.”
I lower my head at this as it had been very hard for my fourteen year old self to see my best friend ready to fight me when Xehanort had tried to turn Sora into his 13th vessel of Darkness, yet I have slowly been able to grow past it, mostly thanks to Leon and Aerith, with who I talk almost every day.
Xemnas seems to understand the reason behind my pause and says: “I truly wish you weren’t there when I tricked you all, Lea, I truly do.” But I shake my head and say: “If I hadn’t been there, then you would have succeeded your original plans as it was Axel’s friendship with Roxas that made him renegade.”
Xemnas nods, accepting this answer and says: “Wise words for one of teenage years, yet I know they will never take away my guilt or ease your loss, young man.” He then slowly lets go of Harry and walks over to me as he whispers: “Perhaps in the years to come love can heal the friendship you have lost.”
And I smile at him as the man must already be aware of my crush on his son and I whisper: “Don’t hurt him before I can court him.” Making the same devious smile appear on the man’s face as when he spoke to Axel and the others of the Organization about his plans for them and Kingdom Hearts.
Hoping I didn’t make a mistake in trusting this man, but believing that – if they truly have hearts – they can truly feel good and bad emotions and I prepare myself to phase out again, when Xemnas asks: “Do you not wish your soul complete, Lea?” And I realize that Harry is lying in the center of the room.
Moving to lean against the wall on the far south, do I see Xemnas turn to the Goblin and ask: “Will the removal of these soul parts require our help, Great Goblin?” But the Goblin creature says: “Only the removal of dark soul pieces will cause pain. The light souls have not and shall not harm your child.”
The man nods and I see Harry sending him a confident gaze before he tries to hide the worried glance he sends me, but I smile at him with the same confidence he showed Xemnas and the boy seems to draw great strength out of this as he turns his face back to the ceiling, making me smile in pride.
Harry’s POV
I still don’t get who this Lea person is or why he feels so good to be close to as being close to his side made me feel like hugging one of my parents but different and I think: “I really wish my hormones would act up already. I just don’t get a thing of what I’m feeling here.” But then focus on other matters.
I had felt myself passing out when my soul and that of the darker one – whoever that was – were moved into the sphere conjured by the Goblin, but this seems different as I can still feel myself conscious of my own body, while the Goblin chants under her voice and runs her fingers over my body.
Reaching a spot just above my heart, she says: “The souls are loosely attached to this person. I believe if he stays in contact with one of them, the soul that does not belong to him will instinctively let go and return to its original host. It will take longer, but it will have the same affects as my own work.”
Everyone nods and Lea says: “Mickey and the others are planning a huge reunion for Christmas. I’m sure I can convince him to let me stay for a few days after.” And while I feel pain in my heart over the long period of time I’ll have to wait, does daddy Xemnas asks: “And you won’t stay now?”
Lea shakes his head and says: “I need to get back. I need to report these events to Mickey, see if he can help Harry learn about what it’s like to be King and report to him about the idiots that are my and Sora’s Nobody – not to mention give them hell for their ridiculous behavior just now.”
This makes Xaldin and Luxord smirk and Xaldin hits my shoulder as he says: “Give them hell, Spitfire.” And while I can’t help but feel as if Spitfire is exactly the right name for the amazing man that just brought me back to my parents, does Lea nod and phase out of the room again.
Zexion’s POV
I just cannot believe what happened in the last 30 minutes. The fact that Axel and Roxas have been given new chances of life is one thing, but the pain my baby had to go through, the darkness illusion Roxas threw up and the fact that those two tried to kidnap my little boy just go too far for my liking.
Therefore, while Xemnas handled Lea and the extraction of the other two souls, did I retreat myself into my Lexicon, where I fought Axel and Lea dummies and where I blasted one after the other, my anger at the fact I had almost lost my son rising every time I see those two faces jump up in front of me.
Finally am I at rest and I think: “I need to teach Harry how to Jump phase between worlds. I need to make sure I have the next few Wednesdays to myself with him so I can teach him this and he can defend himself would more numbskulls from those worlds try this.” And with that do I finally calm down.
I leave the lexicon and Vexen says: “Lea brought Harry back and will try to have some days around Harry after Christmas. Apparently his soul and that of Axel are already loosening their grip on our son and constant contact will make their souls want to return to them.” I nod and tell the man:
“I need to teach Harry how to Jump phase between worlds, like we do between the Castle and Hogwarts. In case other numbskulls get the same idea.” Vexen nods and says: “I will discuss with the Superior to make sure you and I can have the next few meetings with our Child of All to ourselves.”
This makes me look at him and he says: “I intend to teach Harry Ice shields. He already has several Icy attacks under the thumb, now I see I need to work on his defensive use of the Element. I need to be sure he can surround himself with Ice would anything try to jump and grab or harm him.”
I nod and agree with the Chilly Academic as I say: “Joined lessons in the end. First he learns your Defensive Ice strategies, then I teach him to Jump Phase faster and faster and then we will teach him how to use the two techniques together. That way no one can ever surprise or kidnap our child again.”
The both of us nod and then Laslew says: “Now we must conclude our meeting, Luxord. Who have you decided to be king?” And I see the Gambler of Fate look at the three of us, but Vexen, Xaldin and I had already discussed this matter ourselves after being informed of it and I step forward.
Everyone looks at me and I say: “The Pureblood world is one of misdirection, rumors and hearsay. If anyone understands these illusions of speech and beliefs, it’s me, but my partners and I are in agreement that this is not a safe world for our son to live in, especially considering his fame.”
The Goblin nods and Vexen says: “Therefore, we believe Zexion to be the best to take the Throne as he can work with the illusions to break them. He knows how to be patient, how to observe the situation from every angle and how to manipulate it to his own hand, all for the cause of our son.”
By now the Goblins in the room are smirking widely and Xaldin says: “Zexion’s weapon is even further an advantage as the Lexicon can make sure he knows each and every law and can find it with a simple wave of his magic. It will make sure no one can use the law for their own gain anymore.”
By now the Goblins are almost looking feral with their glee and I end: “Therefore are my partners and I of agreement that I should take the throne, so I can lead – or perhaps the better term is mislead – society into a state of country where all kinds of our races can accept our son as future king.”
“Wise words from well-spoken humans. I have not seen that in a long time.” The Elder Goblin says and I say: “Patience and acceptance of Goblin rights will be one thing I plan to work on as it seems as if the Purebloods are dividing themselves further and further from all other magical races, both human and not.”
“Your observation is correct. How long have you lived in the Magical world now, human?” The Goblin asks and I answer: “I have recently entered my fourth month in this world, Great Goblin.” Apparently shocking the creature before she says: “One with an eye as your own is what our world needs, yes, yes indeed.”
I smile and the Goblin slaps her hands twice, making for a small door to appear in the left side of the circular wall, from which a much younger Goblin, who – in human years – would be a few years older than my son, appears and the younger creature carries two square shaped boxes with him.
The first is the box we had seen in Laslew’s office and the box is handed to Harry, who is now suddenly on a small rectangular platform and while the lad lies the box on his lap, does the young Goblin rush over to the Elder Goblin, who looks at me with eyes that tell me to kneel before her.
Doing as asked, do I still reach slightly over the Goblin’s eyelevel, but this seems not to trouble the creature as she opens the box given to her by her younger fellow Goblin and from it a beautiful golden crown with dark blue sapphires, two on top of each other on twelve sides of the crown is pulled.
Looking up from the crown, I see that Harry’s crown is quite similar, but then without the sapphires and with a single thin ring of incredibly small silver crystals under the golden crown and the boy has it in his hands, his eyes wide as he looks from the crown to me and back again.
Then the Goblin speaks and says: “As the Young Heir holds his Birthright, so his father shall wear our Crown. The Line of Pendragon has a Male Heir once more and thus, the Legacy of Arthur Pendragon, Lord of Camelot, owner of Excalibur, gains new life in the forms of Harry James and Zexion Potter-Pendragon.”
Everyone applauds at this and the Goblin says: “Harry James Potter-Pendragon, if thy raises this crown upon thy head, thy swears fealty to the Crown, honor to its pride and to – upon thy 17th of age – accept the crown of thy father and the legacy Arthur Pendragon has bestowed upon you. Do you accept?”
Harry hereby shares a worried look with me and I smile at him from over the Goblin’s head, showing him with my eyes that I trust him and that I will help him. The confidence shown in my eyes is apparently caught on by my child and I smile a bit wider at this as he smiles back and whispers softly:
“I accept.” And with reference, does the little black-haired, green-eyed boy lie the golden crown with silver crystals on the bottom line on his head, the magic of the crown expanding the item to softly wrap itself around his forehead and the lines of crystals completely hiding his scar from sight.
“All Hail the Prince of Camelot!” The female Goblin shouts and along with my fellow parents, the Greengrass family and the Goblins, do I bow down to Harry, holding one knee up to prove that – as future king – I still hold a parental role over him and thus a higher position in life.
Harry turns red at seeing us all do so, but apparently does the crown help him know how to deal with this as he makes a very firm move that signals us to stand once more. I personally keep to my kneeling position and see the female Goblin smiling at me as she turns back and sees this.
She then coughs to get everyone’s attention and says: “Lord Zexion, your words are wise, your eyes are all-seeing. Your intelligence is to never waver and neither should your judgment. You must always know the difference between right and wrong and must lead as well as serve our Noble Country.
From your words we shall hear the law. From your mind, we shall grow in culture, lifestyle and history. From your actions, we shall grow. You are the father of Harry James Potter, chosen by your fellow parents to be our King. Do you accept this role, this crown and these responsibilities upon you?”
I know the words probably confused Xaldin and Harry – and maybe even slightly Xemnas – and they would have probably scared Harry had they been spoken to him at this age, but I feel no fear and while knowing that – even as King – I can keep relying on my fellow parents for my aid, do I say: “I so accept.”
To this the female Goblin smiles and lies the crown upon my head, making a rush of magic flow through me, making me mentally see all that Arthur has lived through and making me feel how magic pulls my fringe from under the crown to cover part of it, only to let the rest again cover my right eye.
Then the female Goblin shouts: “All Hail King Zexion of England!” And even Xemnas goes down on one knee with his head bent forward, while Harry almost trips in his effort to slide off the platform and kneel down, making me smile – while hoping I can remain right about my friends aiding me in this.