Don't own.
I love Kingdom Hearts, and I adore the time-travel plotline, so I decided to try adding them together and see what I got.
There were so many statements that could be made about Darkness, some out of fear, others out of wonder; but a common point in the threads of the expressions were they all held the knowledge that there was an unknown. The unknown, that in the eyes of the beholder, could be anything from an optimist's heaven, to a pessimist's hell.
The Darkness was so different from the Light. The Light held a place of honor, a wondrous glory that many believed would always be the way of the just and righteous… but that wasn't right, the Light was there, and though it held more comfort to it than the Darkness, it didn't state that it was any less conniving or cruel than it's counterpart; if anything, the Light could be more so. Unlike the Darkness, which all are wary of, the Light has the ability to lull its target into a false security before it leads them astray. Like the moon in dark sky is known to be a guiding light in the night, but if you become too entranced by it, it will lead to an illusion that will leave you lost.
Sora sighed at his cynical philosophies, but didn't bother to reprimand himself for theorizing them. He lifted his head slightly from its resting place on his knees, turning it to stare out into the war torn battleground that had once been a beautiful city filled with lights and life. He flinched at the sight of the buildings that had once been homes and stores now shown in shambles around him, the brick and plaster forcibly taken away, leaving severely twisted metal skeletons; Sora didn't even bother to glance down at the streets, knowing that the only thing he'd see were mangled bodies of opponents or innocents who had gotten caught in the crossfire. A testament to the conflict that had taken place, even when the violence finally moved on to a new world, would the original inhabitants be able to rebuild their ruined home?
'Doubtfully…' it was a scoffing thought, one that Sora had wished he could've taken back as he absentmindedly pulled at his black cloak. This world had been broken, and it would probably never recover from this; he knew this, but still… was the brighter side, the optimistic view that he'd had since the start of his little quest, gone? Or was it merely buried under the harsh losses that had come to be his reality? He couldn't tell anymore, or was it simply that he didn't want to dive into his being and dredge up that side of him that would only get him killed now.
Sora's eye twitched a little before he let out a small groan and shoved his face into his hands. War had destroyed the once happy island boy; so many years of fighting had hardened his heart and terrorized his mind, "I really have to stop thinking…"
'You know talking to yourself is supposedly a sign you're going crazy?' The voice was soft, but held a small echo that ran through his head like a ripple in a pond. Sora choked a little in surprise, although didn't bother to move, knowing that there would be no physical form to turn to.
"Yes, but discussing one's life with their weapon isn't exactly a sane proposition either…" Cerulean eyes flicked to the Ultima Weapon that hardly ever left his grip. It was a marvel all it's own, one of the greatest creations that could ever be synthesized; blue mixing harmoniously with gold and white, intricate patterns drawn with the strong but thread-like wires that held the large key together.
'Touché…' It seemed so ludicrous, and Sora himself didn't know when it had started; he began talking to himself sometime after he had lost his closest friends, he remembered such occurrences quite clearly, but somewhere between his monologues and fighting for his life he had felt an influence. Shimmering in his mind like a little light in his newfound hell. He ignored it at first, feeling he didn't need any more proof that he was gradually losing his already teetering grip on reality. However, it seemed that the more he pushed for the presence to leave, the more it pressed back. When he had finally lost his will to smother and deny it's existence, he had found something that he hadn't even believed was a possibility. It had taken months for him to buy the story, and even more time to trust that it was, in fact even real, not a hallucination created by the loneliness that dwelled in his mind.
His keyblade was alive, it had a soul that was just as capable of cognitive thought and conversation as the next person, but unlike people, it wouldn't leave him behind. With that, the cinnamon haired youth had found a small anchor that could hold him in this life.
His introspection was cut short and quickly dropped as he sensed unbridled hostility, bringing himself into an upright position, Ultima Weapon firmly in his grasp, Sora searched for the source. It hadn't taken long; the figure launched itself out of the rubble, blade raised in the air beginning its vertical descent towards him, an added battle cry falling from the assailant's lips.
Cobalt irises flashed in distain, 'Amateur.'
Sora didn't even hesitate, effortlessly sidestepping the slash that would have taken him apart; the battle veteran swiftly forced the razor-like spikes of the Ultima Weapon through the other's unprotected neck. Funny how the "key to save worlds" with the ability to return Heartless to Kingdom Hearts was now nothing more than a glorified weapon. The blood gushed forth in a torrent, flowing down the collar as the adversary fell.
Gaze dropping to the new corpse Sora frowned, 'This fighter…'
Biting his lip in apprehension he reached out a gloved hand, gently rotating the deceased to get a better look at the other. Swallowing became infinitely more difficult as the spiky-haired keyblade wielder pulled away as if burned. He had seen many and done many things that he had wished he hadn't, regretted so many incidents, but none as badly as this. His challenger hadn't been anything more than a child, maybe fifteen at best, a rusted and blunt sword in the boy's small hands.
Had it not been hostility that had sent this poor soul at him but desperation? There were times when he encountered survivors who would attempt to assault him for things such as food and water. It was clear to him now that this child wasn't a fighter in any sense of the word.
In his shaken state the once hero didn't noticed the encroaching shadow, but he was aware of the shrill screams that were telling him to, 'move dumbass!' His body reacted to the cries, but Sora knew that it had be a moment too late to avoid. The pain was intense as the edge of the weapon protruded from his stomach, and it only increased as the attacker drew back their arm.
"The Great Keyblade Master and Hero of Kingdom Hearts… not very much of a challenge, apparently the rumors have been grossly exaggerated." Sora pivoted, his free hand going to clutch his injured abdomen, wincing at the feeling of his blood soaked clothing. He found himself looking a man that was probably in his late-twenties, dark purple hair pulled in a low ponytail, and emerald eyes that glittered in contempt, "I mean really, you off a kid and you just go to pieces? Such a weak mind for someone who was supposedly able to kill thousands."
"I did kill thousands… of heartless and nobodies, people are different. Heartless are darkness in the hearts, all that's left of them is instinct and desire, similarly Nobodies have no feelings to speak of. Humans have the ability to choose, plus the morals to change their decisions, and they have people who care for them…" His voice, which had started as a strong whisper dropped to a barely audible sound by the end, memories invading his mind.
"People who care for them? What are you, a sentimental…ist?" It was said with the intention of mocking him, but the finishing syllable had been delayed, the scorner distracted. Sora bit the inside of his cheek, his healing spell had already fixed the internal damage and knit the muscles back together, all that was left was to repair the skin. The man's gaze had turned into a glare as he let out a barking laugh, "The conversation was a diversion so you could revive yourself? Clever, seems the gossip about you wasn't all bull after all. Guess I'll have to get a bit more serious then."
The figure then disappeared from the keyblade-user's line of vision. Sora tensed, moving his open hand away from his mostly restored stomach, Fenrir coming instantly to his outstretched palm, the familiar weight comforting his fried nerves.
"Two keyblades, seems you have some surprises yet boy," Sora's eyes widened as he felt the breath on his neck, instantly lashing out with Fenrir as he spun. The blade ripping through nothing but empty space.
"My my, someone seems to be a little slow to react, how have you survived this far?"
The dual keyblade wielder balked, taking a shaky breath as he forced himself to twist around once more to see a flash of violet before it vanished, "Why are you fighting me?"
"Why? Simple boy, I'm a Grim Reaper, and you're on my list," The words were coming from all directions. Sora ground his teeth in frustration; this man was claiming to be death?
'More like another hunter who wants some glory for destroying one of the last Wielders of the Key of Destiny.' He sighed and snuffed out his irritation, the man might have been an egomaniac, but he was still very skilled, disruptions weren't allowed anymore.
Sora rapidly reformed into a defensive stance, continually checking his surroundings for a sighting of his newest challenger. The first cut had been easily parried, the Ultima Weapon swinging out to meet the older male, while his more offensive blade pushed forth and embedded itself in the other's side.
The forest eyed man pulled himself away, fearfully retreating back while grasping his gash. Sora frowned, and slowly released his protective form, "I'll allow you to live if you leave now."
A gaze snapped to him, before the egotistic warrior gave a few enthusiastic nods and proceeded to gradually back away. Sapphire eyes watched for a couple of minutes as the cowardly man walked, readily turning away when there was a safe distance between them.
'No! Behind you idiot!' the Ultima blade was yelling, desperately, and Sora whirled back to the area his watch previously had been. It was fast, too much so for him to guard from when the blows were dealt; his tan skin being tarnished by the crimson red. The auburn haired youth gagged as blood and bile rose to his throat.
"You sorry little sap, did you think that I would actually leave without carrying out my deed?" the young keyblade wielder let out an agonized cry as a foot connected painfully with his ribs, the force slamming him into a nearby pile of rubble.
Sora sucked in a breath before glaring at the treacherous man, the two powerful keyblades singing in rage, "I gave you a chance to live."
Laughter echoed throughout the area, "And what? Now you're going to kill me? When you're so injured that you probably won't live long enough to use your voodoo sorcery to heal your sorry ass?"
A smirk reigned over the keyblade master's face as he pulled forth his magic, "Final Arcana: Apocalypse"
The cackling had stopped, replaced by screams as the spell took affect. The circle of the past eras appeared under the betraying snake's feet, the ancient runes revolving around the shapes that flickered inside. Slowly the movement ceased as symbols locked into their positions; the destructive force gathered was released and the ring exploded in a spectacle of lights.
Sora vaguely noticed that the terrified shrieks had stopped, the spell easily vaporized the body. It didn't really matter anymore, his world was darkening, and gradually, his eyes closed.
'Wake up! Wake up you idiot!' Cerulean eyes fluttered open, dazed and dull. Sora blinked, awareness returning.
"Where am I?" His fingers dug into sand, the roar of the ocean drumming in his ears.
'You're dead genius.' The youth jumped at the answer, turning to face a girl…? Sora stared at the teen in front of him, platinum blonde hair falling down her shoulder, while fierce golden eyes glared a hole into him.
There was a lack of coherency in the keyblade wielder's brain that made everything blurry and unrecognizable, "Uh… who are you?"
A twitch in the unknown female's eyebrow was his only warning before a fist gravitated to slam the top of his head, "OWWW… what was that for?"
'Really Sora, I've only been with you for five years, constantly saving your ass. And how do you repay me? You die! Not only that, you insult me when you're dead!' The rant was strangely random, but as it continued Sora found that the fog in his mind was dissipating. With a renewed sense of understanding, the hero found the tirade somewhat familiar.
"Ultima?" The shouting stopped, and once again he found himself on the receiving end of the leering golden eyes.
'No really? Took ya a while didn't it Sora?' The tone was still full of unexpressed rage as the spirit flicked her platinum hair away from her face, 'I really don't get you ya know? You had the power and then you pushed it all into that destructive spell, why didn't you heal stupid!'
"You know that cure magicks take time to work and concentration, something that I didn't have anyway. The lacerations were much too deep, not to mention the several vitals he hit. If I tried it I'd have to pick the worse injuries to repair first, and while I was working on one of them the others would have killed me." Sora explained calmly, while scanning his surroundings. It was Destiny Island, the home he hadn't seen in many years, "Where are we?"
What ever forgiveness he may have gained in the past was lost instantly with the inquiry as another hit was presented onto his skull, 'Again, you're dead genius. This is a representation of where you feel most comfortable.'
"Well, this sucks… if I'm dead, where are all my friends? They were killed in the war too. Where are Donald and Goofy… and Riku and Kairi?" He looked at the physical being of the keyblade, "And why are you here? I thought you couldn't die…" Confusion was running amuck in his mentality, making questions fall in rapid succession from his mouth.
'Well… you weren't really supposed to die; it kinda threw everything into chaos when you did. I'm here to offer you… a choice.' Sora inspected the other, finding her to be uncomfortable didn't give him a feeling of satisfaction, if anything it scared him. The Ultima Weapon had always been confident when speaking, never so uncertain like now.
"A choice?" There was a bizarre mix of hope and dread in the inquiry, the chocolate haired lad gulping down all his hesitation.
A nod followed his question, a solemn expression on the soul's face, 'The powers that be have given you the options of either dying, or returning to the beginning where you will have to find the catalyst of this war and remove it from the equation.'
"Return to the beginning? What do you mean by that?" It wasn't even a murmur, it was a barely detectible string of noises, but it seemed he didn't have to repeat himself as Ultima seemed to understand him.
'You know the beginning better than I do Sora; I'm only here to offer the alternative.' The statement was true, he knew it was, but that would mean that it would start again, the battles and struggles, 'You don't have to answer right awa-'
"No, I'll do it. There are so many things that I've regretted doing, and not being able to change. This time, I'm not going to fail, I'll protect them all." It was said with such determination and conviction that it was obvious that there would be no second guessing.
'That's why I chose you as my wielder, that single-minded resolve, I will continue to be your right-hand, no matter what is changed.' Sora grinned at the specter that was now smiling softly in return, 'Now, the choice has been made, and the road has been opened. It's time to step forward Key of Destiny.'
With a single look back at Death's depiction of his home he walked ahead into the shimmering seas.
The waves crashed against his feet, the sound lulling him into consciousness. It was so nice, so peaceful and tranquil. Sora opened his eyes dazedly, to find a pair of indigo staring at him.
Pushing himself quickly to his knees he sought out for his keyblade, only to find it wasn't there, 'Shit!'
"Sora? What's wrong, you have a nightmare or something?" The boy's panic drained at the sound of the light and feminine soprano. He lifted his head to stare at the fourteen-year-old maiden, her dark ginger hair swaying in the slight breeze.
"…Kairi…?" His voice sounded alien, even to him, full of disbelief and no higher than a breathy whisper.
Kairi leaned forward, teasing air replaced with concern, "Sora, are you okay?" A hand came up to pet the top of his head. His body warred against his mind and leaned into the comforting gesture.
"Sora?" He opened his eyes –when had he closed them? – in regards to his childhood friend, "Are you okay?"
The question brought him back, and he reluctantly pulled away from the princess, "Ummm… Yeah, just had a… very realistic nightmare."
"Really? What was it ab-"
Kairi was cut off by a familiar self-confident tenor, "So here you two are, guess I'm the only one working on the raft then."
The duo turned to meet the exasperated air of their older friend as he walked towards them, a log thrown over his shoulder.
'Riku…' Sora performed the same once-over unto the silver-haired teen as he had with the girl beside him. A grin formed easily on his face as Sora broke into giggles, which quickly morphed into a hysterical laughter.
He could feel the other two openly gaping at him, but he couldn't stop. All the grief and self-hatred was falling, the anger and numbness were melting away. Sora felt the tears cascading down as he slowly gained control over his body.
"Sora?" It was a stereo effect, wiping his eyes the boy looked at the twin expressions of concern.
Giving a bright smile, Sora pulled his two friends into a strong hug, "I've missed you guys."
He didn't answer any of the queries voiced by the two, just snuggled deeper into them and sighed.