Chapter I: Gathering

The light appears

Darkness spawns forth

Two ever warring factions

Yet if iron sharpens iron

When light and darkness clashes

What lies in wait

—

Waves crashed against the beach as a gentle wind blew. The sounds of seagulls could be heard in the distance. Beneath a curved tree, a girl laid, napping.

The girl's name was Ushio. Garbed in a short sleeve, pink hoodie, white pants, and black and pink shoes, she seemed unaffected by the tropical weather. Waking with a yawn, she brushed a few strains of light brown hair out of her eyes. Looking towards the position of the sun, she quickly jumped to her feet.

"Oh no, I must've fallen asleep. I'm so late. They're going to chew me out." she frantically called out.

Running across the small bridge connecting the islet to a bigger island, she jumped down and ran towards a tied off boat. Heading towards the main island, Ushio tried to think of an excuse. She'd gone to the small island to relax, yet she hadn't expected to lose the day like that.

Reaching the main island, she spotted two figures awaiting her. Docking onto the pier, she approached the two, her head bowed.

"Sorry. I got relaxed and fell asleep. My bad." Ushio explained.

"Don't worry, it's understandable." One of the two said. She was a woman with auburn hair and dressed in pink. "When we were kids, I'd catch your father occasionally doing the same."

"Besides its your training. I can only help you as long as your heart's in it." The other one, a silver haired man in black, stated. "If you're now ready to begin, just head to the usual spot and get ready."

"Sure thing, Uncle Riku." Ushio replied before running off.

Taking the time, the pair turned towards each other to talk.

"Thanks for taking the time. With Sora gone, you were are best option to continue Ushio's training." the woman stated.

"It's no problem, Kairi. As grim as this sounds, given what Mickey told us before Sora went to help, it'd be to our benefit if Ushio is able to complete it." Riku said.

As the pair continued to chat, Ushio stretched and readied herself on the beach. The brunette was currently undergoing her own Keyblade Master training. Growing up, she had always been fascinated by her father and mother's stories of their adventures. When she was around fourteen, she had stunned the pair by summoning a Keyblade of her own. From there, she'd begged them to train her and eventually she won out. Now at seventeen, she was nearing the ending of her training.

"Alright, are you ready?" Riku called out, finally stepping onto the beach.

"Heh, always." Ushio replied, summoning forth her Keyblade, the Destiny's Legacy. The key bore a golden handle and blade. Blue wave like guards flanked two side of the handle while a green vine like design wrapped around the blade. In addition, two pink flowers dotted the end, acting as teeth to the key. A grey crown keychain hung from the end of the handle.

Summoning forth his own Keyblade, Riku assumed his ready stance as Kairi reached the edge of the beach to watch. Ushio ran straight at him, rushing him as fast as she could. He quickly countered her blade with his. Applying pressure, he cause her blade to lose the first clash. However, Ushio immediately responded with a quick jump back to regain her footing. Slipping into lower side swing, Ushio thought she'd get in a hit only to be denied it. Riku took the opportunity to apply a higher swing, though Ushio deflected it. Their Keyblades clashed until once more they reached a deadlock.

"You're doing really good." he praised her. "Your form and abilities are in great shape. However…" he trailed off with a subtle nod.

At that time, Ushio found a sudden pain in her side as she fell to the ground.

"Ow! What was that?" Looking to her former position, she spotted Kairi was standing nearby, her own Keyblade out.

"I noticed this yesterday." Riku began to speak. "While you have your fighting down, your problem lies in that you've always had a singular opponent focus. Other than that, I'd say this part of your training is complete."

"Then let's do this again." Ushio said as she got to her feet. "And don't think I'm letting you do that again mom."

—

Against a setting sun, a lone figure in a black coat stared out at the sea. Reaching forth, they grasped the air, their hand blocking out the sun from their view. Looking down off the hill, they spotted three figures on the beach.

Soon. Everything would change soon.

—

"That's it for today." Riku stated. "You did good today. I'd say you just need to work on that weakness and you'll be ready to move onto the complicated abilities."

Ushio, exhausted from the training, just nodded back.

"Again, thanks for all your help." Kairi said to Riku.

"I guess I'll see you both tomorrow." Riku waving as he departed.

"Y'know mom, that surprise strike earlier was cheap." Ushio spoke.

"You know it was for your training. And besides, you're the one who begged your father and me for all this." Kairi replied.

"Ah…" Ushio couldn't deny the retort. It was her own suggestion to start her Keyblade training after working to summon her own. After all the stories her parents had told her, how could see not?

"Now, let's go home. It's getting late."

Helping her daughter to her feet, the pair walked toward their house. Taking the time, Ushio turned towards her mother.

"Say, I noticed some scribbles in the island cave that looked like you and dad. What's up with those?"

—

A figure ran down the long hallways of the castle before knocking on the library's door. After receiving the go ahead, he opened the doors.

"King Mickey, we've received new reports. It seems like several worlds have started to have an uptick in Heartless activity." the figure, a teenaged, anthropomorphic dog proclaimed. "I've got them right here."

"Thank you, Max." Mickey said, taking the documents. "You're really becoming an upstanding knight. You're father's proud of it."

"Thanks. I just wish he wasn't off with Donald on their mission. Things are starting to get hectic around here." Max stated.

"Unfortunately, it's seems it's only going to get worse." Mickey looked over the documents.

"Okay, I'll be going." Max said, bowing his head before walking out. As he did, a certain spiky haired man walked into the room.

"Hey, sorry I'm late." he called out.

"Ah, Sora! Actually, you're just in time unfortunately." Mickey said, rising to greet him. "It's just as we feared. Several worlds are starting to be attacked. We need to head out and find just who's behind this. This is all to calculated to be random."

"Heh, bring it on."

—

"I can't believe they said I'm almost ready to start the more complex things." Ushio said as she stared at the ceiling. Night had set in and she had gone to her room for the night. "I'll be just like dad, mom, and uncle soon."

Deciding to finally turn in, she leapt up to change into her sleepwear when she heard a commotion outside. Going to her window, she couldn't tell what was happening. However, she then heard another noise, the sound of someone rushing out of her house.

Ushio quickly ran out of her room and down the stair. All the lights were still on and the front door was wide open.

"Mom, are you there?" she called out. Looking around she confirmed that no one was there.

Still hearing some noises outside, Ushio ran out the door. Sprinting down the moonlit path, she noted shadows had begun to gather around her. Vaguely humanoid creatures started to spawn forth from the shadows.

"These…aren't these the Heartless that dad and mom told me about?" Ushio said as she looked at the creatures. Believing in her instincts, she quickly summoned her Keyblade.

The first of the Shadows began to lurch at her. Swing the key at them, they disappeared.

"Okay, just remember what Uncle Riku told you today." Ushio mutter to herself. "Too many can be bad. Just focus and take them as you can."

Once more, Shadows tried to attack her as she fought them off. Try as they might, the low level Heartless dissipated one after another. Eventually, the horde of enemies died down.

Having realized just what the situation was, Ushio understood why her house was empty. She ran further into the town in search of her mother to aid her and no doubt Riku.

Instead, the brunette spotted a strange person. Clad in a black cloak, the figure spotted her back. Staring at her, they threw back their hood to reveal a young, white haired man.

"So, you're the new Keyblade wielder." he spoke.

"Who are you?" Ushio asked, suspicious of the man and his casual attitude.

Despite her question, the man didn't speak. She continued to stare at him until he disappeared before her eyes for a few seconds before appearing right in front of her.

"Let us see what becomes of you." he said, stretching two fingers out at her. He tapped her forehead before stepping back.

Ushio felt a wave of nausea wash over her. As she fell to her knees, she saw the man conjure a dark portal and walk into it. The uncomfortable feeling continued as she collapsed prone of the ground. She felt herself slipping in and out as a familiar voice came closer. Yet, she was out of it enough to be unable to make anything out. A hazy silhouette came into view as her eyes closed and she lost the last vestiges of consciousness.

—

Ushio found herself regaining her strength. Opening her eyes and getting to her feet, she soon noticed her surroundings.

"W-where am I?"

Looking around, she could only see pitch black in the distance. Beneath her laid a stained glass mosaic floor.

"Soon, you'll be challenged."

"Many struggles lie ahead."

"Your strength of heart will prove your greatest weapon."

"Beware of failure and temptation."

"Never waver from your path."

"Stay true to your heart."

The words flooded into her mind. Before she could utter anything in return, she once again found herself slipping into unconsciousness.

—

Waves crashed against the beach as two figures clad in black cloaks looked out over the sea. The pale moonlight was the sole light that illuminated the pair.

"I take it you accomplished your task." one spoke.

"Indeed. Those left that had not yet acted are now moving into position." the other replied.

"Excellent. Soon, light and dark will clash again. Let us see what lies beyond."