A/N: Originally written for LJ's KH Drabble Challenge [278] Alone. I wanted to try something new. I hope I succeeded.

Thanks: M. L. Ayala, for betaing this piece.

I would also really appreciate it if you could take a look at my new poll. Thanks in advance. :)


"Please stay, Aqua. I've seen Terra. He was doing fine and I'm sure he can wait a little bit longer," Zack pleaded, giving her the sweetest puppy-eyes he could muster.

The bluenette sighed, a small smile gracing her lips. How could she say no to someone like him?

"Very well then, but only one day."

Zack cheered, pumping his fist in the air. "Sweet!"

Aqua shook her head viciously to ban that thought out of her mind, again,but it was of no use.

"Aqua, I'm so glad you stayed for a while longer," a beaming Zack admitted, as he carefully took Aqua's hands in his. "You won't regret this. I promise… I'll make this day unforgettable."

All this time, whether it was for mere hours or years upon years, she'd only been surrounded by pure silence. That had changed (if only a little) when she'd reached the dark and deserted beach. The full moon in the sky was the only source of light. It made the sand beneath her look like powdery ash and the ocean was the blackest ink she'd ever seen.

"And a beautiful flower for the beautiful lady," the raven-haired male said, cheerfully, before handing her the blue flower. "Wow, and it matches your hair, too!"

Aqua smiled shyly at the compliment. "Thanks, but… you really didn't have to."

The blue-haired Keyblade wielder didn't know how long she'd been sitting here, with the water lapping at her boots and taking the particles of dirt, sand (and blood) with it. Time was an illusion in this Dark Realm. That and the loneliness were the main problem. It made her slowly lose her mind. Perhaps she already had lost her mind. Did crazy people know when and if they were losing it?

Perhaps it was something else. She wasn't gaga, she was just… confusing things. Her brains were mashing things together, coming up with memories that were fake. Could it be because of the loneliness?

Sometimes, she remembered things… things that never could have happened. Still, she saw them. It bothered her immensely, because she was sure that the Darkness knew your deepest desires and would grind them round and round in your head until you would languish from it, or worse…

"You don't like the darkness, do you?" Zack then commented, with a solemn look on his face.

Apparently, it was finally dawning upon him why Aqua had been so silent and awkward all this time.

"Not really…" she replied softly, even though that was a big understatement.

"I can relate…" It was quiet between them for a moment. When Zack took her hand, he completely took her off guard. "Don't worry, this knight will make sure we'll arrive at our destination safely."

That was when Zack slowly changed into an excited-looking Ven.

The blonde boy looked at her and a goofy smile appeared on his face. "Something the matter, Aqua?"

The blue-haired Master frowned. Wait, this wasn't right. What was Ven doing here at the Olympus Coliseum? She could've sworn that she'd come here all alone…

As if the fact that she was all alone wasn't killing enough already, she had to be haunted by memories of all the moments that she was happy with the people around her.

"Terra, Ven, Zack…" A single tear trailed lonely over her smooth cheek and made its way to the sandy ground beneath her, as she spoke out their names in a hushed whisper. "I'm so sorry… I failed…"