Hello peoples! This is one of my favorite fics I've written. It was totally inspired by the two-part battle on Birth by Sleep's Final Episode... FYI, this does have BbS spoilers, so don't read this if you don't want to be spoiled!

Please Enjoy, Read and Review!

~Demy

"No…" Strong dark hands grabbed Aqua's shoulders, the Guardian's grip tightening with each struggle Aqua made. She could have given up then, let darkness win; she had to go through this alone, sure, but with the silver-haired Xehanort leering over her with that wicked smirk on his – no, Terra's – face, she knew she had to keep fighting back. For Terra. For Ven. For the future of them all.

Breaking free with a final sharp twist, she felt a new connection in her heart – one that came as light, shining bright and engulfing her. What was this? Was the battle over? She had to cover her eyes against the glare, and when she could feel it subside, she was in that light, the Guardian still trying to attack her with dark balls of energy from afar.

The connection tugged at her heart again, and then she saw him – Terra, behind Xehanort's devilish minion, standing slumped over with his hand at his chest. "Terra!" Aqua cried, running toward him, the yellow-like light surrounding her and urging her forward as she dodged the attacks impeding her progress. The distance seemed forever, never seeming to get any shorter, as if Terra was moving away from her… and she could still her Xehanort's words in her head, threatening her to turn back—

"Terra's heart has been extinguished... smothered by the darkness within him!"

Maybe – Aqua slowed, unsure—this was all a trap set up by that Master of Darkness himself to lure her in, to finish her once and for all. Maybe that wasn't really Terra, only an illusion to draw her closer. But he looked too innocent, too tired as she looked over his body again… she could practically hear him plead, hear him beg to set his heart free.

Though all her instincts decided against it, she couldn't let Terra down. If that was him, the young man she had come to save, doubting his existence now wouldn't prove anything, only that she was too scared, too weak to take chances. She wasn't just Aqua now, she was Master Aqua. Keyblade Masters didn't let their disbeliefs get in the way.

I'm coming, Terra, she thought, picking up her pace. I'll free you. I'll save us all.

With her newfound confidence, the remaining distance seemed like half the time, despite the Guardian's attempts to slow her down. Where Terra stood was a triangle of light, a bright sphere hovering above it. This place was made for three – Aqua wished Ven were here – but two was good enough. They would finish this, once and for all.

As Aqua stepped into the three-sided connection, Terra looked up at her – weak blue eyes met strong azure eyes, connecting the duo's hearts, joining their power. Aqua involuntarily placed her non-Keyblade hand to her chest, reaching out to her friend.

Together, Terra?

Together, he replied in her mind, his voice brave as it was before. Always.

Keyblades lifted in unison, the duo called out to end the struggle.

"Light!"

And Aqua felt warmth – warmth that promised sad endings, bright beginnings, but twists and turns along the way. Though Xehanort had come to an end for now, she knew what was to come next probably wouldn't come out like she hoped, but that didn't matter. She had done her best for Terra. That made all the difference.

No matter the odds, they would all be together again – like on that last night, with one heart, with the same light, under the same stars.