Notes Before the Story:

EDITED 1/30/14 Author's Note: Thanks to the few reviewers/followers to the original posting, and I'm so SO sorry for the ridiculous wait. After replaying some content and then rereading my fic, some of the later chapters needed a major overhaul. So I literally printed all 120+ pages and hand-edited during my lunch breaks at work. I'm still in the process of getting everything 100% up-to-date, but I really wanted to get the final chapter up before the new game is released…which hopefully means this will be updating once a week/every other week. That's my plan, hopefully, anyway.

I've left the original Author's Note is below, simply because it does give some info on the story itself, and below that is the summary, characters, pairings, etc. One edit: I am updating the prologue and Chapter One, and posting an actual update, Chapter Two. Thanks again SO much for being so patient, and I hope you guys like this fic as much as I do!

Author's Notes (ORIGINAL): This story has been a [huge] work in progress. I'm really happy [overall] with the plot, and really hope you readers will be, too. Please read the Full Summary for more details. The setting is a little confusing, but should clear up as the story progresses. Mild language is mostly Lea, because…well, let's face it: he should have cussed in the games. There is an involved OC who plays a vital role in the plot, but no parings involving her. I'm posting the prologue and the first chapter, since the prologue isn't necessarily a good tell to the story. Read, Review, and Enjoy! :)

Full Summary: After being hurled through time, Sora discovers just how chaotic the future is. The thirteenth Seeker of Darkness has been formed, and now Master Xehanort and his vessels are sinking worlds into the Realm of Darkness. With help from Lea, the Guardians of Light must gather and unite in order to defeat the darknesses and take back the worlds. The final battle will finally commence, and the χ-blade will be forged. But who will be victorious when the time comes?

Characters/Parings: Though all of the Guardians/Seekers are present, the story mostly revolves around Sora, Lea, and Riku. Pairings are not prominent, but mentions of Sora/Kairi and Riku/Kairi. Some implied Aqua/Terra, but nothing on a romantic level. OC does play a large role, but is not involved in pairings.

Setting: Post-3D, with references to all Kingdom Hearts games. Roughly set around twenty to twenty-one years after the events of 3D, with flashbacks occurring roughly six months to several years after 3D. Complicated, but clears up as the plot progresses. No Disney included, other than Disney Castle; sorry guys.

Rating Warnings for Story: Mild language, general character angst – mostly Riku – slight (non-graphic) violence/manipulation, and eventual character death. (Not that anyone in Kingdom Hearts actually "dies.")

Disclaimer: Like many others, I only wish I owned Kingdom Hearts. However, sadly I do not. Kingdom Hearts and anything affiliated with the content is property of SquarEnix and Disney, respectively. I only claim the character design of my OC. I also make no profit from exploring the possibilities.

WITHOUT FURTHER ADIEU…ENJOY!

Prologue

The elder Master watched as the final guardian's heart flickered before him. It gleamed, weaker than the rest, barely a candle flame wavering in the wind. Sunstones flickered, and Xehanort's gaze turned to the final vessel. Eyes flashed, shimmering with the fading light, hazy and distantly glazed. The vessel's heart was lost to darkness; thrust into the deepest abyss. Into a place where darkness raged in a never-ending storm. Shaking his head, the Master turned, eyes falling over the heart that hovered, fading before him.

Suddenly, bright light erupted behind him, gusting winds blistered past him. Clothes rustled as he turned, and Xehanort shielded his eyes. The winds settled, dying, and citrine studied it. The ray that had radiated down from Kingdom Hearts wavered as it began to fade, the light became a mere trickle as it vanished. Xehanort gaped at the sight, mouth hung open in disbelief.

Crystal metal glimmered beneath the moonlight, surreal, ethereal. Dual Keyblades crossed, the Kingdom Key and the Key of the Kingdoms creating the hilt. At their epicenter, a narrow blade extended into a sword of pale metal. Silently, the Master approached it, and amber twinkled, reflecting pale light. Gloved hands reached for the weapon, fingers wrapping delicately around the hilt. It was warm beneath his grasp, freshly forged metal still heated from its creation. The Master shuddered as he examined the χ-blade, barely breathing as he spoke.

"…χ-blade," he finally said, wielding the weapon greedily. Eyes lingered, locking, unable to pry themselves from it, but he smirked widely. "One day…I knew I would possess it. And now…I can finally open the door. I will rebirth this world…and finally…darkness and light will exist together!"