prologue:

Diz waited patiently outside the doors of castle oblivion at the crossroads of light and darkness... a sad twisted remain of a world unknown to this man, but still he stood waiting for his heros to emerge as planned. a long time passed, and the mysterious figure started to lose patience as two figures in black approached. alas, his heros arrived now to see for himself what road this young man will choose. the boy clearly agitated spat out at diz for making him choose again. however, diz calmly stated, " to see which you choose... the road to light... or the road to darkness...". seeing the hooded boy he thought it clear that the boy would chose darkness. however the boy choose neither. with a face clear of doubt he proudly announced he would walk the middle ground to the way of dawn. shocked and amused diz let the boy pass, only once before had he seen a young man choose this path... an old friend from before the disaster of his apprentices.
As, his old friend mickey and his companion began down this path a hole to darkness opened swallowing the young man. this portal slammed closed as quickly as it had opened startling both diz and mickey. mickey quickly took out his blade pointing at diz demanding to know what he did. Diz in his vast knowledge could only surmise one answer, "It's a rare sight a boy embracing his shadow and finding harmony, HE must of took interest in the boy". King mickey clearly understood curious as how Diz knew of this man. however Diz would not give away his identity yet and the king could still be of use to him. thus, started mickeys journey under diz to find the young riku.

Riku however, was about to be enlightening with a new power he just wasn't aware of it yet. As he stepped through the gate, he immediately prepped for the fight ahead. he stood upon a pillar surrounded in darkness confused as how he got seperated from the king. he decided to take the steps forward to see where this path would take him. After a quick scan of the area he surmised that this was a test by diz. so with soul eater in hand he set off. that is when the heartless appeared. he fought endlessly one station after another. with each heartless he slayed his resolve in his new path deepened. that is when he heard it a voice,"this boy is the one..."

riku yelled out, "are you the one who brought me here!" no answer came out instead a voice in his head slowly grew louder.

"show me your light, your shadow, become one with me my choosen... show me your true self and I will be yours...". Riku puzzled, did not know what to make of it however the enemy had finally appeared from the depths of the shadows. he was a hooded figure in a semi-long trench jacket wearing a gauntlet on his left, and boots with metallic plates where his pants tucked in to. through the coat riku could make out his long hair, an armor style neck guard protruding from the zipped jacket and his piercing black eyes. the worst part was what this man held a black and gold keyblade that he held backwards as if he had a sheathed blade in hand. he took a step forward...

"you here it dont you the call..."

"answer me" riku quickly stated

The hooded figure shook his head, " no you where brought here by your own heart it seeks another" he steadied his keyblade cupping his hands at it's hilt. "show me your resolve, and perhaps you gain what you lost". Riku was lost but he knew if he didn't fight he would likely die here so he drew soul eater and lunged at him. to his surprise the man drew another keyblade from the hilt a gold keyblade with a simple clover design for the gaurd and at the end of the shaft a pointed end for piercing. he deflected riku with ease kicking him clear across the pillar. riku rolled to his feet shocked to see the dual wielder. they continued to exchange blows it was clear that rikus first impression was not wrong. the man used the black keyblade as one would hold a sheath but used it for defense and strikes leading into bigger attacks with the other blade and kicks. even knowing this riku could tell as he was he was no match for him. that's when he heard the voice again.

" show me your strength, your love, your anger, free your true self".

that's when the man backed off waiting for riku to make a move. riku wasted no time and entered his heartless form, he would not be defeated that easily. however, when he looked over the hooded man looked disappointed, "is only drawing on your darkness your only answer... you are not worthy of power if you rely on your inner shadows".

riku understood the thought however power is not what drove the young man anymore, "this darkness is a symbol... whatever the cost I'll pay it to protect my friends. even if it means dragging myself to the deepest darkness I can pay it. with that he readied his blade. "they are my light, and my power". this left the hooded figure silent. before he spoke

"I see in that case I will respect you and show you my light... I sincerely hope you can pass." with that the keyblades sparked and a light flowed from the man into the blades before they split and the lights flowed on to the man forming many new keyblades. two formed at his waist one, one horizontal to his back and two more massive blades crossed his back floating behind him. all the blades giving off enourmous power. he then swapped the black keyblade for another that resembeld soul eater. it contained a black eye in its center however its design was crude with elements of what looked like kingdom key and soul eater smashed together. " this blade is what's left of the battle of two souls it has yet to take on its own shape and it is calling for you. show it you are worthy and lay your true self here"
he charged with a speed riku had never scene. riku was quickly overpowered but never gave up even after soul eater was thrown from his hands. he layed defeated on the ground, this new form was like nothing he had ever faced... it was over he was going to be lost here forever. even with that frustration his love for his friends never faltered and before the man could finish him off the keyblade vanished from his hand. confused riku stood to his feet as the man backed off waiting. the keyblade reappeared in front of riku and as he drew it he felt the rage of its creation as it flowed through his mind. the "final battle of two pieces of the same soul... the shadow it left that would be known as the blade of dawn. the blade then shattered in his hands being aborbed into soul eater. confused he asked what happened and the hooded figure gladly answered, "this keyblade was forcefully forged and although powerful cant maintain itself... the blade you carry is an imitation keyblade from a previous war so it must be a suitable host for the blade." riku obviously was lost he knew nothing about soul eater except it was from malificient. "dont worry about those details your story is about to began my apprentice."

"I'm no ones apprentice, I don't even know who you are"

the hooded figure answered, "I am gale the keyblade keeper I am a master tasked with lost blades. they all need a new wielder before their lights dim out lost to time and you will be to..."

riku and gale discussed the meaning of the keeper, what a keyblade master was, and many other things. before coming to a discussion... this man could be of use. he decided to learn from gale however gale had other plans. "you are not yet ready to be trained first control the darkness within, otherwise your keyblade will forever be sealed away within soul eater". with that he pulled out a blind fold tying it to rikus eyes.

"I can't see anything what am I suppose to learn from this?!"

"search for the light let it guide you through the darkness, and one day you will find that answer". with that gale handed him another keyblade, with a flowaral pattern. " this blade belong to a very dear friend , one day I want you to pass this on find it a proper master. when that time comes you'll be ready to be my apprentice." lost by his words riku absently agreed before gale opened another door to darkness shoving the helpless riku through.

gale starred off in silence a sad expression engulfed his face as he remembered a time before he was a keyblade wielder to a time when he starred the light chasing her before the light faded and a cruel twist of fate led them to this. it's a sad tale, but one gale had grown quite fond of..." was this the right thing lave". he began to walk away heading back to the home he created... traverse town and his mind trails of to that tale a tale of darkness...