A/N: Not my first KH fic, but my first attempt at a longer KH epic. I'll try to adhere to the known canon, but please remember this is a speculative KHIII fic written before details of Dream Drop Distance were released. Please enjoy the read everyone!

Parings:

SoraxKairi (back yaoi fangirls, back you savages!)

RoxasxNamine (Back I say!)

AquaxTerra (because its dramatic, but in a good way)

And others will be hinted at. Expect Final Fantasy cameos, re-appearances, and special guests courtesy of Square Enix and Disney.

Prologue: One Sky

A single man, beaten and weary, stood amidst a sea of pure white crystal. Like jagged vines, the crystals grew from the surface that enclosed the lone occupant. It was a strange, mirror image of every landscape he'd ever seen. There was the thick, tall forests of one world, the reaching deserts of another world, and the sparkling ocean that lapped at the snow-white beach of yet another world. Each was a treasure to the Realm of Light, each a far off memory of a scattered dream.

Slowly, the lone occupant of the mysterious realm raised his gloved hands. The Black Coat that he wore over his bronze and silver armor was torn and filthy. Blood stained its edges, while others were charred by magical flame. Beneath the tattered coat, his Keyblade Armor glistened despite its many scratches, cracks, and dents.

He remained motionless, as if lost in concentration. The ground he stood on was at the epicenter of the pale colored world. Beneath his feet, a clear barrier separated him from a column of light made of spinning gears of what looked to be glass. Embraced within the churning gears, a large sphere of pure light pulsed like a heart — steady, deep, and warm.

The beating orb's rhythm gave the large chamber a sense of peace. That very peace was soon shattered when a fiery explosion blew away a very large crystal that acted as a wall to the chamber.

Arms still raised, the man draped in damaged armor flicked his wrists. Flashes of light filled his now balled hands, as weapons in the shape of keys filled his palms. His covered head lowered, as light glinted off of his visor and the bronze ears that split into three prongs, like a crown.

"Kalani!" A voice thundered through the once tranquil chamber. Against the gentle glow of the crystals and the embers of the explosion, this new person was but a shadow.

The man who bore two keyblades looked up at the one who called out to him. When he met the golden gaze of his new opponent, time slowed to a crawl.

Thinking of you, wherever you are.

We pray for our sorrows to end, and hope that our hearts will blend.

Bearing speed like lightning, the one cloaked in shadow charged Kalani with a keyblade of his own. Fiercely, they parried and dodged each blow with gravity defying movements, and moved with fluidity like a steady stream.

The sharp sound of keyblade meeting keyblade constantly rattled the crystals of their surroundings. The shadowy attacker rolled around Kalani's first keyblade, and lashed out with a swift swing powered by a black force. The strong blow was brushed aside by Kalani's second keyblade, while the first was well on its way to retaliate.

Again and again, the wielders of the keyblade struggled to overpower the other. It was not long before their contest of swordplay gave way to a contest of magic. Kalani was the first to call upon the swift power of Thunder. Thundaga lightning descended from the sky like a pouncing viper, and slammed into the ground with the force of a bull.

The wearer of shadows rolled out of the lightning's path before summoning the power of Blizzaga's frost. A freezing wind followed the swipe of his hand, and sharp shards of ice flew out towards Kalani.

Now I will step forward to realize this wish.

The battle raged for hours. Neither party yielded to the attacks of the other. Their skills with the legendary weapon and magic were perfectly even, but Kalani knew his time was short.

He clashed with his opponent one last time, and allowed the shadowed keybearer to glare into his visor. He then dismissed his helm, and allowed it to fade like cloth lit aflame. Soon, his face was revealed to have a gentle, caring smile.

The shadowed keybearer faltered at the tender gaze.

In a display of mastery and supremacy, he flung his opponent's keyblade from his hands, and dismissed all three keyblades involved in their battle. He embraced the one cloaked in darkness.

"Kalani." The cloak of shadows fell from the attacker's face, revealing a face of fare skin streaked with tears. Eyes of gold glistened with cascading liquid pearls, as short, dark hair clung to a feminine face coated with sweat. "Please," she went to return his embrace, "don't do this."

The moment her fingertips touched Kalani's back, he leaped backwards. He landed softly above the pillar of light, and his gentle smile grew. He raised his arms once more, as she tried to run towards him. With a flick of his wrists, a strong flash of light threw his former opponent backwards.

When the light faded, Kalani's empty hands were filled by one, enormous keyblade. It was made of two Kingdom Keys intersected with their teeth pointed outwards. A solid blade protruded from where the keyblades intersected, below a lacework at the center of the keyblade. The x-blade, a weapon that ignited enough lust to start wars.

"Kalani, no!" She reached out to him, as he raised the heavy keyblade into the air. The outline of a keyhole appeared at his feet, as Kalani stared down into the core of the Realm of Light, the epicenter of Kingdom Hearts.

And who knows:

starting a new journey may not be so hard,

or maybe it has already begun.

Kalani drove the x-blade into the keyhole, and allowed his face to relax. All the weight on his heart was lifted, as he accepted his fate. He knew his actions would cause much pain, and maybe even lead to darkness plaguing the lives of many people. However, he knew that someone will rise to finish what he could not.

His heart, ready to depart into realms unknown, suddenly felt warm. Lips were gently pressed against his, as a heart tied to his wished him farewell.

There are many worlds, but they share the same sky —

one sky, one destiny.

"... Sora."

And with an explosion that shook the entire universe, Kingdom Hearts was sealed, and the Worlds divided.

[\/\/] [\/\/] [\/\/]

A/N: Okay, started off with two OCs, but don't worry, their involvement isn't very big. Important, but not big. The Hawaiian name "Kalani" means "sky", just like Sora is "sky" in Japanese.

Next chapter: Dream Drop Distance

"The Mark of Mastery Exam is progressing smoothly"

"Something's wrong Master Yen Sid!"

I come to see if you are the sky that binds all worlds