Chapter I

The still surface of the puddle on the stone street shattered as a boy's boot stepped into it. He sighed in content as he meandered through the cool, fresh night air, gazing up at the moon as the rainclouds cleared away. He brushed his black bangs out of his eyes before shoving his hands in his pockets loosely. Nights like these often brought out the softer side of this boy, when he lost his cares of his practice and the strange people around him.

About three months previous, one of the few people he'd considered friends had packed his bags lightly and left to pursue further training in two areas. One, this black-haired boy understood, but the other baffled him.

"Damned Keyblade," he mumbled as he turned down a side street. He sighed again, more in defeat than serenity, and slowed his pace to a near drag.

He stopped as he heard footsteps and he bolted upright, scanning the area around him. After finding nothing out of place, he continued walking. But moments later, the footsteps sounded again. He turned his head, his eyes wide and alert.

"Who's there?" he demanded. "Show yourself!" He waited in silence, barely breathing, for a few moments before relaxing a bit. "I'm nuts," he told himself and continued walking. But again, the footsteps sounded, and he was sure of it this time. "Okay, look. I'm warning you: show yourself, now!"

"Or what?" a raspy voice replied. "What could you possibly do, boy?" He stepped back as an elderly, hunched-over man stepped into the edge of his vision. He squinted his eyes, straining to make out any distinguishable features of the newcomer.

"Look, old man, I don't want to hurt you. What do you want?" To his annoyance, the man just let out a very throaty, gargled laugh.

"I doubt you could hurt me very easily, Vanitas," he replied. Vanitas's eyes widened and his muscles tensed.

"How do you know my name?" he demanded. "Who are you?"

"Oh, I've been observing you for some time," the man continued. "You are permitted to refer to me as Master Xehanort. Now then, if you're threatened by me, why don't you take out that Keyblade of yours?" Vanitas grit his teeth.

"Don't know what you're talking about," he spat.

"Regardless," Xehanort strode closer, and Vanitas's eyes widened as his eyes met his visitor's eerie, foreboding golden gaze. "It doesn't matter if you lie to me. You're just the type of boy I need: strong, quick-witted, and open to the darkness. You'll make a fine apprentice."

"And if I refuse?" Vanitas retorted. Xehanort gargled his laugh once again.

"Are you willing to take the chance?" he replied. "I'm afraid the choice is out of your hands. Should you not willingly join me, I'll simply have to use other means."

"Try me, old man. There's no way I'm doing anything with you."

"What a shame." Xehanort shook his head. "Then you leave me no choice." To Vanitas's shock, the old man set a speedy pace toward him. He took off running with his assailant hot on his trail.

"It doesn't matter how long you run, boy!" Xehanort taunted. "In the end, you'll be mine!" Vanitas ignored him and continued running, but found that his energy was quickly draining. As he got caught in an alley, he slowed down considerably, gasping for breath.

"Do you not see?" Xehanort startled him and he turned around, trying to stay on his feet.

"What do you want from me?" Vanitas questioned. "Who are you? What are you?"

"Listen to me, boy," Xehanort raised his hand for a moment. "Those who know nothing can understand nothing. But I can teach you, show you a side of the worlds you never could dream of. I can give you power." He grinned, and Vanitas's eyes widened as his teeth were revealed. He stepped back. "So, you're still going to resist?" Xehanort shook his head. "Very well. I hoped it wouldn't have to come to this." He started toward the boy, who swallowed and summoned a Keyblade he had come to know as the Void Gear.

"Stay back!" He barked.

"So, the Keyblade reveals itself," Xehanort chuckled. "But you lack the knowledge and the power to properly wield it. You are no threat to me as you are now." He shut his eyes and inhaled. "Ah, what a mesmerizing sound. Can you not feel your heartbeat? You are exhausted, frightened, and concerned for your safety." He opened his eyes. "As you should be." With that, he summoned a ball of dark energy and Vanitas's eyes widened. Xehanort shot the ball toward the boy, who took a direct hit and fell to the ground, stunned. Within moments, Xehanort was at his side and pulled him up quickly by his jacket's collar, throwing him off balance.

"Starting today, consider yourself my apprentice, Vanitas." Vanitas's eyes widened and his heart thudded in his chest.

"G-get away from me!" he demanded, but the grip on his collar didn't loosen.

"I'm afraid I can't do that, boy." With that, Vanitas let out a shout as a sharp pain pierced his neck. Before he could process what was happening, he fell to the stone street as he struggled to hang onto his consciousness.

"Don't worry, my boy," Xehanort told him. "I will be waiting when you regain yourself." The last thing he found himself aware of was Xehanort's throaty laugh echoing in his ears.