Disclaimer: All characters and worlds, unless otherwise noted are copyrights of Disney and Square-Enix. Nexam, Lenne, and Kev belong to me.

Nexam's Awakening and Journey

Nexam stood in a dark room alone. That wasn't what surprised him: that honor belonged to the source of light that provided enough for him to see his surrounding coming from the stain glass panel he stood on. He didn't recognize any of the characters on it. He saw a boy with moderately lengthed and slightly spiky brown hair and eyes that strangely looked like him. In his right hand was what looked like a combination between a sword and scythe with a rather large handle and a keychain. The silver curved blade connected by a blue vine, resembling a cape that trailed to the handle, wrapping around a straight blade like a sword that connects to the upper part of the scythe blade. This created a pocket of sorts between the blade and vine, in which several smaller vines of the same fashion connected intricately to the other side. On the keychain was a sword and shield with the same color scheme. Almost in a way, it reminded him of a giant key. Where am I? What's going on?

"Look familiar?" a mysterious voiced asked. For some reason, Nexam took another look at the panel and could have sworn he saw himself as the key bearing boy.

"Who are you?" Nexam asked, trying to hide the confusion he felt about the situation.

"Merely a guide," the voice answered, "to show you the way and warn you of the dangers that loom ahead." As if on cue, three small dark creatures with yellow eyes and antenna appeared. In their weird manner, the Shadow Heartless approached Nexam. Though he did not know what they were, he knew they were hostile.

Great, I'm being attacked by three shadow things and I have no means to defend myself. Instantly, the weapon he saw on the panel appeared in his right hand. Huh?

"Use the light to defeat the darkness," the voice said. Nexam looked at his keyblade and wasted no time in using it. Knight's Oath popped into his head, probably the name of the weapon. He thrust it into the nearest Heartless, then brought it up diagonally. He watched as the creature disappeared into darkness, releasing the captive heart it held. Nexam ran towards the other two and brought the keyblade's fury upon them. They were quickly reduced to nothing. Instantly, a stairway made of light appeared, leading to another circular panel.

"Guess I climb up these," Nexam said. To his surprise there was no response. "I'm gonna take that as a yes." He climbed up the stairs, destroying any Heartless that appeared before him. More Heartless appeared. "Give me a break." Again, he went to work slaying the fiends. Another stairway appeared and he climbed up it. This time, no Heartless revealed themselves. "That's weird."

"Prepare yourself," the voice said.

"For what?" Nexam asked. It was then he heard a loud piercing roar. He turned around and faced something that looked like it came out of a nightmare, a massive black Heartless with yellow eyes, claws, and fangs, known as Nightmare. The beast swung one of its massive arms at him, only to be blocked by the keyblade. The monster seemed surprised by the maneuver, but not as surprise as Nexam was when he pulled his next feat. He climbed up the arm and headed for the creature's back. The heartless tried to pull him off, but no to avail, Nexam blocked each attempt. Once he reached the shoulders, he slashed furiously at the neck. After a few attacks, the heartless vanished and warped to the other side of the platform.

As Nexam began to fall, Nightmare began to shoot dark blasts of energy at him. Short on ideas, he used the only thing he had, his keyblade. As the blasts neared him, he swung his keyblade, parrying them and sending them back to the Heartless. After doing this a few times, the heartless became stunned. Nexam landed on the ground and threw his keyblade like a javelin at it. Nightmare shrieked in pain as the keyblade bearer ran up the up and jumped off, grabbing his keyblade when he approached it. Back on the ground, he swung his keyblade at the creature. It groaned as it began to vanish, releasing a giant heart. Nexam stood proudly at defeating such a large creature.

"Your journey shall soon begin, keyblade bearer," the voice said.

KH-KH-KH

Nexam woke up back in his bed. He looked around and saw that he was in his room.

Was that a dream, or something more? He looked at his hand to find nothing in it. His phone rang, stopping his thoughts about the whole thing. Nexam walked to his desk and picked it up.

"Yo, what's up?" he said.

"Hey Nexam, you ready for tonight?" the caller said.

"What are you talking about Kev?" Nexam asked.

"Uh, I dunno, perhaps your 'date' with destiny, I mean Lenne," Kev answered.

"What the hell are you…Oh crap! I forgot that's today," Nexam replied. Quickly he looked at the clock near him and saw the time was 8:25 P.M. "8:25, I've got 30 minutes. Talk to you later man, and thanks!" He pushed end and went to getting ready. After a quick shower and slapping on some deodorant, he put on his evening wear: a light blue jacket over a grey shirt with blue jeans and his white and blue tennis shoes. He walked over to his desk where a small black leather box sat. He opened it up and removed the sliver necklace with a winged sword on it, placing it around his neck. After winning it in the tournament 2 days prior, he was seldom seen without it. For Nexam, it served as a good luck charm, but something more, a connection to someone, rather would serve as a connection to someone special once he grabbed the other item in the box, the matching ring with wings much like the necklace craved in by a graceful artisan. He held it in his hand as his eyes were fixed upon it, almost trancelike, remembering the final fight against Kev that won him the set and what he intended to do with it that evening. Before he let his nerves get to him, Nexam put the ring one of his jacket's side pockets, waiting for the perfect moment to give it to Lenne. With that tended to, the last part of his appearance he need to work with was his hair, which he combed to the moderately spiky level like he had in his dream and the boy on the panel. He looked at himself in the mirror, a boy at 17 who had finally succeeded in getting the girl of his dreams to spend some time with him, just the two of them. Nexam could have sworn that for a split second, he looked just like the boy he saw on the stained glass panel. He glanced at the clock once again and ran out of his house, never once thinking about going back to pick up his cell phone.

KH-KH-KH

Gransburg was a small suburb of the nearby city New Grove. Being a costal town, one of the best spots to visit was the beach, and at night, the clear blue waves under the moonlight were a sight to behold. Nexam couldn't think of a more fitting place for someone as beautiful as Lenne to be. He ran quickly under the rising moon to meet her at a small café bordering the beach. Apparently, he made it just in time. Before him stood Lenne, a beautiful brunette with moderately long hair and eyes that were as glorious as the heavens themselves. She wore a brown blouse with a green undershirt, blue jeans, and white shoes. Wow, she looks amazing. His thoughts stopped when she waved at him.

"Nexam, good to see you," Lenne said warmly as she walked towards him. His pulse began to quicken.

Ok, ok, calm down man, this is it. "As for you," Nexam replied. "You're looking as good as ever."

"Thanks," Lenne said smiling. Oh how he loved to see her smile.

"So, wanna get something to eat?" He asked with his thumb pointing to the café behind him.

"Sure," Lenne replied, "We're here after all." Nexam let out a small smile. Kev would have killed to see him do that. Lenne started walking towards the café, with him by her side. They sat down at the table and order something to drink and lemonade for Nexam and water for Lenne. They both began to browse through the menu. Out of the corner of his eye, he could have sworn he saw one of the shadow creatures from his dream.

Was that what I think it was? He stared at it for a moment longer until Lenne spoke up.

"Something wrong?" she asked caringly. Nexam shook his head.

Snap out of it man, and start getting more sleep. "Nah, it's nothing. What could be wrong about tonight?" Nice one you idiot, what are you thinking? Nothing that's what. So much for trying to keep it smooth, eh? Leene smiled at it. She liked him and could tell he felt the same way. It was a pity that Nexam was so shy though. Little did she know how long it took him to do this, finally thanks to Kev's coaxing. The waiter broke the silence as he served their food.

"Bon appetite," the waiter said as he placed their food in front of them. Once he was gone, Nexam and Lenne just laughed. They didn't know why or cared. Her presence really soothed him. They talked about various things as the enjoyed their food. Once they were done eating, Nexam left the munny on the bill and they walked towards the beach. The moon was now higher in the sky, and Nexam couldn't help but feel something enchanting about the evening, something that would aide him in his task hopefully.

Nexam and Lenne strolled along the beach watching the clear blue waves come and go upon the sands. The heavens looked so peaceful which was how Nexam felt for the first time in a long time. "So, uhm, are you having a good time?" he asked with a small hit of his nerves in it, placing one hand on his pocket to make sure the ring was still there. Nexam knew it was, he wasn't that careless, but it did ease him a bit.

"Sure am," Lenne replied happily, "what about you?"

"Yeah!" Nexam answered boldly, "most definitely, heck it's probably the best night of my life!" Maybe too bold you hopeless romantic. At a different part of the beach, their friend Kev looked upon them proudly.

"Way to go Nexam," he said, "and about damn time too." He resumed his walk, grinning proudly at his work, feeling a small pang in his heart because of it, but shook it off quickly.

"Wow," Nexam said, "the sky looks amazing."

"Sure does," Lenne replied as she too stared at the heavens. The purplish light of the moon was a sight to behold, as was the shooting star they saw. Nexam's eyes drifted from the heavens towards Lenne.

"You look so beautiful," he said, and rather poetically without knowing. Doh, why'd you do that? Lenne then faced him.

"Thanks," she replied, "I'm flattered." She began to blush, as did Nexam. They began to lean closer towards each other, getting closer and closer to that kiss. Just as their lips were about to touch, they were interrupted by a scream.

"Aah!" a woman screamed. "Monsters!" Quickly they looked around and saw numerous Shadows running across the beach and town attacking anyone nearby.

"What are those things?" Lenne asked as she stood up and moved closer to Nexam, being filled with fear.

"I don't know," Nexam answered guessingly, "but I know it's not safe here anymore. C'mon, let's go!" He held out his right hand which Lenne promptly took as they ran through the city. What the hell is going on? For some reason, he remembered the words spoken to him in his dream. "To warn you of the dangers that loom ahead…your journey shall begin soon, keyblade bearer." They ran as fast as they could, but were ambushed by more Shadows.

"We're trapped," a terrified Lenne shrieked, holding on very tight to Nexam's hand. "Aaah!" she screamed as they saw a person loose their heart to the Heartless and become a Shadow. The nearby Heartless that heard her scream turned their attention to the fear filled Lenne and Nexam. He turned his head real quick and saw that the beach was clear. It was then that Nexam got an idea. "The water." He turned around, never loosening his grip on Lenne's hand.

"Didn't we come this way?" she asked confused and filled with fear.

"Yeah," Nexam answered, "but they didn't appear in the water." It was his one shot, and he was going to take it. There was no way he would let any of those abominations get to Lenne without taking him down first. That was until fate intervened.

"Nexam!" Lenne shouted. Instantly he turned around and saw her being sucked into a dark portal.

"Lenne!" he shouted in response as he ran to her and held her hand with both of his. "Just hang on, I'll get you outta there!" He was pulling with all his might, but to no avail, the darkness was too strong for him. "NO!" Lenne's face went under, followed by the arm he held for dear life. "Dammit!" Nexam muttered as he pounded the ground with a fist. "I was too slow…I couldn't help her in time." He looked up and saw Shadows all around him. His keyblade, Knight's Oath, materialized in his hand. He glared at the heartless and swung furiously at them. Heartless don't normally know fear, but those Shadows did as they met their end to an enraged Nexam.

KH-KH-KH

Kev watched the dark siege upon their town in shock. Everything he and his friends had ever known to be true, to be safe, was being swallowed by the darkness. Even worse was the Heartless attacking the townspeople, capturing their hearts as they faded away from humanity and joined their ranks. "What the hell is going on?" he asked, though there was no solitary person around who could possibly answer him. Kev then noticed that a Heartless was approaching him. As if it were a reflex, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his knife. "C'mon you damn freak, make my day!" The Shadow charged at him only to be met by his knife flying into its head. The creature faded, releasing the heart it had just recently captured. Kev took his knife and ran to where Nexam was fighting off waves of Heartless.

KH-KH-KH

Nexam was getting exhausted after battling wave after wave of Shadows. Still, more came, and he would not rest until he slew every last one of them. Those bastards are gonna pay. Left, right, up, and down he swung his keyblade taking as many Heartless down as possible. One was coming up from behind him as he was busily fighting off 5 others. He glanced at it and was prepared for the end when he saw a flying knife finish the job for him.

"Nexam!" a tired Kev greeted. "What the hell is going on here?" He looked around and saw that Nexam was alone, and apparently extremely upset. "Where's Lenne?"

"The darkness took her," Nexam muttered in response, loathing himself with every word. "I couldn't save her in time." Kev glanced at the weapon in his hand.

"Where'd you get that?" he asked. "And for all it's worth, what in hellfire is it?"

"I don't know," Nexam answered, "but it can take out those damn shadow creatures, so it's welcome in my book." That was perhaps the most cheery he sounded during the entire ordeal. He noticed a Heartless approaching Kev. "Look out" Quickly, he put his keyblade to work as he chunked it at the Heartless, killing it instantly.

"Whoa, nice moves there buddy," Kev replied, "and thanks for saving my skin."

"You saved mine," Nexam added, "and that's what friends are for, right?" Kev nodded his head.

"You got it," he replied. Kev tried to walk but couldn't. It felt as if some powerful force was pulling him in somewhere. He turned his head to see a dark portal dragging him in.

"Kev!" Nexam yelled as he grabbed a hold of his friend. Kev knew that he didn't have much time and if Nexam held on, he would be dragged in to.

"Forget about me," Kev replied, "go on, get to somewhere safe and find Lenne."

"I can't just leave you here!" Nexam rebutted.

"Nexam," Kev replied as he stared his friend straight in the eye, "she needs you more than I do." Nexam stood there for a moment and nodded his head. "Good boy, now go, get outta here and quick."

"Take care of yourself," Nexam added as he ran off like his friend ordered him. He hoped, no, he knew that they would see each other again. It was just a question of when and where. Kev quit resisting and faded into the darkness.

Go get 'em Nexam.

Nexam ran from a city quickly fading away, quickly bringing an end to the existence of any Heartless in his wake. That all stopped when he heard the roar of the best from his dream. He turned around and saw Nightmare destroying what was left of his home world. Nexam readied his keyblade, and threw it javelin style straight at the monster's head, right between the yellow eyes of its snout. It roared in pain as he climbed up the arm and jumped onto its head. Quickly, he grabbed his keyblade, holding the sharp end against the Nightmare, and ran down the top of its head and back. Nexam held on to it with a stern grip as it ripped through the Heartless and pulled it out midway between the back and ground. The monster swung its massive arm at him, this time connecting with Nexam, sending him back a few feet.

The keyblade bearer then charged towards Nightmare, thrusting his weapon into its arm. It groaned in pain from the attack, but Nexam pulled out his keyblade, and continued his onslaught, swinging it furiously at the arm. The Heartless was stunned, and he wasted no time in seizing this opportune moment. Once more he climbed up the arm and this time made the neck his target. After a few slashes, Nightmare grabbed Nexam and threw him into the air. Next, it prepared his shadow blast ability, shooting sever dark orbs of energy at him. Nexam waited as he fell down and parried them back to the Heartless. He parried each one of them that was near him, stunning the monster. Once he was grounded again he ran towards it, jumping into the air and attacking its lowered head. Nightmare groaned in pain as it began to fade away, releasing a giant captive heart, just like in Nexam's dream. However, he didn't expect what happened next.

After the Heartless' destruction, the black hole that was destroying their world began to vacuum faster. Nexam planted his keyblade in the ground and held onto the handle.

"This is it," the voice he head in his dream said.

"What's it?" Nexam asked angered. "Who are you and what do you want with my friends?"

"Your journey is about to begin," the voice answered.

"What do you mean?" Nexam asked. "Why me? What's so good about me?"

"Your time keyblade bearer has come," the voice replied. Nexam felt his keyblade slowly slip out of the ground.

This is it then. It moved again. He could feel the force of the black hole dragging him in. His keyblade was fully out of the ground now, sending Nexam straight into the vortex, wherever it would lead. As he floated away, he took once last glimpse at the ruins that once made up his home, Gransburg. That was the last he saw of it as he faded into the dark vortex.