Well, it has definitely been a while since I've been on this story. To anyone coming in now, welcome. To anyone returning because of these updates, welcome back. This was my very first story ever written, and in five years I have grown so much that I look back to see just how much. That said, I intend to try and bring this story up to my current standards, if only for my own satisfaction. Thank you to anyone taking the time to read this, and I certainly hope that I can maintain the heart of the original story while helping it flow better and deepening the characters and narrative. To any who don't know, this story and the series it spawned are non-canon to the game's universe in that Eraqus trained a fourth apprentice alongside Terra, Ven, and Aqua who is a driving force not only in this story, but the series as a whole. To any who dislike OCs, here is your fair warning. This rewrite will be subject to plot alterations both small and large in order to fall in line with the narrative that the series drives. Any time you see a song in bold, it's a suggested track to listen to for the scene.
Chapter Notes/Revisions and Alterations: Additional quotes and notes pertaining to events leading up to the story.
Opening: Reminiscence
(Dearly Beloved, Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep)
"In ancient times, people believed that light was a gift from an unseen land by the name of Kingdom Hearts. But Kingdom Hearts was safeguarded by its counterpart, the X-blade. Warriors vied for that precious light, thus beginning the Keyblade War. The violent clash shattered the X-blade into twenty pieces: seven of light and thirteen of darkness. The real Kingdom Hearts was swallowed by the darkness, never to surface again."
"The Keyblade is said to hold phenomenal power. One legend says its wielder saved the world, while another says that he wrought chaos and ruin upon it. I must know what this Keyblade is. A key opens doors…"
Many tales are told of the Keyblade and those who wield them. Stories of legendary Keyblade Wielders date back to the founding of the Realm of Light. History speaks of both heroes of light and seekers of darkness. Ever have the two forces been in conflict, but are eternally bound to co-exist. Light begets darkness, and darkness ever chases after light.
Over the years, many Keybearers have risen and fallen either in defeat or in the oceans of time. The early Wielders were often of noble bloodlines and nearly always depicted the very strongest and righteous that the Realm of Light had to offer. However, as years passed the number of Keyblades began to dwindle into handfuls of adoptive families. Eventually, precious few Masters remained and even they struggled to find able apprentices. Many of the old bloodlines died out or faded into obscurity, save for one.
One of the last known Keyblade Masters was a seasoned and disciplined man by the name of Tallius, a native of Radiant Garden. In his middle-age, he trained four apprentices. The fourth has been almost forgotten, but the remaining three are known for their roles in the rise of the coming darkness and the inevitable Second Keyblade War. The first and eldest of the three was Yen Sid, who spent much of his early life with Keyblade in hand. The second and middle apprentice was Xehanort, the young native of Destiny Islands with a heart always yearning for greater knowledge. And the youngest, of course, was Eraqus, the disciplined but kind hearted man who would go on to train the next generation.
After the death of their master, Yen Sid forewent his Keyblade and spent his days high in their master's tower watching over the worlds. Many years later, he would take his sole apprentice Mickey, selfless if not impetuous King of Disney Castle.
Xehanort chose the Seeker's life, searching for answers to the world's questions rather than training new Wielders.
Eraqus, in contrast, sought pupils and formed a family of his own, finding the boy Terra as an infant in an orphanage in Radiant Garden. He later found the girl Aqua as a toddler bereft of any parents or family yet possessing a heart so pure and bright that he could not look away from her.
The story from there is quite clear. Through various paths and walks of life, Eraqus himself inherited yet two more apprentices, the boy Ventus and the young man Jack. Ventus had no memories of his past, and Jack was a mystery in and of himself. But Eraqus loved them all as his children.
But these four were destined to fail. When Xehanort made his move, they were unable to prevent the death of Eraqus or Terra losing his body. Ventus' heart was forced into slumber, and the remaining two vanished from the worlds with hardly a trace of their existence remaining.
The worlds fell into darkness a few short years later, and seemed beyond hope. The Keyblade Wielders had vanished.
Until Sora.
"Yes, that dull ordinary boy; so unlike any Keyblade Wielder I have ever seen." Master Xehanort underestimated him at every turn, even as Sora saved the worlds not once, but twice.
But now with Xehanort's return imminent and the Second Keyblade War on the horizon, Sora will not be able to face the darkness alone. He will need help from old friends and new friends alike. The lost Keyblade Wielders must be found, and the Guardians of Light assembled. The task will not be easy, for one still lacks his heart, another requires a daring rescue, one remains in the thrall of their enemies, and one does not want to be found.
The lost apprentices of Master Eraqus shall not be the only ones to return. Sora will also need a powerful ally in the form of his own Nobody, along with the forces capable of standing against Xehanort's Seekers of Darkness.
But that is yet to come.
"Aqua, Ven. One day I will set this right."
In a barren wasteland littered with lifeless Keyblades, a suit of armor knelt motionless on the ground.
"Anything to save Terra and Aqua!"
In a room filled with white walls and decorative chains, a young man with blonde hair slept peacefully on a white throne.
"Terra and I will be back to wake you up before you know it."
In the Dark Realm, on the shores of the ocean, a young blue haired woman stood looking out at the waves. A man in a dark coat sat behind her on a rock.
"The X-blade has no place in this or any world. Xehanort has made his purpose clear, and I am left with no choice."
"The three of us will never be torn apart. I'll always find a way."
In the dark corners of his own trapped heart, a brown haired man looked up as if trying to find some distant light. He could feel his master's heart near his own, and found comfort in the other man's presence.
"Axel? Please! The name's Lea, got it memorized?"
"The world is made of light and darkness. You can't have one without the other."
"You make a good other."
"To make sure my best friend….sleeps in peace.
"Who's this new Riku, and what happened to the old one?"
"I have to go. I am who I am, because of them."
The group stood together. Sora with his best friends, Riku and Kairi. Roxas and Lea, and Mickey, as well.
"I find no welcome in light so long as my friends are lost in darkness."
A hooded figure walked along the beach of Destiny Islands, and he stopped and looked up at the stars.
Kingdom Hearts 3: Into the Depths of Darkness Final Mix
Well, this one is much more substantive than the original. As I said, I'll be taking steps to draw this story closer to the rest of the series, but I will be maintaining the spirit of the original. Thanks for reading!
