A/N: Finally! Here's the third and final book to The Keyblade Chronicles!
"So, you killed Vanitas then?" Dawn/Xehanort asks Young Xehanort, sitting on a black throne with his legs crossed, his voice being Dawn's but also Xehanort's.
"I had to, he wasn't going to do as I said any longer." Young Xehanort replies.
"You fool. I needed Vanitas, he was one of the Three Keys to Darkness." Dawn/Xehanort growls.
Young Xehanort frowns, "Why didn't you ever inform me of this, Master?"
"Because you couldn't handle it. Never the matter, I will fix this, I'll just bring him back, and strip him of his personality, as I should have the very first time I brought him back. The worlds need to be plunged into Darkness, and we need Vanitas to do it, along with two others." Dawn/Xehanort sighs.
"Who else do we need for the Three Keys to Darkness?" Young Xehanort asks.
"You will know soon enough." Dawn/Xehanort replies.
...
Aqua walks into the room and frowns, "Sora, where have you gone? I can't have you disappearing too.."
"I'm right here." Sora comes into the room, "Are you upset, Aqua?"
She turns and sighs, "Just worried.. Terra hasn't come back.. And Celius.. I can't wake him up."
He smiles softly, staring sadly at her, "I guess I can relate, not all the way, but I'll do my best to help."
"You don't have to do that, you're still healing." Aqua replies.
"So is your son, and he needs you more than I do." he says.
"Oh, Sora.." she sighs, "Don't start that now.. Look, don't worry, we'll get Riku back, we'll win this thing. I promise you."
"Is that a promise you can make?" he asks, shaking his head slightly.
She nods confidently, "Of course it is. We've won this before."
"But not like this. Not with all this gone. He's stronger this time, and Xehanort can't be killed now. We've lost." Sora replies.
Aqua flares, "Don't you dare give up like that! We can do this! I believe in you, why don't you believe in yourself, Sora? You used to.."
She softens at the end and Sora shakes his head again, eyes sadder now and he says, "I've lost. Everything. Kairi, Roxas, my daughter now too... And then I lost Riku, long ago, and that still hurts, every time I think about him.. Because it was my fault. I should have done something.. I should have fought harder before he had to come in and save me.. If I hadn't had fallen, he'd still be here.."
"Sora... Riku's death wasn't your fault. It was his decision to jump in and protect you. He knew fully well what would happen if he protected you, and he accepted that, he chose your life over his. It was his choice, not your fault." Aqua says.
Sora looks at her, "Kairi used to say the same thing, but that never changed, no matter how many times she said it, I always stuck to it, to my side. Because I am the one who fell, who got my leg stuck, and he had to save me, because of my mistake. I lost him because I made a mistake. I am unforgivable.."
"No, Sora, no one blames you. Why do you blame you?" Aqua asks.
"Because if I hadn't have fallen, he would still be alive!" Sora couldn't, or wouldn't fight the tears now falling slowly down his face.
"You blame yourself for an accident..." Aqua states.
Sora stares at her. Tears form in her own eyes, "An accident is how we lost Ven. The same way, he chose to push you out of the way. He took your fall. You didn't blame yourself for that.."
"What... What do you mean? What are you getting at, Aqua?" Sora asks.
"I'm saying you aren't at fault for Riku, like you weren't at fault for Ven." Aqua replies.
"Aqua.." Sora sighs, "I can't just let it go. And trust me, Kairi's tried to help me let go, but I just can't. Every time I try, it's like something is tugging against my heart, willing me to keep holding back."
"That's guilt, Sora. But you can't let it control you. You have to set it free, you'll feel better." Aqua says, smiling softly.
Sora sighs and closes his eyes.
...
"I'm not the best dancer.." Riku mutters, slowly dancing in circles with Celius.
He smiles, "You don't have to be. Just let me lead you."
"Uh..okay.. Um, Celius? Why are all these people still staring at us?" she asks.
"I told you, they're watching their Princess." he replies.
"I don't know these people.." Riku says uneasily.
"Yes, you do. Take a look around." Celius says.
Riku looks around, and she sees her parents, Yuffie, Leon, and Tifani, and Aqua and Terra too. She frowns,"Celius..this... This can't be right.."
"What do you mean, Riku?" He looks down at her and asks.
She looks back up at him, "My mother is here.. She's dead, Celius."
...
"Terra!" Mickey pushes Terra out of the way of another one of Sailene's dark blast attacks.
"Thanks.." Terra grunts in surprise.
"What have you done with Dawn?!" Mickey demands, for the fifth time.
"As I said before, you'll see soon enough!" Sailene laughs, shooting another blast of darkness at them, which they dodge.
"Any longer and I think I'll pass out.." Terra mutters tiredly.
"I know.. I'm draining too.." Mickey replies.
"How much longer can this drag on? Our attacks haven't even phased her.." Terra groans.
"This has to end, soon, and on our terms.." Terra says, eyeing Sailene wearily.
Suddenly Sailene's illusion shatters and they are back at the castle just as Dawn/Xehanort comes out of the castle.
"Dawn?!" Mickey gasps.
"That's enough, Sailene. I'll deal with them from here." Dawn/Xehanort says.
"Of course, Master." Sailene nods, disappearing in darkness with a snap of her fingers.
"That's not Dawn." Terra growls lowly.
"It can't be...," Mickey's eyes widen, "That's not... Xehanort?!"
Dawn/Xehanort simply smirks.