Ana's eyes fluttered open as the sound of singing met her ears. As she turned over in her warm bed and pushed her Yorkie further down towards her feet, she slapped the oversized snooze button and groaned. She needed a minute, well more than a minute considering she had the same weird dream again for the third night in a row. It was so vivid while sleeping but when she woke, she just couldn't get her head wrapped around it. Not to mention it felt like she had gotten no sleep. Her brown eyes slowly began to close and she felt sleep upon her again but was abruptly interrupted but a big wet tongue sliding across her face.

"Good morning dingo." She said to her red cattle dog who was sitting up looking straight at her with a wild look in his eyes. Skooter groaned as she finally pushed the Yorkshire off the bed. He glared at her. "Don't look at me, Hunter was the one so eager to get up." She pushed her long brown hair out of her face and exited her room and opened the door to her apartment to let the dogs out.

A frigid breeze swept smoothly around her and she shivered as it sent chills all the way from her fingertips to her spine. "I miss the summer." Was all she said as she called her dogs back. Eager to warm up, she was glad that her roommate had left early and she hopped in the shower, letting the warm water race through her body and awaken her mind.

Once she was dressed in her school clothes, she ate breakfast and ran out the door with her dogs behind her. They were going to the daycare today. It was off to school for another hectic day. She groaned again for the second time that morning just thinking about it. She loved learning, she had a strong passion for knowledge and she couldn't be happier but some days she just wanted to stay in bed and never get up. Life hadn't been easy for her, her family had died when she was young and she had been put through the ringer, taking care of herself, growing up way to fast. When she finally turned 16 and proved she could hold down a job and go to school full time, the court had granted her permission to live on her own in a house an old family friend rented to her for really cheap

As she drove down the streets after dropping her dogs off at the daycare, she noticed something odd. The streets that were bustling with cars only minutes before had seemed to disappear and the voice from her dream softly floated through her mind.

Darkness is coming, consuming hearts and reeking chaos.

Panic shot through her as she continued to drive the almost deserted streets.

Just as she rounded the corner to her school, her heart stopped and all time seemed to slow down. She parked her car in the middle of the street and slowly got out of her vehicle. The sight before her eyes stole her breath and she watched a giant black hole consume the giant school. She barley heard the thunder and the cries and screams of the people nearby as the wind picked up and creatures emerged from the ground. "holy hell, demons are upon us." She said sarcastically to herself.

But her sarcasm soon faded as she looked at her car being devoured by darkness and more yellowed eyed creatures popped out of the ground. "Ok not good." She said running to the gas station across the street from her. She grabbed the door handle and slammed it shut, surprised to see her good friend watching from the window, as people outside either ran for cover or were devoured by the tiny bug eyed freaks.

"Ana." The tall girl said, there was defiantly fear in her eyes.

"Lea, It's madness out there. I don't understand what is going on." The clouds grew darker and the creatures many more. Butterflies grew in Ana's stomach and before with girl could move out of the way, a car came slamming into the glass window where they were watching the destruction. Ana grabbed Lea and both girls fell to the ground, glass surrounding both of them, cutting deep into their arms. The car only feet from them, the driver had turned into a creature.Heartless. The voice wisped through her thoughts. Ana shook her head, Where is that voice coming from?

"Lea. Are you o.k.? " She got up and glanced over to Lea and doubled back in surprise. She was heading for the door and she ran outside! Ana didn't understand until she saw Lea's sister, cornered by the black things. Her blood ran cold and fear for her friends life struck her "Lea!" she yelled and followed the girl out the door. The moment she stepped out the voice rang in her head, this time not soothing and louder than ever. Her vision blurred and she was falling into blackness.

She opened her eyes not long later to find herself laying on a glass platform With intricate designs on them, including a sleeping version of her. She stood.

Two blades, one controls light, and the other dark. A third key, neither light nor dark to maintain balance. A heart as indecisive as the blade, must it protect the light?

Ana freaked out a little on the inside for the second time that day, but she swallowed her fear and courage swelled in her chest. A sword, in the shape of a key formed in her hand. The top shaped in a key form, only sharp points came out of each tip, and the hilt intricately formed in the shape of a star. It started silver at the tip and as the color found it's way down the blade, it turned dark purple and blue.

The journey will be long, the battles hard

A shadow creature formed from the ground.

Are you ready?

The voice asked. Ana swung the blade in fury at the creature and it disappeared in a flurry of smoke, a heart rising to the sky. The glass shattered beneath her feet but no sound escaped her lips as she fell screaming.

Ana picked herself up off the asphalt and hurried to her friend, only to be stopped by the shadows. Once again the keyblade was in her possession. She hacked her way through the wave and almost made it to her friend, her legs carrying her on the wind but not seconds later she met the wall and heard a crack as her head hit the bricks. "Lea." She whispered, fighting the dancing black dots before her eyes. Trying to stand, she fell back over a wave of nausea and dizziness the only thing stopping her from saving her friend. She heard her scream, saw the crowed of blackness upon her and then everything was silent as she fell through the darkness again, this time, letting it carry her into the deepest depths of her heart.

Two souls were looking up to the sky "Look! A star's goin' out!" A dog named Goofy said to his duck friend Donald.

"And another one!" Donald said pointing up the second blinking light in the sky "Come on. Let's hurry." Goofy, Donald and Pluto continue on down the road. "Where's that key?" Donald asks

"Hey, ya know, maybe we ought to go find Leon." Goofy suggested. If only he know how right he was. Goofy watched as Pluto wandered in the opposite direction that they were heading

Pluto was at Soras feet, wagging his tail and licking his face, causing the blue eyed boy to open his eyes.

"What a dream..." He asks…

Floating, floating in the darkness, there was nowhere to go, but she didn't want to go anywhere anyways. Peacefulness, was that a light? She covered her eyes, the interrupting light turned in to interrupting voices and she opened her eyes. Immediately remembering the darkness Ana shot straight up "LEA!" she yelled, only to be forced back down by a firm hand. She understood why as her world began to spin out of control.

"Take it easy kid. Looks like the heartless did you in pretty good" A man with a scar across his face said.

"It's Ana gramps." She said sighing. His face turned red and angry as a girl dressed as a ninja laughed in the corner.

"What's so funny?" he asked crossing his arms

"That's the second time today Leon." She smiled and walked over to Ana. "The name's Yuffie." She extended her hand in greeting.

"Ana." she said slightly confused and not taking her hand. "If you don't mind me asking, where the heck am I and how did I get here?" Just as Leon was about to answer her, a boy with spiky brown hair entered the room.

"Hi Sora!" Yuffie said excited, having already met the Keyblade master just minutes before

"Sora sit, I will tell you everything" Leon gestured to the bed Ana was laying on. She slowly sat up and allowed the short boy to sit next to her. He exchanged a smile and she felt warmth spreading through her, like he may have been a close friend once upon a time.

"I must have hit my head harder than I thought." She mumbled to herself.

Sora glanced over at the key shaped object.

"The Keyblade, we had to take it away from you to shake off those creature, that's how they were tracking you." Yuffie said

"It was the only way to conceal your heart from them, but it wont work for long. It's hard to believe that you of all people are the chosen one." They both looked at Lean, very confused.

"Sora, Ana. Ana, Sora. Good now that introductions are done I will tell you what you two are doing here."

"About time." Ana said sarcastically. Leon glared at her and picked up the key blade that was propped against the wall. As soon as it was in his possession it disappeared and found its way into Sora's lap

"I guess beggars cant be choosers" Leon said

"How about you start making sense! What's going on here?" Sora asked confused. Ana glanced over at him, she knew his frustrations.

They explained about the worlds being a secret and finding new pathways, they explained how the heartless attacked Sora and that was their enemy, but Sora didn't get it

"Those without hearts. The darkness in people's hearts—that's what attracts them. And there is darkness within every heart." Leon said. Sora and Ana nodded, taking in as much information as they could. Leon went on to explain about Ansem and how his work was scattered around the worlds Little did they know that in the room next to them, this same story was being explained to their future friends.

Leon had a lot of ,explaining to do as he continued, the heartless feared the key blade and Sora sat in shock as he thought about his island and Riku and Kairi. "I have to find them."

"Yuffie, lets join Aerith, I'm sure she is there with the other visitors.

"Wait, so why did I end up here and my friends didn't?" she asked interrupting Leon.

"Simple." Was all he said. Taking out his gun blade he charged at Sora. her heart began to race and panic shot through her. Before Sora's blade could even appear, she had blocked Leon with the same blade she held only hours before.

"Are you mad?" Ana asked

"If only you were here thirty minutes ago, I'm sure Sora would have appreciated it." He finished. Sora glared ever so slightly, remembering their encounter earlier that night. A heartless appeared in the small room, and once again they moved farther and farther away from Donald and Goofy as they jumped out the window after it, and before they knew it, Ana, Sora and Leon were walking through Traverse Town, fighting the small heartless on the way, Leon explaining more about what Ana was and needed to do. "Naturally, her blade is used to protect whoever bears the key blade, may it be light or dark, you could call her the guardian of the blades."

"Wow, totally didn't sign up for this one." she said knocking down another "Shadow" as Leon had called them.

"Your heart has been connected by the key, It chose you." He said walking on as Sora blocked an attack from another heartless, it seemed like there was more now after they entered the second district. "Your key also controls the balance between darkness and light, making sure that one doesn't over power the other, But also making sure that the one with the Keyblade doesn't fail at his purpose. So you could also call yourself the Balance"

"Ha! That's a good one." Ana laughed to herself. Leon didn't seem to find it funny. He sliced another heartless.

"Go find who is controlling them." Sora nodded and Ana followed, she supposed it was her duty, not that she was complaining. She was always up for a little adventure.

It didn't take long for them to get lost, She didn't know how seeing as this was such a small town but the more heartless they fought, the more Ana was getting frustrated. But something caught her eye… Sora was sitting on the ground, exhausted from all the battling. Ana finished off the last heartless and walked over to him."You know, you pretty lazy." She teased.

"Hey." Was all he said, the look in his eyes told her he was somewhere else at the current moment.

"I'm going to check out what's over here." She said turning in the opposite direction. Sora went to get up but she just waved her hand in the air. "I'll just be a minute."

Ana summoned her blade and walked cautiously around the corner, not surprised to be met by a young boy

"I figured you would show up." He said, arms crossed. Ana raised her blade in offense and walked towards him. So far she didn't like his attitude, she knew people like this back in her home world and they never got along.

"Mind telling me why you are following us? She said, staring at him. For some reason she felt like she knew him and the same feeling swept through her, the one she had when she had met Sora for the first time.

"I don't feel a need to justify my actions." He said flatly.

"Then whom may I have the pleasure of beating into a puddle of patheticness?" She asked, giving him the, your way to full of yourself look. He was taken aback by the intensity of her words.

"Those are some dark words coming from you." He said. But the determination in her dark brown eyes wiped all resentment towards Ana away from the boy. He smirked at her and walked in her direction, but she didn't lower her key blade until he sighed and sat down on the stone ground.

"Your something else you know that? You remind me of my best friend in a way." He said, the tone of his voice had completely changed, what once was defensive was now light and soft, making their way inside Ana's heart. Why must I feel all soft and cuddly.? She asked herself, it usually wasn't her forte and in all honestly, she didn't like it.

She followed his aqua eyes to the sky, staring up at all the stars, the moon caught his silver hair just right and a sudden realization smacked her down from the world she had just been standing on.

"My name is R-"

"Riku." She cut him off. Sora had only talked about him and Kiari all the time, and she had only met him a couple of hours ago. She mentally kicked herself and watched as her stick figure self fall off a cliff.

"How did you know?" He asked, a little annoyed his introduction was cut short. Ana sensed something from him. It was almost suffocating, but familiar, it made her breath stop, but she almost welcomed it, and all the same, she felt a pull towards him, something in her heart wanted to be near him. But at the same time, she felt Sora was pulling her closer.

"Oh you know, I can totally read your mind." She said more to herself, trying to figure out what she was feeling. She didn't like it, but it almost felt right to her. Riku had a puzzled look on his face. Ana laughed when she looked at him "Wow I was kidding." She said, thinking that he took it literally. "Anyways, my name is Ana." She held out her hand. Riku took it in his. It was warm and friendly

"I know." He said. She sighed and took a seat on the ground against the wall across from him, tired from her days work. She didn't even question how Riku knew who she was.

"So, why haven't you come out? Sora has been talking about you, I'm sure he would like to know you are safe "

"Nah, Sora? Worried? I can't picture it." He looked over in her direction, jealousy was written deep within his heart, Ana also sensed this, but she still couldn't put her finger on the previous feelings she felt before, so she just smiled. "Besides, I have to find Kairi." He finished.

"I'm sure we could help." she knew how happy Sora would be if they could search for Kairi together. But his attention was on something completely different , he reminded her a lot of Sora. He had seen something down the ally, turning the corner and Ana caught it too as she watched a black robe disappear behind another wall.

"Well, it looks like I have to go." He said, a completely different tone in his voice. It was almost hateful. Ana flinched and before she could get up, he had taken off down the street and into a shadowed ally.

"That was weird." She said to herself, getting up to find Sora. Coming back the sight was astounding, a dog and a duck lay on top of him, and they seemed surprised by what they found, but before the three could exchange introductions, a band of heartless appeared. "Sora!" Ana shouted running to his side. She were beginning to hate the little soldier guys, and already annoyed by the new arrivals Ana quickly hashed her way through the small wave. "Do they ever stop coming?" She said out of breath.

"Uh, Ana." Sora said looking up.

"What now!" She asked and turned around, only to find a giant armor heartless towering above her. "Great! I guess I got my answer." She looked over at Sora who gave her a playful smile. Once again her blade appeared in her hands. Ana looked at Sora confidently and nodded to the two strangers. "You guys ready?" She asked

"Bring it on." Said the dog.

"I think we should take out its arms and legs first." Sora added in, Ana nodded and followed as he charged in. The fight went on forever. Sora had finally gotten a leg out when the other came over and kicked him back. Out of an unknown reflex, Ana jumped in front of him as Guard Armors leg came around for a second time, raising her blade up in defense, she was pushed backward slightly and the heartless was pushed of guard. It was then that it hit her that this fantasy type world she was in was not like her world back home, where things like this happened in video games, and the endings wouldn't always be happy, dying was really dying.

"Come on Sora." She said helping him up off the ground. The tiny duck and the dog were doing their best while they had the advantage. "We almost have him." Ana's reassurance brightened his attitude.

"Ok let's finish this." Sora ran back at the heartless, attacking it relentlessly , and eventually, they were down to the body. It spun in the air, covering its ground and the four tried to stay out of its path. Ana's nerves were on end at how dangerous this was and how close it was coming to Sora. She didn't understand why she was so protective of him but the feeling grew with every passing moment.

Ana saw it coming, Sora had turned his attention away for one second and she was half way across the street, and she watched, horrified as the heartless charged at Sora. "Sora!" she yelled for the second time that afternoon, trying to grab his attention and running as fast as her legs could carry her. She was irritated at how often he was caught off guard. Shouldn't he be paying more attention, He was the keyblade master after all. She dove into him, as if the wind had carried her on its wings and took the blunt of the blow from the heartless. They were both sent flying backward and when they hit a nearby wall, the wind was knocked from Ana.

Sora jumped from her arms and went to help up his guardian, whose legs and lungs protested as she got up. "Ana, are you ok?" He asked with concern in his blue eyes.

"There is no time for this. We need to finish this fight and quick, I'm tired of being thrown around." Her voice was aggravated . The heartless were coming again, with Duck and Dog following close behind. "You two!" she called out to them. "On the count of three." They nodded back at her. "One, Two, Three!" And they all attacked at the same time. The heartless disappeared in a matter and a giant heart rose towards the night sky.

"That was a close one.' Sora breathed out.

"No kidding" was all Ana could say. She just wanted to sit down, but Sora ran off again.

Ana joined Sora and the two strange animals after the fight, they were talking with Leon again. A sudden movement in the corner caught her eye. But she listened on to the conversation.

"So, you were looking for me?" Sora said as she stepped into the circle of people.

"Yup," Duck and Dog both said together.

"They too were seeking the wielder of the key blade." Leon interjected.

"Obviously." Ana said flatly. So far, she didn't like Leon very much. Sora threw her a glare. "What? Don't glare at me, I saved your ass back there multiple times."

"Hey, you could come to other worlds with us." The dog spoke, Ana rolled her eyes, Sora wasn't even litstening. Talking animals… why didn't I notice before, and why am I the only one here that thinks it odd?" Ana asked herself, in fear this time Sora's eyes would shoot laser beams at her if she spoke. She listened on. Sora's smile faded and she felt sorry for him

"Maybe I can find Riku and Kairi…" He said somewhat to himself. Ana looked away, she didn't have the heart to tell him she had already met up with Riku and he was on his merry way around town.

"Sure!" the Duck said

"Are you sure?" The Dog asked him.

"Who knows? But we need him to help find the key."

Leon spoke up again. "Sora, go with them if you want to find your friends." He said

"I guess." Sora sighed. Ana at that point saw Lea's face flash before her eye and worry washed over her, but not wanting to strike questions, she kept It to herself. She put her hand on Sora's shoulder, quietly acknowledging that she understood.

"But you cant come along looking like that. No frowning, no sad face." The Duck said. Even though he was being extremely nice, he annoyed Ana to no end.

"Ya, you have to look funny, like us!" The dog said. Ana coughed in the backround, trying to disguise the laugh she was so desperately wanting to let out. Sora made a funny face and everyone laughed.

"Ok, I guess I'll come along." Sora said. Ana watched as a figure paced in the shadows.

"Donald Duck."

"Goofy."

"Sora. And this is Ana" He introduced her as well. Riku appeared from the shadows. Ana knew it was him all along. Sora told Riku about his key blade and his new friends all the while Ana felt more jealousy build up in the older boy.

"I'm going to look for Kairi." He said. Sora offered for him to come along. Riku smiled, but it was directed towards Ana. She couldn't help but blush over it. She was almost glad Donald had turned the attention away from them until she heard what he was saying.

"No way!" Donald said. Ana was at the point of slapping him. She wanted Riku there with them. For some reason she felt it was the right thing to do.

"Why not!"She tried to argue with the duck,

"Because!" Donald yelled.

"That's not a real answer." but it was hopeless, and she had to follow Sora. Her heart was in a bind and she felt part of it rip away as she watched the silver hair boy storm off, disappearing for what would be a long time. Ana knew he was going to someone, and she felt that same suffocating feeling she had earlier as a dark portal appeared from nowhere. Darkness she thought to herself, identifying the feelings she was sensing. Once the portal disappeared, Ana's heart felt half empty, like someone had taken the other half and ran off. She pushed the feeling back.

Ana turned around and ran into Sora. "You ok?" he asked, catching her in his arms. She took a second to assess herself. She was beyond tired and was finding herself sore from all the fighting and being knocked around, her head was pounding. Then she blushed and pushed herself away from him.

"I'm fine, really I am." She said stepping away. Sora gave her a concerned look before speaking again. He really was sweet, and she didn't understand why she was so irritated with him earlier, here, in this moment, all of it seemed to melt away.

"We should go and say goodbye to everyone before we leave." Sora said, starting to walk back to the house. Ana, Donald, and Goofy all agreed. Goofy and Donald taught Sora some neat tricks and in the process Ana learned a few things herself about attack powers and defense. Yuffie looked at Ana with something like suspicion

"You need a new pair of clothes to travel in." She said looking at her worn out school clothes. She disappeared from the room and came back with a bag of clothes. Ana gave her a smile and left to change. She came back and looked stunning, her brown hair was pulled up into a side braid that laid gently on her shoulder, she was dressed in black cargo pants, with two belts, one black and one green, hanging from the loops across her legs, creating and "X" form. On her top she had a from fitting dark green tank that rested just above her midriff. She had a necklace in the form of a Keyblade, the same Keyblade she was wielding. On her arms were intricate designed black bands, two on one side and one on the other and black and green bracelets on each wrist. She looked good. Ana thanked Yuffie and Leon, Cid and Arieth said their goodbyes. Before they knew it, they were taking off in the gummi ship.

Ana stared out the window as stars flew by her. All the happiness she had felt earlier had disappeared, as if something came along and forcefully sucked it out of her. Lea and her sister were on her mind. She wanted to know they were all ok, that they hadn't turned into the heartless creatures she was so easily slaying. But her thoughts turned even darker as Riku made an appearance. There was something about him. It was hostile, she wanted to save him, but she didn't know from what. Was it from darkness? Or from some certain doom? Darkness…Her mind was swimming in depths unimaginable, deeper and deeper, the more she dwelled on the subject the more she felt herself slip away, the light was fading and she was drowning.

She felt something. A pair of warm hands, a soft voice, someone was calling her, calling her back from the depths of darkness. Ana woke with a jolt and found herself still in the gummi ship. "Sorry to scare you, but we are landing." Sora stood in front of her. The dark feeling had disappeared and she stretched to get up. Still sore from the battle, she groaned. All she wanted was a break, and they had barley started this journey. It wasn't the most pleasant landings but it beat all out crashing.