Chapter 3
Though Jessica was charged with finding Ven, it took her some time to actually find him, she and who ever she was traveling with had some adventures. Well traveling with Aqua, they had heard about Terra involved with some terrible things that nether of them thought he was capable. They found him in Dream Kingdom after escorting Cinderella to the ball and told him of Ven taking off on his own. Jessica left Aqua there to travel with Terra, in hopes of finding Ven and to see if Terra was alright. They not only ended up spending a passionate night under the stars, (as they had missed each other) but during their travels they found Master Xehanort. He explained what had happened all those years ago. That due to an unfortunate turn of events darkness had threatened to take over Ven's heart. In removing the darkness Xehanort not only created a boy filled with darkness known as Vanitas but had gravely injured Ven's heart in the process. It seemed the best explanation to what she had seen done to Ven that first day she meet him but she couldn't shack the feeling that there was more to it.
When the 4 of them were finally back together Jessica wasn't all that surprised when Ven refused to return home. So as he handed them all life time passes to Disney Town she offered to stay with him, which put Aqua and Terra at ease as Jessica was in a sense the closest thing Ven had to a mother. It was well they were trying to help the triplets, Huey, Dewey, and Louie with the strangest ice cream machine that Jessica had ever seen, that a sudden dizzy spell overcame her and she collapsed. "Jess, you ok, what's wrong?" Ven asked worries as he knelt next to her as she picked herself up.
"I don't know. I was just dizzy all the sudden and now I'm a little sick to my stomach." Jessica confessed as she took a few deep breath, willing her stomach to settle down.
"Oh dear. Perhaps we'd best take you to see Dr. Clarabelle, her clinic is just around the corner from here so we won't have to go far." Queen Minnie suggested as she helped Jessica to stand and led her to the clinic, both of them insisting that Ven stay and help the triplets.
Jessica was a bit nervous about having a humanized cow that was a doctor examining her but when Dr. Clarabelle figured out what was going on with her, Jessica almost couldn't believe it. "You're sure?"
"As sure as there is horns on my head sweet heart. You're pregnant, I'd say nearly 4 weeks along with just a quick exam." Dr. Clarabelle told a now numb Jessica, as this was the last thing she had expected to be told.
Seeing how shocked she was in Queen Minnie took Jessica's hand and tenderly stroked it. "There, there dear, it will be alright. From your reaction I see that you and your significant other had not planed to become parents." She said kindly.
"No we have talked about kids, in fact we've never talked much about a future together." Jessica admitted out load as she placed a hand on her still flat stomach, a small smile started to appear on her face. "I guess when we're all done dealing with the Unversed we'll have to have a chat."
"You're darn right you will be but that doesn't mean that you should slack off in taking care of yourself and the little one." Dr. Clarabelle informed her sternly as she pulled out a bottle of juice, along with a bottle of iron pills. "As the little one grows he or she will need nutrients. Take one of these everyday and eat regularly, no skipping meals but don't worry about changing your diet. Eat what ever you usually do and any sickness you may feel is completely natural."
Jessica was grateful for everything that Clarabelle had said and did but she made both females swear to secrecy about here current condition. When she and Queen Minnie meet up with Ven, Huey, Dewey and Louie, the ice cream cannon was working just fine, save the big cat named Pete determined to wreak it. Jessica ended up tripping him, his large bottom landing in a pot and making him storm off in a huff, bent over as his rump was still stuck.
It was when they were in Neverland (after a ruff trip in space when the two of them and Experiment 626 had escaped from a space ship) helping Peter Pan save Tinker Bell from Captain Hook that things became difficult. For you see both Ven and Jessica had fallowed Tinker Bell to where she had seen a shooting star fall. It turned out to be Mickey's Star Shard (whom they had both meet but at different times) but Hook had grabbed it along with Tink before demanding that Peter go to mermaid lagoon if he wanted the pixie back. Thankfully Peter found them, then Tink did and working together Ven and Jessica beat Hook. Though in the end it was Tik Tok Croc that chased him off, screaming for his first mate's help as he fled.
As they were all putting treasures into the empty chest (Ven put in Terra's old wood practice sword, well Jessica put in an photo she had of the 4 of them from not long after Ven had arrived and his first smile) that Tinker Bell went to put in Mickey's Star Shard. Ven with a bit of firmness from Peter she gave it to Ven, where it came close to the Light Shard under Jessica's shirt, and both activated. Like that the two were off to another place, right to the Mysterious Tower where Yin Sid lived. The landing was a bit ruff and caused Jessica's currently sensitive stomach to revolt and she only had enough time to move away from Ven and to a large bush before she threw up.
"Jessica you alright?" Ven asked as he got to his feet and went over to her. She wasn't given much time to reassure him as they both found themselves being ushered up into the tower by a duck and a dog. They were soon in front of Master Yun Sid flanked by who they quickly realized were Mickey's friends Donald and Goofy. Master Yin Sid explained to them that as Mickey's travels had been erratic he could not track the king's movements. Now as they had the Star Shard the old master could now locate him and when he did it didn't look good. Thankfully Ven knew where Mickey was and so the two were off to find him, and Jessica hated to think what kind of trouble they were heading into.
-o0o-
When Jessica and Ven arrived in the world Mickey was in and they quickly located him, still unconscious but he looked alright as they rolled him over. Jessica was just about to use the Light Shard to wake him and then find out what had happened to him, when a familure voice caught their attention.
"We meet again boy and Miss Macleod." Xehanort said as he walked towards them. As he did something must have triggered in Ven's mind as he suddenly called out and held his head. Jessica saw the smile on Xehanort's face as she tried to comfort Ven. "Ah so you've started to realize what you lost- but not for good. You had to loss in order to find. Now it can all be yours again if you retch out and take it. Reclaim the part that left you. Clash with him. Pure light vs pure darkness to forge the ultimate weapon. The all-powerful X-Blade!"
The shout Ven let lose was filled with deep reaching pain as he regained all of his memories of what had happened to him. "Ven what is it, what's wrong? Ventus!" Jessica had her hands on his shoulders despite his erratic movements trying to get him to talk to her. Then suddenly his body went slack as he stopped crying out and she quickly caught him. She could tell that he was still conscious but breathing hard as he asked barely above a whisper. "Key...Blade?"
"Not the keyblades you two and I carry." Xehanort corrected before he went on to explain in detail. "X- the most ancient of letters. Some say Kye but the meaning is the same. Death- a letter that means ending." He then opened a dark gate above their heads.
It started to make the wind swirl as it began to suck things in, Jessica grabbed hold of both Ven and Mickey in a vain attempt to keep them both with her. She almost didn't hear Ven's question over the growing wind. "And I have the power to make it?"
"Correct. Eraqus knows it too, he knows exactly what you are." Xehanort told him and Jessica knew in that moment exactly what this crazed man she had come to hate was planning.
"Haven't you ever wondered why he never granted permission to leave his side, to grow stronger? Eraqus was frightened of you, if you were to learn the truth, to realize what you are… he never trusted you, why else would he keep you in sight at all times? Wither it was his or the Keeper of Light here." Jessica was shocked now as he sent her a smirk, leaving her to wonder where and how he learned who she was.
The dark gate let lose a bolt of purple lightning that barely missed hitting Ven's face and it seemed to stir him as he moved in her arms. "Yeah. He never let me see other worlds, no matter how much I asked." He agreed as he pulled out of Jessica's arms and stood up a bit unsteady, and turned to glare at her as she also stood. "And you were in on it too. You were there from the beginning, "helping", to keep me a prisoner there."
"No Ven, that's not true. I didn-" Jessica was cut off as the wind picked up considerably and both she and Ven turned to see it was Xehanort's doing.
"Go!" he ordered as the pull from the dark gate became greater. "Ask the man yourself, learn the truth and remember you have a greater purpose." With that Ven, Jessica and Mickey were all pulled off their feet and into the dark gate. Jessica tried to retch out to both Ven and Mickey but they were pulled far from her grasp as her armor activated to protect her. She tumbled end over end through the darkness that was in the lanes in-between until she saw a light appeared up ahead right before she lost consciousness.
-o0o-
"Hey pretty lady… are you ok?!"
Jessica groaned as she blinked her eyes open to see a bright blue sky and the cute worried faces of two young boys. On had brown hair and wearing a white shirt with a blue trim collar, well the other had white hair and was in a yellow shirt. They moved back as she sat up and looked around at their surroundings, a bit in awe. They were on a beach of what seemed to be a play island of some kind as she saw other children running around. "Why are we?" Jessica asked out load.
"These are the Destiny Island, well this actually not just this one but the other ones over there is where we all live." The boy with sliver hair explained as he pointed a cross the water to some other islands that had houses and other buildings on them.
"So where'd you come from and what's your name pretty lady?" the brown hair boy asked curiously making Jessica smile at him.
"Usually when you are presenting yourself to a lady you give your own name first young man." She said with a bit of fun.
"Oh ok. I'm Sora and this is my best friend Riku." the cute brunette answered
"I'm Jessica."
"Oh that's a very pretty name." Sora said with a big grin that Jessica found contagious. It seemed that word of Jessica's presence on the children's play island retched the other children as she soon found herself surrounded by them. They started to ask her a bunch of question or try to get her to play with them which over whelmed poor Jessica but then she sensed a large source of darkness. Turning she gave the masked boy that was walking towards them a glare well stepping in front of the children. "You all need to go hide, now." She ordered them not taking her eyes off the boy she was sure had been giving her friends a hard time during their travels.
Vanitas didn't really care about the children as they all ran away as his focus was only for Jessica. "You don't really have to worry about the rug rats being hurt, I have no interest in them, unless you give me a reason to be keeper."
Jessica summoned her keyblade, Starlight of the Rising Sun, and took a stance. "What do you want freak, with me and my friends?" she snapped.
"Oh nothing much just all the worlds swallowed up in darkness so all life can began again. Or at least that's what the old man wants." Vanitas informed her as he slowly started to walk around her, humming in approval. "You are a rare beauty that's for sure. It makes me wonder what the baby is going to look like, with Terra being the father that is."
She was fuming now but kept her anger in check, opting to instead demand. "If your want to pick a fight with me you better pick a different place as I won't fight you here."
"Yet I'm not the one with their keyblade drawn." Vanitas stated blandly as he came to a stood between her and a group of the children that were crowed under the dock. Jessica saw the fear on their faces and she reluctantly dismissed Starlight of the Rising Sun. "There that's better. Now if its answers you want or to simply put a stop to his plans you'll need to head to the Keyblade Graveyard. If you dare that is." With that he walked away and once out sight of the children, he disappeared through a dark passage of some kind.
Jessica glared at his back until he and the darkness were out of sight. "It's alright children, he's gone!" she called out to them well turning to give them all a reassuring smile as they all slowly left their hiding spots.
"That man was scary." Said one small girl with brown hair that were kept in pig tails, she looked up at Jessica worried. "Is he going to come back?"
"No he won't, your all safe as it wasn't any of you he's after." Jessica assured her and the other children.
"It's you and your friend's right?" Riku asked having listened to the conversation.
"Did you all do something to him?" asked Sora.
"No we didn't but his master seems to have plans that involve us." Jessica explained as she thought back to what the Emissaries had told her years ago. About the events that could not be changes despite her being there, which made her worry about what was to come. A tug on her pant leg brought her out if her thoughts and looked down at all of the kids, pacifically Sora who was the one who had a hand on her leg. Jessica knelt and looked not only at hiis worried face but the other children as well. "Don't worry about me and my friends, we can handle anything that he and his master will throw at us."
"But how can you be so sure?" Riku asked.
"Because I believe in them, with all my heart." Jessica told them before she stood up and bide them all good bye and left to head to the Keyblade Graveyard. It wasn't hard to find and she could séance that Aqua and Terra were there as well. Jessica landed a ways off so that she was out of sight as she called on the Light Shard. "I know I'm not your chosen vessel, that I am not meant to use your greatest powers but I have a request. I carry new life with in me and I am heading into the unknown. I may have to fight, to protect my close friends. Please let me use your power to protect mine and Terra's little one."
In way of answering Jessica felt a warmth from the stone and it soon spread through out her whole body, though it seemed to settle mainly around her growing womb. A sense of calm and strength filled her heart and she knew that the baby would be just fine. Jessica made the short walk to where Terra was standing, waiting as not only she walked over but Aqua as well. As the three stood together once again Aqua was the first to speak. "I heard the master was struck down." Jessica gasped in shock as she heard Terra make a similar sound before he looked away from both of them in shame.
"Yes- that's right." Terra confirmed slowly his voice so full of shame. Jessica looked at him in shock. "I was stupid and helped Xehanort do it. The master- he tried to hurt Ven. I only fought to protect him but I was tricked. Xehanort set the whole thing up, all so he could awaken the darkness inside of me. You where right Aqua and so was the master, I did need to be watched. I went astray but no more. Though I have been wondering, where were you Jessica when Ven went to confront the master?"
Jessica sighed. "We had gone to save a Mickey, actually not to far from here, but Xehanort was there. He spouted a lot of crazy stuff about how Ven was the key to making an ultimate weapon he wants. He also knew somethings about me, my families' secret. That I am the Keeper of Light. I protect a great power that has passed down from one generation to the next till one who is chosen to use its power against the darkness comes. What power I can use I have been using to help Ven and the deep wound that Xehanort did to him."
Both Aqua and Terra stared at her. "Why have you never told us about this before?" Aqua asked.
"As keeper I must keep all knowledge of the Light Shard and its power from everyone, from my friends, love ones and even my own family, save the last Keeper, my Uncle George. That didn't stop either Master Eraqus or Xehanort from figuring it out. Though the master understood that such power was mine to protect and use as I see fit, I hate to think what Xehanort would do with it if he gets his hands on it. Or the child I now carry."
Terra's eyes went wide as he looked at Jessica's flat stomach before he looked up and meet her eyes. "Are you sure?"
Jessica nodded. "Just as sure as I am that we will fight today, all of us." She turned to point out that Ven was walking towards them. "Don't worry. The Light Shard's power will keep me and the little one safe, I've seen to that."
They didn't discuss it further as the other two were still processing that Jessica and Terra would be parents in due time. When Ven joined them he looked up at Jessica with a bit of apprehension in his eyes. "I'm sorry for what I said Jess. You've only ever looked out for what was best for me and helped me when I need it. Forgive me."
Jessica shook her head with a smile. "There is nothing to forgive Ven. What happened was all Xehanort's doing alone, no one else's."
Ven then turned to Terra and Aqua. "Xehanort wants meet and Vanitas to fight, to make some kind of X-Blade. But the master said we can't let that happen and he tried to destroy me for it."
"X-Blade?!" Aqua and Terra looked at Jessica who nodded in confrontation.
"I still don't know exactly what it is but it scares me to death. Even just the thought of it." Ven said sounding and looking upset as he placed his hand on his chest.
"Relax Ven. We're here and we're going to take care of you." Terra told him as he walked forward and put a hand on his shoulder.
"I may have to fight Vanitas after all." Ven said still not looking at either of them as they came to stand around him. "If I do- guys I want you to-"
Terra cut him off. "The 4 of us can never be torn apart, alright. I'll always find away." Aqua and Jessica agreed well put comforting hands on his face and back.
Ven was not as convinced as he removed all of their hands from his person. "I'm asking you- as a friend. Just- put an end to me." Neither of them like the very thought of this but before they could tell Ven as much they séance Xehanort and Vanitas arrival. The 4 key blade welders glared at they approached and they soon came to a stop not too far from them.
"Behold. These lifeless keys use to be full of power, united with the hearts of their masters. On this barren soil keyblades of light and darkness locked in combat, as a great keyblade war raged." Xehanort told them as if it was a simple bed time story he was telling them, save the dead keys that were around them told a different story. "Countless keyblade welders gave up their lives all in search for one ultimate key. And it will soon belong to me… X-Blade.!"
He pointed directly at Ven when he said the name of the weapon of old, seeming to emphasize his desire and putting all of them on edge. They all activated their armor and summoned their keyblades ready for battle against the one who saw to their master's end. Ven went to move forward but Terra pushed him back as he charged at Vanitas and Xehanort. He was almost was upon them when he leaped into the air, Earthshaker raised to strike. Xehanort, with a flick of his wrist, caused the ground to shoot up under Terra, taking him up and away from both villains. Terra tried to gain his breath and bearings when he saw another mountain being made with Xehanort and Vanitas on top looking high and mighty on them.
Well Terra was busy charging after Xehanort, Vanitas left his master's side to go after Ven, Aqua and Jessica. He used the old keyblades that Xehanort was able to call up and attack them, riding on top of one and right at the three. Aqua and Ven engaged him well Jessica went to back up Terra, avoiding flying keyblades that were near her. She eventually caught up to him at the time he retched the top of the mountain to fight Xehanort but Terra was taken by a swarm of keyblades. "Terra!" Jessica called out as she went to the edge to check on him to only find Vanitas suddenly there, his keyblade ready to strike. Jessica was able to parry his first strike, along with the next, and the next. He kept attacking Jessica relentlessly, forcing her back, soon making her lose her footing and fall on her back. Jessica lost her helmet in the fall and this allowed her to see Terra saved by Aqua shield spell as he was over them. He still took a hit from the old keyblades and fell not far from her. They both tried to get to their feet as Xehanort summoned his keyblade looking ready to attack them.
Just then Ven jumped up and aimed to attack Xehanort, to only have the man shift out of the way and out of sight for a second. This confused Ven long enough for Xehanort to grab on to his helmet from behind, holding him aloft and away from his body. "Ven!" Terra called out as he got to his feet and charged at Xehanort, to free Ven to only be blown away by a swarm of Keyblades. Jessica and Aqua watch Ven struggling to get free or strike at the man who held him in a firm grip. Jessica charged as Terra had but Vanitas stopped her, locking his keyblade against her own. Then Xehanort smiled as he froze Ven's entire body before he let him fall all the way down the mountain he had created.
"Ven!" Jessica called out as she could only watch as Vanitas still had his blade locked against Starlight of the Rising Sun. She gritted her teeth as she put all her strength into pushing him back, unbalancing him and gaining the advantage she need to break the blade lock. She then did a series of movements, a combination from her fencing lessons and what Master Eraqus had taught her, against him. Vanitas was a bit over whelmed and she may have defeated him but then Xehanort summoned Kingdom Hearts and she became distracted. That was all Vanitas need to overpower Jessica, knock her to the ground and put his blade to her throat. Jessica was out of breath as she glared up at him but then Terra arrived once again on his Keyblade glider and landed in front of them.
He deactivated his own armor as he glared at Xehanort and Vanitas, who still had his keyblade pointed at Jessica. "Admirably done. I knew this was a journey you could make, over the unseen wall of darkness and light. And I was not wrong Terra!" Xehanort happily proclaimed, his arms spread wide, in some unseen joy.
Terra tsk at the crazed man as he once again summoned Earthshacker. "I am going to ask the question that Jessica has asked me more times then I dare to remember. Our friend Ven- you tell me Xehanort, what did you do to him?" he demanded angrily.
"Why I did him a favor and freed the darkness inside him. Alas, poor Ventus never had the fortitude for such strenuous trials." The gleeful look on Xehanort's face enraged not only Terra but Jessica as well as she grabbed hold of Vanitas's keyblade and pulling it pass her shoulder, she kicked him hard in his stomach. Winded, Vanitas could do little as Jessica decked him with enough force to send him flying a few feet away from her. Well she did this Terra cried out Xehanort's name and began to fight him.
Jessica had just enough time to dismiss her own armor and summon back her Keyblade before Vanitas was on top of Terra. She quickly entered the fray and working together they easily were a match against him. Then unexpectedly Xehanort appeared behind Jessica and with the guard of his Keyblade he hit the back of her head with a sickening thump. "Jessica!" Terra shouted as he watched her crumble onto the ground at Xehanort's feet. Terra threw Vanitas off him and leaped at Xehanort, who stepped over Jessica's prone body to block Terra's strike with ease.
Xehanort smiled at Terra before he turned to Vanitas. "Go take what Ventus owes you and take Aqua's life." He ordered the masked boy. Terra turned and watched in horror as Vanitas turned and ran towards the cliff. Terra went after him, to stop Vanitas and save his two friends that were down below but Xehanort got in the way. Terra could only watch as Vanitas leaped down to do as he was ordered. "You see how powerless you are to save them? Savor that rage and despair, let it empower you."
Jessica began to stir as darkness began to rise from Terra. "You will pay, Xehanort. Was my master- no my father Eraqus, not enough for you?" Terra demanded. "Leave my friends alone!"
"Yes boy, that's it more. More!" Xehanort encouraged. "Let your whole heart blacken with anger!"
"No Terra, don't!" Jessica shouted as she tried to get to her feet, and run to Terra's side but the blow she had received to her head had left her dizzy and her whole head hurt.
Xehanort glared at her as he pointed the dark glowing tip of his keyblade directly at her. "Be gone Keeper of Light, and good riddance." He snapped before letting the darkness shoot at her. Terra gasped and went to intercept the dark spell but then something amazing happened. Jessica's wide fear filled eyes started to glow white as a ball of light came out of her midsection and intercepted the darkness that had been shot at her. This caused a bust of light that made not only the three of them to cover their eyes but Aqua, Ven and Vanitas as well. After a moment the light had died down enough for them all to uncover their eyes and stare in awe. Standing over Jessica was a figure valid completely in light, they could not tell if it a grown person or a teenager. In fact they could not make out any distinguishing features to determine who it was that had come to the Keeper of Light's aid.
That is until he or she spoke. "You will not do harm to my mother, not well the Light Shard and I are here to protect her." The voice was clearly young but that was all any of them could hear as even the voice was shrouded in mystery as the figure turned to Terra. "Be strong father, no matter what happens, do not let your heart become weak. Fight the darkness." That was the last thing said before the figure and it light dissipated and returned to Jessica, absorbed into her body as the light left her eyes. She was left a little shaken, and wondering what had just happened.
"Most interesting and unexpected." Xehanort said as he looked at Jessica with a very happy look. "It would seem that your unborn child has a power that is unknown to even me. Perhaps I will have to take the child after it's born and see what it will be capable of. Of course I then would have to do away with you dear Jessica, and take the power you protect for myself."
Seeing his future child just saving the love of his life from with in her womb, Terra would not let such a threat to them both go unchallenged. As Terra fought Xehanort, Jessica could feel the darkness growing with in him but even then it was slow. She tried to shack off the dizziness, to stand and help the man she had come to love and care for so much, but she found she couldn't. With the knowledge from her doctorates studies she knew the signs of a concussion and with the Light Shard power protecting their unborn child, she could not heal herself. All she could do was watch as Terra and Xehanort clashed, Terra the younger of the two having more agility but Xehanort made up for it with his vast years of experience. In the end Terra over powered Xehanort and brought him to his knees, leaving him gasping for breath. Terra walked forward to end it when there was a pillar of light from down below and behind Terra.
Xehanort was glad to see it. "There you see? The X-Blade has been forged!" he said excitedly as he was able to get back to his feet.
"Ven!" both Terra and Jessica shouted, Terra running towards her, thinking he would grab her then they would go down together and help Ven.
Fate it seemed had other plans as Xehanort took the tip of his own keyblade and raised it to his chest. "And now Terra it is time for the finale union." Jessica watched as Xehanort drove his own keybalde into his chest, realising his heart from his body.
"What?" Terra turned in shock to stare.
"At last our moment is here." Xehanort said happily as he watched his own heart float up away from him, his keyblade disappearing. "Out with the old, and brittle vessel, in with a younger, stronger new one. I swore I would survive and be there to see what awaited me beyond the keyblade war. And now it will be your darkness that shell be the ark that sustains me!"
"TERRA! RUN!" Jessica shouted as the tainted light of Xehanort's heart went flying right towards her love and friend. Terra didn't run but he activated his armor in an attempt to stop Xehanorts plans. Jessica held her breath as Terra's armored body took the hit, a cloud of darkness surrounding him, hoping beyond hope that Terra was ok. He didn't move for a moment but when he did he removed his armor. "Terra? Is it you?" she asked hopeful.
His back was to her as the last piece of armor, his helmet, hit the ground, his once brown hair now white, as he stood very still. Then he spoke, the voice Jessica heard was not the one she knew. "This heart belongs again to darkness." Fear filled her as she realized the truth. "All worlds begin in darkness and all so end, the heart is no different. Darkness sprouts with in it- it grows, consumes it, such is its nature. In the end, every heart returns to the darkness from whence it came. And you Keeper of Light, you and your child, are no different."
It was then that he turned and Jessica gasped when she saw Xehanort's yellow eyes, instead of Terra's deep blue, were looked down on her. "Terra, no." she muttered as Xehanort summoned his keyblade and walked towards her, his intent unknown and she found that she was too full of fear to move. Seeing a menacing look on Terra's face, even when she knew it wasn't him anymore, scared her to the core. So focused Xehanort and Jessica were on each other that neither of them noticed Terra's discarded armor come together. It was only when a golden barrier was formed around them that they took notice of it, as it knelt, grasping Earthshaker.
"What?" Xehanort asked in shock. Jessica was confused as to what was going on but Xehanort seemed to understand as he growled at the suet of armor. "Your body submits, your heart is succumbs- so why dose your mind resist?!"
It was those words that caused Jessica to understand what was happening as tears filled her eyes and she watched the armor, that had come to life from Terra's will alone, stood up and took up Earthshacker, ready to fight. "Terra." She sobbed as her tears fell both from sadness and hope that he may still be saved.
Hearing her Xehanort glared down at her in distain. "You must be the reason why. Dam you and your child both!" he shouted as he went in to strike her down. With a speed Jessica had never seen him use before Terra's armor darted in, grabbed Jessica and carried her a safe distance away. Using Earthshaker Terra cast a cure on her, removing the pain and dizziness from her head, all well holding her tight against his armored shell. Not saying a word he let her go and pointed to a hole that was slowly forming in the barrier behind him.
Jessica understood his silent order to go but she shook her head no. "Terra I can't leave you like this. Let me stay and together we-" he didn't let her finish as he activated her own armor before picking her up and tossing her through the hole, which closed behind her the moment she was clear. It was only through her own quickness that Jessica was able to summon her keyblade and her own glider before nearing the ground. She flew back up as quickly as she could, to see Xehanort and Terra's possessed armor fighting. Seeming to feel her gaze, Terra blasted Xehanort back before he turned to look up at her, he pointed once again, this time in the direction of Aqua and Ven. Once again she understood and with a finale nodded to him she took off as fast as she could towards her two remaining friends.
"You may have saved her from my wrath but you can't from what Ventus has become." Xehanort informed Terra's possessed armor as he turned back to him. If Terra could have talked then he would have I formed Xehanort that out of the 3 of them, when it came to Ven, there was no one closer to him and knew him better then Jessica.
-o0o-
Aqua almost couldn't believe it, Ven had fought Vanitas and had won but know he had joined Vanitas's heart, making the X-Blade and succumbing to the darkness. If only she hadn't been distracted by that man with the eye patch and one golden eye. She would have seen Vanitas coming in time, had fought and defeated him herself. Now here she and Mickey were fighting against their young friend who now wield a hug sword. Aqua had to admit if was beautiful in its own strange way but it was currently being used to try and take her life made her quickly discard that thought. Dark Ventus knocked her and Mickey back with a simply wind made by sweeping the X-Blade. Aqua's back hit a rock wall, knocking the wind out of her, well she slide down to its base trying to get her breath back. She looked up and saw Dark Ventus approaching her, evil grin on his face.
"What's wrong? Giving up already?" he asked with glee well Aqua was still trying to get her breath back so she didn't respond. Suddenly they all heard a familure sound of a keyblade glider and they all turned to see Jessica incoming. She jumped off her glider and right into Dark Ven knocking him away from Aqua and Mickey.
"Ven, come back to your séances, before I make you!" Jessica shouted at him as she took her helmet off and caught her keybalde as it came back to her after changing back. They could all see that her eyes were red and the tear stains that ran down her face.
Dark Ventus laughed at seeing the distraught look on her face. "Why it looks like the strong Keeper of Light is retching her limit. I wonder why? By the way how's Terra, the future proud papa?"
"SHUT UP!" Jessica screamed as she charged at him.
Aqua had never seen Jessica so up set before but she knew that the two of them needed to end this, together. She looked down at her charm that was clenched in her left hand. "Terra, Ven, lend me strength." She begged and received a surprise as the charm flashed, as her keyblade Rainfell glowed, well energy filled her. With new conviction Aqua charged in as Dark Ventus as he pushed Jessica back with a strike she parried.
He turned and saw Aqua coming, a smirk on his face again as he moved to intercept her glowing blade. "You're just wasting your energy." He said as their keyblade clashed. He continued to smile as he tried to over power Aqua but with a shout she pushed back as Jessica showed up adding her keyblade and strength. Their combined effort caused the X-Blade to fracture and its energy to spike. "What?!" he said in surprise which was all the opening Jessica needed as the Light Shard and she once again felt her little one's future strength surfaced. Aqua and Dark Ventus watch as light filled Jessica's eyes as she focused and then channelled the energy into Ven.
The force of the power sent him flying, well the breaking X-Blade floated up above their heads its energy going haywire. Both Jessica and Aqua shield their eyes (Jessica's having gone back to green) from the light and avoiding the bolts of energy. They were both looking at Ven, who was laying on the ground and saw as the darkness left him and he returned to his old self. As the energy began to surge and cause a shockwave that set all of them flying, thankfully both girls were able to grab on to Ven before they were all lost in the explosion.
Back up on the mountain Terra's armor had defeated Xehanort and after placing Earthshaker point first into the ground, he knelt. He saw the shockwave and knew that his friends were gone but alive and as his thought lingered on them he had only one thought. "Aqua, Jessica, Ven- one day I will set this right."