I know its been months! I'm so sorry but I have FINALLY finished this chapter as a belated birthday present to my oldest brother-Happy birthday! Hope you love it!

Chapter 3

Matthew stared at his brother before him, his shoulders slouched with exhaustion in his eyes. Matthew stopped to wonder how long they had been in the oblivion. A matter of minutes? Hours? He refused to believe it was longer than an hour or two. Yet his limbs were sore and weary. Both brothers were drained, emotionally and physically. Both wore dried tears on their face, from fright and from the feeling of loss when they realized they lost their siblings.

Siblings they had lost, yet now both had found.

In an instant, the brothers ran to each other and embraced, gripping each other with all their left over strength. Both had been through hell to get to the other, but there was no need to talk about it in that moment. In that moment, the two were reconciled.

They let go to grab each other's shoulders to study the other. Matthew looked at Mark's face, unmarked by any scratches. He let go of Mark to study him further. Mark didn't look bruised or tired from any fighting. Matthew felt a sting to his pride. He was cut from battle, and Mark was able to kill a heartless without any problems. Even in the world of the game, Mark was a better player.

Mark couldn't take his eyes from the cut on his brother's cheek. It was long, and rose diagonally from the bottom of his jaw to just under his eye. He winced, imagining the pain Matthew must have felt.

"Where did that come from?" Mark couldn't help but blurt. Matthew touched his cheek and flinched, the cut still stinging.

"I ran into a shadow heartless on the way up here. It wasn't as easy for me to kill it as it was for yours." Mark cocked his head to the side, confused.

"What do you mean for mine?" Mark asked. He watched Matthew cross his arms and narrow his eyes at him. Matthew walked a curve around Mark, circling him, studying him. Mark followed suit, the tension settling into aggravation. How his brother could question him about anything hurt him. It hurt worse in that moment, considering what world they were in. The three needed to trust each other, not add to unnecessary sibling rivalry.

"I never saw any heartless." Mark sharply stated, an inferior feeling rising in his gut. He couldn't fight the questions attacking his mind. He couldn't help but wonder why he had yet to face a heartless. Was he lucky? Or was he looked at as weak?. His heart began to beat rapidly, and tears stung his eyes. How was he to protect his family if he never got the chance to protect himself? A chuckle broke through the silence, causing Mark to jump in surprise.

"How were you lucky enough to avoid that?" Matthew exclaimed. He slapped his brother on the shoulder, sending a jolt through Mark, making him flinch. Mark turned away from Matthew, fighting the unexplainable sadness inside him. He brought up his shoulders as he clenched his fist to fight the weight pushing down on him. Concerned, Matthew set a hand on his brother's shoulder. "Mark, what's up brother?" He asked carefully. Mark shook his head and stepped away from the hand, keeping his back to it.

"I don't understand why I didn't run into a shadow." Mark begrudgingly admitted. He ran many thoughts through his head to try to calm down, but nothing helped. He felt weak, he felt as if he were unworthy to be tested by this world he was thrown into.

"You were lucky, I just told you!" Matthew continued encouragingly, "And besides, they were probably attracted to the strongest." He joked with a grin. A smile tugged at the sides of Mark's mouth. Matthew was more than likely right. Mark already faced an enemy, fear, and lost his brother and sister. A heartless might have been too much for him. The world of Kingdom Hearts wasn't safe-but it wasn't cruel either.

"You're right, it was just luck," Mark agreed with a sigh. Matthew got away with just a scratch, he was also lucky. Considering the only fight either one had ever been in was with each other, and occasionally with Wesley. Speaking of Wes…thought Mark. "Shew…" spoke Mark slowly, raising his head, "is Sis with you?" Matthew stared at Mark's back, his eyes growing wide as they both realized.

"No, she's not with you?" he choked out. Mark turned his head, tears creeping in both their eyes. Mark shook his head slightly, feeling he couldn't move. They were reunited, brother with brother, yet their reunion was bittersweet. Matthew spun around and began to scramble, walking hysterically along the edges of the platform.

"WESLEY!" He cried, "Wesley, can you hear me!?" He began to walk faster, looking back at his elder brother frequently, falling into panic. "Where is she?!" He screamed at Mark. Mark held his hands up in caution, walking slowly towards his hysterical brother. It worried Mark how quickly Matthew's anxiety could flare up, especially in a circumstance like this. That was one thing none of them needed while trapped; they needed to keep their calm. Kingdom Hearts was far from done testing any of the three. Mark knew this was just the beginning.

"Shew, calm down!" He screamed at his brother, hoping to stop him long enough to talk him down. He hands began to tremble slightly as he kept them raised, and Mark began to hope his brother was too distracted to notice. Matthew spun before shouting back in protest.

"Don't tell me to calm down! You didn't face a heartless-you don't know what it's like! You just get to waltz through here freely like you always get to!" Matthew spat out insult after insult, wounding Mark so deeply he almost forgot about his missing sister. Almost.

It shocked Mark how quickly it took Matthew to use his inferior feelings to hurt him. It was a family trick to hit where it hurt when pushed; but Mark thought he could trust his brother to take a while before trying to hurt him.

"HEY!" Mark shouted loudly, until he felt his voice stretch. Matthew stopped dead in his tracks and stared at his brother. He looked at Mark in fear and surprise, until his eyes began to glaze with realization of what he had said and done. Mark dropped his hands, biting his cheek, trying to push the pain of Matthew's words away. He tried to excuse it, telling himself Matthew was only worried about Wesley's safety. It helped, but it didn't exactly work.

"I'm just as worried about Wesley-whether or not I've faced a heartless myself. We both know she doesn't do well to defend herself. So let's just calm down-calm down-and focus on finding her." Mark talked over Matthew's objection and loud apology. He knew Matthew didn't know what he was really saying, but there was no time to cry over past words. They needed to find their sister. More importantly, they need to figure out where to begin looking.

"Looking for someone?" a scratchy voice spoke up. Mark and Matthew both turned to see a small boy with blonde hair looking at them with a grin. He looked no older than ten or twelve, yet stood with and intensity and mystery that confused the brothers.

"Where is she?" Matthew immediately shouted. Mark grabbed his brother's shoulder and Matthew looked back at Mark, seeing his calm countenance, and took a deep breath. Mark nodded approvingly, hoping Matthew knew that he understood. They were both feeling the same turmoil over the loss of their sister, and they needed to rely on each other until she was found. After a few more deep breaths, Matthew straightened his shoulders and stared the boy. Mark smirked; even though Matthew was struggling to stay calm, he was trying. He was focusing on finding their sister as best he could.

"Do you know where our sister is?" Matthew strained. The boy smirked and hit one hand with a piece of wood he held in the other.

"Maybe I do, maybe I don't. Who knows?" the boy answered. Mark stared at the boy, trying to match his face to the characters in the game. He knew that he had seen the boy before, even if for a moment.

"Tidus." Mark whispered as he realized. Of course he was a part of the trio that asked questions in the beginning, just as Wakka was. Matthew turned to look at Mark and was able to pull a small smile. He looked back at Tidus and crossed his arms.

"You know, and you're going to tell us." Matthew demanded.

"What's your question?" Mark followed. They only had to answer the questions before to continue on their way. If Tidus had the last question, they would be on their way to finding Wesley sooner than they thought. Mark couldn't help but grin, feeling relieved. They were going to all be reunited once more, and they could find their way home. "So, what do you want from us? Our dreams? Our fears?" Mark continued to push.

"You shouldn't be so full of yourselves," Tidus spat. Mark crossed his arms, matching his brother and raising his eyebrows. "I don't have a question for you." Matthew dropped his arms in disappointment. He stared forward, clenching his fists attempting to control his bubbling apprehension. He couldn't help but feel another obstacle after the other. He couldn't stop his head from asking "Now what?" over and over. He looked between the two next to him to try to grasp an idea. He saw Mark squeezing his crossed arms tightly and glaring at the small boy.

"Told you." Tidus followed.

"SHUT UP!" Mark screamed. He threw his arms down and a keyblade appeared in his right fist. On his other arm a shield appeared, the items reacting to Mark's rage. Mark held the items in front of him and stared. It was the first time either weapon came to him and he didn't know how he was supposed to feel. A tingle ran up both his arms as if they were goose bumps, and then settled as quickly as they came. "What do you want." Mark spoke slowly, no longer afraid. He was furious, and he was tired of being strung along by an imaginary world. Tidus crouched with his long stick, holding it as if it was a blade.

"Defeat me, and I'll give you what you're looking for." Tidus smirked.

"Oh heck yeah!" Matthew exclaimed, calling his keyblade.

"NO." Tidus yelled. Matthew moved forward only to bounce off a force and fall to the ground. He held up a fist and hit it against the invisible wall.

"What is this?" Matthew shouted, muffled as if he were isolated in glass. He threw punches against the wall, screaming and shouting, attempting to free himself. He leaned against the invisible force, huffing and tired. The wall wasn't going to give, no matter how hard he tried to be free. Mark watched helplessly as they both realized there was no hope for freedom.

"Let him go!" He demanded, crouching in anger. Tidus smirked and moved in defense. He held up his weapon, pointing at Mark.

"Defeat me, and you will get what you want." Mark clenched his teeth, enraged. Tidus was using his weakness against him. He felt a mixture of anger, sadness, and fear as he stared at Tidus, considering his offer.

No, there is no considering, thought Mark. He knew that defeating Tidus was the only way to free Matthew and to start looking for Wesley. There was nothing to consider. He was trapped, and all three knew that. Seeing no other way, Mark growled and hit his fists together. "Fine," he growled, "We'll do it your way."

"What other choice do you have?" Tidus laughed in response.

It took less than a second to feel the first stinging blow. Mark gasped for breath as pain spread across his back. Gurgling sounds erupted through the oblivion. Mark saw blackness. He tensed in response to the pain he felt. In his back, rising in his collar bone. He worked to piece together the first blow. A hit to his collarbone. Tidus jumped and brought down his weapon on Mark's collarbone, just above his shoulder. Mark groaned and rolled to his side. This is what he wanted? This combat? He wanted all this pain just to prove that he belonged in this world? Prove that to who? Mark questioned, "Me? Matthew?" His head swam with different thoughts as he drifted in and out of consciousness.

"Get up!" his opponent yelled as Mark groaned. He could barely breathe without a stinging pain shooting through him. How was he supposed to stand and fight?

….think…

A voice rang through the air. Mark stopped and stared above him. Think about what?

Another blow to his side. The weapon ran up his side as Tidus flipped backwards. Mark cried out in pain as Matthew screamed for his brother, pounding against the cone he was in. I can't do this…Mark cried in his mind. He felt the chance to save his family slipping away with each breath. He was failing his siblings. He was weak. There was no chance.

…remember the pattern…the moves…

The voice rang again, and Mark laid in agony. "Think of what?!" he groaned once more. What pattern was he to be thinking of? What did moves have to do with the beating he was taking?

…defense begins with the mind…

The mind? Defense? There was no defending-he was on the ground with a useless left arm and cracked ribs. What could thinking possibly do to help him in the situation?

Wait a second…Mark thought as the wheels began to turn. Remember…the moves…Tidus' moves! Pictures flashed through his mind. Jump hit, hit, back flip. Tidus used the same pattern. He had one weakness: defense. That's what I have to do!

With a newfound determination, Mark forced himself to stand. His shoulder screamed in agitation as he held his keyblade back into his hand. Tidus smirked and crouched, ready to pounce again. Mark shifted his feet in defense, ignoring the pain in his side and waiting for Tidus' first attack. I'm ready when you are…he thought, confidence welling up inside him, Let's do this.

Tidus moved quickly. He jumped high in the air, a move quite popular among the Kingdom Hearts enemies, and brought down his stick sword. Mark watched each move as well as he could, for Tidus moved faster than anyone he had ever seen before. The sword was coming down closer and closer, giving Mark only so much time to react.

A sharp metallic sound rang through the air as Mark's arm shook, almost electrified. He shuffled back as he watched Tidus bounce off his keyblade. Eyes wide, Mark watched Tidus stumble backward. Now's my chance! Mark yelled in his mind. He gripped his keyblade tight in his fist, and swung it through like a baseball bat. It connected with Tidus' side and knocked him to the ground. Mark spun through his attack and stopped, the keyblade stopping just short of Tidus' cheek.

They both stared at each other, out of breath and mixing their emotions. Pride swelled in Mark as well as disbelief. "I did it…" he whispered. A small chuckle bubbled out from his chest, "I really did it!" Tidus sat up on his elbows and glared at Mark.

"You're not going to kill me?" He spat. Mark leaned back, confused.

"No, I defeated you. That was the deal. I'm not going to kill you." Content, Mark leaned back and let go of his tension, letting the keyblade disappear with it. He reached out his hand, letting Tidus take it and pulled him up. "Now, our deal." Tidus crossed his arm and nodded. With a snap of Tidus' hand, Matthew was released from his invisible cage and ran, taking Tidus by the shirt.

"You show us where our sister is!" He screamed, shaking Tidus. Tidus held his hands in warning.

"Calm down. I'll show you, I'll show you." Mark put his hand on Matthew's shoulder and nodded to his brother.

"It's alright, Shew. We need to trust him." Mark knew that Matthew needed him to be the voice of reason amid the chaos. Holding his breath, Matthew dropped the boy and watched as he pretended to fix his clothes.

"The deal," Mark reminded Tidus. Tidus watched the brothers carefully as he walked backwards pushing himself closer to the edge of the platform.

"Wait! Be careful!" Mark called, yet Tidus refused to listen. He continued to push himself. He looked at the brothers with a small smile and put a finger to his lips before he fell backwards, plummeting down into the oblivion.

"NO!" Matthew cried, pleading with the now-gone Tidus. He dropped to his knees, tears overflowing from both brothers, both feeling the loss of their only chance. Their only hope of finding their sister. What were they to do now that Tidus was gone?

The answer came from the soft cough they both heard sounding from behind them. The brothers turned to see a figure laying on the ground, curled up in a ball. Blood was on the platform, as well as the person's hands and neck from what they could see. Small whimpers erupted from the individual as the brothers stared with horror.

It was Wesley.

"Wesley!" They both screamed. Matthew shot off towards their sister as Mark limped behind, using his keyblade as a staff to keep him on his feet. Matthew scooped her up into his arms, despite the shrieks of pain she let out. She let her right arm fall limp and held her side, not wanting to dare touch her scratches.

"Sis…what happened to you?" Mark asked, unable to hold back the tears of concern for his baby sister. Wesley sobbed to her brothers, powerless to contain the pain any longer.

"It hurts. It burns…," she cried, reaching her left arm out to anyone that would take it. Mark took her hand and Matthew stroked his sister's hair. "The heartless…I'm so weak…I couldn't even figure out my staff." She broke off her sentence to let out another whimper. It was wonderful to be in her brother's arms and together again after all they had been put through. Yet through her happiness, the sharp pain of her gashes cut through. Matthew looked up at Mark urging, hoping he would have a solution. They were supposed to be the ones to protect her. They were the older brothers, the ones to be the leaders. Nevertheless, they couldn't even help their sister who was crying and bleeding in front of them. Mark stared at his sister, fighting the feeling of anger and helplessness. He shoved his free hand into his pocket as Matthew forced their baby sister to stand. She cried out in pain as her brother put pressure on her wound to bring her up. She stood, leaning against her two brothers for support. Mark leaned her more into Matthew and stood back, knowing he was in no condition to be her support.

Slowly, Mark felt a warmth coming from his pocket. Something pulsed against his hand, getting hotter and hotter until Mark had to pull it out of his pocket to avoid being burned. The moment it hit the air, the object cooled, feeling as cooled glass against his fingers. It was the jar that Wakka had given him before from answering his question.

"Oh, of course!" Matthew whispered, he reached into his pocket, pulling out a matching jar with a grin. "A potion!" The brothers felt relief wash over them as they realized they had the ability to take care of one another. Matthew looked at Wesley with a small smile and held the potion up to her.

"I never found a potion," she said quietly, looking to the ground. She felt a pang of jealously in her heart, along with disappointment. This world was toying with her, keeping her down, and making her feel small. Now it was making her look defenseless and weak to her brothers that she tried so hard to be strong for. Once again, she found herself letting her brothers down. All three siblings were injured, and she had already lost a lot of blood. It was obvious one potion would go to her. Now one brother would go without healing. Even if she only had a scratch, she felt that her brothers would give up their potion for her. She couldn't look either brother in the eye as she felt the disappointment in their eyes.

Mark and Matthew looked at each other, both knowing what they must do. Mark felt that his potion should go to his brother, whose wound could reopen at any moment. Yet Matthew felt that the potion should go to Mark, who could have possible broken ribs. Either way, one brother would have to stay in pain, at least until they could find another potion.

Mark was the first to speak up, "Shew, give Wesley your potion, and you'll take mine." Matthew shook his head, shoving his potion into Wesley's hands.

"No way brother, you need the potion more than I do! My cut was little, and it's already healing!" Mark opened Matthew's hand and dropped the jar into his palm. Matthew pushed his hand against Mark's until it almost fell. Mark lunged for it, luckily grabbing it before it shattered onto the ground. He turned back to find Matthew holding both hands up, keeping his brow furrowed. "You touched it last, you have to use it."

Mark pressed his lips together into a tight line. "Fine-but you have to take it easy on the next heartless we find-you're already wounded enough!" Matthew crossed his arms, thinking for a moment, and then slowly nodded in agreement. Mark couldn't fight the smile on his face. He had won, at least for the moment, and the peace was kept. In a small way, it had felt like being at home again, before life took control and each sibling was thrown about. He stared at the little jar in his hand, watching the star twirl inside. After a few seconds of hesitation, he threw the jar back and swallowed the contents quickly. It had no taste, yet it was a thick texture, making the experience that much more difficult. He swallowed quickly to get the potion down, and out of his mouth. Warmth rushed through his body, feeling the hottest at his collarbone and his ribs. It wasn't a painful heat, but warmth as if the sun were shining upon him. It filled him suddenly and vanished, taking the pain along with it. Mark stood straight, running his hands along his collarbone and ribs, unable to believe that he was actually completely healed. Matthew's eyes widened as he watched his brother stretch and laugh, feeling a slight regret that he didn't take the potion when he had the chance. He knew his brother needed it much more, knowing how wounded he was, yet he couldn't help but wish he could be healed instantly.

Wesley watched her brothers quietly, afraid to take the potion away from Matthew. She couldn't lift the potion to her mouth by herself, so instead she took joy in watching her brother's wounds disappear. It was a happy moment the siblings were able to share together in happiness, and that's all she wanted. It was abruptly interrupted as her brothers turned to see her holding her shoulder with a smile. Matthew quickly took the potion, staring at his sister sternly.

"You should have already downed this." Wesley bit her lip, knowing it was no use to argue with her brothers. Thinking logically wasn't her strong suit, considering she let her emotions rule her. She took the potion from Matthew and tilted her head back, drinking the potion as fast as she could. She felt the thickness Mark had just felt glide across her tongue and she fought to keep it down. The liquid filled her quickly, making her feel as hot all over. She burned, as if she were on fire. Her right shoulder began to grow warmer and warmer, hot like an eye of an oven. She cried out and gripped her right arm tight while the heat burned like fire, then cooled like ice, making her shiver. Mark held his sister's hand as she was healed, confused. He didn't feel pain from his potion, he felt relieved, and relaxed. Wesley looked as though the potion was only hurting. A green light appeared, circling around them both quickly, and then vanished in seconds.

Wesley sighed and stretched, ecstatic that she could move again. The potion burned and stung, she'll admit, but in an odd way, it felt amazing. It was quick and full of pleasure as she felt the cuts heal. As she felt her arms slightly hurt in the stretch, Wesley felt a breeze across her back she hadn't felt before. She turned her head and looked down to see her leather jacket torn, shreds of fabric hanging off where ripped. Wesley gasped and ripped her jacket off, seeing three holes in the back of her jacket, starting from the right shoulder of the jacket and ending diagonally in the middle of the jacket.

"Oh you've got to be kidding!" She yelled slipping her fingers into the open holes of her jacket. "Not only did it almost kill me-my jackets ruined!" She looked at her brothers, openmouthed and fuming. Her brothers laughed at her, Mark taking the jacket and looking at their sister. Wesley crossed her arms, agitated that her brothers weren't more sympathetic to her. It was her favorite jacket. Even if it was a small problem-she was not happy to tell it goodbye.

"C'mon sis, you'll find another jacket." Mark said in attempt to comfort his sister.

"And you did wear it with everything…you almost wore it to pieces yourself." Matthew chuckled and Wesley gave in to a small smile. Mark and Matthew were right-it was an old jacket. The jacket was an old part of their real world and they were on a new adventure now. Wesley took the jacket from Mark's hands and held it tight. Without looking, she quickly tossed the jacket over the edge of the column and crossed her arms. Mark and Matthew laughed. Their sister was always dramatic and never liked change. In a small way, Wesley was letting go of something big, and they knew that. Her brothers put a hand on each of her shoulders and she looked at them with a smile. They laughed, feeling a weight fall from them as the tension finally left the air, happiness replacing it.

Not for long… a voice rang. The three broke apart, searching their pillar for signs of anyone. It was futile, the siblings knew that this voice was there as part of Kingdom Hearts and never assisted or hindered any character. It was a voice to carry the story along, nothing more. As the three looked around, they noticed a spotlight, shining from no source and highlighting nothing underneath it. Wesley walked forward first, out of curiosity, and her brothers followed protectively. The light grew bigger as they approached it, mysterious shadows growing on their faces.

Wesley walked warily. A spotlight in the beginning of the game meant only one thing, and she was sincerely hoping she was wrong. "Wait. I don't like this," said Wesley, grabbing Mark by the arm. Mark looked at his sister with a smirk. "Something's not right. We should stop."

"Says the one who wobbled up two stairs after battling a heartless," he said with a smirk. Wesley glowered at Mark, tension swelling in her chest. Her brothers didn't see it. She found it hard to believe that Mark didn't even think that the random spotlight was at all suspicious. Mark, the same brother who played Kingdom Hearts until he had every scene, world, and character memorized. He should at least have some idea as to what frightened her.

"Guy, I'm serious. This spotlight is nothing but trouble!" Her voice began to rise, pushing to a shrill. The anxiety wrapped around her, pushing logic further away from her mind. She saw the monster in her mind, climbing in height and coming for her. Coming for her and her family. She didn't care that her sanity was being questioned by her irrational outburst. She was terrified; in less than a minute; any security she or her siblings had felt had been a destroyed. It only took seconds for their lives to be put at risk once more. It only took two steps from her brother's feet.

"MARK!" she screeched. Mark turned to face his sister, instantly annoyed and shocked.

"Wes, what is the matter with you!" he shouted back at her. His sister clawed at the front of her shirt as she gasped for air. It was coming, and she was the only one that knew it. She threw her hand out in front of her to motion for her brothers to look at the ground, yet they only stared at her. Their unresponsive nature panicked her further.

"The shadows…" she managed to say with a gurgle. She began to sob harder, hysteria enveloping her within a few seconds. She wasn't ready for what was next-none of them were, and yet only Wesley realized what was about to happen. Mark stepped back towards his sister, wanting only to comfort her and help her to calm down. Yet as he walked towards her, something felt wrong. Mark felt a shiver run up his spine; about the same time his younger brother was yelling, "MARK! Behind you!"

Mark turned quickly to see two shadows behind him. The first was normal, angled away from him, as a shadow should be. The other was long, and growing larger. The three jumped back as they watched Mark's second shadow detach itself from the ground and stand tall above them. Mark looked back as his sobbing sister, who was pushing herself closer and closer to the edge of the column.

"Wesley! Stop!" he and Matthew yelled as she stumbled backwards. They watched, agonizingly helpless as she fell further past the pillar. Their breaths caught in their throats as she bounced roughly off a safety side, and landed hard on the ground in front of her. The brothers ran to her, helping her up and trying once again to calm her.

"Wes, Sis, we have to do this," Mark repeated as she shook her head vigorously. She continued to mumble "I can't" between sobs. "Listen to me!" Mark yelled as he shook her hard. Matthew grabbed his brother's shoulder and pushed himself closer to their sister.

"Sis, its one part of the game. You will be okay!" Matthew yelled as he took his sister's hand. She continued to shake her head, aggravating her brothers. Matthew grabbed his sister's face to turn her and force her to look at him. "Listen to us: you faced that heartless and were hurt very badly- but you still kept going until you found us. Just as we kept going to find you. We have to keep going to get back home. You are strong, you are brave. You can do this!" Wesley still cried, but looked at her brothers long and hard. Her face crumpled to fight the next set of tears and she took a deep breath.

"Wes," Mark said softly, "We're all here to protect each other. We can do anything together, and we will defeat this monster." With that, he held out a fist, waiting. Matthew nodded and hit his fist against Mark's, looking at Wesley. She looked between her brothers, wiped her face as best she could, and hit her fist against her brothers' in front of her.

Wesley took another deep breath, trying to focus her fear into something useful, something to help her brothers through this next battle. They were right, she fought the heartless-and won, even if it did wound her. She didn't back down when she saw the shadow heartless-even though it was much bigger than she imagined it would be. Wesley winced remembering the pain she endured from one scratch of its claws. "Well, I'll just have to be careful to make sure it doesn't hit me," she whispered to herself.

The three turned to see the giant heartless stand far above them. Its outline was jagged, with what looked like vines wrapped around its face, leaving only bright yellow eyes visible. Wesley tensed up, her body feeling as if it were draining, leaving ice in her veins. Her heart rate sped incredibly, thumping fast as a hummingbird's wings as they beat against a cage's bars. The shadow towered over Mark, Matthew, and Wesley, petrifying her that much more. She gasped, feeling dizzy as she realized she had yet to breathe. Focus, she scolded. The heartless was called Darkside, and it was a heartless Wesley would never be able to forget.

Without another thought or warning, the Darkside began to crumble towards them, its hands balled into fists. "Watch out!" Mark called in warning. The three stared at each fist, moving to avoid their predicted destination. They came down hard, shaking the pillar until each sibling fell to the ground. Matthew's shoulder slammed against the ground. He cried out in pain as he tried to push himself up. Mark quickly ran to his brother's side and helped him up. The three stood slowly, standing with their backs close to each other. Wesley stood, holding her keyblade and staff, Matthew stood, holding his two keyblades, and Mark stood holding his shield and keyblade. The three stood, radiant, confident, and ready for the battle. The fear crept behind them, and the Darkside stood before them. All they could do now was defeat it.

"Mark, Matthew, we can do this. We have to do this." Wesley babbled, anxious for the first heartless to appear, "Remember, the heartless come from the vortex when he hits his fists on the ground, and his fists are his weakness spot, and whoever can needs to run up his arm to finish him." She took a deep breath, remembering that she was trying to focus on her breathing.

"Wes, how do you know so much about this one boss?" Matthew asked quickly. Wesley swallowed slowly. She was shocked that they didn't know the answer. They had to play for her whenever she had to battle this boss because she was so afraid. And that was when she thought it wasn't real. Now, she was really trying not to panic.

"I'll never forget this one. Ready?" she asked her brothers and they nodded. When the first heartless appeared, Mark jumped forward, keeping his shield up.

"Be careful!" Matthew yelled, "They like to bite on your blade!" Mark nodded and brought his keyblade closer to him. The heartless jumped, mouth open and face first. Mark gasped and hurdled to the side, dodging the heartless and its claws. While he was battling the first heartless, Matthew and Wesley went for the Darkside's fists. They both slashed at the dangling hands, seeing no damage, wondering if they were hurting the monster in the slightest. Mark let out a loud grunt as he turned on his feet bringing his keyblade around and slicing through the heartless. He stood with his chest puffed in pride, grinning confidently. Wesley and Matthew let out a loud laugh together as they landed from attacking the fists of the Darkside, both proud of their brother's victory. It felt uncanny to laugh in the middle of such a collision, considering their lives were on the line. They began to feel confident, that maybe there wasn't much to fear after all. The Darkside brought its fists closer to the ground, Mark now joining his siblings in attacking its hands. The hands began to slowly rise as Matthew let out another cry.

Mark and Wesley turned to see a heartless jumping off their brother, who lay on the ground on his stomach. His back was covered in blood already, as he lay there motionless. Mark, filled with rage, ran for the heartless slashing at the air until he reached the shadow, then slicing quickly through it. Wesley knelt next to her brother, her eyes filling with tears as she sat by his side.

"Matthew, say something, don't move, let us know you're alive!" Wesley couldn't control the volume of her voice. She knew she was screaming in her brother's ear, and if he could hear her, he was probably very annoyed. She took fists of Matthew's shirt, ignoring the other threats around her, and prayed. She begged God in her heart to take care of her brother, to take the pain away and to heal him. She prayed to keep them safe; she cried and pleaded that she and her brothers would survive. She promised herself that if they made it through this first fight that she would become stronger. She would make herself stronger mentally and physically. She would no longer depend on others to take care of her. She would no longer let herself be the youngest, and the weakest. Wesley cried over her brother, praying and hoping, holding her staff in one hand along with a handful of Matthew's shirt. As she cried and hoped, her hands grew hot. She felt the familiar heat move from her fingers and move to her brother's back. Mark turned to stare at his brother's back with wide eyes. The cuts on his back began to glow, growing from a light green and moving to bright neon, then disappearing quickly. Wesley let go of her brother's shirt, afraid of interfering with what was happening-whatever it was. Mark and Wesley exchanged glances, time seeming to stop as everything fell to silence. The only sound either heard were their own pulses screaming in their ears. Mark pulled Wesley up and forced her away from their brother. Wesley pulled her arm from Mark's who immediately grabbed it again.

"Something's happening here-you need to let it happen, and we need to protect him." Mark spoke loudly to get his sister's attention. Wesley looked at him tear-streaked, and scared, and finally stopped struggling. She knew Mark was right-it was important that no one interfere with whatever force was working in Matthew, or else they could make it worse.

Matthew lay still on the ground, barely breathing. He felt a pressure on his back, as if someone were pushing him against the floor, making it hard to breathe. The force felt hot on his back, moving between his shoulders, growing warmer and warmer. Matthew tried to cry out from the pain of the burning sensation, but found he couldn't move or speak. He took shallow breathes as his back tingled and slightly itched from whatever magic was at work. He felt the scorch subside, along with the sting from the heartless' claws. Finally, the pressure began to fade and Matthew was able to breathe one more. He rolled onto his back slowly, fearing his body would be sore from the attack he just endured. His siblings ran to his side, crouching with their backs to him. The Darkside hovered over them, as waiting for their next move. The heartless he sent sounded in their minds as a warning, infuriating and frightening them altogether.

Matthew stood, his body feeling strong and limber. He let his experience fuel him. He concentrated on the pain he felt, the fear he felt, as he laid on the floor. He saw death-he felt his game ending-and he won't feel that way again. The fists lowered down once more and Mark and Wesley began slashing. A vortex began to swirl underneath Wesley's feet. The vortex from before that brought the shadow heartless that had nearly ended Matthew's life. All three had faced the end of the game. The same type of heartless almost killed his sisters-and the game sent Tidus, who almost ended his brother's game. Matthew felt his anger rising, binding, and blinding him. He called his keyblades, gripping them tight. He spun them with ease, slicing through the air. A hum filled the air as the keyblades moved faster. The Darkness raised its fists out of his siblings' reach. Mark and Wesley backed away, keeping on their guard, waiting for the heartless to attack. The first rose and Matthew lurched, quickly and deadly. The Heartless disappeared in shreds before them as the vortex dissipated. Matthew looked at his siblings, his eyes cold and fierce.

"Let's finish this." His voice was sore and full of anger. He was fed up and tired. All three siblings felt they had been in the void for too long. It was time for it to end.

The fists came down and hit the ground for the last time. Wesley fell to her knees as the ground shook, dropping her wand. Matthew ran and grabbed it for her, sliding it her way. The vortex returned beneath her. Within seconds, a heartless emerged and jumped towards her. Wesley grabbed her wand and pointed it towards the heartless with a yell.

"Back up!" she screamed, gripping her wand. Her hands heated around it, and the wand quickly lit. Out from her wand came a fire, quick, fiercely hot and burning. It engulfed the heartless and burned it, leaving nothing, not even ash. Wesley blinked, staring at the empty space where the heartless once stood. Matthew and Mark watched their sister with a smirk. When she received the wand, Mark knew she would be the one to heal them and use magic. Each sibling had their item for a reason. Wesley's purpose was to help others and to have her own way of defending herself. She was always unique, and it would be no different inside Kingdom Hearts.

"Well," said Wesley with a sigh, "that was new." The siblings laughed together in the awkward exhilaration.

"Just remember how it felt," Mark replied, "and use it. Often." Wesley nodded and stood.

With a look between each other, Wesley and Mark nodded; know the next move to make. They both turned and threw their keyblades through the Darkside's fists to hold them in place. The Darkside screeched through the blackness, shaking to try to free itself.

"Now Matthew!" Mark yelled. Mark and Wesley held the Darkside's fists down as Matthew jumped on top a fist, running up the Darkside's arm. He reached the shoulder and jumped high, both keyblades in the air. As he came down, he turned them down and brought them down hard, until they stuck in the Darkside's head. The monster heartless shrieked once more and jerked until finally it began to collapse. Matthew tightened his grip on his keyblades, riding the monster down until it slammed against the platform floor. Matthew fell off the heartless and rolled briskly, continuing until the force field on the edge bounced him back into the center of the column.

Wesley and Mark ran to his brother and helped him stand. Matthew took his siblings hands and pulled them both into him, all three embracing. They had been separated, and they had to battle for their lives. But they did it, they were alive, and they were together. Wesley let out a giggle and stopped quickly. It was a foreign feeling at that point. There was no happiness in the void. All they had were hardships and near death experiences. There wasn't anything for them to be ecstatic about. Yet, Wesley couldn't suppress it. Soon, one chuckle followed another, until she was bending over holding her sides. Her brothers watched her in joy and found themselves following. It was an odd feeling not one individual could explain, and they weren't about to break up their happy moment.

The game however, had another plan.

The ground began to shake beneath the siblings. They grabbed hold of each other, afraid of what-or who-was coming next. Mark planted his feet and gripped the arms of his siblings as hard as he could. Matthew felt a new anger rise in him as he thought of what potential threat was coming. A vortex formed beneath the three, covering the column floor. It was different from the other portals they had faced. This quagmire moved quickly. It glowed and reached out, shadow strands detaching from the vortex and reaching for the siblings. Wesley cried out in fear and jumped from her brothers. Mark quickly grabbed her sister's wrist before she got too far.

"Wesley! Just hold onto me!" Mark yelled at his sister. Matthew moved and grabbed her other wrist and pulled her in between them. The vortex began to grow, reaching for the siblings. Black shadow strands wrapped around their ankles then moved to their calves, until the siblings were covered up to their knees. Wesley let out shriek, the hysteria taking no time to take over her mind. Mark gripped tighter to his sister, as did Matthew. Wesley shook uncontrollably as the strands grew and latched on to different parts of her body. The three were becoming slowly engulfed into the vortex as it pulled them into the swirling darkness.

"Wesley, listen to me!" Matthew began to shout. Wesley shook her head and continued to sob over her brother's cries. "It will all be okay-just hold on to us!" Wesley began gasping for air, finding the air thick and heavy.

"Wesley, you have to breath! This is all part of the game!" Mark interjected. The strands wrapped around the siblings chest, their arms and up to their shoulders. Wesley cried out once more and raised her head, fighting to keep the strands away as they wrapped up to their neck. "We knew this was coming-it will be okay."

"Just keep holding onto us!" Matthew reassured her. The darkness covered Wesley mouth and she began to cry underneath the strands. "We'll make it through this! It'll all be-"

But their voices were lost in the void.