Author's Note: Alright. I'm sorry. Really, there's no good excuse…besides I've been having issues with school. But you don't care! Because you get excuses from authors all the time complaining about their personal life. So..yeah, sorry. I worked all night on this, and it's not fantastic, but it's something and gives a lot more insight into what's actually going on now. So I apologize for the lack of quality in this chapter. I'll work harder on the next one. Also, some Birth By Sleep spoilers later on, so, just warning ya, incase you didn't wanna be spoiled about ANYTHING for the game. And speaking of BbS, this story is based on a lot of it, so obviously, things are gonna be wrong since the game hasn't come out and we don't know how it ends! So yeah, sorry for that too. And this author's note is getting pretttyyy long…Sit back, relax, and enjoy! (and review :D!)

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Kingdom Hearts. ..Well except like, the video games, but they aren't mine! You get what I mean. Go read.

***

The young woman glanced around as the crowd began to grow. Feeling a little self conscious, she shied away into the corner, the mysterious book still held tightly in her grip. Many faces appeared before her. How was she suppose to cope? With a feeling of being watched, she turned to stare at the timid blonde standing behind the others. Her eyes filled with curiosity.

She looked just like her. Could it be? Perhaps…

"Everyone, clear a path, let's get her somewhere with less people…"

Startled by the sudden boom of a voice, the woman jumped. She stared at the tall, brown haired man.

"Good thinking, Leon." Another woman, with a long braid, commented, smiling softly at the young woman. The King gently pulled the girl up as the guests cleared a straight path to the throne room door. On either side of her was an unfamiliar face with smiles that hid an insecurity. She sighed, still clutching the old book to her chest.

***

Once situated in the library, the questions began.

"Miss, how did you get here?" Sora asked kindly, offering a grin. Kairi smiled reassuringly as well, and Riku stared skeptically, standing in front of Kairi slightly in a protective manner.

The young woman smiled hesitantly back. Although comforted by the presence of other living people, it still unnerved her. How was she supposed to act? She had been alone for most of her life.

"Uhm," her voice cracked, "this book…I used the power of light to bring me to the Keyblade Master." She stroked the old, leather bound book, gazing at it with a grateful smile.

"Uh huh. So why did you wanna see Sora anyway?" Leon questioned her, arms crossed. Cloud spared a glance at the woman, curious to the answer. Aerith sighed and Yuffi punched Leon in the shoulder.

"Jeez, don't be so rude, Squall." Leon shot her a look before going back to the young woman.

"Oh, well, it's an emergency…The worlds are in danger and the heartless are coming. Darkness is once again consuming the hearts of people at an alarming rate. The Keyblade Master is need," The young woman addressed Sora, the smile gone from her face.

At once, everyone stood at attention. Sora, wide eyes and gaping mouth, sputtered, "W-what!? That's impossible. Who could be controlling them this time? Everyone's gone!"

Kairi grasped Sora's fisted hand in an attempt to calm him down, but it was useless, as her own hand was shaking in fear.

Riku glowered at the tiled floor, fists balled at his side. He gritted his teeth. "How could this happen. How do you even know this?" he asked venomously.

"Riku…" Kairi whispered, shocked by the menacing tone of his voice.

Artemis, Venus and Theron exchanged worried glances between each other before focusing on the girl in the spotlight.

"I…I'm the caretaker of this book. I just know what's going on, since it happened to my world. I needed to tell the Keyblade Master so other worlds wouldn't turn out like mine," The young woman answered, glaring back at the silvered haired boy in front of her.

"Uh, if I may…"Artemis cleared her throat, reminding the rest of the crew she and the others were still there. "What's your name?"

The young woman looked baffled, before letting out a soft chuckle. "Adelynn. Princess Adelynn."

A gasp from the corner of the room. Every pair of eyes turned. Venus was pale as a ghost, shaking in her sandals. Her hand flew up to her mouth to cover it as her eyes doubled in size.

"Adelynn…?" Tears began to stream down her face.

"I knew it was you…Venus." Adelynn stood up, placing the large book on the desk. Venus ran up to her, nearly knocking the poor girl over in her embrace.

"Sister…" Venus cried into Adelynn's shoulder. Adelynn smiled sadly, consoling the young girl.

Artemis, completely confused, let her mouth drop. She was pretty sure everyone else in the room was thinking the same thing she was. "SISTER?"

Theron swiftly punched Artemis in the shoulder. "OW! Oh, come on, pinky, you all were thinking the SAME thing!" Artemis pointed her finger accusingly at everyone in the room, except the King, Sora and Kairi.

"Are there any more questions?" Adelynn asked. Venus had quieted down and sidled to Theron's side as her sister took her seat.

"Yeah," Riku said firmly. The King looked at him worriedly. He didn't want the boy to snap at the poor girl.

"Riku, how about we give her some time with her sister, hm?" King Mickey offered, smiling brightly at the silver haired boy. Riku, not up to fighting with the King, huffed and stalked out of the room.

"Uh, I'll go follow him," Artemis said, waving a quick goodbye to her friends and following Riku out the door.

"We'll go back to the party and make sure everyone's still ok," Leon said, heading out with Yuffie, Cloud and Aerith following suit.

Sora hesitated before grabbing Kairi's hand and leading her out of the library. Kairi spared a glance behind her shoulder at Adelynn, who merely smiled with a slight nod of her head. Perplexed by the action, Kairi quirked a brow just as the library door shut with a soft click.

"If you want me to go…" Theron scratched the back of his head as he stared at the ground.

"Uhm, if you wouldn't mind…" Venus murmured, fiddling with her ponytail.

Theron nodded to himself and left the two sisters alone with the King close behind him.

"Welp, you girls can catch up now, I'm sure you have a lot to say to each other!" The King smiled and chuckled, leaving with Goofy and Donald who offered smiles of their own.

***

Silence rained down on the two siblings. Neither one spoke. Venus, unnerved by the silence, played with the hem of her dress in an attempt to calm herself down. Adelynn noticed and sighed through her nose.

"Still have that habit, huh?"

Venus looked up and sheepishly smiled. "Yes. I can't help it," she mumbled. Adelynn nodded knowingly.

"Venus, I'm sure you're dieing to know why we were separated all those years ago…" Adelynn started, scooting closer to her sister.

Venus shyly nodded. "I only remember a few things…the heartless and that witch, but that's it."

Adelynn put on a grim expression, preparing to relive the past. "Venus, ten years ago, our world, Amethyst, was attacked by the heartless. They were led by an evil witch, who wished to control Kingdom Hearts. I don't know if you remember this or not, but our world held books that contained secrets to Kingdom Hearts, and that was what she was after."

Venus tilted her head, trying to remember. Adelynn continued, "Almost all of our people lost their hearts, Venus. I had tried my hardest to save them, but there were too many. So," Adelynn inhaled deeply and folded her hands in her lap, "I sent you away, to another world where you would be safe. You see, being the caretaker of the library back on our world in our castle allowed me access to all of the books, all of the secrets."

At this point Venus was on the edge of her seat, a mix of emotions playing with her face.

"I had studied the old magic before we were…attacked. So after I sent you away, I managed to seal up the castle with one of the spells. It worked, and the witch left our world, finding it pointless. But now…"

"I don't understand though. If you know everything about Kingdom Hearts, how come you didn't help Sora before this? Why didn't you help from the very beginning, when that Ansem wanted to have Kingdom Hearts? Why?" Venus bit her lip and grabbed a fistful of her dress.

Surprised by her little sister's outburst, the princess frowned. "I hadn't learned everything yet. Even if I could have transported myself to the Keyblade Master, I would have been no help. I didn't know what I know now two years ago, Venus."

Defeated, Venus slumped in her chair. "So…now what? What do we do?"

"We stop this, once and for all."

Venus, lifted by her sister's determination, grinned. "Yeah. Oh, I have one more question…why did you send me to The Land of Departure and to Master Eraqus?"

Adelynn, never one to lie, laughed nervously. "Heh, that was completely random. I had no control of where you went. I just made sure it was someplace where darkness hadn't consumed. But, I guess it worked out pretty well. You are a keyblade apprentice, aren't you?"

"Y-yes, how did you know?" Venus, once again confused by her sister's knowledge, felt somewhat see-through.

"Well, that emblem on your belt. It looks awfully familiar. I believe I saw it in one of my texts. I remember it having to do with the three keyblade apprentices." Adelynn shrugged, patting her book respectfully.

"Not to mention…I knew you had something special in you that I lacked. You'll be a great part of what's to come, Venus," Adelynn said, grabbing her sister's hand and squeezing it. Venus furrowed her brows, not quite understanding, but nodding all the same.

On the opposite side of the door, Theron stood wide eyed and speechless.

***

"Sora…calm down, please." Kairi frowned at her boyfriend. Sora hadn't stopped pacing since they arrived at her room. She sat on her bed, nervously watching him go back and forth, mumbling obscene things. He turned at her, eyes ablaze.

"I can't Kairi! The heartless are back and that means I have to go stop them again." Sora paused, regretting snapping at her and sighed, covering his face in his hands.

"Sora…" Kairi walked over to him, wrapping her arms around him gently. "It'll be ok."

Sora shook his head as he returned the embrace. "No, Kairi. I'll have to leave you again."

Kairi winced. She knew he would say that. That was most likely the thing bothering him this whole time. She knew it was bothering her the whole time. But she wouldn't let him go alone, not if she could help it.

She pulled back, looking deeply into her love's blue eyes. "I'm coming with you this time, no matter what." she said with determination laced in her words.

Sora shook his head. "No, you could get hurt, and I won't let that happen," he refused stubbornly, grabbing Kairi by the shoulders. She frowned, but didn't give up.

"I can defend myself! I won't be a bother to you or Riku or anyone else. I'll learn how to fight." Her arms dropped to her side and her hands balled into fists. "Artemis will teach me. I will not just watch you go and wait for you again." Tears pricked at the princess's eyes as she recalled that lonely year waiting for her friends to return.

Sora, conflicted, sighed and leaned his forehead against Kairi's. "You're really brave, you know that?" he whispered to her as his fingers intertwined with hers. She let out a shaky giggle.

"Yeah, I know."

***

The full moon was overhead by now, illuminating the courtyard with a radiant glow. By now the rides have been taken down, the children retreated to the throne room, and the occasional broom would go by, sweeping the path.

Riku sat atop a square bush, pensively staring at the clear night sky. The stars twinkled, and one, Riku noticed, blinked out. His eye's narrowed even further. They were already too late.

"Isn't it a bit cold out here?"

Riku snapped out of his thoughts and looked down. Artemis looked up at him, smiling softly. Riku shrugged his shoulders and returned his gaze to the dark blue sky.

Artemis's smile fell. She hopped up onto the bush, sitting next to him. She felt him tense as her leg brushed against his own. Heat rose to her cheeks, but she chose to ignore it.

"So, why are you all pissy?" she started, examining his expression. The corner of his mouth pulled down and his eyes narrowed into little slits. She was not shocked, nor unnerved by this response, instead pleased. She smiled to herself, glad that he responded as expected to her prodding.

"You know, what the Princess said, I'm sure it's not really that bad. Plus, what's wrong with another adventure, hm?" The white haired warrior swung her legs back and forth, staring inquisitively at the young keyblade master.

Riku glared at her out of the corner of his eye. "That's not the point. We were supposed to have finished all of this. Now…it's starting all over. I wonder if it will ever end," Riku whispered the last part to himself. He leaned back and rested on his elbows.

Artemis pondered this for a moment before responding. Her forefinger and thumb stroked her invisible beard. "Well, it's not like all your efforts were for nothing," she offered, stilling thinking to herself.

Riku scoffed, "Yeah? Then tell me why this is happening again?" He looked up at her. The moonlight enhanced her features beautifully. Her hair glowed almost and her eyes sparkled with a fiery spirit. Riku wondered if she had looked like this all the time, or if it was just the fact that he was tired and frustrated. He decided to push the thoughts aside once she started talking again.

"Because, Riku," she tilted her head up, letting her bangs fall to the side. "Darkness will never go away. Light and Darkness, those two things that bring destruction and hope, can't get rid of them. Everyone has darkness in their hearts, it's just up to that person to control it. Well, actually, Kairi and the other Princess's of Heart don't have darkness. Heh," Artemis laughed softly.

"But, what I'm saying is, the world was created with both of those things. It's up to us to decide whether or not we use the light in our hearts, or the darkness, you know? That dude Ansem, he chose darkness over light. It's all up to us."

Artemis shrugged, hoping she got something through to the thick headed boy. "It's just hard to explain, but I believe one day you and Sora, and me, Vee and Theron, won't have to use the keyblade anymore. One day." She let her eyes close and smiled.

Riku let her words sink in. He understood where she was going and what she meant, but he still couldn't shake the feeling that it didn't have to be like this. For now, though, he dropped it and sat upright. He let his arm drape around Artemis's shoulders, earning a small yelp.

She whirled her head around to see him. His expression was serene and peaceful. "Thanks Artemis," he said in a hushed tone that only she could hear before he hopped off the bush and returned to the castle.

Artemis sat there alone for a moment before huffing and crossing her arms.

"Weird boy."