We're Not Soldiers

-hear me?

Sora groans, passed out in his room.

Can-hear-?

His body winces and his eyes flutter, but stay closed.

Please-must-me.

Sora groans again, shaking his head, clutching the blanket beneath him.

-not much-Please-Soon.

His body flails lightly, as if he's having a nightmare. For a few minutes, the voice stops. Then he words come slow, but clear.

Chosen one.. Hear me.

His legs kick lightly and he whimpers, eyes fluttering quickly, but he still remains asleep.

You must act. The time.. Is upon you. Moments away. The boy from the dark will snuff your friend's light. You must hurry, time is of the essence. I don't know how much longer I can keep this link. It's taken most of my energy just to locate you again. Please, save him. Rewrite history. You were given the Keyblade for a reason. Use it. Stop King Xehanort.

Sora opens his eyes and sits up quickly, startled, as if waking from a bad dream. He puts a hand to his head, propping his elbow on his thigh. He sighs, "Who are you? How am I supposed to save Ven? Please, tell me what to do.."

He slowly gets out of bed and leaves the room. He looks around and frowns, finding the house quiet. He calls out, "Aqua? Terra, Ven?! Kairi!"

Worry rises in his eyes as no reply can be heard. He continues about the house and finds it empty. His eyes narrow in worry, "Are they all still outside?"

He turns and heads for the back door. As soon as he gets there, Kairi bursts inside, knocking into him. She almost knocks him down as he catches her, stumbling back. Her eyes are wide with fear and confusion and Sora looks at her in worry, "Kairi? What's wrong?"

"The.. Darkness.. It came from the sky, it's over the house, the forest.. Terra knows what it is, he told us to run, Ven and I.." she turns and gasps, "Ven?! He was right behind me! He was right here! No, they're still out there!"

Sora turns Kairi to face him, "Stay inside. Find Aqua."

"Where are you going?!" she asks, eyes wide.

Sora smiles, "I'm going to save Ven."

"What?! Sora, you don't know what's out there!" she pleads.

"'The boy from the dark will snuff out your friend's light.' I know exactly what's out there. The person that's going to kill Ven." Sora moves past her, his Keyblade appearing. He turns and smiles at her over his shoulder, "I'm going to kill that person first."

Sora leaves the house and Kairi screams, tears in her eyes, "Sora, no! You're not skilled enough! I can't lose you, too!"

Sora's instantly blinded as he steps outside. The darkness is so think overheard, the light is snuffed out around the house and forest. He can't see how far out the darkness spreads. He frowns, then gasps when his blade glows with light. He brings it up and stares at it. The familiar voice from the day he got the Keyblade speaks to his mind again, Keep your heart strong, young one. For even in the darkest of times, there is still a light that shines through. You can be that light, young one. Believe in yourself, you have the power.

Sora's grip tightens and he face forward, closing his eyes, "I have the power.. Lead to me them, I have to save Ventus."

Sora walks blind, and yet he knows exactly where he's going. The Keyblade guides him to a battlefield. Terra is nowhere to be seen, nor Aqua, but Ventus is face-to-face with Vanitas, dressed in a black leather suit, carrying his Keyblade. Sora gasps, "That boy.. Looks just like me.."

Ventus is knocked back, his Keyblade flying from his hand. He groans, and Vanitas laughs, "I knew you all were weak, I didn't think you were this weak!"

He picks up Ven's Keyblade, "What happens if I break your pretty little sword?"

"No!" Sora screams.

Ven gasps, turning towards his voice, "Sora?! Run! You'll be safe in the house, it's charmed so no darkness can enter! Go!"

Sora runs towards Ven and Vanitas, Keyblade raised. He swings at Vanitas, "Drop it!"

Vanitas avoids every swing, laughing, "You're interesting."

Sora keeps attacking and Vanitas keeps dodging. Vanitas suddenly moves and he's behind Sora. He knocks Sora in the back of the head with the butt of Ven's Keyblade, knocking Sora to the ground. He raises his own blade then, ready to send it straight through Sora's back. Ventus shoves Vanitas from the side, grabbing his Keyblade as he does. He stands protectively over Sora, "Leave him alone!"

Vanitas stands slowly, grinning, "Are you going to be a challenge now? You surely have spirit. Let's see how long it takes to break it."

Ventus frowns, getting into a defensive stance, "Sora.. Get up.. Run.. Please.. This boy is no older than you.. But he beat Terra too easily.. You have to run. Find Aqua , Kairi, and get Terra, and run. I can keep him distracted, but I don't know for how long.."

Sora stands, spitting blood on the grass. He coughs, shaking his head, "Ven, no.. He's going to.. Kill you.."

"Get out of here, Sora. You can't afford to die here." Venus glows lightly and he races forward. He clashes blades with Vanitas. The two fight quickly, seeming to be evenly matched. Sora watches in fear and amazement. The two keep fighting and it seems Ventus has the upper hand, that is, until Vanitas shoots Ven with a blast of darkness. Ventus cries out, falling down. His body is covered in darkness, he writhes in pain. Sora calls to him, but he doesn't answer. Vanitas picks Ven's Keyblade up again and sighs, "You were almost a challenge. But, just as always, I win far too easily. I guess this is how long it takes to break your spirit."

His Keyblade disappears and he takes Ven's blade in both hands, one at the hilt, the other at the teeth. He smirks at Ven, "Goodnight."

He snaps Ventus's Keyblade in half. Ventus screams, clutching his chest. The darkness disperses and Ven is covered in a new light. Sora screams and runs over to Ventus, dropping to his knees as he lifts Ven into his arms. Sora cries, holding Ventus close to him as his friend is glowing white. He watches helplessly as Ventus's body starts to disappear into balls of light that float into the sky. Ventus smiles at Sora, "It's up to you now.. Sora.."

"No!" Sora shakes his head, tears flung from his face, "Don't say that! You'll be okay!"

Ven shakes his head slowly, "No.. I won't.. Listen to me.. You knew.. It was you the whole time.. The one they spoke of.. You have to.. Embrace it.. Only you can do it.. You can end this.."

"No, don't say that! You'll be okay, everything'll be okay!" Sora sobs, holding Ven close.

Ven continues to smile at Sora, "Don't be afraid.. I.. Believe in you.. Sora.."

"No!" Sora screams as Ventus disappears. Sora's body shakes as he watches the light disappear into the sky. Vanitas watches with amusement in his eyes, "Have you never seen a comrade die before? Crying like a baby.. What kind of solider are you?"

Sora glares at Vanitas, tears running down his face. His body erupts with a strange light, his mark burns bright and he screams at him, "We're not soldiers!"