*I don't own Kingdom Hearts or any of its characters, though Heavyn is mine.


"I've always been able to talk! I've just never had the chance before!" said the X-blade.

"Well, this is certainly unexpected," commented Yen Sid.

"You can say that again!" remarked Kairi and King Mickey at the same time.

"So, uh, X-blade… was that you fighting against Xehanort earlier?" asked Heavyn, her mind blown by this revelation.

"Yup! I could sense that you didn't know how to fight with a blade, so I used my knowledge to protect you!" answered the X-blade.

"Wow. This is so cool!" commented Heavyn.

"Now, you mentioned that you would be able to help Heavyn learn these abilities that Eraqus spoke of?" asked Yen Sid.

"Oh, yes! You see, normal Keyblades take key-chains from various worlds. However, there are no key-chains that fit me, so instead my wielder would be able to learn an ability that the world possesses!"

"Huh… I guess that makes sense," said Mickey.

"Hey, would you also be able to tell a Fragment world from a normal one?" asked Kairi.

"Yup! Although, thanks to Heavyn's world's ability, she would be able to tell, also!"

"I would?" queried Heavyn.

"Yeah! To you, the Fragment worlds will feel out of place from the types of worlds generally featured in Kingdom Hearts games. More than likely, you would have also followed their stories!"

Heavyn looked at Yen Sid as she said, "Well, what do you think, sir?"

Yen Sid closed his eyes, seemingly lost in thought. When he opened them again, he remarked, "Well, I think that we're lucky that Xehanort never got his hands on the X-blade, for if he knew that the X-blade had these abilities, we would be in even more dire straits then we are now."

"Yeah, I'm glad that Xehanort didn't get a hold of me, too!" chirped the X-blade.

Heavyn looked back down at the X-blade and giggled. The X-blade reminded her of a little five year-old girl in her old neighborhood who was always so eager to please everyone. Either that, or a golden retriever puppy.

"By the way, Master Yen Sid, didn't you say earlier that Sora and Riku aren't here?" asked Kairi.

Master Yen Sid looked at her as he replied, "I did say that."

Heavyn glanced up from the X-blade as Kairi asked, "Well, sir, if you don't mind me asking, where are they? I have heard nothing from them ever since they went to take the Mark of Mastery exam two months ago."

"Well, Kairi… they went to save the worlds again," answered Mickey.

Kairi was about to ask more, but Yen Sid raised a hand as he said, "However, that is a tale for tomorrow. I can sense that you two have had a long day, and you're probably tired. Why don't you go rest now, and we'll continue this discussion later."

Heavyn yawned. She said, "You know, I didn't even realize how tired I was until you mentioned it. Are you sure it's alright if we stay here?"

"Of course it's alright. Mickey, would you mind showing them to their rooms?"

As Mickey jumped down off of his chair, Kairi and Heavyn stood up.

They both nodded their heads respectfully as they said, "Thank you for your hospitality, sir."

Yen Sid smiled as Mickey led the two of them towards their rooms.


The next morning found Kairi, Heavyn, and Yen Sid sitting in the study.

"Hey, where's King Mickey?" asked Heavyn, looking around.

"He left in order to update Sora and Riku on the current situation. After all, they may have received the message that Kairi had been kidnapped, and Sora no doubt would move worlds just to find her," answered Yen Sid.

Heavyn gave a small laugh as she replied, "You're right about Sora. After all, he even went on his knees and begged Saïx to let him see her the last time that happened."

"Wait, he did that?" said a dumbfounded Kairi.

"Yup. After all, you're the one person he'll do anything to protect!" replied Heavyn. Noticing the look in Kairi's eyes, she asked, "You mean… you didn't know?"

Kairi looked at Heavyn as she answered, "No… I didn't realize that I was that important to him. I mean, I know that he cared about me as a friend, but this…" She shook her head as she continued, "I had no idea."

"Kairi… if it bothers you, then forget I said anything," said Heavyn.

Kairi looked back at her friend with tears in her eyes as she said, "Actually, you made me very happy! I had always been afraid to tell Sora about my feelings for him because I thought that he would only see me as a friend. Now that I know he feels the same way, however, I can tell him how I truly feel!"

"I'm sure Sora would be very happy to hear that," said Yen Sid, "however, don't you want to know what's going on?"

As Heavyn and Kairi looked back towards him, he continued, "Now. When Sora and Riku came here for their Mark of Mastery exam, Mickey decided to roam the worlds to try and find Terra. However, shortly after I named Sora and Riku Masters, Mickey came back with disturbing news: the Heartless were once again on the rise, and Xehanort was behind it.

"Of course, I sent Sora and Riku to try and quell the Heartless, however something troubling happened. The Unversed had also returned."

"What? I thought they were destroyed when Vanitas was destroyed!" asked Heavyn.

"Vanitas? You mean Ventus' darkness? What does he have to do with the Unversed?" asked Yen Sid.

"He was the original Unversed! All of the other Unversed came from him," she answered.

"Well, this is even more disturbing. If that's the case…" Yen Sid trailed off, seemingly lost in thought.

"Well, it's a good thing then that we can help now, huh?" remarked Kairi.

"I wouldn't be too sure about that, Kairi. After all, as the X-blade pointed out yesterday, I have no skill at wielding a blade," answered Heavyn.

"Don't worry, Heavyn. Kairi and I will help you with the training, right Kairi?" chirped the X-blade, appearing in Heavyn's hand.

"That's right!" answered Kairi.

"Hmm… that could work. I have a training room downstairs that Mickey used when he was learning to use the Keyblade. Why don't you use it while I prepare your armor? It will take a couple of days anyway, which should be enough for you to learn the basics, Heavyn," said Yen Sid.

"Wait… we get armor?" asked an excited Kairi.

"Yes. After all, it will protect you while you travel the Lanes Between," replied Yen Sid with a smile on his face.

"Sweet!" said Heavyn and Kairi at the same time. They looked at each other, then burst out laughing. Yen Sid looked surprised for a second, then started laughing along with them.


Later that day, a knock came on Yen Sid's study.

"Come in!" he called. The door opened to reveal a worried Heavyn.

"Heavyn! How did training go today?"

"It was great, but I need to ask you something."

"What can I help you with?" he asked.

Heavyn sighed as she asked, "Sir, how much has Mickey told you about what happened to Sora and Riku in Castle Oblivion?"

"Why do ask, Heavyn?"

"Well… did he tell you about Riku's Replica?"

"No… I don't recall ever hearing about a Replica."

"Well… he's my friend, and Xehanort is holding him hostage. I'm worried about him."

Yen Sid frowned as he said, "Tell me everything."