If I could do it again

Summary: Ven couldn't remember much before she came to study with Master Eraqa, the images of her childhood were all shaded by black and loneliness, until she awoke to the sound of voices, Aqua's… and Terra's.

A/N: While writing this chapter I finally came up with a good proper name for Ven. Venus would have been good, but putting it into effect now would probably just be annoying at this point. Oh well, chance missed.

Chapter 11: The Master Plot

Ven felt her body being tossed and bounced across the worlds. She wasn't sure where she was being taken, or how far away she'd end up, and all she could do was hold tight to the star and try not to lose her lunch as it finally sent her tumbling. She let out a short scream as it all came to a halt and she landed with an explosion of light and thumped onto the ground belly down and clutching the star.

Donald and Goofy who had been sitting on the steps of Yen Sid's stoop stared wide eyed at the sudden arrival. For a brief moment their hopes rose high thinking the King might have finally found his way back to them. However when the light died they spotted a girl, blonde hair, blue eyes, and a pained expression as she tried to get to her feet.

"Nope that's not him… huh but look that their girl has the star shard the king borrowed!" Goofy exclaimed pointing at the shining star shaped gem in Ven's hand. Getting on her knees Ven stared at the shard her eyes wide and blue. "King? Oh you must mean Mickey. I saw him but- uh HEY!"

She found herself being lifted up off her feet and urged inside. The two yammered in her ear making her already light head spin. They took her up flights of stairs, so many she thought her legs would buckle, and stopped at a wide door with a magician's hat on the front. Opening it they approached a huge desk with books and pages and candles and other magical items. Behind it sat a man, older, stately, and very poised. The two beside her saluted tall and mannered.

"Yen Sid, sir, we just got a clue as to where the King might be." Goofy explained. The older man rose his head his eyes looking into hers grim and troubled.

"Ah Ven… if I'm not mistaken you were ordered to return home." He said slightly amused by her pouting face.

"I'm sorry sir, but I-"

"No matter…" He said with a ghost of a smile. "Mickey has problems following orders too." That made Ven smile and she scratched her cheek a bit as a flush crept on her cheeks. "Where is this clue of Mickey's whereabouts?"

"I've got it." Donald walked up and set the star shard on the desk. "Ven had it when she got here."

In agreement Ven nodded and nervously rubbed her hands together.

"Yes, it's true I ran into Mickey… however we were both sent hurdling by a bright light, and I'm not sure where he ended up. He wasn't in the world where I found it." Ven explained eyeing the star shard. She hoped she hadn't left him stranded on Neverland, she didn't know just how far Neverland was from her current location.

"As I suspected, Mickey's been tumbling around world to world, it explains why I haven't been able to locate him."

"You can now, can't you?" Donald asked.

"Yes, I can." Reaching inside for power Yen Sid send a cloud of smoke swirling in front of him. Ven's gasp was sharp and painful as she rushed forward to stare at the smoke. Mickey lay face down in the dust of the world she had first met him in. The world where she had taken on the girl in the mask… Vanita.

"Mickey!"

"The King!" Donald and Goofy exclaimed in unison with her.

Coming into the frame of the smoke Ven saw the tips of black boots kick away Mickey's keyblade… and then stare into the smoke. Ven could feel the cold eyes behind the shrouded helmet boring into her as if she knew Ven was watching. Vanita made a come hither motion with her fingers before the smoke disappeared and Yen Sid released the vision looking pale and forlorn.

"Where did he go? Is he okay?" Donald said, worry lacing his squeaky voice.

"There is a dark force interfering with my magic." Yen Sid explained sharing looking with Ven who was tensed up and her eyes fierce. "Ven…"

"I know where he is. I know that world." She said on a breath that was shaky with anger. "I'll find him."

"We'll go with you!" Donald insisted bringing up his wand and Goofy his shield. "We're the king's knight and magician. It's our job to protect him!"

"No, it's better that I do this alone. I owe him, he saved my life once and I can't risk putting his friends in danger. Don't worry, Master Yen Sid. I'll find Mickey and bring him back safe."

"Are you sure about this, Ven?" Yen Sid sat up straight again staring into her eyes. "You know the dangers awaiting you there."

"I know it… and it's about time I handled it. I don't know who she is or why she's doing this but I will stop her. I promise." She turned on her heel and ran outside and down the steps. Her breath panted out as she reached the outside and she slapped a hand across her shoulder, her armor coming on and in a quick smooth move she jumped on her glider and set out to find that dismal dust ridden world.

Donald and Goofy stared out the top window of Yen Sid's tower looking worried.

"Do you think she'll bring back the King like she said?" Goofy asked Donald.

"Of course she will, Ven wouldn't break a promise, right Master?" He turned his head back at the wizard who still sat at his desk.

"Not intentionally, no. I believe she will do all she can to help him. I just hope that the dark power I'm sensing isn't too much for her heart to handle."

~Destiny Islands~

Aqua had felt the light as much as Terra had and let it guide her to this little spot of paradise. She was instantly comforted by the scent of the air, and the sound of waves. Her eyes immediately latched onto the paopu fruit tree and she couldn't resist taking out her wayfinder and admiring it.

Her quick smile faded as she thought of her friends, and thought of the enemy trying to pull them apart. Vanita, she felt, was only one of many strings being pulled by a darker force and meant to do them all harm.

"Terra, Ven… I hope we're all ready for the storm that's about to come."

As she stared thoughtfully at the little blue star, the sound of feet running against the sand caught her attention. She lifted her head just in time to see two little kids racing across the island full sprint. The boy had some leg on the girl and quickly gained the lead, while the girl huffed and puffed behind him trying to add that extra bit of power to catch up.

Riku pumped his fist in the air as he crossed under the bridge first.

"I win!"

"Aww man," Sora panted and bent forward on her knees pouting at him. The pigtails she'd adorned the day before were tossed aside letting the messy brown locks scatter freely around her face. "One more time!" Sora insisted stepping closer to Riku making him fluster a bit. "You just got lucky."

Riku's sea green eyes shifted trying to look away from her face and glanced up to catch sight of Aqua who walked across the bridge to get a closer view of the two. Sora followed his gaze to her and the two stared wide eyed and wondrous. It was the second stranger they'd come across in less than a week.

Aqua couldn't help but smile at the two. She knelt and jumped from the bridge making Sora jerk back and cling to Riku in surprise. Though the boy fidgeted a bit he didn't move from his spot and did his best to keep his eyes on Aqua. Sora slowly let go of him rubbing the back of her head from embarrassment at her reaction.

This boy looks so sincere, Aqua thought admiring Riku's calm stare, just like Terra. Her gaze shifted to Sora who was smiling now laughing a bit from her own reaction. And this one, Aqua mused, she's the spitting image of Ven.

"One of you might just be special enough." She murmured quietly to herself then spoke aloud. "Do you two mind telling me your names?" Aqua asked politely.

"I'm Sora!" the girl immediately piped up holding up her hand as if she were in class. Aqua admired her cheerful eagerness and turned her head to the boy,

"And you?"

"Riku…" He stared at her, wondering why she was looking at him so intensely. Aqua could see someone had already given him the power and wondered if Terra had been here to see them as well. Her eyes look between the two, and feeling the instant connection she smiled at Sora.

"Sora, do you like Riku?"

"Of course I do!" Sora answered immediately making Riku blush. "He's my best friend." She clung to his arm and Riku rubbed the back of his head trying to hide the embarrassment on his face.

Yes, so much like Terra and Ven.

"So say Riku gets lost… or starts wandering down a dark path alone. You have to make sure to stick by him okay?" She watched the two exchanged curious looks. "That's your job Sora and I'm counting on you to do it, okay?"

"Don't worry," Riku insisted a little embarrassed that the woman thought he'd need protection by a girl. "I'll protect Sora."

"And I'll protect you right back!" Sora insisted hugging him and laughing. He did his best to try and pry her free but she clung on laughing at embarassment.

"Hey! Come on it's not the girl's job to protect the boy!"

"Says who!?" Sora let go pouting. Their argument was muffled by Aqua's hands running over their hair.

"Hey come on now, no fighting. You're friends remember? Riku you can protect Sora, but it's Sora's job to make sure you do yours. It's a team effort. A team is always stronger than one person alone."

"Yeah we're a team!" Sora bounced in her sandals laughing again. "Together we can do anything!"

"That's right, together nothing can stop you." Aqua smiled and let the two walk off and talk about what they were gonna call their team name. Her smile stayed bright on her face as she pulled out the star shaped wayfinder. "Together, always. I almost forgot my own words. Thanks you two… for showing me the light."

Later on as she was left with her thoughts she knew she could have given Sora the gift. Sora's heart was so young and full of light Aqua felt she would use it well. However, Aqua knew first hand that one key blade was enough for any friendship.

~Keyblade Graveyard~

Ven raced across the sands, the wind whipping at her hair. She spotted her friend laying on the ground barely able to move let along get up. She ran to him kneeling down and cupping her hand under his head. "Mickey! Are you alright?"

When he only stirred under her palm she knew she had to get him to safety. She moved to lift him up but sensed a presence behind her. Feet walking across the dirt towards him and a voice gruff and familiar ringing in her ears.

"We meet again, girl." Xehanort chuckled as he calmly walked his way to her. Their gaze met and Ven had a moment of confused recollection of his face before images started cramming into her mind causing sharp pains in her head. She dropped Mickey and held her head letting out a cry.

"Yes so you're finally starting to realize…" Master Xehanort grinned evilly letting his true self show for the first time since his plans had begun. "What you've lost, oh but not for good. You had to lose in order to find. Now it can all be yours again if you only reach out and take it."

Ven heard his voice, flashes of her past rushing into her mind painfully. Flashes of darkness, of fear, of… emptiness.

"Reclaim the part that left you. Clash with her, pure light against pure darkness to forge the ultimate key. The all powerful X-Blade!"

As he spoke more images filled her. Images of Vanita, her true face shrouded in darkness, but with eyes of piercing gold that sent shivers through her, added to the fear. She screamed loud and pierced her body trembling and she clutched herself trying to make it all go away.

"A… key-blade?"

"Not like the keyblades you and I carry." Calmer and lecturing Xehanort held out his hand forming the X shape in his palm for her to see. "X.. a most ancient letter. Some say Kye but the meaning is the same." He let the letter vanish and he eyed his former pupil waatching her sprawled out on the desert ground next to her friend. "Death a letter that spells endings."

"And…" shaken, appalled, Ven slowly sat up eyes filled with sorrow. "I have the power to make it?"

"Correct." And with that said, he planted the next seed of his plan. The seed that will ensure Eraqa's demise, and Terra's downfall. "Eraqa knows it too. She knows exactly who you are."

"The Master?"

"Haven't you ever wondered why he never granted you permission to live his side, to grow stronger?"

Yes, yes she had. Terra and Aqua had gone on small missions to other worlds and she was always left behind, left to wonder and wait for their return.

"Eraqa was and is frightened of you. She's always been afraid what would happen if you found out the truth of who you were, what you are."

Yes, Ven could see it now, She rose to her feet hugging herself as she felt suddenly cold and upset. She wasn't trusted, wasn't allowed. It made her ache, made her angry. With eyes stern and determined to learn the truth she looked at Xehanort her lips scowling firm.

He smirked and threw out a hand shoving her back and into a cyclone that sent her and mickey tumbling through the sky and into the dark.

"Go, and ask the woman yourself!"

Ven screamed and her hands reached out for Mickey trying to get to him but she felt herself being ripped and tumbled. Her armor came on protecting her from the darkness of the lanes between. She passed out from the cold, from the sudden emptiness that burdened hr heart. As she awoke again she was alone in the void. Images plagued her making her clutch her head and whimper.

"What am I? What has the master been keeping from me all this time?"

She had to know the truth, had to know! It was high time she learned who she was, what she was meant for. Through the void she potted home and behind the shield of her mask her eyes narrowed. It was time to find out everything!

~The Space Between Worlds~

Terra glanced up as he saw a shimmer of light pass over him. He had a moment to think of Ven before he heard the rumbling voice of Master Xehanort.

"Master Terra, find me we must speak at once!"

With a heavy heart he gave Ven's light one last glance before veering off course and heading for the master. He didn't bother coming out of armor mode as he floated in front of Xehanort and saw the played look of distress on the Master's face.

"Master Xehanort you wished to see me?"

"There is no time to lose." Xehanort said gravely. "Ven has stumbled upon the secret of her origins."

"Ven?" HIs heart dropped to his gut. "I just saw her, she passed right by me. What happened?"

"She's on her way home. If you could have seen the fury in her eyes. I'm afraid she may attempt to force the truth out of Eraqa." Xehanort quickly explained, timing it just right in his mind, imagining Ven approaching Eraqa's world. He had to suppress a grin. "Terra you must hurry after her and see to your friend's safety."

He didn't need to be told twice. Xehanort had long time explained about Eraqa's fear and mistrust about Ven's situation. Who knows what would happen when Ven went there to push at her. Fear clutched and he found himself racing off in the sky to home.

Xehanort laughed as he watched Terra disappear in the sky. Everything was falling into place. He glanced over to another peak where Vanita had perched watching just as much as he had. Her helmet removed, that long mane of black hair spiraling down her back she watched the sky but instead of seeing excitement or mischievousness as he'd come to expect of her, he saw a look of sorrow, and temper. It annoyed him.

"You've got your orders, go wait for Ven and make sure she comes to the final stage."

She spared him a withering glance, her face torn with emotion as she set the helmet back in place and waved a hand to open the portal of darkness.

"As you wish…" Stepping through it she sighed to herself. "Terra, you're falling straight into his trap."

Things are clicking along with this story. I'm reaching the end so I'm getting a bit ahead of myself with updates. Hopefully I haven't missed any important details.

Next Chapter: Protect What Matters.