[A/N: This chapter is mostly talking and it's kinda short, but expect the next one to be about the same length. I'm really not sure about how Ven met Xehanort, but this is how I think happened. This chapter is the half way point by the way. Reviews are appreciated. Enjoy the chapter!]

Let me guess….form change in this world?

Nope.

Surprising. So, where are we?

Why don't you ask one of the natives instead of me?

The world was submerged beneath the water, but that wasn't what caught Erik's attention. It was that all the people had dark skin, white hair, and blue markings. Odd looking people…..

Some of the people were starting to look at him curiously since he was sticking out. A man whispered something to a woman before venturing over to him. "Excuse me…..how did you get down here?"

"I just ended up here. What's this world called anyway?"

"World? This city is called Atlantis."

"Atlantis…ok that works all though it sounds really familiar…how did you get underwater?"

"The Gods became angry with Atlantis and had a great wave come up and swallow the city."

"How long ago was that?"

"A couple thousand years ago."

"Why am I asking you it's not like you were there. You've been very helpful, but I think I'm going to go now." Erik left the man behind not hearing that he had been alive when Atlantis had been swallowed up. "Now where do I go from here?" At first he didn't notice that someone was following him.

The person was a tall young woman wearing blue with blue markings under her eye. She'd seen Erik enter Atlantis was feeling curious on how he'd gotten there. She silently followed him through the market place stopping only when he stopped.

By this point Erik was getting a bit annoyed with whoever was following him. "You can stop following me any time."

The woman ducked back into the shadows hoping he wouldn't notice her.

"I know you're there so just come out." He was a bit surprised to see that a woman had been following him. A not entirely unattractive woman either. "So, is there a reason you've been following me?"

"How did you get to Atlantis?"

"I came through one of these."

The woman pushed him away to get a better look at the portal. "It's so dark. How do you see?"

"I can see just fine, but I don't recommend you going through there."

"So you're from someplace else?"

"Yes."

"Show me."

"Maybe you want to tell me your name first."

"Kidagakash."

"Bless you."

"Your name is bless you?"

"No, I said that because your name is a mouthful. I'm going to call you Kida." He turned and started walking again.

Kida got in front of him, but had to lean down to talk to him. "What's your name?"

"Erik…." He pushed past her and kept walking.

"Where are you going?"

"Looking for something."

"Looking for what?"

"Something."

"But what's the something?"

"Just something. Buzz off will you."

Kida continued to follow him. "You know my Father could help you if you need help."

"Who's your Father? The King?"

"Yes."

"Why didn't you say anything sooner?"

Kida took Erik by the wrist and led him towards the exit of the market. "We haven't had any visitors in so long my Father will be happy to see you."

I wouldn't be too sure of that.

The palace was a massive stone building with two guards posted outside. The tattoos on the guard's faces made them look quiet intimidating, but their stony expressions faltered when Kida came towards them. Inside the palace was a stone tablet with a strange character on top of it and sitting on a throne was an old man with a long white beard wearing blue robes; his eyes were milky white.

Kida left Erik in the entry way of the room before walking up to the King. "Father we have a guest."

The King turned his blind eyes to the doorway like he could see who was there. "Leave us daughter."

Even though Kida was feeling curious about what they were going to talk about she left the room.

Erik walked up to the King feeling a bit anxious. It wasn't that he was in front of a King it was more the blindness that was making him nervous. "Kida said you could help me with what I'm looking for."

The King's pale eyes looked up at him. "I know who you are."

"Pardon? I've never been here before."

"You will bring about destruction. I want you and those beasts gone."

"You don't even know what I'm looking for."

"I know what you want and you will never find it."

"Do enlighten me then if you know what I'm looking for."

"You want the heart of Atlantis. I would sooner die then let him have it."

"Who's him?"

"Xehanort. He was here trying to get me to tell me where it was. I made him leave. He's never been back."

Erik wasn't buying it. How could a feeble old man like the King drive away someone like Master Xehanort? "I'd like to see you kick me out, old man."

The King got to his feet supported by his staff. "I can see your shadow. It grows larger every day. If you let the darkness fester inside you for too long it will destroy you."

"How can you see anything? You're blind."

"You don't need eyes to see the darkness around you. It's radiating off you like a sickness. Leave now."

Do you want a hint on where the heart is?

I would love a hint.

The heart of Atlantis lies in the eyes of its King.

So I scratch his eyes out?

No, don't be stupid. You see that stone tablet?

Yeah.

It's under there.

Why are you helping me all of a sudden?

Because I want you to win. You win and I get everything I could ever dream of.

All righty….

Don't dwell on it.

"Well your majesty this has been lovely, but I think I know where the heart is without you telling me."

The King glanced over at him.

"It's under that tablet."

"It will never be Xehanort's I'll make sure of it."

"I'd like to see you stop him." He walked back towards the doors, but instead went through a dark portal. Instead of going onto the next world however he stopped in the Keyblade Graveyard. He'd been meaning to tell Xehanort about Ursula and Hades and now he had more good news.

This time it looked Xehanort was distracted with something. In his arms was a small bundle. He was staring at it intently when he noticed Erik. "What is it now?"

"I just wanted to tell you that I have two allies for you."

"Who are they?"

"Ursula the sea witch from Atlantica and Hades lord of the Underworld from Olympus Coliseum. Oh and I also got the King of Atlantis to spill the beans on where the heart was."

Xehanort nodded in acknowledgement before turning his attention back to the bundle.

"What's so important that you're ignoring me?"

"I have something in my possession that's going to be very helpful."

Erik walked over to him peering at the bundle. "It's a baby. How is a baby going to be helpful?"

"The baby will grow up won't it? This child is going to be my apprentice."

"Ok…well I'm going to go….you have fun with your baby."

Xehanort looked back down at the baby. "You're going to be the strongest Keyblade wielder to exist aren't you, Ventus?"