Thank you for your reviews, it means a lot to me.

Guest BerserxDuchess: I would absolutely recommend reading the previous entries of the series. I'm writing this assuming you've read through the other parts, otherwise you have no idea who Aeros, Ruki, or Vale are or their background/Sora's set-up in this AU. Next chapter in particular will be impacted by my "trailer/secret ending" lead in from the first entry, Vulpes to Dandelions ch 40. The reading order is on my FFnet profile as of this time (I've been writing this series in an odd order) and AO3 automatically tells you what part of the series you're in. Last chapter for the Ventus/Vanitas full conversation is in Darkness to Sky ch 7. I just try to not rewrite scenes as much as possible, though it's a bit of an inevitability. Strelitzia's memory has also popped up in Eraqus to Wayfinders, so… I do really go back and forth within my story source to connect my own ideas as well as keep close to canon. You don't have to wait for this story to complete to continue onto Dandelions to Vulpes or Darkness to Sky.

We are now Post-KHMoM ending.

T-a-V-r-X-i-E-k-L-c-I-n-T-a-V-r-X-i-E-k-L-c-I-n

It took everyone present a long confused moment to realize the Castle's barrier had fallen away. They knew they had observed Ventus fighting, but they hadn't understood anything.

This wasn't in a metaphorical sense either, somehow their method of communication was cut off. Ventus and the Memory had spoken in two totally different languages while their Keyblades had left them without translation.

Aqua and Terra were the most bewildered at hearing Ventus and not being able to understand him after all of the time they'd known him.

It was the Castle's small Mercy to a lonely eleven year old boy.

Once Aqua and Terra finally realized the barrier had fallen away they surged forward, running to their unconscious friend. Everyone had seen the way Ventus's Keyblade had changed. Had it been a challenge to his Heart, to continue his apprenticeship?

They didn't know.

Isa, Kairi, Lea, Naminé, Roxas, and Xion ran over to them and hovered close by as Aqua gently turned Ventus over. He was simply asleep, clear dark circles under his eyes that she never recalled having seen before. He was one of the few people who never seemed truly exhausted.

Gingerly she lifted him into her arms in a princess carry as she turned to the others. She paused with a short gasp, "Kairi! You're awake!"

Kairi nodded with a small and nervous smile, "Riku and I found out where Sora might be… but I'll tell you all about it once Ventus wakes up. We were all just about to try and figure out a way to get into contact with you in the Dark Realm to call you back."

Terra nodded as he motioned Aqua ahead, "Ventus was the one who told us that we should come back." Aqua skirted around them all to bring Ventus to his room as he continued, "Seems he somehow got into contact with Vanitas, who's somehow with Sora. He wasn't overly clear with the details though."

Isa hummed, "It seems we have much to talk about. It's nearing the afternoon, and you all have been gone for about… eight months, was it?" He glanced at Lea as he nodded in affirmation before continuing, "We should prepare a lunch and see if Ventus is able to give his side of things as well before we start going into our own personal details."

Terra agreed with this thoughtline as he relaxed, "Sounds great, though if it's all the same to you guys, I think I'd like to wash up first…"

Xion smiled, "We're not going anywhere. Oh yeah, Ienzo and Even are here. It seems Even had something he wanted to talk to you and I about."

Terra gave her a weird look before nodding, "Got it." He gave them all a small wave, "I'll meet up with you all once i'm good."

They all nodded as he went his own way, the small group turning to one another as they wondered about what had happened.

Kairi took Xion and Naminé's hands and pulled them along towards the kitchen as Isa, Lea, and Roxas followed close behind as they all began to plan out what sort of feast they should put together.

It was going to be an interesting afternoon.

T-a-V-r-X-i-E-k-L-c-I-n-T-a-V-r-X-i-E-k-L-c-I-n

Ventus was still in a deep sleep when Terra found Aqua sitting on the edge of the blond's bed, her hair clearly damp as she still had a towel around her shoulders. She was wearing her casual clothes, soft black leggings and loose night top. He ruffled his hair, "Aqua." He'd opted for dark brown sweats and a loose maroon v-neck shirt.

She turned to him with concern, her hands clasped tightly in her lap and a tenseness in her shoulders. Her eyes became glossy as she softly spoke, "Terra, I'm scared."

The brunette understood. They'd seen Ventus fall into a coma more than once, then got separated for a decade as he slept, and then had witnessed him collapse and stop breathing in the Dark Realm. Terra went over to her and gently pulled the towel from her shoulders over her head as he covered her, shielding her face from him as he gently helped dry her hair. He spoke softly, "I know. I'm scared too."

Aqua grasped her knees, her nails digging into her skin as she gasped softly, trying so hard not to cry but knowing if she didn't allow herself to cry now, it would all burst out later.

Terra breathed with a long sigh as she started crying softly. He let her for a few moments, still dutifully drying her hair before pulling the towel back. Gently he used the corners of it to wipe away her tears. "I'm sorry, Aqua."

She looked up at him with a confused muted gasp, "Wh-what are you apologizing for?" She took the towel from him and wiped at her face, feeling miserable and embarrassed.

Terra looked at her helplessly, "That I wasn't strong enough."

Aqua balked, "Terra- that's not... " She seemed unsure how to respond before finally standing up. She studied him for a long moment in slight frustration before she hugged him around the middle, burying her face into his chest tiredly. She leaned against him, "You can't take all of the blame Terra. We all did what we had to to protect each other. You were strong enough."

Terra frowned as he held her, feeling her tears absorb into his shirt, "...Really?"

She huffed wetly, "Stop being so hard on yourself. We're only human."

Slowly he let his shoulders drop as he allowed himself a small moment of weakness. He frowned deeply with emotion, warmth gathering in his eyes as he closed his eyes with a nod. "You're right. I just… I feel like I have so much to make up for…"

Aqua breathed a long sigh, "We have a lot to learn, still."

He could agree with that.

Ventus groaned as they pulled apart quickly, wiping their faces as they hovered close to Ventus. Aqua held her hands close to her chest as she wearily called, "Ven?"

He made a few faces of displeasure before slowly opening his eyes. He blearily blinked up at them before groaning, "I made you guys worried again."

Terra huffed as he decided to ignore that, "How are you feeling, Ven?"

Ventus slowly pulled himself into a sitting position as he seemed to take stock of himself. He placed a hand on his chest, seeming to contemplate for a long moment before slowly nodding, "Better."

They studied him for a long moment as he met their gazes. He allowed them to scrutinize him for a while before he got flustered, "Uh… I guess I've been out for a while?"

They nodded as Aqua reached forward and gently ran her hand through his hair to reassure herself, "You've been asleep for a little over an hour." Ventus grimaced at that, feeling grimy and self conscious as he gently pulled Aqua's hand away from his hair. He definitely felt gross. "Can I wash up?"

Terra glanced back towards the door as he placed his hands on his hips, "Yeah, though you're gonna have to make it quick. I think they were pretty much ready when we checked in a while ago."

Ventus frowned but knew he probably wouldn't have woken up even if they'd tried, "Okay, I'll be out in fifteen?"

The two nodded as they let him hop off his bed and rush around his room. Terra closed the door behind them as they went to meet up with the others.

The moment he thought they were far enough away Ventus stopped. His chest was tight with anxiety as he took in a shaky breath, "Chirithy?"

The feline poofed onto his windowsill. The blond turned to it as it tilted its head, "What's up, Ven?"

He studied it for a long moment before hugging his more casual clothes he rarely wore close to himself, flustered, "Are you...okay?"

It seemed to blink at that before humming, tapping a paw to its chin, "Why do you ask?"

He shuffled, "I… Well I guess I stopped breathing. Did I die?"

Chirithy shook its head, "Not as far as I know. While you did stop breathing for a few seconds it was pretty scary. But when you started breathing again it felt like you'd gotten a little stronger."

Ventus frowned at that, "Stronger?"

Chirithy hummed again, "You took in some darkness for yourself, right? I felt your Heart go very far away, but when it came back you were more balanced."

Ventus stared at the floor for a moment before nodding, "Yeah… I took in some of Vanitas's darkness while I gave him some of my light…"

Chirithy was shocked by this before nodding, "I see. I wonder if he'll be able to withstand that..?"

Ventus furrowed his brows as he looked the feline over, "What do you mean?"

Chirithy seemed to waffle as it shuffled a moment before slumping, "Vanitas… he was simply a singular part of the collective Darkness. He's only ever been Darkness… so I can't help but wonder if-" It stopped itself, fretting before it straightened out, "Why did you do that, though?"

Ventus gave Chirithy a Look that let it know he wasn't pleased with how it'd cut itself off, "He and Sora are together, trying to keep each other's Hearts from falling apart. Two broken people can't make a Whole one- they had no foundation to stabilize themselves."

Chirithy closed its eyes as it held a paw to its chin. It contemplated that for a while before slowly nodding, "I see. I can understand it… though I don't know how good that'll be for him."

Ventus slowly nodded as he looked away, "He looked a lot like Sora… not just his face, but his clothes, too. It was weird. I know we were once the same person, and I still think of him as my other half…"

"But you've been a whole person just like you were before, Ven."

Ventus looked at it curiously, "But we were split apart."

Chirithy nodded, "Yeah, but how did you end up losing your Heart to fall asleep like you did?"

Ventus paused, "He tried to fuse together with me, and we fought in my Heart. I won, and we both fell away…"

"I see. Then the pieces of you that were taken to create a physical body for him were probably returned to you. You're now two different entities again. You were allowed to become a whole Person, while I wonder if perhaps he was able to become something new..?" Chirithy contemplated, "What were you thinking when you shared your Light with him?"

Ventus looked up towards the ceiling as he thought it over tiredly, "...To end the Loop… and to take back the loneliness that had brought him to me in the first place."

Chirithy slowly nodded in understanding, "Then you did what your Heart thought was best for everyone. No matter the outcome, don't regret it, alright?"

Ventus smiled as he looked back at Chirithy, "Yeah. It's my Guilt to bear, and no one else's."

As a Master, he had to take ownership of his Mistakes. It's what would make him stronger.

T-a-V-r-X-i-E-k-L-c-I-n-T-a-V-r-X-i-E-k-L-c-I-n

Ventus was late to lunch, but no one held it against him as he settled next to Aqua who had already prepared a plate for him. They were sitting outside in the sunlight enjoying the pleasant weather as they all chatted. They were quite the group.

Cutting to the chase after taking a few bites and a long drink Ventus cleared his throat, bringing everyone's focus to himself, "I'm a Master now."

Everyone fell into various states of shock before Xion popped up onto her knees excited, "Congratulations, Ven!"

He smiled at her bashfully as some of the others congratulated him, while some were understandably weary of this news. "Thanks." He turned to Aqua and Terra, giving them a more pointed but clear look, "Wayward Wind told me I'd attained Mastery, and changed into Wind's Embrace to reflect that."

They took that information in for some time before they smiled at him warmly as they congratulated him.

Naminé leaned forward, "So you connected to Vanitas?"

Ventus nodded as he took a few careful bites before speaking, "Yeah. I fainted in the middle of a fight in the Realm of Darkness, and felt pulled faraway into the darkness. So I followed the pull, and ended up on Vanitas's Heart Station." He paused as he thought over their interaction, "He was dressed similarly to Sora, surprisingly, but he seemed to have mellowed out. Vanitas also seemed… strained. When he explained that we were within Sora's Heart, I was shocked. Both of them felt sort of like two sandcastle's that refuse to keep their molds…" He shrugged helplessly. "Anyway, he asked me what was going on, and I explained to him we were looking for Sora. At that he told me that Sora wasn't there and that we wouldn't be able to get to him from there."

Naminé nodded slowly, "And that's why you chose to come back?"

Ventus ruffled his hair, "Basically. That and honestly, I wasn't doing that well."

Aqua slumped as Terra grumbled a few choice words under his breath.

Naminé smiled, "I see." She turned her attention away from him, "So tell us what you were able to find out, Kairi."

Kairi nodded solemnly for a moment before smiling, "So I guess Riku had been having Dreams of being in a big city with tall buildings. He was being watched by someone far away, but he kept having the same sort of Dream." She shifted in her seat, "It seems the Fairy Godmother deals with Dreams, so she was able to help us put the pieces together at Yen Sid's request. She told Riku that he was a Key to finding Sora's whereabouts. It turned out my Memories were the second Key. while searching my Memories, I ended up speaking with and fighting Xehanort's Memory." The others tensed as she continued, Even and Ienzo the only ones well aware of this. "I fought him, but at some point I became unable to continue. When that happened… Sora reached out to me." She clasped her hands over her chest with a sad smile, "Through me he fought Xehanort's Memory… and when it was over, Xehanort said that he was in a place his voice could no longer reach us."

They all frowned at this as Ienzo took that as his cue with Kairi's nod, "It would seem that when Kairi was sent away from Radiant Garden by Apprentice Xehanort who had begun to call himself Ansem, he had told her to find the Keyblade Wielder. However, should she end up on the 'other side,' her task would be far from easy and to abandon her search, for we had failed."

Even then continued, "It would seem that he was aware of 'another side' outside of our known Realms of Reality. As you all well know, there is the Realm of Light, Darkness, and In-between. There is then the Worlds of Sleep, Data, and Memory. It would seem the 'other side' is something like UnReality, or Fiction."

Ventus got a weirdly reminiscent look on his face, the complicated explanation reminding him of when Brain had tried to explain to them how they'd ended up in a Digital Daybreak Town. He blinked and straightened out his expression when Terra gave him a weird look that made him flush as if he'd been scolded. He must have looked like he was daydreaming.

To be fair, half of them looked absolutely lost. Lea was scratching his head, seeming to get it but… not.

Kairi continued from there, "Riku then arrived once we figured that out. The Fairy Godmother explained that there were three Keys necessary to find Sora, and she knew just where the third was. So together, the three of us arrived at The Final World." She clasped her hands in her lap, "There, we met a girl who had lost her form, and was only left as… I suppose her Soul?"

Naminé frowned, "Was it like a glittering Star?" Kairi nodded as Naminé smiled, "That seems about right. I ended up there, too." It was a little too hard to explain that she'd gone there by Sora's order, only for him to arrive there and have no idea of their interaction. But they had Looped more than once. She could feel the shattered Links of those many Memories and attempts to fix what had gone wrong.

Kairi looked over everyone as she continued, "The Fairy Godmother approached her and explained that she was the third Key. When Riku explained his Dreams, the girl mentioned a city called Quadratum."

Ventus sat straight, "That's it!" Everyone stared at him in shock as he allowed himself to sink, "Uh, I mean… I definitely feel that's right. It's definitely where Sora ended up."

Kairi searched him for a moment before smiling, "That makes me feel better, Ven. Thanks."

He blushed and ruffled his hair, "S-sorry for interrupting."

She shook her head as she looked Aqua in the eyes and sat properly, "Master Aqua… I'm still too new at Wielding a Keyblade. It would be an honor if you would be willing to take me on as your student so I, too, can go search for Sora."

Aqua straightened with a short gasp, quickly sitting properly as she responded, "Of course, tt would be my honor to train you Kairi."

Kairi sighed with relief, her eyes becoming glossy as she smiled, "Thank you."

Terra and Ventus turned to Aqua, "Congratulations!"

Aqua looked between her two boys baffled before blushing with a laugh, lightly shoving them both in embarrassment, "Stop that!" Everyone had a short chuckle from that before they continued to eat.

Isa informed the returned trio of his Organizing and cataloguing of Data, to which they were incredibly grateful (despite Ventus's short glare at the bashful Roxas and Xion for going through his things). He also explained that he and Naminé had been granted Luxlights, though Naminé had yet to materialize hers.

Lea bit the bullet and explained to them that the Castle had forced Riku's hand in returning Master Keeper to the Castle, while quickly explaining the kids had built a new Memorial for their Master. The three were a little hurt, but if the Castle demanded something, you couldn't ignore it.

It was like an itch that only became more intense the more you attempt to ignore it.

As they slowly began to clean up, Even cleared his throat. "Terra, Xion. I have imperative information to divulge to the two of you in private."

The two of them nodded and followed Even, nervous and confused on why he was calling only the two of them out.

Everyone was concerned and curious as well, but clearly it wasn't their business to know.

So Even lead them to his chosen place thanks to Ienzo's earlier help. His heart hammered in his chest as he tried to breathe through his anxiety. It was truly his fault that this situation came to be, even if it had been at Xemnas's suggestion.

The manipulator who had stolen a young man's body for his ambitions.

The three of them stopped in the medium sized office as Even leaned tiredly on the cleared desk, palms flat as he finally finished settling his thoughts on the matter. Terra and Xion shuffled as they glanced at one another in concern as they waited.

They could feel his anxiety.

Terra blurted, "We're not sick, are we?"

Even blinked as he stood straight and turned to him in confusion, "What?"

The brunette flustered as he crossed his arms to steady himself, "My mother died slowly because of a disease…"

Even's eyes widened as he quickly rectified himself, "No, I apologize for causing you to come to that conclusion." He folded his hands, "I must confess to the two of you my sins. As a Nobody my desire for Scientific discovery, to go further and farther beyond what anyone else had ever managed in the past… It is because of this endeavor that I find myself full of relentless regret."

He frowned as he continued, "You are both well aware of the Replica Program, seeing as Master Xehanort made thorough use of it for the New Organization. It was while it was in its early stages that I had incredible difficulty gaining any sort of stability for my replica's. Time was running out and Xemnas grew tired of my lack of progress." He took a deep breath and sighed, "It was just as Roxas arrived that Xemnas gave me a vial of blood." He looked Terra in the eyes, "It was blood we had taken from you when you were… disposed."

They all grimaced at the man's wording as Even plowed through it, "It was with that vial of blood that I was finally able to make a breakthrough."

He allowed them a moment to absorb that information. Terra was simply confused, while Xion pursed her lips with furrowed brows, "Wasn't I supposed to absorb Sora's Memories and Roxas's Power..? I even turned into Sora at the end after Xemnas did something to 'fix' me..."

Even nodded with frown, "Yes, but nothing was working with the empty puppet shell you began as." Xion grimaced at this as the Scientist continued, "In adding Terra's blood, who I had only known as Apprentice Xehanort, you were able to gain sentience."

They both were shocked by this as Terra questioned as he dropped his arms, "But she's a girl!"

Even huffed, "Yes, I am aware. You see, in manipulating your blood, it partially broke down. I warned Xemnas that it was highly likely that the puppet would become female presenting, and he nearly took an offense that it was some sort of problem."

Terra tilted his head, "Huh?"

Even shrugged, "In short, No. i becoming a girl despite having a man's blood wasn't an issue to him. In fact, he saw it as a bit of a boon… but you see, that is the problem. I used your blood to complete my project, and it resulted in Xion's birth."

It took them a moment to understand what he was implying. Terra's stomach dropped in realization, "W-what are you getting at?" His voice was weaker than he'd hoped.

Even paused for a moment, deep remorse lining his face as he then faced them both, back straight. "For all intents and purposes, according purely to provided genetic material, Terra. You are Xion's sole parent and father."

Xion gasped, confused and shocked as Terra felt his world tilt. He took a few unsteady steps back and immediately collapsed into a nearby chair as he stared at the floor, feeling the blood drain out of him.

Even looked away from him in clear shame, "I apologize for not questioning my Superior's motives or sources-"

Xion spoke loudly, "But we were always threatened with being turned into Dusks! Or- or to be erased completely!" Tears sprang to her eyes, "We did what we were told because we were just trying to protect what little existence we had!"

Terra blinked as he refocused on Xion and Even as the scientist looked at her sadly. "Perhaps, but when it comes to living People and Hearts… what I did. Taking blood from someone who I thought had consented, only to later find out the truth of Terra's situation. It was reprehensible." He cupped his hands behind his back, head held high, "It is a regrettable situation, but I will not apologize that you were able to live, for existing. It was my actions that were sinful, not you Xion. You didn't choose to exist. I chose to bring about your creation."

Terra looked between Xion and Even and slowly understood. With a heavy sigh he pushed himself back onto his feet and nodded, "I understand."

It was beyond weird after what they had first been told about Xion, but clearly none of them had known the truth, "That's why you took blood from all of us, because you needed to know."

Even nodded, "Yes."

Terra studied Xion as she looked fretfully between the two of them. He could see it now, the shade of her hair was the same shade as his ancestor's, and she had his eyes. Clearly she had been given shape by Memories with her similarities to Kairi, but the truth of her genetics was there.

He could see the pieces taken from him plainly.

He bowed his head slightly as he stared at the floor, slowly coming to grips with it as he nodded, "I understand." Terra looked Even in the eyes, "I forgive you."

Even balked as he instinctively exclaimed, "I don't want that!"

Terra smiled at him viciously, in a way that made the Scientist step back in startled shock.

He could see Xemnas all over him.

The brunette plowed on, "Unfortunately, you don't get to choose how I deal with this. I forgive you, because none of us could have known how this would end, and without Xion, we never would have defeated Xehanort. So… I accept it."

Even stared at him in shock before slumping, "Do what you want."

Terra nodded as he continued, "Just promise it won't happen again."

Even matched his gaze, "Of course."

Terra was satisfied with that and turned to Xion with a directed tilt of his head, "C'mon."

Xion blinked at him lost, "O-okay." She had her hands clasped tightly against her chest, tense as she followed him out. She took one last look at Even before giving him a short bow as she jogged after Terra's stressed long strides.

She huffed after a few minutes of almost jogging, "Terra, you're just like Axel!"

Terra blinked as he was pulled from his thoughts as he looked at her, "Huh?" He began to slow down as she caught up.

"You have such long longs while Roxas and I are so short! Give me a break!"

Terra flushed as he stopped, taking a moment to glance away from her and ruffle his hair. He nodded, "Sorry."

Xion took a second to catch her breath before nodding, "It's ok. Just keep it in mind for next time."

He smiled awkwardly, "Right."

The two of them would have to figure out what this meant for them in the long run one step at a time.