AN: As of writing this, this story is tied for the third most-favorited RWBY X Kingdom Hearts story on this site! I am so happy! Thank all of you for enjoying this story so much!

Now all this story need is a Tv Tropes page, and I'll have reached the ultimate peak.

Before we begin, I would like to thank Lord Maximus for providing me with the idea for this chapter, and working with me to help write scenes for it.

Enjoy!

Chapter 58

Ruby suddenly found herself standing in a desolate landscape. The last thing she remembered was passing out on the Bullhead, and then she was standing here.

There was no process of waking up. She fell asleep, and just "poof". She didn't even feel groggy like she had just woken up.

It was really weird.

"What in the world just happened?" Weiss asked. Ruby turned around and saw the rest of her team and Mom standing around in confusion.

"How did we get here?" Yang asked. "The last thing I remember was being on the Bullhead."

"We didn't even get sucked through a portal like last time we ended up somewhere weird," Blake observed.

"Is it just us?' Ruby asked. "What about Cinder's team? Or Marlene?"

"I think it's just us," Weiss said. "That still doesn't answer the question of how we got here, or where 'here' even is."

"What do you think, Mom?" Ruby asked, her mother having been unusually quiet. She looked at her, but Mom appeared to be deep in thought about something. "Mom?"

"…This couldn't be," she said quietly to herself, before running off over the crest of a nearby hill. She stopped and stared out at the landscape ahead of her, her eyes wide. The girls looked at each other, shrugged, and followed her up the hill.

"Whoa," Ruby said. The land before them was dry and desolate, and stretched on forever. Everywhere they looked, there were massive craters, even in cliffs and the sides of mountains.

"Where are we?' Weiss asked nervously. "This looks a lot different than the last time we left Remnant."

"These craters," Blake said, eyeing one in a nearby cliff. "These are the kind that can only be made on a battlefield. Some kind of war must have been fought here."

"Not just any war," Mom said, her voice strangely somber. "This… this was where the Keyblade War was fought." Ruby gasped, and the other girls' eyes widened.

"The Keyblade War…" Ruby muttered. "This is where it happened."

"You mentioned something about it before," Weiss said. "When you were telling us your story." Mom nodded.

"That's right. Here, countless warriors wielding Keyblades fought and died in a cataclysmic battle that nearly brought about the end of all things. The world was swallowed by darkness, and it was only saved thanks to the small bits of light found in the Hearts of young ones. They helped piece the worlds back together and create a new system we know as the World Order."

"How could the hearts of children save the world?" Weiss asked.

"Never underestimate the power of the Heart, Weiss," Mom said with a sad smile. "Ten years ago, Terra, Ven and I came here to confront Xehanort and Vanitas. We faced them in the Graveyard."

"Graveyard?" Ruby whimpered. She may have been a Huntress and Keyblade Wielder, but she was still creeped out at the idea of a mass burial site for Keyblade wielders.

"Yes. Some call it the Seat of War. I just call it the Keyblade Graveyard."

A sense of dread began to build up in Ruby as they walked further into the deserted battleground. The scars were everywhere, proof of just how devastating the Keyblade War was. Was this what Keyblade wielders were truly capable of? Would she have that kind of power one day?

The thought honestly frightened her.

"We're almost there," Mom said, before putting her arm out to stop the girls. "Before we get there I need to ask something of you."

"What's up?" Yang asked.

"This place is sacred for Keyblade Wielders, not only for the role it played in shaping history, but because outside of us there are only a handful of people who know of this world, and the war fought on it. The lessons, the history, and even the knowledge of the people who fought in the war was important to my Master. While he didn't tell us about the war itself, he made sure to impart those lessons to me, Terra, and Ven. When we leave, you four will be the newest people to see what was left in the wake of the war, and to even know of the people who died here, even if you'll never know their names." Mom suddenly cast a serious look at the girls, making them shudder. "Do you understand what I'm saying? From today, you will carry with you the knowledge of people forgotten by the rest of the universe."

Ruby and the others were struck by just how serious she was.

"We understand, Mom," Ruby said solemnly.

"This is especially important to you, Ruby," Mom said. "You and I both wield the Keyblade, and in a way that connects us with the fallen warriors. We can be considered kin in a way. Now, one more thing." She turned around and looked at them intently. "Don't. Touch. Anything."

"We wouldn't touch the graves," Ruby said.

"There aren't any graves," Mom said, confusing Ruby. "The only thing that remains of the fallen are their Keyblades." That surprised the girls. "There's no ancient armor, no grave stones, not even any remains. Those Keyblades are the only proof remaining that once upon a time, those warriors lived."

She looked each of the girls in the eyes. "Leave the dead where they rest."

"This is…" Weiss said, unable to even form the words to describe what they saw. All around them were rows and rows of abandoned, rusted-over Keyblades of all shapes and sizes.

There were easily thousands of them.

"So many of them…" Ruby said. She knew that the Keyblade War had been devastating, but to see proof like this of just how many lives it claimed…?

It was almost too much.

"They really are all that's left," Yang said as they slowly walked down a path that divided the rows of Keyblades right down the middle.

"What were they even fighting for?" Blake asked.

"Legend has it, once upon a time on the Age of Fairy Tales, the people were happy," Mom said. "Living under the light of Kingdom Hearts. It was protected by its physical counterpart: The X-blade."

"Keyblade?" Weiss asked.

"No. X-blade, as in 'X' or "chi"," Mom said, smiling a bit as she used her fingers to draw the letter "X" in the air. "The letter X is often used to describe death and endings in many cultures. It's said that the original Keyblades were created in the image of the X-blade. However, it never had a true wielder. Eventually, people began to fight over the X-blade, and this control over Kingdom Hearts. In the end, the X-blade was shattered and Kingdom Hearts was swallowed by darkness, never to be seen again. It was almost the end of all life as well, but like I said before, the last remaining scraps of light in the hearts of children were able to survive and help rebuild."

Ahead of them was a crossroads, an intersection that actually divided the Keyblades into quarters. Mom stopped once she reached the crossroads.

"This was where we faced them," she said. "Xehanort… He wanted to reforge the X-blade, he wanted to know what awaited the worlds beyond the Keyblade War and felt that the only way was to restart it."

"That's horrible," Ruby said, taking another look at the destruction around her. He could clearly see how much pain and death the first Keyblade War caused, why would Xehanort ever want to start another one? Just out of curiosity?

"Weren't there not a lot of you left by then?" Blake asked. "How was he planning to restart the war?"

"Well, all he really needed to do was create the X-blade," Mom explained. "He said that it would be recreated when light and darkness clashed. The way he tried to do it was by ripping Ven's Heart in two, creating a being of pure Darkness from what was once in Ven's Heart. That was Vanitas. His plan was to have them fight each other."

"But, isn't Darkness bad?" Weiss asked. "Wouldn't purging your heart of Darkness be a good thing?"

"A Heart can't exist without Darkness," a new, male voice said. The group looked and saw a man walking towards them from another path. He wore a black coat with the hood up, and his hands were casually in his pockets. The group tensed up, reaching for their weapons. "Light and Darkness are two sides of the same coin. You can't have one without the other."

"Who are you?" Mom asked, summoning her Keyblade. Ruby looked more closely at the man, sure she had seen him somewhere before.

"Wait a minute!" she shouted. "It's you!"

"Oh, I'm so happy you recognize me," the man said dramatically. "I know I'm not the easiest face to remember, but I'd still be a little hurt."

"Friend of yours, Rubes?" Yang asked, still not dropping her guard.

"I saw him… When the Heartless attacked during the Breach. When I thought we were dead, he showed up and helped me," Ruby explained.

"Eh, 'help' is a strong word," the man replied. "I just gave you a little push is all."

"Who are you then?" Mom asked, still pointing her Keyblade at him. "Why did you help?

"Who I am isn't really important. As for why I helped, well I couldn't very well sit by and let her die, now could I?"

"Did you bring us here?" Weiss asked.

"Ding, ding, ding!" the man said, clapping enthusiastically. "Give the little lady a prize!" he quickly regained his composure, returning to standing casually. "I can see why you're at the top of your class, Weiss."

"You know my name?" Weiss asked, gripping her weapon a little more tightly.

"I know all of your names. Weiss Schnee, the heiress with everything to prove, as if it would make a difference. Blake Belladonna, the freedom fighter with a guilt complex the size of a Behemoth. Yang Xiao Long, the sister that would give anything for her family. Aqua Branwen, the Master desperate to make up for past failings. And finally, Ruby Rose. The little girl destined for great things, but still has so much growing to do before she's ready." The girls at each other uneasily. "But in all seriousness, yes, I did bring you here. Well, sort of."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Blake asked.

"You're not really here," the man explained. "This is all just a dream."

"Why?" Mom demanded. "What's the point?"

"The point is making sure that you and your little red riding hood become and stay the Keyblade Wielders your world and all worlds need."

"Huh?" Ruby asked. The man chuckled.

"You have no idea what's waiting for you. I need to know if you have the strength to face it. Think of this as a training exercise."

"What, you want us to fight something?" Blake asked.

"Bingo," he said. "Now, this may be a dream, but I guarantee you it will feel very real."

"And if we don't want to?" Mom asked, her voice taking on a dangerous edge. The man chuckled again. He held out his hand, and the ground around them began to rumble. A mass of Keyblades suddenly sprung up from the ground, forming a massive tornado.

"What the?" Yang asked, extending her gauntlets. Suddenly the mass of Keyblades fell on them. Ruby felt herself be scooped up by the weapons and carried off.

"MOM! YANG!" She yelled, reaching out her hand, but the discarded Keyblades carried her too far out of reach.

"RUBY!" Aqua and Yang yelled.

"Blake!" Weiss called out, as the black-haired girl was swept up by the weapons, too.

"Give them back!" Yang yelled, charging at the man. She threw a punch at him, but he seemed to blink out of existence for a second, before reappearing behind Yang, grabbing back of her head and forcing her to the ground face-first.

"Yang!" Aqua yelled, taking a step towards the man.

"Ah, ah, ah," he said, surrounding his free hand in a black flames. "I'm not the one you three are supposed to fight. I'm here to help you all, but I have no problem with filling Blondie here full of holes."

"Let her go," Aqua said firmly, but not taking another step towards him.

"You bastard," Yang growled. "What did you do with Ruby and Blake?"

"I sent them to fight their opponent," the man said. "He's a tough one, but he's a noble soul. While defeating him will be a challenge, I can guarantee that he won't kill either of them. Now, are you gonna behave?"

"…Fine," Aqua said reluctantly. In a flash, Yang was standing up again, back with Aqua and Weiss. "Who is this opponent of theirs?"

"Let's just say, he's a manifestation of pure willpower," the hooded man said. "You have your own opponent, one that's… let's just say less friendly." He raised his arm again, and a portal appeared under Aqua, Yang, and Weiss's feet, quickly pulling them under.

When Ruby and Blake recovered from their impromptu Keyblade ride, they found themselves standing on top of a small plateau. They dusted themselves off, and took a look around. Immediately, a kneeling figure caught their eye.

It appeared to be a man, covered head-to-toe in red and gold armor with a red cape.

At least whoever it was had style.

He was looking down, his hands were resting atop his weapon, which was embedded in the ground in front of him.

A very familiar weapon.

"Who is that?" Blake asked.

"I don't know," Ruby said, taking a step towards him. "But that's a Keyblade he's holding."

"I didn't think anybody else would be here," Blake said.

"Me neither."

The man shifted slightly, looking up at them.

"Who…are… you?" he asked, his voice devoid of emotion.

"I'm… I'm Ruby Rose, a Keyblade wielder like you," Ruby said, summoning Crescent Rose. "Why were we brought here?"

"Keyblade?" the man asked. "You have a Keyblade? You're not the one I chose. What is this power I sense in you?"

"Excuse me?" Ruby asked. The man stood up, pulling his Keyblade out of the ground.

"I'm being called… to fight you," he said. "Why? Are you with… Xe… ha… nort? Xehanort!"

"No way!" Ruby yelled, shaking her head vigorously. "I'd never work with Xehanort!" The man pointed his Keyblade at her, seemingly not hearing her words.

"Show me who you are!"

"Everyone okay?" Aqua asked.

"I'll live," Yang answered. "Oh, I'm gonna roast that deadbeat!"

"Where did he bring us?" Weiss asked. They looked to be in a different part of the ruined battlefield, this time the center of one of the giant crater, ringed by abandoned Keyblades. Almost like an arena.

"To our fight," Aqua said, pointing at a dark sphere behind them. The sphere slowly grew, forming a body that landed in front of them. Aqua's eyes widened when she saw who the sphere turned into.

It was a boy, wearing a smooth black helmet with a symbol on the front. He was wearing a black-and-white bodysuit, white boots, and a white half-skirt behind him.

In his hand was a familiar weapon, made of cogs and gears.

"Is that…" Weiss said as she raised her sword.

"A Keyblade?" Yang finished the question, raising Ember Celica.

"Vanitas?!" Aqua asked, summoning her Keyblade. "I thought Ven destroyed you! What are you doing here?!"

"That's Vanitas?" Yang asked. The boy in front of them said nothing, which Aqua found odd. From what she remembered, that vile boy never missed an opportunity to taunt her. Then she realized that she recognized the symbol on his helmet.

"No, wait. That's not him," she said. "It's an Unversed."

"What's that?" Weiss asked.

"It's a creature formed from pure negativity," she said. "I fought these things all the time when I was traveling the worlds looking for Terra and Ven. But, I thought Vanitas himself was the source of them, and he's long dead. How is this one still here?"

"I don't know, but it doesn't look like it wants to talk," Yang said, taking a combat stance.

"You're right," Aqua said, taking her usual stance as well. "We have no choice. We need to defeat this monster, and reunite with Ruby and Blake!"

AN: So, to answer a lot of people's questions, the guy that killed Merlot was not Axel. It was this guy right here, who was the same guy that helped Ruby during the Breach. He also was the one that brought Aqua and Team RWBY into Dark World back during Volume 1. I also hinted at this last time, but he also told Merlot about the Heartless.

I think it's fairly obvious at this point who it is.

So next time, we have a double fight, against the Lingering Will, and the Remnant of Vanitas.

As always, thank you very much for reading, and I'll see you all next time!