Hey everyone,
WOW! I thought that I would get to this chapter a good two to three chapters ago. I guess that just goes to show that, even if I have a whole story written out in notes, there will always be twists and turns once I turn those notes into an actual story. Still, I am definitely excited to finally get started on this part of the story. Though there is a very high chance that, while this story will take place over a 2 or maybe even 3-parter, there will be breaks in-between the backstory telling.
Let's do this,

Venquine1990

Chapter 28
A Tale Is Told – Part 01

23rd of September 1995
Great Hall, Hogwarts
Harry's POV

I thought it was brilliant to see Sirius having fun in the water of the fountain court, but seeing him tussling with Remus in his new lion form and Sirius as Snuffles is even better. I can't help but laugh hard at the sight of the two rolling across the stone floor of the Entrance Hall and don't even care for the other students who have come to watch from the doorway of the Great Hall or how some of my friends are staring at me. I am well aware that I haven't laughed like this in a while, yet I don't really care for this fact.
"What? But – how? I thought –. Wasn't he –? How?" Fudge splutters and Even speaks up. "An experiment of mine. Unfortunately, this is only a starting phase of the experiment, so I don't feel ready to share all of the details just yet. I don't mind Remus showing off some starter results, but the experiment still has far to go and there are still a few phases left. Please be patient, Minister. Once I am more confident, I will share all I know with you."

This makes my friends and me share a look, wondering what else Even could want to research. Just the fact that Remus can take on this form outside of the Pride Lands seems like a fine final step. But then I realize what isn't being said. I move to stand closer with Ron and Hermione and whisper: "If he were to tell Fudge everything now, the Minister will want this for other werewolves as well. Even is probably procrastinating to keep that from happening."
The two look shocked, but Hermione nods and whispers: "That does make sense, even if Simba did say that he's okay with a few werewolves visiting a time on full-moon nights. Even must be worried that Fudge would take that vague amount the wrong way and drop a dozen or so werewolves on their lap. He must first want more data on what the effect of the Pride Lands and the transformation has on the lycanthropy." Ron and I nod and Ron whispers:
"And I bet that Lupin wants to know what the full moon of this world will have on the lycanthropy, not to mention the full moons of other worlds.""Do you really think that a full moon might have different effects depending on what world it shines down on?" Hermione asks, a little louder this time. Ron shrugs and says: "Why not? I mean, there are worlds with different kinds of rules of what the residents are born like, right? And who's to say that it's the same moon for every world?"

Hermione nods and I can't help but smile at the two of them as I say: "You two should share these thoughts with Even. Before I left, he was actually looking for a few apprentices of his own. I bet that if you share this with him, he'll hire you on the spot." The two look wide eyed, but then they grin at me and I'm sure that they'll take the first opportunity they can get. The triplets step up beside me and Huey asks: "Ice cream?" And Ron happily takes a cone, but Hermione and I decline.
"Let's head inside. I do believe it's about high time I begin my tale." Master Yen Sid tells us all and while the students who had gone to stand in the doorway move back to their tables, the group that had come to greet me, the Minister and his group and the ones I invited to come along all head inside as well. Yet as Master takes a stand behind the Owl Stand, he says: "Now this just looks much too formal for a long-term event. Everyone, please move away from the tables."

Most of the students and guests are confused, but we still do as asked. "Wonderful. Hogwarts House Elves, if you would be so kind? I think a more personal setting is required. Perhaps something more like the table setting of the Yule Ball or something of the sort. And don't hesitate to add a few couches or sofas or recliners if you feel like it." A loud pop resonates through the hall and all tables vanish from sight, even the Head Table.
Another loud pop and tables of various sizes and heights appear all over the Great Hall. A few coffee tables with couches and sofas, recliners and sofas without tables and regular round tables that can fit between two and ten people. Even a few lounge chairs and bean bags appear at various points across the hall. A lot of students start to grin and we all start walking around. I send a quick look at Ron and Hermione and then motion Sirius, Rachel and Isa over.

My friends grin at me as I had sent them an apologetic look and then my new family joins me at a coffee table that has two two-seater couches with lots of cushions and pillows. Sirius and Rachel take one of the two couches and Isa even wraps a brotherly arm around me as we take the other. And as we sit down a plate with small snacks appears in the center of the table. I also notice that Axel, Roxas, Lea and Xion come to sit close to us.
A few minutes everyone has taken new seats and I look around. The Weasleys have managed to get two tables set against each other and they all have different kinds of seats. Yet like I already expected, Percy's not with them. Hermione is sharing a couple of chairs with the Chaser girls set near the Weasleys. Sora is seated with Riku and Kairi on a table for three, same as Terra, Aqua and Ventus. The apprentices of Master Ansem have gone to sit the closest to Master Yen Sid.
And Demyx and Naminé are seated with Lee and Neville as well as a girl I recognize as Luna Lovegood, who I met on the train to Hogwarts this year. And I can't help but feel like there is some kind of brotherly sense to the way that Demyx sits close to the quirky blonde form. I also notice that those who just have chairs and no tables, do have small side tables next to their seats that have the same plates of snacks on them.

Then the Master clears his throat and speaks once again. "Now before I begin, I have a question to you all. Would you rather hear my whole story or just the story of what happened in the years that Harry has been living here. Please raise your left hand for the full story and your right for just the few year story." And while I never really got to hear everything about the Master's past, even while living with him, I can't help but raise my right hand as I really want to know what happened to my friends, what got them their powers.
The Master casts a spell that counts the amount of hands and he says: "I see, 321 to 129. Now some might consider this a 3 to 1, but I feel like, because there are over a 100 students who would rather hear only the latter, I will leave the rest of my backstory to our DADA classes." And even though the majority voted the former, they and those who obviously voted the latter smile in appreciation of the man's decision before he goes on.
"Onto one last announcement before I begin my tale. If at any point you feel like you can't or don't want to hear more, you will be allowed to leave. However, I must implore that you either read a study book or do some homework. If you try to do something that cannot be considered educational, the House Elves will return you to your seat. To this extent, the Quidditch pitch has been blocked, but hobbies that can help your education will be deemed acceptable."

I notice that quite a few students do seem to appreciate this knowledge. Then the Master seems to turn sad and he says: "My story begins with two of my oldest friends. Their names were Master Eraqus and Master Xehanort. They were Keyblade Masters and Master Eraqus even had apprentices of his own, while Master Xehanort, until shortly before our story begins, traveled the worlds and helped Eraqus and myself learn about the balance between Dark and Light and keep it steady.
Aqua, Terra and Ventus are – or were – Eraqus' apprentices, though Ventus didn't start out this way. He started under the tutelage of Master Xehanort. Within Ventus' heart, Light and Darkness were equally powerful and Master Xehanort, by this time, was obsessed with darkness and an ancient legend of our world. And at the time he was under the impression he could bring this legend to become a reality through the Light and Darkness in Ventus' heart."

Already I get a bad feeling as I listen to the Master's tale. The man turns his head and I hear a young girl speak up somewhere behind me. "Sir, why does it sound like this Master Xehanort is – well – similar to – You-Know-Who?" And while I'm sure that there are a few students, probably several Slytherins, who are glaring at the girl over this, the Master sighs and says: "Because your assumption is quite correct, Mss. Ferriss.
Xehanort and Riddle definitely have one thing in common. They both believed that they could change the world for the better, by first destroying it through war and hardship. And Xehanort proved this when he, years before I send Harry to Earth, ripped the Darkness out of Ventus' heart and gave new life to a being known as Vanitas." At this a lot of eyes widen, a lot of gasps are heard and several heads turn to look at the lad in question.

To my relief, Ventus decided to sit in between his friends, who have both gone to sit closer to him to offer silent support. And the House Elves seem to take the same initiative as a chocolate chip cookie appears on their plate. Ventus shows a small smile as he takes the treat and nods at the Master. The man nods back and says: "This procedure, I am sad to say, almost ended Ventus' grip on his sanity – if it weren't for the fact that Xehanort decided to leave him on Destiny Islands.
Here, as strange as it might sound, his heart met that of Sora's and Sora's light healed the hole where Vanitas used to be. Thanks to this Ventus regained his sanity and his ability to use the Keyblade, but in the process he lost his memory. And so Xehanort decided to leave him with Eraqus, Terra and Aqua, but this was only for a few years." And even though the man doesn't say it, I feel like we've reached the time that I met Ventus and left to return to Earth afterwards.

And the Master confirms this as he says: "As you can probably guess, Vanitas was still a being all his own. And over the years that Ventus trained with Eraqus, Xehanort trained Vanitas and prepared a plan to create a legendary weapon. Though this does bring me to having to ask you all a new question. Do you wish to hear of the Keyblade War now or during class? Same voting process counts." And because of my realization I raise my right arm.
The Master uses the same counting spell as before and nods before he says: "Nearly the same. 325 to 125. Very well, though I will make it the topic of your very next DADA class. Also, a more recent version will also be covered in this story, though I can safely say that this version ended a lot better than the legendary one." And the sight of everyone from the other worlds smiling in agreement fills me with relief and reassurance as the Master continues.

"Now, I will give a small summary as it was the basis of Master Xehanort's motivation behind everything he caused over four of the last six years. Just like you here in England have the Founders and Merlin, our universe has what is known as Kingdom Hearts, the living epitome of Light, and the X-Blade, the counterpart of Kingdom Hearts. And for those of you curious, the name of the X-blade is just the X and the word Blade. It truly is a legendary weapon.
I was even allowed to examine Gryffindor's legendary sword and I can honestly say that it can be considered a proper son or grandson to the power of the X-Blade. With this I do not mean to demean or insult your history or its weapons, merely explain the comparison. If anything, I prefer Gryffindor's sword over the X-Blade and that is not just because it is considered the true weapon of Darkness and where the darker side of the legend of all Keyblades comes from."

I notice some of my friends looking at me and I nod as I say: "I grew up with this story. Master taught it to me when I was about six years old. I actually quite loved it. We made it a tradition that he would tell it to me once a year." My friends and the Master all smile at me and then the Master continues. "Now, like I said, the formation of the X-blade, the appearance of Kingdom Hearts and to bring new life into the Keyblade War was Xehanort's main goal.
And in the years that Ventus trained with Terra and Aqua and under my late friend, Eraqus, Xehanort lost himself to this desire more and more, until he became blinded by it and stopped caring of what he had to accomplish to see it done. And by this time, he concocted a plan to see this done. However, at this point I would like to leave the word to someone who played a more direct role in the need to see this plan come undone. Master Aqua, would you please take the stand?"

Everyone's head turns to where the blue-haired woman sits with her friends. Aqua turns to look at Ventus, who gives her a reassuring nod and says: "I'm fine, Aqua. Go." And then Terra moves to sit a little closer to Ven and says: "I've got him in case it goes wrong. We'll be each other's rocks." Aqua smiles at them both and gets up. And the strength that emits from her stance once she stands up is a true sight to behold and I can't help but think:
"Now that is a Keyblade Master." The young woman, who I'm pretty sure is still in her twenties, walks over to the Owl Stand and as she does, a lot can be said about her. The way she moves her arms proves that she is incredibly agile. The way that she walks proves her incredible speed. The look on her face proves that she won't let anyone stand in her way. And yet the look in her eyes conveys a heart full of light, love and deep, deep care.
The woman comes to stand in front of the Owl Stand and again her face and the look in her eyes convey the same messages. This is a woman who has looked the darkest of Darkness in the eye and yet she has managed to overcome it, just because she cares so much. People might have tried to use her care for her friends against her, but they failed and she is still here to continue caring for them. And that has become her main purpose in life.

I feel truly awed at the sight of this incredible woman and a hint of regret courses through me at the fact that I didn't get to meet her all those years ago. Aqua takes a deep breath and says: "Our story, that of Terra, Ven and myself, starts on the night before Terra and I would undertake our Mark of Mastery Exam. We met at our usual training grounds and I had made special trinkets for the three of us, good luck charms, so to say."
The woman reaches into her incredible outfit and pulls out a small trinket made of metal and blue stained glass that is shaped like a star. I notice Ven and Terra doing the same, though Ven's is green and Terra's is orange. The three of them share a smile as they hold the trinkets up for all to see and then Aqua puts hers away before she continues: "At this point in time we had no idea of Master Xehanort or his actual plans.
Because of this, we didn't look either up or down when he came to watch our Exams. But, of course, he just had to go and ruin them. He messed with the exams and – the darkness in Terra's heart was brought to light thanks to this. This made Master Eraqus decide that he wasn't worthy just yet to be called a Keyblade Master, though he did let me pass at the same time. Xehanort also made the exam involve Ven, but he held his ground just fine."

Terra and Aqua smile in pride at their friend, who grins back. Then Aqua sighs and says: "Unfortunately at the time, I was a bit too motherly. At the slightest sign of danger I wanted Ven to leave, I didn't dare to give him any chance to grow as I was too afraid that he would get hurt. The idea that he would grow through potential struggle was just unacceptable to me. At the time, if I could, I would have used Barrier Magic to keep him in his room for the rest of his life."
At this I can't help but look at Mrs. Weasley, who I know has the same problem. The woman seems to realize the same thing, yet she also seems to wonder what's so wrong about this. And Aqua explains it as she again smiles at Ven and says: "But, if I had had my way, Ventus would have never become the young man I see sitting in front of me. And I am just too proud of him as my friend to ever want him to change. He is who he was always meant to be."
Sora, Riku, Kairi, Lea, Roxas, Xion, Isa, Donald, Goofy, Mickey and Terra all nod in agreement to this and Ventus blushes slightly as he sees how many of his friends agree with this. Yet my focus is partially on the friend I worried about for so long and partially on Mrs. Weasley. And the woman looking thoughtful has a large and hopeful grin grow on my face. Then Aqua sighs and says: "Unfortunately that wasn't where Xehanort's manipulations ended.

After the Exam was over, Terra failed and I passed, Master Xehanort met with Terra while Vanitas talked in on Ventus. You see, at the time Master Xehanort was an old man. No offense meant, but if you want a comparison, just imagine him to be like the Headmaster. Just tanned, with only a goatee instead of a beard, with a hunched back and a lot more wrinkles." Some students cringe and wince, while others laugh. And Dumbledore laughs along with them.
Aqua clears her throat and continues: "Either way, shortly after the exams we discovered something. Someone was messing with the worlds in our universe. Strange beings of darkness were appearing all over and attacking innocent people. Simply said, they were threatening both the Light and the balance of the worlds. And so Master Eraqus sent both Terra and me out to investigate and to put a stop to this. Yet he wanted to keep Ventus back home.
But, like I said, Vanitas had talked into Ventus, hinted at Master Xehanort's plans for our friend and how they had plans for the darkness in his heart. Needless to say, Ventus was so concerned for his friend that, when Terra left for the first world to investigate the beings, Ventus went straight on after him – and I went after the both of them. Yet while we travelled, we only met up a few times throughout the entire journey.

Instead we found the beings, which are known as the Unversed, defeated and slaid them and tried to figure out where they were coming from. We also discovered just what kind of a threat Vanitas was and all three of us confronted him at various occasions. And of course, we met plenty of people and beings that you in your world apparently learned about through your movies. I believe at least some of you will know names like Cinderella and Peter Pan."
A lot of heads nod, while others look at the nodding heads in shock. I also notice that there are a few who are looking at the nodding heads in derision and disgust. Yet to my intrigue the amount is much smaller than I had expected. What doesn't surprise me is that some of them aren't even Snakes as there are a few Ravens and even two Badgers also looking like this. I quickly look at Master Ansem's apprentices and see that Even spotted the same.

The scientist gives me a quick and short nod and just that single gesture is enough to put my heart at ease. Then Aqua continues: "I don't like admitting and I know he doesn't like it either, but – Terra was easily manipulated by Master Xehanort. Ven's weak point is that he would react instinctively if he doesn't understand something. Mine is that I sometimes get too overprotective. Terra's – is that he wants to be appreciated for his skill sometimes a bit too much."
At this Aqua's two friends nod in agreement to this and Aqua continues: "And it was that, that drive to be appreciated and accepted, that Master Xehanort used to manipulate Terra, to – I suppose you can say – breed the Darkness in his heart and even to turn him against Ven, Master Eraqus and me. Though Master Eraqus also had a weakness and that was that he just wasn't able to see how vital Darkness was to the balance of the world.
And unfortunately, this was also something that Master Xehanort used to his advantage. In the end, he made it look as if Terra had done nothing but worsen the situation of the worlds, he had worked on my fears for my friends to the point that I started doubting them both and thought I should order Ventus to go home in order to keep him safe and taught Ventus about how he and Vanitas were once one person and how they should work together.

This because, if Ventus and Vanitas were to strike each other, Light and Darkness would also strike each other. And Master Xehanort was assured that this would gain him access to that what he wanted the most; the X-Blade. But he believed that Eraqus, Terra and I had kept Ventus weak and so he had the Unversed attack the worlds, to train Ventus and make him ready for battle. He also had plans for Terra. I was the only one who he considered – unnecessary.
Because of this, when it all came down to it, he actually managed to manipulate not just the three of us, but Master Eraqus as well, who was so afraid that if Ven would ever find out the truth about him and Vanitas, that he would have to be destroyed in order to keep this battle from happening. And of course Terra, being the loyal, protective friend that he is, didn't accept this. So in the end, Master Eraqus was struck down – or so we thought."

We all look shocked and horrified at the thought that anyone could have been manipulated to the point that they would take out their own master and care taker. Dumbledore whispers how Xehanort really is just like Voldemort and I instantly turn to look at the Snakes who I know are Voldemort supporters. And indeed a few of them have heard the man and now look even more horrified than most of the others around me. And again Even proves me that he noticed the same.
Aqua smiles at us as a whole and says: "Please understand, even if one strikes down another person's body, their heart is never truly gone. If you have a strong enough bond, then your heart can become like a safe haven to the heart that would otherwise be lost. Though Ventus and I wouldn't find out that this was the case for our Master until much, much later." These words cause some students to look confused, yet others look relieved.

Yet the next minute Aqua's disappears off her face and she sighs as she says: "After the battle between Terra and Master Eraqus, Master Xehanort proved how careless and selfish he really was. Because he didn't believe that Ven, Terra or I would ever need the Land of Departure, our home, again, he completely wrecked the place. He allowed for a storm of Darkness to destroy our home and to suck even large portions of ground and land into its form.
After this, he challenged Terra and Ventus to meet him at the Keyblade Graveyard, a world that was like a remnant of the legendary Keyblade War that took place 1000 years ago. At the time I was at Master Yen Sid's tower. When I learned of this, I too left for the Keyblade Graveyard. There I met Ventus and Terra, for the first time since our reunion in Radiant Garden. Terra was burdened with the fight and Ventus with the truth of his origin.
Ventus even wanted to ask Terra and me to destroy him if Master Xehanort would try to force him to fight Vanitas as he absolutely didn't want to give Xehanort the chance to forge the X-Blade. Needless to say, neither Terra nor I were willing or wanting to do this. And yet apparently Xehanort knew exactly how to manipulate the land to have things go his way. It was also here, at the Graveyard, that we discovered his true plans for Terra.

As I said, Xehanort was old, ancient even. Yet unlike Headmaster Dumbledore, he didn't rely on his magic to keep him young. Instead, he had somehow taught himself how to use his Keyblade to separate his heart from his body. And he taught himself this, so he could force his heart, which was still very, very powerful, to overtake Terra's body. He, in every way of the word, wanted to possess Terra and wanted to use Terra's darkness to control him."
My eyes widen, my heart feels like it has started to beat a lot slower, my mouth is agape and I can only look from the young adult woman to her two closest friends. The two of them have their eyes closed and are sitting so close together it's almost impossible to see where one ends and the other begins. And the protective, caring and supporting hold they have on each other almost makes it look as if they are like an island all their own, their care for each other protecting the other.

I look from the two of them back to Aqua. Others all do the same and Aqua takes several deep breaths to gather herself before she continues. "I won't deny it, the whole event was gruesome. Master Xehanort and Vanitas had complete control of everything around us. Master Xehanort was able to manipulate the lands in such a way, he created a huge mountain with him on top. One that I believe was higher than the Astronomy Tower.
And Vanitas manipulated all of the Keyblades that had been left by the Lost Keyblade Wielders of the past to attack us and he attacked us alongside them. All this combined separated Ventus, Terra and me and got Xehanort to get a hold of Ventus. He then used some kind of magic to actually extract the pure light from Ventus' heart and leave his body nothing more than a frozen form, Ven not able to move anything other than his eyes.
This made Terra furiously attack Xehanort, but that was exactly what he wanted. And while I tried to fight off Vanitas, I was just no match for him. You see, it's – it's horrible and disgusting, but the Unversed that we had been fighting in all those worlds – came from Vanitas. They were the living embodiment of all of his negative, dark emotions. And each time we took one them down, they went back to him, strengthening him.

I was struck down and Vanitas was just about to kill me – when Ventus finally managed to unfreeze himself. And while Ven didn't want it, he fought Vanitas; he did exactly what Master Xehanort wanted him to do. And as you probably guess, this started the process of the creation of the Legendary X-Blade. But Xehanort made one vital mistake. Because he tried to turn us against each other, he strengthened our bond.
And because he and Vanitas threatened Terra and myself, Ventus didn't fight Vanitas to create the X-Blade, but with the goal to kill them, especially Vanitas. So when their clash started the process, the X-Blade remained incomplete and a battle took place within Ventus' heart. However, in the outside world, Vanitas was, unfortunately, very much in control of Ventus' body and I was forced to fight my own best friend, just to defend myself."
I cringe in horror at this, yet Aqua just calmly and proudly smiles at her friend and says: "However, Ventus won the inner battle, even though the process would also destroy his heart alongside Vanitas'. And while he was willing to make this sacrifice, there was still one other option. After all, years before this all happened, his heart had touched another's; Sora's. And just like all those years ago, Sora was again willing to let Ventus' heart sleep within him."

I lean back in my seat as I finally understand. I finally get what had happened to my friend. I finally understand what Master Yen Sid meant when he said that Ventus' heart had gone to sleep. And while I only met him a few weeks ago, I can't help but look at Sora with utter gratitude for what he was willing to do, all those years ago, when I was only 9 years ago. Yet I am the only one to do this as everyone else looks at Ventus is utter shock and respect.

Wow, just WOW!
I'm going to be honest, I really wasn't expecting the story to be this intense. And yet, I really should have seen it coming; it's Kingdom Hearts after all. That franchise is known for its hectic story telling. And I guess that, for now, I am going to let each game be featured in one or two chapters. I'm thinking of combining Re:CoM and 358/2 Days in one chapter and I will mention Fragmentary Passage at the end of 01. Otherwise?
We'll see,

Venquine1990