Limit: Part Three: Splash Mountain
Vanitas flew into the night once again, holding Sky like before. They then landed on the top of a hill in a totally different world.
"Where are we?" asked Sky.
"We are in a world that has been locked away for centuries. A world that has been swept under the rug if you will. The Heartless once lived here in this land, until a Keyblade Wielder destroyed them all and locked the world." said Vanitas.
Sky turned to Vanitas. "I don't care what you are going to do to me. But I will ask you this. Leave my friends alone." said Sky.
"Friends. Always friends. Your father and your Uncle Ventus are the same. Why do you care so much about these people? What did they do to make you sacrifice so much for them?" asked Vanitas.
"I grew up alongside Axel. And I got to know the others better. I care for them because they are good people." said Sky.
"Even Pete?" asked Vanitas.
"There's some good in him. Deep down." said Sky.
"What about me? Do you think I'm good inside?" asked Vanitas sarcastically.
Sky nodded, but carefully chose his words. "You are evil and cruel. But despite all that, you honored my bet. Sort of. Capturing me isn't really honoring, but I get that you're mad because you lost." said Sky.
"Darn right I'm mad. You cheated. Your girlfriend shot orbs of light against Axel's shadow." said Vanitas.
"Why are we here Vanitas? What do you want exactly? You joined forces with Maleficent, now you don't care what happens to her? What gives?" asked Sky.
Vanitas folded his arms and spoke. "Do you know the story of Xehanort?" asked Vanitas.
Sky nodded. "It's a very confusing story."
"Yes. Well, I used to work for the old Xehanort. The original master. He and I had visions for a better tomorrow. Kingdom Hearts was to collide with the worlds, and end them all to see a brand new world take shape." said Vanitas.
"Kingdom Hearts?" asked Sky.
"You don't know? Kingdom Hearts is the heart of all worlds. It is a powerful heart shaped moon that appears when hearts collide with each other. Good and bad." said Vanitas.
"And you wanted to bring an end to the worlds?" asked Sky.
"That was Xehanort's idea. And I went along with it. But he's gone now. With him I had purpose. But I no longer have that." said Vanitas.
"So that's it? You want to destroy the world because you lost your sense of purpose? That's a little….. Stupid." said Sky.
"What?" asked Vanitas.
"You want to end billions of life forms just so you can find a purpose in your life? If we all die, you die too." said Sky.
"You don't think I knew that?" asked Vanitas.
"You are weird Vanitas. No wonder why so many people want to smack some sense into you." said Sky.
"What people?" asked Vanitas.
"My Dad. Uncle Ventus. Definitely Master Aqua and Terra. They hate your guts. Oh, and now Summer, Axel, Red, Roxanne…." Sky was saying.
"Enough! I get it!" said Vanitas.
"I don't think you do." said Sky.
"Then tell me about this boy! Tell me why these worlds should be spared? Some of these worlds are not exactly paradise. You've seen some of them first hand. Atlantis is a kingdom living in ruins. Agrabah is still struggling with poverty. Not to mention that both the Pride Lands and The Land of Dragons had to deal with wars." said Vanitas.
"The worlds have their own life. They each have their own system and their own way of doing things." said Sky.
"That is not a solid answer," said Vanitas.
"What do you expect me to say? That the worlds are full of light and all that? I can't ignore the truth either. I know some of the worlds are a little out of whack. But there is always a tomorrow." said Sky.
Just then, they heard footsteps. They didn't realize that on the top of the hill they were at was a bench. And somehow they were in some park. Vanitas quickly vanished into the bushes and Sky stayed there, now knowing what to do. He turned around and saw an old man coming up with a cane. He had bright brown skin, a white beard, and an aging face. Yet he smiled warmly at Sky.
"Well, it's not often I get visitors. How are you doing today?" asked the old man.
"I'm doing good." replied Sky, acting casual as he could.
The old man sat down and looked at the view. "Isn't today such a lovely day?" he asked.
"It is." replied Sky nervously.
"Sit down Sky. It's alright. I've been expecting you." he said.
"Y-you have?" asked Sky.
"I felt your light when you touched our world." said the old man. Sky sat next to him and looked at him curiously.
"You said you felt my light?" he asked again.
"I am Uncle Remus. Pleasure."
"Oh. Uncle Remus. Okay. So do you know about me?" asked Sky.
"I saw you arguing with your friend. The one with the horns and bird like wings." said Uncle Remus.
"Oh, you did." said Sky nervously.
"I bet you he's listening to our conversation." said Uncle Remus.
"So, you guard this world?" asked Sky.
"Indeed I do. I have been protecting this world for quite some time. I live in a very nice community of kind folk in my neighborhood. However, things are not always what they seem." said Uncle Remus.
Sky didn't say a word, but Uncle Remus spoke. "I heard about what you and your friend were discussing. About the worlds not being perfect and why they are still worth saving from destruction." said Uncle Remus.
Sky eyed Uncle Remus, but decided to ask. "What is the trouble your world faces?" he asked.
"I live in a world that is divided. There are people who are very cruel and unjust to others. Hatred and prejudice are a problem in my world. But despite all that, there are moments of tranquility and peace. As long as you keep your chin up and look ahead, you will find a ray of sunshine that will guide you home." said Uncle Remus.
"Is that why this world was locked away from the rest? I heard it's been isolated." said Sky.
"The children who made this world were not like the others. They were warriors of the Keyblade War and their hatred and prejudice was what made this world as we know it today. Darkness meddled into this world. But unbeknownst to them, a Keybalde was formed here and one lucky person got to wield it, protecting the world from it's dangers and loss." said Uncle Remus.
Just then, Vanitas appeared and waved his hands in the air. "And this world is being protected? Despite it's dark roots?" asked Vanitas.
"The world I live in has a lot to teach us all young man. But not just this one. Other worlds out there have a lot to each us about hearts and our sense of humanity." said Uncle Remus.
"How do you get by, with so much trouble?" asked Sky.
Uncle Remus smiled. "I have friends who stand by my side when things get rough."
"Friends." scoffed Vanitas.
"It's true. Friends are just as close as family. By the look of things, you two are starting to become friends." said Uncle Remus.
Sky looked at Vanitas, but the horned Dark Fey didn't turn around.
"Being friends takes time. There is nothing wrong in speaking to each other and learning about who we are as people." said Uncle Remus.
"You are a naive old man. Friends are not the answer to everything." said Vanitas.
"Have you ever given it a try?" asked Uncle Remus.
Vanitas didn't answer and Uncle Remus smiled. "You see? You need to see it to believe it." he said.
Sky walked up to Vanitas and held his arm and he turned around to see Sky, smiling at him.
"Friends?" asked Sky.
"Are you for real?" asked Vanitas.
"Well yeah. I'm for real. And I want to be nice." said Sky.
"Nice? Seriously." said Vanitas.
"Well excuse me for trying to bring some sense of humanity to you." said Sky.
They both started to argue and Uncle Remus began to laugh heartily.
"Do you see now boys?! You are indeed friends. You two are bickering already." said Uncle Remus.
"How can I be friends with a boy who lives in fairy tales?" asked Vanitas.
"And how can I be friends with someone who sees the world in darkness?" asked Sky.
"Is there common ground between you two?" asked Uncle Remus.
"He looks like my father. That's one thing he has in common with me." said Sky.
Vanitas scowled at him. "I never asked to look like your stupid Dad. Blame it on the confusing Kingdom Heart universe we live in!" said Vanitas.
"Ah! Kingdom Hearts. The heart of all worlds." said Uncle Remus.
They both stopped arguing and looked at Uncle Remus in surprise. "You know about that?" asked Sky.
"Well indeed I know about it. Only those who have the Keyblade know it's legends and power." said Uncle Remus.
"Who are you really?" asked Vanitas.
Uncle Remus smiled, stood up from the bench slowly and pulled out his hand. Then, in a matter of seconds, light engulfed his hand and a beautiful golden Keyblade appeared. It was long, elegant and strongly resembled the Kingdom Key, Sora's Keyblade. Only this was longer and golden.
Vanitas stood back, sensing the power of this Keyblade and Sky stood there watching.
"I am a protector to this world. And I use the power of waking to steer things in the right direction." said Uncle Remus.
"The Power of Waking?" asked Sky.
Uncle Remus smiled and stood up. He winked at Sky and Vanitas and laughed heartily. "I think I've been sitting on that bench for too long. My bums are starting to get sore. I believe it is all up to you two to decide what to do now." said Uncle Remus.
Flowers began to appear from behind Uncle Remus and he continued to laugh heartily. His body then turned to a radiant light and then he vanished, leaving only flower petals behind.
"Vanitas? What's the Power of Waking?" asked Sky.
Vanitas himself picked up some flower petals and shook his head. "Just who the heck was this man?"