I normally average about 10 to 16 pages per chapter. This one's 23, lol. Lots of KHUX ending in this chapter. There is presently still no news about DR's continuation/ending so it won't be possible to factor that in here, other than what's presently known in canon.

Enjoy!

I woke up in the trash and got adopted by the local trio.
xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx

Ventus was exhausted. This labyrinth was truly a masterpiece of frustration, but it was clear that teamwork was always needed for its completion. It was literally impossible to open some doors without the assistance of at least one other set of hands.

It was meant to keep unity and partnership between Wielders. To not compete, but to join hands in leadership.

You shouldn't have to do this alone.

But I'm the only one who can do this!

Ventus sighed softly. He was glad to have been present during Aqua and Terra's exam. It made him appreciate his Master's kinder and more lenient hand for the Mastery Trial.

Though, admittedly, it probably had more to do with the fact that he'd been the only Master still active. Xehanort didn't count in his mind after all that he'd done, and Yen Sid had retired a long time ago.

Kairi got into his face, causing him to yelp and back up. She giggled, "There you are. You kind of spaced out on me, Ven!"

Ventus chuckled awkwardly as he rubbed the back of his head, "Sorry about that, Kairi."

Kairi nodded and looked at the present door before them, "I wonder if this is the final door?"

Ventus stared up at it for a long moment before nodding. He walked up to it and placed his left hand upon the center of the doorway. The stone hummed and grumbled, searching him in a way all the others had when he'd touched them.

The stone beneath his fingers laughed, a rolling rumbling sort of thing that was deep and internal.

The doors opened without further fuss, Master's Luster laughing with elation in his right hand.

Ventus was surprised that it had opened. This door was the easiest of them all, since all the others had required the use of a Keyblade.

Kairi gasped, and Ventus finally took the time to note the scene before him.

There was a dim light in a well preserved room. It didn't match the scenery they'd witnessed the past few days as they traveled through the winding paths and puzzles, and had clearly been constructed with specific viewers in mind.

A plush red carpet and plush black and gold seats with books lining tall shelves. Five seats in total around a large table that had the Apprentice symbol laying over the old Lux symbol.

The dim light slowly brightened, and two individuals ghosted into the center most and left side seats.

Brain's hat was over his eyes shadowing them as he sat comfortably with his arms crossed, and a friendly smirk on his face. And then there was Ephemer, smiling at him the way he always had.

"Hey Ven, glad you made it back to us!" Ephemer grinned as Brain nodded. He didn't know how they'd managed this sort of technology, but it was both wonderful and painful to be able to interact with them again.

Ephemer nodded in greeting towards Kairi, "And thank you for assisting him, Apprentice."

Kairi blinked and nodded back, "M-my pleasure?"

Ephemer snickered and waved them closer, "Come and sit down. There's so much to talk about, and this thing can only run for so long before it has to recharge. Age will not be kind to it, I'm sure."

Brain scoffed, "Age is kind to nothing."

Ephemer rolled his eyes, and Ventus dismissed his Keyblade and sat in the seat closest to Brain, while Kairi sat on his right.

Ephemer sighed softly, a kind and melancholic look on his features. "I've read about the things that are to come, or, I suppose have finally come to pass for you. If you're here now, that must mean you all made it past the Final Page in the Book of Prophecies."

Brain's head lowered further, his smirk falling into a neutral, yet slight frown.

Ventus frowned as well, "...What do you mean?" He'd only had the Guidebook for the Union Leaders, and he honestly couldn't remember all that much of what he'd read in it. He abruptly wondered about his previous inventory and whether or not he could still access it.

Even though he'd heard about the Book, and had noticed Brain flipping through a particular one often, he had never desired to read it.

Ephemer folded his hands on top of the table and stared at them, "The Book of Prophecies… it was what the Foretellers, and what we eventually used to create the simulated Worlds that every Wielder went through, as well as where our Medals came from." Ventus nodded as the Leader continued, "However, it was called the Book of Prophecies for a reason. I was shocked during my first reading of the Book to realize it was you who it spoke of at times. A little older, but unmistakably you."

Ventus gripped his knees, "...Really?"

Ephemer nodded and looked at Kairi, "And you… your Heart. It is familiar because of the Book. You're Kairi, correct?"

Kairi stiffened, "Yes, I am."

Ephemer nodded before turning his attention back to Ventus, "Your friends… you all faced some terrible and harsh things in the future I read of. Of course, it was only a singular possible path that may have been taken, but if those involved in its passages were to read it, I'm sure that the similarities would match up without too much differentiation."

Ventus swallowed, "I wouldn't know, Ephemer."

Brain spoke, "No, you wouldn't. But that's how it had to be. How it should have been. Now though, is a different story. The events within have come to pass. Its mission and purpose is complete. The Light overcame the ever-creeping Darkness."

Ventus bowed his head slightly, "...What do you mean, Brain?" He looked up at the two of them, "What was the Final Page?"

Brain was solemn, "The Final Page had only this to say; On that fated land, a great war shall transpire. Darkness will prevail and the light expire. Master Xehanort was depicted to have successfully summoned the x-blade to bring forth Kingdom Hearts to grant his wish, with all of you perishing, one way or another during the second Keyblade War."

Ephemer clenched his hands, "I didn't know how I could help, so far into the past. So I prayed that my Will might somehow reach you all there, that you, as my anchor point, might make it so that I could help long after my death." He released a heavy sighing breath before smiling sadly at them, "I don't know if it worked, but I hope I was somehow able to reach you all."

Ventus clenched his teeth. He didn't know. However, there had been a moment. A Memory of Sora, and the Light of many Keyblades assisting him to defeat a tornado of Darkness that had been meant to destroy them. "I think it did. There was a moment where a Light from the Past reached Sora. I didn't understand… or realize anything then. I… I've only just started to remember our days together. What happened in the past. I've otherwise had complete amnesia. I only remember my life after being placed in Master Eraqus's care, and even then, my first several months there I was either asleep, or unable to take in the world around me."

Brain sat up at Eraqus's name and pulled his hat back, "Eraqus?"

Ventus blinked, "Uh, yeah. He was my Master after Xehanort found me, I think." His days with Xehanort were still very unclear.

Brain seemed to contemplate heavily, "The Keyblade you now carry… was it from him that you received it?"

Ventus swallowed hard, "It… It was his. But… he was struck down after fighting with Terra… who was protecting me from him." His Heart ached and his chest squeezed tight just thinking about it.

Brain's expression slowly fell into sorrow, "I see. That is... " He sighed and leaned back as he stared upwards into the ceiling, "I see. So that's how it read. The Master fell because he was trying to prevent a second Keyblade War, and eradicate a part of the source of the x-blade." He looked at Ventus sadly, "How Xehanort came to the conclusion that you could create the x-blade is beyond our comprehension. Even we have no idea how the x-blade is to be created, yet that man found more than one way to do so."

Brain took off his hat and ruffled his hair in distress, "Yes. How ironic, really. Was it perhaps my lingering feelings of hatred towards the Darkness that passed through my blood? Or merely coincidence that my grandson would end up meeting you, and be weary of your Pure Heart?"

Ventus froze stiff as his eyes widened, "G-Grandson?!"

Kairi placed a clasped hand over her chest. She may not be overly involved, but she understood the gravity of the situation, and its implications.

Brain smiled ruefully and chuckled, "I ended up here in Scala some years ago, and with instructions from Ephemer long ago, I was taken in by the higher ups. Eventually I found my wife, and started a family of my own, followed by the next generation. I know not how I finally came to my end, but I most certainly had a grandson who I was greatly compelled to have named Eraqus at all cost. The Keyblade I used, passed over to Ephemer, and received again upon my arrival… the one you now carry. It was my will that it be passed down to my grandson upon his Mastery… and now you have it."

Brain sighed, "You have been through far too much Ventus. You were only a boy of twelve or so years when we met, and now you're what… sixteen? Seventeen? Still far too young to witness and survive two Keyblade Wars, let alone be sacrificed for the creation of an abominable holy weapon."

Ventus clasped his Apprenticeship symbol and clenched his eyes and teeth shut. It hurt so much! To have missed Brain by mere decades, to have later been picked up by his own flesh and blood, only to be the cause of their death?

It practically felt like he himself had Eraqus's, and by extension, Brain's blood on his hands.

Had being scapegoated in that girl's death not been enou-

Ventus gasped loudly as he looked between them, "Lauriam's sister!" Tears threatened his eyes. He recalled that shadowy Memory vividly. All the terrible details, how he'd been somehow blinded to it. His innocent naivete and ignorance.

He covered his face abruptly and inhaled a crying breath, "Why!?" He wailed, "Why am I still so weak hearted!? Why can I only do so much!? I fought against Vanitas, killed the both of us as we fought within my Heart, thinking I was protecting my friends, only for them to fall and suffer while I slept for over ten years!? Why can't I protect the people I care about?! Why can I only be used to hurt others without meaning to!?"

Ephemer stood and reached out towards him with shocked concern, "Ven-"

Ventus stood from his chair abruptly, causing it to fall back as Kairi stood from her seat in concern. He cried out in emotional agony, "Why haven't I learned anything!?" He pulled his hands away from his face and looked down at them as he lamented in fear of himself as his voice became softer and more pained, "Why can I only repeat the same mistakes? No wonder Master Eraqus never trusted me."

Kairi launched herself at him and grasped him tightly, "Don't be so down on yourself, Ven!" She acted, for she could see the torment on Ephemer and Brain's faces. The dead were incapable of bringing comfort to the living.

So she had to step in.

Tears threatened the corner of her eyes, "Being a Princess of Heart… it's so stupid, y'know?" Ven inhaled sharply as she continued, and slowly he held her back as she spoke, "I didn't even know I was special. That I had this unique power, or Heart, or whatever! That I can somehow hold back the Darkness, that the Darkness can't effect me like everyone else. But what good was it!?" She took a gasping breath, "What good is it if I can't protect myself? If all I'm good for is to be a sacrifice, just… a pawn to be taken down to give reason for my friends to avenge me and continue fighting?!"

Ventus swallowed harshly. The two of them were too much of the same cloth. He, as a part of the x-blade, and for her and the other princesses to be pieces of some other Keyblade as well as possibly the x-blade itself. They were mere ingredients. It was sickening.

Ventus sighed heavily as he rested against her and spoke hoarsely, "We're a lot alike, huh?"

Kairi chuckled wetly, "Just a little bit."

Slowly Ventus pulled back with a sniff and wiped his eyes. Kairi did the same and sat back down as Ventus noticed his chair and felt contrite. He picked it up and put it back into place before sitting down sheepishly, "Sorry."

Ephemer settled back into his seat, still distressed, but clearly glad the two of them had calmed down. "I'm the one who's sorry. That I couldn't do more… that I ever doubted you, back then. Honestly… I never noticed you had a Pure Heart of Light. But I'm glad you were there for us, that although it caused you great pain, that you were able to trap and seal the Darkness that had tried to destroy us."

Ventus nodded as Brain cleared his throat.

"Which brings us to the point where you couldn't possibly remember. You must be wondering, how did I end up in the future? What happened to the others in the past after I fell unconscious, correct?"

Ventus nodded, "Yeah."

Brain adjusted his hat back over his head and folded his hands on the table, "After the Keyblade War, when all the Dandelions fled to a new World… Are you aware that we ended up being transported to a digital version of Daybreak Town?"

Ventus's eyes widened, "H-what!?"

Brain sighed softly to himself, his eyes kind. "I see. You truly were more out of the loop than the rest of us. But… I suppose that makes sense, with how you ended up sleeping near the end, when we realized the daunting scope of what had been left behind for us." He closed his eyes for a moment in thought before opening them to continue. It was in that moment that Ventus connected the dots, and he could truly see the relations between Brain and Eraqus. They looked so much alike… and now there was nothing left of them in the flesh. "In short- the Darkness wanted to make us into their vessels, to take over us so that they could continue their own plans. The single Darkness you sealed- are you aware of them? Or are they still sealed deep within your Heart?"

Ventus swallowed heavily, "After arriving in this era, Master Xehanort at one point, after I refused to fight and save myself from Heartless… he tore the Darkness I'd sealed out of my Heart and body."

Brain and Ephemer inhaled sharply, and suddenly other pieces of the Book came into place for them.

It suddenly made sense.

"That Darkness formed the person we now know as Vanitas. He… I don't know a lot about him, but he produced monsters, Unversed, from his own body. But when we were first torn apart, it shattered my Heart. Part of my own Heart was used to give him one, and I think… maybe, a bit of my body and soul were also taken from me to make him a person." He bowed his head, "A new Heart saved me… and eventually, when I defeated Vanitas and fell Asleep, my Heart found them- Sora again, and that's where my Heart slept and healed for the better part of ten years." He frowned and looked up to them, "I don't know what happened to Vanitas's Heart after that… but then, one day recently, he appeared again, and was taken in by three local teens. He's now under Merlin's tutelage."

Brain clenched his hands, "And you believe him, a sentient piece of Darkness, the darkness that possessed you, used you to kill Lauriam's sister. Do you believe them worthy of life after all of the grief and pain he's caused?"

"Yes."

Ventus didn't even have to think about it.

It was strange, and it wasn't as if he'd forgiven Vanitas for all of the terrible things he'd done…

But for some reason, he wanted to understand him, to see him become a person and change. Supposedly he had already begun to change, and he wanted to speak with him.

They may never see eye to eye… but he also felt deep compassion for him. For the torment he possibly endured under Xehanort... Ventus couldn't even begin to imagine what that would have been like for four years.

For as long as he'd lived as a human, or could remember, Vanitas had been used as a weapon.

Brain stared at him harshly, and Ephemer was also somewhat unsettled by this.

They had all fought and been utterly defeated by that single consciousness of Darkness.

The only way to hopefully defeat them for good was for them to take on a physical form, and Ventus had sealed them within his Heart.

Ephemer slowly smiled before laughing, "I see. I think I understand." He slumped back as Brain glared at his leader. "Yes… that's so very like you. You definitely came through with your promise- to give him a new form, if he has his own identity now."

Brain sighed gustily in annoyance and flopped back, "You're too lenient, leader."

Ephemer chuckled awkwardly, "I don't really think so, though?" He sat properly again, "Ven. The six of us used pods to both escape the digital Daybreak Town, and then move forward into the future in the real one as it came to an end. Daybreak Town literally fell, and I ended up being left behind by everyone in the past." He was sad, "I missed all of you so much," And there was a silent longing there. A longing of love unrealized as he continued, "You, Lauriam, Skuld, Elrena, and Brain… you all ended up in the future, while I built Scala ad Caelum in the present-past. I created the foundation that all Wielders would later follow."

Brain continued, "And then after I arrived, I knew I would never see any of you again, and made my own preparations for your sakes. Whether those things have already come into play, or someday will, I don't know. But… hopefully, you can find Lauriam and make peace with him, as well as Elrena. As for Skuld… none of us know where she might end up in the future, or what her anchor point might be."

Ventus frowned, "Anchor point?" They had mentioned that before.

Brain sighed gustily as he ruffled his hat and shifted it, "See, I didn't understand everything I'd read and miscalculated. Some things… happened, and well. In short, I don't know where any of you ended up, or how you ended up there."

Ventus swallowed, "My first Memories are in the Keyblade Graveyard with Xehanort… And even that isn't clear."

Brain nodded, "I see." He leaned back, "Fascinating."

Ephemer rubbed one of his shoulders, "Well. We say all of that, but there is... one thing you need to know, Ven." The blond gave his leader his full attention, "We didn't understand a lot… and there were a lot of complications in the end… but we were only able to save the six of us. That person was sealed between Worlds with the other Darknesses that had been quietly waiting to possess us and get to the outside World… and…" His voice was quiet, "The Hearts of all the other Dandelions. I don't exactly know what happened to them all, but they all are assumed to have perished."

Ventus's heart sunk into his stomach. "Wh-what!?"

Ephemer bowed his head and closed his eyes, "Chirithy… they explained one day to me that there was a chance that they had all been changed into new beings by their personal Chirithy. That they, as Dream Eaters, had a final mission to offer to combine into a new being, to have a chance at returning one day in the future, or allowing their Hearts to pass on into a new life through Kingdom Hearts." Ephemer looked up to Ventus, "This was the last revelation Chirithy made to me, that I recorded here, before my probable death. I didn't have time to understand it, but that was part of the reason why the Power of Waking was made a part of the Mark of Mastery exam. So that one day, if possible, those Dream Eaters could be awoken from Slumber and remade into their original forms."

Kairi clasped her hands over her mouth in shock with a gasp, "The Dream Eaters Riku and Sora fought with in the Dream Worlds… they were Ancient Keyblade Wielders?!"

It was like I was a part of some… great adventure! Oh, and there were these weird colorful creatures-

Ventus covered his mouth as he abruptly felt sick.

How in the World were they going to Awaken and save them all?!

Kairi placed a hand on his back, and Ventus slowly managed to get ahold of himself.

Ephemer sighed softly as a silent warning went off, "Time runs short. You can return at any time after twenty four hours… but for now, our Memories must rest."

Brain stood, "Let us speak again, Ven. There's much we can still discuss, and I hope to see the three of you here again one day. Your image and Memories have been scanned and recorded, and one day, if you too come to pass on before the others, shall live on in Memoriam here, with us."

Ventus stood and nodded, "I'll be back, I promise."

They nodded, and after a moment the lights dimmed, and Ephemer and Brain's Memories faded into glittering sparks.

Kairi grasped his hand, and together they left the room and teleported themselves to the entrance.

Their Hearts were heavy.

xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx

Mickey glanced up from his reading with a large smile on his face, "Welcome back Kairi, Ven!"

The two were exhausted, covered in dust and trails of tears on their faces. Mickey frowned, "Awe, what happened guys?"

Ventus tried to smile, but he just didn't have the strength to fake it, "I finally found the room that Ephemer and Brain's Memories were stored in."

Mickey's eyes widened, "Oh wow! Master Ephemer and Master Brain themselves? And how did that go?"

Kairi flopped into a chair and slumped back into it tiredly, "It went."

Ventus plopped down and nodded, "It went."

Mickey frowned. They both sounded so sad.

Sigurd hummed, his voice now clearer as Dale popped out of a random fold of cloth, "Chipper!"

Chip cried from further in, as his voice reverberated through ancient metal, "What is it Dale?!"

Dale grinned, "I found somethin' interestin' over here! You needta have a look at it!"

Chip popped up from another spot and scampered up the android's front, "Oh yeah?" Dale pulled back in and Chip's upper body followed, "Oh wow!" His butt disappeared into black and his voice reverberated again, "This is incredible!"

"Right!?" They degraded to chipper giggles and speed talking, so much so that Kairi and Ventus couldn't keep up with them.

Ventus sighed softly as he looked towards the King, "I guess the room needs to recharge for a day… so I think in the morning we'll leave for the day, just to get out."

Kairi nodded solemnly, "It took us three days to get through that whole thing. My head hurts."

Mickey smiled at the two of them and hopped off his chair, setting his current book onto the seat, "Why don't I make you two somethin' to help you relax, and a snack too, if you want?"

They nodded, and the mouse King laughed lightly before leaving them be.

Soon enough it was quiet, an occasional chattering of chipmunks or a concerning clang, but Sigurd seemed just fine with the maintenance they were performing. "I am glad you two were able to make it to that room."

Ventus was almost surprised at how clear Sigurd's voice was. Those chipmunks definitely knew how to work with machines, "Uh, oh. Yeah. Me too."

Sigurd observed them, "Your hearts are heavy."

Ventus smiled tiredly, "That obvious?"

Sigurd nodded. Ventus sighed gustily and looked up towards the ceiling, "...Chirithy?"

A pop, and his Dream Eater was facing him in his lap, "Yes, Ven?"

The blond looked down at the little creature. They were his faithful companion and friend.

They were a living coffin.

"...I'm having a difficult time understanding… your purpose."

"You mean what Ephemer said at the end?"

"Mmhmm."

Chirithy sighed softly before turning around and plopping down in his lap. Ventus automatically held them close to himself as they explained. "The Master created us to be Guides. Even at the end of our Wielder's life, we are their Guides and Protectors." They contemplated for a long moment, to figure out how to explain everything.

"The Master of Masters was intelligent, and he loved people a great deal. He was an enigmatic man on a mission, and he created us to protect our Wielders." They paused for a moment, "He could see the future- he knew that two Keyblade Wars would happen. How could he bear knowing that so many children would die with no Hope?"

Ventus slowly understood.

There was only devastation there.

"So we were made with the ability to become vessels, living protection for our Wielder's Hearts. If they fell, we fell. If they turned, we disappeared or turned with them." They sighed softly, "Ven. The Master wanted to save as many people as he could… but he was only one man. He couldn't save everyone- and certainly not after he was gone."

They were quiet again for a long contemplative moment, "I suppose… one way to explain it, is just how Sora ended up protecting you for so long." Ventus blinked in surprise as they continued, "Just as he took your Heart into his and held it for the majority of his life, so too would a Chirithy protect their Wielder. They would take their Wielder's Hearts into themselves, and transform into a new being. We are Dream Eaters, but we become something more when unified with our Wielder. Both to protect ourselves, as well as their Heart."

Kairi spoke softly, "So they're all still alive?"

Chirithy hummed, "In a matter of speaking. They're all just Sleeping, just like Ven was."

Ventus relaxed as the sick feeling went away.

He himself had experienced Slumber, and the protective care of another Heart.

Sora wasn't disgusting for having protected him.

But then, what in the World was Sora?

"Can only Dream Eaters, or well, Chirithy do that?"

Chirithy tilted their heads, "Do what?"

"Hold Hearts?"

Chirithy was silent, "...Normally, yeah. Humans aren't meant to have more than one Heart."

"But it's possible?"

Chirithy huffed, "Y'know, Sora's always been an oddball. I don't know if it's because of my connection with you that he'd sometimes tumble into The Final World while Sleeping, but he had a terrible habit of doing things that pretty much no one else has."

Kairi blinked before giggling softly, "Chirithy! That's kinda mean."

Chirithy pouted, "Do you have any idea how scared I was the first time he showed up in The Final World?! All fully formed and alive, I just about dissipated!" They threw their arms up, "And then Sora not only took in Ven's Heart, but later carried yours!" They pointed accusingly at her, "That's not how things work for anyone! No one's done that before!"

Kairi covered her mouth as she tried to hold back from snickering, but she failed at that mission.

Chirithy huffed, "And then he ended up with two other Hearts sealed within him, along with managing to exist as a Heartless for the better part of a year and not know it! Absolute lunacy!"

Ventus couldn't help but chuckle, "Sora's good at making the impossible possible, I guess."

Chirithy slumped back into Ventus, "Well, I sure hope he can impossible himself back to this side…" They sounded depressed, "I'd like to have the chance to thank him, for bringing me back to you."

To reality.

To life.

xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx

Vanitas stood in the kitchen, pulling his fingerless gloves on tighter and wiggling his fingers in silent contemplation.

Merlin was observing him, his young features shadowed with concern, "Vanitas. I believe you should wait for Roxas and Xion."

Vanitas shook his head, "No. I wanna get there on my own."

Merlin sighed, and pulled out a Black Coat from thin air, "Here."

Vanitas stared at it blankly before turning his head away from it, "Don't need it."

"I. Insist."

Vanitas scowled and snatched the coat, "Fine. I'll wear the stupid coat."

Merlin smiled, "Good."

Vanitas rolled his eyes and shrugged it on and zipped it. He held out his arms, "Happy?"

Merlin nodded, "Very."

Vanitas sighed softly and waved his arm to open a Dark Corridor, "Don't wait up for me."

Merlin chuckled, "We'll see."

Vanitas shook his head and walked through, following the old trodden path with his usual familiarity.

Until something felt wrong.

A brush of something

A snicker

An echoing cry

Laughter and eyes that weren't there

He looked back and forth wildly, as paranoia sunk in. Dark Corridors had never given him problems, so why now!?

Oh look, a Heart

So steeped in black

Ah, but a little Light

Precious, precious Light

Snuff it out

Devour it

He began to breathe fast and started running.

Catch it!

Don't let it escape!

Claws vaguely scraped along the protective fabric.

Pitiful infant

Mere child

Let us devour you

And gain your-

Light.

Blinding, scorching, and hot as he fell to his hands and knees into the sand. His body shook as he took gasping breaths and shakily unzipped the coat.

Thank the Void Merlin insisted.

He coughed, his stomach rolling with fear and nausea at the thought of being eaten by his own element.

He shrugged off the coat and stood. He looked around wearily and found the ladder that he (somehow) knew would go up to a tree house. Vanitas made his way over to it, and carefully pulled himself up each step. He felt muscles he didn't notice before with each step, and dragged himself onto the deck. He was breathing too heavily for such light exercise, but terror still gripped him. He crawled to a wall inside, laid out the coat, and flopped over onto it. He breathed for a long time, simply trying to calm down before he turned onto his side, his back to the entrance, as he curled up and clenched his teeth.

A small whimper escaped him as he covered his face with the back of his crossed hands pitifully.

Why had the Darkness desired to devour him?

Did the shade no longer Know him? Recognize him?

He had feared his own element, that which made him him.

Vanitas gasped silently as he wept for an untraceable amount of time.

He was an idiot.

There was a creak, and after a moment, the nearby presence of someone else. "...Are you alright?"

Vanitas flinched and curled further into himself. He didn't want anyone to see or notice him! He desperately wanted to be held. He didn't need anyone!

The person settled near him, "Guess not, huh?"

He barely had the voice to speak, "No. I'm not alright."

The person was silent for a long moment, "...Are you hurt?"

Vanitas sniffed as he bemoaned with a whine, "Not on the outside."

The person seemed to take that in. He could barely see their shadow's outline on the wall as they nodded, "Okay."

And then they were silent.

The presence of another person slowly calmed him and eased his nerves. He felt so young and stupid, but his fears were valid.

That which was once a comfort, was now a threat.

He harshly wiped his face with a sniff before slowly sitting up and giving the stranger his attention.

Something twisted inside of him, and he lost his breath as he realized he vaguely recognized this man. It was as if he'd known him his whole life, even though this was the first time they were meeting.

This is Sora's father.

The man with shaggy short black hair and violet eyes smiled at him kindly, "Are you… Vanitas?"

Vanitas stared at him bewildered, "Who told you my name?!"

The man chuckled, seemingly prepared for that as they shrugged helplessly, "Roxas."

Fuck that faker!

The man laughed wholeheartedly at his expression, "Don't like him, huh?"

Vanitas pouted with a sniff and pulled his legs up into his chest and gripped them, "Couldn't say."

The man grinned, "I see." He cleared his throat before offering his hand, "I'm Sora's father, Araide."

Vanitas eyed the man's hand with suspicion before he hesitantly shook it, "Vanitas."

Araide nodded, "It seems you were interested in seeing the Island where Sora grew up, right?"

Was that how they'd phrased it?

"Uh- yeah."

Araide pushed himself to his feet, "Then let me take you to the Mainland. I'm sure you don't want to be stuck on this unpopulated Island all day."

Vanitas grimaced and put the Black Coat into his inventory before standing, "...Right."

Araide went on ahead down the ladder as Vanitas observed over the edge and jumped, startling the man as he rolled onto his feet easily and looked back at him confused, "What?"

Araide shook his head, "You kids and your special powers."

...Was this like any other day to him now?

"How much do you know?"

Araide raised an eyebrow as he led Vanitas down to the peer, "Not enough. Just a little bit, really."

Vanitas nodded. Good. He still had a chance to not seem totally evil.

"Roxas did say you were a bit of an asshole though."

Vanitas's face crumpled into rage and Araide laughed loudly, "Sorry, sorry. But his opinion does help. Xion had an opposite point of view that was less biased."

Vanitas huffed and crossed his arms petulantly as Araide stepped into the boat.

And suddenly Vanitas felt terror grip him again. He looked wildly all around at the endless water. The point where the sands disappeared from view.

His heart beat fast in his chest as he dropped his arms.

Araide offered his hand to him, "It'll be alright. I'll protect you."

Vanitas focused on the man. There was kindness and experience in his eyes- this man knew what he was doing on a boat.

All the Islanders knew how to man a raft.

Vanitas swallowed and took his hand and clumsily got in.

No matter how much the vessel rocked beneath him, Araide was an unbothered pillar and adjusted himself accordingly.

Just like Keyblade surfing, really.

Vanitas's Heart settled, and he sat down and gripped the sides of the boat with white knuckles.

Araide gave him a sympathetic look as he took his oars, "It won't take long, It'll be alright."

Vanitas nodded silently as he stared hard into the water.

Araide began to row, and slowly Vanitas calmed. It was smooth, and even though the waters were deep, they were a clear blue. He could see the various forms of life that lived below, and he was slowly fascinated enough to slightly lean over to the side.

Not far. Just a little bit.

Araide smiled slightly at the Darkling's fascination. He looked strangely innocent, and far too achingly like Sora. Vanitas's coloring was plenty enough to not get him confused, but seeing Sora's face so filled with wonder for what was home… it was a little painful.

It was a silent ride, but pleasant as Araide eased into his personal dock and stood to tie it off. He turned to Vanitas, "Let me help you out first."

Vanitas stared between him and the dock before hesitantly getting to his feet, "...I think I know what to do."

Araide raised an eyebrow, "You sure?"

Vanitas swallowed heavily, getting used to the feel of the boat beneath him and staring at the pier before he settled his hands onto the edge and lifted himself up by his arms with minimal disturbance to the raft. Araide adjusted accordingly, and smiled to himself.

It was the same sort of way Sora would get out when he was younger.

Vanitas shifted to his knees and stood, dusting himself off lightly before turning to Araide, "Was that okay?"

Araide blinked before he nodded, "Yes. That's a fine way to do it." He smiled and got out of the raft in his own way with ease. He dusted off his hands and motioned with his head, "Let's go meet with Roxas and Xion."

Vanitas nodded and followed after the man, but slowly frowned. "Do they live here on the Islands?"

Araide glanced back at him with a questioning look, "They didn't tell you?"

Vanitas stared at him blankly, "I didn't care to ask."

Araide nodded. Sounded about right from the little he'd been told. "I'll let them explain since it's a bit complicated, but they do sometimes stay with us, or Kairi's parents."

Vanitas nodded absently as they continued to walk.

His sense of deja vu was strong, and he silently berated Sora for giving him his Memories. Did the guy have no sense of privacy?!

"Oh, there he is!" Xion's voice rang out from the distance as she wore black shorts and a light purple top. Roxas was wearing his usual pants, but a black v-neck tank and cream colored vest. The blond was scowling, and Vanitas rolled his eyes.

Xion turned and waved to someone else who crested the hill and- ah. It was Naminé.

Who looked somewhat pissed, actually.

The petite artist was pouting as she stomped towards his direction. Roxas gained a smirk while Xion seemed to nervously trail behind her.

Araide looked back at him with a quirked brow and Vanitas just shrugged.

He didn't know what the problem was.

Naminé noticed Araide and calmed, smiling at Sora's father kindly, "Good morning, Araide."

Araide nodded, "Morning, Naminé. Roxas, Xion."

The other two nodded as Xion smiled at Vanitas, "Morning Vanitas."

He shrugged, "Morning."

This was painful.

Roxas shuffled, "So what did you even wanna do, Vanitas?"

The Darkling paused before ruffling his hair slightly. He'd already met Sora's father, which was part of the plan, but…

"...Can I see Sora's house?"

All of them looked to Araide, and the man smiled helplessly with a shrug, "Of course."

Plan set, they all silently trailed after Araide, who led the way with a wry smirk on his face, "You kids know how to have fun."

Vanitas couldn't help himself as he monotoned, "I've never had fun."

Dammit.

Araide stared at him with wide eyes before laughing, "Roxas says that same sort of thing."

Roxas scowled with a light flush, "I do not!"

Xion giggled, "You kinda do. Sometimes."

Roxas sniffed and turned his head away as he shoved his hands in his pockets.

Xion gave him a contrite look and slowly Roxas eased back into neutrality.

Xion turned to Naminé, "So why are you annoyed with Vanitas?"

Naminé turned bright red and glared off to the side, "I'll speak with him about it in private."

Oh. Wait, was it about eating her negativity yesterday?

…Shit.

Vanitas swallowed and glanced away, deciding being aloof while observing the World around him was the safest bet and shoved his hands into his pockets.

Araide turned, and suddenly Vanitas realized they were heading towards a house. He stopped as a rush of foreign feelings came over him, immediately causing tears to gather to his eyes.

He felt almost devastated by homesickness, as Sora's silent feelings drowned him.

He felt his balance waver as Naminé gasped and turned towards him, sensing the shift in his demeanor. Xion barely had enough time to catch him as his knees buckled. He covered his face with one hand, feeling nothing but personal humiliation at his own weakness, but Sora's feelings were simply too intense for him.

He'd never had a home to feel sick for.

There were flashes of parties, friends, homework, silent nights and tinkering with toys. Building that silly robot that was shoved into the corner of his room and-

Vanitas yelled, shoving Xion off as he gripped his hair, "Leave me alone!"

He didn't want Sora's Memories! He was his own person, with his own past to feel troubled by! He didn't need this too!

Roxas gripped him harshly by the shoulders, "Get a grip, Vanitas!"

Vanitas glared up at Roxas with a snarl, "Fuck you faker!" He launched himself at Roxas to punch him in the face, but the blond easily avoided his halfhearted swing as they fell onto the ground in a fist fight. Xion was saying something along with Naminé, but Vanitas happily blocked them out for the idiot in front of him.

He didn't care that Roxas was Sora's Nobody, he had Ventus's face, and he really needed to relieve himself of some of this stress.

Roxas snarled and headbutted him to the point that he saw stars and Vanitas felt himself flop back onto the ground out of breath.

How long had they been fist fighting for, and why was he so fucking tired!?

Roxas leaned over him and gripped Vanitas's arms. He had a few scratches on him, but Vanitas knew his own nose had bled at some point. He just didn't care.

Roxas was panting, "You know, as much as I hate you, Xion and I have both dealt with getting Sora's Memories shoved into us. Maybe you could take a minute and let us help you with that problem?"

Vanitas blinked, "...Wait, that's what you were trying to get at?"

Roxas scowled, "Yeah."

Vanitas was slowly catching his breath, and abruptly started laughing. It was a little unhinged, but not absolutely insane.

Xion lightly touched his shoulder, and Roxas winced and backed off. The blond couldn't help but ask, "Do you have to laugh like that?"

Vanitas fell into a fit of giggles as he covered his face and tried to wipe off some of the blood, "Aha, yes. I actually do."

Naminé sighed silently with a shake of her head as Araide seemed to have disappeared somewhere during their scuffle. Vanitas slowly calmed again with a gusty sigh before falling limp, "Fuck you hit hard."

Roxas smiled, "Oh, thanks! You deserved it!"

Vanitas lifted one of his hands and gave him a one-fingered salute as he glared at him before rolling his eyes, "Hit better than Ventus, at least."

Roxas was practically beaming, and Vanitas didn't even know how to insult him.

Clearly the faker was on a victory high. Idiot.

The front door opened, and a short woman with blue eyes and long brown hair tied up in a ponytail came out. She had a strong build, and was clearly the sporty type as she came over to them with a first aid kit and a grin, "You kids done fightin' in my front yard?"

Roxas flushed lightly with a nod and stood, ruffling his hair, "S-sorry about that."

The woman laughed loudly as she knelt down by Vanitas and complimented him, "You took that punch to the face and headbutt quite well, kid." She helped ease Vanitas into sitting up as he became somewhat dazed, "Now now, don't move too quick. Hopefully Roxy here hasn't broken that pretty nose of yours, or cracked your thick skull."

It took a moment for her words to sink in, "Roxy?" Wait, he had a pretty nose?

Roxas blushed, "Sh-shut up!"

The woman laughed heartily again as she carefully moved Vanitas's face towards her and began to use a soaked cotton ball to clean his face, "You boys sure know how to have fun bright and early."

Roxas shrugged helplessly as Vanitas simply stared at her. The woman raised an eyebrow, "Well, d'you got a name or what? Ye're makin' me blush, here."

Vanitas felt embarrassed. What was he even supposed to do? "...Vanitas."

She nodded absently as she made a little pile of soiled cotton, "Name's Tsuyu!" She continued to clean him up, "D'ya enjoy pickin' fights or what?"

Vanitas winced slightly, "...A little."

Tsuyu laughed loudly and pulled him in for a hug. He was startled by the action and shifted to make the awkward angle more comfortable, but he wasn't… bothered by it. In fact, he felt kinda…

Oh dammit.

Tears gathered in his eyes as he laughed weakly as he half heartedly tried to position his arms to... hold her back? He wasn't sure if he was trying to cry out of grief or joy. It was a horrible jumbled mess and he was not fine with it.

But he'd never experienced a mother's hug before.

And that was his problem. He just automatically relaxed into her affectionate and playful hold like he'd belonged there, or something just as stupid.

He was pathetic.

Tsuyu ruffled his hair affectionately, "Ye're so adorable, Vani."

Vanitas immediately scowled, "Vani?!"

Tsuyu chuckled, "Yup! My adorable little Vani, that's what I'm gonna call ya."

Vanitas pouted. Who the hell did she think she was, just… giving him some stupid nickname like that!?

He relented.

He made a disgruntled sound, "Fine. But only you can call me that." He hated it so much.

Tsuyu beamed and hugged him close to her, "Thank ya!" She was still giggling a little bit, and his pride was completely and utterly massacred, but he found that he didn't… despise her. Tsuyu looked up towards Xion, "Xii-yan~!" Oh void, did she have a name for all of them!? "Make sure Roxy didn't crack his dumb skull either."

Roxas blushed while Xion giggled, taking a few supplies out of the First Aid box and cleaning her friend off. Roxas was awkward about it and hated to be fussed at, but he lived through her assistance.

Y'know. Like normal people who didn't totally have Magical powers to instantly fix up damage.

Araide popped out of the house, "Tsuyu, leave Vanitas be so they can all come inside out of the sun!"

Tsuyu clicked her tongue, "Fine." She released Vanitas and he immediately moved forward to roll onto his feet. Tsuyu stretched a little bit after she stood, and patted Naminé on the head, "And how are you today, princess 'Miné?"

Naminé flustered slightly as she grumbled, "I'm not a princess."

Tsuyu hugged her tightly for a second, "Of course you are!" She released her, "Ye're Kairi's li'l sister, and she's my little princess too."

Naminé minded her fingers while refusing to have eye contact before sighing as she relented, "I've been alright, Miss Tsuyu."

Tsuyu rolled her eyes, "Jus' Tsuyu, y'know that."

Naminé scrunched up her face, "Tsuyu!"

Tsuyu grinned with a chuckle before heading into the house, "Come come, we've got breakfast ready for ya!"

Vanitas blinked and looked at them all as Xion picked up after the mess along with the First Aid kit and nodded, "Merlin let us know you were coming on your own."

He raised an eyebrow, "...How?"

Roxas and Xion looked awkward as they answered in unison, "Mirrors."

...Did… did he want to know what caused that reaction?

He definitely didn't wanna know.

He rolled his eyes and held his head with a wince, "Fucker."

Roxas grinned and snickered, "Looser."

Vanitas practically puffed up before Naminé latched her hand on his bicep, "Vanitas. Food now, pissy fights later."

He stared at her in shock and spluttered, "Pissy!?"

Naminé rolled her eyes and tugged him along, "Or is it prissy? Cat fights?"

Xion giggled, "Are they fighting like rabbits?"

Roxas gave them a confused look, "...What?"

Vanitas was now lost, but he was ready to fight all of them. He was in a mood.

Naminé tugged on his arm to grab his attention again before her hand slid down to his and clasped it as she had come to do at times. She tugged him along and he obediently followed after.

Vanitas felt warm, and he wanted to kick himself for feeling anything.

The house was cool when they entered, and they all chucked off their shoes in a piled mess as the door was shut behind them. Araide rolled his eyes at their shoe pile before smiling, "Did you all have fun?"

Xion, Naminé, and Roxas replied in unison, "Yes!" While Vanitas responded lowly, "No."

Araide chuckled while Tsuyu snickered and presented the table, "Well then kiddo's, it's time ta eat!"

The three others sat in their preferred seats, while Vanitas cautiously slid into his own. There was a mish mash of various foods to choose from, so he picked from each plate to try a little bit of each dish.

Tsuyu and Araide sat down and made their own plates before she asked, "So Vani, what's ye're favorite food?"

Vanitas shrunk a little into himself as he glanced over to her, "...I haven't tried enough foods to say."

Tsuyu gave him a surprised reaction before smiling kindly, "I see. Well, lemme know when you figure that out, alright?"

Vanitas nodded hesitantly, "...Okay."

Why did she care, anyway?

"How about your birthday?"

Vanitas shoved a piece of food into his mouth.

Did he have one?

He grumbled around half chewed food, "March 23rd." Vanitas nearly choked on his own words. Where had that come from? He knew he'd been pulled out of Ventus sometime in Spring… but could that be considered the day of his birth?

Tsuyu and Araide were looking at him in shock.

Vanitas winced and pulled into himself further as he asked weakly, "...What?"

Tsuyu made an odd smile as she nervously pulled at her ponytail, "Oh, well, that's Sora's birthday, too."

Oh fucking dammit.

Naminé contemplated, "It… might not be wrong, though?" Everyone's attention shifted to her as she quickly explained, "Uhm. I kind of need to ask Ven some questions… and maybe see if Aqua and Terra can find out anything if Master Eraqus left behind any notes about it… but… uhm, it has to do with how Ven and Vanitas are connected to Sora."

Vanitas set his utensil down and covered his face while slightly curling up in his seat, "Don't talk to me."

He didn't want to think right now. He could barely even eat on a good day.

Xion lightly placed her fingers on his arm, "...Do you need to step outside?"

Vanitas pulled his hands away from his face just enough to stare at Xion. Her look of concern was genuine, and he found himself sighing heavily, "Yeah." Xion nodded and pointed to the back door. He finished pulling away his hands, looking between it and Xion before nodding in thanks and heading out.

Tsuyu winced when the door shut, "...I was too much, huh?"

Naminé sighed softly and set down her fork before clasping her hands in her lap, "People are a bit too much still. He's still very used to being left alone, and Merlin is his first positive adult role model and caretaker. He's come to handle me because I still keep to myself when I'm with him. He's warmed up to me quite a lot over time, since he now allows me to touch him without reacting negatively, but…" She contemplated for a moment. "He's still learning a lot about people, and he doesn't trust himself with others. And honestly? I understand why he's like that. He's not… he's not naturally human. He came into this World much like we did, simply as we were, with knowledge matching our ages. He simply came to be. But… his base nature, it's definitely steeped in what we consider the world's evils."

She minded her hair for a moment nervously, "But he has a gentleness to him now. It's just. He thrives off of negativity. It seems he may even still need to…" She floundered for a moment, "Eat it? Like…" She huffed and crossed her arms, "I don't know how to explain it."

Xion hummed, "Is that part of why you're mad with him?"

Naminé grimaced, "His methods and words were… not great. I can forgive him for it- he has no idea how that affected me, and honestly, I wasn't ready for that either. Still, all he did was kiss me on the forehead, and suddenly all of my negative feelings were gone. They just vanished, and then something about him seemed to be satiated. It's… it was weird."

Araide and Tsuyu glanced at one another and Naminé rolled her eyes, "Exactly!" They startled as she continued, "I don't understand! He doesn't understand! We're still learning- all four of us, how to be people!" She huffed and slumped in her chair with a pout and crossed arms, "So that's why I'm gonna make him understand what he did, so he can try to not do that again."

Xion tilted her head, "Do you like him at all?"

Naminé gave her a weird look, "No. But…" She contemplated for a moment, "He does look like Sora… and I do still like Sora. I'm not in love with Sora, but…" She sighed, "Sora and Vanitas are both very different and very alike in different ways, and I like them platonically. Vanitas has only ever seen me as me, and I think I really appreciate that."

Tsuyu hummed, "You all have a lot of very complicated feelings and pasts to sort through, despite only being two years old, huh?"

Roxas and Xion blushed while Naminé shrugged, "I guess."

Araide cleared his throat, "Well, the food's going to get cold. If Vanitas doesn't come back by the time we're finished, I'll take his plate out to him."

They all nodded in agreement with that idea and continued eating, as a new line of discussion was started up.

In the meantime, Vanitas had flopped into the grass in the backyard. He was clasping his hands tightly over his chest while simply staring up at the sky.

His back hurt.

He closed his eyes with a sigh, "You're mom's pretty, Sora. You're dad's nice looking too… so I guess that makes us handsome, huh?"

Was he seriously going to be like this?

Vanitas felt tears threaten to come and he took a deep breath to hold them back as his chest hurt from a confusing jumble of unidentifiable emotion. "They're nice, and warm. Affectionate and caring." That's what parents should be, right?

Was Merlin the closest he'd ever get?

He sighed silently to himself and looked up towards the sky, "Does it ever get sunny where you are..?" It seemed to only rain in that dark city, and he'd never met Sora during the day.

"...Is it okay for me to be happy?"

Was he even worthy of that?

"Of course it is."

Vanitas didn't even have the energy to flinch as he looked to the side.

He frowned, "Ventus."

Ventus smiled awkwardly with a shrug, "Yup." He seemed tired.

There was a small commotion inside that house, and Vanitas vaguely glanced in that direction while Ventus walked over, "Kairi went inside."

Ah.

Ventus sat down a few feet away from him, just out of reach, and laid down on his back. He copied Vanitas and clasped his hands over his chest, "Why're you out here alone?"

Vanitas didn't want to talk to his other, yet, he did warm up to the idea of talking to an actual person. "Got overwhelmed."

Ventus hummed, "What happened?"

"They asked simple questions that I can't answer." And now he was being chatty again.

Ventus was silent for a moment, "Oh." He glanced over to him, "...And that bothered you?"

Vanitas's face crumpled into aggravation, who it was towards, he wasn't sure.

Was it him, or Ventus?

"Yeah, They're simple questions."

"But you haven't lived enough to answer them. It's okay to figure things out slowly."

Vanitas scoffed, "She asked me my birthday."

Ventus winced, "And what'd you say?"

"...Sora's, I guess."

Ventus blinked. Oh. "...Sora was a new Heart when he helped me… so I guess that might've been the day he was born. When is it?"

"...March 23rd."

Ventus smiled, "I think that's right."

Vanitas glared at him, but he saw that Ventus was being all genuine about it and huffed, "You think so, huh?"

"Mmhmm."

Vanitas closed his eyes and sighed, "I'm tired."

Ventus looked up towards the sky, "Yeah. So'm I."

"What were you doing, weakling?"

Ventus rolled his eyes, "Went through a labyrinth with Kairi. Spent three days getting through it before I got to the prize."

"And what was the prize?"

Ventus was quiet for a moment, "Answers about the past. Ones I didn't even know I needed."

Vanitas's heart dropped as he grimaced, "Oh."

Ventus was quiet again, thinking, before he spoke up again in a gentle voice, "Ephemer and Brain asked me an interesting question."

Vanitas clenched his hands tightly, "Uh huh."

"Vanitas." The Darkling looked to his brother, and Ventus looked back at him, "I don't think I'm worthy of the title of Master… but even so, I still seem to have my Mark. I also think… that you deserve to live your own life, even if the people I care about now, or in the past, don't entirely agree with me. It's what I want… for you."

Vanitas was… annoyed, that he'd dare think he had to answer for him. To answer whether or not he could exist.

But he was suddenly filled with relief.

"You think I'm worth keeping around?"

Ventus smiled sadly at him, "That's a terrible way to put it, Vanitas."

The Darkling turned his gaze to the sky, "I ruined your life."

"Yeah, you did."

"Why give a shit?"

"What was your life like under Xehanort, Vanitas."

He felt himself shut down.

He didn't want to talk about it.

He exhaled gustily and scrubbed at his face, "Absolute shit."

Ventus chuckled softly, "I wouldn't even dare to imagine it."

Vanitas flopped over to his side to face Ventus with a frown, "Do you feel Sora at all?"

Ventus blinked and looked at him, "No, why?"

Vanitas flipped over to his other side restlessly and curled up slightly as he tucked an arm under his head, "I feel him in some way all the time. Talk to him in my Dreams. I barely even knew him, and suddenly I'm all... connected and intertwined with his stupid life."

Ventus watched Vanitas for a long moment before sitting up, "You hate it?"

"..." Vanitas glared towards the horizon, "I feel like I can't."

"...Why?"

"Because it's the most anyone's ever done for me." He buried his face into his elbow as he grumbled, "And my being there for him is all anyone can do for him."

Ventus bowed his head and stared at his clasped hands, "...Do you think we'll ever be able to do more for him?"

Vanitas hoped so.

He just wouldn't dare say it.

xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx

AN:When I initially was thinking through aspects of this chapter, I had initially wanted to start with Destiny Islands first, with Ven and Kairi showing up and Vanitas going absolutely ballistic on Ventus. But then I realized I needed to have Ven finish his mission first (sort of) to get there, so that's how the first half happened. Then I thought I wouldn't end up having Ven and Kairi show up on DI at all this chapter, and then they just… showed up.

Also, I had to make a distinct difference between Sora's parents here in this story since it wasn't planned to meet them, and the fact that in my other series that I'm writing, Ava is Sora's mom and Sora's dad is named Aeros, lol. Rough times.

Please R&R and let me know how you liked it!