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Reviews are loved! (Though please only give constructive criticism)

A bit conflicted on posting this chapter to be honest (plus the Keyblade I chose just looked cool and seemed to be the one that fell into the plans I created for this story soo...) Hope it's well recieved!

-YARN

P.S. Edited (slightly)

I saw that in the pillars of light were weapons I recognized almost immediately.

Keyblades.

'You have the power but your path is yet to be set, you taken the first step, now you must choose where you wish to go...' The voice commanded, "Each of these keys represent a ideal and belief that will be taken. You must decide which path you would want to accept, and which path you choose to deny."

The one in front of me was actually Sora's keyblade which looked like a classic skeleton key with a long silver Keychain extending from the hilt, and three circles as the symbol for the keychain. The blade was a sterling silver, the rainguard was blue, and the guard was bright gold. The edge top formed the outline of a crown which reminded me of the crown charm Sora was always wearing around his neck. Then the one to my left had the main body that was shaped like a black bat-demonic wing and had an angel wing jutting out at a ninety degree angle; the keyblade's guard was composed of one angelic wing and one demonic wing. Its keychain had a heart shaped emblem that was pure black. Finally the keyblade to my right had a round and curvaceous look to the point of seeming like it couldn't hurt if it hit you. One side of the hilt was formed in the shape that reminded me of an ocean wave, while the other was formed into a beige vine of sand that wrapped around the shaft, which was colored like a sunset. The vine connected to a bouquet of colorful flowers, which entwined to outline a heart. A red silken keychain connected the hilt to a charm exactly like the papou fruit from the island.

I reached out and picked up Sora's keyblade, feeling its weight in my hand and giving it a few practice swings.

'The Kingdom Key, the key of one whose heart dictates their path and never hesitates to do what they feel is right. Though one may not have meant to be the wielder of the keyblade, the key will always find itself in whoever is most deserving to wield it. A weapon meant to go to those who are ready to protect all that they hold dear. A path for those who will always follow their heart. A key to those who stand by their beliefs. The path of the stalwart guardian...' The voice murmured.

I gently let go of the keyblade, nodding to myself. It was a good choice, though I was a bit confused on the not meant to a wielder. How did that even work? As far as Leon explained, the keyblade chose it wielder, otherwise it would simply reappear in the wielder's hand. He demonstrated this both with Starlight and The Kingdom Key. As for what it embodied, that was definitely on point when it came to me. I never did anything I didn't believe in, and no matter who it was asking. My beliefs were too important for me to ever compromise for, ever. Although, it wasn't the same as refining your beliefs if I was given information that made a irrevocable argument that I was wrong. As much as it did sound like a good choice however - if this was a test to determine who I was - I couldn't be rash. I needed to consider every option I was presented. I walked over to the right of where I had stood before. I picked up the flowery keyblade and spun it in my hand, swiping at the air.

'Destiny's Embrace, a keyblade granted to those who care for whoever they love and chase whatever they've lost. It may take time for the keyblade to allow itself to be wielded, but guarantees its wielder its utter loyalty. A weapon that will lead one to what they are seeking. It is a path that follows its desires and ensures that though one may lose something, one will always be able to find it once again. A key for those who want to find what's theirs. The path of the devoted explorer...' The voice murmured once again.

I let go of the keyblade and hummed to myself, those were great points, really they were, but they weren't exactly points that matched my personality. I had never really been one to felt like I had to care for others. Not because I didn't want to, but because they were always able to take care of themselves or rejected my offer, I would never hesitate to offer help but I was never much of a caretaker in and of the act itself. As for chasing what I was seeking, I never really knew what I wanted out of life; it just seemed to be way bigger than I could even begin to comprehend and that was before the whole keyblade fiasco. I couldn't see myself wanting much more than to see where life took me rather than try to control it. With that in mind, I went over to the last keyblade and picked it up, and swung at an imaginary foe.

'The Way to the Dawn, a keyblade for those who are granted a chance to redeem themselves and wish for a second chance. While one may have made mistakes with good intentions in the past, they will always be ready to atone for any of their transgressions. They travel the path that balances on the precipice of light and dark, flitting between daybreak and nightfall. A weapon to help one on the path of redemption and let them prove themselves. A path that will lead one to a place to stand at the side of their friends and fight for them. A key to those who will ultimately be there for who they care for, no matter what it may do to them. The path of the determined redeemer...' The voice finished.

I tilted my head at the keyblade and let go of it. That actually sounded really good. I always believed in making up for your mistakes, even if it was hard. You had to know that you tried to make up for your mistakes, and not shirk responsibility. As my parents always reminded me, nothing good ever came easy, and in the case of making up for your mistakes, that was all the more true. When I made a mistake or did something I sooner or later found out was a bad decision, I alway tried to fix it to the best of my ability. It was hard sometimes, and very hard other times, but I never once considered it to be a waste of my time. I definitely could get behind this idea and apply it to myself. I turned and walked back to the center of the keyblades, thinking. I was really only considering two of the keyblades to choose. 'Way to the Dawn' and 'The Kingdom Keyblade', no disrespect to 'Destiny's Embrace', but it just didn't fit me.

"So which ideal is more important to me?" I mused, "Second chances? Or following what I believe?"

I closed my eyes, and made up my mind. I walked over Way to the Dawn and firmly grasped the handle, "I know following what I believe is important... But I know I can make mistakes if I blindly try to do what I feel is right, what I feel may be right may not necessarily be what is best. I want to know that I have a chance to do the right thing and make up for wrongs I may have done. I choose the Way to the Dawn."

The Keyblade glowed brightly before it vanished from my hand in a burst of light and shadow.

'Which path do you wish to give up?' The voice murmured.

I turned to the remaining two keyblades and walked over to Destiny's Embrace. As much as I didn't want to sacrifice a choice, I knew that it was practically a rule.

I looked at it and bowed my head in regret as I picked it up, "I'm sorry. I give up Destiny's Embrace."

'So you wish to follow the path of the determined redeemer and deny the path of the devoted explorer?' The voice queried.

I nodded, "Yes."

The Kingdom Key suddenly zoomed in front of me and hung in the air innocently.

I waited for a couple of seconds to see if anything would occur but as nothing happened I reached and reached for the keyblade. The Kingdom Key began to glow - almost blinding me - and it shattered into light before I could close my hand on the hilt. Wisps of sparks and light drifted towards me and although I raised my hands to try to defend myself, the wisps of power swirled around me like a storm and I felt a slight twinge in my chest.

The floor beneath me dimmed and brightened in random pulses as the energy sank into the stained glass floor.

'A strong heart is necessary. To walk any path, you must be able to resist drifting onto the others as much as possible, though there is sometimes gain in finding a middle-ground. This can also be said of light and dark, walking only in the light can blind you, treading only in the darkness may cloud your vision. If you wish to remain in the light, you must know its difference from the dark; continue to resist its temptation but understand its power. The same can be said of those who walk in the dark. A kernel of light and darkness exists within every heart, you must learn to master your impulses.' The voice growled, 'Do not underestimate the power of each, but understand that so long as you stay determined and never falter, neither can overtake you. Respect the balance of light and dark. Keep your spirit strong.'

I placed a hand over my chest, "Stay strong and understand the balance? Seems good, I can do that."

Light suddenly erupted from the floor and I covered my eyes with my arm, trying to block the light from blinding me. I suddenly felt like I was flying upwards and jerked awake from my meditation. Breathing heavily, I glanced around and relaxed when I realized I was still in the gummi ship. I slumped against the wall and saw that Starlight was nowhere to be found. A bit of unease wormed its way in my chest and I called out to my keyblade. Shock filled me as something completely different than Starlight formed in my hand. The keyblade's handle was black with a white tip and was surrounded completely by the guard, which was yellow. Each side of the guard sported two spikes that pointed diagonally downward. The shaft of the Keyblade was yellow with concave edges and ends in a point. On the tip of the shaft was a large, silver, X shaped charm shaped like a four-pointed star more than a letter. The charm was the only thing that connected the teeth of the Keyblade to the rest of the weapon. The teeth were formed by a black, circular arc lined with spikes. The keychain was a black ring lined with golden spikes, similar to the teeth of the Keyblade.

'Abaddon Plasma...' The voice murmured in my head.

The spikes of the left and right sides rounded off in the middle as a longer spike, which had a black line that runs down its middle. I felt a muted swell of power within me and breathed out a whoosh. I stood up and made my way to the cockpit. Sora was dozing off in his chair while Goofy was snoring loudly.

Donald apparently heard me coming and said, "Wake them up, we're about to hit Traverse Town."

We all walked out into the plaza and made our way to the accessory shop. We needed to stock up on some healing items and from what Donald had told me, I wanted to see if I could find some elixirs from the items shop. But before all that, I decided that it be better if I checked in with Cid to see if he had anything that would help us out in our journey. I had already offered the horn necklace to Sora, but he simply tapped his own necklace and told me to wear it.

When we walked in Cid saw me and waved me over, "Well, good to see you kid. I got something of yours that you left here."

With that he held out a bracelet that was colored the same purple as the guard armor heartless.

"What is it?" Sora asked, "Did you find it from the heartless we beat?"

He nodded, "Figured it was yours since you all beat the thing, so I decided to hold on to it till you all came back."

He dropped it into my hand and I promptly clipped it to my arm, where it pulsed slightly and I felt a light tingle run up my body, "Huh... thanks Cid. I appreciate it."

He nodded, "So what can I do you for?"

"Right." Sora said excitedly, "Can we see your stock?"

He grinned, "Sure thing."

We walked out with some new gear and a noticeable loss of munny, all in all though, I wasn't unhappy - despite the fact that we had no idea about prices and the like - when to defense I didn't have the luxury to care too much for money. I was wearing three rings, one element ring on my left hand, and on my right hand I was wearing a obsidian ring and chaos ring. Sora also donned a element ring and opted for the protect chain rather than the obsidian ring. Donald and Goofy both got protect chains and element rings.

With our group officially ready to fight, we stopped by the item shop to buy some elixirs and boarded the gummi ship and took off for the next world. I sat in the cockpit and watched the stars that glinted in the sky.

"It's pretty peaceful up here when you think about it." I mused, "Isn't it?"

Donald had already set a course or the next world so Goofy was the only other person in the cockpit, as Sora was still napping. Both me and Sora had sparred earlier with each other and I could already begin to feel the improvement in my speed and reflexes as we slashed at each other, ducking and weaving blows here and there. I wasn't quite as sure though, but it seemed that since I had chosen my path in that dream, it was as though my growth was also accelerating (I just really hoped that it wasn't just wishful thinking on my part). Donald was taking a very well deserved rest and instructed Goofy only to wake him when the next world was alerted to be coming.

He apparently thought that Goofy shouldn't try to land at all, let alone fly the craft.

"It sure is." Goofy agreed.

"Do you ever wonder what you would do if you weren't a knight?" I asked, still glancing out at the many stars, "I mean if you could be something else?"

"Gawrsh," He replied, an unusually serious look of concentration on his face, "I really don't think I woulda liked ta being anything else."

"Really?" I said, turning to him, "Why not."

"Because I wouldn't be with my friends." He said cheerfully, "King Mickey and Donald are my best pals, and we're always gonna be. We woulda done anything for each other and when King Mickey wanted us ta be the royal mage and captain of the guard, we were happy ta be there. It's what friends do, back ya up when ya ask them and even if ya don't."

I blinked at Goofy in surprise, he hadn't struck me as the type to be so... well-spoken in regards to friendship, but he was really was passionate about it.

My lips quirked up in a small smile, "You know Goofy, you're a great person."

He chuckled and gave me a bright smile.

"Sora's a lot like that." I remarked, shaking my head in amusement "He's alway sees the good in people and watches his friend's back however best he can. Even on the islands and as a kid. I sometimes worry about how he is willing to trust everyone and forgive them, but Sora's been a pretty good judge of character. I honestly think the keyblade couldn't have picked a better wielder."

"It picked you." Goofy said with a raised eyebrow.

I chuckled a bit weakly, "I don't know why. I sometimes wonder if it made the right choice."

"Why's that?" He gave me an inquisitive look.

"I don't have anything special." I sighed as I gazed at my hand, flexing it as though I was going to summon the keyblade, "I'm just some kid who's luck of the draw gave him a weapon of unimaginable capabilities, but it's not like I think I fit the role. Sora - I don't even have to think about it - he's definitely hero material. But as for me? I'm not strong and smart like Riku is, not boundlessly optimistic like Kairi is, not determined like Tidus, not super friendly like Selphie, or brave like Wakka. I'm just me."

"Gwarsh Niji, maybe you don't see it but I think it's pretty obvious." He said.

"What?" I said, "What is so obvious?"

"You're loyal and kind." He said happily, "The ways I see it, ya look out for your friends the best you can; just like Sora. Ya followed Sora when it would have been easier to stay in Traverse Town. Ya thanked Donald for helping ya as soon as you could. Ya don't want ta leave anyone behind, no matter what."

I blushed in embarrassment, it was always awkward for me to receive praise. I never did take it well, it was strange when someone said something about me that seemed to make me out to be better than I saw myself.

I scratched the back of my head, "Thanks Goofy."

He just chuckled.

The place we emerged from on next world looked a lot like the gladiatorial buildings that we had studied in history class. There were two statues of what seemed to be soldiers crossing blades over a huge door . Braziers were lit with shining fires and the entire front of the building was elegantly designed, being both beautiful and imposing at the same time. It looked like the entrance to some sort of famous museum or arena if they hyper-advertised themselves.

"Woah..." I couldn't help but marvel at this place, it was really amazing.

"What do you think this place is for?" Sora asked, "The only way to go is through the gates under the statues..."

I frowned, "Can't say what it is for to be frank... it could be a museum, the gates to a city, I really just don't know... but I think we ought to go inside. The best way to find out what we can do is to look around and see what is around. With luck, maybe we might find someone from around here..."

With that in mind, we strolled over to the building and pushed open the doors to enter the building.