Kingdom Hearts 3 Aftermath
Chapter 6 Keyblade Inheritance
AN: I am releasing one update each of my 2 most popular stories today! Its my birthday! Send me lots of reviews and well wishing's k? (I might add music in future chapters. What are you thoughts?)
The memory changed once again to a sunny Destiny Island with 2 children. Sora and Riku at age 4 and 5 respectively were having another carefree day on the Destiny Islands. Riku had his short silver hair and green eyes with a slightly taller build then his friend Sora who had spiky brown hair and bright blue eyes.
Olette instantly squealed when the memory showed younger Sora and Riku. "You were so cute! Sora was too!" Olette cooed getting an annoyed grunt from Riku. Namine smiled at how carefree Riku looked without a worry on his face. Kairi smiled fondly as one of her first memories was meeting Sora and Riku and they were slightly younger then their first meeting.
"Gotta say it is kinda nice to see the 'strong Master' as a little tyke. It is certainly nice to see you without a smirk or frown." Lea said with a laugh shared with Roxas. Riku got slightly embarrassed at seeing everyone comment on his much younger self.
"I think it is nice Riku. Plus Sora looks basically the same but smaller." Xion said with a smile.
"Yeah. To be honest I have changed alot when I was a kid but at his heart, I think Sora is basically the same innocent child he was growing up on these islands." Riku noted while Donald and Goofy laughed thinking Sora was more mature but still rather childish.
"I wish some day soon we can all be together and carefree again." Kairi whispered sadly while Namine hugged her tightly.
"We will get that knucklehead back and we have the peace we earned." Riku assured her with Donald and Goofy agreeing instantly. This made Kairi smile slightly in appreciation.
"So that is how Sora and Riku looked like as kids huh?" Ventus noted to both Aqua and Terra surprise.
"You mean you never met them before as kids?" Aqua said in slight shock.
"No I connected with Sora's heart but the only time I was on Destiny Island I guess everyone was busy or something." Ventus admitted while Terra looked thoughtful.
They were having another race across the bridge connecting the little island to the main island.
"You two don't change huh? Still having races and contests even after I showed up." Kairi said in a teasing tone of voice.
"Yeah except when you arrived Sora starting taking them more seriously wanting all your attention." Riku said with a laugh making Kairi blush slightly. Olette was trying not to squeal at how adorable Kairi and Sora love life was while Donald and Goofy smiled noticing how often Sora watched romantic moments in certain worlds with a wistful look. Especially during the second and third adventures. They knew for certain now it was because he imagined him and Kairi in those moments.
Aqua smiled slightly as she could tell that her protective spell on Kairi really did lead her to the best of friends especially Sora who she saw meant the world to Kairi. Namine beamed slightly making Riku smile knowing more then anyone the feelings between Sora and Kairi.
Roxas whispered to Xion "Kairi really is the girl Sora likes huh?".
"Of course! Why else do you think I look like her? His memories of her were the most important after all." Xion whispered back with Lea grinning.
Riku and Sora were tied in speed although Sora shorter legs meant he had to spend more energy to keep up.
"Wait up Riku!" Sora whined panting to keep up.
This got a laugh from everyone as they could despite being a competition both children had the time of their lives just running.
"You are too slow Sora." Riku said slightly smug as they ran past the shack. They unknowingly passed the Keyblade wielder Terra who happened to visit the Destiny Island by chance.
Everyone turned to Terra as his face lit up in recognition.
"Terra you never told me you went to the Destiny Islands before?" Ven said with slight annoyance making Terra sigh and pat his shoulder.
"We really need to catch up after this is all over." Aqua said firmly as both of her friends nodded with Ven nodding more eagerly.
Namine saw Riku eyes widen as well as she mouthed 'You know what is happening?'
Riku nodded slightly glad they had this connection after her revival.
"This place is so calm and peaceful." Terra said looking with particular interest at the star shaped Papao fruit which had the same shape as the Wayfinders his friend Aqua made for him and Ventus.
At this point all three of the friends brought out their own wayfinders making Mickey smile at their reunion. Kairi pulled out her own personal lucky charm making Aqua perk up and ask "Kairi is that?".
"Yeah it's a lucky charm I made for Sora but he gave it back to me before the final battle." Kairi said sadly as Roxas noticed the peculiar shape and summoned out Oathkeeper.
"Roxas why did you summon one of keyblades?" Lea said in surprise.
Roxas lifted Oathkeeper up and pointed to the keychain which was the same Wayfinder that Kairi currently holding to Kairi's shock and everyone surprise.
"When I first summoned this keyblade I felt a light from it unlike when I used Sora keyblade. Maybe it was your light shining it to Sora?" Roxas said thoughtfully.
This made Kairi smile and she said "Thank you Roxas for telling me this. It is nice to know it helped keep Sora safe." This made Xion beam at Roxas who had a sheepish expression while Riku smiled knowingly sure she made that wayfinder especially for Sora as proof of her feelings even without him knowing.
By the time Sora and Riku reached the beach both of them were panting with Sora abit more exhausted. Riku turned around and saw a grown-up stranger on the smaller island. Terra looked at Riku with interest as he jumped down the bridge. Terra saw past Sora to focus on Riku who looked back at the older boy.
Despite Sora in the memory not minding a few people instantly got annoyed on Sora's behalf particularly Roxas, Ventus, Donald, Goofy and Kairi. Aqua had a frown as she saw Terra was playing favourites despite not knowing either boy at the time. Xion also looked displeased while Mickey and Yen Sid had an idea why Terra was focusing on Riku only. Isa looked surprised that the boy who had connections with everyone was being ignored by one of the previous keyblade wielders.
"Dude not cool." Lea said with a frown.
"Terra explain yourself! Both boys are there and one of them isn't a tree that can't feel!" Aqua asked in a stern and furious tone of voice.
Terra was at a lost as he didn't believe it was that big a deal when he selected Riku as his successor but looking at the memory he saw it almost looked like he thought Sora was part of beach not worth noticing.
Riku looked down remembering when he was overtaken by darkness, he used this incident to somehow prove he was better then Sora by stealing his keyblade from him and gloating about it. Namine looked at Riku with concern who quickly shook off her concerns as everyone else was looking at the uncomfortable looking Terra.
"Look I can admit it know that it was shorted sided to judge one boy so favourably especially since as a keyblade wielder we are suppose to treat everyone with kindness." Terra said with honest shame making everyone frown at him but let it go.
Ventus looked suspiciously at Terra while Aqua whispered in his ear "You are going to perform the Bequeathing, aren't you?". This greatly surprised Terra while Aqua gave him a look like 'it will explain later how I know.'
"Sora I am going to ask that stranger why he is here. Wait here for me ok?" Riku requested of Sora who frowned but nodded. Sora figured if Riku thought it was safe he would wait.
Despite the somber atmosphere everyone could not help but smile as even now Sora would typically trust Riku's instance just like the memory showed.
Riku thought to himself 'Your instincts are sometimes better then mine Sora.'
Sora saw Riku walk up to the brown-haired man who started chatting with Riku. It was too far for Sora to hear but he did see a flash of light in the stranger's hand and a strange brown object appear in his hand.
"Woah Terra what do you plan to do with that Keyblade?" Roxas said with slight fear of him summoning it randomly to kid Riku. This greatly confused Ventus, Terra and Aqua when a vast majority of room besides Mickey and Yen Sid had equally surprised looks.
"I am about to perform the Bequeathing for young Riku." Terra answered only to get confused looks from almost everyone. Riku looked up in realization of the name of the thing that happened to him as a kid.
It kind of looked like a sword but had a weird shape. He saw the stranger offer the back end of the sword to Riku who gently touched it and smiled.
"Wait you don't know what a Bequeathing is?" Aqua said in general shock at the confused looks on fellow keyblade wielders and a guilty look from Mickey along with a stoic expression from Yen Sid.
"Ok can somebody please tell us what this 'bequeathing' is? All we saw is Riku touch Terra's keyblade. Is that suppose to mean something?" Lea said in annoyance at being left out of the loop, this was also shown on several impatient peoples face.
"The bequeathing or Keyblade inheritance Ceremony is the method for Keyblade Wielders to grow the hearts of people so they can summon a Keyblade later on in life. Another way to put it is it is the method for Keyblade Wielders to basically create more future wielders." Ventus explained shocked that so many current wielders did not know this simple fact. He knew Terra and Aqua were taught by their master Eraquas and even he was told about this by Xehanort (not remembering he was told long before by his union leader Ava).
"Wait that is how the Keyblade is passed on? I thought you simply needed a strong heart?" Kairi said with some shock.
"Having a strong heart is not enough Kairi. You need to have been bequeathed or have direct connections to a Keyblade wielder to actually summon and use one. In a matter of fact, you accidently inherited my power when you grabbed my Keyblade in fear all these years ago." Aqua explained gently getting a surprised look from Kairi and everyone else. Not even Mickey realized that Kairi had made herself a Weidler by accident.
"So Vanitas had one because he was your dark half Ven?" Donald asked connecting the dots.
"Yeah. Just like Roxas and Xion summoned their own from previously being apart of Sora." Ven stated getting understanding looks from Xion and Roxas who looked at each other thoughtfully.
"Wait a minute! I am not apart of someone and nobody gave me the bequeathing so how do I have one?" Lea asked realizing he was not directly connected to any of the previous Keyblade wielders.
This stumped everyone including Yen Sid and Mickey until Ansem the Wise decided to speak up. "Now this bequeathing is news to me but based on a guess I would say that your situation is bit different. Perhaps your deep connections to both Roxas and Xion who became keyblade wielders due to Sora changed your heart to be capable of summoning a keyblade."
Lea looked at his best friends thoughtfully who shrugged while Mickey sand Yen Sid nodded slowly. Aqua would've thought it would be impossible by the ideas of Heartless and Nobodies in itself was still rather strange so she decided to let it go.
Now Aqua looked sternly at Mickey and Yen Sid and said in a very annoyed tone of voice "Now can you fellow Masters tell me how this wasn't explained to the current generation of Keyblade wielders? This is like basic of the basic and they just learned it from a memory?"
While Mickey looked down and guilty Yen Sid said calmly "It wasn't necessary with the war going on to hold their hands and explain every little minor thing." This made him get heated glares at how dismissive he sounded while Aqua started to understand why Riku would want to punch the older retired Master.
"Well it sounds like to me that you were planning to send Riku and Sora out without any information." Ventus said in a rather heated tone of voice ignoring Yen Sid stern expression.
"The three of you disappeared over 10 years ago and Mickey and I had no way to find which worlds the future wielders were at." Yen Sid said calmly getting several members to reluctantly agree with this logic. Riku still looked annoyed but figured slugging the old master here and there wouldn't help anything.
Mickey whispered to Yen Sid "We really should've told them some of this before we sent Sora and Riku off."
"Mickey it is in the past now." Yen Sid said sternly while Mickey sighed at his old master stubborn nature.
Meanwhile Kairi said in an excited tone of voice "I wonder if we see who Sora got his power from?!" making a lot of people intrigued. Only Ven saw the guilty look on Aquas face wondering if she too had decided to pass on blessing Sora. He heard she accidently blessed Kairi but it was well known that a Keyblade Master could choose multiple people to bless with power.
After a minute Riku walked back to Sora who saw the man walk away without looking back at either of the kids.
"Geez not even afterwards do you stay and say goodbye." Ventus said in grumpy tine of voice at his caretaker being ignored by one of his best friends. Terra sighed seeing Ventus so annoyed with him while Aqua smiled patting Vens head to try to pacify him.
"Riku what was that about?" Sora asked curiously.
"Sorry can't tell you. It was a secret." Riku said resolutely.
"Aw come on! I am the best secret keeper!" Sora whined as they started walking back to the treehouse.
"That expression reminds me of Ven when we first met him and we finished training for the day! He had the same kind of pout!" Terra claimed with a laugh along with Aquas giggle. Ven frowned and whined trying to deny it but his expression proved their point getting a small chuckle from everyone else.
"Nice try. I made a promise." Riku said with a slight grin as he smiled at his best friends annoyed face.
"You sure haven't changed much over the years Riku." Kairi said in a teasing tone of voice.
"Hey! I have matured plenty thank you very much." Riku said with a fake annoyed tone of voice before changing it to a warmer tone "Besides Sora is the one who hasn't changed. He is still the carefree guy we grew up with."
"Yeah Sora hasn't changed has he?" Kairi said in a fond sad tone of voice as she thought of the warmth of his smile. As much as Namine and Aqua wanted to comfort her they could see she was thinking of Sora.
A new memory appeared with Riku and Sora once again on Destiny island in the same clothes. Aqua had followed a bright light to a world filled with light. It was the Destiny Island which was a world filled with vast oceans and several islands.
"Hey Aqua you are also meeting them too!" Ventus said with excitement and abit of envy.
"Hey now! Its not like it was the end of the world or anything. Besides Sora and Kairi forgot about the meeting with me and Riku only vaguely remembered me anyways." Aqua said with a smile as both Riku and Kairi looked abit embarrassed. Ven cheered up remembering that although he hadn't met any of them Sora linked his destiny for many years.
Aqua landed her keyblade glider on the sand and disengaged her armour. She looked around until she saw a tree filled with star shaped fruit. This got her attention instantly as she pulled out her homemade wayfinder that had the same star shaped form.
"This may be the most peaceful world I have ever been too to be honest." Aqua said with a smile as Terra nodded slightly and Ven looked thoughtful.
"Yeah it maybe a small world but a world full of peace." Riku noted with a content smile.
"When we find Sora we gotta have another beach day!" Roxas said with pure determination making Lea laugh and Xion giggle in agreement.
"I suppose since we have free time it won't be bad to have day at the beach." Isa said in calm but secretly happy tone of voice.
"That star shaped fruit appeared in the other memory too. Wonder what is special about it?" Pence asked Olette. She shrugged but decided to ask for their sake.
"Excuse me. Can you please tell me what's the yellow star shaped fruit?" Olette asked politely.
Kairi decided to answer the question "It is called a Papao fruit and legend says when 2 people share it their destinies become linked forever. They will always be a part of each other lives." Kairi answered with a smile remembering that they kept each fruit without biting into it yet.
Some people notably smile realizing what Kairi was thinking about while Olette thought 'Maybe Kairi wants to share one with Sora? They do seem to want to be in each others lives forever.'
"This must be where the real fruit grows." Aqua said warmly as she looked around until spotting two children running underneath a bridge. The Taller one with silver hair was slightly ahead of the shorter one with brown hair.
"Us again and it looks like I am winning Sora." Riku said with a mild smug expression getting a playful chiding punch on the shoulder by Namine making Kairi smile. Aqua smiled at the carefree expression and honestly wished that these children did not have to go through these trials despite saving the worlds.
"Looks like I win again Sora." The silver hair one said with a smile as the browned haired one panted slightly in exhaustion.
"Come on Riku! Lets race again!" Sora said to his friend until Riku pointed at Aqua who decided to greet the two children. She leapt off the bridge and landed gracefully making Sora jump in surprise.
Aqua sighed in remembrance as Riku, Kairi, Ven and Terra looked at her in concern. "Its nothing bad but when I look at Sora, Riku and Kairi I cannot help but see you as the little children I met all those years ago." Aqua said a find smile getting a smile from Riku and a happy grin from Kairi.
"Time changes us all." Yen Skid said wisely as everyone especially Terra, Ventus and Aqua took it in.
Ven whispered to Terra "Everyone here looks so different from when I met them except Mickey, Donald and Goofy. They still look the same as 11 years ago!"
Terra looked thoughtful and whispered back "You are probably right about that."
Xion and Roxas looked at each other and saw neither of them changed much in the time they knew each other. Namine looked at the much taller Riku then when they first met while Riku saw that Namine matured abit but didn't grow very much taller.
Aqua giggled in response and introduced herself "My name is Aqua. What are your names?" She asked kindly.
"At least Aqua is polite." Donald squawked still abit annoyed that Sora was overlooked by Terra completely.
"Aqua is one of the nicest people I know." Ven said as Aqua pat his head fondly and Terra shrugged.
"Riku." The silvered hair boy answered calmly.
"The names Sora!" the brown-haired boy said with a huge grin rubbing the back of his head in excitement.
'This boy has a serene look on his face like Terra.' Aqua thought to herself as she looked at Riku. The memory showed Terra standing next to Riku with a similar expression. 'and this boy is the spitting image of Ven!' She thought happily as she looked at Sora who had Ven next to him with the same happy expression.
"You know it just be this memory but it really is pretty uncanny how much Riku looks like Terra and Sora look like Ventus." Mickey said in surprise.
Terra and Riku looked at each and nodded, Ventus had a huge grin as he thought it was great Sora was like him especially since Sora himself had the same passion for making friends.
"I am sorry to interrupt the moment but are we hearing from inside Master Aquas thoughts?" Ienzo said with surprise. Aqua eyes widened as she remembered merely thinking this and not saying it out loud.
"How is this possible? The last memory Sora and us couldn't hear what Terra was saying to Riku but this time we are actually hearing Aquas thoughts." Mickey said in shock.
As everyone was looking at each other for answers Ienzo turned back Ansem who looked thoughtful.
"Master do you have an idea?" Ienzo asked eagerly.
"This is only a guess but perhaps Soras memories themselves are so powerful when he feels a connection with somebody, he unintentionally reads their hearts? Young Sora may not be old enough to appreciate it but he made a connection no matter how small with Aqua and the memory themselves are showing that result?" Ansem hypothesized to everyone awe. Aqua looked touched that Sora felt a connection with her even at that age and felt even more guilt on what she wasn't going to do. Namine nodded her head knowing full well the power of Sora memories and connections to people.
'Maybe one of these boys will be special expression for a keyblade?' Aqua thought to herself as she stared at an oblivious Sora intently.
"Aqua are you going to pass your powers to Sora as well?" Kairi asked Aqua who looked away much her shock and everyone else. To most people Sora would've been Aqua ideal successor due to their similar personalities and values.
'I think he is the one I am meant to pass on my powers to.' Aqua thought to herself as she reached her hand out ready to summon her Keyblade for the ceremony but she looked at Riku and saw a faint glow.
Terra and Riku widened their eyes as Aqua looked down.
'This boy has already been blessed by the ceremony… Could it be Terra chose this boy?' Aqua thought to herself looking at the curious Riku. Her right hand which was going to summon Rainfall instead reached on top of Sora head and patted him gently and her left hand patted Riku gently.
Everyone was silent as the implications kicked in. Riku by being blessed with Terra may have however unintentionally stolen Soras chance to get a Keyblade or himself. Ven closed his eyes and realized if Terra and Aqua passed over Sora something to do with him must be the reason why Sora got a keyblade later on (along with his replica and nobody).
She smiled at both of them making Riku raise an eyebrow and Sora to grin brightly at the older woman. "Sora you like Riku right?" Aqua asked Sora carefreely.
"That's a statement. He can barely go without a day without worrying about Riku and Kairi." Dandle said with a sigh trying to lighten up the mood getting a silent chuckle.
"Maybe a day for me but its like a minute for Kairi." Riku clarified getting a blush from Kairi and a grin from everyone else.
"Of course! He is my best friend!" Sora answered instantly while Riku had a small smile on his face.
"Then if Riku ever loses his way you will help him find his way back ok?" Aqua asked warmly ruffling Sora brown locks.
Kairi turned to Riku who looked thoughtful. "Well Sora is always the find the right path so I guess your words reached him Aqua." Riku said quietly making Aqua beam. Ven smiled too as much as he didn't like being treated as a child he could admit to himself that he enjoyed Aqua affection. He remembered how happy he was when his first reunion with Aqua was filled with love.
Sora was confused but nodded anyways while Riku gave a curious look at the idea of losing his way. Aqua gave them one last warm smile before she starting walking away. Sora gave her a curious look before getting called away by Riku.
"It looks like despite personally liking both boys you leaned towards Sroa from the beginning." Terra noted as Aqua tried to deny.
"Its ok Aqua knowing you for a short time I can see you are familiar in personality to Sora." Riku assured her making Aqua sigh in relief as she didn't want to look unfair.
"One Keyblade is enough for any friendship." Aqua whispered to herself with a hint of regret on not performing the ceremony on Sora.
"I thought it was right at the time but hearing what Sora has done for the worlds I feel true regret not at least doing this for him." Aqua said with true regret as Ven held her hand and Terra put a hand on her shoulder. As much as Roxas and Xion wanted to be mad at Aqua for not making Sora a proper keyblade wielder they could see the regret on her face. Lea felt bad for Sora as both of his friends had been chosen but he passed over (for different reasons). Mickey and Yen Sid were rather curious how Sora actually possessed a keyblade as they never sensed the Bequeathing done on him and these memories proved it so how was Sora capable of using the Keyblade and retaining that power?
"I wouldn't wish our lives in those innocent children, keyblades ruin friendships." Aqua said to herself as she prepared to leave the world. She thought of how having keyblades ruined the friendships between her, Terra and Ven.
"Aqua." Terra said sadly.
"Aqua" Ven said sadly.
"I am wrong. It wasn't the keyblade that broke our friendships apart. It was me." Aqua said with a sigh ignoring Terra and Ven's look of disbelief. "I treated you like a child that could not fight for himself Ven and refused to give you a chance to fight alongside us." Aqua said regretfully to Ven.
"I called you awful Aqua and I am so sorry!" Ven apologized while Aqua smiled softly and ruffled his hair.
"No, you were right. I was awful for letting a title separate us. And Terra I didn't trust you either." Aqua said sadly as Terra shook his head.
"No, you were right I did need to be watched and I pushed Ven aside when he offered to help." Terra said bitterly as all three of them were caught up in their mistakes.
"Hey. I can't pretend to know what you three went through but you are all together right? That means the past is the past and you should enjoy each day from now on." Kairi said with a smile getting a laugh from the trio.
"She right all we can do Is look forward not focus backwards." Ven said a smile seeing a lot of Sora personality in Kairi.
'I hope the day where Riku needs the keyblade never comes and I hope Sora will forgive me for not passing onto the power to him.' Aqua thought to herself with a sense of dread as she flew away from the Destiny Islands.
Riku looked down and said "Aqua you should've performed the Bequeathing to Sora. He deserved it more then anyone and besides Sora and I ended up…."
This got worried looks from Ven, Terra and Aqua wondering if Riku and Sora ended up fighting like they did. Donald and Goofy looked down thinking maybe this decision was why they had to abandon Sora for a short while to follow the keyblade in Rikus hands.
"I can at least make it up to Sora when he returns, I will personally bequeath him my power so he wont ever have to feel like an outcast again." Aqua declared getting beams from Ven and Kairi, nods from Riku and Terra, happy smiles from Roxas, Xion and Lea and a frown from Yen Sid.
He was fairy traditional and a Bequeathing was a tradition to create new Keyblade wielders not to be used on existing ones. He decided he would need to have a chat with Aqua about making an exception for Sora.
"Ok I might be missing something but if Terra and Aqua ended up not doing the Bequeathing to Sora along with Mickey and Yen Sid not knowing where Riku and Sora were at the time… How did Sora, Roxas, and Xion end up getting the power?" Lea asked the question on everyone mind.
"Perhaps Ventus passed the power to Sora?" Namine suggested as Aqua shook her head.
"It wouldn't be possible. To perform the Bequeathing someone on the level of Master like myself, Terra, Riku, Mickey or Yen Sid would need to perform the ceremony. Ven may be skilled but without the experience and training me and Terra had he would not be at the level if he wanted to pass it to Sora." Aqua explained getting a reluctant agreeing nod from Ven.
"Guys I might have an idea. If I am right the next memory should explain why Sora could awaken the powers of a Keyblade wielder despite not having a formal or informal Bequeathing like Riku and Kairi." Ven exclaimed getting surprised look.
"Wait Ven I thought you said you didn't meet Sora as a child?" Aqua asked a little peeved at the idea if him lying to her.
"I said I never met in person Sora or Riku." Ven said with a grin making them realize it was possible he had another encounter with their hearts.
"Ansem please start the next memory." Riku asked Ansem who nodded his head typing on the computer.
AN2: I changed the dialogue abit for Aqua to show her thoughts and reason for not performing the Bequeathing on Sora. Plus it shows some foreboding in her decision not to make Sora a proper Keyblade wielder (the events of KH1).