Arthur felt a throbbing sensation all throughout his body. It had a tendency to grow and shrink in a moments notice. Arthur opened his eyes to see the most beautiful sky he had ever seen, the blues of the sky were only rivaled by one other shade, held by 2 other people, he felt the discomforting wetness at his back. He moved to sit up, though his muscles ached with every movement. He managed to get into a sitting position, with his stomach lurching forward, head down. He noticed that where he was, was a perfect reflection of the sky, it was beautiful, undisturbed, it piqued his curiosity. Suddenly, he felt a hand at his back, it did not startle him, though it probably should have. He felt warm, safe, and he couldn't help but lean back into the mystery person's hand, He felt himself in a warm embrace, it enveloped him and he refused to let go. He heard that person whisper
"Doing well I hope, my friend?" Arthur took a moment to soak in that voice, it was angelic, kind, soft, everything he loved. He couldn't describe the euphoria his body was experiencing, he felt himself drop a bit, before meeting with the face of the boy he was being held by. He concluded that he was laying his head in his lap. The first thing that he saw, which stood out intensely, would be his eyes, a beautiful Emerald green. Arthur felt himself melt into that warm, gentle, loving gaze the other male cast on him. He noticed a beautiful, velvet red scarf, wrapped eloquently around his neck, draping onto Arthur's shoulder. Arthur then noticed the hair, by Kingdom Hearts glorious light, it couldn't hold a candle to this pure form of white, it was so white it rivaled the whites of the clouds above them. His mind travelled to his words, how he was called a friend, confused, he asked
"F-friend? I don't know you… I think". The boy smiled and ran a hand through his hair, he felt his cheeks heat up at his soft, delicate hands roaming through his hair.
"You do know me… Maybe your mind doesn't, but in your heart, I'll never fade, It's been ages since I've seen you, but this isn't the way I envisioned meeting you, it can't be the end for you, you have so much to do, so much to see, so I can't allow you to end it like this, but we're short on time, you can't stay any longer, until next time, Arthur".
Arthur had too little time to come to terms with what was happening to him. One second, he was there, the next, everything was pitch black, the one after that, he was awake, with a startled gasp, peering into a sky, impressive, but nowhere as impressive as the place he just had been. He noticed his body seemed cramped up, but before he could address the issue, he was in a bone crushing hug.
"Oh Arthur!" His eyes met the sand behind the person who had hugged him, he recognized that voice, it was her, Aqua! Arthur leaned back and smiled when he saw the face of Aqua, with tears streaming down her cheeks, a smile on her face. Suddenly, he felt himself get slammed into another hug, as all his friends joined in, he never felt more loved, but he never felt so cold at the same time. He didn't know the boy that claimed to have saved him, but he felt so… Complete with him there, he wanted to speak to him more to hear that voice. Arthur couldn't think of the name, it got to the tip of his tongue,but never came through. All he could think about was 'Eph'. That couldn't have been right though, that didn't sound like a name he'd have, and as shallow as that reasoning may have been, it was everything he had, and that wasn't a terribly large amount to go by. He snapped out of his shock to address the people in front of him, they all stared at him in awe and amazement, and he loved it. He turned to Aqua and said
"Aqua, I'm so sorry for abandoning you, I shouldn't have done that, you needed me the most, and I left you… I'm so sorry". Aqua shook her head as she enveloped him in a hug
"No, this isn't your fault, you're so young, so sweet and innocent, and I know how much you cherished Ven, you should never have been expected to raise your keyblade against him, I'm just glad you're safe again". Arthur and Aqua silently cried in each others arms, but these were tears of joy. When they separated, Mickey piped up
"Gosh, I've never seen such a fast recovery in my entire life, what happened?" Arthur had to have a moment to think, he wasn't too sure himself, so he just answered
"Someone was looking out for me… Said it wasn't my time to die, he said he knew me, but I don't remember him". He smiled at the end, knowing that they'd meet again, they had to.
Wandering through the endless darkness, they only had Aqua and Arthur to guid the other three, Mickey and Riku needed rest, and could not come along, but Donald and Goofy were stuck to Sora, and Sora was stuck to Arthur, so they tagged along. They were wandering through bleak lands, and dark skies, adamant that through it all, Ven would be found amongst the darkness. Though Aqua had a pull on her heart, they were mainly following Arthur, they could only hope he was right. They encountered little resistance along the way, they were feared amongst the shadows, but that didn't mean they were safe for long. When the dark mists of the realm had cleared, they were greeted with a sight they were unprepared for. They saw a boy sat against a guard, on the staircase, it was grand, and though it was shrouded in darkness, it was a bright white, and the staircase was unmistakably familiar, as was the boy, unconscious and deep in sleep. Suddenly though, he snapped his head up at him, he looked beautiful, and he stood up, shocking all of them. Arthur felt his heart beating as fast as it could. He bolted to him, disregarding all the warnings from Aqua. He was so overjoyed that he overlooked how nonsensical everything seemed. He ignored the smirk adorning his face, because it didn't matter in that moment. He ignored everything that screamed at him that this was not right. But as he got closer, he couldn't deny something was up, but he didn't understand what it could possibly have been, that was until, he was met with yellow eyes, but by then, it was too late.
The hit was hard, but nowhere near as hard as the one Aqua gave him, but it flung him back with ease. Arthur collided with the floor, but it was by no means life threatening, or impeding. Aqua stepped in front of him and made herself his shield. Fake Ventus morphed back into his true form, the being of pure darkness, the source of their enemies, the darkness forged whole, from Ventus's heart, it was-
"Vanitas!" Sora and Aqua cried out simultaneously. The boy smirked and said
"That little dope falls for anything, doesn't he? Guess that's why Venty seems to be all over him, you wouldn't believe how much nagging and pleading he does, he just loves, loves, loves Arthur!". Aqua grimaced and glared at the boy before him, before asking
"Enough of this! Where's Ven?!" Vanitas smirked before side stepping and presenting him like he was a top tier prize for a contestant.
"Here he lies, not that it'll matter, once we are one, I'll gain control over his body, take away everything he loves, and that little sack of naive bricks will be mine". Aqua genuinely had to step back, if she was correct, Vanitas almost sounded possessive over Arthur, she needed to know more
"What are you talking about?!" Vanitas smirked and retorted
"You all are so clueless, I'm the darkness of Ventus, I am also the manifestation of his darkest desires, the type that eat at you, and consume you, seeing Arthur, weak and suffering has only fueled these long forgotten desires, so step out of my way, I won't ask again!". Aqua gasped, but summoned her masters Keyblade, Master's Defender, and readied herself against him.
"I will never allow you to hurt him, you'll have to go through all of us before we even think of doing as you demand!" He smirked and simply said
"wonder if Arthur will forgive me for putting you mutts down, guess there's only one way to find out!" With that, he launched himself at her, launching relentless assault after relentless assault, Aqua, with her unbeatable reaction timing, managed to block all of them. Sora, Donald and Goofy were tending to Arthur, who seemed to be okay, but had to be held back from running getting himself even more hurt. Once Vanitas subsided, he and Aqua just glared at each other, neither moving. Vanitas looked back at Ventus, then to Aqua, then to Arthur, Vanitas then smirked. He vanished, before reappearing in front of Arthur, and using the force of his hand to shove him back. When Arthur flew behind Sora and the other two, he reappeared behind Arthur and caught him by the back of his outfit, steadying him. He then glanced back to Ventus. Vanitas smirked as his helmet pressed against the cheek of Arthur, being next to him quenched his thirst and desire enough, in fact, it went overboard, because he felt high from being around him, feeling the fear in his heart, emanating in waves. His tight suit was able to feel every detail of the boy he was holding incredibly close to him. Vanitas had an arm wrapped around Arthur's belly, and it was very strong, though, Arthur himself, fearing what was going to happen, did not fear him any more than he usually did, in fact, his heart began beating fast as he was firmly held. Vanitas pressed the Void Gear against the center of his back, if Vanitas thrust the weapon, even slightly, they would all be treated to the display of Arthur crying and whimpering in pain as he was impaled by Vanitas's keyblade. It was right then and there that he decided if he couldn't have Arthur, he would certainly reward the effort ten fold. Vanitas scoffed and said
"Wonder how long Venty-Ven can stay snoring away when his dear friend is in such danger, wonder how much he cares? Guess Arthur is going to get a first class demonstration in how to choose your friends wise-"
"Shut up!" Vanitas was semi-shocked to see Ventus actually awake and ready to fight.
"Ah, if it isn't my brother, jealous, Ventus? Arthur's been more worried about me then you, but I suppose you got a front row seat to that, how does it feel? How does it feel to have your happiness yanked away from you? I'd really love to know". Ventus approached Arthur and Vanitas, Arthur slithered out of Vanitas's grasp, and looked back at him. The look he gave the taller boy wasn't the angry glare he was expecting, it looked like he was pleading with his eyes, then he spoke.
"Vanitas, please, please stop this, you deserve better, you're better than this, please, please stop, I'm sorry for hurting you". Arthur trailed off, holding Vanitas's still hand, he hated how it was gloved, it wasn't skin, he had never felt his face before or his hand, or any part of his body, it made him feel as if the body suit doubled as a barrier to mental intrusions as well. Arthur felt a slight squeeze from Vanitas, but as soon as he went to acknowledge it, Vanitas pulled away, before summoning a Dark Corridor and stepping through it, never breaking eye contact with Arthur. Before he vanished out of sight, he muttered
"You really are naive". Without a moment's hesitation, he snapped his fingers and the corridor closed, leaving a distraught Arthur, standing amongst his friends.
Aqua looked on in astonishment, as she saw Arthur pleading with Vanitas, their enemy, the one that tried to hurt them, and she wanted to know what would compel Arthur to speak like that to such a terrible being. "Arthur, what was that all about?" Arthur stiffened, he forgot he had to explain all of that to Aqua, and maybe Ventus, depending on if it really was Ven who was speaking to Arthur periodically. Arthur looked back to her and said
"I'm sorry, Aqua, but I don't think he's a bad person, I think there's something nestled deep down inside him". This only made Aqua frown even more, there had to be something wrong with Arthur, to just defend Vanitas like that.
"Arthur, he's not good, he's made of Darkness, he helped Master Xehanort, he tried to turn Ven against us, I'm not convinced he's changed, especially with what happened just now". Arthur looked down, sulking silently, as he whispered
"I-I'm sorry, Aqua". Aqua crouched down to his level, before putting her hands on his shoulders, and saying
"I'll explain everything to you when it's all over, these feelings, they're just your light, it wants to help everyone, but not everyone can be helped". Arthur nodded dejectedly, but that all changed when Ventus spoke up
"Uh, Arth-ow!" Ven was knocked on his butt from Arthur diving into his arms and shouting
"Venny! You're okay!" Sora and Aqua had to suppress their giggles at the nickname. Ven blushed as he saw them giggling in the background
"Of course I am, you goof". Arthur giggled and got the urge to do something probably stupid, but he did it anyways. He bent Ven's head down and pressed his lips against his forehead, making Aqua laugh, and Sora smile. Once the introductions were out of the way, they made their way back to the light, to finish it all, once and for all.
The guardians of lights proceeded through the realm of darkness, and Arthur couldn't contain his desire to talk, he had building so much up.
"Ven! I missed you so much! But I heard you speaking to me, throughout the whole journey… I really missed you". When Ven looked over, he saw a sort of sadness in his eyes "I-I thought I'd never see you again… I'm so-" Ven cut him off, not willing to hear the apology
"Arthur, stop apologizing, I'm not mad, I never could be, I love you, and that will never change, we're here, we're both here, and now, we'll never be apart again". Aqua, Donald, Goofy and Sora all pretended they couldn't hear it, but when they looked at one another, the smile they sported on their faces showed it all. Arthur smiled and linked his hand with Ven's hand
"Yeah, you're right, I can't wait to be with you, Aqua and Terra, we'll all be united again". Ven nodded, agreeing with the change of conversation.
Eventually, they came across the Castle of Dreams, and Ven and Arthur took notice
"Cinderella… Little Jaq, they're gone… No…". Arthur looked defeated, as he stared at the large white castle ahead of them. Ven looked at Arthur and tried to say something encouraging, but wasn't able to think of anything. Aqua put a hand on their shoulders
"We tried our best, we couldn't have stopped this, but I know Cinderella is okay, I can feel it, and there's no reason Jaq wouldn't be either, they're like you and Ven, inseparable". Ventus and Arthur blushed before nodding.
"Hey, I saw Zack!" Arthur said, out of thin air. Ven and Aqua looked perplexed
"Zack Fair? Hercules friend?" Arthur smiled and nodded
"He missed us Ven! Oh! I'm sure he missed you too Aqua, I know I did!". Aqua smiled, as she remembered all the times he pulled the face he was currently making. Terra and Aqua always knew Arthur to be a bit of a suck up, but they just knew that was because of how much he loved them, and it made him seem more adorable and child like, so they never complained
"And I did too, you and zack are the biggest dorks" she prodded playfully at the boy, who yelled out
"Am not! Ven's the dork here!" To which Ven said
"Hey! Don't drag me into this". Making them all share a laugh, they all continued walking, finding their way back to the cavern, so they could finally go home.
When the group got back to the Mysterious tower, Arthur smiled and pointed up at the stars and Ven shared his gaze
"It's so beautiful… It's just like you…" Ven blushed as he put a hand on Arthur's shoulder and let out a small laugh.
"Aren't you just the romantic? Got soft while I was away?" Ven prodded at Arthur playfully, making him blush and giggle.
"Hehe, you were the one who professed your love to me!" Ven playfully argued back, while Aqua, Sora, Donald and Goofy smiled. They all headed inside, to meet with the other Guardians of Light, and to prepare to finish what they couldn't finish long ago.