Tis I back on this new chapter.
Chapters will not release this soon. I am just slowly getting momentum turned up. The actual plot plot of KH1 will start after a few more chapters.
First establishing how Vanitas is and I love establishing pre game young destiny trio.
So please be ready for slow starts.
This will contain spoilers for Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep, and we'll work our way up.
Disclaimer: Square Enix Characters belong to Square Enix. And Disney Characters belong to Disney.
Nothing belongs to me.
A Fragment of a Fragment
Normal Kid
Chapter 2
x
A scattered memory is like a far off dream.
A far off dream is like a scattered memory.
Was this dreaming?
It did not feel like a dream,.. but to a person who has never dreamed, it was the next best thing.
Like a dream, they were not related to him. Like a dream, they were separated from what he knew. However, the dreams were in fact not dreams.
Passing memories, both strong and faded flowed like mist over Vanitas as he slept.
The boy Sora had a small simple life.
Four years old.
He liked to go out fishing with his father, watching how the older man used nets and fishing spears to gather the fodder of the sea, and watching his mother cook. He liked to run and jump around the trees despite the scratches and bruises. He liked to scribble stuff on paper, especially crowns, swords and stars that glimmered in the night. Sora enjoyed hanging out with his best friend Riku, though they competed like rivals. The kid loved the beach and sea and sky.
He believed in Santa Claus. He thought monsters were cool.
His biggest dream was being a hero!
He was nothing extraordinary. An average kid. No important lineage, no remarkable qualities or traits.
A bit outgoing, but that was it.
On the outside, and somewhat on the inside, he was a completely normal kid.
And yet...
And yet...
Sora called out to Vanitas and Ventus, across the worlds. Sora, who must've held such a strong sense of self as to be able to manifest it as a drive, albeit a small one. A boy who often felt himself staring at the stars in longing. As though waiting for something, or someone.
Vanitas came to know this. The boy's heart brimmed with light, and it was second nature for him to follow it, to latch on to any source of positivity and make his own when he could.
It was so bright, and so... naive...
Possibly worse than Ventus!
...
It was still better than anything else.
That the half a heart could actually stay here and not fight for a sliver of something positive. Something good.
Even if none of these warm memories or hopeful joy was Vanitas'; being a fragment of a fragment, he'll take anything.
He was tired of always being denied.
Tired of always fighting for a heart!
Tired of everyone else.
Sometimes, Vanitas wandered. Awoken from this strange slumber akin to feeling underwater, but lighter than that.
His mind would be sluggish, but aware at least. Sometimes he would leave that little dark shack and drift into that bright light of the beach. Though it changed, at times the sun hung just above the horizon. Other times the stars and moon illuminated the place just as brightly as the sun. The sunrises were also just as grand. Each with its own feeling of something positive. Everything that Vanitas ever lacked in his life.
Yet still, that empty feeling remained.
Hollow.
Just like his name...
Other times on the beach, Vanitas saw faint images of boys and other kids running down, before quickly fading out.
Sometimes adults.
They were like phantoms that passed by Vanitas unaware.
Other times he delved into the dive, where the more deeper remnants of the heart manifested. The memories, permanently reflected in the mirrors, chained together throughout the fog.
Vanitas roamed this heart, learning how to navigate it. Progress was slow, but he was learning.
Bit by Bit by Bit.
The light was always constant in this heart
It was different from Ventus'.
It was less...Vanitas didn't know how to put it...Less self-pitying, less vague, flighty.
On the other hand, Vanitas could detect Ventus' light slowly intermingling with the boys.
And for the darker half, that just wouldn't do.
A certain event awoke Vanitas. It was during small brief stints earlier that were more akin to sleepwalking that the Dark fragment found a way to peer in on the outside world through Sora's eyes.
The boy's tiny shards of darkness beckoned the fragment, drawing him toward the dive into the heart. Upon the glass platform, Vanitas watched as Sora was arguing with the other boy, Riku.
Apparently, it was about whose fault it was that they lost the game. Riku believed Sora was distracted during the game, and Sora was denying, albeit with stuttering insistence.
Who was right, Vanitas did not care.
Riku had a confidence that Sora lacked. Sora followed Riku, that was always the natural way of things. Riku was the leader, and Sora listened and admired his friend. For better, or for worse.
Already, Sora knew that Riku was better than him in nearly all things. Fishing, wooden sword fighting, racing, or anything else.
It reminded Vanitas about Ventus and... someone.
Particularly, Riku reminded Vanitas of... Well, no name and face in particular, but someone similar. A confident person who was used to being the best. Used to being looked up to, and yet foolishly heralded towards any sort of power they could grab in a desperate attempt to prove himself. Stubborn and proud. Those who were used to being worshiped and praised by those younger than them, yet crumpled as soon as the status quo began to change.
Fools that could easily be turned into vessels.
There was something else about that boy.
He couldn't put his finger on it... Not yet anyway.
What he did know, is that he didn't like Riku.
And Sora was acting just as weak as his lighter half. He would not allow the heart he resided in to be weak. To crumple.
Whether or not Sora was a kid, did not matter to Vanitas.
He despised weakness.
As he was never allowed to be weak.
To have things go his way for once... well... Vanitas was nothing if not resourceful.
His disdain emitted into words. "C'mon! Don't be like Ventus!" Vanitas said this as his own anger compelled him to lash out somehow. "Get mad! Don't let this guy push you around like some wimp!"
...
It looked like Sora was ducking his head. Trying not to show his falling face and the weight of what seemed to be his fault.
Pathetic.
Before Vanitas could even turn away in disgust he felt a change. A familiar sensation. Those tiny shards of darkness, nigh invisible, began to shine.
"STOP BLAMING ME RIKU! You always do this when we lose!" He heard the voice of Sora echo. He sounded a bit angry for a little kid. "I did my best! Even losing, I did MY best!" It seemed like a struggle for Sora. "LEAVE ME ALONE!"
An angry huffing noise followed along with a different voice calling the boys name.
What happened?
Vanitas' eyes gleamed at the possibilities of what exactly this meant.
Did... did the kid... hear him?
No.
It was impossible for him to speak directly to Sora. Otherwise, Sora would have been shocked to hear a voice from his heart instead of responding like that.
Behind the helmet, yellow eyes stared at those tiny shards of darkness.
He had sensed... that Ventus' light was subtly affecting Sora's...
Could he affect this boy's... darkness?
He felt exhausted, but at the same time, this prospect colored everything anew.
Next time... next time... He...
...
His body, or whatever this form that resided in this boy's heart, became tired. Compelled, he sought out the dreamy little beach, that little shack with shade, the door cracked open for that single ray of light... and peace washed over him.
Time goes on.
A year had passed, though time was practically non-existent to Vanitas. The only tell came from Sora himself acknowledging time.
It would happen during the night. The entire day Sora felt strange and in turn, made the heart feel... off.
Not in a bad way, but, as though anticipation was palpable.
Vanitas awoke in Sora's heart as the phantasmal sun fluctuated in its brightness.
The sanctuary beach didn't make a sound. No shining water splashed against the crystal sands. No whispering winds flowed through the vibrant flora.
All was still.
As though waiting.
If Vanitas did not know any better, it seemed as though the sound was emitting from a different source.
The low droning of the collective voices chorused and echoed from the small tunnel that led into the Dive. It compelled him, lead him from the dream of this little heart.
From there, on the stained glass that flowed like water, the reality of Sora's eyes appeared before him.
Riku and Sora had been talking, still as fast friends as ever. They were walking down one of the paths from the kindergarten, taking their time in the warm breeze.
Vanitas
"Did you hear?" Riku began. "The teachers told us that there's going to be a meteor shower tonight! Y'know, the type where there is a bunch of shooting stars in the sky?"
"Really?!" Sora was excited as usual, and the light in the heart sparkled with it. Vanitas had to resist rolling his eyes. What was so good about that? "What time is this going to be?" Now Sora sounded worried.
"Way past our bedtime! There's no way our parents will let us stay up to see it."
"No way! I'll go see it no matter what!"
"If you can do that, that would be amazing." The older boy chuckled.
"Yes, I will!"
"What are you going to do? Sneak out?"
"Uh-huh!"
"You'll get caught and get in trouble. We won't be able to play if you're stuck in your room"
This seemed to irritate Sora at being told he was incapable of doing something and Vanitas took full advantage to implant a seed of mischief in the heart of the boy.
"Just you wait and see!"
It was later that night where Sora laid frustrated on his bed. The toys scattered around the room while the fairy lights were hung along the walls by pegs. Papers were scattered about with scribbles of the results of Sora imagination.
Earlier, he asked his parents about the Meteor Shower to watch it, however... they said no.
The shower is said to be coming after his bedtime and that loud festivals, lots of people and a tired young child were not a good combination.
And thus Sora was sent to bed on time as the little boy huffed in frustration.
He stirred in his bed, ruffling the sheets even further.
"I wanna see the meteors." Sora mumbled into his pillow. He refused to dress in his PJ's and stared irritated outside where he saw people illuminated by dimmed street lights, gathering on the mainland's beach to watch the meteors and where they will fall.
Sora wanted to be outside.
He needed to be outside.
And that need, pulsed strongly in his heart.
Before Vanitas could suggest to Sora, testing to see how far his influence could affect the boy, Sora decided, on his own, to sneak out.
The small boy gingerly crept out of his bedroom, as quiet as someone his small size could be. The boy spotted his parents watching television- whatever show they were watching, Sora did not care. Stealthy as a mouse, he crept past and paused at the door, unsure how to open it without making a sound.
This is where Vanitas stepped in, whispering to Sora how to open a door and be quiet about it. It was a useful ability for his...
His...
Once again Vanitas memories failed him. He knew he had to be stealthy at times... for what though...
If he didn't.. He would have been...
Sora didn't hear any voice, or specific instructions, and yet his hand gingerly touched the cool brass knob. Slowly he twisted it, not perfect, few squeaks of the springs and bolts were released tightened, but nothing to alert anyone.
Using both hands, Sora slowly opened the door and snuck away in the night.
As though on a mission, the boy crept through the streets, trying to stay out of sight. It was the type of town where nearly everyone knew each other. At least, they would know the son of one of the main fishermen of Destiny Island.
So Sora, with a strange notion in his mind, stuck to the places where the street lamps did not shine.
Deep in his heart, Vanitas smirked.
The boy had to find a place where he could watch the meteor shower without anyone spotting him.
Logically, to the small child, it made sense to go to the island where he played to get there. It only seemed natural to go there.
It was like... he needed to go there.
Down the pier- a small, little thing- was where the children of the coast docked their boats. Sora found his own easily in the dark. The half moon provided enough illumination for those blue eyes.
With practiced ease that came from learning about the sea and boats ever since he was born, Sora untied his boat and was astern at sea.
Vanitas did not know why he enjoyed this so much. He wasn't even interested in silly little lights in the sky. Maybe, it was the small acts of defying authority, something he couldn't do originally. Or, was it because his theory of manipulating the boy was being confirmed?
Even then, that strange feeling that has been building in Sora's heart, was growing stronger. Soon Vanitas felt an odd sensation that coursed through his darkness. What was it? What drew this boy who had an astoundingly strong heart towards it?
A shudder, both warming and chilling, flowed in his 'body'. Anticipation was not an accurate word.
Sora continued onward, knowing the route to the island like the back of his hand. No vision needed.
When he was almost there, did it seem like the stars began to fall from that black velvet curtain
Bright trails streaked across the night sky like threads of a grand tapestry. Blue eyes widened in awe and joy of the flying stars speeding up the rowing process towards the island.
Sora all but scrambled out of the boat, running across the darkened beach. He laughed and jumped, trying to reach out to grab the gold and silver streaks like fireflies. He wanted to fly with the stars, and see beyond.
Was there anything beyond?
The stars continued to fall, twinkling throughout the sky before fading in the darkness; Sora traveled further down the beach, close to where the Paopu Tree rock was.
He was shaking with excitement. At unknown possibilities and stories that no one else have seen.
And, then, illuminated by the moon and falling stars.
He saw someone.
A small someone, face down on the beach.
Not moving.
Acting on instinct, Sora rushed towards the person, their appearance hard to make out. He began to shake the person.
They were wet from the sea and skin was ice cold.
"Hey!" Sora cried out trying to rouse the person. All he knew was sleeping on the beach was bad.
"Hey! HEY!"
And then a noise, a small mumble and shifting by the person. Tiny and weak.
"Hey! Are you okay? Who are you? Where do you come from?" He asked the person rapidly; however, he felt the person shift their face back down in the sand, causing Sora to panic.
Feeling worried, he began to lift the person over his shoulder, a difficult task for a child but luck would have it, so was the person his size as well, and probably his age as well. Not good! He knew even adults shouldn't be this way. Slowly he dragged them away from the cold ocean and while Sora was unsure what to do, he could only try to get the person away.
"SORA!" A masculine voice called out his name, angry and worried at the same time.
It was his father. He must have realized Sora was missing from the house. The tall man was intent to drag his son back and ground him. What he did not expect was his boy looking worried carrying someone across his back.
"Dad!" He cried out, trying his best to hurry to his father, stumbling awkwardly with the person on his back. "T-this p-per- This kid! I-I! I found them! On the beach! T-they won't ope- I mean, w-wa-ke up!"
Instantly any anger the father felt for Sora sneaking out evaporated as concerned for the mysterious child Sora had.
The older man knelt down and felt how cold the child was, the child wet form was soaking his son's clothes as well.
They were breathing, but it was shallow. They needed to be wared quickly.
"Hurry to the boat, Sora." His voice was firm but calm. Taking the mysterious kid, the father and son ran back to the bigger boat.
It was more spacious than Sora's little wooden boat. It had storage spaces and supplies. The fisherman took out a blanket, thick wool, and wrapped it around the unconscious child. He got one for Sora as well and began the row back to the mainland.
It was a blur of events for the young boy who was dropped off at the house with his dad giving a quick message to his mother. Something about needing to go to the doctors while heading off, carrying the other child in tow.
His mother was both worried and angry and after a hug and a bath, she shooed him off to bed with a 'don't ever do that again' and waited until the boy was asleep.
And Sora dreamed of flying stars, glass pillars, crowns and girls flying through stars.
And while Sora dreamed, Vanitas stood still and shocked. If one could see his face, intrigue, wonder and awe, comparable to how Sora saw the Meteor Shower earlier. A desire flowed in him.
Now he understood why Sora's heart was attracted to that place tonight.
That girl... that girl was full of light.
Not a single shred of darkness.
It... it was almost like...her.
He also remembered something.
Shooting stars, meteor showers, and a star blinking out, that meant...
A world ended.
The old man... told him as such...
And speaking of which... he must have been defeated. Otherwise, a girl like the one on the beach would not exist if the worlds have been equalized or consumed by darkness.
Defeated, but not completely.
Maybe it was a gut feeling, but Vanitas knew his former Master had backup plans upon backup plans.
And the fact that a world disappeared... Maybe it was a long stretch, even paranoia, but Vanitas knew it was in fact caused by the old man.
So he was still alive...
And as Sora slept, Vanitas hatred grew.
He remembered a bit more. Vivid sparks of affliction, fear, and gloom. Fury and Bitterness. Pain like molten hot rods and despair like a never-ending pit.
Training. Is what the man called it.
...Even without proper memories, Vanitas had to resist the urge to clutch his arms. Fear was like an icy hand enshrouding his helmet, and the shock of lightning right into the blood veins
There is a reason why Ventus forgot.
The old fool wished to equalize darkness and light. Vanitas could tell you being a thing of pure darkness... it wasn't that great.
He craved light, so much of it. Even if it wasn't his.
And when Sora got near that girl.
Light bloomed in his entire heart.
What a wonderful feeling.
Did Ventus feel this? Every day since he forgot? This joy? This happiness?
The loathing for his lighter half and all the things he had increased.
He was tired of Ventus' getting everything. And this light? The light of this boy's whose heart unknowingly accepted him? He would not share it.
He would not lose it.
Just like how no one shared it with him.
No one would take this feeling away.
End of Chapter 2
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