Chapter 13: The Fallen One: Out in the Old CountryIn the beginning, Xehanort was a bright young youth living in Destiny Islands. He lived alone with his brother, Zachary. He was only five years old when his parents died, and he had to look out for his young brother. For years, they both lived in Destiny Islands, homeless, alone , and no one took them in as their own children. Xehanort grew wrath against people while Zachary saw nothing but goodness in people's hearts. Eventually, I found them. I arrived on that world looking for a new source of light. I took both Xehanort and Zachary under my wing. They both lived with me in world far away known as Scala Ed Cailum. It was the best training ground for Keyblade Wielders at the time. There, I had Eraqus, a young pupli of mine who was also an orphan. In time, Xehanort, Eraqus and Zachary were all my apprentices. But something happened on the way there. Something I had failed to see. And it broke everything for them both.
Many years ago
"Zachary! Where are you!? We are going to a world!" said Xehanort who was sitting down playing chess with Eraqus.
"He'll be on his way. I just know it." said Eraqus smiling, looking at the chess pieces.
"Master Yen Sid want's us to go out and see the world. We can't affort to stay here." said Xehanort.
Zachary came out. He was a young man with tan skin like his brother, was a little shorter than the rest, had sandy brownish hair and he came out with a warm smile. He was the most innocent of the three.
"Where have you been. We need to go out and go to this world the Master wants us to go to." said Xehanort.
"Sorry. I was a little side tracked." said Zachary.
"Is it Mira again?" asked Xehanort folding his arms.
Zachary blushed. "I had to go see her. But she wasn't home." said Zachary.
"Her father told you not to bother her again! What were you thinking?" asked Xehanort.
"Relax. It was only a small visit. It's not like Zachary is a wicked young man with wicked desires like that one young fellow we met at the City of Bells. You know, the one who is going to be judge very soon." said Eraqus.
"Zachary, please be careful when you go visit Mira. Her father was furious when he saw you two out for milkshakes the other day." said Xehanort placing his arms on Zachary's shoulders.
Zachary was only 14 at the time, and he nodded innocently with naivete. "Sure big brother." he said.
Xehanort nodded with approval and with that the boys left outside the main hall to see Yen Sid.
"Boys, before you leave for the next world, I must warn you. This world you are about to visit has a dark force somewhere hidden from the inhabitants. You must be vigilante." said Yen Sid as stroked his dark brown beard.
"Yes Master." said the boys with a bow. Just then, Zachary looked up and saw Mira coming in. She was wearing a green blouse with orange leaves decorated on the chest and her brown hair was also decorated with flowers. She looked an awful lot like a princess. Zachary smiled and Yen Sid noticed.
"Do you wish to speak with her before you go?" asked Yen Sid.
"May I please?" asked Zachary.
"You may." said Yen Sid with a smile.
Zachary rushed over to Mira and Xehanort scowled. "He'd better not take long." said Xehanort under his breath.
"Leave him be Xehanort. He's just a boy in love. Sooner or later, you and I will have beauties of our own." said Eraqus with a wink.
"I'd rather be alone like our Master." said Xehanort in a whisper.
"I heard that young man." said Yen Sid as he chuckled.
Zachary and Mira went into the hallway and they both kissed passionately.
"I was looking for you all over! I didn't know where you were or what to do." said Zachary.
"I'm glad I was able to find you Zachary. There is something I need to tell you my love." said Mira placing her warm hands on Zachary's face.
"Before that, when would you like to meet? That other night we had was magical. Dancing under the stars, listening to soft music, and then we both shared our love. I wish to do it all over again." said Zachary.
"And we will. But Zachary, I need to tell you this before you leave. Or I can wait for you." said Mira.
"What is it my love? Your trembling." said Zachary.
"Something wonderful has happened." said Mira both in a mixture of happiness and nervousness. She then held Zachary's hand and moved it towards her belly.
Zachary's eye's widened in surprise and fear. "Are you..."
Mira nodded with a smile. Zachary turned pale.
"How long have you known?" asked Zachary.
"Just a few days ago. I meant to tell you sooner, but I had to be under the radar. I didn't want my father to know." said MIra.
"Mira. This is... is wonderful news! You just made me the happiest man alive. But we're both very young. We are both 14. It's much too soon." said Zachary.
"What are we going to do my love?" asked Mira.
"Master Yen Sid might be able to help us. He's very understanding. But don't worry. I'm going to a world with my brother and Eraqus. It won't take long. I'll be back, and when I do, wait for me here. Together, we will work on this." said Zachary.
Mira gave Zachary a kiss. "May your heart be your guiding key." said Mira as Zachary smiled and turned to face the others. He decided to keep the news to himself for the time being as Eraqus opened the portal to another world.
Out in the old Country The following world is based on The Fox and the Hound (1981)
"What were you and Mira talking about?" asked Xehanort.
"About... meeting eachother for Sea Salt Ice Cream." said Zachary.
"You hesitated." said Xehanort.
"Chill Xehanort. Zachary is telling the truth. That is all they ever do. Just go out for ice cream." said Eraqus.
"You don't even like Sea Salt Ice Cream." said Xehanort, flat out ignoring Eraqus.
"I'm fine guys. Really." said Zachary. Just then, they heard barking and faint growls in the distance.
"Get down. I hear something." said Xehanort.
The boys hid behind some bushes and they both saw a blood hound sniffing into the air. It looked really angry and full of of rage. Close behind the hound was an old man with a long rifle.
"Get him Copper! Don't let him get away!" cried the old man.
Eraqus pulled out a device from his pocket. It was a small identifier. "Amos Slade is the old man's name. The dog's name is Copper." said Eraqus in a whisper.
"Who goes there!?" cried the hunter.
"We are also hunters!" cried Zachary getting out of his hiding spot. Xehanort slapped his forhead and Eraqus shrugged. They all got up.
"We are hunting a wild animal that escaped our farm." said Eraqus.
Amos scratched his head. "Are you folks from Japan or something? You look like you are all wearing samurai clothes, if ya don't mind me asking." said Amos.
"We are! We came here by boat because the beast we are after escaped! It's a menace! It ate our live stock back home." said Xehonort. The boys were all trained to lie in case someone ever found them out.
"Well then, maybe your beast is here somewhere. I'm hunting one of my own. It's a fox. For years it avoided me, but now I have it cornered!" said Amos.
"A fox? That's what I call you." said Xehanort to Eraqus.
"Haha, very funny." said Eraqus.
"If you boys need my help with your beast, give me a holler. I'm going to catch my dog." said Amos.
"I'll go with you!" cried Zachary.
"Okay, but you better catch up boy! That Fox won't be going anywere this time!" cried Amos.
"Are you sure?" asked Eraqus.
"Maybe that fox is the darkness in this world? It's worth a try." said Zachary.
Xehanort noticed something in his brother that time. He was glowing. And Xehanort felt there was something going on. He meant to ask, but there was no time. Zachary went on ahead with Amos while Xehanort and Eraqus went together down a stream to find any clues.
"Do you think the darkness was that man? He looked hell bent on killing the fox?" asked Eraqus.
"Could be. By the way, does Zachary seem a little out of place today?" asked Xehanort.
"No not really." said Eraqus.
"Okay, just asking." said Xehanort.
Copper lost track of the fox, but he was sure he was close by. Amos and Zachary followed behind and they both decided to take a break.
"That darn fox is still close by. I'm sure I'll get him." said Amos.
"Did that fox kill anything of yours?" asked Zachary.
"It almost killed my poor Chief. He's my other hunting dog. He's at home, resting his paw." said Amos.
"Poor thing. Your Copper sure is reliable." said Zachary.
"You have no idea how helpful he is boy. So this beast you are after. What is it exactly?" asked Amos.
" I can't say for sure. It may have been a fox too. Back home, we were told this creature killed any living thing. Honestly, I don't know what we are searching for." said Zachary.
"Were those boys your friends from your hometown?" asked Amos as he grabbed out a whisky bottle from his jacket.
"The one with the silver hair is my brother. They black haired one is our friend." said Zachary.
"I see. Those two look like tough looking guys. Pardon me for sayin this, but you look rather puny like a small meek rabbit on Easter Sunday." said Amos.
"Everyone says that. I'm still learning how to hunt." said Zachary.
Amos offered him a piece of bread. "Do you want some? You look a little nervous. Perhaps this would calm your nerves." said Amos.
"Do I look nervous?"asked Zachary.
"You look like you never went on a hunt before. But don't worry. Hunting takes years getting used to. My father took me out when I was only nine years old. I remember my first rabbit." said Amos.
Zachary noodded and ate the bread slowly. Amos noticed how scared Zachary looked.
"You know, I could give you directions to my house if you want. Hunting isn't really for everyone." said Amos.
"It's not that. Its'... man I don't know what to say. I'm in quite a picke." said Zachary.
"A pickle? You don't look like a trouble maker." said Amos.
"It's not that it.s... I'm having a baby back home. And my woman is waiting for my return.' said Zachary nervously as he grabbed ahold of the bread.
"You are? You are way too young. But does your brother and friend know about this?" asked Amos.
"No. My love told me before I left. I left a happy man, but I'm scared deep inside. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have spoken like that. I'm just really scared of losing her and our child." said Zachary.
Amos pulled out his pipe and began to smoke a little while Copper stood watch. He turned to see Zachary and walked towards him to sniff. Copper then put his head on Zachary's legs to comfort him.
"You know young man. When my father took me out on my first hunt, I was scared. But he told me something very important. He told me that the whole world belongs to the brave ones. In order to live in this worlds and conquest it, you must be brave and vigilante. Why, my father would tell me stories of the brave Keyblade Wielders of old! They were all truthful and kind to the world, as well as brave. You too can be brave. Don't be afraid to go up against the current of the world." said Amos as he patted Zachary's head. The boy smiled.
Just then, Copper began to bark very loudly. The Fox was close by.
"At last! Come boy! Lets get the fox!" said Amos.
The fox and his mate were running for dear life as Copper caught up to them. In that moment, Eraqus and Xehanort watched from afar, seeing how things were playing out. Xehanort watched closely as the fox and the hound both were growling and showing their teeth at one another.
"I bet you the Fox is going to outsmart the dog." said Eraqus.
Xehanort didn't say a word as he watched the animals go at it. Copper and the fox were biting eachother and kicking eachother with their legs. Eventually, the fox went for the dog's throat and Copper shrieked in pain. They then went over to a large bush by the waterfalls and the Fox got away. Copper was about to get him until he stopped on his tracks.
"Good going Copper! We got him now!" cried Amos as Zachary followed behind. Just then, out of the bushes came a large dark monster with claws and sharp teeth. It resembled a large bear, but it was none other but a Heartless. Amos and Zachary both screamed and they both took a step back.
"Zachary!" cried Xehanort as he got his Keyblade out. Eraqus followed behind.
Amos was so scared, he failed to see a trap nearby and it pierced on his foot. Amos screamed in pain while Zachary quickly tried to help him.
"No boy! Run for it! You have a family to get home to!" cried Amos.
"No! I can't leave you like this!" cried Zachary.
"Get out of the way Zachary!" cried Eraqus as the Heartless was about to strike. Xehanort quickly held his Keyblade and held the Heartless's claw at bay. But the amount of power this crature had was too much! Xehanort was not strong enough to fight this thing. Eventually, the Heartless pushed Xehanort against a rock and he fell. Copper then attacked the beast, but pushed him out of the way, making him bark for mercy. Eraqus used his powers to help them both, but the Heartless then blinked it's yellow eyes and Eraqus felt numb on the legs.Small black Heartless appeared from the ground trying to claw their way to Eraqus's legs.
Zachary stood up and summoned his Keyblade to attack the beast. In that instant, the Heartless swinged it's large claws at Zachary's hands. The Keyblade he held fell off and then in that instant, the Heartless bare'd it's fangs on Zachary's body.
"NO! ZACHARY!" cried Xehanort in horror as the Heartless mauled him. Amos began to cry in fear and horror as Zachary was then dropped on the floor, bleeding all over the ground.
"NO!" cried Eraqus. Just then, out of nowhere, the Fox came out and attacked the heartless. With that, Copper got up and aided the fox. As the Fox and the Hound were pushing the beast away, Xehanort ran towards his little brother, who was on the floor dying.
"No, you have to get up! You have to!" cried Xehanort.
"Xehanot. L-listen... l-listen to me... I don't have much time... please take care of Mira. ... She's... going to have my baby... our baby... she's going to have it... she told me... before we left... please dear brother... take care of her... I love you... may your heart ... be your guiding. ... key..."
And with that, Zachary passed on.
Xehanort screamed in anguish and looked over at the Heartless. In his anger and hatred, he then attacked the beast and striked it on the back, forcing the creature to fall in the water falls and die.
The fox fell along side it and the hound went down to find it. Amos got up and sadly looked at the fallen Zachary. He grabbed his rifle and went to go after Copper. "If it weren't for that fox..." he said under his breath.
Eraqus walked past him and Amos looked down sadly. Eraqus paid no mind as he walked towards Zachary on the floor. He stood by his side, crying for his fallen friend.
Meanwhile, the fox was crawling out of the water and Amos aimed his rifle at him. Just then, Copper stood between the rifle and Todd.
"Copper. Get out of the way." said Amos angrily.
Copper stood his ground. He stood closer to the fox, making sure Amos won't fire. For a moment, Amos realized how foolish he had been and placed his rifle down. He looked over at a grieving Xehanort and Eraqus as they were crying for their fallen one. Amos will never forgive himself for this. He looked at Copper and patted his head.
"Okay boy. Let's go home." said Amos as he walked away slowly. Copper turned to the fox and smiled faintly.
"Todd, be careful out there." said Copper, speaking for the first time since the accident at the railway couple days ago.
"You too. Thank you." replied Todd the fox. He then turned around and his mate was waiting for him.
Amos walked towards the boys. "I'm so sorry. Please take this." said Amos as he got out a bag full of money.
"It's not much, but I hope it's helpful for a proper burial." said Amos.
"Please keep your money. We know what to do." said Eraqus, holding his tears as Xehanort was hugging his brother, crying out in anguish.
Back home, at Scala Ed Cailum, a funeral was being held in Yen Sid's training house. Yen Sid was standing before Zachary's bed, which was decorated with flowers. He was there with the other guardians of light, such as Merlin, The Fairy Godmother, the Three Good Fairies, The Blue Fairy, Mary Poppins, Tenana, Rafiki and Te Fiti. They all stood there watching over the fallen Zachary as Yen Sid spoke.
"Young Zachary, you have left this world and went on to live in the next. Your heart was pure and gentle. May the power of light and love guide you someplace safe where you will be at peace. May your heart be your guiding key. Good bye my son." said Yen Sid as he cried. Everyone in the room began to looked up at the sky as Zachary's body vanished with small fragments of light. Xehanort, Eraqus and Mira were staning there in grief as their loved one passed on.
A couple of months have passed and Mira grew gravely ill. The loss of Zachary shook her to the heart and she visited Yen Sid. There, she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy.
"Congradulations young Mira. You have given birth to a baby boy." said Yen Sid.
Mira was in bed, shaking but holding her baby sadly. However, she was so in love. "He looks like him. He looks like Zachary." she said sadly.
"What name have you chosen for the boy?" asked Yen Sid.
Mira replied happily. "Zachary and I were once speaking of names in the past. He told me a name he really liked. He considered it a strong name. The boy's name will be Terra.
Eraqus and Xehanort was in the grand hall and on that day, Xehanort planned to leave the world. Eraqus tried to reason with him, but he failed. Ever since Zachary died, Xehanort has locked himself away from the rest of the world and began to reasearch dangerous and terrible things, such as the forbidden Keyblade War.
In fact, Xehanort discovered that there were multiple wars in the past, but one war was so great, it wiped everyhing out of existance. In fact, legend had it that once the worlds were destroyed, children imagined those worlds into smaller ones. Xehanort was baffled by this discovery, and he began to dig himself deeper into his dark studies. That day, when he was about to leave, he told Eraqus what he was going after.
"Wait! Xehanort. There's a reason why the Prophets have barred us from such knowledge? Just what do you seek? Do you wish to end the worlds into nothing at all?" asked Eraqus. Xehanort flat out ignored Eraqus's plea.
"But Darkness did cover the world once in legend. We know so little about the Keyblade War. And I do wonder what would another one bring? Will it destroy the worlds as we know it and new one shall be reborn? I must have those answers for myself! I will seek them out!" said Xehanort.
"You fool. You would risk an apocalypse just for mere curiosity?! Don't do it man! Mira gave birth to your nephew! Terra! He will need you! Mira is going to die very soon and you are going to leave the baby just like that?! What would Zachary say?!" cried Eraqus.
"Still so so blind." sneered Xehanort.
"If words don't convince you, then this will!" cried Eraqus as he summoned his Keyblade and ran towards Xehanort. He turned around quickly and striked Eraqus with dark orbs from his own Keyblade. Eraqus fell to the ground, his face covered in blood.
"Has the darkness taken you Xehanort?!" cried Eraqus.
"Not your concern." said Xehanort as he turned and left the room. In a few moments, Yen Sid healed Eraqus, but sadly gave him the news that Mira has died. LIke Zachary before him, she too had a funeral and Eraqus was now given the power to take care of Terra as his own child, right after Yen Sid named him a True Keyblade Master.
Many years have passed, and Eraqus was now living in a world known as the Land of Departure, a haven close to the Destiny Islands. There, Terra grew up, along with Eraqus's own daughter, Aqua. He married long ago, but his wife too passed on. As Terra and Aqua were both in training, Eraqus recieved letters from Xehanort. It appeared his renowned his studies to look after another Keyblade wielder, a boy named Ventus.
One day, Eraqus was expecting them and they arrived. Xehanort and Eraqus were both walking down the hall.
"Where have you been all this time?" asked Eraqus.
"I was studying until I have found that the worlds each have their balance in light and darkness. I decided to leave it at that." said Xehanort.
"It's not like you to leave something you had started. That boy you brought here. Is he alright? He looked pale." said Eraqus.
"Ventus is a weak boy with very little stamina. He reminds me so much of Zachary." said Xehanort.
"He did look like him. But are you sure it's alright to leave him here? Why not Master Yen Sid?" asked Eraqus.
"The master and I are not in good terms at the moment." said Xehanort. Just then, they heard screaming and Xehanort and Eraqus went into the hallway.
"What did you do?" asked Eraqus as he watched Ventus screaming on the floor, holding his head.
"Ventus cannot tell you anything. He doesn't remember anything." said Eraqus.
With that, Xehanort left, and Ventus stayed at Eraqus's land. No one there in that place knew the true horror Ventus went through and the dark deeds Xehanrot was planning.
As fate would have it, Terra, Aqua and Ventus became a family and they all battled Xehanort in an epic battle. The old man killed Eraqus in hatred, and with that, he summoned Kingdom Hearts, the heart of the universe and the door to all worlds. Xehanort was determined to destroy it all. However, Ventus, Aqua and Terra defeated him, but at a heavy cost.
Terra, Xehanort's nephew faced him on top of the cliff during the battle.
"Adormably done. I knew this was a journey you can make. As I have forseen." said Xehanort.
"You will pay Xehanort. You will pay for killing my father!" cried Terra.
"Your father?! Your father!? Please young man! You know nothing of your father!" cried Xehanort in hatred.
"Eraqus was my father! You left me alone! You don't think I know the whole truth?! My father told me before he died! He told me you abandoned me, just as the world did to you and my real father!" cried Terra.
"Then you know that I'm your Uncle." said Xehanort.
"I never knew. But now I know, and if there is still some soul in you, then do this! Leave Kingdom Hearts! Return home! I can give you the home you never had Uncle! I'm begging you! Eraqus and Zachary would have done the same thing." cried Terra.
Xehanort then froze Terra with a powerful stop spell.
"You know nothing boy. You know nothing." said Xehanort. And with that, he used his Keyblade to strike his nephew presumibly dead. As Terra fell, his body vanished. Xehanort was left alone. Truly alone. As he turned around, he heard something. He quickly looked back again and saw a golden set of armor there holding a large Keyblade.
"No! It cannot be!" Xehanort screamed. He then used his powerful stop spell and Terra's armor froze there in suspended animation. With that, Xehanort opened a portal and vanished. Behind him was a wounded Vanitas, his second in command.
"They were powerful... Ventus... I won't let him over power me..." said Vanitas.
"Did you kill them both?" asked Xehanort.
"I striked Ventus down. And Aqua has fallen. They both are on the ground knocked out cold." replied Vanitas darkly.
Xehanort knew what to do. "I'll freeze them like I did Terra. They won't move until someone lifts the stop spell." said Xehanort.
"And what of the bodies?" asked Vanitas.
"We will take them someplace where on one will find them. Only you and I will know where they are." said Xeharnort.
A couple of years later, Xehanort realized he was getting older and his goal for Kingdom Hearts was too close, but still so far. He knew what he had to do. He had to think of a new attempt. Perhaps... if he captured the seven princesses of heart... Xehanort smiled wickedly as his plan came through on his head. Gone was was the memory of his brothers, Zachary and Eraqus. Gone was the memory of his nephew Terra. Gone was the good memories. Only Darkness was what's left in Xehanort's cold heart.
