Hey everyone! Things are going to get interesting. Since we are getting to the end of KH 1, things will be diverting away from the main storyline, but thing are going to get interesting.
So let's get on with the story!


Tenebrae wasn't sure what to do. He had come back to the Realm of Darkness to recharge. But he had a nagging feeling. One that made him feel guilty, for not doing anything. His heart was telling him to help, but help with what? What could he do in a fight that wasn't his? It wouldn't have been right.

"None of these people have any connection to me," Tenebrae sighed. He met Shaylex by chance, recently as well. And Maleficent, Riku, and Sora were people she knew. "Why should I feel guilty for not doing anything?"

Tenebrae had lost his will to fight for now. He made camp and messed with his element. He was both happy and sad with the color it became. His flames used to shine as bright as Light. But now, they were corrupted like him. The purple flames taunted him.

"Maybe she has more of a connection than you think?"

Tenebrae groaned as he saw Heloa and Hashley walk up to him. Both looked like predators ready to pounce. He really didn't want to deal with them. They were too strong to fight on his own.

"And what makes you say that?" Tenebrae looked up with a raised eyebrow. "She may not have been part of the Unions, but a Dandelion could have given her a Keyblade. If that were the case, I still don't see your point."

Heloa walked behind Hashley and put his hands on her shoulders. Hashley seemed to shudder in pleasure. "She is the point. She is a key to one of your answers. The one who holds certain… memories."

'Memories?' Tenebrae looked quizzical, "And why should these memories matter to me? I don't even know who she is."

"You may not," Hashley giggled. "But I do. I know you, and I know you are a coward! You ran away and left us to die. Heloa even asked you to stay and fight."

'Did she mean Keval?' Tenebrae thought, 'I didn't even talk to him before I left.'

"Heloa doesn't know me," Tenebrae said, "It was his other, his Light, that I knew. Whatever THAT is," Tenebrae pointed to Heloa, "I don't know it. And I'm tempted to destroy both of you."

"Can you though?" Heloa smirked. "I know who you are and your darkest fear. And you are a coward, I can tell."

Tenebrae growled as he waited. He wasn't prepared to deal with the two of them. Hashley was able to outmaneuver him. Heloa seemed to have the strength of a master, he could tell.

"Chirithy got your tongue?" Hashely giggled. "Or are you finally going to accept my darling as your Master. You know you can't beat us."

"SCREW YOU!" Tenebrae summoned Kingdom Key D and rushed the two Dark Beings. "Dark Firaga Surge!" Dark flames shourded Tenebrae as he charged at the pair.

Heloa just smirked. Right before Tenebrae reached Hashley, a bolt of lightning made of Darkness struck him. Not only did it hurt badly, but it stopped him in his tracks.

"GAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!" Tenebrae screamed in agony as electricity coursed through his body. It wasn't even normal lightning. It was mixed with ailments that forced Tenebrae to the floor.

"Told you," Hashley said in a mocking tone. She raised her hand, poised to strike. "You still have that pesky Light in you. Why don't we take care of it?"

"No, no, no," Heloa said, grabbing her arm. "If we do it, he won't be one of us. He needs to want to get rid of it himself. You do realize how weak you are now, Tenebrae?"

Tenebrae struggled just to look up and glare at him. This was insane! A Heartless should not have had so much power. Adding Hashley's abilities made it asinine. Tenebrae knew he was too weak now, but why did it have to be like this?

Hashley got out of Heloa's grip and crouched by Tenebrae. "You know, I have memories of you abandoning everyone. Though you look a lot different. All Heloa wanted at the time was to be your friend. And What did you do? You mocked him and belittled his birthright. He is a natural born leader," She stepped on his head, "And you are nothing but a spineless little bookworm, that no one likes!" She kept stepping on him, even kicking him.

Heloa chuckled as Hashley kept kicking him. The Keval look-a-like seemed to be enjoying the display. Tenebrae saw a look of disappointment and glee. It looked like he was waiting for Tenebrae to break.

Hashley reared back and kicked Tenebrae into a nearby cliff wall. The impact cause him to cough up some blood. He fell to the floor with a thud. Almost every fiber of his being screamed in agony. The lightning was still in his system, and there was no way he could win.

"Hashley dear, he has had enough." Heloa walked up to the two. "I think we proved that his power is insufficient. So long as he retains his Light, he will never know true power."

"I think you're right, darling," Hashley said sweetly. "Light is a weakness. And now you know, bookworm. But consider that payback for ditching the war."

The two beings walked away. Tenebrae could only wallow in pity as they did. How could he be so weak? What was missing?

'I*s this why the Darkness is feared?' Tenebrae thought. His nerves and senses realigned, and he was able to move. 'I the Darkness was strong, and I know I've gotten stronger. But there is such a big difference in power. Has the Light always made people weak?'

Tenebrae limped to a safe zone. He couldn't figure it out, but there was something interesting. Hashley and Shaylex. Shaylex said she met another Union Member but had no memories before the Keyblade War. Hashley had memories that made it obvious she was there before the War. They looked the same but had different styles.

'But Shaylex has a Keyblade. Hashley fought bare handed. How could it be possible?' Tenebrae thought back to their conversations. 'Wait a sec. Shaylex had mentioned her friend, Kairi, losing her heart but no Nobody was created. I know hearts could fall to Darkness, but what could that mean for hearts of Light. I wonder…'

Tenebrae needed more time to think. His mana was low after his recovery, and he could barely stay awake. It took all he could to stay awake and heal. He rested for what he believed was the night, He needed more information. -

Tenebrae wasn't sure how much time had passed before he woke up. He did know it couldn't have been more than a day. His wounds had recovered, and his man was charged.

There was a change on the wind. Tenebrae felt like it was Maleficent's doing. He headed toward the source of his feeling. He found himself back at the bright beach. The sands and waves almost filled him with Light, but it wasn't enough.

He walked to the same door, set inside a tree's roots. He opened it and was surprised to see a pair of figures. He recognized the woman he saw a while ago, and next to her was an anthropomorphic mouse. The mouse seemed to be wielding the Keyblade he saw inside before.

'And what do you need that for?' Tenebrae thought, as he hid beside the door.

Before his inquiry could be answered, a swarm of Heartless shot pst him into the door. They coiled around the pair and threw them out. He used the opportunity to run inside. In the distance was a large set of double, with a stain glass window above and in the center of each door. The door was ajar as the Realm of Darkness seemed to pour out of it.

'No way… It's can't be!' Tenebrae was awestruck. This presence, it felt just like the moon in Shaylex's world. Kingdom Hearts! 'None of this is making sense. Kingdom Hearts can't be accessed like this. Legends told of a special key.'

Tenebrae walked to it and examined the door. It was an immense power; one he had no hope of matching. 'But maybe one I can use. It's possible for Darkness to leave. Can a Key of Darkness gain entry?'

Tenebrae jumped back and summoned Kingdom Key D. He held the Keyblade up in front of him. He began to chant, "Oh, Kingdom Hearts, Light of the Worlds. Power beyond that of the Keyblade." He raised the Keyblade as a light shined from it. "With this Key of Darkness, I ask for passage to the Light. With this Key, I seek strength to grow stronger. With this Darkness, I seek to protect the Light!"

Kingdom Hearts flashed. Tenebrae wasn't sure if it worked. He did feel a force call to him. Readying himself, Tenebrae made a dash for the door. He jumped through the Light and saw his shadow connect him to the Realm of Darkness. "Go away!" He cut his shadow and was sent flying into an abyss. As he fell, he summoned a portal, hoping to mimic Shaylex's corridors. It opened and he fell through.

Tenebrae exited the portal and landed face first on smooth stone. When he sat up, he saw the stone was a sunset color. He looked up and saw a train station, that connected to a clock tower.

'That looks like the tower I received Kingdom Key D from.' Tenebrae recalled. 'This world was on the cusp of Light and Darkness. I wonder if the power shifted. I can feel Hearts here now, others are here.'

Tenebrae put on his goggles as he walked down a paved hill. Many buildings had the same sunset theme, and there were even a few shops. He descended until he came to an intersection. Tenebrae decided to go to the left, seeing a train of sorts in the distance. The path lead to a wide area with a paved track. There were many more buildings and shops.

'I wonder where I am?' He thought as he looked around. 'This isn't Traverse Town. And I sense more Light here than Darkness. Guess a good note is that I no longer fell a pull to retreat to the Realm of Darkness.'

Tenebrae walked up to a shop that had a lot of beautiful flowers. Hew saw some pink roses next to some lilacs, and tears came to his eyes, 'Laci, I was weak then and I'm weak now. I'm glad I never confessed.'

His ears perked as heard the shopkeeper speak. "Well it's only been a few days. I'm sure you'll see her again." It was feminine and familiar, like a voice he heard years ago.

"Come on Cetus, I had her. I saw her and she had the necklace. It was Ash. I know it!" This voice was masculine and filled Tenebrae with a myriad of emotions.

Tenebrae turned the corner of the shop. The two figures he saw, made him do a double take. There was no way! It couldn't have been them! -


Yes I did a cliffhanger. Only because I would have had a long chapter. But we are finally introducing and interacting with more Light Protectors.
And the next few chapters will be focused on each of the Protectors and how Tenebrae interacts with them. Speaking of intereactons, thanks to Kale Thunderhorse Lampkin and Shaylex_Cosplay for letting me use Heloa and Hashley, and believe me the pair will come back later. Tenebrae needs REVENGE!

So tune in next time!