Sorry about the last chapter's being really short. The first had to be short, as it was my first piece. But the second was short due to the fact that I didn't really want to write something long; especially when ff.net was acting up so badly. Finally got a couple of reviews, so here goes my thing.

Kiwicherryspash: thanks for being a regular reviewer. I'll tell you what; maybe I'll email a few of my ideas through to you.

Manic: okay, first things first. If I hadn't played the game, then why would I be writing a fic about it? Second it is a fic. I didn't read any rule saying I had to be loyal to the story. Third, no, six years is long enough as it puts them all in their early twenties, and four, anyone who actually saw Ansem die raise your hand and say me. *looks around* well, that settles it. Sorry for all of that, I still really do appreciate your reviews. And they weren't all bad. I may take some of your thoughts into mind, manic. Thankyou.

To the person that emailed me but was unfortunately deleted: whoa, glad you adore it. There will definitely be more postings from now on.

And finally, I'd like to say a few words about a new friend of mine: swordoftheblackroses. She really is a great author, just check out her stories to see that. But on top of that she really is a great person. Oh, and s.o.t.b.r, I'm still trying to find something you DON'T adore about me. Ahem

On with what you're all here for then. Enjoy!

Ansem glared at the cold walls around him. He hated this place, this cold dark cave that he had rested in. but the boy had fallen, for the first in a long time, and Ansem would no give up the chance to rest. So instead he thought back to what had started this: kingdom hearts. That blasted goal of his had been his undoing, thanks to the boy and his friends. After the light had enveloped him there had been darkness, and not the sort he enjoyed. He awoke in a dark cavern, near death. The light had brought him here as punishment, to see him suffer as those his heartless had hurt had suffered. He had stood, shaking, and roared at the darkness around him, the exertion of the shout emptied him, and he fell back to the ground. Ansem snapped out of his memories for a second. The boy had risen. He stood, watching his prey move slowly to the nearby water. He settled back down, still wary in case the boy decided to move. Folding his hands across his chest, he went back to remembering the beginning of the end.

Ansem woke from what seemed like an eternity of sleep. At least he no longer felt weak, but even so, he felt different somehow. Stepping out of the cave, he stared up at the sky, slowly as to not tempt fate. He glanced around, noticing not only the surrounding fields and trees, but also the figure coming towards him. "Greetings," it said to him as it reached the cave door the figure appeared to a man, twenty or so, and he wore robes that covered every inch of his body. He looked important somehow. Ansem merely stared at him. "I guess the first question you have is where this place is. To answer that, this place is hell. Or at least something that resembles it." Still Ansem did not stir, save to motion for the man to continue. "Well, I see a lot of things. Seems whoever puts people in here tells me all about them. Ansem, was it? Well, you're here because the light sent you here, for your crimes against the hearts of the worlds. And you aren't leaving, that's for sure. The only people who can have to have a tie to the outside world, and you have none. You made sure of that yourself." He remained statuesque for the time being, though his mind reeled at the weight of the mans words. The man kept on talking, about the place and how they were all doomed, until Ansem felt something. Like a cord being stretched and then let go, it hit him. He could feel someone else's presence, someone familiar. "Oh, my," the man said, his face blanching. "The boy, Riku, he's here. Must have been what you did to him. This isn't right. He has to leave here now." The man turned to leave. Ansem lashed out, grabbing the man by his throat. "Tell me, stranger, if I am connected to this boy, does that mean that I do have a connection to the world outside?" the stranger nodded, wheezing out something that sounded vaguely to Ansem like 'please'. Without another moment's hesitation he snapped the man's neck in a single fluid motion. Donning the man's robes, he started towards the boy.

He found him in a large glade, flanked by an old woman. She noticed Ansem straight away, even calling out to him. "You cannot have him anymore, Ansem. Give him up. I will make sure that he gets back to his world, but you must not follow." The woman scooped him up, and turned her back on him. "If you try to reach the worlds through him, then you will doom yourself. Even I cannot tell you what happens after that. Perhaps my son might have been able to if you had not killed him, perhaps not. All I know is that from now on you will not feel. You feel you have no heart, so be it." The old woman muttered a few words that Ansem couldn't hear, and then the worst pain he could imagine radiated out from his chest. He fell, clutching at his chest, until the pain stopped, along with his heart.

He had woken once again a while after, feeling like death. He rolled onto his side, reaching for a nearby branch to pull himself up. He gasped in shock as he cut his hand on a loose sliver of bark. Holding his injured hand, he stood slowly, walking to the water's edge. He peered at the reflection in the water, marvelling at the sight. His eyes changed, one moment his usual amber, the next a deep red. He looked down at his hand. The cut had already healed, becoming little more than a slight itch, with not a drop of blood. Realising the mistake the old woman had made, he smiled, his red eyes glittering with malice.

Rousing from the dream of the past, Ansem stood, stretching. He didn't need to, but it was an old habit. The boy had already woken, and was now preparing to continue on his way. He let him put a little distance between them, then followed, sure that it would all begin, or end, soon.

Okay, that may explain a few things about Ansem. I'll try to do something for the others too. And as always, any reviews are more than welcome. Take care, y'all!