Chapter 23:

The Truth

The water slowly drifted back and forth onto the sand. It was night, and the stars shone brightly above the big black sky. If only it were still that way now...Everything was peaceful on the beautiful island. Nothing seemed wrong, and there seemed to be no danger whatsoever, but unsuspecting new comers were lurking around the place, and around a certain home.

"Jiro, are you sure about this?" came the unsure voice of Akina.

The twins were wearing long white cloaks that were hooded, to sheild their identities for a very unknown reason. They were on a mission, though and they planned to succede one way or another.

Jiro gave a solemn nod, "Akina, I'm sure. We must do this or the chaos will ensue. Many will perish. We need to change what has been written.

"You know we can't interfere with fate, Jiro. What's done is done. We just need to hope for the best..."

Jiro angrily turned around and gave his sister a stern glare, "Akina, if we don't do this, everybody in the whole universe will be in danger! They Keyblade Master may even die!We can't let thishappen, and it was our destiny to do something like this."

Akina lowered her head, "I-I understand, but even then I believed that we shouldn't meddle in world affairs."

Jiro gave a small laugh, "Dear sister, we have already meddled in many other world affairs! Now, we must hurry and find a way inside the house, before they come."

Akina gave an unnoticed sigh, and followed her brother towards the small house.

Standing in front of the facade of it, Jiro examined it, "We have to be very cautious about breaking in..."

"We can just use magic, Jiro..." Akina said in an annoyed tone.

"Exactly. I don't know why I didn't think of that!" Jiro laughed nervoulsy.

"You can't be serious without doing something stupid if your life depended on it," Akina muttered. She began whispereing a small spell and the two disolved into a blue dust. Then finding themselves inside of the house.

"We must be very quiet..." Jiro instructed,"and find her room."

"I think it's the pink one." Akina said, pointing to the door to their right.

"And why do you think this?" Jiro questioned.

Akina rolled her eyes and slapped him on the back of the head, "Because, she's seven...and apparently liked, er, likes the color pink. Unless...he did. That would be scary..."

Jiro tried to stiffle a laugh, "I guess you're right."

The two quietly entered the room. Inside of it was a room belonging to a little girl. The walls were decorated with bright colors and mythical stuffed animals and some teddy bears, and everything was neatly put up. Jiro yet again tried to hold back his laughter.

"Shut up, Jiro, we're in deep trouble," Akina snapped.

"Why?"

Akina pointed to the small bed, "She's not there."

"Oh, crap..."

"Quick, let's see if she's in anyone elses room. I still feel her presence here." Akina said, walking out of the room.

Just across that room was another door, though it wasn't painted pink. Jiro turned the knob and the twins entered the room of a small boy. Everything was painted blue and there were blitzballs and dirty clothes everywhere on the floor. Akina shook her head at the pathetic sight.

"Guys will be guys," Jiro smiled, "and I think we just struck gold." Pointing to the bed, Akina saw two bodies sleeping peacefully. One was the one of the silver haired boy and the other of the silver haired little girl. Akina smiled sweetly at the sibling sight.

"Good, we got here first," Jiro said. "Now, we just have to-"

"Hm? Have to what? Are you ok, brother?" Akina asked.

"Someone's here," Jiro whispered darkly.

Akina quickly ran over to the sleeping girl, and gingerly picked her up. She stirred, but never opened her eyes, "We need to get out of here and keep her safe for now!"

The two stealthily walked out of the room, but were startled when they opened the door to meet an unexpected face.

"K-K-K-Keyblade Master?" Akina stammered.

The brown haired boy nodded, "I've learned a lot of stuff from Mickey and I've come here to help you, because Zan's on her way now!"

The twins looked baffled, "What do you mean? Zan's not supposed to help!" Jiro exclaimed.

Sora shook his head and took in a deep breath, "They got to her. She's on their side now. She's already attacked the others, and they're were trying to hold her and Riku back, but she escaped and now, she's on her way here. Mickey ordered me to follow. We need to take her somewhere safe, but we can't take her to Fate."

"We know, but where can we take her?" Akina asked.

"Just keep her here," a voice softly whispered.

The three spun around, and noticed the young boy wide awake, and sitting up, "Just leave her here. She'll be fine. I'll watch over her."

"Riku, you can't. You don't know what you're up against," Sora said calmly. "We need to find her a safer place from the, um, bad guys."

The nine-year-old smiled calmy, "But, I'm not Riku."

"What are you talking about?" Jiro asked.

"I am Tanaka."

Jiro and Akina widened their eyes in sheer disbelief. Sora stood there, baffled, "Tanaka?" he asked.

A small glowing light emitted from young Riku's body and righ in front of the three stood a spirit of a powerful looking woman. With cascading white hair and amber colored eyes, "I was once the weilder of Eternal Heart, and Hozannah's guardian." her voice softly echoed in the room.

"Y-you look familiar," Sora said.

"Well, I am Ansem's ancestor after all, but that's not important right now. What is important is that we get young Zan to safety, and the only place is here."

Jiro and Akina exchanged nervouse glances, "But, Lady Tanaka, Zan has been possessed by darkness and she's on her way right now."

Tanaka smiled again and shook her head, "No, she's on her way to Fate, and she's not possessed by darkness. She has been untouched by darkness. Thanks to her older brother."

"So, Tanaka person." Sora began. "Are you meaning to say that she's just playing along in the act?"

"Exactly, and so is Riku. He fought it once again. We need to change all of this. Zan wasn't even supposed to be kidnapped in the first place. With my power, I had to alter the time, so Zan would stay here."

"What are you trying to say? Zan was never meant to be kidnapped?"

"No. Ansem was the one who took her from the beginning. He was plotting for years to find andobtain the sword for chaos and destruction, but I secretly entrusted it with Saruwatari three hundred thousand years ago, and when it glowed he would know who its owner was to be and of course, that was Zan, and now, she must retrieve the sword. That's all she needs to change the past. My part is over with. All I have to do is watch over Zan here, but yours is just beginning. You three must go to Fate and tell Zan everything I have told you. Then, go to Hollow Bastion."

"What about King Mickey and the others?" Sora asked.

"They'll already be there thanks to Riku," Tanaka smiled. "You must hurry. Give me Zan, and go now!"

Akina nodded, "I trust you, Lady Tanaka." She quickly walked over the woman and gave Zan to her. Soon there was a huge flash of light, and the three were no longer on Destiny Island.

Please hurry...

xxx

Jiro, Akina, and Sora coughed of sand and slowly picked themselves up, "Ugh, where are we?" Jiro asked.

"Fate Island. Jiro, look," Akina pointed to a shadowy figure off in the distance, just staring into the nights' ocean.

Sora quickly ran over to this figure, "Zan?"

The person spun around, "Sora? What are you doing here?"

"The question is, what are you doing here?" Sora smiled.

Zan sighed, "I just needed to be here. I wanted somepeace."

"Well, Zan, you need to come to Hollow Bastion with us," Akina said, walking up to them, followed by Jiro.

"I'm not going back there again," Zan laughed nervously.

"You have to, Zan. You need to claim what's rightfully yours," Sora exclaimed.

"What are you talking about?" Zan asked.

"Eternal Heart, duh!" Jiro replied.

Zan sighed and turned back around to the ocean, "I don't know..."

Sora grabbed her by the shoulders and spun her around to face him, "We're going to help you. You're not going to be in this alone. With all of our help, he won't stand achance. Zan, your can get your revenge for him kidnapping you!"

Zan's eyes widened, "He what?"

"He's the one who tore you away from your family and friends, but if you can get the sword back, and defeat Ansem, time wll alter and it would have never happened," Akina said.

Zan bit her lip in thought, "Well, if it means getting revenge for what that bastard did. Then I'm in!"

Sora and Zan gave each other a high five. Jiro and Akina smiled happily.

"Well, what do we do now?" Zan asked.

"Next stop, Hollow Bastion," Sora replied. There was another big flash of light, and the four were headed to their final destination and probably their final battle.

xxx

Sorry folks! I had to cut this chapter short. Almost done, almost done yay! Anywho, there's probably only going to be two or three chapters left. The big finale is coming up soon and hopefully there will be quick updates. In the meantime, R&R!

Disclaimer: I don't own KH, still. . .