Set before All That's Left, Chapter 69 with flashbacks to The Antipode, Chapter 34;
x.x.x
Waiting was the hardest part. Knowing that soon, it'd all end. Sora paced around the cell, stopping every few minutes to glance between the bars. Was he waiting for Aqua to come back? Xem… no, Terra? How would they know when it was time? And…
What would happen next?
It was… weird to think about. A part of Ven had longed for freedom, deep down, for a while. After being unheard by the world around him for so long, stuck in the back of Sora's mind and in the depths of his heart, how could he not pine for more? His own body meant he could take more direct action, after all. His Keyblade, his presence, his voice… He'd be useful, wouldn't he? And, he and Sora could maybe…
Sora stopped, blinking, and scratched at his cheek. Huh. That's weird.
"What is?" Dang it. The woes of a shared body. But then… where was Ven going with that, anyway? Maybe what?
Well. There were a lotta things they could do, in a perfect scenario, where both had their own bodies with no risk to Sora's safety or his sanity. Sparring, racing, fighting side by side. Stargazing… Maybe going off, exploring the worlds on their own terms. Some solo time…
...Even though they'd had plenty of it before. They literally shared the same heart space. You couldn't get much closer than that! But… well. It'd be different if they weren't stuck like this.
Sora's cheeks puffed up, and he crossed his arms. His voice snapped Ven from his daze. ...Just felt kinda funny for a sec. Maybe it's just nerves. It's a lot to think about, y'know?
"Yeah… No kidding."
But, hey. We don't know what'll happen. Maybe it won't be so bad. I think right now, we should just try to keep it together 'til Aqua's ready for us.
"Mm. I guess you're right. Sorry, Sora."
Naw! Don't be. C'mon. We've been together for almost two years now. If there's something you wanna get off your chest, you know I'll listen.
Of course he would. He was Sora, after all. Even bathed in the deepest darkness, he always held his heart wide open. No amount of hardship could truly snuff out his inner spark…
No wonder Ven's heart had been drawn to him way back when, and then again.
But before, he'd slumbered. Dazed for oh so long… until that false Keyblade plunged through Sora's chest, and his heart nearly sank into the abyss.
x.x.x
Something shook Ven, violently, like a hurricane. Before, he'd nestled in slumber's warmth. Now, he floated within a sea of endless black. What… happened? He had no arms, no legs, no form to speak of. He could only bob in the air… or wherever he was now. But… what about that boy? Sora? That sounded right. He was… in danger, maybe?
Ven's heart ascended, coasting past bubbles reflecting images. Dreams? Or perhaps memories. A horned, pale witch with her hand over Sora's shoulder… Maleficent. A girl, resting in a ship's cabin as Sora loomed over her. Sora and… some other boy crossing sword and Keyblade.
So much had happened while Ven snoozed in ignorance. That peaceful island ravaged with hurricane winds as dozens upon dozens of shadowy beasts pursued Sora and his two friends. Sora, with an aquatic tail, dashed alongside a mermaid through a cavern filled with sunken ships. In another bubble, a slumped, hooded figure faced Sora and offered him an inky black Keyblade… Sharp. Menacing. Wrong.
And Ven did nothing. He just slept. Even though the little memory bubbles illuminated the situation, it didn't change the fact that he'd only just learned this now. He was a Keybearer before. A hero, to some. He should've been there. Should've woken from his sleep. At least offered guidance, if he could…
But that was then. This was now.
Soon, a voice cut through the darkness.
But if I let the darkness consume me, I'll be like every other Heartless. I'll forget about my friends, and I'll probably hurt people. I can't let that happen!
Ven stopped. Was that… Sora's voice?
If I'm gonna make this darkness my own, I know I've gotta find another way to do it. A different angle, like something nobody's tried before.
I just wish I knew where to start…
He was… close, wasn't he? Ven fluttered up, higher and higher, trying to close the gap between them. If Sora was speaking here, then was he okay? Was there still hope? Even if Ven didn't have all the details, he'd gleaned enough just by glimpsing through the memories to understand that Sora had endured great sorrow.
Ven was negligent before, but now, wide awake, he could make a difference, or at least try. Once, Sora's heart served as a guiding light for him, and as a safe haven to rest after shattering upon Vanitas' defeat. Even if Sora's aid was passive, he still made a difference. He'd saved Ven twice over.
Now it was time to return the favor!
Somehow. Even if it was just a matter of flying, rocketing, faster and faster, closer and closer, toward a distant speck of red, gold, and brown. A boy, much older now, flailing and paddling through the dark.
Even if Ven didn't understand the full story, he knew enough to say, "Don't give up! Your friends are counting on you, Sora."
They had to be. If they were anything like Terra and Aqua, they'd move mountains to see him again! To know that he was safe, alive and well… Whatever this darkness was, and whatever it meant, it didn't matter! Ven's heart surged brighter than before, accelerating in its approach.
Sora's response was a puzzled, Huh? He stared, just a bit bleary, at the incoming light. Ven couldn't blame him.
But he pressed on with, "You've gotta keep trying somehow. If you can hold on just a little longer, I'm sure you'll make it through!"
He was closer now. Maybe a few yards from Sora. Close enough to see the frown cut across his face, while a hand grasped his chest.
But I'm just so lost. I know I'm supposed to turn things around, but Maleficent never showed me how, and neither did that guy with the cloak. I wanna get back to my friends, but… I'm scared. What if there's nothing I can do?
This was… a lot to take in. Ven still didn't have all the details to guide his response. His heart bobbed in place as he searched for the right words. Maleficent wasn't trustworthy. That cloak guy didn't seem too great, either, if only at a glance, but…
"It's okay." Ven circled around him. It was probably careless to say so definitively, but surely it'd offer at least some encouragement. And besides, " You're not alone anymore."
But who are you? Sora frowned, rubbing the back of his neck. You do seem kinda familiar. Were we… friends once?
Friends… heh. Ven didn't mean to laugh, but a soft, fluttery chuckle escaped him despite the lack of lips.
"Well, you saved me once, a long time ago. When I needed it most, you gave me a second chance."
Maybe he was pushing boundaries a bit, but Ven floated closer to Sora's chest, for emphasis. " I don't know if I can pull you outta the darkness, but I can at least give you something to hold onto, that way you don't lose sight of things."
Like… a light at the end of the tunnel?
"Exactly! If things get outta hand, I'll try and push you in the right direction."
Then I guess… that's okay.
This was… uncharted territory, probably for both of them. Who knew what would happen when Sora opened his eyes for real? The finer nuances of light and darkness were outside Ven's grasp, too tainted by his Master's perceptions, and the lies that came with it. He couldn't trust it fully and completely in hindsight… But he could trust his gut, and his own heart.
So when Sora dived through the darkness, Ven plunged right beside him, straight into the unknown.
And then Sora's eyes opened, and the hum of machinery reached his ears. A strange, machine sparked with energy. A deep, humid feeling permeated through the room. Sora's fingers dug into the floor… but why? Ven saw, and felt it all, as Sora glanced down at his hands…
Now clawed, bathed in shadow, but still distinct enough. Fingerless gloves still covered them. His once red, balloon-like shorts were now an equally inky black. He ran one hand over his head- and the still spiky hair. This was… weird. It was like someone was puppeteering his own body.
But it wasn't his body. It was Sora's… now stained by the darkness.
Sora sat upright, running his tongue across his- ow. Very pointy teeth. That was… new. Then again, so was everything else.
Sora opened his mouth and moved his mouth, but no sound came out. He gasped.
W-what the?! Why can't I…
"Hey. We'll figure it out, okay? Just take a deep breath, and…" Wait. Did shadow monsters even need to breathe? Did he even have lungs?
Sora did it anyway, and then heaved a heavy sigh. Sorry. Just didn't know what to expect. He crawled closer to that creepy, heart-shaped machine, despite the pressure in the air threatening to shove them back. Squinting, he leaned in, rubbing the metallic frame.
His posture drooped in an instant.
So I really am a Heartless…
"Oh. So that's what they're called."
Wait. You didn't know that?
"Nah. I've kinda been asleep for a while, so…"
Heh. Sorry if I woke you up, then. He rubbed the back of his neck… awkwardly, with the back of his hand. Probably 'cause of the claws.
"No, it's okay! I'm glad I'm awake now. Means I can make a difference, starting with you! ...Even if all I've really got is my voice."
Hey, I'd take it over being alone right now. He rested his palm against the frame, shaking his head. Man. What am I even gonna do? If my friends saw me like this, they'd probably freak!
"Aw, c'mon. At least you still look like you!"
I guess, but… I dunno. Even if they didn't freak out, they'd probably feel bad. And what if I lost control? Heartless don't really like Keyblades. For all I know, I've got some instincts just waiting to creep up on me!
"Well… maybe just get a feel for things first? We could sneak around. See if you can do cool shadow stuff, I guess? I dunno how this works, honestly."
Guess there's only one way to find out, huh? A tiny smile worked its way across his face, and he turned from his reflection. Oh! But if we're gonna be talking to each other like this, uh… D'you got a name? 'Mr. Light Guy's' kinda a mouthful.
"No kidding." Ven chuckled, though. It was certainly a unique nickname. "Anyway, the name's Ventus… but you can call me Ven." He paused, briefly. "And, uh. For what it's worth, it's nice to meet you for real, Sora."
Yeah. You too, Ven!
x.x.x
Funny how much had changed since then. Sora adapted to his Heartless body crazy fast, all things considered. Ven almost envied how quickly he learned to melt into the floor, while his own attempts had proven… sloppy at best. Were it not for their cell's power-suppression, he might've asked Sora to teach him now, just to pass the time. Soon, he'd miss his chance. This Heartless body wouldn't be theirs anymore.
It'd just be his.
Ven would return to his human form, while Sora…
Sora flopped on his back, bringing a hand over his face.
...Hey, Ven?
"Yeah, Sora?"
You think Riku and Kairi are gonna be mad at us?
Huh. That was a weird thing to ask.
"Why would they be mad?"
I mean, even if Xemnas keeps his word, we're still playing by his rules. And… I know he's Terra, but I keep thinking that there's gonna be some catch. Like even if he gets you back, he'll change his mind about freeing Riku.
Ven would've winced, if he were in control of the body right now. A possibility existed, but...
"...Terra's not like that, Sora. He'll keep his promise. I know he will."
But… Sora stopped himself. No, now's not the time for that. We made up our minds! And I want you to be happy, Ven. That's the important part.
"Well, I'd sure be a lot happier if I knew you'd come outta this okay." Not that he planned to argue any further. They'd done that song and dance already. "You deserve to be happy too, y'know? And… I dunno. If it all works out, I still wanna spend time with you."
Sora went quiet for several seconds, claws drumming on his chest. Heh. You sure you're not sick of me?
"No way! But, uh. If you need space… I'd get it, y'know. You haven't had any real time to yourself over the past two years."
...Geez. Yeah. But, hey. For what it's worth? It hasn't bothered me. I like spending time with you, too.
"Well…" Hm. What to say here, now, when so much uncertainty hung over their heads?
"...Let's try to make our time here count." Yeah. That'd do. "I dunno what's gonna happen once we get to Castle Oblivion, but until they're ready for us, we're still here. And that's what matters most."
x.x.x
A/N: This side story was requested by my friend xenamoi. :) Been sitting on it for a while, but this seemed like the appropriate time to release it.
The VenSo is strong with this one. It was fun to get Ven's POV on how he first woke up, too.