Chapter One: The Starlight's Keeper


Premise/Author's Notes: This story takes place a month before Sora wakes up. He's been asleep for a year so I had some liberty to get our Main character prepared until then. This is a female OC-insert story, even though the Keyblade plot is a tad overused, I have yet to see any proper or fun world building added to any stories I've read. Now, I'm not saying there aren't, but they are exceedingly rare. There will be some canon divergence in the story and will have bonus content from the canon Disney movies. For some possible romance in the future will make the age of the characters a year or two older than in canon.

Our character has no experience in fighting but she is determined and mature for her age. I'll do my best to keep her more of a down-to-earth character and try to stay away from any annoying tropes. What's your least favorite trope?

Now, before we begin, this fic is primarily self-indulgent! Let's have fun and enjoy the ride with Sora and the crew! There will be OC/Cannon inside so keep that in mind and there will not be any Kairi bashing here either!

Please let me know if you have any cool ideas to add and discuss! It may or may not make it into the story if I get inspired by it. I'd love to hear from you!

Also English is my second language so please don't be rude! I'll do my best, I promise! Criticism is welcome, but rude comments will be dismissed altogether. There is no need for that here period! Thank you!


The day had started out like any other —with mild weather and bustling crowds. It seemed rather routine to say the least. A typical Saturday with my little Sister in tow, her little tubby figure trailing beside me. We were on our way to the bus stop running a few errands for our Dad. He was busy with work today, so it wasn't unusual for us to walk to the store to go for a milk run on weekends.

Our Father worked full-time as a chef and my aunt took care of me and my Sister while he was at work, however, on the weekends I had the responsibility of taking care of Josie. My dad needed a few things at a store nearby for dinner and I thought it would be nice to give Josie a chance to explore our neighborhood too.

I locked the door behind me —My Dad was adamant on having me carry my own set of keys at all times. They were always secured tightly with the old keychain I owned. It was pretty old since it used to belong to my Mother. It never tarnished or had a single scratch despite being older than me, about fifteen years old, but I had figured it was probably due to the fact it was casted by real silver.

"Cami?" Josie asked bashfully. "Do you think I can buy some gummy worms?" I flashed her a wry smile and raised an eyebrow.

"Did you bring your money with you?" I ask in a light and cheery tone.

I watched in amusement as my little Sister in her mismatched outfit stomped merrily on the path in and hummed. "Yup!" She patted her pocket and a noticeable bulge was near her tummy in the neon pink sweater vest she wore.

"Good! Remember you can't go off spending if Willy-Nilly. The last time I let you get away with it you got sick you silly girl! I say in a chuckle. In all honesty it was funny looking back on it now when she was the one who vomited on me.

"I promise I won't! Please and apple juice please!" Her childish lisp was enough to win me over, but I couldn't be that weak. Even though she did have me wrapped around her finger.

"Maybe…" I teased. She whined in the way that children usually do, but didn't take it seriously after I gave her a goofy smile. "But Josie, you did tell me to never-ever let you eat like that again."

"Awww!" She hung her head in dramatic fashion and with a tan hand and patted her back gently. She looked up at me with her bouncy dark curls. I could see her rosy cheeks blend adorably with her caramel cream skin. We were both tan, but I was two shades dark.

"Oh look! A doggy!" She beamed. She appeared to be correct, a dark hunched dog that seemed to wiggle and wipe a paw on its face in the middle of the street. A red Sedan stopped briefly honking at the thing.

"Why won't it move?" I wondered aloud. The sky seemed to cloud over and strangely enough I felt thunder shake the ground. The shadow of a heavy cloud loomed above us at a strange and unnatural speed and something didn't feel right. "The weather never mentioned thunder, maybe we should head back Josie…"

A man had opened the door to the Sedan only to let out a horrific scream. We jumped at the noise and I quickly scooped Josie from where she was standing. "What the hell is that?!"

We stayed quiet and trembled. The dog wasn't actually a dog after all. It had antennas that twitched and it let out a feral cry as a pool as dark as ink began to flow on the ground where the car stood. Small heads began to bob out and suddenly more panicked cries rang through the streets. People were running.

"Cami, I'm scared!" Josie began to cry and I looked around wildly and began to bolt in the direction we came from. Back home. Josie screamed and I had every fiber of my being tell me not to look back.

'Don't look. Don't look! Keep running! —For Josie's sake you better keep running.'

I felt the muscles in my legs and calves burn and ache. I ran as far as my legs could carry us. Only trying to catch my breath briefly now and then. I heaved and some guttural sound left my lips. I ran towards the park and stepped into the field. Just then, my foot caught onto uneven ground and I lost my footing, I rolled my body so my back made contact on the floor. Pain exploded on my back, but ignored it as best as I could. I had bit my lip on the fall down in the process and I could taste copper from my lips.

I spit on the floor and tried to regain my bearings. I was fully intent on keeping Josie safe in my arms. I groaned but I could feel the numbing sensation of the adrenaline already pumping through my veins. I feel my back throbbing but the pain I was currently experiencing was less than what I knew would come later.

Somewhere in the distance I could see someone on the opposite side of the field getting tackled by the shadow creature. Bright glowing eyes grew maliciously before the man underneath him disappeared into nothing but ashes. A glowing orb levitated before being eaten by the shadow creature.

What the hell? Is that going to happen to us…? No, I simply wouldn't allow it. At least, not without putting up a fight.

The sky began to grow dark and from the ground I could see the sky and pieces of the ground started to shake violently lifting into a black void that was the size of the moon.

I willed myself to get up. Josie was crying and she didn't want me to put her down. I realized soon enough that the strange creatures had a name and it was at the very tip of my tongue. I had seen them once before and suddenly I could remember.

This had already happened before, nearly ten years ago. I was the same age as Josie was back then.

"Camillia, come here…" My Mother stood over me with tears in her eyes. We were in a place called Traverse Town, She was getting ready to board a parting ship. Her comrades were waiting for her. I stood by the docks on the floating city with a blurred vision and burning eyes.

"In your hand, take this key, So long as you have the makings, then through the simple act of taking, it wielder you will become. And one day my Dear, you will find me, No desert or land will contain you then. No more borders around or below or above so long as you champion the ones you love." She moved my palm to tough the hilt of her blade. A weapon so mystical and full of wonder.

"One day, I promise my Dear…an Espada never forgets a promise." She gave me a quick embrace before forcing something cool into the palm of my chubby hands. A silver keychain with a single Hollow star dangling at the end.

In my time at the Refugee center, I had only heard stories about wielders with the Key and how they were the ones to restore balance to other worlds.

My Mother had kept it secret from My Dad and I and it was only later that I realized she was one of them.

I could feel the floodgate of memories pour through my mind. But I focused and tried as best as I could to gather myself together.

Suddenly, I heard an odd vibration coming from my pants, and rummaged through my pocket. There; latched on to my house keys was the memento my mother left me all those years ago.

The keychain of her first Keyblade.

With one hand I unclasped my keys and let them fall on the floor. The keychain felt hot in my hand and Josie buried herself further into my shoulder. Golden eyes drew closer and like a hive mind they started to surround us. "Do they know..?!" All their attention was on me now. "Gods why?" I whispered in horror.

The ground beneath us began to give. I struggled and I could feel myself sink. It was like the floor was made of quicksand or goo, and as the Heartless drew near I punched the nearest one with the keychain. "Stay back!" It wasn't a Keyblade, but it definitely had enough white magic to make direct hits.

I smacked another nearby shadow and it hissed as it made contact. I swatted at a few more and growled. "I won't let you hurt her! Get away!" This wasn't going to last long.

They were growing bolder, I felt a shadow claw my hand and I screamed. Another one clawed at my back and I cried in agony trying everything to keep myself upright. I could hear Josie's cries and like a wounded mama-bear I growled and smacked the nearest shadow. "I SAID! GET AWAY!"

A light blinded coming from the palm of hand. It sounded like a flash bomb and my ears rang. Feeling the floor solidify, I steeled my grip on Josie and started running. I didn't even check the direction and kept my pace even or at least trying to. Something else warm swung on my palm and I felt the hilt of the blade locked in my hand. As more shadows tried to roll into me, I swung like a panicked monkey and batted away any black heads nearby

I gasped as something stomped behind the shadows, they were definitely Heartless but much…much bigger.

I looked down at my bleeding arm and I could feel the key. It had violet cross guards and the blade had a Hollow star and an ax extension on the opposite end. The blade was thick enough to ensure a blow, great for beginners. Not that it would do me much good having one free hand.

I felt the Keblade vibrate in my palm before it tugged me in their direction. I stopped.

"Does it want me to fight? Hell no! I'd leave Josie all by herself, I cannot do that! We'll die!" The hilt began to burn hot, I winced but held it firmly in my hand in a defensive position. I pointed directly at the hoard.

Lighting and fireballs struck the hoard from above as I stood there with my mouth agape dumbfounded. I gave a relieved sigh as the sounds of jets flew over us before quickly descending a landing pad. "Don't just stand there kid! Run!" I trembled and began to cross the distance from the crumbling field to the ship. The horde began to recover and swarmed into a hellish tornado of twitching bodies. Clambering onto the landing pad we were dragged in my two pairs of strong hands with my sister pale and quiet in my arms.

"Josie..." I whispered softly.

"She must have fainted during the blast. You two are safe for now at least."

My eyes widened and I threw myself into my Dad's arms recognizing his voice.

"Dad! It's really you…!" At that moment I felt as if I would just wake from this horrible dream and wake up to his terrible bitter coffee and his terrible Dad jokes that only made him laugh. My ideal and typical Saturday Morning.

"It's alright Kiddo, we're in good hands now…" I had started to feel the buzz of the adrenaline wear off and the weight of the blade seemed to vanish as well, leaving only the keychain in its place.

We were all sweaty and battered like everyone else on board. "I had them turn around to look for you. Imagine my surprise when I see you fending off a horde of the Heartless." The atmosphere in what I realized was a cargo ship was dreary. I looked around and many of the people there had a lost look in their eyes. Others including children cried realizing they had been separated from loved ones.

'Why on earth was this happening again?'

My dad put something gummy in my hands. I looked at the round glowing green puffy ball. "Eat it, it will stop the bleeding." I grimaced but ate it. I chewed slowly and swallowed hard. It was a mushroom, dirty and bitter than anything I had ever had. "It's a special puffball mushroom. It only comes out when the borders are open. Not very nice tasting, but they heal the body with magic. There are different types, but the best ones get brewed in elixirs."

That's right, magic is real again. I've also remembered I've eaten one before, just like the first time…

"It's best if you get some rest Honey, it's gonna be a long ride." My dad shifted us so each of us were nestled in his arms. My dad had his chef's coat and draped it over us.

"Where are we going?" I asked numbly. I shivered and my dad gave a deep sigh and held us both.

"Somewhere safe." I nodded, feeling a sudden weight in my eyes. So many thoughts were swimming in my head. What did my Mom have to do with all of this? Where is she if she wasn't dead like in my false memories? Why did this key come to me and does my Dad know anything? Either way I just really hope Josie isn't too shaken by all of this. I was her big Sister and I had to be the one to keep her safe.

"I'm proud of you Kiddo. Goodnight"

"Thanks, Dad."


The ride on the ship was longer than any car ride I had ever been in. I was just glad there was a bathroom at all. Once we felt the ship land the landing pad opened and many of us were rallying on a floating dock. It was similar to my time in Traverse town, but this world had a Sun just like Earth. It was weird, but not unfamiliar to me. I had fuzzy memories in Traverse Town but not here. I could hear a lot of running water and pipes lined the walls into the city. Maybe they use steam to power the city?

I looked over the crowds and I frowned. There were probably hundreds of survivors here. Not that many people made it here.

My father led the way and broke off from the crowd speaking to a few patrol officers on duty. They carried armor and magic weapons. They spoke in hushed tones and darted their eyes to me every now and then.

Eventually we were led into a small home deeper into the city passing some street vendors and outdoor outlets.

"Wait here, he'll be in shortly." Notified another patrolman. Was he a peace officer or just a volunteer to fight off the Heartless? Maybe that's what they were having the able-bodied do around here to keep people safe.

"Why are we here? I'm hungry." Josie murmured groggily. My Dad and I gave a small chuckle before worry set into our features. There was a fish tank in the room and my dad gently asked her to go look at the fish. Dad knew something didn't he?

"Are they here for me?" I asked, sitting down at the coffee table in the room. The room was small but cozy. Two twin beds in between a nightstand with green comforters, a fish tank to the far left and a small coffee table next to the window on the right. It was simple but livable.

"That power that you have Camillia is something that not even I understand. Only a few have come across it. Your Mother hardly spoke of the Keyblade if at all."

"The Keyblade?" My dad winced and the door opened before he could say another word. A handsome tall and slender man with a scar on the bridge of his eyebrows stepped in the room. He wore a leather jacket lined with fur stepped in. He gave me more of a supermodel vibe than biker but who was I to judge?

"You're Camillia?" We stood up and I nodded lamely in response.

"Oh, what — I mean, yes sir, Cami for short."

"Okay, Cami, I'm Leon." Leon? Why did that sound familiar?

"Wait, Leon like-in Leon that helped last Key-bearer Leon?" I suddenly remembered a book that was being read among the survivors at checkout point. It belonged to one of the space explorer from Hallow bastion. The Story about the boy who sealed darkness away. "You mean that book is based on a true story?"

"Some details are largely exaggerated, but a friend wrote it last year thinking it was a dream." His lip twitched and I did remember his character had represented him as the cool mean guy who helped the struggling hero gather his wits and learn how to fight properly. My Dad tried to control his laughter and quickly cleared his throat before feeling Leon's glare in his direction. I laughed nervously and focused the attention from my Dad to me.

"I'm guessing you're here for this." I say holding out my Keychain. I gave it a look before a flash of light summoned the Keyblade to my fingertips. I hadn't seen any harm coming from calling it, so I practiced a few times on the way here.

"So in the end your Mother passed the Keyblade on to you." As it turns out Leon had a few run-ins with my Mother back in the day and she had been the first to give him some brief insight to the Keyblade. Leon had wanted to possess one ages ago, but it simply never came to be. I didn't pry as to why, but I was guessing Leon had a lot of baggage from the looks of it.

My Dad was a little pouty hearing about the brief encounter he had with my Mother and gave him a fiery look in his eye.

"There is no easy way to ease you into this, but you have duties that are expected from you now and the Heartless—among other things will keep coming after you. We need to get you ready for what's to come." Before I could even think of protesting, a knock at the door interrupted our conversation and a young and gentle-eyed brunette with a lovely pink dress came in.

"I'm sorry I'm not interrupting am I?" She asked.

"Not at all," He motioned to us. "This is Jon and his two children Camillia and Josiphine."

"Nice to meet you! I'm Aerith." She placed a hand on her chest. "I was on my way to the church, but I had remembered Jon was a chef and we need all the help we can get at the soup kitchen. Josie is welcome to join us, we have story time for the children after Lunch!"

My Dad got up and motioned over to Josie. She was a little more quiet today so maybe being around other kids would be a better idea. "Let's go munchkin. Sounds nice don't you think? Let's have a little story time with the other kids."

Josie looked up at me with her maroon eyes and poured. "You're not coming, Cami?" I gave her a small smile and gave her a hug before bending down. I winced still feeling the raw healing skin on my back open slightly.

"I'll catch up with you later and we can go look for snacks, just like I promised." She was holding on to her frog wallet and it was a little muddy and had dry specks of my own blood probably. "Go with Papa." She nodded and my dad pinched my cheek before heading off with Aerith and leaving me with Leon.

"Come, I need to show you something." It was strange leaving a young girl like myself with a random man like this, but it seemed like my Dad had faith in these people.

I followed him through a path by some apartments and shelters upstairs before we reached a metal gate. It gave me an odd feeling and I poked at the door.

"It's warm." I noted. Leon nodded and pressed his hand on the center of the door.

"There's a series of magic runes within the gate —it keeps what's out there from seeping in."

"Oh, is it that bad?" I asked a little more than I was nervous. Sending my nerves my Keyblade flashed in my hands and I could feel slight vibrations from it.

"You don't even know the half of it kid."