Ok so this next chapter I had a bast writing as it ties this story and the first half of my other story Kingdom Hearts: Birth of light together. Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdome Hearts and Power Rangers.

-o0o-

Chapter 6

After their unexpected trip to the now splintered morphin worlds Riku was keeping close to Alex, fearing that something else might happen. Of course she assured him that the chances of that happening again were slim but of course he knew that like Sora, how much of a trouble magnet she was. She hadn't yet told them about the memory dream she had back during her and Zara's short stay in Drakkon's cell. She knew that she should have but deep down she felt that is wasn't time to, which confused her.

So when they weren't traveling to some of the other worlds that Aqua and her 3 fellow keyblade welders had once visited, Alex was telling them stories of the Rangers exploits. Of course it was then that Riku finally learned how Alex came to know who the original 6 Power Rangers identities. "You mean to tell me that whole time you were sick with food poisoning you were chained up in Rita's Dark Dimension?" he snapped in anger and surprise that made Alex flinch well she grimaced, unable to look at him.

"It wasn't the whole time, maybe half of it." Alex said thoughtfully. "At first I was in the abandoned warehouse I was living in, then Tommy grabbed me under Rita's orders and her spell, taking me to the Dark Dimension. I did try to help Jason fight Goldar but besides being sick I was too small back then to be of much help. Not that I didn't try, but in the end the only thing I really could do was search for Jason's Power Morpher. Then before I could even give it to him a still evil and morphored Tommy sent me flying with a kick to my chest into a pillar knocking me out cold. When they broke Rita's spell on him Tommy felt horrible and tried for the longest time to make it up to me and gain my trust."

"No wonder you forgave me so easily." Riku said with a small head shake.

"Yes and also because your one of my closest friends." Alex assured him with a playful push before them moving on to their next destination. Soon enough they headed back to Master Yin Sid's tower to update the old master.

"I see that is a bit of troubling news." Master Yen Sid said when they had informed him not only of what they had learned so far but of the conflict Alex's fellow Power Rangers were facing. "Though I can understand that you desired to stay to face this Lord Drakkon, I am relieved that you understood it was not your time to fight."

"Zordon and Jason said something along those lines but I can't help but worry, especially with Tommy and all other versions of him, save Drakkon are now gone." Alex said a bit of sadness filling her and was evident on her face. "Despite having a dark start much like Riku, Tommy has always seemed to be strong in his connection to the Grid and to the light."

"You'll just have to trust your fellow rangers Alex to take care of Drakkon and set things right." Mickey said in an attempt to console her, well Riku rubbed her back in comfort. She gave both of them a grateful smile, and it was then that Sora, Donald and Goofy arrived in the tower.

"Sorry we're late." Sora said as the three of walked in to Master Yen Sid's office.

"It's okay, you got here as fast as you could." Mickey said as he, Riku, Alex and Yen Sid turned to look at them. Sora, Donald and Goofy proceeded to give a full report of not only what they had been up to but their dealings with Organization members they had so far had run-ins with. It worried all of them a bit because if it was true the Organization did had their thirteen darkness's, they were still short their 7 lights. There was of course the threat to the new "7 hearts" that the Organization was searching the worlds for as well.

"We haven't found Terra yet." Donald reminded them all sadly.

"Hey, at least we've tracked down Ventus. Vanitas told us he's inside Sora's heart." Goofy said excitedly noting that Alex's face lite up in recognition.

"And so did Ansem the Wise in his data, so it almost certainly must be true." Jiminy added with Goofy and Donald nodding in agreement.

"It would explain the memories I saw when I use Sora's heart to connect better with Aqua's, that's for sure." Alex said thoughtfully but in the back of her mind something was picking at her that she couldn't quite put her thumb on, so she kept it to herself. Of course Mickey was over joyed to hear about Ven, as it meant they could save him but there was still the problem of finding and saving Aqua first.

Once again Sora tried to volunteer to go, to be shot down when he was reminded that he need the power of waking to go to the Realm of Darkness to safely make the dive. "Ah- come on. Alex doesn't have it, she's not even a Keyblade welder. No a fence Alex." Sora said as he gave her an apologetic look, Alex smiled as she gave him dismissively wave of her hand, well Riku started to laugh. "What's so funny?"

"Sorry. Master Yen Sid knows you a little too well. He said you'd try to stage a half-baked rescue." Riku explained which of course was true and made all of them, save Sora to laugh.

"Yeah, laugh it up." Sora snapped unhappily.

"Sora, I know you're volunteering because you're worried- about Alex, Mickey and me." Riku said, knowing his best friend all too well and Sora was a bit sore about admitting it. "Well, thanks. But- the power of waking's important. You can come to the rescue once you've got that. Sound fair?"

"But Alex-" Sora stared as he looked at her worried.

"Don't worry about me Sora." She assured him as she walked over and clasped him on the shoulder, much like Riku was. "I'm one of the 4 Ninjetti Guardians, a Power Ranger and the Keeper of Light. I have powers that are more than a match of anything the Realm of Darkness can throw at me."

"Yeah, alright." Sora finally conceded. "But be safe, No reckless stunts."

Riku gave a little laugh as he smiled. "Yes, sir."

"I make no promises." Alex said with a smile and a wink at him in fun, which made both him and Riku roll their eyes but smile.

Goofy and Donald turned to each other, well Jiminy landed on top of Donald's head and started whispering. "Sora's the reckless one."

"No, not exactly." Jiminy insisted. "He just doesn't think."

"If only he listened to Master Yin Sid the way he listens to Riku. That would be a good start." Goofy added. The three of them unaware that not only could everyone hear what they were say but that Sora stood over them, a frown on his face, his arms crossed.

"I'm listening now." he snapped at them, clearly not happy with what they said, despite it being the truth, which of course started another round of laughter in the small office.

"Very good." Master Yen Sid said, bring the laughter to an end. "Sora will continue his journey to build his powers, well Riku, Alex and Mickey will focus on the search for Aqua."

They all stood at attention. "Yes sir!"

With the meeting over everyone left Master Yen Sid's office and headed outside to prepare to continue with their own appointed tasks. Riku, Mickey and Alex had just seen Sora and the others off to continue their adventure, when suddenly a load screech reached their ears. They were all confused as they looked around for what could have made the sound, soon spotting a white- thing flying towards them. "What is that?" Riku asked wondering if it was a danger.

"Gash, I don't- wait is that an owl?" Mickey asked as it came closer he got a better look at the small thing. It did indeed look like an owl, a barn owl to be precise but it seemed to be made of smoke, and heading right for Alex, whose eyes suddenly went wide. "Alex- what is it?"

Before she could answer the smoke owl swooped in and flew right into her chest, the force knocking her back a bit as a small gasp escaped her. "Alex!" Riku shouted as he rushed to her side, grasping her shoulders to steady her. He was not expecting to see a blinding light, and both he and Alex bore witness to that last thing they were expecting.

Dulcea stood in the ruins of the NInjetti temple, her staff in her hands, breathing heavily, her body covered in bruises and cuts, but still standing strong. In front of her stood a smirking Xigbar, who had his energy crossbows out and pointed at her, well Xehanort stood behind him. The grin on the old Keyblade Welder's face was not a good sign for the ancient ninjetti Warrior.

"Dulcea!" Alex shouted as she and Riku both came out of the vison, the fear on her face spoke volumes as she pulled out of Riku's grasp. "Xehanort and Xigbar are on Phaedos and attacking Dulcea. We need to get to her now!"

"What?!" Mickey shouted in surprise, well looking between the two humans a bit confused by what had just happened.

"She's right. With the other rangers busy with Drakkon and with it being two Organization members its best that we go help her." Riku agreed as he summoned his Keyblade but stopped short of opening a gate. "Um-question how do we get to Phaedos?" he asked Alex.

Alex smiled as she closed her eyes and called forth her Phoenix spirit, which flew up from her before flying around Riku and his Keyblade. He felt an energy fill him and the tip of his Keyblade lite up, a gate opening a moment later. "Whoa!" both Riku and Mickey said in awe as the Phoenix returned to Alex "How did you do that Alex?" Mickey as he they headed to the gate.

"Simple, anything is possible for those who are Ninjetti." Alex said with a grin, but with her glowing bird like eyes, giving her a disturbing look. "Let's go before it's too late."

-o0o-

Xigbar was impressed with the so called protector of this world, was defiantly putting up an impressive fight. The moment they had arrived in the ruins this barley dressed women came out armed with nothing but a simple staff, demanding that they leave. Xehanort had tried to be diplomatic with her. "Peace, we are simple travellers on a quest to discover the power that resides in this land. We mean you no harm"

She scoffed at him. "I am no fool. I can feel the darkness that surrounds you both and I know of the group you belong to by the black cloaks you wear. Leave this world before you join the many others who have failed to obtain the power that you foolishly seek."

"Well old man, we tried it your way." Was all Xibar said as he summoned his crossbows and started attacking. To her credit Dulcea was not only able to avoided most of his crossbows energy bolts but more than once she was able to get close enough to land a few hits. In fact at one point she was able to knock both crossbows out of his hands but as a result, having forgotten about Xehanort, she was blindsided by a dark attack. Dulcea was thrown into one of the ruins broken pillars, causing it to crumble slightly, pieces falling off the pillar and on to her. She winced as she felt the ancient stone cutting into her skin but she pushed the pain aside as she once again got to her feet.

Xigbar laughed. "I got to admit you're made of some tuff stuff women but this is where the fight ends. Unless you're willing to answer our questions and give us the power you're desperately protecting." He offered.

Dulcea glared at him well calling upon her animal spirit and sent it find the one person with two companions who could help her. Though the travel time between worlds should be considerably longer, for those with the power if Ninjetti animal spirits it takes no time at all. Xigbar soon had her cornered, with more wounds covering her as Dulcea leaned on her staff in an attempt to remain standing. "Last chance to cooperate women."

Before Dulcea could refuse once more Alex was suddenly there using what remained of one pillar as a support. She kicked a surprised Xigbar right in the face sending him flying across the ruins to land at Xehanort's feet. The old Master raised an eyebrow intrigued as Alex used the momentum from her attack to flip off the pillar and land in a crouch in front of Dulcea. The moment he saw Alex's glaring face Xehanort knew exactly who she was and his grin widened.

"Xehanort!"

He and Xigbar, who was slowly recovering his footing, looked at Riku and Mickey who came running into the ruins and in front of the two Ninjetti warriors. "I don't know what your reasons are for coming here and attacking Dulcea but we can't allow you to continue to hurt her." Mickey snapped as he and Riku both held their keyblades at the ready.

"Oh I believe I no longer have a reason to keep attacking this women as the answers to who it was that had helped you from claiming Sora is right before me." Xehanort said as he kept his eyes locked on Alex, who was now at Dulcea's side, steading her.

"Yes it was me but what does that have to do with you coming here?" Alex snapped shooting him another glare.

Dulcea matched her glare as she said. "So you are Xehanort. I was warned about you some time ago when-" she didn't finish as she looked down at Alex. Both Xigbar and Xehanort saw the hesitation in her eyes as she looked down at her young friend.

It was then that Xigbar focused on Alex and his only eye opened wide in shock. "Well I'll be, it seems you were right old man. She does look like her fire cracker mom but her hair and eyes are defiantly from dear old daddy." He laughed darkly as he saw the confusion not only Alex's face but Riku's as well. "Oh this is rich, you mean you don't know?" Xigbar asked Alex gleefuly.

"I don't know what you're are going on about-" Alex snapped as she helped Dulcea sit down against the stone alter before she faced the two Organization members. "But as one of the Ninjetti Guardians, I demand that you both leave Phaedos at once."

Xigbar laughed again well Xehanort walked forward. "You my dear are a child of two keyblade welders, Terra and Jessica, formally the Keeper of Light but I see that responsibility is now yours." He explained well pointing at the Light Shard around her neck. Dulcea glared at Xehanort and Xigbar but noted that Mickey looked more sad then surprised by the information. "Your mother is one of the most skilled Keyblade welders I had ever seen and fit in well with my old friend's students. Now I can use you to lead me to her."

Alex felt tears picking at her eyes, which had taken on their golden bird appearance, as she clenched both of her hands unaware that her animal spirit was manifesting around her. It was clear that Alex was angry and sad, as the Phoenix spirit was also showed immense anger and deep sadness. "I don't know if this is an elaborate plan of yours Xehanort to turn me against my friends or if you're telling the truth and my mother was a Keyblade Welder. All I know is she's gone, you have beaten up a member of my family in your twisted schemes for power and have terrorized my friends long enough."

That seemed to be all the Phoenix spirit needed to hear as it spread its wings wide, a load angry shriek coming from it as it took to the air. To those who weren't use to ninjetti powers (aka everyone but Alex and Dulcea) they looked at the giant bird made of energy in awe. That is until it fixed its gaze on the two dressed in black and drive at them, rage in its eyes. Xehanort opened a dark corridor and after sending one more grin at Alex he and Xigbar left before the Phoenix could hit them. It shirked again, this time angry that it could not fulfill Alex's command before it returned to her.

Mickey watched Alex sadly as she turned and knelt next to Dulcea, calling up the Light Shard's healing abilities and started to tend to her injuries. "Alex, I-"

"Mickey don't."

Mickey looked up at Riku, who had a hard look on his face that was difficult to read as he dismissed his keyblade. "But after everything we just heard she has the right to know." The mouse said, sad at the turn of events.

"I understand that and I know she does as well." Riku said watching Alex as she continued to tend to Dulcea. "It just… right now Alex is pushing her feelings aside to deal with the situation on hand as Dulcea's injuries are easier and more important in this moment. Alex will talk when she's ready to."

In the end after trying to heal Dulcea's juries as best as Alex could they ended up having to take her back to Master Yen Sid's tower for better treatment. It seemed that with taking her age into account and that she was in away immortal Dulcea had built up a tolerance to healing magic. To say that the old master was surprised not only that they were back so soon but that they had the ancient Ninjetti master with them would be an understatement. Master Yen Sid took the situation in stride, having Riku carry her to one of his guest rooms. "I will do what I can to heal her but she is mostly in need of rest." He assured Alex with a small smile after examining Dulcea himself.

"Thank you Master Yen Sid. You don't know how much it means to me that you're willing to help her. If there is anything I can do for you in return." Alex said sincerely grateful for his help.

"You have already done more than enough with your own willingness to find Aqua but I sense that something has changed." He said having observed the sadness but anger coming from Alex.

Riku opened his mouth to speak but Alex beat him to it. "Did you know?"

Yen Sid frowned. "To what are you-"

"When you sent Mickey and Riku to my world to search for the Light Shard, did you know they would find me or were you hoping for my mother?" She snapped glaring at him, once again her eyes had taken on their golden bird like appearance. Riku was beginning to think of them as her Phoenix eyes as it was a by-product of her animal spirit.

"I see. So you know the truth that your mother Jessica was Eraqus's 4th apprentice and that Terra is your father." Master Yen Sid said sadly as this was not how he hoped she would learn the truth. "No, I did not know that it would be you or your mother they would find. I knew your mother held a great power that had been passed down through her family that was protected by her. It had been my intentions that after the keyblade war if things go well to send Aqua, Terra and Ventus to find you and your mother as it would be best to leave you both out of the fight. Imagine my surprise when Riku and Mickey returned with you and with the same great power that once surrounded your mother. You suspected as well did you not Mickey?"

"Yes I have, for some time now." Mickey admitted as he looked down at the floor in shame, unable to meet Alex's burning gaze which he could feel had been turned on him.

"Oh really and when did you first suspect?" Alex demanded.

"When Billy mentioned your mother's name when recounting what you had told them about your visit into the Morphing Grid. I have since then noticed that at times you act much like Jessica, as she was a bit of a prankster at times but also serious when she needed to be. You also seemed to have inherited Terra's determination and protective nature." Mickey said as he spared her a glance hoping that his words would have calmed her some. Instead he was met with a glare that looked more like Terra than he or Yen Sid had ever seen from her. That look with her eyes burning with her Ninjetti power made all three of the males backing away from her, a sliver of fear running down their spines.

Without a word or backwards glance at any of them Alex stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her. Riku didn't bother to spare Mickey or Yen Sid a glance as he fallowed Alex, waiting till they were outside before grabbing her arm and forcing her to look at him. "Alex I know you're up set but you need to calm down."

"Calm down?!" she shouted at him. "How in the world can you expect me to calm down Riku when I've just learned that not only was my mother a Keyblade Welder but that Benjamin Smith wasn't in fact my biological father?

"I get that your mom kept the truth from you but I know that you're more confused and upset then anything." Riku knew he was right when she looked away, unshed tears in her eyes, which he was grateful to see were once again blue. He took both her silence and not pulling away from him as means to continue, well pulling her into his arms. "I don't know what kind of person your mom was from day to day but I know from what you've told me, she loved you very much. I believe her and your dad Ben kept the truth about Terra being your biological father from you to keep you safe."

Alex took in a shaky breath, her hands gripping Riku's back, which he was ok with. "Sometimes I hate it when your words make too much sense." She muttered against him as her tears began to fall. "You're right I'm more upset and confused then angry but deep down I think I knew. I don't understand it but I just did." It was then she told him about the memory dream she had about Aqua, both Ansem and the words that until then had been said by a voice she recognized but couldn't place. "I realize now that it was my mom who had told me that I need to learn the truth to find Aqua."

Alex pulled back a bit from Riku so she could wipe her eyes and gave him a half smile, as he pushed a lose bit of hair back behind her ear. Alex smiled up at him and was about thank him when he brought his lips to hers in a gentle kiss. Alex gasped but closed her eyes and retuned his kiss, it feeling like the right time, unlike the other times the two of them had kissed.

Master Yen Sid cleared his throat making the two teens to brake their lip lock and look at him and Mickey in surprise. Mickey laughed as they pulled away from each other, both looking embarrassed and red in the face. "I'm glad Riku has helped you to calm down Alex and I am sorry that you learned the truth about Jessica and Terra this way. I understand if you don't want to come with us to the Realm of Darkness and stay here with Dulcea." Mickey said kindly.

"No." Alex said as she wiped the rest of the tears off her face and looked at him. "I said I would help being Aqua out of the darkness and I intend to follow through." Mickey smiled as he thanked her before the three of them said Farwell to Master Yen Sid as Mickey opened the gateway to the Realm of Darkness.

A/N: Well that's another chapter up and I hope that I wasn't too obvious with Jessica being the 4th apprentice but I guess I wasn't all that discreet either. Tell me, did I succeed, did you figure it out right away or had you read Birth of Light first?