Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdome Hearts and Power Rangers.

-o0o-

Chapter 7

The moment the three of them retched the same beach where Aqua's trail had gone cold in the Realm of Darkness, the Light Shard began to glow. Alex's Phoenix eyes activated as she fully connected to Aqua's heart but the amount of light and Power she was giving off caused a chain reaction. Another swarm of Heartless appeared and started attacking, with Alex seeming to be their focus. Riku and Mickey summoned their keyblades well Alex, her bow. "Alex don't worry about them just go get Aqua!" Mickey shouted to be heard over the sounds of battle. "Riku and I can keep them busy."

"I can't just leave you two to fight this swarm on your own!" Alex shouted as she dismissed her bow and summoned her twin Phoenix swords swords. Using these to fight the Heartless that were close to her was much more effective with how the swarm was close to all of them. Working together they were holding their own, back to back or when they were forced away from each other. Alex was a bit in awe of how well Riku and Mickey worked together but it reminded her of how well the rangers all fought as a group too.

"Alex! Go already!" Riku tried to push her towards the water, hoping that her fear of large bodies of water wouldn't stop her. He was unaware that a new swarm or an extension of the same one was appearing behind him.

But Mickey did. "Riku, look!" he tried to warn him, making Riku turn in time to see the Heartless but not enough to avoid them. The swarm threw Riku across the beach, knocking his Keyblade out of his hand, well he landed hard, dazed for a moment. Alex went to head to the water as he had told her but she was also thrown from the edge and into a hug bolder. The force made her she collapse on the beach as she had hit the back of her head and now she was a bit dizzy.

"Riku! Alex!" Mickey called out worried for his friends but then the swarm gathered under his feet and suddenly he was picked up. He shouted as he was tossed around by the Heartless and soon was out of the others sight as he was fulling engulfed in the swarm.

"Mickey!" Riku called out. Hearing him Alex gritted her teeth as she ignored the pain, her eyes came back into focuse and forced herself to her feet. She once again summoned her bow and started to pick off the Heartless that were now a hug group above their heads. She was trying to free Mickey but she didn't seem to be making any progress when a figure covered in smoke jumped out and the swarm had created a ball of darkness around Mickey. With only his head left exposed Mickey saw the figure as it walked over and picked up his dropped Keyblade.

The figures seemed to study Mickey's Keyblade before finally speaking. "This Keyblade…" the voice was clearly female.

Mickey gasped, having recognized the voice. "Is it her?" he asked hopeful, well Alex was frowning at the figure as the dark smoke began to clear or lift off of her. As she started to see the women clearly, Alex felt the connection she had been working so hard to make for the past few weeks flare. At the same time the Phoenix inside her stirred as it sensed a fellow Ninjetti animal spirit nearby.

Alex's suspicions were confirmed as Aqua became visible to them, her back to them, hair completely white and darkness was coming off her in waves. "Mickey… you're too late." Aqua snapped at she turned and glared at him with yellow eyes.

"Aqua?" Riku asked confused.

"What happened?" Mickey asked.

"You abandoned me, that's what. Left me in this shadow prison for more than a decade, knowing what it would do to me." Aqua told him as she looked at him, Riku and Alex sourly before she turned and walked out onto the dark water.

"I'm sorry, it's all my fault." Mickey sadly as he looked down, beating himself up for how long it took to mount a rescue.

"I retched this shore after endless wondering, waited forever for help to arrive but no one ever came." Aqua continued to explain. "I lost my Keyblade, I had no means of fighting my way back through the Heartless. You should have known I was stranded. Do you have any idea how lonely it is here? How frightening it is to have no one? All that's left in my heart is misery and despair… and now you can share it."

With her speech done Aqua turned, Mickey's Keyblade ready in her hand for the fight she was aching for, with all the darkness that filled her. Alex knew that the women in front of her was the Keyblade master they had been looking for but her long stay in the dark abyss of this realm had left its mark on her. Alex hoped that there was a chance to save her as she saw Riku walk forward, his face unreadable, save when Alex made to join him. He waved her down, shaking his head, indicating that she needed to stay put and determination in his eyes. So Alex nodded and stayed where she was, dismissing her bow and swords, waiting for the right time to act.

Riku turned to Aqua and said. "There's no need. Got my own." He turned and looked at the younger looking replica of himself that he and Sora had once meet in Castle Oblivion, The Way to Dawn in his hand. The two of them smiled before the replica Riku vanished into Riku himself, who in turn summoned his new Keyblade. Alex watched as the dark sphere that was holding Mickey moved over the water and the swarm of Heartless returned to surrounded it. Alex didn't like just standing there watching as Riku attacked the Heartless that were keeping Mickey prisoner but she turned her gaze to Aqua. The other Keyblade master was also just standing there looking ready to fight but was just watching as Alex was.

Seeing this gave Alex an idea a she clenched the Light Shard and her Power Coin, all well calling on the Phoenix with in her again. There! She could see Aqua's own Ninjetti animal spirit, the Koi but it looked to be in pain as it weakly swam around her legs. This told Alex that Aqua's heart and spirit, though currently corrupted by darkness, was still hanging in there. Suddenly Aqua's yellow eyes meet Alex's Phoenix ones, Aqua razing an eyebrow as she looked at her with curiosity. Alex wasn't sure what the she was thinking but then Riku drew both of their gaze and Alex could see that her friend was looking out of breath.

Alex was just about to jump in and help him when a door appeared above their heads and a beam of light came shooting out. Turned out it was Sora, who landed next to Riku, causing a big splash. "I made it!" he called out happily which made Riku smile relived, well Alex laughed at the goofball. Like during the Mark of Mastery Alex watched as the two best friends did their combined attack to cut down all of the Heartless at once. Mickey was free but he came flying towards the beach and fast, thankfully Alex was able to jump and catch him in time. Alex landed on the on her feet, laying Mickey down and started to check him for any injuries. Concentrating on that she missed Sora stopping Aqua from striking down Riku, who had been running towards them. She was only aware of Sora taking over fighting Aqua because Riku knelt on Mickey's other side.

"How is he?" he asked as she pulled the Light Shard's power back.

"Nothing too bad. He just unconscious, so he'll be ok." Alex informed him as she stood and watched the fight between Aqua and Sora. Alex was impressed by Sora and Aqua's skills but it worried her some that Aqua had more than two of herself for Sora to fight. As the fight continued Alex fully called up her powers as a Ninjetti, the robes appearing, which caused Riku to stare. He was in awe of the sight as her spirit animal appeared and flew around her in tight circles, seeming to be waiting. Riku wasn't sure what Alex was going to do but he thought that her gold, orange and red robes looked amazing on her.

When Sora defeated Aqua, she staggered back, holding her head as the darkness began to leave her and then she fell backwards on her back. Aqua didn't look like she was moving as the dark waters of the abyss swallowed her up and it was then Alex acted. She sent the Phoenix spirit at Sora, it entering him through his back, which surprised him as he heard Alex's voice. "Sora go. Dive down after her, before it's too late."

Aqua was a bit out of it but she knew she was once again sinking down deep into the Abyss, only after being freed from the darkness. "So- this is the end." She thought, excepting her fate as she didn't have the energy to stop her decent. She closed her eyes, disappointed in herself, that she would not make it back to the Realm of Light, awaken Ven and find Jessica's daughter. Aqua remembered her three friends fondly and wondered what a child of Terra and Jessica would look like.

"Aqua!"

Aqua opened her eyes and saw Sora's hand which was retching for her, finding it odd that there was a warm glow around it. "Sora." She said weakly as she retched out for his hand as light filled her sight.

-o0o-

Aqua felt the warm rays of the sun on her skin, warming her body as she woke, blinking her eyes to adjust to the brightness. Propping herself up she saw Terra and Ven standing over her or she thought it was them till her eyes focused and saw that it wasn't actually her two friends. Instead it was a much older Sora and Riku who were standing over her, looking worried about her. "It's you…"

"Thank goodness you're awake." Mickey said relived.

"Mickey." She said surprised to see her friend as she fully sat up and took in her surroundings. "Are these… the Destiny Islands?"

"That's right." Mickey happily confirmed for her.

"When did they fall to darkness?" Aqua asked as she made herself more comfortable on the warm sand.

Riku smiled as soft chuckle left him, well he shook his head slightly. "You're in the Realm of light."

"Your home!" Sora happily told the very shocked Aqua who was at a loss for words as a single tear ran down her face.

Alex smiled as she watched them have a group hug, not really feeling the need or desire to join in. They all had meet Aqua before this and had in one way or another become her friend. Alex only knew Aqua from the memories and emotions she had gathered in order for the Light Shard to connect their hearts. Now that Aqua was here and Alex now knew the truth of her mother and Aqua being friends before Alex was born, she was hesitant to approach.

It seemed the choice was taken from her as Riku and Sora helped Aqua to her feet and her eyes fell on Alex. The look of curiosity was back on Aqua's face as she look at Alex, walking over to her until there was only a few feet of space between them. "You're the one with the bright light and warm power that is so familiar to me. Just who are you?"

Alex bite her lip as she looked at Riku and Mickey for help, both of whom smiling at her encouragingly from behind Aqua's back. Alex took in a breath to steady her nerves before she answered. "My name is Alex Smith-Scott. I'm a friend of Riku and Sora's who asked me to help find you but… I learned nearly a day ago that my mom was a dear friend of yours. Jessica Macleod, the Keeper of Light, a Keyblade wielder and Master Eraqus's 4th apprentice."

Aqua's eyes went wide in realization, well Sora, Donald and Goofy all shouted. "WHAT?"

Now that Alex had told her, Aqua noticed that she looked much like her mother Jessica but she could see the parts that were Terra. "I almost don't believe it but I can see both of your parents in you but I have to know. Did she… did Jessica die from her illness?"

It was Alex's turn to be surprised. "How did you know she was sick?" Alex asked her confused well the boys joined them, very much wanting to hear what Aqua was about to tell Alex.

Flashback, 4 Years Ago- The Realm of Darkness

Aqua didn't know how much time had passed since that fateful day she said good bye to Jessica and went after Terra. When she had found him in Radiant Guardians, his hair white and not acting like himself, much like Jessica had told her. They ended up fighting, with Xehanort in the end trying to use his keybalde to remove Terra from his own body. As a gateway opened to the Realm of Darkness and Terra had fallen in, Aqua didn't hesitate to dive in after him. She tried to save them both at first but she quickly realized that she could only save one of them. So she chose to fall into the darkness and save Terra, silently promising Ven that one day she would return to wake him up.

Aqua fought the dark beings in the realm she was stuck in, time passing with her being unaware of how long until she came across worlds that she was once traveled in the Realm of Light. She also started to see phantoms of her friends, who did not speak to her, which lead her to believe they were weakness of her own heart. Aqua did try time and again to talk to her friends, longing to be with ones she cared so much for. It was only after she defeated a group of dark beings, and found the three of them again that she finally talked to two of them.

"Terra, Ven, Jessica!" Aqua called out as she saw her three friends up a head, their backs to her, until Jessica and Terra turned when she called out this time.

"Aqua- your-" Terra started to say but words failed him.

Aqua was surprised. "Terra- you spoke?"

"Terra- Aqua-where are we?" Jessica asked as she looked around confused.

"Jessica, you too?" Aqua asked surprised further but over joyed to hear their voices once again.

Terra looked equally surprised as he asked. "You can see me?"

"Of course, I see Ven and Jessica too."

"Ven- he's here too?" Terra looked around, searching for Ven, who to Aqua and Jessica perceptions, was standing right next to the tall brunette.

"Terra, what's wrong? Don't you see him?"

"Where are we?" Jessica askes again, worried as she also looked around, not liking their surroundings one bit.

"A world the darkness has consumed, its Enchanted Dominion." Aqua sadly informed both of her friends.

"Consumed?" Terra asked, still confused. Aqua began to doubt that it was indeed Jessica and Terra that she was talking too. Terra just seemed confused and Jessica looked beyond worried as her eyes darted around constantly. Terra was able to assure her that it was him, before saying that she was seeing them both as she remembered them. Jessica didn't know how to convince Aqua so she decided to stay silent and enjoy being with her friends, once again. "The real me is lost in shadow." Terra sadly informed both girls.

"Then you're here, trapped in the realm of darkness?" Aqua asked fearing that she had failed to save him that day.

Terra shock his head. "No, my heart has ties to the dark. That must be why we can talk but I can't see anything Aqua. If you say Ven is there, then he's like us, an illusion created by your heart."

The two girls looked at each other, Jessica shrugged, an idea in her head of how she was there but not sure either. "I understand. Then you and Ven are safe in the outside world?" Aqua asked hopeful.

"I think."

"That's good." Aqua said truly glade and overlooking his uncertainty as she turned to Jessica. "And you Jess, how are you and the baby doing?"

Terra gasped as he turned to Jessica, only now remembering she had been pregnant with his child when they had all last been together. Jessica smiled as she said fondly. "Well it's been 10 years here, so she's not much of a baby any more but-" she hesitated, closing her eyes as tears threatened to fall. "I have to face the facts. Terra, Aqua, I'm dying."

"WHAT?!" both of her friends shouted in shock.

"It's lung cancer and the treatments are no longer helping not even the magic of my Keyblade. I don't know how much longer I have but I'm happy that I got to see both of you again." Jessica said smiling at them both before she frowned. "But Terra if your heart has ties to the darkness does that mean-"

"Don't worry about me." Terra said cutting her off as he moved away from both of them, but then he turned back to them, determination on his face. "Aqua, Xehanort is trying to locate Ven. You and our daughter as well Jessica."

Both girls exchanged knowing smirks. "He'll never find him, we hid Ven well. I think the reason he's not talking to me here is because he still there sleeping." Aqua explained as the two looked at Ven's silent phantom fondly but the moment was ruined as Jessica noticed that Terra was holding his head. His hair turning white, clearly in distress, well darkness started to come from him.

"No- I can't control-" Terra said as he lost the battle and Xehanort's yellow eyes locked with Jessica's fear filled ones as he asked. "This place- is it the chamber of waking?"

"Yes, but-"

"Aqua don't." Jessica said standing between her and Terranort. "He's not Terra anymore."

"Who are you, really?" as she stood ready, a hand on Jessica's shoulder, shocked to find her friend trembling.

Terranort smiled smugly. "You don't know? My name-"

He didn't get a chance to finish as Terra, the real one formed behind his dark counterpart and grabbed him. "Jessica, Aqua! Get back!"

Terra!" both girls shouted.

"I messed up. Xehanort is part of me." Terra told them as he and Terranort struggled. "Now he's using me- so you'll tell him where you both hid Ven."

"Silence!" Terranort snapped as he fought Terra's hold on him.

The girls could only stand and watch as the two struggled against each other, Terra still talking. "I won't give in. Aqua- you have to-"

Terra was cut off as Terranort grabbed his face and lifted him up. "Still you struggle." He growled.

"Terra, remember what our child said? Fight!" Jessica shouted hoping to lend him strength. Just then a hug dweller of darkness appeared behind the three, grabbing Ven. Thinking fast and with what little energy she had left Jessica made herself into light and wrapped around Aqua before the creature grabbed her. Despite Jessica's effort to protect her, Aqua still felt the creature squeeze her body tightly, as she looked at Ven, wishing he would say or do anything. Looking back at Terra as he continued to struggle against Terranort, Aqua watched as he was able to find the strength he needed, right then and there. "That is ENOUGH!" he shouted as light and gold chains shot out of him and wrapped around Terranort as Aqua's eyes grew heavy and closed.

She felt herself drifting or was it sinking? Like if she was in water, well Jessica's weak voice filled her ears. "I'm sorry Aqua. I'm done but listen to my words as I have a favor to ask of you. I'm going to use what strength I have left to not only pass on the power of the Keyblade to my daughter but the Light Shard to her as well. She will become the new Keeper of Light but she will not know it as I do not have time to explain it to her. Please find her and teach her the ways of the keyblade and of the light. You, Ven and Terra." With that Aqua felt the light that was her dear friend Jessica leave her for the last time and she felt her heart ache.

End of Flashback

Alex felt tears running down her face as she remembered that night but then a familiar stabbing pain went through her head. "Alex, are you alright?" Sora asked as they all saw her wince in pain, a hand coming up to hold her head.

"It's nothing Sora, just a headache. I get them every now and again at the strangest times." Alex explained dismissively trying not to worry him or the others. She froze when Aqua's hand came to rest on her head, making the two lock eyes, the younger girl look up at her in surprise, barley noticing the pain fading.

"It seems that your mother has placed a spell on some of your memories, keeping them from you. That's why your head started to hurt, you must have been trying to remember something she had sealed away." Aqua said after a few moments.

"I… was thinking back to the night she died." Alex confessed as she stepped back and tried to keep her sadness at bay. "I admit there are things I don't remember about that night or from my childhood but I always figured it had to do with… other stress in my life at the time."

Only Aqua did not know about the monster known as Dick Coulson but Riku knew that now was not the time to share such information with Aqua as both girls looked a bit on the tried side. So he suggested that they all head back to master Yen Sid's Tower to rest up a bit. Aqua turned the suggestion down. "I need to go wake Ven. I've already made him wait long enough." she informed them all before she turned to Alex. "I would love to sit down and talk with you at some point Alex as I might be able to remove that spell on your memories."

"I think I'd like that." Alex said with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes as Aqua teleported up to Sora, Donald, and Goofy's Gummiship. Riku pulled Alex to him and didn't let go even when they arrived back at Master Yen Sid's. They gave the old master a quick report before he told them to go get some rest, saying they had more than earned it.

Later that night Riku was woken from a lite sleep as his door was opened and a red eyed Alex slipped into his room. He didn't say anything to her, he simply moved over and let her climb into be next to him. There was fear and uncertainty in her eyes as she looked at him but he could also see the deep sadness as it was clear she had been crying. "It's ok Alex, I'm here, and I've got you." he told her as he covered her with the blanket and pulled her into his arms. Alex nodded as a yawn escaped her well she subconsciously snuggled into his side, and was soon asleep. Riku rubbed her back as she fell asleep and soon followed her.

A/N: As always please review.