"The Heartless have a great fear of the Keyblade. That's why they'll keep coming after you no matter what!"-Squall Leonhart


In the middle of the night, while the rest of the castle lay in deep slumber, Xehanort stood alone wide awake within the Room of Legacies. He wore a look of deep concentration and repeatedly lifted his right hand for long periods of time. When nothing would happen he would put his hand back down and let out a sigh of frustration. To an outsider looking in the scenario would look very odd. However, those who knew Xehanort intimately knew that he trying to accomplish what he had failed to for the past six weeks; materialize his Keyblade. It had become an obsession completely consuming Xehanort's free time.

To add to his anxiety, Xehanort had recently become plagued with nightmares about the Heartless. In these dreams the Heartless appeared in various shapes and size, amassing in a large quantity. The Heartless were all banging loudly against an invisible barrier, all of them trying to claw their way to Xehanort. Each time this dream occurred the Heartless came closer and closer to breaking the barrier. Each time Xehanort would always awake at the last minute drenched in cold sweat, the sound of Heartless' relentless banging still ringing in the distance. Xehanort didn't know whether these dreams had any real world ramifications, but they still scared him. This slight fear only spurred Xehanort further in his desire to materialize his Keyblade. So Xehanort resolved to dedicate his nights attempting to call it forth. Finally, in the early hours of the morning, Xehanort wearily packed up his stuff and headed to the day's lessons. As he did, he could not help but feel a deep sense of foreboding that had wormed its way into his head.

...

When Xehanort arrived at Mentor Jensen's swordplay lesson with deep bags under his eyes, Nadia and Eraqus gave each other matching looks of worry. They knew immediately that Xehanort had pulled another all-nighter.

"Geesh Xehanort, you look like crap," said Eraqus.

Nadia gave Eraqus a sharp punch in the arm.

"Ouch, I was just being honest," he said, groaning in slight pain.

Nadia gave her brother a stern look that softened as she began fretting over Xehanort. She reached into her bag and pulled out a canister of coffee. She gave it to Xehanort and began fixing his jacket, which Xehanort had tiredly put it on inside out.

Eraqus looked at Xehanort as he drank his coffee, a slight look of annoyance crossing his face.

"Hey no fair, where's my coffee?" he asked, slightly annoyed.

Nadia reached once more into her bag and pulled another canister of coffee out alongside a wrapped burrito.

"I didn't forget you, little bro. I even brought your favorite breakfast wrap. Eggs, sausage, bacon, peppers, onions, and a sprig of hot sauce," she said, handing the wrap over to her brother.

"Famks Madia," said Eraqus, his mouth already stuffed with the burrito.

Satisfied, she turned to Xehanort.

"As for you mister, you're going to take an hour nap after today's lesson. No excuses, no complaining, and no whining."

Xehanort shrugged, knowing far better than to argue with her.

She winked at the two boys.

"What would you two do without me?" she asked with a knowing smirk.

With that she flounced over to her sparring partner as Mentor Jensen sternly announced the start of the lesson.

"Well at least she has point, what would we do without her?" said Xehanort, handing Eraqus a practice blade.

"I'd imagine that my socks would be a lot less clean and my stomach a lot less full," said Eraqus sheepishly.

Xehanort gave Eraqus a skeptical look as they began their footing exercises.

"Okay, I would have stomach less full of things actually good for me," said Eraqus with a laugh.

"That sounds much better," Xehanort said, laughing as well.

The two boys finished their warm-ups and began practicing Mentor Jensen's new sword routines. As the practiced the new techniques Xehanort decided to voice the concern that had preoccupied him for the past six weeks.

"Hey Eraqus, why do you think I can't materialize my Keyblade?" asked Xehanort

"Honestly Xehanort, I think you're pushing yourself too hard. Keyblades are picky about their owners. They will materialize when the moment is right and not a moment sooner. It took me two months before I was able to materialize mine," Eraqus responded.

"Really?" asked Xehanort.

"Yeah, Nadia took even longer than that apparently," Eraqus said reassuringly.

Xehanort suddenly felt much lighter, as if a lot of pressure had suddenly been lifted off his shoulders.

"So do you think if I just let things take their natural course that things will speed things up or should I do something to 'prove' myself worthy," Xehanort said in an excited ramble.

"Xehanort, you're overthinking it again," said Eraqus wearing a look torn between amusement and annoyance. "Honestly, I'm surprised your brain doesn't explode from all the thinking you do."

This remark reminded Xehanort so forcefully of his father that Xehanort had to do a double-take to make sure it wasn't him that said it. He suddenly burst out in laughter at the fact that his father would have told him the same thing that Eraqus and Nadia had been telling him for the past couple of weeks. Xehanort always had trouble dealing with variables that lay beyond his control. This sudden reminder of his father made him realize that the Keyblade's appearance was just one of those variables. He needed to accept that it would appear when it was ready. Trying to force the issue was only going to drive him crazy.

"You're right Eraqus," said Xehanort suddenly.

"I am?"-Eraqus raised his eyebrows in surprise-"I mean, of course, I am. I'm just not used to you agreeing so quickly."

"You know I think I will take that hour nap Nadia suggested, some relaxation isn't sounding so bad right now," said Xehanort thoughtfully.

Eraqus face suddenly perked up, a sudden idea sprouting in his head. "How about me, you and Nadia take the day off tomorrow. We can go to the beach, I know Nadia has been dying to go for a while now."

"Do you think Master Ansem would allow that?" asked Xehanort. "Plus I'm kinda desensitized by the beach, growing up on the Islands kinda does that to you..."

"Sure, the Master...I mean Dad, he might be strict but even he recognizes the need for time to 'recuperate the mind, and refresh the body'. At least that's his lame way of saying it's sometimes okay to have fun." explained Eraqus. "Then again I don't ever recall my father going to the beach...can you imagine my father trying to get a tan?"

Xehanort smirked, laughing slightly at the very idea of Master Ansem lying on some beach trying to catch some rays.

"So are you down?" asked Eraqus, he turned and stole a glance at his sister. "I think Nadia was telling me about impressing some guys with her new bikini."

Eraqus smirked knowingly as he watched his best friend almost choke in response.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Xehanort asked in a lot harsher tone than he had meant to.

Eraqus shrugged nonchalantly.

"Nothing, just wondering how many muscle heads might try to chat her up. If only she had another guy to talk to besides her brother...oh well I suppose those other guys will have to do," said Eraqus slyly, pausing to watch the effects of his words

Xehanort sputtered, struggling to spit out a coherent sentence. Fortunately, he was spared from answering by Mentor Jensen who came over and slapped the pair in the back of their heads.

"Pardon me for interrupting your clearly stimulating conversation but I believe you have a lesson that you would do well to pay attention to," he said sternly

"Sorry Mentor, it won't happen again," said Eraqus sheepishly rubbing his sore head.

However, he grinned in victory, as Xehanort mouthed he would join him tomorrow before the two friends returned to their training.

...

Surprisingly enough, Eraqus had been right about how accepting Master Ansem would be about the trio taking a day off. As it turned out Master Ansem had taken note of how stressed Xehanort had been over the course of the past couple of weeks, and had been days away from forcing Xehanort to take a personal day. So hours later Xehanort found himself lying in his bed trying to wind down enough to got sleep. He thought about the day's events and all the people who had his back here at Land of Departure. Master Ansem, Mentor Jensen, especially Nadia and Eraqus. Ever since he arrived each of them looking out for his best interest in some way. The thought of how fortunate he was soothed his mind, relaxing him. Xehanort put his head down on the pillow and drifted into an easy sleep. His last thought was how much he was looking forward to a normal beach day. Yes, tomorrow would be a normal and peaceful day. Xehanort drifted into slumber with no inkling how wrong he was about to be.

...

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Xehanort stood close to the barrier that Master Ansem had erected, the only thing securing the world from the invading Heartless. On the other side of the barrier, Heartless had begun amassing in numbers that Xehanort had never seen in any of his previous dreams. Countless of Shadows, numerous amounts of Neoshadows, and plenty of Darkballs; all of them hammering against the barrier with desperation.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Xehanort's fear began to mount as the Heartless seemingly futile efforts began to bear fruit. A tiny crack appeared in the barrier that was steadily growing larger. Xehanort tried to summon his Aura Weapons, perhaps he could stop them. But Xehanort found he could not move, paralyzed he was forced to watch as the Heartless relentlessly attacked the barrier.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Suddenly an enormous Darkside Heartless appeared amongst their ranks. Xehanort's fear was suddenly paramount, as the Darkside raised it gigantic fist and swung.

BANG!

The crack in the barrier grew significantly as the Darkside hit it with devastating force.

BANG!

The crack further increased in size crumbling under the sheer power of the Darkside's blows.

BANG!

Xehanort could only stare in horror as the Darkside completely shattered the barrier into a million pieces. A single Shadow hopped forward, crawling past where the barrier once stood. At first, it just stood there, then it's antennas twitched in the direction of the castle, the other Heartless also repeated this behavior. Then suddenly they charged, all of them surging forward, towards the feast of hearts that awaited them in the castle. Then out of nowhere the Darkside grabbed him and pulled Xehanort to its eye level. As drew Xehanort closer he could hear it speak his mind.

"Xehanort! Xehanort! MY LIEGE XEHANORT!"

Then the dark creature swallowed him whole, the banging of the Heartless pouring through the barrier still ringing in his ear.

...

"Xehanort!"- BANG!- "Xehanort!"-BANG!-"XEHANORT!"- BANG!"

Xehanort awoke abruptly to Nadia desperately shaking him, trying to force him to wake up. Eraqus, Master Ansem, and Mentor Jensen stood beside her, outside the door looked to be a swarming mixture of students, Mentors, and staff. Xehanort looked at the people in his room, each wore matching looks of fear and worry.

"What's going on Nadia?" asked Xehanort in trepidation.

"Xehanort..the Heartless, we don't know how. They broke through the barrier... Xehanort there is so many of them..." said Nadia in a clearly shaken voice.

Xehanort looked towards Master Ansem.

"How did this happen?" he asked.

Master Ansem looked solemnly at Xehanort.

"I don't know, but I have sensed the Heartless growing stronger for the past couple of months. I,"-Bang! The entire castle shook interrupting the Master.-"I don't know what the cause is but there is no doubt about it. The forces of darkness are rising," he said softly.

Xehanort looked at the people in the room, the people out in the hall, all waiting in fear. All of these people who Xehanort had come to look at like a second family. He looked at Nadia, then Eraqus, and finally at Mentor Jensen and Master Ansem.

"Can we stop them? Or are we just going to let these monster take our home?" asked Xehanort, his voice brimming with determination.

BANG! Another large tremble shook the castle.

After a moment's pause Eraqus, and Nadia broke into matching grins. Master Ansem nodded in gratitude; Mentor Jensen's mouth twitched at the corners, almost forming a smile but keeping his composure.

"See, I told you Xehanort would fight with us!" said Eraqus, who was now in full confidence they stood a chance. "Now let's go out there out there and kick some Heartless ass!"

The group all nodded in unison.

"Mentors come in here!" ordered Master Ansem.

The Mentors all filed quickly into the room.

"Divide the older students into groups, we're fighting! Send all of the younger children into the Safeguard Room. Marshal the rest students and attack the lesser threats. Myself, Mentor Jensen, Nadia, Xehanort, and Eraqus will handle the most powerful Heartless. Today is not the day I give up my home!" shouted Master Ansem passionately.

"Sir, yes, sir!" the Mentors shouted in response.

Bang! The castle shook once more.

Master Ansem turned to Jensen.

"Jensen my brother, shall we fight together once more?" asked Master Ansem

"It would be just like old times my friend," replied Jensen with a smirk.

"In the old times I recall we almost died... a lot," said Master Ansem

"To be fair most of those times were instigated by you trying to show off for Pamela," said Jensen.

"Ah..I forget the details," Master Ansem said with a laugh.

BANG!

"Xehanort, Nadia, Eraqus why don't we show that Darkside why it's rude to knock on someone's door this late at night.

...

The Heartless were everywhere, their vast numbers pouring into the Land of Departure. They instinctively sought out more hearts to capture and gravitated towards the plethora of people in the castle. Fortunately, Master Ansem had sensed their presence in a timely fashion. This allowed him to erect a shield around the castle. The shield was far more concentrated, giving it much more strength than the now damaged world barrier. While the other Heartless gathered around the castle gate, a large Darkside was currently battering at the door, trying to break down the barrier.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The Darkside repeatedly drove his fist into the barrier with force the made the entire castle shake. The surrounding Heartless twitched in anticipation; the instinct to capture more hearts, the feast of hearts that awaited beyond the castle's barrier, it made them all the more eager.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The Darkside continued to pound the barrier, eager to reach the hearts within its walls. It pulled it's massive fists back, rearing itself to deliver another massive blow. Suddenly it found it's hands wrapped with what appeared to be a white-blue rope of Ethereal energy. The ropes belonged to Xehanort who transfigured his Ethereal Blades into ropes and used them to bind the hands of the Darkside.

"Hey! Do you have any idea what time it is? People are trying to sleep you know!" Xehanort called from the balcony above.

The Darkside's head twitched as it leered towards Xehanort; the other Heartless quivered in excitement, the presence of a new heart greatly arousing them. Xehanort returned the Heartless' look with a smirk his own. With a deft swiftness, he vaulted high over the Darkside's head and used his ropes to drag it down using his momentum as a counterweight. With no way to resist the Darkside had no choice but to succumb to gravity. It fell backward with a giant crash, squashing numerous amounts of it's Heartless brethren. At that moment Eraqus and Nadia jumped from the balcony, materialized their Keyblades, and delivered two powerful slashes. The Darkside quivered momentarily on the ground before exploding into dust.

The surviving Heartless were temporarily stunned, each looking at the spot where their large comrade stood moments before. The temporary distraction was followed by roaring determination of the students and mentors who opened the doors of the castle and charged out. The group divided into five, each led by a Mentor. The five groups spread out and began routing the enemy. Xehanort, Eraqus, and Nadia then found themselves joined by Master Ansem and Mentor Jensen. Two more Darksides lumbered to the forefront of the battle heading directly for the five warriors. Master Ansem and Mentor Jensen summoned their respective Keyblades.

"Xehanort, Nadia, Eraqus! It's time to put all you've learned to practical use," said Master Ansem, also giving Jensen a slight nod.

The group nodded in understanding and rushed forward to attack.

"Nadia! Eraqus! Grab a hold!" shouted Xehanort.

He transformed his Ethereal Weapons into long whips. Nadia and Eraqus each grabbed onto one as Xehanort swung them with all his strength and launched the pair into the air. Eraqus raised his Keyblade into the air and summoned forth a volley of meteors down towards the one of the Darksides. Nadia warped around the same Darkside attacking it with a light based series of slashes. Xehanort shot bursts of Ethereal energy from his blades causing the Darkside to stumble backward. Master Ansem summoned a powerful tornado that lifted the giant Heartless twenty feet into the air. Mentor Jensen finished the helpless Heartless by blasting it with a devastating Mega Flare of such power that the proceeding explosion lit up the entire night's sky and simulated actual daylight.

Eraqus looked at the explosion in awe, an impressed look crossing his face.

"Damn Jensen overkill much? I'm probably going to have to think twice before putting itching powder in your shoes next time," he said.

"I knew that was you!" Jensen cried with a look bordering on amusement and irritation.

Before Jensen could further reprimand Eraqus, the second Darkside made it's presence know by launching it's fist at the two. Xehanort managed to project a Reflega shield around them just before the Heartless landed its blow.

"Enough chatting, more fighting," Xehanort scolded.

The two nodded and turned their attention back to the battle. Xehanort slammed his Ethereal Blades into the ground and activated a powerful Quake attack causing the Darkside to stumble as jagged bursts of earth based energy sprouted from the ground. Nadia and Eraqus flanked the Heartless on it's left and right sides, shooting their signature Light Burst Chain attack, immediately trapping it in chains of light energy that rendered the Darkside immobile . Master Ansem and Mentor Jensen then transformed their Keyblades into giant cannons and blasted the Darkside into oblivion. The surrounding students and Mentors cheered rallying behind the five. Each group increased their efforts motivated by the five powerful warriors who led them into battle. Shadows were sliced by the numerous blades of the student's swords. Neoshadows sniped at a distance by blasters and arrows. Darkballs fell to the ground by the powerful magic of the Mentors. Darksides slain by the combined efforts of Master Ansem, Mentor Jensen, Xehanort, Nadia, and Eraqus. The Heartless' numbers were rapidly decreasing by the minute. Everyone began pushing back the front lines closer and closer to the Pit, all of them trying to give Master Ansem a chance to close the hole from which the Heartless invaded. Finally, they all managed to push the Heartless threat back to the Pit, creating a huge opening.

"Jensen! Nadia! Eraqus! Now!" shouted Master Ansem.

The four Keyblade Wielders pointed their Keyblades at the breach point, obliterating all the remaining Heartless, and closing the giant hole in the barrier.

There was a loud cheer of exhaustion and victory as everyone collapsed in the relief of having stopped the Heartless invasion.


A/N: Welcome back guys. I know it's been a while since I updated but I assure you I have not abandoned you! I took a short hiatus for two simple reasons. The first is I have been going through a lot in my personal life and motivation was kind of low. The second is because I've been holding off a little bit to keep track of the ever updating story for Kingdom Hearts Chi/Unchained Chi. One of my priorities with this story is to try and keep it within the confines the canon story, while still putting my own creative spin on it. As it turns out I have seemingly little to worry about (At least for now *points finger at Nomura*) the details fit perfectly well with the new story details. In fact, they fit a little too well, which I suppose isn't too surprising considering how knowledgeable I am when it comes to Kingdom Hearts lore. At any rate, I reward your patience with an extra long chapter(over 3000 words!). I'm really happy with how this chapter turned out. Some of you might have even got a sneak peak after I accidentally uploaded a part it when editing another chapter. But we're finally getting some real action and I hope you enjoy the battle I've put together. There is one more chapter for Land of Departure and then we will officially jump into the next world! Hope you guys are ready I have some great stuff planned! As always reviewing helps, enjoy.