Chapter 2: The Dream

Nick felt like she was falling. She slowly opened her eyes and blinked at a bright light above her. Suddenly she felt her feet touch softly onto solid ground. She looked at where she was. It was dark but where she stood it was lit up by some bright light. Looking down at where she stood, it was also dark. She wondered where she was as she took a single step. But just as she did thousands of white doves flew up around her. Nick did not flinch but rather watched them in awe.

As they left their resting place, the birds revealed a stained glass picture of a young woman with skin as white as snow and seven tiny men surrounding her. It was a strange picture and Nick couldn't figure out why she was here, wherever it was that is.

Suddenly a strange voice spoke out, "You are needed. You do not know the power you hold. But don't fear it. The door will only open for the one who stands by your side. Now step forward if you feel your destiny permits it."

Who was that? And what did they mean by a door? This was all too confusing. She did not shout out, however, but she did feel that she should step forward. It was like something deep inside her told her it was right. So she took her chosen step.

Before her three stones appeared, each with a strange weapon hovering above them. She looked at them, one a sword, one a wand, and another a shield. She was somehow drawn to the shield and placed a hand upon it.

"The power of the guardian. The power to protect friends and loved ones. It shall repel all darkness. Is this what you want?" the mysterious voice called out.

Nick turned to look at the awaiting weapons behind her. The power to protect her friends was far more important to her than anything in the world.

"I choose the shield," said Nick, her voice echoing about the mysterious place.

"Then your path will be set. But you must give something up in exchange," asked the voice.

Nick turned to face the sword and wand. Well, a sword had always been useful to her. She had held one for so many years and she knew how to use it well. It was magic that she did not need. So she pointed toward the wand, expecting the owner of the voice to see her gesture.

"You wish to give up the power of magic?" it asked again. Nick nodded in response.

As she did so, the weapons disappeared and the floor beneath her shattered into pieces. She did not scream but was quite alarmed. She looked down as she landed softly back on her feet on a new stained glass floor. But now it was a picture of a girl with blonde hair and a light blue dress. As she stared at this new picture, a bright light shined and she had to cover her eyes, lest she be blinded.

As the light subsided she lowered her hand and saw two unique looking weapons before her. One was shaped like a giant key. The other was a magnificent sword with gold lacing coming from the golden hilt and leading up the blade.

"Only one belongs to you," the voice said as she approached the weapons engulfed in light. "It is you who decides whether you want its power or not. The wielder of the keyblade is the one you must follow. Choose wisely, if you cannot remain at the Keyblade Master's side, then you mustn't take that which rightfully belongs to you."

Nick looked at the swords in a daze. Keyblade? What was that? And who was this Keyblade Master? All of this didn't make any sense. But either way she could not take her eyes from the golden sword. The giant key did not seem as important to her, it was the other that she was exceptionally drawn to.

Nick reached her hand out and hesitantly placed grasped handle. She brought it down from its hovering position and held it before her. It was incredibly light and it gave her such a rush of power. She felt strong and brave. The feeling of the metal in her hand warmed her heart and everything she wanted her destiny to be seemed so much more confident to her. She could do anything she wanted and nobody could stop her.

The other blade, still hovering in midair, disappeared with a flash. She blinked at the small specks of light that were left behind from the magical weapon.

Then at once she heard the name of the sword in her hand being repeated over and over by the mysterious voice, "The Blade of Destiny."

She looked down at the sword. "Blade of Destiny?" she questioned.

"It is only you who can reset the heart's destiny," said the voice, just as five small black creatures with bright yellow eyes appeared. They seemed to come from deep within the shadows. Nick took a step back, these things looked frightening.

"Do not be afraid," said the voice gently. Taking this to heart, Nick stood in a fighting stance, both hands on the sword, holding it above her head. Her left foot in front of her right, prepared to take her perfect hit.

One of the creatures lunged at her. Nick swung the destiny blade down on it. A small, glowing pink heart floated into the air from its dissipating body. She felt the sword in her hands shimmer as it forced her arm to raise and point at the heart. Just as it was perfectly aimed at the pink heart, a bright gold light beamed from the end of her blade and engulfed the heart in light. The heart then turned a pure white, glowing heart rather than pink and disappeared into the air.

"A destiny has been reset. You hold each heart's destiny. Stay true to the Keyblade Master, for it is together that hearts can be completely restored," the voice told her.

The last of the little black creatures returned to the shadows. A stairway then suddenly appeared. Nick followed it to the next platform, the Blade of Destiny still in her hands. What more did this voice want her to know?

Once she finally approached it, she saw it was a picture of a girl with golden hair and a pink dress. After examining this, Nick looked up to see a large white door far off in the distance. It was not on the platform but in the darkness. She took a step towards it, hoping the one controlling this strange place would send it to her.

"Only he can open the door," boomed the voice. Nick stopped suddenly. "You are not meant to open the door. Only you can close it."

"But who's he?" asked Nick. It had been bugging her. If she must follow this Keyblade Master, then she must certainly need to know who he was.

"The one who has the power to lock all worlds. Follow what you feel is right in your destiny. There will be two you must choose from. Choose wisely for one will lead to light while the other will lead to darkness."

She looked at the door in the distance again, then down at the sword in her hands. What did all of this mean? It was far too confusing and all she wanted was to get back to Destiny Islands. She placed her hand to her head as she hoped for some way to get home.

"You are drawn by two worlds, unable to choose between them. Do not hesitate to fight back, for there will be many battles. Don't be afraid," said the mysterious voice, "You wield a great weapon of amazing power."

Just then, a black hole appeared beneath her. Nick let out a small cry of shock as she tried to step back, but she could not move her legs. The darkness began to pull her down as she struggled against it. She reached out a hand for anyone who would take it, but there was no one. Finally the darkness reached her head and she closed her eyes.

Before she had been completely consumed by the darkness, the voice called out again, "Remember, do not be afraid of the darkness."