Crystalmaiden62: Yes! The Spring Semester is over! I can finish up Unlock the Heart
Anna: Yay! Good for you, Crystal!
Blair: Hold it, don't you have the Summer Semester?
Crystal: Don't remind me. Well, as you can tell I'm nearly done with Unlock the Heart. Only a few more chapters and an extra.
Anna: It's been a good time doing this.
Crystal: Yep, so now for the Disclaimers.
Disclaimers: I don't own Kingdom Hearts or any of the characters. I only own Anna and Lunar Wish. So please, no flames.
Crystal: Well, this is it. Hope you like it.
Chapter 12: The Keyblade Graveyard
I flew as fast as I could to the Keyblade Graveyard and landed carefully on the ground. It feels weird not being at Ventus's side, I've grown so used to traveling with him that it's kind of lonely not being around him. Still, I need to save him and the others. I've got a power that might help me do that. But what if it doesn't, all I've worked for will be for nothing. No, I can't think that! As I walked to look out at the canyon like area, I summoned Lunar Wish and feeling that familiar warm feeling.
"I've got to at least try, for my friend." I muttered, and I felt a little more confident about the situation.
I really don't think you should try this. I heard Lunar in my head. Please, you're only setting yourself up for disappointment.
"Why? You're hiding more from me?" I asked, angry. I thought Lunar Wish was my keyblade and part of my light. There are so many questions, like when we first met. She said she was a newborn heart, yet she knew about my connection to Kingdom Hearts. She knew about my powers and even how to awaken them. What more is she hiding from me? I walked all the way to the area with all colorful tornados and it did seem interesting, that is until you get sucked into one! I'm not kidding, I hate these things so much! Well, some battles weren't bad but the ones with the giant Unversed. How the heck did Flood Unversed grow to the size of a house? But they weren't the problem, the problems were those shoe Unversed that keep in trying to step on me. 'Now I know what an ant feels!' I thought, dodging as best as I can. At this rate I'll be a piece of gum under the shoe.
"Anna!" I looked just in time to see a mass of brown and black come flying out of nowhere and attack the remaining shoe Unversed and the tornado cleared. "Are you alright, Anna?" I looked up to see Terra.
"Terra, you're okay!" I cheered as Terra nodded but still not looking happy.
"You had me worried, when you nearly got sucked into the darkness…"
"I'm fine, I managed to open a portal before I could even go near the darkness." I said but I did feel worried. "What about you Terra? I know it's stupid to as if you're okay or not after what happened."
"Yeah, I'm not alright." Terra said, looking away.
"It's okay, you don't need to say anything." I said, putting a comforting hand on his arm.
"Why didn't you tell me I'd so something like this?" Terra asked, staring down at me.
"Would you believe me if I had said anything about this whole thing?" I asked, looking serious. "How was I supposed to say, oh you'd use the darkness help kill Master Eraqus? Terra, you wouldn't have believed me and I don't blame you. You viewed Master Eraqus like a father as well as a Master. And I really wanted to save him."
"What?" Terra asked as I held out Lunar Wish.
"I've gained some new powers with my keyblade. It might be able to change the fate in store for you and the others."
"And what if it doesn't?" Terra asked.
"At least I tried." I said, letting Lunar Wish vanish. "Lunar seems to be hiding something from me though and it kind of worries me."
"Don't worry." Terra said, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Even if it doesn't work, I just hope you'll be okay."
"Thanks Terra but what about Ven?" I asked.
"We'll be there for Ven too. We're all friends, remember."
"Yeah, thanks." I said with a nod as he started walking.
"Come on, we need to stop Master Xehanort."
"Right." I said and ran after him. Since I already finished fighting the tornado filled Unversed we soon arrived on the barren area with all the lifeless Keyblades; the battleground of the Keyblade Wars centuries ago. So many people died in that war and it nearly destroyed everything, all for the X-keyblade and the light within Kingdom Hearts; my light. I heard footsteps and I turned to see Aqua walking to us. She didn't speak until she got beside us.
"I was told…. the Master was struck down." Terra gasped, probably because of how quickly news passed but I nodded solemnly.
"Yes, we saw it happen."
"I was stupid and helped Xehanort do it." Terra said shocking Aqua.
"Terra, don't say that."
"It's true though and you know it, Anna." Terra said, still saddened by his actions. "The Master, he tried to hurt Ven and Anna too when she stepped in to protect him. I only fought because I wanted to protect them. But that's why you came back." Terra said, lookin down at me. "You came back to save Master Eraqus."
"I did but I was too late. I saw Xehanort was the one who gave the final blow to our Master." I said, feeling anger and disappointment in myself. I'm still mad I couldn't save Master Eraqus, even if all goes bad his heart will be the one to protect Terra from Xehanort it was a small bit of hope that maybe I can change the future and save Ven and the others from their pain.
"But I was tricked." Terra said, gripping his hand. "Xehanort set the whole thing up, all so he could awaken the darkness inside me. You were right, Aqua and so was the Master." Terra finally looked at his friend in the eyes. "I did need to be watched. I went astray but no more." Aqua didn't speak for a moment but I already knew her words.
"What else is darkness but hate and rage?" Aqua asked, not looking up at Terra. "Xehanort is feeding the dark fires within you, making you fight. You'll go astray again." She finally looked up and her eyes were filled with such wisdom. "Tell me, how does that honor our Master's memories?" I turned away from this as I saw Ventus coming to us.
"Ven!" I ran to him and he gave me a weak smile before looking sad again as we walked back to Terra and Aqua.
"Xehanort wants me and Vanitas to fight and make some kind of 'X-blade'." Ven said, this is the most I've ever seen him depressed before and for good reason. "But the Master said we can't let that happen and he tried to destroy me for it and even went after Anna when she tried to protect me."
"X-blade?" Aqua asked, not having a clue on what it is. Come to think of it, she's the only one who didn't know about Xehanort's plans, even when she visited Yen Sid.
"I still don't know exactly what it is." Ven said sounding frightened now and again don't blame him. "But… it scares me to death. Even just the thought of it and what it might do to Anna."
"What do you mean?"
"If the X-blade is forged, the Keyblade Wars will begin again and since I'm a human version of the light in Kingdom Hearts I'll vanish too. That means I might ending up dying." I said as Aqua looked shocked and scared by this piece of information.
"Relax, Ven, Anna." Terra said, putting a comforting hand on Ven's shoulder and giving me a warm smile. "We're here and we're gonna take care of you." Aqua nodded in agreement and I tried to smile to give Ven comfort but I can only imagine the terror going on inside him right now.
"I may have to fight Vanitas after all." Ven stated. "If I do, guys…. I want you to…"
"The four of us can never be torn apart, all right? I'll always find a way." Terra said firmly but in a comforting way. Aqua knelt down and touched Ven's cheek but that didn't help.
"I'm asking you, as a friend." Ven said, removing the hands of his two friends. "Just put an end to me and if they don't do it, Anna you need to be the one to do it."
"Ven…." I said as he nodded. He knew what he was doing. Even though I knew it wouldn't happen, I really don't want to kill my best friend. Aqua suddenly gasped as we looked to see Xehanort and Vanitas walking towards us. I felt really angry at seeing Xehanort's smirk, this is all his fault! If he wasn't so determined to find out about the Keyblade War, none of this would've happened!
"Behold," Xehanort gestured to show the keyblades around us. "These lifeless keys used to be full of power, united with the hearts of their masters. On this barren soil, keyblades of light and darkness were locked in combat as a great Keyblade War raged." He seems to be really enjoying this. It's kind of disturbing. "Countless keyblade wielders gave up their lives, all in search of one, ultimate key. And it will soon belong to me." He then pointed straight at Ventus and I knew his next line. "X-blade!" We all glared at him and instantly summoned our armors to be prepared for the biggest battle we've ever fought. Terra instantly charged at Xehanort and Vanitas only to end up falling as Xehanort some how made the ground in front of him rise and making another rise with him and Vanitas on it. I really don't know if we fought till nightfall or if Xehanort can some how control the weather or time, most likely the weather because it seemed dark because of the cloud cover.
"Look out!" I yelled, noticing the large amount of keyblades in what looked like a cycle of wind being controlled by Vanitas came flying down toward us.
"Ven!" Aqua yelled as I tried to stop the mass of keyblades only to get slammed into the side of the Xehanort made mountain and lost my helmet.
"Damn it!"
"Anna, you okay?" Ventus said as I got up.
"Yeah, where's Aqua?" We heard a scream from Aqua as she landed hard into the ground.
"Aqua!" We ran to her side and she lifted her keyblade into the air.
"Terra!" She sent a barrier spell his way, protecting him but he was still about to get attacked by Xehanort.
"Anna, stay here and heal Aqua." Ventus ordered before running off.
"Wait, Ven!" Be he was already too far away for him to hear me. "Curaga!" I yelled, healing Aqua instantly.
"Thanks Anna." I nodded and looked up at Xehanort and gasped to see Xehanort holding Ven by the back of the head.
"Ven!"
"No!" I screamed as Ven was frozen and thrown off of the mound Xehanort was on. I instantly turned Lunar into her glider form and caught Ventus before he hit the ground.
"Ven, are you okay?"
"Of course, he's not okay! He's been iced!" I yelled, using a small fire spell to start thawing him out. Just then a light above came and we looked up to see the clouds were parting and there was a heart shaped moon; Kingdom Hearts. If it wasn't for the fact we were in a middle of a big huge fight, I'd be able to enjoy the warm feeling Kingdom Hearts was giving me. With it so close to me, maybe the light is reacting inside me.
"How 'bout you leave the popsicle and the squirt to me, so you can go have your fight with Terra." We looked to see none other than Braig in all his eye-patch and scarred glory coming toward us, looking up at Kingdom Hearts. "You can't be too happy about him deep-sixing your Master."
"Who are you?" Aqua asked and he just smirked at us. Because of Braig's involvement in all this, I really don't like him right now.
"You think you there have got some grand role to play. As if. You're only here so that when I finish you off, Terra will succumb to the darkness. So…. Who wants to go first?" He said as we glared at him, Ven really glaring hard at this guy. Probably angry from being frozen or what he was saying; most likely both.
"Shut up!" He yelled, as I nodded in agreement.
"Oh, so this kiddo thinks he's a full-fledged keyblade wielder? Bet you so too." Braig said as I glared at him.
"You should talk, you don't even have a keyblade!" I screamed as I got up and summoned Lunar Wish, ready for a fight.
"You guy got the angry look down." Braig said as Ven and I just glared at him.
"Go ahead if you want to waste your time." Aqua said, firmly. "Keep trying to drive us apart with your mind games. It'll never work!" She got up and look to me. "Keep Ven safe."
"But Aqua…"
"No Anna, I'll fight him." Knowing there's no way to stop Aqua once her mind is set, I nodded and returned to Ven's side and started to thaw him again. "Terra will prove to you he's stronger!" From then on, all I could hear was the sound of Aqua's keyblade hitting Braig (I kind of enjoyed that), her shouting spells and attacks, and a lot of sounds from Braig's gun. It felt like fifteen minutes before it all stopped and I turned to see Braig out of breath and Aqua standing there, victorious.
"I keep forgetting….don't mess with Keyblade wielders." Braig gasped but still looking pleased. "But you know what? That just means I made the right choice! Well, he wanted me to buy time, and I'd say he got it."
"What?" Aqua chased after him a little bit before turning to us. "Ven! Anna!" I looked up and I saw a mass of red and black falling right towards Aqua.
"Aqua!"
"Look out behind you!" I yelled but it was too late. Vanitas struck her down and she lay there unconscious. "Stay away from here!" I ran at Vanitas as he made to attack Aqua but he instantly blocked me and I was hit with one of his lighting bolts. I fell against the ground and I felt someone step on my right hand. I winced up to see Vanitas readying his keyblade to plunge it into my heart. No, what'll happen if a keyblade takes my hearts? Will I die too?
"No!" I felt Vanitas get off my arm as I saw Ventus attack him, now completely thawed through. "Are you alright, Anna?"
"Yeah, thanks." I said as he helped me up. "Let's take him out!"
"Yeah!" We instantly charged at him as he summoned his cyclone of keyblades and tried to mow us done. Ven had a hard time getting him off because if we got too close to those keyblades they'd hurt us. Thankfully, I'm good with long distance spells.
"Lunar light!" I yelled as the beam of light hit Vanitas making him fall and Ventus instantly went for a few hits.
"Too slow." Vanitas vanish and attacked Ventus from behind and I came right at him and landed a few hits on him only to get slashed by his attacks. He seemed to then jump into the ground and vanished.
"Where's he hiding?" Ventus asked as I noticed a dark mass on the ground moving toward Ven.
"Look out!" I pushed him out of the way as Vanitas jumped out of the dark mass and started shooting fireballs at us.
"What are we gonna do now?" Ven asked as Vanitas jumped back into the ground and we ran away from the dark mass as fast as possible but it still caught up to us. I noticed at least that Vanitas only attacked Ventus so that gave me an idea. Once Vanitas had his back to me, I aimed my keyblade right at him.
"Lunar Light!" My light spell hit him just where it needed and he fell to the ground. "Finish it, Ven!"
"Right!" Ven ran and delivered the final blow sending Vanitas flying.
"Come on!" I ran to Ventus and tried to pull him away. "We need to get out of here!"
"Why?"
"You've done it, Ventus." We looked to see Vanitas standing up. A dark aura began to surround him and I tried to pull Ventus away but he stayed put, ready to fight again. "Now that my body is about to perish, you and I have to join together!"
"Run, Ven!" I yelled getting in front of Ven to protect him.
"The X-blade will be forged!" At once the dark aura started to go onto the ground toward us and a bunch of Flood Unversed came at us. They pinned me to the ground and held Ventus in place.
"The Unversed… come from you?" Ven asked as Vanitas nodded with a smirk.
"It happened when you and I were split into two." Vanitas explained as more Unversed started to appear from the dark aura from Vanitas. "The negativity took shape as these monsters. They are what I feel, a horde of fledgling emotions under my control. I released them in all the worlds I could, hoping to lure you away from home and isolate you from your Master. Traveling with Anna and fighting together was just an unneeded bonus. She needed to find her light after all."
"What do you mean?" I asked as Vanitas walked to me since I was in front of Ventus.
"We needed you to awaken your light, the light of Kingdom Hearts that lives within you. My Master wanted to see if you would die when the Keyblade Wars ends because of that light." Vanitas said, removing his Flood Unversed and kicked me in the stomach and threw me aside. We needed to make you stronger. The Unversed were the perfect opponents. And better yet, no matter how many times you defeat them their negativity flows right back into me. You didn't stand a chance against us, Ventus."
"Leave him alone!" I yelled, getting up and aimed Lunar Wish at Vanitas. "Lunar Storm!" But nothing happened! Why isn't anything happening?
"You really don't know do you, Anna." Vanitas smirked as me as I fell to my knees. "Your light powers will only work to keep the fates in line. If you try to change it with that power, it won't work. This was always meant to be." No. Vanitas then walked to Ven and fused with him creating light and so much energy that I was forced away from it and I hit my head.
Anna. I opened my eyes and I realized I was back in my heart and I saw Lunar's light floating in front of me.
"So that's what you were hiding from me." I glared at the ball of light. "If you knew all along that I couldn't use the light spells to save people, why didn't you say anything before?"
Because it's your job to keep everything the way it should be. Lunar answered. I said you needed to watch over the people of this universe. That means that you need to keep their futures the same no matter how attached you get to them or the path they lead.
"Then what's the point of me having these powers?"
To use it to protect your friends and the fate, even if you can't use it to save people from their fates it's still a good power to have. The ability to change fate that's set in stone is too much for one person.
"Yeah, but at least you could've told me before I set myself for disappointment." I said with a sigh.
I'm sorry. You just looked so determined. Lunar said and she did sound sad. Even if you can't use your magic to change the future for Ven and the others, doesn't mean you won't be able to help others after them.
"I guess." I sighed, feeling depressed and angry. "But how can you know all this? You said you were a new born heart when we first met."
I am at least I think I am, but I'm given this information before I'm sent off to find you. Lunar said. The point is, I'm sorry. But don't give up now, Anna. You still have a bit more left. Lunar said and woke up to feel someone shaking me.
"Anna, come on. Wake up." I opened my eyes to see Aqua and Mickey looking relieved. "Thank goodness, you're okay."
"Aqua, where's Ven?" I asked as she helped me up. I looked around and I saw him standing there, holding a different keyblade.
"Oh, thank goodness, Ven!" Aqua cheered as she ran to him. "You're safe!"
"Aqua wait! That's not Ven!" I yelled but she didn't listen to me.
"What?"
"Just look at that keyblade. It's not Ven's." I said and Mickey saw what I mean. I noticed then, Vanitas raised his head and I saw Ven's eyes turned yellow. "Look out!" I dashed to Aqua, blocked Vanitas's attack, and pushed her out of the way. "Vanitas!"
"Yes, Ventus is no longer in control." He said as Ven's armor changed to Vanitas's outfit. His voice was also distorted with Ven's voice but I can mainly hear Vanitas. "His heart has become a part of mine now." This really shocked Aqua and Mickey but at least I knew a few things.
"You're wrong!" I yelled, glaring at Vanitas glared at me. "Ven's still fighting in there. I know that for a fact."
"Even so, the X-blade is complete." Vanitas said, raising the X-blade toward Kingdom Hearts. "This X-blade will open a door; one that leads to all worlds! Then, keyblade-bearing warriors will flock here from each and every one of them, to battle for the light within Kingdom Hearts as well as its human form! And just like the legend says, the Keyblade War will begin!"
"Shut up!" Aqua yelled as we summoned out keyblades. "I'm six of your nonsense! Give Ven his heart back!"
"Ven, I know you can't hear me but don't give up." I whispered, and we changed at him. Vanitas is way stronger now but not surprised. He still could use his normal attacks but added another when he'd hit the ground with this X-blade and cause a damaging light. It's really bad because with his new strength as well as his speed, it made it really hard to beat him so after only a few minutes we're near the end of our rope.
"Let's team up!" Mickey called gesturing toward us.
"Right, come on!"
"Light!" We stood back to back and let out a whirlpool of light, which harmed Vanitas. I really want to get back him for all he said.
"He's mine!" I yelled aiming Lunar Wish at him. "Lunar Storm!" I really hope Ven will heal because it seemed to really hurt him and it made me wonder if it affected him in his battle inside his heart. Still at least Vanitas was down.
"Anna, you did it!" Mickey cheered but I knew better. Before I could even stop him, he got back up and we charged at him only to get knocked back by a single force of his swing. Mickey ended up rolling down the hill as I slammed into Aqua against a bolder.
"Ow, that really hurt." I groaned as I slowly got up with my keyblade at the read as Vanitas smirked down at us.
"What's wrong? Giving up already?" Vanitas mocked as I glared at him.
"No way, Terra and Ven are with us and I can feel their light in us." I said as Aqua nodded.
"That's right. Terra, Ven, give us strength." Aqua prayed and I looked down at Lunar Wish and saw that it was glowing too. It was a different light from Lunar Light or Storm but it's a good light. "Come on, Anna!" Aqua called as she stood up with her keyblade glowing in the same light as mine.
"Right!" We ran at Vanitas, ready to strike and when our keyblades made contact with the X-blade it seemed to cause something like a sonic wave. Vanitas just smirked at us as we tried to push him back. "Ven you better be listening to me right now!" I yelled, digging my feet into the ground to push me forward. "You'd better be fighting hard in there because we're all doing the same thing!"
"It's useless, Ventus can not hear you." Vanitas smirked but as we pushed him a bit more the X-blade stared to crack.
"What?" Vanitas ask but Aqua and I quickly disarmed him as the keyblade went flying into the air and started shooting out beams and balls of light. It looked pretty dangerous to even for near it but I ran in anyway to Ven's side.
"Ven, you did it!" I cheered taking his hand as his armor returned, showing Vanitas was gone from him. Finally, the X-blade shattered but the force of its energy sent Ven and me flying.
"Anna!" I looked to see Aqua trying to reach out for her and I instantly grabbed her not letting go as my world went black.
"Anna, come on. Wake up." Again, I woke up to feeling someone shake me awake.
"Aqua, what happened?" I asked as I sat up, looking around to see we were in the Mysterious Tower.
"Aqua, Anna, you lost consciousness." We looked to see Yen Sid standing close to us. "Fortunately, Mickey found you both and Ventus drifting in the Lanes Between and brought you back to me to receive proper care."
"Thank you, Master Yen Sid, Mickey." I said as he nodded but looked grim as Aqua gave him a look that clearly ask if Terra was near.
"I'm sorry, but there was no sign of Terra."
"I see." Aqua said before moving to Ventus, who sat against the wall, clearly asleep with Mickey standing next to him. "Ven! Ventus!" Aqua said, shaking him but no response. Well, I knew that but it's still sad to see it.
"The boy's heart is sleeping." Yen Sid explained as we looked at him.
"When will he wake?" Aqua asked, worried.
"I could not say." Yen Sid said, looking very grave. "It is almost as though his heart has left. Should it return, he may very well wake. Should it not, then he may sleep like this for all eternity."
"No…" Aqua gasped as I took Ventus's hand. "I'll keep him safe, until he wakes. Forever if I have to."
"That's the thing though, Aqua. Ven doesn't need us to protect him right now." I said as she looked at me. "If anything, he needs us to believe so that he can come back; one day."
"Yes, that is correct." Yen Sid said as we looked up at him. "You see, Ventus's heart hangs in the balance. It sleeps in the place between light and darkness. From all I can perceive, that means he will be looking for a friend; one who believes in him to show him the way home."
"That's right, our friendship with him will help him find us when he wakes up and returns to the realm of light." I said as Yen Sid nodded in approval.
"Don't you worry, Aqua. I believe in Ven, too. And so does Anna." Mickey said, with a smile. "Gosh, he's been as good a friend to me as anybody."
"That's right, he's one of my closest friends and I enjoyed traveling with him through this whole thing." I said as Aqua smiled at me.
"And if the three of us believe in him with all our hearts then he'll have three lights to follow instead of two." Mickey pointed out.
"Four lights." Aqua corrected as I nodded.
"Terra's still out there. And he's Ventus's best friend." I said, taking out my Wayfinder. Even when we're apart, we'll have this unbreakable connection.
"But… Terra's gone. Maybe for good." Mickey said, looking sad but Aqua shook her head.
"I think I know how to find him." Aqua said, taking out her Wayfinder too and held it in her hands gently. Yes, that's right. As long as I have my Wayfinder and I think about them, they'll always be with me. But I can't help but feel resentment to Kingdom Hearts and Lunar for all this. I got my hopes up in saving Ven and the others and then they tell me that my powers can't change anything. Well, at least I still have one friend I know I might be able to save. 'Please,' I thought for a minute as Master Yen Sid summoned a bit of food for us to eat, 'Give me this one chance to save Aqua at least.'
Blair: Wow, this is sad.
Anna: I can't believe it. My spell has limitations.
Crystal: Anna, everything has limitations. But I have to say, I was sad doing this too. Well, hope you liked it. So join us next time in Chapter 13: Master Aqua and Goodbyes. See you soon!