A/N: And here is Chapter 12! Sorry it took me as long as it did. But, once I really got started, everything flowed very nicely. This marks the beginning of a new saga. The true story is about to begin. I'm going to be setting up four different polls. I want your opinion. The polls can be found on my forums page or look on my profile for the link! Make sure you vote! Remember, it ends on 3.07.11!

I don't remember ever falling asleep or passing out. I just closed my eyes and, before I knew it, I was out.

What got my attention was this sound of music; it was very soft, and reminded me of my great-grandmother's old wind-up music box. I thought I was dreaming, at first, but when the music started getting louder, I realized I wasn't.

"What is that noise…?" I mumbled, rolling around. I opened my eyes, not really able to see. As my vision cleared up, so did the room. For a moment, I thought it was the Disney Castle infirmary. But as I began to awaken more, I knew I wasn't.

The room did seem familiar, though. There were star and crescent moon shaped windows. There was antique oak furniture scattered in the room that included a wardrobe, chairs, and tables.

I've seen this place before…

"You're awake!" an excited and happy voice called out. I looked in opposite of the wardrobe to see the king. "How ya feeling?"

"Your majesty," I said, surprise in my voice. He walked over and sat down in a chair that was next to the bed. "Alright, I guess. How long have I been out?"

"About two days," he answered. He pointed to something past me. I turned to see Ven sleeping on a bed just like mine. Sora was the next bed past his. "Both of them have been out about as long as you have."

"Terra... That's my cookie…" Ven mumbled in his sleep. Sora mumbled something as well, but it was inaudible.

I tried not to laugh. "Really Ven? We just woke you up."

The king laughed. "Well, at least we know he isn't in a deep sleep like he was."

"This is true." I looked over to see the king's hands, nervously clinching each other. "Something wrong, King Mickey?"

The king's smile faded as he took a deep breath and sighed, putting up a serious face. "I'm afraid that Vanitas was only the beginning."

"The beginning…?" I questioned. "What are you talking about?"

But, before the king could say anything else, Riku can in the room. "Sora still asleep?" The king and I both nodded. "Figures…"

He walked over to Sora and then whispered something in his ear. Suddenly, Sora shot straight up. "Where?"

Riku started laughing. "That was too easy, Sora."

"So, there aren't any of Kairi's chocolate chip cookies?" Sora asked, sounding so sad and depressed.

"Get up already, Sora," a female voice from the doorway called. Kairi walked in, with a plate of cookies. "You lazy bum."

Sora was up and at 'em pretty quickly. "There are cookies!"

The king and I couldn't help but laugh.

You know, I forget that he's only sixteen sometimes.

Like you, he had to grow up pretty fast, though for different reasons, Cosmos said.

Sounds like someone's been going through my memories…

You were out for two days, as we were bored. What else are we to do? Chaos rebuffed.

"Something smells good…" the now semi-sleeping Ven said.

"So, you're finally waking up?" the king questioned. He stood up and walked around to Ven's bed. "How ya feeling?"

Ven slowly sat up and looked around, taking in everything he saw. "Mickey?" The king nodded. "Mickey!" Ven jumped out of bed and hugged his old friend.

"Ven... Can't breathe..." The king winced in pain.

"Oh, sorry!" Ven apologized. The king waved his hand, dismissing it. "So, do I smell cookies?"

"You do," Kairi answered. She brought the plate over and Ven took a few.

"Thanks!" he said. "I'm starving!"

Kairi brought some over to me. "Here Xander, take some. Better now before Sora eats them all."

"Thanks, Kairi." I took two and started eating them. They were really good. "So, your majesty, what was it you were saying about—"

"Ven!" came another voice from the doorway. Everyone turned to see Terra running in. Aqua was right behind him. "Ven, you're awake!" He grabbed Ven tightly, not wanting to let go.

"Terra!" Ven exclaimed. A few tears could be seen falling from both guys. Aqua was trying not to tear up.

"Why don't we leave them alone?" The king motioned for Sora, Kairi, Riku, and me to follow him into the other room.

Riku was the last one out, and he softly shut the door.

"It seems Ventus is awake," a voice spoke. I looked in the direction to see an elderly man sitting at an oak wood desk, combing his beard down with his hands.

"He has," the king assured. He looked over at Sora, Riku, Kairi, and me and waved us over. "Sora's finally awake, as well. Xander, too."

"Good," the man said. "So, shall we begin?" The king nodded. "For the newcomer… You already know who I am, correct?"

Everyone looked at me, confused. I nodded. "You're Master Yen Sid," I stated, "the king's teacher in magic, as well as the Keyblade."

Yen Sid nodded. "That is correct. And before anyone begins asking how he already knows, or if we've already met," he noted, "all of that information shall be revealed later. Right now, we have more pressing matters at hand."

With all questions on hold, we faced Master Yen Sid.

He took a deep breath and cleared his throat. "Before I can explain to you what is going on, I must tell you their stories."

And so Yen Sid began telling us about Terra, Aqua, and Ventus. He told us of Master Xehanort, the manipulation he caused to Terra, the terrible things he did to Ventus, how Vanitas was formed from Ven's darkness, and him taking possession of Terra's body. He also spoke of Master Eraqus, Aqua and Terra's original master, as well as Ven's adopted master.

"Aqua found Terra in Radiant Garden, possessed by Master Xehanort. After Aqua overpowered Terra-Xehanort, Terra regained control for a short period of time and was able to seal away both his and Master Xehanort's memories. Terra's body was then plunged into darkness, but was saved by Aqua when she dived inward. He was later discovered by Ansem the Wise, calling himself Xehanort. This is the Xehanort who's Heartless and Nobody you fought and defeated, Sora.

"However, with both his Heartless and Nobody gone, the original is reforming," Yen Sid said, coming to a close. "I asked Mickey to bring both you and Riku here in order to test the two of you for the Mark of Mastery. However, before we can begin the exam, there is still some training you two much complete. Both myself and Mickey, along with Master Aqua, shall train you."

"Does that mean we can also compete for the Mark?"

We all turned to see Terra, Aqua, and Ven walking in. Yen Sid nodded. "When will the exam be given?" Terra asked.

"For Sora, Riku, and Ven, we shall give the exam in about two weeks," Yen Sid answered. "However, Terra, you will be given the Mark of Mastery exam the day after tomorrow." Terra looked happily surprised.

"As for you, Kairi, you will be training under Donald, to begin with, in magic. Then you shall train from Aqua, since she is the one that accidently passed down the Keyblade to you," Yen Sid informed. "And, you Xander… You and I shall talk in private. I advise everyone to enjoy the rest of the day and get a good night's rest. Tomorrow begins the training."

"Master Yen Sid?" Ven asked, walking up. "I was wondering what—" He stopped short, when Yen Sid held up his hand and shook his head. Terra put his hand on his shoulder, and Aqua did the same on the other shoulder."

"All in dear time," Yen Sid spoke. "If you are interested, you may visit Twilight Town. The train will take you there."

Sora and Kairi seemed to perk up with that news. I smiled, realizing that they were going to go visit Hayner, Pence, and Olette. They rushed out the door, with Riku slowly following behind. He stopped in the doorway, however, as Sora reentered the room. "Well, come on!" he said to Ven, Aqua, and Terra. "We can get ice cream!" They all followed him.

Once they were out of the room, Yen Sid stood up and walked to one of the windows. I looked over at Mickey, who was looking at Master Yen Sid.

The silence continued for another two minutes. And it was definitely ackward…

What am I suppose to do?

The hell should we know? Chaos rebuffed.

You two are probably the reason Yen Sid wants to speak with me in the first place, I mumbled.

Just relax and tell the truth, Cosmos advised.

And if he asks about the two you? They were both silent. Thanks for nothing…

"They've left for Twilight Town," Yen Sid stated, walking back to his desk. He sat down again, and stared straight at me. "Mickey tells me it was you who helped in escaping Castle Oblivion."

I nodded. "Yes, sir."

Yen Sid smiled. "You do not need to be so formal around me. Please, relax." I took a deep breath, let it out, and returned my attention to Yen Sid. "Everyone inherits the Keyblade differently. I have heard many stories. However, I have never heard of one who wields two without the aid of the Drive. And, according to Mickey, you can merge your blades together. Is this correct?"

I nodded. "I can. Do you wish to see a demonstration?"

Yen Sid shook his head. "I shall take your word, along with that of my apprentice. What I am curious to know is how you wield your Keyblades the way that you do. From what Mickey has told me, you have had no training from a master. And, you are able to do things that take most Keyblade wielders years to learn and master. What is your story, Xander? What was your Awakening, your Dive to the Heart?"

I scratched the back of my head. "Well…" I wasn't sure what to say, or how to respond. "Master Yen Sid, King Mickey, what I am about to tell you, I ask that we keep it between us three." I was expecting Chaos and Cosmos to be screaming at me, but they said nothing.

So, upon agreement, I began telling them everything. I told them of my Awakening, where I woke up at, how I met Aqua, how we rescued Terra, and finally of Cosmos and Chaos. When I told them of the Keyblade Spirits, their facial expressions were definitely priceless. I didn't stop there, however. I told them about my visions and how I knew the names of others that I hadn't even met. I finished by telling them about Kingdom Hearts being a video game in my world.

"I have never heard of such before, in all my time as a wielder of the Keyblade," Yen Sid confessed. "I have heard that one can seal their memories within the chain of the keychain. But I have never heard of how the keychain is formed."

"Master Yen Sid, the Keyblade I inherited from you," Mickey brought up. "Who was the original owner?"

Yen Sid thought for a moment. "I'm not sure. I, myself, have never accessed the memories of past Keyblade wielders. Or, rather, I have never thought about it."

"There is one other thing that I've wanted to ask," I piped up. "Ansem the Wise called me a 'Balance Keeper.' What is that?"

"Did he now?" Yen Sid questioned. "I see. It does seem that you could be one."

"I was thinkin' the same thing!" Mickey added.

"But, what is it?"

"A Balance Keeper is one who can use Light and Darkness in perfect symmetry," Yen Sid answered. "Ventus, according to some of the reports I've read from Master Xehanort, was thought to be one. However, when Vanitas took over Ven's body and χ-blade was formed, it was imperfect. It did not have the true power of a χ-blade. Only one who embraces both Light and Darkness, not being forced and taken over by the other, can create a true χ-blade."

"Does this mean that I…" I trailed off, looking at my hands. Is what he said true? They both sent me a telepathic nod.

Yen Sid stood up and walked around the desk. "Xander, I believe that you do not need to train with us. Rather, you should meditate with your Keyblades. It seems Chaos and Cosmos hold the keys to unlocking your true potential. Besides, from what Mickey has said, you're a natural when it comes to a sword."

I couldn't help but smile at that. "Thank you, your majesty." I bowed. I must remember to thank my parents for putting me in those kenjutsu classes.

"You're welcome!" the king exclaimed. "And, one other thing: call me Mickey."

"Okay, Mickey."

Yen Sid walked around me and stood next to Mickey. "You are already up to speed, and know the situation. Is there anything else you'd like to know?"

I thought for a moment. Sure, there were questions. But, my brain was begging to hurt. "No, there isn't."

"Then why don't you go join the others, and get to know them. They are your comrades, after all," Yen Sid suggested.

"I think I'll do that," I agreed. I headed for the door and stopped when I opened it. "You coming, Mickey?"

The king shook his head. "Thanks for the offer, but Master Yen Sid and I have much to do. We've gotta prepare for Terra's Mark of Mastery exam. We've also got other things to do as well."

"Okay then. Have fun." I waved. I headed down the stairs, thinking about everything that had been said. As I reached the bottom I was surprised to see Riku. "What are you doing here?"

"I told the others I'd wait for you," he replied.

"Thanks," I said. I might as well enjoy the calm before the storm, right?

Cosmos spoke up. Yep! Cause starting tomorrow…

…We're gonna put you through hell, Chaos finished.

A/N: I hope everyone enjoyed! Don't forget to vote on my forms page. Just go to my profile for the link!