Different Name, Same Fate

by Thalassa Promise

The Keyblade War is already beginning. When, in the middle of a skirmish, Roxas and Ventus switch places, what will become of these forces? How will Roxas fare in company with those who would halt his progress in building Kingdom Hearts? How will Ventus hide among the neutral but ever-hostile presence of the Organization? And what will this mean for the fate of the worlds?

2. The First Mission

"Okay, so where did we leave off?"

The Keyblade wielders had abandoned their Glider practice not too long ago, knowing there were important things left to discuss. Sora, Riku, and Kairi had gotten a steady handle of how they worked, and that was their goal for the day in any case. What was more important, Ventus was told, was that he and his friends understood what had happened during their long sleep. Xehanort could start moving at any moment, and when he did, the bearers of light had to take action immediately. Not being caught up on what brought them to this point could mean the difference between saving the worlds or watching them be swallowed by darkness.

Sora was sitting at the "head" of the circle, although such a thing didn't really exist. Everyone had just sort of decided he would be the main storyteller, with Kairi adding bits of crucial detail and Riku redirecting him whenever he got off-track. They had already heard all about what had happened to Ven and his friends, though they had told them a few stories here and there they hadn't heard of in the beginning.

"Well, let's see," Terra muttered, responding to Sora's question. "I believe you had just received the results of your Mark of Mastery exams."

"Oh! That's right!" Sora nodded. "Well, actually, that's basically the end of it. We saved the Sleeping Worlds and then we set out to find you guys."

"Your Keyblade washed up on shore on the Destiny Islands," Riku explained, gesturing to Aqua.

"Not my Keyblade," she corrected. "Master Eraqus's."

"Right," Sora agreed. "We knew exactly where it must have come from—"

"That's because I once sent Sora a letter by putting it in the ocean back home," Kairi interjected. "Somehow, it found its way into the Realm of Darkness and washed up on the beach where we found you. Sora and Riku had sat in that exact same spot when they got stuck there."

"So how did you get to the Realm of Darkness?" Ven asked. "That can't be an easy place to get to, unless something bad happens."

"We started thinking, maybe the islands were somehow connected to the Realm of Darkness," Riku answered. "We still had our raft that we had built all that time ago. We decided to give it a try. At the worst, we knew now that our abilities would be more than enough to get us back to land before something bad could happen."

"One night, we were pulled into a whirlpool," Sora continued. "It was really scary. When our heads popped out of the water, we were in the Realm of Darkness!"

"There must be a corridor or something in the middle of the ocean," Terra guessed.

"It could be Xehanort created it when he left the islands as a kid," Riku suggested. "But either way, it got us to where we needed to go."

"And who should be there right in front of us, but Aqua!" Kairi finished.

"The rest of the story goes pretty easy from there, doesn't it?" Aqua smiled. "After you guys found me, we used the Master's Keyblade to go to the Land of Departure and reawaken it, as well as Ven."

"Once my heart and body were in the same place, it was easy for me to wake up!" Ven laughed. "So thanks for keeping it safe for me, Sora."

"Don't mention it!" the brunette grinned. "I'm just glad I could give it back."

"And then I woke up in the Chamber of Repose," Terra said. "I must have come to right around when you defeated both Xehanort's Heartless and Nobody. When he reformed, he became his old self, and I woke up as me again, in a place where I was recovering my old memories. I was there for a while, trying to remember what had happened and where I was. I remembered some of my time as Xehanort but not a lot of it… And then I decided to try to get out."

"Good thing, too, or else we may not have found you at all," Sora said. "I didn't even know that place existed! But there you were in the bailey, carrying Aqua's armor and Keyblade!"

"And that brings us to where we are now," Ventus concluded. "Wow, that's quite a story!"

"So far, it has a happy ending," Kairi added. "We just have to stop Xehanort for good in order for things to end happily overall."

"Can we eat first?" Ven asked quietly. The group laughed. In truth, they all had to be hungry. Ven may have woken up the latest, and he knew he hadn't had a chance to eat, but he also knew the others hadn't woken up much earlier than he had.

They quickly decided to grab some things to eat, and then they would go back to work on their Keyblade Gliders. Terra, Aqua, and Ven explained to the others some of the cooler things their Gliders were capable of as they filled their plates with all kinds of pastries and fruits, then returned to Master Yen Sid's study to reclaim their chairs and eat and chat.

Things seemed far too laid back for them to be on the verge of a war, Ven thought. He knew Xehanort had to be out there somewhere, building up his army of darkness. He knew there had to be Heartless everywhere – since that seemed to be his new favorite lesser being, according to Sora and the gang – and he himself knew about the Unversed. He wasn't sure where Vanitas was, if the darkness inside him was still a part of his heart or if he had escaped when his heart left Sora and returned to him. He didn't want to think about it, but he knew that was something he needed to bring up eventually.

Terra was just explaining to the others about how there had been an entire section of Disney Town dedicated to racing and how he had been able to use his Keyblade Glider there when the door opened suddenly behind them. The Keyblade wielders were quick to jump to their feet and throw their hands to the sides, ready to summon their weapons if necessary.

In the doorway stood an exhausted King Mickey, and although he looked alright physically, there was worry in his eyes.

"Your Majesty?" Aqua asked hesitantly.

"Mickey, what's wrong?" Riku questioned, stepping forward.

"It's nothin' too bad yet," the mouse king began, "but it looks like there's gonna be trouble in Radiant Garden."

"Trouble?" Terra repeated. "What kind of trouble?"

"The kinda trouble that Heartless bring!" Mickey answered. "I was just walkin' around in town and they started springing up over by the ravine."

"You don't think Xehanort has anything to do with this, do you?" Kairi asked quietly.

"I don't know, but I'm not sure we should wait ta find out. It could just be a small outbreak, or maybe the Heartless machines are malfunctionin', but could you guys check it out for us?"

"I don't see why not!" Sora said brightly. "Swatting some Heartless is no big deal for six Keyblade wielders like us! Besides, we can fly there on our Gliders! Two-in-one practice, right?"

The group nodded in agreement, and King Mickey beamed.

"I knew I could count on you fellas," he grinned. "Like I said, we're not sure if Xehanort is involved, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. Me and Master Yen Sid will look into things and make sure he's still idle and see if we can't find what he's planning. You guys head ta Radiant Garden and take care of those Heartless!"

"Understood, Your Majesty!" the six said, giving him a quick salute, and then in a jumbled rush they all darted down the stairs and outside of the tower.

Terra and Aqua were the first to put their armor on, followed by Sora and Riku. They just as quickly summoned their Gliders and were up in the air by the time Ventus had followed Kairi down the porch steps and equipped his armor. The blonde opened his hand as his armor flashed on, and suddenly his own Keyblade materialized into his palm. He tossed it into the air, watching it arc back to him in its Glider form, seeing Terra, Aqua, Sora, and Riku become specks in the sky as they flew off.

He was just about to jump on when he heard Kairi make a quiet, unsure sound. She had put her armor on and was standing behind her Keyblade Glider, but she looked at it in a way that told him she wasn't ready for this. Flying in the Lanes Between was a risky business, and one misstep could land a person in a very random world.

"Don't worry, Kairi," Ven told her. "I'll stay with you. We can take it slow. I'm sure there will still be plenty of Heartless for us to take out when we get there."

Kairi laughed softly.

"Thanks, Ven," she replied. "I just feel bad… I haven't had a Keyblade for nearly as long as Sora or Riku have, and especially not as long as you and Terra and Aqua. I guess… I feel like I'm the odd one out."

"I know what you mean." Kairi cocked her head at him as he said this, so he continued. "When I arrived at the Land of Departure, I couldn't remember anything. What was even more intimidating, though, was that Aqua and Terra were already such good friends, and so close to Master Eraqus. Even as I started grasping how to live again and even how to wield a Keyblade, for a long time I felt like I'd never catch up to them as friends, or as a family. But you know? Terra and Aqua would always hang back for me, maybe not at the same time, and maybe not every time, but when they did, they always made me feel like part of their team. After a while, it just became natural, and I caught up without even noticing it. I bet that's what will happen for you, too."

Kairi laughed again and nodded. She carefully made her way onto her Keyblade Glider and positioned herself properly. Once she was settled, she looked over to Ven.

"I'll remember that," she said, her voice warm and filled with much more hope than before. "Thanks Ven. For telling me that and for being the one to wait for me this time."

"Not a problem!" he replied, then turned and hopped onto his own Glider. "Now we've got some catching up to do! But don't worry and take your time with it, okay? I'll be with you all the way!"

The rest of the trip to the laboratory had been rather uneventful. Roxas and Saïx had walked in silence, which had been what Roxas was expecting from the beginning. He wished Saïx hadn't spoken to him at all, but it was over with and was already making him feel emptier than he already was.

The pair took many hallways and stairs, each almost identical to the last, at least to an outsider. Roxas was more than familiar with the castle walls, and could navigate them with ease. Much to his displeasure, however, he wasn't sure where the labs were, and begrudgingly had to keep pace with Saïx on their way.

At long last, they reached what had to be the bottom of the Castle That Never Was, and Saïx approached a touchpad on the wall. He punched in a few numbers and the door slid open, revealing another white room, though this one seemed far more sterile than any others in the castle. Roxas walked inside, Saïx following behind him, and saw two familiar faces standing on the other side of the table in the middle of the room.

"Ah, Roxas," Vexen smiled, pausing his notetaking, "I don't think I've ever seen you down here before." He then took notice of Saïx. "And the new Superior. What honor are we being granted here?"

"Roxas has a mission with Zexion," Saïx said flatly, gesturing with a nod toward the younger man standing beside Vexen.

"Today of all days?" Vexen complained. "Don't you know we are right in the middle of reviving our replica?"

"Xion?" Roxas asked. He hadn't wanted to show Saïx how excited that made him, but he couldn't constrain himself when it seemed so close.

"That's right, you would still know it as Xion," Vexen muttered. "Well, no matter. It seems to have reclaimed its memories of the life it had before its destruction."

"Xion is not an it," Roxas said quietly, but no one seemed to hear him.

"Alas, it will not be operational until tomorrow. The nasty business of these memories appearing has made it difficult to replicate your ability to wield the Keyblade. It has 'expectations' now."

"Enough chatter," Saïx finally interjected. "Zexion, you will accompany Roxas. Now."

"Honestly, why can't you send him with Demyx?" Vexen argued.

"Do not worry, Vexen," Zexion replied, setting down the strange tools he'd been fiddling around with. "If the Superior wishes to send me on a mission, then I will go. No. i will still be ready for tomorrow, I'll make sure of it."

"Oh, alright," Vexen sighed. "This better not impede my progress, Saïx. No. i is very important and necessary to complete Kingdom Hearts in a timely manner!"

Saïx ignored the older Nobody and turned swiftly to leave the room. Zexion came from around the table and followed him, signaling Roxas to follow along. He could still hear Vexen's irritated muttering as the door closed behind him.

"What exactly is this mission you are sending us on, Superior?" Zexion asked as they continued down the hall.

"As per usual, Roxas will be collecting hearts," Saïx responded. "You will be accompanying him to keep an eye on his behavior. As a long-time and trusted member of this Organization, I expect you can be held responsible for making sure he does not attempt to desert us again, or get broken due to your and Vexen's experiments."

"Of course," Zexion replied. "Where will you have us go?"

Roxas muttered incoherently under his breath. He'd already explained he wasn't going to go anywhere, and Saïx had proved that he was telling the truth. He hated when the other members spoke about him like he wasn't there when he was standing only several inches away from them.

"Radiant Garden," Saïx continued. "That world is plenty large enough to draw a great number of Heartless and still not draw attention to itself. The heroes should not bother you there, nor will Xehanort or his followers."

"Of course," Zexion repeated. "Though, I do have one question. Should we encounter the heroes or Xehanort, what course of action would you like us to take?"

"Roxas must be contained at all costs. Avoid them whenever possible, and only use aggression should it be used upon you first."

"Understood."

Saïx stopped and held out a hand to his side. A corridor of darkness appeared in front of his palm, and he stepped to the side of it before looking down at Zexion and Roxas.

"Roxas," he said, and with a silent grimace Roxas looked at him. "Your number one priority is collecting hearts. Let nothing come between you and this goal until it has been met. Do you understand?"

Roxas just nodded and focused his eyes on the corridor of darkness. He couldn't stand taking orders from him. He knew he had no choice, but he wished that Saïx would be less blatant. Then at least he could feel like he was making his own decisions.

Keeping his head down, Roxas entered the corridor and heard Zexion's footsteps behind him. In the darkness, all sound was gone and soon the light disappeared too. It was cold, and Roxas pulled his hood over his head to keep the biting darkness out. He could feel it nipping at his exposed skin, and just like every trip through the darkness, he was thankful for the cloaks the Organization had bestowed upon him.

Just as suddenly as it had left, the darkness retreated, the light at the end of the tunnel growing until in encompassed him completely and broke daylight over his head. He stepped on to the bluish-gray grounds of the ravine in Radiant Garden, closely followed by Zexion.

"Now we wait," said the older boy. "We just need enough light to lead them here."

Without waiting for a prompt, Roxas summoned his Keyblade. He knew the Heartless could track it easily and would show up shortly. Zexion seemed to understand the gesture, pulling out his lexicon and flipping through its pages. He found whatever he was looking for and held out a hand. A Keyblade appeared there, and for a moment Roxas was confused. It took him a second to realize it was just an illusion, but Zexion's power was so strong that maybe it could confuse the Heartless too.

Almost as if on cue, the sky above started to darken. This wasn't caused by the Heartless, of course, just a normal storm blowing over. Still, Roxas felt it was appropriate. It put him in the right mood, if something like that could be said about a Nobody. There was something about fighting Heartless on a bright and sunny day that just wasn't as satisfying as battling the wind and the rain just as much as the monsters.

As the sun disappeared behind the dark gray clouds above, splotches of black began to form on the ground in front of the two. Zexion smirked and let his faux Keyblade disappear, knowing it had done its job. Roxas, however, kept his summoned, and braced himself for the onslaught. Heartless after Heartless appeared, some with crests and some without.

"Do not focus your attention on the natural Heartless," Zexion reminded him.

"I know," Roxas replied shortly. "Only the Emblems release the hearts we need. I can do this blindfolded."

The world became a blur as he fell into the motions of swatting down Heartless. He expertly avoided the naturally-occurring creatures, leaving them to Zexion to finish them off. It was as though he hadn't missed a day in his routine missions; the muscle memory was so strong he could barely tell he was thinking as he slashed through Heartless after Heartless.

There weren't as many as he had been hoping, but it was a constant stream of dark creatures that rose from the shadows. The rain started to fall but Roxas didn't hesitate. Pink hearts dotted the sky as they retreated to Kingdom Hearts. Maybe he didn't need a heart. It wasn't as though he could get one anyway. But Axel deserved one. He didn't care about Kingdom Hearts or anyone else in the Organization. He just wanted to help his best friend. Who knew? Maybe after all of this was over, he could get a heart of his own. There had to be somebody out there who wouldn't want theirs back.

"Roxas."

Zexion's voice cut through the hissing dissipation of the Heartless, causing Roxas to pause. It seemed the Heartless had become distracted too, not attacking them anymore, but rather turning their attention away. He followed their glowing yellow eyes, but the fog was thick from the rain and he couldn't see anything on the horizon. Still, he felt that something was out there, coming from the town.

"We are not alone," Zexion continued solemnly. "The Heartless must have drawn someone else after all."

"Saïx said we're supposed to avoid them, whoever they are," Roxas replied, though he wanted to wash his mouth out with soap for even suggesting following Saïx's orders.

"The Superior also made it clear that your duty is to collect hearts."

"You want me to follow them over to whoever else is here?"

"Cut them off before they get there. Make haste."

Roxas did as he was told and chased after the Heartless. They were definitely more fixated on whoever had just arrived than on himself. It made them easier targets to defeat, but not necessarily to reach. There were a few stragglers that were easy to take out, but catching the faster ones was a problem. He chased them halfway up the ravine before clearing them all out, but he knew more would spring up in their place in a matter of time.

Zexion had followed not far behind and came to a stop beside him as the last Heartless faded away and its captive heart was released into the sky in front of a bolt of lightning. However, the older member's stormy eyes were following the heart; rather, they had focused on the incoming footsteps Roxas had failed to hear.

"Keep your hood up," Zexion ordered, and Roxas nodded.

From the fog appeared four figures, all varying in size. It wasn't until they were much closer Roxas recognized two of them, and something inside of him twisted. Sora and Riku. The heroes of light had found them.

"Zexion!" Riku shouted. Sora looked moderately confused but still wore his best angry expression in the face of the Organization. "What are you doing here?"

Roxas dismissed his Keyblade so quickly he was sure it hadn't been noticed.

"I am here on a mission from the Organization," Zexion explained coolly. "That is of no concern of yours."

"Oh, I think it is!" Sora retorted. "How come there were so many Heartless over here? What are you guys up to? Don't you know we've got enough on our plate dealing with Xehanort?"

"Unless you are working with him," said the blue-haired girl Roxas had never seen before. She and the other boy also had Keyblades, so he figured they had to be part of the heroes group now.

"We have no intent to deal with that crazed man," Zexion answered, his voice incredibly calm. Sometimes, Roxas really doubted that he and the other Nobodies didn't have hearts. Zexion did not help him prove that point.

"So then what's with all the Heartless?" said the tallest boy, his brown brow furrowing.

"Again, that is of no concern of yours," Zexion repeated. "I will inform you that they are not of our creation. In addition, you needn't worry about their interference with your war. They will be occupied enough with other diversions, I can assure you."

"Yeah, diversions you cause!" Sora snapped. Roxas rolled his eyes beneath his hood. Some things never changed, and Sora never stopped being so stubborn. "How about you guys back off and stop making trouble for a change?"

Zexion opened his mouth, but as he did so, a corridor of darkness appeared in between them. Roxas heard the heroes gasp and he himself had to catch his breath and take a step back in surprise. When the darkness died down, another member of the Organization stood there. Their hood was pulled over their face and hiding their features, but Roxas would recognize his pencil-thin frame anywhere.

"Whoa guys, how about we calm down a couple of notches?" Axel said, lowering his hands in a calming gesture. "I think we're all kind of jumping to conclusions here. Just because we were enemies in the past doesn't mean we have to be enemies now."

"Axel?" Sora asked, and Roxas frowned at how easily his Other seemed to know his own best friend. "What are you doing working for the Organization again?"

"It's a really long story that I'm afraid I don't have time to explain," Axel replied, flicking his hood off now that his identity had been revealed. "But let me put it this way; you heroes have enough on your plate. You guys take it easy, or go fight Xehanort or something. We'll take care of the Heartless for you. Fair?"

"Since when do you guys care about taking out the Heartless?" Riku questioned. He was clearly not as thrown off by Axel's appearance as Sora had been. Something about that made Roxas's frown deepen. "Unless you have plans for them."

"Nope, no plans, I can assure you of that," Axel replied quickly, perhaps too quickly. He and Roxas were on the same page; the heroes wouldn't be happy about a new Kingdom Hearts.

"There's people that live in the town ahead," the girl stated firmly. "Letting you continue to experiment with the Heartless would put them in danger."

"We're here to keep the peace," said the other boy, "and right now you guys seem to be the ones obstructing it."

"We shouldn't be pointing fingers here," Axel warned. "We should all just go about our business—"

"Leave, or face the consequences for endangering the people of this world," the boy Roxas didn't know said sharply. "If you don't have any plans with the Heartless, then you should be thankful we're taking care of them for you."

"Likewise," Zexion replied, and the smallest of smirks appeared on his face. "Perhaps you could even help us destroy them."

"Fat chance!" Sora growled. "The last time I 'helped' you guys get rid of Heartless, you used them to make your own Kingdom Hearts! We can't let that happen!"

"Then it seems we are at odds," Zexion muttered, then waved his hand. For a moment, Roxas felt dizzy, like something had smacked him in the forehead and left him stunned. The world blurred for a moment, and when it cleared, there was someone standing in front of him, their back to him. It took him a moment to process that he was looking at a mirror image of himself, and that Zexion had just taken the liberty of creating a double for him.

Zexion looked at the real Roxas from the corner of his eye, giving the slightest of gestures for him to depart. At once, Roxas understood. It was his job to collect hearts, heroes present or not. Zexion was just buying time; there were too many Heartless here to pass up the opportunity for so many hearts.

"This doesn't have to get nasty," Axel was saying, and that was the last Roxas heard before he took off under the cover of the rain and thunder.

Ventus and Kairi were travelling through the Lanes Between at what was, to him, a painfully slow pace. He knew Aqua, Terra, and the others had gone on ahead and there was nothing to worry about, but he still wanted to be on the front lines with them. However, he didn't mind staying back and helping Kairi. It was just his personal preference to go fast, and that was not something the princess could do currently.

Instead, Ven entertained himself with the idea that he was escorting royalty, which was pretty much the truth. Kairi was a lot less formal than any of the princesses he'd ever met before, but she was still a princess, and he was still helping her out. He kept close to her and raced in beside her any time he saw her wobble, which became less and less the longer they traveled.

Ven also considered himself lucky that he'd traveled between the Mysterious Tower and Radiant Garden before, for he knew right where to go, and how to avoid the most asteroids while getting there.

"See that place up ahead?" he called to Kairi, showing a growing orb on the horizon. "That's Radiant Garden! We're almost there!"

"That's good…" Kairi half sighed, half giggled. "I'll feel much more confident when I'm back on my feet."

"It's okay, don't worry about it!" Ven assured her. "Besides, practice makes perfect. Soon, you'll be flying better than even Sora or Riku!"

"I don't know about that, but thanks for thinking so."

"Hey, didn't Mickey say the Heartless were in the ravine?" Ven paused as he recalled the mouse king's words. "I'm not sure I know where that is…"

"I can sort of remember from when I was little… There's a whole bunch of cliffs outside the walls of the town. That must be what he was talking about."

"Oh, alright! We'll just land out there then! We can sneak up behind the Heartless while the others attack the front!"

"Sounds like a plan! Lead the way, Ven!"

The blonde Keyblade wielder did as he was told, and despite his best efforts to keep at Kairi's pace, he sped up a little. He couldn't contain his excitement. This would be his first time facing off against the Heartless in a fair fight. Back when he had been Xehanort's pupil, the old man had put the Heartless against him a number of times, and every time he hadn't been strong enough to fight them off. Now he knew he was stronger, and while he was still nervous about fighting his old foes, he was looking forward to finally having the chance to show what he was made of.

The pair descended into Radiant Garden, foregoing the town and instead heading straight into the ravine. Ven landed easily, which gave him a chance to help Kairi dismount her Keyblade Glider. They dismissed their armor but kept their Keyblades in their hands and looked around.

"I don't hear or see anyone," Kairi commented.

"They must be further up ahead," Ven replied, wiping the rain from his face. "Hey, good job landing in that storm. That's not easy."

"I could only do it because I had your help," Kairi admitted. "But thanks."

"You sell yourself short, you know. You're a lot stronger and braver than you think. You just gotta listen to what's in your heart and let that talk for you instead."

Kairi let out a soft laugh and nodded, and something about her looked different. There was a new light in her eyes, as though she was taking Ven's words to heart and listening to what was inside. He knew she could fight, and he knew she could do a lot of things she said she couldn't. She just had to believe in herself, and then she'd be unstoppable.

Ventus led the way down the ravine path, hoping they would come across their friends before the Heartless found them. Both of them being pure vessels of light didn't help in the latter case, but Ven kept his chin up. The storm only worsened the deeper they got into the ravine, and he hoped they were heading the right direction. They had started off toward the town, knowing the others couldn't have possibly walked from their past where they landed in the time it had taken them to catch up. They continued walking, however, and Ven started having doubts.

They rounded a corner, and Ven's face fell. There was a large clearing between the cliffs, but no sign of Heartless or their friends. He sighed, turning to Kairi.

"Guess we overshot it by a lot," he said sheepishly. Kairi smiled back at him, but then her eyes fixated on something in front of them.

"Ventus!" she cried, falling back into a defensive stance. "Look out!"

Ven turned in time to see a Heartless grow out of the ground and pounce at him. Surprised but not unprepared, he raised his Keyblade and cut cleanly through it. He was about to make a comment to Kairi about close calls, but then more Heartless appeared. Some were the same smaller ones that had tried to jump him before, but some were larger. In fact, it looked like they were only getting bigger, as if they had finally gotten the message there were pure hearts waiting to be corrupted.

Using all the training he had ever received, Ven was able to keep the Heartless at bay. He heard Kairi fighting behind him and knew she was keeping up, but the number of Heartless was only growing. He tried to focus on listening beyond the hissing of the Heartless and the grunting he and Kairi made as they fended them off in hopes of hearing something or someone coming to help.

Then he heard it. A shout. Someone up ahead was yelling, and it was a familiar cry. It sounded just like Terra.

"Terra!" he called, but his voice was lost in a clap of thunder. He decided to change tactics. "Kairi!" he shouted, and Kairi did her best to acknowledge him without getting overwhelmed by monsters. "I think the others are just up ahead! If we can get to them, this'll be a cakewalk!"

Furrowing his brow, Ven jumped back from the clump of Heartless that had advanced on him and pointed his Keyblade in the direction he'd heard Terra's voice. A light formed at the tip of his weapon, and then a brilliant beam of light shot out, tearing right through any Heartless that stood in its path.

"Go on!" he ordered, and Kairi nodded. She backhanded a Heartless that jumped at her, then took off down the newly cleared path Ven had opened up. A smile pulled on the corner of his mouth, proud of his resourcefulness, and then he made to take off after her.

A few strides in, a pool of darkness appeared ahead of him. He tried to speed himself up, to run just a little faster, but he couldn't make it in time. Kairi disappeared as she rounded the corner, and a large Heartless with an even larger tummy stood between him and her.

"Ven!" Kairi cried, still out of sight, but he knew she was going to try to come back for him.

"Don't worry about me!" he called to her, readying his weapon. "I can take this guy down easy! You go find Terra and the others! I'm right behind you!"

Kairi did not appear, so he figured she must have listened to him. So that left him against this big guy and at least another ten Heartless. Those odds weren't the greatest, but he assured himself he could handle it.

Giving a determined cry, Ven slammed his Keyblade into the Heartless's stomach. It bounced off with a dissatisfying boing and he stumbled back from the surprise impact. So attacking this thing from the front wasn't going to do the trick. Before he could try another strategy, the Heartless swung at him, forcing him back further still. He tried to find an opening, but other Heartless surrounded him on all sides, wedging him into a narrow arena with the larger creature. He tried to attack its front again, jumping and aiming for its head this time, but was still repelled and sent stumbling backwards.

It took him a moment to regain his balance, and that was all the monsters needed for an advantage. Two smaller ones pounced at him, and as he tried to shake them off, the bigger ones joined in. His knees buckled under their weight and he found his face in the dirt in seconds. He could feel them attempting to tear at his skin, but only finding clothing and armor instead.

He tried to shout, he tried to push them off, but nothing worked. This was all too familiar, the weight of darkness pressing down on him, threatening to do him in. This time, there was no Xehanort standing over him to call them off, even though in doing that he would curse Ven in a way worse than death. There was no one there to call off the Heartless, no one to destroy them for taking it too far. He knew his friends had to be just around the corner, he just had to hold on until then.

Ventus's world went black.