Me: I'm back from the Realm of Darkness…jk!
Surgery went well and I'm recovering. I was planning to update this chapter before my surgery but I got sick from the medicine for the surgery and had to go to the ER. I was really dehydrated and stayed at the hospital since within hours my surgery was scheduled.
It was supposed to be three hours but when I woke up afterwards, my mom told me it took about five hours. No one really told me why but my mom overheard that I sort of died for a few seconds or I couldn't breathe but not really sure. Glad to know that I was able to wake up, huh?
I'm just barely regaining to walk again as the pain is fainting away but before, I couldn't walk on my own. I had two temporary tubes before they were taking out and now I have a hole on my left side of my stomach or near where the kidney is at.
It'll close up…someday. Until then I have to clean it once a day so it wouldn't get infected. Other than that, I'm fine. Working on this story well take a bit longer but have no fear as I will finish this series!
I'm already working on KH2 since well…you'll find out why as it will be completely different in some ways. Can't spoil it for you guys so you just have to wait and see.
Well, I guess that pretty much it so – I would like to thank those who is reading this fanfic, Faved, and alerted it. To those who reviewed: Guest #1, Hikari302 and NingaFang1331 – Virtual Sea-Salt Ice Cream!
Guest #1: I have my own believe of God but to some others it's not enough. Likely my mom doesn't force me to as she wants me to believe in my own but there are a few things that's…um confusing in my POV. My surgery went well and I'm recovering right now…just hope that it wasn't rescheduled to February, oh well. Hope you enjoy this updated. Sorry for the long wait.
Hikari302: Thank you and hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Enjoy the new update.
NingaFang1331: Thank you and enjoy the new update.
Well all said and done - onward to the adventure!
"Is…that the chamber?" wondered Sora.
Aqua nodded, sadly. She took a deep breath before opening the double doors. The bluenette slowly walked over at the single white chair that was in the middle of the room.
Sora tilted his head before walking over at the left side of the chair. He looked down to see Ventus' body, 'Why…haven't you aged?'
"I…have no idea,"replied Ven before making a face. "It's been freaking ten years and I look like a freaking child still! No one is going to take me seriously!"
Sora rolled his eyes before looking over at Aqua, "Ready?"
Aqua nodded but remains silent.
'Alright Ven, you ready?' thought Sora.
Ventus sighs, "Y-Yea…and Sora? Thanks…for everything."
Sora smiled before closing his eyes and focus to locate Ventus' heart.
Aqua watched Sora's hands started to glow. She saw the faint glow form into a bright light and went over to Ventus' body.
Once the light faints away, Sora collapsed onto his knees. Aqua silently gasped before bending down and placed her hands onto the brunette's shoulders.
"Are you alright, Prince Sora?"
"Y-Yea, I'm fine," replied Sora. He grinned, "Sort of forgot how much energy it drains me to use that spell."
Aqua smiled, softly before hearing a voice she hadn't heard after ten years.
"Hey there Aqua."
The bluenette turned her head to see two sea-blue eyes staring at her. A small tear run down from her cheek before she smiled and embraced her dearest friend.
"You're back," murmured Aqua, softly.
"It's great to be back," replied Ven, tiredly. He had Aqua let go before looking over at the young brunette, "Are you sure you are alright, Sora? Does Aqua need to cast a cure on you or do you need a potion instead?"
"N-No, I'm fine," replied Sora, quickly. "Just let me rest for a bit before we go and find my Uncle and Eric, alright?"
"Are you positive?" asked Ven, worriedly. He carefully got off from the chair and bends down at Sora's level, "You do look a slight pale."
"Positive," replied Sora. He sighs, "You worry too much. You know that even when you were inside my heart."
Ventus was about to say something when Aqua interrupted him by laughing. He slightly glared at her, "And what's so funny?"
"It-It's just that…back than…you-you would get rather defensive whenever Terra or I would get worried about you," replied Aqua, in between her laughs. She smiled, "It's quite ironic to see you do the same thing to Sora."
Ventus blushes from embarrassment before crossing his arms.
"…You know…she's right but then again…you were never a bright person to begin with."
Ventus and Aqua widen their eyes before looking up to see an all too familiar person. Aqua quickly stood in front of Ventus and Sora before summoning her keyblade. She pointed the blade at the familiar new comer.
"You! How can you be alive?! I thought Ven got rid of you!"
There stood a boy with black spiky hair like Sora but has bright golden eyes. His attire was different from the last time that Ven and Aqua encountered him.
He was wearing a small black and red jacket but the collar was gray and had two belts like ends on each side. He had a cross belt around his chest. Underneath he was wearing a red and black shirt. His dark blue with crimson flames and black baggy pants were held up by red belts. His shoes were red and black and had dark red belts around it. On his hands were black gloves with red strand.
Sora helped support Ventus up on his feet before looking over what looked like his double. The brunette looked over at Ventus, "Who is he, Ven? And why is Aqua so angry at him?"
"That…is Vanitas," replied Ventus, softly. He winced a bit, "We…We have to stop Aqua, Sora."
"Wait – what!" said Sora.
Vanitas smirked, "Aw is the little old Keyblade Master upset that she didn't take me out. I wouldn't mind a small reunion fight with you."
Aqua girts her teeth and was about to strike when she saw Ventus and Sora standing in front of Vanitas. She frowns, "Ven…why? He's the reason why you were asleep for all these years so why defend him?!"
"…cause…he's not dark anymore," replied Ventus, softly. He slightly turned to his former darkness, "You were inside of Sora's heart. He's pure light gave you a body, your own heart. You're your own person, now."
Vanitas slightly narrowed his eyes at them before closing them. He crossed his arms, "…That's correct, idiot. When your heart went into Sora's heart, I followed suit."
"So you're that lonely emotion I was feeling deep inside my heart," said Sora. He titled his head, "But…why do you look like me?"
"If only you know the truth," murmured Vanitas before shaking his head. "Look let's just get going before I – who's that?"
Aqua, Sora and Ventus turned their heads to see a young girl with long blonde hair, slightly pale skin, blue eyes and was wearing a simple white dress with blue sandals.
"Who…are you?" asked Sora, softly.
"…N-Naminé," replied the blonde. She bites her lip, "Are you…by any chance…Sora?"
"Y-Yea but how do you know that?" wondered Sora. He crossed his head and closed his eyes, "I don't remember ever seeing you even when I was living at Destiny Island."
"I…I…I'm not sure myself," said Naminé, nervously. She looked around, "All I remember being in a dark room before waking up here."
Sora sighs, "What now, Ven? Aqua and I came here to return your heart back but now…"
Ventus thought for a moment, "…Might as well bring these two to Master Yen Sid. He'll know what do to."
Sora nodded while Aqua had a frown on her face but said nothing. She sighs, "Let's go and find Mickey and Eric. Even though I don't trust you, right now I don't trust that hooded man."
"Right," murmured Vanitas without care.
"Play nice Vanitas," warned Ventus. He sighs, "I swear I feel like you're my evil twin now."
Vanitas smirked, "And what makes you? The idiotic fool or the brainless one?"
Aqua walked over to them before smacking both of their heads. She placed her hands onto her hips, "Ten years has passed and yet the two of you are still acting like children!"
"It's not my fault that he has a rude personality!" snapped Ventus.
"Rude? That's your comeback? Ha!" said Vanitas. "Then it's not my fault you have a whiny personality!"
Aqua sighs while Sora and Naminé watch in disbelief. The brunette walked over to Aqua, "…should we like, you know…stop them?"
"Not yet but…this does show that Vanitas is a different person," said Aqua. She narrowed her eyes, "Back then when he was just Ven's darkness, he had such negative energy that sometimes it would blind me when I fought him."
"And I take it that you don't feel that darkness anymore," said Sora while Naminé was by his side, holding onto the brunette's jacket.
Aqua nodded, "I feel…nothing. He's just an ordinary teenager but…I feel like he can use the power of darkness."
"No surprise there if he does," said Sora.
The three of them watched Ventus and Vanitas shout at each other. Aqua grits her teeth before smacking their heads, again.
"Will the two of you behave! Or so help me I will smack the two of you on your butt for acting like some four year olds!"
Ventus and surprisingly, Vanitas had a shock look on their faces.
Sora watched Aqua scolding Ventus and Vanitas like she was their older sister before the three of them walked over to him.
"Let's go, we need to reach to the seventh floor in order to find Mickey and your friend, Eric," said Aqua, slightly calm.
Sora and Naminé simply nodded before following Aqua while Ventus and Vanitas were walking behind them. They used the hidden passage to reach over the seventh floor but someone was already there.
"So there are keyblade wielders here and I thought that Marluxia was playing a fast one on me – Hey! The name's Axel, got it memorized?"
This unknown person was wearing a black coat like the mysterious hooded figure but his sleeves were closely tight around his arms and emphasize his lithe and skinny body. He had thick, shoulder-length, bright red hair styled into slicked-back spikes. His eyes are a bright emerald color and he has a purple reverse-teardrop shaped marking under each eye.
"Axel?" murmured Ventus. He crossed his arms, 'Why…does he look so familiar to me?'
"What kind of intro was that?" said Vanitas.
"Well, you're not a happy chipper like someone I know," said Axel before smirking. He summoned two Chakrams, "But least cut to the chase, don't go dying on me."
Aqua summoned her keyblade and started fighting with this unknown man but when Sora was about to summon his, Ventus stopped him.
"What's wrong, Ven?"
"There…is something familiar about him," replied Ventus. He frowns, "But I can't remember where or why."
"Fight him, that might jog your brainless memory of yours," suggested Vanitas.
"That's…not a bad idea," murmured Ventus before summoning his Wayward Wind keyblade. "It's sort of weird using this again. Vanitas, if you don't mind?"
"Yea, yea. Come on, Sora and blondie."
"My name is Naminé!"
"I don't really care what your blasted name is. Come along before you get hurt or in the way," said Vanitas, slightly annoyed.
"Let's go," said Sora before grabbing hold onto Naminé's hand. The brunette took her aside while Vanitas closely followed them behind.
Ventus dashed over by Aqua's side before casting a blizzard over to Axel.
The redhead dodged before smirking, "Looks like someone needs some target practice."
"Ven?! You shouldn't be fighting," said Aqua. "Please, let me deal with him. Go with Sora and the others."
Ventus shook his head, "I need to do this Aqua. This man…there is something familiar about him and the only way I'll remember is to fight him – alone!"
"But…you just woke up, you don't have enough strength," stated Aqua.
"Please Aqua, let me do this," begged Ventus.
Aqua bites her lip before nodding her head, "Just…Just be careful, alright?"
Ventus nodded and watched the bluenette dashed over to where Sora and the others were at. Aqua casted a barrier around them just in case some stray attacks went over to them.
"Let's Axel," said Ventus.
"Bring it on, keyblade wielder," said Axel.
-Castle Oblivion, B10F Exit -
Eric and Mickey were about to enter to the next floor when a dark portal appeared before them and stepped out was a slight old man with platinum blond hair.
"Now, what do we have here? I take it that you're King Mickey but about you, boy? I sense…some sort of darkness in you, familiar darkness."
Eric grits his teeth, "What? Are you in league with Ansem?"
"You are half correct. Let us say that he is not the Ansem with which you are familiar. He is Ansem and he is not Ansem. Perhaps a 'Nobody' best conveys the idea."
"No offense dude but riddles were ever my thing," said Eric. He crossed his arms, "Try again."
"And how about your name?" said Mickey. "You're not the hooded man we first encountered, are you?"
"Name? Very well, I am called Vexen. For your second question, no I am not. Lastly, the Ansem you know belong to neither the light nor the dark but walks the twilight between. Catching on now?"
Eric glared at him.
"Oh yes, you also stand in between the light and the darkness," stated Vexen. "It appears we have much in common."
Eric slightly looked down, "Maybe…Like you said there really is darkness left inside of me."
Mickey looked sadly towards him while Vexen smirked.
"But so what?" said Eric as he called forth his dark sword. He pointed towards Vexen, "Darkness is my enemy! And I can sense you reek of it!"
Mickey jumped a bit before nodding his head and summoned his keyblade.
"Oh ho! So it's a fight you want," said Vexen before summoning his Frozen Pride Shield. "Very good – I shall take you on!"
Eric and Mickey dodged a triple blizzard heading towards them.
Mickey cast a couple of strong fires while Eric would strike Vexen on either the sides or behind him. At first the combo worked but then Vexen started to protect himself with some kind of frozen barrier.
'What do I do? Mickey is close to running out of magic,' thought Eric. He looked down at his sword, 'And I can't cast any magic…not anymore that is.'
"Don't give up, Eric," encouraged Mickey. He smiled, "I believe in you. Your friends believe in you as well. Use their bonds to unlock your true strength."
Eric widens his eyes before nodding his head. He looked down at his sword before pointing to Vexen, "…Dark Fire."
A dark fire ember came out from his sword before splitting into three fireballs and surrounded Vexen. The older man widens his eyes before dodging but barely.
Vexen smirked, "No matter what you do, the darkness power is growing within you, boy! All this excitement has provided me with invaluable data."
"What?!" said Eric. "What do you mean?!"
Vexen shook his head before disappearing into the dark portal. He waved over to them, "Many thanks, boy and Mickey!"
"Wait!" shouted Mickey as the portal closed. He sighs, "Looks like we've lost him…for now."
"But it looks like he tricked us," said Eric. He tapped his chin, "What did he mean about invaluable data?"
"I'm not sure but let's keep moving," said Mickey.
Eric nodded before the two of them walked to the next floor.
-Castle Oblivion, Unknown room-
"So what's Marluxia's plan with the girl and the keybladers, Sora and Ventus?" asked Lexaeus.
"It…would appear that the girl is one of us and has these…special powers over Sora's memories in a way," replied Zexion. "As for the other boy, I'm not quite sure. They both can wield the keyblade along with that other girl."
"Will having the two boys in the organization a good idea?" wondered Lexaeus.
"It could but Marluxia and Larxene's actions, they…leave me quite uneasy," stated Zexion.
"Let Vexen take care of it if things go amiss," stated Lexaeus as Zexion nodded.
-7F-
Ventus dodged the incoming Chakrams before casting a few blizzards to Axel. He saw the redhead was able to dodge the first two but the last one hit his shoulder.
"Huh? Not bad," stated Axel before chuckling. "Willing to call it a draw? I would."
Ventus widens eyes before a memory flashes to him. It was back in Radiant Garden where he first met Lea and how they became friends just by sparring with each other.
"You…had enough? 'Cause I'm willing to…call it a draw if you are," said Lea, exhaustedly.
"Huh?" said Ventus before laughing a bit. He smiled, "Right…"
"From where I stood, the only thing you drew was a big L on your forehead for 'Loser', 'Lame', 'Laughable…" said Isa as he walked over to them.
"What- Isn't this the part where ya…cheer me up or something?" questioned Lea. He sat crossed legged and crossed his arms, "You're just havin' a bad day, or 'That's what you get for pullin' your punches!' Some friend."
"Oh, you mean I was supposed to lie," stated Isa.
"Ya see what I gotta put up with?" said Lea before lying onto the ground. He looked up to Ventus, "Sure hope you don't have friends like him."
Ventus smiled, "Right…I remember now – you're Lea!"
Axel stopped, "How…How do you know that n-name?"
'Why…does he look…shocked?' thought Sora. "Ven, you finally remember him?"
"I do but…Lea," said Ventus as he called back his keyblade. He titled his head, "You look older and much taller the last time I saw you. What happened to you and what about your friend, Isa?"
Axel grits his teeth before stepping back and disappeared into a dark portal.
"Some reunion," murmured Vanitas.
"I just wish to know what happened to him," said Ventus. He sighs, "Come on, let's go. Maybe King Mickey and Eric found some clues."
"You think there are more people here than those two," said Aqua. She thought for a moment, "Then if so, how is it possible for them to be here without losing their minds or back at the entrance?"
"Maybe they…are like me," said Naminé. She bit her lip, "I'm not…I know I'm not my own person in a way. I came from someone else's heart when she lost her own heart."
"Who?" asked Sora.
"…Her name…Her name is Kairi."
-Break Line-
Surprise! Vanitas has his own body now! Anyone saw that coming? Yes? No?
But who is this Naminé girl? What's her connection with Kairi? Find out the next update! Ciao for now everyone!