"Ven wouldn't steal someone's heart, not ever!"
Terra turned to the voice that echoed around the dark corridor. He'd been lead here by a familiar-feeling light, judging by the voice, it had to be Aqua. But she was talking about Ven… stealing someone's heart…Terra felt himself burn with anger at the horrible accusation. She's right, who said Ven did that?!
"Perhaps not the Ventus you know, but he's begun to transform on this little journey of his." Laughed a cold and cruel voice.
Terra crept through the corridor, using her voice to guide him. He peeked in through a stone archway to see Aqua struggling to stand, face to face with a horned fairy dressed in black. Aqua!
"Ah, so you already know…!"
Terra was shocked to see doubt in Aqua's eyes, it wasn't for the witch, it was for their friend. "He… I…"
This had gone far enough! First she accused Ven, then she made Aqua doubt him…! Terra ran in, sliding in front of her, glaring back. "Aqua, don't listen to that witch!"
"Terra!"
"We know Ven better than anyone, certainly more than her." He reminded her, helping her up.
"Yes, of course."
He embraced her tightly. Aqua, I finally found you. Why were you trusting such darkness…? It doesn't matter, the light won thorough, we're together now, and we'll defend Ven's honor!
Their reunion was interrupted by a wicked laugh, getting their attention back to the evil fairy. "Your love for Ventus blinds you both to the truth: the precious little friend you protected all this time doesn't even exist anymore. He shall use the darkness as his guide rather than you, Aqua… Terra…"
There's no way! Terra gritted his teeth, the dark emotion growing stronger. Ven will never listen to the darkness, not if I have anything to say about it! It doesn't matter if he and Aqua run to it, I'll save them both!
He looked to Aqua for support but she still looked unsure. She had to get away from here, this journey was corrupting her moral compass which usually steered her right every time. "Aqua, the master never intended for either of you to go out to the worlds. Please, you have to go back to the Land of Departure and wait. I'll bring Ven home before you know it."
Aqua shoved his hand away, shocking him. "You don't understand… I have to find him before she does."
She? Who are you talking about? Who's after Ven?! Ven had made many enemies of villainesses on this trip already, it could be any of them. He didn't know who she spoke of but she wouldn't be the one to confront them, he had to. Terra had to be the strong one that could face any challenge, that's what he'd always wanted: To keep his friends safe. "But-"
"No. I told you and the master I'd bring him home without the darkness taking us, I'm doing just that!"
But what if you fail in the end?! Terra wanted to yell. The master, the mirror… they both said you're walking away from me, from us!
Aqua's cheeks grew slightly pink and Terra realized he hadn't said anything, he didn't need to, his face said it all.
"You… You don't believe me. The master didn't believe either… That's why he didn't let me come with on the mission, right?"
No, it's not like that! We both believe in you! He reached for her hand but hesitated, remembering the dark woman who'd shown how awful he was at expressing his feelings. I… How do I tell you?
He didn't get the chance, she flinched away from him before running away. "I'll prove to you and the master, Ven and I can resist the darkness, then everything will be right again!"
"Aqua!" He yelled after her. He was about to follow when a voice called after him.
"You also wield the keyblade… You must be Terra."
The man paused before glaring back at the witch, he'd nearly forgotten she was there. "You know about the keyblade?"
"But of course, it unlocks the hearts of men, the hearts of worlds, it can even lead you to rule over all if you sacrifice the ones you call princes… Ventus stole the pure heart of this world for me."
"Shut up. I won't let you use Ven ever again!" Terra yelled, pointing his keyblade to her.
Maleficent only laughed, sensing something in him. "Well, well…! Shall I use you in his place? It would be so simple, your anger makes you so weak against me…"
"W-What?" Terra whispered. He realized what she meant. His anger was darkness.. he wasn't supposed to show any weakness and here he was, defenseless! Had the Mark of Mastery been a fluke? "No, I…"
She shook his head condescendingly. "Xehanort was right… Your master should've never knighted someone so easily swayed. If you'd only let your guilt fuel you, instead of blocking your power.
"Huh?" She knows I struggle to stop myself..? And did she say Xehanort?
She didn't answer him. "You need time to nurture your darkness. Fortunately, I have just the place."
With the stamp of her staff, the floor underneath Terra disappeared. Before he knew it, he was falling into darkness.
Terra landed to the hard stone floor, leaving him a bit battered and bruised. He lay there for a few moments to catch his breath before turning to see a young woman staring at him with curiosity.
She was very beautiful with sunshine blonde hair and violet eyes, Terra felt himself clam up even more when he noticed the crown on her head. He quickly rose to his feet and gave a short bow. "Uh, I'm Terra, Your Majesty. That witch trapped me here, same as you."
"Oh, I see." She said, eyes widening. The woman shook her head. "There's no need for such formalness. I'm Br- Ah, Princess Aurora…"
"You don't sound so sure of that." Terra noticed, sitting beside her.
"Well, I only discovered my true name a few hours ago, I was originally raised in the woods as Briar Rose…" Aurora explained. "It keep me safe from a curse."
"Curse?" Terra asked in surprise.
"Yes. When I was newly born, that wicked fairy Maleficent cursed me to prick my finger on a spinning wheel… and die… My godmother was able to reduce it to only sleep until my true love came to wake me. And he did… and…" She sighed, curling her legs up beneath her. "And Maleficent cursed him in my place…"
"I'm sorry, I can't even imagine..." The man mumbled. If Aqua had no chance of waking, he would be just as miserable. How could Maleficent be so cruel? "Is there any way we could wake him up?"
"… I think I may be able to the way he did with me, a kiss of true love."
What is with these worlds and kissing to wake someone up? It's happened twice now… "Oh, er, right…"
Thankfully, the door flung open before they could spend any more time in awkward silence. Three winged women fluttered in.
"Rose!" The three gasped.
"Flora, Fauna, Merryweather! Oh, thank goodness you're alright!" Aurora cried. She embraced her three guardians before turning to Terra. "Terra, these are my godmothers."
"It's an honor." Terra said respectfully.
The fairies didn't seem too interested in Terra, fretting over their godchild like mother hens.
"You're not hurt, are you, dear?" Fauna whispered.
Flora smoothed her hair. "We're here to save you, along with the prince!"
"Oh, when I get my hands on Maleficent…!" Merryweather cried.
"Aurora, you have a long journey ahead of you to reach Prince Phillip's side…" Flora told her, squeezing her hand. "But don't worry, we three will escort you there."
"I'm coming too. Malifecent has some answers I need." Terra interjected.
The fairies tittered in delight, glad such a strong knight would be there for their princess but the girl looked between them with guilt. "W-Well, can't I do anything else?"
"Anything else?" Fauna repeated in suprise. "Like what, dear?"
She looked embarrassed for a moment but then spoke up, a firm determination in her eyes. "Phillip braved so much to rescue me, it wouldn't be fair if I didn't do the same. Please, I don't want to be protected, I want to fight!"
Terra had seen this scenario many times already thanks to Aqua's protectiveness and Ven's eager heart. He already knew the right things to say. He bowed his head to the three. "If I may say… the princess has a strong heart full of light, it'll help her preserve through even Maleficent's darkness, I know it. She will be able to protect herself, if not for her own sake, then for Phillip's."
Aurora mouthed a thank you in gratitude while her godmothers thought it through.
"I say we do it!" Merryweather suddenly declared. "Aurora was the one Maleficent hurt the most, why shouldn't she be the one to defeat her?!"
With a wave of her wand, Aurora's regal dress into a blue combat outfit that still held the same feeling of grace and elegance.
"… Sweet princess, to help save your love so true, arm yourself with this sword of truth." Flora whispered, finally agreeing to the plan. A sword appeared in Aurora's hand, surprising her slightly.
"Aurora, to shield yourself from the darkness that will try and hurt you, I give you this barrier, the shield of virtue." Fauna chanted and a shield appeared on her other arm.
"Oh, thank you, godmothers, thank you!" Aurora sighed happily.
Terra nodded in thanks as well before using the keyblade to unlock the dungeon door. "Time to go and save the prince."
Aurora nodded.
After fighting back against Maleficent's goons and getting some guidance from Terra, Aurora was already a confident and capable warrior. She always had the will to fight in her, just never a reason to unleash it.
They slid to a stop in front of the forest, now overgrown with thorns and brambles. Terra gritted his teeth, revving up the glider. "Aurora, can you cut through these while I steer?"
"Absolutely." The princess answered, unsheathing the sword.
Maleficent laughed with amusement at seeing them struggle to get through at first, especially the inexperienced princess. But with the fairies guiding them through the dark and Aurora valiantly clearing the way, the heroes were able to make it through unscathed. "No, I can't be…!"
Terra gave Aurora help down and the two were about to walk in when a burst of green flames threw them apart.
"Ngggh…" Terra glanced up to see Maleficent smirking down upon him. "Maleficent, tell me about Master Xehanort, I won't hear another word about Ven!"
"How unfortunate, there's so much to tell." The fairy crowed, stroking her staff. "But the truth is not as dreadfully dark as your fears make it to be."
Terra gave a gasp in surprise that she knew the worried and scared thoughts he had of Ven willingly helping her, just like she said. Those were just fantasies, he couldn't let them take over!
"Seeing as Xehanort only needs you conscious for the end, I don't see why you can't assist me in capturing the other princes' hearts..."
"I will never help you!" Terra yelled in anger.
"Your darkness betrays your heart." Maleficent announced, swirling her hand around the orb of her staff. "If you keep resisting, I'll just have to awaken it for you!"
No, I can't fall prey to this… I'm a master! Darkness is my enemy! Terra reminded himself as he felt his eyelids grow heavy, his body beginning to tremble to stay standing. He gripped the wayfinder on his waist. If I fall here, all three of us will be lost! I won't let that happen! I won't let the master lose anyone else! And I won't fail my friends!
He gave a yell before slashing at the woman, sending her stumbling back in shock. His heart was full of light once again, the wish to protect his loved ones keeping it burning on.
"You wish to defy me even now?! Then see for yourself, the powers of hell!"
Maleficent was engulfed by flames, and transformed into a gigantic beast, a dragon.
"Watch out!" Aurora slid in front of him just in time to block a blast of green fire. She winced before glaring up at the dragon.
Seeing Aurora struggle to keep her guard up reminded him of Aqua and Ven, targets of darkness beyond his imagination. As always, Terra threw himself into battle, intent on taking out the threat before it had a chance to get near his friend.
The princess gasped in horror at the sheer selflessness, near stupidity, of charging the dragon head on. "TERRA!"
Terra gave a yell in rage, sliding under the dragon and stabbing up into its stomach.
Maleficent screeched in pain before clawing him away.
"Ghaa!" Terra landed in a bush of brambles, the thorns digging into his flesh like needles.
"No!" Aurora wailed. She ran to him but a blast of fire blocked her way. She fought back tears before glaring up at the dragon. First her love, then her friend, she would make her pay!
Sensing her resolve, Flora nodded to her sisters. They gathered togther as their magic turned to light that encompassed the sword. "Sword of Truth, fly swift and sure, let evil die, and good endure!"
Aurora threw the sword with all her might.
Maleficent went out in a volley of green flames that soon burned down her forest of thorns, leaving nothing but a flame fit for a candle in her place.
"Terra!"
The man found himself being helped up by the princess and the fairies healing his wounds.
"Please, don't be so careless next time, look how hurt you were!" Aurora cried.
Terra shook his head. "The risk comes with being a master and a friend. You have to sacrifice some things…"
"Yes, but not your own life." She reminded him, making him bow his head in shame. "Do you understand me?"
"Yes, Princess…" He whispered. He'd let his heart guide the way this time, and it didn't seem to care much if he lived through the battle as long as his friends did. "Please, don't let me distract you any longer. Go to the prince."
Aurora was hesitant but the fairies ushered her away, insisting he'd be alright.
Terra watched the castle door shut with satisfaction before walking over to the singular green flame.
Maleficent reformed, clutching herself in pain. She growled to Terra, no longer the calm and collected fairy he and Aqua had faced at the start.
"You were taken down by the power of love." Terra declared proudly.
She merely scoffed. "I will not be defeated by something as insignificant as love…"
"You don't accept it's strength now, and you never will."
Up in the castle, Aurora knelt beside Phillip before placing a gentle kiss on his lips. His eyes fluttered open and a bright smile came to his face. "Aurora..!"
"You'll never defeat a heart of light either, one that believes in friendship and love will never bow to you!"
Maleficent chuckled weakly as flames began to wrap around her. "If that is true, then I suppose one must fill that heart with enough darkness, to the point it can no longer see a glimmer of your precious light. I'll be sure to tell that to all who wish to corrupt a wielder's heart…"
"No!" Terra yelled but she was already gone. His keyblade lowered as he stared up to the castle flag.
He wanted more than anything to believe in his friends, the fear of losing them was making it so hard… "Aqua… Ven… Stay strong for me, alright?"