Author's Note: I do not own KH BBS or anything affiliated with it. The rights to it belong solely to their respective owners.

Ch.21 Lost Past

I flew through the Lanes between, unsure as to which world to go to next. No new ones had appeared since I had left Neverland, and I was starting to get confused. "Why won't any new worlds show up?" I asked, thinking aloud. "Am I just not being able to find one? Or is that all the worlds that the Lanes between can reach?" I wondered. I pulled out my red Wayfinder, holding it my hand. "Terra, Aqua, Ven, where are you now? Will the three of us ever come together again?"

Suddenly the path before me began glowing, and I looked ahead. The light brightened and washed over me, so warm, and inviting. Well, I guess I'll accept the invitation. I kicked my Glider into high gear and flew forward, the light enveloping me and causing me to close my eyes from its brightness. When it faded I opened them, dismissing my armor and Glider and looking around this new world. I was standing on a beach, before me a wide unending see. The sun had set and it was nighttime, leaving all the scenery in shadow. But I could make out numerous palm trees and wooden tree-houses, with a small shack and a lone bridge leading a to smaller island near this one.

I looked at the smaller island and gasped. On it was a set of palm trees, all of them bearing coconuts except one. On it was a set of yellow fruit, each one shaped like a star. I held my Wayfinder in front of my face, looking at the two of them. Aqua's word resonated in my head. "Somewhere out there, there's this tree with star-shaped fruit. And the fruits represents an unbreakable connection." I looked at my Wayfinder. "So as long as you and our friends carry good luck charms shaped like it, nothing can ever drive you apart. You'll always find your way back to each other."

I smiled. Technically they were supposed to be made of seashells, but that was Aqua. Doing the best with what she had. I walked towards the smaller island and jumped up, grabbing the ledge and using it to haul myself up. Carefully I walked along the edge of the tree, until I was near the fruit and reached out. Abruptly a light breeze blew, and it was enough to knock me off-balance. Shouting in surprise, I tried to look for a spot to put place my foot and regain my balance, but the darkness of the night left little to see.

I grabbed one of the fruit and tried to use it as a support, but it pulled from the tree and I fell off, landing in the water with a splash unheard by anyone. I kicked up to the surface and gasped for air, but I smiled triumphantly when I saw that the fruit was still in my hand. Wading back towards the beach, I sat back with one arm propping me up, and took a bite of the fruit. My eyes widened and I said "Whoa!" The taste was incredible; similar to pears but even better. Smiling, I took my time and ate the fruit slowly, savoring each bite.

At least an hour passed in this fashion, and gradually the sun appeared over the horizon. I stopped and watching, amazed by the side. First the horizon faintly glowed, rose, pink, and gold lighting it up. As it rose the colors changed, to red, then gold, then bright yellow. Each wave in the ocean reflected the light, like a thousand priceless gems, and the island itself became brighter with the coming dawn. I finished the star-shaped fruit and stood up, dusting my hands off and looking around. Okay, I had wasted enough time hear. Time to go.

I was about to call my armor when I heard a voice, male and old, say "So, you've finally arrived." Surprised, I turned around and saw an old man walking towards me. He was bald, with tanned skin, no hair, save for a silver goatee, and golden-yellow eyes. He walked hunched over with his hands behind his back, wearing a long black coat over a white shirt with two belts, with black pants and boots. My eyes widened. "Master Xehanort?" I asked, and abruptly my head felt like it was split open

I saw images flash through my head: Ventus being attacked my monsters, Vanitas rising into he air, Vanitas holding his Keyblade over me. I held my head in my hands and fell to my knees, more and more images rushing through my head. "Yes, you are now beginning to remember," he said, walking forward and smiling. The rush of images grew faster, and I looked at him. "We... we've met before," I said, more of a statement than a question. He nodded. "Yes, and now you can remember your past, and realize the power that you are capable of."

My eyes widened. "You know about my powers?" He nodded, and I raised my hand in front of my face. Slowly my powers emerged, and a spark of gold energy fizzed between my fingers. "Those powers come from your heart, a heart that possesses neither darkness nor light, but something even greater," Xehanort said. I looked at him. "But if my heart had neither darkness nor light, then what does it have? Is it empty?" I asked. He chuckled. "No, your heart is the last thing from empty. Rather, what exists in your heart... is the power of twilight."

At that I froze, and for a moment I was silent, almost afraid to ask. "Twilight? What do you mean?" I asked. "I mean, that which exists between darkness and light. The twilight is a place where darkness and light exist in equal balance, fused together and existing a single entity. And as it possesses both light and darkness, one whose heart is filled with the twilight has the power to control both," he explained. "Both of them? But, I've only ever used light," I said, but now I was unsure.

He smiled wider. "Oh? Then why don't you summon your Keyblade?" he suggested. Confused, I did so, and I realized that the spikes along Ultimatum were both black and white. It was a fact I barely took notice of. Until now. "No..." I whispered. "Yes. In your heart exist the perfect balance and fusion of darkness and light. And it even manifests itself in the appearance of your Keyblade." While I was staring at Ultimatum, feeling the weight of it my hands like I had just gotten it, he continued.

"But beyond being able to control both darkness and light, the power of twilight grants you one other ability. And with it awakened, your power itself would be almost limitless. That is, the power to wield the X-Blade!" I hadn't even noticed my eyes were closed, but a the word "X-Blade" they snapped open. The pain in my head grew twice as large, and I yelled in agony. "A key... blade?" I asked. He shook his head. Not like the Keyblade you currently wield.

He led out his hand an a golden X appeared in it. "X, a letter most ancient. Some say "kye" but it meaning remains the same." It faded. "The X-Blade is the weapon after which all Keyblades are modeled. One one may ever exist at one time, and it's wielder was charged with guarding Kingdom Hearts, the heart of all worlds. As such, it's wielder possessed equal light and equal darkness in their heart, not the slightest glimmer or shadow of either one more. And to guard the heart of all worlds, the wielder of the X-Blade possessed formidable power."

Slowly I stood. "And I have the power... to make it?" I asked. Surprisingly he shook his head. "No, only one person may have the power to forge the X-Blade, just as only person may ever wield it. But if that person were to fall, then anyone with the power of twilight will be able to become the new wielder." I looked at him. "Then who is it? Who could have that kind of power?" Xehanort smiled. "Why, it is none other than your friend Ventus." I froze, shock flooding me, but even more so was a new influx of memories.

I walked across the barren plains of the Badlands, having made sure that the area Ven, Master Xehanort and I used for training was safe. But just as I turned the corner to announce it, I stopped. Ven was standing in the middle of the plains, surrounded by Heartless. He gripped his Keyblade tighter, but his eyes were wide in fear. "Please don't do this, Master! I'm not strong enough!" "No. It is because you are trying to hold it in. Let the dark impulses waken in the pit of your heart. Release them, here and now! Sharpen your fear into rage!" Xehanort said.

I was horrified; that number of Heartless as beyond either of our capabilities! What was the Master thinking?! They crept closer, and although I tried to move I couldn't, paralyzed with shock and fear. "You must! If you do not let the storm within you run its course, it will wipe from the face of the world, make no mistake!" he called. Storm? What was he talking about? Did Ven possess some power I didn't know about? "Do it! Embrace the darkness! Produce for your master the X-Blade!"

The Heartless jumped into the air, and Ven screamed, covering his face with his hands. They all struck at once, knocking him to the ground and swiping at him with his claws. I was horrified; if I didn't do something, Ven was going to be killed! I had to help! But before I could, Master Xehanort snapped his fingers and the Heartless backed off, fading back into the darkness. He walked towards Ven, who was unmoving on the ground. "Really? You's rather die than use the power? Feckless neophyte," he said, kicking Ven over so he was on his back."If I must, I will extract the darkness within you myself."

Master Xehanort summoned his Keyblade and pointed over Ven, firing a beam that hit him straight in the chest. Ven gasped, and I watched in horror as his heart rose out of his body. Above him in the air, a black and orange orb of darkness gathered and solidified, revealing itself to be Vanitas. Ven slowly rose off the ground before falling back down, his eyes dull and lifeless. Vanitas floated to the ground, and Xehanort said "Empty creature from Ventus riven... Hence the name Vanitas you shall be given." "Yes, Master," he replied.

I had to get away. I would come back and save Ven, but until then I had to get away. The Master's gone crazy. I took a step back, but one of the few branches in all of the Badlands was on the ground behind, and it snapped. Both Xehanort and Vanitas looked over at me, the former smiling. "Ah, Dexal, your timing is most fortuitous. Now I can extract two powers at the same time," he said, walking towards me. I backed up, saying "Master... why? Why did you do that to Ven?" "It is simple really. Ventus did not have the strength to embrace is own darkness and forge the X-Blade. So I stripped him of that darkness," he said, like it was nothing.

"And now," he continued "The time has come for you to awaken your own power. Embrace both the light and the darkness, awaken your power over the twilight, and give it all to me!" I contemplated running, but although I was faster than Xehanort I wasn't so sure about Vanitas."Once I have your power of twilight, I will be able to wield the X-Blade. And the power I seek will be within my grasp!" he said, smiling evilly. I shook my head. "I don't know what power you're talking about, but even if I did I wouldn't give it to you! You're crazy!" I exclaimed.

He frowned. "Very well. If that is what you wish, then I will rake that power myself. Vanitas," Xehanort said, and the masked boy summoned a Keyblade. My eyes widened even further and I backed up, until I fell and landed on my backside. Hurriedly I tried to stand, but once I was on my knees Vanitas was standing over me. "No..." I said, unable to move from terror. And I felt something, power, rush through. "No," I said. And his Keyblade lowered. "NO!" I yelled, raising my hands above my face. Pure power rushed through me, blinding me with light while sending Vanitas back. I could feel my body turn to crystal, and the world went black.

My eyes snapped open, the memories ending. And after that, I drifted as in crystal form through the Lanes between, until I ended up near the Land of Departure, and was drawn there because that was the place where Ventus's heart was. And the rest was history. I looked up at Xehanort, his smile even more sinister in the morning light. "Do you remember now?" he asked. I nodded, and slowly a terrible rage filled me. Like before I could feel my power of twilight emerge, and as I stood my Keyblade burned with black and white flames. Xehanort frowned.

"Yeah, I remember," I said, looking at him with fury in my eyes. "I remember that you made me and Ven lose our memories And now you're going to pay!" I yelled, charging forward with my Keyblade held high.

xxx

Well, there you have it. So that is what Dexal's mysterious power is, and the secrets to his past. But what will he do now? Find out the answer soon!

Please review! If you flame me Liam Neeson will look for you, he will find you, and he will kill you. (I'm just kidding... or am I?)