AN: I know I'm late, but seeing as I'm a full time student, full time employee and just had my twenty first birthday, I'd say I can let myself away with this. I'll be honest as well; this chapter was hard for me to get out. I knew where I wanted to go with it, but I just couldn't figure out how I wanted to actually put it into words. In the end, I decided to just go on instinct and hope my you, the readers, would enjoy it. If you could review, either with what you enjoyed or what you think I need to do better or, or even just plain criticism, I'd appreciate it. I can only get better with all of your help; I'm depending on you all.

The Last of the Keyblade Masters

As Sora's eyes scanned over the page, he found himself absorbing the main ideas but continually going back to the picture in the center. What appeared to be two Keyblades joined at the hilt had twin blades emerge from the teeth of the Keyblade and form a razor sharp gleaming silver tip. Furthermore, in the center, the shaft of the Keyblades intersected and had a jagged symbol over it in a circular design. He couldn't place it, but he felt an unusual pull towards the weapon on the page. Something from within his heart screamed that it was special and even he knew just from the picture that this was no ordinary Keyblade.

"What is it…?"

Even Sora knew his words sounded awe-filled and hollow but he couldn't stop them from coming out. He already felt this could change the outlook of the war.

The second Yen-Sid stepped forward; he had Sora's complete and undivided attention. A shadow of pain crossed the old master's heart as he began but he forged forward anyway:

"It is a Keyblade of legend that is known as the X-Blade. A weapon of incredible power and magical force with a will of its own in all it does. You have encountered Kingdom Hearts, the Keyblade you and King Mickey wield were created by the power within Kingdom Hearts and exist to join with Kingdom Hearts. The legend states that the X-Blade was born alongside Kingdom Hearts and exists alongside it, with power comparable to the heart of all worlds. Long ago, a war that nearly destroyed the Keyblade Masters of Old was fought to control the power of this weapon. The X-Blade on its own can summon forth the door to Kingdom Hearts and open it freely as well as wield its power through the blade. If we can control the X-Blade, we could be able to equal the playing field. Maleficent's new powers were drawn from Kingdom Hearts. The Keyblade along will not be enough to turn the tide of this battle anymore. A weapon born from Kingdom Hearts itself however, could be just the thing to push Maleficent back…"

The idea of such a weapon sent shivers up Sora's spine. Could it really be so easy? Could such a thing even exist? He had known there were different Keyblades made for different purposes after all. Riku's Way to the Dawn and King Mickey's Kingdom Key D were evidence of that. Still, the idea of one Keyblade more powerful than any other, that wielded the very essence of Kingdom Hearts through it and could open the door through sheer willpower, it was what they had all dreamed of.

"Well what are we waiting for? Where is it and I'll take a ship to go get it!"

"Sora! Shut up and just listen!"

The King's harsh reprimand brought Sora's spiraling mind to a halt as he returned his gaze to the elderly Master who merely shook his head in what appeared to be a mixture of exasperation and amusement before he continued:

"It is not as easy as you may believe young fool. The X-Blade is not found or acquired, it is forged and above all, it is earned. To forge it, according to the legend, two beings, one of pure light and one of pure darkness, must intersect. Furthermore, their powers have to be equal. Even then, the two have to fuse to forge the blade as it's born from hearts, the dark heart to form the first Keyblade and the light hear forming the second. Together, light and darkness in balance form the gates to Kingdom Hearts. If the fusion of the two hearts isn't in perfect balance, the weapon will not be complete."

Yen Sid took a breath and seemed to think about how to phrase the next part. If he didn't work this correctly, it could be disastrous. Still, the boy had to be warned. It would be dangerous, but if they didn't accept the risk they might never have another chance. Maleficent was giving them time as she prepared her armies to ensure victory. Once the attack began, there would be no break in the action. The X-Blade was needed, but if Sora wasn't prepared…

"Furthermore there is a risk. Surely you've noticed that with the increase of Maleficent's power, her mental capacity had diminished into insanity despite being powerful and intelligent. Opening Kingdom Hearts is akin to connecting yourself to the heart of all living things in all worlds. You are connected to all life, even heartless and nobodies. Heartless contain a stolen heart and nobodies hold the memories of a heart. Being connected directly to such power and raw energy is dangerous and can cause addiction and even insanity. The X-Blade will connect your heart directly in a similar way; you'll be wielding that power through your own heart. If your mind and heart are not strong enough to withstand its power, it will not lend its strength to you. Keep in mind Sora, that the X-Blade is a sentient being according to the legend. If you cannot wield it, it will wield you. The X-Blade is not like a regular Keyblade; remember it is connected to Kingdom Hearts a place of equal light and darkness. The X-Blade is capable of either, not just light like your own weapon."

Seeing comprehension flash onto the young wielder's face at last, Master Yen Sid approached and placed a hand on the young man's shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze before whispering so only he could hear:

"I believe you can do it Sora. You are an extraordinary young man worthy of the Keyblade and strong enough, I believe, to forge the X-Blade."

"Yes Sir, thank you. Still how do you know about all of this? Forgive me Master, but you seem more than slightly more aware of this X-Blade than any normal person"

"You're correct my boy, because I am intimately aware of its power. You did not believe I hold the title of Master simply because I enjoy it do you. No…I was once a wielder of the Keyblade. I was but a novice and starting out when the legendary Keyblade War broke out but at that time. Legend speaks of it and I know you saw the Keyblade Graveyard. It was a horrible and bloody time, filled with fighting and hate and clash of friend on friend. All were driven by desire to wield the X-Blade, to claim its power and use it to fulfill their ambitions, transform the world into what they felt it should be."

This only confused Sora further as he glanced at the elderly wizard in shock. Yen Sid, a Keyblade Master of old? But he had never seen the man fight with a Keyblade. He knew the wizard was an artist with magic, but he had never given any indication of being a Keyblade Master.

"I don't understand Sir, if you're a Master, why aren't you fighting this war…Why haven't you helped us in battle. One of the Keyblade Masters of old would definitely turn the tables and send Maleficent packing!"

"Fool! Have you learned nothing from the past years since the Keyblade chose you! It CHOSE you, not the other way around. It is more than just a piece of metal!" It was here his voice fell and cracked with pain before he took a deep breath and continued; "I was only a young wielder but even the youngest had to fight. The Keyblade Graveyard is filled with Keyblades of fallen masters from the war because even through the war they remained truth to their hearts and feelings, even if not always the most honorable ones. I however wasn't prepared. I grew obsessed once I felt the power of the X-Blade up close. I became preoccupied with glory and being the best so I could wield it. I didn't honor my heart. My teacher tried to warn me of the path I was following but I was too stubborn to listen, I couldn't see anything but to become the Grand-Master of the Keyblade Order, the leader of all wielders before the fall of the Keybladers. Finally…when I had lost sight of the light and my duty to the Keyblade, when I forgot it was privilege, not a right to wield a Keyblade…My Keyblade abandoned me and never returned. I lost everything that day and I have never been complete since."

Bowing his head in respect, Sora could only imagine how hard it would be to lose the Keyblade entirely, to have it abandon you. He had felt so helpless without it when it went to Riku during his first trip to Hollow Bastion, but to lose it forever when Yen Sid's whole life was based around studying to be a wielder? He could only guess how empty the elder must have felt. To have dreams of being everything and then end up with nothing, how terrible that would have to be.

Finally, after a few moments of thought about everything the old wizard had said, Sora took a chance and broke the silence and spoke again: "You said it had been forged twice before. I know the Keyblade War was one. Who forged it the second time?"

"I can answer that" Sora had almost forgotten the King was there in the tree house with them, he had been so quiet out of respect while Yen Sid spoke. After all, Goofy had said Master Yen Sid had been King Mickey's teacher so they must have shared a strong bond between them.

"The second time was about ten years ago. You know after the war, the Order was mostly destroyed and shattered. Small remnants remained but a governing body no longer existed and the Masters mostly worked within their worlds, chose their apprentices as their students and kept to themselves. A man named Master Eraqus had three students named Aqua, Ventus and Terra. Terra was similar to your friend Riku, strong ambitions and had darkness within him he struggled to control. He was doing well however until he was manipulated by another Master named Xehanort, I'm sure you recognize the name."

"Xehanort…the original one, was a Keyblade Master!"

"Yes, he was wise and powerful and also very cunning then. He manipulated Terra into relying on the darkness to draw out Ven away from Eraqus. You see, Xehanort wanted the X-Blade, and so he had split Ventus's heart into two pieces, one of pure darkness, Vanitas, and one of pure light, Ven. Once he managed to get them together, he forged Vanitas and Ven into battle, and to fuse and forge the X-Blade albeit the incomplete form due to a mental struggle.'

'Forgive me your majesty but how do you know all of this?"

"I met Master Aqua, the only student of Eraqus to become a full Master, along her journey. She went to the Keyblade Graveyard to try and find Terra and Ven but it was too late. I fought with her against the fused Ventus and the incomplete X-Blade. Even in its impure form its power was amazing but she managed to shatter the X-Blade and destroy it while Ven fought Vanitas inside their mindscape. The raw energy released from its destruction ripped a hole in the worlds and knocked Xehanort through it unconscious. Furthermore, he had used his magic to possess Terra's body. His old body was frail and weakened; Terra's was young and strong. The only consolation was the impact of the black destroyed his memories. I don't know what happened beyond that. The downside of the X-Blade is that, by connecting to Kingdom Hearts directly, with the destruction of it, goes your own heart. Ventus lost his heart. When I left, Aqua was taking his armor away from the Keyblade graveyard. I have no idea what happened to Aqua after that day, she was never heard from again. I tried after becoming King to track her down and see if she would help with the heartless threat but I never found a trace of her."

"Still…even if we do decide to try fusing the X-Blade, where would we find two hearts of pure light and darkness? I mean, the Princesses of Heart are pure light, but if they have to fuse what do we do about that…"

Cutting across Sora, Yen Sid glanced at Sora briefly before speaking, "Well you see Sora, most people do not have the luxury of having a sentient nobody while their original selves still lives on in the worlds. You exist in light whereas Roxas, despite having the unique ability to manipulate light, is a being of darkness. If we can separate you two, we could forge the X-Blade from your fusion"

"That's great and all, but I'm not going to go stabbing myself again for no reason! How do you plan to separate Roxas and I without me turning into a heartless once again!"

"If you would stop interrupting me boy I would tell you!" When the chastised young wielder finally shut up and stayed quiet, the old wizard rolled his eyes before continuing; "You should know by now that there is little within the world that doesn't exist in some form. Separating hearts without you losing yours is not an easy event. You were only restored by Princess Kairi due to your strong bond with her as well as her heart having shared a vessel with your own heart since she had lost hers. Still, do you think King Mickey and I spend the days in here merely discussing the shells found along the beaches of your world? Information points to a place deep inside the dark realm where Masters once took their students for their Mark of Master Exams. Once a student had learned enough for their Master to test them properly, they gave them a Mark of Mastery Exam. If they passed, they were named a true Keyblade Master, and every exam was unique to the Master giving it. This place allows you to face your other half, the darker parts of your soul to see if you can control yourself and which part of your heart is stronger. It is there you must go, but remember that while it will be Roxas you face, he will represent the darkest parts of your heart and will fight to his best. If you fail, your heart will become his and he will become the dominant body. Furthermore you must both fight to the death for the ritual to forge the X-Blade to work. You are ready Sora; you have shown the skills and bravery throughout your journeys and this war necessary of a Keyblade wielder. Now it is time for your Mark of Mastery. The X-Blade aside, if you pass this test and control your heart, you will be a full Keyblade Master.

"That will be easy! I beat Roxas before, no problem!"

"Are you so sure about that Sora? Remember I told you that he will be powered by all the darkness in your heart. You can draw from light. When you battled with him prior to the fall of Xemnas within your mindscape, light was the overwhelming force present in your body. Now though you're weary with the baggage of war. Your anger has grown; your guild weighs you down. You will still have to deal with those burdens during the battle, and they will only make Roxas stronger. Is light still the most present force in your heart now, is despair stronger Sora? Make sure because once you enter the Temple of the Heart in the Dark Realm, your darkest nightmares will become real."

To this Sora had no answer and when he looked to King Mickey for guidance, the King only gazed back at him in a challenge.

"When do I leave for the Dark Realm then?'

A scoff and a bitter laugh accompanied the King's answer, "Do you think we have time to spare? You have to leave at once."

"Fine, let me just go grab Donald, Goofy, Riku and Kairi and tell them to pack."

This time it was Yen Sid who seemed to tut at the boy's naiveté, "No Sora, not this time. You have always been able to rely on someone's aid during your quests and rarely have you truly been alone. You strength even comes from your strong heart and your bond with your friends. However, this is your Mark of Mastery and you must go into the Dark Realm alone. You have always had someone holding your hand but now you have to lead this war and be a warrior which means you have to be ready to stand alone and make the tough calls! This time, you face your inner demons alone!"

At this, Sora could only blink before nodding as Mickey summoned his Keyblade. As the Keyblade of the Dark Realm, it enabled him the power to open the Corridors of Darkness and manipulate darkness in small amounts without being tainted by it. Of course, the young mouse still preferred to utilize light as his weapon but that didn't mean the ability wasn't a hand thing to have at his disposal once in a while. Such as now, with a thrust of the blade, a Corridor of Darkness opened in the tree house and left Sora glancing at it nervously. He had been to the Dark Realm once before with Riku and it hadn't seemed quite so bad then but he had only seen a small fraction of it, if what Riku had told him in private was to be believed, it was not exactly a place people usually wanted to build a summer home in.

"What's in there, Your Majesty?

The cryptic reply he received in return was "Only what you take with you."

At last, after a long gaze at the dark doorway, Sora nodded to the two. They understood him, Mickey was the King of the worlds and had fought with a Keyblade Master against Xehanort, and Yen Sin had been a Keyblade Master and lost the Keyblade to his own ambitions during the Keyblade War. Both had felt the horrors of battle and losing friends. Both supported him to the end.

"See you when I get back and be ready to win this war!"

And with that he stepped through the Corridor and into the Dark Realm

In the World That Never Was

Pushing open the doors to the throne room in a rush, the bumbling idiot that was Pete practically tripped over his own two feet in his hurry to get to Maleficent's throne. Not much had changed about the round villain due to his exposure to Kingdom Hearts. He was neither particularly strong in the darkness nor in the light; as such, little was mutated within him. One eye was now the yellow slit of the heartless and his strength had greatly increased along with his magic abilities but little else had changed.

"My Lady!" he yelled coming to a halt before her throne where the Queen sat looking over the figures of resistance fighters currently at Destiny Islands.

A glance up from her work and then a snarl of irritation at the sight of the annoying fool was his response before she added "What do you want, you short sighted simpleton! I have important matters to deal with and I told you to go recruit more heartless! Do you have the ability to follow even the simplest commands I give you Pete!"

"Yes My Lady but I have important news and I knew you would want to hear it immediately."

"Then say it and pray I find it important enough not to kill you outright. Your usefulness to me has long since run out you insipid fool."

"We have word that Sora has left the Destiny Islands. One of the heartless generals informed me a Corridor of Darkness was opened there and they felt the Keyblade Master go through it!"

"Well this is interesting then. So young Sora is fleeing the world of his home is he! Has he finally realized that his efforts are meaningless? Well, if he wants me to chase him, I'll oblige him later, he'll provide little threat once the king and that boy, Riku, are finished. Sora, for all his instinctive talent with that Keyblade, isn't very smart. Still, this does provide an opportunity, order Beast to prepare all forces and prepare to attack on my signal! Dismissed, now get out of my sight!"

"Yes My Dear, I was just wondering why that Keyblade brat would be going into the Dark Realm alone."

"The Dark Realm! You're certain that's where he went to! Why didn't you say so earlier?"

As she contemplated this unexpected change, Maleficent's eyes found the windows of the room and in the distance saw the pitch black lightning clouds. This world was on the borders of the Dark Realm after all and the Dark Realm seemed more chaotic by the day as more worlds died and hearts were taken by the heartless. Still, why would Sora go to the Dark Realm to hide, it made no sense? The fool knew she would be at her strongest in the Dark Realm and the farther the Keyblade Master got from the light, the weaker his powers would become. The brat knew better than this and King Mickey would not send his best warrior into the Dark Realm without a reason or even protection. There had to be some reason to make sure a risky play.

Glancing back down at the floor of the room where Pete was cowering she found a chess board in the corner where she planned her moves. She of course, represented black and the light was represented by the white pieces. Carefully, she had planned her moves and put her opponent in check, eliminating key worlds of resistance. Now though, not only had the white pieces not made the move she planned on, they had essentially upended the entire board and knocked the pieces off. Such a plan made absolutely no sense! So why would Mickey do so!

A snarl of confusion and rage cause her to force Pete with raw energy backward merely by looking at him. Even now she sometimes had trouble controlling her new powers under great emotional strain.

"Hold the attack for the moment but tell Beast to be ready to move on a minute's notice. In the meantime, since Sora has decided so graciously to come right into our backyard, we should be hospitable guests. Send heartless and nobodies to…welcome him to the Dark Realm. Once Sora is sufficiently weakened and tired, we will strike. With Sora stranded in the Dark Realm, King Mickey will be helpless and alone. With Mickey split about what to do, he won't be able to coordinate defense and with Sora gone and Mickey unable to lead, morale of their fighters will fail. Young Riku doesn't have their trust and they won't fight for him. If we can remove Sora and King Mickey, the rest will fail like Dominoes. Well, what are you waiting for? I gave you an order! I want Sora so overwhelmed with heartless and nobodies that he won't even be able to move without being attacked. Also send a Darkside and Twilight Thorn that should bring back some fond old memories for the young fool. We'll teach him to think before coming to my world next time! He won't have a next time!"

End of Chapter 4

Next Time: Fighting From the Heart