Disclaimer: Kingdom Hearts and everything else belongs to Walt Disney and Square-Enix.

The OCs and their alter-ego that appear in this story belong to their respective authors. More information about them are found in the "Original Characters' Intro" chapter.

::KINGDOM HEARTS III Online HD::

-Free-Spirited Axel-

Rian, Taylor, and Talen were on board the Gummi Ship alongside Donald, Goofy, a sleeping Pluto, and Terra. The Keyblade Knight turned to face the KH players.

"Since there's a few of you Keybearers in the Gummi Ship, I believe it's time we tell you what's going on in the Kingdom Hearts Universe." Terra began, "The Kingdom Hearts universe is a real universe, not what you called Kingdom Hearts 3 Online HD, your video game. Whether you like it or not, this universe does exist."

"Man," Talen sounded surprised but convinced, "and I thought virtual worlds had gone high-def!"

"Upon making contact with the game, not only you have access to the Kingdom Hearts universe, but you are now taking the role of Keybearers, Defenders of the Realm of Light wielding powerful weapons known as the Keyblade. With Rian Rivers as Johnny 'Thunder' Keyblade, Taylor Mora as Soledad, and Talen Brightfire as Blazen to name a few."

Rian then faced Talen, "I still can't believe you're the Blazen!" he pouted.

Talen smirked, "I find it hard to believe, that you find it hard to believe."

"Counting you three," Terra went on, "there's a total of twelve Keybearers all across this vast universe. And all of them are completely unaware of the situation that they put themselves into." He then looked deep into the three teens' eyes, "Just because you are Keybearers, doesn't mean you are safe from evil. And this Evil is in the form of twelve entities known as the Blackheart Dominion. They are hunting you down as we speak, searching for a way to capture your-!"

"...I know, I know. Our hearts of Pure Bravery." Rian said, before letting out a sigh.

"This is no joke." Terra said sincerely, "If they steal your Hearts, any Hearts, they'll have the power to dominate Kingdom Hearts, and the world."

"You told me that when you rescued me from those heartless." Rian said, "Well, except for that last part."

"But we didn't know all of that!" Taylor confessed.

"So if I understand this well, that Behemoth we encountered at my Sweet-16 party was real?" Talen exclaimed, "And so were those Blackhearts couple? And they were out to get me?"

Everyone nodded.

"Man," Talen breathed, "and I thought my machine was virtually turned on!"

Terra then faced Rian, "Johnny. Remember that Ability Card I gave you? It comes from your Ability Deck. It's a set of Ability cards necessary to use magic and cast spells."

Terra tossed out a piece of magic to Rian. Rian grasped it and the magic materialized into his Ability Deck. Rian examined it in awe.

"When combined with your Keyblade, they are forces to be reckoned with." Terra explained, "Additionally when they reach their Mastery Level, you'll be able to unlock new powerful Modes that'll outmatch your enemies." Terra then faced Talen and Taylor, "The same goes for you two."

Talen and Taylor pulled out their Ability Deck by magic and admired them in awe as well, "Whoa..." they said in unison.

"It is now your duty, Keybearers, to gather the rest of your comrades and beat the Dominion at their own game." Terra said, before facing Donald and Goofy, "We, however, have a mission of our own, and that is to find the King."

"We?" Donald raised an eyebrow, "The last time you helped us out was... when? I don't know... NEVER!"

"I promise I will help you out this time." Terra replied, "But don't expect me to be here for you two all the time." He then faced the Keybearers, "Same goes for you too, Keybearers."

Terra then started to disappear. "HEY! You're not going any-!" Donald jumped to where Terra was standing, hoping to catch him, but instead fell on his face.

"Wait a second, counting you two." Rian pointed at Taylor and Talen, "There might be a bunch of others Kingdom Hearts players willing to lend us a hand! After all, they are Keybearers too!"

"You're right!" Taylor said, "My boyfriend Matt's into this game also! He might help us out! Here, lemme call him! I hope he's not too busy at work again."

Taylor pulled out her cellphone and was ready to dial a number when she started hearing noises. She wasn't the only one. The gang also heard noises, coming from the ceiling and sounding like whispers.

Donald pulled out his face that was glued on the floor, and tried to get up as he was grumbling, "If ever I find that Keyblade Knight who thinks he's all-that-!"

"Uhh, Donald?" Goofy tried to warn his pal as he noticed the ceiling releasing some dusts right above the duck.

"What?" Donald snapped.

The ceiling crashed, and two bodies fell right on top of Donald, splatting him to the ground again.

"Is that Sierra and Pierre?" Rian recognized the two individuals who just crashed in. The three teens looked nervous. How do these young pair got into the ship was the least of their problem. Explaining the entire situation to them (about the KH players being real Keybearers traveling worlds to defeat evil) was going to be hell!

Taylor went to help them out.

"Oww..." Sierra groaned in pain.

Pierre grinned nervously at the gang and waved, "H-hi... remember me? ... or am I talking to stars again?"

"What are you two doing here?" Taylor shouted. She then hesitated, "...in your dreams? When you're supposed to be... err... asleep..."

Sierra and Pierre looked confused. Rian and Talen didn't get it either. So did Donald and Goofy.

"Smooth." Talen said to Taylor.

Sierra and Pierre looked around, in awe of what they were seeing.

"Whoa! What a sweet ride, dude!" Pierre raved before facing Talen, "Is that ship your birthday present or something?"

Talen hesitated, "Uhh..." He then faced the gang briefly, before pulling out a mischievous smile, "Yes. As a matter of fact, it's my birthday present." He said.

"HEYY!" The gang yelled out, especially Donald, all appalled at that lie.

"Talen! What are you doing? We can't lie to them!" Taylor yelped. Sierra and Pierre turned more confused.

"Could you let me have my moment?" Talen argued.

"Guys." Rian approached Sierra and Pierre, "I know it's gonna sound crazy, but I want you to hear me out." He then sighed before saying, "You are in the Kingdom Hearts universe from the game Kingdom Hearts 3 Online HD, and you all possess the power to become your Keybearers alter-ego from the game."

"HEYY! What are you doing?!" Talen screamed.

"There's more..." Rian ignored Talen's cry, and went on explaining to the duo everything he learned so far: the game, the KH players/Keybearers, the Hearts of Pure Bravery, everything, in a good quick-run summary. That left Sierra and Pierre jaws-dropped, and Rian relieved.

Taylor then swooped in, "It's hard to believe the whole story, guys, but it's true!" she said, "I mean, you all saw that Behemoth back at the square, right? And, you all saw this ship, right? And-!"

"Hard to believe?" Sierra interrupted, a smile broadened on her face, "WE LOVE KINGDOM HEARTS!"

"Huh?" The three teens exclaimed.

Pierre and Sierra pulled out KH collectibles: cards, keychains, posters, books, artworks, everything!

"We happen to be HUGE fans ourselves!" Pierre confessed, "So you don't have to worry about us telling the entire school about it, 'cuz trust us we ain't gonna!"

"That and because, we're coming with you too on the ship!" Sierra proposed.

Pierre hesitated, "Really?" he asked questionably, "We are? Err... I dunno about you Sierra, but is that wise?"

"Sweetie! Going on a Kingdom Hearts adventure sounds like total fun!" Sierra replied with a persuasive smile, "It's totally wise! Heck, it's totally radical!"

"Cool!" Pierre grinned.

Rian and Taylor felt relieved once more. Talen was still moody, because his lie didn't pay off.

"Sweet!" Rian responded with a smile, "So, there it is!"

"And, oh my gosh!" Sierra approached Donald and Goofy, ecstatic to see them in person as if she was meeting celebrities for the first time, "Do you know who you are?!"

Donald and Goofy shook their heads as they stepped back.

"You are Donald and Goofy! Eeep!" Sierra squealed, "If this is real, then I don't wanna wake up!! COME HERE Y'ALL!"

She pulled Donald and Goofy into a tight group hug, "You two are like my biggest idols EVER!"

"Ack... Stop! Stohhp!" Donald suffocated while Goofy laughed alongside Sierra.

"So, if I understand this well, that Behemoth was real?" Pierre asked the trio.

The three friends nodded. Pierre shuddered, "Totally rad, man! And here I thought this was one of those party holographic tricks!"

"And I thought it was a game," Talen sighed, "but turns out it ain't."

The Gummi Ship entered an enemy-infested area of space, and Donald and Goofy noticed some enemy targets, waiting to strike.

"Uh-oh. We got company." Goofy warned.

Donald faced the Keybearers, "We've entered enemy territory. I hope you are all prepared? Do you know how to transform?"

The three teens knew the answer to that question by simply staring at each other and shrugging with clueless and uninformed look on their faces. Donald and Goofy looked surprised.

"You don't know how to transform?!" Donald exclaimed.

"Gawrsh! That is grave news!" Goofy said.

"HEY!" Talen pointed the finger in protest, "You never taught us how to transform anyway! And besides I'm new at this thing!"

"Right, I never taught you that stuff, because we were too busy trying to train Johnny in the Keyblade Arts, but nooo... he had to ditch and join your trashy party!" Donald's face flushed red, glaring straight at Rian.

Rian muttered to Taylor, "Told you I was an outlaw."

"Not funny, boy!" Donald angrily pointed at Rian.

"So if we can't transform, then how can we fight these heartless ships?" Sierra asked, noticing the number of enemies' fleet approaching the Gummi Ship.

The ship then made a rocking sound when it felt a blast on its side. The heroes held on to something near them.

"At least you can use your Keyblade right?" Donald asked sarcastically, "Cuz if you don't-!"

"We know how to use our Keyblade, Donald. We're not stupid." Rian complained, "Just tell us what to do, man."

Donald looked at Goofy, and Goofy immediately knew that look was a signal. He pointed up in the air, declaring, "To the Ship's Deck!"

"Ship's Deck?!" the teens exclaimed.

The teens were on top of the ship, facing the enemies heartless.

"You've GOT to be kiddin' me." Talen exclaimed.

"What are we suppose to do here, man?" Rian exclaimed.

"Fight them!" Donald said.

"FIGHT THEM?!" The teens screamed, and right on cue a leader Heartless Ship faced the gang, its nose opened up like jaws, and roared on cue.

"Good luck fellas!" Goofy said as he and Donald ran back into the ship, letting the teens vulnerable to the menaces in front of them.

"What do we do?" Sierra screamed, shaking Taylor silly, "WHAT DO WE DOOO?!!"

"How should I know?" Taylor screamed back.

"Here's an idea, dudes! Jump!" Pierre exclaimed.

"WHAT?"

The giant heartless shot a beam from out of his jaws, the beam crashing hard on the deck. The teens dodged out of the way, nearly got hit.

"I got this!" Rian ran toward the heartless ship army, pointed his Keyblade and started shooting at the heartless like a gun. One by one, they were being destroyed.

"Good idea man! Let's do this!" Taylor said, before joining Rian. She pulled out her Fire Ability Card and inserted on her Keyblade, before shooting Fire spells at the emerging army. Soon enough, everyone joined in: Sierra shoot out Water Spells at the enemies, Pierre casted Zero Gravira on them, making them vulnerable and helpless, and Talen delivered with strong blast of Fira Spells. But the army just kept growing, and the gang's Abilities Cards were losing energy fast.

"We're not gonna make it!" Sierra screamed.

"Let me try this!" Pierre stepped in, inserted a Magnet Ability Card on his Keyblade and raised it up, "Magnet!"

"NOOO!" the gang screamed.

A powerful surge of energy pulled up more enemies to the ship, including asteroids. One asteroid nailed Pierre in the face, knocking him unconscious.

"There too much now!" Taylor exclaimed.

"Nice try, doofus!" Talen said to Pierre.

Just as the leading Heartless Ship was about to pull up another beam, a barrage of beams swooshed past the teens from right out of the blue, and pierced the ship through its mouth all the way out, causing a massive explosion that lit up the galaxy. The rest of the heartless army surged toward whatever that had attacked its leader.

The teens turned around to watch a massive Gatling Gun hovered by a combat helicopter flying above the Gummi Ship Deck, and blasting away more enemies heartless. The teens looked in awe at someone piloting the Copter. The Copter looked strangely designed. As if it was formed from a Keyblade!

"Another Keybearer?" Rian gasped.

"Heyy!" shouted a young lively teen voice from the copter, "Are you guys okay in there?"

"We're fine!" Taylor shouted back.

A massive Hunter-X ship hovered right above the Copter that just saved the teens, clanked its claws on the Copter and whisked the Copter away from the teens.

"WHOOAAAAH!" the teen is heard screaming inside.

"We gotta help him!" Sierra said.

"I got this!" Pierre was about to cast another Magnet Spell, but Talen stopped him, "Don't even think about it!"

"Wait, what's he doing?" Rian said, witnessing something. The teens watched the Copter twirling around by itself until the Hunter-X let go of the Copter, completely powerless. The Copter then swooped in to face the enemy and barraged it with some missiles until destroyed.

"He did it!" Sierra squealed happily and the teens cheered. The enemies troops were no more as the Gummi Ship finally entered a portal to a new world, at the same time, welcoming a new addition.

The gang were back inside the Gummi Ship,

"Wow..." Sierra sighed dreamily at the new Keybearer, "You were awfully brave out there. And when your Keyblade went Copter Mode... Ooh..."

Pierre looked at his girlfriend warily. He then chuckled, "Err... Sierra? Jealous boyfriend here?"

"I don't mean to be a jerk, but..." Rian then glared coldly at the new Keybearer who was sporting a dark robe similar to Org XI with a black tee underneath, dark-blue cargo pants and Nike shoes.

"Who the heck are you?"

The Keybearer only muster a smile. He formed fists and stretched. A powerful orb of light took over his entire body and shattered into million bits. The Keybearer had returned to his KH player alter-ego. He was no longer sporting the robe and dark outfit. He wore a white t-shirt with a Dissidia Final Fantasy logo on it, but still maintained the cargo pants. The Nike shoes matched his white shirt which was black earlier when he was in his Keybearer's form.

"Glad you asked, my man!" the new KH player sounded cheerful and comical... like Rian! "Name's Axel, but the guy who just helped you out there, is my man Sharx! Cool huh? We share the same soul bro! Put it there!" he offered Rian a handshake.

Rian stared at it suspiciously. There was something weird about that guy. But then again, he accepted the handshake, "Suuure."

"Hey, how'd you do that?" Taylor asked, "That turning back to your old-self trick. Usually, we turn back to our old self when we exit a world."

Axel threw his hand in dismissal, "Oh that's easy. You just close your eyes and believe that you're that guy. In my case when I turn back, I believe I am me again. Here, you should try it! It's cool!"

"So you're saying that I can turn myself into my Keybearer alter-ego Ciel?" Sierra asked interestingly, "Here and now?"

"Whoa." Axel looked surprised, "you guys didn't know?" Axel then broke the fourth wall, "Since when does KH players don't know how to transform?"

Donald crossed his arms, "Of course they didn't." he pouted, "They were too busy getting down at some party. And WHO are you talking to?" he looked around.

Axel shrugged.

Sierra finally clenched her fists and stretched. A powerful orb of light suddenly struck her body and shattered into million bits. Sierra was no longer Sierra. She sported an ivory armor with blue highlights on it, a translucent cape, skinny pants and boots of the same color. The gang looked stunned at Sierra's transformation. Sierra (or more preferably Ciel) was stunned at her new appearance as well.

"I'm Ciel!" she said, striking a pose.

"Whoa, girl! You look like Sailor Moon and Chun-Li all mixed-up together!" Axel couldn't get his eyes off her.

Pierre nervously chuckled, "Whoa, buddy?" he grinned at Axel, "That's my girlfriend you're talking to."

"My bad, bro."

Ciel admired her outfit at a nearby mirror, "Ohh. My. Gosh. I look fabulous! Thanks, Axel!"

"No, thank you." Axel mumbled, before clearing his throat, "I mean, yeah sure!"

Everyone got excited and wanted to try out their newfound powers, all thanks to new KH player Axel. Rian was the only one pouting. Talen, Donald and Goofy noticed him and approached him.

"Ooh, somebody got himself a new rival." Talen said with a gloating expression, "And it ain't me no more. Ha!"

Rian frowned, "Shut up."

"Uhh, something's on your mind, Rian?" Goofy asked.

"There's something weird about that guy." Rian whispered, "He's too happy. He's too... cheerful. He's too... weird. He reminds me of someone..."

"Uhh... you?" Talen reminded Rian.

Rian threw a hand in dismissal, "No that's not it."

Later that night (or we don't know if it's night since the gang were still traveling in space), but all we know is that everyone was sleeping at that late time. Everyone except Donald, who was trying to study some of the lost Ansem Reports. He finally gave up.

"Ah, phooey." he flustered, "Why am I wasting time readin' this again anyway?"

"Can't sleep, Donald?" a squeaky voice distracted him from the reports. The duck saw Chip and Dale looking at him with concern in their eyes.

"Oh, it's you." he said dully, before laying his head between his folded arms. He felt too tired. He then waved his hands to them in dismissal, "Could ya go bother someone else, chipmunks?"

"We can't sleep either if you're asking us!" said Dale, before quickly protesting, "Well, I can sleep! But Chip here can't!"

"This is an urgent matter from Terra, Dale!" Chip told Dale, "Why do you think I can't sleep? This news is eating me up inside!"

What Chip said about Terra caught Donald's full-attention, "Terra?"

"Well, yeah!" Chip replied, "He wrote you all a letter about--!"

Donald snatched the sealed envelope from Chip's tiny hands and examined its seal. It was the Keyblade Knight's seal, meaning it truly belonged to Terra. He tore off the envelope and pulled out the letter to read.

"Well, go ahead and read it, but whatever you do, don't--!" Chip was cut off.

Donald hushed him, focused on the letter. His eyes peered through Terra's writing and after a brief period blinked again.

"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT??!"

Terra was over at Sunset Horizons, staring at the sunset that never slipped out and watched the flowing ocean swooshing back and forth, almost reaching his feet at every twenty seconds.

"Terra. Is this true?"

Terra heard Donald, but didn't bother to look at him or respond.

"Terra?" Donald cried again, tears ready to escape his large eyes, "Tell me the truth! Is this true?"

It took Terra a good long pause before he quietly responded, "Yes... it's true."

"You're lying!" Donald screamed, "What you said in the letter is not true! YOU'RE LYING!"

Donald scooped up a stone and angrily threw it at Terra's head. The duck finally fell on the soft sand, too tired of screaming and ranting, too heartrending to even think about it.

Terra just stood still. He understood how Donald felt from the tone of his voice and he hated this. He hated disclosing to the Court Wizard this dreadful news and he hated the reaction he just got. He wished he could take it all back, but there was nothing he could do about this. He could hear Donald's quiet sob five feet apart from where they were standing.

"I know you're hurting." Terra said, still not facing a sniffling Donald, "It pains me too."

"Yeah?" Donald's voice broke, "how? You never met him."

"I did." Terra disclosed, "Once... maybe twice." He then added after another long pause, "I don't remember how but... what I know is that I too share a deep connection to him."

"What about Goofy? How come you never told him that?"

"I did." Terra disclosed, "He too, took the news pretty hard."

Donald looked a bit surprised. How did Goofy knew and not tell him about it? He then recalled seeing Goofy strangely acting more cheerful than ever before; like he was trying to hide something from Donald. But he had always assumed that Goofy was made that way: goofy and comical. He should have been more suspicious.

"He wanted to tell you," Terra paused, "But I couldn't let you two grieve at the same time."

Terra went on, "I know you and Goofy are the best of friends and never keep secrets from each other. But I had to do, what I had to do. I had to wait for the right moment to disclose to you this news, separately."

There was the silence again.

"You should go." Terra said, "Leave this dream, and look after those kids. Like the King said, these twelve warriors are our only hope. Don't lose sight of them. He would want that."

Donald stood up from the sand, and quietly walked away, hesitant of leaving Terra for he had more questions about this torment. More he wanted to find out. More he wanted to be disclosed. But he knew, that time will soon tell.

"Be careful." Said Terra to Donald, before the dream faded from the wizard's eyes

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Next Chapter:: Days of Modern Day Keybearers