I don't own anything associated with Kingdom Hearts. It belongs to Square Enix/Disney.

Setting: During BBS

Halves of a Whole

Ven stood on the cliff's edge, watching water break against the rocks below. The waves left white foam along the surface, bubbles that were slow to pop. The wind caressed him, whispering its own silent comfort, encouragement, promising that this was the right choice.

He sighed. Destiny Islands was such a peaceful place . . . but with such horrible memories.

He understood what Vanitas wanted now, knew what he was to Xehanort. Ven's heart, it was the key to everything, to destroying the universe. Vanitas wouldn't rest until they reunited, and when that happened, everything would be lost.

His Wayfinder felt heavy in his pocket. For so long, it, his friends, had brought him comfort. But they couldn't help him now. No one could. His destiny was set in stone. If he and Vanitas fought, they would create the X-Blade. Even if he refused to fight Vanitas, his other half would make him.

"We'll see how long you play the pacifist."

Not very long, he admitted. If Vanitas followed through on his threat, hurt Terra or Aqua, Ven knew he would fight. His friends were the world to him.

And this is why you have to do this! cried a voice inside his head. If Vanitas wins, they die. You have to stop him.

"I know," he whispered, and the breeze carried his words far, far away.

The Master had been right. He wasn't meant to exist.

Ven turned around, shuffled back to the very edge of the cliff and held his arms out.

He let himself fall.

Death was quite peaceful. He floated in a void, alone, but he felt calm. It was like an angel was with him, telling him that everything was better now, and that his friends were safe. He risked a smile. As long as they were okay, nothing mattered.

Then, light.

Before his eyes could adjust, he was spat out onto a hard plane. Groaning, rubbing his chin, Ven looked around. It looked like he was on a disc of some sort, a flat one, suspended in mid-air.

He stood. "How . . .?"

Something slammed into the back of his head.

He fell with a cry, the wounded spot throbbing. And Vanitas stood above him, laughing hysterically. He held his keyblade loosely in one hand, using his other to slap his knee. A boot found its way onto Ven's neck and it was that Vanitas used to try to smear his face into the ground.

"Hello, Ventus!" he said, sounding delighted.

Ven blinked. "Vanitas?"

"Aw, you remembered my name. I'm touched!" Vanitas placed his hands over his heart in mockery. "I'm so pleased you dropped in."

Ven shook his head. "This can't be right." He scrambled up to his hands and knees. "I can't be here, I'm –"

"Dead? I know." Ven's shock was reflected in the other boy's helmet. "Yes, your body perished, left your soul and heart free to roam . . . and guess where they went."

No. NO. Although Ven already knew the answer, he shook his head in denial anyways.

Vanitas grabbed his chin. "You died, Ventus, and you came back to me. Now, we're whole again. Just as we should be."

"No." Tears dripped from his eyes. "Please, this can't be happening."

"But it is," Vanitas said. "And just to show you how much I appreciate it, I'm going to show you this!"

A flash. It blotted everything out. Then, the white faded and Ven was looking upon a desert. He could see his hands in front of him, holding Vanitas' keyblade, but he couldn't actually move. No, he was prisoner within Vanitas' mind, forced to observe.

Across from Vanitas was Xehanort, also holding a keyblade. There were a few beads of sweat upon the old Master's forehead, although that might have been from the heat, and not exertion.

He's fighting Xehanort? Ven thought to himself.

A chuckle. No, you moron! That was definitely Vanitas' voice there. We're training. The idiot doesn't even realize we're whole yet.

"Again," Xehanort said.

He and Vanitas continued to spar, not the playful, purposeful sparring that Aqua and Terra engaged in. This spar was bloody, brutal, and if Ven didn't know any better, he would think that they were actually trying to kill each other.

Then, the opening came. Ven could feel Vanitas' interest peak. It was just a simple thrust, one by Vanitas, and Xehanort had leapt back, just far enough to be out of Void Gear's reach . . .

But for the X-Blade, he was far too close.

Vanitas changed keyblades in an instant, catching Xehanort blind. The old Master tried to move, but it was too late. The sword-like blade went straight through his chest, earning a strangled choke.

Vanitas grinned. "See that, Master? I've done it. And I didn't even need your help."

The look in Xehanort's eyes was terrifying, but it didn't deter Vanitas any. He ripped the X-Blade free and then struck again and again, beating Xehanort into a bloody pulp. Then, when he was bored, he ended Xehanort's life with a single stroke, yawning afterwards.

You . . . Ven couldn't say anything else, too shocked.

Vanitas laughed. "The X-Blade is mine."

He raised the X-Blade, pointed it straight at the sky where Kingdom Hearts awaited. And though Ven screamed at him to stop, he couldn't prevent Vanitas from absorbing the ultimate power.