I'm not going to waste your time with my stupid talk. Keep reading.
Play: End of the World - KH1
Kirux had been walking for he didn't even know how long.
This void he was in was as barren as it could get. He walked and walked and walked along the same path, never stopping to take a break, and had encountered nothing.
No Heartless, no Vanitas, nothing.
It was nothing but the one path he walked and darkness.
Yeah, one thing there was plentiful amount of was darkness, for obvious reasons.
Kirux could only imagine Ansem was dancing around inside of him.
...
'Man, Sora's heart may not have a lot of darkness, but what is in here is insane.'
'It's so...empty.'
'How much longer am I going to walk before I finally run into something, or someone?'
...
Those thoughts constantly ran through his head, but he never stopped walking.
Every time those questions would come up, he'd simply push it away.
...
'As long as I find Xion, nothing matters. She's the one and only priority.'
...
Kirux just kept on walking.
...
...
...
As he continued, he thought back to Xion, and Vanitas.
'How is it that Vanitas was able to take Xion away so easily? You think she would have put up a fight or something.'
'Wait, she can't. I have her Keyblade, there's no way she'd be able to.'
'Still, she would have at least resisted a tiny bit. Even then, why didn't Ven do anything to stop it?'
'Is there something that's going on that he's not letting me on about? If so, I may have just walked into a death trap.'
'Not just for me, but for Xion as well. Maybe that would have been why she warned me.'
...
Nonetheless, Kirux continued on, because there wasn't any other thing he could do.
Aforementioned earlier, he hadn't encountered any other entity since he entered the darkness.
Plus, there was only one long, winding path that he could take. The only scenery he could see was the path, and that was it.
It was as barren as the desert in Agrabah, but with less light.
'Can't stop, though.' He'd tell himself, 'Not until I find Xion and Vanitas.'
The only thing Kirux could do was walk forward, and that's what he did.
...
...
...
It took a long time, but eventually his pace slowed, and he soon collapsed.
The darkness was finally starting to get to him.
He put one hand over his chest, where a dark cloud started forming.
'There he goes again. Trying to take over my heart.'
"Not...now, Ansem." He struggled to say.
"What's the matter? You don't want my help?"
"I...don't need you. How many times do I have to say that?"
"Your current condition says otherwise, Kirux. If you would only-,"
"Enough!" Kirux yelled, standing back up, "I don't have time for your antics. I've got to find Xion!"
He ran, hearing Ansem's voice in his head one last time.
"Whatever you say, boy. Just remember, I'm not going anywhere until your darkness belongs to me."
Kirux ignored him, 'Forget about Ansem. I'll deal with him soon enough.'
Stop: End of the World - KH1
Namine was still standing at the pod. It had been hours since Kirux first went in to Sora's heart.
DiZ and Riku hadn't come into the room looking for him yet, which she took as a good sign.
She also knew, though, that this wasn't going to last forever. Eventually, one of them would notice, and Namine would be the first (and only) person they asked.
"As long as they don't find out, things will be okay." She thought she said to herself.
Key word: Thought.
"Find what out?"
Play: Disquieting - KH ReCOM
She turned around, and found Riku standing there.
"Oh, uh...nothing. There's nothing to find out about."
"You can't fool me, Namine. What's going on?"
"There's nothing going on, Riku. Trust me, everything is normal."
"I told you, you can't fool me. Tell me the truth."
...
She shook her head, "I...can't tell you."
"Was it the Organization? Did they do anything?"
"No, it's not them. It's..."
She looked back at the pod, 'Kirux, I'm sorry.'
...
Riku noticed this, "Namine, you need to tell me what's going on right now."
She sighed, and looked back up at him, "It's Kirux. He dove into Sora's heart this morning."
He was stunned, "What? Is he crazy? He knows what would happen if he did that!"
"I know that, but...there was no stopping him, Riku. He's following his heart."
"What do you mean?" Riku wasn't angry with Kirux, he was just concerned for Sora's safety.
"Kirux said there's a girl inside Sora's heart, one that he's close to. Riku, he says that they're connected, like Sora and Kairi are."
"I don't remember any other girl that was close to Sora."
"That's because, when she returned to Sora, everybody forgot about her existence, everybody except for Kirux."
"Riku, whoever this girl is, he loves her. He said it himself. I didn't stop him, because I knew that I couldn't."
"His heart made the decision, and he wasn't going to let anybody stop him."
...
Riku took that in, but his thoughts were interrupted.
"Nonsense."
DiZ walked past Riku, "That Nobody has gone too far."
"DiZ, you don't understand!"
"Silence! I will not take any advice about hearts from some insignificant Nobody!"
Namine back down, stepping aside once DiZ neared her.
"What are we going to do?" Riku said.
"We wait until he returns from Sora's heart."
DiZ turned to Namine, "I didn't want things to go down this route, but...it appears we don't have any choice."
Namine knew what he was talking about, "No...you don't mean..."
DiZ nodded, "Believe me, I wish things could have been different."
"Are you sure that that's necessary? For all we know, Sora could end up fine from this."
...
DiZ shook his head, "Maybe, but nonetheless, Kirux has gone on his own path. For all we know, the darkness inside him could very well be the reason he's doing this."
"I cannot risk Ansem returning to this realm. Which is why you, Namine..."
"Will erase Kirux's memory."
Stop: Disquieting - KH ReCOM
Play: Fragment of Sorrows - KH1
The path he walked formed a circle like area. Kirux stopped once he reached the center.
"This is new. I wonder what-,"
He didn't get to finish his sentence, as these blue monsters appeared from out of the ground.
Kirux summoned his Keyblade, "Heartless?"
No, these things weren't Heartless. They were different.
These weren't as demonic looking as the Heartless.
...
Pretty soon, Kirux was surrounded, "These aren't Heartless."
"What...are they?"
It didn't matter, whatever they were, they posed a threat to him.
He ran at them, taking them out one by one.
Despite them not being Heartless, they were just as incompetent. Kirux dealt with the first ones with ease.
...
Soon, more popped up. These were different than the first, they were taller and had much sharper claws.
Unfortunately, none of them could put a single hit on Kirux. He blazed right through them as well.
...
Wave Three came, and this was where the big bruisers came in. Three of them, to be exact.
These actually provided Kirux with some sort of challenge. Whenever he went in to attack, they would attempt to punch him away. Some of those punches connected, knocking Kirux back a bit.
Unfortunately for them, they were incredibly slow. Kirux was the exact opposite, and he was able to dodge the attacks with ease.
The three enemies were defeated in no time at all.
Stop: Fragment of Sorrows - KH1
"You know, I'll give credit where it's due."
Kirux turned around, finding Vanitas stand in the pathway.
"You're a lot better than I thought you'd be."
Kirux normally would have let his Keyblade fade, but he didn't now. Not while Vanitas was right there.
"What do you know about those things?"
"They're called Unversed. Unlike the Heartless, they are based off of pure, negative emotions."
...
'Unversed, huh?'
Kirux thought if anybody had ever mentioned that to him.
'Nope, doesn't ring any bells.'
...
"Well, where do they come from?"
"Don't be an idiot. They come from me. I have complete and total control over them, and don't think for a second you've seen the last of them."
"You've made good progress so far, but you're still far from your puppet friend. And by the time you get there,"
He laughed, "Who knows? She may not be the same."
That got to Kirux.
"Wait!" He yelled, as Vanitas walked back into the portal.
...
'He better not do what I think he's going to do.'
'I've got to find her fast.'
...
Kirux's Keyblade faded away, "Xion, don't worry. He's not going to stop me."
He ran on the pathway.
Eventually, Kirux ran up a long staircase, finding a white pod similar to the one Sora was sleeping in. Unlike that one, though, he could see into this one.
And he couldn't believe who he saw sleeping inside the pod.
He gasped when he saw.
"Xion!" He said as he ran up to it.
...
She was asleep, peacefully, inside the pod.
He placed his hands on it, staring in at her.
"Okay, what do I do? How do I get her out of this?"
"You can't." He heard Vanitas say.
He turned around, finding Vanitas standing there, two Unversed standing on both sides of him.
"Only I can release her from the pod. Your Keyblade will do nothing."
"Tell me. What do you want from her anyway?"
"Someone strong enough to spread the darkness to Sora's heart."
"Huh?"
"Sora is a threat to our plans. And what better way to get rid of him than by destroying his heart."
"Your friend here will do just nicely. An empty puppet with nothing to live for."
...
Kirux shook his head, "Xion is not an empty puppet!"
"Really?" Vanitas scoffed.
"I know better than anyone that Xion has a heart, and that she is as much her own person as you or Ven!"
"You can say whatever you want, but there will always be something in there."
Vanitas laughed, "You fool."
His fingers snapped, and the Unversed came at Kirux. He swatted them both away with one swing.
"It's too late for you. I have my weapon, and soon I can sweep away any light that this place has."
Vanitas summoned his own Keyblade, "And there's nothing you can do to stop me."
He walked towards Kirux.
...
But Kirux had an idea.
...
"Wait!"
Vanitas stopped, "What? Giving up?"
"Hardly. I'll make you a deal."
...
"A deal?"
"Yes. If I win, you let her go and we both leave this place."
"If you win, you let Xion go..."
He didn't believe what he was about to say.
"Let her go and you can have me instead."
...
Vanitas laughed, "Really? Trying to play hero and sacrifice yourself?"
"My heart is nothing but pure darkness. I'm everything you need, Vanitas. Say the word, and Ansem will take over my heart in a second."
"That's my one and only offer. Take it or leave it."
Vanitas thought it over.
His mask disappeared, revealing his face.
'He looks exactly like Sora.' Kirux thought, but he didn't let it faze him.
...
He smiled, "Alright, deal."
"Prepare to never see the light again!"
A massive dark cloud enveloped the area, sending Kirux and Vanitas away.
Play: Unbreakable Chains - KH Birth By Sleep
Kirux floated down to the stain glass platform. His eyes didn't bother until he felt his feet hit the ground.
He saw Vanitas land to his left, Keyblade in hand.
"You know, you're making a big mistake."
"If you lose, you'll never see the light of day again. Which is why, I'm offering you a chance."
He lifted his Keyblade up, then pointed it at Kirux, "If you surrender now, I'll let you go without a scratch."
...
'Wow. The nerve of this guy.'
'He thinks I'm going to give up that easily? Sure.'
...
Kirux shook his head, and put his hand out, "I've got a better idea."
His Keyblade appeared, lifting it up, "How about I destroy you first?"
Vanitas laughed manically, "You really thing that destroying me will do anything? If you do that, you're heart will be extinguished forever."
"Whatever it takes. Anything to save Xion."
"Hmph. It's all about that puppet, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is."
"I've become a part of her heart, just as she's become apart of mine."
"Xion is my power, and I'm hers!" He raised his Keyblade back up.
...
...
...
Vanitas made the first move, putting his Keyblade upward, and yelling out "Darkness waits!" A blast of energy hit the blade, and engulfed it.
He swung at Kirux, missing, then slammed the ground, creating a shockwave that went four directions. This also missed, before Vanitas jumped into the air, and launched a large X at Kirux. Kirux dodged this as well.
Kirux retaliated by hitting him with two quick combos, the final strike developing a small, dark shockwave. These shockwaves stunned Vanitas both times.
Kirux then jumped into the air, bringing his Keyblade on Vanitas from above six times, the last one knocking him back the farthest.
This weakened Vanitas, but he was far from done. He leaped into the air, enveloping himself in dark energy.
"There's no escape!" He said, as he rushed at Kirux, Keyblade spinning. Kirux wasn't as fortunate, as he got hit a few times.
He tried to attack with the same technique as before, but Vanitas was prepared. He swatted Kirux into the air, then slammed him into the ground hard. Kirux rolled away from him when he tried to stab him on the ground.
He cast a quick healing spell, before he attacked Vanitas once more. He went back to the combos, but he just retaliated by teleporting behind Kirux, striking him once.
Vanitas tried the first attack again, but Kirux just blocked it with his shield magic. The explosion sent Vanitas reeling.
Kirux could tell that he was almost finished, but Vanitas did something Kirux didn't expect.
He jumped into the air, above the platform.
"Playtime's over!" He said, and slammed right into the center of the platform. It shattered, the fragments floating around Vanitas and Kirux.
The two of them were floating in the air, surrounded by what used to be the platform they were standing on.
"Give it up, Kirux! You cannot resist anymore!"
Kirux gripped his Keyblade tightly, "That's what you think."
'Time to use that Limit Break.'
A burst of energy came from Kirux, and darkness poured from around him. Vanitas was stunned at the sight.
Kirux teleported away, then struck Vanitas three times, then three times again, then five times, before hitting him with on final strike.
Vanitas was knocked back, too stunned at what he had just witnessed.
Kirux saw this as his opportunity to end it all.
"Light!" He yelled, before his Keyblade became enveloped in white light. He spun at Vanitas, hitting him multiple times.
He clutched his blade with both hands, and swiped up hard. The blade struck Vanitas, his Keyblade being knocked from his hand.
The area faded into black again.
Stop: Unbreakable Chains - KH Birth By Sleep
The two of them were back in the area with the pod. Xion was still asleep inside.
Vanitas was on the ground, panting heavily.
"What...what are you?" He said, his eyes widened in shock and fright.
He saw a Keyblade appear in his face, and saw Kirux standing above him.
"Now, let Xion go."
Vanitas backed away frantically, "Okay! Fine, you win. Just...stay away from me."
He waved his hand, and the pod disappeared.
"She's back on the island now."
Kirux nodded, his Keyblade fading away.
He walked off, without another word.
He opened the door, finding himself back in the cave.
He turned back to the door, and summoned his Keyblade.
He pointed it at the door, a glow emitting from the end of his blade.
The beam of light hit the door, making it disappear completely.
His Keyblade faded away, "Now you can't cause anymore trouble. Not to Ven, not to Sora, and especially not to Xion."
He walked out of the cave, finding Ven standing there, leaning against a tree.
When Ven noticed him, he walked up to him.
"You made it back. Thank goodness. I thought you'd never make it out."
Kirux nodded, "Where's Xion?"
Play: Always On My Mind - KH1
Ven smiled, looking past Kirux.
Kirux was confused, until he turned and looked back behind him.
...
There was somebody sitting on the curved tree.
Someone in a black coat.
Kirux gasped, and immediately ran over to them. Once he reached the island, that person had jumped down and was standing in the center.
Kirux stopped, "Xion? Is it...really you?"
...
When they turned around, Kirux saw her, smiling.
"I told you we'd see each other in person again."
Kirux couldn't believe it.
...
'It's her. It's actually her.'
'I did it. I found her.'
...
Kirux closed the gap, hugging her as tightly as he could. Xion returned it immediately.
It felt great to actually do that again. To hold her, to hear he speak, to even look at her.
Kirux could not have been more relieved.
He heard Xion start crying, and pulled back.
"Hey, don't cry. It's alright. We're safe now."
She looked at him, tears filled her eyes, "I'm just happy to see you. That's all."
"The feeling's mutual. Trust me."
...
Kirux heard Ven walk up.
"This is nice and all, but I've got a question."
Kirux turned to him, "What's the matter?"
"What about Vanitas? What happened to him?"
"It's a little...complicated. Everyone should sit down, and I'll explain everything."
...
...
...
Kirux explained everything that had happened, starting from when he first entered the darkness to when he locked the door. Xion and Ven listened intently, not interrupting.
"For all I know, he's not getting out anytime soon."
"So," Ven said, "The darkness is no longer accessible from here?"
Kirux nodded.
Ven smiled, "That's great. Now, this world can be peaceful again."
"Aren't you upset?"
"Not at all. Now that the darkness is locked for now, Sora's heart is safe, and that's what really matters."
"Yeah. And now Xion is safe again."
"Aw, you're sweet." She said.
"Shut up."
The three of them laughed, watching the sunset.
...
"Oh! I almost forgot."
Kirux summoned Xion's Keyblade and pulled out her thalassa shell, and put them towards her.
"I think these belong to you."
Xion took them both in surprise, "You kept these?"
"Well, I had to use your Keyblade to get in here. But the shell, well...it was the only thing I had to remember you by."
"So, I kept it until I came in to get you."
Xion took that in, smiling, "Thank you, Kirux."
She kissed him softly on his cheek, which only made him smile harder.
Stop: Always On My Mind - KH1
Not long after that, Kirux hopped off of the tree, "Alright, we'd better get going. I don't want anyone on the outside to get worried."
Xion hopped off after him, "You should come with us, Ven."
Ven smiled at her, "Thanks, but I can't."
"Why not?"
"My heart's really taking refuge in Sora's heart. My real body is sleeping on the outside."
"But don't worry. Sora will find a way to wake me up. I'm sure he will."
...
Kirux was saddened by that.
"I'm sorry, Ven."
"Don't worry about me. I'll be fine here."
"We'll see you on the outside once you wake up, right?"
"Yeah. Of course we will."
Ven laughed, "You guys are great. Thank you."
...
The two of them stood side by side, on the end of the beach.
"Are you ready for this?" He said to her.
She nodded.
They both put their Keyblades before them, both emitting the same light.
A Keyhole appeared in front of the sunset. Beams of light shot out from their blades and went into the Keyhole.
...
As the light became brighter, Xion turned to Kirux.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"I had...something I wanted to say, before I came here. But, I never got the chance."
"What was it?"
She looked back up at him, looking him straight in the eyes.
"I love you, Kirux." She said, as the light continued to grow brighter.
Kirux placed his hand on her cheek, "I love you too, Xion."
They both lost sight of each other.
The three of them were still by Sora's pod, once the mysterious object showed up.
The object flashed, and a figure appeared from it.
Kirux.
Namine's stomach dropped, while DiZ looked at him angrily.
Suddenly, another figure appeared from behind Kirux. A girl in a black coat.
'That must be Xion.' Namine thought.
...
Kirux didn't look happy to be back.
"Kirux, I'm so sorry. I-,"
"It's alright, Namine. It's not your fault."
"Just what did you think you were doing?!" DiZ yelled at Kirux.
"I was doing what my heart told me to."
"Do you have any idea what consequences you might face? Sora may not wake up for months now!"
"What I did in there was important, for me and for Sora. His heart is now safe from his own darkness thanks to me."
"Silence! I did not want to have this done, but I have no choice."
He looked at Namine, "Namine. Erase Kirux's memory."
...
The entire room gasped in shock.
"But if I do that..."
"Then his heart will be destroyed. Yes."
Xion was stunned, "Destroy his heart? You...can do that?"
Kirux's expression didn't change. In fact, he only got more angry.
"I'd rather have him unharmed. After all, he was going to be the one to guide Sora once he awakened. But now, I see that that will no longer be necessary."
"You have-,"
"Do it, Namine!"
...
All the eyes in the room turned on Kirux.
Xion was in a mix of surprise and sadness, "Kirux, don't."
"I don't care! You can erase my memory!"
"Kirux, why are you saying that?"
He turned to her, "Because, I'll do anything to protect you, Xion."
She was taken aback, "Kirux..."
He turned back towards the trio, "So just do it! Erase my memory...destroy my heart!"
"I promised, that I'd always protect Xion! You have to believe me!"
"Kirux..."
Kirux shook his head, "I don't need my memories to take on somebody like DiZ!"
"He's right!" Xion said, standing next to him, "I can remember everything for him."
"You see? I'll have my friends memories. They'll remember for me."
"You ignorant fool." DiZ said.
Play: Shaded Truths - KH Birth By Sleep
"You'd be one that has a heart, yet cast aside your heart's freedom?!"
Both Xion and Kirux summoned their Keyblades.
"You both turn from the truth because your hearts are weak."
"Riku, do what you must."
Riku stepped forward, his sword appearing in his hand.
...
He launched a dark fireball at Xion, which she blocked, but it sent her flying back.
He then ran at Kirux, slamming his blade down into his. Kirux struggled to hold him back.
He looked at Xion, "Go!"
"What about you?"
"I'll be right behind you, now leave!"
...
She nodded, and ran into a dark portal.
Kirux threw Riku back, looking at the trio.
...
'Time to go.'
...
He ran into the same portal, and the portal shut.
"What do we do about him?"
"Let him go. Sora will deal with him and the girl."
How about that, huh? Out of all the chapters in this story, this is my favorite one.
I hope you all enjoyed this one as much as I do.
Until next time.
-Broncozfan623