Chapter 58 All the Pieces Lie Where They Fall
Aqua lowers her hand as the bright light that had surrounded Ven and Vanitas fades. She gasps and starts to run seeing Ven is still standing and Vanitas is gone. "Ven," she calls as she gets closer. He doesn't reply and keeps his head down. Her eyes widen as they fall on the huge sword in his hand, unlike any she has ever seen before. It's the X-blade, it has to be, but it's broken; pieces are missing from the blade and the handle.
He doesn't move as Aqua reaches him and leans down, trying to look at his face. She can see his eyes are closed and she says hesitantly, "Ven?"
His eyes blink open and she jumps back in shock seeing yellow instead of blue. "Not quite," he says in a voice that isn't Ven's. Darkness spreads over Ven's armor and when is fades, the armor is gone, replaced by a black and red body suit. "It don't think we've ever been properly introduced," he says to Aqua with a wide grin. "Name's Vanitas."
"No...what did you do to Ven?" Aqua demands summoning her keyblade and pointing it at Ven-Vanitas.
"Don't worry, he's right here," Ven-Vanitas says patting the spot over his heart. "Our hearts fused back together except this time I'm in charge, as I should have always been." Ven-Vanitas looks up at Kingdom Hearts shining up above. "Ven doesn't have what it takes. He's too naive. The idiot thinks we're supposed to stop everyone from using Kingdom Heart's power, but as X-blade wielder we're entitled to the power. With it we can rule without question over all the worlds."
"Shut up!" Aqua says taking a step closer with her keyblade still pointing threateningly at Ven-Vanitas. "Give Ven back his heart."
"Not going to happen," Ven-Vanitas says raising the X-blade. "He's not strong enough for this. It's safer for him to stay buried in our heart and let me have control."
"But he's still fighting you, isn't he," Aqua says and she knows she is right by the way Ven-Vanitas stiffens. "The X-blade isn't complete because he hasn't surrendered yet. And if he hasn't surrendered, then there is no way I'm going to give up." She leaps forward, slashing down at Ven-Vanitas with her keyblade, but Ven-Vanitas swings the X-blade to meet her blade and the force behind it sends Aqua tumbling back.
"Did you really think you could defeat me with the power of Kingdom Hearts on my side?" Vanitas says mockingly as he walks casually to her.
Aqua gets back to her feet and watches him warily. "All you are is a little boy with a big sword," Aqua says and Ven-Vanitas' face twists into to a glare. "I am a Keyblade Master and I will not let you win!" To herself, she says, "Terra, Ven, this is for you," and charges at Ven-Vanitas without fear.
…
Ven slowly opens his eyes to find himself falling through the darkness. He looks down to see the soft glow of the stained glass platform of his heart where the image of Vanitas, with his face now visible, is back in his position opposite Ven. Instead of their keyblades crossed like before, the X-blade is between them and each has a hand resting on the hilt. Ven touches down softly and looks around to see he is alone. But not for long. He hears a slight sound behind him and turns to see Vanitas descending to the platform with the X-blade in hand.
When Vanitas' feet touch the platform he says, "Our union was not finished." The X-blade in his hand is missing several pieces and Ven knows his will is the only thing keeping it from becoming whole. "The X-blade shouldn't stay broken like this," Vanitas says holding it up to inspect it. "Let go of your reservations and join me completely so its full power can be released."
Ven shakes his head. "I can't do that Vanitas," he says. "Xehanort is still a threat and until he is taken care of, Kingdom Hearts has to remain safe, hidden away from all including us. We have to destroy the X-blade."
Vanitas looks at him in disbelief. "Destroy it? The X-blade is made of our heart, idiot. If you destroy it, our heart will vanish forever."
"I'm willing to do whatever it takes to protect Kingdom Hearts," Ven says summoning his keyblade. He sighs. "Even if it means destroying both of us."
"Then let's fight Ven," Vanitas says pointing the X-blade at him. "Our final clash should complete the X-blade and determine once and for all which of us deserves to be its wielder."
As Vanitas charges him, Ven summons his keyblade and prepares himself as the huge X-blade swings down at him. He swings his keyblade as well and the two blades slam into each other, each being deflected by the force. Ven stumbles back, surprised by just how strong the X-blade is, but he doesn't have long to think about it because Vanitas comes right after him in another attack.
Ven dodges and deflects Vantias' stabs, looking for an opening, but finding none. "Blizzaga," he says hoping the ice shards will distract Vanitas, but Vanitas simply raises the X-blade in a block and Ven's spell flies back at him. Dodging the ice shards, Ven looks up to see Vanitas gone. He spins around to see him slashing at his unprotected back. Ven jumps back, but not quick enough as the X-blade cuts through the shirt over his stomach and leaves a shallow but long cut.
With a hiss of pain, Ven clutches his stomach and retaliates with a strike of his own at Vanitas' side. Vanitas blocks with the X-blade and they exchange a few blows before Ven is knocked back again by the power of the X-blade. "Cura," he mutters to himself and the cut on his stomach heals.
Vanitas charges Ven once more, but as he swings the X-blade he freezes completely and Ven''s eyes widen in surprise. Ven is sent staggering forward as he feels a painful strike across his back and he turns to see Vanitas had appeared behind him. The fake frozen image Vanitas had left to confuse him fades away as Vanitas charges at Ven again, but again he freezes and Ven is left looking around frantically to see where he is going to appear next. This time Vanitas is on his right and is able to strike him despite his best attempts to block the X-blade.
Vanitas freezes once more and Ven spins around, his eyes looking everywhere. But he fails to look up. Vanitas falls from above with the X-blade out for a fatal blow, but Ven reacts just in time to get out of the way. This time when Vanitas charges at him, Ven runs at him as well and manages to grab Vanitas' shoulder before he teleports.
Ven blinks and finds himself high in the air with Vanitas as they fall back towards his heart. Vanitas shouts in anger and pushes Ven away from him. "Aero," Ven says and it becomes easier for him to control his descent. He swings his keyblade at Vanitas and sends the dark boy tumbling through the air with a blow to the chest. He chases after Vanitas and lands several quick hits on him before they are back at the stained glass platform.
Ven lands on his feet, but Vanitas hits the ground on his side. Vanitas groans in pain, and Ven approaches him, thinking the fight is over, but Vanitas suddenly sits up and, pointing the X-blade at Ven, shouts, "Firaga!" A swirling ball of darkness and fire hits an unprepared Ven right in the chest and everything goes black for a moment.
Ven opens his eyes to find himself lying face first on the cool stained glass and his keyblade is no longer in his hand. He tries to push himself back to his feet, but falls back to one knee with a groan.
"Are you ready to give up?" Vanitas asks in a cold voice. Ven lifts his head to see him healed and standing with the X-blade still in his hand.
"Never," Ven says giving Vanitas a glare. "Kingdom Hearts is light. I won't let you corrupt it."
Vanitas growls. He heaves the huge X-blade over his head and throws it end over end at Ven. To Ven, it appears as if it is flying at him in slow motion, the tip gleaming as it heads for his heart. He closes his eyes unable to stand seeing Vanitas win.
You mustn't let your dark half have control, chosen wielder.
The voice is back in his head, whispering urgently. Ven feels new energy flow into his exhausted body as it says,
Take back the power Kingdom Hearts has blessed you with.
Ven's eyes snap open. With new strength, he stands and jumps into the air. He reaches out grabs the X-blade out of the air. He lands in front of Vanitas' whose mouth is froze open. With a quick movement, Ven swings the X-blade at Vanitas and it slams into him before he can summon his keyblade.
Vanitas lands, clutching the wound on his chest and shouts, "Impossible! You can't! I'm the stronger one! I deserve to have the X-blade!"
Ven gives him a smirk and takes a step back, tipping his head to look up as a lights shines on from above. He closes his eyes feeling the warmth of the light that envelops him and lifts him into the air. As he leaves his heart, Ven hears one last scream of fury from Vanitas and a final whisper in his head.
You are the Wielder of the X-blade, chosen defender of the gates of Kingdom Hearts. The power is yours to protect and you must protect it at all costs.
…
Aqua raises her keyblade just in time to block Ven-Vanitas' overhead blow and the two blades lock together. Aqua tries to hold her ground, but the X-blade's power is too much and she is slowly being forced back. She gives one last push against the X-blade, before letting her keyblade drop and dodging to the side.
Ven-Vanitas regains his balance and turns to attack her again, but she moves away hastily to give herself a moment of rest. "I expected more from someone claiming to be a Keyblade Master," Ven-Vanitas says with a smirk, walking casually towards her. "You'll never beat me. You should just give-"
Ven-Vanitas stops and suddenly grabs his chest over his heart. "Impossible!" He says between ragged breaths. "You can't! I'm the stronger one! I deserve to have the X-blade!"
The dark suit on Ven-Vanitas starts to break away revealing Ven's armor underneath. With his eyes closed in pain, Ven-Vanitas stumbles back away from Aqua. The X-blade falls from his hand as he collapses to all fours and the finals wisps of the dark suit fade, leaving only Ven's armor.
Aqua lets out cry of relief to see the blond boy lift his head and show her his pure blue eyes. "Ven…" She says taking a hesitant step forward.
Ven gives her a small smile as he picks up the X-blade and gets to his feet. He gives the X-blade a long glance, before looking back at Aqua who starts to run at him. "I'm sorry," he says raising the X-blade above his head. "It is the only way."
"No!" Aqua shouts, reaching out a hand to stop him, but he swings the X-blade down with all his strength and strikes it against the ground. Cracks form along the X-blade and it leaves Ven's hand to begin to float in the air. Ven smiles once more, looking at it above him, as he falls back and his eyes close.
"Ven!" Aqua shouts running to him and catching him just before he hit the ground. She touches his pale face and shakes him slightly. " Ven wake up! Please…"
He remains motionless in her arms, his eyes closed and a peaceful expression on his face. A sob escapes Aqua's throat, but it is drowned out by the sound of crackling electricity in the air above her. The X-blade is glowing with a powerful white light that is getting brighter as she watches.
She quickly summons her armor and throws her body protectively over Ven's as the X-blade explodes. The bright ball of light erupts like a shockwave as the pieces fly apart, twenty in all. They are blasted into the sky the force of the explosion and slowly disintegrate until there is nothing left to see of the X-blade.
…
Atop the mountain of rock, Terra's Lingering Will charges at Terra-Xehanort as the man creates a ball of darkness in the palm of his hand. The Lingering Will reaches Terra-Xehanort and swings his keyblade at him, but the Terra-Xehanort dodges the attack and turns to the armor, ready to unleash the dark magic.
Before he can however, the sound of an explosion reaches them and shakes the ground under their feet. The ball of darkness fades from Terra-Xehanort's hand as he looks in the direction of the explosion. "Not possible!" He shouts in anger and looks quickly to the sky. The light of the blue moon of Kingdom Hearts is fading and the clouds that had once covered it move back into place. "No!" Terra-Xehanort screams in fury his eyes wide as he sees the bright light of the explosion heading towards him.
The Lingering Will steps up behind Terra-Xehanort and as the latter turns, the Lingering Will swings down his keyblade. Terra-Xehanort fails to block the blow in time and his eyes roll back in his head as he falls to the ground. The Lingering Will glances once more at the dark sky with now Kingdom Hearts and then at the bright light making its way towards it and Terra-Xehanort.
The Lingering Will stabs its keyblade into the ground and kneels behind it, facing the oncoming wave of energy and resting its hands on the hilt. The shockwave of light reaches Terra-Xehanort's prone body and tosses it like a rag doll into the air, but when it reaches the Lingering Will, the light passes over it like a calm brush of wind. As it fades into the distance, the Lingering Will lowers its head to rest on the hilt of its keyblade as well. It doesn't move and returns to looking like nothing more than an empty suit of armor.
...
You have done well. Kingdom Hearts is safe now.
Hearing the voice, Ven opens his eyes and blinks as he looks down to find himself descending back to the stained glass platform of his heart. The image of the X-blade between Ven and Vanitas is gone and their keyblades are once more in their hands, but they are not crossed. Ven's feet touch down on the glass and he glances across the platform at Vanitas who is sitting with his knees pulled tight against his chest.
Seeing Ven, Vanitas lifts his head and fixes his yellow eyes on Ven with a confused expression. "Why?" He asks. "I have nothing now. No reason to exist, no reason be anything other than your shadow."
"Don't say that," Ven says crouching down beside him and putting a hand on Vanitas' shoulder. "You're half of my heart. I haven't been whole since Xehanort tore you from me, but now we are whole again. Isn't that better than some stupid X-blade?"
"Hmph," Vanitas snorts and points past Ven. "We may be one again, but that just means we are going to die together."
Ven looks behind him and sees the edges of his heart breaking off into tiny shards of glass that rise into the darkness above only to disappear. The process is slow, but it won't be long until the platform and his heart is completely gone. Ven turns back to Vanitas who is looking at him with despair, but Ven gives him a smile. "This isn't the end," he says. "I know someone who can save us."
Ven stands and reaches out a hand to Vanitas. Vanitas takes it and rises to his feet. "Who?" Vanitas asks a spark of hope coming to life in his eyes.
Ven looks up and a light shines down on the center of the platform. "His name is Sora. I think you'll like him," he says starting to pull Vanitas towards the center, but Vanitas holds him back.
Ven looks back at Vanitas who opens his mouth only to close it, unable to find the words he is looking for. Ven sees the confusion on his face and raises an eyebrow at him. Vanitas looks down and says in a quiet voice. "Ven, am I evil?"
He brings his head back up when he feels Ven put a hand on his shoulder. "Not if you can change," Ven says. "Xehanort can't tell you what to do anymore. Now you can choose for yourself."
Vanitas smiles hesitantly at Ven and Ven smiles back. "C'mon," Ven says pulling Vanitas towards the light. The platform is breaking apart with even larger pieces floating away, but Ven and Vanitas walk across the cracking glass and enter the spotlight at the center. Looking down, they see their bodies begin to glow and as the last pieces of the platform break apart, they are completely engulfed in a white light. The platform is gone, but as the light fades a single pink heart rises up and flies away.
…
Sora, Riku, Kairi, and Marlene are sitting together on the steps that lead out of the square in the 1st District of Traverse Town. When a bloody and motionless Zack had been brought into the bar, the adults had sent them away and now they sit in silence, looking at the stars.
Kairi is the first to speak asking, "Are they ever coming back?"
"Cloud said they will," Riku replies. "But we just have to stay here and wait for them."
"So you're gonna be living here now?" Marlene asks and Kairi and Riku nod. "That'll be fun. You can play with Wakka, Tidus, Selphie, and me."
"Can we go play now?" Kairi asks.
Marlene nods happily. "Yep. Let's go find them!"
Marlene, Kairi, and Riku get to their feet and run off towards the 2nd District, but Riku stops and turns back, realizing Sora isn't with them. "Sora? What's wrong?" Riku asks sitting back down beside Sora and looking at him worriedly seeing the pained expression on Sora's face and the way he has his arms wrapped tightly around himself.
Sora turns his head to Riku and Riku sees his eyes are watery. "I just feel like something bad has happened," Sora says sadly.
"Cloud said everything's fine," Riku says, but Sora shakes his head.
"I know, but I feel like something is squeezing me inside. Like...like someone out there is hurting," Sora looks up at the star filled sky and sighs.
"Hmm," Riku says frowning. "Maybe they just need you to open your heart and listen."
Sora looks at him with his head tilted. "I dunno Riku," he says slowly. "You say some weird stuff sometimes, but I'll try it."
Sora closes his eyes tight and concentrates hard. Things like the muffled voices coming from the bar and the feel of the evening air are gone and Sora blinks his eyes open to find himself on a blue glowing platform. His mouth falls open in surprise as he looks down at his feet, seeing images of Riku, Kairi, Terra, Aqua, Master Eraqus, and Ven in circles on the stained glass. The last circle has an image of a boy with black hair and yellow eyes that Sora frowns at, having never met the boy before. He looks up catching sight of a pink heart as it floats down to the platform. He watches curiously as it touches the glass and turns into a transparent Ven.
"Ven!" Sora says, his face splitting into a wide grin as he runs forward, but he slows to a stop in front of him. "You're...like a ghost. Are you ok?"
Ven smiles. "I'm alright Sora, just tired." He kneels down and places a hand on Sora's shoulder, but he can't really touch him. "You gave me something back when I needed it most, but now I have to go to sleep. I sorry to have to ask but, would you mind if I stayed here, with you?"
"Sure, if it'll make you feel better," Sora says right away.
"Thank you," Ven says and and his form glows for a moment before turning back into a heart.
The pink heart floats in front of Sora and he reaches out, gently taking it in his hands. Bring it close to him, the heart floats to Sora's chest and disappears, causing Sora's chest to glow slightly pink for a moment. Sora smiles and puts his hands to his chest, feeling the warmth. He closes his eyes and when he opens them again, he is back in Traverse Town with Riku staring at him curiously.
"Well?" Riku asks.
Sora looks at the stars and smiles. "You know," he says. "I think it worked."
THIS IS NOT THE END.
I know it kind of has that feel, but there are still a few more chapters.
LightzMusic22: It's sad that this is getting close to ending but there is still the sequel which is going to be great (in my opinion XD).
kage kitsune no yami: Thank you so much! I'm really proud of this story and it makes me so happy when people say they like it.