Disclaimer: I don't own the characters; all the credits go to the game!

Right when Vanitas thought it was over, something changed his dark orb trap in a thousand little lights that flew off to the sky. He couldn't believe what he saw. It was a girl that ran towards his defeated opponent and she was trying to wake the white haired boy. But it was no use, the boy was asleep and he could only be released of this dark sleep when Vanitas would want him to. The girl had beautiful scarlet hair that seemed to glow a bit in the soft but present moonlight. She wore a pink dress that was decorated with zippers and it fit her perfectly. Her curves were nicely shown and Vanitas could see that she was a beautiful young woman, suddenly, his body felt warmer in her presence. He was intrigued by her and the hole in his chest seemed a bit more whole. He couldn't help but think that he was glad to see her.

But... Why was he thinking that? Who was she anyway? He was brought back to reality when she turned towards him and looked straight at him. Her sparkling blue eyes looked furious and she stood up while saying: "I won't let you have him. I won't let you have him too!"

She took her battle pose and summoned her keyblade that was decorated with all kinds of flowers, it looked almost as delicate and graceful as its owner. A keyblade...
Fate wasn't kind; Vanitas' chest started hurting again.
He really didn't want to fight her but she was the last piece that he needed...

He didn't know what to do and they both stood there in an awkward silence. The girl hesitated because he didn't make a move, but then she charged at him and in defence he summoned his keyblade just in time and blocked her attack. His body moved on his own, while his mind was deciding whether or not to go through with the plan. What should he do? Fight her, or leave her be?
Why was he even thinking about letting her go? The X-blade was his only purpose in life, Xehanort said it himself! So why... Why was she different than the others? She's just another keyblade wielder. Maybe this was her magic that tried to confuse him. Yeah, that was probably it. But it didn't matter what he said to himself, he just couldn't get himself to attack her. Every time that he looked at that determined face when she laid her next attack, the feeling in his chest grew more sad and he couldn't bear it that she was attacking him with such anger and hatred. He wanted her to smile instead, but she kept charging at him and he was forced to his knees. He didn't fight back, he only blocked. But then, he was a second too late to block her attack and she hit his mask. It shattered...

The next moment, she stopped attacking and looked in surprise at the man in front of her. Vanitas was glad that she stopped, because he didn't want this fight in the first place. He just wanted time to stop and leave him be, because this hurt damn too much... A broken emotion appeared on the girl's face and her eyes were shining a bit more in the moonlight as she held back her tears.

"S-Sora? Is that you?"

Vanitas stood up, but didn't answer her. His heart was at ease when she said this name, but he couldn't face her. For one moment, he thought that he didn't need the X-blade to become whole. When he was with her, everything seemed right. She came closer and went through his black hair with her hand, now he dared to look in her eyes with his own yellow gold ones. A tear rolled on her cheek and he didn't know why, but he whipped it away with his thumb. She smiled. It was a beautiful, warm smile that almost made his heart melt.

"It really is you."

Then, she did something that scared him a bit. She hugged him. A warm glow went through his body and he felt his darkness slowly disappear a bit. But then a voice was heard in his head...

You didn't forget about your mission, do you?

Vanitas recognized Xehanort's voice and he was pulled out of his daze. He had a purpose to carry out! But was that really the only way? What if this girl was the key to his happiness?

She's just another piece that needs to be collected. And as a seeker of darkness, she's a witch of light that controls your heart.

Vanitas was so confused; he didn't know what to do. He didn't want to, but he let her go and she looked up in surprise.

"Sora... What's going on? What happened to you?"
"I... I need to go."
"Why did you fight Riku? Did Xehanort made you do this?"

Vanitas was a bit shocked when she said that name, how did she know about him? But he calmed himself and didn't answer her; instead, he walked past her towards the white-haired boy. He laid him over his shoulder and looked at the girl once more before saying something that broke his heart.

"If you want to see this guy again, come to the keyblade graveyard... We'll be waiting."
"Sora? Why? What are you going to do with Riku? Is this also part of that deal of yours?"

An image crossed his mind, he saw Xehanort reaching out his hand to him and he reached for it, but then the memory faded. This girl was dangerous and he needed to get out of here. He didn't answer and summoned a black portal, but she suddenly asked something with that sweet voice of hers.

"Do you even remember me?"

He looked at her, confused. This was the first time they met, wasn't it? Then why would he have to remember her? She was just messing with his mind, stupid girl.

"It starts with a 'K' and the boy you're carrying is Riku."

She smiled at him, as if he was no threat at all. The others had been scared of him, or hated him but not her. She stood there and smiled at him while saying: "Try to remember. It's worth it."

He looked at her one more time before he stepped through the black portal. At that very moment, all the light that she made him feel disappeared in an instant. He felt sadder than ever, and confused. Images of her running on a beach crossed his mind, but he didn't know why... He wanted to go back; he wanted to feel her warmth again. But he had to fulfil his purpose, or else he would never feel whole. Xehanort had explained everything to him, but he started doubting the man. What if this wasn't his purpose? Vanitas looked around, but there was no Xehanort. He must be gathering the last keyblade wielder that they needed, so Vanitas laid this 'Riku-person' next to the other two keyblade wielders who were still in a dark sleep and looked at them. Was this really what he wanted? He didn't know it anymore; a small part of him hoped the girl would come sooner than Xehanort. He looked at the sky.

"It starts with a 'K', huh? Let's see..."

~~With Xehanort~~

Xehanort saw the king entering the library and smirked as he walked over towards his desk. After a couple of steps, he finally saw the old man in a corner. The king immediately recognized him and summoned his keyblade.

"What are you doing here, Xehanort?"
"You always cut to the chase, don't you King Mickey?"
"Well, I remember you don't like to be kept waiting. What do you want?"
"So rude, I just came to invite you to an historical event that's about to take place. And I wanted you to be a part of it. You should be glad; it's an honour that you may join them."
"Them?"
"Your friends of course, Sora has done a great job up to now. You should praise him."
"What are you scheming? Where did you use him for?"

Xehanort took his time and smiled when he said: "Find out for yourself. If you want to protect them, come to the keyblade graveyard and as you said, I don't like to be kept waiting."
"I won't fall for your trap."
"Suit yourself, then they will all die and their blood shall be on your hands..."

Xehanort smiled a devilish smile towards the king, who was deciding whether or not to believe what the old master told him. If he went, then Xehanort's plan would be completed, but if he didn't go, then his friends would have to stand up to him alone... And he knew very well that Xehanort was too strong for them. He was at a whole other level than his friends could handle right now.

"It's up to you, King Mickey. I hope to see you soon."

Xehanort spit the word king out as if it was impossible that this young disciple of Eraqus and Yen Sid had control over this world. Xehanort summoned a black portal and disappeared in it, leaving the king behind him. He knew that the king wouldn't leave his friends. But there was another problem; he had felt a stir in his disciple's mind. He used his telepathic abilities and told Vanitas to stay focused. But it was difficult. Xehanort had to hurry; the seal on Vanitas' heart wasn't going to last forever... He was standing on top of a huge cliff with a panoramic view over the keyblade graveyard. He saw Vanitas coming out of a portal with yet another keyblade wielder. He was glad that he picked this boy, he did an excellent job. Then he turned towards the field full of rusted old keyblades. This was where his research would finally get some results. He stayed focused for a minute and tried to summon his other eleven vessels to complete the ritual. Slowly, one by one, men in dark cloaks started to appear next to Vanitas until there were eleven of them.

Xehanort had used more magic power to do this than he wanted, but then he turned towards the cloaks: "Let's fulfil our destiny today and forge the weapon that will lead us to the very first light after a decade of pure darkness. Come with me, to the thirteenth vessel and we'll join together to fight the seven lights."
Xehanort turned and started to go down, followed by the dark cloaks, towards his waiting thirteenth vessel, Vanitas.

Ö Things are going to heat up now! The end is near... Will it be happy or not? Well, see in the next chapter!
Anyway, thanks for reading!