Author's Note: I do not own Kingdom Hearts or anything affiliated with it. The rights to it belong solely to their respective owners.

Final Chapter: The Power of Twilight

I stared at the three of them, shocked clean out of thoughts. Questions kept bouncing around in my skull. What was going on? Was I dead? Why were Terra, Aqua, and Ven here? Almost as if I had said these thoughts aloud, Aqua said "We're here to help you, Dexal, just like I said." I tried to open my mouth and say something, but ended up gaping like a fish. After all this time, all this suffering, my friends were right in front of me once more. Terra chuckled and walked up, patting me on the back. "Hey, let's head to that one spot of ours on the summit, huh?" he suggested. I could feel myself nod slightly, and followed the rest of them. Eventually we reached the same field that we declared our special place, and the rocky ledge we always sat on. We did just that, and I looked at them. I finally regained the ability to speak, and asked "Is that all real, or am I dreaming?

"Well, a guess it's a bit of both," Ven said, smiling. I frowned. 'What do you mean?" I asked. "Well, this is the real us, but we're not here with you physically speaking. More like, your heart called out to us," Terra explained. At that I looked away, the familiar guilt rising even higher now that I was around my friends. "But I don't have a heart, remember? I became a Heartless," I said. "We know," Aqua said. I looked at her, and at the others. "Don't you see though? My heart couldn't have called out to you- I don't have it," I said. "Well, then maybe it wasn't your heart, but your light," Ven suggested. Before I could reply, Aqua said "And don't say that you don't have any light. Even as a Heartless you worked hard to help Sora, the worlds, and stop the darkness. Someone with no light wouldn't do that."

"There were times that I lost the light though. Times when my Heartless instincts came over," I said, hanging my head at the memories. "That's because you were trying to keep that dark part of you tied down, and push it away. You shouldn't have done that," Terra said. I looked at him, my shock turning to frustration. "I shouldn't have? So you, of all people, are saying that I should have let the darkness in me run rampant?" I said, glaring at him. Terra frowned, and I could see in his gaze that he was thinking of when he had also fallen to darkness. Slowly I cooled down, and said "I'm sorry. But is that what you were saying? That I should have let myself be a Heartless?" "No, that's not what we meant. You shouldn't try and push back the darkness, and don't desperately hold on to that light. You, all of people, would know that the two have to be in balance," Aqua told me.

"Darkness and light... In balance..." I said, remembering. "Yeah. Don't you remember what having those two together gave you? That power?" Ven asked. I nodded. "The power of twilight," I said. "Exactly. You can have that power again. And you can use it to defeat that Ansem guy," Terra said. I shook my head. "The power of twilight exists only in a being that possesses darkness and light in perfectly equal amounts. Even if I do have some light in me, it's outweighed by my darkness," I said. "That's not true. Even if you shouldn't have done it, you were able to use your light to keep the darkness in you down. To do that, your light had to have been strong," Aqua explained. I looked at her. "Maybe... But even when I had that power, it didn't help at all in trying to save you all," I said.

My guilt was crushing me now, constricting my breath. I tried so hard, and I managed to be able to help every person... except the people I cared about the most. Ven frowned. "That's what's been bothering you, isn't it? You couldn't save us?" he asked. I nodded. That single fact had been the bane of my existence. I couldn't save them, couldn't bring an end to Xehanort, and now the worlds were in the sorry, Heartless-filled state they were, because of me. Aqua sighed. "Dexal, taking responsibility is a good thing, but you place the blame for every bad thing upon yourself," she said. "Why now? It's literally all my fault," I countered. "Hey, we choose these fates we got, to help one another. I was willing to sacrifice myself to save the three of you, and Aqua was willing to do the same for us," Ven said, Aqua nodding in agreement. "Yeah. I may not have chosen to become Xehanort's new vessel, but at least I tried to stop him. That counts, right?" Terra asked.

When I nodded he smiled, and I realized what he was about to say. "Then shouldn't it count that you tried as well?" he asked. I stopped, thinking. I couldn't tell Terra all his efforts were in vain, because they weren't. But if that was true, then my actions... were they worth something as well? Aqua smiled gently, and place a hand over mine, leaning forward. "See, Dexal? You tried to save us, and gave it your all. That's what matters," she said. I looked at her, then at Terra and Ventus. They all smiled, and nodded. Looking down, I could begin to feel a smile on my face as well. "I guess... I guess you're right," I said. "Of course I'm right. I'm always right!" Terra said, which prompted all four of us to laugh. That was how it felt so long ago, just being able to laugh with all my friends.

Eventually the laughter died down, and suddenly the landscape started to turn gray around us. My eyes widened. "What's-" I began. "Well, I guess our time is up. We have to go back to where each of us are, and you still got some other friends to help," Terra said. My eyes widened. "Sora, Donald, Goofy," I said. Ven nodded. "Yeah. I appreciate the fact you kept where person my heart was in safe for so long," he said. I smiled. "Not a problem," I replied. Slowly everything around me began to dim, including Terra, Aqua and Ventus. Just before everything turned black though, I could hear Aqua say one last thing. "Just remember Dexal. You have darkness... but that doesn't stop you from having light."

Back in the Realm of Darkness, Donald and Goofy were still continuing their rage-charged attack against Ansem, while Sora held my limp body. Just as he was beginning to lost hope that I would wake up they, I stirred and opened my eyes. Sora gasped. "Dexal?" he asked. I looked at him. "Sora, you'll want to get away," I said, my voice telling him there was no room for argument. He nodded and put me down, before jumping and flying away. I looked upwards, and closed my eyes as I felt that great power emerge within me. I was a Heartless, and one that could use the Keyblade. A body of darkness, but filled with a spirit of light. Two opposing forces in the same body... I had become an embodiment of the power I once held, the power I took hold of now. The power... of twilight.

Sora had joined Donald and Goofy and Ansem was doing his best to hold back the three of them, attacking, firing spells and summoning Bit Snipers when needed. But then they felt my power, and they all stopped to look down at where I was. "What?" Ansem said, just before the ground around me erupted in a pillar of white and black flames. Slowly I rose within it, and spread my arms out to the side. Ansem knew what was coming, and said "That won't happen!" He shoved Sora and the other away and sent a pair of Dark Firagas at me, but then the flames faded and I cut through each of them with a different Keyblade. I was dresses in the same armor I had worn long ago, an armor similar to Terra or Ven's, but where Terra's was orange and yellow mine was black and white, and as of this moment I wore no helmet.

In my left hand was Stormfell, humming energy as I hovered. But in my other hand was not Void Gear, but my original Keyblade, the one I had gained power over when I first truly unleashed my power of twilight. It was similar in design to the version of Ultima Weapon Aqua and the others uses, but where that once faded in color to blue it faded to black instead, and the Wayfinders were red. "Dexal..." Sora said, amazed. They could feel the power come from me in waves, and had no idea that I was capable of such. "This is impossible! You're darkness made flesh; there's no way you could wield that power!" Ansem called. I smiled and said "Maybe I am a Heartless..." I shot forward, swinging with both Keyblades. "...But does it look like that bothers me anymore?" I asked. Ansem blocked me with his halberd and my blades slammed into his, my power of twilight augmenting my strength.

I pushed and slowly Ansem began falling back, overwhelmed. The Guardian roared and tried to send me away with a gale of wind, but I stopped attacking Ansem and flew. "I've been wanting to do this for a long time. Chaos Blade!" I called, my body cloaking itself in darkness before rushing forward. I left a pair of slashed on the Guardian's side, before I shot back around and did the same thing again, and again and again. When I was finally done the Heartless was injured all over, and I smirked at it. "And now, to put an end to you. Dark Haze!" My body began enveloped in shadows again and I rushed forward, actually piercing the Guardian's chest and exiting out its back. It roared in pain, and I waited five seconds before the rest of the move went into effect, releasing a catastrophic explosion that killed the Guardian instantly.

It slumped forward and Ansem's eyes widened, no longer having any support. I smiled and flew back at Ansem, saying "Looks like you're done!" Ansem gritted his teeth and glared at me, calling "Not on your life!" He swung at me but I was stronger, and I actually cut through his halberd, shattering the weapon as I flew past him. Ansem's stared at his hands, shocked, but then I channeled light through Stormfell and threw it, hitting Ansem in the center of the chest. He yelled in pain but the energy didn't explode, as per my wishes. "Sora, Donald, Goofy, finish it!" I called. They nodded and as one came together, unleashing their strongest technique. "Trinity Limit!" they called, and as one fired an orb of energy that possess their full power of all three of them. It hit Ansem and exploded, pushing the Stormfell the rest of the way through his chest, and only then did the light energy in it explode.

Ansem screamed in pain as he was pulverized from all sides, and when I looked the World of Chaos began exploding as well. Explosions went off at random spots all over the body, the Guardian managed to make one final roar, and light began bursting from Ansem's chest. The three of us flew upwards as he and the titanic battleship were destroyed in one finally blast, unleashing untold amounts of fire and heat. Just as quickly as it came though, the explosion fade away, and we flew back down. Even after all that Ansem still wasn't dead, even if he was back in his normal outfit. "It is futile. The Keyblade alone cannot seal the door to darkness," he told us, before turning around. "Kingdom Hearts! Fill me with the power of darkness!" he called. We looked to see the great doors begin to slowly open, shadowy mist spilling forth.

"Supreme darkness..." he said, spreading his arms. "You're wrong. I know now, without a doubt, Kingdom Hearts is light!" Sora called. At his words a blinding light shined from beyond the doors, hitting Ansem with its rays. "What?! Such... light...! But why...?" he said, before the light consumed him. I could feel a pain in my chest but thought nothing of it, and watched as Ansem's body completely faded away. Just like that, he was gone. But even with that done the doors were still open, and needed closed. We flew down and landed on the ground in front of Kingdom Heart, rushing for the doors and pushing against them. "Come on!" Sora said, pushing. I placed both hands against the door and shoved, using my power to try and shut it. Goofy looked between them, and shouted. "Stop staring and keep pushing!" Donald lectured, before also looking.

Sora and I did as well, and as one we all called "The Heartless!" They was a mass of darkness in the wasteland beyond the door, and in the mass I could see hundreds, thousands, of set of eyes. "Hurry!" Donald urged, pushing harder. "I can't..." Sora began. But then another set of hands grabbed the door from inside, and a familiar voice said "Don't give up!" "Riku!" I called, seeing him. So he was finally free of Ansem. But we both knew this wasn't the time for talking. We had to shut the door. "Come on, Sora! Together can do it!" he said. Regaining his confidence, Sora said "Okay!" and kept pushing. But despite all five us trying so hard, a pair of Darksides began to materialize just beyond the door. "It's hopeless!" Donald called. I considered running through the door and offering to keep the Heartless back, when suddenly both Darksides were destroyed.

"Huh?" I said, Donald and Goofy echoing my words. Then we saw a light in the middle of the Heartless and from the middle of it a shape rose out. "Mickey!" I called, while Donald and Goofy yelled "The King!" Mickey drew his Keyblade, the Kingdom Key D, and said "Now, Sora, Dexal. Let's close this door for good!" "Close it, quick!" Donald said. "But, what about-" Sora began. The light faded, and Mickey looked back at him. "Don't worry; there will always be a door to the light," he assured him. "Sora, you can trust King Mickey," Goofy promised. "Amen to that," I added. "Now! They're coming!" Riku said. "Donald, Goofy, thank you," Mickey said. We gave it one more push, and the door was almost closed. Just before we finished, Riku looked at Sora. "Take care of her," he said. Sora nodded, and we closed the door to Kingdom Hearts.

Once that was done Sora and I both raised our Keyblades, and on the other side Mickey did the same. The door began to be enveloped in light, and shined as it disappeared, sealed for the rest of time. When that happened I could feel the pain in my chest resurface, only stronger, I knew now what it meant, and looked at Sora, Donald, and Goofy. "Sorry guys. Guess I have to go," I said. They stopped and spun around, looking at me. "Go? What do you mean?" Sora asked. Motes of light began to rise from my body, and I smiled. "Looks like when that light hit Ansem, it also hit me too. I wasn't vaporized on the spot, but it looks like my time has come," I said, smiling serenely. "What?! But- No! Dexal, you're one of the only Keyblade Masters left in the world. And even besides that, you're my friend! I can't just-" Sora said, before I help up my hand.

"It's okay, Sora. I'm a Heartless, remember? I was always destined to fade back into darkness. At least now I got to save the worlds before that happened," I said, but then I frowned. The motes of light began rising from my body faster now, and I knew I had maybe a minute. "But, when I'm gone, could you do me a favor?" I asked. "What?" Sora asked. "Those three friends I had, before all of you. They're names were Terra, Aqua, and Ventus. If you see any of them someday, could you tell them this: What I did here today, I did it for you guys, for Riku, Kairi, the King, all the worlds... and for them," I said. Sora still had a look of devastation on his face, but nodded. "Got it. Terra, Aqua, and Ventus. I'll tell them that," he said, and Donald and Goofy nodded in agreement. I nodded back, and looked up.

"Well, I guess that's that. I've had a lot of adventures, and now it's time for the greatest one of all..." I said, and my body dissolved into particles of light, which drifted upwards and faded away. Sora began shaking, but when I had faded away he saw something else, something at the edge of the area. Kairi was there, and now that the worlds would be restored he knew she was going back to the islands. Sora rushed forward and Donald was about chase after him, when Goofy stopped him. They both smiled sadly, and watched Sora kept running. Within seconds he reached her, calling out "Kairi!" "Sora!" Kairi replied. But then the ground began shaking, and the section she was on detached from the rest. She almost feel over and grabbed Sora's hand. "Kairi, remember what you said before? I'm always with you too! I'll come back to you- I promise!" he said. "I know you will!" Kairi said, and their hands came apart.

The two of them stared at each as Kairi was sent away, returned to the Destiny Islands. In seconds it was restored to just the way it was, trees and tree-houses all brought back. All she could see of Sora was within an orb of light on the other end of the ocean, which even they became too bright. From that orb rose countless streamers of light, hitting the empty sky and filling it with stars. All the other worlds were being brought back, and given life once again. The next day she was wandering around the islands, and entered the cave where she and Sora once hid. She ran a hand along the scribbles until she came to the one of her and Sora, and Sora the etching of Sora handing her a paopu fruit. Kairi smiled, tears running from her eyes. Finding another rock, she made an addition. Now she was handing Sora a paopu fruit as well.

FIN

WAAA! Dexal is gone! And with him, Redemption itself has come to an end... or has it? No, I still have one chapter left, and those who you have read this must see it!

Please review! If you flame me Liam Neeson will look for you, he will find you, and he will kill you. (I'm just kidding... or am I?)