The Sapphire Sorceress

Disclaimer: The rights to Kingdom Hearts belong to Disney and Square Enix.

Act 22: Enter The Darkness

"This χ-blade will open a door- one that leads to all worlds! Then, Keyblade-bearing warriors will flock here from each and every one of them, to battle for the light within Kingdom Hearts! And just like the legend says, the Keyblade War will begin!"

Land of Departure: Exam Area ( Aqua )

Ever since I first learned about keyblade warriors I knew that I got picked to hold this blade. Eraqus explained that when two key-bearers face off in battle the blades are not the only things exchanged in the fight. The feelings, thoughts, emotions, and desires were felt by the opponent and vice-versa. Despite this being nothing but a falsehood my body felt like this was actually happening. Terra's eyes were lit with just as much determination as I now remembered.

'This is just like before, and yet I knew how this battle will end now.' The movement of our blades was in perfect sync almost like we fought many times before this. He knew me so well over the years as we got closer to each other, and this moment of enjoying having emotion was the happiest time of my new life. I could see why I've become so attached to this man from his charm, looks, grace, and that want to become a master.

"Don't hold back on me I want the best from you Aqua!"

"You will be getting the best Terra!" My voice expressed my joy and confidence yes actually emotion from myself. I jumped around to dodge a few of his strikes with his chosen keyblade. I counter him blow for blow as we seemed to arrive at an even match so far. Eraqus and ugh Xehanort were observing this battle curious about the winner. Ventus while not taking part in this duel felt conflicted about which one of us he wanted to win.

Just like before I knew Terra was equal to me in terms of keyblade combat, but I did not have his strength. It made sense why Xehanort would steal his body just in an exam he's giving me a lot of trouble. Then fate repeated itself as my blade nearly cut Terra in the face. Looking at his hand I knew he would draw from the power of darkness. Terra you will fall again into the void. Despite it being a vision I could not change this warrior would do anything to change our fates. I've lost my heart, but I gladly would sacrifice it to save my friends.

I tried to hold back my anger knowing what was coming in light of this failure for Terra. All because he used that power to help him. Despite what everyone believes I don't think the darkness is all that bad. Hell without it I would not be here today. It's the choices the people make with that power, and that is what should decide how people can judge the darkness instead. As we stood before our masters I can see the pleasure from Xehanort, and Eraqus looked disappointed in Terra. While I had become a master part of myself felt like I failed this exam.

Ventus also felt horrible that Terra could not pass the exam likely wanting all of us to become masters together. So many things that I could not change, the weight of this knowledge was building on me. Then I remember that this life was just my past not who I am. This despair was irrelevant to the current me, and in that hollowness the silver lining was found. One I return from this world my feelings will fade away, and the sadness that I'm pretending exists will be gone as well.

Looking over at Ventus he seemed to reach out for my hand. Trying to grasp it the room suddenly faded into darkness. I was no longer seeing any of the people here, and once more I was holding an important card to use. Unlike the other two the shape looked to have a broken heart.

"The symbol of a heart irony at it's best." While I knew now what would befall Terra there were still a few pieces left of my memories, the remaining parts still floating around in my head waiting to become one again. Just like the pieces to a heart fitting that I would regain both. My pathway was now filled with a very different looking area. The building didn't look very put together, and lots of the area seemed colored in black. I didn't even see much of Castle Oblivion in the design of the new room.

A group of giant enemies no-wait they were the Unversed! Beings created from emotions, and negative ones at that. I didn't remember who made them, but after the defeat of Xehanort these creatures disappeared from the world. The arrival of these monsters is part of why I began my journey as a Keyblade Master. Emotions of anger, hate, rage, and malice which Terra drowned in before his body got stolen. These beasts thrive on such things as that...they can't be allowed to exist.

"You have no right being here!" Again irony took place as I spoke about their reasons for existing. Using my imaginary keyblade I faced them embracing the fantasy happening before my eyes. My instincts kicked in as they launched their buckles at my face. Quick reaction allowed me to avoid the damage as I noticed their body seemed very sturdy. Along with that fact the armor covering them suggests they were under protection, but there was likely a kink in their armor. Moving to their backside I was able to find the lack of protection, and decided to attack with my weapon.

"What?" Despite my hit the enemy didn't seem that phased and they swung back at me forcing myself to become defensive again. Thinking for a moment I tried to grasp my old fighting style wondering if the key to remembering was that knowledge. Wait didn't I fight these before in another world, and the trick with them was using magic! I expressed a grin on my lips forming a barrier to use as both offense and defense. The huge buckles flung at me, and with the help of the magical protection their attacks did nothing.

"Here's one for you Larxy!" A shot of thunder came out of my blade shocking the attacking Unversed stunning them. The remaining enemies began to charge at me trying to overwhelm me. I've become much stronger now, so none of you creeps will get the best of me again. Taking a page from Vexen's playback I threw up some ice pillars taking out more of the enemy forces. I noticed reinforcements in the form of several Flood troops arriving into the battlefield.

Several ice projectiles came from my magic keeping some of the newer enemies at bay for a moment. I could not waste anymore time with these little grunts so my body went into overdrive with my power. Nothing was going to keep me from learning about my past anymore. These forgotten tools of the past wherever they came from will return to nothingness! I could not control the behavior my body was making, everything was becoming a daze. My eyes were becoming very blurry as the movements my limbs were making surprised me.

I was an emotionless being...right? This body is just a shell are these emotions some kind of ghostly feeling?

Finally my body lurched over as the constant usage of magic combined with physical force tired me out. Fortune smiled on me as all the Unversed were no longer around me. I was getting used to fighting with my keyblade once more even if this was just an illusion. Could I also use this blade when the rest of the forgotten memories return? Fighting along Roxas two key bearers side-by-side in combat.

Walking through another door now I noticed the room was so hard to see through, and it seemed like the only light came from the door's pathway. My body was suddenly knocked to the floor. My vision caught the sight of glowing eyes in the distance. Without the light I would need to rely on senses to fight back against these enemies. Another test of this floor pressing my skills to the limit. Despite the lack of sight my hand moved the keyblade into slashing the Unversed. This wave of Flood was slowly being removed, but suddenly I felt something block my keyblade.

"So, have a good time hanging out with the kiddies?" That voice it sounded like I can't remember.

Shaking my head I pushed the figure back, but I could not see who the person was in this void. He did seem to hold a sword weapon that managed to block my keyblade. Then why is it I've felt like my mind had already known about this person. He was also from my past than...

"Pitiful work for a Keyblade Master. You've busted up my friends, and yet you still are trying to hold your friends close to you. Don't you get it yet that little click of yours is falling apart!"

"How do you know about my friends just who are you?!"

"You don't remember me? I guess we need to learn about each other again." This was no Unversed these strikes feel more powerful than any of those creatures. I was struggling to keep myself up as he easily held the upper hand against me in this area.

"You're so much weaker than Terra! He could adapt to this darkness, and I was born from it, molded by it while you can't even survive in such a void like this!" I took notice of the yellow eyes suddenly glowing in this dark place. They reminded me so much of Xehanort, and they also helped me find this stranger. He looked surprised when I was able to deflect one of his strikes. Suddenly he hissed out seemingly backing away.

"This is not over I will drown you into a black-colored demise soon enough!" At least he was gone for now so I can relax and get some...rest wait no I can't fall asleep here! My feet slowly moved towards the door as I was having some pain in my head. More images that I didn't know were now popping up. While I managed to arrive in the next room I collapsed to the ground. My mind forced my body into shutting down, and then I remember a named Vanitas.

"Just like I've outgrown my need for you." My mouth gasped, while my eyes moved around in my head.

I could see Vanitas having Ventus' face, my hand reached out to grab hold of my friend. There was someone else in this vision, and he seemed to have a shorter height than everyone else, and those short ears made him look very different. My body tried to get up, but I could only watch my friend become possessed by something with those same yellow eyes! Finally the vision ended while I rose up from that moment of rest. The room seemed to have changed as there was much more darkness than the last room. My legs were shaking as I noticed the locked door near my place.

"This is the last door, and the last card in my hand." With this the end of my road was known to me. Beyond this door lies the rest of the memories I had not uncovered from my past. I did not know what to expect, but whatever the surprises lie beyond here I will not turn away now. The pathway seemed longer than every other way my feet walked through, my body was full of tension, my hand was shaking the keyblade weapon, and my eyes were full of renewed life.

"Alright let's dive into the deep..." My hand showed the heart card opening the doorway.

Keyblade Graveyard

The light consumed my sight once more as I was ready for whatever could be after this door. My body suddenly pushed forward as the light faded away from my vision. The area was not the building that I was just in, and it didn't resemble anything from the Land of Departure. While the area seemed like a mountain the land felt more empty with a lack of grass around me. My eyes took noticed of the many keyblade stuck in the ground just like from that vision from earlier. I could not see anyone else around besides me.

"Ventus? Terra?" My voice sounded very nervous as I felt very alone in this windy mountain. The sight of all these blades stuck into the ground only made things worse. As I began to walk around there were several different armors along many of the keyblade around me. Could this have been the place of a battle? That would explain why there were so many weapons here. Then I got the glimpse of someone standing near the edge of a cliff, and the blonde hair reminded me of Ventus!

"Ven it's you!" I tried to run as fast as my feet would let me so I can look at his face. The outfit was his armor as I was also in my kind of armor, the hair was very much the same, and when I managed to turn him around those wonderful eyes of his looked very much like my Ventus. Gently I gave him a hug so happy once more being reunited with him once more. I felt his hand take hold of mine and he didn't to respond to my reaction at all. His face looked so lifeless it reminded me of Roxas.

"Ven do you know where Terra is?" My other friend perhaps he was also here as well, and then all three of us back will be together even in some illusion. Suddenly his hand took hold of mine, and those sweet lips of his turned into a smirk. It was a cruel smile full of malice and hatred nothing like the Ven I knew.

"What? Expecting your worthless friend predictable as usually Aqua!" I got tricked again?!

"Who are you and what did you do with Ventus?!" He began to laugh and point at my face just mocking me now.

"He's right here, and yet you don't even realize who you're talking to perhaps you're the worthless one Aqua!" Not again this was happening just like before in my dreams. Those yellow eyes continue to haunt me. My body acted on instinct throwing my weapon near "Ventus" only for a keyblade of his own to block the impact.

"Who are you faker?!"

"Faker? You're considering me the fake one? Hah! Ven is just a failure compared to me Vanitas!" That name and those eyes! So he's the one I've met before in the darkness. Growling I moved back and tried to hit him with my blade now certain this guy hurt Ventus. The outfit changed into a black wardrobe mixed in with red as that smile of his disgusted me. How could he just take control of my friend like this.

"All alone that's perfect, and so when I'm done with you none of your friends will find your body!" Like hell this guy is going to take me away so easily. Just like with Terra he was also well-trained in using a keyblade. This was no simple Unversed any mistake on my part would lead to certain death. I blocked more strikes from his blade, but I could not stop the gust of wind knocking me down.

"Heh aren't you happy Ventus can finally battle you. Well I guess you can name me Venitas now." That smirk once more taunted me as he moved in for the kill. That keyblade was stronger than mine, could it be that χ-blade? My body was able to avoid the strike, but I could only stay on the defensive. There was a way to overcome this disadvantage of course, and from what I can remember it means reaching out to Ven.

"There is only one name on my mind, and it's damn sure not your name it's Ventus!" The gift he gave to me always reminded us of that bond we have, and now it will help me find him once more. I could feel the power renew the strength of my keyblade, the shine indicated the second wind I've gained in this battle. Moving out of harm's way I began to parry his strikes surprising the monster controlling Ventus's body.

"The Ven you love is long gone stupid!"

"Wrong he's closer to me than you think so why don't you go back into the darkness where you came from!"

I knew the goal was to overpower his blade, but his abilities combined with Ventus were difficult to overcome. Even with an incomplete weapon he could easily defeat me which is why I needed to end this battle now. I jumped into the air and tried to hit the backside while he became distracted. Opening my eyes I saw the nearly completed keyblade block my attack with ease.

"Don't worry I'll be entering my darkness with you coming along with me darling!" The floor began to grow more dim as the black substance began to surround us. His yellow eyes bulged, and I knew he was ready to drag me back into the void with him.

"I'm not going anywhere!" The light of my blade shined out as I threw my weapon at the monster cracking his weapon and making him weaker than before, I ran up to punch him right in the face; a simple move of defiance. He launched back with some fists of his own, forcing me to block them. I was not exactly the best when it comes to hand-to-hand combat, and yet I had to learn quickly for my sake.

"Damn you bitch don't you know when to give up?" His face got marked with a bruise, and I gave him a few more with some more blows to the face. Just don't look at his face consider him as just an illusion. For a moment I'd forgotten this ordeal was just a tale from my past, and yet reliving it again brought so much pain in me.

"Don't worry this is the end of my nightmare." With a grin I let Vanitas punch me in the face, and with him distracted I stabbed him in the chest with my blade of light. Ven's face contorted into pain, but then a peaceful smile graced his lips. "Thank you Aqua..." Suddenly the darkness covering his body faced, his body fell over into the darkness consuming his body. My hand tried to pull him out, but it was too late to rescue him. The whole would around me was now full of black as far as my eyes could see.

"This is where you will be resting now Ven, but I will come back for you with Terra." That was my voice! I was suddenly looking into a mirror version of myself. This copy was not in the armor I was wearing, the person over her should was Ven!

"Enjoy your home my friend..." My hand tried to move towards the other version of myself, but it was getting harder to see things. Everything is coming into my head so fast it's too much to take in! The voices were just getting louder now, the images were flashing so quickly now, and it's so much I don't think I can last anymore please someone make it stop! I can't take anymore so...just end this...Terra...Ven...

Destiny Islands: Main Land ( Kairi )

"I'm glad we can enjoy being around each other again. Even if it's working for something school-related!"

Zidane replied placing some more decorations over the wall. Our entire student body was in an uproar with the event coming up before the S.E.E.D exams. A special dance suggested by Principal Rufus to bring out the happier mood from the recent loss of Zell. He felt it was both the perfect healing as well as bring everyone closer together after such a tragedy. Some of the kids thought the principal was just trying to earn approval to stay in office. He was under questioning for recent activity that many considered very strange.

"Times are hard on all of us, and that is why we must push forward. I believe the only one who can lead such youthful minds into the future is myself! Anyone else would look over each student that fails one simple test, but I will see a person who needs help to strive for a better life. That is why I will stay in office to bring out your potential and knowledge. Principal Rufus Shinra who will be leading this school into a brighter tomorrow!"

Some of the students thought he was just building a positive reputation to keep his place in office, and some of them wanted to actually marry the guy with his popularity and looks. Personally I just wanted to keep working through my classes and pass the S.E.E.D tests. Zidane was actually giving me some lessons about stuff that gave me trouble. Then again you would get into trouble when you have to fight evil monsters from darkness. Then factor in teachers giving you lessons that are painful to get through literally.

"I hear Quistis is offering after-school lessons before the test. She considers it an act of mercy, but I think she's adding more pressure on everyone to pass the exams." He said managing to place some more banners on the doorways. His athletic talent always managed to impress me. Despite the fear I had of the blonde falling to the ground hurting himself Zidane was able to hang up the decorations with no problems. That grin he always gave me when things were going well, and then his ladder got knocked over by a student on accident...

"Gotta watch out for stuff like that sometimes ahh well!" Zidane didn't seem all the concerned about the red spot now in his arm. Sighing I helped him get back on his feet while the girl who knocked him over was freaking out. As she continued to say that she was sorry I took a look at the time. I was actually supposed to meet Leon for another session of training. School was over for the day, but I'd decided to volunteer for this extra work for today.

"So how about finally get working on those tables. I know the event was not until the end of the week, but tomorrow is the beginning of the S.E.E.D exams. We won't have much time to spend with each other, and I will likely want us both to pass so we don't get stuck in school after-hours like this!" Yes this likely was the last time we could have a meeting like this outside of schoolwork for a while. I didn't want to cost him his grades just so we can hang out during the exams.

"Umm Zidane there's something I have to tell you..." Come on don't let your feelings get in the way of your duty. Well that's what Leon or Yuffie would say actually not sure if that's what Yuffie would say, but that's not the point! Closing my eyes I started at his face trying to form the words in my mouth. Even if this might harm our friendship he must learn part of the reason I was leaving here now.

"Don't tell me you have to go on another trip out of school."

"How did you guess Zidane?"

"Trust me I'm used to hearing that well except I'm the one usually saying that line."

My lips slipped out a laugh from that comment. I would not be surprised if he's been through this routine before with other girls. He could have this feeling just like I am in this awkward position. Both of our legs began to move around as one of had to speak to break this sudden tension.

"I can't tell you why, but it's important for me to leave here now. I'm sorry Zidane but-"

"Nah it's fine this guy has been through his break-ups before trust me. I was just figuring then our roles would be swapped instead."

"No it's not that! I still like you very much, and believe me that this girl enjoys your company. It's just something has come up, and I don't think we can spend time together for a while." I lowered my head not wanting to look at his face when he listened to my reply. My blue eyes stared as he looked surprised about that statement.

"Well yeah we can't hang out for a while! I was just expecting something worse Kairi, but can you explain where you're heading off to now?"

No one can no besides the trusted people in my life. Quistis while being a teacher had a close relationship with Leon, and so she would likely never tell anyone else about my secret. Zidane while I did believe was a good guy might let this fact slip. If everyone knew about my life as a keyblade warrior in training it could ruin everything. Everyone here could not defend themselves from the heartless.

"I wish that was possible, but I doubt you would believe what I would say about my activities. Let's just say it's something very important to me otherwise this girl would not be running away from you like this!" He suddenly lifted his hand up in the air now having a smile grace his face instead of a frown.

"What a relief things are turning out better than I expected. Well I'm not the kind of guy who wants to make trouble so you can go off, but I have a funny feeling someone else will take credit for moving the tables and not us. So how about we finish up here first I'm sure you can give poor old Zidane just a few more minutes right?" With a smile I finished up our work in record time. Giving him a wave goodbye I began my journey to meet my current mentors. Today I would be learning more about the worlds that I might need visit, but part of me figured there could be more physical training.

"Sometimes I wish they didn't drag me out into these spooky-looking forest." Naturally this was to keep anyone from uncovering us when my training begins. The teachers of mine would usually want me to take up P.E to keep my body in good shape, and ask questions about how much I know about Sora and the keyblade. Apparently there was much I needed to learn about the history of the worlds, and if I was to protect them knowledge about earlier warriors was very important to have.

"Kairi, don't tell me you're daydreaming again." Yuffie's grin let me know that I was off in my world. I realized that I was actually sitting down on a tree as Leon just arrived in the meeting spot. He brought some files with him today instead of some equipment from the school used by the students in physical activities. Were we doing something else today, but I did not know what to think about this development.

"There's been some information that's been brought to me attention, Kairi. Truthfully, you might be away of some of this information already, but the scope of the details is very different. I'm sure you've learned about the man claiming the name "Ansem" however there is more to this person. He was not just an avatar of the Heartless threat, and the reason of this being's existence could be connected to the real Ansem." The real Ansem I thought the person Sora defeated was that Ansem. Seeing my reaction he continued on with his explanation.

"Have you ever heard of the name Xehanort?"

"Xehanort?"

[ Aqua's past is now recovered, but now what will happen to the fallen master? Another cliffhanger ending :P Anyways what do you guys think of my writing style using the italics and such? I would really enjoy feedback how to improve things from here on out. Thank you for reading so far and stay turned in. ]