AN: AN: Got a kinda smaller-ish chapter here lol. But I still packed it full of goodies. xD Christmas stockings with little candies and shit lol!

End of AN!

Ventus let his weapon vanish, closing his eyes and letting out a big sigh.

Roxas lay in the dirt at his feet, face-down.

It hadn't been the hardest fight of Ventus's life - but he wouldn't say Roxas hadn't put in a good effort, either. It had actually been a bit challenging at times, even if Roxas's moves were all pretty basic. Standard magic and slashes. It was the intensity and the ferocity behind the moves that had almost had Ven worried, a couple of times, here and there. Heh. Yeah...for a guy who'd supposedly started off his existence without a Heart, Roxas sure had a lot of powerful emotions in him now...

Suddenly, a hot gust of wind washed over Ven's body, rustling his hair.

He opened his eyes to see Roxas still laying there on the ground...but his body was now emitting a powerful energy. A whitish-blue glow. A power like nothing Ven had seen out of the guy before...

It was strong. Strong enough to catch Ven off guard. Just the sense he was getting from it was...

Roxas suddenly rose to his feet, and his Keyblade was covered in a thick blue-white energy - becoming practically a beam of energy itself, instead of a metal sword! He set his gaze on Ven, and he suddenly flew at him faster than Ven could've ever expected! It was nearly as fast as- no, it was as fast as Ven was!

Ventus raised his weapon to block, barely getting it into position in time; Roxas's thick energy blade of a weapon crashed down against Ventus's Keyblade - and Ventus was sent skidding backwards across the dirt! Ven gasped as Roxas came at him again in an instant, leaping at him, beginning to go into a series of furious slashes! Left, right, coming in from above - Roxas became a blur, seeming to be everywhere at once! Ven rolled and twisted and dodged, but he barely made it out of the way of each blow! And every blow that connected had a force behind it that would have made Terra proud!

Ven did his best to just hold his ground against Roxas - until the boy raised his blade and did a final lunging slash. Four tall, thick pillars of light energy formed around him and were cast outward in straight lines, burning deep furrows into the ground. Ven leapt to the side to avoid the one directly in front of him. But he felt the burning energy as it passed him by - and it almost scared him. That probably could have done him some real serious damage if it'd actually hit him!

And then Roxas was on him again - and then another burst of light pillars were flying out at Ventus!

Ven dove to the right and went into a glide, twisting and darting between two pillars and flying straight for Roxas. He swooped up and slashed down for the boy with a Keyblade covered in lightning - Roxas raised his weapon in a flicker of instant motion, and blocked him.

Wind and power radiated out from both of them, as neither boy gave ground.

"Roxas-" Ven breathed. Actually breathing hard now, he realized.

Roxas gazed up at him with such rage and- and pain that it scared Ven - worse than any of these crazy powerful attacks he was throwing out at Ven!

Ven broke free of their clash and dropped to the ground, spinning and twirling his legs to catch Roxas off-guard, swiping his legs out from under him. He flipped up again and slammed his electrified weapon down onto Roxas's chest; lightning coursed through Roxas's body, and he let out a loud yell...before falling unconscious at last. All that crazy energy and power left him, that aura beam around his Keyblade evaporating.

Ven breathed another ragged breath, managing a small grin as he fell to his knees before the other boy. "I dunno what that even just was - but you sure gave me a run for my munny, Roxas..." he said with a laugh.

Roxas stirred, one eye opening with a groan. He managed a half-hearted glower at Ven, even in that state! Then...he let it go. "It's called Limit Break...something the Organization taught me to do during training..." he said back, in a voice that was almost a grumble.

"Well, hey, I can't do that," Ven replied, sitting back on his hands and gazing up at the sky.

"You...can't?"

"Nope. None of us can, I bet," Ven said lightly.

Roxas gave another groan as he struggled to push himself up. He sat there, gazing at Ven intently. "So I've got one thing..." he muttered bitterly.

"Two things," Ven responded, holding up his fingers. "You have a twin sister - I've got no one. No family, no...not as far as I know, anyways."

"So, two things. Big deal."

"You've still got Lea- I mean, Axel, too."

"Do I?"

"He was tellin' you the truth before, you know," Ven said, lowering his gaze and looking Roxas in the eye. "We only met once - didn't even spend much time together. Sure, we had a bond, we became fast, new friends...but that was it. You've spent way longer with him than I have, haven't you? You know him better than I ever could."

"Apparently I didn't..." Roxas huffed. "Or did you miss what else he said to me? He said the past didn't matter, he never wanted to talk about it."

"Well, if he's working with the Organization now, maybe he doesn't wanna talk about the past 'cause he's ashamed...of what he's doing now. Who he is now. And maybe that means there's a chance to convince him still," Ven spoke quietly. "He's your friend, isn't he? Do you wanna just give up on him?"

"He did try to destroy me," Roxas retorted.

"'Kay, so give up on him," Ven said, shrugging.

Roxas stared at him, confused. Hesitant. He frowned, looking away. "He said he didn't want to run away with me. Risk getting destroyed too."

"Okay, so he's scared, see? But if we could help him get past the fear, maybe..."

"We?"

"He is your friend, Roxas. I just wanna help you help him - do whatever you wanna do about him. I'm not out to steal your life from you or whatever you think about me now. I didn't know Lea and Axel were the same guy. And even though they are, like he said: meeting him once ten years ago can't compare to the kinda bond you have with him...over the time you spent together in the Organization. You made those memories, you have those times with him. And those are yours forever. They're special, and they're all yours. Your own bond, your own Heart, your own memories. Sounds like you're your own guy to me. You've even got your own Keyblade and fighting style now! You've got so much that I don't have, Roxas - that I couldn't ever have! And I wouldn't wanna have it. 'Cause I'm not you, and you're not me."

Roxas looked back at him, shock written all over his face. A deep kind of contemplation. Then, he gave a small nod. "Sorry I punched you...and used Limit Break on you..." he said dully, shoulders falling.

Ven just grinned. "Hey, that was a first for me. I've never actually been punched in the face before - by anybody. And how you fought against me...you were pretty good. Really had me worried there. Seriously."

"Seriously?" Roxas repeated.

"Yup."

Roxas gave a small smile. "Yeah, well, you weren't...too bad yourself."

"Hah. Thanks. So what do you say we get back to the others? And, you know, when we do - we can leave this whole fighting each other part out. Just tell them the Axel part..."

"Huh?"

"I mean, do you wanna have Aqua chew you out for two hours straight when she learns we tried to kill each other?" Ven grinned again. "I guarantee you that'll be worse than the actual fight."

"You'd lie to her for me like that?" Roxas said, staring again.

"Well...let's not use the word 'lie,'" Ven shrugged, flushing. "More like, just...left one little detail outta the story. So what do you say?"

Roxas raised a hand, showing his palm to Ventus-

Ven tensed, but...the green light of healing flared around him, easing his aches. He nodded to Roxas, and raised his own hand in return - casting a Healing spell of his own right back.

Roxas looked considerably better off now. He looked down at himself, moving his arms and legs experimentally. Then, he gave Ven a nod back, and climbed to his feet. He stepped forward and held a hand down to him.

Ven took it, and got to his feet as well.

"Just one last thing, though," Ven said suddenly.

"Huh? What?" Roxas asked.

"Next time you're feeling overwhelmed by all the emotions in your Heart, could we please just solve it by having a discussion instead of beating the crap out of each other?" Ven said seriously.

"The emotions in my Heart..." Roxas looked down. "I keep forgetting that. I guess...I'm still new to this 'having a Heart' thing?" he went on, looking up again - nervous now.

Ven stepped in and grasped Roxas's arm briefly, nodding to him. "Hey, don't sweat it, 'kay? You'll get the hang of it. It's a lot to deal with, I know, but there're better ways of dealing with it than this. Or, if you've got to beat something into the dirt - we have a training ground for a reason. Or, hey, ask Aqua to magic up some dummy enemies for you to fight against! Look, just...keep that in mind, okay?"

"Okay. Got it."

Xion opened her eyes as she suddenly drifted back into an awareness of the world around her.

She sat up in her bed and sighed.

Her Sleep spell hadn't kept her asleep for very long tonight...

Oh well. She'd just have to cast another.

Xion raised a hand and focused her mind and magic, preparing to do just that - when she suddenly noticed something moving in the darkness of her room.

She startled, clutching a hand to her chest as she peered intently into the dark. "Who...who's there?" she called out softly.

Who could be in her room at this time of night? Why would they be? People didn't usually do that, according to Kairi and Sora and the others...At least not without a really good reason...

The darkness shifted. It moved...something like a shadow sliding down the wall, and moving across the floor. Closer and closer to her bed.

Xion watched it, transfixed. Afraid.

A Heartless?

Xion curled her fingers before her, calling her weapon to hand with a flash of light that briefly lit up the room.

But even in that flash of light, the shadow remained on the floor, right next to her bed.

She held her weapon out and stood up on her bed. She aimed it down at that patch of shadow. "Fire-"

"Oh please, you really think that toy is going to do a thing to me? Don't waste the effort," came a cruel, silky voice. It caused Xion to freeze, cutting her own spell short. The shadows rose up from the floor, taking the shape of a person. A boy in a black and red outfit with a big round helmet on his head.

"You..." Xion gasped.

"Yes. Me," Vanitas responded casually. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms at her, like he wasn't even worried about her attacking him. She was the one with her weapon out - he still hadn't drawn his! How couldn't he be worried she'd strike?

It was that confusion and uncertainty that made Xion herself feel...uncertain.

"How did you get here? How...did you know where we were?" Xion decided to ask, instead of attacking. Maybe she could get- information from him, for Master Terra and Aqua?

"Please, like it wasn't obvious where you people were the second we noticed this world was back to the way it was," Vanitas laughed, cutting her off. "Oh, sorry - people, plus one Replica."

"You knew what I...what I am," Xion said quietly.

"Pfft. Of course I knew. I just can't believe you idiots never figured it out sooner - I was dropping hints like crazy!" Vanitas exclaimed. "Actually, wait, I can believe it. That's just how stupid you all are. Especially you, toy."

"I'm not a toy!" Xion exclaimed, glaring at him.

"Yeah you are. You're a toy girl with a toy sword. The complete package," Vanitas snickered.

"Master Aqua told me my Keyblade is just as real as any other. That every Keyblade is 'man-made'. They're the same," Xion replied firmly.

"Huh? Well isn't that interesting...but yours is still faker than the rest," Vanitas stated idly. "Yours is a copy of a copy. That's even more pathetic."

"At least...at least I'm a full, real person!" Xion said wildly.

Vanitas froze. "What?"

"I was made...with a body and a Heart! I'm a full, real person. You're just half of a Heart, just Ventus's-" Xion screamed as Vanitas lunged at her, seizing her throat and slamming her down onto the bed. He squeezed her neck tight and pinned her down with his body as he jumped on top of her.

All Xion could see was her own reflection in that sleek black helmet...a face quivering with terror.

"You...have no idea what the hell you're talking about!" Vanitas growled at her. "You are not better than me, you're not more than me, you're not more 'whole' than I am! You're nothing, you're no one, you're a fucking joke and a goddamn doll made by an idiot scientist! All these little freaks want to take you in and treat you all nice and good because you happen to look like the fucking princess they all love! But they really love her; they wouldn't give two shits about you if you didn't have her face!"

Vanitas's arm came up, and in his hand his own weapon materialized in blue flames. He held it to her face, pressing it to her. "I could fucking slice you apart, limb from limb, tear that face of yours off, and leave you here to find out just how much these people don't honestly give a shit about you! You're a lab experiment - and a failed, unfinished one at that. A broken prototype of the real deal! You're garbage, trash that's barely hanging onto existence! You have no reason to be here, no purpose, and no one would miss you if I destroyed you right here and right now. Hell, I could do whatever I want to you and no one would bat an eye. Because you...are not...really...real."

"T-that's not...true..." Xion struggled to whisper.

"Oh it's not? Let's test it, then..."

"Not- e-everyone...is like you...or- Xehanort." Xion breathed, narrowing her eyes at that black visor.

Vanitas froze, surprising her. "What do you know?" he whispered.

"I know...You and Xehanort- are evil assholes. But my family...aren't. They're- good- and- kind, and they love me for me. That's not something...that can ever be said...about you. Is it, Vanitas? People love...Ventus. They care...about him. People love and care about me. But you? No one...loves you. No one cares...about you-"

Vanitas let out a great roar as he sat up atop her, raising his weapon in both hands, dark power rippling off of him-

Xion quickly brought her arm in, stabbing her own weapon into the right side of his body!

Vanitas's body went rigid, a deep, pained breath leaving him. His arms were still raised. His weapon was still held there over Xion.

Xion tore her weapon free, pulled a leg in - and then planted her foot between his legs as hard as she could!

"Gotcha!" she cried, triumphant - excited, really, that she'd actually done it at all (the stab and the kick)! The kick had felt really satisfying - no wonder Kairi liked using it so much!

Vanitas gave another gasp and fell sideways off the bed, crashing onto the floor. "What the...fuck! Come on...is that genetic with you bitches or what?" he gasped out, writhing in pain.

"XION!"

Xion jumped up as the lights turned on, revealing Kairi and Master Aqua at her door - with their weapons in their hands too!

Vanitas glanced over at them, and then darkness quickly rippled across the floor beneath him, enveloping him...and he was gone.

Kairi ran to Xion immediately, pulling her into a hug. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Xion said instantly.

"Xion...you're trembling."

"I'm fine.."

"No you're not!"

"Stay here with her," Aqua told Kairi. "I need to go and tell the others about this intrusion."

"What if he comes back? Isn't there a way to stop this from happening again?" Kairi said quickly.

Aqua paused at the door, looking uncertain. "I'm sure there is - just...Terra and I will have to look into it."

After the events of the previous night, Terra slept less than soundly the following one.

A full day's worth of searching the libraries hadn't turned up anything useful...

And the kids were all less than comforted by the lack of an answer.

So was Terra, honestly.

But there had to be some kind of...

After sinking deeper into the depths of sleep, Terra found himself opening his eyes again unexpectedly.

And found himself in the world of his own Heart.

His Station of Awakening.

That familiar glowing orange light, the images on stained glass...

The endless dark void surrounding it.

An endless void that Terra no longer feared.

He stood on the giant circular platform, crossing his arms and closing his eyes again with a sigh.

"Did you call me here, or did I come here of my own accord?" Terra spoke to the emptiness and silence. "Master?"

Light, slow footsteps echoed, and an aged voice replied, "I believe it is your Heart's desires that have reunited us here on this night."

Terra's lips curved into a smile as he opened his eyes again...to gaze upon his Master. He'd known, of course, for all this time, that he'd been carrying the man's Heart inside his own - but to actually see him again, talk to him directly (to have more than just impulses and guiding feelings)... He felt a surge of powerful emotions. Conflicting emotions. Joy wanted to win out over all else, but there were others that threatened to overtake it, all the same.

Terra's smile faded, turning to a frown as he uncrossed his arms, shaking his head. "So you know why I'm here."

Master Eraqus nodded, his long, dark hair streaked with gray swaying with the motion. "You seek an answer - a solution to a problem. One not yet found in ancient texts," he replied, a note of amusement in his voice.

"Do you have an answer for us?" Terra said, getting straight to the point. "Is there a way to defend this land without transforming it back into Castle Oblivion? I think we all prefer it in its original form."

Eraqus adopted a look of concentration, a slight frown appearing on his face as well. "Hmmm...as you know, the Land of Departure is a world that has been protected and overseen by generations of Keyblade Masters - all of them stemming from a small group that split off, long ago, from the once-flourishing society of wielders within Scala Ad Caelum."

Terra nodded. "I know the history, Master, yes."

"Over these generations," Eraqus continued. "countless methods were devised by which we could safeguard the world. The most recent and extreme implementation being the full-fledged transformation into Castle Oblivion - an all-or-nothing option to shield all that exists within. But other kinds of defenses and safeguards, put in place by even earlier Masters, do still exist. Dormant, awaiting the day to fulfill their purpose and function...perhaps."

"Perhaps?"

"If you can find it," Master Eraqus replied, quirking a small, almost mischievous grin now. "I did say you had 'yet found' the answer, did I not? Continue your search within the tomes, and you'll surely find it."

Terra laughed. "Boy, Master...you realize this a serious situation, don't you? We don't know when Xehanort or any of his...allies...might strike again. You couldn't just magic the book right to my bedside table for me?"

Eraqus grew serious, and somber, at mention of Xehanort. Yet... "And were I to magic the book to your nightstand - would that be something you would come to expect from me?"

Terra stepped forward, putting himself face to face with his old Master. "I don't need more lessons, Master. What I need are any little advantages I can get here...in order to protect my friends - and our apprentices. We have a whole gang of kids here who are counting on us to keep them safe, above all else. So can you help me do that, or not?"

Eraqus smiled, nodding. "I can. It makes me proud to see your Heart remains true, even despite..."

"Despite the darkness in it?" Terra said idly.

Eraqus's eyes narrowed. Then he sighed, turning away. "Well, I suppose that is more than I could say for my own Heart...isn't it?"

"Is that a concession?"

"Merely an acknowledgement of self-evident facts."

"Hm. Alright, Master. If you say so."

Eraqus looked back at him over his shoulder. "I am truly proud of you, Terra. Aqua as well. And Ventus, of course. I always knew that boy was special, and he continues to amaze me. I was only ever holding him back..."

Terra let a breath go, clenching a fist at his side. "I appreciate the praise, Master, but I think I deserve something else from you. I think we all do - the three of us."

Eraqus's face fell. He turned back to face Terra fully again, meeting his gaze. "Of course, you're right, as I told you after our battle. But if you need hear it again...I am sorry, Terra. The harm I wrought upon my own apprentices, the way my own Heart was so blinded...and the decisions I chose to make that day. It was terrible; I was terrible. You were correct, as well, in what you recently told Aqua: I could have chosen so many other paths back then. And even long before...in regards to Xehanort..." He sighed heavily. "Ever since we were young, a part of me knew. I saw it in him. When we..."

Eraqus shook his head, and suddenly lowered himself to the ground.

Terra sat down with him, watching him closely.

"When Xehanort and I were but Ventus's age..." Eraqus began, quiet and slow. A voice of distant memory...but very deep, fresh pain. "We conducted our Keyblade training in the world of Scala Ad Caelum. One day, we were tasked with tracking down a group of missing wielders - older students. Xehanort and I...Hermod...Urd...Bragi...and Vor. We searched, but our search led us to an ultimate encounter with a very dark being. One that invaded our very home. A great Darkness that took root in the Heart of an older student named Baldr. This Darkness claimed the lives of...every last one of them. The older students, the younger - leaving only myself and Xehanort alive. Our Master, Odin, found us clashing on the rooftops, and bound Baldr in chains. And I..."

"What happened?" Terra said quietly.

"I urged Xehanort to free Baldr of the terrible Darkness infesting his Heart," Eraqus said, anguished. "And for a moment, he looked as if he would do it. Save at least one innocent life, free them from darkness's grasp. But instead...Xehanort chose to strike them both down together - destroying the both of them. That was the day I realized, about my best friend...but it was also the day I willingly chose to shove it down into the depths of my Heart and ignore it. It wasn't difficult, in the coming years up to our Mark of Mastery Exam. And it was even easier, afterward; our adventures, our differing paths in life, saw us drift apart more than ever. We rarely saw one another over the years of our lives. And when we did...Well, you know now. I wanted to be blind."

"So what was it?" Terra asked softly. "Was there just always something wrong with him, or...was it that grief? Rage? Sorrow? That changed his Heart forever, into what he is now?"

"Perhaps it was both," Eraqus answered. "I know not where the truth lies...whether his Heart was always askew, or if it went astray later. Or perhaps that tragedy was merely a final push, of a Heart that was already leaning in that direction. Regardless, all that matters is that I failed to see him for what he was. I didn't want to. And so I failed to stop him. And in doing so, I've caused two new generations of Keyblade wielders to inherit my worst mistakes. Having to deal with this...horrific mess I left behind in the worlds. None of you should have to bear my burdens. All that Xehanort is, all that he's done - all that I fear he will do..."

"What do you fear he'll do?"

Eraqus closed his eyes, breathing deeply. Then- "'On that fated land, a great war shall transpire. Darkness will prevail, and the light expire.'"

"What is that?"

"A prediction of the future," Eraqus whispered. "A passage recorded in the...Book of Prophecies. An ancient, secret tome residing in Scala Ad Caelum - even to this very day, even long after its total abandonment. For thousands of years, that book was our guide - a roadmap that we wielders followed. For you see, everything it predicted always came to pass, in time. Whether in a year, ten years, or a hundred...a thousand more...every last sentence came true. Although, I didn't believe in it," he finished, in a murmur.

"Why?"

Eraqus opened his eyes again. "From my days of youth, I always believed there was more to light than meets the eye. That even if that day came to pass...who was to say it couldn't be changed? That the passage itself could be altered, so that light could prevail instead."

"But - everything came true?" Terra said, contemplative.

"Yes."

"And this passage of yours...has it happened yet?" Terra pressed.

Eraqus shook his head. "But I fear it will soon come to be our reality...by the will of Xehanort."

"Well, I'll just say I don't believe in it either," Terra spoke. "We'll stop him - and whatever dark fate destiny thinks it has in store for us all...we'll stop that, too."

"I hope you do, Terra. I hope that all of you do. And I will be here with you, for as long as I can, to do what I can to help you in that task."

"I'll hold you to that."

"Undoubtedly."

"Thank you - not just for helping me here tonight - but for helping Aqua before, as well," Terra said firmly.

"My vow is to all of you - all of my students," Eraqus replied.

"I suppose I might see you again sometime."

"If you are in need, I will do my best to appear, yes. But, I believe that your own strength and determination, as well as the Hearts of those you surround yourself with now...will carry you farther than I ever could..."

A blinding light flashed before Terra's eyes, and he suddenly sat up in his bed. He was awake again, in his room.

He looked at his bedside table - and saw an old, tattered book sitting there.

Terra grinned, placing hand to his chest.

"Really, now: thank you, Master..."

AN: Also lol Eraqus to Terra this chapter be like: Would you like to play this spin-off mobile game to know what happened? *Holds up Dark Road* xD