Brittany's Point of View

I was excited and nervous about rescuing Ansem the Wise and Aqua. I had realized that a real-life version of The Realm of Darkness would probably be dangerous and scary. I glanced at the clock to discover it was 11:00 P.M. Since coming back to the castle, I had been in my room trying to summon my keyblade. No matter what I tried, I couldn't get it to appear. "But I just couldn't get mine to materialize. Must be in the snap of the wrist or something." I quoted. I tried again, but the result was the same. I went decided to call it a night and hopped into bed.

Just as I was about to go to sleep, someone softly knocked on my bedroom door. "Brit, are you still awake?" I heard Ienzo whisper on the other side of my door.

I got out of bed and opened my door. "What is it?" I questioned in a low whisper so that I didn't wake anyone else up in case there were rooms close to mine.

"Do you think Ansem will want to see the other apprentices and me? It's our fault that he's there in the first place," Ienzo asked. I was shocked that he came to me instead of literally anyone else. Though I had played the games, I wasn't there when any of it happened. All I had done was watch a recording or whatever the games were.

"Ienzo, that was a long time ago, and you and the others weren't even alive when it happened. I mean, I know you all played a part in what happened to Ansem, but you were being manipulated. Ansem will have to forgive and forget, and if he can't do that, he's the one missing out," I assured him.

"You know, maybe you're right. I'm sorry for bothering you this late. I couldn't sleep. I don't really know what happened back then. All I know is that it had been the Organization's fault. I appreciate your insight through what you have learned," Ienzo commented.

"No problem. I was actually about to go to sleep, so, goodnight," I mentioned.

"Right. Goodnight, Brit." Ienzo ruffled my hair before we walked down the hall. I went back to bed and drifted off to sleep.

Brittany's Dream

"Come on, Brittany! Show me magic! I wanna see you light up the room!" Alison demanded, shaking me to wake me up.

"Alison, it's still dark out. Wake me up in the morning," I grumbled.

"It is morning. It's one o'clock in the morning. Come on, please. It's not the same when it's light out," Alison pleaded.

"Fine, but we go back to bed after this," I sighed.

"Yay!" Alison cheered.

I woke up from my dream. It was so vivid, but I knew it couldn't have possibly been anything more than a dream. I attempted to navigate the castle. I failed terribly. Luckily, Ienzo found me. "Need some help? I figured you would get lost," Ienzo offered.

"Hey, what do you mean, you figured?" I huffed.

"This is you we're talking about," Ienzo joked.

"Point taken," I agreed.

"Let's go. They're waiting for you. We're discussing the mission over breakfast," Ienzo explained.

"I still can't believe my dad is making me go to The Realm of Darkness with you guys in hopes that I'll be able to summon my keyblade," I brought up.

"You mean Riku? Yes. That does sound reckless. If you were my daughter, I wouldn't allow it. I'm sure Sora and Kairi would feel the same way," Ienzo said. He sounded like he disapproved of Riku. I wondered if it was because he didn't think Riku was doing a good job parenting or because Riku almost killed him in Castle Oblivion. "Regardless, I am grateful that you will be joining us. You may remember something when you're there. Anything would be helpful."

"I'm glad I can help," I smiled.

We came into the dining room. There were a few glances in my direction, but other than that, they left me alone. The people present were Dilan, Aeleus, Even, my dad, and Lea. I sat down in an empty seat next to my dad, who ruffled my hair. Ienzo sat across from me and started grabbing pancakes from a plate in the center of the table, putting them on the plate in front of him. I stole glances at Lea when he wasn't looking. Ienzo caught me and kicked me from under the table. I glared at him, and he mouthed, "No." I pouted but continued to eat my breakfast. Ienzo broke the silence. "All we know so far is that Ansem the Wise is in The Realm of Darkness along with someone named Aqua." Ienzo declared in a serious tone.

"A Keyblade Master named Aqua," I added.

"What?" Dad gasped.

"I didn't mention that?" I asked.

"You didn't," Dad stated.

"Oh, sorry," I apologized.

"The plan is to find him alongside Brittany. She may be useful in giving us information that we do not already know. Depending on how things go, she may also be useful in combat," Even continued.

"We meet here in two hours," Aeleus stated.

"Alright, so just to make sure everyone's on the same page, Aeleus, Dilan, Ienzo, Even, and Brittany will search for Ansem the Wise while Riku and I are going to be in charge of things here, correct?" Lea checked.

"That is an accurate summary," Ienzo confirmed.

"I think we're good then. You guys should prepare for your journey," Dad said. Everyone but Dad, Lea, Ienzo, and I left the room in a hurry.

We sat in silence for a few moments. "I think I might have some potions that you can take with you and a pouch that you might be able to put them in. I'll go get them." Riku offered, getting up and walking out of the room.

"Potions? This is awesome!" I squealed.

"Only you would get so excited about something so ordinary," Ienzo chuckled.

"You wouldn't understand the appeal. Wait, so potions exist; what about ether? Hi-potions? Hi-ethers? Elixers?" I gushed.

"All of the above, I suppose," Ienzo answered.

"This is so awesome! I'm stuck in the best game ever!" I cheered.

"Yeah, well, don't let what you experienced in your world fool you. This is no game. It's real life," Lea remarked.

"Well, yeah, I know that. It's way better because it's the real thing!" I smiled.

"Okay, look. You can't go to the Realm of Darkness with that attitude. You might not make it back if you don't get serious," Lea brought up.

"Really? Because what I've seen of you doesn't depict you as super serious," I commented.

"I'm different. I know how to protect myself. It's my understanding that you can't even remember using a weapon, is that right?" Lea asked.

"Well, yeah, I've never fought before, but I know Sora's moves. How hard can it be?" I asked.

Lea groaned. "Ienzo, this one's all yours." He left the room.

"What did I say?" I wondered. Ienzo flicked my forehead. "Ow! What was that for?"

"Did that hurt? Imagine how much more painful it would be if a Heartless scratched at you with its claws," Ienzo mentioned.

I frowned. "Come on. I was trying not to think about that," I grumbled.

"You should be. Lea is right. This isn't a game. You don't have an HP bar. If you get hit, you will feel it. None of us like that you have to come with us, but you're our best chance of finding a clue. Someone like you cannot let your guard down," Ienzo warned.

I frowned. "I know that. I'm terrified. If I say that it won't be scary, it makes it easier for me to know that I'll be in a world of darkness in a couple of hours."

"I won't let anything happen to you, but you have to listen to me and the others. No goofing off," Ienzo insisted.

"I wouldn't goof off," I stated.

My dad came back into the room and set three potions and a pouch on the table. "They're all yours."

"Wow. This is incredible," I smiled.

"So, your first mission. You ready?" Dad checked. My smile fell. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"I just gave her a dose of reality. Riku, are you certain this is alright with you. If needed, the four of us can go without her," Ienzo tried.

"She'll be fine. I have confidence that her keyblade will come out when she's with you guys," Riku assured him.

"Yes, but what then? She doesn't even know how to hold a keyblade," Ienzo brought up.

"It's not like I'm entirely clueless. I'm not just a Kingdom Hearts fan, you know. I'm a Kingdom Hearts nerd. I've studied how each wielder holds their keyblade," I added.

"Her only experiences with fighting have been pushing buttons. She doesn't have the strength or endurance to fight. Haven't you thought of that?" Ienzo commented.

Dad hesitated. "She'll be fine," He repeated before leaving the room.

"If there were a book on what not to do as a parent, he would be on the cover," Ienzo mumbled.

"You think so?" I asked, my voice quivering.

"Don't worry about it, Brit. This excursion will go smoothly. I intend to keep you safe at any cost," Ienzo reassured me.

There was a long pause of silence before I spoke up again. "Was it weird when I talked about Zexion and Ienzo from the game?"

"I already knew you would at some point, so it wasn't unexpected. I suppose it was just a part of watching you grow up for me," Ienzo answered.

"I always thought Zexion was cool. The way his power was illusion, and he used a book as a weapon, or rather, the way your power is illusion and you use your book as a weapon," I mentioned.

"So you've mentioned," Ienzo said.

"Oh. I guess so. I really had no idea you were him," I sighed.

"I'm still the same person. I just look different," Ienzo stated.

"Seriously, though, I should have known something was up. You literally chose the name Ian Zexy. That's not very clever. I mean, at least pick something random," I scoffed.

"I didn't need to fool someone who was actually smart. I just needed to fool you," Ienzo teased.

"Hey!" I protested.

Ienzo laughed before he let out a long sigh. "No matter what, I'm here for you. Alison and Molly, too. You girls have all become special to me. I'm glad I could be part of your lives."

"I am, too," I agreed.

We used a dark corridor to get to the Realm of Darkness when the time came. "Brittany, do you have any idea where he is? Does any of this look familiar? Any clue you have would help us," Dilan pressed. I looked around. We were near the beach, but it didn't have the same rock formations as the place from the games.

"I've never played in The Realm of Darkness, but I know certain events that took place at the location, though the scenes didn't have any of you in them, so I don't know how useful that would be. Xemnas had a conversation with Roxas there soon after he was formed, and Riku and Sora were there right after defeating Xemnas. It had a group of rock formations," I replied.

"I suppose the most logical solution would be to walk along the beach," Ienzo decided, so that was what we did. It didn't take long for a group of heartless to come at us. Everyone but me summoned their weapons. Ienzo pulled me behind him. "Stay close!"

It was a swarm of Darkballs and Neoshadows. They were larger than I expected them to be and much more intimidating. I tensed as the Heartless swarmed around us. One of the Neoshadows swiped at me from behind. I closed my eyes and put my arms up to block. Instead of feeling the Neoshadow claw into my arms, I heard a familiar sound, and my hand tightened against a metal. I opened my eyes and saw that I was holding a version of Way to the Dawn, but where it would have been red, it was purple, and where it would have been blue, it was black. "Way to the Dusk," I muttered, automatically knowing its name.

"Do you know how to use it?" Ienzo questioned.

"I don't know. I'm about to find out," I answered. The Heartless lunged at me again, and I attacked. The feeling of attacking something solid felt strange and unnatural. My keyblade didn't even go through the Heartless. Instead, it bounced off. The Neoshadow's claws made contact with my arm, and I hissed in pain. I felt dizzy as blood seeped down my arm.

"Brittany!" Ienzo shouted. He fought the Neoshadow off before it had the chance to tear into me again. I felt useless. When the Heartless were gone, Ienzo looked madder than I had ever seen him.

"I'm sorry," I apologized weakly.

Instead of replying to me, he turned to the others. "I've gone on with this long enough! I'm taking her home! The three of you should have enough to go on to find Master Ansem!"

"Stop speaking nonsense. She may prove useful in remembering details we have forgotten," Even stated.

"I don't care. She's hurt. Brittany doesn't have the training necessary to defend herself. I refuse to allow her to stay another moment," Ienzo snapped.

"It's just a scratch, Ienzo. The girl is fine," Dilan argued.

Ienzo continued to try to get them to agree to let me go back to the castle with him, but I stopped listening when I heard familiar noises. I closed my eyes and listened carefully to ensure I didn't mishear them. It was Aqua's fighting sounds. I opened my eyes and took off in the direction of the sounds. "Brittany, get back here," Ienzo ordered. I kept going. I wasn't about to stop when I was so close. The others continued to call after me, but I pressed on. I found Aqua defending Ansem the Wise against a Darkside. I backed up slowly, knowing that it would be the end of me if I got hit even once. I suddenly recognized that my arm was throbbing with a dull ache. The others caught up to me and went to help Aqua fight off the Darkside. Ienzo held back with me and gave me a potion. "Drink this." I gulped it down, cringing at the taste. My arm healed almost instantly, leaving only thin scrapes. I gagged at the aftertaste.

"That is disgusting," I commented.

"What's disgusting is that you ran off into the Realm of Darkness without assistance! I was worried enough about you as it was!" Ienzo yelled.

"I'm sorry. I heard Aqua fighting and went with it. We found them," I pointed out.

"You should have waited for us. You could have been killed! Do you not understand that, Brittany? I would expect this sort of behavior from Alison, but not from you," Ienzo snapped.

I was confused. I thought all that mattered was that I found them. Ienzo clearly didn't see it that way.

Ansem the Wise approached us with a look of shock on his face. "How are you here? How are you even alive."

Ienzo turned his attention from me and froze in place. He looked scared. I spoke up for him. "Hi, big fan, by the way. They're alive because they were recompleted when their Nobody and Heartless were destroyed, and now they're here to rescue you."

Ansem turned to me. "And who are you?"

Ienzo regained his voice. "This is Brittany. She is the daughter of Riku, though she has been raised by Sora in a world without magic."

"You've been gone a long time," I mentioned.

They finished off the Darkside and regrouped near us. "We need to go, now, before we have any more complications or incidents," Dilan stated, opening up a dark corridor.

"Go where? Who are you?" Aqua questioned.

"Leaving first, questions later," Dilan insisted. We all went through the dark corridor, though Ienzo had fallen behind. He did catch up to us in the end, and we stepped out of the dark corridor to reenter Radiant Gardens.

That was a super long chapter. I hope you all enjoyed it. Thank you, v.t.7, Unicron1000, and Guest, for reviewing. Sorry that I'm not replying this time. After writing that big chapter, that was all I could take.

5/4/2022: This chapter has been edited. I changed how the events took place for most of the chapter, and I gave Brittany a different keyblade.