Jessica's Point of View

I hugged my pillow pet in my room when Xemnas went to the doorway. "Jessica, come," He ordered. I sighed and followed him through a dark corridor.

Every day, Xemnas would take me to a world, and we would converse about whatever the day brought. It was our "special time" together. I hated it, but Master Yen Sid advised that I may be able to find out more about Xemnas and his plans if I continue with it. Once, I was eager to see where he would take me next as sometimes he would get creative and take me to a beautiful world or a special event in some world, like a festival or some other exciting place, but the thrill of seeing where he would take me next had long worn off on me.

"Today, we will be going somewhere a little different. I have a surprise for you," Xemnas said while we were inside the dark corridor.

"Okay," I mumbled, disinterested. I suddenly recalled something I wanted to ask him about. "Hey, Xemnas? I was wondering about something," I said cautiously.

"What is it, Jessica?" He asked.

"Well, see, I'm going to visit my mother tomorrow," I started. Xemnas knew about my situation and let me have days off to see my mother at least monthly, sometimes more, but this time was different. I wanted to do something special because it was my mother's birthday.

"Yes, I am aware. Is there something you want?" He asked.

"Well, I..." I trailed off, afraid of what his response would be.

Xemnas stopped near the exit. "Maybe you'll be able to ask me later, dear. Right now, I need you to listen to me. What you're about to see will be very sad and emotional for you. It will upset you, but I think you will be glad I showed it to you later on. Are you prepared?" He asked.

I nodded, though I was disappointed in myself for not asking when I had the chance. We stepped out of the dark corridor, and I almost cried at what I saw—Uncle Ansem's computer room. Xemnas put a disk in the slot and typed in passwords. A secret door opened. We went down a bunch of stairs and finally got to a white room with a chair in the middle. In front of that chair was a suit of armor. Aqua's armor. Tears poured down my face. "Jessica-" Xemnas said, putting a hand on my shoulder. I slapped his hand away.

"Don't touch me! I hate you! I hate Terra for being stupid! I hate Xehanort for taking everything away from me! I hate you for showing me this! I hate you!" I screeched. I ran up the stairs, went to my old bedroom, and continued sobbing uncontrollably. Eventually, Xemnas found me, or maybe he always knew where I was, and decided to wait. He came into my room and sat next to me on the bed. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I recognized that throwing a tantrum would not help me with my goals.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it," I said between sobs. He gently pushed me down onto my bed, so I was lying down, and started to leave, but I grabbed his coat. He turned to me. "Don't leave me," I whimpered. He lay beside me on the bed and held me in his arms. I curled up close to him in a ball. He smelled so nice, almost familiar. When I fell asleep, I had a strange dream.

Jessica's Dream

I was Princess Serenity in my room on the moon. A young man was there, but I couldn't make out who he was. He was sitting on my bed with me, and we each had a wayfinder in our hands.

"There's a legend that on a world far away from here, there's this tree with star-shaped fruit, and when you eat it, you form an unbreakable connection, and when you carry charms shaped like it, nothing can ever drive you apart. You'll always find your way back to each other," The man explained.

"Next time, you need to bring me the fruit. It's in the world you were sent to, right? That's how you know the legend. Can you bring it for me, please?" I begged.

"I can try, Princess, but Mother would not be happy about it," The boy sighed.

"Oh, come on, she wouldn't mind. Please?" I pleaded.

"I will do my best." The boy assured me.

When I opened my eyes, Xemnas was watching me next to my bed. I sat up.

"I'm really sorry about what I said. I was upset," I apologized.

"I know. It's alright. I had expected some such reaction," Xemnas assured me.

"Can I- Can I go back again?" I asked.

"Not today, but we will go again. Perhaps after you get back from your trip," Xemnas answered.

I knew it was then or never to ask about Mama's birthday. "I actually wanted to ask you about that. See, it's my mom's birthday, and she said I could if I get permission, so I was kinda, sorta, maybe, wondering if you would let me spend the week at my mother's place?" I asked, bracing myself for the "no" that was about to happen.

"You may do that if you wish," Xemnas agreed.

"Wait, really?! What about Kingdom Hearts?!" I gasped.

"I have been looking into it, and it would appear that if your keyblade could collect hearts, we would have had something to show for it by now. I suspect it has something to do with the fact that you are the Princess of Light and Darkness. You won't be holding us back by staying with your mother for that time period," Xemnas explained.

"What does that even mean?" I questioned.

"That is a conversation for when you are older, " Xemnas stated.

"Fine. But if you can't use me, then why am I still with the Organization?" I wondered.

"Because you... I need you, Jessica. That is all. Besides, you wouldn't want to leave, would you? After all, if you are with us, you can continue to be in contact with your father," Xemnas said.

"That's not good enough. I need a reason," I demanded.

"All right. I am so easily lost between Xehanort and Terra. You keep me grounded in reality. You keep me sane," Xemnas replied.

"Is that why you spend time with me every day? To stay grounded in reality?" I wondered.

"Correct. We can talk more when you get back, but I think you should get packing right now," Xemnas mentioned. We went back to The Castle That Never Was.

Samantha: I'm glad you enjoy it. One of these days, I'm gonna have to go back and fix my previous chapters.

1/22/2023: This chapter has been edited.