Aqua Divided: Masters Across Realities
A huge shout-out to J. Tom and Aragorn II Elessar for collaborating with me on this chapter and for contributing to the story moving forward. I am deeply grateful for their support and for allowing me to incorporate their continuities into my work. If you're unfamiliar with their stories, I highly recommend checking them out—they both have an incredible library of fanfiction that you won't want to miss. Once again, many thanks for the collaboration.
I'd also like to give a special shout-out to Terrence Johnny Stanford for our small crossover in Lancelot Generations. Thanks, buddy! And to everyone interested, check out the Lancelot Generations TV Tropes page—it's live now and full of fun references!
To SpoonyMink8: Thank you for following and favouriting the story. I'm so glad you could join us on this adventure through the Blue Blur Saga. Welcome aboard—we're excited to have you here! :)
To SuperSaiyanFever: Great question! You're absolutely right—the Phantom Ruby does primarily target cognition by warping how people perceive reality. However, it also has the ability to manipulate space-time, as seen in Sonic Forces when it created entire dimensions like Null Space. In this story, with time and space already trapped in White Space, the Phantom Ruby's distortions amplify, creating bizarre phenomena—like Pokémon appearing in Enchanted Dominion or Metal Sonic and Egg Pawns invading the Land of Departure.
It's not just about creating new spaces; the Phantom Ruby also feeds false sensory information to the brain, making its victims perceive entirely different realities. Combined with the instability of White Space, it creates an even more dangerous environment. Poor Aqua—caught right in the middle of this chaos with Mephiles wielding that power. She truly has her hands full!
To everyone leaving reviews and comments: thank you so much! Your feedback, questions, and encouragement mean the world to me. I'm thrilled you're enjoying this journey.
And now... onwards to the next chapter! Let's dive back into this epic adventure!
Shadow:
Shadow landed from his descent on the featureless ground of White Space. The impact was soft, almost silent, as if the void absorbed all sound. Straightening, the black-and-red hedgehog set his crimson gaze on the figure ahead, her back turned to him. Yet, Shadow's focus remained fixed on Aqua.
Her presence was unmistakable. But something about Aqua was off, and it wasn't just her being here. Shadow's sharp eyes scanned her attire. This Aqua wasn't wearing her normal attire. Instead, she stood in casual clothes: a plain black top, simple blue jeans with a lighter blue with a gold buckle, white socks, and purple tennis shoes. It felt wrong, almost mundane for a Keyblade Master.
But it wasn't just her appearance. Shadow narrowed his eyes, sensing the energy radiating from her. It wasn't the fragmented light of a Nobody, struggling for completeness. It was whole, vibrant—alive. Yet, beneath the surface, there was something achingly familiar about it.
"Aqua…" Shadow said aloud, stepping cautiously closer.
At the sound of her name, the woman stiffened. She turned sharply, her sharp blue eyes locking onto him. Her stance was tense, defensive, as though she expected an attack. Shadow stopped a few paces away, his expression neutral but guarded.
"Who are you?" Aqua demanded, her tone sharp and wary. "Where am I? What is this place?"
Shadow frowned slightly, confusion flashing across his face.
"It's me. Shadow," he said cautiously.
Aqua's brow furrowed deeper, her stance shifting as if bracing for a fight.
"You know my name?" she asked suspiciously, her voice laced with disbelief. "How do you know me?"
Shadow tilted his head, his confusion growing.
"Don't tell me your memories are fractured again," he muttered under his breath.
"Fractured again?" Aqua shot back, her tone incredulous. "My memories are just fine, thank you." She glanced around, her shoulders stiff with unease. "Where am I? And how did I get here?"
Shadow folded his arms, letting out a low huff.
"I'm not here to fight you, Aqua" he said bluntly.
"I don't believe you." Aqua's response was immediate, and with a flash of light, the Master's Defender appeared in her hand. The tip of the blade pointed directly at him.
Shadow's eyes flicked to the Keyblade, recognition flashing in his expression.
"Master's Defender..." he remarked calmly.
Aqua's eyes narrowed further.
"You even know the name of my Keyblade?" she demanded, her grip tightening.
"Sonic named it," Shadow replied without hesitation.
Aqua faltered for a moment.
"Sonic? Who's Sonic?" she asked, her confusion deepening.
Shadow sighed, shaking his head.
"You really don't remember..." He paused, his tone growing sharper. "Listen, I didn't drag you here, and I'm not lying. But... I think I know what's happening."
"Oh, really?" Aqua shot back, her voice dripping with doubt. "Then explain. Now."
Shadow unfolded his arms, his crimson eyes locking onto hers.
"You're not the Aqua I know," he said plainly.
Aqua blinked, her grip on her Keyblade shifting.
"The Aqua you know?" she repeated, her tone skeptical. "What are you talking about?"
"You're from another reality," Shadow explained, remembering back to his recent fight with the Biolizard, which wasn't the one he knew. "Another Aqua from a different time and place."
Aqua's eyes widened slightly, but the disbelief didn't leave her face.
"You expect me to believe that?" she said, her voice stern. "I can feel your darkness, and you expect me to trust you?"
Shadow's voice dropped, calm but firm.
"The darkness you sense isn't a lie," he admitted. "But I didn't bring you here. And fighting me won't solve anything."
Aqua stepped back, her Keyblade still raised.
"People depend on me," she replied. "If you're the one keeping me here, I'll do whatever it takes to return to them."
Shadow's expression didn't falter as he spoke.
"People depend on me too... including the Aqua I know." His tone softened just slightly. "You and I... we're friends."
Aqua hesitated, lowering her Keyblade just slightly.
"Friends? With... you? I've never even met you before."
"Just trust me," Shadow said, taking a slow step forward. However he could feel something deep inside Aqua, something troubling.
But before either could say anything further, a voice called out behind Shadow.
"Shadow!" Tifa's voice broke the tension. She was followed closely by Cloud.
Aqua's eyes widened as her gaze shifted to the newcomers. Her grip on her Keyblade faltered.
"Cloud... Tifa?" she said, her voice trembling slightly.
Cloud's eyes narrowed, one hand drifting to the hilt of his Buster Sword.
"You know us?" he asked, his tone guarded.
Aqua hesitated, her eyes darting between them.
"It's me, Aqua," she said, her voice quieter now. She turned to Tifa. "Tifa, how... how are you here?"
Tifa frowned, her tone cautious but firm.
"Same reason we are all here. But... I don't know you," she remarked.
Aqua blinked, her expression twisting into confusion and sorrow.
"You... don't?" she murmured, her voice cracking.
Cloud stepped forward, his voice level, his Buster Sword now in his grip.
"Sorry. I don't know you either. But if you're here to cause trouble, then this ends now."
Aqua's eyes darted back to Shadow, wide with disbelief and confusion. Shadow took a step forward, folding his arms as he addressed the group with quiet certainty.
"She's not from our reality," Shadow said plainly. "She's from another time... another place entirely."
Tifa blinked, glancing between Aqua and Shadow.
"What?" she asked, her voice low with disbelief as she stared down at the hedgehog.
Cloud's grip on his Buster Sword loosened as he processed Shadow's words. Slowly, he lowered the massive blade.
"Makes sense," he admitted. "This place does mess with time and space."
Aqua's eyes shifted between them, desperate for answers.
"Messing with time and space?" she asked, her voice trembling. "What... what do you mean?"
Shadow gestured toward the surrounding expanse, his arm sweeping towards the Rail Canyon hub nearby.
"You're in a realm called White Space," he explained.
Aqua's brow furrowed as her mind raced to make sense of it all. She then glanced at Tifa, who stood a few paces away, watching her with concern.
"But... how is Tifa here?" Aqua's voice softened as she struggled to hold herself together. "She... shouldn't be."
Tifa's eyes softened as she took a tentative step forward.
"What do you mean by that?" she asked gently.
Aqua hesitated, her hands tightening around the hilt of her Keyblade. She glanced briefly at Shadow, as if seeking permission to speak. Shadow met her gaze with a steady look and gave her a small, reassuring nod. She exhaled slowly before speaking, her voice low and filled with quiet grief.
"Thanos used all six Infinity Stones to wipe out half of all existence with a single snap of his fingers," she revealed.
The air grew still. The subtle hum of White Space seemed to fade, replaced by a heavy, oppressive silence. Shadow's eyes narrowed, glowing crimson beneath his furrowed brow.
"Thanos…" he echoed, the name carrying the weight of a curse. "I've heard that name before... whispered in the darkest places. But I've never had the misfortune of crossing paths with him."
Cloud's frown deepened as he exchanged a glance with Tifa. She looked stunned, as if the weight of Aqua's revelation was almost too much to believe. Cloud nodded grimly.
"I've heard of him too... barely." His gaze shifted to Tifa. "But... this?"
Tifa shook her head, still processing what Aqua had said. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out.
Aqua's eyes dropped to the ground for a moment before she continued.
"Then you're lucky," she murmured. Her gaze grew distant, lost in painful memories. "When he snapped his fingers... they were just gone. Terra, Riku, Kairi, King Mickey..." Her voice faltered, catching in her throat. She forced herself to continue, even as her heart ached. "Scott, Hope, Hank, Janet... so many others we cared about. Just... gone. Half of everything—erased."
She looked up, her blue eyes filled with sorrow as they locked onto Tifa.
"And you were one of them, Tifa."
Tifa took a step back, her breath catching in her chest.
"Me?" she said, disbelief washing over her face. "I was... gone?"
Aqua nodded, her expression pained.
"You... were part of the list of casualties," she replied.
Tifa's gaze dropped to the white floor beneath her shoes, her mind reeling as she tried to reconcile the impossible. Cloud reached out, placing a steadying hand on her shoulder.
"Tifa…" he said softly. She blinked and looked up at him, her eyes swirling with turmoil.
"But… I'm standing here now," she murmured, more to herself than anyone else.
Shadow's crimson eyes flickered as he took a step forward, his voice steady and resolute.
"Because, like I said, that happened in this Aqua's timeline, not ours. One where you all knew each other… and apparently, I'm not part of."
Tifa let out a breath, her shoulders slumping.
"That's… madness." She shook her head, struggling to accept what she was hearing.
"Madness indeed," Shadow muttered, his tone colder. "But sadly... it's the truth. There are countless realities. And this Thanos... A being capable of wiping out half of existence with a snap of his fingers." His voice sharpened, simmering with restrained fury. "And for what?"
Aqua looked down for a moment, gathering her thoughts before meeting their eyes.
"Thanos believed he was bringing balance to the universe." Her voice was quiet, almost detached, as though she'd told herself this story too many times. "He thought there were too many mouths to feed and not enough resources. He believed his actions were... mercy."
The word hung in the air like poison. Shadow's gaze darkened, his expression becoming a cold, unbreakable wall.
"Mercy?" the hedgehog growled. His fists clenched at his sides, dark energy crackling faintly at his fingertips. "That's not mercy."
"That's just evil!" Tifa interjected, disgust flashing across her face. "The destruction of innocent lives? And he thought that was justified?"
"He's nothing but a coward hiding behind power," Cloud added, his voice grim, seething his Buster Sword.
The weight of Aqua's story pressed down on them all. Tifa's mind swirled as she tried to piece together this new, terrifying reality. She glanced at Aqua, who stood with quiet sorrow, holding herself together like glass on the verge of shattering.
Shadow took another step forward, his gaze fixed on her as if trying to see beyond her words. There was something in her presence—a crack in the brilliant light she radiated. His voice softened, uncharacteristically gentle.
"So… that's what I was feeling inside you, Aqua," he said. "It makes sense now."
"What makes sense?" Aqua asked, her voice wary.
"You're grieving," Shadow replied simply.
Aqua's breath caught in her throat. Her fingers tightened around the hilt of her Keyblade.
"How… how did you know that?" she asked, her tone sharp—not out of anger, but as if he had peeled away something she had kept hidden for too long.
Shadow's expression remained calm, though his eyes carried an understanding forged from his own pain.
"Because your light... it's hurting," he answered. "Grief isn't something you can hide—not from someone like me."
"Someone like you?" Aqua asked.
"I'm the Ultimate Lifeform," Shadow explained. "I can sense the energy of those around me. And right now, your pain is resonating—like an echo rippling through this place."
Aqua stared at him, struggling to comprehend the vulnerability she was displaying. She finally looked away.
"The Ultimate Lifeform…" she murmured. "That's a bold statement."
"Bold," Shadow agreed. "But accurate."
Cloud stepped forward, his brows knitted in concern.
"Aqua," he said carefully. "What else happened in your reality?"
Tifa's voice was softer but just as insistent.
"What happened to Thanos?" she questioned.
Aqua's eyes flickered with pain as she nodded. But the sorrow in her expression deepened.
"Twenty-three days after the Snap... we found him," she began. Her voice trembled but grew steadier with each word. "He was hiding on a distant world... living alone."
"And?" Shadow asked, though something in his tone hinted that he already knew the answer wouldn't bring closure.
"He destroyed the Infinity Stones," Aqua revealed, her tone flat but heavy. "He used their power one last time... to reduce them to atoms. There was no undoing what he did."
The silence that followed was suffocating. Shadow's expression remained stoic, but his eyes glinted with something close to disbelief. Cloud and Tifa exchanged a grim look as they absorbed Aqua's words.
"He... destroyed the stones?" Shadow repeated, his voice low and disbelieving. "All of them?"
Aqua nodded, her expression distant.
"Yes. And with that, Thor… didn't hesitate. He struck Thanos down." Her voice wavered for a moment before she spoke the final words. "He… he cut off his head."
Shadow's eyes narrowed.
"Thor," he muttered. "The Norse God of Thunder?"
Aqua nodded again.
"Yes... that Thor."
Cloud exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair.
"And yet... it doesn't matter, does it?" he said quietly. "Without the stones... you couldn't bring anyone back."
"Exactly," Aqua replied, her voice hollow. "The people we lost... they were still gone." Her gaze lifted slightly, locking onto Tifa, sorrow brimming in her eyes.
"Including you, Tifa."
Tifa pressed a hand to her chest, as though trying to feel the absence of the life she'd never known she'd lost. Cloud's hand rested on her shoulder again, a silent reminder that she wasn't alone. Shadow huffed softly through his nose. There was still so much he didn't know, but now wasn't the time to hold back.
"Tell me," Shadow said, breaking the heavy silence. "The list of survivors… was Ventus one of them?"
Aqua's eyes lifted, and she nodded.
"Yes. He survived." Her voice softened. "Is Ven here?"
Shadow's gaze darkened as he considered her question. He had to tell her the truth, that Ventus was still slumbering in this reality. But, something about it felt too soon—too cruel.
"No," he admitted after a pause. "He's not here."
Aqua's shoulders sagged, and her eyes flickered with quiet disappointment as she glanced at the endless void around her. Shadow softened his tone.
"How's he holding up?" he asked gently. "In your reality that is"
Aqua hesitated, her voice fragile but steady when she finally spoke.
"He's... trying," she said, her eyes distant. "At first, he was in shock. Losing so many people—friends, allies—it shattered him. But Ven's always been strong, even when he doesn't realise it. He stays busy, finds things to focus on... to keep us both moving forward."
Shadow nodded, a hint of understanding flashing in his eyes.
"Sometimes... it's all we can do," he admitted.
Cloud mirrored the gesture, his quiet agreement unspoken but clear. Tifa stayed quiet, still trying to process the idea of having been erased in another reality. After a long pause, she spoke, her voice soft but steady.
"How long has it been?" she asked. "Since... the Snap?"
Aqua exhaled.
"Five months."
Tifa's brow furrowed.
"Five months?" she repeated, almost disbelieving.
"It's been hard... but we've done everything we can to help others in need," Aqua answered, trying to put on a brave face.
Cloud crossed his arms and spoke softly.
"Sometimes, that's the only thing you can do."
Aqua nodded, and for the first time since she arrived, she lowered her Keyblade, the Master's Defender dissolving in a quiet shimmer of light. She let out a long breath, as if the weight she carried had momentarily eased.
In a strange way, the conversation—the understanding—felt like a lifeline, even in the middle of this impossible void.
Shadow noticed the change and tilted his head toward her.
"Finally coming around to trusting us?" he asked, his tone calm but slightly teasing.
"In a way... yes," Aqua admitted. "At first, I was skeptical... but you've shown patience and empathy." Her blue eyes softened. "Thank you."
Cloud gave a small nod.
"No problem."
Tifa smiled gently.
"It's the least we can do."
Aqua's gaze drifted across the horizon of White Space.
"I just need to get home," she murmured. "The others... they'll be worried. And Ven... he'll never let me hear the end of it if I don't come back soon."
Shadow's calm expression faltered slightly, replaced by a grim look.
"That's not possible right now," he said firmly.
"Why?" Aqua asked, a note of urgency creeping into her voice. "What's keeping us here?"
"Black Doom," Shadow revealed, his voice as cold as steel. His hand dropped to his side as if instinctively reaching for power. "He's the one pulling the strings. He's using the abilities of another being—a hedgehog called Terios. They're manipulating time and space, keeping us trapped here."
Aqua's breath caught in her throat as her expression darkened.
"Black Doom…" she repeated slowly. The name felt bitter on her tongue. "And Terios? Who is that?"
Shadow's eyes lowered slightly as he frowned.
"Terios... I don't know," he admitted. "But Black Doom claims they're linked...somehow."
Aqua sighed, pressing her fingers against her temple as if the weight of the void was pressing down on her.
"So... if you stop Black Doom, can you get me home?" she asked, her voice steady but laced with quiet hope.
Shadow's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze unwavering. He could see it—the strength she carried beneath her grief, the resilience she had despite everything she'd endured. For a moment, he was reminded of the Aqua he knew—strong, determined... but carrying the same scars.
"Black Doom will be dealt with," Shadow said firmly. "And I will get you home. No matter what."
Aqua's shoulders relaxed as the tension in her posture faded. A faint smile touched her lips.
"Thank you, Shadow," she said softly.
"It's nothing," Shadow muttered. "But we can't stand here forever. We need to keep moving."
"When you went off to face the Biolizard, the land mass of this place... it grew," Tifa explained. "Cloud and I saw it from the top of the castle expanding."
Aqua's head tilted slightly.
"Biolizard?" she asked, looking to Shadow.
Shadow waved the question off, his tone clipped.
"Don't worry about it," he said. "It's been dealt with."
"Then we should move before things get worse," Cloud remarked.
Tifa gave Aqua a reassuring smile.
"And maybe... you can learn more about us. And we can learn more about you," she said gently.
Aqua's expression softened again as she nodded.
"That... that would be nice," she admitted quietly. "It might help take my mind off... everything."
Shadow's eyes lingered on Aqua for a brief moment longer before he turned back toward the twisting expanse ahead.
"Let's go," he said, his voice steady but resolute.
But before they could all take a step forward, a cold, mechanical voice echoed through the void.
"SHADOW. AQUA."
The group turned sharply toward the source of the booming voice. A hulking red and black machine emerged from the mists of White Space, its massive frame gleaming under the dim, otherworldly glow. The dull thud of heavy metal feet striking the ground echoed around them, breaking the eerie silence with each step.
Shadow folded his arms as if entirely unfazed.
"Omega," he said, his voice calm, almost expectant.
"A robot?" Aqua asked, her brow furrowing as she took in the towering machine's imposing frame.
Tifa took a step closer to Cloud, eyes wary but intrigued.
"Another friend of yours, Shadow?"
Shadow nodded without hesitation.
"He's part of my team, yes."
"A hedgehog and a robot... That's an interesting combination," Shadow muttered.
The robot came to a halt a few feet away, its glowing visor narrowing slightly as it scanned Aqua from head to toe. A faint mechanical hum accompanied the analysis, followed by a soft chime.
"ANOMALY DETECTED: VARIANT IDENTIFIED," Omega announced in his monotone but somehow authoritative voice.
Shadow nodded, not surprised in the least.
"Yes. This is Aqua from another timeline. Drawn into this void, White Space."
Omega shifted his head toward Tifa and Cloud, his sensors scanning them in turn. His visor flashed briefly before his voice rang out again.
"G.U.N. FILES ACCESSED—SUBJECT: CLOUD STRIFE. HOME: NIBELHEIM. FORMER SOLDIER 1ST CLASS. PAST AFFILIATION: AVALANCHE."
Cloud's brow furrowed as his jaw tightened.
"G.U.N. knows who I am?" he remarked.
Tifa's expression mirrored his unease.
"Wait, they have files on us? How?"
Omega continued, unmoved by their reactions.
"SUBJECT: TIFA LOCKHART. HOME: NIBELHEIM. FORMER AVALANCHE OPERATIVE. MARTIAL ARTIST. CURRENTLY RECOGNISED FORMER BAR OWNER AND FIGHTER."
Cloud exchanged a glance with Tifa, who raised an eyebrow.
"Wow," she muttered, half incredulous. "G.U.N. really does its homework."
Cloud let out a slow breath, clearly uncomfortable but resigned.
"The robot's... thorough," he admitted.
"I'll say," Tifa added.
Omega's visor pulsed brighter, the faint hum of his internal systems filling the air.
"GREETINGS, CLOUD STRIFE, TIFA LOCKHART, AND AQUA FROM ANOTHER REALITY. I AM E-123 OMEGA, THE ULTIMATE EGGMAN ROBOT DESTROYING WEAPON."
Aqua blinked, taken aback by the machine's grandiose introduction.
"The... ultimate what?" she asked, caught between confusion and amusement.
"He takes his title very seriously," Shadow said dryly.
Aqua blinked again, unsure how to respond.
"Uh... hello, Omega," she offered politely. "Nice to meet you."
Omega paused briefly, his systems whirring before his booming voice returned.
"QUERY AQUA: DO YOU ALSO HATE EGGMAN IN YOUR REALITY?"
Aqua's brow shot up in surprise.
"What?" she asked, completely perplexed. "Eggman?"
Shadow let out a sharp exhale.
"Omega, not now," he muttered, his tone flat.
"UNDERSTOOD. QUERY SUSPENDED TO AQUA," Omega replied before shifting his gaze to Cloud and Tifa. "DO YOU TWO HATE EGGMAN ALSO?"
Cloud frowned slightly, exchanging a glance with Tifa.
"We... don't know who that is," Tifa answered cautiously.
"But he sounds like trouble," Cloud added, crossing his arms.
"UNDERSTOOD," Omega responded, seemingly satisfied.
"Is he always like this?" Aqua asked, glancing at Shadow.
"Unfortunately," Shadow muttered, though the faintest smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Omega's attention snapped back to Shadow.
"STATUS REPORT REQUIRED. WHAT IS OUR OBJECTIVE, SHADOW?"
Shadow's expression hardened.
"Black Doom," he said sharply. "He's behind everything."
Omega hummed again, the mechanical buzz reverberating through the air as his processors worked.
"ANALYSING… 90% CHANCE OF YOU BEING ACCURATE."
Shadow's eyes narrowed, his patience thinning.
"No. I'm 100% accurate. He told me himself."
Omega paused, recalibrating.
"…CORRECTION. 100% PROBABILITY AFFIRMED."
Tifa shook her head, a bemused smile forming.
"You two make an interesting pair," she remarked.
"We don't have time for this," Shadow said briskly, waving a hand. "Omega, there's more. Black Doom mentioned someone called Terios. Do you have any data on that name?"
Omega's visor flickered as he ran the query.
"SEARCHING DATABASE…" The hum of his internal systems grew louder as streams of data flashed across his visor. After a moment, his voice returned, flat and definitive.
"NO DATA FOUND ON 'TERIOS.' THIS DESIGNATION DOES NOT EXIST IN CURRENT ARCHIVES."
Shadow clenched his fists, a flicker of frustration in his crimson eyes.
"Tch. Figures," he muttered.
"He has data on us, but not another hedgehog?" Cloud remarked, raising an eyebrow.
"Talk about priorities," Tifa sighed.
Omega's visor brightened as he responded.
"G.U.N. POSSESSES DATA ON AVALANCHE AND MANY OTHER GROUPS DUE TO CROSS-WORLD SURVEILLANCE."
Cloud and Tifa both looked stunned.
"Cross-world surveillance?" Cloud asked stoically.
"What does that even mean?" Tifa added, her voice suspicious. "Have you been spying on us?"
Shadow folded his arms, his expression grim.
"G.U.N. stepped up their game after Mobius fell to darkness," He paused before adding, "They have to know what's happening across every world."
Cloud frowned deeply.
"Sounds like paranoia to me," he admitted bluntly.
Shadow nodded without hesitation.
"It is. But they can't take any chances."
"CORRECT," Omega interjected, his monotone voice unwavering. "PARANOIA IS A LOGICAL RESPONSE TO WORDLY AND OR UNIVERSAL COLLAPSE."
Aqua's smile faded as she absorbed the weight of their words.
"I'm... I'm sorry your home was pulled into the dark," she whispered, her voice laced with quiet sorrow.
Shadow turned to her, his gaze steady.
"It was saved in the end," he said simply. "But it won't stay that way if we don't stop Black Doom... and find the Aqua from our reality."
Omega's visor pulsed with sudden intensity, and his arms twitched as his sensors flared to life.
"WARNING: NEW LOCATIONS DETECTED. DISTORTION ENERGY APPROXIMATELY TWO KILOMETERS AWAY." He paused before adding, "KEYBLADE SIGNATURE DETECTED—THREE KILOMETERS AWAY. DATA SHOWS 90% MATCH FOR OUR AQUA.
Shadow's breath hitched, his fists tightening.
"You're sensing her?" he asked, his voice sharp.
"AFFIRMATIVE," Omega replied. "SIGNATURE MATCHES PRIMARY TARGET IDENTIFIER."
Tifa and Cloud exchanged glances, their tension replaced with cautious hope.
"She's here..." Aqua murmured, stunned. "The other me."
Shadow's gaze hardened with resolve.
"Then we have our objectives," he said firmly. He turned toward the shifting expanse ahead, the endless white glow stretching into unknown horizons.
"Find Aqua. Continue to find trapped worlds and places in White Space. And... neutralise Black Doom."
Omega's mechanical frame straightened as he processed the objectives.
"PRIMARY MISSION PARAMETERS ACCEPTED."
"Well... looks like we've got our work cut out for us," Cloud remarked.
Tifa nodded, her voice steady.
"Let's get going then," she replied with confidence.
Aqua took a deep breath, pushing back the lingering doubts in her heart. She had to stay focused. She wasn't alone anymore.
Shadow glanced at the group, his red eyes glowing with quiet intensity.
"Let's move," he said. "No turning back now."
Together, they pressed forward, their silhouettes cutting through the haze of White Space as they marched toward their next challenge.
Aqua:
The swirling purple portal crackled behind Aqua as she stepped out onto solid white ground. The mechanical whirring of gears of the Boss Gate faded into the background, the sound dissipating into the endless silence of the void. Aqua stumbled slightly, steadying herself as she emerged, her mind still reeling.
"That place. Another Shadow and Sonic, and Mephiles has returned with that jewel, The Phantom Ruby? How can he be back? What's this connection he spoke of?" Aqua's thoughts raced as she tried to make sense of everything. Her breaths were heavy, her hands still trembling slightly from her encounter. "I need to stop him… and save the remaining worlds trapped here."
The silence around her grew louder as her focus returned to her surroundings. Aqua's blue eyes scanned the landscape, and she felt her chest tighten at the sheer emptiness before her. White space stretched infinitely in all directions, broken only by fragments of reality: glimmering water reflecting the void above, pieces of stone architecture jutting out of the ground like ghosts of forgotten worlds.
She took a step forward, her boots making the faintest sound on the smooth ground.
"This place… it feels still so empty still," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. The echo it left behind unsettled her. "I wonder where Silver, Orbot and Cubot went to?"
Then, something caught her eye.
Ahead, through the stillness and fractured light, Aqua saw someone. A figure standing near the edge of the water. The sight stopped her cold.
It was a person… no, not just anyone.
It was her.
The same attire, the same posture, poised yet wary, shoulders squared as though constantly bracing for what came next. And the hair—a cascade of familiar blue, shimmering faintly under the void's light.
"Is that… me?" she thought in surprise.
Aqua's instincts screamed at her to stay cautious, but her curiosity pulled her forward. Step by step, she closed the distance, her voice hesitating on her lips.
The figure's back was still turned, her attention seemingly drawn to the shimmering water before her. But Aqua barely made it a few steps closer before the figure moved.
Years of experience honed by countless battles sharpened the senses of the other Aqua. Without turning, she sensed the presence behind her—an energy that was too close, too familiar yet disturbingly wrong.
She spun on her heel, and in a flash of light, her Keyblade—Master's Defender—materialised in her hand with a crackling hum. Her sharp blue eyes locked onto Aqua, her stance guarded and ready.
"Who's there?" The other Aqua demanded, her voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "Show yourself, phantom."
Aqua froze mid-step, startled by the sudden confrontation. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight of the other Aqua—identical yet undeniably different.
"I…" Aqua began, raising her hands in a placating gesture. "I'm not a phantom."
But the other Aqua wasn't convinced. She took a step forward, her Master's Defender glimmering with the light of her resolve.
"You wear my face," the other Aqua said sharply. Her gaze hardened, scanning Aqua from head to toe, as though searching for something—anything—that might explain this encounter. "Who are you? Why have you brought me here?"
"I didn't bring you here," Aqua replied, her voice steady but strained.
"Don't play games with me," the other Aqua remarked. "You expect me to believe you're not a phantom, when you look exactly like me?" Her Keyblade tilted slightly, her grip unwavering. "I've seen enough of these tricks before in the Realm of Darkness."
Aqua sighed, lowering her arms slightly but staying cautious.
"I'm telling you the truth. I think… you're a variant, another version of me," she replied.
The other Aqua paused. Her brows furrowed, confusion flickering through her stern gaze.
"Variant?" she echoed, though her Keyblade remained ready. "How do you know about variants?"
Aqua straightened, trying to seem as unthreatening as possible despite the tension crackling between them.
"I've been learning about them… slowly. But you… you seem like you already know."
The other Aqua's grip on her Keyblade tightened slightly. Her voice dropped, measured but cold.
"Because I do know. I've lived it."
Aqua tilted her head slightly, trying to process her words.
"Doctor Strange's spell," the other Aqua continued, her tone clipped as though the memories were still fresh. "It brought me and my friends to a place called New York City. That's where I learned about other realities—other versions of people, protectors of the light and forces of darkness."
The pieces of what this variant of Aqua was saying began to align with our Aqua's own fragmented understanding of Multiversal anomalies.
"But this… isn't a place like that," the other Aqua added, gesturing sharply to the emptiness surrounding them. Her Keyblade pulsed faintly with energy as though it, too, sensed the wrongness of the space. "This isn't a city, or even a world. This is nothingness."
Aqua flinched slightly as the other Aqua turned her sharp gaze back onto her.
"So I'll ask you again," the other Aqua said, her voice cold as steel. "Why have you brought me here, phantom?"
"I told you—I'm not a phantom!" Aqua snapped back, her patience wearing thin. "I'm just as much a victim of this place as you are. This is Mephiles's doing."
"Mephiles?" the other Aqua questioned sharply, her eyes narrowing. "Who is that?"
"He's the one behind this," Aqua replied, frustration cracking through her voice. "He's manipulating everything in this void."
The other Aqua's stance stiffened, her fingers curling tighter around Master's Defender. The light from the blade reflected her skepticism, casting faint ripples across the ground.
"Then prove it," the other Aqua barked, her voice like ice. Her Keyblade flared brighter, its presence radiant and unwavering. She tilted the blade toward Aqua, her gaze hardening. "Your light… it's dim. Your heart—" Her voice faltered for just a moment before her expression shifted to something colder. "Your heart isn't there, is it?"
Aqua froze, her throat tightening. The accusation struck deeper than she wanted to admit. She looked away, unable to meet the other Aqua's piercing gaze.
"…No," Aqua whispered. "I'm a Nobody."
The other Aqua's face darkened, mistrust flickering back to life.
"Then you're exactly what I feared," she said harshly. "A trick. A shadow pretending to be me."
Aqua exhaled sharply, a mix of anger and sorrow welling inside her.
"I'm not pretending to be you," she shot back, her voice trembling. "I didn't choose this!"
The other Aqua didn't flinch. Instead, she stood tall, unrelenting in her suspicion. Aqua huffed in frustration and thrust her hand out, summoning her Keyblade. Or at least, she tried to.
A faint glimmer sparked in her palm… and then flickered out. Aqua's eyes widened.
"No… not now," she muttered.
Gritting her teeth, she focused, summoning all the willpower she could muster. This time, Master's Defender appeared in her grasp with a crackle of unstable light. Its edges flickered, glitching faintly as though struggling to maintain its form.
The other Aqua narrowed her eyes, instantly noticing the instability.
"You're losing your connection to it, aren't you?" Her voice softened, tinged with pity she didn't want to show.
Aqua stared down at her flickering blade, her shoulders sagging slightly.
"...Yes," she admitted quietly. "Without a heart, I'm… I'm starting to lose my bond with it."
For a moment, something in the other Aqua's gaze softened—a flicker of understanding—but it was gone just as quickly. Her mistrust returned like a cold wind.
"Then I can't trust you," she declared, stepping forward with renewed purpose. The light of her Master's Defender flared brilliantly as she rushed toward Aqua, blade poised for a strike.
"Wait—!" Aqua cried, panic flashing in her voice, but it was too late.
The other Aqua swung her Keyblade in a graceful arc, the sheer power behind her strike forcing Aqua to raise her own flickering weapon in defense. Their Keyblades collided, the impact echoing through the empty void like thunder. Sparks erupted where the blades met, light and shadow entwining in a chaotic burst. Aqua staggered back from the force, but she didn't falter.
The two Keyblade wielders broke apart, circling each other warily. Their stances mirrored one another—both practiced, both deliberate—as they readied for another clash.
"I'm not your enemy!" Aqua pleaded, her grip tightening on her unstable Keyblade.
"You look like one, deceiver!" the other Aqua shot back, lunging forward again.
Their blades clashed once more, this time in a flurry of strikes and counters. Each blow rang out, the void trembling as two Keyblade Masters battled, their skills evenly matched despite Aqua's wavering weapon. Aqua gritted her teeth, pushing back against the other Aqua's unyielding strength.
Suddenly, before either could land a decisive strike, a commanding voice rang through the air.
"STOP!"
Green energy erupted around both Aqua's, engulfing them in an unseen force. Their bodies froze mid-motion, their Keyblades locked in place as if trapped by invisible strings.
"What… is this?" the other Aqua demanded, struggling against the energy's grip.
Aqua's eyes widened in recognition.
"Silver?" she remarked.
From above, a figure descended, the faint glow of his psychokinetic energy illuminating the void. Silver floated gently from the empty sky, his silver fur catching the faint light of White Space. He touched down lightly on the ground, his glowing green aura fading as he landed.
"Please stop fighting!" Silver urged, holding his hands up in a calming gesture. The green energy around both Aqua's dissipated, releasing them.
Aqua stumbled slightly but quickly regained her footing, lowering her flickering Keyblade.
"Where have you been, Silver?" she questioned.
Silver scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
"Sorry… Orbot and Cubot found another pathway to a new location that emerged. I had to deal with that first." He turned toward the other Aqua, his expression curious. "It seems you've met a… version of yourself, Aqua."
The other Aqua regarded him warily, her Keyblade still in hand.
"Who are you?" she demanded.
Silver stepped forward confidently.
"My name is Silver. And you need to stop this," he replied, trying to break the tension.
"What did you just do to stop us?" The other Aqua questioned.
"I have psychokinesis powers," Silver explained matter-of-factly. "I can control things with my mind."
The other Aqua blinked, a faint look of intrigue crossing her face.
"We could've used someone like you back in New York… dealing with the villains there," she admitted.
"Wait, what?" Silver asked in confusion.
"She knows about variants and other realities," Aqua interjected, still catching her breath. "But she won't listen to me, Silver, and Mephiles is behind all this."
"Mephiles? What's that creep doing here?" Silver probed, his expression darkened.
"He's looking to join our timeline… and finish what he started," Aqua answered grimly.
Silver's fists clenched, his eyes narrowing.
"Where is he?" he asked.
"He vanished," Aqua explained. "But he had something called the Phantom Ruby. It's causing these weird distortions I'm experiencing."
"The Phantom Ruby?" Silver murmured, his voice laced with disbelief.
"Do you know of it?" Aqua asked.
Silver shook his head.
"Sorry, I've not heard of it," he admitted.
The other Aqua, who had remained silent, finally spoke.
"Who is Mephiles and what does he want?" she inquired.
Aqua's gaze darkened, her voice quiet but steady.
"Mephiles is an erased being from another timeline. He is the reason I became a Nobody. He shattered my heart, unleashing my Heartless. He fractured my memories… and nearly destroyed me."
The other Aqua's eyes widened slightly, her grip on Master's Defender loosening just a fraction.
"Where did this happen?" she asked.
"In the Realm of Darkness," Aqua replied. "Seemingly, the only place Mephiles can exist in. Apart from this place."
The other Aqua shook her head in disbelief at this revelation.
"That never happened to me during my time there," she affirmed. "No Mephiles, no turning into a Nobody, no fractured memories… Just a decade of wandering shadows and surviving."
Silver's voice broke the silence, his tone calm yet firm.
"Timelines can change. Trust me—I'm from the future. I've seen how things can shift from time to time."
The other Aqua glanced between Silver and Aqua, skepticism lingering in her gaze, though something deeper—a spark of understanding—flickered within her sharp blue eyes.
"Timelines…" she murmured thoughtfully, turning the word over in her mind. "Then this Mephiles really is a threat."
"And we need to stop him," Aqua affirmed, her grip steadying slightly on her flickering Master's Defender. "He said there was a 'connection that binds to me', but I don't know what he means."
Silver's gaze lifted suddenly, his brow furrowing looking into the sky.
"Then what about that sphere in the sky? Could it be linked to everything?"
Both Aqua's followed his gaze. The Black Moon loomed in the endless white expanse above, its massive, grotesque eye blinking slowly down at them as though it were aware of their every move.
"You think Mephiles has anything to do with that?" Silver asked warily.
Aqua's gaze darkened as she considered it.
"Maybe…"
The other Aqua frowned deeply, her voice low.
"What is that? I saw it when I arrived here," she asked.
Aqua and Silver exchanged a shrug, uncertainty written on their faces.
"We don't know either," Silver admitted. "But, it's been… watching us."
The other Aqua exhaled a deep sigh, the tension in her shoulders easing just slightly. The light of her Master's Defender flickered and then faded as she allowed the Keyblade to dematerialise.
"Sorry for judging you so quickly," she admitted, her voice softer now. "I've faced myself before… becoming my own worst enemy. I thought you were another phantom."
Aqua tilted her head, curiosity piqued.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
The other Aqua crossed her arms as her expression turned contemplative.
"During my time in the Realm of Darkness, I fought my own phantom—a twisted reflection of myself. It was born from my doubts, my fears… my weakness."
Aqua paused at that, her mind racing.
"That… sounds similar to when I fought Oscura," she explained.
"Oscura?" the other Aqua asked, brow furrowed. "Your Heartless, right?"
Aqua nodded slowly.
"Yes. She was born from my pain, my sorrow, and my anger. She hated me. Blamed me for everything."
The other Aqua's expression softened, as though recognising the reflection of her own struggles.
"That… sounds exactly like my phantom. My doubts and fears made real." Her gaze sharpened slightly. "Did Oscura survive?"
Aqua hesitated, her voice quiet as she replied.
"She was… beginning to change before Mephiles got his hands on her. He merged with her by force. I fought alongside my friend to stop him. Oscura didn't survive."
The other Aqua's expression faltered, guilt flickering across her face.
"I let myself fall to the darkness when no one came to help me. I gave up, letting the darkness in." Her voice grew quieter. "I was saved, thankfully."
Aqua looked at her curiously.
"By Shadow?" she quizzed.
The other Aqua frowned, confusion clear on her face.
"Shadow? Who's that?"
"You don't know him?" Aqua replied in surprise.
"No. I've never heard that name," the other Aqua admitted, shaking her head.
Aqua's gaze softened as she explained.
"Shadow risked his life to save me. He brought me back to the Realm of Light, helping me piece myself back together… trying to make me whole again."
The other Aqua's brows lifted slightly, surprise written on her face.
"He sounds like a good friend," she said softly.
Silver smirked faintly, folding his arms.
"He's broody and can be blunt, but Shadow's got a heart of gold—whether he wants to admit it or not," the hedgehog explained.
Aqua nodded in agreement before looking back to the other Aqua.
"So Shadow didn't rescue you, then?"
"No…" the other Aqua replied, shaking her head. "And for the life of me, my memories have been hazy since I arrived here. Like pieces of a puzzle I can't put together."
Silver's ears perked at that, his expression darkening slightly.
"You're having issues too?" he remarked. "My memories have been acting weird as well. Certain things and people—just… gone. Like they're being erased."
Aqua frowned deeply, her fingers brushing over the hilt of her unstable Keyblade.
"My memories seem clear enough," she said thoughtfully. "But, could it be this void causing the problem?"
"Maybe," the other Aqua murmured, her gaze drifting over the endless emptiness around them. "I hope they come back soon. It's unsettling."
Silver sighed heavily, brushing a hand through his fur as he refocused.
"We can't stand around forever. Orbot and Cubot found another location trapped in this place. If we don't show up soon, they'll start panicking—especially Cubot."
Aqua turned to face the other Aqua, her expression steady.
"Care to join us?" she offered. "Maybe we can figure out how to get you home while we work to stop Mephiles."
The other Aqua hesitated for a moment, studying Aqua carefully. Though suspicion lingered, it no longer held the weight of earlier. Finally, she nodded.
"All right," she said, her voice resolute. "If that Mephiles is behind this, I won't stand by and let him tear apart reality."
Silver grinned slightly, his energy renewed as she spoke up.
"Good. Then let's move. If we're lucky, we'll find answers—and maybe some of our missing memories—along the way."
The three turned together, their steps falling into rhythm as they moved across the fractured terrain of the void. Above them, the Black Moon blinked ominously, as though watching their every move.
And in the silence that followed, Aqua couldn't shake the feeling that something—or someone—was waiting for them.
Another chapter down!
A heartfelt thank you to J. Tom and Aragorn II Elessar for graciously allowing me to include their versions of Aqua in this story. The Aqua who encountered Shadow is from J. Tom's Kingdom Hearts: Endgame storyline, while the other Aqua originates from Aragorn's Collision of Universes story. Both stories are great, and I highly recommend checking out these authors and their extensive work.
Story References and Connections:
J. Tom's Aqua: In Kingdom Hearts: Endgame, Aqua survived the Snap caused by Thanos. This explains her shock upon seeing Tifa alive, as Tifa was one of the casualties in her timeline. In that reality, Aqua also knows Cloud. Interestingly, Shadow and even Sonic don't seem to exist in her reality—adding a layer of curiosity to her perception of this new narrative.
Aragorn II Elessar's Aqua: This Aqua is no stranger to the multiverse, having experienced its chaos first-hand in Collision of Universes. When Doctor Strange's spell backfires in Spider-Man: No Way Home, it causes a rift that pulls heroes and villains from across the multiverse, including key Kingdom Hearts characters. There's even a fun nod to SEGA's universe when a variant of Sonic and Tails make a brief appearance in Chapter 12 of that story—"Huh, neat!"
The Marvel/MCU Connection: J. Tom's Aqua is tied to the world called 'The MCU', playing a role in the events of Endgame, and Roxas, Ant-Man, and the Wasp. Aragorn II Elessar's Aqua, on the other hand, entered the MCU during No Way Home. This chapter subtly foreshadows future interactions, as Cloud and Tifa in this saga will encounter Captain Marvel in Sonic Colors: Heartless Horizons, alongside Sonic and Tails. It also hints that Thanos is a known name even in the Blue Blur Saga.
Aqua's Fractured Memories: A reference to Shadow of the Past - when Shadow aided Aqua in piecing together her fragmented memories, thanks to Mephiles.
Eggman: Cloud and Tifa don't know Eggman just yet, but they will during the events of Sonic Colors: Heartless Horizons, when the two arrive on Starlight Carnival.
The Snap: A devastating event in J. Tom's timeline (Kingdom Hearts: Infinity War), the Snap wiped out half of all life across the universe. However, this catastrophic event has not occurred in the Blue Saga timeline. But if Thanos exists out there, who's to say he won't happen someday?
Cloud and Tifa's Backstories: I wanted to give Cloud and Tifa's origins a meaningful touch that pays homage to Final Fantasy VII. In this story, they hail from Nibelheim and were once part of Avalanche, meaning the events of FFVII (or at least a version of them) are canon in the Blue Blur Saga. This raises some intriguing questions about other characters like Yuffie and Aerith—were they part of that timeline? Or are Cloud and Tifa truly natives of Radiant Garden as they sometimes claim? This duality adds layers to their mysterious past and allows for future expansions on their journey.
Phantoms: A reference to Aqua taking on her Phantom in Fragmentary Passage. Something, in this fan fiction continuity, never happened for this universes Aqua.
Oscura: Aqua's Heartless that was introduced to the series in Shadows of the Past.
Memory Issues: The memory distortions linked to Castle Oblivion have started to take effect, though subtly. This will become a major plot point in upcoming chapters, tying directly into the larger Chain of Generations storyline, particularly with Sonic and his allies as they face the same disorienting challenges.
I'm incredibly excited for the next few chapters, but I'll be taking a short break from this story to focus on another project: When Legends Meet: Speed Meets Survival. This crossover links directly to Aragorn II Elessar's Heroes Coming Together and brings together the Sonic the Hedgehog movie franchise and the Resident Evil movie universe. If you're a fan of both worlds, you're in for a treat!
A huge thank you to everyone involved in this chapter and to all the readers who've supported this story. Your feedback, enthusiasm, and engagement mean the world to me. If anyone is interested in crossovers or collaborations with other Kingdom Hearts, Sonic, or Final Fantasy stories and characters, I'm open to ideas! Let's work together to make this an epic saga for all our readers.
Many thanks again, and see you in the next adventure!