Chapter II - The Realm of Darkness
In the realm of Darkness, there was a young girl and a cloaked figure, sitting on the beach, facing to the ocean waves. The moon was shining brightly, making the darkness transparent to all.
The young girl looked as the same as she was from 10 years ago. Nothing changed about her. Her name is Aqua.
The cloaked figure has the same coat as an Organization XIII member's. He was the one who thought perished in the The World That Never Was, before Sora and the party confronted Xemnas. He is Ansem the Wise.
"Ven, Terra... I wonder how you guys are doing..." asked Aqua.
"You are really fond of them, ain't you miss?" asked by Ansem.
"Yes. They are my good friends. Terra is like my cool elder brother. But Ven... (giggles) He is like a cute younger brother that I always want to take care of."
"They must be grateful that they have such sensible and caring girl like you."
"Thanks. I haven't got your name, mister."
Ansem took off his hood, revealing his face fully.
"I am Ansem. I was the ruler of Radiant Garden, before I was banished to the Darkness." said Ansem.
"What? You are Ansem the Wise!?" asked Aqua.
"You know me, miss?"
"I have heard of you when I have traveled to Radiant Garden, finding Ven and also Master Xehanort..."
"What!? Master Xehanort!?"
Ansem stood up suddenly.
"Wh... What's wrong?" asked Aqua.
"Xehanort... That's impossible... Can you tell me everything you know, before my memories fade to darkness?" asked Ansem.
"Uh, sure."
"What's your name, miss?"
"My name is Aqua. Let me start my story, but please, sit down. It is a long story."
Ansem sat down, besides Aqua.
"Terra, Ven, and myself were supposed to look for a Keyblade Master by the name of Master Xehanort, and his apprentice, Vanitas. We were sent by our former master, Master Eraqus to find them. First, Terra was sent to find him. Then, Ven followed him. Finally, I was sent as well."
Ansem listened to Aqua's story attentively.
"Three of us are finding Master Xehanort and Vanitas in different paths. We have went to many different worlds, and fought many Unversed." continued Aqua.
"Unversed... What is that, Miss Aqua?" asked Ansem.
"I do not know for sure, but they are some kind of dark creatures that manifested from a powerful source of darkness."
"I see... And how did you travel to other worlds? By gummi ships?"
"Oh, no. We Keyblade wielders are given a relic that allows us to summon our armors to protect ourselves and to breathe in space while traveling in space. We use this method to travel from worlds."
"I see... Fascinating. Wait a minute... When I found Xehanort with my former disciples, I found an armor and a Keyblade. is that yours, I presume?"
Aqua gasped.
"That's it! That's my armor and Keyblade. I sacrificed them to save Terra from being taken by the darkness."
"Terra? The one I found lying on the floor ten years ago called himself as Xehanort, not Terra if I am not mistaken."
"Ten years ago!? It has been already ten years? Terra... is not there, but Master Xehanort!?"
"Wait. I know this is very confusing, but please, I need you to finish your story before I tell you mine."
Aqua relaxed a bit, and proceeded to tell Ansem her story.
"The three of us have found Master Xehanort and Vanitas. Both of them are extremely powerful Keyblade wielders. Master Xehanort want to use the Kingdom Hearts, to gain ultimate power." said Aqua.
"Kingdom Hearts! So that Keyblade Master was trying to use the Kingdom Hearts, like Xemnas and Ansem the Seeker of Darkness did..." thought Ansem.
"We fought them in a world called Keyblade Graveyard, and we were at the losing end. Terra proceeded to fight Master Xehanort alone, while Ven and me were forced to fight Vanitas. However, Ven was frozen by Master Xehanort's Blizzard spell, which he was unable to move. I fought a man by the name of Braig before Vanitas knocked me out." said Aqua.
"Braig? The one who wears an eyepatch?" asked Ansem.
"You know him, Ansem?"
"Of course. He was my former disciple. Please continue."
"Braig escaped, and Vanitas knocked me out by fighting. Suddenly, Ven thaw out the Blizzard spell, and saved me from Vanitas's deathblow. He fought Vanitas, and won. However, he summoned many Unversed to hold Ven down, and fused himself inside of him, where Ven taking Vanitas's appearance. That is when Mickey come and battle Ven together with me, unfortunately."
"Mickey... My old friend."
"You know Mickey too?"
"Yes. The King is my very close friend, even now. Please continue."
"We fought Ven together, but he overpowered us by using a new Keyblade. His powers are unmatched, combined with his own and Vanitas' powers, he is nearly undefeatable. Suddenly, I heard Ven's voice. He broke free from Vanitas' mind control, and we took the chance to attack Ven. Fortunately, Ven returned to normal and the Kingdom Hearts has disappeared. But... as the result... Ven... (sobs) his heart did not return to his body."
"I am so sorry. You can stop telling me your story."
"No, I have to finish it. (sobs) Mickey and me brought Ven to Yen Sid, and we found out that Ven has lost his heart. Then, I proceeded to bring Ven to my home world, which is Land of Departure. I have sealed him in a room after I transformed the world. The world has become a bizarre castle that is located between the light and the darkness. No one knows Ven's location except me."
"The castle that is situated between the light and darkness... That must be Castle Oblivion. No argument on that. No wonder Xemnas was looking for a secret chamber in Castle Oblivion. He was looking for the Keyblade wielder as well." thought Ansem.
"After that, I went to Radiant Garden to search Terra. I found him, but he looks different. He has suddenly become tanned, and has silver hair. He became hostile, and I was forced to fight him. After I defeated him, he was suddenly taken by the darkness. I sacrificed my armor and Keyblade to save him. Instead, I went to the realm of darkness." said Aqua.
"I see... Now, I think I know the whole story."
"What, can you tell me?"
"Of course, Miss Aqua. The short version, that Terra, who is your friend, has become Xehanort, of the present."
"What!?"
"I do not know what exactly happen to Terra, but I can make a good guess. Terra lost the battle against Master Xehanort, and Master Xehanort possess Terra's mind, body and heart. Thus, becoming this Xehanort we all know in the present. For some unknown reason, that Xehanort has lost his memories, and fought you in Radiant Garden. When he was found by my former disciples and myself, he can only recall one thing. Xehanort. The prove is that your armor and Keyblade was found next to him, and he somehow lost his power to use a Keyblade and his memories as well. The Xehanort in the present, have wreaked havoc in every world, which includes Radiant Garden, to pursue his ultimate goal."
"That is... horrible! I can't believe it... Terra's... gone..."
"Not necessarily. Before we will be saved by the new Keyblade hero, let me tell you my story."
"Of course, Ansem."
Ansem then told Aqua about his encounter with Sora, Xehanort, Xemnas, Ansem the Seeker of Darkness, Organization XIII, Heartless, Nobodies, the betrayal of his own former disciples, and etc. Aqua has begun to understand what has happened in her absence.
"I... I see. So this new Keyblade Hero has defeated Xehanort's Heartless and Nobody. Then, does that mean..." said Aqua.
"It is an assumption, but I think the worst scenario will happen." said Ansem.
"No... If that is the case, we must be prepared."
"Yes. The future of every worlds will be on the Keyblade heroes' hands. You, your friends, Sora, Riku, and my dear friend, Mickey."
"Is there a chance for Terra to return to his original state? Without Master Xehanort's possession?"
"Maybe. But before that, we must escape from the realm of darkness."
"I see. Sora, please save Terra..."