Remembrance( A Kingdom Hearts Fanfiction)

When Darkness Knocks

Mara remained fairly quiet the entire journey to "Radiant Garden". Her amber orbs fixated upon the familiar world they were about to enter. A world that Mara, Terra, Ventus and Aqua once ventured in. Each of them searching for the other desperately. Their hearts aching to be reunited as one big family once again. Sensing her anxiety about this entire ordeal, Riku reached over for Mara's hand. Their fingers immediately interlocked with one another. Upon the sudden tenderness in his touch,Mara became rather tense. A look of inner turmoil evident in those golden orbs of hers. It saddened Riku to see her in such a state. As she had spoken to Riku about her time there in "Radiant Garden" and most of all many of them were not pleasant.

"I know you can do this, and I'm here to back you up if you need me." Riku reassured Mara with a gentle smile that made Mara's heart flutter. She couldn't help but to smile back at the silver haired man. Before the train which they boarded came to a halt. Signalling them that they had infact arrived at their destination. Taking a deep breathe Mara was the first to the door. Her body trembling due to her nerves, Mara's palms now feeling quite sweaty. She just couldn't shake the fact that she was about to step into the lions den. But she also knew that every world they came across would infact be filled with pain. And that this was her first step towards redemption. Riku then stood beside Mara his left hand reaching for hers, giving it a gentle yet reassuring squeeze.

"I'm here for you, your not alone in this." Riku informed Mara who took in another deep breathe to calm her nerves. Thanking Riku for his kind words and gesture with a smile. Before willing herself to open the door, the door sliding open automatically to reveal the vast greenery of the area. As vast flowers of many hues littered the terrain. Stepping from the train Mara planted her feet upon a few of these blooms along with Riku. The sweet aroma of the flowers lingering in the air. Though something was wrong among this seemingly peaceful town. As both Mara and Riku realized while scouting the area; was that the entire town was completely empty. For not a single soul was in the town besides the two which only made their suspicion grow.

Riku then advised Mara that the two of them should keep searching until Mara felt something. Mara hesitantly agreed, the pair waltzing through the garden until coming across a vast clearing. Filled with fountains on multiple layers of land. Spilling water upon the ground, crashing into the pool below. Leading the way Riku was soon struck with a sudden sting in his chest. The sensation causing him to release an audible gasp before stumbling forward slightly. Gripping onto his chest Riku turned his gaze to Mara, knowing what was coming. As the moment Riku landed his eyes on Mara she began to hyperventilate. Gripping onto her face Mara began to mutter "No". Over and over again all the while the pain increased even more in Riku's chest. Crippling the man as he was forced to his knees.

Unsure of why he seemed to be sharing Mara's pain despite mending her heart completely. Didn't he? Or was their perhaps the tiniest of her heart deep within him? Refusing the leave it's temporary host and seeking to also become one with Mara as well? Riku did not know, all he knew was that this pain was real. It dulled his senses to the point where Riku struggled to even form a sentence. Calling out to the blubbering Mara before now realizing that behind Mara; darkness began to spew about her. Though it appeared she was not the source as a pair of arms reached out for the frazzled woman. The arms drapped in the black hood Riku knew all too well.

Gritting his teeth Riku struggled to rise,only to slump back to the ground. Unable to move to aid Mara as the figure of a man appeared within the darkness. The man placing his arms around Mara's shoulders, before kneeling down to her ear. "It hurts doesn't it? Hiding that darkness of yours with that hopeless light of yours." The man began his words making Mara tremble as she opened her mouth to speak only to be silenced by the hooded man. His voice that of someone Mara knew. The memory alone making her blood run cold. As deep down Mara had hoped to never come across this boy again, but appeared fate had a way with dealing Mara a troublesome hand. "I have no darkness." "Oh now we both know that's a lie. You've always had it, that's why the old man chose you. And why WE still need you!" The roared before roughly yanking Mara to meet his gaze. His eyes covered by his hood and and underneath that a mask. But Mara knew him, and couldn't help the fear that she felt.

"L-Let go of her!" Riku shouted through shallow breath, the young man struggling to his feet. Before straining to form his Keyblade in his grip. The masked man seeming far too occupied to deal with him at the moment. "Be a good boy and let the grown ups talk." The young man commented in the cocky tone before using his right hand to summon a hoard of strange creatures Riku had never seen. They were mostly dark blue bodied and appeared to move at a shockingly fast rate. Alarming Riku as these creatures circled him. Riku struggling just to keep a grip on his Keyblade, as these creatures darted for Riku. Though due to his sluggish movements,Riku was overcome by the creatures. Straining underneath their might though even in his situation. Riku's main concern was Mara who opened her mouth to speak. Her voice hoarse as she spoke "Vanitas please-!" To this the man called Vanitas cackled beneath his mask. Hiding his vile grin as he grabbed Mara roughly by the face.

"Not until I find Ventus, your merely the key I need to open that doorway to him." Vanitas stated coldly jerking Mara's face to meet his gaze. "But first I need you to fall, and reminisce the pain that comes with having a heart as weak as yours." Vanitas breathed his words bringing tears to Mara's eyes as she begged Vanitas to stop once more. Pleaded through bleary eyes that she did not want to see it. Not the dark speck in her heart and of another. Not to relive that weakness and pain once more. For Mara truly was not sure her heart could bare it. "Give into it Mara." Vanitas breathed as the sting in both Riku and Mara's chests increased. Causing both of them to writhe in pain. Though what Vanitas did not expect was to see the strong connection between the two. This new information only making the vile boy grin even more.

"Well looks like you've been busy Mara. Giving your heart to someone else, but wait don't you have someone already? Someone who fell to darkness for you? Someone still waiting for you?" Vanitas mocked as Mara screamed for him to keep quiet. As through her tears she spoke "I haven't forgotten him! I could never forget him!" "Oh, but you will. The heart is a fragile thing. And soon you will give into whatever feels good. No matter how bad it maybe." Vanitas began now turning his attention to Riku. Whom continued to have difficulty fending off the monsters he had summoned. "Liar! You don't know what your talking about!" "Now you know I do. That little speck of darkness is still there. Festering in you with the lies you've forced yourself to believe." Vanitas began his hands upon Mara's shoulders, all the while a pit of black appeared at their feet. Threatening to swallow Mara whole once again.

Mara tensed up upon seeing the darkness around her. Her amber eyes wide in fear as Vanitas covered her eyes with his hand. A smirk never leaving his face as he whispered. "Jealousy is one of the interesting emotion,isn't it M?" Vanitas whispered as Mara released a fearfilled cry now blinded by complete darkness. Her senses numb to the world around her, and now susceptible to suggestions. Mara found herself appearing on the familiar stainglass platform all Keyblade Weilders knew as their hearts. Though the representation of her heart was quite different. As the figure of her could be found at the center of the multicolored glass.

Although next to her image was the figure of none other than Terra. His hand outstretched for Mara,while the images of Ventus, Aqua and another hooded figure. Who appeared to be a woman with a strange snake like mask. Mara could not quite pick up any details on the woman but what she soon realized was that there was an addition to her heart. For on the left of her the opposite of Terra was another hand reaching out for her. And this hand belonged to none other than Riku. The image stunning the young woman who gripped onto her chest not understanding. Yes it was true she and Riku indeed shared a connection like no other. But to already have a place in her heart....it only meant one thing. What Vanitas had said was true.

There was indeed a place in her heart for Riku. No matter how many lies she tried to tell herself as he had said. He was there. His light and gentleness had shown Mara who he truly was. A fine man out to protect all he loves,even though he believes he was incapable of love. And to give him this love...was something Mara couldn't bring herself to do. Yet still she couldn't deny their connection, the joy she felt with his touch. Gripping onto her chest Mara peered towards the image of Terra his face seeming desperate for her. Just as she was desperate to be with him. In tears Mara sobbed onto the picture of Terra,touching the cool glass. Begging for forgiveness,before suddenly the glass at her feet began to crack. Until finally dispersing into thousands of rainbow colored shards. And sending Mara plummeting into darkness, a place within her heart she tried her best to ignore. But it was there. The ugly monster of jealousy that she had experienced so long ago. And that moment would be the first to cause that very blight in Mara's heart.