Only Just A Dream

Kingdom Hearts

   Chapter 11

Xeno walked though a black castle, his now white coat a stark difference to the walls. Other people in white coats walked past him, some waving and others giving him cold glares. Xeno ignored them and walked into the main room, bowing on one knee. "You reek of light," a female voice said. "Did you get the girl?"
    Xeno flinched. "No. She was touched by Xehanort, so I did not."
A sigh came from the darkness. "You said you could convince her," Footsteps came over. "You said you could get our fourteenth."
    Xeno stood. "Your grace. I can still convince my sister-"
"SILENCE!" She roared. "You've has your chance, number VI, but chances don't come for free. Your through. Number VIII will take care of your precious sister now."
     "No!" Xeno cried out as two white-clad members dragged him away. The shadows moved and revealed a grinning face.

********************

   Xena and Ven walked thought Radiant Gardens, talking about memories. Xena had a few fond memories of her brother and was happy to share them. "Xeno could always get me into trouble," she said. "We once ate all of our parents chocolate and Xeno talked himself out of trouble. I was blamed but Xeno came to my rescue and helped me,"
   Ven nodded. "I just don't understand," Xena said. "Why he's so different now?" Small tears fell down her face and Xena brushed them away.
    Ven grabbed her hand. "We're trying time find him," Ven said softly. "It's just taking a little time."
Xena grinned, her eyes still filled with tears. "I know. And I'm greatful." She squeezed his hand.
    Suddenly a White Corridor opened in front of Ven and he pulled Xena behind him, summoning Wayward Wind.
A figure, in a white coat, walked though. "Why is it that your always ducking behind others?" They asked.
   Ven tightened his stance. "Who are you?" He asked, as the figure began to circle the two of them.
"Sorry Guardian," they said. "Your a little behind the times." The hood was pushed back and bright pink was revealed.
Ven gritted his teeth. "Marluxia. You live?"
"More or less," The former Organization XIII member said. "After you little show in the Keyblade Graveyard and Sora's help in destroying us, our bodies faded away and we awoke in The World That Aways Was. It was there we met Xanthi, the leader of Organization XIV. We swore our devotion to her cause and joined this organization. The power that flows though our veins is unimaginable," Marluxia grinned wickedly and summoned his scythe. "And we're looking for Xena."
Xena tried to summon her Keyblade and gasped as it failed to appear. "I see you haven't discovered how to use you Keyblade," Marluxia said. "Well then, this is much more interesting." He charged forward and  Ven blocked the strike. "Xena! Run!" Ven called over his shoulder, straining against Marluxia's attack.
    Xena sprinted away and Marluxia gritted his teeth. "You little-!" He pushed Ven into a wall, knocking him out and ran after Xena. Not long after he left, Xena emerged from an alleyway and ran to Ven. "Ven? Ven." She sad, shaking his shoulders. "Ven!"
* * * *
Ven woke before dark and Xena embraced him. "I thought you were dead," she whispered. "Don't do that again."
   Ven embraced her back. "I'll try," he said, standing. "Where'd Marluxia go?"
  "He ran off and didn't come back," Xena said. "Was he an old friend?"
  "No. He was our enemy," Ven replied, venom lacing his words. "He tried to kill us."
    Xena blinked. She hadn't heard Ven talk about anyone like that. This was a long hatred. She grabbed Ven's hand. "I want you to train me," she said. "If I can't defend myself, I'm useless here."
   Ven nodded. "Of course."
* * * *
    Yen Sid opened his eyes as Aqua walked in. "You come seeking answers."  The wizard said.
  Aqua bit her lip. "Yes. But it's hard to explain."
  "We have time." Yen Sid said, waving a hand, creating a timeless place around them.
  Aqua took a deep breath. And the story poured out; how she kept having nightmares about Xehanort returning and taking everything away, how she was starting to hear other conversations when no one was in the room, how she didn't want to worry Ven, Tarra, or Xena.
   Yen Sid seemed surprised to hear that she existed but didn't ask any questions, confident he would met this girl latter. When Aqua finished, Yen Sid nodded. "It seems your mind was traumatized by Xehanorts attempts to destroy the world you love. But he is at peace now so you have nothing to fear. As for the conversations, I suggest listening to them and seeing if they pertain to future problems. If it becomes worse, use a Mutter spell to silence them."
   Aqua nodded. "Thank you Yen Sid."
As Aqua flew back, she began to hear more voices and flattered. "......Number VIII failed Mistress," A female voice said.
  Aqua stopped in midair, knowing if she continued, she would crash. "May I address this small problem?"
    "You are my most trusted," a second voice said. "What if I lose you?"
    "You won't," the first voice said. "I have a foolproof plan."
   Aqua waited to hear it, but the plan never came. She began to breath quickly and panic flooded her mind. "Aqua!"
  She spun around. Ven and Xena were flying towards her, their Keyblade Amour a comforting sight. "I'm okay," Aqua said, hiding her panic. "Let's go home."
* * * *
  Sora felt pressure on his chest and he took a deep breath. "Sora," a voice said. "Time to wake up."
   Sora's blue eyes fluttered open and he gasped in fresh air. A figure stood in front of him and extended a hand. "How do you feel?"
   Sora blinked. "What happened?" He asked.
"It's been almost a year since the Keyblade War," the figure said. "And you've been in recovery from saving Kairi."
   Sora gasped and stood up. "Kairi! Where is she?"
"In the Realm Of Light. And you'll be joining her soon," Sora shaded his eyes as a bright light enveloped him.
  "Return to the heart that once resided inside yours." He heard before the world became black again.
* * * *
  Xena noticed when Ven faltered in training. He had been striking her, clear centered and suddenly he veered off course. Xena dropped the wooden Keyblade she was training with. "Ven?"
  He looked around, looking for something that wasn't there. "I.....I'm okay," he finally said. "But that was weird."
   "How weird?" Xena asked, sitting down next to Chrirthy.
    Ven remained standing. "Like....a second heart," He admitted. "Taking refuge."
   Xena, who had heard the stories about Ven's heart joining with Sora's for safety, furrowed her brow. "Could.....Sora be inside yours?" She asked.
    Ven paused and Xena noticed he was pale. "Ven?"
"I....Agh!" Ven dropped to his knees and gasped for breath.
   Xena stood, ready to get Terra or Aqua, but Ven stopped her. "Free....his...heart." He said, summoning Wayward Wind and sliding it over.
  Xena picked it up and felt an electric charge race though her body. Suddenly Ven was at her side. "I didn't mean take his heart." He said. 
   Xena tried to ask what he was talking about but her heart gave a second charge and she groaned in pain.
  "Make it stop," she pleaded, tears streaming down her face. "Please."