A Reason To Smile

Chapter 14: Enter the Void

Ansem stared at the dark form of his friend and student. He didn't think that your Darkness was this deep and feels guilty for training you in the power of Darkness, but he needs you to be stronger so that it doesn't control you like it did him.

He also hates having to keep this a secret from you and using Ansem's name to keep his identity secret until he can control his own Darkness. Even now, he can still feel Ansem's grip on his heart, and if he falters for only a second Ansem will control him again.

Which then leads him to his other  weapon. He still questions how he has it, even though he offered his heart to the Darkness.

Ansem: Come on Y/n, this isn't you. What about Bobble?

The dark creature you became didn't react when he said Bobble's name, but you did run towards him. He wasn't ready for the assault you threw at him. Your speed and strength drastically increased and Ansem was having a hard time keeping up with you. When he finally found an opening he took his chance and swung at you.

But before the blade could hit, a barrier was quicly formed around you and it blocked the attack. With a push, you threw your Keyblade and hit Ansem as he recovered and it flew back into your hands.

Ansem: Alright then. I suppose I need to step up my game.

He makes his sword disappear and in its place, from a flash of light, a new weapon was in his hand. The blade was the same as his former weapon, a demonic wing. However, at the top was a small white angel wing that made it look like a key. The handle had a guard around it made from one angel wing and the other a demon wing.

Ansem: This is my own Keyblade, Way to the Dawn. How I have it is beyond me, but I'll use it to bring you back Y/n.

You say nothing but rush in to continue your assault. When you swing your blade, it's stopped by a barrier. Spectral versions of Ansem's Soul Eater sword appear and launch towards you. You jump back and slash the swords away. With the added power of his Keyblade, Ansem began to overpower you slowly. In one last ditch effort to defeat him, you teleport away and begin to charge up your attack. You release it in a tornado of dark wind that covers the whole arena.

After the wind dies down, your yellow eyes scan the surrounding area, not finding your opponent. You then hear something behind you, but were too slow to react. Ansem's attack hit you and your body hit the side if the stands hard enough to form cracks. The darkness that covered your body and Keyblade slowly faded, making your body, clothes and Keyblade to return to their original form.

Ansem: Sorry I had to go that far, but in your state you could've done some serious harm.

He holds out his hand and a green light washes over you, healing your wounds you sustained from your fight with Sephiroth and Ansem. He picks you up and makes his way to the exit, Bobble quickly following after him.

~~~~~

A few hours pass and you slowly wake up, feeling a weight on your arm, looking over to see Bobble had her head on your arm. You smile at the cute display but you had to get up. Carefully, you remove your arm from her grasp and head for the door. Opening it, you see Ansem was just about to open it.

Ansem: Oh, you're already awake.

Y/n: Yeah, what happened? All I remember is beating Sephiroth then I blacked out.

Ansem: That's what i wanted to talk to you about. Come with me.

He leads you outside and to the stairs of the coliseum. Sitting down, he pulls out a blindfold and takes a deep breath.

Ansem: I already told Bobble the truth, now I'll tell you.

He puts the blindfold around his eyes and like a shadowy mist, he changed. His tanned skin became paler, his long white hair turned more silver in color and shortened, only reaching his shoulders instead of flowing down his back. His height changed as well, shrinking down to your height. He looked around your age, and when he spoke, it was much softer.

Ansem?: This is who I really am. My real name is Riku.

Y/n: But... why lie? And who is the real Ansem then?

Riku: Because some time ago, about a year before I met you, I gave my heart to the Darkness. To both gain strength to protect my friends and travel to other worlds. Except I wasn't strong enough to control it. The real Ansem possessed me and took control of my body to try and find a place that could give him unlimited power. Kingdom Hearts.

Y/n: So... how did you end up like this?

Riku: Sora bested me. He beat Ansem and helped me seal the door to the Realm of Dark. Ever since then I've been trying to control my darkness. When I came to that world where I first met you, I saw you had a Keyblade, so I knew there was Light in your heart, but I also sensed the Dark.

Y/n: So you wanted to train me, to make sure that it doesn't control me like it did you?

Riku: That's exactly right. I saw the friends you made there in that world. The Darkness offers untold power, but it can also leave you in a world of loneliness.

Y/n: So why don't you talk to this Sora?

Riku: How can I? How can I face him after everything I did?

Y/n: From what everyone says about him, he seems like a nice guy. I'm sure he forgives you, after all, you did say you were best friends.

Riku: Well, you're right about one thing. He's the biggest sap you'd ever meet.

The both of you laugh.

Y/n: So... should call you Riku now, or Ansem?

Riku: Riku's fine. But now, let's go get Bobble and go get your first prize, champ.

You both bump fists and go to wake Bobble and receive your reward for winning the tournament.