I blame my lateness on major writer's block and the circumstances that were beyond my control. That said, with the time I was away it allowed me to think about this stories future chapters and what I plan to do with Sora. I'm fairly sure this story will be derailing from what KH3's original story and end will be like, I am also doing my own twist on the events of KH 1 and 2 which you will see what I mean in this chapter.

I've also been using this time to study up certain aspects that I wish to put into this story and make those aspects evolve into something that will make the story as a whole lot more entertaining and immersive.

With that said, enjoy!

"...You have endured so much, I am surprised you are still able to stay sane after everything you've had to endure. The Light and the Darkness is strong in you, but I sense...something deeper. Something...much more. Righteous yet Hollow, Bright yet Cold. Is that...is that what you lost when everything you loved was taken from you?" ~Yen Sid

Kingdom Hearts: Rewind

Chapter 4: Master and Student, Those you Cherish

Throughout the course of his life, Sora had been introduced to many means of travel when it came to racing across the star's and multiple galaxies. In his first life, he was shown that all worlds were connected by pathway's which could only be accessed by using ships built by material called Gummi. It was during those times that he could only use those ships for his interstellar travels. To visit his friends on the other worlds and travel from world to world during the war.

But during the times of the war he had been developing faster methods of travel from planet to planet, galaxy to galaxy. Traversing the corridors of darkness was one method, but it was taxing on both the body and mind to utilize that form of travel in quick succession. There was also the other method Keyblade user's before his generation used, which was utilizing their own Keyblades as their form of travel. He learned that method from Yen Sid during the War and it came in handy to traverse not only the star's, but crossing the battlefield to reach the enemy without time wasted.

But again that method also carried it's flaws of exposing the user which is why he developed his own method. Not to say his method was perfect, far from it actually, but it was fast and bypassed the natural barriers the blockaded the worlds from one another. This form of travel utilized his own power over Light and Darkness. Utilizing the light from within the surrounding star's and the dark matter of space.

To put it simply, Instant Transmission.

The ability worked like this, anywhere Sora had ever been before was like a marker for him to imprint on his mind and if he could sense a familiar energy of one his friends/enemies or allies. Then he could instantly teleport to that location in mere seconds. It was the best means of travel for him when it came to going in alone, when it was just him or best used during the war, when infiltrating behind enemy lines.

So of course when his feet landed upon soft green grass his eyes opened to see the ever so familiar sight of Old Yen Sid's little world connected to Twilight Town. The towering structure of the man's home was welcoming sight to see after everything he'd been through.

Feeling the weight in his arms shift, he looked down to see Aqua's face buried into the fabric of coat, completely fast asleep it appeared.

Behind the shadows of his cowl Sora's expression contorted into a frown, a rueful smile appearing of his face as he looked down at the young woman in his arms. 'Of course, the ability is taxing to any newcomers and in her conditions it's only normal that she would fall asleep again. And after everything she's been through, she deserves as much as she can get.' Keeping her steady, Sora looked upwards to Yen Sid's castle and soon began making his way toward it. Dully noting the fact he could see three little fairies watching him from the window atop the last floor.

Once he reached the staircase Sora let out a sigh before he started to float upwards until he was at the window of the last floor, and it was there he saw three familiar looking fairies watching him from their not so obvious hiding spot. Chuckling he floated through the window, and just as his feet landed on the flooring he felt the presence of the only man he could honestly say he respected the most.

''And who might you be, young one?'' the voice of his oldest teacher made Sora smile for the briefest moment, but that was hidden from all but him. Instead he just looked over his shoulder to see the long bearded, intense black beady eyes of the one and only Master Yen Sid himself. Dressed in his sorcerer attire, he stood composed and firm, not a single weakness in his stance, and the sheer power behind the deceptively thin frame was enough to remind Sora of how powerful this man was.

Instead of answering his question, Sora turned around, Aqua in his arms, and he noticed the brief flash of shock appear in Sid's eyes just before it was masterfully hidden. But Sora saw it and knew why the old man was surprised to even see Aqua here of all places. After all, no one comes back from the Realm of Darkness after giving themselves up in exchange for the life of another. At least that was the case for the norm.

But...Sora wasn't normal, that much was pretty evident. His accessibility between the Realms was a representation of how closely attuned he was with the aspects of both the Light and the Dark.

''I will answer all of your questions, but first can you please see to Aqua's state? She's been through much and need's all the help she can get to recover from her ordeal.'' he spoke cordially to his old/former master who eyed him for the longest time before his eyes went down to the sleeping woman in his arms. And the smallest amount pity flashed in his eyes. Taking one last glance to the cloaked time traveler he looked towards the three hiding fairies.

''Flora, Fauna, Merryweather! Go and get the guest room prepped.'' he tasked the three good fairies who suddenly sprung to life, circling the old sorcerer just before coming up the injured Aqua.

''Aww poor thing! We'll get it done in a jiffy!'' waving their wands in preparation to take Aqua to the guest room, Sora shifted his gaze down to the blue haired young woman. Feeling in his heart, the tightness of just letting her go, if even for a moment, was still painful after just pulling her out of that hell. It wasn't like he didn't trust the three fairies, because he did, it was just Aqua was just too precious to him that to even have her leave his side was something he couldn't afford to bear.

'Still, she needs to recover and there is only so much I can do.' with that thought in mind he shook himself of any doubts. Looking up to the fairies, he nodded to them. Getting radiant smiles from the three in turn they waves their wands and soon Aqua disappeared with three in tow.

...And the sudden loss of weight from his arms was instantly evident, and he found that he didn't quite like it. Her warmth was gone and in place of that was the cold, harsh silence of only himself. Still, he shook this feeling and pushed it down, there was something he needed to get set straight with his former mentor and it could only be done with his resolve steeled and his determination unbreakable.

Turning to said old man he looked straight at him, and he too was eyeing him with a stern and dangerous gaze that would have made any lesser of a person tremble if not run. But Sora had no reason to fear him, respect him yes, but he could not fear his old mentor. He'd seen too much, stained himself in too much death, fought with entities far more powerful then himself. His body was just immune at this point of any sort of killing intent.

After all, fighting entities that could destroy entire planets, swallow entire solar systems, enemies that broke and manipulated the very laws of reality at their beck and call. Going through all that, Yen Sid's glare was simply laughable.

Instead he simply spoke to the old sorcerer. ''Now, I believe we have much to discuss, but mind you what I have to say is for your ear's only. I can trust no one else with what I have to say, and it would be best to discuss this in an area you feel the most secure.'' he said making Sid narrow his eyes. His eyes stayed glued on the cloaked stranger for the good moment. Taking in his presence, studying him for any sign of deceit or ill intentions, but the only thing he could sense from him was the feeling of complete courtesy and sincerity.

'And, he shows up out of nowhere with Aqua, who I and Mickey thought was long lost in the Realm of Darkness. It was obvious he patched her up with what he knew and brought her here, he has showed not ill intentions and seems to even care for the young woman a great deal. Hm...' thinking it over, Sid finally closed his eyes and nodded.

''Very well, follow me to my chambers, if what you have to say is this important then that would be the most secure place to discuss whatever it is you have to say.'' and without another word the man turned around and began walking away. Without a word, Sora followed him while all the while he kept an instinctive track on Aqua's presence. His paranoia wouldn't allow him to rest at ease while she wasn't by his side.

Following Yen Sid down a series of corridor's the two we're completely silent as they reached the man's private chambers. Going through a set of large doors, Sora soaked up the sight of the familiar room where he had first met Sid with Donald and Goofy. Where he learned much after waking up from his coma Namine put him through. The same place where trained under Sid for the majority of his life and during the war.

He stopped as the doors closed behind him while Sid went behind his desk and upon sitting down he raised his gaze toward him and with a simple wave of his hand a magical barrier sprung to life within the interior of the entire chamber.

''Now then...'' Sid broke the silence as he leaned back in his chair, his gaze stead fast with the cloaked stranger standing not but a few feet from him. ''What is it you have to tell me young one? I don't usually get many visitors besides my own student so forgive my curiosity as to how you even know where I even reside.'' he said to which Sora nodded his head though to Sid it only looked like he shifted his head downward for a moment.

''Well, how I know where you are links with what I have to say Yen Sid. To be honest there is so much I want to tell you, but there is little time for both myself and you. So instead Old Man Sid, I think it would be best if I were to show you, to reveal to you who I am and where exactly I come from...from a time far from now that no longer exists.'' he said causing Sid's eyebrows to perk up showing his confusion. But Sora said nothing more before he walked toward Sid's desk before he brought out his hand and within the palm magical energy swirled in a majestic array of iridescent colors. The energies swirled into the shape of sphere the size of basketball. And as it solidified Sora grasped onto the sphere before turning his shadowed gaze to Sid who looked from the sphere to him with a look that expressed his bewilderment.

''This is...'' Sid muttered out just as Sora spoke.

''Yes, this is your very own memory projection spell that you've taught to only your other pupil King Mickey. I hope this will support the evidence to who I am when you see what I have experienced. In this sphere contains my entire life up until how I got to this timeline. I knew this day would be coming and I trust you to understand the severity of the situation once you have seen it.''

In truth, Sora could only trust Sid with this information which is why he was doing this in the first place. It wasn't like he didn't trust his friends because he did, to an extent. Yet they were still young, naive and tempermental. They would not understand and it's why he felt the only one who could assess this from a calm perspective was none other than the Old Sorcerer himself. Besides, keeping things the same as to how they were before was no longer possible seeing as how his meddling has changed the courses of his friends life's forever.

Sid kept a cool stare with the cloaked stranger who for all intents and purposes could just be making up a very convincing lie to throw him off his guard. Yet the fact this man had not only showed up with long lost student of his old friend, Eraqus, in his arms was something praise the man for.

But it was so much more than that.

Although he hadn't said a word about it, Sid had felt for the man's power and although it was well hidden even from him he could still feel the essence of his power itself. And the very nature of the power confounded him. There wasn't just an abundance of Light nor Darkness within him, but a unity of the two sides that intermixed with his own soul. A balance of both that empowered his own soul, the light was strong in him, but the darkness tempered his soul and in that Sid felt that which was thought impossible was possible.

This man, was the embodiment of both the Light and Darkness. The very notion sounded ludicrous, but the evidence was standing before him. It was long theorized between the old Keyblade Master's of old, but was never proven to be possible.

Until now..

'Not to mention, he also knows a spell I've only just recently taught to Mickey so he can forward any findings to me during his travels. The fact he knows one of my own original spells is abnormal.' after a moment of contemplation Sid looked toward the cloaked stranger and decided to give the man a chance. Looking at the sphere, he raised his hand and reached toward it and just as his finger tips came in contact with it he heard the man speak.

''Now bear witness, Yen Sid, of a future that I fully intend to never have come to pass a second time. A future of bloodshed, death, sorrow...a future of where I failed...and the Darkness consumed us all.''

That was all Sid heard before his vision went white...

OwO

The world of Hollow Bastion was not an overly hospitable planet. What had been a once prosperous world teeming with life and citizens under the former Kingdom that had once ruled over the citizens. Was now a ruined and scarred planet, a direct result from being consumed by the Heartless. The once great Kingdom now lay in shambles, the city swallowed up by the flowing sea while the poor souls that never escaped from the cataclysm that took hold of their planet now lay at the bottom of this very sea.

And teeming at every corner of the planet was the darkness, an ever lasting ebony veil which was cast upon the planet at the apex of when it was consumed by the dark and in that veil lay the yellow sinister eyes of countless heartless. Insurmountable in number and oh so much stronger than most other heartless. From every dark corner to your own shadow, everything was a hazard to be wary of. Once taking a step on this planet you were always at every second in danger.

And this was the planet, one silver haired young woman found herself in after her own world was swallowed up by the darkness.

Boom!

And upon a vast frozen part of the sea a series of fiery explosions erupted causing chunks of ice and debris to explode. Series of balls of dark red fire shot toward a general area in a incredible fast volley from a group of Red Nocturne Heartless. But weaving and dodging the fireballs, a young woman with silver hair skid to a stop for a moment to catch her breath.

Sweat began dribbling down her brow as she glared the heartless infront of her. Standing front of the group of caster heartless was a mixed variety of melee Heartless ranging from 2 Large Bodies, 4 Air Soldiers, 6 Powerwilds and 4 Soldiers. Seeing them stop and begin to shake towards in her preparation for a charge made her tense.

''Time to end this!'' swinging out her hand she narrowed her eyes as the Red Nocturnes channeled their magical power to the point of their antenna's conjuring massive balls of fire. And in a flash of black and dark blue light a weapon appeared in her hand. It was a falcon-esque sword, with a red, purple and dark blue blade shaped like a demonic wing. It's handle bearing a singular cat-like blue and the handle itself having dark braids.

A black gloved hand gripped the unique blade firmly and as she readied herself, readying the coils in her muscles to spring.

And the battle continued once more as the fireballs were shot toward her in a much faster volley. Seeing them come the young woman sprung, pushing off she weaved aside from the first ball of flame before doing the same to a second. Two more came in faster and she crouched before jumping over them. Spinning upside down turned her gaze forward only to see a much bigger ball of fire hurling towards her.

Welcoming the challenge, she gripped her blade in hand and began spinning faster and faster toward the spell before lashing out.

''HAAH!'' she let out a battle cry as her blade cut straight through the fireball like it was butter and as the two pieces of the spell careened off she landed behind it before springing off again as the spell exploded behind her in a brilliant flash of fire. The burning winds pushed her forth as she charged straight into the group of heartless.

And as she came upon the first soldier her blade screamed as cut clean through it's armored body, but as the Heartless began to dissolve she merely kept attacking. Weaving around the heartless her body was nothing more than a blur as her blade cut them all down with incredible ferocity. Heartless one after another explodes into a black mist as she continued carving through them.

Her onslaught was only halted by a large dark blue fist coming to her and she jumped back in time to avoid it. But then a secondary Large Body came tumbling toward her in a attempt to ram her. Rolling aside she dodged that as well before she lashed out cutting the two large bodies in half before turning aside just in time to dodge a flying kick from an Air Soldier, barely grazing her cheek.

Wasting no time she grab the air soldier's very same foot and tossing it back into a group of more soldiers where she jumped toward them. Her icy blue eyes narrowed on them she unleashed a spin slash cutting through them all. And as she landed, the young woman looked in-between her messing silver bangs to see the remaining heartless regrouping, readying her blade in hand. The young slowly exhaled before closing her eyes causing a flash of her friends faces to appear at the forefront of her mind.

'Kairi...Sora, I will find you and nothing will stop me!' steeling her resolve, the young woman opened her eyes only to reveal her icy blue orbs smoldering with a deeper fiery blue. Taking a stance a single stance she coiled her muscles for one last assault. In a single burst, the woman cut through the all, moving far faster than she had before. Cutting down all the heartless before they had time to react. She only stopped her assault as the last of the heartless were all cut down by her blade, but the remnants of the heartless was nothing more than a black mist that encompassed her before slowly fading away.

The young woman was taking the moment of reprieve to even her breathing, but as just as it was finished.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

''Very good! Such skill at such a young age, I am truly impressed every time I see it.'' hearing the silky and smooth voice of a woman fro behind her caused the young teen to narrow her eyes before standing upright before looking over her shoulder to see who it was.

''Spying on me again, I assume?'' she questioned in a cold yet snarky tone. Her expression was indifferent, but her eyes were incredibly cold to the person behind her. Yet the person in question wasn't the least bit affected by her cold stare if anything she was amused evident to the fact the older woman merely smirked in response.

The person in question was indeed in fact a woman, much older than the young teen. She was fair and green skinned, her yellow eyes shined with a certain intent that Riku couldn't perceive. She wore a black horned headdress and a tattered black robe with a purple trim and maroon flared edges. The robe itself moved alongside her as if it were alive in of itself. Held in a single hand was a staff with a green orb at the tip.

The woman gave a smooth chuckle which didn't break her slow stride toward the young teen. ''Now, how would it be spying if I revealed myself?'' she gestured back to which Riku gave a small huff before turning her gaze forward. Looking up into the sky, her longing eyes seemed to pierce the veil of the storm that covered the planet allowing her to see the ocean of star's far beyond her.

And in those stars she could see them, if only in her own heart, the faces of her two closest friends.

''...Then why are you here, Maleficent?'' she asked only to receive another chuckle from the Sorceress.

''Why, I came because I wanted to see how you were progressing in your training. When you first arrived here, you were completely beaten down from the path you took. To travel through the darkness like you did, without fear I may add, was nothing short of amazing. But it did leave you incredibly exhausted. To see your quick recovery and ability to fight like that is simply astounding.'' she praised the young teen who simply took in her words as she continued staring aimlessly into the sky.

''But I must say, you are incredibly powerful for your age, where did you learn to fight like that?'' the Dark Witch asked out of pure curiosity. There wasn't any other hidden motive behind this one question because she was truly impressed by Riku's prowess in battle and it made her wonder. Who taught her to fight like that? How did she become so capable at such a young age?

Riku for her part remained silent for a moment as the question made memories of her time as a child up till now began to resurface. Remembering all the fun times she had with her friends and loved ones. And of the one who was her closest and best friend, the very boy who opened her eyes to the world she saw now.

The very same young man who she...

Looking down she decided to answer the Witch. ''Since I was young, I was trained to fight like this from the very same boy I am searching for. His strength is beyond anything I've ever known, he taught me how to fight, how to protect myself. If it was him, he would have finished those Heartless in quarter of the time it took me. And it is because of that strength that I know he'll have escaped our world, and it is why I am searching for him alongside Kairi.'' she spoke earnestly causing Maleficent's eyes to widen at what was just said.

'Interesting. A boy of that same age taught this girl how to fight like she does, and from what she's said he's much stronger than her? How very fascinating...' the Witch thought to only herself, thinking about the implications of what was just revealed to her. If the boy told to her from Riku was as strong as suggested than it would be a good idea to keep a keen eye on his whereabouts.

Which was a problem in of itself seeing as her attempts of tracking down a young brunette boy with round blue innocent eyes had bore no fruit of her extensive labor. Instead, there wasn't a trace of such a lad anywhere in the many extensive worlds she's been to and or monitored through her stronghold. It was truly as if the boy didn't exist.

''Intriguing, but nevertheless I am sure if you continue training like you are you will eventually meet him one day. After all, The Darkness only bends to the will of the strong, and you are most definitely a strong willed person. Continue like you are and you may even surpass him, who knows?~'' she said causing Riku to scowl at the Witch.

The prospect of even surpassing Sora wasn't something Riku wanted at all, the rivalry she shared with Kairi that went against Sora wasn't anything that Maleficent thought it was. It wasn't about surpassing him, the sheer notion alone was insane, it had never been about such a thing. She and Kairi had known, long ago when they were children, that Sora was special. He had moments where he was much smarter than he appeared to be and at moments she and Kairi felt like Sora was much older than he appeared to be.

And the strength he showed was not someone their age was supposed to have. He was stronger and faster than anyone his age, he was prone to battle that was entirely certain. His hunger to get stronger was almost worrying at times when he went to such extremes to train himself that Riku worried for his safety almost every time he wasn't in her sights. She still remembered the times when he would come back from training looking he'd been mauled by a bear or fought a school of sharks.

It was because of his reckless behavior that her and Kairi worried about him to such an extent that they developed their relationship into one of making each other stronger. The rivalry she shared with Kairi wasn't about surpassing Sora, it was to get stronger so that they could stand by his side. To shoulder whatever was thrown their way and make it so that whatever made Sora the way he is, he wouldn't have to face alone.

It was so they could be stronger so they could fight at his side instead of being a burden, that was the one thing neither of the girls could tolerate becoming.

'But I'll let her think whatever she wants, Kairi and I already know what we want and that is to fight at Sora's side. Not as burdens, but as people he can trust in combat. People he can rely on in the heat of the moment. Besides, he has a responsibility to us...in more ways than one.' she ended her mental thought with the smallest of smiles that was hidden, even to Maleficent's eyes.

''Well, seeing as you want to continue training, how about I start teaching you some spells to add to your arsenal, hm?'' she said making Riku shake herself from her thoughts before staring at Maleficent with a look of surprise. But deciding to not look a gift in a horse's mouth she nodded causing the Witch's smile to turn downright cruel.

''Very good, then...'' reaching out with her hand a Ball of Fire swirled to life in the palm of her hand, causing Riku to stare in wonder.

That is until she saw the fireball burst to life in the witches hand causing her to take an instinctive step back from the incredibly powerful Sorceress.

Magical power brimming in her yellow eyes, Maleficent shouted in glee. ''Let's begin!''

''Oh shi-!''

And before she knew it, Riku's vision was flooded with an explosion of fire and mana.

OwO

Walking the halls of Hollow Bastion, Maleficent found herself recounting the events of today. Keeping the heartless in check was always a daily routine since it took her own effort to remind the massive horde that infested the world she resided in who was in charge. The Heartless listened to those with strong hearts and her's was incredibly strong. So it's why it enabled her to control the heartless, to an extent of course.

But her control was still admirable compared to those that worked under her, her control was limited, but those that worked under her among separate worlds was shackled in many aspects. Due to either a lack of faith in their own heart or strength of will to command the Heartless as she could.

But that was neither here nor there, for the Witch found herself recounting the events of today, training her new protege had been a rather...interesting experience to say the least. Once she found her potential in the Darkness, she all but decided to help the young woman get strong so she could find her friends that she lost.

But of course there would be a price to be paid, after all she wasn't the Mistress of all Evil for nothing.

…

''Having fun with your new toy, Witch?"

Suddenly, Maleficent stopped as sudden chill came down within the Grand Hall of the Bastion. Her eyes, for a moment, saw the flicker of the darkness growing thicker and more pronounced and without a missing a beat the woman let loose a smirk that expressed her false generosity. Looking over her shoulder she greeted the origin of the voice with an pep in her tone that spoke of something else entirely.

''Well well well~ I didn't expect you to return so soon, I assume you have finished your mission, yes?'' she asked, her yellow eyes piercing into the darkest corner of the hall where she saw a figure walking out from the darkness. There was no wasted movement in his stride, only a determination that was nigh otherworldly. It was a man by his figure, but that all that could be see as he was cloaked in a black overcoat with a hood that shadowed his face.

''You presume I would ever fail such a trivial task, you wound me Maleficent.'' the figure spoke in a tone that was both deep and foreboding. It was nothing akin to a Human's. There was power in his voice yes, but there was something far more that made a chill run down Maleficent's spine though she hid that very well.

''Oh I would never! You haven't failed me once, but I wager taking over a couple of worlds could be a daunting task for anyone, even someone such as yourself. But I see you've gotten the targets.'' she said causing the cloaked stranger to only snap his fingers and a portal to the Darkness came to life beside him. And out came the unconscious forms of 5 young women each different in appearance.

Maleficent's smirk turned into a grin as she saw the women before her, ''Oh yes~ You work fast my friend. Of the Seven you have brought to me Belle, Aurora, Cinderella, and Snow White 4 of the 7 Princesses of Heart.'' she said before her eye caught onto the 5th straggler making her perk an eyebrow at the appearance of the fifth young woman at her feet. She was unconscious but had the appearance of a warrior of some sort.

''And what of this one? I don't recall asking you to bring stragglers.'' she said causing the cloaked strange to look down at their fifth prisoner.

''She was...apart of a world that intersected with one of the Princesses own worlds. Her duty made it so she could not allow me to pass her world unchecked. And her power was not to be questioned, this one proved to be tolerable in martial prowess and I figured to keep her imprisoned so she didn't get in our way.'' he said causing Maleficent to blink before looking down at the woman with a look of fleeting intrigue.

''I see, very well she'll be kept locked in the dungeons for now. She may prove useful if the time ever presents itself. But for now we have more pressing matters to attend to.'' so with a snap of finger she conjured a group of heartless to carry the pink haired young woman out of the area. And more heartless carried the other four along side Maleficent to another chamber.

Watching the proceedings, the cloaked stranger watched Maleficent vanish with the Princesses in tow and as she vanished the stranger merely looked down and began to chuckle.

''Continue to play your little games, Witch. You'll still end up underestimating the events that follow, as you have done so many times before. I'm more interested in this anomaly, don't you think so...'' he said looking to the side. Staring at a darkened corner of the Grand Hall.

''Ansem?'' he said the name as another cloaked individual, dressed in a long dirty brown cloak with two iron budded belts criss-crossing over his chest. But beneath his and the other stranger's cowl dual pairs of golden eyes peered from within the cowl of their respective hoods.

''Indeed...''

OwO

In Tower of Yen Sid, within the chambers of the Old Sorcerer the spell exchanged between Sora and Sid ended over half an hour ago. And since then the two were left alone in just the silence between them, Sora standing before his former master while Sid was leaned back against his chair. His composure calm and his eyes closed in deep concentration. Not a word was exchanged between the two of them since the spell ended, only the familiar atmosphere between old friends was left.

During this moment of reprieve Sora took the chance to keep track of Aqua's state and feeling her state become stable with the aid of the three fairies made relief course throughout his already tense body.

''Sora...'' Sid broke the silence as his eyes slowly drifted open, his beady black eyes staring straight through the cowl of Sora's hood and directly into his eyes. And slowly the smallest of smiles cracked across the old man's hardened expression.

''Take off that hood, let me see the face of my old student.'' he gestured good naturedly making Sora smile beneath the cowl of his hood and he did as ordered. Grabbing his hood he pulled it down revealing his mess of brown/blonde hair and his experienced blue eyes to his old mentor.

''So I take it you remember now, Old man Sid?'' Sora said causing Sid's smile to falter before he looked down at his hands.

''Bits and pieces are all I can remember at this moment. The most important of events I can clearly see, I remember training you and your friend Riku for the Trials. I can somewhat remember the war, but as I've said it's all bits and pieces.'' he said causing Sora to nod at this. He expected this to be entirely honest.

''I'm not surprised, it'd be impossible for anyone to relive their entire future in the span of the time I gave you. Now that you remember me, it'll all come back eventually given time.'' he said to which Sid seemed to accept with a nod before he stared at his old way ward student with a look of pride, but one of wariness.

''Yes, but I have so many questions, what happened during the War? What happened to you and the other Warriors? How did we lose? How did you...end up here?...No...a better question is...'' he stopped his questions as he stood up eyeing Sora for all he was worth as he walked around his desk, coming directly toward Sora.

''What happened to you, Sora?'' there was a certain tone in his voice that made Sora inwardly curse the intellect and keen awareness of his old master. That the one thinghe hoped no one, especially his old master would notice.

''W-what do you mean Old Man?'' he tried to deny it but he and the Old man both knew to try and hide anything from him was impossible. And it was true as Sid's eyes narrowed on him with a look of extreme anger.

...Then it vanished and all that was left was a sense of sadness that made Sora freeze up. Sid merely raised his hand and placed his on his old protege's shoulder comfortingly.

''I see...I see now...You have endured so much, I am surprised you are still able to stay sane after everything you've had to endure. The Light and the Darkness is strong in you, but I sense...something deeper. Something...much more. Righteous yet Hollow, Bright yet Cold. Is that...is that what you lost when everything you loved was taken from you?" he spoke out causing Sora's eyes to widen in pure shock as Sid's work struck home.

''M-master...'' really that was all he could say to the man who in question for the longest time in his life offered a smile to the mentally aged and scarred time traveler.

''Let this be known between us, your sacrifice, everything you lost, all you held dear, it must have painful. You have in turn lost something important, but I find that you will find something even greater this time around to fill in that gap in which you lost. With the love of those you cherish, and one of those people is waiting for you...'' he said and turning the stunned Sora around he pushed the young man forward causing him to stumble, but looking over his shoulder he saw Sid offering his a generous expression.

''Go to her, we can talk later, rest assured Sora.'' he said and for a moment Sora stayed looking at his old master before a small smile lit his face.

''Sure old man...sure...'' and without another word Sora raced out while Sid watched him leave and as the doors closed behind Sora. Sid's expression turned into one that could only be simplified into one thing.

Anger.

Such was Sid's anger his godlike control over his own magic slipped causing a nearby meteor near his world to compress before being reduced into dust.

'Xehanort, You treacherous swine! To have turned that young boy into what he is today...I'll be sure to finish what Eraqus started long ago!.' thought the old Sorcerer whose anger at the man who caused all this was at all new height.

OwO

Upon finding the guestroom, Sora had to stop himself from ripping the doors off, instead he stopped and took a breath to calm himself and once he did he quietly opened the door. Inside he had to hold back a frown once his eyes laid on Aqua's bedridden form, seeing her state even though she was out of danger did not sit well with Sora in the slightest.

Taking a quick check that the fairies were gone he quietly closed the door behind him and took hold of a chair and put it at Aqua's bedside. And once he sat down, he grabbed her bandaged right hand in his own.

''Aqua...'' her name rolled off the tip of his tongue as he looked at the worn out woman before him. Her long unkempt blue hair was sprawled out over her pillow, her pale, almost frail body tore at Sora more than most would assume.

''Aqua...'' holding her hand in his own Sora leaned his forehead against her beaten knuckles and for that moment, in what felt like centuries to Sora. He allowed his scarred heart to open, causing a single tear to fall from his eye, sliding down his cheek it fell on her hand as the time traveler slumped down to Aqua.

''This time...this time I'll make sure you never get hurt again, I'll protect you all, from everyone and everything. I've lost it all once and I cannot, above all else lose you again Aqua. So please, Aqua, believe in me.'' that was all he could say as he brought her hand to his mouth. Sitting back, he held her hand and as the events began to catch up with him in the form of exhaustion he missed a light extract itself from him and travel through his hand into Aqua's.

It was brief, half of a second, but her outer body gave a faint blueish glow, but as it faded Aqua gave an unconscious smile of relief before her hand wrapped around Sora's in a gentle grip. For within the depths of her heart, her soul let out a cry to Sora's promise to her.

"And I too, will cherish all that you are, Sora.''

Done! I think this was done appropriately, to settle what I have in mind this all needed to be put in place because the events of KH and KH 2 will be VERY different from how they once were. Same premise, but well...different. Yeah.

Riku's Training: We never got much backstory to Riku's growth in the game when he was found by Maleficent and I decided to expand on that with this chapter. It also allowed me to expand Maleficent's personality more than what the game has shown so far. Not that she'll end up being a good guy or anything.

Mysterious Stranger: All I will say is he will be playing a key role so just keep tabs on him guys.

Sora revealing himself to Sid: Yeah I know this is gonna pop up, but I believe this was the best way for Sora to begin his intentions of changing the past. The only person he trusts with this kind of sensitive information is his own Master. And as you can see it's going to make the conversations between themselves for the next chapter very interesting.

Sora and Aqua: Since this is a romance fic I'm deciding to focus on that genre some more as well. Believe it or not I am a sucker for this pairing, er...well for any of my favorite pairings. So it goes without saying I'll be making the development of Sora's relationship with Aqua and the other girls more interesting experience to be sure.

P.S. : I'll be out getting Final Fantasy Type Zero tonight, I might record the demo for Final Fantasy XV as well on twitch and possibly Youtube if it will let me.

With all that said, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and look forward to the next one.

Peace!