Chapter 22

Saving Grace

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

"Magic"

Flashback

Location / Date / Time Skip

Dark Coastline

A Dark Tower swirled around the sand before a cross slash from Riku and Mickey pushed it back. The swarm took to the sky before dove into the water. The two Masters looked around in a panic before the horde erupted from under them, splitting the two apart. It then slammed into Riku, sending him rolling around the sand.

His Keyblade faded before the tower erupted and launched Mickey into the air, sending his sword flying to the ground. The swarm started swirling around and turned into a black orb, confusing Riku. A shadow clad figure suddenly erupted from it and landed in the beach. Mickey's head was exposed as he and Riku watch the unknown person walk over to the Starseeker.

The person reached down and picked up the sword before holding it to their face. "This... Keyblade..."

Mickey perked up at the sound of the voice. "That voice..."

The swirling shadows slowly died down, revealing Master Aqua, but at the same time, it wasn't her. Her hair had become bleached blue, her eyes now yellow, and her once-white dress darkened and become tattered. Her arms and legs have also begun to darken, and her hands are now black with red fingertips. Clutched in her right hand was a white, scale-patterned scarf.

"Mickey..." The girl turned and glared the king in anger. "You're too late..."

"What happened?" The king asked in horror.

Aqua merely turned and dropped into a fighting stance. "Everyone abandoned me." She declared. "You, Terra, Ven, Master Eraques, even Natsu. You all left me in this shadow prison, knowing what it would do to me." The girl turned and started walking over the water. "He and I reached this shore after endless wandering, waited for what seemed like forever to help.

"But the only one who came took him away from me, and this-" She raised the scarf up for the two to see. "Is all that they left behind. I lost my Keyblade, my armor, my only companion... Do you have any idea how lonely it is here? How frightening it to have no one? Of course you wouldn't, having all your subjects for years."

She came to a stop and turned back to the two. "All that's left in my heart is misery and despair... and now I can share it!"

Riku walked forward and stared at the girl. "No need to share." He replied. "Got my own." Riku held out his hand and summoned his sword before walking onto the water. Mickey was suddenly pulled in front of Riku before the swarm suddenly swallowed him. The tower started lurching forward and Riku jumped before swinging his blade.

His weapon struck the tower and it buckled a bit before it launched the Shadow Heartless at him. Triggering his Dark Dodge, Riku avoided the flying creatures before stabbing it from behind. Aqua suddenly appeared in front of him and swung her sword, forcing Riku to block. The girl suddenly disappeared before Riku was hit from behind.

He rolled away and found himself surrounded by four large purple crystals. They all exploded at the same time and showered Riku in ice before Aqua suddenly swung her arm. The Keyblade swirled around her and struck Riku twice before he managed to block. Aqua vanished in a purple portal before the tower appeared again.

It snaked about and Riku jumped before flipping over, his sword acting like a saw to cut through the dark creatures. Aqua appeared again and swung her sword, hitting Riku in the face. He tumbled over the water before forcing himself up to avoid another stab.

A beacon of light suddenly erupted from the sky before Sora landed next to Riku, water dropping to the sea. "I made it!" Riku smirked before the two friends placed their hands next to each other. Two stain glass Keyblades appeared and the pair raised their arms before slamming them down.

The Keyblade sliced through the tower and vaporized the Heartless before it tossed Mickey to the shore. Riku raced to the King's side, only for Aqua to zoom across the water. Riku turned and tried to summoned his own sword, only for Aqua to reach him first. A shockwave launched water into the air, before Sora pushed the girl back.

The two friends shared a small chuckle before Riku asked the question he wanted to ever since Sora arrived. "How?"

Sora smirked before holding out both hands. His palms glowed before the Master's Defender and Dragon's Breath Keyblades appeared in his hands. "I had a little help." He chuckled. "Watch over the King, I've got this."

Riku nodded before racing over to Mickey's side. Aqua stared at the red blade before she cried out, grabbing her head in pain. Dark mist started floating off of her before it traveled to the scarf, turning the fabric black. Her hair turned back to its normal shade and her eyes were once again their vibrant blue. "What... what happened..."

The dark sea suddenly rose up and began swallowing her, her eyes fluctuating between yellow and blue. A dark mist started rolling off her only for it to start sinking and swarming around the scarf. Her head was once again screaming in pain as she grabbed it.

"H-help me..." She begged as the dark ocean started rising up. Sora quickly pointed both blades at her and both fired a beam of pure light into her heart. A pool of darkness started bubbling up under her before her legs gave out. Aqua fell backwards as a Keyblade returned to Mickey's side.

The corruption dripped off the Keyblade Master before she sank into the water, the scarf never leaving her hand. She sank into the water as she opened her eyes, seeing only a small light. "So... this is the end..." She mumbled before closing her eyes, ready to accept her fate.

.

.

.

"Aqua!"

A familiar voice caused her to snap her eyes open. She glanced around trying to find Natsu before she looked straight up. There she saw Natsu was offering her his hand with a smile. "Natsu..." She reached out and grabbed his hand. Light filled the girls vision before she pushed herself up.

She gripped the ground only to find it was sand. Her eyes trailed around before she looked forward, staring at Ven and Terra. She blinked her eyes and they turned into Sora and Riku, both calling out her name. "Thank goodness, you're awake!" She turned to the side and found Mickey next to her.

"Mickey..." She smiled before looking around, finding herself on a familiar beach. "Are these... the Destiny Islands?" She asked, making Mickey nod. "When did they fall to darkness?" She asked, pushing herself up to her knees.

Riku smirked and shook his head. "You're in the realm of light."

The master gasped in shock as she stared up at the sky. Tears started welling up in her eyes as the mob of five swarmed her. She hugged them back before panic filled her mind as she looked around franticly. Lapping against the shore was Natsu's scarf, the white fabric now dyed a pitch black.

Keyblade Graveyard

Xinkrid sat in a chair as he stared up at Natsu, who continued to cry out in pain from the darkness being forced into him. Footsteps caught his attention and he turned to see Vanitas walking over. Natsu looked down and glared at the masked teen as he shut off the machine. Natsu lowered his head and sweat poured off his face, staining the ground. "What... do you want?"

"Thought you would like some good news." The masked teen chuckled, a smirk hidden under his headwear. "We found your little girlfriend after all this time." Natsu snapped up and his eyes went wide. "And she's going to bring me right to my brother."

"You... won't win..." Natsu panted out, black veins now dancing on his face.

"I beg to differ." Vanitas chuckled before spinning a dial and pressing a button. The procedure resumed and Natsu cried out in pain as Vanitas turned on his heels before glancing at Xinkrid. "Make sure your sister doesn't do anything stupid while I'm gone."

Castle Oblivion

Aqua lead the trio world travelers down the mist covered road. "You sure about this, Aqua?" Goofy asked.

"If you want, we can take you back to Master Yen Sid's tower." Sora added. "Have you rest with Riku and the King. Maybe even help purify that scarf?"

Aqua shook her head in response. "Ven's been expecting me. Natsu might not be with us, but I should still wake him up. We promised to be right back, but I'm not even close. I'm in for an earful."

The four reached the memory messing castle and she stared at it, her hand over her heart. Aqua lowered her hand and summoned her masters blade before pointing it at the door. A beam of light shot off the tip and the whole castle began glowing. Aqua thrusted the Keyblade forward and an explosion of light forced the other three back.

When they lower their arms, the castle had changed into its original form for their surprise. Aqua lead them inside and they followed her to the main chamber, finding Ventus sleeping on the center chair.

Aqua raced forward and hugged her friend. "I'm sorry it took so long. And I'm sorry Natsu isn't here with me." She pulled back and shook him a bit, trying to wake him up. "Ven, open your eyes! Please." His body never moved an inch, much to Aqua's sadness. "Why? Did your heart never find it's way home?"

"Talk about a neat trick." The four turned around and saw Vanitas walking forward, much to their horror. "No wonder no one could find him."

Sora and his team prepared for a fight as Aqua raced in front of Ventus and stood guard. "Why are you here?"

"So sorry to interrupt your little reunion, but you won't begrudge me a moment with my brother?" The masked man asked. Sora and his team charged with weapons ready only for Vanitas to phase past them. He phased again and Aqua looked for him, only to find him sitting atop Ventus' chair.

Aqua turned around and stared at him in anger. "So Venty-wenty wants to keep sleeping? What am I ever going to do with you?"

"Shut up!" Aqua summoned the Master's Defender and jumped up. She swung the blade, only for the masked teen to summon his own sword and block her.

"Settle down there, 'master'." He teased before pushing her back. He jumped off the chair as Aqua flipped in the air before both landed on the ground in front of Sora.

"Aqua, let us handle him." The islander said from behind.

The Keyblade Master shook her head in response. "No, I'm ending this."

"But,... you haven't recovered yet." Sora replied in concern.

Aqua turned around and looked at him with stern eyes. "Sorry, but you've seen me too weak too often. Now it's my turn to shine." She waved her hand and a magical wall pushed the three back. Vanitas entered a fighting stance as Aqua held out her other hand and summoned Natsu's sword.

The two charged and swung their swords before Aqua raised Natsu's and swung down. Vanitas jumped to the side and fired a dark fireball at her. She blocked with blades and rolled to the side from a slam. A quick recovery let her charge and swing both swords before thrusting both forward. Vanitas slid back before vanishing in a teleport.

He dropped from above and struck the back of her head before swinging his blade up and down before slamming the tip into her gut. A blast of fire erupted and sent her sliding back before he jumped up. Aqua threw her master's blade and it spun like a disc. The Keyblade hit and he lost all momentum before droppong to the ground. The master then nipped up and ran her hand along Natsu's weapon, the back catching fire.

She swung and a wave of fire flew and hit the masked teen. She held the other hand and her second blade returned to her before she charged again. Her body glowed as she entered her Spellweaver drive and four magic orbs of light flew around her. Vanitas rolled and charged as well, dark fire surrounding him.

The eight orbs hit and created a series of explosions. Smoke obscured the trio outside the dome before a pair of feet landed on the wall. Aqua bounced off the dome and swung her blades, forcing Vanitas back. He glanced to his 'brother' and fired a dark fireball at the wall, cracking it. He sent another fireball at the wall, only for Aqua to jump in front and take the hit.

She rolled along the ground and her swords returned to magic. Vanitas chuckled as he walked over and aimed his sword over her heart. Sora and the others banged on the magic shield before light started shining from Ven. Vanitas looked up as a beam broke through the dome.

"AQUA!"

Ventus swung his sword and hit his 'brothers' blade, creating an explosion of light and darkness that shattered the rest of the energy barrier. Sora and his team raced over, only for Vanitas to jump over them. "Three guardians is more than I care to face." He declared. "But now that my brother is awake, I'm certain he'll come to visit."

A portal of darkness opened behind the masked teen and swallowed him. Sora turned around and saw Ven helping Aqua up to her feet. "Aqua, are you all right?" He asked as the three walked over.

"Yes, I'm fine, Sora." She nodded in response as Ven gasped at Sora in surprise.

"You're... Sora!?" He asked in surprise. The islander nodded before offering a hand. "You were my second chance..." Sora tilted his head in confusion before Ven shook his hand. "Call me Ven."

Aqua placed her hand on Ven's hair and smiled. "Good morning, Ven."

The boy chuckled and smiled back at her. "Morning, Aqua." Ven looked around in confusion as if he was looking for someone. "So where's Natsu?"

Yen Sid's Tower

The warriors of light had gathered and stood before the retired master. "At last, we are all assembled." The wizard said with a small smile. "Sora, Riku, Donald, Goofy, Mickey, I cannot thank you enough for what you have done. And you, Aqua and Ventus; we are most fortunate to have back."

"Thanks. I only wish we could have returned to help sooner." She replied. "And that Natsu was with us."

"Don't worry, we'll save him." Ventus said with determination.

"I feel bad, letting you all down." Mickey spoke up with sorrow in his voice. "We tried, but we still haven't found Terra. And we still have no clue where Natsu might be."

"They studied with Master Eraqus, just like us." Aqua replied. "Wherever they are, they're fighting."

"Mickey told me that you and Natsu saved me in the realm of darkness." Riku said. "I should have gone to help, but I was too inexperienced. I'm sorry. I know that I let you both down."

"No, just the opposite." Aqua replied.

"Did you know Riku's a true Keyblade master now?" Goofy asked, trying to impress Aqua. "The King, too."

"But Sora still needs work." Donald teased, making the others laugh.

"I'm happy to see you haven't changed one bit." Aqua said, confusing the islander. "You probably don't remember, do you?" Sora nervously rubbed his cheek before finally shaking his head. "It's okay." He nervously smiled as she chuckled.

Lea coughed and Yen Sid turned to the new pair. "Ah, yes. Let us not forget out newest Keyblade wielders. Lea, Kairi, you both have made tremendous strides."

"That's future 'Keyblade Master'-"

"Kairi?" Aqua asked in surprised, cutting Lea off as she walked over. The bluenette leaned in and studied the necklace hanging around her clavicle. "It is you."

"You know her?" Mickey asked in confusion.

Aqua nodded as she turned back to the mouse. "When Natsu and I first meet you in Radiant Garden, the Unversed tried to attack a little girl. Remember?" Kairi blinked in confusion at the conversation. "I guess it must've worked- the spell I cast on you back then."

"I-I'm sorry. Those days are a bit hazy to me." Kairi confessed. "But... I remember a man giving me his magic scarf..."

"That was Natsu." Aqua explained. "He thought it would cheer you up and keep you brave."

Lea coughed again, catching everyone's attention. "This is all very touching guys, but where do I fit in? Ven looks just like Roxas- or is it the other way around? Not to mention I have to explain all of that to him, which is in itself a crazy long story, and everyone already knows everyone, and this is an insane amount to get memorized!"

"Sorry, Lea." Ven spoke up.

Lea stared in shock of the boy. "You remember me?"

"Why wouldn't I? We're friends." The Roxas look alike replied. "Can't believe you became a Keyblade wielder just like me."

Lea mumbled in disbelief before Sora glanced back between the two. "Axel, you know Ven?"

"Axel, who's Axel?" Ven asked, unknowingly proving the tall males point as the others laugh.

"Well, we have our seven guardians." Mickey declared.

"Yeah, but I feel bad that Terra, Roxas, Natsu and Naminé couldn't be with us." Sora mumbled in disappointment.

"Sora, when did you start moping around?" Riku teased. "Terra and Natsu are with the Organization, which means we'll have a chance to save them both."

"Leave them to us. We'll bring them both home." Aqua declared as Ven nodded.

"I'll handle bringing Roxas back." Lea added. "Don't know how, but I'll figure it out."

Kairi raised her hand and placed it over her heart. "Naminé is right here, safe with me. I know that we'll find a way to help her. Trust me, I'm not giving up."

"Kairi's right. We're all in this together." Mickey declared.

Sora nodded again before the warriors turned to the retired master. "It is a shame that all of our friends could not be here. But our seven guardians of light have been united. Perhaps you might say we have nine with Donald and Goofy. Given time, I know the others will stand with us.

"Today, you recuperate. On the morrow, you journey to the fated place of battle." The warriors nodded and they all turned to leave the tower. "Aqua, Ventus, a moment." The two stopped as the others left the room. "Tomorrow will be uncertain as regards to Natsu and Terra. Are you prepared if you have to face them?"

Ven hugged his arm in worry when Aqua grabbed his shoulder. "We won't have too. Natsu is too strong to give up, and we won't either. We'll all save Terra and go home together."

The retired master smiled at the answer. "Then a small gift." Yen Sid waved his hand and a Natsu's scarf appeared, pure white once more. "And a good luck charm. Now rest."

Ven and Aqua sat down on the steps and stared up at the sky. "The stars here are so beautiful." Ven declared. "I noticed them when we arrived. It's been so long since we've seen had this chance."

"I know." Aqua agreed as Ven sat down on the stairs.

"I... remember dreaming a lot." He confessed. "Of you, Natsu and Terra. Of Sora and his friends too, I think. And there were people there I didn't recognize. Not to mention these weird animal creatures. It's like I've been part of a big adventure."

Aqua smiled before sitting down next to him. "I've been to places, too. But pretty soon... thing's will be back to normal."

Ven chuckled before pulling out his Wayfinder from his back pocket and held it up to the sky. "We need to share stories with both of them when they come back."

Aqua pulled out her charm and Natsu's before holding them both high. "Yeah..." She mumbled, a small breeze blowing Natsu's scarf. "I've been hiding something for far too long... when we finally save him, I'm going to tell Natsu the truth."

The Next Day

Keyblade Graveyard

Broken Keyblades littered the ground of the wasteland that once held so much life. The nine warriors walked through the stone cavern and stepped back into the light of the sun. Wind blew sand off the ground and blocked their eye sight. The breeze slowly died and Ven was the first to lower his arms.

His eyes went wide as Terra stood in front of them, his head staring at the ground. "Terra!" The boy raced forward to his friend and grabbed his hand. "Terra! We found you!" The brunette merely turned his head and stared at the younger teen.

Aqua raced after and reached the two boys. "Terra, please say you're in there..." She begged. He turned his eyes to her and she pulled Ven back.

"What gives, Aqua?" Ven asked in annoyance as the others raced up.

"I know that you're not him." The Keyblade Master declare, shocking Ven. "Now let Terra go!"

The teen merely chuckled as his hair turned white from the roots out and his eyes turned yellow. "He IS their thirteenth!" Mickey declared.

"Today is the day you all lose." Terranort declared as dark mist rolled off his body. "Before you even face the thirteen, every last one of you will be torn heart from body. But fear not." He opened his palm and Xehanort's keyblade appeared. "The X-Blade will still be forged."

The others quickly dropped into a fighting stance as Sora stared at him. "We won't lose to you."

The possessed teen merely smirked before he suddenly vanished from sight. Aqua gasped before she turned to see him swing his blade and knocked Ven back. The teen flew back and rolled on the ground before coming to a stop. "That's it!" Sora summoned his own sword and charged before swinging.

An orb of dark energy blocked the blade, holding it in place. Terranort pushed his hand forward and the energy pushed Sora back. He then turned to Lea and Kairi before launching himself at the pair. Lea jumped in front of the princess and blocked the swing, which sent him flying to the side. "Axel!"

Kairi turned to see Terranort raising his arm high for a swing. Sora pushed himself up and raced forward, shocking the others. He wrapped himself around his crush and braced himself for the blow, only for a loud clang to fill his ears. He turned to see the boy pushed back from the impact of his sword with Goofy's shield.

Donald raced in between them and a massive magical circle appeared under him. Goofy landed on the ground with a thud and quickly pushed himself up. "Donald, don't!" The knight begged, only for his cries to go ignored as the court wizard pointed his wand forward.

"Zettaflare!"

A massive beam of fire shot out and the possessed teen braced for the impact only to be sent flying into sky. The duck glowed for a few seconds before his wand dropped to the ground. Donald stumbled forward before falling to the ground. Goofy and Mickey raced over to their friend as Aqua and Kairi did the same to Ven and Lea.

"This... can't be real." Sora mumbled in fear. A massive black portal opened before him and a massive swarm of Shadows spiraled out.

Riku quickly raced over and pushed on his friend's shoulder. "Get it together, Sora!" The silverette shouted. "We haven't lost them. They still have their hearts. But we have to protect them."

Steeling his nerves, Sora nodded as Aqua walked over to the two. "We stand together." The old friends nodded and the trio raced forward, summoning their blades to fight the swarm. "Goofy, Mickey, Kairi, watch over the others."

"No, we should all get to safety while we still can!" Mickey shouted back.

Riku turned around and faced the king. "It's too late for that." Another swarm of Shadows shot out of the cavern and joined the spiral, making it grow into a massive tornado.

Aqua stumbled back in shock as fire erupted from the base of the storm. "It... can't be..." She mumbled before the swarm suddenly swallowed her. A spiraling stream of Heartless picked up Ven, and another grabbed Kairi and Lea. Mickey and Goofy flinched as a third swallowed them and Donald.

Sora and Riku turned around and tried to grab Kairi, only the swarm was too strong and pulled her in. Sora dropped to his knees and cried in agony before pounding the ground in frustration. Riku raced over as Sora pushed himself up, tears forming in his eyes. "They're all gone... Kairi, the King... gone forever. What do we do now?

"All my strength came from them. They gave me all of it. Alone without them, I'm worthless." Riku had no time to respond as another swarm charged them. The Keyblade Master raised his blade and thrusted forward, carving through the creatures.

"Sora, you don't believe that!" He grunted out as he pushed harder. "I know you don't!"

Sora pushed himself up and watched in horror as the darkness started enclosing onto Riku. He reached out to grab him, only for the swarm to swallow him. With fear in his eyes, Sora could do nothing but watch as the swarm swallowed him as well.

Journal Update

Anti-Aqua -Aqua, after she fell to darkness. Xehanort cast her into the water depths of the realm of darkness. Without Natsu to strengthen her hold, she succumbed to her anger and depression. Now she seeks only to share her misery.

Demon Tide - A dark swarm of Shadows, gathered into a massive, seething cloud. The fact that its foul ilk has been seen not just in the realm of darkness but in the realm of light is surely a harbinger of some coming evil.

Well... talk about a rollercoaster of a chapter. Saving Aqua and Ven in one swoop, only for both to 'die' later. Just a heads up, I will be skipping over the heart recovery bit next chapter since we should all know what happens there. Speaking of next chapter, that is going to be one hell of a ride for everyone, be it a reader or character in it.

Beta read by The 3rd Dragneel