Kingdom Hearts: Hearts in Unison (Chapter 40 posted)

[Sephiroth0812]

Well, yeah, this is the very first step I take into the field of Fanfiction-writing around here.
And it is in fact my very first story both in English (as I'm native German) as well as in Kingdom Hearts.
It takes off a bit after the scenes in Blank Points when Kairi gives Sora the good luck charm and will be essentially my take on the future unfolding story, which does not necessarily mean incorporating all things we know so far of Dream Drop Distance.
On a side note, this story will not contain any official pairings or stuff, just close bonds between hearts and people.

The story itself is already somewhat progressed (up to chapter 41 as of 26th February 2012) and I will most likely post a new chapter every Saturday or Sunday if I have the time.

EDIT: Due to my work requiring more attention at the moment I will resort to posting a chapter every second week until further notice.

Italic text without quotation marks represents thoughts.
--- => three dashes within a chapter indicate a location change.

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Prologue: The sleepover decision

“Man, that was a strenuous task to get my father’s approval, I assure you.” Kairi sighed while leaning back on the couch inside Sora’s room.

“Whaa…? How come? Havenn’t we been friends since we were little?” Sora gave her a puzzled look, sitting on his bed with legs crossed.

On the other side of the room, sitting in Sora’s desk chair, Riku let out a short chuckle.
“Oh Sora, sometimes you really are clueless, aren’t you?”

“Hey, what’s that supposed to mean, ha?” The spiky-haired brunette pouted back in mock annoyance.
“Easy lad, look, if you had a daughter and she would ask you to get permission to have a sleepover with two guys…don’t you think there would be a little worrying at all? Especially at our age span?” Riku lectured in a semi-professional manner, ending it with a playful smirk.

“Ah, come on Riku, as would one of us ever do something inappropriate to Kairi, seriously…” Sora flipped Mickey’s letter in his hand, shaking his head.

“Yeah, we all know that, but hey, you know how parents think sometimes…” Kairi giggled and pushed one strand of her hair back behind her ear.

Sora sighed, but then grinned widely. “Yup, they can cope better with us being away for long periods of time than having a girl spending a night with two of her closest male friends, now that’s what I would call weird…”

“Speaking of which, shouldn’t we go down to business? As far as I remember, we didn’t decide on this sleepover just for fun…” Riku answered, his eyes facing his comrades with a serious look.

“You’re right Riku…we’ve to set up a plan. After all, the king wrote in his letter that this third journey laying before you may be even more difficult than the first two combined.” Kairi nodded in agreement, snatching the letter from Sora’s hand.

“No Kairi, it’s not about the journey itself…that we’ll have to discuss with the king…” Sora mumbled, lowering his head and clutching his hands.

Kairi was flabbergasted. “But Sora, then what…?”
“It’s about you…” Sora whispered, his voice uneasy and hollow.
Kairi huffed, got up and stood in front of Sora, hands at her hips. “Now will you spill it out? Why do I have to pull out every word from your nose?”

Sora looked aside. “Well, this isn’t easy for me, but, as it stands now you won’t accompany us, which is arguably for the better. Nevertheless I’m also not content with leaving you here on the islands again…”

“Why not? You just said it won’t be appropriate for me to accompany you, so what other scenario would there be?” Kairi replied, obviously irritated.

“Well, I assume it’s because of what happened last time.” Riku threw in while standing up and also moving towards the bed Sora was sitting on.

She turned to gaze at Riku. “You mean that Organization-incident? But the Organization is history, Sora, Donald, Goofy, the king and you defeated everyone of them.”

“That may be true, but there are still Maleficent and Pete…furthermore, nearly everyone of my enemies know that you’re my weak spot. Dammit Kairi, I just don’t want to go out and then later find out that you’re in danger and used as a bargaining chip again.”
Both Kairi and Riku were surprised by Sora’s sudden outburst, he jumping up from the bed, standing directly before the girl and locking his deep blue eyes with hers.

“Please understand Kairi, I’m afraid you’ll get hurt…therefore I wanted us to discuss where we can have you stay more safely.”

Kairi gulped, her cheeks getting all red. “Silly you, if it’s not me it’ll someone of the others you’ll worry about. Going by that premise you’d have way too many weak spots.” She replied softly while turning a tad aside, yet still not breaking eye contact.
Now it was Sora’s turn to blush. “Uuuh, yeah, guess you’re right. But don’t you think it
would lessen the burden if I know at least that you’ll be safe?”
She nodded with a warm smile. “Ok then, let’s think about an appropriate place. Actually I myself would wish for a place where I can start to improve myself.”

Riku had now reached the other two and crossed his arms before his chest. “Improve yourself? What exactly do you have in mind?”

The girl in pink chuckled. “Oh my, Riku, you usually aren’t the one who’s that slow…if I ever want to be a help for you two instead of just being a burden I’ll have to start to learn some abilities, at least in the self defense department, don’t you agree?”

He was actually baffled by his friend’s determined look. Does she mean that for real? She’s a princess of heart so she should have some innate powers for sure…but how to awaken them…?

“Wait Kairi, do actually mean you want to learn how to fight???” Sora looked greatly irritated.

The girl let out a small sigh again before answering. “Well…if you want to put it that way, yes, why should I let you two guys doing all of it alone everytime? Beside, if I could kick some heartless-ass myself you wouldn’t need to worry about me that much anymore.”

Geez Louise, what has Kairi drunk for dinner??? Is she really serious…Sora raised his arms in surprise, his eyes glancing between his two friends.

“N…No, if you learn to fight you’ll might overestimate your strength and go against an opponent way above your level, then I’ll even more worried.” He squeaked.

“Sora, I think you’ve overdramatizing it…that statement of going on the front lines wasn’t really meant seriously, am I right, Kairi?
And to be honest, I think that teaching Kairi some defensive moves while we are on our journey might come in handy someday.” Riku retorted, quiet and serious without taking his glance away from Kairi.

“Of course it wasn’t meant serious…however I do want to understand my inside powers better and learn to actually do something instead of just standing at the sidelines and watch.
I’ve always thought about it since I came to know what I am…what does it actually mean to be a princess of heart?”
The girl was now walking up and forth before Sora’s bed, seeming visibly frustrated.

“I realize I’ve much to learn…but I figure it would take too long to do it on my own.”

Riku nodded slightly. “I’ve expected it’ll come to this one day…alright, so, shall we now think about a suitable place for Kairi to stay? I assume you understand her reasoning now better, do you?” , turning his eyes on the brunette boy again.

Sora had by now regained his composure, and let out a smile. “Very well then Kairi, if you want to explore your hidden potential I should be the last to disagree with it. Riku, do you think that maybe Queen Minnie would be a suitable master do teach Kairi some basic magic?
You see, we must find some way to get to Disney Castle anyways if we’re gonna talk to the king. Then we could just take Kairi with us and leave her in the care of Queen Minnie and Duchess Daisy when we move out. So, what do you think?”
The boy sat down on his bed again, his eyes resting on his best friend’s face in excitement, eagerly awaiting his response.

“Well, I don’t know about her majesties abilities, but if she agrees to teach Kairi why not. Letting her stay at Disney Castle would also not require a detour on our part.” Riku brushed a strand of his silver hair aside, signalling his younger pal his approvement with another short nod.

“Yeah, thanks Riku. And you know, that place is probably one of the safest for Kairi to stay, too. Because it’s protected by that cornerstone of light Donald, Goofy and I saved in our last journey…” Sora added with joyful satisfaction.

“That sounds fine with me…” Kairi sat down on the couch with a satisfied look, getting a blanket ready.

“Alright, that’s settled. Tomorrow we’ve to look how to get off the islands. But now, if Kairi gets the couch, and you’re in your bed, where I am supposed to sleep? On the floor? Why didn’t you get the addiotional mattress from the attic, Sora?” Riku growled, frowning and displaying a false annoyed expression, his pillow and blanket under his arms.

Sora, who had already discarded his slippers and jacket, looked up with a surprised face.
“What? Since when do you need that old, felts mattress. Everytime you had a sleepover here we shared my bed…remember?”

Kairi, who already was under her blanket, snickered. “I would love to see that…”

Riku sighed, shaking his head in disbelief. “ Sora…we’re best friends you know, but sharing a bed is only possible if it is big enough. That aside, you move too much inside your sleep and I don’t want your stinkin’foot in my mouth…the last time we did this we were still little kids…your bed will collapse now if we both get into it.”

“Hey, I’m not moving in my sleep…and why do you think the bed would collapse? Did you gain that much weight already?”

“How can you tell if you move when you’re asleep? And just you wait about me gaining much weight, who’s the one that can’t get enough of ice-cream, huh?” Riku countered and threw his pillow at Sora, who catched it with one hand.

“Ok, ok, I’m actually too tired for a pillow fight right now…let’s move that to tomorrow. However, you have a point since we both grew a lot since our last sleepover.” The brunette boy chuckled while getting under his own blankets.

“Well, thanks for noticing the obvious, so do you expect me to get that mattress from the attic alone?”
The silverhaired teen let out a disgruntled snort.

“No need…” came the mumbled response from the other boy out of his own pillow. “Take a look at that second cupboard beside my desk, it’s actually a hideaway bed which stood in our guest room in the past.”

Riku turned and pulled at the handle. It’s indeed a bed…so Sora just wanted to tease me…but you’ll be sure to regret that later, spikey-head…
He fetched his pillow and finally got to bed at last.

Sora in the meantime turned around in his bed, laying on his back he stared at the dark ceiling of his room.
This new journey might be harder than the last, but this time we’ll not slide into it unprepared. Kairi will be as safe as she can get and this time I’ll have Riku by my side, together we’ll be unstoppable. On top of that, we’ll be sure to have the assistance of King Mickey, maybe even of Leon and the others to bring all to a good end. I will definitely save all those who are waiting for me, no matter how hard it may be.

The young keyblade wielder felt his eyelids becoming heavy…soon sleep would claim him. However, just before he fell asleep, he felt a small twitch in his heart, and very far away there was a quiet voice calling his name.

…Sora!

Mmmh, who’s there?
Before he could hear any answer, he finally gave in to sleep.

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Any constructive critic (especially on language since English is not my first) and other reviews are highly welcome. ;)

[Taochan]

So excited to continue reading this great fanfic! :3

[Youniquee]

I really, really like this Prolouge. And I'm not just saying that either. The way you portrayed each character was spot on. I am slightly crying because Sora and Riku didn't sleep in the same bed (inner fan girl coming out) But that's not the point. I usually dislike proluges, but this one actually kept me reading, I'm interested what's going to come next. :3

Some Construstive critic for ya. I hope I don't sound harsh :l

I think sometimes the dialouge doesn't flow right. I mean they are teenagers so I expect them to have a casual way of talking.

Sora, I think you’ve overdramatizing it…that statement of going on the front lines wasn’t really meant seriously, am I right, Kairi?

That for example. I think that it would flow better if it was written as . "I think you're over dramatizing it, Kairi saying that she wants to go on the front lines wasn't meant to be taken seriously, right Kairi?"

“Oh my, Riku, you usually aren’t the one who’s that slow…

I had to read this twice to understand...I think it would flow better as. "Oh my, Riku, you aren't usually the slow one." Or something along those lines.
These are a few examples.

And I'm also very curious about how Sora's room looks, maybe a little bit more description here and there couldn't hurt :P

Besides that, it was a really good prologue! I'm looking forward other chapters and you have my full support. Go Sephi lol n__n

[Sephiroth0812]

@Taocha: Alright, here comes the next entry. ;)

@Youniquee:
Thanks, glad you like it.
My, my...it would really not have been that comfortable...as Sora's bed is really not suited for two people as big as they are now (especially Riku, lol). But hey, there's still your own imagination, right?
Next? You'll see right away.

It's ok...after all I asked for critic and I can't see any harshness in it.
As for the dialogue...I would not be surprised if it is a bit "too high" in some instances, lol.
Although I dunno if saying Kairi's name out loud two times in the same sentence is that good. Gotta think about that.
As for the second sentence...indeed, that variation I think would fit better.

Heh, more description of Sora's room, huh? Didn't see that as so important, but well.

Anyways, thanks also for pointing those out, now let's go on with chapter 1. ;)

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I. A disturbance in the calmness of a heart

It seemed like an endless space, littered only with interconnected stained glass-pillars floating around, the realm of a vast, deep heart.
Some glass-pillars depicted different pictures, some the same, but there seemed not to be a clear pattern to them.

On one of these pillars sat the figure of a teenaged boy clad in a pitch black coat with flaky blonde hair.
Holding his knees up to his chest, his arms wrapped around him he didn’t move an inch, his blue eyes just staring into the distance.

He felt limp, limp and dizzy, ever since he had that final conversation with Naminé and then exchanging a final smile with her at the beach of that island through his other half.

Good God, I know we’re incomplete without one another…but still, it hurts not to be myself anymore…and on top of that this eternal calmness here is driving me nuts.

Roxas didn’t know how many times he already had gone through this thought, but it came always down to the same monologue he had with himself very often since he rejoined Sora..
It was supposed he would be resting inside Sora, living on somewhat through the boy who comprised his other half, yet his mind still could not find peace.
His own memories had somehow allowed him to shape a bodily form, as he remembered himself, inside Sora’s heart .
While accepting his fate on the surface, his desire to get an own life for himself was still burning deep within his chest.

It’s not that I’m angry with Sora, or anyone else for that matter…heck, I’ve even forgiven that old fool DiZ, or Ansem, or whatever that revenge-blinded jerk was called.
It’s just, why can’t I live alongside them all, have my own heart…my own, independent life?
Just because I was not born naturally I’m denied everything, despite being my own existence?

He shook his head in frustration, it was always the same thing. For a long time he had also pondered if he even had an own existence, yet he came to the conclusion that because he still posessed an own will, mind and thoughts that he was still Roxas, and not only a simple part of Sora.

I’m inside Sora and yet all my attempts to somehow contact him fail…I don’t know how many times I tried to reach out to him…but my voice never got through…am I already that deep in his heart that he has forgotten me? That every try to draw attention towards me is doomed from the start.

Roxas lifted himself up from the sitting position he had been in for some time…sighed and began dragging himself down one of the stained glass walkways leading away from this platform.
While walking, Roxas asked himself what good it would be to have contact with Sora anyways.
Granting him his deepest, and probably only wish was surely not within Sora’s power, so why?

Just to have somebody to talk to, gosh, we’re half of each other and didn’t even got one opportunity to talk properly.
Screw it, I’ve to admit it, it’s utterly boring just to walk inside Sora’s heart…and I’m feeling incredible lonely…just exchanging some words with someone would already a big relief for me…wait…I said feeling lonely, how stupid is this, I still don’t have a heart…I’m just walking inside one…

Shaking his head in disbelief and annoyance over himself always repeating the same thoughts Roxas reached the next stained-glass platform.

Listening to his own steps on the glassed floor Roxas tried to remember, tried to remember as much from his jokingly short life as he could. He wanted to hold on those memories, cherishing them and at least dreaming of seing his friends again, making new ones, possibly connect his circle of friends to Sora’s, just sitting on that clock tower again having ice-cream.

A single tear went down Roxas’s right cheek.

Other memories came into his mind…the memory skycraper at the World That Never Was, the massive army of neoshadow heartless. The mysterious, blindfolded Organization impostor named Riku, who helped him slay the heartless, yet then turned on him.
Now he remembered Twilight Town…the fake Twilight Town with the data incarnations of friends he never had, where that jerk DiZ had imprisoned him, just to use him for his revenge.
Axel, his best friend who he first didn’t even remember thanks to DiZ and in the end he had to defeat in self-defense…
Naminé, who finally told him the cruel truth, DiZ again, who fueled his rage with cutting remarks about his existence, Sora in his flower-like sleeping pod…the agonizing end of his summer vacation…which was a lie to begin with.

More tears began to fill his eyes, blurring his vision.
Roxas clenched his fist, bent down and slammed it on the glass floor.

“AAARRGH…This is getting me so pissed. Sora, you goddammed spikyhaired jerk, why won’t you heeeeaaar me????”

His voice was swallowed by the vast realm, no echo at all. However, this scream had helped a bit…as Roxas felt a bit calmer now.

He got up again, heavily panting. Man…I hate this helplessness, if I would only know in which part of Sora’s heart I’m now and in which I need to go to have a chance to make contact with him…

Roxas resumed his walking, letting this glass-pillar behind him getting on the next walkway leading through the abyss of Sora’s heart.

More memories came to him, now of the time after his summer vacation ended…he shedding tears inside Sora when he said good bye to the real Hayner, Pence and Olette, god, how this had hurt at that time, it was so intense one tear even slipped out of Sora’s eye, which his companions noticed with befuzzlement.

Shortly after that he went to sleep and didn’t know anything until he awakened completely just to see Axel fading into darkness, making his last speech of loyalty and affection for him, and Sora couldn’t even understand the true significance, while he himself was so in shock inside Sora that he couldn’t even cry.
Not long after that, there was the only real confrontation he ever had with his other half. Blinded by rage because of Axel, anxious as hell why he was chosen by the keyblade and wanting an own life Roxas remembered himself starting a fight.
At first he dominated the battlefield with his dual keyblades, after understanding why the keyblade choose him he managed even to knock Sora’s Kingdom Key away and have him at bladepoint, but he just reached out with his hand and the keyblade returned to him with a flash.

I was so shocked…I couldn’t even react…and then he struck me down. He surely is the keyblade’s true chosen one…I was just a nobody holding half of his power…

The young blonde gritted his teeth. Now I’m pulling myself down again, stupid me…

Then the final battle against Xemnas, the Superior of Organization XIII, who had only used him from the very day he was born, and like everyone of the Org besides Axel, never truly cared only a bit about him.
He, Roxas, was just a tool to collect hearts for Xemnas’ twisted artificial Kingdom Hearts.

Only a tool, never meant to exist but luckily available, cast aside once not needed anymore or when it became too difficult to control…

Struggling to hold back more tears he remembered how the final battle unfolded.
Watching from the inside of Sora he actually enjoyed how Riku and his other half beated the crap out of Xemnas with his stupid arrogance and egoism.

But for himself, all that was left now is to walk through the depths of Sora’s heart in an always silent, eerie atmosphere, contemplating on what to do in order for not going mad…

Roxas shook his head again…don’t let despair get a hold on you he scolded himself, someday you will reach Sora and then tell him off for ignoring you that long.

As his chain of thoughts ended, so did the walkway. He had reached another stained glass-platform.
It was not all that different from the last…however, a cold, short gust of wind suddenly swept across the platform, slightly puzzling the young blonde.

“What was that…up to now there never was…”

The tone of his own voice came strange to Roxas’s ears, had he really just spoken his thoughts out loud? Or did he just imagined it.

Looking around to check if there was any different thing than usual, Roxas suddenly jumped in surprise…another gust of wind blew, and faintly, very low, he heard a noise.

What the heck? Am I going crazy? What was that?

He summoned all courage he could muster, and warily moved to the center of the platform.
Expecting it, Roxas was not surprised when the third gust came, and he focused intensely to hear if his solitude had played a trick on him.
However a cold feeling ran down his spine and made Roxas shiver as he heard it again…that noise, a shockingly weak, almost shy sob.
He hadn’t imagined it.

Alright, that’s it. Seems I’ve finally lost it…that was a sob for sure…but how is this possible? Is Sora sad? Are those afterimages of his feelings reaching that way down his heart?
No, I can’t decipher it…should I go back the way I came? As I see now, I never went to this part before.

“Damn it Sora, why has your heart to be that big and maze-like.” Roxas growled aloud swirling around checking his surroundings anew.

“Wait…what’s that?” Now he noticed it, there was another walkway leading away from this platform, but strangely, it did not have the same glass-pattern as the others Roxas had walked so far.
Instead, it looked more bright, but also had some cracks in it and just felt somehow creepy as it really differed from the other structures he had seen here so far.

Should I go investigate it? I mean, it is strange, but also intriguing.
Alright then…this is Sora’s heart after all, so there should be nothing really to fear. If I would come close to the dark parts of Sora’s heart I should detect it.
Time to end the boredom…beware my other half, I’m going to explore a bit now…

As he stepped forward however, another gust of wind blew, and this time, directly in his face.
Roxas gasped as the cold air hit him, was he actually feeling the cold sensation?
Again, a faint sob could be heard.

It sounds so very sad…is someone or something suffering over there?
Roxas slapped his left hand against his own forehead.
You dumbass…what are you thinking, there’s no one here beside you…

He had now reached the strange walkway…and another, more powerful gust of wind came along…flowing over Roxas’s entire figure.
The sob sounded almost despaired this time and it was as if invisible hands were weakly trying to push him back.

Now that does it…this was nothing that could be explained otherwise, there has to be something. Maybe this is a section so deep inside Sora’s heart that even he is not aware of it.

Now that he had made up his mind, Roxas stepped forward with determined steps. As he got further, the gusts of wind began to intensify and blew more often, but their power did not increase. Everytime there was also that faint sob noise, and Roxas really began to feel awkward.

My god, what is this? Is this even Sora’s heart anymore? The atmosphere is completely different, and all platforms I’ve seen were broken.
The air is heavy and littered with sadness, pain and fear…all around…I’m beginning to worry a bit…uuuuh? WHAT?

Roxas stiffened in shock, his eyes and mouth wide open.

#####

[Radar]

Yes this is good, I like it. Please do write more!

[KingdomKey]

Yes please continue this! It's so good! I want to know what Roxas see's!

[Sephiroth0812]

Thanks for all the comments. :D
They're really appreciated.

Here comes the second chapter:

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II. The shocking discovery

His hands began to shake as he gazed to the heavily damaged platform which lay before him.

Shards of glass lay scattered all over the platform, which also had some holes in it.
Unlike the other, dim illuminated broken platforms this one was bathed in a bright light, it was even more intense than in Sora’s heart.

Roxas was absolutely sure now, this place had to be another heart.
An other heart inside Sora’s…what is going on? Aghh…what’s that, this strong feelings of sadness…excruciating pain…???

He felt the overwhelming feelings of this other heart and was barely able to move on…but that what really shocked him lay in the middle of this platform, a frail looking human-like form that was awfully familiar, and he had to examine it no matter what.

Forcing himself to move closer Roxas couldn’t believe it, the strong feelings crashed onto him as if the other heart made a last ditch attempt to force him away.
Its struggles were in vain…Roxas shaked, but pushed himself forward, faintly hearing the other heart weakly sobbing and whimpering.
Now it was like the other heart literally begging him to leave, but he flatly ignored it.
As he finally reached the center of the platform, Roxas bent down on one knee.

I just…I just can’t believe it.

He shortly closed his eyes an let out a deep breath, silently hoping it might just all be an illusion.
However nothing like this happened, as he opened his eyes again nothing had changed, before Roxas laid the figure of a young boy, breathing heavily and shivering.
Lying on his abdomen, the boy was shirtless and had his head leaned towards Roxas with closed eyes.
His hair and face itself were nearly exactly like Roxas’s own, but the boys’s features were distorted by pain and very pale, his lips letting out a weak pained sob in different intervals.

So this is the source of those agonized sobs…but that boy looks just like me…like my identical twin…oh no, what do I do…what the hell is going on here???

Frozen in his current position the black coated youth couldn’t move his eyes away from the other boy lying in front of him.
The right arm was perpendicular to the boy’s body, the forearm resting parallel to his head.
Roxas noticed the right hand clutching a small object he couldn’t identify from this angle.
The other arm lay slacky beside the boy’s upper body, the left wrist bearing a checker-board patterned wristband.

Also just like mine…only with different edges…those are white.

Checking the bare upper body Roxas couldn’t spot any visible wounds or injuries, at least not from his position…yet still, the sobs escaping his lips, the entire facial expression contorted with pain, the trembling of his entire figure indicated that he must be bearing extreme pain.

These feelings of excruciating pain hanging in the air, the panting of him…he must be injured somehow, and not in a trivial way, but I can’t behold any visible wound…is he maybe hurt on the front, or…is it internal?
Roxas slowly shook his head.

What’s this, I check a guy looking like me for wounds despite I don’t even know what’s going on here…I hate this confusion.

Gazing further down Roxas noticed nothing unusual on the slightly outward balloning pants colored in black, silver and white his “twin” wore, yet the shoes were certainly odd.

Or rather, his one shoe, as the left one was missing, as were his upper clothes. The remaining one was shaped like a sneaker, yet the metallic surface suggested rather it being part of an armor.

Now finally the young blonde managed to avert his eyes from the boy on the floor and take a look around on the damaged platform.
It was in a real horrible shape and if it depicted a picture once it wasn’t identificable anymore, too many parts were broken off or cracked and the floor being littered with glass shards didn’t help the issue either.

Letting out a sigh, Roxas returned his attention to his “twin”.
Still pondering if all this was even real, he finally decided to extend his right hand, slowly letting it approach the other boy’s left shoulder.

I have to check if this really is an illusion or not…and if I can turn him around I may examine him for wounds on the chest or abdomen.

Only centimetres away Roxas suddenly hesitated. Why am I hesitating…I have to check…

His eyes fell on the pain-ridden face again.

…but it’s…he looks so very frail and vulnerable. I strangely have the feeling that if I touch him I might hurt him further…

He led his hand lingering over the boy’s shoulder, struggling about what to do.

This way I won’t get anywhere…I have at least to touch him once, only with the tips of my fingers to see if he’s an illusion or not.

The young blonde pulled his hand back a bit, extending now only his index finger.
If I just gently poke his shoulder once it shouldn’t do that much harm…

Lowering his hand again, he leaned a bit forward. His “twin” let out another small sob, but now Roxas had made up his mind.

The black leather of his glove had just barely touched the other boy’s skin as another gust of wind blew forward, this time backed by a bunch of tormented feelings.

“Ugh!” Roxas tumbled back a little, surprised by the sudden force behind the blow.

What was that? A form of attack?

Still down on one knee, Roxas leaned a bit forward again, this time anticipating another “attack”.
Nothing happened.
Slowly he extended his hand again…there it was.
The gust of wind came again, and Roxas stood up blindly fast and jumped back a little.

He is real…at least as real as something inside a heart can be…and those gusts of wind…they seem to be a sort of defense mechanism of this other heart.
Yet still I’m so confused, what is all this doing here? Inside Sora’s heart? AND WHY THE HECK IS THAT FELLOW LOOKING LIKE ME???

Probably sensing his growing frustration and his angry outburst of thoughts, the other heart let another “attack” blewing in his direction.
This time Roxas dodge-rolled aside and ended up right beside the other boy’s head.

Hmm…may that be a hint? What’s the item he’s clutching so tightly?
Now he bent down on both knees, trying to somehow identify the item his “twin” was holding in his right hand without touching him again.

Damn it…I can’t get a clear sight…Lemme see that, mysterious twin…
Preparing for another “wind-attack” Roxas stood up and got nearer again, he planned to turn the boy’s hand around to have a look at the item.

He was so bent on getting answers that he disregarded his former restraint, now not only ignoring the constant faint whimpering pleas of the heart to leave, but also completely forgetting the pitiful state his “twin” was in.

He stopped and reached down, ready to grab the boy’s wrist to turn his hand around.
Suddenly he noticed out of the tail of one's eye a swift movement. A sharp pain shot through Roxas’s head.

“Uhhh…”

“Stay away!!!” An loud outcry, sounding like a mix of anger and despair, stunned Roxas even more and he barely could dash backwards to avoid an armored figure jumping forward almost slicing across his chest.

The black coated youth gasped in shock, the armored figure assumed a position between him and the wounded boy lying on the floor, readying a battle stance.

“Stay away! Leave now!” The armored figure demanded, swinging his blade around.

That sword…it looks odd but, yes, it is a keyblade, no doubt.

“No I won’t, not before I got some answers.” Roxas answered, speaking out loud the first time since he reached this “other” heart.
The armored figure tilted his head a bit…his free hand clenching to a fist.

“There are no answers…leave now. I need to rest…”
“There are no answers? Are you kidding me? Don’t you dare to order me around! Why are you even here? What are you doing inside Sora’s heart? Who is that boy lying there and who are YOU?”
Roxas glanced angrily at the armored figure, completely oblivious to the fact that, despite his demanding voice, his adversary could barely uphold himself, his battle stance a bit shaky.

Roxas absolutely loathed being left in the dark, he had’ve had that way too often in the past, but it now drove him to overreact without him even noticing it.

The armored figure stiffened, grabbing his odd keyblade tighter. “Wait…I recognize that thought pattern, the constitution of those memories…no, nooo, why? Not you…haven’t you already hurt me enough? Why do you now invade my heart?? Get OUT!!!”

Roxas stood there baffled.. “What on earth are you talking about? I don’t even know you…”

The armored figure shook his head repeatedly. “My sight’s blurry, but I’ll NEVER give in…why can’t you just leave me alone, don’t maltreat me …nnyaaah!”

What? What? What? Now I’m completely lost…

In a sudden the figure sprang forwards in a leaping strike, letting his keyblade coming at Roxas in a wide backhanded slash.

Dammit…what the heck is wrong with that figure? Looks like I’ve no choice.

Roxas summoned the Oathkeeper and the Oblivion, as he remembered them, and blocked the figure’s strike.
As the figure leaped back, Roxas assumed a defensive stance, crossing his keyblades before him.
Adjusting his gaze slightly to face his opponent again, Roxas was surprised to see the armored keyblade wielder shaking.
The armored figure let out a gasp, followed by a fearful small shriek.

“This…oh no, not this again…this letter, scaring me to no end…uuhhh. So you’re really with him??? Wanting to use me again for this? NO, I won’t allow it, not a second time…”

“What letter? Really with who? What again? Nothing you say makes any sense to me…wait!!” Roxas shouted in confusion.

The armored warrior leaped into the air, extended his keyblade before him and unleashed a flurry of light projectiles in a vertical circle.

Ragnarok???How can he…?

Roxas dodged the blasts with a well timed forward dodge roll, landing right before the warrior who started an overhead strike with his keyblade.
Bringing Oathkeeper up to block, Roxas reflexively raised Oblivion in his right hand too…and the tip of the blade sunk into the warriors left shoulder between the armor plates.

A heartshattering agonized cry of pain nearly ruptured Roxas’s ears, the entire platform vibrating.

#####

[KingdomKey]

Okay now I'm dying to know who the armor guy is!! XD and what's going to happen with Ven? If that is Ven who is sitting on the floor on the platform.

[Lanydx reborn]

Whoa Roxas vs. Ven. Keep at this.

[Youniquee]

I have a feeling that armor is the lingering sentiment of Terra...Hm. ;o
You were right, you do end on harsh chapter break D: I'm interested to see what happens next.
Feedback~
Try not to use !!! or ??? as one is enough to convey someone shouting or questioning :D
That's all I've really got to say for this one.
This fanfic should so be Fanfiction.net-ed n_n

[Lanydx reborn]

The fanfic writers there are care about is gay porn.

[Sephiroth0812]

Okay now I'm dying to know who the armor guy is!! XD and what's going to happen with Ven? If that is Ven who is sitting on the floor on the platform.

There are already thrown some hints on "who" that armored guy is...especially in the way how and about what he talks! ;)
But I think it will become obvious in chapter III.

Yep, the shivering boy lying on the floor is indeed Ven.

Whoa Roxas vs. Ven. Keep at this.

Lol, you've already noticed it. *ggg*.
Thanks, surely will do. ^__^

I have a feeling that armor is the lingering sentiment of Terra...Hm. ;o
You were right, you do end on harsh chapter break D: I'm interested to see what happens next.
Feedback~
Try not to use !!! or ??? as one is enough to convey someone shouting or questioning :D
That's all I've really got to say for this one.
This fanfic should so be Fanfiction.net-ed n_n

The LS? Hmm...good guess. However, think about where we are and then think again if the Lingering Sentiment could really be there...;)

Heh, better become used to it as I do that more than once, *ggg*.

Ok, I'll try to keep that in mind.

O Rly?

The fanfic writers there are care about is gay porn.

Huh? Would be new for me that FF.net is primarily about porn stories. Not that I have anything against yaoi stories and there are quite a few out there...but I did find quite some stories to read there which didn't even had a real pairing, regardless which gender-combination...like this one as well. ;)

I will try to put up chapter III later in an extra post as to avoid overloading a post with answers to comments and the chapter.

[Stars]

Great fanfic with meaningful title :)
I love the part especially with Roxas and Ven.

[Kiwi +]

Alright, I read through you're story, and I gotta say, I'm really liking the concept! Especially now rereading it. Keep it up, I'm really looking forward for more. :)

Sorry it took me so long to comment on it though. ^^;

[Sephiroth0812]

Great fanfic with meaningful title :)
I love the part especially with Roxas and Ven.

Thanks Stars, I know you as my "beta"-reader already have a deeper insight, but I think nonetheless reading it like this is more comfortable than through a crowded PM. ;)

Alright, I read through you're story, and I gotta say, I'm really liking the concept! Especially now rereading it. Keep it up, I'm really looking forward for more. :)

Sorry it took me so long to comment on it though. ^^;

Hey Kiwi, glad you like it. ^___^
More is on the way right now.

Ahh, it's ok. At least you thought about commenting at all. ;)

Now, on to chapter 3:

#####

III. What to do with a grave mistake

The armored warrior tumbled back, pressing his right hand with the keyblade still in it on the front of the left shoulder.

He trembled heavily, quietly moaning in pain and yet still frantically struggling to remain upright, as well as keeping himself between Roxas and the boy lying on the floor.

What by all worlds is wrong with this guy? I only touched the shoulder of my mysterious twin once with one finger and tried to see what item he holds…I do not intend to harm him…and what did that armored guy mean with “Haven’t you hurt me enough” or “don’t invade my heart”?
I thought the boy lying there is the manifestation of this other heart…or…is there a third?

He was so confused that his thoughts swirled around and his head hurt. The armored keyblade wielder now stiffened again, and a moment later, hurled his keyblade at Roxas.

Now he could see why the blade seemed “odd” to him before. Not only was this model a tad shorter than any keyblade the young blonde knew so far, its form also suggested that it was designed specially to be wielded in a reverse grip, like the armored warrior did.

Now it’s the chance to end this unecessary fight…I have to pay attention not to deflect his blade, the short stab in the shoulder seemed already bad enough. I need to guide the other blade so it gets stuck into the floor of the platform, then I’ll rush up and slam the handle of one blade in his stomach to incapacitate him.

With this strategy in mind, Roxas readied Oblivion to block the incoming other blade and switched Oathkeeper to a backhanded grip himself, intending to use the blunt end to knock down his adversary and hopefully get a chance to end the fight.

The other blade reached now the Oblivion and Roxas was just about to slam it down into the platform as his eyes widened in surprise.
The other keyblade split just as it touched the Oblivion’s blade, transforming into several light beams.

What’s this? It transformed…”Aaargh….” The light beams flew away in all directions, two slamming directly into Roxas’s chest, one scratching his left arm, ripping the black coat and another one bouncing off the guard of the Oblivion, striking directly his upper right thigh and burning a hole through the coat there.

Sent flying backwards, Roxas slammed hard on his back, seeing stars for a moment and losing grip of Oathkeeper.
Uuuh…why do I actually feel that pain? Is it the memory of pain that I remember? What was that for an attack?

Clenching his teeth and using the Oblivion as a support Roxas got up again, ignoring the painful bruises the light beams had caused on his skin.

It hurts, but still, the force behind that attack was overall weak, laughable weak…

Summoning Oathkeeper back to his other hand, Roxas shook his head rapidly to get rid of the dizzyness.

The armored warrior had used the time Roxas needed to recover to close the distance between them, having his keyblade already back in his right hand.

Damn, going into close range battle again!? You moron…I don’t want to hurt you…

…but wait…I never made that clear yet…

“Back off man, I do not intend to harm you!” Roxas finally shouted out loud.

“Why would I believe someone who has done nothing but hurt me?” The wielder started a wide horizontal slash.

“What? Are you crazy??? You must mistake me for someone…” Roxas jumped back, dodging the keyblade slash.

“Please stop it, that stab in your shoulder was an accident…” Blocking another strike, Roxas tried to hook his other keyblade with the warrior’s one, hoping to trap it between his two blades.
Somehow anticipating it, his opponent pulled back, raised his free hand and fired a Blizzard spell.

“Now also Magic? Ghh…” Roxas dodged aside. The warrior fired another chunk of ice and then closed in again, swinging his blade at the black coated youth another time.

Roxas swatted the ice away with Oathkeeper, then took another step back to avoid the next keyblade strike.

It’s getting problematic…for whatever reason that guy won’t listen and instead gets even more frantic in attacking me…
…I’ve no other choice…I must disarm him and then knock him down, he seems also as injured as the boy on the floor, so by continuing the battle the risk of me landing a unfortunate hit despite holding back is steadily increasing.

Swinging his keyblade from the right again, the trembling warrior tried to force Roxas to the edge of the platform, but this time Roxas acted.
He smashed Oathkeeper up, meeting the other blade full force, throwing his opponent off balance.
Using the advantage, he pushed Oblivion forward, intending to smack the forward part of the guard just below his opponent’s ribcage on the left side.
Frantically trying to regain balance the warrior shifted his body a bit, and Roxas lost his aim.
The guard missed it’s intended target, instead, the blade slitted across the other wielders left hip.

Oh no…

Another heartwrenching scream of agony pierced Roxas’s ears, the armored wielder tumbling back, shaking wildly.

“Uaah…nnngh, no…I…I lose concentration, my energy…” Dropping his keyblade, the armored figure clutched his injured shoulder with one and the cut on his hip with the other hand, collapsing with a low stifling cry.
Alarmed, Roxas pondered rushing up to him…but seemingly too late.

What? He’s disintegrating? It can’t be…
The armored wielder started to disappear in a golden-white light. Now finally Roxas noticed it.

That armored guy's shoes...!? Wh...armored sneakers? Just like the one...agh...no. What have I done? It can't be...oh holy crap no...why didn't I notice earlier? Why didn't I understand earlier what happened? I remember only now...

[Flashback]
Twilight Town, Day 17.

“Now, Number XIII, Roxas, the key of destiny, show me your progress with the keyblade, as it is of crucial importance for us that you know to handle it well.”

“As you wish, Lord Xemnas.” The young blonde charged in, slaying heartless after heartless, concentrating on emblems and mostly ignoring purebloods.
Starting from the Station Plaza, Roxas fought all the way down to the Tram Common, with Xemnas, the Superior of the Organzation walking shortly behind, monitoring his performance.
After reaching the break in the city wall, Roxas took the opportunity to quaff a potion.

“An adequate performance so far, Number XIII. Or rather, for someone only 17 days old I should say it’s remarkable. You’re a worthy asset to our cause.” Xemnas seemed satisfied to a degree.
“Thank you, Lord Xemnas.” Roxas bowed his head a little, as Axel had instructed him to do when speaking directly to the Superior.

“Very well, there’s one task left for you to complete, on the other side of the wall, in the forest.” Xemnas pointed with his right hand through the break.

The young blonde nodded, and turned to cross through the breach.
On the other side an even greater batch of heartless awaited…shadows, neo shadows, darkballs, Soldiers, Surveillance Robots, Minute Bombs and an oddly colored Large Body.
Roxas’s eyes widened. “There are so many…” Xemnas stepped forward two steps, now standing by Roxas’s side. “Indeed…seems a tad strenuous for you, Number XIII.. You see that big red colored Large Body? That’s actually a Mega Body, a very rare kind of heartless. Only very strong hearts become such a beast. This one is the main goal. To get rid of the others, this time we’ll go in together, you take the emblems while I annihilate the useless purebloods.”

With thesewords Xemnas spread his arms out, red energy blades flashing from his palms. Roxas readied his keyblade, storming off slicing three Soldiers in half with one stroke. Xemnas did not run, he floated, and seemingly effortless eliminated the purebloods regardless of type each with one stroke of his blades.A Soldier approaching him was round-house kicked in Roxas’s direction, who impaled the flying heartless on his blade, releasing the captive heart inside.

Now Xemnas had reached the Mega Body and began to batter it with his weapons, driving it back to the trees, then out to the clearing before the old mansion.
Several minutes later the heartless were history.
Roxas finished the last emblem heartless, a minute bomb, with a fire spell before turning his attention to the main goal as well.
The Superior seemed to have already wounded the big heartless severely, it backing off against the wall of the old mansion.

Instead of killing it, Xemnas suddenly pulled back and turned to his youngest member.
“Ok Number XIII, Roxas, finish it off and release its heart for us.” “Yes, Superior.” Roxas raised his keyblade, aiming for the death blow.
Yet a mere second later he found himself under a barrage of attacks, the heartless lashing out wildly at him, driving him back.
“Uuuh…” Roxas was driven to one knee, the Mega Body shaked and yet wildly attacked again.
Xemnas showed no sign that he would assist. “Number XIII…did you misheard my order? Finish off that heartless, just one hit should be enough.”
Recovering from the surprise, the key of destiny started to endure the attacks, jumped over the heartless and slammed his keyblade in its back, eliminating it.

“Here we go…the mission is a success Number XIII. Now I can be sure you’ll be of use for us.”
“Uh…Lord Xemnas? I don’t quite understand…why did that heartless suddenly become stronger?” The young nobody had a expression of real puzzlement on his face.

“I’m relieved you ask, unillumined little newborn. It’s actually a quite trivial, but important lesson. That heartless didn’t become stronger, it’s a psychological phenomenon shared by all lifeforms, may they be humans, heartless, nobodies or animals. It’s called desperation and the unending will to continue to exist.
If a lifeform is already wounded and then cornered with no way to escape, it will start to frantically defend its life with a ferocious determination. Of course this is futile in most cases, as no real power boost is obtained and once the opponent recovers from its shock, like you did a few moments ago, the doomed and cornered existence is destined to fall.
Remember this when you fight already injured opponents, to prevent surprise attacks.”

Roxas’s facial expression showed thoughtfulness in a big effort to comprehend what Xemnas had just explained.

Xemnas however turned around and opened a Corridor of darkness. “Think carefully about it, Roxas…it can come in handy later when you understand the concept.”
With this the Superior walked into the Corridor, leaving a brooding young blonde behind.
[Flashback End]

…it was the one and only mission I ever did with Xemnas, so I should have remembered this occurrence.
What a grave mistake I made…oh crap…I acted as such an insensitive idiot…letting my frustration at being confused and not getting any answers getting the best of me.
The one who paid for it…was this poor wounded heart I literally trampled over…

#####