Pathfinder (Kairi, Xemnas, closed sidequest)

[Vincent Valentine]

Pitch, black darkness, as far as the eye could see.

In the Realm of Light and In-Between, the worlds lit up from the light like stars in the darkness of space, but here in the Realm of Darkness there were no stars to light the way at all. The darkness went on as far and as deep as space did, cold and barren with nothing but the deafening silence except for one world; Kingdom Hearts itself. The Door to Darkness that guarded the great heart of hearts lay somewhere engulfed in the infinite black, hidden within a bottomless abyss that one could not hope to escape from if they could not watch their step, and it was here the keyblade master fought his final battle with the Seeker of Darkness. Over this abyss were greyish-white pathways which marked an endless path throughout the realm, and strange alien pod-like growths that grew beside them, and if one could make them out through the dark they looked strange and alien-like, as if sea creatures growing at the bottom of a sea that was abscent of light. There were many doorways and stairs which lead into the Realm, but unless one could open the Corridors To Darkness or miracuously open a door to the light, there was no escape from a journey in the darkness which would go on forever.

A gleam of hope, of light, gleamed in the far distance towards the edge of the realm.

The only available source of Light in the realm was if one could stumble upon the landmark known as the Dark Meridian, a shoreline which bordered the Realm of Darkness which faced the Realm of Light and the Realm of In-Between. Here where the light made it easier to see, if one had not already been wandering around in the darkness for so long, one could see what the landscape could look like without the cover of a eternal starless night, with warped stone archways towering above and a pale, rocky landscape underfoot below. The sea itself, like the darkness of the realm, was spread out towards the light horizon as far as could be clearly seen even to those who possessed scotopia. Large rocks remained on this shoreline, low enough for the average person to sit on and look out at the deep moat of ocean, that prevented any escape from the Realm in the direction they were looking. Unlike the seas anywhere else in the Realms of Light and In-Between, the sea here was eerily calm as the low tide washed in on the flat, thin coast, almost entirely dead of movement like the lack of life here... except for deeper back in the opposite direction in the enshrouding darkness, where the many billions of numerous Heartless watched with glowing, amber eyes.

If one became stuck here... hope was few and far between these doomed choices.

(OOC: The order will go Xemnas, Kairi, then Vincent (as NPC Heartless/Darkness if needed). You can choose to start anywhere from one of the locations described above, and I will improvise as seen fit, otherwise I can choose a location for you. Let the sidequest begin!)

[superiortoyou]

The first sensory experience that Xemnas encountered was hearing the waves crash against the shoreline, adding to the ominous feeling that the Dark Meridian provided. The darkness of the portal that Xemnasd had just created faded, washing away from his form, and the form of the Princess of Heart that was still within his grasp. His grip was firm, but not damaging, for the Superior would gain nothing by physically alienating Kairi, not when he had already enthralled her so much with his promises of power and protection for her friends.

"We arrive."

Xemnas released his grip on Kairi, there was no escape from this place. She held no control over darkness, her heart was too pure to ever allow such a thing, and so she was trapped until Xemnas willed her departure. His arm dropped back down to his side as he straightened his back, looking down upon the feeble Kairi. She was afraid, Xemnas could tell with only a minute glance. The darkness of this place was overpowering, and to those who fed on its energy would be experiencing nothing less than ecstasy.

Kairi did not feed on darkness, and so her emotional response was far from ecstasy.

"This is a realm of darkness, a place where only those filled with that power are celebrated. Your light is hated in those dimension, the denizens of darkness wish nothing less than harm and oblivion upon you."

The Superior turned away from Kairi, taking a step closer towards the shore. The waves appeared peaceful, a sharp contrast to the rest of the realm that it was a part of. To those that could sense nothing this would be a dark place, but just that. Xemnas could sense the chaos here, though he could not feel it. It left the Superior with the feeling of watching something from afar, as if he could observe but not alter. His power over this plan was non-existent, but that did not mean that he was in danger. Heartless meant nothing to the Superior of the In-Between, for they respected and obeyed those that were strongest.

Xemnas was strongest.

This internal declaration was not born of ego, for the Superior no longer possessed such a thing. It was mere fact that spawned this knowledge, for Xemnas was not one to be unsure about himself. He understood his strengths and his limitations, as well as the strengths and limitations of those that stood against him. Xemnas had yet to encounter a single being that possessed more raw power than he did, but the Superior had learned from past events that being the strongest did not guarantee victory.

The power of the heart was stronger than anything the Superior could obtain on his own.

Friendship, love, happiness. None of these things had mattered to Xemnas in the past, not even when he owned a heart. Anger, hate, rage, these were the emotions that Xemnas believed granted the most power, and it was those emotions that he used when facing Sora and Riku in the depths of Kingdom Hearts.

Their power had proven to be the greatest.

If the Superior had been a petty being he would have claimed that his loss was a result of their greater numbers, that he had been forced into a corner and they had defeated him without honor. But honor meant nothing to Xemnas, and he knew without a doubt that it was not their numbers that gave them greater power than him, it was their unity. Sora and Riku had acted like a single being, their hearts brought together by the friendship and love that they shared.

The revelation would have been disgusting, if Xemnas had been capable of feeling such a thing.

After placing so much stock in the destructive emotions that the heart possessed, after claiming that the symbolic muscle was most powerful at its most negative, only to be proven wrong by children who only understood the most basic details of the heart.

But the Superior was not a fool, he would hold no grudge, he would simply learn, and the first step onto the path of understanding was to learn from one of the light's most pure warriors.

"Kairi." Xemnas turned his head to cast a glance at the Princess of Heart over his shoulder. "Your test is to endure, to survive." After speaking those ominous words Xemnas used his limited control over darkness to cover himself in a cloak of the energy, rendering himself invisible. The Princess of Heart would simply see him disappear from sight, abandoning her for all she knew. The Superior would not leave, the Princess would not be alone.

The hungry yellow eyes would soon be upon her.

[kairi]

Overwhelming.

As soon as Xemnas had brought them both to the Realm of Darkness, she was assaulted with the epitome of darkness. The realm in which it thrived, and where it was making her heart flutter like a trapped being. Her sense for darkness and light had always been sensitive, but this nearly had her wishing to fall to her knees. Her cheeks blanched visibly, and her azure eyes flickered over the dark beach. Had this been where Riku and Sora rested after their fight with Xemnas? Idly, the Princess wondered over the irony of this situation, but now was not the time. The Superior had some sort of test for her, and she could only imagine what it would be. Heartless were easy enough, but she quickly reprimanded herself. In this Dark Realm, the Princess could only imagine how stronger they would be here, and her own confidence on defeating the dark creatures could be her defeat. His grip upon her hand was strong, and she was even more fearful when he let her go. In her mind, he was the only one that could get her out of this realm.

What had she done to herself now?

The Princess was determined, though, and she tried to focus upon that instead of her fear. Darkness thrived here, though, and she was most likely the only beacon of light within this Realm. A threat, if one could call her that, but still something to snuff out of existence. Her existence, and she gazed at Xemnas, wondering what his own existence was like. Kairi had lost her heart once, but never had she become a Nobody, not in the true sense. The sound of the waves against the shore reminded her of Destiny Islands, and she gazed out at the moon that hung suspended within the distance. "The waves still sound the same." Her words were an echo to her, of those uttered long ago by her best friend. It almost sounded empty and meaningless to her, and the Princess suppressed a shiver at the thought. Xemnas had walked away from her, and she turned her oceanic eyes onto him. The one who had brought her here, and the one she should not even be here with.

Her name uttered from his lips, and she watched as he inclined his head toward her. Her heart nearly stopped for a moment, and the Princess watched as the darkness consumed his form. Kairi nearly started, but she mentally slapped herself. Panicking now would only get her killed! Had Xemnas really left her to fend for herself, though? No, that would not make sense, because how else would he observe her endure and survive? Kairi could not sense him, though, and she merely stared at the spot he had previously stood at. The Princess turned her back to him, wishing she was back on Destiny Islands. With her friends, but she was not. Reality was cruel, and dreaming such childish things was what held her back now. It pained her, and she wanted to hold whatever was left of her remaining innocence. Raising her hand, she summoned her keyblade. There was no bright flash of light, instead this blade materialized to her hand in a web of darkness.

Dark Reflection was appropriate for a place such as this.

[Vincent Valentine]

A full moon, a source of light reflecting that was not it's own, into a world it did not belong.

It hung low over the shallow beach of the Dark Meridian, bouncing back the light that was shone from the Realm of In-Between and the Realm of Light beyond, but as strong as this only source of light was it could not pierce the dark fog that gathered beyond the mainland of the dim-lit beach. The darkness hung there like a dark mist, for those who had adjusted their eyes to the light that was remaining here, as if one that walked straight into the stagnant darkness would be instantly blinded. Wisps and tendrils of darkness weaved through the air, as if hands out to ensnare anything it could catch, to drag and immerse them into endless night. If one were to actually step through it from where the light began to fade into the pitch black, it would lead on deeper into the deepest darkness, where one would have to adjust their eyes to the darkness in order to navigate around unless they could see in the dark.

Or else, plummet off the path into an eternal oblivion.

The shroud of wisping darkness seen in this angle of light of the Dark Meridian revealed it for what it was, otherwise invisible to the average human eye; a writhing, living intangible being.

For the darkness that this realm was composed from was, in fact, created from the darkness in all the hearts of people that lived in the worlds on the other side.

If one stopped to comprehend this, and how deep the darkness went on as if forever... it only reminded one of how much darkness had been created by these hearts, and how much strife, tragedy and suffering lay in the realms of in-between and light, and how feeble one person seemed in the face of the immense presence of darkness here.

And as if to awaken the enormous beast that the living darkness was, a small but bright light lit up on it's edge, from one heart.

From the depths of the dark shrouding cloud that lay on the parallel to the beach where Kairi stood, three pairs of bright yellow eyes lit up instantly upon Xemnas hiding himself within the Corridors To Darkness, focusing on the strange levels of light, and yet darkness, that lay in this pure heart. Whether it was completely pure or not, the Heartless beyond did not care; a heart was a heart, and to turn it into another Heartless to become an extension of the darkness itself was all too tempting to bare. Normally the Dark Meridian was a safe sanctuary of sorts, where one could rest from the masses of powerful Pureblood Heartless that remained here, but the brightness of the light in this heart was too painful and threatening to bare. More drawn than ever to the heart of the young woman on the beach, the three pairs of eyes moved onto the beach in the form of two Neoshadow, and empowered Novashadow, but not all in their eerie humanoid forms. One Neoshadow leaped out of the darkness, slashing at Kairi immediately with it's sharp claws, the second Neoshadow had tumbled out of the darkness from a lower angle in a rolling attack, while the Novashadow had flattened itself on the ground and re-emerged near Kairi as it unleashed a powerful shockwave.

This would not be easy; as Kairi predicted, powerful Heartless lived here, and she would need to keep on her toes until they were all vanquished.

And if she did not wish to give into the temptation of darkness and have her heart taken.

(OOC: Xemnas may skip his turn if he wishes, just post here or contact me so I can alert Kairi she can take turns just posting with me until Xemnas comes back; Vanitas can join the thread when he replies if he wants to and everyone's okay with it. I hate to say this, but I felt really bad having to be the one to have to do this to Kairi's character, even though she can handle herself fine. xD; )

Background Music: Destati

[apprentice]

The light within the Princess' heart slowly began to dim and a new power fueled the void as her keyblade arrived on the battlefield. The Superior would probably notice immediately a difference within her, but Vanitas showed no fear in taking control. His voice comforted her but at the same time made her uneasy. A voice so familiar yet so foreign.

"I'll always be there for you, Kairi," he said. "Even when you don't need me." With that, Vanitas opened his eyes to see where the Princess had taken herself. His personal keyblade resided in Kairi's hand but everything else about her was the same. This was only a test? Why waste such a powerful weapon's power on something so simple and easy to complete? As if he was surrounded by a simple pool of gold, Vanitas walked forward into the ocean. The small waves crashed just above the girl's shoes, but he payed no mind to it as signs of yellow came from the ocean.

Slowly withdrawing back onto the shore of the beach, Vanitas raised his keyblade up to his familiar to style. The creatures that came before were completely foreign by name but not by sight. It was just similar to the Master's training. It seemed the whole process would be just as simple as he thought. A smile appeared on the Princess' face but no words came out to address the monsters. He only waited for them to fully take their appearance. The first round consisted of merely three foes. Grasping his keyblade tightly, he awaited for movement but did not have to wait long.

One of the smallest in the bunch jumped from the darkness to claw at him. His only movement was to lean back on his left leg. His keyblade then moved in front of his face to shield the attack. Seeing the other Heartless twirling towards him, Vanitas quickly jumped into the air over it. He turned to see only two Heartless. His eyes gradually dropped to the ground as he noticed where the third had arrived. It jumped into the air, thus unleashing it's shockwave. Without much to do, the initial damage of the attack braced Vanitas, but shifting himself above the Heartless he quickly struck down on the Novashadow. Moving quickly he then began to unless numerous strikes on the Heartless but was unsure if it was actually doing damage of not. With a dash he moved himself back from the three Heartless and returned to his ready stance for the next round.

Information just occurred to the Dark Entity as he realized this domain was of pure darkness. The Light within him still resisted his ability to enhance this pure darkness but he could see that the Heartless were truly embracing it. But the power he commanded now was only a shard of what he could unleash on these threats. Time would tell if The Superior would see the true power the Princess now commanded.

[superiortoyou]

Intriguing.

As expected the Heartless had come, drawn into this sanctuary of sorts by the light in Kairi's heart. Her light was a beacon, one of hope to most, but to the Heartless it was something that needed to be destroyed. It existed as their bane, their antithesis. Kairi was blasphemy to them, a being that they could not allow to exist. Xemnas would give them the chance to destroy her, for weakness could not be tolerated. If the Heartless possessed the strength to defeat her, than she was worth nothing to the Superior.

But it seemed that the Princess possessed something far more powerful than they.

Everything about Kairi changed, from the way she held her Keyblade to the way that she fought. Physically she appeared the same, though Xemnas caught a flash of glowing eyes that were anything but the normal azure color that had shone so brilliantly only a moment before. These were not the only changes, but they were by far the least noticeable of all the things that had shifted in Kairi's being.

Where there once was none, darkness now took root in her heart.

This was no usual darkness, for it was much more than that. Xemnas could sense power in it, sentience. The being that had attached itself to Kairi was no Heartless, for the only darkling capable of such a talent was none other than the Superior's opposite. It was not Xehanort's Heartless that Xemnas sensed, for the Princess of Heart would never allow such a being into her heart, nor would the fake Ansem ever seek to possess such a pure creature. Xemnas had no sensed it's presence until it had become active, assaulting the Heartless with skill that the Princess would not have.

The promise that Kairi had formerly showed had now increased tenfold.

But steps had to be taken, for Xemnas could not afford for the Princess of Heart to be a wild card. The Superior needed her under his control, for if she was rampant she showed no purpose. Even with this unique presence in her, Xemnas would not hesitate to strike her down, for he would not allow that Keyblade to scathe him as the last one directed towards him.

The Superior continued to watch, studying this new presence to determine its usefulness.

[kairi]

No, this could not be happening! Not now!

The Princess felt her heart beat more quickly, and fear thrum through her veins as the familiar voice of Vanitas made itself known. If she pretended, the Princess had managed to forget about the new presence within her heart. The darkness that had become a part of her, and what plans he had in mind for her. Her own weakness, and the loathing she had for herself for accepting his hand back on Destiny Islands. Pretending did not make things go away, and it was proving true enough now. Kairi's last sight was of the forming Heartless as they made way to attack her, and she was suddenly thrown into that darkness that surrounded her completely. Floating through it, her body no longer under her control, and her senses sudden deprived to nothing but silence and absolute darkness. 'No, stop it! I don't need you to protect me!' Her voice seemed to echo all around her, and the darkness around her suddenly shattered.

Her feet touched upon a familiar platform.

The Princess glanced about herself wildly, looking for Vanitas. He should be here, right? Even if he was in control of her body, and she tried to fight this sudden lack of control. Anger and fear raged within her, no doubt a lure to the dark being that now resided within her heart. He had seemed to relish within the negative emotions she carried the last time they met, and Kairi was certainly feeling them now. She summoned Destiny Place to her hand, refusing to use her new keyblade within the presence that had created it. His darkness within her heart was a mockery to the bond she held with her friends, and with the Keyblade Master. The Princess was angry, and she wanted control back of her body, not wanting Xemnas to see this. Not when this would make her more of interest to the Nobody, not when this could be viewed as a possible threat. The platform was still the same, and her oceanic eyes came to rest upon the picture before her. Her form twisted by Vanitas, and his own laying across from her.

'Vanitas! Where are you? I don't want this at all!' Her voice continued to echo around her, and the Princess felt herself collapse to her knees. Angry tears stung at her eyes, and she suddenly pounded her fists against the hard ground of her platform. Kairi wondered if Vanitas had yet appeared before her, but she did not look up. Hesitantly, she reached for the black pouch against her hip, and she took out the silver necklace that had resided within. The familiar crown pendant glinted at her, and a small smile crossed her lips. The anger within her seemed to dissipate, and Kairi clutched the pendant within her palm, Destiny Place suddenly soothing the ache within her heart. No, she could get through this, but being reckless would not help. She sat there and waited for Vanitas to appear, or for him to release his control of her. Whichever was able to happen first, and the Princess glanced up at the endless darkness above her.

There had to be a light, right?

[Vincent Valentine]

There would be no other way.

As the Neoshadows initially missed their target, they barreled past the shell that once was in control of the Princess of Heart, swiftly turning around and sliding on their feet as if moving shadows of actual beings themselves, encircling like pack animals. If they had an alpha, it was the Novashadow, which swiftly exploded out of the ground and yet was struck with a surprise attack from above. If it was damaged by the strike that the possessed keyblader had struck him, he showed no signs of being hurt or slowing down, but the keyblade had indeed made it's mark and depleted the creature of some vitality. Shifting back into it's encircling attack pattern, the large Novashadow simply walked around it's target in the eerie human-like manner that embodied it, but also seemed confident because it was easily twice the size in height as the human female herself. Then it suddenly rocked back on it's haunches, and unleashed a large slashing motion with both of it's claws towards her, it's long arms easily closing the gap between them.

Having ducked and weaving from side to side as they came after the new host of Vanitas, the Neoshadows also closed their distance quickly, but worked in utter synchronicity with their leader when it closed in from the front and swung it's long arms towards their heads as it attacked. The two lifted their arms and quickly jumped down into the ground as if it were made of water, dodging the arms and moving around the Neoshadow's movements, their liquid shadows melting into pools of darkness onto the sand of the beach. As they began to move around as dancing shadows in the dappling moonlight,once the puddles of darkness had shifted around the field of battle like inverted light from a dark spotlight, the pair quickly jumped up and began to rise again. One appearing on the left-hand side of the keyblade wielder's slender frame, the other emerging from her right. They both jumped up off the ground and flipped their bodies around like horizontal cartwheels in the air, limbs stretched out in all directions as they effectively cornered the remaining source of hallowed light in this world, sending out shockwaves to prevent any escape between the high walls of flashing darkness that encircled around their spinning frames.

---

Deep within the darkness that surrounded the mysterious stain-glass floor that Kairi stood upon, as she glanced up at that seemingly endless abyss, a small glimmering light appeared in reaction to the pendant and the young woman it shone down upon. Faintly at first, and then glowing enough to remain a strong pinprick of light within the shadow, and as much as it was strong it shone gently down upon her from above. There was a voice, but it was not Kairi's own, nor that of Vanitas. Not one that was heard, but one she could read from within her mind, a faint voice from far away stronger than recalling one from memory. It was distinct enough that it was not her own, and even though there was no sound to tell who it was, it felt comfortingly warm and familiar.

Hang in there.

You can do it.

[apprentice]

Vanitas frowned as he saw the Heartless still moving as lively as ever. It was disappointing at first, but quickly turned into relief. The fight would be progressive for me to adapt to the body of the Princess. They were both similarly fit but the motion of which he moved didn't feel as comfortable than with his body, for reasons unknown to most. Watching the Heartless start their movements towards him again, Vanitas prepared himself for the attack when a pain shot into his head. Dropping his guard, he knelt down wincing at the pain in his head. Leaning up he saw how close the Heartless were and quickly acted without much thought. Closing his eyes he entered the girl's heart but still kept a piece of himself in control.

Quickly leaning up as the NeoShadows dispersed into the ground and the NovaShadow stretched it's hands for an attack, Vanitas spread his arms apart and shielded himself with a dome of fire. The words Firaga never left his mouth as pronouncing spells was behind him, but the firecage spread around shielded him from the attack. He was unsure how the impact would hurt the NovaShadow but it was irrelevant. The two NeoShadows emerged from the ground and with a flip unleash a shockwave. Seeing them pop out his first reaction was to jump into the air but instead he stayed there and took the impact. The force of the two shockwaves pushed him into them as if he was the filling of a badly pressed sandwich. As the shockwave depleted his body stood frozen within impact but disappeared. His body reappeared above one of the NeoShadows and similar to NovaShadow struck down on it. He then jumped a distance away from the Heartless.

Looking upon the Heartless he only starred upon them. Their power was slowly starting to arise but he would withhold his full strength for the next round. However, for intimidation, if it was possible for the Heartless figures, he held his keyblade forward pointed towards them as if to tell them to bring more power.

~~~~~~

Looking down at Kairi and Vanitas' floor, he descended and looked at the Princess. Her Keyblade was firmly in her hand while he, on the other hand, appeared weapon less. Drawing it out meant that he was here to fight, which wasn't the case...for now. He only folded his arms and tilted his head.

"This is what you want," Vanitas spoke. "It's all inside your heart Kairi. Isn't about time you finally listened to it? Xemnas is observing our power. I'm guaranteeing that he'll keep you. Or would you rather do the fighting and be on his reject list?" His speech had truly taken lessons from his Master, but it was true, wasn't it? He could see through her emotions and gain power from them. But now he could see her heart and see what was making her feel a certain way. Her whole sense of secrecy was now destroyed as the Dark Entity fully knew how to control this form. Kairi couldn't do this without him. She knew it but it would time before she finally admitted to this.

"Everything you do with me is for your choice," Vanitas said. "I won't force myself onto you. I'm only here to help."

[kairi]

The Princess nearly started.

Oceanic eyes widened, and she suddenly peered around, her expression startled and hopeful. She had heard a voice, and her heart stopped for a moment, hoping someone had come to help her from her sudden confinement. How could anyone, though? Within this Awakening, the only other person that could reach was the one that had sent her here. Kairi bit her bottom lip, angry at herself for sitting and waiting. It seemed that was all she was good for, and her knuckles bled to white as she clutched her keyblade tightly. Breath hitching, she watched as a beam of light appeared, and she shakily raised herself onto her feet. Who was it, and though it sounded so familiar, her erratic emotions clouded her mind. Joy, fear, and hope. Glancing down at the crown pendant within her palm, she wondered if Sora had somehow reached. How? She had no idea, but it brought relief to her, and maybe some belief that she could escape this mess she had created for herself. The Princess sighed to herself lightly, and she slowly placed the crown pendant back within the pouch resting against her hip.

Her heart nearly stopped.

Kairi could see Vanitas suddenly descend upon the platform, and part of her wanted to step back. She could not see his eyes past the visor of his helmet, but she knew those amber eyes were on her. Her soul bared to him, and she was so vulnerable. All of her desires and wishes known to him, because he now resided within her heart. It was her own fault for accepting his hand, trying to save her home from his wrath. If she was not so weak to begin with, but she remembered the voice that had urged her to continue on. "I never wanted any of this. You're using me for something," she replied, her oceanic eyes narrowing. The Princess knew there was a reason to why he had come to possess her, and she knew it had something to do with that strange keyblade she had seen before. There was something unique about it, and it had been created from this odd fusion of her heart with his. The Princess wanted the Dark Entity gone from her, but she had little idea of how to do so. What would happen to her, if she did manage to erase him from her heart?

'Would I disappear, too?'

Anger seared through her veins at his blatant lies, and a shaky exhale left her. Glancing down at her keyblade, she wondered if pretending to go along with whatever he wanted would be wise for the moment. No, Kairi had the feeling Vanitas would know she was lying. Instead, a laugh escaped her, bitter with the edges of a half-choked sob. "Haven't you already? I never wanted this, any of it! Your darkness, you so-called help," she admitted quietly. The Princess wanted to keep herself calm, though, and not allow her emotions to override her judgment. She thought of Sora and Riku, and she wondered what her best friends would have done within this situation. Fight this, and find some sort of balance. Riku had not been afraid of the darkness, so why should she? Her lips curled into a smile, devious upon even her own features. Kairi glanced upward, looking Vanitas in the eyes, and she stepped forward.

"You need my help, though. How else would you have gotten that keyblade?"

[Vincent Valentine]

(OOC: Kairi told me Xemnas is skipping his turn for now to observe. And thanks for editing your post, Vanitas.)

The third tier of the Fire spell lit up the Darkness in a red and orange blaze around the lone keyblader, it's fiery glow radiating through the smoldering darkness, tendrils of thick darkness highlighted around the field like thick smoke. The flames also glowed upon the mirror that was the ocean behind the puppeting Vanitas, making the darkness beneath the water ink black, even more so than what it had been under the light of the white moon. The actual flames themselves exploded into the three Heartless, causing damage to all three of them, as flames licked their shadowy hides and flung them back as sparks hisses and crackled. As soon as the spell was gone, a smoky hue set over the beach and mixed with the immense darkness, and the Heartless encircled their prey once more.

Once the shockwaves had dissipated from the Neoshadows, somehow the wielder of darkness had squeezed his way between then and gotten into the smoky air, striking one of the Neoshadows from above. More health was drained from the Heartless, yet while it was down to critical health, it did not yield. Instead, it dived down onto the keyblade wielder, making a frenzied kick with both feet as it continued it's assault. The other Neoshadow flattened itself into the ground and walked around beneath the feet of the possessed Princess of Heart, before it rose again and scratched at it's target from behind with it's powerful claws. Finally, the Novashadow finished the co-ordinated attack as it leapt into the ground again, sliding around as a puddle of darkness over the shifting sands of the battlefield, before it popped up in front and unleashed another powerful shockwave.

A three-pronged attack from in front, behind, and above at the same time proved that while one of the Heartless was nearly defeated, they were still some of the most powerful Pureblood Heartless to exist in this realm.

~~~

The faint, glimmering light that appeared as a spotlight shining upon Kairi remained amongst the darkness surrounding her Station of Awakening, and would remain there for as long as Kairi needed it's light. The voice could only remain the memory of sound in her mind, unbeknown to Vanitas, one that only Kairi could hear in the echoes of her heart that remained hers. It could not become stronger unless Kairi wished for it too, just as she had wished deep down for it's light, so the voice while faintly familiar on the edges of her mind remained ambiguous for now. Whoever it was that heard her through the connection to her heart heard her concerns and fears about the Dark Entity and what would become of her heart should she manage to erase him from it, it's words warmly comforting in the deadly silence and sounding much like her suspicions of what the wearer of the Crown Pendant keychain would say.

Even if you disappear, your heart won't.

Your heart is tied to another heart, having become one.

Through the Darkness, your heart will find it's way back to your Light.

But only you can strengthen that connection, on your own.

If it makes you happy... will you do it?

[apprentice]

Vanitas couldn't stop himself from entering a strong laughter to the Princess' first reply. She was tripping over her own words. Her own feelings. Didn't users of the Light state that one should follow their heart? Why did Kairi feel the need to object to this wish? She was finally receiving everything she ever wanted but now it was as if it was too much for her. Vanitas the one opening the door. Would the princess enter it was the only question. Her foot was already in the door. "This is what you wanted, Kairi. You wanted the power to help your friends and to prove yourself more than just a princess. You're no longer on the island, are you?"

His eyes pierced her as the princess went into deep thought. He could see the double guessing going through her mind. Power surged within him as feelings of guilt, anger, and regret. They were all pursuing her mind but her words in the end came out as if defeat were coming through. It was all staged in Vanitas' mind. Her words were small clouds simply going in an ear and back out the other, if he thought to give it that much credit. His darkness had begun to plague the Princesses heart and in time she would give in.

Vanitas didn't flinch when a sudden spring of energy arose. Inspiration? Was there something aiding her or was this confidence just revealing itself from her heart? He took this into mind as he slow rose his hand. With a bright light, that calmed into a cold darkness, the keyblade from before appeared. The keychain slowly feel from the natural gravity push. The blade lay horizontal so Kairi could observe the blade. In time she would learn to use it's true power. A devilish grin appeared on the Dark Entity's face.

"This blade is your answer to all that is happening," Vanitas stated. "It's power is stronger than any force in the world and the stronger your connection is the stronger the weapon becomes." Boldly, Vanitas started to approach the Princess with a brisk walk. No stress or force in the movement, but a firm confidence in his stride. "Your connection with Sora is strong and with it you give him strength. I've seen your memories of him. And each way I see you're the hero throughout it all, but all Sora and Riku gave you were just signs of hope and mild praise. Your Light gives them power and they selfishly take hold of it." Vanitas stopped in front of Kairi, just a small step away from her. The darkness covering his face had slowly depleted as he drew closer to her. His face was now revealed once again to her and his eyes looked into her crystal blue ones. "It's time you used your own Light for power."

In a flash of Light the Blade was now in Kairi's hand, replacing Destiny's Place. Vanitas slowly stepped back unsure of what the princess would do but with a hidden smirk he dispersed himself into the shadows of the Awakening.

"Now show Xemnas your Light, Kairi!" Vanitas shouted in the depths of the shadows. A bright Light covered the whole grounds and as it cleared Kairi would open her eyes to see that she was now back on the sands of the Meridian.

~~
While at the Awakening
Vanitas looked up the Heartless that were still moving. They were truly powerful but he nudged them off easily in his mind. It was just like old practicing with his Master. As the first Neoshadow came up for it's attack Vanitas jumped up to avoid the kick. Landing down he swung his keyblade with a backlash towards the Neoshadow just as the other Neoshadow's attack had begun. With her body fully exposed Vanitas took the hits painfully. He knelt down in pain as he held his arm over her chest. Looking down to the ground he tried to find the Novashadow but realized it was pointless upon the shadows covering the beach. At the last possible second, Vanitas forced her body into the air and moved away from the Heartless. Her body stood strong in the tips of the ocean. The crashing waves beating against her shoes. With this, Vanitas closed his eyes and Kairi would open them. A new weapon now within her grasp and enemies still to face. If he wasn't needed to protect her and he would only guide her.

((when I was posting I forgot that Vincent did the Sora connection thing xD. So I figured that during the time where the Light flashes as Kairi returns to control that that is during the time it occurs. Or Kairi can find a good time for her!)

[kairi]

Maybe the Princess would disappear.

Vanitas's laughter chilled her to the soul, and she did not think she would ever quite grow used to the cruel mirth he showed. Kairi nearly wanted to take a step back, but she quickly resolved herself. He could already sense her fears and weaknesses, but why should she show them as well? He fed off of her negative emotions, and every single wish and desire she kept secret. The power to protect her friends, and the wish to never be seen as weak again. Vanitas spoke them with such ease, as if himself were her best friend, giving voice to secrets she had told him in confidence. The utterance of what she wanted by him angered her, and a shaky exhale escaped her lips. Kairi did not want to listen, to see the truth of his words, but she had no wanted power this way. Not with darkness and lies, and not with someone that was only using her to further his own goals. What would happen when she served her purpose? Would she be thrown away like a pretty doll? Broken and far too mangled to ever use again?

"And what happens to me when I serve my purpose? Will you leave me, too?" The Princess asked. Oceanic eyes flickered for a moment, and even if he had used her, and though he had used her worst fears against her, she had no wish to be alone. Was she really beginning to break under this strain? Darkness was not meant to touch her, and yet here Vanitas was. A connection to him she had no wish for, but it was there. Even if his appearance was familiar, his presence brought her nothing but anger and regret. The pressure was starting to eat away at her resolve, but Kairi knew she was stronger than that. She had to be, or she would be letting Riku and Sora down. All of her friends, and herself most of all. That voice was there again, and her heart raced with it. Breath hitching, Kairi closed her eyes, wondering if she would disappear. No, even if such a thing happened, the Princess would not be erased completely.

'Even if I disappear, I'll come back. I'll be fine. I promise.'

Bright light filled her eyes, and Kairi could suddenly see the keyblade that seemed to have started it all. It's appearance frightened and enrapture her all at once, and she knew that it had been created by this haphazard joining of her heart with his. An answer to everything? Oceanic eyes flickered to it, and Destiny Place seemed to become slack within her grasp, and the Princess realized she had loosened her grip. Her heart was racing, and all she saw was the keyblade before her. Two intertwining keys, which formed into one elongated blade. Was that what Vanitas had sought all along? "I'm not a hero, and that's okay with me. I'm happy with being by Riku and Sora's sides," Kairi admitted quietly. Riku and Sora had been the ones to save the worlds, and even if they had left her behind, it had been for a good reason. Sora had sought to bring back Riku, and she had promised to wait on the Islands. The Princess still felt some resentment, within her heart, but anyone would, right?

Her mouth went dry, and Kairi saw Vanitas stop before her. She hesitated in lifting her gaze, not wishing to look at him at all. With her gaze adverted, he could not read her as easily, but that would also show she was trying to hide. Her jaw tightened, and the Princess suddenly looked up at Vanitas with a stubborn glare. Weak kneed, she saw the darkness melt away from his face. A familiar face, a longing overwhelmed her, and the Princess took a step closer to him. Drawn to him because of his connection to her, and the familiarity of his face. Eyes widened, and Kairi let out a gasp as Destiny Place was replaced by the keyblade Vanitas had been holding before. "My...power?" She looked back up, and suddenly he was backing away from her. Wait, he could not just disappear and leave her now! Her free hand suddenly raised, and Kairi reached toward him, not thinking of what she was doing at all. "Vanitas!" His form dissipated into the shadows, and she nothing more of him.

Blinding light enveloped her, and Kairi shielded her eyes.

---

Heartless before her, and the lapping waves of the dark beach behind her. Her body ached, and several cut bloomed on her skin, and Kairi was stunned. Within her hand was the completed keyblade, and her breath caught. She felt the heavy weight within her hand, but there was no time to marvel at it. Three Heartless were before her, and Xemnas was still watching. Was she strong enough, though. The Princess held the keyblade angled toward the ground, one hand held up before her. The shadows gave these Heartless an advantage, and perhaps Vanitas was right against one thing. Kairi rushed forward, keyblade brought forward in an upward slash, and an arc of light echoing from the blade like a shadow. The Novashadow was before her, and the Princess pushed herself into the air, and gravity caused her to spiral downward, and she brought the keyblade into a stabbing motion against the Heartless, her movements a little awkward, but the intent behind them clear.

[Vincent Valentine]

And just like that, the connection was severed.

Abruptly, the voice had been given a vague answer, and the connection between the glimmering light, Kairi and Vanitas was broken all at once. She had not denied it, but she had not accepted it either, and suddenly the glimmering light above her returned to the darkness whence it came. He voice did not answer, and there was a bright light as the awakening shimmered away, and only then did she hear his voice at last.

"Kairi, no wait, don't...!"

~~~

The lone Neoshadow most weakened by assault Vanitas had started dodged the attack, falling into a black puddle of darkness, moving about beneath her feet as Kairi came to and opened her eyes. The giant Novashadow Heartless loomed before her, slowly walking around her as it paced in anticipation, no fear or pain registered in it's features. At once the Princess of Heart unleashed the power of her new keyblade, in a quick motion the Heartless had not anticipated from Kairi, more suited to the slower counter-attacking power and magic of Vanitas. The final Neoshadow stood off to her left as her back faced the ocean, it's neon-highlighted head and antennae tilting in observation as it's leader re-calculated their opponent, waiting to strike with tandem ferocity.

The light from the upwards uppercut tore into the skin of the Novashadow, light rippling into a wide cut in it's dark purple skin, tracing upwards across it's outer body from the gut to the jaw. Black smoke poured out of the wound, but quickly healed over, leaving a clear fresh scar cut into the damaged Heartless as it staggered backwards. But she was not done yet, as the keyblade of darkness stabbed towards it, piercing into the shadowy flesh once more. Stabbing it deep where it's heart would be, the Heartless would have certainly been killed, it if weren't a powerful Pureblood Heartless. The awkward movements of the young woman in comparison to the stocky arrogant steps she had been taken notice of by the Heartless, and if there was anytime to take advantage of this weakness, it would be now.

While the keyblade was lodged inside it, the Novashadow immediately swiped both claws downwards upon the female keyblader, claw marks of neon slashing through the very shadowy air it slashed through and left a trail behind as it attempted to slice and crush her. As if sensing the desperation of the Novashadow Heartless from the large chunk of health the human girl can carved out of it, the Neoshadow to the left-hand side of Kairi leapt into the air and cartwheel forward, sharp claws raking out at her in a fierce spin of shadowy projectile it had made it's body into. Behind this Heartless it's weakened counterpart Neoshadow appeared as it jumped out of the moving puddle shadow it had been shifting around beneath her feet in frenzied motion, backing up it's twin by unleashing another shockwave which followed behind the cannonball Heartless and increased it's speed towards her.

With the connection they had willingly allowed to sever from her heart, the light she had wished for had been immersed back into the Darkness along with the fainter bonds of her friends, and the light that was her own power she could feel was not as strong as it was before. Casting her friends and those she loved aside in favor of her connection to Vanitas and her own power, she only had them and Xemnas to rely on now... but, her friends and that glimmering light what was someone special to her would always be waiting there for her when she called upon that Light that was part of her power.

[superiortoyou]

The struggle continued.

Xemnas didn't know what entity had possessed Kairi, but the Superior knew that the conflict was not taking place on a physical level, but inside the Princess of Heart. It was clear that Kairi was not the one control, as her movements on the battlefield were that of an experienced warrior, that of a being who knew how to use the Keyblade. The evidence that stood before Xemnas was curious indeed, for the Superior had not encountered a Keyblader capable of controlling another being.

There was much that even the Superior of the In-Between had not witnessed.

The Superior watched it all, observing every last movement made. He could not see into the realm where Kairi faced her possessor, could not see into that part of the battle, but he could watch as the Princess' body made movements that Kairi had not shown before, had not held the ability to perform. The entity intruding upon the Princess' body was able to fight opponents both externally and internally, showing a degree of control that was seldom seen.

That control seemed to be short lived, however.

Whatever entity that had been facing Kairi no longer held control, for Xemnas could clearly see that it was the Princess who was in control now. Not only did her body move as the Superior had come to expect, for only a moment ago there had been a surge of power that even brought pause to Xemnas. Sienna eyes were instantly drawn to the Keyblade that Kairi now held, a weapon more magnificent than Xemnas had expected to see being carried by the Princess of Heart.

Kairi moved to destroy the remaining Heartless, to continue the test that Xemnas had set for her. The Superior's eyes calculated the battle, predicting the movements and reactions of the participants. It was clear that Kairi held an advantage, the Keyblade in her hand possessed more power than any Heartless could hope to achieve, but the Princess was still unexperienced, wielding raw power with no real knowledge of how to wield that.

Xemnas could not risk that power.

The darkness that had covered Xemnas faded, dissipating as the Superior took action. With a gesture Xemnas summoned a barrier between the Princess and the Heartless that had lunged at her, defending his interest. The rules of engagement had changed, Xemnas could not afford to lose what Kairi had just gained, the promise was far too much.

This was no longer a test, it had evolved into something much more than that.