I OWN NOTHING

Someone came to me with this idea on a review of my fic "A key chosen by darkness", and while I tried to put it away, I decided to give it a try. Consider it a darker spin-off where he fully embraces darkness.

XXXXXX

COULD

IT

BE

YOU

? ? ?

THE

ONE

TO

AID

US

? ? ?

We find a young teenage boy about fourteen years old falling down an endless void. There was not even wind around him, yet his mop of spiky blonde hair and whisker birthmarks fluttered over his heavily eyelids closed, showing he was deep asleep. His clothes consisted on a pair of orange pants, a pair of blue shinobi sandals, and a matching jacket with a massive hole on the chest. However, no blood came from his wound.

He fell and fell for what seemed hours in this dream. Or, was it a dream? He didn't know, it was all too real. Thus he ended opening his eyes, landing safely in a circular crystal platform very well designed. Looking around himself at the endless darkness he felt slightly nervous as he had no idea of what had happened or where he was, only that this was scaring him to no end.

"What… happened?" he clutched his chest, feeling pain, "I… that battle at the valley, he…" his hands grabbed his head, gripping it while his eyes flashed with anger and pain, "He did it! He… but I tried to help him, I did everything I could so he didn't… Then why did I have to end like this?! Am I just a laughing stock?! Is this some sort of joke?! I won't accept it, I'll never accept it!"

As he screamed to the skies, his chest started to hurt more, making him fall to his knees. His anger, sorrow, despair, and confusion just made his pain and body heavier. Clenching his hands into fists, he punched the ground with enough force he was sure the glass would've broken. He was surprised when feeling pain. After quickly shaking his hand to get the numbness away, he stared at the platform he landed on.

It was a picture of his sleeping body, resting on a crescent moon. The platform was mostly a deep red similar to the fur of a fox he had seen, and kunais and shurikens decorated the place. But, most importantly, as he looked to his image's sleeping face, there were pictures of others. His sensei and teammates, but something was wrong. Their images were shattered, broken. He could understand one, but the other two being broken confused him.

And then, he heard her, a voice so melodious, young and pure that he felt two things he'd never imagine would come together: fear and joy, "Worry not." the voice spoke serenely all around him, while the owner was nowhere to be seen, "In this realm none shall harm you, but I fear you're too hurt to move forward. Tell me, and do not fear, what do you desire?"

Opening his mouth briefly to reply, he found himself confused when he closed it and looked at the platform again, seeing that underneath the crescent moon his body slept in was his village, "I… I wanted to be a leader many could look up to, so they stopped acting like I… like I should exist." He frowned, closing his eyes for a moment, "Who… Who are you? Am I… dead? Are you going to take me to the underworld?"

"No." was her simple reply, "It is my only wish to see why you haven't fallen to the darkness inside you. Betrayed, left to die, abandoned, exploited, and… alone. How is it that you keep moving?"

"I asked you a question." He shot back, clutching his chest when it hurt more, "What… What's this place and who are you? And… what's with this pain? It's like nothing I've ever felt before…"

"It is power, a power that you've tried to ignore and feared to embrace because of those that controlled your life, those that put you in their shadows, those that wouldn't allow you to be alive." He shivered, it was as if she were right behind him, whispering to his ear, "That is your power… A power I will grant you to fight those that could ever harm you and to protect yourself from them, if you promise me one thing."

Narrowing his eyes at the dark void around him, he spoke up, "What's the catch?"

She giggled, sending something beyond surreal yet pleasurable down his chest, "If you choose me, I ask that you protect my children and become their guardian, their champion, perhaps… Oh no, dear me, I am rushing things." She let out a soft chuckle, "I am beyond joyous to have you here, so forgive me for being too forward. But the truth is, I can't wait to see what you can do. After all, you've never given up and your heart still beats with a strange power."

He sat down, cross-legged and cross-armed, "You got to make your point, what am I even here for, and what makes me so damn special?"

"That heart of yours is what makes you special. The power it holds to fight with all your might even if it pains you is what drew me in, the hatred that you keep deep down to try to overcome called to me, and… the fact you desire to make power yours. I do not mean to take power, far from it. I'm talking about earning the right to be stronger than others. Add that to your determination, and… I feel my entire being… fluttering in excitement. How did you do this? How can you make me so… so…"

"You're starting to scare me…" he replied nervously, getting another giggle.

"I can't help it, you're perfect, and the fact that in your last moment, even when you were being killed by your so called ally, you held on to something you believed was right and didn't kill him. Unlike that boy, who just sees what is right in his face and went for an easy route, despite your rage, you still held on to your own heart instead of giving it up for power. You… are like me. Put in the shadows of those that take the light all for themselves. You truly are the guardian our kind needs."

Naruto lied flat on his back, staring at the empty blackness above him, a distant look in his eyes, "Am I really that strong?" he asked, feeling the pain in his chest grow slightly, "I couldn't beat Sasuke… After everything we went through… Lee, Neji, Shikamaru, Kiba, Chouji... Sure, Neji and Kiba are jerks, and Shikamaru's a bum, but they didn't deserve to have their efforts spat on by him. Chouji and Lee are too damn good to be treated like dirt, and I…" he clenched his fists, "I had to leave them behind to save that moron! So tell me, why am I chosen when I couldn't beat him? What good is a guardian who can't beat an idiot?"

"Because we all can try again." Her voice made the pain in his chest go away, the sweet melody in his ears soothing his heart, as if hands were caressing it, "After all, I want to see you grow stronger with a second chance. So extend your hand to the skies, and let all those feelings, all the pain take form… What does your heart desire, Naruto?"

Extending his hand to the dark skies as she told him, he closed his eyes and tried to think on it, "I just… don't know…" he answered, "I want to be stronger, I want to have people recognize that I'm alive, that I'm not some mistake or monster, I want to stop feeling like I'm pathetic… But even if I say that, it doesn't even feel sincere anymore. Why? What's… happening to me?"

"You're not being true to yourself. There is someone inside you, your true self… Why don't you ask him what he wants?"

After saying those words, the pain in his chest increased until something burst out. Right there, before Naruto, was… another Naruto, "Heh… I don't know what this is, but damn does it feel good!" the copy said, dark red orbs staring at the blue-eyed blond surrounded by black sclera, "Why don't you stay there? I at least know what I really want, or are you really trying to ignore what they did to us?"

Naruto clenched his teeth, "What're you talking ab-" he jumped to his knees, crossing his arms in front of his face to stop a kick that made him skid back, "What the Hell's your problem?!"

The dark double chuckled, before sneering at him, "What do you think?! It's you, dammit! Look at yourself for once! Those morons that treated us like monsters get to live their happy life while we're left to rot so they can feel better! Get real!" he punched the blue-eyed kid, who stopped the strike by grabbing his copy's wrist and tried to punch him, only for the double to repeat the move, leaving them at a stalemate.

"Are you really going to bring that up?" Naruto growled lowly as they tried to push each other back.

His other smirked, "Damn right… Face it, I'm more you than you'll ever be. At least I act how I really feel, and pranks won't work." He chuckled again, "Nah, it'd never work. Those people will cry all they want about how one Naruto Uzumaki deserves to be in their shadows. Oh, big deal, they lost their families and loved ones… Well, we didn't even get to know ours! We were put in an orphanage filled with people who hated our guts and being a shinobi hasn't worked at all! To be a leader worthy of their respect?! Don't joke with me! From the very start they shouldn't have tried to act like they're in the right! I hate that b-"

Quickly using his head, literally, Naruto slammed his forehead on his double's face with a solid crunch, "Shut up!" he growled, finally snapping as the two brought up their fists, "If you're the real me, then I don't want to be some whinny version of Sasuke that complains about how his pain is all that matters!" he grabbed his head, ruffling his head in anger, "Argh! Is this what it's like to hear yourself talk?! Ugh! I feel sick to think I'm like this! Why do you have to complain so much about how life's unfair instead of doing something?! At least I tried to follow a path!"

"And look where it got you!" his copy roared before racing at him and punching Naruto in the face, who clenched his jaw and forced his body to remain up to swat aside the arm and return the punch. The dark-eyed blond didn't step back either.

"I know!" Naruto answered before both kicked each other on their sides, painfully crushing ribs.

"You haven't really acted either! Still a genin, still a loser to everyone, still not even second best to Sakura, and still in Sasuke's shadow!" the darker blond roared as he threw a right hook to the other's side.

"I told you I know!" the original boy answered before kicking his other self in the stomach, putting some distance between them as they panted tiredly.

"Then why don't you act?!" the dark one yelled as he raced at his other with a fist pulled back, which Naruto mimicked.

"Because…" Naruto started as they both stopped their charge mere inches from the other, their fists flying forward, "I don't want to let them win!"

"Wh-" the dark boy started, interrupted when Naruto punched him down on the floor, and behind them the cracks that covered the faces of his team were cracking even more.

Grabbing his counterpart's jacket by the lapels, Naruto stared at himself and spoke up, "I…" he started, closing his eyes as he himself couldn't believe what was happening, "I'm a sore loser, alright? To think I could go the easy route like Sasuke did when we fought him, to just try and act like feeling sad and angry should let me get away with anything, it's just crap. I don't owe anyone nothing, not to Sakura or Sasuke. I just did what I wanted to because I chose to. Hell, part of me just wanted to have the bastard thank me so I could rub it on his face. But acting like the moron that got us into this... After seeing that, I'd feel sick."

"What of the ones that really got us into this?" his double spat back, "You think we can all frolic around the fields of friendship hand in hand like idiots?"

Naruto paused before shaking his head, "No, but anything's better than acting like we have so far. Besides, do you really want to end up acting like those guys, treating anyone who's not like us as if they're dirt?"

"True…" his alter ego said as both decided to lie down, side by side, "You do know our life isn't really ours, right? Of course you do, I'm you. Those people… the way they acted is what made us who we are."

"Yeah, that's why I want to at least choose something for once in my life…" they stared at the darkness unblinking, "I do… I do want to make them pay, you know that, right?"

"Aye, you're me." his other self chuckled, "But going the easy route… I guess that's not us."

There was a pause, which Naruto broke before it got too long, "You know… Sorry… Whoever or whatever you are, you've been carrying all this for all my life, like I just threw all the trash I didn't want on your back."

"Hey, it's fine… It's the first time I feel real."

"Same."

The two smiled and Naruto closed his eyes before reaching out into the darkness. When he opened them, there was something in his hand and the voice returned, "Congratulations, Naruto. You've started to embrace your darkness. However, your weapon… Your mind and body have accepted this power, but your heart clings onto something. You are truly one of a kind."

Naruto whistled at the weapon in his hand. It was a broadsword about three-foot-long. It had a cylindrical purple handle, and a double-edged pitch black blade which was very, very sharp. However, it possessed no guard, just a red tear-shaped gem on the part where the handle was connected with the straight blade. And last but not least, it had a black chain on the pummel with something missing on the last link.

"Key… blade…" Naruto whispered with blank eyes, "Why does it feel so… comforting to hold this?"

"It is a weapon made of the power in your heart, the darkness inside you. But it is incomplete. How? Could something else reside in you besides your own darkness?"

"So I got to complete this sword." He said, brandishing with simple moves before staring around, and noticing that the platform was still cracking, "Uh… do you mind giving me a lift?!"

His words got him nothing to stop the platform from breaking as he fell down, though he got an answer, "Fear not, at the moment this is nothing but a bad dream…"

THIS

POWER

SHALL

BE

A

NIGHTMARE

TO

THOSE

THAT

WRONGED

YOU

After opening his eyes without knowing when he closed them, Naruto found himself in the middle of a garden. Large bushes flanked him, beautiful flowers adorned the place, and he felt at ease. It was when he got up from the grass he rested on that he felt uncomfortably different. His sandals and pants were gone, replaced by black ballooning pants and a pair of purple steel greaves with a spike on each knee guard.

Getting up he stared at the rest of his body. Both hands were covered in steel gauntlets similar in design to his greaves only that they were black, and his torso was covered by a purple gi, complete with a black belt. In short, he looked like a mixture between a knight and a samurai, and while he was confused, he had to check something first. Upon looking at his bare chest, he frowned at the large scar the size of a fist on it.

"What happened to my clothes?!" he exclaimed in shock, scanning his body and new attire.

The voice answered him, "Your other clothes were too far gone, and I wouldn't want our champion to walk like a random rat in rags. I hope you like them, they're made of a special cloth that will allow you to resist powerful attacks from the elements, and the armor are perfect for blocking strikes and delivering them. For now, you should turn around, there's some things we need to find out."

He did as told and found some familiar things as he moved forward, mainly the buildings, but the sight of a massive red fox with nine tails put him on edge, "Kyuubi… Was this all your doing?! Did you put me in an illusion?!" he asked the towering beast, but got no response, which angered him as the tailed creature moved closer to him, "Answer me, you damn fox!"

Once again, he was answered in ways he didn't expect, "What is it you fear most?" the red-furred demon asked him.

"What?" Naruto asked, confused as he looked around for answers.

"What is it you fear most?" and after the fox repeated his question, someone appeared in the blink of an eye, standing before him.

It was impossible to miss who it was, a small, and rather old man with a goatee, a balding head, and white robes with the Hokage hat appeared, "What is it you fear most?" he asked.

"I see…" he said, looking around as he slowly comprehended more of what he was seeing, "Seeing as you won't let me out that easy… I guess I hate feeling weak, to be unable to do a thing… I fear being… powerless."

"What's most important to you?" the next apparition was one from the history books, with a wild mop of spiky blond hair, blue eyes matching his, and a Jounin outfit with a stylish white cloak and Hokage hat.

Putting his hand on his chin, rubbing it with his thumb and index finger, he took a moment to think, "Showing everyone I'm not a waste of life…" he growled the last part, the way the whispers and stares made him feel in the past were resurfacing.

"What do you want out of life?" the fox asked, looming over him.

"I'm not even sure at this point."

"You fear being unable to change your fate, you cherish making your existence feel worthwhile, and your future is now uncertain…" it was the same voice that greeted him, "The weapon you obtained shall let you carve your own path, make your own choices. It is born from your heart's true form for that very reason, and it shall be the only way you'll be able to fight against those that gave you a life that wasn't yours."

In the blink of an eye he was back on another platform surrounded by nothing but darkness. However, he could see himself in the picture, only that he was clad in the clothes he wore, the red surrounding him had been turned into black, and there was a large emblem on the background. Despite his body still resting on a crescent moon with his hand clutching the incomplete sword he was given, he took notice of the image of a shattered heart that covered as much space as possible.

He also heard the sound of someone wobbling behind him, the sound of uneven steps, "Who's there?" he asked and was face to face with… quite an odd and adorable sight. It was a being with a body darker than a shadow and about half his size, with large bunny feet, antennae, a round head, and glowing yellow eyes. No other features could be seen.

"The only way for you to grow stronger is to face your fear and stand above it…" the melodious voice answered, "You'll find many enemies in your path, people you'll face to become more powerful. This one here is a temporary one, only here to aid you by testing your strength."

The beetle-like imp jumped at him, claws ready for action. Being a shinobi that took his training in hand to hand combat as seriously as he could, he had no trouble ducking under its swipe and slashing it with his blade. The little critter hit the ground and its small body vanished. Wisps of darkness akin to smoke flew from its disappearing carcass… into the dark sword he held. With wide eyes he felt it, something surging deep inside him, and there was an odd sense of peace. He felt at ease, like a pain in him was melting away.

"What kind of sword is this?" he asked in surprise, staring at the incomplete blade.

His chatty companion giggled, "A weapon made to grant you the strength of those that fall before it. Use it wisely, for there are many that deserve to be slain by it. I, however, desire to see what you do with it. Your hand was steady to face a foe you thought… No, dare I say it, you knew there was no other way around it. Was it instinct? Whatever happened there, you understood you had to defeat it. And yet something deeper than your nature keeps you from succumbing to what created true monsters."

He nodded while taking it all in, trying to comprehend what was in his hands, "It's a good thing that creep Orochimaru doesn't have one of these." He took a few experimental swings at the air before hearing yet again another set of feet behind him. Turning around he was face to face with more imps, all jumping at him. With a mere dash and three wild swings at speeds the shadow beings never saw coming, Naruto felt their strength and life enter his sword, becoming his.

"That rotten seeker of useless power is nothing compared to what you can become." She told him, surprising him at how it sounded like something other evil shinobi would say, "He took so many lives, created many children that lived in shadows, and dared ruin your life in more ways than one. And yet, he isn't the one that harmed you the most."

Another imp appeared, only to be replaced by someone else with a dark wave of energy, revealing the Uchiha that tried to kill him, "Who… is he?" he asked, unsure of who the spiky haired male Uchiha was.

"He has many masks, yet is a peon for another crueler man, who himself is a puppet of a mad woman's schemes…" the voice explained, "They all use others for their gain, even you. You could ask your prisoner, the one those that shunned you mistook you for, who this man is. After all… they were the ones that stole you of a chance to ever seeing your parents, a chance to be loved, a chance to choose your very life."

Naruto's face was frozen into confusion at what he first heard, but as the voice kept explaining the truth behind it all, he changed his expression into shock, which soon became a rage that burned hotter and hotter. Soon enough, the landscape changed into a miserable sewer with water up to his ankles, and a single massive cell before him. It was a familiar sight, but changes were made to his last stay. A single paper that kept the gate shut was gone, the door was opened, and the prisoner didn't dare to escape.

"Are you…?" he asked lowly, looking around, "The one that helped me all this time, was it you… Kyuubi? Did I break your seal and-"

"I'm afraid that you're mistaken." he shuddered when feeling a warm breath nearly flicking his ear with the sweet voice accompanying it, "But I know the stories your people have about foxes. How did you picture me in your mind?"

Bright red whiskered cheeks answered her, making her giggle and him change subjects, "Wait a second, what's happened to the fox?! Did you do this?"

"Oh dear, this won't be easy to explain…" she sighed, and he felt a near ghostly touch on his chest when she spoke, "In that battle, you did not survive. Fear not, as I stated, you aren't dead. However, you technically were for some time. Your prisoner and you wouldn't have survived such wound and to stay in a dying body, which is why I brought you here. How does your body feel now? Oh, and sorry about the scar, I did my best to heal such a mortal wound in what little time I had."

He patted his scarred chest and exhaled a breath he didn't realize he had been holding, "You did a great job." He flexed his shoulders, "Actually, I've never felt this good, like I've gone to some heavenly hot springs."

"I am pleased to hear that, but I'm sure you've noticed that your fox isn't here." He nodded, "A being like him, a body of pure utter hatred, couldn't last long in this realm. I shall keep him safe if you so desire."

He was at a loss, putting his hand on his chin, "You said he knew who ruined my life, but you also know who that person is…" he tried to think more on it, "That fox just… appeared out of nowhere and wrecked the village. But the way you say things is like…" he looked at the cage, "Was he… Was the Kyuubi also tricked by this guy?"

"It took you some time, but you figured it out. Yes, indeed, this man knows no limits, and in his search for power, for darkness to eclipse the life of others, he used the fox and killed both your parents. And while he failed to accomplish his initial goal, his actions gave the other two puppeteers enough possibilities to plan ahead. And thus, here you are."

He growled and stepped into the cage, "Then let me see the fox, I want to know what he did and who did it!" he walked in deeper, unafraid of the dark, "Hey you oversized fur-ball, talk to me!"

"You… little… bitch!" the roar was from no one else but the fox, whose claws could still crush Naruto with one finger.

Said boy moved up his sword and, surprising even himself, parried the attack and kept the massive red furry claw from reaching him, "Missed you too, fluffy." He spat back while he and a twenty story tall fox struggled in a stalemate.

"How're you that strong?! Was it her doing?! Was it the bitch that put me in here?!" he exclaimed with a grunt between each pause, shocked to see the small kid keeping him at bay, "What has she done to me?! No, what has she done to you?! You were never this strong, and I was never this weak, how-"

"Stop yapping and start making sense!" Naruto snapped before pushing aside the claw and aiming his sword at the fox, no longer afraid of it, "Who used you?!"

"What are you…"

"When I was born, who used you to destroy the village?!"

The fox grew angrier, "Why do you care now? Is it because of that little bitch that has done this to me?!" From the shadows the fox appeared, with a massive collar on his neck that chained him to the floor, while matching shackles kept its legs in place. Naruto took a couple steps back, and the claw was unable to reach him.

Perhaps in another moment he'd have smiled and mocked him, but then and there he had a lot in his mind, "I guess I owe her a thank you." He looked at the fox in his eyes and sat down in the lotus position, "Listen, I got no idea what's going on and I bet neither do you, but there's someone that used us…" he growled as he remembered the face, that of an Uchiha but with horrible scars, "Whoever that guy is, he deserves to die, I got no doubt about it. But here we are, stuck until we figure how the girl that got us in here will let us out."

The Kyuubi stared at him, curious, "You want to kill him?"

Naruto balled his hands into fists, and he could feel something deep beneath his scar rising, and the fox could see a dark aura flare around him, "All he did… it has no excuse. You, me, everyone that lost someone… He made it happen. Though killing him may be too nice. I want to make sure he never makes anyone suffer like we did, and I want him to regret it until the end of time. If I killed him, that'd be it, it's like having him escape free of paying for what he did."

Chuckling, the fox smirked, "So, you really want to make him pay. Not with a quick or even a slow death, but just make sure every moment of his existence makes him regret it all… Now you're talking."

The voice finally spoke, "Spoken like a true king, seeking justice for those that suffer at the hands of the ones that take, justifying what they do to feel no guilt while casting many like us into their shadows."

"Is this what you wanted me for?" he asked while he and the fox looked around.

"I do wish to see you become a champion for us, even your friend whose hatred makes this place consume him. What say you, fox? Do you want to be absorbed by this place or work with someone that was as much of a prisoner as you were?" the fox snorted, he could see whoever was talking to him smiling condescendingly.

"Not like I have a choice."

"Good. Your pride doesn't need to sting, though. I will give you the right to earn your power if you protect Naruto. As time progresses, I shall see if you're really trustworthy."

That enraged the beast, "What're you talking about?! I already agreed to-"

"Agreeing doesn't mean loyalty." She cut him off, "I can see in your eyes a hate so deep it'd blind you to anything. Should you find anyone that angers you there'd be a problem. In order to keep you from endangering the one person that I kept you alive for, I need to make sure your own personal vendettas won't get in his way. After all, there are far more like you that deserve a good champion, one who doesn't have to worry about a pet barking at the wrong tree."

Naruto started to snicker while the fox growled deeply, "I don't know who you are, sis, but you're the best girl I've ever met to make big old fuzzy this angry without even trying."

A giggle escaped her, "Oh my, please keep those words to yourself… I may be… Oh dear me, forget I talked…" she giggled again, albeit nervously, before explaining herself, "What say you? Are you ready to start? I do recommend you gain more power, for in your current state you couldn't measure to the ones controlling everything. And even they are not your worst threat."

He nodded, "So you're saying I should train. Sounds simple enough."

"No, I'm saying you should try and choose what places to gain power from." She elaborated, "There are many worlds out there, many which you could never have imagined. Deep inside them there are countless strong warriors that would pose the perfect challenge for you to grow stronger. If you wish to go, just focus your mind and heart on what you desire, and I shall take you there. After your new friend talks."

The fox snorted but didn't dare show another sigh of discontent least he anger her, "Where do I start?"

"The guy was an Uchiha, no doubt about it." Naruto started, "Do you know who it was?"

"The name Madara Uchiha ring any bells?" the boy shook his head, making the fox sigh, "He's an asshole, plain and simple. The reason the Uchiha clan is as messed up as it is can be linked to him. However, the guy's been raising maggots for years, dead as shit. Who I saw, though, was like a double yet not quite. They knew too much about me and other matters."

"His name was Obito Uchiha." The voice said, shocking the fox and confusing Naruto, "A puppet of a puppet, and one that hated the fabled savior of that village of yours."

"That brat?! He was the Fourth's dead student, how'd he survive?!"

"It was Madara, but I'm glad to see you told Naruto at least one truth, fox." The voice answered him.

"That bastard… now it all makes sense. Give him enough time and he'd have the brat working for him…" he turned to Naruto, who was stunned beyond words at what he had heard. "You may not know it, but that Obito betrayed not only his own village, but those that loved him by doing what he did. If you wish to make him pay, he needs something worse than death."

"Indeed, but for now, we need to move forward." The voice said before the towering beast disappeared.

"Wait, I have a lot more to ask him!" the blond shouted, trying to reach out to anything.

"Be patient, I am sure the story was big on you." He glared at the dark void, "Fear and worry not, I promise to let you know more as you go on. Telling you all the details would mean changing everything you know, and the power I bestowed on you is linked to your heart. You need to take this in slowly, or that anger you feel inside you will grow and devour you. Think on it, if you lost yourself to anger you could end as those Shadows you took out."

He groaned but nodded, "I guess I can trust you." His palm went to his chest, "I feel it deep in me, when I killed them I felt great their power in me. And to hear of this, what that guy did and knowing he betrayed others makes me feel sick, though something in me feels stronger. I need to know what this is. What am I supposed to do?"

"I told you, didn't I?" her voice echoed as darkness surrounded him, "I'm the one to bestow you the power of those cast in the shadows of the ones that take the light all for themselves. This is the power of true darkness, and my only wish is to see you become someone who can protect us from the light seekers that took everything from us."

He nodded, remembering Obito's face and feeling the anger grow in him, "And I will make them pay, they will regret it without a death to escape it."

She giggled, "Good. You will meet a fine warrior in the world I'm sending you two. She is one like you, a puppet of a cruel fate set by cruel people. However, she's become her own worst enemy because of it. Find her, earn her trust, and show her why I found this great potential in you to lead us."

AND

SOON

YOU

WILL

OPEN

THE

GATES

FOR

OUR

FREEDOM

XXXXXX

And that's my rap!

This is a prologue to a darker take on my other Kingdom Hearts fic. Naruto here will listen more to his darker side and will be guided by a mysterious figure to become a truly dark king.

However, I'm not going to go the ways of other evil Naruto stories. He does have reasons to be angry and want to see people burn at the stake – the Uchiha clan, for starters – but he seeks some form of dark justice.

I'm not talking deaths that let the villain go into the afterlife quickly, I'm talking a fitting punishment for really cruel bastards.

How? Well, thank Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Part 4; Diamond is Unbreakable for showing us good ideas on what a fate worse than death can be for real, irredeemable scumbags.

Also, I'll keep the voice's real identity a secret here. You can try and guess who it is if you've read my previous fic, but I'll try to have it a secret for longer for anyone who doesn't want spoilers.

Swordslinger out!