If this is the End

Summary: The continuation of the FemSora-verse. Sora and Riku take the Mark of Mastery exam. What they expected would be a straight forward test turns into a battle for survival against the darkness. It's a test of skill, courage, and fortitude… but what truly guides them through the trial is their belief and love for each other.

Chapter 1: The Test

Roxas…

"Axel..." Roxas murmured in her sleep. Even in the darkness she could still feel Axel's warmth against her. She'd said her goodbyes but she didn't want to leave him. She could still hear his voice, could still smell his scent, and taste his kiss. It made her ache inside knowing it was all just a dream. Axel was gone, and she was left to float in the shadows of Sora's heart. It was a truly lonely existence.

"But you're not alone..." A voice whispered to her and Roxas felt herself falling, not into the cold darkness but into the warmth of someone's light. "Once you connect with someone, no heart is ever truly alone."

"But... I don't have a heart." She murmured.

"Are you sure about that?" The voice teased some sensing the uncertainty in her voice.

"I don't know..." She sighed, too tired for this game. "How does anyone know if they have hearts?" She slowly opened her eyes and stare into the light. It was so bright and beautiful, and too alluring to pull away. "Sora...do you know the answer? Will you help me?"

"Well that's a silly question!" Roxas gasped at the answer. In the light she saw a figure, a hand stretching out to take hers. Roxas' eyes went wide as saucers the familiar smile and joyous laugh. "Of course I will!"

"Sora!?" She floated down, the light became so bright she had to shield her eyes. She felt a calm breeze against her face and slowly opened her eyes to look around and she saw the beautiful beach of Destiny Islands. "Where… am I? She walked along the shore her brows furrowed together. "I feel like I've been here before."

"You have…" Venus approached from behind and Roxas jerked and whirled around staring at her own face. "Though this version is only a simulation… a pure manifestation of the light inside Sora's heart. It is the place where those that have been welcomed into Sora's heart reside, and that now includes you... Roxas."

"You… why do you have my face? Who are you?" Roxas stare in disbelief at this alternate version of herself.

"My name is Venus, and as to why we look alike, I'm afraid the explanation is a bit of a long story and quite complicated. I'm not entirely sure of all the details myself." She stepped forward so they stood side by side, Venus admiring the setting sun and the waves lapping at her feet. "What I can tell you is we're connected through Sora, all three of us."

"Three?"

"Hello Roxas…" Xion came from the opposite side of the beach smiling warmly. There was some confusion at first, Roxas having a vague sense of familiarity… until the pieces finally connected and tears welled up.

"Xion!" Roxas wrapped her arms around her holding her tightly. "Oh my god it is you! I found you!"

Xion hugged her best friend tightly laying her head on her shoulder.

"Mmmm I told you I went back where I belonged. I'm glad to see you did too." She pulled back and wiped away Roxas' tears.

"So this place… this is Sora's heart?" Roxas looked around.

"Half of it, anyway." Xion explained. "This is the light inside Sora's heart... where you were before was the shadow side. Unlike the princesses of heart who have hearts made of pure light, Sora's heart is made of both light and darkness. What you see now is the light."

"I see..." Roxas couldn't help but smile at the abeauty of this small piece of paradise. The quiet breeze, the sound of the waves, and scent of the air. "It's so serene… and peaceful."

"I'm afraid it won't be for long…" Venus assured, her smile fading as her eyes took on a serious look. "There's a force out there that is looking to turn her heart completely to darkness. I've been sensing it off and on during her journey. The ones responsible nearly succeeded in Castle Oblivion, using Sora's own light against her to create heavy shadows on her heart."

"Castle Oblivion?" Roxas murmured and looked to Xion who nodded. "The organization? They used her light? How?" Roxas raised a brow.

"Mmmm… There are many different types of hearts, all with their own sources of light whether it be dreams, family, or a possession of some kind." " Venus played with her wayfinder. The real one was back with her sleeping body... but her heart had kept this simulated one as the symbol and source of her own light and power. "For Sora the source of her light is her connection with other people. The friends she's made through her various journeys… and the love she shares with another. It's that love that's both her greatest strength and ultimate weakness."

She clutched the wayfinder to her heart. Venus knew all too well what price one could pay for the sake of their loved ones.

"So the Organization is still trying to turn Sora's heart to darkness?" Roxas rubbed her chin wondering where she'd heard that before.

"Yes... but it may not be the organization you know."

"So, Venus, how do you know all this? You're trapped in Sora's heart like the two of us right?"

"I guess you could say I've got someone on the inside, though they may not know it yet. Still it's only a matter of time before the Organization strikes and we'll be made vulnerable again" Venus glanced over her shoulder at the other two. "I've already divulged all I know to Xion… the question I have for you Roxas is what are you going to do about it?"

"Me?"

"Yes, are you going help protect Sora's heart… or will you let it be swallowed up by the darkness to give yourself another chance at life?"

Roxas looked down and away at that.

"Even if I could return it would be for nothing. Axel is gone, and I'll never see him again."

"Never say never…" Venus smiled knowingly. She'd met Axel's former self before, and wondered what his reaction would be to meeting them both again."If there's one thing I've learned being inside Sora's heart all this time, is that you should never give up hope. Still the decision whether or not to help is yours to make, Roxas. I won't force you one way or the other."

Venus started walking away, and with Vanita on her brain she casually flipped her hair over her shoulder and gave a little smirk.

"I wouldn't take too long to decide… time here passes by rather quickly, I've noticed." Her body faded into a glowing golden orb that was her heart and vanished to the other side of the island.

Xion looked to Roxas who stare sour faced, and silent.

"You okay?"

"Not really…" She admitted. "I don't even know who this Venus girl is, and the fact she has my face irritates me." She plopped onto the sand sighing heavily. "Protect the light, or escape through the darkness... I'm not sure what I should do."

"Well..." Xion crouched down with her and hugged her legs. "What do you WANT to do?"

"I want to see Axel again..." She quickly admitted, her eyes staring at the beautiful sunset, her mind full of memories of the three of them sitting on the clock tower and just enjoying each other's company. She'd give anything to have that again. "If there is a chance I can see Axel again... I want to take it... but I don't want to go back to that void."

"The void?" Xion raised a brow.

"The shadow side of Sora's heart... it's like being behind a double sided mirror. I could see everything Sora was doing, her her thoughts, and feel her emotions, but she couldn't see, hear or feel me. I would scream from the other side, begging to come out but no one would know I was there. I had to watch Axel fade from behind that wall... and because I did I finally was able to get Sora's attention, I was finally able to give her a piece of my mind!"

Roxas clenched her fists and let out a slow uneasy breath.

"So what happened?" Xion touched her shoulder. "Why did you fall back into the void?"

"...because I lost." Roxas cried and hugged her legs to her chest. "Her heart made her stronger than me."

"Sora's become aware of me, so I guess that's why this path to the light opened for me. I like Sora... but I'm jealous of her." Roxas admitted. "She's got everything I want, and it's so frustrating because I know I could have it too." She closed her eyes. "If only..."

"If only you had a heart of your own." Xion looked down sadly. If what Venus believed was true, both she and Roxas did have hearts of their own. Their hearts were kept here in Sora's light just waiting to be released and awakened with the right keys and through the right doors.

If Roxas could return by using the darkness inside Sora's heart did that also apply her? If it did… what would she do when the time came to save Sora from the darkness? Would she do what's right? Or would she selfishly let Sora take the fall? She wasn't sure of it now.

After all… Roxas wasn't the only one who wanted a life of her own.

~Yen Sid's Castle~

"Mark of Mastery exam huh?" Sora pouted. The long and arduous explanation of them being summoned here was proving more than what Sora's attention span could take. Still she knew all of this was important and needed her full attention so she did her best to hear them out. The one thing she didn't like was that Yen Sid felt the need to test them in order to make them true masters.

"No doubt you fancy yourselves masters already…" Sora watched Yen Sid crack a smile and she had a sudden urge to pout knowing he was giving her a patronizing look. "You're both self taught keyblade wielders, an impressive feat, but only a real keyblade master can show you the proper way."

"This is all a formality, though, isn't it? We've already proven , the King, and Riku, we can take on anything. Right Riku?" She looked up at her best friend and boyfriend wanting his agreement and confirmation.

"I dunno…" Riku spoke up catching her off guard with the look of doubt on his face. "I think in my heart…" Riku manifested his keyblade the mix of light and dark taking shape in his hand. When he looked at it, he saw his own heart reflected, and worried about the stain of darkness that still lingered. "Darkness still has a hold."

"Come on, Riku," Sora nudged him as if to shake him out of a funk. "You're worrying too much." She blushed a little as the memory of their last night on the islands came to mind. "Don't you remembered what you said to me back on the islands before we left? You said-"

"I found my light." He turned to her smiling and let his blade fade again. "I know what I said, and I meant every word. Finding the light again and the strength that came with it has allowed me to be by your side again… but walking that path changed me, Sora. I'm not sure if I'm ready to wield a keyblade." he turned to the master, saw his affirmed nod and knew their thoughts were in the same boat. "I think I do need to be tested."

"Riku…" Sora touched his hand, their fingers lacing and hearts connecting. She could sense his unease, his doubts and knew he needed a boost of confidence. If this test was what it took for RIku to see he was worthy of wielding a keyblade, then she'd help him see it through.

"Okay…" she nodded and with her hand still in his she turned to the master. "Then I'm in! Put me through the test. You'll see, Riku and I will pass with flying colors." She gave a confident smile and squeezed Riku's hand for support, which he returned.

Yen Sid looked at this young couple, so different and yet so right together. Their bond created something strong and would prove useful in the upcoming battle he sensed. With a nod of approval he sat up tall and spoke with clarity.

"Very well, Sora and Riku… let your examination, begin!"

~The Test~

Sora looked down at her hands and body. She was in her younger form...the age she had been when the island got swallowed by the darkness. According to Master Yen Sid their test was to travel into the world of sleep and unlock seven sleeping keyholes.

The world of sleep was a place between light and darkness in which the realm of dreams lay. In this realm worlds that had fallen into darkness were now trapped in an endless time loop, unable to waken.

Destiny Island was also a part of this realm, or a version thereof. When Ansem had cast it into darkness, this small piece of time was left frozen in the realm of dreams, and would serve as their gateway into the other sleeping worlds.

"Feels a little strange coming back here. I look like I did nearly two years ago, but I…" she glanced over at him and her cheeks flushed when she caught him staring at her. "What is it?"

"Hmm? Oh," he shook his head laughing. "Its nothing. Just had a moment of nostalgia is all." He touched the stars dangling from her braid. She blushed at the contact and laughed reaching out and tapping the medallion around his neck.

"Well nostalgia is nice… but I like the present better." She lifted her head grinning and he had to smile back.

"Can't say I argue with you." He turned to look out at the ocean. "We need to leave the island. We should go find the raft and get it sea worthy."

"Okay…" she crossed her arms behind her head and then suddenly smirked as a memory clicked. "But how far will a raft take us?"

"Who knows…" he smiled as they reenacted the memory. "If we have to, we'll think of something else."

"Mmmm oh hey I'll race you there!" She started running across the sand and Riku laughed giving chase.

"Cheater! Who said you could have a head start, huh?" Riku ate up ground fast but Sora still pulled ahead. He had to smile listening to her laugh and enjoy the peaceful moment.

That peaceful moment came to a screeching halt when he saw a figure step out in front of Sora as she opened the door to the back of the island.

"Sora!"

Sora stare up at the hooded figure his hand touching the top of her head and she collapsed. Riku leapt and caught her instantly, his blade out and swiping at the figure who disappeared.

"Damn, what the hell was that? It looked like a shadow of some form but why did it put Sora to sleep? Unless… maybe he was a nightmare." Riku recalled Master Yen Sid mentioning that the world of dreams didn't have heartless or no bodies… but instead had creatures all of their creatures were known as dream eaters and there were two kinds. "Nightmares" devoured happy dreams, and were the source of darkness in the sleeping worlds. While "Spirits" on the other hand served as guides and were protectors against nightmares.

He shook his head. No time for theories, he thought and lifted Sora up to shake her.

"Sora! Sora wake up!" he let out a sigh of relief as she began to stir. Her beautiful blue eyes fluttering open and staring at him confused and sleepy.

"Huh? Riku?" Sora held her head groaning. "What happened?"

"I don't know...I'm not sure what it was but something attacked you. It might have been one of those nightmares Yen Sid talked about."

"Nightmares?" She vaguely recalled Yen Sid's lecture and made a small "oh" sound. "Right… dream eaters. I don't remember being attacked though. I just remember feeling really really sleepy."

"It was probably trying to steal your dreams." He rubbed her hands and helped her to her feet. "You gotta be more careful."

"Yeah, you're right...sorry about that Riku." She got up testing her body out a little and shaking off the sleepiness. She slapped her cheeks making a face that had Riku chuckling. "Okay I'm back. No more goofing off."

"That'll be the day." Riku teased walking last her.

"Hey!" Sora pouted and stuck her tongue out. "I can be serious when I need to."

"Alright, Miss Serious, then stop pouting and let's cast off." He eyed the raft in question giving it a thorough check before nudging it towards the water. Sora sighed heavily and bent over giving the raft a shove before jumping on and the two of them floating off.

As they distanced themselves from the island, Sora took a wary glance back. Something felt off… and after giving herself a moment to think, something struck her as odd.

"Hey Riku… Yen Sid brought us back to the island before it got cast into darkness right?"

"Yeah…" He adjusted the sail tuning it so the wind carried them off north east and away from the islands and mainland.

"Well before that Kairi, Tidus, Selphie and Wakka were on the island with us, but I didn't see them, or any kind of version of them. Why do you think that is?"

Riku's hand hesitated on the rope. He'd been wondering the exact same thing. Glancing back he watched the island disappearing into the blue of the ocean and scowled.

"You know something… that's a good question." Thunder crashed above them and Sora grabbed his shoulder shaking some.

"Riku! A storm is coming!"

"Yeah, and the waves are getting steep." He noticed and stood up helping to steady her. "Easy, Sora. Don't panic. Help me furl the sail."

"Right." Sora nodded and she crouched down to untie the knot while Riku walked to the mast and bring down the sail. A sudden gust of wind split the mast apart, knocking Riku back and off the raft.

"RIKU!" Sora stay crouched on the raft staring out at the mast and Riku clinging to it.

"I'm alright!" He called out to her. "Hang on, Sora!" He glanced back as a whirlpool formed, and in its center he felt the familiar cold of darkness. "What's that?"

Sora too had noticed the whirlpool and her eyes went wide with disbelief at the massive figure that appeared from it.

"Ursula!?"

~The Real World~

Ansem stood over Sora's unconscious body his face warped in a smirk. That had gone all too well and easy.

"It's just as he said it would be…"

Ansem turned around to look at the figure dressed in the cloak of Organization 13. His silver hair and golden eyes pure reflections of his own, but in a younger and more vital state of mind and body.

"Not quite… she wasn't alone. He was with her." Ansem spoke hefting Sora up under one arm.

"By he, you mean Riku?" He looked around. "Where is the boy now? Did you destroy him?"

"No, that's what worries me. After I put Sora to sleep he leapt at me and suddenly vanished as if he had never been there to begin with. It's a puzzle."

"So long as the goal was accomplished there's no sense worrying about certain circumstances that are out of our control." He reached out a hand touching Sora's hair and smirking. " Even if he somehow manages to figure out our plan it'll be too late. For I shall enter her dreams and ensure she stays in the world of sleep. Once trapped there, she will sleep eternally, and we will have our final vessel."

~Ask Briry~

Briry: I told myself I wasn't going to release this until AFTER KH3 but due to high demand I've decided to just go with my original plot points and hope for the best. I hope you all enjoy the first chapter and look forward to more!

Next Chapter: Split level Traverse Town