Wasteland: Royal Palace

Hope returned to visit her friends, Frank and Faye, both who was still recovering after the loss of Rex. Rex had sacrificed himself in order to give time for them to escape and possibly saved many worlds in the process.

"You guys doing all right?" Hope asked.

Frank sighed. "I just can't believe he's gone."

"I don't either," said Faye looking over the balcony that oversaw the entire city. "Still believe that he's alive."

Frank shook his head. "I don't have the strength to tell her otherwise. There again Rex always said don't count someone dead until you see their body right in front of you."

Hope looked at him. "Do you truly think that he might be alive?"

Frank shrugged. "To be perfectly honest I don't know."

"I see the three of you are still suffering from your loss," said a voice.

They turned and saw Master Ventus walking towards them, he was still wearing his black coat and had a sallow expression on his face.

"Master Ventus," said Frank kneeling down on one foot.

"There's no need to do that and you can call me Ven," Master Ventus insisted. "I kept on trying to get Rex to call me that, but every time fell on deaf ears."

Faye looked at him. "You knew Rex?"

Hope then remember that Faye had no knowledge on what happened over the past five years to Rex. "After you were kidnapped, Rex travelled the worlds with Ven."

"I was certainly nice to have some company," Master Ventus smiled, though home wasn't sure whether he was smiling because she called him Ven.

Frank looked at Master Ventus. "You must have made quite an impression on Rex, because when he left he had nothing but revenge on his mind."

They Faye looked at him. "Rex did seem different when I saw him, though I wasn't so sure since it was so brief."

Frank looked at Faye. "He went through a lot after you were kidnapped."

Master Ventus nodded. "I could see the darkness in his heart and so I took it upon myself in order to find a way to prevent him from falling into that darkness. Revenge is an excellent way for one to fall into darkness, which I imagine was what Rattus wanted all along."

Faye looked at all them. "Can you please tell me what happened to him?"

Hope then looked at them. "I would like to know that myself."

Frank looked at them. "I can only tell you as much as I know."

"Unfortunately I know the rest," said Master Ventus. "And I believe that it is time for you to know what happened during our travels. Plus on what we discovered during those travels."

Hope and the others soon remained quiet as Master Ventus began to tell them the story of Rex and what happened over the course of five years.

Five years ago, Wasteland: Training Yard

A Rex was currently training with his father Sir Richard Raccoon in the art of swordplay. His father was a veteran in the Second Keyblade War and was the captain of the honour guard and founder of the Seven Wasteland.

"You're doing very well, son," said Richard as they continue to spar.

"I'm still nowhere near adept swordsman as you, Dad," said Rex.

"Just give it time," said Richard encouragingly.

Rex frowned. "I thought Rattus was supposed to be here?"

Richard sighed. "I'm afraid that boy is going through a difficult period."

"What kind of period?" Rex frowned.

"One that might lead them down a dark path," Richard sighed. "One that I was hoping for him to avoid. The same one his father walked down upon, one I tried to spare him from."

"Who was his dad?" Rex asked.

Richard looked at him. "Someone who allowed his first full vengeance to consume him. In the end I was the only one there to stop him."

Rex was about to elaborate on that when Leo Loin, his father's second-in-command, approached him.

"Captain, his Majesty wishes to meet you," he said.

Richard nodded and then looked to his son. "I'm available have to call this a day, I've been summoned."

Rex nodded. "Okay, Dad."

Rex then watched as his father and Leo left the training yard and his mind was racing wondering what could have happened to Rattus' dad. The two of them had grown up together and were practically brothers, but Rattus always wanted know what happened to his parents something that his father was a reluctant to share.

"You look as if you're in deep in thought," said a voice.

Rex turned and saw Frank approaching him. Five years ago, Frank had yet to receive the injuries he had in the present as a result he was no cyborg.

"Just thinking," said Rex.

"You thinking about a certain someone?" Frank asked.

Rex's face immediately blushed. "No, of course not."

Frank smirked. "Sorry it's just that you often do."

Rex sighed. "I was actually thinking about Rattus, he's acting very odd."

Frank nodded. "Yeah, more than usual." Frank's eyes then lit up and a smile appeared on his beak. "Don't look now, you know who is here."

Rex turned and saw Faye Fox entering the training yard. Faye, was training to become a warrior herself and unlike Rex she didn't had many friends.

Frank then shut him forwards. "Go on say something to her."

"Like what?" Rex asked.

"I don't know maybe hello."

"You can't just walk up to go and say hello," Rex pointed out. "Besides, what makes you think she'll give me the time of day?"

Frank shook his head. "You know you are hopeless romantic, Rex. It's a shame that you're not a good one."

"Ha-ha."

"Love just go and talk to her and say what comes naturally. Just try not make yourself sound like an idiot."

Rex grown knowing that there was no point in arguing. "Fine, but if anything goes wrong I'm blaming you."

"Just go over their Romeo," said Frank forcibly.

Rex then made his way over towards Faye, who was busy practising with her rapier.

"What do you want?" she asked without looking at him.

"Just came to talk," said Rex.

"Well if you've got nothing useful to say we kindly beat it."

Rex sighed. "Faye, you've got nothing to prove."

Faye immediately stopped and turned to him. "What makes you think that I need to prove anything?"

"Because you always want to prove yourself to everyone," Rex sighed. "Look not exactly the most skilled guy when it comes to Smalltalk, but can we please talk to each other like colleagues. I mean were both aiming to be members of the honour guard."

"Personally I want to go even higher," said Faye.

"You wannabe a Wastelander, right?" said Rex folding his arms.

"Yes, but as you know they can only be seven," said Faye bitterly. "And all the posts have been filled. They only select a new Wastelander when one is about to retire or is killed in action doesn't seem to be happening anytime soon."

"Which means you've got plenty of time to prove yourself, there's no need to rush," said Rex.

"Easy for you to say, your dad is one of them."

Rex sighed. "Don't hang that on top of me, you know full well my dad doesn't play favourites."

"And yet he trains you?"

"He's my dad, it is part of the job description."

Faye sighed. "I wish I was unfortunate."

Rex then placed a hand on her shoulder. "Do you want me to train with you?"

Faye looked at him and then nodded.

Wasteland: Battlements

Over the course the next few hours they began training with one another until it was night. Once they were finished they began walking over the battlements, it was like as if it was their first date.

"So is this a date?" Faye asked curiously.

Rex immediately blushed. "Uh, no… it's just two friends walking over the battlements at the dead of night."

Faye shook her head. "Too bad I was hoping it was a date."

Rex stopped and looked at her. "You were?"

Faye looked at him. "Look I've seriously misjudged you, possibly the entire time we knew each other. So far you're the only person who has actually helped me but didn't attempt to flirt with me to begin with."

Rex frowned. "What you mean?"

"Your friend Rattus attention of wooing a woman is left to be desired," she said bitterly. "Special when they use sexist comments, like saying that I will never become a Guardsman."

Rex blinked. "He didn't?"

"He did and I tossed him out on his ear," she then folded her arms angrily. "I don't see why the two of you are friends."

"We grew up together, how could we not?"

Faye looked at him. "I'm just saying that you're not like him and that is a good thing."

Then before Rex realised what was happening she kissed him and he couldn't help but wrap his arms around her waist kissing her back. This was possibly the happiest moment in his life and then suddenly there was an explosion.

Immediately they pulled away from one another and turned towards the Palace and found flames were erupting there.

"The Palace," Faye gasped.

Rex's eyes widened. "Dad."

Wasteland: Palace Hallway

Rex and ran as quickly as they could towards the Palace and was soon running down the hallway as quickly as they could. They were soon met up with Frank, who had also witnessed the explosion.

"I guess you saw it, huh?" said Frank as he ran side-by-side with them.

"Who couldn't?" said Faye.

Rex looked at him. "What about the guard?"

"The Palace wasn't the only place that was hit, explosions happened across the town as well," said Frank.

"Who could have done this?" said Faye.

Then suddenly appearing right in front of them were Shadows and Soldiers Heartless. Instantly they came to a stop instead at them.

"What are heartless doing here?" Rex gasped as they drew their weapons.

"Nothing good," said Frank.

"Let's deal with them first and then figure it out," said Faye.

Immediately the sties to engage the Heartless. Frank, hanged back is to provide Rex and Faye some covering fire with his blasters. He managed to take out a few Shadows and kept on moving out of the way as they appeared behind him.

Faye was also dealing with the Shadows with her rapier cutting right through them with a combination of fury and elegance. Rex soon found himself engaging with the Soldiers cutting right through them with his blade quickly and efficiently.

Once they finally managed to take down the Heartless they approached one another with slightly concerned faces.

"I've never seen Heartless inside the castle before," said Rex.

Frank nodded. "They often appear in the outskirts and don't venture this far inward, especially when the Keyblade Temple practically right next door."

"Clearly someone with a dark heart has entered into the Palace and is now causing a disturbance," said Faye.

"And who's to bet that the going straight after the King and Queen?" said Frank.

"Then let's go after them," said Rex. "It is our duty to protect his Majesty in any way we can."

"Then we should head to the throne room, no doubt this is where the intruder will be located," said Faye.

They nodded and then started to make their way towards the throne room.

Wasteland: Palace Throne Room

They soon entered into the throne room and that's when they found King Oswald and Sir Richard battling against Heartless.

"Dad?" Rex yelled rushing over towards him.

Richard looked up from his battle. "Son, what are you doing here?"

"We came to help," said Rex as they rushed over towards them with their weapons drawn.

"We've got this, you should help the servants," said Richard.

"I'd say let him stay, so that he might get a taste on what I feel," said a voice.

Rex's eyes widened as he recognised the voice. "Rattus?"

"What are you doing here?" said Frank.

"Taking my revenge," said Rattus clenching his fists and narrowing his eyes directly at Richard. "Sir Richard murdered my father in cold blood."

Rex's eyes widened. "I don't believe it."

"Neither do I," said Faye firmly. "I don't believe that Sir Richard is capable of such depravity."

Richard just remain quiet and didn't say a single word.

"Richard did kill Rattus' father," King Oswald admitted. He then narrowed his eyes at Rattus. "However, what Rattus failed to mention was that his dad was a criminal, who brought harm upon Wasteland. Sir Richard was merely doing his duty as captain of the honour guard."

"The Rattus family has been inching enemies of the Raccoon is required along time," Richard explained. "How it all began I have no clue, but each side has been determined to end it. When I killed Rattus, I discovered that he had a son and for that I could lead him down a gentle path."

"You lied to me," said Rattus clenching his fist.

"In order to protect you. I took you is my son and this is how you pay me?" Richard roared.

"Please, you only kept me around as a trophy. I mean why would you consider me your son when you have a son already," he said pointing at Rex. He then drew his sword. "I'm going to have my revenge and I don't care who gets in my way."

"You really think you could take us all on by yourself?" said Frank.

"That's why I have some help," Rattus smirked.

Then suddenly someone jumped down towards them and they quickly moved out of the way. Good thing they did because the swords struck the marble floor and standing in front of them was a wolf.

"Wallace Wolf?" Faye stared. "You're working with Rattus?"

"What can I say I like working with the winning side," Wolf smirked. "It comes with so many benefits. Taking my rightful place in the world and taking you was well."

Faye looked at him in disgust. "You can't make me love you."

"Like I care anything about love," Wolf smirked.

He then suddenly charged towards her and raised his sword and quickly Faye blocked it with her rapier. Soon the two of them were trading blows with one another, Rex and Frank moved into assist when suddenly a Large Body appear directly in front of them blocking their path.

Rattus drew his blade and began to face King Oswald and Richard.

"Surrender, Rattus. You don't stand a chance against the two of us," said Richard.

"Maybe when I was still weak, but I picked up a few things that should even the playing field," Rattus smirked.

Suddenly a dark aura began to cover Rattus, it was like nothing that King Oswald had seen. He could sense the darkness, but it was nothing like Xehanort's power it felt even stronger and possibly even more ancient.

"You're meddling with darkness?" King Oswald stared. "You have any idea how dangerous that is?"

"I knew you'd say such a thing," Rattus smirked. "You're just afraid of my power and you rightly should be."

He then took off like a rocket and headed straight towards them, Oswald immediately jumped into the fray summoning his Keyblade and slammed it against Rattus' blade, but he was moving so fast that the attack merely bounced off and sent him flying. Richard barely had time to raise his sword to block the attack.

"Revenge is a lonely road, one that you might never return from," said Richard holding his ground as best he could. "It never ends well for anyone."

"I don't care what happens to me so long as I get my revenge!" Rattus roared.

Then with some inner strength he managed to break through Richard's guard, struck him and soon appear directly behind him. Richard's eyes widened and he began to collapse, Rex had just taken out the Large Body when he witnessed the entire thing and everything was going in slow motion for him as his father collapsed to the ground.

Frank just stared at Richard's body remained motionless he just couldn't believe his eyes. "I don't believe it."

Rattus smirked at Richard's dead body on the floor. "You know much to my power."

Tears began to form in Richard's eyes and then he roared in rage. He then immediately dashed forwards and grabbed his father's sword. Then before Rattus' had a chance to react he slammed his sword right on top of Rattus, who barely got out of the way in time. However, he didn't move fast enough and the sword went straight through his tail.

Rattus' roared in pain and looked at his stubby tail. "My tail!"

Rex glared at Rattus. "You got off easy. How could you kill him, after everything he's done for you."

"Done for me?" Rattus roared. "Everything he did was for his self-interest, but at least now you have a taste of how I feel. Those slicing of my tail means that you will not live to see another day."

Rex came charging in front for another attack, but Rattus' raised his sword and then fired a powerful beam of dark magic from it.

"Look out!" Frank yelled and activated his jet pack.

He managed to grab Rex's got out of the way of the direct path of the attack. However, while they were able to avoid direct right side of Rex and Frank's face as well as Frank's right arm got caught in the attack. Frank was knocked unconscious and Rex was clutching the side of his face in agony.

"You got off easy," Rattus glared.

Rex was barely able to stay conscious from all the pain and that's when his eye widened. Wolf had somehow managed to defeated Faye and was now carry her on his shoulder.

"Should we finish them?" Wolf asked.

"No, I want him to suffer," said Rattus looking down at Rex. "His best friend is injured, his father's dead and now his girlfriend has been taken from him. I think that's more than enough pain for him to endure for the time being."

Wolf smirked. "I like you're thinking."

A Corridor of Darkness then appeared directly behind them and began to enter. Rex tried to pick himself up and watched as the dark corridor soon vanished and eventually he was overcame by the pain and fell unconscious.