Guess who's back? :)

That's right, my ladies and gents, it is time at last! Time to rise from the ashes and grace the scene with that glorious thing I know you've been waiting for!

The SEQUEEEEEL!

So blow that dust off your Keyblade and buckle up, because it's gonna be a crazy ride! 8D

And also, for those of you just joining us, this is a sequel. To this: Kingdom Hearts: Reconnect the Pieces. You can find it on my page. ;)

Go read that first, or else suffer the torture that is spoilers.

Obligatory Disclaimer: I own nothing except my darling OCs. My babies, it's been too long.


Prologue

The room was empty save for the lone figure standing at it's heart, arms pulled tight behind his back in rigid salute, head held high at attention. Armor covered the figure from head to toe, a black visor hiding his face from the world. He made no sound, the room utterly silent save for the faint whispering of wind battering against the fortress's walls.

Footsteps sounded from the adjoining hall, and the mechanical door suddenly swept open as a man stepped into the room. He was tall and impeccably dressed, one arm laced smartly behind his back while the other held a tablet to his chest, glasses shining in the static glow of the recessed light fixtures dotting the ceiling. Yet as he walked, the figure could not help but feel the cold of the man's presence like the bite of a frostbitten wind.

The Doctor.

"I see you've already made your preparations," the icy-eyed man stated coolly, "Good. I take it you understand your orders?"

The figure answered in a voice distorted heavily by static, "Yes sir. I am ready to begin."

The Doctor nodded, "Excellent. Remember, this is your first assignment, and it is an important one. It would reflect very poorly on us all should you fail."

"Understood. I will not fail."

"Very good," The Doctor strode past him, eyes falling to a tablet in his hands, "Seeing as your mission is clear and you've prepared accordingly, I authorize you permission to begin. Make haste, for time is of the essence. Our enemies are already moving."

The figure nodded once. At the same moment, a white portal opened beneath him, growing to encompass his whole form. The figure remained perfectly still as the light engulfed him wholly at ease as the transportation took effect. Then, like the snap of a switch, the portal and the figure both vanished, leaving the Doctor alone.

For a few moments, the man kept his eyes on the tablet, flicking over numbers and formulas almost instinctually. Then he looked up, a small smirk playing across his thin lips, "I know you're there. Why don't you stop hiding in your shadows and talk about what's troubling you like, say, an adult."

At first, there was nothing. Then, another shape emerged from the shadows beside the doorway, a single emerald eye flashing accusingly, "You can't seriously think this is the way to solve our problems, do you?"

"It is not my place to question our noble leader's decisions, nor is it yours, Eri," the Doctor stated composedly, turning to face the boy, "And as it stands, can you seriously believe the path those Keyblade 'masters' have chosen is the right course of action?"

"It can be, if you give them a chance!" Eri snapped defiantly.

The man tsked, "Chances have been given, and summarily disappointed. We no longer have a choice but to intervene. Truthfully, I'm surprised you're so upset. I thought you wanted us to take action."

"Yeah, but not like this!" Eri said, hands balling into fists, "There's gotta be a better way . . ."

"If there is or not, it's already too late," the Doctor said, "The die has been cast, the number counted. There is no going back."

Eri huffed, jerking his head to the left in anger, muttering hot, volatile words under his breath.

"I must be going," The Doctor said, walking passed the fuming boy, "There is much to be done before the day is over."

"Yeah, I'm sure . . ." Eri muttered.

The boy then stewed in silence as the tall man headed for the door, the mechanical entrance sliding up with a soft whoosh. The Doctor paused at the threshold, idly tapped a long, slender finger against the tablet before glancing back over his shoulder, "If I might say something before I leave . . ."

The recalcitrant boy reluctantly looked his way, "What?"

"You show much promise, Eri," the man replied, getting straight to his point, "Don't throw it away in some misguided attempt at heroism. If you wait, patiently, I'm certain you'll be able to see the wisdom of our leader's actions. And besides . . ."

He turned away, "You wouldn't want to break your promise, would you?"

Eri sucked in a breath, holding it until the door closed and he was left alone. After a slow exhale, he held up one hand, curling finger after finger closed until only the pinkie remained extended, "No, I don't . . ."

He closed his eye, finger curling alongside the rest, fist coming to rest against his heart. He stayed that way for a moment, hearing the wind and letting it soothe his mind. And when he opened it again, there was a hot, burning gleam of resolve, "But that was before all of this."

With that, another portal opened beneath him, enveloping his body in white. Then, he was gone.


Shorty-short, I know, but we're simply establishing the mystery right now. We'll get to the meat of it real soon! I mean, you guys know how long my chapters can get!

I hope you're as excited as I am for this! God DAMN, it is so good to be back!

Rate and review, if it pleases you!