With an impending mass of Xehenorts over the horizon, Sora and his friends must prepare for what is to come. With Sora, Kairi and Lea both having to earn their Mark of Mastery, Riku and King Mickey are sent to gather more information about the mysteries of Kingdom Hearts and hearts in general. This path leads Riku to the Lycans, people of the wolves with a vast knowledge of Kingdom Hearts. Their knowledge can aid them in finding and restoring the other Warriors of Light. However, will they gain more knowledge than anticipated?
At the Tower of Mystery, Sora Kairi and Lea are preparing to take their Marks of Mastery. They talk with Yen Sid to get instructions on what to do. They are going into the Dream World again, but instead of unlocking sleeping Keyholes they are to dream through memories between the three of them and the data from Jiminy's journals of past adventures. This is to gain n understanding of the chain of events that led them all up to this point, and to figure out what exactly happened to the remaining Warriors of Light.
"I'm so ready to pass this time, and I'll catch up with Riku," Sora exclaimed.
"Not a chance! I'll beat you to it," Lea replies just to antagonize Sora.
"Wanna bet?"
"Bring it on Sora!"
The bickering between the two continues on, until a soft cough interrupts them. Lea and Sora turn around to an annoyed Yen Sid, a Kairi shaking her head, and Donald, Goofy, King Mickey and Riku snickering in the background.
"Now that I have your attention, we can begin the Mark of Mastery test for the three of you," Master Yen Sid starts.
"You all will be put into a deep sleep where you will face trials similar to the ones already faced through your memories. The difference is that instead of unlocking Keyholes, you will be unlocking memories and make sure that the progression of your memories goes in the direction they're supposed to go. You will act as overseers of your memories, and will even see yourselves in these past events.
"This is to make you all understand the chain of events leading to the present. This includes memories that are not your own, but are somehow connected to each of you. These are very important memories that are locked away deep in your hearts. The goal is to unlock these memories to help figure out the locations of the other Warriors. Donald and Goofy will accompany you all, but only under dire circumstances. Are you all ready for this journey?"
"Yes," all three reply in unison.
"Very well, let us begin."
The group is then induced into a deep sleep to relive past memories. Once this occurs, Yen Sid turns toward the remaining people awake in the room.
King Mickey then asks, " With everyone in the dream world, what do you want us to do?"
"I have a task for you both," Yen Sid replies.
"I would like the both of you to do research. There are many mysteries of Kingdom Hearts that we don't know or understand. I want King Mickey to go to Radiant Garden to do research in Ansem the Wise's castle to work with the former Nobodies and see what they know and remember." King Mickey nods in return.
"As for you Riku, you shall go to Twilight Town. There is a family I would like you to meet there. They will guide you in your search for answers about Kingdom Hearts and the origins of the Keyblade. What knowledge do you have of Lycans?"
Riku replies, "Lycans? They're folklore about people who turn into monstrous wolves during the full moon and eat children who were bad. Yes, I've heard of them through bedtime stories."
"Well, you're close, but not quite. You see, when we don't understand something, or someone who're different, we tend to fear it and try to make sense of it, even though it may not be the truth," Yen Sid explains.
"The Lycans are people who are guided by what is known as Wolf Spirit. With it, they can transform into various wolf-like forms. They are drawn towards the moon and the night, and are able to survive in darkness."
King Mickey asks, "So what you're saying is that they can come and go through the darkness as they please?"
"Precisely," Yen Sid answers. "They are beings of half-light and half darkness. I do not know the correlation between Kingdom Hearts and the Lycans for they keep to themselves. However, I do know they would have knowledge that proceeds my own about Kingdom Hearts. They're origins predate to before the worlds were split and the Keyblade War ensued."
"That is why I want you, Riku to find the Lycan Starlette in Twilight Town. She has contacted me to give her knowledge. You will stay with her family for a while and attend a school named Sky High as your cover. Once Sora Kairi finish their exam, they will join you. But for now you are to go alone."
Riku thinks for a moment. Then he asks, "Okay, how will I find her?"
"That I don't know. All she said in the letter she sent me was that she has dark hair with chocolate skin. She and her family seem to know what you look like so my only advice is to be vigilant."
Riku sighed in exasperation. "Well that doesn't help. I'd rather leave as soon as possible. When are you leaving Your Majesty?"
"Whenever you are Riku," Mickey responds.
Yen Sid nods in farewell. "Very well, this is goodbye for now. I bid you all safe travels."
Once the goodbyes were over, Riku and King Mickey set off on their separate journeys.