In the dark, fallen world of Hollow Bastion, a colossal castle towered above the lands below; lands that were filled with the many gray beings that served the Organization with utter devotion. In the castle's base level, its master – the man in his black coat – stood surrounded by a few of his minions. In his hand swirled an orb of indigo and obsidian mist, its center beholding the ghostly image of a creature. Soft warbles echoed from the communication medium, as the creature delivered its report.

"Find them," its master commanded. "We must have those plans."

The orb disappeared in a puff of smoke, the gloved fingers curling over the palm in their wake. Lowering his hand to his side, the hooded figure turned and strode down the corridor, flanked by his creatures on either side.

"Lord Ansem," a second voice called to him. His steps halted, his palm opening again as the orb reformed in swirls of shadow. This time, the figure that appeared in its depths was definitely humanoid; another who wore the black coat, he sported the slighter build of a scholar instead of a warrior. Like the man he addressed, his hood was up to obscure his features.

"Speak."

"The council is concerned over the progress of the search."

"One of the pods landed in Agrabah, and it was definitely carrying passengers," the man – Ansem – reported. "I have charged my scouts to hunt them down."

"And the girl, Lord Ansem?" the unidentified figure continued, "What of this prisoner you took?"

"She has been confined here for interrogation," Ansem answered. "I will oversee the entire procedure myself."

"Holding her this long is dangerous," the figure warned.

"She is part of the Rebel Alliance and a traitor to the Organization."

"She is also a child, my Lord," the figure reminded. "If word of this gets out, it could generate sympathy for the Rebellion among the masses. We cannot afford that inconvenience."

"Child or no, she is our only link to finding the rebels' hideout," Ansem countered. "That, in itself, is worth the risk."

The ghostly image within the orb shifted as the figure considered his point. Finally, "… Understood, my Lord. I will inform the rest of the council."

Even before the orb could fully dissipate, the fist crushed its remnants in a tightened fist. Wisps of smoke lingered in his hand as he continued forward, the beings he commanded obediently following after. At the end of the corridor stood the door leading to the dungeon, heavy doors opening with low groans to grant the castle's master entrance.

The girl he had taken from the rebels' Gummi Ship was in a filthy state from the prior rough handling, her once white robes now gray with stains of rust brown and mossy green. Still, the clothes were merely rumpled and not badly torn, clear signs she had not been subjected to torture; at least, not yet. Overall, her condition was still healthy enough despite the conditions, and she sat upright as she glared defiantly at her captor. Ansem merely smiled maliciously and drew closer still, the doors pulling shut behind them.

"Princess Kairi. I do apologize for keeping you waiting, your Highness," he drawled. His hand turned, conjuring dark energy to swirl about his fingers. "Now then, let us… chat…"


Sora was awakened by a rough shaking at his shoulder. Turning, he blearily registered two things: Firstly, this was not his room, and it was not his bed he had slept on that left him aching all over. Secondly, there was a man hovering over him with a hand still cupping his joint. More time was needed before the boy recognized the cyborg he had only recently acquired.

"Leon? What is it?"

In answer, Leon rested on his haunches and straightened his back. Silver light glowed in his left eye once again, though with a lot less grandeur than it did for Master Ven's message. There was no hologram either, but the lips still moved to form the words for a voice the boy knew very well.

"Sora! Sora, are you there? Sora, this is Aladdin. Can you hear me?"

At once the youth was fully awake and he sat up straight, the soreness in his body no longer a concern to him. "Al?!"

"There's been trouble here. The Organization's Dusks…" the voice continued, "They just came out of nowhere and… the shelter's gone. Everything's been razed to the ground…" There was a pause, perhaps the obviously upset man gathering his wits before he could continue. "Everyone's fine, we managed to make it out in time, but Sora… don't come back. I'm guessing you have my Ninja with you, so I'm letting you keep her. You can pay me back later or something, but just get yourself out of Agrabah quickly. Whatever the Dusks didn't find in our home must be with you right now, and those monsters would kill to get it. Hurry-"

The transmission ended abruptly in a burst of static. The light faded from Leon's eye, and he blinked once before turning his head in response to movement. From behind them, Master Ven emerged with Yuffie a step behind. The girl, a great deal calmer now given the urgent circumstances, still managed a somewhat restrained smile as she handed Sora and Leon a large cloak each.

"Best put those on," the shaman advised. "You'll need them when the sun rises."

"We're going back to the city?" Sora asked incredulously. "But we can't make that kind of distance on foot!"

"It's not Agrabah's capital I have in mind, kid," Master Ven explained, "but the Coliseum, much closer to where we are. We may have to push it a little, but I'm confident we'll make it. You've never been to the Coliseum, have you?" When the boy shook his head, the older man smiled dryly. "Well then, you're in for an eye-opener. But be cautious – the further the location from the good Sultan's watchful eyes, the more wretched a hive of scum and villainy it turns out to be."


The sun was high above their heads by the time the Coliseum came into sight. The elliptical structure that had been intended as an amphitheater – a gift from another ruler to the Sultan – had since fallen on hard times, decaying both outward and inward. What had once been a grand arena open only to the most respectable visitors was now a dilapidated hub for smugglers, infamous types who needed a place to land but preferred to keep as far from the Sultan's notice as possible. Yet, even a place like this did not escape the Organization's notice.

"Boss, look." Following the direction Yuffie had pointed out, the group could see gray shapes weaving about at leisurely paces. While they observed the people, they seemed to do so more out of curiosity than actual intent.

"They know to look for someone, but they don't know who exactly they are looking for. That buys us some time at least," Master Ven noted. Then, motioning toward the stone steps to side, "Stay here. I won't be a moment."

"Where are you going?"

"We'll need a pilot to take us where we're headed," the shaman explained. Then, as an afterthought, he directed the other two, "Yuffie, you'll come with me. Leon, stay with Sora and keep him out of trouble. And whatever you do, be sure to act as much like a human as possible – these folks don't take kindly to androids."

With that, Master Ven and Yuffie disappeared into the crowd. Suddenly finding the situation a little awkward, Sora twiddled his fingers and looked around the area, at the many different sorts of people that strolled about and talked amongst one another. He could see some even attempting to sell off their wares; most did not succeed, each too busy minding their own tails to care for the plight of another. Beside him, the SeeD was still standing, his silence not helping to ease the awkwardness very much.

"… Say, Leon," he started, trying to find something to dispel that silence, "you think they'll find anyone here?"

The cyborg looked back at Sora, then raised his brows and openly shrugged. Though far from speaking in any known language, it was a universally recognized gesture and still got the message across fairly well.

"You know, I think I understand what you're trying to say better like this," Sora noted. "How come you didn't do it sooner?"

One of Leon's eyes squinted just a little, and he brought up a finger to scratch at his brow just above it while tilting his head slightly – the picture of one in serious thought. Compared to the earlier stiff and definitely robotic expressions he had seen, it was almost entertaining to watch, and Sora found he was grinning from ear to ear with amusement at the SeeD's honest if not slightly dramatic efforts to appear like a "normal" person.

Quite unexpectedly, the moment was interrupted as a huge, swaying body knocked against the steps in passing, nearly falling on top of the seated boy. Somehow taking offense, the large man turned a little too fast and barely stopped himself from falling over. Sora and Leon exchanged a knowing look, coming to the same verdict: this guy was seriously drunk. Said guy squinted blearily at the boy, then decided he didn't like whatever he was seeing and murmured with minimal coherence about brats, bad cargo runs, something about twelve death sentences and being worth hundreds of thousands in bounty, and something else that was probably supposed to be vulgar.

Leon continued to scratch at his brow for a moment, studying the odd behavior. Finally he came to his decision, and as Sora was wondering how much longer he could take before help arrived, the SeeD drew his fist back and straight punched the drunk. With a surprised wail, the man flew backward and crashed into the far side of the Coliseum. The rest of the crowd looked up for a grand total of two seconds before dismissing it as nothing out of the ordinary and going about their business, though they noticeably gave the pair of SeeD and boy a slightly wider berth.

"Not bad."

Sora was startled to his feet, expecting a second attack, before he noticed the reassuring presence of his new mentor and the Ninja. With them now was a third character: a man of solid build who appeared to be in his mid twenties. The blond hair on his head spiked in a strangely fashionable manner, just a little bit neater than Sora's. Sharp blue eyes seemed to glow with green fire every so often, and a huge sword wrapped in cloth upon his back gave him an intimidating air. He was still smirking, his eye on Leon; the SeeD's only response was to nod in acknowledgment.

"This is Cloud," Master Ven introduced. "He's the first mate on a ship that might suit our needs."

"You've found a pilot?" Sora asked eagerly.

"Hopefully," the shaman answered vaguely. "Now come along, before we draw anymore unwanted attention."

"This way," Cloud called, waving them to follow. Turning, he lead them back through the crowd, easily getting by as people left and right were quick to give way.

Once they got through, they could see another man leaning against a somewhat solid bit of wall, debris on either side of him giving him a bit of privacy for his smoke. He looked to be in his forties, with a tough, roguish air about him. His straw colored hair was streaked with gray and white, held up by a pair of weathered goggles with an opened cigarette packet strapped underneath the band, and his chin was graced with prickly stubble. One hand was nursing the once-white stub that still burned well despite its loss of length, and the other held a long spear in a relaxed grip.

With a gesture to wait, Cloud moved ahead to meet with the man. They exchanged a few words between them, and the man seemed a little irritated until Cloud mentioned something else – probably had to do with money – before he at last seemed a little interested. Then he nodded, and Cloud waved the rest of them over. As they approached, the man grumbled under his breath before dropping the stub to the sandy ground and crushing it under his boot.

"The name's Cid Highwind. I'm captain of the Sierra," the man introduced himself gruffly, glaring down any attempts to shake his hand. Then, jabbing a thumb back at Cloud, he added, "Spike 'ere tells me ya lot're lookin' for a ride?"

"We are," Master Ven answered easily, "if it is a fast ship."

"Fast ship?" – the captain's loud laugh was like a bark. – "What, ya been livin' under a rock or somethin'? Ain't ya never 'eard of what my Sierra can do?"

"Should I have?"

"That baby's the fastest thing this side of the worlds! So long as I got 'er, ol' Cid can outrun anythin'!" the captain bragged. "So if I say she's fast enough for ya, she's fast enough for ya. What's the cargo?"

"Only passengers," Master Ven replied, gesturing to the rest of the traveling party, "the four of us, and no questions asked."

Cid sobered for a moment, glancing back at Cloud who merely shrugged. Then he leveled a look at his new client. "Ya lot in some kinda trouble?"

"Let's just say we'd like to avoid any entanglements with the Organization."

"That's gonna cost extra, fella. Ten thousand munny, and I want it in advance."

"Ten thousand-?!" Sora squawked indignantly. "We could almost buy our own Ship for that!"

"Yeah? And who's gonna fly it, kid?" Cid challenged, "Ya?"

"You bet I could, old man-!"

"That's enough, Sora," Master Ven cut him off with a stern look. Then, returning to the captain, "We don't have that much with us right now, but what we can do is pay you two thousand now… and then fifteen thousand more when we reach our destination."

"Seventeen thousand, eh?"

"Does that suit you?"

Captain and first mate exchanged another look before Cid grinned widely and nodded. This time, he was the one to stick his hand out. "Okay, ya got yourselves a ride. Meet us outside, and we'll bring 'er around."

Master Ven reached forward and dropped the bag of munny into the waiting palm. "Will do."

"Well lookie there – 'ere come ya friends."

Turning, they noticed the Dusks were hovering over the last area that Sora and Leon had occupied. The gray beings circled the spot the SeeD had stood for a moment, then started to come closer. By the time they had slipped through the crowd, though, all they found were Cloud and Cid by the wall, the latter reaching for a fresh stick from his pack and staring boldly at them.

"… What, I ain't allowed?"

Without a word, the Dusks slid away, soon disappearing from sight. Pulling the cigarette free, Cid stuck it between his teeth and lit it up, his lips curling into a satisfied smile.

"G'damn, them guys must be desperate," he muttered around the stick. "But seventeen thousand… there's a lucky break, ain't it? Get back to the Ship and have 'er ready."

With a nod of understanding, Cloud stepped through a hole in the wall. Away from the safety of the Coliseum, he paused, eyeing his environment suspiciously. The air was still, perhaps a little too much so, and it inconvenienced him. Regardless, still glaring at the air by his shoulders, he continued on his way to where the Sierra had been docked. As his pace remained unchanged, his hand reached up for the handle of his sword. Then, with a burst of speed, he spun around and swung his weapon in a wide arc.

Teeth met with the blade with a loud ring. Denied its prey, the attacking beast snarled viciously around the metal as it bit down harder and pressed forward. Cloud allowed it one step, then struck the sand under him to send it spraying upward. There was a painful howl as two more heads reared up, momentarily blinded and in a great deal of pain. Seizing the opportunity, the blond shoved back against the preoccupied monster, knocking it backward and freeing his sword. Repositioning the weapon, he brought it down over the main head in a cleaving action.

Instead of the sickly slicing of flesh, there was a hard "crack" to the skull. Still, it was enough to drop the animal, and it collapsed with a shudder to the ground about them. As the main head drooped with tongue lolling, the two lesser heads whined and whimpered with pain. Holding his sword up, Cloud flipped it easily in his grasp, switching from the blunt edge to the sharp.

"Come out, Hades," he called. "Unless you want me to kill him for real this time."

There was a slow, almost condescending clapping of hands from behind him, as another figure entered the scene. The tall man seemed to exude an inhuman aura of dark energy as he seemed to sweep forward instead of walk. Eying the fallen beast just once, he graced the blond with an unnerving smile as he drawled, "Impressive as always, SOLDIER, but was that really necessary?"

"The dead cannot pay their debts, Hades," Cloud growled back, kicking a large black paw out of his way, "Think about that before you send your pet to kill me."

Hades' sick smile only got wider, though his eyes did not share the same amusement. "Cloud, my boy, you know as much as I do that Cerberus could never really kill you. Sure, he might… uh… dismember you a little and maybe chew up your hardware, but we can always put you back together again. I just… mm… asked him to relay my concern over your delay…" – he paused, his eyes narrowing – "… and your attempt at leaving so soon."

"I'm not running away," the blond answered, meeting the glare head on, "and I will have what I owe you."

"Really…"

"My captain's taken on a charter this time. It's an easy job, won't take too long, and I can pay you back in full with the munny we'll make," Cloud went on. "I'll even throw in a little extra as interest. I just need you to give me more time."

The smile was replaced by a more thoughtful line, as Hades scratched his chin lazily. Then, with a dismissive snap of his fingers, Cerberus rose unsteadily, though the main head continued to slump in unconsciousness and the other two's eyes were still watering.

"Very well," he declared. "Because you're the best at what you do and I like you so much… you may have your extended deadline. Pay me back, and I will surely leave you alone to your newfound freedom. Disappoint me again, however, and that price on your head will be so very, very much larger."

"I will pay you," Cloud growled. The blade spun in his grip before he sheathed it behind his back. "I am not your slave anymore."

There was an amused hum as Hades took his leave. "We shall see…"


Muffled screams echoed through the corridor of Hollow Bastion castle, accompanied every so often by hisses and crackling of energy. Undaunted, the remaining gray beings that awaited their master stayed their places. Long after the last pained cry died down, the doors were slow to open. Stepping out, Ansem dismissed the dark energy around his hand with a careless wave.

"She is quite resilient. Almost admirably so," he mused aloud, though his tone lacked the same confidence of earlier. "No matter. It appears I'll have to try an alternative manner of persuasion."

As he marched down the corridor back the way he had come, he conjured up another orb, speaking to it without breaking stride.

"Prepare an invasion force," he ordered. "Set their course for the Destiny Islands."


Just outside the main entrance to the Coliseum, the darker surroundings was more of an ominous sign than something of relief. Already, many were moving away to seek shelter, something the interior of the ruined amphitheater could not provide. When a soft breeze actually kicked up, it became a cause for alarm. Nudging her way pass the hurrying crowd, Yuffie returned hastily to where the rest of the group waited.

"There's a bad sandstorm headed this way!" she called over the noise. "If we don't get out of here fast, we'll be sitting ducks!"

"We'll give it a little longer," Master Ven called back. "If his Ship is as fast as he's boasting, we should be alright."

As it turned out, they did not have to wait very long at all. A different rushing drone overhead heralded the arrival of the vessel, seconds before it landed. Before them now stood a severely battered contraption that seemed to have been torn apart and then pieced back together over and over again. Its rusty hull seemed like a mismatched patchwork of metal from at least a thousand different locations, bolted together without even an effort to paint them over in a uniform color. It looked like it couldn't take more than a single blast of energy to fall apart all over again.

"That's not a Gummi Ship!" Sora protested, staring incredulously at the ugly craft. "That's a piece of junk!"

At that remark, the boarding ramp lowered itself and the captain popped his head into view. "Ya dissin' my Sierra, boy?!" he snapped irritably. "Well? Are ya?!"

"No, sir!" Sora wisely chose as his answer.

"Good! Now haul ass and get the 'ell in this piece of junk." And Cid disappeared from sight once more, though his voice still carried with the same volume. "I know she ain't look like much, kiddo, but she's got it where it counts. I built 'er myself, y'know, gave 'er all the special modifications she needs."

Still skeptical but understanding the urgency in their situation, Sora held his tongue and hurried up the ramp with the rest of the group. As the last of them clambered in to safety, the gang plank drew up behind them, sealing shut against the rising strength of the winds.

As it turned out, the Sierra's interior looked in much better shape than its exterior. Crossing the main cargo hold, Cid climbed up a ladder to the cockpit. He was followed by Master Ven, Leon and Sora, two out of necessity and one out of curiosity. Already in the pilot's seat, Cloud started up the engines of the Gummi Ship as his captain took the chair next to him. With a rumble, the Ship lifted off the desert sands and steadily gained altitude.

"Well, kiddies?" Cid asked distractedly, "Where to?"

"He will be the judge of that."

Before either captain or first mate could react, Leon had come between them and leaned over the dashboard. Examining it for a moment, he finally dropped on one knee as he found the access point he had been looking for. The tip of his right index finger popped open, and a thin metal claw jabbed deep within the socket; the result was instantaneous, both Leon's eyes and the socket glowing with icy blue light as information fed into the Sierra's navigation system.

The captain promptly took offense, spinning in his seat and shouting at the now obviously mechanical intruder. "What the 'ell are ya doin'?! Ya get ya bloody g'damn butt away from there, ya little-!"

"Don't be alarmed, Captain," Master Ven spoke up at once. "Leon has the coordinates of our destination. He is only trying to find the best route for your Ship to take."

Cloud turned as well, staring with new wonder at the man beside him. Recognizing the silver tint to the light's color, his expression brightened. "You're a SeeD…"

Preoccupied with his task, Leon merely nodded in affirmation without meeting the other's gaze. Further talk was interrupted as burst of static crackled from the radio.

"This is the Organization. Land your Ship immediately. I repeat-"

"Why? So ya pasty gray pipsqueaks can gun us down?" Cid spat irately. "Spike! Quit checkin' out Scar's ass and fly the g'damn Ship! And ya!" – an accusing digit jabbed in Leon's direction – "Ya take ya g'damn finger out of that g'damn hole right now or g'damn it, I'll beat ya senseless over ya bleedin' slashed up head with a bleedin' pipe!"

Surprised into meekness, Leon stopped the transfer and recalled the claw before backing away carefully. Appeased by the action, Cid looked around to where he could barely see the approaching vessel through the screen of dust.

"… Looks like a Grappler's after us. Damn, ya people have gotta be hotter than I thought," he grumbled. "This ain't good. Spike, angle that deflector shield, hold 'em off while I get the warp drive going. Stay sharp, kid, don't let 'em cut us off."

"Why don't you outrun them?" Sora asked. "I thought you said this thing was fast!"

"Ya watch ya flappin' mouth, punk, or ya'll be floatin' on home," Cid growled. "We'll be safe enough once we make the jump."

"Do you know where to jump to, though?"

"Sure I do. Wonder Boy 'ere stuck 'em in already," the captain replied gruffly. "But get this straight: I don't care if ya're human, machine or a monkey's creepy uncle, nobody backseat drives Cid Highwind. Not in this lifetime, not in any g'damn lifetime."

The view finally cleared as the Sierra left Agrabah behind. That was when they could see with absolute clarity the shots that were coming too close for comfort. As the ship was battered down in gunfire, a red warning light flashed on the dashboard.

"Captain, we're losing our deflector shield," Cloud reported.

"Ain't a problem no more, sonny. We're ready to make the jump," Cid answered. "As for the rest of ya: get ya asses outta 'ere and sit down."

For a few agonizing moments more, the Sierra continued to endure enemy fire as it flew ahead of the Grappler and its outstretched metal claws. Then in a brief half-second, the vessel seemed to blur out of existence as it picked up an incredible amount of speed, slipping from the ship's grasp before the claw clamped down.


The princess woke to find herself no longer in her cell, but instead confined within an entirely different prison with much less leg room.

"Try not to move too much, your Highness," Ansem's voice commanded her attention. "This Parasite Cage is getting close to its feeding time, and I would hate for any accidents to occur."

Peering through the black "bars" that were in actuality rows of gapped teeth, Kairi spotted Ansem just ahead of her. Between the darkness of the interior and the limited view, it was hard to see what the man was doing. Eventually, he did turn around.

"Spit her out," he ordered.

At once, the Parasite Cage shuddered before the teeth pulled apart. The princess dropped to the floor with little grace, the monster hovering over her in wary watch for sudden movements. Unbothered, Ansem tossed some unidentifiable gook into the emptied maw. Then he looked down at the girl as she pushed herself onto hands and knees.

"Allow me to congratulate you for your… good fortune," he spoke smoothly. "Despite your betrayal to the Organization, the council has decided against having you executed. Unfortunately, though, the same cannot be said for those… 'affiliated' with you. Raise your head, please."

Slowly, the princess did so, and found that a Magic Mirror had been set up before her. Its outer rim of brass lined with lights of the energy that powered it, providing an image so clear it might as well be real. As she watched, all she could really see was smoke and fire, so vivid she could almost smell it.

"The Organization will make an example of your home world. Watch… witness for yourself the consequences of your actions."

Realizing at once what was about to happen, the princess managed to stagger to her feet. "No! You can't do this-!"

"Dear princess," Ansem drawled. "We already have."

Now, the darkness that wrapped about the island in their viewpoint, became clearer still, revealed to be composed of thousands of Shadows. Each black creature moved with little care, striking any living person – young or ancient – and sinking sharp claws into their chests.

"It is only a matter of time before they find the Keyhole. And when that happens…"

"Please, stop!" Kairi cried out, her hands latching desperately onto Ansem's long black sleeve. "The Destiny Islands is a place of peace! My people have nothing to do with this! Please, they're innocents-!"

"Would you prefer another target, then?" Ansem challenged darkly. "Perhaps a target that has a better fighting chance?"

Realizing what the man was demanding – what all this was for – the princess released her hold at once. Her fingers trembled and her eyes were wide with fear – not for herself, but for all the lives that were about to be involved. Instead, it was Ansem's hand that grabbed her by the shoulder, close to lifting her from the ground as he squeezed tightly.

"I will ask you one last time, your Highness," the man growled, his fingers curling tighter still, "Where is Radiant Garden? Where is your stronghold?"

Eliciting a soft cry of protest to the crushing grip, Kairi's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she watched the destruction going on in her home world. Finally, giving up, she bowed her head.

"… My charm… When you captured me, you took it along with my possessions," she spoke, her voice trembling with emotion. "It is a navigation block… It will lead you directly to where the Garden is."

The grip slackened, and Ansem's tone lightened considerably. "Very well. I thank you for cooperating," he answered. Then, shoving her back to the floor, he ordered the waiting Parasite Cage, "Capture her again. We're taking her with us onboard the MCP."

"… Wait…!" the princess called out as the teeth scooped her up and trapped her once more, "… the Shadows… call them off before-"

"It's already too late."

"What…?"

"Poor little princess," Ansem mocked, already disinterested in watching the impending destruction, "if only you spoke up sooner…"

As they watched, the swarm wrapped itself completely over the last of the Islands. Then, with a shatter like breaking glass, the world disappeared into the darkness of space.


With the warp drive still engaged, the Sierra's crew was considerably more relaxed. Now, only Cid manned the cockpit. Behind him were Sora and Master Ven, the pair focusing on some lesson of sorts. Quite suddenly, it was interrupted as both student and mentor faltered, the younger less so than the older.

"What… what was that?"

Rubbing at his head, Master Ven looked up at Sora, the boy clutching his hair more dramatically. "… You felt it?"

"It was like… there were so many voices… screaming in terror, and then…" – Sora slowly pried his fingers loose from the strands and lowered them – "… silence…" Then the boy turned to the shaman, his expression still pained. "Master Ven, what was that?"

"I am not sure, but I fear something terrible has happened." And with that, Master Ven breathed deeply, his expression somber as he instructed, "We had best finish this exercise."

Meanwhile, unaware of what had just occurred, Cid sighed deeply and sat back at last, his spine cracking loudly from the tension as he stretched. "Well, ya pansies can forget about 'em Organization wimps. I told ya," the pilot paused to light a cigarette in celebration of his victory, "if Cid can outrun 'em, he can outrun 'em."

There was silence, the only ones in the cockpit beside him preoccupied with their tasks at hand. Sora was focused intently on the teachings of his mentor, his choice of "weapon" held in an attacking stance which looked entirely comical. Staring incredulously for a moment, the pilot scoffed and returned his attention to the endless expanse of space ahead.

"Don't all ya ungrateful asses thank me at once," he muttered. No one answered.

Meanwhile, comfortable in the main cargo hold and unbothered by the events that had transpired above, Cloud and Leon sat opposite one another, their heads bowed over the board between them. Battered chess figurines of unique but crude design were set in position, conquered pieces strewn about the floor here and there. Although their losses were different, it appeared well enough that they were still tied for victory. Watching them from a safe enough distance, Yuffie's eyes followed each movement with interest.

It was Cloud's turn, and he paused only to look over the board once before moving a piece forward. A confident smirk graced his features as he leaned back, relaxing. Across from him, Leon's expression remained in the same emotionless poker face. Then his hand moved over the board without a pause, hopping over the "attacker" with ease and going instead for a bigger prize. Another of Cloud's pieces fell away, and the blond lost his smirk quickly as he realized his new predicament. Immediately, he scowled darkly and flipped the other man off.

"You big baby," Yuffie teased, grinning from ear to ear at her companion's prowess. "Fair's fair. No use whining about it."

"I'll have you know," Cloud growled quietly, his fists flexing and knuckles cracking, "that it is not wise at all to upset a SOLDIER."

"Now you're just being a spoiled brat. Nobody worries about upsetting a SeeD."

"Do SeeDs have the reputation of ripping people's limbs from their sockets, dicing whatever's left to pieces and finally disposing of the minced remains in at least twenty different locations?" Cloud challenged, leaning back once more, head resting in linked palms. "I think not."

Both Yuffie and Leon paused, staring blankly at him. Then they shared a look with one another before the younger cleared her throat carefully.

"Can I suggest a new strategy?"

The older did not answer, but a mad gleam was starting to surface in his eyes.

"… Lee?"

Leon still did not respond, not even to glare for the nickname he disliked. As his eyes bore straight into the SOLDIER's, the message was sent loud and clear. In a flash, Cloud got out of his comfortable position and sat upright, his hand sweeping in a wide arc. With a loud clatter, the board and remaining chess pieces fell to the floor, the surprisingly tough figurines withstanding the impact enough to roll away unharmed.

"Bring it on, Wonder Boy."

The brunet did not need a second invitation to jump over the makeshift crate table and launch himself right at the offensive blond. With a loud squeak of "Leon, NO!", Yuffie ducked for cover.

Back up in the flight deck, the peace was shattered by an incredibly loud ruckus that seemed to shake the very deck plates at their feet. With a surprised squawk, Sora dropped the weapon he had been holding – which promptly vanished into thin air before it could hit the ground – and landed on his butt. More stable on his feet, his mentor only exhibited minimal frustration with a soft sigh. With a loud curse of color reserved for the most unorthodox of porn movies, Cid flicked a switch and turned on the intercom before he proceeded to bellow straight into the mic:

"I'M WARNIN' YA PACK OF PUNKS! DON'T MAKE ME COME DOWN THERE! BREAK IT UP OR I'M TURNIN' THIS THING AROUND!!"

Sooner than one would expect, calm and quiet returned. Grumbling complaints, Cid eyed Sora with bored curiosity. The boy was standing rigidly, his eyes closed as though in meditation.

"While it is good that you can effortlessly call Fresh Breeze to you now," the shaman spoke, identifying his weapon's name at last, "your next step is to manifest your own Keyblade, one that represents you and draws its power from the strength of your heart."

The boy frowned in deep concentration, his hands held palm up before him. "… I don't feel anything," he muttered between clenched teeth.

"Don't force it. The more frustrated you are, the harder it will be," Master Ven instructed. "Be still… reach deep within yourself, and seek out that dormant power residing in you."

Skeptical to the entire affair, Cid snorted. "Ya call that hokey toy a weapon?" And, jabbing his cigarette in their direction, he boasted, "thing like that ain't no match for good sharp steel any day."

With a knowing smile, Master Ven turned back to Sora and placed a hand on his chest. "Focus on this spot. Open your mind… what do you see?"

The brows furrowed even further, then raised in surprise before the boy uttered, "… there's some kind of light."

"Call that light to you," the shaman instructed gently, moving his hand down and tapping the center of Sora's right palm, "direct it here."

For a while, there was nothing. Sora frowned again. "It's not budging."

"Don't doubt yourself, kid. Remember what you want to do."

Still, nothing seemed to happen for several long counts. Then, very abruptly, there was a flash of light at Sora's fingertips. The boy startled, his eyes opening at once, and he looked down to find himself holding a Keyblade with a simple skeletal design. It had silver teeth and a golden hilt with a blue rain guard, but seemed more like a child's toy than the sleek, sword like design that Fresh Breeze had.

Yet, when he looked up at Master Ven, the man was smiling and nodded his approval. "Well done."

With one last condescending huff, Cid turned his back on them and instead faced the windshield again. "And the day will be frickin' saved by a five foot five boy with a funny haircut and a magical stick," he muttered, tapping the ash from his cigarette before taking another puff, "Whoop Dee Doo."

Then a soft beeping caught his attention. Looking down, his grumpy façade softened into something more neutral as he stabbed his cigarette into a nearby ashtray and put it out.

"Looks like we're comin' up on the coordinates ya cyborg gave us. Spike! Get on up here! And ya two can leave."

Still staring incredulously at the Keyblade that was definitely his, Sora numbly followed Master Ven toward the ladder. As Cloud came up and stepped around them, he looked up. "… So, what now?"

"Now," the shaman answered, "you take your next step into a larger world."


Approaching the set destination, the Sierra started to slow down, returning to normal space-time. In the cockpit, Cid and Cloud were kept busy. The captain pulled back on a control lever, and everything outside the ship seemed to come back into focus, white streaks turning into stars… and the meteor that hurtled toward them slowing down but still dead ahead.

"Whoa!"

With a yank at the right controls, the Gummi Ship speedily avoided the impending collision, barely brushing the underside of the space rock in their escape. Behind it, there were more meteors, though of no immediate danger to the vessel. Yet, apart from that, there was no world, nowhere to land.

"What the 'ell?" Cid muttered, checking his coordinates again, "That blasted cyborg…!"

As though sensing the confusion, Master Ven came up the ladder again. "Is something wrong?"

"Your Wonder Boy, for one!" the captain snapped irritably. "His data's screwed up! There ain't nothin' 'ere but a meteor shower."

Equally confused, the shaman frowned and stared out into space. "… There has to be an explanation for this."

"There'd better be, or- HOLY SHIT!!"

Summoned by the Captain's loud exclamation, the remaining passengers scaled the ladder as well, just in time to watch a gigantic shadow glide by, narrowly missing them. Unlike the meteors of earlier, the colossal form had a shape that was too uniform, too perfect to be anything but man-made. They could make out machinery, mechanical structures… the hull of a very, very large spacecraft. Painted on its side in large white letters were the initials "MCP".

"… that can't be a space station. Ain't no space station's that big," Cid muttered uneasily. "Tell me that ain't what ya lot're lookin' for."

"No," Master Ven confirmed solemnly. "It isn't."

"Thank ya. We're outta 'ere." Turning, Cid barked orders at his first mate. "Full reverse! Lock in the auxiliary power!"

Quite suddenly, the entire Ship lurched, shaking violently as it slowly drifted closer to its gargantuan neighbor. Barely missing sliding back down the ladder, Sora gripped the back of Cid's chair and pulled himself forward.

"We're caught in a tractor beam!" Cloud reported. "It's pulling us in!"

"And 'ere we are at full power. Damn shit's got us good…" Cid growled. "… there ain't no choice. Shut down before we fall apart."

"What?" Yuffie exclaimed in terror. "Isn't there anything you can do?!"

"There's nothin', kid, so shut up," Cid snapped. Still growling, he cracked his knuckles as the hapless vessel drew even closer. "They ain't gonna take ol' Cid down without a fight…"

"You can't win, Captain," Master Ven cut in gently. "But there are alternatives to fighting."


"… Where is it?" Ansem uttered dangerously. "… Where is it?"

The MCP's crew was silent, too afraid for their lives to make any sudden moves. Yet, there was nothing to show that might appease their master. Any sign of an inhabitable world was nowhere to be found, never mind the legendary stronghold that was Radiant Garden.

"Play me for a fool, will you princess?" In the echo of a frustrated snarl, Ansem's fist swirled with fierce purple tendrils, assaulting the arm rest of the command chair and crushing it. The abuse to the inanimate object was suddenly interrupted by an intercom buzz.

"A Gummi Ship has just been captured," a robotic voice reported. "Its markings match those of the Ship that evaded arrest in Agrabah."

Ansem paused, and the energy at his hand faded as he brought it closer to his shrouded face. In the loose fist, his thumb and forefinger rubbed slowly.

"If the plans were brought here as well, then it seems the girl was not lying after all," he mused aloud. Then, as his fist closed tighter, "but she hides more from us yet…"

"What are your orders, Lord Ansem?"

"Apprehend the crew," Ansem commanded. "I want every part of the Ship thoroughly checked. Those plans must be found."

"Yes, sir."


As the battered vessel was towed closer toward the MCP, its already immense size seemed all the more intimidating. Running along the length were huge docking ports into which the Sierra was dragged. As the Ship was pulled past a docking port control room and a set of huge laser turret cannons, an overhead intercom sounded for clearance of their current location: Bay 2037.

"We are opening the magnetic field. All Samurais: report to your stations."

At last, the Sierra came to a rest within the huge hangar, and marching up to the Ship were an array of at least thirty gray-suited beings. They were more distinctly humanoid than the Dusks, each one dressed in long-sleeved uniform with helmets on their head and a pair of swords crossed at their back. As the first line of five prepared to board the vessel, the remainder stood with their weapons ready.

Moments later, the Samurais crossed the lounge area, each with at least one sword in the open. One made its way up to the cockpit; a few minutes later it came back down, reaching for a hidden compartment in its uniform to produce a small communication device.

"There's no one onboard, sir," it reported. "According to the log, the crew abandoned ship right after takeoff. Several of the escape pods have been jettisoned."

"It must be a decoy," a gantry officer replied. "Regardless, Lord Ansem wants the entire Ship searched."

"Understood."

The device disappeared from sight once more, and the lead Samurai waved the others back the way they came. In a few moments all was quiet once more, the muffled sounds of the distant officer finally fading. At once, two floor panels popped up and slid away. Cid emerged from the first hole, Cloud from the next. Another two panels came free, revealing their passengers.

"It's lucky you had these compartments."

"We use them for smuggling," Cloud answered in his captain's stead. "Though, this would be the first time we actually smuggled ourselves in them…"

"This is frickin' ridiculous," Cid grumbled. "Even if I could take off, I ain't getting' anywhere pass that tractor beam."

"Don't worry about that," Master Ven replied, pulling himself from the hole before helping Sora, "I'll handle it."

"… and I knew ya'd say that," Cid muttered disdainfully. "Ya're a g'damn fool."

"Who's more foolish? The fool, or the fool who follows him?"

The captain said no more, finding it more appropriate to just flip the shaman off. Emerging as well, Yuffie shook her head in exasperation while Leon's right eye flickered in silent agreement.


With the Sierra found empty, most of the Samurais dispersed, returning to their original positions. The line of five finally emerged, making their way down the ramp when something banged against the metal panels behind them. At once, they surged back up the way they came. There was a low, muffled series of thumps and scuffles, and then silence once more.

In the command office near the entrance, the gantry officer pulled the communicator from its sleeve again. "Scout team, what's taking so long? … Scout team, do you copy?"

The communicator came back with static. Then, a Samurai came back down the ramp and waved for attention, gesturing at what was obviously a badly trashed device of sorts.

"… Idiot," the officer growled in disgust. Rising from its seat, it headed for the door. The moment it pushed the access panel, the door slid open to reveal another Samurai. Before a word could be said between them, the gray being struck the officer, sending it flying into the closest wall with a sickening "crack". The room was steadily filled by all five of the Samurais, and the first tugged its helmet off to reveal Cloud beneath the disguise.

"This is it. Get over here and do whatever you have to."

Approaching at once, Leon tugged off his helmet and the glove over his right hand. As he got to work with a computer socket, Master Ven joined them in the room, the only one without a disguise.

"What have you found?"

In response, Leon's eye flickered with light as he relayed – and Cloud translated – the exact location of the main reactor.

"The tractor beam is coupled to the main reactor in seven locations," the blond continued translating. "A power loss at one of the terminals will allow the ship to leave."

Humming in acknowledgment, Master Ven turned toward the door again. "I'll take care of that."

"I'll go with you-"

"No, Sora," the shaman insisted, cutting off the boy before he could follow. "Stay here with Leon and Yuffie."

"But-"

"Their safety is our top priority here. They must reach Radiant Garden." Master Ven paused, his hard gaze trained on his student. "Do you understand?"

"… Yes, sir."

Nodding just once, Master Ven turned and hurried down the hallway, soon disappearing out of sight. Behind Sora, Cid had yanked the helmet from his head and was smoking again.

"This shit ain't worth a lousy seventeen thousand…" he grumbled. Then, looking over his shoulder at where Leon continued to search the computer system, he fired a question: "What're ya still doin' with that thing, anyway? We got what we wanted-"

Suddenly, Leon cut off the pilot with a frantic series of whistles and beeps. Sora promptly perked up and hurried to his location.

"What is it?"

"Your guess is as good as mine," Cloud answered for the brunet. "He just keeps saying 'I found her' and 'She's here'."

"Who would that be?"

Leon's answer was equally frantic, and this time Yuffie jumped up as well, her eyes wide.

"The princess is here?!" she squawked. "Are you sure?!"

"The one in the transmission?" Sora asked excitedly.

"What bleedin' princess?" Cid fired off at the same time.

Ignoring them, Leon continued to search the system a little longer before finding the information he needed.

"Level five. Detention block double A-twenty-three," Cloud relayed. "Top security."

"We gotta go after her!"

With an irritated growl, Cid snagged Sora by the collar before he could get too far. "We ain't goin' nowhere 'til I get a frickin' explanation."

"Leon and me belong to Princess Kairi," Yuffie explained quickly. "We got boarded, she sent us on ahead, we thought we lost her, but now we're getting her back! Can we go now?"

"No."

"We can't just leave her!" Sora protested, wriggling against the firm hold.

"Ya 'eard my boy. Top security," Cid snapped. "I ain't paid enough to bust whatever's called 'Top security'."

"But they could kill her!"

"Better 'er than me."

"She's rich!"

At once the grizzled captain swiveled his head in the Ninja's direction. "Say that again."

"She ain't a princess for nothing, you know!" Yuffie boasted. "She's got the money and the looks and the power and all that! So if you rescue her, the reward will be… well… it's way lot more than whatever you're imagining!"

Cid promptly spat out his cigarette as he retorted. "I can imagine quite a bit!"

"And you'll get it!"

"I better!" And with that, the captain released Sora and clapped the Samurai helmet back over his head. "Alright, ya punks, let's do this shit and go."

"Cool!" Yuffie piped, a victorious grin on her face. "So: what's the plan?"

Four pairs of eyes homed in on her at once.

"… You mean you don't have a plan?"

"Nope!"

Cid's glove connected with the helmet in a low "clang" as he muttered through the ringing echo, "I hate this job already…"