Twilight Town was easier to locate and lock on to than Sora remembered. Although it was just a while ago, it felt like it had been forever since he'd interacted with the ship. The bright lights that colored the interior, the keys that activated the ships functions, and most of all, the spacious gaps. The ship may have looked very tiny from the outside, but it was full of many surprises.

Once the warp function was activated, the ship transported them in the blink of an eye.

They landed by the abandoned mansion, in order to keep the ship out of sight, and began their walk through town to get to the train station. As they passed the shops in the main district, King Mickey started asking questions.

"So, you guys are curious about the Nobodies hearts? Ok. . . But neither of you have told me why?"

Riku took over for Sora, answering the Kings questions to the best of his ability. They pushed forward, walking ahead of Sora and the King's men. However Donald and Goofy stayed behind Sora, as if to give him space while still waiting for any moment where he may need them.

As they continued walking, Sora became distracted by the painful ache in his chest. What was odd though was that whether it was from the dream or visiting the town, this feeling was never that bad from what he could recall. Of all the times he had been here; hunting Organization XIII, looking for Riku, returning home to Kairi, it never had a heavy tug. Not even when he had that bizarre tear spill over in front of Hayner and his friends. Not even after, when the sadness lingered the rest of the train ride. But his heart continued to tighten to the point that he thought it would stop beating.

Sora clutched his chest, bunching up his shirt in a death grip. Donald and Goofy came up behind him, noticing his reaction. Goofy clasped Sora's shoulder, while Donald stepped out into his path. Sora snapped out of his trance, looking from the small duck facing and then to the dog behind him.

Sora slowed to a stop and shook his head, "It's okay, I'm fine."

Donald and Goofy didn't believe what he was saying, much like everyone else, but they let him be. They remained by his side the rest of the way. Although there was no talking, Sora felt a bit more calm.

Mickey turned forward, processing what he saw. Riku went quiet.

"So, about what you said during the call. . ."

"Do you think he may know?"

"My master had studied many things over the years I was learning from him. The Nobodies have existed as long as the Heartless have, they just only became a major threat recently with Organization XIII. It's only natural that we don't have everything on record or in a research file." Mickey sighed, "But I don't know for sure if he has all the answers. Even Ansem was testing and researching them to the very end." Mickey had a sad look to him for a moment.

Riku quickly changed the subject, "Again, I know this is a bit out of your way. And you didn't have to come if you had your important royalty duties to attend to. But I'm sure Sora appreciates it as much as I do."

"Not at all, I owe you both everything. This is the least I could do!"

Riku spoke with a troubled voice, "I don't think you should add me in your praise, Your Highness. I didn't do anything special."

Mickey smiled, "Of course you did. Granted, things didn't go well in the beginning, but you've proven yourself to be a great ally. Without your help, we probably would be at a dead end. And then what about Kairi and Sora, huh?"

Riku looked more grim even with the wide smile, "Sometimes, I wonder if I should have just disappeared. I love them and all, but I just feel they'd be better off. I felt so happy when Sora and I met again, although, I didn't want him to see me in the skin of his greatest enemy. Still. . ."

"And again I ask, what about Sora and Kairi?"

Riku looked to Mickey, shocked at the tone his voice had took. Frustrated, and somewhat upset. The King was usually always smiling and in a cheery mood, even during the worst of scenarios. It was rare to see him cross his arms and give off a very intimidating aura.

Riku froze, breathe caught.

"What would that do to them, I wonder?"

Riku couldn't bring himself to say anything, to do anything.

Mickey realized that Riku was troubled, and decided it was time for a heart-to-heart. He sighed, "Sora couldn't stop thinking about you and Kairi. He did everything in his power to save you. And right now, he isn't worried about the past. He's put any bad blood the both of you shared behind him. He's forgiven you Riku. And so has Kairi." Mickey paused long enough to let that last sentence sink in. The word 'forgiven', that was what Riku needed to get through his head.

Mickey continued, determined to prove to Riku his worth. "Even when I followed your orders and told Sora to move on, he was so determined. If he heard what you were saying to me right now, he'd probably do the unthinkable to keep you from going away. But you know this already don't you, more than anyone else? And now here you are, helping him. He came to talk to you first, right?"

Riku chuckled, "Well, I kinda found him drowning in the ocean, but your not too far off."

Mickey laughed out loud startling everyone in the area. His smile returned, face softening as he spoke again, "Do you see? Everyone has forgiven you, Riku. They trust you just like before, so maybe, it's about time you forgive yourself. . ."

~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!

"Hey look, we made it way ahead of schedule!" Donald exclaimed as the group approached the plaza. As everyone walked through the main gate connecting the ally to the plaza, the clock tower portion of the station began to play its hourly tune as the hands struck noon. The sound rang through their ears, putting them at peace for a moment.

Sora felt winded as the tune got louder, causing him to get dizzy out of the blue. He stumbled over to the stairs as fast as he could, trying not to trip as he turned to sit on a step. Riku ran to him, kneeling in front.

"Hey, you okay?"

Sora raised his head from the palms of his hands, "Yeah, but uh, do you think we can stop for a minute. I'm just really tired at the moment. Just a few deep breathes and I'll be fine."

"Okay, then I'll get the tickets." Riku stood up and got halfway up the steps, "One of us can stay with you until it's time."

"Nah, I'm fine. I know I'm being a bit weird, but I feel I need to be alone for a sec."

Donald and Goofy were reluctant, but Riku and Mickey nodded. "Gotcha, just don't take too long. This is the only train that we can take today. The only other time is two days from now, and who knows what Kairi will do if you take longer than you swore?"

"Yep, I know buddy."

It took a bit of persuading, but Riku was able to lead Sora's partners into the station.

Sora was alone now, taking in the view of the suns golden rays as they spread across the sky. It was always interesting to Sora that no matter what time of day it was, the sun never really moved. It always looked like the sun was setting everywhere you went. There was a soft breeze, blowing Sora's hair back and tugging his jacket. He closed his eyes taking a breathe before said breeze picked up.

Sora was caught, eyes stuck fast. Every time he tried to open them, he could feel the pressure pushing. He attempted slowly, allowing his eyes to adjust as he blinked. His vision cleared more and more until he was left in awe.

He was on top of the station, standing in front of the clock. There was a small platform with a very, very short rail guard wrapping it. Sora was sitting on the rail, looking out to the sky as he was doing on the ground. But as weird as this situation was, Sora didn't find himself freaking out or questioning how he arrived up there. He just felt happy and free.

Even higher up off the ground, the sky was fuller, brighter, and traveled farther. It stretched so far out that it not only covered the town, it seemed like many other worlds could witness the same beauty. This, indeed, was the best view.

Sora took his mind off his surroundings when he realized his hand was wet and sticky. He brought his hand up and examined the half melted ice cream bar, pale blue in color. This can't be. . .

He brought the bar up to his lips and bit, and it was, Sea-salt ice cream. It was the flavor Roxas enjoyed so much.

Roxas, its melting!

Sora could hear a voice and it sounded just like, "Olette?"

Sora was spooked a bit, but he climbed over the rail and onto the solid platform. As he stood, more voices started flooding his mind. It was Hayner and Pence now, their voices clashing with Olette's.

We can't always be together, so its best. . .

. . . in search for the seven wonders. . .

Here, I have a present too. . .

Haha, one more treasure for us to share. . .

Roxas are. . .

Roxas do you. . .

Roxas. . .

Roxas. . .

Roxas. . .

Roxas. . .

Roxas's name echoed through Sora's head starting with the three friends then slowly turning into a chant.

Roxas! Roxas! Roxas! Roxas!

Sora closed his eyes and saw a small vision. It was Roxas standing in the middle of the struggle ring, audience members cheering and shouting with glee. Roxas had a smile plastered on his face. But it was so beautiful, so carefree. It was a smile so natural that it was truly hard to believe a Nobody, a creature that supposedly couldn't express emotion, like Roxas could. Roxas was. . . happy.

One more vision came through, rough and somewhat mashed together. It was Hayner through Roxas's point of view. He was curled on top of a crate, ice cream in one hand and his other hand was wrapped around his knee. His expression was angry, his voice jealous. But just as fast another image came through. This time it was Hayner grinning, arm pressed against Roxas's own. Pence and Olette were in the background, excitement in their eyes as all four of them were gathered around a struggle poster. And then came Hayner's voice. . .

I promised I'd be somewhere. . .

. . .It's a promise. . .

And with that everything faded.

Sora opened his eyes and found himself back on the stairs. Tears were falling from his cheeks, but he couldn't help but smile.

Sora whispered to himself, "That was you wasn't it? This place meant so much to you, these people meant so much to you. This is where your heart calls home. Well, I want to help you Roxas. I'm gonna do everything in my power to free you."

~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!

The train ride a was fairly silent, apart from a few giggles shared between Sora, Donald and Goofy. The two did what the could to keep Sora talking, to keep him smiling. Everything from jokes, to silly faces, to taking a trip down memory lane.

Riku couldn't help but watch them, finding himself enjoying their antics. And he had to admit yet again that they worked well off of each other. The three were like a well-oiled machine, what ever they did, they linked together.

Riku just found it somewhat funny, somewhat humiliating that a year ago he hated their guts. Donald and Goofy were replacements, which automatically made them his target. And Sora. . . To Riku he was a traitor and nothing more. He hated the idea of Sora adventuring with two strangers rather than finding him and Kairi faster. But what he hated most of all was the fact that Maleficent, a woman who knew nothing about him or his friends, was able to twist him and manipulate him just with few words and no wicked spell. He was so willing that even now, he couldn't consider himself of victim to her plans.

Mickey's voice pulled Riku out of his fixation, "You bored Riku? We can stop and do something else if you'd like?"

Riku shook his head, looking down at the cards in his hand. Again, no luck, he got another shit hand. He sighed and threw his hand down, laying the cards face up in a line.

To each of their sides were their tickets, marked with their wins. This was their thirteenth hand, with the score at 10 to 3, Mickey over Riku.

"Wow, your not doing very well today. Usually your merciless, are you letting me win?"

"Nah, it's just not my day. Besides, it would be boring if I won everything, all the time. Well, you've seen how bad my hand was, what about yours?"

"Sorry Riku," Mickey apologized before laying his cards down. "Royal Flush."

"Another landslide, and of course it was gonna be a Royal. Okay, now I'm gonna be a sore loser and say I'm done."

"That's fine, but remember our deal. Loser buys the winner ice cream."

"Yeah, I know."

~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!

Everyone got off the train and went for Yensid's tower. As they reached the steps, Sora looked back at the train, waiting to see its disappearing act like before.

The train was cute and greatly detailed. It was colored in different abrade shades of purple and blue, and covered in gold trim along the bottom. It had white crescent moons and stars on the sides, in a curved line that traveled from back to front. The front window, where the conductor usually was located, was currently empty and had the look of an egress window. Shooting stars were seen above the door frames and at the front point of the train, and the front was covered in a solid gold with a detail magical mist. But the biggest feature of them all was the hat atop it, which was the spitting image of Yensind's own wizard cap.

The train began vanishing from view, mixed in a slew of sparkle and an aurora borealis effect.

The group entered the tower, walking the many stairs and going through all the trick rooms that lead to the magicians study. Every flight was different with each room they exited. Some were curved, some swirled, and some where straight shots from one door to the next. All Sora knew was that he couldn't remember any of these details.

By the time they reached Yensid's room, they were out of breathe. Sora could feel his legs turn to jelly. Although Sora was much more tired this time, he found it weird that he felt so weak. Maybe it helped that before they were fighting the Heartless with such determination, adrenaline rushing through their veins.

The door creaked slightly, causing them all to jump. A voice came through, soothing and calming, "You may enter."

The group piled in one at a time. The room was barely lit, with Yensid standing tall by the window.

Yensid looked to them; in turn, Donald, Goofy, and Mickey bowed on one knee with their heads down in respect. Sora had a moment of deja vu and felt that this time he should do the same. He followed their lead, leaving Riku alone to stand. Riku raised an eyebrow in confusion, but remained as he was.

Yensid turned slowly and walked over to his chair. Whisking his hand through the air made the candles increase in light, making the room blindingly bright before dimming slightly.

"So you're Master Yensid," Riku asked, very forward coming off a bit rude to the others. He grinned, "This is interesting. I've heard a lot about you from the King."

Donald and Goofy, horrified, looked from Riku to Sora. Donald was red with anger, "You both really are alike."

Sora gave a nervous grin and rubbed the back of his head.

Yensid raised his hand, face concerned as he tried to calm them. Once everyone was quiet and on their feet, he turned to Riku.

"And you are Riku, I take it?"

"Yes, sir."

Yensid leaned forward onto his desk, fingers overlapping as he brought his hands together. He glared at the young man, giving him an uneasy air. Riku's smile was gone, confidence fading. There a small silence that just continued on for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, Yensid closed his eyes, chuckling lightly, "You have turned into a fine young man. And it looks like any changes you have made on the path you chose have worked well to shape you now. Don't you think?"

Riku was motionless, mouth agapped before feeling safe enough to state, "I'd like to believe so."

Yensid nodded his head then leaned back into his chair. He turned his attention to his apprentice, a smile playing on his lips.

Mickey returned the smile, "It's been a while, Master."

"Yes it really has been. When we get a chance, we should sit down and discuss everything. I would like to hear how things are at the castle."

"I would enjoy that very much."

At last, Yensid brought his attention to Sora.

Sora spoke nervously, but with gusto, "I'm glad to see you again, Master Yensid."

"And I as well Sora. First off, I would like to say thank you for your hard work." Sora nodded at his comment, happy. "But I will state, this is a bit of a surprise. With the responsibility of wielding the Keyblade being very overbearing, you should be at home resting up and enjoying you life. Especially if there is a case where you will be needed to do it again."

"I understand, believe me. I want that more than anything. It feels like its been forever since I saw home, but I need to talk to you. . . about. . ."

Yensid raised his eyebrow, "About?"

Sora swallowed hard, looking to Yensid's stare. His look was heavy, dark, almost as if he was challenging Sora to speak up. Sora stepped up, assertive and unafraid. He was finally ready.

". . . About the possibility of resurrecting a Nobody."

The room grew deathly silent with everyone's voices caught in their throats. No one knew what to say or what to do. The reactions weren't as severe as Sora had feared, but he knew once he explained, shit would hit the fan.

Yensid cleared his voice and stated, "If I tell you that I know how, then what is it that you are planning?"

". . . Roxas. . ."

"Come again?"

"Roxas! I'm gonna give Roxas his life back. Please, if there is a way to split us, then do it! Even if it means I'll have to donate half of my heart for it to work, I'll do it!"

I want Roxas to exist. . .this time for real. . .