Ignus and Riku turned as the door opened to admit Sora, Donald, and Goofy.

"Sorry we're late." Sora called.

"It's fine. Thanks for getting here so quick. So, give us the rundown." Ignus said.

"The Organization claims to have their thirteen darknesses." Sora explained.

"You just taking their word for that?"

"Umm…I don't know, but there's something else they keep mentioning. They're after a 'New Seven Hearts,' which seems to be code for 'let's go bother more princesses.'"

"Well, as the original princesses of hearts' time for protecting the pure light has ended, they have passed the light to others." Yen Sid explained. "Our enemy must certainly be cognizant of this. If the 'New Seven Hearts' is what they wish to call them, so be it."

"But Kairi hasn't passed on her power." Sora replied. "Is she one of the new seven?"

"Well, yeah." Ignus said. "But she also chose to stand with us, wield a keyblade, and fight as one of the guardians of light. We don't need to worry about protecting her. She'll be protecting herself."

"We still haven't found Terra yet." Donald said.

"Hey, at least we've tracked down Ventus. Vanitas told us that he's inside Sora's heart." Goofy replied.

"And so did Ansem the Wise in his data, so it almost certainly must be true." Jiminy added.

"We still need Aqua to get to him. I can lead us to the door, but she's the only one who can open it." Ignus reminded everyone.

"I'll go." Sora announced suddenly.

"What?" Donald and Goofy cried.

"There it is again…" Ignus muttered, a ghost of a smile playing across his lips. "Is that you, Ven…?"

"You need the power of waking, Sora. Do you have it?" Yen Sid said.

"Uh…no? Probably not." Sora admitted.

"Without that power, you are not ready to face the realm of darkness."

"C'mon!" Sora protested as Riku started laughing. "What's so funny?" He demanded.

"Sorry." Riku chuckled. "Master Yen Sid knows you a little too well. He said you'd try to stage a half-baked rescue."

Giggles spread around the room. "Yeah! Laugh it up!" Sora yelled.

"Sora," Riku said. "I know you're volunteering because you're worried about me and Ignus."

"Yeah…"

"Well, thanks. But, the power of waking's important. You can come to the rescue once you've got that. Sound fair?"

"Yeah. All right." Sora pouted. "But be safe. No reckless stunts."

"Yes sir." Riku replied.

"Hold up. Did Sora just give us a speech about being reckless?" Ignus stifled a laugh.

"Very good." Yen Sid declared. "Sora will continue his journey to build his powers, while Ignus and Riku will focus on the search for Aqua."

"Yes sir!" The group replied.

Notes:

Okay, so I don't think they ever really confirmed if the outbursts from Sora insisting on finding Aqua were Ventus taking over. But I went with it. For those of you confused, that's why Ignus reacted the way he did the first time. He sensed Ven's heart for a second.
I know these past two chapters have been a little stale. All I can say for that is...well, strap in. Shit goes down in the next one.