We're nearing the end. Riku and Sora are both climbing the castle as fast as they can. But what awaits them?

Song: Thirteenth Discretion

Riku stepped onto the next floor, to see Lexaeus, the brunette with a hulking figure and a huge sword, standing in his way. Riku readied his Soul Eater.

"That scent… You're another one of those 'Nobodies'."

"You've done well thus far. But to possess your powers, and yet fear the darkness… What a waste." Lexaeus said.

"I do not… fear it!"

"I sense that you do. You're also capable of controlling the darkness. Cast away your useless fear. Open your heart. Embrace the darkness."

"And if I say no?"

"Then you lose both light and darkness, and disappear." Lexaeus brought his axe sword into a ready position, and showed his strength, literally pushing Riku back with his energy alone.

"I, Lexaeus, will not yield to the frail heart of an infantile coward! Now, stop resisting, and let the darkness in!"

Song: The 13th Struggle

Lexaeus immediately ran in for an attack, but Riku took advantage of his incredible slowness and got a Barrage in.

Lexaeus began slamming his axe sword on Riku's position, but Riku again used his superior agility to dodge the attacks. He went in for an attack, but was parried and left open to being slammed to the ground. He blocked the second attack and was pushed back a great distance.

Riku got a few more shots in, but was pushed back. Lexaeus threw his weapon at Riku, but it went right over his head and missed on the return trip as well.

Lexaeus readied another attack, but Riku just pot another Barrage at him.

Lexaeus threw his blade at Riku again, and this time it hit.

Song: The 13th Reflection

Lexaeus charged his power again, and slammed his blade to the ground, causing rocks to rise up. Riku was able to dodge this, but not the jump-slam that came afterwards.

Lexaeus slammed his blade down again, but this time Riku parried it.

Lexaeus then jumped into the air and slammed his blade down, causing a circle of stones to rise up, knocking Riku back a ways.

He then did this again, except his jump now reached the ceiling.

They stood there, panting. Riku readied his blade once more. "You're finished!" He jumped into the air to strike him.

Lexaeus swung his blade at Riku while he was in the air. "DON'T MOCK ME!" Riku was slammed into the ceiling and fell to the ground, unconscious. Soul Eater a few feet away.

Lexaeus stood up straight. "You were too much trouble." He walked towards Riku, who began to glow as eerie purple smoke came up from his body. "Hmm?"

Riku's clothes changed, and he was in Dark Mode once more. He got up to his knees, and then sliced Lexaeus before he could react. He gasped, and then dropped his axe sword. "Too slow." Riku said in a deep voice.

Lexaeus tilted forward a little. "You are the Superior's…" He turned towards Riku as he began to crumble in a cloud of darkness. "Forgive me, Zexion. This was a fight I should not have started."

"I see you now."

Riku was lying down in a dark void.

"Clearly."

He woke up and began pawing about. "Lexaeus?!"

"Riku… I can see your heart."

"No… it's not. Darkness this foul could only… only be…"

"That's it, remember me… Let me drift into your heart…"

"Ansem!"

"You called out my name. You have been thinking about me. You're afraid of the darkness I command. Good. The more you think of me, the closer my return draws. And when I have awoken, I will take hold!" He took a visible form in front of Riku. "Your heart will be mine!" He smirked, and reached out to Riku, drifting towards him. Riku moved back, defending himself. The realm lit up.

"Riku, fight! Don't let him win!" The King appeared once again.

"Your Majesty!"

"You meddlesome KING!

Riku woke up in the white halls he was slowly becoming familiar with. "The King… He protected me." He stood up and looked around. "Your Majesty, where are you? Please answer!" He held a hand to his chest. "You're with me, aren't you?" He said with a relieved voice.

Song: Thirteenth Discretion

"Lexaeus is gone as well." Zexion said.

Axel appeared to him via portal. "Vexen, Larxene, Lexaeus… I wonder who'll be next in line."

"I thought perhaps it might be you." Zexion said in a half joking voice, as though he were trying to be pissed at the loss of his former teacher.

"Me? Nah. I've done enough fighting for now. No. I think it'll be Marluxia next. For defying the Organization and targeting Sora. I hope he moves exactly as his heart commands him to." He was facing a wall, but now he turned to Zexion. "So, what about you? I thought you guys had plans for Riku."

"Yes. We were going to set him off against the traitors. But with Marluxia gone, there is no more need. He is nothing but a nuisance now."

"And he's dangerous as well. After all, he took down Lexaeus."

"You know that is not how I do things." Zexion replied. "Tell me, did you obtain the data on Riku's home?"

Song: The 13th Floor

Sora, Donald, and Goofy were walking down the hall, towards Marluxia.

Sora stopped moving suddenly, and held a hand to his chest.

"What's the matter?" Donald asked.

"What if… we're not fast enough? What if this body gives out, and my heart is once again exposed to the darkness? What if we can't beat him?"

"You're worrying too much." Goofy replied. "It won't matter if we're fast enough if we don't try."

"He's right you know." Blyxil said, having caught up to them.

"What do you want?" Donald asked.

"I'm here to give you a little insurance." He waved his hand in front of Sora's face, and then brought a card. "This Castle itself has powers. It can turn thoughts into power, like it was designed to suit a person's needs. These card compresses that power."

Sora took the card, and saw images of friends he's met over the course of his last journey.

"Summon them in the heat of battle, and they will assist you." Blyxil opened a portal. "Oh, and one more thing. Namine's gone."

Marluxia was on the top floor when Axel appeared behind him. "You have some nerve to show your treasonous face around here. Some nerve indeed."

"Treasonous? I don't know what you could possibly be talking about."

Marluxia turned to him. "Why let Namine go? If it weren't for your needless meddling, we could've turned the keyblade master to come and serve us."

"Oh, right!" Axel exclaimed. "Your big plan. You use Namine to rewrite Sora's memory piece by little piece, and he turns into her total puppet. Then, using Namine and Sora together, you and Larxene overthrow the Organization. Am I right? I would say that you are the traitor, Marluxia."

"Since when were you suspicious of us?"

Axel smirked. "Do either one of us have the heart to believe anyone?"

Marluxia smirked in return. "So you only eliminated Vexen to obtain proof of our plan."

"That I didn't want to do." Axel admitted. "But it was your order." He readied his flaming chakrams.

"Oh." Marluxia smiled even bigger.

"Remember the order." Axel said mockingly, then deepened his voice to a more threatening level. "You must eliminate the traitor." Then he mocked again. "I always follow orders, Marluxia."

Song: Thirteenth Discretion

"Larxene payed the price for disloyalty when she disappeared. You must do the same!" Axel yelled as he rushed at Marluxia.

Marluxia, scythe at the ready, dodged Axel's swipes. He then brought his scythe down to block Axel's thrown chakrams.

Axel caught the chakrams and held his arms out. "The Organization's betrayed. In that name I will annihilate you!"

"That lines not you."

Axel let his arms down. "Well, had to try it once, you know." Axel rushed Marluxia again only to be sidestepped.

Marluxia swung his scythe at Axel only for it to be jumped over. Marluxia then swung the scythe again, but this time a black red shockwave came out of it and slammed into Axel's chakrams, held up in defensive position. The attack left Axel panting.

Marluxia chuckled and engulfed his arm with roses.

Axel let his arms down and laughed when he saw Namine being held in front of Marluxia. "Is that your shield? Won't do you any good I'm afraid."

"I wonder." Marluxia said. "Are you listening, Sora?"

Axel piered over to the side. "Oh."

"Axel says he's willing to harm Namine to get me. You won't let that happen, will you?"

And like the sap he is, Sora stood ready to fight, his glare aimed at Axel.

"Oh, come now. You're Marluxia's puppet already?"

"After I finish you, he's next!"

Axel turned to him. "Now Sora, we've got more in common than you might think. I'd really rather not fight you. But I can't dishonor the Organization now can I?"

Will Riku and Mickey eventually catch up to Sora? Will Sora be able to defeat Axel and Marluxia in time? Find out next time! Ciao!