They had arrived at Yen Sid's tower. One after another Heartless appeared attempting to stop the group from getting to the magician. Aryon was out of breath by the time he finished off his ninth Heartless shaking his head in disbelief.

"Things really haven't changed a bit." He grumbled out.

"So the world's aren't at peace after all." Sora stated in a mumble.

Entering the room they found an old magician sitting behind his desk. Donald and Goofy bowed yet Sora didn't and Aryon merely tilted his head to the side. "Sora! Aryon show some respect!" Donald chastised them.

"So you are Aryon and Sora correct? Have we seen the King yet?" Yen Sid asked.

"Yes, we did, Master. But we didn't get a chance to talk to him," said Goofy.

"Hm. The King has been busy as of late yes. It appears to be instructing you has fallen onto my shoulders. You have a grand and perilous journey awaiting you young ones. You must be prepared."

Sora's shoulders slumped. "You mean our quest isn't over? Aryon and I were hoping to find our friends again so we could go home."

"I'm aware of that," Yen Sid said with a nod. "And all the same everything in your journey holds a connection. Whether you will find your way home... Whether you will return alone or with your friends... And, whether or not your island will still be there. You, Sora and Aryon are the keys that connect all."

"A key?" Aryon murmured in thought summoning his Keyblade. Sora did the same.

"Oh Chosen Wielders of The Keyblade! You are the keys that will open the doorway that leads into the light."

With a wave of his hand a book appeared on his table magically opening itself to the first chapter. Sora and Aryon share a look of confusion.

"This book here contains much needed information. You will need this for your journey. Study it with care, once you are finished we will discuss the dark enemies you are sure to encounter."

Aryon nodded with understanding making sure Sora didn't skim over anything like he tended to. "But wait a sec-how come the Heartless are still running around?" asked Sora.

"I thought we wiped Maleficent and Ansem out. How could their still be Heartless?" Aryon questioned.

"Your past endeavors did prevent an immense effusion of Heartless from the great darkness; make no mistake about that. However, the Heartless are darkness made real-and darkness lingers yet in every heart. The Heartless are fewer. But while darkness exists in a single heart, it will be difficult to eliminate them," The magician stated.

The four sighed. "Then that means everyone's hearts must be full of light." Goofy said next. Yet even Aryon knew that would be an impossible task. A dream.

"Yes, that is true as well," said Yen Sid. "But that does not mean that the purity of the heart cannot be reclaimed. But now it is time to speak of the enemies that you will encounter." Yen Sid said.

He then summoned an image of Donald and Aryon.

"If one such as you Donald or Aryon-yes even someone whom wields the Keyblade does not disinclude you of falling into temptation-. If you yield your heart to the darkness you will become a Heartless. They are always searching to steal new hearts. Never let your guards down! Now then…" Yen Sid gave a wave of his hand and one of the Zipper Mouth creatures from Twilight Town appeared.

"At times, if someone with a strong heart and will-be they evil or good-becomes a Heartless, the empty shell they leave behind begins to act with a will of its own, an empty vessel of a heart. Nobodies do not exist at all. They pretend to have hearts…do not be deceived!"

"Nobodies. They don't exist." Sora nodded. Aryon was still greatly troubled of that image of him becoming a Heartless as was Donald looking at one another with weary expressions.

"Now then...the being you see before you is known as a Dusk. They are the most common form of Nobody. But there are others-some larger, some with frightening and unique powers. Be vigilant! On your journey, you will meet an alarming number of Dusks. They will all attempt to do you harm," Yen Sid explained. "They are still nothing but empty shells of a heart but…."

This time three figures dressed in black coats with hoods covering their faces appeared. A cold chill ran down Aryon's spine at the sight of them.

"The beings you see before you now are different," said Yen Sid. "These powerful Nobodies have formed a group called Organization XIII. It commands the lesser Nobodies."

"Organization XIII." Aryon mumbled. Clenching his fists at his sides.

"While Heartless act on instinct, Nobodies function in a higher manner. They can think and plan. And it seems they are working towards a goal. What that goal is, we do not know. The King sensed the danger, and journeyed forth to fight it," said Yen Sid. "He found the dark realm's Keyblade, and with it, closed the door. Now he's traveling from world to world, fighting the Heartless as he seeks the answer to the riddle of the Nobodies and Organization XIII."

"Then we should go look for the King first!" Sora exclaimed.

"But where could he be?" asked Donald.

"And the King must know where Riku and Levi are." Aryon commented with hope. His eyes shining at the thought of running into their old friends again. He turned to Yen Sid bowing with respect this time. "Thank you sir for the information."

Yen Sid merely nodded. "But before you go, you will need more suitable traveling clothes. Those look a bit too small for you." Sora and Aryon looked down at their clothing. It…did feel perhaps a little too tight. Wouldn't be proper if they were going off into battle.

Yen Sid motioned to a door. "Through there, you'll find three good fairies. If you ask, they'll create for you appropriate garments."

"Gawrsh. You two sure are growing fast." Goofy commented.

"Heh. I guess so…" Sora rubbed the back of his neck.

They walked through the door Yen Sid motioned to finding the three fairies before them. "Ooh, if you're looking for clothes, you've come to the right place!" said the blue fairy, Merryweather.

"I'll do the designing," the green fairy Fauna said. She gave a wave of her wand changing Sora's clothing to green and Aryon's a dark purple.

"That will never do dearie." Merryweather shook her head turning Aryon's green and Sora's a dark purple this time.

"But don't you think this is better?" Fauna asked changing Sora's clothes pink and Aryon's a neon yellow.

"Oh pink doesn't fit at all for Sora!" Merryweather huffed.

"What's wrong with adding a little feminine side?" Fauna challenged.

Sora and Aryon shared a look of disbelief as the two fairies argued among one another. Then Aryon's lips curve in a teasing grin. "You know-." He started.

"Not one word." Sora hissed through gritted teeth. Aryon raised his hands in defense trying not to laugh. He finally got fed up. "Can't you guys just decide? We have to leave soon."

"All right, then. Together now, dears. And no more squabbling!" said Flora scolding her sisters.

Aryon looked down at his clothes in approval. He wore a black trench coat with a white heart on one of the sleeves and a blue/green sleeveless t-shirt revealing some of his stomach. The shorts were longer and he had black boots instead of his too small and tight shoes.

"Oh my!"

"They do look lovely." Fauna commented with approval.

"Very dashing!" Merryweather agreed.

"Now, those aren't ordinary garments," said Flora.

"They have very special powers," said Fauna. Two orbs floated in front of Sora and Aryon taking them when Flora requested they do. Aryon felt a rush go through when the orb entered his body. His clothes changed to a black and silver color and when he took out his Keyblade he whistled in approval finding two of them. A black one with a white rose design and a snowy white one.

"Nice. Well done ladies." He commented.

"Your garments also have other powers-but you will have to discover what they are as you continue on your journey," Fauna continued.

"Right!" Sora nodded now dressed in black and red. "Thanks a lot for your help."

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

After they left Yen Sid's tower the group landed in the town of Hollow Bastion. It had changed quite a bit since their last time here. Many of the town dwellers were now working on re-building their city.

They walked through a market place finding an elderly duck at an ice cream shop.

"Uncle Scrooge!" Donald exclaimed. The resemblance was uncanny.

"Uh…who?" Sora asked with a tilt of his head.

"That's Donald's uncle," Aryon said looking his way. "He was the town's greatest merchant but he left quickly."

"What's all the racket?" Scrooge asked turning around to face them. "Why! If it isn't Donald and Goofy: And the little boy whom used to stop by my ice cream shop…Aryon is that correct? You lads are all looking hearty and healthy!"

Aryon smiled as he bowed out of respect. "It's good to see you again sir."

"Ah if only…I'm trying to re-create an old ice cream flavor but it never turns out the way I'd like it to be. Oh the millions I would make if I got it right." Scrooge shakes his head, his eyes practically showing with dollar signs.

Heh heh. Same old scrooge… Aryon thinks.

They continued making their way through the town when a strange mechanism lit up. "Whoa. What's this?"

"That's the town's defense mechanism."

The quartet look up to see a girl wearing a modern ninja outfit with pixie styled short hair standing on a roof. Recognizing her as their old friend Yuffie does she wave in return. Beside her is a guy with black hair a little spiked at the ends wearing a simple mint green sleeveless t-shirt and grey khaki's.

"TARON!" Sora and Aryon exclaimed. Happy to see Cloud's cousin here again.

"Hey long time no see!" Taron grinned. Yet he immediately senses something's not right. "Uh-oh. I think we've got company…"

Once they took out a group of Heartless, Sora and the others follow Yuffie through the town going past a shop run by Donald's nephews Huey, Dewy and Louie. They soon find themselves in a room. A man could be seen in a swiveling chair wearing a white shirt and blue sweat pants.

The other woman in the room besides Yuffie wore a long pink dress swaying the bottom of her knees, two long bangs on either side of her face and she wore brown boots. Her jade eyes sparkled at the sight of their old friends.

"It's you!" She exclaimed.

"Meet the Hollow Bastion Restoration Committee!" Yuffie introduced. Haven't seen you in a long time."

"You see we lost our memories to," Taron explained sheepishly. "But when we got our memories back the haze began to disappear day by day."

"You forgot about us?" Sora asked with disappointment.

Aryon shot Leon a look of disbelief. "Yeah. Real something coming from a certain somebody who said he wouldn't forget. Where's Tifa by the way?"

Aerith glanced down at the floor. "She's…looking for someone." Taron cleared his throat.

"Oh…"

"Don't thank us just yet," the man named Cid said pounding his fist into one hand. Sora, Donald and Goofy backed away as did Aryon. "We got problems here." He huffed.

"Oh, no worries, we got it covered," Sora sighed slightly, looking up at Cid.

"You can count on us." Aryon also nodded.

"Let's go," Leon said, beginning to walk towards the door. "I need to show you something at the Bailey. Taron come with me."

"Sure thing."

"Wait just a moment, Sora," A man wearing a wizard's hat and blue robes with a long white beard stated stopping Sora in his tracks.

"Aryon. Come with us." Leon nodded towards the opened door.

The blue haired teen glances back at Sora, Donald and Goofy who nod in agreement. Aryon nods back, saying he'll return soon quickly following to keep up with Leon. He tried keeping up with Leon's and Taron's pace as they passed by numerous houses, Aryon took note of his surroundings. After going down a few flights of stairs did the duo finally reach the Bailey.

When Leon motions Aryon to look down his jaw slacks open at the sight below. It was as if it were a black sea…only they were an entire army of Heartless surrounding the castle grounds. "We have a problem with the Heartless still…" Leon began just as Sora, Donald and Goofy arrive. "And with those things." He nodded to two silvery white creatures that walked in weird movements with zipper mouths.

"Nobodies." Sora spoke through gritted teeth. Aryon glared at the sight of them. Those creatures gave him the creeps more so than the Heartless ever could.

"Creepy little buggers aren't they?" Taron grimaces. Folding his arms over his chest. "They just won't stop coming."

"So do you guys know what's going on then?"

"This guy Pete: He's been going around plotting with the Heartless." Sora explained.

"The thing is though," Aryon began. "Pete's not smart enough to tie his own shoes. He's got to be working with someone…but who?"

"And those guys from Organization XIII are in charge to!" Goofy added.

"We've got company," Leon suddenly turned. Two of the white creatures had appeared. Aryon pursed his lips in annoyance whipping out his keyblades. He swung his keyblades savagely hoping to land some kind of blow. Although he had experience with his weapons, it was clear Sora would always come out on top compared to Aryon.

The teen wouldn't admit it aloud, but that was where he envied Sora. He seemed to pick up on things quicker where as Aryon struggled still throughout their journey.

Now's not the time for thinking. Snap out of it! Aryon scolded himself, dodging out of the way as one Nobody tried swiping at him-giving it a good blast of fire magic.

Taron struck three of them out with some magic he learned from Merlin. The old wizard having been his mentor for some time since he last saw those two.

Leon was the one whom delivered the final strike against one of the last Nobodies. He straightened, flicking his wrist to rid of his Gunblade. With a weary sigh, Aryon does the same with his.

"Well. That takes care of them…"

"The Keyblade…truly a marvelous weapon. Were it in only more capable hands." A voice echoed around.

"Huh?"

Along a towering wall stood mysterious figures. All were dressed in black coats with their hoods hiding their faces.

"Organization XIII!" Sora shouted, ready to pounce as did Donald and Goofy.

"Well, if it isn't Roxas and Ryon," The man in the black cloak stated cooily. Sora, Aryon, Donald and Goofy looked at one another in confusion. Drawing their weapons out. "Hey now. No need to be so harsh? C'mon. We're old buddies remember?"

"I highly doubt that." Sora said with a narrow of his eyes.

"Now, you wouldn't hurt an old man would you?"

"Feel free to cry if you want." Aryon spat out.

"Nah. You punks don't seem to have any clue who you're dealing with."

"Remind us?" Sora asked. Calming somewhat down.

"That's RIGHT. He used to give me the same look…and so did his little friend. Man did he have a nasty temper. Jealousy issues to." The hooded man said, glancing at Aryon who snarled his way. Sora snapped at the man while Aryon seemed to have something tug in the very back of his thoughts. "Geez…I don't know. Be good boys now." The figure chuckled before disappearing into a portal he had summoned. Donald charged after only to fall flat on his beak when it closed.

"What a weirdo." Aryon muttered.

"You said it." Sora gave a nod of agreement when the Hollow Bastion committee card began to glow. Floating up into the air. Both teens grin at one another having known what this meant all too well. A white beam shoots from the tip of Sora's keyblade aiming at the keyhole. Then the sound of a lock clicking. "Sorry Leon, Taron but we gotta get going," Sora answered. Familiar with the occurrence.

"Right. Make sure you take care of yourselves," Leon nodded as the group began to head back inside the Bailey again.

"Please don't do anything too stupid yeah?" Taron and Aryon gave each other a fist-bump. A clear sign how close they've become.

"You got it. You and Leon play nice now…" A laugh escaped Aryon's lips at the black haired man's expression while Leon pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Come and visit us anytime you'd like!" Aerith called out giggling at her friend's flustered looks.

"Sure thing! Say hi to Tifa for me will ya?" Aryon called back as the brown haired woman nodded.

A light engulfs the quartet sending them back aboard the Gummi Ship.

A/N: Yeah, yeah: I know a canon character having a sibling/cousin etc is frowned upon by some people, but after re-playing Kingdom Hearts II for the umpteenth time an idea of Cloud having some kind of family formed. Taron Strife is actually in my beginning series that I've just started and finished working on. Hopefully that will be posted to :) Comments are loved!