RECAP:

RIKU'S POV

You looked up from your iPod Touch suddenly to see Maryx slumped over, her hair falling on her face. Even asleep, she still looked beautiful. 'Although...she looks tense...how can someone be tense when they're sleeping? It's like she expects someone to attack her while she's asleep."

Slowly, you pulled out your earphones and crossed over to where she was sleeping. When she didn't move you carefully picked her up. She stirred slightly in your arms, but didn't wake up. Cautiously, you moved down the hall and pushed the door to her room open with your shoulder. You gently laid her on the bed, and pushed her hair off her face. She shifted slightly and sighed contentedly. Smiling a little, you left the room and went back to the lounge-thing to retrieve your iTouch.

STORY STARTS:

Your POV

You sat up hurriedly and rubbed your forehead. 'When did I get back here?' you wondered. You had woken up several times from your usual nightmares, but you hadn't even realized that you'd somehow gone to bed. Kairi was reading a book in a pink sleeping bag.

"Hey Kairi," you said. "Did you see me come in here last night?"

She looked up from her book, which, you noted, looked a lot like your favorite. "Nope, I must've been asleep."

"Huh. Weird." You leaned off the side of the bed and plucked the book out of Kairi's hands. "Is this mine?"

She smiled apologetically, "I didn't think you'd mind."

You smiled back. "I don't mind at all," you reassured her, handing it back.

"What's the time?" Kairi asked as she shifted a little.

"Ummm…" you looked at your watch lying next to your pillow. "6:15 am."

Kairi sighed a little. "About two more hours to go. I can't sleep now, though."

"Neither," you agreed.

"Might as well get up then."

"But it's warm!" you whined.

She laughed. "You sound just like Sora!"

"Ugh!" You made a face, making her laugh harder.

The door to the room opened suddenly. "What are you guys laughing about?" Sora asked sleepily. "What could be funny at 6:30 in the morning?

"YOU!" Kairi said, and went off again.

"Huh?" Sora looked utterly confused. "You made me get out of bed for that? I was warm, you know!" Kairi was practically in hysterics now and even you couldn't help smiling.

Riku turned up next to Sora. "What's with all the noise?"

Kairi gasped, trying to recover. "She…warm…Sora…got out of bed…he's so confused!" she finished, laughing more and close to passing out.

"What?" Now Riku looked baffled. "What's she on about Maryx?" You shook you head in response, still smiling. "Yeah…well, anyway, I don't think any of us can sleep now," he stated.

"But I was warm!" Sora pointed out again. Kairi, who was finally breathing again, cracked up once more.

"Gosh, calm down Kairi, your face is matching your hair," you said, eyeing her locks. By the time she had calmed down the boys had left, and you had brushed your teeth, showered, and changed into a dark grey mini-skirt with darker grey shorts underneath, and a dark purple off-the-shoulder T-shirt.

"Took you long enough," you smiled, picking up the hair straightener.

Some time later you and Kairi were in the main room drinking from juice boxes. The boys walked in as you were throwing them away.

"There's still nineteen hours until we land," Riku said.

"We knew that already," you pointed out.

"I'm just reminding you," Riku replied.

"We don't need reminding."

"Sora does."

"Hey!" Sora complained as you laughed. "I know," he said trying to changing the subject. "Rix…Maryx…you can play for us again!"

"Play what?"

"The guitar," Riku said as if he were speaking to a dimwit.

You stuck your tongue at him and turned back to Sora. "You know I suck."

Sora shook his head vigorously. "No way, you don't!"

"You are pretty good," Riku admitted.

"Come on," Kairi said.

You rolled your eyes and went to fetch the guitar. When you came back Riku was standing near the dashboard and Kairi and Sora was sitting on one of the couch-seat-things side by side.

"Hang on," you tuned the guitar a little bit then started playing. Soon you began singing, and Riku turned around to look.

The story starts when it was hot and it was summer and

I had it all, I had him right there where I wanted him

She came along, got him alone, and let's hear the applause

She took him faster than you can say sabotage

I never saw it coming, nor had I suspected it

I underestimated just who I was dealing with

She had to know the pain was beating on me like a drum

She underestimated just who she was stealing from

She's not a saint, and she's not what you think

She's an actress, whoa-oa

She's better known for the things that she does

On the mattress, whoa-oa

Soon she's gonna find stealing other people's toys

On the playground won't make you many friends

She should keep in mind, she should keep in mind

There is nothing I do better than revenge, ha

((Better That Revenge - Taylor Swift)

"Hey, you are a good singer, just like Sora told me," Kairi said when you finished the whole song.

You raised an eyebrow at the brunette. "'Like Sora told me?'"

Sora went red, "Uh…I…didn't think you'd…mind?"

"Hey this is awesome," you said.

"Huh?"

You smiled sweetly at him. "I only need one more reason to kick you where it hurts." Riku burst out laughing.

"Not funny," Sora pouted.

"Hey, if we come across another Organization member, I'm taking him on alone, okay?" you said. Both the boys opened their mouths to protest, but you cut them off. "It's only fair, since I let you guys fight without me last time."

Riku sighed. "Fine, but we're gonna jump in if you get into trouble."

You shook your head defiantly. "No way. Maybe another time, but I'll do this one on my own. Promise you won't get involved unless I really get into trouble and I say that I need help?"

"Fine, I promise," Sora said.

You looked at Riku expectantly. He looked like he was going to argue but he gave in anyway. Sighing he said, "I promise too."


It was 9am the next day, and the four of you were wandering through the Bamboo Groove in Land of Dragons. "I wonder where Mulan is," Sora wondered.

"She should be around here somewhere," Kairi reassured him.

"Whoa!" Sora said leaping back.

"What is it?" you asked frantically, summoning your Keyblade.

Sora pointed at a rock where a long shadow could be seen. "Could it be a Heartless?"

Riku shook his head and leaned over to you. "This happened last time he was here," he whispered.

"You mean he's falling for it again?" you grinned. You both looked back at Sora. He was creeping up to the rock ninja-style, Keyblade ready to strike.

"Oh God." Riku looked away grinning. Sora yelled "hi-ya!" and smashed the rock to pieces.

"HEY! What'dya think you're doing?" Sora jumped back, startled by the sassy voice. "I'll have you know I'm the strongest, toughest, mightiest dragon in allllll the land! Guardian of the year!" A long, skinny little red dragon appeared out of nowhere and jumped onto Sora's shoe, kicking at him like crazy. "Mu-shu!" Sora whined.

"He's a mighty dragon?" Kairi whispered to you.

"Yeah that's right, the great and mighty Mushu! Tremble at the na…Sora!" Mushu finally looked at his target and hopped onto his shoulder. "Damn boy, whadya tryna do, give me a heart attack? I was seein' the stars of heaven!" He ranted for a little while and then said, "Heeeey, you've got new troops with you!"

"Mushu, this is Riku, Kairi, and Maryx. Guys, this is Mushu, he's Mulan's guardian!"

"Aww, you are so cute!" Kairi cooed.

"Cute?" yelled Mushu. "Girl, do not call me cute!"

Kairi blinked a little. "Okay…"

"Yeah, that's right, a might dragon ain't supposed to be - OOOH! Girly, love the hair!"

"Thanks!" she beamed, patting her hair in place.

"And you!" He leapt from Sora's shoulder to Kairi's and made square frames with his fingers, peering through them to look at you. "You. Are. FINE!"

"I know, right?" Riku said.

You raised an eyebrow at him. "Excuse me?"

"Uh…" He started blushing.

"Mushu, where's Mulan?" Sora asked hastily.

"Sora, I've been looking for her myself."

You scoffed a little. "Not much of a guardian, then, are you?"

"I'll have you know, Rixxy, that I know where she should be, and I'm going to where she should be!" Mushu stated, jumping to your shoulder.

"Don't call me Rixxy," you said flatly.

"Aw, but it suits you so well, Maryx," Riku said, smirking.

"Oh, shut up Riku," you snapped.

"So if you know where she is, why are we standing here?" Sora asked.

"Boy, you're the one who started talking! She's at the palace waiting for her husband."

"Well, let's go to the pal…husband?" Sora yelped.

Mushu looked a little pleased with himself. "Yup! She and Shang got married!" He wiped an imaginary tear from his eye. "I planned the wedding myself...it was so beautiful!"

"Wow…"

"Who's Shang?" Kairi asked.

"The general of the emperor's army," Sora said. "That's so great! They were made for each other…" He got this dopey look in his eye.

"Sora?" Kairi waved a hand in front of his face, "What's up?"

"We're missed the wedding!" Sora moaned.

You groaned. "Sora, does that really matter?"

Soon you were all outside the palace, and Sora had introduced you, Riku, and Kairi to Mulan and Shang.

"It's a good thing you four are here," Shang started.

"Kairi doesn't fight much," Riku and Sora said simultaneously. Kairi pouted and pretended to be offended.

"Well then, it's a good thing you three are here," Shang corrected, "because another person is here in the mountains like last time. Remember, in the black cloak? Do you think it could be the same person?"

Riku grinned. "That was me, so I really doubt I'm the one you're looking for."

"You?" Shang and Mulan said, looking at him.

"He was keeping the Organization at bay," Sora reassured them.

"Well, then it must be someone from the Organization," Mulan confirmed. "He's somehow been creating major earthquakes and completely reducing towns to rubble."

"He's up in the mountains," Shang repeated. "We couldn't catch him, so could you give it a try?"

"Sure!" Sora said. You and Riku nodded in agreement.


A few hours later, the four of you were in the snowy mountains where Shang had told Sora the Organization member had been seen last. You had been searching for a while in pairs - you with Sora, and Kairi with Riku - when the four of you met up again.

"Maybe if we just wait this person will show up," Kairi suggested, rubbing her arms and shivering. Standing behind her Riku looked a bit red in the face. "Riku, are you blushing?" Sora asked curiously.

He jumped a little. "What? Of course not…just the cold."

Kairi whispered something in Sora's ear that made him nod. "Interesting," Sora grinned, looking at you for a moment.

"What?" you asked, putting your hands in the air.

You saw a movement in the corner of your eye, and you swung around to see a very muscular man with strangely wavy, short red-orange hair. "Lexaeus," you and Riku said at the same time.

"He made me study," you reminded Riku when he glanced at you.

"I should have guessed when Mulan mentioned the earthquakes," Riku muttered.

"Well, look what I found," Lexaeus said softly. "We meet again, Riku."

"You fought this guy?" Sora asked Riku. He nodded, "You were going up in Castle Oblivion, I was in the lower levels," he said.

"I do hope you do not have to resort to the darkness once again, Riku," Lexaeus said.

Riku smirked. "Oh I won't need to..." he gave you a little shove, "because she's fighting you."

You turned around to face Riku. "Seriously?"

He sighed in response. "I don't break promises."

You grinned slightly. "Awesome!"

Lexaeus shook his head incredulously as you stepped forward. "What a comedown this is. It is insulting." He summoned his gigantic tomahawk and slammed it into the ground, creating massive shockwaves that sent Riku, Sora and Kairi flying back. Luckily you had your feet firmly planted on the ground already and protected your face with your arms.

"If that's all you can do…" you said, summoning your Keyblade, Broken Pieces. You ran at him, attacking ruthlessly and jumping out of the way often to avoid his attacks.

After a few minutes he was obviously tired, but you were getting bored. You figured that if you carried on fighting him this way he die in about five minutes. 'Way too boring' you thought. Jumping away from Lexaeus you stood still. He stopped in mid-swing to see what you were doing. "Is it just me, or is this getting really dull?" you asked him innocently. When he didn't respond you carried on, "Let's make this more interesting."

"How do you suggest we do this?" asked Lexaeus.

You smiled. "I bet that I could beat you in less than one minute without my Keyblade and with no magic."

"Oh, so you think you can do that?"

"Of course," you scoffed. "Why else would I suggest it?"

He smirked. "If you wish, but remember: it is your loss." You didn't back down, but instead just made your Keyblade disappear.

"Are you crazy?" yelled Riku from a distance. "He'll kill you!"

You turned your head slightly in his direction to acknowledge what he'd said, but you didn't respond. Within seconds you seemed to have vanished. "W-What?" Lexaeus swung his head around trying to see where you went.

"Looking for me?" you appeared at his right about a meter or two away, smirking. He tried to hit you with his tomahawk, but you moved to his other side with lightning speed, then behind him, to his right side again, in front of him, even above him, since you could fly for short times.

For a few more seconds this went on, but you got bored again. So when he slammed his weapon into the ground again, you jumped away, then immediately transported back to him and started punching and kicking him from all sides like there was no tomorrow. Unable to escape, he tried to block as best as he could, but you were way too fast.

Riku's POV

The three of you watched in amazement as Maryx attacked Lexaeus. It was obvious she was going to win; she was moving so fast she was literally a blur.

"Is it just me, or is she actually moving that fast?" Kairi asked skeptically.

You nodded. "It's not just you."

Your POV

After a little while you leapt away from Lexaeus to actually let him breathe. When he glared at you, you smiled sweetly. "I've already gotten you worn out and it's been less than forty seconds!" you said gleefully, checking your watch. ."And by the way, I'm going easy on you, normally I'm much faster." You transported around him seven times in one second. "See?"

"Don't mock me!" Lexaeus roared, and ran up to you, swinging his tomahawk at you to deliver a deathly blow.

"Look out, Maryx!" Riku yelled. Thankfully, you moved away just in time, and sprang further back. You raised a hand in the air, and a glowing disc formed in the palm of your hand and began spinning rapidly. "Destructo disc!" Three thin energy discs zoomed at Lexaeus. He jumped back, unsure of what these things were, though he didn't move fast enough. The first two missed, but the third one cut off his right arm. "You said no magic!" he screamed.

"Sorry, " you said drily, "but I never said no energy attacks." You took a small step back and drew your hands to your left side. "Ka…me…" you started, a glowing, electrified ball of energy forming between your hands, "a…me…" Lexaeus' eyes widened with horror as he realized what you were about to do. "Haaa!" you yelled, the energy ball blasting from your hands and hitting him, making him flying back. As the blast died away, you saw Lexaeus fading a little.

"Sora!" you called, turning towards the brunette, who was staring at you like you were an alien. He shook his head rapidly as if to clear his mind and ran over to Lexaeus before he faded away entirely. Swinging his Keyblade around in some random move that actually looked pretty cool, he jumped backwards and shot a beam of light at him. Lexaeus yelled once more before completely fading away.

After he had faded Sora looked at you in awe. "How the hell did you move so fast?"

"It's how I've only fought," you shrugged. "The king only showed me how to fight with a Keyblade a year ago when I met him. I'm more used to fighting with a sword or no weapon at all. And like I said," you added, "I can move much faster. To me, that was pretty slow."

Sora shook his head in disbelief. "I couldn't even follow you."

"There's no way you can follow me," you said tactlessly. "You don't have enough will power to focus on my movements." Sora blinked a little. "Kairi can't either," you continued as the other two walked over to listen, "Riku might if he practiced though."

"Aw, why Riku?" Sora whined.

"Because he has more will power," you replied. "I just said that like, two seconds ago."

"What do you mean, 'if I practiced enough'?" Riku asked.

"I mean, if I trained with you or you watched me train or fight or whatever, and you focused on where I was moving, then after a while you'd be able to see me," you explained.

"Huh." Riku grinned a little.

"Still, awesome fighting," Kairi said. "Maybe we should head back to the palace and tell Mulan that Lexaeus is dead."


Mulan ran up to you as the four of you approached. "Th...thank goodness...you're back!"" she said, panting."He's…he's done it again!"

"Who?" Sora asked.

"The man…in the …black cloak," she said. "But he didn't...create an earthquake...this time. He just destroyed a whole village...with fire!"

"WHAT?" you, Sora, and Riku yelled.