The Grey Ancient

by Ancient2

This is the Kingdom Hearts storyline through Riku's point of view. It's a take on who he is, where did he come from, and 'what' he is. Neither of the Light, nor the Darkness. So then where does he belong?

10. Chapter 10

The Path of Growing

*** Somewhere in the wastelands of Radiant Garden ***

"..." Sephiroth had sensed it when king Mickey had return to the realm of light. It was like a bright star had return to the far off skies; a great force against the darkness had return, but it was no concern to him.

What did peek his interest however was the muffled presence that seemed to be accompanying king Mickey. Whom or whatever it was near king Mickey was somehow cloaked from Sephiroth's Ancient senses, and yet still giving off a muffled power that was begging to break out. He could sense a heart behind the muffle, but that too was left covered in fog as well. Sephiroth didn't recognize this heart, nor has he ever sensed anything like this before. The fact that this presence kept alluding his senses only made him curiouser and curiouser. Enough for him to break away from his tabs on the Ancient flowergirl and Cloud just to get a look at this abnormality for himself.

The dark corridor he had opened had taken him to the remnants of a part of Radiant Garden lost to the darkness. It was a place close to the borders between realms; most to all its inhabitants lost to Darkness, but still enough light left in the Heart of the world to keep its existence. This world was shattered and broken apart, resembling nothing of what it once was, only small hints of itself remaining. Sharp shards of crystallized darkness rose up all over the grounds, surrounding the area with various sizes of dark crystals and making the place like a deadly glass canyon. Sethiroth was standing along the tip of the highest dark crystal shard on the right cliff side, looking down into the canyon's opening to the two cloaked figures walking along the only small path without any dark shards on it through the canyon.

He could recognize king Mikey by the ears. Those large mouse ears would give him away from a mile even if he was cloaked. But the person right next to him... the cloak was doing a fine job of concealing. From what Sephiroth could see, it was a boy. A young boy, still in his mid teens if he were to guess. But who was he? The cloak seemed to be covering his affiliation along with his identity. Sephiroth loved a challenge, an unknown puzzle that had yet to be solved, but something beyond that had him intrigued by the boy. Something inside of him was itching to see the boy behind the hood, almost drawing Sephiroth to him.

"!" As if silently answering his wishes the boy looked up, shooting his head up towards the direction of Sephiroth.

"..." Sephiroth smirked in praise at how quick the boy was able to pick him up. 'So he can sense my darkness. Hmph, clever boy.'

As quickly as the boy spotted him, Sephiroth just as quickly made his retreat through flight. But before he took his leave, he took the chance to view the boy while he was looking towards Sephiroth. The hood still covered most of his face in darkness, but that was nothing for one who engulfed himself in it. Sephiroth gazed into the hood's shadow and saw what was beyond it.

What he had seen beyond the hood had him lightly smirking from his new spot further off. It has been years sense he had last seen him, but he had recognized the innocent lifestream eyes even if they were glaring. They were prideful eyes, yet still held an insecurity about the worlds around them. Young eyes that have experience the darkness of the world but continued to shine brightly in the darkest storm like a light house. It reminded him of her. Even the subtle gentle facial features reminded him of her, even if the boy tried to keep them hard and unfazeable. This was Aeris's lost child.

Further off from the two cloaked figures, looking around confused to where the sudden dark presence had vanished to, Sephiroth looked at them from where he was. His eyes focused on the boy. And so the lost child had returned from the darkness. Tainted to never truly return to the light, and yet not fully one with the darkness. This boy had become something entirely of its own between the two. He had become something of the perfect grey.

"Hm, so I finally found what the little flowergirl tried so hard to hide away and lost." His smirk grew into a small smile as he opened a summoning circle instead to return back to Radiant Garden's town stretching out his one wing as he floated up towards the summoning circle above."(Chuckle) Won't his mother be pleased..."

Rocketing up, he went through the summoning circle, disappearing without a trace. The summoning circle had dissolved into specks of light, fading in the sky. Sephiroth was gone, his darkness vanished with his presence. Only leaving behind the small tell-tale of black feathers that scattered in the wind.

"..."

"Riku? Is something wrong?" King Mickey asked up to Riku as he suddenly stopped, looking up at a cliff side with nothing there.

"It's nothing, your Majesty." Riku said, keeping his eyes on the cliff side, looking at the ghost of what he thought he felt was once there. "I just thought I felt something."

"Oh?" King Mickey summoned out his Keyblade and got into a defensive stance. "Do you think it could be trouble?"

"No, not anymore... it's gone."

"Any idea who or what it was?"

"Not a clue."

"Huh." King Mickey eased out of his stance as his Keyblade faded back to specks of light. "We should probably camp for the night. We'll need to keep up our strength to continue our journey tomorrow."

"Yeah..."

* * * That night * * *

The sun had long since set, and the two companions had set up a make-shift camp in their spot in the canyon. Somehow they had found remnants of branches- dried and fossilized, but still useful- and used a Fira to start a campfire. They didn't have any blankets to rest and keep them off the dirt, or anything to eat, but at least they had a fire to stay warm for the night. But the mental training in their martial arts would help keep their hunger at bay. But it wouldn't be able to make them ignore the discomfort of the boulders they used to rest upon, or the occasional cold, night winds that would blow by in the night. However, on the bright side, the dark nights in the abandoned wastelands gave way to beautiful starry skies above them to gently light the surroundings in their soft glow.

"Boy, it sure is quiet around here." King Mickey commented, breaking the silence.

"Well, what would you expect from a place that had been consumed by darkness?" Riku shrugged off before turning his head to look up at the star lite canyons. "We'll reclaim this place from the darkness. Some day we'll bring this place back to its former glory."

"Heh-ha, you betcha, pal." King Mickey agreed with a nod and a smile. "But I gotta say: I thought you were from another world. I didn't think you would recall what this place use to be."

"I grew up on another world. But I was born 'here'." Riku replied, turning to look back at king Mickey on the other side of the campfire. "This place is my home as well. And I want to protect it, along with the other worlds. I haven't been here since I was a baby; I have no memory of this place. I'd like to see it as it once was with my own eyes."

"Oh, that's right. I forgot about that." King Mickey lightly laughed in embarrassment, rubbing the back of his head in a subconscious reaction. "I guess the last time I've been here you were already on another world. But I wish you had been there to see this place before the Darkness took it. If you could only image how beautiful it once was."

"... Can you tell me what it looked like, please?"

"Heh-ha, where do I even start? The greenery, the flowers, this whole world was a gigantic garden that had the sun glow like gold on its morning dew every sunrise. And glistened like crystals in the nights starlight." King Mickey said with reminiscence in his eyes before they saddened and bowed his head as he gave the place a look over at what it had become. "(Sigh) Better than this place by a long shot."

"Heh, right. Sorry this place couldn't be as comfy as the palace you're probably use to." Riku smirked a little, finding it slightly humorous seeing a king of another world who was use to luxury and ease struggling to get comfy with the rock he was leaning against out in the dirt covered outdoors.

"Huh? Oh no, I'm use to this kinda thing." King Mickey shrugged it off as he finally found a comfortable position on his rock.

"(Chuckle) I find that hard to believe, your Majesty."

"Believe it or not, Riku, before I became King on my world I was a street urchin."

"Get out of here." Riku found it ridiculous that someone with such a noble character as king Mickey's would have such a humbling beginning.

"No really. Before I was royalty, I was an orphan living off the streets with Donald, Goofy, and my dog Pluto."

"Really...?"

"Hm-mph." King Mickey nodded in conferment, looking into the fire as he reminisced about his past. "We were living under bridges and passageways with barely anything to eat. We had nothing to our names but the clothes on our backs as we struggled to survive. But we had each other, and together there was nothing we couldn't do."

"..." Riku silently listened to his story, barely believing what he was hearing. But seeing the look in king Mickey's eyes Riku knew that he was telling the truth.

"Being small and only children, we were constantly harassed and picked on because there wasn't much we could do about it." He had a frustrated looked on his face before it lightened up to joy. "But that was when we met them. The Royal Musketeers, royal guards to our world's royalty. They fought to defend our royal family, our country, and our people. They had come to our aid when we needed them most. A kindly Musketeer even gave me his hat, telling me 'don't worry, you'll grow into it.' From that day on all three of us dreamed of being great Musketeers. (Sigh) But our dream took a long time, years even."

"So what did you do?"

"We grew up, as children tend to do. We got janitor jobs in the royal palace under the Royal Musketeer Quarters. We had to learn the real meaning of the Musketeers creed before our dream could come true."

"Hm? And what would that be?"

"All for one, and one for all." King Mickey proudly said, raising up his Keyblade as he pulled it out for the gesture.

"!" Riku couldn't help but feel he had heard that line before. Then he remembered that was the thing Goofy and Donald had said to Sora when they had returned to Sora's side in Castle Oblivion. So there was a deeper meaning to that line after all.

"Heh-ha, but it seemed like our dream was so far away from our reach, and almost impossible." King Mickey sadly chuckled for a second as he continued with his story. "We kept messing up with almost every task given to us. Always getting in trouble with Captain Pete."

"Captain Pete?"

"Captain of the Royal Musketeers at the time. He told us we could never be Musketeers: Donald was too much of a coward, Goofy was too much of a doofus, and I was too small." Riku watched as king Mickey went through a string of emotions, going from slightly angry to sad, all the way to happy again. "So when he said he was only testing us and we passed we were overjoyed that we were going to be Musketeers. We were even excited that our first job would be to guard the royal princess, such an honor! But... we were too excited on our first day on the job, practically too jumpy. We were like a well oiled machine that was wind too tight. We ended up attacking her Lady in Waiting, Daisy."

"What?!" Riku laughed out, slapping his knee as he felt his sides were about to burst. King Mickey blushed with a pout in embarrassment.

"I-it wasn't our fault, she was holding a weapon!"

"Yeah? What kind?!" Riku barely got out from his fits of laughter, wiping away a stray tear.

"A cheese knife..." He mumbled off, looking away from Riku.

"Oh my, how dangerous. She could have hurt some poor cheddar block with that." Riku chuckled out, slowly calming down his laughter.

"Yeah... it was a good thing she was so forgiving about that." King Mickey nervously grin, scratching his cheek with a finger. "Especially for Donald, she ended up becoming his fiancée."

"Ooo, that must have been a bad first impression."

"Yeah, it kinda was." King Mickey admitted before a softness came over his eyes. "But that's when I met her..."

"Who?"

"Princess Minnie. My royal charge... and the holder of my heart."

"..."

"She was fair and lovely, with a heart that shined like the light. She was the most beautiful person I've ever seen... It was love at first sight..."

"But... wasn't she royalty? I mean, at the time, you were just..."

"I know. And true to my creed, I had a duty to perform. So I put my orders before my heart." King Mickey sighed out, tightening his hands to a fist as he gripped at the robe on his knees. "But... when she was kidnapped during her daily carriage ride out of the palace while we were on the job, I couldn't help but let my emotions get the best of me. We were ambushed and caught by surprised as the bad guys had removed us from the carriage and taken princess Minnie and Daisy away. We rushed after her carriage on foot to rescue her. They had taken them to an abandoned tower far out of the royal city and locked them in a cage on the highest Floor. Boy, were those stairs a hassle climbing. More of hassle then the actually fight to retrieve the girls; but, that was always thanks to Goofy's quick thinking. It was a messy rescue, but a rescue none the less. And when I heard princess Minnie laugh for the first time... it made my heart flutter."

"Wow... This princess Minnie sounds like an amazing person the way you speak of her."

"She is. The best thing that ever happened to me. I was a Musketeer, a lowly commoner at that. And yet... she never cared about that, and loved me for 'me'. She supported my training as a Musketeer, even married me regardless of royal traditions, and even supported my training as a Keyblade master." King Mickey said with a loving look in his eyes. "She waited patiently for me during my training off world, and still waits for me as I go off to fight the Darkness. (Sigh) I wish I could see her again. It's been so long. I miss her dearly..."

"So then... why did you leave...?"

"Golly, I guess a part of me did it for the adventure. But deep down, I wanted to help people. Even if they were worlds apart from me. And if I had the power deep inside to do it that was thought to be lost then I would gladly go to someone who could help me untap it. Minnie understood this, and even sent me off with her blessing. Though we may be worlds apart, we will always be together in our hearts... that's what she always said to me before I'd go. But this time I snuck away so Donald and Goofy wouldn't try to follow after me, I never got to hear her say it..."

"..." Riku saw how this subject was starting to bring king Mickey down, so he tried changing it. "So what happened next after saving her Majesty?"

"Heh, turns out Captain Pete was the bad guy that was trying to lock away the princess and take the thrown as his own. The only reason he made Donald, me, and Goofy Musketeers was because he thought we would mess it up like we usually did. But when we were actually doing our job pretty well he ended up trying to pick us off individually. Donald ran off, and one of his henchmen was taking care of Goofy. I honestly thought I was a goner when he locked me in a dungeon that would flood over with the morning tide. But Goofy had escaped from death and Donald had found his courage as they both came to my rescue. And together, we saved our princess and in turn our country as we all made up for our weaknesses with each of our strengths. In honor of our actions, the princess herself had dubbed us ceremonially as Royal Musketeers. We were known hence forth throughout the land as the Three Musketeers."

"That's quite the story, Mickey. You've lived an amazing life so far."

"Yup! And there's still so much more to come! It just goes to show you that even the most smallest of creatures to the most humbling of beginnings can even have the biggest of dreams come true if they work hard enough for it."

"But that still doesn't explain how you changed from a Musketeer to a Keyblade master."

"Heh-ha, oh yeah. Well after years of training and service in the Musketeers, an old wizard by the name of Yen Sid came to the palace. He was a Royal adviser to the kingdom that rarely showed up, only when he was needed. And strangely enough, he always knew when he was needed before a royal summon could be sent out. He was considered a rather eccentric fellow around the palace, coming and going as he pleased. On his first appearance to the castle for me, he had seemed to have caught an interest in me. It was like his eyes could see something in me even I couldn't see.

"On his last day at the palace he had finally approached me. Saying I had power inside me, and great potential, offering me the chance to go with him and become his apprentice as a Keyblade master."

"!" This was a first of Riku ever hearing about masters. He had always thought that the Keyblade just appeared to its chosen wielder and they learned on their own from there. At least that was what him and Sora did. Perhaps they had went about it the wrong way? "So I take it you took him up on his offer?"

"Well yeah. I was young and eager for another adventure, even if I had no idea what it was. Turns out it wasn't as exciting as I thought. It was rather boring, honestly. Master Yen Sid said I had great potential even as a novice, but lacked the patience and discipline. My first lesson wasn't even how to use Keyblades, but Magic. And even then I was doing mostly laboring choirs instead."

"..." Riku could recall a similar experience as his mother was teaching him how to use magic. But she had been rather lenient on the labor tasks she had given him for training when he would wake up. Perhaps she was secretly training him for the Keyblade in her own way?

"Master Yen Sid said the lessons were in my actions. But I got impatient- proving his point. One time while he was out for a bit, I had tried using one of the advanced spells from his books and ended up flooding his Studies. He came back and fixed the place like it was nothing, and only gave me a slap on the wrist instead of punishing me for possibly endangering myself with my recklessness. But it took ages and experience out in the worlds to break me of my reckless rebellious streak and impatience. And he was patient with me in the end as I came back to him, more humbled than I was before coming under his wing."

"..." Riku could still relate to that...

"By the time my training was done, Donald and Goofy had gradually moved out of the Musketeers as well as they followed their own path. Donald had went under the wings of the Royal Scholars of the castle and started taking up Magic. Through his studies, and hard work in training, he had become a grand wizard during my absence. Goofy had stayed with the Musketeers the longest of us all, and even moved up the rank. Eventually he started a branch of military of his own, becoming Captain of the Royal Knights.

"By the time I had returned, I had felt good enough to even court princess Minnie and at least return her feelings as well. But she didn't care for the things that made me insecure, she had been waiting for me to return her affections for the longest time. And soon after we married, which in turn made me become king with her as my queen. Donald and Goofy stayed by my side through it all, as Royal Wizard of the palace and Captain of the Guard. Keeping our Musketeer creed, all for one and one for all. We were a team. We stood by each other as orphans, and stayed together even in high positions."

"Boy. You guys have an amazing friendship..." Riku complimented with a grin, happy for king Mickey for having such a strong friendship like he once had.

"Yeah, we were practically brothers. But you should know the feeling. You and Sora had the same thing too, even Kairi."

"Yeah... But I don't think we'll ever have that kind of bond again." Riku said, lowering his head in shame. "Not after the things I've done..."

"That's not true, Riku. Your friends care about you; they worked so hard just to get you back." King Mickey insisted to him. "They've already forgiven you for your actions, Riku. Why can't you forgive yourself?"

"Because I know I don't deserve it..."

"You're wrong, Riku. You've-"

"Can we call it a night, your Majesty? I'm getting pretty tired." Riku said, ending the conversation as he slid to the ground off his rock, pulling up his hood. He turned on his side, away from king Mickey.

"..." Deciding to drop the subject for know. King Mickey would leave Riku be, until he was ready to talk about it and face his inner guilt. "(Sigh) Goodnight, Riku. I'll take first watch."

*** That same night, far off in the remains of an Ancient city ***

One of the remaining cities of the Ancient on the world of Radiant Garden that hadn't been lost through the ages had stood tall even as its people were as good as lost. Now down to a number you could count on both hands, it still remained standing. Although slightly beaten down from the Darkness that had once consumed its world, its Light still remained intact. Even as four beings consumed by Darkness had taken occupancy in its ground. And although its Light was still strong enough to cast them out, it had left them be. For even if they were a Darkness that was contaminating its once sacred streets of Light, they were still one of the city's remaining children. The last few of the Ancient race.

The Ancients had an exotic architect that blended in with the environment. None of the buildings looked man-made, but colossal coral and shells hollowed out for living area. If the shells where crafted by a gifted Cetra or once belonged to a gigantic extinct species no one would ever know. The place had no need for any form of street lights as the buildings seem to glow in the light of the moon. The trees outside of the city were still alive and guarded the area with their cover. But the trees inside the city had died and fossilized as they took on a celestial glow just like the buildings in the night light. It was like everything inside the city had died along with its residence.

The three males hung together in the upper floor of an abandoned house which they had claimed as their base of operation. The only light coming from the place was from the windows and the minor holes in the structures upper shell. The tall, slim one sat along the window frame of the house, looking out at the abandoned city as it glowed with a false sense of night life. His long hair acting as a cushion for his head against the circular frame of the window. He wore a long black coat zipped up over his chest with black boots, shoulder guards and straps crossing over his torso. The bulkier one of the three with the short, spiky hair sat in one of the chairs, leaning back on the chair legs as he rested his crossed feet on the circular table. This one sported a full body suit of leather, lacking a coat like the others but still had that tight fit like them. His torso with crossing black straps and shoulder guards. He looked up at the spiraling up ceiling with his hands behind his head, looking rather bored of whatever he was waiting for. While the smaller of the three, with nearly shoulder length hair and bangs that covered one of his eyes just simply leaned against the wall. He was wearing leather clothing with gauntlets and a coat, which he kept zipped up. They were all wearing black and leather. They were all sporting the image of a single wing sewn on the back of their clothes- a silent symbol of the Jenova influence inside of them- whether it be their coats or leather suit. Even with the similar get up, they were all experiencing different levels of emotional state. While the taller one was chilling, the bulkier one was dying of boredom, and the smaller one was tapping his finger on one of his crossed arms in impatience.

"Tst, he's taking so long. Where is he?" Said the smaller one with a grit in his teeth, breaking the silence.

"Perhaps older brother has finally found his other half." The slim one said nonchalantly with a smooth, alluring voice. He had finally turned away from the window to face the others in the room, but his expression lacked any emotion or semblance of care.

"Tch, I doubt it. We would be able to sense the fight if he had met up with the other half." The smaller one waved off the notice with the flick of his head. "But I can't sense anything, not even him. Heh, he might be trying to avoid us."

"Don't cry Yazoo." The bulkier one teased at the slim one with a smirk. But the one called Yazoo seemed to ignore the big one's taunting and continued on with his train of thought.

"Do you think he possibly grew tired of us?" Yazoo pondered to the smaller one with a tilt in his head but still with a lack of care for whatever the answer might be. He knew they were all seen as pawns in the eyes of the eldest one in the group, easily used and disposed of, and he did not care either way. As long as Elder brother continued giving him fun targets to kill, it didn't matter if he was of use of not.

"Heh. Maybe." The small one bluntly answered with a smirk. His answer seemed to make the bulky one cry and that didn't matter to him.

"Oh don't cry, Loz." Yazoo said over to the bulky one whom was soaking his cheeks with his silent tears. Yazoo's voice was soothing, but lacked the emotion behind them. And the one known as Loz simply continued to cry, pitifully containing his tears like a child.

But they all stopped what they were doing as their heads shot up, sensing the one that was approaching.

"Hm, good. He's here." The smaller one said, looking over towards the spiral stairway as they heard their fourth member ascending the stairs in his own pace. His navy blue wing sported on the right shoulder of the coat.

His hair was longer than Yazoo's, his shoulders were broader than Loz's but his height barely made it noticeable, and his eyes were sharper than the smaller one's. But what they all had in common was the platinum hair and Lifestream eyes. And a facial features that were closely similar to each others. Not to mention the closely matching dark leather getup they were all sporting. In their eyes, they were all brothers. In their eyes, they were born from Darkness. And their Older Brother had finally returned.

"Sephiroth." Loz said with contained excitement, the tears from before long dried and forgotten.

"You sure took long enough returning." Yazoo commented with a slight shrug as he looked up a little with closed eyes.

"Where have you been?" The smaller one asked as Sephiroth simply passed them to look out the other window in the room, paying their words no mind.

"Nowhere." Sephiroth simply answered, not even looking at them.

"That doesn't answer my question."

"It doesn't merit my answer." Sephiroth countered back, making the smaller one of the group angry.

"Brother!"

"Kadaj." Yazoo called out to the smaller one in warning, silently signally to him not to push Sephiroth's patience. He may not have cared what may happen to him, but for some reason he did have a slight consideration on what would happen to Loz and Kadaj in the long run. And testing Sephiroth was one of the best ways of finding your end in the Darkness much sooner.

"..." Hearing his older brother's command, Kadaj backed down. Gripping his hands in a tight fist in his frustration as he looked away. He hated being ignored, and he did not like dropping things. It made him feel insignificant, like his opinion was inferior. Even so, he would bite his tongue, for Yazoo's sake... somewhat. But his silence had reaped a reward since Sephiroth had deemed to answer his question.

"I was out in the wasteland, investigating the sudden appearance of the Light." Sephiroth said, looking over at them from the corner of his eyes; but not turning around, or his head for that matter, to face them. "It would seem that king Mickey has finally returned from the Realm of Darkness."

"What?" "No way." "That sounds awesome! I bet he had to fight through hordes of Heartless to find his way back." Yazoo, Kadaj, and Loz all responded at the same time as their heads bolted towards Sephiroth's direction. Yazoo and Kadaj in disbelief, while Loz was in excitement.

"Heh. Indeed." Sephiroth smirked to himself at their reaction before losing himself in the distance as he looked out beyond the abandon city. "But... he didn't find his way out of there alone."

"?" They all slightly tilted their head in curiosity at what he had meant. King Mickey was a powerful warrior of the Light, there was hardly anything that Keyblade master needed help with.

"It would seem that lost boy of the Ancient flowergirl had crawled his way out of the Darkness with king Mickey." It was then that he even troubled to turn his head to face them a little bit. Only for them to see the excitement hidden in his eyes.

"An Ancient?" Kadaj questioned.

"I thought they were all lost." Yazoo comment.

"There was one left. And she so happened to have a child." There was a seduction in his tone at the mention of the Cetra Flowergirl, but it was soon lost at the possibilities of the boy. "A child that had lost his way from the Light to the Darkness and had a taste of its power."

"An Ancient with the power of Darkness..." Yazoo pondered the possibilities aloud to himself as he rested his thumb and index finger under his chin at the thought. Only after coming out of his thoughts did he look over at Sephiroth to ask his next question. "Does this Ancient have a name?"

"Riku... Riku is his name." Sephiroth said with a silent smirk.

"Sounds like a powerful force to be reckoned with." Loz commented with a smirk at the thought of meeting such a person, whether as a comrade or an adversary. He was really hoping for the last. He was itching for someone worthy to play with, it had been a long time since he met someone to match him that wasn't his brothers.

"He would be, if only he wasn't so reluctant to use that power." Sephiroth sighed in disappointment, closing his eyes. "The boy fears the power inside him so much that he holds himself back."

"Ugh. That's a pity." Loz groaned him disappointment, leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed in front of him as he looked up at the ceiling. "I was looking forward to playing with him."

"No."

"!" They all flinched in alarm as the darkness inside Sephiroth sparked up to choking the air around them, paralyzing them in fear.

"The boy is mine. Don't touch him."

"..." They had no idea how to respond to such a reaction from Sephiroth. He's never shown an interest to anything like this before, other than Cloud. They didn't even know where to begin to describe this sudden change in Sephiroth.

"Heh. You should rejoice. You all will be getting a little brother very soon." Sephiroth smoothly said with a smirk as he passed them, bringing his Darkness down to nothing as he allowed them to breath again. They all instantly clenched at their chest as they willed their hearts to slow down - or whatever was there making them feel like they had just been unclenched and were still gathering their breath. He made his way down the spiral stairs again to one of the many quarters in the shell home to get some rest, taking everything at his own pace. "Consider him already our youngest brother. Soon there will be five of us. And if I'm lucky... I'll make it six."

"..." Sephiroth seemed too gleeful at the last part. Something was up. The three of the younger members of the platinum haired group looked at each other in a silent agreement that they had to check this Ancient boy out for themselves.

And Kadaj had an inkling for seeing this kid for himself as soon as possible. His fists tightened into themselves to start drawing blood as he hid them under his crossed arms at the thought of this boy. For some reason, whether it was cause he caught the attention of Older Brother or something else, he couldn't help but find himself hating the boy without even knowing him. Just like Cloud. Beyond his knowledge or care, he found himself jealous of this... Riku.

*** The next day ***

"Come along, your Majesty. The journey isn't going to travel by itself."

"Right behind ya, pal."

They had raised early with the sun. Although on this world they would never see it. Radiant Garden was still damaged from its collapse to Darkness. The sun would rise and brighten up the world; however, the world would not take on its blue skies for a long time. The sky would forever take on a pinkish-purple color from dawn till dust, until this world fully recovered. It was a strange hue, soft but still overbearing. As if there was a fire out in the far off distance. The path was more clearer now with the daylight, more safer to terrain when they could see the uprising earth and crystal shards around them. Their boots crunched in the dry dirt, darkened from its fall from the Light. As they continued on to find civilization once again, they remained unaware of the company that had arrived in the distance from Dark Corridors.

Kadaj, Loz, and Yazoo stepped out from their individual Dark Corridors and surveyed the area from their spot high above on a dark crystal shard. Kadaj taking the front and center, while Loz and Yazoo took to the sides. It took them a moment to spot king Mickey and Riku due to their cloaks covering their affiliation and scent. But the ears would always give king Mickey away, even if he was covered with a hood. Riku looked so much taller when standing next to king Mickey, but they could still tell that he was younger than them.

"Heh. That's him..." Kadaj said with a smirk. At last they got to meet this new mystery, and didn't have to waste much time on the search either. It was like sneaking around to see a Christmas present a month before Christmas, and getting the chance to play with it too. "Our new baby brother."

"Wonder what he looks like." Yazoo tilted his head to try and get a better look under Riku's hood from where they were, but no luck. Even so, it was no skin off of his bones either way.

"Hmph. No idea." Kadaj shrugged. "That hood is an eyesore."

"Hm, jealous of no longer being the youngest already?" Loz teased over to Kadaj, smirking a little at striking a nerve on his little brother, even if it was only for a moment.

"Tst. Like I care."

"Do you think he'll be happy to meet us?" Yazoo pondered, not caring that he was cutting in.

"Che. I doubt it." Kadaj replied with a click of his tongue and a smirk.

"Don't cry Loz."

"I'm not crying." Loz whimpered with a pout where he was, looking away from the group. Yazoo may not have shown it, but Loz could tell when Yazoo was mocking him or not. And that nearly invisible smile told him that Yazoo was mocking him.

"Enough talking." Kadaj commanded in a huff, taking a step back as his Dark Corridor reappeared. "Let's go see him for ourselves."

"Hm." "Heh." Yazoo and Loz noised about the same time, lightly smirking as they stepped back into their own Dark Corridors as well.

Riku and king Mickey was just minding their own business. Making their way in their own pace, when Riku suddenly smelt them coming first.

"!" Riku was working on trained instincts, raising up an arm to halt king Mickey in his steps before using it to push king Mickey out of the way. "Get back!"

"Whoa!" King Mickey huffed out in surprising, using Riku's push to help his jump back make more distance. He was confused at first at Riku's sudden aggressive position, but then he actually felt the presences approaching as he was in midair of his jump.

Riku had jumped back as well, after making sure that king Mickey had stopped advancing, only to barely miss the twin blades of a strange form of katana. He had felt and heard the wind cut from their slash, and saw how their metal shined in the light. It was a beautiful blade up close, it was a pity that he would have to see it in these circumstances.

But he didn't have time to admire it, the owner was coming.

"!" Riku pulled out Soul Eater at the last second to parry another strike coming at him. And then another, and then another. This attacker may have been only slightly bigger than Riku, but he was pushing him back. They had met blade-for-blade, meeting each other in the middle. This sudden push together gave Riku a chance to view his attacker. What he saw shocked him. "(Gasp)!"

That hair... those eyes...

"Hmph." Kadaj smirked, kicking Riku back with his boot and then knocking him back further with a Dark Fira. Kadaj laughed as Riku hit the ground and slid back further from his attacker.

"Gh!" Riku grunted, tightening his grip on his Soul Eater once again- which he had surprisingly kept a hold of during his short flight. He sat upright, resting his weight on his arms as he looked back at Kadaj with glinting eyes. Riku grit his teeth for intimidating and because of pain, the blast from that Dark Fira still burned at his chest. There was most likely a bruise. His hood had fallen down in the process, revealing his face.

"Hah-heh! (Laughter)!" His laughter became more unstable, more insane-like. His shoulders shaking as he looked at Riku's face. "I can see the resemblance, Brother."

"!" Riku's eyes widen and his heart stopped for a second. Could this boy really know that they were related? Judging by the description that his mother had given him, this was most likely Kadaj, his youngest older brother of the three. But there was no recognition in his eyes, and his presence was still covered in the power of Darkness. No... he was still one of mother's lost boys'.

Riku slowly made his way to standing on one knee as he struggled to walk off the pain. While he was doing this, Kadaj was making his way to him. "!"

"But, alas, in our happy flock." Kadaj chuckled off with a sigh as his laughs died down. Only for his face to suddenly turn cold as he pointed his katana, which he had called Souba, threateningly close to Riku. "You're what we call a black sheep."

"Riku!" king Mickey called out in alarm, summoning his Keyblade and firing a laser shot of Holy at Kadaj as he was going for the strike. Forcing Kadaj to jump back from Riku. Kadaj had looked over to king Mickey at his sudden call out, and reacted accordingly.

Kadaj smirked as king Mickey made his way into the picture and into the fight, getting in between Kadaj and Riku. He didn't know who this guy was, but he was ready for a fight. King Mickey would be a hindrance, but... Kadaj wouldn't have to worry about him for long.

"Yaa-ha!" King Mickey shouted in surprise as he suddenly found himself having to parry a barrage of concentrated Dark bullets coming at him from the side. He had to keep up his fast pace of slash-parries or else one of those projectiles would hit him. But while he was doing that, he was knocked out of the fight by a Dark Thundara that had suddenly jumped into the mix. "Oho!"

"Your Majesty!" Riku called out in alarm, about to go help king Mickey but had to strike as Kadaj had returned at him. His swing of Soul Eater forced Kadaj to jump back, but it lacked the power to it. Maybe he was subconsciously holding back because he knew who Kadaj was. Maybe he was just scared.

Maybe...

He was curious...

If one of the missing brothers was here, where were the other ones...?

"Gh!" But he got his answer sooner than he expected as he had to jump back from a punch that had come down from above and shattered into the earth he was once standing at and uplifted the dirt. But there was more than strength to this bulky new stranger's attack; Riku could sense Magic in that attack. The change in earth around his fists verified Riku's beliefs as well. There was now a darkness coming from its cracks that told Riku that it would have hurt if he had stayed in that area. But what kind of Magic spell was that? What ever it was, it was tainted by the power of Darkness. But Riku didn't have long to ponder what that spell once was, the bulky guy had summoned a dozen of Neoshadow Heartless which Riku had to cut through before the big guy himself was coming at him for more. "!"

"Play with us, little brother!" Loz said in excitement. The Dual Hound knuckle on his left arm attached itself to his hand, giving his fist a brass knuckle kick to it with the extra damage of being Thunder-based. At first Riku thought Loz was left-handed, but by how his fists flowed together with equal force he was most likely ambidextrous. Riku would have blocked his punches in hand-to-hand combat, but the electric current from his left hand gave Loz an advantage which left Riku no choice but to continue dodging. This course of action, however, did not please Loz. Making him pout. "Why are you holding back?"

Riku was forced to dash to his left as Yazoo leaped at Riku from the right, making his sudden appearance from a Dark Corridor.

"We know there's more to you, brother." Yazoo smoothly said while still firing at Riku with his Velvet Nightmare in midair. Before hitting the ground, he rolled with a predator's grace and continued his onslaught of fire as he smoothly uprighted himself. His handgun going with the flow as Yazoo continued his pace forward as his shots pushed Riku back.

"!" Riku blocked the Dark bullets with his Soul Eater, it was the only thing he could make himself do. He didn't really have much in him to do anything else. His first reunion with his lost brothers and it was going south so far. He didn't want to hurt them, but he knew they were aiming to hurt him. He could tell from the consistent area of fire from their bullets. Yes he said 'their', apparently Loz pulled out a Velvet Nightmare of his own that he was firing in his right hand. Unlike the grace of Yazoo, Riku could hear the faint silent words of 'Bang, bang, bang' and 'Boosh' coming from Loz.

"Gh!" He got distracted. One of those shots nicked the side of his face, too close to his eye. It was probably Yazoo from the way that invisible smirk barely made its way on his face. He had the shot, he could have taken the fatal hit. But... he purposely only nicked to prove a point...

"Heh." Loz, however, was not shy at showing his smirk- let alone his emotions. His fire suddenly stopped as he punched into the ground with his left hand.

"!" Before Riku could do anything he was caught in the grasp of the shattering earth around him as a crater formed and a dark energy came from under its cracks. That alone caused pain, but the Dark Thunder that came from above as well added the breaking straw to the camel's back. "Ah!"

Riku went down, falling to one knee.

"Hmph. You're no fun." Kadaj huffed, making his appearance after some time, lifting Riku's chin back up with his parallel blades to look at him. "You lack the will to embrace your Darkness and hold yourself back. Heh, you're scared."

"Tch." Riku hissed through his teeth at that answer, gritting his teeth at Kadaj. How dare he. And yet... his words made him feel so vulnerable.

"Or perhaps, it's something else..." Kadaj pondered off to himself, before getting serious as he dug his blade points to press a little harder on Riku's skin. "Either way, I don't care. I don't see what he see's in you."

"!" Who is 'he'? Were they talking about-

"(Sigh) But in the end, big Brother has shown an interest in you. And big brother always gets what he wants." Kadaj sighed out with a grumble that could almost resemble a pout, pulling his blade entirely off Riku to hang at his side in his dangling arm. "So I guess you'll get to live for today, Little Brother."

"..." The hand on Riku's knee gripped the fabric over it in his frustration, as his grip on Soul Eater tightened. He had survived today because they had 'let' him. If they wanted to, they could have killed him already. This was a game to them, and that was what upset him more. They made him feel weak. 'I guess they were older brothers after all. Haggling the smaller younger brother to prove that they're the stronger ones.'

But that didn't make him feel any better.

"Get stronger, little brother. Embrace your Darkness." Kadaj instructed while turning around to walk back to Loz and Yazoo as all their Dark Corridor appeared near the two. He re-sheath Souba in its sheath on his lower back, while Loz's Dual Hound had retracted back to his arm and he puts his Velvet Nightmare away on his side while Yazoo put his away in its holster more around his lower back. They silently chuckled at Riku's predicament as they turned around and stepped into their Dark Corridors. Kadaj walking backwards, as he continued to look towards Riku. Opening his arms out in an almost 'come at me' gesture. "Strong enough that our next visit is not a waste of our time."

And like that they were gone. Their chuckles still lingering in his head, and the scent of their Darkness still in the air. It had a different pungency than what he was use to with the Darkness. It was subtle and strangely alluring. And that fact is what terrified him the most.

"Riku! Are you okay?" King Mickey asked in concern, casting Cura on Riku to heal his wounds. Yazoo had kept king Mickey busy with some Neoshadows of his own, so he couldn't come to Riku's aid sooner. The scratches and bruises were gone, but the pain was still there. Not to mention the dent he had on his pride.

"Thanks Mickey..." Riku rasped out in gratitude as he got back on his feet.

"What the heck was all that about? Who were those guys?"

"I guess... they were my reunion." Riku grunted out, gripping his torso as he made himself walk again. "Bet they were just dying to meet me."

Riku grinned in sarcasm, but lost his footing and ended up having to catch himself with his hand as he fell to his knee, still gripping his torso in pain.

"Riku!" King Mickey called out in alarm, reaching out to give Riku a hand before Riku held up a hand to halt him. "!"

Silently asking king Mickey to leave him be, he made his way up on his feet again with a struggle. Saving whatever dignity he had left. Holding his head up and staying strong, he moved his feet forward. Walking as if none of those things before had happen. Continuing back on their track as if the pain in his torso still wasn't there; that the Darkness from before wasn't making his Darkness itch in his Heart. King Mickey could sense his struggles, but all he could do was sadly watch as Riku continued walking on ahead.

*** The next day ***

A silence had come over them as Riku was still recovering from the beating of a lifetime from yesterday. The wounds were gone, but the mental injuries were still there... gnawing at him. How could he have lost to them so easily? How could they summon advanced Heartless and control them without breaking a sweat? He had nearly exhausted his heart out when he had tried it? Could it have just been the rash actions of an impatient novice? Could they have been just in the Darkness for far too long that their hearts had become numb to the pain of its power?

There were so many questions, so many missing answers in his head. He wanted to know, and he wanted to know now.

"Look, Riku!" King Mickey said in excitement. Happy for any excuse to get them out of their bleak moping, but even more happy at their find after such a long time on their own. "A Town."

"!" That got Riku's eyes wide open. After nearly four days out on their own in the waste, it was almost a foreign feeling for Riku to actually find a civilization. The idea that they weren't alone in this World... "Let's go."

"Right!" King Mickey chuckled in excitement, following after Riku as he ran towards the Town.

At last people! ... Ones that weren't covered in the presence of Darkness and trying to attack them. At last they could interact with people, get something proper to eat, and finally a nicer place to sleep... and a bath.

It felt like the Town wasn't getting close enough as they ran to it. The place looked a little run down, but that was probably due to the condition of this World. And it seemed to be slowly recovering, as if its residence was doing their best to build it back up again to its former glory. Darkness may have stalked the shadows surrounding the Town; but, the Light of hope still shined in the Town, keeping the Darkness at bay.

"!" But seeing Castle Oblivion rising over the horizon as they made it closer to the Town made Riku stop in his tracks.

"Whoa!" King Mickey ground his feet to a sudden stop, digging into the dirt a little, when he noticed that he was passing Riku. Looking back to see that Riku had lost his spirit again. "What's the hold up?"

"... Maybe we should look somewhere else."

"Whaa?!" King Mickey jumped back a little at what he was hearing. Was Riku for real? "But we've already come so far. This is the only place we've seen with signs of life in days. Who knows if we'll find anything else out here."

"I can't go in there..."

"Well, why not?"

"I just..." Riku couldn't even look king Mickey in the eyes, as he kept his eyes to the ground at his side while gripping his arm. "I don't feel comfortable about it. That's all."

"You can't let fear hold you back. You'll never get anywhere if you keep running from this, Riku." King Mickey sternly lectured up to the boy with his fists resting on his hips. Riku's excuse was not good enough, he needed to see this through. But, king Mickey softened up a bit for Riku's sake as he considered what the boy was going through. "I know you're scared to go back to Castle Oblivion. A lot of bad things happened back there, things that you regret and wish you could take back. But you can't change the past, Riku."

"..."

"The past has already been done. All we can do know is move on towards the future and do our best to change it for the better. But, you can't do that if you remain stuck on the things in the past. You'll just go nowhere." King Mickey sighed after he was done. Calming himself as he used his index finger to point and emphasize life turning point choices that Riku would have to make. "It's up to you, Riku. You can wonder out here wallowing in your reminiscent misery, if you want to. Or, you can come with me to try and make a better future from this bumpy past."

"..." Riku kept his head down. Building up the courage inside him as he struggled to find the inner strength to take that first step forward. He still had his own monsters inside of him, and all of them were weighing him down like the bottom of the ocean. It took a lot of fist clenching and heart racing, but he pulled himself together and put that one foot in front of the other. "!"

Suddenly he felt lighter.

"Attaboy, Riku!" King Mickey praised to the boy, running up to Riku to give him a pat on the back that he had to jump for to reach. "Don't worry. I'll be right by your side the whole way."

"Heh. Thanks, Mickey." Riku said with a genuine soft smile. He really did mean that.

"No problem, Riku! That's what friends are for anyway, right?" King Mickey gave him a big smile, walking alongside Riku as they continued their course again. But this time, one step at a time. "Now, let's go meet our future!"

"Hm. Yeah."

He didn't think he had the strength to face Hollow Bastion again alone. It was good to have someone by his side, especially since all the things he's done that pushed others away.

They arrived to their destination much sooner than Riku would have expected at their 'no rush' walking pace. The Town surrounding Castle Oblivion was protected by a stone wall, and a wooden gate that remained oddly open when taking into account the Darkness that was waiting in the shadows. Most likely they were leaving the gate open just in case more refugees had made their way to the Town, lost Hearts that had returned with the return of this World. Refugees kinda like them Riku guessed.

The road from the gate had led them straight to the Town's Market, which the street sign had dubbed 'Marketplace'. The place looked to be under restoration, a dull gem to what this place most likely once was. The stores and many of the houses had wood patch work along their roofs, including the walk railways. The water running through the Town was fresh, but it lacked the life surrounding it. But the place seemed to be pulling itself together, judging from the little buds sprouting from the corner of the stone walkway, and the vines starting to return along the stone fence-way. The Marketplace was lively, but not as much as one would expect from a Town of such sizes, many of its people must not have fully returned yet. Or maybe... they were too frightened to come out.

But who could blame them? Suddenly returning from the Darkness as they had once watched their end along with their World's; only to come back to a place that dulled in comparison to what it once was; and, the things that brought about the collapse of their World still lingering right outside their Town's walls. Even Riku would be a little scared to come out if he were in their shoes. On that note, how was his dad fairing along with the rest of Destiny Island after its return from the Darkness...?

"Huh. I see nothing out of the ordinary in this place?" King Mickey commented as he looked around the Market, pulling Riku out of his thoughts. "It's just a slow day in the Market, if you ask me."

"Hm. Yeah..." Riku agreed, giving the place a good look around as well. "And the residence don't seem to mind our presence here."

It was true. The people were just going about their business. Two strangers dressed in black coats and their hoods up in broad daylight didn't seem to bother them, many a character had made their way to the Capital and possible only remaining Town of Radiant Garden. Some more stranger than these two.

"Huh. Looks like we're blending in with the crowd. Even though we do stand out."

"Hm," Riku nodded in agreement with king Mickey. "Let's go look around. See what else we can find."

"Before heading for the Castle?"

"Yeah. I wanna make sure we don't miss anything." And if the people were nice enough, he would like to ask around for information.

"Okay, pal."

And so they walked, the stone path leading out of the Marketplace. It took them down some stairs, passed the Item Shop, to an area going by the name of Borough. It was a residential area, with many houses in the same restoration condition as the rest of the Town. With the close proximity the houses had to one another gave them a look of a Townhouse. Many of the doors which they could see were locked, a small security to make the residence feel safe. They had passed one of the few doors that just so happen to not seem to be locked, and was brimming with the power of Magic.

"Such power..." Riku looked over at the house in fascinated curiosity as they passed.

"A Wizard must live there." King Mickey commented, giving the place a thorough examination. "Hmm, but not evil. I can't sense any darkness around this place."

"Neither can I." Riku seconded, giving the place a look through with his sense as well. Squinting his eyes as he felt something oddly familiar about the Light he was sensing mixed in with the others in this place. "In fact I- (Gasp)!"

"Riku?" King Mickey looked up to him with a curious tilted head in concern at his sudden pause.

It's there. He could sense it.

"I know that Light..."

"What now?" King Mickey couldn't sense what he was getting at. For king Mickey it was all just a big glob of Light smashed together. The idea that Riku could sense each individual Light in the mesh, past or more recent, was an amazement in itself. Not even a well trained Keyblade master with decades under their belt could do such a feat. If Riku could do it... then he truly was something special.

"She was here. But she comes and goes from this place." Riku spoke aloud, not really talking to king Mickey as he tried to back trace the movement of the Light.

"Who?" But king Mickey got no answer, forced to follow Riku as he was lost in a zone to get some answers.

"She comes here every morning. But leaves before the sun goes down." He was following the trail, looking from left to right to see if he could spot the source along the rail. King Mickey had to jog to keep up with his fast walk pace, but Riku didn't seem to notice or look back.

"Slow down a bit, buddy. Your legs are longer than mine."

"She moves around to other areas; however, frequents this path more." Riku started to run as the Lights frequent patterns of path grew brighter, indicating a close approximation of a starting point.

"Who is 'she'? What are you talking about, Riku?"

"She stops here!" Riku said in excitement, grounding his run to a halt at a lone residential block further into the Borough. "In this place..."

Riku looked along the houses in the block, hoping to find the one that was filled with her Light.

And that's when he found it...

A single house standing alone in the far corner away from the others. The place was brimming with light, metaphorically and literally. Out of the areas that they had been so far, this place was the only area where the plants had a dramatic comeback. Enough to fill out the house like a bouquet, but not enough to overrun the place. There were flowers blooming, and even butterflies roaming about. This place was truly radiant compared to the rest of the town, even the waterway flowed with more life to it around this area. There was even a wooden bench to rest by a tree side, for others to take a breather and enjoy the view. The home felt welcoming, almost like it was beckoning the two of them in. This place was brimming with Light. Her Light... But where was she?

That's when she came out.

"!" Riku's breath caught in his throat as Aeris made her way out of the front door, gently closing the door behind her before taking her watering pot back in both hands. She had a soft hum to her as she went about her business of watering the lilies along the front border of her house, not even noticing the presence of the two behind her. Aeris had gently sprayed half of her lilies with her watering pot before she even felt the two of them there.

"Hm?" Finally noticing the presence of two Lights behind her. One bright and strong behind her, while the other... was more grey. Turning her head to meet these two guests, her eyes widened and her breath stopped as she instantly recognized the grey one. "(Gasp)!"

"!" Riku was a little frightened -as his heart went frantic- at how she would react to seeing him. He had changed so much, would she even accept him as he was now? Could she even recognized him?

"..." She turned around fully to face them. Her eyes not believing what she was seeing. Silently hoping that this wasn't a dream. His Heart was... different from before, and his hood hid himself from her. But... a mother could always tell. "Riku..."

"!" She recognized him. His eyes widen in shock under the cover of the hood.

"Riku." A soft smile that reached her eyes made its way on her face as she dropped her watering pot. She started walking over to him, still careful just in case this was a dream, she didn't want to wake up. "My boy..."

"Mom, I- (Gasp)!" He was caught by surprise as she had somehow cut the distance between them without him knowing, pulling him into a hug as his chin rested on her shoulder.

"Welcoming back..." She held him a little tighter, subconsciously worried that he would disappear. "At last, I get to hold you in my arms again. I can't believe it's been this long..."

"..." He couldn't find any words to say. He just felt... warm.

His mother was a lot softer than she was in his dreams, her body practically radiating with the Light. She even smelled like lilies. He was finally able to hug her in real life, to touch her in real contact. But... he felt that if he held too hard he would break her. That the darkness inside him would taint her.

But she would not let him go. She held him to her tight and yet still gentle. Like an anchor; his anchor. She was the one that helped keep him in the light, when all of the darkness around became too much. With hesitant hands, he wrapped his arms around her to return the hug. Relaxing once he realized she did not break.

She was so strong. Stronger than he ever was. It was the kind of strength that he strived to reach for. However, he had lost his way from that task. Riku couldn't even believe how he had forgotten that wish...

But the moment was broken when both Riku's and king Mickey's stomach began to growl aggressively.

"!" All of their eyes widen in shock at the loud sound. Riku and king Mickey blushed in embarrassment.

"Sounds like somebody is hungry." Aeris smiled with a silent giggle on her face as she finally pulled away from the hug. "Come on in, you two. I just put on a pot of stew."

Now that she mentioned it, there was a divine aroma in the air that was making their mouths water. Their stomachs growled again at the smell of it.

"(Chuckle) Come on, you two, before your stomachs start to eat themselves." She said, opening her door for them to walk on in. The two of them would have protested having a lady holding the door for them when she should have been treated in that matter instead, but the hunger and close food was starting to get to them. They rush-walked their way inside. "Good to see you again, your Majesty."

"Thanks, Mom." "Hi Aeris." They both replied to her as they passed through the door.

"But wash your hands first." Aeris insisted while closing the door behind her. "No dirty paws in my kitchen."

"Yes ma'am." Both of them said with a slight pout at the same time.

*** Some time later ***

"My, you boys certainly tore through that stew." Aeris commented, more than happy that they enjoyed her cooking as she served their fourth helping. Along with glad to see their faces now that their hoods were down. "You must really like it."

"Yeah. It's great, Mom." Riku compliment as she put down his fourth serving with another roll of bread, along with giving king Mickey his. Riku devoured through this bowl as well the moment she moved her hand away.

"Slow down, dear. The bowl's not going anywhere, and there's plenty more where that came from." She gently lectured to Riku, and king Mickey too apparently since he wasn't doing any better. They tried slowing their pace down a little, but it was hard when the pangs of hunger was still pinching at them. Aeris busied herself with refilling their glass of Sun Tea, along with their water glass. She had made a fresh batch of Sun Tea that afternoon, and had just taken the pitcher off the window seal and added sugar and ice to it; and, already the pitcher was nearly empty. She shook her head in disapproval. "You poor things act like you haven't eaten in days."

"Um..." Riku didn't know how to answer that, and neither did king Mickey. They didn't want to worry her, but... they didn't want to lie to her either.

"!" But their reaction was all she needed to put two-and-two together. "Oh dear Promise Land. How long...?"

"Four... days...?" Riku struggled to get out, flinching as he saw the worry coat over her face.

"Four days!"

"Longer... if you include the time outside of the Realm of Light." His voice got quieter with each passing word.

"Kingdom Hearts beyond! You poor things!" Aeris said in concern, rushing to the kitchen to get them more servings. It was good she gave them something light and wholesome. She didn't think their stomachs would take too kindly to the sudden presence of food after so long. She came back, checking them over for malnourishment, Healer mode in action. Especially fussing over Riku, as she turned his head from side to side with her hand. "Tell me if anything feels strange; shaky; or, if you feel weak."

"Mom. I'm fine..." Riku lightly whined, silently happy to be fussed over like this from her.

"Here. Drink your water, you two. You might be dehydrated after so long." She insisted, lightly pushing their glass of water closer to them on the table.

"Not as much as we stink." King Mickey joked around.

"Ehh, we're not that bad." Riku shrugged.

"You're a boy, you can't tell." Aeris teased, rustling the top of his head with her hand. Messing up his hair. But then she pointed towards the stairs in the hallway in the junction between the Entrance, Kitchen/Dinning area, and Living room. "Once you've both had your fill, I want you both to go take a bath upstairs. There's a hall bathroom and the master bathroom. You two make your pick."

"Aren't you worried all that dirty water will mess up your bathroom?" Riku lightly teased at his mother.

"Bath, Shower, I don't care. Just get yourself clean." She countered, heading back in the Kitchen with a shaking head looking up. "I'll deal with the aftermath later."

"Mmm."

"Let's have a chat, you two. I'm sure there's so much you guys have to tell me."

"Before or After that bath?"

"After."

*** 40 minutes ***

"Ahh!" Aeris cried out in shock as she notice the condition of her bathroom that her son had used. She had silently taken their clothes by the side of the door to wash while they were cleaning up. Only to return her son's to a bathroom that looked like someone had set off a mud bomb around her tub.

"I told you it would be dirty." Riku said in a slight grumble of embarrassment as he stood in the still heat steamed bathroom in only a towel with his mother there just gaping. The tub wasn't that bad.

But she didn't seem to notice, nor was looking for that matter. She was too busy occupied with how so much dirt could have piled up onto one boy? Perhaps her house lacked the presence of males for too long; she was somewhat out of the game. Her eyes wide open and her mouth slightly agape as she was too speechless to say anything and simply stared out at the tub.

Taking advantage of her spazz out, Riku careful reached over to pull his clothes out of her hands and slowly moved her back so he could close the door again. Once the shutting of the door sounded out, she came to.

"Huh? Wha- what?" She looked around wondering what just happened only to remember where she was. Deciding she would deal with that mess later -just as planned- she went over to the other bathroom to give king Mickey his freshly washed clothes. She knocked on the door before calling out to give him a fair warning of her arrival. "Your Majesty, I have your wash clothes for you."

"Fantastic. Thanks Aeris!" King Mickey gratefully replied to her, immediately opening the door without hesitation and taking the clothes off her hand in gratitude. "You're the best."

"?" Instead of seeing a Mouse in a towel like she was expecting, she saw a Mouse in red, white button shorts and yellow shoes.

"Huh?" He tilted his head in curiosity just like Aeris when he notice her staring, before realizing what she was silently asking. "Oh. Ah-ha! Magic. I always keep some spare clothes for summoning just in case of an emergency. It may just be my best magic spell yet."

"..." If he could summon a spare change of clothes, why couldn't he have summoned a shirt?

But that question didn't last long when she noticed the mud stains along the tub in this bathroom as well. However, this one had mud all over the wall of the tub... that looked oddly like a castle with a mud rainbow arching over it.

"Oh that's magic too. I was having a little fun while getting clean." King Mickey honestly confessed when he saw the question in her eyes as she looked toward his work. His hand rubbing the back of his head in slight embarrassment at being caught.

"Couldn't you have used your magic to get rid of the mud?" She rhetorically asked. Not expecting an honest, confused answer.

"Huh? What would be the fun in that?"

*** 10 minutes ***

Well, the boys were clean, that's all that matter. She would just have to spend an hour or two that night cleaning up their mess or 'magical masterpiece' once they were done talking. They were comfy in their chairs in the Living room- king Mickey actually taking a seat on the couch. Hot cup of Coco in hand as they settle in for a long chat.

The home was charming with a subtle Southern Country touch to it. The place made it easy for them to relax after days out in the wasteland and the Realm of Darkness.

"Now," Aeris spoke after she was sure they were comfy, coughing in her hand to clear her throat. "What happened to you two? I lost touch with Riku for nearly over a week now. So I'm a little out of the loop."

"Well... we kinda made our way to Castle Oblivion, a World between Realms." King Mickey summed it up to the best of his ability. Leaving out the messy details that would make Aeris worry. "While we were there, Riku faced his fear of his Darkness and put the part of Ansem inside him in check."

"Oh my." Aeris gasped, putting a dainty hand over her lips in concern. Ansem was still apart of Riku...?

"Don't worry. I can still feel him inside me. But he's in dormant now." Riku tried to assure to his mother, making her calm just a little bit.

"I see..."

"Oh! And we bumped into Sora in there as well!" King Mickey said as he suddenly remember one of the important details he almost forgot. "But... some bad guys calling themselves Organization XIII tried to mess with Sora's memory to try and control him and the Keyblade."

"Yes. I know... I could sense them messing with our minds, dealing with the memories of Sora."

"!" That one caught king Mickey off guard, he nearly spat out his Coco as he leaned onto the edge of his seat. "What?!"

"(Sigh)," Aeris got up from her seat, walking over to the window to look out at her World. "I felt them as they tried to pick at my memories. They had succeeded with the others... none of them remember Sora."

"What?" King Mickey gasped, Riku was just as surprised by this news as well. "How? They weren't even in Castle Oblivion? How were their memories effected?"

"Whomever it was tampering with the memories must have been really powerful. Anything dealing with Sora had been unchained from memory and re-chained into some other link of memory. Anyone who had interacted with Sora would no longer remember him. I alone in this Realm, and most likely one other, have remained unaffected due to... other reasons."

"..." Even now, she didn't feel comfortable revealing what she was. What they were. It saddened Riku how on guard his mother was forced to become.

"Boy. The damage is more than we thought..." King Mickey sadly concluded with a bowed head looking into his Hot Coco. Only to cheer up one second later with hope. "But lucky for us, the person who unchained the memories is working so hard to fix them again."

"..." Aeris didn't comment for a minute. Just simply kept looking out the window. "Memory is a sadly fragile thing to most... Did you know that no one even remembers the name of this place; of this World? Only I am the barer of such knowledge in this Town. Though I am forced to remain silent to keep them safe, along with myself..."

"You don't think they could handle such information?"

"I don't think they could handle how I know such information." Aeris truthfully answered, turning her head to looking back at king Mickey.

"..." He could see the meaning in her eyes. And it saddened him.

"Your friend has a long task ahead of them, king Mickey." Aeris spoke again, turning fully to face back to them from where she stood. "Memories are not the easiest thing to fix."

"(Sigh) Yeah, I know." King Mickey agreed with a bowed head.

"Especially with someone pursuing you."

"Yeah- wait, what?" King Mickey's ears shot up with a twitch as he noticed what she just said. Riku's head shot up as well.

"Didn't you say that this Organization XIII was trying to take control over Sora for the Keyblade? I find it hard to believe that they would just let him go after failing once." Aeris pointed out, making a light bulb flick on in both of the guys' head in alarm.

"We have to warn Naminé and DiZ." King Mickey shot up out of his seat.

"I believe they are already ahead of you." Aeris replied before king Mickey could rush out of her front door to 'who knows where'. Both probably just about to rush back to where they came, right back to the enemy's trap. "I sensed Sora, Donald, and Goofy's Light move in the Realm of Light."

"..." That made Riku relieved a little. Means they were no longer in Castle Oblivion.

"But where are they now?" King Mickey asked, hoping that Aeris would have an answer.

And she always did.

"I feel their Light on a World where the sun has a warming touch." She said, her eyes taking a far off look as she gazed beyond this world. "The Hearts of this World happily sing out to their World in joy of its loving glow. They call it... Twilight Town..."

"!" That name instantly rang a bell with Riku. "I've been there before."

"!" Both Aeris and king Mickey looked over to Riku in slight surprise.

"You have?!"

"Yeah." Riku nodded to king Mickey. "It was one of the World Floors that DiZ brought me to when we were in Castle Oblivion. It's where I first actually met him. I think he was secretly trying to tell me that's where he'll be."

"Well that helps us out a bit." King Mickey happily commented before turning back to Aeris. "Can you give us any clue on where this World is?"

"It's not that far." Aeris answered as she concentrated on the source of the three Lights. "Only one Lock up, away from us."

"Lock?" Riku pondered aloud.

"Walls that separated the Worlds from each other, 'Locked' by a Keybalde." King Mickey answered.

"They're... in a mansion... inside of Woods..." Aeris struggled, before sighing out and opening her eyes in exhaustion. "I'm sorry. Anymore detail would have been too much pain for me with all those other Lights in such a vibrant world."

"That's okay. You did more than enough, Aeris." King Mickey assured to her, grateful that she had helped so much as it is.

"Here, your Majesty. You'll need it to travel between the Worlds." Aeris kindly offered, walking over and placing a Gummi ship on the coffee table in front of them. It was amazing how such strange little configuration of Gummi blocks could shrink and expand so drastically in size. From a ship to a tiny toy on your table, such a fascinating thing. "Cid had put together an extra one. Just in case if we ever needed it. One never knows, right?"

"Wow, thanks Aeris! You're a life saver!" King Mickey said to her in gratitude before turning back to Riku. "Come on, Riku. Let's go!"

"Hold on. You should rest." Aeris advised. Silently pleading that they could stay a little longer. "You've been out in the wasteland and the darkness for so long. You should get some rest in a place where you know you can get some peace. This place is as good as any. You'll be safe here."

"But, what about-"

"Sora and the others are fine. They're not going anywhere anytime soon." Aeris assured to him. "At least they haven't moved in days since I felt their presence return to the Realm of Light. I can tell they are in good hands."

"Well, yes, but-"

"And quite frankly, I think we should be investing our time on finding out who this Organization XIII is; and, why do they want the Keyblade so bad?"

"Hmm," king Mickey began contemplating with a hand on his chin. She did have a point there. "You're right. People who would mess with the Hearts of others for the Keyblade cannot be up to any good."

"We can meet up with Leon and the others in the morning to butt our heads together. See if they found anything that I've missed." Aeris assured to them before gesturing towards the stairs once again, with her hand. "But in the mean time, rest. There are rooms and warm beds upstairs, if you'd like. You'll have to forgive the decorum, those rooms haven't been occupied... in so long..."

"..." Riku could see the sadness enter her eyes at the mention of it. She even gripped her arms in subconscious comfort. King Mickey could see it too, and didn't want to push the subject anymore. She looked like she was hurting enough.

"Alright, Aeris. I'll take you up on that offer. Thank you." King Mickey said to her with a bright smile, trying to cheer up the mood. It seemed to be working, she smiled back with a nod in a silent 'no problem'. King Mickey rushed up the stairs to claim first dibs on which room he would take, actually ready to call it a night himself. Although it was only in the late afternoon. The Mouse was tired, it had been awhile since he slept in a decent bed. "I'm calling it early. Night you two."

"(Soft laughter) I guess not even a mouse will stir in this house." Aeris laughed at her silent joke while looking towards the stairs where king Mickey dashed away, only to realize she could now have some bonding time with her son.

"Mom..."

"Yes Riku?" She smiled towards him, happy to see he would start the conversation first.

But the smile soon faded away as he looked down, away from her, with a frown.

"I met my brothers yesterday."

"!" She nearly choked on her own heart. Her legs felt weak all of a sudden, she had to lean on the comfy chair beside her for support. The mere mention of her boys, together... She didn't know whether to be happy or frightened. But the first thing that took up her mind was, 'thank goodness... they're alive... My boys are still alive...'

"We had a fight."

"!" That didn't sit well with her. It saddened her to hear her boys fighting. "What...? Why?"

"They attacked me, Mom." He was just as saddened by this as well, she could see it in his eyes as he finally looked back up at her from his seat. "They tried to get me to use the Darkness inside of me."

"!" This news unsettled her. But sadly... she already knew this was a possibility. She had prepared herself for it for so long, and yet it still rocked her Heart to the breaking point. Holding back her tears, she stayed strong for the son she did have right in front of her. "So... my three older boys are still Lost in the Dark...?"

"Yeah..."

"..." She remained quiet. Silently making her way over to Riku, where she knelled down to his level and enveloped him in a comforting hug. "Don't worry... We'll get them back."

"..." Silently he hoped for that as well. He had seen the madness in anger in their eyes; the sadness... the loneliness that hollowed those orbs out. It was bone chilling and the saddest thing he had ever seen. And somewhere, deep inside, he could relate to those eyes. He never wanted to see eyes like that, never again. He wanted to help them.

"I'm just glad that you're okay, Riku..."

"Mom..." He couldn't say anymore. All he could do was hug her back.

*** The next morning ***

Aeris hadn't needed to get the boys up, they rose with the sun bright and early. Coming down for breakfast after washing up. They had left around mid morning to head out to Aeris and the other's base of operation. She had taken them back to the Wizard's house they had found their way to yesterday. Only this time they would be going in.

"This is Merlin's House. Or at least one of the many humble abodes he has around the Worlds." Aeris explained as they stopped in front of the building. "It's our base of operation for the restoration of our world."

"Hollow Bastion Restoration Committee?" King Mickey said, vaguely remembering the mention of the name from Leon and the others once upon a time.

"Bingo." Aeris praised to king Mickey with a chirp before politely knocking on the door and entering. "Merlin, it's me. Good morning. I brought company."

"Ahh, good morning my dear girl." A man in a blue rob and pointy hat and a ridiculously long beard greeted her from his spot, running a hand along its white strands. "Oh company. Ha ha, always more fun when more people arrive to the party. And what is this? King Mickey himself. My goodness it's been such a long time since I've seen that face. I'd recognized those ears anywhere."

"He-ha! Good to see ya again, Merlin." King Mickey happily greeted the old Wizard, even as he adjusted his glasses and was leaning into his personal space to get a better look at king Mickey.

"Yes, yes. I'm glad to see all is well, old friend." Merlin nodded in agreement, before bending up again and leaning into Riku's personal space in curiosity, who on instinct leaned back a little. "And who might this strapping young man be? I do say these old eyes have never seen the likes of him around here before?"

"Uh..." Riku couldn't find the words, or the manners to answer old Merlin.

"This is Riku," Aeris answered in his place, putting a hand on his shoulder, "my son."

CRACK

"!" The three of them turned towards the crashing sound they heard in the next room. Something like glass had broken behind that closed door, and someone or some people were coughing. Merlin paid no mind as he continued examining the boy's face with squinting eyes even through his glasses.

"What?!" They heard the surprise shout of a young lady before the hurried footsteps coming closer.

"Ahh, I see the resemblance." Merlin happily confirmed before looking back up at Aeris. "He has your eyes my dear."

"All right, let me see 'em, let me see 'em!" And right then came storming in a ninja, resting her arm on the door frame- that led to the room over- in her rush to the door that she just slammed open. She took a second to catch her breath, and then another one to give king Mickey a tired wave. "Hey, Mickey King, what's up."

"Nice to see you too, Yuffie." King Mickey greeted back to her with a wave and a nod.

"..." At least Riku thought she was a ninja as he got a look at Yuffie and her attire for the first time. He could only get out one thing as he observed her. "Nice getup."

"Eh, I was planning on changing it soon. All right, let me get a good look at yah." Yuffie shrugged her shoulders at his poor make of a compliment, marching her way into the room. Stopping right in front of Riku with her hands on her hips as she leaned into his personal bubble to get a good look at him. Once again, Riku found himself leaning back a little, only this time he was doing it for someone shorter than him. "So this is the infamous Riku that popped out of my friend? Hmmm. So how did you get here?"

"We walked." Riku wasn't being a smart aleck, that was how they genially got there. But Yuffie took it otherwise.

"Don't get smart with me, kid. I'm still older than you so show some respect." Yuffie poked at his chest.

Hm, well, at least by 1 year. But he didn't need to know that. And it didn't help much that he had like 4 inches on her. Yuffie inwardly cursed his unfair advantage on gravity and the universe's cruel joke on fairness.

"Uh, no, I didn't mean to-" But he was cut off as Yuffie got into his face again on her tippy toes, titling her head a little as she examined him.

"You're kinda cute."

"Uh..."

"But not my type. Too young for my liking." She shrugged back at him, turning away from him as if he was no longer an interest to her, resting her hands behind her head as she kicked her foot around. "Call me if you have an older brother."

"Uh..." Yeah, he did... Three.

"Preferably one taller and cuter than you."

"Hey." Riku's eyebrow began to twitch at that with a vein popping out, as he crossed his arms and tapped his fingers on them in subtle relief of frustration at the insult.

"Oh don't take it personal, kid. It's just a fact."

"Yuffie." Aeris sternly called out to her, intervening. Her tone made Yuffie flinch and freeze in her spot. "You're being rude."

"(Sigh) Alright. Sorry." Yuffie tiredly groaned out from over her shoulder at Riku. Slightly pouting for being reprimanded.

"We need to talk about some things with the team. Is Leon and Cid in?"

"Well, yeah. They're hanging out in the back," Yuffie replied, pointing at the door she came from with her thumb. "Messing with doohickies and whatnot."

"Thank you, Yuffie." Aeris praised to Yuffie like you would a sophisticated child, but Yuffie was still happy to get the praise. "Come along then, you two."

"Oh boy. I can't wait to see Leon and Cid again." King Mickey said in excitement as he followed into the next room along with Yuffie. "I haven't seen those two in ages."

"Well you sure haven't aged a day since the last time we've seen you." Yuffie shrugged in comment as they both disappeared behind the door. "You gotta tell me your secret."

Aeris and Riku was shortly following after them when Riku noticed a lone book standing on its own stand in the corner of the room.

"Hm?" What a curiously book to have specialized and isolated from the neatly stacked piles of books that scatter the floor along the wall. "Hey, Mom, what's that?"

"Hm?" She paused along with him, looking in his direction to see what he was talking about. Only to see that he was talking about the Magical book that Merlin mostly kept for training young apprentices in magic, and also because it was a lovely treasure. Warm memories flowed into her mind as her eyes softened at the book. "Aww, that's Winnie the Pooh."

"The what now?" He quirked an eyebrow at what he was hearing.

"Winnie the Pooh." Aeris confirmed to him, not missing a beat as she approached the book, picking it up in her hands and holding it close. "It's a wondrous book about the many adventures of a silly old bear named Pooh and his many friends, in the 100 Acre Wood."

"That doesn't sound that special."

"Oh but it is!" Aeris said with emotion, turning back around to face Riku. There was a sparkle in her eyes as she held the book close to her in embrace. She seemed so... happy, Riku hoped that his previous words wouldn't take that gladness in her eyes away. "There aren't many books like this. Each one having no copy. Once you open this book, you can enter the world of the 100 Acre Wood and play along with Pooh and his friends."

"!" Well that was something interesting. "You mean like being apart of the written story and acting it out along with them?"

"(Light laughter) No, no, silly. There is no set story, it continues to be written as the characters go about their adventures. They're alive, Riku, and so is their story."

"So... what you're saying is... this book... is a World?" Riku said, trying to process what she was telling him.

"Technically speaking, yeah." She place a hand over the front of the book as she held it out towards Riku. "Can't you feel its Heart?"

"..." Now that he took a moment, he did sense something coming from that book. It was bright... and warm... "I feel a Light."

"Yes." She nodded in approval of his answer before gently embracing the book again. "This little World inside this book holds the Light and innocence that can only be seen in little children. Something so precious not even the Darkness can touch it."

"..." It's true. Riku couldn't even sense a trace of Darkness inside that book. Even if it was small, it was still a World, and the fact that none in it even had a pinch of Darkness in them was unbelievable and went against the nature of things. Such a feat was something Riku never had the pleasure of seeing before; it fascinated him. He gave the book in his mother's arms a closer look. "I can see why that old Wizard would want to protect this. But what exactly is he using it for?"

"Merlin, dear." She corrected Riku. "And this book actually holds many treasures and prizes that naturally grows inside its World. And some of the games Pooh and his friends like to play actually help build up your Skills and Magical prowess."

"Really?"

"Yes. Even Sora learned a few Skills from this book. That's where he learned how to 'Rush'."

"Hm, I see."

"Oh, Riku. I remember when I use to borrow this from Merlin to sneak it home and read it to you boys, oh so long ago..." A softness came over her eyes as she pulled the book away from her a bit to get a look at him. "You were only a baby, but you loved it. I remember how you use to grab for the butterflies whenever we would go inside the book. You had a fondness for Tigger. All of my boys had a fondness for that bouncing Tigger..."

"..." Riku didn't say anything, just listened. It warmed his heart to see his mother happy like this. That warm look in her eyes was worth all the Munny in the Worlds to him.

"They use to run around the fields with Tigger and Roo; climbing all those trees with Pooh for honey; they even played hide-and-seek with Piglet. Oh those days were wonderful, it made life so beautiful to me. I couldn't wait for you to join them."

"(Sigh) But now I fear you might have outgrown those games." She sadly sighed out before getting hopeful. "But still... it would be nice if you would give the book a read again. Who knows, maybe you'll learn something new 'and' have fun."

"Hm. Yeah, Mom." Riku softly smiled to her. "I'll give it a try."

"Really?" She said in happy excitement. "You'll go into the 100 Acre Woods?"

"Sure."

"(Happy Gasp)!" She tried to contain her happy tears as they attempted to escape from the corner of her eyes. "You won't be disappointed. I just know you're going to love it in there- (Gasp)!"

"Mother?" Riku's eyes widened in alarm as the happiness in his mother's eyes suddenly vanished to sad horror when she had opened the book. "What's wrong?"

"The pages... they have been torn out."

"What?" Riku gasped in concern at the realization of what this could possibly mean. Had the removal of pages done anything to the World or the residence inside it? Were they okay? The questions were making him feel horrible inside. An entire World, damaged, due to an aggressive handler.

"There were pages that were missing and scattered from the lost of our World, but Sora had collected them all. How could they have vanished?" Aeris couldn't believe what she was seeing. Her memories... her boys' innocent childhood... "Merlin."

"Yes?" The old Wizard peeked his head over from his chair's back. He had been occupy himself in his long chair with a cup of tea and a book before he turned at Aeris's call.

"What happened to the 100 Acre Wood?"

"Emm, I'm afraid it's been in a little accident." Merlin grumbled a little, not at Aeris but at the cause.

"Accident?"

"No. More like 'breaking and entering'. The destruction of the book was intentional." Merlin corrected, running a hand along his beard as he tried to sort through his mind. "Luckily I came back in time to stop them, but the damage had already been done and they had taken the pages with them as they fled."

"Oh no this is terrible. When did this happen? Are you alright?"

"Oh no, no, I'm fine, dear. No harm to me. But I am still confounded by the whole thing." Merlin waved her worries off before using that hand to scratch his head under his hat. "It happened over a week ago, but I still can't wrap my mind around it."

"What do you mean?" Aeris asked, Riku silently curious as well.

"Well, I couldn't sense who or what the intruders were." Merlin tried to explain. "They weren't Heartless. And they certainly weren't human. They moved too fast and were light on their feet as if they weighed nothing. It was almost like I was fighting clothes, or at least a full body suit. But I couldn't tell what affiliate they were. I could sense neither Light nor Darkness. It was almost like they were cloaked, or covered..."

"Like me...?" Riku pondered aloud to himself, not really looking for an answer.

"Wha-t-t-t? Oh my, you're covered?!" Merlin stumbled on his own words and literally nearly stumble out of his chair at Riku's confession.

"Yeah. This cloak actually hides the Darkness and the Light inside of me." Riku answered, tugging on the front of his cloak for a second for emphasis. "I thought you knew that. Didn't you find it strange that I didn't give off any Light, or Darkness?"

"Well I thought that was due to your father."

"!" His father was a touchy subject. Somewhat for him, but mostly for his mother. He could see it in her flinch.

"I'm sorry my dear Aeris." Merlin apologized for his lack of tack in his words, but his curiosity got the better of him as he practically slid over to Riku to examine his cloak. "Ooo. Aahh. It's fascinating that such a common material found in the physical plain could possibly cover the essence of people's Heart so efficiently."

"Mickey was wearing one too, how could you not notice its ability?"

"He was standing so close to you, my boy, that I assumed your presence- or lack of- was canceling his out." Merlin honestly answered, still examining the cloak sleeve while lightly holding Riku's arm to get a look. "You Ancients tend to Light things and fill up a room without even meaning to."

"!" That one made 'him' flinch. How did this old man know about Ancients?

"Oh relax, my boy, I'm practically a friend of the family." Merlin waved off Riku's worries with a hand and a smile as he gave the boy his space again. "Who do think helped your mother hone in on her magic skills?"

And his father for that matter, but Sephiroth had already been finally trained. Merlin had just helped unlock his potential, that's all... and gave him a few tips. Back when he was a decent guy...

Such sweet kids, he soon began to see them as if they were his own. With his old age they would always be a child in his eyes.

They were two lost souls just making their way out in this World. How could he not reach out a helping hand? Especially after their eyes told him what they were. They were lost... more lost than this World could imagine...

"Merlin."

"?!" Merlin was suddenly popped out of his musing at the sudden call of Aeris.

"Pooh and the others... will they be okay?" Aeris asked him with pleading eyes, hoping that his answer would be good.

"Don't worry my dear, they'll be fine. A little shaken up, but fine."

"(Exhale in relief)."

"Luckily the book wasn't too damage from the confrontation. Their memories will most likely be damaged for a bit. But in time the book will recover itself around it, and so will they."

"I see. That's good... That's good."

"..." Riku watched as his mother tried to calm herself down from her worries again, her head down and her eyes closed, holding the book close to her like a precious memory. He may not have known, or even remember anything about the book, but it was important to her. Meaning that it was important to him as well.

"Hey Aeris! What's the hold up?!" Yuffie called out to them from the other side of the door. Reminding them that there were others waiting for them.

"!" Aeris head shot back up again, her eyes opened. "We'll have to see how the 100 Acre Wood is doing another time."

"Okay." Riku nodded to her in compliance. Waiting for her as she put the book back on its stand, and followed behind her as she headed for the door to the other room.

"Later, Merlin." She lightly waved to Merlin before opening the door. "Enjoy your tea."

"Later, Aeris." Merlin replied back with a wave before turning back in his chair. "Have a good meeting."

With the conversation over, Aeris open the door to meet with the others in the 'Base room'.

"Geez, it took you two long enough." Yuffie griped with a tapping foot and crossed arms before spreading her arms wide in excitement as she welcomed Riku's first time in their Home base. "Welcome to the Hollow Bastion Restoration Committee base! HBRC for short."

"..." The room looked just like the rest of the house; aside from the large computer on the far end wall that looked kinda out of place in this house, or this World if Riku was being honest. The style of this World didn't really make it look like it was advanced enough for such high tech technology. But then again, one shouldn't judge things by first appearance, that's how you misjudge things. He was taught better than that. "So what exactly do you guys do anyway?"

"Glad you asked, kid." Cid said rolling his seat around from his spot facing the monitor to look at Riku. He was chewing a toothpick in his mouth and wiped a finger along his nose before resting his arm on his leg. "Our job is to fix this place up to its former glory, while eradicating the Heartless infestation from this town for good measures."

"It's our job to defend and protect the town so it doesn't fall to the Heartless once again." Leon added in, leaning on the wall by the computer with his arms crossed.

"That sounds like a hard job for just four people." Five if you include Merlin in the other room, but Riku was highly under the impression that Merlin didn't fight until truly needed.

"Nah, there's more of us in the HBRC than are currently present." Cid just shrugged off before smirking with pride and pointing at himself. "We're just the best of the best."

"Or at least the ones that care to show up." Yuffie huffed, crossing her arms as she turned her head away to the side.

"Yuffie," Leon sighed out in mental exhaustion, as if they had this conversation countless times before.

"What? I'm just saying." Yuffie shrugged, raising her hands up before putting them back under her crossed arms again. "Cloud's being a real pain in the butt with all his moping and all."

"He's just trying to find his way." Aeris gently defended their spiky haired friend, not really taking sides in her tone.

"Yeah well I wish that he'd find himself soon. Instead of leaving all the hard work to us."

"Yuffie." Aeris sighed out.

"Or at least show up to one meeting." Yuffie added in, getting out what she needed to say before cutting her rant short. "I mean, the guy has been practically avoiding us for a while now. We hardly see his face anymore."

"He comes around when he needs to. That's all that matters." Leon concluded, ending the discussion. "Whatever Cloud does after that is of no concern of ours."

"Still..." Yuffie whined with a stomp, but ending the conversation there. If Leon wanted her to drop it, then she needed to let it go. It wasn't her fault that she was worried about their anti-social friend with the golden hair. He was slowly starting to drift away from them, and it concerned her.

"Anyway, we won't need that much man power for long." Cid commented with pride, turning his chair back to the computer screen. He typed in a few buttons and pulled up blue prints to what appeared to be a sphere contained between two flat circles, almost giving it an invisible cylinder container look. The math and added notes all around the blue prints gave a clue of what this thing in the blue prints did, but not how it worked. On the long run, Riku could conclude that this thing exploded. But how? Seeing the slight confusion and curiosity on Riku's face from his slight head turn to view his audience, he rolled his chair away from the screen to give them all the full view and explained. "Like it? She's a beauty. This here is the town's newly developed Defensive System, installed by yours truly. It's primary duty is to aid the HBRC by eliminating enemies that infiltrate the town. I call 'em Claymores."

"How do they work?" Riku asked, with growing curiosity. Cid enjoyed seeing others interested in his work so he was more than happy to explain.

"These spheres are concentrated energy, of light if you will, that appear from the ground." Cid explained, pointing out the parts of the system to helping describe their functions piece by piece. "After locking on, they form a circle beneath the target. The sphere will then launch up to inflict damage, launching up from the initial circle to be halted to a stop by the end point circle."

"That is amazing. But will it work on the Heartless?" Riku pondered, not in judgment but sheer curiosity. "Your numbers on the blue prints indicate that there's not enough energy in this system to explode a Heartless."

"Yeah, you're right, kid." Cid sighed out in admittance, leaning back in his chair while scratching the back of his head. "The damage is minor. It only sends them flying so far, based on our field testing. And are quite easy to dodge if the target is smart enough. It has destroyed weaker Heartless so far, but can only occupy stronger ones until a committee member arrives to dispose of them."

"That still sounds like a success to me." Anything that could even get rid of one Heartless was good enough for Riku.

"Heh, thanks kid." Cid smirked at Riku, before leaning over on his chair to look over at Yuffie. "At least someone appreciates my work."

"What?! The mechanics just sound boring!" Yuffie pouted in defense at being pointed out.

"Yeah well, I'm still working out the bugs." Cid admitted in reply to Yuffie's comment, turning back to the screen. "We're still getting a knack of getting the Claymores to lock-on enemies target. We don't want them launching themselves just on anybody. Merlin's giving me a hand with that."

"How far can this Defense System stretch out to?" Riku asked.

"Just inside the Town." Cid replied with the shrug of his hand. "Outside of the Castle Gate you're on your own."

"Pfft, yeah, tell that to Merlin." Yuffie teased at Cid, pointing out the system's fault at not stopping the attack on Merlin's house.

"Hey that wasn't the System's fault." Cid huffed in offense. "Those things weren't Heartless."

"Things?"

"Yeah. (Sigh) We have no idea what those things are that broke in here two weeks ago were." Cid replied to Riku, in slight deflation at the lack of information. Turning back to the screen, he opened up a few files from the computer's area scanning memory and pulled out a few snap shots of the day of the break in.

There were three of them, each in disfigured flexibility positions in each photo they were in. The photos had only captured them once the damage was done, breaking out through the window and escaping the scene. They were malformed, barely humanoid in appearance. They were thin with sinuous bodies and large cylindrical heads with a flat top that was emblazoned with a symbol Riku did not recognized. Their body seemed to be covered in a light grey jumpsuit, and their 'mouths' looked to actually be the zipper that revealed actual, grey, sharp teeth. They appeared fairly muscular, though their arms and legs were very thin. Their hands and feet were pointy and lacked digits.

"What... are these things...?" Riku unintentionally asked out loud, still keeping his eyes on the screen at these things without a name or an identity.

"Nobody knows, dear." Aeris sadly replied.

"But we're going to find out." Leon added in with solid determination.

"Until then, I'm sure my Defense System can help us figure them out. Whenever they decide to show their ugly mugs again." Cid commented with pride.

"This thing would be really great if it could help us locate Ansem the Wise's secret lab." Yuffie groaned out, placing her hands behind her head and started swing one of her legs, swaying a little in boredom.

"Secret lab?"

"We've been trying to find this lab where Ansem the Wise conducted his experiments, based on the Reports he left behind." Leon answered Riku. "We've looked all over Hollow Bastion Castle and still found nothing."

"Pfft, It's like he hid the place behind a secret rotating wall, or bookshelf, or something." Yuffie complained. "We can't even find a secret lever in that place."

"Ansem's Reports?" Riku was still a little confused about this Ansem guy, but king Mickey knew about it in a click.

"You've found all of Ansem's Reports?!" He happily exclaimed with building hope.

"Yup! We've recovered all 10 of them!" Yuffie proudly proclaimed, sticking her head up and standing in a 'hero pose.'

"Well, someone collected them for us." Cid corrected. He started scratching the side of his head as he tried to sort through his thoughts. "The funniest thing is, I can't remember who?"

"Yeah me neither." Yuffie agreed, crossing her arms and tilted her head with a crunched face as she tried to remember a face. "It feels like whoever it was had been important to us, but I can't recall a face or a name."

"Hm..." Leon nodded in agreement, just as memory-less as the others but didn't show it as much.

"..." Riku had an idea who they were talking about. And it saddened him to see how easily forgotten Sora was. Even though it wasn't their fault, it still made Riku feel like his best friend no longer mattered to the Worlds.

"Here's the copies of the Translated Reports if you guys want to read them." Aeris said, walking over to the table by the wall to grab a journal/portfolio preserving and containing the rough draft translated reports that Aeris worked so hard to decode. She handed the journal to Riku, whom had bent down to one knee so king Mickey could read it as well.

The Ansem Reports were carefully placed in order and were an easy read. They had given king Mickey a better understanding of the Heartless; but, had also caught Riku up on this Ansem guy and why he was so important. But judging from the read, Riku could honestly say he did not like this guy. King or not, this Ansem had brought about the artifical creation of the Heartless and was the starting point of this whole mess.

In a way, Riku blamed Ansem the Wise for everything that has happened so far. It was his fault that the Darkness had consumed his homeworld. It was his fault that Riku was tempted to Darkness and his islands were lost. If Ansem the Wise never brought about the Heartless, Riku would never had turned on his friends.

But...

His actions were his own. He could not blame Ansem the Wise for that. He had done what he had done by choice, no matter how much he had wanted to make the blame fall on Ansem the Wise alone. Riku had to accept that. And he did.

"..."

"We'd hoped to find more information inside this lab in the Reports." Leon said once the two of them were done with their reading, interrupting Riku from his growing troubling thoughts. "But all our Scouting Exploits had come out empty handed."

"Ugh, but let's not focus on the headaches in our minds." Cid shook off the frustrating empty search in his head and changed the topic to a more current 'in the room' topic. "Let's talk about the Eighth Wonder of our World."

"?!" Riku got a little uncomfortable when all the eyes in the room seemed to focus on him. "What?"

"Nothin'. It's just we haven't seen any of Aeris's little squirts since they were not even ankle bitters." Cid commented, giving Riku a look over from his seat. "It's like a solved mystery when the youngest one finally returns and makes his appearance."

"Congratulations Aeris." Leon calmly commented, happy that one of Aeris's children had finally been returned to her, but not really showing it. It was good seeing Aeris happy like this, it has been so long since Leon had seen Aeris smile like the way she was now. Her presence has always been warm and a comfort to others, but now it seemed so much... brighter.

"I gotta say, he kinda has your eyes." Cid added in as he lean forward in his chair, rubbing his chin as he gave Riku a better look. "But takes more after his old man."

Although this kid's face was a little more softer than Sephiroth's, in features that is.

"Yes, they all do." Aeris sighed out. Not that she thought that it was a bad thing, she had just wished that at least one of her children would've taken more after her. But she wasn't complaining, all of her children had turned out beautiful and perfectly healthy, there is no greater joy than that.

"Great. A whole family of pretty boys."

"Hey!" Riku grunted, he did not appreciate Cid's comment about his looks. His or his brothers.

"Relax kid, you'll grow to be handsome in no time." Cid shrugged like it was no big deal. "Your father's blood in your veins is proof of that. Just suck it up until then."

"I'm not a pretty boy."

"You're right, Riku. You're a Cutie Pie." Aeris replied, giving Riku a light poke on his nose.

"You're not helping, Mom." Riku mumble in embarrassment, blushing and looking his eyes away as the others in the room lightly laugh at the comments about him. He could never say anything to disagree with his mother, and he most certainly couldn't act any violence on the occupants in the room just because he didn't like what they were saying. That was beyond petty. In the end, all he could do was suck it up and take it like a champ.

The laughter eventually died off, with a few stray tears on the side being wiped away.

"Ahh," king Mickey being one of them, as he wiped away a stray tears and began to get back on topic again. "Still. Have you guys found any idea of where these Heartless are coming from?"

"We believe that they're still possibly coming from Hollow Bastion Castle's basement." Leon answered, but his fingers slightly gripped tighter into his arms in frustration. "But, we still haven't found a way to get down there."

"And judging from the numbers that just keep on appearing, who knows how many of 'em are down there." Yuffie added in before looking over at king Mickey. "What do ya say your Majesty? Think you can help us lower down the numbers?"

"Ah-ha, sorry, Yuffie. But I'm afraid my work is needed elsewhere." King Mickey replied, making the three committee members in the room deflate a little. "But, there is someone who can."

"?" That got their attention a little bit.

"Someone who's also a holder of the Keyblade and has been doing a good job so far at keeping the Heartless around the Worlds in check."

"Well, who is he?" Yuffie asked, getting bored of being lead on with a hype.

"You've already met him." King Mickey honestly answered, without giving them too much answers that might shock their Hearts too much due to their tampered memories. "He's already helped you guys so far."

"Eh?!"

"Somehow..." Leon looked down at his heart, as if listening to what it was silently trying to tell him. He knew it was strange. He had no recollection of this Keyblade wielder that king Mickey was talking about, and yet... somehow he knew... that they had help in getting their World back. Help that should be very important to them in their Hearts... "I feel deep inside... that you're right."

Yuffie and Cid began doing the same thing too, although physically holding a fist by their hearts and closing their eyes. Somewhere deep inside them, it was saying the same thing that Leon was. Although, they just couldn't put their fingers on it.

"If what you're saying is true, then, where is this guy now?" Yuffie asked, once she opened her eyes again and return her hand to her side like the other.

"He's recovering... right now." King Mickey sadly admitted before cheering up again so as not to get their hopes down. "B-but it won't be long! Some friends of mine will get him back to his old self in no time!"

"What happened to him?" Leon asked with unknown concern.

"Bad guys? Messed him up real good. He's in hiding right now. It's our job to help put him back together." King Mickey explained, while gesturing a hand at himself and Riku.

"And you're saying this Keyblade wielder can help our World, let alone others?"

"You bet 'cha he can!" King Mickey said with an bottom arch swing of his fist in determination. But then a light bulb clicked on his head, making him turn his head back to Riku. "Speaking of which, we should probably go check on his progress."

"Good luck. I know you two can put him back together." Aeris said, cheering them on. Sadly her smile never really reaching her eyes. She was happy that they were helping Sora recover his memories, and she hoped that he would awaken soon along with Donald and Goofy. But at the same time... she was sad to see them go so soon.

It had only been one day... that she had to spend with her son. But even so, she would cherish that day if that was all she was given.

"Ah-ha, thanks Aeris. Not to mention we should probably investigate what these things are." King Mickey commented, looking at the creatures in the computer screen's pictures. They might have an affiliation with this Organization XIII for all they know. The members of HBRC have already given them everything that the team knew so far; now it was king Mickey and Riku's turn to go find out some more information about it. "I've got a feeling that there's more of them out there on the other Worlds."

"Eh, you're probably right." Cid agreed.

"Then we should probably get started. Later guys." King Mickey waved at the others in goodbye, the others nodded in silent goodbye in return. Heading for the door to make his way outside, waving a hand for Riku to follow. "C'mon Riku. I'll get the Gummi Ship ready."

"..." But Riku remained unmoving.

"Riku?"

"I think I'll stay."

"What?"

"!" That caught them all by surprise. Making their eyes open a little wider.

"Just for a little bit longer." Finally he moved, just to turn to fully face his mother at his side. He eyes became a little more softer, almost insecure, as if fearing the possibility that his mother might shoo him away. "I would like to train under you, Mom. If that's all right with you, that is."

"!" She couldn't find her words for a moment. She was just too happy. It would appear that fate had decided to give her a little more time with her son to take him under her wings. "Yes... Of course it's alright."

"But Riku, you're needed elsewhere." King Mickey silently pleaded with Riku to reconsider.

"I'm no use to my friend as I am now." Riku shot back, facing king Mickey again. "You saw what happened out there. How the three of them ridiculously bested me out like that. They were right, Mickey. Something inside me is holding me back."

"Riku..."

"Whatever happened in the past has already been done. I know that. And I've accepted my actions." Riku sadly admitted, placing a hand over his heart. His fingers slightly gripping into his coat, shaking a little with his emotions. "I no longer fear the Darkness like I use to. But I still run away from it. Meaning that somewhere deep inside of me I still fear it."

"You can't face all the Darkness inside of you by yourself." King Mickey sighed out in sympathy for Riku's plight, but still trying to make him see reason.

"There's no one else like me out there in the Worlds to help me out with this. You said so yourself." Riku pointed out before turning his head to look out her. "But there is someone here who comes close to what I am..."

"Riku."

"She can help me, Mickey." Riku looked back at king Mickey. "Mom can help me have a better understand of what I am, and what I am capable of. There is Darkness in me, but there is also still Light inside me too. She may not be able to fully help me with my darkness. But, at least she can help me have better control over myself."

"..." What he was saying was true. What better way for an Ancient to help gain control over his Darkness then with the help of another Ancient?

"Please understand this, Mickey. I need a better understanding of myself before I could possibly come close to being a help to others." Riku got down to a knee to look king Mickey in the eyes, pleading that king Mickey would understand where he was coming from. "I need this for me."

"..." He looked into Riku's eyes, there was so much emotions chaotically flowing inside them he had no idea where to start. There was hope; nervousness; fear; and the pleading of a boy who had been lost for so long and had at last been found, begging not to be taken away again so soon. But above all of them, he could see a determination inside Riku's eyes. A determination to better himself. So that the Darkness could never bring him down like that ever again. "Alright, Riku. I understand."

"(Sigh)." Riku quietly released a gentle breath, his eyes warming up as a soft smile came over his face. "Thank you, Mickey."

"Well, until later then, right?" King Mickey said, holding out a gloved hand to Riku.

"Hm, yeah." Riku nodded in agreement, taking king Mickey's hand and shaking it. "I'll catch up with you later."

"Take your time. There's no rush." King Mickey assured to Riku as they both took their hands back. He backed away a few steps before fully turning around and continued walking for the door. This was not a goodbye, just a temporary parting of friends. He knew Riku would catch up to him when he was ready. "Our friends still sleep. And so does the Darkness."

*** Author's Notes ***

The part referring to king Mickey's past is based off the Disney 2004 movie 'Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers'.

Fun Fact: (Yuffie: 16: 5' 2'' in KH & FF7 official ) (Riku: 15: 5' 6'' in KH1 - KH 358/2 Days; ~about height - Sora was like 5' 4'' at the time)

I'd recommend reading this part, it'll help the story make more sense with the game play-through without straying too far off.

Time-line for Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days and this story: Roxas came into existence on the day Sora had turned into a Heartless, or a Shadow, and Riku was cast into the Realm of Darkness by Ansem. Xion came into existence 7 days after that. The Castle Oblivion Guardians from the Organization had left for the castle around day 22, half of them were to monitor Naminé's already halfway started progress. And Axel left to check-up on them while secretly going undercover to discover and terminate the traitorous members of the Organization on day 23. In which time Sora didn't arrive at the castle until day 23, and Riku didn't wake up from his sleep into the castle until day 24. Meaning that both Riku and Sora have been wondering in Realms where time doesn't existence for several days. Meaning aging, hunger, and sleep has ceased changing or progressing since their initial arrival into their realms- Riku in the Realm of Darkness with king Mickey, and Sora in the world between worlds with Donald, Goofy, and Jiminy. Sora had gotten more of a head start into the castle than Riku, taking out two of members of the Organization- believable 3 members to his best knowledge, he didn't actually terminate Axel, whom in turn had terminated Vexen to keep his cover- before letting Naminé put him and his travel companions to sleep. In which time his scattered memories had helped to form Xion into a more life-like existence, giving her character and more of a dimension compared to her zombie-like state. Riku in turn had finished off the remaining 2 members of the Organization in the castle- well, actually one, his Replica killed off Zexion- by the end of day 25 and made his way out of the castle and onto the dirt road with king Mickey. And by the beginning of day 26 the rest of the Organization had found out about the demised of all the members of Castle Oblivion and the disappearance of Naminé, though the last part of the information had been left out from Xion and Roxas; and at this time Naminé begins recovering Sora's memories, thus effecting Roxas.

At this point Riku has left Castle Oblivion and its world between world with king Mickey, and Sora and his companions have been moved to the mansion on the world of Twilight Town by DiZ and Naminé to begin their process of memory recovery under the protection of hiding. Thus the time flow has returned for the both of them, meaning they are aging again.

Through days 27-49 Riku is training- trying to get a better control over his darkness- at some point he splits with king Mickey to go on with his self-training alone...

To be continued in the next chapter.