Last time found Sora battling the cursed nightmare inside Kairi's mind. When he found himself outmatched and nearly overwhelmed by the insidious dark entity, help arrived in the form of Princess Luna, Twilight Sparkle and her friends from Equestria. Yet as the tide turned against the cursed nightmare, the dark form of Kairi, created out of her fear and hate, attacked Sora.

Out in the real world, Riku and the others, now joined by Kamen Rider Black, battled the Grand Mutants of Gorgom, holding them back from the bathhouse. Yet as our heroes fought the forces of evil without and within, Gothel took advantage of the conflicts and snuck into Yubaba's bedchamber, where Kairi and Sora lay helpless. Threatening to kill the two unconscious lovers, Gothel demanded that Yubaba surrender the Kingstones and Rapunzel her heart. Lin then attacked and pushed Gothel out the window, falling outside with her, where the insidious witch took the bathhouse foreman hostage.

Back in Kairi's mind, a truce was struck with Dark Kairi, thanks mostly to the intense gaze of Fluttershy. Luna and Twilight Sparkle agreed to use their magic to allow Dark Kairi to become a new heart for someone whom is without one. When the cursed nightmare returned, it took the combined efforts of Sora, Dark Kairi, Luna and the Elements of Harmony to shake the real Kairi from her withdrawn state and vanquish the nightmare once and for all. With the promise of visiting Equestria later on, Sora and Kairi bade farewell to their new Pony friends.

Upon waking up, Alegra used a special ritual to 'marry' Sora and Kairi, further strengthening their bond. An outraged Columbina showed up and vowed to destroy the newly united couple, and everyone else at that matter. Sensing the worse approaching, Alegra and the others rushed outside to help defeat The Grand Mutants, while Yusuke vanquished Shadowcast.

But then the most powerful of enemies that Kamen Rider Black faced, Shadow Moon, arrived. 'Nuff said, on with the show!

Chapter 10: Clash of Riders

Shadow Moon then looked down at Grand Mutant Bishium.

"Yes, Lord Shadow Moon!" said Grand Mutant Bishium, "let me serve you!"

Shadow Moon then summoned a sword with a blood-red blade and before anyone else could react, used it to slice off the head of Grand Mutant Bishium. The creature's body and head fell to the ground and burst into flames that reduced all of her to ashes in seconds.

"No way!" said a shocked Sora, while Riku, Kairi and everyone else looked equally shocked.

"Your own subordinate," said Malcolm, "what kind of sicko are you!?"

"Nobuhiko!" shouted Kamen Rider Black, "stop this now!"

"Black Sun," said Shadow Moon in an insidious tone, "we meet again. I can assure you that this time, we will end our rivalry. This time, I will destroy you!"

"You're a fool, Akizuki Nobuhiko!" Alegra shouted.

"A fool am I?" Shadow Moon asked. He then walked towards Alegra, "and just who are you to call me a fool?"

"I'm someone whom has seen history repeat itself time and time again," said Alegra defiantly, "I know what happened before, Akizuki Nobuhiko. I know how you and Minami Kotaro were raised as brothers, how you were betrayed by your adopted father to Gorgom, how you were turned into a psychotic cyborg, how you tormented Kotaro and nearly finished him for good!"

"And I would have finished him!" shouted Shadow Moon, "I should have survived our fight to the death, not Black Sun! I should have become the new Creation King, as is my destiny!"

"It's your destiny to die, you moron!" shouted Alegra, "I've seen historical accounts from multiple realities. Time and time again you set in motion events that lead to a final confrontation with Kotaro. Each time you seemingly killed him, only for Kotaro to return from the dead by a miracle. You fight again and each and every time, you are vanquished, whereupon Kotaro vanquishes the Creation King and destroys Gorgom."

"And yet he has returned!" said Brother Courtney, "returned to destroy you infidels!"

"One man's heathen is another man's believer," said Yubaba.

"Do we really have to keep fighting?" Rapunzel asked, "Those mutant jerks are dead and Gothel's not going anywhere."

"She sure isn't," said Mark as Steven and Felicia used several pairs of zip-cuffs on Gothel's wrists and ankles, "this lunatic is coming with us when this is all over."

"The way we see things," said Julia as she kept one of her pistols on the unconscious Gothel, "it'd be morally wrong to kill her outright, though she doesn't deserve to live."

"Killing her would be all to easy," said Steven, "so, we figured we'd take her back to our Bureau and keep her locked up as punishment."

"The farther away she is from Rapunzel, the better," said Felicia, "so we'll make sure she stays away from Rapunzel."

"Mind if I give you a hand with that?" Toralei asked, "I've done a lot of thinking just now and I'd like to talk to you Bureau guys about a job."

"You want to work with The Bureau?" Felicia asked.

"It's not like I've got much to go home with," said Toralei, "my best fiends kicked me out of our apartment, half the student body of Monster High hates my guts and I've got a criminal record. What else is there for me?"

"You're serious about this?" Julia asked, "The Bureau deals with a lot of sensitive secrets. Once you're in and you're let in on the classified information, the only way out is to have your memories wiped."

"You'll either have to take memory suppression drugs," said Mark, "or you'll let our Scanners mess around with your head. Personally I'd opt for the drugs."

"Enough of this useless banter!" Maleficent shouted. She then glared at Shadow Moon, "you say you came here to destroy these meddling minors and so on, so destroy them!"

"You dare give orders to Shadow Moon?!" Brother Courtney asked, "you dare attempt to assert control over the most powerful of Dai-Shocker!? Be fortunate that the wrath of Dai-Shocker does not come down on your head!"

"I think we've pushed our luck far enough," said Regina to Maleficent, "we should retire in good order before we pick up another enemy."

"On this we agree," said Maleficent in a reluctant tone. She then looked at Lady Tremaine, Gaston and Dio Brando, "we are withdrawing."

"Are you kidding!?" exclaimed Gaston, "we can't run away! I've barely destroyed anything!"

"And I still need to inflict more suffering!" said Lady Tremaine.

"I'm good either way," said Dio Brando, "leave, stay, it's all cool with me."

"We are leaving and that is final!" said Maleficent, "now!"

"I wouldn't argue with her," said Regina, "not when she's in this bad a mood," she then gave Gaston and Regina a knowing look, as if telling them that she will explain things later.

"Alright," said Lady Tremaine, "we'll go."

"But you owe me a more satisfying bout of destruction later!" said Gaston.

"Indeed," said Maleficent. She then glared at Sora, "I wish you and your companions the best of luck, Keyblade Wielder. For if you survive this battle, I guarantee that the next one shall be your last!" with that she summoned a Dark Corridor, in which she, Regina, Lady Tremaine, Gaston and Dio Brando walked through.

"About time," said The Lord of Illusions as the Dark Corridor closed up, "I never liked them to begin with."

"Neither did I," said Brother Courtney, he then glared at Sora and the others, "And I don't like you either! Lord Shadow Moon! Do what you do so well!"

"With pleasure," said Shadow Moon. He then faced Kamen Rider Black, "prepare to embrace death, Black Sun!" With that he brandished his red sword and rushed at Kamen Rider Black, moving almost too fast to be seen.

Kamen Rider Black barely managed to defend himself, raising his arms in time to deflect the worst of the sword strike, yet an enormous amount of spark damage was caused as a lightning-fast follow-up strike hit him in the torso, then a third strike caused even more spark damage.

"What's the matter, Black Sun?!" Shadow Moon shouted as he delivered a fourth strike to Kamen Rider Black's chest plate, "where's all that bravado about justice and freedom? Where's the champion of humanity? Or has a normal life robbed you of your power!"

"Nobuhiko!" Kamen Rider Black shouted, "you've got to stop this!"

"That name ceased to mean anything to me long ago, Black Sun!" shouted Shadow Moon as he delivered another sword strike, "I am Shadow Moon! I am the true Creation King of Gorgom! And I am your executioner!" he then delivered another sword strike that knocked Kamen Rider Black to the ground.

"Kotaro!" shouted Sora. He then readied his Keyblade and ran at Shadow Moon. Sora then realized that Kuwabara, Andy, Howleen, Mark, Steven, Felicia, Jana, Hezekiah, Aiden and Malcolm were running with him.

"No!" Alegra shouted, "don't!"

Her warning came too late as Shadow Moon shot a blast of green lightning at Sora and the others, delivering a lot of damage and knocking them all down.

"Oh man!" said Kuwabara in a pained tone as he and the others tried to get back up, "this sucks!"

"I think it's about to get worse!" said Mark as he managed to get to his feet. He then had to dodge a sword strike from Shadow Moon, barely managing to get his own sword ready to intercept the next blow.

"Insolent mutant!" shouted Shadow Moon as he delivered strike after vicious strike, "your pathetic swordsmanship is no match against my Satan Saber!"

"I'll match my skills against any hellspawn sword!" shouted Mark as he blocked another attack, then went on the offensive, only for Shadow Moon to kick him in the chest, knocking him off his feet. He landed hard on the ground, his sword clattering several feet away.

"Pathetic," said Shadow Moon as he walked over to the fallen sword, which Mark was struggling to reach. Just as Mark's fingers touched the hilt of his sword, Shadow Moon stomped on the blade, breaking it in half, "utterly pathetic."

"You bastard!" Felicia shouted as she got back up and ran at Shadow Moon with her knives ready, only for Shadow Moon to grab her by the throat with one hand and began strangling her.

"Leave her alone!" shouted Julia as she aimed with her sniper riffle and pulled the trigger. The bullet hit Shadow Moon on the left shoulder, creating a few feeble sparks but otherwise having no effect. But it caught the dark warrior's attention. He dropped Felicia, whom was gasping and coughing for breath.

"Now!" shouted Howleen as she and Toralei rushed at Shadow Moon.

"Meddling freaks!" shouted Shadow Moon as he raised his Satan Saber to cut the two were-creatures in half. But then Howleen and Toralei feinted away to either side, revealing Frankie, whom was charging up a bolt of electricity.

Shadow Moon prepared to block the bolt, but then Andy, in his feral form, grabbed Shadow Moon from behind, restraining the arms of the dark warrior.

"Insufferable filth!" exclaimed Shadow Moon as he struggled to free himself from Andy's grip, "release me!"

Andy then roared something that was somewhere along the line of 'never!'

"Take this!" shouted Frankie. She then shot the bolt of electricity at Shadow Moon. Andy got out of the way just in time to avoid electrocution, but Shadow Moon was hit head on and was knocked off his feet. He landed on the ground hard and didn't get up.

"You got him, Frankie!" Andy shouted after reverting back to his humanoid form.

But then Shadow Moon got back up and shot a bolt of green lightning at Frankie, hitting her head on and knocking her ten feet into the air.

"Oh my ghoul!" shouted Toralei and Howleen as Frankie landed hard, the stitches across her body popping and she fell apart.

"Frankie!" Andy shouted as he rushed at her, only for Shadow Moon grabbed him and broke his arms, then threw Andy to the ground.

"You son of a bitch!" shouted Tess. She and Riku rushed at Shadow Moon, while Aiden moved off to the left and charged up a sphere of Alchemic energy.

But then Shadow Moon moved lightning fast again and delivered several cuts to Tess and Riku before they could react, followed by shooting more green lightning at Aiden, knocking him down and causing his alchemic blast to go off.

"Look out!" Aiden shouted as the wild blast hurtled towards Sora and Kairi. They dodged just in time to avoid being transmuted into who knows what. The blast went on and wound up hitting a destroyed restaurant, changing it in a flash of energy into a pile of rubber erasers.

"That was unexpected," said Aiden, "I was trying to spike the ground under the bastard, but I didn't finish the formula in my head. I wonder what exactly went wrong?"

"It's a shame you shall not live to see it!" said Shadow Moon. He then swiftly turned around and delivered a double sword strike to Kamen Rider Black, whom had tried attacking him from the side, only to be knocked down again in a shower of damage sparks.

"Stay where you are, Black Sun!" shouted Shadow Moon, "it will make your death less strenuous for both of us!" he then moved towards Sora and Kairi, "now, about the two love birds."

"We won't be going down so easy!" said Sora as he and Kairi activated their armor and got their Keyblades up, only for Shadow Moon to rush at him and deliver multiple strikes that severely damaged their armor before they could react, knocking them down.

"Sora!" shouted Kairi as she tried to get back up, only for her and Sora to be blasted at point blank rage by green lighting. Their armor shorted out and deactivated, leaving them both severely cut and bruised.

"Sora! Kairi!" shouted Tess as she tried to get up and activate her armor, only for her to gasp in shock as The Lord of Illusions grabbed her by her hair and pulled her up, holding a knife to her throat.

"I'm rather disappointed," the vile trickster whispered into Tess's ear, "I had hoped that your downfall would be more of a challenge, more satisfying."

"Too bad you couldn't do it yourself, you sack of pig vomit!" shouted Tess, only for The Lord of Illusions to cut her slightly on her neck, spilling a few drops of blood.

"You've had plenty of practice slitting throats, dear Tess," said The Lord of Illusions coldly, "perhaps you could give me a few pointers before you die!"

"Get away from her!" Riku shouted as he tried to get up, only for Brother Courtney to idly kick him down.

"Now, now," said Brother Courtney as he placed his foot atop Riku's neck, keeping him down, "let's not waste what little time we have left with unnecessary heroics." He then looked at Shadow Moon, "kill the lovers!"

"Gladly," said Shadow Moon.

"Stop it, Nobuhiko!" shouted Kamen Rider Black as he tried to get back up again.

"Take a good look, Black Sun!" said Shadow Moon as he raised his Satan Saber to deliver a fatal strike to Sora, "because after I've disposed of these vermin, you will be next!"

"I wouldn't be so eager to do that!" said Alegra.

"And why not!?" Shadow Moon asked.

"Because I've already used three of my aces," said Alegra as she grinned confidently.

"You and your aces," said a disgusted Lord of Illusions, "What good are your preverbal cards when the battle is already won!?"

"It's not over yet," said Alegra, "not when I have one more card to play," she then looked at her watch, "one more ace up my sleeve, which will pull itself out right about…"

Just then there came a loud report and a concentrated explosion knocked Shadow Moon twenty feet into the air.

"What!?" exclaimed Brother Courtney as he took a startled step back away from Riku, allowing him to roll away, while Tess elbowed The Lord of Illusions in the stomach, forcing the vile trickster away from her and dropping the knife. Tess then delivered a kick to his groin, then a punch to his nose, knocking the trickster to the ground.

"What just happened?" Sora asked as and Kairi helped each other back up.

From behind a burned building emerged the older version of Andrew Carpenter, a makeshift RPG launcher leaning against his shoulder, "that was me."

"Andrew?" Aiden asked as he and the others began to recover, "is…is that you?"

"I'm afraid you've mistaken me for a different Andrew Carpenter," said the man, "I'm from a different world, a different Bureau with a different set of Ramblers." He then glared hatefully at Brother Courtney, "a world you burned to ashes, you bastard!"

"I beg your pardon?" Brother Courtney asked in a confused and irate tone, "I don't believe I've had the pleasure of your acquaintance."

"You really don't remember me," said Andrew angrily, "well, permit me to refresh your memory. Over fifty years ago, fifty for me that is, you were one of us, the ninth original Rambler."

"Nine?" Sora asked, "I thought there were supposed to be only eight."

"That's right," said Jana, "eight whom came together to stop The Heatherson Cult from destroying the world on December 31, 1999."

"Even on our world there were only eight," said Mark, while Steven, Felicia and Julia nodded in agreement.

"There were nine on my world," said Andrew, "with the ninth a traitor!" he then glared at Brother Courtney, "you never intended to help save the world. You sold us out to the cultists in exchange for power. It's a good thing you were so incompetent that we saw through your scheme before it was too late. You then ran away like the cowardly asshole you are!

"But you came back to try and destroy us again and again, each time we stopped you, Yet with each failure, your efforts improved. You murdered Kayle, Saul and Cal before the rest of us caught you and locked you up for trial and execution. But you escaped and you returned with your worst plan yet. You used that poor innocent girl, Laura Hurst, to rip open a hole in time and space, a hole straight to hell! My world was burned alive and I barely survived! Do you remember me now, Joseph Rombie!? Well! Do you!?"

At that Brother Courtney shook with fury, "don't call me that! I am Brother Courtney of the Enigma Order! Valued servant of Dai-Shocker!"

"You're nothing but a lying coward," said Andrew, "you always were and always will be, no matter what alias you use, no matter what group you hide behind!"

"Shut up!" shouted Brother Courtney, "Joseph Rombie doesn't exist! I am Brother Courtney! And you should be dead! All of those filthy mutants should be dead!"

"I should have died," said Andrew, "I should have burned with the rest of my friends; Max, Leon, Jeff, Gillian, Daniel, Virgil, John, Rebecca, Aaron, Tyler, Patricia," he then paused, a sob building in his throat and tears welling up in his eyes, "Jill, my love, my Jill, I should have been with them all."

He then glared at Alegra, "but this meddling bitch saw fit to save my life. She sent me to a parallel world, Metamore, where I partook in the liberation of that world from the vile clutches of Phobos."

"You fought with Caleb and the rebels?" Tess asked, "what about Will and the other Guardians? What about Elyon?"

"I met them all," said Andrew, "they became my new family, and Elyon, my closest, dearest friend, like the sister I never had, while I was the big brother to her that Phobos wasn't." He then glared at Brother Courtney, "but that doesn't matter any more. After over fifty years, I finally have a chance to avenge my lost world and fallen friends!"

"The only thing you have a chance at is death!" said Brother Courtney. He then charged up a sphere of dark magic.

"I have every intention of dieing here," said Andrew, "but before you dig my grave," his eyes then widened in horror and pointed at something behind Brother Courtney, "what the hell is that!?"

"What?!" Brother Courtney asked as he turned his head to look behind him. Andrew then pulled out his .475 Widley auto magnum, took aim and shot Brother Courtney in the heart. The vile monk gave a startled grunt and fell to the ground stone dead.

"You could never resist that," said Andrew in contemptuous tone as he holstered his pistol, "you always were an idiot."

"Well, isn't this a conundrum," said The Lord of Illusions in a slightly nervous tone, "should I stay and risk death? Or flee to fight another day?"

"I'd pick choice number two," said Tess coldly as she raised her Keyblade, "I'd run and keep running."

"Thanks for the suggestion," said The Lord of Illusions as he grinned mischievously, "until we meet again!" with that he vanished.

"Son of a bitch!" said Tess.

"We'll worry about that maniac later!" said Riku, "we've got other problems!"

By then Shadow Moon had gotten back up and was advancing towards Sora and Kairi again.

"This isn't exactly how I'd hope to use this," said Andrew as he pulled out a small blue sphere the size of a baseball, "I was hoping to shove this up Joseph's ass," he then looked at Shadow Moon, "but you'll do quite nicely!" he then threw the sphere at the dark warrior, whom then effortlessly sliced it in half with his Satan Saber, the two halves landing on the ground of either side of him.

"What was the point of that!?" Malcolm asked.

"The point was to get him to break it!" shouted Andrew triumphantly.

"What!?" shouted Shadow Moon. The two halves of the sphere then exploded with blue lightning that delivered massive spark damage to the dark warrior but didn't knock him down.

"Was that all?" a disappointed Andrew asked after checking his watch, "I thought it would have lasted at least ten seconds more. Well, you can't always get what you want."

"It's good enough for me!" shouted Yusuke as he took aim with his hand, his finger pointing at Shadow Moon and charged with spirit energy, "SPIRIT GUN!" the blast shot towards Shadow Moon, hitting the dark warrior in the chest and knocking him down.

"Don't give him an inch!" shouted Malcolm. He then shot a curse at Shadow Moon, knocking the dark warrior down again.

"Take this!" shouted both Sora and Kairi as they threw their Keyblades at Shadow Moon, hitting the dark warrior again.

"Kotaro!" shouted Alegra, "now's your chance!"

"Right!" said Kamen Rider Black. He then rushed at Shadow Moon and delivered several punches and kicks that left the dark rider severally disoriented and forcing him to drop the Satan Saber.

"Accio Sword!" shouted Tara as she aimed and cast the summoning spell with her wand. The blood red sword flew through the air and landed point first in the ground in front of her.

"Don't touch that thing!" shouted Zeneba, "it's cursed!"

"So we'll just get rid of it!" said Kuwabara. He then swung his Spirit Sword at the Satan Saber, but the second his blade of spirit energy touched the red sword, a jolt of dark energy shot through him, knocking Kuwabara on his back, leaving him scorched and dazed.

"Are you alright?" Chihiro asked as she and Haku helped him up.

"Dang is, sis," said Kuwabara in a woozy tone, "it's Sunday, leave me alone!" with that he passed out.

"Idiot," said Hiei as he and Kurama walked up, "this is how you destroy a cursed sword." he then took off the white headband around his forehead, revealing a light purple third eye.

"The Jigan Eye," said an impressed Yubaba, "with that you can track nearly anything. You must have a pain threshold the size of Mt. Fuji to have endured the surgery."

"It was…an unforgettable experience," said Hiei as his Jigan Eye looked at the Satan Saber. Hiei then readied his katana and delivered a lightning fast cut that shattered the Satan Saber.

"He struck at the exact breaking point," said Kurama, "the one spot on any object that will destroy if hit right."

"NO!" exclaimed an outraged Shadow Moon, "The Satan Saber! You'll pay for that!" he then jumped atop a nearby burned building and began charging up a sphere of green lightning, "you fools have irritated me long enough! I'll destroy this world and everyone in it!"

"No you don't!" shouted Rapunzel. She then threw her frying pan at Shadow Moon, hitting the dark warrior in the head with a loud 'Clang!' that knocked him off balance and canceling out the sphere of green lightning.

"Now!" shouted Kamen Rider Black. He then jumped up. At the apex of his jump, he then kicked off towards Shadow Moon, his fist aimed for the dark rider's head.

"RIDER PUNCH!"

His fist connected with Shadow Moon's head that knocked the dark rider off of the building to the ground.

Kamen Rider Black then jumped up again and aimed his foot at Shadow Moon, "RIDER KICK!"

His foot charged with energy and impacted Shadow Moon right in the center of the dark Rider's belt, cracking the green King Stone, delivering a storm of damage sparks and knocked the dark rider to the ground again.

"Is it over!?" Howleen asked.

"Not yet," said Alegra, "not just yet."

Shadow Moon then slowly got back up, smoke emitting from his arms, legs and chest. He then stumbled as more damage sparks erupted from his body and the cracks in his King Stone widened.

"Nobuhiko!" shouted Kamen Rider Black as, in a flash of green energy, he reverted back to the normal form of Minami Kotaro, "Nobuhiko! Please, I'm sorry."

"You've killed me yet again, Black Sun!" shouted Shadow Moon, "but your efforts are in vain!" more damage sparks shot from his body as he cried out in pain. Shadow Moon then regained his composure and glared at Kotaro, "so long as Dai-Shocker exists, I shall return, again and again, until I've destroyed you!

"Do you hear me, Black Sun! I shall destroy you!" with that, Shadow Moon fell down and exploded. When the blast cleared, there was nothing left but a few smoldering bits of scrap.

"Now it's over," said Alegra.

Just then Columbina appeared again, "no, it's just begun."

"Oh, not you again!" said Eugene, "haven't you had enough!?"

"It'll never be enough!" said Columbina, "not until Sora and all he loves is destroyed!"

"Why?!" Sora demanded, "why are you doing this to us?"

"What did we ever do to you?" Kairi asked.

"That's my dirty little secret," said Columbina hatefully, "not that it will help you, Sora. You may have survived this crisis, but my next strategy will be your undoing!"

"If you're so eager to kill us, then try it again!" Riku shouted as he, Tess, Malcolm, Sora, Kairi and Roxas glared at Columbina with their Keyblades ready, while Naminé readied a sphere of white magic.

"We've taken everything you've thrown at us," said Kairi, "overcame your worst, so go ahead and try again! We'll beat you!"

"It's alright, it's over for now," said Alegra. She then looked at Columbina, "she can't try anything at this moment because she's got nothing left."

"I may be out of resources for the moment," said Columbina, "but I can draw upon horrors beyond your darkest nightmares. Remember this, Sora! The next time we meet, I will destroy you and all you love!" with that she vanished.

"What a bitch," said an annoyed Mark. "Wish we could lock her up forever."

"Someone help me!" shouted Andy. Sora and the others then realized that he was over at the dismembered Frankie, franticly trying to tie her stitches back together, while Frankie's head was unconscious.

"Here!" shouted Zeneba as she summoned Frankie's damaged arm, "I finally remembered a repairing spell." She then used her magic to heal the damage to the arm, then summoned a needle and thread that began sewing Frankie back together all on its own.

"Use this too," said Julia as she pulled out the charging device, "you can thank me later for grabbing it."

Once Frankie was all stitched up, Andy attached the alligator clamps to Frankie's neck bolts and began cranking the charger, sending life-giving electricity into her body. Yet Frankie's eyes remained closed.

"Something's wrong," said Andy as he cranked the charger faster, "she's not waking up! Frankie! Wake up!"

"Easy, man!" said Hezekiah, "you're going to short her out like that."

"Her internal batteries must be damaged, or something," said Aiden as he walked over, "I really don't know, I'm not the scientist who built her."

"Wish Solaris was here," said Howleen, "she helped bring Frankie to life, she'd know what to do."

"Or we could heal her ourselves," said Kairi. She then placed her hands on Frankie and her healing light shone on the unconscious Monster. Yet nothing happened.

"I don't believe it," said Kairi, "it should have worked," she then touched Sora and healed his wounds, "there's nothing wrong with my powers, so why didn't it work on Frankie?"

"I don't know," said Malcolm. "I…I don't know what to do."

"Do something!" exclaimed Andy, "we can't just leave her like this!"

"Well, what do you think we should do?" Toralei asked, "cut her open to find out what's wrong?"

"I could try," said Chihiro. She then touched Frankie and focused, but nothing happened, "my power isn't working. But it worked before to heal Kairi's heart."

"Mine's not working either," said Rapunzel as she touched Frankie. Rapunzel then looked at Alegra, "this can't be the end for her. Why isn't anything we're doing working?"

"She can't die," said Andy, tears of sorrow falling from his eyes, "she just can't! I haven't even told her I love her! She can't die!"

"She won't die," said Alegra, "she will be healed," she then looked at Rapunzel, "she just needs the right kind of healing."

At that Rapunzel looked at Alegra with confused eyes, but then she blinked as understanding came to her, "you don't mean…? do you really think that will work?"

"Will what work?" Eugene asked. He then blinked as he understood, "oh, that! Yeah, that might just work."

"What will work?" Andy asked.

"Just trust me," said Rapunzel. She then held her hands over Frankie's heart and closed her eyes in concentration. After a few seconds, she began singing.

Flower gleam and glowLet your power shine

Make the clock reverse

Bring back what once was mine

As she sang, a golden radiance shone from her hands onto Kairi's heart, almost like sunlight.

Heal what has been hurt

Change the fate's design

Save what has been lost

Bring back what once was mine

What once was mine

After she finished singing, Rapunzel stood back. To everyone's astonishment, Frankie opened her eyes and sat up.

"Hey, everyone," said Frankie, "did we win!?"

"Frankie!" shouted Andy as he flung his arms around her, while Howleen and Toralei also hugged her.

"You did it, Rapunzel!" said Alegra triumphantly, "you fully realized your power."

"NO!" exclaimed Gothel as she glared hatefully at Rapunzel, "no! You can't do that!"

"She already did," said Chihiro. She then looked at Alegra, "but if Rapunzel's powers are up and running, what about mine? I healed Kairi's heart too."

"True, you used pure healing magic," said Alegra, "but Rapunzel was born a natural healer. You, Ognio Chihiro, your path lies elsewhere."

"This cannot be!" exclaimed Gothel, "Rapunzel can't have woken her powers up! She can't have!"

"Her powers are awake," said Alegra, "she has fully connected with her pure heart, making her truly a Princess of Heart."

"I deny it!" exclaimed Gothel, "I deny that she's a full Princess of Heart now! I need the untapped power of her heart to become omnipotent! I need her untapped heart!"

"It doesn't matter if her heart's tapped or untapped," said Alegra, "there never was a ritual to make you a god. You and so many others were played by Columbina like a harp from hell."

"NO!" Gothel raged, "I deny it! I DENY IT!"

"Oh shut up!" shouted Eugene, "admit it, you've lost and you'll never hut anyone again!"

"I do not lose!" exclaimed Gothel, "I cannot lose! I am GODDESS!"

"Will you please shut up!?" Malcolm shouted.

"Can I borrow this?" Kairi asked as she walked up to Rapunzel, holding the frying pan.

"By all means, bash her brains out," said an outraged Rapunzel. Kairi then walked over to Gothel.

"You stupid little girl!" shouted Gothel, "bow down before your Goddess!"

Kairi responded by swinging the frying pan, hitting Gothel on the forehead and knocking the mad woman out cold again.

"I could have used a Sleep spell," said Malcolm.

"This was more satisfying," said Kairi. She then looked at the frying pan in amazement, "this is without a doubt, the most underrated weapon ever."

"We'll be sure to have the guards outside her cell armed with them," said Julia, "now, if you'll excuse us, we've got a prisoner to transport." She then looked at Frankie, Howleen, Andy and Toralei, "you guys ready to go home?"

"Already?" Frankie asked.

"The missions' over," said Steven, "we won. Kairi's okay now, we stopped Columbina and delivered a massive blow to Dai-Shocker."

"I'd say we earned our gold stars for the week," said Mark.

"Yeah, I think we've earned plenty of House Points today," said Tara.

"And our paychecks," said Hezekiah, while Jana nodded in agreement.

"I just wanna go home," said Yusuke as he helped Kuwabara stand up, "I've got a lot of vegging out to catch up on."

"Yeah, I feel like I could sleep a week," said Kuwabara.

"I just want to go home," said Andrew, "I'm getting too old for this crap."

"I won't argue with you on that," said Alegra. She then looked at Kotaro, "I assume you wish to return to your world as well?"

"Absolutely," said Kotaro. He then looked at Sora and the others, "I'm glad to have met you all, but I've got to get back home. Gorgom may have been destroyed, but my world is still venerable to attack. I have to be there to keep watch."

"You don't have to tell me twice," said Sora. He and Kotaro then shook hands, then the rest of our heroes shook hands with their allies from other worlds and saying their farewells.

Five portals were then opened up. Kotaro go on Battle Hopper and rode through the first one, while Yusuke, Kuwabara, Hiei and Kurama went through the second.

"We'll tell Cleo, Jill and the others you're alright, Kairi!" said Frankie as she, Howleen, Toralei, Andy, Felicia, Julia, Mark and Steven headed towards one of the portals, with the last two carrying the unconscious and bound Gothel.

"Tell everyone there I said hi," said Kairi, "and give my best to Violet."

"And tell Jill to find someone," said Andrew, "I never had a chance to tell my Jill I loved her."

"She already knows," said Mark.

"In that case," said Andrew. He then looked at Sora and the other Keyblade Wielders, "if you run into another version of Jill and she doesn't have another version of me, then tell her to find love where she can and to live to the fullest."

"We'll remember," said Sora, while Kairi and the others nodded.

"Thank you," said Andrew. He then looked at his watch, "now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to make dinner for Elyon, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. And then of course, there's the families of Will, Irma, Taranee, Cornelia and Hay Lin."

"How many mouths to feed are you talking about?" Howleen asked.

"Quite a lot," said Andrew. With that he walked into one of the remaining portals.

"Sora, it's been an honor and a privilege," said Tara, "keep in touch."

"You got it," said Andrew. With that Tara, Jana and Hezekiah entered the fourth portal.

"Bye!" said Frankie. With that she, Andy, Toralei, Howleen, Julia, Mark, Steven, Felicia and the unconscious Gothel, entered the last portal. All five portals then closed up.

"Well, that was a rather unique experience," said Yubaba. She then summoned an abacus as she looked around at the burned buildings and at the damaged bathhouse.

"I thought you would have more profound words to say, dear sister," said Zeneba.

"I'm calculating, sister of mine," said Yubaba as she worked out a figure on the abacus, "I don't have time for words…yes…yes. Assuming my math is correct, and it usually is, I'd say the total repair cost for the bathhouse, the grounds, the hotel and its grounds and the restaurants comes to eight hundred and forty-seven billion Yen."

"Eight hundred and forty-seven billion Yen!?" Sora exclaimed in a horrified tone, while Kairi and the others looked equally appalled.

"Eight hundred and forty-seven billion yen, exactly," said Yubaba, "now, who's going to pay for the repairs?"

"I thought you were insured!" Chihiro shouted.

"I am," said Yubaba smugly, "but there's also the psychological trauma inflicted on myself and my loyal workers. Where's the compensation for us? Now, about that money?"

"It'd take a hundred lifetimes of slaying Heartless to collect that much Munny," said Aiden,

"Well, someone has to pay to get my bathhouse back to normal," said Yubaba.

"Just relax," said Alegra as she reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out a checkbook, "eight hundred and forty-seven billion yen?" she then wrote out a check for that number and currency, then handed it to Yubaba, "here, this should cover everything to the last coin. Go on, take it, it's good."

"Where do you have all that money that you can throw it away?" Tess asked as Yubaba took the check.

"I've been opening bank accounts on multiple worlds for over a thousand years," said Alegra, "I've got more money than I could ever spend in ten-thousand years."

"Yes, this will do quite nicely," said Yubaba as she pocketed the check.

Just then Lin ran up to Yubaba, "boss, I've got good news."

"It's about time I had some," said Yubaba, "what is it?"

"The bath floor, water pipes, boiler room and kitchens are still intact," said Lin, "a little cleaning up and we can be open for business by tomorrow."

"Well, I guess I need to recalculate," said Yubaba as she worked on her abacus again.

"You'll have enough left over to afford giving out a few free passes, dear sister of mine," said Zeneba.

"Free passes?" Yubaba asked, "why would I ever do that?"

"Because you owe Sora and his companions for saving not only your life, but your business," said Zeneba, "you owe them at least a few days of rest and recovery."

"I'll send them fruit baskets and thank you cards," said Yubaba.

"You'll allow them use of the bathhouse for a week or else," said Zeneba.

"Or else what?" Yubaba asked.

"Or else I'll tell everyone about that outstanding warrant The Judoon has over you," said Zeneba, "how you bribed a judicial official to get those rhino aliens to back off, and don't get me started on how much The Sontarans hate you."

"You wouldn't!" exclaimed Yubaba, "you're my sister!"

"Yes I am," said Zeneba smugly, "a week or I'll spill your dirty secrets to everyone on your contact list."

At that Yubaba looked like she was ready to explode. But she calmed down a bit and spoke rationally, "a week's too long. One full day."

"Five," said Zeneba.

"Two," said Yubaba.

"Four," said Zeneba.

"Three," said Yubaba.

"Three and membership discount," said Zeneba.

"Membership discount?" Yubaba asked, "what nonsense is this?"

"Your regular customers will pay a small fee for a slightly lower price," said Zeneba, "plus overly priced merchandise and souvenirs. Trust me, a slight dip in profits will lead to greater rewards."

"Since when have you been so business savvy?" Yubaba asked.

"I impersonated you for nearly five years," said Zeneba, "I picked up a few tricks."

"In that case," said Yubaba as she looked at Sora, Riku, Kairi, Aiden, Tess, Malcolm, Roxas and Naminé, "you're welcome to stay. The bathhouse is yours to enjoy for seventy two hours, plus the chance to sign up for the new membership." She then looked at Rapunzel and Eugene, "you've still got three days left on your honeymoon package as well."

"Sounds like a group vacation to me," said Eugene.

"If you don't mind," said Alegra, "I shall take my leave. There's still much to do, so much information to discover, secrets to uncover."

"Secrets about Columbina," said Tess, "I hope you figure out how to kill that bitch."

"I'll do my best," said Alegra, "oh, before I forget, good luck, Sora. You and the others, you're going to need it on your search."

"Search?" Riku asked, "what search?"

But then Alegra had vanished.

"I hate it when she does that," said Aiden.

"Yeah," said Tess, "but I'm starting to get used to her."

"So, we've got three days of vacation," said Kairi, "let's make the most of it by getting cleaned up."

"Last one to the tubs is 'it' for naked hide and seek!" said Malcolm.

"What's naked hide and seek?" Roxas asked.

"If you don't know, then you're really not that smart," said Malcolm.


…Castle Oblivion…

"They are truly angry with each other," said Lady Tremaine as she, Gaston and Regina stood outside the viewing room. Beyond the closed door, they could hear Maleficent and Xehanort shouting at each other.

The argument had broken out the moment the villains saw Shadow Moon explode on The Interocitor. Xehanort had accused Maleficent of wasting so much effort on making Sora suffer, an effort that resulted in making his bond with Kairi only stronger. On the other hand, Maleficent accused Xehanort of failing to do anything to contribute to Sora's suffering. Regina and the other villains exited the room in order to avoid being hit by any potentially thrown dark magic attacks.

"Do you think they'll destroy each other?" Gaston asked.

"Hardly," said Regina as she walked up to them, "they still need each other to further their plans. But," she then smiled wickedly, "we do not need them."

"What are you talking about?" Lady Tremaine asked.

"I'm talking about removing Maleficent and Xehanort from the equation, permanently," said Regina, "their ambitions are far too overreaching, far too unreasonable. They seek to rule all, they see ultimate power. But I have more rational goals in sight."

"You're planning on taking over," said Gaston.

"Yes," said Regina, "and I'd like the two of you to help me in the coup and in setting up the new order afterwards."

"Why should we help you?" Lady Tremaine asked as she crossed her arms, "what is to prevent me from going to Maleficent and informing her of your betrayal?"

"Because you know that no matter what you do to please Maleficent, you'll never be nothing more than a slave to her," said Regina, "a tool that will be discarded the instant you're usefulness ends." She looked at Gaston, "the same applies to you. Insano may have found you interesting enough to experiment on, but he will grow tired of you in the end."

"And you won't?" Lady Tremaine asked.

"Not if you agree to help me," said Regina, "I know how to reward those whom show loyalty."

"What do you have to offer that we'll want?" Gaston asked.

"For you, a cure for your condition," said Regina, "Sephiroth and I have been working to get Insano on our side."

"Sephiroth is with you?" Lady Tremaine asked.

"He came to me and asked for an alliance," said Regina, "I never trusted him to begin with, but we have a mutual understanding. As for the degenerate scientist, I sent him a sample of Maleficent's potion, the same concoction that keeps us hale and whole. It's only a matter of time before he synthesizes it and provides us with a steady supply, thereby rendering our dependence on Maleficent' null and void.

"As for the threat of Gaston exploding, it wouldn't take much to convince Insano to correct the flaw in Gaston's body. You'll still have your destructive power, but it will no longer build up to the point of self-destruction. The same could be done for you, Tremaine, so you would no longer be consumed by emptiness when you do not have enough hearts to torment."

"A tempting scheme," said Lady Tremaine in a thoughtful manner, "very tempting."

"What about Dio Brando?" Gaston asked.

"I believe he will be content with whomever is in charge," said Regina, "so long as he is provided with opportunities to spread chaos and death, he will be happy."

"Then consider us a part of your cabal," said Lady Tremaine.

"Yes," said Gaston, "so, when do we make our move?"

"As soon Insnao synthesizes the potion," said Regina, "after that, all we need to do is wait for the right opportunity to present itself. When it does, we will strike down Xehanort and Maleficent once and for all!"

Just then a green and white-skinned alien with four yellow eyes and wearing a blue and white uniform, flanked by two robotic aliens in blue armor, with arms like laser cannons, approached Regina and the other two villains. The uniformed alien was carrying a sealed parchment envelope.

"Pardon my intrusion," said the uniformed alien, "but have I reached Castle Oblivion?"

"You have," said Regina, "what is the nature of your intrusion?"

"I am an emissary of the Space Empire Zangyack," said the uniformed alien, "I come with a message for Master Xehanort and Mistress Maleficent."

"You can go right on home, kido," said Gaston, "Xehanort hates Zangyack and your emperor."

"Maleficent might be interested," said Lady Tremaine, she then indicated the room where Maleficent and Xehanort were still shouting at each other, "but I doubt she's in any mood to receive any visitors, regardless of their mission."

"My message is for both," said the alien courier, "and my message did not come from Emperor Akudos Gill."

Just then the shouting stopped and the door burst open, an enraged Maleficent and Xehanort glaring out into the hallway.

"What is all of this muttering about!?" Maleficent demanded, "we are trying to have an argument here!"

"You've got mail," said Gaston, "from Zangyack no less."

"Send them away!" shouted Xehanort, "I want nothing to do with Akudos Gill!"

"I beg your indulgence, Master Xehanort," said the alien courier, "part of my message is to inform you of tragic news."

"Tragic?" Xehanort asked, "tragic how?"

"It is my sad duty to inform you, Master Xehanort," said the alien courier, "that Emperor Akudos Gill, supreme overlord of a million worlds, slayer of billions and conqueror of the stars, has fallen in battle."

"He's dead?" Xehanort asked in a surprised tone.

"Slain by the vile Captain Marvelous and his fellow space pirates," said the alien courier in a contemptuous tone.

"That old cocksucker," said Xehanort in an astonished tone, "I'd thought nothing could kill him. What of his idiotic, paranoid, hyperactive lunatic of a son?"

"Prince Warz Gill has also fallen," said the alien courier, "slain by the very same space pirate filth several months ago. The empire has suffered great losses by the hands of those wretched Gokaigers."

"The empire has my sympathies," said Xehanort, "but why come to me? It was common knowledge that I hated Akudos Gill and his fool of a son."

"True," said the alien courier, "but my message came from Her Highness, Karlaz Gill, the heir apparent, someone whom you have no qualm against, Master Xehanort."

"Akudos had another child?" Xehanort asked in an intrigued tone.

"Very few outside the Emperor's court knew," said the alien courier, "but she knew of you, Master Xehanort," he then handed the sealed parchment envelope to Xehanort, "and it is my sworn duty to deliver her regards to you."

Xehanort took the envelope and broke the seal, which was of an alien bird stamped onto red wax. He then took out a parchment letter penned in an alien language. At the bottom of the page was a larger seal, this one of two alien dragons holding a sword and a riffle around a crest of an alien skull.

"What is it?" Maleficent asked as she looked at the letter over Xehanort's shoulder, "what does this Karlaz Gill say?"

"I believe this, my dear," said a wickedly smiling Xehanort, "is the answer to all of our problems."

"And the opportunity we've been waiting for," Regina whispered to Lady Tremaine and Gaston.

The end of chapter 10.

It's not over yet, fellow readers and writers, so stay tuned!