Author Note: Revised in order to work with change in plot moving forward.

The Girl with the Pictures

"Okay, I'm starting to get annoyed with the same hallway," Sora muttered as they walked through the door, "This castle could use some serious interior redesigning."

"Yeah! I used to be a carpenter back in the day," Goofy said, "Goof and Son Carpeted, we do your floors and your house."

Donald sighed rubbing his beak in exhaustion, "That's because you'd normally destroy the house when trying to fix it."

"Yeah, but we'd redecorate it after the lawsuit, always on the house!"

The Keyblade trio pushed through the door as they entered once again into a white cluttered hallway. It was the same hallway they had passed through during the last door and the one quite similar to the entrance hallway at the very beginning of the castle. It seemed like the castle just went on and on like this. Like an endless maze that would never cease until they eventually found a end. It was starting to become a bit maddening to be honest. But the trio would persist anyway less they turn back and fail in their epic quest.

Sora though was starting to get a bit annoyed though the further up they went into the castle. Something was gnawing at him, especially after meeting that girl. Though, he was even starting to forget her name. Was she even a memory? A person? A person's memory? It was all so very confusing.

Worse, he was starting to forget little things about his previous adventure. Names escaped him, locations were becoming dim. It was like he had suffered a massive regression in his life after making so much progress. Every time he thought back to a previous adventure in a world, his mind would start to go blank. Instead of a memory all he would get was a blank fog of nothing.

"Are we making any progress?" Donald asked taking a deep breath.

Goofy shrugged, looking the most calm of the group so far, though he always was in these cases "Probably, the more we move the more progress we make right?"

Jiminy hopped onto Sora's shoulder looking around, "I mean, we have to be right, we can't possibly just be walking in a circle the whole time...Right? Right?"

"Yeah….We have to be," Sora said getting his determined face back on, "I know it! I can feel it...Because….Because my mind keeps thinking of things that it hasn't in a long time."

Donald and Goofy look at each very confused.

"You do what now Sora?" Goofy asked.

Sora turned to look at him smiling, "My mind...It's gaining memories it hasn't thought of in a long time. Even though I'm forgetting stuff, I'm also remembering stuff too. I know it sounds weird but trust me, it makes sense".

"Like what?" Donald asked.

"Like...Like a girl...A girl I used to know back on the island a long time ago."

Slowly, the memory began to sink in.

Donald and Goofy again just gave Sora a confused look as he gazed out into the distance.

Memories began to swirl in his mind. They were vague, just images of him and Riku running around the sandy beaches of the island playing with swords. In the distance, he could see a white haired girl sitting, looking at them with soft blue eyes. In her hand was a sketchbook as she was scribbling something. Though he wasn't sure what it was.

"Sora…? Sora!" Jiminy shouted causing him to snap out if it, "You're spacing out again!"

"Oh, really sorry. Just thinking."

"You sure you can't concentrate for more then five seconds?" Donald muttered.

"Of course I can...Mom might say otherwise but I can." He muttered arms folded as he gave a pouting face.

"What were you thinkin about?" Goofy asked.

Sora remembered and bounce back, "Oh, the girl, the one I was talking about."

"What do you remember about her?" Jiminy asked taking out his pen and journal, "Maybe writing it down could help in the long term."

"Eh...Mmm...Okay, I guess I could try that. Sure!"

Sora again went back into those images he had floating in his mind. "I remember...I remember Riku and I playing on the beach and she was always there….And that she was well...she was quiet and always drawing. When we got to the beach, she'd draw a picture of the things around her. Sometimes she'd draw us too, she was really good. I remember Riku and fighting over who she draw next. But one day, she was gone."

A sadness swept over Sora even though the memories themselves were still weak, they seemed to feel as fresh as when the day it happened. A small tear began to trickle down his face, yet he wasn't sad enough to lose it emotionally quite yet. Though he could feel the ache in his stomach as the images played themselves in his head. Images that didn't seem real, but they had to be for they were his.

"Just like that" He gulped "...I think the grown ups knew the reason. They might even have tried to explain some of it to me. But I was little, I probably didn't understand what was happening. I remember crying when she was gone."

Sora took a deep sigh.

Donald walked up to him and patted his arm sympathetically, "Sorry, Sora."

"Yeah, Goofy added, "That sounded so very sad."

"It's okay, guys. It was a long time ago, it was in the past. Doesn't matter much anymore, she's gone. And there's nothing I could have done." Sora clenched his fist, "Still, the fact that I forgot...makes me feel like a crummy friend."

"Aw Sora, you aren't a crummy friend," Goofy said, "Sometimes we forget people we don't see in a long time! But now that you remembered, you still feel for this person at the end of the day."

Sora chuckled, "Yeah, yeah I guess you're right."

"Exactly," Jiminy said, taking this moment to think about what was happening, "Though it seems to me that forgetting things may be the only way to reach the memories buried deep down inside all of us."

"Well, if that's the case why aren't I remembering anything big?" Donald asks, "Seems to be only Sora."

"Hey!"

"I'm just saying."

"Well, regardless, I forget things too. But I still remember the important things like Max so...perhaps the effects aren't as bad we think?"

Sora took a deep sigh, "Then...was this person not as important to me?" He looked horrified at the very notion. "Did I-did I forget someone really important?!"

"Aw, don't think like that Sora," Goofy said patting his back, "You might have forgotten but you remember now...and that should be what matters right? The here and now. You're still a good person Sora, never forget that okay?"

"Yeah…" Sora smiled, happy that he had such great friends by his side, "Yeah….You're right, you know what? Let's keep going! I wanna find out more about this person I forgot, I might even get to remember more."

"That's the spirit!" Goofy cheered.

Donald nodded, "Let's go!"

Sora nodded and looked forward, he'd head on out and move on, there was a person he needed to discover.

A few feet away and Sora already saw the door to the next level. He took a deep sigh, more walking and more hallways.

"I still can't believe I can't even remember her name. Like at all,what kind of friend is that? If I can't remember their name, then what does that say about me?"

He kept moving towards the next door before again the room started to freeze indicating one thing. Sighing Sora rubbed his forehead for he knew exactly what was about to happen. Suddenly in a puff of blue fire, a two dimensional triangle appeared floating on his back with a martinee in one hand as he twirled the straw with the other.

"Not remembering a name? That's rich coming from you old buddy ol' pal of mine."

"What do you want Bill?" Sora sighed seeing the floating triangle with a mischievous expression, even if it was just one eye.

Bill chuckled as he took a bite of the glass and chewed it. "Nothing, I just find it funny that Mr. my friends are my power forgets about a friend. You'd think you know a guy, what do you say...Sora great hero, won't remember your name for shucks?"

"I…" Sora was going to argue but couldn't, "I guess I really did forget."

"So much for the hero whose friends are his power. I guess without that power, what does that really make you? It's definitely a brain scratcher if you ask me."

"Well, I didn't!" Sora snapped, "And I still have my friends, without them I wouldn't have defeated Xehanort!"

"Bringing up your victory again, huh? I see, I seeee…..Can't blame you I mean it is your heroic claim to fame." Bill chuckled before rolled his eye giving a annoyed sigh, "Gee kid, relax. I was just making small talk, look you'll probably find out more the more you go into the Castle. You'll lose some memories but you'll gain some memories. It's a trade for a trade, simple business 101. It's a sound deal if you ask me."

Sora let Bills words sink in for a moment. Find is to lose and to lose is to find as the hooded man said, but this made much more sense. He would be trading old memories for newer ones, but in this case would they be older ones that he hadn't thought of in a while. Clarity turned back into confusion quite quickly as it had arrived. The wiley triangle definitely had a way with words, and not in a good way.

"Don't worry, kid. I'm sure it will all make sense and even if it doesn't who cares!" Bill summoned a swirl vortex around him as wild music played behind him, "Making sense is boring anyway, better to be weird than one of the mindless sheep that make up the vast infinity anyway."

"The vast infinity?"

"Of course, the vast infinity of our universe. Not just universe, but multiverse. The millions of versions of millions of peoples and millions of destinies all cluttered into one, with no such thing as a constant in any of them. I should know...I SEE IT ALL...And boy is it crazy sometimes." Bill chuckled conjuring up another martinee to drink it.

Sora just blinked, "I'm still confused."

"Don't worry, kid. Just keep doing what you're doing, ignore little old me….For now."

With that, Bill vanished causing the room to start up again. Donald and Goofy now stood by Sora's find not noticing that he just talked to a floating triangle. He still wanted to tell them but the timing wasn't right, just not yet. Still, the fact that he kept having to deal with him was becoming a bit of a problem. He wasn't really living up to what he said earlier about being a friend. Perhaps next time they talked he'd get a good look as to how Kairi and his mom were back home, maybe what everyone else was doing too. That might make him feel better.

"So what next?" Donald asked.

Before Sora could answer. a black vortex appeared before them as now a young woman with streak blonde hair wearing the same black coat as the other two castle members they had encountered appeared before them. She had emerald eyes, and a wicked grin as she glared upon them.

Sora instantly could tell that this was another one of those members of the castle who had been plotting against them. He could sense a dark presence around her. Though he wasn't afraid, so many of these hooded figures were nothing compared to Xehanort, and he took him down easily.

"Having fun in the castle?" She asked giggling looking at Sora as if he was some sort of chew toy.

Sora summons his Keyblade immediately, Donald and Goofy getting into attack position as well.

"You!" Sora shouted, "I bet you work with Axel!"

"Pfft...As if! I don't work for him, I work WITH HIM. Just the thought makes me gag." The woman smirked, "I'm Larxene, anywho. How are you enjoying your time here? Bet it's nice to peel away all the worthless memories and awaken the true memories. Wish I could get rid of a few my own. All those thoughts rolling through your head...what a mess." She laughed.

Sora glared at her.

"Although," She continued "it seems you're forgetting the most important thing here. When that poor girl hears you've forgotten her name. Why….It'll just...break her heart!"

"Poor girl?" Sora eyes widened, "Do you know her!?"

Larxene just giggled maliciously.

"Is she? Here?"

Larxene turned her back her wicked grin widening before she said in a cutesy expression, "Yes. She is, you love sick puppy. See the bad guys are holding her captive somewhere deep inside the castle. And you obviously are the hero so you have to go save her."

"Huh?"

With a swift strike Larxene then rushed towards Sora to swipe him, he managed to dodge but once before she kicked him straight in the stomach causing him to fly back against one of the walls. As he was throttled he saw coming out from one of his pocket a gold star charm necklace, flying all the way into the air and onto the ground. Landing just a few feet away from him.

He felt a few ribs ache in pain as he tried to move. Larxene must have done quite a number on him for he found it difficult to move even just a few feet.

Sora looked at it, pain and shock in his mind as he slowly reached out to it. His blade vanishing for he would not need it.

"Is-Is that mine?" He looked up the golden star trinket, it was wrapped to a chain and shimmered a bit in the light, either then that he held no memory of it.

Larxene cackled, holding onto her sides as she laughed "What a shame, you've been wearing it all this time and forgot. No, that's not possible. The memory has to be engraved somewhere deep inside your heart. But what or what could it possibly be? And who gave it to you?"

"I-I….."

"Hmm…" Larxene smirked, "Think carefully now Sora, come on, let a name simmer through you"

"Nam-Nam

Larxene wicked smiles widened, "Yes, yes….come on"

"Namine" Sora finally spurts out, getting up.

That was it, that was the name, the girl with the pictures was named Namine. She was Sora's and Riku's best friend. Always drawing on the beaches, making them laugh, having fun along with them. Then just like that, she was gone, and they never saw her again.

Sadness overcame Sora, but also anger, anger at himself but now anger towards this person who was mocking him.

"Well, it's about time, Namine, that's the name". Larxene taunted, picking up the charm and snickered, "It'd serve you right if I picked it up and smash it"

Sora had enough, with all the strength he could muster he rose to his feet Keyblade at hand, and struck her, knocking the charm out of her hand and taking it back. As he stood there, clenching the charm with his hand, he looked determined then ever had in his life right now.

"No way! This charm is very important to me!"

"Didn't think that a few seconds ago," Bill chuckled in Sora's ear

He just ignored him, he wasn't about to let what he felt a few seconds ago get away in the fact that now he remembered. A flood of emotions started to overwhelm him now.

Sora charged again forward, Larxene firing her golden knives right at him. He tried to strike her down but she was too quick for him.

"Not as bad as I thought," Larxene said, her taunts becoming more clear, "You really are a hero, a Heartless hero"

"Why you!"

"Oh come on now, let's face it that's what you are, just a mere baby" She held out a blue card, "And if you are gonna be a baby, here you go"

With a swing of her wrist she tossed the card, Sora catching it instantly.

"I created a card from the combined memories of you and your friends, I think this little scenario will help you understand what I'm talking about. Say thanks now"

Sora tries to go after her but it's to late, "Wait Larxene"

"Sora!" Goofy holds him back, "It ain't worth it"

"But she's getting away,"

"Yeah, but you aren't in a good headspace right now"

Sora just slapped Goofy away as he stood there in anger. Clenching his fist, he swung the Keyblade in the air hoping that somehow Larxene would come back out. His anger clouded everything, he wanted nothing more than to fight, to avenge Namine, she was in trouble, and she needed his help. He had to be the hero, he had to save the day.

Again the room began to freeze.

From the fire Bill Cipher arrived, he was laughing, though Sora was having none of it right now.

"Oh man, I can't believe it, you-you really got it bad don't yuh kid. Oh to be young and feel love's king sting. Believe me it's a sting that honestly….Ain't that worth it."

Sora sneered, "Not now Cipher! Let me out of ...whatever this is, so I can go save Namine and…."

Bill stopped him as his eye began to glow, the slit fading instead replaced with the image of a young girl in white dress with Blonde Hair. She was sitting by a desk, she looked sad. There he saw some of the men in black coats from before around her.

"Namine!" Sora tried to get closer but Bill stopped him.

"She can't hear you hero, yeesh kid, seriously. Think with your brain not with your heart. Otherwise you'll just wind up in trouble ….again".

"I need to save Namine"

"Of course of course, it would be the heroic thing to do….Wouldn't it"

Bill vanished returning the room to normal again.

"Sora!" Donald and Goofy called out

Jiminy held onto the back of Sora's hoodie, "Sora, come on, calm down, will find Namine"

Sora paused before taking a deep sigh, anger now replaced with regret.

"I hate this," He sighed, "Why do I need someone like that, to bring back Namine's memory"

"Believe me kid….It could have been someone far….far worse".