Kingdom Hearts III Keyblades Of Destiny

by PinkHeartKH

Excited for KH3? This is my version of a KH3 Story based on all the details we know so far. The worlds are in danger by the darkness again. Sora and friends must do all they can to keep the Light safe. But can they put a stop to the cunning Master Xehanort and his Organization, or will the creation of the X-blade trigger the Keyblade Wars yet again? Read on to find out. KH3 in 2019

25. Chapter 25

Hi guys! Welcome back, one and all, to the newest chapter! I hope I haven't kept you waiting too long.

I think this one I've prepared for you will be exciting, and a thrill to DIVE into. But before we begin...

A previous reminder...

Sora and his friends went to Radiant Garden after learning what happened to the king. After they ran into Leon, he guided them through the newly constructed side of town, where Sora has a strange encounter with Larxene/Ranele, then they eventually found the rest of the Hollow Bastion Restoration Committee.

There they heard about how they are looking for a way to bring water to all their new fountains and other attractions through town. Sora and his group offer their help in the search after renewing their hope to finish restoring their beloved town, seeing how Cid is too busy to be bothered at the moment anyway.

Now they are on their way to the Postern to begin the search.

Enjoy, guys.

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Chapter 25.

Exploring the Cavern's Depths

~Reviving Hollow Bastion plays (KH II OST)~

Sora and his friends followed Leon and Yuffie up the steps toward the top of the Postern's lookout ledge, after having to fight some Heartless along their way through town.

To Sora, Donald and Goofy not much had changed in the area... Their first guess was Leon and the others must've been focusing more on the additional side of town.

When they reached the top they all looked at the enormous castle in front of them.

"Well...here we are," Leon said after coming to a halt. "The blueprints marked this very spot, alright. See how the shape of this side of the castle stretches out that way... It's exactly the same as the one on the map."

"I get it," Sora replied.

"I still can't believe how big Ansem's castle is!" Donald said while staring at the big building.

"And we even got a chance to see what it was like inside, too. And that was only a small part of it." Goofy added.

"Yeah. That's where we found Ansem's computer. I'm still having a hard time getting over the fact that there were two of that guy...even though one of them turned out to be an imposter. Man, what a crazy mess that was, huh!"

"You said it!" Donald agreed.

"Yep! And that was when we finally got to see the king, too. Remember?" Goofy reminded them, then he let out a long worried sigh.

"Mm...that was where I finally got to meet him for the first time, too..." Sora commented while briefly thinking about the day when it all took place. Now he realized just how worried he was about King Mickey being in danger.

"I remember that day... You three really came through for all of us. Not sure if we would've been able to crack the code to Ansem's computer without you." Leon admitted.

"So you guys actually found Ansem the Wise's computer?" Riku questioned.

"We sure did!" Yuffie assured him. "It was hidden really well in a secret part of the castle and everything. That guy sure must've been secretive about his work, huh."

"You've got that right," Riku replied while looking down with a faint smile.

"Are you guys still able to use that computer, Leon?" Sora asked.

"We uh...don't hardly go inside there anymore, actually." Leon answered.

"Really? Why's that?" The boy asked a bit surprised.

"I don't know... For some reason that place has been seeming a little..."

"Creepy!" Yuffie finished for Leon.

"What makes you say that?" Sora looked confused.

"Things have...er, kind of been getting out of place inside. Some of the scattered reports and books in the study have been moved around, we think." Leon replied sounding unsure.

"But who would be doing that if none of you did?" Donald asked.

"We don't know. The castle appears empty, while...kind of occupied at the same time. But we haven't seen or heard anyone inside it. Right, Leon?" Yuffie said.

"Mph," Leon nodded.

"Huh...so things have been moved around but nobody's there... That DOES seem a little strange." Sora admitted. "Are you going to do anything about it?"

"Well...we're not really sure what should be done yet. We have stopped anyone around here from going in though, until we figure out what IS going on." Leon replied.

"It's like a giant mystery," Yuffie stated as she leaned over next to Goofy, making him shudder a bit. "I know one thing for sure...I'm not going in there!"

"I don't blame you." Donald said.

"Would there be any reason for the Organization to be the ones behind it..." Riku considered.

"Hmm, Riku could be right. Maybe sometime we could check it out for you. I'd kinda like to know more about it myself." Sora said while facing Leon.

"Alright then. We'll leave it to you guys to get to the bottom of it, when you can." Leon agreed, then he walked toward the other end to look around.

"Hey, Leon. Didn't I hear you mention something about the water system maybe being under the ground?" Yuffie asked the man who has been looking after her for years since they lost their home to the Darkness.

"Right. Though...I really have no idea where that would be." Leon confessed.

"Under the ground, huh? Hmm..." Sora thought. He looked around them to get some ideas while at the same time recalling that he and the other two had explored a place that went underground.

"Are there any other areas we could check that's close to where we are now?" Riku asked.

"I suppose it might be possible for an entrance to be hidden somewhere in the Restoration Site or somewhere around there..." Leon replied.

As Sora looked toward the side of the round castle something immediately caught his eye. "Over there!" He pointed to a hole going into the cliff next to the building.

~Reviving Hollow Bastion ends~

Leon and Yuffie looked to see the hole which had become smaller after some rocks had caved in over the opening. "Well, what do you know..." Leon said.

"How long has that been here?" Yuffie wondered.

"I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner. I guess...it's just been so long ago I kinda forgot all about it," Sora admitted while scratching his spiky head.

"Oh, yeah! I remember that cave now!" Goofy exclaimed.

"Sure! We found that during our last visit here," Donald agreed. "We couldn't stop Sora from wanting to go inside either... Remember?"

"Hm...Sora has always been into exploring dark caves, that's for sure. Ever since he was a kid he's been eager for any kind of adventure. Heheh." Riku told the others, making Donald, Goofy and Yuffie laugh.

"So, Sora, do you know what's in there then?" Leon questioned the boy.

"Well, the deeper you go in the more machines and stuff you find, I think... Does that sound like a place for a water system to be? Do you think it's where that mark was pointing to?" Sora looked at the man with the gunblade.

"Could be... It's the only place we've found so far leading beneath the surface close enough in this area. And from your description it sounds like it's in the right conditions, too, with all the machinery you mentioned."

"Okay then! All that's left to do now is take a look, right? This should be one exciting expedition, huh! What are we waiting for!" Yuffie said with a few jumps.

"Wait, Yuffie. If this place is anything like last time it'll be too dangerous for everyone to go in," Sora warned the ninja girl. "That cave was crawling with Heartless, and they were really strong, too. I think you'd better leave exploring the inside to us. We can handle ourselves down there... It's what we do."

"Aw...you mean we can't come along?" Yuffie pouted.

"Yuffie, Sora and these guys can protect themselves better in this kind of situation. We'll just continue the search out here, just in case this cave doesn't lead to any source of running water. Besides, someone needs to stay behind to keep an eye on the Heartless up here, too." Leon told her, trying to use a little psychology to make her feel better.

"Mm...okay. That's definitely something I can help out with!" Yuffie admitted while bringing her Shuriken out with a spin. "Alright, Heartless—come and get it."

"You sure you're up for this?" Leon asked Sora, giving his other friends a quick glance as well.

"No problem. We've got it covered, right guys?" Sora assured him, looking back at his friends for their approval.

After getting a nod from all three of them, Leon turned back to Sora. "Hey, you guys be careful down there. I'll give you each a couple lanterns, too, so you'll be able to light your way through. There's no telling how far down the cave goes, right?"

"He does have a point there. We never went as far down as you could go...we sorta just kept going higher." Goofy remembered.

"Yeah... I can't count all the times I fell back down to the lower levels." Donald said with a regretful sigh.

"Oh, you two will be fine. We've got nothing to worry about," Sora assured his two traveling buddies with a wave of his hand. "If there's water somewhere inside there we'll find it!"

"That's good to hear," Leon returned while giving out the small lanterns to all of them. "I really appreciate you guys doing this for us. You're going to make this a hard dept to repay."

"Aw, you don't need to worry about that..." Sora replied with a side smile.

"Yeah, he's right. What you and the others are doing for this World is enough," Riku agreed while facing the concerned man. "Just promise us you'll keep up the good work."

"Mph. You got it," Leon nodded. "See you after you get back from...well, whatever's down in there."

"Heh, it's a deal!" Sora replied before running over to leap up to the covered hole in the cliff, carrying his Keyblade along with him. "Gather!" He called out, creating a spiraling ball to pull in some of the crumbled rocks blocking their way in. The piled clutter lifted up as it was drawn into the magnet-force above him, later releasing them to drop to the ground after Sora got out of the way.

"That should be good enough for us to get in." Riku said while walking toward the opening, along with the other two.

"Well, it looks like you guys have got things covered here," Leon stated. "I'll make sure things are kept under control out here. Hope to hear from you all soon."

"Good luck, you guys!" Yuffie waved to them with a grin.

Sora smiled back behind him, then stepped into the cave opening. "I guess there's no going back now... Let's go." After he had gone in, the other three made their way in seconds behind him.

While Leon and Yuffie were walking down toward the Restoration Site grounds someone was standing just outside the Corridors entrance after secretly stepping out from the castle for a quick stroll.

He was dressed in a white lab coat and had long, straight blonde hair hanging over his shoulders. His green eyes looked ahead in fascination after overhearing what was said from above the platform next to him.

He began thinking to himself while holding his long chin...

...

Ienzo, the original person of the nobody, Zexion, stood in front of Ansem the Wise's old computer system in his white lab coat. The green lights from the scrambling letters scrolling up the monitor reflected in his eyes while he stared into it, with his hands rested over the large keyboard.

He waited for the code to finish being scanned...until the screen suddenly changed and a single typed paragraph appeared in the center.

"I've found it...! He said as his eyes widened while he looked at the page, then he immediately tried to access what had been brought up. The computer then loaded a new page, asking for a password before being granted permission to access anything further. "Hmph..." The man with hair hanging over his eye smirked to himself as he thought about what the code name could be, smiling slightly.

Moving his fingers down onto the keys, he began typing a word into the empty bar above. After he'd finished typing in fifteen characters which said 'Sea Salt Ice Cream' he entered his code in.

For a few seconds the page went through its loading cycle, then a paragraph went across the screen that read, 'Access Granted.'

Ienzo smiled to himself while he waited for the the next page to load itself... "I knew my old master would use something as simple as that. Hmph, one would think after the many times that old man has had his data stolen out from under him he would've made it harder for others to get into. Anyone could anticipate such an obvious password. And to think, he was once a great ruler and top scientist, too... Uh—I was right! He has updated his research data since the time he got banished to another dimension! At last, something worthy of taking the time to look into." He then began exploring the page of his old master's database.

He found new reports which had been added as far back as five years ago. Within them, he discovered all about what Ansem the Wise had experienced, studied, and accomplished. He read several reports containing information about the current Keyblade bearers, too, including of how he once had intentions to use their power to overthrow the apprentices who betrayed him and get his revenge.

As he read on, he began to see how much had changed about him after meeting the hero's of Light, for it was after that when he stated he truly started to understand more about hearts. And as he continued scanning through the unread reports, he stumbled upon something which caught his attention!

~Thirteenth Discretion plays (KH CoM OST)~

"Ah, so that's how it is...! You've hidden the results of your research outside this—!" Ienzo stopped when he heard someone entering the computer room.

"Ienzo! So, here you are," Even said when he saw his fellow scientist at the computer. "I thought you were supposed to be helping us search the place. I should've known you'd find a way to slack off! It is so like you to—"

"Well, you certainly know the proper way to greet someone, don't you, Even?" Ienzo interrupted calmly. "If you'd only waited, I would've told you about the greatest find we could ever hope to uncover in this place. It's right here on this very screen. Have a look for yourself."

"Oh, please! What could you have possibly found on that outdated system!? It hasn't been used by anyone for years." Even returned sharply as he walked over to the monitor. His green eyes opened big after he'd read halfway down the page. "Wait, what is this? It was done fairly recent. Ienzo, who wrote this?"

"No other than Ansem the Wise himself, of course. I managed to hack into his database. Just out of my own curiosity, I tried searching for an existence of any possible files belonging to him, and I found this," Ienzo replied. "According to this report, he has finally gotten some results on everything he researched. But, we unfortunately won't be able to find it on this site, as this right here states...'Due to how I have come to see how most people lack control of good judgment when their thirst for knowledge is so strong that they allow their hearts to be seduced by the darkness and begin to lose themselves in the process, I have chosen who I believe is the most suitable group to receive my results...one which will undoubtedly put it to better use than I myself could ever hope to. I know they will use it to help other people, and save the World as we know today. To make life better for all of us, so that we may at last, one day dwell in a peaceful balance in where darkness is no threat to any of us. Therefore, I leave all the data of my life's long studies and research with Sora and his friends, to have with them in case a time should come when they need answers. My only hope is that they are able to find at least some of my discoveries helpful in their hour of need, then my old heart filled with so much pain and regret from all the wrong I have done can finally be mended. Perhaps all of my mistakes will at last be atoned for.' It seems he has entrusted his results with the heroes of light."

After Ienzo had finished reading, Even looked down as if to think, then he began chuckling to himself. "So he has made it impossible for anyone else to see his results... How clever of him, indeed. I suppose that leaves us with only one thing to do then..."

"Huh? And just what would that be?" Ienzo asked confused.

"It's simple, really. All we have to do to acquire this desirable data is to get it from them, by force, if necessary. If he thought it was worth concealing, then it must contain a lot of valuable secrets. I've just got to get my hands on this! Imagine what we could do if we had all his research in our grasp! He always resisted to test his theories if it involved a risk of danger, but I have taken my experiments higher than he has ever dared. With the kind of information he has in this data, who knows what brilliance awaits me—I mean us!"

"I must admit, I'm quite interested to see this data for myself, too, but do you really think it will be as easy as you say to obtain?"

"Ienzo, if you doubt yourself now you might as well say you doubt in your skills of being a scientist. This is our big chance! You can't give up on a momentous opportunity like this one! Can you...?"

"No. You're absolutely right. We have finally found a goal to set ourselves on. What do you say we go inform the others? I'm sure they'll be more than willing to assist us after they've heard everything."

"Yes. We must start on our strategy at once so that when the time comes we'll be ready. Even Keyblade wielders are nothing when compared to the power of science! We'll show them!" Even concluded as the two walked toward their secret headquarters beneath the castle.

~Thirteenth Discretion ends~

...

After thinking back in his memories of when their big plan had first been set, Even said to himself while standing there, "So, Sora and those who align with him are here... How very intriguing... They couldn't have arrived at a more perfect time, either! I do believe my associates would be most eager to hear about this, yes... I must go and inform them at once!" The man said before quickly hurrying back into the Corridors.

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~The Cavern of Remembrance plays (KH II FM OST)~

Sora hopped onto the cave rocks which were like giant steps while the rest followed closely behind. When he came to where the ledge dropped off into the cave's depths he stopped to look around... "Wow...I forgot how big this place was. It goes kinda far, doesn't it? Hm..." Sora began trying to figure out how they could cover the many areas of the cavern.

"Did you say the three of you have actually explored this place before?" Riku asked him.

"Well, yeah...kinda," Sora replied. "It isn't very easy getting around though. There's lots of high up places to climb up to."

"And there's a ton of different doors and openings that lead to different areas, too." Donald added.

"That sounds confusing..." Riku remarked.

"Aw, I'm sure you and Sora won't have any trouble getting to the hard places," Goofy said looking at Riku. "Me and Donald will do the best we can to keep up with ya."

"Alright, here we go." Sora said before jumping down into the further depths. The others went down after him.

Sora and his friends were just starting to make their way after reaching the lower level when they saw an ambush of Heartless suddenly appear, covering the grounds around them. Without a moment to lose, Sora and Riku brought out their Keyblades to fight, the other two getting their weapons ready, too.

They looked at all the monsters surrounding them as they got into their battle stances.

~Deep Anxiety plays (KH II FM OST)~

"It looks like nothing much has changed here. There's still just as many Heartless as I remembered...if not more!" Sora stated to his group. "These guys probably won't be as easy to take down, either. Last time the enemies in here were tougher than usual. Watch yourselves, guys."

"Heh, thanks for the tip, Sora." Riku smirked while his eyes focused on the Air Vikings and Novashadows in front of him.

"Let's get 'em!" Donald exclaimed, then he locked his aim onto the bat-like enemies, Perplex, preparing to conjure up some spells.

"Yahoo-hoo!" Goofy charged straight for the Necromancer Heartless before they had time to turn invisible with their special magic.

Sora used his sliding dash to get over to the Novashadows crawling toward him before they could attack, then he slashed across them with his weapon. The pureblood Heartless were stronger than its more common species and were quick at dodging even his fastest swings, but they were still no match for his him as his Key slice through them.

When he got close enough to attack one, another Novashadow slashed at him with its arm before he had time to move, giving the first one enough time to sink into the ground.

Sora looked back just as another Novashadow was leaping to attack. He quickly threw himself to the side and got away with a fast dodge roll.

"Go away!" Riku said as he teleported above three of the dark figures for a finishing combo. He defeated them with a powerful dive as he drove his Key down into them.

Goofy was having difficulty in catching up to the disappearing Heartless as their magic helped them to move quickly, leaving only a trail of purple smoke behind them. "Oh, stop moving so much, you," Goofy said, a little annoyed by the tricky monsters, preparing to try and catch up to them with his twirling move. "This should do it...whoooa!"

The Perplex Heartless were fluttering all around Donald like irritating flies, making the duck very angry. He raised his weapon and called out, "THUNDER!" Then the white bat monsters were all struck by bolts of lightning, defeating half of them.

"Haa!" Sora eliminated two of the shadow creatures after a few strong swings and quickly flipped up to dodge as one came after him, then he charged straight into it and thrust his weapon through it. "See ya!"

While he was holding out his Keyblade from his finishing attack, Sora heard the sound of more Heartless appearing. He clenched his teeth when he saw three red cars known as Mad Bumpers appear around him, already boosting up their engines to attack while they stood upon their back wheels. Sora looked at them as he moved his Keyblade to the side of him.

"Oh, man—not these guys again," Sora thought, remembering the many times they had knocked him off his feet after running into him. "I'd better move quick if I want to beat them before they start trying to run over me! C'mon..!" Sora ran over to one and began attacking it from all sides, while the other two worked their way towards him.

"Fire!" Riku shot a big fire cluster at the Air Vikings which blew up after making a hit. He then moved in on the stunned enemies and jumped up to perform some air combo attacks. "H-yah!"

The Mad Bumpers punched at Sora with their tires as they ganged up on him, but he kept right up with them as he went from one car to the next with his attacks. "Hah! Take this!" He swung into one of them so hard he sent it sliding back to the other end.

Goofy had just about got every one of the Necromancers with his tornado spin, and soon found himself over where Donald was after he slowed down. The two of them teamed up to take on the Heartless surrounding them. "I got ya now!" Goofy exclaimed while tossing his shield at the the Perplex Heartless to help the duck out.

Sora was still attacking the two car monsters relentlessly as he had them backed against the cave wall, making sparks fly as his Keyblade hit their metal bodies. "Yah! You're not getting passed me!" He said during his attacks.

While he felt like he had everything under control as he continued attacking the red cars with scary teeth, the Mad Bumper which he had sent back a while ago was making loud, roaring motor sounds, going down onto all fours. And right as Sora sent one of the other cars back from a strong counterattack the red car aggressively drove itself over to him. When about to attack the second Heartless, Sora suddenly felt a hard hit behind him, and next found himself flying backwards off his feet!

"Gnaah!" He cried after getting knocked into the air by the Mad Bumper. He quickly tried his best to regain his balance and met the ground on his feet. "Where did that come from?! I thought...(gasp)" Sora was surprised when he saw the other two cars going into drive mode after the third had spun passed them.

Now all three were ready to come at him at top speed! Sora gritted his teeth as he held his weapon with both hands, wondering how he was going to dodge three Mad Bumpers at once. But there was hardly any time for him to think on it as the cars were already dashing towards him! He quickly jumped over them before they could get him, barely managing to make it over the third one.

Seconds later as they came around again, Sora knock them spinning away as he used his weapon to block them individually.

While the cars were already on their way back to attack again he started running. "I forgot how much I hate these things...!" Sora said before double jumping over the Heartless again. "Ah—they're so fast!"

Riku had finished eliminating the Heartless around him and was looking back at the others to see how they were doing. He couldn't believe it when he saw the fast rolling cars chasing his best friend. "Uh—what are those supposed to be!? I'd better get over there."

After knocking one of the cars back with his Keyblade as it drove into him, Sora could see Riku on his way over. "Riku! No—stay back! Wait until they're done dri—whaah!" Sora was suddenly knocked into the air before he could finish as a Heartless ran into the side of him.

Riku stopped and brought his hand out in front of him when he saw Sora hit the ground, feeling sorry for his friend after seeing him take the hard hit. "Ugh...I think I see what he means now... Sora! You alright?" He called out afterwards.

The cars were finally calming down again as Sora got back to his feet. "I will be..." He answered the concerned Riku. "It's safe to come over now, if you still want to."

Riku nodded back at him, and Sora charged into the Mad Bumpers to finish them off while he ran over to help. "Get ready...! H-yaa!" The young Keyblade master said as he leapt into a red car with his weapon.

Sora bashed the other two cars with fast swings. "Yah! A-haa! This is it!" It wasn't long until one of the Heartless blew apart after his attacks and vanished. "Alright, take this!"

The Mad Bumper Riku had been working on was soon defeated, while Sora got rid of the last one after he drove into the top of it from above to finish it. "That got 'em." Riku stated after they were all gone.

"I hope you're right... But normally it doesn't stop there," Sora replied while keeping his eyes out for more Heartless. "This whole place is almost like a battle arena. It's great for training though."

"I'd imagine..." Riku said to agree with him, then he was startled when he saw more Heartless appearing around them, all being Mad Bumpers and Perplex.

"Wha! See what I was talking about now?" Sora asked his friend as the Heartless began to surround them. "I knew there'd be more of them." Riku looked confused when he saw Sora suddenly take off.

"W-where are you going? Aren't you planning on fighting them?" Riku called to his friend.

"I'm not sticking around down here just to get run over by those guys again! I'm heading to higher ground where they won't be able to get me." Sora returned while looking back as he ran passed all the Heartless which started to appear behind him as he made his way toward the higher ledges. "Get out of there while you can, Riku! There's no point in trying to fight them since they'll just be coming back anyway! And those red ones are not easy to dodge, believe me! Donald! Goofy! Come on, guys!"

The other two turned away from the Heartless to follow him. Riku took another glance at all the Heartless... "I guess we don't really have the time...and I'm sure not taking care of them by myself. Well, that settles it then..." Riku left the Heartless and headed for the taller ledges to escape the battle with the others.

Sora jumped up to reach the lowest platform where the cave's wall at the end led up to the top level like big steps. He had four Mad Bumpers tailing him, but once he had made it up they could no longer get to him. He continued leaping to the next narrow ledges as he climbed toward the top. Donald and Goofy were doing their best to keep up with him after they too made it safely away from the Heartless below.

Riku was still running to catch up when he checked behind him... "Uh! They're gaining on me! I've gotta get higher." He said after seeing two of the cars coming up fast behind him.

"Come on, Riku! You can make it!" Sora called down to his friend after looking down when he was about halfway to the top.

Riku was about six feet away from the first platform where the others were when he decided it was now or never. He quickly jumped up as high as he could toward the ledge, then caught himself in the air to perform a second aerial leap. Reaching out, he barely managed to catch himself with his hand as he hung from the edge. After gaining some more momentum, Riku lifted himself up to the top with a flip, leaving the Heartless below to give up and disappear back into the Darkness.

~Deep Anxiety ends~

"Nice one, Riku!" Sora exclaimed while looking down from the edge where he stood watching his friend.

"Gawrsh, you sure had me worried for a while." Goofy told the Keyblade master.

"Goofy! Of course Riku wouldn't let the Heartless get to him. You should know that!" Donald scolded Goofy, wanting to stop him from offending Riku.

"That's alright. I wasn't sure I'd make it, myself," Riku told the two while still just catching his breath.

"C'mon, guys. Almost there..." Sora called down to them.

~The Cavern of Remembrance plays (KH II FM OST)~

After leaping over to the next high ledge, Sora pulled himself up to the top and looked toward the big white door in front of him. His friends made it to the top shortly after he did to join him.

Riku wondered where the door led as he stared at it.

Sora turned around to face the way they had just came from, looking up at the hidden caves a little ways higher from where they stood, remembering the few other entryways located over there.

"Should we check the other side of that door then?" Riku asked the others. "Or is there another way to go?"

"As far as the doors go, we know where they will take us. But I'm starting to wonder if we should check out the other areas, too. We could have missed something." Sora replied, still looking the other way.

"Whatever you guys think. I don't know this place like you do," Riku said with a shrug, now looking toward the same cave Sora had his sights on. "But...isn't it hard to get over there?"

"I guess since we're already here we'll go through the door first," Sora decided. "Sound good to you guys?"

"Fine with me." Goofy answered.

"Me, too!" Donald agreed.

"Okay. I hope we find what we're looking for in this place." Riku said while walking with the other three as they entered through the door.

On the other side they had a gap they had to make it over to, then they saw the two ways to go after making it to the other side.

They were already going right, on there way to the next door, but while they made their way Sora remembered the small room around the left side corner. He suddenly came to a halt much to the surprise of everyone.

~The Cavern of Remembrance ends~

"What now, Sora?" Donald asked him. "Why are you stopping?"

"I just thought that...maybe it would be a good idea to check that other room before we go any further this way." Sora answered.

"But, Sora...isn't it just a tiny engine room or something? I don't remember it leading anywhere..." Goofy reminded him.

"Right, but it will only take a second to check out," Sora assured them, still insistent on looking there first. "Look—so it won't slow us down, I'll go run back and check the place out myself. You guys go ahead and keep going this way, I'll meet you guys on the other side of the mining area as soon as I finish. I'm sure it won't take long. And if I find something there we missed, I'll let you all know."

"Well, it does sound better than every one of us going back there..." Donald thought.

"A lot better! And this way Donald and I can lead Riku around the tricky obstacles, too." Goofy added.

"If you're sure you can find your way back without getting lost," Riku said while facing Sora. "But don't take too long, Sora."

"I won't. Meet back with you guys soon!" Sora said, then he hurried back the other way.

"This way, Riku." Goofy gestured to him, pointing toward the white at the other end.

"Oh, right. Let's go." Riku agreed, and he and the other two made their way to the Mining Area.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Sora rushed around the corner to the other doorway and was soon in a round room where a big machine sat. "Hmm...I think we used this thing to make all the machines turn on in the next area. I don't think I need to mess around with that thing anymore." Sora said while walking up to look at the large engine with big wheels around it. "Nope. I don't see anything different in here. But, it still had to be checked anyway, I guess... That was fast, it's already time to head back to the others."

As Sora was about to go back the way he came he stopped when he felt the cave start to tremble!

He went into defense as Darkness appeared around him, and soon there were three big Heartless known as Reckless hovering above the ground.

The blazing red monsters with four arms that were attached to its body, along with electric impulses and laser firing tails closed in around the young hero, blocking the only exit.

~Deep Anxiety plays (KH II FM OST)~

"Looks like I'm in trouble! And they're blocking the way out, too! Guess I'll just have to fight," Sora said while glaring at the Reckless Heartless which were sure to give him a hard time, getting his Keyblade ready for a rough battle. "Bring it on!"

The Reckless trio all began to spin their four arms like big fans as they went for him. Sora waited until they got closer, then he did a high jump over them all just before they could get him, which ended up causing them to hit into each other and blast themselves back into the cave walls with a crash! The impact caused a quake to follow, bringing rocks to crumble from the ceiling and dirt to come down.

"Whoa...! I'd better make sure that doesn't happen again...!" Sora said after the quake had ended. "Okay, you guys are toast!"

Sora slashed down into one of the Reckless as it was coming up from the side, then he hit it five more times with aerial combo attacks until it disappeared.

He charged at the next Heartless after that, but before he could get to it with his attack it shot out its laser beam to slow him down. He quickly dodged it as it fired toward him, then he headed straight for the Heartless again.

"Freeze!" He called out as a large shard of ice was shot from his Keyblade, encasing the Reckless in a block of ice to prevent it from moving. He then hurled himself above it and slammed his weapon upon it, breaking the ice while causing critical damage to his enemy. "Too slow!"

With a quick thrust, Sora's blade went straight into the Heartless, bursting it into smoke as the captive heart was released. The Keyblade bearer was about to turn his sights on the last one remaining, but as he turned around he was violently blasted back by its laser attack!

"Waah!" Sora screamed as he was sent back. After he got back to his feet he looked up to see the Reckless hovering above him.

Once he could see sparks forming around its firing cannon he knew what would come next... "Time to move!" Sora jumped out of the way just as the beam was fired down into the ground, which burnt cracks into the rocky surface in the process.

After its laser had stopped, the young hero attempted to go back in to fight it. "Time to end this... Thunder!" Sora conjured long streaks of lightning to shoot down which moved in over the target, along with any other area in range.

~Deep Anxiety ends~

Without knowing it, the long lasting bolts of lightning fired into the cracks the Heartless had put in the ground, breaking through the rock even more!

Wanting to finish his opponent, Sora flipped himself up toward the Reckless and attacked with his Keyblade as it made a circle. The impact defeated the Heartless and bounced Sora back upon the broken part of the ground. "Alright!" He exclaimed, but right as his feet hit the cracked surface it started to fall apart beneath him!

~Apprehension plays (KH II OST)~

"Wh—what's going—!" Before he had a chance to move, the surface fell apart where he stood and brought him with it! "Aagh! Whoa...ngh! Ah..." Sora managed to grab hold of the edge with one hand, leaving him to hang above a far drop below the large gap.

Without looking down he tried to pull himself up with all his strength while the rocks crumbled around him, but the edge where his fingers were hooked onto started to move down as he did! "(Gasp) It's...falling apart! Rrr...just a little mor—! Wh—whoaaa!" The only part of the broken floor crumbled apart out from under him before he could make it back up and he helplessly plummeted down deeper into the cave's dark depths!

~Deep Anxiety ends~

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

~The Cavern of Remembrance plays (KH II FM OST)~

"You guys have actually made it passed here?" Riku questioned while he looked at the wind blowing machines and pipes along the cave's walls.

"It's not as hard as it looks, Riku," Goofy assured him. "All ya gotta do is let the wind take you all the way up there."

"Yeah, it's no problem!" Donald said confidently.

Riku looked up to where they were pointing... "Uh...I can't see how it isn't... Are you sure you've made it through here before?"

"Of course we're sure." Donald reassured him.

"Come this way...we'll show ya where to start at." Goofy requested that he follow him.

"Well, I guess if it's the only way... Just point out what I need to do. Maybe Sora will be able to meet us over there by the time we all make it to the other side." Riku returned.

"Sora's done this a ton of times. It probably won't take him long to get passed here." Goofy figured.

"Yeah! Let's hurry and get over there. I'll be upset if he makes it over there before we do." Donald said while hurrying over to the air producing machine.

"Careful not to to fall, fellers!" Goofy cautioned them from ahead.

Riku looked down... "Hm, I guess that is a steep drop. He then looked in front of him and carefully followed Donald and Goofy through the obstacle course.

~The Cavern of Remembrance ends~

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Sora stood in the darker depths of the cavern, looking up at the opening he had fallen through which was a far ways above him, barely being able to see the lighting which was shining down through it. "Oh, boy... Did I really fall that far down? How am I going to get back up...? Hello! Anybody up there!" Sora listened for a response after he'd tried calling but none came. "Well...it doesn't look like going back up the way I came is an option. I'd better figure something else out... Hold on, I didn't even know this place went this far down! I think I might've found a new area. Hm, I just hope it leads back up somewhere..."

He looked left, then looked to the right, but all he was able to make out from the small lighting was an empty gorge of the cave. He looked to his right again... "I think I'd better have a look around, and try to find a way back up. This way looks as good as any, I guess. Right, here goes..."

Sora then began making his way through the stretching gap of the cavern, even while barely being able to see where he was heading. Then he remembered something and came to a halt. He reached into his pouch and brought out a small lantern which had been given to him by Leon. "Oh yeah, I almost forgot. This should help out a little down here...I just need to get it going. Fire! Ah, that's better." Sora said after using his Key to light the small item.

As he went further, he soon could see blue crystals alongside the cave's walls where parts of the rock had deteriorated. He sat the tiny lantern down since the area was brighter, then he ran his hand against the wall as he walked beside it, bringing a familiar feeling to come over him... It reminded him of the secret cave back on his island; where he and Kairi liked drawing pictures on the walls when they were young. This also made him think about Kairi... He started to wonder how she was doing and how her training was going back at Yen Sid's.

Sora came to a stop and stared at the cave wall for a second, still holding his hand upon it. He closed his eyes...

~Distant From You plays (KH 3D OST)~

"(Sigh...)" After he slowly opened his eyes he could see the very same drawing of himself and Kairi sharing the paopu fruit from the secret place back on the islands. It looked as though an illusion of it had appeared over the cavern wall. "Uh! I remember... Kairi..." As he tried to move his hand over the image from his memories it vanished, leaving the wall bare once again. Sora then remembered where he really was as he came back to reality and looked ahead in the direction he was going to move on, still noticing the warm feeling inside his heart.

~Distant From You ends~

As he kept walking he could see where it turned at the corner, while also seeing a blue lighting reflecting off the walls near it. Curious to see what it was he ran over to have a look.

Once he passed around the corner the cave became a little brighter. He came to a stop when he couldn't go on any further as the path led to a long drop off, meaning he'd have to jump down to keep moving on. The blue, glistening crystals at the bottom of the rocky cave gave him just enough light to see where he was going.

With his top priority being to find a way back up the cavern, Sora stepped to the edge and leaped off, falling from a height close to forty feet before landing back down on the cave floor. He then looked behind him to see the big wall he had just dropped from to see how it completely sealed off the way he'd came down from.

While he was looking around him he thought he could hear a strange noise coming from further up ahead, which appeared to be more of a narrow lay out. As he continued to listen he was able to make out what sounded like water dripping. He began walking in the direction to see if he could figure out where it was coming from.

"I wonder what that is..." He thought while on his way to the other side of the cave. "What...?" He stopped in amazement after he'd found where the sound was coming from. He saw a wide yellow pipe which went across the upper part of the cave and turned back down. And to his surprise, below the pipe there was a shallow hole filled with water where drips of water dropped into it from a leak in the pipe. There were crystal-like rocks hanging over the water from twelve feet overhead, which he soon learned was what had been creating the reflecting, blue lights he had noticed before on his way down the cavern depths.

Sora stood listening to the tiny drops of water as they hit the pool beneath the pipe. "It's water! That explains where the sound was coming from. Wha—wait! Water...?! Could this be it? The water source we're looking for?" He walked up to the water in the hole and looked up at the leaking pipe above it. "This has to be it! Heh, I found it! Now I just need to find a way out so I can let the others know. But, uh...I wonder where that is though..."

While he walked up closer to the yellow pipe that came down and connected through the wall, someone else who had been secretly stalking him watched him from behind a big rock in the cave's surface. The person quietly reached into their pocket and slowly crept over toward the young hero while his back was turned.

Sora was observing the shiny metal pipe sticking out of the wall when he became startled as he suddenly saw the reflection of something moving in the silver plating upon the pipe. He looked closer to see the reflection that came from behind him.

"What...?" He said quietly before his eyes grew wide at the sight of sharp weapons aiming at him through the mirroring pipe! Without looking back he quickly ducked out of the way to the side. "Hgh!"

Right after he moved down, three pointy knives flew straight passed him and bounced off the pipe after they hit it! After dodging the close call Sora looked behind him to see who was there. "(Gasp!) It's you! But how—?" He asked surprised when he saw the same young woman who he'd ran into earlier standing before him.

~Disquieting plays (KH CoM OST)~

"Rrgh! How did you know I was th—ugh, never mind. I guess over the years you've probably learned a lot, haven't you? Although, I'd say you've still got a lot more growing to do until you earn that REAL hero image. You still look like you're too small to be carrying that big Key of yours, haha." Larxene mocked him.

"Uh! Alright, h-how do you know about me and the Keyblade? What do you want, anyway? You almost acted as though we'd met before when you stopped in town. But I know that's not true!" Sora returned angrily.

~The Thirteenth Reflection plays (KH II FM OST)~

"Well, here we go again...only this time you aren't going to walk away from me," she said in a threatening tone while Sora stood confused. "You may have got lucky on that last one, but there's no way you can dodge this! Haa!" Larxene suddenly lunged at him with four knives held between her fingers!

As she went for the unprotected boy with her sharp weapons aimed at him Sora did a quick backwards jump to get away, scared of getting jabbed by her knives. "Ah...! You're crazy! He exclaimed after she barely missed him.

"No. I'm just the kind of girl who knows how to get what she wants, no matter what I have to go through to get it! H-yah!" Larxene tried to catch him off guard with another attack as she came at him again with her knives, but he leaned his head back just in time and watched as her stretched arm swung over him.

Sora finally summoned his Keyblade the next chance he got and did a counterattack into her, knocking the angry assassin back. "Rgh...would you mind telling me what this is all about! Who are you, anyway?!"

"Rrr...why should I tell you that? You already know what you did to me! And you know exactly who I am, too! Must you insist on being so lame? You're really starting to get on my nerves!" Larxene yelled while angrily throwing her knives at him.

"Whah! Ngh..." Sora dodged as the deadly weapons were wildly thrown at him, leaning to each side as they came at him one by one. One knife even flew right passed the side of his head. "Rgh...watch it!"

"Why? Too fast for the baby? Haha!" She laughed at him. "Then try this...!"

"(Gasp!)" Sora got out of the way as she suddenly did a quick spin toward him while holding her weapons out. After he made it by her he looked back with an angry glare. "Are you nuts or something!? I'm not going to hold myself back for much longer if you keep this up! Why are you attacking me like this!?"

"I already told you... You ruined me! You left me with nothing...Sora!" Larxene returned loudly with an enraged look across her pale face. As she made an 'X' with her arms she broke out at him with a flurry of attacks!

"What—? Gngh! Ugh!" Sora had trouble avoiding all of her arm swings while she blinded him with her multiple attacks. Once he finally got the chance he brought up his Key and began hitting her back with some ground combos. "I don't think so!"

The two were soon up against each other as they crossed their blade and knives together forcibly. Both clenched their teeth as they exchanged angry faces at the other, pushing hard to knock their opponent back.

Being a master at fast ninja fighting attacks, Larxene decided to gain the upper hand by hitting him from down under while he was distracted, and swung her leg across his feet to knock him off balance!

"Augh!" Sora yelled as he flipped down onto his back, leaving his female opponent to look down at him with a satisfied look on her face. "Th-that was a sneaky move for you to pull..." He said, wincing a bit while he lied on the hard floor.

"Just one of my many tricks," she said with an evil grin as she raised her weapon up toward her face while walking over to him. "Now don't move, and this will end quickly...! Hmph!" Sora gasped when he saw her about to stab into him with her weapons diving straight at him!

"Whooa! No thanks!" Sora refused as he rolled himself to the left just as her knives were about to go into him! Larxene growled after her knifes went into the rocky floor, while Sora sprung back up to his feet unharmed. "I think you need to calm down! Rrah!"

"Aah!" Larxene screamed after he swung into her with his Keyblade. She slid back while holding her middle after enduring the painful blow. "Ooh... There's no way...I'm letting you win again. Ugh...(pant...pant.)"

Sora looked confused at the girl who was bent over after taking his attack and slowly lowered his weapon... "What do you mean 'win again?'" Are you trying to say we've done this before? Tell me...what is going on here!?"

"You...you can't fool me. I'm not the one playing dumb... I won't fall for it!" She replied excitedly while still acting weak from the battle.

"Look—we don't have to fight like this! You're the one who won't give up. I never did anything to you!" Sora tried to point out.

"Oh, I see... So you're not just a wimpy baby anymore, you're a lier, too. Seriously, how much lower can you get...?"

"Gnah..." Sora growled at her remark, while hating the idea of being called a baby. "What is your problem!? Don't you get it—I have no idea who you are!"

"Stop saying that! I've had enough of your ignorance! I followed you here so that I could maybe get back what you took away from me after I take you down. And hopefully, make you suffer as much as I have. But what's the point if you're just going to act like you don't remember me? You're taking all the fun out of it!"

"I don't care about that! Who are you!?" Sora demanded with a disgusted glare.

~The Thirteenth Reflection ends~

"Mph..! Why are you being so stupid!?" Larxene shouted at him with big hand gestures. Then she paused for a moment to study the confused look in his eyes, beginning to wonder if he really couldn't remember her for some reason. "Wait... Could it be...you really don't remember me...?" She uttered to herself in astonishment.

Sora watched the strange girl as she stood there thinking, keeping an eye out for anymore sudden tricks she might have.

Larxene looked his way again, bringing up her hands holding the knives as a big smile spread over her face. "Huh...?" Sora wondered while he waited to see what she would do next.

"Oh, wow... Ah heh, hehe—ha haha ha ha! A-haha ha ha!" She suddenly started an insane laugh, much to the surprise of Sora. "I came with you—all this way...and you don't even know who I am! Haha! I...I can't believe this! All the trouble I went through, just to get you once you were alone, and... Hahahahaa! Oh, this is just too much..! Ah-heh."

"What are you laughing about? You really think this is all funny!?" Sora gave her a look of disgust. "You almost seem happy about it."

~Disquieting plays (KH CoM OST)~

"Hahaha! Happy...?" She replied while wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. Then she turned to him with a sudden change of mood and startled him with a look of fiery rage. "No, you idiot! Of course I'm not happy—I'm FURIOUS!" Before Sora had time to move she quickly tucked her hand up into her and turned on him with a surprise attack, knocking into him with the side of her arm!

"Ngh!" He winced after getting rammed into by her, pushing him back.

Larxene tried to compose herself again... "I've been waiting for my chance to take you out, and now that it's finally come...this happens! In case you haven't noticed yet, I'm in an incredibly foul mood!" Sparks started to emit around the pointy weapons in her hands as she scowled at the boy with sheer hatred.

"Wh-what are you going to do...?" Sora asked her with a show of dread on his face.

"What am I going to do... Let me see... I've got you alone right now, so that means there won't be anyone here to come and save you... Oh, I know! Seeing how I want to throw you around like a toy, and your memory is totally blank, there's just one thing to do..." She said with a sinister look in her green eyes, making the boy with the Keyblade go into defense as he got ready for whatever she had planned. "Ah—heh, silly little toy... Why do you look so scared all of a sudden? After all, I'm only doing it for you, you know. Well...I guess for me, too. It seems to me, all you need is a little reminder and you're bound to remember something about me. I mean, come on...who wants to go around with a head that's totally clogged up, right? I know I'm sure not enjoying it... Now, it's time to make you pay—to finally get my revenge...!"

Sora watched as lightning continued to form around her fingers as she stretched her arms out to the side. He went into his battle stance while glaring at her, then said in an attempt to intimidate her, "You'll be sorry."

~The Thirteenth Reflection plays (KH II FM OST)~

"No... I really don't think so...not this time. Get ready, Sora. Even though you may not remember now, this is one thing I still remember perfectly! I've been storing up all my power just for this...so things might get a little ROUGH!" Larxene yelled right before closing in on him like lightning and striking him with a powerful attack from her knives with electrical sparks surging around them!

"Ngh—gnah!" Sora cried after failing to avoid the attack. With lightning still zapping around her weapons, the ruthless girl continued lashing at him with fast swings and jabs. "Hngh...! Augh!"

"Come on, little toy! Having fun yet!?" Larxene mocked him while attacking the hero. "What's wrong? Aren't you gonna try to fight back!?"

"Rrrgh..." While enduring every one of his opponent's blows Sora tried his hardest to pull himself out of her range, but one final attack from her was strong enough to blast him back before he was able to get away. "Waah!"

"You're even weaker than I remember. Is any of this beginning to STRIKE you as familiar yet? Just let me know when you're ready to give up and I promise I'll try to finish this nice and quick. What do you say, Sora?" She taunted him while he was getting up.

"Ugh...okay—I'll give up on something... If trying to talk some sense into you won't work...(pant...pant...)...then I don't see any reason for me to keep trying. You leave me with no choice...!" Sora replied, sounding out of breath as he grasped around his Keyblade with both hands.

"Ooh, does this mean the mixed up hero is finally ready to stand up to me? This is actually turning out to be more fun than I thought, in a totally exasperating way... Heheh, careful not to make me mad though, okay?" Larxene raised her weapons to fight.

"I think it's too late for that! Yaah!" Sora leaped toward her and brought his Keyblade down from overhead, but his female assailant dodged the attack with her lightning agility. When Sora looked to see where she ended up he found her about to attack him from behind.

"Hold still!" She cried, but he brought his weapon up just as she was about to strike and blocked it. Larxene didn't stop there though as she sprung back at him with her jabbing knives!

"Ngh...gngh," Sora grunted while dodging the best he could. "Stay back!"

"Aaah!" Larxene screamed after Sora attacked back. "Why you...! See how you like this...!"

He was then blasted by an overwhelming shot of her thunder magic which surged through his whole body! "Naagh...! Gnghh..." While he was being shocked, for a brief second Larxene's face appeared in his mind, and it zoomed out to reveal her wearing an Organization coat. Then it flashed away, and Sora opened his eyes again after wincing through the intense attack.

Angrily, the Keyblade wielder locked his eyes on his laughing opponent, then he threw his Key with a forceful throw and it spun straight into her. While his countering attack only made her become more enraged, Larxene started throwing her sharp knifes at him while quickly circling around him. Her weapons came from all sides while the boy tried to protect himself.

"Two can play at that game! Ah, haha hah haa!" She laughed like a maniac while her weapons darted into her target. "Everyone's favorite hero will be taken down right here, and I'm going to be the lucky one who gets to destroy him!"

"Ngh—ugh—ghh! You need to—ngh...make a different goal for yourself! Ugh!" Sora returned while struggling to deflect all the knives being thrown at him. Thanks to his special clothes being made out of material to protect him, her weapons only felt like getting hit by flying pieces of metal instead of cutting through him.

"Why? Feel like you've had enough now? Oh...am I hurting the poor baby? Ha ha." She teased.

"Arrgh, c'mon...!" Sora exclaimed as he charged into her once she ran out of knives to throw. He knocked her into the air and kept her up while he slashed against her with long aerial combo moves!

Larxene was rendered helpless against his repeated attacks and she cried while getting caught in his attacks, "Yaah! Ngh—aah!" After getting dealt by his finishing blow she got sent clear back to the other side. "(Pant...pant..pant...) No fair..."

~The Thirteenth Reflection ends~

After Sora slowed down from the other end he too was feeling exhausted. "(Pant...pant...pant...) Do you...(pant)..still think you can...beat me?" He asked her, believing his fast moving opponent to be feeling really worn down by now.

"You still don't understand anything, do you? Then here—LET ME SHOW YOU!" Coming at him faster than his eyes could see she dashed toward him and went up for a close approach. "Y-haah!"

Sora tried his best to hold his own against her but she managed to fool him with some fake movements, long enough for her foot to kick up into him! "Nn-gnaah!" The young hero dropped his Keyblade as he was left to forcefully fly backwards until he flipped completely around and met the hard floor face-down with a smack!

~Hesitation plays (KH II OST)~

While Sora was spread across the floor, moaning a little after the painful blow, Larxene directed her gaze down upon the boy. "Wow, that was almost as easy as my first time knocking you flat, even if you have gotten a little taller. You're still an easy toy to break, just as I expected, haha ha," she admitted with an irritating giggle. "Now, this looks familiar. Are you getting it yet? After you eliminated me back when me and a few others were trying to make you ours, I woke up and found myself here, but I still feel like I'm missing something... I never wanted to be like this again, but because of you I went back to the way I was! Only for some strange reason I'm having trouble remembering... The only thing that's clear to me is you—and everything you did to me...! I feel incomplete but I have no idea what's missing! All I know for sure is that I have you to blame for it...because you're responsible for what happened in the first place! So tell me...WHAT DID YOU TAKE AWAY FROM ME?!" She cried, starting to get intense again to Sora's disappointment.

Nothing she was saying made any sense to Sora, which left him completely confused as he slowly lifted his head to look up. "Ugh...w-what...are you talking about...? I guess...I'm not the only one here...who's having trouble remembering, am I...? I don't even think...you know why you're doing this yourself. Ngh...do you really want to...ah!" Sora gasped when he felt something rush into his mind, making his eyes become wide. As he looked up at the strange girl he suddenly could see her wearing an Organization coat while she stood there looking down at him.

Larxene was left at a loss for words after she saw the overwhelmed look on the teenage boy's face, making her wonder what was happening to him and why he looked at her in a state of total shock. "What's your deal? There's no reason for you to look so surprised when you don't have any memory of anything I've said to you so far. I should just finish wiping you out while you're down and get this over with. Maybe then I'll gain back whatever it is you've taken from me!"

Although it was hard to make out and even harder to grasp, Sora saw what looked like the same girl, only she was in a black coat and inside some kind of white room. He could see this image appear inside his head...and next he could remember feeling a sharp pain, much like the one he was feeling right now.

Remembering he was still in harms way, and that he had probably left himself open for his attacker who was obsessed with destroying him, Sora tried to get his mind back to what was happening at the present and shook his head to snap out of the daze he was in.

"Ah... What was that...? Who was that...?" He uttered to himself, beginning to have a strange feeling as he attempted to lift himself up.

~Hesitation ends~

"Hmph. Well, it's about time. Where in the world did you go? You just spaced out and got this dopey look on your face. I was about ready to smack you out of it myself!" Larxene told him, sounding annoyed as usual.

"You...no—you couldn't have... That wouldn't make any sense..." Sora started to say, confused about why he'd seen her wearing a black coat which only members of the Organization wore.

"What are you babbling on about now?"

Sora slowly began to lift himself up through the plain he could still feel surging through his body. "It can't be... Why would you be wearing one of their coats, unless—augh!" Sora suddenly grabbed his head when he was halfway up, feeling as though pieces of forgotten links were being reconnected to his memories, making his head hurt in the process.

"Oh, what now!? Rrgh, like I even care, anyway. It's time for you go down for good!" Seeing it was the perfect time to attack, Larxene rushed in with her weapons out.

~Apprehension plays (KH II OST)~

Still holding his head with his hand, Sora's eyes shot open when he saw her about to attack. He looked down through his pain for his Keyblade as quickly as he could, then after finding it he ran over to pick it up!

As he reached down for his weapon however, he felt another sudden stirring in his head, making it hard for him to concentrate on what he was doing but still managing to grab his Key.

"Got...it! Ngh...why is my—ugh!" Sora was wondering why he felt the way he did when it hit him again.

As the angry assassin went up to him for another attempt to hit him after she'd missed before, Sora tried to stop her but struggled to hold his weapon steady enough to swing down at her. She used this against him and attacked him mercilessly while he was too distracted to fight back. She hit him until he was knocked off his feet and sent all the way back.

"Hmph! You're not even trying! Arrgh!" Larxene hastily charged into him while he was still down, managing to knock him over again! "Hah! I guess this will just be way too easy! Finally—I have you now!"

"Nngh...no..." Sora moaned helplessly, shaking as he tried everything he could to stand up and fight. "I can't stop...not now...! Come on, get...up! Through a lot of struggling, Sora slowly lifted himself up into a crouching stance.

"You look really pathetic. Can't the little baby handle fighting without the help of his friends? Aw, well...I guess this victory goes to me, huh, hero?" She said in an attempt to discourage him.

"No..." Sora replied after getting up. "I still can't say I know who you, but our fight has definitely been starting to help me realize something, even if I don't know what it all means yet. I may not understand everything that's going on, but one thing's clear for sure... You're on the wrong side!" Sora charged into his foe and swung his Keyblade straight at her. "Rraah! How do you like this!?"

Sora battered her into the air with three critical hits, then went up to attack her from behind while she was still up.

While too busy attacking to notice, Larxene's knives started to form sparks, and soon her entire body was surrounded by lightning! Then, with a powerful blast, she stopped Sora in his tracks as a big explosion of her thunder magic blew up around him!

"Goodbye!" She exclaimed as her thunder bursted.

~Apprehension ends~

Sora was thrown back by the overwhelming blast and slammed straight into the big yellow pipe from behind! "Naagh!" He cried along with the loud metal crashing sound that came after falling back against it!

"Haha! You didn't stand a chance. Say farewell, Sora—huh!?" Larxene stopped short when water suddenly bursted out the side of the pipe right next to Sora. "What...what did you do?"

Sora was startled to see the water spraying out through the pipe as he looked over, realizing it must've busted open after he knocked into it. He quickly pulled himself away from where he was backed against the pipe, despite how weak he was starting to feel. "Wha—! I didn't do anything! You blasted me into it, remember!?" He retorted while turning around to cover the leak with his hands. "Oh, man! It's...still coming out! What now!?"

While Sora tried to hold the water that was spraying out with his hands, Larxene smirked to herself. "Well, I'm not going to stick around here. I'll just leave you behind to plug up the hole, 'kay?"

Sora looked back at her confused while the water was gushing out between his fingers. "What are you talking a—dnaah!" Before he could finish he felt a sharp pain suddenly hit him in the back, which knocked him forward into the hard pipe again, this time hitting his head against it and making the leak become even larger after the impact! He dropped to the floor into a puddle of water caused by the big leak which was pouring down from the pipe, feeling like he was going to pass out any second!

~Disquieting plays (KH CoM OST)~

"There, this works for me. I'll leave you lying here, and then when this whole place is filled with water...well, I certainly won't have you to worry about anymore if you drown down here, right? Haha. Try not to have too much fun in the water, okay, kiddo? Ba-bye." Larxene waved to him while watching how fast the room was filling up from the water that was spouting out.

Sora slowly lifted his head up from the water running by him on the floor, while the water was spraying down out of the pipe right next to him. "N-no..." He uttered quietly while he watched the ruthless girl walk off as his vision was blurring out...until everything became black and his head fell back onto the wet floor.

~Disquieting ends~

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

~Deep Anxiety plays (KH II FM OST)~

"Wak!" Donald cried after getting knocked into the hot steam blowing out above the conveyor belt after a Heartless attacked him. Riku and Goofy both came to a halt on the moving belt as they looked back at the duck.

"Donald! You okay?" Goofy asked with concern.

"Oh, I'm just fine Goofy. Just let me teach the Heartless that pushed me into that a lesson... FIRE!" Donald shot a burst of Firaga at the Air Champion, igniting the flying foe until it completely withered away. "That'll show ya!"

"C'mon, we're almost there, I can see the end up ahead. This way." Riku hastened the duck as he was watching out for the hot bursts of steam while running up the conveyor belt which was moving against him.

"Yeah! Almost there, Donald," Goofy assured his buddy who was lacking behind. "Don't stop moving!"

"Oh, I wish you two would just be quiet!" Donald complained while he hurried along. "How am I supposed to concentrate? It's not my fault you're both faster than me!"

~Deep Anxiety ends~

"Uh...heh," Riku smirked to himself while shaking his head, then he leaped over to the ledge to get off the moving machine. "Made it."

"Mmph!" Goofy grunted as he jumped over to the ledge, too. "That's sure a lot better. Come on, Donald! We're waiting for ya!"

"Alright, alright...I can hear you. Waak...!" Donald hurled himself over to them, landing facedown beside them. "See? I told you I would make it."

"I'm just glad we finally made it passed all that. Those were some challenging obstacles, for sure." Riku admitted while Goofy was looking back.

"What's up, Goofy?" Donald asked.

"I was just wondering why Sora's not here yet. He should've been back by now, don't ya think?" Goofy replied with a troubled look on his face.

"It does seem strange, especially for him," Riku agreed. "So far we haven't found anything that comes close to matching the description of the water system. How about we start heading back after we finish checking out the next floor? I doubt it'll be as hard going back down as it was coming up."

"Sounds good to me. I'm ready to get out of this place." Donald returned.

"Yeah, and maybe we'll run into Sora on the way, too. What if he got lost...or somethin'." Goofy added.

"Aw, I'll bet you anything that he's already back outside waiting on us, and once we're out he'll probably make a bunch of jokes about us taking so long to get out. And then he will act like a big-shot about making it outside before we did, just like he always does." Donald remarked.

"Well, just so long as he's okay, that'll make me happy," Goofy said, then he looked at the seemingly distracted Keyblade master. "Are you worried about him, too, Riku?"

"Huh? Oh...I don't know, maybe a little. Sora's far from being helpless against his enemies, but there's still so much he doesn't understand yet..." Riku returned.

"Ooh...why'd you have to go and say something like that for? Now you're making me start to worry, too." Donald sighed.

"Let's just keep goin'. You never know, anything could happen. I think we should go before those Heartless come back." Riku and Donald agreed that was a good idea and the three of them were soon making their way up to the door on the other side of some ledges sticking out of the cave's wall.

~Cavern of Remembrance plays (KH II FM OST)~

After they made it to the next door, they found themselves in a part of the cave that was blocked off by thick bars, where behind it was another white door. Riku and the other two walked to the edge where it dropped off to a lower level and went around a narrow path.

After looking down Riku turned to Donald and Goofy...

"So is that door anything worth messing with trying to get around to? Or have you already seen what's on the other side?" He asked them.

"There's definitely not any kind of water pipes in there. I say let's head back now." Donald replied, suggesting they go back to the cave's lower depths.

"Yep, there's nothing that way," Goofy confirmed. "I think there's an easy way down though. Follow me."

"Alright, I'll take your guys' word for it then. Let's see this place you're talking about." Riku said before jumping down after Donald and Goofy.

"See? There's a big gap right here that we can jump down through. We'll be at the bottom in no time if we go this way. All you gotta do is make sure you land on the floors closest to you so you don't fall too far at once." Goofy warned them.

"Because that's not fun," Donald admitted while referring to taking long drops. "Let's stop wasting time and go! Wak!"

"Wait for me, Donald!" Goofy called down after the eager duck had just went through the gap, then he too jumped down. "Ah-hoo-wee!"

"Sounds better than trying to go back the way we came, hmph." Riku said before jumping in after the others.

~Cavern of Remembrance ends~

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxaway

Deep within the lowest depths of the cavern the leaking water was starting to flood the lower area surrounded by steep walls. The water had been filling the place up fast while Sora was unconscious in it, and had gotten up to nearly six feet deep already.

As the water had kept filling up it lifted the teenage boy off the floor, and while he was afloat for that brief instant a small friend of his came to his rescue and made sure he didn't sink by pulling him over to the top of the round pipe. However, by the time Sora's aid had finally swam up to it while dragging him along, the water had become so deep that he knew the top of the pipe wouldn't be above the water for long!

~An Intense Situation plays (KH OST)~

"Oh, dear!" The tiny cricket said as he stood on Sora's back, trying his best to wake him up before the water caught up to his face. "Sora! Sora! Wake up! Please, you must get up now! Sora!"

Lying facedown over the pipe while Jiminy was jumping up and down on his back Sora slowly started to move his head, then his eyes started to open. "Mm..." When he saw the water coming up around his face he jerked his head up quick. "Uh...!"

"Sora! Get up, quick! This place is filling up fast!" Jiminy cried after he heard Sora awaken.

"Wha—! Jiminy...?" Sora looked over his shoulder to see the worried cricket standing behind him, then he shook his head to sling the water off. "What happened!? How's there so much water in...oh, wait! Now I remember!"

As Sora started to lift himself up Jiminy hopped back onto his shoulder for dry ground. "The water's been pouring out like crazy while you've been out like a light, but I made sure you got to higher ground. What now though!? If we don't get out of this soon we're both gonna drown!"

"Don't worry, Jiminy. I'll get us out of this! You can leave it to me from here." Sora assured him as he made it up to his feet, while the water had already made it up five more inches.

"Oh, that's good and all, but how are we gonna get up there!? Just look!" Jiminy pointed to the high ledge surrounded by water now.

"Rrgh...you're right! I won't be able to make it up there with all this water! It's too far!" Sora said after looking at how blocked the way he'd came in from was, where it turned into a much higher area from the ceiling from where they were now. "There's gotta be another way out...just let me think!" He quickly looked around them for a different way out, hoping to find something fast as they only had about five feet left to the ceiling before the whole place filled up with water!

~An Intense Situation ends~

"Ooh...Sora, this is just terrible! I'm afraid I can't help feeling a bit scared!"

"It's okay to be afraid, Jiminy, at least until we get to safety. Just hold tight...I'll think of something. I promise!" While still looking up, Sora suddenly noticed a hole in the upper part of the wall, one which would be big enough for them to go through. "Up there, look!"

"Wow! That's perfect! Now all we need to do is get up there. Do you think you can make it, Sora?"

"With any luck I will! Hold on...!" Sora told the cricket as he prepared to make a jump for the opening above them which was quite a distance from them. Jiminy grabbed hold of Sora's hood, then the brave hero leaped off the pipe where the water had gotten up to his knees.

When it looked like they were going to make it Sora started to drop down further, falling right passed the narrow ledge near the top until he splashed down into the water below. After going under for about ten seconds, Sora swam back up and popped his head out.

"Dnah!" He let out a big puff of air while shaking his head. "Jiminy! Ack—you okay!?"

"I'm fine! Ack, ack!" Jiminy answered while choking on the water a little.

Sora swam back over to the big pipe and stood upon the top of it again, even though it was under the water quite a bit more than before. "I'm sorry...I guess it was further up than I thought. I'm gonna try again while we still can, but I'll do it differently this time! Hang on...!"

Sora jumped up out of the water, this time aiming toward the side of the wall. Once his feet touched the rocky side he kicked off to bounce in the direction of the opening, then he landed on the ledge at last!

Sora glanced back down at the flooded area below him, noticing how fast the water had risen. They had made it out just in time.

"That was close! Thanks for all your help back there, Jiminy. Don't know what I would've done without you." Sora thanked his tiny friend once they were safe.

"Aw, I'm just glad I was there to help. Imagine that girl leaving you in a real mess like that! Why, I just can't believe someone could be that mean!" Jiminy replied, getting upset over what happened.

"Yeah...I know. She sure was trouble, huh? I hope I never run into her again. Well...let's find out where this place goes. The others must be wondering where I am."

"Okay. I'll just get started on writing all this down in my journal. Be careful, Sora." The cricket said before returning to his place inside the boy's hood.

"Don't worry, I will." Sora assured him with a smile, then he turned toward the opening.

~Cavern of Remembrance plays (KH II OST)~

It was a lot darker inside the tunnel Sora soon discovered after walking in, with very few crystals showing through the walls. The narrow tunnel began to lead into a steep climb for Sora as he made his way up. Further through, he jumped up the rocky steps and continued following the trail.

After everything that had happened it wasn't long before he felt exhausted again as he climbed upward.

Once he'd gotten passed many obstacles he found he was a lot higher up now.

When he came up to more ledges leading toward the top he looked up and noticed some light above him. He quickly made his way to the top, hoping he was getting closer to the upper level of the cavern.

Once he reached the top he saw another opening and slowly walked through until he found himself standing on an edge above a familiar looking place.

When he looked down he could at last tell where he was!

"I know this place! This is where we all started. I must've found another hidden opening in the cave, that's how I ended up out here!" Eager to go down, Sora leaped off the ledge and dropped from the high point he was at. "Whoa...(pant...pant.) That really took it out me..."

Sora stopped to catch his breath after he had made it down and leaned against the side of the cave with his hand to stay balanced, making Jiminy come up from the boy's hood out of concern. "Are you alright, Sora? Maybe you shouldn't have..."

"Yeah...I'm just fine," Sora returned with a shake of his head. "Just...a little tired, I guess... Phew...! No worries though."

"Well, okay, if you say s—! Oh! Look, Sora!" Jiminy suddenly said excitedly.

~Cavern of Remembrance ends~

When Sora looked over from resting he saw his friends coming by from a distance as they walked toward the way out. "Ah—it's the others!" He exclaimed with a startled jump. "Please, don't say anything about what happened, Jiminy! At least not yet."

"Alright. I won't. But...might I ask why?" The cricket replied.

"I just... I don't know... I guess I'm not really ready to give them the full details yet. Besides...it would just make them worry. Let's just give them the good news for now. I'll explain everything that happened some other time, okay?" Sora assured the tiny conscience bug.

"Mm-hm," Jiminy agreed to his request. "But, if you ask me, I'd say it's something they should definitely be told about. I think that girl was serious about wanting to—!"

"I know. And maybe she really does want me gone. But...there has to be a reason for her to have that kind of grudge against me. I just don't know what that is, yet... One thing's for sure though, and that's that this is a problem I have to deal with on my own. If I'm really supposed to know her, well then, I guess it's up to me to figure out why. From the sound of things, I don't think it involves anyone else, so... Well, maybe that means she won't go after any of my friends."

"(Sigh...) I think I understand what you're saying, Sora... It's great you want to keep your friends safe, but...it's not always easy to shoulder all your problems alone. Just remember that." The cricket warned him, then he went back to his journal to finish recording the recent events.

"Sure..." Sora said with a nod, then he turned to meet up with Riku and the others.

Riku, Donald and Goofy had just about made it over to the slanted path leading toward the exit when Donald glanced up at his taller companion. "So do you think he'll be waiting for us outside?"

"I sure hope so..." Goofy answered the duck.

"We'll find out soon. The way out should just be up here, right?" Riku said as they walked.

~A Walk in Andante plays (KH II OST)~

Donald started to look upset. "Ooh...he'd better be there! If he keeps worrying me like this for much longer, I'm going to—"

"You're gonna what, Donald?" They suddenly heard Sora say as he was coming up behind them.

Donald and Goofy spun themselves around with surprise. "Sora!" They both exclaimed together when they saw the spiky haired boy standing there smiling with his hands behind his head. Riku stopped to look back at his friend, too, relieved to see he was alright.

"Heheh, hey, guys. You weren't planning on leaving without me, were ya?" Sora questioned them in a playful manner, leaning side to side while in his laid back pose.

"Where have you been, Sora?" Riku asked while Donald stomped over to Sora.

"Well, I..." Sora began when Donald suddenly brought out his staff next to him and swung straight into his leg! "Oow! Whoa—oof!" He fell over as his leg gave way and smacked the cave floor, surprising his older friend.

"Don't do that ever again!" Donald scolded him angrily after he'd fallen down, despite the attack being a really easy one compared to some others.

"Donald!" Goofy gasped at the sight. "You shouldn't have done that!"

"Oooh... You didn't...even let me explain," Sora moaned while spread out on the floor. "Ngh...didn't you want to...hear me out first? (Sigh...)"

~A Walk in Andante ends~

As Riku watched his friend struggling to lift himself up he felt concerned, since he knew Sora would never be taken down by a simple attack such as that. "Did you...run into some trouble with the Heartless? You seem kind of out of it... Especially if you'd let an attack like that get to you."

"Ugh... Sort of," Sora replied after just standing up but still looking a bit shaky. "My...magic seemed a little low at the time, so my curing spells must not have been very effective when I tried healing, I guess..."

"Gawrsh, that's terrible!" Goofy admitted.

"What!? I didn't know that! Here, let me help you... Heal!" Donald cast his own magic on the boy.

Light radiated around Sora and he could immediately feel his strength return. "Ah, that's better. Thanks, Donald."

"I could tell you looked tired. So, what did happen then?" Riku asked.

"Oh, well...when I got to that other room I left to check out, I had to fight some Heartless. It got kinda crazy after that...with me ending up falling down a hole from one of the Heartless' attacks. That's why it took me longer to join you guys. I ended up some place really far down, and I couldn't get back up from where I fell, so..." Sora paused.

"Oh, so that's why you never showed up! I knew something must've happened to ya." Goofy said after listening.

"Wow...have we ever been wasting our time down here. I knew we wouldn't find what we were looking for in this place. I just knew it! The only thing anyone will ever find here is the Heartless!" Donald added, sounding very disappointed.

"But—" Sora tried to speak up.

"Still, I'm glad we've all made it back in one piece. We'll just have to take this search somewhere else." Riku told them.

"I guess there's nothin' left for us to do but head back out then, right?" Goofy said as he, Donald and Riku were about ready to leave.

"Hey, wait! Don't you guys want to hear the rest?" Sora called to stop them.

"It doesn't sound like there's much more to tell... You fell down through a hole and got trapped. Then you had to find another way out, and you did. Isn't that right, Sora?" Donald replied after coming to a stop.

"Um...most of that's true, but there's something else," Sora said just as Donald was about to walk away, apparently feeling frustrated with the cave and was more than ready to go back out. "Way down deep in this cavern there's water—and lots of it! I saw it! Actually, heh, I went swimming in it."

"You what!?" Donald and Goofy said in amazement, Riku looking surprised as well.

"Sora, you really found water?" Riku questioned.

With a big smile Sora nodded, "Yep! It runs through a big pipe and everything! Only...right now, it's sort of running out everywhere... Do you think it's the place the map was showing?"

"It could be..." Goofy thought.

"So, while we looked around without you, you found a new area and the water?! Aw, phooey... Thanks for leaving us out of it, Sora." Donald pouted.

"Sorry, Donald," Sora replied while laughing. "But it's not like I planned it that way, you know! I wasn't expecting to fall deeper into the cave when I left you guys, it was an accident."

"I know..." The duck sighed.

"We'd better hurry out and give Leon and the guys the good news, don't ya think?" Goofy suggested.

"Yeah! Let's go find them!" Sora eagerly agreed. "Come on!"

After making it out of the cavern they gathered together in the Postern. They didn't see Leon or Yuffie around there so they headed back toward the bailey.

As they made their way through the restoration site there was still no sign of them.

Once they had passed through into the bailey however, they found the two of them standing at the top near the gate, right where the lookout spot was.

Leon and the ninja girl were happy to see them all return after they'd gone up to them. And when Sora told them about the hidden water running somewhere in the unexplored lower levels they couldn't believe it!

~Reviving Hollow Bastion plays (KH II OST)~

"So, the pipe you found is spraying all the water out from a leak, huh?" Leon said after Sora finished giving him the details. "We should be able to drain it, so that won't be a problem. Let's head back and tell Cid. He'll be anxious to hear this, for sure." Sora and his friends nodded, then they hurried back to where the new water facility was...

"So, you found water beneath the castle, eh?" Cid said after they'd made it back to the facility to give him and Aerith the good news. "Well, that'll work out just perfect! I should be able to run another extension of pipes right down through there, and then we can finally feed some water through this here purifier. Thanks a lot for all yer help! I'll go get started on the layout designs right away."

"This is just so wonderful! Our town is going to look great!" Aerith told Yuffie as they stood next to each other.

"Yep!" Yuffie agreed.

"Hold up a second, Cid. There's no reason to be in such a hurry now that the water's already been found," Leon spoke up to stop him from going straight back to work, remembering how the other four had been waiting to talk to the engineer. "Besides, it sounds like these guys need you to help them out with something, if you've got the time. Go ahead and tell him what brought you all here, Sora."

"Uh...not sure I understand. What's up? You need a new gummi block put onto yer ship, kid?" Cid questioned while looking Sora's way. "Well, you just name it and you've got it. I really owe you one for using up your time to help us. I'd be more than happy to return the favor!"

"Well, we were wondering if you would be able to help us repair something. The king has some kind of device at his castle, but the wires that power it up are broken in two. I guess an enemy of ours is responsible for it... So, uh...is there anything you can do?" Sora asked after explaining.

"Hmm...there might be... Is it the main power cord that's out then?" Cid returned while scratching his head.

"That's right. And as long as its broken we won't be able to bring King Mickey back!" Goofy spoke up, sounding worried.

"Yeah! He's trapped inside until we fix it!" Donald added.

"N-not sure I understand... Uh...do you mean your king is actually in this device you're telling me about, and now that it can't turn itself on he can't get out?" Cid questioned.

Riku nodded at him. "Yes. Sora and I don't know very much about it, but from what we've heard so far it sounds like it leads into some kind of..."

"Data World!" Donald finished for him.

"Whelp, I'm not gonna bother you guys with trying to explain that kind of thing to me. If it works pretty much the same as a computer though, I think I can rig something up for ya." Cid replied.

"Really?" Sora said with a grin, feeling so relieved.

"Yep. You just give me a little while to put something together for ya and I'll see what I can do. After listening to all of you it sounds like it's serious, so I'll bet yer in a hurry. Check back with me at Merlin's after a bit, okay. I'll head over there right now." Cid said before walking off.

"You got it!" Sora agreed with a nod.

After Cid had left, Donald looked at the others. "I sure hope Cid can help us. I'm really getting worried... We've been gone for a long time now."

"Don't worry, I'm sure Cid will know what to do," Goofy assured him. "He's real good with this computer stuff."

"Yeah! You guys having nothing to worry about. Cid will come through for you!" Yuffie said with a smile.

"You guys can head over to Merlin's now, if you want. I doubt it will take him very long to come up with something for you." Leon suggested.

"You're probably right. The way I remember, Cid has never kept us waiting long when upgrading our ship, so... We'll go now." Sora replied.

"Right then. Careful out there." Leon said with his arms folded.

~Reviving Hollow Bastion ends~

Sora smiled at him, then he scratched the side of his face. "Er...so, I guess this might be our last time seeing each other for a while...since we'll probably leave after we get the part from Cid. I don't want to keep everyone back at the castle waiting. So...uh, bye, everybody. I'm sure glad we got to see all of you again."

"Aw...I wish you guys could stay longer. But, if you have to go...well, I understand then. Hopefully you can come back again soon!" Yuffie said after hearing they were about to leave.

"We will!" Goofy assured the girl.

"Take care all of you." Aerith bid them with a smile.

Sora smiled at the two girls, then he turned to the man who carried a gunblade, starting to look a little sad. "Leon...I, uh..."

"I...have to meet Cid over there, too, so I'll probably be there to see you off, Sora." Leon replied with a smile.

"Mph. Okay, sounds good!" Sora agreed, then he and his friends headed back to the borough.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

So, is everything ready?" Ienzo inquired while standing ready by a big computer in the the castle's lab hidden in the basement.

"Yes. We've placed the devices precisely where you so desired they be set. Now all we need is something to draw them into it and they're all ours." Dilan replied reassuringly.

"Excellent," Ienzo commented. "Now, the plan is to have you and Aeleus stand by so that once the scanning is complete you can begin the interrogation necessary to obtain the old master's research data. The young heroes won't suspect a thing."

"Understood. I've been looking forward to the next time I cross paths with these weaklings," Aeleus admitted in his deep voice as he stood at Dilan's side.

"Where is Even in all this?" The dark haired man dressed like a guard questioned.

~Thirteenth Discretion plays (KH CoM OST)~

"HE is busy making out plans of his own in case our first attempt fails. It seems he lacks confidence in this first strategy we've set up. I think he's simply just against these devices working because they were my idea and design. Apparently, he is insisting that he's a better scientist than I am, and he probably won't stop until he has something to show for it." Ienzo replied, shaking his head.

"So in other words, he's acting like a pathetic scientist who's afraid of being surpassed by another." Aeleus remarked with a scowl as he folded his arms.

"Still feels like he's above the rest of us and will do anything to hold onto that self absorbed reputation, I gather? Hmph, and now he's even sulking about it... Disgraceful!" Dilan added in disgust.

"Now, now...do not forget, it was thoughts like that which led us to betraying each other when we were part of the Organization. Surely, we don't want to repeat that, do we?" Ienzo reminded them. "If you would both be so kind as to head over to your posts so that we may begin, It would be most appreciated."

At that, the two guardsmen acknowledged and departed from the security of the castle to take their position. Ienzo then began typing on the computer, bringing up profiles of different types of Heartless, ones with more powerful fighting stats.

The screen then showed a loading bar connecting directly to the Heartless manufactory's main frame.

~Thirteenth Discretion ends~

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Sora and the others had just made it back into Union Square on their way back to Merlin's house to meet Cid, and as they walked Sora said, "Do you...think the king is still okay? Is all of this we're doing really gonna help us get him back?"

"You're wondering about that now?" Donald frowned at him.

"Well, I just...don't really understand everything, that's all. You guys really caught me by surprise when you first told Riku and me about what that device is for. I've never felt something go way over my head as much as this before. Hm, it's kinda strange, how lately...a lot of stuff like this has been happening to me... Do I really...always get left out of knowing all the important stuff, or is it just me?" Sora asked his friends.

"What do you mean by that, Sora?" Riku returned, giving him a confused look as he walked next to him. "Do you feel like you're being left out of something?"

"Um...I don't know... Maybe," Sora replied. "Sometimes it just seems I don't know about every—! Ah!"

(People screaming!)

"Look over there!" Donald pointed out in front of them.

~Dance to the Death plays (KH II OST)~

"Heartless, in the town!?" Riku thought with surprise after he saw a small group of monsters in the middle of the square.

"Let's get up there!" Sora said, then he and his group rushed over to where they saw trouble.

The people in the square were very frightened, running around to get inside their houses, and Sora and the others could see the Heartless going after the people with their blade-like arms. Sora and Riku hurried over toward the two strongest Heartless before they could hurt anyone, and Donald and Goofy both went after the multiple Sergeants running about the town.

"Have you ever seen Heartless like those before?" Riku called over to Sora while they ran to fight the enemies.

"No! But whatever they are they have to be stopped! C'mon, Riku!" Sora called back as he was about to confront the Heartless called Stalwart Blade.

"I'm on it!" Riku nodded, then he charged at the other enemy which was slightly smaller and was named Dual Blade. "Rah!" He slashed his Keyblade across the Heartless which was about the same size as him.

Sora stopped in front of the red armored monster with blazing orange blades right as a few residents of the town were running passed it to find a safer place to hide until the danger was gone. The teenage boy looked at Stalwart Blade as a glow radiated from its arms as he went into his battle stance. "What is this thing!? I feel some kind of strong force coming from him! Something tells me he won't be easy to beat. Gnah..."

The two enemies with blades stood on each side for the Keyblade wielders to battle, a small distance from the other. And while the young heroes were unaware, there were two tiny devices setup out of sight behind each of the enemies, which immediately locked onto their two targets right after they came in for combat.

While Donald and Goofy knew the two boys could handle the bigger foes, so they scouted the area for the fast moving Sergeants.

"C'mon!" Riku yelled as his Key and the Heartless' blades clashed into the other. Riku slipped off after Dual Blade did a backwards aerial side flip. "H-yah!"

Sora's opponent hadn't made a move yet, and neither did he. But once the glowing had stopped, the charged up enemy jumped up high and came down spinning like a drill with its blade arms toward the boy. As it got closer to him, Sora quickly rolled himself out of the way. While Stalwart Blade was regaining its balance he took the advantage and hammered at it with his own attacks.

"Let's see how you like this!" He exclaimed before his weapon hit, then he brought out a series of swings on his strong enemy. But he hadn't landed very many hits when the armored warrior Heartless suddenly lifted its blade up in front of itself and knocked Sora back after their weapons clashed. "Arrgh... Who knew this guy could protect himself so well!? I'll never get back in like this...!"

Frustrated after seeing every one of his attacks being blocked, Sora waited back for his enemy to make another move while glaring at it. Then suddenly, Stalwart Blade lunged at him with his wide blade, but since Sora was waiting for its attack he was able to move to the side and allow the blade to pass by him.

When the Heartless came at him with another fast attack right after the first one Sora was surprised by its speed while managing to dodge it, too, then stayed busy avoiding more of its blade slashes.

"Man, that guy's fast! He almost fights like the best...almost! If I can just get him when he's open—ah-huh!" Sora gasped when his opponent's blade suddenly swung into his stomach and pushed him back! "Errgh...that one...stung a little." He admitted through clenched teeth while hugging his middle with his free hand, then he shook it off. "Alright—my turn now!"

While Sora got his Key into position to charge into Stalwart Blade, Riku was getting annoyed by his opponent's steady blocks from the other side. No matter where he attacked, his weapon would bounce off after making contact with its blades.

With his frustration turning into anger, Riku decided to try going in with brute force as he leapt toward Dual Blade to drive his Key straight through its shielding arms.

"You're done!" He exclaimed, then right as the tip of his weapon hit the armored foe, the enemy quickly thrust forward and hit Riku the other way! "Aah!" Riku stood back up and made a fist after his failed attempt.

After Sora had pulled off a string of combos he noticed right away that his opponent was about to attack back when he saw the blades start to glow with a red aura again. He quickly drew back to watch his enemy forcefully swing his arms out to each side. This was a sure way for him to tell that Stalwart Blade was preparing to attack, and with strong based ones, too.

"So that's what he's doing! When he starts glowing it means he's storing up power to make his attacks a lot stronger! So if I can intercept that, it should knock him way off balance. I just have to wait for the right time—right when he's reaching his final attack..." Sora said as he got into attack position.

The Stalwart Blade boss charged straight at him with one of its blades thrust out, then he moved in with his other while Sora avoided them both. Then, holding its arms out to the sides, the Heartless lifted its foot and busted out with a wild spin attack! But this was exactly what Sora was expecting, and with both hands around his Keyblade, he swung his weapon straight into the blades as they were about to go around.

"Ah-haah!" He yelled right as his Key intercepted the spinning blade moving towards him after swinging in to stop it. This sent the enemy to fall a ways back to the ground, leaving it completely stunned and open for attacks. "Nice! Now, time to finish this guy!" Sora hurried over to the knocked down foe and took out as many attacks as he could on it.

"What do you think?" Dilan whispered to his ally from where they hid behind a house watching the heroes.

"They're doing a lot better than I'd imagined. Even while being equally numbered with them, we'll be no match for the two of them in the shape we're in. Not that I'm one to back out when things get tough, but I think it would be a waste of time for us to even try confronting them about the data, as long as they're together like this." Aeleus admitted grimly.

"Those are my thoughts exactly. But will the others be satisfied with the data we ARE getting for them? Is that enough?"

"What do we have to fear about that? THEY are only scientists, after all. What could they possibly do to two sturdy guards such as us? I say whatever decision we choose shouldn't concern those two."

"Yes. I couldn't agree more. But remember, scientists can be most tricky. One never truly knows what they have in mind, especially when it comes to minds as twisted as theirs.

"Right... Well, it looks like they're almost finished now." Aeleus commented after checking on how the two boys were coming along with their Heartless.

Riku was rapidly attacking his Dual Blade Heartless, trying not to give it a chance to counterattack. "Time's up!" He slashed his Keyblade over the boss and sent it back.

The Stalwart Blade was in the middle of doing its combo attacks while Sora moved around it to dodge. As its blade swung across the young hero jumped over it with a flip. "Alright, here it comes..."

When his enemy lunged at him forcefully Sora was ready with his weapon, then he held his Key up to block and knocked his opponent back. He then ran for the Stalwart Blade while it was down and did a quick slice through it.

~Dance to the Death ends~

"That's it!" He said after his finishing move, and the armored Heartless slowly faded and away. Sora looked back to watch and immediately he noticed the enemy hadn't released a captive heart after being eliminated. "Huh? No...heart? I don't get it..."

"Ha-rrah!" Riku exclaimed as he ran into Dual Blade with his Keyblade, sending the enemy to the ground as it withered into black and blue smoke. "(Sigh,) finally...!"

Sora stood still where he was, then he looked Riku's way. "Hey, Riku? Did you notice anything strange after you beat your Heartless? Something weird is happening here... Mine didn't release a heart!"

"Huh? What do you mean? Every Heartless should—(gasp!)" Riku was taken back when he looked over at his fading opponent he'd just defeated, right before it disappeared. "No way... There's no heart coming out of mine either! What does this mean?"

"Sora! Riku!" The two boys heard Goofy calling for them. It wasn't long before the other two in their group had met back with them.

"Hey—did you take care of those smaller guys running around?" Sora asked them, walking away from where he'd just battled the Heartless boss.

"We sure did." Goofy replied.

"But something was screwy about them... They didn't have any hearts!" Donald added excitedly.

"Yeah." Goofy nodded.

"We know. Ours didn't release any either," Sora said after listening to them. "Strange too... They had to be like the kind that normally do. It doesn't make any sense..."

~Hesitation plays (KH II OST)~

Aeleus glanced at his partner with a grim look, "They caught onto that quick enough. I guess they can't be fooled very easily."

"Hm," Dilan nodded back. "No matter... I'm sure they were there long enough to have their data gathered. The others should be pleased."

"I don't know... They defeated their opponents faster than we expected. The Heartless devices can only activate with targets while they're in motion. Mm...but I think it would be a foolish move to confront then offensively now..."

"Then what do we do? Wait until they've left? To be honest, I'm actually feeling eager to teach that one boy a good lesson. He is the one who finished me off whilst I was partaking a role in the Organization."

"You'll get your chance. After your restoration, you're probably not yet strong enough to face off with someone of his strength. If you wish to beat him, I suggest a well planned out strategy first. And perhaps next time we can rely on Ienzo to provide a more strenuous battle for those two kids by creating stronger enemies, then maybe we could get them while they're feeling weak after the fight."

"Hmph. Alright...we'll wait then." Dilan assented as they stayed hidden until the heroes were out of sight.

~Hesitation ends~

"I don't know what's going on, but I'll bet Cid must be waiting on us after all that. We'd better hurry." Sora told the others.

"This town should be safer now with the Heartless gone. I'm sure things will go on back to how they were. Let's keep moving." Riku replied.

"We'll be there in no time!" Donald said before they headed to the long ascending stairway leading back up to the marketplace.

Once the group had left, the two men in guard uniforms stepped out quietly and made their way over to the devices they had placed before the heroes had arrived. They each walked over to one to retrieve it, but what they discovered after looking at the results upon the small machines made them very upset.

"I knew it was too soon for it to finish," Aeleus commented in his gruff voice. "The one targeting the younger one only got up to eighty-nine percent."

"No...! The other one stopped at nintey-four percent," Dilan said after reading the one that was locked onto Riku. "Argh! What a waste of time! If they didn't finish scanning them then there will not be any data. The entire thing will just reset! The others won't be happy about this..."

"Maybe...we'll have better luck with whatever Even's been hard at work on. Let's report back." Aeleus recommended, then they passed through town, back to the castle, trying not to be sighted along the way.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

That is all for now, tune back next time to see what happens with our heroes.

First Larxene's person, and now the four revived old apprentices of Ansem the Wise are after the heroes of Light! They sure do have a lot to deal with now, huh?

What do you suppose happened during the unexpected battle between Sora and Larxene/Ranele? What is driving the savage nymph to go after Sora like she is? And more importantly, will she ever find him again?

Now some light is finally starting to shed upon the apprentices' working in the castle basement. Could this be the very secret plan they chose not to reveal to Lea? C'mon, it was obvious they were up to something!

Now Sora, Riku and the others only need to make it to Merlin's house and meet Cid, who has hopefully finished getting the part they need ready. But will they make it there without running into more trouble? We'll see in Chapter 26. It's not over yet.

Thanks for reading, everyone! Hope you liked this chapter. I'll get started on the next part right away, but in the meantime, I will look forward to hearing what all of you think of the story now. And a big thanks to all the wonderful readers who are currently following and staying up to date with the story. Your support really means a lot to me.

Well, I guess I'll sign out here. See ya next time!