So I'm finally done with exams, and now I can concentrate on all the good things in life. Movies, games, books and of course writing fanfiction. Anyway, last time Luna injured herself (you silly Luna, jumping off a moving vehicle :D) so now we're taking a break from her and Sora and moving to Riku, Kairi, Donald and Goofy for their little story. Also we finally get a name for this mysterious new enemy. Enjoy!

Chapter 26

A Hope Shattered

The roaring, jeering and whistles of the round room continued on long into the night as Maleficent detailed her plans, plans that would take care of the wretched Keyblade wielders and plans to claim Kingdom Hearts as their own. Those who had suffered defeat from Sora's hands were the most reluctant to agree with the evil fairy's plans, after all they, being Hades and Captain Hook (who wasn't there at present) namely had been humiliated more than once and it was not in their interests to listen to anything Maleficent would say. As far as it was concerned, Hades wanted to conquer and overthrow Olympus in his own way and Hook had only been after the treasure.

"I met the blasted scallywag on the way here. I'm not having my ship or any more party of my body sacrificed for your goals Maleficent." Hook argued thrusting his hooked arm in Maleficent's face.

"What I think we all want to know is how you can ensure that none of us get into any accidents, if you know what I mean?" Hades continued on for Hook and the others in the room muttered their approval of the question, "Just looking for insurance here is all, a guarantee. And that's the problem; you can't provide us with one. Remember what happened to that smarmy vizier, big momma and the sack of bugs. Not to mention that De Vil woman you hired a while ago and she didn't even last a day."

"Yet if you hadn't taken the time to realise this by now, Jafar, Ursula, Oogie and Cruella did not heed my words about succumbing to the darkness in their hearts. Their deaths were their fault and theirs alone. If you do as I say, then no harm shall come to you." Maleficent said calmly.

It was clear that the group of villains were still uneasy about the prospect of forming and no doubt Hades and Captain Hook had gone out of their way to make it harder than it needed to be to have Maleficent convince them. Regardless, she felt she had the deal struck up pretty tightly as each of the members of the group could really only benefit… unless they died of course.

"From what you've told us, I can only surmise those four; Hades, Hook and you Maleficent were weak, are weak even. These Keyblade wielders hardly seem that difficult to take on. The power of the heart can be easily manipulated, if you tug on the right chords that is and they tugged wrong." The man in the front flicked his long blue bangs aside and gave a confident smirk.

"Are you saying I'm weak? Hey, I don't usually brag and such, but, um, I'M THE GOD OF THE UNDERWORLD," Hades blasted into a rage of fury turning hot red before pausing and replacing that with his usual calm blue, "I mean, I'm sorry for blasting up and all but did any one catch the part where I'm 'God of the Underworld'? No one? I mean from what I just heard, and I may be wrong, it sounded as if you were telling me that I wasn't doing my job properly Seymour."

The man identified as Seymour put his hands in the air in defence, "I wasn't suggesting any a thing. Just I find it merely intriguing that a being of your stature was unable to stop a teenager from roaming about your Underworld and let a man that you brought back from the dead humiliate you."

"Who told you that?"

"May I object and suggest we actually listen to this plan Maleficent has concocted? Unlike most of you, I do not need protection. I can handle myself and don't have to resort to this 'insurance' you propose Hades." A creature standing by the shadows said while staring downwards. The tentacles under his chin were probably the only visible thing being reflected by the moon.

"And right you are Mr Tentacles. I want to see exactly how tough this boy with the Keyblade is." Another voice, crazier and higher pitched than the rest yet just as terrifying voiced.

"My name is Davy Jones, captain of the Flying Dutchman, the most feared ship in all the seas and you'd do best to remember it as I've remembered yours Kefka." Jones spat before revealing himself in the pale moonlight shining from beyond the window, his footsteps make a loud thud each time due to the water bucket under his feet, or were they even feet? Considering the appearance of this individual was like, it would make a lot more sense to assume he didn't have any whatsoever. The beastly form of the Captain was easily the most terrifying thing in the room though the captain had never asked for a warm welcome. He was already stretching it anyway as he could come onto land only once every decade. Nonetheless, he had taken up Maleficent's interesting proposal to come via a dark corridor and had loop holed his way around this rule by standing in a bucket full of water, so technically he wasn't really on land.

"I highly doubt you are any match for my own ship." Hook bragged.

"Hah, anyway I need to get back to my ship Maleficent, the souls of the dead can't wait forever. I look forward to hearing from you again." Davy Jones said and Maleficent nodded before opening a portal up for him.

"Hey, hopefully you deliver those souls to my underworld stat." Hades pointed at him though Jones simply laughed and shrugged it off.

"They're not for you." He sneered and with that disappeared into the corridor, the portal soon closing behind him.

"I was only joking but okay, it seems like comedy's not up on most of your menus tonight. Tough crowd." Hades murmured. Silence loomed over the room and a chilly breeze from the eternal night of the sky and its subsidiary, the wind, could only help but frighten those not who knew nothing of Maleficent's style, which just so happened to be the majority there. The only other sound that could be heard came from the scuttling of thousands if not tens of thousands of Heartless below and increasing by the minute.

Finally Maleficent broke the silence and spoke her next words, "I see no reason to delay my plan any further. We shall attack the castle. With the king no longer there, the castle will be thrown into array."

"I'm sorry, from what I thought I just heard, it sounds like you're asking for a death wish."

The crowd turned and conversed under their breath as the man in the black coat appeared from a portal and stood in front of Maleficent.

"Welcome to the show, have a seat, oh and don't tell us who you are and why you're here by the way." A man of darker tone said as he leaned from the wall.

The black coated figure ignored the other man and instead focused on Maleficent, "You can try all you want to invade that castle. There are just two problems you may or may not have considered. First, the cornerstone of light-"

"Which I have already discerned as my main problem, you need not worry if that is your concern because that is why you are here."

"Even if the cornerstone of light is gone, the castle still has protection in the form of Queen Minnie who will no doubt have upped security around the castle in terms of magic and guards. Secondly, they're already aware of our plans to attack the castle and no doubt some of the Keyblade wielders will be there as protection for the queen. You know what that means don't you? If whoever you send does not do their job well and gets caught, they may give away your location." The man explained.

"If anyone is likely to give us away, it would be you." A woman's nasally voice was heard from somewhere behind him followed by approvals.

"Funny, since I wouldn't have anything to benefit from revealing your secrets but the rest of you…" He turned around to meet the faces of the enraged group, "all have something to lose if you were captured. There is very little reason to send any of you by yourself, at least alone," He turned back to Maleficent, "but you won't send more than one of them either. Two would be too many to lose if they failed and I think we all agree that you'd rather had no losses."

Maleficent considered his words. It was true that she was hesitant to send more than one to do the job but had she any other choice. Two would be more successful than one but would also bring more attention. It was simply a lose-lose situation in both cases.

"And what do you suggest?" Maleficent asked.

"I'll go. And I'm taking Hook and his ship along with me if you don't mind. I have a plan in mind but I'll need his co-operation in this."

Maleficent pondered his offer before looking back, "I see no reason as to why not. But Hook shall be the leader of this 'escapade' as it's clear that not everyone trusts you yet."

"Look Maleficent, I appreciate the gesture and all, but this man… we don't even know his name. How can you stand for the kerfuffle he brings?" Hook questioned. Another sign of approval from the others.

"My oh my. Well, if a name is really that important to you, then it's Abraxas." He told them. The next few minutes were now spent trying to convince Abraxas to remove his hood and show his face (Hades had referred to him as a "shy little raven") but all attempts ended in failure.

"And so we have our plan. I shall leave it to our friend here," Maleficent uncurled her finger and moved them in Abraxas' direction, "And the attack shall happen a week from now. Hook, you shall be staying here until the time comes. The rest of you are dismissed."

The rest returned to their worlds with use of Maleficent's magic. She could only watch Abraxas as he left the room by the door. While she could hope that this was not another Xehanort case, hoping was not enough. She wanted this mysterious man under her control and not the other way around and the first step of doing so was to make him realise and understand who the leader of the pack was.

The guards of Disney Castle immediately turned as they saw Riku, Kairi, Max and Merlin appear out of nowhere with the loud poof sound in the dead of night. While not particularly aware with the other two's identities, though Kairi seemed fairly familiar due to her winning the Millions Dream Award, they relaxed and slumped back when they saw the more recognisable Merlin and Max.

"You may pass. Her Majesty is expecting your presence at the study." One of the guards told them and opened the door.

It had been two weeks roughly since they had last visited the castle and already something in the atmosphere had changed. It definitely was not as friendly and full of life as it could be and Riku and Kairi somehow doubted it was just because it was at night. While it was true that the castle did feel rather empty during that time, multiple guards now compromised the silence by stamping across the halls leading to and from the study room. As Riku passed, he felt brief flashes and glimpses of suspicion, though he chose to ignore it and eventually these questioning looks were replaced with smiles upon realising who it was.

"Your majesty?" Riku called as one of the guards opened the door to the study letting the group in.

"Riku and Kairi, it's nice to see you two again. And Max and Merlin of course." Minnie smiled gently before getting straight down to business and collecting what appeared to be a piece of paper from Donald, who was standing next to her along with Goofy. From her increased concentration, more so than usual, Riku could tell that Minnie had certainly not invited them over for tea, and if there was it would be at the end of a very long night to come.

Riku and Kairi hadn't really been told anything when Merlin had come to see them during Kairi's training. They had only been told that the castle was possibly in danger and nothing else. Of course, that alone had been enough to spark Riku and Kairi's curiosity and so they had taken time off to venture to Disney Castle to hear what the queen had to say.

"This letter was brought to me by Donald and Goofy from Master Yen Sid."

Riku took the letter from Minnie's hands and read through the content. Kairi appeared by his side and glanced over the piece of paper to get a better look. On this piece of paper, Yen Sid had expressed caution over investigating the recent events so far. He had also questioned the possibility of an attack by the mysterious man or Maleficent at any point. More interestingly enough, Yen Sid had confirmed that a few stars had recently blinked out of existence.

"The Heartless aren't increasing in just Radiant Garden then. It's in every world," Riku said passing the letter to Kairi so she could read through it more thoroughly, "and about this attack."

"I suppose if Maleficent wants to take over this world, now is a better time than ever with the King kidnapped." Minnie sighed deeply.

"Hmm, what's this about a mission for Donald and Goofy?" Kairi pointed out near the end of the letter.

"Well one of 'em was to protect her highness for a while. The second was-" Goofy was about to say but Donald was quick enough to take his staff out and hit Goofy in the leg, "YEOWCH!" Goofy hopped about in pain.

"The second thing is a secret." Donald said putting his staff back.

"Right. Secret. Ouch!" Goofy wailed before chuckling. It was just like Goofy to go back to his normal ways after being hurt, Riku thought before getting back to the matter at hand. He wondered if he could get Max to speak to Goofy about the second secret in private but he could ask that later.

"So where's Daisy? Shouldn't she be with you?" Kairi asked.

"She went off into Disney Town to see if she could pick up any rumours regarding suspicious activity. Don't worry; I had her escorted by four guards." Minnie told them.

"Are you sure you want to do that? Wouldn't someone pick up that something was happening around the castle?" Riku inquired quite hesitant about the idea. He was not the only one. Donald seemed practically on the edge of biting his invisible nails and no doubt considered this a bad idea too, but for different reasons of course.

"She insisted on it. Besides, we usually do regular checks around the town anyway. The fact that it's her and not me this time can simply be put down to the fact that I have a busy schedule… or something like that." Minnie provided a reasonable excuse.

"You really did think of everything huh?" Regardless, Riku was not quite convinced that this would solve the problem since if Maleficent attacked the castle, the public would know anyway.

Goofy broke Riku's train of thought by striking a conversation with Kairi, "So how's the training going Kairi?"

"I've been doing quite well so far. I might even pass this guy here pretty soon." Kairi snickered while nudging Riku on the arm.

"Oh please, you're not even close to me yet. Maybe a little under Sora?"

That was the wrong move to make. Riku had been trying to get Kairi's worrying mind off of Sora and Luna since they had left by training and now that he had mentioned the name, Kairi had moved her eyes to the ground, her smile disappearing from her face.

"I wonder if Sora and Luna's alright. They're probably having so much fun without us." She whispered.

"I'm sure they're alright Kairi. Even if they were having fun, is that a bad thing?" Donald tried to comfort the girl.

"No."

"Exactly. Even if they were having fun, you can't forget your friends. I'm sure they're constantly worrying about you too, especially Sora." Donald answered.

Kairi cheered up and nodded her head whispering a "Thanks Donald" in response.

"So how's my Maxi doing?" Goofy hollered causing the teen to jump in fright at the sudden call of his name.

"A-I-Hyuck, I mean I'm fine I'm fine. Really." Max looked around embarrassed, anywhere but his father would be fine. And just where did the Hyuck come from?

"You have been studying haven't you?" Goofy eyed him suspiciously causing Max to break out into a cold sweat.

"Of course dad, please… I wouldn't disappoint you, heh heh." Max laughed nervously. This seemed to be enough to lay Goofy off his case and he relaxed… slightly.

It didn't really take long before Riku's premonition about something bad coming from Daisy asking the citizens about recent activities. While the group were catching up and listening to a hilarious yet awkward conversation between Goofy and Max, the door burst open and in came a person Riku, Kairi and Merlin did not know and someone Donald, Goofy, Max and especially Minnie knew all too well.

"Mortimer! What are you doing here?" Minnie's tone of anger was definitely one that the group had never seen before. Mortimer looked slightly like Mickey, though was a lot taller and had an appearance that did well to show pretension, if that was what he was going for. Daisy was strutting in after him with the guards by her side, "I totally said that you couldn't come in here. We don't welcome reporters at just any time, especially the snobbish kind. Well, maybe if it was me I suppose…"

"Daisy! That's not the point!" Minnie stamped her feet.

"Oops, sorry." Daisy apologised.

"Uh, who are you exactly?" Riku quizzed the stranger.

"Come now kid, there isn't a person in all of Disney Town that doesn't know Mortimer Mouse, established head writer and editor in chief of Disney Weekly." Mortimer explained as if it were an obvious thing.

"Yeah, Disney Town. That explains why I don't know about you." Riku said. For whatever reason, the atmosphere had suddenly changed ever since Mortimer had come in and whatever positive energy there had been had now been replaced by smugness.

"So then, where's Mickey? Not spending enough time with a beauty like you I suppose? Just like always." Mortimer closed in on Minnie who would rather at that moment deal with Maleficent any day than him.

"If you're doing what I think you're doing then I don't know how many times I have to tell you this but we are over." Minnie jumped and twirled, using her Faith magic to knock Mortimer onto the ground.

"Ha-cha-cha, love it when ya do that." Mortimer winced in pain but was still in a resounding flirty mood.

"Uh, exposition please?" Kairi asked Donald and Goofy.

"Mortimer is the king's rival. From what I've heard he used to go out with Queen Minnie." Donald whispered back so neither Minnie nor Mortimer could hear. It was clear Minnie had no interest in detailing her love life with anyone and Kairi and Riku certainly didn't want to bother her, at least not right now.

"So I'm guessing he was so obsessed with his own ego that she left him for Mickey?" Kairi said trying to form the pieces together. From Donald's silence, she guessed she was probably correct.

"So where is the little pipsqueak anyway?" Mortimer grinned as he got up, walked over to the bookcase and leaned on it.

"If by pipsqueak you mean Mickey, he has a lot of things handle on his plate." Minnie told him.

"Oh I'm sure he does and they all taste like the word 'loser'. Bitter and cold." Mortimer laughed before clearing his throat, "In all seriousness though Minnie, I could look after you while his majesty is on his errands." Mortimer said with emphasis on the 'his majesty' part.

"Sorry but that position is already filled. No need to worry." Riku stepped in between Minnie and Mortimer.

Minnie flashed Riku a brief smile before turning back to Mortimer, "I appreciate your concern but as Riku's already said I have the appropriate services. Until next time Mortimer. Guards, escort this man outside of the castle!" Minnie yelled and whistled signalling in a bunch of animate brooms that set aside their buckets of water and marched straight for Mortimer.

"Hey no, don't touch there. You know how much it cost to have this suit tailored?" Mortimer's resistances were all for nought as he was picked up by six of the strongest brooms Riku and Kairi had ever seen and was taken out of the study.

Minnie waited until the cries of Mortimer were quite distant before bursting into giggles, "I mean think of Pete but times twenty."

"I wouldn't have minded had he interviewed me Minnie, how could you turn down something like that?" Daisy enquired.

"Not with him you aren't?" Donald squirmed.

"Oh? And I suppose you get to decide that? Think he might steal me away from you next huh? A woman like me. I'd hardly be surprised." Daisy responded batting her eyelashes.

"I seriously doubt it." Donald muttered however it was loud enough for Daisy to hear.

"And what exactly does that mean? Donald? Donald! Look at me when I'm talking to you." Daisy demanded causing Donald to gulp.

"One moment, you two can argue all you want later. Right now, I'm feeling the strangest feeling." Merlin interrupted the two.

"Weird feeling Merlin? Like what?" Minnie replied not so sure if she wanted to know now.

"Well, I think it's the same feeling I get when I put on my pair of warm woolly socks for the winter only to find out Cid has been wearing them." Merlin told them.

"Too much information. Just get to the point." Kairi unfurled her tongue in abhorrence.

"Well, let's just say I have a bad feeling and this feeling is coming from the audience chamber. When we passed it on our way here I felt the same feeling, but I thought of it as just a coincidence. Unfortunately I haven't been able to shake the feeling off since." Merlin explained.

"Then we need to get to the audience chamber!" Max exclaimed perhaps a little too happily. The rest of the group stood in confusion at Max's sudden outburst and were all curious, especially Goofy, about Max's sudden change of enthusiasm.

"Okay… I see someone's on their toes," Riku said breaking the silence in the atmosphere before turning, "As Max said, to the audience chamber. Minnie should stay somewhere in the middle between us just in case."

Kairi joined in on Riku's strategy thinking, "Right, so Riku and I will stay in front and you guys will stay at the back. Sorry Merlin, Daisy, I'm not sure where…"

"Oh it's quite alright; we'll be right by Minnie's side, won't we?" Merlin told her smiling gently. Daisy nodded firmly also smiling. Riku looked on ahead. He would certainly know if Maleficent had crept into the castle, since he could easily smell the regular foul stench of darkness following her behind, yet he hadn't sensed anything of the sort. So if it wasn't Maleficent, then who exactly was it?

Riku burst through the room to the audience chamber to find at least a dozen guards lay strewn on the floor, possibly unconscious or worse.

"What happened in here?" Minnie asked in fright as Riku and Kairi summoned their Keyblade. Donald and Goofy had to admire how much Kairi had changed since they had last met her. An aura of confidence had seemed to sprout from the inexperienced Keyblade wielder who now seemed to hold her Keyblade in a confident manner. The position of her battle stance had changed as well, a bit more similar to their other Keyblade friend Aqua, but instead holding her Keyblade with both hands. Her Keyblade was also slightly more forward than the way Aqua would hold hers, with Kairi's at her waist.

As captain of the royal knights, Goofy saw it his duty to rush over to his fellow knights, "Can anyone still move?"

"Dad? I think he can." Max told Goofy as he wondered around the audience chamber. He had come across another knight, whom he had never seen before but was sure was part of the advanced unit of guards judging by the uniform that they wore. Each level of the King's guard were divided into units according to their experience and suited with equipment accustomed to their training so far. Of course this did not stop even the most inexperienced of knights from getting the same armor as everyone else, though they certainly had to work for the honour of earning a particular weapon. As Max was a not exactly a knight but one in training, he hadn't received his outfit yet and he still wasn't really sure whether he wanted to receive one. There was just something about becoming a knight which seemed so unappealing to him, add in the fact Goofy would completely embarrass him at times in front of his friends and it was easy to understand why he was reluctant to fight beside him on the frontlines, even if it was to protect his majesty.

"Captain, help me…" The guard could only breathe just barely.

"Breathe easy now. Tell us what happened?" Goofy asked not in any rush to get answers out of him.

"Th-There's a man. He attacked us and- and headed to cornerstone…" The guard managed to speak out before falling unconscious.

"Oh no!" Minnie shouted before running over to the throne. Somehow the mysterious intruder had located the button which had opened the room leading into the hall of the cornerstone, except the room wasn't open. Had he found some way into the room other than having to press the button?

"Merlin and Max, I need you two to get these guards out of here and to the infirmary." Kairi ordered. Merlin and Max were immediately on the job starting to aid the knights to the infirmary, which in Merlin's case was easy since all he had to do was levitate the bodies.

"And we need to protect Queen Minnie." Donald said rushing off to the queen's side, Goofy right behind him.

"That duck never learns. Look after him, Goofy and Minnie for me will ya? I need to warn the guards." Daisy said before walking off towards the exit in a brisk manner.

Riku, Kairi, Donald and Goofy watched as Minnie opened the room to the cornerstone before running down the stairs to come across a figure with a black coat facing away from them. He was walking slowly to the cornerstone and his arms stretched out and were just about to reach it…

"Stop right there!" Riku yelled and the man abided by his wishes. Riku kept his Way to the Dawn Keyblade pointed on the man at all times, with his eyes also acting in support of this.

Goofy was the first to speak up, "A black coat? Are you associated with Organization XIII?"

"It couldn't be. We've defeated them all. Who exactly are you?" Donald enquired pulling out his staff and getting ready to strike at a moment's notice.

"The name's Abraxas. I guess I'll be your boss today." Abraxas turned around to face them and whistled. To the groups surprise, Pluto who had been somewhere to the left of where they had come from walked in and growled at them.

"Pluto! You're okay." Goofy yelled in joy and ran towards the dog however Pluto wasn't so willing to accept Goofy's kindness and jumped latching itself onto Goofy's hand.

"OOOHWWEEEEE!" Goofy yelped and ran in circles trying to shake the aggressive and alien Pluto from his hand.

"What did you do to Pluto?! You better not have hurt him or I'll-"

"Or you'll what?" Abraxas said interrupting Minnie, "As far as we all know, you're not in a position to do anything about it. Not that I did hurt him of course. He's quite the reliable companion isn't he?"

"I'm only going to ask you this once. Are you the one who kidnapped Mickey?" Riku asked.

Abraxas shook his head, his smile concealed behind his hood, "Again, what if I was? He's not with me anymore. Maleficent, on the hand… Anyway, I was quite interested in the history of your castle Queen Minnie and I decided to visit. Hope you don't mind."

"I highly doubt that's all you're here for. And will you at least put down your hood so I can see your face?" Minnie shrieked.

"The one who I show my face to first will be the one I most want to see which just so happens to be none of you here," Abraxas answered before turning back to the cornerstone, "A light so radiant it blinds even the darkness. The true purpose of this castle is concealing a light so pure. It certainly isn't the same light as the Princesses of Hearts' lights or even Kingdom Hearts but it still is something. Why so selfish Minnie? Hiding a light which could possibly save others' lives? If they don't deserve something like this, hah, then why do you?" Abraxas once again dragged his arms into the air.

"Wait Abraxas, NO!"

But Minnie's warning fell silent on Abraxas as he summoned what was his weapon in his hand, his Keyblade and hammered down, smashing the orb of light into pieces. Most of the group fell silent, Minnie who had collapsed and was shedding tears. Riku however, was quite enraged and rushed over to Abraxas.

Abraxas blocked Riku's vertical strike easily with his Keyblade; one longer and thicker than Riku's and sent the silver haired boy flying with a strong punch to the torso, slightly missing the ribs on purpose.

"Riku!" Kairi yelled shoving her Keyblade forward and flinging Firaga after Firaga at the enemy, who stood firmly and blocked with his Keyblade. Donald also helped out by spamming Thundaga magic which was harder to block and ultimately knocked Abraxas back a bit.

"Kairi, try using thunder attacks only on him." Donald shouted to her and she nodded.

"Kairi. Ah, so you're one of the Princesses of Heart? One of Sora's friends as well I take it?" Abraxas grinned.

"Sora? You know Sora? Did you meet him? What did you-" Kairi's barrage of questions was interrupted by Abraxas suddenly disappearing in his spot and appearing behind her.

"Kairi!" Riku yelled managing to get up from the ground and clutching his Keyblade perhaps too tightly.

"Well excuse me princess but I'm afraid I won't be answering any of your questions today." He said having his Keyblade pointed at her back. How in the world had he managed to move so quickly anyway? Kairi did not dare turn around to stare into the silhouetted face of the man who had claimed he knew Sora. What did that mean? Had they met somewhere along the way and if so, was he alright?

Instead of asking these questions, she decided to play the cool route instead, "I'd appreciate it if you could lower your Keyblade. It's digging into my back." Kairi gulped wondering if she had done something terribly foolish.

Fortunately Abraxas only gave a brief laugh before pulling back and putting away his Keyblade. He leaned into Kairi's ear and whispered something to her.

"I want to let you know how close to death you came if I were just another enemy. How do you think everyone would have felt had I killed you right here and now. Fortunately, that's not how I do my job. My advice? Brush up on your defence." Abraxas told her before stepping back and summoning a dark corridor.

"Boy, come." Abraxas called and the dog ceased biting Goofy's hand and ran straight for its new master.

"Pluto. Why?" Minnie asked softly towards the dog who in response only stared at her in confusion, "Don't you remember me?"

Pluto stared at Minnie for the longest time, possibly trying to sense something, the urgency behind Minnie's voice or maybe even the slightest hint that this person talking to him right now was trying to mislead him.

"Are you coming or not?" Abraxas asked. Was it wearing off already?

"Come on Pluto; remember the fun times we had." Goofy somehow managed to grin through a painful spread of the muscles.

"Yeah, you can't abandon King Mickey." Donald pointed out. Pluto looked backwards and forwards between Minnie, Donald and Goofy and Abraxas. His head seemed to be spinning in so many directions literally that he knocked himself out.

"Uh Donald…" Goofy was about to say.

"Don't say it Goofy." Donald rolled his eyes.

Abraxas looked down at the dog below him and seemed to stare thoughtfully for a second before looking back up, "On second thought, you can have him. I look forward to meeting you again." Abraxas turned his head to Kairi in particular before backing into the portal and closing it behind him.

"Pluto needs to get some rest." Minnie told them.

"Minnie, about the cornerstone. I-" Riku began.

"Don't worry about it Riku. We can deal with that later. Right now we need to help Merlin and Max with the other guards." Minnie told them. She seemed to be back to her old self; although Riku and Kairi were not sure whether this was false confidence or genuine concern. For Riku, it was impossible to simply just forget about what happened when the cornerstone of light had been destroyed and he had let the culprit behind Mickey's capture get away so easily. For Kairi, she felt Abraxas' words to her finally hit home. She had really come close to death and for whatever reason; Abraxas had not finished her right then and there. In general though for both of them, they were worried about the results of the consequences behind this attack. It definitely seemed as if Maleficent's plan was coming into fruition and she would no doubt eventually attack the castle. The only question both of them really wanted to find out, was when?