DISCLAIMER: The only thing I own are my own copies of Kingdom Hearts I and II. I don't own anything else in this fic.

Past

Previous parts in chapter or another voice

Thoughts

At the temple, Riku and the others were experiencing the earthquake as well.

"What's going on?" asked the alert Riku.

Outside of the temple, they saw numerous spirits of light rise from the ground. The strange things about these lights is that they emitted a moaning and humming sound, as if they were ghosts of some kind. These spirits of light then rose into the sky, where they began forming into something.

Kairi's body continued to glow in a strange light in front of Lenne's statue. The light around Kairi's body then faded from her body to Lenne's statue. Then, the glowing aura rose into the air, touching the sky to where the fayth were gathering. Kairi's body then collapsed. Sora was quick to catch her and cradle her into his arms.

"Princess, hold on!" Sora called out, "Princess!

As Sora tried to awaken the fallen Princess, he didn't notice the portal in the sky spreading out.

What could this mean? Are the Heartless engulfing the world in darkness?

Chapter 26: The Other Side

The ground continued to shake violently, as the fayth continued to rise to the sky, forming an odd doorway above everyone. Riku and the others were on high alert. This could be the work of the Heartless.

"Do you think the Princess's Heart Fragment might be involved?" Goofy wondered.

"I don't know, but..." Donald replied, before looking at the strange opening in the sky.

"I can already tell that there's something wrong on that side..." noted Riku.

Behind the party, Alex showed up and was shocked to see what was happening around the temple. "Oh no, the fayth..." said the shocked Alex, "The fayth...I can sense their disturbance. They are frightened...by something..."

Meanwhile, Sora continued to cradle the unconscious Kairi in his arms at the site of Lenne's statue.

"Princess, please wake up!" Sora tried to call out, while shaking Kairi.

Slowly, but surely, Kairi came to. "Sora...I..." Kairi said weakly. Sora sighed in relief to know that Kairi was not seriously injured. Then, Sora and Kairi continued to watch Lenne's statue glow in a brilliant light.

"Sora! Kairi!" Linda appeared before them. As she approached them, she was shocked to see Lenne's statue glowing. Not once had Linda seen Lenne's statue glow before. "Lenne!"

Riku and the others had their respective weapons ready at the hand.

"Do you sense it too, Donald?" asked Riku.

"Yeah, I can feel darkness...in the sky," said Donald.

"And it's getting closer," said the disturbed Riku.

Linda just couldn't believe it. It was just the fact that Lenne's statue was glowing. It was far from it. Linda was in total shock about what was happening to her own little world.

"Lenne is the protector of the Youth League," said the shocked Linda, "Lenne can't be the one who brings disaster to us. No, it can't be all Lenne's fault. If it is, then I can't see him ever again." Sora and Kairi knew who Linda was talking about. They realized that Linda had wished so much to see Alex, even if for a moment. A single tear fell from Linda's face, and that tear fell onto Lenne's statue.

However, when that tear fell onto Lenne, the statue's eyes seemed to open, glowing in the same color as the aura surrounding it, surprising Sora, Kairi, and Lenne. Then, Lenne's eyes emitted a beautiful bright light towards Sora and the others. Sora wrapped his arms around Kairi, protecting her from the bright light, in case it were very harmful. Then, Lenne's statue emitted a stream of light into the sky above them.

While Riku and the others were on alert, that same light from Lenne's statue shined down on Riku and his party. Riku and the others lowered their guard down, upon having the light engulf their bodies.

"What's going on?" Goofy asked as he held his hand out, letting the light shine on his hand.

"I don't know, but look," Donald pointed to the sky, "The fayth are calming down."

Donald was right. The light seemed to put the fayth at ease. The fayth weren't moving around in a panic like they were before when the earth began shaking.

Before Sora and Kairi's eyes, they saw the fayth in the sky contain two streams of light. Then, the streams of light began to spread out in the sky, until the two spreadings of light began to engulf the entire patch of fayth in the sky. As the patch of fayth shone the same light that Lenne's statue emitted, Kairi began to hear a voice. A young man's voice.

Lenne...soon, we'll fade together again...

Then, the gigantic patch of light formed into another image. In the sky, there was now a different version of it. The sky showed beautiful lights, resembling the northern lights.

As Sora and Kairi stared at the sky, they turned their attention to another person. "Isn't that...?"

"It's Mog..." said Kairi.

Mog still looked like he was sleeping. Yet, Mog was floating in the air above them, glowing his usual light like he always did whenever they departed for a new world. Then, Mog spread his wings of light. "There's no Fragment in this world, kupo," Mog informed, as if he were in a trance, "But, there's one in the 'other side.'"

Suddenly, Sora and Kairi were engulfed in magic light, like they would usually be whenever they left a world. Little did they know, Riku and the others were experiencing the same thing. "We're going to the next world already?" asked the distressed Sora.

"But what about Riku and the others?" asked the frightened and worried Kairi.

Linda turned around in time to see Sora and Kairi begin to disappear in the light. "Sora! Kairi!" But it was too late. Sora and Kairi had already departed...to the next world.

Within the time and dimension space, Kairi covered her eyes into Sora's chest, as the Keyblade master held the Princess in his arms, protecting her from whatever is going on. Sora couldn't help but wonder what was going on. What did Mog mean by the "other side?"

As Sora and Kairi continued forth in the time and dimension space, Kairi began to see something. Who are you?

In this vision, Kairi saw two people, living together in a big city, filled with a variety of lights, colorful and beautiful. She witnessed these two people watch the sunset together, smile into each other's eyes, and hold each other in a warm hug. These two people...could it be that these two are lovers of some kind? Then, the vision ended, and everything went white.

"Princess, please wake up," Sora requested, shaking the Princess gently. Kairi opened her eyes and saw nothing but a blurred vision. However, her vision regained its focus and she found Sora watching her. Sora sighed in relief to see that Kairi was left unharmed.

"What was I..." Kairi wondered.

"Are you okay?" asked the concerned Sora.

"I think I had a dream," replied Kairi, "Where are we?"

"I don't know." Sora didn't have time to survey the scene, due to the presence of someone.

Before the young teenagers, a young woman in a blue dress stood tall, accompanied by what appeared to be some kind of gigantic creature. "You're just children..." the young woman noted. There was something familiar about this beautiful woman, as she stood in a majestic fashion before them. "What are you doing in a place like this?"

Sora, Kairi, and Mog then realized where they were. They were in the middle of a warzone! Two factions clashed their swords against each other's. Guns blazing about, magic flaring around, and magical creatures showing their incredible power. Next to the young woman, a soldier approached her. "Lady Lenne, are you injured?"

"No, I had Bahamut protect me," Lenne replied.

Sora, Kairi, and Mog were shocked to see who was standing before them. They couldn't believe their eyes, but it was impossible. But there was not doubt about it. The statue they saw back at Luca is the very same person they are seeing before them. "Sora, it's her!" exclaimed the shocked Kairi.

"It looks like the end is going to have unpredictable results..." noted Lenne, as she looked off to the side, "...with the Bevelle Forces..." Lenne then turned to her dragon ally, "Bahamut, please end this battle."

The gigantic dragon did as requested. Bahamut took flight. Then, as it hovered in the air, Bahamut's mouth had a magical orb shining in its mouth. However, as it got larger and larger, Bahamut spat the magical orb out. Only it wasn't an orb. It was like a gigantic energy beam. The beam engulfed the entire battlefield, avoiding only its allies, while wiping out the rest of the soldiers.

"It's no good!! Fall back!! Fall back!!" The Bevelle soldiers immediately ran away from the battlefield, knowing full well that this battle was now a losing one. The fight was over...for now.

"Thank you, Bahamut," said the grateful Lenne, as she placed her hand on the kneeling Bahamut, before the gigantic dragon disappeared into the light.

Sora and Kairi couldn't believe how much power Bahamut had. There was nothing like him back at Luca. Actually, why are they not in Luca? Why is Lenne around? "Did we land in a different world, kupo?" Mog asked. Sora and Kairi realized that they were on a mountain region, and next to the mountains, there was a beautiful city, surrounded by colorful and beautiful lights. Kairi instantly recognized the city. It was the very same one that she saw in her vision.

"If only this war were over...so much has been lost..." said Lenne, as if she were regretful, "If only Bevelle and Zanarkand could talk things over, peacefully."

"Zanarkand?" said the surprised Kairi.

"I thought Zanarkand was destroyed 1000 years ago!" exclaimed the surprised Sora.

"What are you two talking about?" questioned the soldier, "Are you two soldiers for the Bevelle military!?"

"No," replied Lenne, "If they were, they would have attacked us."

"But, my lady..." the soldier tried to reason out, but was immediately cut off by Lenne.

"Bring these children to my mansion," Lenne requested to the soldier.

"Yes, my lady," the soldier obliged. Sora was immediately on the defensive for Kairi, holding his arm out, blocking her from the soldier. "I shall have them arrested and--"

"No," interrupted Lenne, "Bring them to my mansion as honored guests."

"What?" said the surprised soldier.

"Sergeant, please don't let me say it again," Lenne warned gently.

"...Yes, my lady," the sergeant obliged reluctantly. It was very clear that the soldier was still distrustful of Sora, Kairi, and Mog.

Sora and his friends were surprised as well, to be invited by the very person that was considered the guardian of the Youth League. It was such an honor. "My friends, I welcome you to Zanarkand," Lenne greeted politely.

Sora, Kairi, and Mog were in Lenne's mansion. It was such a beautiful place. Lenne must have been a rich person to afford a mansion this big and luxurious. Sora and his friends relaxed themselves in the living room, surrounded by various snacks and sweets. Mog lied himself in one of the bowls, which contained mini-muffins. Judging from the way Mog was lying himself in the bowl, it was clear that Mog was enjoying the hospitality.

"Do you think Riku and the others are here, too?" asked Kairi.

"I'm not sure," replied Sora, "But I sure hope they are. They could be looking for us right now."

"This is really yummy, kupo!" Mog said happily, as he continued to eat the mini-muffins inside the bowl.

Sora and Kairi couldn't help but smile, seeing how happy the moogle was. Unfortunately, the soldier that accompanied Lenne was still distrustful of the trio. "Sorry for the wait," announced coming into the room. Lenne was accompanied by a couple of maids, who were carrying a couple of musical intruments. "Are you all enjoying the food?"

"The food here is very, very tasty, kupo!" Mog said happily.

"I'm glad to hear that," Lenne smiled. As Lenne took a seat on her sofa, across from the young teenagers, Lenne noticed Kairi eyeing a guitar-like instrument that one of her maids were carrying. "Is there something wrong with this?"

"No, not at all," replied Kairi, "It's just that instrument is very similar to the one back at my country." Lenne permitted one of her maids to bring the guitar to Kairi for close inspection. As the maid handed Kairi the guitar, the Princess realized something about the guitar. "It is the same! It's strange, even though this is from another country."

"Kairi, do you know how to play the guitar, kupo?" asked Mog.

"Yes, just a little bit," replied Kairi.

"I would like it hear it," Lenne requested politely.

"Eh?" Kairi's eyes grew in surprise. "But, I can't play it well..." Kairi turned to Sora, asking for some support or some back-up.

"I'd like to hear it, too, Princess," Sora requested with a smile, much to Kairi's embarrassment.

Kairi blushed furiously, worried that she'll only strum a wrong note in front of everyone. Kairi wasn't much of entertaining other people. "Please stop me if it sounds bad..." Kairi instructed Sora. Kairi then composed herself and began picking the strings accordingly. Mog hopped into Sora's lap, wanting to hear Kairi's music as well. Miraculously, the music sounded beautiful. It sounded peaceful and graceful at the same time. Any person would be drawn to it, just to hear the sound more and more. Kairi played the guitar as if she were a natural musician.

"It sounds so pretty," said the relaxed Mog.

Sora enjoyed the sound of Kairi's music as well. The music matched Kairi very well. Not only Mog and Sora, but everyone around the room, the maids, the soldier, even Lenne were drawn to the beautiful sound of Kairi's music.

While everyone was enjoying the music, Sora looked down on his lap to Mog. "Mog, is there a presence of a Heart Fragment in this world?"

"Mog does sense a strong presence, kupo," informed Mog.

"Where?" asked Sora.

"Somewhere...away from Zanarkand...next to something...big..." said Mog.

Outside of Zanarkand, and next to something big. What could this be?

After hearing Mog's information, Kairi finished her piece. "That was very beautiful, Kairi," Lenne praised. Lenne then had her cup filled with wine and motioned for her maid to fill Sora's, Kairi's, and Mog's cup full of wine. "I'd like to propose a toast, in honor of you, Sora, and Mog, my honorary guests."

One maid handed a cup of wine to Kairi. Kairi looked at the wine curiously. She didn't want to turn the offer down, out of politeness. Mog seemed to enjoy the offer, seeing as how happy he was to see the wine. Sora, however, knew exactly where this was going to be heading...

Later that night, Sora, Kairi, and Mog were permitted to stay at Lenne's mansion for the night, seeing as how they had nowhere to go. Sora tucked the sleeping Kairi into her bed, with Mog lending Sora a hand. Apparently, drinking the wine seemed to have taken a toll on the Princess.

"Kairi got drunk again, kupo!" Mog said happily.

The next day, Sora and Mog entered Kairi's bedroom to check up on her, after all, the Princess did get drunk after that wine. However, Kairi was still sleeping.

"It's already past noon, and Kairi still hasn't waken up, yet, kupo," said Mog, "Is it because she's tired? Did Kairi ever wake up early before she lost her Heart Fragments?"

"No," Sora shook his head, "She just loves sleeping in." Sora moved in to move Kairi's bangs away from Kairi's face. "Or, it's probably because we haven't retrieved enough Fragments yet..." Sora held a determined look on his face when he mentioned the Heart Fragment. If there are any Fragments in this world, I will find them...

"Is Kairi still sleeping?" Lenne asked, coming into the room, along with her maids. "It's noon already. Are you all hungry?"

"Yay! Food!" Mog cheered happily, hopping up and down for joy, "Mog's starving, kupo!"

"When Kairi wakes up soon, please escort her to my garden," requested Lenne to one of her maids.

"Yes, my lady," one of the maids responded.

Sora noticed that this was too much. As much as he appreciated it, he felt like they were being spoiled. Sora wasn't sure how to pay back Lenne's generous hospitality. Lenne noticed Sora trying to be modest about the whole thing. "You don't have to be modest, Sora," Lenne assured, "You are my honorary guests. And as my guests, I will personally make sure no harm comes to any of you." Despite his beauty, Sora saw determination and courage in her eyes. "Shall we have lunch?"

"Yes," Sora responded politely.

"Is Mog a guest, too, kupo?" Mog asked eagerly, hopping into Lenne's hand, and shaking hands with her.

"Why, of course," Lenne smiled to the little moogle.

"Yay!" Mog cheered.

Lenne took the moogle with her towards her garden room, while Sora stay behind. Sora took the time to cover Kairi's shoulders with the blanket. "I'm going to ask Lenne about this world, so rest up, okay?" informed Sora to the sleeping Kairi.

Sora and Mog joined Lenne in her garden. They sat at a table, surrounded by a variety of plants and flowers, most likely planted by Lenne herself. The scenery was so peaceful, due to calm aura the garden gave off and the sweet smell of the flowers. Sora and Mog enjoyed the bread that the maids gave out for them. Lenne found it strange that Kairi would still be sleeping at this hour. However, Sora and Mog explained the reason.

"So, Kairi is still sleeping, I see," noted Lenne.

"Yup, she is, kupo," Mog replied.

"She's probably tired from the traveling we've been through," commented Sora.

"Are you worried?" asked Lenne. Sora was stumped by Lenne's question. Was it that obvious on Sora? "Even last night, you were focused on Kairi the whole time." Sora couldn't help but scratch his head and look off to the side. Lenne could see it. Sora really did care for Kairi. Sora looking at Kairi the entire time was enough proof.

Mog hopped up to one of Lenne's flowers and sniffed the scent that it gave off. "These flowers smell very nice, kupo! Lulu would loves these!" said Mog.

"If you'd like, you may take some," offered Lenne.

"Yay! Thank you!" said the grateful moogle. The four of the flowers glowed before it began to shrink to the size of a palm, before it entered Mog's mouth. Apparently, Mog was trasferring the flowers to Lulu's location.

"By the way, you said this place is called Zanarkand, right?" asked Sora.

"Yes, it is," replied Lenne.

"Then the other people that you fought last night..." said Sora.

"Yes, they are from another city in Spira, Bevelle," Lenne finished. "I'm not sure who started it, but our differences have put us at odds with each other, up until now."

Sora realized the whole situation. It's just like back at Luca... And Sora was right. New Yevon and the Youth League are at odds with each other, because of their different beliefs.

"As of this moment, the Youth League are no longer welcome here!" a representative of New Yevon proclaimed.

"Oh my. How can you say such a thing?" Angela mused.

"Don't toy with us, woman! Those creatures attacked our temple last night!" declared the angry representative.

"You're not suggesting that it was Lenne's fault?" asked Angela.

"Who else could it be!? If you're not going to leave here at once..." the representative threatened.

"And what will you do?" Angela challenged

"We'll make you leave!" The representative tried to make his first move, raising club upwards, threatening to do harm to Angela.

Fortunately, the hit had no chance to connect. Linda appeared in front of Angela and blocked the attack, using a bo staff. "Don't you dare harm our lead performer!" threatened Linda.

"Stay out of this, little girl!" the representative commanded.

The only answer the representative got was a swift kick to the face. "Like I'm going to listen to you, you New Yevon rejects!" The representative fell to the ground, completely knocked out from the kick he received. "This is our home. It's bad enough Yevon corrupted Spira, so what makes you guys any different!?"

It was the same as both worlds. Two factions in a big dispute over their own beliefs. Who is right, who is wrong; which rule is better, which rule is worst.

"What's happening in the war so far?" asked Sora, as Lenne quietly sipped her cup of juice, listening the sound of birds chirping about.

"Right now, we've lost many battles," informed Lenne, "Up until now, we've relied only on our magic and our aeons, our magical allies."

"Like that tall dragon what was with you?" asked Sora.

"Yes, just like Bahamut," replied Lenne, "Bevelle, however, have been relying on a new type of weapon, that seems to be more powerful than even our own magic, machinas."

"Machinas?" Now that Lenne mentioned it, Sora did notice that the Bevelle forces have had nothing but mechanical weapons on their side, beside their use in their firearms. There was no magic among them being used. "So, what will you do, considering that they have the advantage in this battle?"

"There is nothing for me to do but to keep fighting," said Lenne, "But...someone had volunteered to do something, behind enemy lines."

"Someone? Who?" asked Sora.

"My lover...Shuyin," replied Lenne.

Sora wasn't told that Lenne had a lover back at Luca. Since when did Lenne have a boyfriend. "What's this Shuyin going to do?"

"Shuyin was told that there was something that could help turn the tide of this war, perhaps even ending it," said Lenne, "Shuyin never told me about it. I haven't seen him since two nights ago, when he left for Bevelle. When I saw him that night, I saw something in his eyes. His desire. When I looked in those eyes, I saw his desire to protect me, ever since I was put in the front lines of this war. ...Everyone in this battle have their own desires, Sora. No one is human, without desires. If there are people who say they don't have any desires, that's only because they haven't looked deeply in their hearts."

"Then...if I may ask, what is your desire, Lenne?" asked the curious Sora.

Lenne merely remained silent on Sora's question. As Mog walked up to her on the table, Lenne began petting the little moogle, much to the moogle's happiness. "You mentioned that you're traveling, right, Sora?"

"Yes," replied Sora.

"What's the reason behind your travels?" asked Lenne.

"There's something that I'm looking for," answered Sora.

"And you think it might be here in Spira?" asked Lenne.

"I can't say for sure, but there is a chance," informed Sora, "I have a favor to ask."

"And what may that be?" questioned Lenne.

"Please, take me to Bevelle," requested Sora.

Lenne's index finger twitched slightly while she held her cup. Although she didn't show it, she was surprised about Sora's request. "We are currently warring with them," Lenne reminded, "You might lose your life there."

"I won't die," Sora declared, "Because I have something that I must do."

Lenne remained quiet after Sora's declaration. Then, Lenne gently placed her cup back on the table. "I can't take you to Bevelle."

"But, Lenne...!" Sora was about to protest, but...

Lenne suddenly giggled, confusing Sora. "You don't plan on going to Bevelle dressed like that, do you?"

Sora then remembered. He was still wearing a girl's outfit up until now.

Sora's embarrassment from Luca started to haunt him again. He could never shake the feeling of being embarrassed beyond reality so easily. And apparently, it followed him even to Zanarkand.

To be continued…