Piloting the Gummi Ship was a skill that came back to me much quicker than fighting had done. As before, there was little in the way of obstacles in the Lanes Between at this point, though I knew from Yen Sid's warning at least that to properly open the new routes between the worlds I was going to see my share of Gummi Heartless and Nobodies.
With little to trouble us, we arrived at Hollow Bastion without incident. This time we got to see the whole town, or what had been rebuilt so far at least. Not to mention some Soldiers on a roof, clattering off ahead.
We passed through the marketplace, pausing to stop by Scrooge, who was trying to remember how to make sea-salt ice cream. I was sort of hoping he'd remember before I went back, because I've always wanted to try some.
Then as we entered the more residential area, I got my first sight of Cid's Claymores. I'd forgotten to warn the others about them, and it's probably just as well – they were much bigger than I remember them being. One of them alone could have taken on the three of us easily. Good thing they were on our side.
"What are these things?" Donald asked, watching them form up then fade out around us.
"You mean Sora didn't tell you?" Yuffie called from the top of a nearby building.
"I forgot to mention it," I called back.
"Look out behind!"
I didn't bother to look. Star Seeker came into one hand, which I quickly changed the grip on so I could jab behind me. The sound of a Nobody being defeated came back, closely followed by a mass of Dusks surrounding us.
That fight took no time at all. With two Keyblades, the Claymores, and Yuffie flicking her own weapons down at the Dusks, it was over in mere moments.
"I see you're still in top form," she remarked afterwards, jumping down to meet us.
"What'd you expect from me, huh? I'd do badly?"
"Just like you," she laughed. "We're doing great, since you didn't ask."
"Nah, I just knew you'd say it if I didn't mention it."
"Yep, that's you alright. Had a feeling we'd be seeing you again, you know."
"Yeah, I know. You all remembered us at the same time. What was it Leon said?" I thought for a moment, then pulled off a better imitation of Leon than Sora does. I know that because he told me so later on.
"Come on," Yuffie said afterwards. "We're all based over at Merlin's house. You can come meet everyone again."
When we entered Merlin's house, with Cid working away at the computer, Aerith and Leon were already there to meet us.
"Meet the Hollow Bastion Restoration Committee!" Yuffie introduced them.
"Good to see you again, Sora," Aerith said. "We missed you."
"Not all of us," Cid muttered.
"Don't think I didn't hear that, gramps!" I told him, making him mutter something under his breath.
"I knew it," Leon murmured.
"Don't tell me you're picking up the future too now," I replied.
"Hardly," he smiled, a rare thing from him. "A while back everyone just suddenly remembered you, all at the same time."
"Remembered?" Donald asked. "You forgot about us?"
"Side effect of Castle Oblivion," I calmed him. "Couldn't be helped."
"Is that where you've been?" Aerith asked. "I've never heard of it before."
"Used to be called the Land of Departure until about the same time Hollow Bastion got invaded by the Heartless. There was... something that had to be done there."
"Something you don't want to talk about?" Cid asked curiously.
"Not exactly. Something none of us remember. I don't fully understand it myself, so asking me about it isn't gonna do anyone any good. Anyway, we're sort of on another adventure... finding Riku, the King and being as much of an annoyance to Organization Thirteen as possible."
"We are?" Goofy asked.
"We will be if what I think is going to happen actually does happen," I answered. "And I know, none of you have seen them. Don't worry about it."
"Let us know if there's anything we can do to help though," Aerith added.
"Naturally. Thanks everyone. Go on, Cid. I know you're going to say it, but go on anyway."
"Haven't you gotten rid of that habit yet?" he asked acidly. I just smirked back. "Fine. Don't go thanking us just yet. We've still got problems in Hollow Bastion."
"Big problems," Leon continued. "Heartless, and things we've never seen before."
"Ah, those would be the Nobodies. White creatures, mostly human-like in shape?" Leon nodded. "Yep, that's Nobodies alright."
"Then let's cut to the chase. We're hoping the three of you might give us a hand around here."
"You really think you need to ask, huh? I mean what do you think of me – that I can't handle a few more Heartless after taking on Ansem?"
"I forgot who I'm dealing with," he muttered ruefully. "Come with me to the Bailey. There's something there you need to see."
"We'll be along in a moment – Merlin's about to show up."
Leon nodded and went on ahead, then Merlin appeared.
"I wish I knew how you did that," Yuffie said, shaking her head.
"Did what?" Merlin asked.
"Not you. Sora. They've agreed to help out, by the way."
"Splendid! We'll be counting on you. Oh, yes... did you give them the cards dear?"
Aerith shook her head, then handed us each our honorary membership cards.
"Thanks. And we've still got it, before you ask," I added, answering Merlin's question. He asked it anyway.
"What about your magic?"
"Right. Now we've got that one straightened out, we'd better get to Leon at the Bailey."
It's not really that far to the Bailey. We were delayed slightly by a few Heartless, which I used just to make sure I hadn't inadvertently lied to Merlin about my magic. I hadn't, in case you're wondering – every spell I had from my original adventure I still had here. At least it would mean one less thing to collect, with the exception of the new magic added. Which I think is just Magnet.
Anyway, we met Leon at one of the massive windows in the Bailey.
"Down there," Leon he said, pointing outward.
"Hollow Bastion," I identified the view. "The castle I went to last time, at least."
"That's the one. You know what we're trying to do here, don't you?"
"Restore it back to how it used to be, back when it was still called Radiant Garden. Though you're not meant to remember that name yet, so don't tell anyone I told it to you."
Leon nodded, then pointed further down, toward the sea of Heartless at the base of the castle. "Except those Heartless are a problem. Not to mention..."
"Those Nobodies," I finished, seeing the Dusks. "Under the command of Organization Thirteen."
As if on cue, Xemnas's voice said, "You called?"
"Hello again Xemnas. Why don't you come out and see if you can beat me this time?"
"Oh, no. Not yet, boy. We have... a celebration to hold first."
"Celebration?" Leon murmured to me.
"He means a fight. Get ready Leon, and don't go anywhere you guys," I added, noticing Donald and Goofy running ahead. On cue, the gates closed, locking us in, and the entire area filled with Dusks.
Needless to say, they didn't last all that long with all five of us on hand. Roxas did complain a little about us destroying the few Samurai Nobodies that showed up, but I told him unless he could command them from where he was he could stop moaning about it. I got a snippy response back that it was my own fault for needing him so I could be complete.
Once dealt with, I heard what Roxas confirmed was Saïx's voice say, "The Keyblade... a truly marvellous weapon – let alone the power of foresight its bearer holds. If only they were in more capable hands..."
I didn't bother to demand they show themselves, ignoring the laughter and heading right outside.
"Organization Thirteen!" Goofy exclaimed, seeing the six remaining Nobodies. Roxas identified each of them for me, even though the hoods on their coats were all raised. Something to do with each of the coats being designed or worn slightly differently to the others, I understand.
"Not a chance!" I said.
"Think maybe we could be friends?" one of them asked sarcastically. There was a shared look among two of them. I still had what it took to confuse people with that, even after being incomplete for a whole year.
Then they decided with that out the way it was time to vanish, but Xigbar decided to get in the way at the steps beside us. I'd prepared for this, putting myself as close to the steps as possible, Star Seeker in hand, a plan already in place. Thinning out the enemy a little is always a good thing, right?
Wrong. But as usual, the effects of my meddling aren't immediately apparent.
Just before Xigbar appeared, without even bothering to look toward him I swung out Star Seeker to my right. A dark corridor appeared, engulfing part of it, then Xigbar appeared. He didn't move for a few moments after appearing, then looked down to Star Seeker sticking out of him.
"End of the line," I said, looking over at him with a grin, then pulled it out of him. Moments later, he faded back into the darkness. "One down, five left to go."
You know, you can be one nasty guy at times, Roxas remarked. I'm glad I never had to go up against you.
I didn't bother to mention the confrontation he and I were likely to have at Memory Skyscraper. I was hoping we'd still get it, but obviously I'd have to wait and see.
"Ya sure we can deal with the rest, Sora?" Goofy asked.
"You really need to ask? Come on, Goofy – we defeated Ansem, didn't we? And Xemnas once just before that, remember. What's the problem with beating him again, huh?"
"Maybe he used that to learn about you, so he could face you better next time," Leon suggested.
"Maybe. Doesn't really matter though. Excuse me a moment though – other worlds are calling, and I've gotta open the pathway."
I took out the membership card and unlocked the first of the Keyholes. I didn't bother with the pose Sora does at that point because I happen to know no one else can see that bit. I did find it a little ironic though – in the first adventure I went around locking Keyholes, now I was going around unlocking them. Different kind of Keyholes I guess.
"Time for us to go," I said then, turning to leave.
"Sora," Leon called. "They look pretty tough. You probably don't need me to say it, but... take care of yourself out there."
"Hey. This is me we're talking about. Since when have I ever been the one to worry about?"
"How about when you were a Heartless?" Donald suggested.
"Don't remind me," I replied, trying not to think about it. "But that was necessary. It had to happen, otherwise Kairi would never have woken up, and Ansem would have had free reign to do as he pleased."
