A/N: Warning! This Chapter will contain strong language. This Chapter is more violent as well. You may find this Chapter a little over-dramatic as well. You have been warned.


"Oh yeah!" Sora cheered. "We're heroes!"

"Boy, oh boy!" Donald said happily.

"I guess all that hard work payed off after all!" Goofy agreed.

"So where to next?" Ven asked. Sora looked at the monitors.

"Looks like Port Royal is coming up." he replied.

"Oh boy," Terra muttered. "more of that pirate guy, what's his face?"

"Jack Sparrow," Ash answered. Ven quickly got excited.

"Pirates?" he asked.

"You'll see..." Terra sighed.

"C'mon, let's go!" Ven ordered. Sora complied and piloted the ship towards Port Royal.


The sextet landed in the ramparts. They heard a commotion in the distance. "That's comin' from the port." Goofy exclaimed.

"Let's check it out!" Ash said. The others nodded and followed him down the steps towards the docks. Upon arriving they stumbled upon Jack being chased by zombie pirates.

"Jack!" Sora exclaimed. Jack glanced at them.

"Er, Zola! Some assistance!" he requested.

"That's SORA!" the brown haired boy snapped.

"Will ye leave a mate to perish?" Jack pleaded.

"Aye aye..." Sora muttered. They quickly got to work and destroyed the undead pirates.

"What the heck was that?" Ven demanded. "Were those zombies?"

"Those pirates were cursed." Sora explained.

"By Aztec gold," Ash continued. "but didn't we get all of it back?"

"Yeah, what gives?" Terra asked crossing his arms.

"Some scallywag must've gotten greedy." Jack suggested. They all turned to him. "Oh, I see. You don't trust me, do you?" They all nodded. "Likely a wise choice, mate. I AM a pirate."

"Jack, Sora, Ash, Terra!" a familiar voice called out. They all turned to see Elizabeth rushing over to them.

"Elizabeth?" Sora questioned. Jack got a strange look on his face a made to leave.

"Wait, Jack!" Elizabeth cried. "I need your help!" Jack sighed and stopped to hear her out. "The cursed pirates have returned. Will had to find out why... so he went to Isla de Muerta - to check on the Aztec Treasure."

"By himself?" Ash exclaimed. Elizabeth nodded sadly.

"I fear something's happened." she whispered. "You have to take me to him!"

Jack turned to face her. "Aye, there it is." he said. "If you'll be wantin' him rescued, best do it alone, lass."

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. "Alone?" she questioned. "Really, Jack? Sail to the island and take on the cursed pirates?"

Jack shrugged. "Well if any lass could..."

"Are you sure he's in trouble?" Sora cut in. She shook her head.

"No. Not certain. But he's been gone too long." she explained. "I wanted to go with him, but he insisted I stay here. I can't just sit and wait! I've got to know if he's alright."

"Lucky man..." Jack muttered.

"Please, Jack. Take me to him." Elizabeth pleaded.

"Hold a moment." Jack said, raising his index finger. "I see no profit in it for me."

"I shall reward you, of course." Elizabeth said. "You do owe Will. He saved your life before."

Jack flinched. "Right. Shall we?"

Elizabeth smiled. "Thank you, Jack."

"Okay, let's get going!" Sora ordered. With that the octet made their way to the Black Pearl.


As they sailed across the ocean, Ven was scurrying around the deck in excitement. "This is so cool!" he exclaimed. It was not long before Sora was pulled into the excitement as well as the two began pretending they were pirates. Ash and Terra were sitting on a couple of boxes, watching them.

Terra shook his head. "It still amazes me how they can act like little kids."

Ash shrugged. "Hey, we're all still young." he reasoned. "We should enjoy it while we can."

Terra looked at him in surprise. "I guess so."

Ash smirked at Terra. He reached behind him and pulled out two sticks. Terra caught on and was smirking right back. He took one of them and the two made their way over to the two younger boys. Sora and Ven were currently pretending to have a sword fight. "Take that!" Ven cried as he 'stabbed' Sora. Sora clutched his 'wound' and fell to his knees.

"Avast, ye scurvy dogs!" Ash shouted. The two looked up to see Ash and Terra stalking towards them with stick in their hands. The two boys looked at each other.

"Uh oh..." they muttered. Terra and Ash charged at them. Sora ran towards the pile of boxes, looking for some kinds of weapon, while Ven ran from them. Sora found two sticks and hurled one at Ven.

"Let's do this, bucko." Ven said to Sora. They grinned at each other and met Ash and Terra head-on. Above them, Jack watched in amusement. Donald shook his head and smirked at their game. Elizabeth giggled slightly and entered the cabin. Goofy sat on the boxes and looked out at the sea.

Somehow, their swordfight had turned into an all out wrestling match. The four of them rolled around on the deck until they lay in a circle, tired, but happy. "That was fun." Sora sighed.

"Yeah," Ash agreed.

"Oi, you lads done yet?" Jack called. The four quickly stood and brushed themselves off. Goofy glanced at them before looking at the sea once more. His eyes bugged out.

"Interceptor off the starboard bow!" he shouted. The others quickly ran to the edge of the ship to see another ship.

"Will!" Elizabeth shouted, spotting his unconscious body leaning on the edge of the ship. Jack stood in mournful silence with a hand over his chest.

"Stop that, Jack!" Elizabeth scolded. "We've got to rescue him!" Terra and Ash went towards the boxes once more and found a long plank of wood. They dragged it over and connected the two ships. The two boys proceeded to cross over to the other ship and carry Will's body to the Black Pearl.

"Bring him to the cabin." Elizabeth ordered. The two boys complied and the group made their way into the cabin. "Will, wake up!" She exclaimed after they had placed him on the floor. She took his head in her lap as he began to stir.

"Elizabeth..." he whispered.

"What happened?" she asked.

"The medallions…and…the stone chest—someone's taken them…next thing I knew, we were attacked but I couldn't see who it was—his face was shrouded…in a black hood," Will murmured.

"The Organization," Sora muttered and Ash, Terra, Ven, Donald, and Goofy nodded in agreement.

"We found a way out of the cave but the villain said a hoard of terrible creatures after us…I've never seen their likes before. I think I was the only who made it back to the ship," Will explained.

"Will," Elizabeth breathed.

"Elizabeth…I feel rather…" Will began but immediately passed out before he could get the words out.

Sora looked at them all. "Our turn, guys."

Elizabeth stood and turned to them. "You'd best go prepared. We've no idea what's out there!"

"Pardon me, lads and lass," Jack cut in. "But your captain will have no monsters today. Thank ye, we're turning for home." With that said he turned on his heel and strode out of the room.

"Just like that?" Elizabeth asked incredulously.

"Just like that!" he called back.

Jack opened the doors and scowled before saying, "Don't remember invitin' you." Right on cue, a man in a black cloak walked out from the Corridor of Darkness.

"So it was the Organization, we'll handle this," said Sora, whipping out his Keyblade with everyone else hastily following suit.

The man gestured to a chest beside him. They all gasped, seeing it was the cursed Aztec gold. "The darkness of men's hearts - drawn to these accursed medallions; and this Heartless - a veritable maelstrom of avarice." he said in an English accent, just as a giant Heartless appeared on deck. "I wonder, are they worthy to serve Organization XIII? What do you think, Xhäs?"

"What are you planning, Luxord?" Ash asked slowly. Luxord smirked under his hood and snapped his fingers.

"And you want an answer now?" Jack asked.

"Precisely." Luxord said as he disappeared through the Corridor of Darkness. Everyone fell into combat with the Heartless and let loose with some air combos. Sora used Magnet to draw it in closer while Ash, Terra and Ven attacked. Jack was blasting it away with his bombs while Goofy charged in with his shield. Donald hung back, using various magic. After a few minutes of combat, the Heartless fell and the team claimed victory.

"Oh boy!" Donald cheered, clearly pleased with what they had done.

"It's not over yet," Terra warned, turning back to face the member of Organization XIII.

He brought down his hood to reveal short blond hair, blue eyes, earrings on his ears and a goatee.

"Throw him overboard!" Jack declared boldly, his sword pointed at Luxord.

"Aye aye!" Sora agreed. Luxord smirked.

"Parley!" he called.

"'Scuse me?" Jack asked.

"Barley?" Goofy asked, confused.

"It's a bit of a pirates' code, anyone who invokes 'Parley' must not be harmed 'til negotiations are complete," Jack explained

"This is no time for rules!" Sora shouted incredulously and everyone else nodded in agreement.

"True, but as we are honorable pirates, we must always stick to the code," he said to Sora before turning to Luxord and saying, "Alright you, out with it!"

"I surrender the chest with my humblest apologies," said Luxord.

"Rather accommodating of you mate, and for that you want…?" Jack said uncertainly before Luxord replied, taking a few medallions, "Just a few souvenirs, for the memories." Luxord threw the medallions in the air and four Gambler Nobodies snatched them, disappearing.

"Oh no! We can't stop the curse unless we got all the medallions!" Goofy exclaimed as they vanished.

"Our friend's about to learn what it means when you cross a pirate," said Jack venomously.

"Oh?" Luxord challenged as they heard a loud THUD and the heartless that they had just defeated rose from the water and with a powerful gust of wind forced the septet off the Pearl and onto the Interceptor. The Pearl's cannons aimed at them. "Fire!" Luxord shouted. As one the cannons fired, striking the Interceptor and causing heavy damage.

Will and Elizabeth burst out of the captain's room only to see cannon fire and the Interceptor falling apart. Luxord chuckled as the Pearl sailed away from the wreckage that was once the Interceptor.


Ash groaned as he pushed himself off the ground. He looked around to see that the ship was destroyed. His friends were all unconscious, but they were lucky to not have been separated. Sora groaned and Ash helped him up. The others began rousing as well. Jack stepped out of the shadows, and transformed into a skeleton. "Whoa!" Ven exclaimed jumping back.

"You stole a medallion again?" Sora asked incredulously.

"Were I only that fortunate," Jack said.

"Fortunate?" Donald asked, looking him over.

"How come you're all skeleton-y?" Goofy asked.

"Perhaps I got a touch o' somethin' from that monster that attacked us," Jack suggested as he began thinking about it. "Yet why's the skin resting right on you six?" he asked.

"Cause we're not greedy!" Donald said, puffing up his chest. The others looked at the duck skeptically. "What're you looking at?"

Everyone quickly looked away from Donald. "That still doesn't solve the mystery." Sora said thoughtfully. Jack turned away from them and stepped into the shadows, causing his skin to reappear.

"Gawrsh, maybe the reason we're all okay is because we're not from this world!" Goofy whispered to them.

"There must be different laws," Donald agreed.

"Yeah," Sora nodded. "we're always just passing through..."

Ash sighed sadly. "I wonder when we'll all see home again..." Sora, Terra and Ven all nodded in agreement. Ash left to go talk to Jack. Sora watched him go

"I... kinda feel bad," he said quietly.

"About what?" Donald questioned.

"Well," Sora continued. "all of us have somewhere to go back to... but..."

"But Ash doesn't..." Terra finished for him. Sora nodded.

"His world was consumed by the darkness..." he muttered.

"That's not fair!" Ven exclaimed. Sora looked at Ash, who was having a conversation with Jack at the moment.

"I'll help him." Sora said. They turned to him. "I'll help him find it."

Terra nodded. "We all will."

"Yeah, that's what friends do!" Ven cheered.

"Quit yammerin', mates!" Jack shouted. They turned to see Jack and Ash waiting for them on the rocks. The three Keybladers nodded to each other before rushing off to join them.

"We have to find a working ship." Ash informed them. "Jack says there's gotta be something around here that'll float."

They ran, ignoring the cursed pirates, as they were not the main concern right now. They made it out of the maze of wrecked ships and into a small peninsula. "Look!" Donald cried, pointing at something. They followed his gaze to see a Gambler juggling cards and a golden coin.

"A medallion, get it!" Jack exclaimed. Terra and Ven quickly defeated the Nobody, and Jack picked the coin up. "Three more to go."

"How do you know?" Sora asked confused.

"A pirate must have a keen eye; else he won't bee sailin' free for very long, savvy?" Jack explained.

The group heard a ship approaching and they saw the Black Pearl coming into view with Elizabeth shouting, "Ahoy Mateys!"

"A ridiculous imitation," Jack muttered. "and yet, I'm flattered." The septet quickly boarded the Black Pearl.

"Jack, what happened?" Elizabeth asked in shock. "This is horrible!"

"Ah, but who's to blame for it, eh?" Jack asked.

"It certainly isn't Elizabeth!" Will said defensively.

"It's Organization XIII." Sora answered. "They're the ones behind it all."

"Wonder where they went," Goofy mused.

"The hooded man took the pirates and his creatures with him into some strange hole." Will told them. "We saw them leaving from the captain's stateroom,"

"Didn't occur to you to fight them, mate?" Jack asked, frowning slightly.

"I'm no fool, I knew that I was no match for them," Will replied tersely.

"That I believe," said Jack.

"Sora, Ash, Terra, I think we'll need your help," Will said. The group nodded.

"No problem, I'm Ven by the way." the blonde said cheerfully.

"It's nice to meet you." Elizabeth said kindly.

"First, let's find all the medallions." Will suggested. "Otherwise, the curse can't be broken and the creatures will remain invincible."

"Let's try the Isla de Muerta." Terra suggested. Jack nodded and they set sail.


The ship landed and the septet stepped off into the Isla de Muerta. "There's gotta be a Nobody around here somewhere..." Ash muttered.

"Look!" Ven cried. They all followed his gaze to see a Gambler floating away from them.

"Get it!" Terra shouted as they took off after it. Ash was about to follow when he felt a creeping feeling go down his spine. He spun around to see a dark sphere with a picture of three knives. It was sparking with electricity.

"An Absent Silhouette..." Ash muttered. Suddenly he felt a force begin pulling him in. 'Fine...' Ash steeled himself and charged right into the portal. The portal closed behind him.

When Ash opened his eyes he found he was standing on a pure white platform. It was the Station of Remembrance, and before him stood a familiar blond woman. "Larxene..."

"Hi there, Xhäsy-poo." she said in a tone of false innocence. Her 'innocent' smile turned into a sadistic grin. Ash braced himself and summoned his Keyblades. "Let's see how much stronger you've gotten now that you've joined with your precious Somebody!" She summoned her knives as she began giggling. Suddenly the entire area darkened as lightning struck the ground, making a beeline for him. Ash used his Quick Run to dodge the lightning bolts when he suddenly found himself surrounded. Ash leapt into the air using High Jump just in time, as Larxene and her clones sliced the air where he had just been standing. The clones disappeared, leaving only two Larxenes. Ash grabbed on by the wrist and flung her into the air. He hooked onto the other with his Oathkeeper and flung her into her copy, forcing her to merge.

Ash winced as he felt lightning strike him. Suddenly there were five beams of lightning closing in around him. He quickly casted Reflera to shield himself. The shield shattered, sending the shards at Larxene, which she deflected with her knives. Ash reached into his pocket and grasped something. Dark Magician Girl appeared beside him, ready for combat.

"Found yourself another blonde bitch, huh?" Larxene snarled. Dark glared at her and they began their magic flurry.

"Damn it, Larxene!" Ash cursed as he and Dark began charging their final attack. "Why does it have to be like this?"

"Shut the hell up, traitor!" Larxene shouted as she struck Dark with her four different lightning bolts, forcing her to disappear. She followed up by creating a wall of lightning which began moving towards Ash. He saw that there was no way to dodge and set up a hasty Reflera. The shield shattered upon impact, but the lightning still struck him. Ash quickly casted Cura on himself. Larxene was too busy deflecting shards to stop him. Ash used an Ether and quickly sent two Blizzard spells at her before sending a more powerful Blizzara. The first two truck her in the arm and leg, while the Blizzara struck her in the chest.

"Damn you!" Larxene cried as she flung her knives at him. Ash twirled his Keyblades to deflect them, however, one managed to strike his leg. Ash hissed in pain as he attempted to pull the knife out. This proved to be the only opening Larxene needed, and she quickly tackled him to the ground as she pinned herself on top of him. His Keyblades slid away from him and Larxene held a knife over his heart. "Any last words?" she asked, her eyes filled with glee. Ash noticed something else in her eyes. Hesitation.

"Don't do this, Xene..." Ash whispered. Her eyes flickered to his.

"And why shouldn't I?" she asked as she grabbed his hair, pulling his head back to expose his throat. She placed one of her knives at his windpipe.

"You were my best friend, Xene..." Ash whispered. "Heck, deep down... you still kind of are." The glee was fading from her eyes, letting the hesitation show freely.

"But..." she whispered. Her eyes hardened. "No... no..." she quickly got off of him. "Get up. I want to kill you while you stand."

"Xene..." Ash muttered.

"I said get up!" she screamed. Ash glared at her and stood up, summoning his Keyblades once more. She pointed at his heart with one of her knives. "Right there. That's where this is going." She charged at him, slashing at him with her knives. Ash backsteped to avoid her slashes. Most of them were aimed at his heart, but they would occasionally attempt to strike elsewhere. Ash leaned his head back as she almost slashed his throat open. He flipped back and hurled Oblivion at her. There was no way to deflect it without injuring herself, forcing her to dodge. Ash used Quick Run to make his way behind her. Everything slowed down as she turned to him, her eyes wide. She looked down to see Oathkeeper embedded in her stomach. Ash pulled it out and flicked the blood off.

Ash caught her before she could hit the ground. "Xene..."

She looked up at him. Her eyes no longer showed malice, only sorrow and regret. "Xhäs..."

"Why?" Ash asked.

"When... we were together..." she said weakly. "You... you made me... made me feel. You made me feel like I had a heart."

"Xene..." Ash whispered. "I had no idea..."

"And then..." she continued. "you went and broke it... My false heart." Ash grasped her hand in support. "I went into depression, then all I could feel was hatred. I tried to make you feel the same way, so I attacked you..." she was beginning to fade now. "Xhäs... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..." A lone tear slid down her cheek.

"Shh..." Ash shushed her as he wiped the tear away. "I'm sorry, too, Xene. I'm sorry I did this to you..." She let out a small gasp as Ash's eyes turned crimson for the briefest of moments.

"Xhäs..." she whispered. "Just once... please..." Ash understood what she meant. He took a deep, shuddering breath and kissed her. It was light and fleeting, but it meant the world to her. "Good-bye..." she whispered as she took one last breath. She faded from Ash's arms.

Ash stared at the empty air that he was grasping, hoping beyond hope that this wasn't happening. He looked to the sky and did the one thing he could do. He screamed. He screamed for the lost friendship. For the unrequited love the Larxene had for Xhäs. He screamed for Larxene, the Savage Nymph. He screamed for Relena, his best friend. Ash barely noticed as a portal opened behind him. A blonde girl wearing a white sundress stepped out.

"Ash..." she whispered. "I'm sorry."

"I killed her, Naminé..." Ash whispered. "I killed my best friend." He felt her embrace him from behind. He the needed comfort she provided and leaned into her.

"I'm sorry," she repeated. "It had to be done..."

"I know..." Ash said quietly. "But it's still hard..." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath to calm himself. He stood, making Naminé do the same. He turned around and hugged her, which she happily returned. "It's good to see you again, Naminé."

"I'm happy you recognize me." she said, beaming at him. Ash, despite himself, laughed.

"We'll meet again, even if we don't recognize each other." he repeated the words he spoke over a year ago. She nodded.

"I kept those words with me." Naminé said. "You finally did it. After all the years you searched, you finally found your other." Ash nodded.

"And I'm happy I did." he said. Naminé looked down.

"I plan on doing the same." she said quietly. "Just like you and Roxas."

"Well, I hope you find her." Ash said. Naminé smiled mysteriously.

"I can bring you back to Port Royal." she offered. Ash nodded.

"I'd appreciate that."

Naminé nodded and stepped away from him. She smiled. "This is the second time I've had to take you somewhere."

Ash blinked. "Huh?"

Naminé giggled. "What, you thought you just randomly showed up in Twilight Town?"

Ash smiled at her. "So that was you!" he exclaimed. "Well, I guess I should do as the note said! Thank you, Naminé."

She smiled at him warmly. "You're very welcome." he turned and opened a portal. "I'll see you again."

Ash stepped towards the portal and looked at her. "I meant it, Naminé." he said. "Thank you. For everything." With that he stepped into the portal.

Naminé smiled as the portal closed. She turned and opened a new portal. "You're welcome, big brother."


A/N: I hope you guys liked this one. I know I enjoyed writing it. We'll finish up Port Royal next Chapter. Mainly because it is currently 3:30 in the morning, and I need to crash. As Rikku would say, Later taters!