A/N: Hello again! Here we are, 2 chapters in less than a day! Let's get back to this! You have NO idea how much I've missed it! And I've even seen some familiar faces when it comes to reviews, so thank you all very much!

stardust902: glad you're still liking it! great to hear from you again! :)

JGM16: Wow, you're WAY too kind, thank you so much! I'm flattered that you chose this one as your favourite!

marycutie19: Haha awe I'm so glad you're that excited about the update! I'm amazed myself...that's how I felt about getting the email from FanFiction's help centre! Wait no longer, love! :)

Nightwing2593: Thank you so much! I'm going to use more of the trailer in the future, but I'm also hoping the new one from D23 comes out so I can utilize that soon, too! Let's find out what will happen, shall we?

Song of the chapter: Let The Flames Begin- Paramore

**ONE MORE THING**

I tweaked the first chapter a bit, to hopefully improve it ever so slightly! Read it if you'd like!

Aaaaaaand here we go, again! :)

As Vanitas watched Ven drop into the dark abyss, he stood to walk away. He didn't really want to go back to the stronghold; he was getting sick of Xigbar, and the Master, too. Knowing he'd get in more trouble is he didn't, Vanitas groaned.

He summoned his Keyblade, gripping it harshly. As he raised his hand into the air, a sharp pain crashed through his head like a thousand knives. He'd never experienced a headache such as this one before. It pulled him to his knees in one swift motion. Crawling, with all his effort, he created a dark corridor, and muzzled through.

Lea and the reluctant Isa used the darkness to travel to The World That Never Was. Normally, Lea would acknowledge that was a very reckless thing to do. But seeing as for his plan to work, Isa couldn't be absent any longer, this seemed to be the only fast need of transportation available.

Isa was never a fan of Lea's ideas. Not one of them. In the past, they'd always either end up getting one or both of them hurt. If not that, then they'd get in trouble. He was beginning to question just exactly what he was thinking when he agreed to the plan before knowing exactly what it was.

"I really don't know why I agreed to do this. It's never going to work," Isa groaned.

"C'mon, have a little faith, Isa," Lea chuckled, "Have I ever steered you wrong before?" He immediately frowned, "You know what? Don't answer that."

"Exactly. And with that, what do you propose that I do once this doesn't work?" Isa inquired, rolling his eyes.

"Run? Kick? Maybe cry? I don't care, just make it work if it isn't. There's no way it's not going to work. The plan is simple, just like you."

"Wow, thanks."

"Shall we go over the plan again?" Lea asked.

"No, I got it."

"Okay, then tell me it, wise guy," Lea demanded.

"Ugh, fine. I'm going to return to the stronghold," Isa peered over his shoulder, his eyes gazing over the dark castle; a mere few blocks away from them.

"And then?"

"I'm going to say I was spying- give Xehanort false information about my absence. Then, make sure it's either Braig or Vanitas that we lure into our trap."

"Where is our trap located?"

"Radiant Garden. The crystal fissures, to be more exact."

"Good, and that's where I'll be waiting with the others, ready to attack," Lea was obviously referring to the other past Organization members.

"Did I leave anything out?"

"Nope," Lea shrugged, "That's pretty much it. But don't make it so static. Let things flow. This can't look scripted at all."

"I know that. Keep in mind, I do know how they work. I've spent my fair share of time with them."

"Right. So, you're ready? I gotta get out of here before you go back."

"Ready when you are," Isa sighed, turning to the large scale stronghold.

"Oh! one more thing- don't look any of them in the eyes. Yours aren't yellow anymore. It'll be a dead giveaway."

"Got it."

"Good. See you soon," Lea opened a corridor of darkness, stepping through a moment later.

"Alright, let's get this over with," Isa inhaled sharply, taking in the cold, dark air.

"Vanitas!" Xehanort scratched out sharply at the teen as he entered the room, "Do you think I cannot see you when you are absent? I saw what you did with Ventus. You must not be so reckless."

"What's the big deal?" Vanitas spat back, "He wouldn't get off my damn back. So why not mess with him a bit? He's fine. I sent him back to the realm of light."

"You do as you are told! You are not to lead Ventus down the path you choose. If he follows, you return here. Immediately. Are we clear?"

"Crystal," Vantias rolled his ominous yellow eyes from beneath his helmet.

"Next time you leave when the Master's talking to you, no doubt he'll chop off your-"

"Shut up!" Vanitas shouted at Xigbar before he could finish.

"Xigbar! Vanitas! You two shall work together from here on out. With Maleficent gone, we need not a slip up from your bickering," Xehanort coldly gripped the arm of his throne, "You two must retrieve Isa for me. His heart will bear the burden of Lea, creating another weak link on the side of light."

"Why can't I just do it myself?!" Vanitas fumed, "Literally everything that's gone wrong so far has either been because Xigbar was too weak, or doing nothing at all. It'll just slow me down-"

"Silence! You will do as you're told, Vanitas. Last warning," Xehanort started right at the teen, "Remove your mask," Vanitas did as he was told, pulling the cold glass from his warm head, "Now, I have not been following Isa's whereabouts; doubtless he has been taken by the light…for now."

"So what? Xigbar scoffed, "We just have to guess and hope he's somewhere within the millions of worlds? Okay, good plan."

As Xehanort was about to scold the attitude ridden man, Isa entered the room, in the dark attire they were used to; it was like he had never gone away in the first place. After a moment of silence and staring, Xigbar beamed,

"So this means I don't have to work with the jackass. If you'll excuse me, I-"

"Stay put, Xigbar," Xehanort commanded, "Isa. Your absence was noted. Please explain yourself immediately."

Isa was freaking out on the inside. Outside, he was cool as ever; face slitghly tense as usual. He wore his stoic facade, and he wore it well. Lea's plan on his mind, Isa began to speak of the false events,

"…So, I took advantage of the situation at hand, and I spied. Not once was I noticed by any of the denizens of light," He made certain to move his eyes often enough that no one would be able to see the color, "I did not want to return until I was certain I had enough information that we could use to boost the odd on our end. I obtained as much as I could. I didn't want you to waist tome or resources trying to find me for no reason, which is why I've returned now. During my absence I was able to gain the knowledge of a time and place that Sora is going to be, and I need someone to attack with me."

Xehanort studied the man. Well. And Isa knew it. Remaining still, stone and cold, the Master's magnetic expression began to soften just the slightest. Isa knew that was an indication of the Master considering his plan.

"Very well, Isa. However, due to your absence, you will sit this one out. Come with me, and I'll send the other two to do the job," Xehanort stated flatly; everyone knew there was no negotiation, "Now tell us when and where to be."

"Alright," Isa said, annoyed on the inside that he wouldn't be joining his friends when he initially planned.

"Before you go, let me speak with Vanitas. Alone. Begone now, Xigbar, Isa. You're dismissed for ten minutes." Bowing out silently, the two men walked at a less than brisk pace, before Xehanort stepped down from his throne.

"What do you want?" Vanitas huffed, "I already told you it won't happen again. Can I put my helmet back on now?"

"It is like I have already stated," Xehanort began, "Just because you are absent, it does not mean I do not see you."

"So what?" Vanitas was becoming impatient once more.

"Your head pains. Get it under control," Xehanort studied the teens eyes, looking for something that could be wrong.

Vanitas scowled, putting his mask back on as he quietly exited the now bare throne room.

Aqua and Kairi stared outside the window not really knowing where to go. They felt like they were just drifting along, with no real purpose.

"Where do we go from here?" Kairi sighed, her hair intwined with her fingers and she played with it.

"I have no clue…there doesn't seem to be a sign of Vanitas or-"

Looking dead on, Ven was floating in space, his guard armour covering him, as he clutched his Keyblade tightly.

"Ven!" Aqua shouted, "I think he's out cold!"

Sure enough, Aqua was right. She forced the ship forward towards her young friend. Kairi pulled it to a stop as they approached.

"What could have happened to him?" Kairi was shocked.

"I don't know, I just pray Vanitas didn't touch him!" Aqua cried, standing and heading for the door, ready to grab Ventus.

"Where is Vanitas?!" Xigbar yelled, completely agitated, "Stupid punk."

"I will locate Vanitas, in the meantime, it would seem that you and Isa will have to go, instead," Master Xehanort stated, frustration painted in his voice, "Get going, now."

"Yes, Master," Isa bowed, pretending to be as faithful as he once was; he honestly had no clue how long he could fake this facade.

"I make myself clear- if you are to find Vanitas, bring him to me, at once," Xehanort stated firmly.

Nodding, the two men exited the throne room, ready to depart into Lea's trap.

The howling winds were enough to send chills down anyones spine. Riku was no exception to this. The skin on his entire body crawled as the dust in the air danced over him. Mickey right behind him, Riku's heart sank as the destination was now in plain sight. Right where Master Yen Sid had said- a fragment of someones heart. But not just someone. Riku and Mickey knew exactly who it belonged to.

Riku approached the floating orb at a brisk pace, eyeing it cautiously as he was no more than a few centimetres away. It glowed an ominous gold, and an extremely haunting brown. Aside from bobbing slightly up and down, the orb stayed in one spot.

"This is it?" Riku asked.

"Yep. This is it…This is Terra," Mickey replied.

"Alright," Riku summoned his Keyblade and took a few steps back.

The feeling was so familiar, yet foreign at the same time. It felt just like when Riku freed Sora's heart to save Ventus, which sent a wave of nausea through him. Mickey moved out of the way so not to be struck by anything that could come from the release. Sighing, Riku held up his blade, emitting a light directly into the fragment. This sent a huge light beam that could be seen from miles, cause both the King and Riku to go blind for a moment or two, before it immediately died down again. There, standing in place of the heart fragments, was a tall man, about Riku's height, in full armour.

"T-Terra?!" Mickey was shocked that it may have actually worked.

The armour stood, dormant in its place, as if it was an empty suit of armour.

"Terra?" Riku asked as if he was a familiar face- which in a way, he was.

"Are you in there?" As Mickey took a step forward, the armour summoned his Keyblade in an instant, "Riku, watch out!" The armour charged directly to the teen.

Riku was quick to respond, more than half expecting it. The pair dueled for only a moment for two, but it was harsh, as if Riku had just killed the armour's best friend. Mickey tried to interfere a time or twenty, with Riku declining every time. He begged the time King to sit out, so he did, watching in fear.

"Time to unlock your heart, Terra!" Riku sprinted, and in an instant, the first quarter of his Keyblade was in Terra's chest.

Time haulted. Time stopped. Time was inexistent. No one moved, no one blinked. No one dared to breathe, in fear of faltering even slightly. The armour began to glow, peeling away- slowly at first. Each piece flew up towards the sky in a flurry of light. When the last piece left, Riku removed his blade, slowly. Terra was uncovered, standing there with his eyes shut lightly. Riku then moved his eyes to Mickey, but only for a moment until they jolted back on the young man.

His appearance hadn't changed at all. He stood just over six feet, just like Riku. His dark chocolate hair just brushed his shoulders, but it was his eyes that worried them. If there were yellow, neither Mickey nor Riku had a clue what they'd have to do. When Riku finally opened his mouth to speak, Terra's eyes opened. He released air slowly from his parting lips, as if waking, standing up.

"Ugh…" Terra whispered.

"Terra?" Mickey questioned very quietly, approaching the man.

"Yeah…" Terra breathed before passing out.

Riku just missed catching him as Terra hit the dusty, stone ground.

"Did I- Did we just do this right?" Riku breathed, disbelief clearly present in his voice.

"I…I think so," Mickey was equally as shocked.

"So we take him back to the Master now?" Riku asked.

"I think that's best. Do ya think you can carry him?"

"Yeah, shouldn't be a problem with a magnet spell or two," Riku knelt down, until an uneasy feeling captured him.

Standing quickly, Riku turned around to see the familiar Vanitas.

"You-!"

"Well, well, lookie who we found," Vanitas scoffed, "I don't know why you even bother. We defeated him once, we sure as hell will do it again."

"You hurt Kairi," Riku felt his blood begin to boil.

"Ha! You're still on that? Please, she deserved every hit she got. She's just as useless as Terra has been in the last ten years, if not more."

"You're wrong!" Mickey screamed.

"My favourite part was when she kept telling me that you promised she'd be okay," Vanitas was smiling evilly under his helmet, and it was as if Riku could feel it.

"Fuck you…" Riku breathed.

"Ugh, I really hate talking to you people…seriously."

"It's because you don't have the intellect to carry out a conversation," Riku smirked, "Are we going to stand here, or are we going to fight?"

"Nah, you'd just be a waste of my-" Vanitas disappeared; cut away, before he appeared right behind Riku, in his ear, "Time…" He whispered, before he hit Riku with the hilt of his Keyblade, knocking him out.

"Riku!" Mickey was stunned, but before he could do anything, Vanitas was behind him too, knocking him out as well.

The ride to Yen Sid's tower was horribly quiet. No one really had anything to say, which was fine with them. It wasn't an angry or uncomfortable silence, but it also was' t peaceful or content either. Sora could feel Donald and Goofy's eyes on him more often than he would have liked, but he understood. If it were the other way around he'd be worried, too.

"We're here," Donald cut the quiet air, "Are you okay to walk, Sora?"

"Yeah, of course," Sora stood, a slight groan leaving his lips when he was all the way up; he knew both Donald and Goofy heard him, but he didn't care.

The trio descended down to the Tower grounds below, Donald and Goofy keeping close distance to their friend.

"Can ya handle all those stairs, Sora?" Goofy asked.

"Look guys," Sora's somber toned discouraged the two, "I really appreciate the concern. I do. But I'm okay. It's stressing me out more that you two are stressing out."

"But Sora…you hafta understand," Goofy was hesitant; not a common trait of his.

"You don't ever tell us when you're not okay," Donald finished, "So of course we're going to keep asking."

"I know, and I'm sorry. I really need to learn to speak up. I promise I'll try and tell you guys when something's wrong," Sora assured.

The eternal walk up the stairs was all too familiar for the trio, unfortunately for them. None of them particularly favoured the long, exhausting trek up the endless stairs. Climbing that tower twice, three and four times a day made them hate the venture rather quickly. Eventually, after what seemed to be an eternity to Sora, the group reached the very top of the tower, entering the room without even a simple knock.

"Master Yen Sid," Donald bowed, gaining the attention of the aged sorcerer, "We need your help."

"Sora, Donald, Goofy, I did not expect to have you three back so soon. Nevertheless, what is it that I can assist you with?"

"While we were in on of the worlds helping our friends, Sora's Keyblade summoned on it's own," Goofy began.

"I'm not sure if it locked or unlocked it, but a Keyhole appeared in the sky. When it was done it's thing, this weird object appeared," Sora added, "Do you know what it is?"

"Bring it closer, please," The Master requested, to which Sora complied.

He studied it for only a couple minutes before coming up with a response,

"I am not certain as to what this is, but it seems to only be half of something. Someone out there must have the other half," Yen Sid explained, "See if you may locate the other half. I cannot say right now what it is, but I have my suspicions."

"Okay…" Sora cocked his head, growing tired of the secrecy; he didn't want to start anything, especially not around Donald and Goofy.

"Is that all you have returned for?" Yen Sid stroked his long beard.

"Umm…" Sora swirled and twitched out of nervousness.

"Something happened to Sora," Donald blurted out a bit harsher than he intended it to be.

"Something happened? What?" Yen Sid asked.

"I don't know, exactly. I went to go lay down, and my head started to pound. I couldn't move at all," Sora explained, "I had to wait there until Donald and Goofy found me…but some of it is blurry for me."

"Do you lose consciousness at all?" The Master had only a slight bit of concern in his gaze, but it was enough to tense up the trio.

"He did," Donald admitted.

"But only fer a few minutes. We brought him to Radiant Garden," Goofy added.

There was a moments silence, which the trio respected. They gave the Master time to think before he spoke,

"Sora, while you were unconscious, did you see or hear anything?"

Sora tilted his head slightly, staring at the Master,

"Like what?"

"Anything at all? Perhaps a whisper, a laugh. Maybe a vision of the future, or a glimpse from the past?"

Sora was never one to lie. But the Master had betrayed his trust a few times. And on top of that, he refused to tell them what this weird silver piece was. Before he could think of what to say, he spoke, as if against his own will,

"No."

"Then I can't be certain as to what could have happened. If you would like, I could run tests," Yen Sid suggested.

"No, that would take more time. We need to go out to more worlds, and I'm fine. Really, I am. I feel completely normal," Sora assured with a smile before turning to his friends, "Are you two ready to go?"

Donald and Goofy looked to each other before turning back to Sora,

"If the Master's okay with us leaving," Goofy smiled.

Master Yen Sid smiled with a single nod, and the group bowed out, Donald shutting the door behind them.

Descending down the stairs once again, Sora couldn't help but feel like he really shouldn't have lied to Master Yen Sid. He still couldn't piece together why he had in the first place. In the back of his head, with some mild pain, the words Lost Masters rang in the haunting, unforgettable voice he had heard them spoken in.

This one was longer than the last, too. Yay! Still liking? Let me know. :)