Hey. So, it's February now. KH3 is out. I've beaten KH3 already.

I don't want to talk about it too much, but...oh my god. KH3 is Kingdom Hearts at its best. It's the best KH game in every way, and it's not even close.

Anyways, I definitely took notes on the story. If you see any similarities, you'll know why.

Anyway, back to this.

Play: Traverse Town - KH1

Xion pushed the two massive doors open, revealing Traverse Town's First District.

She saw that she was alone after walking into the center.

"Ienzo said to check if there was anything I could find here in Traverse Town. Better call to make check in with him."

Xion pulled the phone out of her back pocket, booting it up. The screen came to life, displaying the home page.

"Alright. Call Ienzo..." She said to herself, pressing the green phone icon on the screen. She scrolled down until she found "Ienzo" in the contact list, taping it lightly.

The screen changed to black, a phone shaking as it tried to call Ienzo. After a few seconds of waiting, Ienzo's face appeared. He was in the lab, back at Radiant Garden.

"Hey! This thing works!" Xion said, smiling.

"That's great to hear. I still have a few more tests to make sure they function in all conditions, but it's good to see that the communication through different worlds is working."

"Sounds good. If you need me to send this back for testing, just ask."

"No need. I still have the other models I can work with."

"Cool. Anyways, I'm in Traverse Town right now. What exactly should I be looking for here?"

Ienzo thought for a second, "Well, as I said before, Traverse Town is the world where people go when they're recompleted, if for some reason the original world is unavailable. Try asking anybody around town. They might have something that could help you."

Xion nodded, "Alright. I'll ask around. Thanks Ienzo."

He nodded, then hung up.

…

Xion put the phone back in her pocket, "Okay, ask around."

She looked around, and...nobody was there. She was alone.

"Oh, right." She sighed, "We're off to a great start."

"I wonder if there's anyone in the Second District." She said before running forward towards the Second District.

…

When she arrived, it was the same result as the First District. Empty. Not a soul in sight.

"Nobody here either..."

She crossed her arms over her chest, "I mean, I guess that's a good thing. That means no worlds have been lost to darkness, I guess."

"But, that means there's nobody to ask anything about Kirux..."

She sighed heavily.

…

"Not nobody..." a voice rang out ahead of her, followed by heavy footsteps.

Xion looked up, and saw the black cloaked guy from Radiant Garden.

"You're here too? What's your deal with me anyways?"

"You need to stay on the right path..." He was speaking out loud this time.

"And what sort of path is that?"

He turned away from her, "Here in this world, hearts who were once lost can become one again. But their home worlds, they remain lost in darkness."

"You know people like this...do you not?"

"What? No I don't."

"Oh, but you do. In the realm where worlds sleep...you made a promise..."

He chuckled, "Better keep that promise...Xion..."

A dark portal started to form around him, and he disappeared.

…

Xion shook her head, "They always show up to spout cryptic junk and then leave..."

She crossed her arms over her chest, "I made a promise...in the realm where worlds sleep..."

She thought for a little bit, but just shook her head, "I can't think of it..."

Her arms fell to her sides and she decided to head towards the Third District.

…

…

…

There was still nobody in the Third District, and Xion was just about to leave.

Before somebody called to her from above.

"Ya know, I would have thought you'd remember that promise you made to us."

She looked up, "But, I guess your memory must have been a bit hazy."

…

She recognized that voice, and the guy sitting on the ledge above the fountain.

It was someone she'd met from the Sleeping Worlds.

"Joshua?" She yelled up to him.

Joshua hopped down, landing a few feet in front of her, "It's nice to see you again, Xion."

She smiled, "It's great to see you again! After I left the last time, I didn't think Kirux or I would ever meet you guys here!"

"Well, things are...complicated. But speaking of Kirux, is he not with you?"

…

Her smile faded, and the memories came back.

"Oh, right. Kirux is..."

"He's...dealing with some issues in another world. So, it's just me here."

Joshua didn't seem entirely convinced, but didn't ask any further questions, "Either way, I'm glad at least one of you is here. You see, there's a reason the others and I are still here. You remember me telling you about the Reaper's Game, right?"

"Yeah, I think so."

…

"Walk with me." He said, walking towards the door to the First District. Xion followed behind him.

"As I told you, Neku and everybody else have to complete quests if they wish to return back to their home world. Unfortunately for them, once the Dream Eaters and Unversed disappeared, the missions stopped coming. The clocks on their wrists went to zero, but they didn't fade or disintegrate. It's as if they're stuck in this world, and any attempts that I've made to contact the outside world and get us help have failed. We're lucky that you actually showed up."

"That's awful, Joshua. So...when Traverse Town returned from the sleeping realm, the game just...stopped."

By this time, they were in the back streets, climbing a tall staircase. Joshua slid his hands into his pockets.

"Exactly. These new monsters showed up not long after, but unlike any I've ever seen. So far, we've been able to keep them at bay, but everyone is getting worn down, and the monsters keep coming. The more that show up, the more powerful they become. Wave after wave they continue to manifest. Hopefully, now that we've got you and your Keyblade, and once Kirux finishes what he's doing, we'll have two. That'll turn the tides, hopefully."

"Yeah." Xion nodded, "Him and I will be able to help you guys find your way back to your home world, once he comes back."

"'Comes back'?" Joshua asked her.

"I meant from what he's doing."

"You sure?"

"Positive."

Joshua still didn't seem convinced, but again didn't ask any more questions.

…

…

…

"The others should be just ahead." He said as they entered the Fountain Plaza. Sure enough, everybody was gathered around in a circle on top of the massive grate in the ground.

They noticed Joshua walking up, and one of them spoke, "Did you find anything?"

"Yes. I found us help. An old friend of ours."

He stepped aside, and Xion waved at them, "Hey guys!"

"Xion!" She recognized Rhyme and Shiki, as the two of them ran up to them. She also saw Neku and another guy she didn't know still standing over on the grate.

"It's so nice to see you again! How have you been?" Shiki asked Xion.

"I'm just fine."

"Are you here to help us get out of this town?" Rhyme asked her next, while Xion just nodded to her.

…

Neku walked up, standing next to Shiki. Xion smiled at him, "Hello Neku. It's nice to see you again."

He didn't say much, just smiling and nodding to her, "Likewise."

Xion looked over at the other guy, "Who's he?"

Rhyme answered her, "That's Beat. Sorry, he's not good with strangers."

She turned back, "Beat, it's fine! She's on our side!"

"Ya sure about that? She could be with those things for all we know!"

"She's not! Now get your butt over here and introduce yourself!"

…

He walked over, saying "Name's Beat. You sure you're not on their side?"

"If I was, would we be standing here talking?"

He didn't respond.

Joshua walked up, "Look, it's great that we're all caught up in reunions. But we've got work to do. Neku, have any of those monsters showed up since I've been gone?"

Neku shook his head, "No. This entire side of town has been clear."

"If those monsters come back, we'll be toast! We can't handle any more of them, y'know?"

"Relax Beat. We've lasted this long, and now that we've got Xion on our side, we'll be able to deal with them just fine."

…

"Xion," Shiki spoke up, "We've been stuck in this town for what feels like months. Do you have any idea on how we can get out of this loop or something?"

"Yeah. You got any ideas?"

Xion crossed her arms, and sighed, "I'm sorry you all, but I know as much as you do. Truth is, I know pretty much nothing about what's going on here. I probably came shouldn't have even been able come to this world. Normally, it's block off unless someone's world has been destroyed."

"So our world's...been destroyed?"

"I don't know. It doesn't make any sense..."

Stop: Traverse Town - KH1

Play: Hand in Hand - KH3

With KH3's release, I can now use its music. Enjoy it, because it's amazing.

Xion noticed something on the ground behind the group. Soon after, Shadows started appearing out of the ground.

She pointed at them, "Heartless! Behind you!"

They all parted as more Shadows appeared out of the ground, and Air Soldiers appeared in the air.

Xion ran in front of them, her Keyblade appearing, "Get to cover! Let me deal with these guys!"

Joshua, Rhyme, and Beat ran off to find safety, but Neku and Shiki didn't.

They nodded to one another, and ran up to Xion's sides.

She noticed them, "Neku? Shiki? What are you doing?"

"We're gonna help out. These guys are responsible for keeping us here." Neku started.

"So we're gonna fight by your side!" Shiki finished.

Xion smiled, nodding to Shiki, "Alright. Let's get 'em!"

…

…

…

Xion took out two Shadows at once with one slash, while taking out another one from above. An Air Soldier dove down at her, but she dodged it and smacked it into the ground.

Neku and Shiki were holding their own against the Heartless. Neku was using pillars of fire to keep them away, and those that got close he'd just kick or punch back. Shiki was controlling her cat doll, and it was slashing at the Heartless even taking down an Air Soldier. At one point, a green orb flew from Shiki to Neku, and back to Shiki after Neku took down a Shadow.

"I need help over here!" Shiki yelled, as the Heartless were swarming around her. In response, Xion put her Keyblade in the air, and pillars of light shined down on all of the Heartless, taking out the ones surrounding Shiki.

Neku soon got himself surrounded as well, doing his best to use the fire to keep them back. But there were too many, and he called out for help.

Xion ran in front of him, striking down any Heartless that got close to her. She threw her Keyblade, taking out five Heartless, but there were still too many.

Shiki appeared at her side, saying, "We've got this!" "Right!"

The two of them worked together, slashing the Heartless (with Keyblade and cat doll) repeatedly. When they were finished, Shiki's cat did an uppercut, passing the green orb to Xion. Xion jumped up, and fired one massive blast of light at the Heartless taking them all out.

She landed on the ground, high fiving Shiki.

Stop: Hand in Hand - KH3

There was clapping coming from in front of them.

The hooded guy was back again.

"Well done. You haven't lost a step."

Xion pointed her Keyblade at him, "You! Are you the one that's keeping these guys here? Preventing them from going home?"

He stopped clapping, "No. I'm not responsible for what goes on in this world..."

"I am, however, responsible for what you-" he pointed at Xion. "-do in these worlds..."

He let his arm fall, "After all, you're after something important, aren't you..?"

He waved at her, "Keep up the good work..."

He was starting to disappear, but Xion ran forward at him, "Wait!"

She slashed at him, but the blade went straight through him.

He whispered, "I'm always closer than you think..."

"That voice...it sounds...familiar..."

He disappeared.

…

"So, what was that all about?" Joshua asked, walking up with Rhyme and Beat.

Xion's Keyblade disappeared, "I'm not sure. But that guy...he seemed familiar, somehow..."

She shook her head, "Never mind. Forget that."

The phone in her back pocket started ringing. She pulled it out, and answered.

Ienzo's face popped up on the screen, "Hello Xion. Any luck in Traverse Town?"

"Hey Ienzo. Unfortunately, this place was a bust. But I did find some of my old friends here, and they're trapped. They can't get back to their own world for some reason. Got any ideas?"

"Well, the most likely reason is their own world is unavailable. Either it's fallen to darkness or it's been destroyed.

Xion and everyone else sighed sadly.

"I'm sorry for your friends, Xion. Once we retrieve Kirux again, perhaps you and Kirux will be able to restore this world, or if they are simply being held their against their will, break that hold and allow them to head home."

"Alright. Sounds good."

Ienzo hung up after that, Xion putting the phone away.

…

"Okay Xion. Tell us the truth." Joshua asked.

"Huh?"

"That guy said "retrieve Kirux again" like you lost him. I know he's not off in some other world. So, tell us what happened."

Xion said nothing.

…

Eventually, she sighed, "It's...hard to explain. But Kirux...lost his heart."

The entire group, except Neku and Joshua, gasped.

"The real reason I came here is because I'm looking for a way to find his heart and return it to him. When I learned this is where people go when they're recompleted, I had to check."

"I'm...sorry about that, Xion."

Xion looked down.

Memories started to come back.

"It's been three weeks since he's been gone, and...I miss him so much..." She whispered, holding her hands together.

Play: Calling - The World Ends With You

"Hey, don't give up hope." Shiki said, standing before Xion.

Xion looked up at her, who was smiling.

"You'll find Kirux again. If your hearts are connected, then you'll always find a way back to one another."

"She's right." Neku said, "We all found our ways back to one another, so there's no reason you shouldn't too."

They all stood side by side, smiling at Xion.

…

…

…

Eventually, Xion smiled too.

"You're right. Thanks you guys."

"So...are you gonna go after that guy in black?" Joshua asked her.

"Yeah, which means...I'll have to leave."

"Just don't keep us waiting too long." Neku said to her.

"I won't, and don't worry. Kirux and I will get you guys home. I promise."

"We're counting on it, Xion."

She nodded, smiling at them all.

"See you guys soon!" She said before running towards the First District.

…

…

…

Right before she was opening the doors to leave, she thought back to what the guy in black said.

"I'm always closer than you think..."

"Who is that guy? And why does he seem so...familiar?"

She shook her head, "I'll find out soon enough."

She pushed the doors open, leaving Traverse Town.

For some reason, I feel like this is underwhelming. Let me know if you think so too.

The wait won't be nearly as long for the next one. I can guarantee that.

See y'all next time.

-Broncozfan623