One Wrong Turn Turned Right

Author's Note: See Chapter 40.


Chapter 45: Homeward Bound

"What the…?" Riku muttered, holding his head. He stood up and found out he was lying on darkness. "What…What happened? Where am I?"

"I can see," A voice said…a familiar voice. "I can see clearly!"

"Lexaeus?!" Riku asked.

"Riku," The voice said, "I can see your heart…"

"No, it can't be," Riku said to himself. "Darkness this foul can only belong to one person."

"That's it," the voice said, "remember me. Let me drift into your heart."

"Ansem!" Riku finally said.

"You called my name, Riku," Ansem laughed. "You're thinking about me. You're afraid of the darkness I command. Good!" Ansem began to solidify in front of Riku. "The more you think of me, the closer my return draws. And, when I awaken…" Ansem finally appears. "Your heart will be mine!"

"Riku, fight!" Came a familiar, squeaky voice. "Don't let Ansem take you!" As the voice spoke a glowing orb appeared between Riku and Ansem.

"That voice," Riku said, noticing how familiar the voice was. The orb turned into an image of King Mickey. "Your Majesty!"

"Meddlesome king!" Ansem said before the darkness dispersed. Riku found himself in the halls of Castle Oblivion with Okari and Blaster.

"Riku, what happened?" Okari demanded.

"The king…" Riku said, wearily, "protected me?"

"We haven't seen the King!" Blaster said.

"Your Majesty, where are you?" Riku asked. However, no response came from the king.

"The King isn't anywhere near here," Blaster said, checking his wristband.

"Please answer!" Riku shouted, hoping for an answer. However, no one was answering. Then Riku put a hand over his heart. "You're with me…aren't you?"

"Oh boy," Blaster muttered. "Not again!"

"What?" Okari asked.

"Why do I have the feeling Riku has got the King's heart inside him?" Blaster asked.

"I don't have his heart," Riku replied. "We have a sort of bond."

"That makes sense," Blaster said. "Shall we continue?"


(In another part of the castle…)

Zexion just walked into another part of the castle, looking worried.

"First Vexen, and now Lexaeus is gone as well," Zexion said, a very unsteady tone in his voice. "What's to become of the Organization?"

At that point, Axel walked into the same room.

"Larxene's out of the picture, too," Axel said. "Naminé turned on her." He stroked his chin. "Gee, I wonder who's next?"

"Maybe you," Zexion suggested.

"Me?" Axel asked. "Nah, I already took my pounding from Sora. He thinks I'm done for good. I don't plan on doing a repeat performance anytime soon." After thinking for a few seconds, he added, "No, I think Marluxia's next in line to go."

"You think Sora will win," Zexion asked. "Because anyone who beats you is unbeatable – is that it?"

"That's the idea," Axel replied. "Marluxia plotted to use Sora against the Organization, so it's fitting Sora should be his downfall."

"Then," Zexion said, "we won't be needing Riku anymore."

"Good luck disposing of him," Axel said. "You want to take down the one who wasted Lexaeus?"

"That's not how I do things," Zexion replied. "Tell me, did you get the data on Riku's home?"

Just as we leave, Axel gives Zexion a card.


"So, while you were in the darkness, King Mickey appeared and saved you?" Blaster asked.

"After I was almost attacked by Ansem," Riku replied.

"Oh, when I get my claws on him," Okari threatened, "he'll wish he was never born."

"I wonder if he's a heartless," Blaster wondered. "Might explain why he hasn't left yet. While darkness lingers in but a single heart, the heartless will live on. Wouldn't surprise me any if he was."

"Yeah," Riku said, just before the air changed. "Hold on."

"What is it," Blaster asked, instinctively sniffing.

"Huh," Riku said. "The air has changed."

"How?" Okari asked.

"One of the scents died," Riku replied. "A really strong one at that."

In front of the trio, Zexion appeared in a corridor of darkness.

"That was Marluxia," Zexion said, "keeper of this castle. Ex-keeper, I should say. The Keyblade master just finished him off."

"Keyblade master?" Blaster asked. He thought for a few seconds before it dawned on him.

"You mean Sora!" Riku exclaimed, coming to the same conclusion. "Sora is here?!"

"Would you like to meet him?" Zexion asked. "Or should I say, can you face him?"

"What the heck is that supposed to mean?" Blaster demanded.

"Darkness and Ansem's shadow nest within your heart, Riku," Zexion said. "Aren't you ashamed to face Sora in that state?"

"What…" Riku began.

"Sora's fate is to battle the darkness," Zexion said. "As a hero of light, he must oppose hosts of the dark – in other words, you. If you don't believe me, then you had better see the truth for yourself." Zexion threw a card at Riku, who caught it lazily.

"This card!" Riku exclaimed as he looked at its image. "This is our…"

"Yes," Zexion said. "Your home."

Zexion disappeared as Riku ran up to the door. He opened the door with the card, and saw the islands on the other side.

"This looks oddly familiar," Blaster said. He had been here before, to battle with Ansem the first time around.

"I never thought I'd miss the island winds so much," Riku said, letting the wind run over him. "Funny – there was a time I couldn't wait to get off this rock. And now, I'm acting all relieved."

The trio continued forward. Before long, Blaster spotted something.

"Hey Riku," Blaster asked beginning to point in front of him. "Are those friends of yours?"

"Is that…?" Riku asked, looking to where Blaster was now pointing. In front of them were Tidus, Wakka, and Selphie. "Hey!" Riku shouted, trying to get their attention as he ran towards them. He stopped a few feet short, with Blaster and Okari behind him. However…

"Something's not right," Blaster said.

"What's with you guys?" Riku asked. "I don't think I've EVER seen the three of you so quiet." The trio of Riku's friends, who were staring off into space, still stood staring at the same spot. "What, is there something on my face?"

The trio of friends suddenly disappeared, leaving Riku, Blaster and Okari on the island alone.

"Guys?" Riku said, shocked at what he just saw.


Here's another chapter, specially delivered by the Keyblade master himself. As always, special thanks to ShadowRebirth37 for the use of Okari. Please Read and Review (comments are always welcome…flames will get douced by the Vexen/Demyx Ice-water 1-2).