Chapter 44: Reacquainting With Quartz

Sora reappeared next to Sakuzy and Kairi.

"HARRY?" Sora shouted.

"What the-?" Sakuzy yelled.

Sora looked around, wildly, as he panted. Sweat trickled down his face as he took in the surroundings of Merlin's House. Reeve had obviously left with Cait Sith, so only Kairi, Sakuzy, and Merlin stood around him.

"What happened, Sora?" Merlin asked as Sakuzy and Kairi helped the Keyblade Master to his feet.

"I-I found the map piece." Sora stammered as he held out the piece of parchment.

"That makes two pieces we've found." Sakuzy said as he held out the piece of parchment they had previously collected from Rat Paris.

"What happened to him?" Sora asked Merlin as he staggered up, "What happened to Harry?"

"I do not know." Merlin replied, somberly. He then took the book with a lightning bolt on it before handing it to Sora, "But if you want to find out, you can take it with you."

"Really?" Sora asked, looking at Merlin.

"Yes, you may." Merlin answered.

"Thanks." Sora simply said before taking the book.

"We've got what we came for, gramps." Sakuzy said to Sora, "I think we should be going now."

"Don't I tell you to not call me that?" Sora asked, more uncertainly than rhetorically.

"Yes, you do." Kairi replied.

The three were suddenly caught in a beam of light before vanishing.

Quartz…

The three key-wielders rematerialized in Quartz's main control room. Sakuzy and Kairi looked fine, but Sora immediately staggered back in shock.

"DANG, that was weird." Sora said.

"You get used to it after a while." Sakuzy replied with a shrug.

"I'm glad to see that you've returned." Quartz's voice said. In a flurry of lasers, his face appeared, "Welcome back."

Sora jumped back a bit before saying, "Nice to see you again…uh…"

"Quartz." Kairi filled in.

"Yeah, nice to see you again, Quartz." Sora corrected himself with a nervous chuckle.

"You…don't remember me?" Quartz asked, face falling a bit, "We've known each other for over a year now."

"Great, now his feelings are hurt." Sakuzy said.

"Quartz, it's not his fault." Kairi explained, "We had…an incident in Radiant Garden and a Seeker removed his memory."

"Oh." Quartz simply said. His face became its usual stern/solemn expression before saying, "This could prove to be a difficulty. Kairi, try and help remind Sora of as many memories as possible. Sakuzy…take a break."

"Thanks. I've had to put up with a lot." Sakuzy said. He immediately felt his pockets and pulled out the three Little Green Men from Toy Zone, "Huh. These guys must've stowed away with me. I know! I'll give 'em to Jim for Christmas!"

Sakuzy shoved the LGMs back into his pocket before walking to his room. Kairi led Sora away as Quartz continued steering through space.

"This my prove difficult in the long-run." The Crystalli said to himself.