Hollow Bastion

Although Sora was probably more horrified than he ever was in his entire life he was ready to make this final push to Hollow Bastion, face Riku, find Kairi, and end this once and for all. He looked out towards Gummi Space in complete silence. Most of the trip had been in silence. Only a few times did Donald and Goofy asked him if he was okay and knew what he was doing. The real answer was of course a big fat no, but that wasn't going to stop him. To many people put to much on the line just for him. This was going to end with no one else getting hurse.

"Is anyone else getting nervous?" Donald asked as he saw another squad of Heartless ships floating above them. "Like 'this is dangerous' nervous?"

"Yep." Sora stated calmly taking another deep breath.

Goofy however seemed relatively at ease. "We just have to keep positive, fella's. Keep faith that things will just hopefully work out...Press forward".

"That doesn't help Goofy." Donald muttered.

"Well, it's really all we can do at this point Donald, now is it?"

"Wise words, Goofy, wise words." Jiminy said as he poked his head out of Sora's pocket scribbling in his journal. "Hard to believe we are approaching the end, isn't it?"

"End?" Sora asked.

Jiminy nodded. "Well, maybe not the end, but I just have the feeling that this big chapter is nearing its apex. Once we go forward, there won't be any going back."

"Oh yeah-" Sora gulped and felt a bit sweat trickle down his forehead, but he needed to keep calm.

"We have incoming" Chip said. Looking out Sora could see Hollow Bastion slowly approaching. The pit in his stomach started to grow. He clenched his fists and took a deep breath, trying to steady the nerves. Goofy put a han on his shoulder as he and Donald stood by his side.

Sora continued to hold the ship steady as they pushed forward. Then in the distance they saw something- a wall-a large wall floating in the edges of space. It was made of orange and yellow stones, and looked like something out of a medieval fortress of old. Behind it the trio knew that Maleficent fortress must be somewhere behind.

Everyone tensed up as the gate automatically opened, perhaps they were noticed-but they were surprised that no one tried to attack them.

Sora knew that Riku would be waiting for him. Or at the very least seek him out the minute he found out they had arrived. He knew he wasn't ready to face him but Kairi was also waiting for him. So long as she was there he'd make sure she was safe and okay

"Here we go guys" Sora said, standing tall.

Donald nodded looking just as worried, "Yep, here we go"

-000-

Hollow Bastion already felt like a place in decay.

The minute Sora, Donald and Goofy stepped foot onto this place they already knew that this world would be different. It was cold, a harsh chill in the air. They teleported themselves towards a floating rock platform surrounded by a waterfall of sorts, but it was also a casam. Standing there though hovering over all of it, was a fortress. A misshapen castle of various designs all meshed into one. Some of it legal and fair, the other mechanical like a factory.

Sora stared at this place and felt a sudden jolt inside of him. A familiarity almost to it, though he had never seen such a place in his life. He felt a bit dizzy for a few moments before coming back too, placing his hand over his head to rub his temples

"You okay Sora?" Goofy asked looking worried.

Sora just nodded, "Yeah, let's go"

A Lot of climbing is involved. Sora, Donald and Goofy ach leaped from platform to platform trying desperately not to fall. All around them they saw ruins of what looked like a long dead civilization. Most likely caused by the Heartless and there eternal plague on the worlds.

Sora tightened his jacket as he stood on the next platform, the cold air finally getting to him.

"Cold?" Donald asked.

Sora shook his head. "No, just keep going, we are getting close to the castle."

The mighty fortress a mixture of mechanical parts, elegant cobble and stone now towered above them-blocking the son. What stood out to Sora the most of this building was in the center, a giant shaped Heartless emblem with a X going straight through it. Instantly he recognized it as the symbol of the Heartless, the symbol he had seen in various Heartless form throughout his travels.

"Woah!" Sora shook as he looked up.

His concentration faded though as a loud roar echoed at one of the old ruins just a few feet away from them. Sora turned to his companions who shrugged unsure just what happened before quickly heading there, wanting to see what happened.

He leaped from platform to platform now much faster than before.

Sora could see something in the distance, a large purple mass covering what look like a large body of brown. Some sort of beast creature by the looks of it. It looked wounded, in pain. It's sharp teeth clenched as it got on its knees. Slowly Sora's eyes darted to the other direction, his heart sinking immediately as he recognized who the assailant was immediately pointed his purple jagged sword so close to his neck.

"Riku!" Sora muttered as he hid behind one of the rocks.

He saw his friend, and he did not look good. Riku's pale skin looked almost ghostly at this point and his eyes look bloodshot. There was also a sliminess to him that hadn't been there, while still quite muscular for his age, there was a bit more wear on him. Perhaps a side effect of being around darkness so long. What really stood out though was this dark blue and red suite that now covered his body

"So, how did you get here?" Riku asked the creature as he paced around it sneering. "

The Beast breathed heavily, still in pain. "I simply believed, nothing more to it. When our world fell into Darkness, Belle was taken. I vowed I would find her, not matter the cost. I believed I would find her. So here I am, she must be here."

"Take her if you can." Riku clenched his fist and straightened his sword raising it high ready to strike

Sora couldn't handle hiding any more, quickly he rushed out and placed himself square in the middle of Riku and the Beast his arms outstretched causing his ex-friend to stop, looking shocked to see him, but only for a moment. Slowly Riku stepped back and smirked as Sora glared back at him. Two friends locked in a cold war waiting for the other to strike first.

"So you've finally made it, about time I was waiting for you." Riku snickered back. "Like the new look? I admit the skirt was a little weird but I guess it's a tradition thing"

Sora gasped. "Riku…."

Donald and Goofy now emerged, Riku eyes narrowing as they stood by Sora side ready for a fight. But soon his anger was replaced by a certain amount of satisfaction.

"We've always been rivals you and I. You've always pushed me, as I've always pushed you. But it all ends here, there can't be two Keyblade Masters!"

"What are you talking about?" Sora asked confused. "There used to be dozens."

"And then just only you." Riku said his eyes darkening as he walked a little closer. "But not for long."

Sora stepped back looking nervous, Donald and Goofy too were scared, Riku began to extend a hand, something wasn't right.

"Let the keyblade choose it's true master."

Sora found his legs begin to tremble as if all his energy begin to be trained right out of him. Suddenly, the Keyblade flashed into his hand magnetically flying away from him, Sora tried to hold on wondering just what it was doing. Donald and Goofy tried to help him as well yet whatever Riku was doing was too strong for him to overcome. Eventually, the blade left Sora's hand and flashed straight into Riku's with ease. The suddenly jolt caused Sora to fall onto the ground landing on his face, slowly to look up and see Riku holding his Keyblade, marveling at it like a prize.

"Maleficent was right." Riku said chuckling as he gazed at the blade. "You don't have what it takes, it's up to me to open the door and change the world."

Sora looked up at Riku his eyes watering. "W-What did you do?"

Riku smirked, "Nothing, I'm proving my own strength, showing my worth is greater than yours. I deserve the Keyblade Sora ...and now, I finally have. Now you two come on, we have work to do"

"What?" Goofy looked confused.

"Didn't your king order you to follow the one holding the Key" Riku said tauntingly.

Donald and Goofy gasped. Riku was right, their King did order them to follow the one who wielded the Keyblade. And throughout that time it was Sora. Despite the friendship they had developed it was at the end of the day their mission. To follow the keyblade, no matter who wielded it. Now both of them had a decision to make, follow their king or stay with Sora.

They both seemed unsure what to do, Donald was the first to take a step forward. "Sora-I-you see...Um…."

"No…" Sora said taking a deep breath. "Go-"

"Gawrsh, I know the king told us to go with the Keyblade but…" Goofy bit his lip.

Sora shook his head. "Go."

Donald sighed "Sora, sorry."

"Here," Riku conjured up a wooden sword and tossed it with them. "Go play hero elsewhere."

With those last cruel words, Riku left with Donald and Goofy leaving him alone with a wounded beast, distraught, his mind trying to grasp just what had happened.

After everything he had been through, all the worlds, all the battles, everything, he had lost the Keyblade in a matter of seconds. Just because according to Riku his heart was weak. Sora knew that he had never truly mastered the Keyblade, in fact he still hadn't been able to summon it, something Phil had kindly reminded him before he left. But to just lose it, when it had came to him during the destruction of the island. And to lose it to Riku, who's heart was being consumed by the darkness. It was if everything Sora had learned, everything he had learned in life had completely been taken away from him.

The Beast slowly got up and began to move out before falling again, seeing him wounded instantly caused Sora to jump to his feet, all self loathing aside. This creature was hurt and he was the only one able to help him.

"Hey, you're still hurt." Sora said keeping him stead

The Beast looked at him with those deep blue eyes, a hint of sadness in them but also fiery determination. "I came to fight for Belle, and even though I am alone, I will fight."

Sora looked down at his sword and picked it up. "Me too, I'm not giving up now. I'm here for someone very important to me."

"Good on you, Sora." Jiminy said poking his head out of his pocket.

"Jiminy, what are you doing here?"

"I might be under orders from the Queen to chronicle the adventure, but I'm also a conscious, now I understand Donald and Goofy I really do, but right now I'm doing what my own heart commands and mine says to stay with you."

Sora smiled. "Well thanks, Jiminy."

"I'll help" The Beast walked up to him now looking down on him, "I can tell, you have someone important for you waiting too"

"Yeah...Yeah i do"

So, how do we get into the castle? I don't think going through the main door is gonna be easy."

The Beast nodded. "Agreed, I can smell those fowl creatures that attacked my world. They lurk everywhere."

"Then we better be careful." Sora said as he started heading towards the castle.

The Beast slowly followed him, limping a few feet before picking up the pace. His wound still hasn't healed fully and it seemed painful to walk, but he pressed forward through the rugged terrain of the blue rock. Something about his sheer strength of will was inspiring to say the least. It made Sora want to continue on himself despite not having his Keyblade.

"So um-" Sora heistated unsure what to call him.

"Beast." He groaned. "That's what everyone calls me these days."

"Beast." Sora replied keeping his wits about him. "This Belle, she must be very important to you."

"She is, she's been one of the few to show any real kindness to me in a while. Especially considering how we met. "

Sora seemed curious. "How did you meet?"

"It's a long story, I don't wish to speak of it."

Sora nodded, not wanting to agitate his only companion at the moment. But by the looks of it, there was a certain amount of guilt in the Beast's face. Perhaps a sign of some sort of tragedy that took place but he didn't want to pry too much. Instead, the two pressed on as they found a lift that lead to the castle. It seemed to be powered by some sort of electrical field. It was a strange device, and it took Sora time to find the proper button before the two of them were swept up to the castle's main gateway.

"One must wonder who the previous master of this place was." Beast said as he gazed at the monstrous building growing closer before him.

"Why do you think someone owned it before?" Sora asked.

Beast pointed to the castle. "Look at it! Nothing matches, some areas are made of metal, other of stone, clearly this castle has gone through many changes."

Looking at the castle, again Sora had that moment of nostalgia. Something about this castle seemed so familiar to him but he couldn't remember what it was. Perhaps something in a dream maybe, but he wouldn't have time to think for everything stopped midway to the castle. Beast and Sora took defensive measures, as something was definitely wrong. Then surrounding them, Heartless, flying ones that looked almost like monstrous bats appeared flying around them screeching a high pitch roar at them as they flew by.

Sora took Stan's brass knuckles as he readied for a fight punching the Heartless straight at the nose doing great damage as he knocked it back. The Beast was just as strong using his bear arms to literally throttle them.

Even without the Keyblade, Sora was impressed he was still alive.

"Okay, we can do this." Sora said taking a deep breath. "At least, I hope we can."

This would definitely be a hard battle. Keyblade or not, the endgame was coming.

-000-

Sora gave another punch knocking a Heartless back, Beast was holding his own but for how long? Without the Keyblade it was difficult to take down the Heartless let alone completely get rid of them. These ones in particular were extremely fierce, there strength and monstrous urges greater than anything he had witnessed before.

"How are you holding up?" Sora yelled staying close to his harry companion.

Beast grunted and let out a loud roar as he swiped at a Heartless with his sharp claws managing to inflict some damage.

"I'll take that as good." Sora tried to keep up a humorous front, laughter was really the only thing he had going for him at this point.

Ducking Sora dodged another slice only to slide near the end of the floating elevator platform. The two of them had to be careful when moving, otherwise it would lead to a gruesome death by falling towards large blue rocks. Yet they had no way to get out of here without any sort of control mechanism. It would take a miracle practically just to get out of this new mess.

But then, a remarkable one came.

Sora felt his feet begin to shake as he lost balance and fell onto his back, as the elevator platform began to move again heading forward towards the castle. Even the Heartless seemed to look surprised for they step back and begin to retreat, almost scared to know just how the platform was starting to move again. But it didn't matter, Sora and the Beast were just happy to get away from the Heartless and head back to their destination.

Closer and closer they got, the castle starting to practically block the rest of the sky. Yet in the distance near the platform end Sora saw the makings of tiny figure jumping up and down. Mice? No they were to misshapen for mice. Perhaps something else. Sora narrowed his eyes to get a better lock only to widen them when realizing that they weren't actually creatures at all, but appliances. Actual living appliances, from a candelabra, a small clock, a teapot and a teacup.

Out of many things Sora had seen during this journey, this was definitely a new one for him. As he looked at the beast though he seemed almost pleased as they waved to him.

"Master!" The candle spoke.

"Lumiere, Cogsworth, , Chip...All of you, what are you doing here?" The Beast said still in shock.

Cogsworth jumped forward and bowed. "Master, we have been here for far too long after our world was destroyed. But we've been fighting the good fight from within."

"Sure you did." Lumiere scoffed but didn't want to pry.

"What matters is now-" interjected before the two had at it. "Is that the master is safe, and that's all that matters."

"Who are you?" Chip, the tiny teacup jumps up to Sora looking at him with awe. "Are you another master?"

Sora gets on his knees and smiles. "I'm Sora, Be-Your Master is helping me get into the castle too."

"Really?" Cogsworth seemed almost shocked. "Well that's, that's very kind of you, master."

Beast grunts. "He and I are going the same direction, I might as well."

Mrs. Potts give the beast a sly grin. "Well I think it's still a good gesture, and very kind hearted."

"Where is Belle?!" The Beast grunted a bit louder than he needed too causing the servants to jump, yet quickly there faces became sullen for the news was not good.

"Master-" Cogsworth spoke hesitant to say anything before thinking it over in his mind. "Belle-Belle is….She's alive, she's in the castle but…..Well I'm just not sure how to describe it, Maleficent. she did something when she came to collect her and….."

"She's alive, she's in the castle." Beast clenched his fist and took a deep breath. "That is enough, if I can save her, then it will be enough."

Sora looked taken aback by Beast calm nature yet nodded. He knew that feeling exactly, it was the feeling he felt towards Kairi, his mother, his island, towards Riku even after everything. It was a loyalty to one's friends and to protecting the ones you loved. But to actually see it personified in such a strange creature like the Beast caused something inside Sora to keep going. Like being around him gave him courage to move forward even with the impossible odds.

"So how do we get into the castle." Sora asked looking out towards a large door.

"The main door is thankfully open." Lumiere repeated, "We made sure the locking mechanism was open, we knew you were coming since the Master well, let's just say he knows how to make a loud entrance."

"The place though is crawling with those creatures, they fester everywhere like horrible dust balls." Cogsworth shivered. "It's disgusting really, the place could use with a fine pest control."

"So do be careful." Mrs. Potts said with a concerned frown.

"We will." Beast said as he began to march forward.

Sora nodded, "Don't worry, I'm coming for you Kairi!"