I realized before that I jumped right in the invasion with many facts missing (for me really, I couldn't decide WHO was doing the invasion etc.) And Now I decided and I like where this idea is going. Originally the chapter "My Dad the Merman" was here, but I needed to flesh out the Blank Points about why Hollow Bastion Restoration Committee decided to turn the castle into an academy.
I'm trying to incorporate what happened to Sora and Kairi here after Re:Mind, but then Jack wouldn't exist, etc. So I lazily brought the two back for Plot Purposes. Sorry-Not-Sorry. The Merman chapter is next. Enjoy!
In Radiant Garden, formally Hollow bastion, there is a room that remains untouched. Sealed by a Keyblade.
It has been almost 10 years since Sora and Kairi gave their very lives to save everyone from Master Xehanort and his attempt to revive the Ancient Keyblade War.
In the year or so that followed, trying to bring them back, they succeeded. But at a price. According to Riku, neither remembered anything that happened after they tried to build a raft to see other worlds. It broke just about everyone when hearing the news. Until Naminé saw the silver lining. It means that the two can now lead normal lives.
With Ventus out of Sora's heart, its now just his. All Nobodies connected to Sora, Kairi and Ven have their own bodies now.
With Sora not remembering the Keyblade and all things related to it, the literal weight of the Universe is now off his shoulders.
Kairi is no longer traumatized for her part in being a Princess of Heart, being kidnapped, or dying via Master Xehanort.
Naminé made the offer for a second time to Riku, to erase his memories. He asked for time to think about it. In the end, he kept his memories. He reasoned, that younger him had a LOT of issues that would only get in the way of Sora and Kairi actually enjoying their second chance. He's content now. And even appreciates what he has and knows what the duo are capable of now.
He can start over with them.
He told Naminé to keep Sora and Kairi's memories erased. But, if another invasion happens, or even the first hint of Heartless etc, showing up on their island, to bring them back.
That was 10 years ago.
Just last month, Cids' Claymores activated for the first time in a decade. They only activate when dark creatures are nearby (Heartless, Nobodies etc.) Because it's been so long, no one could figure out what was happening when one randomly popped out in the middle of a crowd.
A portal opened.
Then screaming.
Leon leapt into action, groaning from not using certain muscles after so long. He ran to the parting crowd to see a Soldier Heartless curled up unconscious in a fetal position.
Not moving, no twitching no noting that he remembered from previous behavior.
Hearing a thud next to him, he turned to see Yuffie, similarly huffing.
Sharing an exasperated look, "We need to go back to the gym huh?" She groaned, still regaining her breath.
"Indeed." He agreed with a smile before the duo moved closer to the still Heartless.
It's claw twitched. The crowd parted further, the sounds of weapons being drawn.
Slowly sitting up, before looking around.
Leon and Yuffie hesitated. Why? Because this new behavior feels familiar somehow. An old explanation faintly trying to make itself known to them. Why does it's behavior seem familiar?
The Soldier slowly stood up before standing fully and facing them.
The crowd watched confused and wary.
Someone whispered "Why isn't it attacking?"
It tilted it's head in their direction as if hearing that statement, before facing Leon and Yuffie.
No one moved.
The Soldier shrugged before walking away and lazily gestured with it's hand to follow.
"What just happened?!" Yuffie whispered to Leon.
"I think it wants us to follow."
"Yeah, I got that." She grumbled.
They decided to follow to see what the heck is going on.
After a bit, with no other threat in sight, they put their weapons away.
"Are we going to the castle?" She asked after a while.
Which eventually lead to right now. The trio standing before a pair of doors that had multiple alarm bells going off in their minds.
The Grand Hall where the Keyhole was held.
During the Organization 13 fiasco, after Sora disappeared for a year the first time, they asked Sora to seal the entry way with his Keyblade as an extra security measure to prevent anyone from unintentionally opening it again, putting Princesses in there, etc.
You need a Keyblade to open those doors.
The duo looked down at the Soldier to see what it's going to do next.
It jumped back towards them, before holding out it's arm.
"Get back!" At the sudden movement, Leon whipped his arm out to protect her.
A flash of light, and a Keyblade formed.
Her hand went to her mouth in shock, his eyes widened. His arm slowly lowered from the shock and horror at which Keyblade appeared in it's hand.
The Soldier, stood firm before pointing the Keyblade to the door and unlocking it in a flash of light that lit the dim hallway.
The doors parted, the Soldier walked forward before looking back at them.
Hearing a sound beyond the Soldier, the duo slowly looked up.
A group of women were groaning as if waking up after a long sleep.