Of Keys and Hammers

by zcritic88

In a realm beyond, the Four Chaos has taken notice of a realm tied close to the heart. They squirmed into the darkness and sought to corrupt if to reach a prize beyond the light. Will the Light of Order, be able to repel this ancient evil?

34. Powered into Oblivion

During a morning in a hotel room. Ken was up, making maintenance on his prosthetic among other mundane tasks. He put the arm back onto its socket, felt a jolt of nerves connecting and looked at an early sun rise, on the bed closest to the window was Xion snoring loudly. He whistled to her. "Rise and shine," Xion stirred and woke up peacefully, she yawned and dragged herself up. "Yawn. M...morning." She got up and looked grateful. "Thank you for what you did, those movies became fun to watch," She shivered. "I'm never going to hear deep breathing the same way again."

Ken agreed with that. "You do not want to cross in the path of Vader, even if you knew what you were doing." He whistled and guided her out to an early sunrise, Xion stretched and asked. "I hope my brother finally gets here, it's been long enough." Tap! Tap! "H...Hey."

Ken heard the nearly burst out tone and turned around, finding a teenager in a hoodie, keeping his face hidden, Xion puffed her cheeks and scolded. "Dupmic, what took you so long?" Ken agreed with that. "Seriously, who ever you were working for really needs some priorities in ethics," He nervously laughed as Xion felt her adopted brother looking at the boy suspiciously. "We only watched movies together last night and that was all. A whole trilogy of a fun science fiction film."

Ken recited them all. "A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. All of them Star Wars films if you didn't hear of it."

The brother's mouth nearly dropped, he approached and give him a firm handshake to the warmer hand. "Thank you for watching my sister for me and you are right. I was being tricked into doing something I wouldn't have done if I knew and it took me most of the night to fix it. It won't happen again."

Ken shook back and asked Xion. "I guess our trip to that other town is cancelled for now?" The girl guessed so and smiled with him. "It looks like it." She winked to him. "Have a good day Ken."

Ken blushed and folded his hands behind his back, looking on in respect. "You too. It's been fun getting to know you." Dupmic felt he could trust the guy and guided Xion. "You got a good heart. Come on Xion, before Dad gets mad at us more than he already has."

The two walked off to the road and left Ken to enjoy the sun rise alone. He noticed more people arriving from the inn, finding Sora and Riku looking upon a phone and expecting something. The spiky haired teenager was in a different attire from before, looking mostly black with red and white highlights. Ken relaxed his arms and guessed. "Kairi is finally done?"

The boys heard the voice and nodded, they noticed a familiar girl walking to them with near exhaustion. Sora and Riku looked astonished by the many swellings on Kairi's body and Ken turned shocked. Sora asked her. "What happened to you?" Kairi growled and answered. "I was in a Bayou and there was nothing but mosquitoes. Flying insects that bite."

Riku smelled a stench and chose not to say anything against that. "That explains everything. Congratulations on finding the last Princess," Sora nodded and approached with a wide smile. "It sounds like you had a big adventure, good work." He felt the energy. "You're looking stronger than ever, what else happened?"

Kairi smiled back to him, it looked like she wanted to flirt. "I tried some cajun and I might have found a form change. A chaos daemon was causing trouble and was taking so many forms to mess with me, one of them was something he used to attack me, some... demon man with a two sided, laser like sword." Ken gasped. "No way, that was what you fought?!"

Riku felt like the youngest of the group knew something. "She formed light sabers? You know who or what she fought?" Ken nodded and found it amusing. "There are two sides to the force and those that use it. On the Light Side, we have the Jedi... on the Dark Side... we have the Sith. Kairi, was the guy red and black."

Kairi took a deep breath and asked. "Yes, what character was it?" Ken answered with envy. "Darth Maul. You... fought Darth Maul... and survived. That daemon knows dangerous people to mimic."

Sora gasped and went to hug Kairi. "I can't believe it, awesome." Hug. Kairi was caught of guard by the hug and hugged back, realizing the spiky haired boy wasn't just seeing looks. The two blushed, slowly let go and wanted to start the day, the girl asked. "I might show you the form change today when I can. What Ken said was nothing but truth about what they might resemble."

That sent Sora in awe. "Wow." Kairi giggled despite itching like crazy, she nervously asked. "Could you tell Master I'm back before she gets more upset." The boys vowed they would, Ken and Riku looked a bit disappointed as they watched Kairi leave for the inn to wash up. Sora noticed the other two looking at him weird, he looked confused as if he did something offensive. "What...what did I say?"

Riku shook his head and smiled to him. "Nothing wrong, nothing wrong at all," Ken gritted his teeth and pretended to smile. "I'm not saying, Riku said better than I can, but there is more I would say that would just get me beaten up," He mimicked pulling a boat horn and closed his right eye, Sora didn't get it, yet Riku did. The silver haired teenager warned the young one. "You made your point, knock it off."

Ken placed his hands in his pocket and took the warning. "Fine. I'm waiting until Miss wakes up before I take off. The business going on doesn't involve me, so I'll go prepare." He wished the two a good morning. "I'll see you before it happens, good morning."

He walked off and left the two boys behind, Riku shook his head and realized Sora still had no idea what the young one was talking about. "It's only something that important to him, it isn't to say I can't blame him. You need to know certain terms soon." Sora blinked and asked. "He was... talking about me, Kairi and a boat, what does that have to do with anything?"

That caused Riku to laugh loudly. "HA! Sora, you are so close yet still so far." Sora felt more confused and asked, a little closer to the truth. "He was wishing me and Kairi good luck, right?"

Riku nodded and saw Goofy, Donald and Mickey up and ready. "That wasn't the problem, but yeah," He gave the trio a chipper. "Good morning guys, Kairi's back. Now we can talk to Namine and get to the bottom of this."

In the Castle that Never was.

The Replica finished a long story to Xion as he stepped out of the corridor. "That's why it took me so long. That was never Ztardon, it was daemon sending me on a wild goose chase and trying make everything go out of control. Now I got to explain ho-" Xion noticed something odd and gasped, the Replica sensed it and parried a dark, red gear looking keyblade, wielded by a red dressed figure in a black mask. The girl looked at the lobby and found a Tzaangor shaman laying by a wall beaten with an inch of his life, she yelled out. "Ztardon?!"

The Tzaangor's usable eye looked up to her, his fist clenched to his staff like he wanted to try and do something, the Replica glared at the helmet stranger as his wing like blade glowed in blue fire. Shove, he swiped and caused a blue inferno to engulf, the helmeted assailant disappeared, the Replica sensed something coming from above and jumped through the fire to avoid. The helmet figure jumped to a table and charged after the Replica that kept a calm, confident smile. WOOSH!

A figure of unstable shadows pounced the assailant, growing gryphon like talons and clawing at him, the assailant shot out a dark orb with a reddish orange glow, knocking the figure off and causing it to stand before the Replica that barked and was ready to attack again. "You're one of the punks that moved in?"

The figure sighed and answered nearly mocking. "You're the stupid Replica that wandered off because Azhek wouldn't put you on a leash. How's it like out there?" The Replica knew venom was coming and raised his free hand high. "I got more freedom going out there and came back with much more for him to look at than I would have just being his doll." He fired something the assailant had no knowledge off until he noticed something coming for his shadow, the assailant felt like he was shot by a cannon as he was sent flying to a window, causing a crack. "Like learning Shadow Bolt."

He turned around to Xion and Ztardon, wanting to check on the Tzaangor's wounds as the creature of shadows kept a glare at the masked figure that realized he was being ignored. The masked figure disappeared and appeared in the Replica's way with his blade ready. "Hold it doll, who said I was done."

"I do."

WOOSH!

The Replica saw a blue bolt of unstable energy rush at the masked figure, exploding and sending the assailant flying. He turned to the door to find Ahriman giving off a crackle of lightning, the Sorcerer pointed to Ztardon and caused his wounds to rapidly regenerate, Ahriman aimed his staff at the foe in black and red and ordered. "Vanitas, you are forbidden from enforcing discipline upon those under my care. This is your one and only warning, leave...NOW."

Vanitas placed his free hand upon his face and caused a corridor to open. "Fine, my Master said I needed to check this fun little guy and try him out anyways." He turned and threatened the Replica. "You're lucky you got someone taking value in you, doll."

The word stung and the figure disappeared, Ztardon quickly recuperate and was noticing Xion oddly, asking curiously to Ahriman. "Master, is this what you meant by the oddity?"

Ahriman nodded and held his staff firm. "I told you that she might be the reason the Replica would be acting strangely around the Castle and the town, but you seeing her nullifies the excuse." He looked upon the Replica with a stare of disapproval, the boy cringed and guessed. "You were not just having my back when you ordered that psycho to leave us alone?"

The Sorcerer appreciated an observant mind. "I'm allowing you to explain yourself before I go look. When you and Xion disappear, we would expect jeopardy, give me an excuse to turn the other cheek."

The Replica took a deep breath and looked upon Ztardon. "I was given a job from what I thought was the usual giving me orders, looking upon another world for any resources that would stop the usual job of fetching food. There was much more going on in the world and I thought I was being given a task of resolving the issue, when really... the Ztardon that lead me to that world was a chaos daemon that wanted to make things much worse by ticking off the villain that had ties to his... Friends from the Other Side."

Ahriman sighed. "You were lead astray by a daemon I am aware of and had no knowledge that he was with in the worlds. The Changeling, a copycat that mimics others to near perfection and quite often, manipulates others through that deception," Xion gasped. "So that was why bro didn't get much besides Shadey."

Ahriman nodded to the girl. "Those that fall for his deception are often left in a much worse state then they were, that daemon enjoys playing with your mind in some of the most childish ways. But-" The Sorcerer's gaze upon the Replica lessened. "The Changeling would be able to fool even the most clever," He lowered his head and had an example to use. "You could be having a conversation with him right now and would be unaware of what I was really going to do with you."

Xion and the Replica felt the paranoia, the boy cringed. "Not cool!"

Ztardon didn't believe it. "But Master, you and the daemon have different-" The Sorcerer turned to his minion and agreed. "I know, he wouldn't have speed up your natural ability to recover like I did. But the point still stands."

The Replica felt it did and looked to Shadey to call him. "If the Changeling gets involved, we wouldn't know how bad he screwed us over until it is too late. But the trip wasn't a complete waist of time, I found this thing and I know where it came from."

The creature kept close to the Replica and it wasn't trusting Ahriman, who was amazed and horrified. "This is the creature that was born when Kharn tore into Sora's heart?! Such... instincts," He asked the two children. "You are to keep this thing close to you, less it slaughters us all."

The two agreed with that as the Replica had more to note. "I think one of the fragments of light found a new Princess to make home as well, me and a girl that only knows the minimum, witnessed her revealing herself. The force of darkness that had a hold on the world, those things from the Other Side, can't do much anymore and are now stuck in their world." He snapped his finger and let Ztardon know. "I found something you and the Tzaangor could be interested in, that world is a hot spot for cooking ingredients as well. Crayfish, fish, natural spices, the works, if you all search, you could have a source of food and it is all in Bayou, far away from civilization."

The shaman perked as Xion felt hungry. "Nice, does that mean-" The Tzaangor went to the hall and gave out an echoing caw, a presence was coming as the shaman answered. "It is most suitable." He nodded to the Replica. "You done well, in spite of the folly."

Ahriman felt he heard enough. "Which is a convenience," he looked upon the Replica with a lightening mood. "Despite how this all started, you salvaged enough for not only yourself, but for us to gain. Anything else?"

The Replica looked upon his shadow and gave a pose like he was readying something, Ahriman saw the shadow readying an orb of energy and warped out of the way, towards an upper left corner of the room, the Replica aimed at him and launched several bolts with in the shadows. The Sorcerer felt what the bolts would do and moved fast out of there, to a position where his shadow wouldn't be hit, the Replica smiled to him. "I learned that from watching how those... things can hurt you and from watching you use that spell."

Ahriman knew which one the Replica was talking about. "Doombolt. You learned how to use it but found it not to your taste?" The boy nodded. "I used it once against daemons of Tzeentch, but something about it feels... wrong, so I made some adjustments. I call this, Shadow bolt." The boy's glowing bird like sword was more proof of small details, the Sorcerer felt little needs to be done. "You learned well and I presume, because of Xion's mood and her change of clothes, you didn't just abandon her in the town while you were figuring out you were being played?"

Xion nodded and looked a little annoyed. "That was never his intention Ahriman, but I found ways to get around. We're not suppose to talk about it out here," The Sorcerer agreed with that. "You can spare me the details, for what is important is that you're not nearly as isolated as you thought whether it is from the outside world or in here, isn't that right Ztardon."

The Tzaangor wasn't exactly happy about it, yet at the same time was curious. "But would be foolish to assume you would be given the same prestige from me as the as I do the other. Yet... there are more secrets to uncover."

Xion sighed and accepted that. "I haven't done anything besides figuring this out." She caused a keyblade to form, catching Ztardon's attention much more. "Mmmm." Ahriman agreed with him. "That will fall into place in due time," He readied to leave with his minion ready for his task. "Ztardon, go make a foraging party at some point after todays morning meal. Then meet me at the library for our studies."

The Tzaangor obeyed and readied to leave as Ahriman had one more thing to say to the Replica. "Stay around this area until I decide otherwise, this is not a request. You're disappearance caused that demons master to suspect out right treachery and try to send him to deal with the matter."

The Replica cringed and saw a rubric marine enter the room. "I wasn't going to get off scott free for that. He is here to make sure I do just that?" The Sorcerer answered him affirmatively. "Precisely. Amun is just a reminder that you are under watch for now and that some of us would be quick to know if you gone off for much longer than planned."

The Replica sighed. "Oh no, it's not like we don't have a way to keep ourselves busy," He and Xion sensed the Sorcerer's message that they were only being mildly punished, the Replica wanted to guide Xion and Shadey with in the closest thing to sanctuary in the castle. "Don't worry, we don't have a reason right now to go back out there. I think we had enough for the day."

Ahriman sensed an honest truth and warned him. "You're the one who has control over that warding spell, talk with each other in there first before I come back. That will be all for now." The two left the rubric to keep watch, Amun's stoic pose gave Xion unease as her brother guided her and the creature to the room, finding it exactly as they left it. The creature shifted into a dog and curled up to rest as Xion watched her brother fall on the bed exhausted.

The girl sighed. "It's no wonder they had you be that paranoid. What are we going to do?"

The Replica listened and answered. "Play along for now, Ahzek has a point and I was lucky that I gotten a slap on the wrist. I'm sorry that you might not be able to get back to that town today."

Xion didn't mind and noticed a book about a world famous detective. "Ken had something to do and was trying to help me wait a little longer. At least you don't have to go fetch food for the Tzaangor anymore."

The Replica appreciated that. "That's one of the reasons this morning didn't blow up in my face. Now, do you want to talk about that trilogy you two watch." Xion pitied her brother and answered. "A movie and a book are pretty different things, but it's like he said. It suppose to have taken place in a galaxy far far away."

At the Bistro in Twilight Town.

Ken had a couple glowing jars, cloth wraps and other essentials firmly in his bag as Aqua asked Kairi. "You learned a form change like that?" The girl nodded and felt full if itchy. "It might have been because, who ever that demon was copying really was tough to beat. At least we don't have to deal with it for a while."

Anatesis agreed with that. "You only sent the Changeling back to its realm, but it won't cause anymore problems now we know it has an interest in this."

Sora looked to be blushing even more and asked the girl. "But now that you found the Princesses, what now?" Kairi answered without hesitation. "I need to get stronger for when someone like Archaon comes back or when we deal with another person trying to hurt others. Master, you're saying that Ventus and Roxas looking alike isn't a coincidence and we need to figure out how to put that mystery together."

Aqua nodded and looked to be completely blank in what do to. "It isn't, but until then-" She looked at Sora with questions and chose against asking. "We'll... figure it out later today." Riku promised that and asked Kairi. "We need to talk to someone you might know of to figure out another puzzle. Garland is looking for reflection magic as the last crystal and there might be one place he would look. We need to talk about it somewhere privately."

Kairi felt a presence with in feeling rather guilty and volunteered. "We know where to go before we keep talking." Mickey nodded to that. "It could be hard talking about that, but we need to figure it out moreif we want to stop Garland." Riku agreed with that and looked at both Sora and Kairi. "We need to borrow you two before we talk about the pathway Kairi opened."

Ken wiped his mouth and asked. "Sounds like a big mystery on the horizon." He adjusted his bag and let his teacher know. "Good luck figuring this out, I'll be really close."

Aqua allowed it and felt guilty as a teacher as Kairi promised the boy. "We'll let you know if we need your help. Sorry for keeping you all worried for this long." Ken didn't mind it and left for his next adventure, Riku felt a bit of relief as he felt it was safe to talk. "It's complicated, but we should talk about it at the tower." Sora, Donald and Goofy especially wanted to know, why the information needed to be so seclusive.

In the Lane Between.

Ken whistled and cheered in his gummy ship. "Woot! Finally, Bryn, you remember where we fought the Eldar?"

A screen flashed to show a questioning face that knew what was being talked about. "That world on the horizon with all the grass. What do you think is there?" The screen became a willing smile, the ship set sail towards Destiny Island, then towards a forming sight of the grassy like world. Ken felt a shine and stepped into it, finding himself with in a grassy field with a few trees and a long stretch of road that could be seen for miles. The boy squinted his eyes to the distance to see something and began his journey. "Pretty, but is there something here?"

He heard a giggle from with in. "Wielder of the Flame, does thou think the tale would just tell itself?" Ken looked around to find the Firekeeper enjoying the gentle breeze of wind and agreed with her. "If there are no people on this world, why?"

He didn't feel any presence with in the world. "Normally there is someone doing something or some heartless, daemons... or something causing trouble. Is my instinct a little off?" The Firekeeper shook her head. "There is no civilization, no people, nothing for the darkness to feed upon besides us, yet... there is still life. But why would such a world be like this?"

Ken clapped and answered. "That's the mystery that could make this world a cool find." He marched forward. "It's across the way. That's the story we need to find, maybe... maybe," He gasped. "Maybe this can be a project to share with Wanda. She been completely depressed after Traverse Town and maybe she can start fresh here. Yeah... let's see if it is a good idea to build anything here first." The Firekeeper vanished in ashes in approval to the idea. "It would be wise to not rush such grandeur."

At the Mysterious Tower.

Sora and Kairi were astonished by the faded image of Roxas and Namine sitting on chairs in contemplation. Aqua felt more confused just by looking at one of the two nobodies, one that looks and sounds exactly like Ventus. Riku took a deep breath and advised to Sora, Kairi, Donald and Goofy. "You can go out of the tower now, we just need a word with Namine and you don't need to hear it." The four became more curious as Jiminy jumped off of Sora to ask. "What happened to make this a big bother in the first place?"

Aqua ordered the five. "That's what we need to figure out. This shouldn't be long." The firm tone whipped them into leaving without much of an argument, Anatesis sighed and asked. "I'll make sure they don't get bored Lady Aqua." She followed out and left the nobodies, Yen Sid, Riku, Mickey and Aqua be. The Keyblade Master asked Roxas. "So you two are able to do this when Sora and Kairi are together? That's the reason you had to be drawn out."

The nobody nodded and smiled nervously. "Even when this is more about Namine, besides... this feels like it is going to be hard to talk about."

Riku agreed and started for them. "Aqua, over a year ago; Sora, Donald and Goofy wandered into a place called Castle Oblivion," the name caused Aqua's eyes to light up, the silver haired teenager guessed. "It's a place you knew, but that's not the important part. Two members from Organization XIII tried to use Namine's... special ability to alter memories to try and turn Sora into their puppet. That was why she had to set things right and fix what she broke. It took a year to do it and people suffered." He didn't wish to look at Roxas out of guilt. "No apologies would undo that, with in Castle Oblivion... the floors alter themselves based on a persons memories."

Namine took a deep breath and confessed. "Some of those I altered and the people that held me their prisoner told Sora that the higher he went, the more of his memories are lost. That's because of me," Aqua nodded and felt horrified. "Those people were trespassing, I know of the Castle. I created it from the world me, Ven and Terra use to live in before Xehanort destroyed it," Riku and Mickey gasped as Yen Sid placed his hands together. "I see and it's machinations?"

Aqua went to that. "The Castle is a labyrinth, I made it so it will alter itself based on the memories of who entered there, if to keep them lost." Yen Sid answered why. "For that is where the Castle's true treasure lies, deep with in the heart. Ventus." Aqua nodded. "In a place that not even time will enter."

She clenched her fists as Mickey separated the two incidents. "This all explains how Riku wasn't losing any of his memories when he was in the castles basement. So the memories being lost were because of Namine, while the illusions were because of you. This castle is where Garland went to," Aqua nodded as Roxas tensed to the thought. "And it's about time someone goes to kick him out?"

The keyblade master nodded. "It is. He isn't welcome." She exhaled and smiled to him and the blonde girl. "Thank you for telling us, Namine. Roxas, I agree, he is only there to steal the power of reflection magic and we can't allow him to succeed."

Namine swallowed and felt something occurring outside. "But what are we going to do with Sora? He is the key to saving Ven, but it's all a big mystery." Roxas placed his hands behind his head and had an arrogant smile. "Until we solve the mystery, Castle Oblivion is kept behind a locked door and someone needs to make sure people don't go nosing in there again. Who's going to be the guard?"

Aqua scoffed to that, a confirmation that the boy before him was definitely a different person. "You're bound to Sora, so that can't be you. But... you are right, there needs to be someone... anyone, who can help." Mickey sighed to that. "The world is nothing but a grass land, so maybe there is someone we know that can settle there, even if it is for a while."

Riku knew one person who might be up for the job. "Wanda? She and her men would be a lot to bring over, but this would be good for her. Losing Traverse Town wasn't just a blow for those who counted on that world, she worked hard to restore it," He wanted to leave and ask. "We need to keep Sora and the others away from Castle Oblivion for a while and the pathway Kairi found could do the trick, its lame having to do it. But we can handle searching the place if it isn't going to be that long. Think we should try encouraging them to stay out of this for a little longer?"

It wasn't a decision to take likely, Namine gave a small smile and promised. "Any world that isn't explored could end up being in trouble from the people we are fighting. So it won't be pointless if they do that." Roxas agreed with her. "It wouldn't hurt." He looked just as confused as the others about something and heard something outside.

Simultaneously out in the base of the tower.

Sora pouted about being excluded from important affairs as Donald voiced a reason. "It had to do with why we were asleep for a whole year, we know that." Kairi agreed and decided to resist the temptation. "They think I would be mad at Namine for having something to do with that."

She shook her head and glared to the distance as Goofy scratched his right ear. "What makes ya say that?" Kairi answered firmly. "While I was out in the worlds, I sometimes had those whispers we were warned about and one of the four Chaos was messing with my head to the point Namine tried to deal with it, Things went horrible when one of them kept abusing her, I think I know what the words were about." She turned to the tower. "It's about what she had to help Master figure out." She turned back to find Anatesis keeping watch. "I still don't want to know every detail, but this has to be hard for her to have to talk about."

Anatesis agreed with that. "But it has to be done, as long as there isn't any screaming up there, we shouldn't have to worry about a ruckus." Sora, Donald, Goofy and Kairi hoped nothing comes to that, the boy asked. "So what were you talking about yesterday? With training?"

The Stormcast coughed and went to more details. "It was an idea I got since the training every recently forged Stormcast has to go through was a gift to Sigmar from Malerion... why though, I wouldn't ask. It's illusions that fight like the real things me and the Stormcast will go through. While nothing beats learning out in the world, you're attacks are getting more wild and eventually, you have no choice but to use them on the enemy because that will do more than take an eye out."

Donald and Goofy imagined most of the moves Sora has done as the boy felt overwhelmed to ask. "Was I really over doing it?" Ana shrugged. "Not the way I see it, but if you practice those on a random shadow, that would be pushing the boundary." Kairi felt that was the point. "But if we don't practice when we fight someone like Ahriman, Xehanort, Archaon and the move leaves a lot to be desired, that would be dangerous."

Ana nodded. "Exactly lass, this is just an idea right now that could be a thing in the near future," She asked with with her left hand at her hip. "With what I heard about you beating the Changeling while it was in the form of a formidable sounding warrior and seeing some of your training, it looks more and more like you been wanting to do something."

Kairi nodded and agreement, had her hands behind her back and observed the edge, finding it ill suited for what she wanted. "Mmm. A better time probably won't come." She turned to Sora with a mischievous smirk, the boy realized what ever she wanted to do involved him, Kairi quickly drew out her keyblade and asked. "Do you mind if we have a quick battle?"

Sora blushed and drew out his own, Donald and Goofy laughed to each other and stood out of the way as Ana waited and promised. "I'll catch ya if you fall off." That gave the teenagers more reasons to not want to hold back, both looked at each other determined as Jiminy closed a book. The noise was enough for the teenagers to charge after each other, Kairi rolled like a missile of shining light after Sora, the boy rolled out of the way and swung. Kairi parried and countered in fast speeds, Sora countered hers and was even faster, knocking her back and forcing her to jump high with a glow of angelic wings, she dived down after the boy that leaped high in the air and glided to a wall, he jumped back towards her. PARRY!

A shine of light glistened as Sora switched his keyblade to one with colored column at the hilt and for blades, were thunder bolts with a the center of the blade looking like a black cloud shaped like a deity holding a thunderbolt. He rushed to Kairi and kept the pressure as Kairi rolled to his side and enveloped in water, she let loose a quick combo that were like waves crashing on a beach. Sora rolled to the left to dodge the waves, clashed blades once more and was pushed back, he focused something and caused a ball of lighting to fall from the sky, he raised his blade and watched it form into a shield. He rammed it up and caused the ball of lightning to let loose sparks all around, causing Kairi's hair to stand up as she felt the electricity. "Ow!" She focused back and aimed her blade at him, causing a blue flower with five petals to appear.

PEW!

Five beams fired and forced Sora to dodge, Kairi caused her blade to flicker in light and split into two, resembling the light sabers she mentioned. Sora focused on his own blade and watched it expand, its bolt edges broke off and surrounded the black tip as it gave an electrical spark, it and the blade condensed into the hilt and caused it to spin into a grey shield with a golden image of a lightning bolt. Sora's clothes gave off a yellow appearance. Kairi flipped towards the boy that blocked with the shield and caused it to charge yellow. Swoosh!

Kairi felt the blow coming and flipped around to see a yellow fist punch out, Kairi quickly swiped with the light sabers as Sora blocked and effortlessly knocked her back. Kairi back flipped, panted and saw the door opening, she and Sora let their weapons revert back to normal. She felt invigorated. ""Phew, I still got a long way to go."

The boy broke a sweat, watched his clothes return to black and was nearly captivated. "Wow," He tried to say something and was tongue tied as the door opened to let out Mickey, Riku, Aqua, Roxas and Namine. The nobodies sensed the emotions of battle and let the three know they will meet again, going to their other halves and disappearing in light, Riku felt like he missed out on seeing a battle as Mickey realized his guard were not going to say anything. Aqua assumed the best outcome. "That was something we saw coming?"

Riku bluntly answered. "Yes." He told his friends the disappointing news. "We found out where Garland is at and due to complications, you can't come yet." Sora and Kairi pouted with a unified. "Aw."

The spiky haired boy dismissed his blade and folded his arms. "Well, there is another pathway we should check out." Kairi agreed with that and asked. "Better safe than sorry, may I come with you guys?"

Donald and Goofy were not surprised as Sora stood firm like a knight giving respect to another. "Of course."

Anatesis sighed to the teenagers and asked Aqua, Mickey and Riku. "Since it sounds like we are going to a big ol objective, I'll come along. We need answers." Aqua nodded to that. "We do, but the place is more important than that." She smiled to the other quartet in good will. "Good luck you four, I hope the world you find is fun."

In the grass lands.

Kendry was taken aback as he left the grasslands and found himself in front of a castle hanging over a cloudy abyss. The structure made little sense and the boy concluded. "This is the mystery of this world, across the dream comes the end." He snickered and went to the castles front gate, opening the door and going across to find a white castle, feeling like he stepped from one world and into a whole realm. "Wow." He yelled out. "Hello! Anyone here?"

He drew out his two keyblades and kept on guard, something has to be in the castle. Ashes formed from the burning keyblade into the form of the Firekeeper, even she felt the place to be near alien. "Bearer of the Flame, what is a castle so pristine without a lord?"

Ken agreed with that and walked down the hall way, towards a grand white door. "This world has to have a reason to be here, for you to think this is odd." The Firekeeper approached the door and pressed her hand against it. "Not even the dead lurk here. Should we venture further?" Ken dismissed his gun like keyblade and placed his hand on the door feeling something calling to him. "We should, think about what might be behind this."

He dismissed his other blade and used both hands to open the door, finding a shining light radiating, he walked past the door and found himself walking down the street of a town most familiar. A wave of nostalgia and sorrow filled him, a town in perpetual night under the blanket of stars, the distant bell tower and nylon lights caused Ken to sniffle and wipe his eyes, the sorrow made way to anger. "Out of all the places, why did this town had to die?"

He turned back to find the Firekeeper following him, she tilted her head and felt the buzzing familiar. "Despite that, it is here."

Kendry approached a door and went across, finding the structure to be disjointed than he thought it would be, the boy closed his eyes and shook his head. "I don't know what this place is, but the real town is gone, I hope Abaddon and his Black Legion never come back, they... are the reason my friends are hurting."

He noticed a couple shadow like heartless crawling and drew out his gun like keyblade, he fired upon them and watched the automatic fire blast them into oblivion. He felt a fire burst and drew out his burning keyblade once more, finding a two each of red mage like heartless and blue mage like heartless. The boy jumped with a gust of air and rushed to the blue mages with a slash of fire, releasing their hearts, he let himself drop to dodge the fire and shot the red mages down. He found a doorway not attached to anything and walked through to find himself in a road connecting to three, one to his left, one ahead and another to the right. He asked the Firekeeper. "Is it wrong to be this mad? I thought seeing this town again was going to bring smiles and be back to... being there for the lost. Like those from the realms and the galaxy." He took a deep breath. "I'm glad those who were in this town managed to escape... but... before I found that out, I thought they were murdered as well."

The Firekeeper shook her head. "It is not a sin to mourn, for that makes thou whole. Thou loved this world." The boy looked to the doorway to his left and followed. "To make matters worse, this was after Magi and most of those space marines gave everything to stop Zagor. Then I heard Tahm and those guardsmen went above for the other town." He found a simple room with a doorway to his right. "I wished those guys are still here, so we could share some more fun memories. I wish this town was still around... could something have been done to have stopped it?"

The two went to a room with two soldiers like heartless, a shadow and a red mage like heartless. Kendry calmly fired his hotshot volley gun upon them for a quick clearing, he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. "None of us, could have foreseen the devastation, thou know that the souls from the Imperium chose their sacrifice." The boy did and understood, he saw a door ahead shining brighter compared to the others and felt calm, he entered the room to find a simple park and saw a young blonde boy being chased by a soldier like heartless. A brown haired woman in a pink dress hit it back with a stick and caused it to disappear.

Kendry blushed embarrassed and recognized the boy with hair covering his eyes, a black t-shirt with the image of an elderly, green, pointy eared alien and a brown pair of pants, cowering under the woman's leg. Like looking into a past memory from a different angle. "I always liked exploring when I shouldn't have and I always keep getting into trouble." His young self was kept in watch from the woman, the boy sighed. "A lot of brave people were around during those times, why is it... when I get into the worst of it, someone like Aerith comes around to save me?" Aerith guided the boy's young self to a bench by a building, Kendry went to have a closer look and found no doorway. "Now...I got to be the brave one too."

He looked back to find the Firekeeper fondling her fingers. "Thou has been one." The boy gave a smile and noticed something in the distant, smoke. He tensed and watched the Firekeeper disappear into ashes. "Now I to be that again, I couldn't save the real one, but I can save this one." He felt confident in himself and went back the way he came, finding Traverse being consumed by a strange fire, he went the other way, finding two heartless knights pitifully overwhelming two shambling bodies that looked like they lost hope. The boy charged after the four and best them with one swipe, the heartless were one memory, yet the other. "I don't remember these guys."

He noticed another door ahead and found more bodies like before, some laying still face first, three others banging their head against a doorway marked with a flicker of light. Kendry frowned to the zombies. "This is getting more sad." He stabbed the three in the back with his gun like keyblade, seeing each one lay limp wasn't a pleasant experience, he opened the town to find a limping knight in shining metal armor that had blue highlights and a crest shield on his back, taking a body with a set of keys and tossing it down into a hole, the knight looked down with some hope and tried to walk away, falling to his knees. Ken approached, with drew his keyblades and helped the knight up, finding a wall to help him lay against. "Come on, what are you doing?"

The knight sighed and placed his hand on his stomach, feeling something didn't feel right, he answered. "Trying to stop the fire, you are a god send, to come at this moment." Ken placed the knight by the wall and lowered himself. "By... tossing a body down?" He snapped his fingers. "No, helping someone trapped down there."

He pressed his hands together and focused, giving off a green glow that reinvigorated the knight, the knight laughed jolly. "Ha, that won't work I'm afraid, my insides are way too damaged from the... thing responsible for the fire."

Ken pouted. "Really? You want me to meet up with your friend and stop the monster burning the town." The knight relaxed and looked upon the burning keyblade. "Thank you for hearing me out." He cringed and tried to hold on, Kendry gave the knight a potion with swirls of stars and a crescent moon. "Just drink this slowly, if me and your friend can get this fire gone, will you be happy with that?"

The knight held the flask tight and looked like he was smiling. "Ah... it's no estus, but it will do. Th...thank you, go now." Ken smiled to him and left the knight be, going back the way he came and went to the right doorway. Finding a horde of zombies flaying around with torches or rushing to buildings on fire, the boy dispatched them with ease and felt he was missing a particular adversary, he found a door to his right and opened it, leading him to a room with a single, armored, black knight with a mighty sword and shield, wearing a helm of horns. It looked upon the boy and approached rather fast, Kendry fired Cadia's Light and punctured the armor, yet the knight kept going towards him.

It tried to bash him and stab him, the boy jumped away, dashed to the back and thrust into him with his burning keyblade, watching the body light up, go limp and fade in light. "In a place this narrow, I should watch out for those."

He went to the next room and found himself at the base of the bell tower, lit up into an inferno, he heard stomping to his right and approached, finding a sight that made him ready for battle. A massive, fat, demonic creature with leathery wings, a two handed club, green skin, red eyes and fanged maw. Ken noticed a glow on top of the bell tower, causing the sky to become cloudy, the boy knew what was coming and looked upon the demon bravely. The demon used his club to hit a wall and burst in chaotic fire, knocking Ken back, the boy felt the burn and quickly got up. He fired upon the demons head and caused it to flap its wings and fly above. Ken backed away and watched it slam down in an attempt to crush him. Ken charged the demon, watched it swipe its club to its left and shot to the right, he sparked himself in fire and yelled. "Get out of my town." He gave three mighty slashes as the demon slammed his club down, Kendry jumped back a distance and watched the demon pulse in fire, causing the bell tower to rumble as the clouds darkened. The boy noticed something glittering in light falling from the tower, nay, more stumble, a knight falling down yelling like he was about to die. The knight took a broad sword and let himself fall on top of the demons head, stabbing it in its scull and caused it to reach for the knight in its pained reflex. The knight jumped off and looked at his shield, whining loudly. "How they expect me to wit stand a club from something that massive?"

Kendry sighed and gave one more slash, backing away and letting himself envelope in wind. He flew to the demon's stomach, stabbed it with both his keyblades, pulled out and flung around to strike when he can with Cadia's Light, he jumped on top of the demons back, aimed his gun like blade at a wound and pulled the trigger. The demon tried to swing its club at the tower and felt a sharp shot into its skull, causing it to fall limp and gurgle. It fell on its knees and gave a spit as it tried to fall on its face. The boy jumped off to meet the knight that backed from it. "What were you doing up there?"

The knight stiffen and answered. "This horrible demon and its undead minions tried to attack this peaceful town when we arrived. I was trapped in the water way when a knight of Astoria tossed me the keys one of them stole," He shook it off. "Along with the whole body. The wizard up above should have our solution right around."

Drizzle!

Rain poured, drenching the wild fire and extinguishing it. Kendry smiled to him, despite feeling the rain. "You and you're friend sure did a lot to save this town, thank you. What's your name?" The bumbling knight put his weapons away and answered as he watched the dying flame. "I am Knight Jambert, that... is what I remembered. Oscar... is he well?" Kendry shook his head and frowned. "No, he got hurt by this thing so badly that healing didn't do anything. I left him a good potion behind so he can at least know he helped saved the town."

Jambert gasped, clenched his right fists and cursed. "That...brave fool." He looked to a doorway that Ken traveled and thanked him. "I... know what to do, thank you Sir...uh," Ken gave his name. "Kendry. Come on, you're friend needs you."

Jambert agreed with that. "I'll speak of why we were here soon. Thank-"

SWOOP!

A massive raven swiped Jambert away from the Clock Tower, the knight screamed for his life and swung aimlessly. Kendry wanted to chase after the bird and heard a familiar, elderly voice ask astonished. "I... I say, you look like one of the refugees."

Ken looked to the stairway of the clock tower and found Merlin, looking rather impressed, he smiled to a familiar face and greeted him proudly. "Thank you for getting the fire out, but a friend of that knight is hurting really badly near the town and he doesn't have long. Some one needs to tell him we did it," Merlin agreed with that and gasped. "You... are one of the refugees, Kendry do you know the sorcery you dabbled in."

The boy gasped back and shook his head. "No, I walked into a castle and found myself here." He cringed and felt the bright town darkening. "...Right..." Merlin took off his glasses and wiped them with his robe. "Then the truth is as I feared, come, we shouldn't delay." He and the boy went down the path back, the wizard asked. "The order of this town, isn't as it is suppose to be, do you know why?"

Kendry nodded and felt his efforts hollow. "Because... this town was made from a memory I had. You're... not real, but... I don't remember Oscar or Jambert. Why?"

Merlin found it a concept he didn't wish to think about. "Perhaps they are an anomaly in the cognition of the town, much like that Stray Demon. Where could it be from?"

Kendry wondered, realized where and looked upon his burning keyblade. "Those guys were not my memories. It's... memories from this. Merlin, I don't care if this town isn't real or not. I don't want to see it get destroyed again... should... I follow Jambert and learn more?"

The wizard guided to a door leading to a white light, finding it a way into reality. "That decision is not mine to take, that lies with you and what your heart speaks."

Kendry looked at the doorway and called back Cadia's Light, placing his hand on his chest and closing his eyes. "...I should, it's what told me to help save this town even if it isn't real. I need to help this guy back, thank you," he turned and found Merlin gone, Ken felt a pause, laughed it off and told himself. "It's okay, the real one Merlin is just fine."

He walked past the door and found himself in an odd place that the burning keyblade lit up to. A camp site near some ruins, many pathways lead out of the camp site, one lead to ruined town hanging from the mountain and another towards a grave. Kendry heard a yell of peril very familiar. "Help! Helllllllp!"

The boy looked above to the sound of the voice, finding the same knight from Traverse, hanging loosely from a tree branch high above a building of stone, ravens pecking at his fingers to make him fall to his death. The boy burst in wind and flew to the tree, a raven pecked a painful stab in Jamberts fingers and caused him to yelp, lessen his grip and fall, screaming with tears in his eyes.

SWOOP!

Kendry plucked Jambert from the force of gravity, landed on a rock and turned, he flew back to the campfire and placed the knight on his feet. Jambert was completely embarrassed, ashamed to call himself a knight. "Wha...Sir Kendry, how did you follow me all the way... here." He looked around and was confused as the boy answered. "I... did. Merlin should be telling Oscar what we did by now, so what are we to do?"

Jambert answered with some confidence as he looked to the ruins. "We are in pilgrimage in the land of ancient lords, Lordran. When thou ringth the Bell of Awakening, the fate of the undead though shall know."

A bitter laugh came, the two looked to find a brooding knight in chain mail. "Well, what do we have here? You must be new arrivals," The two looked upon the crestfallen knight, Jambert nodded to him. "Oh most certainly, despite... where we traveled to from the Asylum."

The crestfallen knight rolled his eyes. "Well, you're not the first. You had done better to rot there," He shrugged. "But, too late now." Jambert's confidence became as down as the knight as Ken pushed him along. "Thanks for the help. Come on, let's see if we can't find that Bell of Awakening."

The crestfallen knight sighed. "There are... actually, two Bells of Awakening," The knight pointed to the church above. "One's up above in the undead church." and pointed down the mountain. "The other, is far...far bellow, in the ruins of the base of Blighttown. Ring them both and something happens. Brilliant, right?"

Jambert blinked to that. "Well that sounds easy enough. Someone has to prove themselves the Chosen Undead after all." Kendry gasped. "You guys are undead?"

The crestfallen knight cringed. "Oh dear, why did you come to this... accursed land? Hmm?" Kendry answered that. "To save Jambert from those birds. Now I want to know more about this place," The crestfallen knight looked upon boy, like he was a moron. "Hmm, you seem to have better luck than the most of us, after all... you only live once," He put his thumb to the ruins behind him. "The lift up to the church is broken, you'll have to climb the stairs up the ruins and access the undead burg through the other side."

Kendry looked at the passage ahead and thanked him. "Like Jambert said, it that sounds easy, are you going to help us if we ring the first bell?" The knight shook his head. "I'd sooner die again than set foot in that cess pool." Jambert didn't like the sound of that. "Y..Yeah, let's get to the church above first. T...thank you." He gave a respectful nod and walked to a pathway leading to the town, Kendry closed his eyes and opened to find himself in a pristine white hall.

The boy felt like he was on a weird trip and saw the Firekeeper by his side. "I know the things with Jambert and all that had nothing to do with me. Was that... a memory from the keyblade?"

He looked at his burning blade as the Firekeeper looked to the heat and answered. "It is," She took a deep breath. "Memories of a dreary world and thou seek to uncover the mystery of that world?"

Kendry nodded and asked her. "It's why every story you told me seems to be incomplete. That sappy knight is a sign of why. I wasn't in the mood or strength of heart to deal with that since I was being hunted down, but now..." The Firekeeper respected the wish, she and the boy went down the hallway and up the stairs to a door much like before, the maiden smiled to him. "Thou and Jambert tempt fate itself by thinking the task is simple. Remember, he is an illusion of ages past, but they are real enough to harm you."

Kendry understood. "And everything from here is probably going to be from the memories of that world. I want to know what else is going on in this crazy castle." The Firekeeper vanished once more. "Very well, I shall not interfere, but know thou are not like Jambert." Kendry remembered the strength of the large demon and put together the reference to frequent death. "I know, Jambert can die a lot, I can only die once."

He opened the door and found himself by a town in ruins, finding a knight regretting his unlife and running away from a black horned knight. Kendry formed his gun like blade and shot the knight in the head for a quick kill, Jambert noticed the boy and saw something aiming at him from a roof above. "Watch out." Ken turned around, found a zombie with a cross bow and side stepped to the left, finding the bolt making a thud on wood, the boy fired at the zombie and watched it fall. The boy turned to find Jambert with a new axe and asked. "So how are things so far?"

Jambert didn't want to talk about it. "That crossbow men has been my death three times already, the merchant sells goods stolen from a corpse and we are heading towards a nightmare. A bull demon and drake is in the walls above," He looked to a castle overlooking the town. "And I don't want to know about the horrible goat demon below." He looked upon the boy and despaired. "One miss step and this place will be our early grave."

Kendry found it insane and found a door way attached to nothing. "Just let me know if I'm heading towards danger, I got this." He went through it and found himself in a passage of a left and right door, finding five undead crossbow men firing immediately, the boy yelped and rushed out of the way, feeling one of them strike him in the left shoulder and hurt like mad. "YOOW!"

He pulled and was bleeding, tossing the arrow aside as the zombies readied again, Jambert yelled and charged in, hacking at the zombies and giving the boy time to rush at the zombies with his gun like keyblade and join in the skewering. The boy felt the five death rattles and used a healing spell on himself. "This has been what you were going through?! Jeeze."

Jambert went to the door looking like it would lead to the castle. "We just need to get past the tower and we would be going to the church." The boy had his gun like keyblade ready and asked the knight. "You go in first," Jambert obliged. "Gladly, a youth like you have no position to be in the front lines. Leave it to a knight." He rushed in and Ken followed, reaching a set of stairs that had three zombies pushing a flaming barrel of oil. Tip, Kendry and Jambert watched it roll to them, the boy grabbed the knight and pulled him to a ledge. Watching an explosion and one of the zombies trip down to the fire, burning alive. The fire died and the zombies readied cross bows, Jambert rushed after them as Kendry snipped the furthest one.

Both made a rush to the door way above and found themselves in a tower that had a chest with a curved chain. Jambert exhaled and went to check, finding golden powder. "Oh, golden pine resin, what a rare treat." He took it and smiled to an annoyed Ken. "Anything that isn't bolted down can be useful in survival you know." Ken asked. "What does it do?" Jambert was glad the boy asked. "It will imbue your weapon with the power of lightning, the power of the gods." Kendry showed off his keyblade. "I imbued this with fire or wind. Come on, let's get going."

In a world with in a city.

Sora, Donald and Goofy found themselves in a night filled parking lot in front of a massive, industrial building. The boy nodded to his friends and signaled that they follow, finding in place of his friends, rather bizarre sights, in place of Goofy was a green, lizard like creature with a horn for a nose, wearing a black vest and an yellow hat resembling Goofy's. He had small eye stalks that connected to two large orbs of eyes, the right had a large blue iris, the left had a small red iris. In place of Donald was a blue monster with a bill, he had tiny bat like wings on his back, clawed feet for webbed, golden braces a single cyclops like eye. To the duo, their friend was little better, a pantless, grey furred, cat like monster with a small reptilian like tail, red fins on his head, resembling spiky hair and a row of sharp teeth. They drew their weapons against each other, Sora yelled out. "Wha...? D-Donald... Goofy... Why do you guys look like monsters?"

Donald answered back with his single eye squinting. "You do too!" Goofy wasn't going to argue. "Well ya both scared me."

Donald flinched as he and the others with drew their weapons. Sora looked at his gloved hands. "Seriously, is this how we blend in here?" Tink! They heard the sound of a trash can and a bush rustling, seeing the faint trace of a pink vest, knowing Kairi was hiding.

Goofy called out. "Come on Kairi, you know why this happens." The girl in the bush was embarrassed. "I looked really weird." Donald tried to not to laugh. "So do the rest of us."

Sora cheered and encourage. "We're all weird together, so you'll won't really look weird. You're still the Kairi we know."

That caused Kairi to laugh and give off the sound of something tapping together, weirding her out more, she hesitated and stepped out, Sora had a childish wonder of what his friend looks like. Being taken a back, similarly to his own, the form was humanoid to a degree, most of her body looked purple and there was some fur complimenting it her face, yet her arms looked chitinous all the way to her hands, her hair looked dark brown and tendril like, complimented by a mixture of antenna and small curved horns, her lower half was more striking, with two sets of human sized chitinous legs, and to her rear was a yellow abdomen that had a sharp black stinger and partially covered from the top by chitin and transparent wings. Kairi saw the astonished look on Sora and smiled wide to show razor sharp teeth, the boy smiled back, showing his. "Cool."

Kairi hid a blush to the compliment, winked her right eye and stuck out her tongue in a tease, Sora gasped to another detail, a lapsing tongue that had a set of mandibles that together, were shaped like a heart. He stuck his ordinary in comparison looking tongue out and was a tad jealous.

They giggled and put their tongues back where they belonged as Donald wanted them to get back to the mission. "Knock it off." Goofy agreed and cheered. "Come on, I think our new look could turn out to be lots of fun!"

The teenagers agreed and approached the building side by side, looking a large building with a logo that had a blue M with a singular eye. They heard their friends talking about how they were the most creep out and looked upon a catch phrase above the front door, Sora said it out loud. "We scare because we care?" Kairi noticed construction under the words we and scare as Donald admitted. "That's odd."

Goofy felt the quote to be counter productive. "Doesn't sound very caring." Sora agreed to that. "If they are like us, then they could be trouble." He turned to the duo. "I think we better investigate." They agreed as Kairi lead the way in, getting herself use to the second set of legs, they opened and found a lobby with a desk, having the logo and the words.

Monster. Inc.

By the desk where three people goofing off, one was a short, round, green monster with limbs, two horns, a single large eye and a mouth of teeth. The other was a large, blue fur beast with purple spots in his fur, spikes down his spine and two sets of horns. The monster was playing with the odd one of the three, a black haired human toddler with two pig tails and a pink dress, laughing and giggling. The trio yelled oh no as a response as Kairi let them know. "This isn't what it looks like." The trio listened to both her and the playful behavior from the monster, the girl noticed, crawled to the monsters shoulder and pointed to the four. "Boo!"

The monster turned around and held onto her, showing a neutral, yet friendly enough expression, a beast of blue eyes and wearing a tie. He was interested of the four. "Hmm? I wonder who those guys are." The green monster considered the four arriving an emergency. "What?! Careful Sulley. If they see the K-I-D..."

Sulley didn't mind. "It's fine. We got nothing to hide," The smaller monster argued. "But you're the CEO! You set the example."

Sulley shrugged like it wasn't that serious and placed the child down as the smaller monster approached to explain. "Guys! Guys, it's not what it looks like." The four were willing to listen as the monster explained. "That kid over there just popped out of nowhere. We got to call the CDA. Uh... it's uh-" He tried to think about it. "Oh yeah, a code 8 3 5!"

Sora, Donald and Goofy had the chance to calm down, the boy asked, dumbfounded at the least terrifying attempt to terrify a child he has seen. "Are... you trying to scare that little girl?"

Mike answered like it was a habit of his. "Ye..." Realized what he nearly said and pleaded. "I mean, no no no! We're done with scare power. Nobody's getting scared." Sulley asked his partner. "Mike, take it easy."

Sora calmed down himself and looked to his friends, who found no evil intentions in the monsters. They watched Sully petting the willing girl and thought to introduce themselves to the child. Sora and Kairi knelt to the child and invited her, the boy introduced himself. "Hello, my name is Sora."

The girl spoke and rushed to the teenage duo. "Boo!" Kairi felt the name cute. "That's your name? Nice to meet you Boo. I'm Kairi." She gave a wide smile that showed teeth, causing Boo to laugh in joy. Mike asked confused. "Hold on! You guys really aren't afraid of humans?"

Boo pointed to Donald and called him. "Mike Wazowski."

The duck like monster pointed to himself in confusion as Mike corrected her. "Come on Boo! I'm Mike Wazowski."

Boo called Donald once more. "Mike Wazowski." Sully was amused by the cute behavior. "Well, you can see the resemblance. That googly bear eye."

Donald lost his temper and shouted. "What's going on? I'm Donald Duck!"

Boo said the name "Mike Wazowski." once more and chased the duck around as Goofy introduced himself to Mike and Sully. "A-hyuck! I'm Goofy." Sully introduced himself. "Well, I'm Sully-" he looked over to Mike. "and this is-" Sora let him know he understood. "Oh, we know. Mike Wazowski."

Boo made a cute dash and the startled Sora, causing a group laughter that was interrupted by the child noticing something and cowering.

Sulley asked in an unaware, yet gentle tone. "What's the matter Boo?" The child let loose a noise of terror as Donald scratched himself. The party of four turned around and found over a dozen, slick blue shadows with red eyes and a large, blue, toad like monster with a shell on its back and strange whiskers. Sora, Donald and Goofy yelled out. "Heartless!"

Sora had a closer look at the toads emblem, seeing what looks like two scythes with the tip of their blades together, Kairi gasped and remembered. "No, they are not." Donald asked. "Then what are they?" Goofy had a case of deja vu. "And how come I feel like I mighta seen 'em before?"

Sora and Kairi's eyes widen to a rumor they heard, the boy answered as he drew out a honey like keyblade. "What ever the reason, these Unversed are not friendly." Kairi agreed with that. "But why are they here?"

Sulley picked Boo up, he and Mike went to the desk and hid the child on a chair, the CEO instructed. "Stay here. Kitty will be back." Boo nodded and crouched to keep in hiding as Sulley smiled for her safety as Mike. "Those guys are right Sulley. This has gotten "bad news" written all over it." Sulley agreed with that. "Yeah, we got to keep Boo safe." Mike was ready. "I'm on it." The two monsters joined the party.

Donald let loose a thunder bolt barrage as Goofy spun to the unversed flood with his shield, Mike yelled to Sulley. "Come on big guy, you can do it."

The larger monster charged at the swarm as Sora and Kairi charged after the toad like unversed. Doing some damage to its face, the toad inflated and jumped at Sora to do a flying press, the boy rolled out of the way as Kairi was being ganged up by the smaller foes. She let loose and aura of water and swiped a wave upon them, Sora followed with a barrage of ice spells, making sure the foes stayed down, the toad flailed its whiskers and rushed to the fighting group. Causing significant disruption as Sora and Kairi finished off the lesser foes with the others, Sora caused his keyblade to take the form of blasters as Kairi felt the sync and split her blade into light sabers. The boy dashed to one end of the toads face and fired as the girl rushed to another end of the face and let loose a quick combo of slashes. The toad was covered in burn marks and honey, backed up, opened its mouth and inhaled, Sora flew to dodge, fired more shots and formed his hunny blasters into a launcher. Kairi jumped in between the unversed eye stacks and formed her sabers together for her own finisher, turning into a purple light saber with two laser blades exhausting from the side of the hit. She stabbed the beast in between and caused it to spasm as Sora fired globs of hunny into its maw, finishing it off with a fluttering bee of hunny as Kairi let loose a purple burst and back flipped, watching the unversed disappear in dark flames as she landed with style.

The boy and girl dismissed their weapons and high fived each other as Sulley and Mike done the same. The green monster complimented his buddy. "Nice Sulley, even with those extra pounds you put on."

Sulley spoke in his defense. "Heh, still running circles around you, butterball." The monsters laughed as Boo went out of hiding and called. "Kitty!"

Sulley turned to the child and went to get her as Mickey asked. "So any idea what those Unversed guys were?"

Goofy tried to answer. "Hmm... it's on the tip of my tongue. I remembered the King told us somethin' about... nega-tive emotions," Donald sighed. "It's worse than that Goofy."

Kairi nodded. "Tell me about it, if Master Aqua was correct, if they are around... he is near," She explained to Mike and Sulley. "My Master and a fellow student who studied under her said they met a pretty nasty person yesterday. My rival had to think quick to rescue Aqua and in turn, she made sure that person was driven off."

The two looked to each other confused as Sora asked. "If he is around, then this could mean trouble if we don't do something." Donald agreed with that. "Uh-huh. He sounds pretty ruthless and we need more help than the two of you." Sora and Kairi were not pleased by the negative criticism as Goofy asked. "Still, what could the Unversed want ere?" Donald had his hands at his hips and accused the monsters. "Is it because they use scream power?"

Mike answered back. "Hey, I told you we were done using that!"

Sulley nodded to that as Mike continued. "Besides, we have no idea what are talking about besides someone being behind this."

Kairi sighed and apologized. "We'll tell you if we see him, but we need to look out for guy in black and red armor. Vanitas," Sora had an idea to keep the details low. "Think of him like... the guy who brings roaches on purpose. We came from far away to deal with something like that if we see it. We're like... exterminators?"

Donald and Goofy nodded as Mike asked. "Just how far away?"

Goofy answered. "As far as you can imagine."

Mike was willing to believe it and scratched his head. "Hmm...Okay, okay, let's just say we buy all that. Are those creeps dangerous?" Donald answered loudly. "Extremely!" Sulley looked at the concerned child. "They sure gave Boo a scare," Mike agreed with that and advised him. "Sulley, I know you've missed her, but it's time to postpone our play date." Sulley sighed to that. "You're right, Mikey. Let's get our girl home."

Mikey nod to that and Sora asked. "What are you planning to do?" Mike turned to the group and answered. "It's kind of a long story... but Boo's from another world..." He promised the little girl and faced her. "And we got to send her back there... to keep her safe." Kairi decided. "Alright, we're going to help you." Mike asked. "What?!" The insect like warrior explained. "The Unversed are going to cause more trouble."

Sora agreed with that and extended his hand. "So we want to come along." Mike shook on that. "Great!" Shake. He flexed. "We could use some exterminators around here." Sulley thanked the group and saw Boo escaped him and run to the hallway playfully, the monsters followed playfully as Donald asked. "You've always gotta help."

Sora reacted proudly. "Hey, they need it." He looked to the hallway concerned. "Besides, we need to figure out what Vanitas's deal is coming here." That was a danger the other three were aware of, the group of four followed the natives for an investigation.

In a tower with in a castle.

Kendry and Jambert finished off a small horde of undead and found themselves at the top of the tower, the exit was marked with a fogged gate. The boy gasped. "I know what these are, they don't stop us from going over, but this means-" Jambert agreed with him. "It means something big is behind this." He swallowed and went to the gate, pushing through as Ken followed, together they were on a walk way leading from one tower to another. PEW!

Arrows flung and pierced Jambert in the back, Kendry jumped high with his air magic, saw two archers and rushed them through with his burning keyblade, Jambert took a glowing orange flask and drank from it for a revitalization, he turned around and waved to the boy, finding a set of rusted ladders leading up the tower. "My thanks, young knight." He walked backwards and avoiding the scattered bricks. "Be on your guard for any more that would get the jump on us."

Kendry gave a small salute and nearly jumped down, he noticed something on top of the other tower, leaping down towards the other side that was marked with a fogged door. A large, brown furred, bull like demon with a great axe.

Stomp! "ROAR!"

Jambert felt the roar and made a run for the ladder, yelling. "Why did I tempt that?" Ken yelled back. "I don't know." He aimed his volley gun at the charging demon, piercing its hide with the automatic, the Taurus Demon pushed through a Jambert grabbed the ladder and climbed like his life depended on it.

The Taurus Demon reached the ladder and smashed it with his stone like head, it looked up and watched the two on top of the tower, Jambert took the golden resin, applied it to his axe and felt it crackle in electricity as the Taurus Demon readied its knees for a jump. Jambert jumped down and sank his axe into the demons skull, he twitched it and jumped off, Ken jumped off the tower and sank the burning keyblade in as well, the demon looked annoyed as he noticed the other knight swinging at his knees. He grabbed Kendry and tossed him over the ledge, the boy used his air magic to glide over from certain death and watched the demon thrust his axe downward, Jambert rolled out of the way and ran. The Taurus demon took chase with his guard up, Ken landed and saw the ladder up was busted. "I... could, but would Jambert be able to get away again?"

He shook his head and ran in with both keyblades ready, Jambert felt he was in a better position and turned to face the demon. "Have at thee!"

The demon roared and swung, Jambert rolled to the demons right and hacked at him as Ken pounced at the demons back for his own, sinking both blades into the demons back as Jambert notice the ledge to his right and slashed across the demon's abdomen, pushing it towards the ledge, Ken hurled to his left and shook the demon loose, watching it give a death haze and stumbled, falling off the ledge and to its demise. Both looked down and focused on the door ahead, traveling with in through a small set of stairs. Ken admitted to Jambert. "You're right, this town has gone nuts."

The knight lead the boy to a two sided path, to the right was a long bridge leading to a castle, having scorch marks and burnt bodies littering it, he went to the left in an attempt to recuperate. "But... ha, we are only a few steps to the church. Let's... think about how we are going to survive for a moment, yeah?"

Ken remembered the mentioning of a drake and agreed. "Before we... go down the only path we have." Jambert smiled under his helm and noticed a figure standing over the ledge, overlooking a radiant land scape bathed in the light. A knight in a white tabard, a cowl of green cloth and a tin like helmet with a feather. Ken and Jambert looked to each other strange and approached to see the knights side, the tabard had the image of a sun with the face, the knight greeted them. "Ah, hello. You don't look Hollow, far from it!"

Jambert counted that blessing. "Not when we still have a hope of solving this pickle. I am knight Jambert." He gestured to Ken. "And this is Sir Kendry. We traveled from far away in pilgrimage, what are you?"

The knight answered proudly. "I am Solaire of Astora, an adherent of the Lord of Sunlight."

Ken felt a heart more pleasant than the one of the Crestfallen Knight from before. "Hey Solaire, pleased to meet you. What are you doing traveling in this mad house?"

Solaire sighed at the rude term. "I came to this great land, the birthplace of Lord Gwyn, to seek my very own sun," He asked the two. "Did you find that strange? Well, you should!"

Jambert felt it was as Ken looked to the sun and felt the wish innocent. "To become the light of the world? That's cool." Jambert tried to keep himself polite as Solaire insisted. "No need to hide your expression. I get that look all the time."

He chuckled as Jambert had to be honest with him. "It's an odd reason to travel, but if it means one less soul to give in to despair, we wish you luck." He looked upon the sun with Solaire, the knight of sunlight realized. "Oh, ha, ha. So I didn't scare you? I have a proposition, if you have a moment."

The two were willing to listen as Solaire asked. "The way I see it, our fates appear to be intertwined. In a land brimming with Hollows, could that really be mere chance? So what do you say? Why not help one another out on this lonely journey?"

Both answered without hesitation, Jambert answered in optimism. "Certainly Sir Solaire," Ken answered brightly. "Sure." Solaire smiled back. "This pleases me greatly! Well then, take this."

He gave Jambert a white soapstone and spoke more. "We are strange beings in a strange land, the flow of time is convoluted; with heroes centuries old phasing in and out. The very fabric wavers, and relations shift and obscure. There's no telling how much longer your world and mine will remain in contact." Ken cringed and remembered that the people he was speaking with are illusions. "So that stone will call help no matter how far we are?" Solaire nodded to him. "And engage in jolly co-operation! Of course, we are not the only ones engaged in this. But I am a warrior of the sun! Spot my summon signature easily by its brilliant aura."

Jambert sighed with relief. "We have to blind to miss yours so easily Sir Solaire." The knight of the sun agreed heartily as Ken asked his companion. "So if we meet him again, he might have gotten that far on his own and wants to help us out. Shall we go check out the... fiery death trap?"

Jambert nervously laughed. "There is no avoiding it, but perhaps there is a way." He gave a parting to Solaire. "We will meet again soon, I'm sure of it," The knight of sun light wished them luck. "I'll will stay behind, to gaze at the sun. The sun is a wondrous body. Like a magnificent father! If only I can be so grossly incandescent!"

The traveling duo sensed the odd obsession and parted ways with him, they crossed to the obviously dangerous path and picked up speed. Finding a vast sum of hollows shambling forward, Jambert saw a set of stairs near the corner and heard the sound of fire being blown. "Oh, no, no, no, no!"

He made a desperate slide as Ken rushed behind cringing in terror, he felt an inferno across his back and heard a dragons roar, he looked to find Jambert had slammed his head against a wall and tried not to laugh. "That's was the drake?"

Jambert laid still embarrassed, yet glad he wasn't scorched, he answered with a muffled voice. "We will never make it across with that thing hovering over us." Ken didn't wish to agree and saw two paths ahead, one in front of him, leading to a pathway under the bridge. "Or... there could be a way under. I'll go this way," He looked to his left. "You go that way and try not to get yourself killed."

Jambert hoped the boy finds the solution and got himself up. "Alright, jolly good." He held to the wall as his legs shook, Ken wandered to his chosen path and to his frustration, found nothing to get into the fort. He found a drake's tail dangling, knowing the beast above was perching. He placed Firekeepers Wish to the ground and held Cadia's Light like one with a sniper rifle. "Get out."

PEW!

The wyvern above felt a massive hole was burned, the tail wiggled and the boy felt intense stomping, the drake flew to a ledge of the castle. Ken fired again, causing another hole, bringing the tail dangling by the tethers. The boy felt something looking down from above and looked up to find the face of an angry wyvern looking down upon him. The boy jumped back in the nick of time and avoided a point blank breath of fire, he spun behind and found that tail dangling. "Eat this you overgrown-" PEW!

SPLAT! The tail fell off, Ken saw something of bone flung at him by the stump that was a tail, caught it and held onto a metallic sword with a scale like pattern. The boy's eyes lit up and he felt something roar in pain and fly away. He put the blade away and pulled out his burning keyblade, turning around to find Jambert with good news. "I found a ladder down, leading back the way we came from and I heard that dreadful beast's howls. You managed to hurt it?"

Ken had more than that as he gave Jambert the sword. "And got that gecko to fly off once I shot off his tail. Here, this might be something you would like."

The knight took it, marveled at the sight and appreciated it. "A drake sword... from the bone of a beast that mighty?" Ken nodded and watched the knight put his axe away for the blade. "Oh, thank you, it would normally be unwise to depart with such treasures you know."

Ken looked upon his keyblades and assured the knight. "It's fine, I don't need it. Now come on, before he comes back." The knight agreed and walked up the stairs to the scorched path, finding many bodies for him to loot, among them was another blade of consideration, a claymore. Ken felt uncomfortable being out in the danger and walked ahead to the keep, finding a bonfire to rest by as Jambert hurried to join and notice a lever. He pulled up and caused a gate by the left to pull up. Ken asked. "Is it normally a good idea to loot everything when you have something like that... mad?" Jambert sat by the cozy bonfire and answered brazenly. "You seen how puny my broadsword is and that axe, while helpful, is quite cumbersome. If I'm going to survive against the hollows and monsters, I need an ideal weapon. Like yours."

Ken shrugged arrogantly. "Well they are a part of me after all. Don't get any ideas." Jambert wouldn't dare think of it. "A knights weapon is bound to them until death and if a fellow knight has shown skill, then he... or she, are to be honored like a sibling." He pulled his helmet off and showed a lightly tanned face with a long set of black hair and a beard, complimented by grey eyes, he smiled wide to Ken. "Besides, an eye for an eye... and I want to keep my eyes."

The boy agreed with that. "What goes around comes around and you wouldn't want to get into fights that you would regret." Jambert remembered the black knight and raised his hands to his face. "I'm not making that mistake again. Ha, ha, ha." He felt calmed by the fire as Ken looked ready to travel. "We are close to the church and I think the worst is behind us until we run into a monster like that. I'll go on ahead while you rest up."

Jambert felt he rested enough and stood. "Ha, ha, ha. Now is not a time to rest, I just needed a moment." He offered to lead the way. "Regardless of your vigor, I am still your senior." He put his helmet back on. "We will chit chat when we make it to the church in one piece." Ken allowed him to do so. "And fix the elevator so we won't have to go back to hells bridge." Jambert laughed heartily. "Oh, ho, ho. Please be there."

In the grassy landscape outside of Castle Oblivion.

Riku and Mickey remembered the world as Anatesis surveyed. "Wanda might appreciate the scenery over Hollow Bastion, she and her men might have that light back in their lives yet."

Aqua listened and advised. "Not yet Ana, I appreciate the intention and I know they would mean well, but this world isn't meant even for settlers. At least... for now."

Riku agreed with that and saw the castle in viewing distance. "Nothing about this world is as it seems and Sora nearly lost everything." The group reached to the cragged road, Aqua drew her keyblade out and approached. "It isn't, it use to be more than this. Stay out here, I don't want more intruders coming by the front door and it is easy to get lost."

The three did as requested as Mickey wished her luck. "Be safe in there Master Aqua." The keyblade master chuckled as Riku and Ana kept a boring watch, she entered through the castles door, finding the white walls unsettling as she noticed a door wide open. She traveled through, ready to clean house.

The flash of light distorted to a neon lit town, looking like it suffered through a fire that was extinguished. She remembered a description of the town and asked herself. "Traverse Town?!" She rushed through room to room and felt oddities, including a three way path that seemed barren, Aqua sensed the passage to her right leading deeper into the castle, yet something beckoned her to take the middle path, finding a somber sight, a still knight, holding onto what use to be a potion. The knight was without his helmet and his dull, lifeless eyes shown a passing, light blonde hair and a smile towards the stars. "Who else... came here?"

She closed her eyes and opened them, finding the town translucent, including the knight. The illusion stabilized and the keyblade master went to follow the trial back, taking to her left and finding nothing else. "...There is one person who would have known about this town... but why would he come...here?"

She felt depressed and spoke to herself. "This isn't a game, you foolish boy," She kept her travel and reached a pristine door leading out of the town and into familiar halls. She noticed another illusion sitting by a chair, confused and crestfallen, a black haired man in chain mail, he looked to Aqua and the place around him, asking. "Don't tell me, the world isn't what it seems to be?"

Aqua was annoyed and answered coldly. "Everything that is in this castle is an illusion. A figment of a memory, save for the wayward soul that wanders with in," The crestfallen man land his right hand under his chin and smiled like he no longer cared. "Hah, hah, hah, hah. It's no wonder that child seemed off, has he lost his way?"

Aqua shook her head. "No, but he shouldn't be here. You... shouldn't be here." The man sighed in peace. "Mmmh. If I'm just an illusion, I'll simple just-" he snapped his fingers. "from this existence without anyone batting an eye. It's certainly solved my... other problem... that never existed. Hah, hah, hah."

The sarcastic laughter was too much for Aqua to deal with, she turned to walk down the hall way. "But where did those memory's come from?" She looked back to the crestfallen man and found both him and the chair gone, feeling like she been more harsh than she should have and reaching down to another opened door. She found herself in a ruined town and of a world she never recognized. "I'm getting you out of here."

In a world full of monsters.

Mike and Sulley lead the group of four across a hall way of work stations. Mike sang and kept Boo following him. "Gotta send her home right now, or so help me... So help me! So help me!"

Sulley explained to Sora, Donald, Goofy and Kairi what was going on in the past. "So, Monsters, Incorporated used to rely on scream power from human kids for energy, but now we collect their laughter instead. It turns out, laughter is ten times more powerful."

The five were stopped by Boo doing typical toddler things. "Kitty!" Sulley knew where credit was due. "And we'd never have figured it out without Boo."

Sora admitted. "Cool."

Goofy passed a secret to the boy and girl as Sulley was out of hearing. "Our ships powered by laughter, too! Guess we've got that in common." Donald sneaked in. "Sora's a laughter machine!" Sora scratched his head. "Come on, I'm not."

Swoosh!

Kairi noticed something as she, Mike and Boo reached a station with various doors to her right and many canisters with a red bar attached. Finding the blue, flooding unversed sneaking into the doors along with snake like creatures. The various screams, fueling the attached canisters with energy. She drew her blade for battle. "Guys, this is what the Unversed are here for. Screams."

Her wings gave a buzz, she rushed into battle as Sora, Donald and Goofy followed. Leaving Sulley, Mike and Boo at the entrance to the station, the CEO found the situation dire. "This is terrible!" Mike saw a white door with pink flowers riding under a rail. "Look, there's Boo's door." Sulley charged into the station and Mike noticed a girl wandering of. "Go get Boo!" Sulley looked behind and found Boo trying to find a place to hide, the monster tried to find one as Mike went to support the group, he found a suitable desk to put her under and crouched as she worried for him. "We'll have to play another time, Boo. You stay here."

Boo did as she was told as Sulley joined the fray, Sora asked. "Ready to clean house?" Sulley growled ready. The six together made quick work of the lesser unversed, barring the few snakes that leaped at Sora and Kairi, stunning them with a snap and exposing them to another snap.

Swipe!

The snakes were quickly destroyed and two red, toad like creatures with shells appeared from thin air, smaller than the blue, though almost identical if with a more fragile shell. The toads inflated and bounced around in a pathetic attempt to fight back and were quickly dispatched.

Mike went to the stations to find the doors missing while the fighting occurred. He swiped a card to three electronic slits and caused the rail above to bring three doors. The three stations risen clamps to hold the doors and position them for a purpose not intended. Mike announced. "Ride's here!" Sulley appreciated that and went to get Boo as Mike instructed. "Grab onto the door when you are ready."

Sora and Kairi looked to each other and climbed onto a yellow door, cheering together. "Ready." Mike pressed a button and caused the clamp to lift the door up to a rail. Donald and Goofy climbed to theirs as Sulley used his right hand to hold on to the ascending door, Mike rushed to hold onto his tail and try to climb onto Sulley's shoulder. The three doors with passengers were in station for their journey as Sulley asked the child. "Boo. Hold on. Don't want you to get hurt." The doors begun their journey into the next room, Mike cheered with the eager group. "Boo's door, here we come."

Watching the group depart, a sinister voice spoke to himself. "Oh, I just got a great idea." He went out of hiding and noticed appearing from the shadows, a large, round, white haired human with a black top had and red coat. "Those bloaks are going to be trouble for our... partners operations. I'll get the extractor ready for the girl, she looks a ripe one."

In the railway

The group rod the doors into a rather aw inspiring warehouse, a vault filled with doors to other worlds. PEW!

The group saw images of fire and of creatures appearing, red lantern like heartless with their dress having a pattern of pink flames. They formed a hallow of fire, the four from another world shouted. "Heartless!"

Mike wasn't thrilled by more intruders. "Not here too?!"

Sora was ready to do something risky if to clear the way. "Keep Boo out of harm's way. We'll handle the bad guys!"

He and Kairi flipped onto the rail, the boy in front and the girl in back. They aimed their keyblades and fired beams of light energy, shooting the two into oblivion and sliding down the rails, they shot a couple yellow lantern like heartless that had a golden hint and a hallow of lightning. They found two of those kinds work together to form a pillar of lightning, they fell down to the door and cling on to pass by. The danger of that passed and they jumped back on the rail to find lantern like heartless forming water balls, both cringed at what would happen if they got wet on electrical rails and shot them away, the group found a rail way leading to a station and guided themselves to the the station to land.

On the station, Mike looked around to find a door, he rushed to try and open a pathway and found nothing but wall. "It's offline!" Pew! Pew! Mike knew something appeared behind him. "We have to power it up!" Sora drew out his hunny keyblade and had an idea as he jokingly asked. "Oh bother, how are we going to make her laugh?" Mike turned to find the hunny blade and a swarm of heartless soldiers and mages. He felt there was an idea as he and Sora took the front. "We got to take these creeps out and try to make some of it funny."

Sulley let the charging group know as he stood in front of Boo to guard. "Don't worry, I'll watch Boo."

Donald, Goofy and Mike did what they can to round up some straggling heartless as Kairi rolled her eyes and aggressively attacked the heartless. Sora quickly built up a form change and caused his hunny spout to turn into blasters, firing wands of honey wands that blasted the heartless to kingdom come. The lessening danger and the goofy manner slowly entertained the child, Sora formed the blasters into a launcher and let loose upon the foes, the cycle repeated over and over, leading to Boo laughing at the ridiculousness. Donald, Goofy, Mike and Kairi corralled the heartless to the front of the door, they jumped to Sora and Sulley and worked together to give out a silly yell. Startling the heartless to where they lined up like pins, Sora grabbed Mike and readied to throw, it was something the monster didn't have planned. "Hey what are we doing?"

Sora rolled Mike like a bowling ball and watched the monster curl up, knocking the remaining heartless into oblivion and causing their hearts to become released.

Mike sat dazed as Boo burst into laughter, a red light shined above the door and Sulley opened it to find a pathway to the other side. "The doors open." He lead the way in, Boo followed, then Goofy, then Donald, then Kairi, then Sora. They went into an empty bed room and found a green door they could use, exiting back into the factory, Sulley notice a white door with pink flowers being carried by a rail going to his left. "Boo's door!"

Mike felt a mental pattern and asked Sora as Sulley picked Boo back up. "Ready? It's time to hitch another ride." Like before, the group jumped onto three doors and cling on, Sora and Kairi jumped on top of the rail and took care of any flying heartless, having the white door in sight. Sora jumped to the door recklessly. "Woo hoo!"

He reached for it, felt his hand slipped, landing on a rail bellow, Kairi jumped and followed, giving a faint glow and causing golden insect wings to sprout as a glide. Landing right next to him and wanting to lecture him. They shot their way across the door vault and found a rail leading to a central station. They jumped off in unison and Kairi had her hands at her hips. "Don't do something that reckless unless you know you can make that jump."

The pouty face caused Sora to scratch the back of his head and smile nervously, two fat heartless, three electrical mages and two aquatic mages appeared. The duo repeated what they did before, taking out the fat heartless and dodging the bolts of water and lightning, Sora formed his hunny blasters as Kairi drew out her light sabers, attacking almost in perfect sync, swirling together in a glow of light and sprout a wing on the right and left, they dived down against the heartless and vaporized them.

They landed with a good sweat and were left alone to guess by the yellow door with the red glow that it was a way forward. The duo withdrew their keyblades and Kairi gave a wide smile to give. "You have your phone?"

Sora nodded and took it out, realizing the idea, puffed up his cheeks and opened his mouth, hiding his teeth and trying to imitate a feline. He took the phone and readied to take a selfie with Kairi, the girl smiled wide to show her teeth.

Click!

Sora imitated a fierce monster and intentionally tried to make himself look the opposite, Kairi winked with her left eye and stuck her tongue out. Click!

Kairi took the phone and had Sora back away, getting a full picture of him, the boy pulled the sides of his lips and stuck his tongue out, showing his rows of teeth. He in turn took his phone back and watched Kairi doing the same, catching him off guard by her inner mouth having a second set of mandibles. "Wow."

Click!

Kairi wanted to know what that was for and checked, giggling and asking. "Do you think we can scare someone if we try?" Sora didn't doubt. "We could, we shouldn't, but we could." He made a more legitimate attempt to look fierce, giving Kairi an idea of a concept. "We should try that just in case Riku asks. Nice growl." Sora blushed. "He'll like it."

Donald, Goofy, Mike and Sulley landed, Sora asked the CEO. "Hey, Sulley, I know you don't scare anymore, but you wouldn't mind if me and the guys make some silly faces and keep a special photo for a scare? Just in case there is someone that wants that."

Boo felt hesitate to agree as Sulley didn't mind the concept and advised. "I wouldn't do it around a kid. I'm not making that mistake again. Hmm," Mike cringed to that. "You don't want to know, but Sulley kept one of the biggest records for top scarer before we switched to laughs." Sulley wasn't really proud of that. "We got to keep being an example Sora." He looked to Boo and promised. "No more scaring." The duo understood and showed Boo something much more appeasing, causing her to giggle.

Mike looked at them like a critic. "Hmm, cute... but you got to get the face just," he swiped his face around and changed it from serious to cheerful, then cheerful to an over the top serious scowl, then to an even more over the top cheerful expression with his tongue sticking out. That gave a small chuckle and the group went to the yellow door, opening it and traveling through into a basement serving as a storage room. They looked behind and found many doors, Mike recognized one to their left, a simple wooden one. "This door should take us right back to the upper level." The visitors thought it was helpful information and continued in the storage room, finding a white door with pink flowers. Sulley gasped. "There it is!"

Sulley opened the door and went in with the group following, they found themselves in a factory, Mike asked confused. "Wait! How we'd take the wrong turn?"

Click!

The group turned around and heard a sinister voice speak, with beady eyes and a fanged maw speaking. "Who cares? All that matters..." He changed his skin color to a purple to reveal a lizard like creature with four arms and constantly squinting eyes. "Is that it is the last turn that you losers are ever gonna take." Sulley asked astonished. "Randall?!"

Mike growled as Sora asked the CEO. "Who's he?"

Sulley answered. "A creep we banished for trying to collect screams by force and talked our old CEO into going along with it when we were having an energy problem." Boo showed no fear as Sulley continued. "He use to be Boo's scarer."

Boo growled as Mike asked the purple lizard. "How did you even get back here? The door we sent you through is sawdust!"

Randall remembered. "Yeah, and I almost got turned into somebody's wallet. Lucky for me, a real nice guy came along and fixed the door. So here I am." Mike growled as Randall gloated out of spite. "And starting today, I'm numbero uno! Top of the leader board, baby." Mike boasted back. "Ha! You, a top laugh collector?" He gave a small fist push to Randall in a tease and went back to the group. "In your dreams, Randall. My laugh totals are off the charts."

Randall asked annoyed. "Who said anything about laughs? I'm after negative emotions." Sulley and Mike looked at each other on listening as Randall continued. "And my new friends have kindly invaded this place to get 'em for me." Sora gasped. "Negative emotions?!"

Donald whispered to Goofy. "He's making a mistake." The shield bearer agreed. "Yeah, nothing good is goin' to come from this." Randall placed his hands together and didn't listen. "Laughter's just not sustainable." he slowly positioned himself towards a wall near the passage. "Once junior chorts his last chortle, you've gotta start over. But negative energy? Sadness? Terror? Give 'em something that really hits their little hearts, and they'll stay like that forever. We'll never have to worry about energy again."

Sora, Kairi, Donald and Goofy glared at Randall, the boy defiantly spoke. "We're got gonna let you hurt anyone like that!" Randall turned to find Sora giving a teeth gritting snarl, the boy drew out his blade as a warning. "Not you or your little Unversed helpers!"

Kairi drew hers in agreement as Randall challenged the group. "Just try and stop me. You'll see soon enough. I'm gonna be a top legend around this place. Now, consider your carriers officially over." Mike felt threatened. "What?!" Randall readied to turn to the wall. "And that goes for the rest of you, too." Kairi barked. "Hey don't-" Randall disappeared in a flash, the group looked around as Sora asked. "Where'd he go?"

They heard a voice from the surrounding speakers. "We're in control of this factory now. And I suggested a few improvements- some real doozies I just know you're gonna love. In fact, you're not getting out of here alive." Sora rolled his eyes. "What's his damage?"

Mike and Sulley had no idea, the green monster answered. "What ever it is, that weasel means business! He'll never just quit." Sulley agreed with the fact they were dealing with a particularly sociopathic foe. "We got to get Boo to safety first, then we can take care of Randall. It's time to find a way out!" That the group agreed with as they journeyed into the factory.

With in the illusion of a Parish.

Kendry watched Jambert pull a lever and drew a gate down, having memories of the hollows he and the knight faced as he asked. "So we killed that pig guarding the way, killed those big knights around the church... and now we are going to check that smaller church and rest up?"

Jambert nodded to him and had the boy follow him the way they came, turning to their right, going to their left in a walk way that lead to a road way to the church that had a road to a fortress. The duo entered and Jambert heard dinging from bellow, he tilted his head. "I check that out, be ready for the trials ahead, we are near the first Bell of Wakening."

Ken smiled in hope and looked to the exit leading to a closed fortress. "I'll go check out this way while you do that." Jambert nodded and went to explore as Ken explored on his own, walking down the long road to the ominous fortress and finding another knight, sitting by a small ledge near some stairs and looking down in thought. The knight was in grey, onion like armor.

Ken's mouth opened as his legs approached, he tried to ask and heard the knight hum. "Mmm...hrmmmm...mmm...mmm." The knight moved his head up and found a visitor. "Mm! Oh-hoh!" He scooted back embarrassed. "Forgive me. I was absorbed in thought." He greeted himself eagerly. "I am Siegmeyer of Catarina. Quite honestly, I have run flat against a wall. Or, a gate, I should say. The thing just won't budge. No matter how long I wait. And, oh, have I waited." Ken tried not to laugh at the knight. "So here you are sitting in quiet the puzzle." Siegmeyer agreed with that. "Weighing my options, so to speak."

The two laughed it off, the boy had a story for him. "Me and a friend would have avoided so much trouble getting here if the lift wasn't busted from the other side. If we find the lift, getting back here for later would be easier. Maybe that's... a similar deal." Siegmeyer agreed to that. "Mmm...perhaps, but is their another path into the fortress?"

Ken shrugged and imagined. "If there is, I'll be the first one to know. If you find it first, that could be amazing." He thought to make the knights mood more optimistic. "I heard a lot about you Sieg-" "ZZZZZZZ"

He heard loud snoring, the knight of Catarina fell asleep, the boy smiled and whispered to him. "Good luck oh Knight of Catarina." He went back to the church and found Jambert with a sharpened, sturdier claymore, he asked. "Was that the claymore you stole?" Jambert corrected him. "Not stolen, salvaged. A fine blacksmith offered to have it repaired and forged," He dramatically pointed his blade to the church. "Now we will have a better chance against those brutes."

Ken cheered. "Yeah, let's knocked them over and ring that bell." Jambert had the boy follow him, they fought their way through a horde of cross bowed undead and entered the parish. Finding a large knight with a massive shield and a mace, Ken rushed to the knights personal space and swung his keyblades at him, intentionally distracting him and giving Jambert the chance he needed to stab the knight in the back.

Ken jumped on top of the hollow knight and shot him in the back of the head for a quick kill. He noticed a wizard on floor above, aiming a spell at him, he jumped to the door to the stairs, Jambert scoffed. "What a cowardly," He ran to the stairs and climbed first, Ken aimed at the wizard that backed away and dodged, he followed the knight up the stairs and watched him take his shield out. Getting into a duel with another and parrying, he riposte his foe and waited for him to get up.

SLASH!

Another knight was slain, the two turned left to confront the wizard and its horde of the undead, the wizard performed an odd dance with his trident like staff and caused the undead to glow blue. Ken focused his two keyblades, caused them to merge and aimed the single blade like a flamethrower. WOOSH! The undead were roasted, leaving just the wizard that was quickly cut down by a nimble knight as Ken split his keyblade back into two. The two saw a door to a stairway ahead, to their left was a hallway leading somewhere, they followed their curiosity and searched, finding a lit doorway to break down and journeying into a stairway that lead to a prison cell.

With in, they found a knight in golden armor that looked to have a set of fake arms hugging its own body. The knight noticed and asked. "Oh? Still human are you? Then I am in luck. Could you help me? As you can see, I am stuck without recourse."

Jambert was willing to do it without hesitation as Ken asked. "Uh...why are you in a jail cell?" The imprisoned knight pleaded. "Please, I have duties to fulfill, and I will reward you handsomely," He spun his hand. "Well? I'm certain you stand to benefit." Ken was still suspicious as Jambert asked him. "We can't just leave a person out here to fend for himself. Surely our hearts haven't turned to stone?" The boy sighed. "Out here? No we shouldn't."

He took Cadia's Light and tapped it at the cells lock, undoing it and letting Jambert open it. The imprisoned knight had his hands together in gratitude. "Thank you, yes, sincerely. I am Knight Lautrec of Carim. I truly appreciate this, and I guarantee a reward, only... later." Jambert raised an eyebrow. "Later? You need to go get it?"

Lautrec nodded. "Yes, very sorry, your reward will have to wait. I've just been freed. Allow me some time," Ken felt it made sense and turned. "True... well, take care of yourself. None of us want to see you go crazy like the other guys here."

Lautrec agreed with that. "Yes, it is a maddening world out there. We shall meet again, I am certain of it." Jambert felt it encouraging and followed the boy out, he heard a whisper, Lautrec relishing his undone bindings. "I'm free, now I can get back to work." Ken heard a rather sinister laughter. "Keh heh heh heh heh..."

The odd chill that a questionable deed was committed haunted the boy. He kept his eyes behind as he and Jambert went back the way they came and went to the path with the upward stairs. Two signs shined on the way, Jambert saw the words Lautrec and used them to summon the knight. Lautrec felt Ken looking at him questionably and asked. "What is it child?"

The boy denied his thoughts. "Just... you get weirded out after seeing all these strange places and people. Thank you for the sign, there might be something big ahead." Lautrec agreed and readied two curved blades. "It could be, keh heh heh heh."

Jambert felt he might be helpful and climbed up a set of stairs, finding a golden sign with the word Solaire. The knight used his stone and summoned the warrior of sunlight, posing his hands like a v and greeting the three. "Oh my, what an eventful party. Shall we ring the bell?"

Jambert nodded and saw a fogged. He pushed ahead and the three followed, nothing seemed to be in the way. Ken heard something and yelled. "Jambert, stop... something is watching us." Crack, he looked up and felt something move, one of four gargoyles, with a long pole arm on its right hand, a thick shield, mighty wings and a long tail that had a double bladed axe, it moved.

"ERWAR!"

The Gargoyle roared and flew down to the roof, giving a mighty thud and letting the group of four know they shouldn't have climbed.

Lautrec slowly approached as Solaire recklessly charged, Jambert rushed to the gargoyles side for a quick swing. The Gargoyle flew, dodged and knocked both back with his tail, Lautrec closed in for his chance and carved as Ken shot it in the chest with his gun like keyblade and used his wind magic to fly to the statues left. He stabbed with his burning keyblade, as Jambert drank from his flask and approached from behind, attacking the beasts tail. Ken felt a rush and enveloped himself in wind, striking rapidly and giving the gargoyle more burn marks, he and Solaire noticed something coming from the tower as the Gargoyle readied a swing, another Gargoyle.

POW!

The Gargoyle knocked Ken and Lautrec far, the boy felt a throbbing pain and flew after the second Gargoyle as the untrustworthy knight sneaked a shank on the first one. Jambert slashed his claymore once more at the tailed gargoyle and caused the tail to fall off, the beast howled in pain as Ken's charge knocked the second Gargoyle back a foot. The beast ignited his maw into fire as Solaire charged a spear, Ken rolled to the Gargoyles side to dodge and watched the lightning bolt pierce a chunk of rock from the beasts chest, the boy spun like a small twister of fire to finish the gargoyle off as Jambert stabbed his foe in the chest, the gargoyle howled and fell on his back, falling over dead.

The four felt a victory was achieved, Solaire posed in victory as Lautrec chuckled, fading away as Jambert saw the gargoyles severed tail and picked it up, feeling it flexible. The knight thanked his fading comrades. "Thank you, that could have been brutal without you."

Flicker. The phantoms faded as Kendry felt his air magic fade, lead the way into a tower and eagerly climbed, reaching the top of the tower and finding a lever under a bell, he smiled in pride as Jambert followed and huffed. "I say, you're eager to ring this sacred bell."

Ken shook his head. "Nah, it's just that... it's been a while since I seen a bell at a church. You earned the right to ring this."

Jambert appreciated it. "Hmm, thank you. You're skills are quiet formidable," The knight went to the lever and pulled, causing the contraption to ring the bell and let loose a chime through out the land. Jambert sweated as he realized. "Now we must venture bellow and make our way to Blighttown... is it as dreadful as the knight said?"

Ken guessed so and activated his air magic for a jump. "It might, let's get to the lift and take a shortcut back."

Jambert agreed with that and twiddled his thumbs. "We would... after...I explore the stairway bellow the blacksmith. An unexplored adventure is an undeserved reward." Ken laughed to that. "Oh, so true. We will meet up at the path down town. See ya." Jambert nodded to that. "Indeed, farewell for now Sir Kendry."

Ken jumped off and landed gracefully, making his way down to the first floor and finding shining white door where a lift should be. He crossed over and found himself back in the white castle, he giggled in joy and noticed the Firekeeper appearing once more, smiling to him. "Sir Kendry, it is like living a dream, to meet the very people thou heard tales of."

The boy agreed to that and walked down the hall way. "I recognized the three from your stories. Jambert, Solaire, Siegmeyer, they are all funny people and pretty decent despite how nuts it is. It doesn't take much for me to look up to someone."

The Firekeeper agreed to that. "It doesn't, but thou have made quite a name for thyself. When one trends an ideal path, many follow."

Ken blushed and found himself to another door. "Sora, Miss Aqua, Kairi every time she gets one over me, the committee guys, Ana. They made a difference in the worlds. Think, that place came from the memories of," he looked at his burning keyblade. "This... that world. For someone to see the story and keep the memory alive. Oh-" He swooned. "Miss Aqua and Ana are going to love hearing this."

He opened the door way as the Firekeeper disappeared like she normally does. "Do be careful, for thou felt the dangers." The boy agreed and taunted. "I can beat what ever this castle has for me. Let's go."