In the Castle that Never Was, Archaon, the majority of his Varanguard, Ahriman and Ztardon looked upon a warping rift opening wide. A mutated, near faceless, multi limb sorcerer with eyes on his hands, stepped across and gave a bow of respect and obedience to the Everchosen. "The way is open, oh Grand Marshal, the winds of adversary were stronger than anticipated?"

Archaon growled and answered. "I half anticipated that. The forces of Light suspected an army and seek the allies of Sigmar, I have caught wind of an Ogroid who masters the art of inspiring many tribes under my banner and he shall be ecstatic to the task I have for him." He noticed the Gaunt Summoner's hand looking around into space, the summoner focused his hands on his master and asked. "We are so close to the Darkness that the Daemons who occupy it are but a snap away. What are you sensing?" The figure lowered his head and tensed his arms. "Something has changed in the Dark Realm, the Neverborn who felt the Dark caress... they are adapting and uniting."

Archaon guessed from the minion's gestures. "It is a Daemon Prince that seeks to oppose me at an oppurtune time?" The Summoner nodded and Ahriman cringed. "Eek, should one of us stay behind and see the Daemon doesn't throw a wrench into our plans?"

Archaon shook his head. "You are willing to forsake this chance at knowledge for our cause?" Ahriman wanted to explain why and was stopped with a relaxed aura from the Everchosen that answered. "I think not, I seek a Sorcerer for the purpose of binding the chaotic, endless spells and you put significant effort in advancing your own machinations. Must I explain the opportunities?"

Ahriman answered without hesitation. "This is your attempt to assure my loyality beyond just following at your call. You claim that the beastmen of the realms are more diverse as a military force... primitive they are and even among them are the Tzaangor. That and more peeks my interest, but it can become undone if we do not deal with this Daemon Prince."

Archaon agreed with that as Thanqoul arrived with a scamper and the presence of a mighty shadow beneath. "Eek, eek!" The Everchosen got on Dorghar and ordered the Skaven Grey Seer. "You have a simple task, recruit as many of your flea ridden kind and if you see any of Keybearers undermine that, eliminate them." Thanqoul felt much was tossed at him and he snickered. "Yes, yes, I will see to that."

Archaon noticed two more figures appearing from a corridor, Xehanort and Vanitas. The Everchosen knew he expected them to wish to see the crossing between realms, he gave an order to them. "We have an ordeal with in the Realm of Darkness and we are to make an army to settle it soon. Do not traverse there until I return."

Xehanort listened to that and wanted to ask something as Vanitas asked bluntly. "And just what exactly is this that you don't want us to bring under control ourselves?" Ahriman placed his free hand on his face as Archaon answered. "A Daemon Prince, a mortal that chose to forsake his humanity to embrace the dark powers and become a Daemon. They are beyond the lesser daemons and are short of that Greater you worked alongside with."

Xehanort summed up why a Daemon Prince would be a threat. "In other words, they remember what it meant to be human and would understand us more than a pure daemon? That, they would use for their own agenda." Archaon agreed with that as nine of his Varanguard arrived for a journey. "And I lent so few of my men to deal with our other annoyance that going into the Realm of Darkness as it is would be suicidal and a Daemon Prince would best an army by itself. When I return, we will crush this Daemon and present him a choice. Either he will serve under us or I will personally nail his wings under this castle and take his meager horns as a trophy."

One of the Varanguard laughed to that as Vanitas whistled. "That's a little metal, all that work just to become one and they still are low in the food chain?"

That Varanguard heard that and had something to correct Vanitas on. "Do you really want to know the hierarchy? That alone, has broken many boastful Lord's that climbed on top of a mountain of corpses to get to where they are." Vanitas guessed from the position intended for the Daemon Prince. "And they are still dirt?" The Varanguard laughed loudly in agreement. "And the Daemon Prince is the worm on top of the dirt. Bound forever to the Dark god's games."

Archaon coughed to the knight and caused him to stiffen in obedience. "That is why we are to remind him when the time comes. For now, we seek those who care little for that hierarchy and became a force outside of the dirt."

Xehanort snapped his fingers. "Those that found a root of a tree and thrived under it?" Ahriman gasped as Ztardon chirped and hummed. "Hmmmmmmmmmmm! The tree is mighty and provides a whole kingdom for those that seek it's sustenance, through that..." Xehanort nodded. "They become mighty with in their own merits. Often it is commensal, but if they wish for the tree to stay, care must be made and it becomes symbiotic."

The Sorcerer agreed with that and turned. "That's a particular analogy that best describes the the most useful kinds of minions." Xehanort nodded. "And the most rebellious." Ahriman felt Archaon having a gaze upon him and was ordered along with the many. "Come, we march to Varanspire and consort." Ahriman and Ztardon followed the Everchosen without hesitation as Thanqoul tried to scurry ahead. The Everchosen's steed flew in the rift and the Varanguard rode behind, pushing the rodent back and causing him to be the last in line. Leaving the two onlookers and the Gaunt Summoner behind. The Summoner stood in front of the gate and with a spin of its wrist, closed it.

Xehanort and Vanitas left the room and went into a hall, certain that no one could here them, the masked fiend asked. "Do you think Ahriman would not get that analogy?" Xehanort shrugged. "In the end, he serves his own purpose and knows of the hierarchy that directly opposing us would destroy his plans. That would explain why he allows those candidates that much freedom and allowed them to openly rebel against us."

Vanitas realized and nearly screamed. "They were going against us but are letting him off the hook because he want them to turn into a bunch a little tyrants?" Xehanort had a more correct term. "So they would become loose allies for his cause, that is the point in the freedom he allowed." Vanitas sighed. "That was what he planned for both of those dolls before we came along, he set that fake Riku down that path from the start and he wanted to do the same for that other one." Xehanort grunted a hum. "So he thought to play us for assistants and obtain the lions share of the power over them. He wishes for them to obtain power over themselves to the point where he would no longer predict their move save for the most crucial and in turn." He ordered Vanitas. "And he would suspect the worst if we try retrieving those assets now. You would focus on the Varanguard left behind and lend aid to their skirmish and put aside that grudge."

The fiend in the helmet hid an idea and asked. "And you're going to try studying the Undead since all that Darkness and Light he has is new?" Xehanort nodded. "And by now he revealed more of his true nature to where the Guardians of Light would be at a breaking point with him. The source of this knowledge is more viable if it is from his own view." He and Vanitas found a split hall way, the man went to the left. "For all his wandering, he and that world returned to Darkness and for anything of him, least of all a heart, to have been salvaged was an ill miracle. For any heart to have endured in there is something only repeated once because of the Light she held. That could lead to more."

Vanitas took a turn to the left and asked. "Speaking of which, how do you actually plan to get that other pest over here? He's way too close to his friends to be that easy to drag along." Xehanort almost burst from something. "Pfhaha. But literally?" Vanitas listened to that. "Good point, he won't put up a fight if he doesn't even know what hit him." He walked off and left Xehanort to retreat to the depths of the castle, plotting a scheme to delve further into the unknown.

At the Land of Departure.

Aqua waved the last of the young teenagers goodbye, Goofy and Donald followed Sora out and left a small group behind. Aqua looked at the silver gummi ship and whistled. "Finding three crowns, figuring out more about Baldred and learning some new tricks. They sure know how to keep going."

Mickey agreed with that as Aqua was ready to go past the door to the side and visit Wanda. "I think by now, Wanda's all set for tomorrow and Resira is making camp bellow." She was lost in thought and asked herself. "Now where would Garland strike besides here?"

Ven realized Aqua was losing herself in the coming battle and asked. "Uh... Aqua?" The keyblade master snapped out of it and sheepishly apologized. "Sorry about that, a lot happened in three days. But it would be great to get away from that drama and leave dealing with it to me, Ana and those kind are use to war by now." Mickey cringed as Stitch whimpered, Ven knew what Aqua was suggesting and answered. "Sorry Aqua, but I'm not going tonight."

The Keyblade Master gasped. "Why not?! It's going out to explore something new without all the problems of getting attacked out of nowhere."

Ven whimpered like a younger sibling would. "But Aqua, it took me forever to start waking up like everyone else, that right now would make me sleep in until it is sunset again and it wouldn't be fun without you or Terra." He had his arms behind his back and realized what he said, Aqua listened, looked crestfallen at the truths and took a deep breath. "You're... pretty much right there. But what else do you have to do?"

Ven wondered that and tapped his foot. "Maybe check up on Baldred and see what he is doing by himself. Do you think he should know about the bigger picture?"

Mickey asked. "About Kingdom Hearts and what has happened?" Ven nodded. "Yeah, we spent so much time trying to know about him, so we ought to let him know more about us." He asked a curious Stitch. "Do you want to come along?"

The alien rolled over to the ship that flashed several lights in response, Ven promised the group. "We'll be back soon." Aqua imagined how the encounter was going to go as Mickey wished them well. "Take care." With two with in, the silver gummi ship took flight and left them to hear a mighty lock become undone. Ana whistled. "I think that was the last major one, it won't be long now."

At Twilight Town.

Sora showed Riku, Kairi and Ken a picture of some mouth watering gumbo if to prove a point. "It's going to take a while for Tiana and Naveen to finish making that restaurant, but it's going to be worth the wait and the trip."

Riku agreed with that and had something to deliver from his bag. "We'll consider that. Kairi, I met one of those Flans while heading out of Corona. It was completely stupid that I have to take pictures of this-" He showed her the flan monsters with oranges for crowns along with one that was turned into a stack of pancakes. "But it was spot on the map. I think San Fransokyo might have a treasure like that somewhere. I'm going to talk with Scrooge about that and lighten the load."

Kairi hoped so and brought out some green grapes. "I got a little curious myself and met one that wanted me to clear out as many as possible. We should let both Scrooge and Little Chef know about these."

She turned to Ken, who was pretending to be innocent of a plan and had a more stoic expression. "You're going to pick Olette up and go off on your own once the two of you get into the park?"

The one armed boy snapped out of a scheme. "Totally and come on, the others got to see you in that thing before we had them, hmm, hmm."

Kairi had her hands at her hips and agreed with that. "And she'll like seeing it. But I'm onto you and once I catch you sneaking out with that moment, we'll go at it again." Ken wasn't remotely scared of the warning. "I said I'll stay out of it, but I know a couple people that want to see that moment and you'll be the talk of the town. Like it or not." Riku's mouth dropped as Sora asked. "Go at... was this about that fight you two had?"

Kairi nodded and kept a rivalry gaze at Ken. "I wished you guys got to see that, we got to know how much more we got to keep up with you all." The one armed boy almost laughed. "Ha, I would have gotten ya if I... didn't flopped at the end and let myself get parried with that move. When I pull it off, I'm right behind ya as you explode." Kairi finished. "He got parried and it blew up in his face. Watch out when he turns his keyblade into a katana."

Ken had more advise to the older boys. "Watch out when she gets to a zone, one mistake and she'll never let up." He cringed and shook his head in memories of the chaos, causing Sora to feel a little intimidated by the girl and for Goofy and Donald to snicker. The spiky haired boy turned to the two. "Hey, cut it out."

Riku asked. "You want to sort this out alone before we go?" Sora was trying not to blush and dared not show it to the group, Kairi and Ken realized the chain reaction caused. Ken slowly stepped back and Kairi swiftly turned to him, giving a wide, if fierce smile. Like the reaction was something she wanted, Ken blinked and was amused, quickly running off.

She turned back in sync with Sora, both were blushing. Kairi asked. "That might have not been his intention for now, but it was pretty hectic stuff from the both of us. Ken's just dangerous no matter where he's at." Sora calmed down and asked. "He knows fire and that can get... eek. Meet you at the train when you are done?"

Donald and Goofy agreed and took off, the shield bearer wished. "See ya when you're going fellas." Kairi and Riku looked towards where the Bistro is and took off, leaving Sora alone and to a familiar voice that asked. "Why don't you just tell her already? That's what she's been waiting for."

Sora turned around to find Roxas sitting on top of a small wall and leaning by a post, the boy whimpered. "Not you too." Roxas smiled at him smugly. "You two show it a lot, but you got to get it out of your system or everyone is going to keep pushing it." He had a glancing stare to where Ken took off to. "And act like little trolls about it. That's a one way ticket to the moon."

Sora spoke at the defense of the shipper. "Hey, he isn't that much of a jerk about it." Roxas agreed with that, "But he totally wants to catch you and Kairi in the act and spread that info to the whole ship." Sora tilted his head. "Bryn? I guess she would want to know about-" Roxas shook his head and laughed loudly. "Bwahahaha. No, you don't know what the term ship means, do you?"

Sora gasped. "It wasn't a boat after all?" Roxas answered proudly. "Nope, a ship is a part of the word." Sora realized more and almost broke down laughing. "Relat-" He fell over on his knees to laugh it off as Roxas finished for him. "Relationship and you know the one person you have that close of a relationship with. Shippers support that, they thrive in seeing it happen and he saw more than enough between you and Kairi that he stopped being subtle about it."

He got up and helped Sora get up, seeing a face mixing in a joy, embarrassment, annoyance and bliss. "Ha, ha, ha. But how am I going to make him stop." Roxas has a couple solutions. "Tell him to back off or find a way to make that moment... perfect. He'll figure it out, tell the other shippers and they'll start leaving this be... at least the saner ones."

Sora asked. "How do you know about this?" Roxas pointed to Sora's chest. "Because I been in there," he pointed to Sora's head. "and there for a couple weeks and these emotions get crazy." Roxas closed his left eye and scratched the back of his head. "I also got my own problems with... trying to meet Ven. They were right about a lot of things, we look and sound alike." Sora saw hints of an identity crisis and shook at Roxas to snap him out of it, calming his other half down. "You do, but you're still Roxas and he is still Ven." He and Roxas took a deep breath and felt a lot was on their shoulders, Sora asked. "What are I'm going to do for that moment?" Roxas had no idea. "Beats me, but try to make it special."

At a park nearby.

Olette whistled loudly and laughed at a photo of an astonished Kairi wearing an ivory crown. "Ha, that crown is fitting." Ken agreed and was caught off guard by a jab on the fleshy shoulders from the girl, who shifted to a scowl. "Don't do that again when she already took a picture."

Ken rubbed it. "Alright, I deserved that." Olette's scowl lightened as Hayner and Pence looked astonished by the knowledge they obtained. The boy in the dog t shirt asked. "So the crowns are a mystery you're all going to try to solve?"

Hayner found that obvious. "If they do, then the mystery of the Undead Warrior might become a big wonder of the unknown." Olette turned to correct them. "A big wonder we probably shouldn't know." Ken hesitated to agree. "There are a lot of things from him that we don't need to know. Take my word for it," He asked with a smile. "So you guy's ready to get going?" The boys nodded with anticipation as Olette lead the way. "Come on, it's off to Disney Town."

At Radiant Garden.

Baldred stood on top of a ledge overlooking the town and was slowly breaking into a laughter. "Ha, ha, ha." He looked to his chime and whispered. "It did shine my way, something that radiant... in the Abyss itself. That's when I learned of it, when I see what you sought. Yet you sought to wrought it once more." He felt the chime giving him a jingle of flattery and looked on to the horizon, seeing an afternoon sun looking over. He felt an odd nostalgia and saw an odd sight of a broken down town overlooking something vast. The town had a large well, buildings that wore from time and many paths leading to things of odd meaning, he felt it was home and felt the name faded into forgotten memories. He heard a faint voice call from behind his right. "Baldred, there you are."

The knight turned and found himself back in Radiant Garden, noticing Ven and a concerned Stitch. The Knight guessed why Ven arrived. "Aqua's students spoke about my episode?" Ven wouldn't call that an episode. "You found another memory and it was about how you went into a dark place. Where did you find it in the first place?"

Baldred felt the memory more real and calmly answered. "I was traveling when I found a survivor in places most odd... an elderly man in a wheelchair. A Darkdiver. I met him two more times and he revealed his wares to me... I got curious about a particular hex after dealing with annoying sorcerers one too many times but I didn't take more after that." Ventus felt that made sense. "What did he do when you refused?"

Baldred remembered it like it was mundane. "He didn't seem to think more of it and left me be with my venture and wished me luck... in his own way. As I said to Master Aqua, it wasn't until I found out about Licia's lies and murderous attempts... that things truly did take a turn to the dark."

Ventus felt that stung. "And once that happened, you went back to that Dark Diver?" Baldred nodded without regrets. "In the same place, with the same offer. That is when I took the Pilgrimage into the Chasm of Old and eventually found the Darklurker. When I emerged, that humorous man spoke of what I saw, the nature of what lurks in the dark, how we must all face it one day... and gave me a holy chime for miracles. Ha, ha, ha, ha." He looked puzzled and wished to know something as Ventus was just as confused. "You lost that a while ago, but I believe you. That's... a bit ironic."

Baldred agreed with that as Stitch smelled around him. "As if; now that I know the Dark, I should find a way to light my way through and see what else is in there." He let Stitch jump on his shoulder and asked Ven. "I heard some youths talk about an event in a nearby kingdom. Are you traversing to see what is?" The boy shook his head. "It would feel... hollow right now. Are you going?" Baldred shook his head back. "I don't wish to partake in such mundane things. Anything else you seek?"

Ven had one that was in the back of his mind. "I do and it is about that guy you called a Child of the Dark. Vanitas." Baldred voiced his one concern regarding the fiend. "If I see that thing in town, he dies. It's that simple." Ven felt the coldness in the tone and asked. "I'm not going to stop you if you think that's needed. But, there is something you need to know about where he came from."

Baldred answered his view. "He is a fragment of an old dark, taken shape and longing to spread it across the world. He is a common Dark I seen too much of. Cruelty." Ven felt that was pretty accurate. "Eh... yes but no, he was made from the Darkness that was ripped out of someone. That's why he has no off switch in what he does."

Baldred was more interested and his face under his helmet looked pitiful. "And that sorry soul is without that thing that is human. Denied of that choice, of course... I seen a Heart of nothing but the True Light manage fine with understanding where the Dark should stay in." Ventus felt vulnerable to that statement. "...I wish I had the choice to tell him to back off. Then maybe he would have never-"

Baldred gasped and asked. "That... soul was you?" He turned to the town and offered Ven to stand by him. "Someone tried to force you to use the Dark and it wasn't calling to you?" He felt disgusted as Ven slowly approached to try and figure out what the Knight was seeing. "That... happened a lot until HE decided I was too weak for that and I was out without any memories when he was done. Then I met Aqua, Terra and Master Eraqus."

He felt bothered as Baldred looked on. "And I may know who done that. He was the one who spread the Dark and nearly damned the worlds? Who disrupted the balance and caused a cycle?" His hand on his polearm tightened. "One day he will see the Truth of what he sought... but will it be what he will really want?" Ven asked more disturbed. "What you saw when you went into the Dark again, isn't what he thought he saw?"

Baldred wondered if he did go into Darkness a second time. "It may have been something I had before being ripped into Life. I don't really remember, just that... it was peaceful. Rich, poor, young... old, they find that little Light of peace in places they least expect. But I doubt you or anyone in this town is ready to seek that venture right."

Ven realized what Baldred was talking about. "No we are not. You seen the people that did?" The Undead nodded and felt more unease. "I seen the marking they left upon the world. But where they are is not meant for us to follow." Ven had him and Stitch follow, feeling like he wanted to cry a bit and held it. The three went into a park with seven grave markers, one particular had a keyblade rested, Baldred recited what he was told. "These ten souls fought a life of endless war until they found themselves upon these worlds of peace. They battled valiantly against the forces of Darkness that sought to swallow the worlds in a nightmarish war and with them and some... others I heard of, they fought the Darkness and sent them back from whence they came. Is this correct?"

Ven felt the story familiar. "I remember dreaming about them. The Imperial Guard, a Tech Priest and the Space Marines. I guess after all that, they ended up taking that venture you talked about?" Baldred answered like a cleric would. "The one journey towards a lasting peace, away from that life of war." He took a deep breath and wished he had a way to know them. "What they see now is something meant only for their eyes." He sat down and closed his eyes in a longing.

Ven felt that aura of peace, like what the Undead was talking about had truth in it. "Why though..." He turned to ask. "Why is death something... dark?" Baldred answered. "The power to bring death is the Dark. To shove them into that place." Stitch approached the graves and sniffed as Ven listened. "It's going to happen sooner or later, but I guess that's why we try to push them back until we are ready." Flicker! Flicker.

Baldred noticed something floating in front of him, a flickering orb of ashen mist, he placed his hand under it and saw it flutter to Ventus, the knight felt a vision of grey and whispered. "Ven, I think we have a way to reveal the veil." Ven opened his eyes and saw the ashen mist, he picked it up and felt it forming into something heart shaped. Visions flickered and danced around it, the heart broke down into ashes with in the boys palms, giving a grey glow, he took a small pouch and put it in. "Or not yet, did that jog something?"

Baldred nodded. "An Ashen Mist Heart, with it you could step in between memories. But how did it form?" Ven wondered, like the ashes had an aura of someone familiar. "I... have no idea." He stared at the graves and felt a little enlightened, he perked up and asked. "Hey Baldred... if, I brought you something you might have had a close tie to... would you like that?"

The knight stood up and put the pole arm on a sheath. "If it can help piece together any memories, that would be just fine. Regardless of the wrongs done, you're still a kind soul."

Ventus gave a child like stutter as Stitch jumped on his shoulder and purred. "Hey... I just got caught up, that's all. Thanks for hearing me out." Baldred appreciated it and helped Ven get up. "After tomorrow, I might go on a venture to another town and see what I can't see. Unless the committee needs me, use that strength, the rest will follow." Ven gave a small laugh. "We will." He turned to follow the knight towards a split in the town, feeling he seen enough of the Undead Sentinel.

At Twilight Town by the Bistro

Kairi shook her head at a preparing Scrooge McDuck as Riku tapped his own forehead. "Of... course... you...had something to do with the amusement park."

Scrooge snickered without shame. "An amusement park is like an orchard dear boy. While the old saying goes, "take care of it and it will take care of you," everything about the care costs something and putting excess upon it is just as wasteful as neglecting it. That is why Queen Minnie had put me in charge of the finances and maintenance."

Riku asked the wealthy duck. "And why we caught you packing up right before we handed over the goods for Little Chef, you want to see that the park is kept up and running personally?"

Scrooge nodded. "And for some last minute inspections. Since you already bought the pass, you're more than ready for tonight."

Riku guessed so as Kairi asked. "It's all about seeing other people be happy that makes it worth it to you?" Scrooge answered with his cane at the ground. "That it is, it warms me heart to see other people have those smiles and it makes every cent earned."

Riku wasn't arguing about that. "It does." Scrooge lifted the cane and was ready to get going as he remembered the secret treasure maps. "Speaking of which, I haven't had the chance to venture into those kinds of towns and places just yet, so I'm out of those maps. But I suspect the Flans to be in a common place among certain worlds."

Kairi agreed with that. "It's always in a place we need to go out of the way to find and some of them are pretty obvious bread crumbs." Riku asked his friend. "We don't have much of a reason to go back to those places, but it really depends if this one I been is in the middle of a crisis or not." He had a wide smile to Scrooge. "But that's coming tomorrow, so we might as well enjoy the time. But now what of Little Chef? He's getting left behind?"

Scrooge sighed in both disappointment, envy and sympathy. "He wants to keep the place open for those not going, until sun down. That and he might be too small for the rides." Kairi looked at the Bistro, knowing the identity of the chef. "That's a lot for a little guy to put himself through, but it makes some sense."

Riku tilted his head confused. "How short is he? Is that why we never see him?" Kairi shook her head and asked. "If you want to know, go into the kitchen like the rest of us." Riku refused. "Maybe later." Scrooge kept the secret to himself. "That's a rite of passage around these parts for the lads."

Riku figured. "And when we do find out mysteries, it raises as many questions. But we'll worry about that later." The teenagers took off and went to the train station, finding the mystery searching trio of the town and Ken. Olette chatted away with the one armed boy. "And that's why you did something that reckless and lost. Wow." She noticed Kairi and waved to her. "Hey we been waiting, what kind of wonder did you guys find?"

Kairi answered. "Some guy that knows a lot more than we are comfortable with and are connecting the dots as he recovers."

She stared into space at a sudden as Ken continued. "And because of that, more secrets from that world we could use aren't so lost forever. Ha." Hayner gave Ken an over confident smile. "I'll bet, don't give up on something that early, you'll be eating those words."

Olette spoke in Ken's defense. "He and Aqua learned about that stuff from a place that... really, they wouldn't be able to go back to again. Ha, ha." Ken sighed. "Expect the impossible," Riku noticed Goofy and Donald keeping watch. "Its a new horizon, once you figured you learned all you can, another door opens."

Goofy noticed the two and waved. "Hey fellas," Riku waved as Kairi was deep in a trance and shook it off, looking at the two guards and realizing she was being addressed. "Wha-" Donald saw another showing up. "You're finally here, where were you?" The group turned to notice a happy go lucky Sora, Riku asked cheerfully. "Where were you?"

Sora answered with a small plan. "I was talking with Roxas, it's... nothing too important." Ken felt like someone was onto him and looked around as Kairi asked. "Did he figure out something, I... might have just had a chat with Namine about something she found out and drew."

Sora wondered and answered. "Kind of, but it's probably not related to that." Kairi assured him. "It was about Baldred and a couple of memories she drew out. About an ashen heart given to him by a dragon and that heart letting him walk into distant memories and even shaping parts of history with it."

Sora blushed to keep a secret. "Roxas wasn't talking to me about that, but what Namine found out, sounds pretty big." Kairi felt an idea forming. "After tomorrow, I think we know a way that can help jog a couple of important memories back into him. But we need to talk with Master Aqua and the others about this," The group were flat out confused and a train was heard arriving. Riku asked the Princess. "I think I know what that way is, but we never went that far with that power." Kairi nodded to that. "But would it be the final pieces that would mend that heart of his?"

Sora tapped the side of his head. "I... don't know, with Ven we found out where his heart was and we had no idea how to get it back in him and get it working again. It just... sort of happened. What more is there for us to see and know?" Riku took a deep breath and put that worry behind him. "That throne, what's that and a crown have to do with him?"

Pence answered that. "He...became a king?" Hayner and Olette felt that was a good point as Riku agreed. "But of what? What lead him to the Throne? Why doesn't he want it anymore? Sooner or later, he will have to face those questions." He exhaled and had a look towards Ken. "But I'll buy it if he was like the Knight Ken and Aqua met at the castle."

The one armed boy nodded to that. "They gone in a different direction because of the places and people they met, but they have that same air." Toot! The train arrived, a spark of excitement for a memorable night filled the groups hearts and went into the station.

In a city of Darkness.

Vanitas finished explaining something to the Coachman as he watched him counting his ill gotten munny. "And that's why those three will become a problem for me and my master if they keep wandering free for that long."

The Coachman agreed with that and pointed the long end of his pipe. "That's the one thing that Old Sorcerer was doing right for them, he was making sure they weren't a bunch of dumb, school skipping urchins. I'll bet he want's them to get smarter than him for when he goes asking for that favor in return."

Vanitas blinked under his helmet. "Wha?! That doesn't make any sense, wouldn't you want the dumb brats to think nothing as they follow you along?"

The Coachman snickered with a sinister mind. "That's if you want to keep them in line, but he wants them to be like a equal, like that Shaman fella, who bosses around the lesser Tzaangor and has that dumb bloake Pete listening in on some tips."

Vanitas laughed. "Ztardon is just a mook!" The Coachman corrected him. "Ztardon is able to go to places where Ahriman couldn't and I'll bet where he is from, he was the leader of these Tzaangor before Ahriman came along with that deal. Oh, that Sorcerer is keeping the spells for himself but Ztardon knows things that the Tzaangor of Archaon's place would only dream of knowing and would set himself up like a king of the magical beasts." He placed his hands together and was in a bigger thoughts. "And those kids would be the apple of their eyes and they be making a crime ring under our noses." Vanitas nodded and looked around, the Coachman being certain there were no Tzaangor listening in, the masked fiend asked. "And someone needs to remind them that they are still a bunch of dolls that were built for one purpose and we can yank that leash where ever we want. The problem is Master is more concern about keeping one over Aqua and I can't go have my fun, but you?"

The Coachman's lips curled in spite. "Oh I know where they are heading to from the paper those bird brains brought over. The King and Queen have quite the nerve to build that Theme Park and I been looking at ways to see it has an... accident. This might be the chance I need when someone reports missing kids." Vanitas listened to the spiteful intention. "That would make a bad rap sheet, but wouldn't a bunch of heartless and unversed be noticed?"

The Coachman shook his head to that. "No, no. There's no risk, with a corridor, there wouldn't be a need for them." He slowly formed a much more sinister and wide smile, hints of red formed as Vanitas whistled to the much straight forward plan. "Oooooooh you'll just snatch them up without warning and bring them straight to me?!"

The Coachman broke into a maniacal laughter as Vanitas's eyes looked away at the chilling. "That would work if they're not dumb enough to follow you." The Coachman drew him in for a whisper. "Exactly and in a park that crowded, who's going to notice in time? Now, that leaves things on your end with the bird brains, so what you got to do is-"

At the Land of Departure.

Aqua, Wanda and Merlin finished a conversation of unimportance with in a camp of stone huts by the mountain. The General looked on proudly. "In time, we'll refine this to cabins, but they'll do for that likely invasion tomorrow."

Merlin went to the magical door and opened to let the ladies go in first. "Their outer exterior seem as rugged as the mountain, but with in, it's quite accommodating." Aqua agreed with that. "They won't notice a thing until it's too late."

She stepped forward and was back in the front of the castle, being the first to see Ana crackle in light and lightning and Mickey shielding his eyes. Her keyblade was ready for a burst. PEW!

The Stormcast fell on her back from both recoil and exhaustion, the beam shot through the Star Piece and caused the gate to glow in white. Aqua went to the Stormcast and helped her get up. "Ana!" Wanda picked up the speed and joined in helping her. "Lady Ana, what happened?"

Mickey joined into that as his vision returned. Merlin followed and noticed the Realmgate giving off that inviting shine. "Oh.. oh my, this is quite the conundrum." Aqua wanted to know what went wrong as Ana took a deep breath and asked. "I... I opened the way through that path... phew. But the lock is pretty specific, I'll bet that lass Namine made it as a fail safe if someone vile tries to go through this."

Merlin voiced his discovery. "That she did, the door requires more than one strong heart to fully go through, particularly three." Aqua guessed the last complication. "And because once we go past that, we are going to land right into a confrontation with what ever problem Halvek is about to agree with. With the only way back... ha, being the Heartstone itself." Mickey understood the full weight of the situation. "If three people are going over, then those three better be ready for a long journey."

Aqua agreed and helped Anatesis sit down. "That must have taken a lot out of you." The Stormcast agreed and looked on at her craft. "Phew! It's been well over two days, but the path is paved." She insisted as she saw the uncanny white hall. "Let's go see the Road to the Realms."

She took a firm stand, closed her eyes and summoned her black scaled Draccoth, that looked in awe and lowered itself. Ana got on and let the other three enter, seeing a hall way that greatly resembled the hall of Castle Oblivion. At the far end was a grand door way that is shaped like a metal heart. Having a keyhole surrounded by a color of blue, yellow and green. Wanda almost passed out from the other worldly splendor and asked light headed. "By Sigmar, what have we done?"

Merlin answered that with the near overwhelming feeling. "We have saw to the creation of something... wondrous and possibly forbidden. The way to cross past not a world." Aqua had another. "But to cross over to another reality, far away from the laws of this one." Mickey felt his steps more easy. "And to another. Golly, it's like being back in that castle again."

Anatesis and Moonfang entered, seeing architecture so simple, yet unbelievable. The Dracoth barked as the Stormcast patted. "No Moonfang, I'm beat." She noticed something at the left wall of the room, a portrait of something. One of a large blue toad on a throne, with a collection of green colored Skinks and yellow Saurus warriors. Like it was an invitation, the Stormcast sighed and laughed. "I think that lass knew someone knew of this and is awaiting something."

Aqua turned to notice the picture and went to pick it up. "Namine told them about our other issue and this is there way of saying they would help?"

Wanda quickly walked to the picture and gasped. "I'll be that is, but how would we be able to find these guys?" Mickey tapped his foot. "I guess we'll figure that out... Ana, what else do we need to know."

The Stormcast answered with a sharp realization. "There is no way we could predict where the Starborne would appear, but there is a clue to how we can reach them. The Coalesced, the Seraphon that live with in the Realms and enact a grand plan as part of the Slann's plan."

Aqua asked. "In other words, they are kind of, sort of independent from the Slann's watch, despite those connections." Merlin hummed at a detail. "And as a primitive race that's hearts work together as one, it would be like... one of those computers." Mickey nodded. "Like a machine with a program. That must mean the Slann are the ones either operating it-" Wanda had a sharper one. "Or they are the super computer built by something else."

Ana felt the later was more likely the case. "The Slann are the ultimate masters of the Seraphon, but why do they seek to work along side other races? Why do they wish to fight Chaos at every turn? Is it because that's what they want-" Mickey felt the theory connecting. "Or is there a higher reason?"

Aqua answered with an enlightening feeling. "That higher reason, we may never know and sometimes it is best to leave it at that rather than dig deeper into things that were never our business." Step! Step!

She turned around to find Ven and Stitch looking amazed at the hall, the boy asked. "Wow, is there a name for this?" Ana listened and answered. "The Road to the Realms, I thought I name it for obvious reasons." She had a prideful smile that Wanda approved of, the general told Ven the annoying news. "Now we need to decide which three is going across and they need to know of a plan of how to get back. Then we open the door and send them out while the rest of us... I guess hold the forts."

Ven gasped and whined. "Three of us? Does that mean-" Mickey shook his head. "No, this sounds a little bit of a stretch for Sora, Donald and Goofy to handle."

Wanda agreed and added in. "They are fine warriors, but for asking the Kharadron and the Seraphon to aid us, warriors and talk of friendship is only going to go as far as out of one culture and into those that don't think like us."

Merlin didn't wish to admit that. "It's politics my boy." Aqua nodded to the wizard. "And that could prove disastrous if we send someone who knows nothing about handling that." She asked the group. "We need a little bit of time to think about this before we send someone over. Sora and the others need to hear this in person and we need to talk with Namine about what more we are going to do with this."

She had one for Anatesis, who spent around two days opening the Realmgate. "Thank you, I'm not sure if any of us would have had the stamina to keep that up."

Ana gave Aqua a salute. "That's what I'm here for, to go to places y'all can't." She asked more abruptly. "Now about that other problem we have. I'm going to have a word with Baldred and all this crazy, damning knowledge of the Dark he talks about."

Ven cringed. "Please don't, he isn't a bad person." Aqua held Moonfang by the tail and gave Ana a reason to jump off. "I know that, but he dabbled in things that we shouldn't need to know in the first place and it's going to be MUCH worse than Xehanort coming after him if Baldred fully remembers the Dark... remembers Death and word spreads."

Ven guessed who. "Nagash?" Anatesis nodded. "There should be no way for Nagash to EVER find a way into these Realms, but he won't stop trying and an Undead with the knowledge of Light and Dark would be someone he would torture and enslave. Lad, I can tell that you might have made a good friend, but what he is, scares me."

Ven understood why and had a pouch out. "And Baldred would absolutely hate that guy. He and I found this a while ago that might help me and Sora settle something, maybe you might like it as well."

He opened it, Ana had a look at glowing ashes that convulse into a grey heart, Aqua saw it and asked Ven. "Could you put that with that odd sword until we can get to it? Baldred recognize that?" The boy nodded. "It appeared while we were at the Imperial guys graves. The Ashen Mist Heart."

Ana grunted to that. "And something happened to stop you from messing around with that and getting yourself into more weird things. It's an interesting find, but it isn't a good time." Stitch folded his arms in a pout as Ven took the lecture. "Alright, alright." He had one more look at the hall and left Stitch to keep pouting. "This place is still pretty cool."