Maleficent watched Madame Mim coming and going, rushing from pot to pot, cauldron to cauldron, doing the heavy lifting instead of her. It was much more comfortable having her around and letting her do the necessary preparations instead of doing all that by herself.

Instead, she did a little research, looking into the thicker tomes of Walpurga where she had hidden her most fearsome and dangerous spells. There was one specific summoning spell Maleficent was interested in but it was well hidden.

"All this walking around does no good to my aching joints!" Mim croaked and rubbed an icky ointment into her sore hip. "Not as young as I used to be. Must be good, being still young. What's your secret, Maleficent dear?"

"If you live long enough I might just share the secret with you," she replied with a malicious grin, knowing all too well she'd be out of the picture before long.

"So, how many do you think will answer the call? One, two? A handful maybe?"

"Do not concern yourself with such, Mim!" the witch barked at her furiously. "Pay attention to those potions or they'll explode!"

"Nah, old Mim knows how to cook'em right!" she waved offhandedly and smelled the dark liquid brewing in the cauldron. "Ahh, smells like the carcass of a sweet little bunny under the summer sun. Lovely!"

Maleficent watched her in dismay as she grabbed a vial and added something to the cauldron, causing it to evaporate in a greenish fume. Amidst the dark-green smoke the frame of a familiar world took shape. It was the Dwarf Woodland's, where Grimhilde the so-called Evil Queen lived her vainglorious life.

"That's one down, and a bunch of more to go" Mim nodded proudly and went on to the next cauldron, while Maleficent returned to her book.

The thick tomes she borrowed from Walpurga's personal quarters were all ancient and contained knowledge and power mostly unknown throughout the current world. The current world. I still wonder how different that other one was. I could only catch a glimpse of it, because someone caught me. I need to find that box and its contents: the book.

Her travel back into the distant past had happened almost two years ago. When Xehanort's Heartless had released her heart, it traveled back in time. She ended up in the Enchanted Dominion, or at least she had thought she did. But in reality, the Enchanted Dominion did not even exist back then, and she was merely placed inside a digitalized recreation of her home world. Since it was a recreation, the World's story was pre-determined and her ultimate fall was given. No matter how she tried to avoid being defeated, those accursed Keyblade wielders would stop her at every turn.

Temporarily she managed to escape the Enchanted Dominion, reaching a World she couldn't revisit ever since (not even in her own Worldline): it was a small town with a peculiar clock tower in its center. It was quite similar to Twilight Town, but not the same. She infiltrated the clock tower and listened to the leaders of that World, talking about a mysterious Book of Prophecies.

Of course she tried getting her hands on the book, but failed and was defeated by those children. When she came to, Maleficent was back in the Enchanted Dominion and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't return to that other World. Finally, the witch was contacted by someone who referred to himself merely as Darkness. He returned Maleficent to her original time and ever since then she had been searching for that mysterious tome.

Of course, she went through Walpurga's books just in case, but there was nothing. Not even a mention of the Book of Prophecies or anything alike. And not just there. The Book of Prophecies was a book that nobody in the current World knew about. The closest I got to the damned thing was through the journal of that cricket! But why? Could it be that one-eyed fool actively erased all traces of the book?

Mim continued her work more or less silently, humming occasionally completely off-tune and soon all fifteen cauldrons steamed in similar fashion to the first one. When she was done with all of them, she called out to Maleficent, who was lost in thoughts. There was a lot on her mind, and it was far too difficult to return to the bleak-looking present.

"Ah, finally! Seems like you still have your use!" she said scornfully and stepped inside the ring of the steaming cauldrons. She raised her staff high and green flames sprang from the cracks on the floor, creating a circle of fire and connecting the cauldrons. The images of the Worlds grew within the smoke and slowly turned into real portals. "Hear me witches of Salem's Lot! The Coven has awakened once again! Heed its call and return to my side at once!"

Most of the cauldrons exploded and the remains of the dark liquid sprawled across the room. From the depths of the portals, one by one, witches had emerged:

The first one to arrive was Yzma, wearing not her fabulous and charming smile, but a grimace of distaste. The second one to arrive was Morgana le Fay, who exchanged a nasty look with Mim as the two shared a rivalry in their hatred for Merlin. Ultimecia from Radiant Garden's World was the third to emerge. "Why have you called me here, sister?" she asked immediately, looking through the others as if they didn't even exist.

"All in time, Ultimecia" Maleficent replied coldly, looking at the other portals. A few seconds later two portals closed at once as the two wicked witches arrived from the Emerald City at the same time.

"I was here first," said the Wicked Witch of the East.

"I was" replied the Wicked Witch of the West.

"Don't you two dare start this again!" Morgana lashed out at the twins. "I swear on that cursed sword I'll…"

"Leave the sword out of this my dear" Mim rebuked immediately. "That sword is not for you to trifle with!"

"Oh please" Morgana waved her hand dismissively. "You're so unimportant, Mim, that nobody was surprised you forgot to return to your own World!"

"SILENCE!" Maleficent raised her voice in fury and looked across the witches. Not many dared to stare back at her; Ultimecia was the only one. "You all will await your sisters' arrival. When we've all gathered, I'll address why I've needed you here." And with that, Maleficent turned towards the remaining portals and awaited new arrivals.

The next one to arrive came from Olympus. She had a shinny aura around her, just like all Gods in that World. She was Hecate, the goddess of magic. "Sisters, how long has it been,"

"Let's skip the pleasantries" Yzma said, regarding the goddess. "Why did we even invite her back? I mean, she clearly isn't one of us."

"Just because I am beloved and feared at the same time?" she smiled innocently.

"Because you begged yourself into their Pantheon!" the Wicked Witches of the East and West declared in unison.

"I didn't beg! I charmed myself there. Not the same!" she winked with an impish smile.

The last two arrived at the same time. One of them wore extravagant, white furs covering her until the neck, even though she was way taller than anyone else in the room. The other was a sweet looking elderly lady.

"Oh, Maleficent! Haven't seen you for some time!" the elderly lady said, sending her a wide grin, revealing her shark-like teeth.

"Raisin. How's your diet? Eaten anything exceptional lately?" the witch returned the smile, albeit a dark and knowing one.

"I do have set my eyes upon a pair of children. They do seem yummy." Raisin Sweet-tooth nodded.

"Why have you called us here, Maleficent?" queried the tallest of them, Jadis the White Witch.

Seeing that the other portals closed without anyone coming through them, Maleficent accepted the fact that there would be nobody else coming. Figures. I guess Gothel and Ursula are truly dead. But what of the rest? Had Grimhilde failed as well? What about Tia Dalma or the Enchantress who cursed the Beast?

"Well sisters" she finally began, looking at everyone present. "I am quite relieved to see so many of you."

"Don't be so sure about that" Morgana interrupted her. "I'm not here to stay."

"You will stay for the Coven's code demands it!" Mim warned her.

"Maleficent had abandoned and dissolved the Coven!" Yzma retorted. "I've come here for old times' sake, but I do not intend to follow this crazed witch in her endeavor."

"Stay silent and pay attention you lot" Jadis said sternly. "Maleficent, why have you broken your promise?"

"Because we are about to face a power which we haven't had to since we sealed Walpurga" she said plainly.

As expected, the witches fell silent at once. Some seemed puzzled, others were worried. Ultimecia conjured a chair for herself and sat down, crossing her legs. She seemed like the most unsurprised one out of the lot. Which begets the question: why is she unhinged? Maleficent considered.

"And what is your plan?" Hecate looked at their summoner, no longer faking smiles; even her aura dissipated. She was just as concerned as the rest. "How much do you know?"

"Before we begin, I have an important question for you all. Have any of you heard of a tome called Book of Prophecies?"

- O - O - O - O - O -

"GET OUTTA MY HEAD!"

Ventus was kneeling on the ground holding his head with both hands and eyes closed. Inside his heart a storm raged and the two Keyblade wielders were face to face with each other. He was snarling at the boy who wore Sora's face and sported an arrogant grin.

What's the matter Ven? Can I call you Ven?

"Just shut up! Please, why do you have to do this?"

I don't have to do any of this, Ven. I do this, because I want to. Was it not clear enough?

"I am in control! I am in control! I am in control! I AM—"

For now, at least. I'll be fair and give you a quick breather so you can run to that hag for help. But be quick now, cause I'm not that fair.

The voice fell silent and Ventus opened his eyes. He stayed and listened for a few seconds, because he didn't believe Vanitas would keep his word. But his dark part had truly fell silent, giving him a short respite after all this time.

He wanted to withhold his tears, but he just couldn't. He remembered Radiant Garden perfectly, even though he wasn't in control back then. He remembered being put inside the cabin and being filled with evil thoughts; wishing terrible things to happen to with both Naminé and Ansem the Wise. As darkness took hold over his heart, he broke out, hurt the researcher and escaped.

He used his anger, his rage to summon Unversed and release them upon the castle and the town. It felt so good, he felt so powerful. And he struck down Terra. Back then, at that moment, it felt glorious to look down on the boy who he thought to be much stronger than he was.

But now all these memories were haunting him. They made him feel sick. It was terrible, horrible, and his only hope to combat this darkness lay with Maleficent.

Ventus rose to his feet and wiped off his tears, sniffing like a small child. He took a good look around, trying to figure out the way to Maleficent's castle. He was already in the middle of the Enchanted Forest, but the path to her fortress lay hidden.

"May my heart be my guiding key" he whispered, recalling Chirithy's words. He wished he had brought the little spirit along. It would've been a less lonesome journey with him around. At least he's safe without me. He thought grimly.

Of course, Chirithy's safety wasn't the sole reason for leaving him behind. To be honest, Ventus was afraid. After Vanitas returned to him, he had remembered things from the past. At first, they were only words, images. But then Chirithy emerged and began talking to him, reminiscing about a past Ventus did not remember. The more his spirit spoke about it, the more he started to remember: names, faces, locations. But remembrance did not come without a price; Vanitas' voice began haunting him. First only in his dreams and later during his wake hours as well. He hoped it was only temporal and that it would all go away. But Vanitas' voice did not dissipate; instead it became more frequent, louder and longer; and by the time he had come to the decision that something had to be done, it was too late.

"I'm a fool" Ven mumbled to himself as he finally left the forest behind and stepped on the narrow path leading towards the forbidden mountain. He gazed at the top of the mountain, where the witch's fort lay. "I shouldn't have come here."

The boy's eyes fell, but he couldn't turn back. He knew he had to go on and his legs approached the pathway. One step at a time, he climbed the mountain road without considering the fact that Maleficent's raven or goons could see him from afar.

As he got closer to the ruins of the fort, Ven sensed the presence of the guards, who were watching him from behind walls and pillars, from above the towers.

He stopped when he reached the entrance to the fort's court and looked around. He summoned his Keyblade as the guards emerged, armed with bows, spears, axes and maces. "Where is Maleficent?" Ven asked loudly, hoping that she might appear somewhere. But she didn't. And neither did her guards gave the boy an answer, but instead attacked him.

Careful now! If you won't be careful with our body, I'll be forced to take over!

Ven parried an attack from the goon closest to him, and smashed it on the helmet with his Keyblade. The helmet clanged loudly and the goon fall on its behind, while two other took its place. They attacked the boy in turns, but Ven was much faster and managed to parry both their attacks with ease. He even managed to avoid an arrow by doing a backflip, landing atop the base of a broken pillar.

He kicked one of the raven-faced goons on the beak and jumped off the pillar, running across the court while dodging additional arrows skillfully. He ran towards a series of ruins of different shapes and sizes and climbed them without an effort, grabbing onto the ledge of a window and climbing inside the fort. The two guards inside only had time to register the boy's presence before he knocked them out cold with his Keyblade.

Nice job little brother. Who would've thought you're such an escape artist!

Ven didn't pay attention to Vanitas' remarks. He instead rushed towards a spiraling staircase and descended them. He tried recalling where Maleficent had dwelled, but it was far too vague. When he arrived at the foot of the staircase he rushed alongside the narrow path, then descended another staircase, and another. The stairs and corridors went on and on, until he was deep inside the mountain. The walls turned from bricks to coarse stone and the stairs at one point ended, even though the pathway went on. Did he take a wrong turn?

Getting a little lost, are we? Should I take over control for a bit? Wanna take a nap?

Ven shook his head and continued down the road, until he reached a small chamber. Its old, wooden door was wide open. The room was full of books, alchemical tools, and other items often used by spellcasters. Ventus entered the mystery study and after a few steps in, the torches alongside the walls lit up. The door fell shut behind him and Ven shuddered in fright, summoning forth his Keyblade and taking up his battle stance.

"What business have you here, boy?" Maleficent's crude, unfriendly voice broke the silence.

The witch appeared in the distant corner of the room, emerging from the darkness. She looked at Ventus and her lips twitched into a mean smile. She had probably felt the storm inside his heart and saw his hopeless battle against Vanitas.

"I… I need your help." Ventus said, forcing his eyes not to look away.

"Interesting development" she remarked and took a step closer to the boy, reaching out with her bony fingers. "You are Sora's nobody— no, you are the other one. How remarkably funny, that we should meet again."

"Why would it be so funny?" Ventus lashed out angrily for a second, before becoming self-conscious about it. He looked down at his hands, shocked by his own uncontrollable anger.

"Remember what I told you about hearts? One never knows the secrets of another's heart. How true that is. It seems you do not even know the secrets of your own heart, Ventus." Maleficent's words struck deep and struck true. Ven felt remarkable pain his chest, his heart was ready to explode into a million pieces. How much he regretted waking up, leaving the sanctuary of Sora's heart. He had hoped that it would be better, but now he knew that nothing had changed… only for the worse. "I feel great darkness inside you, fighting for control over the body. You are here because you fear it might overtake you, your heart."

"I cannot turn to anyone else without putting them at risk! My darkness; it's… different." Ven tried to put his knowledge into words, even though he knew Vanitas heard his every utter and thought. There was no way he could accomplish this. Still, he had to try. He looked back at Maleficent, who was keeping her eyes on the boy as well. "Can you help me combat the darkness inside me? Can you help me take control of it?"

"I could" she mused devilishly and began pacing from wall to wall. "But I would require something in return for my services, young Ventus."

"What do you want?" He asked immediately.

Maleficent's grin turned into a shark smile and she stepped even closer to Ventus, touching his cheek softly. "I need you to find me a witch."

- O - O - O - O - O -

The guards in Disney Castle were leaning onto their spears and slumbering peacefully when a shadow had slipped past them unnoticed. Whoever this individual was, he knew the castle like the back of his palm as he used shortcuts, and secret routes that few had even heard about. However, he wasn't seeking to enter the castle quarters. Quite the contrary, he was on his way to the castle' courtyard from where he could descend to the Gummi Laboratory through the hidden passage hidden beneath the bush castle.

He avoided every sleeping soldier peacefully, crossed the courtyard and finally began his descend. After the shrub gates closed behind him, Mickey took off the dark cloak. He held a folded parchment in his hand, wielding the Sorcerer's Sigil (a wizard hat behind crossed Keyblades). Yen Sid's message seemed urgent and Mickey received it late. He didn't have time to discuss it with anyone, so he decided it would be best to quickly hop onto a Gummi Ship and leave.

The King continued the descend while re-opening the letter and going through it again:

Dear Mickey,

Indeed as I have expected, the absence of Xehanort's Keyblade was not merely coincidental. It seems that someone has taken the accursed blade. Moreover an old adversary has appeared bearing grim news. I ask you to meet me at the Keyblade Graveyard, where we shall conduct our research into the matter.

- Yen Sid

The fact that Master Yen Sid had invited him not to his tower, but to the Keyblade Graveyard itself was frightening. Mickey wished he never had to return to that terrible place, where so much tragedy had transpired in the past. But apparently, fate deemed it otherwise.

Mickey stopped for a second and listened. He heard hushed voices and fidgeting. Someone was still there? He carefully went on and tried discerning the sources of the movement. They belonged to multiple people.

At the foot of the stairs Mickey's court magician, Donald; and Goofy, the captain of the guards were waiting for him eagerly.

"Do ya think he's comin' this way? He could just use that Keyblade of his to leave Disney Castle, ya know!"

"Aw, what do you know, you big palooka?!" the mage replied with an irk to his voice. "And why is that we have to guard the Gummi ship? Where are the guards?!" Donald asked the knight-captain, who chuckled heartily before giving his reply.

"They're sleeping safe'n'sound of course!"

Donald did not seem impressed with the answer and Mickey could see the court mage folding his hands and tapping impatiently with his foot. He couldn't help but smile. His two trusty friends were indeed quick to catch on, even though he merely received the letter a couple of hours ago. He was becoming quite predictable it seemed.

"Fellas! What are you doing here?" Mickey revealed himself in front of his friends.

"Your Majesty!" the duo yelped in Unison.

"Why didn't you tell us you planning to leave!?" Donald demanded.

"Yeah, you know you can count on us!" Goofy added win a big nod.

Mickey looked at the two of them. He knew exactly why he didn't want to tell them or take them on the mission. He was worried. They fought so many battles and saw so many dangers. It would've been unfair to drag them away from home once more.

"I—"

"We're going to!" Donald interrupted him almost immediately with an encouraging smile and reached forward, hand face down. "Remember? All for one!"

"Donald's right. You can't just dive head in without takin' us with ya!" Goofy joined in, placing his hand atop Donald's.

Mickey was touched by his friends' loyalty and steadfastness. He stepped closer and put his hands atop Goofy's. "And one for all! Thanks guys."

"You know we'll never let you go alone. The three musketeers look out for each an' other!" Goofy grinned.

"So what does the letter say?" Donald pointed at it. "Is it from Master Yen Sid?"

Mickey gave a nod and handed the letter over to the duo, so they could read it. "After the battle was over and everyone returned home, I took a quick detour if you recall. I went to Master Yen Sid to give him a report and discuss matters with him. We were searching for Xehanort's Keyblade, but couldn't find it."

"Why is that a problem?" Goofy asked, scratching his head.

"Master Xehanort's Keyblade is the most ancient one according to the master. We wanted to retrieve it and place it under our care, because it may possess powers unknown to us."

"So someone claimed the Keyblade?" Donald guessed.

"That's what we are thinking. I do not know what the master means by the old adversary, but I intend to find out as fast as possible!"

"Let's go then!" Goofy declared, spreading his hands wide. "The Gummi Ship awaits!"

Mickey and Donald nodded in agreement and the trio turned to leave, when they heard an angry chirping sound behind them. "Ahem. You don't think you can leave without your trusty chronicler, do you now?" Jiminy looked at the trio looking all smug, as he held onto his little book.

"Of course not, Jiminy!" Mickey said and reached out for the cricket. The chronicler jumped on his hand, ran up his arm and stopped on his shoulder. "Everyone ready? Let's go!"