Riku gasped in exhaustion, the heat of the lava below him threatening his consciousness. He gripped the black lamp as he gazed upon the red Genie before him. Even now he could recognize the presence of a former comrade, but it didn't matter. Riku threw the black lamp into the lava, watching it melt as he returned his gaze to the weakened enemy now screaming in agony as he was melting just as his vessel had into nothingness; the exit now revealed upon the warlock's demise.

"That's that." Riku said to himself, turning away from the Cave of Wonder and back into the empty white halls of the castle.

All Jafar was now was an insignificant memory, just as anyone who would stand in his way would be.

"I have identified the scent. It is the boy, Riku." Zexion announced as he appeared through a corridor of Darkness, met with his superior's back as he was tinkering with that glass shard again among the array of experimental replica's. For a moment, it appeared to glow brighter before Vexen pocketed it as Zexion entered.

"Riku, you say? Are you certain?" Vexen inquired as Zexion approached.

"It would appear to be so, his scent is a unique one after all."

"Fascinating..." Vexen pondered for a moment as he began to pace across the room, deep in thought. "That's why you mistook him for the Superior. The dark power that was given to Riku must have help facilitate his escape from its realm..."

Zexion spoke up as Vexen kept pacing, "What I want to know is how he was able to appear here in Castle Oblivion."

Vexen couldn't help but smirk in amusement as he'd have to explain the obvious. "That's really quite simple. His existence, his heart, resonates strongly with that of the other hero."

Zexion narrowed his eyes. "The boy, Sora? I thought he was lost to the darkness."

Vexen clarified, "He arrived some time ago, Marluxia is already using Naminé's unique powers to warp Sora's heart. Given some time there'll be no doubt that the boy will be broken soon enough."

Zexion shook his head, then crossing his arms. "Marluxia has always done as he pleases, but you are the one assigned to head the research of this castle. Have you no qualms with his experiments, or do you just not care enough about following orders."

"On the contrary," Vexen explained, " It appears that our dear Marluxia's interests align with The Organization's. He desperately wants the Keyblade master for himself- a foolish plan, yet not one that is a waste of resources. Sora, as he is right now, isn't enough to garner the attention he's manage to attract from the other members. For now, he is of no consequence."

"The Keyblade..." Zexion murmured, "It was the final Princess of Heart that held the Keyblade not so long ago. Now there are two within our possession as we speak. Does Marluxia believe that the boy is connected to another Key?" he asked curiously.

"As I have said, it is none of our concern for now. The Organization has already obtained the strength of the Key, and our mission is to complete the task assigned." Vexen remarked. Zexion was uncertain how to answer, the mystical weapon was an enigma to one such as himself."The entity that holds true value is Riku to us is the hero of darkness, the one who holds a similar power to that of the Superior as well as the strength to unlock the power the boy Sora once held."

Riku wrinkled his nose in disgust, "Something smells...funny... What's that scent? It's so familiar..." He gasped suddenly at the realization of the source of the smell. "Darkness. It's the smell of darkness! I can't believe this is happening. The darkness has even seeped into my skin..."he looked down at his hands, feeling the darkness inside him growing stronger, strong enough now that he couldn't even mask his presence properly.

[Don't worry, Riku!]

Riku lifted his head in surprise as a orb of light floated in front of his face, "Your Majesty!" He recognized as the light took the form of the King. Riku's joy dampened slightly as he could see the stairs through the King."What happened? I can see...right through you."

Mickey chuckled, "Funny, huh? My power's not strong enough yet, I can only send a bit of my power to this place right now. That's why I've got a request for ya.

"Request?" Riku questioned.

Mickey nodded, "Listen, Riku. Just because darkness holds you, don't let go of who you are. You've got to fight the darkness inside you! It won't be easy to do, I know. But please don't forget. Even in the darkest darkness, there's always a little bit of light."

"Light within darkness..." Riku murmured as he placed a hand over his heart.

"You and I already saw it remember?" Mickey helped him recall, "The far welcoming light inside the door to darkness. The light of Kingdom Hearts will show you the way. Please don't give up and believe in the light. That's a request from my heart."

Riku took a deep breath, "Okay... I'll do my best."

Mickey smiled, "Trust me. I'll try to find a way to reach you. I'll get there, I promise."

The King reached out his hand, as Riku tried to shake it, his hand passed right through the King's form. For a moment he was shocked before recalling-

"You're an illusion..."

"Yeah, but don't worry. We shook hands in our hearts, remember? We're connected, you and me."

Riku nodded, smiling for a moment, "Guess we are... Mickey, how did you find me?"

"Hm? Well, it's a little hard to explain. But it seems like there's something that's doin' it's hardest to protect you, a faint light. It helped me find my way to you the first time, so I'm sure that it'll help me find you again!"

"Something trying to protect me? Could it be Kairi?" Riku asked, the image of his friend flashing in his mind along with a familiar soreness as he missed his friend terribly.

"No, I don't think so." Mickey shook his head, "After all, this place is heavily isolated from both the realm of darkness and the realm of light; and Kairi's still in the realm of light as far as we know."

"Oh..." Riku lowered his head in disappointment.

"Aw, cheer up pal, after all once we find each other and escape, she's the one who'll you're going to see right?"

Riku glanced towards his friend with a sincere smile on his face, it was infectious as the boy could find himself smiling alongside him. "Right, thanks Mickey." Riku smiled as his friend disappeared before his eyes, simply leaving him with a new card in hand.

He took a deep breath, glancing at the door in front of him, gripping the card a new look of determination crossed his face as he took a step forward.

Kairi, wait for me.