Chapter 61

At a rocky open area...

"Wait, so what happened to you?", asked Xigbar with his face red.

Vexen and a young man with dirty-blond hair and has an odd mullet-like style, with several individual bangs that fall over his face, were standing next to Xigbar and both of their faces were red. The young man next to Vexen is named Demyx.

In front of them, was Larxene who was still in her black bra and panties and she was sitting on the ground covering her chest with her arms.

"Don't ask!", she said angrily. "Just get me a new coat!"

"This is hilarious.", said Vexen as he smiled while Demyx was looking at her.

Breast against breast…, he thought as his face became redder.

Score!, thought a happy Xigbar.

"What are you looking at, pervs?!", she furiously said as she threw her knife at them. All three of them dodged. "Get me a new coat now!"

"We're on it!"

They then ran off to get her a new coat.

Someone then came behind her. She turned and looked up. She saw Ansem standing there.

"You look ridiculous.", he said.

"Shut up old man!", she said.

Instead of being offended, he asked her, "What happened to your clothes."

"They melted."

"'Melted'?"

"Yes! By that pink haired bastard! He is going to pay!"

"So he's causing trouble again? I'm not surprised."

"Yeah, whatever. How's Mr. Wiseman?"

Ansem sighed. "He won't say anything. I tried forcing him to tell me about the girl, but he won't say anything. I guess I have to bring back to his old hideout."

"Well good luck with that."

He then came close to her and whispered into her ear. "Keep a lookout in this area.", he said with caution. "Someone is here in this world listening. I don't know who it is."

"A spy? I'll keep track."

Back at the Mysterious Towers, Riku, Mickey, Sabertooth, and Crime Sorciere were standing in front of Yen Sid, who was sitting at his desk. The doors opened and they turned to see the group entering.

"Sorry we're late.", said Sora.

"It's okay.", said Mickey. "You got here as fast as you could."

"Hey, Natsu-san!", said Sting.

"Gajeel.", said Rogue.

"How's it going Sting!", said Natsu as he and Sting grab each other's hand.

"I see you're doing well.", said Erza as she came up to Jellal.

"You took the words right out of my mouth.", said Jellal.

"Its nice that we regroup…", said Yen Sid. "But we have matters to discuss. Can you explain to me what has been happening."

Sora nodded and he explain what has been happening on his adventures.

"The Organization claims to have their thirteen darknesses.", he said.

"Do we believe it's true?", asked Mickey.

"Umm...I don't know, but there's something else they keep mentioning."

"The New Seven Hearts.", said Erza. "They are after young women who they believe contain pure light."

"Their code for 'let's go bother more princesses.'"

Yen Sid then spoke up. "Well, as the original princesses of hearts' time for protecting the pure light has ended, they have passed the light to others."

"Princesses of hearts?", question Yukino.

Sora explain. "During my first journey, Maleficent and her gang gathered girls with pure light in their hearts, devoting them from darkness. So they are name princesses of heart. They were Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Belle, Jasmine, Alice, and Kairi."

"Kairi a princess of heart?", asked Lucy.

"Yeah. Maleficent destroyed their home worlds in order to get them and use their power to unlock Kingdom Hearts. When me, Donald, and Goofy freed them, they used their power to push back the darkness so it won't spread to other worlds. After me and the King sealed Kingdom Hearts, they returned to their worlds."

"So in other words, they now don't have that power since they used it to push back the darkness during Sora's first journey.", said Rufus.

"Yes.", said Yen Sid. "And our enemy must certainly be cognizant of this. If the 'New Seven Hearts' is what they wish to call them, so be it."

"Do you know who the new seven are?", asked Rogue.

"We met three.", said Laxus. "There is Rapunzel from one world and Elsa and Anna in another."

"But Kairi hasn't passed on her power.", said Sora. "Is she one of the new seven?"

"She must be.", said Mickey. "But still, she chose to wield a Keyblade and fight with us as one of the guardians of light."

"Yeah…"

"She'll be fine.", said Lucy. "Mirajane and the others are looking after her."

"We haven't found Terra yet.", said Donald.

"Hey, at least we've tracked down Ventus.", said Goofy. "Vanitas told us that he's inside Sora's heart."

"Vanitas?", asked Erik.

"He created the monsters known as the Unversed.", said Mickey.

Jiminy came up on Sora's shoulder and said, "Ventus was also mention by Ansem the Wise in his data, so it almost certainly must be true."

"That's great! Now we can rescue Ven."

"But where is he?", asked Macbeth.

"Aqua's the only one who knows where he's hidden.", said Riku. "We still have to find her first."

After a pause, Sora then said, "I'll go."

"What?!", said both Donald and Goofy.

"I'll join you!", said Natsu.

"Is that wise?", asked Mickey.

"You need the power of waking, Sora.", said Yen Sid. "Do you have it?"

"Uh...no?", he said. "Probably not."

"Without that power, you are not ready to face the realm of darkness."

"Dammit!", said Natsu. "How do you even know if he needs it there. Is Aqua even asleep?"

"It's just a precaution."

Erza then punched Natsu into the wall. "I apologize for his behavior, and please continue sir."

"C'mon…", said Sora.

Riku then started to laugh.

"What's so funny?"

"Sorry.", he said. "Master Yen Sis knows you a little too well. He said you'd try to stage a half-baked rescue."

Donald and Goofy then started to laugh as well. Mickey joined in as well.

"WHAT'S SO FUNNY!"

Everyone faced Natsu. "He wants to help Aqua. She's been alone there for a decade and you're just here laughing at someone who wants to help her! It doesn't matter if he has the power or not, you won't know what will happen if you try!"

Everyone was surprised by Natsu's angry. He then stomped towards the door and slammed it behind.

"I-I'm sorry!", said Lucy. "I'll go check on him!" She then ran after Natsu.

"He was really mad…", said Mickey with surprise.

"He really wants to find her.", said Wendy. "It probably reminded him of his search for Igneel, the dragon that raised him. Natsu-san sees Aqua-chan as a lost friend who needs help."

"We get it. We want to find her as well.", said Riku. "Sora, I know you're volunteering because you're worried-about me and Mickey."

"Yeah…", said a disappointed Sora.

Riku then put his hand on Sora's shoulder. "Well, thanks. But, the power of waking's important. You can come to the rescue once you've got that. Sound fair?"

"Yeah. All right.

"His name is Natsu, right? Are you sure he's going to be okay?"

"He'll be fine!", said Sting. "You should see him action!"

"He acts first and thinks later.", said Sawyer.

"But the way he fights is incredible.", said Richard.

"Be safe.", said Sora. "No reckless stunts."

"Yes, sir.", said Riku.

Donald came up to Goofy and whispered, "Sora's the reckless one."

"No, not exactly.", said Jiminy. "He just doesn't think."

"If only he listened to Master Yen Sid the way he listens to Riku.", said Goofy. "That would be a good start."

"I'm listening now.", said an annoyed Sora who was standing in front of them.

"So did I.", said an annoyed Natsu who was standing in front of the door with Lucy.

He then ignited his flist and blasted Donald, Goofy, and Jiminy, making them crash into the wall. The others laughed at them.

"I support you. You're an awesome friend and you have cool powers."

"Thanks Natsu."

"Very good.", said Yen Sid. "Sora will continue his journey to build his powers, while Mickey, Riku, and the other mages will focus on the search for Aqua."

"Yes, sir!", they all responded.

"Yes, sir…", said both Donald and Goofy weakly.

"Before you go…", said Yen Sid. "I spoke with Makarov and the Magic Council."

"The Master?", said Lucy.

"What did you find out?", asked Erza.

"They said when the time comes for us to fight the Organization, they will have something special to use. They haven't explain what is though.", said Yen Sid.

"Guess we'll find out when the time comes.", said Olga.

"Also, they want me to give these bracelets to the Dragon Slayers." He then summon bracelets onto his desk. They have black straps with a lacrima on them. "They are miniature Dragon Slayer Embark. I heard that you're all weak to any moving object you are on, so this will prevent that from happening."

"Alright!", said Gajeel. "No more motion sickness!"

"I don't have to use my Troia spell every time!", said Wendy.

"This is rather convenient.", said Rogue.

"Now, continue on your missions.", said Yen Sid.

Back at the rocky area, Marluxia was standing on top of one of the thirteen pillars while Larxene was standing on another. She was now wearing a new black coat.

"So, why are you back?", he asked.

"Nice way to greet your old partner in crime.", she answered. Marluxia didn't seem to care. "So, why do you think the old geezer took us back? He must know we backstabbed the Organization when Xemnas was running it."

"Xehanort doesn't care about you or me. To him, we're nothing but empty husks. The old Organization was the same. Xehanort needs thirteen vessels to hold his essence."

"Husks? Not me. You up for another coup?"

"Oh, please. You couldn't do it last time." Both of them turned and saw Demyx on top of the tall pillars, playing with his Sitar, Arpeggio. "You gotta play it smart, like me."

"What?! You're not smart!", said an annoyed Larxene.

"Well, you heard what Marly said, I don't have to be smart."

"Or capable, or likeable, or attractive. A cereal bowl would make a better vessel."

"Whoa now, you are way out of line. I am extremely imposing...when I want to be. Which is, admittedly, almost never."

"Why haven't you gone to any worlds? Are you slacking?"

"'Course not. I got benched."

"Huh?"

"Saix brought Vexen on board.", said Marluxia. "They must be planning to use replicas."

"Those windup toys?"

"Oh, no. The replicas are way more real than you remember. I mean, one stole my spot!", Demyx complained.

Larxene laughed. "Of course it stole your spot. You're dumb as a brick."

"Har-dee-har. At least I didn't come back half-naked from my mission."

Larxene looked at him furiously.

"Vexen's latest replicas are no mere puppets.', said Marluxia. "The Riku replica we used in Castle oblivion was just a prototype. The next replica, the one crafted from Sora's memories, was real enough to join our ranks. And Vexen claims the new ones will be human in every way. If he ever finishes them."

"Oh…", said a sarcastically guilty Larxene. "The thing is...I kinda told Sora and his nitwits that we're ready. My bad."

"Let them believe as much."

A dark corridor appeared on the highest pillar, revealing to be Xemnas.

"Ugh, Xemnas."

Xemnas continued. "If they think that we have all thirteen darkness, then they will panic. And panic leads to a lack of preparation."

"Yeah, totally.", said Demyx.

"Why is this thing a member again?", asked an annoyed Larxene.

"Hey now! Pointing is rude."

"The first six members of the original Organization were all apprentices to Ansem the Wise, and the seventh and eighth members joined thereafter.", said Xemnas. "The thirteenth member was Roxas, a Keyblade wielder. So. What about you? How do you suppose I chose numbers nine through twelve?"

"Because our hearts are uber powerful.", she answered with confidence.

"Wrong. You have been brought together for another purpose."

Another dark corridor appeared in the area, revealing to be a man with short Caesar cut platinum blond hair and blue eyes. He has facial hair, a goatee with the same blond color as his hair, wears five silver piercings on his ears, four helix piercings in the form of two hoops on each ear and one piercing shaped like the Nobody symbol dangling from one earlobe, and the latter piercing hangs from his left ear. This man's name is Luxord, number ten in the Original Organization.

"What? So that we can rot away on the bottom rung?", he asked.

Larxene sighed. "You're in too? What is this, Organization Rehash?"

"I happen to play an important role. No one 'benched' me."

"You were listening?", said Demyx. "So not cool."

"One must hold one's cards as long as necessary."

"What 'important role'?", asked Larxene. "That stupid box that Xigbar claims is real, but won't tell us a thing about?"

"You'll just have to ask Xigbar that.", he said as he played with his cards. "Now then. Xemnas, what is this 'purpose'? You didn't invite us back for old times' sake."

Xemnas spoke. "You four are going to reveal your greatest secret: the ancient Keyblade legacy that slumbers within you."

All four of them stared at Xemnas with surprise and confusion. Xemnas chuckled.

"Before we can move on. Larxene, how is Lucy?"

"Lucy?", she asked. "Oh, you mean that blond bimbo? She seem pretty fine last time I saw her."

"I see. I guess she still using her magic. I'll test her again when the time comes."