Disclaimer: I don't own any characters from Kingdom Hearts, Sonic the Hedgehog series, Pokemon, Legend of Zelda, Final Fantasy, Power Rangers and others from the owners that belonged to them. I was inspired them and their great works.
Chapter 2 - In Search of Friends
(Twilight Town – Old Mansion)
Taiyo, Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Geno, Votus, and Utopia have appeared in a flash of light as the group looked around their surroundings and found themselves in front of the Old Mansion.
"Are you sure this is Twilight Town?" Votus asked.
Taiyo turned to see the mansion while Mario and Geno were talking.
"It's not far from there."
"We should get going for the shortcut way."
Something made Taiyo turned his attention toward the left window. Through it, he could the young girl with a white dress.
"Who do you think used to live in that mansion?" Yoshi asked.
"There's no time to tell, let's move." Mario said.
"Taiyo." Luigi called out to Taiyo who turned back to the group.
"Hm?" Taiyo murmured.
"Quit looking at the mansion." Luigi replied.
"I wasn't. There's someone in there, look at the window." Taiyo said before he turned towards the mansion's window again, but the girl was gone.
"Taiyo, you alright?" Utopia asked.
"Yeah. I just thought I saw the girl, that's all." Taiyo said, looking at the Prince of Justice.
"A girl? What girl?" Geno asked.
"Never mind, let's go." Taiyo dismissed.
(Twilight Town – Woods)
Taiyo walked ahead of the group while the others looked at each other. They soon followed Taiyo as he continued to walk.
Taking the lead, Taiyo heads through the woods with his friends, following close behind.
"There's a hole, we can go through it." Utopia replied.
They soon came through the hole, accessible to the Market Street: Tram Common.
(Twilight Town – Market Street: Tram Common)
The group looked upon the buildings that stood before them. Many shops including the accessory shop and armor shop were set up in the open-market area. They even watched as a tram traveled around the area, passing in front of them.
"This place looks amazing." Votus replied.
"I never have seen it." Utopia amazed.
"Guys, this is the Twilight Town. Let's keep moving." Mario told them.
Moving along, Taiyo and his friends head down the street that leads into the Sandlot.
(Twilight Town – Sandlot)
Once they arrived in the area, they saw four people were talking to each other.
Seifer was the leader of the Twilight Town Disciplinary Committee and sharing the rivalry with Hayner and his gang. He is a muscular teenage boy with blonde hair and blue-green eyes, bearing a distinctive diagonal scar across the bridge of his nose. He wears a blue crop-top vest with white lining under a floor-length, sleeveless white coat with a black lapel. He has baggy, aubergine pants belted with a cream-colored lace, which he tucks into black combat boots with light blue laces. His hair is barely visible beneath a black tuque with the 'Ore' kanji.
Fuu is another member of the Twilight Town Disciplinary Committee. She is a short, thin girl who distinctively covers her left eye with her long bangs. Her eyes are red, and her jaw-length hair is light steel blue. She wears a sleeveless, navy blue, zippered jacket with a high collar and bottom trim, both slightly darker, and khaki Capri pants with irregularly placed pockets: one on her right thigh and one on her lower left leg. She wears lavender slip-on shoes that somewhat resemble Crocs.
Rai is a member of the Twilight Town Disciplinary Committee. He is very tall and muscular for his age. He has tan skin, dark brown eyes, and short black hair with long sideburns. He has the scruff of a goatee on his chin, and several faint markings on each cheek. He wears an orange tank top featuring black and white tribal designs on the chest and two thunderbolts on the upper back, and dark baggy sweatpants bearing red stripes and the number 8 on the hip over wide yellow sneakers. Around his neck, he wears a thunderbolt necklace, and he keeps a white and blue sweatband on each wrist.
Vivi a short member of Seifer's Twilight Town Disciplinary Committee. Vivi is a short, squat boy with inky black skin, glowing yellow eyes, and no other discernible facial features. He wears a sky blue coat with elaborate, dark blue stitching at the edges, secured by a tan string tied around four yellow buttons, though still opens to expose his pitch-black torso. The white cuffs of this jacket are oversized and sport similar lining to the rest of the jacket, though brown instead of blue, and the sleeves cover half of his hands, which are themselves covered by brown gloves. The jacket also sports two large pockets on the front, each kept closed by a vertical white strap connected to a sky blue button. His pants are green and held up by a brown belt, and his shoes are brown with several raised tan stripes.
His large, tan hat resembles a face, with a large open zipper resembling a mouth in the middle of the hat, and two "eyes" just above this, shaped like a pale green star on the left and an oblong shape on the right. Above this, the hat flops over and curls. Near the brim is a wide brown strap, and on one side is a tear or seam that has been stitched with brown cord.
They soon noticed Taiyo and his friends making their way across the Sandlot.
"Great. As if weren't enough new faces in this town." Seifer scoffed.
Wanting to meet the newcomers, Seifer and his gang approach Taiyo and his companions who stopped and noticed them.
"Hey, where did you all come from?" Seifer asked.
"Uh...we're not from around here." Taiyo said.
"We're kinda new here." Utopia said.
Seifer then noticed Mario and smirked. "Well, it isn't the Super Mario?"
"Did he know you?" Yoshi asked.
"Seifer was the one who picked the fight on me in the Struggle while I was on the mission." Mario replied.
"Struggle?" Taiyo asked.
"Struggle is a popular sport in Twilight Town and every summer, the single-elimination tournament is held in the town." Mario explained.
"Heh, don't expect me in the rematch because I am the new champion after I beat Setzer." Seifer replied.
"Tch, he was totally a jerk." Luigi whispered to Utopia and Votus.
"I heard that, Italian mustache!" Seifer annoyed. "Anyway, how 'bout I fill you in on the rules around here."
"Why should you fill the rules for us?" Taiyo asked.
"Because Seifer and his gang are the Twilight Town Disciplinary Committee." Mario answered.
"Oh." Taiyo murmured.
"Tough luck. Rule #1: This is my town. Rule #2: Respect your elders which in this instance is me. Rule #3: Any trouble caused around here means disciplinary action. You got that?" Seifer replied.
"Okay, fine. We get it. We're not looking to cause trouble. We were just looking around the town." Taiyo replied.
"We've got stuff to do. So, get acquainted with the town until you die from boredom. I could care less. See you around, losers." Seifer mocked.
Seifer and his gang soon take their leave while Taiyo and his friends watch them go.
Yoshi sighed. "Somehow, something tells me that we were not the first ones that jerk has met."
"He may look like the moron, just ignored him." Mario uttered.
"Let's continued to explore." Taiyo said.
Continuing to explore the town, Taiyo and his friends head up a set of stairs, leading into the Back Alley.
(Twilight Town – Back Alley)
Taiyo and others were looked around for the place to see as Mario pointed that direction to the Usual Spot.
"This way." Mario said as he walked to the direction to the hangout.
Taiyo, Luigi, Yoshi, Votus, and Utopia were following him to the hangout except for Geno who looked around and sees the people doing their works like putting the posters on the walls, taking out the garbage and sees the kid riding on the skateboard.
"Curious, it isn't?" Geno asked to himself.
Geno then heard someone yelled. "Get away from me!"
"Huh? That voice. It was coming from over there." Geno said before he rushed off to Market Street: Station Heights.
(Twilight Town – Usual Spot)
Taiyo, Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Votus, and Utopia came walking into the hangout place, drawing the attention of three teens. Their names are Hayner, Pence, and Olette.
Hayner is the leader of his gang. He has brown eyes, light skin, dark eyebrows, and spiky, blond hair. He wears baggy, camouflage-print capris pants, a short, sleeveless, grey vest, and a black muscle shirt decorated with a white, crudely-drawn skull and crossbones. His shoes are the same camouflage pattern as his pants, but also sport white tips, grey soles, and each has two intersecting, black belts in place of laces. Hayner also wears a white necklace with a yellow "X" charm on it and a brown bracelet on his left wrist with several silver pins in it.
Pence is a friend of Hayner and Olette. He appeared to be a rather heavy-set boy with light skin, brown eyes, and black hair and eyebrows. Pence holds his hair up using a black headband with grey lining. He wears a long-sleeved, white shirt with dark cuffs underneath a red jersey with black and white lining. The jersey sports a black silhouette of a seemingly skeletal dog with three bones above it. The phrase "Dog Street" is printed along the left side a large in white letters. He also wears blue pants, blue and white shoes with grey soles, and a purple bandana around his neck.
Olette is the resident of the Twilight Town and a friend of Hayner and Pence. She has bright green eyes, soft peach-colored skin, and brown hair. Her hair sticks out on the sides and two strands of hair fall from either side of her head, just long enough to drape over her shoulders. Her clothing has a consisting of an orange tank-top with a white floral design at the bottom, khaki-colored capri pants, and orange socks with white hems. She also wears cream, black and yellow shoes with black laces. Olette also wears a beaded, sky blue bracelet on her right wrist and a black necklace decorated with a spherical, sky blue charm.
"And what do you want?" Hayner asked.
"Uh, nothing. We were just wondering what was back here." Taiyo replied.
"Well, now you know. This is our hangout." Hayner said.
"So... I'm guessing you're new around here?" Pence asked.
"Yeah. We were wandering around the town." Votus replied.
The three teens introduced themselves
"Well, I'm Pence."
"It's Hayner."
"My name's Olette."
"I'm Taiyo." Taiyo said before he let his companions presented themselves.
"I am Mario." Mario uttered his name.
"Luigi." Luigi murmured, tipped his cap.
"Called me Yoshi." Yoshi nodded before pointed out to Votus and Utopia. "This is Votus and Utopia Magus from Equestria.
Hayner, Pence, and Olette looked upon Yoshi, Votus, and Utopia in surprised.
"That green one is the dinosaur?" Pence asked.
"Yep, he is the real dinosaur." Luigi answered.
"So those two are the monkey and the unicorn with wings?" Hayner asked.
"I am an Alicorn that what somebody called me." Utopia retorted.
"And what is Equestria?" Olette asked.
"It is the world of the ponies." Taiyo answered.
"Oh. Does that mean I can touch him?" Olette asked.
"No, he is the prince." Mario said.
"The prince?!" Hayner, Olette, and Pence asked in unison before quickly bowing down to Utopia.
Having felt awkward as Taiyo stepped out to them.
"Hey, wait! You don't have to bow to him!" Taiyo shouted.
Realizing that, Hayner, Pence, and Olette standing up, feeling sheepish.
"Sorry, we are just thought we had to." Hayner said.
"That's alright, I am just the traveler." Utopia said. "Besides, the others thought I was the stranger."
Olette stepped forward at Votus and admiring him. "You were such an adorable monkey."
"Um, thank you?" Votus dumbfounded before Luigi pulled him away from her.
"He was a little shy to talk to someone." Luigi dismissed.
"Wait a minute? Where's Geno?" Taiyo asked.
"Who's Geno?" Pence asked.
"He's another friend but he was wandering off when we visited your spot." Mario replied.
"Anyways, have you seen Sora?" Taiyo asked.
"Yeah, we saw him." Hayner said.
"Since when?!" Taiyo asked.
"A little while ago before we met you guys. He came in here just like you did." Pence said.
"Is he still here?" Yoshi asked.
Hayner, Pence, and Olette looked at each other then looked back at Taiyo.
"No. He just left." Olette said.
"That's just great." Luigi sighed.
Taiyo was disappointed to hear this, he thought Sora was right here in the Twilight Town, and now he had just missed him.
"Well, at least I now know he was here." Taiyo replied before he pondered to himself.
"I'm getting so close to finding him. I just know it."
"Do you know where Sora went after you met him?" Utopia asked.
"He went to the train station on the upper part of town with Donald and Goofy." Pence answered.
"In that case, we followed the trail to find Sora and catch up with him." Votus replied.
"Right. Before we go to the train station, we have to find Geno on our way." Taiyo said.
"Good idea." Mario said.
Taiyo and his friends turned to look at three teens.
"Hayner, Pence, Hayner, thanks for your help. We gotta go now." Taiyo said.
"Not a problem." Pence said.
"It was nice meeting you." Olette smiled.
"Don't be strangers." Hayner replied.
Taiyo smiled and nodded before he turned back at his friends.
"C'mon!" Taiyo ordered.
Taiyo ran out of the Usual Spot with his friends close behind.
(Twilight Town – Market Street: Station Heights)
Geno was searching around to find the source of a voice until he saw the unusual girl with pretty light blue eyes was chased by the strange white creatures called the Dusks and she ran into the Central Station.
Dusks are the low-ranking Nobody. They have thin, sinuous bodies that are capable of dumbfounding feats of flexibility. They have a large, cylindrical head with a flat top that is emblazoned with the Nobody symbol. Their body seems to be covered in a light grey jumpsuit, and its "mouth" is actually a zipper that undoes themselves to reveal their actual, grey, sharp-toothed mouth underneath. These low-ranking Nobodies were appeared to be fairly muscular, though their arms and legs are very thin. The sides of their bodies are linked by a black line, which pulses weakly with light. Their feet and hands are pointed and lack digits, and their hands each sport two black bands around them.
"I'm coming to get you, miss." Geno urged before he followed them.
Not after Geno ran after the Dusks, Taiyo, Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Votus, and Utopia had spotted him.
"There's Geno!" Yoshi pointed at them.
"He was heading down to the station." Luigi replied.
"Come on, we had better know why Geno wandered off like that." Taiyo said.
Taiyo and others were heading forward to the station.
(Twilight Town – Station Plaza)
Taiyo and his companions arrived to see Geno was defending the teen girl from the Dusks.
The teen girl has dark-skinned with red hair tied into shorter pigtails and long bangs parted from the left and right with two orange and white hairclips holding them and light blue eyes. She wears her a longer-sleeved dress in orange with a white stripe that goes up to her neck, stops above the knees, and along with a white gorget with neon blue gem and Steve Eggman's head symbol, white long socks, and orange boots with white wedges. She was also interested in making up fashion; like light neon blue nails, neon blue eyeshadows and light blue lipstick.
"Who is that with Geno?" Utopia asked.
"Don't know. We gotta save them." Mario replied.
Taiyo and others rushed over them, taking out the few of them and joined their side.
"Sorry for wandering off, but this girl was in trouble." Geno said.
The red-haired girl turned surprised when she sees Taiyo and his friends. "Who are you, guys?"
"Let save the introductions later." Taiyo said.
"Mario, did you know about these white beings?" Geno asked.
Mario gasped at its symbol on its head from one of them.
"It is the Nobody. A creature without the heart." Mario uttered.
"I see. They are different than the Heartless. I never saw them before." Utopia replied.
"Neither do I." Votus added in.
"Come on, let's beat those white clowns." Taiyo muttered as he and others fought the Dusks, leaving Geno and the red-haired girl.
"Miss, stayed right there." Geno told her before he joined the others.
Taiyo dodges from the Dusk's flexible attack and gave a downward slash at it as the Dusk diminished into the white clouds of dust. Taiyo was piled by three Dusks as he used his strength to get them off and he casts the Firaga that took in the form of three spiraling flame balls before they straight at them and exploded into nothingness.
Mario and Luigi were shooting the fireballs at the two Dusks, injuring them slightly.
"You ever throw the fireballs, Luigi?" Mario asked.
"Well, I can do that for sometimes." Luigi said.
Mario scoffed lightly. "Figures."
Mario summoned his Keyblade: Ignition Flower before he took them out in one horizontal slash.
Luigi saw the Dusk coming right behind his brother's back and he sends a green ball of electricity at it before it impacted the being and exploded into white glitters before fading.
"Thanks for warning on my back, bro." Mario replied to him.
"No problemo." Luigi appreciated.
Yoshi was running around the three Dusks, making them easily dazed.
"Earth Rush!" Yoshi hollered before the brown aura encased him and the stone pebbles floated around him.
Yoshi was zipping through against the Dusks couple times until they are defeated out of their existence.
Votus blocked against the few Dusks' attacks before using his adamantium disc to bash them in the counterattack and kept bashing them into their downfall. Then one of the Dusks tried to attack Votus and he dodged from it, slammed against the Nobody with his shield.
Geno blasted at the two Dusks with the Radiance Beam which vaporized them into white bits as the three new Nobodies known as Creepers have appeared and shifting into the large sword before they slashed at them.
"Oh no, you don't!" A red-haired girl shouted before she fired her blue energy blasts at the Creepers and destroyed them.
"Thank you. And I haven't got your name." Geno said.
"Sari." Sari replied.
"Sari? That name sounds pretty cool." Geno uttered.
Sari giggled before she blushed and caught her dreamy eyes at Geno as her background was sparkling and hearts everywhere as she tried to reach out to touch him.
But Luigi interrupted and stepped between Sari and Geno. "Guys! Can we just fight the monsters already?"
Sari snapped out of his trance before she started to fight the Nobodies and retracted her Photon Mallet from her right forearm, smashing one of them into the oblivion.
Taiyo and others were fazed at her.
"She is a robot?" Yoshi asked.
"No kidding…" Utopia murmured.
"She looks like me." Geno replied.
Sari crashed on the few Dusks and making them disappeared. Soon as the Dusks had surrounded the group.
"Darn. We already took several of them." Mario said.
"We just got to keep fighting." Votus replied.
Taiyo readied to cast the Thundaga but the person in black coat jumped down to the ground before he slashed each of them to disintegrate into the flash of white light.
Taiyo and others are awed to see that someone takes down the Dusks and gazed at the Keyblade he was holding it. Taiyo gasped at the same Keyblade which looked like the Warrior's Key.
"Are you Yixato?" Taiyo asked.
"Wait a minute, that was him?" Votus asked.
The boy removed his hood and revealed himself as Yixato.
"That's me." Yixato affirmed.
"Whoa, he looked just like you." Yoshi said.
"Yeah, I just saw him in the vision. That's what I was trying to tell you." Taiyo said.
"You must be Taiyo. I heard all about you and your friends." Yixato replied.
"Except for me." Sari uttered.
"So, it is true that you are the Nobody?" Mario asked.
"Yes, though I did save you from them. I was the good guy, unlike the Organization XIII." Yixato said.
"The Organization XIII?" Luigi asked.
"They are the bad ones, sending the Nobodies to exterminate you all. Lucky for me, I took them out already." Yixato said.
"What about King Mickey?" Taiyo asked.
"Shh!" Yixato whispered. "Don't let the Organization heard the name, if you let them know where he is, they can kill him."
"So, where is he? Is he alright?" Mario said, quietly.
"He will be okay. Mickey knows exactly what to do." Yixato replied.
"Would you tell us where Sora and Riku are?" Utopia asked.
"I don't know where Riku and Sora are. I'm sorry." Yixato said before he walked away.
"Where are you going?" Sari asked.
"I am going to have unfinished business to take care of." Yixato answered.
"And thank you for saving us. I'm really appreciated." Taiyo grinned.
"Don't mention it. I'll see you guys later." Yixato said.
Yixato had left from the Station Plaza.
Geno glanced at Sari. "I am grateful for helping us, Sari. My name is Geno."
"Allowed me to introduce to my friends, this is Mario, Taiyo, Luigi, Yoshi, Utopia, and Votus." He gestured them.
"It's really wonderful to see you all." Sari said.
"So, Sari?" Mario asked.
"Do you know who she is?" Taiyo asked.
"Sari was from the same Mobius where Sonic and his friends lived. She is created by Steve Eggman and the superhuman android." Mario answered.
"No way! That's so awesome." Taiyo admired.
"And you see, Dr. Steve Eggman was my dad." Sari replied.
"Your dad?!" Taiyo, Luigi, Yoshi, Votus, Geno, and Utopia exclaimed at the same time.
"I know it's sound really crazy, but you guys probably get used to it." Sari embarrassed.
"So, what are you doing here?" Mario asked.
"I was on the mission to hunt the Dark Predator or better known as Dylan." Sari answered.
"You know Dylan?" Votus asked.
"Yeah, Makaque told me about that evil mind-controlled guy." Sari replied.
"Me too. But he was not here in the Twilight Town." Taiyo said.
"So, I thought. He could be anywhere than here." Sari replied.
Her neon blue gem started to glow as Sari pressed it and projected out to show the hologram of Alphonse.
"Sari, have you found the Dark Predator?" Alphonse asked.
"No, he was not here in the town." Sari answered.
"Alright, just keep searching for him. He was hiding somewhere in the cosmos." Alphonse said.
He turned back to Taiyo and his friends. "Oh, hi guys. How are you all being?"
"We kinda cool. We are going to find Sora when he was leaving at the station right next to us." Taiyo said.
"Okay. I leave it up to you to find Sora. Good luck, pals." Alphonse said before the hologram of himself turned off.
"I had to go, it really nice to meet you all. Especially you, Geno." Sari replied before she winked at Geno which confused him, and she pressed her neon blue gem again to teleport away.
"Did she wink at you?" Luigi asked.
"What do you mean?" Geno asked.
"Well, I hate to say it, but Sari had feelings about you." Mario replied.
"Feelings about me? I don't have feelings." Geno said.
"But you and Sari were both the robots. You will understand what love is." Yoshi uttered.
"Maybe…" Geno uttered.
The clock tower's bells rang throughout Twilight Town. Taiyo and his companions looked up at the clock tower, listening to the bells as they rung.
"Come on, we better catch the train." Taiyo said.
With each of them nodding in agreement, Taiyo and others entered the train station.
(Twilight Town – Central Station)
As soon as they were inside, they saw two different trains already at the station, waiting for the passengers. One was blue, decorated with stars while the other was simply orange.
"One of these trains will lead us to where Sora went. So, let's go." Taiyo said.
"Hey, Taiyo!" A voice called out.
Taiyo and his group turned around and saw that the voice belonged to Hayner who came running up to them with Pence and Olette.
"What are you guys doing here?" Utopia asked.
"We came to see you off. It seemed like something we ought to do." Pence replied.
"Really? Thanks a lot, guys." Taiyo said.
"You should hurry and get your tickets." Olette replied.
"But we don't have any money." Taiyo replied.
"I do." Mario simply grinned before he pulled out the big pouch of gold coins.
"Wow." Pence awed.
"Since when you get the gold coins, Mario?" Luigi asked.
"Princess Peach offered me for rewarding by saving her." Mario answered.
"Ohhhh." Luigi murmured.
"This gold coins converted into the Munny, so you don't have to get them." Mario said.
"In that case, we can buy the tickets." Yoshi replied.
Mario and Taiyo went over to the teller.
"Seven tickets, please." Taiyo said.
Mario paid to the tellers for the tickets and handed it all to them.
Taiyo then looked over at the three teens.
"Do you guys know which train Sora went in?" Taiyo asked.
"That one over there." Hayner replied, pointing at the blue-colored train.
"Right. Let's go." Taiyo said.
Luigi, Yoshi, Geno, Votus, and Utopia proceeded to board the train while Taiyo and Mario looked at Hayner, Pence, and Olette.
"We can't thank you enough for you three." Mario said.
"Tried to care for yourself, okay?" Taiyo asked.
"No worries. Just go catch up Sora." Hayner said.
"You know, Taiyo, you're lucky to have these guys including the monkey and the Alicorn as your friends." Olette replied.
"Yeah, and you're lucky to have Sora as your friend too." Pence added.
"I know." Taiyo nodded.
"Hey, Taiyo. You sure we never met before?" Hayner asked.
"What do you mean? This was our first time here." Taiyo said.
"I mean there's someone who looked like you." Hayner said.
"You mean Yixato?" Mario asked.
"Yeah, that's Yixato. He met us in our hangout before you guys showed up." Pence said.
"I see. What did he tell you?" Taiyo asked.
"He said when the time comes if you see Kairi, protected her at all cost." Hayner said.
"Kairi? But she was safe in the Destiny Islands." Taiyo said.
"The Destiny Islands?" Olette asked.
"I was been over there as my home with my friends." Taiyo answered.
The train blows its whistle, making Taiyo and Mario looked back at it.
"We have to go. See ya." Taiyo said before he gave a two-fingered salute, and boarded the train with Mario following him in. The doors closed and the train left the station as Hayner, Pence, and Olette watch them go, then turned to look at each other.
(Moments later in the Lanes Between)
Taiyo, Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Geno, Votus, and Utopia were sat in the seats of the train. They are all looking outside the windows of the train as it rolls on towards its destination. Taiyo was thinking about Hayner, Pence, and Olette, hoping he never forget about them.
"Don't worry, Taiyo. We'll be back right over there soon." Luigi said.
"I'm sure we'll see Hayner and the others again." Yoshi replied.
"I know. I kinda missed them." Taiyo uttered.
"Well, I missed Princess Peach, Toads, and other friends in the Mushroom Kingdom." Mario said.
"In fact, Bowser and his children were good guys now." Yoshi said.
"Really? No wonder when I was gone." Mario replied.
"Bowser wants to rematch with you for the time being when you're back." Luigi said.
"Right. I will keep that in mind." Mario replied.
(Twilight Town)
Meanwhile, Yixato walked over to three individuals which included the same girl from the old mansion and her name is Naminé. Right next to her was the red spiky hair guy named Axel and the other whose was Ansem who still hidden his face in the hood.
Naminé is the Nobody of Kairi, born from her heart and Sora's body and soul. Naminé shares Kairi's blue eyes and general body structure. She has blond hair, which is slightly longer than Kairi's, that she drapes across her left shoulder, rosy cheeks, and pale, pink lips. She wears a white dress that ends at her thighs in an embroidered lace pattern and light blue sandals decorated with yellow flowers. She was much mature and taller resulting in dress reaching to about mid-thigh as opposed to just above her knee.
Axel is the member Rank VIII of the Organization XIII. He is Axel is tall and slender in appearance. Like other Organization members, he wears basic black gloves and boots. His black coat, however, is one of the more distinctive ones in the group, as its sleeves close tightly around his arms. Axel himself is also easily distinguishable from other characters in terms of facial features, made easier by the fact that he rarely wears the hood of his coat up. Axel has a widow's peak, rather small eyebrows and thick, shoulder-length, bright red hair styled into slicked-back spikes.
"Yixato. You got our message." Ansem said.
"Yeah. You want me to discuss." Yixato replied before he turned to Axel.
"Hey, Axel." He greeted.
"You got it memorized, huh, kid?" Axel said.
"What brings you here?" Yixato asked.
"There is someone who resemblance of Ganondorf, his name was Tengu." Ansem replied.
"Tengu?" Yixato asked.
"Hey, I thought you memorized the other guy." Axel teased lightly.
"Tengu was hunting down the remaining Destiny Orbs while Xehanort's Nobody is collecting the hearts for Kingdom Hearts." Ansem said.
"What about King Mickey?" Yixato asked.
"Your job is to make sure the King will be unaware of DiZ's identity. I assured you to keep everyone quiet as well." Ansem replied.
Naminé turned towards at Yixato. "Yixato, I sensed your connection to Taiyo's heart which makes it grown stronger since you were born."
"How can you tell?" Yixato asked.
"Besides, you have to unlock the memories of Taiyo to restore your emotions and hidden potential." Namine said.
Yixato held his chest that his heart was half.
"Let's go now." Ansem uttered.
"Go where? It's not like we have homes to return to. We don't exist, remember?" Axel said.
"Yes, it's true. We may not have homes. But there is someplace I want to go to. And someone I want to see." Naminé replied.
Naminé looks down at her sketchpad, looking upon the picture of Taiyo, Yixato, Sora, and Roxas.
"Same here." Axel said as he looked up at Ansem. "So, you think you might let us go? I know you're here to get rid of us, but..."
"DiZ wants to get rid of me?" Naminé asked.
"I think DiZ knows what he was going to do for his sake." Yixato said.
"Go." Ansem demanded.
"You sure about this?" Axel asked.
Naminé and Ansem look over at Axel, then back at each other.
"I owe you both." Ansem spoked.
"For what?" Naminé asked.
"Castle Oblivion. You helped us." Ansem said.
"Heh, you don't have to tell me twice." Axel said.
Axel stretched out his left-hand and opened a dark portal.
"Thank you." Naminé appreciated.
Naminé gets up and ran into the portal.
Axel and Ansem are stared at each other for a few seconds, then Axel heads into the portal. The portal soon closes, leaving Ansem and Yixato alone on the hill.
"Yixato, keep the sharp eye on Taiyo and his friends. I don't want the enemies had not harmed them." Ansem replied.
"Yes, Ansem. Easier said than done." Yixato bowed to him respectfully and walked off.
(Mysterious Tower – Countryside)
The train exits a portal of light and carries on, moving across the clouds and pulled in front of a floating island. Taiyo and his companions stepped out of the train and found themselves standing in front of a large tower. As they continue to look upon the tower, the train behind them disappeared in a flash of light, leaving only the tracks.
The Mysterious Tower is topped with blue cone-shaped turret roofs, decorated with moons and stars, similar to Yen Sid's hat. It rests on a floating island that contains a courtyard and many trees that obscure the rest of the Countryside from view.
"Oh my hooves. That is one big tower I ever saw." Utopia awed.
"Yeah." Votus replied.
"I bet someone lives here." Yoshi said.
"I know who someone is lives in the Mysterious Tower. Master Yen Sid." Mario replied.
"Master Yen Sid?" Taiyo asked.
"He is the powerful wizard, King Mickey's mentor and a good friend of Fusoya who helps to keep a close watch on the balance between Light and Darkness in the Multiverse." Mario replied.
"Whoa, is he?" Utopia asked.
"Yes." Mario nodded.
"It reminds me of Star Swirl the Bearded." Utopia uttered.
"Mario, did you think he knows where Sora and Riku are?" Luigi asked.
"Of course, he knows. Sora, Donald, and Goofy were actually been here before we arrived." Mario replied.
The group went inside the tower.
(Mysterious Tower – Wayward Stairs)
Taiyo and others were heading up a set of stairs and just before they enter the tower. After that was done, they ascend the stairs of the tower until they reach the top floor. Luigi, Yoshi, Utopia, and Votus were panting after they took the longest steps.
"We finally made it to the top." Yoshi panted.
"Me too." Votus replied.
"Me three." Utopia exhausted.
"There's no time to rest. We're at the door by now." Geno replied.
"Oh, we should have noticed it." Luigi dumbfounded.
Taiyo walked to the door and opened it.
(Mysterious Tower – Sorcerer's Loft)
They are all walked in front of the desk and faced the sorcerer named Master Yen Sid.
Master Yen Sid is a powerful sorcerer, former Keyblade Master, King Mickey's teacher and a good friend of Fusoya. He is a rather severe-looking old man with long, grey hair, bushy eyebrows, and a long, grey beard that parts down the middle. He wears the famous, conical sorcerer's hat on his head. The hat is blue and decorated with several yellow stars and a yellow crescent moon. He wears long, billowing blue robes with sky blue lining. The insides of his robes are dark red. The whites of his eyes are quite large in comparison to his small pupils, something that is further highlighted by the fact that his eyes are often wide open.
Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, and Geno took a bow to him while Taiyo, Votus, and Utopia are a little confused but quickly followed them.
"So, you must be Taiyo." Master Yen Sid spoked.
"Yes, that's me. How did you know?" Taiyo asked.
"Your friend, Sora spoke very highly of you. He told me you and he were great friends." Master Yen Sid.
Taiyo widened his eyes when he heard Master Yen Sid mentioned Sora's name.
"You met Sora?" Taiyo asked with a surprised expression.
"Yes. As I am sure you are well aware, he too is a Keyblade wielder much like yourself." Master Yen Sid.
Master Yen Sid turned his attention toward Mario.
"Ah… Mario, it's been about years. I see that you had brought Luigi, Yoshi, and Geno." Master Yen Sid said with a smile.
"I served you, Master Yen Sid. We brought the two new companions with us. This is Utopia Magus and Votus from Equestria." Mario said before gesturing towards Utopia and Votus.
"I know them very well. Fusoya told me that you aid Taiyo and his friend to save your world, isn't that right?" Master Yen Sid intrigued.
"Yes, Master Yen Sid. I am now the Prince of Justice and do well to protect my friends." Utopia said.
"Good." Master Yen Sid nodded.
"Since when you and Fusoya know each other?" Votus asked.
"Fusoya and I were good friends from the great ages. We were both keep a close eye on the balance of Light and Darkness." Master Yen Sid replied.
"It's an absolute privilege to meet you, Master Yen Sid. Any friend of my grandfather, Fusoya is a friend of ours." Taiyo said.
"Fusoya told me of your past endeavors against the Heartless, and we are both very grateful and pleased with your progress and quest." Master Yen Sid replied.
"How much do you know what we had in the adventure?" Yoshi asked.
"Like defeating Snide and Demise and saving Equestria from the Forces of Darkness which included Wrathnar, Ghirahim, and Midbus." Master Yen Sid stated.
"Yeah, we did. We have done so many things to protect the worlds." Luigi said.
"And I see you are on another quest by finding the seven of the Star Spirits." Master Yen Sid replied.
"Yes, we are. We are going to bring Dylan back to his old self, it is the only way to save from the darkness." Taiyo replied.
"Right, I am certain that would be difficult to find them." Master Yen Sid affirmed.
"So, Master Yen Sid, you said you know Sora. Does that mean you know where he is now?" Mario asked.
"Sad to say no. I do not. But I can tell you that he and his companions, Donald and Goofy were here recently. Just before you arrived." Master Yen Sid answered.
"Well, that's great." Taiyo said.
"He started his journey not so long ago, there was but one world available to him. This world is known as Hollow Bastion. If you hurry, you will be able to catch up to him." Master Yen Sid replied.
"Thank you, Master Yen Sid. We'll leave right away." Taiyo uttered.
"Now, now. Just a moment. Before you go, there is something you must know. Taiyo, as you are well aware, you have a perilous journey ahead of you. You must be well prepared. Everything in your journey is connected. I understand that you and Sora wish to return to your world, Destiny Islands with your friend, Riku, and with your companions as well. But that depends on whether you will find your way home to the islands...Whether you will return alone or with your friends...And, whether or not, the islands will still be there. And the key that connects them is you, Taiyo." Master Yen Sid said.
"I'm…the key?" Taiyo wondered.
Taiyo looked down at his right hand, then stretched it out, summoning his Keyblade: Warrior's Key in a flash of white light.
"Chosen wielder of the Keyblade. You are the key that will open the door to light." Master Yen Sid said.
Taiyo nodded in understanding as Master Yen Sid waves a hand over the table and a thick book appears in a puff of smoke.
"This book contains valuable knowledge you will need for your journey. Study it carefully. Once you have finished, we will speak of the enemies you will surely confront." Master Yen Sid stated.
The book floats into the air and spins it toward Taiyo. It then opens up and lands at the edge of the table.
Taiyo stepped forward and reads through the book.
'The Beginning' - Each journey gives rise to chance encounters, and each encounter brings forth a farewell. When a farewell leads to a journey, the worlds open their hearts. Those chosen by the light or ensnared by darkness. Friends who share the same bonds, though their paths may differ. When you doubt the path trod thus far, when the hand you held is lost to you, gaze anew at the heart that once was...for all the answers are within.
'Interlude' - A long dream. A sad farewell, hanging in the air in that "world between". What is a reality? What is an illusion? The path chosen by the young boy leads to his memories. When caught in the stream of the days and nights going past, gaze anew at your steps...for there all confusion will end.
'The Future Story' - Will the day come when this battle, born of confusion, will end? It is different things to different people. Can the reality be that which is hidden? The reason is mere existence. Still, memories can be believed. Be not afraid. Entrust your body to the soothing waves of your memories. By and by, your fleeting rest will be over...and everything will begin.
After reading the book, Taiyo and his friends discuss with Master Yen Sid of the enemies they would encounter on their journey.
"Wait. There's one thing we didn't understand. Every world we're visited has Heartless everywhere we go. How come there are so much Heartless around?" Luigi asked.
"Yeah. Why is that had to do all this?" Votus asked.
"Your past endeavors along with Sora's did prevent an immense effusion of Heartless from the great darkness, make no mistake about that. However, the Heartless are darkness made real, and darkness lingers yet in every heart. The Heartless are fewer. But while darkness exists in a single heart, it will be difficult to eliminate them." Master Yen Sid explained.
"I believed if one had a heart of pure light, the Heartless would stay away." Geno said.
Master Yen Sid nodded in agreement.
"Now, it is time to speak of the enemies that you will encounter." Master Yen Sid replied.
Master Yen Sid waves his right hand and an image of Taiyo appeared near the wall. In a flash of light, the image changes to a Shadow Heartless.
If one such as you, Taiyo, yields to the darkness in their heart, they too will become a Heartless. But you know this. The Heartless always lurk in the shadows, and ever they seek to capture new hearts. Never let your guard down! Now then..." Master Yen Sid clarified.
Master Yen Sid waved his hand again and an image of a Dusk Nobody appears next to the Shadow Heartless.
"At times, if someone with a strong heart and will, be they evil or good, becomes a Heartless, the empty shell they leave behind begins to act with a will of its own." Master Yen Sid explained.
The Shadow Heartless image disappears, showing only the Dusk.
"An empty vessel whose heart has been stolen away...A spirit that goes on, even as its body fades from existence. For you see, Nobodies do not truly exist at all. Nobodies may seem to have feelings, but this is a ruse, they only pretend to have hearts. You must not be deceived!" Master Yen Sid explained.
"Nobodies... They're non-existent beings..." Taiyo replied.
"Those are the things we fought them before." Mario said.
Two more images of Dusks appear around Taiyo.
"Now then... the being you see before you is known as a Dusk. They are the most common form of Nobody. But there are others, some larger, some with frightening, and unique powers. Be vigilant! On your journey, you will meet an alarming number of Dusks. They will all attempt to do you harm." Master Yen Sid explained.
The images all vanish in a flash of light.
"Still, they are nothing but empty shells, destined to return to the darkness. But..." Master Yen Sid replied.
Master Yen Sid waves his hand again, and images of figures in black coats appear. Taiyo and his friends all turned wary.
"The beings you see before you now are different. These powerful Nobodies have formed a group called Organization XIII. It commands the lesser Nobodies." Master Yen Sid explained.
"Organization XIII..." Taiyo said.
"While Heartless acts on instinct, Nobodies function in a higher manner. They can think and plan. And it seems they are working towards a goal. What that goal is, we do not know. My dear friend and foremost apprentice, King Mickey sensed the danger and journeyed forth to fight it. He found the dark realm's Keyblade, and with it, closed the door. Now he's traveling from world to world, fighting the Heartless as he seeks the answer to the riddle of the Nobodies and Organization XIII." Master Yen Sid enlightened.
The cloaked figures disappear in a flash of light.
Taiyo had something in his mind about Yixato and spoked to Master Yen Sid.
"There is something I want to tell you. Isn't Yixato was supposed to my Nobody?" Taiyo questioned.
"He's right. That other guy looked almost like him." Yoshi said.
"So, I was told. Did you remember that Tenebris strikes you in the back?" Master Yen Sid asked.
"Yeah, I remembered back before." Taiyo said.
"Let me explain. After you have perished, your heart was sent into the Souls of Awakening, but your body and soul are left behind and Yixato was born." Master Yen Sid affirmed.
"I get it. That what happened to me when I died." Taiyo replied.
"However, in the matter of speaking, you and Yixato were connected." Master Yen Sid replied.
"Taiyo and Yixato have connected each other? How?" Geno asked.
"They shared their hearts and souls to each other." Master Yen Sid said.
"But Yixato is the Nobody, he doesn't have his heart." Taiyo replied.
"Indeed, only when Yixato discovered your memory and learning what becomes of himself can awaken his true potential. It could take time very slowly." Master Yen Sid spoked.
"Then I guess we better help Sora and the others out, even Yixato. No doubt about Wrathnar and his evil allies are behind this. I had the feeling that they were working together with Organization XIII." Utopia replied.
"Quite right, Utopia Magus." Master Yen Sid nodded in agreement.
"We got to go right now." Yoshi replied.
"Before you go, there is but a last bit of information I can give you. There are new worlds in addition to the ones you all have visited so far. In order to travel from world to world, there are pathways you must travel to reach them. These pathways can be utilized by unlocking special gates. How these gates are opened, I'm afraid I do not know. However, the Keyblade will serve as your guide. When a beam of light radiates from the Keyblade, return to The Lanes Between. Though the worlds may seem far apart and out of reach, they nonetheless remain connected by invisible ties. As do our hearts." Master Yen Sid replied.
"Our hearts are connected." Taiyo murmured.
"That is correct. I remember your friend, Sora saying the exact same thing." Master Yen Sid said.
"Same as Yixato." Mario added.
"But be warned. As you proceed, the Heartless and the Nobodies will be using their own paths: Corridors of Darkness, to travel from world to world. They may be attempting to link these dark pathways to the gates between the worlds." Master Yen Sid warned.
"Yeah, we did saw them appeared in any world." Taiyo said.
"Now then, that is all the information I can give to you. Go forth, Taiyo with your friends. Everyone is waiting." Master Yen Sid told.
"Thanks for telling us everything, Master Yen Sid." Taiyo uttered.
"We sure do appreciate the help." Luigi added.
"Master Yen Sid, I would see you again if any case of important." Mario said.
"Until next time, Master Mario." Master Yen Sid smiled.
Taiyo looked towards Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Votus, Geno, and Utopia who looked back and nodded at him.
"C'mon! Next stop to Hollow Bastion!" Taiyo replied.
Having said that, Taiyo and his friends run down the corridor as Master Yen Sid disappeared in a whisk of light.
(Mysterious Tower – Outside)
Mario pressed the button on the remote before he and others were teleported back to the Stardash Ship that above them and it flew off from the floating island of Mysterious Tower. The Stardash Ship opened a blue portal of light with laser, shooting a projection beam of light up ahead of them. The group heads into the portal and continue their journey, heading for the Hollow Bastion.
Author Notes: Taiyo and his friends begin their new journey in Kingdom Hearts II, arriving at Twilight Town. There, they meet the new residents; Hayner, Pence, and Olette. Then, they arrive at Mysterious Tower, and meet the Great Master Yen Sid who tells them that Sora recently met him just before they arrived! Before Taiyo and his companions rush off to find Sora, Master Yen Sid warns them about the Nobodies, and about the mysterious Organization XIII. Even he told about his Nobody, Yixato and his connection. Now prepared to continue their fight against the Forces of Darkness, the group sets out for Hollow Bastion, Sora's last known location, and continue their epic journey! Don't forget to review after reading this! Don't forget to review after reading this!
