Beauty and the Dragon

Once through the door, Sora, Donald and Goofy arrived on what looked like the lover levels of a massive fortress that now stood before them. High above a stoner peak, surrounded by blue rock, this massive castle had several pillars made of cobblestone, mixed together with factors like chimneys that gave it the impression of some horrid factory. Citadel, fortress and factory, what sort of place this was a mystery.

The second Sora laid his eyes upon this place, he felt a twinge in his heart. Like he had been here before. It was unlike the other times when he was completely unsure about the world. Last time he didn't feel that, Now though, he felt a eerie chill. Something within his mind wanted to come out to remind him what this place was all about but all he felt was sadness. This place held a memory, a very painful memory. One he could not remember though.

"Big Castles like this normally belong to big whack jobs" Bill's voice echoed in his head.

"Bill? Do you know where we are?"

"Maybe...But figure it out yourself first, I can't give yuh all the answers you know"

As Sora looked over the castle he suddenly clenched his head. Flashes began to run through his head, images of something that he couldn't quite picture, though some of them were of this castle. Others were that of Riku, which increased his anger and annoyance. Quickly he tried to contain the pain from his companions, not wanting to worry them. He took a deep breath as he composed himself, he would need the energy.

"Where are we?" Donald asked looking up at the castle.

"Are you going to ask that every time we go somewhere new?" Sora asked, groaning, "Seriously, I don't know? Why would I know, we had a memories erased for pete's sake"

Donald frowned, "You ask that too"

"Yeah, but not every time"

"Yes you do"

"Guys-" Goofy hushed them both, "I hear voices"

Jiminy hopped out of Sora's jacket to take a look, "Oh I see someone from the other corner"

Quitely, Sora and the others hid behind one of the corners and saw two individuals speaking with one another. One, a lovely woman, dressed in a yellow gown, her hair brown, face innocent and beautiful, through her eyes right now seemed sad, like she was speaking but did not speak the truth. To whom she was speaking, a monstrous looking beast with horns through his head, his only clothing were a pair of ripped pants and purple cloak. He too though seemed sad, not angry or bitter.

"But Belle, I've come to rescue you" The Beast said.

The woman named Belle just turned his back on him and sighed, "Beast...I didn't tell you to come. And it's not that it matters. You're just wasting your time."

"Belle do you know what you're saying? How can you stay here with that witch"

Witch?

What witch?

There was a moment of silence between the two of them before Belle said, "I have nothing more to say, now leave before she finds you" and with that, she left.

"Gee, harsh" Goofy muttered.

Sora just stood there unsure what to do, his mind entering a panic. What if Namine felt that way if they found each other. Instead of an embrace, it was complete and utter rejection. Anger of failing to protect her. He remained quiet while Donald, Goofy and Jiminy continued to watch, the Beast going into a rage, scratching at the wall.

"Woah," Sora jumped back shaking.

"Hmm, I feel like we know him," Goofy replied, trying to keep quiet.

Sora blinked and looked at the beast again before returning to his side of the wall, "Your right but...Where?"

"Too bad Jiminy's journal is blank" Donald muttered.

Jiminy frowned, "It was the magic of the Castle, not my fault"

"Um, guys…." Sora said, a shadow overcoming them.

"Your journal was supposed to chronicle everything," Donald shouted.

"Um guys!" Sora said again looking nervous.

"It's not like my journal was magic proof"

"GUYS!"

"WRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH! WHO ARE YOU!"

Everyone jumped as the Beast now stood before them now, his cold eyes looking down at all of them. His nostrils flaring at them. Sora could feel his heart skip a beat as he looked at him. This creature could easily tear them all a new one. However, his anger was just replaced with stoicism and then sadness.

"Who are you?" He asked again, calmer.

Sora voice shook, "I-I'm Sora, Donald and Goofy" he still recognized him, but couldn't tell from where and when, "We-we honestly don't know"

Honestly was the best policy right now, no matter how dumb it made him sound.

The Beast grunted, "Then leave" he began to walk off.

"Wait…" Sora called, causing the beast to stop, "I don't know what's going on, but is there anything we can do?"

The Beast was silent and sighed, "Keep your sympathy, no one can love a beast like me"

With those parting words he walked off.

Sora wasn't sure why he said that but he wanted to help. Something inside his heart told him it was the right thing to do, to figure out what was going on. This Castle must be important if they were to come here.

"Come on fellas we gotta find the other side of this place," Goofy led the way, Sora just stood there for a few moments, he was about to join before..

"Always the hero ain't yuh kid"

Sora turned around to see Bill floating behind him, his eyes narrowed, "Yeah so" He said, sounding annoyed.

Bill just laughed, "Man you really have a bleeding heart don't yuh, or maybe your just paranoid. Or both...Still, can't believe you don't remember this place, the place where it all went down, the place where you finally bested Riku"

"It-it is?" Sora again clenched his head as a few images ran through his head, he and Riku fighting each other in what looked like a duel to the death, "I, I can't tell…"

"Here was the hero bested the villain, yet showed him mercy, like you did that giant earlier. You got yourself a big heart don't yuh".

"Well, yeah, I don't want to hurt anyone" Sora argued, "I didn't go on this journey to fight evil, I did it to find my friends, and now I'm going to find Namine and go home with her no matter what"

"And will that mean hurting those who stand in your way" Bill said darkly, "You have a lot of power over your enemies kid, good thing for them your as nice as a newborn puppy"

Sora remained quiet, the idea of hurting Riku made him sound sick to his stomach. The idea of him hurting anyone who got in his way made him feel sick. Sure he would do anything to help his friends but actually go full out and hurt someone, just to save Namine. Then again, they did take her, they were holding her captive.

"Sora!" Goofy called out, "Come on, we gotta keep moving"

"R-Right"

Sora, Donald and Goofy began to traverse the massive castle. The place was a labyrinth of hallways, elevators, more hallways and secret corridors. How anyone could get around this place was beyond any of them. This place was massive and definitely had a history on it from the designs on the walls, one had to wonder who some of the previous occupants of this castle were to choose such ornate and sometimes gothic designs.

As they pressed forward Sora had flashes in his head, many of them from this place and Riku. The coldness in his friend's eyes. Did things really get that bad? Sora remembered some things but he didn't remember others, a side effect of Castle Oblivion power over him and the others.

"Sora, you sure you're okay" Goofy asked looking worried, Sora had been placing his hand on his head for a while now.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Sora grunted.

"Don't look at it" Donald muttered.

"I said I'm fine" Sora snapped, frowning the second he did, "Sorry, just, a lot going on in my head right now"

Goofy sighed, "Still upset about Riku"

"Yeah, and ...Other things"

"Like Namine?" Donald asked.

Sora just remained silent but it was definitely enough to get the point across.

kept on walking until they found themselves entering a large library filled to the brim with books beyond the eye could see. Books stacked upon books, even a second level of books as well. Carefully the group entered the room and began to explore. Sora looked at some of the books to see if anything was there, until he saw a familiar looking figure on the upper floor.

Slowly Sora walked up the stairs to see who it was and gasped as he saw, "Belle"

The woman turned around to notice him, she seemed confused, "W-Who are you?"

"Oh right-" Sora remembered, he listened in to the conversation, "I-I'm Sora, I-I kinda overheard you two fighting and...Well…..Oh gosh, this is embarrassing…"

"I see," Belle sighed sitting down, "What are you even doing here, someone like you shouldn't be here"

"We-we just came" Sora answered truthfully,y "We want to find a way out too, but, I don't know, I know-I know it's not my place, but I can tell something isn't right here"

He started pacing, talking more about himself at this point and not the situation.

"Something isn't right and I don't know what to do"

Belle looked concerned as she got up taking him by the shoulders, "Hey, it's okay...I don't know what's wrong, but I'm sure it will work out"

"Will it? Seems like things aren't working out for you" Sora said, Donald and Goofy finally realizing where he was and joining him, "Why are you even here, the Beast said you were kidnapped"

"Well, you see" Belle seemed hesitant, but agreed to talk, "That witch kidnapped me, and see, the reason, the reason I talked the Beast the way I did was because-"

CLANG

Nobs and gears began to churn.

"Oh no" Belle looked panicked, "She's coming"

"Who?"

"Hide!"

Sora, Donald and Goofy all looked at each other in a panic.

"Hide!"

Quickly the trio hid as they saw a bookshelf began to open like a secret door. It opened up to a secret hallway, where a figure in black began to emerge. Sora hid behind one of the bookshelves and watched as the figure approached. The new figure was regal yet malevolent, her face covered in a headdress with horns, her robes long and dark. She held a tall staff with green orb that tapped against the floor as she approached Belle, her face calm yet with a small smirk on her face.

"Maleficent" Belle politely curtsied.

Maleficent closed in on her before speaking, "He was here-yes" she smiled, "He risked his life to see you and you rejected her"

"Who is she?" Sora whispered as he watched the scene.

"Ah Maleficent...Mistress of all evil" Bill spoke in Sora's head, "She's probably one of the most powerful villains in all the world, unmatched...To bad she's trapped behind a magical barrier"

"D-Did I face her before"

"Let your memories sort that out...But if you did, then you've reached the pinnacle of Villain...At least I like to think you have".

Sora continued to listen in as Belle spoke to the witch.

"I won't ask for his help, I'm going to fall for your trap" She said with defiance in her voice.

Maleficent tightened the grip on her staff, "Then I'll have to make you BEG for his help"

With her dark powers she and Belle vanished, leaving Sora, Donald and Goofy alone in the library now. Sora tried to process what had just happened, still getting small images of memories he didn't understand coming back through him.

"Sora, Sora, are you okay?" Goofy asked putting a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm fine" Sora grunted, trying to get up.

"What do we do now?" Donald asked.

"Are you kidding me? We go help her"

"Now hold it Sora" Jiminy popped his head, "I know you want to help, but are you perhaps being a bit rash because of what happened with Riku and Namine"

"No!" Sora yelled, "I'm not being rash, I want to help these people, they are clearly not talking to one another and something bad is going on"

That partially true, he did feel like Belle and Beast needed to talk and understand that something was going on. However he couldn't help but think of Riku, and whatever resentment he held towards him could be worked out in some manner.

"So what do we do, help them and leave?" Donald asked.

"Yes, that's exactly what we do"

Sora rushed as fast as he could through the castle halls, trying to find Belle and Maleficent. There was something deep inside him, an instinct telling him that he needed to fix this. Even though it made no sense, he had never met these people in his life. If he did then he didn't remember them at all. Though whatever force was driving him definitely but there was something else as well. Something deep in his heart called to him.

"Come on! Come one!"

"You may not realize it kid, but you've left your mark on these people a while back, just like you did in Traverse Town and all the other worlds you've visited...If you get outta here, I hope you can see what that legacy would bring ya"

"Not now Bill!"

Sora looked over a balcony hall to see Belle, she had been comforted by Maleficent in the middle of the entrance hall. Her body is just near the water fountain inside. This had to stop.

"No I won't let you hurt him," Belle said in defiance.

Maleficent conjured up her dark magic, "Then I will make you scream. The fool will come running at the sound of your cries"

Sora didn't even bother to wait, he leaped from the upper level and held his Keyblade true shouting, "ENOUGH!" getting the witch's attention.

Donald and Goofy stood by his side ready for a battle, but they seemed nervous.

"No one is getting hurt today"

"Oh very heroic, cheesy though"

Maleficent turned to face them, "Hmm...I do not know you child, to back away" with her magic she pushed Sora against the wall encasing him in dark energy.

"Sora!"

"Sora!"

Donald and Goofy quickly tried to unpin him, while Maleficent returned to face Belle again.

"Your heart is the Key to my plan," She said, "So summon the Beast or I'll-'

"No need!"

From up on the balcony the Beast arrived, he must have been following Sora and the others from the start. Maleficent seemed surprised as the standoff began.

Sora was released from the wall as the magic wore off.

"No you mustin!" Belle shouted.

"Silence" Maleficent responded.

The Beast just approached slowly, "I'm sorry Belle...But I can't leave you here, consider it my lash selfish act"

"Yes…" Maleficent eyes widened her smile growing, "That's it...That is the heart I desire...Even under the ugliness of the monster, lies a heart of true love...A love that I will harness for myself!"

The evil witch charged up her magical staff again, green energy oozing from her. She aimed her magic right at the Beast, who was ready to take the blast if it meant Belle was going to be safe. However it never came, for before the magic could hit the monster, Belle stepped in, taking the blast, her body dissolving until all that was left was a heart floating into the air.

"BELLE!" The Beast roared.

Sora looked shocked, everything happened so fast he couldn't do anything even if he tried.

"Well so much for the change of plan," Maleficent snickered, "Belle's heart it is then"

In a rage the Beast tried to swipe at Maleficent who vanished in green flame.

Roaring in rage the Beast let lose his anger on the walls and statues in the main hall. Sora quickly ran up to him, knowing full well the danger but he didn't care. Instict was kicking in immediately, he wanted to help, and he was going to.

"Stop! This isn't going to help, we need to find Maleficent!" Sora yelled.

"Careful Sora" Goofy said, scootching him back, "Don't wanna be in the firing line"

"What are you even doing here" Beast scowled.

"We're gonna help" Sora said, "Look, we're coming, whether you like it or not"

Beast eyes narrowed at them, but he nodded, "Fine...I'm getting back Belle"

-000-

Finding Belle wasn't easy.

The Castle was massive and there were all sorts of hallways and pathways and stairways all over the place. Worst still, there were Heartless crawling all around. Hundreds of them, but they were no match for Sora and his Keyblade. The Beast as well made a good ally to have on their side, his fury scaring the tiny forces of darkness at bay.

Sora himself was in a bit of a rage, he was fighting with all his might, perhaps to get some of the repressed anger he felt for Riku turn on him.

He understood what the Beast was going through as well. Looking to save the one he cared about, especially after making a sacrifice on the ultimate level. Sora connected to that and he would do anything to help someone who would do that for someone. If only Riku could understand that about what he was trying to do with Namine.

"Tail as old as time am I right" Bill said observing the fighting going on, a few Heartless almost swiping at Sora.

"Not now Bill" Sora grunted.

"If not now, when!"

"Maybe when I'm not trying to take down Heartless!" Sora yelled swiping his Keyblade at another round of them.

Bill sighed, "Always the same thing, take down Heartless defeat the bad guy...You need something to mix things up you know. A good hero always has something or someone to keep them on there toes. So far I gotta say Maleficent fan seems a little ...eh ...cliche".

"Sora, look out!" Donald said, using his magic to defend Sora.

"Thanks Donald"

"Good thing you got allies by you're side"

Sora just ignored Cipher as he kept fighting Heartless. Right now he wanted to get rid of this wave of Heartless. Suddenly he heard a loud roar as the Beast unleashed all his anger striking down the dark creatures all in a swift blow of his claw until all were gone leaving them all standing in the middle of a hall.

"Come," He groaned once things have settled, "Lets go"

As they continued on their journey Sora stood next to Beast. He was intrigued by this monster for lack of a better term. He clearly cared about Belle to go for such lengths. He wondered why though?

"You must really love her huh" Sora said.

Beast just grunted, "Yes, she's the only one who can see past...This" he looked at his claws.

"Are you, were you not always…

"A beast" He finished, "Yes"

"Oh"

"But I was still a monster, maybe not in looks but in deed, I was selfish, cruel...And to a point, I still am. But I want to get better...For Belle…"

Sora smiled, "That's good, but you should also do it for yourself too, my mom said nothing is worth doing if you yourself aren't happy doing it"

"She seems wise" Beast replied.

"She is".

Sora pondered this for a moment, "W-What would have happened if Belle didn't want you to be with her at the end"

The Beast stopped for a moment, Sora, Donald and Goofy waited for a response.

"I-" Beast sighed, "I would have let her go, because...I love her so much, that her happiness would mean more to me...Than anything"

Sora thought about it for a moment. If Namine did prefer Riku to him, then, then he might just have to accept that. But first he would want to hear it from here before he knew anything. Despite what Riku had told him, he wanted to hear it from her first. Otherwise, otherwise Riku was just being selfish and keeping Namine to himself.

That thought alone made him upset.

Nodding at the Beast they kept moving forward.

"So why does Maleficent want Belle?" Sora asked

"It's not just Belle, it's hearts" Beast explain. "Maleficent is a powerful witch, she collects hearts, uses them for her own ends. She once put another Princess to sleep just because she wasn't invited to a party"

"Wow"

Bill appeared before him again and spoke in his mind, "Yeah Maleficent tends to have a flair for the dramatic, but sadly I think her days of being number one baddy are coming to a end"

"Why?" Sora asked, making sure the Beast wasn't listening

"In a day and age, we need modern day baddies...Hero's can't just live with the classic they needs bad guys and gals who are going to challenge them. Not just evil witches with armies sure they work for one...Maybe two adventures, but her kind of Villain is slowly fading into the winds"

"How do you know?"

"Like I said kid I know lots of things"

"Like where Maleficent is?"

Bill sighed "Fine...But you'll owe me"

Transforming into a viewing portal Bill showed Sora the image of a large chapel in the center of the castle, as well the direction to see it. Sora stopped to take a look

"Guys!" He said, "I know where it is"

As they burst through the door of the Castle Chapels Sora could feel icy cold breeze fills the air.

Green flames lit up the place giving it a sickly feeling.

At the end of the hall Maleficent stood there, seeming triumphant. Sora and the others slowly approached, unsure what the evil witch would do, but knowing that it would be a battle nonetheless. The Beast clenched his own flawed first as he approached, snarling at her, yet she seemed quite unafraid.

As Maleficent noticed them she cackled.

"You poor simple fool, thinking you can defeat me, me the mistress of all evil" She laughed again, "But since you made it this far, I might as tell you why Belle rejected you so harshly. For you see, my magic requires hearts of beauty. Belle was perfect, her heart and love for you shone with uncommon radiance. But she guessed my plans. By denying my plans she put her love for you beyond my reach".

Beast sighed, "Belle...Strong till the end"

"I guess you can't deny your feelings no matter how hard you try" Sora muttered.

"Release her heart NOW!" Beast yelled.

Maleficent merely chuckled, "Fool! You are also falling into my trap, now that all doubt is gone, your heart will shine bright for Belle...Making it mine just like hers is"

"Will stop you!" Sora declared.

"You think you can defy me" Maleficent magic began to swirl around, "See for yourself all the powers of hell!"

In a blast dark magic engulfed her, as green flame began to grow completely engulfing them and the room. Sora became blinded, unable to see, but he could hear the roar the Beast coming from somewhere in the distance as well as the cries of his companions Donald and Goofy. He tried to regain his sight, waving away the dust, but it had to settle on it's own.

Then the sound of a new roar came and it was definitely not that of the Beasts. Instead it was something else, something far large.

As the dust settled, Sora could see the outline of a large monstrosity lurking before him. A pair of green eyes looked straight at him. The more he was able to see, stepping back, he saw the shape of a massive dragon taking form. Large in scale with wings that spread across the room. The beast was that of Maleficent herself, transformed now by her dark powers.

"Oh boy…" Sora gulped, "This isn't good"

"Gotta say kid" Bill said in his head, "Love her flair for the dramatic"

"RUN!" Donald screamed.

Roaring the dragon unleashed fire upon everything, Goofy's shield managed to deflect some of the blast while Sora used the Keyblade to defend him. As for the Beast he used his own abilities to climb up the walls and avoid the flames. But he could not avoid the dragon's claws as they tried to strike them down.

Thankfully the Beast was quicker while the monster was massive and slow.

"Scatter!" Sora yelled.

Running around the dragon tried to see which of Sora and his friends were the closet to take down. Her eyes scanning the room.

"Hey!" Sora yelled, "Over here"

Roaring Maleficent launched her claw at Sora barley missing.

Sora managed to avoid the beast talons but not it's tale.

Now in its grasp Sora found himself being saying around. His head became dizzy as the room spun around. The dragon banged its tale against the wall causing a loud crash when it hit impact,

"Yeesh kid, body made of stone or something"

Sora was eventually tossed onto the ground with a thud. He staggered for a moment his Keyblade feeling heavier than usual but he was able to aim it near the dragon.

"Thunder!" Sora yelled, unleashing a bolt of thunder magic on her.

"Wind!" Donald yelled attacking the dragon from behind.

In a rage Maleficent unleashed another round of green flame on them causing them all to scatter again. The flames engulfing the ground, her stomping causing rocks on the ceiling to crumple onto the ground. With one claw, they managed to trap Donald and Goofy in there clutches, now leaving just Sora and the Beast.

"No!" Sora shouted, his anger get the best of him, "You won't hurt them"

"Good...Good kid ...Now use that anger and take her down once and for all...She is the mistress of all evil after all"

Sora was about to strike, but was held back by the Beast, "No" He said.

"What? But they have my friends"

"I know" Beast said, "But you don't seem like someone who takes someone down in anger"

The dragon looked at Sora and the Beast now.

"I on the other hand.." Without warning Beast charged towards the Dragon.

Sora realized what he was doing and tried to at least deflect Maleficent's attacks, using his keyblade to swing at her while she was busy with the Beast. Soon the dragon let out a high pitch scream, it's eyes expanding as green flame engulfed it causing it to vanish into thin air.

"What happened?" Goofy asked as soon as he was free from her clutches.

Sora turned to see Beast just standing there panting, he had taken on the monster.

"Beast!" Sora turned to see a bright light emerge taking the form of Belle.

"Belle!" Beast slowly moved toward her, "A-Are you okay"

"Yes"

"I-I'm sorry," Beast said sighing.

"For what?"

"For still being selfish" He sighed, "I know that I just did it because-"

"No-" Belle took his hand, "You did it because you didn't want me to be hurt...I know you did"

Beast nodded, "I hope so"

"I know so, and you should too…."

"Hey fellas" Goofy said, "Maybe we should get somewhere safer, this place is giving me the creeps"

Belle nodded, "Maybe the library, we can talk there"

Belle led them back to the library, Beast always looking at her with a genuine smile. It made Sora happy to see these two reunited again. Hopefully when he saw Namine he would feel the same way again. Still he couldn't help but feel a bit shaken that he had to take someone out just to get that feeling. It didn't feel quite right in the pit of his stomach.

Once in the library he was able to sit down and think, this place still felt familiar to him but why. Something important must have happened her. As Donald and Goofy talked, he saw Belle approach him and sit down.

"Oh, hi," Sora said rubbing his forehead, it was throbbing.

"Can I talk to you Sora" Belle asked.

"Yes, of course"

Belle turned around before looking at Sora, "You remember this place right?"

"W-What?" Sora blinked looking shocked, "D-Do you know something?

"Yes-" Belle nodded, "I know that this place was once the pinnacle of your first journey and it was here you defeated Maleficent before as well as fight your friend Riku"

Sora blinked, a few flashes of his memory came back to him. Still a lot of it felt jumbled, certain images and people didn't make sense to him, however, he could tell that this was not a lie nonetheless. He wondered what exactly had happened though and if he had to fight Riku, then why was still fighting him now.

"Did I-when I had to fight…

Belle shook his head, "No, you didn't you found other ways...Sometimes it takes more than a battle to defeat evil".

"But the Beast…

"He's the Beast...He can do things, others can't sometimes" Belle explained, "Though I hope he doesn't have to...You Sora, you have a big heart. Always listen to it, really listen to it, because sometimes it's hard to tell what can be true or not ".

"I wish I knew" Sora sighed.

"You'll figure it out you seem like a smart child"

Sora nodded, "Thanks Belle or not Belle...Or whatever is going on in my head...It's just, it's so hard, am I a hero or what...I know that I want to help and Namine and ugh…"

"Like I said Sora" Belle said standing up, "Just listen to your heart, and what you know is true"

With those final words she left.

Listen to your heart and what you know is true. Those were definitely some inspirational words. Too bad Sora had no idea what that meant or what was true anymore. Everything since he had entered Castle Oblivion felt like it had been just a lie or worse, perhaps everything he knew before was a lie. It just made his head hurt even more.

"Man don't yuh hate vague advice" Bill said before Sora again.

Sora groaned, "Yes, but I don't know what's what, and you haven't been helpful either"

"Woah, woah, woah...I know LOTS of things not EVERYTHING...There's a difference okay, mmokay"

"Still, not as helpful as I wish you could be" Sora grumbles as he looks away from Cipher, he paces around the room now, trying his best to remember what actually happened here. Something deep in his heart felt that this was a place. Though what. "Bill? Do you know what happened here? What really happened here?"

"Like I said you bested the villain and showed mercy" Bill enlarged himself as images began to appear, images of Sora and Riku dueling one another, while a bunch of others, some Sora reconginzed others he didn't fought armies of Heartless and others, all led by Maleficent, "You personally fought Riku anad bested him, but showed him mercy...As for Maleficent, you also showed her mercy in a sense, instead of killing her off, you just imprisoned her in another castle, one which she lives to this day"

"I did?" Sora gasped.

Bill returned to his small self, "Yes, personally I would have done away with her and been done with it if you asked me"

"Why?" Sora asked, "I-I don't know if I could do that"

Bill laughed, "And that's the problem kid, you should be more willing to deal a blow to the enemy, otherwise they'll just come back to get yuh. Then you'll be fighting them again, and again, and again, and again and again and again".

"You make it sound like forever" Sora grimace.

"I mean, don't you wanna be a hero forever? That's sorta the consequence of not getting rid of the villain"

Sora took a moment to think about it. The idea of going on forever almost seemed horrifying when he thought about it. His mission right now was to get Namine back and go back home. Sure he enjoyed Donald and Goofy, and loved traveling but the idea of fighting heartless villains over and over again for all eternity. Was that something he really wanted.

"Hard ain't it kid" Bill snickered, "Sometime to end the journey, big decisions should be made at the end"

"Y-Yeah, I-I guess" Sora sighed, he didn't want to think about it right now.

All he wanted to do was keep going and find Namine

-000-

Another level of stairs and another hallway and Sora just wanted to scream.

This was becoming even more infuriating now. Riku in his stupidity or selfishness had pretty much turned on him...AGAIN! Why was this all happening? He had done everything to stop this and now it felt like everything he had done was slowly being peeled away one thing after the other. Worse, all the hurt and bad memories of his past were flooding through him again.

It hurt, it really did and he just wanted the pain to go away. He wanted Namine, and then he could finally have some peace again. But sadly it seemed as if the fates were just against him in him ever having a nice day.

"Riku come out!" Sora shouted, his voice echoing around but no response, "Get out here you coward! Face me!"

Donald and Goofy caught up to him now, he didn't even notice them though instead he focused on finding Riku.

"Garsh, guess he got away fast," Goofy said.

Donald painted, his web feets barely being able to carry him by the looks of things "Maybe, maybe it's for the best"

Sora just ignored him as he kept looking for Riku through the halls. He couldn't have just lost him again. His last adventure made him work so hard just to get to him. Not just him but to Namine. The two of them side by side, going on a great adventure just like they promised one another. That had been their dream when they left Destiny Island what felt like so long ago.

Maybe Bill was right though, maybe Riku was his Villain. Someone who he couldn't be friends with, but enemies, who needed to be stopped. If he was going to get in the way of him saving Namine, then maybe he should just finish it.

Sora paused as a tinge of guilt came over him, give that all up just for that. Still, he was preventing him from seeing Namine. The back and forth in his mind and heart made everything feel like it was going to explode and he was going to scream. But he kept it to himself for now, that wouldn't get him anywhere at the moment.

This one was a tall gangly looking man, with long blond hair and green eyes that looked as if they were bugging out from their sockets. He had a snickering look as he just stood there. Sora already could tell that this was another enemy that needed to be taken down. Already upset, he was ready to take out his anger on something and here was the perfect opportunity to let loose.

"Another guy in a black coat," Goofy said, pointing at him.

The man sneered, "Rude little bunch aren't you, I have a name".

"Oh sorry," Goofy replied, "What's your name?"

"Vexen, wait...Why am I telling you!" Vexen yelled looked vexed, "You have been nothing but a mere little pest for the last few hours now, why Marluxia has any interest in you is beyond me"

Sora raised an eyebrow, "Marluxia?"

"Yes? Our leader...Well the leader of the castle anyway..Ugh, again, why am I telling you that!" Vexen sneered at him before calming down, "Here, I will tell you this, if you go any further in this castle you'll wind up like your little friend did...Under our control"

Sora gasped taking his Keyblade now, "You're controlling Riku"

"You're one to talk, but I supposed I shouldn't spoil the surprise" Vexen smirked hands behind his hand, "No, I am not controlling Riku...I merely, aided him in helping him realize his priorities"

Sora glared at him, "And those are?"

"Darkness, and it's power" Vexen laughed, "But perhaps we could talk in a far better place away from prying eyes, so here" going into his pocket he took out a card and threw it at Sora.

"What is this" Sora looked at the card.

"Have you not being exploring this castle" Vexen huffed, "Go through the door and will talk a little bit more, you are a special child Sora, I would love to study why"

With those ominous and very creepy last words Vexen vanished leaving Sora and the others just standing there.

Sora looked to Donald and Goofy and frowned, "Well...Let's keep going!"