Chapter 5: The Composer's Decision

Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts, Disney, Square Enix, or any of their properties, characters, or logos. This story is made solely for fun.

Radiant Garden - Town Square

Max marveled at the gigantic castle towering above the picturesque town. The concentric hedges, stone monuments, crystal-like waterfalls, and open skies were a true testament to this world's beauty. Radiant Garden was truly a marvelous sight, perhaps even more than their own home. In spite of the mission given unto them by her highness, he couldn't help but take a moment to appreciate the place where so many adventures had taken place.

"Pretty amazing, huh?"

"Looks just like it did the last time I was here." Della Duck cracked her knuckles lazily. "Though, this is my first time seeing it in over a decade."

He walked along, following a few paces behind. "Why is that?"

"This world was sealed off after Maleficent wrecked the place. Took some time, but it looks like the locals did a good job rebuilding."

"I can't imagine why anyone would want to destroy such an amazing place."

"Amazing, huh? Sounds like you've never even gotten a glimpse of another world outside of ours."

Max scratched his head awkwardly. "Yeah. Dad wanted me to have a normal childhood."

"Goofy's heart was in the right place, but I think being normal is vastly overrated."

"After everything that's happened, a certain court magician would probably disagree."

"You mean Donald? He's always been a party-pooper." she paused with a chuckle. "Actually, forget that... He's really more of a clown."

"A clown with super-powerful magic. I'm sure any kid would pay to have him perform at their birthday party."

"Well, there's that." she shrugged with an amused expression. Despite not showing it, she actually had a close yet argumentative relationship with her brother. "Anyways, just stick with me and I'll teach you how a real pro tackles an adventure."

The young soldier tapped his spear on the ground and saluted. "Yes ma'am!"

"That's the spirit!"

Max spent most of his younger years going to school, hanging out with friends, dealing with bullies, and playing pranks. After college he signed on as a guard, and now he was standing in an entirely different world. It felt like two different lifetimes. His dad always seemed equal parts embarrassing and normal growing up, a great hero and an oaf rolled into one man. At times he wondered which life his father preferred, and whether or not he ever regretted leaving the castle to raise a son.

That said, Max couldn't have been paired up with someone more different for his first mission. It was refreshing, and yet he found himself wanting to know more. "So is it true you spent a lot of time traveling with Mr. McDuck?"

"Heck yeah! He taught me everything I know."

"Yeah, about that... Growing up, did you ever feel like you were missing something?"

"Like what?"

"I mean, compared to my boring life, you led a pretty exciting one. Did you ever wonder what it was like to live an ordinary life?"

Della paused mid-step, turning away to hide her expression. It was true that she loved adventuring, but it was this very same passion that led to her being stranded on a barren planetoid for years. Huey, Dewey, and Louie spent their early childhood without a mother. Meanwhile, she hadn't been there to care for them like a real parent, missing birthdays, holidays, and crucial milestones in their lives.

Max sensed her unease. "Sorry. Forget I asked."

"No, it's no big deal." she smiled to allay his discomfort. "Sometimes I do wonder what it would be like to be a normal mom, but the idea's really foreign to me."

"Really!?" he raised an eyebrow.

"Yup! I spent my childhood fighting killer robots, wrestling with demons, and exploring ancient ruins. Got lost in a desert, trapped in a cave, and was even cursed by an evil pirate ghost."

"I guess that answers my question."

"Hopping between worlds and discovering new things is practically in my veins! That's who I am, and I'm proud of it."

"You must've been happy to learn your sons followed in your footsteps."

"I was ecstatic." she looked up at the skies of Radiant Garden with a look of pure bliss. "While I was away, the only thing I could think about was getting back home so I could teach my boys how to go adventuring. Imagine my surprise learning that Donald and Uncle Scrooge already did the job for me!"

Max had only heard rumors about the gung-ho pilot, but seeing her now, it was clear none of it was an exaggeration. The younger toon never imagined that his first time off world, he would be in the company of such a seasoned explorer.

The duo continued through the streets of the town, with Max noting the unusually large number of humans around. Disney World was known for having a diverse mix of creatures as its inhabitants, but few humans were included among that number. Here, they seemed to be the only intelligent race. Furthermore, the bright colors and cheerful vibe back home was a far cry from the majestic yet mysterious feel of Radiant Garden.

His eyes moved from one place the next, taking in every little detail. "It's so different..."

"From our world? Yeah, it really is."

"That's not necessarily a bad thing. It's still pretty cool."

"There's a ton of other worlds that are just as awesome, and some so crazy that just taking a glimpse would probably make your head explode!"

"My mind's already blown."

"You really are still a greenhorn."

He glanced at a little girl selling flowers from a cart to a pair of older woman. "I've never seen so many humans in one place. Dad told me tons of stories growing up, and this really brings them all to life."

"This is only the tip of the iceberg." she looked over her shoulder, his barely contained excitement reminding her of a much younger Goofy. "Just wait until you see Twilight Town, Olympus, and... oof... ... ..." She bumped into something hard.

The man she collided with glanced around before turning his gaze downward, taking note of the female toon. Standing relatively tall, he had mid-length brown hair and a serious face marked with a fading scar. He wore black gloves, pants, and shoes, a silver necklace, and a white undershirt. Over his top was an open black jacket with short sleeves and a white furry collar, a few belts fastened around his waist area. Strapped to his back was an unusual sword with the curved handle of a gun in place of the traditional hilt.

Goofy's son shuffled forward, bowing his head politely. "Oh, sorry about that."

"Watch we're you're goin', bub!" Della shook her fist. As she raised her head to glare at him, his eyes widened in recognition.

"Well, that was some greeting. Don't remember the last time you came to Radiant Garden."

"Leon!? Well what do ya know?" She folded her arms and leaned back, looking much more relaxed. "Haven't seen you since Uncle Scrooge opened that sea-salt ice cream stand here. How's it going?"

"It's still pretty popular with the residents. Yuffie drops by everyday for a snack after her patrol."

"Glad to hear it. I made the first series of deliveries, personally." she gazed at the majestic palace in the distance. "Looks like you guys really managed to fix this place up since then."

"Yup, it looks just like it did when I was a kid." his eyes fell on her companion. "So, who's your friend?"

"Oh yeah." she grabbed the dog man's arm, yanking him over with surprising strength. "This is Goofy's kid, Max! Queen Minnie made him my assistant for the trip."

"Nice to meet you."

"Likewise." Max shook his hand.

"Your father's a good man. He's helped us out more times than I can count."

The young guard couldn't help but smile. "I heard he fought a thousand Heartless alongside Donald and that Sora kid!"

"My brother may not act like it, but he's still got the family spirit!"

Squall Leonhart noticed her carefree attitude begin to waver. "It's not often we get visitors from Disney Castle. Something tells me you didn't come here just to socialize."

"Nope, you're right. Max and I were sent here to meet with Ansem the Wise on behalf of her highness. It's really important we see him as soon as possible."

"Is this about Kairi?"

Goofy's son leaned down, discreetly placing a hand to his mouth. "Is it okay to tell him?"

"King Mickey trusts him and so do I." Della's expression became much more serious as she faced the local swordsman. "I'm not sure if you're aware, but we received an urgent message from Hollow Bastion only hours ago. It seems the girl placed in Ansem's care has sensed Sora's heart. We were sent to assist her in any way possible."

"Hmmm... That would explain why Merlin left for the castle in such a hurry." Leon's gaze wandered towards the bastion. "Would you mind if I joined you. The others are worried about Kairi, too."

"Sure, why not?" she gestured to the younger toon, prompting him to follow.

The three quickly made their way to the castle at a brick job, Leon separating from the group as they reached the front gates. A large man stood in place before the double doors, easily towering over even the human hero.

"These two came from Disney Castle. They need to see his majesty, immediately." he spoke to the guard.

Auleus noticed the offworlders. "We've been expecting you. Please follow me."

Opening the doors for them to proceed, the imposing man led them through the main hall. The guests remained silent as they were guided through the large structure, the younger toon barely managing to hide his amazement at the pristine halls and mysterious objects decorating the rooms. As the ruler of Radiant Garden was a scientist, he suspected these strangely shaped devices may have been machines rather than abstract artwork, but decided not to ask.

A glance at Della Duck told him she was probably thinking the same thing. He was surprised by her sudden change in demeanor, the boisterous woman having remained quiet and courteous since their trek through the castle began. The group rounded a corridor into a wide open room, where Auleus approached one of the many doors branching out from the atrium.

He knocked twice before speaking. "Master Leon and the visitors from Disney Castle have arrived. Will you seem them now?"

"One moment..." Ansem the Wise opened the door before ushering them in with a calm expression.

Beyond was a simple chamber with stone walls, a cozy hearth, and a red carpet. Blue banners bearing the likeness of the castle decorated the far wall, while a portrait of a much younger Ansem sat above the fireplace. Several armchairs and a couch were situated around the center of the room. In the middle was an intricately carved wooden table, upon which sat a tasteful golden candelabra and stack of books likely taken from the shelf behind it.

The visitors quickly noticed a teenage girl with beautiful red hair sitting across from the entrance. In the chair beside her was the elderly wizard Merlin who was absent-mindedly polishing his spectacles, and standing farthest from the visitors was Ienzo.

Kairi crossed the room in a flash, practically falling over herself to greet the familiar man. "Leon... It's been such a long time!"

"It certainly has." It was the truth. He hadn't seen her since Sora defeated a certain evil fairy and rescued the princesses from Hollow Bastion. "The others were worried about you well-being, even Cid."

"They were? Sorry about that." she looked down apologetically, "So, what brings you here?"

"These guys..." he gestured to the visitors. "I heard from them that you had woken up, and decided to bring them to the castle." his gaze settled onto the blue-clad wizard. "Speaking of which, why didn't you tell us that call came from Queen Minnie?"

Merlin clumsily fumbled with his glasses before putting them on. "My sincerest apologies. I was in such a hurry to see for myself, everything else must've slipped my mind." he turned to the girl in question. "Speaking of which, I did some tests on Kairi upon arriving, and was unable to discover anything different."

"You can still sense Sora, can't you?" Ienzo questioned.

The Princess of Heart closed her eyes for a moment before nodding. "I can... ..." she pointed towards the ceiling. "I can feel his heart calling out to me from somewhere in the direction."

"Highly unorthodox, wouldn't you say?" Merlin exchanged looks with the young scientist.

He pondered for a moment. "Maybe, but there are many things out there that science has yet to explain. This is probably one of them."

"Even my magic could not detect any change in her heart. I'm not entirely certain if she should be allowed to leave so soon. At least until we can further examine her."

"That will not be necessary." Ansem replied in his deep baritone, silencing the wizard. "The hearts of Sora are Kairi are bound together in a way we never believed possible. If she claims this mysterious connection is calling out to her, then I believe her."

She couldn't help but smile at the elder scientist's words. "Thank you..."

He shared a smile with the girl before facing the others. "Whether we understand it or not, there is no way of knowing how long she will continue to sense Sora's presence. For this reason, it is imperative she locate him before this window of opportunity closes."

"Which reminds me." Ienzo turned to the Gunblade wielder. "Did you manage to find anything more within that data we compiled?"

"We tried to find some leads, but weren't able to produce any results. The data was so scrambled beyond recognition that Cid almost smashed the computer in frustration."

"I told you lot not to rely on that technological garbage." Merlin grumbled, earning a grimace from Ansem's youngest apprentice.

"I daresay, your own attempts to remedy the situation were even less successful."

"You've been saying that to us for years. Let's not start this again." Leon shook his head.

"Oh, bother... The youth of today."

"Now is not the time to dwell on past failures." the sage king stepped in to dismiss the old argument. "The time for research is over. Now, we must focus on how to proceed."

Kairi placed her hands on her knees and nodded firmly. "I really want to look for Sora, and I can't do that if we're sitting here, arguing."

"Very well." Ansem clapped his hands twice, prompting Auleus to join them. "Have we finished the repairs on the Gummi Ship?"

"Note quite, but we are working on it." he answered with a respectful bow. The others looked forlorn in the face of this bad news.

"Not to worry, that's why we're here!" the female duck suddenly spoke up, her words instantly lifting the room's mood. "Sheesh! We've been standing here the entire time, and no one even bothered to let us introduce ourselves."

"I'm sure they weren't ignoring us on purpose." her partner added.

"Oh, I'm so sorry." the redheaded teen rose from the sofa, placing both hand behind her back and bowing at the waist.

"Queen Minnie were told us to assist you in any way possible. The name's Della Duck! I know you've already met my nutty brother Donald."

"I didn't know Donald had a sister! It's a pleasure to meet you. My name's Kairi." she introduced herself to the odd duo, her eyes shifting to the dog man. "And who might you be?"

"I'm Max... I'm Goofy's son and a part-time guardsman at Disney Castle. Dad's told me a lot about you, princess."

"Just call me Kairi." she corrected, earning a smile from the others. She hesitated for a moment before asking. "Did you really come here to help me?"

The young soldier nodded. "Of course. Her majesty told us to help you find Sora."

"What about Riku and the others?" she questioned.

"The situations with your other friends is a little more... Owwwww!"

Della stomped his foot with her metal prosthetic causing him to cry out in pain. "Oops, my bad."

On the ride to Radiant Garden, she received a call from Minnie briefing her on the more dangerous situation brewing with the other Keyblade Wielders. Though the mouse was reluctant to say much, it was clear the situation was something more dangerous afoot. As Max bent over to nurse his bruised foot, she shot him a warning look, before smiling at the human girl.

"Everyone's scattered right now. The others were too busy looking for your boyfriend."

"Wh-what!" Kairi lowered her gaze, trying to conceal the redness in her cheeks. "He's not my boyfriend... At least, I don't think he is." she did a mental backflip. "I'm not really sure what we are... Just... really close friends... closer maybe... ... We never really discussed... ... ..."

Ansem the Wise placed a hand on her shoulder, ceasing her confused murmuring. "You need not put a label on these feelings. At least not until you and Sora are safely reunited." she exhaled slowly, appreciative of his grandfatherly support. "I do implore you take some time to think about it when the fates allow."

"I will." she shared a nod with the elderly scientist before joining her new companions. "I won't ask you to come with me, but can I please use your ship?"

"No one's drivin' that baby accept me." the boisterous pilot snapped.

"With all due respect, we were told to protect you. As a soldier... no... ... As my father's son, I couldn't live with myself if I let his friend go off on a dangerous mission all alone." Max bravely explained.

"Same goes for me. And besides, it's been a while since I've been given a real epic mission like this." the female toon pumped both fists in the air. "Nothing can stop Della Duck!"

Kairi looked between them with a puzzled look before giving them a genuine smile. "You really want to help, that badly?"

"Can't leave one of Donald's friends, hangin'." she thought for a moment before continuing. "Not to mention I spent the better part of a decade lost in outer space practically dying of boredom... Or was it the soul-crushing loneliness... Either way, I wouldn't miss this for the world!"

"Don't worry, We've got your back." Max reassured.

The Princess of Heart couldn't help but smile again. Despite the situation, she couldn't help but feel happy that so many people were willing to help her, even virtual strangers. "Thank you both so much. I promise to have your backs every step of the way."

Della found herself liking the girl, already. While she gave off the aura of a simple schoolgirl, behind those blue eyes was a determination that reminded the pilot of herself years ago. She couldn't help but wonder if every Keyblade Wielder was as awesome as King Mickey. The little monarch could not only fight, but had a love for his kingdom truly befitting of any ruler, yet from her own past experiences, a surprisingly rare quality.

"Just tell me when you're ready, and we'll go!"

"Right now." Kairi spoke without a drop of hesitation.

Her answer earned several contented expressions from the room's occupants. The sage king nodded his approval, prompting Auleus to open the door.

"Would you like to stop by my place and say hi to the others, first?" Leon asked.

The Princess of Heart shook her head. "I would love to, but I don't know how long I'll be able to sense Sora's heart." she looked saddened, but feeling his continued presence deep inside restored her confidence. "I'll find him quickly, and then we'll come back and visit together!"

"That's the spirit, girl!" Della cheered.

"It's a promise, then." The Gunblade hero relaxed his shoulders before leaving the room.

The imposing guard approached the newly-formed trio. "Please allow me to escort you to the landing pad."

"It'll be our pleasure." the redhead replied.

Kairi followed Auleus into the familiar halls, closely followed by her new companions from Disney Castle while watching the large man's back. She found him the least talkative of Ansem's apprentices, yet he had been nothing but courteous during her stay in Hollow Bastion. It was certainly much better than the first time when Riku brought her body to Maleficent. She regained consciousness after her heart was restored, and was forced to flee from the castle with Donald and Goofy. At the time she thought Sora was dead, making it less than a pleasant experience.

Seeing the toons behind her, she decided to get to know them a little better. If they were traveling together, it would make it easier. "So, how long have you guys been working for the king?"

"Well... I... ... um..."

"I don't actually have a job at the castle, but Uncle Scrooge and his majesty have been working together for a long time. That's how Donald and I got involved." she slapped the boy on the back. "The kid's just an apprentice guard."

"Speaking of which, this is my first official mission outside of our world."

Kairi thought of her days on the island when her friends first began building the raft. "Must be exciting..."

"Max practically wet himself when we arrived here. He lived such boringly normal childhood, even seeing the town was probably the highlight of his life."

"No it wasn't!" he snapped, causing his female companions to laugh. "All right, so maybe it was. I always wanted to go on an adventure, so why not be excited about it?"

"I get it..." Kairi replied, slowing her pace so she could be closer to them. "My friends spent so long wanting to see other worlds, but I was always fine just being with them. It didn't matter where we were, so long as we were together."

"I'm betting you have no idea how that feels?" the young soldier elbowed the pilot jokingly.

"No, I actually get it..."

"You're gone on adventures, before?" the Princess of Heart asked.

"Oh yeah, the Clan McDuck was known for their love of adventure. I've seen tons of different worlds, and I loved traveling so much, I became a Gummi Ship pilot so that nothing could ever tie me down."

Kairi felt a bit of admiration for the gung-ho woman. "You must really like it."

"That's an understatement." Della found her thoughts returning Huey, Dewey, and Louie. "Even so, there are a few things more important to me. I think you understand that even better than I do."

An image of Sora's smiling face came to mind. "Yes, I do..."

Shibuya - Room of Reckoning

The players scattered as Kitaniji slammed the ground with his coils, his new dragon form snapping its jaws and spewing rainbow colored fire in all directions. Sora leapt backwards while Neku broke into a dash, protecting Shiki and himself with a series of rapidly-rising ice pillars. The mysterious fire melted them on contact, revealing both players missing.

"Where are you hiding!?" the Conductor bellowed, his voice now grating and thunderous.

Taking a chance, Sora slashed the dragon's serpentine body with his Keyblade, the gesture only irritating his opponent. Kitaniji's reptilian head spun in his direction and struck like an angry cobra, the blinding speed surprising for his size. The Keyblade Wielder rolled to and fro as his attacker made several attempts to eat him before moving beneath the giant's exposed throat, stabbing upwards with his magical blade.

The Conductor roared in pain as he withdrew, realizing the mistake of thoughtlessly exposing himself. "Accursed pest... You will submit!"

He swung his tail in a wide arc as Sora touched the ground, forcing the boy to defend as the rock-hard appendage swept him into the air. Kitaniji spewed a steady stream of fire, but the teenage hero seemingly bounced higher as if walking on air before launching an ice spell at the monsters face, causing him to thrash violently. Sora realized his own mistake as the dragon's head collided with him in mid-air, sending him crashing down onto the concrete floor.

Neku exhaled deeply as he pocketed a teleportation pin, blushing slightly as he let go of Shiki's wrist. They peaked out from behind the room's large throne, taking some time to consider the situation.

"He's a lot bigger than I thought." Shiki shivered as she watched the battle. "Still, I didn't know Sora was so powerful."

"You don't know the half of it." the glum teen replied. "Even so, I don't know how much longer he can handle this guy. We need to help him."

"Wow Neku, you're actually volunteering?"

"Yeah, surprised me too. Though I'm still not sure how we're gonna stop that thing."

"I have an idea." she leaned in to whisper in his ear.

Kitaniji loomed triumphantly over the injured brunette. "Looks like your teammates have abandoned you. Tragically, it seems they value each other's lives more than yours."

"That's what you think." Sora smiled in spite of his bruises.

The Conductor opened his mouth to release another gout of flame, but a series of lightning bolts shot from behind, diverting his attention as a familiar stuffed animal levitated into the air and kicked him in the face. Though the attacks did minimal harm, they alerted him to the continued presence of the other players, prompting him to launch his attack at them instead.

Unraveling his body from the room's stone pillars, Kitaniji slid his coils in fast winding motions, forcing his victims to flee for cover. He pounded the ground with his tail, the tremor causing them to lose their footing and trip. While Sora used his limited hover ability to avoid a nasty fall, the others were not so lucky.

"Shiki, take my hand!" Neku braced himself, reaching for her as she hit the ground.

A terrified gasp passed her lips. "Neku, behind you!"

"What the Hell!?" The Conductor swooped in, wrapping his jaws around Neku's body. The boy pounded his fists against the reptilian monster. "Let go of me, you fuckin' cannibal!"

"DIE!" Kitaniji opened his mouth wider as he prepared to bite down.

"No!" Sora reached upwards in horror.

In that moment, his Keyblade began glowing brilliantly, the light engulfing his entire body. The surge of power was different than what he felt during the battle with Sho Minamimoto, being completed unrelated to Neku. The blinding aura caught the Composer's attention, but as he glanced in the direction of it, a vibrant shape barreled into his face like a missile, causing him to expel the injured teen from his mouth. The force sent his gigantic body flying into one of the large stone pillars, cracks forming in the place where he landed.

Before Neku could hit the ground, the glowing figure changed direction and caught him in midair, helping him to stand as they returned to solid ground. Neku felt relieved as Shiki ran over to them, only now noticing that the person who had saved him was his newest partner.

"Thank goodness you guys made it!" she exclaimed.

"How'd you do that!?" he looked back, his eyes widening with uncharacteristic shock.

As the light faded, Sora noticed his clothing had changed into a white and black variation, glancing down to find a familiar skull logo emblazoned on his undershirt. Noticing his hands were now free, he searched for his Keyblade, only to notice a mysterious glowing skateboard beneath his feet. Remembering what had happened only moments ago, he kicked upwards, the object allowing him to levitate in the air.

"Wait a minute..." he caught the mysterious skateboard in his hand and focused, reverting it to a monochrome version of the Kingdom Key with graffiti-like markings.

"Is that!?" Shiki pointed to the chain branching off of the hilt.

Sora held it close, noticing a familiar pin attached. "It's Beat's pin! But, how!?"

Neku's shock evaporated, revealing an almost satisfied smile. "Looks like Beat's still with us. He still wants to kick some ass, even if he can't do it himself."

An ear-shattering roar shook the tunnel, the Conductor's draconic form baring down on them once more. The players glared at him defensively, their rebellious gazes blaring with newfound confidence.

"I am uncertain how you managed to obtain such power, but do not expect your new strength will be enough to stop me."

The orange-haired teen faced him bravely. "It's not our power..." he spoke, earning a confounded grunt from their enemy.

Sora proudly held up his newly upgraded weapon. "It's Beat's power..." he eyed the dangling pin with a grin. "And he's decided to lend it to me until you're butt is toast!"

"It doesn't matter. You will all share the same fate." he replied so calmly, it was as if they were discussing the matter over lunch.

Kitaniji inhaled deeply before spewing several gigantic blasts of fire, the projectiles raining doom upon his targets. Seeing them on the defensive again brought a smirk to the villain's monstrous visage as he began slamming his bodily segments into the walls of the underground room, causing chunks of old concrete to rain down from above.

"That it, run like the insects you are!"

Sora transformed his Keyblade back into its vehicular form and leapt onboard, cruising through the air with such precise control that it felt more like the skateboard was guiding him rather than the other way around. He easily avoided the falling rocks in this way. Worried about his companions, he checked on them, only to discover they didn't need his help. Shiki's stuffed animal had grown in size and was actively shielding her from the debris, while Neku's dashing speed seemed more than enough to avoid a few attacks.

The gloomy teen watched his partner soaring through the air and reached into his pocket, pulling out the second pin. "I wonder if she feels the same..."

Kitaniji swatted aside Mr. Mew and prepared to attack Shiki, only to be scratched in the eyes by the sudden appearance of a flying furry creature. Neku noticed the pin in his hand glowing before recognizing the mammalian Noise that had attack the Conductor. It was the same creature Mitsuki Konishi had supposedly destroyed during their first encounter with the Game Master.

"RHYME!" Neku shouted, the creature giving him a tiny nod before vanishing back into the pin.

Shiki gasped. "That was Rhyme!?"

"So, I guess that means this fight just became five against one!" Sora shouted over the chaos. "Looks like she wants to fight too."

"I'll bet she does." Shiki replied with a smile.

Neku teleported to another location and fired a series of lightning bolts at the Conductor's head while Sora's flying form collided with the villain's midsection with the force of a meteor shower. A flying kick from a car-sized Mr. Mew finished the three-way attack. It grounded the oversized serpent for a moment only, allowing Neku to use a special pin he'd been saving for such a situation. It conjured a series of boulders, which began raining down on the beast from above, interrupting his attempts to rise back up.

Kitaniji felt his blood reach a boiling point as the attacks continued hitting him one after the next. "ENOUGH!" he screamed, his entire body igniting with a fiery aura that flared outwards, repelling all three of his opponents at once.

Sora recovered quickly as Shiki helped Neku stand, the players having been left sprawled on the ground following the Conductor's powerful blast. He subconsciously took a step back as the dragon slowly began slithering towards them, noting with some discomfort that the others were even more injured than he was.

"Can you still fight?" he questioned with trepidation.

"Um... I think so... ... Crap!" Neku felt his leg give up under him, his female companion supporting him with her own body.

"I think it's broken..." she knelt down beside him, a quiver coursing through her spine as the sound of the Composer's slithering drew closer.

Kitaniji ignored his own injuries and sneered. "Foolish children. Did you really believe you could defeat me so easily?"

"I don't get it..." the orange-haired teen choked back a groan. "Even with all of fighting together with Beat and Rhyme's power, we still... ... ..."

Shiki wrapped her arms around him from behind. "Neku..."

The Conductor felt no pity. "Don't you understand? Adding zero and zero together is pointless... As pointless as you're pathetic bonds of friendship."

"No, it's not!" Sora looked upon his friends and smiled, a gesture they both returned. "As long as we're still alive, there's no reason to give up. Not on friendship, or on life!"

"Got that right!" Neku tried to stand back up.

"Be careful..." Shiki's face was alive with worry. She helped him to her best ability as Sora took his hand, the two holding him up together.

"People stick together! That's why they've always relied on each other to survive!" The gloomy teen stated his new worldview without an ounce of doubt, the large pin in his pocket vibrating once more. He held it up for the others to see. "You ready to give this creep one last attack?"

"Yeah!" Sora nodded.

Shiki smiled. "I'm always in!"

"Fools, like I'd give you the chance!" the Conductor bellowed.

Kitaniji spewed mind-bendingly large stream of fire, but another influx of light intercepted his attack, the source coming from the players. He squinted to see what was going on, his shock increasing as the trio emerged from the glow riding atop a giant version of Shiki's Mr. Mew. The teddy-bear like cat toy absorbed his attack with a single movement of its stubby arms before stomping ominously towards the dragon-like Noise.

"I won't be denied paradise!" he swung his lasso-like tail at the creature.

Standing on the shoulder of the monstrous plushie, Sora placed a hand against its body, channeling his own energy into it. A Keyblade-like sword formed in Mr. Mews non-existent hands, the creature using it to parry the Conductor's strikes. Kitaniji lashed out and sunk its teeth into the toy's leg, causing it to stumble. Shiki fell from her spot on its head, only to be caught by Neku, who was perched on its opposite shoulder.

"You lose, Megs!" Neku screamed.

Megumi Kitaniji winced, having hated it whenever his colleagues called him by that insulting nickname. With a kicking motion, Mr. Mew send the dragon sliding away before giving chase and blasting him with a laser beams shot from its eyes. The Conductor retaliated with another breath attack, the two blasts colliding in midair, the force causing the ground to erode as the energies tried to overwhelm each other.

Nearly a minute passed before Mr. Mew's attacked slowly began to overwhelm the villain's river of fire, the eye beams shooting a large hole clean through his body. The Conductor fell the ground defeated, his Noise form shrinking before changing shape again, leaving the now human Reaper slumped against the stone throne.

Shiki's giant stuffed animal set the players down before giving them a small salute, reverting to its normal size a second later. She reached out and caught the puppet, giving it an affectionate squeeze before joining her friends.

"It's over." Neku looked down at the battered villain.

Seeing the man's expression twisted with pain, Sora dismissed his Keyblade. "Let us out of this game, and bring us back to life."

"No... I must keep fighting..." he choked out through labored breaths. "My time is... almost up..."

As the players watched their defeated nemesis, another presence loomed behind them. "I'm back Megumi..." a mocking tone rang out.

Sora felt a chill in his very soul. "That voice!?" he turned around, his eyes widening with mingled horror and surprise. "No way! It's you!"

"J-J-J..." Neku blurted out.

Standing behind them was a teenage boy with unkempt ash-blond hair and lavender-colored eyes. He was wearing a light gray button-down shirt and pants with an exposed collar and white shoes.

"Hello everyone." Joshua greeted with an arrogant smile.

His former partner took time to find his words, "You're alive!? But why are you here?"

Megumi Kitaniji groveled on his knees, surprising the players. "No, sir! I'm not done. Not yet! I WILL protect Shibuya!"

"Don't be such a sore lower... From the looks of things, it seems I've won." the newcomer let out a chuckle.

"NOOOOOO! It's can't end like this... Who else will protect Shibuya?" The Conductor held up his hand with anguish. His shoulders slumped lifelessly in the face of his demise. "So, now you will carry out the plan?"

"That is my intention."

Sora noticed a familiar series of numbers on the Reaper's hand. "Wait, why does he have a player's timer!? What's going on?"

"You will know soon enough..." the arrogant boy answered, his eyes settling on the defeated Conductor. "Nevertheless, you did well, Megumi. That was one of my more enjoyable games."

"I gave it my all, Sir. I have no regrets."

Joshua stroked his chin with interest. "You know, I liked your idea. Shame it didn't work out."

"You gave me a wonderful opportunity. Thank you, Sir." With these words, the timer on his hand reached zero, his body phasing out of existence. "Well done players, it's up to you now..."

"What do you mean!?" Sora asked, his words failing to reach him as the man vanished from Shibuya.

"Amusing, wouldn't you all agree?" Joshua questioned, causing the others to face him.

Neku approached him, his face serious. "Joshua... What's going on?"

"All of this was a Game... one set up by me."

The gloomy teen exhaled sharply everything suddenly making sense. "That means you're the..."

"Let me make it obvious. Hmmm... I suppose they'll serve." Sora felt his body freeze, almost like someone had cast a time spell on him. Beside him, Shiki let out a cry of surprise. Seeing their shocked expressions, the mysterious boy smiled. "That's right. I'm Shibuya's Composer."

"What! But that... can't be..."

"I know this must unsettle you. Especially since we spent all that quality time together. Still, it's the truth, and you needed to face it." Joshua looked as if he were quite enjoying himself. "Megumi and I decided to play this game to determine if Shibuya should exist or not."

Sora opened and closed his mouth. "I remember... That voice... ... in the Final World... It was you!"

"Indeed it was." he placed one hand on his hip. "You're not the smartest guy around, but you certainly know how to be the hero. My decision to add you to the Reaper's Game was spot-on."

The Keyblade Wielder wasn't even sure how to respond. "Everything we've done... All of it..."

"Mm-hmmm... You were playing for my team, and you did a bang-up job. I couldn't have won without all of you." the Composer remained calm, despite his treacherous countenance. "I had one role in this game: Picking a player who would play for me. One boy from the RG..."

"...Me?" Neku murmured.

"Very sharp, Neku! Give yourself a hand." he answered mockingly. "I knew I picked a winner. Granted, there were some complications to be sure... Some expected, and others not."

"Math man?"

"Mr. Minamimoto had been after my seat for a while. Even so, I kept him around because he kept things from getting too boring around here. He knows how to heat up a game, but unfortunately for him, he overheated this time. A pity I had to dispose of him."

The image of the man crushed underneath a pile of rubble flashed through Sora's mind. "You were the one of did that to him?"

"Couldn't have him spoiling the climax. Luckily for me he was somewhat predictable, unlike a certain Seeker of Darkness I could mention."

"Xehanort!" the brunette concluded.

"Oh yes, he was quite the thorn in my side. When he sent Shibuya into the darkness, I was forced to transport the Reaper's Game and its participants into the Realm of Dreams... I believe the world was called Traverse Town."

"And that's why you helped guide me and Riku... Why you protected everyone when you weren't even a player."

"You're sharper than I gave you credit for." Joshua answered. "While I couldn't care less about his mad crusade, the old man caused quite a big commotion that had to be addressed."

"Never mind that! What's your aim!?" Neku screamed.

The Composer turned his attention back to his former partner. "I know you have some more questions, so allow me to simplify things... I'll return those memories I've been holding onto for you." He held up his hand, causing the orange-haired player to flinch violently.

Neku grunted, grabbing the sides of his head with both hands. After a moment, the final moments of his life came into full focus. He had been hanging out on the back streets of Shibuya admiring some graffiti drawn by his favorite artist. A moment later, a familiar blonde-haired boy ran into the alley with a pistol in hand, the barrel of which was pointed at... ... ... Then, boom. The feeling of a bullet ripping through his heart, and then darkness.

"It was you!" Neku exhaled rapidly, his mind replaying the week he spent with the Composer as partners in the game. "I thought I finally found a friend I could relate to... But it was YOU! You killed me!"

"How could you do that, then have the nerve to pretend to be someone's friend!?" Sora took a step towards the Composer, locking eyes with the pitiless youth.

He felt his body grow heavy once more. "Oh my, still resisting are we?"

"I thought you were a good person, but you're no better than Xehanort!"

Joshua let out chortle. "I see we have a sentimentalist... Of course, it's this very quality that led you to abuse that accursed weapon's magic... Had it not been for that, you wouldn't have died, and I couldn't have used you to win."

"What do you mean!?"

"Your emotions for that girl resulted in an untimely demise, and the bond you share with others made you easy to manipulate." he answered in a matter-of-fact. "All I had to do was offer you a chance to return to your friends. I knew you would accept my deal, even if it meant risking your continued existence."

"If you used Neku, why did you need me, too!?"

"I knew Megumi would try something dangerous. You remember the O-Pins?" Joshua remained nonchalant as ever. "Having witnessed the abilities of you Keyblade Wielders firsthand, I knew having one on my side would tip the odds in my favor."

"You used us all, just because you wanted to destroy your own world!?" the boy recalled his weapon. "I'll stop you!"

"Predictable..." he replied dismissively.

Sora summoned his Keyblade, only to find his feet would not move. "Let me go..."

As he spoke, several ethereal chains manifested around him, binding his hands and legs before pulling him towards the ground, forcing the boy into a kneeling position. Beside him was Shiki, who had been knocked out by the first of Joshua's attacks. Sora's tendency to get into dangerous situations made him very resilient. He found his body completely unresponsive and he was unable to speak, yet despite the searing pain that coursed through his body, he remained conscious.

"Your strength of heart impresses me, but it doesn't matter. Your role in this has ended." Joshua turned his back to the hero of worlds. "By the time you figure out how to escape, this will all be over."

"Let them go!" Neku stepped in front of the boy.

"Now Neku, why don't we play one last game? Surely you wouldn't object to that." he tossed a pistol on the ground.

"You tricked me... You tricked everyone! Why would anyone trust you?"

"The winner gets to be the Composer, and do whatever he like with Shibuya." Seeing his reaction, Joshua smiled. "If you win, you decide. If I win, I'll decide... Of course, I've already decided."

His eyes narrowed at his former friend. "You're a monster..."

"Neku? You'd better pick up that gun. I mean, this IS going to be a duel."

"A duel?"

"I'll make the rules extremely basic. I'm going to count down from ten. On zero, we shoot." the Composer shrugged. "See? Easy."

Neku clenched his fist. "Don't screw with me, Joshua!"

"I assure you, I'm not. Life's little crossroads are often as simple as the pull of a trigger." He chuckled again. "Your face is priceless. Let's begin, shall we?"

Grasping the pistol in his hand, Neku walked several paces away and faced his opponent. Joshua raised his own with a confident smirk. As the count began, he felt as if his heart thumping so loudly it felt as if it were about to burst from his chest. He knew what was going to happen, and yet in spite of it, the gloomy teen's arms remained harmlessly at his sides, and his fingers barely gripped the handle as if his body had lost all strength.

Slumping forward in defeat, Neku felt tears begin to form. First one, then several at once. He made no sound, simply allowing them to fall silently to the ground. As the count reached its end, Neku steeled his nerve and raised the barrel, but after solidifying his aim, his hands quivered violently. He couldn't do it... It just wasn't him. Not anymore.

The crackle of gunfire rang out, but the pain never came. Upon opening his eyes, he saw Joshua standing across from him with a satisfied smile, a wisp of smoke trailing from his pistol.

Sora witnessed the scene with a look of shock, but as he struggled once more, the darkness took him.

The Keyblade Wielder lost consciousness again, but for how long, he would never know. His bodily sensations returned some time later, the feeling of the concrete sidewalks causing him to open his eyes. He raised his head and glanced around, seeing countless people walking the streets of Shibuya, some of which eyed him strangely as he returned to his feet.

"Where am I?" Sora looked down at his body, seeing no sign of injury. "Wait, what!?"

A sense of confusion clouded his thoughts before being shattered by the realization of everything that had happened in the last week. The memories of the final battle with Xehanort came rushing back along with everything he had experienced since escaping from the final world. One look around told him he was back in Shibuya, yet something was different.

"What's wrong with him?" a familiar girl wearing a school uniform whispered to a friend.

"Let's just leave him alone." the other tugged her gently by the wrist, both hurrying along on their way.

Sora vaguely recognized them as the two high school girls who had literally walked right through him on his first day in Shibuya. The main difference was that they seemed perfectly aware of his presence this time. He noticed the people walking around him as he stood fixed to his spot on the sidewalk, some muttering hasty apologies for almost bumping into him. It was so perfectly normal.

"I-I'm alive... ..." he took a deep breath before screaming. "I'M ALIVE!" he threw his arms in the air, earning strange looks from other people.

He didn't mind. After all, had someone else shouted like that in the streets his reaction would've been no different. As the people went about their business, Sora collapsed onto a bench, gently rubbing the sides of his head. So much had happened. He blinked in confusion upon remembering the last seconds before he lost consciousness, Joshua's mysterious smile cemented into his memory.

It was odd learning the boy had been the Composer, and even scarier knowing how indifferent he was to the lives of humans. Yet for some reason, Sora found himself completely unharmed.

A quick observation of his surroundings told him he had ended up back at the scramble crossing. The traffic lights, crosswalks, and countless passersby all too familiar. To his relief, the Reapers and Noise were nowhere to be seen, yet this only reminded him that his friends were also missing as well.

Sora's head shot up as he remembered something Neku had said during the previous week. If we survive this, we should meet at 104 Building. No sooner had these words echoed through his mind, that he was off to the designated spot.

He ran full-speed through the crowded streets, coming to a screeching halt at the shopping center. The sight of familiar purple headphones and spiky orange hair greeted him, but the relaxed smile and gentle gaze caused Sora to do a double-take. There was no doubt in his mind that it was him.

"Hey Sora, over here!" Neku called out, waving a hand to catch his attention.

"Wow, I almost didn't recognize you."

He crossed the street with an enthusiastic stride that hastened upon closer inspection. Standing beside him were Beat and Rhyme. Though he had only gotten a small glance at the latter back in Traverse Town, her gentle smile and subdued posture was identical to how he remembered. His eyes moved down to the small bell pendent around her neck, her own gaze warming as she recognized the Keyblade Wielder.

"My brother was telling the truth... You really are here?"

Daisukenojo Bito gave him a hard slap on the back. "Yo man, it's great to see ya!"

"You too, Beat."

He suddenly looked ashamed. "Sorry 'bout tryin' ta kill ya... I know dis apology's crap, but if there's anythin' I can do ta make up for it, jus' ask."

"No, I get it... You just wanted to save Rhyme." Sora looked down at the diminutive girl before smiling at her brother. "Besides, I never could've beaten Kitaniji without both of your help?"

Beat exchanged a confused look with his sister before shrugging. "Don't know what you're sayin', but it's you guys who deserve the thanks."

"They don't remember being trapped inside pins." Neku said out of the corner of his mouth so that only Sora could hear.

"Anyways! Me and my sis never woulda survived if not for you." he extended a hand. "Least ya can do is accept my thanks!"

"No problem!" He returned the gesture, surprised by the larger man's grip. "You should thank Shiki too."

"And Joshua." Neku added quietly, earning a confused look from the others.

"Prince Priss?" What's he gotta do with it?"

"It's a long story... One I don't feel like telling right now." Neku sighed, signs of his gloomy self resurfacing.

Sora chose not to comment. It would seem the Composer's mercy had been what brought them all back to life, yet he still wasn't certain what had really happened, or why. It was confusing to imagine that someone who despised people so much and intended to destroy their own world would suddenly decide to save it. Not only that, but everyone who played the game was somehow alive again. It didn't make sense.

"So where's Shiki at!?" Beat asked.

"Dunno... Haven't see her." Sora readily seized the new topic.

Neku gave a hopeful glance around the block. "She told me she'd be here if we came back. I hope nothing bad happened to... ..." he felt a tap on his shoulder.

"Excuse me?"

The newcomer was a mousy, timid-looking girl with a pale complexion, short black hair styled in a bob-cut, and a modest figure. She wore a plain black shirt, a pine-green jacket, and a white skirt reaching past her knees. Her hair was parted to the side, revealing slanted gray eyes, and on her face she wore a pair of large circular glasses.

"Hey Neku!" a familiar voice escaped her lips.

"Who's this?" Sora questioned.

The gloomy teens eyes lit up with sudden realization. "Shiki!? Is that you?"

"Yup." she hesitated for a moment before pulling a familiar stuffed animal from her bag, She blushed, looking away slightly. "This is the real me. Hope it's not a disappointment."

"Of course it's not." Neku blinked in confusion as she wrapped her arms around him, taking a moment to focus before gently returning the gesture. He smiled as they separated. "I'm just glad you could make it."

She held both of his hands in hers, causing him to look embarrassed. "Me too." they let go extremely quickly.

"Isn't it cute?" Rhyme nudged Sora, who only nodded.

"What do ya mean by the real you?" Beat interjected, his brashness ruining the moment. "I though you was dat thin strawberry-haired chick who left her belly hangin' out?"

Though less blunt, Sora couldn't help but wonder as well. "Your appearance is more than a little bit different from before."

Shiki inclined her head a bit. "My fee for the Reaper's Game was my appearance... The person whose appearance you've been seeing is actually my friend, Eri."

"Why her?" the Keyblade Wielder asked, only to receive a warning look from his old partner.

"I'd rather not talk about it. Maybe some other time."

"For reals, yo. What's really important is that we's alive, again! Let's take some time ta enjoy it."

"Sounds like a plan..." Neku agreed, looking to the others.

"That's the best idea I've heard in a while!" Shiki added.

Rhyme smiled. "Me too!"

As the group chatted amongst themselves, Neku glanced back at their offworlder friend. "Hey Sora, you coming?"

He hesitated for a moment, wondering what he should be doing next. After all, he still had no idea how he was going to leave Shibuya to reunite with his friends. The unknown still caused him great discomfort, yet seeing the smiling faces of his new companions helped him relax. Perhaps, at least for today, he could try to forget his troubles. With Xehanort gone and the Keyblade War over, the others would be fine until he could meet them again.

"I'm in..." he ran to catch up with the group, feeling much happier than he had in a while.

As the group headed downtown to grab a bowl of ramen, a single figure watched from atop the 104 building.

Garbed in the same cloak that the Organization XIII members once wore, the man's face remained hidden from view. He had been keeping an eye on the situation since giving Maleficent a certain book, and was now watching destiny play out like a movie while hidden from prying eyes. Or, so he thought. The mysterious stranger felt eyes boring into the back of his head and turned around, a snicker of amusement escaping as he locked eyes with a certain man.

Sanae Hanekoma stood less than ten feet away. Though his posture was relaxed, the shopkeeper wore a frown. "Meddling again, I see..." he greeted the stranger.

"That's an interesting comment, coming from someone like you. Isn't that right?"

"As the producer of the Reaper's Game, it's my job to oversee the actions of the participants and ensure the rules are followed." the coffee man explained.

"And yet you allowed that young man to recruit someone from outside Shibuya."

"The Composer can make up his own rules..." Hanekoma shrugged, his eyes focusing on the cloaked man. "Why are you back here?"

"I feel content in watching the gears of fate in motion."

The Producer casually cracked his neck. "Your habit of popping up in worlds where chaos is unfolding makes me question your motivations..."

"I have always followed the will of destiny."

"Even if it means dirtying your own hands?" the shopkeeper's eyes narrowed. "You told Joshua what happened to Sora after the Keyblade War, didn't you?"

"Everything has transpired just as it was foretold." he answered enigmatically.

"So you keep saying." Mr. Hanekoma held out both arms, a pair of angelic white wings protruding from his back. "I suggest you leave now."

"An angel threatening someone with violence..."

"I won't take kindly to you messing around in this world, anymore."

"Fair enough." the hooded figure turned to leave, pausing mid-step. "Fate cannot be denied, not even by a divine being such as yourself."

"Not everyone can see the future, but everybody has the power to change it." The coffeemaker watched his unwanted guest disappear with a look of disgust.

San Fransokyo - ?

Deep beneath the river running through the center of the city was a large metal structure, completely hidden from prying eyes. The interior was a futuristic laboratory with metallic walls and dark hallways lit by a series of dingy lights. It was built like a fortress with automatic metal sliding doors and security cameras everywhere, monitoring every inch of the place. The central control room was a creepy place filled with glowing green monitors of varying sizes, and on the far side furthest from the door was a large control panel covered with many buttons and switches. The foreboding ambience perfectly at home for the owner and his guest.

The master of this underwater hideout was a slender man of average height with dark hair slicked back and a tiny red streak visible on one side. He wore a simple gray shirt and pants and a sleeveless black vest. the latter having red buttons and a pocket handkerchief. His overall appearance gave off the impression of a gentleman, but his eyes were focused on the monitors so much that he barely acknowledged his guest, who was growing ever more impatient.

"Have you made your decision, Obake?" Maleficent questioned.

The man named Obake stepped into the feeble light, revealing piercing blue eyes and pale skin with an almost ghastly appearance. "I find your offer intriguing, but somewhat uninspiring..." he answered in a British accent.

"What I have offered you, is..."

"Something that does little to bring about the new age I have envisioned." he answered, causing a scowl to form on the fairy's lips. "My desire is to destroy this world and reshape it in my own image."

"And I plan to do the same to this wretched plane of existence and all worlds therein. The scale is different, but the end result is the same."

"That is where you are mistaken."

"How so?"

"Perhaps this will explain..." The left side of the man's face suddenly produced a bright, neon purple glow that stretched from his skull down to just above his chin.

Maleficent raised a dark, arched eyebrow. "And what, pray tell, was that?"

"This is science, or at least, the result of a failed experiment." Obake answered with a relish, his eyes returning to the data screen. "Once this world has been sanitized, I intend to create a paradise where science and discovery dominates every thought, law, and action."

"And I offer you my help in exchange for yours. Your wish will be fulfilled much more easily if you align yourself with others."

He remained unimpressed. "I know your kind. You seem to enjoy the idea of covering all worlds in darkness, but little else."

The evil fairy made beckoning motion. "In darkness there will exist true harmony created by the individuals who control it. Is that not what you desire?"

"This desire of yours is boring, and your methods are utter savagery." the scientist explained. "Creating an army of Heartless to destroy a world is far too messy for me."

"And you have a better plan?"

"Indeed." his face betrayed very dark amusement. "I invite you to visit this world once my plans have reached the final stages. That way you can witness the true power of science. See for yourself that my way is superior."

She glared at the arrogant madman. "If you will not join me, I cannot guarantee this world will remain intact when the day of reckoning approaches."

"Hmmm..." Obake stroked his chin thoughtfully. "If you could provide me with some worthy scientific information, perhaps then I would have a reason to agree to this pact."

Maleficent quietly considered his words. There were some under her thrall that possessed scientific knowledge. While such paltry innovation was far beyond the realm of magic in which she specialized, there were others among her assembled villains that might be willing to contribute to the man's research.

"And if I can provide?" she began.

"Then I will personally work to ensure your success." he answered, earning a smile from the felonious fairy.

Author's Note: Thanks for the recent support. You have no idea how much it means. It's a pity this story seems to have a limited audience, but quality over quantity is great when it comes to readers. Special thanks to ninjafairygirl, who provided excellent feedback and ideas for the first four chapters.

For those who don't know, the San Fransokyo section included Obake, who is NOT an original character. He was actually the villain from Season 1 of Big Hero 6 the series, a sequel to the movie.