Heartless Imperfection

Chapter XXIII

"Why is he doing this," Sora thought aloud. The trio and Buzz were awaiting the enemy Riku said he would present. "Whatever it is, it must be strong… Riku doesn't want us to survive, but he doesn't want that to happen on his hands…"

Donald scratched his head, "That doesn't make sense, I think he's a wuss and can't beat us."

Goofy nodded, chuckling, "We're the best! A-hyuck!"

"I don't think so."

The four turned their heads to see a figure clad in black. Darkness covered his entire body, and the hood masked his face. He outstretched his right arm, and a keyblade appeared in his hand. His was a different version of the Kingdom Key, crusted over in bronze rust. In the next moment, he appeared between Donald and Goofy, taking the keyblade to Goofy's head, and kicking Donald away, Sora and Buzz were the only others standing.

Sora equipped his own keyblade, "Buzz, I can handle this, just watch out."

The space-toy nodded, and held his ground. Donald and Goofy seemed to be out of it, Sora hoped Goofy wouldn't receive tetanus. His gaze lifted to the enemy, burning with anticipation. His keyblade appeared in his hand, and he rushed it. "It's not that easy," The figure deflected the oncoming keyblade with an upward motion, and, with a spin-kick, sent Sora to the ground. Sora repeated this, only to get the same result, a sore body. "I had you figured for the master of all keyblade chosen, I suppose I was wrong." He spoke with a cold, emotionless tone that rang in Sora's head. "Maybe when you have potential, we'll fight again. I can see now that you have much to learn. Goodbye, Sora." As soon as Sora's eyes adjusted, he watched him step through a portal. Buzz remained aloof while Donald and Goofy recovered.

"Who was he," Asked Donald, crossing his feathered arms.

"He didn't look too nice," Goofy rubbed the spot where the rusted keyblade had touched him.

"I don't know…" Sora was sitting on the pavement under a large tree, in thought.

Buzz flipped his visor off. "We should go back to the others, the enemy might appear again."

Sora looked at him, and nodded. The four warily made their way back to Andy's home. The group shimmied up the gutter pipe and slowly made their way to Andy's window. Noise was emitting from the room inside the house, but there weren't any giant steps, as Buzz had previously feared. He tossed himself through the window. The strangers jumped in as well, and were greeted by the toys they had freed earlier. Roller Bob volunteered to stay on the street to keep lookout while the four transmitted grave news.

"But… but…" Bo Peep stuttered, "Where's Woody?"

Sora shook his head, "In another world, with the Heartless. I don't know what's going on myself."

"Sora never did know what was going on. He never attempted to figure it out. Such is his lifelong tragedy of mystery and unhappiness." Namse spoke, leaning against the windowsill as small as anyone else.

Sora gritted his teeth, "If you and Riku can go wherever you want, why don't you just leave me alone and beat Jenova?"

Namse grinned, his pale features amplifying the fact that he was old. "Because we can't, of course. It'd all be over by now, but there are more tests to be done. No, we must destroy Sephiroth before Jenova. No easy task, and unthinkably stupid for you to try, if you couldn't beat him. No mistake, you need to get stronger. I suppose it wouldn't do me any good to interfere with destiny, but I can try." The researcher lifted his robed arms and closed his watery eyes; "I'll see you when you're ready. Not until then. Our paths lead to the same destination, but they aren't parallel. Nor are they neutral paths, we must tread carefully. Do what your heart tells you, and above all else, stay alive. More than a few significant persons strewn across the worlds would mourn at your passing. Good luck," Namse's complexion tightened, and a dark portal emerged from the over-sized bed Sora stood on. It reminded him of the time at Destiny Islands, when he saw Riku swallowed whole. Sora began to sink, along with Donald and Goofy. All of the toys backed away; they were quite afraid.

Sora grimaced, but couldn't find his voice. Instead, warmth flowed through him, something sent the signal, "It'll be alright."