---CHAPTER VII---

The residents of Disney Castle were all bustling about trying to figure out what to do with the refugees from the other worlds as Mickey and Riku pulled into the docks. Queen Minnie and Daisy were already there when the gummi ship began to unload. Riku and the King both walked out in their black robes, the same ones that the people who seemed to be causing the current crisis were wearing.

Mickey was the first off the ramp. "We don't have any time," said the King, completely ignoring the wave of people who arrived to celebrate the return of their king, "Something really big is happening and we need to figure out how to stop it. Come with me to the conference room."

That's when Daisy spoke up. "Donald? Where's my Donald?" she asked, thinking it was all over. Riku turned to face Daisy.

"Donald and Goofy are both still with Sora. I'm sure they're fine." Riku said. He didn't want to tell them that the three were in a sleep that nobody could tell when they were going to wake up.

Mickey and Riku walked down a long hallway filled with card soldiers on both sides. Refugees from Wonderland, no doubt. Finally Mickey turned into another hallway. The entire light castle seemed like a gigantic maze. The blue hallways gave a sense of light and security. No wonder refugees chose to come to this particular world. He hoped whatever it was hadn't come to the Destiny Islands yet and prayed for Kairi's safety.

Finally King Mickey turned into a doorway and opened it. Inside was a long room with a large table in the center. At the other end of the room was a blonde-haired man. Riku couldn't determine who it was, only the red cape and the spiky blonde hair. Riku wasn't about to take any chances. He drew his soul eater and planned to take a few steps forward.

"There's no need to bother with fighting. I know what's happening. " said the blonde-haired man. "You're all getting a double attack from two fronts. Sit down. I'll tell you everything."

Riku, the King, and the blonde-haired man all sat down. "First, my name is Cloud Strife, one of the survivors from Sephiroth's first world he attacked, Midgar."
The King's eyes got even bigger then they originally were. "But, in the great war for Midgar, Sephiroth was defeated, wasn't he?"

"Yes," said Cloud. "But, Sephiroth was too strong. We needed something to hold him. So we used the Holy magic summoned by one of my friends Aerith and managed to seal him in a crystal. For years nobody was allowed to even go near Sephiroth's prison, courtesy of Shinra, Inc.'s new president Barret, but it seems that somebody managed to release Sephiroth, and thus Sephiroth continues to slowly destroy the galaxy. You see, Sephiroth grows stronger by absorbing the life force, or Mako, out of the planets. And that is why we need to stop him before all of the worlds are lost."

Riku and the King looked in astonishment. Riku wasn't quite sure he knew who this Sephiroth guy was, but it seemed that if something wasn't done soon, the entire universe would have no chance of stopping this threat.

"Another problem," said Cloud, "Is the Heartless Revolution. Ansem saw a weakness as Sora slept and thus began to reform the Heartless. This so-called 'Revolution' created even more Heartless and types we've never even seen before. Ansem must be stopped. And the only one who can do that is Sora. I came to ask a favor. I can go and wake up Sora if one of you will go and stop Sephiroth to buy time until I can get Sora over there."

Riku knew they had been tricked before, and was skeptical of giving this stranger the location of the Keyblade master, but he didn't see any problem with it. "Sora, Sora is at Castle Oblivion. A girl named Naminé is taking care of him there." He then turned and whispered to the King so Cloud wouldn't overhear. "I think one of us should follow closely behind in case he ends up as an agent of the darkness."

Mickey turned and whispered back to him. "Good idea. I'll go back to Castle Oblivion while you go stop Sephiroth." Mickey then turned to Cloud. "You've got yourself a deal. We'll all rest tonight and leave in the morning."

Riku and King Mickey both left the room. Cloud then transformed into one of the blue-haired unknowns. "Hehehe, it was way too easy. Lord Ansem will wish to hear this new news." The unknown pulled a crystal out of his sleeve and instantly disappeared.

Leon woke up once again, but this time he found himself outside of the crystal he had used to be captured in. He grabbed his gunblade. He knew it was a trap. At that moment he heard somebody coming into the grand hall. He hid in a corner and watched the blonde man come into the main circle. Then Leon heard a gunshot coming straight at his direction.
"Come on out, kid!" shouted the man. Leon knew he wouldn't get away safely and he would have to stand and fight. Standing there, Leon noticed that the man was somebody Leon had not seen in a long time. He knew it was time to settle an old score.

"Been a long time, Seifer" said Leon.

---TO BE CONTINUED---

NEXT CHAPTER: The fight begins between Leon and Seifer. Riku learns of the world Sephiroth made for his home. Mickey finds that "Cloud" left during the night and quickly rushes to Castle Oblivion, where their journey had begun in hopes that Sora is still safe…