Author's Note: Okay, I decided I wouldn't kill Sephy. First of all, it's really hard to. I mean, that will take pages of detailed description. Plus, I have to give him a satisfying death. So, he will mysteriously disappear in the chapter where Hollow Bastion is featured again. Cloud will not escape this time. Sorry guys, we can't have too many being exempted from death. Anyways, I appreciated all of the reviews for the last chapter.

I have something worked out for Kairi, so you don't have to worry about that. However, the offer for a guest chapter is still up.

Enjoy the chapter.

Chapter 3

Disney Castle

Riku:

Kairi was back on her feet by the time we arrived at the massive castle. I was relieved. I had to wonder exactly why Sora wanted Kairi. It couldn't be for love…

I would have to ponder on it more later. Minnie met us in the Gummi Ship Hanger with a worried smile on his face.

"Riku, it's good to see you again. However, I thought you said you would come back for shelter when something goes wrong. I hope this isn't the case."

"Sorry, your Majesty, but I'm afraid it's true. Sora has returned to us," I replied softly.

"He's so pissed right now, but I managed to get away from him safely."

Axel?

The Nobody materialized at the top of the stairs with a grin on his face. Kairi rushed up to him and hugged him tightly.

"But I thought you said he was dead, Riku," Minnie said gently.

"We need to discuss this over a drink."

Dark Depths

Sora:

I. Was. Not. Amused.

Even after an hour of feeding on hearts and flesh, I was still tense. I don't think there was a human that survived my wrath on those islands today. I was honing my hunting skills to perfection. Not only that, but I gained the ability to change forms. Hunting as a human was totally different than hunting as a Heartless. The dark depths swirled gently around my body as I walked.

No Heartless accompanied me on my little jaunt this time though I knew they were watching from afar. Axel had left his unique scent in the air. Having just traveled through the realm, his scent was very potent. For a newbie like me, it was an excellent task to train on. I would be at his destination in a matter of hours.

Disney Castle

Riku:

"Sora's a lot more powerful than he was months ago. He may have merge with his anti form," I explained after taking a sip of my drink.

"I believe that's the only way he can come back," Minnie said quietly.

"Well actually, it's about to get unbelievable. That kid has control over the keyblade," Axel added.

That was not good.

This suddenly got a lot more complicated. If Sora was regaining control over one keyblade, then soon, he'll harness enough power to dual wield.

Not good.

"The Keyblade Bearer brings either salvation or ruin," Minnie muttered.

"Where does that come from?" Axel asked.

"That has been proven in history, Axel. This is very screwed up," I commented.

"Back at the islands, Sora said that you knew what he wanted. What exactly did he want?"

I stared at Axel a little before answering.

"He wants Kairi."

"The 7th princess of heart?" Minnie inquired.

I nodded.

"But why?"

"He infected her with the darkness."

"But that would taint her spirit. Just why would he do that?"

Trust me, if I knew why he was doing this, I would tell you.

"I have no idea. But we need to rest so that we can keep going to Hollow Bastion."

Minnie nodded.

"Well, don't let me keep you up."

Axel and I got up from the table and walked out of the room to the outer hallway.

"Axel, if you don't want to get involved in this, you know you can leave," I said in a soft voice.

Axel shook his head slowly.

"Nah, I'd rather stick around and have fun. Besides, you need a good ally by your side."

"Thanks Axel."

"You're welcome. Let's get some sleep, shall we?"

1:23 A.M.

Riku:

I couldn't sleep at all. The current situation just kept nagging at the back of my mind. Axel said that Sora was pissed that we had left him behind. If he was reborn from the darkness, he would have powers like the Heartless. The hairs on the back of my neck rose.

Heartless powers…

He was tracking us right now.

Shit…

I sat up.

"Axel, Kairi, get up," I said loudly.

"W-What…is wrong, Riku?" Axel asked sleepily.

"Sora's tracking us. As long as we're in a place where it's easy to pick up on our energy signatures, he can find us."

Realization dawned on Axel's comical face quickly. He got up and slipped his Organization XIII coat on. Kairi sat up slowly and yawned. She still had her normal clothes on. So did I.

"The Gummi Ship it is, then?" Axel asked.

"Yeah. We've just got to get into the garage."

1:35 A.M.

Sora:

I stepped out of the portal I opened and smiled. After hours of traveling, I had finally made it. The only problem was that Axel's scent had faded. This castle seemed massive in size. I started forward down the large corridor. It was fairly quiet around here. Too quiet…

"Minnie, you shouldn't be out here. Riku said that Sora was out searching for them."

Voices…

Two creatures came into view—one a mouse and the other a duck.

"Daisy, we'll be fine," The mouse said.

"You'll be fine?" I asked loudly as I came into the light.

Minnie and Daisy froze in their tracks. Their fear permeated the air. I reveled in it. It was making me hungry.

"Sora, why are you here?" Minnie asked.

"Where are they?"

"W-Who?"

Wrong answer.

I dashed forward, easily closing the distance between us.

"Don't play with me. I know you know where he is," I hissed.

Before Minnie could say anything, Daisy pulled her back and made an arcane symbol with her hands. A magical barrier formed between us, keeping me away from reaching them. It wouldn't last long.

"Daisy, go in the throne room and go into the room with the cornerstone. He can't harm you in there," Minnie ordered.

"No, I can't leave you here, Minnie! He'll tear you apart!"

"You should listen to her, Daisy. I am going to tear her apart piece by piece just like I did King Mickey," I said in a very low voice.

"Just go!" Minnie hissed.

Daisy reluctantly walked through the pair of doors next to her. Once she left, the mouse queen faced me. I touched the barrier and began drawing energy into my body. The immediate effect was the barrier shattering into pieces in front of her. I was in Minnie's face within seconds.

"You won't succeed, Sora," She whispered.

"Resign to your fate and shut up."

I touched her forehead and forced the energy I had collected earlier through her body. Her body went rigid…and then she collapsed to the ground. I wasn't hungry, but I wasn't about to let a meal go to waste.

"Brothers and Sisters, I have a meal for you," I said aloud.

A chorus of laughter and hissing answered me. I walked through the double doors and…

…felt the heat of a thousand suns on my body.

I screamed…

This hurt more than when I got stabbed to death. And it was just light…

Strength left my body, dropping me to my knees. My vision began to darken.

Minnie set me up…

"This is so not funny…"

I gathered up what energy I had left and teleported back to the dark realm. When the light faded away to darkness, I curled up into a ball.

Rest…sleep…now…