The screen becomes scrambled

"Restoration at 48%"

Diz sits at the computer with the cloaked man standing behind him watching Roxas as he lays in his bed sad trying to get some sleep. "Was that Namine made of data?" asked the cloaked man

"No. Naminé hijacked the data herself. Look what she's done now... She's totally beyond my control!" said Diz angrily slamming the desk with a fist

"Calm down"

"It doesn't matter. As long as Naminé accomplishes her goal we needn't worry about what befalls Roxas" said Diz as he continues to watch Roxas in the computer

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Sora's memories continue to flood back. He floats toward the light, trying to grab young Kai- in the Hollow Bastion library who disappears like a ghost and appears in his mind smiling at him.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"It's up to me. Only the Keyblade master can open the secret door and change the world" said Riku as takes the Keyblade from Sora in the Rising Falls as Sora tries to keep the keyblade from being taken away.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

He grabs Kai- and shakes her gently trying to wake her up.

XXXXXXX

As Riku shoots Dark Firaga at him; Sora readies himself to take it the blow, Goofy yells "But I'm not gonna betray Sora, either" as Goofy protects Sora from a Dark Firaga with his sheild.

"All for one and one for all" said Donald as he runs up and stands at Sora's side. As the Kingdom Key disappears from Riku's hand and reclaims to Sora. "My friends are my power!" yelled Sora

"So, your heart won this battle" said Beast looking at him as the memory of Kai- laying there and Sora shaking her again comes back to mind. Sora looks at Beast and nods

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Sora passes right through a cloaked figure in Hollow Bastion making Sora fall and gets up to block a large elective wave of blue energy from the man and sends it flying into the castle's mortar and stone; Both staring down at each other.

XXXXXXXXX

"It is I, Ansem, lead me into everlasting darkness!" said Riku in a black and blue suit with a red heartless sign and arms. Riku moves to strike kneeling Sora to release Kai-'s heart.

"Sora!" yelled Kai-

Sora has a flash of Kai-'s face and he sheilds himself from Riku's keyblade and slowly standing up in determination. "Forget it! There's no way you're taking Kairi's heart!" growled Sora pushing Riku back with his keyblade.

Goofy and Donald try to stop Sora but it was too late as Sora gives his last grin and scatters into droplets of light releasing Kairi's heart from his. As her heart returning to hear motionless body. She wakes up and tries to grab Sora but it's too late he had already vanished.

XXXXXXXX

Kairi turns toward a heartless and hugs it almost shielding it from the other heartless as they go after Kairi with Goofy and Donald unable to help a glowing light appears and the heartless are pushed back and faded away. Sora appears holding her. "Kairi"

Sora sees Kairi smiling at him nodding her head as he called her name.

"We may never meet again, but we'll never forget each other" said Leon in Hollow Bastion with Aerith at his side.

"No matter where we are; our hearts will bring us together again" smiled Aerith holding her hand to her heart.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Kairi gives Sora a wayfinder in a cave. "Take this. It's my lucky charm. Be sure to bring it back to me" yelled Kairi putting her hands on her hips and leaning at Sora

"Don't worry. I will" said Sora holding the wayfinder charm tightly.

"Promise?" she asked

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Sora seals the keyhole at Hollow Bastion as he remembers Kairi's words, "Don't ever forget. Wherever you go, I'm always with you"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Roxas wakes up and looks around his room seeing no one there, he sits up and looks out his window, "Right...Promise..." said Roxas as he strikes as though he had the Keyblade.

"What a mess..."

He scratches his head as he sighs about how yesterday went.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Andi was holding her head with her hands as she groaned in pain. As more forgotten memories started to fill her head. They only confused her more, they didn't make any sense of what was going on. As they came in bits and pieces.

As the last one appears the pain subdues and she feels a little out of breathe. Bear whines down by her feet. She crotches down and pets him on the head.

"I'm ok Bear" she whispers with a small tired smile. As he barks at her and scratches behind his ear. She stands back up and looks outside as everything was set up for the Struggle Match. She sighs and heads down to the front door. She hears a whimper and looks at Bear lifting his paw up with ears pushed down to his head giving her the eyes.

"Come on" she says as Bear perks up his ears and runs out the door with her to the Sandlot.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Roxas runs out of the Usual Spot looking for his friends when a shopkeeper catches his eye. As he stops by the shopkeeper he yells "Hurry to the sandlot! You're gonna be late!"

Roxas runs to the Sandlot, where many people have gathered to watch The Struggle in the center stage.

Andi blending in the crowd, she watches Roxas go to his place with the other competitors. She sighs debating with herself to just leave when she heard Bear barking. Looking down she notices he was gone; frantically looking around she catches a glimpse from him running towards something.

"Bear! Bear come back!" she calls as she goes after him trying to get through the crowd.

When she gets through the edge of the crowd she sees Bear standing up on his back legs with his front legs on Roxas' legs She watches as Roxas smiles at Bear as he crotches down and pets him.

"Hey Bear, Where's Andi?" he asks him as he looks around and stops when he sees her standing a few feet away from him.

They look at each other for a while; "go on Bear" said Roxas as he moves his head to give the pup the signal to head back to Andi. Bear runs back to Andi with his tongue out patting. She looks down at Bear and then back at Roxas who slowly straightens back up and turns back away from her. Andi hurt by Roxas' reactions that he seemed to be sticking with what he said yesterday looks away and starts walking towards the exit.

"Andi!"

Andi turns at Pence, Olette and Falcon who run up to her.

"Where do you think you're going?! The match is about to start" exclaimed Falcon as she grabs a hold of Andi's wrist.

"I was going home. Bear is-"

"Oh no your not!" Interrupted Falcon as she drags Andi to the stage as Olette and Pence follow right behind her.

"Who you gonna root for?" asked Pence looking at Olette

"Both of them, silly" answered Olette as she giggled.

Fireworks appear in the sky and the crowd cheers as it was starting.

"Ladies and Gentlemen. Struggle-fiends of Twilight Town! It's time for summer's most sizzling clash! That's right! Today is the day for the Struggle and title match! Who will be the one to break through the ranks and take on our champion, Setzer!" announced the Producer

"Seifer! Y'know!" yelled Rai leaning forward.

"And who will leave today as our new Struggle Champion!" announced the Producer

"Hayner! Roxas!" Yells Olette, Falcon, Pence as they started getting hyped up. Andi glances at them with a small smile pushing her left side of her hair behind her ear.

"Setzerrrrrr!" Yells the fan girls as the producer turns toward a long white haired tall man that took a lot of care of himself almost as though he was royalty.

"Yuck!" said Falcon

"How did he win anyway?" asked Andi looking at Falcon. Falcon shrugs her shoulders.

"SETZER! SETZER! SETZER! SETZER! SETZER!"

"Yes, the crowd is fired up, so you know what comes next: Let's..." said the Producer

"STRUGGLE!" yelled the crowd as they all started whooping and hollering.

As more fireworks were set off. The Producer gets off the stage for the commentator to begin. Andi and the gang smiled and cheered.

"Hey, now. It's time to introduce today's combatants! The four bad boys who struggled their way through the preliminaries! Regular finalist and head of the Twilight Disciplinary Committee: Seifer! Completely out of nowhere-who knew he'd make it so far this year? Vivi! An underground favorite and local attitude problem: Hayner! It's his first trip to the finals! And Struggler number 4, who happens to be my absolute favorite customer: Roxas!" said the commentator as Hayner looks to Roxas, who returns his gaze, but looks away solemnly. Andi holds her breathe as he glances at Andi then looks down.

"What's up with you and Roxas?" Asked Falcon looking between Andi and Roxas confused.

"Nothing" replied Andi crossing her arms glancing down at her feet, kicking at the dirt.

"So-who will win this sweltering summer Struggle! Who will take home the grand prize? The summa cum laude of Struggle- the Four Crystal Trophy! And...A chance to take on our defending champion, Setzer!" Setzer holding up the championship belt to the crowd.

"It won't be long now, folks. I suggest our challengers go over the official Struggle Rules before we begin!"

The challengers have a quick refresher of the rules. The tournament producer hands Roxas and Hayner each a struggle bat and pats them on the shoulder. Hayner points the sword at unhappy Roxas, "Hey...Sorry about yesterday" apologized Roxas

"What, you still worried about that? You need to learn to let that stuff go" answered Hayner putting down his battle sword down.

"I've got a lot on my mind"

"Sorry, man"

Roxas shakes his head at Hayner, "Wait, what am I sorry for?" asked Hayner smiling, making Roxas smile as well. Olette, Falcon, Andi and Pence stop their clapping to smirk at each other, Roxas and Hayner ready themselves for battle. "Our first match of today's Struggle tournament will be between Roxas and his best friend Hayner!" announced the Announcer.

"Ready, Roxas?" asked Hayner getting ready for battle. Hayner comes out and runs for the first attack. Roxas takes a defensive stance and as Hayner and him have their swords hit each other's swords. Roxas jumps back leaving Hayner standing. Roxas lunges for Hayner and takes a swing but Hayner guards his attack. Roxas slides on the other side quickly attacking Hayner from the back making Hayner off guard and loses his concentration. Roxas knew this was his ultimate advantage on Hayner. As he swings making contact; Hayner swung at him almost making Roxas lose his balance, feeling pain on the side of his face. Hayner smirked and goes attacks, Roxas blocks it and attacks again and swings around attacking again hitting Hayner hard making him fall and forfeit the match.

"AND ROXAS IS THE WINNER!" yelled the commentator as he raises Roxas' arm and Roxas waving to the crowd with his other arm, Andi, Falcon, Pence and Olette smile at him. Bear wagging his tail sticking his tongue out happily.

"Not even friendship will slow this kid down. And Hayner put up a great fight, too."

Roxas runs over to Hayner who is spread eagle on the ground. "I lost. Awww, I can't believe it!"

Hayner holding the back of his head as he stands and looks up at Roxas.

"I guess I taught you well"

"I had a lot of fun fighting you" smiled Roxas

Hayner smiles, then stops and crosses his arms.

"Yeah, well I didn't, wise guy"

"Hey, let's find a way to cheer you up" offered Roxas

"Nah, that's all right" says Hayner as he friendly punches Roxas' hand, then leaves and almost walking into Seifer coming up on stage.

"Out of the way" snapped Seifer

"You in a rush to lose?" asked Hayner

Roxas is startled by the sudden appearance of Vivi by his side. Vivi looks up at him and giggles. Vivi and Seifer are alone on the stage.

"Don't mess with your elders" said Seifer

"Whew, just look at those sparks fly! I guess Seifer didn't expect to fight one of his own boys!"

Seifer and Vivi face each other down. Then Vivi flies at Seifer, who jumps away with Vivi in pursuit.

"When did Vivi get so tough?" asked Hayner, Roxas shrugs.

After a few attempts at hitting one another, Seifer blocks Vivi's slashes and knocks Vivi away, dropping one of Vivi's orbs

"You're mine!" yelled Seifer

He lunges for the orb when Vivi returns and knocks Seifer down.

"I-I'm not sure what just happened... Um...but...the winner is Vivi! In a positively blistering comeback!"

Seifer sits up and shakes his head. Andi stood there in shock holding Bear trying to grasp this part of Vivi she had never seen before. Vivi had always tried to run away from battle. It didn't add up.

"That's not Vivi" said Seifer to Roxas as he gets off stage.

"Huh?"

"Thrash him" ordered Seifer as he, Fuu, and Rai leave the Sandlot.

"It looks like Seifer's withdrawn from the Struggle for third place" said the Producer.

"So I'm in third now? Aw, baby!" said Hayner excitedly as Falcon hugged him.

The producer hands Roxas and Vivi each a struggle bat

"Keep it clean, fellas" said the Producer.

Roxas and Vivi stare each other down as the Producer leaves the stage.

"And now, the match you've been waiting for: Roxas vs. Vivi!" announced the Announcer.

Roxas battles Vivi. Vivi comes to attack leaving Roxas no use but to block as Vivi takes pursuit. As he blocks the fourth time as he finds rhythm he slides to the side attacking Vivi then jumps back to give some room between him and Vivi who stands there. As he goes in for another strike, something stops him and Roxas notices that everything has frozen in time again. Vivi suddenly turns into a ball of light and reveals a white creature

"Again!" asked Roxas as his struggle bat turns into the Kingdom Keyblade and more of them appear.

"Roxas!"

Roxas looks and sees Andi running up next to him on stage with her keyblade as well.

"Again..." muttered Roxas as he readies himself for more.

Roxas and Andi fights the white enemies easy and they disappear. A cloaked man clapping behind them sets Andi and Roxas in alert mode. Roxas steps in front of Andi as they glared at the hooded coat figure.

"Roxas. All right. Fight fight fight." said a hooded figure walking in closer to Roxas

"You really don't remember? It's me. You know, Axel" said the hooded figure as he removes his hood, showing his flaming red spiked hair, he had little black tattoos under his bright green eyes.

"Axel?" wondered Roxas

"Talk about blank with a capital "B." Man oh man, even the Dusks aren't gonna crack this one" said Axel as his chakrams appear in flames and he catches them in his hands as it spin.

"Wait a sec, tell me what's going on!" asked Roxas

Axel looked around.

"This town is his creation, right? Which means we don't have time for a Q A.? You're coming with me, conscious or not. Then you'll hear the story" answered Axel

"Roxas...that's the guy that I meet when you went after that picture theif" said Andi eyeing Axel quite closely.

"Observant. I can see why Roxas has taken a liking about you. Although I still don't see why he needs you here" said Axel.

"What did you mean this town is his creation?" Snapped Andi.

Axel gets ready to fight. A strange presence flies around Roxas. Axel straightens up

"Uh-oh" muttered Axel.

Roxas sighs and looks at the Keyblade. He throws it down in frustration

"What's going ON!" yelled Roxas angrily.

The Keyblade appears back in his hand with a flash of light.

"Number 13. Roxas. The Keyblade's chosen one" said Axel

Axel readies to fight again. Roxas watches Andi come up beside him with her keyblade and nods at him as she gets in a defensive stance.

"Okay, fine! You asked for it!" said Roxas.

"That's more like it!" said Axel smirking

Axel comes to attack first; Roxas blocks Axel attack. Andi comes from behind Axel and starts swinging and misses as Axel dodges from her attack.

Axel jumps back and throws his chakrams which burst with flames at Andi and she blocks it with her keyblade getting blasted back from the block. Roxas runs at Axel taking a swing again at Axel but Axel's chakrams comes back and hits making Roxas fly in the air. Andi goes at Axel again with a swing as Roxas counters his fall as he flips landing on his feet then jumps at Axel.

Axel attacks again "Don't get me angry" he warns as fire surrounds him and he send his chakrams flying. Roxas and Andi blocks them and Roxas slides behind Axel and attacks. Axel takes a step forward and swings around toward Roxas and gets blocked by Andi. "Hey ringing any bells yet?" asked Axel smirking as Roxas attacks again in the front but before Axel could do anything he slides to the back. "Not bad, Roxas"

Diz appears from computer data which makes Andi and Roxas turn.

"So it was you" said Axel as he jumps back and sends his flaming chakrams, flying at Diz, but with no impact as they disappear.

"Roxas, this man speaks nonsense!" said Diz looking at Roxas.

"Roxas! Don't let him deceive you!" yelled Axel

"Roxas!" yelled Diz

"Roxas!" yelled Axel

The two men shouting his name get the best of him and Roxas holds his head in his hands as Andi looks back and forth as the men called out Roxas' name.

"Hayner...Falcon…Andi…Pence...Olette..."

Andi turns and looks at Roxas as he closes his eyes.

"Hayner! Falcon! Andi! Pence! Olette!" yelled Roxas at the top of his lunges and everything disappears and Andi finds herself off stage as The Struggle competition returns and the crowd are cheering once again at Roxas' defeat against Vivi lying on the ground.

"What? What just happened?" asked the commentator

"Huh?...How did I get here?" asked Vivi standing up.

Hayner, Olette, Pence, Falcon rush the stage as Vivi leaves.

"Roxas!" yelled Olette

"Ladies and gentlemen, Roxas-our new top Struggler!"

"Roxas?" asked Hayner noticing Roxas' a little distraught

"Setzeerrrr!" Yell a bunch of fan girls.

"Setzer! Setzer! Setzer! Setzer! Setzer!" cheered the crowd. Setzer drinking up the attention

"Roxas! It's starting!" said Olette as they head off stage.

"You two, play fair now. You're at the top of the bracket" ordered the Producer.

"There's only room for one up here" said Setzer

"Well, may the best man win!" replied the Producer walking offstage

"Hey, Rucksack. How about you throw the match for me?" asked Setzer turning toward Roxas.

"Roxas! Focus!" yells Hayner

Roxas glares at Setzer. "Let me win and I'll make it worth your while" said Setzer

"Get real!" Snapped Roxas getting ready for the match.

"Roxas, our underdog hero, versus Setzer, our defending champion! The winner of this match will be the true champion! That's bragging rights for a whole year, folks!"

"Whatever you think is right, you're wrong. And that is a big mistake" said Setzer

Roxas goes for the attack and has easy swings as Setzer makes his attack almost like a ballerina dancer. Roxas is taken off guard as he tries to catch Setzer's steps on his attack. Roxas fought blindly as he takes a lot of beatings from Setzer as he sends to him.

"Roxas! Rule number one remember?" yells Andi. Roxas turns his head at her as he takes a block and remembers...

Roxas is on the floor with his struggle bat looking up at Andi pointing her bat at his tired face. Andi not even close to it, "Rule number one: don't fight blindly" she said smirking. "Analyze your opponent always. You'll find out the pattern" instructed Andi as she gave her hand out…

Roxas nods and pushes Setzer back and jumps back and watches as Setzer runs towards him. Roxas hits then blocks as he watches Setzer's attacks. It clicks and he takes pursuit. The time had ended, "I'm not supposed to lose!" said Setzer

"Roxas! Roxas! Roxas! Roxas! Roxas!" cheeried the crowd.

Setzer walks offstage and points back to Roxas about to say something when Hayner, Pence, Olette, Falcon and Andi rush up to Roxas.

"ROXAS!" yelled Hayner

"YOU DID IT!" yelled Olette

Setzer turns around and leaves

"That was awesome, Roxas!" said Pence

Roxas waves to the crowd. The Producer presents him with the championship belt. Roxas holds it up and the crowd cheers with a smile.

Xxxxxx

As everything dies down; "let's go to the clock tower" said Hayner as they all are in agreement. They all turn and Hayner, Pence, Falcon and Olette start running to the clock tower.

"You're suppose to stay away" said Roxas.

"You really didn't think I wouldn't be here to watch you and Hayner at the struggle match?" Asked Andi with a sly smile at Roxas.

"And besides you looked like you were struggling with those guys" teased Andi.

"Hey! I did win the struggle match! I could take those things and that Axel guy by myself!" Said Roxas.

"But why if you have friends to help you?" Asked Andi taken aback tilting her head to the side.

"To protect your friends" replied Roxas

"What if your friends don't want to be protected? What if your friends wanna protect you as much as you wanna protect them?"

"Because if you get hurt-"

"The only way I'm getting hurt is you!" Exclaimed Andi frustrated.

Roxas looks down. Andi sighs looking down as well.

"I just want things back as they were." Replied Andi as she held her right arm sadly.

Roxas looks at Andi and walks over to her gently touching her arm with his hand. Looking at him, "come on the others are waiting" said Roxas

As they both headed to the clock tower together quietly. As they go up the clock tower they see their friends sitting at the ledge talking.

"Thanks for the reminder" said Roxas

"Huh?" Asked Andi

"Rule number one" replied Roxas smiling.

Andi smiles back and nods as they go sit by their friends. Roxas holding the crystal trophy. He takes off the yellow crystal and tosses it to Olette. He does the same with the red and green crystals, tossing them to Hayner and Pence. He takes out his own blue one and holds it up to the sun

"As promised" answered Roxas

Pence also holds out his green one.

"Thanks a ton, Roxas!" said Olette

"One more treasure for us to share" said Hayner.

Hayner holds his red one out. Olette follows suit

"I've got a present, too...for all of us" said Olette.

She takes out six bars of sea-salt ice cream

"Whoa!" said Hayner

Roxas stands up on the ledge and teeters on the edge. He starts to lose his balance.

"Roxas!" Screams Andi as she tries to catch him but is ripped away from the ledge towards the tower and Roxas screams as he falls off the clock tower.

XXXXXXXXXXX

On the Destiny Islands, Kairi walks down the path to the beach after school. Older now with her red hair down to her shoulders angled to her face; face sharper removing the little girl to more of a teen princess. Her dark blue eyes showing more maturity and beauty.

"KAIRI! WAIT UP!"

Kairi stops and turns around and sees her friend Selphie with two brown high pigtails and bright green eyes also wearing a school uniform just like hers

"Hey, do you feel like going out to the island? Tidus and Wakka are all wrapped up in their ball game and they won't go with me" asked Selphie

"Not today, sorry" answered Kairi softly.

"Aw, why not?" whined Selphie looking at her closely.

"Do you remember those boys who used to hang out with us?" asked Kairi

"Riku?"

"Yeah"

"I wonder whatever happened to him. I sure miss him" said Selphie

"He's far away. But I know we'll see him again" answered Kairi smiling as she looks at the sunset hitting the beach giving an orange glow.

"Sure. Of course we will" agreed Selphie with her arms behind her back.

"And the other boy?"

"What other boy?" asked Selphie looking at Kairi puzzled.

"The one who was with Riku and me all the time. We played together on that island. His voice always used to be there...but now it's gone. I can't think of his face, or his name. I feel awful about it. So I told myself. I'm not going to the island until I remember everything about him" answered Kairi

"Are you sure you didn't make him up?" asked Selphie. Kairi nodded

"Naminé?"

Kairi starts to not feel good as she buts her head down in her hand...

Xxxxxxxxc

While Roxas continues to fall off the clock tower. His body doesn't seem conscious as his mind; "Naminé...? What's happening to me?" He asked.

"Who are you? And that's not my name. I'm Kairi"

"Kairi... I know you. You're that girl he likes"

"Who? Please, a name!"

"I'm Roxas"

"Okay, Roxas, but can you tell me HIS name?" she asked

"You don't remember my name? Thanks a lot, Kairi!"

"Huh?" replied Kairi

"Okay, I guess I can give you a hint. Starts with an "S!""

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Kairi wakes up on the ground as she sits up she sees Selphie kneeling down and scraping off the dirt off her, "Are you okay?" asked Selphie worriedly.

Kairi nods as Selphie stands up. The two girls look to the island across the water, Kairi stands up and looks over at Selphie, smiles wide and runs to the beach without a explanation. Selphie catches up to her standing at the water's edge.

"Kairi...?" Said Selphie worried.

As Kairi feels her hair blow softy from the breeze she places her bag down, kneels and let's loose a message in a bottle in the ocean

"What's that?" asked Selphie leaning down next to Kairi

"A letter... I wrote it yesterday; to the boy I can't remember. I said that no matter where he is... I'll find him. One day. And when I stopped writing, I remembered we made a promise, something important. This letter is where it starts. I know it" answered Kairi happily

"Wow... I hope he gets it" said Selphie

"He will. Starts with an "S." Right, Sora?" said Kairi...

Xxxxxx

Author's Notes: Guys I am so sorry it has taken me this long to update a chapter I have been so busy in October. But I am back hopefully get a chapter or two every week. Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!