A Futile Effort

It wasn't long before Sora and the others made their way to the gates of the Coliseum. The sands of the arena had remained unchanged since Sora's first visit there.

"So this is where Kai wishes to square off against us." Sora uttered.

"Of all the places he wants to fight," Donald said, "why here?"

"Perhaps he wants to make sure the atmosphere is right." Mickey implied.

"But…uh…I thought Riku was supposed to be here too." Goofy said.

"You're right." Sora added. He gazed around. "Now that you mention it, Riku's nowhere to be found."

"Are you sure this is the right place?" Donald asked.

"Without a doubt, this is the place. That's what Kai's declaration told us."-

"Maybe Riku's someplace else." Goofy said.

"Well, let's see if we can find Phil and Hercules and see if they've seen where Riku went."-

The four entered the main hall of the coliseum and there was Phil sweeping away the dust on the floor. He looked about to see these familiar faces approaching him.

"Well, as I live and breathe," Phil said, "If it isn't that little squirt that I knew years ago. It's nice to see you again, Sora."

"Great to see you too, Phil." Sora replied. Just then, Hercules came walking in carrying a large pillar stone under his arm.

"Hey, Sora," he shouted, "is that you? You've certainly grown up haven't you?"

"It's been a little over three years." Sora replied.

"So, what brings you to this neck of the woods?" Phil asked. "If you've come here for the games, you're a little late. They ended three days ago. We're still trying to clean up the mess."

"Actually, we were wondering," Sora began, "Have you seen anyone suspicious walking around here."

"Kid, for the past three days we've seen everyone that looks suspicious, walking around here. Many of them were competitors in the games and others are just spectators. Otherwise, there's nothing out of the usual."-

"What about my friend, Riku."

"Riku? Riku, Riku. You've mentioned him before. It's been so long though. Could you tell me what the guy looks like?"-

"He has silver hair, slightly taller than I am, and wearing a black overcoat."-

"Not that I can recall. But then again, I don't recognize a lot of people."-

"I'm sure you're friend is around here though." Herc implied.

"I hope so." Sora said. He folded his arms in front of him. "I wonder where Riku is. He should have been here to fight General Kai. Speaking of which, I haven't seen that old general around either. Something's wrong."

There was a silence between the six, until the doors slammed open and yet another familiar face made its presence known. But unlike Hercules and Phil, this face was not a welcoming one. It was Hades, lord of the underworld.

"Geez, can this place get any deader?" Hades uttered, eating a bag of stale popcorn. "Deader than back home." He then shuffled over to see Sora and his friends standing there. The minute he laid eyes on them, the shock forced him to choke on his popcorn. "Well, what do we have here! Oh yeah, it's the squirt and his legion of squirts!"

"Well that's a fine how-do-you-do." Donald said.

"How do you do!" Goofy uttered, throwing his hand out in greetings towards Donald. Donald however, just slapped Goofy across the face.

"Shut up!"-

"It's been a long time since we've seen each other, hasn't it squirt." Hades chuckled.

"Not long enough." Sora uttered, coldly.

"Hey, hey, hey, you're not still mad about that little incident with the Heartless and the games are ya?"-

"Not exactly an easy memory to rid myself of, you know. If I had my choice, I would've left that memory back at Oblivion Castle."-

'But hey, those were fun times. And no one got killed. Sucks for me." Hades walked away, continuing to eat his popcorn. "Well, don't get lost, squirt. And hey, if ya want, come and visit me in the underworld. We'll have a party. Although you might way that the company could be a little…stiff! BWA HA HA HA HA HA!" Hades dallied off in an uncontrollable laughter.

"We might have changed," Donald said, "But that big blue tiki torch hasn't changed a bit."

"He seems in a rather good mood today though." Phil implied.

"And that's the scary part." Herc replied. "Usually he'd be flaming at the head and I mean flaming."

"Something just doesn't seem right." Sora uttered to himself.

"Anyway," Hercules turned to Sora. "Since you guys are here, how about a little exhibition match between the five of us. What do you say?"

"You mean like a spar?"-

"Why not? If you're waiting for your friend, then this is a good way for you to warm up your skills."-

"Yeah!"-

"Since we're waiting," Mickey added, "why not?"

The five went out to the arena and Phil just continued to sweep.

"Just as happy-go-lucky as usual." He said.

The five made their way to the arena, not knowing that evil eyes were looking upon them. Hades watched from behind the barred gate and smirked strongly. Beside him was his next hired hitman. A man no bigger than Sora, his dark hair rose in the air like an asparagus top, starting from a deep widow's peak on his forehead. He folded his arms in front of him and leaned against the wall. He was none other than the mighty Prince Vegeta, the next heir to the Saiyan Throne.

"OK, Vegeta, this is the plan." Hades uttered. "That little Imp is your opponent alright. Now don't worry about a thing, you know, you just take him down." Vegeta only glanced at Sora.

"This feared god of the underworld is afraid of a mere boy?" Vegeta chuckled. "From what my contract states, is that…"

"I know! I know! You think I don't know! I wrote the contract! It says that you're only required to kill Hercules, but that little Imp over there is just as big a thorn in my side! What makes him worse than Hercules is not only he's just a kid, but also a mortal one! Now, I've sent others before you to get rid of this kid! You ever hear of Cloud Strife! Good kid, great skills, spiky blond hair! I hired him to do the same and he failed! Can you believe that!"-

"So you hired me because…"

"Because you're a Saiyan. You only fight for your own personal gain. I mean if you wanna take out Hercules, you gotta go through that kid first. I mean it's just like that old goat, Phil, says. It's all just a game, so let loose and have fun with it. I mean a casualty, or two along the way, I mean that's no big deal right?"-

"Let me make one thing perfectly clear." Vegeta grabbed Hades by the collar of his cloak and pulled it down.

"Hey, let go, you're bending the stripes!"-

"Silence you! You may have written the contract, but there's only one person I listen to and that's me. I will not have you interfering with our battle, you understand. If you do, and you decide to stick your overstuffed cronies into the fight, then I'll have no other choice, but to take severe action. And I don't know about you, but I don't think you realize how powerful a Saiyan can actually become." Vegeta pushed Hades away from him and walked away.

"Sheesh." Hades uttered. "He's even deader than the stiffs back home. Still, suckers like him are hard to come by. Besides, he can't be that powerful. No more powerful that Hercules, or that squirt. However, I can't have someone like him rooting around me like wart. So it's best I get rid of him after he fulfills his contract."

Meanwhile, Sora and the others stepped onto the tiled platform and prepared to battle Hercules in a grand exhibition match.

"OK, Sora," Hercules shouted, "Are you guys ready to go!"

"Ready as we'll ever be." Sora replied as he unleashed his new keyblade.

"Then let's go."-

"STOP!" a voice suddenly bellowed out. The five stopped their fight to see none other than Prince Vegeta walk into the arena.

"Hey, who're you?" Hercules asked.

"As if that really matters to you." Vegeta stepped onto the tiled platform and took his stance. "If you want someone to fight, then you shall fight me."

"Who are you, Mister?" Sora asked.

"I am Prince Vegeta! I challenge all five of you to a duel!"-

"But we outnumber you. Wouldn't it be best if we split up into threes? We have an even number now."-

"When I want your opinion, I'll ask for it. So instead of prattling on, let's get this fight under way. A five on one fight."-

"You'll be sorry though." Hercules uttered. "We aren't exactly pushovers."

"To others, you may not be pushovers. But from what I can sense, I have nothing to fear from the likes of you."-

"What was that!" Sora shouted. "Who do you think you are!"

"Why don't you find out with that oversized key of yours!"-

Sora didn't hesitate and attacked Vegeta with swift speed. So fast, that it looks as though he almost teleported. But to Vegeta, his movements were still too slow and he easily evaded it. He knocked Sora away with the greatest of ease.

"Let's get him!" Hercules cried.

"YEAH!" The others shouted and they engaged, alongside Sora, against the mighty Prince Vegeta. However, despite their skill and despite Hercules bloodline of the gods, all four of them combined could barely defend themselves against Vegeta, let alone inflicting damage to him. For over ten minutes, every attack was evaded, or blocked by Vegeta. When Vegeta retaliated, he knocked the five about, little by little.

"You have no chance." Vegeta said. "You can never win against me."

"That's what you think!" Sora shouted.

"Futile!"-

"Come on!" cried Goofy.

"Go get him!' Donald added.

The battle continued. Every fighter was using his elemental attack against Vegeta. Sora unleashed his Ragnarok, Ars Arcanum, Twister Strike, Foot Stomp, Tundra Canister, Shadow Death Wave, and all other physical and elemental abilities he was capable of. Donald unleashed his most devastating elemental attacks, but with no results. Mickey, Goofy, and Hercules gave it their all, but to no avail. Sora unleashed all his summon spells, including Zeke and Pikachu. But even they proved to be no match for Vegeta's incredible strength. In the end however, with potions and ether drying out, the team had no choice, but to yield to Vegeta's incredible strength.

"I can't go on." Sora uttered.

"I can't believe it." Hercules said. "We actually lost to this guy."

"Does he mean to kill us?"-

"I was intended to kill you." Vegeta uttered. "But I didn't wanna waste my time. That fight wasn't even worth fussing over. So, I think I'll spare your lives."

But as Vegeta finished those words, there was sudden burst of energy behind him. He dodged to see the titans appear, the Ice Titan, the Rock Titan, and Cerberus.

"Oh yeah, I forgot to mention," Hades said from the gate, "one vital piece of information. Accidents happen. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to watch those three pummel the squirt, the nuisance, and the asparagus head to the ground.

Vegeta only scoffed and walked away.

"Worthless." he uttered. "Not even worth my time." He walked calmly to the edge of the tile platform and folded his arms in front of him.

"What'll we do now?" Mickey asked.

"We'll have to fight them!" Sora replied.

"Fight all three at the same time?" Donald asked.

"We have no other choice right now! If we try and flee, they'll only follow us and demolish the coliseum in the process! No, we have to fight them now!"-

"Sora's right." Hercules uttered. "Let's use up what we have left and give these three a fight to remember."

"Let's go!" The five attacked with great fury. Sora and Mickey went against the Ice Titan, Goofy and Donald pummeled at the Rock Titan, and Hercules with head to head with Cerberus. However, despite their efforts, these leviathans would not collapse. In the end, thought the KH team fought with all their strengths, Hades's monsters would not fall. Even Hercules, a man who had descended from the gods, had been too depleted of his strength in order to make a difference.

"We can't go on." Mickey implied. "They're just too powerful."

"They're even more powerful than before." Sora added. "How can that be?"

"These three had engaged in battle with us before." Hercules uttered. "No doubt they know how we fight."

"It's shouldn't be a surprise for you." Hades chuckled. "These three have been burning for some payback since the day that you defeated them in battle. They never really got over that little situation. So, what better way to exact our revenge, eh?" Hades then looked up. "OK guys, you can kill them now. I hope to see you all in the underworld, but right now, I wanna see you leave this world first."

"So it's over for us then?" Sora punched hand into the ground. "No, it can't be the limit of our strength. Perhaps, if I were to use the rage…" Sora began to concentrate his energy and dive into the inner rage. But before he could, Vegeta stepped in.

"And what do you want?" Hades uttered.

"I told you before not to interfere." Vegeta replied.

"Oh right, like you're in any position to be complaining. I don't know if you've noticed, Vegeta, but I'm taking over the show now. There's no need for you to be here anymore."-

"So you're saying that you're releasing me of my contract?"-

"No hard feelings, but you just suck as a hitman. Didn't even bother to finish them. Have to let me do all the work. Well, it ain't that bad really. At least I get finish these five off personally."-

"That's beside the point. You had to interfere with my plans. And because of your constant meddling, I have no other choice, but to straighten you out. There is a reason why I am here and it wasn't for the reason I gave you."-

"Well, whatever reason you're here for, you won't make a bit of difference in this. Even if you so called powered up, you'd be no more effective than those five."-

"You'll eat those words, fool. I told you before you've never seen a Saiyan fully powered."-

"Enough blabbering. It's giving me a headache." He turned his head up to his monsters. "You can kill him too along with the rest."

The titans began their advance, closing in on Vegeta.

"Heh!" Vegeta scoffed. "Like your oversized ice cube, pebble, and three-headed mutt will make a difference in this fight. I could take them on as I am now." Vegeta clutched his fists. "But since you're so eager to see what I look like in full power, then I'll indulge you. I'll let my energy our slowly so you can curse yourself for ever doubting my abilities."

"Stop flapping you gums and just power up already."-

Vegeta began to power up, slowly at first. However, as he continued, little pebbles on the ground began to levitate themselves into the air. The tile of arena began to crack and the wind started to accelerate."

"Do you see that?" Sora asked. "He's beginning to increase his strength."

"This must be his fighting spirit." Hercules added. "He's caused the environment to react to his increase in strength."

"So, you can make the wind howl and pebbles fly in the air." Hades uttered. "Like that's really gonna scare me."

But Hades soon realized that the winds grew more intense every second and the ground to shake even more violently. Soon, the tiles of the coliseum began to lift into the air and shatter in mid-air. Soon, the entire coliseum was being torn apart, bit by bit. Now, by this time, Hades had finally realized what Vegeta meant and he suddenly grew with fear. Even his powerful titans started to back off, fearing what was occurring. Even Sora and the KH team were beginning to back off from the sight.

"How long is he gonna keep powering up?" Sora wondered.

"I hope it ends soon." Hercules uttered. "This is getting ridiculous now!"

"How much power does this guy have?" Donald asked.

"Aright! Alright!" Hades shouted. "You've made your point!"

"I'm still just passing my ten percent mark of power!" Vegeta chuckled. "Better stick around a little longer."

"How much longer do you intend on powering up!"-

"You want me to reach full power now! I thought you'd never ask! I was getting a little bored!" Vegeta suddenly exploded in a massive energy surge and a sonic boom erupted, destroying the entire coliseum and spreading throughout the land. Sora and the others were blown away from the explosion and found themselves landing in the area where the grand hall once stood.

"This is unreal!" Hercules uttered. "How could someone have that much strength? The only one's who are capable of such strength are the gods themselves. And even my father, Zeus, doesn't have a fraction of the power this guys has."

"He's just too powerful." Goofy said.

"But is he a good guy, or a bad guy?" Donald asked.

"I hope he's not a bad guy. That's for sure." Mickey implied.

As the light faded and the dust settled, they gazed upon Vegeta, standing in his Super Saiyan 2 stage.

"I decided to hold back at my thirty percent mark." Vegeta uttered. "Powering up to my full extent would have been a death wish for you and a waste of time and energy for me."

"His thirty percent mark?" Sora uttered. "He's only at his thirty percent mark?"

Suddenly, Vegeta saw Hades's titans take a step back.

"Oh no you don't." Vegeta smirked. "Now that I've said I'll kill you, your deaths are assured." The ice titan tried to shoot out ice shards and ice blocks at the Saiyan, but the heat from his resonating aura was so intense, the ice melted before they could even come close it making impact. The rock titan tried to punch down on Vegeta, but the moment rock and aura made contact, Vegeta increased his strength and blew the arm of the ice titan completely off.

"I guess you go first." Vegeta jumped up and knocked both heads of the stone body. The ice titan fell to the ground in a great heap. Cerberus was next to try, but Vegeta quickly disposed of the mongrel as he kicked the dog in the air and slashed off its three heads.

"No, it can't be!" Hades uttered. "He took Cerberus and the rock titan out in an instant!"

"One more left." Vegeta uttered. Suddenly, the Ice Titan took hold of Vegeta and held him tight. But Vegeta only smirked and increased his strength even more, until the arm of the Ice Titan shattered into a million pieces. Vegeta then grabbed the ice titan by the leg and began to swirl it around his head. He then, with great power, threw the titan into the air. Vegeta teleported into mid-air and struck the titan a good distance away from the tattered coliseum. The giant fell to the ground in a great heap.

"Take this!" Vegeta shouted. He formed a large energy ball in front of him. "Welcome to Super Vegeta's Big Bang Attack!" Without breaking a sweat, Vegeta shot the energy ball at the titan. The titan tried to hold it back, but the intense heat continued to consume it. Finally, in one great gesture, Vegeta finished the job by firing a finishing ball. "Welcome to oblivion!" There was a grand explosion that virtually turned everything into ashes. The intensity of the ball caused an explosion that incinerated the titan and left a vast crater in its place. Vegeta descended to the ground and began to walk towards Hades.

"Hey, hey, take it easy." Hades begged. "I really didn't mean to say all the things I…" Before he could finish, Vegeta punched the lord of the underworld in the face and sent him flying into the demolished wall.

"Wow." Sora uttered. Vegeta walked up to Hades and crabbed him by the collar again.

"Now, why don't you confess!" Vegeta demanded.

"Confess?" Hades asked. "Confess to what!"

"Confess to truth about Sora's friend!"

"Riku?" Sora asked. "You know about Riku? Where is he?"

"Well, tell him!" Vegeta demanded again.

"Alright, alright, I'll tell him. Riku's not here, he never was." Hades confessed.

"What do you mean?" Sora asked. "We received the declaration from General Kai that he would be here. So Riku should be here too."

"You don't get it. I was the one who sent you the letter. That's why I disguised my voice and hid my face. I found the other declaration letter crumpled on the ground. I saw that it was addressed to you from a guy named Kai. So I took the liberty of changing it a little so that you'd come here instead. That way, I could exact my revenge. I hired Vegeta as a hitman to finish you off. He said he would do it on account that I would give him access to immortality. But he turns on me like that, no second thought."-

"I too have a confession to make." Vegeta uttered. "I just made that immortality stuff up for you, so that you'd take me in. The real reason I'm here is because of them." He pointed to the KH team.

"Because of us?" Mickey asked.

"That's right. I needed to test out your strengths. It was a favor that I owed Kakarrot."-

"Kakarrot? You mean Goku was behind this?"-

"He said you might need a little supplement for your efforts."-

"So that's it!" Hades scowled. "You're in cahoots with the squirt!"

"Tell me," Sora asked, "If Riku isn't here then where is he?"

"You know I have no clue." Sora suddenly drew his keyblade.

"I said where it he!"-

"Hey, hey, calm down squirt." But as Hades looked up, he realized that Sora's eyes had changed. They had become cold and evil. "Ok, ok, I didn't mean that. I don't know where he is. I never bothered to take the name of your original destination into account." Sora's eyes turned normal all of a sudden.

"Thank you." He uttered and then turned away.

"Looks like you've lost your purpose here!" Vegeta threw Hades in the air. "I hope you won't take this personally!" He gave one big punch and knocked the god of the dead clear into the distance. "That settles that."

Sora sat at the old entry way and lowered his head.

"You alright, Sora?" Hercules uttered.

"If Riku isn't here, then where could he have gone?" Sora said. His gazed down. "What if he needs my help?"

"He'll be alright." Mickey implied. "Riku won't go down that easily."

"What'll we do now?" Donald asked. "We don't know where Riku is."

"We go back to Traverse Town, until we hear something, I guess."

Just then, Vegeta passed by the group and continued to walk away. He suddenly stopped and stood there, at lease fifty yards from the KH team.

"Come here, Sora." He beckoned. Sora stood up and walked to Vegeta. He stopped just behind him. "Are you trying to rid yourself of your heart and allow yourself to be consumed by darkness?"

"What do you mean?" Sora asked.

"That sudden change of look in your eye, you used the rage didn't you?"-

"Yes, but I…"-

"Didn't Cuchulain tell you not to abuse its strength? If you continue to use such a power in a reckless way, then there will be consequences."-

"I had to. I hated Hades and his smart mouth."-

"You're a smart kid. You shouldn't let an idiot like him get under your skin." Vegeta turned. "I want you to take this." Vegeta handed Sora a new icon. "This is called Saiyan Devotion. Use it well and use it wisely." Vegeta then turned away. "I've done what I came here to do. It's up to you to decide how to use it." With that Vegeta flew into the atmosphere and disappeared.

"It's up to me?" Sora suddenly felt himself fill with a great amount of energy. He now had the ability for teleportation, lightning hand to hand grappling, and the ability to deploy a powerful energy wave, Vegeta's Galick Gun.

"What do we do now?" Donald asked.

"We return to Traverse Town." Mickey implied. No sense in going after Riku if we don't know where he is. If we wait at Traverse Town, we're eventually bound to hear something."

"You have a point there."-

"Wait a minute!" Phil shouted. "What about this place! You think you can just demolish it and walk away! You better come up with the dough to pay for the damages!"

"Don't worry about it, Phil." Hercules chuckled. "We can rebuild it no problem." He then turned to Sora. "I'm sure that you'll find your friend sooner, or later, Sora."

"You think so?' Sora asked.

"I know so." Sora could only smile at Hercules.

"Yeah, you're right!" The two clicked fists together.

"You stay in touch with us, OK?"-

"We will."-

With those final words, Sora and the other walked away, glancing and waving behind them.

"I just can't believe the damage inflicted on the Coliseum!" Phil complained. "It was in bad enough shape after the games. Now we have to rebuild it almost entirely."

"Well, with me on the job, there shouldn't be much fuss." Herc chuckled. "We could get this place finished by tomorrow."

"Very true. Well, don't just stand there yapping, kid. We've got work to do!"

The two began to process of rebuilding the Coliseum at the same time, the KH team departed for Traverse Town. The whereabouts of Riku were still unknown and the team could only wait until a hint, or word was given to them.

Riku's whereabouts were virtually unknown to the rest of the KH team. Falling for the plot of Hades, the team was fooled to thinking that both Riku and Kai awaited them at the coliseum. However, Riku's destination was someplace completely different. Instead of the coliseum, Riku's destination laid within the city of Gombria, the sister city of the capital itself. It was a grand site behind its tall walls and defenses. Riku, dressed almost identical to an Imperial with his black trench coat, he managed to enter the city without the least bit of suspicion. He browsed around at the grandeur of the tall structures and moved about to see if he could find this destination that Kai had instructed.

"Look for the grand center building and take the elevator to the lowest level." Riku recalled the letter's words. "Once there, take the northern corridor to the room at the very end. There, we shall settle the score with no interruptions."

Riku worked his way into the inner part of the city and eventually found himself standing before a grand dome, which stretched for miles.

"That must be the grand center the letter was talking about." Riku uttered. "It's a city all to itself." He continued on his way, not knowing that prying eyes were spying on him. It was General Triiken of Gatler Generals.

"What is he doing here?" Triiken uttered. "Perhaps Kai's declaration was true and he plans to settle the score. It is best that I inform General Ameba." He ran off to seek out Ameba, while Riku continued on his way.

Riku entered the building and saw an incredible network of robotics, and military might. Regiment upon regiment marched their way out of the building and into the streets. Riku paid no further mind and continued on his way. Using a portable hover craft, he soon reached a series of lifts that were located at the building's very center. He entered on of the elevators and descended into the darkness of the city's depths.

When the lift doors opened, he pointed out the directory, which he had to go. He found the northern corridor and began his trek to its very end. On each side of the corridor, were many doors, each leading to a different hallway, which lead to many other rooms. But Riku's own trek was easy enough to find. It was the door at the very end of the hall. Within two minutes, traveling in the hover craft, he eventually made it to the room at the very end. He stepped out of the hovercraft and entered the twin doors. He came into a rather large room, in which only a series of lights, illuminated it. He walked under each of the bright lights and gazed around in the darkness.

"Kai!" Riku shouted. "I'm here!"

Just then, a dim red light appeared, silhouetting a platform. From behind that platform, the silhouette of General Kai emerged.

"So you've come." Kai uttered. "It's about time." He gazed about seeing only Riku standing before him. "Where are your other companions!"

"They have nothing to do with this!" Riku shouted. "I'm doing this on my own now! I'm gonna save Kairi all by myself!"

"That's not like you. Wouldn't Sora normally be fighting alongside you?"-

"Sora's irrelevant to me now!"-

"I see. You must've had a fight then." Kai appeared in the bright light. "Well, that's fine then, I can defeat you myself. It'll make it easier. Besides, I need to pay you back for the death you inflicted on my comrade."

"What were you doing in the 'Rurouni Realm' anyway?"-

"Just for the sake of seeing Kahn battle. But I never would have imagined that he would lose, let alone die." Kai took out his iron tusk rod. "And because of what you did to him, I will see you die!"

"I won't lose to the likes of you!" Riku said, as he unsheathed his sword. "I'm not like Sora! I'm not as weak!"

"Good to hear that because I wasn't even using my full strength on your friend." Kai snapped his fingers and the light illuminated brightly, revealing a plain white room. "And now, for the crimes you've committed against the Empire, the Cavendish Shinobis, and I, I will spill your blood to mingle on the white walls of this chamber."

"Then, let's begin!" Riku lunged forward using his teleportation technique, which he used against Sora during the reign of Ansem at Hallow Bastion. However, Kai was not impressed and easily dodged the attacks.

"Using obsolete techniques on me are you? Well they won't work." Kai unleashed a powerful energy wave and knocked Riku away. Riku retaliated and unleashed the Kuzu ryu sen.

"Let's see you dodge this!" But Kai easily dodged the Kuzu ryu sen and emerged behind Riku. He slammed the tusk at Riku. But Riku managed to turn in time. The rod smashed his shoulder armor and knocked it off.

"You'll have to do better."-

"How could he have dodged the Kuzu ryu sen? Kenshin said it was an attack that was virtually impossible to block, or dodge. But then again, these are Imperials we're dealing with."-

"Do you have any other tricks, you'd like to show me?" Kai chuckled.

"Just a few others!" Riku suddenly unleashed his Hurricane Slash. The strong winds developed strong cutting currents. But before Kai could be struck, the shinobi unleashed his own counter and broke Riku's Hurricane Slash.

"A trick which I taught Osiris. Do you really expect something like that to work on me?" Kai came closer to Riku. "Your Cinder Canister, Iceberg Shurikens, Hurricane Slash, and the Darkness Decoys. I know those are the ones that you've inherited from my faithful followers."

"But how did you know?"-

"I could feel them resonating within your being. So it doesn't matter how you use those techniques, I'll always be able to counter them. So that means I have no need to hold back!" Kai suddenly attacked with incredible speed. Riku braced himself and the two locked their weapons. Riku thrust with his word and used his swift attack. Kai managed to block the strike and the two engaged in a weapons battle. Steel and iron clashed with one another, causing sparks to fly. For ten minutes, the two went at each other, not giving a chance to reprieve.

However, Riku found an opening and used his swift attack to knock Kai away. Kai emerged to see a cut on his shoulder armor.

"Most impressive." Kai uttered. "You've been the first in ten years to actually survive this long, let alone cause me bodily harm."

"I didn't even cut him." Riku uttered. "Only his shoulder armor."

"It's only been fifteen minutes since we began. Don't tell me that you're tired already."-

"I'm just getting warmed up!" Riku unleashed his Cinder Canister and deployed the fire balls against Kai. But Kai easily dodged the balls.

"Not bad!" Kai began to deploy his wind attacks.

"Ha! Don't you realize that wind only makes the fire spread!"-

"Not if you know how to handle the wind." Kai grasped the fire balls into a twister and the strong currents within the twister minced Riku's attack. The twister itself was consumed by the flames and became a tornado consumed in the inferno. Riku suddenly saw the monster coming at him. He was quick to dodge, but Kai used his ice element and froze Riku in place. Riku was caught by the tornado and was knocked to the ground as the twister diminished, the flames burning away at him in the process. Riku emerged, his coat burned completely off. The sweat dripped down his face. Opening the front of his shirt, Riku released the excess heat from his body.

"What was that?" Riku uttered.

"It would've been best if you hadn't used the Cinder Canister." Kai implied.

"But how did wind succeed against fire?"-

"Wind can always win against fire. It just depends on how you use it. If used for offense, wind can topple fire all the time. It's when you try and use wind strictly as a defense that it will fail. Wind can be used as a shield against fire, only if the fire attacks are small and weak, like that of the Firaga spell. However, my elemental attacks are too powerful for the Aeroga spell to work effectively. When using the wind element, I used it as an attack. I combined the Hurricane Slash with the Twister Strike to create the special Typhoon Special. When that attack made impact with your Cinder Canister, it created the infamous counter attack of wind and fire, the Flaming Funnel. Quite an impressive interwoven network, wouldn't you say?"-

"But how do you know all this?"-

"I was the one who taught the skills of all six members of the Cavendish Shinobis. So in reality, I am the master of all those elements." Kai snapped his fingers and the lights dimmed again, spare for one light that illuminated Riku. Riku could only see Kai step upon the red illuminated platform again. "You've proved to be a disappointment to me, Riku. You came here confident, saying that you'd finish me off. But now, you're just as threatening to me as wet sponge. I don't think I want to kill you. I'll leave that up to my minions." Kai unleashed a darkness attack.

Suddenly, from the shadows, two pairs of yellow eyes emerged from the ground. They silhouetted themselves against the dim light.

"Are these Heartless?" Riku asked.

"These are Heartless." Kai implied. "But like nothing you've ever faced. Allow me to introduce you to at least one of them." One of the Heartless appeared before Riku and Riku was stricken with great fear. "I'm sure you remember this Heartless, the Anti-Sora!"

"Yes I do…"-

"But let me introduce you to something new." The other Heartless came from the shadows and presented itself before Riku. "This is our newest creation, the Anti-Riku! Quite impressive creations don't you think? However, these Heartless are different from others. These two particular antis are hybrids between Heartless and mobile droids. They are able to calculate precise movement of their foe. As well, the Heartless side will be used to diminish the enemy without spilling blood. Their strength in defense and attack, their speed, and their agility have been heightened to ten times greater than that expected of the average elite Heartless. Thus they have been given the name 'super anti.'" Kai threw his cape back over his shoulder. "Now my faithful anti warriors, diminish Riku's heart."

The two antis obeyed and attacked Riku without mercy. Riku drew his sword and used every technique possible, every fighting skill, every strategy and tactic to fight off the two. But the antis proved to be too great even for him. Fighting one on one with one of the antis was tough enough. But fighting two at the same time was out of the question. After an additional ten minutes of intense fighting, Riku began to slow down. The two antis ceased there attacks for a temporary period of time.

"Most impressive." Kai uttered. "You're actually fending off the two anti with barely any effort. I commend you."

"They may be hybrids, but I can still see their every move." Riku said. "Even amidst the darkness."

"Is that so? Well, we'll just have to change that won't we." Kai cracked his knuckles. "Tell me, Riku. You have seen all six elements. Have you seen the seventh element yet?"

"A…seventh element?" Riku's eyes were fixed with fear, upon Kai. Just then, there was a bright flash of light and a strong electrical surge that struck Riku. Riku was blinded by the light and his energy sapped from his body.

Immediately, the anti warriors went on the offensive again and this time, Riku could do nothing to defend himself. The bright flash of light had blinded him temporarily and the electricity had drained him of most of his energy. He was thrashed about in such a ruthless manner that Riku could feel his energy diminishing at incredible speed. He was like a rag doll in the hands of the anti.

"I've had enough of this!" Riku cried. With all his left over strength, he unleashed his true musou, which he picked up from Lu Bu. The struck at the antis and knocked them away with an incredible blow. But the attack had left him completely drained and the anti warriors, though struck head on by the attack, were only shocked and depleted half strength. Riku finally fell from exhaustion on the ground. Kai snapped his fingers and the lights turned on again.

"That's enough." Kai said. "You may diminish now. I shall finish this myself." The antis bowed and disappeared from sight. Kai walked up to Riku who now lay helplessly on his back. "I see you had a trump card, but it was all in vain." Kai unsheathed his sword from his iron tusk. "I believe you've suffered enough now. So die well, Riku!"

Kai threw down the final blow, but was prematurely stopped by a booming voice.

"Stop right there, General Kai!" the voice shouted. Kai looked to the doorway. There at the twin doors, General Ameba stood.

"General Ameba…"-

"That boy is worth more to me alive than dead."-

"This is none of your affair, general. Stay out of the way."-

"Oh, but I'd say that it concerns me greatly." Ameba pulled out a letter. "This is a declaration, signed by His Excellency, Master Arakis, confirming my absolute control over the fate of the key bearers. Riku is under my custody now."

"This can't be!" Kai protested.

"On the contrary, it's true." Ameba handed the document to Kai. Sure enough, what Ameba said was true. Kai read the order given from Lord Arakis. And His Excellency's signature and stamp of approval made it authentic.

"But I have my right to declare vengeance on this boy!"-

"Well, I'm sure you have the right. But your only mistake was that you didn't put it in writing and have it approved." Ameba worked his way to Riku, who still lay prostrate on the ground. He summoned his men. "Pick him up." The two guards picked Riku up, one holding his head up to Ameba.

"Ameba…" Riku uttered.

"Good to see that you're still alive, Riku," Ameba lifted Riku's face up towards him. Suddenly, he slapped Riku across the face, "For now." He turned to his men. "Put this boy in chains and prepare to transfer him to Vandor. We have a meeting with the Imperial council." The guards dragged the almost lifeless Riku out of the room. Ameba turned to Kai. "I hope you won't take this personally."

"You had it in writing, sir." Kai implied. "You have every right over his custody now. I am through with him. I've savored my revenge."

"I'm glad that we could come to some understanding. Now please accompany us back to Vandor."-

"As you wish." As Ameba left the room, Kai was left to ponder on the idea. "If I had my way, I should've killed Riku when I had the chance. It would have been merciful for him."

The party had set a course for Vandor and word quickly spread of the apprehension of Riku. Lord Exavier Crassus heard of the incident and rushed to Arakis's quarters.

"Your Excellency, Your Excellency," Crassus shouted as he barged into Arakis's quarters. Arakis was slowly sipping on cup of brandy, "Have you heard! General Kai and General Ameba have captured and apprehended one of the key bearers! Riku I think it was!"

"I've heard already, Crassus." Arakis replied.

"But what'll we do now! Ameba has managed to capture one of the two key bearers. If he manages to capture both of them, then you'll have no other choice, but to give Ameba his promotion to lord. And we can't have that. He and his inner connections within the council will be practically unrivaled. They will be the power behind the council. They can bully the lords in opposition and have their views agreed upon and approved. It would mean the end for…"-

"Enough bickering, Crassus, you're making my head split. Even if the Imperial council was to turn in Ameba's favor, don't you realize that I have the power within my own being to persuade them otherwise? The lords of the Imperial council may agree with Ameba's aspects, but not his philosophies, or his actions. Once Ameba begins to express himself openly, he will soon realize how much opposition is actually against him." Arakis stood up and walked out of the room.

"My lord," Crassus said, "Where are you going?"-

"Riku is here isn't he? It's best that Kairi sees him now, because I fear that after the meeting with the Imperial council, it may be the last time she sees him."-

In the meantime, Kairi could only sit patiently at the side of her bed. She had nibbled on some of the food that was given to her, but not a lot. She had only requested water from the Empire instead of the fine vintage. She lowered her head, believing that maybe something had happened to Riku and Sora and that perhaps there would be no rescue. But she shook off these depressing moments and looked to possible hope.

"I can't allow myself to be humbled and lose hope." Kairi uttered. "Riku and Sora will come for me."

At that moment, the door opened and Lord Arakis entered the room.

"What do you want?" Kairi uttered, coldly.

"Come with me." Arakis replied.

"Why should I?"-

"It is in your best interest to come with me."-

"I have no intension of leaving this room." Kairi turned and sneered at the lord. "Riku and Sora will come for me! They will, you'll see!"

"I know they will. It is already eminent. Now come with me now!"-

"I refuse!"-

"You will do as I say, young lady! We can do this one of two ways, you can come willingly, or you shall be escorted by force!" Kairi approached Arakis, practically stomping in anger.

"You'd have to bust every bone in my body first!"-

"I might just do that, but then again Riku wouldn't be pleased if he saw you in a bloody pulp."-

"Riku?" Kairi asked. "What about Riku?"

"That's why I've called upon you. He's here now."-

"Riku's here?"-

"Just not in a triumphant way. He's been captured."-

"Captured." Kairi lowered her head. Then, with her fist tight, she gazed up at the Death Lord. "Take me to him."

"But first put this on." Arakis handed her a wrist band. "This will help protect you from the electrical security system we set up in the corridors." After placing the band on her wrist, Kairi accompanied Arakis out of her room and walked down to the threshold of the Imperial council, the Imperial Assembly Hall.

At the Assembly Hall, fifty of the top representative lords had made it to the meeting. Amongst them was the top lord of the Imperial council, Madam Lord Kamarran. Accompanying here were the other four members, Lord Crepes, Lord Verliotz, Lord Malico, and Lord Scythe.

"Do you know what this is about?" Madam Lord Kamarran asked.

"I understand that this meeting is regarding General Ameba." Lord Crepes uttered.

"What could he want now?" Lord Scythe insisted. "It's bad enough that he had to take up our time with that little incident in the 'Seed Realm.' Now the fool wishes to provoke our patience again."

"From what I've heard," Malico implied, "Lord Arakis made a deal with Ameba. He said that Ameba had to obtain the two key bearers alive. When he does, Ameba would be promoted to lord and be allowed to sit as a member of the Imperial Council."

"God forbid. I detest of that man, him and his radical ideas and bloodthirsty nature."-

"But you understand that at least half of the Imperial council approves of Ameba's motives."-

"If they only knew his true personality, then they'd see how big a mistake it would be to have that man as a member of the Imperial council."-

"The meeting of the Imperial council is about to begin!" the cried bellowed. "Meeting #97685, regarding the issues of General Ameba and the apprehension of the infamous key bearer!"

"Did you hear that?" Crepes uttered.

"Is he serious?" Scythe added. "They really caught one of the key bearers?"

Then, the doors opened and General Ameba entered the room and stood before the Imperial council.

"State your case, General Ameba." Kamarran said.

"Thank you, Madam Lord Kamarran." General Ameba stood before the company of lords. "Lady and gentlemen lords of the Imperial council, I come to you today to state that in due time, somewhere in the near future, I will be sitting with you as a member of the Imperial council. The reason being is that recently I had made a bargain with His Excellency, Master Arakis. As you know that I have been longing to be a member of the Imperial council for some time now. But my many applications have been disapproved by you. However, Lord Arakis has given me another chance. If I am to apprehend the two key bearers, Riku and Sora, to you, in exchange, Lord Arakis has guaranteed a promotion for me to become a lord and a member of the Imperial council." There were signs of disapproval amongst the faces of many of the lords. "Lord Arakis has given me proof of my declaration and his word. And already, I am half way to getting this document stamped and being promoted to the rank of you fine ladies and gents. I bring before you one of the key bearers. The eldest of the two, Riku. Apprehended by General Kai and myself, we have finally placed this reckless brat somewhere where he can no longer harass the efforts of the Empire. Now we can continue with progress undisturbed." He gave the signal to bring the young man in. "I present to you, Riku, the eldest of the keyblade masters."

Thus, with his hands bound behind him and locked in chains, Riku stumbled into the room, with Imperial troops bracing him up. They threw Riku before the Imperial council.

"Let us observe this boy then." Scythe uttered.

"So this is the scourge that has been a thorn in your side all this time?" Crepes added. "He's only a child."

"But he's a conniving little snake." Ameba explained. "He has managed to worm his way into the affairs of the Empire and has demolished our efforts to gain our goals. Because of him, the 'Treasure Realm,' with its unlimited riches from Flint's Trove had been lost to the depths of space. In the 'Ico Realm,' we were deprived of the rune sword, which was to prove a new source of energy for our massed legions of Gamman Mobile Droids and the soldiers of the Imperial Legion. And in the 'Rurouni Realm,' because of Riku's meddling, we were deprived of the power stones, which could have enhanced the combat systems of our mobile droids and newly gained mobile dolls by at least ten times. Because of this boy, we have lost a great significant resource. And why? All for the sake of one's twisted way of entertainment."

"Well, tell us who would be daft enough to let someone like this boy go on a rampage?" Crepes asked.

"I would!" a voice shouted out. The council turned to see Lord Arakis standing in the doorway. The lords stood up and raised their hands to the air.

"All hail His Excellency, Lord Arakis!" the crier bellowed.

"All Hail!" the lords shouted out.

"Be seated all of you." Arakis explained. He walked forward. Behind the mighty lord was Kairi, following close after him. She walked to the floor to see Riku prostrated on the ground.

"Riku!" she cried, running to his side.

"Stop there, girl!" one of the guards bellowed.

"Leave her alone!" Arakis shouted.

"Your Excellency?"-

"She has every right to comfort him."-

Kairi sat at Riku's side. Riku gaze up, his eyes half open, meeting her eyes.

"K…Kairi?" he uttered.

"Yes, it's me Riku."-

"Kairi…" Kairi laid her head against his and nudged him. She wrapped her arms around Riku, embracing him tightly. But their comfort didn't last long as Ameba stood over them.

"So you found Kairi," Ameba uttered, "Now what do you plan on doing!"

Riku and Kairi could only sneer at the general, but Ameba was unmoved.

"This is what this trek has been about!" Ameba chuckled. "Riku had journeyed to the very center of Imperial activity to retrieve this girl. But now that he has her, where does he go next? Nowhere! He's in our custody now!" Ameba pulled out his new saber and held it over his head.

"No, leave him alone!" Kairi shouted, shielding Riku's head. "Please, no more."

"K…Kairi." Riku uttered.

"Go ahead and smite them both." Arakis urged. "It's better off for me!"

"You'd like that wouldn't you!" Ameba chuckled. "But I won't kill him. Riku's life is too valuable!"

Arakis approached Riku.

"Where is your companion Sora?" Arakis asked.

"What's it to you?" Riku said, coldly.

"Usually, you two are inseparable."-

"I decided to rescue Kairi without Sora."-

"But why, Riku?" Kairi asked.

"Tell me Kairi, how long were you waiting for us."-

"It's been almost two weeks. I thought that you would never come. I began to lose hope. Not knowing whether you were dead, or not."-

"Are you hearing this?" Ameba chuckled. "Two weeks and already she began to lose hope!"

"Silence." Arakis said.

"I was starting to think that maybe the challenge was too great for you." Kairi uttered, tears running down her face. She embraced Riku tightly. "I thought I lost you."

"This…this is all Sora's fault." Riku said.

"What do you mean?"-

"It's because he was weak, he couldn't finish the fight." Riku looked up at Arakis. "I know about you and your little duel with Sora. He didn't bother to continue fighting you. He just let you walk away."

"That's correct." Arakis explained. "Sora did end the fight, but only because I had given him the chance to improve. The reason why is because Sora is different from you, Riku. He knows not to blow a second chance when he knows it's necessary." Arakis turned away. "If I had wanted to, I could've broken him immediately, without having to engage in hand to hand combat. I could have instantly killed him on the spot. Sora didn't even stand a chance."-

"So instead of trying to continue fighting, he decided to cower!"-

"Again you don't realize the true situation. Sora knew that trying to provoke me into fighting him would have been a grave mistake. If he had tried to strike me while my back was turned, I would have killed him. Instead however, he decided not to continue, knowing the further extent of pain he would inflict, not only on himself, but on those around him. Sora knew that dying recklessly was not worth it. Most of all, he was thinking about Kairi. How would Kairi have reacted if even one of you died?"

It all suddenly became apparent to Riku what had happened. Sora's action was not that of cowardice, but rather of logic. Sora knew how much he meant to Riku and Kairi as well as Mickey, Donald, and Goofy and all the other friends they've made. If he had died in the "Seed Realm," the loss would've been overwhelming.

"Oh God." Riku uttered. "What…what have I done?"

"So at last you see." Arakis continued. "Sora knew how much devastation would be inflicted on this girl. How do you think she feels now that you're here?"

"It's my fault. It's my fault. All this time, it's been my fault."-

"Don't blame yourself, Riku." Kairi uttered. "You're here now."

"But not for long!" Ameba chuckled. "Unlike you, Riku has been placed under my custody, by order of His Excellency, Lord Arakis!"

"I have placed Riku under Ameba's custody." Arakis said. "Guards, take Kairi back to her room. Riku is yours, general."

The guards moved in to take Kairi.

"No, leave him alone!" Kairi cried. "Show mercy, please! Please, show him mercy!"

"Of course we'll show him mercy." Ameba assured her. "We won't take his life."

The guards pulled her away.

"No!" Kairi cried, struggling to hold on to Riku. But the Imperials managed to pull her away and sent her back to her room, kicking and screaming. "No! Riku! Riku!"

"I leave him to you, Ameba." Arakis uttered. "But you will make sure to keep him alive. He's of no value to you if he's dead." Arakis walked out of the room.

"This meeting is adjourned." Madam Kamarran shouted. "We will leave the custody and the manner of the prisoner's treatment to you, General Ameba."

"I understand." The general replied. As the last of the lords left, Ameba walked up to Riku and kicked him in the gut. "That's just for starters." Ameba picked Riku up by his hair. "I told you before. There are times when my bloodlust will come first before my ambition. And guess what, Riku, you'll get to feel the full force of my cruelty." He then threw Riku to the floor. "Get this boy back on his feet. We're going back to Gombria and to the realm of torment." The guards picked up Riku and dragged him out of the room

The party once again returned to Gombria, there they went deep into the depths of the city. Upon reaching the very bottom of the city, Ameba led the way into a much deeper catacomb. They descended down into the lowest level of the city. It was made of masonry, like an old medieval castle. There was a long corridor stretching down one path, where old cells had been constructed. On the cell at the very end, where light barely touched, Ameba placed his new prisoner.

"You're lucky, Riku." Ameba chuckled. "You get to experience the full extent of my torture devices." The guards forcefully slammed Riku against the wall. They shackled his arms behind him and placed a neck shackle around his throat, so roughly that Riku nearly strangled. The guards then pushed him aside on the cold stone floor. They walked out one at a time. Ameba was the last to walk out. "Have a good nights sleep, Riku. It may be the very last time." The guard closed the cell gate and locked it, then walked away, leaving Riku in the dark. Riku was left alone in the dank, cold cell, with no blanket, no food, or water, and left in such a terrible state. He curled up in the corner of the cell.

"So this is my punishment." Riku said to himself. "A punishment that I inflicted upon myself. There's no one who knows where I am." Riku, tired from his trial, fell asleep on the cold stone.