Chapter 42: Restoring Hollow Bastion
As Sora and the gang swam to the secret area, they saw Kairi inside. Sora walks up to Kairi.
Kairi: Hey, Sora. Can I talk to you for a moment?
Sora: Sure. What do you wanna talk about?
Kairi removes her shoes and taps her feet in the clean water.
Kairi: For what looks like a sewer, the water here is really clean.
Sora: Kairi, do you know where the Gummi Block is?
Kairi: I believe it's at the end of the tunnel.
She points to the end of the tunnel which shows a mural of a sun. Sora walks to it and a light shines from the mural. After the light dims, the sun transforms into a moon and a Navigation Gummi came out. Sora picks up the Gummi Block and returns to Kairi.
Sora: Let's go back and join the others. We should rest up.
Kairi: OK.
Sora turns to Plucky and Dizzy.
Sora: Plucky, Dizzy, would you two please leave?
Dizzy: Why?
Sora: Kairi and I would like to be alone.
Plucky: Alone, huh? Come on, Dizzy.
Plucky and Dizzy left to leave Sora and Kairi alone. But not too far as they hid behind a rock to find out what's going on between the two.
Kairi: The light at the end of the tunnel...
Sora: Let me guess...your grandma's story?
Kairi looks up at him and nods.
Kairi: That's right. I loved my grandma and we would always be together. I do miss her though.
Sora: You know what's funny? I looked everywhere for you. I searched high and low. I almost gave up because I couldn't find you. But in the end, you were with me all along. Your heart was with me, Kairi. And we're now together again. Why did your heart enter my body?
Kairi: Because my heart wanted a ride.
Sora: Ha! You could be funnier than Plucky!
Plucky got so mad at that comment, he fires a Fira spell on the ceiling. He didn't realize that it has hit a beehive above him and it fell over. the bees angrily flew up and spots the duo. Plucky and Dizzy ran away in fear as the bees began to chase them outside. However, Sora and Kairi didn't know what was going on behind them.
Sora: It's not over yet. Now, it's time to get Riku back.
Kairi: Do you think anything will be the same between the three of us?
Sora: Do you remember when I was a Heartless? I was lost in the darkness. It was endless and I couldn't find my way out. As I stumbled through it, I began to forget everything. My friends, who I was, where I came from, it all began to leave me and was about to consume me. But then I hear a voice and it was your voice. That's what saved me. You're the one who brought me back. You'd never let go of the fact that I still existed.
Kairi: How could I forget about you? You're my best friend. I couldn't possibly forget the one who I always hung out with. I keep my heart connected to you.
Sora: Of course! That's it! Our hearts are connected.
He puts his hand on his chest.
Sora: The power of light from both of our hearts worked together and destroyed that darkness. When I hear your voice, I saw it with my very own eyes. That's what saved me. No matter how deep the darkness is, a light can always shine through. It's more than a fairy tale. It's a reality.
Kairi: Do Plucky and Dizzy give you that light too?
Sora: Not like you though. I wonder what those two are doing right now?
In the background, the bees and the duo came in, backwards from each side of the area and backed into each other. The groups turned around and the duo screamed and ran off with the bees chasing them again.
Kairi: Probably goofing around. Take me with you.
Sora: I'm sorry, Kairi. But you can't come with me.
Kairi: Why not? Is it because I'm a girl?
Sora: No! It's nothing like that. It's just too dangerous.
Plucky and Dizzy walks in wearing fake glasses with giant noses and moustaches. The bees flew by and stops by the duo. They both pointed right and the bees flew off. Plucky and Dizzy then ran off in the opposite direction.
Kairi: Come on, Sora. We've come this far by sticking together, right? You can't do this alone.
Sora: Look, even if we're apart, we're not alone anymore. We have each other no matter what.
Kairi: So I can't come?
Sora: You'd kinda get in my way.
Kairi: OK, you win this round, Sora.
Sora: I'm glad you understand.
Kairi: But there's something I want you to hold onto.
She pulls out a pink star that has a smile on it and gave it to Sora.
Kairi: This is my Oathkeeper Keychain. It's my lucky charm. Make sure you bring it back to me, OK?
Sora:(Irish Accent)Don't worry, Kairi. I won't let them get your lucky charms.
Kairi laughs out loud. Sora puts the Oathkeeper on his Keyblade. The Keyblade now looks like a white sword with a star at the end. Kairi warmly took his hands. The two looks into each others eyes. Plucky and Dizzy were watching with their mouths wide open. They began to slowly make their way towards each other. Sora's heart rate raised and he could feel sweat dripping down his face. Kairi smiles at the boy and puts her arm around him.
Kairi: Don't forget. Wherever you go, I'm always with you.
Sora and Kairi began to bring their lips towards each other when they hear Dizzy sneeze. The two turns to see Plucky and Dizzy look at them nervously. Sora got red in the face and took out his Keyblade.
Sora: OK, you two have five seconds to start running!
Plucky: Wait! We just recovered from running!
Dizzy: Plucky forced Dizzy to do it!
Plucky: Quiet!
Sora chased Plucky and Dizzy around town and Kairi giggles. Although Sora had escaped the darkness, there was one person who was lost in there totally because of his own hatred and betrayal of his heart. He was in the darkness, lost, cold, and alone. He felt scared and at the same time felt like no one liked him anymore. He felt like a fool. How could he have done this? They were his best friends. He felt like a broken person and had guilt that extends to the end of time. He looks down to see he was on a lone white path that extends into what appears to be endless darkness. He puts his head down, hiding his eyes within his long silver hair.
Riku: Oh, Sora...Oh, Kairi...I'm so sorry...
He got on his knees and looks up at the endless darkness.
Riku: I was wrong. If only I could change before it's too late.
He walks down the path with his head hung and looks lost.
Riku: Could this be the world of death?
As he walks, he lightly flickers and shrugs it aside. It was like a fly. It didn't feel like a threat. He then stumbles as his body felt numb and a blue aura surrounds his body.
Riku: I'm not ready to disappear.
The aura then disappears.
Riku: I just wanna see them one last time.
?: Hang in there, kiddo!
Riku looks around the room as he hears the strange voice. He became alert, expecting something to happen.
?: I'll be there soon!
Riku thought that the voice had an accent like the Cryptkeeper from Tales from the Crypt, except this one wasn't creepy and yet it felt like a more cheery and trusting voice.
Riku: Who's there? Show yourself!
?: It's OK. I'm here to help you.
Riku tried to find the voice, but it felt like it was all around him. He also felt something else about this person. A power he once had.
Riku: Sora? Is that you?
?: Sorry, but Sora isn't here.
Riku: But I feel the Keyblade!
?: That's because there's another Keyblade Master. This one I got from this side.
Riku was left confused.
?: You see, I've been talking to you all along. Sadly, my words were hindered by the darkness covering your heart.
Riku: Listen, buddy. I don't know who you are or where you came from, but you seem to have me figured out like a book. If you know about me, then what happened to me?
?: It's like this. Your heart was successful in overcoming the darkness. Unfortunately, you couldn't take back your body. So only your heart was left behind. In this darkness, the stolen hearts gather here.
Riku: Is there anything I can do? I just can't stand here in this eternal darkness forever.
?: The time has not come yet. First, we must wait for the Door of Darkness to appear. It has a power that can let us cross to the other side of it. But in order to close it, two keys and two hearts are required. I'm not too sure what it fully meant, but the key must be the Keyblade. Perhaps you too, like me, came here to achieve this purpose. Maybe it's fate that brought us both here.
Riku: Fate, huh? It sounds like you know everything about this.
?: Heh. I'm not a philosopher. I'm still learning about things. But there is much I know about our current situation.
Riku paused. He trusted this person even though he hasn't seen him yet. He felt that there was one more thing for him to accomplish.
Riku: Answer this one more thing for me. Are Sora and Kairi safe? Did they escape?
He was concerned. The true Riku finally returns and wants to make sure his friends were out of harms way. He would not let them suffer anymore. Riku looks back at the blank sky. For a minute there was no response, but the voice then spoke up.
?: That I can't answer. You yourself should be able to feel their hearts.
Riku could see Sora appear in his mind as he closed his eyes. His friend ran towards him with a big smile and laugh. Riku felt the connection between his two closest friends.
Riku: I see...
?: How you perceive your friends is dependent on your own heart.
Riku could feel Sora and Kairi were very close now. They smiled at him and ran off together. Riku then sighs with relief as he knew he found the answer. He looks up at the endless darkness and smiles at it.
Riku: Thank you.
Sora and the gang have to leave bright and earlier, so they can get to Hollow Bastion. The trio heads to the Gummi Ship. Sending them off was Leon's group and Kairi.
Cid: Be careful, kid. I really wish you didn't have to go back there.
Leon: I disagree. Sora has matured in this last month. I'm quite impressed with how much he has changed.
Sora: Thanks. I promise to end this madness.
Leon: But remember, you're going right into the frying pan. The Heartless will be extremely difficult to defeat.
The trio nods and boards the ship. It took off and Kairi watches it leave. A tear came streaming down her face and Leon puts his hand on her shoulder.
Leon: He'll be back.
A new route opens up and the Gummi Ship drove into it. The path was very rough and the ship began shaking. Sweetie and Sneezer kept everything under control until they've arrived back at Hollow Bastion.
Sweetie: We've done our part. Now it's all up to you.
Sora nods and took his leave. Sora notices that the darkness has spread out from the Keyhole. They landed by the rising falls where they met up with Tuxedo Mask.
Sora: Tuxedo Mask, I'm so glad you're OK!
He then looks around the area. He remembers that the Princesses should have been free now.
Sora: Where's Serena? I thought she was with you.
Tuxedo Mask: I thought so too. But she's still in there.
Dizzy: Against her will?
Tuxedo Mask: No, I think she stayed behind for a reason. The other Princesses are still there too.
Plucky: I wonder why they didn't return to their worlds.
Sora: Let's go and find out.
Tuxedo Mask: I'll guide you along the way. You may need some help.
As they re-entered the castle, they were confronted by alot of Heartless. They managed to fight them off, but there were too many of them.
Dizzy: Quick! To the library!
They all ran into the library and slammed the door in time as the Heartless crashed into it. Taking some breaths, they had to find a way around them to the upper floor.
Plucky: Man, I've never seen that many before. That Keyhole not only made them stronger, but made the army size as big as a Stormtrooper army marching down the hallway. I can't stand the sounds their feet make when they walk.
Tuxedo Mask: This isn't the time to talk about sci-fi movies. We're never going to get to the Princesses at this rate.
Sora: Maybe there's a secret passageway.
The gang went through the library, searching for something. They reached the end of the area and walked up to the stairs. Tuxedo Mask reached the top first and gasped in excitement upon who he saw. It was Serena and she just finished reading a book. She turns to see Tuxedo Mask and smiles.
Tuxedo Mask: S-Serena? Is that really you?
Serena: Well, who else would it be? A Heartless?
Tuxedo Mask and Serena ran to each other and hugged.
Tuxedo Mask: Serena, I'm so glad you're OK! I'm sorry! If only I-
Serena: It's OK, Darien. I'm so glad you kept your promise and came to rescue me.
Tuxedo Mask: Serena, I've always wanted to tell you the truth. I love you. I'm sorry that I couldn't say it before, but-
Serena: Shh. I love you too, Darien. I am grateful that you told me that.
The two kissed each other on the lips. Sora smiles. He was happy to see them united. He then notices Plucky crying from the beautiful moment. He walks over to the table and picks up a tissue box. Sora brought it back to Plucky and held it out. Plucky took it and blew his nose on it. The two lovers pulled away from each other. Serena then turns her attention to Sora.
Serena: So you must be the Keyblade Master. Please hurry. We're holding back the darkness, but we don't know how long we would hold on.
Plucky: Listen, lady. We'd love to go, but the Heartless are everywhere. We can't get to the source of the problem by going through the problem.
Serena: Don't worry. This door behind that bookcase leads to a secret elevator which takes you to the other Princesses. I also have something for you.
She hands Sora a badge and a Keychain that looks like a crescent moon.
Serena: The badge is called Scan. You can sense enemy weaknesses with it. The Keychain I also gave you is called Moon Power. I'm sure it will give you strength that you needed.
Sora: Thanks, Serena. I promise to use it.
Serena led the group to the end of the hallway and pulls a book out of a shelf. A secret door appears and she opens it, revealing a platform. The four steps on the elevator and Serena made a worried look.
Serena: Please be careful. The darkness is growing. The six of us are doing the best we can to hold it back. But we won't last much longer. You must hurry and finish the job.
Sora: Then let's do it!
Serena pressed the button and the elevator lifts up into the air. The group arrives outside on the floating platform as it made it's way up towards the top of the castle. Finally, the platform reaches the door outside of the castle. The group steps off and walks into the next room. They arrived in the chapel and see the remaining Princesses talking to each other. They saw Saori and Kari talking to the Princess with a blonde hair, wearing a pink dress, and golden crown. Sora ran to the girls. Dizzy blushes in front of the Princess.
Sora: Hey, are you girls alright?
Kari: Thank you, my friends. But the Princesses are in another castle.
Dizzy: WHAT?
Kari and the Princess both laughed.
Princess: That trick never gets old. Pleased to meet you, Keyblade Master. I'm Peach, Princess of the Mushroom Kingdom.
Saori: Thank goodness you're here, Sora. You have done well.
Plucky: We're glad you're all alive. T.K. and Seiya were worried about you two.
Kari: Well, I guess it was fate that chose me to be one of the seven Princesses of Heart.
Peach: We've been waiting for your arrival, Sora. The other Princesses and myself have been holding back the Keyhole. I would have rather go on an adventure with Mario than do this, but that's how life is sometimes.
Sora: What happened to Ansem? We've gotta stop him!
Saori: Sorry, Sora. He's gone. When the darkness came pouring out of the Keyhole, it swallowed him.
Kari: But that's not stopping the Keyhole. It's still flooding and we're doing everything we can to stop it.
Peach: The reaction on Ansem's face when he was consumed was the most frightening part. He was smiling as the darkness consumes him.
Plucky: Who wouldn't find that face frightening? They should arrest him for attempting a first degree cause of blindness.
Sora laughs at the joke.
Sora: Now that was a funny joke, Plucky.
He then paused about what he just said.
Sora: Did I just called Plucky's joke funny for the first time?
Suddenly, Yoshi and Gatomon got out of Sora's Summon Gems. Yoshi ran up to Peach while Gatomon ran up to Kari.
Yoshi: Yoshi miss Peach!
Peach: Hello, Yoshi. I'm glad to see you too.
Gatomon: Kari, I miss you!
Kari: I miss you too, Gatomon.
Sora: I'll leave you two with the Princesses for now. We've gotta seal the Keyhole!
Saori: Please hurry, Sora. You have our full support. You should talk to the other two Princesses here.
Saori points to the elf Princess with blonde hair and a pink dress and a blue fox.
Plucky: Who are they?
Peach: The Princess who almost looks like me is Zelda, Princess of Hyrule. And the blue fox is Krystal, member of the Star Fox team.
Sora: We'll go talk to them. See you all later.
Yoshi and Gatomon remains with Peach and Kari as Sora's group went to see Zelda and Krystal. Dizzy once again was blushing in front of them.
Sora: Hey, are you two OK?
Krystal: Good to see you, Keyblade Master. You did save us from the Heartless. Now I'll help you.
Zelda: We're doing the best we can to hold the darkness back. You've gotta hurry. We won't last much longer.
Plucky: Kid, we've gotta head for the chamber before it's too late!
Sora: Yeah, we'll get right to it!
Sora's group said good-bye and heads into the next room where the Heartless attacked them. They managed to eliminate them and proceed to the top of the room. Sora also found another treasure chest which contains another Keychain known as Oblivion. They finally reached the heart portal and dove into it. The new area was a giant room that had multicolor like red, blue, and green. Sora gasps as he saw the Keyhole on a Heartless symbol. This one has fire surrounding it.
Tuxedo Mask: Hurry, let's close this thing!
Sora's group heads for the Keyhole when a giant black beast appears out of nowhere with four legs. It was a giant Heartless with a red horn on top and two giant tusks that stick up. It is the Behemoth.
Sora: Come on! We can do this together! This Behemoth looks tough, but we can beat it!
Sora uses the Jagan Eye to release Hiei.
Hiei: Stand back, guys. Let me handle this.
Hiei attacks the Behemoth with his Fist of the Mortal Flame which he covers his hands on fire and rapidly punches the beast, but it did no damage. The Behemoth stomps it's two front feet which creates a shockwave, knocking Hiei back. It then fires a dark energy ball from it's horn and splits it into smaller balls. Hiei manages to deflect the energy balls with his sword.
Hiei: There must be some way to defeat that thing.
Sora uses the new Scan ability that Serena gave him. He found that the horn was the Behemoth's weak spot.
Sora: Hiei, aim for the horn!
Hiei: Got it!
Hiei removes his headband, revealing his third eye. He uses Sword of the Darkness Flame to engulf his sword in black flames. He slices off the Behemoth's horn, making the beast growl in pain. After taking out it's horn, Hiei took his shirt off and unleashes his Dragon of the Darkness Flame. The black flaming dragon engulfs the beast in flames, destroying it. Everybody was impressed with Hiei's strength.
Sora: I'm glad I have a powerful Summon!
Hiei: That beast was not much of a threat. I've dealt with far worse.
He then returns to the Jagan Eye. Sora receives a rare and powerful item called Omega Arts which he saves for later. Dizzy looks over to see the Keyhole.
Dizzy: Sora need to seal Keyhole now.
Sora nods and walks over to the Keyhole. As he was about to seal it, he hears a familiar voice.
?: Sora, you did it.
Sora: Leon? What's he doing here?
Tuxedo Mask: Let's go and find out.
The four left the dark depths and decided the Keyhole could wait a moment. Tuxedo Mask said good-bye and heads back to the library to find Serena. Sora saw Leon, Yuffie, and Aerith. He walks over to them while Plucky and Dizzy stays behind to watch over the Keyhole.
Sora: What are you guys doing here?
Yuffie: Cid had an extra ship and we were able to come here in the same vessel we used to leave here.
Sora: Where is Cid?
Aerith: He went to check out the old workshop here. As you're aware, this is our childhood home. We wanted to see it again now that you were here.
Leon: And as I feared, it is in the worse shape ever. This world used to be beautiful and peaceful. I hope that one day, we can rebuild this world to the way it was.
Sora: Leon, I'm about to seal the Keyhole. What do you think will happen now?
Leon: At this point, I think the darkness will weaken. But the threat will still be alive. I believe our only chance on winning this war is to take out Ansem.
Aerith: He's the one who started all this by experimenting on the heart. After that, he released the true darkness which caused this whole thing to turn into a big problem.
Leon: If Ansem is defeated, every single world that was lost by the darkness shall return. That means your island as well.
Sora gasps excitedly. Finally, he was going to go home. Everything will be back to normal.
Sora: I get to go home! I can see my mom and dad and my friends again! You guys can always come and visit me if you...
He notices that the adults had sad looks on their faces.
Sora: What's the matter? I thought you were happy.
Leon: We are. But when all the worlds are restored...
Yuffie: This will mean good-bye.
Aerith: Once the worlds are restored, they'll be separated again.
Yuffie: Everyone will go back to where they came from. And there's nothing they can do.
Sora: No problem. I can ask Plucky and Dizzy if they could fly down with the Gummi Ship. I can come and visit you guys.
Leon: It's not as simple as it appears. Think about it, Sora. If you did know about other worlds out there, then I'm sure you would have visited them at an earlier time.
Yuffie: But you never knew about the other worlds nor anyone else.
Aerith: That's because every world was isolated. Impassable by an invisible wall.
Yuffie: The Heartless destroyed the walls which caused world travel. When the worlds are restored, those walls will return.
Sora couldn't believe it. He would never be able to see any of them again. He puts his head down and fought back the tears that were coming out of his eyes.
Sora: It can't be. So that means that we can never...
Leon nods before the boy could finish. He was heartbroken. He didn't want it to end like this. He loves exploring other worlds with his friends, meeting new faces, and going on fabulous adventures. Sora then sadly turns to Plucky and Dizzy. His two friends that supports him throughout the entire adventure would be out of his life for good. Leon puts his hand on Sora's shoulder.
Leon: It's alright. Not everything works out. I know you'll miss those two. Especially, Dizzy. You've grown attached to him. Crying won't help. You need to be strong. We may never meet again, but as long as we remember each other, we'll always be in each other's lives.
Aerith: Even if we're apart, our hearts will bring us together again.
Yuffie: Besides, I couldn't forget about you even if I wanted to.
Sora: What's that suppose to mean?
He then sighs.
Sora: But I don't know how I'm going to break this to Plucky and Dizzy. It will break their hearts, especially Dizzy's. He looks at me like a brother.
Plucky: Sora! What are you doing? Get back over here!
Sora turns to notice the duo impatiently waiting for him.
Dizzy: Hurry! Come and close the Keyhole!
Leon: Good luck, Sora.
Sora nods and left for the Keyhole. Back inside, Sora approaches the Keyhole with the two behind him. He took out the Keyblade and points it right at the Keyhole. The Keyblade fires the beam at the Keyhole, the fire dims, and the Keyhole made a familiar click. The Keyhole finally disappears. The trio cheers as they finally sealed the Keyhole and were one step closer to ending this madness. As they went outside, they ran into Aerith who was still around.
Aerith: Sora, I found most of the Ansem Reports. And take this crystal with you too.
She gave Sora a few more Ansem Reports and a crystal to upgrade his Cura magic to Curaga. The trio left the main hall and made it back to the chapel. Upon arrival, the Princesses greeted them.
Saori: Thank you, Sora. The darkness has begun to take it's leave. That puts me at ease.
Kari: Not so fast, Saori. There's another powerful darkness growing not too far from here.
Zelda: She's right. It feels like the heart of all darkness.
Plucky: Probably where that Ansem guy went.
Sora: Then we gotta get in the Gummi Ship and finish this battle!
Krystal: A worthy answer, Keyblade Master. Take these. They'll make you stronger.
Sora receives the final magic upgrades to Fire and Blizzard. Peach smiles to Sora with hope.
Peach: Your courage can bring back our worlds. Believe me, the way you handled Ganondorf was impressive.
Zelda: Sora, when you, Plucky, and Dizzy defeat the darkness, all should return to it's original state.
Sora gasps in shock because he knew that Kairi wasn't from Destiny Island to begin with.
Sora: Will Kairi return to my island?
Krystal: Most certainly. And you should be too.
Dizzy: But Dizzy know that Buster is still out there. It up to us to find him.
Plucky: And we need to find Riku too.
Sora: Yeah! I'm not going home until they're safe!
Peach and Kari turns to Yoshi and Gatomon.
Peach: Yoshi, please go along with Sora until this is all over.
Yoshi: Yoshi will help Sora.
Kari: You too, Gatomon. I'll be fine here.
Gatomon: OK, I'll return soon.
Yoshi and Gatomon returns to their Summon Gems. The group said their good-byes and heads out. On the way, they stopped by the library and said good-bye to Serena and Tuxedo Mask. The three headed back to the Gummi Ship and Sora, Plucky, and Dizzy boarded. Sora looks back at the castle and sighs. He knew he had one more task to complete, but in doing so, his magical journey ends. He didn't even know if he had the heart to tell his friends that he is leaving. The Gummi Ship took off and went into space.
That's it for chapter 42. Next chapter, Sora and the gang will return to two worlds to face two bosses.