Time Between

by Yue Twili

(Bridge between Act 1 and Act 2 of Sun and Moon: Change of Fate series) The Trio arrives to the Mysterious Tower for training. But the limited time they have has their own revelations...and their dangers. -Canon Divergent; leading up to Chain of Memories-

3. Dream Eater

This idea was inspired by another story called 'Sunlight' from Archive of Our Own; where Isa got a Dream Eater to handle his nightmares. In all honesty, it was meant to get some items to attain Dream Eaters but changed to something else. It spiraled down from here.

As for the reason why, again, Castle Oblivion is a weird place. While it could make you forget battle experience to deter intruders away...it seems to have a habit of making you remember things as well. As for why the experiences took this long to pop up when it should have earlier...it's a combination of THAT and other factors that could have this manifest. For those of you who hadn't played Kingdom Hearts III, in that one scene where Aqua seemingly gives up and allows the Demon Tide to sweep her away? She's still...mentally scarred from her experiences in the Dark Realm. That shit would NEVER go away easily. So. Yeah. I know she isn't weak, but even the strongest of person would still have 'damages'.

Originally, I put down that three 'days' in the Secret Forest had passed for this chapter to occur...but I changed it to a few more days to make it apparent.

I hope you enjoy!

---

They were fighting the Demon Tower. They had attacked it for a while, and it didn't seem to be going down.

The relay had worked out so far. Yet so many Shadows are still keeping it standing tall.

Yet…Lea missed a step, and the Keyblade fell out of his reach. In that span of a second, the Demon Tower surged at him, consuming him.

He couldn't scream as they clawed him. A sharp pain came from his chest. He groaned as something was pulled out from him-

Lea's eyes snapped open; he's lying on the bed, covered in cold sweat. He pushed himself up, covering his face. He looked at the clock in the room. It's 4:35 in the morning. He groaned. 'Not again…' he mentally groaned.

It's been days since they left Castle Oblivion. Several days since the nightmares began to manifest (at least in the Secret Forest). The first time, he woke up screaming. The next few times, it scared him so much, he couldn't afford to go back to sleep. It didn't help that within this 'world' Merlin made for them, it feels like longer than the three days out there.

The nightmares he had were always of different…scenarios that could have happened. Either of them would trip, and it would be him or Isa that would get killed by Xehanort. The Heartless that attacked him at the Dwarf Woodlands decided to take his heart then and there, instead of just tossing him into the mines. Phantom Aqua going for him, and cutting him down, or even target Isa or Aqua. Killed by a Darkside, etc., etc.…

The nightmares are affecting his sleep. And as a result, affected his training.

…But, it wasn't just him, he noticed. Isa and Aqua were also affected as well if the bags were evident under Aqua's eyes.

'Is our time down there affecting us now…?' Lea asked himself, running his hands over his face. 'Why now, of all times?'

…Did Castle Oblivion have something to do with this? You end up 'forgetting' how to fight…but, when you leave, it's like you hadn't forgotten how to do so at all. Did they just…remembered the time they had spent down there? It made them remember?

Ugh…at this rate, he can't even go back to sleep. He rubbed his face, mulling it over. Huffing, he got out of bed.

He made his way to the small kitchen the cottage they're staying in is at. He walked to the table and sat down, leaning onto it. He didn't know how long he had been lying there, trying to fall asleep…yet, today had to be the day that he couldn't go back to sleep. Even at the table.

After a long while, he raised his head when he heard footsteps. Isa walked in…but he looked as exhausted as Lea looked. "…Can't sleep?" He asked.

Lea sighed, slumping his head back down. "Nope."

"Shame," Isa muttered, sitting down. He heaved a tired sigh. "…Aqua and I are starting to suspect our visit to the castle brought back certain memories."

Lea mumbled into the table. Isa gently lifted his head a little. "Sorry." Lea yawned. "Is Aqua blaming herself for this?"

Isa sighed. "Well…we talked about it. We couldn't have known this would have happened." He rubbed his forehead. "Of all times, why now…?

"I dunno…" Lea folded his arms to cradle his head. "What time is it?"

"6:30." He looked over at Lea. "How long have you been up?"

"For two hours," Lea answered. "…Been having a nightmare on and off last night."

Isa grunted, leaning against the table.

Soon enough, Aqua joined them. She looked between the two tiredly. "…Didn't sleep well?" She rhetorically asked them.

They grunted. Aqua tiredly sighed before sitting at the table with them. Lea looked up at her. "…I'd say something, but I don't need to," he said, looking at the bags under her eyes.

Aqua grunted, closing her eyes.

The three then jumped when Merlin appeared via magic. He noticed the three of them. "Ooooh dear." He fixed his glasses. "Master Yen Sid was worried that this would happen."

"Ab-" Lea yawned. "About what?"

"The realm of darkness is treacherous for a reason. While you had undergone your own growth, unfortunately the narrow experience and constant exposure seems to have seeped into your dreams. While you recovered from your grieving, it seems that your bad experience with the Heartless has been ringing fresh in your mind. Perhaps it was too soon for you to return without proper recovery."

Isa frowned, grunting. "…So, even outside, our dreams are affected by darkness…" Isa sighed. "Terrific."

Lea groaned, covering his face. "We can't fight like this…we'll be exhausted by the time those guys get there…"

"Though…why are we suddenly having these dreams?" Aqua asked Merlin. "We didn't have this until we visited Castle Oblivion."

"Well, it was once said that memories are carried by dreams, which are carried by sleep, and in sleep it carries darkness. Because you were calling in your memories from the Dark Realm, they become a part of your sleep manifested. An…unconscious thought you hadn't dealt with without support."

"So you're saying our minds began to turn what we experienced into something worse," Isa summarized, annoyed. Ugh. Why are minds so evil?

"Well, you aren't wrong," Merlin conceded. He fixed his glasses. "But, because you lack said support, we perhaps what we need is elsewhere. Come now- we must speak with Master Yen Sid. Perhaps it is time to see if we can enact something."

The two boys grumbled, Lea rubbing his eyes.

Aqua sighed. 'Hopefully, he knows something that could help,' she thought.

The four are now within the Sorcerer's Loft, having been teleported there via Merlin's magic. Yen Sid regarded their condition, with Lea yawning. He sighed through his nose. "It is as Merlin said. Because your harrowing experience within the dark realm, you lack proper meditation to your recent experiences. It was unwise to send you all for training without proper necessities."

Isa was tired, he didn't care about having his pride up, looking down in shame. "Well…we were the ones who got too hasty." They weren't sure how much time they have until they need to investigate Organization XIII within the castle. For all they know, they may not have a lot of time.

Yen Sid grunted. "Perhaps so. Though…in order to have you be able to handle the nightmares, on your path to recovery…perhaps what you need is a new companion to help with it."

"A new companion?" Aqua asked.

"In the age of fairy tales, Keyblade users have a companion by them, to protect them," Yen Sid explained. "They are beings known as 'Dream Eaters'."

"Dream Eaters?" Lea parroted.

"Creatures that could either devour nightmares – known as Spirits – or even cause them, appropriately named Nightmares," Yen Sid explained. "They exist within a 'realm' not normally accessed, the Realm of Sleep. And yet, one particular breed had disappeared from it. As for why it did," he shook his head, "even I do not know. It's disappearance unfortunately disappeared with the secrets of the lost Keyblade masters."

Isa had to fight off a yawn. "A particular breed?" He parroted.

"They're simply known as 'Chirithy' – different from most Dream Eaters, as they're created to be said companions for Keyblade users. Any other Spirit Dream Eater can fulfill their role, but Chirithy is unique for a reason, able to exist outside of the Realm of Sleep. At least, without certain assistance."

Aqua mulled it over (as much as her sleep addled brain could allow anyway). "…So…we need a Dream Eater to solve at least ONE part of the problem…is that what you're saying?"

"That is correct," Yen Sid nodded. "…Alas, even I do not know the means to summon one now."

Lea and Isa groaned, slumping. The adults couldn't help but sympathize. The boys are finding that they couldn't keep their eyes open for long now…

"…Well, we need to think of something," Aqua said. "We could-" She was cut off when the boys slumped to the ground. She looked surprised…but, they're only asleep. Leaning against each other with Lea snoring.

A moment of silence went by, the only sound of Lea's snoring heard.

"…Well!" Merlin cleared his throat, fixing his glasses. "Eh…hopefully they could get a restful sleep. They need it after all."

Yen Sid sighed with Aqua.

In all honesty, Aqua couldn't blame them.

~o~

…When Lea opened his eyes, there was darkness. But…something's strange. It didn't feel…intimidating. He looked around. "…Wasn't I…at the tower?" He asked himself. "Did I fell asleep?"

He didn't remember doing that. Maybe he was more tired than he thought- Wait. If he's asleep, then…shouldn't there be a dream or something?

…Now that he noticed it, there's a light under him too.

He looked down.

He's standing on top of his 'station'. It's still the same, but it has the image of Aqua and Naminé in the circles. "Huh. Been a while since I was here," he muttered. "But…why am I here?" This doesn't make sense. Why would he appear within his 'mind'?

Sighing, Lea looked up…and blinked, making a confused grunt. There's something in the distance. He squinted his eyes. What is that? It's light, obviously, but…

…Something told him to go over there. But how…?

An odd sound reached his ears. It took him a few moments to process it, but…when he did, he was only confused.

Water…? He looked around to try to find the source. He then felt his feet wet. He looked down. There's water over his feet. He lifts a foot. "What the…? Where did the water come from?"

…Well, whatever. He looked back up to the light. He should try to…get to that light.

Furrowing his brows, he took a step- and the water began to recede suddenly with him noticing. He looked up- and a huge wave came right at him.

'What the hell is going-?' Lea shook his head. 'Ugh! This is weird enough already! I gotta get to that light!'

…Though, it feels stupid to try to fight against it, but…screw it! Lea braced himself and ran to the light.

The water soon crashed over him. The next thing he knew, he was suddenly in deep water. He tumbled in the undertow, holding his hands over his mouth in surprise. He looked around a bit…then noticed the light shining above him. The surface? Not questioning it, he had his lips pressed tightly before he swam to the surface.

He soon breaches the surface, gasping…and pulled himself out. He panted, catching his breath. As he regained his breath, he opened his eyes…and noted a reflective surface under him. The surface is…also water. A bright, blue sky is reflected off of the surface.

Blinking, he raised his head…and his eyes went wide, jumping to his feet. The water splashed under him. Everything around him is a large blue sky over him. He can't see over the horizon. Nothing but clouds and the reflective, yet oddly solid water, as far as the eye could see.

Lea looked around, bewildered. "…Where am I…?" He asked himself- before the surface near him was breached, with him jumping.

His head jerked to the source. To his surprise, it was Isa, who emerged himself, panting.

"Isa?!" Lea exclaimed in surprise. He hurried over to help him up.

Isa regained his breath, looking at him. "Lea? What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing, but…" Lea looked around. "Where is… 'here'?"

The blue haired boy noted it, before looking around. "…What the…?" He muttered. He moved away from Lea, looking around.

The two walked, the water softly splashing under them. "…Where do you think we are?" Lea asked.

"I dunno," Isa responded.

Lea looked up at the sky. "Well…either this place is real…or just a really weird dream I'm having right now."

"But, I'm here, and you're here," Isa pointed out. "We both fell asleep but…we're…not dreaming?"

Lea looked at him. "Wait. You also fell asleep?"

"Yeah," Isa nodded. "I ended up at my Station of Awakening…there was a light, and water appearing…"

Lea's eyes went wide, turning to face him. "Wait. You too?"

Isa's eyes went wide. "…Even you?"

"Yeah!" Lea nodded. "What was that about? We ended up at our stations, and then…here?" He held his arms out. "What's up with that?"

Isa just gave a helpless shrug.

Lea lowered his arms. He looked out. "…Well. It's a nice place though, all things considered."

"Yeah," Isa nodded, looking out as well. The two enjoyed a moment of calm the place offered. Wherever this place is, at least it's nice-

"Huh. This is an unusual circumstance."

…The two stood there in silence as they registered the new voice. It was small and…kinda squeaky?

"…Huh?" Lea meeped out. The two looked around.

"Been a while since this place has visitors. Did you two wonder here on accident?"

"…Who are you?" Isa asked. "WHERE are you?"

There was silence. The two looked at each other, wondering if they both imagined it.

Suddenly, the same voice is making silly noises (that's…decidedly cute for some reason)- as there's a light above them. They looked up to see that light descending down to them. It hovered over the surface of the water (with there being ripples). Then, it erupted in a bright light, the two recoiling from it, making them cover their eyes. And when the light ended, and they lowered their hands…the two stared dumbly at it.

It's cat-like, with the fur grey with black stripes on it, the ears folded like a Scottish Fold. The muzzle is white with a small pink nose and blue eyes. It has a white underbelly, and white around its stubby hands and feet. It has a pink coin purse hanging around its neck, with a white star emblem on the front, and it wore a small white cape with the collars shooting out a little.

…It looks…doll-like, with how the eyes are.

It hovered over the ground, covered in spores of light before lightly landing on the ground. "The name's Chirithy," it introduced itself. "And this is the Final World."

"…Uh," Isa droned out. He gestured to himself, as Lea stared at it, "I'm Isa. That's Lea." He then took note of the last part. "And…the Final World?"

"It's a place where those who died of natural means – both body and heart – arrive," Chirithy explained. "They pass on naturally, but there are occasions where they persist and arrive here." It scratched its head at them. "Though…in your case, sleep and death can practically 'touch' by the edges and one can't help the occasional crossover. If you two are still kicking, then you two probably arrived here from your Stations of Awakening. That can happen from time to time."

Isa scratched his head a little, with Lea still staring at it. "…So, it's sort of the after-life?"

"That's right," it nodded. "But don't worry. You'll return to your bodies easily."

"I see…" Isa muttered. "Well, that's good to know." What an odd creature though. What is it doing-? Wait. It called itself 'Chirithy'. "Wait. You said your name is…?" He trailed off as Lea approached it.

Chirithy blinked up at him. "What?"

Lea crouched down, still staring at it. He reached his hands out…and grabs it underneath the armpits. Something sharp went through his mind.

Soft. Plush! FLUFFY…!

The boy gasped sharply. "Oh…my…GAWD!" He quickly stood up, holding it up in his hands (and Chirithy could have sworn it saw stars in his eyes). "It's so soft and fluffy…!" He squee'd, before hugging it (with Chirithy freaked out).

Isa couldn't help but stare as Lea giggled like a little kid, nuzzling his cheek onto its head, oblivious to Chirithy's cries for help. But…he had a bored smile forming on his face. He had forgotten that Lea has a thing for…cute things. It's been a while since he's seen Lea act like this though. It feels…refreshing for some reason, seeing that.

"H-Hey! Don't just stand there!" Chirithy cried out, as Lea wiggled in happiness. "Get him to let me go!"

Isa slightly shook his head, before approaching. "Lea…"

Lea turned to Isa with a smile. "Isa! Feel him! His fur is so soft!" He held up the Chirithy to Isa.

Isa stared at the Chirithy for a moment. "…Maybe later," Isa responded. "First, put him down. He's not yours."

"Aw…" Lea moaned, but he set the small creature down.

Chirithy sighed. "Thank you. I honestly didn't expect that," he said, scratching his head.

"Sorry. My friend has a fondness for 'cute' things," Isa explained. "Like cats and dogs for instance."

"Well, then he should meet a Meow Wow," Chirithy said. He looked at the two. "Anyways, is there something wrong? Why did you appear at your Stations?"

"Well…first off, you're called 'Chirithy', right?" Isa asked him. "You're a Dream Eater from the Age of Fairy Tales. What's a member of the supposed 'extinct' breed doing here?"

Chirithy noted it. "Oh, so you heard of that, huh?" He scratched his head. "Well…for why I'm here, I'm just waiting for someone."

"You are?" Lea asked, tilting his head curiously.

"Yeah. See, he's a friend of mine. He's just…a little lost right now – both in memory and sleep," Chirithy explained. "I was waiting to meet him here. But…you two seem to be troubled."

The two looked at each other. "…Well… we heard about you," Isa said to Chirithy. "Well, at least the Chirithy breed. They disappeared from the Age of Fairy Tales." He has his hands on his hips. "…It must have been sheer luck that this happened."

"Oh. Well…it's a long story," Chirithy said as Lea rubbed his chin. "But the short version of it is, since Keyblade users adapt after the war…there was…hardly a reason for most of us to be around."

"…I see," Isa muttered.

"Though…the two of you look like you can definitely need a Dream Eater yourselves," Chirithy remarked, looking at the two. "You look fine, but…I can sense certain scars about you two."

"Well…let's put it this way: being in the realm of darkness sucked," Lea answered with Chirithy noticing it.

"Hoo boy…" The Dream Eater slumped a bit. "I think I can see where this is going. So you two need some help from Dream Eaters, huh?"

"Yeah. Well, there's also someone else who needs a Dream Eater too," Lea spoke up. "Handling our nightmares are one thing, but…well, some of us do need therapy, or guidance…or both. But, mostly therapy for us."

"Yeah…" Isa muttered, glancing away. "Nightmares are one thing, but…we were hasty, considering the Organization."

The Dream Eater noted it. "Oh. You felt that you need to get ready…okay, I see what happened," Chirithy said. "Though, you can't be ready mentally as you are now."

"Of course not," Lea responded. "But…"

Chirithy noted it. He hummed. "…In that case, I got an idea. Hold on a second." He turned around, his back to them. The two glanced at each other as the Dream Eater grunted a couple of times. "Ouch…!" They looked back at him when they heard his small yelp. "Okay…I think I'm okay… This oughta work. But…just to be sure…" He patted himself, mumbling to himself. "Okay. Good." He soon turned back to the two, before handing them two glowing pieces. "Here."

The two blinked before they took the pieces. "What are these?" Lea asked.

"Well, pieces of me that you two could use to make a pair of new Chirithys," Chirithy answered, with the two surprised.

"Wait! These are-?!" Lea exclaimed, looking at the piece in his hand in shock. He looked back at Chirithy. "Why would you…?"

"Sometimes, the only way to fix a problem like this IS to find an older solution used back then," Chirithy answered. "The solutions used today are built out from the past to help mend the problem, as they can directly strike it at its source."

Lea blinked. "Huh?"

"I think he means that, to solve our nightmare problem, we need the help of the past, before we work on our other issues," Isa said.

"Oh. Well, I guess that makes sense. We can't just get it over with all at once…"

"Things like this take time," the Dream Eater said. "If you aren't willing to confront those problems, they would get worse until it boils over. Especially with certain…conditions. One of which you can't get rid, since it would be there with you, but you can have it be treated at least."

"Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder- or PTSD. Yeah," Isa nodded, "That's what we figured." He raised an eyebrow at Chirithy. "But…are you sure?"

"Of course," Chirithy nodded. He perked. "Oh. Almost forget." He approached Isa before handing him something. "Since the means to make a Chirithy outside of the Realm of Sleep is lost, you might need that."

"Ah," Isa said, noting it as he looked at the small folded paper. He stuffs it into his (really big, and very real) pockets. "Thank you. But…why give us pieces of you?"

"Well, part of the reason is because you're also a friend of my friend," Chirithy replied.

Lea blinked. "Friend of…your friend?"

…What does that even mean? Hm…

Lea shook his head. He shouldn't worry about that now. "Well…thanks. So, uh…how do we get back from here? And can just one piece of you really help us out?"

"Sure it can," Chirithy nodded, cheerful. "As for how to leave…just fall into the water and call upon your own heart to wake up."

The two blinked at that. They looked at each other…before they looked at Chirithy, nodding. "All right. We're trusting you. So…I guess we'll see you later then," Lea said.

"Be safe you two!" Chirithy waved them off. Lea gave a soft smile, waving back. Isa had a bored smile at his friend, but he gave a small wave to the Chirithy. The two took deep breaths…and let themselves fall backwards.

And found themselves back in the water. Letting themselves sink into the depths. Their bodies glowed, along with the parts of Chirithy in their hands…and the two 'flew' off, back to their hearts.

~o~

The boys' eyes popped open, the two shooting up in surprise. "We're awake!" Lea yelped out.

Merlin looked over at them, reading a book. "Ah, good morning," he greeted. The boys noticed that they're in a bed now. "Well, I should say late morning. You two have been out for a few hours now."

They looked around. "We were?" Isa asked.

"Yes. Though, you two had barely stirred at all while you were asleep," Merlin informed them with a worried look. "I know you two were tired but…I was worried you might not wake up again."

"Oh. Uh…sorry," Lea mumbled, looking away. His hand squeezed around something with him noticing. He held up his hand…and he's still holding onto the piece he had gotten from Chirithy. "Oh."

"Hm?" Merlin blinked at it. "My, where did you get that?"

Lea looked up. "Uh…"

Isa moved on the bed, before he held up his own piece. "I have one too," Isa said. "When we were asleep, we were taken to our Stations of Awakening, and ended up at a place called the 'Final World'. Since the edges of sleep and death touch, we ended up at the place that's sort of the 'afterlife' for hearts that perished with its body. We were dreaming, thankfully, but…we ran into someone who gave us a piece of himself."

"Yeah. It was a Chirithy."

Merlin looked surprised. "You met a Chirithy? In the Final World?"

"Yeah," Lea nodded. "It's nice but…well, anyway. They said they were waiting for someone. According to him, there wasn't much of a 'need' for a Chirithy anymore. But he still gave us a part of himself. 'Cause…apparently we met his friend…?"

Merlin hummed, fixing his glasses. "How peculiar."

"By the way, where did Yen Sid and Aqua go?" Lea asked Merlin.

"Well, while you two were asleep, the two went on ahead to see if they could find the means to attain a Dream Eater, as well as see if they could have it remain in the Realm of Light," Merlin answered.

"How long ago was that?" Isa asked him.

Merlin hummed. "About a couple of hours. They're yet to find something, though."

"So…you were waiting for us to wake up?" Lea asked him, crossing his legs on the bed.

"Well, honestly it would be beneficial for us to work together to solve this problem. Not only that, you two had been diligent workers, but I could see on how much Aqua worries about the two of you," Merlin said to them. "Not just as her students but also her friends as well. Mostly her friends."

Lea hummed, before he got out of the bed. He stretched his arms and back, grunting. He did a couple of exercises before he huffed. "Honestly? She should worry about herself from time to time. I'm not saying I didn't appreciate it, but…really."

Isa got out of the bed himself. "True. It's important for her to take care of herself," he said…before he pulled out the note Chirithy gave him. He unfurled the paper, looking at it. He squinted his eyes at it, pursing his lips.

"What's wrong?" Lea asked him, noting the look. Isa merely showed him…and Lea's eyes went wide. "…Holy crap. All of that for a Chirithy or two?"

Isa nodded. "Whoever created them must have took a lot of time to create one of them, and see what would work well or not," he said. "Before mass producing it."

"Where are we even going to find most of these things?" Lea asked, taking the note to look through it.

Isa hummed at that. "…Let's try asking Yen Sid," he suggested. "We gotta inform them of a clue of how to make a Chirithy Dream Eater anyway."

Lea grunted, before handing the note back to Isa. "All right. Let's go find them in the library."

Merlin closed the book and stood up. "Well then, let's hurry on then," he said as he got to them. He soon used his magic to teleport them to the library.

When they first set their eyes on the room, they were surprised by how big the place is. Bigger than the library in the castle, that's for certain. Sometimes, Aqua comes to the room to read in silence on the time there's some levity.

It was also in this room where Yen Sid gave the two a low down of how time works on a lot of worlds days ago. They each have their own flow since the Keyblade War. Some slower, some faster. Yet any person who came from the world would still follow the 'time' from their original world. (Which is a relief since they could still age normally by following the flow of time in Radiant Garden; a different case for Kairi but that's beside the point.) They learned a bit more of history behind that as well – since the Keyblade War, the restoration of the worlds also helps depend on how advanced they could become. Some are restored faster, leading to their own societies. Others, on the other hand, are slower, and made it seem as if they aren't quite as advanced as most worlds. It was confusing at most, but it could explain why some worlds are still in medieval times and others are more advanced.

Once they found Aqua and Yen Sid (with the three Good Fairies helping out), they informed them of what happened to them, showing the pieces of the Chirithy they had met, as well as the list and instructions that Chirithy gave to Isa. After telling them of that, Yen Sid mulled it over. As he did, Lea looked at Aqua.

"Did you get any rest before looking in the library?" He asked her.

"Uh…well," Aqua began, flushing.

"We had to beg her to at least nap for a little while," Merryweather spoke up. "Can't have her stumbling around, could we?"

Lea pointed at them. "Continue to be awesome guys."

Isa rolled his eyes as the Fairies giggled. "Lea," Aqua tried to chastise.

"What? You need it," Lea said to her. "Even if it isn't a full-on rest, it's needed at least."

Aqua stared at him before sighing. "You're…not wrong," she muttered.

Lea's eyes softened. "But, seriously, you should take care of yourself too." He has his hands on his hips. "I mean…I know how you are by now, but even you gotta take care of yourself, you big goof."

"Oh, I'm the goof?" Aqua asked him good-naturedly.

"Sometimes," Lea admits.

Aqua giggled. "Right. Though, you can be a bigger one."

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Lea asked her with a playful glare.

"She means that you can be an idiot," Isa responded. "A well-meaning one, but, an idiot."

"Ouch." The three of them laughed heartedly as the Fairies giggled.

Yen Sid couldn't help but smirk at their antics…but, there is things to do. He cleared his throat to get their attention. Once they stood at attention, he spoke. "It seems that this turn of events could be seen as…fortuitous. The fact that a Chirithy still exists is astounding…however, as the Dream Eater had mentioned, the means to create one had been lost for a long time." He held up the small note given to Isa. "It is at least wise enough to leave this to Isa. Yet, therein lies the problem."

"The means to recreate one," Isa spoke up.

"Precisely," Yen Sid nodded. "We may have the equipment, but the means to do so alludes us."

"So…what do we do now?" Lea asked.

"I'm not finished." Yen Sid sets the note down on the desk. "While the means to do so alludes us…there is, yet one way to get the pieces necessary. Which is what comes to this." He sat down at the desk in the library. "Though Xehanort's Heartless is defeated weeks ago, not all of the worlds were restored to the realm of light." That alarmed them. "However," he held up a hand to calm them, "it does not mean that they're truly gone." He lowered his hand. "As I said, Dream Eaters only exist within the Realm of Dreams. It is also within this realm, do the worlds that hadn't truly returned…remain asleep within."

"Seriously?" Lea asked, scratching his head. "How could worlds just…stay asleep?"

"I am afraid I do not know," Yen Sid shook his head. "Either some were too damaged enough to not fully returned…or, there were other reasons why. Among these worlds is Traverse Town, a world that is made up of a collection of lost worlds. It's a unique world, existing in the Realm Between. It appears before others in need of shelter."

"…So, in this case, it would serve as a unique haven for those who are in need of shelter," Isa said, hands on his hips. "Leon and the others found their way to that world, thanks to Cid and Mickey."

"Yes. The world I reside in isn't always 'standing' in a fixed place, as you could see," Yen Sid told them. "As such, in certain cases, Traverse Town reforms its shape every time. While it may have room for a certain amount of people, it would always change its shape."

"So, why would Traverse Town be in the Realm of Sleep now?" Lea asked. "Is it because it no longer serves as a 'haven' for other people?"

"No, there are still residents who's worlds hadn't been awakened," Yen Sid answered. "Perhaps, it is 'asleep' due to someone else using it as shelter."

The three looked confused. Someone else? But who?

Isa hummed arms crossed. "So, where are you going with this?" Wanting to get to the point.

Yen Sid grunted. "In order to get the necessary 'parts', you may have to go into the Realm of Sleep to do so."

The three looked surprised. "Seriously?" Lea asked.

"Dream Eaters live within the Realm of Sleep. As Traverse Town is within the Sleeping Realm now, it would serve as an opportunity to go there and find what you need from this list," Yen Sid pushes the list to them, for Isa to collect. "Also, it would be for the benefit of Aqua as well. There are many Dream Eaters, and she could decide on what she would take."

Aqua noticed it. "Ah. So, I could choose what I wanted," she said. Yen Sid nodded.

"Uh…is it all right for us to jump in there though?" Lea spoke up. "I mean, not that I'm against getting them but…how long would that even take?"

"In the Realm of Sleep, time is not of any concern," Yen Sid answered. "The worlds are, in a sense, a 'dream' of sorts that depict events that had occurred in the worlds before they were consumed. There are cases that an event had happened, and the 'remains' of that event appears as its own world."

Lea raised an eyebrow. "Huh. I don't…really get it, but…okay," he muttered. "So…the gist of it is that because it's a 'dream', time wouldn't move at all here, we could take as long as we want…and since it's just one world…it's okay?"

"That's correct."

"Ah. Okay."

Isa rolled his eyes. But, it does sound a bit…complicated. At the very least, though, they could be able to get what they need to make up Chirithy. Though…

"Though, we can't exactly lower our guard could we?" Isa asked. "Would there be Heartless?"

"No," Yen Sid answered. "As the worlds are asleep, barriers are created around them. Barriers that not even the Heartless could penetrate. But just because there are no Heartless, does not mean there aren't dangers within."

Isa noticed it. "The Nightmare Dream Eaters."

"Precisely."

"Well that figures," Lea muttered. He sighed. "But, can't be helped. Can't expect things to be easy forever, y'know?" 'I know it isn't better than facing Heartless, but…facing new enemies should be good for training,' he thought. Whether there are Heartless, Nobodies…they can't face the same enemies forever after all.

And though they're on a mission to get some Dream Eaters, they still gotta defend themselves.

"Though, suppose we do get them, how are we going to have them pop out in the realm of light?" Isa asked.

"It was said that Dream Eaters, when they have a strong bond with someone – a Keyblade wielder for example – they could be able to remain in the realm of light," Yen Sid elaborated. "If you could make a bond with your Dream Eater, could they exist outside of the realm of sleep."

Lea scratched his head. "So…assuming we do all of that, do we make them there, or here?"

"From the list the Chirithy given Isa, a couple can be made in the Realm of Light," Yen Sid answered, stroking his beard. "We will have to have the proper equipment to have them created. It would be wise to collect as many as you could."

Isa looked over at the list written down before he pockets it. "Well. What are we waiting for? We can't exactly stand around here and do nothing."

"...Should I even ask?" Lea asked, a brow raised.

"Probably not," Isa said. "The sooner we could get there, the better."

"I guess so."

"I guess we'll have to prepare in the meantime," Aqua said. "Stocking up on potions and such, just in case."

The two nodded.

~o~

After they got what they needed, from potions, to ethers and such. Yen Sid looked at the three. "Are you ready?"

They nodded. "Yeah," Lea responded.

"It will be treacherous. Be on your guard," Yen Sid warned them. He held up a hand…and something strange materialized. It looked to be a spherical portal device…but, within it is a swirling vortex.

"Whoa…" Lea breathed out in surprise.

"Normally to reach sleeping worlds, you would need to be on a world that falls to darkness… However, considering the circumstances, I can at least open this for you."

Isa tilted his head at it, before looking at Yen Sid. "So…how do we get in?"

"Call forth your Keyblades," the elder answered. "And let your hearts be your guiding key."

'That tagline, huh?' Lea thought. 'But…well, may as well.' The three of them summoned their Keyblades. Lea looked over at his…before shrugging, pointing the tip at the device. Isa and Aqua did the same as well. The tips of their Keyblades began to glow…and as the halo hits the tips, they fired a beam into the sphere. A bright light began to erupt from the sphere.

"Good luck!" Merlin called out to them before the light consumed them…

…

When Isa opened his eyes, he's in a completely different area. The wind blew by, tussling his hair. He looked up. Stars hang over him.

"Whoa…" He heard Lea breath out. He looked to see Lea and Aqua nearby, looking around the area.

"Is this…the realm of sleep?" Lea asked, "or…?"

The area they're in is of Victorian age in terms of design and layout. There's also a small café nearby, some streetlights and a staircase leading up to a shop of sorts.

"I think we're in our destination," Aqua spoke up, looking around. "I feel…something strange here."

"Really?" Lea asked, tilting his head.

Aqua nodded. "It's strange. I can't describe it but…"

Isa looked around a bit before looking at the two. "Well, we'll know for sure if we leave this district. There's two ways we could go. Up the stairs, or…" he gestured to a large set of doors to the right of the area. It has the sign that says, '3rd District' over it, "we could go through there."

Lea looked over Isa's shoulder. "…What about that way?" He pointed.

There's a set of doors beside the café, with Isa staring at it dumbly. How the hell did he miss that?

"Does it matter where we should go?" Aqua asked them. "We could go any way we want, really."

"She's got a point." Lea hummed, hands in his hips. "…Let's go in order for now."

"So...to the top of the stairs?" Isa asked.

"Yeah. There could be a way to another district from there," Lea shrugged.

True. Just because there's a shop doesn't mean there's nothing more about the place, really. "Well then, shall we?" Isa asked them.

After making their way up and passing the accessory shop, they went behind the shop and up a set of stairs to enter the next district.

There are a few other shops dotting the sides (clothing stores and the like, with a glowing sign in the shape of a green hat), a hotel at the left side of the district, and a large building with a bell hanging is across from them.

After looking around a bit, Lea had his hands on his hips. "Huh. I can see why it can become a haven," he mused. "Didn't expect it to be…artsy."

"Though, with the Heartless, I can't imagine that certain areas would be safe," Isa remarked, crossing his arms. "Around here especially."

"They at least kept the First District a safe zone," Aqua mused, thinking.

"I guess that's true," Lea nodded- he perked. "Huh?"

"What's wrong?" Aqua asked- before something began to materialize with them noticing.

It looked to be clouds appearing…before they swirled into itself to form into something. Colorful creatures appeared, in different shapes and sizes- yet, their eyes are red and have a dark color scheme. They all share the same sigil on their bodies: its heart shaped but with what resembles 'wings' (or an open jaw) coming out from the middle, with the lower bit starting off into a fleur-de-lis.

"Are those Nightmares?" Isa asked as they got out their Keyblades.

"They must be," Aqua responded. "Though..." 'Did Lea sense them?' She asked herself.

Lea looked at them. "Hey, no time to be distracted," he said. "We still gotta defend ourselves from them, y'know?"

"O-Oh, right," Aqua nodded.

The area is small though...so...

Aqua looked out to the lower level of the district. "C'mon!" She called out as she ran to the edge and jumped down.

The boys looked at each other. "Well, more room," Isa said before he unleashed a magic attack to stun several of them (they resemble bats, sheep, a strange...cat-like being with legs, even a large bear). The two soon rushed off to join Aqua, with Lea staying behind a bit to lower his eye lid and sticking his tongue out, taunting them. That angered some of them, making them charge. Lea looked surprised before he quickly jumped off. He fell to his knee to take the momentum of the fall to the ground, before rushing off, flinging fire balls at them.

Lea narrowed his eyes. "Well, let's make short work of them," he muttered, determined.

Together, the three of them took on the Nightmares. It feels…strangely catharsis to beat them up. As if they're beating back their own nightmares. Soon enough, through a good strike sent a cat-like creature with a note for a tail to be sent into the air before it turned into floating pieces of…material.

Isa went over to one of them, picking it up. "Huh." He looked over at it. "Interesting that they drop these."

"Maybe they're important?" Lea asked. "There's a lot of them they dropped."

Isa hummed. He pulled out the list from his pocket, looking over at it. "…Okay, the Nightmares can drop some of these, but…the others might not be so easy to find. Especially when we gotta make two times the amount."

"So what exactly do we need to make a Chirithy?" Lea asked.

"Three 'Vibrant Fantasies', one 'Dulcet Fantasy', three 'Vibrant Fancies', two 'Brilliant Fantasies', one 'Charming Fantasy', and…three 'Noble Fancies'," he answered. "With the piece we got from Chirithy, these are needed to make one."

Lea picked up a couple of them. "So…how do we tell what's what though?" He asked, looking over a piece resembling glasses, and another that resembles a spring.

That is a good question. They don't know what's what and what's needed to make a Dream Eater. Or even how to make one. Isa sighed. It looks like they jumped into this hastily once more. Though, then again, it's unlikely even Yen Sid even knows how to make one…

Aqua hummed. "Well then, we'll probably have to have someone help identify the pieces then."

"Well, wouldn't be that convenient?" Lea muttered.

Isa grunted. Indeed. Though, they're there now. They may as well make the best of it. "Then we'll just take them with us," Isa suggested, putting the list away, "just in case."

With that, they picked up the other pieces lying around, stuffing them into bags they have on them.

Once that's done, Lea nodded. "Let's see if we can find more!" He said with an arm pump. "If they're going to cause us trouble, we can take 'em."

"Let's hope you keep that optimism going," Isa said, rolling his eyes.

"We should still be on our guard, regardless," Aqua said. "You two ready?"

"Yes, ma'am," they nodded.

~o~

The trio explored the 2nd District some more, checking out the building – a Gizmo Shop – for a bit, the back alley through the hotel they saw, before moving on to the 3rd District. Their exploration has them facing more Nightmares, some in different variety than the last.

As they entered the 3rd District, with it having some neon signs and such, Lea had his hands behind his head. "So, silly question time…think we got any signs of what we need?" He asked. "you'd think Master Yen Sid would've assigned us what we needed."

"Well, I'm free to figure out what Dream Eater I wanted." Aqua rubbed her chin to think. "Strangely enough, I found this." She soon brought out something. It's a small notepad with scribbles on it.

"Within a chest?"

"That's right," Aqua nodded. "I can make this, and it even has the recipe pictures I need. But it's for a 'basic' recipe."

…

"…What does it make?" Lea asked curiously.

Aqua looks at the recipe. "…Something called a 'Meow Wow'," she answered.

"A Meow Wow?" Lea parroted. "Uh…is it because of the noises a cat and dog make?"

"I guess," Aqua shrugged. She soon pulls out one of the pieces. It resembles a light bulb, with a small orb inside of it. "These are particular though. This one feels like you're holding a small light in your hands."

Lea hummed. "Well, I guess we better get more than," he figured.

"There's the other set of doors near the café," Isa reminded. "We can go through there after we check this area more thoroughly."

"True," Lea grunted as he rolled his shoulder.

Isa rubbing his chin with a finger. "Though if we have to look we can always investigate the new District…"

"True," Aqua nodded. "Though…" she looked to something. "There's something odd about the electrical systems here."

"What makes you say that?" Lea asked, tilting his head.

Aqua turned their attention to a pipe with wiring sticking out. The three of them went over to investigate it. "At least they got these things out," Lea figured, looking at the small stands around it. As if they're to keep people away from it.

"Were they meant to fix this?" Isa wondered.

"I guess so," Lea shrugged.

Isa looked over at it. It looks like someone had sparked this before. But when? Someone has to have access to electricity to make this work properly. Sora? Probably.

Lea tilted his head. "Think we need to kickstart it with a strong hit or thunder spell?"

"A thunder spell could work." Isa charged up a Thundara spell, before unleashing it. It sparked a bit, with the sign leading to the 1st District lighting up. A loud 'click' is heard.

"…That was locked?" Lea blinked.

"…Guess we never bothered to check it," Isa admitted. "But at least we could loop around now."

Entering the 1st District, the postbox then lit up. Checking it…it started to act strange. And it moved to the side…revealing an entrance?

"…Huh. That's something," Lea remarked.

Isa peered down. "It looks like it leads to the Post Office." He jumped down, crouching low to let the momentum go into the ground. Standing up, he looked around a bit before he noted a rail. Lea and Aqua joined him as he peered out…

And saw a MASSIVE storage area beyond the hole.

Isa stared blankly at that. "…Holy crap…" he muttered.

Lea and Aqua peered out as well, and their eyes widened in surprise. "…Whoa-ho! I guess they had to have spaces for everything and everyone that stays here," Lea remarked.

Isa looked around. "…It doesn't look like there's any way to traverse…" he looked down at the rail. "Except for Flowmotion."

Lea froze. "…Oh HELL no," he muttered.

The blue haired boy gave his friend a bored look. "Really?"

"I thought we were done with that!" Lea complained. "After the Enchanted Dominion!"

"Well, we're in big open places like this, and with places like this, sometimes you NEED to move quickly," Isa pointed out. "Besides," he gave a dry look to Lea, gesturing to the area, "how else do you propose we get through this? Can you walk and climb everywhere?"

Lea pursed his lips, brows furrowed. He took a deep breath through his nose, before rubbing his head vigorously. "Ugh…!" He groaned before lowering his arms. "Okay! Fine! Let's just…get this over with."

The red-haired boy gazed at the rail. He heaved a sigh before hoping on, sliding off. But as he did, he looked around, his surprise growing at how…BIG the place is. "…Holy crap. This…is a LOT of space." Different from the Enchanted Dominion, that's for sure, which is just a lot of close spaces and vines…

He soon reaches the 'end' of the rail before he leapt off, rolling on the ground after touching down. 'Well, that was a better landing,' he thought. He flattened his lips at remembering the first time he done it. He was 'launched' off and practically landed on his face. Not really, but he might as well did. He stood up, looking around. "…Okay, now how do we even get around…?" He muttered. As he did, a thought occurred to him.

To be honest, what else could Flowmotion do? Hmm…since they got the time, they could see what else they could do with it. He looked over the walls a bit (if he didn't know better, they seem to…shimmer with light).

'Actually, didn't Aqua mention something about running along walls and stuff like that?' He asked himself. Right…if Lea remembered right, she mentioned it when she first taught them Flowmotion. They had gone with the basic stuff, 'sliding' on vines to get around. He hummed, looking up. He backed up a few paces…before he took a running go to the wall (barely missing on how he was glowing mid-run)- and he kicked off the wall.

"Whoa!" He yelped out, caught off guard. He hits the other wall, but clings to it. He looked down, surprised. 'Okay, didn't expect that…'

Isa had caught up to Lea, landing on the ground. He noticed Lea clinging to the wall, blinking at that. Lea pursed his lips before he began to slide down the side, using magic to slowly descend to the ground.

Once he's safely on the ground, Isa looked over at him. "…What were you doing?"

Lea looked up at him. "Oh hey. Yeah…I was…kind of seeing what else we could do? With Flowmotion."

"So that's a more proper Flowmotion then?"

"Yeah. Like kicking off the wall, sliding down it… you know, it feels like I could do parkour – should I do parkour?"

Isa raised an eyebrow at that. "That depends if you got a good enough balance and coordination."

"I can work on that. Considering our training and stuff."

"Right."

"No, I mean it," Lea shook his head, "With my body I can easily slip through gaps if I want to work through."

Isa's lips curled a bit into a frown. "…Okay. Prove it."

Lea made a smug look before he looked around. He saw some crates nearby with a big enough gap for him to slip through. With that as his target, he used Flowmotion to run to the side of the wall near it. While on the wall, he soon angled his body…and shot off. He timed it just right to slip right on through. Isa stared at that, blinking. After a few moments, the crates were shoved a bit, showing Lea having found a chest behind them.

"Found one."

Isa had a blank look on his face. "Huh," he muttered.

Lea tossed the chest out, before he landed. "Proof enough?"

Isa pursed his lips. "…I shouldn't tempt fate," he decided. "But, if you can get through that, I suppose it would be worth passing by enemies. But I prefer to use my strength to get by them." Nightmares soon began to appear, with Isa noticing. An idea formed in his head. "Speaking of which…" Having his Keyblade out, Isa soon tried to lunge at one of them…and glowing with magic, he began to spin around the large bear-like enemy- and hurled it to the lizard-like enemies!

Lea whistled at that. "Cool." He looked around a bit before he looked at the wall. Mentally humming, he ran to the wall and landed on it…before he shot off, spinning around like a buzz sat to hit his enemies. At that success, he gave a mischievous cackle.

Isa shook his head upon hearing it. "…Now you're having too much fun." He readies his weapon. "At least without me." With that, the two joined together to bash the new enemies.

As the boys enjoyed themselves, Aqua had been going around, looking for chests around the upper levels, and dealing with some Nightmares that had appeared. She heard sounds of fighting below, peering down. "Sounds like those two are figuring out the other details of Flowmotion," she mused.

She thought about it. Perhaps she should let them be for now since they've got the time to figure out more about it.

Nodding to herself, she resumed her search.

~o~

After a while, the three met up after riding a green rail. Nearby is the exit out of the post office. Going through it, they ended up in a new area.

It's a little bigger than the other districts so far.

"So, this is a new part of town," Lea remarked as they looked around.

"What do you think this part of the town is made for?" Isa queried as they walked further in.

"Probably a part of another district," Lea figured. "A residential quarter considering the larger buildings."

"Maybe," Isa shrugged as they pass by the large fountain in the plaza.

Aqua hummed, looking around. "Though it shouldn't be THIS big…who made the town even bigger?"

Lea scratching his cheek. "…Maybe the same person who had this world be half in the realm of sleep and half in the realm of light?" He guessed.

"Okay, I know Yen Sid mentioned it earlier, but still…how does that even work?" Isa questioned.

"While we were resting, he told me in greater detail about Traverse Town," Aqua spoke up. "It appears to those who need shelter when their world has fallen. It would be a haven for most people for the past nine years. Though, considering how even with Xehanort's Heartless' defeat, not all of them had returned, as he mentioned. Some people are still without their home worlds now. Though," she looked at Lea, "I'm surprised you'd suggest that it would be 'half-awake' and 'half-asleep', Lea."

"Well, he DID mention that not all of the worlds have returned," Lea pointed out. "So there's probably still a few people who live here that are waiting for their world to return…and for it to be in the realm of sleep…someone's probably using it for a reason. I mean," he shrugged, "it'd only make sense, really."

"Though, the better question is…who would need it?" Isa asked.

That…had them pause. They stopped walking to think that. "…Good question," Lea muttered. He scratched his head. "Maybe we should ask 'why they need it in the first place, within the realm of sleep'."

The three of them stood there, thinking…Aqua noted something. She narrowed her eyes a little. "…I have a feeling that we could be watched…" She muttered.

The boys noted it. They shifted their eyes, wary.

"…You don't think Xehanort would even think that far ahead, do you?" Lea asked. "Though…we'll probably need to keep our eyes peeled."

"For once, I agree with you," Isa responded. "On the last part." If Isa agrees, then it's serious.

The three had their backs against the wall as they looked around warily. Carefully, they kept an eye out as they reached a different area…

Completely missing a blonde-haired youth watching them go from the top of the fountain.

"Well, this is unprecedented," he remarked. He honestly didn't expect some visitors. Pretty unusual ones at that.

The next district seems a little bit bigger than the plaza they had just exited. There's a lot of lights hanging from rope, and they connect to a small spire in the middle, with a lot of shops around. It has houses around. Dealing with more Nightmares, they made their way to a larger building – it looks colorful, but big…like an arena.

"An arena?" Aqua asked as they looked up at it.

"What do you think it's for?" Lea queried as Isa looked over to a balloon.

"Check that one out," Isa directed their attention to the balloon. It resembles one of the cat-dog Dream Eaters they encountered, but it's more vibrant colored, with it pink with splotches of mint green on the sides and feet, with a pinkish cream colored under belly. It has a small, pink horn on top of its head with yellow plus signs as eyes.

"Hmm…that's probably a different kind of a Meow Wow," Lea remarked. "But…if that's what a Spirit version looks like, what would the Nightmare version look?" He looked around. "But, no enemies around here though."

Isa looked around. "True…" He looked up at the building. "Though, what do you think this place is for? I doubt it's for…regular folks."

"It's a coliseum for people to use Dream Eaters in competitions called Dream Rush – or Flick Rush, to spice it up."

A new voice had been unexpected, making them freeze. They didn't expect anyone else to be here.

"…Whos' there?" Lea questioned warily as he looked over his shoulder cautiously.

Approaching them is a lanky, fair-skinned teenager with unkempt ash-blond hair and lavender-colored eyes. He wore a light grey button-down shirt, with a fairly exposed neck and collar. He also wore a pair of dark grey pants and plain white shoes with black laces.

The two looked over their shoulders and the three turned to the boy. "Who are you?" Aqua asked him, wary.

"Well, just someone who noticed three folks who came down here to this world," the boy shrugged. "Honestly, I wasn't expecting visitors really."

Isa narrowed his eyes. "So you were watching us from the start…"

"Maybe," the boy answered with a playful smirk.

"…What kind of senses do you even have if you were watching us?"

The male hummed thoughtfully. "You could say…a sense beyond yours. Well beyond I should say," he answered (and what kind of answer is that?). "But in any case, sorry for the scare. My name is Joshua."

"Joshua, huh?" Lea muttered. "I'm Lea. These two are Isa and Aqua."

"Ah, I see. So what are you three here for, aside from dismantling Nightmares?"

Lea hummed, mulling over what they could tell Joshua. He feels…really unusual. But…hmm…

"…Well, we're looking for parts to make a Dream Eater that hadn't been around for a long while," Lea answered.

"is that so?" Joshua tilted his head. "But no one really gave an instruction manual to make it, based on what the pieces look like, do they?"

Lea winced. "…Well, no," he admitted. Better to admit to it, than not to, really. "We only got a list of what to get. That was on us…we've got nightmare problems and we're in a bit of a huffy."

Joshua hummed, thinking. "So it seems to be both literal and figurative then," he mused. He tapped his chin a little. "Well then, let me see the list. I can at least put in something to help you out in your quest, if only a little."

Isa narrowed his eyes at Joshua, suspicious. Lea noted the look. "C'mon, Isa," Lea softly pleaded, "He could help us out."

Isa looked at his friend, then shifted them to Joshua, who had a smile on his face. Isa's eyes narrowed a little more. As much as he didn't want to trust this guy…they've been on a wild goose chase. It would be better to know what exactly they look like than to just blindly go around, hoping for the best. He sighed through his nose, reluctantly handing the list to the ash-blonde boy. "Here."

"Thank you," Joshua beamed as he takes the list before looking over at it. He hummed, his eyes looking over at them. He got out a pencil before he doodled a little on it. After a bit, Joshua hands it back to Isa. "Here you go."

"Thanks," Isa muttered, taking it back before looking over at it.

It looked to show drawings of what they're looking for…

Especially a couple in particular.

Isa dug around in the bag they have, pulling out one of them. "…Guess it was a good idea to collect them after all," he mused.

He was holding a piece called 'Vibrant Fancy' – it looked like the other one Aqua had, but with two points and the energy has four 'curves' around it.

"This piece is of the Vibrant Fancies we're looking for," Isa reported.

"Seriously?" Lea asked, surprised. "Where can we get the others though?"

"The Brilliant and Charming ones are pretty rare," Joshua responded. "You'd probably have a bit more of luck in fighting against certain dream eaters in unique 'portals' about the world. I'm sure you've seen them, round and kind of spikey?"

"You mean those 'gates' we found and did their challenges?" Aqua asked.

"That's right. You could find a Brilliant Fantasy by fighting a Lord Kyroo in a special portal, and/or a Keeba Tiger out and about, and a Charming Fantasy in chests or from a Frootz Cat, in the portal as well. Though…" He looked over at Le and Isa. "You would have to be pretty lucky to find either of them. You might be in for a long, long time finding those."

…

Lea and Isa slumped over, groaning.

Aqua looked at the two before at Joshua. "What about me?"

"Well, depending on your recipe you might have a low-grade Dream Pieces to high grade," Joshua answered, "That recipe on hand shows the easiest and cheapest way to make one."

"I see…" Aqua muttered. "So…depending on what we got on hand, I could make it a little stronger?"

"Exactly. The recipes will make their base stat stronger. The higher the grade, the more powerful they'll become."

Aqua hummed, thinking. "I see."

"Since I'm in a good mood, I'll go ahead and update your recipe if you want to try and make a stronger one." Aqua nodded at him before handing it to him. He looked over at it before he wrote down the recipe in question. He was also kind enough to draw in what the materials looked like as well. He hands it back to her, for her to look over.

"Hm…that's actually quite helpful. Thank you."

"Sure," Joshua shrugged. "Though," he looked at the dejected look on Lea's face, and Isa crossing his arms, tapping his foot, "can't say the same for your friends. They could have gotten the other ones…but the rarer materials are going to be tricky."

"Any idea on where to find them?" Aqua inquired.

"You'll probably want to investigate the other worlds for them. Though…" Joshua gave a particular look to them, "considering a few things, that might not be an option for you guys, huh?"

Lea sighed. "Trust us. To even have that chance, we'll have to do it."

Isa grunted, frowning. "…We'll have to check around the last district first…and I'd rather not give our friends in the realm of light a scare if we just move on to the next world."

True. They aren't sure on what else could be in the realm of sleep, other than the Nightmares. It's a gamble…but is the risk worth it? Anything could happen.

"Well, if you find the portals, you'll have better luck looking there for the Charming Fantasy," Joshua said. "You could find them around here, but only in unique portals. Special ones. But…for the Brilliant Fantasy, though, you would probably need to look closer to where you've 'started' when you came here." He shrugged. "That's all I have to suggest."

…Where they 'started'?

"…How do you even…?" Isa began.

"Like I said- it's a particular sense," Joshua responded with a smile.

Isa frowned in suspicion, with his eyebrows furrowed. "…You helped us, and yet…why? Why would you?"

"All I have to say about myself is that I have something that I have to protect too," Joshua looked at Isa with a particular look, "that includes you. We're like minded, even if we're different in experiences." Isa blinked at that, tilting his head. "in any case, you guys might have to get going." Joshua then looked serious. "Anyone else could notice you…and it might not bode well for any of you."

"…You're talking about 'him' aren't you? I mean…why even tell us that?"

"Well…dreams can have a habit of connecting the dead and the dreaming together…and sometimes, can show us the future. Even in their youth," Joshua answered cryptically. "As Long as a heart is free from the body, they can go wherever they want, whenever they want. So long as there's a 'destination' they could go to." And then, to their astonishment, he suddenly grew a pair of angel wings, and took off into the sky.

…

"…What the hell just happened?!" Lea exclaimed, gesturing to what they just witnessed.

~o~

Thanks to the drawings Joshua had given them, they have a better idea of what they needed to get now. Putting the strange…sight of seeing a kid grow wings and then flying away to the corner of their minds, Lea and Isa searched for those portals mentioned in order to claim the Charming Fantasy material they needed.

After a long while, they met up at the 5th District. It has a single building, with some plants around. A garden area it seems like. But just as bright and colorful. Lea and Isa had triumphantly held up the heart-shaped pieces they obtained after doing the trials. Who would have thought messing with those things could actually come in handy?

The only thing left is to get a few globules of the Brilliant Fantasy.

Though while the boys are happy and looking over their gathered pieces…Aqua was thinking more on what Joshua said.

'Dreams have a habit of connecting the dead and the dreaming together…and sometimes, can show us the future. Even in their youth. As long as a heart's free from the body, they can go wherever they want, whenever they want. So long as there's a 'destination' they could go to.'

Aqua narrowed her eyes. 'As long as the heart is free…they can go wherever…and whenever…?' She mentally parroted. From what Joshua is saying…it would imply that the heart can go through…time? Is that- is that even…possible? She never heard of anything like that before. Yet, the edge of sleep and death could touch (considering Lea and Isa ending up at the Final World from the Station of Awakening)…if the heart is the only thing that could travel through time, hypothetically…it would mean that the body had to be left behind for that heart to get to…a certain destination in time…

…

Would. Would that even be possible? If all of that is true, then this would imply that certain events were caused BY time travel. By THAT logic-!

Aqua cradled her head. This will give her a headache at this rate…but if a heart could traverse through time which – pardon her language – is a bullshit concept that made little sense. Who invented it anyway? But if that's true, and hearts traversing through time could work then…

(Xehanort's Heartless had taken over Riku's body. How it would know WHEN to take over the body, using his naïveté and such while he worked under Maleficent and the lies…he would have to be there at the start.)

(For him to be there at the start, he would have to-)

Aqua's eyes went wide, first in shock…then in horror.

"Well, I guess that's all we could get," Lea said, looking over at the Charming Fantasy. "Now we just need two Brilliant Fantasies each."

"They won't be easy, I'll bet," Isa said, hands on his hips.

"I know," Lea nodded, putting it away. "Hey, Aqua, if what Joshua said is true, then maybe there's a portal we can take to…the Tower…" As he looked to Aqua, he trailed off, noticing her processing something. "Aqua?"

Isa blinked at her. "…What's wrong?" He asked, worried.

"What Joshua said earlier…something made a lot of sense," she spoke up. "Xehanort was able to possess Riku's heart…that would mean he would have to be there when the Islands fell."

"Wait, what?" Lea blinked. "How would he even know WHEN that would happen?"

Aqua sighed, but not at their confusion. She would have to tell them. "…When you lose your heart, your heart is free to wherever it goes. It's not contained by the passage of time, but…you have to exist to even let that happen, right?" She crossed her arms, a finger to her chin. "…Maybe…Xehanort may had insight about this…if he had lost his heart and moved through time…but, though I doubt you would remember those events…it would certainly feel like déjà vu, wouldn't it?"

"Wha-? Wait. Waitwaitwaitwait, wait a moment," Lea waved his hands. "…HOW is that even POSSIBLE? Just…" He held his head, trying to think about it. "All of this is just so damn convoluted! Magical key weapons, monsters stealing hearts, and your bodies coming alive is one thing, but time travel?! How does that even work!? I'm going to get an aneurysm at this rate!"

Isa is surprised he even knew what an aneurysm is…but, he has a point. He shook his head, sighing. "This takes the phrase 'free the mind' to a stupid new level. If our heart is our emotions…then our minds would have been 'freed' from the Heartless, stolen and turned into mindless 'beings' like them." He frowned. "…But, if the person has good control of their heart, they could simply 'travel' to a certain point in time."

Lea looked at him, before lowering his hands. "…And they would 'dream' of that event happening?"

"Dreams often can 'predict' the future, right? No one can really explain it, as just something our minds could think up of…but there are cases where people with precognitive – or, well, have future vision – powers could see the events within dreams. Suppose Xehanort did this to foresee this…and giving his younger self an idea to travel through time." Isa tapped his temple. "That would mean that Xehanort would have planned out his own dream like…a prophecy he had to follow." He narrowed his eyes. "…From his own 'Heartless': Ansem, the Seeker of Darkness."

Lea blinked- before his eyes were wide. His mind flashed back to when Xehanort had turned on the apprentices, turning them into Nobodies. He returned to reality, the implication setting in – how Xehanort managed to do so…and the means to do it. "…The day he released the hearts of the apprentices…he did the same for himself…"

The two looked to Isa…and Aqua breathed out at this new set of information they had just unearthed.

"…This is just CRAZY," Lea breathed out. "That would be like if WE went back in time and told our younger selves to escape from Xehanort's plot from that moment."

…

The two looked at each other.

"And if it was from a 'dream'?" Isa questioned.

Lea scratched his head. "Ugh…I'm…I'm going to get a headache at this rate. We just unlocked a huge conspiracy it feels like."

"…And we tried to enact our own conspiracy."

Lea threw his hands up. "Okay, I'm just done. Done with this. Let's just get those pieces and see about trying to make the Chirithy." He turned and walked off. "C'mon, we gotta get back and tell Yen Sid that we got one more place to go!" He declared, pointing his finger in the air.

"…To be honest, I don't blame him," Aqua muttered as they watched him go.

Isa shook his head. "Me neither," he admitted. "That in itself is a headache. Dreams always have a habit of telling us where to go…even the enemies…" The two followed Lea as they soon left the district.

"Though, seriously, if it was used to take over Riku back then, that…MIGHT make sense…"

"I thought you didn't want to talk about it anymore?" Isa asked him. Not to tease him, but just asking.

"I know but still…!" Aqua blinked and looked over her shoulder.

…Hm. She thought she felt someone watching them again. She raised an eyebrow…before shrugging. 'Maybe it's nothing?' She thought before following the two. (A part of her hopes that it is.)

(…Unaware of someone wearing a black coat watching them go from a rooftop. The hood is over the head, covering their identity. After watching them leave through the doors, the figure manifested a dark portal, slipping through.)

~o~

Lea entered the Sorcerer's Loft first, slouching as he has a particular sack. "Welcome back," Yen Sid greeted as Aqua and Isa entered next. "Did you receive them?"

"Yeah," Lea muttered, who set it down. "Though we met someone who gave us…a rather disturbing clue to Xehanort's plans."

Yen Sid grunted questionably.

Aqua approached. "We found out something…awful," she spoke up. "A young man named Joshua gave us a clue. He once said to us that 'dreams have a habit of connecting the dead and dreaming together…and sometimes, can show us the future. Even in their youth. As long as a heart's free from the body, they can go wherever they want, whenever they want'."

Yen Sid raised an eyebrow at that, perplexed…before Lea sighed. "Xehanort was on the island back when it fell and jumped into Riku. And considering he was a heart…well, who gave the younger Xehanort the push to even leave the islands in the first place?"

The man looked surprised before he stood up from his chair. "What? Are you certain of this?"

"Yeah. The whole thing about dreams being connected…it's like the whole Dream Realm is connected to some collective sleeping folks and dead folks where it mingles – so it's like possible to meet your future self in a dream or something." He crossed his arms. "So Xehanort maaaay have been cheating with this whole concept and planned this when he became a heart the day he went 'crazy' and tried to extract everyone's hearts – including his own."

"It's…very convoluted," Isa sighed, palming his head. "…In all honesty, thinking about it is making my head pound." That or it could still be from the lack of a restful sleep…probably both.

Yen Sid looked surprised…before he sat back down in surprise. "…Then…what he went through… It was all planned out from the beginning of his own training?"

Silence filled the room, the gravity of the situation falling over them. Mulling over it all…and what it could possibly mean. If he has the means to utilize time travel…what other things would one do? Did he…plan most of these THAT far in advance?

Xehanort is…rather, one cunning person. To plan certain things like that…but what about his Heartless? And his Nobody? Did they know as well? Or…?

Whatever the case…they're up against someone of THAT magnitude.

Lea sighed, scratching his head. "…How the hell could four teenage boys, two Keyblade Masters and a retired master even stand up to someone like him?" He questioned. "Just…" He sighed.

Not often is Lea a pessimist…but, this is…

Wait. A thought came to Isa. "Wait. If he 'knew' everything in advanced…what about us? He was surprised to see you use the Keyblade, Lea, even though it wasn't the 'real' thing…and there was the fact we escaped to the dark realm. If he knew of those…he could have tried to stop us from escaping. Either he was taken off guard or-"

"Nope!" Lea held up a hand to Isa, stopping him. "Not hearing anymore conspiracies or any other crap!"

Isa frowned. He knew exactly why Lea had said that…so he dropped it for now. Yet. He stepped forward. "…Maybe there is something to this. Xehanort haven't thought of everything…if he had, then perhaps he would've foresaw his victory…or his loss…all depending on the choices we make. There could be 'one path' that he never thought of that can lead to his defeat." He placed his hands on the desk. "If us escaping into the dark is just…one of the many possibilities that he didn't see…maybe there's others. He may be a tactician…but he isn't all knowing."

But…Isa couldn't help but frown more. "…Though, perhaps it's just a possibility that could happen…but…if there are possibilities to partake in this that he has figured out…then perhaps this just became a new battle then." He stared down at his hands. "…We thought we were just up against Organization XIII…but…this is bigger." He curled them over the desk. "MUCH. Bigger."

Finding out about this…all of this. This is…

Lea looked at his friend, who is, for the first time, clearly at a loss. But how could he blame him? Especially after hearing all of that. And what Xehanort is like. They don't know the scope of what that old man had planned. Though they had done things that HAD caught him off guard…the risk is just…huge.

Lea's eyes shifted to the ground contemplating…before they looked up. "Well…we're here now. We need to do what we can, at least." They looked at him. Lea shook his head. "I'm not saying this out of fake optimism or anything. Just…well," his shoulders slacked, "we know just how deep this is. I don't know on what the future would hold…but, we need to focus on what we CAN do." His eyes softened. "We need to focus on the present. Worrying about the future wouldn't be good for us, really."

Lea looked at Yen Sid with his green eyes. "So…what's our next move then?"

The elder noted it. A somewhat realistic way of saying, to focus on the present, and not the future. One step at a time. Lea is young and not yet very wise…but, whoever imparted him with that piece of wisdom…

The man gave a smile, nodding. "Very well. Let us focus on what we can do now." He regarded the three. "Is there anywhere else you need to go?"

"Yeah," Lea responded, nodding. "Is it possible that this world has its own version in the realm of Sleep? Call it weird but…is it?"

Yen Sid hummed. And it came to him. "Ah…I can see how this would work. The realm of sleep has sleeping worlds…but, there are cases where a particular 'memory' of a world would manifest in the realm of sleep. One could say it would connect to the past…but the events that occurred then are set."

"…So, even if we interact with it, it wouldn't exactly fully 'change' anything?" Isa asked, tilting his head.

"In a way, yes. It would be as of what the young man Joshua had said. A vision of the future, but within a dream." Yen Sid strokes his beard as he continued, "Yes. I would take you to the time where Mickey was under my tutelage to utilize magic. He was rather mischievous back then and didn't take his training too seriously. I can send you to that time period – a time where he had partaken into a Symphony of Sorcery."

They hummed. So they'll be taken to the time where Mickey nearly flooded the tower? 'That'll be interesting to see,' Lea thought.

"Right…" Aqua nodded. "Though, sorry to say, but it's obvious that I can't let these two go alone now."

The two understood the reason why she said that. "Right…considering," Lea muttered, scratching his head. "I'm not even annoyed about that bit."

They don't know on who could be in the realm of sleep with them now…

~o~

Hmm…very curious.

While he had been going about, finding people who could be made into vessels…he felt something. Within the realm of sleep. A portal. And that bypasses the 'dive' for one to be within a sleeping world.

That had never happened before. It's this curiosity that had him put his search on hold to locate the world the portal manifested at. Traverse Town. Ah, yes. That world is half asleep now; someone else is using that world to preserve the lives that were lost through dreams. It would take time for them to be properly…reconstructed. But the portal wasn't made by that so called 'youth'. It was made by someone else.

Upon arrival, he noted three presences. Keeping to the shadows, he moved. Not making a sound, the coat ensuring he wouldn't be sensed…and what does he find at the end?

A pair of boys, one with red hair and wore mostly warm clothing, and the other with blue hair, wearing mostly cool clothing. The two wielded Keyblades…yet…they resemble the ones utilized by the other two. Weren't they, numbers VII and VIII, the originals? But…it's the third head that had gotten his attention.

He recalled seeing the blue haired woman. The friend of the vessel his future-self had claimed. Yet, wasn't she supposed to be in the realm of darkness at this time? His future-self's Heartless, Ansem, had been defeated. So…she should have remained, no? But there she is, with the two boys.

Hmm…either they are like himself, beings from the past who had entered the future…or, was there something else? Had someone meddled with the hands of fate? Or was this…?

He carefully watched them, even when that 'youth' had given them a hint about a heart's power to travel through time. Yes, it is possible, but there are certain…restrictions. Restrictions even he has to abide. Even if he does travel to the future, he wouldn't remember the events he had experienced. Almost like it was nothing more than a mere dream. That way, the events of the past couldn't be changed. To let things…run their course.

And yet, here they are. Did a tear occur? Why are they here?

These questions ran through his mind, as he carefully watched them. But kept note of their actions. It seems they were searching for parts for a specific Dream Eater. A 'Chirithy'. Hmm…why are they specifically looking for those? And they had jumped in here without even knowing what they look like. Mere children, rushing into things. How reckless.

…But, they are intuitive. From that clue alone, they deciphered the heart's ability when it leaves the body. Though they know of his future self's Heartless being at his homeworld…they don't know the true scope of it all. They do not know of his existence.

Yet, they would, if he doesn't keep his cards hidden. If he doesn't stay out of sight.

After they had left, he too, had also taken his leave. He would need to confirm a few things. Who is 'real' and who 'isn't'.

Through an opening in time, he appeared within the castle his future-self's Nobody had created, a home base to have thirteen vessels close. Yet they knew that this group would most likely fail. That's why he was given the task to find…better candidates. It had taken time, though…he would have to put it on hold for a moment to check on something.

Slipping by and away, he made himself careful to avoid being detected, and spotted. Soon enough, he had gotten to a laboratory. He checked for reports on the 7th and 8th members of the current Organization. After looking, he found what he was looking for, hidden away. Interesting. He carefully reads them.

…

Hm…so 'Even' had gotten data of most of the people of the world Radiant Garden just in case something was to go awry. Among them were two boys: Lea and Isa. A pair of orphans that became apprentices to Ansem the Wise. But the day the world had 'fallen', out of the six of them, only the two had disappeared. Had become lost. And so, his future-self's Nobody, Xemnas, had replicas of the two created, giving them the names 'Saïx' and 'Axel'. Limited their memories were, they took the lie as 'Nobodies' very easily. But, what's this? It seems that five days into their 13th vessel's existence, the two had been… 'updated' – a couple of days prior, the two boys were found alive within the realm of darkness. More concrete data was collected from them, to make the two replicas stable. Giving the two a bit more of an…identity, but not fully. Like sleeping memories…

Ah. So the two in the Organization are mere replicas, who believed they were Nobodies…oblivious to the real things walking around. Who hadn't aged at all. My, what a fascinating lie. Hm…his future-self could have had their spots filled in by someone else…but he could see why the replicas of the two were made. To preserve the passage of fate, somewhat. After all, Saïx and Axel were supposed to 'exist'.

How or why did the two boys, Lea and Isa, manage to escape that fate? Had someone else committed a taboo themselves?

Hm…

Carefully, he places the reports where he had found them, hidden away from wondering eyes. He can't make it too obvious on its importance. He'll let them play along to this.

Xehanort soon returned to the realm of sleep, having satisfied his curiosity- only to notice yet another portal appearing. This time, in the past of the tower of the wizard. Could it be…?

He teleported to there, hidden in the shadows…sure enough, there they are, appearing at the entrance to the tower. But they seem a bit more…wary. Hm. It seems they became cautious now, compared to how they were when they were in Traverse Town. They seem aware of the possible danger within this realm. But, hmm…he can't afford to be spotted by them. While it would have been easier to deal with them himself…he can't let them in on the fact of what's going on. His mission.

He COULD let them be, yes but…hmm…perhaps a test? They had faced Nightmares, true, but not all of them are 'small'.

Yes…he could test them. To see how far they had gotten. How strong they are. They had experience in facing monsters – the Heartless – yes, but let's see on how they handle a stronger Nightmare. Individually. He has to see what they're capable of separately first. Now…what could he manifest…?

Hm. Maybe that one? It could summon in other stronger Nightmares and it could split them up for a time. To see how they fight.

Yes, a Spellican Nightmare can do.

He'll have to wait for the right opportunity to call it in to split them…

…Actually, wait.

He looked to the 'top'. Silently, he quickly made his way to the Sorcerer's Loft. He soon got out three books, looking over at them. Hm. Yes. This could work. He now has the means to observe them as well, at least.

Two birds, one stone.

~o~

This world didn't seem much different from the original tower. That's the first impression at least. But one can't be too careful, really.

Isa made sure not to repeat their mistake. Time is of the essence, yes, but he won't go blind in there. Their targets are the Lord Kyroo and Keeba Tiger; one special, the other isn't. He searched the library, as they were getting ready once more to find a book on what they look like. He would rather know what they look like first before they move on.

Lord Kyroo is frog-like, wearing a cape, having a shield in its right hand, and a sword in its left, and having a crown on its head. The Nightmare is normally colored in dark turquoise, the shield being yellow and black. The hands and feet (stubby, three-toed limbs) are colored yellow and magenta. The cape is purple with pale-violet polka dots while the crown is colored green with magenta tones. The under belly is colored with a darker yellow.

The Keeba Tiger resembles a tiger with long, large fangs. It's colored mostly black with neon green markings on the sides, and over the eyes. The 'armor' bits are in shades of magenta, purple and blue, around the tale, sides of the legs, the teeth, and the extensions from the head, like a helmet.

At least he knows what they look like now. He showed Lea and Aqua the pictures of what they look like, so they know what to find. As soon as they find them and beating the crap out of them to get those pieces…it's possible they wouldn't drop them as often, but they can't give up.

…It didn't help settle his unease at all, though.

"…Didn't look any different," Lea spoke up. Right. Back to the present.

"I'd imagine not," Isa mused.

Lea looked around. "So…how are we supposed to find those 'portals'? Is there…I dunno, a means to get to them from here? Or something?"

"Let's take a look around here first, then look around in the tower," Aqua suggested. "It would narrow our search a lot better."

"Hmm…right. We don't know what was different in the past," Isa conceded, crossing his arms. "Let's look around carefully then." They checked around the front area of the Mysterious Tower for a little while but found nothing. Yet, Isa can't shake the feeling that they're being…watched. It went away soon after…but he still can't shake that feeling.

Finding that there's nothing in the front, the three soon walked into the tower. The climb to the loft was surprisingly short, compared to the first time they entered (in the future, anyway). When they entered…nothing looks out of the ordinary – so far.

"…It's so quiet here," Lea murmured. "Where's Mickey? Shouldn't he, like, be here?"

"Maybe it's early in the morning?" Aqua suggested, though the suggestion is weak. "Or he's doing something else?"

Isa narrowed his eyes. "Yeah, I don't think so." Something's…wrong. Very wrong-

A familiar sound of a Nightmare appearing is heard. They turned around- seeing a new Nightmare. It resembles a large bird in a generic mage's cloak and hat. Its arm-like wings are lined with piano keys, and end in five feathered fingers. The bottom of its body hides its feet and is decorated with bells. It wears a wig-like spell book underneath its hat, with the pages resembling hair. Underneath its beak, it has a curled, yellow pouch-like part on its neck. In its 'hand', it carries a broom with it, which has a purple shaft and a glass-looking sphere on one end. It's colored in shades of neon green, magenta and purple.

"What the hell?!" Lea yelped out in surprise.

"A Nightmare?" Aqua questioned. "How did-?"

Suddenly, bubbles appeared around the three – separately. Isa looked around, shocked. What's going on? And…is the room getting…bigger? Or is it just him? He felt himself 'moved' and he's staring up at the Nightmare, hovering over its hand with the other two bubbles having Lea and Aqua.

Oh. The room didn't get bigger. They just got smaller. But why did it-?

His stomach lurched as he was then 'moved' in the air. He noticed three books appearing, each of them opening up. One book is surrounded in a pink score, the second is the same but with a blue score and the last one has a red score about it. What are those books-? He felt the same movement, tumbling in his bubble. His face pressed against the bubble, he stared at the books…

…It hits him on what it's going to do. "No-!" He cried out- but he was soon sent into a book with the blue score around it.

The next thing he knew, he landed in…somewhere. And…is that orchestra music he's hearing? He pushed himself up, looking around. Where is…THIS? Is this a part of the world? A world in…a book? How is this-?

Wait. Of course it would. Why is he trying to think about this some more? Nothing is ever normal in his life now. Ugh. But…hold on. If entering the book is how you get in…can you use it to get out?

Isa soon got up, looking around. The music played as he does so (who the hell is playing it? It sounds like it's around him). He soon spotted a similar looking book on a stand, with the blue notes around it. He smiled and took a step- but stopped himself. Wait. This is too easy.

As if to prove him right, a Nightmare materialized. But this one is huge. It resembles a monkey wearing a box, yet it has no legs. It snatched the book in its hand before it 'flew' off.

"Hey!" He shouted at it, but it's gone. He grimaced. Great. Looks like he has to go after it to get out.

But…he should also keep an eye out for his other objectives too. Who knows if this would be his only change to get the Brilliant Fantasies. Huffing through his nose, he brought out his Keyblade. 'Let's get this over with,' he thought.

He may be alone…but, at least he can defend himself now. He'll think of this as a test to see if he could fight alone when the time comes.

He only hopes that Aqua and Lea can be all right themselves.

~o~

Lea isn't having a good time. Doesn't this feel familiar?

He was running for his life as he was being shot at – yes, shot at – by a giant bat-like thing with guns on its hands. The wings it has is a mockery of sorts – though beautiful and made of stained glass, it's keeping a dangerous monster afloat. He ended up in the book with the pink notes (why pink? It isn't that he's against the color, just…why?), in a place with clouds and rainbows. Bright and cheery…if you exclude the fact that he's being attacked by monsters.

While Lea had his bias against Flowmotion before, he's very thankful for having a skill like that now. That way, he could at least go about the clouds by riding on rainbows before they were broken (he honestly hopes they aren't important).

The Nightmare stole the book he came out of, but he's more focused on not dying right now. Eyes narrowed, he timed it right…before he jumped- and hit the Nightmare in the face with a point-blank fireball. It sent it falling down below the clouds. He landed back on the clouds, before turning to watch it go down. "…Here's hoping that book didn't get damage," he muttered. He'll have to find his way down now. He'll need that book to even get out anyway. Hopefully he could also run into those Nightmares Isa had shown them. Nodding, he looked around, spotting a mountain.

Using the clouds and the rainbows, he got to the top, climbing his way down. While the path isn't so good, Lea was able to make use of his climbing skills to progress a bit further down. After traversing down, he soon walked into…a rather colorful forest. Literally. It's colored in pastel hues, with there being…what, thunderclouds overhead(?) – what a strange forest.

…This, uh, music's going to drive him bonkers. He rubbed his ear a bit. Who the hell is playing the music? Now that he thought about it, when he hits that Nightmare, there was…a drumbeat? What is this shit?

He shook his head. "Well, at least I could hear myself talk," Lea muttered. He heard the familiar sound of Nightmares appearing. He got out his Keyblade on reflex, seeing a couple of new Nightmares. Frog-like, having a frying pan and a chef hat- but wait. The tiger-like ones with the long teeth…

Well, what luck! Those must be the Keeba Tigers. Let's hope he's lucky enough for them to drop a Brilliant Fantasy.

"All right let's see if my luck holds out," Lea muttered, in a stance.

~o~

Well, this is a strange…predicament.

The first thing that happened when they got here was to get sucked into a 'world' within a world. The 100 Acre Wood is one thing but…well. The situation now is different.

That world isn't infested with monsters of darkness (in what form they may have) but this one? 'Diving' down and taking care of a large, bee-like Nightmare? Where did that first Nightmare even come from? Why would it just send them into these books?

Maybe it was a good idea to stay with Lea and Isa after all – but she didn't expect THIS to happen.

Aqua had to maneuver through the air to dodge the attacks. She could at least use her barriers, and even slow her decent as well. Still, this is a rather…unique 'fight'. She was sure she saw that bird-like Nightmare manifest the giant bee as it went by her. Did it have the ability to summon Nightmares?

If so, they'll need to deal with it soon before it could summon more. First though, her current adversary.

Eyes narrowed, she yelled as she launched a Mega Flare spell at it.

~o~

Golden colored eyes looked over at the small 'portals' he made. Calmly, he watched the progress of the three as they dealt with their own enemy.

While the blue haired woman isn't exactly…impressive – don't get him wrong, she moves with grace, and clearly an expert in magic – she had fought a lot of things, despite being trained. Rather, his attention is on the two boys. Lea and Isa.

Lea's frame is thin. Not so deathly thin, merely wiry. While it's obvious he has developed some muscle, he's using his thinner frame to his advantage. Though he's using magic to spin and twirl his Keyblade around, it's interesting that the weapon's form change resembles the weapons his Replica wields. Chakrams, mostly fit for long range, and not exactly good at close range – but he made do with them, using them as a conduit in using magic. Mostly fire, but others as well.

He is rather resourceful, if not creative with his attacks. Taught well but could deal with the extra experience.

Isa, on the meanwhile, utilizes strength. Not as muscular, but he does have strength packed into him. His defense is lacking, but he made up for it by having a barrier around him. Interesting that he wields his weapon backwards, that it, too, took on a form that resembles his Replica's. A claymore. Though he didn't see Saïx as mostly physical, and relies more on the Berserk ability of his, Isa is the opposite. While he uses his strength, he isn't exactly a muscle head. He's adaptive. In fact, both he and Lea are adaptive. Perhaps one has to be within the dark realm.

But, they're still amateurs.

The two are content with facing a lot of Nightmares – while the female 'master' had been dealing with the Nightmares the Spellican conjured up. He might not have much time before either of them decides to leave…

He didn't blink when he heard the familiar formation of a dark corridor manifesting. "Well, well…didn't expect to see you here."

Xehanort didn't turn to look at the newcomer. Another vessel from the same 'line' as the woman he had chosen. "Is there something you need?" He questioned, getting to the point.

His 'companion' merely approached. "I know that we're supposed to head to a certain point in time, but it's easy to just 'jump' to another place. Shame I can't exactly do much." A pause, with him taking the time to regard the 'portals' Xehanort had made to observe the three. "Huh, so the 'master' is here. And those two?"

"A pair of 'lost' boys that had lost some years of their lives," he answered. "Being trapped in the dark realm could do that to you."

"Dark realm. You mean THE realm of darkness?" Came the incredulous inquiry. His callous companion snorted. "I'm surprised they even lived this long. They most likely got lucky."

"Survived they did, however," he pointed out. He regarded the portal with the blue haired woman. "She was lost in the dark herself, until she got out." His eyes shifted back to the two boys. "These two, however…they were meant to have Nobodies, and yet they avoided that fate. The Nobody of my future-self had replicas of them created, to fill in the blanks."

His companion wasn't impressed. "Gee, inducing memory loss onto himself is one thing, but why the hell would he need a pair of dreks to fill in slots anyone else could have filled in?"

"I do not claim to know how thinks," Xehanort admitted. "I could only assume he has to, to preserve fate's course."

"Whatever." A pause. "…So, the blue haired kid. His replica has that 'berserk' ability or whatever, right?"

"To my knowledge, yes." Xehanort's eyes shifted. "Are you going to provoke him?" It wasn't a question.

"Well, as I've found…" his companion began as a hand reached out for the portal showing Lea. It's covered, a red vambrace over black, gloved hands. "To get under one's skin…" the fingers curled around the red-haired boy, "it is to go for what's 'closest' to them."

~o~

Lea jerked. He looked around warily. For some reason…he felt a chill crawl up his spine.

Any other time, he could have brushed it off as 'nothing'. But he knew better. But he didn't know what's worse – the knowledge of that feeling, or the fact he knows that, in some places, his life is in constant danger. He needs to find that flying Nightmare, and soon.

He checked over his inventory. He still has his healing items, just in case…and though he left the other pieces back at the tower, he at least managed to get at least two Brilliant Fantasies. That's at least one mission down. Now to get out of here.

He looked around the area. He's sure this is where it would have generally be around – the field is mostly rainbow-colored, dotted with pavilions. It has wings, so is it merely flying around? It could have found him in that forest or gone back after him during his decent down the mountain. He didn't think he had done more damage to it than he thought; he knew better.

The only thing he could do is to keep on his guard. And though he knew it wasn't smart, the only way to lure out your target…

Is to make yourself 'open' to them. He kept his eyes on the ground in case it decided to take flight again.

Soon enough, he saw a large shadow going overhead. He looked up- and sure enough, there it is. Lea narrowed his eyes. It's got the flight advantage. How does he get it down? He looked around. He can't expect it to come flying down at him, and for him to hit it. Maybe if he has something to get up to it? Or shoot it down…?

He spotted a Pegasus looking Nightmare going about. Lea pursed his lips…before shrugging. "Eh. Screw it," he said before he hurried after the Pegasus- and quickly jumped on it. It neighed, beginning to buck him off. He smacked the back of its head. "None of that!" He ordered. It…whined? "Look, get me up there, and I'll let you go." The Nightmare gave him an incredulous look. "Look, I'm low on options. Just do it."

The Pegasus shook its head before it used its wings to take flight. Lea kept a firm hold onto it, so it wouldn't try anything. He glanced up. He shouldn't expect it to let them approach it. He should do what he can to protect it before he gets close. "Easy," he said to the Nightmare before he formed a fireball in his hand. It wouldn't be smart to use the Keyblade and potentially agitate it.

Like he expected, it noticed them, and tried to shoot them down. He launched the fireballs to intercept them, making them blow up in the air, and maneuvered the Pegasus to dodge the others. Lea narrowed his eyes, calling forth more fire orbs. But it took off flying. "Okay, so you'd rather make this difficult, huh?" The red head muttered. "Okay then…" he urged the Pegasus Nightmare gently, urging it to go after it. It looked at him. "Please help me out?" He asked it.

It snorted, shaking its head…but, surprisingly, obeyed, taking off after it. "Thank you!"

It was a strange aerial battle. Lea attacking it with his magic – from fire orbs, to thunder, even aero – he just has to wear it down enough for him to get close. Maneuvering in the air was…something. He never rode on a horse before, especially a flying one, but he's making do.

He's almost close. What could he do to have it stay put for him to jump onto it's back…?

Lea pursed his lips. Could he try THAT? Sure, he made something similar, but…

Wait. There's actually one other spell he has up his arsenal. He had been using Zero Gravity…but, could he do Gravity itself?

One way to find out.

"Okay, follow along with what I'm gonna do," Lea said to the Nightmare. He directed it close to the other flying Nightmare. He had to get close…he formed a fire ball, but not yet releasing it. Closer…closer…

They got close, and it swung its arm to knock them down-

"Dive!" Lea commanded and jumped off of the Pegasus Nightmare just as it dove. They just narrowly dodged the attack- and Lea held out his hands, firing the fire ball at its face once more. As it reeled back in pain, covering its eyes, Lea summoned his Keyblade, pointing at it while mustering a lot of power into this spell. "FORCE!"

A sphere of dark energy formed over at it – a lot…bigger than he had anticipated. It struggled against it…but the wings cracked- and shattered. It roared as it fell to the ground, its shattered wings falling…

And Lea's stomach lurched, remembering that he's in the air. "Oh crap!" He yelped out as he fell.

He didn't fall far, though. To his surprise, the Nightmare he rode on caught him. It flew down to the ground…and upon landing, bucked him off. He only yelped before landing on the ground. Lea pushed himself up, looking up at the flying horse-like Nightmare, which snorted. Lea stood up. "Well, thanks for the save," he said to it. "Go on now." He shooed it off before he took off to find that giant Nightmare.

He didn't have to look long, as it soon crashed. And he isn't exactly surprised to see that it got up.

"Sturdier than you look," Lea remarked, calling forth his Keyblade. He shoulders it. "All right, let's get this over with."

It was a formidable foe, admittedly. Though it lost its aerial advantage, it can keep him at a distance with its extendable 'arms', shockwaves, as well as firing magic orbs at him. Luckily for him, he didn't have to be close to fight it. He has a couple of Ethers on him (just in case), so he could simply launch spells at it. He took care not to use up all of them, though. He form-changed his Keyblade into the chakrams, lobbing them at the Nightmare.

It tried to do its 'rocket' punch at him, but he nimbly dodged to the side- and grabbed onto it. As it pulled back to the body, Lea jumped off at the last second…and hit the Nightmare with yet another point-blank fireball attack. It's stronger than before…

…completely obliterating its head.

He jumped off of the body as it disappeared into sparks of light, retrieving his Keyblade. "Well, that was overkill," he remarked. "But, at least it's dead." He huffed. He looked around a bit. Huh. Where did the book go? He was sure that the Nightmare had it…did it drop it somewhere? He heaved a sigh. He plants the Keyblade into the ground, before sitting down. "Well, a breather wouldn't hurt."

After he gets some rest, he'll go out and search for the book. No point in looking for it when exhausted, right? Right.

After resting for a few minutes, he stood up, pulling his weapon out. "Well, let's take a look," he huffed, shouldering it. It's a book that has a pink score of a sort around it, right? It shouldn't be had to miss.

He walked around the area for a while, trying to find the book. So far, no luck.

He huffed, scratching his head. "Where did that even land…?"

"Looking for something?"

Lea froze at an unexpected voice. A rather… menacing one. Slowly, he turned his head, looking over his shoulder. Someone approaches him. Someone wearing a mostly black bodysuit with red on it. A silver helmet is over the head, with a black dome over the head. A mostly black skirt held up by red belts, and having red at the ends, hangs around his waist.

Lea's eyes went at the newcomer, turning to him. "Who…?!" He felt like something about the way the guy is dressed is…familiar. Why?

"So, you're Lea, huh?" The male asked, sounding as if it's through a menacing smile. He raised his black covered hand to tap his temple. "I got that…memorized."

Lea carefully looked over at the figure, on the defensive. A black helmet, mostly black outfit with red…why is it familiar…?

He narrowed his eyes at the person. "…Does the name 'Aqua' mean anything to you?"

The black garbed male lowered his hand. "Oh. So the 'master' told you about me, huh? Guess I left an impression on her."

Lea's eyes went wide a little at that realization. "You're…Vanitas?" He breathed out. The dark half of Ventus…but… "How are you here? Didn't they…?"

"Oh, I remember that all too well," Vanitas said softly. He slowly approached Lea, with the latter tensing. "Being struck down like that. Not just by the 'Master', but also that weakling."

'Weakling'? Is he talking about…Ven? Ven also struck him down? How? A lot of questions ran through his head.

"Interesting that you got a Keyblade. Who bequeathed you one?" Vanitas asked, mockingly. "Do you even know how to use it?"

Lea narrowed his eyes at the black clad boy before him. Tightens his hold on his weapon. "Why are you here?" He questioned. "HOW are you here?"

"How?" Vanitas parroted…before his shoulders shook. And cackled. "Well, wouldn't THAT be an interesting story, now would it?" His voice hardens. "The 'how' is of no business of yours to know. Though as for 'why'…well…"

Sparks covered Vanitas' hand – and in darkness and lightning, a weapon formed.

…And the eyes on that weapon is…creepy. Like they're looking right at him. Parts of it seems to be made up of gear parts, with chains around it. But the shape is unmistakable.

Keyblade.

Vanitas held it up overhead. "I want to hear you squeal."

"…Well, fu-"

~o~

With a yell, Isa slams his weapon into the monkey-like Nightmare, sending it plowing into the ground. In sparks of light, the Nightmare fades away. He heaved a sigh, planting his Keyblade into the ground, kneeling before it. Allowing himself to catch his breath.

That was…admittedly tough.

This one is potent with magic. Mage oriented Nightmare? And it kept its distance from him with those magic arms of it.

But, he defeated it. All by himself.

The Lord Kyroo was…something. With its own army of Kyroos it controls. From chefs to knights. It was a surprise to find one alone…and a surprise that it challenged him to a duel. Wanting a Brilliant Fantasy – perhaps hoping that at least this one could have one before moving on to finding others – he accepted it. He was only surprised that he didn't get steamrolled (there were moments where it felt like his aura was on the verge of being depleted enough times. More than he could count, really). While it would have been natural to take care of the stragglers…they would overwhelm him with numbers. So he had to be creative with how he faces it. And he managed to overcome it himself. The Lord Kyroo seems pleased with the duel. Though, he was disappointed that it didn't leave behind a Brilliant Fantasy.

It was made up when he managed to deal with the portal back at the cold parts of this book. And it was when he had encountered the Nightmare that took his ticket out of there.

It was hard fought, and well fought.

Once he's rested enough, Isa pushed himself up, looking around. He spotted what he was looking for, lying on the ground. He hefts his Keyblade over his shoulder, walking over to it. Picking it up, he looks over at it. "Well, I got it, so how do I get out…?"

As if to answer his question, the book glowed before a bright light flashed. He closed his eyes, looking away from the sudden bright light…

…And when the light faded, he squinted them open. Finding himself back in the loft. He looked around. Looks like he's the first to finish.

'Guess I could take the time to relax a bit, and wait for them,' he thought. He looked around before he drags a box out. After dusting it off, he sat on top of it. Isa heaved a sigh.

He took the time to check his inventory. He still has some potions in stock, including some ethers. And other than the Dream Pieces he had gotten from the Nightmares, are the green stars with another star within. Brilliant Fantasies. He's got two. Other than that set back, this proved fruitful in the end. Once Lea and Aqua are out of their own books, they can leave and start making their Dream Eaters. At least they could be able to get some decent sleep now-

-scream-

Isa jerked. His pulse quickened. He slowly stood up, looking around…then directed his gaze on the book with the pink notes.

"…Lea?" He breathed out.

~o~

Clashing steel was heard as Lea shot fireballs at his enemy, but the enemy soon deflected three of them...but when the fourth one hit him... he looked to be frozen in place. "HAH"! Lea grinned before noticing-

He notes Vanitas above. "Nope!" He slams his weapon down with Lea narrowing dodging the attack.

"Oh come on, what was THAT?" Lea exclaimed, throwing his hands out.

"Chatty, aren't you?" Vanitas asked him.

"I'm just saying," Lea said before he ducked under a swing. He charged a fireball- but used it to make a blast that pushes the two back. Allowing Lea more breathing room. Lea soon shifted to Chakrams before hurling them. Vanitas soon deflecting one of them away before blocking the second one.

Effectively deflecting them back.

Lea did a take- but his face shifts to serious. He quickly dismissed the Chakrams, calling them back to his hands.

"Not bad, for a lost boy," Vanitas remarked.

"Well, barely to someone four yours like you," Lea shot back, letting one of his chakrams hang a little.

"I know better fighters who has more experience. Then again.. I was trained by a good master." Vanitas replied. "The only training you got is form a fledgling master."

'Well, he's not wrong,' Lea mentally huffed. He narrowed his eyes. "Speaking of, why would you work with that old coot?"

"I have my own reason," the black clad boy curtly responded. "But I'm sure you won't live long enough to figure that one out for long." He rushed in at Lea.

Lea braced himself.

Above, a star flashed-

And Vanitas halted himself, looking up.

Lea heard a yell, before he was knocked back by some force. He merged his chakrams back into his Keyblade to skid himself to a halt. Once he's stopped, he looked up- and looked surprised.

"Isa!?"

Indeed, it's his companion. There was a crater under Vanitas, who had blocked the attack from the blue haired boy. Isa gritted his teeth, before he flipped back, landing in a crouch before jumping back.

"And there's the other lost boy," Vanitas drawled out as Isa narrowed his eyes at him.

"Isa, how'd you-?" Lea began with Isa looking at him.

"We'll talk later," he said, serious. "C'mon, let's beat that guy back."

"Well, I'd like to see you try," Vanitas said – there was a hint of arrogance in his voice.

The two boys looked at each other before nodding. They soon got into a stance.

"All right, then come on," Vanitas said, back into his stance.

"Careful, he's got like...the thing where it looks like you hit him but reappears again," Lea whispered to Isa. "While leaving behind a copy."

"What, an after-image?" Isa whispered back.

Lea pursed his lips a bit. "Is that what it is?" He whispered-

Before the two noticed and barely dodged a fireball attack.

"Wide open!" Vanitas pounced at Lea; his gear-like weapon drawn back.

Lea noticed him and at the last second, had a solid fire shield up to block the attack.

"Huh. Pyrokinesis. Not bad."

Vanitas noted something, and he (and Lea) jumped back to avoid the (transformed) Keyblade that hit the ground. Isa grabbed the hilt, but instead of pulling it out, he used it as a makeshift pole, shifting his weight to kick away Vanitas.

"Tch!" Vanitas let out to this upon taking the hit.

Isa landed back on his feet, using the momentum to pull his claymore out, flipping it. As he does so, Lea came at Vanitas, the two locking their Keyblades. Lea ducked away, Isa swinging his weapon- but Vanitas back flipped the swing to avoid the attack. But that didn't deter Isa, forcing Vanitas on the defensive, blocking the strikes.

Growling, Vanitas curled his other hand into a fist- and socks Isa in the face. Though while Isa is disoriented, Lea came in, the two engaging in an exchange of blows.

Vanitas sneered under his helmet before taking a hit-

And appearing above. "You wish!" He growled with Lea noting it. But Vanitas is faster, striking Lea when he tried to evade again. With Lea knocked away, Vanitas turned to Isa, soon blasting the blue haired boy away, sending him flying.

Isa regained himself, throwing his Keyblade behind him. It sticks to the ground- which he grabbed onto. Using it to slow himself down. It skidded back a few until he came to a stop. Isa huffed. 'I can see how that's annoying,' he thought irritably.

Vanitas narrowed his eyes before he dove into the ground, creating a shadow. Lea noted it. 'Oh what now?' He thought, on the defensive.

As if to answer his question, Vanitas soon shot up and unleashed dark fireballs, spinning around like a top, going higher to make them spread out. The two boys managed to erect shields (the fire shield for Lea and the barrier for Isa) in time to block the brunt of it. Isa narrowed his eyes, watching Vanitas, who soon dove back into the ground…and the shadow went to Lea.

"Watch out!" Isa warned, with Lea noticing.

"Oh crap!" Lea yelped out before he dove out of the way of the attack. He swatted some fireballs out of the air as he ran.

But as he did that, Vanitas dove into the ground one more time- and with Lea distracted, Vanitas got under him. Lea noticed it too late until he was launched into the air. He erected his shield, curling into himself- but he still got hit by the dark fireballs with him yelling. (There was an odd sound, with something shimmering over Lea before it's gone. His aura is depleted.) That…freaking hurts!

"Lea!" Isa cried out before he took off. Timing it right, Isa jumped- catching Lea in his arms. He shifted in the air, landing on the ground with his feet.

Once they're safe, Isa huffed. Lea looked at him, startled. "…Should I say something witty here?"

Isa gave him a flat look. "No."

"Right. But…" Lea groaned, exhausted, "I can't hold him back."

"Yeah. He's tough," Isa mused. "But of course he is – he DID train under Xehanort after all."

"Hey…can you handle him? I-I need a break."

Isa noted it…and nodded. "Leave it to me." He sets Lea down, before narrowing his eyes at Vanitas as Lea backs off. He calls his Keyblade back to him, twirling it before he held it backwards behind him.

"Heh," Vanitas snorted. "You might have power, but I can out speed you, Moon boy."

"I know," Isa acknowledged. He is fast, he can give him that. But. "Doesn't mean I won't try though." Though, Isa knew that he can't beat Vanitas…but he could at least try to outlast the dark Keyblade user a little longer.

Vanitas smirked under his helmet as the fight begins: with Isa using Thunder to hit Vanitas before he lunges at Vanitas. A hit. He quickly used that opening to grab Vanitas to hurl him away- but there was a floating after-image. Isa noted it, quickly raising his Keyblade and ducked down. He was in time to guard against Vanitas' retaliation.

Grunting, Isa shifted his eyes a bit – should he break this to catch Vanitas off guard, or roll away? Then again, Vanitas is faster. He'll have to play this carefully.

Keyblade in hand, he soon swung it in a circle to throw. The Keyblade revolved around him as a defensive barrier.

Vanitas jumped back to avoid the attack- but Isa isn't done yet. Isa kicked up a rock, grabbing at it. He charged it with a spell – with it covered in frost – before hurling it at Vanitas.

Vanitas noticed it. "Clever brat-" He got hit by the rock, freezing him in ice.

Isa narrowed his eyes. That can't be easy…

But…they can't stay here. Isa took his eyes off of Vanitas to hurry to Lea. "C'mon, we gotta get out of here," he said to his friend.

Lea nodded. "I hear ya. I still need to find that book though. I took care of the Nightmare that had it but…"

Right. It was the same for Isa too. Odd that Lea hadn't gotten it yet.

Though, there's only one real attempt. If there's a way to signal Aqua then…

But what?

Before he had time to think of it- a loud crack is heard. Both heads turned to the ice keeping Vanitas contained. There's a visible crack on it.

"Oh crap," Lea meeped out-

"Too slow." They turned-

The next thing they knew, they were sent flying, before tumbling (harshly) on the ground, their ears ringing. It was a surprise that they survived an explosion of fire like that, at point blank…

(Thank goodness for Aura.)

But, they still got the burns.

Isa felt his mouth make a sound, but couldn't hear his own voice due to the ringing in his ears. His vision is blurry. With a few blinks, it began to clear. Slowly. He saw Lea nearby, twitching.

Lea barely managed a groan, barely moving. Lea's hand moved before clutching Isa's hand. It's…grounding. Isa focused on that, the ringing fading out. He could hear himself panting now. He looked up…seeing Vanitas approaching them. "Still alive, aren't we?" He asked them casually.

Gritting his teeth, Isa struggled to push himself up- only for something to force him back down. An unexpected weight.

"What…?!" Isa muttered before noticing several strange creatures holding him down. They're blue colored and sleek looking, having red eyes.

Are these…Unversed? Why are they…?

Isa felt Lea's hand slip off from his, prompting him to look up- to see Vanitas lifting Lea by the straps on his back. Like he's a baby kitten.

"How the hell did you two even survive down there? You should have just accepted your fates back there," Vanitas said to them. "You're still wet behind the ears."

"Ehh…I guess we just can't die that easily." Vanitas grunted, unimpressed at Lea's back talk.

"That right?" Vanitas asked as Isa struggled to stand. "Well then…in that case." Vanitas suddenly drops Lea- but before he could even touch the ground, Vanitas punches him to send him sprawling.

"Lea!" Isa cried out, as Lea struggled to push himself up with Vanitas approaching the red head. Lea had only gotten to his knees- before Vanitas grabs him by the neck and pins him to the wall. Lea grunted, hands around Vanitas' wrist, too exhausted to really struggle free.

"I think I'll just go ahead and take care of you," Vanitas said casually as he summons his Keyblade. "Take out the weakling after all."

Isa struggled a bit more, before trying to fight the Unversed off. "Get off…!"

Vanitas held up the Keyblade, ready to plunge it into his victim.

Isa looked back up with his eyes wide. Lea's eyes are closed. He's trying to struggle a little more, moaning.

This is…no.

No. NonononononononononononoNONONONO!

He can't…!

He can't lose anyone else close to him!

He has to-!

-must-protect-Lea.

Have to protect.

Protect

Protect…

PROTECT!

(A crack. The sound of glass breaking and shattering.)

Isa felt a…pulse within him. His eyes snapped open, with them glowing silver. Vanitas was about to run his Keyblade through Lea when he felt something. He looked back at Isa, seeing him covered in a silver-blue aura…and then, bellowed a roar that knocked the Unversed off of him, making Vanitas brace against it. He lowered his arm- his eyes went wide, releasing Lea's neck. And he had just barely kept his arm from being broken from that vicious swing. Vanitas braced himself once more as Isa swung his weapon, knocking him back.

Vanitas flipped in the air to recover, landing on the ground. Looking up, he saw Isa standing before Lea (slumped on the ground, coughing and wheezing), his face in a snarl. The black garbed boy narrowed his eyes. This is certainly 'berserk' all right…but, something's different. His replica, when in berserk, has his eyes glow yellow. Why are his silver?

Once Lea regained his breath he looked up, seeing Isa before him…but with an aura around him. "…Isa…?" He breathed out.

Isa planted his Keyblade into the ground, taking a moment to pop his knuckles…before he picks it up again. Soon enough, Isa rushed at the black clad boy.

"Tch…!" Vanitas sneered before engaging with the blue haired boy. The unusual berserk made Isa's swings faster. Vanitas had to flip away from an axe-strike- and it created a crater where he was. Taking that time, Vanitas sent a kick to knock Isa back- but not far, as Isa was able to brace himself. He kicked his weapon up to make it 'stand' up straight, while also knocking Vanitas back. He grabs his Keyblade once more before he bats the dark Keybearer back.

Vanitas grunted, staggering a bit. "Not bad."

Isa didn't reply. Instead, he came at Vanitas once more.

Vanitas rolled his eyes. Tch. Predictable-

Isa's Keyblade suddenly changed its form back into the claymore- but the more savage variant of it. Yet, instead of using it to hit Vanitas, Isa used it as a leverage to get into the air…before hurling it at Vanitas.

Vanitas leapt out of the way. "I guess I shouldn't be impress-" He got interrupted by the shockwave, Vanitas grunting with him locked up a bit. He noted the sparks over his body. That cheeky little…!

Isa slams back onto the ground, grabbing his claymore- and sent Vanitas flying with a powerful strike.

Vanitas yelled from the blow. He bounced on the ground before he rolled to his knees, skidding a bit. He looked up, a part of his helmet cracked, seeing Isa approaching him, dragging his weapon behind him. Vanitas huffed a laugh. "Didn't think…you had such a vicious power to ya," he mused.

To think that all it took was nearly gutting the little pyromancer.

An awful thought came into Vanitas' head. Under his helmet, he gave a vicious smile. "I wonder…if you could still keep yourself together…if I went ahead and silenced that little loudmouth, eh?"

Isa jerked- it stopped him from approaching. His body shook. His eyes narrowed, and his mouth quivered, as if to make a snarl.

Ah. He's trying to control himself now. But for how long?

Vanitas' smile turns a little evil. "Don't believe me? I could just teleport right over there now and take his heart." Isa's eyes narrowed at him, sneering at Vanitas. "I could hear his screams already…"

Isa growled…but turned and rushed to Lea- just as Vanitas warped away-

Lea had recovered enough, pushing himself to stand- and jumped when he saw Vanitas reappear before him. Lea didn't have time to react-

But someone else did, as Vanitas was knocked out of the air by a barrage of fire spells. He landed at a distance, glaring up at the source.

After staring for a moment in shock, Lea looked over to the source himself…seeing Aqua, having her Keyblade out. She had a stern look on her face, pointing it at Vanitas. "Leave them alone," she said darkly.

Vanitas sneered at her. "Well, the Master returns," he said scathingly, slowly standing up. "Fancy meeting you here."

Aqua looked over at Vanitas. It shouldn't be possible. He should be dead.

She could have chalked it off as his heart traveling through time…but, he mentioned 'return'.

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Why are you here, harassing my apprentices?"

"Call it a curiosity," Vanitas shrugged. "They're still wet behind the ears, especially in a fight."

"Hey, screw off," Lea retorted.

Aqua made a face. "At least tell me that you two got what we came here for."

"Yeah," Lea confirmed, before looking at Isa. "Though, Isa's not in a mood to talk."

The blue haired woman looked over at Isa, and for the first time, noticed it. The odd blue aura around him and silver eyes. If not for the fact that he's only standing still – other than pointing his weapon at Vanitas – one would think of him as…feral. Yet…Aqua could sense something powerful about him. 'I can sense…a lot of magic to it,' she thought.

Has this always been within Isa? Is this what Yen Sid was talking about?

Aqua narrowed her eyes and slightly shook her head. Questions for later. For now though. Keeping her narrowed eyes at him, she walked to stand before Lea. "Leave," she ordered him.

Vanitas narrowed his eyes behind the dome. He could take her…but, he's still feeling the attacks from the berserk'd kid. Besides…he got what he came for anyway. "If you insist. Fighting a master after being thrashed by that kid's berserk seems like trouble anyway." Soon, he seemingly fades away.

Once he's gone…Lea heaved a sigh before slumping. Aqua looked at him in concern. "Are you okay?" She asked- but paused, going over the question in her head. "Well, that's a dumb question, isn't it?"

Lea had a small smile. "You think?"

The two looked at Isa, who lowered his weapon…but still has the aura and silver eyes.

The two glanced at each other in worry. Lea looked away. "He's gone, Isa," he said, slightly reaching out. "Ease off the throttle of…whatever you're using."

At first, silence. It was as if Isa didn't hear them…before the aura fades out. Isa's eyes went wide, returning to the sea green color. He staggered, holding his head, dropping his Keyblade. He carefully cradles his head with the weapon being banished. "Ugh…that…that was something…"

"What the heck was that?" Lea asked him.

"I don't know…" Isa responded. "When Vanitas was about to…" Isa grimaced. "About to strike you down, I just…snapped."

The two approached Isa. "Uh…listen, I'm only asking because I'm worried for you as a friend, but…" Lea reached out slightly. "Are you sure you're okay?"

Isa noted it, before thinking about it. "…Well, other than the slowly fading headache…I'm…I'm okay. Other than…exhausted." He wasn't kidding. The fight, and…whatever it was that Isa used left him tired.

Lea looked over at him…before nodding. "…Well, that's good," he said, taking Isa's word for it. "Let's just get the hell out of here. I mean, we got what we came here for, right?"

"Yeah," Isa nodded.

"By the way," Lea raised his short eyebrow, "how'd you know that I was in trouble?"

Isa paused at that. And thought about it. "…I just… I dunno," he answered slowly, uncertain. "I…feel like you're in danger and rushed here. I finished up and was going to wait but…I just sensed something was wrong." He looked at their master. "Aqua, what about you?"

"Well…when I finished with my enemy, I sensed a strange familiar darkness…" She explained. "I recognized it and got to you two as fast as I could."

Lea groaned. "Out of the three of us, why me?" He questioned. "I get that I ain't the strongest-"

"I will pay you to not say 'ain't' again," Isa dryly said, but Lea continued,

"-but, c'mon!"

Aqua narrowed her eyes. "…He may have done it to get to Isa," she muttered. She didn't have fond memories of him doing that.

Isa frowned, muttering, "Well that figures." He huffed through his nose. "I faintly felt that he said that to try to rile me up more. I…don't know what would happen if I just…completely lost it back there."

"Yeah, you certainly held your temper there," Lea remarked.

"I guess…" Still…to completely lose yourself in rage…that's…admittedly terrifying. He was just lucky he was mostly aiming at Vanitas. Otherwise…

Isa shuddered at the thought.

Aqua perked, as if being reminded of something. "Oh, yes." She soon got out something. "I found this lying on the ground when I was making my way here."

It was a book…a book that Lea had been looking for.

He stared at it dumbly before covering his face with a groan. "Oh my GOD! I've been looking for it!" He lowered his arms, tired. "Let's just get out of here. I had enough of this place."

Isa got out of his thoughts to note it. "Ah, right. Let's get out of here then." He and Lea touched the book. It glowed brightly…

…And they soon found themselves back in the loft. Once they're safe, the three of them sighed. Aqua placed the book down with the other two.

"Glad that's over," Lea huffed. He then suggests, "Lets' get back to the real tower."

"We'll have to take stock of your injuries once we get out of here then," Aqua said to them.

"How about yours?" Isa asked her.

"I had healing magic…but, I'll get myself checked out," Aqua promised.

The boys are too tired to argue with her. "Right. Let's go," Isa said. They soon left the room…

…And a small head peered out. He walked out, his long red robe trailing behind him. He scratched his head, his round ears perking. "Well that was odd. Didn't know we had visitors." Hm. He shrugged. Oh well. Probably not important.

~o~

The trio soon returned to the Mysterious Tower…and Lea winced as Isa dabbed some cleaning alcohol on him. "Quit moving, will you? You're acting like a big baby," Isa told him. He had bandages on him, after being tended to first.

Lea took in a sharp breath through his teeth. The burns effin' hurt! Having your aura depleted sucks!

"I would but I can't exactly stop how when I feel pain!"

Isa sighed. "Look, once I'm done cleaning them up, well put that salve on you to take care of the burns."

Lea whined as Aqua and Yen Sid had spoken.

Once Aqua is done, Yen Sid leaned back, his eyes closed. Meditating on the information given to him. The appearance of Vanitas within the realm of sleep…the sudden awakening of Isa's ability. Concerning, these things…

"…It might be possible that Xehanort might be prodding and seeing your abilities," Yen Sid speculated. "But it is mere conjecture at this point."

"I see…but if that is the case, he did so by using Vanitas?" Aqua questioned. Hm. Actually. "Rather, I think Vanitas merely did that himself, saying it was out of…curiosity." To be honest, she isn't sure if it was a lie or not. On the other hand, Vanitas was the dark half of Ventus. He did things on his own, really. As far as she could tell. But he still had his methods.

"Still…at least they're okay," Aqua said, looking at Lea and Isa. For the most part, she added to herself.

Vanitas had been…unexpected. They weren't ready to face someone like him. Especially since he was trained with his own powers, and by Xehanort. And she's still a fledgling at best.

It makes her wonder…how strong is the Organization…?

Could the three of them even take them on?

…

No. It's not for her to decide. It should be them who can decide if they could do that or not.

But…it wouldn't be smart to resume training, even if they attain their Dream eaters.

For now though…

She looked back at Yen Sid. "Did you find anything of how to make the Dream Eaters out here?"

"We've searched," Yen Sid nodded to confirm, just as Isa had finished cleaning the wounds. "And I believe we may have found something."

Lea noted it. "Okay…what's the idea?" He asked curiously- before the salve was applied to him. It feels…cool against his skin. 'Oh, sweet relief,' he thought, blissed out.

Yen Sid looked at the boys. "Well…once you get yourselves sorted out; we'll show you."

They looked at each other.

A while later, they're in a different room, and informed of what they would be doing.

Once they were done…Lea put his hands on his hips. "So…lemme see if I can repeat what you've said," he started…

As there's a sort of a set on the table.

A chemistry set. "…We're sort of applying chemistry here?"

"In a way, yes," Merlin spoke up. "Some things are done via science – like alchemy."

Lea frowned. "…I guess that makes sense."

"You never were good at chemistry," Isa said to him.

"Shaddup," Lea retorted without heat. They both know it's true. Lea just…never found any appeal to stuff like this back then. This is, ugh. This is awful.

Isa regarded the set, humming. "So…how do we do the creation?"

"We'll start with something simple." Merlin looked at Aqua. "Aqua, if you would?"

The woman noted it. "Oh, yes," she stepped forward, setting the ingredients for the rank Joshua was kind enough to give her, as well as the recipe for it.

The boys watched as they set to work, setting it up. Lea tilted his head this way and that, scratching his head. Isa patiently waited, watching.

After a little while, Aqua soon managed to have the pieces within a vial…

Within it, it glowed brightly…and the light shot out of the vial-

Before it turned into a Meow Wow!

Aqua looked surprised before she soon catches it in her arms. It squeaked, sniffing at her…before licking her. Aqua giggled. "Stop! That tickles!"

Lea smiled softly. "Well. That worked out."

Yen Sid nodded, smiling. "Indeed." He looked serious. "But…now comes the hard part."

Isa noted it. He pulled out the list. Since they got what they needed, he looked at the instructions. He hummed. "…one of us would have to go first." He pursed his lips. He nodded. "I'll go," he volunteered.

"You sure?"

Isa nodded to Lea's question. Isa soon approached, before pulling out the ingredients. He also has the Chirithy piece out as well, with it glowing softly.

He looked at the instructions.

He placed the Chirithy piece first into the flask. It goes in easily. He looked over at it, before he placed the Vibrant Fantasies into a different flask. Heating it up, they turned into liquid for him to swirl a bit. With that done, he set about to do the same for the three Vibrant Fancies, Dulcet Fantasy and Noble Fancies, separately.

He soon crushes up Brilliant Fantasies and Charming Fantasy separately as well.

With all of that done, he got out a bigger jar (and a pair of safety goggles), for him to carefully pour in the liquid Vibrant Fantasy, he poured in the Dulcet Fantasy. It changed to a unique color. He swirled it around a bit (with a tool), to make it a different color. He mixed the Vibrant Fancies with the Noble Fancies together, before pouring those into the mixture. He adds in the crushed Brilliant Fantasies first, and then the crushed Charming Fantasy.

It bubbled and fizzled.

"...Is that it?" Lea asked- before it unleashed a colorful smoke, turning into a new color. It sparkles too...before it turned into something new. Something small.

Isa plucks it from jar with a pair of tongs, looking it over. "...Well, let's see," he said. He has it over the flask the Chirithy piece is in...before he drops it.

It came into contact with the piece...before it glowed. Isa looked at his hand...before he reaches over. And has his fingers gently tap the top. A soft light enters it, covering it-

And it soon began to morph. Into something small. Something...feline-like.

Soon enough...something is snoozing in it.

They peered at it.

It resembled the Chirithy Lea and Isa met. Though...it's kind of small. It turned its back to them, showing the sigil of a Spirit.

"This is a Chirithy?" Aqua asked, holding her Meow Wow. "It's..."

"Not what you'd expect?" Lea provided.

"No, it's...cute," Aqua admitted. Her Meow Wow looked up at her, appalled she would say that. Aqua noted it before looking sheepish. "It's okay, you're cute too." It squeaked, licking her a bit.

Isa got a little closer to it. Tentatively, he tapped the round part of the flask. That single tap had it perk up, looking around. It turned around, noticing him. The two stared at each other...before it looked happy. "Master!" He cheered- and suddenly poofed out of the flash, a lot bigger suddenly.

Isa's eyes went wide before he caught it. It snuggled into his chest...but he's frozen.

"That went well," Lea remarked. So he has to do the same thing? Eh...might not end well... He looked to Isa. "Hey, Isa, could you...?" He noticed that his friend is still frozen. "...Isa?"

Silence. Then: "...Lea."

Lea blinked.

"You were right." He looked at his friend- his eyes wide. "It's soft…!"

"He's..." Isa looked down at the Chirithy in his arms, then back at his friend. "He's so soft...I...I just can't...!"

Lea stared at that...before smiling softly. "Right? Uh...mind helping me out in making my own?"

"Huh?" Isa blinked. "Oh, yeah, sure."

'...I think I could see why a Charming Fantasy is required for it,' Aqua thought after seeing that.

Isa had to set his Chirithy down. "I'm helping my friend make you a new friend, okay?" Isa said to him. "So...be good, okay?" He pets the Chirithy's head.

And so, after repeating the process, and with urging from Isa, Lea put his hand gently over the opening...

...And soon enough his own Chirithy is born.

After a moment, Lea...gently pokes the glass. The Chirithy woke up, rubbing sleep out of its eyes before looking at him. After a moment...

"Master?"

"Uh...Lea, that's my name," Lea said to him. "I'm a friend." He added with a smile. "Your friend."

The Chirithy thought about it. "...Friend..." It looked happy. "I like that!" It poofed out of the flask, looking around.

Lea gently picked him up. "Nice to meet ya, little guy!" Lea greeted him happily.

The Chirithy looked happy, before snuggling up to him.

Everyone else had relieved looks.

It looks like things would be okay now.

---

Okay! Considering a few things, of course Xehanort - the younger version - would take notice of the trio in the Realm of Sleep. And a wild Vanitas appeared. I hope I did the two of them right.

Also, quick lore about why Isa had silver eyes when he used Berserk. As it's a part of Moon Magic, the eyes change color depending on the emotion and circumstances behind it. For silver eyes, it's born from the intense desire to 'protect'. Yellow eyes is born from 'rage', what most associate berserking with. But the causes of it can vary. There are also other versions, like blue moon or red moon - blue and red eyes. You'll be seeing those later on. Anyways.

Sorry if the battle scene isn't so hot. I tried my best, and I had to use certain things as references, like RWBY.

The next chapter, our heroes take a well deserved break from what happened before they resume. It'll be a slice of life chapter.

Stay tuned!

Omake:

Isa raised an eyebrow. "Wait. I got a question for you, Lea."

"What's up?" Lea blinked. They had finished recounting to each other on what happened before they got back together.

"You had to ride on a Nightmare Dream Eater to get to the flying one, right?" Isa asked him.

"Yeah?"

"Why didn't you use your Keyblade Glider to get it?" Isa questioned him. "I mean, you could have done it faster."

Lea's face fell, making a flat look.

...

Lea ran outside.

Isa and Aqua glanced at each other. Then:

"MOTHERFUCKER! !" They heard him scream.

"...Really?" Isa muttered with a bored look.