The Grey Ancient

by Ancient2

This is the Kingdom Hearts storyline through Riku's point of view. It's a take on who he is, where did he come from, and 'what' he is. Neither of the Light, nor the Darkness. So then where does he belong?

24. Chapter 24

Author's Note: First of all, to all the fans reading my story, I would like to say I'm so sorry for the long break between chapters. I had gotten sick over the holiday season that nearly had me bedridden for two months. Yes, my holidays were physically unbearable, but my loving family made the season enjoyable. I didn't feel comfortable publishing new chapters weekly until my temperature went down and I could edit them clearly. And like a sick joke, when I'm finally well enough to think straight, all the updates that piled up from my two month break from my computer overpowered my HardDrive and burned it out. So that was almost another month of waiting for parts and repairing it myself. But on the bright side, it was fun taking apart my computer tower and seeing how the insides work. Either way I'm back, the chapters will continue at more bearable pace. I even have Kingdome Hearts III, had that pre-ordered in August. But as a subtle promise to myself and the people that read this story, I have not played it and will not play until I catch up with the storyline. So I've got something to look forward to and motivate me to finishing this story. So once again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for all your patience everyone.

Also, near the end of this chapter there will be a fan-homage tribute to one of my favorite short Kingdom Hearts fanfiction stories written by Wahmenitu called Saved. I loved it, it's rather short but cute and I just couldn't help but add it into my story. I love reading it from time to time on a bad day to quickly perk me up. If you haven't read it, give it a try, it's a nice read. And shout out to Wahmenitu, I love Aeris and Sephiroth pairing too- as if it wasn't already obvious.

The Helping Hand From the Shadows

The Organization had already made contact with Sora, moving things along right off the bat. Riku was worried that they would have tried to capture Sora for their own means but they seemed to just observe him and left him be. From what Riku could tell they were going to let Sora do his own thing which in itself was alarming based off their previous endeavors. Whatever they have planned seems to make no difference if Sora has the Keyblade or Roxas does. Which made Riku feel uneasy. No matter what they've done, Organization XIII is still on track towards their goal.

All of the remaining members showing up to Sora all at once showed him- and Sora and the others for that matter- how weak and vulnerable Sora was to them as he was now. It made Riku anxious, so just as a precaution, he had followed Sora to his first new world opened by the special gate...

The Land of Dragons

Riku would just follow them for a little, just to be sure that Sora would be okay on his own.

"..." Turns out he was right about trailing Sora and the others. This world was going through a war. "Crap..."

Riku had opened up his Dark Corridor near the edge of a burning village, the embers raised in the sky as it filled the chilling air with warmth. But a chill ran down Riku spine as he could hear the silence around him but the scream of hearts. There were no survivors. Riku looked around avoiding the fires as he witnesses the destruction and devastation, this was a horrible sight. Who could have done this?

"!?" He got his answer as he took cover behind the burnt remains of a house wall, hiding from the cold chill of darkness leaking out of a man standing in the center of all this destruction. He was smiling? He took joy in all this?!

And Riku thought that he was irredeemably tainted by the darkness, this guy was a monster. One step from becoming a Heartless. The only bright side was he was too cold and nearly nonexistent to become a Nobody. Another blessing was that Sora and the others had arrived further off in the bamboo forest, so they won't have to confront this guy off the bat. Riku also Sensed a powerful heart that reminded him of Sora's dragon summon, Mushu, from that time in Hollow Bastion. Focusing his skill he realized that it was the very same summon. His world must have returned with the others when they had defeated Ansem. Which made Rikiu wonder how many more summons's worlds returned?

Well, for the time being, Sora, Donald, and Goofy will be safe with Mushu and the girl accompanying him. Right now Riku will have to worry about this guy with the dark heart. If this guy continues on his path and lures in the Heartless then war will be the lease of this world's problems.

Riku followed him from a distant, waiting to see what his next move will be. The man continued along his path up to the mountain summit...with his army of Heartless.

"!" Something wasn't right. The many hearts screaming in Riku's ears told him an atrocity was committed, more than one. But from what Riku could put together this man turned his army into Heartless. Not only was this man cruel, he was willing to do anything to achieve victory.

But this man was no mindless brute, he was a strategist. He and his Heartless army blocked off the pathway they took to the mountain's summit to put some distance between them and the opposing army. Even using his hawk to scout out how close the opposing army was. Once confirming that his enemies were breaking through his stone blockades and were on their way, he did something that Riku had not expected. He had passed through the neighboring village under the mountain, remaining unseen and leaving them intact. Only to spread out his forces along the mountain area and to boldly camp himself inside a cave close to the village, even as his enemies were arriving.

Just who was this man?

Riku would have to know more about this world if he wanted to stay ahead of the Heartless. So he had done something that he had never truly done before... He had reached out for this world's heart. Normally he just Sensed the hearts of a world and decipher the emotions from them, but for this world he will have to go one step further. He's going to have to listen to the voice of this world. His mother had taught him as a Cetra how to listen to a world's heart, the hearts in the Lifestreams were many voices all acting as the one voice to the world's heart. He had done it before with Destiny Island, and a few times on the other worlds he had visited. But never before on a world so pain strickened and newly scarred. The Lifestreams in this world's heart screamed out at him all at once making the hearts' words a jumble of sound and painful ringing in Riku's ears. They were hurt and in pain, their bodies struck from them before it was their time. Trying to sooth their voices with his heart through the connection, Riku tried to get a name from them that was causing so much pain and darkness on their world. The voices for once spoke unanimously the same name.

Shan-Yu

'Shan-Yu...' Breaking away from the connection, Riku took a moment to gather himself as the ringing in his head started to fade. 'Is that what it was like listening to the hearts of a world's Lifestream? How does Mom do it? It was like a scramble of words swirling in my head all at once fighting to be heard first... (Sigh) At least it's over now. Maybe I should practice more on peaceful worlds before trying a stunt like this again.'

But it would seem that Riku had spent too long recovering. Apparently, while he was resting, Sora and the others had joined the Imperial Army and had arrived in the village and set up camp. Shan-Yu must have set up tracks while he wasn't paying attention cause he lured Sora and the others into the cave and split up their forces as his main force of Heartless took out the rest of the Imperial Army and the village.

This was his plan all along. He was waiting for the Imperial Army to arrive so he could take them all out at once after splitting their forces into manageable groups. A good number of the Imperial Army was taken down and turned into Heartless along with a few of the villagers. The Captain's men fought valiantly to make sure the rest of the villagers escaped, fleeing the village to safety down the mountain path, but it cost them their numbers. And the Captain was badly wounded in the fight. By the time Sora and the others escaped the trap in the cave, the village was already burned down.

Now there were more restless hearts returning to the world's heart. At this rate, Heartless from all over will be lured to this world. But there was still hope of fixing this as Sora and the others made their way up the mountain to face Shan-Yu.

Riku guessed that they weren't expecting to face Shan-Yu's swarm of Heartless armies. They did good fighting on their own. But Riku worried when Shan-Yu joined in the fray along with a 2nd wave of Heartless. It looked like it would be too much for them and he was about to go down and help. But the girl that was with them brilliantly took them all out at once with rocket landslide. Too bad she nearly took out her own army and herself, but she acted fast along with the others. But from what he had heard their victory was short lived since Mushu in his upset rant about being used as a lighter revealed the girls name as Mulan and got her in trouble with the Imperial Army. It became new news to Riku that the army didn't know she was a girl or the fact it was against this world's law for women to join the Imperial army. A crime punishable by death. Riku was on guard just in case he'd have to jump in on time to save them, but the Captain just dishonorably discharged them instead as payment for Mulan saving his life. The rest of the army moved out towards the capital to report the news to the Emperor, leaving Mulan, Sora, Donald, and Goofy behind.

Removing her armor and deciding that she did her best, Mulan made her plans to return home. Sora and the other decided to tag along to make sure she didn't get all of the blame for running off and joining the army. Unaware to them, further down the mountain, Shan-Yu was still alive and pulling himself out of the snow. With a roar of rage at being defeated he had summoned an army of Heartless to him, along with alerting Sora and the others to his presence.

"He's alive!" Sora said in disbelief as they observed them from their high-ground cover.

"He's heading for the Imperial City!" Mulan gasped in alarm as Shan-Yu moved out with his Heartless. "We've got to warn Shang?"

"..." They seemed to be doing fine so far, Riku decided to let them handle this themselves.

It seems that he made the right choice. They had made it in time to catch up with Captain Shang and his troops to warn them of Shan-Yu's attack on the city. The four of them defeated the Heartless and stopping Shang-Yu before he could harm the Emperor, coming out stronger in the end for it. With Shang-Yu finally defeated a peace had come over the world's heart, the voices and emotions of the world's Lifestream had calmed down in Riku's ears to a more peaceful hum, justice had been done. And after everything Mulan had done she was honored by the Emperor and celebrated by the people. A job well done.

Sora and the others were certainly getting strong enough to face Organization XIII. But...they still had some ways to go. Just to be safe, Riku wanted to shadow them for a little while longer.

… The Next Day ...

Beast's Castle

Sora had made it to Beast's Castle for the first time. This should be a commendable moment. For Sora, it would be like catching up with an old friend, for Riku he rather liked this world and its inhabitance and he was hoping that Sora could help Beast out. From where Riku had left off Beast was still being plagued with doubt as a member from the Organization kept coming and going as he spread dark rumors into Beast's ear. Riku tried to watch over Beast for some time, but after recovering Roxas and being occupied with protecting Sora from the Organization, he had left Beast to his own devices for a while. His concern was what could've happened to the castle in that time gap, the place was oddly quiet.

Sora had explored the Entrance Hall a bit before he notices the lack of residents as well, even checking the Living area in the next room to see if anyone was there. A warm fire was burning in the fireplace, but no one in the chairs to enjoy it. Well, except for a single rose protected by a glass cover. Riku was startled by its presence there. The source of the castle's spell and also the time-limited hope to ever breaking it was highly guarded by Beast in his chambers. What was it doing down here alone in the open? That is until some Heartless decided to reveal themselves from the shadows to join them. Sora was alarmed by the numbers as much as he was annoyed along with the others. Donald even called out for help.

Which they were all happily surprised that Beast had answered the call and swiped through the Heartless as if they were nothing. But that surprise turned into startled, from both the present party and the observing party, as Beast shoved them all out of the way to get to the rose and walked away as if they didn't matter. The others chalked the behavior as Beast forgetting them. But Riku knew Beast remembered Sora, Donald, and Goofy were, he just didn't care. Something terrible wrong was going on in the castle. And for Beast and the others sake, Riku hoped that Sora, Donald, and Goofy would figure out what it was soon.

Leaving the living area to check around some more, Donald had spotted the passing a lady on the upper floor. Coming to the conclusion that it had to be Belle they followed the direction she was going and found Belle's room in the West Hall. She was there and was very happy to see them, even giving Donald a big hug. She was hoping they were here to help Beast. They weren't- it was just a coincidence in timing- but they would gladly help. Belle explained to them how Beast has been acting strange and even locked the others in the dungeon in the West Hall's undercroft. She didn't know why he was doing this and wanted to help the others in the castle and Beast. Sora agreed to get the others out and see if they have some answers. But Riku was a little concern that Sora wasn't exactly ready to see who the "servants" actually are. Knowing Sora's track record he might even accidentally break one of them. Maybe he'll have a Dark Corridor on standby, just in case.

Turns out Sora's first encounter would be with the Wardrobe, guarding the undercroft's door. She must have been ordered from her usual place in the Belle's room to here by Beast. Either way, she didn't seem to care for the new job so much since she was napping during it. The meeting didn't turn out so good for both parties since the poor lady didn't expect to wake to a boy pushing her nor did Sora expect to be shouted at by a wardrobe. It was an awkward process for Sora, but he slowly had to move her out of the way during her spurts of exhaustion. Didn't matter much since she finally woke up all the way once he was done, he ended up having to explain himself which would have made things easier to begin with since she was so compliant and helpful. Polite enough to explain what exactly was going on with the castle and the spell it was under and how she wished for them to help her friends as well.

She had done well to prepare Sora and the others to meet the rest of the castle's residence, once they got through the gate guardian Heartless, Thresholder, guarding the passage to the dungeon- well...it was more of a phantom Heartless really. Poor Mrs. Potts, Chip, Lumiere, and Cogsworth were left in a cold, dark, and damp cell. This could not be good for Cogsworth and his gears. Riku was relieved to see that Sora was more careful around the residence than he usually was. Surprised that he would have to be more worried about Donald around them than Sora as he shook Cogsworth. But it was nothing harmful so he'd just have to live with an exasperated sigh and shaking his head in the background. After Donald finally put Cogsworth down, they all began telling them the tale of how the spell came to be.

A story that even Riku didn't know yet. Before the spell Beast use to be a handsome prince, and although he had everything his heart desired he was spoiled, selfish, and cruel. Apparently, on a cold winter night an old beggar woman came to the castle seeking shelter from the bitter cold, and in return she offered a rose. Beast turned away, repulsed by her haggard appearance. She had warned him not to be deceived by appearances, for beauty was found again. But still he would not take her in and her ugliness melted away to reveal a beautiful enchantress. She turned him from a prince to a beast, a shape she thought fitting for his cold heart. As well as all who lived in the castle.

As interesting as the story was, there was nothing they could do about the spell, Beast will have to sort that out. The problem was that Beast seems to have forgotten how to trust others, Sora and the others will have to help him remember. And they had better hurry or the residents' concern about Beast turning into a Heartless may actually become a potential outcome.

Riku followed them through the shadows through the shortcut out of the undercroft and back to the West Hall, where Sora, Donald, and Goofy would head to the West Wing to confront Beast along with Cogsworth. The Heartless have gotten stronger since the last time Riku was here, even taking the form of the Gargoyles statues that decorated the hall. The darkness in Beast's heart must have grown vastly to lure such strong Heartless here. Turns out Riku was right, Beast's heart was being poisoned. And they had even walked in on the Organization member causing it as he spouted false accusations about Belle, no doubt trying to darken Beast's heart so he would turn into a Heartless. Beast's even believed him enough to see Sora and the others as Belle's accomplices when he said so, forcing Sora to fight Beast just to calm him down. The darkness consuming him blinding Beast from his actions, Sora had to use the Keyblade to calm his heart.

Once the influence of darkness no longer had a hold of Beast's heart he was back to normal. But he was confused...he didn't even know that he had put the others in the dungeon. His guilt raising at what he had done, and his rage for this...Xaldin, for manipulating his anger to control him. His sorrow, his sadness...his pain...used against him and turned into rage beyond his control. This truth was filling him with despair.

But Goofy had seen the truth in his heart that Beast and the others did not see. The truth that in that fog of his rage, he must have thrown all of his friends into the dungeon to make sure that he that he didn't hurt them. Because he was good inside, and they all knew it too and agreed. It gave him hope that there was still good in him beyond a beast, but it also reminded him of how poorly he treated Belle. Sora had told Beast to go talk to Belle and apologize if he was so worried about it, demanding it when Beast was self-doubting himself. And Sora, being the nice guy that he was, even went with Beast to make him feel better.

It's a good thing that he did join Beast because Wardrobe alerted them that Belle left her room to chase after Xaldin. She had chased him all the way to the Ballroom and was able to call for help before a Shadow Stalker Heartless forced her out on the balcony, leaving Beast and the others to handle it. They had struggled but did fine for the most part, even with its second form Dark Thorn, Riku was pleased with how much progress they had made. After making sure everyone was fine and that Beast and Belle made up, Riku had decided that Sora can handle himself enough. He can back off and let Sora do his own thing for a while. And in the meantime, King Mickey and him could check out and see what Organization XIII were really up to.

… Elsewhere on the Next Day ...

*** Radiant Garden ***

"There! This should just about do it! Thanks again for helping me clean up around here, dear." Merlin thanked Aeris as they were just about done cleaning up his house and the HBRC base. It had taken them all morning until early afternoon to clean things up. They had found some really precious things while straightening things up, even stumbling on a Summon gem. Merlin planned on giving it to Sora the next time he arrives. All that was left was to go through his stack of books and put them away. He couldn't even remember when things just started piling on the floor, which was no place for conditioned, precious books. Aeris left Merlin to put his things in order the way he liked while she finished up sweeping up the newly revealed floor.

"It was no trouble, Merlin. (Giggle) This place gets a lot of foot-traffic anyway. Makes it hard to keep everything in order." Aeris assured to him, feeling slightly guilty that the team and her were slightly responsible for the mess. With the rise of Heartless activity, everyone was simply busy and afterward exhausted to watch out for the piling up mess. Merlin wasn't any better and kept exhausting himself with the use of Magic. That's why she insisted on helping him manually instead of just casting spells. "And look at that, we're almost done. See, it's good sometimes to do things by hand so that you'll have your Magic when you really need it."

"(Sigh) When you're right, you're right, my dear." Merlin tiredly admitted as he went through the pile of books one at a time to place them in orderly sections on his bookshelves. "I've just been using Magic for so long that it's become second nature to me. It's just never worn me out to this point."

"Times have been hard recently. We just have to pull through and make some sacrifices. Meaning, no more Magic to make your tea. (Giggle) You'll just have to settle with walking over to the stove and turning the kettle on."

"Ooh, but it's so far away." He whined making Aeris laugh a little harder. During their little back-and-forth he had made it to the bottom of his book pile, revealing a treasure that had been buried underneath the mountain of books. "Oh, look! I can't believe this was in there! This should have been taken better care of!"

"What?" Aeris looked over curiously, getting excited as she recognized the book in his hand. "Oh! The Hundred Acre Wood! How did that get in there?"

"I don't know. I can't believe I lost it like this. I hope the inhabitance inside can forgive me."

"They've been through a lot with their pages being torn out on two occasions, I'm sure they can forgive you for burying them under a mountain."

"You're not making me feel any better." Merlin groaned. He knew Aeris truly meant well but sometimes her straightforwardness can come out like a burn even if there is no ill intent behind it. "But anyway, this is great news. I can't wait to tell the others that I found it."

"Leon will be so happy," or at least as happy as his face will show, Aeris thought as she smiled and clapped her hands together. "It is a precious treasure of our world after all. Safe and Restored. Oh! Sora and the others will be glad that you've found it too."

"Oh right, I'm sure Sora will be excited to see Pooh and the others after sleeping for a year! I'm sure it'll bring a lift in his spirit!"

"We'd best tell him the next time he visits."

"Why wait? We can summon him and the others here right now." Merlin suggested, pulling out his wand and waving it around as his Magic came to life. His Magic circle around above them like clutters of starlight.

"Merlin, no, you need to save your MP." Aeris weakly said in concern, but knowing that she couldn't stop him once he had an idea in mind.

"Oh, nonsense, this will only take a minute."

"..." Hopefully, Sora and the others wouldn't be going anywhere in an emergency when Merlin pulls their Gummi Ship back to Radiant Garden...

"There! They should be dropping by any time now!"

ALARM! ALARM!

"!" The alarms in the back room went. "Oh no, Heartless have made their way into the town."

"Oh, this is dreadful timing!"

"I'm going to head out to help the others. They must still be on patrol." Aeris informed Merlin as she ran to the door, stopping just before leaving to check up on him. He had just used a big summoning spell and will probably still need more time to recover the MP he's lost. Which would make him more vulnerable... "Are you going to be alright?"

"I'll be fine, dear. Just go and help the others, I'll meet up with you when Sora, Donald, and Goofy arrive."

"All right. Take care, Merlin." Merlin waved her off as she ran out of the house. She was still worried about Merlin, so she'd make sure to finish things with the others quickly and head back for Merlin. The others were close to the town's gate, fighting off the Heartless that were charging their way in. The Heartless were slowly starting to surround them and closing in. Leon, Yuffie, and Cid did a good job keeping their distance with their long ranged weapons but it was only a matter of time. "Freeze!"

"Aeris!" Yuffie greeted her with relief and joy as Aeris's All Blizzard took care of the Heartless Soldiers at their backs.

"We heard the alarms go off, I'm here to assist you," Aeris said, joining them at their side as she readied Princess Guard.

"Where's Merlin?" Leon asked, striking at a Heartless that jumped right at them.

"He's back at the base, waiting for Sora and the others," Aeris answered, using Healing Wind on all of them. They only had a few scratches on them but she couldn't be too careful.

"How the heck did he know they would be comin'?" Cid asked before arriving at the answer himself while he leaped down on a Heartless with his spear. "Wait, don't tell that crazy old man actually summoned them?"

"He did."

"Of course he did." Cid groaned in exhaustion, scratching the back of his head. "Dang it, Merlin! He can't go around using his Magic all willy-nilly while his MP's so drained. Old guys need to take it easy."

"Speak for yourself, old man." Yuffie teased, receiving a whack on the head from the pole end of his spear.

"Watch it youngin'. I'm not too old to teach you a thing or two." Cid grumbled.

"Enough bickering. Take care of the Heartless and then we can squabble." Leon ordered, getting the team back in the game. They tore through the numbers almost at a breakneck speed. They were more than halfway done when Merlin finally showed up in a puff of smoke.

"Everyone good news, I'm here to help!"

"The news will have to wait a bit. We've got to take care of these Heartless." Leon said over to Merlin. Looking at Merlin, he could see that Merlin was still out of breath and slightly shaking. "You should head back, Merlin. We'll handle things here."

"Nonsense! I'm up and ready for a fight!"

"Merlin, you're still exhausted." Aeris gently insisted with worry.

"I'm fine, dear child, I just took care of a little bit of Heartless at the house."

"Is everything alright back there?!" Leon asked in concern as he pushed three Heartless back with his gunblade.

"Everything's fine. I shooed the Heartless away, found Pooh's Book, and left in the care of Sora and the others until I get back."

"Wait...you trusted Sora to wait still and quietly by himself?" Yuffie pointed out, knowing Sora as an endless ball of energy that would burst if left to sit for long.

"Well, yes, I- oh..." Suddenly it clicked on Merlin like a lightbulb. "If you will all excuse me please."

And just like in a puff of smoke he was gone.

"How many of you think he'll actually make it to the house in time?" Cid pondered to them in humor as they finished off the remaining Heartless in the town.

"He's too drained." Aeris sadly admitted in honestly. "He'll probably only make it half way and have to walk the rest."

"Then we should probably head back soon to make sure he got back alright," Leon advised, taking out the last Heartless and resting his blade on his shoulder.

"Not like we won't have to walk the ways back home too." Yuffie tiredly groaned.

"I think everyone deserves a break when we get back. I'll make some ice-tea to get our strength up." Aeris suggested, slightly cheering Yuffie up a little bit.

"On the bright side, at least Merlin found the book of A 100 Acre Wood again. With its light returned it almost feels like Hollow Bastion's light is returning as well."

"Hmm, right." Aeris smiled as the other's heart shined a little brighter at the news. It's true, things weren't looking good for Radiant Garden, but as long as they had Hope they will prevail.

Walking back was slightly longer with everyone being tired, but they were glad to be back again in the safe confinement. But when they returned to Merlin's House, he wasn't looking as cheerful as he was before. He was standing in the house, holding onto The Hundred Acre Wood's book real close. Sora and the others were gone, their hearts already heading out tot he next world.

"Merlin? What's wrong?" Aeris asked in concern of his sudden change of mood.

"I'm sorry, my dear, but..."

"!" Aeris gasped in alarm as Merlin reveal the front cover of the book to the other, small world slashed with claw marks. The inside with more than likely just as much damage as well.

"The Hundred Acre Wood has had a little accident." Merlin sadly announced.

"Oh no, not again." Aeris softly groaned in sorrow. Poor Pooh, poor Piglet, and the others... haven't they suffered enough?

"What happened?" Leon asked looking the book over.

"The Heartless," Merlin grumbled in frustration. "They came in while no one was in the house. They took Pooh's Book and Sora, Donald, and Goofy did their best to get it back. But the damage had been done. The Heartless tore out some pages."

"Are the inhabitance alright?"

"Sora went inside to check things out. Turns out that Pooh has forgotten about Sora and all his other friends." Merlin explained as he went over to the white and green dresser to gently place the book back on top of. "Sora will have to collect the stolen torn pages to repair the book to put things right."

"I see..."

"Don't worry," Aeris assured to Leon and the others. "Sora has done it before, he can do it again. We can trust him to restore this tiny world, along with many others."

"Hmph, I guess you're right. We'll just have to count on him. He hasn't let us down yet."

"(Gentle Chuckle) Right."

… Meanwhile, at the Castle that Never Was …

Riku had arrived early in the morning to secure the area before setting up base. He had returned to the Lookout Point he had once before to observe the actions of Organization XIII. The members of the Organization became more active in the year between Sora's sleep and awakening, it was within their best interest more than ever to find out what was going on inside those castle walls.

Fortunately, he wouldn't be doing this alone. He had called upon King Mickey beforehand, summoning him with his heart, silently giving Mickey his location. It was only a matter of time before he showed up.

"..." His entrance wasn't silent, chiming loudly as his bright light he corridor in. Luckily, Riku took this into account as he stayed in the cave's entrance far away from the Castle that Never Was' detection. King Mickey had touched down feet first on the ground, confused and slightly on guard at the world he had arrived on. Looking around as his Senses could only detect a stale presence of light and stench of darkness that came together as a void. "Riku, what is this place?"

"This is the world of the Castle that Never Was," Riku explained to King Mickey, looking out of the cave as it started to rain. "Welcome to the world of the Nobodies."

"?!" King Mickey's eyes widened in surprise as he rushed over to join by Riku's side and look out at the world. "The base of Organization XIII?!"

"More like the castle of Organization XIII."

"How in the worlds did you find it?"

"I..." The memory was fuzzy. "I don't know. But I remember tracking Roxas down to this place."

"I see. This is good! Now we can find out what Organization XIII is up to!"

"That's the plan. I was hoping to have your help with this."

"Ha-ha! You can count on me, pal!" King Mickey agreed, fist-bumping his chest. Before a pasting thought deflated his excitement. "What about DiZ?"

"He's doing his own thing in Twilight Town. My big concern is how Sora, Donald, and Goofy are getting along." Riku admitted, "I'm still a little concerned about how they're getting along on other worlds."

"Hmm, you may have a point there. I mean, it still is too early to leave them on their own so soon after waking up. Perhaps we should still keep an eye on them."

"I agree. But how? We can't be in two places at once."

"Hmm, you're right. But maybe we don't have to be..." King Mickey suddenly went silent, closing his eyes as he put a hand over his heart. Concentrating his heart on something with such focus.

"Huh... your Majesty?" Riku called out to King Mickey, bending to the side a little to look at Mickey. He would have waved his hand in front of Mickey's face but something told him King Mickey wouldn't even notice it. Suddenly a Dark Corridor opened in front of them. "!"

Riku summoned Soul Eater, ready for an attack. Only to be surprised by the patting of paws and the barking of a yellow dog.

"Pluto! Attaboy, Pluto!" King Mickey greeted the dog with cheer, scratching the dog behind his black ears as he kicked his hind leg in happy thumps while wagging his tail. "Thanks for coming, pal!"

"WOOF!" Pluto responded in turn, licking Mickey's face.

"Who is this?" Asked Riku.

"This is my dog, Pluto! He's been my old pal since way back!" Mickey introduced Pluto to Riku. "This is Riku, say 'hi', Pluto."

"BARK, BARK!"

"Huh, hi?" Riku said down to Pluto as he circled around him. Before coming to a stop and wiggling his backside in excitement as if wanting to play.

"Pluto can go through Dark Corridors freely." King Mickey explained, "I've been using him to keep an eye on things for me while I've been fighting the Heartless. He can keep an eye on Sora and the others for us."

"..." Riku kneeled down to the Pluto's level, looking him over. Pluto looked back at him in turn, panting with his tonged hanging out without a care in the world. It was alarming that this dog could go through Dark Corridors unprotected and not be consumed by the darkness. How was this possible? Why can this dog do such a thing? What makes him different? On that note, why was he different from the others from King Mickey's world? This doesn't this make any sense!- among other things. "Mickey... I have so many questions."

"I'm sure you do. Questions I more than likely don't have the answers to." King Mickey replied, somewhat understanding what Riku was trying to convey in his dumbstruck. "But that doesn't matter now. What matters is that Pluto can keep an eye on Sora, Donald, and Goofy for us! Can't you boy!"

"BARK!"

"You know where Sora is? You know where Sora is?" Mickey said to Pluto, playful coasting him on.

"ARF, ARF!"

"Goooo show us where he is!" King Mickey pointed as if telling Pluto to go fetch.

"BARK, BARK! BARK! BARK!" Pluto ran off, opening a Dark Corridor to disappear into for his task.

"Ha-Ha! That's my pal."

"Uhh..."

"Give him a minute." King Mickey assured Riku, waiting for Pluto to return. And return he did, not too long after...with a shoe in his mouth. "What's that, boy?"

Pluto spat out the shoe in front of them, revealing it to be a Greek leather sandal. Who's ever poor soul it belongs to Riku didn't know, he couldn't recognize the darkness scent around it. But something told him that whoever it was wasn't too happy about losing his shoe. But besides that, he could Sense the hearts of Sora, Donald, and Goofy just within the Dark Corridor Pluto had come out of before it closed.

"Looks like a... sandal?"

"I know that style of shoe. Sora and the others must be at Olympus Coliseum." Riku concluded. "Hopefully, they're not causing Hercules too much trouble. Or Hades for that matter."

"Hades, he was one of the meanest members of the Maleficent's Dark Council. I hope those fellas avoid him for now, I don't think they're ready to take him head-on as they are now."

"I don't think we need to worry. They're probably there just to visit Hercules or train with Phil." Hopefully...

… The Next Day …

"They just keep moving in and out of the castle without any clear goals in mind other than following Sora around." King Mickey huffed in annoyance at their lack of progress, but a little understanding since they were only there for a day.

"Yeah, but that's the strange part. They follow Sora around but don't seem to want to stop or hinder him in his course. At least... from what I've seen so far." Riku ponders aloud as they continued their observation of the Castle that Never Was.

"Ugh, none of this is making any sense. My head is going in loops." King Mickey groaned, holding on to his head as he shook it. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say that strange moon of hearts is getting bigger."

"Huh? No, you're right. It is bigger than it was yesterday, or the last time I was here for that matter." Riku pointed out as King Mickey drew attention to it. Riku couldn't believe he hadn't noticed it for himself, he was too busy seeing what was going on inside the castle to notice what was going on around it. "That is alarming. If it continues to grow with each passing day, will it ever end? Or, on that note, what will happen when it stops?"

"I don't know..." Suddenly Mickey felt a pang in his heart. "!"

"!?" Riku looked on in confusion and concern as King Mickey suddenly stopped in his sentence and gripped a hand over his heart. "Your Majesty?"

"Something is wrong... I feel it in my heart. I've gotta return home, to Disney Castle."

"Your heart is telling you that your world is in trouble?"

"Hmm, it's hard to say. More like... I feel like someone is calling out to me. Someone close to my heart; like she's in trouble. I have to make sure Minnie and the others at the castle are alright."

"Do what you must," Riku said with a nod, understanding the calls of heart bonds. Sometimes the pull of the call can be just as powerful as a Summon. If someone was reaching out to Mickey, they must have needed him.

"Stay with Riku, Pluto, and give him a hand while I check things out at home," Mickey asked of Pluto who barked and nodded in compliance as he raised his Keyblade to summon the Light to take him home. Before leaving, he spoke over to Riku, "I'll try to be back as soon as I can."

"..." Riku watched as King Mickey's light disappeared into the sky, before looking down to Pluto. "Well, feel like scouting with just us?"

"BARK!"

"That's the answer I like to hear. Let's go see what those jerks-in-coats are up to."

Riku and Pluto had wondered to the borderline of empty city of rain. Cautious of entering the city and alerting Organization XIII of their presence. Well, Riku was, Pluto was just having a blast exploring new areas and discovering new smells.

"!" Riku's eyes widened in alarm from the cover of his hood as Pluto took the leap and ran up the street into the city. "Pluto, wait, get back here."

Pluto stopped to sniff around, circling around a scent in a 4 way crossroad.

"Wait..." Nothing happened. "They haven't notice you..."

"ARF. AR-ROOF!" Seems that both predictions had some truth in them, Pluto could come and go through Dark Corridors as he pleased. But his light also blended with the worlds practically making him invisible. But at the same time, the Organization wasn't looking for them. So as long as they didn't draw attention to themselves the Organization wouldn't notice them. They could proceed further into the city.

… The Next Day ...

Today Riku decided to scout the city that surrounded the castle, to see if any passerby from the castle would spread the inside word or give a clue of their next goings. Pluto had run off ahead, which was find with Riku since none of the Neo Heartless seemed to be active this early in the morning. Pluto was just probably excited about exploring a new area. Mickey may not have left him any instructions, but he was sure that Mickey would want him to take Pluto on walks. Now that got him wondering if he would have to go get dog food for Pluto too. Has Pluto been taking care of himself so far, would he need Riku's assistance? It rained a lot here, would that be enough water for him?

"..." He was starting to understand why his Pops never let him have pets.

"ARF, ARF. ARF. ARF!"

"..." It seems he was catching up to Pluto, he must have slowed down to sniff around. At least Riku was now close enough to call Pluto back.

"!" But it looks like he wasn't alone. From a crossing in front of them where the alleyway cuts into a T, the Nobody known as Axel crossed in front of them. Riku would recognize that red, spiky hair anywhere. He disappeared into a Dark Corridor, quickly before Axel could see him.

"WOOF, WOOF!"

"!" But to Riku's alarm, Pluto pursued him, excited to meet a new face. He ran after Axel, around the corner he just crossed them. Only to be halted by a dead end with no Axel in sight.

"WOO- ?" Pluto tilted his head in confusion. There was somebody there before, where did they go?

"(WHISTLE!) Come here, Pluto." Riku called out to Pluto after re-opening his Dark Corridor at the intersection of the alleyway.

"!" Pluto turned back at the familiar call. Like a good dog, he ran to Riku without fear of the sinister corridor. "WOOF, WOOF!"

"ARF, WOOF, ARF!" He jumped on Riku as he was kneeling down to his level, reaching up to lick his face as if he hasn't seen him in a long time.

"Ah, Ah, I know..." Riku continued to pet his head until he calmed down. Looking back at where Axel once was, Riku used his Senses to trace what direction Axel was going in the darkness. Wherever he was going, knowing Axel's track record, it must have something to do with Sora. Probably something that wasn't anything good.

"?" Pluto looked up at him in confusion as his attention was drawn elsewhere.

"Let's go." Riku instruction to Pluto as they follow used the Dark Corridor to follow after Axel. They traveled through the darkness together, following the trail of Axel's scent of Darkness. Where was he going? The presence of light from his destination felt familiar. But when he felt the hearts from the world Axel was opening his Corridor to it finally clicked to Riku. "!"

He was going to Destiny Islands? But why? What could he possibly want from there? Could it have something to do with Sora? That probably was the case since he went straight to the main island...directly to Kairi.

"Tch, dammit." Riku grunted in distress. Axel was after Kairi. He was probably going to take her back to Organization XIII to use against Sora. "I've gotta stop him. But what can I do? I don't want Kairi to see me like this..."

Or anyone else...

"WOOF WOOF!"

"?!" Riku looked down at Pluto. It was a long shot, but Pluto has shown to be a clever dog, it might work. Riku opened the Dark Corridor close by to Axel and Kairi. "Go help Kairi, Pluto. Go help the girl."

"ARF ARF!" Pluto responded, running through the opening straight to Kairi, just as excited to meet a new face. He grew to like Kairi right away, even ready to defend as she was surrounded by Nobody Dusks. "GRRR."

"(WHISTLE!)" Riku called to Pluto, summoning the Dark Corridor behind them where there was an opening for them to escape. Pluto immediately followed the call, barking to Kairi to follow with him.

"BARK BARK! WOOF WOOF WOOF!" Pluto practically begged for Kairi to follow, but she was slightly hesitant on following the friendly dog into the darkness.

"We've got something in common, Kairi. You and I both miss someone we care about." Axel tried to reason with her, attempting to look like the better option. "Hey...I feel like we're friends already."

The Dusks were closing in. She would take her chances with the friendly dog than the strangers surrounding her.

"You're not acting very friendly!" With her gap of escape closing, Kairi ran for the Dark Corridor jumping in with Pluto. The darkness was unsettling and vast and empty like a void. However, at the same time, constantly flowing. "Hey, what is this place?"

Riku kept his distance but made sure to stay close enough to keep them safe, or in Kairi's case to keep from getting lost. One could be lost in the corridor between realms forever if they weren't too careful. But Riku will have to think fast. He didn't want to keep Kairi in there for long. True, she was a Princess of Heart, and her light protected her from the corruption of darkness without the need of a coat; but, he didn't want to chance it. Not to mention Axel might follow after them and track Kairi down while she was in the Corridor. He needed to take her someplace where she would be safe.

He had an idea.

"(WHISTLE)!" He called to Pluto again opening the Dark Corridor in front of him so he wouldn't be seen while using another Dark Corridor to warp some ways behind them.

Pluto followed the call into the Corridor, Kairi following not too far behind him. It was a light inside of a strange tunnel, she'd happily take it to get out of this place.

"!" But Kairi stopped to turn around just as she went through as she felt the presence behind her. In her heart, it felt familiar. However, when she turned to look she was startled that there was someone indeed in there with them in that strange place. She didn't recognize the guy in the coat. His face may have been concealed by a hood, but he oddly felt like...Riku? "Huh?!"

"!" Riku was startled that she looked back and quickly closed the Corridor since she was already through. That nearly gave him a scare. He hoped that she didn't see his face. "(Sigh) But that doesn't matter now, as long as she's safe. The people of Twilight Town will look after her, they have good hearts..."

And Pluto will look out for her too.

"..."

He'll... come back to check on them later.

… A Few Hours Later ...

Twilight Town

Riku had spent a few hours at the Castle That Never Was to make sure they weren't making any plans of pursuit. But it would seem they had no such thing in mind for Kairi, in fact, things around the castle seemed oddly calm for a failed abduction. He would have to make a note to keep an eye on them later. But for now, he should go see how Kairi and Pluto are doing. Things should be fine now. With no lead, Axel must have lost the trail.

Kairi's safe, but he didn't want to leave her to her own devices on a strange, new world. He could only hope that she wasn't too scared about the whole thing.

But opening a Dark Corridor to see for himself, turns out she was doing fine. She had already made friends with Hayner, Pence, and Olette and they were showing her and Pluto around town. He watched from the top of the Station Tower as she won over the hearts of the denizens of Twilight Town including Seifer and his gang. She wasn't even trying to and she won over their friendship and trust within seconds.

"It's nice to see you again."

"?!" He turned his head to look at the voice that decided to join him on the Station Tower, not surprised to see who it was. "Naminé."

"I wasn't too sure that you would come back, now that Sora is gone." Naminé said as she walked over to sit on the edge next to where Riku was standing.

"I wasn't too sure that you would stay." Riku countered.

"Don't be too surprised that I got out of that closet." Naminé slightly pouted with a ping of hurt that he would leave her in there.

"Of course you would get out, I unlocked the door."

"Ah- oh..." She was surprised, she hadn't even checked to see if it was open. "I didn't know. Axel opened the door for me."

"..." Axel. Riku unconsciously clenched his fists at the thought. "That guy has been a thorn in my side."

"Don't be too mad at him. Axel is actually a really nice guy." Naminé pleaded as she looked up at Riku with a hand placed over where her heart would be.

"Really?" She couldn't see it but he was quirkying an eyebrow down at her under his hood.

"..." She looked away from him, placing her hand back on her lap with the other one as she looked off in the distance. "He has been kind to me, ever since Castle Oblivion all the way to our time in Twilight Town. I know it's hard to believe but none of his actions hold any malice."

"He had tried to kidnapped Kairi for Organization XIII today, is that not an act of malice to you."

"I have an idea why the Organization would want Kairi, but I'm not fully certain. However, I know for sure why Axel would do it."

"And why is that?" Riku looked down at Naminé for an answer, curious as she reached behind her to pull out her sketchbook, opening to the page with the drawing of Axel and Roxas together. "?"

"He just wants to see his friend again." Naminé sadly answered. "And the only way he thinks he can is to use Kairi to awaken him from Sora..."

"..." Oh... Riku could honestly understand the feeling. "Would it work?"

"Not in the way that he is hoping it to work." Naminé flipped the page to reveal a drawing of Axel and Kairi standing next to each other while on the other side of them was a Heartless Sora back-to-back with a coat-less Roxas.

"!"

"I don't think he will go through with it if he finds out this is the only way. He's just hoping that Roxas will respond from Sora's heart around Kairi."

"..." Could Naminé see the future? Or was she just predicting? Honestly, it didn't matter, as long as it was dealing around Sora her predictions were most likely accurate. "I see that you are still drawing."

"Yes, it's a nice way for me to pass the time." She smiled down at her work.

"They're still centered around Sora. Have you been keeping an eye on him? What has he been up to lately?"

"I thought you were keeping an eye on him as well?"

"Not recently, I have been busy with other things."

"He's doing well. Him and Donald and Goofy had saved the residents of Disney Castle from being consumed by darkness from Maleficent's corruption by saving the castle's Cornerstone of Light in the past." Naminé said, flipping the page in her sketchbook to show him a slash-crossed two-part picture. The upper part Queen Minnie in the Cornerstone room of the castle surrounded by thorns, while the lower half was a black and white Sora, Donald and Goofy fighting off Pete for the Cornerstone.

"(Gasp)! Maleficent is still alive?"

"Yes. Ansem the Seeker of Darkness did not kill her, only consumed her in the darkness." Riku was alarmed at the news of her return but- silently under it all- relieved that she was still alive...that Ansem didn't make him kill her as his puppet after all. "It just took her some time to find her way back to the realm of light."

"I see...things are going to become a lot harder for us in the future."

"Yes, especially with Maleficent and Pete's army of Heartless. Things will be a lot harder for Sora with them and Organization XIII against him. But at least the Dark Council is still broken up. Things should be fine..."

"Yeah, a broken force shouldn't be much of a threat. Wait- you said something about Sora going into the past?"

"I did, yes, Sora and the others had to go into the past to seal up the door that Pete had opened up from the other side in order to protect the Cornerstone while the castle was being construction while at the same time keep the mayhem in check without changing the past."

"I... Heh, I'm not too surprised that Sora could handle that just fine. Changing the past never seem to have an appeal to him."

"(Giggle) Right. It was Donald they had to worry about. Hmm, let's see, what else?" Naminé pondered aloud as she turned the page. Revealing Sora, Donald, and Goofy on a ship at night fighting pirates alongside another pirate with dreadlocks black hair and a beard. "Oh! They also went to Port Royal to help rescue Elizabeth and help Captain Jack Sparrow get his ship, the Black Pearl, back."

"Port Royal? I've never heard of that world before."

"It's a world filled with life on the sea and pirates."

"Pirates...Oh no. Sora had always wanted to be a Pirate when we were kids. Back then, I think it was the love of adventure and treasure that fascinated us. But the real deal is not like the fairytale. I hope Sora knows not to trust a real Pirate."

"Oh don't worry, he learned real quick."

"...That...doesn't sound reassuring."

"Relax, all's well that ends well." Naminé gently brushed off the whole thing as she flipped the page to show a drawing of Sora, Donald, and Goofy with Aladdin, Iago, and Abu in the Cave of Wonders on Agrabah with a black lamp floating above them. "They're safely on Agrabah right now. Going through the Cave of Wonders to find treasure to buy Jafar's genie lamb from a merchant."

"I see, so Sora and them have been busy as well..." Riku slightly sighed in relief that the three of them was taking care of themselves and not getting into too much trouble. With that little ease of mind, he brought his attention back to Naminé. "So...how have you been?"

"Fine, actually. DiZ has been leaving me alone to myself ever since you left."

"That's good, I'm relieved to hear that." Riku was honestly glad that DiZ didn't have it in him to destroy Naminé himself. She was a good person and wasn't causing any harm to anyone, there was no need to dispose of her just for being a Nobody. "And what has DiZ been up to?"

"(Sigh) He has been keeping to himself mostly at the Old Mansion. Busying himself with whatever it is he's doing there without move or rest. I worry for him but I don't dare to approach him to find out what he's doing."

"..." That's understandable for her, based on previous interactions with him. "I'll be sure to check in on him later."

"Thank you, Riku."

"But in the meantime, I need to take care of something else and make sure that Kairi is okay."

"Kairi is fine, the people of this world have already grown fond of her. It truly is the power of a Princess of Heart."

"Yes, it truly is amazing... But even so, keep an eye on her for me? Make sure she's safe."

"I'll look after her as long as I can." Naminé nodded in consent to his request. But her response sent out a warning flag in Riku.

"As long as you can?"

"I am not long for this world forever, Riku."Naminé said with a tranquil content in her eyes before looking back down at Kairi with the others in the town square. "Just like Roxas, I will have to return to my other half soon. So we can be whole again."

"..." Now it all made sense. "So it is true... You are Kairi's Nobody."

"You already knew?"

"I could tell, you're both not so different, your light was the same."

"(Gasp)!" Her eyes widen at his words before a smile broke free on her face. The mere idea that he saw a Nobody for more than hollow darkness... "Thank you, Riku."

… The Next Day ...

Riku had returned the next day in the hopes of checking in on Kairi and Pluto before continuing his scouting around the Castle That Never Was. Hoping that just like the other day all was well.

But it wasn't...

"!" He couldn't Sense their heart anywhere. In a panic, he warped through Twilight Town in a Dark Corridor trying to find them. He warped to the gang's hideout, the Town Square, the Metro Tunnels, Station Tower, even the Downtown District. But they weren't there.

'Riku!'

"!" He heard Naminé's call to his heart, instantly taking a Dark Corridor to her on the rooftop of one of the buildings in the Sandlot. "Naminé, what happened? Where's Kairi?"

"Axel took her. Hayner, Pence, and Olette tried to stop him but they weren't even a match."

"And Pluto?"

"Went along after them. I'm sorry Riku…"

"It's not your fault, I should have been here." Riku assured, clenching his fists at his own foolishness at leaving her alone. "Of course Axel would've kept looking for her."

"Does this mean that the Organization has her now? What are we going to do, Riku?"

"I don't know." Riku answered, finally looking down at the situation happening in the Sandlot. Seifer and his gang were being beaten by a group of Nobodies with a hooded Organization member leading the attack. Ready for a fight, he summoned Soul Eater to his hand. "But I'm going to find some answers from the guy down there."

His muscle's tensed, ready to pounce down on the scene, when suddenly he Sense the presence of Sora, Donald, and Goofy's heart landing down. Apparently, they had reopened the path to Twilight Town.

"!" "!"

Riku wasn't expecting them to find their way back so soon.

"Sora's back." Naminé announced in relieved surprise. Sora had immediately rushed over to the Sandlot with Donald and Goofy after hearing Vivi's call for help. Coming to Seifer's aid by standing between his gang and the Nobodies.

"We'll take it from here!" Sora assured them before taking on the Nobodies.

"..." Riku watched as the three of them fought, no longer needing to make his appearance. On his case, no longer able to in fear of revealing himself to Sora. The three of them made a good team. However, were they strong enough to take on the Organization yet?

"Impressive." Said the Organization member, drawing their attention to him after the fight was over as he slow clapped at their effort. "By the way, have you seen a man named Axel? I expect he's here somewhere."

"!?" "!?" Both Riku and Naminé were surprised by his question, which revealed a lot about the situation. However, the situation was in the dark for Sora.

"Like I care."

"You see, Axel's no longer acting in our best interest." Sora went on guard as the Organization member spoke, ready for another fight as it has happened with his other encounter with the Organization members.

"Is he with the Organization, too?" Goofy asked, not remembering ever meeting Axel or the times at Castle Oblivion.

"Yes." the guy answered to the point.

"You havin' a fight?" Donald questioned, pondering the inner quarrels of the Organization that has been causing them trouble.

"Not a very organized Organization..." Sora taunted to no effect on the man.

"Don't let your guard down. Axel will stop at nothing to turn you into a Heartless." He pointed to Sora in warning.

"Gee, thanks for looking out for us, mister." Sora was getting sarcastic at this man's false sense of concern. "But I'm sure we can take care of ourselves just fine."

"Glad to hear it. Axel aside, it would break our hearts to hear something happened to you."

"Hearts? You don't have any hearts!" Donald pointed out.

"True, we don't have hearts." The man admitted, removing his hood to reveal his head of long, blue, spiky hair and crossed scar on his face. "But we remember what it was like. That's what makes us special."

"Whaddaya mean?" Goofy asked as the man opened a Dark Corridor to make his exit.

"We know very well how to injure a heart." Was his only answer as he turned his attention back to Sora. "Sora, you just keep on fighting those Heartless."

"Let's jump in after him." Sora whispered loudly, quite literally defeating the purpose of whispering as everyone could hear him. Riku was alarmed at his plan, his muscle's tensed, ready on a dime to jump in and stop Sora before he does anything stupid.

"How come?" Donald asked, sarcastically amazed by Sora's failure to whisper. But his sarcasm flew over Sora's head as he was in the zone.

"I'm not sure, but maybe he'll lead us to the Organization's world."

"Don't be reckless." The man said, shooting down Sora's plan before he lost himself to the darkness along with the Keyblade. "Do you want to end up like Riku?"

"!" Riku nearly ducked on instinct at the sound of his name. His fists clenched, to the point his nails left marks through his gloves, at the man calling him out for his choices to Sora. Riku didn't want Sora to know, and it certainly wasn't that guy's right to tell.

"What?!" Sora was startled at the mention of Riku. Finally a clue to the whereabouts of his friend and it was backing away from him into a Dark Corridor. "Hey, wait!"

"..." But he was already gone.

"What did he mean, end up like Riku?" Sora asked to Donald and Goofy as looked on to where the man with the answers once was.

"..." Riku had heard enough. With a little bit of somber taking over him, he walked away.

"Riku…" Naminé called out to him in sympathy.

"That guy had no right." Riku nearly hissed, forcing himself to loosen his hands as he opened a Dark Corridor.

"Riku, wait." Naminé followed after him, taking a Dark Corridor of her own. Tracking him down to the top of the Station Tower as he watched below from his spot leaning against the wall of the tower. Naminé calmly walked to stand beside him, staying with him as silent company. It was the least she could do for a guy that felt that he couldn't return to his friends as he was now. So even though he forced himself to stay away, she would make sure that he wasn't alone. "..."

"So Axel was acting on his own." Riku finally spoke after a while of silence. They had been watching as Pence lead Sora and the other to the Station Tower where Hayner and Olette were to explain to him what happened to Kairi. "Which means that the Organization doesn't have Kairi after all."

"Meaning that things aren't as bad as they should be. I'd rather for her to be with Axel than in the hands of Organization XIII. At least we know what Axel wants for her and that he won't harm her."

"Maybe." Riku slightly agreed, still watching as Sora opened Twilight Town's world gate. "But, that still doesn't mean it's a good thing that he has Kairi at all."

"..." He was right. They will have to do something quick. "Don't worry, we'll get her back."

"I know."

… Meanwhile, Back at Radiant Garden …

Today was NOT going to be a good day. Aeris could tell from the moment she woke up and overslept. Well, in all honesty, that part felt good; but still, an out of character thing for her to do especially with being on edge with the rise of Heartless activity. It didn't help either that the signs of worse to come followed her throughout the day: starting with her favorite mug falling off the edge and breaking, to her walking under a ladder in front of a house being repaired along her path, to her tripping on a black cat crossing her path on her way to HBRC base. And to the chill in her bones as she Senses the darkness nearly covered the sky with its presence. Yes, today would be a bad day...

"Hiya Aeris!" She was on her way back to Hollow Bastion Castle from the Borough when she heard the greeting.

"?!" She turned to the cheerful voice calling her to from the side and greeted them with a smile. "King Mickey, what a nice surprise. Is everything alright back on Disney Castle? I remember Merlin rushing over to aid the castle a few days ago."

"Everything's fine now. Sora, Donald, and Goofy were there to help Minnie and the castle." Mickey answered with a sigh of relief in his smile. "It looks like it won't be my turn to appear yet."

"I'm glad that all is well. Tell me, Your Majesty, has Riku been alright? You've seen him recently, right?"

"Yeah. I was on my way to met up with him again when I notice the rise of Darkness around Hollow Bastion. I should be asking you if everything is alright?"

"Everything's been...progressing." Aeris answered, continuing on her way. King Mickey following alongside her since they were going to the same place.

"That's what Cid's been hinting at as well. He just sent me off to met up with Leon at Hollow Bastion Castle." King Mickey replied, trying to wrap his brain around the situation. "He said that you guys had found something big."

"We certainly have. Yesterday, while we were scouting out the castle postern, we found the computer that Ansem the Wise had been using."

"Whoa! Talk about the jackpot!" Mickey's eyes widened in shocked surprise.

"(Giggle) We thought the same thing. With this new means of research, we'll be able to get data reports on the Heartless and possibly the Organization."

"Really?! That's great!"

"Yes, however..."

"However?"

"The computer is locked down, and we haven't found any clues on what the password could be around the nearby rooms."

"Password? Do you mean like a code?"

"Yes."

"Oh, that is a problem."

"And it get's worse. With the new discovery we've uncovered, Maleficent has been acting more aggressive with her army of Heartless- among other sources. No doubts in attempt to reclaim Hollow Bastion Castle and Ansem's computer in the process."

"Maleficent is still alive?!"

"Yes...I felt her return from the realm of darkness. Radiant Garden has been falling further into the darkness with each passing day."

"I can't believe this, I thought that Ansem the Seeker of Darkness destroyed her?"

"No, only vanished her into the darkness. It has taken her a long time to find her way back."

"Gosh, this isn't good."

"And Pete has been along side her as well."

"Pete?! Oh no. I was hoping I wouldn't have to bump into Pete again. He's been a bad apple for the longest time. And ever since Maleficent busted Pete from his banishment in another dimension he's been getting worse."

"Maybe you shouldn't have banished him to another dimension." Aeris honestly stated, not caring that she was talking to a king.

"?!" Mickey was shocked by her words. Aeris had always been a straightforward person and honestly spoke what was on her mind, but she never spoke her truths with malice intent. "Whaddaya mean?"

"If he had been shown kindness and mercy instead of isolation and outcast maybe he wouldn't have turn to the darkness."

"!" She was right, perhaps if the kingdom had gotten to know Pete better than maybe he wouldn't have turn so easily to Maleficent.

"But don't worry, Your Majesty. There is still some good in Pete. And I think that goodness will be enough to show Maleficent the goodness in her."

"That...actually sounds nice, Aeris. Unfortunately, probably still out of reach for the two of them."

"Perhaps. But I have hope for them," Aeris responded, placing a hand over her heart. Suddenly she was startled by a presence of Hearts. "Oh!"

"Huh? Are you Sensing the same thing I am, Aeris?"

"Yes. Sora, Donald, and Goofy have arrived."

"That's good. They must have Sensed the build up of darkness around Hollow Bastion as well."

"Go on ahead without me, Your Majesty. I'll met up with you and Leon later once I make sure they're filled in."

"Alrightie, I'll see you then!" Mickey nodded, running on ahead without her. Watching him until he disappeared from sight, Aeris turned around to head back towards the Marketplace.

Aeris was making her way towards them when she felt the presence of Cloud with them. They had been talking by the stairway to the Borough.

"I'll get him. This time we settle it. Me, and the one who embodies all the darkness in me." Cloud said as Aeris strolled over closer, getting within hearing range of the conversation. She had stopped in her place as she noticed Cloud was talking about Sephiroth, the others not noticing that she was there yet.

Cloud has kept to himself for the most part while silently keeping an eye out for Sephiroth, only making his appearance when the HBRC needed him. And Sephiroth hasn't been causing any trouble with the darkness either since that time in their backyard. He's hasn't been tormenting Cloud nor terrorizing the town with Heartless, he's most likely been keeping to himself and training somewhere out there on their desolate world. Even though there was a hollow peace between them, the unsettled conflict was still there, brewing.

"I thought you looked kinda different, Cloud." Donald pointed out as he noticed Cloud's change of clothes. Long was color gone from his getup as he dawned all black, reflecting the darkness that still haunted his heart.

"If I do, it's his fault."

"Whose?" Sora asked, concerned with what was troubling his friend from Olympus Coliseum.

"Sephiroth." Cloud answered with one word. "Tell me if you see him."

"Okay. What's he look like?" Sora asked, more than likely not remembering fighting him in the Coliseum as well. He had only met him once and Sora sadly wasn't well known for his memory.

"Silver hair. Carries a long sword." That actually hit right on the dot for a short description.

"Sure. Well, be seeing you, Cloud." Sora had nodded in agreement to look out for Cloud's guy, but he needed to find out what was going on around Hollow Bastion with the rise of Heartless and had to be on his way.

"Be careful." Cloud said to them lastly in warning as they were walking away. "He messes with your head, makes you think darkness is the only way."

"Is something wrong?" Aeris spoke out, bringing attention to herself. The others looking to the side to her.

"Uhh..." Sora was filled with awkward guilt for reasons he couldn't explain, Cloud knew full well the meaning of his guilt. Cloud was still her one of her closest friend and she cared deeply for him, but Sephiroth was still her husband. Cloud had tried to walk away as Aeris followed after him. Realizing that he couldn't run away from this conversation he turned back to her, making her stop as well.

"It's nothing." He tried to assure to her.

"Hmm?" But he couldn't fool her, she could read hearts like a book. She bent over to get a better look up into his eyes, tilting her head a little as he tried to look away from her forgiving eyes.

"I don't want you involved." This was a fight that he had to finish for himself, it was the only way for him to finally let go of the darkness inside of him. He didn't want her to interfere, or get hurt again...

"..." She stood back up again, placing a hand on her chin as she tried to contemplate what his heart was trying to say. She understood that this was a strife between him and Sephiroth that Cloud desperately needed to get out of his system. She didn't like it, but she could accept it. Since Sephiroth had done Cloud wrong in ways that were hard to forgive. It was a fight that both men would need to face that she hoped that both would come out of alive. Even so, with the way things were going- just like last time- both of them would leave again to face each other. Resting her hands back down on her sides as she finally saw through his silent walls. "You mean you don't want me there when you go away again?"

"I just-" He had never been one that was good with words. There were so many things going through his heart right now but he couldn't find a way to convey them. "Listen, even if I go far away, I'll come back."

"Do you mean it?"

"Yeah." He couldn't look her in the eyes.

"See? You don't look so sure." She pointed out with a soft smile before accepting things a lot faster than Cloud would have expected. Not fully understanding that she had faith that both Cloud and Sephiroth would come back to them for the better. "Well, okay, I understand. Go- get things settled."

"Huh?"

"No matter how far away you are...once you find your light...I'm sure it will lead you back here again. Right?"

"I suppose."

"So I'll stay here-and I'll cheer for you- Okay, Cloud?" She'll make sure that both of them have a home to return to.

"Okay." Cloud nodded before turning back to his path. Aeris looked on in concern with arms crossed as Sora walked over to her, patiently silent throughout that conversation.

"Wonder if he'll be okay." Aeris asked over to Sora.

"He'll be fine." Sora said instantly without a doubt, making Aeris relax herself and her arms as well. "I'm sure there's some light in him somewhere."

"You're right." Aeris smiled, seeing what Sora meant better than he could, but his words made it easier for her to notice. Sora and the others had waved at her as they ran off towards Merlin's house to get the scoop on what was going on from the others. Seeing as the others would fill them in on what was going on, she decided to head over to Hollow Bastion.

As she made to the Restoration Site, down the stairs to the Corridor which lead the way to Ansem's Study, taking out Heartless along the way with her Thunder and Ice. She ignored the mess they had made looking for the code and took the hidden doorway to the Computer Room to meet up with King Mickey and Leon.

"I don't get it. Why are the Heartless pouring out of the computer?" Leon questioned as he fiddled around.

"Do ya think Ansem may have stored some in the data for study?" King Mickey pondered his question as a possible answer.

"It's possible. But that's a lot of Heartless for practical study purpose. They're swarming out."

"Do you think the computer's program is making copies of them? I mean, it's kinda like the equipment has been making Heartless based on computer data."

"That is a disturbing possibly. But one we can't rule out." Leon slightly groaned at the thought, pinching his nose. Aeris had to agree with King Mickey, the Heartless that were coming out didn't have the same feel as normal Heartless. "Until we get our hands on Ansem's password we can't get into the program. The computer has a security system too. We'd best leave much of this place as it is until we're enabled access."

"Well, if we can't find the means of getting in here, maybe we can find it somewhere else." Mickey said in an alternative solution, summoning his golden Keyblade as he was about call out his Corridor of Light.

"You're leaving, Your Majesty?" Aeris asked already recognizing his means of transportation.

"Only for a little while. I'm gonna go see if I can find the code from a second source."

"?" "?" But that was all he was going to say as he headed off their world. No doubt heading towards the world of Twilight Town from what Aeris could Sense. Well, if King Mickey was going to do his part, they should do their best as well.

"Sora and the others are on their way here." Aeris informed to Leon.

"That's good, we could use all the help we can get. Maybe putting our heads together might reveal the solution." Leon said, cupping his chin in his hand in thought. "Could you go meet up with them, Aeris? They're probably going to have a hard time finding this place."

"No problem," Aeris nodded with a smile before heading out. Sensing that the others were almost there she decided to clear The Corridor up with a Holy spell to make her path quicker to tersest. And it looks like she had made it just in time. Sora, Donald, and Goofy were stumped at the circular roof way, unable to see the stairs down from where they were.

"Leon!" Sora called out, looking around for the other HBRC members.

"Over here!" Aeris called out, waving back at Sora. Walking over to met them halfway as they ran over to them.

"You guys found Ansem's computer?" Sora asked to confirm what Cid and Yuffie had told them, it sounded too good to be true.

"Uh-huh. The King is very interested in it." Aeris answered, informing them of the special guest they had been looking for.

"The King?" Donald question with excitement.

"He's with Leon."

"We get to see the King!" Donald said over to Goofy with a happy jump.

"Hooray!" Goofy cheered in agreement.

"Er..." Sora was happy for them, but...he was hoping that somebody else was with the king as well. "Is Riku with them?"

"..." Aeris shook her head in understanding sympathy, making Sora lower his head in disappointment. But Sora had a strong heart that had him bouncing back in a second.

"Well, at least I can ask the King about him." Sora said, pointing out the positives. "And that computer might be able to tell us something."

"Good idea!" Aeris agreed, gently cheering him on. She turned back to the stairs she had come from to guide them the rest of the way. "They're right through there."

Sora nodded to Aeris in thanks as they headed down the stairs to the corridor doorway. The Corridor was more than likely filled with Heartless again since Ansem's computer kept pouring them out, but she was sure the three of them would be fine. Not to mention there was stuff all over the place, she hoped that they watch their step.

"Hey, Aeris, have you seen Cloud?" Aeris turned around at the sound of Tifa's voice. It has been almost a year since Tifa had returned from the world she was residing on after Radiant Garden was lost to darkness. Her heart being strong enough not to be sent into slumber in the darkness like most of the denizens of their world, shot out to another world and returning once the news came to her. She had been trying to keep an eye on Cloud, but he had been mostly avoiding her. Too ashamed to show her the darkness that now plagued the inside of him.

"Cloud? He went the other-"

"Nevermind, I'll look for myself." Tifa kindly chirp, full-hearty as ever as she interrupted Aeris and walked on passed her.

"Uh, wait." Aeris reached out to her in calling, but she was already gone. There was no stopping her anyway. Once Tifa set her mind on something, she was off like a bullet train. Tifa may come off a little pushy, but her heart was in the right place. Aeris only hoped that she didn't cause the others too much trouble down there. Not too surprising, Tifa had made her way back. "Oh, uhh-"

"Sorry to bother you, Cloud wasn't here. I'm going to check around town." Tifa said over Aeris as she walked passed again.

"O-okay," was all Aeris could get out before Tifa was gone again. But even so, she smiled and wished Tifa the best. "Good luck."

Well, there was no point sticking around up there. The Heartless were coming out, instead of coming in. It was time to head down to see how the others were doing. But just as she was making her way down the corridor, she felt the place rumble and then suddenly Sora, Donald, and Goofy were gone.

"(GASP)!" She ran the rest of the way, not stopping until she reached the Computer Room. "Leon what happened?! Where are the others?!"

Suddenly a blue panda-dog-like creature pounced at her from its spot skippering around, biting on to her plait.

"Kyaa!" Aeris cried in startle, not expecting the surprise pounce.

"Ah! How dare you!" Leon said, coming to her rescue. Grabbing on to the creature, Leon pulled the little guy off of Aeris's plait, freeing her hair. The creature struggled wildly in his arms. "What is this thing?"

"It looks like a lost soul far away from its world." Aeris answered, noticing that the creature wasn't a denizen of Radiant Garden. He seemed lost and a little scared. The poor thing must have lost his world to the darkness. Its heart was strange, as if it had been made different, but still a good heart. Its heavy breathing calmed down and its flailing stopped as Aeris bent over to looked at it with her gently eyes, making it feel safe. "What's your name little guy?"

"(HISSING BREATH)... Stitch."

"!" Leon looked down at Stitch in surprise. He was use to seeing all kinds of creatures of shapes and sizes being able to talk from all over the worlds, but Stitch hadn't given Leon any signs that he 'could' talk.

"My- name's- Stitch." Stitch clarified.

"Stitch it is then." Aeris smiled in greeting. "I'm Aeris, and that's Leon. Can you tell us where you came from, Stitch?"

"(HISSING BREATH) Lost..." Stitch answered, his ears drooping at his situation as his eyes started to water. "Lost."

"Oh, you poor thing." Aeris nearly cried at his plight, taking Stitch from Leon's arms and pulling him in for a hug. "Don't worry, we have three amazing friends that can help you find your way back home."

"!" Stitch's ears shot up at that, looking up to her he asked, "Ohana?"

"Huh?" Aeris tilted her head down at Stitch, not understanding the word he was saying.

"Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind, or forgotten."

"(Gasp)!" His words touch her at the heart, making her smile as the meaning had great significant to her as well. "Right. Our friends will help you find your way back to your family."

"Ee!" Stitch nodded, saying in his way that he would comply to them.

"Speaking of them, where are Sora, Donald, and Goofy?" Aeris asked over to Leon, getting back to the subject at hand.

"I don't know. Donald pressed some buttons non-delicately and the system's security shot out at them, saying that they were being arrested and then they were gone." Leon explained as Stitch jumped over to rest on his shoulder, no doubt trying to get comfy on Leon's coat's fluffy rim.

"Hmm," Aeris pondered, walking over to the computer. She couldn't exactly say that she could Sense their hearts on Radiant Garden anymore. They were still here, but more like on a smaller world occupying space on Radiant Garden inside the computer. "The system said that they were under arrest, correct? Then it more than likely took them inside the system."

"So you're telling me they've been absorbed into the computer system...?" Leon looked down at the computer screen with her, he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Perhaps...look here." Aeris pointed out as the screen popped up an announcement of scanning three new User targets with their pictures on it. With that evidence it was hard for Leon to doubt her.

"They've been scanned...then this popped up afterward. How could this happen..." Leon tried to type in a command to recover them, but the computer responded with a Access Denied. "Tsk! No good...!"

"I'll go ask Cid about this." Aeris said as she made a run for help. "You stay here and keep watch, Leon."

"Okay."

She ran through the corridor, hoping that the three of them were okay. With the original User long since absent who knows how the computer system was running. Probably not any good since the Heartless were spewing out of it. She had made her way up the stairs to the rooftop point, before she had to take a break. Her physical strength was a lot more stronger than it was in her youth, but she still had short burst that would tire her out.

"(HUFF, HUFF) I have to hurry..."

"What's the rush for?"

"Oh! Your Majesty!" Aeris sighed as she gained her breath again. "Help. Sora, Donald, and Goofy got scanned into the Ansem's computer."

"What?! How?"

"The Security System saw them as a threat and- Oh." Aeris stopped mid-sentence as she Sensed Sora, Donald, and Goofy's hearts back in the Computer Room with Leon and Stitch. "Nevermind, they made their way back again."

"Huh?"

"I can Sense their hearts back in the room with Leon. They must have had help on the inside finding their way back out."

"Oh, well, that's good. Crisis averted. Gosh, I wonder what it was like in there."

"Why not asked them yourself? They've been waiting for you since they heard that you were-" Aeris was stopped in her sentence again as Tifa passed the both of them to make her way back down to the corridor. "Uh, Tifa?"

"I'm doubling checking." Was all Tifa would say.

"..."

"Uh..."

"Why don't you go on ahead down to meet them. I think I'll stay here and make sure nothing else that isn't friendly makes their way down these stairs." Aeris suggested.

"Gosh, all right then, Aeris. I'll see what's going on."

"Please do." Aeris nodded to Mickey before he left down the stairs. "(Sigh) All right Radiant Garden, what else are you throwing at me today?"

However, a few minutes later, Aeris wished she had been careful what she asked for. Because the area began to shake with quakes and she Sensed the Darkness rising up as if being agitated from the rumbles. Her first instinct was to worry how this was effecting the town.

"Aeris?!"

"Your Majesty!" Aeris answered back to the call as King Mickey came running up to meet her.

"Did yah Sense it too?!"

"How could I not? The Darkness feels like insects crawling out of a disturbed hole in the ground in a fury."

"We have to go check to see if the town's alright."

"But what about Sora, Donald, and Goofy?"

"They'll be fine, Leon's got it covered."

"Alright," Aeris nodded in understanding as she ran off with King Mickey to check on the situation in town, hoping that everything will be all right. Things have been shaken up and the people were startled by the surprise quakes, but everything seemed to be fine. But looks can be deceiving. "I feel an uneasy tension rising in the darkness..."

"Everything seems to be in order, but you're right." King Mickey agreed with her as he looked around. Things had gotten eerily calm rather quickly after the agitated darkness. "I don't like it. It feels like the calm before a storm."

"Your Majesty, Aeris!"

"!" "!" Both of them had turned around to see Leon coming over to join them.

"Leon! Is everything okay?" Aeris called to greet him, silently asking about Sora and the others.

"Sora, Donald, and Goofy are fine. They're already out of the computer, or the Space Paranoid, I'm not quite sure what they called the computer system. I left to start copying the data while I check out the situation in town."

"Everything seems to be fine, but it's an uneasy calm." Aeris said, tightening her grip on her Princess Guard that she had summoned into her hand. "Keep your guard up. I Sense a rise in the darkness..."

"Tch, that's just what we needed." Leon huffed in silent annoyance as he ran a hand through his hair. "Why don't you head back to check on the others, Your Majesty. Aeris and I can cover things here."

"That sounds like a good idea." King Mickey nodded in agreement and gratitude to his suggestion. "I better go make sure those fellas don't get into a trouble again."

"..." With their track record that is a high possibility.

"We'll try to catch up with you soon." Aeris waved him off which Mickey nodded in confirmation before heading back to Hollow Bastion.

Meanwhile, in the barren plains of The Great Maw, the darkness was stirring.

Sephiroth had come to see with his own eyes the calamity that was about to rise over Radiant Garden. He had felt the Heartless stir to life from the quakes and energy being sent out from Hollow Bastion Castle. Slightly surprised by its sudden appear but not unwelcomed to it. He will see with his own eyes how the town of Hollow Bastion will react to this sudden rise of darkness and see if they were strong enough to survive it.

'Hm, yes, that will be a sight to see.' Sephiroth smirked as he thought to himself, his eyes closed for the moment and his arms crossed. But then, another fact of the situation was brought to his attentions his eyes opened again. The quakes from Hollow Bastion was not the only thing stirring up the numbers of Heartless. Someone else was taking advantage of the situation.

"Why if it isn't the lost soul from old times." Chuckled the voice of someone Sephiroth should not have known, but somehow remembered from the flash of memories from that time with Aeris. "Long time no see, Sephiroth."

"Maleficent." Sephiroth greeted her with indifference, slightly turning to her as she appeared from a Dark Corridor. She was not alone as she came with her rather large lackey. Maleficent did not care to mention his name and he did not care to know it. The wicked mistress of darkness held herself tall as wore her confident grin, while her lackey slightly coward behind her at the presence of Sephiroth. He couldn't help but smirk at the guy's smart instinct, compared to his power over darkness Sephiroth was an ocean while he was a cup. They were smart not to approach him, keeping their distance from the range of Masamune.

"I'm pleased to see that you even remember me." Maleficent silently laughed with a hint of mockery in her words, Sephiroth could Sense the subtle meaning behind her words that hid within her bitter heart. A silent fact that brought a proof of possible events that he did not want to confront. "Have you come to cease the opportunity while the light around Radiant Garden is shaken?"

"No. I am here to simply observe." Sephiroth denied her speculation, refusing to fit the mold of others' design. He had turned back towards the view of the maw, watching as the rise of Heartless stirred up with the darkness. "I will make my move when I please."

"Hm, is that so? I see that your power over the darkness has grown stronger since the last time we've met. I could use someone like you on my Dark Council, I grow tired of these incompetent fools. Join with me, and together we can rule over the worlds with the power of darkness."

"I work for myself and only strive for my goals." Sephiroth only looked at them from the corner of his eyes in indifference. "You can play in your club if you wish, but I want no part of it."

"Tch." She grit her teeth and her grip on her staff tighten on his mocking statement of her Dark Council. But also tactically thought of the concern that if he wasn't going to be with them on this fight it was quite possibly that he would be against them.

"S-so does that mean you're working against us?" Pete shakenly found the courage to ask what they both were thinking.

"Do as you wish." Sephiroth said, silently stating that he would not interfere. "Form your plans and act on your schemes, it makes no difference. My goals will come to fruition."

"..." Pete was shaking in his boots as the darkness inside of Sephiroth was starting to rise and surround him in an invisible aura that cannot be seen but certainly be felt. It brought a cold chill down his spine.

"Very Well." Maleficent huffed, brushing him off as she continued over towards the Heartless in the maw. "We will continued as planned without you."

"..." Sephiroth didn't particularly care what her plans were, he just watched as a bystander as she used her power of the darkness to take command of the Heartless below. Silently they obeyed her as they began to take march toward Hollow Bastion Castle.

"Go my Heartless! It's time to take back what is mine! Onward to Hollow Bastion Castle!" She command and they obeyed like good puppets. Summoning up a Dark Corridor to head over ahead of them to Hollow Bastion Castle. Pete ran in ahead of her, happy to get away from the scary, strong guy. Maleficent simply walked in without a care in the world, giving Sephiroth no signs of her fear that his power over the darkness had grown stronger than her own. Before leaving, she turned back to the Dark Ancient. "Rest assured, I will do my best to not harm the flowergirl."

"I don't care." The clinch in his chest and his rise in defense said otherwise.

"Hmph, we shall see about that." Maleficent smirked at that, closing the Dark Corridor behind her after walking through.

"..." Sephiroth was left to his own devices again, but not for long. Soon he felt a rise in conflict at Hollow Bastion Castle that did not feel like a fight between the darkness and the light, but the darkness and...nothing? But before he could wrap his head around that he had been joined by Dark Corridors as Kadaj, Yazoo, and Loz jumped in.

"Brother, we need to talk."

"Oh?" Such demand coming from Kadaj without even an ounce a fear, it almost made Sephiroth lift an eyebrow.

"You keep avoiding my questions. You've been avoiding them for days now."

"Brother," concern slightly breaking out from Yazoo's monotone nature as he worried of Kadaj provoking Sephiroth. He's been ignoring their questions with every turn for some time. And if they keep pushing him, he might just push back with a vengeance. However, Kadaj ignored the subtle flux in Yazoo's voice.

"No. He's been evading our questions for weeks now. I have to know." Kadaj raised his hand in a silent command to Yazoo to stay out of this as his eyes never left Sephiroth as he kept his back turned to them. Only the slight attention of the corner of his eye at the subtle turn of his head. "That woman, she knows us... She gave me a sicken feeling inside as if I were forgetting something important. It shook me up inside, I don't like it. WHO is she?"

"She is of no importance." Sephiroth insisted but a pull in chest said otherwise, no matter how much he tried to ignore it tightened its grip further. Hindering his grip on his plans, it displeased him. And it was all because of that flowergirl. "I thought I told you to nevermind it."

"How can we? She knew our names. She knew us! I think we even knew her."

"Tch." His grip on his crossed arms tightened at the declaration.

"I could feel those fuzzy images of her flood into my mind the moment I saw her. It frightened me. Such power over us... Were they illusions, or memories? Her presence is dangerous."

"You need to forget about those things and move on."

"But those visions, this tight feeling in my chest. It has to be stopped, I need to know the answers. Something must be done. We have to do something about her."

"You will do no such thing." The venom was starting to rise in Sephiroth's voice and the darkness around him was becoming more menacing. Yazoo and Loz flinched in alarm.

"But why? Something must be done about these visions. If she is the main cause of them, actions must be taken. Whether you dispose of her or not, something must be done." The idea of disposing her felt surprising hollow to Kadaj. He usually had no problem with disposing of anything that got in his way, it was almost fun for him. But to do the same to her, the idea felt...sickening. Whether these feelings conveyed to Sephiroth didn't seem to matter as he instantly Rush to Kadaj without their eyes catching his speed and lifted him off his feet by the collar of his coat. The flowergirl seemed to have an influence over him as well, after seeing the visions he could not find it in him to grab Kadaj by throat like his past self most likely wouldn't hesitate to do. But flashes of the three of them when they were smaller made him not want to harm the boy. "Ggh-!"

"Kadaj." "Kadaj!" Yazoo and Loz called out in alarm but were too paralyzed in fear to come to his aid.

Sephiroth's grip on Kadaj was firm to keep him in his place. He didn't want to harm the boy. However, he didn't want Kadaj to go after Aeris either.

"You want the truth? You want these answers? Fine. Go search for these answers on your own. But don't touch the flowergirl." She was his to keep alive, and his to destroy. Once he got his point across he let go of Kadaj, dropping him down on the ground. Kadaj coughed as he caught his breath back from being so close to that intense pressure of darkness, Yazoo and Loz were quick to kneel by his side. There was a pang in Sephiroth's chest, but he refused to acknowledge it- let alone consider it an action of the heart which he clearly did not have- as he walked away from them.

"!" All three of their eyes widened in alarm as Sephiroth stretched out his wing and summoned his teleport circle of false light.

"I have chosen my path to take and I refuse to stray, no matter the outside influences. You three decide what path to take on your own."

"..." Then he just left them...

And for the first time in many years, since they could form memories in their time in the realm of darkness, they truly felt alone with no guidance. And they were scared...

"What do we do now...?" Loz sniffled, starting to cry.

"Don't cry Loz." Yazoo said over to Loz whom didn't even try to stop.

"Forget him...we'll find our answers on our own." Kadaj finally stated, forming up their next course of actions as he rose to his feet. They couldn't directly go to the flowergirl, Sephiroth was clearly still enraged about the previous conversation about her. For now, they would have to leave her be until he cooled down and find some clues elsewhere.

"Right! Together we'll play!" Loz said in excitement, his tears instantly drying up as he jump to his feet.

"Let's go see what this world has to hide." Yazoo said in agreement, gracefully following suit to rise up with the others. "It won't stay hidden for long."

With that all three of them disappeared into Dark Corridors.

Sephiroth had Sensed them leave. How disappointing. He was hoping that they would follow him like good little Remnants. Just like they use to for a long time. But it would seem that the puppets are finally breaking free of their strings. Which is good, they're finally growing in to their own power in darkness. If they have come to the decision to pursue the answers for meaningless questions then that was their own choice. As long as they did not interfer with what his plans, it makes no difference to him. For just like a setting sun, the darkness always returns.

The Heartless were already starting to act up all around Hollow Bastion. And with the borders of the town being in danger with the mass number of Heartless, the HBRC members will rally up to defend the town. A fleeting moment of panic pass through at the thought of Aeris joining in the fight, but he convinced himself that it was no matter. Because the one shadow member will more than likely be force to rise his head out of hiding.

Cloud.

He was looking to finally facing off with his other half. The fool has been running away for far too long, like a child running from the night that is inevitable to come. It was time for Cloud to face the Darkness.

His Summon Circle opened up to on the rooftop point leading to the stairway in Hollow Bastion Castle's Corridor. He had been hoping that Cloud had already entered the fray, but it would seem he was overestimating Cloud's zealous.

"Whoa!" He heard the startled gasp of a boy behind him. But he wasn't alone since Sephiroth could Sense two other lights standing alongside him. The light coming from the boy felt familiar.

"..." Rising up from his drop onto the scene, Sephiroth turned around to see that the light was Sora, the boy he fought in the Olympus Coliseum over a year ago. He seems to have grown.

"Sora, it's Sephiroth!" Quaked out the duck standing beside Sora.

"Ain't Sephiroth the one who's suppose to be the dark part of Cloud's heart?" Asked the dog on the other side of Sora.

"Hmph," The boy seemed to be on guard around him, which was a wise choice, but it would seem that he doesn't really remember Sephiroth. But oh well, it makes no difference. However, it would seem that Cloud has taken a slight interest in these three. Intriguing. Regardless, it would seem that Cloud has finally come to realize his position. "Did Cloud tell you that? Then he must understand now."

"Just what are you going to do to him?" Sora demanded. It would seem that the boy still needed training over his heart. His worry was overflowing from his heart and leaking into his words as if Sephiroth was going drown Cloud in a lake.

"Nothing." Sephiroth said in truth. "Cloud is the one who hungers for Darkness."

"He said he's got a score to settle with you."

"I see..." Good. So he's stopped running. "He wants to meet me again."

Sephiroth then turns around and walks away. There was no need to continuing this conversation with the three of them, he already has what he needs.

"Then, I should give him what he wants." Sephiroth smirked to himself, stopping in his tracks to look up to the sky. "That last bit of light is always the hardest to snuff out."

He could hear Sora running up to him to try and stop him from leaving, put he was already Floating into the sky. Summoning his Teleporting Corridor to make his exit. If Cloud was not here, perhaps he was back in the Great Maw.

However, if he had just stayed and continued walking along the path in front of him, into the Restoration Site, he would have run into Leon and the lovely Ancient that was causing trouble with him and his Remnants.

Aeris had stayed back a little as a Magic support while Leon dealt with the Heartless flanking their rear.

"We'll help!" Sora called out, running to their aid with Donald and Goofy.

"!" Aeris had turned around at his call, noticing the Heartless coming in from behind the three. "Sora! Behind you!"

"Wha?!" Donald was surprise by the sudden appearance of the Heartless since they had cleared out the area behind them. But all three of them were quick to action as they disposed of the Heartless. Aeris was fascinated and pleased at Sora's skill with the Keyblade as she watch him fight through the Heartless with more technique than the brawl style he use to have.

"The King's in the Bailey. You better head over there!" Leon told the three of them after clearing out the Heartless in front of him. They had come to make sure Sora and the others were okay when the number of Heartless started to rise and attack the area. But it also worked to have Sora help clear out the Heartless with them.

"Got it!" Sora nodded following Leon to the Bailey.

Leon and Aeris had rushed ahead of the three them into the Great Maw to help out the others. Leon had stayed behind in the Ravine Trail with Cloud to hold off the Heartless from getting to the town. Everyone was giving it there all, even Stitch and the three recently joined members of the HBRC were joining in the fight. Yuffie had went on ahead of everyone to the maw to deal with them herself. Knowing the amount of trouble she would be in on her own, Aeris had went after her.

Which was a good thing that she did. Yuffie had tired herself out, fighting off so many of the Heartless on her own that she fell on her rear in exhaustion. The Heartless passed by her as if she was no priority. Aeris rushed to her, casting a quick Cure as Yuffie caught her breath.

"Are you okay?" Aeris asked down to her as Yuffie sat up on one knee. Aeris was about to reach out a hand to help her up, but Yuffie shook her head at the offer.

"No, no, I'm fine." She rose to her feet, turning her head to Aeris with a nod in gratitude. "Thanks Aeris."

"No problem," Aeris answered in pleasure of the gratitude with her hand clasped together for a moment. However, this was no time for pleasantries.

"Let's get'em!"

"Right." Aeris nodded, running alongside Yuffie in the fray as they fought off the Heartless rushing for the town.

"..." Sephiroth had been watching the fighting a height further off from the others. Slightly impressed as the fools held up their own against the hordes of Heartless. It would seem that he has slightly underestimated them.

However, watching the little Ancient fight was a bit of an amusement for him. She had a gracefulness about her as she destroyed wave after wave of Heartless with one sweep of her Magic. Her Cetra affinity in Magic made her go through Blizzards, Fires, and Thunders switches as if it were nothing. And her ability to adapt around the people she'd fight beside made her even more of force to be reckoned with. But it was not just that, it was the way her eyes would pierce through enemies as she put all her focus into the fight. Sephiroth couldn't understand how she could be so cute and fierce at the same time? But it was still alluringly beautiful.

But he had to compose himself. He did not come here to watch the Ancient in action. No. He was here for Cloud. Scanning through the battlegrounds, he finally spotted Cloud fighting through the endless oncoming Heartless back-to-back alongside the one called Leon. They were slowing splitting further and further away from each other as they fought through the Heartless in opposite directions in the Ravine Trail. Both of them were making quick finish of the Heartless as they fought their way through, much to Sephiroth's pleasure at their skill, but Heartless just continued to keep coming. In not a short amount of time, the overwhelming number of Heartless had surrounded Cloud, separating him from the others, and closing in on him. But Sephiroth would not have that, floated down into the fray. The only one to put an end to Cloud was him.

He made his presence known as he All-Slashed have of the Heartless circling Cloud, destroying them in one swing. He couldn't help but smirk at the thought that Cloud was having so much trouble over such weak creatures.

"Sephiroth!" Cloud called out to him as his rage and hatred built from Sephiroth's mere presence alone.

"..." Sephiroth ignored as Cloud got his Buster Sword ready to fight as walked closer to him, pointing him out with his Masamune. "I understand that you've been looking for me."

"Yeah." Cloud's grip tighten on his sword. "Once I get rid of you, the darkness will go away."

"Can you do it?" Sephiroth highly doubted that he could. "That darkness comes from your own dark memories. Do you think you can erase your past?"

"Shut up."

"Face it- you turn your back on the present and live in the past. Because the light of the present is too much." Sephiroth called Cloud out on his flaws, only for his own to pop out on his hypocrisy. Sephiroth nearly let go of his composure as he could Sense Aeris's light in the distance suddenly get cornered by massive numbers of darkness. It took everything in him to stay in his spot and not rush to her aid.

"You don't know me!" Cloud yelled back at him, bring his attention back in the present.

"Cloud!" Called out Tifa from a far, breaking the tension as she ran towards them. Sephiroth took this interruption as a gift to continue this fight on another day without distractions and take his leave.

"!" While Cloud was startled at her appearance and looked away, Sephiroth was making his exit.

"I know. Because...I am you..." Sephiroth left that with Cloud for thought as he Teleport Corridor close to Aeris.

It would seem that during the time he had left her be to focus on Cloud, she had separated from Yuffie and had fought through the Heartless on her own. She had taken a large dent out of the Heartless on her own, he was sure, but she had seemed to have backed herself into a corner as the Heartless semi-circled her around the edge of a cliff. Looking down at the height below seemed to have dizzied her for a moment before she had to sharply look away, back to the Heartless behind her. Aeris was strong, strong in her own way, he would give her that. But she lacked the experience of battle to properly ration out her magic or pay attention where she was herding the enemy. Sure her magic was strong, and she always make quick work of her enemies with overpowering spells that made sure the enemy wouldn't get back up. Taking out dozens to a hundred in one foul swoop. But, she'd never take into account the other possible hundred enemies that would come after them.

Her carelessness would get her into trouble. As it was now since Sephiroth could Sense that she was down to her last drops of MP, no more than enough for a weak Fire spell. The Heartless knew this, and she knew that they knew this as she could see them quivering with excitement with their strange, jerky movement and the glow in their yellow eyes. There was a fear in her eyes along with a determination that showed her thoughts to the world. She didn't want to die, but wasn't afraid to face it. She had closed her eyes, waiting for the end.

"..." Of course Aeris didn't want to die, she had too much to lose. Kadaj, Loz, and Yazoo were waiting for her, and Riku would be devastated if she were to just disappear. Too many people were counting on her. And Sephiroth...she wanted to see him again. But death had been a possibility the moment the alarm sounded, the moment they realized this wasn't a couple of Heartless running through the streets. No.

This was a war.

And sometimes...people didn't make it back. There were a lot of battles she had fought along side her friends.

'I guess...this is the one where I'll have to say goodbye.' She slowly closed her eyes, with a deep exhale, preparing for the end. She hoped it'd be quick. When she opened her eyes again, she wasn't staring at the twitchy mass of black that was the Heartless. Instead, her vision was filled with silver. 'A Nobody? Wait- Not just silver. It's hair.'

She gasped in startled relief at the presence before her. It had taken a moment to catch up with the battle-mode part to finally realize that it was him. She had watched his back, so happy to see him in her moments that she thought would be her last, before watching as his black wing extended slowly from his back and the glint of Masamune caught her eye.

"Sephiroth," Aeris breathed. And with two quick swipes the Heartless were gone before all of her breath was out. His gloved hand found her wrist, pulling her away from the edge, and in front of him. Her green eyes found his glowing, mako ones, and her breath caught.

"..." He looked back at her as much as she looked back at him, scanning her body for injuries. Holding back the relief from expressing on his face that she was safe. Enraged at himself for becoming so fluster that he had almost lost her. He shouldn't let such feelings cloud his mind, but they did... She was a handful, but no one was allowed to handle her but him, not even the Heartless. His lips were curling into a smirk as he spoke in his low voice, his other now-free hand cupping her hand. "Try not to die."

"Hm?" Aeris glanced down at her hand as he let it go, opening her palm to where a single Ether now sat. "Oh- thank you."

"Hmph," Sephiroth was about to make a quick exit before her presence effected him further.

"Wait."

"!" But a single hold of her delicate hands on the back of his coat was enough to stop him in his place as he tried to walk away. He could easily break free from her gentle hold but internal forces were compelling him not to. Such was the power she had on him.

"If you want...we can fight together." Aeris proposed, gently resting her forehead on the joint of his wing. "I know that it's been a long time, but... I've always wanted to fight alongside you again. Ever since you rejoined Soldier, it has been my dream to fight your battles with you- just like that time we escaped from Shinra. Just so you would know that you're not alone. I guess...I'll never get that chance again. But...I'd still love to have you by my side in battle."

"..."

"..." Aeris stayed still in that moment with Sephiroth, wishing in a way that this moment would never end. But... the Heartless waited for no one. And her friends still needed her. She sadly let out a sigh as it looked like he wasn't going to move in this fight.

"You have a way at winning me over with words, little Cetra…"

"!" Aeris's head shot up in disbelief as she looked up to him, his back still to her. "Sephiroth."

"Show me what you can do."

"Right," Aeris nodded with a smile as she move to stand beside him. They marched together forward, away from the cliffside to the Heartless already starting to fill up the area. With a quick chug Aeris drank the Ether, rejuvenating her MP's recovery rate, her eyes barely leaving the Heartless for a moment. Both of them march on with their cool as the Heartless charged towards them. "Freeze!"

Casting a Blizzara which pierced into the front line of Heartless a frozen wave sharp as blades, poofing them away as the hearts they held escaped into the sky. Sephiroth smoothly jumped on Aeris's Blizzara, leaping from it at the Heartless as he sliced through their ranks like a torque powered bullet. Once landing he continued to slash through the Heartless as Aeris bulldozed her way to them with a Fira that danced around her, whacking at the Heartless that somehow got through the fire.

"Perish," Sephiroth commanded them as he pierced the ground casting a Dark Thundara that smite the hordes around him with lightning while shocking the ground beneath him.

"Fury Brand!"

"!" Sephiroth's eyes widen as he felt the power flow through him as Aeris's Limit Break filled his Limit Gauge to the max.

"Sephiroth," Aeris called to him initiating a Limit Duo, leaping to his side as she reached with her heart for him to accept the Combo.

"Very well," was all Sephiroth said in compliance. Summoning the Darkness within him as he continually warped around the enemies, slashing and shooting out concentrated burst of darkness from his body that consumed and destroy their enemies on contact. As Aeris would warp close after him with her light, casting Holy on the enemies. "Ahh!"

"Light!" Aeris battle-cried out her Holy incinerated the Heartless while Sephiroth's darkness consumed and crushed them. They would strike together as well in a circle as a deadly dance. Sephiroth slashing the enemies away with Masamune while Aeris would cover him back with a strike from Princess Guard from behind. The dance seemed to go on for almost a small eternity, Sephiroth was enthralled in the moment that he never wanted it to end. But sadly the Limit Gauge was nearly depleted to its last drop. It was time to put a finale to this dance. "Sephiroth!"

"Together!"

"Come Darkness!" "Come Light!" They said together, rising their free hand to the sky. A Dark Graviga came down crushing the Heartless all around them as support Light unleashed her Limit Break Planet Protector and Pulse of Life on the two of them, making them invincible for a few minutes and also completely healing them.

"(Huff, Exhale) You were amazing." Aeris praised to Sephiroth with a smile as they had cleared out the entire area.

"You were also quiet brilliant as well."

"I'm pleased that I met up to your expectations. We make a good team." Aeris smiled up to him before Sensing the destress from familiar hearts close to the Ravine Trail. "Oh!"

"?"

"Someone's in trouble." Aeris clarified in distress, teleporting to the source in light as Sephiroth followed close by with nonchalant curiosity in his own teleport. They had opened up their teleports to find Goofy down on the ground under a cliff and wasn't moving. "Oh no..."

"He was abandoned?"

"No, they must have thought he was dead." Aeris concluded, getting close to get a better look at his condition. Bending over, resting her hands on her knees as she looked Goofy over. "Poor thing, he's got a nasty goose bump."

"Why didn't they use a Cure on him?"

"They must have been too angry at the situation to even think of trying that." Aeris summed up again. "I expected such behavior from Donald, but Sora...perhaps he's forgotten how to use Cure spells during his long sleep."

"..." Sephiroth watched from the back as Aeris place out a hand towards Goofy and casted a Curaga. Goofy's goose bump began to swell down as the healing fixed him up. He began to move a little and grumble as he was starting to come to. But before he wakes up, Aeris crouches down and places a Cure Element in his hand, using her hands to make him close his grip on it.

"There. That should do it." She nodded in approval at her work before rising to her feet again and turned to look back at Sephiroth. "Goofy's not good at Magic, but at least he can give it to Sora. Better to have more than one person able to cast healing magic in their party."

"How generous of you."

"It's not like I need Materia to use magic."

"Hmph, I see..." Sephiroth couldn't help but smirk at that.

"Okay, let's go."

"You're not going to wait for him to come to?"

"He'll be alright. Besides, he has to catch up to his friends so they can fight their own fight, while we have to return to ours."

"What makes you so sure that I'll join you?" Sephiroth countered at her, but she called his bluff with a smile.

"I know you will. You're having too much fun with me."

"Hmph, so you've noticed." And like that they disappeared into their teleports back to the Great Maw, Sephiroth following close after Aeris. It was time to have some more fun with the Heartless alongside his fiery flower girl.

… Meanwhile, in the Void of the Dark Corridors …

Riku had been traveling through the void between Corridors, trying to make his way to Radiant Garden. In his hand was the box that held the key to lead Sora, Donald, and Goofy to the world of Organization XIII. He had to get this to the three of them right away, but at the same time he wasn't rushing out of fear of them seeing him. True, he didn't want Sora to see him like this. But at the same time he was worried about what was happening at Radiant Garden. He had felt the buildup of Darkness on that world before king Mickey had even met up with him again...

He was on Twilight Town, getting constant updates on Kairi and Pluto from Naminé while also checking in on DiZ and his progress. It would seem that during their time apart DiZ had been working on a way to stop Organization XIII from collecting hearts while also trying to find a way to guide Sora and the others to the world of the Nobodies without the use of a Dark Corridor. The process has been taking DiZ some time, but he was finally starting to see results. It was simply a matter a time before DiZ gave the means of travel over to Riku for delivery to the others. But the time it took for things to progress had been making Riku feel powerless. He just didn't feel right just staying put while the others were in danger.

"Riku, please, you have to be patient." Naminé pleaded to Riku, watching him walk back and forth along the Station Tower's roof as she sat on the edge.

"How can I sit still while Kairi is in trouble and Sora's putting himself in danger?" Riku retorted back.

"Rushing things will get us nowhere?"

"And so will doing nothing."

"Have faith in DiZ. He's been working really hard."

"(Sigh) Right, I know, I know. I'm sorry..." Riku groaned out, stopping at his pacing as he rubbed his forehead without revealing himself from the hood. "I'm just worried."

"Thing's will get better, Riku, I promise. We'll rescue Kairi and take down the Organization together with Sora."

"No, it's not just that. I just-" Riku was about to explain his troubles when he felt the summon of Light shine beside them as he felt the presence of a familiar heart come from within it.

"There you are, pal! I was about to get worried when I returned to the Castle That Never Was and you weren't there."

"Mickey," Riku greeted the king, happy to see him but a little nervous at the same time.

"Did something happen at the castle? Where's Pluto?"

"Hm-" Riku flinched at little with concern at how he was going to proceed with that answer. "About that some...things came up."

"Nothing good I take it?"

"Afraid not. We had finally got some activity from one of the members of the Organization named Axel and decided to follow him." Riku explained. "It turned out that he was after Kairi so we lead her to Twilight Town to try and hide her from him and Pluto stayed with her to keep her safe. But Axel eventually found her again and took her away."

"Oh no! This is not good."

"My thoughts exactly."

"Hmm, Kairi is one of the Princesses of Heart. Do you think he was following orders from the Organization?"

"Naminé doubts that. From what she observed from Kairi's heart, Axel is acting on his own. Using Kairi as a means to try and bring back Roxas from within Sora."

"Gosh. Well...Pluto's with her and it sounds like Axel doesn't want to hurt Kairi, so she's safe for now."

"Yes, about that..." Naminé interjected. "She was safe with him, however... Saïx had caught Axel just recently and has taken Kairi and Pluto to Organization XIII."

"Oh no, this is really bad! They'll probably use Kairi as a means to get to Sora." King Mickey concluded what was the likely outcome.

"I know." Riku groaned out at the situation, rubbing his forehead as he began to pace around again. "That's why DiZ is working faster on a way to get Sora and the others to The Castle That Never Was without the use of Dark Corridors. I'm really sorry about Pluto, Mickey."

"Ahaha, oh gosh, pal. Don't worry about that. Pluto has the means to come and go wherever he wants. He's just being a good boy and looking after Kairi."

"That, I really appreciate. I'm glad she's not alone in that place. But I also don't like the idea of Kairi in the hands of Organization XIII with each passing second, but I know we can't do anything until Sora is prepared to face them."

"Gosh, you're really worked up about this. Where is Sora now?" King Mickey asked, stopping Riku in his steps.

"Heading towards Hollow Bastion." Riku and Naminé both answered king Mickey at the same time, before looking at each other in shock at their unplanned synchronization. "?"

"Well that's good. Last I checked in, the HBRC have been making progress finding their way into Ansem's Study in Hollow Bastion Castle."

"But that also concerns me." Riku admitted.

"Huh?"

"The Darkness on Hollow Bastion has been rising as of late in an alarming rate. If nothing is done to stop it, I fear it will be overrun with Heartless."

"!" King Mickey knew from experience to trust an Ancient's instinct. But above all, he learned to trust his friend. If Riku feared that Hollow Bastion would be overrun with Heartless, then it was more than likely going to be overrun with Heartless. "I know you're worried, I'll go and lend them a hand."

"I want to hel-"

"No. I need you to stay here and wait for DiZ to finish finding away for Sora to get to the world of the Nobodies. He'll need the means to get there right away, so I need you to be on standby to deliver that means as soon as possible."

"But my Mom."

"I promise I'll keep everyone safe. I need you to trust me, Riku."

"... Alright." Riku reluctantly agreed with Mickey's plan, still overflowing with worry for his mother and the others back on Radiant Garden.

"Thank you, Riku. Don't worry." Mickey assured to Riku with a smile as he summoned the light again to take him to Radiant Garden. "Everything is going to be okay!"

But was everything going to be okay? He had been overflowing with worry as he could Sense the flow of Darkness rising on Radiant Garden only for it to be recently halted by confronting light. He knew that everyone there must have been fighting really hard against the Heartless, and the thought made him want to race to Radiant Garden to help them. But he was entrusted with a task and he couldn't let Mickey down. Also, he didn't want to risk bumping into Sora during the fray and being discovered. By the time DiZ had found a way to get Sora and the others to the world of the Nobodies the fight on Radiant Garden was reaching its peak. Apparently the way for Sora and them to get to The Castle That Never Was is on Twilight Town, and DiZ had entrusted him to provide clues for Sora and them to lead them back to there.

It was almost ironic. Riku had been keeping things from the simulated world to return back to Roxas. It was almost in a way his only means of helping out Sora...and apologizing to Roxas. With a bar of Sea-Salt Ice Cream and a photo that should have never existed. Riku was on is way to deliver his hint to Sora...

"Funny bumping into you here, Faker."

"?!" Riku was startled at the presence of another inside the Dark Corridor's void. It's massiveness made it nearly impossible for one to bump into another person unless they had enter through the same Corridor. It didn't calm him down either that the guy had snuck up on him without Riku noticing. "Tch, you're with Organization XIII."

"Bingo, the name's Xigbar, Number II." He introduced himself, clapping at Riku's deduction in sarcasm.

"Tch," Riku gritted his teeth under his hood in frustration. But now wasn't the time for that, this guys was close to Riku's way to Radiant Garden and he needed answers. "Why are you here? Does Organization XIII have something to do with what's happening at Hollow Bastion."

"Maybe." Xigbar chimed with a shrug.

"Bastard!"

"Whoa, language." Xigbar chastised with a finger.

"You guys took Kairi too, what have you done with her?" Riku practically growled out the question.

"Hey, relax, poppet is safe with us." Xigbar said, pushing his hands out in a gesture of 'take it easy.' "Besides, I don't think she's your biggest concern right now."

"?!"

"We need the kid to gather up more hearts for us, you see. So the boss's got the rest of us turing beings with powerful hearts into Heartless all around the world for the kid."

"!"

"And my jobs got me turning Dragons into Heartless. It's going to be horrible for Sora, but fun for me." Riku could practically hear Xigbar grinning under his hood.

"Xigbar No."

"Xigbar Yes."

"Don't do it."

"I'mma do it."

"Don't you do it!"

"I'm already going!" Xigbar waved Riku off laughing as he turned around and walked away. "I'm gone, Bye!"

"No, no, no, no!" Riku ran after him only for Xigbar to disappear through his own Corridor opening. "Dammit!"

"Hmph, I've done my part. Deal with these imbeciles as you please." Came the voice of Maleficent through the void's darkness.

"Wait what?" But Riku didn't have time to react, Sora, Donald, and Goofy were already there. Suddenly appearing through a Dark Corridor Maleficent must have opened up for them under their feet right to him. "!"

"?!" They were startled by the pitch darkness of the void, which was reasonable. Looking around for any signs of life or landmarks.

Donald was the first to notice him.

"What?!" Donald cried out in startle, drawing the others' attention to him. "Who's there?!"

"!" Donald ran at him, causing Riku to panic. In the spur of the moment, he warped away in his own Corridor opening leaving the box behind. Hopefully they'll understand what the content inside means. They should also be able to use it to get out of the Corridor's void as well. He'll just have to trust that they'll be okay on their own.

"That's right... Go, Sora." For now he's got to stop an idiot from turning a Dragon into a Heartless.

… Author's Notes …

KH2 note: Just to get an understanding of KH2 timeline flow relevant to Riku, when Mickey leaves Riku to answer Minnie distress call from the heart, Sora and the others had answered her summon too. And after helping Queen Minnie at Disney Castle we'll say on the night of that same day Sora, Donald, and Goofy had left to the world of Port Royal to help out Captain Jack Sparrow, setting sail through the night. On the next day, they had left to Agrabah and help out Aladdin and Jasmine to help reclaim Jafar's lamp from a merchant with treasure from the cave of wonders, during which on Destiny Islands Axel attempts to abduct Kairi. It takes Sora and the others until the next to finally get the task done during which time Axel had finally found Kairi in Twilight Town and successfully kidnapped her. Sora doesn't find out about this until after he was done in the Agrabah and the path to Twilight Town reopened for him again.